*Beginning in 2010, I began a bi-weekly column, “From Richard’s Oft Cluttered Desk” which appears every other Wednesday.

The 2010 Winter Olympics are about to begin and my how we’ve missed you so. I will never forget my first Olympics.  I wasn’t a competitor, just a kid watching the 1992 Summer Olympics, the year Barcelona hosted. I remember watching the diving events on television in our living room. I remember because I was in awe that it was outside. I marveled at the beauty.

Then another night we were watching women’s gymnastics. Our family watched as American Shannon Miller graced the floor with her amazing abilities. This is where the competitor in me comes out. My sister and I immediately went to the backyard and started doing our own versions of the floor routine and the vault. It was an entertaining site for many, I’m sure. But it was partly sport and wholly excitement.

Many kids around the world grow up dreaming of becoming an Olympian. I did. As the XXI (21st) Olympiad gets set to light the world, I am reminded of a lot of things about what matters in the world. The theme of these 16 days is: “With Glowing Hearts.” Anytime that flame is lit, my idealism comes alive. The athletes prove that we are one world and we can live and prosper together. I hope I see that over these two weeks.

But the more and more I look at it, the more I see the Games are losing their peace. Just last week, American ice-skater Johnny Weir had to change his costume because of threats he and his designer were getting over the fur he was using. Yes it was real fur.

I can understand and I certainly respect animal rights groups’ absolute right in protesting and drawing attention to the use of real animal fur, but they are stealing what should be and could be the brightest athletic achievement for Weir. Both Weir and his designer received hate mail. Is that where we’ve come? Is that as far as we’ve come as a society? To move past honest debate and respect for personal choice to sending hate mail?

I feel sorry for Johnny. I also feel sorry for the people who sent the letters. Passion is great. Honest debate is necessary. But anger and hatred, violence and threats of disruptions distorts the real issue. So Johnny made the smart choice in changing his costume. In doing so, the little kid in me cried. I was again back in my backyard not able to do cartwheels, but I still kept trying. I still ran, put my hands down and hoped I could get my legs over.

The Olympic dream is about coming together in piece, despite our differences, to prove, that once again, we can come together in peace. I hope this is just a blimp on an amazing 16 days. I hope the world sees the glowing hearts coming from Vancouver instead of hated and anger. The world needs it.

Related posts:

1. McCoy a True Champion
2. Good Things are Coming
3. Earn It

*note: I don’t work for, nor is this an endoresment of Sheraton Hotels… I was just there a bit ago and wanted to take this photo.

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This year, I achieved a goal I didn’t even know I had: I was in an art show! That was the first time I’d shown any of my art in the view of the public – and let them talk to me about their thoughts on it! For the month of November, a few pieces of my work were up on display at my local Starbucks. It was cool to stop by, have a cup of coffee and see my work hanging up. I hope the patrons enjoyed it too.

This has been an incredible journey and I can’t wait to see where it goes next!

Related posts:

1. My Art Show
2. The Improbable 2009

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This is a photo from my art show on July 11. What a great expeience! Just an FYI, I’m currently working on a way to sell my art pieces on my website… so stay tuned for that!

Related posts:

1. A Coffee Shop Show

When a sports team is losing a game, oftentimes the coaches and players go back to the basics and what the team does best. Its a sound strategy with proven results. However, doing the same thing over and over only gets the same result, even if it is a positive one.

If your organizational metrics are solid then why be more creative? If your ROI is high why rock the boat? If your book sells with average words why strive to use different style elements.

You have to be creative for three main reasons:

1) It can help change your perspective. When your perspective changes, you’re able to find new ideas, fresh ways to express the same idea.

2) Being creative can open a whole new world to ideas, customers, innovations, thinking… you name it, opening the doors of creativity and the possibilities are endless.

3) You have to push yourself. You need to push yourself in everything you do to be creative, to try something new. It’s these experiences of letting your guard down where your soul and your passions can really come out.

It’s an amazing thing when you see your creativity flow. Good luck to you!

Related posts:

1. Creativity, I am Waiting
2. Let the Volunteers Go
3. Are You in Debt?

The campaign site is no longer active, but I have a new domain (MayorDedor.com) that I can’t decide what to do with. Any ideas? I’d love to hear them!

In honor of today, I’ve picked out a few desks I think would look good in my office once I am elected governor, senator or maybe even president. Just picture the Oval Office behind these desks… interesting no?

Courtesy of MocoLoco

Courtesy of Luxist

Actually, I would pick the Resolute Desk for my Oval Office.

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I must say, while I like it cause it’s clean looking, it’s mostly a disappointment. It related nothing to Tampa, Florida. To me, this logo screams an average event.

Here are my Top 5 Worst Super Bowl Logos:

#5

Boring with a terrible shadow

#4

Was this in Arizona?! I do love the colors though

#3

It’s nice, but it was a change from where the logos were going. They have never recovered.

#2 (this year’s logo)

It looks nice, but just boring and not Tampa-like… maybe it’s something in Tampa’s water.

#1 Worst Logo

I can’t even say anything

On the flip-side, I love mostly everyone from 1998 – 2004. They said something about the host city and it reminds you something about the game, the experience and that is what the Super Bowl has become – an experience.

Here are my Top 5 Best Super Bowl Logos:

#5

While this is very simplistic for 2006, it says Detroit – - very motorish

#4

I love the feeling I get when I see this logo… go Jacksonville!

#3

This isn’t the original logo for this game, but it was changed after the 9.11 attacks. This was also my favorite half-time show (featured U2)

#2

San Diego wins the final two places. They just know how to showcase their city.

#1 Best Logo

I am biased towards this one (my team won their first Super Bowl at this one), but I loved it because it really was the second in the trend of showing who your city was in the logo.

I will pick the winner of the game next week. If you’re interested, you can view all the past Super Bowl logos at SportsLogos.net.

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