Wild Sugardumplin's blog: "Food For Thought"

A Modern Parable.

A Japanese company ( Toyota ) and an American company (General Motors) decided to have a canoe race on the  Missouri River . Both teams practiced long and hard to reach their peak  performance before the race.

On the big day, the Japanese won by a mile.

The Americans, very discouraged and depressed, decided to investigate the reason for the crushing defeat.  A management team made up of senior management was formed to investigate and recommend appropriate action.

Their conclusion was the Japanese had 8 people rowing and 1 person steering, while the American team had 7 people steering and 2 people rowing.

Feeling a deeper study was in order; American management hired a consulting company and paid them a large amount of money for a second opinion.

They advised, of course, that too many people were steering the boat, while not enough people were rowing.

Not sure of how to utilize that information,  but wanting to prevent another loss to the Japanese, the rowing team's  management structure was totally reorganized to 4 steering supervisors,  2 area steering superintendents and 1 assistant superintendent steering  manager.

They also implemented a new performance system that would give the 2 people rowing the boat greater incentive to work harder.  It was called the 'Rowing Team Quality First Program,' with meetings, dinners and free pens for the rowers.  There was discussion of getting new paddles, canoes and other equipment, extra vacation days for practices and bonuses.  The pension program was trimmed to 'equal the competition' and some of the resultant savings were channeled into morale boosting programs and teamwork posters.

The next year the Japanese won by two miles.

Humiliated, the American management laid-off one rower, halted development of a new canoe, sold all the paddles, and canceled all capital investments for new equipment.  The money saved was distributed to the Senior Executives as bonuses.

The next year, try as he might, the lone designated rower was unable to even finish the race (having no paddles,) so he was laid off for unacceptable performance, all canoe equipment was sold and the next year's racing team was out-sourced to  India .

Sadly, the End.

Here's something else to think about: GM has spent the last thirty years moving all its factories out of the  US , claiming they can't make money paying American wages.

TOYOTA has spent the last thirty years building more than a dozen plants inside the US .  The last quarter's results:

TOYOTA makes 4 billion in profits while GM racked up 9 billion in losses.

GM folks are still scratching their heads.

Why, Why, Why, Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are almost dead? Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they already know there is not enough money? Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars; but have to check when you say the paint is still wet? Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard? Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him? Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets? Whose idea was it to put an 'S' in the word 'lisp'? If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes? Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white? Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale? Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized? Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance? Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try? How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures? When we are in the supermarket and someone rams our ankle with a shopping cart then apologizes for doing so, why do we say, 'It's all right?' Well, it isn't all right, so why don't we say, 'That really hurt, why don't you watch where you're going?' Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's falling off the table you always manage to knock something else over? In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat? How come you never hear father-in-law jokes? And my FAVORITE...... The statistics on sanity is that one out of every four persons is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends -- if they're okay, then it's you. ****A day without a smile is like a day without sunshine!****

One day God was looking down at Earth and saw all of the rascally behavior that was going on. So he called one of His angels and sent the angel to Earth for a time. When he returned, he told God, 'Yes, it is bad on Earth; 95% are misbehaving and only 5% are not.’ God thought for a moment and said, 'Maybe I had better send down a second angel to get another opinion.' So God called another angel and sent him to Earth for a time. When the angel returned he went to God and said, 'Yes, it's true. The Earth is in decline; 95% are misbehaving, but 5% are being good.' God was not pleased. So He decided to e-mail the 5% that were good, because he wanted to encourage them, and give them a little something to help them keep going. Do you know what the e-mail said? Okay, I was just wondering, because I didn't get one either.....

After becoming very frustrated with the attitude of one of the shopkeepers, the young blonde declared, 'Well, then, maybe I'll just go out and catch my own alligator and get a pair of alligator shoes for free!' The shopkeeper replied with a sly smile, 'Well, little lady, why don't you go on and give it a try?' he blonde headed off to the swamp, determined to catch an alligator. Later in the day, as the shopkeeper was driving home, he spotted the same young woman standing waist deep in the murky water, shotgun in hand. As he brought his car to a stop, he saw a huge 9-foot gator swimming rapidly toward her. With lightning reflexes, the blonde took aim, shot the creature and hauled it up onto the slippery bank. Nearby were 7 more dead gators all lying belly up. The shopkeeper stood on the bank, watching in silent amazement as the blonde struggled mightily and barely managed to flip the gator onto its back. Then, rolling her eyes heavenward, she screamed in frustration..... 'CRAP! THIS ONE'S BAREFOOT, TOO!

OCALA - Last summer's federal court ruling forbidding school districts to force students to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance has finally trickled down to Marion County Public Schools. The School Board and district administrators decided they had to remove the "standing" requirement from the code of student conduct. Kathy Richardson, executive director of student services, told the School Board on Thursday that the decision means they cannot force a child to stand for the salute to the American flag. However, a student who chooses not to stand must "act in a manner that's dignified of patriotic observances." In other words, they cannot be disrespectful of that observance or they could be punished. "This really doesn't impact our district whatsoever," said Superintendent of Schools Jim Yancey. Yancey said most children have always stood and recited the pledge without any problems. The ones who did not stand usually didn't have a problem with the pledge itself but were upset and being defiant, Richardson said. The School District has always respected a child's freedom of religion. Some parents have told School District officials that their religion doesn't allow them to pledge allegiance to anyone or anything. The School District still made those children stand, though they didn't have to participate in the pledge itself. Osceola Middle School Principal John McCollum III said the issue has been touchy. McCollum said many principals, who were informed of the wording change at a recent principal's meeting, were not in favor of the new wording and actually felt they should still make standing a requirement. But School District officials, backed by School Board attorney Beverly Morris, told the principals that since a decision was upheld in a federal appellate court it was necessary for them to honor the ruling. "It was tough for me to take," McCollum said, adding the School District administration was adamant that they had to remove it for legal reasons. McCollum later began looking at all sides of the issue. He said that being Americans gives us numerous rights, including the freedom of speech. If you forced everyone to stand, then a part of a person's freedom is gone, "whether we like it or not." Jeffrey Askew, executive director of Marion County Veterans Services, believes the School District is correct to abide by the federal court ruling. But Askew said those who choose not to stand must also remember that millions of American soldiers gave them the right to make that choice to sit or stand. "They need to acknowledge that our veterans made sacrifices in order to have those freedoms," he said.

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, Smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant. 2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to. 3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep. 4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.' 5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy. 6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008. 7. Make time to practice Meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives. 8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6. - Appreciate their genuine nature, strength, and innocence. For real! 9. Dream more while you are awake. 10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants. 11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan Salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts. 12. Try to make at least three people smile each day. 13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life. 14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment. 15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime. 16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid. 17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away. 18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. 19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. 22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present. 23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. 25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?' 26. Forgive everyone for everything. 27. What other people think of you is none of your business. 28. Nature heals everything. 29. However good or bad a situation is it will change. 30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. 31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. 32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. 33. The best is yet to come. 34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 35. Do the right thing! 36. Call your family often. (Or email them to death!!!) 37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________. 38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed. 39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride. 40. Forward this to everyone you care about. May your troubles be less, May your blessings be more, May nothing but Happiness come through your door!

A Soldier's Christmas 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS HE LIVED ALL ALONE, IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE. I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE, AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE. I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE, NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE. NO STOCKING BY MANTLE, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND, ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS. WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARDS OF ALL KINDS, A SOBER THOUGHT CAME THROUGH MY MIND. FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, IT WAS DARK AND DREARY, I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER, ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY. THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, SILENT, ALONE, CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME. THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER, NOT HOW I PICTURED A UNITED STATES SOLDIER. WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ? CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED? I REALIZED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT, OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT. SOON ROUND THE WORLD, THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY, AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY. THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR, BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE. I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY LAY ALONE, ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME. THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE, I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY. THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE, "SANTA DON'T CRY, THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE; I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON'T ASK FOR MORE, MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS." THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP, I COULDN'T CONTROL IT, I CONTINUED TO WEEP. I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL AND WE BOTH SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL. I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT, THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR SO WILLING TO FIGHT. THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER, WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE, WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA, IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE." ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT. "MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT." This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan. The following is his request. I think it is reasonable.....

When researchers at the University of Texas asked more than 2,000 men and women why they had sex, they received plenty of interesting answers. Here are the 237 reasons they put into their published study: The person's physical appearance turned me on. The person had a desirable body. I wanted the pure pleasure. I wanted to achieve an orgasm. I wanted the adventure/excitement. The person had an attractive face. I was "horny." It's fun. The person was too "hot" (sexy) to resist. It feels good. I was sexually aroused and wanted the release. The person was too physically attractive to resist. I wanted to improve my sexual skills. It's exciting, adventurous. I wanted to experiment with new experiences. I saw the person naked and could not resist. I wanted the experience. The opportunity presented itself. I wanted to try out new sexual techniques or Positions. I wanted to experience the physical pleasure. I was curious about what the person was like in bed. I had not had sex in a long time. I was turned on by the sexual conversation. The person smelled nice. The person had beautiful eyes. The person was really desired by others. The person really desired me. My hormones were out of control. The person wore revealing clothes. I am a sex addict. I wanted to get the most out of life. I thought it would relax me. I'm addicted to sex. I was curious about my sexual abilities. I hadn't had sex for a while. The person was a good kisser. I wanted to see what it would be like to have sex with another person. The person caressed me. The person made me feel sexy. I wanted to release tension. The person was a good dancer. The person was "available." I was curious about sex. I wanted to release anxiety/stress. It would allow me to "get sex out of my system" so that I could focus on other things. I was attracted to the person. The person seemed self-confident. I was frustrated and needed relief. I wanted to feel masculine. I wanted to act out a fantasy. I wanted to satisfy a compulsion. I knew the person was usually "out of my league." The person had a great sense of humor. It just happened. I wanted to see whether sex with a different partner would feel different or better. I was "in the heat of the moment." I wanted to please my partner. It was easier to "go all the way" than to stop. I wanted to see what all the fuss is about. I could brag to other people about my sexual experience. I wanted to see if I could get the other person into bed. I was drunk. I wanted to increase the number of sex partners I had experienced. I got "carried away." I wanted to relieve "blue balls." The person was mysterious. An erotic movie had me turned on. I wanted to celebrate something. I thought it would make me feel healthy It seemed like good exercise. It became a habit. I wanted to make a conquest. I wanted to see what it would be like to have sex while stoned (e.g. oon marijuana or some other drug). I was bored. I wanted to lose my inhibitions. The person flattered me. I was under the influence of drugs. I wanted to have something to tell my friends. I was tired of being a virgin. I wanted to get rid of aggression. I wanted to dominate the other person. I was seduced. I wanted to get a raise. I wanted to get a job. I wanted to get a promotion. It was an initiation rite to a club or organization. I wanted to give someone a sexually transmitted disease (e.g., herpes, AIDS). I wanted to punish myself. Someone offered me money to do it. I wanted to gain access to that person's friend. I wanted to break up a rival's relationship by having sex with his/her partner. I wanted to hurt an enemy. I wanted to get rid of a headache. I wanted to even the score with a cheating partner. I wanted to get a favor from someone. I wanted to breakup another's relationship Because of a bet. The person offered to give me drugs for doing it. My regular partner is boring, so I had sex with someone else. I wanted to hurt/humiliate the person. I wanted to breakup my relationship I wanted to be popular. I felt jealous. The person had alot of money. I wanted to make money. I wanted to get a special favor from someone. I thought it would boost my social status. It was a favor to someone. I was mad at my partner, so I had sex with someone else. The person had too much to drink and I was about to take advantage of them. It would damage my reputation if I said "no." I wanted to be used or degraded. I wanted to get out of doing something. I wanted to relieve me menstrual cramps. I wanted to enhance my reputation. I wanted to impress friends. I wanted to change the topic of conversation. It would get me gifts. The person was famous and I wanted to be able to say I had sex with him/her. I wanted to feel closer to God. I wanted to get even with someone (i.e. revenge). Someone had told me that this person was good in bed. I was afraid to say "no" due to the possibility of physical harm. I wanted to make someone else jealous. I wanted to end the relationship. Someone dared me. The person had bought me jewelry. My friends pressured me into it. I wanted to get back at my partner for having cheated on me. I wanted to make someone else jealous. I was competing with someone to "get the person." I wanted to brag to my friends about my conquests. I wanted to have more sex than my friends. I wanted to keep warm. I thought it would help me to fall asleep. I wanted to become more focused on work -- sexual thoughts are distracting. I wanted to have a child. I was slumming. The person had taken me out for an expensive dinner. I wanted to burn calories. I wanted to reproduce. I wanted to test my compatibility with a new partner. I wanted to avoid hurting someone else's feelings. I was on the "rebound" from another relationship. I wanted to defy my parents. It's considered "taboo" by society. I needed another "notch on my belt." I wanted to reaffirm my sexual orientation. I wanted to return a favor. I wanted to gain acceptance from my friends. Everyone else was having sex. I was married and you're supposed to. I realized I was in love. I wanted to increase my emotional bond by having sex. I wanted to show my affection to the person. I wanted to communicate at a deeper level I wanted to express my love for the person. I wanted to become one with another person. I wanted to feel connected to the person. I wanted to say "I've missed you." I wanted to celebrate a birthday or anniversary or special occaison. I wanted to intensify my relationship. It was a romantic setting. I wanted to welcome someone home. I wanted to say "I'm sorry." I wanted to put the passion back into my relationship. I wanted to say "goodbye." I wanted to say "Thank you." I wanted to lift my partner's spirits. It was a special occaison. I wanted to get a partner to express love. It seemed like the natural next step. The person was intelligent. I desired emotional closeness (i.e. intimacy). I wanted to help my partner forget about his/her problems. I wanted to keep my partner satisfied. I wanted the person to feel good about himself/herself. I wanted to make up after a fight. I wanted a "spiritual" experience. I felt insecure. I felt like it was my duty. I felt obligated to. I didn't know how to say "no." I didn't want to disappoint the person. I didn't want to "lose" the person. I was pressured into doing it. I wanted the person to love me. I was verbally coerced into doing it. I wanted to boost my self-esteem. I wanted my partner to notice me. I wanted to be nice. I wanted to feel attractive. I wanted to keep my partner happy. It was expected of me. I felt guilty. I was afraid my partner would have an affair if I didn't have sex with him/her. I wanted to feel loved. I felt like I owed it to the person. I wanted to feel powerful. I wanted him/her to stop bugging me about sex. I wanted to make myself feel better about myself. I was feeling lonely. I wanted to keep my partner from straying. I wanted to feel good about myself. I wanted to feel loved. I wanted to get my partner to stay with me. My partner kept insisting. I wanted to raise my self-esteem. I wanted to decrease my partner's desire to have sex with someone else. It was the only way my partner would spend time with me. I thought it would help "trap" a new partner. I was physically forced to. I wanted to "possess" the person. I wanted to keep my partner from straying. The person demanded that I have sex with him/her. I wanted to make my partner feel powerful. I felt sorry for the person. I was trying to "get over" and earlier person/relationship. I felt rebellious. It just seemed like the think to do. I wanted to stop my partner's nagging. I wanted to submit to my partner. I wanted to ensure the relationship was "committed." I wanted to make the person feel batter about himself/herself. I wanted to feel older. I wanted to prevent a breakup. I wanted to display submission. I wanted to manipulate him/her into doing something for me. I wanted the attention. It was part of the relationship "routine." I had no self-control. I wanted to "gain control" of the person. I wanted to feel feminine. I wanted to forget about my problems. I wanted to feel young. I wanted to fulfill a previous promise to my partner. My friends were having sex and I wanted to fit in.

For all those men who say, 'Why buy a cow when you can get milk for free.' Here's an update for you: Nowadays, 80% of women are against marriage, WHY? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage.. 1. Men are like Laxatives. They irritate the crap out of you 2. Men are like Bananas. The older they get, the less firm they are 3. Men are like Weather . Nothing can be done to change them 4. Men are like Blenders You need One, but you're not quite sure why 5. Men are like Chocolate Bars .. Sweet, smooth, & they usually head right for your hips 6. Men are like Commercials . You can't believe a word they say 7. Men are like Department Stores ... Their clothes are always 1/2 off! 8. Men are like .. Government Bonds .... They take soooooooo long to mature 9. Men are like .. Mascara . They usually run at the first sign of emotion 10. Men are like Popcorn . They satisfy you, but only for a little while 11. Men are like Snowstorms . You never know when they're coming, how many inches you'll get or how long it will last. 12. Men are like Lava Lamps . Fun to look at, but not very bright 13. Men are like Parking Spots All the good ones are taken, the rest are handicapped..

It takes your food seven seconds to get from your mouth to your stomach. One human hair can support 3 kg (6 lb). The average man's penis is three times the length of his thumb. Human thighbones are stronger than concrete. A woman's heart beats faster than a man's. There are about one trillion bacteria on each of your feet. Women blink twice as often as men. The average person's skin weighs twice as much as the brain. Your body uses 300 muscles to balance itself when you are standing still. If saliva cannot dissolve something, you cannot taste it. Women reading this will be finished now. Men who read this are still busy checking their thumbs.