Mild mannered people are often over looked, however its a quality I find very appealing and important in those I choose to share the company with. With my frequent nights spent at the bar this semester, which Ironically have been inspired by my non drinking friend I have noticed and payed attention to how others as well as myself conduct themselves. Being over the top is obnoxious, obvious of seeking attention, and deserving of a dirty look. I appreciate this new friendship I've made with Abdallah, he has given me a much needed perspective on the Arab world, and on my own upbringing.
Randomly an old friend of mine called me, after getting my number from a mutual friend. This guy and I used to be close friends, since kinder garden, and have had crazy times in the past. Tonight, we played some games of pool, talked about the hang ups we have had and our future goals and aspirations, and just about everything else that was on our fractionally impaired minds. Watched some movies I made in high school, and by getting in contact with his old friend, who is in my opinion the smartest kid in my graduating class who is still to realize his potential, (mild mannered) I have had a part of my life reborn, and a new drive set in motion.
Life is full of uncertainties, however I believe that certain things happen for definite reasons, and though I didn't understand the quantum mechanics and super string theory in their entirety that was discussed tonight, I do understand the value of ones heart and soul, and that I will look back in 20 years and understand why the things in my life have happened the way they are.
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Iraqi journalism
While flipping channels during the commercial break for one of my favorite comedy shows "Mad Money with Jim Cramer" I stopped on Fox News on report about Americans paying Iraqi Press to print positive news about improvement in their current situation. Donald Rumsfield is relieved that Iraqi's are getting truthful news, verses the propoganda they were getting before....hmmm....
"America...Fuck yea." - Team America
"America...Fuck yea." - Team America
"You look like a guy I did some time with a year ago"
As I was consuming, yet another cup of shitty coffee this morning, to keep my edge at the office,(making tiger faces in the mirror at 7 am just wasn't having success this morning) I had the opportunity to meet some of the guys from the plant. This is an an unusual interaction for the work I do, as I spend about 80% of my time in my office in the corporate section of the building and the other 20% in conference rooms, however I learned today from my conversation with these hard working, blue collar guys that I have been missing out.
The first thing said to me by Bob, an man in his 40's with a grey pony tail, a beard, and a a couple mean looking tattoos was "Hey, you look like a guy I did some time with a year ago, you ever been to county." I responded "umm.. not that remember." Obviously jokes from both ends.
There was nothing fake about the conversation with these guys, not that conversation in the office is not real, but its different. I felt like I was talking to my uncles when I talked to these workers, and learned some new things about the company, from the engineering/manufacturing end that is relevant to some international marketing issues we may face as we continue to go global.
I have concluded that the value of the president, executives and other business types of a company are very important as they are sort of the face of its success, in terms of profits and stock price, however men like the 2 guys I drank coffee with this morning are clearly the backbone, and companies who value their American workers, like the one I work for and also specifically Kalamazoo's infamous Stryker, will continue to have excellent growth in their earnings.
And then there is GM, but Ill let Michael Moore speak on that issue, as far as I'm concerned, that company is a lost cause, and it is unfortunate that through their stupidity of lack of continuous environmental scanning (before producing substandard cars that people aren't driving anymore), thousands of more Americans will be canned, Delphi is going under, and pension holders that used to work for GM are going to get screwed. There was a headline in the New York Times talking about how the fall of GM will destroy the middle class. I don't really know much about that, though Ive heard that GM is the reason we have a middle class, because of the initial benefits and rewards they offered their employees in past years. Are they going to go from one extreme to another? Delphi, who was part of GM in 1999, re-hired this girl I'm friends with, to do some marketing work for them. Of course they are not paying her for it, unlike the $12 an hour she got last summer for much less intensive work. Is this going to be the trend for managing human resources with American auto companies in the US? I just hope GM isn't going to follow this behavior, and expect everyone, especially guys like who I had coffee with this morning, to work for free, or close to it, or not work at all.
The first thing said to me by Bob, an man in his 40's with a grey pony tail, a beard, and a a couple mean looking tattoos was "Hey, you look like a guy I did some time with a year ago, you ever been to county." I responded "umm.. not that remember." Obviously jokes from both ends.
There was nothing fake about the conversation with these guys, not that conversation in the office is not real, but its different. I felt like I was talking to my uncles when I talked to these workers, and learned some new things about the company, from the engineering/manufacturing end that is relevant to some international marketing issues we may face as we continue to go global.
I have concluded that the value of the president, executives and other business types of a company are very important as they are sort of the face of its success, in terms of profits and stock price, however men like the 2 guys I drank coffee with this morning are clearly the backbone, and companies who value their American workers, like the one I work for and also specifically Kalamazoo's infamous Stryker, will continue to have excellent growth in their earnings.
And then there is GM, but Ill let Michael Moore speak on that issue, as far as I'm concerned, that company is a lost cause, and it is unfortunate that through their stupidity of lack of continuous environmental scanning (before producing substandard cars that people aren't driving anymore), thousands of more Americans will be canned, Delphi is going under, and pension holders that used to work for GM are going to get screwed. There was a headline in the New York Times talking about how the fall of GM will destroy the middle class. I don't really know much about that, though Ive heard that GM is the reason we have a middle class, because of the initial benefits and rewards they offered their employees in past years. Are they going to go from one extreme to another? Delphi, who was part of GM in 1999, re-hired this girl I'm friends with, to do some marketing work for them. Of course they are not paying her for it, unlike the $12 an hour she got last summer for much less intensive work. Is this going to be the trend for managing human resources with American auto companies in the US? I just hope GM isn't going to follow this behavior, and expect everyone, especially guys like who I had coffee with this morning, to work for free, or close to it, or not work at all.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Holy Geez
In my marketing courses I have recently spent a lot of time discussing blog sites, and just realized I attempted to start my own a while back, While living abroad. Picking up where I left off...
Its the week after Thanksgiving...Finally got a semi-vacation, the first since my travels in Europe. This semester has been extremely busy, with school, my job (RPAprocess.com) leading the 3 student Organizations I have become involved with, and trying to organize my life otherwise. No complaints though, I'm finding my place at WMU, getting ready to graduate in a semester or 2, and things at my job are taking off. Lately Ive noticed that I might be "losing my edge" with all this settling down and routine... This is totally unacceptable. After the madness I was fortunate to experience in London, I feel like I'm getting old in Kalamazoo.
I recently read a book, The Rum Diary, by the then 22year old Hunter S Thompson, that came highly recommended by one of my new roommates, Jay. While reading the book, I couldn't help but recall the adventures I had while doing my own travels, and wish that I would have written more things down. I'm still trying to figure out what exactly happened in my street fight in Barcelona however.
I have lost touch with a lot of that which is going on in the world right now. I guess I'm not paying enough close attention to NPR. Its been a nasty year for natural disasters and other horrific events, and Ive had some close calls, with the Tsunami while I was visiting India, the London Bombings a few weeks after I left, which happened at the Tube station I took took to work every morning, at the time I went to work every morning, The Hurricanes, the tragic earthquake on the border of India/Pakistan. I recently made good friends with a Lebanese fellow,who has given me a new perspective on the other side of the world. I hope things work out with this internship in India next summer, I need to spend some time out with my family out there, Ive simply lost touch with most of them...In the meantime, Gotta muscle through this next week of finals.
-J
Its the week after Thanksgiving...Finally got a semi-vacation, the first since my travels in Europe. This semester has been extremely busy, with school, my job (RPAprocess.com) leading the 3 student Organizations I have become involved with, and trying to organize my life otherwise. No complaints though, I'm finding my place at WMU, getting ready to graduate in a semester or 2, and things at my job are taking off. Lately Ive noticed that I might be "losing my edge" with all this settling down and routine... This is totally unacceptable. After the madness I was fortunate to experience in London, I feel like I'm getting old in Kalamazoo.
I recently read a book, The Rum Diary, by the then 22year old Hunter S Thompson, that came highly recommended by one of my new roommates, Jay. While reading the book, I couldn't help but recall the adventures I had while doing my own travels, and wish that I would have written more things down. I'm still trying to figure out what exactly happened in my street fight in Barcelona however.
I have lost touch with a lot of that which is going on in the world right now. I guess I'm not paying enough close attention to NPR. Its been a nasty year for natural disasters and other horrific events, and Ive had some close calls, with the Tsunami while I was visiting India, the London Bombings a few weeks after I left, which happened at the Tube station I took took to work every morning, at the time I went to work every morning, The Hurricanes, the tragic earthquake on the border of India/Pakistan. I recently made good friends with a Lebanese fellow,who has given me a new perspective on the other side of the world. I hope things work out with this internship in India next summer, I need to spend some time out with my family out there, Ive simply lost touch with most of them...In the meantime, Gotta muscle through this next week of finals.
-J
Monday, March 21, 2005
Leaving London
In 3 days, My stay in London will come to an abrupt end, and I will begin my travels around Italy Switzerland and Germany, which I have decided to take a loan and go through with, even though I know I cant afford it. Leaving London is much harder than I ever would have expected, I have really grown used to living here, developed a routine with work school and the nightlife. I am going to never see most of the people I have spent the last 3 months with ever again, which is a hard concept to swallow, because I have connected with people here in some cases on a much more personal level than friends I have had for years back in the US. The one thing I wont miss is the drama that I was thrown into out here, I look forward to my old, boring life, it will be refreshing. Exam today, presentatation Wednesday, Train ride through franceinto Italy Thursday. Heartbroken right now though.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
When in Rome
If my weekend could have been any more unpredictable, I just wouldn't know what to do with myself. Here is a summary of the last few days (starting from the end of the trip)
-Missed my flight home...I arrived at the Rome Ciampino airport 35 min before my flight was scheduled to take off, because it was 5 am, and I couldn't find a bus to take me there, and had no money for a taxi. Ryanair (airlines) would not let me check in, even though they hadn't even started boarding the plane, the lady even starting mocking me when we heard the plane take off, after she made me buy a new ticket. Real Dodgy
-Drank wine with some kids from San Fransisco on the famous Spanish Steps, until 3 in the morning. A group of drunk Danish girls came and hit on me, trying to convince me they were a few years older than they really were. One of them claimed to be known in her country as "Princess Sophia" yeah, and I'm one of the 40 thieves. Saw a Lamborghini smart car, tried to pick it up, its a funny picture.
-Met some backpackers from Seattle in a pub, who turn out to be the infamous backpackers that everyone in my school in London has heard about, since they met these girls and ended up staying in their closet for a couple weeks. Real small world. Also met a crazy old guy who was fascinated that Kalamazoo was in fact a legit city, and not just part of a title from some song. Yes there really is a Kalamazoo.
-Spent 2 days in Rome alone, Saw all the famous sites, took the open bus/boat tour, walked through the ruins, Colosseum, Pantheon, Vatican, saw the pope at his hospital,(poor guy) Played some blues for hundreds of Italians dining/site seeing at Navona Piazza with this crazy musician who played his guitar upside down, made friends with an artist who drew me a portrait of me at Navona Piazza, saw some hilarious street performers. Ate Gellato and pizza a few times
-My travel companion flips out because I talked to this Irish girl for 10 minutes, leaves Rome and goes to Florence, steals my 8 Euro bottle of wine, and flies back to London a night early.
-Arrive in Rome with no place to stay, because the Hotel my travel companion was supposed to book canceled the free room I had been promised, because stupid girl failed to answer her phone all week.
Unfortunate, I might have to cancel the backpacking trip, since my funds have run short, but i will definitely return to Italy in the appropriate time, the people are beautiful, warm and friendly, and the food is incredible.
Dublin this Thursday, and a ridiculous amount of work besides that.
-Missed my flight home...I arrived at the Rome Ciampino airport 35 min before my flight was scheduled to take off, because it was 5 am, and I couldn't find a bus to take me there, and had no money for a taxi. Ryanair (airlines) would not let me check in, even though they hadn't even started boarding the plane, the lady even starting mocking me when we heard the plane take off, after she made me buy a new ticket. Real Dodgy
-Drank wine with some kids from San Fransisco on the famous Spanish Steps, until 3 in the morning. A group of drunk Danish girls came and hit on me, trying to convince me they were a few years older than they really were. One of them claimed to be known in her country as "Princess Sophia" yeah, and I'm one of the 40 thieves. Saw a Lamborghini smart car, tried to pick it up, its a funny picture.
-Met some backpackers from Seattle in a pub, who turn out to be the infamous backpackers that everyone in my school in London has heard about, since they met these girls and ended up staying in their closet for a couple weeks. Real small world. Also met a crazy old guy who was fascinated that Kalamazoo was in fact a legit city, and not just part of a title from some song. Yes there really is a Kalamazoo.
-Spent 2 days in Rome alone, Saw all the famous sites, took the open bus/boat tour, walked through the ruins, Colosseum, Pantheon, Vatican, saw the pope at his hospital,(poor guy) Played some blues for hundreds of Italians dining/site seeing at Navona Piazza with this crazy musician who played his guitar upside down, made friends with an artist who drew me a portrait of me at Navona Piazza, saw some hilarious street performers. Ate Gellato and pizza a few times
-My travel companion flips out because I talked to this Irish girl for 10 minutes, leaves Rome and goes to Florence, steals my 8 Euro bottle of wine, and flies back to London a night early.
-Arrive in Rome with no place to stay, because the Hotel my travel companion was supposed to book canceled the free room I had been promised, because stupid girl failed to answer her phone all week.
Unfortunate, I might have to cancel the backpacking trip, since my funds have run short, but i will definitely return to Italy in the appropriate time, the people are beautiful, warm and friendly, and the food is incredible.
Dublin this Thursday, and a ridiculous amount of work besides that.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
American Invasion
Only London could inspire me to go out to a Irish pub, at 12:30, on Wednesday. Saw a decent Beatles cover band, though they were also Americans, and had no solid front man. They got the room dancing though, and British people dance funny, so it was amusing.
All the spring break crowd has finally left our apartment, one of the guys ended up being fraternity brothers with some really good friends of mine back home. small world. My cousin just got proposed to, in a semi-arranged setting. I'm happy for her, she will be moving to Denver next year. The new trend with arranged marriages, from what I've been hearing from people, is more of a formal introduction by the parents, and then letting the couple work out between themselves if they will tie the knot, or not. If i was put in that scenario, I hope my parents would set me up with a girl like Ashwaira Rai, because my hidden talent as a Bollywood actor/singer could be discovered.
God damnit, I love the band MUSE. When I saw their singer/vocalist at the Curioso festival last summer, my dying inner child woke up when he put my rock n roll days to shame. He is a wild man on guitar, and even switches to piano in some of his intense solos. I can flat out say, I am jealous of this musician, why am i not doing what he is doing? The only songs coming out of guitar are poor Spanish flamenco renditions. Regardless, this band is doing some great things for rock n roll, and any bad review they have gotten has been written by some guy that failed to get laid the night before he insulted them. I hate critics. Rome in a few hours, I'm learning some Italian phrases on this website I found, that also has mp3s so you can practice pronunciation.
Arrivederco.
All the spring break crowd has finally left our apartment, one of the guys ended up being fraternity brothers with some really good friends of mine back home. small world. My cousin just got proposed to, in a semi-arranged setting. I'm happy for her, she will be moving to Denver next year. The new trend with arranged marriages, from what I've been hearing from people, is more of a formal introduction by the parents, and then letting the couple work out between themselves if they will tie the knot, or not. If i was put in that scenario, I hope my parents would set me up with a girl like Ashwaira Rai, because my hidden talent as a Bollywood actor/singer could be discovered.
God damnit, I love the band MUSE. When I saw their singer/vocalist at the Curioso festival last summer, my dying inner child woke up when he put my rock n roll days to shame. He is a wild man on guitar, and even switches to piano in some of his intense solos. I can flat out say, I am jealous of this musician, why am i not doing what he is doing? The only songs coming out of guitar are poor Spanish flamenco renditions. Regardless, this band is doing some great things for rock n roll, and any bad review they have gotten has been written by some guy that failed to get laid the night before he insulted them. I hate critics. Rome in a few hours, I'm learning some Italian phrases on this website I found, that also has mp3s so you can practice pronunciation.
Arrivederco.
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
The Underground
After a 10 hour day working for the mouse, I caught the tube home, which I had to wait for 20 minutes since it was passed 8 pm. While standing in the underground that time, the coldness of this city finally got the better of me. I don't understand how these people here can carry on and leave conversation as a last resort. (Usually the only words spoken are excuse me) Its a rather awkward scene for me to be in, and I'm an introvert.
On the escalator going up to the streets, you have to stand on the right side so that people who are in a hurry can pass you. On Oxford Street, there is a proposal to create an express lane, for walkers. I saw a grown man push a child out of the way walking up the moving escalator last week, not it a comical way as Will Ferrell does in the movie Old School, after shooting himself with a tranquilizer.,no this bloke I saw was just flat out mean. Unless you have an Ipod in this city, this city can bring you down sometimes. Way to go, Steve.
After a long, tiresome day of work, and homework, the band that I used to despise, which happens to be British as well, Oasis, has actually brought some enjoyment to my day. I guess these things grow on you in time.
I still love London, it would just be nice to see the sun once and a while is all. Gonna check out the East end tomorow with my friend Davis, I guess its where the thugs in London party at. Finally, my kind of crowd. word.
On the escalator going up to the streets, you have to stand on the right side so that people who are in a hurry can pass you. On Oxford Street, there is a proposal to create an express lane, for walkers. I saw a grown man push a child out of the way walking up the moving escalator last week, not it a comical way as Will Ferrell does in the movie Old School, after shooting himself with a tranquilizer.,no this bloke I saw was just flat out mean. Unless you have an Ipod in this city, this city can bring you down sometimes. Way to go, Steve.
After a long, tiresome day of work, and homework, the band that I used to despise, which happens to be British as well, Oasis, has actually brought some enjoyment to my day. I guess these things grow on you in time.
I still love London, it would just be nice to see the sun once and a while is all. Gonna check out the East end tomorow with my friend Davis, I guess its where the thugs in London party at. Finally, my kind of crowd. word.
Welcome
It has occurred to me, during my various travels this winter that I should begin publishing my thoughts, and given a free outlet, I will attempt to devout a minimal amount of time to updating this blog.
Currently, I am getting ready for my trip to Rome this weekend, which may be not quite what I expected after US soldiers killed an Italian secret service agent and wounded the kidnapped journalist, Giuliana Sgrena, who was recently released by the Iraqi insurgents.
So i guess this weekend, I will be Canadian again... (with Italian ancestry of course if I meet a Bella donna italiana) This war is getting out of hand, and I fear that other conflicts the US has identified will be dealt with in similar fashion. The current situations with N Korea, Syria, and Iran all scare me tremendously. Most recently China laying a law over Taiwan, which will allow military action if the island pursues its Independence is another global nightmare. (since China has raised its arms budget almost 13 percent, just in time for Europe to lift its arms embargo.)
If there is one thing I learned on this trip, it is that you carry your country on your shoulders, no matter where you go, and also no matter what ideals you hold.
On a brighter note, my first marketing promotion has gone live for Walt Disney's Toontown "The Incredible's Fishing Tournament."
-J
Currently, I am getting ready for my trip to Rome this weekend, which may be not quite what I expected after US soldiers killed an Italian secret service agent and wounded the kidnapped journalist, Giuliana Sgrena, who was recently released by the Iraqi insurgents.
So i guess this weekend, I will be Canadian again... (with Italian ancestry of course if I meet a Bella donna italiana) This war is getting out of hand, and I fear that other conflicts the US has identified will be dealt with in similar fashion. The current situations with N Korea, Syria, and Iran all scare me tremendously. Most recently China laying a law over Taiwan, which will allow military action if the island pursues its Independence is another global nightmare. (since China has raised its arms budget almost 13 percent, just in time for Europe to lift its arms embargo.)
If there is one thing I learned on this trip, it is that you carry your country on your shoulders, no matter where you go, and also no matter what ideals you hold.
On a brighter note, my first marketing promotion has gone live for Walt Disney's Toontown "The Incredible's Fishing Tournament."
-J
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