If I can think it...

How do I patent an idea? GPS reminder. Have you ever thought of a restaurant or other great destination you would like to visit when next you were in the area? Then there should be a GPS app to note places or things you would like to do once you are in the area. Then when you're there again t reminds you! Mark Zuckerberg you better stay clear!!! Google would be the best way because their maps are already most frequently used.

Marathon running vs running your mouth, equally dangerous.

Sitting at home in Boston today and there's a lot going on. Much more of the types of goings ons than anyone would care to have. The world (at least the internet connected one) has heard by now, about what I am coining as the Boston Marathon massacre. Three people died. A lot less than the first massacre, but death, in no form is acceptable to humans. We were made to live. More and more in this crazy world, the issue of life and death is weighed constantly, even in conversations that seem so harmless! Honestly, I don't feel the urgency of the situation -even while all public transportation is halted and everyone is told to stay indoors- as much as when I hear words that mean prison and death.. Speaking about eliminating freedoms is death. Speaking about eliminating an entire people's freedoms or rounding up a race or ethnic group of people for judgement because of a person's actions is genocide. The bible says that "Death and life are in the power of the tongue..." Phrases like "immigrant reform" and "foreign policy" don't exactly have a human friendly tone.

Where I work, I have seen folks go overboard on policies that hurt the innocent; in a field that affects people's livelihoods indirectly; and it's usually because someone slipped through their fingers. But don't you just hate when management sends out an email reminding everyone how to do their jobs because one person somewhere forgot how to do theirs? We all ask - Why didn't they just talk with that person?

I was listening to a woman on an episode of Weekend Aristocrats, a reality program on Plum TV where the word "million" gets tossed around like a football on Sunday. Mind you, I am not a reality show buff but reality tv tends to show us what society is coming to. So a group of 30 somethings attending a function hosted at the Chillingworth Castle were delighting in a conversation with the owner sir Humphry Wakefield a 77 year old baronet, the way a group of children delight in teasing a caged monkey. And as I suspected, it became severely painful to watch as he was baited by them and the situation ended in a tense stance with him on the defensive. He ever so gentlemanly and civilly kept trying to explain that he was being quite frank yet not politically correct, he knew but he held that choosing the right genetic disposition in a person can improve a family's chances of success socially, physically and economically. It's not hard to figure whose side I am on in this fight. I am generally on the side of the defenseless. No, not the average blokes and lassies who decided to spring for a castle venue- probably placing themselves more in the bankrupt state than they already are- then pitting themselves against one man albeit of the caliber, the likes of which they, weren't used to rubbing shoulders with, then being surprised by what he says when they expect him to say exactly that! (such like the imbecility of the children now screaming after being pelted with monkey poop). No, I feel for the old man who is forced to let his home for a celebration of dimwitted barbarians who see themselves civilized. A particular woman on the attack from the group turned on the poor man with the look of death when he said that he could make an argument based on successful families that a marriage of unequal stature would be unwise. At least he had empirical data!

Was she right in now vehemently voicing her disgust? Sure! but he was also entitled to his theory. They asked the question! Did he get upset at her reaction? no! He was a gentleman. You know, if you ask someone with a lesser background who would be their dream partner, they usually say someone rich. However jokingly. She was just mad that he was basically saying she didn't stand a chance with him even if he were younger. Fair and square to me! If I don't like what or who you are then I won't marry you. Some people are so self righteous that they sometimes forget their own prejudices and instead issue death dealing judgement to others who air theirs. I know my own prejudices and honestly I try not to air them in a drunken state because it just wouldn't be wise. Truth is we all just want to be liked but let's face it most people don't like us. Having a human understanding and respect for the next person is probably the next best thing to liking me and I'll take it any day in a world where mob mentality is everywhere.
On that note I think this method could help people feeling like outcasts maybe accept it, deal with it and live their life anyway. I understand it's hard fitting in, I don't feel I do often but I don't want people to die! Combatting terrorism starts with looking at ideals. Strongly held ideals don't wither overnight. People have to be reasoned with in an exchange to understand why they feel that way. We tend to approach things in a head on a stick manner. Tolerance and respect for life can be a short order solution. Really I'm not qualified to tell anyone what to do but War is the campaign of those who have the presence of mind to see the future but don't mind not living to see it.

At the end of the day the lesson here is simple old baronets should not drink while in company of; and hence allow their guard to be let down and end up in conversations with; the plebeians.

On a health kick

I have been absent I know. Hey who really has time to do this? It truly requires dedication. So give some applause to me for getting back because I am dedicated. Right? I can hear the "yeah right"s echoing across the land now. Well, like I said I've been on a health kick and sort of a fitness kick because of course it's been quite some time since that bike ride and me almost making it back to my size 4 (The ghostly figure I reach for and it fades into the mist in my hands never to be graspable ever again). I am not endorsing this image by the way. I have become quite happy with being decently figured. Sometimes skinny looks horrible on people. So I try to find ways to up my fitness level before I turn into a pumpkin (shape). Ever heard of this Insanity program? If you have maybe you were sick one day from work and ended up on the couch watching daytime tv and saw the "for just 3 payments of ..." ad. Exactly what happened to me and for the first time ever I called that 1800 number for my special offer. It cost much- to put it nicely- but I was determined to prove that it worked if I worked. So I started pounding the mat and the sweat poured and then all I noticed was that I was getting stronger but less and less able to walk up or down stairs. I visited my doctor and he said I developed patellar's syndrome. Well what is that?? It means that the moving tracks on the front of my knees that stretch and contract when I bend and extend were coming out of alignment. So doc what do I have to do? He said "rest". And how did I develop this condition doc? "most likely the intense exercises you've been doing." So how do I prevent it from happening again doc? "Through exercise as your legs and knees get stronger" So how do I strengthen them if I can't exercise doc? "I know it's a vicious cycle but for now rest and you can start physical therapy." Well there goes my health kick! I know...don't worry that I've given up - I haven't- I'll be back Shaun T! and I'll be cursing at the screen just like before!

Hot (cool) now

Cucumber fizz and all cucumber flavored drinks are in and I am imbibing till I drop. The cool, fresh, mild taste of cucumber is so inviting any time of the year. It's perfect in the fall and even more perfect in the summer as an ice-cream flavor. I always head over to JP Licks for tubs of homemade cucumber ice-cream. Come see if you can spot me!

Phenomenal people have lived and passed on like Steve Jobs and many people will write about him and wax nostalgic ( I've always wanted to use that phrase but now its anti-climatic) finding lessons and meanings for themselves in things he's said. I myself am not immune to the worldwide gasping and reflection. I never knew the man. Not in the remotest bit, nor his history, but I do remember being in grade school where we used an old dirty-cream Apple desktop computer with its rainbow colored apple symbol used back then. I also recall being somewhat reintroduced to Macintosh by a boyfriend in 1997 and that was the point at which I knew there was something special about a Mac. Not because of him but because using a Mac gives you a feeling, a feeling like you can do something. Like you can make something, like you, even you, are intelligent enough to use this. It's conscientious computing, with a personality, with a 'soul'. It is the innovator's computer - it thinks the way we do - full of ourselves and introspective, always searching for meaning. Although I wasn't wise enough at that young age to know that I should purchase stocks in Apple, I put stock in Mac as a computer I trusted to own.

At the time, I also was unaware that Steve Jobs had just been rejoined to Apple. Subsequently, the breakthrough came and suddenly Apple reemerged, shaking off the dust and back in black (white) like never before. Bringing out their Ipods, pads and aspiring to turn laptops into thin air. I was jealous, but only because they monopolized everything. I couldn't stand their Agreements and felt forced  like a captive slave to agree to their terms. I resented their order and know it all technology whilst everyone else was constantly trying to keep up. I grew suspicious of them and yet in 2009 I settled on getting a laptop and where else would I go for the simplicity of having a worry free computer experience? Apple of course! Even so, I can still see room for improvement. When something unimaginable is realized, the mind then becomes rabid with ideas and one is able to conceive of what seemed to be impossible before.

Now the task will fall on someone new. Some new innovator stepping in to fill giant shoes. Steve Jobs knew this when he said

"...Death...is life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you , but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away."

I found a common thought process with the man, nothing special I'm sure many people do in that he used death as a motivator and aid in decision making. I found other thoughts in common with him now. When before, I never had the time to be interested in anything he had to say. But that's always the case with us fickle beings. I think part of the reason I looked at his quotes now was to see how he thought but that probably would just be one aspect of what everyone thinks he is. Thinking changes with time and I'm sure he'd be abashed to see some of the quotes being posted having fallen from his mouth. I enjoyed some of the quotes such as

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma."

Today we have coined a new job title - Innovator. I can see job postings now offering such position and a job description carved from the stylings of Jobs' workload. These are the people we 'hate' and admire -The ones who live, learn and work according to their own methods, unconventionally. They dare to be in your face whether you like it or not because they are out to make money and feed their families! Steve Jobs will be remembered by many not only in his creations but because after you realize 'the man' you realize he was, and will remain an inspiration to the not so mainstream thinkers and underdogs.

I have long held my jealousy and resentment for Apple since their resurgence, boycotting their products (as I type on my Macbook) and avoiding the pod crazes and appleworld media reports. Yet when I heard of Jobs' step down from his position in August, I knew something was up. Upon his death my reaction was shock and uneasiness of sorts, for what, I wasn't sure. But then uncertainty comes with change. I'm sure the people at Apple feel the same. No matter how much you dislike a person their taking the helm and steering the ship is respected and you follow, however grumpily. That uneasiness must have been what the masses felt when Alexander the great was killed and all the power fell to his generals. It is left to be seen what road Apple will take from here and what it will become, if anything else.

In the wake of his death I couldn't help asking the views of everyone I encountered what their thoughts were on his passing. Here are some of the varying responses I received:-

"He was truly an exceptional man. It's a great loss"

"Oh well, there will be more people like him. He was not the only smart person alive"

"What do you think about Jesus dying?"

"I just hope Apple can continue to make and sell the same great products"

"Like these chickens, he's just sleeping" 

"Sad...I think it's so sad. He was still young" 

"He was born the same year as my mom, so I think that is way too young" 

 "I just hope it will slow Mac sales. It's unfortunate but I'm not overly concerned"

The Merchant of Venice

When I saw it earlier this year and when I originally wrote this review the production was a modern day version of Shakespeare's play refurbished with jocks, blondes, 5 inch heels, cell phones, Macbooks, flat screens and arcade voices. The stock-market tickers they used were actually more fitting than all of that. The only thing that kept me in my seat was the dialogue. I love reading and hearing the sweet speech of Shakespeare. People knew how to express themselves back then - 'If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been churches and poor men’s cottages princes' palaces'. Seeing the words and scenes in action was also a bit of a plus but I expected lavish sets replete with Ivory columns and victorian bannisters not wrought iron scaffolding and costumes resplendent in royal reds, lace, jeweled pastel frocks, fringes, emerald greens, gilding, curled leather shoes and gold buckles and hats with feathers. Not S and M looking strappy heels and a Filene's basement recall linen sheath. Oh well, oh well... Nevertheless the acting was humorous and attentive. I'd like to make an argument however, that if the play was so brave as to bring a modern spin on the issue then why not do away also with the stereotypical social casting of black servants? I have an acquaintance who talks about nothing else than how much the issue of race still hangs heavier in Boston than many other US cities and I usually tire of the squawks but I have to say the more I see things like this it makes me ponder the truths in the squawks and psychological roots of the problem that persists (see Shades of White Ray as a non-partisan reference)
I know I've seen the play before but this time as if for the first time I felt torn between reproach and pity for Shylock the evident protagonist played by F. Murray Abraham. The harsh treatment he received was not tempered in any way in this play. It really felt like he was an outcast and even cast aside by his daughter which I thought strangely how for the casting of characters she looked more like the blonde set than her Jewish father. Overall the Emerson filled and staffed theatre and play appealed to the cyber age. People who get excited when they see apples and xboxes. In the end I wished I went to a real play.

Un an! et plus

So my blog hit a year without an audience or at least one that shows itself. I only just noticed and I don't mind really because it's like that feeling of freedom when you think no one is looking. You sing loudly and dance, furtively swaying your hips and head wildly. Although I have been trying to learn more from veteran bloggers and surprisingly they are all extremely young, I dare say babes! A little late on the bandwagon I discovered Tavi Gevinson 15 year old blogger of the style rookie and rookie. She  has effortlessly shot up the popularity ladder. After pondering her success I am more convinced that life begins, crests and recedes before we turn 30... and there it goes. See it in the sunset? Missed like a shooting star.
Equipping our kids with a good start is extremely detrimental these days, heck, their competition is lying right next to them in the nursery at birth. In fact from the time they roll over they should recognize that the other kids in daycare are their potential customer base and their audience. But seriously, kids like Gevinson have adapted to their surroundings and learned to market what they know to who they know, doing what comes naturally and accepting who they are (at least in the beginning). I was never a business woman in my early years but I was always an innovator style wise by necessity. I always thought I'd be in music and fashion and so it comes out in my topics a lot. In the meantime hats off to Tavi and her ilk. May they take advantage of these years to benefit themselves. I will clink my champagne glass to myself -because I'm older than 21 and will find any excuse to drink champagne- for continuing the bollogness!
When you get here you can celebrate with me although it's nice to know you work alone!