I would like to start out by saying that I have the out most respect for construction people. They have a very hard job. They battle all sorts of weather conditions, and all for the pleasure of people like me to have a 35 mile (55 km) commute a smooth ride.
Yesterday, while sitting in construction traffic for a little over 11/2 hours I noticed something that gave me a laugh. The traffic was bumper to bumper with no end in site. I could not only see the new road that was laid, but I could also count the groves in it. Then to my complete surprise and astonishment comes out the sign person (the person holding the sign to slow down, or stop as they need). She set up post on a nearby ramp that had approximately the same speed as the rest of us that were on the main highway… 0 mph/kmph. Even when my car did move the arrow indicating speed did not flinch I was still at 0 mph/kmph. Yet, here is this person setting up shop. I thought maybe she was going to let a truck through or something of that nature. BUT, nope I was wrong. She stood there with her sign saying SLOW down. I couldn’t help but laugh considering that out of all of the times to be actually holding this particular sign this was not one of the times.
Just a thought.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
How I love Ambiguous statements.
Over the past weekend I had the privilege of celebrating many simchas within our community. During one such event I got caught up in a conversation that I usually hate having. Yet, my interest was tweaked by a friend that was truly looking for advice in a ‘scientific’ category.
We started talking about organic foods and how the world has become so evil in the use of plastics everywhere and all these other EVIL things that are going on. This is where my attention usually gets exhausted and I find something else to occupy myself with, then to keep listening/ participating in such rubbish. Yet, again a phrase yanked me right back into this particular conversation. One person was stating to another that they know someone that eats exceptionally healthy, and unfortunately they were diagnosed with cancer…BUT because they ate so healthy and were so strong they were able to battle their cancer and thank g-d beat it. Now, I know this particular story (and the person whom the conversation was about). It is true that this person eats exceptionally well, and it is true that this person’s cancer is in remission. However the problem in this story is not the out come but the way the facts were presented.
The fact is this person had chemotherapy and that is why the cancer is in remission. Weather or not this person’s diet helped get them back on their feet faster or not is a point of contention, maybe, maybe not.
Then there was another blanket statement that went something on the grounds of “well, people that eat organic food are just healthier and are able to fight off infections and diseases better”. That’s when I decided that all glove were off and made a few blanket statements as well, really just to see the reaction I would draw from the crowd. Some statements went on the grounds of: “well most people that I’ve seen articles written about drank like fish smoked like it was their job and were really fat and lived to be 100 years old, so how do you explain that”? At which point some around said well that’s ridiculous, as to which I said “no more ridiculous than your ambiguous most people that eat blah blah blah are healthier”. How do you know what they ate, and how it affected them? Give me hard core statistics to prove anything organic is better than anything that isn’t? Give me numbers, theories or anything other than complete speculation and ambiguity. Apparently after that people were thinking way to hard to respond with anything other than, “well you know it’s just a topic to talk about”. I guess I always think that if someone is going to bring up points then the least they could do is prove that those points are accurate.
We started talking about organic foods and how the world has become so evil in the use of plastics everywhere and all these other EVIL things that are going on. This is where my attention usually gets exhausted and I find something else to occupy myself with, then to keep listening/ participating in such rubbish. Yet, again a phrase yanked me right back into this particular conversation. One person was stating to another that they know someone that eats exceptionally healthy, and unfortunately they were diagnosed with cancer…BUT because they ate so healthy and were so strong they were able to battle their cancer and thank g-d beat it. Now, I know this particular story (and the person whom the conversation was about). It is true that this person eats exceptionally well, and it is true that this person’s cancer is in remission. However the problem in this story is not the out come but the way the facts were presented.
The fact is this person had chemotherapy and that is why the cancer is in remission. Weather or not this person’s diet helped get them back on their feet faster or not is a point of contention, maybe, maybe not.
Then there was another blanket statement that went something on the grounds of “well, people that eat organic food are just healthier and are able to fight off infections and diseases better”. That’s when I decided that all glove were off and made a few blanket statements as well, really just to see the reaction I would draw from the crowd. Some statements went on the grounds of: “well most people that I’ve seen articles written about drank like fish smoked like it was their job and were really fat and lived to be 100 years old, so how do you explain that”? At which point some around said well that’s ridiculous, as to which I said “no more ridiculous than your ambiguous most people that eat blah blah blah are healthier”. How do you know what they ate, and how it affected them? Give me hard core statistics to prove anything organic is better than anything that isn’t? Give me numbers, theories or anything other than complete speculation and ambiguity. Apparently after that people were thinking way to hard to respond with anything other than, “well you know it’s just a topic to talk about”. I guess I always think that if someone is going to bring up points then the least they could do is prove that those points are accurate.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Materialism
“And I am a material girl, living in a material world” (Song by Madonna)
It is interesting that sometimes a person can have an entire thought process stop, and change because of something they hear in the background noise that is playing on the radio. Yesterday as my 35 mile (55 km) commute from work to home was coming to its end I switched stations to one that was playing that song. It started me thinking on our world. With so much going on in our lives I started to get all introspective about that one line in the song.
Wikipedia says the following: Materialistic describes a person who is markedly more concerned with material things than with spiritual, intellectual, or cultural values; an adherent of materialism.
So, that got me to think about where I stand on the matter. Do we live in a material world? Yes. Am I materialistic? Not completely. Why do I say that I am not completely materialistic? That is really for a few reasons. I can’t deny the premise completely because a little bit does exist in my life. For example, I live in a condo. If I were completely non-materialistic then I would live in a tent in wilderness, or at least in an apartment. My condo has furniture in it; if I were completely non-materialistic then it would have boxes, crates, or bins. Yet, the part of me that says that I’m not really materialistic is viewing the fact that I drive an older car that I love and don’t really want a new one. Yet another part of me says that hey, lets get real I live in a condo not a house if I was truly materialistic then I would have to live in a house. So the train of thought got me going on another very interesting point: does the meaning of materialism depend on your society, on your social standing and in what environment you live in?
My answer is yes, it does. For one group of people being materialistic is having a home (be it a condo or a house), having new furniture, and driving a new car, or any variation of the list. For another group being materialistic is wearing a $3000 wig, rather than a $10 hat or a $2 snood. For yet another group being materialistic is driving a Mercedes or a BMW rather than an Acura or a Lexus. I believe it all maters on personal belief and the environment where you live, where you choose to live. An example that I’ve seen being mentioned on blogs around is having a cleaning lady versus not having a cleaning lady. To one family having a cleaning lady is part of the family budget and is living within their means, to another it is living out of their means and it is more a case of keeping up with the Joneses (or Goldberg’s).
The truth behind it all is that materialism really doesn’t bother me. I think mainly because I’ve never really cared what other people do or say and I do what is right for me and my family. I don’t look down on people that are materialistic and I don’t look down on people that are not. However, what I do absolutely hate are people who say that they are one thing but behave and act as though they are another. That I’ve always hated.
I just cannot understand why people can’t be honest with themselves. Why is it that they stand their and portray one image and then turn around and do something that this image definitely is not a portrayal off. It reminds of the people that just wear the garb to be a religious Jew. They wear a black hat, and act high and mighty but then on a date with a girl they ask her if she wants to go to a hotel room (yup, this happened to my friend, if you are wondering she said no and told the shudhan, I’m so proud of her). So it is on this level that I am speaking about. What is the purpose of being fake? I guess that is one that has to be explored further. Whatever you are, just be proud of yourself. We are not put on this world to act for others in a way that you think that they think that you should be acting, unless of course you are an actor.
It is interesting that sometimes a person can have an entire thought process stop, and change because of something they hear in the background noise that is playing on the radio. Yesterday as my 35 mile (55 km) commute from work to home was coming to its end I switched stations to one that was playing that song. It started me thinking on our world. With so much going on in our lives I started to get all introspective about that one line in the song.
Wikipedia says the following: Materialistic describes a person who is markedly more concerned with material things than with spiritual, intellectual, or cultural values; an adherent of materialism.
So, that got me to think about where I stand on the matter. Do we live in a material world? Yes. Am I materialistic? Not completely. Why do I say that I am not completely materialistic? That is really for a few reasons. I can’t deny the premise completely because a little bit does exist in my life. For example, I live in a condo. If I were completely non-materialistic then I would live in a tent in wilderness, or at least in an apartment. My condo has furniture in it; if I were completely non-materialistic then it would have boxes, crates, or bins. Yet, the part of me that says that I’m not really materialistic is viewing the fact that I drive an older car that I love and don’t really want a new one. Yet another part of me says that hey, lets get real I live in a condo not a house if I was truly materialistic then I would have to live in a house. So the train of thought got me going on another very interesting point: does the meaning of materialism depend on your society, on your social standing and in what environment you live in?
My answer is yes, it does. For one group of people being materialistic is having a home (be it a condo or a house), having new furniture, and driving a new car, or any variation of the list. For another group being materialistic is wearing a $3000 wig, rather than a $10 hat or a $2 snood. For yet another group being materialistic is driving a Mercedes or a BMW rather than an Acura or a Lexus. I believe it all maters on personal belief and the environment where you live, where you choose to live. An example that I’ve seen being mentioned on blogs around is having a cleaning lady versus not having a cleaning lady. To one family having a cleaning lady is part of the family budget and is living within their means, to another it is living out of their means and it is more a case of keeping up with the Joneses (or Goldberg’s).
The truth behind it all is that materialism really doesn’t bother me. I think mainly because I’ve never really cared what other people do or say and I do what is right for me and my family. I don’t look down on people that are materialistic and I don’t look down on people that are not. However, what I do absolutely hate are people who say that they are one thing but behave and act as though they are another. That I’ve always hated.
I just cannot understand why people can’t be honest with themselves. Why is it that they stand their and portray one image and then turn around and do something that this image definitely is not a portrayal off. It reminds of the people that just wear the garb to be a religious Jew. They wear a black hat, and act high and mighty but then on a date with a girl they ask her if she wants to go to a hotel room (yup, this happened to my friend, if you are wondering she said no and told the shudhan, I’m so proud of her). So it is on this level that I am speaking about. What is the purpose of being fake? I guess that is one that has to be explored further. Whatever you are, just be proud of yourself. We are not put on this world to act for others in a way that you think that they think that you should be acting, unless of course you are an actor.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Anniversary Part 2
Seriously,
When we went to Niagara Falls this past weekend to celebrate our anniversary we kept joking around that at night they turn off the falls....WHO KNEW WE WERE RIGHT!
Check this out.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Dryniagara.jpg
Cool huh?
When we went to Niagara Falls this past weekend to celebrate our anniversary we kept joking around that at night they turn off the falls....WHO KNEW WE WERE RIGHT!
Check this out.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Dryniagara.jpg
Cool huh?
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! 2 years!!!
Wow,
Today is our two year anniversary. The time literally flew by. I remember our wedding day like it was yesterday. It was awesome. So much fun and excitement, truly great!
On that note, I figured that hopefully really soon I’ll have our wedding pictures done!
Yes it’s taken two years but hey we’ve done loads of things in that time. I rarely have time to sit and relax and just stare out the window. Yet, I am quickly running out of excuses. It’ll be done, g-d willing by the end of the week.
Today is our two year anniversary. The time literally flew by. I remember our wedding day like it was yesterday. It was awesome. So much fun and excitement, truly great!
On that note, I figured that hopefully really soon I’ll have our wedding pictures done!
Yes it’s taken two years but hey we’ve done loads of things in that time. I rarely have time to sit and relax and just stare out the window. Yet, I am quickly running out of excuses. It’ll be done, g-d willing by the end of the week.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Corporate America
I am writing this post after saying that I will no longer write posts without sitting on the topic for a few hours. I’m writing now, in the heat of the moment. Sorry if it sucks.
As I’ve mentioned before I have been laid off. I will reserve what is known in America as a severance package if I’m a good little girl and keep coming to work till October 27. YET, today I am mad!
I have been given the fantastic ASSIGNMENT (YES LIKE IN SCHOOL NOT LIKE AT WORK) of SCANNING certificates of analysis into the computer and then logging them into our main system. Fantastic as this sounds its absolutely freaking ridiculous!
I have been demoted to the status of an intern. THANK YOU CORPORATE AMERICA.
Not only was I not given any deadlines but apparently when I was away on my lovely vacation I missed some backstabbing that was going on. APPARENTLY I’m NOT WORKING FAST ENOUGH FOR THESE CORPORATE LOSERS.
So naturally today I did nothing!
My manager who I happen to really hold in high esteem is awesome. He knows that this is all asinine, he thank g-d has my back. Literally the man went to bat for me. Nothing that he says or does past this point will make me not regard him with complete honor and awe. It is people like my manager that make Corporate America barable.
Yet, I keep thinking….should I work for a smaller company. Have less layers of management and have more obligations? All questions to be pondered, probably over a little wine.
As I’ve mentioned before I have been laid off. I will reserve what is known in America as a severance package if I’m a good little girl and keep coming to work till October 27. YET, today I am mad!
I have been given the fantastic ASSIGNMENT (YES LIKE IN SCHOOL NOT LIKE AT WORK) of SCANNING certificates of analysis into the computer and then logging them into our main system. Fantastic as this sounds its absolutely freaking ridiculous!
I have been demoted to the status of an intern. THANK YOU CORPORATE AMERICA.
Not only was I not given any deadlines but apparently when I was away on my lovely vacation I missed some backstabbing that was going on. APPARENTLY I’m NOT WORKING FAST ENOUGH FOR THESE CORPORATE LOSERS.
So naturally today I did nothing!
My manager who I happen to really hold in high esteem is awesome. He knows that this is all asinine, he thank g-d has my back. Literally the man went to bat for me. Nothing that he says or does past this point will make me not regard him with complete honor and awe. It is people like my manager that make Corporate America barable.
Yet, I keep thinking….should I work for a smaller company. Have less layers of management and have more obligations? All questions to be pondered, probably over a little wine.
Work?
Yes, I do have original thought...Well at least I think I do.
With all of the blogging articles that I've read about the Yishivish world and their inability to want to work I thought I would chime in...why not right?
On my latest visit 'home' I stopped by the local kosher food supermarket.
(SIDE NOTE) I truly do not believe that I am a racist. I work with people of all nationalities and beliefs and we all get along. (END SIDE NOTE)
Yet, when I walk into a KOSHER supermarket and don't know if its being held up by all the gangster looking thugs congregating near the cash registers I truly feel that this is a problem. I quickly realized that within the last 21/2 years since I've been gone and the last year since I've been inside this (the only all kosher supermarket) the employees have changed. The jobs that were occupied by frum women are now occupied by boys who look like thugs robbing the place. Maybe that has something to do with the location of this store. That is the dominant population of the area so I suppose hiring them to work in our store is okay. Yet, I just keep thinking none of the stores that I drive by that have the local population as the dominant user have any white, jewish, frum women working there. Nor do they have any notably jewish men working there. Is it just a case of discrimination from their part and us being the better nationality? Or maybe it is the fact that frum, jewish, women, feel that it is beneath them to work in a grocery store? Or maybe, just maybe the frum, jewish, women are tired of being overworked, under paid, and under appreciated? Or maybe its a nice combination of all the great reasons. In any way, I will no longer be so inclined as to visit this particular store and my family will not go either, Honestly I'm worried for their safety.
With all of the blogging articles that I've read about the Yishivish world and their inability to want to work I thought I would chime in...why not right?
On my latest visit 'home' I stopped by the local kosher food supermarket.
(SIDE NOTE) I truly do not believe that I am a racist. I work with people of all nationalities and beliefs and we all get along. (END SIDE NOTE)
Yet, when I walk into a KOSHER supermarket and don't know if its being held up by all the gangster looking thugs congregating near the cash registers I truly feel that this is a problem. I quickly realized that within the last 21/2 years since I've been gone and the last year since I've been inside this (the only all kosher supermarket) the employees have changed. The jobs that were occupied by frum women are now occupied by boys who look like thugs robbing the place. Maybe that has something to do with the location of this store. That is the dominant population of the area so I suppose hiring them to work in our store is okay. Yet, I just keep thinking none of the stores that I drive by that have the local population as the dominant user have any white, jewish, frum women working there. Nor do they have any notably jewish men working there. Is it just a case of discrimination from their part and us being the better nationality? Or maybe it is the fact that frum, jewish, women, feel that it is beneath them to work in a grocery store? Or maybe, just maybe the frum, jewish, women are tired of being overworked, under paid, and under appreciated? Or maybe its a nice combination of all the great reasons. In any way, I will no longer be so inclined as to visit this particular store and my family will not go either, Honestly I'm worried for their safety.
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