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.