Oh sigh, Patrick Swayze has died, claimed by pancreatic cancer at the tender age of 57. I can't say that I am necessarily a fan but I am one of those people who loved the movies Dirty Dancing and Ghost. What is not to love about Ghost other than it is one of those tearjerker romance movies that we all hate to love. But, for me, it is the setting of the movie Dirty Dancing, a predominantly Jewish Catskills mountain vacation resort, that stoked my memories. Of course, the movie was not actually filmed in the Catskills but that is beside the point.
Anyhow, as a member of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) I attended the annual conference at the Concord Resort Hotel, one of the famous Jewish Catskills resorts whose heyday was in the 50s, 60s and 70s and unrelated cousin of Grossinger's, the famous other one, every year of high school. In fact, I joined the club for the trip, the only requirement was to take at least one business course, I took one year of typing, to cement access to 3 whole school days in the Catskills, where my friends (most of whom were Jewish) and I skipped out of the planned festivities in favor of seeking the brighter side of life at the resort. Essentially, we were up to 'no good' but not the type of 'no good' that would keep us out of Ivy league colleges or anything.
Growing up in Westchester County in the 70s and 80s, the Catskills was the vacation destination of choice for many families and I always loved going up to the mountains. Also, our 6th grade trip was to the Catskills as well. Somehow, the movie Dirty Dancing bought a little of that back to me; the cabins, the giant banquet halls, the cheesy entertainment, I loved it. All of this really had nothing to do with Patrick Swayze per se but these are my takeaways from the movie of which he was a star. Not every death strikes all of us, but this is definitely one of those that makes me go, Ohhhhh, I can't believe Patrick Swayze died.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Online Subscribers Are We?
So the Long Island Business News (LIBN.com) has gone to an online subscriber model. Online subscription models are being tested on us, the public; we who are currently used to unlimited free information on the internet. Recently, Rupert Murdoch put forth that he was moving to a subscriber model for all of his online publications.
Many online publications are simply the digital version of a print publication so many of us have been able to enjoy many publications online without being subscribers. Most people believe that we will not be willing to agree to pay models for information on the net because it was founded on the notion of (free) access to information. However, there is the necessary revenue side of internet content vs. the status quo of free content especially as traditional ad revenue falls.
I'll be the first one to say that I don't like having to pay for anything and as long as I'm paying over $50 a month to access high-speed internet, through Cablevision I might add, I feel I am paying enough already though this doesn't help the content providers at all. But, TV used to be free, radio used to be free and so on. In reality, we are now paying for a lot of things that were free when I was growing up. So, subscriber models may actually work in some cases. I am watching. We'll see how LIBN fares in the paid content wars.
Many online publications are simply the digital version of a print publication so many of us have been able to enjoy many publications online without being subscribers. Most people believe that we will not be willing to agree to pay models for information on the net because it was founded on the notion of (free) access to information. However, there is the necessary revenue side of internet content vs. the status quo of free content especially as traditional ad revenue falls.
I'll be the first one to say that I don't like having to pay for anything and as long as I'm paying over $50 a month to access high-speed internet, through Cablevision I might add, I feel I am paying enough already though this doesn't help the content providers at all. But, TV used to be free, radio used to be free and so on. In reality, we are now paying for a lot of things that were free when I was growing up. So, subscriber models may actually work in some cases. I am watching. We'll see how LIBN fares in the paid content wars.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Health Care Reform: A Moral Imperative
"The time for bickering is over. The time for games has passed. Now is the season for action. Now is when we must bring the best ideas of both parties together and show the American people that we can still do what we were sent here to do. Now is the time to deliver on healthcare."
Tonight the President addressed a joint session of Congress to urge them to continue to seek solutions for healthcare reform in a bipartisan fashion. The President offered some ideas for what he would like to see in the reform package and indeed some of these items have already been agreed upon by both political parties. The following points are what I remember off the top of my head:
1. Those with pre-existing conditions will not be denied healthcare coverage.
2. Insurance companies cannot drop you when you become ill.
3. Employers will have to make contributions to a healthcare fund if they do not provide healthcare coverage to their workers.
4. There will be a health insurance exchange where individuals who do not have an employer-based plan can purchase affordable care from existing insurers. A self-supporting (through premiums) public insurer should be an available option on the exchange as a competitor to private insurers; more competition should foster greater affordability.
5. Medicare and Medicaid will remain unchanged but there will be a mandate to combat fraud and waste within the current systems.
6. Everyone will be required to sign up for some sort of plan to help reduce the frequency of emergency room visits for primary care which we all pay for in our current premiums.
7. There will be no coverage for illegal aliens (who primarily use the emergency room for primary care, hmm?)
8. There will be hardship allotments and tax credits for individuals and small businesses who demonstrate financial need to cover healthcare costs.
9. ...and more, I am sure.
Furthermore, the President addressed the scare tactics being used to quash the reform debate primarily propagated by Republicans and right-leaning individuals and groups. He declared the oft repeated propaganda that there will be government-sanctioned 'death panels' as an outright lie and that the whole idea of a government takeover of healthcare is pure fiction. Finally, the President threatened to "call out" anyone who continued to disseminate false information about healthcare reform.
Of course the biggest part of the healthcare initiative is cost. The President made it clear that he will only sign a bill that does not increase the deficit and that savings gained by reducing medicare and medicaid waste and fraud and employer contributions into the healthcare fund will be used to cover the estimated $900,000,000,000 tab over the next 10 years. In any case, the bill should include a provision that any savings that are not realized must be covered by reductions in spending elsewhere in the general budget.
Sadly, those Republicans who are hell-bent on defeating reform for the sake of defeating anything this President proposes sat in protest as the President delivered his speech. Some Republicans agreed with some of the talking points but most were resolute in not supporting the President, at least in public.
At the end of the day, the President called upon all of us to support healthcare reform as a moral imperative, and rightly so, and implored us to honor the spirit of Ted Kennedy by doing so.
Tonight the President addressed a joint session of Congress to urge them to continue to seek solutions for healthcare reform in a bipartisan fashion. The President offered some ideas for what he would like to see in the reform package and indeed some of these items have already been agreed upon by both political parties. The following points are what I remember off the top of my head:
1. Those with pre-existing conditions will not be denied healthcare coverage.
2. Insurance companies cannot drop you when you become ill.
3. Employers will have to make contributions to a healthcare fund if they do not provide healthcare coverage to their workers.
4. There will be a health insurance exchange where individuals who do not have an employer-based plan can purchase affordable care from existing insurers. A self-supporting (through premiums) public insurer should be an available option on the exchange as a competitor to private insurers; more competition should foster greater affordability.
5. Medicare and Medicaid will remain unchanged but there will be a mandate to combat fraud and waste within the current systems.
6. Everyone will be required to sign up for some sort of plan to help reduce the frequency of emergency room visits for primary care which we all pay for in our current premiums.
7. There will be no coverage for illegal aliens (who primarily use the emergency room for primary care, hmm?)
8. There will be hardship allotments and tax credits for individuals and small businesses who demonstrate financial need to cover healthcare costs.
9. ...and more, I am sure.
Furthermore, the President addressed the scare tactics being used to quash the reform debate primarily propagated by Republicans and right-leaning individuals and groups. He declared the oft repeated propaganda that there will be government-sanctioned 'death panels' as an outright lie and that the whole idea of a government takeover of healthcare is pure fiction. Finally, the President threatened to "call out" anyone who continued to disseminate false information about healthcare reform.
Of course the biggest part of the healthcare initiative is cost. The President made it clear that he will only sign a bill that does not increase the deficit and that savings gained by reducing medicare and medicaid waste and fraud and employer contributions into the healthcare fund will be used to cover the estimated $900,000,000,000 tab over the next 10 years. In any case, the bill should include a provision that any savings that are not realized must be covered by reductions in spending elsewhere in the general budget.
Sadly, those Republicans who are hell-bent on defeating reform for the sake of defeating anything this President proposes sat in protest as the President delivered his speech. Some Republicans agreed with some of the talking points but most were resolute in not supporting the President, at least in public.
At the end of the day, the President called upon all of us to support healthcare reform as a moral imperative, and rightly so, and implored us to honor the spirit of Ted Kennedy by doing so.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
A Whole New Ballgame
Back to school means more to me this year than it ever has. Though I will miss having my children around, they and I have some serious work to do. They are each facing a challenging academic year and I am facing a very challenging job search. All of the career counselors that I have come in contact with recently have stated emphatically that searching for a job is different this time around; in fact it is a whole new ballgame.
Though I have been diligent and put into practice much of the new tricks that I have been given, my search has turned up empty; my application of the new rules is not as effective as I had hoped. I am now a brand. I must market and sell myself. I must network and meet new contacts. I must write a winning resume. I must write winning cover letters. I must be aware of body language. I must conduct effective interviews. It is up to me to close the deal.
So, I need to focus real hard. I need to leverage every ounce of my being in this pursuit and to that end, 6 1/2 hours without children will give me the time and space that I need to help me achieve this goal. Back to school, not a moment too soon.
Though I have been diligent and put into practice much of the new tricks that I have been given, my search has turned up empty; my application of the new rules is not as effective as I had hoped. I am now a brand. I must market and sell myself. I must network and meet new contacts. I must write a winning resume. I must write winning cover letters. I must be aware of body language. I must conduct effective interviews. It is up to me to close the deal.
So, I need to focus real hard. I need to leverage every ounce of my being in this pursuit and to that end, 6 1/2 hours without children will give me the time and space that I need to help me achieve this goal. Back to school, not a moment too soon.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Labor Day
Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend.
For us, it was a family affair. Yesterday, my father-in-law had his annual Sunday before labor day party which is a deeply satisfying West Indian fete with his extended family and friends. It is always a veritable smorgasbord of delicious authentic food that I know and love. Also, I get to be somewhat important as one of his two daughters-in-law; as the wife of his son, I am introduced to everyone. Oh, look at me, family celebrity. Silly girl.
Today, we had no plans which opened us up for an impromptu visit from my mom who brought along some of her longtime friends; lifelong connections made during nursing school in England some 40+ years ago. It was very cool to see them, actually. These are ladies who knew my mom before she knew me. And since I do not see them very often, to them, I am always amazing.
So, may this ode to my shallow self be the declaration that I had a great weekend. Cheers!
For us, it was a family affair. Yesterday, my father-in-law had his annual Sunday before labor day party which is a deeply satisfying West Indian fete with his extended family and friends. It is always a veritable smorgasbord of delicious authentic food that I know and love. Also, I get to be somewhat important as one of his two daughters-in-law; as the wife of his son, I am introduced to everyone. Oh, look at me, family celebrity. Silly girl.
Today, we had no plans which opened us up for an impromptu visit from my mom who brought along some of her longtime friends; lifelong connections made during nursing school in England some 40+ years ago. It was very cool to see them, actually. These are ladies who knew my mom before she knew me. And since I do not see them very often, to them, I am always amazing.
So, may this ode to my shallow self be the declaration that I had a great weekend. Cheers!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Summer's Last Hurrah
Ah, it is Labor Day weekend, summer's last hurrah. This is when all the Long Island beaches officially close for the summer. Hopefully, the weather holds up for us. It has been rather cool over the last week so I need a spike so I can get in my last dips.
Given the economy, I had expected attendance to be up at area beaches this year but it just did not seem so. Perhaps, I have found paradise in my choices in that I attend few beaches that are overrun. I do sometimes wonder why anyone would fight with summer traffic to travel down the east coast to go to same ocean. But, as I have enjoyed my beaches and looked around, I can see why.
Outside of Montauk, which has some nice beaches and mostly motel-style accommodations, there are really no destination beach towns; no consumer-driven boardwalks, no fancy hotels or resort-like accommodations, few 'in' places to eat and relax, and in general not enough elements to really round out what we would consider a true beach vacation. In fact, most of my favorite beaches are surrounded by beach mansions that are available at rental prices well beyond the middle class budget.
The ocean beaches do provide for some excellent day trips though and since I live in Suffolk County, it can seems like I am on a permanent summer vacation (when the weather cooperates), except I come home at night. Many beach towns in Suffolk County gained fame from being destination beach towns with fancy hotels and the like back in the early part of the 20th century. A little creative thinking and some investor dollars could usher in a new wave of tourism which could be a boost to the local economy. But, seeing as this is Long Island and any development occurs at a snail's pace, I won't hold my breath.
Given the economy, I had expected attendance to be up at area beaches this year but it just did not seem so. Perhaps, I have found paradise in my choices in that I attend few beaches that are overrun. I do sometimes wonder why anyone would fight with summer traffic to travel down the east coast to go to same ocean. But, as I have enjoyed my beaches and looked around, I can see why.
Outside of Montauk, which has some nice beaches and mostly motel-style accommodations, there are really no destination beach towns; no consumer-driven boardwalks, no fancy hotels or resort-like accommodations, few 'in' places to eat and relax, and in general not enough elements to really round out what we would consider a true beach vacation. In fact, most of my favorite beaches are surrounded by beach mansions that are available at rental prices well beyond the middle class budget.
The ocean beaches do provide for some excellent day trips though and since I live in Suffolk County, it can seems like I am on a permanent summer vacation (when the weather cooperates), except I come home at night. Many beach towns in Suffolk County gained fame from being destination beach towns with fancy hotels and the like back in the early part of the 20th century. A little creative thinking and some investor dollars could usher in a new wave of tourism which could be a boost to the local economy. But, seeing as this is Long Island and any development occurs at a snail's pace, I won't hold my breath.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
School's Out for Summer
I'm done, I'm done, I'm done! I'm done with school, just awaiting the official graduation ceremony. I thank you all for your support. Now comes the next part, studying for the very difficult national accreditation tests where success will put some fancy letters beside my name. Can I get any more fantastic than I already am? I must. Competition is stiff and every little bit counts toward getting one's foot in the door these days.
Well, I am off to go celebrate before reality hits me. May I suggest my newest favorite bottle of inexpensive wine, Impala Run Shiraz 2004 from South Africa. It is imported by a Medford, NY based distributor so I don't know how much of the market they have penetrated beyond the Island. Anyhow, at a tidy $8.99 for the large bottle, it cannot be beat on price and taste. Put away those Australians, this one is good.
Well, I am off to go celebrate before reality hits me. May I suggest my newest favorite bottle of inexpensive wine, Impala Run Shiraz 2004 from South Africa. It is imported by a Medford, NY based distributor so I don't know how much of the market they have penetrated beyond the Island. Anyhow, at a tidy $8.99 for the large bottle, it cannot be beat on price and taste. Put away those Australians, this one is good.
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