OOK, I have not been updating my blog much in the last couple of months, and I though no one cares, until a friend of mine bought the subject during Christmas phone call. She told me how much she misses the blog, so here I am writing again in this very snowy Monday after Christmas weekend.
Yes we were blanketed by the winter storm that dump 12 to 16 inches of snow on the city. It was kind of beautiful to watch the storm raging thru the streets of Manhattan all day yesterday, that was of course I have no agenda but to stay in door all day in the warmth and comfort of my home.
However, I saw those less fortunate souls, working as take out deliver guys struggling and balancing their bikes, tracking thru thick snow in the almost white out condition, this small human figure on his bike struggling heads on with the giant of the raging wind and snow in almost a hopeless march trying to deliver food for their customers, at time, they almost knock off balance from their bike by the shear power of the mighty wind.
I wonder what kind of people will order take out in these kind of conditions, with little or no concern of other’s well being especially during the holiday seasons, while they themselves do not want to encounter the elements out side. I wonder did nay of these customers ever think the struggle these poor souls had to endure?
I was also unprepared yesterday, thinking I will have time to go to the store in the morning, when the forecast on the approaching storm was suppose to approach the city at least until the afternoon. I though of order in as well, as I have no intension of leaving the safety of my home instead of head into the white out snow storm, while that street were almost empty, and everyone I saw was struggling to get home. My conscious reminded me on the other side, if I choose to do so, I might have put someone else’s life in danger. This person I am sure if left with an alternatives, he may not wanted to risk his life to perform such a task as well. He is a living breathing human being, may be a father, a son or even a husband to someone else. I certainly do not wish any harm upon him.
Therefore next time if you insist of order delivery in hazardous conditions, think you may have order a death sentence on someone’s life. Can you eat your food now?
Chance Encounter NYC
Monday, December 27, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Staying a float during the recession
In the mist of the recession we are experiencing, I actually find myself more in tune with my spending habit, or finally realize how the hard earn cash was wasted thru the years.
It is not easy to live in an expensive city during the worst recession in recent memories. I feel the punch hitting a lot harder than the one I experienced earlier. Perhaps I had a lot more baggage on my back this time around. I took on the largest mortgage debt while most of my friends are free from the burden. I am beginning to wonder what will happen if I loose my job tomorrow. How long can I hang on without going into bankruptcy if I insisted on living in one of the most expensive city in the world.
After doing some research, I am convenience that one does not require much to live happily on a reduced income. All one need is a sound budget. For example do we really need expensive Cable TV or high-speed Internet connections, and new wardrobes every season? Must we go out once a week to blow away hundreds of dollars in a single evening? That is just foolish.
If we cannot afford to go to an expensive concerts there are always alternatives like many free events happen all over the city on any given evening and weekend. Those were support thru our taxes; why not take advantages of it. The other way I often look for is discount offers thru corporation I work for, or free night at the museums.
I recently adopted a simple method of control spending by taking out cash once per month. Keep all credit and debt cards at home. If I am running out of allowance on a certain weeks, I simply stay home and read a book. With this method in place, I am amaze not only I can afford everything needed, on occasion, I can even treat a friend to a dinner out.
I also found myself getting rid of the bad habits of impulse buy. I investigate more before I made any necessary purchase. It is good for the closet space and the wallet as well.
What do you think of my approach to beat the recession? Care to share yours with others. The bottom line I think is budget, that is if we still have a job.
Chance Encounter NYC
It is not easy to live in an expensive city during the worst recession in recent memories. I feel the punch hitting a lot harder than the one I experienced earlier. Perhaps I had a lot more baggage on my back this time around. I took on the largest mortgage debt while most of my friends are free from the burden. I am beginning to wonder what will happen if I loose my job tomorrow. How long can I hang on without going into bankruptcy if I insisted on living in one of the most expensive city in the world.
After doing some research, I am convenience that one does not require much to live happily on a reduced income. All one need is a sound budget. For example do we really need expensive Cable TV or high-speed Internet connections, and new wardrobes every season? Must we go out once a week to blow away hundreds of dollars in a single evening? That is just foolish.
If we cannot afford to go to an expensive concerts there are always alternatives like many free events happen all over the city on any given evening and weekend. Those were support thru our taxes; why not take advantages of it. The other way I often look for is discount offers thru corporation I work for, or free night at the museums.
I recently adopted a simple method of control spending by taking out cash once per month. Keep all credit and debt cards at home. If I am running out of allowance on a certain weeks, I simply stay home and read a book. With this method in place, I am amaze not only I can afford everything needed, on occasion, I can even treat a friend to a dinner out.
I also found myself getting rid of the bad habits of impulse buy. I investigate more before I made any necessary purchase. It is good for the closet space and the wallet as well.
What do you think of my approach to beat the recession? Care to share yours with others. The bottom line I think is budget, that is if we still have a job.
Chance Encounter NYC
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Creative on Salad Bar
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.
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.
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
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