Donovan Baldwin

Parkinson's Law and the Computer Paradox

In 1955, Cyril Northcote Parkinson, a British naval historian and author of some sixty books, began a humorous essay with the following sentence: "Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion." Over the years, I have come to observe this to be true in many situations. Additionally, I have noted that work not only expands to fill the time but to make use of... (posted by Donovan 1 year 86 days ago.)

That's A Funny Name for a Song

The year was 1970 and I was sitting in a bar in Warrington, Florida having a beer. I had just gotten out of the army (for the first time) and was figuring out what to do with my life. It was your basic little neighborhood bar in a Navy town. The bartender, Leona, was married to a crew member with the Blue Angels. Many of the customers either worked at Pensacola Naval Air Station, as my father did for 30 years, or were... (posted by Donovan 1 year 165 days ago.)

A Christmas Memory - Some Simple Metal Stars

My wife, my sister, and I are helping my 93-year-old mother move from her house into a retirement community. Okay, they're doing most of the work, and I do the "strong back weak mind" thing. Anyway, a lot of memories are being uncovered, and the other day, my sister brought me a couple of simple metal stars. That's it. They are five-pointed stars, about three inches wide, cut... (posted by Donovan 1 year 184 days ago.)

The Night I Chained Up on Donner Pass

Several years ago, my wife and I became team over-the-road drivers for Schneider National Carriers. We were excited about our new career, full of adventure, and, by nature, people who perform our assigned tasks to the best of our abilities. That's how I wound up putting tire chains on my truck and trailer and driving across Donner Pass in a blinding snowstorm. We were westbound... (posted by Donovan 1 year 187 days ago.)

I Just Hauled A Load of What Across Country?

A few years ago, I was a truck driver. After a while, I became an instructor and taught others how to do that. Most people had no idea of what to expect and part of my task was to prepare them for the actualities of life as a truck driver. One lesson which I had a little trouble getting over to them about truck driving, which many imagined to be a romantic existence was summed... (posted by Donovan 1 year 192 days ago.)

Going Through Hell to Get What We Don't Want...

Have you ever gone all out to get something and then found out you didn't really want it, or it wasn't as good as you thought it was going to be? The answer is probably, "Yes". For a simple illustration of this point, we can just go through most people's closets...or their garages. Other examples are yard sales and storage facilities. "Ours is a world where... (posted by Donovan 1 year 194 days ago.)