Dumb and Dumber

You know. If people are sick of high gas and food prices, a failing economy, a future of wars on the horizon, a slew of crisises (from mortgage to global warming to name your next national emergency)... and still elect a president that would lead us to pretty much the same path... or prevent the election of a president that is "different" from them...
i say you get what you deserve.

I suppose that's also the price of democracy -- that you could have people that are full of hate, or ignorance, or apathy, or greed choose a path for a union of people that leads to nowhere or worse, to suffering or some diminished existence.

Cheap, Steal, Good Buy, Luxury, Not Worth It

This is kinda sort like a story on economics...

So, I went to some nail salon, indistinguishable from others. (And after the service I got, still remained nondescript and probably forgettable.)

I believe they offered a pedicure for say $15 and a spa pedicure (which includes massage and whatever else) for $45. Since I did a good deal of walking that day, I opted for the latter.

If they offered the spa pedicure for say $25 -- I would have said it was cheap, regardless of how satisfied I was with the service (unless if it was realy aweful). You just don't get spa pedicures that cheap. Now, if I was impressed or ecstatic about the service, that would have been a steal -- unexpectedly low price and great satisfaction.

If they offered the spa pedicure for say $60 or more, your damn right it's a luxury and you bet I would demand satisfaction. Anything less I would ask for a manager and a refund.

So, I get this spa pedicure. The massage part, wrapping your legs in some type of moisturizer, scrubbing ... was actually the bulk of the service, which probably took 20-30 mins. The pedicure itself was quick. Now, if I was happy and satisfied with the service, that would have been a good buy, because I would have gotten my money's worth. Yes, it would have costed more, not outrageous price, and still got satisfaction.

Unfortunately, I really couldn't care for the massage that they did because they really weren't trained massaged therapists, nor did they have innate talent for it. They weren't hitting the pressure points and spots yada yada yada. It was more like they were kneading and pounding my feet and legs. The scrubbing, cleaning, and pedicure itself was just alright. But since I had to pay extra for the package and did not get the satisfaction, overall it was not worth it.

If I had to express it in some formula, it would like:

VALUE = COST/[(SATISFACTION INDEX)(SERVICE INDEX)]

And that concludes our lesson for the day...

Crazy

last night, i had an insight as to how and why someone would just go out of their mind and go crazy.

just the overload and depth of emotion, sensation, and mental stress - perhaps what would make sense in a moment is to sing broadway tunes, or lay perfectly still and mute, or mumble a bunch of giberish, or go on a cleaning frenzy - whether it makes sense or not.

the range of self expression is just not enough and is not contained by your usual encyclopedia of appropriate responses.

i can hear seal singing.

HAVE YOU BEEN A PATRIOT TODAY?

Interesting that I would have this as my next blog entry, after bashing the New England Patriots, which seems almost eons ago...

I have been following the primary elections since Iowa, participated in the campaigns (and still do), and of course voted.

Does that make me a patriot?

If I am against the war in Iraq, while continuing to HONOR THE BRAVE MEN & WOMEN WHO SACRIFICE THEIR LIVES, does that make me a patriot? Or does that make me unpatriotic, irregardless?

If I simply pay my taxes dutifully and abide by all laws, does that make me a patriot?

If I volunteer countless hours to uplift my community, does that make me a patriot? If I speak out against the establishment in the course of uplfting my community, does that make me a patriot? Or does that make me unpatriotic, irregardless?

Quite frankly, people shuld be more careful of how they use the word. Or should we just put ourselves to the dictionary definition test...?

(I think I would pass that test.)


Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
pa·tri·ot /ˈpeɪtriət, -ˌɒt or, especially Brit., ˈpætriət/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[pey-tree-uht, -ot or, especially Brit., pa-tree-uht] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. a person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interests with devotion.
2. a person who regards himself or herself as a defender, esp. of individual rights, against presumed interference by the federal government.
3. (initial capital letter) Military. a U.S. Army antiaircraft missile with a range of 37 mi. (60 km) and a 200-lb. (90 kg) warhead, launched from a tracked vehicle with radar and computer guidance and fire control.
[Origin: 1590–1600; < MF patriote < LL patriōta < Gk patrités fellow-countryman, lineage member]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Go Home Patriots!

I'm not really a big Giants fan, but I despise New England more than anything.

There are not a lot of things that could bring more joy than the demise of the smug, almost-perfect, now tragic Patriots.

I'm glad Plaxico made his prediction and proved himself right and shut up all those sports analysts. Superbowl 42 rocks.

The perfect ending to a perfect downfall.

This is so much FUN!

LET'S GO YANKEES!

You Don't Have To Eat It All

I don't believe I have ever turned down chocolate anything -- candy bar, ice cream, cake...

So, here I am at a bridal shower brunch, which was after an earlier brunch meeting I had. I mean, I want to eat everything there. Started with fruit plate. Then eggs benedict (love it!) for main dish. And chocolate mousse to finish.

As you can see, I'm actually exhibiting some very mild restraint. It probably took all of my being to put my spoon down since I was really filled to the brim. (My earlier brunch, about an hour before, I had mushroom omelette. Yes, I like eggs.)

I didn't think there was any part of my brain or involuntary motor skills that was capable of stopping fom eating that chocolate mousse. But there it is! Of course, this doesn't happen often and it won't happen at all times. There will be moments that I may willingly eat my heart out till it hurts.

(Seriou need of mental transformation.)

ONE. FUTURE... YES. WE. CAN.

most of you know that i love politics and care about what goes on in our community and in our country.

this year we face the most significant election in our generation. it is time that we become inspired and inspire others. that we take courage and heart. with vision and hope. for one nation and one great future.

please read on.


http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/CGxdg

...

So this will not be easy. Make no mistake about what we’re up against.

...

So let me remind you tonight that change will not be easy. That change will take time. There will be setbacks, and false starts, and sometimes we will make mistakes. But as hard as it may seem, we cannot lose hope. Because there are people all across this country who are counting us; who can’t afford another four years without health care or good schools or decent wages because our leaders couldn’t come together and get it done.

...

The choice in this election is not between regions or religions or genders. It’s not about rich versus poor; young versus old; and it is not about black versus white.

It’s about the past versus the future.

It’s about whether we settle for the same divisions and distractions and drama that passes for politics today, or whether we reach for a politics of common sense, and innovation – a shared sacrifice and shared prosperity.

There are those who will continue to tell us we cannot do this. That we cannot have what we long for. That we are peddling false hopes.

...

Yes we can change.
Yes we can heal this nation.
Yes we can seize our future.

...

– that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope; and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people in three simple words:
Yes. We. Can.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/CGxdg

All Fruits Are Not Made Equal (For Juicing)

So, as part of my road to a healthier eating habit, I've been eating more fruits, juicing, and turning them into smoothies.

Well, for the novice juicer or blender, you might want to know which fruits are ideal for juicing or smoothing and the proper equipment...

I've been mixing a variety of fruits and just waiting to be surprised with the results. Watery fruits like honey dew, melons, water melons, grapes are great for juicing. Make sure you are equipped with the right tools!

I have an orange squeezer for oranges, grape fruits, and lemons. I was acually pleasantly surprised how good freshly squeezed grapefruit juice tastes. Not to mention how rewarding it feels to extract a glass of juice from one grapefruit and 2-3 oranges.

I also have one of those electric juicers, which does the job, but a bit messier come time to clean. Fruit pulp and other stuff get lodged in the inner compartments. Anyhow, it has squeezing power that the orange squeezer doesn't have. Have you tried squeezing a honey dew?

And now to the blender, which I like a little better than the juicer. I recently tried to blend apples with not so good results. My tip would be to not blend so many apples... I tried with a few apple quarters and it didn't quite turn out as I had in mind. Not to mention that it looked like somebody threw up inside the glass jar... Other than that, I've had some delicious fruit smoothies. Crush some ice. Add fruits. And some soy milk. Bananas really thicken the smoothies.

Or if it's a bit much work, pick up some organic juice in your next trip to the supermarket.

The Art of Reinvention

My career path has a life cycle of roughly five years. So, I might be due for another one any day now... More on that later.

Anyhow, I like trying new things and redefining myself. Some people just call it passion.

I wanted to do a triathlon, so I learned to swim. And augmented that to my elementary knowledge of biking and running (and sometimes walking while trying to get my breathing in order). I have swam the Hudson River twice now. Words that I never imagined I would utter in my lifetime.

Recently, I tried doing a detox fast to cleanse my system (with moderate success). That entails five days of just fruits and vegetables nourishment, followed by ten days of pure liquid sustenance, and rounding that of with another five days of the fruit-veggie menu. I am on the tail end of this cycle now and can't wait to eat real food... (Okay, still need some work on the attitude.)

There are quite some interesting revelations in this experiment.

• I have a food addiction.
• I don't need to gorge myself to feel satisfied.
• Meat and rice, seven days a week, does not necessarily constitute a healthy diet.
• My body can actually function without overeating. It may even function better.
• I like eating fruits. They are good for me and you.
• I like eating certain vegetables. (Can't win 'em all.)
• Water is nutritious. Try it with maple syrup, lemon juice, and cheyenne pepper...
• I can learn to cook.
• A blender is a way better appliance than a juicer.
• I think I would rather do a triathlon than fast. (See first bullet.)

During the fruits and veggie days, I was forced to figure out how to eat, literally. Sometimes I just made up certain dishes, threw veggies together in a pot of boiling water, or sauteed with EVOO (extra virgin olive oil), and hoped for the best. (Did you get the Rachel Ray reference?!)

It goes without saying that I was craving salt, sugar, carbs, dairy and meat all the time! (Those are my basic food groups.)

The mental breakthrough might probably be more valuable than the physical. We'll see.

Of course, there were mild side effects. There were dips in energy, which is similar in sensation when you overeat after lunch. You just want to go to sleep. And then there's the other stuff.

A potentially transformational experience such as this requires real heart, mental strength, support from your circle of friends and family, and a good deal of creativity. I recommend having a few of these in hand before your next adventure.

My fasting group leader did say that I was a glutton for punishment...

The New You

I suppose I should just wipe out the past postings and start over. I last blogged back in April of 2007? Geeze.