Do You Q

What was one of your favorite Christmas decorations as a kid?

What was it for you?

Back in the day when you drug around a teddy bear, Barbie or GI Joe... what let you know that it was Christmas?

Was it the tree?

Was it jingle bells?

For me... it had to be the nativity scene.

My Grandma had given ours to us.  It was pretty good sized too.

There was a barn with real looking moss on the top.  (I'm not sure how historically accurate moss would have been in Jerusalem 2000 years ago, but it worked for us)Image via Wikipedia

There were shepherds and 2 wise men (We had 3 wise men at one time, but I think one got lost in my toy chest!)

There were cows, sheep and a camel that wouldn't stand up.

There was Mary and Joesph.

And of course, Baby Jesus.

Now, if I was around, then... you might also find Lone Ranger or Tonto on the roof of the barn.

Luke Skywalker or Han Solo might have pulled up a spaceship or two beside the cattle.

And even Darth Vader himself had been known to come visit.

Secretly, I think this drove my Mom crazy.  You know... she would get it set up just right and then two minutes later she would find that an X-wing fighter was backing up the small group of shepherds!

I didn't do it out of disrespect.  I just loved that nativity scene. 

Plus, I just figured that cowboys and space dudes would dig Jesus too. 

So... yeah... I loved when that thing came out every year.

It's funny.  Melissa, my freakishly-cool wife, heard me tell this story recently and realized that we didn't have a real nativity set.  So, she went out and found one last night.  Yup, that's right.  She came home with the cast of characters.  But, she said she held off on picking out the barn.  She wanted me to come with her to pick it out.  And do you know what?  I can't wait!

Oh... and by the way... I have already been eyeing our sons' toys to see which might need to make an appearance! 

Yeah... that's right.  I've got the mindset of a 10 year old!

Okay, so how about you?  What was your favorite as a kid?  Is it still a favorite? 

Click on Comments and join in the conversation!

Drew's saying Q is the ultimate stocking stuffer!

Image by melalouisevia Flickr

Plus... HE'S GIVING FIVE COPIES OF THE GAME AWAY!

That's right... Branding GURU and freakishly cool guy... Drew McLellan is saying that Q is the perfect stocking stuffer... and he's giving some away!

All you have to do is comment on his blog ASAP and he's going to pull 5 winners in the coming days!

So, if you need a little help with filling those stockings on the mantel this year... Drew wants to help!

Click here and comment!  Then, Drew will let you know if you've won!

And okay... we'll just say that we agree with Drew.  Q does fit into those stockings perfectly!  Plus, you'll have the added bonus of having something new to talk about after everyone is done with their Christmas dinner!  (How about that for a shameless plug?!?)

Name one of your favorite songs and describe a memory that goes with it.

This question originally comes from Q friends, but today, I think I'm going to modify it!

I think I might give it a Christmas twist.

So, here we go... today, we'll ask "What's one of your favorite Christmas songs and what's a memory that goes with it?"

Hmmmmmmm.

There's Baby It's Cold Outside... from Elf. 

Okay... I'll admit it.  I have the sense of humor of a 4th grader, but I love this movie.  And so do our boys... so we watch it at least once every Christmas.  This scene still makes me laugh out loud!

Hmmmmmm. 

Another one is Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.  I love this song and the memory that goes with it makes me smile every time. 

The memory was from when I was about ten-years old.  It was a cold December night and my mom and I were on a short road trip together.  I can't remember why we were traveling but it was snowing. 

I think my mom was getting a little nervous about driving so she asked me if I wanted to sing to take her mind off the road conditions.  I had just learned this song in school so we started to sing it together.  I bet we sang it twenty-five times.  Most of the time we botched the lyrics, but it was still great. 

Now, I didn't sound like Tony Bennett but I remember my mom's voice sounding amazing.  Heck, I remember my mom laughing as I told her that I thought she should make a record someday.   

Yeah... it was a great night.

Then, I have to add a new Christmas song this year.  It's from the Dave Matthews Band.

It's a simple song that tells the Christmas story in a beautiful way... and ol' Dave sings it from his heart. 

I just came across this, so I don't have a specific memory from it... but I do love its simple but powerful message...

Okay... how about you? 

What's one of your favorites and what memory does it bring back for you?

Hit comments and let us know!

Oh... and keep connecting!

Mitch

What is one of your favorite memories from Thanksgiving?

Okay... do I need to say anything more than... "KID'S TABLE?" 

Classic. 

Being "banished" to the kid's table was a sweet deal with our family. 

The adults would divide us up into groups of 4. (We were ALL about using card tables to keep things organized and in proper social order!)  It was great!

It was our time with the cousins we rarely saw... but loved. We would have time to laugh... bond... tell stories... and... of course... dare each other to do stuff. You know... good quality family time. I also have to mention that on one side of my family... the adult's table is actually a couple of pieces of plywood setting on top of an old pool table. It's not glamerous... but it just wouldn't be Thanksgiving with out it. 

Yup... that's my family, y'all.

Proud of it.

How about you?

What was one of your favorite Halloween costumes?

I was talking with Captain America and Batman last night about my favorite Halloween costume from when I was a kid.

That's right.  Captain America AND Batman. 

Okay, they looked a lot like our sons under those masks... but they were diligently keeping our neighborhood safe, so I didn't ask too many questions.

They were very interested to hear about MY favorite costume.  I had to explain that although mine didn't have fake muscles or Bat-o-rings, it did involve fringe AND serious firepower. 

Yup.  That's right.  My favorite costume was my cowboy rig from when I was in 1st grade.

• Leather vest w/ fringe... $10.
• Plastic gun belt with TWO pearl handled six shooters... $5.
• Tough skin jeans... $8.
• White hat with black trim... $4.
• Corrective shoes instead of cowboy boots (I was a bit dorky)... $20.
• Dream of being cowboy... PRICELESS!

Yup.  That was classic.

In fact, I somehow talked my mom into allowing me to wear that vest for school pictures that year!  I'll see if I can find the pic and post it as a follow up post.

How about you?

What was one of YOUR favorite costumes?  Maybe from your childhood... maybe from your wild teen years... maybe from THIS year?

Click comments and join in the convo!

Photo credit and kudos: umpqua

If you could take a walk anywhere today... where would it be?

Okay... so how about you?

The streets of Paris?

Along the white sand beaches on a island somewhere?

The craters of the moon?  (Come on... dream big here!)

Along a mountain trail?

I've got to say... that today... a quite walk in the country sounds pretty dang good. 

Nothing over the top. 

Just quite. 

A breeze. 

Mel and da boys. 

A dog (we still need to get the dog... but hey... I'm dreaming here.)

Yup. 

How 'bout you?

Join in the convo.  Click comments and let us know where you'd take a walk today, if you could!

By the way... some cool stuff is swirling with Q.  (Sorry it's been a while since I've posted a question.)  I'll be posting more of an update on that front soon!

Photo credit and kudos: Miss Chien

What's one thing you want to do before summer is over?

Okay... with Labor Day around the corner.

And with the "exit here" sign blinking above summer... it's time to ask... what do you still want to do?

For me... a few things come to mind. 

One of them is taking a trip to a local water park. 

We spent a bagillion dollars on advanced tickets at the beginning of the summer but the summer has come and almost gone without us making the trip. 

So... it's time.

I'm not sure.  It might be wanting the quality time with Mel and the boys.  It might be my inner-tight-wad crying out "YOU GOTTA USE THOSE TICKETS BEFORE YOU LOOSE 'EM!" 

Either way... it's a trip to the water park.  And that's never a bad thing.

One other thing that was on our list was where to go on our family trip this summer.  You guys helped by weighing in with suggestions.  I wanted you to know... after the fact... that we hit the road to BIG sky country and had an AMAZING time.  It was everything we hoped for.  Peace... quiet... nature (lots of nature)... bears... yeah... I said bears... hiking... naps... mountains... water falls... oh... I'm lost in thought. 

So... thanks for the input.  That fam vacation was on the check list for the summer... and now we've been able to check it off... in a very relaxed fashion.

How about you?

What do you still want to do before the leaves start to change and the air starts to cool?

Jump in the convo and click comments!

Photo credit and kudos: crosstrippin

Describe one of your best or worst experiences with swimming.

I recently heard from someone in St. Louis who had played Q dates with his wife. 

He just had to tell me about the experience.  He said they had a lot of fun and that he learned a lot he didn't know. 

As we were talking about it, he said, "Do you want to know the question that surprised me the most...  the one that really got us talking?

I thought it might be one of the romantic questions or one of the more "deep" questions.  But, no.

It was this question:  "Describe one of your best or worst experiences with swimming."

I have to admit that I love this question, but I didn't think of it as the "thumper" question in the deck. But he said it opened up this "AMAZING" discussion about a major event in his wife's childhood. 

He told me part of the story and it was amazing.  But I think my favorite part of the whole experience was hearing how excited this guy was about knowing his wife better.  He was like a little kid as he told me the story of his wife as a little kid.

It was a gift for him, and it was a gift for me.

So... I pose the question to you.  And whether it's an earth-shaking experience for you or not... what's your story?

I've got a ton of 'em, because I had a love-hate relationship with swimming as a kid.

I've already told you the story of running into the lake with my brand new Op swim trunks at summer camp.  (The ones that had Velcro instead of a drawstring!)  Yeah... I won the race to jump in... but let's just say, I was horrified to emerge from my triumph only to realize my suit had shifted to my knees!  Thanks Op!

Or there was the family trip that we took to Philly when I was about 7 years old.  Mom thought it would be fun to get my brother and me some new swim suits for the trip, but she didn't show them to us until we unpacked our suitcases in our hotel room!  When it was time for the unveiling... she pulled out... drum roll please... Speedos.  Yup.  Speedos.  (It was the 70's!) 

Even at 7, I knew this was a fashion violation.  But... again... I was 7 and the pool was calling! 

I'll tell you what.  I think there might be one remaining picture floating around of me in all my Speedo glory... but I think I've destroyed the rest. 

How about you?  What's one of your best or worst experiences?  Click on "comments" below and let us know!

Photo credit and kudos to ElleMille

The best place to vacation is ______________.

By Mitch

Okay... so Mel and I were talking about slipping away for a little late summer get away.

We just thought that as the summer seems to be flying by... we needed to get away with the boys to just relax... laugh... and melt in a chair with a good book somewhere. 

Can you identify?

But that launched us in to a discussion on do we go BIG city... or small backwoods town?

Do we go BIG amusement park or do we go cabin by a stream somewhere?

We're leaning cabin with a porch... trails... rocking chairs... bad cell phone reception... and no golden arches to be seen in a 40 mile radius.  Yup... we'll save the amusements for later.  We need quiet.

Some of the simple places that top this list for us are...

Red Lodge, Montana.

Ely, Minnesota.  (Big shout out to the Schurke's!)

I know this isn't a surprise for those of you who visit the blog often.  I'm always talking about RED LODGE.  But I'll tell you that we really did open it up for debate.  But... we went back to our old stand-by... quiet... calm... rugged... no people... dog-in-the-back-of-pick-up truck... vacations.

How about you?

Do you beach?

Do you go water park?

Do you go BIG city?

Click "comments" and join in the conversation.

Photo kudos to: PhotoFusion

Take the connection challenge. Go "old school!"

By Mitch

Okay... it's Thursday and normally I post a weekly Q question... but I'm feeling like today is supposed to be a little different.

Instead of a question... I feel like I'm suppose to pose a challenge.  It might even be considered a manifesto.

If you are open to a challenge... and I know you are... read on.

Okay... so it started with a letter.  Yup.  A letter. 

It was a hand-written letter from a friend on the west coast.  It was written to Mel (my wife) and me. 

It was on white and pink stationary.  And it was written in pink pen.  It was one page long.  Single space.

Simple.

In it, our friend wrote a little thank you for some things we'd done.  She wrote an update on herself.  She even tucked in some encouraging words. 

It wasn't Shakespeare.  It didn't have to be. 

But it was powerful.  In it's simplicity... it was powerful. 

Was it because it had taken effort?  More effort than an e-mail.  Maybe.

Was it that it was more meaningful than a two-line thank you note from Hallmark?  Maybe. 

I do know that it was different. 

It was refreshing.  Yeah.  It was "old school," but at the same time, it felt new. 

A simple hand-written letter... tucked in between credit card offers and bills.

It just got me thinking. 

I bet I receive over a 100 e-mails a day.  I probably send out that many too.  I get countless texts a day.  And let's just say that Verizon loves me for the number of minutes I use in a month.  Sound familiar?

We have more ways to connect now than we ever have.  But in that... the simplicity of truly connecting seems to get lost.  Doesn't it?

But that simple letter got me thinking about "old school" ways of connecting with people.

You know... the days of just talking.  Or the days when you needed a street address instead of an e-mail address.

Now, don't get me wrong.  I love technology.  Heck, I'm writing this whole thing on a blog, that's going to be sent out via RSS feeds and e-mails.  Yup.  I love technology.

But I'm just wondering if tomorrow needs to be a day where we celebrate our country's freedom, thank those who have fought for it... and then... at the same time... declare freedom for ourselves.

Freedom from what? 

Well... this may seem like a leap for some of you.  And others probably see where I'm headed.

But I'm just wondering if tomorrow... we need to declare freedom from anything that gets in the way of true connection.  Maybe go... a little "old school."

You know?

Maybe for you... it's freedom from technology. 

So instead of having the kids watch DVD's the whole road trip... you declare freedom for an hour... and you just talk.  Sure... you could use things like Q (a shameless plug here) or you can use a lot of different things to get the gang talking.

Or maybe instead of having the TV on while the family is visiting... you turn it off for a while. 

Or maybe it's declaring freedom from "the comfortable" when you get together with people you haven't seen for a while. 

You know... instead of asking the comfortable questions like, "How have you been?"  Or, "How's work?" 

How about asking your uncle a question like: "Where would you go, if someone gave you $10,000 for vacation?" 

Or what if you asked your aunt a question like: "What was one of your BIG dreams when you were a kid?" 

Or what if you asked your sister or brother: "What's one of your favorite summer memories from when we were kids?"

Or maybe it's asking Grandma, "How did you celebrate the 4th of July as a kid?"

I know that might sound like a risk, but trust me... almost all of us are dying for someone to ask some fun... real... questions.  More importantly, people are yearning to be listened to. 

Do you agree? 

We want to connect, don't we?

In old school ways... whether it's pen to actual paper... or asking REAL questions and REALLY listening... we want to connect.

Everyone wants "to know and be known."  Right?

So, what if?

What if you declared FREEDOM from anything that might get in the way of true connecting tomorrow?  Even for an hour. 

What if you just had some fun talking.  Telling stories.  Remembering favorite memories. 

Connecting... in old school ways.

Take it as a suggestion... a challenge... or a manifesto.  Either way... just take it. 

Give it a try.  Go old school.  Be intentional about getting rid of some of the distractions and asking questions in order to connect. 

I know I will.

Then join in the conversation.  Let us know how it goes by clicking "comments" and tell us your stories of how YOU declared FREEDOM and really connected!

Photo credit and kudos: Shindz and Paul Hurst

One of my favorite big cities to visit is ___________.

By Mitch Matthews

Oh... this list is long.  But the city that fills the bill today is LONDON.

Why?

Well... I used to live in a little town outside London, so I have some favorite places in the big city...

A quiet smoky jazz bar off an alley in Soho.  (My buddy's brother was a member and got us in. Saweet!)

A bridge where I almost proposed to Mel.  (I held off because I didn't have the money for the ring.  I have to admit that not asking that night is one of my only regrets in life.  My proposal a month later was still romantic but I don't think anything could have trumped hitting one knee on that bridge!)

A favorite pub off the beaten path where you could get an ice cold pint of hard cider or a luke warm glass of coke.  (No straw please.)

Oh... and the garbled "mind the gap" over the intercom in the tube.

Yup.  Miss it all.  Can't wait to get back to it.

How about you?  What city would fill in the blank today?  How long has it been?  When are you heading back? 

Join in the conversation by clicking "comments" and let us know!

Photo credit and kudos: wili hybrid, fredrico, and Simon Crubellier

So... where do YOU Q?

We LOVE it when you send us pictures of when and where you "Q." 

So we were freakishly delighted to receive this pic from some great students from the University of Tsukuba in Japan! 

They let us know that they are "experiencing" Q as a part of their "English Lunch."  How cool is that?!?

So... where do YOU Q? 

Let us know.  Send us a picture! 

We'd love to feature you and your friends on the site!  Just send your pictures to us at contactus@doyouQ.com! 

Then... maybe we can show everyone where in the world you Q!   

Thanks gang!

If you were given the choice of riding in a space shuttle, a submarine or a jet fighter... which would YOU choose?

By Mitch

I'm traveling this week... so this is a  quick question taken from Q dates.

Hmmmmmmmmmm. 

I have to admit that I go back and forth on this one. 

I'm not really tempted by the submarine offer... (how about you?)... but it's a tough pick between the jet and the shuttle.

It's kind of funny... because on the training side of our business... we are working on the possibility of working with NASA.  How cool would that be? 

So, right now... I'm trying to figure out how I can work a ride in a space shuttle into our contract.  I'll let you know how it turns out!

So, I'm leaning Space Shuttle.

But... I also got to take an amazing tour of the Air National Guard base in Des Moines recently (click here for some pics)... so that got me buzzing about a ride in a jet again.

Okay... since I HAVE to answer... I'm going with Space Shuttle.

How about you?

Click on "comments" and join in the conversation.

By the way... is there ANYBODY out there who would pick a ride on a submarine?  Let us know!

Photo credit and kudos to: droid

What's something you enjoyed doing as a kid?

By Mitch

Okay... so there were a number of things that inspired this particular question this week.   

First of all, I posed a similar question to a coaching client of mine yesterday. 

We were digging into his "sweet spot" in life and what he is wanting to do in the next phase of his life.  So, I decided to go back to the beginning a bit. 

You know.  Dig into what he dug as a kid. 

What did he love to do before he had to worry about whether he had the right schooling or whether he could make money at it?

What did he love to do before all that started? 

So yeah, that's part of the inspiration for this question.

But then... as often happens when I ask someone else a question... I started to ponder the question too. 

And heck, with my birthday being last week (have I subtly plugged this enough or what?!?) and my brother Russ's birthday being today, I had my bro on my mind.

So... yeah... this question just got me traveling back in time. 

How 'bout you?  Where has it taken you so far? 

For me... one of the first "favorite things" that came to mind was the adventures Russ and I would have at my Grandpa Matthews' farm.  Geeeeesch.  I loved that.  We'd get muddy beyond recognition playing everything from cowboys to Star Wars.  It was a rural paradise.  Pure and simple... paradise.

One of the other things that came to mind was how we'd ride our bikes around our neighborhood. 

If there was any way to wear out concrete, we had to have come close! 

We rode around our block millions of times.  Racing.  Checking in on the few neighbor kids that existed.  Racing some more.  And... setting up jumps. 

Ohhhhh.  Bring on the jumps. 

I'm sure we only caught about 3 inches of air... any time we set up the ol' boards and bricks, but we felt like Evil Knievel every time!

Yeah... we were in our tough-skin-cut-off-wearing, banana-seats-riding, no-helmet-wearing glory!

Yup... those were the days.

Okay... so that's me.  How 'bout you?

What did you love to do when you were a kid?

Oh... and let me also ask... did it have an impact on your life at all? 

Do you still do it?

One last side note from me...

• My big brother still inspires me and inspires me to do crazy stuff
• I wound up working in our local bike shop for over 10 years and still rely on the stuff I learned from that experience daily. 
• I did... however give up the tough-skin cut offs and I do wear a helmet now! 

Yeah.  Somethings never change.  But... somethings do.

How about you?

Photo credit and kudos: Kieran Campbell

I need to have ___________ to make it a perfect birthday!

By Mitch

Yup.  I'll admit it.  It's my birthday week.  I won't give the actual number, but I'll say that I'm confidently marching towards 40!  Yow!

Okay... so the question this week's big event inspired... asks... what do you NEED in order for it to be a true birthday? 

And it also got me thinking about how that's changed over time.

Hmmmmmmmm. 

For me, I've realized that this hasn't changed much. 

I was going to say that I didn't need a themed birthday party any more... but then I realized that my wife had an Indiana Jones birthday cake (complete with action figure... eat your hearts out guys!) made for me.  And... Oh yeah... she also included Indiana Jones table cloth, napkins and plates for me.  AND... yup... I'll say it... I loved it!

I was going to say that when I was young, I would always get to have a birthday party where I could take a few friends to a movie... AND... you guessed it... last night, I took Mel and our two dudes to Narnia and we had a GREAT time! 

(Plus, we had some extra action on the tail end of the evening because we had to head to the Mall's tornado shelter before we could head home, due to Iowa's crazy weather!)

I was also going to say that I didn't really need toys anymore, but I found myself having a whole lot of fun playing with the Indiana Jones action figure, which I had given to our boys.  (Let's be honest... I just did that so I could have the excuse to play for hours on end!)

Oh... one other thing. 

And this is law... not opinion. 

Birthday presents HAVE TO come in the morning.  Not at night. 

Yeah... again... that's not just a rule... it's a LAW!

So... yeah... even though I'm getting older, I guess I haven't changed much. 

And I guess my ingredients for a perfect birthday haven't changed much either.

How about you?

What does it take to make it a true birthday for you?

Click comments and join in the conversation!

Photo credit and kudos to:Antique Dog Photos

If you had to make a soundtrack for your life, what are two songs that would make your list?

Hmmmmmmmmmm.

This one is a fun question, isn't it? 

It came from a group of amazing high school students that we worked with last summer.

How 'bout you?  What comes to mind?

For me...

One would have to be Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband's dream BIG!  (For obvious reasons.)

Or... there's U2's beautiful day...

And... there's Coldplay's Fix You...

I know I only asked for 2... but there's 3 of mine.  I'll probably post more later... cuz this is fun.

How about you?

What would make your list?

Click comments and let us know!

The best snack right before bed is ___________.

Okay... for me... we're talking an ever-changing list, but here are some of my do's and don'ts.

Some do's:

• Cold spaghetti
• Cold pizza
• Cold Chinese food
• Cereal

Some don'ts:

• Ice cream (it has it's place, but not right before bed)
• Beans (for obvious reasons)
• Fruit (I know it should be a "do," but it just never seems right for a late night snack)

How 'bout you?

What cries out to you at night?

What are some of your do's and don'ts?

Click comments and join in the convo.

Photo credit: Seductive light

What is something your best friend or significant other does really well?

By Mitch

Okay... so first I have to admit that I missed my own deadline this week.  With everything that was going on with the BIG dream gathering, I missed my Thursday morning post here.

Geeeeeesch.  Sorry!

Hopefully, some of you were able to make it to the BDG we had in downtown Des Moines.  It was amazing and our biggest BDG yet.  Lots of BIG dreams were launched and lots of people were connected!  So... it was a success.

Okay... on to today's question.

For me... this list could fill 4 posts.  My best friend is also my wife, Melissa.

Excuse me while I brag, but she does so many dang things well... She's an:

• Amazing mom
• Incredible friend (to me and others)
• Powerful artist
• Creative thinker (freakishly cool wisdom comes out of this girl)

She's also:

• Kind
• Generous
• Loving
• Supportive
• Unbelievably fun
• A risk taker
• Beautiful

But, I'd have to say... the thing that's bubbling to the top today... is the way that she encourages me.  She always knows how to say the right thing to get right to my heart.  She also knows when to say nothing and just be there.  She also sees when the creepy cruds sneak in... when I'm tired, scared or over whelmed, and she knows how to bring me back off the ledge.  You know?

Well... if you've met Melissa, you know what I'm talking about.  So, I'm an incredibly blessed dude!  Incredibly blessed.

Okay... so how about you?  What about your best friend or spouse?  What do they do well?  Why not tell them? 

Click comments below and let the world know.  Or just call them... right now... and let them know what you think they do well.  Seriously, how often does that happen to them?  How cool would it be for them to get a call like that... right now?  So do it.  Make somebody's day!

Every child should be taught __________.

Okay... so we're in the last stretch for the next BIG dream gathering (May 13th), so my response has to be quick.

How would you fill in the blank?

Here a few of mine...

• they are loved and lovable!
• to dream BIG!  (And... They're dreams are IMPORTANT!)
• that God is BIG, so they don't have to be, and that's a GOOD thing.
• they were put here for a very important reason (or 1 billion very good reasons) and it's our job to help them live that out to it's fullest!
• Life's not always fair, but it all works out in the end.
• Sometimes things aren't easy, but that doesn't mean it (whatever the task) shouldn't be done.
• Sometimes things are easy, but that doesn't mean it's not important.
• they are loved and lovable!  (oh... yeah... I said that already!  Oh... heck.  It's worth saying again!)

Oh... and by the way... I'm thinking that kids should be told these things... but I'm guessing it wouldn't hurt for you to hear 'em today too!  There for us "old" people too.

Okay... so... what are some of the things you think kids should know?

Click "comment" and join in the conversation.

What is one of your least favorite words to say?

Back in January, we asked about your favorite words... now we are flipping the question.

What word do you almost hate to say?

Hmmmmmm. 

For me... one of the words that rises to the top of my list is "ointment."

I don't know what it is... maybe it's the way it rattles in my nose when I say it.  Or maybe it's the thought of that nasty gooey goop itself.  Yup.  Just don't like it.

If you ask my wife Melissa, one of the words she hates is "wiener."  Yeah... it just makes her bristle.  She doesn't have anything against a hot dog or even Oscar Myer... it's just something about that word that bugs her.

Our boys know it too.  On any given day they might get 15 minutes of laughter at the dinner table by watching Mel squirm as they work the word into conversation.  But don't worry... she can hold her own. 

How about you?  What word just bugs you?

Is it the spelling?  Is it the sound?  What is it? 

Click "comments" and join in the conversation.

Photo credit and kudos to: nodakain

What is one of your favorite quotes from a movie?

Ohhhhhhhh.  I love this question.  Let me count the ways...

Gosh... this is tough to pick just one.

Is it... "I'll take these huggies and whatever ya got in the cash register."

Or... "Not so much here or here... but right here."  Tommy Boy

Or maybe "The force is with you."

Or maybe... "So I have that going for me which is nice."  (Wanna watch it?  Click here: Caddy Shack)

Or... "You had me at hello."

Hmmmmmm.  It's a tough call.

How about you?

What line is coming to mind today?

Click comments and join in the convo.

Oh... and don't forget... if you are in Des Moines tomorrow night, stop by Q nite at East Village Books.  It should be a lot of fun to come... relax... laugh and connect!  Click here for more info.

Announcing a Q night at East Village Books in Des Moines!

Hey gang -

We're having another Q connecting event at East Village Books in Des Moines' historic East Village.

We love Teri and her team at EVB and we're excited to be back with them!

We're set to play Q friends and Q dates, as well as check out some new questions from our 3rd title that we have in the works!

Here's the skinny:

Where: East Village Books, 510 East Locust, Des Moines

When: Friday, April 25th from 6 to 8 pm

Who's Invited?: Anybody who wants to bring friends that they want to get to know better... or anybody who wants to come and meet some NEW friends!  We'll have fun as we relax... laugh... and connect!

Click here to check out some of the pics from our last event at EVB.

So invite your friends and plan on meeting some new ones there!

We'll see you there!

If you could instantly learn how to play one sport, which would you pick?

By Mitch

Hmmmmmmm.

Okay... I have to admit that I've never been "the jock." 

Partly because my coordination didn't really kick in until college and partly because I've just never been that interested. 

As a kid, I'd be quick to watch Star Wars and slow to watch the NFL. 

So now...  although I can't tell you who won the Super Bowl in 1977, I can tell you the names of the actors who played BIG and small parts in Star Wars which was released in the same year.  (ie: C3PO: Anthony Daniels, R2D2: Kenny Baker, etc.)  Hey... did someone just yell... GEEK!?!

So this question got me thinking.  How about you?

There are a bunch on my list.  Fencing.  Hapkido.  Downhill skiing (I love to do it but I've still got a long way to go!).  And don't forget Curling. 

But today... as it's kind of cold and rainy as I look out my office window... I'm thinking surfing.

Yup.  Big waves.  Big beaches.  Hot sun.  White sand. 

That all sounds great.

Plus... the question states that I'd instantly know how to do it.  So that sounds perfect today.

How about you?  What's your sport?  Where would you want to try it?

Photo credit and kudos to: envisionpublicidad

Describe a favorite place to play when you were a kid.

Okay... I had a lot of 'em.  But hands down... my favorite was my Grandpa Matthews' farm.

My brother and I would usually spend a week there in the summer and for young dudes... it might as well have been Disneyland!

There was a hay barn with hay bails piled high... a labyrinth of ladders... and a rope you could swing from.

There was Grandpa's old truck.  Yellow with wood panels.  We'd get to ride in the front seat with him (no seat belts!), along with "Sport" his dog.

But the big enchilada was... the back pasture.  Oh... it was a kid's paradise. 

There was a creek that wound through the place with some woods that seemed to go on for miles. 

Russ (my brother) and I would pack a lunch and head out with Sport as our guide.  We might have only walked a couple of miles over a day's time... but it felt like we'd traversed the continental divide.  Plus, we'd come back muddy... from head to toe.

And then... Grandma would hose us off with ice cold water from their well, and then cook one of those meals a Grandma could only make.  Hmmmmmm.  Yeah. 

Yup... it was a rural paradise!

How 'bout you?  What was one of your favorite places to play when you were a kid?  How often did you get to go there?  Who'd you go with?  Join in the convo by clicking on "comments" and tell your story!

Photo credit: briand9201

Describe someone in your life who surprised you (in a good way).

Okay... so this is a question for the original Q friends deck.  But I had such a cool experience yesterday, and when I saw this question this morning... I knew it was a perfect fit.

The person that I'm going to talk about is Beth McCutchan.  She's the Sales Manager for the Iowa Events Center... and I'm convinced... she's also an angel. 

We've been working with her on the next BIG dream gathering (BDG).  (She's the one that has helped us get the HUGE Polk County Convention Center for the next gathering!)

Well... yesterday... Beth took me to the Air National Guard base in Des Moines because we are reaching out to the military for the next BDG. 

We're wanting to reach out to the soldiers who are stationed abroad and their families here at home and help them to dream BIG and to help them with their BIG dreams. 

Beth's freakishly cool husband Andy is one of those soldiers who will be returning to Iraq soon, and Beth's offered to help us with this effort. 

(In fact, she and Andy are the ones who have inspired this idea!) 

So... ... back to the story. 

Yesterday, Beth arranged a meeting with another freaky cool person. 

Her name is Amanda Wicker. 

She's the Family Readiness Coordinator for the 132d Fighter Wing.  So we met with her. 

She is GREAT AND she is going to help us get the word out to the military families... which is AWESOME!  We can't wait.  (Watch for more information on this.)

Okay... so after our meeting... I felt great.  I walked out on cloud 9.  But then came the surprise.  Beth said, "Would you want to go over to the hanger... meet Andy and do a tour?"

Even though I tried to play it cool... my inner-7-year-old broke out and I said, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?  I'd LOVE to!!!"  So we went over to the hanger.  I met Andy (who again... is an AWESOME guy!)  And then... this humble genius... took me on a tour that would make ANY kid... whether they are 7, 37 or 87... explode!

It was great.   

Oh... another cool thing.  Through some divine inspiration... I had tucked my camera in my bag for something else I had to do yesterday.  So... GLORY BE... I had my camera with me for this TOUR DE FORCE! 

Yeah... It was AMAZING!

So... not only did we get to move forward on a BIG dream of getting to help out military families with the BDG... BUT I got to be a TOTAL kid again by getting to explore some of the biggest... and coolest... toys on the planet. 

At the same time... it also inspired an incredible sense of gratitude and respect for these people that risk their lives AND give their lives to serve in so many different ways!  (THANKS to all of you who serve!)

So... yeah... Beth has been full of surprises and I'm grateful for every one of them.  But yesterday's surprise was especially fun!

Okay... so how about you?  Who's someone who has surprised you?

And again... watch for more info on military families and the BDG. 

AND I also want to say... THANK YOU to the members of our military and their families for their sacrifice and their efforts!  YOU are ALL amazing!

A book that's had an impact on my life is _________.

By Mitch

Crud.  I can't limit this to one.  Can you?

Here's a relatively short list...

• The Bible (I've been lovin' the message version lately)
• Tom Peter's The brand you 50 (short, sweet, wise and funny)
• Tim Saunders - Love is the killer app (a biz book that speaks to the heart)
• Andy Stanley - Visioneering (I don't know if there's a better book about going after the dreams on your heart!)
• Gordan McKenzie - Orbiting the Giant Hairball (One of the best books about unleashing your creative brain... even from a cubicle!)
• Anything by Marcus Buckingham (Bring on the strengths... baby!)
• As for the classics... I've loved Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe for a long time. 

Okay... so how about you?  What's on YOUR list?

Photo credit: striatic

The ultimate spring break destination would be _____________.

By Mitch Matthews

My answer? Spencer, Iowa of course!

Okay... maybe not... but that's where we've spent a little of our spring break... visiting family.

(Heck... the hotel has a pool... so it's a hit with our kids AND the nieces and nephews. And there's a Godfather's pizza down the road with the best Taco pizza in the world. So... we're good.)

How about you?

What's one of your ultimate spring break destinations?

If price were not object... where would you head for a little sun?

Swiss Alps for a little ski action... or maybe the Cayman Islands for a little sand and snorkel action?

How would YOU fill in the blank? Where would YOU go?

Click "comments" and join in the conversation.

Describe someone that inspires you?

By Mitch Matthews

So... who is it for you?

My list is long!

My wife, my kids, a number of my friends, my brother, my mom and dad... yup... all of 'em are at the top of my list.

But today... I want to throw out a name you may or may not have heard of.  It's Johnathan Goodwin.

He's a guy who's been in the news a lot lately.  Check out this article in Fast Company.  Find out how he can get a Lincoln Continental to get 100mpg AND cut its emissions by 80%!  How cool is that?!?

Here's an interview with him from mediatalk:

Or check this video out and see how a Chevy Impala that he equipped with a diesel engine smoked a LAMBORGHINI! 

Okay... I'll admit that I'm not much of a gear head.  And although I logged a lot of time in my buddy's Impala in college... I never spent any time under its hood.

But... Johnathan is an inspiration. 

He's asked the right questions to move past a lot of the barriers that Detroit has thought impossible to overcome. 

Heck... his Jeep Wagoneer runs on vegetable oil for crying out loud!

In many ways... I think he'll go down as our generation's Orville and Wilbur Wright!

So yeah... this guy inspires me!

How about you? 

Who inspires you right now?  Is it a politician?  Is it a parent?  A friend?  Who is it for you? 

Click comments and let us know!

What is something you need to get rid of?

Hmmmmmmm.  This question gets me thinking.  How about you?

I have to admit that there are a couple of Rubbermaid Totes in our storage shed that have old office stuff in them.  You know... files that I haven't used in years... probably some old biz magazines... receipts from 1997.  That stuff that got thrown in a box during a move... and then got shoved to a corner... never to be seen or heard from again.  But... there they sit.

I also have a tote (can you tell we just love Rubbermaid?) filled with some old clothes. 

Now... don't get me wrong... I'm quick to give away most of my old clothes... but this box has some of those clothes that I'm kind of hoping come back into style.  You know... that leather bomber's jacket with patches on it... some Union Bay jeans that fit great back in the day (I may have tag rolled the cuffs at one time)!  A sports coat that fits great... but has especially aggressive shoulder pads.  Yeah... those clothes. 

I still can't get rid of them.  I'll admit that I'm not sure whether it's that I want them to come back into style... or that I'm kicking myself for spending so much money on them at the time... but not wearing them enough to feel justified to let them go.

But as I write this... I'm thinking I know what I need to do. 

I need to take one more trip to the Good Will. 

Cuz... I'm mean... hey... SOMEBODY might just look great with some tag rolled jeans and puffed up shoulders!!!

Okay... so how about you?

What's something that you should get rid of? 

Click comments and join in the convo!

Photo credit and kudos: morningk

If you could visit the set of any movie (past or present) while it was being made, which would you choose and why?

Okay... okay... I'll admit it.  I've asked this question a couple of times on the blog. 

But... I just saw the new Indiana Jones Trailer... and it inspired me to revisit the question.

Have you seen it?

Yup.  It conjured up all sorts for memories of when the first Indiana Jones movie was coming out.

Do you remember that?

Check this original trailer out to help you remember... what I call... the "Raiders era."

So... my answer... at least for today... is Raiders of the Lost Ark.

I know... I know... the music sounds so similar to Star Wars... if you close your eyes you can't tell the difference.

And switch Harrison Ford's clothes... and he could be Han Solo... in a Fedora.

BUT... it had a huge impact on me as a kid.

Heck... If I could have found a bull whip in the 70's I would have become Indiana Jones... well at least the Indiana Jones of Newton, Iowa.

I would have loved to be there on the set as they were putting this thing together.  It was still a HUGE risk.  Harrison Ford wasn't a big name yet.  Spielberg wasn't HUGE either.  Plus... it was a movie built on the old nickel theater genre. 

But... boy oh boy... did it connect with my heart.  I would have worn my own Fedora around 24/7 if it hadn't been 108 degrees and 100% humidity.  I know... I know... Indiana wore his when it was hot... but geeesch... that thing was wool!

Okay... how about you?  Where does my geeky walk down memory lane take you? 

What movie set would you have loved to visit?

Click "comments" and join in the conversation!

Would you consider yourself a car or truck person? (why?)

By Mitch Matthews

Well... since we own two Nissan Pathfinders (not very eco-friendly... I realize... but we've owned pathfinders for over a decade now)...

and since I'm barrowing a friend's truck to move some of Melissa's big canvas art around today... my answer is made for me.

TRUCK.

How about you?

Handle like it's on rails... or haul like there's no tomorrow?

What do you say?

Join in the conversation by clicking "comments."

Photo credit: imagedocscottevans

A perfect Saturday is when I get to _________.

Sorry this is late this week.

One of our kiddos has been under the weather... and I had to do some full-time dad stuff... instead of full-time work stuff.  But... that's okay. 

Okay...

So... call me boring... but here's my list... for at least... this morning.

Cup of warm coffee with French Vanilla creamer.

Clean desk... with time to journal and think.

Quiet before everyone else is awake.

Time for a new good book and the good book.

Waffles with the lil' dudes after the house starts to stir.

Talk time with Mel.

And today... we're off to the pine wood derby with the boys.  So... although every perfect Saturday  doesn't involve races with cars made out of blocks of wood and plastic wheels... today... it's perfect.

How about you?  What makes for a perfect Saturday for you?

Photo credit and kudos to: John Baird

Where would you have a vacation home... if money were no object?

By Mitch Matthews

Okay... in honor of Valentine's Day being right around the corner... we're taking a Q question from Q dates this week.

How about you?

Where would you plunk down vacation home roots?  The Swiss Alps?  A sandy white Hawaiian beach?  On a remote Tuscan hill?

Hmmmmmmm.  I've got a bunch of ideas... but I have to admit that I have a particular road outside Red Lodge, Montana calls to me.

It's on the edge of the Beartooth Mountain range (home of mountains like Granite Peak and Hell Roarin' Plateau).

Mel and I spent A LOT of time there when we lived in Montana.  Plus... I just love the heart of Red Lodge.  Simple.  Unpretentious.  Adventurous.  Connected. 

And I'm thinking... log cabin... porch overlooking the Beartooths... quiet... calm... peaceful... dog... boys playing and exploring... Mel painting... getting ready for a hike... taking a quick nap beforehand.

Yup.  That's where I'd plunk it down.

How about you?  Where would you go?  Why?

Join in the conversation.  Click comments below and let us know!

Oh... and speaking of dreaming BIG... check out our latest BIG dream gathering that's going on this weekend in Des Moines! 

Come on over and dream BIG about vacation homes... or other BIG dreams!

Pic credit and kudos to: theshyster65

What was one of your childhood dreams and how has it changed?

By Mitch Matthews

Okay... so as many of you have heard... we're doing another BIGdreamgathering next week.  It will be in West Des Moines... and it's open to everyone!  (click here to check it out.) 

So that has inspired people to submit more dreams... and I received one from a friend this week... that's just awesome.  And... it inspired today's question.

Here's her dream... in her own words...

__________________________________________________

My best friend, Erin (marton of honor at the wedding) and I in middle school were convinced we would open a dance studio in Boston and be wildly famous.  That dream ended when she married out of high school and 3 kids later, moved with her hubby to Kabul in August permanently.  Probably 2 weeks ago she emailed to say she wants to open a dance studio in Kabul and me to be her "partner in crime".... finding teaching videos, working to find discount shoes, identifying a "partner" studio in DSM or Omaha that will supply old costumes and whatever "left overs" they have to get this going.  We will start with ex-patriots, 5-8 years old and then expand the studio to the Afghan girls in Kabul once things are up and running.  There are so many opportunities for boys to be active in Kabul, but few opportunism for girls, she said.  It's all very exciting!

Sometimes our dreams just look a little different than what we think they might : )
Kerry

__________________________________________________

Isn't that awesome?  I love it!

Oh... and by the way... if you want to help Kerry and Erin out.. just leave a comment below and connect or shoot us an e-mail at contactus@doyouQ.com.  We'll get you connected!

For me?  Well... I loved teaching and making kids laugh when I was a kid (my teachers didn't always appreciate it though).  And now... look at what I'm doing?!?   

Okay... now... here's the more important question... how about you?  What was one of YOUR childhood dreams... and how has it changed?

Click on comments and share it with the Q family... and then... if you're in the DSM area next week... bring it to the BIGdreamgathering.  Who knows?  A new friend and "partner in crime" might be right around the corner!

Photo credit and kudos to: jsandifer

What's something you are thankful for?

Whew... this is such a simple question.  But it gets me every time.

Geeeesch.  My list is long.  How about you?

My God.  (Freakishly cool... amazingly consistent... wildly unpredictable!)

My Wife (who is my best friend... amazing... and gorgeous all at the same time.  that's just cool!)

Our boys (They are awesome... perfect in their imperfection... two of my favorite people on the planet and they teach me more than I could ever teach them!)

My parents (who... although they've been great friends all of my life... have also been willing to remain great parents too!)

My bro (and his magnificent family... who live on the other side of the planet and in many ways... are our heroes!)

Our incredible friends who teach us... daily... about what it is to be loved and supported ubber well.  Trust me... it's changed everything!

Q.

Coffee.

Snow.

There's more... but I'll stop.

Oh... and the thing that inspired this question this week... the Gratitude Campaign.  Have you seen this?  It's a fantastic idea.  I love it.  Click on it and check it out!  Then spread the word.

Oh... and I'm super grateful for you... for being a part of our Q family!

Okay... now... how about you?  Click on comments and let us know!

What is something you've learned from someone lately?

By Mitch

This question was inspired by a lunch I had today.

The lunch was with a cool cat by the name of Cory Garrison.

We were talking all matters of business... but then we got off on a tangent about our backgrounds, etc. 

You know... as friends do.

One of the many cool things about Cory's history is that he's studied improv acting at the Improv Olympic in Chicago.  He's a naturally funny and charismatic guy... so it makes sense.  But what amazed me was to dig into the "systems" behind Improv.

And today... Cory schooled me on all things improv.  It was awesome.

For example... even though it seems loose and unstructured... Cory explained that there is a true and exact science behind the art form.

One of the things... and I guess it's a core principle of Improv... was the "Yes... and."

Basically... it's an agreement... that you'll agree... at least on stage... with your fellow actors.

So... instead of shutting someone down or not playing along with a particular direction or vein of humor... you agree with it and go with it. 

You don't stop it. 

You don't upstage it... to steal the glory or get the quicker laugh.

You go with it.

You build on it.

You even pass it off again... to someone else... sometimes letting them get the laugh. 

And you always... always... play along with the building story... instead of going for the short term glory.

Cory said... it's something that's at the heart of all good improv. 

Basically... If you don't got it...  You just don't got it.

Plus... it takes time... trust... humility... and a commitment to the greater good (or in this case... the bigger laugh).

The "Yes... and."  I love that.

I'm sure that I'm missing HUGE pieces of the teaching here... but this tidbit has really stuck with me.

It's making me think about the spaces in my life where there's some "i