Category: Popular Culture
Updated on August 19, 2011
Wovon Sollen Wir Träumen – Frida Gold
Wovon Sollen Wir Träumen – Frida Gold
Today, we travel to Germany for “Finnish Friday” and explore the music of Frida Gold. I’m not fluent in German, but I did muddle my way through three years of it in High School. Surprisingly, I do have a somewhat of a decent vocabulary. But when you never use it, it becomes challenging to understand conversation. Clicking on a German video every so often helps me practice and see how much I remember.
Frida Gold is the name of a quartet featuring the vocal talents of Alina Süggeler. This is my favorite song/video, but they have a second I enjoy as well called Zeig Mir Wie Du Tanzt (Show Me How You Dance).
Updated on August 19, 2011
Baden-Baden – Chisu
Chisu – Baden-Baden
I once worked for a Finnish company which provided me the opportunity to travel there on four different occasions. The country is beautiful and I got to see it in each season. Finnish history and culture were both very interesting, and the language is quite unique as well. I also enjoyed the music. So on slow days, I search out what is popular in Finland and sometimes share it with friends. I call it Finnish Fridays.
My search has now expanded throughout Europe. I have always wanted to be a polyglot and really do enjoy when I come across a talented artist or good song and/or video that may not be known in the US.
Updated on August 19, 2011
Writing For Women
As Per The Experts
Today, I received some training on how to effectively communicate with women. Naturally, this got me thinking. My readers are mostly women, so that must be why there are so few comments on my blogs – I’m not writing for my audience and you ladies just don’t understand me.
With that in mind, I will apply the following suggestions I learned today to all future blogs:
1. I will no longer focus on women’s likes and dislikes. Instead I will speak to your desires, needs and long term goals.
Posted on March 9, 2011
Melissa Mars
I have always enjoyed other cultures and music. Even if I don’t understand the lyrics completely, if it is a good song, or an entertaining video, I like it.
Foreign languages have also been a hobby of mine. I am not fluent in any particular one. Well, I guess I do OK with English. I studied German for three years in high school. I took French one semester in college, as well as a half year of French in 7th grade as part of an advanced studies course. I have also had to work with many translators and foreign coworkers (Finnish, Japanese etc) over the years, so picking up a few words here and there has been pretty common. But mastery has alluded me. But I still like to try and decipher the meanings of songs I like.
Updated on January 30, 2022
Thou Shalt Not Wear Short Skirts
When Religion Goes Bad
I was doing some research for a writing project based on Psalm 22. This is the Psalm quoted by Jesus on the cross. In it, David, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, vividly reveals in precise detail some of the events surrounding the crucifixion of Christ. This is centuries before the actual event and hundreds of years before crucifixion was even widely practiced. It is an amazing Psalm, but I digress a bit.
I came across a sermon that was quite good. But then, a third of the way through, the preacher goes off on a tangent on girls wearing short skirts, revealing attire, makeup, dancing etc. I stopped at that point.
Updated on August 6, 2013
How To Buy A Mattress
I have had the pleasure of selling mattresses for almost a decade. I tell customers that I sell sleep, not mattresses. What I mean by that statement is I sell based on the Golden Rule – treat people the way I wanted to be treated. How does that work in practice?
I do not lie. If there is way to solve their sleeping challenge other than buying a new mattress, I would share that with them in a heartbeat. I always put the customer’s needs first.
I do not play pricing/discounting games. Everyone should pay the same low price. I do not work at the bazaar in some 3rd world country. I am a professional at matching customers with the correct sleeping solution. If there is a comparable mattress for less at a competitor, a will gladly beat the price. That is the only legitimate reason for discounting
I never sold a mattress because it made me more money. This is the most annoying practice in the industry. Some salespeople will push certain models/brands because they earn higher commissions. If my $200 queen set, that earns me nothing, truly is the best solution for you, I will be happy to sell it to you.
Having said all that, let’s examine the most common challenges people face with mattresses:
Poor Alignment – This can be the result of a mattress that is too soft, excessive body impressions, lack of support, or all of the above. If you are waking up with lower back pain, this is most likely the result of poor alignment. The only real solution is a new mattress. You might be able to prolong the life, by flipping it (if it is older than 6 years it might be two-sided) or by rotating. Always rotate a new mattress BTW. This will prolong the life of any innerspring mattress. Simply turn it from head-to-toe about every 3 months.
Pressure Points – If you find yourself tossing and turning throughout the night, or if you have excessive pain in your hip or shoulders, or if you find that an arm or leg gets numb during the night, your mattress is too hard. Adding a foam topper may be a short term fix, but a low quality one may not help.
Body Impressions/Sagging – When comfort layers compress and stay compressed, it is called a body impression. If the “valley” is greater than 1.5″ and the mattress is under warranty, file a warranty claim. This is the least expensive route. Measure from the natural mattress surface into the deepest valley while nobody is in the bed.
If you find you must purchase a new mattress, here are some things to consider.
#1 – Do not shop expecting to pay what you paid 10 years ago – Everything goes up in price over time – mattresses included. What you got for $1,000 in 1990, is probably closer to $2,000 now. Manufacturers have continued to “cut corners” to keep some low price points, but that has naturally lowered the quality of those mattresses. Some examples of cost cutting – no more box springs (they use platform boxes), one-sided mattresses, zoned foam etc.
#2 – Ignore XX% off or WAS pricing– It does not matter what they tell you was the original price or that it is 90% off today only, the only thing that matters is the bottom line price.
#3 – If you find a good salesperson, they are worth every penny of commission they earn– A mattress salesperson that can walk you through the process of fitting you for the right mattress is priceless. If you have to work with Ed the used car salesman turned mattress guy, who “has a coupon” or has to “call my supervisor for approval” you will not get the correct mattress. Find someone who is knowledgeable and milk them for all they have.
#4 – Visit at least two mattress stores – If you find the correct mattress, visit a competitor and have them show you similar products. I would not necessarily start trying new brands or repeat the process. If you are confident you have found the right brand/model, stay focused. The salesperson may be simply trying to confuse you and sow seeds of doubt. However, if you have not found the right mattress at the first stop, you may need to try other brands and go through the process all over.
#5 – If your salesperson is fixated on prices and budget, they are not helping
Updated on February 7, 2011
Awareness Awareness Day
Awareness Awareness Day
Call me a cynic, you probably will, but I get a chuckle when I see these wristbands or “awareness bracelets”. Yea, I understand it makes the wearer feel better about him/herself and possibly raises some awareness for a noble cause. But it just seems like another feeble attempt of symbolism over substance. Sure there might be a small donation made to Breast Cancer Awareness(pink band), but I doubt it. More than likely it is just another act of slacktivisim. A word created by combining activisim with slacker. Although I would love to claim credit for coining this term, alas I cannot. But it is a perfect description of this practice.
But one must wonder, if you see someone from a distance and they are wearing a green wristband what do they support? Is it rainforest preservation? Or maybe they support the US Army? Quite possibly they would like to see cannabis legalized? Perhaps they want you to donate your organs or give to Tsunami relief?
Maybe a loved one suffers from Ovarian cancer or Kidney Disease? They could have just attended the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince release night. Maybe they are a member of the German Green Party? Or they just refuse to forget the Srebrenica Genocide? They could be pro hunting or pro ecology. Its all just so confusing.
Consider the red wristband. You could be a supporter of the Labour Party, the Socialist Party or Republicans. You could be for AIDS or Multiple Sclerosis Awareness, a supporter of the American Heart Association or American Red Cross. Perhaps you are never going to forget the Armenian Genocide, or were a big fan of Pat Tillman? Maybe you are a Christian, or against child abuse or just plain MADD. UNICEF may be an awesome organization in your mind or maybe you are an anti-smoking Nazi.
Or maybe you are a Boston Red Sox, Montreal Canadiens or Extreme Championship Wrestling fan. You could really screw with people’s perception of you with just a simple red wristband. Hmmmmm.
Now I can’t forget the “awareness bracelets” kissing cousin, the ribbon now can I? You know the ribbons that celebrities insist on wearing at those obnoxious awards ceremonies. They are just as confusing, with ribbons supporting everything from AIDS awareness to Native American Reperations to freedom for former Soviet Republics. What’s a good concientious, self-absorbed, celebrity to do? Decisions. Decisions.
One more related topic – the dreaded awareness months, weeks and days. We all know that February is African-American History month and March is Women’s History Month.
Hispanic Heritage doesn’t get a calendar month. Instead they get 30 days from mid-September through mid-October. The Jews celebrate their heritage in April while Asian-Americans get the month of May along with Older Americans. The Irish get a week in March – guess which one? German-Americans only rate one day in October. I guess beer and bratwurst is only good one day a year. American Indians get the month of November which includes Thanksgiving which somehow seems appropriate. Although I couldn’t really say why.
December is Drunk and Drugged Driving Month – for raising awareness and prevention of course. Shouldn’t it also be Christian Heritage Month? I guess they are not enough of a disadvantaged group quite yet.
June is Black Music Month and also Home Ownership Month. I guess a White Rappers Month is out of the question – talk about an oppressed minority!
National Condom Week is celebrated in February. It would seem December would be a better fit with all the drunk and drugged driving going on. But since December is so busy with Safe Toys and Gifts Month and National Handwashing Awareness Week maybe its better if it stays in February. Although April is Alcohol Awareness Month AND Sexual Assault Awareness Month – maybe we’ve found a perfect home for condom week!
In an odd twist, Poison Prevention Week comes in March along with National School Breakfast Week. However, in a rather bold move, Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month is not until April.
And now the long awaited conclusion.
Many of these are important causes and I will not belittle anyone who is or has experienced any these diseases or conditions. But come on. There are just way too many of these awareness months/weeks/days. So here is the solution. We have one Awareness Awareness Day. We celebrate/mourn/learn all about everything on this day while wearing all our ribbons and wristbands. I think then, the world would truly be a better place.
But what about the other 364 days you might ask. We could actually DO something to help the world be a healthier, happier place!
Originally published October 2006.
Updated on February 7, 2011
Suggestions For Earth Day!
Suggestions For Earth Day!
As luck would have it, today is Earth Day, that wonderful day we celebrate the planet instead of its Creator. Al Gore be praised!
To help you make the most of this glorious day, here are some suggestions on how to make the most of it.
10. Vladimir Lenin’s Birthday – To celebrate Earth Day, and the birthday of Vladimir Lenin (one of the most ruthless socialists ever), whose 100th birthday just by pure coincidence fell on the first Earth Day in 1970, make a batch of no-bake cookies. Remember we don’t want to “waste” any energy today, so better do the no-bake kind. Decorate them with a red hammer and sickle in honor of Lenin!
9. Day Without Lights – Go the whole day without lights, music, cooking or computer. Sit in the dark and contemplate how much better your life would be if Al Gore ruled the world.
8. Build a Birdhouse out of Trash – Why send your trash to some landfill to break down into fertilizer for future generations. Grab the wastebasket, and put your creative ability to work making a home for the birds. Remember, this must be done in the dark.
7. Al Gore’s Words of Wisdom – We can’t watch Al Gore’s film An Inconvenient Truth without power, but we can quote Al Gore’s words of wisdom repeatedly. Here are a few to get you started:
Future generations may well have occasion to ask themselves, “What were our parents thinking? Why didn’t they wake up when they had a chance?”
I’m Al Gore, I used to be the next president of the United States of America.
It’s important to rescue the frog.
Should we prepare for other threats besides terrorists?
I don’t really consider this a political issue, I consider it to be a moral issue.
We have here a scales that balances two different things. On one side, we have gold bars! Mmmmmm, don’t they look good? I’d just like to have some of those gold bars. Mmmmm. On the other side of the scales… um… THE ENTIRE PLANET! Hmmmm…
Updated on February 26, 2011
A Very Special Christmas Blog
A Very Special Christmas Blog
One of my favorite holiday movies is It’s A Wonderful Life. I’ve probably watched it 50 times and it never grows old. If you’ve never seen it, or just forgot the story, it involves a man named George Bailey. Now George has always wanted to do great things. But throughout his life, circumstances have caused him to settle for what he believes is a less than a wonderful life.
The pivotal moment comes when he is faced with a financial loss that will destroy his business and family. As he sits on the bridge considering suicide, an angel named Clarence intercedes to save his life. Since George thinks he is a failure, Clarence gives him the opportunity to see what his community would be like if he had never been born.
The next several scenes reveal that his quaint little town of Bedford Falls has turned into Pottersville, a crime-ridden cesspool full of depressed drunks. At first, George thinks it a trick, but as he retraces his life he sees the impact he has had on so many lives.
For example, Harry, his kid brother who he saves as a child, is dead because George wasn’t there to save him. As a result, hundreds of sailors die when Harry is not there to shoot down the plane that was attacking their ship.
The repercussions of George’s absence ripple throughout the entire community. It becomes obvious that George has touched almost every life in Bedford Falls and he begins to realize the difference he has made.
In the closing scene, he prays to live again and returns home to find the entire 
community rallying to his rescue. If the final scene doesn’t bring tears of joy to your eyes, you aren’t human.
I bring this story up because like George, I have been up on that bridge a few times in my life. One of my angels was my mother, who on more than one occasion was compelled to wake up and enter God’s thrown room and pray for her son without knowing exactly what was happening in my life. But she would not stop until she had divine assurance that I was safe.
Statistics show that contrary to popular belief, there are not more suicides during the holidays. But this season can be depressing for some. It does seem ironic that on the night we celebrate God giving us His very best, demonstrating beyond any doubt His profound love for us, that anyone would consider their life a failure. But it does happen.
If you know someone that has experienced a loss of a loved one, divorce, financial hardship, or just having a tough time, make sure you let them know that they are loved, both by you and by God. Tell them the profound difference that they have made in your life and that the world is a much better place with them in it.
Just like Clarence helped George realize how important his life really was, you may make a difference in someone’s life. They may be standing on that bridge and the only angel they have is you. Give them the same gift that God gave us on that first Christmas over 2,000 years ago. Give them your love. There is no greater gift than this.
And please know that I love and appreciate all of you! You are all very special to me. Thanks for being my friend!
And I know its not PC, but….
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!
Originally published December 2006.
Updated on February 11, 2011
A Tribute To Audrey
A Tribute To Audrey
It wasn’t until later in life when I began to appreciate older films. It does seem at times like you’re watching a 90 minute smoking commercial with the proliferation of scenes with people puffing away and long dramatic moments involving close-ups of actors lighting their cigarettes. Otherwise, they are generally well acted and entertaining.
With the proliferation of cable television and nostalgic stations like AMC and TCM, there are many opportunities to watch and enjoy the great films around the clock. I especially like the weekends that are dedicated to one specific actor.
One of the actresses that I’ve grown to really admire is Audrey Hepburn. Audrey was born in Europe and lit up the screens in such classic films as Roman Holiday, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Charade, My Fair Lady, and Sabrina.
She was a beautiful woman with natural talent, but also someone who truly cared about those less fortunate. She took 
a special interest in helping underprivileged children in Africa and was a special ambassador for UNICEF.
Even after her death, her legend lives on. In 1999, the American Film Institute named the top 25 female actors of all time. Audrey Hepburn was number 3 on the list.
The following beauty tips were reportedly given by Audrey Hepburn. Unfortunately, I have not been able to confirm her as the source. In any event, they still accurately reflect the character of a truly remarkable woman.
Audrey Hepburn Beauty Tips
Updated on February 6, 2011
Why Do Americans Love Reality TV?
Why Do Americans Love Reality TV?
I must confess, I do not watch much television anymore. There are many reasons for this: lack of interest, too busy, better things to do, and most importantly, television is just plain bad.
The latest truly bad fad to litter the airways is known as reality TV. The concept is fairly simple, put “ordinary” people in awkward situations so we can all laugh at what transpires. What about this attracts viewers is beyond me. I assume it appeals to the same part of the brain that causes us to stop and stare at car wrecks and fires.
But these shows are getting 15 and 20 million viewers tuning in each week to watch another installment of their favorite train wreck. You can’t blame the networks for continuing to churn out this mess. They give the people what they want.
The show concepts vary and I will examine a few of the common types:
1. Dating/matchmaking – One of the older types of reality shows has as its roots in the early dating and newlywed game shows. Although they rarely strayed beyond a little naughty innuendo. The new reality hybrids take it up a notch or two. They get some guy or girl and have them select from a multitude of suitors. There are of course many variations of the same theme. Sometimes the parents are involved, sometimes the audience even gets to vote on who they like best.
With the cameras rolling and America watching, the “courtship” begins. After several weeks of squeezing every rating point out of this nightmare, all of America holds its collective breath waiting to see which contestant was selected. Of course the relationship is a sham and falls apart in the pages of the tabloids a few weeks later. The network PR hacks give each other a high five and move on to the next episode.
And in a really bizarre twist of this theme, the producers even lie to contestants telling them that the man they are competing for is a millionaire. I don’t know what’s worse, having women competing for someone who is rich, or a man willing to live this lie in front of the entire country. Truly bizarre.
2. Real Life – Let me just say this, anyone that desires to spend any time watching the life of Ozzy, or Anna Nichole, or any other combination of celebrities or celebrity wannabes, needs to immediately seek professional help. These are just bad. I had the misfortune of watching part of an episode at a friend’s home. It is not funny. It is not amusing. It is sad, bordering on pathetic. You might as well visit a mental hospital and laugh at the patients.
3. Extreme Game Shows – These reality shows take the basic game show to new heights of absurdity. Placing individuals in “life-threatening situations” or under great duress for the amusement of millions of couch potatoes. It reminds me of the great gladiator fights of ancient Rome, but I digress.
Again the basic theme has many variations. Stick the contestant on an island and make him/her compete to see who is the last person standing. Or make them eat bugs or participate in some dangerous stunt to win the prize. The allure of 15 minutes of fame and a little cash must be a big motivator.
4. The Talent Shows – Or in some cases, the lack of talent is berated by some pseudo-celebrity to the delight of the audience. The original talent shows were a great way for someone to get noticed and break into the business. But now they have evolved into grotesque freak shows with judges who relish the opportunity to criticize the contestants.
And they are not all just about talent. There are some shows that require no talent at all. The celebrity has-been judges vote on which contestant is the sexiest. Maybe the networks will let the audience vote the least talented judges off the panel. We can only hope.
I guess I am a skeptic at heart. People are not themselves in front of cameras and microphones. I also know that the producers could risk huge lawsuits in the event anyone was hurt or otherwise mistreated. Its hard for me to believe for one second that these shows are not carefully scripted, rehearsed and edited for viewing. And even if they weren’t, normal people don’t behave the way the reality shows portray them. If they did, nobody would watch them. Again, I submit that people watch them precisely to see the train wreck happen. Which in itself is really sad.
So next time you find yourself wanting to watch a reality show. Consider doing something else like:
1. Read a good book
2. Call up an old friend or distant relative
3. Go to the gym, exercise or join a sports league
4. Volunteer somewhere
5. Meet a friend for dinner
Originally published January 2000.
