Just another saturday that entails guitar lessons and working out.  That is the norm EXCEPT I was honored to chat with the famous Dudley brothers at my gym.  I will say this first, I do not follow wrestling religiously albeit WWE, TNA, or ECW.  However I do know the Dudleys from my channel surfing afternoons.  At first I saw a mamoth and thought that he looked familiar, but I went on my way not giving it much thought.  Later I saw Devon, not knowing it was him yet, and once again thought. “you know he looks familiar too.”  A few minutes, and sets later, it dawned on me the identity of these two men.  “IT’S THE DUDLEY BROTHERS!” I screamed in my head. 

I waited until Devon finished his set to approach him and ask if he is who I think he is.  “Excuse me sir but aren’t you …”  Devon shook his head.  To try and show that I knew something about him I asked if he was Bubba Ray.  He chuckled and said “No I’m Devon.  My brother is over there.”  Now that I had one strike against me I had to press on to two other questions.  Thankfully I only got two out of three wrong.  Boy that sure would have looked bad on me.  :P 

The last question I asked him pertained to his next match.  After he told me when and what it was, Victory Road on PPV, we continued our small chat before going about our business.  As we parted I told him “Good luck and I hope you have a great stay in Houston.”  To which he replied, “Thanks hoss, I appreciate it.”  HE APPRECIATES IT.  If I didn’t get my point across then hear me out.  These guys are not 6′2″ as wikipedia says they are.  I’m 6′3″ and I was looking up.  Not only are they tall but they are mountains of two men.  So when he smiled and said he appreciated it there was an immediate amount of pressure taken off my shoulders. 

After giving myself time to come off my “Holy crap I just met someone famous” high, I realized how down to earth these two gentlemen are.  After all, here I am interrupting their regimen for small talk.  But they handled it like the professionals they are and were very hospitable!  I mean they could not have been dichotomous from their televised personas.  If you see them out and about, and they are not in a private setting, then I would recommend chatting it up with those two, even if you’re not a fan such as I. 

If I’m lucky enough to have them read this blog then I’d just like to say thanks,once again, for being cordial and easy to talk to.  (guy from the gym)

As the topic of one of my collaborators blog, Generation Y is a group of highly individual, goal seeking, achievement oriented peoples. This gives rise to new twists on some old problems. Problems like one being accustomed to always getting what they want or feeling the need to construct a clear path towards their goals without giving way to new ideas. That’s not really the problem. The problem is we are driven to do it ourselves and as the dictum goes “knowledge is power.” And who better to do it than ourselves? With this mindset people encounter obstacles like the “Neo OCD,” the “Ignorant Temper,” and resistance from the Old School ways.

So What Are These Problems & How Can We Alleviate Them?

“Neo OCD” is a new disorder that came about from self reliability. I have coined this new “disease” Obsessive Controlling Disorder. People that have grown up with all information in the world under their fingertips know, for the most part, how to use it. I am in no way knocking this great tool (Neo OCD) but rather trying to raise awareness about it. Having this ability can be pernicious if you let it. What do I mean? I mean that people under this new age spell have the sense that they are right and no one else is. This is true and false. Without getting to philosophical, what is the difference between right and wrong? Relative Perception. (If this does not make sense then read my blog entitled “Subscribe to the fortune cookie method”) People are innately selfish and rightfully so. The only thing is that people shut off other peoples view point. This is a modern day version of Groupthink. Rather than “the shutting down of ideas” in a group Gen Y’ers do this on the individual level.  Do you know anybody that is not very open and stubborn?  I would imagine it is hard to work with that person.  It’s the same with Gen Y’ers except a large number of us are like that.  It would seem we are all taking the highway now.

Immediate Information Demands Immediate Answers?

The Ignorant Temper is nothing new.  It’s when people focus on one thing and an outside stressor gets in our way causing our tempers to flair.  What people often leave out is the ignorant part of this nasty equation.  f(outside stressor + ignorance of what the problem is= aggravated <insert your name>).  To make matters worse, Gen Y’ers are not costive.  We say what’s on our mind with out anyone asking for it.  I believe this to be a result of the information that is readily available.  This immediacy has caused people to grow accustomed to immediate answers.  The problem is in our underlying need for consistency and that the internet consistently provides answers to our daily queries. Often times in .1 seconds or less.  The internet is not the only culprit however; phones, television, and E-mails are also to blame.  These modes of information aide in our quest for fast, faster, and fastest.  “Upgrade to the 21st and you will be able to keep in touch with anyone at any time!  But wait there’s more.  If you subscribe to our quixotic world today we will send you our nearly nonreversible gift, IMPATIENCE.”

A spin off of our need for immediate answers is our desire for immediate results.  Now more than ever, and obviously so, people are bombarded with Right Now.  Be your own CEO right now, lose 20 lbs right now, and learn a new language right now.  There is nothing wrong with right now as long as you factor in all the time AFTER now.  Most of us can not pick up something new and master it at first glance.  I recently caught myself becoming more and more flustered with my guitar playing until I realized that I haven’t practiced in easily two or three weeks.  I’ve “youtubed” videos and thought “Hey, this guy just did it why can’t I?”  What the video left out was the endless hours of practice the person went through to get where they are now.  People born after 1980 have been spoon-fed this grandiose illusion that we can do anything in an instants notice.  For most of us this is simply not true.  As time marches on, we learn that rarely anything happens over night and that we have to invest valuable time in things, hobbies, family, etc. 

Having this sort of immediacy is not always a bad thing though.  For example, “Millennials” are more egalitarian when it comes to how we treat disparate people that are not like ourselves.  Instead of disparaging others because of their differences, we as Millennials ferret out answers as to why we are different and what makes us that way.  If no one knows the answer(s) then we turn to the omnipotent internet.  Hhhhuummm.  How many times have you “googled” something and found useful information.  And did this information help you understand why things played out the way they did?  Were you able to lace up someone else’s shoes and see the world from their view point?  OK now I’m sound like Anthony “Tony” Robbins, but my point is that the results were more often then not helpful. 

Oldie But A Goodie

I’ve heard experience is the best teacher and so far I agree.  Like I mentioned before, if you want to get better at or learn something then you have to practice.  The alternative is asking for help, which goes against our Generation WHY grain.  Our self-reliance put us in a position where we don’t like to ask for help.  But you know what?  Every once in a while those old folks, elderly, and/or baby boomers know what they are talking about.  (I’m grinding my teeth as I type.)  As much as we don’t like to listen we should stop and listen more.  Listening is a precious tool if one can master it.  You know, you might even learn something … right now.  I’ve noticed that listening helps bridge our individualistic nature with others.   After all we are in the “ME” age and as a fellow “Why”-ner I’ve learned the importance of being self-reliant, but it only gets you so far.  Probably the most import life lesson I’ve learned is to ask.  Yeah it’s that easy.  Asking, coupled with effective listening, will help you: understand more (avoiding ignorance), break out of your individualistic shell, and might even curb ones Neo OCD. 

p.s. I’m going to eat a banana ‘cause my hands are cramping.  C ya during the next blue moon

My first theory is that people will either smile and/or laugh when under the influence. I call this theory L.U.I. or Laughing Under the Influence for short. This theory states that most people, not all, will succumb to smiling and or laughing when told they have 10 seconds to do so. I work with new people on a daily basis and so I would randomly select a few individuals and tell them something to the effect of, “You will laugh in ten seconds starting in …” and countdown from there. Most people will not laugh as soon as you start counting but will around the 5, 6, 7 mark. Why they do this I’m not sure of yet. One explanation could be that I make funny faces or say things such as, “Its only been 1 second…” in a way that is humorous to the individual. Another thing to note is the only constant variable in my “Trial by gaining experience” (Another article you might want to check out) is time. 10 seconds. That’s it. Sometimes I go 15 seconds but it is rare. Try it out and see for yourself.

The other phenomena is what I’ve come to call the “Commentators Curse.” This theory holds that the outcome of a game is altered due to a statistic given by a commentator or announcer. Next time you watch a sport, listen to the announcer as he or she will toss out a fact like “Bob is 9 for 9 at the free throw line,” or “Randy 0 for his last 18 plate appearances.” This theory works for anything an announcer says. Someone player might be on a “Hot Streak” only to abruptly stop after the announcer calls the stat. Not only will the exact opposite happen but the outcome has now been altered or significantly influenced in a way you may or may not like. There is no concrete evidence to support this but I will get back with you as soon as I finish my own studies.

As you would expect from a Marvel Movie, the film was entertaining while staying true to most of the comic book facts.  Even though some things were a little skewed, the movie as a whole was fun and action packed.  That suited me just fine seeing how a good movie, to me (remember that post?  Look it up), is designed around Steven Segal, explosions, and/or comic relief.  Iron Man makes use of two of my criterian in such a way that makes me want to see the sequal. 

I’ll be honest, Gwyneth is not one of my favorite actresses. In fact I’m not sure if I spelled her name right and I’m not going to look it up.  However I was pleasantly suprised by the way she portrayed Pepper Potts and found myself slightly concerned.  Her character, Pepper, was in direct contrast to Tony Stark whom I thought was brilliantly played by Robert Downey Jr.  I left the theater thinking that no other actor could have brought Tony to life quite like Robert Downey did.  I am no Comic-con fan but this movie appeased me. 

If you are looking for a movie that is entertaining that doesn’t not have underlying themes of “Technology is bad” or “End violence” then might I suggest Iron Man.  Scratch that, I’m putting Iron Man at the top of your list for things to do when you’re bored.  It’s no 300 but it is still a D.G.M. or ”Dang Good Movie.”

I’ve been reading information on Evolutionary Psychology from a book called “Why Beautiful People Have Daughters.”  The reasons they give not only are plausible but are very intriguing.  I will write more about this later but the point is it left me wondering.  I wonder about why “he did what he do,”  to quote Tory James.

My question is this - Do you know why women and men prefer differing music?  Maybe it’s something in the song or how it’s played?  I haven’t the slightest idea and would appreciate some insight.  So what do you think the answer is?  Don’t be coy, drop us an email.  You know support@asklg.net.

If you don’t care then here’s something use you might be able to use.  Actually it’s a word but I’m not going to hold it against me.  The word is quixotic(which means dreamy).  You can use the word in a sentence like, “Patrick dempsy is ssooo McQuixotic.”  Impress your friends and others with your BIG … vocabulary

Helpguide

Techniques to handle stress

Stress Management

I’ve also found that just breaking out of one’s everyday routine helps. For example, I listen to my ipod everyday but there are a few days where I need to relax and I don’t listen to it at all. Everyday things like that can create stress because you’re burn’t out from doing the same thing all the time.

The most common method, to fooling anybody, is when a person repeats an action in hopes that you, the subject, will learn it. In baseball a pitcher might throw fastballs high and inside the strike zone with the hopes that you will expect another pitch to be yet another fastball that’s high and inside. The thing is he’s about to throw a back door slider or sinker that is low and away. Some poker players act week when they have a great hand to lure you into betting. See where I’m getting at here?

Jokes are told the same way. People lead you to a certain response and at the last moment say the opposite. How many times have you heard a comedian talk about something they do and at the end deny it? It works, I’d say, 95 % of the time. Long story short, happiness and anger are expressed the same way, by grinning to show our teeth. The twist at the end throws us in a state of alarm so we grin and laugh. Oh yeah, laughing developed from us grunting thousands of years ago as a way to warn others. You learn something new everyday

Traveling by:

Airplane

TSA is the PTB! (Powers That Be) They tell you want you can and can not bring on to the plane. For example, you can now bring liquids and gels on the plane(carry-on) as long as you have 3 oz or less. 3 oz= 85 grams, which is slightly more than 1/3 cup. This isn’t to say you can’t bring it at all. Every needs to brush their teeth and bathe so how does one bring it with them? It’s simple, just check it in. Just do us all a favor and make sure you have room for it in your suitcase, luggage, or whatever you check in.

Something else you should know is how to mark your luggage. My family and I use neon green and red tape to help use differentiate the luggage on the conveyor. I’ve seen some items wrapped with “Caution” tape that the police use. ($5.49 at Lowe’s) Another traveling heuristic is to use check-in luggage that is larger (greater dimensions) than what you carry-on, seriously.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#4

Please, if you don’t follow my advice then at least read the safety brochure on the plane. You don’t want to fiddling around when the ___ has the fan. Read it thoroughly, upside down, and backwards.

Car

1) Always always always have some sort of entertainment albeit an ipod, cd’s, person you’re riding with, or movie

2) Make sure you can tolerate the entertainment through out the duration of the trip. There is nothing worse than repeating what you just did for an hour three more times!

3) Know how much fuel you will need and all the spots to tank up

Boat

Enjoy the ride

Gaming:

THE CPU CHEATS! Accept it. I don’t care how advanced something is it is not as beneficial as practicing in real life. Obviously there are some exceptions but for the most part this holds true

Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A (select) Start

Playing while ___ doesn’t make you better but will help make for a better time (In no way am I suggesting people drink habitually or abuse alcohol)

Exits

Knowing all of your outs with poker, buildings, and with people are extremely important. Wouldn’t you believe it’s “that one time” you didn’t have a Twix that you needed it the most. Let’s not get caught with our candy wrappers down folks.

Evolutionairy Biology and it’s implications on our human psyche

Read about it. It’s faster this way

Greatness

You have tapped into an invaluable source of knowledge and experience. The problem is that your friends don’t know about me or our council. Why deprive them of the mental nutrients they can use to flourish into a well rounded person? Go now and tell everyone of the joys, widgets, and wonders that is Asklg. Yes, we are the widgets the economists speak of muah ha ha ha…. I don’t know about that last one.

First just let me address the wonderful and highly predictable world of sheeple. In case you don’t know, sheeple are the ones who follow someone else just because. If they see a group of people going someplace then they will go too because well, you’re going too. We all know about sociology and how it works but to see a random group of people come together and basically create another identity is pretty amazing. It’s like when everyone speaks together, we all seem to know to go at that one speed. So why do we have to act on that one speed? Does one really need to put that much effort into walking? It’s alright to detour every once in a while, if only to get out of the monotony of it all. The problem I have is not that we can make this group but more that no one can really “escape” from it. “Just because …” is not a sufficient answer to stay in that group.

This leads me to the other door. You’re faced with at least two doors but because everyone else is going through ONE door, you have to go through it too. This is funny, to me (Uh huh, yeah, I practice what I preach :P), because we can see someone standing outside a door knowing that it is locked, but we will see if it’s open anyways. On the flip side we know that all the other doors are unlocked but we don’t use them. Why, isn’t it there for a reason? There’s no magical technique to opening it so why not use it? What is it about the idea of being lead through life that we have to adhere to it? “But I might not like what I’ve walked into.” Then turn around and go back out. And just for that reason, people are afraid of taking that first step.