Through the Keyhole - March 2021

MARCH 2021 Through the Keyhole Take a break from your day... Not your typical company OR newsletter

"This Capital City with more than 2000 peaked-dome temples is home to some pretty big thieves who have torn apart many temples in search of treasures.  It is also home to some big problems lately as a rogue state.  Seems interesting.. and slightly familiar." Can you guess the location? WAKE UP.  It's March! Well the stupid groundhog told us that we should expect 6 more weeks of winter... Man was he right.  We had some record breaking snow last month and we are all looking forward to a brighter spring ahead.  With all of the uncertainty and happenings that seemingly can't be explained away, we could use some good weather and a brighter outlook for our future. This month's issue is dedicated to my beloved Cassidy who passed away quickly at the age of 12 this February 18th.  I know those of you who have loved a dog understand how hard it is to lose one.  Other people think you're crazy for the amount of grief one feels when that family member has left the planet. All I can say is that my family, company and life has been better just having her around.  For those who knew her, she brought joy to everyone she met and was the best office dog EVER.  I thank God that her life was healthy and happy until the very end.  Thank you CASSIDY for those wonderful years (and thank you GOD for letting us share them with you).  You will never forgotten...and are sorely missed. Okay.  Now on to some fun stuff. (tissues please)  Life must go on... One of the best things about March, in my opinion, is March Madness.  For a few weeks the nation can watch college kids duke it out for top dog.  I am always amazed that the point spreads on the betting line are unbelieveably dead on... Makes me think it could be fixed.  Either way, these kids (some of them 7 foot giants) leave it all on the floor.  Remember a couple of years ago when Loyola Chicago made run?  And Sister Jean became an overnight sensation?  That is what is special about March Madness.  Sometimes an underdog ends up going a long ways. This year all of the games will be played in the state of Indiana with the following schedule: Selection Sunday: March 14 First Four: March 18 -- Mackey Arena (West Lafayette), Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall (Bloomington) First round: March 19, 20 -- Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis); Mackey Arena (West Lafayette); Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall (Bloomington) Second round: March 21, 22 -- Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis) Sweet 16: March 27, 28 -- Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Hinkle Fieldhouse (Indianapolis) Elite Eight: March 29, 30 -- Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis) Final Four: April 3, 5 -- Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis) GO BOILERS! New ways your company can use TURNkey to strengthen your business: 1)  Do an "opportunity scorecard" to assess your business in general (find profit centers and places to grow your business) Objective: To assess the current state of the business and identify multiple opportunities to increase company profitability Timeframe: 2-3 weeks Deliverable: Customized List of Business Opportunities 2) Solve a specific business problem ( like getting your employees back in the office) EXAMPLE: Project Focus: Assess current state of workforce and outline a transition plan to increase staff presence and in-office productivity Timeframe: 3-4 weeks Deliverable: Workforce Transition Plan, to include: Interviews of key employees and management team members Summary of current state / workforce impact of COVID Outline of a recommended transition strategy, with major workforce considerations & cost estimates (if applicable) Specific recommendations regarding potential workplace accommodations, scheduling recommendations and other policy considerations Staff communication plan, with recommended transition calendar and contingencies based on state/local guidance 3) Provide support when a key employee leaves the workforce Objective: To provide an experienced resource on a temporary basis to supplement an existing leadership team with a specific set of needed skills. Timeframe: 4 week minimum. Arrangement may be full- or part-time based on client need. Potential Roles / Areas of Expertise Operations / COO Strategy / Product Management Accounting / Controller / CFO Marketing / Digital Marketing / CMO Recruiting / Talent Management / CHRO Technology / CTO Just a reminder that we have expanded our offering to our base... Family can be funny. Can you spot the ones that were photoshopped in who couldn't make the reunion? This dad left his kids alone while he took a shower...Ugh. Guess the Location Game Last month the winner of the guess the location game was PJ Weiland  who guessed the right answer.  I appreciate all of the participation.  THANKS FOR PLAYING! ANSWER: Temple of Hercules Victor, near Rome, Italy "Made of Greek Marble, this monument is the only surviving one of its kind.  The temple is circular with 20 columns.  The  Temple is said to be in honor of where its subject rested after his 10th labor. Although you may not guess the actual structure, getting the city right would be close enough..."  Can you guess the location? The Temple of Hercules Victor or Hercules Olivarius is a Roman temple in Piazza Bocca della Verità, in the area of the Forum Boarium close to the Tiber in Rome, Italy. It is a tholos - a round temple of Greek 'peripteral' design completely encircled by a colonnade. This layout caused it to be mistaken for a temple of Vesta until it was correctly identified by Napoleon's Prefect of Rome, Camille de Tournon. Despite the Forum Boarium's role as the cattle-market for ancient Rome, the Temple of Hercules is the subject of a folk belief claiming that neither flies nor dogs will enter the holy place. The temple is the earliest surviving marble building in Rome. The Hercules Temple of Victor is also the only surviving sacred temple in ancient Rome that is made of greek marble. Today it remains unsolved who this temple was dedicated for and for what purpose. Hercules was a bad ass. The adventures of Hercules which occupy the most important place in the classical mythology are undoubtedly his 12 labors. These were as under: First Labor: Slaying the Nemean Lion Second Labor: Slaying the Lernaean Hydra Third Labor: Capturing the Golden Hind of Diana (Greek: Artemis) Fourth Labor: Capturing the Erymanthian Boar Fifth Labor: Cleaning the Augean Stables in a single day Sixth Labor: Slaying the Stymphalian Birds Seventh Labor: Capturing the Cretan Bull Eighth Labor: Stealing the mares of Diomedes Ninth Labor: Obtaining the girdle of Hippolyta, the Queen of the Amazons Tenth Labor: Obtaining the cattle of the monster Geryon Eleventh Labor: Stealing the apples of the Hesperides Twelfth Labor: Capturing and bringing back Cerberus Throughout his life, Hercules went through many adventures. While he is known most for his 12 labors, in which he defeated numerous vicious monsters almost single-handedly, there were also several ‘minor’, but equally challenging tasks that the hero undertook and emerged victorious each time. Hercules is essentially characterized by immense strength, courage, and cleverness. Along with Mercury (Greek: Hermes), he is regarded as the protector of wrestling schools and gymnasia. Often portrayed wearing a lion skin and holding a club, he is believed to have made the world worth living for human beings by getting rid of several hostile and extremely dangerous forces. We need a new Hercules for today. Historic photos of the temple to present day ~ 1 min. A nice tour of the temple ~7 min. What did ancient Rome look like?  AMAZING how they lived. ~5 min. The best of Humblebrags... Elvis...THE KING Just months prior to his death.  Elvis's last great moment of his career ~ 5 minutes  A great video, but so sad to him in his last days.    When Elvis Presley hit the road in June 1977, he was an absolute mess. He was only 42, but years of prescription drug abuse and horrifying dietary habits had left him bloated, depressed and near death. He had an enlarged heart, an enlarged intestine, hypertension and incredibly painful bowel problems. He was barely sleeping and should have probably been in the hospital, but he was still a huge draw on the concert circuit and the money was too good to turn down. It had been over a year since Elvis last released a studio album, and his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, was determined to get more product into the stores.   Despite Elvis' horrid shape, Parker arranged for a camera crew to film the June 19th show in Omaha for a planned TV special and live album. It eventually did air on CBS two months after Elvis died, but has yet to resurface in any official capacity.   Of course, this isn't the image of Elvis that his estate wants the fans to remember. Two days later ( 21 June), the cameras were still rolling when the tour hit Rapid City, South Dakota. It was another weak and sad night until Elvis sat down at the piano near the end of the show to deliver what was a spellbinding rendition of "Unchained Melody.”   As guitarist Charlie Hodge held a microphone, Elvis dug deep and poured his heart into the song. His body was falling apart, but his voice remained almost as powerful as ever.   Without any doubt, it's the last great moment of his career. The tour limped along through five more shows, wrapping up June 26th at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana. He died less than two months later. Attached is that great performance. Do you know what a deepfake is? It's getting pretty hard to spot a deepfake  ~ 3 minutes Some Wisdom... I asked a friend who has crossed 70 & is heading towards 90 what sort of changes he is feeling in himself? He sent me the following:   1 After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children and my friends, I have now started loving myself.   2 I have realized that I am not “Atlas”. The world does not rest on my shoulders.   3 I have stopped bargaining with vegetable & fruit vendors. A few pennies more is not going to break me, but it might help the poor fellow save for his daughter’s school fees.   4 I leave my waitress a big tip. The extra money might bring a smile to her face. She is toiling much harder for a living than I am.   5 I stopped telling the elderly that they've already narrated that story many times. The story makes them walk down memory lane & relive their past.   6 I have learned not to correct people even when I know they are wrong. The onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace is more precious than perfection.   7 I give compliments freely & generously. Compliments are a mood enhancer not only for the recipient, but also for me. And a small tip for the recipient of a compliment, never, NEVER turn it down, just say "Thank You.”   8 I have learned not to bother about a crease or a spot on my shirt. Personality speaks louder than appearances.   9 I walk away from people who don't value me. They might not know my worth, but I do.   10 I remain cool when someone plays dirty to outrun me in the rat race. I am not a rat & neither am I in any race.   11 I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. It’s my emotions that make me human.   12 I have learned that it's better to drop the ego than to break a relationship. My ego will keep me aloof, whereas with relationships, I will never be alone.   13 I have learned to live each day as if it's the last. After all, it might be the last.   14 I am doing what makes me happy. I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to myself. Happiness is a choice. You can be happy at any time, just choose to be!   I decided to share this even at my age.  Why do we have to wait to be 60 or 70 or 80, why can't we practice this at any stage and age?   Life Hacks. CHEATER! See how I snuck that in there? Interesting Observation 1. The sport of choice for the urban poor is BASKETBALL.  2. The sport of choice for maintenance level employees is BOWLING.  3. The sport of choice for front-line workers is FOOTBALL.  4. The sport of choice for supervisors is BASEBALL.  5. The sport of choice for middle management is TENNIS.  And... 6. The sport of choice for corporate executives and officers is GOLF     THE amazing fact is, the higher you go in the corporate structure, the smaller your balls become. There must be a ton of people in Washington D C playing marbles. Dogs getting caught doing bad things ~ 5 minutes One Day Soon The Cellist HAUSER created this beautiful video with a very uplifting message - watch to the end. ~3 minutes. Shortest Landing and takeoff of all time... This is a talented bush pilot..... ~1 min. Randomness... Now THIS is a good Doctor... Watch how he actually cares about this baby ~ 2 minutes Well this is ODD (so 2021)... Restaurants who try too hard to impress... Lesson For THE KIDS. Sloppy Bombay Joes Ingredients Sauce: 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 tablespoon minced ginger 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 serrano chile, seeded and finely minced (save the other half for the turkey) 1 teaspoon garam masala 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce 1 cup water Turkey: 3 to 4 tablespoons vegetable oil Small handful shelled pistachios, about 1/4 cup Small handful raisins, about 1/4 cup 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1/2 large white onion, finely diced 1 red bell pepper, seeds and membrane removed, finely diced 1/2 serrano chile, seeds intact (don't chop it up unless you like things spicy!) Kosher salt 1 pound ground turkey 1/2 teaspoon honey 1/4 cup half-and-half Small handful chopped fresh cilantro (soft stems included) 4 to 6 hamburger buns Directions: Begin by making the sauce: Warm the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, until it shimmers. Add the ginger, garlic and serrano pepper. Saute until the ginger and garlic brown a little. Add the garam masala and paprika and saute for 30 seconds. Stir in the tomato sauce and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until thickened, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile for the turkey, in large skillet, warm 2 tablespoons of oil. When shimmering, add the pistachios and raisins. Cook until the raisins swell up and the pistachios toast slightly. Remove from the pan and set aside. Return the pan to medium heat, add 1 to 2 more tablespoons of oil, and warm until shimmering. Add the cumin seeds and allow them to sizzle for about 10 seconds, or until some of the sizzling subsides. Stir in the onions and bell pepper; saute until softened and starting to brown. Add the serrano pepper. Saute for another couple of minutes, seasoning with a little salt. Stir in the turkey, breaking up the big lumps. Cook until opaque, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, your sauce should be ready. Pour the sauce into the skillet with the turkey. Stir and bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer until the mixture has thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. Once the turkey is cooked and the sauce has thickened a little, remove the serrano pepper (unless you want to eat it whole, like my Dad does!). Add the honey, half-and-half, pistachios and raisins. Stir through and taste for seasoning. Before serving, garnish with fresh cilantro. Toast the buns, fill with the turkey mixture and serve. Eat (with your hands!) and enjoy!  All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 210 S. Milwaukee Ave. Wheeling, IL 60090 USA