What's On My Mind
 Growing up, a neighbor seemed to watch every move made on our street. It was if he knew what we were going to do before we did. I am not saying we looked for trouble or were malicious. If anything, the kids on my street were more on the goodie-two-shoes side. But, of course, that didn’t stop “That Neighbor” from watching and reporting every slight misstep. We all knew this, and so did our parents. Maybe that’s what kept us away from horrific errant ways. Over the years, I have lived in numerous towns; each had a person who watched the street. Everyone in the neighborhood knows or has an idea who claims the moniker of “That Neighbor.” This person reports on what the people living on the street are doing. They pass on things like; who is remodeling, who is getting a promotion, what kid did something wrong or right, or whose moving in or out. But, until now, I was never really sure how they obtained their information. Why am I bringing this up? It seems that I have unknowingly become that neighbor. Since 2018 I have been at home. I didn’t realize how much goes on during the day. A neighbor a few doors down also retired around the same time and I guess we have unofficially formed the “That Neighbor” club. We love to share our intel. Some might call it gossip, but it’s more than that. We keep an eye on the street, ensuring that nothing unsavory happens. The rest is… well, you can decide. While my neighbor and I have yet to reach the reporting stage, except to each other, someday we might include others in our club. I now realize that the old neighbor from my youth was just trying to keep us from more significant troubles. This revelation has given me a new outlook on the man. Perhaps we all need to provide a little more understanding to “That Neighbor” who serves a hidden purpose. Do we all become cantankerous with time, or do we see things from a wiser perspective? That question is one we must all answer for ourselves. I’m going to choose wiser in some unforeseen way. I write this as a light-hearted observation. I might be “That Neighbor,” but I know and hopefully can see the lines not to cross.
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 As I head toward another milestone in my life, I notice new aches and pains wafting through. Some stay for just a moment, like the smell of freshly baked bread when walking past a bakery; others manage to linger, like the scent of a garbage truck stopped at a red light. I lamented these thoughts to my wife and she replied, "I'm going to trade you in for a new model." We laughed.
I thought about a reply and circled back to her a while later. She is used to besting me and allowing time to pass before my retort. My comeback was the following. "You know, they don't make them like they used to. It will probably last five years. You won't even have finished paying for it. The repairs will be more expensive, and there will be a lot of them. It will come with a computer that you won't know how to use. And, He'll have a lot of fancy buttons you won't know how to push. You already know how to mush all my buttons." My wife simply replied. "Maybe I'll get a sporty model this time." I was ready. "Fine, I'll end up in some antique shop where a pretty young, just starting out woman will come in looking for something vintage. She'll snap me up, take me to her new condo at the beach and adore me. She will show me off to all her friends." My wife, being a quick wit. "Soon, she'll get a new toy and you'll be placed on the back of a shelf and start collecting dust, again." I was prepared yet again. "She'll move from her condo to a big house and sell me as an expensive antique. I'll end up in a museum where everyone will look at me in awe. They'll write songs and stories about me. My wife's final volley. "Okay, I won't trade you in. Instead, I'll upgrade, put you in the garage, and wait until you turn into that expensive antique. Then, if I remember you're there, I'll sell you at high society auction and retire with enough money to buy as many new models as I wish." We burst into laughter and embrace My point is when you find someone you can love, they make you laugh and help keep you sharp; everything else is icing. So make the most of the person you're with. They don't make them like they Used to.  With the beginning of a new year comes the dreams of “Better.” We all desire this picture of a better this or better that. Most want it to fall into our lap, myself included. What dawns on me is that wanting it to happen to me isn’t really how it works. We have to be the better to have the better. Why am I rambling on? Let’s take a look at our environment. The news relays opinionated discourse, people are so eager to tread over each other, and there is a general ilk of distrust in the air. Lockdowns, riots, political mayhem, and a planet fighting back for its survival. And yet we wake up in a new year hoping for “Better.” The truth is, it’s not going to happen without each of us taking a piece of the pie and sharing with others. “Better” will only occur when we decide to work together and are not at odds with one another. Just ask: “Is what we’re doing working?” If we can honestly answer yes, then we are lost. I’m not suggesting world change. I’m suggesting people change. There is a difference. How each of us sees the tiny part of life we live in and how we create within that community is how we will get out of this rut. How we see and treat our neighbors and our community is where the dream of “Better” begins. The other day, I drove to the grocery store and heard three horns angrily honking, a parking space fought over, and a near fistfight over moving a shopping cart in an aisle. This madness has to end. A final thought. The end of the dinosaur occurred because of a catastrophic event, an ice age. Others believe that a meteor caused the demise of the dinosaurs. Either way, it may have been a message sent by our planet telling us that it has ultimate control. . Could our planet be sending us messages again? Violent weather, volcanoes erupting, tsunamis, a giant meteor close to earth-if we don’t course-correct will planet Earth do it for us? It was here long before us, and it may well be here long after us. We have a choice to make, and time is ticking away. Changing how we see what is directly in front of us is the true beginning of “Better.” Believing that making the smallest space around us “Better” is the beginning. “Better,” reality or a dream.  Thanks for a wonderfully exciting 2021. All your support and comments have made a very isolating year enjoyable. I hope that we can continue our conversations and share our thoughts in 2022. Greatly appreciated, Luca  The price of just about everything is going up. Well, except the price that authors are paid. Those not in the industry would be shocked to find out what authors get paid after the pie gets sliced up. It has been this way throughout the ages. Famous authors can demand more as their name is a bargaining chip. But what about first-time authors or authors that are trying to make a name for themselves. The only leverage they have is the savvy of a good agent. If that agent can get the book into multiple bids, then there could be a larger pie to slice up. Those with a bit of business knowledge might say, why don’t the writer join forces, unit, or somehow work together to gain a collective power? Putting two and two together would make sense. So why doesn’t it happen? The answer: the current federal law states that only employees are allowed to unionize and collectively bargain. So that means freelance writers, authors, and independent content creators are excluded. According to Umair Kazi of the Author’s Guild, over the last two decades, we have seen a gradual erosion of contract terms and an increase in one-sided agreements, leaving authors with no means to fight back. Before we go any further is should also be noted that the publishers are also feeling the squeeze from large buyers like Amazon and other national chains. Their increased buying power has created a downstream effect. The buyers demand steep discounts to bring the book to market, the publisher feels the pinch, and the creator takes a hit also. But there is hope on the horizon. In his article Collective Bargaining, Kazi states: The PRO act recently passed by the House and no in the Senate is the most comprehensive labor bill in decades. The PRO Act recognizes that “gig” workers are independent contractors who lack bargaining power and require collective bargaining. The Pro Act amends the definition of an employee with the intent to include a large group of freelancers to have bargaining rights. Umair Kazi’s piece explains the detail more succinctly that this blog has room for. In addition, The Authors Guild has been playing a prominent role in this effort. The Author Guild has actively been proposing amendments to the PRO act to solidify the collective bargaining stance. With great foresight, The Guild has sought to address anti-trust laws that might hinder the forward progress. Their tireless effort will hopefully soon benefit the content creators in America. It should be noted that the information in my blog today comes from the incredibly informative article by Umair Kazi entitled Collective Bargaining, printed in The Authors Guild Bulletin. For more on The Authors Guild, what they do, how they can help, and how to join, visit their website: https://www.authorsguild.org/  The world is filled with extremely frustrating, nonsensical situations that seem to be out of the control of a single person. This new section’s purpose is to allow the release of that frustration. I call it the “Bug Letter.”
The Bug letter is a way to let the organization creating the situation know that we take issue with some obscene, absurd, illogical rule or process they have in place. Very rarely does it produce a result other than allowing the author of the Bug Letter to feel some modicum of control. The receiver reads the letter and most of the time, squashes it like an unwanted bug. Hence, the Bug Letter. DATA vs. NOT DATA DATA Dear AT&T wireless, I have an unlimited talk, text, and DATA plan. Two days ago, I received a text (for free) that I reached my max of high-speed data limit, and until next month’s billing cycle, my data speed would be slowed down. I called and spoke to a representative who told me that not all data is data. I asked what data is not data. He replied that he didn’t know. He looked up my plan and agreed that it was for UNLIMITED TALK, TEXT, and DATA. I asked if the plan mentioned anything about data and not data data. Silence. I asked for a supervisor. He didn’t know either. I scoured the internet on my desktop to give AT&T the benefit of the doubt. My phone data was too slow. I found nothing that differentiated data from not data. Until you can explain the difference between data and not data data, please stop throttling my not data since it also throttles my distinctively different DATA. Sincerely, Unlimited Frustration. While writing these letters doesn't always get a response, it does feel good to know that someone has to read it at least once. If you have a “Bug Letter” you would like to submit; please send it to me for next month’s newsletter.  Some may think I have lost my ability to edit proficiently. I have not.
Recently, I was made aware of a strange creature that lurks in big and small cities and even skulks on the very streets we live. It has been spotted at the grocery store, on our sidewalks, and in automobiles. The Professional Tortest seeks opportune moments to strike, lying in waiting for just the right circumstance before making its move. This creature has only one goal: to cause grief to those it can take by surprise. Its physical appearance can vary from short and portly to tall and lean. The most horrible thing about this real-life beast is that we don’t notice its presence until it’s too late. The psychiatry world calls this creature the “Hyperlitigious Litigant.” This predator continually sues unsuspecting companies and individuals. Whether for fun, for power, or for income, varies by the beast. I’m not talking about attorneys. This predatory looks like an ordinary people but, in reality, this creature is constantly on the search for, or the prospect to create, situations that cause it to obtain “injuries.” These injuries are both real or fictitious. Either way, they are self-inflicted. The creature then seeks medical attention, immediately followed by legal counsel. It does this periodically and can have multiple cases at the same time. The legal community refers to this predator’s behavior as “Vexatious Litigation.” If you feel you have been preyed upon by one of these creatures, all hope is not lost. My research into this behavior has found that these creatures have specific characteristics that can be identified (AAPL article listed below): · Initiates dozens or hundreds of suits. · Has a life that revolves around the development and progress of litigation · Is not deterred by repeated negative outcomes. · Files suits that are trivial or unfounded. · Invests great amounts of time in litigation. · Is a known and persistent presence for lawyers, judges, and clerks. Rest assured that attorneys and insurance companies are aware of these creatures. Still, mentioning this phenomenon to those representing our interests is warranted if we feel something is awry. This piece is not meant as legal or psychiatric advice but as a warning about a herd of predatory creatures that may be lurking in our neighborhoods. Beware the Professional Tortest who lies in wait. Sources: http://jaapl.org/content/45/1/62 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_opportunism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vexatious_litigation  The power of the word is not to be taken lightly; I veered away from this axiom, but now it feels like a vulture circling above me. I must address the beast or be devoured by it.
We, humankind, now face a challenge that stirs many emotions at the mere mention of its name. COVID and it's little, more lethal sibling, Delta Variant, are here, and we have a viable defense against it. But the use of the written and spoken word has created such doubt that soon the viral beast will be atop the food chain. Perhaps this is the way it has always been. Maybe history has it wrong and the dinosaurs fell victim to a similar tiny monster. Either way, we must fight back to preserve the human race. The growing vaccination conflict is often compared to the war against seatbelt laws; it’s not the same. If you didn’t wear a seatbelt, you would only hurt yourself. Not getting vaccinated puts everyone in danger. Vaccines have been questioned since they were first introduced in 1798 (smallpox vaccine). They were perceived as witchcraft or the devil's work, yet they still are used today to protect people worldwide. Why is this vaccine different? Here are only some theories that seem to make the distinction.
Let’s look at each one of these points. Edward Jenner’s smallpox vaccine was given to ONE thirteen-year-old boy to show immunity against the virus. It is the mainstream treatment against smallpox. The vaccine was met with fear and condemnation for many reasons, but as word spread that a “cure” for the ravenous disease was available, doctors used it without question, and patients accepted it. In total “transparency”, we were told that the COVID vaccine was new and something never tried before. This scared a great many people. There have been many medical breakthroughs in the last decade alone; why is the advent of an mRNA life-saving vaccine so different? The answer is simple. The world has grown smaller and information is at our fingertips and is shared over platforms that are not consistent in distinguishing opinion from fact. This can lead to misinterpretation and increase fear of the unknown, While the death of patients injected with vaccines has occurred throughout history, the numbers are minuscule compared to the overall benefit. Usually, they involve unknown allergies to agents within the vaccine, contamination, or other health factors. This theory is like citing the dangers of dying while flying in an airplane. The notion that the COVID vaccine doesn’t really work is based on a certain number of people who recover from the illness without the vaccination. In statistical data, there will be outliers; those who do not conform to the results of the information being compiled. They are the few and far between. The real question is, do you want to take the chance that you are an outlier and don’t need the vaccine? I add the last bullet to show the true power of words. I have been unable to find credible evidence linking tracking devices to the vaccine. That’s what cell phones are for… (just a bit of conspiracy humor). All vaccines have been met with fear and negative propaganda, but none have been so derided as the current one. There have been numerous pro and anti-vax articles published in the last year. I urge you to read those posted by reputable sources before making a choice. Here is a final thought. The Delta variant is a more efficient killer, similar to chickenpox before we could control it. As the COVID virus (Delta variant) continues to thrive, it will continue to mutate. The next variant, let’s call it Epsilon, might be resistant to the current vaccine and more contagious or deadly than Delta. Do we want to take that chance? For the history buffs: This is the shot heard only halfway around the world. Put down the pen, stop the words and get the vaccine, please. Additional sources: https://www.immune.org.nz/vaccines/vaccine-development/brief-history-vaccination https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/28/opinion/vaccine-hesitancy-smallpox.html https://www.wpr.org/surprisingly-controversial-history-seat-belts  There are those times when the idea for a compelling blog escapes me. So, I scour my mind and fish through the past month of my life, trying desperately to find something to type into a stimulating blog. Finally, I hit the news outlets thinking, what can I riff on?
I played such a game with this month’s blog. I asked myself, “Why? I never run dry of oddball angles to look at things.” The truth is I did come up with several ideas; they just didn’t pan out to be worthy enough for a blog. While running myself over with the proverbial bus the evening before last, I came upon an old article about The Seinfeld Show that described it with a very fitting blurb. “Much About Nothing.” The piece raved about how the show was a success about nothing and how it caught the voyeuristic eye of the world. The Seinfeld Show ran for about nine years, from 1989 to 1998. That’s nearly twenty-three years ago. Fast-forward to today and take a look at what fills the small screen. We have elevated the “much about nothing” element to a new level called “reality TV.” We devour every moment of peeking into the lives of ordinary people. The networks see this thirst and amp up the drama. Perhaps this makes us feel better about our own lives or at least steals us away one hour at a time. Let’s go one step further; the internet has ridden this wave with immense success. Twitter, Instagram, and the Generation Z to Alpha population’s favorite pastime, TikTok, exploit the “much about nothing” concept. These social media platforms capitalize on the human urge to watch from a distance and still feel connected. Following strangers or digital friends as they go to the grocery store, put on make-up, or allow us to view whatever it is they do, seems creepy if we examine it in this context, but it sells. That takes us to the final part of Much About Nothing. This misnomer is the cloak that hides the reality that much about nothing is hiding the millions made from human nature. Those who are successful in front of the lens of television and social media get paid well. Both avenues have their own way of measuring success before the dollar is doled out, but the ultimate goal is currency. Is this a new concept created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld? To answer that question, we can look back to Mr. Shakespeare. William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing is a play that lets us view how deception plays out in everyday life, how relationships are comical and messy. Sounds just like reality TV or social media. Perhaps Shakespeare was well ahead of his time. He may be watching now and saying, “I knew it!” It seems that our voyeuristic tendencies may have begun somewhere in our distant past and continues to evolve. Whatever the reasons, each of us chooses what we watch and why we watch it. I include myself in the collective. Without judgment, just observation; “Much about nothing,” in reality, is “Much about something.” I hope you enjoyed this view of nothing. Please send me your thoughts and comments.  There is a growing trend in the consumer market that bigger is better. The spread of larger and still larger has leaked its way into almost every corner of our world. I recently noticed a virtually unchanged commodity getting caught up with this need for the gargantuan.
This realization began in the powder room on the first floor of our almost100 year-old home. The toilet paper dispenser is a tile inlay installed when standard, was not Mega, Super Mega, or Ultra-Super Mega. It is increasingly difficult to find quality toilet paper rolls in this smaller size. I became aware of the increase in toilet paper roll size just before the pandemic. During the pandemic, the shortage of toilet paper sent manufacturers into a tailspin and the onslaught of oversizing began. Perhaps toilet paper manufacturers are trying to accommodate us by keeping up with the fast-food industry. The larger the portions of fries, the higher ounces of soft drinks, the more we have to… you get the idea. This appears to be a logical conclusion and we might want to thank them for their thoughtfulness. A closer look reveals that the manufactures of toilet paper may not be so altruistic. The cost of cardboard increased by approximately 22% in 2021. This is mainly due to the increased cost of wood pulp which is used to make cardboard. So, let’s do the math. Double, triple the size of the number of sheets of toilet paper on a single roll and use half, to a third, of the cardboard. The sheets were going to be produced to meet the need, so why not make the rolls bigger and cut down on the need for the cardboard roll? Rebrand the label to make the consumer think they are getting more, up the price because, after all, the rolls are giant, and save a fortune on the cardboard. Now let’s look at it from the consumer’s point of view. We are conditioned to believe that bigger is better. But there is another factor that rolls around in the back of our minds. Convenience is the key here. Larger rolls mean less frequent trips to purchase toilet paper. The rolls are enormous, so walks to the linen closet, reaches behind to the tank, and bends into the bathroom cabinet are fewer. But here is the biggie that manufacturers are counting on. The visual effect and the thought of more sheets on a roll unconsciously allow us to pull more sheets during each use. We use more, we buy more, and their profit margin grows. During the height of the pandemic, toilet paper sales spiked 845%, Soaring to eleven billion dollars for 2020. That’s a lot of pennies saved on those cardboard rolls. Here is another thought to sit down and think about, pun intended. The increased use of TP causes increases in carbon emissions and the need for more trees to be sacrificed. Both points boost global warming and are harmful to our planet. I have included a link to a Newsweek article below, but be forewarned; there is a great deal of butt talk in it. Will we see the return of the smaller roll? Only time will tell. I believe the Mega, Super-Mega, and Ultra-Super-Mega rolls are here to stay, so if you’re remodeling your bathroom, you may want to consider installing a large paper towel dispenser instead of a toilet paper one. Size does matter. How many of you can remember the name of the man shown in the photo, the brand he advertised, and the slogan he used? Please let me know your thoughts and answers. Sources used: https://www.newsweek.com/amplify/heres-what-roll-toilet-paper-does-environment-finding-best-eco-friendly-alternative https://www.nysscpa.org/news/publications/nextgen/nextgen-article/cardboard-box-prices-soar-040121 https://www.businessinsider.com/why-toilet-paper-demand-spiked-845-how-companies-kept-up-2020-5 https://www.wsj.com/articles/americans-have-too-much-toilet-paper-it-is-catching-up-to-companies-11618306200 |
Author's Quote:"Writing is the flow of life through words on a page. We all have this talent to share." Luca DiMatteo Archives
March 2022
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