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Has anyone else noticed the new Brawny commercial (with latest incarnation of Brawny man) seems to have been written by a Harlequin Romance author?
Longest day (aka my b-day) is coming! If only I weren't so tired and stressed...
June 19, 2005
June 18, 2005
Corporate Values
Two recommendations
1. eat at Taco Bell
2. see Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
After a nearly four year fight (led by CIW), news of Yum! Brands' decision to address the pay and work conditions of its Taco Bell tomato growers in Florida is slowly trickling out. Yum! made the unprecendented announcement back in March (see news story excerpt below). In the event that you believe farmworkers' pay isn't your problem, I'd suggest you think about how much that tomato or strawberry would cost if it was harvested exclusively by legal, English-speaking citizens. I think it's pretty easy to forget where our food comes from. Do you at least agree with me that the Yum! people did a brave thing in (eventually) taking the lead on a contentious issue? If you're interested in contacting other major fast food companies to encourage them to follow Taco Bell's lead, check out the CIW website for form letters.
From a March 2005 CBS News story on the announcement:
MOVIE REVIEW
Okay, the Enron movie is low budget and starts slowly but by the end you're completely hooked. I wondered how this information made it into the book and movie but is not making for a clear cut case in court, but I'm sure these guys have well paid lawyers. The stories behind the highs and lows of Lay, Fastow and especially Skilling are not pretty. Portrayals emphasize dark aspects of their rise and fall--all the more, um, entertaining for a movie. The real feeling by the end, though, is frustration. The movie's comparison of Enron day-traders to participants in the Milgram study is chilling. I wonder at what other organizations or settings such a comparison could be fairly made.
1. eat at Taco Bell
2. see Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
After a nearly four year fight (led by CIW), news of Yum! Brands' decision to address the pay and work conditions of its Taco Bell tomato growers in Florida is slowly trickling out. Yum! made the unprecendented announcement back in March (see news story excerpt below). In the event that you believe farmworkers' pay isn't your problem, I'd suggest you think about how much that tomato or strawberry would cost if it was harvested exclusively by legal, English-speaking citizens. I think it's pretty easy to forget where our food comes from. Do you at least agree with me that the Yum! people did a brave thing in (eventually) taking the lead on a contentious issue? If you're interested in contacting other major fast food companies to encourage them to follow Taco Bell's lead, check out the CIW website for form letters.
From a March 2005 CBS News story on the announcement:
"We recognize that Florida tomato workers do not enjoy the same rights and conditions as employees in other industries, and there is a need for reform," says [Taco Bell's president, Emil] Brolick. "We have indicated that any solution must be industry-wide, as our company simply does not have the clout alone to solve the issues raised by the CIW, but we are willing to play a leadership role within our industry to be part of the solution."
The agreement with the CIW sets up a process for workers to file complaints about their pay or treatment that would be jointly investigated by the coalition and Yum. Yum also agreed to help the coalition set up a strategy to lobby the Florida Legislature for laws requiring better working conditions.
Along with Taco Bell, Yum restaurants include KFC, Pizza Hut, Long John Silver's and A&W All-American Food Restaurants. Yum spokesman Jonathan Blum said the agreement reached with the farm workers does not affect any Yum restaurant besides Taco Bell.
MOVIE REVIEW
Okay, the Enron movie is low budget and starts slowly but by the end you're completely hooked. I wondered how this information made it into the book and movie but is not making for a clear cut case in court, but I'm sure these guys have well paid lawyers. The stories behind the highs and lows of Lay, Fastow and especially Skilling are not pretty. Portrayals emphasize dark aspects of their rise and fall--all the more, um, entertaining for a movie. The real feeling by the end, though, is frustration. The movie's comparison of Enron day-traders to participants in the Milgram study is chilling. I wonder at what other organizations or settings such a comparison could be fairly made.
June 13, 2005
Multiplication
It's that time of year again--people are procreating. All these people who I know or have long known are having babies. Unfortunately, there seems little likelihood of my seeing most of these children (or their beloved parents, for that matter) beyond their diaper years. This might be cynical or pessimistic. I prefer to think of it as rather pathetically realistic. (I'm the pathetic one in this scenario, by the way.)
I say that not because I don't want to see any of them. I love to spend time with my friends, especially in day-to-day life sorts of things. I would love to get to know the offspring of their unique selves. My options for this relationship, however, are rather limited. I think parents feel bad about foisting their child-centered world on child-free people. Add to that the fact that I'm not really a part of most of my friends' day-to-day lives. I'm not religious so godparenting is out. I live in a part of the country where no one is likely to want to visit. I don't get to the coasts all that often and such visits are always rushed. Not to mention the fact that all of these people have plenty of other interests besides me. And my friends probably assume (from a rather well crafted front of myself that I've publicly perpetuated for some time) I might wish nothing to do with children, including theirs. I love kids. For goodness sake, I was a teacher! (Okay, I realize that does not always positively correlate to loving children. Okay, I don't rush over to babies, gaga-ing or pleading to hold them, but I don't think that makes me a baby hater.)
Anyway, the point is, I'd like to assure all friends out there who are procreating that I am more than happy to visit a household with screaming children and listen to tales of junior's traumas and accolades. And in case this hasn't sunk in yet, I actually mean what I say and vice-versa.
I say that not because I don't want to see any of them. I love to spend time with my friends, especially in day-to-day life sorts of things. I would love to get to know the offspring of their unique selves. My options for this relationship, however, are rather limited. I think parents feel bad about foisting their child-centered world on child-free people. Add to that the fact that I'm not really a part of most of my friends' day-to-day lives. I'm not religious so godparenting is out. I live in a part of the country where no one is likely to want to visit. I don't get to the coasts all that often and such visits are always rushed. Not to mention the fact that all of these people have plenty of other interests besides me. And my friends probably assume (from a rather well crafted front of myself that I've publicly perpetuated for some time) I might wish nothing to do with children, including theirs. I love kids. For goodness sake, I was a teacher! (Okay, I realize that does not always positively correlate to loving children. Okay, I don't rush over to babies, gaga-ing or pleading to hold them, but I don't think that makes me a baby hater.)
Anyway, the point is, I'd like to assure all friends out there who are procreating that I am more than happy to visit a household with screaming children and listen to tales of junior's traumas and accolades. And in case this hasn't sunk in yet, I actually mean what I say and vice-versa.
June 10, 2005
Delay tactics
I saw a movie in Tom Delay's district yesterday. I would have preferred not knowing this. Anyway, while driving out there I was listening to the Valley Girl soundtrack (*sigh* amazing as always). Selected songs, actually. There was a time in my life when I felt it necessary to endure every track on an album (those might have been the casette days). And there were times when each song on the album blended into the next or was consistently worthy of listening (those might have been the vinyl days). The CD era falls into neither of those days.
I think growing up means recognizing just how many issues you have and making peace with them. In that sense I am definitely regressing. The loose hairs that trickle down my clothing at all hours of the day and night and then tickle my elbow but are so light and wispy as to be practically invisible, well, they are driving me crazy. I'm sure I look rather batty, suddenly frozen in position then slowly raising an arm to catch the culprit in the act of tickling me, as if by moving I will scare it off and let it get away with its mischief. I become quite determined to find the hair and remove it. Of course, my ensuing actions make no sense whatsoever in alleviating the problem, as I simply toss the hair aside. It floats up again, this time ghost tickling my bare foot or ankle (and believe me, it's much harder to spot the wispy hair against the tan carpet) and the process begins anew. I never see other people having this problem.
School, work, yard, food, exercise..oh dear, I have so much to do. And yet I am so loving reruns of The OC and must get more of it. Maybe a priority problem...probably avoidance. But deliciously fun avoidance. Is that so wrong?
I think growing up means recognizing just how many issues you have and making peace with them. In that sense I am definitely regressing. The loose hairs that trickle down my clothing at all hours of the day and night and then tickle my elbow but are so light and wispy as to be practically invisible, well, they are driving me crazy. I'm sure I look rather batty, suddenly frozen in position then slowly raising an arm to catch the culprit in the act of tickling me, as if by moving I will scare it off and let it get away with its mischief. I become quite determined to find the hair and remove it. Of course, my ensuing actions make no sense whatsoever in alleviating the problem, as I simply toss the hair aside. It floats up again, this time ghost tickling my bare foot or ankle (and believe me, it's much harder to spot the wispy hair against the tan carpet) and the process begins anew. I never see other people having this problem.
School, work, yard, food, exercise..oh dear, I have so much to do. And yet I am so loving reruns of The OC and must get more of it. Maybe a priority problem...probably avoidance. But deliciously fun avoidance. Is that so wrong?
June 05, 2005
Problems
I am way too easily amused. Case in point: This Fresh Ink card cracks me up everytime I read it. Someday I'll find this old cartoon which I call "Need a chicken?" and post it here. I must find it. Anyway...
Problems
Originally uploaded by Hellemic.
Problems
Originally uploaded by Hellemic.
I have this addiction to greeting cards. Unfortunately I'm not as good at mailing as I am at accumulating them. The problem in mailing this one is the inside text: I'm glad I have you for that. No need to mail--the only person who holds the honor of this position lives with me. Maybe I need to get out more.
June 04, 2005
Transitioning
Somehow a blog feels more pretentious than a regular web page. Entries here could be the same as what I posted to the web site, yet this seems so egotistical. Do I need another venue in which to pour my heart out and then sit pitifully waiting for response? Need or not, apparently I want it. So, why are you here? See that little comment link? Click on it.
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