Limits.

Why limit ourselves to the confines of expectations? Of the paths that others say we must follow to accomplish our objectives. Of what society, our friends, schools, colleagues say must be done to get there. We don't, but we allow ourselves to be confined by these limits. Don't do this. We can achieve our ambitions. We can overcome any obstacle. And even if we are defeated again and again, we strive because these limits are not really that. They are noise to distract us.

On Forgiveness

When thinking about recent history, there have been several moments over the last several years where leaders of national prominence have been humbled by apologies for mistakes. When thinking about these events and reflecting on last night's rebuke of the President of one of the leading academic institutions in the world, what saddens me is how apologies and forgiveness seems to be sentiments that the media and the public have a hard time accepting. People make mistakes, ranging from minor to major, but often the message we see expressed is one of dismissal by peers and by the media's desire to fuel moments of contention. I do not condone or excuse the mistakes of public figures that go too far with their statements or betray trust by personal indiscretions, but given situations where we are asked to forgive, I think this is best. Often, when we find someone in a moment where such apology is warrented and expected, we bring up everything that we don't like about that person and confuse the issue into being something bigger than it is. This snowball causes a confusion of the heart of this issue and the message becomes one bred on negativity. Without acceptance of intentions (the desire to move on, learn and grow), the situations where we ask and expect understanding; failing this, evryone loses.

Talk shows, revisted.

I have received some flack for my previous feedback on morning talk shows. Listen, I enjoy them, this is why I spend a little bit of time flipping through the channels to see what is on. But sometimes, you just hear something you don't agree with and you just want to write it down. My words may be terse to the subject, but the medium I still find worthwhile. But let's be honest -- nothing beats Morning Edition.

Talk show advice, the good, the bad and the in-between: Office Romance

These thoughts are not for those who have been successful in inter-office romances, it is for the rest of us that have tried and failed. Enter morning talk shows; was watching "Today" this morning. Psychologist Dr. Gail Saltz is suggesting "the rules" for dating in the workplace, my point is there are a million places and ways to meet people, why should the workplace by a place by which we suggest to meet others? Can't we have some limits and boundaries to the way we live? Dr. Saltz's breakdown was on the "do's" and "don'ts". I say that relationships in the workplace serve to breakdown the professionalism and the decorum that is necessary in business and are usually not a good idea for many obvious reasons. Now I hardly want to criticize and put down the many people that have found their loves in such settings, I guess what I am saying is that I wish the message being downloaded on this morning's national television would be that we should have some boundaries in our lives. If you want to date, meet someone outside the office. The complication of dating someone you work with doesn't need my description.

Social Cycles

How much do twenty/thirty - somethings spend (in time, money and energy) on going out with friends, getting a few drinks, dancing, getting a few more drinks, getting a quick bite when going home and somewhere between the ride home to the next morning, wondering why we just did all of that. Now, this is not one of those Sunday mornings for me, but I was thinking about it because I just got off the phone with one of my friends who downloaded this thought process to me. I have had the thought myself many times, yet I find myself occasionally slipping into this pattern. Now, the urban social dweller would argue that these things are a part of socialization and my rants to the contrary or dismissing these efforts as a waste of time are somehow representative of a developing conservatism. I would say not so, that perhaps we need be a little more creative in our social outlets and that too much emphasis is placed on the city "bar" scene as a focus of our means of meeting and interaction with new people, friends and the like. Now, to everyone out there that follows moderation, these thoughts are not applicable to you, for we all need our vices, but as someone that does not prescribe well to such a "balanced" approach, I say to all those that can hear what I am talking about and find themselves in a pattern, how about something new? Ideas? I will leave that to you.

Oscar Fallout, revisited

I have to admit it, I didn't want to like it. Yes, I was impressed with the reviews and the cast, but inside I wanted to dismiss this movie. Why? Because I had an image of a movie presented with manufactured sentiment, a movie made to be "profound" or "emotional". I was wrong. This movie has very careful and powerful acting, the simple score works well and the movie's messages regarding redemption, forgiveness, reconcilliation, triumph, adversity, loss and love are moving. I believe we learn the most by observing the difficulties others endure.

Even more Oscar Fallout

Watching Million Dollar Baby. . .will report back in a few.

More Oscar Fallout

Adjusting to my disappointment regarding The Aviator and Martin Scorsese's lack of high Oscar honors. However, saw Hilary Swank on 60 minutes last night and was very impressed.

Oscar Fallout

I have not seen Million Dollar Baby yet, but I am upset that The Aviator did not take the top prize.