I've begun reading "Built To Last: Successful Habits Of Visionary Companies", and its really, really good. I recommend it to anybody interested in business...

It is remarkably similar to "A New Kind Of Science" by Stephen Wolfram, a massive book I read last summer in DC. That book was about the simple patterns that underlie every single component of our world, whether its science, math, psychology, sociology, computer science, economics, etc. Wolfram uses a host of computer tools to analyze these patterns...its worth reading but takes forever.

This business book I've just started reading takes a list of 18 "visionary" companies - companies that have survived multiple CEOs and multiple product cycles, and multiple successes and failures - and compares them to a list of comparable companies that weren't quite "visionary". Juxtaposing the "gold medal winners" with the "bronze and silver winners" in the business world causes simple patterns to emerge...the true reasons behind why some companies stay influential and at the forefront of their respective industries, across a long period of time.

I would tell you what these patterns are, but I've only read the first chapter of the book!

Regardless, the "simple patterns" discussed in the groundbreaking Wolfram book, as well as the "simple patterns" in this massive best-selling business book, seem to make a statement for the importance of simplicity, even on a personal level. And that's what I've been thinking about today.

Today is Lori and my 9 month anniversary! Because Mike is coming into town, we're going to wait til tomorrow to go back to Midtown Cafe, where we had our first date, and then watch some Laci Peterson thing on Dateline tomorrow night that she wants to watch.

Oh yeah, my fantasy team sucks. But the Mariners are on a roll...took both from the Mets today before heading back to Seattle to face the Expos and Braves. Freddy Garcia pitched his first complete game since May 2002, and seeing as how he's been the only weak link on the team, the M's are looking pretty dangerous right now! Lets hope it lasts.