There are no words

Mugabe is at it again. I just don't even think there is any way to respond to this. When you're dealing with blinded idiots, you just can't reason with them. I can't help but think that Mugabe's fear tactic reminds me of another dictator not-so-long ago.This from CNN:

Zimbabwe: Cholera is genocide by UK
One of Zimbabwe's top officials blamed his country's spreading cholera outbreak on what he calls "a genocidal onslaught" by Zimbabwe's former colonial ruler -- Britain.

Zimbabwean clinics have been overwhelmed by the cholera epidemic, according to aid organizations. "Cholera is a calculated, racist attack on Zimbabwe by the unrepentant former colonial power, which has enlisted support from its American and Western allies so that they can invade the country," Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu told reporters. Britain ruled the country as a colony until 1965.

Ndlovu's claims triggered quick and pointed reaction from Britain and the United States. In Washington, State Department spokesman Rob McInturff called Ndlovu's accusations "patently ridiculous."

Referring to Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, McInturff said Friday that, "Mugabe is clearly unwilling to take any meaningful action (to stop the cholera outbreak)."

On Thursday, Mugabe said "there is no cholera in the country." His spokesman later said that Mugabe was sarcastically ridiculing what he believes are Western designs to invade the country.Britain's Africa minister, Mark Malloch-Brown responded by saying, "I don't know what world he (Mugabe) is living in," according to the British newspaper The Guardian.

Malloch-Brown made the comment during a one-day trip to South Africa, where he visited a Johannesburg church housing 1,600 Zimbabweans who have fled their country, the newspaper said. "There is a raging humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe as well as an economic crisis and still there is no representative government able to lead the country out of this disaster," he said, according to The Guardian.

Cholera has ravaged Zimbabwe, causing nearly 800 deaths and infecting more than 16,000 people, the World Health Organization says.

The outbreak could surpass 60 000 cases, according to an estimate by the Zimbabwe Health Cluster, which is a group coordinated by the World Health Organization.

Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, by the way, is the same guy who said a few weeks ago that Zimbabwe had enough chemicals and money to repair sewer lines and clean the water. I guess his countrymen are still waiting for those chemicals and money.

Every smile matters

As we wind up 2008, I can't help but think what's in store for 2009. And I'm not sure what to expect: while I'm excited about the prospect of a new page in history for our country with our new President, Cabinet and Congress, I look around and see a lot of challenges.

There's the looming financial crisis - and with it, the depletion of so many people's retirement accounts; war in the Middle East - with the newest addition of Israel to the theatre; poverty, corruption and genocide in Africa; and the pollution and destruction of our planet, to name just a few. While there is a lot to celebrate from 2008 and a lot to look forward to in 2009, there's also a lot of sadness in our world.

So I think we should make a New Year's resolution to be nicer to one another. To smile to each other a little more. To be kinder and more generous. Yes, perhaps that sounds naive. But when we feel lost or overwhelmed, we must remember that we always have our humanity. We are all in this together - no matter where we live or what we look like - and we share in the sadness and the joys together. So by each one of us being a little nicer, a little more human, to one another, perhaps we can help make all these world crises a little more tolerable.

If my recycling makes a difference, then my smile can, too. It's just a little thing, but if everyone did something little, then think how great we, as a human race, could be together.

Washington, DC in love

This past weekend, Scott and I went up to DC for a quick trip. We live so close to the city (about 4 1/2 hours), but we have seldom visited, so we decided the holidays might be a great time to get away for a bit and spend the weekend exploring.

We had such a fabulous time and have decided that we love DC...so much, so, that we might want to move there. Up until now, I've longed to live in NYC. I'm a city girl at heart and I love the chaos and the hustle and bustle of New York. But after visiting DC, I might be changing my mind. DC offers everything New York does, but has more charm and character. I love that you are constantly surrounded by American history and there's always a buzz of politics going on around you. People in DC were so friendly, the prices were no more expensive than they are in Raleigh and the city has all of the bustle, without any of the hustle.

Of course, I'd want to live in Georgetown, but I seemed to have misplaced the $2 million dollars I saved for a house.

It was great catching up with Kristen while we were town. We ate at a fun brunch spot in DuPont Circle (Kramer's Books) with her and chatted over coffee, eggs and waffles. Yum! And I recommend the Newseum - possible the best museum I have ever been in.

I think we're planning another trip to DC in the Spring. We just might be in love.

Whopper Virgins

I came across this Burger King ad and loved it. The premise is that you can never really have a true, blinded taste test because everyone is influenced partly by brand, or has tasted one or the other burgers before. But what if you found people who had never heard of McDonald's or Burger King or the Whopper or the Big Mac? Which would they prefer? Of course, I'm not sure how accurate the tast test would be, given that hamburgers and beef are so outside of these people's cultural sphere.

This was done by Crispin Porter + Bogusky. It’s a little market research, a little ethnography, a little advertising and a lot of American domination of other cultures. After all, if everyone in the world hasn’t eaten a Whopper or Big Mac, then the terrorists have won.

It’s pretty interesting all around…

Mugabe is a thug

How has Mugabe managed to maintain control of Zimbabwe for the past 28 years? First he destroys Zimbabwe's farmland, then he refuses foreign humanitarian assistance and now his people are dying of cholera. And I haven't even mentioned the atrocities he and his cronies have committed against those who speak out against him and his political party.

This from an article on CNN.com:

Zimbabwe's information minister said Tuesday the cholera outbreak was under control, and he argued the West caused the health crisis and was using it as an excuse for military intervention.

Zimbabwe, already experiencing an economic crisis, was struck with the water-borne cholera in August. Health experts say the battle against the disease can only be won if Harare has adequate water-treating chemicals and disposes of refuse properly.

The information minister, Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, maintained the country has enough chemicals to purify water and enough money to buy pipes to mend sanitation lines.

I love it when the West is blamed for a dictator's actions. And if the country has enough chemicals and money to solve the outbreak, then why aren't they doing it?

I don't understand how someone in power could allow people - their own countrymen - to suffer in this way. I guess you can become so power-hungry and ego-obsessed that you're blinded to the terrible things you do to get that power. This guy reminds me of Amin. Why doesn't the rest of the international community do something to get this guy out of power and bring real democracy and peace to the country?

Tough times for the mistress

In these financial times, it seems as though the wealthy are hurting, too. In a recent market research study among individuals with a net worth of $20 million (alas, we did not receive this survey...it must have gotten lost in the mail), it was found that 80% who had extra-marital mistresses were planning on cutting back on their gifts and allowances. 12% said that planned to give up their lovers altogether because of financial reasons.

It seems that these millionaires are curtailing their spending, and their lovers are included. I guess it's harder to hide expensive gives from your spouse when there are fewer dollars in the bank account.

It should be noted that questions about curtailing gifts to lovers came at the end of a longer survey about wealth management. The full survey was administered to 518 people, with 191 opting to answer these "extra" questions. There were some gender differences found, with surveyed wealthy men more likely to curtail gift giving to their lovers than wealthy females. However, because only one third of the survey respondents were female (about 63 total), I don't think this difference is statistically significant.

The full story is here. I guess it's nice to know that the rich, or those in bed with the rich, are suffering just like the rest of us!

A few of my favorite airports

Because I fly so often, I've started to concoct a list of favorite airports. Those that do a great job of making you excited to actually have a layover, or delay, because there's something about the airport that puts you at ease. I know, crazy. Anyway, I've come up with five that I think are among my most favorite I've visited so far:

5. Pittsburgh: While it's an older airport and in need of a little face lift, the indoor mall makes those extra-long waits a little more bearable. It's a little awkward to maneuver a roll-bag between the stand-alones at the GAP, but it's nice to be able to shop if you're so inclined.

4. Detroit: I never thought this airport would make it on my list, but the Northwest terminal is amazing. Spacious, contemporary, with a little red indoor monorail that reminds one of the toy trains that circle along the ceilings of kitschy toy shops. Good restaurants and comfortable seating take the chaos out of this airport.

3. Charlotte: The word "whimsical" comes to mind. I love the white rocking chairs nestled among the tree-lined atrium and they have some of the cutest mobiles hanging from the ceiling. It's easy to get around and they have my favorite eatery there - Yovana (freshly made yogurt).

2. Heathrow (British Airways Terminal): Despite this terminal being practically on the other side of the country from the rest of Heathrow, it's definitely worth the drive. It's exactly the kind of terminal I would imagine Apple creating - lots of fun high-tech imagery, high-end boutiques (in case you're in the mood for a $5,000 Gucci handbag at 7:00am) and easy to get around. It's a very fun terminal.

1. Raleigh-Durham (Terminal 2): Not only does arriving here mean I'm home, but the newly remodeled terminal is gorgeous. Contemporary and spacious, with outlets by every seat and really good restaurants (finally!). I can't wait to see what the whole airport will look like when they are finally finished remodeling...in another ten years!

A random list, I know. But it's the little, silly things in life that help make travel a little more bearable!

One very very lonely calorie

I'm not sure how I feel about this series of ads by BBDO, Dusseldorf. They are the new ads for Pepsi Max, which only has one calorie. Granted, these are ads that will, presumably, be placed in another country, but I still think they are in poor taste. I like the art and editorial aspect of them, but it doesn't quite seem fitting for a company that is trying to sell a brand. Seeing them in a high-end gallery somewhere, yes. On a billboard or in a magazine, no.


In short, these ads seem in poor taste. I'm surprised that Pepsi corporate didn't nix these right away.

To see the full series, click here.

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas

It is officially December, which means it's now appropriate to pull out the Christmas decorations and start playing the holiday music. While I had previously believed that Black Friday kicked off the holdiay shopping, I am now informed that it was, in fact, Cyber Monday. I've never heard of Cyber Monday before and I wonder if any other days of the week will soon get their own holiday adjective, as well.

Our firm is doing something a little different for its employees this year. Usually, it gives out holidays gifts to everyone (we're a small firm of about 40 people). Last year, for example, everyone got Wiis. Scott and I were excited about this for about a month; neither of us were allowed to have video games growing up, but the novelty of the Wii soon wore off and it's now sitting, dusty, in our living room.

This year, because of the economic downturn and the resulting effect on our communities, the firm is doing away with employee gifts and using that money to sponsor 10 families - 5 families in Atlanta (where our second office is located) and 5 families in Durham. So our employees have been busy playing Santa Claus and it has been touching to see what we have purchased for these families.

That sparked an idea for me and Scott - we are fortunate that neither we nor our families truly need anything. So we asked that we don't exchange gifts this year; instead, we'll use the money we normally would have spent on our families on a Raleigh family that is truly in need. So far, we are only halfway through our budget and I'm amazed by the amount of clothes we've been able to buy for these four children. We racked up on Black Friday, finding nice, warm coats at Old Navy for $30 each. Not only is it so much less stressful, but it also embodies the true meaning of Christmas. And, in the end, we will probably buy so much less "junk."

So this weekend, we're off to buy a Christmas tree and finish shopping for the family. This year, the holidays feel so much more like they should be - filled with the joy and giving of the season.