http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/08/health/views/08klass.html?ref=health
I was intrigued by the article referenced above because it’s about being left-handed. Of course you can’t tell this by my blog, but I am a proud southpaw. I am happy to be in the mix of many greats (I won’t list them all because it could take a while).
The article amazed me in a couple of respects. One of which was the statistics of how many left handed people there are. It’s only about 10% of the total population. I could have sworn it was more. I feel like I meet more and more every day that we were getting to about 20%. I guess not. Another interesting tidbit is that I was not the only one who was convinced to stop being left handed growing up. I thought it was just my nutty family. But nope, apparently many stigmas were attached to being left handed that many parents tried to change their kid’s preference to the right hand.
I remember my mom telling me that being left handed was bad. She tried over and over to get me to use my right hand. And I was ambidextrous for a while. But then one of my teachers (God bless her!) told my mom to stop doing that because it would only confuse me. Not sure if that happened but still I’m happy she said something! For a while I was able to do most things equally with both hands but now I’m clearly more comfortable writing with my left. I do throw a ball, use scissors and play most sports right handed though…and let’s not forget guitar playing. I wish I could write better with my right hand. It would have come in handy two years ago when I broke my left elbow and writing made me want to cry! But oh well.
The article also talks about how they still don’t know what makes the human brain choose one hand over the other. Maybe I just wanted to be in the minority and it’s as simple as that.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
The Story Teller
My dad is loves a good story. He enjoys movies with good plots and great characters. He’s a big fan of the old West movies especially with John Wayne. I get my enjoyment of movies, stories and plots from him. He’s also a great storyteller too.
I have noticed with the abundance of visitors that we’ve had over the past few months that he enjoys talking to people and telling them stories about his life or stories he’s heard from other people.
The other day my dad was over playing with the dogs and he said to my husband
“Should I kill her and eat her?” - referring to Foxy.
My husband replied “Absolutely not!”
The Mexican explained why that wouldn’t be a good idea (Beside the obvious that she’s our dog, dogs shouldn’t be eaten and that he would miss her most of all if he did kill her).
Suddenly my dad then launched into a story. When he was a boy in Italy, someone told him this story…
A group of people had gone to a restaurant and they ordered some pasta with meat sauce. When they got the sauce, they all found it was the most wonderful sauce they had ever had. But there was something to this sauce and they had to know what made it so delicious. So a couple of the men went to the owner of the restaurant asking if they could talk to the chef because they wanted to pay compliments directly to him. The owner said it was ok. A few minutes later the chef came out and the men praised his wonderful sauce. He thanked them. They finally asked him ‘what do you put in the sauce that makes it taste so beautifully?” The chef didn’t answer for a while but after being asked again and again, he finally admitted ‘It’s ground up frog.”
That’s where my dad finished his story. He didn’t really say why he told us this story or what the moral of it was. I had to put the pieces together myself. I think he was telling us that you never know what you get in a restaurant and that maybe you could end up eating a dog.
I have noticed with the abundance of visitors that we’ve had over the past few months that he enjoys talking to people and telling them stories about his life or stories he’s heard from other people.
The other day my dad was over playing with the dogs and he said to my husband
“Should I kill her and eat her?” - referring to Foxy.
My husband replied “Absolutely not!”
The Mexican explained why that wouldn’t be a good idea (Beside the obvious that she’s our dog, dogs shouldn’t be eaten and that he would miss her most of all if he did kill her).
Suddenly my dad then launched into a story. When he was a boy in Italy, someone told him this story…
A group of people had gone to a restaurant and they ordered some pasta with meat sauce. When they got the sauce, they all found it was the most wonderful sauce they had ever had. But there was something to this sauce and they had to know what made it so delicious. So a couple of the men went to the owner of the restaurant asking if they could talk to the chef because they wanted to pay compliments directly to him. The owner said it was ok. A few minutes later the chef came out and the men praised his wonderful sauce. He thanked them. They finally asked him ‘what do you put in the sauce that makes it taste so beautifully?” The chef didn’t answer for a while but after being asked again and again, he finally admitted ‘It’s ground up frog.”
That’s where my dad finished his story. He didn’t really say why he told us this story or what the moral of it was. I had to put the pieces together myself. I think he was telling us that you never know what you get in a restaurant and that maybe you could end up eating a dog.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Squirrel Hunter Redux
A friend asked me if I really wanted my dog to catch a squirrel. I have to admit, I really don’t want that to happen for a couple of reasons.
1) If she does catch it, who knows what kinds of diseases the squirrel has and what my dog would then be bringing into the house
2) I have a feeling that if she ever did catch a squirrel, she’d be so happy to have caught a squirrel that she’d become even more insane in her hunting of them.
Even though I think it would be great to have her catch something she’s always desired, it definitely comes with its price.
But at this point I say, keep working at it, Foxy….because it’s cute when you start to dance and get excited when you see those darn squirrels.
1) If she does catch it, who knows what kinds of diseases the squirrel has and what my dog would then be bringing into the house
2) I have a feeling that if she ever did catch a squirrel, she’d be so happy to have caught a squirrel that she’d become even more insane in her hunting of them.
Even though I think it would be great to have her catch something she’s always desired, it definitely comes with its price.
But at this point I say, keep working at it, Foxy….because it’s cute when you start to dance and get excited when you see those darn squirrels.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Horsing Around
Last time I checked I work in an office building. But lately, I feel like I’ve been working in a stable or on an equestrian course. Throughout a normal 8 hours I head a thunder of thumping that moves the floor beneath my feet and makes my cubicle glass shake. I’m surprised I haven’t heard any neighing yet.
I can’t understand why so many people walk so heavily. Does it have something to do with weight? Because I know I barely make noise when I walk. Or does it have to do with the speed or pace at which people are walking? I take my time to get to places on the floor. (Unless I need to go the bathroom but even then, I don’t run)
What I’ve also noticed is that a lot of women in heels walk really loudly. They aren’t the only ones because even men in their loafers boom when they walk. It’s one of those quandaries I’ve had lately because it has been so apparent to me. Maybe if I actually go to a stable and hear this noise more often, then what I hear at work won’t even bother me.
I can’t understand why so many people walk so heavily. Does it have something to do with weight? Because I know I barely make noise when I walk. Or does it have to do with the speed or pace at which people are walking? I take my time to get to places on the floor. (Unless I need to go the bathroom but even then, I don’t run)
What I’ve also noticed is that a lot of women in heels walk really loudly. They aren’t the only ones because even men in their loafers boom when they walk. It’s one of those quandaries I’ve had lately because it has been so apparent to me. Maybe if I actually go to a stable and hear this noise more often, then what I hear at work won’t even bother me.
The Squirrel Hunter
Foxy is a great dog. She’s very obedient and affectionate. She loves the outdoors and because of that can barely contain her excitement when she goes for her daily walks. She does spectacular pirouettes when she sees us grab her leash. Even if we hide our attempts, she somehow always senses when she is going to go out.
Part of why Foxy loves the outdoors so much has to do with sticks. She loves to find them and bring them to me or my husband so we can play fetch. She also adores rolling around in the grass. I don’t blame her! I love the feel of grass under my feet as well. As you might remember she thinks snow is the best thing since chocolate. Honestly though, the main reason Foxy likes to go outside is to locate her nemeses. Squirrels!
Whenever she sees one walking becomes an exercise in terror. She drags you towards her focal point with no regard of your health or ability to follow her. There were times where I could see myself crashing into a tree while trying to stop her. I have hit numerous garbage cans on Foxy’s squirrel hunting parades.
The other day though, Foxy and I were in the dog run. I was sitting on a bench reading when I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Foxy had lowered down on the ground as if she were going to take a nap. I don’t allow that on our walks because Foxy should either be walking or socializing with other dogs. Foxy was crouched down for the kill looking at a squirrel just a foot or so in front of her. The squirrel sat there in the wide open range of her prey eating an acorn or whatever it is that city squirrels eat. The thing didn’t even notice.
I looked around and people were watching Foxy looking at the squirrel. Some one even took a picture. I did too because it was pretty funny. I started to coax Foxy into pouncing on the squirrel but she remained motionless. It seemed like an eternity passed as she focus on the furry tailed menace. Then the little vermin moved up the tree and Foxy ran towards it. She missed the squirrel completely, of course. I was disheartened because I really wanted her to finally catch the pesky critter whose family has brought such hell into my life.
The good thing is that spring is coming so Foxy will have plenty of chances to try to catch more squirrels. The bad news is I’m not getting any stronger or better at controlling her on her squirrel hunting romps.
Part of why Foxy loves the outdoors so much has to do with sticks. She loves to find them and bring them to me or my husband so we can play fetch. She also adores rolling around in the grass. I don’t blame her! I love the feel of grass under my feet as well. As you might remember she thinks snow is the best thing since chocolate. Honestly though, the main reason Foxy likes to go outside is to locate her nemeses. Squirrels!
Whenever she sees one walking becomes an exercise in terror. She drags you towards her focal point with no regard of your health or ability to follow her. There were times where I could see myself crashing into a tree while trying to stop her. I have hit numerous garbage cans on Foxy’s squirrel hunting parades.
The other day though, Foxy and I were in the dog run. I was sitting on a bench reading when I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Foxy had lowered down on the ground as if she were going to take a nap. I don’t allow that on our walks because Foxy should either be walking or socializing with other dogs. Foxy was crouched down for the kill looking at a squirrel just a foot or so in front of her. The squirrel sat there in the wide open range of her prey eating an acorn or whatever it is that city squirrels eat. The thing didn’t even notice.
I looked around and people were watching Foxy looking at the squirrel. Some one even took a picture. I did too because it was pretty funny. I started to coax Foxy into pouncing on the squirrel but she remained motionless. It seemed like an eternity passed as she focus on the furry tailed menace. Then the little vermin moved up the tree and Foxy ran towards it. She missed the squirrel completely, of course. I was disheartened because I really wanted her to finally catch the pesky critter whose family has brought such hell into my life.
The good thing is that spring is coming so Foxy will have plenty of chances to try to catch more squirrels. The bad news is I’m not getting any stronger or better at controlling her on her squirrel hunting romps.
Friday, March 4, 2011
The Disposable Woman??
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/04/opinion/04holmes.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp
This article is so on point that I had to write about it. In the last few months (and even years) I have been utterly appalled by Charlie Sheen’s (and other men’s behavior) behavior in general but more so towards women.
They get tons of publicity for acting like the biggest jerks that they are. That offends me completely. And they are seen as heroes!! While females who act the same way are seen as sad and are mocked. (Something the article makes reference to as well) What’s the darn difference? If you are having a mental breakdown or you have drug issues, you are all sad and should be helped.
With the latest stuff that happened with Mr. Sheen (and Tiger Woods and others), I seriously didn’t care to hear what had happened. I just kept wishing someone would beat him to centimeters of his life (I know that my solution here isn’t solving anything and is only doing the same thing that he does but I just feel as though he will never learn unless his life is threatened. Perhaps beating him isn’t the way but it’s just for lack of another solution). I just can’t understand the privileged thinking that it’s ok if you drink and take drugs and beat women. He’s gotten off on almost every incident. I’m tired of seeing his smug face on tv, in magazines and on newspapers. Just stop talking about him and maybe then, he’ll act differently. (Once again, I know I’m not helping with this entry but I needed to vent!)
This article is so on point that I had to write about it. In the last few months (and even years) I have been utterly appalled by Charlie Sheen’s (and other men’s behavior) behavior in general but more so towards women.
They get tons of publicity for acting like the biggest jerks that they are. That offends me completely. And they are seen as heroes!! While females who act the same way are seen as sad and are mocked. (Something the article makes reference to as well) What’s the darn difference? If you are having a mental breakdown or you have drug issues, you are all sad and should be helped.
With the latest stuff that happened with Mr. Sheen (and Tiger Woods and others), I seriously didn’t care to hear what had happened. I just kept wishing someone would beat him to centimeters of his life (I know that my solution here isn’t solving anything and is only doing the same thing that he does but I just feel as though he will never learn unless his life is threatened. Perhaps beating him isn’t the way but it’s just for lack of another solution). I just can’t understand the privileged thinking that it’s ok if you drink and take drugs and beat women. He’s gotten off on almost every incident. I’m tired of seeing his smug face on tv, in magazines and on newspapers. Just stop talking about him and maybe then, he’ll act differently. (Once again, I know I’m not helping with this entry but I needed to vent!)
Anti-Acronym
I don’t know if it’s because of sheer laziness or technology but acronyms are all over the place. It creates so much confusion. At work there are so many used and the assumption usually is that everyone knows what the acronyms mean. Most of the time people don’t and they are too afraid to ask because they don’t want to seem uninformed. I understand that feeling because usually depending on the context of the discussion, the acronym can change.
Let me give you an example.
The other day I was watching ESPN and they were giving statistics about two teams and their history whenever they met up. On one of the records they talked about how someone had a GW point. I sat there in total confusion because usually when I use GW as an acronym, it refers to the George Washington bridge. But George Washington point?? Huh?? I had to think about what I was watching and I realized it referred to the ‘Game Winning’ point.
Another example of the acronym based on context is when I first started on my old project. I was getting introduced to the project and someone said CPR. I sat there wondering what the heck Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation had to do with my project. I didn’t say anything because I knew I was missing something. As I read some information about the scope of the project, I realized one of the products we were verifying was Compliance Product Reporting…hence CPR. But you can imagine my facial expression when I heard this. I felt like I didn’t have enough coffee or that I was somehow having some surreal dream.
I know it seems silly that I am even bringing this stuff up. Unless you use an explanation before or after you use an acronym, it might be good to not assume people understand. I know I should be doing the work and putting two and two together. But I find that more and more people have the same confusion I do. So am I in the majority or in the minority?
Let me give you an example.
The other day I was watching ESPN and they were giving statistics about two teams and their history whenever they met up. On one of the records they talked about how someone had a GW point. I sat there in total confusion because usually when I use GW as an acronym, it refers to the George Washington bridge. But George Washington point?? Huh?? I had to think about what I was watching and I realized it referred to the ‘Game Winning’ point.
Another example of the acronym based on context is when I first started on my old project. I was getting introduced to the project and someone said CPR. I sat there wondering what the heck Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation had to do with my project. I didn’t say anything because I knew I was missing something. As I read some information about the scope of the project, I realized one of the products we were verifying was Compliance Product Reporting…hence CPR. But you can imagine my facial expression when I heard this. I felt like I didn’t have enough coffee or that I was somehow having some surreal dream.
I know it seems silly that I am even bringing this stuff up. Unless you use an explanation before or after you use an acronym, it might be good to not assume people understand. I know I should be doing the work and putting two and two together. But I find that more and more people have the same confusion I do. So am I in the majority or in the minority?
Thursday, March 3, 2011
ABC's and 123's
Not everyone has the gift for mathematics and spelling. I can completely understand that this happens. However, when people exaggerate things that are mathematically impossible, I really wonder why they bother to make references to it at all.
For instance there are two locations that my company has in Lower Manhattan that are perhaps 15 minutes apart if you are walking very slowly. If you are taking the subway, it’s probably 5 minutes. One person that I know consistently says that if she were to commute from the current location to the other location that is only 5 minutes away, that her commute would increase by a half hour.
She would have to be counting waiting time, I think. Because the subway ride from one location to the other is 5 minutes, I’ve timed it. And I’ve walked from both locations and the max is 15 minutes. I know she’s not walking….so…how did this commute get so drawn out?
Now I am pretty sure this person never watched Sesame Street because if she did, it would be easy for her to count and how to read minutes on a clock/watch. And it never really goes above 5 minutes…I’m guessing she is saying this so people will feel sorry for her. But I don’t because we all have to commute! Some of us longer than others, I agree. But none of it is fun and the commute length is due to where you live. If it drives you so crazy to have such a long commute, find a job closer to home. Stop complaining about it. And also learn how to count!
For instance there are two locations that my company has in Lower Manhattan that are perhaps 15 minutes apart if you are walking very slowly. If you are taking the subway, it’s probably 5 minutes. One person that I know consistently says that if she were to commute from the current location to the other location that is only 5 minutes away, that her commute would increase by a half hour.
She would have to be counting waiting time, I think. Because the subway ride from one location to the other is 5 minutes, I’ve timed it. And I’ve walked from both locations and the max is 15 minutes. I know she’s not walking….so…how did this commute get so drawn out?
Now I am pretty sure this person never watched Sesame Street because if she did, it would be easy for her to count and how to read minutes on a clock/watch. And it never really goes above 5 minutes…I’m guessing she is saying this so people will feel sorry for her. But I don’t because we all have to commute! Some of us longer than others, I agree. But none of it is fun and the commute length is due to where you live. If it drives you so crazy to have such a long commute, find a job closer to home. Stop complaining about it. And also learn how to count!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Nostalgia
Lately all I have been thinking about is my college days. It all started when one of my coworkers and I discussed how much easier it was in school. Of course she said that she doesn’t mind not having the homework anymore. I disagreed with her in the sense that we still have assignments that need to be completed. They are our deliverables. Although it’s true that we may not necessarily take them home with us like homework, they are still deadlines.
Honestly though my brain was far more stimulated in college. All my classes were so interesting to me. Professors were people I respected who could articulate ideas and thoughts for most of the students to understand. I hardly ever feel stimulated at work. I don’t always feel that I am learning which is the opposite of how I felt in school. I feel like everyone has a hidden agenda at work which I didn’t feel in college. Yes, they did outside of the classroom, I’m sure but the common goal was to get the major project/paper done or to pass the test.
In the work world, even when I get the paper done and I pass the test, I don’t move onto the next level. Of course I realize that the measurement of these levels is different between the work and school world. In the school world, it’s a grade for the completion of an assignment or you move onto the next grade. In the work world, you finish one assignment and then you move onto the next assignment. Sometimes you get recognition in the form of:
Good Job!
This was a horrible presentation!
Next time, you can do this instead.
Or, you can get recognition in moving up the chain of command. Truthfully, I enjoyed the reassurance of the grades better. It was more direct and it was far more understandable than the commentary I get at work on a daily basis.
Honestly though my brain was far more stimulated in college. All my classes were so interesting to me. Professors were people I respected who could articulate ideas and thoughts for most of the students to understand. I hardly ever feel stimulated at work. I don’t always feel that I am learning which is the opposite of how I felt in school. I feel like everyone has a hidden agenda at work which I didn’t feel in college. Yes, they did outside of the classroom, I’m sure but the common goal was to get the major project/paper done or to pass the test.
In the work world, even when I get the paper done and I pass the test, I don’t move onto the next level. Of course I realize that the measurement of these levels is different between the work and school world. In the school world, it’s a grade for the completion of an assignment or you move onto the next grade. In the work world, you finish one assignment and then you move onto the next assignment. Sometimes you get recognition in the form of:
Good Job!
This was a horrible presentation!
Next time, you can do this instead.
Or, you can get recognition in moving up the chain of command. Truthfully, I enjoyed the reassurance of the grades better. It was more direct and it was far more understandable than the commentary I get at work on a daily basis.
The Cleaning Lady
A couple of weeks ago I called a cleaning company to use a coupon that I had gotten. The coupon stipulated having 4 hours of cleaning in your apartment. Normally, I wouldn’t use a cleaning person because I do a lot of the cleaning myself. My husband helps too. But I didn’t want to lose this coupon so I had to use it.
We had just gone through a number of visits so I wanted to begin anew.
The woman arrived and I told her that I mostly wanted to start from scratch – clean everything in the kitchen and bathroom so it was shiny and new. As she was in the middle of the cleaning in the walkway from the kitchen to the bathroom, who should stop by but my dad. The cleaning lady said very festively ‘Hello!’ I could see the problem already…my dad’s confused face said it all.
I walked up to him and told him that he could find my husband outside. As you can see I was trying to get rid of him because I didn’t want to hear the ensuing complaints that were going to be lodged my way.
The cleaning lady did a pretty respectable job and she left. The next thing I hear is the phone ring and a message being left on my answering machine from my mom.
‘Angie, if you need help cleaning, why don’t you ask me?’
Ugh…it probably only took three minutes for my dad to report the incident to my mom…and a few minutes later the phone call was made.
What I can understand about my parents is why this was a fast breaking update while other stuff is only reported months after the event. For instance, I told my mom month’s ago that my husband and I were going away with the dogs. The day before our departure, my dad informed me that he was upset that he only found out that very day. When I told him that I had told my mom months ago, he replied
“Well, she only told me today!”
One day I might understand what topics travel the fastest with my parents. As far as I can understand right now, womanly/wifely duty is obviously high on the list but vacations…not so much.
We had just gone through a number of visits so I wanted to begin anew.
The woman arrived and I told her that I mostly wanted to start from scratch – clean everything in the kitchen and bathroom so it was shiny and new. As she was in the middle of the cleaning in the walkway from the kitchen to the bathroom, who should stop by but my dad. The cleaning lady said very festively ‘Hello!’ I could see the problem already…my dad’s confused face said it all.
I walked up to him and told him that he could find my husband outside. As you can see I was trying to get rid of him because I didn’t want to hear the ensuing complaints that were going to be lodged my way.
The cleaning lady did a pretty respectable job and she left. The next thing I hear is the phone ring and a message being left on my answering machine from my mom.
‘Angie, if you need help cleaning, why don’t you ask me?’
Ugh…it probably only took three minutes for my dad to report the incident to my mom…and a few minutes later the phone call was made.
What I can understand about my parents is why this was a fast breaking update while other stuff is only reported months after the event. For instance, I told my mom month’s ago that my husband and I were going away with the dogs. The day before our departure, my dad informed me that he was upset that he only found out that very day. When I told him that I had told my mom months ago, he replied
“Well, she only told me today!”
One day I might understand what topics travel the fastest with my parents. As far as I can understand right now, womanly/wifely duty is obviously high on the list but vacations…not so much.
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