It's such a joke. I'm glad people enjoy being there. I do not.
Today I saw three fashionistas walking down the main drag dressed like they just stepped out of a 1980's strip joint. They were all staring at their iPhones.
It's easy to be a millionaire in Scottsdale and I'll tell you why: Because all the hardcore millionaires are in California. If you can't swim with the big fish, get yourself a little slice of heaven (more like hell with how hot it is down here) in Scottsdale.
Lots of vanity license plates.
And where I work at Whole Foods in North Scottsdale.... there is a man named Thomas who shops there EVERY day. He spends anywhere from $300-500, or roughly $2,500 a week. He is a personal chef. For only TWO PEOPLE!!!! He used to be Shaq's personal chef. Like Shaquille O'Neal. This man, Thomas, is given a very flexible allowance by a wealthy Scottsdale couple, to cook for them every day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Every night consists of a 7 course meal. Plus he gets paid a crazy amount of money to do the grocery shopping and the cooking. CRAZY!!!!! That my friends-- is Scottsdale. I don't even spend $2,500 for my food, rent, gas, entertainment, etc in a months time. Who are these people?
I'll post something worthwhile tomorrow.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Bureaucracy
I've been thinking about this word/idea for a couple of days.
Webster's Definition:
1 a : a body of nonelective government officials
b : an administrative policy-making group
Many times when a bureaucracy exists it is in a situation or place where there are technically no written rules, yet somehow there are people who feel entitled to appoint themselves as the rule enforcers. Whether or not they are give the authority, if the lowly stander-bys act as compliant cattle, then why shouldn't these bureaucrats-to-be have the opportunity to throw their hat in the ring for more power? What really gets me is this-- if there is ever an instance in which one of the bureaucrats breaks one of their own imaginary rules, it can not be held over them with much significance because:
a) they made the rules
b) they enforce the rules
c) the rules don't technically exist
I feel very Fight Club all of a sudden. I don't even know what point I'm trying to make. This has just been on my mind and I think when it really comes down to it, money always wins. A presidential election is an obvious example but let me suggest a small, insignificant example that I see every day working in a grocery store. First, let me make myself clear. I am in no way unhappy with my job or do I wish to complain about any of it. I am just observing what is around me.
A grocery bagger makes a terrific suggestion that would benefit the entire store. It could even make less work for a lot of people, save time and money and resources. They tell their idea to a cashier. The cashier brings it up to the Supervisor. The supervisor brings it to the Manager. The manager sends an email to headquarters.
Anywhere along this line of communication the person in the higher position can kill the idea. You might say that the person listening could make an educated decision and then use their authority to decide whether or not this idea is worth passing along. Well what's the difference between a bagger's job and a manager's job? Two fundamental things: Responsibility and Pay. Let me ask an easy question. Why in the world would anybody want to take on more responsibility (stress & fatigue)? You can pretend to be the better guy and say "I enjoy a sense of accomplishment or making a positive difference or the desire to learn new skills." But really there is one true answer to this question.... Money. And the person who makes more money, makes the final call. The person who makes more money is not always a smarter person. They are not always a nicer person. Like the rest of mankind, they are not always right in every decision they make. BUT they have more money, so we let them win. When it comes down to it, the person with less money can not make the bagger's idea happen without the "okay" from the people who have more money.
I am rambling. Let me apologize in advance. If I'm forcing myself to blog at least once a week then you will probably get a lot of rambling. You can take it or leave it. My feelings won't be hurt unless you leave a mean comment ;)
On a totally unrelated subject, I'll add a picture of the dinner I made because I was so proud of it. AND when I check out other people's blogs I like seeing pictures so here you go. Quinoa Kale Salad. It was super easy and totally yum.
Webster's Definition:
1 a : a body of nonelective government officials
2
: government characterized by specialization of functions, adherence to fixed rules, and a hierarchy of authority
3
: a system of administration marked by officialism, red tape, and proliferation
a) they made the rules
b) they enforce the rules
c) the rules don't technically exist
I feel very Fight Club all of a sudden. I don't even know what point I'm trying to make. This has just been on my mind and I think when it really comes down to it, money always wins. A presidential election is an obvious example but let me suggest a small, insignificant example that I see every day working in a grocery store. First, let me make myself clear. I am in no way unhappy with my job or do I wish to complain about any of it. I am just observing what is around me.
A grocery bagger makes a terrific suggestion that would benefit the entire store. It could even make less work for a lot of people, save time and money and resources. They tell their idea to a cashier. The cashier brings it up to the Supervisor. The supervisor brings it to the Manager. The manager sends an email to headquarters.
Anywhere along this line of communication the person in the higher position can kill the idea. You might say that the person listening could make an educated decision and then use their authority to decide whether or not this idea is worth passing along. Well what's the difference between a bagger's job and a manager's job? Two fundamental things: Responsibility and Pay. Let me ask an easy question. Why in the world would anybody want to take on more responsibility (stress & fatigue)? You can pretend to be the better guy and say "I enjoy a sense of accomplishment or making a positive difference or the desire to learn new skills." But really there is one true answer to this question.... Money. And the person who makes more money, makes the final call. The person who makes more money is not always a smarter person. They are not always a nicer person. Like the rest of mankind, they are not always right in every decision they make. BUT they have more money, so we let them win. When it comes down to it, the person with less money can not make the bagger's idea happen without the "okay" from the people who have more money.
I am rambling. Let me apologize in advance. If I'm forcing myself to blog at least once a week then you will probably get a lot of rambling. You can take it or leave it. My feelings won't be hurt unless you leave a mean comment ;)On a totally unrelated subject, I'll add a picture of the dinner I made because I was so proud of it. AND when I check out other people's blogs I like seeing pictures so here you go. Quinoa Kale Salad. It was super easy and totally yum.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Back in the blog world for a while.
Okay okay okay okay okay okay okay okay okay okay okay!
I really do wish that I had something new and exciting to post every day but, once again, I have let life get in the way of documenting-- which I believe can be just as important as life itself. Some of my biggest "wow" moments have come after reading some of my own journal entries from years ago. We can learn a lot about ourselves, from ourselves, if we give ourselves the time. You follow me? Meditation = Good. I feel like I am in a very important time in my life where I am figuring out exactly who Cody Marielena Shumway (Boucher) is. Can I end a sentence with is? Probably not. Maybe that's something I'll work on this year.
Anyway, here I am making a goal for myself to start blogging at least once a week. I made the same goal back in 2010??? and it worked so I know I can make the magic happen in 2013. We are only 6 weeks into the New Year which is when most people quit their new year's resolutions, so I figure it's probably a great time for me to make and start some of my own. So for all of you three people who read my blog, put on your seat belts! I'm back in the game-- maybe with less pictures this time around, but definitely with a promise to put a little more thought and feeling behind each post.
Cody
I really do wish that I had something new and exciting to post every day but, once again, I have let life get in the way of documenting-- which I believe can be just as important as life itself. Some of my biggest "wow" moments have come after reading some of my own journal entries from years ago. We can learn a lot about ourselves, from ourselves, if we give ourselves the time. You follow me? Meditation = Good. I feel like I am in a very important time in my life where I am figuring out exactly who Cody Marielena Shumway (Boucher) is. Can I end a sentence with is? Probably not. Maybe that's something I'll work on this year.
Anyway, here I am making a goal for myself to start blogging at least once a week. I made the same goal back in 2010??? and it worked so I know I can make the magic happen in 2013. We are only 6 weeks into the New Year which is when most people quit their new year's resolutions, so I figure it's probably a great time for me to make and start some of my own. So for all of you three people who read my blog, put on your seat belts! I'm back in the game-- maybe with less pictures this time around, but definitely with a promise to put a little more thought and feeling behind each post.
Cody
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