Its Twiggy, the WaterSkiing Squirrel!

From the NY DailyNews - Check out the video too!

Ridiculous idea of the day... seatless subway cars!

In the great wisdom of the head honchos of the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) here in NYC, the "seatless" subway car is on its way. They are going to start a pilot program that involves running subway trains with four of the ten cars with special seats that can be locked in the flipped up, non-usable position during rush hour. Why? To cram in 18% more paying passengers - no one sitting equals 18% more standing room. Wow, what a brilliant idea for the MTA! Did I mention that they also want another fare hike - as much as 23%? So, let's think about this - pay more to use the subway, but get even less in return. Hmmmm... doesn't sound like such a great idea to me. Talk about innovation and creativity - make people spend more for a service and don't even let them get the basics of that service!

Is a seat that important? Well, it can be to: the elderly, the disabled, parents with small children, pregnant women, anyone not in good health, riders with long commutes, people with heavy bags, or anyone who is tired and just wants to sit for a minute. We all don't need a seat all the time - many of us sit all day at work - but I think everyone is grateful for a seat when we really need one. So there will be some cars with seats, but you'd have to go out of your way to find them; and during rush hour no one wants any additional hassles. This plan is just wrong on so many levels. It truly is a slap-in-the-face to consumers, a show of complete disrespect for the MTA's ridership.

Let's all let the MTA know what we think (www.straphangers.org/complaints.html)!

Innovative Gifting...

I've come across what I think is a very interesting and innovative way to both give a unique gift (for any occation, even create a gift registry) and get people motivated to become philanthropic. Charity Gift Cards can be purchased from two online entities, Charity Navigator (charitynavigator.org) and GlobalGiving (globalgiving.com). These cards can be of any amount starting from as little as $10 and can be sent in regular mail as a physical card or in e-mail as an e-gift card. Once received, the recipient goes online to the respective site and chooses a charity or project of his/her liking to receive the donation. Additionally, the recipient can add their own money to the donation to help even more.

Both Charity Navigator and GlobalGiving are trusted sites that review and evaluate each charity and project that they list on their sites (but of course, some charities are better run then others, so a little research about a prospective-donation recipient, available on each site, would be a good idea). And as an added bonus, each gift card is fully tax-deductible for the purchaser. (Check each site for full information on its mission, evaluation policies, and terms for gift cards.)

I think giving a charity gift card could be a great way to inspire people (especially children) to become more altruistic, less materialist, to feel more connected to others and their needs, and to feel how great it feels to know you're trying to make a concrete difference for someone. Also, I feel it teaches people that you don't have to be rich to give and that giving doesn't have to be done in huge chunks of cash. Sometimes the idea of giving to charity can seem overwhelming when you hear information in the news about scams and mismanagement of funds by individuals that supposedly are working for the benefit of others. But there is so much information available online, especially on Charity Navigator, GlobalGiving, and GuideStar (www.guidestar.org) that we all can feel more secure about the myriad of charities and become more informed and educated donors.

Of course receiving an envelope (or e-mail) with a gift card to be spent for someone else may meet with some resistance. Let's face it - a charity gift card is not as fun as a shiny new iPod! And yes you could be accused of trying to press your morals or agenda onto others, but those that say that ultimately won't look so good (or feel so good) for complaining about a gift, especially one that is supposed to be used for a noble cause. And you're not telling anyone which cause or which charity - they get to choose for themselves. The opportunity to teach and motivate or inspire others may be worth the initial uncomfortableness. (Besides, Oprah did it several years ago with her "Pass It Forward Challenge" where she gave her audience members $1,000 each to give away.) :-)

One obvious caveat – giving a charity gift card to someone who just lost their job or is having other financial problems will be inappropriate and almost cruel - not a good idea. So think carefully about your intended recipient and his/her own circumstances.

Also, before I forget, I found GoodShop (goodsearch.com/goodshop.aspx) and GoodSearch (goodsearch.com). Its a website that donates 50% of the advertisers' fees to the charities of your choice every time you do a search or buy something from their affiliated retailers (i.e., BestBuy, Target, Gap, etc.) through them (the actual search engine is YahooSearch). I don't know much about them or if the search results you'd get from using Yahoo vs. Google would be that different or if having your browser set to accept cookies while you're on that site would be a problem, but I thought the concept was very intriguing - a potentially super easy and free way to "give" to the charity of your choice. Since at some point we all will make a purchase from one of their affiliated stores, we might as well make the purchase through GoodShop and give the charity of our choice a donation (even if it is tiny) that costs us nothing.

A sad day for human behavior...

I saw two very disturbing things in the news today that really make me wonder about the future of humans. The first was an article on the trampling death of a worker at a Wal-Mart on Friday and the other was an article on a NYC bus driver who was stabbed to death over a $2 bus transfer!

How desperate can these people be to stampede over a person, crushing him to death just for the opportunity to buy some sale items? (Oh and there were three others including a pregnant woman who were taken to the hospital too.) How desperate can that guy be to stab and kill another human being because he wouldn't give him a bus transfer?

What kind of a society are we that this type of behavior exists?

And no, I don't think the problem is with NYC, or with poor people, or people of color - the problem is that there is a general loss of appreciation for the value of human life. There is a lose of civility, a lose of the basic idea that we should treat EVERYONE like we'd like to be treated. Basic respect and politeness - goals every parent had for their child has been replaced with a survivalist, me-centered, instant gratification model - "Do what you gotta do to get what you want and screw everyone and anyone in the process". Always sad to see another example of this...

We all need to try to help someone in need...

As I continue to research the most effective and reputable charities doing humanitarian work in Cambodia, I've been asked why I'm choosing to focus my philanthropic attention on the problems of a foreign county. Isn't there still a great need in New Orleans and other places in my own country? Legitimate questions. My first answer is that even the poorest of Americans have shoes or could quickly get a pair through the many social programs, shelters, and religious organizations run by public or private sources. I'm not trying to minimize anyone's suffering, I just know that we as a country are very fortunate to have many programs and organizations that can offer some form of basic help. Other countries are so poor (and/or corrupt) and overwhelmed by the massive numbers of people that need help, that there aren't many places to turn to for assistance.

The broader more reflective answer is simply one of exposure - I have never been personally exposed to the level of poverty that I witnessed in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Yes, I've seen lots of homeless people, I've seen lots of beggers of all kinds, I've seen movies, documentaries, and commercials pleading for help for destitute people around the world. But there is a vast difference between seeing human misery from the comfort of your living room and witnessing it with your own senses. There is a huge difference between passively watching from a distance and experiencing sad, desperate children pleading with you personally for help. Very probably if I went to the most poverty-stricken areas of American (i.e., New Orleans, Appalachia, the border towns of Texas, etc.) I might feel just as moved to help them as well.

It is heart wrenching to think that so many people in the world don't have access to something as basic as clean drinking water. And today, its not just a few people, a few communities - its over ONE BILLION people that lack access to safe drinking water! Can you even image what it would be like not to be able to have a glass of water when you wanted it or to know that if you do drink any water close by that you'll probably be ill (again). This also means no clean water for hand washing, cooking, bathing, washing clothes, or washing dishes. Just think about how much we all depend on clean water everyday and how hard it'll be if we didn't have any. Yes, we'd get by for a little while - we could go to a friend or relative, we could take a shower at the gym or the local YWCA, we could get a drink at a water fountain in a train or bus station, we could use the restroom in a fast food place, and of course if we had too we'd go to a shelter. But just imagine if none of these options existed for you and the problem wasn't temporary. Imagine if everyone in your family, everyone you knew, everyone you saw had the same problems you did so no one could help.

I'm not trying to be Mother Teresa, Angelina Jolie, or anyone else. I'm just trying to help in any little way I can. If someone is inspired to help also, that would be fantastic, if not, that's fine too. Its not about me and my goals or about trying to feel superior or making any one feel bad about themselves; I just feel motivated to try to help and hopefully will motivate others to help as well. Ultimately, its not important which country or which cause as long as we all attempt to make a positive impact of some kind on this world and for our fellow humans.

More Shots and Thoughts on Cambodia...

Today is our last of four days in Cambodia, specifically Siem Reap. After many decades of war and conflict, Cambodia has only opened up to welcome visitors since the late 1990's. Therefore, its a fascinating mixture of unspoiled natural and man-made wonders and the struggles of extreme poverty. Presently, it is an agricultural-based economy with a growing tourism industry (tourism is Cambodia's 6th largest economic sector). As is typical with most developing countries, there are many problems to solve and issues to refine, especially in regards to expanding its infrastructure for tourism, but at the same time saving its cultural traditions.

Siem Reap is the country's number one tourist destination because of the temples of Ankgor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. This area is an amazing junxtaposition of the old - ancient ruins, dirt roads, rice fields, swamps - and the increasingly modern - motor bikes, hotels of every description, tour buses, and internet cafes. Look to one side and you'll see a farmer driving a cart pulled by a bull past a group of children frolicking in a small pool of muddy water; look to the other side and you may see a giant resort hotel with a huge tour bus.

This contrast of poor and comparative wealth creates an overwhelming emotional reaction from me. As you stop at one of the dozens of temples or roadside stands, you are quickly inundated with local children selling things - scarves, books, bracelets. But they aren't just selling objects as I (and most Westerners I suppose) are used to, but desperately begging you to buy these items as if their life depends upon it. And as you spend more time in Cambodia and see the living conditions of many (most?) of the people there, you do start to believe that their lives do depend upon, for the most part, forcing tourists to buy. A typical pitch starts like this: "Would you like to buy a scarf? $1, 3 for $5, A bracelet?, 10 for $1?, We are very poor. we want to go to school. Please Lady, help us we are very poor. Beautiful scarf - $1, 3 for $5." And this is repeated over and over and over again from the time they see you until you drive away, regardless of what you say. If you do buy something then you are inundated with many more children relentlessly repeating the same desperate pitch - many pairs of beautiful, big, sad, desperate eyes. So my first thought is to empty out my wallet to the first child, but then I quickly realize that that is not the answer for either of us, not even in the short term. So I just shut down and try to just endure these heart wrenching situations. (The ironic thing is that if they were not so persistent and aggressive, they would definitely sell more and make more money - no one likes to buy things out of feelings of guilt, obligation, or pressure.)

I wonder what is the best way to bring lasting change? Is it education? Our guide says its mandatory that children go to school and that schooling is one of the few social programs the government provides the people. We did find a program, Artisans D' Angkor, (www.artisansdangkor.com/) that offers locals six month apprenticeships in traditional arts like stone carving, wood carving, and silk weaving which is a great thing because it teaches marketable skills and keeps traditional cultural arts alive, but of course its limited in how many people it can help and how quickly help will come. Another philanthropic option is the Trailblazer Foundation (http://www.thetrailblazerfoundation.org/helpus_donate_urgentneeds.html) which gives cows, mosquito nets, flip-flops and other needed resources. The guide tells us of a program that many tourists have participated in to build pump wells for individual families - only $300. But when I asked him what the number one need is, he says, food. So at this point I'm very conflicted about how to help in a longer term, meaningful way - there are so many basic needs and so many, many people in need!

1st shots of Cambodian Temple Ruins...

Some Random thoughts about Bangkok...

Exhausted after our 1st day in Bangkok. So don't have the energy to write like a sane person, so for now, I thought I'd just add a couple of pics and some random thoughts:

- love, love, love the hotel (Park Plaza Sukhumvit). It has such a cool, minimalist, modern vibe (and the coolest bathroom ever) - I want to this to be my apartment!

- Everything is so efficient here, espcially the subway/skytrain and the water ferries. The ferries are so great, an especially nice way to get around since its about 85 degrees and about 80% humidity.

- Wat Pho - just gorgious! I can't see enough Buddahs! Also, Thailand's oldest massage school is on the grounds, so had to try an authentic Thai massage and for about $11 for a full hour couldn't pass that up!

- Once again, finding its hard navigating a new city when you can't communicate where you want to go or understand what someone is trying to say to you (i.e., a sit-down resturant). But everything works out in the end and it becomes a new adventure ;->

- The Thai people are genuinely nice and try to be super helpful - one woman couldn't explain how to get up there, so she walked us three blocks just show us! Very, very sweet people.

- Awesome Thai curry soup w/coconut milk, lemongrass, and mushrooms - YUM! "Resturant" was a real dive and nothing else was even as good as back home, but the soup was great!

On to another adventure...

At the moment, I'm busily obsessing over all the little details and packing related to my trip to Thailand and Cambodia tomorrow.  My goal for the next 11 days is to let you know my initial reactions to Bangkok and Siem Reap and the surrounding temples of Angkor Wat.  Hopefully, I'll have reliable access to a computer and Internet connection.

Cool Site of the Day...

Just came across a very interesting conceptual blog/website.  Its called "Ten Thousand People: My quest to meet 10k people" (http://tenthousandpeople.wordpress.com) .  What a great idea - to set out and attempt to connect with people in person (and such a large number too).  Its especially relevant in our age of technology and non-face-to-face interaction.  I hope she continues the project and reaches her goal.

Ex-Bear Stearns exec now at Fed

Once again, another example of Wall Street executives not being held accountable for their actions, in this case even being rewarded for it! Of course there is not concrete evidence (yet) that this particular person did anything wrong in the failure of Bear Stearns, but how could the hiring geniuses at the Federal Reserve possibly think hiring an ex-senior executive at a collapsed major firm would be a good idea? How could this person downplay his involvement in Bear Stearns' collapse and justify his hiring? Makes you wonder about the credibility and leadership of the Federal Reserve. I guess it really is "who you know". Just mind boggling ... What an incestuous little world the financial sector is!

President-Elect Barack Obama, we welcome you!

What a great day it is! We, as a nation, have to be proud of ourselves for coming together and making a collective choice for the betterment of our country and its impact on everyone in this increasingly connected global society. We have elected Barack Obama as our next president. Finally, we have come to a decision that will ultimately benefit all the citizens of America, even those who don't yet realize it - their lives will be made better too. (It is surprising though, that 48% of us didn’t choose to believe in the positive potential of an Obama presidency, but of course that is their choice to make.)

Barack Obama reflects the changing evolution of the American people - a person with a varied background - racially, culturally, and economically. He is much more representative of the changing face of the United States than any other candidate. And yes, even though he may seem very different than some of us, we are intelligent enough to realize that he does represent us all. He is an inclusionary energy, not exclusionary or isolating.

Obama’s race for the Presidency has been a transformative force in our election process. The Obama Movement has been so extremely motivating and inspirational for so many, cutting across all groups – first-time voters, younger voters, blue-collar workers, middleclass voters, racial minorities, as well as African-Americans. This election has brought trust back into our election system – finally the will of the people is heard and honored - each vote really does matter (and doesn’t get pushed aside because of a technically). Finally we have a president we can be proud of and support – an intelligent, fair, compassionate and rational person. This is the first truly good thing that has happened for America in decades.

Obviously this is only the beginning of the transformation or tweaking of American internal and foreign policy. President-Elect Obama (that sounds so great!) is a unifying force that honestly wants what is best for the people and will work with others in a collaborative not competitive way to make positive change happen. He has become an iconic figure with an immense set of expectations to live up to. We hope our President Obama won’t buckle under the pressure and disappoint us as most politicians have – he is human after all. But for now, truly exuberant crowds throughout the nation and even in other countries are celebrating; celebrating the hope, inspiration and the very real possibility of a better nation and a better world. What a momentous time we live in!

Cuties!

Just couldn't resist these pics of furry cuties from yesterday's NYDaily News! (Hey, every once-in-while, we all have to have a little sappiness in our world ;>)

The Newest NY Road Runners

What a great day - my good friends, Daniella and Justyna and Daniella's sister, Hedva, ran yesterday's 5-mile New York Road Runners race in Central Park. This was the 2nd NYRR race for D & J and H's 1st - I'm so proud of them! They've come a long way from not liking to run at all to running races. Who knows what they can do next?! Marathons? Triathalons? Winning times? At the very least, I see this as possibly the beginning of a lifelong hobby for them that will be fun and healthy. (And I'll have friends to run with ;>) Yea! YOU GO GIRLS!

Howdy!

Hi everyone. I'm finally jumping on the blogging bandwagon (please have patience, I'm obviously new at this). No I don't think of myself as a comedian, great writer, literary genius, political analyst, or expert in any field. I'm just an individual with lots of thoughts and opinions about what I see, hear, experience, and read. So I see this blog as a combination of diary, forum, and repository for all the links to articles I keep pestering my friends with. At the very least, I'm hoping at some point you'll find something posted here useful, informative, or funny. Let me know what you think by commenting or sending me an e-mail (rozonyc@gmail.com). I'm going to try to post at least once a week - there has to be something going on at least once every seven days to inspire me to post. We'll see how this goes.

Thanks for stopping by! :-)

(For anyone new to blogging, you can get updates when I post, just click on "Follow This Blog" on the right side or "Subscribe to" at the bottom to place a special bookmark on the toolbar of your browser.)