More than A to B

My First Time

2011-12-27T17:05:00.000-08:00

As some of you know, I spend the month of December reflecting on the past year - both as a way to celebrate the great year, to reflect on what really matters and to "capture and retire" memories so I can move on with the next year.

One of my favorite topics (which happens annually on my date of December 24) is the topic of "First times."

All throughout the year, I keep a list of things I did for the first time. It constantly reminds me to get out there an create new an exciting adventures - every year - instead of being satisfied with what "is" or what has happened. It know it isn't very zen like, but for me, it is a great reminder that we don't get old until we stop doing new things. At least that is my story for now - and I am sticking to it.

So - if you had to look back and think about what you did FOR THE FIRST TIME in 2011, what would your list look like?

Here is my list. In no particular order. The exercise is fun for me - because it both reminds me to continue to try to new things - but at the same time, celebrate in the cool new things I did for the year!

FIRST TIME 2011 (First pass)

To go Ziplining among a canopy of trees (in Costa Rica)

To attend an underground meal (based upon wild forest and seashore foraging)

To go on a full family cruise (Happy 50th anniversary Mom and Dad!)

To Visit Hongzhou, China (to see the famous moon lake)

Took my parents to Las Vegas, Orlando and on a cruise

To visit the famous GE Crotonville

To visit Tartine Bakery - perhaps the best in the US?

To visit Park City, Utah

To use Prezi

To sit next to a famous cookbook author for a truffle dinner

To say at Ventura Beach

To ride one of the Chinese long distance bullet trains

To really be mountain biking on a mountain (Mt. Burrell in Australia)

To read Orson Scott Card - and the first of the Ender books (and I will be reading many more!)

To prepare, launch and teach 40 ipads

To mix my own meritage wine (on purpose) - St. Jean Chateau

To meet my first great best friend since school ended (You are wonderful Kelly!)

To make and eat Padron Peppers (thanks to Karie who gave me my first taste!)

To have a Sonora Dog in Tucson (with friend Karen!)

To hang out with bloggers at a conference - and be known at the HR Futurist!

To go to a bubble gum alley (on the Megan California Trip!)

To fall off a mountain (yikes. Head over heals with a mountain bike? The knee still hurts...)

To eat deep fried duck chins (not much meat!)

To do a 12 hour pub crawl (Brandan and Gered - you are pals!)

To be working for the top strategy company

To attend a pop up dinner and the first ever "Le Blanc" party in San Francisco (thanks to my white dressed friends Karie, Jim and Sharon!)

To stand in line to eat a Foie Gras covered hotdog (Haut Dogs in Chicago)

To play Rockin Olives with my mother (A Las Vegas memory I will cherish)

To go to Palm Springs (a bit of work - and play)

To have a Molecular Gastronomy Meal (Moto in Chicago. 21 courses...)

To meet someone else named Richard Von Feldt (Only three of us that I know of. The other one I have not met is a cop in Las Vegas. Not sure I want to meet him...)

To have my own bird feeder (I also realize that it feeds mice!)

To eat housemade tofu made at the table (Thanks Sherry)

To create a board game for 80 people. (Phewww. What a ride!)

To eat at a David Chang Restaurant. And that of at least 10 other celebrity chefs, including Tio, Morimoto and more)

To make Kangaroo and Duck Fish Carpaccio (The food supplies in Australia are amazing. Thanks for the tour - and patience Narelle!)

To really contemplate what "getting old means" based upon the people around me (going to be a tough birthday this year?)

And a few other things that probably are not appropriate to add to the internet!

What a fun 2011!

Singapore - a Happiest Place on Earth?

2011-12-01T01:09:00.000-08:00

I saw this article from National Geographic. It is interesting to see the descriptioin of "The Happiest Places on Earth." (http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/happiest-places/happiness-hot-spots-photos/)

One of my favorite places that made me happy is on the list: Singapore:

There is also an interesting article on the "True Happiness Test." It is based on:
1. How you Remember life

2. How you experience your life

3. The effect of your environment.

How about you. How did you do on the test?

Link here: http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/happiest-places/test/

Rick

words

2011-04-13T02:33:00.001-07:00

Watch the video!

http://youtu.be/Hzgzim5m7oU

Rick Von Feldt

HR Futurist

Phone: +1-970-797-9386

Mobile: +1-650-521-1888

www.hrfuturist.com

An answer to that famous question

2011-03-20T18:24:00.000-07:00

This is an important picture. Because I finally have a picture of her!

Do you remember those party games, where you sit at tables and have to answer embarassing questions? You go through questions like "What was the most embarassing thing that happened to you? (mine involved a hit and run incident with a lawnmower) Or when did you make a fool out of yourself? (I seem to remember a really bad experience with the song "Feelings" in a talent show…). And then there is that question about your first love.

For me, it was Nancy.

In 3rd grade, I confided in one of my best friends that I thought a girl in my class was pretty. I remember that she had long blond hair. I loved her smile. She seemed sophisticated. And I just couldn't stop watching her.

But I shouldn't have told Paul, my friend. Because he then got it into his mind that it would also be his girlfriend.

Being second graders, we decided that we both could like her. And then let her decide. Further, we decided that it would be the annual school carnival held at Joyland that would be the deciding factor.

Unfortunately, Nancy was diplomatic and went along with it. She might I have just liked the attention. But clearly, I though I knew who she liked the most!

Paul and I decided that the ultimate sign of our affection, and a prooving point on who liked her the most, would be to kiss her in the tunnel on the roller coaster at this amusement park that we would be having our school carnival.

The school carnival was an annual fund raiser for the school. For every 10 tickets you sold to family and friends, you received one ticket free for yourself. I decided that it would take many roller coaster rides in order to get enough courage to make my move. And if Paul decided to kiss her, then I needed to have enough tickets to take Nancy round and round on that roller coaster

I was a crazy salesman that year. I think I learned all about commerce, self confidence and the ability for marketing from that one event alone. By the time the carnival came along, I was in the lead for even selling the most tickets. My secret? I went to the older ladies in the neighborhood, and asked if they would by carnival tickets. I gave them my charming smile. And if they asked why I was selling the tickets, then I would telling them I wanted to take my new girlfriend on the roller coaster. That evoked a lot of great resonses, including most of them turning around and giving me their tickets back. Cha-ching!

The night of the carnival , I was loaded with confidence. But also fear. My only motivation was to be able to prove Paul that she really liked me more!

Later, Paul and I would debate the actual sequence of activities. I think we ended up agreeing that somewhere in the middle of the night, while all three of us were on the roller coast, we both each kissed a cheek at the same time.

But I would claim that she was looking at me, in the dark, and therefore, I had the advantage!

(This picture and story was inspired by my friend Brian McKenna (orange shirt - and to my left) who uploaded this picture to facebook!

12 Hour Physical Suspensions

2011-03-01T23:02:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

At least 10 times this year, I will sit in physical suspension. For at least 10 - 12 hours, I will be confined to a 2 feet by 2 feet space. I will be asked to sit still. Move little. I will face an atmosphere that has an air quality that is literally drier than a dessert. I will be uncomfortable. I will be subjected to infectious diseases. And asked to be paid literally thousands of dollars to do it.

Sounds crazy, huh?

I just returned from the second of those 10 experiences - my travel from China back to San Francisco.

This year, I will travel to Asia no less than 5 times. And each time, I have to endure a 10-12.5 hour (depending upon the direction) airplane trip. If you have not been on one of those trans-continental trips, it is something you have to experience. I have been doing it every year for the last 11 years - mutliple times ever year. But with my base now being in the USA, and having business in Asia, I will have trips to Asia averaging every 10 weeks this year.

I do my best to psyche myself up. In advance, I think of all of the things I can / want to get done on the trip. I have to think about the awake time vs sleep time on the flight. It depends upon what happens on the other end. Right now, for example, when I get travel to China, I leave at 1:18 on a non-stop flight to Shanghai that lasts 12 hours. I leave at 1pm on a Friday, and get there on Saturday at 7pm. I know that I need to sleep on the night of my arrival to reset my clock. And so, I make a point to stay awake the full 12 hours of the flight.

In some ways, it is bliss. I get caught up on emails. I get to watch movies or downloaded television shows that I have missed. I get to eat 3-4 times. I drink wine, feel a bit tipsy, and then get sober again. All in that time frame. I make myself drink water. Lots of it, so that I can beat the dehyradation that happens while you are in an airplane.

Usually, I get to fly on business class. Which is crazy, because the prices goes fro $1,700 per person to somewhere between $6,800 and $12,000 per person, depending upon the day I travel.

During the flight, to make things real, I go to the back of the plane. I am reminded of the Leonardo di Capria character in "Titanic." The lower in the decks you go - you begin to see what life in the "cattle classes" are like. On United, at the back of the plane, where people literally pay the lowest fairs, it is brutal. You can't even purchase those fares in the USA. The are reserved for sale in the Asia market. And the leg rooms is so little that if the person in front of you reclines, your legs touch the seat. Imagine that for 12 hours!

I often look around me at what other are doing. Few "prepare" for the experience like I do. On these transatlantic flights, I have a backpack with special supplies. I have a blanket. I have a special eye mask that you can put on and not touch your eyelids (important if you have ever tried one). I have ear plugs that can block half of the noise of loud crying babies, and southern Chinese citizens who insist on using their local cultural habits of being loud and playing majong for hours on the plane. I have extra batteries for the computer. And music.

I have perfected all that I can over the years.

But it still gives me mixed feelings everytime I travel. I can never predict it. But sometimes, the time flies. And other times, I find myself checking the clock every hour, saying, "when am I going to get home."

On the way there, I look forward to the adventure. It is the promise and the hope of sleeping in my own bed that keeps me focused on a goal on the return trip.

What advice would you give to your childhood best friend?

2011-01-28T14:53:00.000-08:00

Recently, Kelly, my first ever best friend from first grade told me she was making life and career changes. The magic of Facebook connected us several years ago.

I took a moment to write out the first ten things that came to mind. You can read them here on my new website: http://hrfuturist.com/getting-from-a-to-b/career-advice-for-my-first-grade-friend/

What else would you add? - Rick

Thanks Hallmark for the dating program!

2010-07-19T10:25:00.000-07:00

This morning, Hallmark cards sent me an email. The proclaimed that they had a way for me to INSPIRE and UPLIFT my girlfriends. They even gave me a link where I could go on to Facebook and "talk to the real-life girlfriends and imperfect moms" who designed their products. In their ad, the proclaimed that their solutions for my girlfriends would be as "uplifting" as a great bra.

Ok.

Hallmark, thank you for helping me to try and get new girlfriends and all. I am glad that someone is out there thinking about me (in addition to my Mom that is!) I also appreciate that they are providing me a Facebook dating service to meet their employees. I do wonder if the girls are given extra salary to be pimped out to customers in that way?

I went to the Facebook page of Hallmark. Right there, on the site, they proclaimed, "Girlfriends Collection Online Event!" 6-7 pm (CDT). Wow. They even have an online dating parade. It reminds me of this place I went to once in Thailand...(oh. Oops. Another story). I definately hit "I'm Attending."

They described their girls as, "Yo...ur girlfriends are the people you go to for comfort in hard times and can relate to best. Whether that is divorce, cancer, loss of job, and everyday struggles, girlfriends have you covered."

I have to tell you. If that is the only reason I should be going to girlfriends, then I think that over time, that will be pretty depressing. I like going to my girlfriends for a whole lot of other positive and fun things!

On their website, Hallmark goes one step further. They have created a social calendar for me and my girlfriends for the upcoming week. This is perfect. It is always so hard for guys to think up of creative ideas that are both entertaining and romantic for women. Here is what they suggest:

It is Monday, and so I guess my left over potroast from yesterday will become someone's dinner. That's ok. I burned it - so I won't mind giving it away. Perhaps she will give me something in return. I get a quickie lunch with Lauren tomorrow (sweet!) Yeah. Wednesday. Um. I think I have something that evening - so not sure I want to do the babysitting thing. Is that a way to rest me with children or what? And definately, on Thursday, the idea of inviting multiple girls over is a GREAT idea. Thanks Hallmark for being open to new ideas in open relationships. Are you sure the girls will go along with this? And the "game night" on Saturday and the "play date" on Sunday already has my mind realing.

Hallmark even has created some notes already filled out. All I have to do is fill them out, and send them. One of my favorites includes one that says: "If you wanna cry, fine. If you wanna scream, fine. If you wanna do tequila shots, and accidently end up in Vegas..."

My sentiments exactly. Although I think moving straight to tequila shots is much better than all that screaming and crying up front. But hey, if that is modern day foreplay, the so be it. I'm in!

Hallmark - you really are something. Thanks for making this so easy - so innovative and so modern in approach. And for all of this, it is included in my annual subscription price of just $9.99? How great is that?

I do find it interesting that they incinuate that girlfriends are more perfect than Moms. Actually, some of the girls that I meet that have not been married or are not moms probably have as many issues at 48 than those Moms out there that have weathered motherhood, and are now stepping back and saying, "Whoa! Time for me. Let me find someone as wonderful and charing as my friend Rick..."

It is a new age. With social collaboration, I appreciate that Hallmark has my back - and my bra!

Life in Perspective

2010-07-06T19:31:00.001-07:00

Here is an email from a girl I traveled with in Up With People in 1983 - nearly 27 years ago.

She refers to Camp Pendleton. During 1983, our cast spent a week on that base.

Also, after her letter are the lyrcis to a song that another cast members posted. It is written about the same topic…

Getting letters like this, in which it makes the war so real, because someone knows about the real person, make the war all that much more real.

And it makes me appreciate the freedoms that we have.

From: Leann Illig [mailto:leann88888@msn.com]

Larry, the son of one of my best friends, was killed last week, 7/1/10, in Afghanistan.  He tripped a roadside bomb while carrying an injured Marine to safety. He was successful: his friend survived.

His wife of just 3 months is in a news video I just watched, filmed at my friend's house in Colorado. Stacia was reminiscing about her first kiss, which was with Larry, when she was 14.

So young - Larry was born on 8-8-85. 8-8-58 is my birthday.  His mom is my Godmother, though she is younger than I am.

I learned that God is real, not just a great idea, only a decade+ ago. She's a preacher's kid and has been knowingly walking with the Lord all her life. I am grateful that her faith will help her now.

Larry began his Marine career in Camp Pendleton. I sure could envision him there! Wasn't that a fun and enriching time we E83ers had on that base?!

Larry was a great singer, rapper, dancer, drummer. He'd have been a great addition to UWP.

He was a terrific friend to me and to my daughter, as a child and as an adult.

Steve, I'll save those lyrics for his wife. She may need them.

Love~

Leann

From Steve - some lyrics to a song…

....This is brand new out of nashville....a well written song about life and faith....

Amy's got the letters I wrote
My picture in a frame
She's had a year to let go
She still wears my ring
It hasn't left her finger since the night that I proposed
When I promised her forever before I took her home
But I never made it home that night
A part of her died too
I watched her losing her mind
And there's nothing I can do
Yea sometimes she goes crazy screaming out my name
Saying baby please come and save me
I wish she knew I'd do anything

To kiss the tears right off her face
Tell her everything's ok
Feel her heart beat next to mine
And make up for lost time
Oh but God I know I can't
You can't let her live this way
It's too late for saving me
But there's still hope for saving Amy

Now 3 years have gone by
She's trying to live her life
And I still watch her sometimes
Just to make sure she's alright
She knows I'll always be there
In her heart and in her dreams
Cause God, I promised her forever and that's one promise I intend to keep

To kiss the tears right off her face
Tell her everything's' ok
Feel her heartbeat next to mine
Make up for lost time
Oh but god I know I can't
But you can't let her live this way
It's too late for saving me
But there's still hope for saving Amy
Saving Amy

I'll kiss the tears right off her face
When I walk her through these gates
Feel her heartbeat next to mine
Make up for lost time
God I thank you everyday
For giving a her that ounce of faith
That led her right back here to me
And most of all for saving Amy
Saving Amy
Thank you god for saving Amy

----------------------------------------

FROM FARMERS for FARMERS?

2010-07-05T11:48:00.000-07:00

Last week, when I went to the Kansas City Airport to leave, I stopped in the
one airport Starbucks. At the counter, I saw this bag of coffee. "From
Farmers for Farmers." I wondered if they had rolled out a line of coffee
just for those states in the Midwest with farmers!?

46 Chocolate Bars

2010-04-13T19:44:00.000-07:00

A good friend of mine, who thankfully reads a few of my blog entries, sent me a note today. He challenged me with this message:

"Hey RVF. A subject for your blog...heard a speaker who took one of those on-line life expectancy calculators (put in age, height, weight, family history, risk factors, living conditions, etc.) and it pumps out your "for fun" life expectancy. He turns 40 this week..and is supposed to live until 86. He put 86 chocolate bars in a jar...and then pulled one out for each year of his life and talked about what he learned...and how he fucked up...and then started making plans for the next 46 chocolates. Obviously just an illustration for "live your life like you are dying"...type stuff....I thought of you..it was kind of a combination of journals...and lists...what has happened and what will happen. Just for fun...."

As he sent it, I felt compelled to take him up on his offer. So, what about this idea of 46 chocolate bars. And how does it feel to take one of those life expectancy quizes?

Here are a few ideas and thoughs:

1. Does he really think that, for the last 46 years of his life, he will be able to each chocolate every last one of those years?

2. Perhaps a better idea is that he should eat double chocolate for the next ten years - eating the chocolate for the last ten years in advance just in case he either can't eat chocolate then or in case he dies early. And then if he did live - it would be borrowed time, and he would just go out and by more chocolate.

3. And besides, who would want to be eating 35 year old chocolate?

4. And, I would imagine that by the time we get to 40 years later from today, they will have created a way that we could eat chocolate, without any calories or ill effects!

5. As my parents reach their late 60s and early 70s, I have already heard the regret in their voices. They wished they would have traveled earlier. Walked more when they were younger. Taken those trips. Part of it is that while you may be alive, your body starts to fail you. The other part is that when you get to your 70s, you just have less interest in walking or hiking on mountains that you may have when you are 20 or 30 or 40!

6. I think a more interesting thing would be to make a commitment to go and try a NEW chocolate bar every year - for the next 46 years - and then write a book about each of those chocolate bars, what parallel it meant to life for the year - and what you learned. Hmmm. That sounds like a great blog or coffee table book to me Anyone want to sponsor me?

7. When I was born, in 1962, the life expectancy of a new born was 70.1 years of age for a US citizen. Globally, it was 54.9. By 2007, it climbed to 78 for a US Citizen. Hopefully, even better ideas will come along that might even alter my 70.1. (By the way - below - you will see that I am hoping to push that idea of 70.1).

8. I went and took one of those tests. (good one HERE.) Wow - there are a lot of factors that they take into account. It told me that I am supposed to live until I am 89 years old. And that my negative factors were being a guy and my family health. Not a whole lot I can do about that huh? It is also a sobering effect when a tool supposedly can take that into account.

9. I have made it a goal for a long time to live to be 100 years old. That means I need to find a way to make up those extra 11 years. And so - I went back to the tool, and started tweaking the tool to "better answers" just to see if I could get close to that 100 years. I was able to make it 99 - but there are a lot of things that I have to do, including:

Insuring my mother and father to live to be 80 years old
Stop smoking that marijuana. Ooops!
Eat way more vegetables and cut out my gourmet bacon. ( low-fat foods with five or more portions of fruit and vegetables)
Continue my kickboxing 3 times a week until I die! (exercise aerobically at least three times a week for 30 minutes or longer)
Get more: proctoscopic examinations every other year
For the rest of my life, not get a single traffic ticket
And drop 25 lbs to be as thin as I was in high school. Shha! As if that will be happening!

10. But then, as I thought about all that change, I wondered just how much fun life would be over the next 49 years.

I think I like the idea of each 46 chocolate bars in half the amount of time, washing them down with red wine to counter balance, and writing about it all!

Wise words from a Movie

2010-04-12T01:28:00.001-07:00

Hommage to the Easter Egg

2010-04-05T01:58:00.001-07:00

A French style burger. Blue cheese. Two poached eggs with truffle oil.
Arugula. Rosemary potato chips. And a patty of grilled meat from angus
beef and pork. Who said Easter had to be traditional. Or boring? Happy
Easter!

Drunk Chimney Sweeps in New York City

2010-03-13T13:25:00.001-08:00

Fatal winds for umbrellas today. Every corner is littered with black
ghosts of umbrellas with wires protruding. As if the chimney sweeps on
a drunken craze from a Mary Poppins movie gone wrong. Stop signs
flutter in the wind like playing cards. Doorman give up. Get soaked.
And hope you will recognize them with green to commiserate their awful
day. Flights are delayed or cancelled. They are so backed up at the
airport that just cancelled my 6:15 departure. But then called back
and put me on a flight that was suposed to leave at 3 and will now
leave at 7:00. I still think that arriving home tonight is iffy. No
worries. I have my Zabar Deli bag of groceries for a gourmet picnic
either on a plane, in a lounge or at a airline gate making
announcements as the night goes on.

DID YOU HAVE AN EXCHANGE DAY?

2010-01-30T00:53:00.001-08:00

Did you have an exchange day today?

This is the kind of day, in which you basically give your life over to some other cause other than your own motivations.

For example – your work.

I realize that for many people, most of their days are “exchange days.”

I wonder sometimes. What is the right amount?

How many days do you have to give up, doing the things you would not do if you had a choice, in exchange so that you could have days that you would really like to do?

I have been lucky over the last year.

After my “retirement,” I have had far less “exchange days” – instead having days of selfishness, when I could do whatever I wanted to do.

But that was a fortunate opportunity. And I constantly remind myself that this was part of the very small minority in life.

Today, I had an exchange day. I started phone calls at 10:00 am. And I worked for the most part until 8:00 pm – after which I ordered a pizza, broke open a bottle of wine, and watched old re-runs of Battle Star Gallactica.

The best of the “exchange days” are days in which you would 1). Not choose to do those things if you did not have to work, but, 2). Were still things that were enjoyable.

That was true of my “exchange day.” Although I sat in a Starbucks for 7 hours working on a project, I enjoyed what I was doing. As long as I didn’t think about what I would do instead.

I am working on a project that is due next week. It is important. To me. And interesting.

If I could snap my fingers, and have it done would I. I think so. That is what makes it an exchange day. It is one day of your life that has gone away – and not because it was of your own passion and choosing.

But it was close. I did learn. And I enjoyed the setting.

Isn’t that about as good as you can get for an exchange day.

The worse would be if most of your days and life were an exchange day.

How about you?
Was your Friday a day of your choosing.

Or an exchange day – a day in which you exchanged one day of your life for something else that you either wanted to continue to do – or wanted to do?

AM I AT THE PERFECT AGE?

2010-01-26T00:50:00.000-08:00

My birthday is coming up next Monday. It is an “in between” birthday. One of those ages that is in the middle – not too close to anything to really matter.

Today, I received an email from a restaurant. First of all – smart of them to send me a birthday wish a week before my birthday – rather than on the day. This way, perhaps I might think how desperate I was to do ANYTHING on my birthday – so why not come to their restaurant!

But they offer an interesting thought.

“You are the perfect age.”

Is it just a gimmick – a feel good notion to make all people feel good (and come to their restaurant?)

Or is it true. Are we at the perfect age – and do we have just the right knowledge?

I don’t think I would want to be older.

But would I want to be younger? But if I were younger, than I might not know what I know today – and I would be doomed to repeat what I didn’t know.

So, is this the perfect age? Did the restaurant get it right? Or will they simply be disappointed that I won’t be at their restaurant next Monday night? (I will be in Honolulu! So take that fast food chain restaurant!)

A FEW QUESTIONS TO START THE YEAR

2010-01-05T00:32:00.000-08:00

January 4. I was amazed how many people dreaded this day. The Monday back. The day people had to “do it all over again.” The day that took so many people back to what they really didn’t want to be doing, away from what they really liked doing.

For me, I was ready for the week to begin. I had a great 2009. I reflected on it. Organized lists to remember it by. And then put a nice little ribbon around it – set it on the shelf, and then moved on. Time for a great year.

But I do have questions. My mind was filled with them all day today…

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. How come most people on Facebook talked about “not ready to be back to work” today.

2. How come few people commented, “Wow – I am ready for a new year! Let’s go get it?”

3. How come all of the guys in my kickboxing class have gone away – and all that are left are twenty pretty kick ass women – and me?

4. And how come our instructor calls Monday “payback” day. And when she indulges on three French fries over the weekend, we pay the price?

5. Why do all new friends spend the first two years in when knowing me thinking about why I am not married, why I need to be married and how they are going to help me? Yet, when when I ask them, “Why, do I look unhappy?” And they say, “Well, no…but…”

6. Why do they run sales on food prices during the holidays, but afterwards, all of the sales are gone? Wouldn’t there actually be “extra” food around after the holidays – and they want to sell it?

7. What will they do with all of those spiral hams that didn’t sell over the holidays. And how long does a spiral ham last sitting there anyway?

8. Why do we end up with twenty jars of three quarters left condiments in the fridge? (Condiments – meet mister trashcan!)

9. Why did one of my friends ask his mother to come over and clean out his closet?

10. Why do some people resist setting new years resolutions? And why do 95% of people not meet their resolution? Or do those questions answer each other?

11. Why do people have a problem with full body scanners at the airport if the know it will save their lives? So what if some technician is looking at your scanned body. What do you think doctors and medical personnel do?

12. How often to people stop and really look at the scrapbooks they spend so much time to create?

13. If people make the same goals as they did last year, with the same effort as they did last year and yet they think they will have different results – why are they doing it again?

14. Why don’t more people eat this salad?

Alton’s Flower Power Salad. This is what I will be eating on Tuesday night.

15. What am I going to do with the rest of the jar of tahini in my cupboard?

16. What do you really do at 8:00 am anyway?

17. What is the must see show in New York right now? Inquiring minds about to visit New York want to know!

Just a few thoughts. This is what you get when I forget to have a glass of wine on a Monday night!

DID YOU KISS SOMEONE?

2010-01-02T02:27:00.000-08:00

Did you kiss someone on New Years Eve?
I received a text message from a good friend. She said, “I hope you go out and find someone to kiss.”

Not that I mind kissing. But isn’t it a funny thing that I have gone for a few years without being in a series relationship, or even that romantic, and a friend sends me a text from many time zones away, wishing me a chance to kiss someone.

I thought about running over to my neighbors house, knocking on the door – and just kissing her. Saying thank you. And then coming back home – and continuing my cave time in preparing for 2010.

The math is interesting. With over 50% of the population single, it means that half the population feels some urgent need to run out and kiss someone on New Years. That is a lot of pressure for one night – for one sixty second moment in time.

It started me wondering, “Where did this trend start?”

The net provided me with an answer: “The custom of the kiss can be traced back to the Ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia, and observances around the Winter Solstice at year end. Later, the New Year's Eve kiss would come to beseen as a barometer for things to come. In old English and German legends, the first person you came in contact with when the bells chimed midnight, be it a familiar friend or just an acquaintance, set the tone for your happiness and fortune in the coming year. A kiss with one you loved ensured good tidings, but to have to kiss someone less favorable, or not kiss anyone at all, would mean misfortune in the upcoming year.”

Oh those wild and crazy Romans!

But if you think about it – why risk it? Why not just kiss your own hand? Then, it is up to you to make fortune for the coming year.

I thought about walking up to a mirror and kissing myself. That sounded a bit odd. I toasted to myself and the upcoming year instead.

How about you? Did you kiss someone?

Will you end up with great fortune – or misfortune?

And one last question. Why do people close their eyes when they kiss? Perhaps they don’t want to actually “see” their fortune or misfortune!

JANUARY 1 - How are you celebrating?

2010-01-02T01:50:00.001-08:00

It is another year

And for the last week, everyone I have met have asked me, "What are you going to do for New Years?"

When I told them I was staying at home to write and reflect, many were shocked! "What? Are you getting old? Are you crazy? You should be out kissing someone. You should be out partying."

But here is my perspective. Today, I enjoyed the idea that I have half an idea what my goals are for the upcoming year, rather than spending my day celebrating NATIONAL HANGOVER DAY.

What?

It may be born out of the marketing of a new movie that is out but there is truth to the day. On a sports show today, a commentator said that January 1st was only good for three things: Nursing hangovers, eating leftovers and watching football.

Maybe for some - but not for me.
How about you?
Hangover? Leftovers? Football?
Or maybe some good old fashioned goal setting and making predictions for the upcoming year?

Happy New Years! Come back and see my blog for 2010!