Phil Ladden . com

Co-workers brave my look and dress like me for their Halloween Costumes

Each year as Halloween approaches my co-workers begin to get all excited about what costumes we should wear. There is a team theme developed and everyone is expected to participate by wearing a costume for Halloween. Everyone except me.

I really don’t get into it … and they know it. So as this year’s holiday approached, we all sat around and talked about what we could wear and as the costume ideas were brainstormed, I just ignored them and said nope. Nada. No thanks. And it was at that last nope that Jessica gave me a look and said something like fine, we’ll just dress like YOU!

And so they did. With great enthusiasm.

It was pretty simple. Here’s the getup of the Phil Halloween Costume!

• hair
• polo or Hawaiian shirt
• jeans or khakis
• cowboy boots
• black glasses

Jessica found the hair that afternoon. Jamie ordered each member a wig. Cost $5 EACH.

Here’s the group.

The group had no idea the amount of work it takes to look like me. We had to start the Friday before Halloween preparing the hair.

Emily and Victoria are excited as they said they had always wanted hair like this!

Chrystyna, who is my friend that has completed both Valley Walks with me, carefully measured the locks being very careful to get the exact layer effect I keep.

Jamie, my manager, put the total package together the best, right down to the black boots!

She’s a Pittsburgh Steeler fan … I told her that the beverage of choice was to be COFFEE, not beer in that cup!

I really appreciated the teams’ attention to detail. Here, they modeled my technique for checking my Droid for messages and Facebook updates.

Also note Jessica, who wore THE OHIO STATE University t-shirt in my honor. I was born in Ohio and the Bucks had just taken care of the Wisconsin rodents two days before. Tony, far left, wore the look in Scottsdale that weekend and said it was a huge hit. He called it the Aging Hipster. I think the Cougars digged it.

All in all, I really appreciated the honor of my co-workers desire to be like Phil for just a day. I think they have a new appreciation and maybe some envy for what it’s like to go through a day looking like me.

A facebook friend, Cindy, probably voiced it best. In seeing the pictures, she commented, “One Phil is more than enough!”  And to that, I think all would agree.

Here’s a great shot of Victoria and me. When told she really looked just like me … when I was 30 years younger, she said, “I guess I have a lot to look forward to!”

Thanks for a great team effort and making my Halloween participation the easiest ever. I’m thinking of marketing the look next year as Tony’s Aging Hipster. I’ll keep ya posted.

Ncounter: a restaurant in Tempe, Arizona, serving great breadkfast and lunch fare

There’s a new restaurant in town. Ncounter! It is conveniently located right off the Light Rail stop at Mill Avenue. I’ve been twice now and yesterday’s visit prompted me to share my experience and offer a very high recommendation to try it.

I read that the owners have been in the breakfast/lunch business for a few years and are ASU graduates. The food is fresh and is made to order from scratch. Based on my two visits, you can taste the difference.

Yesterday I ordered the Melt Down. It was the best grilled chesse sandwich I have ever had.

Bacon, tomato, jalapenos, cream cheese, jack, cheddar, Swiss, and American cheeses on a grilled 12-grain bread.

If you are looking for a really good place to eat in the Tempe area, check out Ncounter Restuarant. The breakfast and lunch menu offers delicious omelettes, soups, hot and cold sandwiches, and salads. Drinks include smoothies, coffees, the regular beverages, and even a bar of breakfast drinks (bloody mary, screw driver, greyhounds, and beer).

The doctor recently told me to stay away from white bread. Ya think he’ll be pleased that my new favorite sandwich is served with a toasted 12 grain bread?

I celebrated my 53rd birthday this past Monday. And you know there is a reason for the highlight on the word celebrated.

I have what many might find weird about how I feel about celebrating one’s birthday. I kind of don’t. And I even find those that make such a BIG deal about theirs to be … not sure the best word here. It is not a bad thing if you enjoy your day or week or in some cases, MONTH. I find I do those things every other day.

I am in the camp that feels it may be too pretentious to call such attention to oneself. Like the person who announces it’s their BIRTHDAY to all who will listen. (I hope this doesn’t offend as this is NOT my intention.) Maybe I need to loosen up! I have made plans in the past to have a party, but for various reasons, did not.

Yet, it is not a day I do not acknowledge or find un-important. It is. And I do think about it as it approaches and all day of the day itself. I’ve just changed in what or how I choose to celebrate it.

Fun versus Meaning

The common question asked is always what did you do? I ask the same one myself of others. Did you have fun? And my answer is always about the same. I ususally don’t do anything; if it happens to fall on a Friday or Saturday, I go out but no one is told it’s my birthday.

I braced for the day at work. It is a place that is notorious for doing SOMETHING to your cube ….

I work with some very creative, talented people … with way too much time on their hands.

My Celebration

There is only one thing I really want on this day, every year. It’s been the same thing for over 20 years now. And it has made for the best birthday every time.

That thing is a call from my daughter and son. I look forward to this every year.

Birthdays to me have become events that mark each year for us. More so than holidays or even the start of a new year. I feel the day of my birth is more significant as a benchmark in life than any others. They naturally cause us to reflect and realize time is short … or getting shorter.

It’s gotten kind of humorous as I tease my kids as to which one calls me first. Texts don’t count. And voice messages don’t count either. My daughter (being the oldest) once called just after midnight once and tried to claim she was the first. The rule also allows that as long as they get that call in before midnight, it’s good.

For me, my focus is less on doing something celebratory and more on doing or receiving something meaningful. And in that regard it is important this be authentic. I appreciate everyone who sent out a Happy Birthday. I really appreciate the dinner from my friend Kathy and all those little things some of you did to remember this day! But my day of birth isn’t measured by how many happy birthday wishes are on a Facebook wall (and this year I removed it so no one got a heads-up to post a note on the wall.) Or cards and gifts.

It has become a day, above all others, to make a call to the person(s) that are the closest to you. Or to receive that call.

So when anyone asks if I had a good birthday … yes, it was great. What did I do? I got two calls. This year, the first from my son, and the second from my daughter — before midnight.

What do your Facebook pictures say about you?

Take a look at your Facebook pictures and you are likely to get a glimpse of your life … relative to your activities, values, interests, etc. I took some time to take a look at mine recently. It prompted memories and a sense that life is moving along as well as a snapshot of the things I have been doing.

Here’s what I found my Facebook pictures tell the story of over the past 4+ years. The pictures describe these 5 areas of my life: Coffee, Travel, Hiking, Scenery, Friends, Significant Events.

Coffee!

Here is one of my favorite coffee shots called Cow. Funny how some didn’t get it. And this wasn’t set up. When

I was drinking coffee one weekend morning at Lux Coffee and was waking up, I guess, because I took a picture of my coffee cup. I think I was bored. I then posted it to Twitter. After a few more what I began calling Saturday morning coffee shots, more and more people started commenting on them. Ruth, a Twitter follower from Great Britain even laughed at one and asked what was up with them.

This was the first coffee shot. My friend Steve Garufi suggested I start an album of them on Facebook and today it is probably one of the most looked at set of pictures. My coffee shots total over 111. I often have friends now sending me their own coffee shots. Steve and I both started web sites on them too. Crazy.

The point? Coffee is something I enjoy and find connects with others. And based on this Facebook album, they are growing.

Travel!

I have a good number of pictures documenting the numerous trips I’ve taken over the last few years. Most were to see my kids (California and Kentucky) or friends back in Colorado.

Here is a shot of Phoenix downtown from take off.

A visit to see Greg took us up to Shasta, CA. That 14er has some serious prominence.

Sure seems like space on these SouthWest Air planes is less and less. Here I am on one of my travels with a coffee shot.

Hiking

After about three decades of not doing any hiking to speak of, I began to get back to it. Hiking is one of those activities you can do all your life. Many of my Facebook pictures are of the hikes I take around the Phoenix valley and the Colorado 14ers I have returned to attempt. Not sure how long I will do those, at least without preparing for them better.

This is the summit of Squaw Peak in the North Valley. It’s my favorite. Short but steep, it is easy to get to and I like that I can access it from the Pointe/Dreamy Draw area.

This is Mt. Sherman, a 14er peak in Colorado. Hiked it 2 years ago with Steve Garufi. It was my first 14er in over 32 years. We hiked it for our birthdays, (my 50th). There is a sense of accomplishment in hiking a 14er. I hope I will be able to safely do these.

Here are my friends Ash and Matt Rambo on the summit of Mt. Humphrey, the high point of Arizona at 12,633 ft. This was the second time this past summer Matt and I hiked it. The earlier summer hike we experienced sustained winds at 50+ MPH with gusts reported near 100 MPH .. and yes, they knocked you off your feet.

Food

I tend to take pictures of food. I thought that was weird until I read that food is the MOST popular picture albums on many of the web’s largest photo sites! Above is my infamous desk burger that is now over 3.5 years old. Looking good, isn’t it?

Sunsets and Valley Scenery

Arizona has nightly displays of awesome. I also find the desert scenery to be inspiring.

The great Saguaros!

Friends

Naturally, a lot of my pictures are of people I consider my friends. And one of the best things of social media is its ability to connect one with past friends. Here is Julie, a former student who is now married and has kids the age that she was when in my class! I am thankful that many former students are now “keeping in touch” using Facebook.

Special times

Best of all, are those pictures of special times. No longer do you need to get out the slide projector (although I really did enjoy watching slide shows). It is nice to look through the pictures of those events with others that you will never forget.

My daughter’s wedding this past May.

A.D. Coleman said, Photographs are of course about their makers, and are to be read for what they disclose in that regard no less than for what they reveal of the world as their makers comprehend, invent, and describe it.

Through the eyes of Facebook pictures we get a glimpse of at least that part of life that we choose to share. While I am selective what I choose to share with others, it’s an authentic representation of things I value and wish to remember.

Lux Coffee in uptown Phoenix moves into new building

I had opportunity to drop by The Lux Coffee Bar this morning  and boy, am I glad I did. They have finished remodeling and moving into the building next door. It was my first visit to the new digs. It is impressive.

First, you know I have frequented Lux for a good while. They have great coffee, offer delicious food, and excellent service. It’s an eclectic, eccentric gathering place.

The line this Friday morning was steady and at times long. The staff had it down as no one waited more than a few minutes for their orders. I had my usual Americano and this:

This is a mixed berry brioche with what they call the works … oh, so good. The works means that slab of home-made whipped cream and butter. It is fantastic.

Jeff, the owner who you will almost always working the roaster or making the expresso or taking out the trash, has expanded the business to include a good variety of fresh food choices and a full bar (alcohol).

I am looking forward to my next visit. The Lux has my highest recommendation as a Phoenix stop for coffee or more. It is a Phoenix Best.

I think the talks started back in 2002. My significant other (and then wife) and I were at Murphy’s Tavern in Palmer Lake, Colorado and a guy who knew her had said hello. Cindy mentioned then that he had always told her that if she ever opened her own restaurant, he would invest. She told me that day it was something she had dreamed about.

Over the coming months we would talk and think about this dream wondering, “What if?” What if we did it?

On July 12, 2004, we opened our restaurant.

On February 7, 2007, I closed it.

And that journey was as exciting as it was painful. I’ve decided to begin a memoir of this experience. So many have the dream of starting a restaurant. In some ways, I can’t believe we did it. We did. How we did it and some of what happend will be the focus of this exercise. It ultimately came with a cost that far exceeded the money it took.

So many have said I should write a book about the endeavor. I’ve decided on a memoir while I still remember what I can. No doubt I am forgetting more and more about it as time passes. It was one of the most significant challenges in my life. And seldom does a week (used to be a day) go by that I don’t think about it, the business, and the events that transpired.

I am dividing the experience into the major chain of events: The Big Idea/Dream, Doing the Due Diligence, Classified, The Decision, Grand Opening, Doing Business, and The Close. I will let it develop as I go and post a part of this story every ten days or so, intermingled with the other topics I am busy with.

So, what were we thinking when we decided having a restaurant would be a great business to go into? That’s where the memoir shall begin.

The 82nd MLB All Star Game’s Home Run Derby, Chase Field, Phx AZ

Last night the Home Run Derby of the 82nd MLB All Star Game was watched by thousands at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. I wasn’t there, unfortunately. But in the crowd was someone I knew! I asked them if they would take a couple of pictures and give me their impressions.

My friend … actually in the spirit of full disclosure, my manager or BOSS, Jamie, attended with her husband, Josh. She provides these cool pictures and comments that follow.

They chose to sit just behind home plate which I have found to be one of the best views of the field. The outfield, typically the cheap seats, were anything but cheap. I heard some were going for a grand or more.

((I want to note it was near 100 degrees outside so the Chase Field roof was closed and these seats were air conditioned.

Jamie said, “It was an awesome experience — the most high energy baseball event I have ever been to! I have never been to any event and seen such an eclectic group of fans. There were fans decked out in team apparel for every MLB team.”

The Yankees, Red Sox, and Diamondbacks were most represented she said. “The Home Run Derby hitters can really mash (?: ) the ball! Especially Cano, the winner, who broke a record. Got to see so many upper level home runs.”

Jamie also mentioned how cool it was seeing old players (what? I think I am older than some of them…) like Cal Ripkin, who threw out the opening pitch, Hank Aaron, and Louis Gonzales.

Lots of festive activities. The Budweiser Clydesdales.

Just after the Star Spangled Banner was sung, Jason Aldean performed. Here, the windows of the upper area of the field allow sun to shine through.

Probably talked about as much as the Home Run Derby was The Catch of the night.

That’s a big league play right there.

“The crowd did a great job cheering on each player, not just their personal favs. It made the whole event fun to watch.”

Thanks to Jamie for sharing her Big League experience. It isn’t very often one gets to participate in All Star Festivities.

• Interesting notes: Robinson Cano, Yankees second baseman, won the event with a record 12 home runs with 4 outs left.
• Cano had his father, Jose Cano, pitching to him.
• 95 homers were hit.
• MLB and State Farm Insurance will donate $603, 000 to the Boys and Girls Clubs.