One person writes:
Be Happy. Have Fun.
Another chimes in:
Ok, I will!
And finally a 3rd person writes:
Me too.Smiley faces and all.
Never take yourself too seriously.
It's true--try to enjoy the ride! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 31, 2019
Be Happy, Have Fun
One person writes:
Another chimes in:
And finally a 3rd person writes:
Never take yourself too seriously.
It's true--try to enjoy the ride! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 30, 2019
Win Rocky Win
And it arrived, all wrapped up nicely, in the mail yesterday.
Rocky working out and training.
His shirt says:
Win Rocky Win
I posed him with his arms up in the air like after a fight in the ring.
Love his fighting spirit, determination, and integrity.
Overcoming against all odds.
Great inspiration.
Some say we actually look alike. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 29, 2019
Remember 9/11 + The Global War on Terror
How quickly we forget what happened on 9/11.
After 2001, we said:
9/11 was "the day that changed everything" and we shed blood and treasure on a global "war on terror"
In 2019, radical American politicians are:
Referring to 9/11 as "Some people did something"
Laughing at Americans for fearing ISIS
Refusing to condemn terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda or Sharia practices such as female genital mutilation
Calling for Open Borders and Sanctuary Cities, including not cooperating with Federal law enforcement
Promoting Socialism over Democracy, including healthcare for illegal immigrants and forgiving all student loan debt
Urging the release of jailed Muslim Brotherhood terrorist leader
Endorsing corrupt Venezuelan dictator, Nicholas Maduro rather than the democratic opposition.
Blaming the U.S. for "thousands of Somalis killed by American Forces" during Black Hawk Down
Saying "It's all about the Benjamin's baby" and supporting anti-Semitic, anti-Israel practices like BDS
Comparing Immigrant Detention Camps to Concentration Camps
Reflecting on a "calming feeling" when thinking about the Holocaust
I hope all Americans will realize the absolutely frightening enemy within that our nation now faces and votes accordingly in 2020.
July 28, 2019
Cold-Press Fruits and Veggies
This guy weighs a ton and goes on a 60-day all juicing diet.
He stops all the food and just carries his juicer with him everywhere making fresh fruit and vegetable cold-press.
While obviously a little extreme, I like the idea of reducing the food intake (especially everything gluten which is death itself), and replacing it with healthy juice.
I tried one of the super green juices and it literally tasted like eating grass.
Uh, that's not gonna realistically work for me.
So I settled on Evolution's Organic Super Fruit Greens that has a combination of orange, mango, pineapple, cucumber, spinach, romaine, and kale.
I actually like it and am sitting here sipping on one as I write this blog post.
I went into the fridge and threw all the carbs in the freakin garbage--good riddance!
Gotta get and stay healthy! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 27, 2019
What's It Worth To You?
Certainly, passion for being your best, determination to succeed, and even some healthy competition are important factors in driving our own success as well as societal progress, but when keeping up with that scorecard against others becomes the essence of your own self-worth then things have gone too far and way off course.
We each have our mission, strengths, challenges, and so forth. It’s okay in life, if someone else has more of something (money, friends, honor, whatever). Everyone has their own “basket in life” as my father taught me, “and you wouldn’t want to change baskets with anyone else.”
(Photo Credit: Andy Blumenthal)
July 26, 2019
Duck Donuts Don't
Each one weighs like a brick and is so full of carbohydrate good(bad)ness.
I had to use all my self-control and willpower not to eat any (or all) of these.
It comes down to mind over matter--If you don't mind, it doesn't matter! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 25, 2019
@Bagels and Business with CEO Hair Cuttery, Dennis Ratner
Dennis Ratner, the founder and CEO is a huge success story.
- Puts people first.
- Gives back to the community.
- Believes in vision, planning, and execution.
- Dennis said: "Effort = Reward" and to be "Relentless" in pursuing your passion.
- Great roles model.
(Source Video: Andy Blumenthal)
Lasting Decisions
Decisions are supposed to represent the conclusion of a process involving the following steps:
- Research of the problem
- Decide on the scope
- Discover the requirements
- Determine viable alternatives
- Evaluate costs, benefits, and risks
- Do some soul-searching
- And then resolve and commit on a way-ahead
While these steps are typically formalized in a work-setting, they may be done informally in our personal lives.
But even after all this, we need to remain adaptive to changes in the environment that would cause us to reevaluate the decision and alter course.
So a decision is a decision until we revisit the decision.
The problem is that in some highly complex, unstable/turbulent environments, or ones where there are a lot of disagreements among stakeholders (such that there was perhaps not a consensus on the original decision to begin with) then "decisions" may be short-lived.
In this case, decisions may be half-baked, not even last until the ink is dried, and certainly not have a chance in hell to be executed on or seen through to determine whether they actually would've worked.
In a way a decision that is so temporal is not even really a decision, but sticking your toe out to feel the temperature of the water, and any commitment of resources can and probably will be a complete throw-away.
We've got to do the investment in the upfront work, really make a good data-driven (and inspired) decision, and give it an opportunity to blossom.
Yes, we need to remain agile and change as we sincerely need to, but too much change and for the wrong reasons leads to going nowhere fast. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 24, 2019
Excellence Vs. Mediocrity
The long hours, hard work, and grueling repetition to try to reach near-perfection.
Even then, of course, we need G-d's mercy and blessings and a measure of good luck to succeed.
Also, by definition, not everyone can be "the best" at everything.
I suppose the expectation for most people is that they try at least to excel at the things that they need to do or are most important to them, as well as maintain work-life balance.
In this light, it was interesting to hear a story recently about mediocrity (and not excellence).
When asked to step up on the job, one person responded in the negative saying:
C's get degrees (too)!
Of course, this must have sounded pretty shocking and off-putting.
In other words, they weren't going for the "A" or even a "B". A "C" grade was fine for them--as long as they didn't completely fail with a big "F".
Who knows what circumstances may have led this person to settle for mediocrity--just wanting to pass.
Perhaps they had serious personal or family issues--and had good reason to be taking a step back (for a while).
But I think there could also be more tactful ways to say it too--like explaining if there were mitigating or challenging circumstances in their life right now.
If there really wasn't mitigating circumstances and the person was just "slacking off" or didn't care, one has to wonder why--are they just "milking the system" or is there something more fundamentally wrong?
C's get degrees, but to me the real question is: Are you doing your best given your particular life circumstances? ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 23, 2019
Cool Atom Puzzle
With sections for: composition, atomic model, thermonuclear fusion, periodic table, radioactivity, positron emission tomography, fission of uranium, nuclear reactor, and atomic scientists.
Wow that's a lot of information for a Puzzle and one very nicely designed at that.
Congrats on putting this 1,000 piece beauty together.
These things make me realize how very much I still have to learn--and in this case, it starts with all these small things. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 22, 2019
I will Survive
G-d gives us strength.
To battle ignorance, apathy, and evil.
To educate, persuade, influence, and fight for what's right.
With a thick skin of battle armor.
And sword and arrows of insight, cunning, and righteousness.
To stand firm even when you feel weakened.
To find the words even when you are mocked.
To see clearly and hear distinctly even when confounded.
The soul and spirit of G-d guides you.
As you traverse a journey through life's winding tests and challenges.
Fight heroically to repair that which is broken.
Say resolutely, I will survive! ;-)
July 20, 2019
Children's Voices and Scars
Unfortunately, we are living in a time when many people are "destroyed" from various forms of abuse: physical, verbal, and emotional. This frequently occurs to those that are more vulnerable in society (e.g. exploited children). It is especially tragic that children--those that are still innocent and defenseless--are made to suffer at the hands of those that are bigger, stronger, and authority figures in their lives (teachers, clergy, etc.).
At the most basic level, we need to:
- Listen (carefully), empathize, and be supportive.
- Don't be dismissive, make assumptions, or jump to conclusions.
- Yes, everyone deserves a fair hearing and for the facts to be known.
- No, we can't as a community run from this uncomfortable issue any longer!
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 19, 2019
July 18, 2019
When People Can't Admit They're Wrong
I'm doing my laps minding my own business.
And this guy gets to the pool, sits down, and immediately pulls out his cellphone.
Then he proceeds to literally yell into his phone for probably a good half an hour.
I'm doing my laps and I can hear this guy yelling:
- At his end of the pool
- ALL the way at the opposite end of the pool
- With earplugs
- AND even underwater
And he goes on and on and on.
Doesn't stop for even a breath of air.
Now, in all the years swimming, I've never had to approach someone about their behavior like this.
BUT this was too much as my head was pounding from his incessant yelling.
I waited until he finished his call.
And it happened to coincide with me finishing my laps.
I come out of the pool and grabbed my stuff.
I have to pass him on the way out.
And I'm still debating with myself whether this schlemiel is even worth it.
My head is still throbbing from his yelling.
I stop in front of his chair.
Now he's pulled out a book and is trying to read.
I say:
Excuse me.He knows he did something wrong, and he barely looks up, trying to ignore me.
I say again:
Excuse me. Did you intend for everyone at the pool to hear your ENTIRE conversation?
He starts murmuring something, and then says throwing it back on me:
What's the problem?
So I say:
You were speaking so loud, I could hear you all the way on the opposite end of the pool. I could even hear you under the water.
He's agitating now and he says:
Well, I was speaking to someone 85-years old who doesn't hear well. You get it?
So I say respectfully:
I am sorry that he doesn't hear well, but does everyone else here around the pool also need to hear the conversation?
Then he says:
So what--I don't care if everyone hears.
I try one more time.
Do you see all these other people trying to read, rest, swim--do you at all care?
He still can't get himself to come around, and instead doubles down and says,
Well. I'll do whatever I want!
Now, I've had enough, and I say:
So basically you don't give a shit for ANY of your neighbors, do you?
Finally, he must of been embarrassed enough at his terrible behavior, and he backs down and says:
Next time he calls me, I'll take the conversation inside!
At which point, he goes back to his book, and I complete my exit.
It took all that just to get him to say he'll handle it differently next time and basically be respectful of his neighbors and not a selfish pig!
It's amazing--some people really just can't own up to when they are being a jerk.
But I was glad this guy finally came around--maybe there is still hope. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Retro Cool Digital Watch
I remember when the first digital LED watches with the red numbers like this first came out in the 1970s.
They were quite expensive then!
Part of the computer revolution. LOL
I remember my uncle had something like this and I thought how cool it was--no moving hands to read.
Also, has a little of that sci-fi Battlestar Galactica red (moving) light effect from the cybernetic enemy, Cylon visors.
What's old is what's new. ;-)
July 17, 2019
Face Vase
If you add a digital home assistant to this (like Amazon Echo or Google Assistant) and make the lips move on this vase, it would be quite the futuristic home assistant!
I don't think I'd feel comfortable living in my own house anymore. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 16, 2019
We're Part of a Much Larger Script
Why do bad things happen to good people?
G-d answers by showing Job the incredible elements of creation and the universe.
Why?
1) Complexity and Interrelationship of the Universe:
As isolated individuals, we might expect to be judged solely by our individual deeds of good and bad (2-dimensional), but also we are cogs in the larger universe (the 3rd dimension).
Therefore, what happens to us is not just a result of what we do, but also is a part of G-d's larger overall plan for the world.
Even small acts can have large impacts.
For example, you sneeze and somewhere down the line it causes a tsunami.
Similarly, like actors in a cosmic play of a billion pages, we may not see or understand why our individual role may be what it is, but if you would see and understand the context of the overall drama (what came before us, after us, and how it all interrelates) then from a G-d's eye view, it makes sense.
Every act of destruction can lead to a higher divine purpose.
Like the grass that is mowed over and uprooted to plants crops or the wheat that is harvested and ground up to make bread.
So, we can have faith that there is a reason and purpose for everything even if it is a mystery or unanswered question to us.
And even in our suffering, G-d, the master of the Universe, is saying that "I'm here with you thru it all." You are not alone!
2) By challenging us, G-d gives us the "tough gift" to cope, grow, and become better people.
Even though things that happen may look bad to you, they can lead to good for you.
You don't always get what you want, but you get what you need.
You have choice: you can be bitter, resentful, cynical, and angry or can look at life with hope, optimism and resilience.
Thus, suffering can be a vehicle of self-transformation and elevation. The challenges you face can help you become a different person--a greater person.
You can learn to feel not just your own pain and disappointment, but that of others.
You have the opportunity to grow yourself and the opportunity to help others.
(Thank you to Rebecca Ochayon for sending me this awesome video!)
Never Get In a Pissing Contest
July 15, 2019
OMG, What A Beautiful Song
By Yaakov Shwekey & Kobi Peretz
Even though I am walking through the valley of the shadow of death
I fear no evil
Because you are with me
Even behind the difficult things you are going through
I stand...I stand...I stand
Even in the place which is hidden, within that which is hidden
Surely, the blessed Hashem is found there too
My heart and soul are uplifted by this beautiful song. ;-)
July 14, 2019
@Hillwood Estate and Gardens
(Credit Video: Dannielle Blumenthal and Photos: Andy Blumenthal)
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