Barista--Fuck The New Year! Are You Pregnant? NO--But Thanks for Putting It In Perspective! LOL!
Right after reading, the article on Starbuck's CEO and Arizona State University, teaming with former Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright and Senator Cory Booker, joining business leaders, politicians, and luminaries, serving on the Markle Foundation committee to discuss how to save the American dream in an age when globalization and technology had displaced jobs and stifled social mobility, and Schultz and Crow, were tired of waiting for Congress, colleges, and other formal institutions of change, well, to change . . . and they started, hatching a plan of their own . . . Albert Einstein, said, genius, is not, just intellect, it is creativity! . . . I walked up to the same barista, at my local, Montana Culture Cafe', the Break Espresso Cafe' and approached, the same, cute, barista, who just a week earlier, when I didn't have a dime in my pocket, due to theft, bought me a large hot chocolate, now, after, making me a great gourmet, drink, steaming and delicious, watched, as the flavors and blend of the drink, spilled out over the large cup, down the sides, and onto the counter-top! She just said, great!, now this . . . and she said, this whole day has gone this way!
I told her, it was no big deal, as she tried to wipe the white cup clean of the hot chocolate, and it was not going well, making her even more pissed! I said, well, tomorrows a new year, and it will all be better. That didn't help, and she, probably having read my blog, knowing damned well, I swear like a sailor, and I am not going to stop patronizing the cafe', said, in return, and with vigor--FUCK THE NEW YEAR! I said, what's up . . . . she said, my old problems are going to flow right into the new year! I tried to figure, what might be, that upsetting for this, probably college student, working, at a local, small operation coffee shop, and I thought, maybe she is pregnant, and in college . . . hell, yeah, that would have ruined my world too! So, I said, are you pregnant? NO! But, thanks for putting things in perspective for me. LOL, at least I got a laugh out of her! Always take things to the worst possible scenario, like an unplanned pregnancy, the possibility of a car wreck, if, my car were working or if I had one, in my case, stuff like that, and then you get real happy, for just the problems you have! LOL!
But, she made me think of The Atlantic Magazine's article, Can Starbucks save the Middle Class, and how, their goal of helping 10,000 students, get a college degree, had only reached, 1,500, and how, they had to go beyond, just tuition, and look at why some kids, drop out of college, and some for small fees or fines, that had with on campus issues, like parking tickets, if it was like me, where my roommates used my car, while I walked to work and got, several parking tickets, that I never knew about, until, I was turning in my text books for a refund, and found out, that I owed half of the refund, for the tickets, the fucking bitches, got on, stealing me car! When you are working your way through college, especially, with Christmas coming right after grueling finals, then Christmas, and now, you have unexpected fines, not even your fines? Fuck! But, as the two pioneers from Starbucks and Arizona State, figure this thing out, and who they can maximize their efforts, and work through these issues, they can enlighten, all of us, other companies, who, see, how, helping their faithful employees, who sacrifice their bodies, health, years to a company, knowing that at some age, walking 16 hours on your feet is going to undo them, we can get a better view of what, needs to be done.
And I was shocked as critics . . . you are part of the problem, so shut the fuck up! . . . complained about this or that, as, these, in my mind, great men, stepping outside of themselves, trying to foresee problems, and then work on them, didn't encourage, this brave endeavor, but sat back and criticized them, rather than, coming up with some solutions to help them! Every great idea, movement, effort, takes heat, but, as you sit back in your 7th, fucking house, bankers, who ripped off the tax payers; therefore, having even more need of redemption, and giving back, should, roll up your damned sleeves, and dig in, figuring this wonderful thing out, and encourage your corporations, banks, operations, to follow suit! There is no need for jealousy, envy, of this brilliant, creative idea, there is need to put some elbow grease, brains, and effort into helping, those, children of the faces of the poor, that you stood on, and grind into the pavement, to have some of the same chances in life, as your privileged children, many, using dirty treasures, to get through college! These kids have just as much potential as your children . . . fucking, donate your golden parachutes, that you got, during the 2008, melt down, and give something back--YOU OF ALL PEOPLE, WALL STREET! IN this same issue, there is another article, Can Bankers Behave?
Brand New Day!
You might just see this is a brand new morning, it's a brand new day. It's a time to be reborn; it's a time to be freed . . . it's just as warm for you as it is for everyone! In the wisdom of Bob Seger, too many people looking back, too many people looking back! We are where we are, we have the cache of brains, power, motivation, drive, creativity, politics, to solve the world's problems . . . be part of the fucking solutions! I don't know, of any person, for good or bad, who want to leave their footprint on this planet, leave in better, for the most part, leave it healthier, stronger, safer, brighter, feeling that their lives were not in vain, that they mattered, that they cared, that they gave back, that, they repaid society for the benefits, the gifts, the experiences that they had, and try to move beyond, their own lives, to those of others, getting as much, from seeing someone else succeed as they, did, enjoying their own climb to education, power, privilege, position and station. In fact, as we see with men, like, Donald Trump, once, a man, achieves a certain amount of wealth, inevitably, they get involved in politics, as a next logical step, either for personal or public motives, good ideas, or service, political prowess, or the need to exact change, and that is a good thing. I never fault a person, for doing whatever it is they believe in, as long as they can substantiate that position, with facts, statistics, example, truth, and that they are doing it with good intent! Acting as agents of solutions, change, betterment of mankind!
Happiness is, Satisfaction of Working for a Noble Cause!
My cousin, wrote a book on happiness, because, he had a hard time, finding it himself, seemingly, missing, exactly what constituted, true happiness. He came from an educated, upper, middle class family, attended and graduated from college, had language skills that enabled him to work oversees, but, even after retiring at age, 34, at least for a while, he still was not happy. But, while I don't think, he went far enough, in the search of the, oh, so plain, path to happiness, he did, however, come up with some basics, that I think are worth mentioning: (1) that the bottom layer of self-actualization, starts with the basics, a happy person, has, sufficient, time, health and wealth, to meet their basic needs; (2) that, back, 20 or so years ago, when he wrote the book, he found, that, much over about $10,000 per year, per family member, living in one household, was sufficient wealth, and even billionaires he interviewed, did not manifest, any more happiness and satisfaction with life, because, generally, while they had sufficient, wealth, their health, suffered, due to stress, and they had limited time . . . all things considered, the poorer man, was happier, because, he had more time and his health did not suffer, due to added pressure and stress of managing an empire; and (3) beyond that, I would like to add to my cousin's, efforts, that, service to others, tends to be the icing on the cake for most people, who have their food, shelter, clothing, and expenses, met, for that bottom line, protection, for safety, what really, gave them happiness, is service to a good cause, helping other people, and gleaning the joy, of getting out of themselves, moving into the lives of others, helping them achieve, those basics, that provide, security, safety and happiness in others.
Jesus . . . He Who Is the Greatest Among You, Is Your Servant!
In our predatory, dog eat dog world, this concept, and simple truth, escapes us, and seems too paradoxical to be true. What, my servant is happier than I am? Maybe, could be, possibly! The act, of Christ, washing the feet of his disciples, showed this concept, in action--the Son of God, the Prince of Peace, the Great I AM, the Savior of the World, was washing the feet of the tax collector, the fishermen, the physician, the laborer, etc. He was constantly in the face of the Sanhedrin, the learned men, of the law, of politics, of power, the Pharisees and the Sadducee's, and they hated him for it, they killed him for it, they beat and put a crown of thrones on his head for it . . . and he beat, every man, who tried to destroy him. We would do well to look to his example, to the one time he got, pissed, throwing the money changers out of the temple! His whole life, was working for a good cause, healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, raising the feet of the lame, curing the leaper, elevating women, in station, and the minds of men . . . he was anxiously, engaged in a good cause, all the time, every second of every day! Rarely, did he think of his self, his safety, his comfort, his gain, his living arrangements, etc.
Betrayer, Judas, 30 Pieces of Silver--Turned Christ Over to the Romans
These stories, in the Bible, the New Testament, are brilliant, and poignant, today! They are not outdated, lessons for people of the past . . . human nature does not change, which is sad! Greed, still corrupts our public officers, our cops, our courts, our families! I watched this movie, yesterday, and I didn't write down the name of the movie, but it was about, some bank robbers, who went into a bank, and didn't rob the bank, of money, gold, silver, etc., but, they did, go into, the lock box or bank box, of a known, Nazi sympathizer, who, sold his soul, because he could see that working with the Nazi's, Hitler, SS men, would be the fast track to gain and money, saving him, working for it on his own. He said he saw a chance and he took it; however, after selling his soul, for money, power, gain, he spent the rest of his life, trying to buy it back! He had been drowning himself, in a sea of respectability . . . doing everything he could to erase that ploy for power, wealth and prestige. The man, who robbed the bank lock box, of the Nazi, didn't feel guilty at all, for stealing from a man, who made his money, on the lives of murdered Jews!
Danzel Washington, was the detective, who came to respect the robber, and figured out, that, all he wanted, was to steal from a man, who stole more than money from the Jews he helped, send to the gas chambers, and was benefited from their lose, taking, whatever the Jews had, and hiding, diamonds, in his bank box, with the robber, breaking away, from the detective, and cops, hot on his trail, but, having earned their respect, for taking nothing from citizens, hard working tax payers, and those who, were honest in their financial wealth . . . this is were I got the title, or the subject, that the ultimate currency is RESPECT, which he had gained, through, the hostage situation, hurting some hostages, but not killing them, later, bumping up against Danzel, dropping a diamond for his girlfriend, who wanted to get married, in his pocket, and leaving a note, in the lock box, to follow the ring, worth a small fortune, leading him, right to one of the richest, most powerful men, in the city, the Nazi sympathizer, who got illegal gain, from murder! There are great lessons to be learned, from this man, Judas, who later hanged himself in Potter Field, after betraying Jesus, and turning him over to the Romans who killed him, because the Jews, wanted him dead, for basically, being a thorn in their sides, exposing their dealings, their hypocrisy, their indiscretions, and their murders . . . he who is without sin, cast the first stone, or you are whited sepulchers on the outside, and full of dead man's bones on the inside!
Be Part of the Solution, Not Part of the Problem!
SPOTLIGHTING THE HOME CROWD, MISSOULA
We all know, that at the end of every year, lists of the years, most, this and that, are published in newspapers, magazines, and featured on the news and TV programs. Last Sunday, the Missoulian, my local source of wisdom and local understanding, made a list of Missoula's honorable, and not so honorable, list making, accomplishments, some to brag about, and others to either deal with, or change! LOL . . . my ex-husband is a city, planner, so I wondered, what he would say, about, Missoula, ranking, worldwide, as having the worst planned city and streets, one, near and dear, to all Griz fans, and locals, as Malfunction Junction, with 5 lanes of traffic, and nobody, knowing for sure, where they are going! LOL.
When I first came to Montana, and on about my second visit to Missoula, me and a friend, had come over from, Helena, to go to Rockin' Rudy's, a fucking cool, ass, hippy, shop, of 60's and 70's memorabilia and music, that you can't get anywhere else, and overall, just rockin' eye candy! filled with fun, exotic, strange gifts, cards, books, with a funky colorful chicken, standing guard at the door, etc., and plan on spending the day! But, before my buddy, from New Jersey, took me to Rockin' Rudy's, he wanted to get his beefed up truck, cleaned, at the notorious 50 cent car wash, but, thanks to Malfunction Junction, blocking us from the car wash, just off the Zombie nightmare, making Missoula, due to unknown, street directions, that make, Missoula, one of the least likely places, or the safest place, for the Zombie fearing crowds, preventing the night terrors, from, finding you, let alone, to come eat you, at . . . but, we spent, I am sure, $10 in gas, trying to save, a few bucks on a car wash, while driving around and around, with people telling us, that, the car wash was close, just this side or that, of Brooks, or go that way . . . until, finally, a cigarette, smoking bike rider, told us to follow him, as he manuvered through, the traffic mess of streets, and took us the long way to the 50 cent car wash! LOL!
I was not used to Montana culture, nor the fact, that unlike, Utah, where nobody smokes, everyone and their dog, smokes, in Montana, even bike riders, and as I was laughing, that someone, riding a bike, that in Utah would be considered a health nut, granola chick, or an environmentalist, here in Montana, is riding for transportation, having lost their driver's license, for a DUI charge or something, and there is nothing to do with, the reasons, Utahan's ride bikes! LOL! But, as I was laughing, at what I saw as a contradictory life statement, getting healthy, riding a bike, while getting unhealthy, smoking while driving, this good Sam, took us, in and out of traffic, and so, when, I read the article, still not being too, familiar, letting the bus driver, do the driving, now, that my truck was stolen by sheriffs and my car blown up by a mafia hit and pipe bomb, I knew exactly in my mind, what they were talking about, although, I am not sure, if I had my truck or car, if I could find, my way, now to the Junction . . . crazy ass streets.
Now, given the fact, that the instate rivalry, goes deeper, than just college sports, but, not only divides the state, in GRIZ fans of Missoula, University of Montana VS. CAT fans, Bozeman, from Montana State University, there is a hot, raging, competitive force, for campus, and city, supremacy . . . and this doesn't stop at Missoula and Bozeman, but Butte, is against the whole fucking state, everyone! LOL! But, I wrote this blog, featuring the state's economy, and happened to be fair, and mention, that, Bozeman's population was 50%, under the age of 25, but with the most thriving economy, and for some odd, reason, this opportunity, to encourage the youth, college students of today, seemed, to me, to piss off the local crowd, that, then, in response, listed all the lists, that Missoula made, and emphasized, that, an unmentioned city was not included on the list! LOL . . . just something about the tone of the article! competitive, competitive, competitive . . . and I love it, because, it is all about the win for me; therefore, being in Missoula for the moment, love the city your are in, and publish the list of fun, show casing, one of the most playful cities in America . . . why do you think, I keep coming back, over and over again! LOL! Playgirl! not to be confused with Playboy Bunny! LOL!
Garden City Recycled! Take that Bozeman! LOL . . . Butte! LOL! Frankly, I Love Montana!
This is taken from the Missoulian, article, called, Update 2015: Missoula one of coolest yet unnavigable cities in which to avoid Zombies! I love the title . . . this is a pretty exhaustive list, so I tried to minimize the words, and bullet the lists, avoiding, where possible, writing the sources of the lists, but, if you are interested in checking out Missoula, for tourism or moving here, you can get the article online, at the Missoulian. Here we go:
- one of the most livable cities in America
- one of the worst-designed cities in the world
- one of the coolest towns in the U.S.A.
- one of the best places in America to live and work as a movie maker . . . Dallas!
- one of the places in America to hide in the case and event of a Zombie Apocalypse--a real list!
- "stadium experience" at Washington-Grizzly football field, ranked No. 7 in the country
- farmers market was listed as No. 8 in the west
- Missoula made the lists ranking playability with must see museums and most livable small cities
- took partial credit for having one of the most spookiest ghost towns (Garnet) outside of Missoula
- No. 1 spot in America for wildlife-watching (National Bison Range)
- In 2015, Missoula was also named the most fitness friendly city in the United States . . . close to National Parks, and a focus on bike and running trails, I think about 2500 miles worth, winding in and out of the surrounding area, plus river sports, Clark Fork, fake surfing and kayaking wave, in city
- Missoula was considered only the 61st most livable city in America by Livability.com
- Missoula is the art and culture epicenter of Montana, one of the coolest places because "not only does it have the highest hipster to civilian ratio in Montana, it also has the most Ph.D.s working at bike and coffee shops! Dig it . . .
- fitness friendly because of the cities proximity to national parks and forest . . . hell, you can take #5 bus, to the top of rattlesnake, and be in the forest, in 5 feet off the street! Love it, and one of the deciding factors, for living here . . . accessibility to nature!
- 18 different reaction or fitness centers in Missoula, which has a population of about 70,000
- Missoula beat out Boulder, Colorado; Corvallis, Oregon; Boston; and even Madison--take that, you alleged most livablie city--for the top spot in the fitness-friendly list!
- bringing balance and active play into daily lives of all kids as Playful City U.S.A. communities--here is the slam, Bozeman, who is always competing with Missoula--no other city, in Montana, was listed--I ask myself, would that be directed to Bozeman? always vying in the arts, landscapes and other areas . . . those damned college towns! LOL, love the hell out of them!
- National Bison Range north of Missoula was best place in America to watch wildlife . . . my friend just out of Missoula, heading toward, East Missoula, Bonner and Riverside, says he has a family of bald eagles, living just outside his lean-to, a bob cat, scratching his back, on his hut, and deer, camping out, in a meadow, across the road . . . with a huge ass smile on his face, he says, how many people in America, get to look out their shack and see this! And he heats his self made castle . . . redefining wealth, as visual beauty, with two candles . . . eat your hearts out, mansion dwellers, those with 11 houses! Cheap and beyond description, rich with wildlife!
- 3rd most educated town in Montana, behind, Bozeman and Whitefish
- Montana Museum of Art and Culture, on University of Montana campus, was named state's can't miss museum!
- No. 4 place to live and work as a movie maker--not even Hollywood was listed!
ODD LISTS THAT SINGLED OUT MISSOULA
- Missoula named nightmare for drivers (twice)
- up against every city on the planet, Madison Wisconsin, didn't even stand a chance! LOL!
- Thrillist--one of the worst designed cities on the earth . . . Zeke, job? my ex, is a very good city planner! and he is living in the desert! So much cooler up here!
- EscapeHere.com, called Missoula a mess of bad intersections and confusing streets where trying to make a left hand turn, is near impossible: one of the reasons, I take the bus! LOL!
- needless complicated intersections
- 5 lane intersections . . . that world famed, Malfunction Junction!
- in all seriousness, when the Zombie Apocalypse comes, Missoula will be the last places the wlaking dead get to, heard what a mess our streets are . . . there is always a bright side to bad news!
- one of the 4 least affected, along with Boise, Idaho; Salt Lake City, Denver
- slow to have human flesh eating dead; however, the Festival of the Dead Parade, in October, is awesome!
- top ten river towns
- top 10 cycling towns
- the 16 best places to live in America
- 100th best places to live in America . . . different lists
- 50 fees within entry-fee? (Big Sky Documentary Film Festival), sorry can't read my writing! LOL!
- 25 most beautiful college campuses, University of Montana . . . I would agree! taught at three!
- 9 small beer cities, 20 best mircro-breweries in America (Kettle House Brewing Co. #1)
- 6th destination for, adventurous weekend . . . need more details! LOL!
- 12 best unusual beer experiences in U.S.A. (Missoula Craft Beer Work)
- the ultimate adventurous basket lost--MY NOTES--scream? (for one kayaking . . . fun to watch!)
To a Happy, and Prosperous New Year, Missoula!
SERVICE AND THE KENNEDY CURSE--KENNEDY'S HAD "SUFFERED MUCH, AND GIVEN MORE."
