(Source Video: Andy Blumenthal)
June 8, 2016
Shockingly Hungry
I am a study of human nature, so it can be fun just to get a rouse out of people, by doing something unexpected or even shocking.
Today, going through the airport with my daughter, the TSA security lines were a lot better than what had been advertised lately.
As we get through and are getting our stuff together, my daughter says to me (around breakfast time now): "I'm hungry, can we get something to eat?"
So, I jokingly turn to her with a serious face on and say, "But you already ate yesterday!"
This strange man next to us, stops dead in his tracks overhearing what I said, and gives us the craziest look.
So what do I do having a ball with this?
I repeat even louder and with more emphasis, "Why do you need to eat again? You already ate yesterday!!"
I am having to hold myself from cracking up laughing as I know this guy is listening and I almost can't wait to see his facial expression.
I look at my daughter who gets it and is playing along and she is also pretending and putting on a sour face like she can't have any food today.
The guy looks like he is about to explode and say something, but decides I suppose to just make a real disgusted kvetchy face and move on.
I was sort of disappointed that he didn't want to help (in his mind) this kid and say something like, "How can you do that--and not feed her every day?"
I would have admired him for actually caring enough to try to help and intervene for someone else, even a stranger.
But I guess the pent up shocked look will have to surface for today's human antics. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
June 7, 2016
Now You See It and Now You Don't
Took a little hike on Sunday through Sligo Creek.
It was an absolutely gorgeous day.
Walking along the creek, we saw a mother and child wading in the water.
(Not sure that I would do that based on how clean or not it is, but they seemed to be cooling off and having fun).
Then crossing a little footbridge, we came across someone tossing this pretty big bolder over the side and into the same creek.
There was another guy at the bottom who seemed to be looking out for the big splash (or perhaps anyone happening by who would get clobbered by this thing).
Anyway, this was just a stark juxtaposition of people (including children) having fun in the water and the potential hazards from above.
This is life, one minute everything can be sunshine and roses, and the next bing bong!
Got to be grateful for every minute of peace, health, and prosperity-they are truly gifts and nothing is owed to anyone from the Almighty. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
June 6, 2016
Get Out Front Leadership
Thought this was a good photo of leadership.
I've seen other depictions of this such as when the commanding officer leads the charge of his advancing troops versus the other guy yelling orders from way behind the front lines.
Here the idea of the leader is of being one with his people and helping pull his own weight!
Much more inspiring and effective than "the boss" who is yelling/barking orders at the others from on top the mound of work that the others are trying to move forward, and he is just adding to the weight of the load being pulled.
To really understand the mission or business, the leader has got to get out of his/her ivory tower perch and see things up close and personal on the front lines.
You can't really know the enemy you're fighting or the hill your trying to take if you never even seen it firsthand.
Leaders aren't above the job or over the staff, they are effective when they are part of the solution (and not part of the problem) with the people that they are attempting to successfully lead. ;-)
(Source Photo of Comic: Andy Blumenthal)
June 5, 2016
Amazing Will
He is a veteran who was disabled and is missing a leg.
But that doesn't stop him from going to the track with his beautiful son to play ball and do some laps.
In a few short moments he switches between his regular walking prothesis and the carbon fiber running blades for playing and working out.
All I could say to Will was how amazing he is.
And he is amazing Will for what he can do despite any disabilities--he turns his disabilities into abilities!
And he is amazing Will not just because of his name and his service to his country and his devotion to his family, but because of his willpower.
Will is determined to succeed no matter what.
Not to compare, but I thought to myself what excuse do I have with my titanium hips.
Get the heck around the track for another dozen Andy!
And I did, and I am losing weight and getting back to myself.
I think the lose of both my completely dear parents the last couple of years was more than traumatic for me.
But they would want me to heal and to be me again.
I know they are watching and I want to make them proud. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
June 4, 2016
United Jerusalem Of Gold, Of Bronze, And Of Light
We had a beautiful Shabbat service today at Magen David Synagogue.
It was in honor of Yom Yerushalayim, which starts tonight.
The day commemorates the reunification of Holy city of Jerusalem after the 1967 War.
The Rabbi read from Naomi Shemer's poetic song called, "Jerusalem of Gold."
And then we all sang the song together...
"Jerusalem of gold, and of bronze, and of light,
Behold I am a violin for all your songs."
What was amazing to learn was that Naomi Shemer wrote this song in honor of Israel Independence Day (Yom Ha'Azmaut) three weeks before the 1967 War and reunification.
She later added a stanza to turn the song from purely one of the longing for the holy city to one that rejoices in being reunited with it.
Some people from the shule who actually fought in the 1967 War were called up to the bimah, in front of the Torahs, to recite the Psalms and lead us in joyous and moving prayer for the Holy Land of Israel.
After almost 2,000 years of exile, G-d fulfilled his promise to the Jewish people.
As the Prophet Amos said (9:14-15):
"'I will bring back my exiled people Israel; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land that I have given them,' says the Lord your G-d."
And as Prophet Ezekiel said (37:10-14) and (37:21-22)
"Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.' Therefore prophesize and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign L-rd says: O my people, I am going to open up your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel....I will put my spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land..."
[Note: Israel was reestablished in 1948 just three years after the end of the Holocaust where six million Jews perished.]
"I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. There will be one king over all of them, and there will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms."
We are truly living in miraculous times when the words of the prophets are fulfilled, and there is not only a State of Israel, but a united Jerusalem of gold, of bronze, and of light. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
June 3, 2016
613 Stock Market
Someone challenged today about the number 613 (mystical, holy number of commandments in the Torah).
They said, "I would argue that you can pick any 3 digit number and get the same results."
They went on asking that it be "No variations in sequence, no breaks between numbers, no mathematics."
So here is perhaps an answer from Heaven--check out the closing change down in the S&P 500 today: Exactly 6.13!
You're turn. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal with attribution to CNBC)
Last Man Standing Wins
Whether in medieval times or in the civil war...it goes something like this.
- Red coats line up on this side.
- Blue coats line up on that side.
- Everyone pull out their weapons.
- Scream your bloody heads off.
- And run towards each other swinging.
- The last man standing from either side is the winning army!
Basically, mass suicide for both sides (like trying to take the hill running straight into machine gun fire).
These days, there is a notion at least of using stealth, smart bombs, and sending in drones or robots, so as not to risk real people's lives unnecessarily.
But I guess that takes the fun out of it--can't slice and dice and smash the enemy with your bare hands.
Last weekend, I watched people who like to fight the old fashioned way, dress up in medieval gear, take their sides on the field in the park, and go at it.
They had swords, and clubs, and javelins, and bow and arrows, and more.
They even had roles, and one guy I talked to was actually the king for one side of the fight--and apparently you have to earn that role in battle and in council vote.
On the battlefield then the people get together and go at it hitting each other with some pretty scary weapons that fortunately are (mostly) padded, but still they seemed to get some pretty good zets!
Honestly, it sort of looked like a lot of fun and good exercise, but probably (more than) a little dangerous too.
I saw one combatant coming off the field, taking off his outfit as it was pretty hot out, and he literally had layers of shielding on, so aside from seeing them take hits again and again, I could see that they felt they needed the protection.
What was also interesting watching this--and I understand sometimes they get about 150 people on the field at a time to go at it--is that people seem to really want to go back in time to the way things were...more natural, more real, and even more deadly--up close and personal!
We are so much in a virtual world or like Elon Musk (CEO of SpaceX and Tesla) said living in a simulation, that there is just a wild yearning and craving to get back to nature, basics, and what's tangible and real.
Even if it means bashing heads on a hot Summer's day...and reenacting the times of lore...put your smartphones down and pull out your swords and clubs--it's a new day and age. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
June 2, 2016
613 Lottery
Should You MYOB?
Great Salt And Pepper comic in the Wall Street Journal today.
"What makes you think the meaning of life is any of your business."
Man goes to mountain.
Man seeks to know the meaning of his existence.
Mountain tells man to mind your own business.
I guess it's just not that easy.
No one will just tell us how each of us is to make our difference in this world.
Of course, there is faith and religious teachings to guide us.
But each and every one of us must find our path to G-d and our mission to his world.
In doing that we struggle through life's trials and tribulations.
It is painful at times, but we change and grow especially when the pain of what we are doing wrong becomes greater than the pleasure we gain from it.
The meaning is in the journey and in the destination we seek.
Our paths are not straight, but winding and hilly and not without obstacles--but it is a trek not only to the mountain, but to the very heavens itself. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
June 1, 2016
Held Hostage To Hate
Iran continues to spread disgusting hatred and bigotry--against the West, and journalists, and gays, and Sunni Muslims, and Jews.
Now Iran is conducting 2 vile and despicable anti-Semitic cartoon contests:
- Making fun of, desecrating, and denying the 6 million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, and
- Threatening and terrorizing the people of the Holy Land of Israel.
Yet, this is the Iran we lift sanctions on and free $100+ billion to pour into yet more hate, weapons, and terror.
The results of tolerating disrespect, hate and bigotry is no doubt more of the horrible same.
What then will be the result of acquiescing to and attempting to appease threats, terror, and weapons of mass destruction? ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
May 31, 2016
Only Our History Is Colored
The story of American Slavery like all tales of racism, oppression, terrorism, and genocide is completely appalling.
It represents the worst of human nature whether for motives of profiteering, power, or plain unadulterated hatred.
We watched, my youngest daughter (in college), literally in tears.
And frankly, we watched until we literally couldn't watch the suffering on the screen any more (but to be continued another evening).
What people can do to other people...beyond words, comprehension.
Is it people doing these things or is it a vicious animal or evil within?
Either way, humankind has a lot to be sorry for...whether for slavery or the Holocaust.
I can't imagine what G-d must think or how we can in any rational sort of way explain these things to our children.
The stain is marked on the souls of the aggressors, and the only thing colored is our history. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Broken Mirror Reflections D.C.
So I took this photo of a smashed mirror hanging out of a corner trash can in downtown D.C.
Half is reflecting the garbage in the can and half is reflecting the buildings and trees outside.
Such a metaphor for the society we live in these days.
Where we are broken, and society is broken, and certainly lots of government is broken.
And the shards of glass reflect on the both the garbage of what has piled up inside us and the system, but also the possibilities on the outside for development, growth, and change.
The broken mirror with the sharp glass shards is dangerous, but perhaps by seeing the mess we are in, we can finally step up and do something to fix it.
No more circling the wagons, infighting or deflecting from the issues; no more blaming the past or demonizing the opposition; no more excuses for stagnation, incompetence, or impotence; no more whitewashing and red tape; no more firefighting, shoddy quick fixes or waiting for another break/fix; no more whirlwind spin around the dazed and confused; no more sugar-coating, backpedaling, or dressing up or down the facts; no more playing politics or deceiving ourselves and others--is that even possible any longer?
Instead, we change to a model of acknowledging that which is broken and teaming together to fix it--doing something positive, and constructive for ourselves and the world--oh, fix it Dear Henry, please fix it. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
May 30, 2016
Tiny Beautiful Flowers
May 29, 2016
613 Calories
I tried to do it intentionally.
I was getting my activity, and lo and behold, I see that I am at 612 calories burned so far.
Oh, how cool--I can capture 613 in a another second or two.
And I continue my activity looking intently at the Apple Watch monitor.
Okay, 613 now!
No, now!
How about now?
But it doesn't come.
I am waiting for it.
It can't come on my terms.
Next thing I know, the calorie counter jumps from 612 to 616.
I can't believe it.
I couldn't capture the 613 when I wanted to.
Every other time so far has been--we'll it's just been.
And maybe that's the whole point. ;-)
(Source Photo: Rebecca Blumenthal)
Getting A Leadership Washing
In terms of leadership, a key principle is stated very well here:
"'What' flows down
And
'How' flows up."
Meaning that as the leader, you set the goal, but you don't tell people how to achieve it.
Micromanagement "stomp[s] out
creativity, ownership, and commitment."
To give your people the breathing room to innovate and solve problems and feel good about their work, here's the ideal manager:
"Hands-off whenever possible,
and
hands-on whenever needed."
And finally the 3 "H's" of leadership:
1. Honor -- doing the right thing (i.e. integrity)
2. Humility -- "give away the credit," but own the responsibility 100%!
3. Humor -- "take their work seriously, but themselves lightly."
Overall, good book to get a clean bill of leadership health.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
May 28, 2016
613 Synagogue
The Federal Island of Insanity
Well it didn't happen, and someone else got left holding the bag--not really very fair.
Too make matters worse, the guy sort of unapologetically and clouded pops in my door and says to me, "What are we doing here?"
Taken aback and not sure what this guy is talking about, I say "Excuse me?"
He looks up into space for a moment, and turns back toward me and repeats emphatically, "I mean, like what are we e-v-e-n doing here?"
Getting more than a little frustrated at this point, I ask quizzically and with some sarcasm, "You mean on planet Earth?"
Again, turning and looking oddly away and then back my way, he says, "In this building!"
I must've been looking at him at this point like is he on drugs, and I say, "We'll there are important laws that we're fulfilling here (implicitly referring to FOIA, Records Act, Privacy Act, E.O. 13526, etc.)."
Unbelievably, he continues, now shaking his head, "Well that's what I mean...why we need that?"
Having too much work to play out whatever this toxic game was any longer, I'm like, "[if you don't believe in transparency and safeguarding/security of information,] Maybe you should write your Congressman," [smile!] and with that went back to the million and one serious work things I still had waiting for attention.
In retrospect, I can't help but think that incredibly, there are people coming to work here in D. C. that either don't know why they are there in the first place (but should know!) or don't believe in the mission or meaning of what they are doing.
In the private sector, I certainly don't think this conversation would've even gone on as long as it did...the consequences there seeming more pronounced, abrupt, and in a definite way connected with reality.
With more than 16 years into the Federal sector, I still can't believe a lot of what goes on--both good and hopeful, and bad and more than a little disappointing. ;-)
(Source Photo: Danielle Blumenthal)
May 27, 2016
Cabs R Colorblind
And some people walk out from the building and get in.
Call them and they will come.
It's a black and deep orange vehicle.
On the side of the cab is the name, "Yellow Cab Company."
Now why would you paint yourself a (fleet of) orange vehicle(s) and call yourself a yellow cab company?
At least back in New York City, taxis really were yellow--and they were really taxis and had a medallion to prove it!
These days, car ride services like Uber drive around with "U" sticker in the window, where the U is practically closed at the top.
And Lyft cars have that cute, but ridiculous mustache on the front grill.
Taxi services are desperate to get a brand that customers will recognize and want to call.
No more lifting you hand and index (or middle) finger on the street curb to hail one of a blizzard of cabbies racing down Main Street.
Now it push button easy to ride a yellow, blue, red, or orange cab--with or without mustache--anywhere you want to go.
But the more things change, the more they don't stay the same---Next stop already is driverless cars. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
May 26, 2016
How Men And Women Sit
This couple--a man and women--are sitting together.
The man (on the right) is completely sprawling out.
The women (on the left) is squishing almost off the seat.
So what is it with men--a testosterone, macho thing--exerting sexuality, power, and dominance--or it is just carelessness and callousness in how to treat women?
For women--is it reticence and modesty or are they accepting being mistreated or even abused?
People's weight aside, it seems that men and women should each be given their own and equal space on the Metro or otherwise in life.
This presumed gender power struggle is not a good thing--love should be equal in feeling, giving, and in time, and space. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
May 25, 2016
Lag B'Omer Hillula @ Magen David
(Re)Kashering The Kitchen
Yesterday, I posted that I would show you today how it is personally affecting us.
So one of the things that we are doing is (re)kashering our kitchen.
New and separate dishes and cooking utensils for meat and dairy meals.
We got these beautiful French Perle Lenox in gorgeous lilac and ice blue (of course, no one better actually use one and break it).
Being more a part of the synagogue and community now, we are hoping to host more people for Shabbat etc.
There are other small (and large) ways that we are coming back to more of our traditions, but we are far from perfect.
Sort of a blend of the secular world, the religious one, and just being ourselves.
But that is our road, and we strive to do better in all aspects of our lives and pray for G-d's mercy and blessings all along the way and at the destination. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
May 24, 2016
Heading Down The 613
This one is a country road between Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
How apropos to be on the 613 road!
Tomorrow, in my next post, I hope to show you where this road is personally taking us now.
But wherever 613 leads that is where I want to be. ;-)
(Source Photo: With gratitude to my dearest sister, Roz Blumenthal)
This House Is For The Birds
We all need to live somewhere.
Too many people in shelters and on the streets.
Started giving money to some of the homeless on the way to the Metro.
My friend's father used to say, "If they ask then they need it."
Perhaps what's needed is a little more kindness, TLC, and compassion for all G-d's loving creatures.
While it's nice to look up to aspire and climb the next rung of life, it's as important to look down and remember from where you came and where you can still go again. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
May 23, 2016
All American Chair
Got to love this all American chair.
Red, white, and blue.
And stars and stripes everywhere.
The only thing that I seriously wonder about is whether this chair was manufactured in the U.S.
With the U.S. losing 35% of it's manufacturing employment between 1998 and 2010 (from 17.6M to 11.5M), due in large part to outsourcing, there is a good chance this chair was made overseas.
Now manufacturing makes up less than 9% of total U.S. employment.
Also noteworthy is the loss of 51,000 manufacturing plants or 12.5% between 1998-2008.
Manufacturing are agriculture are strategic capabilities for this country and any country.
It's not just what you know, but what you make!
Sure we can make things faster and easier with automation, but at this point there is a serious skills shortage (with millions of jobs going unfilled), and we need to safeguard the strategic knowledge, skills, capability, and capacity to make things vital to our thriving existence.
We need to be a more self-sufficient nation again and not a one-trick service pony.
We need to use information to be better innovators, creators, developers, and builders.
Information is great, but you can't live by information alone. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
May 22, 2016
Silence Or Violence
When the "stakes are moderate to high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong" that's when communication really seems to break down, rather than achieve their goals of working things out.
Like when our lives are in danger and we have the adrenalin rush reactions to fight or flight, similarly with potentially "dangerous" communications, people become aggressive and abusive or shutdown and withdraw.
When your afraid of a negative outcome, either you start hammering others with your ideas and opinions or you exit the conversation and seek safety.
Either way, at this point, there's no real common ground, negotiation, compromise, or win-win to be easily had...in this pressure cooker poor excuse of a dialogue, it can basically become a tragic win-lose situation.
Perhaps, that's why there are mediators and neutral third parties that are often brought in to make people feel (relatively) safe again, help them be understood and to understand, and to find a negotiated peace or settlement.
And what happens when even this doesn't work and communication and diplomacy fails?
Well that's when people and countries bring out the big guns and they essentially go to war to win what they hoped to achieve with dialogue.
Now words are no longer the only choice, but all options are on the table, and that's when benign words can quickly turn into more drastic or deadly deeds (aka the children reframe of "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never harm me."
And there is always the thermonuclear option--people supported it with Japan in WWII and they say they would support it with a Tehran that violates the very generous nuclear deal they received.
Words are a prelude to a possible peace or an unwanted war.
They can be the last chance to work things out the way we hope for.
And if words alone can't resolve the issue, then blood and treasure is spent and spilt to resolve the otherwise unresolvable. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
May 21, 2016
Love Is Like Cows
The first was when someone was telling me that they are trying to meet women through online dating.
But he goes, "No one gives anyone a chance anymore."
It's like if there is one thing wrong, it's over.
He said, one lady wrote in her profile that if you are a fan of XYZ sports team, do not even bother contacting her.
Another was like if you're of ABC political affiliation, forget about it!
He said people just don't seem to want relationships anymore.
Then I was talking coincidentally to someone else, who I knew was going out with someone already.
I politely asked how things were going.
He said, "Fine, but she is pressuring me to marry her."
I said, "So if you love her, what's wrong with that?"
And he responded, "Well then my whole life will change. I won't be able to go to parties or on vacations anymore."
Basically, he's just happy being with her but on casual terms.
Then I told him (considerably younger than myself) how years ago mothers would warn their daughters about men's thinking of "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free."
This guy was laughing like crazy when I said that.
Finally, someone at the kiddush today told the joke about the Rabbi or Priest who lost his umbrella in the synagogue or church.
His first thought was darn it, one of the congregants stole my umbrella.
So he decided that for his sermon he would lecture the people about the Ten Commandments, one at a time from the beginning.
But then when he got to the sin of adultery, he stops and says, "Oh forget it, I just remembered where I left my umbrella!"
Funny day for love and relationships--it's something in the air, maybe cow patties. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
May 20, 2016
What Beauties
Tall on the thin green stem.
And then ballooning and budding out into these futuristic spherical lattice-shaped flowers.
Almost like soft clouds that we can reach out and touch (and touch too hard, and the flowers just fall off into the breeze).
But think again with technical imagery and these can be an advanced interconnected living neural network that with "big data" can solve all our information and artificial intelligence needs.
Each flower computing, sensing, processing, analyzing, and problem-solving.
A swarm of living and dying nodes and sprouting forth again with a natural processing function.
A gorgeous flower, but you can imagine it as so much more. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
May 19, 2016
Bird's Nest Surveillance
I find this fascinating!
The pure irony of a bird finding safety and shelter in a nest atop a surveillance camera looking out for bad things like criminals and terrorism.
On one hand, safety and security.
And on the other hand, the fear and insecurity of it all.
A bird may find a peaceful nesting place there.
But for the rest of us, the world continues to be a very dangerous place.
Often walking the streets of a major urban city, I think to myself the chaos and danger that could so easily ensue if events took a sudden and serious turn for the worse where society as we know it can completely start to unravel, and as they say, "the sh*t hits the fan!"
I believe that many, if not most people are worried about this, hence the incredible popularity of shows and movies far and wide such as:
(Fear) The Walking Dead
Containment
The 100
The Last Ship
Jericho
Mad Max
Road Warrior
I am Legend
The Book of Eli
The Postman
World War Z
Waterworld
Children of Men
Outbreak
Armageddon
Oblivion
The Day After Tomorrow
and more.
The camera is surveilling and the bird is watching from their perch.
We go about our days like the post apocalyptic zombies that wander the Earth.
But not so deep down, in our minds and hearts is the terror of what can happen at any moment and what is likely destined to happen eventually.
This is not about doom and gloom, but about what the threats are out there, what is being done or not done about them, and who will ultimately survive and would you even want to. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
May 18, 2016
The King And Queen
They remind me of royalty--a king and queen.
They stand so tall, proud, and elegant.
Together on the mantel, they make a wonderful centerpiece to the room.
I like the contrast colors--him in tan and she is white with the accent colors on their robes.
His grasp on the long beaded necklace and her open fan give them a air of motion and life.
Yet, the faces are calm and balanced.
These are awesome pieces of art work.
Don't know what they are worth, but to me they have value of beauty. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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