I’m not sure that I have completely figured out how to write about perception. I continue to think about it and attempt to define it for myself. Can it be defined?
Even David Letterman is talking about perception.
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After reading this post by Greta Van Susteren I decided to google other’s laws that are out there.
Let me say this, I’m not saying that we should take casually real credible threats towards people, but really…?
• Women may go topless in public, providing it is not being used as a business.
• You may not smoke within 100 feet of the entrance to a public building.
• It is illegal for a woman to be on the street wearing “body hugging clothing.
• Citizens may not greet each other by “putting one’s thumb to the nose and wiggling the fingers”.
• A fine of $25 can be levied for flirting.
• It is against the law to throw a ball at someone’s head for fun.
• The penalty for jumping off a building is death.
• New Yorkers cannot dissolve a marriage for irreconcilable differences, unless they both agree to it.
• A person may not walk around on Sundays with an ice cream cone in his/her pocket.
• While riding in an elevator, one must talk to no one, and fold his hands while looking toward the door.
• Slippers are not to be worn after 10:00 P.
• The state constitution allows for freedom of speech, a trial by jury, and pregnant pigs to not be confined in cages.
• One may not commit any “unnatural acts” with another person.
• Unmarried couples may not commit “lewd acts” and live together in the same residence.
• Corrupting the public morals is defined as a nuisance, and is declared a misdemeanor offense.
• Doors of all public buildings must open outwards.
• It is illegal to sell your children.
• Women may be fined for falling asleep under a hair dryer, as can the salon owner.
• A special law prohibits unmarried women from parachuting on Sunday or she shall risk arrest, fine, and/or jailing.
• If an elephant is left tied to a parking meter, the parking fee has to be paid just as it would for a vehicle.
• It is illegal to sing in a public place while attired in a swimsuit.
• Men may not be seen publicly in any kind of strapless gown.
• Having sexual relations with a porcupine is illegal.
• It is illegal to skateboard without a license.
• When having sex, only the missionary position is legal.
• You may not fart in a public place after 6 P.
• It is considered an offense to shower naked.
• You are not allowed to break more than three dishes per day, or chip the edges of more than four cups and/or saucers.
• Oral sex is illegal.
• You may not kiss your wife’s breasts.
• Bear wrestling matches are prohibited.
• Incestuous marriages are legal.
• It is illegal to impersonate a person of the clergy.
• It is illegal to maim oneself to escape duty.
• You may not drive barefooted.
• It is considered an offense to open an umbrella on a street, for fear of spooking horses.
• It is illegal to sell peanuts in Lee County after sundown on Wednesday.
• Dominoes may not be played on Sunday.
• It is illegal to wear a fake moustache that causes laughter in church.
• Putting salt on a railroad track may be punishable by death.
• Boogers may not be flicked into the wind.
• It is legal to drive the wrong way down a one-way street if you have a lantern attached to the front of your automobile.
• You must have windshield wipers on your car.
• You may not have an ice cream cone in your back pocket at any time.
• Masks may not be worn in public.
• Women are able to retain all property they owned prior to marriage in the case of divorce. However, this provision does not apply to men.
• It is illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while operating a vehicle.
• Drivers must yield to pedestrians who are standing on the sidewalk.
• One may not test their physical endurance while driving a car on a highway.
• It is illegal to place a container filled with human fecal matter on the side of any highway.
• Babies may not be carried on the running boards of a car.
• Drivers may not pump their own gas.
• A door on a car may not be left open longer than is necessary.
• An adult may not show a minor any piece of classical artwork which depicts sexual excitement.
• Dishes must drip dry.
• The “Peer Review Statute” prohibits you from finding out details of any written or oral discussion about your medical treatment.
• It is illegal to whisper “dirty” things in your lover’s ear during sex.
• Ice cream may not be eaten on Sundays.
• It is illegal to buy or sell marijuana, but it is legal to smoke it on your own property.
• One may not bathe without wearing “suitable clothing.”
• Canned corn is not to be used as bait for fishing.
Oh, there’s more!
I’m looking up cases and precedence on mental anguish.
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mean people suck
I just watched this. Yes, start to finish and now my stomach is in my throat.
I’ve been trying to write a post for the last week about perception. But I keep getting confused and distracted.
From dictionary.com
1. the act or faculty of apprehending by means of the senses or of the mind; cognition; understanding.
2. immediate or intuitive recognition or appreciation, as of moral, psychological, or aesthetic qualities; insight; intuition; discernment: an artist of rare perception.
3. the result or product of perceiving, as distinguished from the act of perceiving; percept.
4. Psychology. a single unified awareness derived from sensory processes while a stimulus is present.
5. Law. the taking into possession of rents, crops, profits, etc.
I think maybe I’m easily confused? I try to be fair and descent. I admit to an ornery streak from time to time. But I do think I am descent person with reasonably logical, rational ideas and thoughts.
My thought about this, Bill O’Reilly, is the problem. To be this mean, this disrespectful to another human being is Un-American. But that’s my perception.
A friend from my youth Tweeted yesterday that while listening to “Rush” (yes, I have a friend who listens to Rush) in the car his 10 year old son said, “why does the government want to raise taxes Dad? Don’t they have enough money?” I thought, well if the government hadn’t given that top 10% a big tax break maybe they wouldn’t need to change taxes. But the “perception” is that everyone will get hit. But I keep hearing someone say, “only the top 10%”. I must be making that up? More of that perception.
I had another thought recently as well. You know the noise about the media being liberal? The “liberal media”. The media does craft the message. They do decide what we see and hear. They see and hear everything. In college I had friends that interned during the Gulf War at stations in Kansas City. The public does NOT see all the news that’s fit to anything.
My thought is that the media is liberal because they see everything and they really know what is going on, they truly know corruption. But that’s my perception.
How many times have I listened to or watched a “liberal” news report take every point of a conservative report and disputes each point with facts. Fact’s either in writing or recorded tape. I’d try to upload those hear, but don’t think my little blog has the bandwidth.
I think Bill O’Reilly is straight up, no holds barred mean. I keep going back to the “visceral hatred” comment from another friend about George W. Bush. Visceral is a pretty harsh word, he must have mean friends. I didn’t agree with much that Bush did, but don’t think any of my comments could be labeled visceral? O’Reilly in the video above, visceral. But then that’s my perception.
I am entitled to my perception, but what does that mean in reality? I can read every paper. I can listen to every news sources, but am I reading someone’s perception of what happened? My Mom says, “Your perception is developed around your intelligence and experience, I think. If you make sure you view all sides of an issue, then make up your mind according to the best information you have, that’s the best you can do.” She also said, “Listening only to Rush, Cheney, and O’Reilly and now Glen Beck would sure screw up your perception.”
So can I get a show and yell and be mean to people who voice their perceptions, get paid lot’s of money and get that great tax break?
I don’t see how the meanness or hatred solves anything. Certainly has to raise someone’s blood pressure? What does it accomplish? What purpose does it serve? Some might say, it’s entertainment. I find nothing entertaining about most of what is reported today. And why is this acceptable? Yelling at someone, talking over them, not having a “conversation” to make your bogus point. Again, my perception.
Oops, shouldn’t have gone to Huffington Post, just read this post, Cupp, who is a contributor to the Washington Post and Politico, fumed:
“This is the enduring legacy of the Obama campaign. I’m not saying this to be inflammatory, I blame Barack Obama because he allowed his surrogates in the media and Hollywood and everyone else on the left to do this dirty talking for him.”
What? She gets paid to be a journalist and thinks like this? I’m done!
I think I have mentioned him here at least once. I like to read the blog of Bob Sutton, the author of “The No Asshole Rule”. I wish that I could say I have finished the book. I’ve started it along with many others and it is in the pile. I read his blog frequently and always agree with what he has written. Which makes me feel good because he writes for the Harvard Business Review, teaches at Stanford and is a fellow at IDEO. Three things I like very much.
I have posted this before, but I am posting it again. On his blog he has a list, I love these!
15 THINGS I BELIEVE
1. Sometimes the best management is no management at all — first do no harm!
This doesn’t mean a free-for-all. I think it is a statement for respect. I don’t claim to know much or have any answers. But I have found that by listening, engaging with those around you equitably you will create an absolute team. Respect and decency can take you a long way. Someone tweeted today, “if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
2. Indifference is as important as passion.
And it doesn’t mean that you don’t care. Passion, I think can also be confused with agenda. For me indifference just means that you are willing to be open to what other’s think might be a better way to approach a solution. Indifference can keep you open to other’s ideas and suggestions. You may have the best solution, but being open to other’s just makes for a more productive environment.
3. In organizational life, you can have influence over others or you can have freedom from others, but you can’t have both at the same time.
This is not, in my opinion a statement about isolation or being a lone wolf hiding out in a cube. Which is better?
4. Saying smart things and giving smart answers are important. Learning to listen to others and to ask smart questions is more important.
Uh, yeah! When was the last time you really listened? I think it was Fierce Conversations training. One exercise allowed you to ONLY listen. You could not respond at all. I find this very easy to do. For a couple of reasons. One, most of the time I don’t have anything really interesting to say. Two, I am very aware of the need to be heard. Really, truly heard. So I want to listen so that others feel that they are being heard.
5. Learn how to fight as if you are right and listen as if you are wrong: It helps you develop strong opinions that are weakly held.
This makes me feel better about having an opinion and changing it upon listening to someone. I thought maybe I was to easily swayed.
6. You get what you expect from people. This is especially true when it comes to selfish behavior; unvarnished self-interest is a learned social norm, not an unwavering feature of human behavior.
I expect people to be real, true, honest, respectful and descent.
7. Getting a little power can turn you into an insensitive self-centered jerk.
ABSOLUTELY! I don’t have the power, never had it, never want it.
8. Avoid pompous jerks whenever possible. They not only can make you feel bad about yourself, chances are that you will eventually start acting like them.
Not sure about this one. But I do make it a practice to avoid jerks. Life is too short.
9. The best test of a person’s character is how he or she treats those with less power.
I know this is true. I have seen it realized and I work very hard to adopt this everywhere I am. Treating someone of lesser power like someone with less power comes from a place of fear and insecurity.
10. The best single question for testing an organization’s character is: What happens when people make mistakes?
Lot’s of finger’s go out. I’ve seen a lot of people over the years not take responsibility and be accountable for what they have or haven’t done. I have one a few occasions taken responsibility for things that I didn’t do, but felt that to continue the professional relationship it needed to be done. It actually helped with my credibility.
11. The best people and organizations have the attitude of wisdom: The courage to act on what they know right now and the humility to change course when they find better evidence.
Wisdom, the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight (dictionary.com).
12. The quest for management magic and breakthrough ideas is overrated; being a master of the obvious is underrated.
I think that for the most part management magic is an illusive concept. How many can say that they had management that knew what they were doing? Management that understood how to motivate and encourage their employee’s to deliver, to go above and beyond. How many of you have had management that gave as much as they ask for? I don’t think you can take and take and be successful. You have to be willing to do give more and do the dirty work. You have to be part of the solution, be willing to admit that you don’t have all the answers and help look for solutions.
13. Err on the side of optimism and positive energy in all things.
Easier said than done!
14. It is good to ask yourself, do I have enough? Do you really need more money, power, prestige, or stuff?
I have enough. But need just a little bit more. I’m un-employed; I think I can ask for a little bit more.
15. Jim Maloney is right: Work is an overrated activity.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
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quarantine
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
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what’s right?
Do you watch TV? I watch TV. I’ll admit it I’m a junkie. The TV is always on. If I had the resources I’d have a wall of TV’s, four maybe six. Today four might be enough with all the crap that’s on. By crap I mean “reality” television.
Reality – dictionary.com
1. the state or quality of being real.
2. resemblance to what is real.
3. a real thing or fact.
4. real things, facts, or events taken as a whole; state of affairs: the reality of the business world; vacationing to escape reality.
Interesting. Quality, fact…what have these shows done to how we live or see the world? Is the reality an exaggeration of some altering reality? I thought that I was safe by being a news junkie. But now what happens on these shows and to the people on these’s shows is news.
You can’t pass a news cast, magazine or online news outlet with out seeing something about someone who is now famous because they can’t sing, eat bugs, can throw other’s under a bus with a smile on their face or have buckets of kids. Like these things are acceptable. Well doesn’t it? Or have these things always happened, its just now there is more coverage in the media? Hey, I’m just asking.
Why all of a sudden am I talking about this?
“Jon & Kate” Ratings Record: 9.8 Million For Season Five Premiere
And this today;
‘Jon & Kate’ Brother & Sister-In-Law: The Kids Are Being Exploited, The Parents Blinded
Hey! Where’s my fame and fortune!? So Jon’s family has now put themselves in the “spotlight”, for the sake of the children of course. I’m not going to provide links to the actual stories. If you are so compelled you can go find them on your own.
For the last month or so I kept seeing some reference to one of them having an affair (Jon or Kate) with someone. A bodyguard or…I don’t remember! And WHO CARES!!! GAD! As Mary and Earl Childs would say about the ridiculous when I was a child.
I’ve said this before, not just here. But what does this say about us as a society? That it is acceptable to humiliate, abuse and generally treat people horribly for the sake of winning something. Coming out on top for acting something unbecoming a decent human being. Also in this vein … I’m going to put it out there … wait for it … is having anything more than 2 maybe 3 at a time are these shows and the attention around them making it acceptable to have litter’s of children. You want a big family, bunch of kids and aren’t Angelina and Brad. What about adoption or foster care?
At an event I attended a couple of months ago in response to the speaker a discussion kicked off between a two people in attendance. As it started to heat up a bit the speaker said an amazing thing. He said, “stop trying to invalidate each other.”
We try so hard to be right. We try so hard to be right sometimes that we alienate and push people away. Which brings me to the question, what is right?
I have a conservative friend; yes that’s right, a conservative friend who wrote after the election, “The hatred of our prior President was visceral. It invaded everything, most especially journalism. It invaded many of the meetings I endured, small talk sessions, football games, you name it. I say let it go … What has been lifted are the complaints. For you the sky shines, birds chirp, etc., and I am deeply appreciative to have had a day without the complaints and the hatred. Thank you for this small gift you may not know you gave me.”
I thought that was interesting considering Rush, Bill and Sean. I guess for some it’s only visceral if it’s in contrast to what you believe or want to be true? And I’m a liberal so this will sound liberal; I’ve always thought that no matter who, the conservative side of the coin, or the side that gets airtime is beyond visceral. And whenever the “liberal” side of the media talks about the “conservative” talk they run through a list of error’s in fact long enough to collectively wrap around several time Rush, Bill and Sean!
He also wrote, “To my friends who learn of this and can’t separate my politics from your friendship with me, it was nice being your friend. I hope someday you heal.” He’s still my friend, I think? But doesn’t that sound just like a conservative? I hope someday YOU heal? It’s the arrogant self-righteousness I don’t care for, not the conservatism.
Sorry didn’t mean to mix a political statement in the middle of my rant about the state of television. But maybe it helps make a point about perception or impression, maybe even interpretation.
It’s the differences that people don’t seem to want to embrace. Individually, they want the world to be their world, roll the way they roll, think the way they think. Be in total agreement with their views and beliefs. Really…really??
I think it would be great if people didn’t think it was okay to humiliate other in public. To deem others unworthy of basic human rights. If society wasn’t about who had the most toys at the end. If we could have somehow kept celebrity at the movies. If “E” and “Entertainment Tonight was just that entertainment and Charlie, Katie and Brian reported “news”! Someone muddied the water’s. But then I guess that’s me imposing my idea of news on the rest of you. Sorry….
If it were about fairness, equality, patience and compassion, imagine that?
What’s right anyway? No really, I’m asking!
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stories
I write stories from time to time. I have several started and saved in a folder on my computer. I think there are about 8 or so. No one has read anything I’ve written since college. Well except for one, The Uncurious Adventures of Knod Knowingly. I started that for National Write a Novel Book last November. Like the rest of them it isn’t finished. I’ll finish it someday, promise.
Most of the stories I write start with reality. A moment in my life, a sentence from a conversation or a thought. Like Knod Knowingly and the land of the Kneverbodies. After that I change everything. Complete creative license. But I need to put on my brave hat and starting putting stuff out there to be read. Good or bad, liked or disliked.
One of those stories, black-and-white-bridges started with one sentence, my friend Jana mentioned all the bridges in Portland the weekend I came to look for a place to live in 1987. There is more to this story. But this is enough for now. Gotta start somewhere.
So that the story doesn’t freak anyone out (tinyelvisgirl). Yes I did go to art school, yes I did give Jana the photo and I moved to Portland. The rest, that creative license thing.
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the pit of my stomach
I know that we can all say, at some point in our lives, “I have this amazing friend.” My life’s crazy journey crossed the path of another; that I will forever be thanking whom ever I need to for the rest of my life for. Today I cast aside all others and say that no one compares to my friend Colette. And I have some pretty amazing friends! (so temporary apologies to the rest)
On April 6th, Colette got that call that none of us want to get or deserve to get. You have breast cancer. From that moment she went into survival mode like no one I know. (previous post)
On April 17th, with a bottle of wine and the amazing Brenda at Mosiac, Colette, Melissa and I got our haircut and celebrated after with yummy food in The Pearl.
On May 5th she had her first chemo treatment and 4 days later we all walked in the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.
May 21st a second cut.
May 24th, “Ladies, today is the day… No more hair… Michael shaved the rest of it off! I’ve got a beautiful scarf on, shades and a little sad smile…” And I know that sad little smile won’t last too long or that she will allow herself to let many see it. She might.
It makes the pit of my stomach feel that feeling that is so hard to describe. It’s not empty, it’s not turning, it’s up near my throat. It feels like your arm or leg just after it starts to wake up from being asleep from prolonged unusual pressure, heavy.
I’ve never considered myself a strong person. Although, I do think people think I’m tough. I just am really good at the mask maybe? I don’t know what makes me that way, somewhat closed off? I’ve been amazingly lucky with family and friends to love. With Colette and her family it’s no exception. Her strength carries us all. How will I ever repay her for her friendship?
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collaboration
I’m still sorting out my thoughts on this. Collaboration is hard. But it seems that people love to talk about it. I’m also thinking about this great post on author Bob Sutton’s, “sir we don’t actually do what we propose we just propose it.”
Ground Hog Day the movie, have you seen it? This is the best way I can think to describe the dialogue and conversation about the topic of creative industry in Portland. Each conversation starts at the same spot and get’s one word further each year. This is at least year 9.
Why are we still JUST talking about creative industry in Portland? Agendas? Strategy? Value proposition? Egos? Mixed messages? Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, YES!
If done right, creativity can be very glamorous. So the fascination is so compelling you could charge admission. But who really has been successful with creative? Think about it. I’m not going to say.
I don’t say mainly because it would be my opinion and my perception of the product.
Part of the problem, I think, is that the creative process never stops. So you are never really done. So how can you put it into a functioning, organized organization or association? And how can you let one person manage that? What is their agenda?
In the last two weeks I’ve been to two separate events, in the creative space, topic being communication and collaboration.
The most interesting thing for me was the Oregon Arts Summit, the Art of Collaboration. There were about 300 people there. I knew 5 people. Which seems odd to me, only because I’ve been involved in the arts and creative industry in Portland for more than 10 years. Who was this audience?
What was very clear to me is that people communicate an idea of collaboration but no one really knows how to implement it. They let their fears or take over. Or they don’t think outside of their immediate reach. They limit their resources. Or let the lack of resources dictate what is possible. Maybe if there were a LinkedIn for interests and causes. Then you could actually see your true network of resources to enrich your program, organization or company. They seem so stifled by what they don’t have, the big gap of what ever it is that makes them a real success that they can’t see past it. They can’t see past, we don’t have enough money, we don’t have enough time…we don’t, we don’t, we don’t. I’m reminded of my “I think I can” talk with my little friend Sophia.
I’m sure I will come back to this topic again.