We all get them, those ever exciting e-mails stating there could be a large check payable to you for forwarding an e-mail, horror stories of mall or parking lot attacks, and ways you can contract diseases by putting your finger in the coin return of machines.
Some of us recognize these e-mails for what they are. I am hoping a few more people will learn.
E-mail is so easy to send and pass, on that the average person receives 50 to 100 e-mails a day. A lot of the e-mail consists of spam and advertisements. A small portion are useful e-mails. The rest is quite often a mix of silly photos that have been around the world a couple dozen times, chain e-mails or the "warning" and "special incentive" e-mails.
I have to be honest, when I get one of these from a friend or family member, the first thing I think is you can't be serious? The second thing that runs through my mind is I can't believe so-and-so could have been so caught up in this e-mail story, that they actually believed it enough to forward it on.
When you get one of these "Very Important - Please Read" sort of e-mails, check out the facts before you send it to your entire address book. It doesn't matter if it came from the sister of the cousin of a friend who you knew in high school 20 years ago. It doesn't matter if the story references Major Captain Man, "well-known" representative to the head of all knowing things of the world.
Go to a website like Snopes. Type in some key words for the e-mail. Sometimes it is as easy as typing in the e-mail subject line. Find the e-mail referenced and read.
Nine times out of ten you will find that the e-mail is completely false. As a bonus, you will often learn some interesting information as to how this rumor started. Plus, you will start to recognize the less then accurate e-mails within the first couple of sentences.
Occasionally you will get an e-mail that is only partially false, in which case you have the benefit of knowing exactly what is fact and what is fiction.
Much less often you will run across an e-mail that is true. In which case, you also will learn some interesting facts via Snopes or whatever other website you choose to use. Then you can forward the e-mail on to your heart's content.
You can even show your friends how reliable your e-mail is by stating that this e-mail has been verified by website such-and-such. No guarantees that in real life you won't still be gullible enough to fall victim to your friends tricks or have random blonde moments, but it's a start.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Airplane Woes
I've heard that when people go back to their childhood home after they have grown up, that the house seems so much smaller.
I have not had the opportunity to go back to my childhood home, but I think I may have had a somewhat similar experience.
When I was little, we took a lot of trips involving airlines flights. As a child, it felt like the worst part of the trip was always the long flight times. Even with the movie and the meal, there is still too much time that is not pre-planned out - and sometimes a good book just won't do it.
Thankfully, some of our really long trips were done on red eye flights or late at night, so we (my sister and I) pretty much slept the majority of the flight.
Airplanes are not the most comfortable place to sleep, but from childhood memory, they work well enough.
Since I have grown up, all my flights have been short little 1-2 hour flights, or flights taken during normal daytime hours where I generally occupied my time with movies, puzzles or books.
Last night however, I took my first red eye since I was little...definitely not what I remembered it to be. The pillows are not quite as big as they used to be, the blankets not as long. Most of all, the room in the seats don't quite accommodate my adult frame in the various sleeping positions that worked when I was smaller.
I remember one flight when I was little putting the pillow down on the tray table in front of me and laying my head down comfortably - let me tell you - as an adult, you can forget even attempting this position - especially if the person in front of you has their seat back at all.
Despite the slight setbacks - overall the flight was not bad. I did manage to get snippets of sleep here and there...and while I may have not gotten really great REM sleep, I was never really awake more then 10 minutes at a time.
Luckily for me, there was no one seated in the middle seat and my seat was against the window which allowed slightly more stretch out room.
Red eyes are generally great because you don't waste half of a day of your vacation on a plane - but let me tell you - they would be better in a comfy first or business class seat, sitting next to someone you know who you can feel comfortable leaning against while you snooze.
I have not had the opportunity to go back to my childhood home, but I think I may have had a somewhat similar experience.
When I was little, we took a lot of trips involving airlines flights. As a child, it felt like the worst part of the trip was always the long flight times. Even with the movie and the meal, there is still too much time that is not pre-planned out - and sometimes a good book just won't do it.
Thankfully, some of our really long trips were done on red eye flights or late at night, so we (my sister and I) pretty much slept the majority of the flight.
Airplanes are not the most comfortable place to sleep, but from childhood memory, they work well enough.
Since I have grown up, all my flights have been short little 1-2 hour flights, or flights taken during normal daytime hours where I generally occupied my time with movies, puzzles or books.
Last night however, I took my first red eye since I was little...definitely not what I remembered it to be. The pillows are not quite as big as they used to be, the blankets not as long. Most of all, the room in the seats don't quite accommodate my adult frame in the various sleeping positions that worked when I was smaller.
I remember one flight when I was little putting the pillow down on the tray table in front of me and laying my head down comfortably - let me tell you - as an adult, you can forget even attempting this position - especially if the person in front of you has their seat back at all.
Despite the slight setbacks - overall the flight was not bad. I did manage to get snippets of sleep here and there...and while I may have not gotten really great REM sleep, I was never really awake more then 10 minutes at a time.
Luckily for me, there was no one seated in the middle seat and my seat was against the window which allowed slightly more stretch out room.
Red eyes are generally great because you don't waste half of a day of your vacation on a plane - but let me tell you - they would be better in a comfy first or business class seat, sitting next to someone you know who you can feel comfortable leaning against while you snooze.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
No Habla Ingles
I know this particular blog people will either agree with me emphatically or be furious. It's got to be said anyway - if you are going to live and work in this country - learn to speak English!!
That said, I greatly admire people who can speak more then one language - even if they don't speak one language great. I think it is a great disservice that we, as a country, do not start children learning a second language when they are in pre-school or kindergarten like they do in most European and Asian countries.
If you are visiting the US for any length of time, I can understand someone from a foreign country not speaking the language well or at all.
However, if you are going to work and live here, then I think you need to get a good handle on the language. In the last three hours I have called the customer service department of two companies that are located in the US and have gotten representatives who could not understand what I was asking them.
They offer the drivers license applications in Spanish! I know we have a large number of Hispanics in our country - but seriously! If you are going to drive in this country then FOR SURE you should speak English and be able to fill out your application and take your test in English.
Do you know that many sites also offer voting information in Spanish or other languages - don't you think if someone is a legal resident and able to vote they should be able to speak English to do that as well?
I appreciate the diversity in this country. I am not saying people should give up their heritage, and I do think it is important for parents and grandparents to teach their children their language and background.
But if you move somewhere and want to reap the benefits of living here, vote, drive - have the respect of the country to learn the language - and that goes for any country you move to. Not just the United States.
That said, I greatly admire people who can speak more then one language - even if they don't speak one language great. I think it is a great disservice that we, as a country, do not start children learning a second language when they are in pre-school or kindergarten like they do in most European and Asian countries.
If you are visiting the US for any length of time, I can understand someone from a foreign country not speaking the language well or at all.
However, if you are going to work and live here, then I think you need to get a good handle on the language. In the last three hours I have called the customer service department of two companies that are located in the US and have gotten representatives who could not understand what I was asking them.
They offer the drivers license applications in Spanish! I know we have a large number of Hispanics in our country - but seriously! If you are going to drive in this country then FOR SURE you should speak English and be able to fill out your application and take your test in English.
Do you know that many sites also offer voting information in Spanish or other languages - don't you think if someone is a legal resident and able to vote they should be able to speak English to do that as well?
I appreciate the diversity in this country. I am not saying people should give up their heritage, and I do think it is important for parents and grandparents to teach their children their language and background.
But if you move somewhere and want to reap the benefits of living here, vote, drive - have the respect of the country to learn the language - and that goes for any country you move to. Not just the United States.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Mothering Practice
I was at lunch last week with some of the young women I work with. One of them was having sinus problems. She described her symptoms to me then asked, "You think I have allergies right? Not a cold? What do you think the best thing would be to take care of it?"
The other two women who were at the table both looked at me expectantly as I gave her my opinion, but thinking back on it, it made me realize, more and more lately people have been coming to me for "mothering" types of advice when they are sick or sad or for things like cooking and cleaning tips.
Thinking back, it's been at least as far back as high school that I have always been the person in
the group who tried to look out for everyone else. I always made sure everyone was included.
When I got older, I could be counted on to make sure none of the girls went home with random strangers after a night of drinking.
I am the person my family relies on to remember birthdays, anniversaries and any other important occasion.
It could be part of the reason people come to me for advice is because I will take the time to research things, try out products or remedies, experiment with recipes. Or I could just have that natural maternal instinct for caring for people and things.
Either way, when the time comes, hopefully it makes the transition to motherhood seem a little less foreign!
The other two women who were at the table both looked at me expectantly as I gave her my opinion, but thinking back on it, it made me realize, more and more lately people have been coming to me for "mothering" types of advice when they are sick or sad or for things like cooking and cleaning tips.
Thinking back, it's been at least as far back as high school that I have always been the person in
the group who tried to look out for everyone else. I always made sure everyone was included.
When I got older, I could be counted on to make sure none of the girls went home with random strangers after a night of drinking.
I am the person my family relies on to remember birthdays, anniversaries and any other important occasion.
It could be part of the reason people come to me for advice is because I will take the time to research things, try out products or remedies, experiment with recipes. Or I could just have that natural maternal instinct for caring for people and things.
Either way, when the time comes, hopefully it makes the transition to motherhood seem a little less foreign!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day!
Here's to the second largest greeting card selling holiday!
As you would imagine, Christmas surpasses Valentine's Day for greeting card purchase.
The greeting card and gift buying frenzy all started with Esther Howland. She produced the first commercial American valentines in the mid-1800s and, for her time, made a killing with $5,000 her first year. Today, an estimated 7 billion Valentine's cards are purchased each year.
That does not include the pounds of chocolates, tons of flowers and huge amounts of jewelry also purchased all for this holiday that was never intended to be materialistic when it first started.
I feel very sorry for those guys who are with women who expect flowers delivered and gifts presented today. I am not saying I don't love gifts as much as the next person, but gifts are so much more fun when they are not expected.
There are a lot of different stories surrounding the beginning of Valentine's Day, but essentially, they all center around St. Valentine and love. In all the historic accounts of Valentine's Day I researched, there was not a single one that stated anything about requiring long stem red roses, expensive dinners or diamonds to truly express one's undying devotion.
Early valentines were fairly simple. Hand made and hand written cards, poems or songs. Kind of like the ones you did for your mom when you were little. The ones she has tucked away in a box and cherishes more then any store bought item you could have bought.
No matter what you do for your valentine this year make sure you keep one thing in mind - it's about how you feel not what you spend.
If you happen to be with someone who values the actual value of something more then the sentimentality - you have Esther Howland to thank for that!
As you would imagine, Christmas surpasses Valentine's Day for greeting card purchase.
The greeting card and gift buying frenzy all started with Esther Howland. She produced the first commercial American valentines in the mid-1800s and, for her time, made a killing with $5,000 her first year. Today, an estimated 7 billion Valentine's cards are purchased each year.
That does not include the pounds of chocolates, tons of flowers and huge amounts of jewelry also purchased all for this holiday that was never intended to be materialistic when it first started.
I feel very sorry for those guys who are with women who expect flowers delivered and gifts presented today. I am not saying I don't love gifts as much as the next person, but gifts are so much more fun when they are not expected.
There are a lot of different stories surrounding the beginning of Valentine's Day, but essentially, they all center around St. Valentine and love. In all the historic accounts of Valentine's Day I researched, there was not a single one that stated anything about requiring long stem red roses, expensive dinners or diamonds to truly express one's undying devotion.
Early valentines were fairly simple. Hand made and hand written cards, poems or songs. Kind of like the ones you did for your mom when you were little. The ones she has tucked away in a box and cherishes more then any store bought item you could have bought.
No matter what you do for your valentine this year make sure you keep one thing in mind - it's about how you feel not what you spend.
If you happen to be with someone who values the actual value of something more then the sentimentality - you have Esther Howland to thank for that!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Blog for Every Season
When I first started blogging and searching out what blogs were out there I found a lot of what I expected. Blogs tracking diets or pregnancies, wedding blogs, blogs written by musicians documenting their tours - things like that.
Upon searching a bit farther, however, I discovered there is probably a blog out there for absolutely anything you can imagine.
(Case in point the blog featuring Mr. Chinchilla - who does hold a special place in my heart seeing as Hugo and I were featured as one of the interviews.)
I will admit, when I started this blog I wasn't thinking very big as far as what I could include on my blog.
However, I have definitely started thinking a little more outside the box in how I can develop my blog.
The scope of items to include on my blog.
My vast knowledge I can share with the world!!!!!
Well...maybe my knowledge is not quite that vast - or always that interesting to anyone besides me - but still, the point being, because there are no real rules when it comes to blogging there is no limit to the creativity that can be put into a blog.
Some days my mind starts whirling with ideas to include on my blog. Some of them are bigger or sound better in my mind then actually end up on paper - but at least the ideas are brewing.
Only time will tell how this blog will evolve and grow, but no matter what, on way or another, it will be an interesting experience.
Upon searching a bit farther, however, I discovered there is probably a blog out there for absolutely anything you can imagine.
(Case in point the blog featuring Mr. Chinchilla - who does hold a special place in my heart seeing as Hugo and I were featured as one of the interviews.)
I will admit, when I started this blog I wasn't thinking very big as far as what I could include on my blog.
However, I have definitely started thinking a little more outside the box in how I can develop my blog.
The scope of items to include on my blog.
My vast knowledge I can share with the world!!!!!
Well...maybe my knowledge is not quite that vast - or always that interesting to anyone besides me - but still, the point being, because there are no real rules when it comes to blogging there is no limit to the creativity that can be put into a blog.
Some days my mind starts whirling with ideas to include on my blog. Some of them are bigger or sound better in my mind then actually end up on paper - but at least the ideas are brewing.
Only time will tell how this blog will evolve and grow, but no matter what, on way or another, it will be an interesting experience.
Monday, February 11, 2008
No Reservations for You!
There are hundreds of restaurants within 15 minutes of our house. Most of those restaurants can hold at least a couple hundred people at a time, and still, the weekend before Valentine's Day, you would be hard pressed to find a place you can get a table at after 5 or before 9.
From a couple places I was told outright they don't have anything available all evening at all. I suppose it helps the restaurant industry that Valentine's Day falls on a Thursday this year. Thursday night is already a popular evening in our neighbor for people to start their weekends early by going out to dinner.
It still amazes me. Places I would not normally think of as "typical" Valentine's venues - chain restaurants such as PF Changs and California Pizza Kitchen are even booked.
Normally we tend to avoid the crowds that are out there for Valentine's Day - sticking to champagne and some sort of creative dinner I've come up with.
Looks like if I don't get creative with my restaurant choices, I might have to come up with a Plan B pretty darn quick!
From a couple places I was told outright they don't have anything available all evening at all. I suppose it helps the restaurant industry that Valentine's Day falls on a Thursday this year. Thursday night is already a popular evening in our neighbor for people to start their weekends early by going out to dinner.
It still amazes me. Places I would not normally think of as "typical" Valentine's venues - chain restaurants such as PF Changs and California Pizza Kitchen are even booked.
Normally we tend to avoid the crowds that are out there for Valentine's Day - sticking to champagne and some sort of creative dinner I've come up with.
Looks like if I don't get creative with my restaurant choices, I might have to come up with a Plan B pretty darn quick!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Men VS Doctors
I don't know what it is about men and going to the doctor or the dentist or any sort of medical treatment facility.
They want to hold off going for as long as possible, no matter what their symptoms are.
OR
If they go and get a clean bill of health - they don't want to go again for the next 10 years.
The thing is, things can change so quickly. My mother had just gotten her annual physical, full blood work and everything one August, and by that October she was very sick.
Unfortunately she didn't have a very good doctor so she got tested for just about everything but what was wrong with her - all because the tests for her condition 3 months earlier had been fine. It wasn't until she got admitted to the ER that a different doctor tested her and found out what was wrong.
My father had a similar problem - although his problem had to do more with him not liking to go to doctors - not his doctor being misinformed.
Less then a year ago he had received a clear EKG. Recently he had another one done, reluctantly, but thank God his new doctor insisted. This time they found something on his heart and are working on getting it taken care of.
It is so important to listen to what your body is telling you and not just brush symptoms off to stress. And it is so important to see a doctor more then once every 10 years - no matter how old you are. It's the easiest way to give yourself a better change of catching a problem before it gets too bad to fix.
I realize it is easy to get carried away. I am not suggesting going to or calling your doctor for everything little thing, but if you are having any kind of symptoms for more then just a couple of days - play it safe - go see someone.
They want to hold off going for as long as possible, no matter what their symptoms are.
OR
If they go and get a clean bill of health - they don't want to go again for the next 10 years.
The thing is, things can change so quickly. My mother had just gotten her annual physical, full blood work and everything one August, and by that October she was very sick.
Unfortunately she didn't have a very good doctor so she got tested for just about everything but what was wrong with her - all because the tests for her condition 3 months earlier had been fine. It wasn't until she got admitted to the ER that a different doctor tested her and found out what was wrong.
My father had a similar problem - although his problem had to do more with him not liking to go to doctors - not his doctor being misinformed.
Less then a year ago he had received a clear EKG. Recently he had another one done, reluctantly, but thank God his new doctor insisted. This time they found something on his heart and are working on getting it taken care of.
It is so important to listen to what your body is telling you and not just brush symptoms off to stress. And it is so important to see a doctor more then once every 10 years - no matter how old you are. It's the easiest way to give yourself a better change of catching a problem before it gets too bad to fix.
I realize it is easy to get carried away. I am not suggesting going to or calling your doctor for everything little thing, but if you are having any kind of symptoms for more then just a couple of days - play it safe - go see someone.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Big Payoff
Yesterday there was an article on Yahoo! about Ryuta Kawashima, the research who helped create Nintendo's Brain Age games.
Due to his agreement with his employer, he is entitled to receive half the royalties of Brain Age. Instead he has opted to funnel the money back into construction projects on his employers campus.
My first thought was the reaction of his family when he got home that day and decided he was giving up his share of the royalties. He is quoted as saying that his family was mad at him.
Can you imagine someone in your family coming home and telling you - we just hit the jackpot with the work I have been devoting to my company, but I decided to give it back to them instead.
Due to his agreement with his employer, he is entitled to receive half the royalties of Brain Age. Instead he has opted to funnel the money back into construction projects on his employers campus.
My first thought was the reaction of his family when he got home that day and decided he was giving up his share of the royalties. He is quoted as saying that his family was mad at him.
Can you imagine someone in your family coming home and telling you - we just hit the jackpot with the work I have been devoting to my company, but I decided to give it back to them instead.
Makes for a great story.
I am sure it was not as black and white as that. Most likely, based on the other things that Kawashima is working on, I would presume he has made enough money that no one in his immediate family will be without anything they really need.
Come to think of it, they don't really specify who in his family is upset he didn't take the royalties.Realty could be that he discussed his decision with his wife and children before deciding anything. The family he is referring to that was upset by his decisions could be extended family who have been just getting by, barely trying. Kind of a pessimistic way to look at it, but we all know someone like that. Someone who when your good luck or hard work pays off they feel they deserve a piece too.
Money does strange things to people. Sometimes you see a whole new side of someone when money is involved - and it's not always pretty.
Guess we could take a page out of Ryuta Kawashima's handbook and tell them - if you want money, you go do the work and get it.
Mardi Gras
At least once every year the subject of Mardi Gras and visiting New Orleans comes up, and every year I think...next year we should do that. So, far, I still have never been.
However, seeing as today is officially Mardi Gras and the end of Carnival in New Orleans, I thought it might be interesting to find out what else the celebrations entailed besides just the often discussed flashing for beads.
As most people know, Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is always on the Tuesday 46 days before Easter, which is always the day just before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. Mardi Gras is different then Carnival, however, in that Mardi Gras is just the day before Ash Wednesday. Carnival is the entire season from January 6th leading up to midnight of Mardi Gras.
The Carnival season is series of balls and parades sponsored by clubs called krewes. Some krewes are highly exclusive, while others allow anyone to join.
There is an official parade season as well. The season officially begins the second Friday before Mardi Gras. The parade builds slowly. The beginning of the season they are held primarily on the weekends becoming more frequent.
There are nine different parades on Mardi Gras. All parades are themed and, as everyone knows, riders on the floats toss out beads, doubloons, and candy to parade watchers.
With all the activities, hopefully the Carnival 2008 season will have been as successful for the city of New Orleans as it was reported for 2007.
Maybe we'll make it for the 2009 season.
However, seeing as today is officially Mardi Gras and the end of Carnival in New Orleans, I thought it might be interesting to find out what else the celebrations entailed besides just the often discussed flashing for beads.
As most people know, Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is always on the Tuesday 46 days before Easter, which is always the day just before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. Mardi Gras is different then Carnival, however, in that Mardi Gras is just the day before Ash Wednesday. Carnival is the entire season from January 6th leading up to midnight of Mardi Gras.
The Carnival season is series of balls and parades sponsored by clubs called krewes. Some krewes are highly exclusive, while others allow anyone to join.
There is an official parade season as well. The season officially begins the second Friday before Mardi Gras. The parade builds slowly. The beginning of the season they are held primarily on the weekends becoming more frequent.
There are nine different parades on Mardi Gras. All parades are themed and, as everyone knows, riders on the floats toss out beads, doubloons, and candy to parade watchers.
With all the activities, hopefully the Carnival 2008 season will have been as successful for the city of New Orleans as it was reported for 2007.
Maybe we'll make it for the 2009 season.
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