Cirque du Soliel...Now THAT's true Athleticism

Well, on Friday evening, I left directly from work and headed Downtown to the Bicentennial Park to see Cirque du Soleil's "Varekai" (the 4 p.m. show). I had a bit of a time getting there, however, because, as anyone who lives in Miami knows -- Downtown, with all its dizzying construction cranes and hideous traffic, it's easy to get lost. I use Miami-Dade's public transit system quite frequently, but I've never had any reason to deboard the Metro Mover at the 11th Street station, so I got a bit lost trying to find the entrance to the Bicentennial Park. Of course, the 15 minutes I spent wondering around Biscayne Boulevard was well worth it! The show was a brilliant display of physical cunning, musical wonderment and just overall fun. I honestly felt as if I had been carried away into another world, another place. In Romani "Varekai" means "Wherever", and I certainly felt as if I was taken to a netherland where constraints of time and reality do not exist.

After seeing the show and being amazed at how these performers are able to contort their bodies into such amazing, awe-inspiring positions, I realized that that is "true" athleticism. Forget American football or basketball. The kind of acts that these Cirque du Soleil actors were able to pull off transcends anything that Shaq could ever do. Perhaps I'm being too harsh on traditional sport, but not only are most "team" sports boring, they certainly don't have the capacity to take me away to netherworlds as the Cirque du Soliel shows have.

I'm giggling in my mind. Could you just imagine seeing Shaq in one of those outfits? Now, that wouldn't take me away to a netherworld, per se, but certainly to a comedic one. : )

Religion Wearing Its Ugly Head...Again.

It has occured again: the unbridled ignorance that comes along with orthodox religion, particularly, monotheistic religions. Everyone has heard by now about the ridiculous outbursts and outcries of racism and religious discrimination over a controversial cartoon that was initially published in a Danish newspaper. These protests have been sweeping across the Muslim world during the last two weeks, as far away as Indonesia. Fleming Rose, the Dutch editor responsible for publishing the cartoon, has since taken an indefinite vacation from the Danish newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, after some pressure from his colleagues, and, of course, the Danish-Muslim community.

Now, I do understand that journalists and those in any sort of media should always practice the highest level of professionalism and ethics, and thus should be held to those same standards. But, we in the West, have always believed in freedom of expression. Yes, some might be offended by this "expression," but when is the line drawn? When is freedom too free? When is being offended too much? These are tough questions.

With that said, however, the response by many in the Muslim community was completely unnecessary, and religion is not looking very good right now. Many argue that it's not religion that is the problem, it's when it is used for political ends. I beg to disagree. The minute we start to believe that there is an invisible being whispering commands and such in our ear and the minute we think that some mythic god-child can save earth's inhabitants from personal and collective destruction, we are asking for trouble. Why? Because the discussion stops, and no more can be said. How can one reason with another who believes that Allah governs his very life? Why should we even trust people who claim that they hear voices from some invisible being, particularly, when this voice is "giving" them commands and direction on policy issues that could potentially affect the lives of millions? Okay, okay. I'm referring to President Bush.

It is time that we, who use logic and reason to govern our lives, start asking these tough questions. Of course, there will be no worthwhile answers from those who embrace such nonsense, but by virtue of asking these questions, we'll send the message that enough's enough.

PRIVATE Bureaucracies Mess Up, Too

I've often heard the argument that the U.S. public bureaucracy is too large, has itself too wrapped up in red tape, and is completely inefficient and, in some cases, useless, particularly when it is compared with the private enterprise or corporartion.

Well, this weekend was quite strange. First, on Friday evening, just before heading to bed, I received an SMS text message on my cellular phone, informing me that I was about to run out of "fair & flexible" minutes, based on my cellular plan/contract. Of course, this was plainly not so, so I jumped up out of bed and decided to check my latest invoice on www.sprint.com. After meandering through a maze of webpages, I finally came across what seemed like an invoice. Of course, the information supported what I thought was right: I was not nearing my minute-usage cut-off. Of course, I did not feel that checking my invoice on line was enough, so I decided to call customer service. After several key strokes, I finally was placed on hold by an automated voice. After being on hold for about 3 minutes, the automated voice announced that the Sprint Customer Service office was closed, and it proceeded to rattle off the hours the office is opened. Frustrated, I went to bed.

Now, on Saturday, after getting up and even before having breakfast, I decided to call the Sprint customer service center. After, once again, meandering through a maze of key strokes, I finally got a live person, who, after I explained my situation explained to me that the reason my invoice doesn't show my latest minute usage is because my account had not been updated. So, I kindly asked the young lady why she could view my latest invoice, yet I couldn't. She responded that on Monday, my online invoice would be available, and then days later, my "paper" invoice would be mailed to me. When I asked to speak with her supervisor, she hung up on me! I called back and finally received the information from a young man who explained to me that my bill was that high because I had made some long-distance calls to Latin America, which, of course, was not true, so now, I have to wait until my "paper" bill comes in the mail to dispute this! Argh!

Later that evening, my brother and I decided to order pizza for dinner. I, being high-tech and all (Yeah right! Lol), decided to order my pizza online at www.papajohns.com. I opted to pick up the pizza, as opposed to having it delivered because I was going to stop at a Blockbuster store that was close by. Well, after arriving at the pizza parlor, the representative, quite abruptly told me that my order had not been received. He, not knowing how to read the screen properly, it seemed, disappeared from the cash register and went into the backroom to fetch his supervisor. The supervisor, then, rudely told me that the order had not been received and that I should use MY cellular phone to call the pizza parlor in MY neighborhood to see if the order went there. At this point, I was frustrated, so I simply called...IT WAS NOT THERE EITHER. The supervisor promised that she and her staff could have it done in 10 minutes, I gave in and decided to burn time by visiting the nearby Blockbuster store.

I got to the Blockbuster store, and eyed a wonderful "foreign film" section, and chose, what would have been, an interesting love story from the Czech Republic. I got to the register and realized that I left my "Rewards" card at the apartment. After explaining this to the representative, he claimed that since I had not been to that store in under sixty days, he would not be able to look up my name in their system. I placed the DVD on the counter and darted out of the store in utter frustration.

At least the pizza was good...

The lesson I learned, here, is that the U.S. public bureacracy is really not that bad after all, as I have gotten better service, and I have witnessed greater efficiency at my local Team Metro office. What's the difference? Team Metro is a localized, neighborhood-oriented division of our county's government, so personal service becomes easier. All the other corporate franchises I had to deal with this past weekend were just off-shoots of a larger (or too large) machine, hence the rules and "redtape" that people tend to associate ONLY with government. Therefore, it's an unfair assessment to assume that only PUBLIC bureaucracies have redtape and inefficiency. How could Sprint not have its online invoices updated and prepped for the customer to view right away? How could Papa John's not have a back up system for issues concerning online orders? And finally, how could Blockbuster NOT have a back up system for its patrons who may have forgotten their membership cards? These corporations have the resources and the where-with-all...Don't they? Or do they just Not care about the consumer anymore? Hmmmm...I am inclined to believe the latter. *Sigh*

Silencing The Environment Bush Style

Once again, the Bush administration is up to its dirty, little tricks, what with its double-speak, confuse-the-public tactics, and flat-out lies.

In today's New York Times, an article by Andrew Revkin details how one of the country's most respected scientists, Dr. James Hansen (whose picture is posted above), is being silenced by Bush loyalists at NASA because of his speaking out at different enagements, particularly the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco, where he discussed that the current federal leadership is doing little or nothing to slow the effects that emissions are having on our environment.

Aside from the fact that this is one of the only administrations that I can remember that is able to politicize the environment, what else was brow-raising was the fact that whenever a Bush loyalist is "found out", as it were, they quickly deny EVERYTHING. I have studied public relations, and I was taught that that is a no-no, particularly, when dealing with highly polarizing issues. One would think that with the spinology that this administration practices everyday, that they would know better by now.

At any rate, this is where we stand in United States: we have an administration that wants us to throw up our hands at sound scientific practice and theory and embrace the religious mumbo-jumbo of intelligent design; And now, we have an administration who, once again, is rejecting sound environmental science and expecting us to accept its politicized non-sense, and the silencing or alienation of those, who disagree. *Sigh*

How can we, as those using reason instead of pure emotion to guide and lead our lives, fight this behemoth? What can we do to push back against this might of wrong-headed policies, muddled science and lie-telling? Of course, we must fight back, but how?

Conscious Consumerism

Have you looked around your home lately? Televisions in every room, and in some cases, DVD players to boot along with those televisions; multiple appliances in the kitchen that you don't even know where to store them, the garage, storage closet or basement filled with junk that you probably haven't used or even seen in the last six months? Your closet bulging with clothing that you haven't worn in years. Sounds like you? Well, it sounds like a lot of us.

Now, I'm not one to preach about the coming doom of our planets dimise because of our current actions, even though I believe that a lot of that could actually happen, but we should all do our part to really take a look at how we live our lives. Okay, so we can afford an extra television in Johnny's room, but is it truly necessary? Should Johnny even have his own television set in his room already? Is he even ready for it? And, yes, Suzie is becoming "of age" where she wants her own life, but does she really need a car at 16? Can't she simply use the city bus and her bicycle a few more years? Okay, so that $200 pair of jeans is going to look sexy on you, but do you need yet another pair of jeans...again?

The point I'm trying to make is that many of us, and sometimes I'm a victim of this, are too quick to purchase yet more stuff. Some people use the argument: "Well, past generations wasted too, why should we have to be the "conscious" ones when they got to live a life of waste and pollution?" First, that is not exactly true, in that, we can easily be deemed as the most wasteful generation, what with our SUV's and large homes. Some statistics place current homes being built at 7 - 9 times larger than the typical suburban home built in the 1970's. Also, because goods are a lot "cheaper", we are able to consume a lot more, harming, to some extent, the environment. I'm also inclined to believe that when we pay for a "cheaper" good or service, someone else is footing the bill, and usually it is a person who is miles away working for pay that is pennies on the dollar per hour. Finally, our predecessors did not have the knowledge that we now have, and, if I may say so, take for granted. We cannot hold them responsible for actions that they did not know were causing damage to themselves and the environment. Today, we have the knowledge and the information and they can empower us to do better. Sadly, though, most of us don't want to. We want to live like, if not outdo, the Joneses, leaving a path of environmental degradation and even personal debt in the wake of mass-consumption.

What's the solution? Well, there is no ONE solution, but this year, I've made a vow to be more conscious about my spending habits. When I purchase even a book, I think about perhaps purchasing an "online" version, rather than a hard copy (that uses up so much shelf space) where I can read it on the screen or print a chapter or two (on both sides of the sheet, lol) when necessary. Also, I'm planning on having more candle-light dinners. It's a nice and cozy way to get to know your significant other or your closest friends while saving some energy; I want to drive less, save more money, buy less but more quality clothing and eat less but more quality, nutritious foods. Of course, this is just the beginning, and as I get better at it, I'm going to devise a plan that I'll put together in an "idea-blog" for other readers to take part in. These are just a few ways that I'm going to do my part. So far, so good. Yes!

M.L.K.,Jr.Day & Adult-Leadership

Tomorrow is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and a write-up in the Miami Herald claims that only 15% of whites and 66% of blacks will be partaking in festivities to celebrate his birth. Of course, I do not want to make this into a "racial" issue, but shame on ALL Americans. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has done so much to shed light on human rights issues, and though this might seem like quite the cliche, his legacy does, in fact, live on until today. In addition, he died such a horrible death, and his holiday is not even a federally-mandated holiday.

This is really discouraging, but this reveals the truth that historic figures who are associated with peace do not get the same attention with those who were involved with war. What does this say about our future since wars are becoming less prevalent in our society? Who will be our new heroes? Oh-that's right- basketball players and hip-hop stars.

Those who are on the forefront of making this world better, not their personal financial portfolios, should, indeed, be placed on a pedestal and should be bastions of what every child would want to be. Gone are the days of the Roman gladiators, who lived lives of blood and violence. Every child during that time wanted to be like them. Today, those gladiators have been replaced by music, sports and other entertainment icons. Though, on the surface this might not seem to be a "big deal", when one digs deeper, she would realize that many of the young people that other young people idealize are not quite the great figures of heroism, and sadly so, considering that -- due to technology -- these icons are so visible.

This is where parents, teachers and community leaders can play a big role. As a matter of fact, adults on a whole can play a big role in showing young people that the everyday person, not necessarily pop icons, can, in fact, be heroes and good examples. The problem, it seems, is that adults have kind of stepped back and allowed the media to raise our children, but that's content for another blog.

Finally, adults need to step forward and quit complaing about "young people today", and be the shining light and beacons of hope that we are supposed to be. Like Dr. King, we should not be afraid. Now is the time to really make a difference. When the kids playing in the street get loud and rowdy and begin fighting or what-have-you, we, as adults, should not just hang our heads and walk or drive by, we should stop and break it up. When we see children misbehave, we should not be afraid to repremand them. On the other hand, when we see children doing good things, we should not hesitate to encourage them. When we see that they need our help, we should not hesitate to offer assistance. It's high time. It's not too late to win the fight for our children, whether or not you biologically gave birth to them is beside the point. YOU, my dear adult, can be a leader, a hero just like Dr. King!

New Year's Resolutions: a Necessary Evil

Well, the new year has finally arrived. I was chatting with a friend last night, and we were discussing how he was relieved that 2005 was finally over. According to him, it was a "hellish" year. Next, I chatted briefly with another colleague of mine, and she, too, was relieved that 2005 was finally over. According to her, 2006 is going to be "her year".
Well, isn't that just it? At the beginning of each year, while we revel, party and bask in the company of friends and family, we--with aspirations of job promotions, long-lasting, intimate relationships, greater physical strength and fitness and educational endeavors-- make all sorts of resolutions and promises to ourselves and others, knowing full-well that many of them -- if any -- will not be fulfilled, knowing that -- in fact-- the year may end up being a complete disaster. I'm sure that the thousands of Tsunami victims and their families would never have thought in their wildest dreams that 2004 would have ended so tragically. Additionally, the many who perished and who lost their homes and family in the Hurricane Katrina disaster did not hope, wish for or ever dream of that to happen to them.
However, that's just the radomness of life. That ever truthful cliche: "...One never knows..." is what comes to my mind, here. But, that's just it: we really never know, and that gives us even more reason to make positive resolutions and even to write them down. Often, I chat with people at the beginning of each year, and many of them say things like: "I don't make new year's resolutions", and, of course, the reasons vary tremendously. One of the unique ones of the bunch was: "I don't make new year's resolutions because it's...Like...I'm giving myself an excuse to set up myself for failure." Quite dramatic, I thought when I heard that excuse.
Formulating new year's resolutions, though, does not set us up for failure. Quite the opposite. New year's resolutions give us a map. Hey, life is already so random, so unpredictable. Having some form of map or goal makes the journey that much easier. It's like I always say: "A map doesn't mean that you have to stick to a specific route, a good map, however, shows you all the routes that you can take whenever and however you want to." In other words, setting goals for ourselves isn't a means to set up ourselves for failure. It's simply a tool that helps us to put into focus the very things that we've always hoped and wished for, but never had the guts to embrace. New year's resolutions help us say to ourselves: This is my life on my terms. Now, how often do we get to express, in writing, that premise? How often do we write something down that is a direct -- not a metaphoric -- declaration of how WE are going to run OUR OWN lives?
New year's resolutions, then, are a necessary evil. So what if we don't stick to all of them? The very fact that we articulated them in the first place speaks to the capacity we have as humans to be unique. In this corporate world of sameness and going with the grain, as opposed to against it, new year's resolutions give us a reason to be OURSELVES.

Musings on Car Culture Pt. 1

On Saturday, while I was riding to a near-by Bellsouth payment center to pay my telephone bill, I happened to pass by a car dealership that was having some sort of special event, as there was loud music blaring from one of the local radio station's mobile units. The music was good, but unbelievably loud, and it must have been disturbing the surrounding businesses. Secondly, because of all the commotion, many motorists began slowing their vehicles to get a glimse of what was going on, creating a traffic nightmare.

When I finally parked and locked up my bike, I could only shake my head in amazement. Here again is one more way the car or automobile can be a nuisance. From even before they leave the lot, they are causing the community troubles. However, in our fast-paced societies, we don't even realize it.

Just tonight, I was watching "40-Year-Old Virgin" with my brother, and the main character, Andy, rides a bicycle as his basic mode of transportation, as opposed to driving a car. Throughout the movie, as enjoyable as it was, snide remarks are made about him being childish because he rides a bicycle and he is basically viewed as being "nerdy" or "quirky" for doing so, but when I think back on that event at the car dealership, I can't help but think: who's being childish? Here we have a car dealership having to play loud music to get the attention of drivers because no one really walks in that area, due to the fact that it is built for cars, not people, so they have to be as loud as can be to get the drivers' attention. Secondly, who, like toddlers, whine most about traffic and gas prices and about having to drive around the corner to get a gallon of milk and about roads being wider? motorists do, even though most municipalities bow down and worship them, catering to their every need.

After watching the movie and thinking back on that car dealership's 'event' to rake in the sales, all I could do was utter an internal snicker, knowing that cyclists actually make the roads safer for motorists, and they, the motorists, don't even know it. Bicycle-commuters are generally happier and more in-tuned with her/his community. If adulthood means owning a gas-guzzling, environment/community destroying vehicle, and if caring about the environment, my community, my health and the welfare of others is being childish, then pass me the pacifier.