Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Books read thus far in 2011:

January:

"Flaubert's Parrot" by Julian Barnes

"Gone With the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell

February:

"The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption and Pee" by Sarah Silverman

Currently reading:
"The Art of War" by Sun Tzu
"Memoir, Correspondence And Miscellanies" from the Papers of Thomas Jefferson

Next up:
"I Drink for a Reason" by David Cross
"Breakfast of Champions" by Kurt Vonnegut

As a society it's a shame we are unable to voraciously read literature as we did in our younger days.

Has anyone read any of these books? If so, do you have an opinion you would like to share with the class?

The God Box

It is better to exist than not to exist. Therefore it is better to have faith than to lack it.
When we think about our faith, what do we choose to place it in? Humans are fallible, idols are worthless plus there are those days when the world seems out to get us.
Fear not. Choose faith. For if faith exists then we have hope.
Being raised Catholic, having faith in the Holy Trinity was taught at an extremely young age. At 4 years old I believed my magical friend Jesus would talk to his dad God then sort out all my problems. To this day my sister and I are still waiting on our baby brother.
Now older – perhaps wiser though it’s debatable – I’ve started to reevaluate my beliefs. Particularly my faith.
My dear friend, the fabulous Heather McCole Williams, sent me this wonderful story awhile ago. It’s by a woman who wrote of her mother’s God Box.
This woman who would listen to peoples issues then “she would say optimistically, ‘I’ll put it in the God Box.’ The simple act of writing down the wish and relinquishing control to a higher power was her way to help others and relieve her own mind.”
[God's In-Box]
You can read the full interpretations of “The God Box” here:
Her daughter writes: “Every day, I try to maintain my faith, to believe as fully as she did. As she taught me, it doesn’t hurt to ask.”
Whether it’s Jesus, Buddha, the Almighty-Whoever, I believe it’s important for people to have faith. Prayer, moreover supplication, is important; yet what’s even more important?
Reader it’s to have faith in the universe. Sure, Oprah made this concept popular with “The Secret” but this concept is beyond mass media.
Please believe in the power of stating, writing, wishing, or thinking of your heart’s desires for your life in a positive manner. One woman placing her prayers in her God Box positively impacted her family, friends and countless readers of her story.
After all, it’s better for a wish to exist than to never have wished at all.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

The Awesomeness of Kyle Martin

Today’s entry is dedicated to our wonderfully talented friend: Kyle Martin.
For those who are unfamiliar with Kyle’s magnificence, Kyle is a twenty-something who resides in the trendy Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn; however, he’s beyond the archetypal hipster.
He’s brilliant, clever and uncommonly kind. Kyle also has impeccable style which I believe stems from his artistic talent. Although he still has a day job Kyle is well on his way to establishing himself in the film industry.
Kyle’s fimlography is available here http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2769688/
To date I’ve seen two of Kyle’s works as a producer – “NY Export: Opus Jazz” and “Tiny Furniture”, his latest work.
“Tiny Furniture” is also up for not just one, not two, BUT THREE Film Independent Spirit Awards
1)    Best First Screenplay
2)    Best Cinematography
3)    Best First Feature – and Kyle Martin himself is listed as a nominee!
Kyle Martin with "Tiny Furniture" star, director and writer, Lena Dunham WHO IS ONLY 24!
As a friend, I’ve heard of Kyle’s struggles with the film industry yet he’s never deterred from pursuing his passion for film making.

Kyle and Lena's collective awesomeness reminds me of the poem “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.


In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.


Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.


It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.


If only we could all so bravely chase our dreams to greatness as Kyle Martin, Lena Dunham and William Ernest Henley.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Wishing I Could Whistle

One of my coworkers shared shared a funny thing he always does to his wife as a reminder he's still attracted to her after their many years together. He whistles at her from across the room.

Coworker pretends to be sleeping while his wife is getting ready and whistles at her from under the covers.

Wife is cooking dinner and he whistles at her from across the room.

He comes home at night and sees her and whistles.

For some reason I've never been able to whistle. After hearing his story I really wish I could.

Next time you see your sweetheart doing something unromantic, try a little whistle to remind him or her of how attractive they are.

Hey, it's better than whistling while you work.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Joke for your Friday

The following is a brief and hilarious interaction between myself and my coworker Emily regarding the ridiculous name the nefarious boxer Mike Tyson chose for his progeny:

Me: Did you hear about the name Mike Tyson picked for his new son?

Emily: No, what?

Me: Morocco Elijah

Emily: How did he come up with that?

Me: Guess he spun the globe and pointed to a country, then opened a Bible and flipped to a page.

Emily: Too bad he didn't get Djibouti Ezekiel.



Oh poor Morocco Elijah....

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Thomas Jefferson Philosophizes on Revolutions (Entry 1)

Democracy is on the tips of every freedom fighter’s tongues in Egypt as of late. Egyptians crying for relief from oppression of a diabolic dictatorship are turning to America to help.
Our generation has much to learn from the works of our Founding Fathers. America is still a young country. Our nation hasn’t seen her 300th birthday. Yet we are charged with leading the free world and perpetuating democracy.
In reading Jefferson’s “Memoir, Correspondence And Miscellanies” we see the United States was the first country to proclaim itself a democratic nation. Only a few years after our Revolution ended, America then funded the French militants in their revolution.


The book opens with Jefferson’s letters. He is writing from Paris to other Founding Fathers in America regarding the beginnings of the French Revolution in 1789. John Jay, James Madison, and the like were blessed with news from Jefferson. Jefferson wrote of the lack of bread in Paris, the flight of the aristocracy, and the demise of the French National Assembly.
TJ was also a bad ass because he played both sides of the field. He appealed to the ruling monarchy as a visiting American emissary while the whole time he arranged to fund the French militias who served with American forces during our war against England.
At this point in history, Jefferson is witnessing the brink of revolutionary war, much like what he recently witnessed in his own country. Jefferson had the government of Holland (i.e. the affluent banks in Amsterdam) give 30 MILLION francs to the uprising French masses. And remember, we’re talking about 30 Million in currency in 1789. Imagine how much that would be today. Plus it’s Amesterdam’s funds which means it either came from:
a)      Wooden shoes
b)      Tulips
c)       Dike building
d)      Weed
E.g. we can presume that Jefferson (who was known to enjoy his herbal refreshment) arranged for the banks of Amsterdam to fund the French revolution!
Over the coming weeks as I read this book I’m going to share Jefferson’s musings with you, dear reader. We have much to learn from Jefferson’s writing. His words are still pertinent to our nation’s diplomatic and economic role in fostering democracy in other nations.
Much like we’re currently seeing in Egypt, the French people have an army independent of the ruling authority of Louis XVI. Jefferson writes:
“Though they have gone astonishing lengths, they are not yet thus far. It is probable, therefore, that not knowing how to use the military as a civil weapon they will do too much or too little with it.”
Who is financially backing the revolution in Egypt? My fear is funding comes from two sides not only America and other democratic powers in the name of Freedom but also from Iran and other extremist powers focused on ruling terror instead of free will.
The people of Egypt, like the poor masses in Paris in the 18th century, are close to having military might to overthrow Mubarak. I don’t know much about foreign affairs. But I do know about learning from the past especially in written history from our nations’ founders.
As American people, we need to continue to be cognoscente of the upheaval in Egypt. The reconstruction of the Egyptian nation will change the game of American diplomacy in the Middle East. And, like Jefferson and his brethren, America can’t afford to fund another country’s revolution. And this time we certainly can’t do it with drug money.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Social Media’s Prolific Power

A dear friend of mine, Laura Weisser, has started gaining popularity among the Atlanta online elite. This blogger and Yelper has made a great name for herself in the foodie community of Atlanta. She’s a regular at UYEs (that’s Unsolicited Yelp Events for common diners such as you and me) and Laura is always on the lookout for the next big food find to write about.

For instance, Laura’s prowess for social media has landed her a couple of unique opportunities. Fado gave her a free happy hour to come and sample the new menu – just because of her Yelp post. Bob Steele Salon is gearing up to bring her on to help with its social media strategy (you can read her review of the salon here http://www.yelp.com/biz/bob-steele-salon-atlanta). Then on Saturday she’s heading to a UYE Chinese New Year lunch with her new Yelp friends.

 Aside from Laura, I think about the other opportunities social media has presented us in the recent years. The social revolution underway in Egypt is a prime example of the powerful impact of new media.  Also think about the little things. I got my current job at AutoTrader Classics through LinkedIn. In 2008, Adagio Teas sent Kevin (my handsome husband) a huge box of complimentary teas simply because he posted a Tweet about Adagio. The company even included a handwritten thank you to Kevin showing their appreciation for his social marketing.

Anyone else out there have a great example of how social media has impacted his or her life? Feel free to share!

We live in an age of finding love on the internet, new businesses through discounted coupons, and other ways of discovering new adventures all through the Web. I am so pumped to see what the coming decade holds for the future of social media.