I think one of the most intriguing things about us humans is the concept of free will choice. I know many people who exhibit very little, (if any) of it. They do the same things, day in and day out – experience very little of life’s wonders – and then one day – die.
That’s not me at all. I want to experience everything. I want to live every day like it’s my last. And I want to live as big as my circumstances allow. As long as it’s sane, responsible and lawful. And one more thing –as long as no-one get’s hurt. It’s all good. It’s all very good.
That in mind, we went with @momwhoruns and her BF (boyfriend, in social media parlance) to see Les Coquettes last Sunday night. In a nutshell – WOW.
I’m a marketing communications expert. I am not a professional theatre go-er and nor am I particularly knowledgeable about burlesque (the show’s adult-themed format), but there are several things I learned about this very entertaining show that we should all heed
1. Dare to be different. It works everytime. Steve Jobs dared to be different – so different that the iPod he invented was in fact the first CE device in history without an on/off switch. Genius. No. Off-the-charts genius. It’s really hard to compare a burlesque show with the iPod, but I will say that this production is really different. I won’t say how different – but it’s different enough to put the pep into one’s stride.
2. Give something away. Let’s face it – there is no such a thing as a free lunch anymore. Nothing for nothing. If you’re smart, you’ll give something away. If you’re smarter, you’ll give something away that’s free anyway. And we each got a drink on the house. Perceived value to me? $9. Actual cost $.25c. That’s damn smart thinking. And not only that … but as importantly – a free cocktail is sure to lighten the crowd.
3. Confidence breeds confidence. Again, I’m no theatre crtitic but the show’s MC (Catherine) exuded confidence. Not the fake confidence that’s transparent – but real confidence. Interestingly enough, (and as an aside, she also writes a blog). Coquettish, statuesque and silky smooth in both stride and speech, Catherine keeps the show moving at just the right pace. And this is a very important concept in marketing – Timing is everything. Blow your wad a second too soon, or too late – and you lose. Well, she was just right --- snappy, witty, charming (and just naughty-enough) at just the perfect time. I like that - a lot.
4. Never overstay your welcome. I’ve read hundreds of news releases, case studies, testimonials and other marketing stuff that simply put is just too long. Boredom ensues and you lose attention. The show was just right. My best recollection is that it lasted about an hour – the perfect length. They say too much of a good thing is too much of a good thing – and the show’s duration was perfect. Neither too much, not too little in terms of timing.
5. Become your character – it’s what makes you memorable. From busty Lilli Bubalotovich to sultry Suki Tsunami , each cast member was uniquely different from any other cast member. The operative word being “uniquely”. Each one lived their part – and stood out. Want to be memorable? Then be memorable (read: stand out) from the crowds. And if I look to my own achievements, every time I stepped out of my comfort zone, I became memorable. (Ask me about what happened at Tim Horton’s this morning)
Bottom line is this: If you’re looking for something fun, different and risqué – this show offers all the above and more … Now, as for me – I’m gonna get back to thinking about marketing and for sure, stepping out of my comfort zone. Far out of it – and much more often.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
It's All About Making A Difference
You know me. I like to do things that make differences in this world. And I like to write about people and organizations that make a difference. The week before last, I wrote about Hilton, Daren and Jacques - (3 guys making an enormous difference). My blog got over 1,200 hits - and Hilton was inundated with "fanmail".
This week, I am writing about a Toronto-based charity called Ve'ahavta.
Disclosure: I receive no remuneration from them and nor was I asked to write this post.
So here's the email I got. No doubt they sent this to hundreds, if not thousands of people. More the better, as far as I am concerned.
First, watch this 2 minute Youtube video clip at http://bit.ly/xsIUFJ to understand what they do. It's incredible. It really is. It's heartbreaking - makes a lump in your throat.
Run by diminutive Peter Frampron-esque looking Avrum Rosensweig, the organization strives to make the world a better place. It does lots of things, but nearest and dearest to my heart is the excellent work they do on Toronto's cold and foreboding streets to the thousands of homeless and displaced peple that call the street their home.
Now, back to the video. It's real. It's compelling. It's bold. Most importantly, this stuff happens - and it can --- and does --- happen to ordinary people like you and me. In fact, this kind of stuff happens all the time. I watched it once. I watched it again. I got a lump in my throat - and it's making we want to give more than I am right now.
No doubt many of us, if not most, have children. We tend to treat them well. And for the most part, our children are very comfortable. Yeah, they want to go to more hockey games than they do. (at least mine does), want the latest fashions and complain when they don't get them, (at least mine does).
For the most part, my kids had no idea what happens in the real world - until I took them out on Ve'ahavta's Mobile Response to Hunger van. It goes out 5 nights a week, loaded with food - and wherever there's a homeless person they stop - give them food and a few minutes of company and move onto the next person they find on the streets. There's no shortage of homeless souls.
I've taken my children out on the van a few times. It's not a light-hearted evening, nor is it necessarily pleasant. You're dealing with the marginalized. The homeless. The displaced. But wow!!! It opens your eyes. The homeless are real people too - just like the rest of us.
And this is what the video is all about. This is what Ve'ahavata is all about. It's a low profile organization that is doing miracles every day. It is changing people's lives. It's about doing the right thing.
Want to show your children (12 years and older) life's harsh realities? Just take them for a few hours on Ve'ahavta's van. Next time they won't grumble so much when chicken's for dinner and they wanted pizza. I know my kids don't grumble quite so much anymore. And every time they grumble - I remind them they have a roof over their head - and comforts - and a warm bed - and food - and shelter - and good lives - and love --- and, and, and, - the list is endless.
To note that one of the charity's supporters is a company called Distributel. They've promised to donate $1 per Youtube view. As of time of writing, the Youtube piece has been viewed 1,785 times --- make it more
This week, I am writing about a Toronto-based charity called Ve'ahavta.
Disclosure: I receive no remuneration from them and nor was I asked to write this post.
So here's the email I got. No doubt they sent this to hundreds, if not thousands of people. More the better, as far as I am concerned.
First, watch this 2 minute Youtube video clip at http://bit.ly/xsIUFJ to understand what they do. It's incredible. It really is. It's heartbreaking - makes a lump in your throat.
Run by diminutive Peter Frampron-esque looking Avrum Rosensweig, the organization strives to make the world a better place. It does lots of things, but nearest and dearest to my heart is the excellent work they do on Toronto's cold and foreboding streets to the thousands of homeless and displaced peple that call the street their home.
Now, back to the video. It's real. It's compelling. It's bold. Most importantly, this stuff happens - and it can --- and does --- happen to ordinary people like you and me. In fact, this kind of stuff happens all the time. I watched it once. I watched it again. I got a lump in my throat - and it's making we want to give more than I am right now.
No doubt many of us, if not most, have children. We tend to treat them well. And for the most part, our children are very comfortable. Yeah, they want to go to more hockey games than they do. (at least mine does), want the latest fashions and complain when they don't get them, (at least mine does).
For the most part, my kids had no idea what happens in the real world - until I took them out on Ve'ahavta's Mobile Response to Hunger van. It goes out 5 nights a week, loaded with food - and wherever there's a homeless person they stop - give them food and a few minutes of company and move onto the next person they find on the streets. There's no shortage of homeless souls.
I've taken my children out on the van a few times. It's not a light-hearted evening, nor is it necessarily pleasant. You're dealing with the marginalized. The homeless. The displaced. But wow!!! It opens your eyes. The homeless are real people too - just like the rest of us.
And this is what the video is all about. This is what Ve'ahavata is all about. It's a low profile organization that is doing miracles every day. It is changing people's lives. It's about doing the right thing.
Want to show your children (12 years and older) life's harsh realities? Just take them for a few hours on Ve'ahavta's van. Next time they won't grumble so much when chicken's for dinner and they wanted pizza. I know my kids don't grumble quite so much anymore. And every time they grumble - I remind them they have a roof over their head - and comforts - and a warm bed - and food - and shelter - and good lives - and love --- and, and, and, - the list is endless.
To note that one of the charity's supporters is a company called Distributel. They've promised to donate $1 per Youtube view. As of time of writing, the Youtube piece has been viewed 1,785 times --- make it more
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Now These Are People Making Massive Differences
I like to think that I’m making a difference in the world. Some days I think I do make a difference and other days? – well not so much. So, it’s natural that I admire anyone whom I think has made a difference, everyday.
You see, Hilton Kaplan’s like an everyday guy – who has accomplished great things. So has his partner, Daren Kwok. So his their son, Jacques Kaplan-Abrahams
Hilton and I met in high school in 1981 – we were in the same grade and had more than a few things in common. We both loved music and we both loved to party. We became good friends. After we graduated high school, I continued my studies in Johannesburg. Hilton went to medical school in Cape Town. Notwithstanding the 1,400 kilometres between us, our friendship endured. It even grew.
Hilton finished medical school and then went on to specialize in plastic surgery, working at Cape Town’s famous Groote Schuur Hospital. It was there that he met baby Jacques, four years old --- Jacques had been lying in his crib when embers from a nearby open hearth shot into his crib, causing third degree burns to 70 percent of his tiny body. Over the next 6 years, Hilton led the surgical team eight times to reconstruct Jacques’ severely disfigured face. Because the burns were so severe, Hilton also had to amputate one of Jacques’ arms and one of his legs, at the elbow and knee respectively.
Fast forward four more years – Hilton now lives in Los Angeles, running a successful firm (Dermogenesis) and he’s met his life partner, Daren. Hilton decides to renew contact with Jacques. Daren is supportive. Three arduous years later and after countless trips back to Cape Town – Hilton and Daren formally adopt Jacques as their own child. Jacques 14, had never left Cape Town, had never been to school, had been raised in an orphanage, had one leg and one arm and was illiterate.
Any sane people would have left Jacques (a liability for an intents and purposes) well alone. But not Hilton and Daren. They took him in. They fathered him. They taught him. They showed him love – and they got his love in return. They rehabilitated him, spending thousands of hours, not to mention dollars on bringing him up to speed on every facet of life.
I have visited with Hilton, Daren and Jacques. They live in Los Angeles and are soon relocating to New Jersey. They’re incredible. Their story is incredible. It’s like get-them-onto-Oprah-freaking-incredible.
What really is the impetus behind this posting is that just the other day, Hilton sent me pictures of Jacques’ high-school graduation. Jacques has graduated from high school now. He’s set to go to college this year. This from a once illiterate kid with half a leg and half an arm missing, with obvious facial disfiguration – who 15 years ago, did not stand a chance socially or academically - anywhere in the world. He could neither read nor write. He did not know how to use his brain
They’re beaming. Big. Now here’s people that matter and have made a difference. Not only to themselves, but to the world. They are walking examples that pretty much any difficulty can be overcome, or handicap dealt with.
And I have the gall to bitch and complain when my straight-A kids are a little obnoxious or turn in a B-plus grade on a Math test.
WOW!
You see, Hilton Kaplan’s like an everyday guy – who has accomplished great things. So has his partner, Daren Kwok. So his their son, Jacques Kaplan-Abrahams
Hilton and I met in high school in 1981 – we were in the same grade and had more than a few things in common. We both loved music and we both loved to party. We became good friends. After we graduated high school, I continued my studies in Johannesburg. Hilton went to medical school in Cape Town. Notwithstanding the 1,400 kilometres between us, our friendship endured. It even grew.
Hilton finished medical school and then went on to specialize in plastic surgery, working at Cape Town’s famous Groote Schuur Hospital. It was there that he met baby Jacques, four years old --- Jacques had been lying in his crib when embers from a nearby open hearth shot into his crib, causing third degree burns to 70 percent of his tiny body. Over the next 6 years, Hilton led the surgical team eight times to reconstruct Jacques’ severely disfigured face. Because the burns were so severe, Hilton also had to amputate one of Jacques’ arms and one of his legs, at the elbow and knee respectively.
Fast forward four more years – Hilton now lives in Los Angeles, running a successful firm (Dermogenesis) and he’s met his life partner, Daren. Hilton decides to renew contact with Jacques. Daren is supportive. Three arduous years later and after countless trips back to Cape Town – Hilton and Daren formally adopt Jacques as their own child. Jacques 14, had never left Cape Town, had never been to school, had been raised in an orphanage, had one leg and one arm and was illiterate.
Any sane people would have left Jacques (a liability for an intents and purposes) well alone. But not Hilton and Daren. They took him in. They fathered him. They taught him. They showed him love – and they got his love in return. They rehabilitated him, spending thousands of hours, not to mention dollars on bringing him up to speed on every facet of life.
I have visited with Hilton, Daren and Jacques. They live in Los Angeles and are soon relocating to New Jersey. They’re incredible. Their story is incredible. It’s like get-them-onto-Oprah-freaking-incredible.
What really is the impetus behind this posting is that just the other day, Hilton sent me pictures of Jacques’ high-school graduation. Jacques has graduated from high school now. He’s set to go to college this year. This from a once illiterate kid with half a leg and half an arm missing, with obvious facial disfiguration – who 15 years ago, did not stand a chance socially or academically - anywhere in the world. He could neither read nor write. He did not know how to use his brain
They’re beaming. Big. Now here’s people that matter and have made a difference. Not only to themselves, but to the world. They are walking examples that pretty much any difficulty can be overcome, or handicap dealt with.
And I have the gall to bitch and complain when my straight-A kids are a little obnoxious or turn in a B-plus grade on a Math test.
WOW!
Monday, February 13, 2012
A Meme on my Birthday
So yesterday, February 11, was my birthday --- hhmmm! There’s no question that for me, my birthday is sobering. I realize I am one year older, one year wiser, one more year set-more-in-my-ways, and yes, one year closer to my eventual demise.
I guess I’m doing lots right. I got more than 150 wishes from my family, friends, colleagues and clients who remembered to call, email or text me – I appreciate that. And I do love you all.
But, good or bad – on every birthday, I sit back with a glass of my favorite scotch (Lagavullin 16) and ponder a bit. And here’s some of what I pondered in a quiet moment yesterday …
1. The more love you make, the more love you’ll take – This is so true. I used to think that people were automatically loved – and that one got love simply as a result of who you were. Yeah, you can get a little love that way – but to really be loved, you have to make love. Not literally, but in everything you do. You have to create love. In what you do. In what you say. With the people you hang. Love does not just happen – you create it. And the more love you create, the more love you’ll end up with. Guaranteed. Create love by being spontaneous. Create love by seeing things from another person’s perspective. Create love from using your imagination by thinking in technicolor. It’s easier than you think
2. The “Oh Wow” factor. We’ve all got choices in life. You can live the mundane or you can live the extraordinary. If you choose, (like I have), to live the extraordinary, you’ll have lots of “Oh Wow” moments. Each of these moments is memorable. Live the mundane, and there really is nothing left to remember at the end of the day. Look no further than Steve Jobs, one of my icons. The last six words, this modern-day Edison ever said, moments before he left this world, were “Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow,” Now there’s a guy that lived the extraordinary.
3. Be good – because it comes back to you, in spades. How often do you call a friend just because? How often do you help an old lady cross the street? How often do you drop a buck or two into a homeless person’s hat? Not often enough – for sure. Being good to others requires thought. It requires effort and it requires sacrifice – all of which us humans would rather not do. But showing kindness to a stranger is not only good for the stranger, it’s good for the world, and it’s good for you.
4. Manage your time. I was speaking to someone at synagogue on the weekend. He’s a smart, well-respected guy. I like his style. He says it like it is – outspoken. We were talking about the passage of time – and how it seems to be flying. His point? Don’t waste time doing things that don’t matter with people that don’t matter. In other words, make the most of every encounter because you never know if the encounter you’ve just had will be your last,
5. “Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence.” Yeah, I know, this is the first line of Desiderata, written by Max Ehrmann in 1927 but it’s so applicable today almost 100 years later. As a marketing guy, I’m in the business of making noise, so you may think it’s sort of strange me talking about peace and silence. But it’s true. Make the right noise at the right time for the right reasons. Unfortunately, there are too many people making the wrong noise at the wrong time for the wrong reason (that is even if they have a reason at all.)
6. Let go. Part of the growing up process is about letting go. Letting go of your children as they get older and require you less and less. Letting go of your neuroses. Letting go of bad habits. And most importantly – letting go of those things that you cannot control. Letting go feels good. And it’s the right thing to do. In other words, don’t be a control freak. Sadly though, it seems that the older one get’s the more in control one wants to be. Not me.
There you go, your comments are welcome.
C’est moi!
I guess I’m doing lots right. I got more than 150 wishes from my family, friends, colleagues and clients who remembered to call, email or text me – I appreciate that. And I do love you all.
But, good or bad – on every birthday, I sit back with a glass of my favorite scotch (Lagavullin 16) and ponder a bit. And here’s some of what I pondered in a quiet moment yesterday …
1. The more love you make, the more love you’ll take – This is so true. I used to think that people were automatically loved – and that one got love simply as a result of who you were. Yeah, you can get a little love that way – but to really be loved, you have to make love. Not literally, but in everything you do. You have to create love. In what you do. In what you say. With the people you hang. Love does not just happen – you create it. And the more love you create, the more love you’ll end up with. Guaranteed. Create love by being spontaneous. Create love by seeing things from another person’s perspective. Create love from using your imagination by thinking in technicolor. It’s easier than you think
2. The “Oh Wow” factor. We’ve all got choices in life. You can live the mundane or you can live the extraordinary. If you choose, (like I have), to live the extraordinary, you’ll have lots of “Oh Wow” moments. Each of these moments is memorable. Live the mundane, and there really is nothing left to remember at the end of the day. Look no further than Steve Jobs, one of my icons. The last six words, this modern-day Edison ever said, moments before he left this world, were “Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow,” Now there’s a guy that lived the extraordinary.
3. Be good – because it comes back to you, in spades. How often do you call a friend just because? How often do you help an old lady cross the street? How often do you drop a buck or two into a homeless person’s hat? Not often enough – for sure. Being good to others requires thought. It requires effort and it requires sacrifice – all of which us humans would rather not do. But showing kindness to a stranger is not only good for the stranger, it’s good for the world, and it’s good for you.
4. Manage your time. I was speaking to someone at synagogue on the weekend. He’s a smart, well-respected guy. I like his style. He says it like it is – outspoken. We were talking about the passage of time – and how it seems to be flying. His point? Don’t waste time doing things that don’t matter with people that don’t matter. In other words, make the most of every encounter because you never know if the encounter you’ve just had will be your last,
5. “Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence.” Yeah, I know, this is the first line of Desiderata, written by Max Ehrmann in 1927 but it’s so applicable today almost 100 years later. As a marketing guy, I’m in the business of making noise, so you may think it’s sort of strange me talking about peace and silence. But it’s true. Make the right noise at the right time for the right reasons. Unfortunately, there are too many people making the wrong noise at the wrong time for the wrong reason (that is even if they have a reason at all.)
6. Let go. Part of the growing up process is about letting go. Letting go of your children as they get older and require you less and less. Letting go of your neuroses. Letting go of bad habits. And most importantly – letting go of those things that you cannot control. Letting go feels good. And it’s the right thing to do. In other words, don’t be a control freak. Sadly though, it seems that the older one get’s the more in control one wants to be. Not me.
There you go, your comments are welcome.
C’est moi!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Will I Catch Flack From This Blog Posting?
Disclosure: I do not work for Dr. Laffa, nor do I receive remuneration of any kind from them. I am a proud Jew and ardent supporter of Israel.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve caught a lot of flack from the global (and Toronto’s in particular) very vocal Jewish communities.
On November 10 last year, I slammed one kosher restaurant in particular and most kosher restaurants in general. And if that were not enough, just last week I slammed the Hareidim in Beit Shemesh for behaving like animals. Without going into the details, I caught flack – and lots of it. And you know what? I’m fine with catching flack --- it doesn’t matter. I call a spade a spade.
Now look at my post of November 14 last year. I’ve been back only once since then. I go back last night, am sitting at the counter eating bean soup and chowing down on a piping-hot Laffa. I’m minding my own business.
“Aren’t you the blog guy, who wrote about us”, the guy behind the grill asks me. “Yup, how the heck did you know?” Who’s the guy behind the grill? None other than the restaurant’s co-owner. And then the other guy behind the grill introduced himself to me. He’s the other co-owner. And so a short conversation ensued between the three of us. It was a simple one. They thanked me for coming back. They told me how hard they work and they told me how much fun they’re having. They then adjusted their cook’s hat and returned to work the grill. Period. Duration of conversation – 2 minutes
Now, there is a picture of me on my blog, I know that. I have been to Dr. Laffa once, just once, between November 14 and last night. They deal with hundreds of people a day - and before last night have never even said two words to the guys at the grill. So how did they know I was the blog guy? They just did! I still don’t know. Let’s just say their eyes are always wide open.
There’s many things I learned from this 2-minute encounter. Here’s just a few
1. Know your customers. Yeah, it’s all well and good to make a great laffa. And it’s all well and good to be able to write a great news release. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg. There’s a lot more to making money in a restaurant than standing behind the grill and flipping burgers. Take the time to really understand your customers – that way they will feel that they matter.
2. Love what you do. Whether you’re a street sweeper, a laffa guy or a surgeon, love what you do. I think the late Steve Jobs summed it up really well when he said “To be good at what you do, you got to first love what you do”. He’s right. Looking at the Laffa guys, it’s clear they love what they do. It shows in their attitude. It shows in their food too.
3. Be reasonable. Yeah, the guys at Dr. Laffa could raise their prices by a buck here and a buck there – their food and service is that good – but they are not. They’re keeping prices reasonable, filling their restaurant most nights and I hope are making a decent living.
4. Be humble. The guys could have told me how much money they’re making (as most entrepreneurs would have done, BS or not), how busy they are etc. etc. Nope, not these guys. They spent almost the entire two minutes we spent together telling me how they really focus on their customers – and I like that. Makes me feel good.
Oh, and if you ever go there, order a laffa. Slap these guys on the back and say hi. Shalom.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve caught a lot of flack from the global (and Toronto’s in particular) very vocal Jewish communities.
On November 10 last year, I slammed one kosher restaurant in particular and most kosher restaurants in general. And if that were not enough, just last week I slammed the Hareidim in Beit Shemesh for behaving like animals. Without going into the details, I caught flack – and lots of it. And you know what? I’m fine with catching flack --- it doesn’t matter. I call a spade a spade.
Now look at my post of November 14 last year. I’ve been back only once since then. I go back last night, am sitting at the counter eating bean soup and chowing down on a piping-hot Laffa. I’m minding my own business.
“Aren’t you the blog guy, who wrote about us”, the guy behind the grill asks me. “Yup, how the heck did you know?” Who’s the guy behind the grill? None other than the restaurant’s co-owner. And then the other guy behind the grill introduced himself to me. He’s the other co-owner. And so a short conversation ensued between the three of us. It was a simple one. They thanked me for coming back. They told me how hard they work and they told me how much fun they’re having. They then adjusted their cook’s hat and returned to work the grill. Period. Duration of conversation – 2 minutes
Now, there is a picture of me on my blog, I know that. I have been to Dr. Laffa once, just once, between November 14 and last night. They deal with hundreds of people a day - and before last night have never even said two words to the guys at the grill. So how did they know I was the blog guy? They just did! I still don’t know. Let’s just say their eyes are always wide open.
There’s many things I learned from this 2-minute encounter. Here’s just a few
1. Know your customers. Yeah, it’s all well and good to make a great laffa. And it’s all well and good to be able to write a great news release. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg. There’s a lot more to making money in a restaurant than standing behind the grill and flipping burgers. Take the time to really understand your customers – that way they will feel that they matter.
2. Love what you do. Whether you’re a street sweeper, a laffa guy or a surgeon, love what you do. I think the late Steve Jobs summed it up really well when he said “To be good at what you do, you got to first love what you do”. He’s right. Looking at the Laffa guys, it’s clear they love what they do. It shows in their attitude. It shows in their food too.
3. Be reasonable. Yeah, the guys at Dr. Laffa could raise their prices by a buck here and a buck there – their food and service is that good – but they are not. They’re keeping prices reasonable, filling their restaurant most nights and I hope are making a decent living.
4. Be humble. The guys could have told me how much money they’re making (as most entrepreneurs would have done, BS or not), how busy they are etc. etc. Nope, not these guys. They spent almost the entire two minutes we spent together telling me how they really focus on their customers – and I like that. Makes me feel good.
Oh, and if you ever go there, order a laffa. Slap these guys on the back and say hi. Shalom.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Can Anyone Answer This Question?
Anyone who knows me, knows I am a seasoned traveler. I have close to 2 million (actually 1,781,907 to be exact) Aeroplan miles on Air Canada and its partners right now. That’s a lot of flying – anyone would agree. Now granted, I don’t fly nearly as much as say a Peter Shankman, the founder of HARO (who logs about 400,000 miles a year), but my derriere has spent more than a few hours in planes.
As an aside, I love travelling, but hate flying – in other words, I love getting to my destination, but I hate getting there – but I digress.
The airline industry is a strange industry and its one where the best bed-fellows can make the fiercest of competitors. Co-opetition is the order of the day. You compete with your partners on one route and partner with your competitors on another. It is also strange that one can book on say United.com, fly on an Air Canada plane and check in at a Lufthansa desk. Sheesh --- and what happened if the airline (which one) lost my baggage? Do I call United? Air Canada? Lufthansa? Luckily that’s never happened to me – I’ll blog about if/ when it does though.
But, today I uncovered an even bigger mystery ---I’ll contact Air Canada later, but since I have tweeted this a few minutes ago (@aircanada), I’m hopeful that some astute social media type over there will respond and enlighten me.
I’m going to Denver in a few weeks --- and on Air Canada’s website, here’s the least expensive ticket I could find. Taxes, fees, charges and surcharges excluded, its $598.00. Calculating the distance between Toronto’s Pearson Airport and Denver’s Airport, (round trip) is 8440 km. Doing the division, it works out that I’ll be paying 7.085c per kilometer. Cheap or expensive? You be the judge!
So, in a moment-I-had-spare, I pretended just for a second that instead of going to Denver, I was going on Air Canada to Beijing at the exact same time. Here’s the least expensive ticket I was able to find on Air Canada’s website
Can anyone tell me what gives as to why flying to Denver is 134% more expensive as it is flying to Beijing. Dunno about you – but I’d far prefer Beijing to Denver, especially in the winter months – and to boot - it’s only $391.60 more expensive.
Anyone want to join me in Beijing? Just let me know. Who knows – if there’s enough of us, we may even get a bulk discount --- and if anyone can tell me Air Canada’s rationale behind this seemingly non-sensical pricing strategy --- well, I’ll send you to Denver – seems to be a more valuable ticket.
As an aside, I love travelling, but hate flying – in other words, I love getting to my destination, but I hate getting there – but I digress.
The airline industry is a strange industry and its one where the best bed-fellows can make the fiercest of competitors. Co-opetition is the order of the day. You compete with your partners on one route and partner with your competitors on another. It is also strange that one can book on say United.com, fly on an Air Canada plane and check in at a Lufthansa desk. Sheesh --- and what happened if the airline (which one) lost my baggage? Do I call United? Air Canada? Lufthansa? Luckily that’s never happened to me – I’ll blog about if/ when it does though.
But, today I uncovered an even bigger mystery ---I’ll contact Air Canada later, but since I have tweeted this a few minutes ago (@aircanada), I’m hopeful that some astute social media type over there will respond and enlighten me.
I’m going to Denver in a few weeks --- and on Air Canada’s website, here’s the least expensive ticket I could find. Taxes, fees, charges and surcharges excluded, its $598.00. Calculating the distance between Toronto’s Pearson Airport and Denver’s Airport, (round trip) is 8440 km. Doing the division, it works out that I’ll be paying 7.085c per kilometer. Cheap or expensive? You be the judge!
So, in a moment-I-had-spare, I pretended just for a second that instead of going to Denver, I was going on Air Canada to Beijing at the exact same time. Here’s the least expensive ticket I was able to find on Air Canada’s website
Can anyone tell me what gives as to why flying to Denver is 134% more expensive as it is flying to Beijing. Dunno about you – but I’d far prefer Beijing to Denver, especially in the winter months – and to boot - it’s only $391.60 more expensive.
Anyone want to join me in Beijing? Just let me know. Who knows – if there’s enough of us, we may even get a bulk discount --- and if anyone can tell me Air Canada’s rationale behind this seemingly non-sensical pricing strategy --- well, I’ll send you to Denver – seems to be a more valuable ticket.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
What happened in Israel --- A disgrace
For the record - I am proudly jewish, and very pro-Israel. Now that the formalities are out of the way, last week’s disgrace in Beit Shemesh in Israel has really made my blood boil.
You know how to get 3 opinions? Well, put 2 jews in a room. It’s only a joke – not a particularly funny one. It’s ironic and in many respects, (sadly) true. For a race as small in number as the jews, it’s tragic when jews riot, and throw stones at one another to prove a point .
The news from Beit Shemesh is pretty grim. From all the reports I’ve read, it seems some ultra-orthodox fanatics (called “Haredim” in Hebrew) spat on an eight year old modern orthodox girl, Naama Margolis because they deemed her dress to be inappropriate. It’s about as sad as the story that I read a few weeks ago, where the ultra-orthodox jewish man, asked a women to move to the back of the bus they were both riding as he was getting distracted --- and who knows, maybe even sexually aroused. Oh please … give me a break. This is 2012 now --- not the stone age. The women can sit where she wants on the bus, and you can too – and if you don’t like it buddy – get the hell off and take another bus.
Back to the spitting incident --- and if you get offended easily, you may want to stop reading this article now and write me a nasty comment … and I’m OK with that.
Question 1: Was the girl spat on
I’ve been in PR for many years, 16 to be precise and I know not to believe everything I see, read or hear. (There’s a concept of spin, you know). But when all reports I have read confirm the girl was spat on, I must believe it – after all, I have not read anything to the contrary. Spitting has no place in society today. It’s stone-age mentality, at least a millennium past its prime. Saying that spitting is disgusting would be paying this despicable act a compliment.
Question 2: If the girl was spat on, what gives the spitter the right to do something as lowly as that?
The million dollar question. Someone has no right to spit on another – and I don’t care what the circumstances are. It’s like the guy who only beats his wife only when he snorts a pound of coke and then gets a pardon from the law. Beating your wife is wrong, (no less wrong than a wife say, beating her husband) and so is spitting wrong. Period. Perhaps a better way was to chat to Naama’s parents --- better to attract bees with honey than vinegar, no? No report made mention of any goodwill among the different factions. Another point: I’m no Rabbi. Nor am I a Torah Scholar of much accomplishment. But, I have learned a thing or two from my esteemed Rabbi, (Rabbi Michalowicz of Westmount Community Shul) over the years.
First, as Jews, we must be accountable to our G_d and second, being the light unto nations, and with no less than 613 commandments, we must hold ourselves to a higher moral and ethical standard than the other nations.
Animals spit at one another. Jews? No! So-called “religious” jews? Certainly not
Does our G-d say that we should spit on others who irritate us, or even defy the law? I know not!
Does our God, say that we’ll be the light unto nations, by spitting on others who irritate us, or even defy the law? I know not!
This spitting incident only vilifies us, making us even more hated on the world’s stage. Haredim, what are you thinking??? There’s enough anti-semitism without you adding fuel to the fire.
Question 3: If the girl was spat on, and the spitter did have a right to spit on her, did she indeed deserve this
I think Naama’s mom summed it up well … “The exclusion of women from the public sphere makes my blood boil. They (haredim) are trying to take us back to dark eras; this is a grave injustice." And you know what? I agree. Make no mistake, I go to orthodox shul, (where the men and women sit separately) and for the most part follow orthodox doctrines, but the haredim have taken it way too far this time. No-one deserves to be spat on, least of all an eight year old girl. Shame on you haredim.
Want to know what you haredim should have done? Followed an example from Rabbi Finkel, Rosh Yeshiva of the great Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva:
A non-religious Israeli couple was married for 12 years and could not have children. They were distraught and decided to seek counsel from the renowned Rosh Yeshiva. It was a hot summer day and the couple knocked on the door. The woman was wearing her typical summer attire and was not modestly dressed.
Rebbetzin Finkel opened the door and greeted the couple. "How wonderful that you came to meet my husband!" Then she turned to the wife and warmly said, "You know, my husband is a great scholar – he learns all day. When I go in to speak with him, I wear a shawl out of respect. Why don't you come with me and see if I have one for you, too. I think I even have a perfect piece of jewelry to match. And we'll go in together to speak to him." They entered his study and told the rabbi why they had come. Rabbi Finkel had great difficulty talking due to the debilitating effects of Parkinson's. He mustered his strength and said to the woman, "You and I have a lot in common. We both know what suffering is." He began to sob, along with Rebbetzin Finkel. Then the couple started crying. Rabbi Finkel spoke with the couple for a while, offering words of comfort. He then took their names, and vowed to pray for them.
And you know what I’m doing now?? I’m praying that you haredim behave like humans and not like animals.
Peace.
You know how to get 3 opinions? Well, put 2 jews in a room. It’s only a joke – not a particularly funny one. It’s ironic and in many respects, (sadly) true. For a race as small in number as the jews, it’s tragic when jews riot, and throw stones at one another to prove a point .
The news from Beit Shemesh is pretty grim. From all the reports I’ve read, it seems some ultra-orthodox fanatics (called “Haredim” in Hebrew) spat on an eight year old modern orthodox girl, Naama Margolis because they deemed her dress to be inappropriate. It’s about as sad as the story that I read a few weeks ago, where the ultra-orthodox jewish man, asked a women to move to the back of the bus they were both riding as he was getting distracted --- and who knows, maybe even sexually aroused. Oh please … give me a break. This is 2012 now --- not the stone age. The women can sit where she wants on the bus, and you can too – and if you don’t like it buddy – get the hell off and take another bus.
Back to the spitting incident --- and if you get offended easily, you may want to stop reading this article now and write me a nasty comment … and I’m OK with that.
Question 1: Was the girl spat on
I’ve been in PR for many years, 16 to be precise and I know not to believe everything I see, read or hear. (There’s a concept of spin, you know). But when all reports I have read confirm the girl was spat on, I must believe it – after all, I have not read anything to the contrary. Spitting has no place in society today. It’s stone-age mentality, at least a millennium past its prime. Saying that spitting is disgusting would be paying this despicable act a compliment.
Question 2: If the girl was spat on, what gives the spitter the right to do something as lowly as that?
The million dollar question. Someone has no right to spit on another – and I don’t care what the circumstances are. It’s like the guy who only beats his wife only when he snorts a pound of coke and then gets a pardon from the law. Beating your wife is wrong, (no less wrong than a wife say, beating her husband) and so is spitting wrong. Period. Perhaps a better way was to chat to Naama’s parents --- better to attract bees with honey than vinegar, no? No report made mention of any goodwill among the different factions. Another point: I’m no Rabbi. Nor am I a Torah Scholar of much accomplishment. But, I have learned a thing or two from my esteemed Rabbi, (Rabbi Michalowicz of Westmount Community Shul) over the years.
First, as Jews, we must be accountable to our G_d and second, being the light unto nations, and with no less than 613 commandments, we must hold ourselves to a higher moral and ethical standard than the other nations.
Animals spit at one another. Jews? No! So-called “religious” jews? Certainly not
Does our G-d say that we should spit on others who irritate us, or even defy the law? I know not!
Does our God, say that we’ll be the light unto nations, by spitting on others who irritate us, or even defy the law? I know not!
This spitting incident only vilifies us, making us even more hated on the world’s stage. Haredim, what are you thinking??? There’s enough anti-semitism without you adding fuel to the fire.
Question 3: If the girl was spat on, and the spitter did have a right to spit on her, did she indeed deserve this
I think Naama’s mom summed it up well … “The exclusion of women from the public sphere makes my blood boil. They (haredim) are trying to take us back to dark eras; this is a grave injustice." And you know what? I agree. Make no mistake, I go to orthodox shul, (where the men and women sit separately) and for the most part follow orthodox doctrines, but the haredim have taken it way too far this time. No-one deserves to be spat on, least of all an eight year old girl. Shame on you haredim.
Want to know what you haredim should have done? Followed an example from Rabbi Finkel, Rosh Yeshiva of the great Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva:
A non-religious Israeli couple was married for 12 years and could not have children. They were distraught and decided to seek counsel from the renowned Rosh Yeshiva. It was a hot summer day and the couple knocked on the door. The woman was wearing her typical summer attire and was not modestly dressed.
Rebbetzin Finkel opened the door and greeted the couple. "How wonderful that you came to meet my husband!" Then she turned to the wife and warmly said, "You know, my husband is a great scholar – he learns all day. When I go in to speak with him, I wear a shawl out of respect. Why don't you come with me and see if I have one for you, too. I think I even have a perfect piece of jewelry to match. And we'll go in together to speak to him." They entered his study and told the rabbi why they had come. Rabbi Finkel had great difficulty talking due to the debilitating effects of Parkinson's. He mustered his strength and said to the woman, "You and I have a lot in common. We both know what suffering is." He began to sob, along with Rebbetzin Finkel. Then the couple started crying. Rabbi Finkel spoke with the couple for a while, offering words of comfort. He then took their names, and vowed to pray for them.
And you know what I’m doing now?? I’m praying that you haredim behave like humans and not like animals.
Peace.
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