Things I've Noticed

Quick Quote on Millennials

"Millennials feel like they're entitled... to a future."

+ Atul

On Being Offended, Who Has A Right to Be and A Right Not To Be

Humans will always have prejudices and biases against others who are not like themselves.  It’s in our nature from infancy.  We can try to eliminate it for adults, and the situation is getting better, but it doesn’t look like it will ever go away completely.  Many recent events in the world continue to bring our differences to the forefront.  We have had unjustified shootings of blacks by police, the Rebel flag coming down at government buildings as a result of shootings at a black church, ISIS and anti-Muslim sentiment, anti-immigration feelings against Hispanics.  The internet is full of hatred and vitriol from all sides and it’s getting out of hand.  We all have opinions and the internet  and social media give each of us a worldwide soapbox.  What gets me is how people are offended for themselves, offended for others and how others think the people being talked about have no right to be offended.  I’m writing this blog post to say that taking offense is the right of the object of the conversation, not anybody else and definitely not the originator of the potentially offensive thought.

Quick Quote on Celebrities and Fans

"Celebrities should appreciate their fans more than fans appreciate celebrities.  Celebrities don’t exist without fans whereas fans do exist without celebrities."

+Atul

Experience It While You Still Can

For there to be birth, there must be death and destruction.  That is a basic tenet of Hinduism and explains the fact that everything can’t exist forever.  This holds true for man-made objects as well as things in nature.  I have been fortunate to have visited quite a few amazing places but there are many more to be seen.  We all have a bucket list and I urge all of you to see and experience what's on your list as soon as you can, before the items are gone.  In 2001, the beautiful towering Buddhas of Bamiyan statues in Afghanistan were dreadfully destroyed by the Taliban.  Nobody can see them now and nobody in 2000 expected them to be gone forever a year later.  I visited the World Trade Center when it was still standing and I’ve been to the Taj Mahal and Niagara Falls.  Who knows what could happen tomorrow?  The 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Honshu, Japan is proof of the instantantaneous destructive power that nature possesses.  But man often destroys nature.

Quick Quote on Multitasking

"Multitasking is training for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD.)"

+ Atul

Every Possible Facebook Post Fits One of These 37 Types

I am on Facebook perhaps a bit too much these days and I've realized that even though I like to see what my Facebook friends are up to, I've realized that our posts are all pretty much typical.  I'm guilty of posting many of these types but this list should make you think.  Are there any types of posts I"m missing?  Which type do you find most annoying?  Please respond in the comments section.  Hope you enjoy it.  I'm pretty sure you'll be able to relate.

1. Look at what I did.
2. See what I bought.
3. My life is so great or I am so blessed.
4. I can’t believe this company I bought something from did that to me.
5. I support a cause and if you do, share this post.
6. This is my opinion and I am right.
7. Please visit my site or buy this thing I’m selling.
8. This just happened in the world or in my life.
9. Look at what my kid or pet has been up to.
10. If you Like this, I’ll get something.
11. I have a personal problem and need sympathy.
12. Watch this funny video.
13. I’m listening to this band, you should too.
14. Can somebody help me with something?
15. My relationship / marriage / baby ownership status has changed.
16. My profile picture or background picture has changed.
17. I just played a game on Facebook.
18. I am going to an event.
19. Look at my pictures of something or an event in my life and see who I was with.
20. Read this funny line I thought of.
21. This quote represents me.
22. I’m doing something really insignificant but I thought I’d let you all know.
23. Look where I am.
24. I need ideas for something to buy or a place to go.
25. Something about work sucks.
26. I used this website.
27. Go team or my team sucks.
28. I read this article.
29. Check out this cool new thing / idea I discovered.
30. I miss my deceased friend, relative or pet.
31. I am about to go do something fun.
32. Why do people do certain things?
33. I like somebody else’s status or photo so I'm sharing it.
34. I am posting this picture so that you can tell me how great I look or what a good picture it is.
35. I can’t wait for something that’s going to happen soon.
36. I really appreciate somebody in my life.
37. I'm quitting Facebook for a little bit of time for some reason.

+ Atul

Deaths of Famous People Shouldn’t Surprise Us Anymore

Phyllis Diller, Tony Scott, Gore Vidal, Sherman Hemsley, Sally Ride, Whitney Houston and many other people who are household names died this year and it’s not even September.  I fell into the trap of being surprised when I hear of such deaths and then I realized I shouldn’t. 

Knowing What to Do When Walking Towards People Is Tough

It’s needed on a daily basis, but I don’t ever remember my parents or any of my teachers explaining to me proper etiquette on what to do when I walk towards people passing in the opposite direction.  I’ve grown up and developed my own habits but there is nothing to validate that I am right or wrong.  In the street, we all pass by strangers.  Sometimes we look at them and sometimes we don’t.  It all depends on the situation, the vibe, and what the person looks like. 

Your State of Being Can Depend on Your State of Residence

I’ve written about cities people live in and the cool factor.  There is much to consider with respect to the culture, scene, and people.  But major laws that affect our lives tend to go with the state we live in.  Recent news has reminded me of how important this is.  Events such as forced examinations for pregnant women, the shooting of Trayvon Martin versus vigilante gun laws, and laws such as the death penalty are all ones that could either directly affect us or contradict our own philosophical principles.

Do Bad Habits A Better Way

I would guess that 50% of the people who made New Year’s Resolutions are still going strong.  The others have already succumbed to lack of discipline or temptation.  Outside of not following through on resolutions, we all do things we shouldn’t do (often while chiding others for doing them).  But these habits can be done in a way that is less dangerous, less harmful, and therefore less detrimental to society.  I’m here to give some ideas on how to lessen the effects of bad habits (only if you’re already practicing these).  I’m not advocating taking up these bad habits if you are not doing so already.  (My lawyer made me write that).

For instance, we all know texting and driving is dangerous but many people do it.  I would guess that most accidents from texting and driving occur because the person texting looks away for too long and in a busy situation.  The answer here is to only look away and type what 2 seconds allows at a time, hold the phone closer to driving line of sight and most importantly, don’t text when there is a lot of traffic around or on a 2-lane road where it would be easy to merge into oncoming traffic.  Don’t even try when somebody could stop suddenly in front of you and never if pedestrians or cyclists may be around.

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As for eating unhealthy food, try only doing it when it’s free or after you’ve worked out or eaten a salad.  You’ll eat less of it and reduce the unhealthy effects while still getting the desire for it out of your system.  One strategy I use is to try not to buy desserts at the grocery store.  As soon as they are in my apartment, I tend to keep eating because it tastes so good, is addictive and is there!

When it comes to not exercising as much as we should, the best thing to do is make regular life more exercising.  Park far away from the store.  Take the stairs instead of the escalator, and even if you do take the escalator, go up or down the stairs (preferably in the same direction as it’s moving.)  Recent research has said that sitting is bad for you and that standing burns more calories.  Try putting your computer somewhere that you need to stand to type.  You’ll also reduce time on the computer which is a definite time-waster.

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Smoking should just never be done.  I have no other advice here.  It stinks, leads to addiction, lung cancer for the smoker and the innocent who are exposed to second-hand smoke.  It’s expensive, can lead to fires, wrinkles, rougher voices, nicotine stains and land pollution from cigarette butts that aren’t disposed of properly.

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A lot of us like to have a few more drinks than we should.  This leads to empty calories, potentially dangerous driving situations and often the hunger to eat greasy food late at night which leads to even more calorie consumption.  Try drinking mixed drinks and drink them after you fill up on healthy food.  This is a win-win.  Less carbs and a stomach full of nutritious food is less likely to want to have too many drinks filled in it.

My main advice is to not partake in bad habits but since most of us don’t listen, do them in a less harmful or less risky way and come out ahead.

+ Atul