hfpierson

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My dear friend and former employee, Sehra, asked me [via facebook] what defines a healthy relationship.  I started to make my usual glib response, but what came out wasn't what, even I, was expecting.  

Sehra:

My rules have served me well through 7 very healthy marriages and hundreds of weekend relationships. You asked, so here you are...

• The measure of a relationship is that it makes both people better than they are alone, that means spiritually, mentally and physically (the triad of self).
   
• Together you create a new, positive force that is a source of pride, laughter and peace.
   
• You trust your partner to come home to you no matter what crazy naked person throws themselves at them. And they trust you the same way.
   
• You respect your partner because they are the kind of person you wish to be: honest, giving and strong. And they respect you the same way.
   
• Chemistry is a bond that ebbs and flows. You ride it like a roller coaster, but you mostly stand in line waiting for another chance to ride.
   
• You laugh more, share more, cry more with this person as a friend than any other person on the planet.
   
• You love and respect yourself, your partner expects this, and you expect it of them.

Your Friend,
Hugh

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After three long surgeries and months of recovery, a team of doctors at MD Anderson in Houston has declared me tumor free.  This was unexpected, but very welcome.  I will continue to get CT Scans every three months, risk of recurrence is still high, but for the first time in two years I alone in my own skin, no hitchhikers!

I am headed for Springfield, MO, and of all things, a job interview.  Opportunity came out of nowhere, and it means giving up the photography for now.  Not sure about moving, hopefully I'll be able to work at home.  

That's all for now...

hfp

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Sure, we've all seen them hovering up there on the Itunes file menu: Smart Playlists.  But my brain hurts, I can't know how to do that.  Well, this is a case of spending 5 minutes to make your music listening life better.  Follow along with me and we'll make a simple Smart playlist that will play just your favorite songs.  So here we go....

Press the three keys Ctrl-Alt-N together (Option-Command-N for MAC).  You'll see the new Smart Playlist dialog box.  Leave Match the Following rule checked, then select the down arrow next to Artist and select Play Count from the drop-down list.  Next, click on is and select is greater than.  Put a number where the 0 is, lets start with 8 for giggles, you can adjust this number later.

Select the + to the far right of that line to make a new rule.  This time change Artist to Skip Count and select the qualifier next to it as is less than.  Now put in a number like 3 for starters.  Leave everything else at the default and click on OK.  Now give the playlist a name, like Favs.

What did we just do?  Well we made a playlist that will always include only songs you have played (to the end) 8 times, but have not skipped (hit next before the end of the song) more than 3 times.  What should be on this list is songs your playing alot, but not sick of yet.  You may have to adjust the 8 and 3 in your playlist to get the number of songs you want on the playlist, but you are on your way.  You can edit the playlist anytime by right clicking on it in the playlist display.  Try adding a third rule line that limits the Genre to Country or what ever you like.  

HFP

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You may have already run across this video, but in case you haven't I wholeheartedly recommend you watch it in total.  I'll remember it next time I pass someone in the street and am tempted to make a snap judgement...   Susan Boyle does the UK

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