I know there is something intimate about the Friday News Digest. When I don’t finish one – like happened with my crazy schedule last week – I hear from many people who miss it. Part of it is that the structure is loose and my writing is more off-the-cuff. It is kind of fun, sometimes cheeky, and I think you get a little more of the “Friday” approach; less disciplined and structured. I’m not sure I can pin down the rest of the appeal, but know that I enjoy writing it a lot. We’ve had discussions here about giving it to others to do, but I just can’t give it up.
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This has been a tough winter, even for a Minnesotan who generally likes the cold and snow. I must admit that January was made a lot more bearable with the knowledge that the first week of February I would be heading somewhere nice and warm: Dallas. Well, while it is substantially warmer than Minnesota, 20 degrees and snow was not what I was hoping for. How quaint – I even packed my shorts. It is rather comical to watch how they handle things down here though, one of the few times Minnesota can be a little bit smug. They even closed school tomorrow. I get it, but we don’t even bother to shovel this little amount of snow.
Enjoy the week’s news.
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A great night in Fitchburg, Wisconsin last night where we did a Curbside Chat with a packed house. Today I’m giving a guest lecture at UW-Madison— quite and honor – before heading back home to balmy Brainerd, MN. Thanks to everyone who turned out in Wisconsin and heads up to all you in Rochester, MN, where we’ll be next week. Can you believe I’ve lived in the Land of 10,000 Lakes all my life and never been to Rochester? Glad we’re correcting that deficiency.
Enjoy the week’s news.
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Welcome to the first news digest of 2014. This year was off to a strange start with my return to normal operating conditions given a two day delay by the extreme cold. And no, my new friends in Mississippi, I mean real cold. My girls had their winter break extended by two days due to temperatures that didn't rise above double digit below zero. I went outside a little bit -- nicely bundled up, of course -- just to get a good feel for it, but really....that's cold. It feels like a heat wave now with temperatures poised to rise above freezing. Where's the Curbside Chat in San Diego when you need it?
Enjoy the news.
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We've been in Wisconsin this week, a trip that was long overdue. Last night we had a Curbside Chat at Marquette University in Milwaukee. When the presentation was over and we were about to start the "chat" portion, we were informed that the lecture hall was booked by another group and we would need to vacate. We wound up downstairs in a student lounge with a bunch of couches. It was the most intimate, relaxed and productive conversation we've had -- incredibly enjoyable. I think we've discovered a new format.
Enjoy this week's news.
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Today is the First of November, which in the Marohn household means that we are now allowed to listen to Christmas music. Don't worry; we are not breaking out the classics today -- no Bing Crosby and nobody singing Silent Night -- but a fun mix of swing, jazz and big band. And since today the kids have an early out -- a half day of school, brilliant move the day after Halloween -- I suspect we'll experience a little of the old Friday dance party. Have to keep doing that while the kids are still young enough to think dad is mildly cool.
Enjoy the week's news!
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