Thursday, February 28, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013
"Morto un Papa se ne fa un altro" or simply "Life goes on"
The world is stunned by the breaking news announcement of Pope Benedict XVI resigning. Italians newspapers and critics are defining it an event of massive historic proportions.
Leaders across Italy and Europe define it as an admirable, courageous and respectful gesture.
I am however perplexed, irritated and confused by it.
Under canon law it is apparently in a Pope's right to resign. But this is the first time since the XV century. Why?
Assuming that the physical difficulties are indeed slowly incapacitating him and preventing him from enduring his ministry adequately, I can see how resigning and allowing a fitter Bishop of Rome to take the lead, may be seen as an admirable and honest gesture.
Possibly even an extraordinary innovative one that could mark the future of the Catholic Church.
But why would this be a courageous act? Who is the Pope saving by doing so?
For me, like for many others, a Pope is a Pope until death.
Even Dante expressed this very clearly in his " Divina Comedia":
If we define his "gran rifiuto" (act of resignation) courageous then we must play devils advocate and ask: could this be a gesture of viltade (cowardness) instead?
I can't help indulging in the comparison with Giovanni Paolo II, a Pope who I hold close to my hearth, and a Pope who remained "Servus Servorum Dei" until the very end, despite an assassination attempt, cancer, severe arthritis and Parkinson.
How do we reconcile John Paul's incredible life journey with Ratzinger's resignation? Some say it is not our place to question the decision, simply to respect it. Perhaps they are right.
A decision with enormous historic and political consequences, too complex to fully understand or rationalize with simple speculations such health issues, or possible political pressures.
I am saddened and I am left hoping some of our Italian Institutional leaders are inspired to follow suit!
Leaders across Italy and Europe define it as an admirable, courageous and respectful gesture.
I am however perplexed, irritated and confused by it.
Under canon law it is apparently in a Pope's right to resign. But this is the first time since the XV century. Why?
Assuming that the physical difficulties are indeed slowly incapacitating him and preventing him from enduring his ministry adequately, I can see how resigning and allowing a fitter Bishop of Rome to take the lead, may be seen as an admirable and honest gesture.
Possibly even an extraordinary innovative one that could mark the future of the Catholic Church.
But why would this be a courageous act? Who is the Pope saving by doing so?
For me, like for many others, a Pope is a Pope until death.
Even Dante expressed this very clearly in his " Divina Comedia":
« Poscia ch'io v'ebbi alcun riconosciuto,
vidi e conobbi l'ombra di colui
che fece per viltade il gran rifiuto. » (Inferno canto terzo) |
If we define his "gran rifiuto" (act of resignation) courageous then we must play devils advocate and ask: could this be a gesture of viltade (cowardness) instead?
I can't help indulging in the comparison with Giovanni Paolo II, a Pope who I hold close to my hearth, and a Pope who remained "Servus Servorum Dei" until the very end, despite an assassination attempt, cancer, severe arthritis and Parkinson.
How do we reconcile John Paul's incredible life journey with Ratzinger's resignation? Some say it is not our place to question the decision, simply to respect it. Perhaps they are right.
A decision with enormous historic and political consequences, too complex to fully understand or rationalize with simple speculations such health issues, or possible political pressures.
I am saddened and I am left hoping some of our Italian Institutional leaders are inspired to follow suit!
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Drilling for Dollars
Pediatric dentistry is the biggest scam of all in the US! I am determined to do everything I can to expose and bring attention to this passively accepted and rapidly rising malpractice!
I got a first taste of this phenomenon when my 5 year old was suddenly diagnosed (from one visit to the next) with 5 tooth decays. Not one or two ...FIVE!
We had been with this practice for less than a year. We were told it was urgent and he had to return within two weeks to get them filled.
I remember the assistant lips unemotionally spelling the sentence, I could not think clearly. I knew I needed to regroup and ask some important and intelligent questions, instead flustered and overwhelmed all I could think of was HOW? HOW is this possible?
My kids do not eat candies, do not drink any kind of juice, brush regularly ... HOW?
It must be genetic and if so it must be from my husband's side of the family...my family has proudly paraded perfect dentition for generations.
In a temporary and induced state of confusion, I remember managing to grasp enough breath to ask if we really needed to do these fillings so urgently. The dental assistant replied that it would be dangerous to wait as the decay can grow deeper and they would then need to do root canal, a procedure that would be much more traumatic than a filling for the child.
Sigh!
I left feeling hopeless and defeated. It is only after I have returned to the car that my brain cells started firing the appropriate connections again. It occurred to me that baby teeth do not have roots ...what was she talking about?
We decided to leave the practice, collect all records and X-rays and send them to my dentist in Italy for review. My dentist verdict confirmed perhaps there was the beginning of a decay in one place but could really see no evidence for the rest of the impending decays. In fact, I was informed that in Italy they usually would never treat at that early stage anyway, as progression rates vary and baby teeth fall out eventually!
I went back to our Brookline pediatric dentistry, and shared the information I had received from my dentist. Following a three day communication hiatus, an administrative assistant finally gets in touch to inform us that the doctors reviewed my son's records once more and stood by their decision. They also concluded Italians most likely could not read the Xray properly because they needed more sensitive equipment.
The ultimate insult and the straw that broke the camels back!
I moved to a second practice in Brookline as per recommendation of my regular dentist.
After careful review, they concluded he did not really need FIVE fillings but only THREE! and once again we had to get it done within two weeks.
"FIVE urgent fillings needed for five teeth, another dentist came looking and then there were THREE"
I did not return within two weeks.
However two weeks later a letter from the practice informed us that both of my children will be denied further visits with the dentistry for failure to comply with treatment. Clearly it was evident from the beginning that they would make very little money out of us so why invest any more time?
I am happy to report that a year and half later my son is doing well and it has not had any fillings!
I read with great interest this article about the rise of tooth decay in toddlers and young children.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57391527-10391704/more-preschoolers-showing-up-to-dentists-with-10-cavities-or-more-says-report/
I have colleagues and friends with toddlers who have been under anestasia several times for several fillings before even reaching the age of 3.
While it is true that in daycare the widespread excessive and absolutely unnecessary use of fruit juices, particularly to infants and toddlers, may be contributing to some accelerated tooth decay, it is not the sole and primary reason.
And while I am sure that some children require prompt attention and intervention from a young age, sadly this has become a money making business at the expenses of young healthy children. There are no regulations in place to monitor this malpractice and it is getting very serious in certain places in the country.
Share your experience too! I interested in hearing from you!
I got a first taste of this phenomenon when my 5 year old was suddenly diagnosed (from one visit to the next) with 5 tooth decays. Not one or two ...FIVE!
We had been with this practice for less than a year. We were told it was urgent and he had to return within two weeks to get them filled.
I remember the assistant lips unemotionally spelling the sentence, I could not think clearly. I knew I needed to regroup and ask some important and intelligent questions, instead flustered and overwhelmed all I could think of was HOW? HOW is this possible?
My kids do not eat candies, do not drink any kind of juice, brush regularly ... HOW?
It must be genetic and if so it must be from my husband's side of the family...my family has proudly paraded perfect dentition for generations.
In a temporary and induced state of confusion, I remember managing to grasp enough breath to ask if we really needed to do these fillings so urgently. The dental assistant replied that it would be dangerous to wait as the decay can grow deeper and they would then need to do root canal, a procedure that would be much more traumatic than a filling for the child.
Sigh!
I left feeling hopeless and defeated. It is only after I have returned to the car that my brain cells started firing the appropriate connections again. It occurred to me that baby teeth do not have roots ...what was she talking about?
We decided to leave the practice, collect all records and X-rays and send them to my dentist in Italy for review. My dentist verdict confirmed perhaps there was the beginning of a decay in one place but could really see no evidence for the rest of the impending decays. In fact, I was informed that in Italy they usually would never treat at that early stage anyway, as progression rates vary and baby teeth fall out eventually!
I went back to our Brookline pediatric dentistry, and shared the information I had received from my dentist. Following a three day communication hiatus, an administrative assistant finally gets in touch to inform us that the doctors reviewed my son's records once more and stood by their decision. They also concluded Italians most likely could not read the Xray properly because they needed more sensitive equipment.
The ultimate insult and the straw that broke the camels back!
I moved to a second practice in Brookline as per recommendation of my regular dentist.
After careful review, they concluded he did not really need FIVE fillings but only THREE! and once again we had to get it done within two weeks.
"FIVE urgent fillings needed for five teeth, another dentist came looking and then there were THREE"
I did not return within two weeks.
However two weeks later a letter from the practice informed us that both of my children will be denied further visits with the dentistry for failure to comply with treatment. Clearly it was evident from the beginning that they would make very little money out of us so why invest any more time?
I am happy to report that a year and half later my son is doing well and it has not had any fillings!
I read with great interest this article about the rise of tooth decay in toddlers and young children.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57391527-10391704/more-preschoolers-showing-up-to-dentists-with-10-cavities-or-more-says-report/
I have colleagues and friends with toddlers who have been under anestasia several times for several fillings before even reaching the age of 3.
While it is true that in daycare the widespread excessive and absolutely unnecessary use of fruit juices, particularly to infants and toddlers, may be contributing to some accelerated tooth decay, it is not the sole and primary reason.
And while I am sure that some children require prompt attention and intervention from a young age, sadly this has become a money making business at the expenses of young healthy children. There are no regulations in place to monitor this malpractice and it is getting very serious in certain places in the country.
Share your experience too! I interested in hearing from you!
Friday, March 2, 2012
Happy New Year
Christmas came and went like a tsunami this year! So much joy, so much fun. Myself and the terrible trio, who is becoming true to the word "terrible" every day that goes by, have endured all traditions!
Once again I let myself indulge in all the painful inventions our capitatilstic society has so succesfully inflicted on mothers:
1) our very own ginger bread house (made from scratch),
2) Christmas cookies, and
3) a night at the theater to see the Nutcraker.
Oh repeat that sounding joy!
Every year we enter Christmas full of joy and come out of it full of stress, as we quickly come to the vivid realization that there is very little magic and joy accompanying some of these traditional Christmas activities. Yet we do it over and over again!
In the middle of making our gingerbread house, stress levels reached a record high. The children started to cry at the sight of the house slowly collapsing. The royal icing was not so royal after all and way too thin and drippy to keep the pieces together. While trying to keep the house from falling apart with all my fingers strategically positioned, I also had to fight my 5 year old urge and compulsion of licking off the drips of icing using any available body part I had left...consequently more melt downs and temper tantrums.
The straw that broke the camel's back (or the house in this case) was when my 9 year old and, most capable and trusted helper in this endevour, dropped the entire side of the house on the kitchen floor...suddenly a tired and flustered mummy turned into the wicked witch from Hansel and Gretel.
My only choice was to turn to a Martha Stewart recipe book or to the Witch's guide to cooking (with) children! (No need to tell you which one was my preference).
In the end Daddy saved the day with a special trip to the supermarket!
Shaken by frustration and anger and with my nose glowing, not due to the Christmas spirit, I recomposed myself quickly and decided to access a more positive and dignified state of mind....
So my 9 year old and I pondered a better solution by turning our sideless gingerbread house into an open plan construction!
The Boston performance of the Nutcraker was a much more positive experience, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was indeed my yearly punishment for 3 out of the 4 boys in my life.
They loved it at first! Fritz and Clara and the fight scenes kept them very alert, but then the Enchanted Land of Snow and Land of Sweets slowly but surely lost their interest. My 5 year old passed out, my husband slowly retreated in his sit and my nine year old summed up the whole evening quietly whispering in my ear "So many dances...sigh"
I just could not help laughing, his comment was so timely and so hilarious, his expression so serious yet so comedic at the same time.... tears streaming down my cheeks ...I could not contain myself ...that made my evening!
Once again I let myself indulge in all the painful inventions our capitatilstic society has so succesfully inflicted on mothers:
1) our very own ginger bread house (made from scratch),
2) Christmas cookies, and
3) a night at the theater to see the Nutcraker.
Oh repeat that sounding joy!
1) our very own ginger bread house (made from scratch),
2) Christmas cookies, and
3) a night at the theater to see the Nutcracker
Every year we enter Christmas full of joy and come out of it full of stress, as we quickly come to the vivid realization that there is very little magic and joy accompanying some of these traditional Christmas activities. Yet we do it over and over again!
In the middle of making our gingerbread house, stress levels reached a record high. The children started to cry at the sight of the house slowly collapsing. The royal icing was not so royal after all and way too thin and drippy to keep the pieces together. While trying to keep the house from falling apart with all my fingers strategically positioned, I also had to fight my 5 year old urge and compulsion of licking off the drips of icing using any available body part I had left...consequently more melt downs and temper tantrums.
The straw that broke the camel's back (or the house in this case) was when my 9 year old and, most capable and trusted helper in this endevour, dropped the entire side of the house on the kitchen floor...suddenly a tired and flustered mummy turned into the wicked witch from Hansel and Gretel.
My only choice was to turn to a Martha Stewart recipe book or to the Witch's guide to cooking (with) children! (No need to tell you which one was my preference).
In the end Daddy saved the day with a special trip to the supermarket!
Shaken by frustration and anger and with my nose glowing, not due to the Christmas spirit, I recomposed myself quickly and decided to access a more positive and dignified state of mind....
So my 9 year old and I pondered a better solution by turning our sideless gingerbread house into an open plan construction!
The Boston performance of the Nutcraker was a much more positive experience, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was indeed my yearly punishment for 3 out of the 4 boys in my life.
They loved it at first! Fritz and Clara and the fight scenes kept them very alert, but then the Enchanted Land of Snow and Land of Sweets slowly but surely lost their interest. My 5 year old passed out, my husband slowly retreated in his sit and my nine year old summed up the whole evening quietly whispering in my ear "So many dances...sigh"
I just could not help laughing, his comment was so timely and so hilarious, his expression so serious yet so comedic at the same time.... tears streaming down my cheeks ...I could not contain myself ...that made my evening!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Who is the fittest mum of all?
It turns out a day at the beach, mid-week, is the perfect time to get inspiration for my blog.
I decided to go with my three children and our aupair to cope with the horrid heath wave that is currently plaguing us and the lack of central air conditioning in our house.
As I rapidly and efficiently scan the area to identify the best spot to settle on, I find myself catching my breath at the sight! Oh mid-week ! I was going to have to sit next to all the Stepfordy mums from the surrounding areas, who decided to spend the day at the beach with their friends and their children. On hindsight not such a relaxing day after all!
Still the hot breeze from the sea was relieving, and cooling down by the water was just what everyone needed! With a temperature of 39.5 degree Celsius outside, even the very cold waters around here, which normally give you leg cramps, became soon very appealing.
I am sure our arrival disrupted their day at the beach just as much they disrupted mine!
With a parenting style that can be spotted from a mile away: no fancy frilled hats, no beach coveralls (someone has to explain this one to me), no vitamin water, no superfluous snacks, no accessories, no useless toys, no picnic blanket. Our spot is bare and uninviting, nachos (a favorite for the ferocious local seagulls when left unattended) are replaced by a sandwich and a piece of fruit or a yogurt, and for mommy vitamin water is replaced by diet coke (with evil caffeine)!
But what really preceded us is of course the yelling, the cursing, and the threatening that could be heard from miles away, an attempt on my part to scare the hell out of the terrible trio, so we could at least hope to get to the end of the day.
Sure enough not the role model these women were hoping to share their beach spot with. And this morning to top it all, mommy, coming out of a hellish week at work, had forgotten to shave!
With no shame I proceeded to show off an orange bikini "Doctor No" style ! As I sit nearby to cool off in the shallow waters with my son, I involuntarily indulge into listening in on their conversations.
To my surprise (or not), I end up witnessing what is commonly and famously known as a pissing contest. In a not so subtle way, they casually unloaded their judgement first on their friends and then on themselves trying to assert who amongst them was the perfect mum and domestic goddess. Topics varied from "who had the latest bedding from pottery barn and who had spent the most on it" (everyone agreeing 300 dollars seemed a fair price) to "whose kids scored highest on the baby growth charts".
Fascinating, I wonder if there is a unwritten code: "Must have pottery barn everything" !
The contrast deepens. In a very stern voice I threatened "eat your sandwich or you will see what happens to you", while my rival softly and gently moved her daughter away from the water with:"sweetie lets move over here and make sand castles away from the water. Over there the sand castles get very sad when the water gets to them". I paused and asked myself "really?" "do they really get sad?".
Her demeanor reminded me of the female of the crocodile species who is phenomenally gentle at carrying her young with those same jaws which are also known as the "jaws of death".
I quickly return to yelling, nagging and threatening in yet again another desperate attempt to get my children out of the waters; while doing so I wondered if a fitter approach by gently and softly suggesting a giant crab is about to pinch their toes would work!
Still nothing beats a "sad sand castle".
I decided to go with my three children and our aupair to cope with the horrid heath wave that is currently plaguing us and the lack of central air conditioning in our house.
As I rapidly and efficiently scan the area to identify the best spot to settle on, I find myself catching my breath at the sight! Oh mid-week ! I was going to have to sit next to all the Stepfordy mums from the surrounding areas, who decided to spend the day at the beach with their friends and their children. On hindsight not such a relaxing day after all!
Still the hot breeze from the sea was relieving, and cooling down by the water was just what everyone needed! With a temperature of 39.5 degree Celsius outside, even the very cold waters around here, which normally give you leg cramps, became soon very appealing.
I am sure our arrival disrupted their day at the beach just as much they disrupted mine!
With a parenting style that can be spotted from a mile away: no fancy frilled hats, no beach coveralls (someone has to explain this one to me), no vitamin water, no superfluous snacks, no accessories, no useless toys, no picnic blanket. Our spot is bare and uninviting, nachos (a favorite for the ferocious local seagulls when left unattended) are replaced by a sandwich and a piece of fruit or a yogurt, and for mommy vitamin water is replaced by diet coke (with evil caffeine)!
But what really preceded us is of course the yelling, the cursing, and the threatening that could be heard from miles away, an attempt on my part to scare the hell out of the terrible trio, so we could at least hope to get to the end of the day.
Sure enough not the role model these women were hoping to share their beach spot with. And this morning to top it all, mommy, coming out of a hellish week at work, had forgotten to shave!
With no shame I proceeded to show off an orange bikini "Doctor No" style ! As I sit nearby to cool off in the shallow waters with my son, I involuntarily indulge into listening in on their conversations.
To my surprise (or not), I end up witnessing what is commonly and famously known as a pissing contest. In a not so subtle way, they casually unloaded their judgement first on their friends and then on themselves trying to assert who amongst them was the perfect mum and domestic goddess. Topics varied from "who had the latest bedding from pottery barn and who had spent the most on it" (everyone agreeing 300 dollars seemed a fair price) to "whose kids scored highest on the baby growth charts".
Fascinating, I wonder if there is a unwritten code: "Must have pottery barn everything" !
The contrast deepens. In a very stern voice I threatened "eat your sandwich or you will see what happens to you", while my rival softly and gently moved her daughter away from the water with:"sweetie lets move over here and make sand castles away from the water. Over there the sand castles get very sad when the water gets to them". I paused and asked myself "really?" "do they really get sad?".
Her demeanor reminded me of the female of the crocodile species who is phenomenally gentle at carrying her young with those same jaws which are also known as the "jaws of death".
I quickly return to yelling, nagging and threatening in yet again another desperate attempt to get my children out of the waters; while doing so I wondered if a fitter approach by gently and softly suggesting a giant crab is about to pinch their toes would work!
Still nothing beats a "sad sand castle".
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Mary Poppins meets Nanny McPhee
Simply overwhelming! A database full of girls aged 18 to 27 (mostly 18).
Where to begin? How to find your Mary Poppins?
There is no simple answer!
For sure, once you find the right girl the experience is very rewarding. As the year slowly unfolds, they become part of your family and suddenly upon their departure a big empty hole is left to fill (or to put it in layman's terms, sheer panic of being left alone at the mercy of the terrible trio finally sets in!).
There is no happily ever after. The road to the attainment of this short lived happiness is full of challenges and compromises and so at best you may get a nanny McPhee, only before getting prettier she may get uglier...
And if you are now thinking you can do better than this because your master/ PhD in management and psychology will surely allow you to make the selection process effective and successful, think again! You can't make it the the Six-Sigma way:
You simply cannot Improve capability and Reduce defects in the process.
These beautiful and enchanting personalities are unpredictable!
Having said all of the above, if you are still set in making your aupair selection a manifacturing process then here are a few pointers to get you started on this journey or better the " How to choose the best aupair for your family".
Choose a girl who is:
If you managed to find an aupair that fits the bill then you are ready for the honey moon or the brochure experience !
Where to begin? How to find your Mary Poppins?
There is no simple answer!
For sure, once you find the right girl the experience is very rewarding. As the year slowly unfolds, they become part of your family and suddenly upon their departure a big empty hole is left to fill (or to put it in layman's terms, sheer panic of being left alone at the mercy of the terrible trio finally sets in!).
There is no happily ever after. The road to the attainment of this short lived happiness is full of challenges and compromises and so at best you may get a nanny McPhee, only before getting prettier she may get uglier...
And if you are now thinking you can do better than this because your master/ PhD in management and psychology will surely allow you to make the selection process effective and successful, think again! You can't make it the the Six-Sigma way:
You simply cannot Improve capability and Reduce defects in the process.
These beautiful and enchanting personalities are unpredictable!
Having said all of the above, if you are still set in making your aupair selection a manifacturing process then here are a few pointers to get you started on this journey or better the " How to choose the best aupair for your family".
Choose a girl who is:
- pretty. Honestly, you and your family will need to look at her for a whole year! So if you trust your husband go for it! Note only if you can trust your husband: you all know what happened to the body of host mom Tara Grant when Victoria Secret catalogue-like aupair begun an affair with her husband!)
- over, over 18. Especially if you have small children and need help. Remember regardless of the age, you will acquire an older sibling for your child. Just like your other children, they will be totally dependent on you, will not clean after themselves, will need your guidance every step of the way, will fight with each other, and will suffer existential crisis from time to time.
- received an excellent score on the overall profile examination carried out by the agency. Excellent will at best give you a moderately depressed aupair who has personality and self esteem issues :)!
- fit and healthy so that they will be able to run after your children, and also will be less likely to eat down the house! And no, I am sorry but considering to hire an aupair with an eating disorder to reduce your costs, it is not an available option and also unethical:)!
- of compatible believes with your family or else be prepared to give her a room that faces Mecca!
- possibly not an only child, floating around behaving like the "little princess" may not be of much help!
- of a similar socio-economical background, just like your own children and common leaches they will suck you dry ...only they were never in your womb!
If you managed to find an aupair that fits the bill then you are ready for the honey moon or the brochure experience !
Friday, June 10, 2011
Diaries of a Host Family
We have all thoroughly enjoyed the light hearted and humorous film "The Nanny Diaries", the tales of a college graduate as a nanny for a dysfunctional rich New York family....
...and now I present you with the "Diaries of a Host Mum" the tale of a middle class host family and their dysfunctional aupairs.
In fact even google is of the same opinion. If you run a search using the word "dysfunctional nanny" the top five hits are sites for au pair agency. Who knew! A simple google search could have saved 5 years of irrational and ridiculous.
There is no more pain now, there is no more feeling, I am ready to tell ....so stay tuned!
...and now I present you with the "Diaries of a Host Mum" the tale of a middle class host family and their dysfunctional aupairs.
In fact even google is of the same opinion. If you run a search using the word "dysfunctional nanny" the top five hits are sites for au pair agency. Who knew! A simple google search could have saved 5 years of irrational and ridiculous.
There is no more pain now, there is no more feeling, I am ready to tell ....so stay tuned!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
William & Kate
Well what else? This event truly deserves a post!
I did get up at 5.00 am and it was totally worth it. What a special day for Britain. A real fairytale, a beautiful princess, a handsome (ish) prince, the two ugly sisters (Eugenie and Beatrice) and happily ever after.
Catherine (I have since learned that now that she is royal, we are not longer allowed to address her as Kate), however, is not really a princess rather a Duchess and more specifically the Duchess of Cambridge. A few royal titles were bestowed upon her by Her Majesty the Queen but not that of "princess". Shame! She is certainly as beautiful, modest, reserved and dignified as a princess!
The two ugly sister really contributed a laugh or two, with their grotesque figures, uncomfortably enhanced by hideous outfits and accessories, absolutely priceless and the whole mark of British fashion flops.
On a contrasting note, the wedding gown of our princess (not really a princess) was spectacularly exquisite, what a triumph, but then we wouldn't really expect anything less by the great Sara Burton!
This modern day fairytale was most definitively needed, refreshing....
I did get up at 5.00 am and it was totally worth it. What a special day for Britain. A real fairytale, a beautiful princess, a handsome (ish) prince, the two ugly sisters (Eugenie and Beatrice) and happily ever after.
Catherine (I have since learned that now that she is royal, we are not longer allowed to address her as Kate), however, is not really a princess rather a Duchess and more specifically the Duchess of Cambridge. A few royal titles were bestowed upon her by Her Majesty the Queen but not that of "princess". Shame! She is certainly as beautiful, modest, reserved and dignified as a princess!
The two ugly sister really contributed a laugh or two, with their grotesque figures, uncomfortably enhanced by hideous outfits and accessories, absolutely priceless and the whole mark of British fashion flops.
On a contrasting note, the wedding gown of our princess (not really a princess) was spectacularly exquisite, what a triumph, but then we wouldn't really expect anything less by the great Sara Burton!
This modern day fairytale was most definitively needed, refreshing....
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Three boys....Do The Deed Once More?
The snow is melting, spring is in the air, hormones are raving and I am almost 40.
As I walk the streets near my work or outside my sons school I can't help noticing I am not alone. I am surrounded by ageless women in their 40s, who would do anything to fulfill the hormonal urge to copulate once more.
Some are thinking about it, some are doing it, some have already done it!
As my mind entertains the idea of a little princess finally joining our family, I find it increasingly difficult to fight this uncontrollable and primordial urge which is taking over my body. Reason is temporarily restored when I am brutally awaken by my husband's cynical and reluctant attitude, mainly a consequence of increasing daycare costs.
Still there is no question that the number of children per family is on the raise. Are we being sucked in by a new trend? Perhaps, it may well be the Hollywood baby boom or a Brangelina effect or maybe simply a phase we all have to endure.
With the increase in births, a new breed of women is on the raise as well, those who can indeed do it all, balancing the immense demands of work and family life.
As I try to see myself, I live in fear of how others see me.
In an astonishing way, I have recently realized how people perception of you changes depending on the number of children you have: two children make you average, three make you cool, respected and admired, and four just make you an outcast! Something to think about since I am pretty cool right now!
And then there is work, women in high-level positions and the unwritten rules! Women with children are generally underrepresented and most certainly women with four children! No matter how capable and efficient you are (trust me)! People generally assume that is men that discriminate but I have got news for you it is both men and women.
My 10 years of management experience can certainly tell you that the female of the species is always more deadly than the male. In particular we must distance ourselves from those overachieving single white females that occupy high level management positions and that make the air we breathe instantly frigid by their mere presence.
There is is a distinct possibility that I already unknowingly forfeited advancing my career when I had my third child!
While longing to rock the cradle we must use caution not to rock an entire boat!
As I walk the streets near my work or outside my sons school I can't help noticing I am not alone. I am surrounded by ageless women in their 40s, who would do anything to fulfill the hormonal urge to copulate once more.
Some are thinking about it, some are doing it, some have already done it!
As my mind entertains the idea of a little princess finally joining our family, I find it increasingly difficult to fight this uncontrollable and primordial urge which is taking over my body. Reason is temporarily restored when I am brutally awaken by my husband's cynical and reluctant attitude, mainly a consequence of increasing daycare costs.
Still there is no question that the number of children per family is on the raise. Are we being sucked in by a new trend? Perhaps, it may well be the Hollywood baby boom or a Brangelina effect or maybe simply a phase we all have to endure.
With the increase in births, a new breed of women is on the raise as well, those who can indeed do it all, balancing the immense demands of work and family life.
As I try to see myself, I live in fear of how others see me.
In an astonishing way, I have recently realized how people perception of you changes depending on the number of children you have: two children make you average, three make you cool, respected and admired, and four just make you an outcast! Something to think about since I am pretty cool right now!
And then there is work, women in high-level positions and the unwritten rules! Women with children are generally underrepresented and most certainly women with four children! No matter how capable and efficient you are (trust me)! People generally assume that is men that discriminate but I have got news for you it is both men and women.
My 10 years of management experience can certainly tell you that the female of the species is always more deadly than the male. In particular we must distance ourselves from those overachieving single white females that occupy high level management positions and that make the air we breathe instantly frigid by their mere presence.
There is is a distinct possibility that I already unknowingly forfeited advancing my career when I had my third child!
While longing to rock the cradle we must use caution not to rock an entire boat!
Monday, March 7, 2011
The Placebo Effect or simply the art of caring
I am fascinated with this recent article on Boston.com:
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/articles/2011/03/07/can_chronic_medical_conditions_including_depression_be_treated_with_placebos/
I read with great interest all the theories put forward in this article to explain the healing effect of placebos. Irritable bowel syndrome cured by a sugar pill, depression cured by antidepressant with little effect, sham treatments doing wonders....what is the secret?
The article raises interesting questions with regard to placebo effectiveness: How important is seeing a doctor that believes in the treatment? and I will have to add: how important is to see one that cares for the patient!
Yes indeed medicine is an art and modern practitioners have not mastered it.
Francis Peabody said in 1925
" ....For the secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient"
What happened to caring for the patient?....As we lose our trust in our doctors who are too preoccupied with the scientific mechanisms of a disease, we also lose trust in ourselves and in our ability to cope.
Medicine has been and it will always be an art, since ancient times a mixture of science and magic. We like spells, potions, herbs and placebos too. Sadly this art is no longer taught.
Diagnosis and treatment of a disease it is only one part of it, but the complicity of a patient-doctor relationship is the missing piece that completes the puzzle and allows for success of treatment and well being of the patient.
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/articles/2011/03/07/can_chronic_medical_conditions_including_depression_be_treated_with_placebos/
I read with great interest all the theories put forward in this article to explain the healing effect of placebos. Irritable bowel syndrome cured by a sugar pill, depression cured by antidepressant with little effect, sham treatments doing wonders....what is the secret?
The article raises interesting questions with regard to placebo effectiveness: How important is seeing a doctor that believes in the treatment? and I will have to add: how important is to see one that cares for the patient!
Yes indeed medicine is an art and modern practitioners have not mastered it.
Francis Peabody said in 1925
" ....For the secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient"
What happened to caring for the patient?....As we lose our trust in our doctors who are too preoccupied with the scientific mechanisms of a disease, we also lose trust in ourselves and in our ability to cope.
Medicine has been and it will always be an art, since ancient times a mixture of science and magic. We like spells, potions, herbs and placebos too. Sadly this art is no longer taught.
Diagnosis and treatment of a disease it is only one part of it, but the complicity of a patient-doctor relationship is the missing piece that completes the puzzle and allows for success of treatment and well being of the patient.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Facebook and Family Feuds
I wonder how many disputes has Facebook created among families and friends!
Given that I have now fallen out with two family members and two friends and I don't even use Facebook that much, I can't help wondering what is happening to everyone else's friendship status.
It is easy to gain friends but it is just as easy to loose them!
So should we come up with a code of ethic? Something like:
1) do not accept friendship from an old boyfriend/girlfriend of your sister/daughter/brother/son/mother/father etc. just because it was a good guy or girl
2) do not leave a confrontational or snide comment as a response to one of your friends of friends post (oh boy this is a tongue twister! In my case it managed to cause a Facebook Flaming)
3) do not accept friendship from relatives and friends of your husband/wives and friends in general without their permission
4) do not accept friendship from nannies or employees of your friends or relatives without their permission
5) do not upload pictures of your family, your friends, and your friends' children without their permission
6) do not post sensitive or private issues/content on your friends wall, write them a private e-mail instead
7) Exercise the freedom of speech politely and respectfully
8) Don't lie on you status updates, you will get caught
9) If you are married or in a relationship, don't flirt with an old high school friend
10) Don't call friends and family, or friends of friends and family with inappropriate names, it will most certainly cause offense
Well these are the first 10 but I think there is more!
What a fascinating phenomenon...
Given that I have now fallen out with two family members and two friends and I don't even use Facebook that much, I can't help wondering what is happening to everyone else's friendship status.
It is easy to gain friends but it is just as easy to loose them!
So should we come up with a code of ethic? Something like:
1) do not accept friendship from an old boyfriend/girlfriend of your sister/daughter/brother/son/mother/father etc. just because it was a good guy or girl
2) do not leave a confrontational or snide comment as a response to one of your friends of friends post (oh boy this is a tongue twister! In my case it managed to cause a Facebook Flaming)
3) do not accept friendship from relatives and friends of your husband/wives and friends in general without their permission
4) do not accept friendship from nannies or employees of your friends or relatives without their permission
5) do not upload pictures of your family, your friends, and your friends' children without their permission
6) do not post sensitive or private issues/content on your friends wall, write them a private e-mail instead
7) Exercise the freedom of speech politely and respectfully
8) Don't lie on you status updates, you will get caught
9) If you are married or in a relationship, don't flirt with an old high school friend
10) Don't call friends and family, or friends of friends and family with inappropriate names, it will most certainly cause offense
Well these are the first 10 but I think there is more!
What a fascinating phenomenon...
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
A dose of information, a dose of reason and a dose of moderation too in this world of vaccine SUPER SIZE ME!
At the pediatrician's office today, I read with interest the article published on Boston.com
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/articles/2011/01/23/vaccine_phobia_is_letting_preventable_infectious_diseases_needlessly_threaten_our_children/
They had made many copies available for pick up.
I am not a pediatrician nor a medical doctor but I am a PhD and have a deep understanding of how our body works and responds to diseases.
I have enjoyed reading the article, it is pretty accurate, however, it is still not quite the full story.
Of course these type of diseases do not kill every child who contracts them, we always have the child with underlying conditions (e.g immunosuppression) or simply an unfortunate genetic make up (e.g. allergies, asthma). Truth be said, side effects and death from vaccination is much much less that the terrible side effects and death by each of these diseases.
So where does the real problem lie? The problem is not in the PANIC Virus, rather in the VACCINE MANIA this country has been experiencing for some time now. What has happened to fast food, it is now happening to vaccines: SUPER SIZE ME.
We now have 5 (penta-) in one and even 6 (hexa-) in one vaccines? Why does everything have to be an extreme? First and foremost these vaccines are not tested (no matter what anyone says, if you care to search deep in the medical and scientific literature, you will find that the performance of some of our currently used vaccines will be known to us in years to come! ). In addition, some multiple vaccine combinations have begun to contain even non obligatory vaccines as well. Is the public aware of this? Lets be honest these are definitively sneaked in!
The public is not informed properly, the leaflets we get from our pediatricians have zero useful information. To name one, fever is not a true "adverse effect"... we do not mention the real ones because of course we do not want to panic the masses, at the same time if we do not educate them, we can't complain when Jenny McCarthy assumes MMR caused her son's autism.
It should also be noted that we have different kind of vaccines (made from purified proteins, attenuated, live)...which one of those causes less overload and shock to the immune-system when multiple vaccine combinations are administered? Well let me tell you my children are not going near a multiple attenuated vaccine (MMR?!).
And so how can the public be educated if the scientific and medical staff has not appropriately conducted tests and evaluated risks on vaccines currently and commonly used ?
Lets say that a vaccine is used and it is successful for many years, disease incidence goes down and percentage of recorded side effects per patient stays the same ...eventually the vaccine side effects will be higher than the ones caused by the disease...and so people will start refusing vaccination!
Are we there?
I keep discussing this with my husband, who works in the field of infectious diseases and I keep getting the usual "no matter what, vaccination is ultimately better", better for who? I think he means better for the society as a whole...but I am a mother, so what about my child? Is this vaccination better for my child? Not necessarily and this is the true answer!
We (scientist and medics) do not know what are the benefit vs risks of these multiple vaccinations on small children.
So I simply ask why should a child be submitted to all of those vaccines at once?
I have always respectfully refused.
Is it necessary for a few hours old child, to be vaccinated with hepatitis B? And a few weeks later bombarded with multiple vaccines?
MODERATION, A LARGE DOSE OF MODERATION.
In my country the multiple vaccine are still hard to find and nobody got crazy about the thimerosal and the consequences of mercury levels in vaccination. The panic in America ensued only when they started administering multiple vaccines at once in babies so young! Then it occurred to them that perhaps they would be getting too close to the levels of acceptable mercury a child could get in one go! No shit dick tracy!
I am going to end it here by saying that education, reason and moderation are all needed not just a dose of reason!
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/articles/2011/01/23/vaccine_phobia_is_letting_preventable_infectious_diseases_needlessly_threaten_our_children/
They had made many copies available for pick up.
I am not a pediatrician nor a medical doctor but I am a PhD and have a deep understanding of how our body works and responds to diseases.
I have enjoyed reading the article, it is pretty accurate, however, it is still not quite the full story.
Of course these type of diseases do not kill every child who contracts them, we always have the child with underlying conditions (e.g immunosuppression) or simply an unfortunate genetic make up (e.g. allergies, asthma). Truth be said, side effects and death from vaccination is much much less that the terrible side effects and death by each of these diseases.
So where does the real problem lie? The problem is not in the PANIC Virus, rather in the VACCINE MANIA this country has been experiencing for some time now. What has happened to fast food, it is now happening to vaccines: SUPER SIZE ME.
We now have 5 (penta-) in one and even 6 (hexa-) in one vaccines? Why does everything have to be an extreme? First and foremost these vaccines are not tested (no matter what anyone says, if you care to search deep in the medical and scientific literature, you will find that the performance of some of our currently used vaccines will be known to us in years to come! ). In addition, some multiple vaccine combinations have begun to contain even non obligatory vaccines as well. Is the public aware of this? Lets be honest these are definitively sneaked in!
The public is not informed properly, the leaflets we get from our pediatricians have zero useful information. To name one, fever is not a true "adverse effect"... we do not mention the real ones because of course we do not want to panic the masses, at the same time if we do not educate them, we can't complain when Jenny McCarthy assumes MMR caused her son's autism.
It should also be noted that we have different kind of vaccines (made from purified proteins, attenuated, live)...which one of those causes less overload and shock to the immune-system when multiple vaccine combinations are administered? Well let me tell you my children are not going near a multiple attenuated vaccine (MMR?!).
And so how can the public be educated if the scientific and medical staff has not appropriately conducted tests and evaluated risks on vaccines currently and commonly used ?
Lets say that a vaccine is used and it is successful for many years, disease incidence goes down and percentage of recorded side effects per patient stays the same ...eventually the vaccine side effects will be higher than the ones caused by the disease...and so people will start refusing vaccination!
Are we there?
I keep discussing this with my husband, who works in the field of infectious diseases and I keep getting the usual "no matter what, vaccination is ultimately better", better for who? I think he means better for the society as a whole...but I am a mother, so what about my child? Is this vaccination better for my child? Not necessarily and this is the true answer!
We (scientist and medics) do not know what are the benefit vs risks of these multiple vaccinations on small children.
So I simply ask why should a child be submitted to all of those vaccines at once?
I have always respectfully refused.
Is it necessary for a few hours old child, to be vaccinated with hepatitis B? And a few weeks later bombarded with multiple vaccines?
MODERATION, A LARGE DOSE OF MODERATION.
In my country the multiple vaccine are still hard to find and nobody got crazy about the thimerosal and the consequences of mercury levels in vaccination. The panic in America ensued only when they started administering multiple vaccines at once in babies so young! Then it occurred to them that perhaps they would be getting too close to the levels of acceptable mercury a child could get in one go! No shit dick tracy!
I am going to end it here by saying that education, reason and moderation are all needed not just a dose of reason!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Sunny California...the glamor ...the glitz...
Hello fellow bloggers...
sorry for the absence but indeed I was soaking up the sun in California....and now I am back in Boston where everyone is cold and grey just like the weather.
I visited my local whole foods this morning and suddenly it did not feel as glamorous as the whole foods in Santa Monica or Studio city...I took my time and even smiled at the cashier while he was ringing up my groceries... he studied my facial expressions attentively...asking himself why was I smiling? and why on earth was i so happy ...when I realized my smile, still warm from the bright Californian sun, was not well received, a sense of doom came upon me!I Clearly in order to be accepted here i have to quickly return to being grumpy, often rude, unfriendly and always on hedge!
Still meeting my fellow actor friends for lunch in West Hollywood was fantastic, everyone so happy, everyone so joyous and full of life... and fashion fashion fashion.....
....I would even put up with leaving in the little boxes on the hillsides!
Oh well back into darkness...
sorry for the absence but indeed I was soaking up the sun in California....and now I am back in Boston where everyone is cold and grey just like the weather.
I visited my local whole foods this morning and suddenly it did not feel as glamorous as the whole foods in Santa Monica or Studio city...I took my time and even smiled at the cashier while he was ringing up my groceries... he studied my facial expressions attentively...asking himself why was I smiling? and why on earth was i so happy ...when I realized my smile, still warm from the bright Californian sun, was not well received, a sense of doom came upon me!I Clearly in order to be accepted here i have to quickly return to being grumpy, often rude, unfriendly and always on hedge!
Still meeting my fellow actor friends for lunch in West Hollywood was fantastic, everyone so happy, everyone so joyous and full of life... and fashion fashion fashion.....
....I would even put up with leaving in the little boxes on the hillsides!
Oh well back into darkness...
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Owen Wilson is back from the dead and Hollywood is having a baby!!
Something in the California waters?? Or is Hollywood sympathizing with the recent credit crunches and natural catastrophes?? Maybe it's still the Obama Baby Boom.
Victoria and Beckam, Kate Hudson, Jane Krakowski (30 Rock blondie), Natalie Portman, Neil Patrick....
and so many more...
Surrogates, egg donors, or simply old-fashioned shagging...a baby boom is on the horizon.
Even Owen Wilson went from dead to dad...
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20456549,00.html
recently the Italian tabloid "Il Sole 24 ore" claimed Owen Wilson died due to a snowboarding accident...not quite! But check out this facebook page in his honor :)!
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=184953514864974&comments&ref=mf
Well thumbs up for the bumps but watch out for the baby blues after the baby boom!!!
Victoria and Beckam, Kate Hudson, Jane Krakowski (30 Rock blondie), Natalie Portman, Neil Patrick....
and so many more...
Surrogates, egg donors, or simply old-fashioned shagging...a baby boom is on the horizon.
Even Owen Wilson went from dead to dad...
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20456549,00.html
recently the Italian tabloid "Il Sole 24 ore" claimed Owen Wilson died due to a snowboarding accident...not quite! But check out this facebook page in his honor :)!
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=184953514864974&comments&ref=mf
Well thumbs up for the bumps but watch out for the baby blues after the baby boom!!!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Giada De Laurentis who are you?
Seriously Italians do not know you!
Here is the interview that set me off
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20456256,00.html
After all I have been irritated by her demeanor for years so it was only a matter of time before she ended up On a Little Dash Of Sanity.
Where to start ...I am not sure what is worse, her embracing the role of "traditional wife" (and what exactly is that role?) or her being " Everyday Italian".
An entire blog could be dedicated to the repercussion of her statements in the interview above. What is a traditional wife? Have we not fought enough against these traditional roles?
So who are you? Apparently a role model, "a legend" and "obsession" for some. I can assure you there is very little everyday Italian in you and judging by the interview very little depth behind your character too!
On a more serious note we have to at least acknowledge her efforts in enhancing a very old culinary genre the "Italian American" cuisine. But that is not Italian, lets be clear about this.
Now it would have been nice if my new food blog was more developed so that readers could directly appreciate the differences between the Italian recipe proposed by me, and the same one bastardized by our everyday Giada. Unfortunately simplyandonlyitalian.blogspot.com is still at the very beginning ...after all I need time to be a traditional wife too:)!
Lets get back to Giada, so who is she in America? A Real Chef? A Pretty Face? A Role Model for how to be traditional and subservient? I suppose a traditional wife is better than a "traditional" men where 100% of the time traditional is a synonym for "backward"!
For now in Italy people that come across her name are left wondering if she is another porn star obtaining notoriety!
Here is the interview that set me off
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20456256,00.html
After all I have been irritated by her demeanor for years so it was only a matter of time before she ended up On a Little Dash Of Sanity.
Where to start ...I am not sure what is worse, her embracing the role of "traditional wife" (and what exactly is that role?) or her being " Everyday Italian".
An entire blog could be dedicated to the repercussion of her statements in the interview above. What is a traditional wife? Have we not fought enough against these traditional roles?
So who are you? Apparently a role model, "a legend" and "obsession" for some. I can assure you there is very little everyday Italian in you and judging by the interview very little depth behind your character too!
On a more serious note we have to at least acknowledge her efforts in enhancing a very old culinary genre the "Italian American" cuisine. But that is not Italian, lets be clear about this.
Now it would have been nice if my new food blog was more developed so that readers could directly appreciate the differences between the Italian recipe proposed by me, and the same one bastardized by our everyday Giada. Unfortunately simplyandonlyitalian.blogspot.com is still at the very beginning ...after all I need time to be a traditional wife too:)!
Lets get back to Giada, so who is she in America? A Real Chef? A Pretty Face? A Role Model for how to be traditional and subservient? I suppose a traditional wife is better than a "traditional" men where 100% of the time traditional is a synonym for "backward"!
For now in Italy people that come across her name are left wondering if she is another porn star obtaining notoriety!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Victoria and Beckam: boy or girl?
Well according to some reports "Aristotle used to say that what determines whether the baby is a boy or a girl is the ardor of the men during conception". If that is indeed the case one could explain the repeated success by Beckam!
All sorts of scientific explanation have been put forward for skewing the 50:50 ratio, diet, natural supplements, geographical position, seasonal trends, social and cultural reasons. All of those may indeed skew the outcome but what is certain is that if a female egg is fertilized by a a sperm carrying the Y chromosome then its a boy!
And so what about Posh and Beckam? To those of you trying to guess lets not forget modern reproductive technologies can also skew the outcome...
...I think its going to be a girl!!!!!
March 13 ...and indeed It's a girl...how predictable :) CONGRATS
All sorts of scientific explanation have been put forward for skewing the 50:50 ratio, diet, natural supplements, geographical position, seasonal trends, social and cultural reasons. All of those may indeed skew the outcome but what is certain is that if a female egg is fertilized by a a sperm carrying the Y chromosome then its a boy!
And so what about Posh and Beckam? To those of you trying to guess lets not forget modern reproductive technologies can also skew the outcome...
...I think its going to be a girl!!!!!
March 13 ...and indeed It's a girl...how predictable :) CONGRATS
Zucchini and Bacon
Check out my super food blog at:
http://simplyandonlyitalian.blogspot.com
It's the day for zucchini and bacon!
This recipe is fantastic: it is quick and delicious! It can be a quick family dinner or a dish for a special occasion either way its a winner! it is also very cheap and authentic:
Ingredients (4-5):
Pasta (penne, large shells or similar) PALFO TIP: Barilla, De Cecco or Colavita
Zucchini (4 to 5) small green zucchini/squash, PALFO TIP: do not buy the large squash/zucchini as they are full of water and don't cook well
Bacon (smoked 5 slices, cubed)
Extra virgin olive oil (PALFO rule: medium to large frying pan, cover the bottom and a little more), PALFO TIP: Bertolli is the best and cheapest on the market !
Cherry tomatoes (optional)
Fresh Basil
Cut zucchini Julienne style (lengthwise), place in medium to large frying pan with extra virgin olive oil and cubed bacon. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally. Do not have the heat to low or too high. After zucchini have mostly cooked, add cherry tomatoes and cook a few more minutes until all is cooked.
A little before zucchini are cooked, boil water for pasta, add salt to water (PALFO TIP: in the beginning just add some salt and then later taste pasta before it is done, and adjust as needed).
Cook pasta al dente (or as specified on package). Drain and mix with zucchini.
Add a few fresh leaves of basil and grated parmesan cheese
Enjoy!
http://simplyandonlyitalian.blogspot.com
It's the day for zucchini and bacon!
This recipe is fantastic: it is quick and delicious! It can be a quick family dinner or a dish for a special occasion either way its a winner! it is also very cheap and authentic:
Ingredients (4-5):
Pasta (penne, large shells or similar) PALFO TIP: Barilla, De Cecco or Colavita
Zucchini (4 to 5) small green zucchini/squash, PALFO TIP: do not buy the large squash/zucchini as they are full of water and don't cook well
Bacon (smoked 5 slices, cubed)
Extra virgin olive oil (PALFO rule: medium to large frying pan, cover the bottom and a little more), PALFO TIP: Bertolli is the best and cheapest on the market !
Cherry tomatoes (optional)
Fresh Basil
Cut zucchini Julienne style (lengthwise), place in medium to large frying pan with extra virgin olive oil and cubed bacon. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally. Do not have the heat to low or too high. After zucchini have mostly cooked, add cherry tomatoes and cook a few more minutes until all is cooked.
A little before zucchini are cooked, boil water for pasta, add salt to water (PALFO TIP: in the beginning just add some salt and then later taste pasta before it is done, and adjust as needed).
Cook pasta al dente (or as specified on package). Drain and mix with zucchini.
Add a few fresh leaves of basil and grated parmesan cheese
Enjoy!
What a tragedy
My heart goes out to the family of the little girl as well as the families of all the other victims:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12146639
The death of the little 9 year old girl does break my heart, born on a tragedy also died on a tragedy the bbc reports.
Maybe indeed she was the face of hope, we should reflect.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12146639
The death of the little 9 year old girl does break my heart, born on a tragedy also died on a tragedy the bbc reports.
Maybe indeed she was the face of hope, we should reflect.
Monday, January 10, 2011
The Peter Principle
So the morning started off with a series of management meetings with some very difficult issues to discuss:
develop, implement and improve current institutional career structures and employee recognition programs!
All I could think about is the Peter Principle. You never heard of it? Then check out this article
http://www.businesspundit.com/40-years-after-peter-principle-promotion-still-arent-a-science/
Last year improbable Nobel Prize was not so improbable after all! Check out this solid Italian research group at the University of Catania:
http://arxiv.org/PS_cache/arxiv/pdf/0907/0907.0455v3.pdf
They developed a computational method that proved that in a hierarchical structure promoting at random, or randomly alternating the promotion of the best and the worst members actually improves the efficiency of an organization.
It is no news to anyone that most management is indeed incompetent ! and now we have scientific proof! No matter what we do, we will reach our level of incompetence soon or later and the warning signs are many.
So what to do?? Not promoting is not an option. I am personally a strong proponent of rewarding based on performance. However the latter requires evaluation of performance by management, and so we really are in a pickle of a situation! Any suggestions??
develop, implement and improve current institutional career structures and employee recognition programs!
All I could think about is the Peter Principle. You never heard of it? Then check out this article
http://www.businesspundit.com/40-years-after-peter-principle-promotion-still-arent-a-science/
Last year improbable Nobel Prize was not so improbable after all! Check out this solid Italian research group at the University of Catania:
http://arxiv.org/PS_cache/arxiv/pdf/0907/0907.0455v3.pdf
They developed a computational method that proved that in a hierarchical structure promoting at random, or randomly alternating the promotion of the best and the worst members actually improves the efficiency of an organization.
It is no news to anyone that most management is indeed incompetent ! and now we have scientific proof! No matter what we do, we will reach our level of incompetence soon or later and the warning signs are many.
So what to do?? Not promoting is not an option. I am personally a strong proponent of rewarding based on performance. However the latter requires evaluation of performance by management, and so we really are in a pickle of a situation! Any suggestions??
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Did I not tell you?
I knew Sarah Palin had God-like powers....suddenly since my last post comments have been disabled...and I cannot find out why or how!!!
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