Keep it clean

The Taylor Chapman post has gotten a lot of attention from many readers.  And I have gotten a lot of colorful responses because of it.  I thought I was profane with my use of swear words in this and other posts in my blog, but the responses I had to screen were much more offensive.  So therefore, I was only able to share only one response.


I don't use the C-word lightly.  I reserve it for those who have wholeheartedly offended me or others by their acts and/or deeds.  It's a very disempowering word, for both the subject, and the part of the body that it refers to.  So, if I feel if one deserves being called that word, then, I shall use it.  Otherwise, it sends shivers down my spine if it is used like a common swear word, like shit, fuck and damn, because the C-word should be used sparingly and only when deserved.

I welcome responses to my posts.  Please keep it as clean as much as you can while expressing the essence of your feelings.  I know one can be articulate while dropping every other word as a swear word, since that was how I talked as a young community activist in the 1990s.  However, it can be overkill and could risk losing the overall message you are trying to convey.  Since the audience is everyone, I want to make sure you are able to share your thoughts and feelings with everyone, as I have with all of you.

Compassion Exercise

A guest shared this with me. Very profound and totally worth sharing. Namaste!

eBay Rant -- Part 2

My eBay rant -- they suck

eBay used to be a great place to sell and market stuff, and is a big moneymaker for me.

But, between the buyers that abuse the system, the sellers trying to scam, and the need for more regulation, rules and penalties for the rule breakers, it totally blows.

They sent me a list of 300 items -- item numbers only, no description -- that needed updated pictures that meet their fucking standards.  Half those pics met those standards AND these were not easy to fucking find to revise.  Then I tried to upload them, and they wouldn't let me.  I just spent 6 hours of my damn life doing something they're making me do, to be told I can't. 

I sent two bitchy emails about how inefficient this is.  Yes, they gave us warning, but they should have used their stupid Turbo Lister program to tell us of non-compliance, like it screens everything we try to list for duplication, wording in violation of terms of service, things we forgot to include in a listing, etc.  INSTEAD of giving a list of only numbers what needs to be revised.  I could have been more proactive if I actually knew what the items are and also editing the inventory -- the original -- item listing for future use.

Trying to talk to them is no use.  At this time of the night, if they're still open, I'll be talking to some idiot Filipino outsourced customer service person who can only say "I'm sorry" and not be a part of a solution, that many eBay sellers like myself are pretty pissed off about.  It's not that they won't, but they're trained to read from a script, don't utilize critical thinking skills or creating problem solving.

And now, I'm having issues trying to fix 'errors' and uploading.  Can anything be easier with eBay anymore?!?  It's 345am, I'm fried, tired and really need to get to bed.  Grrr!!!

A funny quote about Capitalism

Steve: "Hank, did you just scam us?"
Hank: "No, but capitalism does require a flexible morality."
-- From Sullivan and Son

Another reason to resent the Republicans

Their code words are so anti 'the people', it's not even funny!  They remind me of those who practice Confuscianism, where in order to look good and safe face, will deflect and avoid responsibility for their actions, and instead, blame others for why 'the system' doesn't work.  GOP legislators make me sick.

The Irony of It All

First Marvel, then the Muppets, Pixar, and now Star Wars....  What next? 

Corporate monopoly at its finest!

Taylor Chapman -- What a cunt!

I hate to use words like this, but what a fucking nasty cunt! People like her need to be shot or be sent to a third world country to scrounge for her food. Better yet sent to a prison in a third world country, where she can eat bugs while waiting to be executed. 

OR the alternative, since she's probably regretting her actions now:  She should lose her right to live here as a citizen and sent to a country where she can no longer enjoy the same comforts she abuses. No cash, designer clothing, smart phone, warm water, cars, safe edible food, or even Dunkin Donuts.  She should live on the streets begging for her supper or a safe place to sleep.

There are other ways to resolve issues, without abusing the customer service resolution process, or just plain abusing the employees.  Shame on her.

But as it is said, karma's a bitch, right?

For Tianamen Square

In memoriam of June 4, 1989, the anniversary of the protests at Tianamen Square. Let us not forget the tyranny of a government, but not lose hope that someday, the truth will see the light, and national reconciliation of this and other Central Government wrongdoings will begin. 

Karma's a bitch, isn't it?

The three of you -- and others -- were promoted way too fast, without the benefit of proper training and development. You got away with stuff because you lied, stretched the truth, and deflected blame and responsibility onto unsuspecting others, like me, who after standing up to you, is persona non grata. And now, your tactic of self-destructing your own event so you can blame a lawsuit you lost is just lame. The planning for this event is showing all your weaknesses and shortcomings for all to see. The three of you will not survive this. Karma's a bitch, isn't it?

Pug Pic

Gau can't make up her mind -- the rock or the fire hydrant. And it's going to rain soon. 

Making amends, out of nothing at all....

From Paul Casteneda, Success Coach

Sometimes, you will never have the opportunity to make something up to someone, to make amends, to make things right. This may be for a variety of reasons: death, distance, the desire of the other party, a closed door. Best you can do in this situation is release the intention of apology into the universe, forgive yourself and move away from guilt, learn the lesson that your misstep taught you and never travel down that same road again.

Travelers, learn some manners!!!

Chinese, Brazilians and other South Americans, even my fellow Americans and assorted international travellers....   Learn some fucking manners! Your service providers will care about you more and will be more sincere about helping you. Bad behavior is a turn off, as it causes us not to care about you or the service we give you. Though travelling as private citizens, you are representatives of your country, and how one acts is the impression of how people in your home country behave. From CNN.

China calls on citizens to be 'civilized'

Ab and Bitch, I mean Abercrombie and Fitch

 

As a former Ab and Fitch fan, I don't agree with the message and images they're trying to pawn as acceptable and normal. Think high school kids teasing and bullying the others because they are (fill in blank). This is a label of abuse, perhaps on the same level of the garment factories that make this stuff.

 

Ab and Bitch will never go away until people realize that this brand perpetuates the wrong concepts about body image AND how people should look AND treat each other.   I can't in good conscious wear their label anymore.  It helps that they are priced out of my poor starving artist budget.

 

Did I mention I miss wearing their pants and shorts? They hide my sorry excuse of a waistline.

Proper language, please

The ability to communicate properly is important to me. Taking the time to write and speak properly tells a lot about how one presents themselves. Not a snob, just very aware that people do judge me based on those merits alone also.

What good are rules?

Uh.... One of the reasons people are working my last nerve: what good are rules, guidelines, laws, policies, etc. when they are applied inconsistently and when convenient? They were put there for a reason. Yes there are exceptions, but it's annoying when there's no respect for them.

Thing about friends....

From Paul Castaneda

NEW DAWN, NEW DAY, DAY 116:

Two of the hardest, but most liberating lessons I had to learn: one, sometimes I am just going to have to accept being friends with two people who will never again be friends or friendly and it is not my job to "fix it". Two, there are just some people that will never accept my attempts at making amends for past actions and I have to accept their decision and stop giving them space in my heart, head and life.

Living Alone, Older, or By Yourself A Lot?

Something that I just thought of -- if living alone, by yourself a lot, or uh.... 'older', create a system of communication with a network of family, friends, and neighbors that you trust so if they don't hear from you within an established time frame, they can start worrying about you and do the necessary things to make sure you're OK. You don't have to divulge in details, just send a sign that you're fine.

Whole lot of stupid

A whole lot of stupid, coming from a whole lot of idiocy. Deep breaths.... But be warned, if one hits that stupid button way too many times today, I might just have to wreck their career, even before it starts.  Fighting the urge to run to WalMart to get a Nerf baseball bat right now. Need to uh, hit some balls. Yeah, that's what I was going to do. Hit some balls.... Tired of dealing with this whole lot of stupid.

NEVER DO THIS TO A PERSPECTIVE EMPLOYER, PART 2 (donny003@cfl.rr.com/Donald "Donte" Culp)

From donny003@cfl.rr.com:

Donte Culp	3:09 PM (1 hour ago)
to me

Dear Disrespectful Dipshit,

Go fuck yourself. Who tha fuck r u????

Funny thing just like me, nobodies ever heard of u, what do u do donkey??????

Small world and nobody knows who u r just some dipshit trying to make something out of nothing with interns meaning you can't afford shit ur a low brow studio.

Frankly after reading and looking at ur pathetic website(I have too, oh)this I can tell ur a book smart pussy with no ideas, read another book and try and steal people's ideas to make them urs.

How many people do u employee??????

My resume may not be what ur looking for yet book smart pussies can't handle life or what comes out,I've lived and partied like a rockstar but I still don't act like I am better than people cause people disappear all tha time.

Very rude buddy think ur better than people, GO FUCK URSELF+UR COMPANY SMALL TIME NOBODY!!!BITCH!!!

GO FUCK URSELF,

       DONALD:)

P.S. I ALREADY GOT INTERNSHIP:) TESTING

Another email from him

TIME WILL TELL WANNA BE, JUST CAUSE U PUT IT WITH NO CURSE WORDS U THINK U CAN DISRESPECT SOME+CALL IT CONSTRUCTIVE, I GAVE U CRITICISM WHICH OBVIOUSLY U CAN'T TAKE, TAKE UR OWN ADVICE TO HEART….COCKY BASTARDS LIKE U GIVE INDUSTRY A BAD NAME+R TOXIC, IF THEY KNEW UR NAME….GOOD LUCK;)

My response

Donald,

With that attitude, you will not go anywhere.

People like you give the industry a bad name.  And because we rejected you and gave you constructive criticism, and gave us nastyness in return, means you will not go far.  Belittling someone or a company because you didn't like what you read, will also get around, as people in the industry talk to each other.  You just committed a serious sin.

People like you are wannabes, and will never get anywhere, because wannabes are toxic to the profession and industry.  Until you decide to change your mindset and attitude, no one will want to deal with you, that is how toxic you are.

I would take the same advice you just gave us, and take it to heart. 

Good luck with your pursuits. 

My original email with critique and feedback

Donald,

Thank you for your submission.  We have received your resume. 

After reviewing it, a few questions come to mind:

What do you know about us?
Have you done any research about what we do?
How do your skills apply to what we do?
What have you done in the industry?
Why are you interested in what we do?
Why do you want to learn what we do?  Are you passionate about learning about special effects?
What are your proficiencies in what we do?
Where are you at in your professional development/training/education?  What relevant coursework have you taken?

How will this help you in pursuing your art/craft?

Frankly, after reading this, I'm glad that you can potentially build a set for either stage or film/TV, are experienced in the field of customer service, and have applicable computer skills, you have not told us why we would be a good fit.  Nor have you told us what you can bring to our organization, or even, apply your work experience, education and knowledge to what we do.  It looks like you just saw the word internship on our website, and sent us a letter of interest with experiences that have NOTHING to do with Special Effects, without showing the respect to the person reading this.  By sending a 'blanket' letter of interest and a general resume, it comes across like you don't care.  Which means, we don't either. 

Should you be embarrassed by what you have submitted to us?  Yup.  This may sound cold, but our training as professionals have taught the individuals that work for for us the importance of self promotion, image presentation, and professionalism. What you have submitted does not inspire or compel us to continue the conversation.

We offer these suggestions for future job and internship searches:
Do your research.  You need to tailor whatever you submit, to the prospective company.
Tie your experiences into how they can be used in their business.
We don't care about your work experience in real life.  We care about the experience in the industry.  A list of credits of what you've done AND a website, a comp sheet or a DVD demo reel that displays your work goes a long way to demonstrate skills and committment.
Tell the perspective company these things:  why you want to work with them, what you can offer,  how your experiences can help them, AND where you're at in your professional development and education. 

You must sell yourself and your professional skills very quickly, regardless of how you contact someone -- the first paragraph of an email or letter sets the tone about how the reader feels about your submission -- or we don't care, and the resume ends up in the trash or deleted.

We will keep your resume on file, in the event we can use you in the future.

Thank you for taking the time to write to us.  We hope the suggestions and critique will assist you in the future.

There are limits to posting publically

I allow a lot of latitude to what my Facebook peeps post on my wall, allowing for a diverse exchange of trains of thoughts and opinions, there are just some things that are just unacceptable and downright offensive. I exercise the right to hide said posts, limit how much I see from you, or just outright unfriend you, freely, and the feelings are reciprocal. 

Lesson here is: please remember in the online world, there are still limits of what is acceptable to post publicly.  I strive for a PG-13 rating at all times.

Besides, this is what blogs and websites are for:  To express oneself in a forum that is considered their space and which is not necessarily public, where the audience actually wants to specifically read what you post -- uncensored and unrestricted -- and the ratings and responses of said posts, are more than PG-13.

Happy Easter 2013

Love,
Me and my pug

Yes, this is an enema twin pack

I dedicate this to those who need to be cleansed of their stuff. 

I have concluded there are people that need to use this, and often, as cleansing seems to clear a few things out, shall we say.

 

To all those who annoy, aggravate or anger me, a dedication

And I mean this in a kind, loving and compassionate way.... (evil laugh)

For Equality and Justice For All

So anti Florida Hospital

I really hate Florida Hospital.... Demanding prepayment for a procedure that we don't even know what the final total for it is. They called me, demanding I make payment arrangements on Monday.  They asked me today about financial arrangements when I went in for pre procedure tests.  Talk about Christ and the Moneylenders in the temple.

There's a time and place to have the discussion.  AFTER the procedure.  AFTER the totals have been added up and my insurance portion has actually been applied.  AFTER I get the bill.

That is just as bad as demanding prepayment for ER services while the patient is under sedation, which is what they did to my other half. We were so offended, I had the financial services idiot escorted out of the exam room.  We are not in a Third World Country, where payment for services is required at that time, and shouldn't be treated as such. I understand that they have bills to pay and are trying to be proactive to avoid financial losses, but this is the wrong way to go about it!!!  

What pisses me off even more, is I received better treatment overall during worker's comp injuries through one of my other employers, which just happens to be one of the largest employers in Orlando, and is one of their partners. They need to treat everyone equally, with respect and dignity.

Never do this to a perspective employer

Subject:  Intern
 
My name is (name deleted) I’m a student at UCF. I’m working on my bachelor’s degree. My major is cinema studies. I’m available Tuesday’s and Thursday’s. My resume is below....

(What follows is a list of work experience that has nothing to do with what I do.)

-----

My response:

Dear (name deleted)

We have received your resume.  After reviewing it, a few questions come to mind:

What do you know about us?
Have you done any research about what we do?
How do your skills apply to what we do?
What have you done in the industry?
Why are you interested in what we do?
Why do you want to learn what we do?
What are your proficiencies in what we do?
Where are you at in your professional development/training/

education?
How will this help you in pursuing your art/craft?

Frankly, after reading this, I'm glad that you can work with children, first aid certified, have an AA from (school deleted) and have applicable computer skills, you have not told us why we would be a good fit.  Nor have you told us what you can bring to our organization, or even, apply your work experience, education and knowledge to what we do.  It looks like you just saw the word internship on our website, and sent us a letter of interest with experiences that have NOTHING to do with Special Effects, without showing the respect to the person reading this.  By sending a 'blanket' letter of interest and a general resume, it comes across like you don't care.  Which means, we don't either. 
 
Should you be embarrassed by what you have submitted to us?  Yup.

Consider yourself extremely lucky, that we took the time to respond to this, as most people would be so offended and enraged by the lack of professional consideration, this would end up in trash, literally and figuratively.  However, we believe in helping fellow artists, to help them elevate themselves to higher standards, so we offer a few words.
Advice to save you from further professional embarrassment:
Do your research.  You need to tailor whatever you submit to them.
Tie your experiences into how they can be used in their business.
We don't care about your work experience.  We care about the experience in the industry.  A list of credits of what you've done AND a website or a comp sheet that displays your work goes a long way to demonstrate skills and committment.
Tell the perspective company these things:  why you want to work with them, what you can offer,  how your experiences can help them, AND where you're at in your professional development and education. 

You have to sell yourself and your professional skills very quickly, regardless of how you contact someone -- the first paragraph of an email or letter.  Or we don't care, and the resume ends up in the trash or deleted.
 
We are not mad at you.  We are appalled that prospective interns, such as yourself, have demonstrated lack of professionalism by committing some serious job/internship hunting sins.

We wish you many successes in your internship search.  We hope that this diatribe helps you be more focused, precise, and professional to others that you will be submitting to, as not to waste their time, as you have ours.
 
No response is required or necessary. 

Very Truly Yours,
Me

 

Shhh.... Just listen....

We all have time to voice our opinions. What we don't usually make time for is to actually listen to what someone says. When I let it out, I just want people to listen to me vent, and not give me opinions. If I wanted advice, I'd ask for it, because otherwise I prefer to listen to my own counsel in most cases. One of the secrets of building relationships with anyone is the ability to just let someone talk. Because that someone needs to express a few things, and chose you to express it to. Listening is a gift and an art, don't throw it away.

Eva must think I'm an idiot

You asked about me to a third person. Try asking me to my face. Or if you were just being nice, save those words for when you really mean it or actually care. 

Eva, you must think I'm an idiot to fall for that.  If you honestly believe that, you're the idiot, as I'm really over the games you and your staff play.  But there are people that continue to tolerate that.  I will not.

I can see through the 'correctness of your thinking'.  The karmic circle will come and haunt you.

My attitude isn't toxic verbal vomit, I'm telling you how it is in my world.

The Pope, Part 2

In Habemus Papum Feline, I mentioned I can excuse the Pope's anti-gay efforts in Argentina.  I would like to expand on that.

Whilst I don't believe that religion has the right to oppress people just because the people in question are contrary to what that church believes in, I do feel that in time, as the Pope's efforts to reach out to the flock expand to the masses, the efforts will expand encompassing the fight against all forms of social injustice, including eliminating all forms of discrimination, as all of God's children are equal in His eyes.  The more the Church will see that, then change will eventually happen.  However it will be a process, rather than an event, and will probably stretch beyond Francis and many of his successors.

It gives me faith that real change will happen.

My Pug's Facebook Page

Gau The Pug's Facebook Page Link (Click to visit)

Yes, I have created a Facebook page for my Pug.  Like I don't have enough to do.  Please feel free to visit and like.

Habemus Papum Feline

Yes, Pope Francis has some issues with gays and assorted social issues, Argentina's Dirty War, and President Cristina Fernandez Kirchner amongst others, but he gives me hope.  Especially after Pope Benedict, who I have extreme hatred for as the man who guided Church doctrine, told gays that they get what they deserved, referring to the AIDS crisis in full swing.  I hope Francis swings the priorities towards the people, and not doctrine and Church traditions.

This picture gives me levity in light of all that has transpired. 

If a cat were pope.... 

McDonald's: Stop exploiting guestworkers.

McDonald's: Stop exploiting guestworkers. (Click here to sign petition)

McDonald’s has just been caught hijacking a program that’s supposed to allow young people to come to the U.S. for cultural exchange programs and professional training. Instead, the fast food giant used it as a source of cheap, exploitable labor.

Students from Latin America and Asia found themselves working at McDonald’s for minimum wage. But their take-home pay was far lower after exorbitant deductions for employer-owned housing. If they quit or were dismissed, they would lose their visas and be deported, a threat their boss constantly dangled over them.

They were sometimes required to work for 25 hours at a time with no overtime. They were housed eight to a room in substandard housing and expected to be ready to turn up for work at any time with only 30 minutes notice. And to add insult to injury, the students paid $3,000 each for the privilege.

But these students aren’t just sitting down and taking the abuse. With the support of the National Guestworker Alliance, many of them walked off the job in protest. And one of the students, Jorge Rios, has launched a petition with our friends atCoworker.org. He writes:

My name is Jorge Rios. I’m a student guestworker from Argentina who came to the U.S. on the State Department’s J-1 Summer Work Travel Program, together with other students from Latin America and Asia.

We paid $3,000-4,000 each to come to the United States on this program, expecting a cultural exchange and good work that would let us earn back this money over three months and travel a bit at the end.

Instead, we became exploited workers at McDonald’s restaurants in Pennsylvania. We had terrible working and housing conditions. We faced threats, stolen wages, grease burns up and down our arms. We were only used to enrich our employer.

When we talked to the U.S. workers alongside us, we learned that they were being exploited too. They told us they also faced too few hours, threats from managers, and unpaid overtime.

This is not the America we believed in. We believe America is a beautiful country, where everyone can have respect and fair treatment at work. We decided to stand up for ourselves, for other J-1 student guestworkers, and for U.S. workers. We respectfully ask that.

These students are taking their campaign on the road. They’re heading to McDonald’s corporate headquarters outside Chicago to demand a meeting with CEO Don Thompson. All along the way, they’ll be delivering petitions to McDonald’s managers, and the more of us that sign, the bigger the impact will be.

So we need to act now let McDonald’s know that its customers are paying attention to this case and that we’ll hold it accountable if it doesn’t follow through.

(Drew's disclaimer:  Yes, I also work for a company that also uses student guestworkers, I cannot comment on that either.  What I will say, is, if the efforts with McD's is successful, then other companies that use them will start paying attention.)

Robert Reich On Why Raising The Minimum Wage Is One Of The Smartest Things We Can Do

From MoveOn.org:  Robert Reich On Why Raising The Minimum Wage Is One Of The Smartest Things We Can Do
(Click link to watch)

It's important that people understand that raising the minimum wage will actually help us all.

Why won't I have anything to do with you?

There are reasons I don't trust people: lack of transparency, lack of honesty/integrity, lack of respect, and a proven history of undermining me, my efforts, and my aspirations covertly. If you're going to screw me, at least do it so everyone including me, sees and knows it, and not get hit blindly later with it. 

Basically, if you don't like me, that's fine.  At least have the courtesy to let me know where I stand.  That way I know who my enemies are, no secrets, no games and everything is out in the open.  Truth is freeing and liberating, don't you think?

And people wonder why I won't have anything to do with them, except on a superficial level, if at all....

Shane Koyczan: "To This Day" ... for the bullied and beautiful

Very beautiful and profound!  One of the best 10 minutes spent!

Don't be a douchebag FL TAG GZX3U

Driving northbound on Forsyth. This douchebag was riding my ass at 45mph in a 35mph zone. Passes me in a no passing zone on a blind curve. Took a pic of this jackass. He tried to take a pic of me and my car. Whatever. Road rage and driving recklessly is a bad combo, regardless why. Since he was in an SUV, I guess that he was trying to show me how small his cock was!

A realization about my job

Just realized that I was MUCH, MUCH happier when my commitment to a certain employer was limited to 2-3 times a week. It made it much easier to walk away and leave it all behind. Not that I don't care about what I do or don't love the people I work with, it was a lot easier to live a balanced life by having more time to pursue the things I really do care about.

Not to worry, there are certain plans in play right now, so hopefully, I will be able to get to a happier place by the summer.

Associated Press: In wealthy Hong Kong, poorest live in metal cages

Associated Press: In wealthy Hong Kong, poorest live in metal cages

I watched a documentary a few years ago in HK on TVB about this. It totally pissed me off, because there really aren't the social safety nets people think there are, and the ones that do exist aren't as comprehensive, as say, their former colonizer, Britain. Then a friend had me meet her in Sham Tsui Po, her neighborhood, to show me how most people live. It was an eyeopener, especially when they come to visit me in Causeway Bay, they enter another world.  I will never bitch about my tiny luxury hotel room in Causeway Bay (one of the high end shopping districts) again.

Another thought about dislike....

Paul Castaneda: Success Coach

 

There is a modicum of truth to the adage that we dislike in others that which we dislike in ourselves. Just as true, however, is that we dislike in others that which we wish we could emulate and be. Even more distressing is that it is often something we are quite capable of, but we simply do not do.

Was it worth it?

Read article about: Alois Bell, dumb self-righteous cheapskate cunt.

This article is about the person, who was a pastor of her church who wrote "I give God 10%, why do you get 18%?" on her Applebee's check.  The Applebee's employees involved took a pic of it and the pic went viral.  As a result, the waitress and others were fired, because it publically embarrassed her. 

Why do I call this alleged woman of God a cunt?  Stupid idiot should have considered the consequences of her actions before she escalated it into something irreversible. Oh yeah, the 'righteous' don't need to consider such things, God is on her side. She set herself up for future abuse, because the employees (in an unprofessional manner) called her out publically. Was it worth it, Alois Bell? Was getting people fired because you did something really stupid worth it?  After all this, are you really fit to teach the word of the Lord?

Happy Year Of The Snake!

K'ung Hei Fat Choi!  Happy Year of the Snake.

I chose this artwork, as Dragon Dances are part of the celebration, because they chase away the evil spirits.  So my gift to you is good wishes and good spirits and energy during the coming year!

The US is not a socialist state

A few days ago, I saw a bumper sticker that said:

Socialism.  I didn't vote for it.

WTF?!?  Since when did this country turn socialist?

We still have a free market economy.  The economy isn't centrally planned or dictated by the government.  Our citizens aren't taxed to the hilt for comprehensive social services like medical care.  Most of our basic personal freedoms aren't sacrificed to benefit the state -- the social order, where we sacrifice many of what one would consider basic human rights to the government in order to guarantee prosperity, doesn't exist in the US.

The US is FAR from socialist.  It is very much free market capitalism that runs this country.

It offends the fuck out of me that just because President Obama is trying to achieve economic/social/political equality for ALL Americans, there are people that have the gall to call his goals socialist.

Didn't a Republican create Social Security and other safety nets that many of us have used at one time or another?  Didn't a Republican abolish slavery and then fought a war to keep the country together?  Didn't Republicans enact many of the laws that protect American workers from exploitation and harm?  Or try this:  Didn't Republicans create the laws that protect business and insure that everyone has an equal chance?

Yet Republicans are the ones that want to dismantle or make a mockery of these innovations that make our system of government unique and the envy of the world.

People are too gullible these days and are willing to listen to whatever they wish, as long as it fits into their beliefs.  However, they need to learn how to see things from a balanced point of view.  Learn how to get the facts from various sources.  It's time that the mentality "Just because so-and-so says it's the truth, it is the truth" ends.  That's pure bullshit.  People like these are one of the reasons all is all messed up with this country, because they are too willing to let people feed them the truth, instead of discovering it for themselves.

Case in point:  One of my closest and dearest friends, a staunch Republican, constantly complains that the majority Democratic government in his state, is one of the many reasons why he can't get ahead.  What he fails to see -- and I decline to point this out to him, as we have a compact that whilst we can bitch about the other party, we will not try to change our respective opinions, and engage in debate -- is that his party is a primary source of why he can't.  Their policies don't support him, his needs or his aspirations.  However, with the advent of the Affordable Health Care Act, he hopes to benefit from one of the few pieces of bipartisan legislation that is President Obama's legacy.

Anyway, there are people that may feel my line of reasoning flawed.  Perhaps it is.  But at least I'm looking at the whole picture from multiple points of view and trying to be objective.

Just because you can....

Paul Castaneda: Success Coach

 

Just because you can do a thing does not mean you should. Just because you can say a thing does not mean you should. Everything has consequences. Every word, every action. Intended and unintended. Forethought is often lacking in today's world of instant gratification...and we are all the poorer for it.

Why write my own posts?

There are times where copying and pasting articles, photos, graphics, Facebook statuses, etc. are a lot easier than to actually come up with my own material.

It's like using song lyrics or movie/film/play quotes to describe what one is thinking or feeling.

If I can find something that shares my sentiments in a form that is accessible to the people that read this blog, I'll share it.

Besides, it breaks up the monotony of the readers of this blog from seeing my writing all the time.  It makes it interesting and fun.

I'm not being lazy, I'm using and sharing my resources with everyone.

Choose a path

Paul Castaneda: Success Coach

Pick a road. Life can get away from you quickly. Like a leaf on a bustling stream you can be taken down a path not of your choosing. Don't let life become what happens to you as you drift along. Be the chooser of your destiny, the captain of your ship. Make choices: small ones, large ones, bold ones, safe ones. Pick. Choose your road. The living is in the choosing.

Justifying and Defending

Paul Castaneda: Success Coach

Justifying and Defending. When we do wrong, when we behave in a manner that is inconsistent with that which we believe to be right, honest, and forthright....we know it. But, many times we are guilty of justifying and defending our position because we would rather do anything than admit a misstep. Be better than that. Admission, genuine contrition and a willingness to commit to do better where possible are always a better choice than justifying or defending.

Balance

Paul Castaneda: Success Coach

"Balance. Some think the only path to success is throwing yourself at one area of your life or one endeavor. Others think they can somehow manage to give 100% to all areas, as if they can somehow make 900% out of a 100% pie. Having tried both those paths, I can share this: balance is the key to happiness, to success, to sanity. If you manage to be 100% focused and present in every area of your life when you are spending time on it AND you make sure NOT to neglect all areas (because they really are all necessary), you will find life to be quite wonderful, indeed."

With wages, only a handful getting richer

With wages, only a handful getting richer

This Orlando Sentinel article makes me burn red in anger about the state of the economy in Orlando, and how it should in theory, be better for us, but instead perpetuates a circle of badness that is hard to break away from.

And after making this discovery, still nothing is really being done about this? While businesses that rely on tourism continue to grow, what about wages for the people that they rely on to make it happen? It's sad that while Florida state minimum has risen to uh.... $7.79, many people in the tourist industry, unless they have been at their jobs for ages, are barely making much more than that. So, how does exploiting the labor force with low wages help the economy grow and improve the lives of those it supports? I myself, at times, feel like a victim of slave labor, though my co-workers and I are constantly reminded we do actually have it better than the lot that work for our competitors. Seeing our insurance premiums rise, our wage increases decline, and a bunch of 'incentives' that really don't do anything but benefit the company by lowering their costs of hiring, don't really help us. It creates a nasty cycle of exploitation and dependance.

Yes, we can continue to focus on the good.  But we must continue to focus on what we can do to make it better for everyone that lives and works here.  Especially those who make their living off of tourism.

Yes I can leave.  I'm young and healthy enough to do that.  In fact, I outlined my escape plan in an earlier blog post, and those plans are very much in play right now.  But why should I?  Other than the stupidisms that make working for these people and serving stupid tourists unbearable at times, it's actually a fun job.  However, the fringe benefits don't outweigh the negatives. 

If the negatives weren't so negative, I'd continue working there until I die.

Just a thought

Those who are excellent employees, are just that.  Those who can't, end up being our managers.

With that being said, it's a sad state of affairs when your management exemplifies incompetence and doesn't inspire confidence in helping you do your job.

The Plan

My escape from a not so great work scenerio is in play.

Promising myself that I will be out of there by July 18, my anniversary date.

Plan A: Transfer to another department. This is in play.
Plan B: Transfer locations. Change work status to make myself open to other alternatives. Also in play.
Plan C: Contingent on Plan A. Try to get a management position and test the waters for viability and feasibility.
Plan D: Quit outright, take chances and go job hunting.
Plan E: Start doing research, start job hunting now.

PS to that idiot that calls herself a leader: if you have issues with me, then have a private chat with me. Don't appreciate insinuations I didn't do my job properly, when I was clearly accommodating you. Don't appreciate it when you bring a third person in the equation, especially when I haven't seen or heard from said person in weeks. I lost any respect I had left for you today. You are one of the many reasons I want out.

A note about detachment

From -- Paul Castaneda: Success Coach

 

Detachment. We use so many technologies and excuses to detach from one another, from the people, things, events that really matter. "I'll catch him on Facebook". "I'll tweet my thoughts". "I just sent her a text yesterday". "I saw the birthday photos online". "I'm so busy with...". When you reach your end of days, will those wedges, excuses and barriers be as hollow and meaningless as they seem right now, strung together? Then do something about it. Commit to re-connect, personally, with all those people that you've allowed to become shadows and ghosts in your everyday wanderings.

The Courage of Honesty

Paul Castaneda: Success Coach

The Courage of Honesty. We oftentimes think we are doing best by avoiding speaking openly and honestly with a friend, relative, partner about actions they are taking, hurts they have caused, feeling we may have. We come to believe that by avoiding the discussion we are sparing feelings and avoiding arguments and difficulty. In actuality, we are accomplishing two things, both negative. We are prolonging the inevitable: problems persist and grow when left unattended. And we are denying a relationship based on truth with that other party. Real bonds come form tough times as well as good ones. Love is strengthened by hardships and choppy waters. To appreciate the great moments, navigating the tougher ones is a must.

"Honesty does not always bring a response of love, but it is absolutely essential to it."
Ray Blanton

Is it time for me to exit stage left?

I have this gut feeling that I will be forced to make a few decisions about the forest I am in very shortly. Out of self-love, self-preservation and my sanity. Thank you in advance for your love and support, as I seek the forest that will be my 'nirvana'.

I think it's time to leave a job that I've had for almost 11 years in various capacities and positions.  While it has been one of the best things I've done, it is definitely time to do something else.  

I've had bad times with this company, like when I first got there, adjusting to a completely new work environment that I've never experienced before, being told no too many times for a job I've always wanted to have, to an area manager trying to get me ousted from the role I was in, for no specific reason, to name a few examples.  Those challenges were overcome.  However, in the past month, I have hit a new low.  I feel that for everything I've done, I'm not getting the rewards I had hoped to receive.  I feel used and abused, for minimum wage, not so ideal benefits, and not much else.  Plus working in both a work location AND a department that has become more and more dysfunctional by the day, does not inspire me to be all that I can be.  Nor does it give me incentive to continue to remain the legendary persona I spent years building.

If I wanted to have a work environment like this, I would have stayed in Hong Kong, duking it out with the people I was working with. 

We'll see what tomorrow brings.  If it brings what I think it will bring, 18 July 2013 will hopefully be the first day of the rest of my life. 

It's time. 

Those young 'uns!

Oh my.... I am officially an old man.... When my massage therapist and I are complaining about the "younger" generation....

(Not to worry, folks, they keep me young, for which I am grateful. Even if I'm old enough to be their dad! hahaha)

AP Mobile: NZ to eradicate pet cats? Purr-ish the thought!

AP Mobile: NZ to eradicate pet cats? Purr-ish the thought!

AP News - NZ to eradicate pet cats? Purr-ish the thought!

There are other ways to practice conservation than to resort to telling people how to have pets. Yes, responsible pet ownership is a part of this puzzle, however, this guy needs to think this out more throughly. As a cat -- and dog -- owner, I am offended at his suggestions.

2 minute bathroom breaks?!?

AP Mobile:  Chinese workers revolt over 2-minute toilet breaks

Really? Rushing a #2 to fit a stupid time frame can lead to hemorrhoids!

GLBT Pride In Uganda

This has nothing to do with being brave,  It's all about asserting one's right to live as they are without fear.  My best wishes for a positive outcome and my hopes that the Ugandan government comes to their senses and not pass anti gay legislation.

Positive Intentions -- Facebook Status Update

Did you know the people that are the strongest are usually the most sensitive? Did you know the people who exhibit the most kindness are the first to get mistreated? Did you know the one who takes care of others all the time are usually the ones who need it the most? Did you know the 3 hardest things to say are I love you, I'm sorry, and Help me. Sometimes just because a person looks happy, you have to look past their smile and see how much pain they may be in. To all my friends who are going through some issues right now--Let's start an intention avalanche. We all need positive intentions right now. If I don't see your name, I'll understand. May I ask my friends wherever you might be, to kindly copy and paste this status to give a moment of support to all those who have family problems, health struggles, job issues, worries of any kind and just need to know that someone cares. Do it for all of us, for nobody is immune. I hope to see this on the walls of all my friends just for moral support. I know some will!! I did it for a friend and you can too. You have to copy & paste this one, no share button, because kindness is a effort given from the ♥ not the press of a button. 

(From my friend David Hsieh, thank you for sharing this so I can do the same.)

Thoughts on Civility

From a friend.  I wish other people would realize how important having this is in order to have a good conversation or debate.

Paul Castaneda: Success Coach

Civility. There is a big difference between presenting your reasoned opinions in a public or private exchange of ideas and using words to belittle or insult another. First, you must understand that another's opinions are as valid to them as yours are to you. Second, you must realize that belittling or insulting another says more about you than the person it is being done to. Third, intelligence is not accentuated by verbal cruelty; rather it proves the lack thereof.

One of my demons

One of my demons. I have fought this one all my life. For the most part, I have won, but there are times in my darkest hours, where this demon visits.

Wisdom dwells within us, it seems to me, but finding that wisdom requires efforts that are often painful. All my life, I have defined myself by my relationship to what is exterior: people’s opinions of me and the various forces to which I have been subjected. For a very long time, the endless sessions of self-criticism and denunciation—which I find so difficult to forget—kept me from being myself.

 From:  The Secret Piano: From Mao's Labor Camps to Bach's Goldberg Variations
by Zhu Xiao-Mei, Ellen Hinsey

Why I'm an actor

And this is one of the main reasons why I'm an actor.

When I play, I try to speak to people, to tell them something, to show them the beauty of a work, to move them. Having an audience is crucial for me. Some of my fellow artists assert that they play for themselves rather than for an audience. I take the exact opposite approach: my goal is to share with others.

From:  The Secret Piano: From Mao's Labor Camps to Bach's Goldberg Variations
by Zhu Xiao-Mei, Ellen Hinsey

China requiring people to visit their aged parents

How a society treats its aged....  It would be interesting to see how this law would go over in Western countries.  It seems that the more 'advanced' and 'developed' a society is, the less the elderly are valued.

Article: China Requiring People to Visit Their Aged Parents

A Thought

The Cat Commandments

 

My cats adhere to this....  My pug thinks she's a cat....  

Woof woof!

For my canine lovers out there.

The Latte Boy

I have no idea why this came to mind right now....  I guess it's because at one of my jobs I make lattes for a living?