The Grammys have sort of sucked since at least 1967, when Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was beat out for the Best Performance By a Vocal Group award by that timeless Fifth Dimension masterpiece, Up Up and Away.
The awards' suckiness was reconfirmed the year that Lionel Richie won 394 awards and kept saying "Outrageous!" every trip up to the podium, and more recently when Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot wasn't even nominated.
But this? This is the last straw.*
A quick side note:** As I was researching tonight's post, I came across the roster of Best New Artist winners and nominees. And I guess the Academy sometimes gets those awards right. For instance, I don't really care about Marc Cohn's music that much, but the mere fact that he beat out Boyz II Men, C+C Music Factory and Color Me Badd is somewhat redeeming. (On the other hand, if you're Marc Cohn, do you keep that Grammy hidden so you can avoid having to answer the question, "So, who else was nominated that year?")
Perhaps the strangest two-year stretch in Best New Artist history was 1970 and 1971.
1970 Winner: Crosby, Stills & Nash ... Nominees: Chicago, Led Zeppelin, Oliver, The Neon Philharmonic
1971 Winner: The Carpenters ... Nominees: Elton John, Melba Moore, Anne Murray, The Partridge Family
Has ever the musical tide turned so dramatically for the worse? I'm a big fan of early '70s Elton John, so his nomination in '71 seems warranted, but otherwise that 1971 list is astonishing - particularly coming on the heels of a year in which CS&N, Chicago and Zeppelin were contenders - isn't it? Plus, wouldn't you have guessed that Elton would have won if for no other reason than The Carpenters, Murray and the Partridges would have split the ballots coming from the fluff-pop voting bloc?
* In case you missed it, I really hate Kings of Leon.
** It turns out the quick side note is longer than the main subject of today's post. These things happen.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
I'll take "No shot in hell" for $400, Alex
I just took the online test to try qualifying for a Jeopardy audition. How'd I do?
Well, let's just say you probably won't see me standing behind a video-monitor-equipped podium, with a signaling device in hand, asking Alex Trebek questions like, "What is the Venus de Milo?" (er, actually, I mean this one) or, "Where is Lake Titicaca?" anytime in 2010.
I think I acquitted myself fairly well, but in the immediate aftermath of the 50-question test (15 seconds to answer each one), the only thing I'm confident of is that I've got almost no chance to make it to the next round. I'd guess I got about two-thirds correct, but I can think of too many I flubbed. For better or worse, the website doesn't recap which ones you got right or wrong, or even give a score, and I don't even know if there's a preset minimum number of correct responses to qualify for the next round, but... eh.
A few quick highlights and lowlights from the test:
Well, let's just say you probably won't see me standing behind a video-monitor-equipped podium, with a signaling device in hand, asking Alex Trebek questions like, "What is the Venus de Milo?" (er, actually, I mean this one) or, "Where is Lake Titicaca?" anytime in 2010.
I think I acquitted myself fairly well, but in the immediate aftermath of the 50-question test (15 seconds to answer each one), the only thing I'm confident of is that I've got almost no chance to make it to the next round. I'd guess I got about two-thirds correct, but I can think of too many I flubbed. For better or worse, the website doesn't recap which ones you got right or wrong, or even give a score, and I don't even know if there's a preset minimum number of correct responses to qualify for the next round, but... eh.
A few quick highlights and lowlights from the test:
- The first question was about a Dr. Seuss character - child's play! was my first thought - who has some thing or other to do with trees. Argh! Pretty sure that ruled out The Cat, Horton and Sam He Is, and for the life of me, I couldn't think of The Lorax.
- My mom always used to tell me I should read more books, and although I usually do alright on trivia questions about novels, even when I haven't read them, tests like this are pain-in-the-ass reminders that my mom was probably right. One question referred to a Faulkner novel with a title that repeats the same word twice. As time ran out, "Absalom, Absalom" came to mind, but literally only because it was the one two-repeated-words title I could think of. Except that I was completely sure it wasn't a Faulkner work, so I left that one blank. Um, oops.
- I always like ending on a high note, so I was glad that the last question was about a pro tennis player born in Basel in 1981. A cinch for an incurable sports fan.
- My wildest guess that actually worked came on a question about a Supreme Court justice who, from 1801 to 1804, wrote a biography of George Washington. Thought process: "Marshall sounds like an early 19th century judge kind of a name.... There was another Marshall besides Thurgood, right?... Oh, whatever, I'll go with Marshall."
- ZenMom is going to absolutely murderize me for missing the question that sought the name of the TV show whose theme song includes the line "Our whole universe was in a hot dense state" and is performed by the Barenaked Ladies. I knew it was "that show with three science dorks and a cute chick that I watched once and swore never to watch again," but I think the judges were probably looking for The Big Bang Theory.
- I did, however, guess right on another pop culture question, figuring that it was Penelope Cruz who played "neither Vicky nor Cristina, but Maria Elena in Vicky Cristina Barcelona."
- I got the one about Ben Franklin's 1784 invention that was probably a result of his advancing age and increasing trouble reading - bifocals - and I dug back into the recesses of my 11th grade chemistry knowledge and remembered that the chemical symbol for potassium was K. (Fist bump!)
- The one that really fried my brain was a geography question having something to with Albania and a large lake and some peninsula. (Possibly they were going for the Balkan Peninsula - I don't know.) I couldn't even discern the question what the question was asking because as I was reading it, all I could hear was a hilarious scene from a 1985 Cheers episode, with Coach and Sam studying for Sam's GED exam by singing, "Albania, Albania. You border on the Adriatic."
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Today's main course? Inspiration
It's going to be very difficult for me to post a feel-good, sunshine-and-happiness kind of story without making some kind of snarky comment, but I'm determined to try.
Because I can tell: You could use a pick-me-up today.
So here's a big ol' heart-warmer, courtesy of that newspaper in Chicago (where, as I write this, it's 19 degrees with flurries, but I'm not gloating). It's about a woman who's been blind since infancy being offered a job as a chef at a world-class restaurant in the Windy City.
The whole story is impressive enough on its face, but to help put it in perspective, here's a sample menu for the restaurant where she'll be working. N.B.: You get to eat everything on the menu for dinner.
Ah, damn. Five minutes ago, I was feeling very inspired. But after looking at that menu, now I'm mostly just hungry.
Because I can tell: You could use a pick-me-up today.
So here's a big ol' heart-warmer, courtesy of that newspaper in Chicago (where, as I write this, it's 19 degrees with flurries, but I'm not gloating). It's about a woman who's been blind since infancy being offered a job as a chef at a world-class restaurant in the Windy City.
The whole story is impressive enough on its face, but to help put it in perspective, here's a sample menu for the restaurant where she'll be working. N.B.: You get to eat everything on the menu for dinner.
Ah, damn. Five minutes ago, I was feeling very inspired. But after looking at that menu, now I'm mostly just hungry.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Castle burger
If you've got a sec, follow me over to World's Best Burger, where I'm doing a mini-rant about an article I just read about beautiful European castles.
Be sure to leave comments, too, because if I get enough traffic over there, I'm in line to win a castle of my own.*
* Maybe.
Be sure to leave comments, too, because if I get enough traffic over there, I'm in line to win a castle of my own.*
* Maybe.
Living in Canada: Healthy Living on a Budget
Want to learn how to eat well without paying a lot? Taressa Waye, Registered Dietician with Alberta Health Services, is here to help show you how to plan healthy and inexpensive meals for you and your family!
Date:
Monday, January 25th, 12:05pm - 1:00pm.
This session is FREE and drop-in participants are welcome, just bring your lunch and enjoy! For more information on the Living in Canada series, please call the library at 403-362-2947.
Date:
Monday, January 25th, 12:05pm - 1:00pm.
This session is FREE and drop-in participants are welcome, just bring your lunch and enjoy! For more information on the Living in Canada series, please call the library at 403-362-2947.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Shine, the weather's fine
In the past two days, I've received emails and texts from East Coast friends, hoping to make sure I was OK. Well-meaning relatives have called to express their concern. My sister asked if I was thinking about moving back home. A colleague offered to cancel our lunch meeting yesterday so I wouldn't be put out by having to walk outside.
No, I'm not sick.
It is - as you might have heard on national newscasts - raining in Los Angeles.
"When the rain comes, they run and hide their heads"
In all seriousness, there are going to be real problems caused by the rain - mudslides and erosion and stuff like that - and there have been tornado warnings within a hundred miles of where I'm sitting. And apparently it hailed for a minute yesterday. But you would think that it's armageddon, the way the natives are reacting to this weather. (Also, you would think that more people would understand that hooded cotton sweatshirts don't really protect you from getting wet, even when the hood is in the upright position.)
But for the most part, it's rain.
So I just want to assure those of you west of San Bernardino that, yes, I am OK. Although if you want to send hot chocolate, feel free.
No, I'm not sick.
It is - as you might have heard on national newscasts - raining in Los Angeles.
"When the rain comes, they run and hide their heads"
In all seriousness, there are going to be real problems caused by the rain - mudslides and erosion and stuff like that - and there have been tornado warnings within a hundred miles of where I'm sitting. And apparently it hailed for a minute yesterday. But you would think that it's armageddon, the way the natives are reacting to this weather. (Also, you would think that more people would understand that hooded cotton sweatshirts don't really protect you from getting wet, even when the hood is in the upright position.)
But for the most part, it's rain.
So I just want to assure those of you west of San Bernardino that, yes, I am OK. Although if you want to send hot chocolate, feel free.
Monday, January 18, 2010
KERJA KERAS
Apabila perjalanan menjadi sulit orang ulet akan terus berjalan.
Knute rockne
Kesuksesan yang terjadi di dunia ini, apapun bentuknya, hanya bisa didapat dengan kerja keras. ”99% kerja keras, 1% kecerdasan,” ujar Einstein tentang kesuksesan yang diraihnya. Demikian juga dengan Carl C.Wood yang mengomentari hubungan antara kesuksesan dengan kerja keras, ”Orang yang tahu cara bekerja akan selalu
Knute rockne
Kesuksesan yang terjadi di dunia ini, apapun bentuknya, hanya bisa didapat dengan kerja keras. ”99% kerja keras, 1% kecerdasan,” ujar Einstein tentang kesuksesan yang diraihnya. Demikian juga dengan Carl C.Wood yang mengomentari hubungan antara kesuksesan dengan kerja keras, ”Orang yang tahu cara bekerja akan selalu
KEKHAWATIRAN
Jangan buang hari ini dengan mengkuatirkan hari esok.
Gunung pun terasa datar ketika kita sampai di puncaknya
Phi Deelta Kappan.
Manusia hidup tentu tidak pernah lepas dari yang namanya masalah. Dunia ini hakikatnya adalah tempat ujian untuk mengetahui mana yang beriman dan mana yang ingkar kepada Tuhannya. Detik demi detik yang kita lewati sebenarnya hanyalah menunggu pergantian ujian.
Dalam
Gunung pun terasa datar ketika kita sampai di puncaknya
Phi Deelta Kappan.
Manusia hidup tentu tidak pernah lepas dari yang namanya masalah. Dunia ini hakikatnya adalah tempat ujian untuk mengetahui mana yang beriman dan mana yang ingkar kepada Tuhannya. Detik demi detik yang kita lewati sebenarnya hanyalah menunggu pergantian ujian.
Dalam
WAKTU
Cara terbaik untuk meramalkan masa depan adalah dengan menciptakan masa depan.
Patti Labelle
Suatu hari seorang kakek sedang menanam sebuah pohon kelapa di ladangnya. Di sebelahnya duduk cucunya yang menemaninya sejak pagi.
”Kek, kenapa engkau menanam pohon? Padahal engkau sudah tua. Mungkin engkau meninggal sebelum pohon ini tumbuh, ”tanya cucunya.
Si kakek tersenyum lalu menjawab, ”Memang
Patti Labelle
Suatu hari seorang kakek sedang menanam sebuah pohon kelapa di ladangnya. Di sebelahnya duduk cucunya yang menemaninya sejak pagi.
”Kek, kenapa engkau menanam pohon? Padahal engkau sudah tua. Mungkin engkau meninggal sebelum pohon ini tumbuh, ”tanya cucunya.
Si kakek tersenyum lalu menjawab, ”Memang
ASET TERBESAR
Banyak orang yang mengeluhkan kehidupan mereka yang jauh dari apa yang dikatakan layak. Mereka berpikir bahwa mereka tidak mempunyai asset untuk merubah kondisi mereka .
Tahukah Anda bahwa Anda memiliki banyak-banyak sekali asset yang sangat berharga yang tak ternilai.
Tidak dibutuhkan uang untuk menghasilkan uang dan uang bisa dihasilkan ole hide yang brilian.
Tubuh Anda adalah asset terbesar
Tahukah Anda bahwa Anda memiliki banyak-banyak sekali asset yang sangat berharga yang tak ternilai.
Tidak dibutuhkan uang untuk menghasilkan uang dan uang bisa dihasilkan ole hide yang brilian.
Tubuh Anda adalah asset terbesar
FOKUS
Suatu hari seorang pendekar kungfu menemui gurunya dan bertanya, ”Guru, aku ingin meningkatkan jurus kungfu yang kumiliki sehingga bisa menjadi pendekar yang terkalahkan. Untuk itu aku ingin guru mengajariku dengan sungguh-sungguh. Selain itu, untuk meningkatkan pengetahuanku aku juga akan belajar tentang ilmu bela diri lain dari guru yang lain pula. Bagaimana menurutmu Guru?”.
Sang guru yang
Sang guru yang
MEREMEHKAN
Bersikaplah ramah dan berbuat baik kepada siapa saja. Sebab, barangkali
di balik pakaiannya yang sederhana, mereka menyimpan sayapnya yang perkasa.
Fulton Oursler
Suatu hari sepasang suami dan isteri berpakaian lusuh datang ke kantor Harvard University. Kedatangan mereka disambut tatapan sinis seorang sekretaris. ”Ada apa orang dusun datang kemari? Orang seperti mereka tidak layak memasuki
di balik pakaiannya yang sederhana, mereka menyimpan sayapnya yang perkasa.
Fulton Oursler
Suatu hari sepasang suami dan isteri berpakaian lusuh datang ke kantor Harvard University. Kedatangan mereka disambut tatapan sinis seorang sekretaris. ”Ada apa orang dusun datang kemari? Orang seperti mereka tidak layak memasuki
TAKE ACTION
Plan Your Work, Work Your Plan …
Tindakan selanjutnya setelah kita membuat perencanaan yang matang tetang impian kita adalah mengambil tindakan, saat ini juga. Apalah artinya perencanaan jika tidak direalisasikan ?
“Hari adalah bagai sepatu yang harus dipakai berjalan,“ ujar Steve Orlen. Setiap hari harus kita penuhi dengan action (tindakan) yang akan mengubah kita menjadi lebih baik, lebih
Tindakan selanjutnya setelah kita membuat perencanaan yang matang tetang impian kita adalah mengambil tindakan, saat ini juga. Apalah artinya perencanaan jika tidak direalisasikan ?
“Hari adalah bagai sepatu yang harus dipakai berjalan,“ ujar Steve Orlen. Setiap hari harus kita penuhi dengan action (tindakan) yang akan mengubah kita menjadi lebih baik, lebih
PERDEBATAN
Gila benar rasanya jika karena kami menghasilkan banyak uang,
Kami akan lebih baik dalam memberikan saran untuk setiap masalah dan topik.
Warren Buffet, orang terkaya no.2 di dunia
Orang sukses ketika menemukan sesuatu yang tidak sesuai keingannya tidak akan mencerca, mengkritik karena itu tidak akan menyelesaikan permasalahan Masalah hanya bisa selesai dengan kontrol diri yang matang,
Kami akan lebih baik dalam memberikan saran untuk setiap masalah dan topik.
Warren Buffet, orang terkaya no.2 di dunia
Orang sukses ketika menemukan sesuatu yang tidak sesuai keingannya tidak akan mencerca, mengkritik karena itu tidak akan menyelesaikan permasalahan Masalah hanya bisa selesai dengan kontrol diri yang matang,
PLANNING
Saya harus mengatur waktu, bukan diatur oleh waktu.
Golda Meir
Dalam setiap ceramahnya Aa Gym selalu menekankan pentingnya perencanaan yang matang sebelum merencanakan sesuatu, “Awalilah setiap pekerjaan dengan perencanaan yang baik karena kegagalan dalam merencanakan sama dengan merencanakan kegagalan”.
Hidup adalah sebuah perjalanan. Untuk menempuh sebuah perjalanan tentunya kita harus punya
Golda Meir
Dalam setiap ceramahnya Aa Gym selalu menekankan pentingnya perencanaan yang matang sebelum merencanakan sesuatu, “Awalilah setiap pekerjaan dengan perencanaan yang baik karena kegagalan dalam merencanakan sama dengan merencanakan kegagalan”.
Hidup adalah sebuah perjalanan. Untuk menempuh sebuah perjalanan tentunya kita harus punya
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Arti Sebuah Resiko
Tertawa adalah mengambil resiko kelihatan bodoh
Menangis adalah mengambil resiko kelihatan sentimental.
Mengulurkan tangan kepada orang lain adalah mengambil resiko ikut terlibat.
Memperlihatkan perasaan adalah mengambil resiko ditolak.
Memaparkan impian Anda di hadapan orang banyak adalah mengambil resiko diejek.
Mencintai adalah mengambil resiko mendapat balasan dicintai.
Maju menghadapi
Menangis adalah mengambil resiko kelihatan sentimental.
Mengulurkan tangan kepada orang lain adalah mengambil resiko ikut terlibat.
Memperlihatkan perasaan adalah mengambil resiko ditolak.
Memaparkan impian Anda di hadapan orang banyak adalah mengambil resiko diejek.
Mencintai adalah mengambil resiko mendapat balasan dicintai.
Maju menghadapi
Semua Akan Berlalu
Seorang petani kaya mati meninggalkan kedua putranya. Sepeninggal ayahnya, kedua putra ini hidup bersama dalam satu rumah. Sampai suatu hari mereka bertengkar dan memutuskan untuk berpisah dan membagi dua harta warisan ayahnya. Setelah harta terbagi, masih tertingal satu kotak yang selama ini disembunyikan oleh ayah mereka.
Mereka membuka kotak itu dan menemukan dua buah cincin di dalamnya, yang
Mereka membuka kotak itu dan menemukan dua buah cincin di dalamnya, yang
Empat Lilin
Ada 4 lilin yang menyala, sedikit demi sedikit lilin tersebut habis meleleh
dan suasana terasa begitu sunyi sehingga terdengarlah percakapan mereka.
Yang pertama berkata : ” Aku adalah Damai. Namun manusia tak mampu menjagaku :
maka lebih baik aku mematikan diriku saja !”
Demikianlah sedikit demi sedikit sang Lilin padam.
Yang kedua berkata : “Aku adalah Iman. Sayang aku tak berguna lagi.
dan suasana terasa begitu sunyi sehingga terdengarlah percakapan mereka.
Yang pertama berkata : ” Aku adalah Damai. Namun manusia tak mampu menjagaku :
maka lebih baik aku mematikan diriku saja !”
Demikianlah sedikit demi sedikit sang Lilin padam.
Yang kedua berkata : “Aku adalah Iman. Sayang aku tak berguna lagi.
Apa yang paling penting ?
Suatu hari, seorang ahli ‘Manajemen Waktu’ berbicara di depan sekelompok mahasiswa bisnis, dan ia memakai lustrasi yg tidak akan dengan mudah dilupakan oleh para siswanya.
Ketika dia berdiri dihadapan siswanya dia mengeluarkan toples berukuran galon yg bermulut cukup lebar, dan meletakkannya di atas meja.
Lalu ia juga mengeluarkan sekitar selusin batu berukuran segenggam tangan dan meletakkan
Ketika dia berdiri dihadapan siswanya dia mengeluarkan toples berukuran galon yg bermulut cukup lebar, dan meletakkannya di atas meja.
Lalu ia juga mengeluarkan sekitar selusin batu berukuran segenggam tangan dan meletakkan
Kebebasan Sebenarnya
Cerita ini dimulai di sebuah pantai Meksiko, di sebuah dusun nelayan. Pada suatu hari menjelang waktu makan siang seorang turis dari Amerika memperhatikan para nelayan pulang dan menurunkan hasil tangkapan ikan mereka. Para nelayan itu kemudian bersiap-siap untuk pulang ke rumah.
Lalu turis Amerika itu bertanya kepada salah satu nelayan, “Oh Tuan, kalau tidak keberatan, bolehkan saya bertanya apa
Lalu turis Amerika itu bertanya kepada salah satu nelayan, “Oh Tuan, kalau tidak keberatan, bolehkan saya bertanya apa
Bersyukurlah
AKU TAK SELALU MENDAPATKAN APA YANG KUSUKAI, OLEH KARENA ITU AKU SELALU MENYUKAI APAPUN YANG AKU DAPATKAN.
Kata-kata diatas merupakan wujud syukur.
Syukur merupakan kualitas hati yang terpenting.
Dengan bersyukur kita akan senantiasa diliputi rasa damai, tentram dan bahagia. Sebaliknya, perasaan tak bersyukur akan senantiasa membebani kita. Kita akan selalu merasa kurang dan tak bahagia.
Ada dua
Kata-kata diatas merupakan wujud syukur.
Syukur merupakan kualitas hati yang terpenting.
Dengan bersyukur kita akan senantiasa diliputi rasa damai, tentram dan bahagia. Sebaliknya, perasaan tak bersyukur akan senantiasa membebani kita. Kita akan selalu merasa kurang dan tak bahagia.
Ada dua
Sudut Pandang
Beberapa tahun yang silam, seorang pemuda terpelajar dari Semarang sedang berpergian naik pesawat ke Jakarta. Disampingnya duduk seorang ibu yang sudah berumur. Si pemuda menyapa, dan tak lama mereka terlarut dalam obrolan ringan.” Ibu, ada acara apa pergi ke Jakarta ?” tanya si pemuda. “Oh… saya mau ke Jakarta terus “connecting flight” ke Singapore nengokin anak saya yang ke dua”,jawab ibu itu.”
Kasih Sayang, Kesuksesan, Kekayaan
Suatu ketika, ada seorang wanita yang kembali pulang ke rumah, dan ia melihat ada 3 orang pria berjanggut yang duduk di halaman depan. Wanita itu tidak mengenal mereka semua. Wanita itu berkata: “Aku tidak mengenal Anda, tapi aku yakin Anda semuapasti sedang lapar. Mari masuk ke dalam, aku pasti punya sesuatu untuk mengganjal perut”. Pria berjanggut itu lalu balik bertanya, “Apakah suamimu sudah
Saling Memahami
Dari kejauhan, lampu lalu-lintas di perempatan itu masih menyala hijau.Jack segera menekan pedal gas kendaraannya. Ia tak mau terlambat. Apalagiia tahu perempatan di situ cukup padat, sehingga lampu merah biasanyamenyala cukup lama. Kebetulan jalan di depannya agak lengang. Lampu berganti kuning. Hati Jackberdebar berharap semoga ia bisa melewatinya segera. Tiga meter menjelanggaris jalan, lampu
Teman Sejati
Mengerti ketika kamu berkata ‘Aku lupa…’
Menunggu selamanya ketika kamu berkata ‘Tunggu sebentar’
Tetap tinggal ketika kamu berkata ‘Tinggalkan aku sendiri’
Membuka pintu meski kamu BELUM mengetuk
dan berkata ‘Bolehkah saya masuk?’
MENCINTAI…
BUKANlah bagaimana kamu melupakan..
melainkan bagaimana kamu MEMAAFKAN.
BUKANlah bagaimana kamu mendengarkan..
melainkan bagaimana kamu MENGERTI.
BUKANlah
Menunggu selamanya ketika kamu berkata ‘Tunggu sebentar’
Tetap tinggal ketika kamu berkata ‘Tinggalkan aku sendiri’
Membuka pintu meski kamu BELUM mengetuk
dan berkata ‘Bolehkah saya masuk?’
MENCINTAI…
BUKANlah bagaimana kamu melupakan..
melainkan bagaimana kamu MEMAAFKAN.
BUKANlah bagaimana kamu mendengarkan..
melainkan bagaimana kamu MENGERTI.
BUKANlah
Arti Hidup
Hidup ini indah
Hidup ini penuh makna
kadang kita tidak mengerti atau mungkin salah mengerti
tertawalah kita jika kita menghadapi jalan yg menanjak
karena sehabis itu kita pasti akan menemukan jalan yg menurun
menangislah kita jika kita menemukan jalan yg menurun
karena sehabis itu kita pasti akan menemukan jalan yang menanjak
Kenapa kita menutup mata ketika kita tidur? ketika kita menangis?
Hidup ini penuh makna
kadang kita tidak mengerti atau mungkin salah mengerti
tertawalah kita jika kita menghadapi jalan yg menanjak
karena sehabis itu kita pasti akan menemukan jalan yg menurun
menangislah kita jika kita menemukan jalan yg menurun
karena sehabis itu kita pasti akan menemukan jalan yang menanjak
Kenapa kita menutup mata ketika kita tidur? ketika kita menangis?
Arti Golongan Darahc
Golongan darah dapat mencerminkan watakmu. Believe it or not??!!
Golongan darah A :
Sikapmu lembut, tapi dalam mengambil keputusan nampak tegas. Suka mengalah dan ringan tangan. Suka membantu siapa saja yang sedang dilanda kesusahan. Sekalipun orang yang ditolongnya baru pertama kali dijumpainya, alias belum dikenal.Bahkan terkadang sifat sosialnya itu agak diluar batas kewajaran sebagai manusia
Golongan darah A :
Sikapmu lembut, tapi dalam mengambil keputusan nampak tegas. Suka mengalah dan ringan tangan. Suka membantu siapa saja yang sedang dilanda kesusahan. Sekalipun orang yang ditolongnya baru pertama kali dijumpainya, alias belum dikenal.Bahkan terkadang sifat sosialnya itu agak diluar batas kewajaran sebagai manusia
17 Hal yang harus diingat
1. Jika sudah terjadi masalah, tdk harus dihindari (bingung), tapi HARUS DIHADAPI dengan tenang (dipikirkan jalan keluarnya) dan pasti selesai/ ada jalan keluarnya.
2. Menghadapi semua hal, tdk boleh berpikir negatif, seperti: “saya pasti tdk mampu”, “saya tdk bisa”, dan seterusnya. Tapi selalu berpikir positif, seperti: “saya bisa, pasti ada jalan keluarnya” dan lain lain.
3. Sudah dan senang
2. Menghadapi semua hal, tdk boleh berpikir negatif, seperti: “saya pasti tdk mampu”, “saya tdk bisa”, dan seterusnya. Tapi selalu berpikir positif, seperti: “saya bisa, pasti ada jalan keluarnya” dan lain lain.
3. Sudah dan senang
A Gifts From The Heart for Women
Kisah berikut ini sangat menyentuh perasaan, dikutip dari buku “Gifts From The Heart for Women” karangan Karen Kingsbury. Buku ini dapat Anda peroleh di toko buku Gramedia, maupun toko buku lainnya. Inti ceritanya kira-kira sbb :
Seorang Bayi Mungil Hanya Mampu Hidup Selama 6 Jam, Tetapi …
Sepasang suami istri hidup bahagia. Sejak 10 tahun yang lalu, sang istri terlibat aktif dalam kegiatan
Seorang Bayi Mungil Hanya Mampu Hidup Selama 6 Jam, Tetapi …
Sepasang suami istri hidup bahagia. Sejak 10 tahun yang lalu, sang istri terlibat aktif dalam kegiatan
Mencapai potensi hidup yang maksimal
Setiap orang mendambakan masa depan yang lebih baik ; kesuksesan dalam karir,
rumah tangga dan hubungan sosial, namun seringkali kita terbentur oleh berbagai
kendala. Dan kendala terbesar justru ada pada diri kita sendiri.
Melalui karyanya, Joel Osteen menantang kita untuk keluar dari pola pikir yang
sempit dan mulai berpikir dengan paradigma yang baru.
Ada 7 langkah agar kita mencapai potensi
rumah tangga dan hubungan sosial, namun seringkali kita terbentur oleh berbagai
kendala. Dan kendala terbesar justru ada pada diri kita sendiri.
Melalui karyanya, Joel Osteen menantang kita untuk keluar dari pola pikir yang
sempit dan mulai berpikir dengan paradigma yang baru.
Ada 7 langkah agar kita mencapai potensi
NLP Technique: Reframing
Ada seorang ibu rumah tangga yang memiliki 4 anak laki-laki. Urusan belanja, cucian, makan, kebersihan & kerapihan rumah dapat ditanganinya dengan baik. Rumah tampak selalu rapih, bersih & teratur Dan suami serta anak-anaknya sangat menghargai pengabdiannya itu. Cuma ada satu masalah, ibu yg pembersih ini sangat tidak suka kalau karpet di rumahnya kotor. Ia bisa meledak dan marah berkepanjangan
Instalasi Software Love
Tech Support: Yes, … how can I help you?
Customer: Well, after much consideration, I’ve decided to install Love. Can you guide me through the process?
Tech Support: Yes. I can help you. Are you ready to proceed?
Customer: Well, I’m not very technical, but I think I’m ready. What do I do first?
Tech Support: The first step is to open your Heart. Have you located your Heart?
Customer: Yes, but
Customer: Well, after much consideration, I’ve decided to install Love. Can you guide me through the process?
Tech Support: Yes. I can help you. Are you ready to proceed?
Customer: Well, I’m not very technical, but I think I’m ready. What do I do first?
Tech Support: The first step is to open your Heart. Have you located your Heart?
Customer: Yes, but
Confidence,Trust and Hope
CONFIDENCE
Once, all village people decided to pray for rain. On the day of prayer,
all the people gathered but only one boy came with an umbrella; that’s
Confidence.
TRUST
Trust should be like the feeling of a one-year-old baby. When you throw him
in the air, he laughs… because he knows you will catch him; that’s Trust.
HOPE
Every night we go to bed, we have no assurance to get up alive in the
Once, all village people decided to pray for rain. On the day of prayer,
all the people gathered but only one boy came with an umbrella; that’s
Confidence.
TRUST
Trust should be like the feeling of a one-year-old baby. When you throw him
in the air, he laughs… because he knows you will catch him; that’s Trust.
HOPE
Every night we go to bed, we have no assurance to get up alive in the
Cinta Sebenarnya
Suami saya adalah seorang insinyur, saya mencintai sifatnya yang alami dan saya menyukai perasaan hangat yang muncul ketika saya bersander di bahunya yang bidang. Tiga tahun dalam masa kenalan dan bercumbu,sampai sekarang, dua tahun dalam masa pernikahan, saya harus mengakui, bahwa saya mulai merasa lelah dengan semua ini, alasan-2 saya mencintainya pada waktu dulu, telah berubah menjadi sesuatu
Cinta Itu.........
Adalah ketika kamu menitikkan air mata dan MASIH peduli terhadapnya.
Adalah ketika dia tidak mempedulikanmu dan kamu MASIH menunggunya dengan setia. Adalah ketika dia mulai mencintai orang lain dan kamu MASIH bisa tersenyum sembari berkata ‘Aku turut berbahagia untukmu’
Apabila cinta tidak berhasil… BEBASKAN dirimu…
Biarkan hatimu kembali melebarkan sayapnya dan terbang ke alam bebas LAGI.
Adalah ketika dia tidak mempedulikanmu dan kamu MASIH menunggunya dengan setia. Adalah ketika dia mulai mencintai orang lain dan kamu MASIH bisa tersenyum sembari berkata ‘Aku turut berbahagia untukmu’
Apabila cinta tidak berhasil… BEBASKAN dirimu…
Biarkan hatimu kembali melebarkan sayapnya dan terbang ke alam bebas LAGI.
Apakah Cinta Itu?
MEREKA yang tidak menyukainya menyebutnya TANGGUNG JAWAB,,
MEREKA yang bermain dengannya, menyebutnya SEBUAH PERMAINAN,
MEREKA yang tidak memilikinya, menyebutnya SEBUAH IMPIAN,
MEREKA yang mencintai, menyebutnya TAKDIR.
Kadang TUHAN yang mengetahui yang terbaik,
akan memberi kesusahan untuk menguji kita
Kadang Ia pun melukai hati, supaya hikmat-Nya bisa tertanam dalam.
Jika kita kehilangan
MEREKA yang bermain dengannya, menyebutnya SEBUAH PERMAINAN,
MEREKA yang tidak memilikinya, menyebutnya SEBUAH IMPIAN,
MEREKA yang mencintai, menyebutnya TAKDIR.
Kadang TUHAN yang mengetahui yang terbaik,
akan memberi kesusahan untuk menguji kita
Kadang Ia pun melukai hati, supaya hikmat-Nya bisa tertanam dalam.
Jika kita kehilangan
Cinta Yang Agung
Adalah ketika kamu menitikkan air mata dan MASIH peduli terhadapnya.
Adalah ketika dia tidak mempedulikanmu dan kamu MASIH menunggunya dengan setia.
Adalah ketika dia mulai mencintai orang lain dan kamu MASIH bisa tersenyum
sembari berkata ‘Aku turut berbahagia untukmu’
Apabila cinta tidak berhasil… BEBASKAN dirimu…
Biarkan hatimu kembali melebarkan sayapnya dan terbang ke alam bebas LAGI.
Adalah ketika dia tidak mempedulikanmu dan kamu MASIH menunggunya dengan setia.
Adalah ketika dia mulai mencintai orang lain dan kamu MASIH bisa tersenyum
sembari berkata ‘Aku turut berbahagia untukmu’
Apabila cinta tidak berhasil… BEBASKAN dirimu…
Biarkan hatimu kembali melebarkan sayapnya dan terbang ke alam bebas LAGI.
Beda antar Cinta, Suka, dan Sayang
Dihadapan orang yang kau cintai,
Musim dingin berubah menjadi musim semi yang indah
Dihadapan orang yang kau sukai,
Musim dingin tetap saja musim dingin,hanya suasananya lebih undah sedikit
Dihadapan orang yang kau cintai
Jantungmu tiba-tiba berdebar lebih cepat
Dihadapan orang yang kau sukai,
Kau hanya merasa senang dan gembira saja.
Apabila engkau melihat kepada mata orang yang kau cintai,
Musim dingin berubah menjadi musim semi yang indah
Dihadapan orang yang kau sukai,
Musim dingin tetap saja musim dingin,hanya suasananya lebih undah sedikit
Dihadapan orang yang kau cintai
Jantungmu tiba-tiba berdebar lebih cepat
Dihadapan orang yang kau sukai,
Kau hanya merasa senang dan gembira saja.
Apabila engkau melihat kepada mata orang yang kau cintai,
Apakah Tuhan menciptakan Kejahatan?
Seorang Profesor dari sebuah universitas terkenal menantang mahasiswa-mahasiswanya dengan pertanyaan ini, “Apakah Tuhan menciptakan segala yang ada?”.
Seorang mahasiswa dengan berani menjawab, “Betul, Dia yang menciptakan semuanya”.
“Tuhan menciptakan semuanya?” Tanya professor sekali lagi. “Ya, Pak, semuanya” kata mahasiswa tersebut.
Profesor itu menjawab, “Jika Tuhan menciptakan segalanya,
Seorang mahasiswa dengan berani menjawab, “Betul, Dia yang menciptakan semuanya”.
“Tuhan menciptakan semuanya?” Tanya professor sekali lagi. “Ya, Pak, semuanya” kata mahasiswa tersebut.
Profesor itu menjawab, “Jika Tuhan menciptakan segalanya,
Manajemen Stress
Pada saat memberikan kuliah tentang Manajemen Stress Steven Covey mengangkat segelas air dan bertanya kepada para siswanya: “Seberapa berat menurut anda kira-kira segelas air ini?”
Para siswa menjawab mulai dari 200 gr sampai 500 gr.
“Ini bukanlah masalah berat absolutnya, tapi tergantung berapa lama anda memegangnya. ” kata Covey.
“Jika saya memegangnya selama 1 menit, tidak ada masalah. Jika
Para siswa menjawab mulai dari 200 gr sampai 500 gr.
“Ini bukanlah masalah berat absolutnya, tapi tergantung berapa lama anda memegangnya. ” kata Covey.
“Jika saya memegangnya selama 1 menit, tidak ada masalah. Jika
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Kidding
I don't have children, but I think it's fair to say that I've learned a thing or two about kids over the years.
For example: It can be really really hard to just look at one of 'em and know whether or not you're staring at a terrorist.
I'm not the only one who's having this problem. There's the Transportation Safety Administration - better known as the government agency responsible for not letting me travel with salsa or pomade for my hair* - which apparently is finding it difficult to grasp that an 8-year-old Cub Scout from New Jersey doesn't need to be molested by security officers every time he gets on a plane. (Thanks to Highland Park Attorney, once again, for the news item.)
Mikey's mom gets the award for best quote of the article. "It’s quite clear that he is 8 years old, and while he may have terroristic tendencies at home, he does not have those on a plane." Touche, terror-mom. Touche.
You might laugh about this, but clearly, it's not as easy as it sounds, separating the pre-teens who terrorize their parents from those who might actually pose serious threats to our lives, liberties and pursuits of happiness.**
Like, for example, this seemingly cute and innocent Irish lass.
* The pomade is for my hair; the salsa just tastes good on chips.
** I guess the Founding Fathers had it right: Sounds weird with plurals.
For example: It can be really really hard to just look at one of 'em and know whether or not you're staring at a terrorist.
I'm not the only one who's having this problem. There's the Transportation Safety Administration - better known as the government agency responsible for not letting me travel with salsa or pomade for my hair* - which apparently is finding it difficult to grasp that an 8-year-old Cub Scout from New Jersey doesn't need to be molested by security officers every time he gets on a plane. (Thanks to Highland Park Attorney, once again, for the news item.)
Mikey's mom gets the award for best quote of the article. "It’s quite clear that he is 8 years old, and while he may have terroristic tendencies at home, he does not have those on a plane." Touche, terror-mom. Touche.
You might laugh about this, but clearly, it's not as easy as it sounds, separating the pre-teens who terrorize their parents from those who might actually pose serious threats to our lives, liberties and pursuits of happiness.**
Like, for example, this seemingly cute and innocent Irish lass.
* The pomade is for my hair; the salsa just tastes good on chips.
** I guess the Founding Fathers had it right: Sounds weird with plurals.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Putting lipstick on a Fox
It simply cannot be a coincidence that I became aware of these two news headlines today, and that I learned of them in the same sequence in which I'm presenting them to you.
First, from MSNBC.com (courtesy of the world's most wonderful wife):
Sarah Palin gets deal as Fox commentator*
And then, from the news site I love to hate, CNN.com:
Too much TV may mean earlier death
Anyone else thinking we have the cause and effect here?
* The article's subhead is, purportedly, a quote from Palin: "It's wonderful to be a part of a place that so values fair and balanced news." Yes, I get that she cleverly incorporated the network's mantra. But when does Fox give up that joke? I'm going to go work at Coca-Cola and tell people that it's wonderful to be a part of place that never sells any kind of liquid that contains sugar, chemicals and bubbles.
First, from MSNBC.com (courtesy of the world's most wonderful wife):
Sarah Palin gets deal as Fox commentator*
And then, from the news site I love to hate, CNN.com:
Too much TV may mean earlier death
Anyone else thinking we have the cause and effect here?
* The article's subhead is, purportedly, a quote from Palin: "It's wonderful to be a part of a place that so values fair and balanced news." Yes, I get that she cleverly incorporated the network's mantra. But when does Fox give up that joke? I'm going to go work at Coca-Cola and tell people that it's wonderful to be a part of place that never sells any kind of liquid that contains sugar, chemicals and bubbles.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Endorsement burger
It's not that I actually care that St. John, the women's clothing brand - er, excuse me, luxury knitwear brand - dropped Angelina Jolie as its lead endorser. Truly, I don't. But I did think I'd be able to get a blog post out of it. And, so, I have.
The brilliance is just a click away, on World's Best Burger. (Warning: Unveils my possibly half-baked Tiger-Angelina Endorsement-ending Tryst Theory.)
The brilliance is just a click away, on World's Best Burger. (Warning: Unveils my possibly half-baked Tiger-Angelina Endorsement-ending Tryst Theory.)
Weather forecast courtesy of that sensei from Karate Kid
Once in a while during the months of October, November, December, January, February and March - and occasionally April - I like to check in on the weather conditions in my former hometown of Chicago and gloat a little bit. (It's possible that I've blogged about this once before, like, say here.)
This probably makes me a terrible person, but being able to gloat about weather is one of the perks of living in Southern California, and I'm someone who likes to take advantage of the perks afforded to me.
I've been hearing about snow and arctic temperatures in the Midwest, so I thought today would be a good day to visit the Chicago Sun-Times website. I was not disappointed - and mostly because it seems that the two-word weather summary on the site's home page was written by the sensei from Karate Kid. (Did you know? The character's name was John Kreese! Thanks, imdb!)
Before I get to the forecast itself, please refresh your memory by reliving this relevant Karate Kid dialogue:
That's Martin Kove, left, as the immortal John Kreese.
Kreese: What do we study here?
Highly pumped up dojo students: The way of the fist, sir!
Kreese: And what is that way?
Students: Strike first, strike hard, no mercy!
Kreese: I can't hear you.
Students: Strike first, strike hard, no mercy!
Highly pumped up dojo students: The way of the fist, sir!
Kreese: And what is that way?
Students: Strike first, strike hard, no mercy!
Kreese: I can't hear you.
Students: Strike first, strike hard, no mercy!
Which brings me to the Chicagoland forecast synopsis that appeared on the Sun-Times banner this morning:
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Grill burger
As I wrote in my very first blog post - two years and two days ago - a major reason that I started SFTC was that I was constantly posting comments on World's Best Burger, a blog authored by the witty and creative duo of Loree and Laura. So fervent was my commenting that I started to feel like a moderately deranged fan/stalker, and I was pretty sure that if I didn't just get my own damn blog, they were going to banish me from theirs forever.
So you can imagine my great joy when - after letting WBB lie dormant for most of 2009 - L&L announced plans to revive WBB. And then it got better. They invited me to be a WBB contributor! It was like being a kid who grew up watching the Orioles (which I did) and getting an invitation to play catch with Cal Ripken (which I haven't). In other words: Big time.
So I hope you'll go check out my very first post on World's Best Burger, the blog that got me into this whole blogging mess in the first place. It'll be worth your while - I'm offering up tips for saving big bucks on a propane grill.
So you can imagine my great joy when - after letting WBB lie dormant for most of 2009 - L&L announced plans to revive WBB. And then it got better. They invited me to be a WBB contributor! It was like being a kid who grew up watching the Orioles (which I did) and getting an invitation to play catch with Cal Ripken (which I haven't). In other words: Big time.
So I hope you'll go check out my very first post on World's Best Burger, the blog that got me into this whole blogging mess in the first place. It'll be worth your while - I'm offering up tips for saving big bucks on a propane grill.
Monday, January 4, 2010
The price of ice
Whenever my mom is considering a new car, she couldn't care less about whether it has four-wheel drive or traction control or ABS brakes - or, I'd guess, whether it has brakes of any kind. She doesn't care if the engine has four cylinders or six; or whether it comes with dual temperature zones or keyless remote entry.
Pretty much all she wants to know is that whatever car she drives is going to have a button on the air-conditioning panel that lets her see what the outside temperature is.
Which seemed pretty strange to me until last week.
Last week, the world's most fantastic wife and I became homeowners, and aside from the packing*, moving** and unpacking***, we couldn't be more thrilled. It's a great place - an upgrade in almost every way from the apartment we had rented for the past 18 months.
But what I had forgotten about our new apartment until we started unpacking our 694 boxes of kitchen stuff was that the previous owners left behind - for free**** - a refrigerator/freezer with one of those automatic water-and-ice dispensers. And not only that, but you can select ice cubes (more like crescents, actually) or crushed ice! Oh, and if you're getting water - or ice! - at night, the thing lights up, so you can be confident that the water you're dispensing goes right where it's intended. Amazing!
I've never had one of those things before - not growing up and not in any of the other apartments where I've lived. So when we walked in last week and I saw that snazzy thing on the front of our new freezer door? Well, that was the moment I knew: Despite the L.A. price we just paid for the place, it was totally worth it.
Now, if I can just find a contraption to tell me what the temperature outside the apartment is....
* Hated it.
** Really hated it.
*** Impossible to describe how much I hate it.
**** Yes, I'm kidding about the "free" thing.
Pretty much all she wants to know is that whatever car she drives is going to have a button on the air-conditioning panel that lets her see what the outside temperature is.
Which seemed pretty strange to me until last week.
Last week, the world's most fantastic wife and I became homeowners, and aside from the packing*, moving** and unpacking***, we couldn't be more thrilled. It's a great place - an upgrade in almost every way from the apartment we had rented for the past 18 months.
But what I had forgotten about our new apartment until we started unpacking our 694 boxes of kitchen stuff was that the previous owners left behind - for free**** - a refrigerator/freezer with one of those automatic water-and-ice dispensers. And not only that, but you can select ice cubes (more like crescents, actually) or crushed ice! Oh, and if you're getting water - or ice! - at night, the thing lights up, so you can be confident that the water you're dispensing goes right where it's intended. Amazing!
I've never had one of those things before - not growing up and not in any of the other apartments where I've lived. So when we walked in last week and I saw that snazzy thing on the front of our new freezer door? Well, that was the moment I knew: Despite the L.A. price we just paid for the place, it was totally worth it.
Now, if I can just find a contraption to tell me what the temperature outside the apartment is....
* Hated it.
** Really hated it.
*** Impossible to describe how much I hate it.
**** Yes, I'm kidding about the "free" thing.
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