The 2000's - and whats next

Happy Holidays to all! I hope everyone had a wonderful Hanukkah and Christmas. My five year old loves it at this time as most kids do. She is especially lucky in that she gets both a Hanukkah and Christmas. She seems very comfortable with both celebrations. Its organic to her and she embraces both with such enthusiasm. Being a 5 year old digital native, she is also very comfortable with computers. Don't you wish you had such ease with a computer the first time you ever used one? For her, using a computer was like my first trip to the playground. No one had to tell me what to do, I just played. That's how my Daughter is with technology. The first time she pried my iphone from me, she just KNEW how to use it. Have you given any thought to the impact of technology on our lives in the last 10 years? Its really amazing. With our phones and the internet, many of us now have "friends" all over the World thanks to social networks... many we have never met. (probably never will) I expect this to continue in a big way. More and more friends (1000s of them) as we build our personal Network with people who share the same likes and dislikes as us... and the friends we have known?, we may connect with them more, but less in person. Speaking to my Nanny, she felt she is "more" in touch with her friends, calling and texting, but I told her there was a time when you hung with your friends endlessly, in person. Our very definition of "friends" and "close friends", oh boy that's going to change, if it hasn't already. Even the modern design of most streets (made wider so 2 fire trucks could pass each way) in some suburbs took away the natural connection with your neighbors. (Think when you were a kid, you knew everyone pretty much on your block) I barely know my neighbors today. So now we are making connections and friendships so easily over the Web leaving our shyness at home, and the time of these interactions (some lasting only seconds) with lots of strangers the World over. Think of the long range impact. "Face to Face" might be reserved for family, very important business affairs, and the closest of friends. (and even that will go away - I'm waiting see one of my friends get married online" Seriously, this stuff is coming (for those who cant make it to the wedding in person please visit John and Jessica get married.com ) Our definition of face to face may be with Avatars and not in the flesh. Yes, technology had its biggest impact on how we interact within society over last 10 years and it seems it will only be more so in the next 10 years. So I know... I only focused on one aspect of technology's impact over the last decade. And yes we will make more connections, and yes, it will redefine our friendships, but with new technology we also we will find ways to live much much longer (Only if you are very very rich). I do think the impact of Stemcell research over the next 10 years will be mind-boggling. In 20 years, growing organs for replacement will in common almost commonplace for those rich enough to afford it.

I think in addition to saying goodbye to face to face friendships, say goodbye too to all Newspapers and Magazines in paper form. And everyone knows about the death of the Newspaper, but did you know, we will also see the beginning of the end of meat consumption? (and it may take 30 years but its decline will begin). Its going to get too dangerous (Swine flu is not the end, but just the start) and it will become too expensive for most. (strangely enough as it began, when meat was only consumed by the very rich) In this decade we will see the 100 dollar Steak and the 20 Dollar hamburger. Meat substitutes (many today are amazing) will go mainstream as "becoming healthy" really healthy becomes the next big status symbol. Older people will look younger and younger people will look older as the environment takes its toll on those who fail to take care of themselves. There will be a further divide not only between the rich and the poor, but between the healthy and the unhealthy. Living healthy is a lifestyle choice and healthy lifestyle will be marketed and product-ized of sorts as boomers get even older.

I think the one thing as I ramble through my thoughts about this decade and the next is, the 2000's took away our ability to be shocked. Nothing seems shocking anymore. After 9/11, Katrina, Tsunami's, earthquakes, Virgina Tech, The bailing out of AIG and other financial institutions that helped caused the financial crisis, and then to see everyday people lose their homes (with no bail out), the events in and around War in Iraq and the 4,282 US Soldiers and Sailors who have died in combat, its very difficult to shocked by anything anymore. And I don't know if we are just numb to all of these events, but I think most of us are just about ready for anything.

And with that, lets say goodbye to the double OOs and say hello to the next decade~!

Peace to you and happy 2010!

Good Times!

Good Times! I was watching reruns of this hit show from the 70's and couldn't help but think of how desperately America needs another "Good Times" kind of show. You know, a family with some legit struggle, real struggle... ALL the time... and making the best of it. I think Caucasian folks in particular need this the most. My Dad told me this week that in NYC "White is the new Black". The struggles that Black people have known for far too long, now belong to a new class of people, and I'm not talking about "Rosanne" either. Some folks I know are struggling for the first time in their lives, and they need lessons on living "day to day. This is nothing new to us. Just ask people in Detroit. Detroit has been in a permanent recession since the 60's, maybe earlier. Double digit unemployment? Nothing new. This recession feels like a depression to some because they never felt struggle. Enjoying simple pleasures, like playing monopoly, the board game and not MONOPOLY, buying and owning 2 or 3 real homes (odd how that felt normal - the summer home, the winter home yada yada)... appreciating non material things like your health, and not getting a shoppers high from blowing thousands on a pair of shoes (ok, a couple of nice pairs of shoes) with your Amex Platinum Card. What was great about "Good Times", was we could relate, but we were never as down and out as they were. My Mom once said, look, you got it better than JJ (Jimmy Walker, the ultra skinny dude on the right in the Blue hat) you should thank your lucky stars you have it so good". Guess what? I bought it. Why not have a show of a once prosperous family that fall victim of the economy and find happiness with each other. But instead of a Super poor family in Good Times, how about a Madoff like family? (without the crime thingy) I was thinking about the remake of "Fun with Dick and Jane" with Jim Carrey, Téa Leoni. The only problem with that movie, just like real life, Dick and Jane lost stuff, but the stuff is what gave them happiness. Some of us have not let go of the "stuff" it seems. The great American Consumer's appetite for more has taken some serious hits, in the last year and a half, but like the creatures in "night of the living dead" the shoppers come back from the brink, looking for SOME way (like Layaway), to get more stuff. (and ok, maybe not layaway, that involves patience). And lets not pretend that a recovery is just around the corner. Pa-lease! I see this thing lasting another 15 or more years. Its going to take a long time to get this economy back in shape. The tricks that propped up American Consumption for so long (Cheap credit, corporate thievery in the stock market, and an ultra inflated housing market) those gimmicks are mostly played. I'm not go any further on it in this blog the ills of the Nation, but its crazy ugly. What the Country needs is to see the cast of say Dynasty, or Dallas, pulling themselves together, and getting by on less and having fun along the way. I'm serious, the Country needs this. There has to be a reason people are lining up to see Sarah Palin. She has that fallen from grace, going from Vogue to Rogue thing going for her. Ok, that just messed up my blog...nevermind the thought.

Just imagine, A family that had it all (or so they thought) and found it all by losing it all and having each other. Loving each other for who they are and not for how much money they make. I'm sure JJ Walker would say DYN-O-MITE! to that. I know I would. Its a good lesson for everyone. Good times!

Health Care for all....what is there to debate?

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan plans to increase the rates for about 163,000 people under certain plans by an average of 22 percent. Blue Cross is also increasing certain supplemental Medicare policies held by about 210,000 Michigan seniors by an average of 4.7 percent.

In Southern California, The billionaire chairman of Los Angeles-based Mercury Insurance Company is sponsoring a ballot measure that would legalize surcharges of hundreds of dollars for automobile insurance, penalize good drivers for accidents that are not their fault, and lead to more uninsured motorists. Under the proposal, aimed at the June 2010 ballot, people who stop driving for more than three months or were previously uninsured would be forced to pay more when they restart their insurance. These include laid-off employees, recent graduates, retirees forced back to work, people buying insurance for the first time and residents who move away from cities with good mass transit systems. Such surcharges are currently unlawful under the 1988 insurance reform law, Proposition 103, but Mercury has repeatedly violated that and other state insurance laws.

These are few two of MANY examples of how quietly Insurance companies are out (as much as they can) to minimize claims and maximize profits. The bizarre thing about this sleazy business is somehow in the Press, the current state of the Nations Health Care is being made to look as if it actually WORKS for YOU! I am simply dumbfounded by the tone of the National "Debate" on health care. Who are these freaks speaking up for the Insurance companies that are out to do as little as possible, charge as much as possible, and eliminate as many risks as possible? Who are they? A Government option will force the insurance companies from continuing their "mission statement" to rip off insurance policy holders as effectively as possible. "Big Government" is being blathered on right wing talk radio as a bad thing. Its NUTS, absolutely NUTS! Wasn't the strategic National response to Pearl Harbor "Big Government"? Wasn't FDR's New Deal "Big Government?" Those projects like the Hoover Dam, Tennessee Valley Authority, Social Security, the Interstate Highway System and don't forget the Space Program, yes Virgina, we got to the MOON with the help of "Big Government". How American and Patriotic is THAT??? And if we do not ALL participate and ALL pitch in, what is the opposite of "all"? Wouldn't it be "one person" and wouldn't that be a Dictatorship?

The fact that the press (and insurance companies, and right wing nut jobs) have convinced many that we should keep this rigged system as is, should be a wake up call. As the so called debate goes on, I think the masses will wake up to the facts and wake up to the truth, the Insurance companies don't care about you, only that your premiums and your Employer's premiums, are paid on time. That's it. They are in it for the money. No pretty ad can cover up the stench of these sleazeballs. Let your Congressman know where YOU stand. Let them hear your voice. scream louder than the loonies...and let's fight back!

Once we GET a public option, the next thing we should do is go after the FDA. The Food and Drug Administration is the flimsiest Government body ever. Its RUN by the Food Corporations! Colonel Sanders and General Mills call the shots baby! and there is no governance. Anything and everything that can fit in a tube, bottle or box, IS made for human consumption in the USA. I would say that 9 1/2 of 10 Aisles in the average grocery store are packed with ingredients that will kill you and end your life sooner than it should. These ingredients cause cancer, heart disease, diabetes and kidney disease. Its a mess! and the odds are stacked against the avg. fast food eating, grab some more chicken wings and beer American. The Worlds Greatest Country deserves better. Our kids deserve better. Don't you think? Preventative Doctor visits, diet and exercise, all the things suggested as the optimum American way of life, Corporations, are out to eliminate. There is more money in "treating" everyone for being sick. And if your not sick, there is a VERY strong media to convince people they just might be. Come on, who are you kidding? You HAVE to be sick, you ate Twinkies!!! Lots of them! They have a shelf life of 600 years!...its going to get you. Its Jet Fuel! There is NO money in a cure...the cash is in treating the symptoms. The big money is in the testing, but only after its too late. With so called "Modern Medicine" You would think things might get better, but the recession, (The GREAT recession) oh it set us back, big time. cheap "comfort" food "dollar menu baby!!!" Staying home and "cocooning" is in. Reality TV (which had nothing to do with the recession), the reality, many people stay in and watch people live so called "real lives" on TV (Who in the Hell is this "Kate" person anyway? and WHY don't they call HER the Octomom??? How did she get center stage on "People", and who reads this crap? You know who? Fat Americans, thats who!!! when in actuality, the new reality is a trip to the couch (is that couch paid for? ok that's another story)... a trip to the fridge, back to the couch and then back to the fridge... to the couch... to the fridge and off to the bed. (and the modern American cant sleep anyway) There is a pill for that, too!

When and where does it all end? I'm counting on you to do something about this mess. I'm sick of writing. This subject, ah it makes me sick to my stomach.

I promise a happy story next blog.

An iTunes kind of life?

Oh our ipods! Dont we just love them?! Me, I have a older ipod with over 9000 songs (yes Nine zero zero zero and counting). At first thought you would think that all this electronic access to music would be great for the music business, but we found out it actually hurt sales, and changed the way we buy music forever. I could go into all of the terrible byproducts of downloading music (the biggie being stolen music downloads), and this is has also hit the movie business, but I wanted to focus on one aspect.

See when I was a teenager, I went down to the record store. My little shop actually wasn't a record store, it was really a Smokeshop that sold records. The owners Son was really into music, and he gave his son some space to sell records, and over time the Son sold more records than his Dad sold pipes and cigars, but it still went by the smoke shop name. I spent a LOT of time in the smoke shop talking about music with the owners Son and anybody who would walk into the store and wanted to talk about music. The thing we were all trying to find was the next big band, and those hidden gems on the B-side of the records. This was SO fun. I remember running into the store to tell Sam (the owners son) about this killer song "Train in Vain" by the Clash. "Train" wasn't even listed on the record! A gem! later a HIT!

I guess since the music that came out in the late 70's and early 80's was so fantastic, for me, it was magical. Unlike today, there wasn't an easy way to preview music, unless you heard it on the radio, OR in the record store. (Off topic, I'm still waiting for that great recession music to arrive, as the way it has gone, the worse the economy the better the music (that is until now, and I have a few theories, but I digress) The records didn't cost much back in the day, and even a teenager could take a chance on a band you didn't know. Literally, I bought a record simply for the cover (and beautiful covers they were (sob)) or read about it in Rolling Stone. For me, Rolling Stone was the music Bible, the good book! I remember buying "Dire Straits" sight unseen. RS said it was good and that was good enough for me. "The Clash", "Blondie", "Talking Heads", "Devo" "PIL", "Cheap Trick" "The B-52's", "U2" and "The Cars" It seemed almost like a new must -have band came out every week! When I listened to all this wonderful music on my Sears Special record player and my Koss Headphones, all bought on McDonalds wages, I listened to ALL the music on one side of the record. flipped it and listened ALL of the flip side (aka the B-side). Looking back, some of the BEST music ever was found on the flip or B-side. It was too difficult to pick up the needle and go from song to song although, people did try (usually at parties). This was where you heard the big scratches (RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRP!) when the person changing the song had been drinking too much and would utter something like " Oh you GOT to hear this song...Ugh let me find it") (Ah, you younger kids will never know how your Parents lived before The Internet, Facebook, ipods, iphones, Tivo, and cars with AC, OnStar, and Navigation. trust me, you had think on your feet every now and then. ;))



Fast forward some 35 years later and look how we buy and listen music today. Itunes sells music by the SONG! Little kids with Itunes accounts are cherry picking Jonas Brothers songs. (of course that may not be a bad thing). No really, this IS a bad thing. If at the end of the day, Sally Sue only buys so called "hit" songs, plenty of Artists works will go without a listen (Songs back in the day a person would discover on the B-side) Many of these songs became hits. "Train in Vain" a hit song by the Clash, wasn't even listed on the record! The only way you found it, was listening to the entire record. Who didn't listen to ALL of London Calling? Those who might buy it on iTunes and may not know better. I'm certain "Thriller" would not be as big had it been released first on iTunes...even the best selling record of all time is being cherry picked. Oh yes. When was the last time you listened to an ENTIRE record, er, gee, I mean downloadable collection of songs that would have been a record or CD?



The World spins just as fast as it did 40 years ago, but things "appear" to be moving much faster. In all this hectic living, are we cherry picking more than songs on iTunes? Are we not taking the time to listen to an entire conversation, message, Class or Meeting? Do we cherry pick some of what we hear and tune out the rest? We are missing out on some "life's" greatest hits! lifes greatest little moments....the B side. Immerse yourself into whatever your doing. Listen to the entire conversation. Stay until the end of the game. Buy the entire download! Listen to your kids! Finish the book! Be in the moment...and stick around and smell the roses, the coffee...you just might find a Gem!. :)

Good Happens!

Wow, its been light years since I wrote in my blog. I've been truly struggling to come up with something I felt was worth writing. I wanted to write about hard work and faith. You know, we are in such a "Haves" and "Have Not" Society. I know so many people who are doing just fantastic right now in the midst of this Global Recession, and I know people who are having a very tough time. I wanted to be encouraging to those who are having a tough go at it, to lean on your faith. I mean LEAN! I'm amazed how the combination of effort and faith results in the incredible and Amazing . You must have both. Every day, every task, every situation, You have to give it 110 percent. You must give it your all. My Soccer Coach (Mark Hilty) told me and my teammates to "Leave it ALL on the field" He said if we could run off the field at the end of the game we didn't work hard enough. So give it your all, and then pray like crazy and believe in the positive possibilities...the unlimited abundance. If you cant see it, if you cant picture the optimal outcome, how can anybody else? You gotta have faith. Especially when you get setbacks. Don't quit. Don't give up. Faith and works...its works. In the end you may not get exactly what you want, but a light will be set out, and a path will be made... and you will get exactly what you need. I wanted to give a few words of encouragement. Whatever it is you are seeking, it may it be closer than you think. Chin up, smile. Appreciate the sunshine, your family, and your friends.

Good Happens!

A note to my Grandmother.

Once again I have been slow on the Blog front, and I want to apologize to the wonderful people who have reached out to me to tell me they enjoy my writing. Its quite a joy to get that kind of feedback and it's greatly appreciated. Ive been thinking a lot about my Grandmother. She was such a special influence in my life, perhaps a little more so than with most. She was more like a "Co-Mom" to me. At one point I lived just across the street from her for about 8 years growing up. Ruth Ann gave me some tremendously valuable lessons. Not all of them I took to heart, but most of them I did. She was really big on learning, and she cut zero slack on school. I had no choice but to produce, "or else". (I never found out what "or else was, nor did I want to know". My Grandmother grew up during the Great Depression. She owned two homes (the other was a rental) and was comfortably retired at 63, after being a Superintendent at a Reform School for Girls for over 25 years. She did quirky things like Christmas shopping in June (all of it). She would always give me one of the best presents, and even better, I always got it a day before Christmas. (I never knew exactly why she gave it to me early, but I loved it). I know this is sounding like she was just spoiling me, but that really wasn't the case. Because of her, I worked nights and weekends at McDonalds. She made a big deal out of the value of work and money. My Grandmother was always pretty focused on whatever she did, and at 82, she hardly lost her edge. She was a tremendously fun person to be with, and she loved her Grandson. When I got a VP promotion, it was pretty much a joint promotion. She was extremely proud and even at this stage of my life, continued encouraging me to "keep on keepin on". She did everything she could to live in her house until she could no longer, and moved to a Assisted living center. She wasn't there long before she passed away. I was so sad and torn up about losing my Grandmother that I convinced my wife to "pull the goalie" so that we might have a kid. Before her death, for whatever reason, I had this "logical" (like Spock on Star Trek) view of kids as a line item expense and way too much trouble. I wasn't a "kid" type of guy at all. But losing my "Rock" made me so want to be a parent and grow the family. 14 months after she passed away we had a baby girl. I guess you could also say that I became "The rock" for my family. And Since we were married in Italy, and since Rome was our favorite city, we name her Romi (Rom-ee) The R is also a nod to Ruth Ann. In a lot of ways my Daughter has a little "Ruth Ann" in her. She is pretty focused, a hell of lot of fun, and she loves her Dad. Now the reason for this blog, I wanted to share with her some of things that has happened in the six years she has been gone and let her know I miss her. So here is my note to you.

My lovely Grandmother. We miss you SO much. I know you are in heaven and hope they are giving you a glimpse or two of your Great Grand Daughter. (tell me she isnt a chip off the old block). She knows all about you and knows you're in heaven. She is a GREAT kid (see her picture). She is so bright, and kicking butt at Montessori school. She is also at 4 an amazing swimmer. She can swim an entire length of a pool. She has this built in "will to win" She doesn't like to be 2nd in anything (almost to a fault). Every time I look in her eyes, I can see you. More big news. I know you wont believe this but America has its first Black President! You would love Obama and his family. Its like the Cosby show moved into the White House. The Country is going through some very difficult economic times. Epic/Depression level stuff. This President could not have a more difficult job. I would say work is tougher for most everyone now, including me, but I am doing my best to "keep on keeping on" like you taught me. But truly, I wish you were here so you can see this changing World. The World is changing Grandma. and its getting smaller. I can watch TV on my mobile Phone. I have buddies all over the planet. Oh yeah, and I stopped eating meat of any kind. I can no longer have your famous chicken. The last thing I'm going to leave you with, and its a bit of a shocker. They are going to cancel your favorite soap opera, "The Guiding light" after 72 years. Maybe they wont do so in heaven. I miss our "small talks" SO very much. You are in my heart, always and never forgotten. Love, your Grandson.

New pitcher to the field of dreams

Just a kid. 22. Hard working pitcher from Silver Springs Maryland. The kid really loved baseball, and had a gutcheck journey to the bigs. It began with some seriously bad luck as he injured his elbow just before the 2004 MLB prep draft. The injury dropped him from a projected 10th in the 1st round all the way to 413th in the 14th round! Nick had to have tommy john surgery, and a ton of therapy to get back to form. A lot of kids would have quit after falling so far off the baseball draft radar. Not Nick. They guy kept working, kept at it. Bobby Knight said it this way "Most people have the will to win, few have the will to prepare to win. Nick was a winner. He did what it took to not only make it to "the show", the guy made it as the number 3 pitcher into the Angels starting rotation. In his first game of the 2009 season, Nick pitched six innings, giving up no runs, striking out 5, earning a no decision. A solid start to a long season. Then, the next morning, a drunk driver speeding in a red Toyota Sienna minivan runs a red light, hitting a gray Mitsubishi Eclipse in which Nick was a passenger. The Mitsubishi then crashes into a telephone pole...and just like that. A wonderful kid and his two friends are dead. Senseless. When you hear this stuff on the news, you go "so sad" so so tragic". I couldn't shake Nick's sudden death. What struck me about this was the sheer randomness of it all. So random. That could have been anyone of us. Later I was thinking "what if"? What if, they stopped and had coffee, or what if? Nick couldn't find his wallet and took an extra minute or two to find it, thereby missing the speeding idiot drunk driver ?. What 30 seconds, few minutes could have kept the two vehicles from colliding. Gosh, how does this stuff happen? Its tragic EVERY DAY! drunk drivers kill. Everyday, someone just as special to someone, dies or is badly hurt from a drunk driver. When will we get serious about drunk drivers, really serious? When will the madness end? Rest in peace Nick. And if they play baseball in heaven. If there really is a "field of dreams", Boy, their team just got better.