(Credit Photos: Andy Blumenthal)
Category Archives: People
How Fish Come Up To Breathe
This was one of the most interesting facts that I learned recently.
Dolphins needs to come up to the surface to get air to breathe.
But how do they do this when they sleep?
The answer is that only part of their brain sleeps at a time, so that they can continue to rise to the surface for air 24/7.
Part of their brain sleeps while the other part stays awake.
I think that this truly happens with people too.
If you have ever been overtired, your brain still needs to sleep.
At some point, you can literally feel part of your brain go to sleep even as the rest is awake to do what it needs to do (even at suboptimal functioning).
This is beyond fascinating how G-d created us to adapt and survive. 😉
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Hope You Had A Good “Veek”
So I was asked do you spell week with a “W” or a “V.”
I guess sometimes it does sound like we say veek.
Someone else told me that they are divorced and that person is still a “dark force” in their life.
They said they have to pay child support but can’t afford it.
It’s not like I still earn $55,000 like I used to.
But if they don’t pay…
Well my ex will just refuse to let me see my son!
People have tough lives.
So when you think about your week, hopefully in context, you can resolutely say that you had a good veek.
Shabbat Shalom! 😉
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Robots In Rockville
Had some fun driving around this cool little Robot in Rockville Town Center.
I like to try out the latest gadgets.
It’s funny people’s reactions when they see these.
They’re still not quite sure what to make of these.
Robots on the street.
Drones overhead.
Submersibles in the water.
Soon they will all be autonomous, ubiquitous, and essential.
And people will be the side attraction. 😉
(Source Video: Dossy Blumenthal)
Alligator Govie
So this was a little surprising.
In the courtyard (next to the cafeteria) at work, there is a nice seating area open during the Spring/Summer seasons.
Pretty trees, flowers, and a pond.
In the pond, next to the water lilies, there was a what?
Alligator.
Not a full alligator.
But someone put an alligator’s head in to make things interesting.
It’s nice at work when people are normal and have a sense of humor.
An Alligator Govie that’s what it is. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Project Suicide
This was sort of a funny scene in a project meeting.
One person describing the challenges at one point, spontaneously and dramatically motions to take a knife and slit both wrists.
This absolutely got people’s attention.
Understanding the struggles the person was expressing, and trying to add a little lightheartedness to the situation, I say:
“This is a tough project, pass around the knife.”
This got a good hearty laugh around the table, with one person saying that this was the quote of the day.
Anyway, we want to make operations as effortless as possible on people, but the project work to get there is definitely making people work for it.
Let’s avoid project or people suicide–be supportive of each other, pace ourselves, team together, and problem-solve to get it successfully over the finish line.
Soon we can celebrate all the challenges we overcame together and from our determined efforts, all the wonderful results. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Getting To Know You
So we recently took on a new function at work.
With that came a new group of employees.
Today, we had a wonderful breakfast as a meet and greet for everyone to get to know each other.
There was a tremendous spread of food laid out everything from bagels and smear, granola and yogurt, free fruit and vegetable salad, donut and muffins, and more.
There was enough food to feed a small army.
Aside from the group joining us, we had people come from other departments that support the process they are involved in–so folks from finance, legal, and even the front office.
The new lead assigned for the group that came over even gave out envelopes to thank their new team and 2 big boxes of gourmet coffee for them to share.
How nice this all was done and the investment that was made to bring the new team on board was really amazing to me.
I saw all the goodwill that was being built up from this event and the niceties put into it to recognize the people and make everyone comfortable together as a team.
I learned that an investment upfront like this in people and function can have tremendous benefits downstream in building a team and performing services that everyone can be proud of who is apart of this.
Invest not only in things, but also most importantly in people and relationships! 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
@Wiener Museum Of Decorative Arts
(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)
It’s About The People
The older (not that old) that I get, the more I realize that life and success is all about the people.
Whether it’s our families, friends, and colleagues–it’s how we treat people and the relationships we form that count–and that enable us to achieve success together!
Many people just count their money instead of counting their blessings of hearts and souls.
But while we certainly need a certain amount of $$$ to live, we really need ❤ to thrive.
Today, before the Thanksgiving holiday, I just took a little time to walk around and talk with people here, thank them for their good work and friendships, and wish them a good holiday.
It was such a little thing, but honestly I felt so good doing it.
I am thankful for so many things this year, including all the wonderful people in my life who do so much to make my life joyous and fulfilling, but I am also grateful to G-d for continuing to open my eyes to what and who(s) that really count.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Blessing Each Other
Today in synagogue, we did not have any Kohanim (members of the priestly class) to do the ritual blessing of the people.
So Rabbi Haim Ovadia did something really creative and beautiful.
He had each of us turn to our neighbor and put our hands over each other’s heads and recite the blessing from the Torah:
“May G-d bless and guide you.
May G-d shine his countenance on you and be gracious to you.
May G-d turn his countenance toward you and grant you peace.”
The gesture of brotherhood and caring for each other was very, very nice, and I got to meet someone new in synagogue today.
People need people…and we need G-d.
Somehow it makes everything better. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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