Thursday, September 18, 2008

Stick it to the Mon...

Are monopolies legal? Last time I checked they weren't - and not that kitchen basics are of real concern in the grand scheme of an economy with a national deficit numbering BILLIONS - but I made an observation today that I'd like to share...

In trying to stock our kitchen and remain budget conscious, my spouse and I have opted to purchase needed "staples" a couple items at a time, tagging them onto our weekly list of groceries. It allows us to build up our storehouse without exhausting our bank account.

This week's addition: Cocoa Powder. Now, I'm almost positive that when I lived in Columbus, Ohio, I was able to buy a generic brand of Cocoa. However, in the last few weeks, I've had trouble finding anything but a name brand. Finally making my bi-monthly run to Wal-Mart, I felt confident that I would be able to feast my eyes on a Great Value version of cocoa. Yet, to my shock and amazement, there was none to be found. Literally, Nestle and Hershey's are the ONLY options available on the shelf. It was the same madness I had found in every other Florida store.

Upon perusal of online grocery stores and after multiple Google searches, I have come to the conclusion - be it true or false - that the less-than-satisfactory chocolate companies in our nation have played a dirty trick on us. Honestly, if their products aren't really even going to taste like something worth spending more on, couldn't they at least provide an opportunity for cheaper brands to have a little competition???

And yet, when all is said and done - because we are TRUE CONSUMERS and therefore respond to Supply and Demand principles - the end of my story is ironically contrary to my opinion:

I BOUGHT NESTLE for $4.00

Darn!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Future-ama

Back in 2000, I had the privilege of fulfilling a childhood dream of visiting Disney World Orlando, with my entire immediate family (Father, Mother, Sister). We spent nearly a week in all four parks and saw EVERYTHING, even the rides that most would label as "lame." Among those experiences most-remembered was the famous "Spaceship Earth," at Epcot.

Originally opened in 1982, this "people-mover" ride - complete with narration and animatronics - is enclosed inside the large, ball that identifies the park itself. When first ridden, I was underwhelmed by the experience, valuing it as merely a walk through time and a legitimizing of the overall DISNEY EXPERIENCE. It's concepts were dates, as well as its technology and I remember wondering how long it would survive, in light of so many other new attractions.

Well, my curiosity was quenched yesterday, as I revisted this historic site, this time with my new husband. Disney recently re-invented the ride, installing personal, interactive computer screen into each moving pod. Dame Judy Dench now narrates and the storyline has been altered from that of technology's progress to the evolution of the world's modes of communication.

At the very end of the ride, while being slowly moved down the far wall of the globe's interior, each computer screen asks its pilots to answer a series of questions, while inputting personal information. The result - after the addition of a quick digital photo snap - is a personalized FUTURE. Though I could express my feelings about our outcome, I think I will let the image speak for itself and leave you with this:

Should my spouse grow a ponytail and take up Tai Kwon Do?

...

Friday, September 12, 2008

RESUMPTION and REBIRTH

here i am once more, not as i was formerly known - however - as i am now presently addressed under a new surname.

still, my mind functions relatively similarly, as does my heart, though both are now taken up by the other half of myself: my dearest husband:)

in other news: elections, tropical storms, and examination of purpose.

let's begin with the one that is ironically the easiest for me to explore...ELECTIONS. at present, we have 53 days until american citizens are able to cast their vote toward the next leader of the free world. with too many topics up for grabs when considering this extremely passionate subject, let me to this alone: we HAVE to begin educating ourselves on the issues most important in this life. it is not about getting hung-up or distracted by those "platforms" to which we've so long bent a knee. would it be easier with more choices for parties? certainly. but, at present, that is not an option. so, bottom line? we must all do our best to weed through the absurdly biased opinions and BS to which we are numb to subjugation and seek the heart of G-d for a decision that will best serve our families, our nation, and our world for the next four years. it's muddy and no one is PERFECT for the job, but someone's gotta do it and it's better to just pick and be confident for yourself. let's stop arguing about the in between.

TROPICAL STORMS. huh. never thought i'd see the day when i would even pay attention to these guys, unless they hit Andrew or Katrina-like power, being that i'm shamelessly a Northern Girl. yet, as i now find myself a Floridian, or at least married to one and here until further notice, i'm waking up to realities that are no longer a distant story in the news. these puppies affect my weather now...crazy how we so frequently remain blind until we're affected. it's kinda sick, really, but we're only human and we come by this ignorance honestly. i am aware this year of exactly how many storms have occurred, thus far, what they're named, and what path they've travelled. i think i may reconsider my life calling and contemplate meteorology. nah...

though, that does bring me to today's final point: PURPOSE. what is mine, or more specifically in this present season: what is ours, meaning the husband and me??? this is the question we've all asked ourselves multiple times, but whenever we enter new realms of life and understanding, it is not uncommon to re-ask, trying to grasp how it is supposed to look, feel, and breathe inside new dimensions and circumstances. hence, we're asking again in order to clarify our NEXT STEP. we're not interested in wasting time or energy on the wrong thing. so, we wait. a good place to be at, whenever i recall the leaders that have gone before us. it is the great ones that were willing to intentionally pursue, without concern for time or opinion. so, we lean on the ONE TO WHOM WE CLING and trust HIS VOICE ALONE for answering these questions that sometimes seem clear and sometimes carry fog. what will the response be this time, O GREAT KING?

we are ever changing...