How time flies. Five months have past since I last wrote a single word on Aye Wonder. But I have come to the conclusion that writing is good for me because 1. I like writing 2. it’s a great release of frustration 3. it keeps me curious about the outside world. Another big reason I am writing again is that many of you have said that you missed my shoot from the hip musings. You like going to the dentists too, huh? Well, I am grateful for your support. That all said, I’m a little rusty, a little less quick witted and full of tales from the last five months. Bear with me. And without further adieu, today’s Aye Wonder Tuesday.

☞Last year at this time, we were knee deep in McCain/Obama. I wrote regularly back then because there was so much to talk about. Nothing has changed. There is still plenty to talk about. Since Obama became President, we have fractured even further as a nation. Yesterday, I received this photo from an old friend and former boss.

My answer? Ahh. NO. Has President Obama done a good job? No. Not really. Has he done a bad job? I don’t think he has done a bad job either.

Lets give a quick look at some of the eveidence. First of all, we are talking to the rest of the world again. That has to be good. He has more diplomacy in his little finger than George Bush ever exhibited. He’s done a great job instilling family values; not by policy but by example. Personally, I think an overhaul of the health care system is needed in this country and Obama is tackling that issue not with aplomb but he’s getting it done. The economy is a different issue all together.  He has failing marks from me on that issue but I emphasize that the grading period isn’t over.

This period in our history is vastly different than anything we have experienced in our lifetime. There are no quick fixes. We have a serious demographic problem. Baby Boomers, the largest demographic body to ever move through any society in the history of the world, are liquidating. They are getting old and selling everything they bought in the 80’s and 90’s. But here’s the dilemma. Who do they sell to? If you were the largest demographic group in history who will replace you? Who will buy your vacation homes? President Obama can’t do much about that.

☞Enough of that. Did I tell you I was managing a band for the past nine months? Endway is their name and they have made great strides over the past nine months. Breakout is imminent. College students love them. Their third album, Running Man, is an outstanding summer soundtrack but can be listened to anytime especially when you need to feel great. (By the way, you can get the band’s album for free at www.endway.com) Some days are great. I make new contacts, rekindle old ones and generally have fun. But there are other days when I throw my hands up into the air because of the failings of collaboration. All in all, it’s the good, the bad & the ugly. Yesterday = very ugly.

☞If any of you are golfers and love going to Scotland, I posted a PDF on my Golf in Scotland page above. Even if you are not a golfer but enjoy amazing scenery, you might want to take a peak at it. A Boston based developer recently opened a new course in Argyll on the Kintyre Peninsula. It’s called Machrihanish Dunes. And it is truly a gem. I can’t wait to play there.

☞And speaking of Scotland, I have not been in over two years, the longest drought in my life since I was twenty years old. It has been surprising to me that I have missed it every day. I can’t think of another place or thing, for that matter, that I have yearned for. All that yearning is hopefully coming to an end when I make my way back to St Andrews at the end of October. It’s a trip that’s long overdue and eagerly awaited.

☞Have you been reading about the new movie studio moving into Massachusetts in Plymouth? It is a massive undertaking. Two years ago, the state legislature approved a tax rebate to those making movies or tv shows in Massachusetts. Since then, revenue to the state from this industry has sky rocketed. Governor Patrick intends for the entertainment business to be one of the top 5 industries in the state over time. Lets hope that we don’t drive them out as we have in the past to other industries after welcoming them with open arms.  You’ll be reading a lot more about this.

☞Sometime ago, I started reading the Daily Beast. If you want to stay informed on a variety of subjects but don’t have loads of time, this may be for you. The Daily Beast is the quickest read ever. Do not pass GO. Do not collect $200. Go directly to www.dailybeast.com.  You will amaze and amuse your friends and family with your new found knowledge of current affairs and dirt.

☞I never stop listening to music. Music is a great support mechanism. Aye Wonder Tuesday has always been the place that I keep tabs on the music I am listening to at the moment. I am introducing you to two artists, Gin Wigmore and Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers. They couldn’t be more dissimilar. Gin is from New Zealand by way of Australia. She’s 22, has a unique voice and seems to me to be a good natured (and beautiful) Amy WInehouse. Oh My by Gin is your first track. Stephen Kellogg has been around for awhile. He’s 32! Ha. His music has kind of an alt-country sound to it and his song Born in the Spring hit me hard the first time I heard it. Listen up and see if you agree.

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☞And what Aye Wonder Tuesday would be complete without a quote of the week. This is dedicated to all of the know-it-alls of the world. You know who you are.

When you don’t know what you don’t know, you think you know it all.
~My Dad

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is your first installment in what promises to be ( threatens to be? ) the return of Aye Wonder.

Aye still wonder.
And hope you do too.

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