1000 Cranes Blog

Recalling a Great 2008!

It's hard to believe that the year has gone by so quickly...and what a great 2008 it has been.   In reflecting on the year, there have been some major accomplishments achieved by 1000 Cranes! 

• Appointed as the National Program Development Chair  for the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP)
• Opened the remote office through Regus in Washington, DC
• Opened the remote office through Regus in Toronto, Canada. 
• Attended the 1st Social Enterprise World Forum in Scotland representing Canada. 
• Earned the Toastmasters District 37 Presidents Select Distinguished Governor Award.
• Earned the Toastmasters District 37 Division Governor of the Year Award.  
• Started 1000 Cranes Two-Day Classes with CEU credits.
• Offered Training in Spanish.
• Completed many business plans and strategic plans for major clients. 
• Celebrated our Five Year Anniversary! 

Many thanks for your help and support over the years!   Happy New Year!  See you in 2009!

There's Still Hope Out There for 2009!

As we near the end of 2008, many people are worried about the outlook of 2009.  With the official word coming in December that the US economy has been in a recession since December 2007, higher foreclosure rates and the financial industry meltdown, there hasn't been many bright spots to look at for 2009. 

In a recent Reuters poll, however, Americans are optimistic about 2009!  Perhaps with a new administration coming on board, many are hopeful that change will truly come.

According to the poll, expectations for a brighter future were higher among younger generations with 64 percent of those under 45 having an optimistic view compared with 52 percent for those 45 or older.

The Marist College canvassed 1,003 Americans about their expectations for 2009 on December 9 and 10 -- days after the National Bureau of Economic Research confirmed the United States had been mired in a recession since December 2007.

The poll showed younger Americans are most likely to adopt New Year's resolutions. More than half of those aged 45 or younger plan to adopt lifestyle changes next year, compared with 29 percent of those 45 or older.

It seems that although the youth of our nation will likely be the ones burdened with the expanding debt that will be mounting with the various bailout packages, there still is hope and optimism.

What is your look on the coming year and what are you plans for the future?

Are you likely to adopt resolutions for the coming year and keep them? 

Researchers Create a "Healthier" Burger

Argentine scientists recently released a burger that has fish oils and other unsaturated fats in place of the saturated ones normally found in beef.  These engineered burgers apparently smell and taste like other ones but provide greater nutritional value because of their modification.

With the slowing economy, many people are resorting to fast food restaurants and other lower cost meal alternatives to feed their families.  Although this is helpful for their household budget, they are putting their health at risk. 

If the engineered burger becomes popular, it may be available at a drive-in near you.  

Personally, I've been following a gluten-free diet for the last two months, so no burger bun for me, but perhaps the new burger may be something I might consider. 

Have you noticed a change in your eating habits because of the economy and what have you done in response to that? 

Would you consider eating more burgers based on this modification or do you find this to be no different than genetically modified food?   

Special Post Marks Make a Special Holiday Treat!

Now that the mass of holiday cards is over, next year, start planning to send your cards to several special post offices who will treat them with extra care. 

One of the most popular ones is Noel, MO, which from the day after Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve will place not only the traditional "Noel, MO" mark to cancel the stamp, but it will also provide a a Green Christmas Tree and red Christmas Wreath to brighten up the card.

If you're interested in a different saying, there are other post offices that provide something some other holiday cheer.  (I found these references from a blog post from Saroj Jaede on Hub Pages.) 

Rudolph, Ohio and Rudolph, Wisconsin offers a special holiday postmark with a cute reindeer.

Santa Clause, Indiana uses a special holiday postmark featuring a flying Santa about to plunge into a chimney.

Antler, North Dakota's special holiday postmark shows a dog wearing antlers.

Carrolton, Missouri uses a holiday postmark featuring a musical staff from Christmas Carol Station.

Holly, Michigan's special holiday postmark features a snowman peeking into a mailbox and wishing you "Happy Holly Days".

So, start planning for next year.  You can send your pre-stamped postcards to the attention of the postmaster at those stations to get your special stamp treatment! 

Happy Holidays! 

Happy Channa-Kwaanza-Mas!

I just received an e-Holiday Card from the guys at Smorgasbord Productions featuring "Optimoose," the transforming moose, and I must say, I was impressed. 

Normally, I much prefer the personal holiday cards that are sent this time of year.  After receiving countless holiday generic email cards (with one actually showing a kaleidoscope pattern that would put anyone into a seizure), I was thinking..."oh, no, not another eCard!" 

Well, Smorgasbord Productions didn't disappoint me.    Smorgasbord Productions specializes in animation.  I met Daveed Kolodny-Nagy when Jinsoo Terry came to speak at the National Association of Asian American Professionals.  They worked on the Palbot character for Jinsoo Terry's comic book, and they helped videorecord her session at the NAAAP Conference in Los Angeles.  They also came out with "McMaverick", a spoof on John McCain during the presidential elections. 

Needless to say, I laughed out loud when I received their e-Holiday Card called "Happy Channa-Kwaanza-Mas!" .  They truly showed their animation prowess through this card.  You can click here to see if for yourself.  It is well worth it and VERY FUNNY! 

Similar to Festivus, maybe we just need to create a holiday that can embrace all cultures, so Happy Channa-Kwaanza-Mas to all! 

Worst Real Estate Markets for 2009 are in California!

When I grew up in San Francisco, California, the joke was that California would have a massive earthquake that would leave the entire state underwater and that Nevada would have beach front property. 

Ironically enough, California is suffering from a different kind of quake, the financial kind, leaving homeowners with homes that are underwater.  In a recent web article in Fortune, the projected 10 Worst Real Estate Markets at approximately -20% and over decreases in value in 2009 with an additional -5% and more in 2010. 

Eight of the Ten Markets are in California.  Here's the top ten worst ranking of markets:

1. Los Angeles, CA    -24.9%
2. Stockton, CA     -24.7%
3. Riverside, CA    -23.3%
4. Miami-Miami Beach, FL    -22.8%
5. Sacramento, CA    -22.2%
6. Santa Ana-Anaheim, CA    -22.0%
7. Fresno, CA    -21.6%
8. San Diego, CA    -21.1%
9. Bakersfield, CA    -20.0%
10. Washington, DC    -19.9%

As President-Elect Obama recently said, things are likely going to get worse before they get better.  2009 looks like it could be in for a rocky times in some of these markets. 

Some friends of mine have been capitalizing on this opportunity in Florida by purchasing a rental home in Cape Coral, Florida.  The home they just purchased was originally over $300,000, and they were able to purchase it for $85,000 with 25% down.  It's amazing how quickly markets have changed! 

How has the housing bubble affected you personally?

Do you see this as a time of struggle or as a time of opportunity and why? 

In Search of a Common Enemy...

What kind of enemy would it take to galvanize the efforts of such disparate nations such as the European Union, China and Iran, where all three groups would be so inclined to join forces?  One word...pirates! 

The attack on ships off the Coast of Somalia has been wreaking havoc on shipping lanes where commercial ships have been captured with their cargo and crew held for ransom. 

Needless to say, I wasn't surprised to see that Iran's military ships are now patrolling the waters in addition to other countries in order to prevent these attacks from occurring. 

It all comes down to commerce...when shipping lanes are choked off and commerce cannot continue, then intervention is required.  It seems eerily similar to the romanticized pirates shown in movies where renegades hijacked vessels by force in search of treasure.  Only now, these Somali pirates are armed with high power weapons and high tech GPS devices to allow them to take control of the waters.   This year, pirates have attacked 100 vessels off Somalia and hijacked nearly 40, and it appears that the governments of these countries are willing to invest these resources in order to protect commercial cargo. 

These measures are only a band-aid for a bigger problem.  Once the escorts stop, the pirates will start again, and we'll be back into the same scenario.  But, how do you go after a set of pirates who have no affiliation with the government or any form of "corporate structure?"  Terrorists, pirates, and other ragtag groups are becoming more prevalent these days as technology allows them to congregate and communicate much faster.   Stopping this wave of fear on the seas will be extremely challenging for the world to tackle. 

What suggestions do you have regarding the piracy problem off of the Somali Coast?

Do you think the efforts of China, Iran and the European Union will continue and why?

Choosing Tradition over Price

As many of you know, I have been searching for a goose for about a week now.  I had taken for granted how every year, I could easily go to my local Whole Foods grocery store and order one for Christmas Eve dinner.  Well, I'm happy to report that my search is over...a specialty store in Chapel Hill, Southern Season, has come to the rescue.  It won't be cheap at $10.99/pound, but it will be well worth the effort. 

I was caught in the dilema of possibly ordering the bird online in order to get it in time for the holidays.  Several readers had expressed their choice one way or another, but particularly, one reader mentioned, "I'd say go for it, and don't put a price on tradition."  She was right...thanks, Farnoosh!  I'll save you a bit!  

It's our traditions that we develop over the years that give us comfort.  For me, what gives me joy about Christmas goose is that I can give a unique gift to share with my friends during the holidays.  For those who have never tried a Christmas goose, I must say, you must give it a shot.  The meat is very moist as it's all dark meat with a smoky depth similar to duck but milder. 

Whether you share a goose or some other family recipe, food gives us comfort and joy, and isn't that what the holiday season cherishes? 

What traditions do you have that you would never give up inspite of the price?

Why do you think food is a way to bring comfort and joy to the people you love? 

What other gifts during the holidays make you joyful? 

Are you ready to pay an obesity tax?

Today, New York Governor David Patterson announced a proposal to tax sugared soft drinks as a way to combat childhood obesity.  The proposal is estimated to raise $404 Million which will be used to fund obesity prevention and other health related programs throughout the State of New York. 

What's interesting about this proposal is that the onus is on the consumer.  The tax is designed to change the consumer's behavior to think twice about purchasing that next sugary soda or fruit juice containing less than 70% real juice. 

The 18% tax should reduce consumption of these kinds of drinks by 5% and the theory is that children will not have access to as many sodas and will curb their consumption. 

Don't forget, though, these are kids.  I remember many an occasion when I knew there was candy in the house that I would sneak a bite or two before dinner time.  Adding a tax will only reduce the number of 12-pack cartons or 6-pack bottles or 2-liter bottles that are being purchased.  Once it's in the house, it will be quaffed!    

The CNN article didn't state whether beverages purchased at a fast food restaurant will be taxed as well.  If not, we will only move the purchases from the pre-packaged containers to fast food "Super Size" of "Mega Gulp" packages benefiting the fast food industry. 

Though I see the logic of a food tax (similar to a cigarette tax), I think it will be in our best interest to educate parents on healthful eating and healthful exercise habits for their kids. 

Do you think a food tax will directly correlate to a reduction in childhood obesity and why? 

What other alternatives should be considered? 

First US Face Transplant Performed

Imagine that you have been unable to go out in public due to a major facial disfiguration.   How would you manage your day-to-day activities and go out in public?  What kinds of friendships would you be able to build?  

Today, Dr. Maria Siemionow announced the successful transplantation of 80% of a woman's face.  The surgery took 22 hours, and the woman had exhausted every possible alternative before resorting to this.  The patient's chin and forehead remained the same, but the other parts of her face were transplanted from a cadaver.  She'll need to take immune suppressing drugs for the rest of her life, but it appears that she may have full functions in her face in the near future.

This causes some ethical questions about whether this will be the new plastic surgery, and reminds me of an old Twilight Zone episode called "Number 12 Looks Just Like You" where a young girl was forced to undergo "The Transformation" at the age of 19.  She had to pick a face from a catalog of faces, where individuality was no longer cherished in society and everyone looked the same.   What was the work of science fiction back in the 1960s is looking more and more like the reality of today.   

I do sympathize with the woman who underwent this procedure, but it also gives me pause to think that we as a society may be heading down this path that was so eerily described.

Do you think that facial transplants are necessary and why?

What ethical questions does this raise in your mind about the future of this kind of surgery?