Food brings people together (i.e., breaking bread), but when there’s an issue with the food, that could make an issue with the togetherness.
It’s no secret that the chicken industry is flawed, mostly due to expediency and girth of the product.
Yet the market (us) demands, so the industry supplies.
The ethics (or lack thereof?) causes rifts between people and, subsequently, divides the dinner table – that which is meant to bring us together is tearing us apart.
Can we get back to a culture of shared perspectives or has that ship sailed?
Ever wonder how dirty your keyboard is? How often do you wash it and/or disinfect it?
There are so many things we don’t think are dirty, but we touch without hesitation nor with cleaning afterwards: car door handles, shoelaces, water faucet handles, etc.
For some, this realization causes panic. For others, like myself, it’s reassuring. If I have been touching these things all my life and I’m still alive, I must have built some great immunities!
Language, like many things in life, is a wonderful resource but only when it is not overused. The basic function of language is to communicate. Yet, when it is inundated with verbosity and/or convoluted syntax, it yields the antithesis of the desired objective.
In short, simpler is better.
Many writers are criticized for writing at a third grade level. Yet, there’s a beauty in that. There may be a sense of pride that comes with an increase of diction, but big or obscure words, even if they are more accurate, may confuse rather than communicate. Or, sadly, communicate arrogance.
I’m not saying that we should abandon the pursuit of expanding our vocabulary, only noting that it’s better to speak simply and directly than to try to impress others. After all, communication is about sharing.
That said, I believe “Weird Al” Yankovic’s “Word Crimes” is brilliant.
Humility is not one of Eugene’s strongest traits. It’s probably not in his traits bucket. Then again, who of us can claim to have gobs of humility? If we profess such, humility goes out of the window.
Strange how pride and humility cannot exist in the same person at the same time. It’s almost as if they have physical attributes; like only one person being able to sit in a chair at a time.
Playing on that metaphor, we tend to play musical chairs with our pride and humility. We adjust to fit the situation, our convenience, and sense of self-worth. Unfortunately, pride leaves us feeling empty and alone.
All in all, it’s good to admit our mistakes. That’s not a sermon as much as it’s a confession.
On the surface, the idea of taking someone to Bingo for a first date seems silly. Yet, I propose that it’s an amazing idea! Allow me to explain.
Cal is not good with women simply because he’s fit and handsome (although those attributes do help), but because he’s not boring. I have found that people are interested in interesting people. Sounds simplistic, and maybe it is, but it’s true.
When it comes to first dates, the more interesting, the better. Here are my reasons:
Interesting dates activate the minds of those involved, making them more open to understanding each other – the brain isn’t on autopilot.
Interesting dates may evoke unforeseen emotions. By that, I mean that there’s no way for anyone to know how they’ll feel doing something out of the ordinary with a new person. It may be good or bad, but it will still be more emotional than nothing or the same-old-same-old.
Interesting dates are more memorable. And, after all, we’re made up of our memories. Why not make them interesting?
A guy who can come up with an interesting date shows he’s at least trying.
If the couple gets married, the interesting first date is a great story. At least a lot better than “dinner and a movie.”
The fact that Moxy doesn’t bit doesn’t mean Cal’s technique doesn’t work, it just means that she’s not biting. She’s got her opinions on Cal so his charms find no purchase.
On a similar note, I also think that pulling weeds is a good idea for a first date as well. But that’s a discussion for another time.
For fans of Perk at Work, you’ll recognize ol’ Charlie. I don’t like cats, but I love Charlie!
I believe there’s something deep inside of us that makes us love animals. As a Christian, I believe that something was embedded by a great and awesome Creator, of whom I cannot explain nor define.
Perhaps animal husbandry is genetic; our human ancestors who took care of animals fully realized the benefit – be it financial, emotional, or otherwise – of animals. After all, for spans of time, livestock was (and to some extent, still now) considered an indicator of wealth.
All that said, if we love animals, we must show it; virtue signaling does nothing. And what does it mean to love all animals? From what I can ascertain, it usually means having a heart for beings that may be hunted by the most efficient and intelligent predator in all of nature – human. That aligns with the Care-Harm Moral Foundation. And, if we’re operating on only two of the five (or six?) moral foundations, such a focus would be naturally amplified.
For those unfamiliar with the Moral Foundations, I recommend a deep dive rather than a mere Google search. Check out Jonathan Haidt’s “The Righteous Mind.”
Jason Salas 