No more looking for change or losing your cash in the machine.
Plastic takes a another win!
Electronic and mobile payments will put hard currency out of business--sooner or later. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 29, 2013
Credit Card Cola
No more looking for change or losing your cash in the machine.
Plastic takes a another win!
Electronic and mobile payments will put hard currency out of business--sooner or later. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 28, 2013
Vandalism and Vomit -- Only $2,500!
She and her friends want to be near campus and where everyone hangs out.
When we got to the building, the front door glass was smashed in and wooden planks filled the space over the whole door.
While we were waiting in front, a group of girls were walking in--and one was saying to the others, "Oh, he says he loves me, and he wants to have sex with me..."--then couldn't hear the rest as they continued by.
Inside the lobby was this "Vandalism Report" with dates for each (not shown)--Take a look at it (THIS IS REAL!).
- Signs and fire extinguishers vandalized.
- Beer cups thrown off the balcony.
- Graffiti painted on the walls.
- And best for last...urine, vomit, rubbish, and blood discovered--at multiple times and in multiple places!
The slumlord landlord, buys up the filthy apartments, renovates them, and rents out two-bedroom units in this building for approximately $2500, split 4 ways among the students.
He takes 2 months security deposit.
And he makes each person responsible for all the others, so if one person backs out or doesn't pay, each of the other students are responsible--not just for their share (lease).
He advertised one unit, but showed us another.
Then told us this one was also already taken and we should trust him and sign up for another unit that he is purchasing and "it will be the same thing, trust me!"
This whole thing was disappointing to my daughter who was excited to be with all her friends so close to campus.
I was proud of her when my wife asked her despite how much she wanted this...did she feel this guy was trustworthy?--and she said, "No!"
Not sure who would want to live in a place like this...but my daughter was disappointed anyway.
It's hard to be practical, when the emotional side for people take over.
These young people are victimized by the slumlords, who prey on their youth, inexperience, and needs.
This place was disgusting--even so, it's tough to be a parent because you want your children to learn from mistakes, but mistakes can be so costly.
Funny thing is, there were plenty of kids in this building--where are the grownups? ;-)
The Pain of Parkinson's
My mom has Parkinson's Disease and is wheelchair bound.
For a number of years, I have watched (feeling helpless) my mom go from a vibrant person to succumbing to the devastation of this disease of unknown origin.
First, for many years (before we new) was a slowness of gait--with everyone yelling "come on mom, hurry up! Why so slow?"
Then, the uncontrolled shaking, especially of her hands, and deformity of the joints.
Next came the difficulty moving, the shakiness when walking, and the falls--until the time, some nerves were damaged and her foot got turned inward, so she could no longer stand.
Therapy, a walker, and then a wheelchair, and now for most of the day--confined to bed and loss of basic movement that we usually take for granted.
With loss of mobility, came loss of appetite, insomnia, depression, and GI problems.
Despite visits to numerous medical experts--we could only treat the symptoms, but could never keep up somehow with the progression of the illness.
My beautiful mom has suffered terribly, and my dad (despite his own medical challenges and age) has been her caretaker through it all.
Dad has done all the things for a person that can be done--on call every minute--until exhaustion at times. He has been nothing less than heroic in his deeds, dedicated to my mom and doing it with endless love for her--and always remaining (at least outwardly) optimistic and hopeful for both of them.
My mom went to the hospital a week and a half ago and this last week was transferred to a home.
Her eyes show the story of her suffering, and her body is drawn from fighting the illness, yet inside her the intelligence and love--she shows with a mere rise of her eyebrows and smirk--gives me strength.
I love my mom and dad. It is a tough road when age and illness take their toll.
It is scary to think at times what the future holds for each of us and how we will endure in the face of it.
Mom and Dad have suffered in their lives from the holocaust, with seemingly endless hard work trying to make a living, and with debilitating illness.
Their story and lives are a monument of strength and courage, love and devotion, and faith in the Almighty.
April 27, 2013
Who Hasn't Been There?
We had a pretty robust discussion around this--why some organizations fail and others succeed with EA.
We discussed the critical success factors that as the CIO or Chief Architect you can impact, and how these can drive planning and implementation for the organization to succeed.
At the same time, we also acknowledged how--to be frank--not everything is in our control.
This was a class full of CIOs and Vice Presidents, and I gave an example and said you are all successful now in your jobs and careers, but raise your hand if you haven't been there--where you were on the outs and you boss or colleagues just didn't like you?
This was a class of about 20 people, and out of all these highly achieved folks, only one hand went up--a young kid--with only 3 or 4 years out of school, and still learning the ropes.
Yes, this one person had not yet been on the losing end, but everyone else--all these successful people had been--ALL of them!
The point is not to say that success is just a chance event--it isn't!
You have to work hard and try your best-- but no matter how much you think of yourself--it's even more important to remember that you don't control all the factors of your life that determine whether you succeed or fail.
The same people that now had big, successful jobs, were the same people who had in a prior job or time been the person who could do no right at work.
I tell myself to remember that there is personality, chemistry and fit at work; there is timing--and it is everything!--and there is how the stars are aligned.
It helps a lot to be humble and learn, grow, work hard, never give up, have fun--and have faith in a mightier power above.
From what I've seen, life is a cycle and today you may be down, but tomorrow you will be up (and the opposite is true too--so don't kick the person that is down and hurting).
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)--for everything and for everyone. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 25, 2013
Watch Out Below
Anyway You Spell It
But whether or not you can spell what you are doing, if you are good at your job--what's the difference.
D.C. is a funny town: some people can spell and some can Repari watches. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 24, 2013
Drama In D.C.
First, this tree went down right in the middle of traffic in Washington, D.C. today. The BMW on the left was totaled, the van and taxi on the right had their respective front and rear-ends crushed. So much for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
On another note, I taught an enterprise architecture class earlier this week here, and in discussing establishing technical standards for the organization, one student put it well when he dramatically said "everyone loves standards, that's why they make their own." :-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 21, 2013
What's Diplomacy Anyway?
It is a Concord "Words From The Wise," engraved paperweight, crafted in England.
Diplomacy is generally associated with negotiation, persuasion, consideration, tactfulness, etiquette, and respect. However, this engraved paperweight has a little bit of a different view of it--"The art of letting someone have it your way."
Diplomacy has traditionally been differentiated from the use of military power in that diplomacy relies on "soft power" (co-opting or winning over cooperation), whereas the military employs "hard power" (coercion). Both are ways of handling relations and resolving conflict.
More recently, some foreign affairs experts have started to use "smart power," which is situational-based--leveraging alliances and partnerships in some cases and a strong military in others.
In any case, it's all about working together to bridge differences--and like the "Easy Button" the best way is to maintain a strong relationship, whether you get your way or not. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Dastardly Bastards
Last week we had the horrible terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon which left 3 dead (including an innocent 8-year old boy), almost two hundred wounded, and13 people who lost limbs (including leg amputations below the knee of a husband and wife recently married just last August ).
Then yesterday, in the Wall Street Journal, two more news events about:
1) The raping of a 5-year old girl (YES, five) in India--4 months after the gang rape on the bus that left a young women tortured and dead. This 5-year old was beaten and raped and found screaming for help and in pain with devices left inside her! The suspect a 30-something man is left on the run.
2) The trial of a late-term abortion doctor, Kermit Gosnell, charged among other things with murdering 7 infants who SURVIVED (initially) abortions he performed. This doctor or staff is said to routinely "gouge the infant's neck with scissors to sever the spinal cord" (a method he called "snipping"). His offices were a horror lab with "blood on the floor," urine in the air, and "fetal remains haphazardly stored throughout the clinic--in bags, milk jugs, orange-juice cartons, and even in cat-food containers." -- This is one sick person!!
While there are many people who are good, what loose nut or evil inclination drives others to terrible inhumane acts is a question that haunts us throughout the ages.
I remember learning in Jewish day school that some people act worse than animals, because while a wild animal kills for food or to protect themselves, people kill and torture for the sake of it.
Leon Kass in the article on Gosnell points out from his readings that "as science [and technology] advances, morals don't necessarily improve; [and moreover] that the opposite might well be the case" as people's faith in science above all else and belief in materialism as a cure of all ills replaces belief in G-d and the true mission of our souls in life.
What punishment can these people get that will really fit their crimes--when the children are left snipped, beaten, raped, and dead?
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 20, 2013
Don't Stampede On Others' Feelings
The cows first came up to us all friendly and then after staying for a little bit, decided to bolt off across the open field.
Together--it was like a mini stampede.
It reminded me of a situation recently, where I felt bad that I had stampeded (albeit inadvertently) on someone's feelings.
We received a delivery--actually a new couch (the other one we were replacing was really uncomfortable and it was high time to go).
At one point, I was taken a little aback when the delivery man asked me, admiring it--"How much was it?"
Not wanting to really say specifically, I just said nonchalantly, "Oh, not so much."
But the man pressed on and said, "No really, how much was it?"
I was a little uncomfortable, but I figured he's just making conversation, and honestly it wasn't extravagant so I say in a round figure what it was.
Then I see his face go dark, and I realized what had accidentally happened.
It was perhaps a bit much for this nice man (although I really don't know his situation, but just his facial expression).
Anyway, I felt terrible and proceeded to say something light and then we chatted for a little bit.
I think it is important to feel for all people--trying to make the best with what G-d provides and deal with everyday tests and challenges.
We are all people--and at any moment--what befalls one, can befall anyone, so we must be grateful for each and every blessing, for however long G-d grants it. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Survivable Water Pipes
As we know, water is critical to every living creature, and in an earthquake, when there is damage to the water infrastructure, such as the underground piping, people can be left without this basic life-sustaining commodity.
When traditional solid cast-iron piping is used, an earthquake can cause these to deform and buckle. However, with a new ductile pipe design by Japanese company, Kubota--the pipes are built in a chain-like fashion and expand and contract, flex and bend, but do not easily break.
According to the Wall Street Journal (14 April 2011), Kubota earthquake-resistant pipes even withstood the 9.0 quake in Japan in 2011, and it can withstand "shaking, landslides, and extreme temperatures.
Now Los Angeles is piloting this pipe along 2 miles of its 7,000 miles of piping--they are focusing on "the most vulnerable, fault-line-adjacent areas," since the piping is 2 1/2 times the price of regular piping.
In the absence of having a device like the Star Trek Replicator to synthesize food and water on the fly, it makes a lot of sense to upgrade our water systems and other critical infrastructure to protect us from the disasters that come.
"Tea, Earl Grey, Hot" needs to be available not just in good times, but also in bad. ;-)
(Source Photo: Kubota)
April 19, 2013
Get Yourself An IT Management Agent
Bloomberg BusinessWeek (10 April 2013) says really good freelance application developers are now being represented by IT Management Agents.
One such agent company is called 10X and they represent more than 30 IT stars.
The management agent helps the developers find jobs, negotiate salary and terms, and handle the paperwork letting the IT guys do what they do best--which is code!
10X takes a 15% cut of their client's earnings, but some developers claim 2-3 times the salary they were earning before by using an agent--and rates are climbing to $300 an hour.
Some companies are using these premium talent coders until they can bring on a full hire or when they need some big guns for some special IT project.
Perhaps with agent in tow (and even without), IT folks will start to shed their outdated nerdy image and instead take on some real Hollywood glamour--for the talent they really do bring to the organizational table. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 18, 2013
Rape-aXe Takes Hold
Here is a YouTube video that explains how it works (explicit topic).
According to Nicci Talbot in Suite101, Rape-aXe is a female anti-rape condom that has small razor sharp barbs on the inside.
A rapist, who inserts into the female condom, gets trapped by the device, which needs to be surgically removed and leaves small scarring.
The device was invented by Sonnet Ehlers a South Africa women, and it went into production in 2007 going for $2 a piece.
According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) "1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime."
"It's a medieval device for a medieval deed," stated Ehlers, and no such evil deed should go unpunished.
Females and males should be protected from sexual abuse both legally as well as with anti-rape devices--and that's the real point. ;-)
(Source Photo: here with attribution to haleybean91)
April 16, 2013
World's Most Beautiful Elevator
It contains a cylindrical elevator inside a 1 million liter fish tank filled with 1,500 fish of 50 species.
If you can't get to the ocean, then bring the ocean to you--spectacular! ;-)
(Source Photo: here with attribution to Eric Pancer via Wikipedia)
A Shocking Bra To Stop Attackers
There is one for women and there is another one fitted for men.
Now in light of the horrible rape attacks in India, 3 female students in India's SRM University have developed an anti-rape bra that literally shocks attackers.
The bra is called "SHE" (for Society Harnessing Equipment) and unlike the chastity belt of the olden-days, this bra according to Popular Science delivers 3,800 kv to attackers.
Women can activate the bra when they feel unsafe and it is pressure sensitive and is calibrated to be able to differentiate say a hug from something more violent.
The woman is insulated from getting shocked by a polymer lining on the inside.
The bra is also being outfitted so the pressure sensor sends a Bluetooth signal to your smartphone to send text message alerts to family or friends and the police with your GPS location.
I want to end with a quote from one of the students as to their inspiration for this innovative anti-rape bra:
"Studying in a convent girls school, we were always taught to be good to everyone and bear a cheerful smile. After stepping into the real, cruel world, we realized that our smile could not last for long as the threat to our purity and integrity always lingered on...Hence, we have initiated the idea of self-defense, which protect the women from domestic, social and workplace harassment."
While I hope these students don't believe that everyone in the world is cruel, I applaud these young women for doing something positive to help protect women worldwide.
I don't know how practical this anti-rape bra will end up being (i.e. wearing something that produces a dangerous shock), this is a good step in thinking about how to make women less of a target and increase the risk to any would-be attacker. ;-)
(Source Photo: adapted from here with attribution to Nicolas Sanguinetti)
April 14, 2013
Still In Love After 58 Years Together
While I already knew how special they were to each other--through thick and thin--when my mom took my dad's hand at the table, and said he has always been the love of her life, it was just beautiful.
Their life has certainly not been easy--escaping from Nazi Germany as children, losing most of their education, and coming to this country with literally nothing. But they worked hard, worshipped G-d dutifully, gave charitably, and greatly valued their family and friendships above everything else in this world.
They are good people and a wonderful role model to all of us, and we have always been like one extended family.
I'll always remember when my mom took his hand and said how much he meant to her--it was awesome!
May God bless them both, always. ;-)
(Source Photo: Rebecca Blumenthal)
What Are You Staring At?
The deer didn't let me get too close, before he ran off into the woods.
A couple of other deer showed themselves and followed suit.
Early in the morning, it was so quiet and peaceful on the way to grab a cup of coffee at 7-Eleven (their French Vanilla is a delicious favorite).
Thank you G-d for all the greatness that you bestow on us. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 13, 2013
Academic Assignments In Hate
The assignment stated: "You do not have a choice in your position: you must argue that Jews are evil, and...convince me of your loyalty to the Third Reich!"
This assignment echoed a similar assignment given to students in Georgia and New York City earlier this year instructing students to calculate math problems by using number of slave whippings and killings.
Yes, these school assignments--to our children--are shocking and appalling.
Although they call these teachers giving these assignments, these are not real educators, but rather bigots given a classroom pulpit.
Marguerite Vanden Wyngaard, the school district superintendent, said: "Obviously, we have a severe lack of judgement and a horrible level of insensitivity."
But this "apology" does not go far enough--in fact, there is no apology--just excuses and calls for sensitivity training.
Wyngaard should've called this behavior for what it is--discrimination, anti-Semitism, bigotry, and hatred, and announced the firing of the teacher--who shouldn't be teaching anyone, anything!
With the Holocaust Remembrance Day this past Monday, April 8--this teacher added insult to injury in making such an assignment.
While teaching students how to write persuasively and argue different points of view can mean that sometimes you have to argue "the other side"; it crosses the line to assign students to write about why a whole race of people are evil, and on top of it to force them all to take that position.
According to CNews, a third of the students stood up and refused to complete the assignment--thankfully, there are some good and decent people left in this world.
Excuses are not apologies. Sensitivity training is not removal of a hateful bigot. And this school superintendent should've had the ethical backbone and courage to join the students who stood against this wrong.
These "teachers" and school superintendent have at least six million reasons to do better, much better.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Colonize and Survive
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Hawking says we need to colonize other planets--and I believe that is sound advice.
While Mother Earth has an incredible ability to rejuvenate and self-heal, let's face it, the planet cannot sustain us forever in our current state.
According to the United Nations, the world population is expected to hit 9.22 billion by 2075, and life expectancy is expected to rise varying across countries from 66 to 97 by 2100.
Moreover, according to research institution, Transatlantic Academy (May 2012), over the next 10-20 we are likely to see "accelerating demand for most natural resource commodities...increasingly volatile markets, [and] scarcities are likely to be more common."
In the absence of major technological breakthroughs, increased social equity, and peaceful coexistence on this planet, we will need to find resources outside of Earth and colonize other planets--this is our future.
Already, as reported by National Geographic (10 April 2013), the administration has funded NASA to capture an asteroid and set it in orbit around the moon to not only study and develop capabilities to help protect our planet from a collision, but also to eventually be able to mine asteroids for precious minerals.
As much as we love Earth--although sometimes we don't show it by being gluttonous with its resources, polluting, destroying the ozone, and generally not following sustainable practices--we need to have a "Plan B" whereby we explore for water, food, land, minerals, and energy elsewhere and be ready to make a move to survive another 6000 years and more. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 12, 2013
Tiptoeing Or Delivering A Knockout Punch
Like this TOS-1A heavy flamethrower system--it is a multi-rocket launcher mounted on a T-72 main battle tank chassis.
The TOS-1A carries 30 (newer version 24) 220-mm incendiary or thermobaric unguided rockets that it can shoot up to 3 km (newer version 6 km), and it destroys everything within 300 square meters using high-pressure and temperature.
What is cool is that the technology seems boiled down to the basics--shoot and eliminate. And when multiple TOS-1As roll unto the battlefield--they unleash what looks like a ruthless barrage of destructive fire.
Of course, precision targeting weapons have the added benefit of mitigating civilian casualties--but from the looks of things, that is not what this weapon is all about.
The question is do you go half way or finish the job--do you hit below the belt or keep it a clean fight?
In war, if you leave the enemy intact or with fighting capabilities, then you may just have to fight them another day.
While the rules of war protect people from the cruelties of all out hostilities, we need to make sure that in the end, it keeps them safe over the long-term, and does not just prolong the inevitable cat-fight.
Good, kind, and just people often don't feel comfortable delivering a knockout punch, but sometimes (not all the time) that is just what is needed to restore the peace. ;-)
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