GO for it ALL

Travel

2011-07-12T19:27:00.000-07:00

Finally! I've found people who enjoy traveling as much as I do. I'm fresh from a great 16-day trip to Spain, and already I have 2 emails asking to go abroad again. Madrid, Ibiza, Barcelona, and Pamplona were fantastic...but where can I look forward to now?

Germany?

Argentina? Chile? Peru?

I suppose we'll find out soon enough.

First, I need to save up some money...........

Quotable

2010-08-24T10:21:00.000-07:00

"The cost of good intentions is high," said Brian Williams (NBC Nightly News) in a recent sitting with late night talk show host David Letterman.

He was making reference to the numerous donations made to Haiti (I think he said something like 37 million people made a donation via text message) that we do not see the results from. In other words, a lot of the money that gets donated is used to cover the overhead costs. And you do not necessarily see the money get used to buy food, build shelter, or provide clean / safe water.

I'm definitely in favor of seeing more of the money go towards the necessities, but where is the line drawn between necessity and overhead? I'm not sure. Do you have a clue?

Piece of Advice

2010-08-20T08:22:00.000-07:00

If there's one thing that I would tell new graduates it would be... don't be in a rush to jump into the workforce. Take some time off. See the world. Experience new things. Enjoy life before you have to work for the rest of it.

If you were to ask me for how long... I'd say 6 months.

For those of you already working, you should try to really take a long vacation. Try to leave all the thoughts of work at work and enjoy yourself. Everyone needs a little time away... I heard them say... from the stressful environment that is work.

I've always wondered why the United States' attitude towards work is that much different from any European country. I constantly hear that European have a better work life balance.

In any case, my recent departure from my last job has given me this time to reflect on the idea of "vacation" and time away from "work." We will all work some 40-50 years. What's wrong with taking a few weeks to relieve yourself? Anyway, it's nice to have this time off from work and not have to think about tax or any work related responsibilities. You should all try it...

I don't understand...

2010-08-18T16:33:00.000-07:00

Why do doctors have terrible handwriting? How do pharmacists know how the prescription reads? Is there just a mutual understanding?

Why is it that when you are late (to arrive, to pay, etc.) you have to pay a late fee, but when a servicer is late (on pick-up / delivery, on reimbursement, etc.) they don't have to pay you a fee or discount the amount due? For example, I used to request for car service going home after a late night at the office. I would set the pick-up time to be, let's say, 3AM. If I walked out of the building at 3:15AM, I was penalized for "waiting time." On the contrary, if I stepped out at exactly 3AM and had to wait until 3:15AM for the car to arrive, there was no discount on my service. What's up with that?

Why is the subway system in New York City so hot during the summer months?! I thought that being underground always meant that it should be cold... or at least cooler than street level. You know, under the same concept as a basement...

As a daily commuter on the NJ Transit bus line, I've noticed something that I find to be contrary to law. The moment that all seats on a bus become occupied, the driver announces that there is standing room only. What this means is that people can stand in the aisle until the vehicle fills up to the very front, at which point, there is a skinny white line just beside the driver as if to indicate that the bus is "full." Question: Why is it that you can stand on a bus just behind this white line which is 2 feet from the front window, but you can't sit in the back of a car without a seat belt legally?

The word "regretfully" is often falsely used... how unfortunate. The truth hurts, but lies hurt even more...........

Answer The Phone

2010-05-06T10:04:00.000-07:00

Someone recently said to me, "Education is that one thing that no one can take away from you." I'm glad they said that. It's a great reminder as to how important it is to find a take-away in everything you do.

With that said, there is a part-time Masters in Business Administration with a Concentration in Management calling. =)

Elevator Etiquette

2010-02-13T05:48:00.000-08:00

Working in New York City has forced a majority of the local population to spend at least 1 minute of their day in an enclosed capsule that transports them to another level. Yes, I'm talking about an elevator. And yes, that level is the office (unfortunately).

With the frequency of this event, you would imagine that everyone has this move memorized and done with grace and efficiency. Unfortunately, you were mistaken. People lose tact and common sense when it comes to using elevators.

Why do people hold the doors? Why do people rush to catch the elevator when there are 6 others that can be called? Why don't people organize themselves within the elevator to allow for ease of exit? Why do people cram into an elevator when they know everyone is running late? Why do people hit the call button more than once? Why do people talk about confidential information in the elevator?

Here are a few things to remember for the next time you want to ride the elevator:

1. Unless there is only 1 elevator in operation, you can wait. There are other elevators available, and you don't need to cram into one of them.

2. Do not hold the doors. When you hold the doors too long, that annoying beep / siren starts fussing. Elevators have numerous complex timers and answering systems. Let them do their work as they have been programmed to do. You may think holding doors is the polite thing to do...for that one person...but not the rest of the people already in the elevator. Don't piss them off.

3. There is no need to press the call button more than once. It does not make the elevators move quicker. The system is automated. It will never forget that you've pressed it. If anything, you are only changing your position in the queue.

4. If you know that you are getting out on one of the first floors that the elevator stops at, then situate yourself towards the front of the elevator. Hiding yourself in the back only causes difficulty in your exit plan. People either have to get out of the elevator completely, or if you're like the people in my building, they just move over and smoosh people against the elevator walls in fear of the elevator door closing on them while they step out of the elevator to kindly let someone from the back of the elevator out.

5. And finally, conversations should come to a halt once you step into an elevator. Needless to say, but necessary (oxymoron, right?), conversations that are work related should be considered confidential. No one wants to hear that you fired someone or how badly someone is performing or how much you hate your boss or your peers. That kind of talk will definitely just get you in trouble. Further, no one wants to hear what you got your girlfriend for Valentines Day or what you did over the weekend that was "so funny." Those conversations are for your breaks at work at your desk or the privacy of a close-proximity conversation. And if you're ever in an elevator with me, and there's no one talking, please don't begin dialogue with me. I get embarrassed when the entire capsule turns to look at me for a response. I will ignore you.

Trust in these suggestions that I am making. It will make for your elevator experience to be as quick and painless as possible.

Technology

2009-10-09T20:00:00.000-07:00

It's an amazing thing. One day we're typing in each others' information and the next day, we're scanning their bar codes. Stay in touch...

Busted!

2009-10-03T17:55:00.001-07:00

Citizens of the United States (and for any other law creating / abiding nation) beware! Those who have been entrusted to uphold and enforce the law are perpetrators themselves...

Call me cautious, but I am a law abiding citizen. (I even recently had a discussion with my girlfriend who questioned my hesitation to make a u-turn.) Call me lucky, because the few times I have fractured a law or two, I have not been caught. Ok, so I've broken more laws than a few, so I guess I AM lucky. But then again, so are the numerous police officers that I have seen get away with breaking what they are supposed to be defending. BUSTED! I would love to make a citizens' arrest. Is that even possible? Does that even exist?

Part I
As I was walking down Broadway on Wednesday this week, I began to smell an uncanny odor wafting in my direction. To my surprise, there it was.

A large pile of manure! And where was it located? Why of course, beneath the steed of one of New York's finest.

Have you ever heard of curbing your dog? Shouldn't the same rules apply to horses? Or to any other animals that are allowed to walk the streets with other pedestrians? Why do those horses that draw the carriages around Central Park have a trough under their asses? They should be able to relieve themselves wherever they want, no? Are police horses exempt from the law or something? That would make them similar to Diplomats and other law "enforcement" I suppose, huh?

Part II
According to the National Safety Council, it is estimated that "more than 100 million people use cell phones while driving." In fact, 81% of the public admit to this. And of the now 6 states (see which ones) that completely ban the use of handheld cell phone use while driving, I happen to live and work in 2 of them. AND, on almost a regular basis, I have watched a police car drive by operated by an officer ON A CELL PHONE! I find it amazing that the same officer can be having a conversation on his/her cell phone while driving, and later on that day have the guts to pull someone over for the same misdeed.

Part III
Now this probably pisses me off the most. Have you ever approached a stoplight at an intersection behind a police vehicle? What's the first thing that crosses your mind? He can't pull you over because you're behind him, right? Actually, my first reaction is, "where are my handcuffs?" Why? Because you know that 1 in 10 (hey, I'm giving them the benefit) will flip the wild police lights on, run the red, and flip them off once they cross the intersection. You know what I'm talking about. Did that traffic camera get that on tape?

How do these law enforcers get away with it? Are these people not subject to the same penalties, if not worse? Would another officer pull over one of his brethren in the name of the law? Can standard citizens take action? Thought provoking isn't it?

Time...

2009-09-16T20:25:00.001-07:00

...I've been passing time... doing TAX RETURNS!

So much so that I've been lagging on my reading front. So I decided to make a quick run to my neighborhood Barnes and Noble to pick up these:

Remember when...

2009-09-12T19:29:00.001-07:00

...your mom used to tell you that having a pet was like having a kid? She wasn't kidding...Taking care of this little guy is a lot of work.

Rice! I blame you...

2009-09-12T17:22:00.000-07:00

...for the years of being overweight.

...for the Halloween that I had to be a fat red Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

...for that one time at freshman basketball practice when the varsity captain called me E-Honda.

...for being made fun of as you clung on to my shirt hours after a hearty meal.

...for making me laugh upon finding you.

...for giving me the strength to proceed.

...for providing sustenance to my family and friends.

...for being a staple to my people.

...for never failing to satiate.

...for being...

Welcome to the Club! Members Only.

2009-09-12T16:56:00.001-07:00

Of home ownership that is...

Don't think for a minute that once you sign the documents and take the keys for the first time that you've become a "home owner." They tried and true test to become a true home owner is if you don't shed a tear at the first signs of any major household problem. I'm not talking about your power going out. Nor do I think that a clogged toilet or sink could even be considered. I'm talking about broken pipes, water damage, flooding...things of that nature.

Speaking from experience? Yes.

For those of you who have been privileged enough to experience what I'm talking about, thanks for the warning (sarcasm).

It's a different thing when you have to deal with these types of problems on your own. YOU have to clean it. YOU have to find the cause. YOU have to take time out of your busy schedule to call a plumber and get estimates. YOU have to shoulder the cost for the repair.

Gone are the days of daddy or mommy helping clean or diagnosing the problem. Long gone are the times of cost free living. It's your burden now.

But oh, these are the joys of living on your own and the fruits of your labor to gain equity. I'm just saying...

By no means is this a complaint though. You can say that it's more like a warning for any of you looking to make a purchase sometime soon. And believe me, you'll love your house no matter what happens. Just prepare yourself to add a whole new level of responsibility to your list and put a check mark next to life's accomplishments.

My New York City Pedestrian Traffic Rules

2009-03-06T16:38:00.000-08:00

1. Keep right, Pass left. Slow moving traffic please put on your hazard lights.

2. Signal when changing lanes.

3. Look left and right before crossing street or turning.

4. Do not stop in the middle of the sidewalk. If you need to carry a conversation, step to the side.

5. Do not make sudden stops.

6. Do not make u-turns in the middle of the sidewalk. Pull over to the side, look, and proceed with about-face.

7. Do not cut people off. But if you must, then maintain passing speed when attempting to cut off.

8. If you must smoke, please walk in the street. That is where tar belongs.

9. Look both ways when attempting to cross the street. If there are no cars, cross. There is no need to wait for the pedestrian signal to tell you to "walk."

10. Jay-walking is permitted and is encouraged when you are late for work.

11. In the event that someone is running in your direction, please clear the way. They are either in a really big rush, or attending to an emergency.

12. Please look in all directions before you spit out your gum.

13. If a taxicab beeps at you, give them the finger and tell them "you're walking here." Pedestrians always have the right of way.

14. In the event that you see a very attractive person, proceed with caution. Slowly manuever to the right and stop on the side, turn, and gawk.

15. Please keep a safe following distance.

Learn these and you're golden when walking the streets of NY...

Life After College - the Quarter Life Crisis

2009-03-01T19:52:00.000-08:00

From the day we were born, we were given goals to meet, standards to live up to, and a future to look forward to. Our parents, family, friends, and teachers have all had their sights set on our achievement.

When we were in elementary school, we learned the basics to everything in life, and the goal was to make it to high school. In high school, we buckled up for a competitive 4 years all with the determination to go to college. Upon arrival to college, we remained poised to prep ourselves for a future career, all while becoming accustomed to a new social dynamic. And on our commencement day, we were inaugurated into that so-called "real world."

Now here we are, past the social high-life of 21 year olds, reaching the quarter-life, and have logged more than a few thousand hours of experience in our chosen careers. We've achieved all of our previously set goals. Now what's next?

There are no certainties going forward. We have not set any mandates for ourselves. The major life necessities have all been acquired. Do we go to grad school? Do we buy a house or rent an apartment? Do we stay in our comfort zone or do we move to new frontiers? Do we continue to date or do we get married? Do we have kids? How do we afford this? How do we get that? Who can we seek advice from? Is this true? Can this be? Are you sure? Is it necessary? What if...? A crisis, indeed.

There is an abundance of options and roads to take. We have the colorful imaginations to dream the best and the power to make those dreams come to fruition.

I suppose that the best way to summarize this all is from an excerpt from a movie I recently watched (again).

In the closing scene of Back to the Future III, Jennifer appeals to Doc Brown on the disappearance of a fax she brought back from the future.

Jennifer: I brought this note back from the future and...now it's erased!
Doc: Of course it's erased!
Jennifer: But what does that mean?
Doc: It means that your future hasn't been written yet. No one's has. Your future is
whatever you make it. So make it a good one. Both of ya!
Marty: We will, Doc!

Good luck to us all in our future endeavors!

Trains of Thought

2009-02-21T11:00:00.000-08:00

Thought patterns are one of the most interesting things that we take for granted. Not until recently have I been so intrigued. Have you ever wondered how the creators of Family Guy come up with their material? I think I've figured it out. They get a bunch of corporate Americans who's daily relief from the jobs they hate is a 1 hour time frame all to themselves in the middle of the day, put them in a conference room, and call it lunch. Albeit a rather boring sounding beginning to a lunch break, but it proves fruitful.

Now these just aren't your ordinary corporate Americans. These are the creative cream of the crop. I'm talking about the well-read IT Guy, the faux know-it-all, the quiet lady, the doubter, the intern, and the occasional cynic. And their differences are not just their demeanor, but also their cultural background. Put all that in a mix, and well...you've got yourself a grade A creative comedy team.

With such variety of people, culture, background, and personality, it's no wonder a slew of topics emerge in conversation. Intellectual to nonsensical, morose to jubilant, factual or fictional, and the list goes on.

Now the amazing part is that they all seem to tie together. Discussions of the theory of black holes leads to the music of Soundgarden (Black Hole Sun... won't you come...) to wash away the rain... drops keep falling on my window(s)... of the World was a great restaurant in the World Trade Center...is the position that I play in basketball...is a better sport than baseball... I can't believe the Philles won the World Series... of poker is a game that relies on a good composure... or composer of cards is like a composer of music, you have to find the harmony... and I bumeped into my friend Melodee a few weeks ago in the street as I was walk(ing)...the Line was an ok movie... don't you think?

I guess that's why they call it "trains" of thought. You are constantly LINKING things together and always on the GO to CONVEY your thought, hopes, dreams, and ideas. Family Guy just makes it more evident... and funny.

Anthony Bourdain No Reservations: Philippines

2009-02-18T14:03:00.000-08:00

For those of you who have seen Anthony Bourdain's TV show No Reservations, you are familiar with the typical Bourdain style. A hip, leather jacket sportin', cigarette smoking, beer chugging, adventurous, entertaining, daring, and outgoing Bourdain is not what you would call a shy person. The clever title of his show has a dual meaning. No Reservations in the sense of not making arrangements for accommodation at a restaurant, and No Reservations in the sense of not holding back emotions and opinions.

Unfortnately, in the most recent episode in the Philippines, Bourdain seemed to lack his usual flare. I can't imagine that it was due to a lack of tantilizing foods, flavors, or aromas. And although he says he had a great time in his blog (Anthony Bourdain), one could only wonder how in the world he could tolerate the complete lack of emotion from his Cebuano tour guide Augusto Elefano.

For a person who "argued so fervently for his country of ancestry," Elefano showed little knowledge about his motherland when it actually came down to it. Anyone can put together a video...even me, and I'm a PC. Watching his video that convinced Bourdain to visit the great Archipelago gave me high hopes of a truly entertaining episode. But when it all came down to it the show, because of Elefano's enthusiasm, was flat.

I'm glad that Bourdain visited the Philippines. And I'm sure that he was able to feast on his fair share of foods. I mean, it's only a 1 hour show, so I'm sure there's plenty of film on the editing room floor. But I was more concerned with the way this Filipino American came off to the viewing public.

Augusto's personality on the show was the complete opposite of the video that achieved the Philippines the honor of hosting Bourdain. There was no excitement. The show is called No Reservations! Why did I feel like he confined his emotions and enthusiasm? Who could hold back any type of emotion? I understand that Augusto was going through some sorts of an identity issue (not crisis), but being in the land of his predecessors should have given him some type of pride. He was uber proud in his video. But how could he have been so proud with his so-called identity crisis?

I'm not so much concerned with how the food was presented or what was / was not highligted. I guess the bottom line is that Augusto's representation of Filipinos and the culture is off. From his complete 180 degree personality change between his video and his performance on screen to the lack lustre dynamic of his family "party," the overall portrayal of Filipinos was weak. Yes, in a sense Elefano put us on the map in the Foodie world, but his actions and words are setting us back. Plenty of Filipinos and Filipino Americans have made great strides to further us as a people.

Augusto - there are plenty of organizations and people to help you "FIND yourself." For goodness sakes, you live in the cultural capital of the world that is New York City. Use the New Yorker in you and FIND those resources to help you identify.

I hope Chef Bourdain does a Part Deux.

No one on the corner got swagger like us...

2008-09-21T21:34:00.000-07:00

Mediocrity? Hell no. Never settle. There's only 1 way to live...

1 step ahead
1 step higher
1 day sooner
1 minute faster

To be, or not to be...

2008-07-15T20:30:00.000-07:00

The truth of the matter is that people take scheduling events too lightly. A friend of mine put it perfectly. In considering how to schedule yourself, there are...

Simple rules to follow:

(1) If you're tentative, don't say Yes.

(2) If you're a no, don't say Yes.

(3) If you're a Yes, then make sure you pen it in your calendar and plan your schedule AROUND the event.

To be IN, or NOT TO BE in... answer the question... and stick to it...

Fact or Fiction

2008-07-13T12:00:00.000-07:00

Fact or Fiction: The average amount of silence between conversations is 7 minutes.

I often enjoy a nice long drive with friend(s) to get away from the hustle and bustle of New York City. Don't get me wrong... I'm a true die-hard Jersey Yorker (n. one who lives in NJ and works/ parties in NYC --- I made that up... creative, right?) at heart. But sometimes it's just comforting to get away and catch up with great friends. Which leads me to believe....

False.

7 minutes is a dreadfully long time between conversations. If the holes in a conversation are this extensive, you must be in very boring company or have completely nothing in common to discuss.

I challenge you to sit with a friend try to remain silent for 7 minutes... I've tried. Funny, right?

Recently, I made a trip to Philly. It's something I'm fairly notorious for. But instead of making the trip alone, I wrangled up a couple of friends and we made the short excursion together. Philly is only roughly a 2 hour ride away. Alone, this drive could seem like an infinite journey. But in good company, the arrival at the final destination happens in the blink of an eye.

As the driver of the vehicle, I could easily get away with not talking to anyone and claim deep concentration on the roads and the environment. So, I tried to remain silent. But as my nephew would say, "fat chance." One of my buddies initiated a conversation. The other countered with a response. And if you know me well enough, you know that I had to drop my two cents in. The question is... why? Easy. The topic was interesting. I had some knowledge about it. I had an opinion. For no more than a few seconds was there ever a silence... only enough to take a few breaths. This continued for the duration of the road trip. Jokes were told. Memories were recalled. And serious topics were even raised.

Conclusion: It's impossible for the average silence to last 7 minutes between conversations. Where do these statistics come from?!

Anyway... in the true Philadelphia spirit of brotherly love... I leave you with this...

What's your flava? Tell me what's your flava...

2008-07-10T21:22:00.000-07:00

Pecan Deluxe... sike! Who am I, Craid David? Hell no!

Courtesy of UrbanDictionary.com:

1. flava - Means "style". From "Flavor".
ie. What's yo flava?

2. flava - Style. Pure and simple.
ie. "My DJ skills got mad flava!"

3. flava - What makes a person different. Personality, style, a certain je ne sais quoi: whatever they've got that makes him/her unique from the next person.
ie. Sista's got real sweet flava.

So anyway, what's your flavor of literature? I'm the type of person (or maybe my type doesn't exist really) who likes to peruse non-fiction works related to, but not limited to, success / happiness / leadership / self improvement / anything insightful. There is a great abundance of helpful information out there. The hard part is to find it presented in a manner worth spending the time to read. Does the author appeal to your life? Is the style of writing colloquial? Are the examples relevant?

My latest pick up is a book titled The Last Lecture. It's a book about the "last lecture" of Professor Randy Pausch who was diagnosed with terminal cancer with only a few months left to live. But why did I choose to buy this book and read it? Quite easily, it was due to the introduction...

So, how to spend my very limited time? ...

The less obvious part is how to teach my children what I would have taught them over the next twenty years. they are too young now to have those conversations. All parents want to teach their children right from wrong, what we think is important, and how to deal with the challenges life will bring. We also want them to know some stories from our own lives, often as a way to teach them how to lead theirs. My desire to do that led me to give the "last lecture" at Carnegie Mellon University.

These lectures are routinely videotaped. I knew what I was doing that day. Under the ruse of giving an academic lecture, I was trying to put myself in a bottle that would one day wash up on the beach for my children. If I were a painter, I would have painted for them. If I were a musician, I would have composed music for them. But I am a lecturer. So I lectured.

I lectured about the joy of life, about how much I appreciated life, even with so little of my own left. I talked about honesty, integrity, gratitude, and other things I hold dear. And I tried very hard not to be boring.

I'm going to leave it at that. Buy this book. I'm going to continue reading it....

To My Surprise

2008-07-06T22:13:00.000-07:00

I'll be honest. I received this book as a Christmas gift this past December, and I've been hesitant to read it. The title alone seemed to be an insult to me. Do I seem to be the type of person who has no friends? Do I not know how to effectively influence people? What can I possibly learn from this book that I don't already know?

But to my surprise, this book is actually very well written. It provides great insights to the tragedies of social failure. I find myself agreeing with many of the citations. And I concur with the ideas and solutions to seemingly simple problems.

So far, this book reaffirms my ways of thinking, living, being. It is helping me keep a positive attitude about how I carry myself in the things I do and the words I speak. As I continue to read page after page, I find myself relating so many of the examples described within to my life in love, laughter, relationships, school, and work.

Many times I wish that people could understand why and how I feel the way I feel or think the way I think. And so I'm going to put this out there... READ IT! I highly recommend it (and I'm not even done yet). I'd go as far as to recommend that this book be required reading as a pre-requisite to college (yea, it's that good and that important). The references to notable people, quotable quotes, and most importantly, the appeal it has to the average person on a daily basis is what will keep you reading.

Trust me... you'll thank me for this. And I, in return, will thank you for reading it...

Where life leads you...

2008-07-06T14:26:00.001-07:00

Love - Musiq Soulchild

For many people, the path of life leads to holy matrimony (or marriage, for the non-religious), and for years to come... anniversaries of that union...

In the coming months, it couldn't be any more evident amongst my friends and family. It seems that we're at that age when people all around us are "tying the knot," "getting hitched," exchanging vows, ... getting married. And for the people who have been in longstanding relationships, the talks of the event have, more likely than not, come up in conversation... more than once, I'm sure.

Yesterday, I attended my Aunt and Uncle's 40th Wedding Anniversary. This ruby-marked event is amazingly noteworthy. Long lasting relationships like these are what too many people envy these days. I'll admit it... I'm one of those people...

I'll leave it at that and leave you with this...

"Love is but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the delight in the recognition."
--Alexander Smith

"Love is friendship set on fire."
--Jeremy Taylor

Rhyme Time?

2008-07-01T19:47:00.000-07:00

Reasoning is like seasoning....

... not enough, and the argument, much like the food... is bland...

... too much, and it's overpowering, annoying, distasteful...

Success

2008-06-29T17:18:00.000-07:00

...is a Journey, not a Destination. - Arthur Ashe, Jr.

Everyday of our lives is hopefully one filled with learning, with the desire to know more, to live without fear of the unknown. For what would life be like if one day you woke up and knew everything? It would be difficult to hold conversations. It would be impossible to be intrigued by the opposite sex. Nothing would be of interest to you.

The greatness about the journey towards success is the constant satisfaction of learning something new everyday.