1. A couple of weeks ago, I was talking to a client about creativity, innovation and the like. He mentioned to me that he loved the book A Whack on the Side of the Head, by creativity master, Roger von Oech. I recommended that he also read von Oech’s other book, A Kick in the Seat of the Pants. Both books are classics and have been around since the ’80’s.
Then we both got to wondering about what had become of the author and what he’s up to now.
I didn’t know Roger von Oech, although I’d always been a fan of his work. I’d never met him or knowingly met anyone who’d met him.
Then yesterday, this comment appears on my blog:
“First time to your site. Spending the evening ‘surfing the web.’ Came from a comment you made on Dick Phillips’ site, and before that Dave Rothacker. Amazing world. Looks like you’re doing some interesting things with a lot of interesting people. I crossed paths with Tom Peters a few times in the mid and late 80s when we were on the same program. Good luck to you! Stop on by sometime!”
and it was “signed” simply,
Roger von Oech
2. My blog-pal, Tim Johnson (one of the finest writers in the blogosphere, by the way) was kind enough to send me the pre-edit manuscript of his forthcoming book, Gust: The “Tale” Wind of Office Politics. The guilt mounted each day that I didn’t get around to reading it. I’d promised him, after all. And I really did want to, but other things kept piling up and, well, you know how it goes.
So, today–finally–I carved out the time for Tim’s book. I turned off my computer, went outside (San Diego!) and settled into a chair in my back yard.
25 pages later, my cell phone rang. I wouldn’t have picked up, but after seeing the caller ID I had no choice.
It was Timothy Johnson.
Coincidences? Fate? Divine Will? Synchronicity?
I’ll leave that debate to the philosophers. For me, these kinds of experiences can all be boiled down to three simple words:
Very, very cool.
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