We arrived on the late side at the winding down part of my cousin Shannon's high school graduation party. The relatives we would have normally visited with had already been there and gone. Those attendees remaining were a lively band of teenagers, friends of Shannon's folks and some neighbors.

The energy at the end of a party is different than the beginning - it is mellow and settled in. The presents are unwrapped. The balloons are at haft mast. People just kind of pick and poke at the food that remains. The host and hostess are relaxed because they are coasting now and actually enjoying what's left of the party.

That's how the party felt when we are arrived.

Shannon's grandfather Chuck and I are first cousins so Shannon and I are either thirds or a couple removed. I need to brush up on the cousin rule. Not really following that rule works to my advantage. I like claiming the children of my cousins as cousins - it makes me seem younger. Ha!

I navigated much of the party holding hands with twoyear old granddaughter Julia. Julia is a people person and she doesn't know or care to observe certain unwritten social rules. So Julia and I invaded the teenagers' enclave, we chased around with the adolescents playing with nerf balls, we mingled with the smokers outside, and the neighbors on the deck.

I like Julia's get to know everyone approach. The teenagers turned out to be friendly enough, the neighbors were interesting, and anyone you chase after must be a friend- right? I think the mingle with everyone works and I hope Julia keeps it up. If she chooses to drag me along - all the better.

I work in an industry that preaches networking, networking, networking. That said, when I go to industry events, most folks sit and stay with their co-workers from the office. I usually venture off to meet new people, sometimes I get the cold stare and return back to my safety zone.

And at the annual family reunion, with few exceptions, folks who arrived in the same car are seated for dinner with their same little clan. My wife and I almost always split up at a party.

"Oh, I've heard his stories," she's apt to say.

Later that evening, she and I compare notes. It's a different approach.

Blind audition

A client of mine was recently hired to play in the reed section of a world renowned symphony orchestra.. I was surprised, yet fascinated, to learn of how auditions are conducted.

The committee that chooses the musician never sees the person. The audition is conducted with the candidate performing behind a screen. All the committee members experience during the audition is the music. A padded carpet is employed leading up to the screened area so that the musician's shoes do not reveal the kind of shoe, such as high heels.

I've been thinking a lot about how candidates are chosen for a position now that President Obama has the opportunity to pick a Supreme Court Judge. In this choice for one of the ultimate legal positions in this country, the gender and race of the person will be paramount in consideration.

What an interesting contrast.

Interesting contrast

Without any ceremony, I got a set of new tires for my Toyota. One day the car was new, and then suddenly I had 80,000 miles on the odometer and I was still driving on the first set of tires.

Why is this notable? First, I never once reflected on what a terrific job the first set of tires did. I just kept expecting their loyal service. Second, I didn't realize how hard the ride had become on my car until I felt the ride transformed with new tires.

Since this is the year where change is swirling about, make certain whether or not your tires are included on that vast list of change on which we need to embark.