In my work with youth and young adults (and children, and adults) I find that having clear expectations is a plus. People are, on the whole, happier and more productive when they know exactly what it is they're supposed to be going. Also, its much easier to fix problems when everyone agrees to the expectations up front.
Some folks like to complain that we have no expectations of people anymore. Generally, I think they're being cranky and just don't like the way these times, they are a-changin.
But on my way to work in Detroit, I pass one of those light-up highway signs that warn you about accidents and things up ahead. There wasn't a traffic jam to report, so instead, it had the following message:
"Aim to drive safe and sober."
Just call me crankypants who doesn't like the way these times are a changin.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Old News
This quote from an article in the NY Times caught my eye this morning:
“The children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise.”
You know how this story goes - the millenials, or Gen Y, or whatever name you prefer for the upcoming generation, is the most narcisscistic, self-centered generation EVER. They've been spoiled by digital media, over-attentive parents, highly structured lives, and too much praise. They don't care about the world around them, the traditions of their family, and they're epidemically obese - which is also because of that digital media, by the way.
Folks - that quote up there? From the NY Times article? Its more than 2000 years old, penned by some guy named Plato.
Bemoaning and bewailing the next generation isn't just an American hobby - it seems to be human nature. Go check out the article: Generation Me vs. You Revisited. Its in the style section, because bashing the young people? It never seems to go out of fashion.
“The children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise.”
You know how this story goes - the millenials, or Gen Y, or whatever name you prefer for the upcoming generation, is the most narcisscistic, self-centered generation EVER. They've been spoiled by digital media, over-attentive parents, highly structured lives, and too much praise. They don't care about the world around them, the traditions of their family, and they're epidemically obese - which is also because of that digital media, by the way.
Folks - that quote up there? From the NY Times article? Its more than 2000 years old, penned by some guy named Plato.
Bemoaning and bewailing the next generation isn't just an American hobby - it seems to be human nature. Go check out the article: Generation Me vs. You Revisited. Its in the style section, because bashing the young people? It never seems to go out of fashion.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Backing Up
Technology amazes me. As I'm typing this morning, all of my files - my music, the pictures from my seminary graduation, the sermons I gave at my field ed parish, my favorite recipes, my address lists - they are all getting put into a little tiny silver box. Its backup day in our house!
I've been pondering a move back to a paper system though. After seven months of doing everything via laptop, I think I need a paper calendar. In fact, I think I'm going to get this one - my friend Dave has it, and its really cool. But mostly, I want to be less tied to my computer so that my MacBook continues to be fun and exciting - and its moving off the edge right now.
Over the weekend, we went to CA to visit my best friend and her husband. It was her birthday this weekend, and the second show of the season for her brand new theatre company was still showing. (By the way - if you live even vaguely in the Bay Area, drive on out to Antioch this weekend to see the Hapgood Theatre Company's production of Rumors. Its hilarious, and the director is pretty fabulous.) Anyway, all four of us are serious Mac people. As in, we drank coffee on Tuesday while J read to us from a liveblog about the Mac launches. While we were sitting around one morning, one of the three assembled Macbooks made the "new mail" noise. J and I immediately groaned - the noise was just stressful to us.
The story has a happy ending - the email was actually for Ms. Theatre Director, a request for more ticket sales. Huzzah! But the moral of the story for me? If four days into vacation, the email noise stresses me out... I'm not using my computer the way I want to.
Oh yeah, and the other happy ending? I get to go shopping for my new planner!
I've been pondering a move back to a paper system though. After seven months of doing everything via laptop, I think I need a paper calendar. In fact, I think I'm going to get this one - my friend Dave has it, and its really cool. But mostly, I want to be less tied to my computer so that my MacBook continues to be fun and exciting - and its moving off the edge right now.
Over the weekend, we went to CA to visit my best friend and her husband. It was her birthday this weekend, and the second show of the season for her brand new theatre company was still showing. (By the way - if you live even vaguely in the Bay Area, drive on out to Antioch this weekend to see the Hapgood Theatre Company's production of Rumors. Its hilarious, and the director is pretty fabulous.) Anyway, all four of us are serious Mac people. As in, we drank coffee on Tuesday while J read to us from a liveblog about the Mac launches. While we were sitting around one morning, one of the three assembled Macbooks made the "new mail" noise. J and I immediately groaned - the noise was just stressful to us.
The story has a happy ending - the email was actually for Ms. Theatre Director, a request for more ticket sales. Huzzah! But the moral of the story for me? If four days into vacation, the email noise stresses me out... I'm not using my computer the way I want to.
Oh yeah, and the other happy ending? I get to go shopping for my new planner!
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Because Its Saturday
As seen around at various Rev Gal pages...
Though, I wish the picture was more pink... like a cosmo!
| The Recipe For Susie/Nueva Cantora |
 3 parts Tease 2 parts Vitality 1 part Poise Splash of Ingenuity Finish off with a little umbrella and straw |
Though, I wish the picture was more pink... like a cosmo!
Friday, January 04, 2008
New Year Friday Five
2007 went out with a bang! We've had visits from friends, a birthday (the husband, not me), good food and a good break. Obama won the Iowa caucus, Michigan won Lloyd's last game. Life has been pretty great.
Now that I'm back to work, it seems like a good time to play the Friday Five again!
Well it had to be didn't it, love them or hate them I bet you've been asked about New Year resolutions. So with no more fuss here is this weeks Friday Five:
1. Do you make New Year resolutions?
I always have before - and not just in January. I've made new school year, birthday, new church year resolutions too! But this Janauary, I'm just not there. So much seems in flux for us right now, and so little we can control about it all, that I just can't get into the whole resolution thing.
2. Is this something you take seriously, or is it a bit of fun?
I usually take them seriously - not in the "get down on myself" way, but usually resolutions are about hope for me. And, you know, thats inherently serious and fun at the same time.
3. Share one goal for 2008.
I plan to turn 30.
4. Money is no barrier, share one wild/ impossible dream for 2008
We would own a transporter machine, so that no matter where we end up living, we could be near friends and family without long travel times. Hey, if money is no barrier, I don't see why physics should be either!
5. Someone wants to publish a story of your year in 2008, what will the title of that book be?
Manaman (doot doot doot doot doot)
Hard to make sense of it, but it still sticks in your head for some reason. See? You're singing it, aren't you?
Now that I'm back to work, it seems like a good time to play the Friday Five again!
Well it had to be didn't it, love them or hate them I bet you've been asked about New Year resolutions. So with no more fuss here is this weeks Friday Five:
1. Do you make New Year resolutions?
I always have before - and not just in January. I've made new school year, birthday, new church year resolutions too! But this Janauary, I'm just not there. So much seems in flux for us right now, and so little we can control about it all, that I just can't get into the whole resolution thing.
2. Is this something you take seriously, or is it a bit of fun?
I usually take them seriously - not in the "get down on myself" way, but usually resolutions are about hope for me. And, you know, thats inherently serious and fun at the same time.
3. Share one goal for 2008.
I plan to turn 30.
4. Money is no barrier, share one wild/ impossible dream for 2008
We would own a transporter machine, so that no matter where we end up living, we could be near friends and family without long travel times. Hey, if money is no barrier, I don't see why physics should be either!
5. Someone wants to publish a story of your year in 2008, what will the title of that book be?
Manaman (doot doot doot doot doot)
Hard to make sense of it, but it still sticks in your head for some reason. See? You're singing it, aren't you?
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