Perspective = Reality?

So much of what we think, feel and believe is based on perspective.  One summer while driving from Houston, TX to Steinbach, MB I witnessed an example of different perspectives and had to laugh.

The following are weather forecasts on the radio.
Houston:  "It's going to be a scorcher out there today, highs reaching 95 degrees."
Dallas:  "It's going to be a scorcher out there today, highs reaching 100 degrees."
Oklahoma City:  "It's going to be a scorcher out there today, highs reaching 105 degrees."
Omaha, NE:  "It's going to be a scorcher out there today, highs reaching 95 degrees."
Sioux Falls, SD:  "Its going to be a scorcher out there today, highs reaching 90 degrees."
Fargo, ND:  "It's going to be a scorcher out there today, highs reaching 85 degrees."
Winnipeg, MB:  "It's going to be a scorcher out there today, highs reaching 80 degrees."

And an example from living overseas.
Winter example:
Oslo:  Temperature is below -14 C, indoor recess because it is too cold to send the students outside.
Winnipeg:  Finally a break from the cold today with temps reaching a pleasant -16 C.  Go out and enjoy the nice weather while it lasts.

Notre Dame

The flames at Notre Dame Cathedral had not yet been extinguished before pledges of rather large proportions had been made for its restoration.  After a moment of amazement I quickly realized such an immediate and significant response was not surprising.  It is difficult to describe accurately but the people of France are extremely proud of their history, language and culture.

The French government has offices that rigorously monitor and manage the French language (especially keeping English out) and culture.  In one of the English coaching classes I lead in Fontainebleau the students spent 15 minutes discussing whether the government agency had recently made it acceptable to give a slight pronunciation to the "h" in les hericot (normally "h" is silent when it starts a word).  Bakers must follow strict guidelines to bake baguettes.  You may have two identical crops of grapes but the vineyards on either side of a road may have different labels due to strict regulation.  Throughout history during times of poverty it was considered acceptable to construct expensive lavish opulent public buildings because that is what the French do.

The French love the country, language and culture and will go to great lengths to preserve these treasures.  Preserving a national icon like Notre Dame falls into holding fast to the values of a nation.

American Commercials

Sometimes you have to wonder at how and why a commercial manage to make it to air.  Here are a few examples as best as I can remember them.

"Do find yourself waking up and not feeling rested?  Do you feel tired during the day?  You need better sleep."

"New Orange-Vanilla Coke.  Orange and vanilla flavored Coke."

Every pick-up truck is "best in class" and "top selling."

Regardless of how many locations they have or where they are every business is "conveniently located."

One Year of House Ownership

It is just over one year ago that we purchased our house in Houston.  We have made a few changes to help make it feel more like "our house."  The biggest change was painting most of the interior.  We also replaced much of our furniture, exchanged lamps and light fixtures, added some art and decorative pieces, pressure washed the driveway and last weekend we purchased flowers for the decoration of the exterior.

My favorite change has been the lamps and light fixtures which are all very unique.  Instead of purchasing a new dining room set we had our set refinished and it looks fabulous, who knew that under the previous finish was this beautiful masterpiece.  Our living room coffee table gives us a taste of our life in Fontainebleau as it comes from France.  If you know where to look you can purchase high quality furniture at a reasonable price.

living room chandelier

dining lights and refinished dining table

coffee table from France

bedroom chandelier