It’s been a century since I wrote my last blog. Life is the city been incredibly busy, can hardly find time to keep up. Back to the blog in the city, I heard something rather funny yesterday in the office think I should share.
We all take a lunch break once in a while. Most often we just wanted to get to our trade mark fast food places to pick up a casual lunch, either sitting in the food court if there ever is one, or have an empty table available, or in the park with the city pigeons as companions or just head back to the office to enjoy our delicious over priced lunch snack at our desk.
Being healthy conscience city dwellers, we often patronize most salad bars in the city. To that have we ever pay attention on what we actually putting into go our supposedly healthy salad, that goes with our healthy life style?
The set up of salad bars is nothing like any other fast food places where menus are prominently displayed overhead, you can decide what you wanted while wait for your turn of service. In salad bars on the other hand no decision can be made until you get up close to the counter.
The fact is time for lunch is tat the minimal, it often took 10-15 minutes just to ride the lift to the street level, and eventually to our destination, therefore we do not wanted to be the one holding up the line for everyone else.
Hastily, perhaps you ask for fruits, cheese, mushroom, or some nuts, and mix it all up with a dressing of you supposedly of your favorite choice in a great big mess. Is it delicious, or even healthy?
If you do not believe in me, try this: let’s mix grapefruit, carrot, raisins, may be berries, then onion, tomato, some nuts, may be even cheese. Perhaps a little tofu, or sprouts as well, on top of a bed of spinach. Mixed it all up with “ Diet” creamy Italian dressing that scream salt and calories. Oh boy that is delicious or even healthy? You be the judge.
Individually, may be love all the selection of veggies, mix it all up in one big mess is another. Next time when you are in another infamous salad bar adventure. Stop and experience for your self.
Chance Encounter NYC.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Know it all
Have you ever encounter anyone think they know it all? Those friends behaved like a tyrant ever opinionated and uncompromising, regardless of the depth of knowledge on any particular subjects. Have you have one of two of those friends in your life?
I understand that American love to express their opinion, even at times brought upon themselves embarrassment, God forbid if anyone dare to take away their given right, there will be a long night.
This group of people seems to forget no matter where they are in the world; there is social etiquette need to be observed in a polite society? We often laugh at the British with the stiff upper lips, we express dismays towards the attitude of Asian, never willingly to express inner feelings. I do not know which is the better behavior. All I know is that we Americans often speak before we think, ever eager to express our opinion to anyone.
I remember as a schoolboy, I was taught to be humble, always listen and observe, never express opinion unless I was invited? Rather than being a blabbermouth like most of my friends especially gay friends. Instead restraint and control is a virtue should be practiced. Openly express our opinion with out any substances or fully understanding of a particular subject never project a very flattering images. It does not made one look any smarter rather it is just the opposite. The highly educated friends I knew seldom-openly express their thoughts uninvited and they never appear to be boring or unintelligent. Care to comments?
Sometimes friends took one step further to make their host the joke of the party. These acts only reflect one’s poor taste and lack of better upbringing. It is socially unacceptable. Your host may choose to ignore your advances, as any properly mannered hosts would have done. However if the limited is crosses, I suggest it is best to have this friend escorted off the party before further embarrassment brought upon them.
Here is my observation for the day. What is yours?
Chance Encounter NYC
I understand that American love to express their opinion, even at times brought upon themselves embarrassment, God forbid if anyone dare to take away their given right, there will be a long night.
This group of people seems to forget no matter where they are in the world; there is social etiquette need to be observed in a polite society? We often laugh at the British with the stiff upper lips, we express dismays towards the attitude of Asian, never willingly to express inner feelings. I do not know which is the better behavior. All I know is that we Americans often speak before we think, ever eager to express our opinion to anyone.
I remember as a schoolboy, I was taught to be humble, always listen and observe, never express opinion unless I was invited? Rather than being a blabbermouth like most of my friends especially gay friends. Instead restraint and control is a virtue should be practiced. Openly express our opinion with out any substances or fully understanding of a particular subject never project a very flattering images. It does not made one look any smarter rather it is just the opposite. The highly educated friends I knew seldom-openly express their thoughts uninvited and they never appear to be boring or unintelligent. Care to comments?
Sometimes friends took one step further to make their host the joke of the party. These acts only reflect one’s poor taste and lack of better upbringing. It is socially unacceptable. Your host may choose to ignore your advances, as any properly mannered hosts would have done. However if the limited is crosses, I suggest it is best to have this friend escorted off the party before further embarrassment brought upon them.
Here is my observation for the day. What is yours?
Chance Encounter NYC
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Foreign Accents
Came a cross an interesting article with a question recently, “ Why must a foreign accents always invite an inquisition?” Anyone care to comment?
Perhaps most Americans are naturally curious or just ignorant, a little arrogant even? We had our head buried in the sand for many decades, we do not know much about the rest of the world beyond the obvious tourist destinations.
These questions as I encountered often start with “ Where you from? “You have an interesting accent.” as if most American got A’s in their high school geography, they know the exact location of your homeland. So what is the point where I am from, while most can’t even pin point where my country located. What are your comments on that?
The other funny things were: These strangers always knew of some one’s or acquaintances from the region where I am from? Even though that part of the conversation is not totally pointless, nor would I care to know that the stranger’s in law of his great grandparent’s is from my homeland? Wake up, are we related? I hate to be rude, honestly, what did that had to do with where I immigrant from, or my accent anyway.
Some time, strangers will try to be nice to tell you that. “ Your English is really great. “ Are they kidding me? I did not get off the boat yesterday. I had been living in the US most of my adult life, and I work in a multi-national corporation. I hope that my conversational English skill is at least understandable, or at least slightly better than those foreign marketers you get on your mobile when you call for information.
You may ask why then you still have a foreign accent. Have you been to NY? You must have over heard a lot of foreign sounding passengers on the subway everyday. As a matter of fact many of them were native-born Americans, they include Italian, Puerto Rican, African, why did they have an accent. Have you ask then where they are from? Have you ever consider that was my own choosing as part of my identity, instead of sounded like just another American? After all majority of the English speaking world spoke with an English accent. NOT Americans.
May I suggest next time when you have the urge to ask the question, unless you are genuinely interested in knowing something on my home country? Don’t waste my time. Saying “How do you do?” in the office each morning without even stopping to chat is already bad enough. It is not a ritual. You do not have to do it. Care to comment?
Chance Encounter NYC.
Perhaps most Americans are naturally curious or just ignorant, a little arrogant even? We had our head buried in the sand for many decades, we do not know much about the rest of the world beyond the obvious tourist destinations.
These questions as I encountered often start with “ Where you from? “You have an interesting accent.” as if most American got A’s in their high school geography, they know the exact location of your homeland. So what is the point where I am from, while most can’t even pin point where my country located. What are your comments on that?
The other funny things were: These strangers always knew of some one’s or acquaintances from the region where I am from? Even though that part of the conversation is not totally pointless, nor would I care to know that the stranger’s in law of his great grandparent’s is from my homeland? Wake up, are we related? I hate to be rude, honestly, what did that had to do with where I immigrant from, or my accent anyway.
Some time, strangers will try to be nice to tell you that. “ Your English is really great. “ Are they kidding me? I did not get off the boat yesterday. I had been living in the US most of my adult life, and I work in a multi-national corporation. I hope that my conversational English skill is at least understandable, or at least slightly better than those foreign marketers you get on your mobile when you call for information.
You may ask why then you still have a foreign accent. Have you been to NY? You must have over heard a lot of foreign sounding passengers on the subway everyday. As a matter of fact many of them were native-born Americans, they include Italian, Puerto Rican, African, why did they have an accent. Have you ask then where they are from? Have you ever consider that was my own choosing as part of my identity, instead of sounded like just another American? After all majority of the English speaking world spoke with an English accent. NOT Americans.
May I suggest next time when you have the urge to ask the question, unless you are genuinely interested in knowing something on my home country? Don’t waste my time. Saying “How do you do?” in the office each morning without even stopping to chat is already bad enough. It is not a ritual. You do not have to do it. Care to comment?
Chance Encounter NYC.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Separation affects...
“The separations will either make the heart grow fonder, or not that is the subject of today’s blog”
This is an age-old question. Some one told me if I honestly believe in it, it would make me feel better, focus on the reunion rather than separation. I believe most people just wanted to say kind things to make you feel better, on an otherwise impossible situation to comfort someone. What could you say to some one who lost a love one, can possibly make them feel better. Perhaps a warm hug or firm hand sake some times do a better job than just words?
There is not a single easy way to deal with separation. I can’t even imagine families of our arm services when they have to wave good bye to their love one, not knowing if they will ever seen them again. Your heart feels like being tie to a boulder before being throw aboard, the helpless sinking feeling is so heavy, it is an out of body experience.
The evening I had to wave goodbye for the second time in 8 months, I can honestly say I am emotionally unconscious. It was a total back out. I wander the city streets afterward aimlessly for an unknown period of time. I saw people talking, but seem like they were speaking in different tongue. I did not know how I got home, but I did. Have you experience separation? Care to comments.
In the end, I am better equipped to deal with situation then most. For the last 5 days, I have been plunging myself into work, I had restarted my paintings that I had been neglected for almost 8 months. The result was interesting. I had one of the most violent canvases I ever created. The mood of the creation was wild and dark, the application of paint on canvas was restless, and the objects were heavily outlined, as if I am desperately trying to contain the existing shape and things subconsciously. May be this is a new period I am entering. Only time will tell.
A very personal Chance Encounter NYC
This is an age-old question. Some one told me if I honestly believe in it, it would make me feel better, focus on the reunion rather than separation. I believe most people just wanted to say kind things to make you feel better, on an otherwise impossible situation to comfort someone. What could you say to some one who lost a love one, can possibly make them feel better. Perhaps a warm hug or firm hand sake some times do a better job than just words?
There is not a single easy way to deal with separation. I can’t even imagine families of our arm services when they have to wave good bye to their love one, not knowing if they will ever seen them again. Your heart feels like being tie to a boulder before being throw aboard, the helpless sinking feeling is so heavy, it is an out of body experience.
The evening I had to wave goodbye for the second time in 8 months, I can honestly say I am emotionally unconscious. It was a total back out. I wander the city streets afterward aimlessly for an unknown period of time. I saw people talking, but seem like they were speaking in different tongue. I did not know how I got home, but I did. Have you experience separation? Care to comments.
In the end, I am better equipped to deal with situation then most. For the last 5 days, I have been plunging myself into work, I had restarted my paintings that I had been neglected for almost 8 months. The result was interesting. I had one of the most violent canvases I ever created. The mood of the creation was wild and dark, the application of paint on canvas was restless, and the objects were heavily outlined, as if I am desperately trying to contain the existing shape and things subconsciously. May be this is a new period I am entering. Only time will tell.
A very personal Chance Encounter NYC
Monday, August 30, 2010
Into The Ditch
Here we go again, someone felt into the subway track again, fortunately to her, the swift response from the train operator, stop the moving train just in time to save the woman from her death.
What is going on with the MTA stations? There were numerous incident of people fell from the platform recently? Is it because of the insufficient lighting? The platform over crowded or disoriented because of the intense high temperature underground? Perhaps it is because passengers simply not paying attention while on the platform? There are many variables. Not to mention intoxication.
We all knew the narrow platforms are dangerous place. We should pay extra precaution while waiting for the train. Unfortunately some times we ran into rude people, they brush across and pushes you off balance. Although that behavior is rare, never the less it does happened.
With the cash trap situation with our MTA, to erect a safety wall like those we found at the tramway at the airport terminal is unthinkable, so what is the next best solution? I do not know. What is your recommendation?
No matter what it is. I think most importantly each individual should responsible for their own safety, if you wanted to stay close to the ditch and not paying attention. You are playing with fire.
The accident happens in NYC is different than the accident happened in the Atlanta subway accident, the Atlanta passenger was visually impaired, so she does have a good reason to fell into the track. On the flip side, why is she not being supervised?
Come to the MTA, there is never a dull moment. We have not even including the bus route, and rider’s experience. There are so many stories we are not even beginning to touch the surface.
Stay Tune.
Chance Encounter NYC
What is going on with the MTA stations? There were numerous incident of people fell from the platform recently? Is it because of the insufficient lighting? The platform over crowded or disoriented because of the intense high temperature underground? Perhaps it is because passengers simply not paying attention while on the platform? There are many variables. Not to mention intoxication.
We all knew the narrow platforms are dangerous place. We should pay extra precaution while waiting for the train. Unfortunately some times we ran into rude people, they brush across and pushes you off balance. Although that behavior is rare, never the less it does happened.
With the cash trap situation with our MTA, to erect a safety wall like those we found at the tramway at the airport terminal is unthinkable, so what is the next best solution? I do not know. What is your recommendation?
No matter what it is. I think most importantly each individual should responsible for their own safety, if you wanted to stay close to the ditch and not paying attention. You are playing with fire.
The accident happens in NYC is different than the accident happened in the Atlanta subway accident, the Atlanta passenger was visually impaired, so she does have a good reason to fell into the track. On the flip side, why is she not being supervised?
Come to the MTA, there is never a dull moment. We have not even including the bus route, and rider’s experience. There are so many stories we are not even beginning to touch the surface.
Stay Tune.
Chance Encounter NYC
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Hail to the Mayor Bloomberg
Everyone is focusing their attention on the creation of the Islamic community center. It is dominated the news. Not even the Long Island railroad delay can trump the Mosque. I rather talk about our Mayor on his third term finally willing to take a firm stand on the issue.
His eloquent speech firmly supported the location for the Masque last night at the gala dinner for the Muslim community at the Gracie Mansion, caught my attention, and my support.
While we are all sensitive about the site so close to September 11 central, we should remember that our country’s foundation in part is base on the principle of religious freedom. Remember the Catholics when they try to establish a foothold in our new world not long ago?
The teaching of Islamic faith is about peaceful existence, not violent. Every religion has its extremist. Reflects on the decade of violence in Northern Ireland, does that means that the Catholic and Protestant community thru out the world are extremists too? You can figure that out yourself.
We all feel the lost of innocent after September 11th, we stand by the family lost their love ones. However if we believe in faith, why can we forgive embrace peace, then we are going toward the real healing.
As for Governor Paterson and Bishop Dolan and all others, this is a real issue; please stop your nonsense political games. We should lead by example that we are not Hippocrates, we do not hate, we embrace peace, and religious freedom.
I also stand behind our Mayor on his harsh words to the owner of the Empire State building. The building is already the icon of the city skyline for the last 75 years. It will remain the Icon of our city no matter what. When the world trade center was still standing, the honor is share by both. What is the different now? Judging by the computer generated drawing of the proposed building. I think it lend a breath of fresh air to the city skyline. It projects a new out look of a modern and futuristic city. It did not diminish the prominence of the old Iconic building.
So hail to the Mayor. Take a stand.
Chance Encounter NYC.
His eloquent speech firmly supported the location for the Masque last night at the gala dinner for the Muslim community at the Gracie Mansion, caught my attention, and my support.
While we are all sensitive about the site so close to September 11 central, we should remember that our country’s foundation in part is base on the principle of religious freedom. Remember the Catholics when they try to establish a foothold in our new world not long ago?
The teaching of Islamic faith is about peaceful existence, not violent. Every religion has its extremist. Reflects on the decade of violence in Northern Ireland, does that means that the Catholic and Protestant community thru out the world are extremists too? You can figure that out yourself.
We all feel the lost of innocent after September 11th, we stand by the family lost their love ones. However if we believe in faith, why can we forgive embrace peace, then we are going toward the real healing.
As for Governor Paterson and Bishop Dolan and all others, this is a real issue; please stop your nonsense political games. We should lead by example that we are not Hippocrates, we do not hate, we embrace peace, and religious freedom.
I also stand behind our Mayor on his harsh words to the owner of the Empire State building. The building is already the icon of the city skyline for the last 75 years. It will remain the Icon of our city no matter what. When the world trade center was still standing, the honor is share by both. What is the different now? Judging by the computer generated drawing of the proposed building. I think it lend a breath of fresh air to the city skyline. It projects a new out look of a modern and futuristic city. It did not diminish the prominence of the old Iconic building.
So hail to the Mayor. Take a stand.
Chance Encounter NYC.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
The bus travel nightmare
How often when you took an unfamiliar bus route either in town of out of town, their schedules were often too confusing. I have had many experiences in the past in this matter, and often end in frustration.
I had the pleasure recently took one of the off route bus trip to a small resort town in PA, about an hour and a half away from NYC. The information on the web for public transport is almost non-existed. There are link to the train and bus companies web site, but there were no information to the town, nor there are any indication if there was a stop at all. When I eventually stumble into information I was looking for, there is only information getting out of town, but not getting there, I suppose the town does not want any one visits on the weekend.
The schedule they put out is confusing at best, there were stops printed on the back of the route map but not necessary guarantee the bus will stop. The schedule did not mention the bus would be running on a reduced schedule over the summer weekends. You have to search hard on the brochure for it. Being a resort town I thought they would want more visitors on the weekends.
Granted there were a lot of information to be communicated to their riders, I thought they would want their visitors to know when to get on and off the bus, and on the right time for their return trip, but that obviously was not the intention of their schedule. It was to be put out there, so they can confuse their riders.
While traveling oversea, I often found their public transport schedule are far more user friendly. It is usually very simple and easy to understand, without the requirement of knowing the native language of the country you travel in. It is efficient, and helpful.
Besides the schedule, try asking for information at the bus terminal information desk. You will experience the worst of the system had to offer. Information attendants with ultimate rudeness attitude, as if you were interrupting their peaceful existence when approached, ticket agents does not know the routes of the company they supposedly serving. Am I in New York City? How disappointing. At the least a smoking breathing, cold mannered, coughing ticket attendants is sometime expected in a third world country; the inefficiency of the bus system for the number one global city of the world, is totally unacceptable in my book. I am not sure if I will ride the bus to any small town in the continental USA any time soon.
One very frustrated local rider.
Chance Encounter NYC
I had the pleasure recently took one of the off route bus trip to a small resort town in PA, about an hour and a half away from NYC. The information on the web for public transport is almost non-existed. There are link to the train and bus companies web site, but there were no information to the town, nor there are any indication if there was a stop at all. When I eventually stumble into information I was looking for, there is only information getting out of town, but not getting there, I suppose the town does not want any one visits on the weekend.
The schedule they put out is confusing at best, there were stops printed on the back of the route map but not necessary guarantee the bus will stop. The schedule did not mention the bus would be running on a reduced schedule over the summer weekends. You have to search hard on the brochure for it. Being a resort town I thought they would want more visitors on the weekends.
Granted there were a lot of information to be communicated to their riders, I thought they would want their visitors to know when to get on and off the bus, and on the right time for their return trip, but that obviously was not the intention of their schedule. It was to be put out there, so they can confuse their riders.
While traveling oversea, I often found their public transport schedule are far more user friendly. It is usually very simple and easy to understand, without the requirement of knowing the native language of the country you travel in. It is efficient, and helpful.
Besides the schedule, try asking for information at the bus terminal information desk. You will experience the worst of the system had to offer. Information attendants with ultimate rudeness attitude, as if you were interrupting their peaceful existence when approached, ticket agents does not know the routes of the company they supposedly serving. Am I in New York City? How disappointing. At the least a smoking breathing, cold mannered, coughing ticket attendants is sometime expected in a third world country; the inefficiency of the bus system for the number one global city of the world, is totally unacceptable in my book. I am not sure if I will ride the bus to any small town in the continental USA any time soon.
One very frustrated local rider.
Chance Encounter NYC
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