December 31, 2009, according to the cardinal numbering system, marks the end of the first decade of the new millennium. Some "purists" look at the year 2000 as the last year of the old Millennium and, for them, 2010 would be the last year of the first decade starting in 2001. Using the cardinal numbering system, 2000 was the first year of the new millennium, so today is the end of the first decade.
ABC World News for 12/30/2009, identified technology as a major definer of the first decade, with Apple's iPhone as the most significant technology of the decade.
With the changes to the economies in the USA and in the world seen in 2009, many people are ready for the new decade with a positive outlook. While there may well be positive changes, year-end is also a good time to "clean-house" (even for the decade). Getting rid of receipts more than 7-years old (for the IRS) or that don't have to do with your house, may open up more room.
I'm looking forward to cleaning out lots of unused and no longer needed "things" that take-up space and crowd my thoughts.
It's also time to do lots of rethinking for the next decade. What do I want to be doing? What is the future of business, especially of the kinds of business I am involved in? What do I need to plan for? How can I build an effective support network where members can support each other?
Lots to think about this December 31st, 2009. Enjoy your evening tonight and your year-end activities!! :-)
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Old Words and Meanings--New Words?
Another person at the Delnor Wellness Center today shared with me a list of words well known by people over fifty that have fallen out of use as slang today. A news announcement in the past two months described some new words creeping into our vocabulary. unfriend was a new one for this year, meaning to take someone off of your "friend" list at a social networking site.
The words in the attached photo represent a start of words that are disappearing from slang. What others can you remember? (Click on the picture to see all the columns.)
The words in the attached photo represent a start of words that are disappearing from slang. What others can you remember? (Click on the picture to see all the columns.)
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
(Reading) Resources for Parents
In a conversation with a parent today in the therapy pool at the Delnor Wellness Center, we spoke about ways to provide enriching experiences for her two children in terms of reading and building skills useful both in school and beyond. I have written about many of these ideas in earlier posts to this blog and wanted to revisit the topic--and to provide some new posts.
A very good way for students to build reading and writing skills is to listen to unabridged audiobooks of interest to them and to read along with an unabridged companion (printed) book. The best source of these books is the local public library--in my area the St. Charles Public Library probably has the best collection. If you do not have access to a public library (which I heartily encourage for everyone), you can go online to the World Public Library and access many downloadable digital books (for visual reading) and digital audio books. An individual annual membership to the World Public Library is only $8.95 per year.
Downloadable books can be saved on iPods and MP3 players. This gives the students access to books where they keep their music and gives them that much more opportunity to read or to listen to the books.
Amazon has the Kindle digital book reader
Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, U.S. Wireless)--that also supports audio. Sony has a book reader and a European company makes a third reader (at, perhaps, a more affordable price). While downloaded books can be read on computers--I read several textbooks that way while taking online courses from the University of Phoenix--portable book readers seem to be a much preferred way to go for digital books. (You may want to explore "tablet PCs"--including a new one that may be coming out from Apple soon--to see if that will give you the most value from your investment.) Follow this link for a review of the book readers.
I have been working with an extension of the audiobook and companion book concept to review my Spanish language skills. I listen to an unabridged audiobook in English while reading its unabridged companion book in Spanish, then I listen to the unabridged audiobook in Spanish after I have read the companion book. A modification that would also work is to do what I just said, then listen to the unabridged audiobook in Spanish and read the unabridged companion book in Spanish again. This would reinforce Spanish pronunciation of the words in the book.
To improve writing skills, adults and children need to read more. Research indicates that the best writers were first very good readers. (Visit the "Using Audiobooks" link on the page.). An easy and mostly painless way to start is to find a series of books by a favorite author. (For example, the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. Visit http://drm-booklists.wikispaces.com/ and look at the tabs on the left for some suggestions.) Once the adults or children have listened to and read a few of the books in the series, they should be encouraged to create a sequel or another story using the same characters and language of their favorite author of the series. This way they have good role models for their writing and a good way to measure the quality of their writing against the work of they author they were inspired by.
These approaches can improve reading and comprehension by both children and adults and are especially valuable for second language learners. By involving multiple senses, these approaches can also help people overcome minor learning challenges that impact how they read or listen.
For those who are physically or visually challenged, the Library of Congress offers the National Library Service free for those who qualify. Qualification is a matter of certification by a doctor and then patrons receive free digital audiobooks and braile books in the mail. Visit my blog post about BARD for more details.
If you would like to see a presentation about using audiobooks to improve reading and academic performance, please follow this link to my website. (Go to the 2009 Presentation on "Using Audiobooks," then click on the link you want to use.)
If you are interested in working with me to help your children (or adults) to learn to read more, please visit my website contact page at http://www.joelmonty.net/contact/contact.htm.
A very good way for students to build reading and writing skills is to listen to unabridged audiobooks of interest to them and to read along with an unabridged companion (printed) book. The best source of these books is the local public library--in my area the St. Charles Public Library probably has the best collection. If you do not have access to a public library (which I heartily encourage for everyone), you can go online to the World Public Library and access many downloadable digital books (for visual reading) and digital audio books. An individual annual membership to the World Public Library is only $8.95 per year.
Downloadable books can be saved on iPods and MP3 players. This gives the students access to books where they keep their music and gives them that much more opportunity to read or to listen to the books.
Amazon has the Kindle digital book reader
Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, U.S. Wireless)--that also supports audio. Sony has a book reader and a European company makes a third reader (at, perhaps, a more affordable price). While downloaded books can be read on computers--I read several textbooks that way while taking online courses from the University of Phoenix--portable book readers seem to be a much preferred way to go for digital books. (You may want to explore "tablet PCs"--including a new one that may be coming out from Apple soon--to see if that will give you the most value from your investment.) Follow this link for a review of the book readers.I have been working with an extension of the audiobook and companion book concept to review my Spanish language skills. I listen to an unabridged audiobook in English while reading its unabridged companion book in Spanish, then I listen to the unabridged audiobook in Spanish after I have read the companion book. A modification that would also work is to do what I just said, then listen to the unabridged audiobook in Spanish and read the unabridged companion book in Spanish again. This would reinforce Spanish pronunciation of the words in the book.
To improve writing skills, adults and children need to read more. Research indicates that the best writers were first very good readers. (Visit the "Using Audiobooks" link on the page.). An easy and mostly painless way to start is to find a series of books by a favorite author. (For example, the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. Visit http://drm-booklists.wikispaces.com/ and look at the tabs on the left for some suggestions.) Once the adults or children have listened to and read a few of the books in the series, they should be encouraged to create a sequel or another story using the same characters and language of their favorite author of the series. This way they have good role models for their writing and a good way to measure the quality of their writing against the work of they author they were inspired by.
These approaches can improve reading and comprehension by both children and adults and are especially valuable for second language learners. By involving multiple senses, these approaches can also help people overcome minor learning challenges that impact how they read or listen.
For those who are physically or visually challenged, the Library of Congress offers the National Library Service free for those who qualify. Qualification is a matter of certification by a doctor and then patrons receive free digital audiobooks and braile books in the mail. Visit my blog post about BARD for more details.
If you would like to see a presentation about using audiobooks to improve reading and academic performance, please follow this link to my website. (Go to the 2009 Presentation on "Using Audiobooks," then click on the link you want to use.)
If you are interested in working with me to help your children (or adults) to learn to read more, please visit my website contact page at http://www.joelmonty.net/contact/contact.htm.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Learning from Experience and History--Finding Patterns that Work
Speaking with a friend the other day, I shared some meta-models that identify patterns at work. By being aware of these patterns of behavior, positive changes can be made to improve processes, workflow, and results of organizations. Two of these meta-models are the Team Tracking Tool (Slide 12) and the Shame Affect Decision Model (Slide 2).
These models capture processes at work that allow for the identification of what works and what may be missing or improved at work. They were developed by observing hundreds of hours of interactions and have proved reliable over time. In the course of our conversation it became clear that sometimes leaders in the workplace do not want to be made aware of these processes or be responsible for being able to make decisions to change what they are doing at work.
The idea of learning from experience and history are the essential ideas in my post from yesterday concerning animal spirits and the economy. The concept is also reflected in Dan Brown's two books, Angels and Demons and The DaVinci Code. I saw another example in a documentary today Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.
The challenge is to reflect on our experience and on history and to learn from these reflections. Models of processes can help in this process and, if leaders are not willing to engage in the reflection and learning process, they miss opportunities to improve and change. These opportunities may have a small window of opportunity as the economy and world events change around them.
These models capture processes at work that allow for the identification of what works and what may be missing or improved at work. They were developed by observing hundreds of hours of interactions and have proved reliable over time. In the course of our conversation it became clear that sometimes leaders in the workplace do not want to be made aware of these processes or be responsible for being able to make decisions to change what they are doing at work.
The idea of learning from experience and history are the essential ideas in my post from yesterday concerning animal spirits and the economy. The concept is also reflected in Dan Brown's two books, Angels and Demons and The DaVinci Code. I saw another example in a documentary today Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.
The challenge is to reflect on our experience and on history and to learn from these reflections. Models of processes can help in this process and, if leaders are not willing to engage in the reflection and learning process, they miss opportunities to improve and change. These opportunities may have a small window of opportunity as the economy and world events change around them.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Animal Spirits: How Human Psychology Drives the Economy and Why it Matters for Global Capitalism
In exploring Audible.com today I came across the audiobook Animal Spirits: How Human Psychology Drives the Economy and Why it Matters for Global Capitalism by
George A. Akerlof and Robert J. Shiller.
I am still exploring the book and find it very interesting to use the filter of "animal spirits" to explore recent changes in the world's economy. These concepts address issues of confidence, among others, and how that plays out in terms of unemployment and the economy as a whole.
I am looking for personal insights that I can use to guide my own responses to this economy.
I am still exploring the book and find it very interesting to use the filter of "animal spirits" to explore recent changes in the world's economy. These concepts address issues of confidence, among others, and how that plays out in terms of unemployment and the economy as a whole.
I am looking for personal insights that I can use to guide my own responses to this economy.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Processes in Aging
My mother celebrated her 95th birthday on December 18th. I have been with her much of her life and especially for the past 17 years. Six years ago she had a CT-Scan of her head and her neurologist reported that some of Mom's brain processes were slowing down due to age. Other doctors have reported some of her diverticulae wearing out in her digestive track and have recommended certain foods for her to eat. She has age-related macular degeneration in both eyes and has lost quite a bit of central vision in her left eye.
I speak of her memory as a "swiss cheese" memory--some of it is solid and suddenly, without warning, she "falls into a hole." When she finds her self in a "hole" the good news for her to remember is that she will soon be back on the solid part of her memory.
She does not, thank God, have Alsheimers. She does have an aging brain and, fortunately, has been on supplemental oxygen for about four years--this provides the oxygen-rich environment the brain needs to stay as healthy as it can for as long as it can.
Her personality has not changed and she is still as independent as she can be and is interested in the National Geographic, the Smithsonian, Time, Reader's Digest, and other current magazines. With a note from her eye doctor, she now receives materials from the Library of Congress-National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (see other posts for more details).
We used to enjoy watching videos (DVDs or video-cassettes) and listening to audiobooks together. Recently (in the last month), Mom has noticed that her processing needs more time to understand speech--that is, she cannot understand what is being said on the DVDs or videos--and sometimes even the audiobooks--because the action and the voices speak too rapidly for her processing speed to catch up.
I have noticed that she still enjoys reading large print books. Some of her favorites are Lilian Jackson Braun's "Cat Who" series. She know the characters and can follow the action at her own pace.
I'm glad she still enjoys reading and we can have good conversations as long as I speak slowly and clearly and in a bright enough light for her to watch my lips as I speak. Mom is hard of hearing and has good hearing aids. At this point these hearing aids are more frustration than help because she cannot process what she hears quickly enough for her to follow or to engage in conversations taking place in "normal time."
I believe these changes are normal and are important for me to follow--it may happen to me some day as well. I know I need to adjust my expectations to match her changes--that allows me to respond to her well. Rather than being frustrated by what she can no longer do, I need to continue to appreciate what she can do and has done.
I'm blessed to have her in my life for this long and I am glad her quality of life has not "lost all of its flavor" for her. She is sleeping more (and dreaming a lot). We still have fun together and I'm more and more aware of how quickly things can change.
I speak of her memory as a "swiss cheese" memory--some of it is solid and suddenly, without warning, she "falls into a hole." When she finds her self in a "hole" the good news for her to remember is that she will soon be back on the solid part of her memory.
She does not, thank God, have Alsheimers. She does have an aging brain and, fortunately, has been on supplemental oxygen for about four years--this provides the oxygen-rich environment the brain needs to stay as healthy as it can for as long as it can.
Her personality has not changed and she is still as independent as she can be and is interested in the National Geographic, the Smithsonian, Time, Reader's Digest, and other current magazines. With a note from her eye doctor, she now receives materials from the Library of Congress-National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (see other posts for more details).
We used to enjoy watching videos (DVDs or video-cassettes) and listening to audiobooks together. Recently (in the last month), Mom has noticed that her processing needs more time to understand speech--that is, she cannot understand what is being said on the DVDs or videos--and sometimes even the audiobooks--because the action and the voices speak too rapidly for her processing speed to catch up.
I have noticed that she still enjoys reading large print books. Some of her favorites are Lilian Jackson Braun's "Cat Who" series. She know the characters and can follow the action at her own pace.
I'm glad she still enjoys reading and we can have good conversations as long as I speak slowly and clearly and in a bright enough light for her to watch my lips as I speak. Mom is hard of hearing and has good hearing aids. At this point these hearing aids are more frustration than help because she cannot process what she hears quickly enough for her to follow or to engage in conversations taking place in "normal time."
I believe these changes are normal and are important for me to follow--it may happen to me some day as well. I know I need to adjust my expectations to match her changes--that allows me to respond to her well. Rather than being frustrated by what she can no longer do, I need to continue to appreciate what she can do and has done.
I'm blessed to have her in my life for this long and I am glad her quality of life has not "lost all of its flavor" for her. She is sleeping more (and dreaming a lot). We still have fun together and I'm more and more aware of how quickly things can change.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas!!
Merry Christmas!!
Christmas is an important tradition in my family, from the spiritual focus of the holy event celebrated by Christians around the world to the family traditions of gathering together in loving, piece, joy, and sharing.
Both Mom and Dad had important memories of Christmas in their family and we brought it into our family, too. As a child, I remember having Caroling parties at my home for my friends, the awe inspiring activities in the church, especially the midnight services, the Christmas tree, and, above all, the sense of togetherness and love.
Tied closely to the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, Christmas follows the longest night in the year. In cold climates, under clear conditions (different from what would have been experienced in Bethlehem at the actual birth of Jesus Christ) the stars appear closer to the earth and there is a stillness and peace that we can be aware of. It's cold outside and we appreciate the warmth of being together in front of a blazing fire in a hearth.
Our modern society seems to move at an ever increasing pace, with Internet and social networks abounding. At the same time, these powerful connections between people and, for those with faith, in terms of Spirit, make our world and our lives a richer place.
I am a follower of Christ and find Him in my heart--every day and especially today.
I love the traditions of Saint Nicholas (or Santa Claus) and appreciate the good that flows abundantly in all sorts of ways as people are inspired by the Christmas Spirit.
Christmas is a good time to reflect and to give thanks for all the blessings we experience on a daily basis. I am certainly thankful and look at all of the Christmases I have experienced so far as a series of blessings in my life.
I feel especially blessed to be able to share it with family and friends.
Merry Christmas!!
Christmas is an important tradition in my family, from the spiritual focus of the holy event celebrated by Christians around the world to the family traditions of gathering together in loving, piece, joy, and sharing.
Both Mom and Dad had important memories of Christmas in their family and we brought it into our family, too. As a child, I remember having Caroling parties at my home for my friends, the awe inspiring activities in the church, especially the midnight services, the Christmas tree, and, above all, the sense of togetherness and love.
Tied closely to the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, Christmas follows the longest night in the year. In cold climates, under clear conditions (different from what would have been experienced in Bethlehem at the actual birth of Jesus Christ) the stars appear closer to the earth and there is a stillness and peace that we can be aware of. It's cold outside and we appreciate the warmth of being together in front of a blazing fire in a hearth.
Our modern society seems to move at an ever increasing pace, with Internet and social networks abounding. At the same time, these powerful connections between people and, for those with faith, in terms of Spirit, make our world and our lives a richer place.
I am a follower of Christ and find Him in my heart--every day and especially today.
I love the traditions of Saint Nicholas (or Santa Claus) and appreciate the good that flows abundantly in all sorts of ways as people are inspired by the Christmas Spirit.
Christmas is a good time to reflect and to give thanks for all the blessings we experience on a daily basis. I am certainly thankful and look at all of the Christmases I have experienced so far as a series of blessings in my life.
I feel especially blessed to be able to share it with family and friends.
Merry Christmas!!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas Eve with Friends and Family
It's Christmas Eve--a day for connecting with friends and family. I needed to contact four friends to ask them for help over the holidays. I actually connected "live and in person" with three of the four and left a voicemail message for the fourth friend. I haven't spoken to these friends in several months and it was great to connect with them on the day before Christmas.
My cousins who live in Wheaton, IL, had a family dinner for Christmas Eve at their home. Another cousin who lives near Milwaukee decided not to brave the weather, so there were just five of us around the family room and, later, the dinner table.
We have a tradition established many times over the past 17 years. We get together on Christmas Eve, have a potluck dinner, and enjoy each other's company. There is also a gift exchange based on each person's comfort level in giving gifts. We often have games and this year my cousin left a challenging question at everyone's place. Each question was different. One was "what traditions did you have surrounding Christmas as a child?"
My mother turned 95 on Friday, 12/18/2009. She came to the family dinner and enjoyed it--though now she is home in bed, sleeping. We have modified our games somewhat and are learning lessons about aging from our parents and from each other (the same generation of cousins).
While we are not in the days of Norman Rockwell, we do have established traditions for Christmas which really add value to our lives.
Merry Christmas, everyone!! :-)
My cousins who live in Wheaton, IL, had a family dinner for Christmas Eve at their home. Another cousin who lives near Milwaukee decided not to brave the weather, so there were just five of us around the family room and, later, the dinner table.
We have a tradition established many times over the past 17 years. We get together on Christmas Eve, have a potluck dinner, and enjoy each other's company. There is also a gift exchange based on each person's comfort level in giving gifts. We often have games and this year my cousin left a challenging question at everyone's place. Each question was different. One was "what traditions did you have surrounding Christmas as a child?"
My mother turned 95 on Friday, 12/18/2009. She came to the family dinner and enjoyed it--though now she is home in bed, sleeping. We have modified our games somewhat and are learning lessons about aging from our parents and from each other (the same generation of cousins).
While we are not in the days of Norman Rockwell, we do have established traditions for Christmas which really add value to our lives.
Merry Christmas, everyone!! :-)
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Good News for people on COBRA--Reduced Rate Extended 6 more months
President Obama recently signed legislation that allows the continuation of the COBRA Premium Subsidy for six more months--following the terms of the coverage. This means that qualified individuals pay 35% of their COBRA payments for 15 months rather than 9 months.
This legislation goes a long way to assist people to maintain adequate levels of health insurance protection while they are changing jobs.
The link does not have information about the extended coverage--perhaps that is too new for the website.
This legislation goes a long way to assist people to maintain adequate levels of health insurance protection while they are changing jobs.
The link does not have information about the extended coverage--perhaps that is too new for the website.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Non-toxic Dentistry and Health Maintenance
My mother and I had our six-month check-up at our non-toxic dentist--Dr. Marcia Basciano, with offices in Downers Grove, IL. The organization IAOMT has recognized Dr. Basciano as a Master in their fellowship.
I first heard about "biological dentists" when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2001 (on 9/11/2001, to be exact). In my research, I learned that most men with prostate cancer had an undiagnosed dental infection draining into the immune system and lowering our ability to fight off cancer. I did some research, made some phone calls, and found Dr. Janet Stopka as the closest biological dentist to where I lived in the Chicago suburbs. Dr. Stopka and Dr. Basciano shared offices at that time. About one year ago Dr. Stopka moved her practice to an office in Palos Heights, IL--about one hour of driving time beyond Dr. Basciano's office. Both are active in the IAOMT.
These doctors have made a commitment to keep toxic materials out of the body and help patients remove old fillings with mercury and other dental materials that are toxic.
Dr. Stopka found a half-finished root canal in 2001 that had been draining into my immune system for many months. She went-in and cleaned everything up. I have been going to this office since 2001 and my Mom started going in 2003.
Today was a good day, we both had cleanings and no cavities. It is extremely important to keep checking on dental health and hygiene because of their impact on the immune system and quality of life. Members of the IAOMT are committed to be non-toxic and I have been very successful in working with them.
I first heard about "biological dentists" when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2001 (on 9/11/2001, to be exact). In my research, I learned that most men with prostate cancer had an undiagnosed dental infection draining into the immune system and lowering our ability to fight off cancer. I did some research, made some phone calls, and found Dr. Janet Stopka as the closest biological dentist to where I lived in the Chicago suburbs. Dr. Stopka and Dr. Basciano shared offices at that time. About one year ago Dr. Stopka moved her practice to an office in Palos Heights, IL--about one hour of driving time beyond Dr. Basciano's office. Both are active in the IAOMT.
These doctors have made a commitment to keep toxic materials out of the body and help patients remove old fillings with mercury and other dental materials that are toxic.
Dr. Stopka found a half-finished root canal in 2001 that had been draining into my immune system for many months. She went-in and cleaned everything up. I have been going to this office since 2001 and my Mom started going in 2003.
Today was a good day, we both had cleanings and no cavities. It is extremely important to keep checking on dental health and hygiene because of their impact on the immune system and quality of life. Members of the IAOMT are committed to be non-toxic and I have been very successful in working with them.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Christmas, Holidays, and eCard Reminders
This year I subscribed to BlueMountain e-cards and am sending most of my Christmas cards--and the other cards I send throughout the year--through that service. They have some wonderful interactive cards for anyone on e-mail. (Most of the people on my mailing list are on e-mail.)
Here's a link to one of my favorite Christmas cards this year--for the readers of this blog.
It's nice to be able to send friends and families cards to remind them that we're thinking of them and e-cards are a great way for me to do that. For a few family members who won't make the family gathering this year (several cousins get together in the Wheaton, IL, area and my Mom joins us), I've also sent a one-month subscription to Netflix.
These little reminders are wonderful ways to treat and inspire without breaking the bank or paying lots for very little. I appreciate the vendors for their service, too.
Here's a link to one of my favorite Christmas cards this year--for the readers of this blog.
It's nice to be able to send friends and families cards to remind them that we're thinking of them and e-cards are a great way for me to do that. For a few family members who won't make the family gathering this year (several cousins get together in the Wheaton, IL, area and my Mom joins us), I've also sent a one-month subscription to Netflix.
These little reminders are wonderful ways to treat and inspire without breaking the bank or paying lots for very little. I appreciate the vendors for their service, too.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Public Libraries--Resources for All Ages--Free
I have been working with public libraries for years and today began to reflect on how they provide resources for all ages--free. I had been working with K-12 students and have been working with unabridged audiobooks and companion print books from the library to help students improve their reading and academic performance.
Recently I had to prepare to take a battery of Spanish tests for the Department of Justice and found multiple resources to help me prepare for the exam.
My 95-year-old mother has age-related macular degeneration and has loved the "Cat Who" books by Lilian Jackson Braun. The library had copies of almost all of the books in the series in large-print editions. The Library of Congress, through its National Library Service, is providing the blind and physical handicapped of all ages with talking books--a free service.
Recently I had to prepare to take a battery of Spanish tests for the Department of Justice and found multiple resources to help me prepare for the exam.
My 95-year-old mother has age-related macular degeneration and has loved the "Cat Who" books by Lilian Jackson Braun. The library had copies of almost all of the books in the series in large-print editions. The Library of Congress, through its National Library Service, is providing the blind and physical handicapped of all ages with talking books--a free service.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
H1N1 Vaccination for Mom--one day after her 95th birthday
In several other posts I have written about the H1N1 vaccination. Today my mother received her H1N1 vaccination at the Carol Stream Dominicks' pharmacy--one day after her 95th birthday.
On December 18th the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) authorized the H1N1 vaccine for anyone who wanted the vaccination. The Carol Stream Dominicks pharmacy received 160 doses.
The earlier information from the CDC indicated that, once sufficient supplies were available, everyone who wanted a vaccination should get one. Mom had her seasonal flu shot (also at the same Dominicks) on August 26th and we had to wait until they received their supply yesterday--on Mom's birthday. We chose to get the vaccination the day after her birthday.
We have both been fortunate to have had both the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 shot without showing any flu-like symptoms this year.
On December 18th the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) authorized the H1N1 vaccine for anyone who wanted the vaccination. The Carol Stream Dominicks pharmacy received 160 doses.
The earlier information from the CDC indicated that, once sufficient supplies were available, everyone who wanted a vaccination should get one. Mom had her seasonal flu shot (also at the same Dominicks) on August 26th and we had to wait until they received their supply yesterday--on Mom's birthday. We chose to get the vaccination the day after her birthday.
We have both been fortunate to have had both the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 shot without showing any flu-like symptoms this year.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Thanks, Charlie, You've Made a Difference in My Life and Mom's 95th Birthday
Tonight is "offically" Charles Gibson's final night on ABC World News. I have been watching Charlie on ABC for more than 20 years--he's been in the business for 34 years and I'm sure I saw some of his earlier programs as well.
Somehow I felt I could trust Charlie Gibson and felt good having him in my living room (or wherever) on Good Morning America, ABC World News, and the many other programs. He has made me an observer with him at turning points in U.S. history--such as the inaguration of President Barack Obama.
He has felt like a real friend, though I have never met nor spoken to him in person. I will miss him. I especially liked the team of Charlie Gibson and Diane Sawyer on ABC--for several years on Good Morning America. It's interesting that Charlie left Good Morning America to take over ABC World News after the death of Peter Jennings. Now Diane has left Good Morning America to take over ABC World News as Charlie retires. I wish him well in his retirement and hope to see him doing what he loves.
Thanks, Charlie,
You have made a difference in my life and I appreciate you.
Speaking of Making a Difference in My Life,
Today is my mother's 95th birthday, born December 18, 1914. Happy Birthday, Mom!!
Somehow I felt I could trust Charlie Gibson and felt good having him in my living room (or wherever) on Good Morning America, ABC World News, and the many other programs. He has made me an observer with him at turning points in U.S. history--such as the inaguration of President Barack Obama.
He has felt like a real friend, though I have never met nor spoken to him in person. I will miss him. I especially liked the team of Charlie Gibson and Diane Sawyer on ABC--for several years on Good Morning America. It's interesting that Charlie left Good Morning America to take over ABC World News after the death of Peter Jennings. Now Diane has left Good Morning America to take over ABC World News as Charlie retires. I wish him well in his retirement and hope to see him doing what he loves.
Thanks, Charlie,
You have made a difference in my life and I appreciate you.
Speaking of Making a Difference in My Life,
Today is my mother's 95th birthday, born December 18, 1914. Happy Birthday, Mom!!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Remembering What's Important
Remembering what's important is sometimes difficult. "It's hard to remember that your goal was to drain the swamp when you're up to your tail feathers in alligators."
I was reminded of this today when I found my mother taking the lights off the Christmas tree very carefully to put them away along with the ornaments. She was reliving early childhood experiences after Christmas with her brother, Danny. She had forgotten that today is December 17th and that tomorrow (Dec 18th) is her 95th birthday.
I could have allowed her to talk about her brother, then could have brought another tree from my house or fix her tree later.
It took both of us a while to disengage the "I'm right; you're wrong" response.
I was reminded of this today when I found my mother taking the lights off the Christmas tree very carefully to put them away along with the ornaments. She was reliving early childhood experiences after Christmas with her brother, Danny. She had forgotten that today is December 17th and that tomorrow (Dec 18th) is her 95th birthday.
I could have allowed her to talk about her brother, then could have brought another tree from my house or fix her tree later.
It took both of us a while to disengage the "I'm right; you're wrong" response.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Practicing for the Government Spanish Test Administered by the FBI
Practicing for the formal battery of Spanish tests administered by the FBI for the Department of Justice is challenging. I am scheduled to take 5.5 hours of testing (the two written tests) tomorrow and, if successful, will be scheduled soon for the oral portion of the test. I'll be taking the test at the FBI building in Chicago.
I have been reviewing audiobooks in English and reading the companion books (text-based) in Spanish simultaneously. I've been listening to the same audiobooks in Spanish. The challenge, for me, in the testing is translation from English to Spanish--the other way is usually easy.
What may be even more of a challenge will be the type of Spanish being tested. If the test concerns lots of slang, that is not the type of Spanish I practice as a bilingual teacher and as a Spanish-speaking business consultant.
I did some Google searches today to find a practice test and did find a document (ED324977) published by the Education Research Information Center (ERIC) about the development of the test (or of an earlier version of the test). The document certainly gives me background as to how the test is used and what went into its development.
While I've been working with books--some by Spanish-speaking authors and some by English-speaking authors whose works are translated into Spanish--I have not been reading newspapers from major cities in the Spanish-speaking world. That might also be a good arena to practice in.
It will be a very interesting day tomorrow. I'm sure I'll have some adventures.
I have been reviewing audiobooks in English and reading the companion books (text-based) in Spanish simultaneously. I've been listening to the same audiobooks in Spanish. The challenge, for me, in the testing is translation from English to Spanish--the other way is usually easy.
What may be even more of a challenge will be the type of Spanish being tested. If the test concerns lots of slang, that is not the type of Spanish I practice as a bilingual teacher and as a Spanish-speaking business consultant.
I did some Google searches today to find a practice test and did find a document (ED324977) published by the Education Research Information Center (ERIC) about the development of the test (or of an earlier version of the test). The document certainly gives me background as to how the test is used and what went into its development.
While I've been working with books--some by Spanish-speaking authors and some by English-speaking authors whose works are translated into Spanish--I have not been reading newspapers from major cities in the Spanish-speaking world. That might also be a good arena to practice in.
It will be a very interesting day tomorrow. I'm sure I'll have some adventures.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Remember
"Remember" is a critically important word with multiple uses. Dan Brown, in Angels and Demons, uses "remember" in the context of Buddhist application of the work to find the solution of problems with no known solution. The Buddhist concept of rebirth allows us to remember a solution we have not found in this lifetime. Carl Jung's concept of collective unconscious also allows us to access information from a large pool of information when we engage in the act of "remembering".
In another context, "remember" is a positive command with positive results while "do not forget" is a negative command which results in forgetting. "Don't forget . . . (the cheese, the lights, etc.)" is a common command in print in stores, on television, and in daily use. If we use "remember" rather than "don't forget" there is a much greater likelihood that we will remember whatever comes after the word.
I will be taking a battery of Spanish tests in two days. I have been reviewing Spanish for a few weeks, listening to an English audiobook and simultaneously reading the companion book in Spanish, then listening to a Spanish audiobook (of the same book) in my car. I am fluent in Spanish and need to "remember" my Spanish for the test.
In another context, "remember" is a positive command with positive results while "do not forget" is a negative command which results in forgetting. "Don't forget . . . (the cheese, the lights, etc.)" is a common command in print in stores, on television, and in daily use. If we use "remember" rather than "don't forget" there is a much greater likelihood that we will remember whatever comes after the word.
I will be taking a battery of Spanish tests in two days. I have been reviewing Spanish for a few weeks, listening to an English audiobook and simultaneously reading the companion book in Spanish, then listening to a Spanish audiobook (of the same book) in my car. I am fluent in Spanish and need to "remember" my Spanish for the test.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Job Training Contracts for the New Economy
Today Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn announced a jobs initiative to provide job training for veterans with a special emphasis on "green" jobs. This initiative is aligned with President Barack Obama's
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Christmas Spirit--Opening to It and Keeping It Alive
Christmas Spirit comes from the heart. It's always present and opening ourselves to it is sometimes a challenge. The doors open in, so pushing out doesn't help. Keeping it alive in our hearts is a similar process of surrendering to the loving that is always present.
Christmas time seems to be filled with the symbols that help us to remember to open our hearts. Symbols are around all the time--babies, dogs, nature, and many other symbols. At Christmas they seem to be everywhere we look.
Commercialism seems to run rampant during the season yet, underlying the commercialism is an underlying sense of peace and connectedness. These days we need to pay attention with our hearts to stay in touch with that sense in spite of all the efforts to take us out of that place.
Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life is one of my family's favorites at Christmas time. I also used the movie to teach English language learners in high school about much of the American culture and history covered in the movie. The film shows how riches take different forms in our lives and the importance of paying attention to what is really important.
Christmas time seems to be filled with the symbols that help us to remember to open our hearts. Symbols are around all the time--babies, dogs, nature, and many other symbols. At Christmas they seem to be everywhere we look.
Commercialism seems to run rampant during the season yet, underlying the commercialism is an underlying sense of peace and connectedness. These days we need to pay attention with our hearts to stay in touch with that sense in spite of all the efforts to take us out of that place.
Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life is one of my family's favorites at Christmas time. I also used the movie to teach English language learners in high school about much of the American culture and history covered in the movie. The film shows how riches take different forms in our lives and the importance of paying attention to what is really important.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Christmas Open House at St Charles One-room Schoolhouse
I had the opportunity to attend a Christmas Open House at the Pioneer Sholes School (one-room schoolhouse) in St. Charles, IL, today. Some of the people attending had parents who had actually attended the school when it was on the David Sholes farm near Burlington Road. It was built about 1872 and was in School District 58.
Public school children had worked with the Executive Director of the school to prepare a program that included a spelling bee, a choral reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas, and general singing of several popular Christmas carols. The open house was Sat and Sun, 12/12 and 12/13/2009 from 2:00PM to 5:00PM.
As I observed the open house I was reminded by The Secret School by Avi. Many of the current best practices for teaching involve techniques used in these early schools in the pioneer days of America--including grouped reading, peer tutoring, game-based learning. Those days students had personal slates (mini blackboards with a kind of chalk). Today we use mini whiteboards and colored dry erase markers.
There are more desks in the schoolhouse today than there were in the days it was originally used. Teachers dealt with classes of mixed ages and abilities and frequent absences caused by farm duties (or lack of academic motivation). Many of the people graduating from one-room schools went on to become doctors and lawyers and teachers. Some of today's problems have just evolved from similar problems in those days.
It's amazing to see how much the one-room schoolhouse reflected the essence of teaching still needed in today's classrooms.
Public school children had worked with the Executive Director of the school to prepare a program that included a spelling bee, a choral reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas, and general singing of several popular Christmas carols. The open house was Sat and Sun, 12/12 and 12/13/2009 from 2:00PM to 5:00PM.
As I observed the open house I was reminded by The Secret School by Avi. Many of the current best practices for teaching involve techniques used in these early schools in the pioneer days of America--including grouped reading, peer tutoring, game-based learning. Those days students had personal slates (mini blackboards with a kind of chalk). Today we use mini whiteboards and colored dry erase markers.
There are more desks in the schoolhouse today than there were in the days it was originally used. Teachers dealt with classes of mixed ages and abilities and frequent absences caused by farm duties (or lack of academic motivation). Many of the people graduating from one-room schools went on to become doctors and lawyers and teachers. Some of today's problems have just evolved from similar problems in those days.
It's amazing to see how much the one-room schoolhouse reflected the essence of teaching still needed in today's classrooms.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Books and Movie Scripts (Screen Plays)--Challenges for Readers
In earlier posts I spoke of Dan Brown's The DaVinci Code which I recently listened to as an English audiobook, read as a Spanish companion book, and listened to as a Spanish audiobook. Today I saw the movie--playing the movie in Spanish with Spanish subtitles.
Ron Howard was the director of the film and Dan Brown was one of the executive producers. Having recently read and listened to the book so much, it was clear to me where the movie diverged from the book. Some of the changes were to bring the movie-goer "up to speed" as things progressed during the movie. Other changes seemed to involve representatives of the Roman Catholic Church in more negative ways that were shown in the book.
If you have read the book, the movie is enjoyable and you can spot the differences between the book and the movie. If all you see is the movie, much of the richness expressed in the book is lost--along with much of the human dynamics expressed in the book.
I have had similar experiences with J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books and movies. Knowing the book makes a lot of difference in experiencing the movie.
Ron Howard was the director of the film and Dan Brown was one of the executive producers. Having recently read and listened to the book so much, it was clear to me where the movie diverged from the book. Some of the changes were to bring the movie-goer "up to speed" as things progressed during the movie. Other changes seemed to involve representatives of the Roman Catholic Church in more negative ways that were shown in the book.
If you have read the book, the movie is enjoyable and you can spot the differences between the book and the movie. If all you see is the movie, much of the richness expressed in the book is lost--along with much of the human dynamics expressed in the book.
I have had similar experiences with J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books and movies. Knowing the book makes a lot of difference in experiencing the movie.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Windows of Opportunity
Today President Barack Obama accepted the Nobel Peace Prize. The committee saw a window of opportunity to support the new American President in the early days of his first term of office, focusing on his commitment and intention. President Obama, while accepting the prize, also acknowledged his responsibilities to the American public with regard to armed conflict in such places as Afganistan and Iraq.
Windows of opportunity exist for all of us. Sometimes we take advantage of these windows of opportunity and sometimes we ignore or miss them.
Our priorities interact with the windows of opportunity we choose to act on and, sometimes, to skip. For example, if family is a high priority for a certain period of time, we can choose to skip on opportunities which may show up which would have a negative impact on that priority for the family.
Sometimes people place their priorities in their careers and miss opportunities to share with their families. The desire for "work-life balance" reflects the impact of these trade-offs.
Sometimes technology and economies interfere with what might otherwise be a window of opportunity. The history of computing shows examples of the early devices that allowed programming and calculations. Many of Leonardo DaVinci's ideas became a focus for invention and research long after his death. Benjamin Franklin was another inspired inventor who pointed the way for later developments. H.G. Wells and Jules Verne wrote about scientific inventions which were developed many years after the authors introduced them in literature.
One of the challenges for research, invention, and discovery is that there may be no demand for the product of the research, invention, or discovery at the time it is created. The "window of opportunity" is not present yet. In some instances, sufficient numbers of people need to go through the awareness-acceptance-action process in order to create a tipping-point where there is a significant demand for something new.
Windows of opportunity exist for all of us. Sometimes we take advantage of these windows of opportunity and sometimes we ignore or miss them.
Our priorities interact with the windows of opportunity we choose to act on and, sometimes, to skip. For example, if family is a high priority for a certain period of time, we can choose to skip on opportunities which may show up which would have a negative impact on that priority for the family.
Sometimes people place their priorities in their careers and miss opportunities to share with their families. The desire for "work-life balance" reflects the impact of these trade-offs.
Sometimes technology and economies interfere with what might otherwise be a window of opportunity. The history of computing shows examples of the early devices that allowed programming and calculations. Many of Leonardo DaVinci's ideas became a focus for invention and research long after his death. Benjamin Franklin was another inspired inventor who pointed the way for later developments. H.G. Wells and Jules Verne wrote about scientific inventions which were developed many years after the authors introduced them in literature.
One of the challenges for research, invention, and discovery is that there may be no demand for the product of the research, invention, or discovery at the time it is created. The "window of opportunity" is not present yet. In some instances, sufficient numbers of people need to go through the awareness-acceptance-action process in order to create a tipping-point where there is a significant demand for something new.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
What would I want to share in a Virtual World Conference?
Yesterday I was invited to think about what I would like to share (and with whom) in a Virtual World Conference. In thinking about one of the three-day conferences I designed for Accenture (Andersen Consulting) I was thinking about what elements of that could work well in a Virtual World. I was also thinking about how a Virtual World would have added to my experience of online learning from the University of Phoenix.
I also began thinking about who would be the audience for such a conference or "mini-event." I immediately thought of my LinkedIn connections--both my personal network and some of the discussion groups I belong to on LinkedIn. I joined the American Library Association this year and they, too, are interested in the concept of Virtual Worlds for distance learning.
Some of what I want to do for such an event will be to include some of the elements which highlight the advantages of the Virtual Worlds platform--some small-group work, access to individualized video clips, networking between participants, shared PowerPoint and question and chat features including Voice Over IP.
As always, I will follow a design for learning and need to start with a better understanding of my audience and my goals. Then I will follow a process of learning design that will be adjusted for the vehicle of Virtual Worlds.
This is going to be a somewhat reflective piece in that I want participants to think about their experience as participants in a virtual worlds conference so that reflection needs to be built into the activities and presentations they will be experiencing as part of the design. One of my areas for goal outcomes will be that participants will recognize the value Virtual World Conferences can have for their own learning and for their organizations.
Now to think about more details.
I also began thinking about who would be the audience for such a conference or "mini-event." I immediately thought of my LinkedIn connections--both my personal network and some of the discussion groups I belong to on LinkedIn. I joined the American Library Association this year and they, too, are interested in the concept of Virtual Worlds for distance learning.
Some of what I want to do for such an event will be to include some of the elements which highlight the advantages of the Virtual Worlds platform--some small-group work, access to individualized video clips, networking between participants, shared PowerPoint and question and chat features including Voice Over IP.
As always, I will follow a design for learning and need to start with a better understanding of my audience and my goals. Then I will follow a process of learning design that will be adjusted for the vehicle of Virtual Worlds.
This is going to be a somewhat reflective piece in that I want participants to think about their experience as participants in a virtual worlds conference so that reflection needs to be built into the activities and presentations they will be experiencing as part of the design. One of my areas for goal outcomes will be that participants will recognize the value Virtual World Conferences can have for their own learning and for their organizations.
Now to think about more details.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Learning Conferences--Learning from the Real World for the Virtual World
One of the more recent developments on the Internet is a "Virtual World--3-D" Conference capability. One of my friends has his own "Virtual World" for use for large group and small group conferences.
In May, 1998, while working as a learning architect with Accenture (then called Andersen Consulting), I was the designer for a multinational hands-on learning event (see ELACOMM98 and the video for that event) for 200 communications executives held in Cannes, France.
What I learned today is that much of what I designed for the "real world" conference in France can be adapted in a hybrid format for the virtual world conference. Some of the presentations at the three-day conference were "whole group presentations," one of which was via video conferencing with a partner in Los Angeles, CA. The Virtual World can accomodate hybrid conferencing where some people experience live conferences with streaming video and simultaneous presentation of what people in the virtual conference are experiencing. This effectively integrates the participants and speakers and facilitators from the entire conference (both live and virtual).
The report from some successful hybrid virtual world conferences is that the holistic experience encouraged more participation and interest from both real world and virtual world participants, many of whom actually experienced both forms of the conference.
This means that I can apply the skills I developed in designing, developing, and delivering conferences for hundreds of participants and apply them to the virtual world.
In May, 1998, while working as a learning architect with Accenture (then called Andersen Consulting), I was the designer for a multinational hands-on learning event (see ELACOMM98 and the video for that event) for 200 communications executives held in Cannes, France.
What I learned today is that much of what I designed for the "real world" conference in France can be adapted in a hybrid format for the virtual world conference. Some of the presentations at the three-day conference were "whole group presentations," one of which was via video conferencing with a partner in Los Angeles, CA. The Virtual World can accomodate hybrid conferencing where some people experience live conferences with streaming video and simultaneous presentation of what people in the virtual conference are experiencing. This effectively integrates the participants and speakers and facilitators from the entire conference (both live and virtual).
The report from some successful hybrid virtual world conferences is that the holistic experience encouraged more participation and interest from both real world and virtual world participants, many of whom actually experienced both forms of the conference.
This means that I can apply the skills I developed in designing, developing, and delivering conferences for hundreds of participants and apply them to the virtual world.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Codes, Code-Breakers, Electronic Communications, Pearl Harbor Day
December 7th is remembered as Pearl Harbor Day. Codes, code-breaking, and electronic communications played a vital part in World War II. Codes and code-breaking have been around since the early Egyptians. With the advent of electronic communications--first radio, then Internet and digital communications, codes and code-breaking have become always more complex.
There has been some confusion as to how much of the Japanese plans for "Operation Z" (Pearl Harbor Attack) the USA was aware of before the attack. Some of this came out in the movie, Pearl Harbor.
Dan Brown, in his 2009 novel, The Lost Symbol, uses the concept of codes, code-breaking and electronic communications in much of his book. Encryption as a way of communicating secretly has been an important art throughout the ages to hide "sacred mysteries" as well as to communicate war plans, strategies for business, and anything else anyone wants to conceal.
In today's world of YouTube, the Internet, e-mail, blogs, LinkedIn, Twitter, FaceBook, and more, it seems hard to believe that we have any secrets we want to hold on to. On the other hand, we don't want an identity thief to take our social security number, credit card number, etc., so we all have some privacy issues we would like to control.
Many programs do have encryption capabilities, though most of these programs can be decrypted by government agencies when they have a need to do so.
We are encouraged to think of anything we share on the Internet as being "public." That is probably the more accurate way to thinking about what we "publish" via the Internet.
There has been some confusion as to how much of the Japanese plans for "Operation Z" (Pearl Harbor Attack) the USA was aware of before the attack. Some of this came out in the movie, Pearl Harbor.
Dan Brown, in his 2009 novel, The Lost Symbol, uses the concept of codes, code-breaking and electronic communications in much of his book. Encryption as a way of communicating secretly has been an important art throughout the ages to hide "sacred mysteries" as well as to communicate war plans, strategies for business, and anything else anyone wants to conceal.
In today's world of YouTube, the Internet, e-mail, blogs, LinkedIn, Twitter, FaceBook, and more, it seems hard to believe that we have any secrets we want to hold on to. On the other hand, we don't want an identity thief to take our social security number, credit card number, etc., so we all have some privacy issues we would like to control.
Many programs do have encryption capabilities, though most of these programs can be decrypted by government agencies when they have a need to do so.
We are encouraged to think of anything we share on the Internet as being "public." That is probably the more accurate way to thinking about what we "publish" via the Internet.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Creating the Future We Want--Taking Charge of our Thought System
We can create the future we want by taking charge of our thought system. Some of the more recent research on chaos theory explores the impact positive thought can have on matter. One of the conclusions from this research is that, at least at a sub-atomic level, thought can influence matter.
Other areas of consideration are the connectedness of what might have been thought of as random events. The beating of butterfly wings off the coast of Africa can influence hurricane formation in the Atlantic ocean.
I had a book written in 1996 or 1997 with the picture of butterfly wings on the cover. The book talked about the practical aspects of chaos theory. (I haven't been able to find it yet.)
While the new research shows that the thoughts of one person can impact matter, the thoughts of many people can also influence outcomes. Prayer circles can have a powerful impact on healing and "the laying on of hands" is an age-old method of healing--and of focusing positive thoughts.
In terms of bringing about the future we want for ourselves, one aspect of taking charge of our thought systems is to take charge of our "self talk." One of the more practical approaches to do this is to develop skill in using positive affirmations--positive statements phrased as being completed already.
Getting support by bring people of like minds together with a common purpose produces amazing results. Benjamin Franklin created "junto" groups of like-minded business men engaged in self-help and charitable projects. Quilting bees and barn raising parties were early American ways of bringing like-minded people together to achieve common goals.
President Barack Obama engaged the American public's imagination during his campaign for "change" and generated election results intended to create the changes he proposed.
With the economy in a state of change, now is a time to take charge of our thought systems once more and to paint for ourselves the future we want to experience--then to take action to bring it about.
TEAR is a way to remember how the thought system operates. Thoughts come first, then, when linked with Emotions, followed by Action, Results are produced. If we are experiencing results we do not like, the way to change those results is to be aware of the TEAR process and to make appropriate changes to produce the different results.
Other areas of consideration are the connectedness of what might have been thought of as random events. The beating of butterfly wings off the coast of Africa can influence hurricane formation in the Atlantic ocean.
I had a book written in 1996 or 1997 with the picture of butterfly wings on the cover. The book talked about the practical aspects of chaos theory. (I haven't been able to find it yet.)
While the new research shows that the thoughts of one person can impact matter, the thoughts of many people can also influence outcomes. Prayer circles can have a powerful impact on healing and "the laying on of hands" is an age-old method of healing--and of focusing positive thoughts.
In terms of bringing about the future we want for ourselves, one aspect of taking charge of our thought systems is to take charge of our "self talk." One of the more practical approaches to do this is to develop skill in using positive affirmations--positive statements phrased as being completed already.
Getting support by bring people of like minds together with a common purpose produces amazing results. Benjamin Franklin created "junto" groups of like-minded business men engaged in self-help and charitable projects. Quilting bees and barn raising parties were early American ways of bringing like-minded people together to achieve common goals.
President Barack Obama engaged the American public's imagination during his campaign for "change" and generated election results intended to create the changes he proposed.
With the economy in a state of change, now is a time to take charge of our thought systems once more and to paint for ourselves the future we want to experience--then to take action to bring it about.
TEAR is a way to remember how the thought system operates. Thoughts come first, then, when linked with Emotions, followed by Action, Results are produced. If we are experiencing results we do not like, the way to change those results is to be aware of the TEAR process and to make appropriate changes to produce the different results.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Exploring Noetic Sciences and Thought System Research
In the research for my dissertation (published in 1992) I reviewed a body of research on the thought system (see slide 3). The Institute of Noetic Sciences is exploring avenues of research I have been working with my entire life. It is amazing to me that much of what I have been exploring for so long is starting to come together quickly and that a work of fiction has pointed me toward other researchers engaged in similar pursuits.
The concept of developing patterns or habits of thought has been explored throughout time. We have more precise instruments to measure what people have "known" for years. As we re-think in the same patterns we actually cut pathways into our brains. When injury, an illness, or age interferes with brain function, we may lose access to that information. In families, we can lose the continuity of family history if we have not recorded (in audio or written form) the memory of the oldest members of our families. To some extent this is also true in terms of losing some of the memory of our times--if the books fade or are lost, if digital media becomes unstable or is destroyed, we are at risk of losing much of what we "know" as a species.
Our thought systems act as guides for our behavior and our future, as well as keeping a record of what we program into our bodies and behaviors. Noetic sciences--learning more about how this works--can lead us to creating more opportunities for upliftment and healing for everyone. That is something we can really appreciate as our population begins to enjoy an expanded lifespan.
The concept of developing patterns or habits of thought has been explored throughout time. We have more precise instruments to measure what people have "known" for years. As we re-think in the same patterns we actually cut pathways into our brains. When injury, an illness, or age interferes with brain function, we may lose access to that information. In families, we can lose the continuity of family history if we have not recorded (in audio or written form) the memory of the oldest members of our families. To some extent this is also true in terms of losing some of the memory of our times--if the books fade or are lost, if digital media becomes unstable or is destroyed, we are at risk of losing much of what we "know" as a species.
Our thought systems act as guides for our behavior and our future, as well as keeping a record of what we program into our bodies and behaviors. Noetic sciences--learning more about how this works--can lead us to creating more opportunities for upliftment and healing for everyone. That is something we can really appreciate as our population begins to enjoy an expanded lifespan.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Noetic Sciences--Dan Brown and the art of Storytelling
I have recently started listening to Dan Brown's new novel, The Lost Symbol. The book focuses on Washington, DC, and refers to a relatively new aspect of scientific investigation, noetic sciences. The beginning of the book provides data concerning many of the buildings and monuments located in Washington, DC-- the Smithsonian Institute, the Capitol Building, the White House, the Washington Monument, and many others.
The concepts of linking religion, faith, and science form the core of both the book and of the work of noetic sciences (as much as I have learned to date). This is also part of the concept of life imitating art and art imitating life discussed in an earlier post.
Dan Brown is a good investigator, weaving his story around foundations of art, religion, science, and a questioning mind. Research on Dan Brown's books generates results showing other books that have tracked the cues and locations in his books to the settings in which he creates them.
His books inspire me to conduct Google searches to learn more about many of the things he includes in his book as part of the background for his stories.
The concepts of linking religion, faith, and science form the core of both the book and of the work of noetic sciences (as much as I have learned to date). This is also part of the concept of life imitating art and art imitating life discussed in an earlier post.
Dan Brown is a good investigator, weaving his story around foundations of art, religion, science, and a questioning mind. Research on Dan Brown's books generates results showing other books that have tracked the cues and locations in his books to the settings in which he creates them.
His books inspire me to conduct Google searches to learn more about many of the things he includes in his book as part of the background for his stories.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Management Consulting for Small Businesses in the New Economy
The Saint Charles Learning Community had its annual Holiday Gathering this evening at the Social Club located on the grounds of the Q-Center in St Charles, IL. Most of the professionals attending the gathering had been employed by Arthur Andersen, Andersen Consulting, Accenture, or Andersen Worldwide while those organizations were at the peak of their success. Of these, only Accenture remains intact and still growing.
All were involved in developing, delivering, or supporting learning programs and events for the Andersen organizations. I was with Andersen Worldwide and Andersen Consulting for a little over five years. I left Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) eleven years ago to pursue other consulting interests at Origin Technology in Business (now AtosOrigin).
It was wonderful to reconnect with people I enjoyed working with and had not seen for many years. It is amazing that, out of my 40-year career to date, my time with the Andersen organizations reflects my best experience of working with top quality professionals sharing many of the same values.
Some people who left an Andersen organization were fully involved in leadership development, talent management and training at such organizations as Sears Holding, MacDonalds, and Office Max. Others were independent consultants and coaches. Very few had completely changed careers.
The conversation moved to the new economy and the unemployment challenge. In this recession, many white-collar jobs were eliminated. Families who relied on incomes in the 60 to 100 thousand dollar range may not find new jobs paying those wages. Other workers employed in well-salaried professionals (such as auto workers) may also not have any new jobs in that profession to go back to.
In the consulting arena, there are fewer "Big Four" firms for consultants to work for. The key to success for the new economy--in terms of reducing unemployment--is the explosive growth of small businesses. These small businesses will need small business consultants to help them organize, grow, and expand. There are a few self-help books for small businesses such as The e-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber.
Large consulting firms created content-specialized consultants focusing on information technology, enterprise resource planning, business process re-engineering (and other focus areas). Small businesses will need contextual consulants who can diagnose the challenges to the small business, help the decision-makers develop a change strategy, and help develop the change plan and training to allow the employees to implement the changes to help the business to grow.
All were involved in developing, delivering, or supporting learning programs and events for the Andersen organizations. I was with Andersen Worldwide and Andersen Consulting for a little over five years. I left Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) eleven years ago to pursue other consulting interests at Origin Technology in Business (now AtosOrigin).
It was wonderful to reconnect with people I enjoyed working with and had not seen for many years. It is amazing that, out of my 40-year career to date, my time with the Andersen organizations reflects my best experience of working with top quality professionals sharing many of the same values.
Some people who left an Andersen organization were fully involved in leadership development, talent management and training at such organizations as Sears Holding, MacDonalds, and Office Max. Others were independent consultants and coaches. Very few had completely changed careers.
The conversation moved to the new economy and the unemployment challenge. In this recession, many white-collar jobs were eliminated. Families who relied on incomes in the 60 to 100 thousand dollar range may not find new jobs paying those wages. Other workers employed in well-salaried professionals (such as auto workers) may also not have any new jobs in that profession to go back to.
In the consulting arena, there are fewer "Big Four" firms for consultants to work for. The key to success for the new economy--in terms of reducing unemployment--is the explosive growth of small businesses. These small businesses will need small business consultants to help them organize, grow, and expand. There are a few self-help books for small businesses such as The e-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber.
Large consulting firms created content-specialized consultants focusing on information technology, enterprise resource planning, business process re-engineering (and other focus areas). Small businesses will need contextual consulants who can diagnose the challenges to the small business, help the decision-makers develop a change strategy, and help develop the change plan and training to allow the employees to implement the changes to help the business to grow.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Singing and Consulting--What's the Connection?
On reflecting about my consulting practice today, I was reminded about my singing voice. Some people have "absolute pitch" or "perfect pitch" (usually the note of "A"). They know that note without any prompting or cues. Others, like me, have "relative pitch." (I can't find the "A" and, when someone else does, I can sing harmony with them around their notes. I have sung in many choirs and have made a Christmas CD with a small chorus. I lettered in Chorus (among other things) in High School and have had some practical experience with applying these concepts to singing.
Today I realized that my consulting practice is much like my singing. My "relative pitch" translates to contextual consulting (rather than content consulting). I can go into almost any organization and, within that context, can identify what needs to be changed and help the decision-makers develop a strategy for change and train employees to implement the change.
Content consulting would be for me to have a training about a specific topic I am knowledgable about and to provide that training to people. While I have done that in the past and have several hundred hours of training available in English and Spanish, I do not consider this my best work.
Context consulting is more difficult to market than content consulting. The actual consulting will change depending on the needs of the client organization. When people look for consultants, they frequently are looking for content background--in human resources, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions, strategy, marketing, sales.
"C-level" executives (Chief Executive Officers, Chief Operating Officers) need to function from the contextual level to make sure that all the areas of their organization are functioning smoothly.
Now I need to reflect more on the concept of contextual consulting and how to market it. Anyone have any suggestions?
Today I realized that my consulting practice is much like my singing. My "relative pitch" translates to contextual consulting (rather than content consulting). I can go into almost any organization and, within that context, can identify what needs to be changed and help the decision-makers develop a strategy for change and train employees to implement the change.
Content consulting would be for me to have a training about a specific topic I am knowledgable about and to provide that training to people. While I have done that in the past and have several hundred hours of training available in English and Spanish, I do not consider this my best work.
Context consulting is more difficult to market than content consulting. The actual consulting will change depending on the needs of the client organization. When people look for consultants, they frequently are looking for content background--in human resources, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions, strategy, marketing, sales.
"C-level" executives (Chief Executive Officers, Chief Operating Officers) need to function from the contextual level to make sure that all the areas of their organization are functioning smoothly.
Now I need to reflect more on the concept of contextual consulting and how to market it. Anyone have any suggestions?
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Reviewing Spanish--Some New Twists with Favorite Authors
For the last few days I have been reviewing my Spanish and preparing to do some translation from English to Spanish as part of a battery of tests I will be taking. I visited the St Charles Public Library and picked-up a lot of good material to use in my review.
What I have experienced very good results with are two novels, The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown and Zorro, a Novel by Isabel Allende. I have been listening to the unabridged audiobook on CD in English and reading the unabridged companion book in Spanish as I listen to English. In addition, for The Da Vinci Code, I have been listening to the unabridged audiobook on CD in Spanish in my car.
The combination is easy to follow though I'm not sure if my approach by listening to the English and reading the Spanish may be to passive. I know that the key to working any language is to use it--a lot. I also know that the best writers in English read--a lot. By reading Spanish I hope to improve my Spanish writing. By listening to English and reading the translation into Spanish (or, in the case of Isabel Allende, the original was in Spanish and it has been translated into English), I am becoming more familiar with how to use phrases and idioms in Spanish to replace those in English.
This is certainly a challenging way to review. I am also watching DVD movies in Spanish (often with Spanish subtitles). This, too, keeps me involved and engaged in my participation in my review of Spanish. I am delighted I have had several days to prepare before I have to face any Spanish-language tests.
What I have experienced very good results with are two novels, The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown and Zorro, a Novel by Isabel Allende. I have been listening to the unabridged audiobook on CD in English and reading the unabridged companion book in Spanish as I listen to English. In addition, for The Da Vinci Code, I have been listening to the unabridged audiobook on CD in Spanish in my car.
The combination is easy to follow though I'm not sure if my approach by listening to the English and reading the Spanish may be to passive. I know that the key to working any language is to use it--a lot. I also know that the best writers in English read--a lot. By reading Spanish I hope to improve my Spanish writing. By listening to English and reading the translation into Spanish (or, in the case of Isabel Allende, the original was in Spanish and it has been translated into English), I am becoming more familiar with how to use phrases and idioms in Spanish to replace those in English.
This is certainly a challenging way to review. I am also watching DVD movies in Spanish (often with Spanish subtitles). This, too, keeps me involved and engaged in my participation in my review of Spanish. I am delighted I have had several days to prepare before I have to face any Spanish-language tests.
Monday, November 30, 2009
"Cyber Monday"--the Monday after "Black Friday" (for Shopping)
Today is "Cyber Monday"--the Monday after "Black Friday" (for Shopping) (that is, the day after Thanksgiving in the USA). This was "self-proclaimed" last year as the equivalent day for Internet shopping as "Black Friday" is for retail "brick and mortar" stores.
Sales have been promoted over the last few weeks--both in physical stores and Internet stores--and retailers are "letting out the stops" to encourage purchasing any way they can convince shoppers to buy.
I shop regularly via the Internet when I have something that is offered in that medium. Cyber Monday did not influence me to make any purchases and the ones I'm making now are my routine purchases that I would be making regardless of the day or promotion.
The media is tracking "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday" and reporting the ups and down in shopping compared to last year. The economy is still having its own ups and downs and there will be more demand for the available dollars than there are dollars.
The "best buys" and "steepest discounts" don't have much meaning if you cannot use the money for shopping the "latest and greatest" (in whatever form it takes.)
Sales have been promoted over the last few weeks--both in physical stores and Internet stores--and retailers are "letting out the stops" to encourage purchasing any way they can convince shoppers to buy.
I shop regularly via the Internet when I have something that is offered in that medium. Cyber Monday did not influence me to make any purchases and the ones I'm making now are my routine purchases that I would be making regardless of the day or promotion.
The media is tracking "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday" and reporting the ups and down in shopping compared to last year. The economy is still having its own ups and downs and there will be more demand for the available dollars than there are dollars.
The "best buys" and "steepest discounts" don't have much meaning if you cannot use the money for shopping the "latest and greatest" (in whatever form it takes.)
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Aging, Medicine, Continuous Care Retirement Communities and "Old Dogs"
For almost 17 years my Mom has been living in a Continuous Care Retirement Community (CCRC). My Dad was with her for the first three years before he passed away due to complications related to cancer. Mom coordinated volunteers at the community's shop for thirteen years. I frequently helped her create the calendars and send them to all the volunteers involved. We used a Macintosh computer and had lots of fun with it.
Mom lived in her own apartment with her dog for the first thirteen years at the CCRC and has lived in an assisted living unit for the last four years. Two of her former volunteers live on the same floor she does and I saw the names of two more volunteers living in the medical wing of the CCRC on the floor below Mom's apartment.
Innovations in medicine contribute to the extension of quality of life and I have seen it with my parents. Last year Mom was accidentally given a dose of medication for another resident. I was there almost as soon as it happened. I contacted the pharmacy and was relieved to learn that most of the medicine would not have a negative impact on Mom. She was "out of it" for about 24-hours, then recovered well as the foreign medicines left her system.
The movie Old Dogs I found to be very funny and fun to watch. Part of the movie has the two main characters, Robin Williams and John Travolta, accidentally taking the wrong medicine and shows side effects that made me laugh out loud. I take my own medicine (more vitamins than prescriptions) twice a day and have set-up my Mother's medicine for years. (Her medicine is now packaged by a local pharmacy for distribution at the CCRC.)
Mom will be 95 in December and her medicine and the CCRC are contributing to her high quality of life at this point in her life. I am happy to be sharing this quality time with her.
Mom lived in her own apartment with her dog for the first thirteen years at the CCRC and has lived in an assisted living unit for the last four years. Two of her former volunteers live on the same floor she does and I saw the names of two more volunteers living in the medical wing of the CCRC on the floor below Mom's apartment.
Innovations in medicine contribute to the extension of quality of life and I have seen it with my parents. Last year Mom was accidentally given a dose of medication for another resident. I was there almost as soon as it happened. I contacted the pharmacy and was relieved to learn that most of the medicine would not have a negative impact on Mom. She was "out of it" for about 24-hours, then recovered well as the foreign medicines left her system.
The movie Old Dogs I found to be very funny and fun to watch. Part of the movie has the two main characters, Robin Williams and John Travolta, accidentally taking the wrong medicine and shows side effects that made me laugh out loud. I take my own medicine (more vitamins than prescriptions) twice a day and have set-up my Mother's medicine for years. (Her medicine is now packaged by a local pharmacy for distribution at the CCRC.)
Mom will be 95 in December and her medicine and the CCRC are contributing to her high quality of life at this point in her life. I am happy to be sharing this quality time with her.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
BARD Website provides Digital Audiobooks for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
The Library of Congress provides the National Library Service (NLS) for the blind and physically handicapped. Recently the NLS has begun switching from audiobooks on recorded cassettes to digitally recorded audiobooks--available on a special cartridge and for download. These digital audiobooks are available for eligible subscribers only and must be played through the Digital Talking Book Machine (DTBM) player provided by the NLS through state libraries or by an equivalent machine purchased by an eligible subscriber.
The NLS now has a Braille and Audio Recording Download (BARD) website which subscribers can use to download digital audiobooks in a compressed (Zipped) format. These downloaded digital audiobooks can be extracted to a file on a computer system, then the extracted file folder can be copied onto a USB drive that has no other pre-loaded software. The DTBM need to see the file folder and can access the book files.
While these books have been released as recently as October, 2009, there are already some updates to the software. These can be accessed at a special DTBM update website. These updates are also in zipped format and need to be downloaded and extracted on a computer. Then the extracted file folder needs to be copied to its own USB drive so the DTBM can read the update and initiate it immediately.
My mother received her "advanced" DTBM (which allows bookmarking of downloaded books) in early November. We needed to update her software before her machine played downloaded audiobooks. After updating the machine, we have discovered that the PNY 2GB USB 2.0 drives available from WalMart at $9.98 work well for both downloaded audiobooks and downloaded updates. BARD will be adding to its collection throughout the year and beyond. It currently makes books and magazines available in digital audio format in multiple languages.
My mother (who has macular degeneration in both eyes) started working with the cassette tape players provided by the NLS earlier this year. She had many problems with the recorded cassettes because she is also hard of hearing and, though we have external speakers that let her hear what is played, the combination of the narrators voice and the cassette recording made it extremely difficult for her to understand the audiobooks received on cassette. The cassette player also works with audiobooks from public libraries and she was able to understand many of those.
The DTBM player is both easier to operate and has a much clearer sound quality. It is much easier for Mom to understand digital audiobooks played on this machine.
Mom lives in Carol Stream, IL, and is supported by the Voices of Vision Talking Book Center based in Geneva, IL. Her online membership registered with Voices of Vision transferred to the BARD website in one working day. Mom needed an e-mail address and had to complete two online forms to be able to open her BARD account and download digital audiobooks.
The mission of the NLS is "That All May Read" and they are doing a terrific job at making that happen for thousands of blind and physically handicapped individuals, free of charge. The materials mailed to the people using the service and being returned to the Talking Book Centers move through the U.S. Post Office free of charge ("Matter for the Blind and Physically Handicapped").
This service and the new BARD service and DTBM are keeping Mom connected to the world in ways that she would otherwise not have access to. I am very thankful for the support of the Library of Congress, the National Library Service, and of the Voices of Vision Talking Book Center and all those involved in adding to the quality of life for their patrons.
I first saw the DTBM at the July 2009 Annual Conference and Exhibition for the American Library Association in Chicago, IL. The Library of Congress had an exhibit at McCormick Place and their representative showed me how the player worked. At the time he said that they were being made (in China) and would be avaliable soon for distribution in the USA. We received a letter in early October allowing Mom to request the player as soon as it became available and she was one of the first to receive one in this area. The cartridge is "wrapped around" a USB drive and the DTBM reads one book at a time.
The DTBM can access multiple books on the same USB drive by holding down the green PLAY button as the machine advances through the folders on the drive. I will still have a few drives available for Mom can free space on the drives by erasing the books when she is finished with then, then can load other books on the same drive.
The NLS now has a Braille and Audio Recording Download (BARD) website which subscribers can use to download digital audiobooks in a compressed (Zipped) format. These downloaded digital audiobooks can be extracted to a file on a computer system, then the extracted file folder can be copied onto a USB drive that has no other pre-loaded software. The DTBM need to see the file folder and can access the book files.
While these books have been released as recently as October, 2009, there are already some updates to the software. These can be accessed at a special DTBM update website. These updates are also in zipped format and need to be downloaded and extracted on a computer. Then the extracted file folder needs to be copied to its own USB drive so the DTBM can read the update and initiate it immediately.
My mother received her "advanced" DTBM (which allows bookmarking of downloaded books) in early November. We needed to update her software before her machine played downloaded audiobooks. After updating the machine, we have discovered that the PNY 2GB USB 2.0 drives available from WalMart at $9.98 work well for both downloaded audiobooks and downloaded updates. BARD will be adding to its collection throughout the year and beyond. It currently makes books and magazines available in digital audio format in multiple languages.
My mother (who has macular degeneration in both eyes) started working with the cassette tape players provided by the NLS earlier this year. She had many problems with the recorded cassettes because she is also hard of hearing and, though we have external speakers that let her hear what is played, the combination of the narrators voice and the cassette recording made it extremely difficult for her to understand the audiobooks received on cassette. The cassette player also works with audiobooks from public libraries and she was able to understand many of those.
The DTBM player is both easier to operate and has a much clearer sound quality. It is much easier for Mom to understand digital audiobooks played on this machine.
Mom lives in Carol Stream, IL, and is supported by the Voices of Vision Talking Book Center based in Geneva, IL. Her online membership registered with Voices of Vision transferred to the BARD website in one working day. Mom needed an e-mail address and had to complete two online forms to be able to open her BARD account and download digital audiobooks.
The mission of the NLS is "That All May Read" and they are doing a terrific job at making that happen for thousands of blind and physically handicapped individuals, free of charge. The materials mailed to the people using the service and being returned to the Talking Book Centers move through the U.S. Post Office free of charge ("Matter for the Blind and Physically Handicapped").
This service and the new BARD service and DTBM are keeping Mom connected to the world in ways that she would otherwise not have access to. I am very thankful for the support of the Library of Congress, the National Library Service, and of the Voices of Vision Talking Book Center and all those involved in adding to the quality of life for their patrons.
I first saw the DTBM at the July 2009 Annual Conference and Exhibition for the American Library Association in Chicago, IL. The Library of Congress had an exhibit at McCormick Place and their representative showed me how the player worked. At the time he said that they were being made (in China) and would be avaliable soon for distribution in the USA. We received a letter in early October allowing Mom to request the player as soon as it became available and she was one of the first to receive one in this area. The cartridge is "wrapped around" a USB drive and the DTBM reads one book at a time.
The DTBM can access multiple books on the same USB drive by holding down the green PLAY button as the machine advances through the folders on the drive. I will still have a few drives available for Mom can free space on the drives by erasing the books when she is finished with then, then can load other books on the same drive.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Black Friday--Start of "Official" Christmas Shopping Season in the USA
"Black Friday"--the "official" starting date of the Christmas Shopping season in the USA is the day after Thanksgiving. Retailers prepare for that date because, historically, sales on that date put the retailers "in the black" (on the positive side of the ledger) for the year--rather than being "in the red" (on the negative side of the ledger).
With the economic downturn in the USA in 2009, retailers have been concerned. Some opened on Thanksgiving and some have been pushing "Black Friday" sales earlier than the official "Black Friday" to make sure consumers bought merchandise in their stores rather than finding them somewhere else.
Shoppers participate fully in the event, sometimes camping out in the parking lots before major retailers until they open their doors at special hours set aside for "Black Friday" shopping. Smaller amounts of merchandise on special sales are expected to be made available this year, making the competition to get the desired product at the best price even keener among consumers.
Though many items may be on sale, many consumers, experiencing the economic downturn directly, may not be in a position to take advantage of the sale prices until their personal economies become more stable--putting the consumers "in the black" in their own ledger books.
I didn't shop today, though I was in and around shopping areas. I did not see the crowds the media had led me to expect and it was a beautiful, sunny, day--a little cool (good to be indoors) with little traffic congestion on the roads.
I shop online for many things and go to discount stores and membership shopping clubs (Sam's Club and Costco) for many of the things I purchase for gifts and for personal use. I'm not rushing to spend money this year and my gift budget will be for smaller items than in prior years. "Quality over quantity this year" is a good perspective to have.
I did hear my first Christmas music for the year. I'm glad I like the music because I'll be hearing it until December 26th, 2009.
With the economic downturn in the USA in 2009, retailers have been concerned. Some opened on Thanksgiving and some have been pushing "Black Friday" sales earlier than the official "Black Friday" to make sure consumers bought merchandise in their stores rather than finding them somewhere else.
Shoppers participate fully in the event, sometimes camping out in the parking lots before major retailers until they open their doors at special hours set aside for "Black Friday" shopping. Smaller amounts of merchandise on special sales are expected to be made available this year, making the competition to get the desired product at the best price even keener among consumers.
Though many items may be on sale, many consumers, experiencing the economic downturn directly, may not be in a position to take advantage of the sale prices until their personal economies become more stable--putting the consumers "in the black" in their own ledger books.
I didn't shop today, though I was in and around shopping areas. I did not see the crowds the media had led me to expect and it was a beautiful, sunny, day--a little cool (good to be indoors) with little traffic congestion on the roads.
I shop online for many things and go to discount stores and membership shopping clubs (Sam's Club and Costco) for many of the things I purchase for gifts and for personal use. I'm not rushing to spend money this year and my gift budget will be for smaller items than in prior years. "Quality over quantity this year" is a good perspective to have.
I did hear my first Christmas music for the year. I'm glad I like the music because I'll be hearing it until December 26th, 2009.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated in the USA on the fourth Thursday in November. It is celebrated in Canada and in a few other countries.
It is traditionally celebrated as a time of thanksgiving for an abundant harvest and for all the blessings we enjoy. The holiday itself has, from time to time, had political significance and, these days, it is the marker for the official beginning of the holiday shopping season (which starts on the Friday after Thanksgiving--"Black Friday" because so many shoppers buy that the retailers move into the "black" [positive side of their ledgers] for the balance of the year.)
This year some retailers are staying open on Thanksgiving to get a "jump start" on "Black Friday."
Regardless of the uses to which the holiday has been put, Thanksgiving is a good time to reflect and be thankful.
I'm thankful for the quality time I am able to spend with my mother (who will be 95 next month). I am also thankful to be in a warm house with abundant food and close friends in a country which is at peace (at home, anyway). I am thankful for my life experience and the blessings I have enjoyed up to this moment and for the future I can see from where I am standing now.
I'm also thankful for my understanding of God and spirituality and for the choices I have to make my life a positive difference for myself and for others. I am thankful for the support I have in my work with Spirit and in my daily physical life.
It is traditionally celebrated as a time of thanksgiving for an abundant harvest and for all the blessings we enjoy. The holiday itself has, from time to time, had political significance and, these days, it is the marker for the official beginning of the holiday shopping season (which starts on the Friday after Thanksgiving--"Black Friday" because so many shoppers buy that the retailers move into the "black" [positive side of their ledgers] for the balance of the year.)
This year some retailers are staying open on Thanksgiving to get a "jump start" on "Black Friday."
Regardless of the uses to which the holiday has been put, Thanksgiving is a good time to reflect and be thankful.
I'm thankful for the quality time I am able to spend with my mother (who will be 95 next month). I am also thankful to be in a warm house with abundant food and close friends in a country which is at peace (at home, anyway). I am thankful for my life experience and the blessings I have enjoyed up to this moment and for the future I can see from where I am standing now.
I'm also thankful for my understanding of God and spirituality and for the choices I have to make my life a positive difference for myself and for others. I am thankful for the support I have in my work with Spirit and in my daily physical life.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Life, Art, and the "Golden Ratio" or "Divine Proportion" (Phi)
An earlier post dealt with life imitating art and art imitating life. The "Golden Ratio" or "Divine Proportion" (Phi, 1.6180339877. . .) was introduced in The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. Amazingly, this ratio or proportion applies to nature, music, art, and is a sort of "universal principle."
Another group of numbers introduced in The Da Vinci Code is called the Fibonacci numbers. Leonardo de Piza (son of Bonaccio--and therefore "Fibonacci") shared these numbers with the western world in his book, Liber Abaci, in 1202. These numbers are reflected in nature and, once introduced to the world, in many works of art.
In the movie, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, mankind attempts to communicate with other species by mathematically sequenced musical notes. In this regard, mathematics is seen as a sort of "universal language."
These concepts certainly demonstrate that certain mathematical formulae reflect critical processes in nature and art and provide a supporting structure for a link between the two.
Another group of numbers introduced in The Da Vinci Code is called the Fibonacci numbers. Leonardo de Piza (son of Bonaccio--and therefore "Fibonacci") shared these numbers with the western world in his book, Liber Abaci, in 1202. These numbers are reflected in nature and, once introduced to the world, in many works of art.
In the movie, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, mankind attempts to communicate with other species by mathematically sequenced musical notes. In this regard, mathematics is seen as a sort of "universal language."
These concepts certainly demonstrate that certain mathematical formulae reflect critical processes in nature and art and provide a supporting structure for a link between the two.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Reviewing Second Languages--Audio and Visual Method
This week I am reviewing my Spanish, bringing myself more "up to speed." Today I started a new approach in my review. Working with the DaVinci Code by Dan Brown, I started listening to the unabridged audio in English and reading along in an unabridged Spanish companion book. This way I hear the English and see how it has been translated into Spanish.
I have suggested that audiobooks and companion books are a great way for English language learners (ELLs) to build their English skills. This was by listening to unabridged audiobooks in English and reading the unabridged companion book in English.
Now I am exploring a different arrangement. Listen to an unabridged audiobook in one language and read the unabridged companion book in a second language. Currently I am practicing by listening to the audiobook in English and reading it in Spanish. In the car I am listening to the same audiobook in Spanish. For another book, I will listen to the audiobook in Spanish and read it in English simultaneously.
This is a challenging way to advance in second languages and to put practice into practical use.
I have suggested that audiobooks and companion books are a great way for English language learners (ELLs) to build their English skills. This was by listening to unabridged audiobooks in English and reading the unabridged companion book in English.
Now I am exploring a different arrangement. Listen to an unabridged audiobook in one language and read the unabridged companion book in a second language. Currently I am practicing by listening to the audiobook in English and reading it in Spanish. In the car I am listening to the same audiobook in Spanish. For another book, I will listen to the audiobook in Spanish and read it in English simultaneously.
This is a challenging way to advance in second languages and to put practice into practical use.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Life and Art--Blind Side Movie--Life Embedded in Art
Sandra Bullock is one of my favorite actresses. She is very versatile and normally plays authentic parts. I recently watch her in The Proposal in English and in Spanish and thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Recently I saw her take on a new role in The Blind Side, a movie based on real life.
In The Blind Side, Bullock plays Leigh Anne Tuohy, a no-nonsense southern Mom who sees Michael Oher and brings into her family. At the conclusion of the movie, the still pictures are all about the real Michael Oher and the Tuohys.
The movie is compelling and brings home the plight of young people facing the same challenges Michael Oher did before getting into high school. Sandra Bullock's portrayal is moving and feels authentic.
In The Blind Side, Bullock plays Leigh Anne Tuohy, a no-nonsense southern Mom who sees Michael Oher and brings into her family. At the conclusion of the movie, the still pictures are all about the real Michael Oher and the Tuohys.
The movie is compelling and brings home the plight of young people facing the same challenges Michael Oher did before getting into high school. Sandra Bullock's portrayal is moving and feels authentic.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Mac vs PC--Marketing at the Apple Store
Mac vs PC takes on a new dimension at the Apple Store on North Michigan Avenue in Chicago. I went there with two friends today for a series of workshops on how to work with the Macintosh computers, the iPhone, and the iPod Touch. While there I received free tech support at the iPod bar (across from the "Genius" bar) regarding using Netlibrary with iTunes.
The workshops, also free, provided a good introduction into how to work with the Macintosh and its integrated programs. I first worked on an Apple computer in 1979 and have always been "addicted" to the Macintosh while working with multiple PCs.
The advent of the iPhone, the iPod Touch, and the latest generation of Macintosh computers and Snow Leopard are moving me to return to the Macintosh at last. I have recommended the Mac to friends and family just getting started on computers and have consistently found that they enjoy their computer experience tremendously working on the Macintosh.
A few years ago I flew with an Apple executive from California to Chicago and almost switched then. My problem at the time was that I had too much invested in software that only ran on a PC.
With the new Macintosh programs, those issues have largely faded into the woodwork. I enjoy my iPod Touch (3Gs, 32GB) and look forward to getting an iPhone (3Gs, 32GB or 64GB) in the near future. Shortly after that I expect to transition to a MacBook Pro laptop and, later, an iMac with a 27-inch flat screen display.
The workshops, also free, provided a good introduction into how to work with the Macintosh and its integrated programs. I first worked on an Apple computer in 1979 and have always been "addicted" to the Macintosh while working with multiple PCs.
The advent of the iPhone, the iPod Touch, and the latest generation of Macintosh computers and Snow Leopard are moving me to return to the Macintosh at last. I have recommended the Mac to friends and family just getting started on computers and have consistently found that they enjoy their computer experience tremendously working on the Macintosh.
A few years ago I flew with an Apple executive from California to Chicago and almost switched then. My problem at the time was that I had too much invested in software that only ran on a PC.
With the new Macintosh programs, those issues have largely faded into the woodwork. I enjoy my iPod Touch (3Gs, 32GB) and look forward to getting an iPhone (3Gs, 32GB or 64GB) in the near future. Shortly after that I expect to transition to a MacBook Pro laptop and, later, an iMac with a 27-inch flat screen display.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Language Exams Preparation and Public Libraries
I am preparing for a comprehensive examination in Spanish that I expect to be taking in a few days. While I am bilingual and have studied Spanish for six years, it has been a long time since I reviewed Spanish grammar and irregular verbs. These days I normally relax into Spanish and engage in conversations.
Today I went to the St Charles Public Library and checked-out several review books and CDs for Spanish language. I also picked-up two novels in Spanish, one in an audio book and a companion book--both unabridged and another in both Spanish and English. Because I will need to be translating English into Spanish, part of my preparation will be to listen to an unabridged audio book in English and to read it in Spanish at the same time.
Fortunately for me, the public library had all of these resources. I am also watching DVD movies in Spanish--and sometimes in English--and am taking advantage of the Spanish language learning program I have subscribed to online.
While I do not know what will be on the battery of tests in Spanish I will be facing soon, my immersion in the language and its grammar will undoubtedly help me do better than not taking the time to become immersed in the language.
Today I went to the St Charles Public Library and checked-out several review books and CDs for Spanish language. I also picked-up two novels in Spanish, one in an audio book and a companion book--both unabridged and another in both Spanish and English. Because I will need to be translating English into Spanish, part of my preparation will be to listen to an unabridged audio book in English and to read it in Spanish at the same time.
Fortunately for me, the public library had all of these resources. I am also watching DVD movies in Spanish--and sometimes in English--and am taking advantage of the Spanish language learning program I have subscribed to online.
While I do not know what will be on the battery of tests in Spanish I will be facing soon, my immersion in the language and its grammar will undoubtedly help me do better than not taking the time to become immersed in the language.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Coincidence--Serendipity--Celestine Prophecy--Opening our Awareness--Goals and Intentions
I had a chance to go to downtown Chicago today and took a Metra train from La Fox to Ogilvie Transportation Center. On the train ride, a person sat across from me--coming to the train from another stop along the way. For about fifteen minutes prior to arrival in downtown Chicago we engaged in a conversation that made me remember some of the "insights" documented in James Redfield's Celestine Prophecy.
Coincidence and serendipity are some of the first "insights" James Redfield introduces in his book. I had been trying to find some information regarding credit for prior military service in employment by the federal government. The person sitting across from me was a U.S. Attorney and just celebrated his 31st anniversary in that position yesterday.
Not only was he able to answer the questions I could not get answers to yesterday, he was also able to give me insights into federal employment including two opportunities I have been working on for more than a month.
I took that train to be on time for my downtown meetings and had arranged to go with two friends who also had business in downtown Chicago. Another part of the "coincidence" was that we all arrived at the train station early and took the 7:01AM train rather than the 7:16AM train. Had we arrived a few minutes later we would have missed that opportunity.
I went downtown for two meetings. My intention was to build business for myself during my visit to Chicago and my goals were to introduce some business relationships in these two meetings. I was able to accomplish that intention and those goals. Along the way I found out how to use my AT&T wifi service using my iPod Touch in downtown Chicago.
The very best part of my visit was the fifteen-minute conversation with the U.S. Attorney just before arriving in Chicago. We were both open to chat and to share about ourselves. This led to having my questions answered and having more insight into the government positions I am exploring.
Coincidence and serendipity are some of the first "insights" James Redfield introduces in his book. I had been trying to find some information regarding credit for prior military service in employment by the federal government. The person sitting across from me was a U.S. Attorney and just celebrated his 31st anniversary in that position yesterday.
Not only was he able to answer the questions I could not get answers to yesterday, he was also able to give me insights into federal employment including two opportunities I have been working on for more than a month.
I took that train to be on time for my downtown meetings and had arranged to go with two friends who also had business in downtown Chicago. Another part of the "coincidence" was that we all arrived at the train station early and took the 7:01AM train rather than the 7:16AM train. Had we arrived a few minutes later we would have missed that opportunity.
I went downtown for two meetings. My intention was to build business for myself during my visit to Chicago and my goals were to introduce some business relationships in these two meetings. I was able to accomplish that intention and those goals. Along the way I found out how to use my AT&T wifi service using my iPod Touch in downtown Chicago.
The very best part of my visit was the fifteen-minute conversation with the U.S. Attorney just before arriving in Chicago. We were both open to chat and to share about ourselves. This led to having my questions answered and having more insight into the government positions I am exploring.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Workforce Development--Determining Training Needs
Workforce development--this is a critical concept for today's economy. What are the training needs of people in the workforce? How are community needs assessments conducted? In the Hispanic community, to what degree is more training in English or in Spanish important to the workforce and to the families of workers?
DrM-Resources is conducting a project on Community Needs Assessment. There is a need for new chambers of commerce to be involved.
Chambers of commerce have access to their members and can gather important information that can be provided to community colleges, universities, and other vendors to support custom-designed workforce training appropriate to the needs of member organizations.
DrM-Resources is conducting a project on Community Needs Assessment. There is a need for new chambers of commerce to be involved.
Chambers of commerce have access to their members and can gather important information that can be provided to community colleges, universities, and other vendors to support custom-designed workforce training appropriate to the needs of member organizations.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Global Positioning System--Finding Our Way, Finding Each Other
Global Positioning System (GPS)--consists of a network of satellites linked together to pinpoint locations on the planet. GPS Navigation Devices--produced by Magellan, Garmin, TomTom, Nextar, and others with applications for the iPhone--allow almost everyone to take advantage of the GPS to navigate from place to place using maps. Multiple users can even find each other using two GPS navigation units. Many of these (like the iPhone) are hand-held devices and, while they may be used in vehicles, they can also be used by pedestrians.
The Astrolabe and the Mariner's astrolabe allowed ancient astronomers and navigators to determine positioning using triangulation. The GPS of today brings this process to pinpoint accuracy.
The Astrolabe and the Mariner's astrolabe allowed ancient astronomers and navigators to determine positioning using triangulation. The GPS of today brings this process to pinpoint accuracy.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Language Tests, Language Practice, Language Learning and Review
In previous posts I have talked about the importance of maintaining second language proficiency. Today I ordered some DVD movies in Italian from WalMart.com and was watching another DVD movie in Spanish that I had ordered from Netflix. I have also been watching several DVD movies in French--some from my own library and some from Netflix.
I received a call today concerning a business opportunity I had applied for on October 29, 2009. Today was the first I had heard about that application. In the next few days I need to take a battery of tests in Spanish to compete for the position.
I had signed-up for the online language program to review my French and will now be reviewing my Spanish grammar while watching DVD movies in Spanish.
It is amazing how many business opportunities can come forward when second-language proficiency is attained and maintained. I am happy that practice is as enjoyable as watching DVD movies in the target languages and that these DVD movies are so readily available.
I received a call today concerning a business opportunity I had applied for on October 29, 2009. Today was the first I had heard about that application. In the next few days I need to take a battery of tests in Spanish to compete for the position.
I had signed-up for the online language program to review my French and will now be reviewing my Spanish grammar while watching DVD movies in Spanish.
It is amazing how many business opportunities can come forward when second-language proficiency is attained and maintained. I am happy that practice is as enjoyable as watching DVD movies in the target languages and that these DVD movies are so readily available.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Life and Art, Science and Faith--Multiple Points of View
One of the culminating activities in my senior year, majoring in humanities at Florida State University, was to write a personal essay regarding science and faith. In the years since then I have seen that while art often imitates life, life, indeed, imitates art from time to time.
While some people polarize on each of the four areas, I see all four as integrated parts of a whole. Sometimes it may be like looking at a diamond through its facets to look at our life experience through the perspective of one or more of these areas.
While some people polarize on each of the four areas, I see all four as integrated parts of a whole. Sometimes it may be like looking at a diamond through its facets to look at our life experience through the perspective of one or more of these areas.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Sustainability--Retirement--Extended Lifetimes--Quality of Life--Relative Terms
Sustainability has become a key word this year. President Obama mentions it in connection with the economy and preserving the ecology of the planet by developing alternative fuels and lifestyles that do not destroy our environment.
In this context we need to pay attention to the long-term impact of our solutions. We don't want to begin relying on new car batteries that will further harm the environment when they wear out. One aspect of sustainability is keeping in mind an extended time frame.
Sustainability is important to keep in mind when thinking about retiring--especially in today's economy in the USA. Improvements in medicine, nutrition, and health have extended life expectancy. To maintain a high quality of life (not necessarily a very expensive lifestyle) to age 100, for example, it is important to create a flow of income adequate to support that quality of life (including inflation) either before retirement age or to supplement any retirement income that a person has access to.
After World War II, social security was developed to make sure that wage earners could have some supplementary income in case their pensions from work plus their savings were not enough to provide basic needs. Medicare came out of a similar concern. More recently, most companies have decided not to fund pensions directly and have turned to 401K plans where companies and employees purchase stocks, bonds, or mutual funds to plan for retirement. In the last few years, when the stock market took a nose dive, on paper, people have lost between 75% and 50% of the money they had invested. Of course they did not realize these loses yet because they do not manifest until the stocks, bonds, or mutual funds are actually sold. While the concept of dollar cost averaging (the concept that every dollar invested in the stock market will increase in value over an extended period of time) is still valid, some people do not have 40 more years to wait for the value to rise to the point where they need it to be.
News reports in the last few days have talked about "a jobless economic recovery." Claiming that while there are indications of economic recovery, new jobs--or jobs of equal value to the jobs that have been lost--are not being created. These same reports speak to a 10% unemployment rate for the country. Unemployment rates do not include those whose benefits have run out and who, while possibly still unemployed, are now "off the radar."
My mother's highest salary in the public school system was about $22,000 per year as a supervisor. When she retired, two supervisors were hired to do what she did and they each earned about $60,000 per year. The economy shifted and her generation operated under a much lower ceiling for pay.
In today's economy we may be facing a reversal. Excluding the super-high-incomes of certain executives of what have historically been multi-million dollar companies, many salaries have been in a six-figure range. There appear to be fewer six-figure salaried positions available today. The salary for many jobs seems to have dropped significantly.
As baby boomers continue to age and as the next generation advances in their careers, openings for leadership jobs will continue to shrink. While no one practices age discrimination, some people are calling for a particular type of training or experience that older workers will not have. Other companies are paying only entry-level wages for higher responsibility positions.
A challenge for baby boomers happens when, for whatever reason, the job or business they are used to ceases to exist and they have to begin planning for a sustainable retirement. Social security (for as long as it lasts) will help and needs to be supplemented. Supplementary income can be much less than baby boomers used to get in their previous jobs. At the same time, many of these baby boomers are especially concerned with the quality of life they experience--at home and at work. With age comes a desire for less stress, a shorter commute, regular hours, and quality time outside of work. Six-figure jobs frequently don't offer these added benefits.
Some people work best as employees and others enjoy earning their income directly--through sales or running their own business. Planning for retirement differs for these two types of earners and both need to create effective, workable, and sustainable plans to enjoy a good quality of life for the lifetime left to them. Planning for a 100-year lifetime does not seem to be too unreasonable in the near term, especially if the person planning is currently age 50 or less.
All of these terms are relative--we will each be thinking of what quality of life means to us and how much income we will need to cover planned and unplanned expenses as we age. What we do need to plan for is a network of income resources that will be sustainable as we age. This usually means that we need several streams of income, each of which can last for a long time.
In this context we need to pay attention to the long-term impact of our solutions. We don't want to begin relying on new car batteries that will further harm the environment when they wear out. One aspect of sustainability is keeping in mind an extended time frame.
Sustainability is important to keep in mind when thinking about retiring--especially in today's economy in the USA. Improvements in medicine, nutrition, and health have extended life expectancy. To maintain a high quality of life (not necessarily a very expensive lifestyle) to age 100, for example, it is important to create a flow of income adequate to support that quality of life (including inflation) either before retirement age or to supplement any retirement income that a person has access to.
After World War II, social security was developed to make sure that wage earners could have some supplementary income in case their pensions from work plus their savings were not enough to provide basic needs. Medicare came out of a similar concern. More recently, most companies have decided not to fund pensions directly and have turned to 401K plans where companies and employees purchase stocks, bonds, or mutual funds to plan for retirement. In the last few years, when the stock market took a nose dive, on paper, people have lost between 75% and 50% of the money they had invested. Of course they did not realize these loses yet because they do not manifest until the stocks, bonds, or mutual funds are actually sold. While the concept of dollar cost averaging (the concept that every dollar invested in the stock market will increase in value over an extended period of time) is still valid, some people do not have 40 more years to wait for the value to rise to the point where they need it to be.
News reports in the last few days have talked about "a jobless economic recovery." Claiming that while there are indications of economic recovery, new jobs--or jobs of equal value to the jobs that have been lost--are not being created. These same reports speak to a 10% unemployment rate for the country. Unemployment rates do not include those whose benefits have run out and who, while possibly still unemployed, are now "off the radar."
My mother's highest salary in the public school system was about $22,000 per year as a supervisor. When she retired, two supervisors were hired to do what she did and they each earned about $60,000 per year. The economy shifted and her generation operated under a much lower ceiling for pay.
In today's economy we may be facing a reversal. Excluding the super-high-incomes of certain executives of what have historically been multi-million dollar companies, many salaries have been in a six-figure range. There appear to be fewer six-figure salaried positions available today. The salary for many jobs seems to have dropped significantly.
As baby boomers continue to age and as the next generation advances in their careers, openings for leadership jobs will continue to shrink. While no one practices age discrimination, some people are calling for a particular type of training or experience that older workers will not have. Other companies are paying only entry-level wages for higher responsibility positions.
A challenge for baby boomers happens when, for whatever reason, the job or business they are used to ceases to exist and they have to begin planning for a sustainable retirement. Social security (for as long as it lasts) will help and needs to be supplemented. Supplementary income can be much less than baby boomers used to get in their previous jobs. At the same time, many of these baby boomers are especially concerned with the quality of life they experience--at home and at work. With age comes a desire for less stress, a shorter commute, regular hours, and quality time outside of work. Six-figure jobs frequently don't offer these added benefits.
Some people work best as employees and others enjoy earning their income directly--through sales or running their own business. Planning for retirement differs for these two types of earners and both need to create effective, workable, and sustainable plans to enjoy a good quality of life for the lifetime left to them. Planning for a 100-year lifetime does not seem to be too unreasonable in the near term, especially if the person planning is currently age 50 or less.
All of these terms are relative--we will each be thinking of what quality of life means to us and how much income we will need to cover planned and unplanned expenses as we age. What we do need to plan for is a network of income resources that will be sustainable as we age. This usually means that we need several streams of income, each of which can last for a long time.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Shared Values and Priorities--Requirements for Successful Relationships, both Business and Personal
Shared values and priorities are critically important for successful relationships in both business and personal life. When values and priorities clash, the people involved pull in opposing directions and progress toward any goals becomes very hard--like walking through deep mud or molasses.
When values and priorities are shared, especially when perspectives can also be shared, it is much easier for the people involved to work together to achieve the desired goals, often encouraging each other when anyone encounters resistance or difficulties.
In a business setting, when I hear someone speak highly about a value I do not hold, I am immediately alerted to pay attention to how much (energy, money, etc.) I want to invest with the business or people adhering to that value.
In a personal setting, if I find someone speaking highly (or acting on) values I do not hold, I am immediately alerted to pay attention to how much (energy, money, etc.) I want to invest in that relationship or with that person.
While at first glance, this may seem a little harsh, over time I have discovered that these are lessons I need to keep in mind. Ultimately I will act on these priorities, so I may as well act on them immediately.
My family commitments are currently more important to me than business opportunities. I frequently hear of business opportunities that would split me away from my family priorities. Regardless of how good they sound, these business opportunities are not for me--at least in the near term. If I see a contradiction in values within the opportunities, they are not for me in the long term either. The good news about that is that I can free up my energy and time to consider or create business opportunities that are aligned with my family commitments, business priorities, and values.
When values and priorities are shared, especially when perspectives can also be shared, it is much easier for the people involved to work together to achieve the desired goals, often encouraging each other when anyone encounters resistance or difficulties.
In a business setting, when I hear someone speak highly about a value I do not hold, I am immediately alerted to pay attention to how much (energy, money, etc.) I want to invest with the business or people adhering to that value.
In a personal setting, if I find someone speaking highly (or acting on) values I do not hold, I am immediately alerted to pay attention to how much (energy, money, etc.) I want to invest in that relationship or with that person.
While at first glance, this may seem a little harsh, over time I have discovered that these are lessons I need to keep in mind. Ultimately I will act on these priorities, so I may as well act on them immediately.
My family commitments are currently more important to me than business opportunities. I frequently hear of business opportunities that would split me away from my family priorities. Regardless of how good they sound, these business opportunities are not for me--at least in the near term. If I see a contradiction in values within the opportunities, they are not for me in the long term either. The good news about that is that I can free up my energy and time to consider or create business opportunities that are aligned with my family commitments, business priorities, and values.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Movies, Culture, Language, Time, and New Perspectives, Tradition, Holidays
Movies provide amazing insights into time periods and cultures. Movies in different languages offer perspectives that are otherwise invisible. Turner Classic Movies provides a wealth of films that reflect some of the best America has had to offer. As a teacher, I used the movie It's a Wonderful Life to introduce ideas about American culture--the great depression, World War II, small-town life, the evolution of industry. The film is rich in all of these things. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington offers English language learners a glimpse into the history of politics in the United States.
While fiction, many movies have become traditions and capture much of the culture of their times. In my family, Thanksgiving (near the end of November) is the time for Miracle on 34th Street which begins with the Thanksgiving Day parade of Macy's department store in New York City. We also watch White Christmas and Holiday Inn (two versions of the same movie), and are sure to see It's a Wonderful Life before Christmas. Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol is also part of our holiday fare. I saw a delightful new version in "Real 3D" of Disney's A Christmas Carol with Jim Carey earlier this week.
When I was learning Italian, I lived in Italy as a graduate student for six months and went to lots of Italian re-runs. As the audience laughed themselves silly, I was struggling to keep up with the folow of the words. Before long my Italian improved and I laughed along with the rest of the audience. Many of the Italian films and much of the Italian humor differed greatly from what I was used to in American films. It was delightful to get to know the movies in Italian. One title I remember was very different in Italian and in English. I believe it was an Italian western. The Italian title was Giu la testa (keep your head down). The same movie's title in English was Duck, Stupid! later changed to Duck, You Sucker!
Recently, to bring back my French fluency, I began watching French films from Netflix. One movie is entitled Une hirondelle . . . a fait du printemps (The Girl from the Spring). The English title for the same movie is The Girl from Paris. The French title is much more in keeping with the theme of the movie though the girl does come from Paris. Another French movie I have recently watched and enjoyed was Priceless. Again, the culture and humor of the film is very different from typical American movies.
Watching familiar DVD's in other languages is also a great way to bring fluency back. Many DVD's have sound tracks and closed captions in multiple languages and it is a great way to review and refresh fluency by working with a combination of oral and written languages with viewing the DVD's. Some of my favorites to watch in multiple languages are Dave, French Kiss, One Fine Day, and Groundhog Day.
While fiction, many movies have become traditions and capture much of the culture of their times. In my family, Thanksgiving (near the end of November) is the time for Miracle on 34th Street which begins with the Thanksgiving Day parade of Macy's department store in New York City. We also watch White Christmas and Holiday Inn (two versions of the same movie), and are sure to see It's a Wonderful Life before Christmas. Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol is also part of our holiday fare. I saw a delightful new version in "Real 3D" of Disney's A Christmas Carol with Jim Carey earlier this week.
When I was learning Italian, I lived in Italy as a graduate student for six months and went to lots of Italian re-runs. As the audience laughed themselves silly, I was struggling to keep up with the folow of the words. Before long my Italian improved and I laughed along with the rest of the audience. Many of the Italian films and much of the Italian humor differed greatly from what I was used to in American films. It was delightful to get to know the movies in Italian. One title I remember was very different in Italian and in English. I believe it was an Italian western. The Italian title was Giu la testa (keep your head down). The same movie's title in English was Duck, Stupid! later changed to Duck, You Sucker!
Recently, to bring back my French fluency, I began watching French films from Netflix. One movie is entitled Une hirondelle . . . a fait du printemps (The Girl from the Spring). The English title for the same movie is The Girl from Paris. The French title is much more in keeping with the theme of the movie though the girl does come from Paris. Another French movie I have recently watched and enjoyed was Priceless. Again, the culture and humor of the film is very different from typical American movies.
Watching familiar DVD's in other languages is also a great way to bring fluency back. Many DVD's have sound tracks and closed captions in multiple languages and it is a great way to review and refresh fluency by working with a combination of oral and written languages with viewing the DVD's. Some of my favorites to watch in multiple languages are Dave, French Kiss, One Fine Day, and Groundhog Day.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Secure Websites, Identity Theft, Internet Purchases, DrM-Language
In setting-up Internet payments through PayPal, I was advised not to use a logo if the site was unsecure. That would result in error messages saying that some content was not secure when someone wanted to make a purchase.
PayPal and many other websites are secure and protect payment information from clients and customers. More and more products and services are available for purchase via the Internet. Most of these payments are secure.
A few months ago I responded to an e-mail ad and purchased a service. Shortly after that someone made an unauthorized purchase on a MasterCard, using data I had provided for that service. My credit-card company refunded the unauthorized charge and I was reminded about the vulnerability we all have for identity theft. In this case, I believe that the information gained about my card came from a telephone call follow-up.
Now I need to have the credit-card number changed and a new card issued so that no more unauthorized charges can be made against the card.
DrM-Language has some links for people to purchase an affordable, online language learning program. On those links there is an Enroll button which goes to a secure site for purchase of the online language program.
As an Internet merchant who has experienced unauthorized charges on my credit-cards, I am even more sensitive to the need to protect my clients and customers. At present, I rely on vendors to provide the secure websites for payments.
PayPal and many other websites are secure and protect payment information from clients and customers. More and more products and services are available for purchase via the Internet. Most of these payments are secure.
A few months ago I responded to an e-mail ad and purchased a service. Shortly after that someone made an unauthorized purchase on a MasterCard, using data I had provided for that service. My credit-card company refunded the unauthorized charge and I was reminded about the vulnerability we all have for identity theft. In this case, I believe that the information gained about my card came from a telephone call follow-up.
Now I need to have the credit-card number changed and a new card issued so that no more unauthorized charges can be made against the card.
DrM-Language has some links for people to purchase an affordable, online language learning program. On those links there is an Enroll button which goes to a secure site for purchase of the online language program.
As an Internet merchant who has experienced unauthorized charges on my credit-cards, I am even more sensitive to the need to protect my clients and customers. At present, I rely on vendors to provide the secure websites for payments.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Armistice Day--Ending of One Conflict and Beginning of Another--21st Century Applications
Armistice Day, 11/11/1918 at 11:00AM--marked the end of conflict on the western front during World War I (WWI). Referred to as Rememberance Day in the British Commonwealth and National Day in many other European countries, it was changed to Veteran's Day in the USA after World War II (WWII).
Unfortunately, the terms of the peace agreement on 11/11/1918, did not sit well with Germany and marked the beginning of what eventually became WWII.
In the 21st Century, there are many similar examples in terms of multinational conflict. To take only one, the experience in the USA of 9-11-2001, was the trigger that has prompted billions or trillions of US dollars expended on conflicts in the Middle East. Iraq, Afganistan, Islamic terrorists who operate across borders, Pakistan, Iran, the USA, allies from the British Commonwealth, Europe, and throughout the world keep taking one next step or decision which eventually foments more conflict elsewhere.
Sacred texts to the Hebrews, the Christians, and the Moslems all point to conflict in the Middle East that dates back to about 3,000 years before Christ (5,000 plus years ago). While personalities in this conflict reflect the 21st Century, many of the traditions of the conflict have deep historical roots.
"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." We need to pay attention to the lessons of Armistice Day, 11/11/1918 and what came out of it. How can we apply what we learn from those lessons to decisions about funding current conflicts today.
There is a lot of violence in the streets in the USA and elsewhere these days. Hundreds of school-age children are killed in Chicago and its suburbs. Some gangs are inspired by what they learn of terrorists. Some terrorists can extend their influence to people who might not otherwise be connected with their goals and ideals. Even officers serving in the U.S. Military are not immune to seeds of violence and distruction.
What can we do to end the conflicts in the world around us in ways that do not lead to more conflict later?
Unfortunately, the terms of the peace agreement on 11/11/1918, did not sit well with Germany and marked the beginning of what eventually became WWII.
In the 21st Century, there are many similar examples in terms of multinational conflict. To take only one, the experience in the USA of 9-11-2001, was the trigger that has prompted billions or trillions of US dollars expended on conflicts in the Middle East. Iraq, Afganistan, Islamic terrorists who operate across borders, Pakistan, Iran, the USA, allies from the British Commonwealth, Europe, and throughout the world keep taking one next step or decision which eventually foments more conflict elsewhere.
Sacred texts to the Hebrews, the Christians, and the Moslems all point to conflict in the Middle East that dates back to about 3,000 years before Christ (5,000 plus years ago). While personalities in this conflict reflect the 21st Century, many of the traditions of the conflict have deep historical roots.
"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." We need to pay attention to the lessons of Armistice Day, 11/11/1918 and what came out of it. How can we apply what we learn from those lessons to decisions about funding current conflicts today.
There is a lot of violence in the streets in the USA and elsewhere these days. Hundreds of school-age children are killed in Chicago and its suburbs. Some gangs are inspired by what they learn of terrorists. Some terrorists can extend their influence to people who might not otherwise be connected with their goals and ideals. Even officers serving in the U.S. Military are not immune to seeds of violence and distruction.
What can we do to end the conflicts in the world around us in ways that do not lead to more conflict later?
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