My Shoes

If you know me, you will know that I love shoes, especially high heeled, expensive shoes.  I hate to admit it because Sex In the City made the obsession a little too cliche and pop.  Note that I am of the Imelda Marcus shoe craze not the Carrie Bradshaw craze. Probably not any better.

Anyway, I tend to buy shoes when I am sad, happy, sick, feeling ugly, feeling pretty, bored, ... you get the point.  I even remember people and events based on the shoes I was wearing.  I cannot tell you the names of girls I went to high school with, but I can describe the strappy white sandals I wore for my graduation.  My bridal shower shoes were an amazing white suede pump.  When I was 9 months pregnant, carrying 65 additional pounds, I wore black sequin sandals with a 3 inch heel to a holiday party.  I clearly remember my first pair of Manolo's purchased with great friends at the NYC store.

Doesn't matter if they are Michael Kors, Betsy Johnston or even Kim Kardashian...I love shoes.  Although I may like Christian Louboutin the best (don't tell my husband he has no idea how much I pay for these things!)

I bring this up because I have several events to go to this weekend and need to pick a shoe so as to decide on an outfit.  My shoes dictate my dress/suit.  Because I have a broken toe (thanks to the idiot troll at The Snooty Fox) I have been wearing each pair for as much time as possible daily.  Need to be sure I can walk without crying.  So I have been running up and down the stairs, to and from the garage wearing jeans, pj's or sweatpants but feeling fabulous in any of these amazing shoes.  This by the way is not helping my toe feel better and has been highly discouraged by my sister the podiatrist.

These are the top contenders.

Not the newest or the most expensive.  Certainly not comfortable but they each make me feel good and for no other reason than I love them!

PowerPoint: Friend or Foe

The NY Times ran a great article on the military's obsession with PowerPoint.  Just wanted to add "No kidding!"  This has been obvious for any manager or sales exec for several years.

What started as a tool to help people understand your argument through bullet points and graphics, has become a time sucker and a distraction.  It has also become a way of over simplifying things to the point of embarrassment.

It seems consistent though with our sound-bite mentality.  Quick and to the point so we can move onto the next tasks.  Superficiality has become a "way out".  No need to be educated about a topic to make a solid decision, instead read the headline, follow a character -limited tweet, or view the scroll at the bottom of the news story.  Good enough right?

I applaud the military for realizing the dangers in replacing real work with the facade of a graphic. Maybe if the financial companies spent less time making beautifying bogus products, we would have a different Wall Street.

That being my rant, I still would not even think or doing a presentation without PowerPoint for fear of being seen as ill-prepared or lacking in cleverness or boring.

BTW - check out HBR's tweet on the subject http://blogs.hbr.org/silverman/2010/04/powerpoint-is-evil-redux.html#comments

Wild Kingdom Continues

Below you will find the most recent beast terrifying my city dwelling.

For the record, this typically cute fuzzy bunny is making me crazy.  He appeared a few days ago and has decided that he will greet me every morning.

Oh at first, I thought how cute.  Nature is beautiful and I am lucky to be a part of it.  An appropriate sentiment when you have time, not so much when you are in a hurry.  See this bunny likes to sit in the middle of my driveway while I am attempting to leave or return to the garage.

During this photo, he was next to the driveway and did not leave until I was about a foot away.  He then scampered through the yard presumably to eat my flowers (not too much of a problem seeing as they die after a few days anyway).

However the next day he was directly in the driveway.  I wanted to him and he ran away.  I enter the car to back up and he is back in the driveway.  So I have leave the car running, go up to him and he leaves.  The following day I am driving into the garage and have to stop as he is in the middle of the driveway and not moving.  I beeped the horn, yelled and flashed the lights.  Nothing.  So I leave the car walk to the bunny and he leaves.

This has happened half a dozen times.  My sensitive side worries that I will be racing to or from the driveway and simply not see him.  Rabbit stew for dinner.  My cynical side has the same fear with the horror of having to clean up the carcass.

I doubt if I could catch it nor do I want to try.  Anyone have any ideas for eliminating bunnies from the blacktop?

Free Speech for the Mature Audience

There is a large debate going on in California regarding violent video game access to minors.  I have fairly strong feelings about this topic in general.

My son plays mature video games.  He cannot buy or rent them by himself, which means that if he wants such a game, I have to buy it for him.  Pretty much like a rated R movie.  He cannot buy the ticket himself but I can buy it for him.

I am a proponent of the rating system because I want to know what has sexually explicit material or hard core violence.  Then I can use that rating to determine if my son should have access.  I don't prevent him form seeing things.  My approach is much more to view these movies or watch these video games with him and then discuss the topic with him.  Note there are some movies and video games that I have said NO to after my understanding or viewing of the content.

I think total prevention and banning are free speech violations.  Personally, I do not want my books, movies or for that matter any form of expression blocked.  I may not agree with the expression or format but that does not make it wrong.  I do however want to be aware of what I am going to see so that I can make a conscious decision on the appropriateness for my son.

And that is where I think the real issue lies.  Some parents tend to abdicate responsibility.  It is much easier to let the law decide morality or to hide behind a church.  It is harder to address issues with kids and explain why an action is wrong or questionable.  We need to give our kids the tools to make good decisions because we cannot hide the "ugly" from them forever.  Let's face it, your kids will see mature only video games or rated R movies at their friend's houses or secretly via the internet.  They will be exposed to drugs and alcohol and sex and neither you, the government or the church can prevent that.

Parents need to step up and discuss tough issues with their kids.  Help them learn how to make good choices and not simply rely on being TOLD what to do.

Club Carnage

I just spent a fantastic weekend with my siblings.  My twin was in from Chicago and we decided to live it up Saturday night.  After an amazing dinner at the Thirty One Club, we hit Chippewa.

It has been a while since I went out to a dance club but it was 11pm, we were dressed to celebrate and felt like loud music. Wasn't as expected.

First of all, clubs do not get crowded here until midnight and there is something sad and depressing about a nightclub with only 8 people in it.

Second, I must be getting old because I could not believe the way some of these girls dressed and conducted themselves.  I get it - we are all out to have a good time and cut loose.  However, if you take a size 16 and haven't seen an exercise since your big wheel, you may want to refrain from wearing shorty shorts and a half top.  Not too mention passing on the skin tight tube dress.  The guy who made lycra is crying right now!

Third, I cannot think of a situation where it would be appropriate for a girl to spread her legs, squat, and pump her butt up and down in front of a strange guy.  This is not dancing or is it sexy.  These moves make stripers look classy.  Ugh.

We wound up having a terrific time just watching the crowd and the evening was saved until we went to The Snooty Fox and I was injured.  Some troll of a man had to push his way into the bar to get a free drink prior to some time limit dictated on his bracelet. He proceeded to stomp his 200 pounds on my baby toe, which was of course adorned in a pair of lovely 4 inch strappy heals.  Oh I told him what I thought of him and thankfully my siblings interceded prior to me using my heels as a weapon.  However I am in pain.

My toe is a lovely rainbow of purple, black and green.  It was even worse when I crammed it into a new pair of high shoes for a dress I wore to yet another event yesterday. There is no sympathy for a broken toe, even if your visiting sister is a podiatrist.

My club days are over.  Feel free to send get well soon cards for may injured toe.

Patient Satisfaction

Can you go anywhere anymore without being bombarded by some type of satisfaction survey or questionnaire?  First it was the car dealer who not only sent you the survey but called to beg you to give all the highest marks. Next it was the online survey after everything online purchase.  I have given poor reviews and really haven't seen any difference based on my comments.... especially when it comes to banks.

Today I have seen the most ludicrous implementation of the satisfaction questionnaire.  My father in law had some surgery so I went to visit with him.  When he returns from rehab, the very attentive and kind nurses serve him his lunch.  His roommate is pleasant and talkative, so things are going well thus far.

As he begins to eat, a women with a clipboard comes bouncing in and announcing that she needs to ask these gentlemen a few questions.  Hey don't mind that they both just did heavy duty rehab and are trying to enjoy their hospital lunch.  Just as she begins to ask the first questions, a lovely but determined elderly volunteer comes in to check if the hospital is treating these men appropriately.  Well the two square off like its High Noon at OK Corral.

"What are you asking them because I only have a few questions."
"Well I am with the surgeon so mine are more detailed and important".
"We cannot both do it now, so I am asking first"
" Two more people are coming from rehab and ..."

This interchange goes on for about 10 minutes, with both patients looking exhausted.  Oh yeah you are really concerned about the patients.

So the younger bouncey one wins and starts the interrogation.

"What is the maximum pain you have experience on a rating of 1 - 10 with 10 being the most intense?"  My father says its been great, only a 3.  His roommate throws out an 8.

"What is the least amount of pain using the same scale?"  Both reply 1.  Cool.

"How was your rehab, on a scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being the best".  My dad - 10.  His roommate 8.  Oh no she cannot have that.  She inquires why and the roommate simply states nothing is perfect but it was fine.  Apparently not good enough.  "Well what do we need to do to get it to a 10?"  No thoughts.  "You must think something otherwise you would have said 10".  No kidding she is berating the patient on an 8.  Is she getting paid based on his evaluation?  Thankfully she claims she will have to get back to that at the end.  My pain is now a 7 moving quickly upward.

"How well was your pain relieved while in rehab? 10 being completely relieved".    My father states he isn't really having pain so he is good.  She stops dead "And...?"  He just looks at her lost until she screams "I need a number!" Not that I am a survey expert but I am pretty sure this is not the point.  Not too mention the scale inconsistencies.

I am now at a 10 for survey pain and see that both gentlemen are exhausted.  A few more and she leaves, looking like she performed her job and is satisfied that she can knock this room off her list.

How is this beneficial to customer care?  How does this justify a paycheck?  Who the hell trains these people?  The hospital was great in terms of care, cleanliness and attentiveness however I would rate them a big fat 0 in terms of customer satisfaction protocol!

Cowboy Junkies: Great performance, Melancholy wife

I was, am and probably will always be a fan of the Cowboy Junkies.  So my very thoughtful husband secured tickets for us and probably expected a romantic evening with a happy, grateful wife.  Instead he got melancholy and nostalgia.

My first exposure to this band was in the apartment of a friend (I think his name was Troy).  I was celebrating my first Halloween in California and he planned this night of sushi, real haunted house visits and tarot card readings.  We ended the evening with cocktails while listening to The Trinity Sessions, a cassette I left with. Don't know what ever happened to Troy but I still have that cassette.

That Christmas I reconnected with my to be husband.  We listened to the tape on the way to my best friend's house for New Year's.  I was immediately in love and saw nothing but hope and happiness.  Not sure if it was the fabulous memories or if the music was that good, but my husband and I have been fans ever since.

Fast forward to last week.  We get to Babeville and the crowd looks old.  Comments about passing out AARP cards at the door are made.  Hmm.  Instead of dancing in the aisles, fans had cell phones turned tot the Sabres game.   So the crowd seems less than young, it doesn't matter because I am sure Margo Timmins must be that same wiry, energetic genius that I idolized.

She slowly walks on stage with a cup of tea and a sweater.  As she starts to sing, I start to realize that I am not 23, nor am I the work-a-holic livin it up in CA, nor am I the obsessed love interest of a med student.  After beautifully performing my favorite song "Misguided Angel", she mentions that she is turning 50 in January. What happen to the past twenty years.

My eyes well up with tears.   I am lucky to be sitting next to that obsessed love interest and to have twenty years of invaluable memories.  So why cant I stop crying?

Did I Overreact?

Although I try to keep it in check, I tend to overact on a fairly regular basis.  Usually it is harmless because it's just my husband and son who heard the rants but sometimes there are casualties

We recently attended an event and were seated with a new couple.  Always adhering to social etiquettes, I engage my table mate in light conversation.  I'm not going to even go into his first pompous, pretentious remarks however they should have been a signal for me to move on.  I proceeded to ask about a trip he recently returned from which lead to the almighty what-do-you-do-for-a-living question.  "Oh its complicated" he condescends.  Try me a$$hole.  First overreaction.

Fifteen seconds later I know his job.  Amazing the non-working mom got it on the first try.  Call the press.

"Dude, you're an angel in a bio-tech firm.  It's not that complicated. Get over yourself."  Overreacting? Was the use of "dude" too ironic for him? For the next 15 minutes he heard a bout my career, my masters programs and my opinions on biological robotics.  I then smiled and ignored him for the rest of the evening.

I really got the feeling that he felt I was a dumb blonde who couldn't possibly comprehend his intellect.  Granted my dress was a little trendy, my heels were as always high and I may have been sporting the bed-head but somebody needs to let this guy know that judging a book by its cover (especially when the cover is a 40 something year old - dare I say nice looking women) is so passe.

Happy Earth Day

Earth Day is one of my favorites!  Don't laugh or judge.. you don't have to cook, shop or entertain.  Just think about what you can do and try not to consume :-)

My favorite Earth Day is also the first one I ever celebrated.  My not-yet-husband was staying with me in Chicago.  We were feeling a connection to the cause so went to the "party" which consisted of informational tents, organic tastings and lots of determined people.  We took our literature and a new recycle bin and proceeded to walk through Lincoln Park.

We needed our own celebration.  A trip to the co-op for organic fruit, a stop at the wine store for something that sounded earth friendly (Fruscati), a hemp like blanket and an afternoon in the park marked our day.  We were together and simply happy.

That was about so long ago.  Since then we have done park clean ups, written checks, agreed to non-drive days and sported demonstration like t-shirts.  We recycle, we have given up pesticide lawn care and we actually think about our carbon foot print.  I think thats a lot more than our little lunching celebration and it only took 20 years.

I wonder what my son's celebration will be for Earth Day 2030.

Breaking the Cycle

As you can see, I spent the last month NOT blogging.  Not writing, not working out, not moving forward... jumping from one task to the next with little scheduling or organization.  Guess it's time to get my act together again.

It seems I am in this cycle ... take on as much as possible doing everything asked of me.  Work at this crazy pace for several months then start to complain and frankly just break down.  Next start looking for a complete change, such as going back to work. Then drop everything I was doing to focus on this new change.  I think this may be unhealthy for the people around me, not to mention a little ADD,  so I am going to try to break the cycle.  Wait ... doesn't that sound like a complete change again?  Damn I am in an infinite loop.

Actually I missed blogging.  It is cathartic which is probably why so many people do it.  So here I go again.  But for today's post I will leave you with a pictorial of my past month.

Oh yeah that's me under the sea.

Cleaning my hot tub which is similar to this one.  Also brought out all patio furniture, started yard work and cleaned half of the garage.

Sister is coming to visit.  Prepped by setting up third floor guest and making lots of reservations.

Read about 8 books. Quick recommendation:  Skip "Prayers for Sale" but read "The Help".

This is probably the most descriptive ... spinning out of control.