Cancun's in my future -

I do apologize for being away from my blog for so long, as well as barely touching on all this cosmological (and cool). Between working two jobs and preparing for my wedding reception coming up, I've been truly very busy, but I've also been planning for my Honeymoon as well! Yes, I'm playing all these "grown up" games - weddings, honeymoons, wedding receptions - it all feels so surreal at times. Have I really arrived at that destination point in life where I find myself participating in those "milestone events" that I so recently attributed to simply "other people"? I guess so. However, I couldn't be happier about my union with my wife, who also doubles as my best friend (as it should be) - we have traveled the world together, and we continue to do so. So as of tomorrow, our travels will lead us to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, where we'll (very luckily) be able to enjoy some relaxation, as well as take in the ancient Mayan sites of worship. So hopefully, I'll now be able to find some more time to write to the ol' blog, and keep you, intrepid reader, up to date on all things Cosmologically Cool, as well as any other thoughts of an arcane, or random nature. Stay warm, and Happy Holidays!

A new vision of wealth:

MSN Money has posted an astonishing article on a new survey of wealth for individuals in the world - it can be found here: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/News/StudyRevealsOverwhelmingWealthGap.aspx?GT1=8816

I find this astonishing because in the new study, which accounts for actual capital in hand (not equity or land or other various "riches", but pure, cold cash), minus expenses, shows that if you have just $2,100, congratulations - you're wealthier than HALF the people in the world. That's correct, you read that right - if you have a little over 2k in the bank, you're rich. In our world today, roughly 3 billion people live on less than $2 dollars a DAY. Here in America, countless millions spend around $4 just at Caribou Coffee or $tarbuck$ every day on their way to work. What's more, the three richest people (turns out they're men) in the world, with their wealth combined, are wealthier than the poorest 48 nations combined.

What's the point of all this? Simply to put a few things in perspective. For one, we're all now thoroughly wealthier than we think. Two, we certainly don't need as much as we think we do; true, I wouldn't have my fancy new computer to play games on (which I saved up for, by the way, and purchased w/money I had, just like in the olden days, instead of using too-easy-to-abuse credit), but hundreds and hundreds of millions live out their lives daily w/out worrying what "devil" boss of theirs wears Prada, or is sporting a new Lexus LS. Of course, many do not have the proper health care, housing, clothing, or insurance necessary for a life of relatively easy and worry-free living that we in the West enjoy so much, which leads me to: Three, perhaps we can afford to dole out a little more money to the local charity we support (or would like to support) than we think. And remember, this study doesn't take into account our cars, houses, clothing, electronics, diamond rings and earrings, and everything else we've acquired.

Yes, it certainly does matter what country one is born in. Here in America, we're guaranteed a wealthier existence simply because it's America. Even those in poverty are wealthier than many others in foreign. But perhaps now the rest of us can begin to shift some of that unevenness to our fellow humans, certainly here at home, and abroad as well, and help them out financially. Not to help gain them the next iPod, mind you, but perhaps better education, healthcare, clothing, etc., so they in turn will be more capable of taking care of themselves, live in an educated environment, and therefore be able to live sustanably by themselves. I don't necessarily believe that simply giving out piles of cash would do it, of course, but perhaps donating funds to increase public education schools and programs, supporting large revisions of industries (pollution control and renewable energy to name just two) to create jobs, and finding more interesting and constructive ways to utilize our cash flow may be a large step in the right direction.

The Importance of Meetings:

Once again, I find myself back in a world that I was none-too-eager to associate with: the realm of cubicle-land, a.k.a., a typical business office environment. True, this is only a temporary position, and within two months, I shall complete my assignment. What's more, the people I work with at this job are wonderfully laid-back, jovial, outgoing, and help support a friendly, fun-filled environment. Yet, are even these desirable attributes enough to outweight the drudgery that is associated with bleak-colored cubicle walls, ancient computers, and endlessly droning-on meetings?

"The meeting", for those who don't know, is a sight to behold: choose an office meeting room, populated with several large, brown meeting tables, semi-comfortable chairs, and stark-white walls. Add in an old TV and VCR on a stand off in a corner, a whiteboard hanging on one wall, and various unhung, uninspired framed posters leaning upon walls gathering dust, and you can imagine just about every meeting room I've ever had the mis-pleasure of being in.

Every Tuesday and Wednesday at my current position, I join other members of this business in weekly meetings. I see people getting stressed out, worried, and just plain flabbergasted, over human-created bullshit. Ultimately, I suppose one could argue that everythng we discuss, from sociology, cosmology, philosophy, etc. might be human-created "bullshit"; yet I would rather consume my time (at least my employed time) with concepts such as philanthropy, creativity, and helping others, rather than become ried in beaurocratic business BS.

Am I being too harsh on the business world? Perhaps. Do I clearly not have a full understanding of economic complexities? Most assuredly. I'm well aware that "business", at least in the sense that I define it (your typical, "Office Space" world of facsimiles, computers, cubicles, percentages, bottom-lines, continuous growth and expansion, marketing, sales, etc.) keeps most of the world's population employed, and busy. Yet ALSO from the movie "Office Space" comes this nugget of advice: "Human beings weren't meant to sit in a cubicle and stare at a computer for eight hours a day." I truly believe this, and I'll bet most others do too; yet why is it so hard to make another reality so? Why do we insist on continuing a society that is built upon shlepping off to the doldrum's of work for 40, 50, 60+ hours a week, being slaves to reports, share-holders, increasing profit, machines, and business suits, instead of concentrating as en entire society on things like solving the world food crisis, healthcare for all, better housing for all citizens, re-constructing the infrastructure of this country (roads, sewage, etc.) solving the energy crisis, reducing global warming, educating the poor, wiping out illiteracy, discovering clean, renewable energy sources, wiping out terrorist cells, exploring the limits of our solar system, and on and on? Wouldn't any and all of these concentrations provide innumerable opportunities for education and employment for the masses? I know they would.

One of the reasons we continue to remain locked in our own little lives, however, and "putting up" with crap-tacular positions, is to "make money" to cover "our necessities". Unfortunately, in much of the Western world, "necessities" go behind mere clothing, food, shelter, health, and security. "Shelter" becomes defined as several hundred-thousand dollar homes; "security" as a car per family member, and then, large, expensive (and cumbersome) SUV's; "clothing" as designer-wear, costing hundreds each; not to mention (of which I'm most certainly guilty of myself) non-necessary items such as the iPods, gizmos, and gadgets of the world. I'm not decrying that we give them up - I sure don't want to - but to just take a step back, a larger focus on them and about them ("them" being any consumer item) and realize that we don't NEED any of them, and when we do acquire them, let's appreciate them for what they are: a tool to use, to achieve certain entertainment, and that's it; not a replacement for happiness. And, do we need 10, 20, 50 "things", when 8 might be enough?

At any rate, this is what goes through my mind when I sit through meetings. What do you think about?

Workin' my butt off:

Well then -

I have been notoriously absent from my Blog site as of late, and that is due to the fact that I am now working two jobs (it does not rain, it pours), in an attempt to pay off my ever-growing credit card debt, and still make the necessary bills o' life, as it were. Therefore, I find myself completely wiped out in the evening, and so tired, that the thought of even beginning a new blog sends me sprinting away. *sigh* - even now, I grow weary of this simple-minded mush I put forth. *smile*

Well, I promise that I will work harder at finding some more free time, and utilizing it as best I can to produce some of the world's greatest, and most rich Blogging the Internet has ever seen. Impossible? Possibly. Improbable? Probably. But tempting? Indubitably!

Join me soon for more strange stories and cosmologic wonders here at Cosmological Cool.

Tempin'

I've had a dilly of a pickle of a devil of a time lately trying to find me what y'all call a temporary, or "temp" job. I ask myself - "Self, what gives?" It's been a trying situation trying to find out the answer, which, by the way, is quite elusive. I've only been able to determine so far, based purely on empirical evidence, that my superior skills propel me to the upper echelon of employees, and I'm far too qualified for most offerings. Well, either that, or I just plain suck eggs. Or anywhere within that massive spectrum.

It's not fun having a vague sense at best what one should "do" with his or her personal work life. I certainly have experience jobs that I have hated, of course, and that makes the next statement quite easy to achieve: "I know what I DON'T like." But why is it so freakin' hard to choose what one DOES like? Too many options these days to draw the attention span away, I suppose.

Regardless, I'm off topic a bit. Ok, so, temp. work - that glorious world where the employees don't really care about what it is they do, (because it's impermanent), and the employers don't really care about training, or paying a high wage, because - that's correct - it's impermanent. So why even bother with this field? One good reason, of course, is the "temp. to hire" angle, allowing a fairly easy transition from being jobless into having a job, with the notion that said job could turn into a permanent job, possibly even a career. However, for yours truly, who is literally simply looking for temp. only positions for the next eight months, well - you kind of plummet down to the bottom of the proverbial barrel almost immediately.

As of this writing, however, there has been a recent upswing to the whole waiting game. I position has come through, and I begin tomorrow, for the next 90 days. Voila! Could this be it? Could this be the break I've been yearning for?
Um - no. I know what the position is, and it shant be in my future for long. But for now, it's another opportunity for me to roleplay a character within the mad-cap realm of "Office Space" and "The Office". I'll be sure to brush-up on my TPS reports.

The Secret of Success

"I'll tell you the secret to success, young lady - take one thing, anything, and become an expert at it."

The preceding advice is a paraphrased notation in a book I recently read called "Finder: The True Story of a Private Investiagor", in which our lovely protagonist, a woman named Marilyn Greene, receives some free advice from a passer-by stranger while she eats ice-cream on a bench. It's a very gripping book, by the way, and a fast read.

Now then, about the advice - brilliant! Truly, think about it for a moment. Take one thing, ANY "thing", and become an expert at it, and the implication is, you'll be successful. Now, let's assume for argument's sake that we're strictly speaking monetary success here; I'm well aware of the infinite wealth one can find within volunteering, hobbies, friends, spiritual journeys, etc., so let's focus on the aspect of what was surely implied by this gentleman, the "bottom line" of money.

I, for one, cannot think of a more succinct, and undeniably profound statement. Let's consider the implications of it: it might seem easy if you were an airline pilot, or brain surgeon, because by definition, those positions are rare, due to the arduous journey of indepth schooling which takes place, the high cost of personal commitment, and years of practice and interning it requires to reach such lofty jobs - this limits the actual number of pilots and surgeons, leaving a small number of qualified individuals in a surplus of a demanding world. In short, they're going to be able to write their own ticket, and it ain't gonna be cheap (to the employer).

But let's say you're an ice-cream truck driver; all you do for your job is drive around, and sell ice-cream. Pretty boring, you say? Maybe, but let's say the person love it. Yet, is there a chance to become "financially successful" here? Well, maybe - let's take the advice, and become an expert. What that means is, we study everything there is to know about ice-cream, and then some. We learn how it's made; what the ingredients are; where they come from; and the top-selling brands. But the "then some" in our equation stretches a lot farther than we initially think: now, we learn about who produces the ingredients for our ice-cream; is there a shortage coming up? What about a strike - are those employees happy? How's the upcoming weather patterns? Will a long stretch of cooler weather hurt the business? Let's take it further: what's our route? What area produce the most paying customers? Where is the best place to purchase gas? Can our vehicle be adjusted for any further gas mileages, saving money? Can it be spruced up to draw more attention? Are we using the best configuration inside to take advantage of the volume within? How about researching the city's traffic lights? Which ones are the shortest, and where is the least-congested areas of traffic, and how can we work that into our territory?

The point is, to become an expert in anything, there is a lot to learn, and a lot more than what may seem to fit within our job description. So, as dutiful and studious cream sellers that we are, we study, we learn, and we practice. Soon, because of our newly planned route, ingeniously packed service vehicle, exemplary demeanor, and knowledge of all things ice-cream related (to quench the thirst of our question-hungry customers, suppliers, and account executives, naturally) we not only consistently make our monthly quota, we exceed it. This gets us noticed by our supervisor, and we're given an expanded territory. Simply adjusting our mathematical equation, we approach our new size the same way, and after a short while, we're exceeing again. This leads to the notice of our regional manager, which leads to a supervisor position; with this opportunity, we learn more (such as how to manage properly, human resources jargon, etc.), which eventually leads to the regional VP taking a look, and before you know it, we're co-partners of the business. Or, something like that - but you get the idea.

All I have to do now, then, is become an expert in cosmology, and I'm set! See, it's so simple - all my life, I've always loved the stars, but not just astronomy or hard sciences, like the physics and equations behind black holes, neutron stars, or about-to-explode nova's. No, I've also enjoyed the grandness of the universe, the vastness of it, and all the mystery within. That, coupled with humanity's role in the universe (ask me about that, some time), as well as our various philosophies, religions, and societal goings-on. Right. So then, all I need to do is become an expert in science, physics, religion, astronomy, sociology, philosophy, anthropology, and I'm set! Right? Yeah - right...

Except - wait, wait, I ALSO really enjoy computer games! And not only playing them, mind you, but reading about them. And reading about the latest technology that one needs to play them on. This evolving technology, really, because one year eclipses the past's best efforts. So, there it is! I'll just become an expert in all things computer and technology-related, such as polygons, bitmapping, software interfaces, hardware, algorithms, the structure of games, puzzle-related learning...

Yet, hmmm - I seem to recall really enjoying helping people. You know, in many fashions, like volunteering at a soup kitchen, or helping out my local community, perhaps by writing for a local paper or adopting a park. So, I guess, um, wait now, I need to become an expert in philanthropy, and in addition, human psychology and sociology, and...

But wait now, I also love Sci-Fi and Fantasy; ok, read all the top Hugo and Nebula award-winning novels, plus the authors biographies and personal philosophies, and...No, no, wait, I do really and truly love organizing areas, like my office, or garage, or even ethereal places like a computer's hard-drive, folders, and desktop. Ah ha! There, I shall become an expert in all things organizational, and learn the intuitive concept of placement, feng shui, disclutter, organizing principles...

Wait, I didn't even get to higher education, teaching, TEFL, travel writing, creative writing, or air guitar. Ok, if I become a master of all the above, divided by the number of working years I have left, say, 40 at most, divide by the number of seperate categories...

* Sigh * Am I a victim in my own panoply of interests? Mired in my lofty aspirations, shall I become the gent that "apprentice to all, master of none"? Oh, the agony, having the secret to success, but not knowing on which subject to apply it!

Perhaps I shall just become a Master of Blogs. All I have to do is simply read every single blog in existence, in addition to practicing writing and updating my own, and I shall achieve success!

Excuse me - I have some reading to do.

The Console Wars continue

So, Nintendo has recently released their latest console entertainment system, the Wii (pronounced "we"), and next week, Sony will release the much ballyhooed, greatly jeered, and soon-to-be-tested PlayStation 3 system. This after about a year's worth of Microsoft's Xbox360 being on the market, allowing itself to gain a powerful share of the fans, and units sold.

For the Wii, it will be backwards compatible for all GameCube systems, even offering expansion slots to plug in that system's controllers. Sony, meanwhile, will be compatible with all previous PS 2 titles, and I believe most of PS 1 titles as well, though clearly, these old titles will be limited by their programming at the time, and will not be able to take advantage of the new processor inside the PS 3.

I myself am a PC gaming fan, and always will be - that is my platform of choice. Though it must be mentioned, I do have a PS 1, original Nintendo, and even a Super NES, hooked up to a TV in my den. What can I say, I'm a sucker for the classics, and to be honest, I prefer those old games, and most notibly, old CONTROLLERS, to the new systems. And if I needed to choose, I suppose I'd pick the Wii out of all three, simply because it's the one that would be nearest to my heart. However, my true allegience rests with the personal computer - there's just too much customization, graphics power, and expansion to be ignored. It is the superior gaming platform for First Person Shooters, strategy, and role-playing games, and across the board for graphics and physics processing. I don't play sports or racing.

However, come these next few weeks, you may be finding yourself staring at some brand-new, comparatively different-priced consoles and asking yourself, "Yee gads, whichever do I choose?"

Choose wisely, my friend - choose wisely.

The Old Man and the Diner

What can make the heart ache for a stranger? What is it about those moments in a person's life, arriving completely unexpectedly, that make you stop hard, as if a wave of arctic water suddenly and forcefully washed over your entire being, sucking the very breathe from your body? These moments make you take stock of your life, the way you live, what you say to others, where you spend your money next, or even, occasionally, to gaze slowly down to the plate of hot, freshly-prepared food in front of you, making you feel superbly appreciative of it, yet guilty for it, at the same time.

I experienced such a moment just the other night, sitting inside Mickey's Diner. It's a classic joint, situated in downtown St. Paul, MN, and has been there on its corner since the mid-1930's. An elongated box-car of sorts, it seats perhaps 30 people max, and has long since become worn and faded throughout its 24-hour-a-day operation cycle, and 7 decades of patronage. When you walk in, you immediately feel the oldness of the place, the stories embedded within the scuffed and marked tile floor, or the greasy, stained, faded red walls of the interior. In short, it's just the sort of place to go for a bowl of Mulligan stew and chocolate malt, which we did, last Saturday evening.

It was the first time I had ever been in Mickey's Diner. A prominent fixture of the town, this iconic landmark has made its way into the National Registry of Historical Sites, as well several major feature films, and yet, it was the first time I had ever dined there last Saturday. That's when I saw him.

Seated at the diner's counter, upon the last stool to the right, and a mere two feet from me, was an elderly man, I'm estimating in his mid to late 70's, resting silently on his old, simple seat. This was a Saturday night, 8:10 to be exact, and here was this fellow, incredibly skinny, with long, thin, wispy hair down to his shoulders, white and streaked with strands of gray, hunched over at the neck from years of existence, staring down into his cup of coffee. His rough, wrinkled pink hands clasped each other upon his smart, smooth gray slacks, and slowly rubbed back and forth. He sat there, silently, alone, and wore a faded sport jacket, brown in tone, along with his slacks, and perfect wingtip dress shoes, all from another era. I wondered just how long he had been there.

As I turned back to my wife, we both thought the same thing: "Is he all alone? Does he have any family, or friends? Can he afford only a cup of coffee, if even that?" These questions rang hollow through my mind, as I slowly cut and ate my egg and ham sandwich, and slurping down my malt. As I turned back, I noticed that this gentleman had not stirred, not moved his bearded head up once, but continued to stare silently into his coffee, quietly, and rubbing those aged, worn hands.

I wanted to go up to him, ask if everything was alright, ask if I could buy his meal, but then realized, he didn't have a meal; what's more, who was I to suggest such a thing? After all, he didn't look destitute, necessarily; he simply dressed from another time, perhaps from when the diner itself was a newly-minted business. But it wasn't so much his finances that concerned me; it was his absence of any company, his dress, and his manner. I thought, perhaps this is his evening out, and that to him, this was socializing, by dressing up in his finest, and sitting alone with other diners, never talking, only sitting, staring, head down, and soaking up this cold, Saturday night in Minnesota winter. And that was the moment when my heart felt very heavy.

What should we do in times like this? Why even feel like we must do anything? After all, this is a stranger, and there's no reason to butt into his or her business. But perhaps, just perhaps, that's all that this person wants - someone, anyone, to "butt in", become a warming stranger, and say Hello. Perhaps ask about the diner, what's good to eat here, implying that he's a regular customer; maybe just to ask for the time - anything to make contact. I don't know what it is about me, but the solitude of this patron really affected me in a deep and passionate way. Would I be the one to say something this time?

As the evening wore on, and we had completed our meals, we discovered that this gentlemen did at least know the friendly, vociferous staff. He was offered several refills on his coffee, which would cause him to smile pleasantly, nod, and mutter "Thank you". Later, I heard, "Would you like a doughnut now, Paul?" Paul - that's his name. And Paul said yes, he would like that doughnut now. It made me smile, but also feel strangely uncomfortable - would that doughnut be his dinner? I didn't dwell on it long.

We paid our bill, and as I prepared to leave my musings, I found myself passing by my subject, where I gently tapped him on the shoulder and said, as he turned to me, "Have a good night, Paul." He smiled then too, cracking his white beard into a wide, toothy grin, and said, "Yes, thank you. You too."

And I did.