How do we stop racism?

The point being:  When we can refer to each other as people, rather than *, we will have moved closer towards a more inclusive society.

*factors based on physical appearance, gender/gender identification, social and economic levels, and other internal and external factors in which we tend to judge and discriminate.

Hikikomori: Your stories about refusing to leave bedrooms

Hikikomori: Your stories about refusing to leave bedrooms

One of the more touching stories in this article, which describes most of my high school experience:

This describes me, aged 11-16. As a child I had always been happy to play alone, but had never been wary of social interaction. At secondary school, I was bullied. I didn't feel I could stand my ground, so I withdrew. I didn't want to spend time with anyone. Not even my family. I would spend hours in my room watching TV, cleaning it, reading, drawing, listening to music - so long as it didn't require speaking to people. The fact that I was coming to terms with being gay was also a major factor, and I felt the world didn't want to accept me. On the odd occasions that I went outside, I was terrified about being recognised. I went to great lengths to avoid this, wearing hats, hoods and sunglasses. I broke out of the cycle when I started to find friends who would invite me out, and the bullying subsided. Once I had a social life I could be confident in, I no longer needed or wanted to stay in my room all the time. That period of my life has had a lasting impact on how I behave. I still feel the need to withdraw into my own company, although not to an extent that is abnormal. I sometimes lack confidence, and have paranoid thoughts about what people think of me. It seems I am fortunate that I managed to break free. Tristan, Bristol, UK

I eventually found the strength and courage to start making friends outside of school, which lead to my coming out.  When I did that, I was able to bolster my circle of friends and support system.  I still have issues with withdrawal, so don't let my gregarious and enthusiastic facade fool you.  Until I know you and feel safe with you, people only get to know the sides I need you to know about me.

Funny Or Not?

Asiana jokes: Racist or just bad taste?

In this case, bad taste. But it did remind me of the crank callers of my youth seeing if PBX operators would page 'Mike Hunt' over their paging systems. The funny part in both scenarios to me is the unlucky person who doesn't catch it in time and announces it, as though nothing is wrong. 

We all have made jokes about stereotypes, we just have to be aware of context and audience. One of my best friends likes to use the story of when my mom cussed him out on the phone, because she couldn't hear him on the other end. He tells it, play by play, complete with Asian accents. It's hysterical!

To me, stereotypical jokes is a matter of how it's being used, when its being used, and the target audience whether its funny or not. Some aren't really funny, some are hysterical but many are in between, provoking many different reactions. 

Which taught me this: I keep my humor to myself, and share it only with people when appropriate. Unless it has a universal theme, like cooking and burning Rice-A-Roni.

Rest In Peace, Finn

Glee Star dead from overdose

Rest In Peace, Cory.

McDonald's Can't Figure Out How Its Workers Survive on Minimum Wage

McDonald's Can't Figure Out How Its Workers Survive on Minimum Wage

Control-Shift-DUH! Large companies are so out of touch with how their employees live on what they get paid. They need to live their lives for a day, week or even a month to fully understand how much these workers are uh.... Used.

In Honor of our Servicewomen and men

In honor of those who served their country freely, defending the ideals and values of our nation and keeping the peace around the world. 

"Camo", by Kelly Zak, "Purple Heart", by Thalia Hel. For AEOStudios. 

No More War

"Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream"

Last night I had the strangest dream

I ever dreamed before

I dreamed the world had all agreed

To put an end to war

I dreamed I saw a mighty room

The room was filled with men

And the paper they were signing said

They'd never fight again

And the people in the streets below

Were dancing round and round

And guns and swords and uniforms

Were scattered on the ground

Last night I had the strangest dream

I ever dreamed before

I dreamed the world had all agreed

To put an end to war

-- Lyrics and music, Ed McCurdy

Crucifying Paula Deen: Was it necessary?

The answer for me is no. It goes for everyone -- public and private. If they express remorse, then let them redeem themselves and let it be. If they hadn't learned their lesson, then they need to be sanctioned and scrutinized. We all say things we don't mean, taken the wrong way and/or misunderstood and misused. We all know its not ok. Remind them harshly and move on.  That should take care of it. Crucify them if they are repeat offenders. Making them disappear or lose their position is a bit extreme. 

Orlando: Tops in tourism, near bottom in income

www.orlandosentinel.com: Orlando: Tops in tourism, near bottom in income

And people wonder why people in Orlando are stressed out, drive like maniacs, don't live here for very long, and if you are served outside the theme parks, are treated with disrespect and indifference.  It's frustrating.  I thought I got a bargain moving here, but I'm paying the price for doing so.  And the Republican governments and legislators here aren't helping, passing legislation that could help the poor, the working class, or the middle class.

Basic managerial skills thought

Just a thought on basic managerial skills: newbies are low knowledge/talent and high maintenance. Why? They are learning a new job or adjusting to a new environment. The old timers should be high talent/knowledge and low maintenance. 

How one manages and treats their staff will determine whether or not they will become high maintenance too. Treat us with respect, understand the line between getting the job done AND being everyone's ally and use positive motivating tactics.

I am reaffirmed

I had spent the last year wondering why, after 9 years of training and facilitating classes to a few thousand employees, I still received the praise and respect of many people. After the disaster with a certain co-worker last night, I went in with the f-all attitude. As the night went on, I had four very meaningful interactions with guests and figured out how to deal with that co-worker, and a great time today. The fourth person even blessed me and my family after I did what I did. It was after those, it was reaffirmed WHY what I do still matters. It may be old school, but the storyline is still important.

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.