tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221283942010-03-13T05:08:52.677+02:00ShtusimShtusim: for your entertainmentYossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1158656518095057232006-09-19T11:24:00.000+03:002006-09-19T12:01:58.113+03:00When Free Gifts HurtIt's great when you get little knick-knacks from work - coffee mugs, clocks and all that. The longer you work in a place, the more stuff you acquire - all with the company logo. And not just your company. Calendars, pencil holders and keyrings from companies trying to make a good impression and gain your business.In my experience, I have found that most of these little trinkets seem to break, Yossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1157484910745930362006-09-05T21:47:00.000+03:002006-09-05T22:35:10.766+03:00SwimmingAn avid reader of this blog...well, let's just call him a "fan"... perhaps a more accurate description would be "casual reader"...okay he's some guy I just met because he asked me for directions - but that's beside the point. "Some Guy" asked me today where I come up with the topics I write about on this blog. Alright, he didn't ask me directly, what he said was "can you please point me towards Yossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1156459858562580032006-08-25T01:50:00.000+03:002006-08-27T11:35:50.483+03:00Challenge: How To Stop Them News JunkiesIt would probably be an understatement to say that life in the Middle East is "exciting". It's a journalist's dream come true - always something to report. The news is rarely good, but there is always something to put in front of the newspaper editor.Actually, when you come to think of it, the world is also a pretty "exciting" place to live in terms of news stories. I mean, not that we have a Yossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1156115553616331932006-08-21T01:45:00.000+03:002006-08-21T02:16:42.253+03:00Water, Water Everywhere and Still No Beer to DrinkI'm no business genius, but sometimes when I go into a cafe or restaurant and see all of the inefficiencies, where the service is lacking and how the decor is inappropriate, I feel I can fix up the joint better than the owner, who supposedly knows the business inside-out. For example, a restaurant serving "American Style Cuisine: specialising in business lunches and corporate dinners" should not Yossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1155681329442155262006-08-16T00:57:00.000+03:002006-08-16T09:19:03.826+03:00What Could Hit the Spot Right NowIt's a hot, sweaty night which has followed a day of oppressive temperatures and a glaring sun. You tried to take refuge under a tree, but the strong, hot wind wasn't afraid of the shade and you were not safe even there.You are tired, legs burning, aching. Your calf muscles are fighting a losing battle to stand their ground. The house is quiet, children sleeping, air-conditioner humming its Yossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1155428117796883542006-08-13T02:35:00.000+03:002006-08-13T03:19:32.126+03:00Consider it DoneWelcome to my newly, and more appropriately, named blog: Shtusim (loosely translated as "Sillinesses").I haven't written a blog for over a month. I decided to go into semi-retirement to see what would happen. Turns out, nothing. I wasn't exactly innundated with calls, faxes or emails asking why I haven't posted in such a long time. In fact, I think someone mentioned something to me once a few Yossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1152564633376780862006-07-10T23:25:00.000+03:002006-07-10T23:58:18.090+03:00Subliminal MessagesYou have probably noticed that I changed the background colour scheme of this blog. This was done in response to an off-line comment I received that the previous colour scheme made the person feel wierd. It seems that the colour scheme out-wierded the writing, and I couldn't let that be, so I changed the colours around.Let me know what you think of the new look.Speaking of colour schemes, while Yossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1152101063445694322006-07-05T13:37:00.000+03:002006-07-05T15:04:23.456+03:00Why Being a Dead Celebrity Is Good For YouSince I started writing this blog, I have mentioned at least two very dead celebrities - Jerry Garcia and Elvis Presley (alright, there's a doubt about Elvis...), not including the con-men mentioned in a previous post.There seems to be a fascination about celebrities who have died, especialy if they died young (James Dean) or in wierd circumstances (Isadora Duncan), or both (Brandon Lee). Yossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1151884653567261432006-07-03T01:59:00.000+03:002006-07-03T03:00:57.613+03:00Elvis Has Left the Building[Congratulations to me on my first blog of the new financial year].I worked late last night and took a cab back home. The taxi driver drove like a complete maniac. I think that he thought that fishtailing the car is a good thing. We wove in and out of traffic, leaving the ambulance in our wake, flashing lights and all.In full flight down Highway 1, the driver opens his door, looks back along the Yossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1151306957883300182006-06-26T09:53:00.000+03:002006-06-26T12:50:54.916+03:00T-ShirtsSo there I was, innocently minding my own business, when I was visually assaulted by a woman wearing a bright pink T-shirt with the words "Party Girl" on the back, spelled out in shiny sequins.Now that summer has come around again (at least for those of us in the northern hemishphere), I have begun to pay attention to the T-shirts people wear.It's World Cup soccer time and, quite understandably, Yossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1150816001909383772006-06-20T17:56:00.002+03:002006-06-20T22:30:20.306+03:00MotivationWhat motivates you to do whatever it is that you have to do? I'm no psychologist, but I reckon that what motivation boils down to - and this really is the driving force behind any sort of motivation - is reward and punishment. Achievement = Reward; failure = punishment. It's a pretty simplistic perspective, but I think that it is true. Here's what I mean:I know that when the rubbish bin gets fullYossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1150068905084128582006-06-12T01:12:00.000+03:002006-06-12T02:35:05.100+03:00Jackpot! You've won the lottery!What would you do with a million dollars if it suddenly came your way?When you come to think about it, a million dollars isn't all that much. Once you go on a round-the-world first-class trip and then buy your new house and car, there really isn't much left. Should you just quit your job and then live a decent, but easy life? Will a million dollars be enough to retire on?All good questions.Okay. Yossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1150032799151203412006-06-11T14:44:00.000+03:002006-06-12T00:51:24.006+03:00Con MenOkay, I admit it. I am intrigued by stories about con men and how they trick people into parting with their money. I don't know why. I know it's wrong to swindle someone, but for some reason I find the whole subject fascinating.According to Wikipedia, the term "Confidence Man" came about because of a certain individual by the name of William Thompson.William Thompson was an American criminal Yossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1149778948386871472006-06-08T16:55:00.000+03:002006-06-08T18:04:00.356+03:00How To Lose Your MoneyThere are all sorts of easy ways to lose your money. Casinos spring to mind as the most obvious method. Let's see...then there are horse races and any form of lotto.But in this day and age, there are many more creative ways to lose your hard-earned cash. For example, you could set up a business deal with a Nigerian, or you can enter your PIN on a scam banking internet site. There are now many Yossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1149503978727750322006-06-05T13:06:00.000+03:002006-06-05T13:39:38.740+03:00Word GamesWhen I was a kid, we played many types of word games (I-Spy, Name a Country Starting With the Last Letter of the Country I Just Mentioned and so on). And then there were the word games, where you try to trick the other person into saying something that doesn't make any sense. For instance, get the other person to say "milk" ten times quickly and then ask them what a cow eats. Or, get them to say Yossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1149098711800877272006-05-31T20:26:00.000+03:002006-05-31T21:10:22.386+03:00Personality ProfilingUsually, I don't like the idea of personality profiling - I mean, profiling my personality. Go ahead and profile yourselves all you want. But I'm not into "getting in-touch with my inner self". The only way I know how to get in-touch with my inner self is to undergo invasive surgery. This attitude was solidified the other day when I attended a time-management seminar. Lo and behold, one of the Yossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1149023653343293602006-05-30T23:51:00.000+03:002006-05-31T21:07:14.170+03:00Who Holds The Real Power?My question for today is: who holds the real power in your company?Most people's first answer is that the Vice Presidents, Upper Management and Board of Directors hold the real power in the company. They are the ones to make the big decisions. They are the ones that set policy for the lowly minions beneath them. They are the ones who determine the direction of the company and they dictate the Yossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1148427756773221442006-05-24T01:48:00.000+03:002006-05-24T12:14:34.986+03:00Grey HairI noticed a while ago that my hair is slowly turning grey. It is rather interesting because I am only 32 and I didn't actually expect my hair to turn grey at this point in my life. Perhaps I am merely getting a-head of myself (ergh).When my late grandfather started to use a walking stick for support, he commented to me that all of a sudden there are so many people copying him by carrying walking Yossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1148253494844772922006-05-22T01:39:00.000+03:002006-05-22T02:18:14.856+03:00Wanted: BrainspaceWatcha gonna do when you get a snack attack?Howdya keep away from junk?Howdya keep em off ya back?But when it's time to feed your bellyGet off the beaten trackTime to find a new directionTime to get a snack packdu du du du du du duWhen a snack attack does it to youYou got the factsNothin does it to you like aSNACK PACK!In case you are thinking to yourself that perhaps I have completely lost it, Yossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1147960387214827022006-05-18T16:53:00.000+03:002006-05-18T16:57:27.116+03:00Graffiti is GoodGraffiti is good. I mean, how else are we going to know what people are thinking - especially the youth? They need to write on walls to get our attention, and that's OK. Look, let's say that you and a crew of eight people worked really hard over the last four weeks building a wall along a highway, carefully placing the stones to make a pattern, or tiling a 5 meter high, 200 meter long wall with Yossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1147642353629814692006-05-15T00:00:00.000+03:002006-05-15T00:46:51.176+03:00I Chose to Write This BlogI bought a new pair of shoes the other day. I walked into the shop, saw a pair of regular, plain men's black shoes. Tried them on and handed over my credit card. I was in and out of the shop in less than 7 minutes.Some people can't do that. They have to spend time choosing things. Browsing through the choices. Selecting. "What if there is something better?" or "It's not exactly what I want. CloseYossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1147252918277367012006-05-10T09:38:00.000+03:002006-05-10T12:23:24.626+03:00Babies Don't Have Snooze ButtonsGetting out of bed can be difficult, especially after a late night and/or a very deep sleep. So, despite that the Greeks had already done so in 250 BCE, at around about the 14th Century, we invented the alarm clock and again in 1876. And just on time, too.But then we had to go and ruin it all and invent the snooze button. Instead of waking you up, you quickly learn a new reflex action: the Yossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1147044687120939302006-05-08T01:49:00.000+03:002006-05-08T09:27:22.926+03:00What I Want To Be When I Grow UpWhen I grow up, I don't want to be a fireman, a fruiterer or a farmer. I don't want to be a policeman, a politician or a polution expert. I don't even want to be a baker or a banker or a barber; a doctor or a dentist or a doorman; a lawyer or a labourer or a lifeguard; or a psychiatrist or a psychologist or a psychotherapist; or a carpenter or a car repairer or a cardiologist; or a telephonist orYossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1146740791946054652006-05-04T11:49:00.000+03:002006-05-04T14:22:21.830+03:00If You Can Read This, My Handwriting Has ImprovedWhen I was in Grade 2, we were only allowed to write in pencil. But, if you could prove that your handwriting was neat enough, you could earn a "Pen Licence", which authorized you to write in pen. Should your handwriting lapse into illegibility, your Pen Licence could be revoked.Although at the time I probably wasn't the first to earn a Pen Licence, I clearly recall being presented with one. If IYossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128394.post-1146438930204254162006-05-01T02:00:00.000+03:002006-05-01T02:15:30.220+03:00A Thought I Thought I'd ShareHere is a very quick thought I think is worth sharing. It came to me all of a sudden so I felt compelled to write it down.There comes a time in every person's life when they just sit back and ponder the greater meaning of things in their life. That sort of feeling washed over me the other day when I was scrubbing the grouting in the bathroom. I suddenly stopped. It was as if the world was Yossi Karphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01052785517066284870noreply@blogger.com0