Wow, these Gucci sneakers were over the top!
Thick, thick soles and built up sides.
A strap adorning the sneaker with colored-stones (faux gems).
Very heavy with a durable kick-a*s feel.
All for $1,590 at Bloomingdale’s.
As we joke as kids with a eastern European “old country” droll, “It’s a bargain!” 😉
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Here’s a copy of the sticker price on the car in the lobby of the local mall in Florida here.
Oh, it’s just a 2016 Rolls Royce for a mere $362,225.00
The car was unbelievably gorgeous.
But the extravagance of it compared with the regular poor, hungry and homeless people on the streets as well as the vast majority of all the other everyday middle class people is enough to make you want to puke.
Immediately after this, when we got back to the hotel, the maid was still in the room cleaning up.
I had the opportunity to see–really see–this lady–this person.
She was overly respectful, calling me sir numerous times, unnecessarily.
She was kind in finishing the room quickly and asking if their was anything else we needed.
But I also noticed that despite her labor-intensive job cleaning up other people’s shit in the hotel rooms, she had a bum leg and had trouble walking and just getting around.
I thought to myself why was it that this poor lady was destined to have to clean my and other people’s hotel rooms for a grueling living.
The next day, I saw some mini shampoo and conditioner containers that had fallen to the side of the tiny garbage can in the bathroom (didn’t make the shot).
I looked down–I thought for a split second, that’s what the hotel get’s paid for to clean up and service the guests–but only for a SPLIT second.
Then I bent my own stupid ass over, and picked up the bottles and put them in the garbage where they belong.
The lady coming to clean the room doesn’t drive a Rolls Royce and definitely, neither do I.
We are one under G-d, and may he bless us all in prosperity, health, and peace. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Seeing a number of senior officials in the last year “ousted,” I find it sort of scary the risks and travails that executive leadership can entail.
There are so many good, hardworking people at GSA making progress for the Government in terms of property management, contract management, fleet management, and more, that it was a huge shock to many today, when GSA leadership including the Administrator, were ousted for what White House Chief of Staff called “excessive spending, questionable dealings with contractors, and disregard for taxpayer dollars.”
This at a time when the nation is struggling to reduce the national deficit now at $15.6 trillion and avoid another debt ratings cut from the three credit report agencies that would potentially drive interest up and cause even more damage to the nation’s economy.
Of course, the GSA is not the only example, just last year, we had the unfortunate “muffin mini-scandal” as reported by Bloomberg BusinessWeek (29 September 2011), where the Government was alleged to have paid $16.80 apiece for muffins.
What causes this psychology of excess where taxpayers end up footing the bill for extravagant items and events?
1) Hubris–Are there people who feel they are so high and mighty, they just have all the trimmings of office coming to them and theirs?
2) Neglect–Do some executives rise too far and fast, and maybe things get out of control?
3) Misguided–Is it possible that some may actually really think that hiring a mind reader on the taxpayer dime is a good idea?
4) Accident–At times, oversights, mistakes, and accidents happen, and while we may prefer they didn’t, they are a learning opportunities.
5) All of the above–Perhaps it is some combination of all the prior four?
It reminds me of something my father taught me that “G-d does not let any flower grow into the sky.“
This means that no matter how good we are or how far we go in our careers and in life, we remain mortal and infirm, and subject to human imperfections.
That’s why it’s never a good idea to tout your own infallibility. Just Last Thursday, the GSA Administrator, as reported by Government Executive Magazine, told a conference “Why us? Because we’re the expert shoppers. We’re the folks you want on your team when budgets are tight, you’re making purchases, and there’s no room for error…”
Obviously, I assume there was no intent to brag, but we all say things like this at one time or another, and it’s good to reflect and stop ourselves from going too far.
This is not about the GSA or any other agency or organization in particular, but rather a lesson in humility for all of us.
This unfortunate incident should not obscure the good work, done every day, at all levels, by every Federal agency.
(Source Photo: here)
andyblumenthal 
