The Science Of It

Who would have thought that going to the fair would entail a science and history lesson....not I, said the fly. 

My son still loves to go see the tractors at the fair....local farm retailers bring in the latest models for show and sale (of course).  This year....what we saw was truly amazing.  We saw the largest combine that rolls the earth.  It was quadruple the size of any combine you have ever seen.  It's so big....it's guided by GPS and is accurate within 2 inches.  The size of this thing is so mammoth....you just sit and stare in awe.....now this is the technology that harvests the food that feeds our world....I thought....not just the local corner market.  This image is still not as large as the specimen we saw.Upon further analysis....I commented that it wasn't made so well....the spikes on what appears to be called the header were flimsy plastic....I was then corrected.  I thought they would easily snap as they tried to burrow in the ground....but was told those "spikes" can't be sharp because it would damage the crop (harvest). Ohhhh.....makes sense now that I understand your technology a little more. 

Understanding technology a little more.......don't we really all want to do that.  It seems in this age, we all crave info and have it at our finger tips......I think that we don't even realize what is in front of us at times.....and especially don't realize that science is all around us on a constant basis.

Our eyes meandered through the maze and we pressed on.  We walked smack into a planting accessory that would be used by that same colossal combine.  You could follow the flow of the technology by sight.....large seed bin to distribute the seeds evenly through hoses that went to 1 of probably 30+ planter arms.  Each arm had a blade to dig the soil, a source for dispensing the seed into the newly made opening and wheels to seal the opening and sow it into the ground.  Think about the technology that today's new farmers have compared to just 50 years ago (even 20 years ago). 

Every which way we turned, we found a new technology.  As we made our way to the end of the new models trucked in for the fair.......we found a barn full of old John Deer historical tractors, steam engines, generators and other equipment....of course displayed for the public to see the evolution.  Now....I could discuss this with the kids.....evolution of technology on the farm.....the engines, the methods of planting (manual planters vs. mass planting) and even the evolution of the wheel.  It was like we went on a field trip and the kids soaked it up like a sponge.  How amazing it was to see the progress we have made. ("we"....like I was involved with the inventions)

Even walking through the barns with animals....science was there too.....especially biological anthropology....watching the children connect with the baby animals and their moms.  They loved every minute of walking in those stinky barns and watching out for pellets of you know what.

And then there was the mud slingin' derby.....the demolition derby.  Do you think there's a science behind putting what looks like a beat up jalopy into a ring and ramming it into other pieces of metal that have an engine and continue smashing them until they die?.....well, there is.  Who can reinforce the metal trunk, smash it enough to compress the metal to actually make it stronger.....who can build the best motor....who can form an alliance with other drivers.....who can build a car that blows fire out the top.....who can put on a show......it's all a part of the science behind winning the derby.  I still am intrigued.  My first time....I was appalled to even be in the vicinity of a barn, let alone with people who enjoy lounging in stalls next to animals with Sh#@ all over them and to be watching such ludicrous behavior....3,2,1 and I was hooked. It's strange, I know....but it's fun to watch and get into the science behind the derby.....so every year we embark on a journey to the county fair and manage to have good old fashion family fun. 

As you walk among the science fair that unfolds before you everyday, our world....our community...our backyard......take a little time to smell the roses and ask a few questions or revel in the realm of our technology.  Remember, science is all around us.  Use every opportunity as a teachable moment....and spread the wealth of knowledge....you never know what kind of seed you may plant in an other's mind.....be it metaphysics or horticulture. It's all about the science of it. Ciao for now.  Who 2Be 2Day 2Change 2Morrow.

"If your joy is derived from what society thinks of you, you're always going to be disappointed." -- Madonna

A Definition defines a word.....It is YOU who determines it's use

• quix·ot·ic (kwk-stk) also quix·ot·i·cal (--kl) adj.  Caught up in the romance of noble deeds and the pursuit of unreachable goals; idealistic without regard to practicality.
•  te·mer·i·ty (t-mr-t) n. Foolhardy disregard of danger; recklessness.

 Greek author Plutarch: What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.

  Roman Philosopher Seneca: ‘non vitae sed scholae discimus’. [We are taught for the schoolroom not for life]  Now we are not merely to stick knowledge on to the soul: we must incorporate it into her; the soul should not be sprinkled with knowledge but steeped in it. 

Modern Day Philosopher Borland: in order to savor tea....it takes time to steep.....but the infusion of flavor that occurs once the steeping is complete.....tastes delectable.....depending on what you choose to steep your tea with....that is)

Discovery can be frustrating, but so liberating and astounding.....just as a quixotic explorer that has even a hint of temerity can go in search of the impossible and still have the ability to dispel the 'im' and leave the rest hanging in the possible....you can do the same.  To teach one how to navigate life through their own experience is a gift which should be shared.  Self discovery never stops.....continue to dig and you never know what you may find.  (note....digging works well when you are angry at your circumstance.....it seems those emotions push one to the edge....of glory and drive one to much discovery....so when in doubt....dig....search....for what you many not know.....but when you find it.....your heart will learn to speak and you will realize the truth in the words "never settle".....for anything less than your hearts desire.

Dear Mr. President

If you can talk brilliantly about a problem, it can create
the consoling illusion that it has been mastered.
—Stanley Kubrick

Dear Mr. President,

Please do something about the rederick going on inside Capital Hill.  It just keeps going round and round.  How are we supposed to move (that word was M.O.V.E, move) our country forward just doing things the way they have always been done.  As the saying goes....we will get what we have always gotten.  It's time for change (remember....your political campaign)

Our country's true future growth (our children) is on hold until we figure out how to manage this education system.  One of my children (that would be biological) is a child not meeting state standards (he knows it and does not gain confidence from it), but he continues on through the system and is promoted grade levels.  He is from an educated home with a mother who stays home and helps (technically) to home school him because he doesn't get what he needs from the schools.....because he isn't progressing as he should.  How does that gap get closed?  How does this happen in one of the best school districts in the nation.....imagine the children moving through the system that don't come from an educated home, that are in a mediocre or failing school system, that don't have parental supervision and support....THEY ARE THE FUTURE OF AMERICA.....let us fix this broken system NOW....not later.  Let's set concrete goals with actual deadlines that will provide a solution, not just conversation, not just info to fill media time slots....something needs to be done now.  Help find the solutions, create a new team, do something... don't give me rederick answers.  I don't want to listen to the rederick anymore....I want some real solutions to questions that have long been asked. 

Let us support our math, science and technology in all schools just as we support sports like football.  Those boys are glamorized and set forth as role models for the younger boys and on and on and on.  My child loves football (and so do we), but he won't be the next Joe Montana, Bret Farve or even Colt McCoy and neither will millions of other kids.....We need these kids to be putting there eggs in the baskets of math, science and technology.  They need something to sink their teeth into and someone that can inspire them and give them hope for a new tomorrow. 

We need to get them to feel empowered by more than sports (don't get me wrong, we need sports).  We need for them to know they have a future doing something they're good at....they need to feel they are good at something.  My son is mechanically inclined, but it takes him so long to learn in the traditional education model that he gets frustrated and wants to give up....for his brain....it's hard to learn, but when he does.....he can move mountains (and I know he will).  Your support (as well as the Black Eye Pea's) of Dean Kamen's ROBOTS program was such a sight for sore eyes.  We need to continue to support other programs like that and put the focus on learning and having fun.  You become the driving force that can change the "world"....at least our world, America. Today, you are the leader of the free world.....help us get to where we need to be.

 Continue to help Congress move FORWARD on issues such as education and health care with responsible...yet effective spending habits.  Today, I can afford my insurance premium and that is about it.  How can we have a system that continues to hike insurance premiums (while it's supposed to be fixing them for the better) and let doctors continue to charge whatever they want with out our prior knowledge and/or with out providing us with costs of all options so we can make the most informed decision (trying to get the cost of procedures is difficult and takes time....something that not many have.  I have had doctors tell me...don't worry your insurance will cover it and guess what...it didn't).  Everyone needs a safety net.  For some, the only safety net they can count on is a good education.....with that....anything is possible.  For others, the only safety net they have is loyalty from a brother, a gang or maybe only themselves.....with out the education safety net.....their future (our future) is headed for armageddon. 

You are well aware that you face leading a nation in on of the most difficult times in history....keep up the good work and continue to press forward for the future of America......our children.

Sincerely,
Laurie A. Borland
Future teacher in America

Mr. Steve Jobs.....You are a True Inspiration to us all

In 2005, Mr. Jobs addressed Stanford grads....."Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do," he told them.

"If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on."

This morning, I found myself sitting in my dark, lifeless house with out any children or electricity to connect with....literally.  I had tears.  I prayed.  I asked God to give me the tools I need to learn to be a fisherman....I don't want a handout.....I just need confirmation on my direction....I love writing....I love teaching....I love connecting with people....I want to make the world a better place.  The bible tells you to ask and you shall receive.  I have been.  I am still wondering...

As I waded through my storm torn lawn, I found the mailbox.  I picked up the mail....I didn't get it yesterday...it was a busy day for us.  I found a letter from my pastor.  How nice, I thought.  He was checking up on me...to make sure I'm o.k. (after that week of hell I went through).  He wasn't checking up on me.  It was the scholarship I had applied for.....to be a teacher.  I have been praying that if God got me that scholarship....that it would be a sign to me....to let me know my direction.

I have never been so grateful....so relieved....to see a piece of mail (let me tell you...I don't really want to read all the mail that comes in the box....seems that bills only find their way to our mailbox).  Not today.  Today, I got a ticket to the future. Now...a difficult road ahead to self teach a masters degree in teaching (on-line) (My time limit is up for the library p.c (our power is still out)....so...Ciao for now. L

Experience......

1. Being a part of the 1999 world series at Yankee Stadium and watching them win in Times Square on the jumbo tron

2. Watching The Lion King, on Broadway

3. Amazing cuisine in New York, LA, Vegas, Chicago, Atlanta, Puerto Rico and on and on.....

4. Running on Santa Monica beach at 6am (realizing its a scary place that early....alone) before hitting the Promenade "to work".

5. Shopping on Rodeo Drive

6. Watching the California Sea Lions bask in the sun, on the docks in the San Fransisco Bay

7. Eating lunch at PF Chang's on the top of a San Francisco building

8. Being serenaded by the violin guys at the 'riding bull' bar on the Hollywood strip on my birthday to 50cent

9. Eating plantains at a restaurant in Puerto Rico

10. The Rolling Stones at MGM in Vegas

11. Elton John (x rated concert) in Vegas

12. Taking a cab around the block in New York City (and being lucky they really just took me around the block literally and not figuratively)

13. A ride in Central Park

14. Riding in a corporate jet during a storm that we should have been on the ground for

15. Eating at Top of the Rock in NYC and then getting a bed bug bite from The Millennium Hotel

16. Living in Kansas

17. Raising my children

18. Learning what it is to be a mother and a wife

19. Becoming enlightened by sour grapes

20. Making friends

21. Learning to love myself

22. Facing fear

23. Being poor

24. Learning to fail in order to succeed

25. Loving the journey in good times and in bad

Great Expectations......Dickens, Gadhafi and You

Define expectations........Merriam Webster defines it as......the act or state of expecting.....something expected.....basis for expecting.

Now, let me get this straight.....we are defining a word with the root word in the definition......so define expect......Merriam Webster defines it as.....a transient verb....to suppose; think.....to consider reasonable, due or necessary.  O.K. in Dickens story Pip thinks he is due a great fortune and expects it come from Miss Haversham, so the definition fits.

Don't we all have great expectations? Expectations of things we think should happen or go down how we expect.....but the problem is many times these expectations are only in our head....maybe even delusions of what we think we expect to happen......things that may or may not happen in reality.

 I won't tell you what my expectations were of Gadhafi when was in grade school.  What do you think his expectations were?  They probably were the same as mine, since I was just a wee one.  I just can't believe he's still around.......not for long.  This all comes full circle because I'm thankful for Mrs. Thomas, one of my grade school teachers, and her expectations of her students and the fact that she believed in the importance of  students discussing current events in the classroom.....even at such a young age. 

The question becomes......how do we make our great expectations a reality?  Should all our expectations become a reality?  I suppose that we need to figure out which ones should be reality by deciding what values we stand for and figuring out what matters most or what is a priority in our life.....just like Mrs. Thomas did.  She was one of my most difficult teachers and probably my favorite.
It was evident she knew what she expected of herself and of her students.  She laid out the expectations and held us accountable for them.....in the end....it made everyone of her students better for it.  We should all take note of Mrs. Thomas.  Since I am recognizing people.....I should include that virtual character that has helped me realize that asking questions is what makes us smarter and gives us the power to change the future.

How do we really know where to go or what to do unless we know what is expected?  We need to write it down.....make a plan....a blue print....a direction that becomes a foundation to live on.....we can't do that with out questioning what we believe in.....what we want to stand for.

I have lots of great expectations......but none will become a reality unless I understand what I expect of myself.   What I expect of myself becomes what I expect of my family, my children or my business.....and those that I integrate with.  I did write down what I call the Borland Expectations....but I need a partner to help me become what I expect and with a partner comes a whole new set of bipartisan expectations......so, back to the drawing board.....together.  (looks like our government is having the same issues)  I guess that's why my expectations aren't working for my family.....because they are just that.....MY expectations.  We always need our expectation vision to be adjusted by those we integrate with......because if we always think what we have thought, then we will always get what we thought.

 SOOOO......it behooves us to set straight our great expectations so that we get what we think we should out of life.  If we want our future to be bright.....we must teach the future generations how to respect and how to live up to expectations so they can come up with amazing expectations themselves.  So......go ahead......I dare you.....write down your great expectations not only for yourself, but for your children, students, customers and then make them a reality......but only the ones that really deserve your focus........you only have 1life2live.   Ciao for now.   Who 2Be 2Day 2Change 2Morrow.

President Obama's Vacation Reading List

President Obama has taken his summer vacation to Martha's Vineyard.  Along with him, he brought 5 books for his 9 day attempt at relaxation.  It's irritating to me that he would be criticized for vacationing during a tough economy.....come on....in my opinion.......President Obama has taken on the presidency in one of the most trying times since the Great Depression (I don't care if you agree with his policy or not, any decision made during this time is a difficult one especially since he's under even more scrutiny because of these dire times.  Barack Obama is not only the president, but he is a father and a husband......what did I say the other day about the 40 hour work week.....this man doesn't even know what that is......he's on call 24/7 and has a very difficult job to do.....if he doesn't deserve a vacation.....then I don't know who does.  But.....I digress....

Back to the reading list... 

• Mystery: The Bayou Trilogy by Daniel Woodrell
• Novel: Rodin's Debutante by Ward Just
• Novel: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
• Novel: To the End of the Land by David Grossman
• Non-Fiction: The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson

Who are we to criticize that these titles are not the typical American President biographies that you hear of.  I say hey......sometimes a vacation is a vacation and you need to take a break from the real world.  There is a caveat here....some are saying these titles are a little dark for a vacation read.   Although most are non-fiction novels, they are chuck full of "real world" journey's that the reader can connect with......President Obama can relate to other fellow Americans.....I say he should be commended for his reading strategy......because when looking at the descriptions of these titles......it's apparent that there is a "stay connected" strategy or a willingness not to forget struggles that he or those that he leads go through.  Where is the applause for the "CEO" trying to walk in someone else's shoes and understand the struggles of those he serves.

So.....as you choose your next read......think about walking in someone else's shoes and how that can affect the way you relate to others and how feeling compassion for others can make you a better person.  Ciao for now. Who 2Be 2Day 2Change 2Morrow.

Invite Only Google+

https://plus.google.com/_/notifications/ngemlink?path=%2F%3Fgpinv%3DGfBWqvpm764%3ATX0c1y_NQp8

Let's check this out together......

To Be Human Or Not To Be Human.....This Is IBM's Question

  http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/innovation/08/18/ibm.brain.chip/index.html?hpt=te_bn9

German officials want to ban the like button on Facebook.  They say it leeks too much information about a person and the tracking that happens is preposterous.  If that's not enough to make you cringe......how about this......have you heard about IBM's new computer brain chip project that is supposed to mimic human thinking?  I'm not sure I totally buy into this....maybe I should......finally someone is inventing the computers we were promised in school years ago.  We were told they would take over doing much of human work and the '40 hour' work week would shrink......I don't know about you, but hours in the work week have done nothing but climb for those on a salary. 

DARPA's newly funded $21 million dollar project is set to work with universities around the U.S..  Forecasted outcomes are for a computer to monitor sight, sounds, smells and of course data.....the point is not just data alone.....it's supposed to be able to analyze and do some cognitive thinking.  At first.....this sounds like it really is going to be an amazing technology.  They go on to site examples of how they want to create a computer that could warn against potential tsunami's or "when a tsunami is likely".....I suppose they must have meant to better predict tsunami's....we're supposed to already have an alert system for advising when a tsunami is likely......we can see how well it's worked in the past and the need for a new improved system.

How about a warning system for unsafe intersections.....maybe if they were a little more specific on how that function might work.  When I think about a computer shutting down intersections all I see is unnecessary traffic back logs due to a computer malfunction.  The other warning they talked about was a grocery store sensor to detect site, sound and temps and then advise "that produce may have gone bad".  Come again..."that produce MAY have gone bad?"  O.K. maybe we should be looking at it another way....how about to monitor sight, sounds, smell, temp's and to advise of unripe conditions BEFORE produce goes bad and to be able to have the manager react by fixing the temps and putting the produce on sale to turn the product BEFORE it smells bad and is ready for the trash.  I know Giant Eagle needs that system fast.  I swear every time I go into that produce section it's infested with bugs, the produce doesn't just look rotted....it is rotted and I'm not sure how they make money selling produce that looks like it should be in the trash.  I'm all for a new computer to help that problem or is that just a new produce manager with good eyesight and a good sniffer.

So...I'm not sure how much I believe in the "human thinking computer" abilities quite yet.... but I have to hand it to DARPA.....it sounds like you finally decided to work on the promises made 20 years ago about computers shrinking.....the then.... '40 hour' work week.  Now they need to work on a better way to showcase a potentially amazing new technology......maybe next time you should look at who and what your marketing campaign looks like before you release it..... especially when it's government spent money in an economy like this.  They could have at least sited better examples of what this new project would be able to do......or maybe it's  just noise to try and scare the American public AGAIN.  Don't get me wrong....I am all for tech advancement, but if we are discussing millions of dollars here.....shouldn't we be siting amazing capabilities for the future of "human thinking computers"?  I mean where's the accountability here.....the strategy......where's the CEO or the marketing director cracking the whip on this government project campaign......I mean it made me shake my head in disbelief of how they presented this info to the public

I was all for DARPA the other day with the license to fail.....but let's be a little more strategic when we put info into the media.....shouldn't they make it sound like they have a better strategy than Sponge Bob?.....come on.....get it together man.   Ciao for now.  Who 2Be 2Day 2Change 2Morrow.

 

Dream a Little Dream (job) or is it Dream Big or go Home?

So.....I started thinking about dreams and dream jobs......I mean really.....we convince ourselves that the grass is always greener on the other side.......we glamorize a dream job as the utopia we can't wait to live in.....but in reality......a dream job is just that.....a dream and a job.  Dreams are great.....with out them....it's hard to get through this life.   Jobs....I suppose, are great too.....with out them we really can't have a dream or live in the "American dream".

My previously life, in the "fashion" world, might be considered someones dream job.  While it can and was glamorous (yes...I had to sing the song glamorous life in my head to see if I was spelling the word glamorous correctly...lol)  it was long hours and hard work and yes, lots of math that involved algorithms....all though there were many times that I enjoyed the perks of the job and even the hard work....it was just that.....work....sometimes with blood, sweat and tears.  Sometimes, I think we forget about hard work when we think dream job....I mean, I know it takes hard work to make something come to fruition, but when we are talking about living a dream.....we tend to forget about the hard work that goes into it or rather think that just because it's a dream job.....the hard work will be all the easier....when in reality....your dream job might be the hardest thing you will ever do.

So...don't dream a little dream.....dream big (if you don't...someone else will)....but be ready to work hard.....harder than you ever have if you want to make it work.  You might as well be loving what you do......because someone once told me....work is work......that's why they call it work......so love what you do. Any questions?  Ciao for now.  Who 2Be 2Day 2Change 2Morrow.

CNN, Government and Trouble Makers........

http://piersmorgan.blogs.cnn.com/

We have all seen the headline this morning.....Christine O'Donnell (Tea Party) walks off CNN interview......If you haven't watched it, check out the link.  It looks like a media stunt on her part.  What a great way to get people talking about her and her new book called Trouble Maker....from a media stunt standpoint.  Unless she is hiding something....why would she put up such a resistance to the question about gay marriage? I also ask....why would Piers Morgan (of CNN) not move on when it was obvious she didn't want to answer the question.  I mean he was being a bit of a trouble maker himself.

So let's discuss the term trouble maker......one definition that I found defined it as.....a troubler that interrupts peace and quiet.  I found that interesting.  Do you really think that Christine O'Donnell named her book Trouble Maker because she wanted to interrupt peace and quiet? Hardly. 

There are those that make peace and there are those that appear to stir up trouble.  Those that appear to stir up trouble.....many times are actually trying to make peace or rather find a new way.....of thinking or of doing.  Why does everyone who rocks the boat have to be considered a trouble maker?

My husband can't stand that I love to rock the boat.  He is an 'even stephen' who wants to sail the boat with the wind and keep the keel even.  Me....I love to hike out over the gunnel and hang on the edge of the sail boat headed on a beam reach (wind streaming across the beam of the boat through my hair) and enjoy the thrill of excitement.  He is constantly telling me to back off.....but if someone isn't out "there" (in our world) fighting for a new, improved, better way....where does that leave us?

Maybe there is a better approach one could take that would make one appear something other than than a trouble maker....I can agree with that.....BUT the pot does need to be stirred OFTEN, because if you know anything about cooking with sugar on a stove....it will burn...if it isn't stirred often.

I will have to say....our government sure is letting the stove get quit hot.....oh wait.....the pot is calling the kettle black....I mean....no....it's getting hot in here......let's take off all our clothes......no wait that was Anthony Weiner (should I list more?).  The point is.....sometimes we have to stir up some trouble to get the attention of another.....once we have their attention......maybe some valid points can be made.  Orrrrrrr.....maybe we won't be able to change their view of "us" as a trouble maker if we go about it the wrong way.....soooooo it becomes all about our approach and our attitude. 

Being viewed as a trouble maker isn't good for the 'rep'.....BUT being viewed as someone who fights for what they believe in........priceless.  So....what do you believe in?  Do you know what your values are?  Have you ever listed them out? Maybe you should.  If you don't know what you believe in......how can you stand for anything?  How can you really get behind an idea if  you can't define your own idea's.  Think about it......Ciao for now.......Who 2Be 2Day 2Change 2Morrow.

Reflections on the Principals of a Course in Miracles

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?'  Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the World."

"There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel unsure around you.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

"It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.  As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

I am reading The Call of the Writer's Craft by TOM BIRD.  In his book, he asks that the writer write down as fast as he/she can, the above excerpt from MARIANNE WILLIAMSON's book Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles and to keep rewriting it until you can read or copy down the statement with out feeling anything.

For those of you following my blog or who know me....you might recognize that what she said.....is in part, if not whole, on target with some of my blogs and statements I have made in the past.  I was blown away and finally realized....when I saw it in black and white from another author.....what I was so afraid of....even though I suspected it long ago...... "Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure."  So....the challenge commences.....now that we know our deepest fear and we have a license to fail......WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?  I know I'm done hanging around in the waiting place.  Even if you aren't....we can still share a journey.....learning Who 2Be 2Day 2Change 2Morrow together.  Join me. Share me on Face Book. Click the "F" button below and wait for the pop up to sign in and share my blog on Face Book, Twitter, RSS Feed or anywhere appropriate.  Help me change the World......one person at a time. Ciao for now.

Face Book, Smart Phones, Brands, Shoes........

We picked up my son's friends and headed for the beach yesterday.  As we're driving....Joey pipes up and says.....I'm getting a Face Book account.  "WHAT!?", I say.  "HOW?"  My mom is going to set up an account for me.  My sister already did when she was my age, so it's only fair.  Do you know that.....and he goes on to name many of their friends who have accounts and ARE ONLY 9.

This doesn't help that all of my son's friends have cell phones....if not smart phones. 

We already know that brands really do affect young kids.  Heck....last year a parent commented on my kindergarten daughters quilted back pack...she says....I love her back pack.....Where did you get it? (all the while she was sneakily being facetious) I told her Office Max and that I wasn't going to break down and let my 6 year old own a VERA BRADLEY backpack (of course even though I wanted to-hence why she got the knock off--and my daughter knew who VERA was even if she called it her VERA BRATLEY.   (But that mom knew it was a knock off)  She then says...well, I couldn't help it and bought mine a VERA....LAST YEAR.  It just made me sad to hear someone giving in to branding at age 4 or 5.  I know....it happens ALL the time....but it was just disheartening to hear.

So...that boads the questions.....what are we to do as parents?  What do you stand for?  Where is the line?  There is nothing we can do about branding.....babies walk (or even lye) around as billboards for the brands and our children are exposed to it and and WANT it when they see others wearing it. (my baby girl had her first pair of UGGS at 3months) and for that matter today's hottest shoes....just bought my son Ziggs (Zigg Tech by Reebok...I know I am late...but he didn't NEED a pair til the end of the summer).  I was informed that he would wear the Ziggs until the next hottest thing came out (but that might not be for a year or so, he says. Luckily he doesn't know about the 6month or even 3month trend cycle yet).  That's my 9 year old (yes...I know...it's called the tween market).  But....what CAN we do about teaching values, morals and ethics?

Things seem much different when you are living what you discussed in a corporate board room and you (I) didn't have any kids to speak of at the time. 

As I write this blog...the phone rings.....it's my son calling from a friends house....Mom...what is my ipod password?  I want to buy something on itunes.  Ummm.....what are you buying?  pause....a how to build helicopter game.  So...I give it to him, BUT yes...I will check his ipod when he gets home.

Many of us, as parents, find it hard to parent our kids in our home.....technology just makes it all the more stickier.  Looks like we need a manual for that too.  I'm sure there are plenty out there already, but they should be front and center in the bookstore or at the library.....they should be on the best seller list for that matter.

So, I challenge, not only Mark Zuckerberg and his Face Book team, but ALL of YOU, to address and  discuss among your co-workers, neighbors, spouses, senators and children what it means to stand up for what you believe in........if you believe that 13 and under audience should be allowed on Face Book....do something about it......because.....as we speak.....millions of parents are allowing their children to LIE about their age.....IS THAT WHAT WE NEED TO BE TEACHING OUR YOUTH?

For now....I stand for the truth.....and my son will not be getting a Face Book page even though "ALL" his friends have one.  Yeah....the phone thing, I am going to have to give in to it, now that his world is expanding beyond our block, I want him to be safe and be able to reach me at all times.....he's only 9 and YES....he still needs his mom and guidance and monitoring....it will have parental controls and no use for Face Book.

So....MZ, parents, senators and the like I ask.....what are you doing 2day 2change 2morrow....for what you stand for today.....for what you believe today.....why are you waiting til later? What is more important than our youth....than morals and ethics?  Face Book has become "THE" power house of social networks and someone needs to do something about all the LYING that is going on..... If you think it starts at a very young age.....education for social networks.....why wait....youth are learning that lying is o.k.  I know that you don't want to stand for that. Do you? What do you think? Comment and start a conversation.....we need to do something......Who 2Be 2Day 2Change 2Morrow?

Mission To Fail......To Enable Success

DARPA stands for Defense Advance Research Projects Agency and they are a company that stands behind innovations that have a high probability to fail.  In order to succeed, they get others to try, try again until they get it right.  The have the license to fail.  I want that license.  You know....feel good about your failures and not beat yourself up....o.k. maybe not feel good.....but better than a car just beaten with a bat by a road raged passenger.

As Michael Belfiore tells it, DARPA was America's first space agency.  It was a response team to compete with the announcement of the 1957 Sputnik.  It has developed into a company with little bureaucracy or even labs for that matter.  They come up with ideas and dish them out to universities and companies willing to make an effort to make them work, but all the while giving them a license to fail.  Now that sounds like a place I want to work for. Maybe they should rename the company Dream Works....oh yeah, someone already used that name.....and I hear the people there are amazing to work with. 

Think about it.....Dream about it......Build it and try to make it work.  Michael's article makes DARPA seem like a great invention factory that if I were a kid....I would love to do that when I grew up.  My kids and I had a great conversation on the way to the mall yesterday.  What do you really love to do? (that was my question)  I tried to impress upon their vast minds that they need to find something that they love doing....something that makes them happy and make sure they figure it out so when it's time for college....they know what they want to do.  I told them their job (and mine) is to figure out what they have a passion for and to really think about ANYTHING in the world they would want to do....not paying attention to if they think it would be hard or not.....just fun and interesting.....something that not only makes them happy, but advances our world.  We talked about Masters degree's and Phd's and how you get to be called Dr. Borland if you get a Phd.  Courtney doesn't want a Phd.....she doesn't want to be a doctor......just a pet doctor......animals make her happy. She's only 6, but her brother added....."of course you want a Phd Courtney....with a Phd you would be one of the smartest people in the world." (he is 9 and making those brain wheels start to turn).  Some days those car ride conversations just work (don't forget about that license to fail....because lots of days there is just bickering)

In reality, we all can give ourselves a license to fail.  I mean it is as easy as saying....you'll get 'em next time or you can figure it out tomorrow or the next day or the next day or the next....but the important part is failure is an option because without it....we set ourselves up for disaster.....emotional disaster......which can wreck havoc on any human life.  So today....set sail for an adventure....one that you aren't quit sure if it will succeed....who knows.....maybe you will surprise yourself (and if you don't....because sometimes you won't.....just pick yourself up and move forward because you never know....Oh The Places You Will Go.)  If you read this.....please feel obligated to leave a comment about the adventure  you plan on trying to make succeed, even if you are thinking about it and don't know yet....I need feedback.

iamFIRST

http://iamfirst.dipdive.com/

Follow the link above if you missed last nights ABC special powered by Will I Am and The Black Eyed Peas called iamFIRST.  I have a new vision of The Blacked Eyed Peas....well....I have always been a fan, but I never knew what "they" stood for.  Seeing celebrity status take on an ACTIVE role in education gave me a new hope for tomorrow and it should do the same for you.  Will I Am bought the air time on ABC last night to make this possible.  Thanks for caring Will.

Education is a passion of mine.  But......I have never been one for math and science....my brain takes longer and it doesn't always seem to fit in there and definately doesn't want to stay embedded.  It's like my brain says.....it does not compute...as I am trying to learn.  Taking on this Blogger is my new science and technology.  It has been challenging....but I am determined to make this work.  I have been opening my mind and learning new tricks and loving it.  Little did I realize I was loving science at the same time.

I have been watching Will's grass roots video's all week promoting this project and I have to say....he blew my mind and inspired me to a new level.  It was so great watching a real person....try to get out a message that they feel passionate about.  Seeing Will inspire people, in a whole new way, brought hope back for me.  We all wear many hats, but watching him last week was an inspiration for me. Seeing the end result last night was great.  Having President Obama headline the segment was icing on the cake.  Without support....passion goes no where. .

I believe Will's partnership with Dean Kamen, FIRST, President Obama and his fellow celebrity friends helped open a portal to a new dimension for America.  He gave me a new lens to view science and technology from.  In the segment, he mentioned how lots of kids think science and nerds are NOT cool, BUT that they are the ones who use the technology built by the nerds and sciecne.....everyday of their lives....iphone/pad/pod, laptop, Internet, Face Book and on and on.  Through using celebrities, such as he did last night, he showed how being an end user of science actually means you like science....you just don't realize it.   As Will said earlier in the week, "with out the invention of the paint brush....there is no Picasso."  With out science and technology....there is no advancement....we might as well be cave men.  So as actors/actresses, musicians, writers, bloggers, computer cartoonists, Face Book users we are all connected by science and technology.

Every school in America supports the all American game of football.  The boosters raise lots of money for those teams....I bet those numbers would be amazing.   Our school district was the 2nd in the nation to have a jumbo tron (at the high school football stadium).  What about our science program?  I'm not sure....I know our school district is rated excellent with distinction, but I don't know what we do in science.

So....I am gonna do just like you....I am gonna become part of the ACTION.  Call your PTA, principal, super intendent and ask around.  What does your school district do to support science and technology?  I know my kids are using ipod/ipads in the classrooms to facilitate learning.  My kids are lucky enough to use white boards instead of black boards, but what are they teaching my kids....your kids...in the classrooms?  How much money goes toward science and technology vs. sports and football?  All your questions help bring a new tomorrow.  So go ahead....let's do our part.....the new topic at the water cooler, on the football field, on your cul de sac or at your PTA meeting is in your control.  Let's do this........Ciao for now. L

Speaking of foundations......Shoes.

I don't care if you are a fashion faux paux or a regular Jimmy Choo subscriber.....but shoes define you.  They do.  Trust me.....as much as I am about fashion....I am about comfort.  Even if the shoe fits....it HAS to be comfortable.

Shoes cushion your every step (otherwise it feels like you're walking on hot coals).....they follow you where ever you go.  They are the foundation for your life (well maybe your "fashion" life or your not so "fashion" life).

I find that having a "GREAT" pair of shoes makes me feel powerful.  Honestly.....every style or themed style of clothes you put yourself in deserves a "GREAT" pair of shoes to go with it.  That doesn't mean you need a pair of shoes to go with every outfit, on the contrary......It means for every purpose your duds have, they should have a pair of  shoes to go with it.  Shoes don't only have a sole purpose, but multiple ones....you need comfort, quality (gotta have quality....but sometimes plastic shoes are o.k.. I will get to that later) and a final touch....which really becomes what you lead with.

Running shoes are good for, of course, running or.........maybe you prefer a laid back attitude or a way to get around "your" world quickly.  (I tend to walk way too fast, but I have lots of shoes that fulfill that purpose from sandals to well...maybe sandals are my cup of tea)   Everyone needs a little magic in their life and shoes will definitely give you that.....I mean come on....look at Dorothy.

For those of you wearing running shoes on a daily basis....have you ever heard of ath-leisure shoes?  They are a hybrid athletic shoe and a casual/dress shoe (liesure shoe).  They can be dressed up or down.....so they serve multiple purposes for those of you not ready to jump in to the shoe jungle.  Someone needs to tell that Zuckerberger guy....what's his name?.....of Facebook, (oh yea...Mark Zuckerberg)......  Anywho....

Shoes are what define our style.  Everyone needs at least 5 different style shoes.  It not only gives you a polished look, but it can actually make you feel good.  Did anyone say retail therapy.....maybe not....but they call it that for a reason.....our shoes do change the way we feel about ourselves.

Not to forget the part about plastic shoes being o.k.......buyers at Target, Payless and even sometimes Walmart do a great job interperting designer styles such as Ken Cole, Steve Madden, Sergio Rossi and Sketchers to name a few.  So....if you find yourself short on cash.....and can only afford 1 or 2 good pair of shoes....feel free to find a similar pair at  your neighborhood big box retailer or wait for a sale at Macy's.  Bottom line.....it's all about the "LOOK".....the foundation you walk upon.....the "support" your shoes give you.  Trust me....they can do a lot for "SUPPORT". 

So....whose shoes are you wearing today?  My summer collection consists of a lot of comfort sandals and flip flops.  For me (today).....flip flops come in many colors, styles and price points and they make it easy to just slip on and be comfortable throughout my day....so even if you are partial to a certain style of shoe, there are so many choices to choose.  My sandals can be dressed up or down and they come in every style you can imagine.  So....even if your choice of shoes are running shoes.....man....there sure are a lot of styles, colors and price points for you to make a wardrobe out of.  Come on....dabble a little in your shoe style.  I believe it defines you (at least on first impression and we all know we live in a world of giving someone the once over....no matter who you are....right or wrong....it happens everyday) O.K. maybe some more than others, but come on....live a little and enjoy a little variety in your life.....Shoes.....they are your walking foundation.  And we all know how important foundations are..........!

Soooooo.........what kind of shoes are your foundation today?  Maybe you should try on a new pair?

Is your foundation built on R.O.C.K.?

R.O.C.K.  Respect.One.Core.Keystone

Everything in life is supported by something strong, weather it be a backbone or bedrock.  Every foundation must be strong in order to build upon.  A week foundation will only fall peril to a storm.

Look at you life and R.O.C.K. "it".  Whatever "it" is for you.....your spirit, your children, your finances, your spouse, your friends, your job, your moral code, maybe even the entire wheel of your "wanna be" balanced life.

If area's of your life are governed by a core keystone you will find you will have a moral compass to lead you.  What do you stand for?  What is your R.O.C.K.?  Which area's need a R.O.C.K.?  All area's of your life need a R.O.C.K. 

Sit down and R.O.C.K. the foundation of YOUR life.  If you don't......you will be left to circumstance alone and will fall prey to the everyday preditors in our society....in our social networks.  With R.O.C.K., you will find you are strong....you will know what you believe in...you will stand for something.  If you stand for something, then others will too and our world may finally find peace....that is what we all are looking for....isn't it?  Peace, happiness, love, acceptance.....define your R.O.C.K. and live it.

So what kind of R.O.C.K. is in your life? 

Call "It" What You Like.....

Life takes us many places.  Life gives us many blessings and many distractions.  Sometimes we even feel like we just keep going round and round and completely lose our way.  We can't see the path.  We wonder in the darkness.  But He is there.

No matter who you are....we ALL were built with goodness inside.  We ALL were built for the "Greater Good".  It is said that the "Greater Good" can not exist with out evil, which interestingly enough evil spelled backwards is LIVE.  Back and forth....Live...Evil or evol.... Love spelled backwards is....evol.  That may be why it seems that we go round and round.  It's our job to LOVE and LIVE for the "Greater Good" and cancel out as much evil as we can.  Our world spins around and around and so do our lives.  We are all connected.

My son says it is impossible for him to be "good" ALL day.  Everyone screws up, he says.  (He gets that from me....I tell him no one is perfect, BUT of course expect perfection....so I always tell him it isn't possible to be "good" all the time.)  We all mess up, no matter if our intentions were the best.....if  you want to go back to it....original sin.....we all are plagued with it.

When the world seems dark and you can't find your way......you must look to "It".  You say look to "It"?  Well.....call "It" what you like, but I look to Him.  The big JC, Jesus Christ.  Maybe "It" is something else for you, but whatever "It" is......is part of the "Greater Good", it is what created the "Greater Good"...."It" is what created the universe....a higher power.....call "It" what you like.  But with out "It", we don't exist and neither does the "Greater Good".

So....ask yourself the question......what is your "It"?  Even if you say you feel the power of the sun and enjoy sunrise and sunset, whatever "It" is, created the sun.  All life feels the power of the sun.....with out "it".....we would not survive....we would freeze, we would starve, we would all suffer complete depression with out the source of vitamin D.  So....call "It" what you like, but "It" has the power to be a lamp unto your feet and guide us through life.  With out the "Greater Good"...what would happen? Do I need to tell you we ALL would be in a living hell?  Some days maybe you feel like you live in hell, but look to the light....come out of the darkness and see the world around you.....the "Good" world that was created for us.

What are you doing to perpetuate the "Greater Good"?  Look to the light, however you want to define "your light" and feel the power of LIFE....the power of the "Greater Good".   What is your contribution to our world's "Greater Good"?  Define it.  Then call "It" what you like and make it happen.

Wake up and smell the cofffee.....

That is what I woke up with this morning.  Fresh brewed coffee does smell really good.  I am glad that 1/2 of a Who2Be second didn't last long.  I realized I can't act like baby.....at least not for longer than a good nights sleep.....because if I did....I would become just like some of you.....and I am not like some of you.....I am a strong woman who does know what she wants or at least knows that she has a good mind that is valuable for MANY things.  Change in life is hard.....especially when you are changing lanes and moving back into the fast lane.  I'll never forgot that geek of a manager I worked for in that little shop in highschool and his question....."How does it feel living in the fast lane?"  I was highschool cheerleader and everyone came to visit me at the store and he was just calling it as he saw it.  My eyes are much clearer than those days....but the truth is waking up and realizing this world really is still about who you are and how much money you have......well....it's disappointing to realize that.....because my little stay-at-home stint didn't expect that to happen.   Never the less.....I am still the same person I was when I left my career....maybe a little more enlightened with a lot less money.......I am still the same determined, throw yourself into what ever you are doing and make a mark in this world person I always was.  Look out world.....Here I come!

The Wizard of Oz

Who really was the wizard?  I mean he was a short man behind a curtain of smoke and mirrors.  He wasn't what he made himself to BE or was he?  He appeared as the Great and Powerful Oz.  Well, yes, he was the Great and Powerful Oz....just not as we originally envisioned him or as he made us envision him.

You see....Glenda, the Good Witch, was right.  Dorothy always had the power to return home, she just didn't realize it.  She didn't need the Great and Powerful Oz to fix everything.   She always had the power.  Always had the Power....ALWAYS had the Power....always HAD the Power.....always had the POWER.  She just needed to believe it....in herself, that is. 

So why does it always seem so hard to just believe in yourself?  Why can some people walk around with a stick up their butt and act like they own the world....even though they're just stuck on themselves....why is it so easy for some and not so for others.  I guess it's about finding what makes you tick....what's your gift....what can you offer the world and then....take a giant leap of faith and believe that you are all that....that you are the wizard of your domain....that you always had the power.

How close to success are you?

"Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure"
— Thomas A. Edison

"Five percent of the people think;
ten percent of the people think they think;
and the other eighty-five percent would rather die than think."
— Thomas A. Edison

tags: thinking

365 people liked it

like

Added!
view quote

Share on Twitter

Likes the quote "Five percent of the people think; ten percent of the people think they think; and the other eighty-five percent would rather die than think."

always post: reviews user statuses

 

"We often miss opportunity because it's dressed in overalls and looks like work"
— Thomas A. Edison

tags: opportunity , work

252 people liked it

like

Added!
view quote

Share on Twitter

Likes the quote "We often miss opportunity because it's dressed in overalls and looks like work"

always post: reviews user statuses

 

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."
— Thomas A. Edison