Tonight went for a walk at the beach, in the city. Interesting energy flow tonight. Someone decided to take their hatred and low self esteem and destroy property that did not belong to them.
Only a very weak and confused or mental pigmy would do what was done this evening. It probably is the lowest form of humanity to do what was done, aside from murder. But to deface another person’s property, a pathetic characteristic that lies within us, our humanity.
I realize that in the larger scope of our society this issue is albeit extremely trite, however, I would like to see anyone of you experience your property defaced and embrace it, love it and accept it.
This goes out to anyone who has ever intentionally damaged another’s property, specifically a vehicle. YOU SUCK, big time, and good luck with the karma, it is a pain in the ass…
Extreme ways are back again. After leaving St. Stanislaus today to a mini drive around the neighborhood and found myself on my old street. I looked at it, the houses and the state of the overall environment. Well, I knew back when I lived there it was bad, but it had a touch of hope to it. What I witnessed today looks like something truly out of a science fictional apocalyptic prison colony set. Actually, come to think of it, what I witnessed today doesn’t look that far removed from the Gypsy Colony near the Danube in Belgrade, Serbia. Across the street from where I lived the house that was there is now a field of weeds. The houses on the left and right and in a condition that resembles a structure after devil’s night in Detroit. What is funny is that I text messaged a friend that lives in the neighborhood still and asked him how long the building had been in that state, semi-destroyed? He said, since February of this year. Well, I tell you I have done some traveling and witnessed a variety of cultures and observed different infrastructure. But what I see in that neighborhood is the destruction and the aftermath of war. There was no physical war like occurred in Serbia, but rather this was the economic war. This section of town was at its height the home of thousands of workers that fueled the industrial engine that rebuilt Europe after WW2.
The economic war is on and continues to ravage the de industrialized sections of the US.
This economic war is abstract, cause and effect is difficult to track. Children respond well to cause and effect because they can push a button and watch an object move. Sadly most adults do not move beyond this mundane cognitive ability. The causes and effect are a bit more involved and convoluted than say a game of bowling, but we do have the capacity to observe, think and respond appropriately. But the key here is to be able to think.
Think people!
Media is owned / operated / run with an agenda.
All media.
As the weekend of Labor kicks into gear one must consider what exactly Labor Day means, right? Or does it just mean time to close the municipal pool?
The labor movement was enormous in the US at one point in time. So much so that a day was granted to honor the working stiffs. What is funny is that labor was honored in western Europe with 5 weeks of holiday.
Oh, maybe that isn’t so funny.
I wonder when what the gift to labor will be in China?
Labor creates wealth and opportunity and innovations. Think of the commercial palaces of DuBai, the clothing in gap, the computer I am typing on now.
Labor, the employee.
Who wants to grow up to be an employee?
Check out the new widget on the right of this page, statistics about housing, tax, jobs in the US.
Had the opportunity to go camping a few weeks back. In a region they call upstate newyork. Up state new york, like, any other region has a designation such as this? How about upstate Alabama? Is there such a thing? I guess, NOVA would be the southern equiv actually… Anyway, very WASPish in that part of the state. But one thing I truly enjoyed was the drive to and from this region. The scenery on the way to this place is absolutely stunning. The green mini rolling hills some might call mountains remind me of the Arden in Benelux… there it is again that regional slang describing a place again.
My friend accompanying me on the drive to the up state. One thing he made comment as we drove along the interstate. As he gazed out the window to the hillside, he said, what do these people do for work?? Great question, right?? I mean I have read some papers about some re wilding getting the population back into the cities. Somehow I don’t think the few that do live up state would be all to interested in relocating.
While I was upstate I visited Watkins Glen, the glen of all glens or so it goes, the mother of all glens. It is quite unassuming at first glance, but as you climb the excitement of the views ensue. But as one might imagine the day after a night of camping is not always the most fresh and full of energy. Somehow I climbed those steps to gain the amazing viewpoints. But just like any traveler you just have to keep climbing, it will get better at the top.
What I learned most on this trip was that I still can split wood and it is really easy to loose your place when you don’t have a tolerance for masks. Masks are those conventions that adult human’s utilize to maintain social grace. The do serve a purpose but are rather cumbersome to carry. How do we manage this weight, this burden? I think many rappers in what is known as the hip hop industry used the term “keepin’ it real” to describe this phenomena, or rather the removal of these burdens. Not sure if their behaviors are the types I am looking to emulate, nevertheless keepin’ it real often has a shock value.
Regions by nature, of the word convention have unique or specific characteristics which differentiate them. Do regions keep it real? Do they wear masks?
On a similar arc, but different tangent, school is beginning now for many grade schoolers. I am sure many of them were or are nervous of that first day. If they have the choice to select their ‘outfit’ for that all important first day, I am sure if they are in those odd years called adolescence they struggled with the question , ‘how do I look’? Fitting in with the crowd, but maintaining their individual spirit… They may not realize conscious level this is occurring, but I posit, this is what is occurring. Adults, never grow out of this actually, until they know their role, so to speak, their place in the pecking order.
Regions exhibit the same characteristics as children attending the first day of school. Do they keep it real, what is real anyway, or do they put the mask on?
All to often we encounter events that require us to make a choice, for or against an action. We reach that precipice and must take action or remain passive.
Would you consider lunch at what I call a fast food plus restaurant a location for such a quandary to occur?
Well it occurred there.
Yesterday I had a lunch meeting. One of the great things about being self employed is the ability to move from a central location, choice. The person I was meeting with made the choice of the fast food plus establishment. I say fast food plus, because at a fast food place there is no apologies for the decor, it is cheap and easy to clean and has the aesthetics of a protestant church. No distractions, just focus on the mass produced big agri business food you are consuming and be on your way. As a derivative of the fast food establishment there is what I call fast food plus dining. Fast food plus is still a place to get food in a relatively short amount of time, but now, you have 3d-marketing to assist you in your dining experience.
Fast food places had marketing too, but typically that revolved around a central brand, a character. That character drove the story that filled the space in which you ate the big agri food.
Now in fast food plus, or FF+, there is this element in the space that does not focus on a central figure or character, but rather fills the space with what many call ‘flair’. Flair, is nothing more than distractive techniques to catch the target’s eye and attention away from the main task at hand, ordering something to eat and then paying for that service. Flair is thought by many to be ‘fun’. Who doesn’t want to have fun? Right? Flair is fun, damn it!! I can hear all the marketing executives saying that. Flair is like the baby mobile, it just keeps the short attention span of the target. I have many issues with flair, and could go on for pages and pages about the subject, instead will remain on topic here at the FF+ shop in Solon, OH that my business colleague chose for our meeting.
What I experienced aside from all the flair was absolutely shitty service. Have you ever experienced the point of human interaction when you meet and must communicate with the human that is in charge of constructing the edible object which you will consume? Food service is not for everyone, just will make that statement up front, it is a unique sector and has its specific character requirements for those employed within this sector, many people are great in the food service sector and they enhance the customer experience 10 fold. But what I experienced at this establishment in Solon, OH was the classic lethargic complacency that is often found in urban fast food outlets, fast food culture in USA. The factors in play to make this statement are the following: 1. unclear or mumbled speech 2.demanding kurt tone in orders to obtain information (which would be questions in the flair marketing model hand out that probably employees are to read prior to starting) 3.overall disgustingly sad physical looking figure.
These factors made an impact on my experience at this FF+ establishment. I took a step back and looked at all the flair and thought is this sandwich really worth 7.99? The sandwich taste was average at best, it was a sub sandwich. Of course it has to be that price, aside from the global food price increase, the marketing, the flair, has to be covered. But again, that could be written about for days, so I will stop there. Just to conclude people who accept this non quality service and repeat business with this establishment are those that are allowing the society to fall into economic and social disparity. Big statement, yes, but if you get at the core of the human interaction process and think about what is really transpiring in that transaction, it actually makes me sick to my stomach, not for the quality of the food, but for the quality of the transaction and the lethargic complacency on both sides of the commercial transaction. The food maker building the sandwich sucked, and so did the line of customers that seemed to be the regular corporate lunch crowd stopping in to ‘grab a bite to eat’. FF+
30 degree centigrade and 30 miles covered by bicycle today.
It was an epic journey. At one point was moving as if I was a cyclocross racer. Jumping obstacles, with bike carried, to climbing down ravines, with bike carried. Actually at one point had to get out the compass, the first time on a ride I was actually disoriented enough to need to use the tool.
Enter the Cuyahoga Valley National park through a side door, it was amazing!!
Now I sit here thinking of stimulus, I am fatigued, not sure if it is the heat or the ride or just my condition, but at any rate it was a prodigious experience. brandywine
Understanding the power structure uncovers or destroys the dreamworld.
Finding inner peace in spite of this awareness is the challenge.
Recently went to a baseball game and found it entertaining and disturbing all at the same instance.
Sporting events epitomize the commercial culture, the escape from reality destination. For a given length of time you can watch people work and their work entertains you. What is amazing about this experience is how surreal it really is when you are present in this situation. Everything is managed, it is a complete commercial transaction. The entire process is 100% commercial. However, the values that are shared in this experience tend to be more social. For example the game would be meaningless if those that watched could not share the stories that resulted from the experience. For example, the point where Haffner left men stranded on base, in the bottom of the 8th, to a crowd that was all on their feet. The crowd was dreaming within the dream itself. Surreal.. truly.
But what’s more is that this experience can then be talked about, as I am now, and somehow we gain some connection by these words.
So, how is this social portion of the transaction, going to the game, managed?
What about the usage of Rihanna’s song S&M in the rotation of music during the game. It is great that the venue remains current with the POP culture, but what is the social impact of combining a song, albeit samples of the song, with the baseball game? Reminds me of some Edward Bernays experiment.
Recently this site is experiencing an onslaught of witty and well worded jabs regarding the content on this site.
It is great to know (1) that this site has a following, didn’t think anyone followed it and (2) that this site has gained the attention of a spam attack.
If either case is the reality, thanks so much to all who have made this possible.
Specifically would love to thank those all around the world that are sore losers. Money can gain you many things in life, but one thing it can’t get you is dignity and self worth.
Respect to those that succeed in spite of the evil forces that attempt to compromise integrity with unethical business practices. sore loser
Had a story about 2% of the population has the DNA for entrepreneurship.
I wonder how that percentage tracks with those that come from ‘old’ money. “Old” money being trusted or gifted from previous generations in one’s family.
It has to do with risk right? Entrepreneurship is about risk right? Saying to the systems ‘f$@% off’ I am doing my own thing.
The Dublin Center is similar to ‘co working’ this new or old trend of renting an office space or desk in some cases to work.
Gives the individual a place to ‘go’, to work.
Who needs a boss, when you have customers??
In an unlimited liberalized market place it begins to make more sense to work for oneself. Many globally linked markets and in those markets, millions of unique perceptions that can be future customers.
I am aware that my blog is lacking visual engagement. I am also aware that images are our reality, as Slavoj Zizek eloquently stated.Slavoj
This takes time and dedication to upgrade the site, it is like anything, fixing a house a car, or your computer it all takes time and the right tools. I have never taken a computer programming class, outside of the C course I ‘dropped’ at the University. Programming and me just have not had a great relationship. Not sure why, but we haven’t. I am able to get a specific level of manipulation of the programs but to create that visually engaging environment takes time and something more than focus. Maybe I am just not motivated, to put a widget into my blog, or maybe I am satisfied with hyper links and one rolling content page.
I am a content generator, not a content displayer, although I could be a displayer too, but just not interested in that right now.
But maybe later.
But, I have been keeping track of the progress in the garden I planted the first week of June. I noticed this morning, there are some plants shooting through the soil!! I see corn, radishes, and tomatoes! It is cool!
Maybe I will upload some pics to fill out this blog with some visual content.
The phrase above is extremely dynamic. It has many perceived meanings and yet gets a lot of focused attention.
A few questions to think of with this phrase.
What does it look like?
How long should it take?
Who should measure it?
What are the measurements for it?
Who is accountable for it?
I have never visited, but from the pictures Singapore looks to be successful at economic development where as the city of Detroit not so much.
I enjoy when students from the US go abroad to work on ‘economic development’ for ‘third world countries’. The US is effectively a third world country, at least the economic indicators are pointing in that direction. Why not work at home on economic development??
I realize there are many questions on this topic and few answers. However, the answer is available and accessible in open networks. Open networks and collaborative innovation. But this open network thinking goes directly against game theory and the applications that result from this theory. The Rand Corporation and John Nash were very successful in creating the tools to describe what an environment looks like absent of trust and community. Yet trust and community, and a shared vision of democracy are the foundations upon which the society rests, at least in the US. So there are two systems in place then, one running on agency theory (which might be what exists in Russia) and the other dreaming of economic development for the community (which definitely runs in the US).
In agency theory, no one should pay taxes and no one should care about the ‘other’ especially not caring about economic development for the community.
In economic development world view, agency theory is a subset that drives decisions to obtain actions for economic development to occur. Can you see why economic development is lacking in many area?
piggy bank
I have to comment on this. This article and the action, using the language ‘piggy bank’ sucks on so many levels. But will just address one here. IN the US, the entire economic policy, in the last several years, has been to punish savers and reward speculators (just one example of this is is the reduction to zero of the interest rate…there are many more examples). To reference a piggy bank, that people still have a concept of these is ridiculous. Actually I think what is offensive is simply the use of the phrase piggy bank in this pejorative sense, as a piggy bank or savings actually used to mean something to children.. now it is just what this article describes… a joke…
ON a lighter note
‘a piggy bank’ a nostalgic term that conjures up memories when saving money had value. Globalization does not seems to value savings, as a value to pass on to the next generation (which is what the piggy bank represented), as can be seen in this article. I remember when my parents gave me one, actually had a ‘Howard Johnson’ ”piggy bank”.
I remember opening my first savings account and my parents trying to impress upon me the value in saving money that earned, given, or gifted. It is amazing, in only a limited time, 30 years or so, the value system has completely shifted. Speculation is the value to be passed on now. Even simple concepts like a 401K account. The concept of this is utterly ludicrous if you really think about it. I am going to put my ‘savings’ into an account that has no guarantee to exist. Ok, now saying that, sure, many people say it will be a cold day in hell before these large corporations collapse and the market folds and the value erodes in these accounts… right?
But what is the value that is being passed on to the next generation? Be a speculator, be a gambler, children don’t think in complex and grey areas. They think in terms of black and white, clear cut. The next generation will only regard , and probably already is, regarding savings as a joke just like this boy in Texas does.
Savings right now in the US is a joke, and the wealthy love this, because with a general population living on speculation and maintain liquidity only for meager, mundane, subsistence they, the wealthy have the control. For it only takes a glitch in the system, the global capital flow to cause a large disruption in the lives of those that have no savings, the wealthy know that, and that is why they the wealthy have savings.
People, generally talk of savings, and have that glimmer in the corner of their eye, but until the policies change and no longer punish savers and reward speculators, it is all just an old fairy tale, the piggy bank.
But I AM excited by this prospect. There are so many opportunities in gardening, like in anything, details truly are all that matter.
But lets take this step by step here and not focus on all the details up front. I know this much:
The pH of the soil, the area of the soil I tilled, and the location of where the seeds were planted.
Keep the soil moist in the heat and drained in the heavy rain and in 60 – 80 days, I should have something to try to eat.
I planted carrots, radishes , corn, peppers, cucumbers, zuchini, tomatoes, lettuce, pumpkin, sunflower, and watermelon (separate area)
Day two of the planting, it was hot and clear sky. I watered the area in the morning before the sunrise cleared the tree line. I watered in the evening around 18 00 (just a little) and at 20 00 alot.
I assume I will need to mulch and do some weeding next week or sooner, but for now the soil looks good.
What I find with gardening is that everyone has an opinion on the subject and is willing to tell you what to do and how to do it. But I find that processing all these opinions is challenging, there is no clear path. Only these items seem to matter: till the soil until rich and easy to rake. Soil should clump but crumble in hands quickly if squeezed. Place a barrier around the base, keep snails out and soil in. Fence the area, do not want creatures eating your leaves and new buds. Water the soil, but do not water during the strong sunlight.
The soil does have to be drained properly, if not, forget about it… To make the garden is a lot of work, but I am looking forward to eating home grown tomatoes.
What was interesting was when I planted the seeds, it was the other day. I got up early I notice that a storm was coming in from the north. I went out at 0630 and started planting. About 0930 the rain finally came. What was cool was how natural it felt to get my hands dirty in the soil. Pushing the ridges where I had planted the seeds together to form the valleys and troughs just seemed like the right thing to do. I don’t know if it is, as I said, there are so many documents to read on this subject and taking the first step is hard, that you risk analysis paralysis, but getting down in the dirt and planting those seeds, and thinking about how amazing it is that life will come from this tiny little seed, amazing… It is amazing.
Rode on the road yesterday for almost 50 miles. Crossed county lines and made it to view the great blue lake we call Erie. This region actually is becoming more and more bike friendly. I remember in 2005 when I began commuting to work from the inner city to the burbs, I felt very alone and isolated. Now, as I ride around town, I see more and more bikes and cool places to ride them. For instance, absolutely relish the W65 Franklin to Edgewater Park, that is just rich!! Getting from the burbs to tremont and beyond is actually pretty easy by bike. Getting back can be a bit challenging though, especially after sitting around and drinking a few pints. With all that is messed up in the world now, one thing I enjoy more than anything is touring by bicycle. I did years ago, and I still do today. I say this, as we have had our first break in the weather, but even with cooler and wet weather, once you make the decision and have the appropriate gear, bicycling is the way to go.
Did a 15 mile bike ride today. Short one, yes, but the nice rolling hills and some good head wind made it a pretty decent ride. i particularly like this route as it has a bike path on a good majority of the route.
Reminds me of my time in Holland, not Michigan, when I would commute by ‘fiets’ bicycle to work.
Also keeps me remembering two things I love in life, riding bicycle on the open road, and working, specifically working in a team to create value.
When I turn the crank of the bicycle and I move up the hill, I may not be moving so fast, but I am moving. Just like when working, sometimes it feels like no progress is being made on the project you (I used to) are working on, but then finally, you arrive at your destination.
For me, it really is about the journey over the destination. Clearly, I am one of the ‘saver’ types that enjoys my freedom to choose, and be punished for bad decisions. Gambling for me, is a game reserved for the blackjack table, not for my life.
What I have experienced in the work force is that being ‘friends’ is important, but in the end you have no ‘friends’. Back in the 80′s I listened to all the positive motivational tapes my father had in his collection. He even had a pencil with a phrase made on it. It went like this, QS+ QS + PMA = C (nice little linear equation)
Quality Service +Quantity Service + Positive mental attitude equals… compensation.
There are many people now , many more than before that would like some compensation for their service.
Actually this expression holds true. I went into a bike shop today. I have a bad rear brake, only my front brake works. I have watched all the youtube videos on how to ‘repair’ the brake and what not, still I have had zero luck to fix it. Maybe it it is broken for good, I don’t know, it is the first brake repair I have ever worked on, how would I know. So, I saw this old timey looking bike shop and thought, yeah, lets take it in, and see if they can fix it, I had 60 dollars in my pocket and would gladly pay at least 20 if someone could fix it and dial that in.
So, I go in, I see the bikes and a couple of guys standing around. I ask, ‘hey can you repair brakes?’ and the guy behind the counter says, yeah, he can do it, and points to this other guy. So this other guy takes a look and starts monkeying around with it… pulling cables and what not, right then I knew this place was ridiculous. But I let him continue to play. The funny thing was, he started pulling the brake cable and then squeezed the break and said, to me, ‘see it is tighter’ I just had and internal grin and said, ‘no the brake still doesn’t work thanks for trying’.
I walked out, with the bike in same state as it was when i walked in, and the bike shop did not get my 20 dollars.
Ask yourself, is 20 dollars that meaningless these days? These guys threw away money, by not demonstrating value.
I thought these guys have a ‘business’ selling and repairing bicycles.
And I am riding bicycles. Yet, I would in no one shape or form ever do business with this business. Never exchange value for that type of service.
Any job worth doing is one worth doing well.
Ever customer is your first and your last.
You reap what you sow.
Clear 
