Life Lessons #112 - Eating With a Cold

When you have a really awful cold, don't go buy an Asian chicken dish at Applebee's. You're likely to look like you're tweaking and homeless (red eyes, sporatic shaking, shabby clothing) and you'll probably end up infecting somebody. Oh, and you won't taste the dish at all.

Your coke will taste like carbonated water. Your food completely devoid of flavor. You might stick your face in the bowl in a desperate attempt to smell the goodness through the fog of your cold, and you'll get that momentary glimmer of what this meal would taste like were you healthy. For the most part, though, texture is the only thing you'll enjoy.

You'll notice that the almonds crunch nicely in contrast to the firm, juicy chicken. You'll appreciate the crispness of the broccoli and carrots and the sticky texture the rice brings, but after all is said and done, you're a blind man watching a sunrise. The warmth of the sun is there, but the brilliant color goes unnoticed.

-Barry

Life Lessons #34 - Arguments

I think it's good to know how to argue, but I think it's equally important to know how to respect the opinions of another while arguing.

There are times when good arguing skills are crucial. For example, say you know the correct procedure for open heart surgery and your fellow colleague is about to perform it incorrectly. You must argue well in that situation until he realizes that you are, in fact, correct. A life is saved and countless medical lawsuits are avoided. If you know you're absolutely correct, and the argument is as important as this example, be sure to put money on the argument. You might as well make a few bucks when it's all said and done.

On other occasions this skill proves to be valuable, but not entirely important. Arguments over who cleans the most in a household, for example, mean nothing in the long run and gain you nothing more than your pride in the short run when won. You may try to argue it for a moment, simply to hone your skills, but must be sure to concede when you see that the situation begins to feel less intellectually stimulating and more like a fist fight. Injured feelings, broken property and/or jail time are not suitable ends to an argument in a situation like this. Also, be sure never to put money on a trivial issue. This is reckless gambling, which is NOT cool.

Remember: It's good to know how to argue well. It's better to know when to argue well.

-Barry