I was bad...but it was all in good jest. ;-)
(Source Video: Selfie)
April 21, 2014
Disease Of The Ordinary
I asked the store owner about them, and he said he gets these mostly for (window) display purposes.
But one lady actually bought a pair similar to this for a big event she was going to.
I think these would certainly make a statement (however crazy) when someone walks into the room wearing these.
Maybe that's the point for many people--to stand out!
People want to be noticed, special, and be thought of as something or as somebodies.
Being 1 of 7 billion people is not very satisfying--so how do we differentiate ourselves?
- The fancy house and cars we have
- The clothing and accessories we wear and carry
- The trophy wife or husband that hangs on us
- Our own physical good looks, fitness, and skills
- The prestigious university we went to and the degrees we possess
- Climbing the career ladder and our titles and offices
- Our pedigree from kings, clergy, hollywood, rich, or otherwise famous or successful people
- The children (and grandchildren) that we rear to be smart, successful, well-integrated, etc.?
- How religious we are, how much charity we give, the kindness we show others?
This is something that we all struggle with as human beings--what is a life of purpose, meaning and how do we know that we've achieved it?
I think the problem for many is that we measure ourselves by what we have and not who we are. Perhaps, this is a clear mistaken case of quantity over quality.
Down in Florida, I see so many "haves" and "have nots"--but it's not enough for the haves to have, but if they aren't showing it off, getting stares, having people talk about them, then they seem to feel uncomfortably ordinary.
What is this disease of the ordinary that people must ever run to escape from--and even with the reddest, wildest, wing glasses or whatever--will they ever feel truly happy and satisfied inside?
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 20, 2014
Song and Dance in Ft. Lauderdale
Ft. Lauderdale is not quiet and conservative this time of year.
Between Passover, Easter, Spring Break, and the end of the snowbird season--the beach, restaurants, stores, and streets were quite lively.
This one restaurant had some nice entertainment with this guy playing guitar and this lady belly dancing and handling a sword and handkerchief--yeah, don't ask.
At the end of the 2nd video, this weird guy in a large orange cowboy hat sort of just shows up--unfortunately, the cameraman (me) was having some technical difficulty focusing the smartphone. ;-)
Swim ~ Splash ~ Swim
Swimming in the hot sun, I headed straight for the cool splash.
The water was frothing white against the blue background.
As it hit the pool, it created this amazing bubbling beneath the surface.
I swam under it a number of times and came up through the bubbling fresh water.
Sort of felt like I was swimming in a waterfall in the Amazon or something exotic like that.
Hey, I can imagine...but it really was amazing with the water, the sun, the air--felt so alive!
I am thankful to G-d for allowing me this wonderful moment today to feel his beauty in the world.
(Source Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal)
April 19, 2014
Score One For Ocean Rescue
Don't know why this kid almost drowned, but he almost did.
It was interesting to see the various rescue services come to help save him.
The lifeguards went out for him and got him back to shore; the paramedics administrated on scene medical help; and the police kept overall order.
But I think what really struck me was how uninterested most of the beach goers seemed.
Maybe I am expecting too much, but people just seemed at best curious, but not really concerned.
Yet at Spring Break, I have a feeling the booze, drugs, and sex overshadowed this real life and death event for this young man.
I know these kids work hard in college and probably need to blow off some steam, but the callousness was still striking.
(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)
Hooters' Training
This dad took his two kids (twins?) out to eat.
The eatery is Hooters.
The young, attractive, scantily clad waitresses in the orange shorts were serving them.
It may be fine for the adult, but it didn't seem so okay for the little kids.
Not that I'm so Mr. Perfect, but couldn't help reflect that what we teach our children is important.
This wasn't Ronald McDonald's, Subway, or Chipotle.
What was the lessons for these kids?
I remember when I would argue with my dad (still to this day) about religion and seeing seemingly "religious" people do things wrong (sometimes terribly wrong), and he would say to me, "You be the example!"
Maybe that's sort of the point--is that the way we live is the lessons we showcase to others.
Each of us has the opportunity to lead by example...that's what leadership fundamentally is.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 18, 2014
Jewish is Super
In the Kansas City incident, I read how the white supremacist shooter went right up to a lady visiting her mother at the old-age home and asked her "Are you Jewish?" And when she replied in the affirmative (even though she was not), he shoot her dead on the spot.
It turns out this lady was an occupational therapist that helped blind children...what kind of monster would just murder someone (anyone) like this?
Similarly in eastern Ukraine, leaflets are being handed out demanding that Jews register in the government office, pay special taxes, and declare their property or face deportation. Here too, we witness the devilish markings of some that are repetitive of their deplorable past as Nazi collaborators, concentration camp guards, and murders.
I read yesterday, that not only Jews, but Christians are being targeted in the Middle East with churches burned, those of faith being driven from their homes and ruthlessly murdered, except in Israel where the Christian population is actually increasing and thriving.
While Superman may not be Jewish (I know of no Jews on planet Krypton), being Jewish is super--and for that matter being any person of faith and dignity is super! Hate mongers and murders of today, like the evil oppressors of yesteryear--know that truth and justice and the 10 plagues of Egypt are just a {pow!} and {bam!} away--believe it! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 17, 2014
You're Not All That
We get too big for our britches and think we can do whatever we want including stepping on others and defying our maker.
An interesting article in Harvard Business Review reminds us to beware of narcissism and hubris.
Narcissism is a character disorder where because of feelings of inadequancy from childhood, people have to self-promote themselves every which way toSunday--they are "insufferably self-centered."
Hubris is a reactive disorder where due to past success and accolades from others, we become overconfidant, until the luck changes "toppling from their pedestals" and shrinking their ego back down to size."
I like the reminders from HBR cautioning about these:
- "Have more than thou showest; speak less than thou knowest." - Shakespear
- "Humble pie should be the only dessert served."
It's one thing to have decent self-esteem anchored in your knowing right from wrong and acting accordingly, and it's another to think and act like you have all the answers--none of us do.
If your showing it off, it's likely a turn off. ;-)
(Source Photo: here with attribution to Jampa)
April 15, 2014
Futuristic Highway
Some really great ideas here for the highway of the future.
These are the inspiration of interactive artist Daan Roosegaarde.
To save energy and increase safety, there are four concepts presented:
- Glow in the dark road markings (i.e. lane dividers) with photo-luminescent paint that charges during the day and lights up at night.
- Weather symbols on the road with temperature-responsive paint, so for example, when the temperature falls below a certain level, the roads show snowflake symbols to indicate that they may be icy.
- Motion-interactive lights on the highway that light up when cars approach and are powered by the draft of the moving cars.
- Induction lanes that can charge car batteries as they run along them and reenergize the cars for further travel.
Already, there is a 500 meter stretch of road in Oss, Netherlands with the glow-in-the-dark road markings--these are almost radioactive green in color and give a futuristic Tron look to the roads.
Now the question is when can we get these high-tech upgrades for I-495?
What an awesome high-tech display befitting our nation's capital and maybe it would help with traffic as well! ;-)
April 14, 2014
NYC at Passover
How Do You Kill A Pothole?
April 12, 2014
Pain Pain Go Away
I saw this ad about controlling back pain.
The wincing face on the back was very effective.
Given that back pain is so common, I am sure many people can empathize with this.
For almost a year, I have been suffering with some arthritic pain although not back-related that has been horrible.
I never realized what this even was!
I'm at the point, where I feel surgery, with G-d's help, is the only answer.
Of course, I am not keen to have surgery and keep thinking how I may be able to put it off.
And then the inflammation flare-up and pain comes back and I rethink this again that I have to go forward and just take care of this.
I feel that I am too young for these problems, but life does not ask when or what.
Certainly, I am thankful it is nothing worse--and there are so many things worse.
And I appreciate that there are modern treatments these days that probably didn't really exist just 20-years ago.
Not sure exactly, what people did "in the olden days" when they had these things and just had to live (or die) with them.
I just want to be pain free and completely healthy again, so I can fully enjoy all the things that I always did.
Please G-d.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 11, 2014
We're Not Deadbeats
The main idea is that we have gone from a nation where fiscal discipline and paying off ones debts was a valued tradition to one now where excess rules and profligate borrowing runs through our veins.
Both personal and national debt were viewed as a means of last resort and not something to be proud of, but rather as something done out of necessity to get through tough times.
On a personal level, we only borrowed what we needed and we payed it back on time or even early. Poverty was just one step away or even akin to servitude.
Similarly, on a national level, public debt was viewed as a safety net to preserve the union (i.e. war), territorial integrity (e.g. Louisiana Purchase), or in a severe recession (i.e. to maintain the government's ability to spend in the short term).
The best option was seen as "pay as you go," with the alternative, under limited circumstances, to "pay as soon as you can."
However, the value placed on self and national discipline and sufficiency was replaced with elements of entitlement, greed, and waste.
The problem is once you have inequity in the system, then people feel the unfairness of it all, and give up caring about the system itself and just want to get what they see as their fair share.
Some politicians cater to these feelings of relative deprivation and are no longer viewed positively for fiscal constraint and ensuring our economic security, but rather "politicians gain favor by spending money without having to raise unpopular taxes."
In essence, the government can give people more now, and they don't have to pay for it until future generations--hence the ability to buy citizen's political consent and even win elections by increasing the treasure chest even temporarily.
No, this is not China raising the fortunes of the middle class to keep the Communist Party in power, but rather this is us in the U.S. of A racking up tens of trillions of dollars in debt to keep people happy now (forget the future generations, let them fend for themselves).
Shake hands, kiss babies, and hand out dollar bills--give me, give me give me!
What has happened to us fighting hard and driving into the future on our own feet--together in strength and not as a debtor nation getting handouts from anyone that will lend us.
Soon, the Fed will be raising interest rates, and with a greater and greater national deficit to pay on, interest payments have the real potential to spiral out of control and leave our economy in shambles.
Like a credit card with interest payments that eclipse the principle borrowed, soon you are in over your head and there is nowhere to go but Chapter 11.
We're not an inherently debtor nation, and we sure don't want to be a deadbeat nation--isn't it better to have what we really have financially and be who we really are and value?
Let's leave our children and grandchildren economic and national security and not a towering pile of shameless debt, from mom and dad with love.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 10, 2014
Which Part of "Men's Room" Don't You Understand?
There are dozens of folks showering and changing.
All of a sudden in strolls a lady.
First she walks one way through the locker room--looking up and down the aisles.
Then she walks the other way through again--glancing this way and that way.
The men are looking at each other like what in G-d's name is she doing.
Some of the men start yelling at her to get out (maybe the others are sort of glad she's there)!
She sort of nods at them, turns unapologetically and strolls back out.
The men are bantering back and forth now--like what was that all about? Is she nuts or something?
On the way out of the facility, I stop by the front desk and ask innocently, "Do you know that their is a women walking around the men's locker room?"
One supervisor goes, "Oh, that happens. The men do that too--going into the lady's locker room."
Oh really--is this a professional swim club or a Roman orgy?
The other supervisor, a little more reasonable here, says if someone can point her out, he'll have a talk with her.
The kid behind the desk says, "Thanks for letting us know."
The funny thing is there is a sign in the locker room that prohibits photos and videos--but, I guess in-person viewing is permissible--good to know. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
You Mess At Your Own Risk
"Touch this car again. You are laser sighted. You will be shot in the face!!!"
I remember in NY, people messed with the cars all the time--nasty stuff like backing or plowing into your bumpers when trying to park, keying cars, slashing tires, knocking off the mirrors, egging the cars, and one guy I remember even had his car stolen and the couple actually had sex in his back seat!
The stupid steering wheels locks to the brakes were a joke for security, the noisy annoying car alarms were so routine no one looked or cared, and LoJack helps you find the clunker again although you may never want to drive it anyway after what the crooks would do to it.
Not sure this sign will help ward off all the crap that people do--somehow they always find another way to be jerks with someone else's stuff.
Aside from James Bond's car that would explode if you tried to mess with it, does anyone else have any good ideas for car protection? ;-)
(Source Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal)
April 9, 2014
Hey Abrham!
Apparently, religious sterotypes are alive and well with you.
How about a little sensitivity training for your staff or do you guess biblical names for all your customers?
Don't worry though, it turns out that is my Hebrew name (and I'm Jewish and proud of it), although it's spelled like this: Avraham. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 8, 2014
Say It Loud
But he was sure saying it loud.
Cluck, cluck, cluck...hello, can you hear me???
One megaphone in each hand and another slung over his shoulder - that's three.
And he may actually have a fourth on the other shoulder - I couldn't see.
Uh, how do you hold/use that many megaphones at one time--plus he's doing it balancing on the bicycle.
Hey, watch that foot, it's touching the ground.
I think he's saying something like--serious noise pollution. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Hydrant Hat
April 6, 2014
New York Deli Bread
Not Bias, Just Plain Old Hatred
He is a "'revisionist' of all things World War II," but apparently is particularly keen on Holocaust denial, as someone who according to Wikipedia is an "anti-semite, and racist who...promotes neo-Nazism."
The Holocaust denial goes deep for Irving and even upon visiting Majdanek concentration camp, he tells his group "This is a mock-up of a gas chamber. Those cylinders are carbon dioxide not carbon monoxide...There are handles on the inside of these doors," so the prisoners could let themselves out.
Actually, the door was locked with huge bolts right on the outside and was sealed airtight, but to Irving it's as if these didn't exist.
The book discusses how cognitive biases such as confirmation biases help people "find confirming evidence for our beliefs, ignoring or rationalizing away all discriminating evidence."
But I think this is really beyond the point with someone like Irving, who according to The Guardian is a discredited British historian and Nazi apologist" and was actually jailed for a "three-year prison sentence in Vienna for denying the Holocaust and the gas chambers of Auschwitz."
The State Prosecutor said of Irving "He's not a historian, he's a falsifier of history...this is about abuse of freedom of speech."
Judge Peter Liebtreau called Irving "a racist, an anti-semite, and a liar."
So this is no simple bias or mind game for Irving, but apparently a convenient way for him to pursue his hatreds under the guise that everything was and is really okay.
So rather than "Never forget," is is far more beneficial for those that would wish it to happen again that they lull people to believe that it never even was to begin with.
Interesting that another famous Holocaust denier is no less than Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who claimed the Holocaust, in which six million Jews were murdered, was a "myth" (Washington Post).
By the way, Ahmadinejad also said "9/11 was an inside job."
People like Irving and Ahmadinejad are not about confirmation bias, but rather about distortion of truth to further their own evil destructive aims.
In the case of Ahmadinejad, it's that he wishes to see Israel be "wiped off the map" (New York Times).
And in the case of Irving, he has said, "there will...probably be another holocaust in the next thirty years...oh, and if the Jews are lucky, there will be a David Irving or Adolf Hitler [may their names be obliterated] to protect them" (The Independent).
Oh, G-d forbid!
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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