Compass & Coffee Spoons

Learned the Hard Way

I finally decided that there is absolutely no excuse for me to not be blogging, given that I am going to be away from work for many, many, many days and have lots of time to kill. You see, I had an unfortunate fall when I was on a work trip in California which has put me out of action for awhile. I wish I had a great story about what happened, like I was running after a purse snatcher and fell, or I was hiking up this steep cliff and fell, but I was walking over a patch of grass between a sidewalk and a parking lot and fell. Focusing on the particulars of my experience is boring, but this has been an educational experience. So, I hope to pass along some of the knowledge to you!

You Can’t Predict (or Control) Everything

When I left my apartment, I was calming my pre-work trip jitters by saying “Christine, it’s only 4 days! Don’t worry about it!” As it turns out, it’s more like 2 months that I’ll be away. I am usually very anxious before traveling and like to have everything clean and orderly, laundry done, dishes washed, and trash removed. Not sure if I did that or not. Not that any of this actually matters in the midst of an emergency, but it just goes to show that you never know what will happen moment to moment in life. All of my plans changed in an instant, with no advance warning. In fact, I recall being angry at myself as I sat on the wet ground waiting for the ambulance, thinking “How could you do this!? And on the last day of the trip!? What about the presentation!?” The truth is—you can’t control everything. Sometimes you need to just surrender to the circumstances. Not “give up,” but realize that sometimes the things life throws at you are there for a reason, and you have to go with the flow.

But Advance Preparation Doesn’t Hurt

When I was hurt on the job, I admit I had no idea what the terms of my health and welfare benefits are at work. I know the day to day healthcare plan costs, but when it comes to disability, leave, worker’s comp, and the like, I was clueless. I thought I was actually pretty well informed, though, more so than I was. I knew I had short term disability, but not what that actually meant. I knew my insurance covered hospitalization, but not what that meant either. It’s a learning curve, but one that is easier to navigate when well. When you are in the midst of the chaos of an accident and subsequent treatment, you aren’t thinking rationally, and the concerns you have are first with getting well, not with paperwork.

I also learned that this is the kind of thing those financial gurus tell you to have a rainy day fund for. It made me feel immeasurably better knowing I could go without a paycheck for awhile and still be OK. That’s not to say I don’t want to get paid sooner rather than later, but when you have a stressful event that takes you away from work, you don’t need to also worry about whether you can pay your bills. Not everyone can sock away money, but for people who can, they should. I should save more.

No Man Is an Island

I remember distinctly as I was sprawled out on the ER bed the moment when the doctor came in and said “Well, you broke your ankle pretty badly,” followed by “You’re likely to have to be out of work for 2 to 3 weeks and can’t live alone.” I was in disbelief. This CAN’T be! I have things to do! Well, an event like this teaches you who and what matters in your life. There are few people in the world who are so indispensible in their jobs and other activities that those things can’t be put on hold. And, no one is truly independent. I consider myself a pretty independent woman, but there are times in life that you need a little help from your friends (or family). I had a lot of help, which was humbling and educational. My brother flew out to bring me to my parents’ house. My parents leapt to action, too, and my mom’s workplace lent her things for me to use, like a walker. I was helped by some good Samaritans, and a slew of wonderful nurses and other medical professionals who treated me gently, helped me with hygiene, and kept me comfortable. Friends helped me with things that needed to be taken care of at home. People at work took over my projects. You get a rare glimpse of who are the rocks of your community and who for all intents and purposes disappear when the going gets tough.

The World Isn’t Made for the Differently-Abled

Until you have lost use of a limb or faculty, it’s not possible to completely understand the challenges faced in a “normal” environment without it. There are obstacles. Aisles are too tight for wheelchairs. Ramps are uneven. And, in general, people are pretty ignorant. Not everyone, obviously, but you’d be amazed. I’ve only been out in a wheelchair once, and people act like you’re in the way. Oh, I’m sorry, am I making you walk a few extra steps with your perfectly good legs? Oh, and the restroom! Once I was actually able to get out of my bed (I’ll spare you the whole “go to the bathroom in the bed” story), I appreciated the handles and seats and design of my hospital room bathroom. I appreciated it even more once I left that secure environment. The airport was fun. Not. I had not yet mastered crutches (still haven’t really), and just getting to the handicapped stall was difficult enough. On my first venture to a restroom, I had my brother wheel me into the “family” bathroom so there was less walking required. Not so lucky on the second. The wheelchair attendant at the Pittsburgh airport wheeled me to the regular restroom while my brother retrieved my bag. I teetered the whole way to the stall, which felt like it was about 10,000 feet away. And when I got home, it was another set of challenges. How do I shower? How do I get into the bathroom? I figured all this out, but it takes a lot of changing up of routines and physical space. It has opened my eyes to the struggles experienced every day by those with physical challenges.

Daytime TV, Fun Every Once in a While, is Actually Quite Bad

That’s self explanatory. J And while we’re at it, most TV is bad.

Pilates is Fantastic

Those attending to me in the hospital were astounded by how readily, even with my foot hanging on by a thread and in pain, I could transfer myself from ground to stretcher to bed to gurney to bed, etc. Pilates! My pilates classes really strengthened my core, allowing me to elevate my legs and upper body and isolate movements. I am trying to continue doing what I can while in bed. After all, Joseph Pilates started his “contrology” exercises to rehabilitate patients in World War II.

I am Lucky

I am fortunate first and foremost to not have done something worse to myself. I’m lucky to have been born with fully functioning limbs. We all focus so much on what we don’t like with our bodies. How about it gets us around every day? I’m also lucky to have a supportive family and wonderful, giving friends. I’m lucky to have healthcare insurance and a job. I’m lucky to have been brought to the hospital where I was treated by a great orthopedic surgeon and great nurses and aides and therapists. I am thankful that there are people like the Marines on the base I was at in California when this all happened who are facing war in my place; while I writhed in pain from the broken ankle, I knew there were comrades of the guys near me who were suffering worse. I’m lucky.

I am sure I’ll come up with other insights to share…as well as hopefully other fun posts. I’m not doing a heck of a lot, but I still hope to have some experiences to share on the blog!

An Open Letter to Clothing Manufacturers

This is a representative example of the types of things sold to the 18+ market. For some, it might be okay? Maybe?

Dear Clothing Manufacturers:

After a day of clothes shopping, I thought it would be helpful to you if I share some of my insight. Perhaps you did not realize, since you are apparently based in China and India, but many Americans are fat. Actually, according to the news, obesity is an epidemic here. And, because of this, many people are actually larger than 0-12. I know! Crazy, but true! I just thought I'd point this out to you, because as I was shopping, I noticed that many things are only available in the 0-12 sizes.

I noticed this because I wear an 18/20 women's. From what I can tell, there are many women who also wear this size, because it's difficult to ever find anything in this size.  Other girlfriends of mine complain how hard it is to find clothes that fit, but what they don't understand is that for me, it's not even about whether it fits WELL, but whether I can actually find something sold in my size. I shudder to think about those who are in the sizes larger than mine that are not sold in stores. I don't have that problem. There is of course clothing sold in my size, but much of this clothing makes the erroneous assumption that a.) people of size are deficient in good taste b.) people of size are all over the age of 65 AND live in the 1980s. Neither of these things are true. They have taste and live right here with us!  I'm living proof!

Additionally, people of size have money. I know! I'm surprised too! And, as we know (or as I know), in retail, more selection means more buying. So, having a miniscule amount of sub-par clothing does very little to bring in revenues.Now, I understand that actually selling things to people can be embarrasing, especially people who are (come closer so I can whisper...) fat, but perhaps you could, I don't know, find a storeroom or something to sell them in so that other, thinner shoppers don't see. I know Michelle Obama is trying to make America thin, and that she is a thin and attractive woman, but the truth is, until that happens, if people feel like crap in their clothing, it does little to inspire them to treat themselves well.

I've noticed that you often carry men's sizes in larger sizes in "regular" stores or the regular men's section, where things are merely sold in larger sizes, maybe because that's less embarrasing? Because men are allowed to be bigger? I don't know, but it could work for women too if you give it a shot.

Finally, you might want to introduce new options slowly. If women of size all of a sudden have access to the same things as their smaller sisters, the choice might be too overwhelming for us and send us all into shock, so slowly but surely!Thanks for your consideration. I and other women above a size 12 will greatly appreciate your additional attention!

You're welcome for the revenues,

Christine

American Music is in my Sou-ou-ou-oul, Babyeee...*

I was at a party last weekend with a very international crowd: the hostess was Italian along with many of her guests and there were guests from Japan, Romania, Poland, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Guatemala, Peru, and probably other countries I'm forgetting. And, of course, there were Americans including me. Several of these Americans were part of Fieri, an Italian-American young professionals organization. Which brings me to my post topic.

I got in a bit of a heated discussionwith the woman from Romania who was essentially laughing at how Americans claim their heritage, such as being Italian-American. This was after I explained that I'm Italian, Polish, Slovak, and Slovenian. "You are all Americans, nothing else," she said. "You don't even speak the language."  I vehemently defended us, saying she just couldn't understand since she wasn't American.

I explained that while, yes, first and foremost, I and my fellow members of the Italian-American group were Americans, our heritage also defines us. Our families act differently, eat differently, and have other differences from, say, someone whose family came over on the Mayflower or from a Cuban American (this is in my mind now, having just come from Miami!) or a Chinese-American.

I found the funniest part to be when her partner (husband?) who was American (of Russian descent) said "Well, then, you've been here ten years. You're no longer Romanian." :)

This conversation stuck in my mind long after the party. I thought a lot about how so many people, from different cultures can come together and make a country. It makes me incredibly patriotic to think about it. There are so many cultures--both from every immigrant that has entered America hoping for a better life and that exist within our own nation now. For example, people identify as "Southern" or a "New Englander" or a "Pittsburgher" and this means something, becomes part of our being.

I just find it amazing that wave after wave of immigrants have come here against all odds, and bring the best of their culture to share, and eventually, America embraces them and makes them her own. We're tied together by belief in working hard, in belief in a better way of life, in belief of freedom and that despite the flaws, a life with freedom and justice is better than one without. We have pizza and tacos and bagels and vodka and egg rolls, among other culinary treats. American music, too, is an amalgam of every culture that has passed through, from that of those slaves brought here from Africa against their will to the salsa beat of those from Latin America.

I'm far from hearts and sunshine when I think about America--there are many problems and things that need fixing--but it's a pretty amazing experiment we have here, and one that I'm proud of despite the flaws.  

*apologies to Violent Femmes. Trying to be cutesy in post titles ends dangerously.

Just so everyone knows...

I delete comments that are obviously spam, self-promotional, etc. Get yer own blog if you want to advertise the merits of cardboard packaging! Merci!

Crotchety Christine on Parking Meters

 

DC recently (and by recently, I mean months ago, but that's recent enough news for this blog) upped the hours you need to feed the meter for. Until 10 on weeknights, and on Saturdays (previously, most Saturdays were free). I'm not complaining about paying for parking, but it doesn't really make sense. They also increased the rates. For a dime, you get something like 3 minutes. For a quarter, you get something like 14 min.  I can see charging this downtown during working hours, but in the evenings and weekends, it's stupid. If they just enforced the limits, that would be fine. I forgot that the hours had been extended and on one of my days off (my UNPAID days off, by the way), I came over for my VOLUNTEER position. I stopped at a meter and pumped in quarters, getting 2 hours (i.e. $4). Then, for some reason, I thought "Is this for handicapped people only?" because there was a sign on the meter about something to do with handicapped people. Let me remind everyone, I'm a DC resident and yet, I did not understand the meter or signs. So, I moved. Not all meters looked like the other one, but I found out later that that one was NOT for handicapped people only. By this point, I had no change left. And, the next meter was broken. It was a stupid stupid night.  And it's a stupid change. Instead of making money for the City, I wouldn't be surprised if it's having unintended negative consequences.

Case in point, fast forward to today. I leave my house and see the bus zoom past my street. So, I ventured forth from the snow for the first time in my car to go to the gym. I neglected to remember this whole meter thing. I have no change. I tried parking in the lot across from the gym, but the guy was there taking money (previously, it would be unattended on nights and weekends). I parked on the street-but to do this,I put a dime in and went into my gym to get change, came back out, and put the money in the meter. I only had enough for 1 hour (a little over $2). When I was going to the gym, I had originally considered running a few errands nearby. But, instead, I drove home. I would have spent money and supported local businesses who in turn pay sales and property taxes, but instead, because I didn't have any friggin' quarters, I drove home.  As an urban economist of sorts, I'd be really interested to know what the impacts of this move have been. By having night and weekend charges at that rate, the government is really punishing the people who are frequenting businesses and paying taxes as residents rather than just capitalizing on people who have to be there (workers...there are impacts with that too, but I'd argue it's not as big of a deal). So, anyway, that is my annoyance today!

I love the photo above by volcanojw! Incidentally, this is one of the meters that confused me into thinking it was only for handicapped.

Why I Don't Work From Home: Snowpocalypse Edition

Hi, blog readers. It is 5:30 and I came home around 3 to avoid the impending doom of the 12-20 inches of snow. (or is it 20-30? It seems to change by the minute). I picked up the "Snowpocalypse" term from another blog somewhere and it seems to be apt. I chose that term over other ones with equal appeal such as "Snowgasm" and "Snowmageddon." Don't believe me? Check out the yuppies/hipsters at the DC Whole Foods last night, waiting in line outside the store, as reported by local blog 14th & You. DC is so crazy. The December snow storm didn't seem to cause as much craziness.

Yes, they are insane. Anyway, I came home even though the snow hadn't really started to stick. I came armed with a few hours worth of work. Have I done it? No. I have:

• Researched aforementioned line at Whole Foods
• Updated my "inventory" of food I have in the house, including counting cans of tomatoes I have, and tried to do some meal planning
• Looked for a good lentil burger recipe online
• Browsed condos for sale (even though I've detemined I can't buy now numerous times)
• Checked Facebook
• Watched a program about Lee Harvey Oswald's murder on the History Channel
• Watched 2 programs in a row of "Losing It" on Discovery Health

All whilst being super annoyed by my neighbor downstairs who keeps yawning loudly. [Aside on that topic, I don't think this guy works. I mean, ostensibly, he's a trainer. But, he's never working. Yesterday, I was home on my recession day, and he was there. All. day. Watching TV, banging around, doing God only knows what else. He's there at night, in the morning...it's really annoying. My old wood floors have a certain charm, but there's something to be said for thick concrete floors pasted with padding and carpeting.  At times like this, I also begin to feel there's something to be said for single family homes on 10 acres.]

Needless to say, I know from past experience that it's about this time of the evening that I tell myself that "I'll get to that work later this weekend" and then never do. Oh well. Hmm, let me check that inventory again and see what's for dinner!

The Thing about Things

So, I've been told by my "fans" that they miss me...specifically J and Rob and Kim! Sorry to keep you all waiting over a month for a post. Other than Christmas, I guess I've just been a bit uninspired. But, hopefully that will change once I get the juices flowing! That being said, this first post back promises to be a bit introspective.

I have been thinking a lot lately about "stuff." I've been doing a lot of sorting and cleaning...nothing new there. It just amazes me how much STUFF one can accumulate. This month, I cleaned out something for everything I got for Christmas, as well as additional things. I took a bag of coats and shoes to Green Door, 2 bags with clothes and household items to Goodwill, a bag of towels to the Humane Society, and a bag of books to the library. I also threw away quite a bit of stuff--paper and things worn beyond usefulness--and gave several things to Freecyclers. And what's sad is that I could still get rid of more stuff. AND, I had already donated bags of things in December. Seriously, even if you aren't a major accumulator or pack rat, without discipline, the stuff can take over.

This got me thinking about how much time the getting, managing, organizing, and cleaning out of things takes. Which is why if something is not presently bringing you joy or being useful in some way, it should not be in your life.  I can't tell you how many times I've examined and reevaluated whether or not to keep something. Over and over...the time that takes, when in the end, it's all going to the same place.

My friend Erin and I have been going to estate sales lately, and it's really eye opening, to see piles of old greeting cards, gift wrap, knicknacks, books...they really are JUST THINGS. We imbue things with memories and meaning, but in the end, they don't matter.  (That stapler up there is my sole estate sale purchase--2 buckaroos).

I like watching the A&E show Hoarders, because I find the compulsion to hoard fascinating. What many of these people share is an inability to differentiate between things, between what's useful, what's important, and what's just trash. We all have that to some degree. The little game I like to play with myself from time to time is think "If I was a refugee or if I was fleeing from a natural disaster and could only take one small box or suitcase of things, what would I take?"

For me, I immediately think: family photos, several pieces of jewelry, my diplomas, my birth certificate, passport, other documents...beyond that, it gets squishier. But I certainly wouldn't be hauling around DVDs and craft supplies, and plastic doo dads.

Obviously, there are things we use in daily life that can hang around, but it does help to think "how much does this add to my life" and "how important is it REALLY?'

 

20 Questions, Part I

(I'm having a bitch of a time formatting this...apologies, but I can't be bothered to figure it out right now!)

Bloggity Friend Wende posted a question to readers: a request for 20 questions of any sort. See here for the original post. In the spirit of participation, I'm answering the meme in line with Wende, so I'll go wtih the first five she answered.

Would you rather eat Reese's Cups or Peppermint Patties?

Um, this is too easy. Now, I don't ever reject any candy (with the exception of the second Hershey's bar offered by my ESL student...actually NOT my ESL student anymore...awkward, hence, chocolate rejected). Anyway, Reeses. Peanut butter and chocolate trumps mint. Next. 

Would you rather never listen to music again or lose your TV?
Talk about Sophie's Choice, for Crissake.  I guess TV (I say as I watch "Snapped" on Oxygen...how could I miss such quality?) I'd probably be better off.

If you could visit any one time period in history, when would it be?

Boy,tough. Probably the 1940s so  could wear the clothes and have my hair arranged and have a torrid affair with a soldier before he was going off to war. I could also meet my grandparents as young adults and my parents as babies, which is a bit of a novelty. I could also introduce birth control surrepitiously to help our current approaching Social Security burden. The rest of the time would suck though because, well, war sucks. Guys in uniform sure don't, though.

Would you rather die peacefully, but unexpectedly in your sleep at age 60 or die at 90 after suffering for years from disease?

90. Always pick quantity over quality.

Do you think that questions such as "what's your favourite colour/ice cream/album of all time" help you get to know another person?

Yes, because you have to start somewhere. It also depends how you answer, of course. If you say "blue" and that's that, well, maybe not, but if someone says "blue, because it reminds me of blue skies, which reminds me of my childhood days looking up at clouds," well, that gets you somewhere.

That said, I have a hard time with favorites. Someone once said if you have no favorites, you don't like anything, but I don't think that's true. I have several preferred colors. I like fuschias and purples and pinks as well as teal and sort of robin's egg blue. I also love orange. My favorite ice cream, hands down, is peanut butter and chocolate. I was recently disappointed that Annapolis Ice Cream's PB&C wasn't as good as I remembered. I was first introduced to the concept by Baskin Robbins, which still does a fine job. However, I will generally eat any ice cream (see question 1 above). I had a fantastic cantaloupe gelato at the gelati place on P Street this summer...yum. Album of all time. I have a hard time with favorite music or books, and honestly, rarely listen to music as composed in albums anymore, with the advent of Itunes,but with this one, I'll go for U2's the Joshua Tree.

There you have it. Join in if you wish!!!

Walmart's Shady Economics

One of Walmart's current commercials boldly states that it saves the average American household $3,100, regardless of where they shop. If they had just said that they saved from a price comparison basis, I wouldn't have paid attention, but the "anywhere" part had my brain perked up.

As an economics practicioner, I'm no dummy when it comes to the vagaries of methodology. Sorry, in English: there are lies, damned lies, and statistics. I know better than many that you can make numbers say almost anything you want them to say; it's the analyst's responsibility to both balance the influence their own prejudices are placing on the analysis AND to clearly state the way they're going about the analysis with all of the caveats and cautions (that would be that "methodology" word).

So, let me state my caveats up front. I hate Walmart. I think it's evil and the epitome of a corporation growing at any cost. I understand why people shop there, and I feel fortunate that I can choose not to.  I would seriously rather spend twice as much on paper towels than give them a dime of my money. Some people don't have this luxury.

The claims Walmart makes in its commercial come from this document (Download 2008_Global_Insight_Price_Impa) from their web site. The report looks at how the consumer price index changed in response to there being a Walmart in the metro area. Without getting too much into this, because I don't think most of my readers care for reading my analysis of this, and because my whole point of this is not the structure of the study so much as the point that's being made by it. I think this quotation sums it up nicely:

"Wal-Mart is likely to have had a significant impact on price inflation across the MSAs largely for three main reasons. First, its sophisticated logistics and distribution innovations have increased total factor productivity, lowering its overall cost structure and allowing Wal-Mart to provide its goods at lower prices. Second, Wal-Mart's integrated purchasing system and its sheer size has led its suppliers to offer significant volume discounts, which Wal-Mart in turn has passed along to its consumers. And third, its lower prices have pressured its competitors to adopt more efficient processes and to lower their prices."

Number one goes without saying. Walmart's supply chain is one of its greatest strengths.  

Let me translate number two for you: Walmart has its suppliers by the balls. Selling to Walmart is much like selling your soul to the devil. You become beholden to them. It's obvious why someone would want their stuff sold at Walmart. Uh, duh...talk about sales! But, what is seldom thought about is that once Walmart gets your product on their shelves, they're going to push you to reduce prices. A lot. And, by this point, so much of your bottom line is dependent upon the quantitiy of sales you get at Walmart, that you have no choice but to continue and do what they say. This is not just the little guys. This is Proctor and Gamble, and other big companies.

Okay, on to number three: this is where the shit hits the fan. What is not covered in this document is the spinoff effect, of how a Walmart drives other companies out of business because of their inability to compete. This is the key data not factored into this "saving households" concept. It doesn't take into account the impact of local businesses going belly up and the spinoff effect on the economy. In short, small, local businesses' typically keep a greater percentage of their expenditures around the same area by buying from other local businesses. 

I just felt the need to point this out because essentially, Walmart is bragging out their ability to bully the rest of the business world. That is what "saving the average household $3,100" means. It's just such a joke and it makes me angry because obviously, not everyone seeing that ad knows economics.  

This $3,100 number leaves so much else out: such as how much induced spending occurs by Walmart shoppers (i.e. someone sees something there that they wouldn't have elsewhere and because the price is so good, decides to buy it...and spends more than originally intended. We've all been there!). Anyway, the point is that you can't trust advertising. And, numbers can lie. But you all knew that!

Mobile thoughts: clothes shopping

I really should have chosen a career that either allowed me to wear scrubs or jeans everyday. They don't mention how annoying shopping for career clothes can be. I'm sure Stacy London & Clinton Kelly would have problems with that, but hey, it's hard work finding clothes. I went shopping yesterday and bought a few things but they'll probably go back. I already have a pair of pants from Filene's Basement in my work bag going back. I realized on Friday when I had to dress for a client meeting that I don't have a fall/winter suit that I like. I dont have many suits period and even fewer that I actually like. You'd think that a black suit would be easy. It's not. I like to think it's because I wear a 18 w but I'm sure it would be a problem even at another size. All I want are a few comfortable outfits that make me feel good and a few pairs of comfy cute shoes. Is that too much to ask? I'll tell you what...I normally pay anywhere from $40 to $100 for pants and about the same for shoes. I'd easily be willing to pay 2-3 times that if I knew I was getting quality and fit. Problem is that half the time you're buying walmart quality made in China crap where you're paying for branding. And who knows how they'll actually fit once you start wearing them. SO frustrating!