The Columbian Exchange

Happy Columbus Day!

This holiday is often overlooked.  Few people recognize the true importance of this holiday.  Native Americans claim it is a holiday that celebrates their oppression, when the white man arrived on their continent.  While Columbus' discovery did bring negative things like disease and oppression, it also brought a lot of positive changes to both sides of the world.  This was the biggest event to happen in the history of humankind, and had the biggest world ecological impact since the continents drifted apart.  This event is known as "The Columbian Exchange."

The Columbian Exchange

What is the Columbian Exchange?  It is the term used to describe Old World exchanging animals, foods, cultures and diseases with the New World.  This had a HUGE impact on our species, and on the world ecology.  Prior to the 15th Century, Europe did not have cocoa, corn, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, peanuts, tobacco, strawberries, squash or turkey.  Think on that for a moment... most European foods are based on New World plants.  Can you imagine Italian food without tomatoes?  Or Irish without potatoes?  Spanish food without peppers?  And no cocoa in Africa?  And no corn!!  Food must have been horribly bland before the Exchange.

And on the flip side of the ocean, the impact on Native American culture was just as significant, if not more-so!  Imagine North America without horses, nor cows, nor sheep, nor pigs, nor chickens, nor bees, nor rats.  No wheat.  No black pepper.  No apples.  No garlic.  No onions.  No sugar!!  In fact, when we think of Native Indian culture, we usually think of horses and "Indian Fry Bread."  But they did not have either one of those until Europeans arrived.  The arrival of horses allowed tribes to chase the buffalo, and to raid tribes that were previously too far away to bother.  And prior to farm animals being introduced, they survived on hunting and on eating dogs.  Yes, dogs.

Somehow, this all gets lost in dedicating this holiday to Christopher Columbus.  A Spaniard who was convinced he had found a new way to Asia.  He truly thought he was in India!  Obviously, he had never been to India before.  But that didn't stop him from naming the Native Americans "Indians," and somehow we still use that term today.  Even the natives call themselves "Indians!"  If Columbus had thought he landed in China, the natives would be called Chinese today.

Yet, there is another great explorer that should be recognized.  Amerigo Vespucci.  Also known as Americus Vespucius.  Do you know who he is?  You should!  He is the explorer our continent got it's name from.  This Italian explorer voyaged to the New World shortly after Columbus... and he was the first European to realize that the New World was NOT the continent of Asia, but an entirely new continent.  His letters describing the New World were published throughout Europe.  This was the first time most Europeans heard about the new continent.

Amerigo Vespucci

In 1507, a German map-maker named Martin Waldseemuller drew the first world map showing the new continent... and he named it "America," the female version of Amerigo's name.  Why the feminine name?  Because all of the other continents also had female names, and he figured the new continent should be no different.

1507 World Map by Martin Waldseemuller

So, I wish you Happy Columbian Exchange day!

Want to learn more about this event?  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbian_Exchange

Confessions of a former Parking Cop

Last summer I landed a job as a parking enforcement officer... aka parking cop, meter maid or parking nazi.  Law enforcement was never one of my dreams, nor did I ever expect to land in such a job.  But it's a job and the pay is fair.  Like any job, some days are enjoyable and other days can be annoying.  And for the most part, I enjoyed the work.  I would do it again.

Now that I have taken off the hat of a Parking Nazi, I figured I should confess.  And maybe I can save someone from getting a ticket.  I myself have been ticketed and towed before.  Big cities are extreme about parking enforcement.  Where I worked parking was fairly lax except certain zones.  But my advice applies no matter where you live.

1)  If you got a ticket... I'm sorry.  It wasn't personal.  It's my job.

2)  Read the signs!  When in doubt, don't do it.  Signs are there for a reason... safety, politics, profit... ultimately, read the sign OR ELSE!  It is not uncommon for a passing citizen to report sign violations.

3)  Park inside the lines!  If you're car is oversize, park as close to the curb as you can.  Our city ordinance gives you 12 inches from the curb.  Oh, and the more your car sticks out into the road, the higher your chances are of getting hit by passing cars.  And you can't trust passing cars.

4)  Park with traffic... usually on the right side of the street.  Parking against traffic is dangerous.

5)  Avoid yellow curbs like the plague.  Yellow curb is equivalent to a "No Parking" sign.  And usually there is a safety reason parking is not allowed such as a crosswalk, driveway, no shoulder, etc.  In fact, I'm suspicious of painted curbs of any color.

6)  When in doubt, play it safe.  Save your gambling money for the casino.  Parking is basic stuff.  Don't create your own parking space.  Don't block roads.  Don't take parking spots that are reserved.  In fact, it's better to assume you CAN'T park anywhere unless you see white lines.

Lastly, if you DO get a ticket... look for the parking officer and beg for mercy.  Be polite.  Act innocent.  Provide proof... ANY proof (such as parking receipt even if you just bought it).  You just may get out of that fine.  

If you are rude, mean, yell or are negative towards that officer in any way, you will have 0% chance of mercy.  Even if you were right.  Even if you had proof.  They can put you through a lot of hassle if you put them through a lot of hassle.  Yelling out obscenities or funny phrases like "parking nazi" only ensure the officer will work harder.  And they may just remember you when you beg for a ticket to be taken back.

On to new adventures!!  

Don't Worry, Be Happy!

"Don't worry... about a thing.  Every little thing... is gonna be alright!"  ~Bob Marley

I have been told that I am a happy person.  And it's true.  I thrive on happiness.  Even when I'm doing something that is not so fun.  Even when I'm struggling.  Even when I'm feeling sick.  There is always something to be happy about.  Oh, don't get me wrong... I do have my occasional mood swings when I get overwhelmed by the pressures of life... but in the end my happiness bubbles up and lifts me back to the clouds.

How do I do it?

I focus on what I DO have, and not what I DON'T.  There is always someone less fortunate than myself.  And we have to count our blessings for every gift.


Feeling old?  Hang out with people older than yourself.  If I spend too much time around those younger than me, I get called old constantly... and eventually I start to believe it.  Then I will hang out with people who are 10-20 years more experienced than I... and they tell me how young I am.  I still recall my 80 year old grandparents talking about "the boy next door who mows their lawn."  This "boy" was 65 years old!!

Feeling poor?  Take a drive through the ghetto, or take a ride on the city bus.  It's hard not to feel empathy for the people who are REALLY struggling... whether it be from their bad luck or their lack of mental and social skills.  I am lucky to have a strong upbringing and a good head on my shoulders.  And I'm lucky to have a job that pays more than minimum wage.

Feeling lonely?  Visit a senior center.  Or talk to a bum.  I may not have that many friends, but that's mostly because I pick and choose.  The friends I have are solid.  They're understanding.  And they are there for me when I need them the most.  And we often forget about the friends from afar that we have lost touch with... reaching out can reignite that friendship, and with it the comradery that we need.

Hate your job?  Don't we all?  If you liked it, then it would be called a hobby.  And as much as we would liek to get paid for our hobbies, once you do a hobby for money it becomes a job.  I have worked a lot of jobs, and no matter what I do... it will never be as bad as what I HAVE done.  Is there anything worse than getting paid $3.25 an hour to shovel manure out of massive barns in the middle of the summer?  Strange how the worse your job is, the LESS money you get paid.  And every job is an adventure.  How many people can SAY that they shovelled manure at the county fairgrounds all day?



I guess that, when I get angry for being slighted, or I get sad sad for my losses... I begin to think about WHY I am upset... and then I look for the positives.  There are benefits and detriments to every position in life... and things in between.  Life itself is a magical journey.  And I am fascinated by everything.

If you're old, then you are experienced and had many adventures.  If you're young, you have a lifetime ahead of you to explore yourself and your surroundings.  When you're poor, you learn what is truly valuable... like friendship, creativity, exploration and enjoying life.  Being alone gives you time to explore yourself without external distractions.  And having an annoying job makes you appreciate your free time.

I am happy.  I am lucky.  And it makes me happy to write this blog and share with you.  Maybe I know you... maybe I don't.  And maybe I don't have any readers at all... but I am happy to put these words down.  And happy to share my happiness with you all.


And maybe it's all because this song has played in my head non-stop since I was little.  My anthem and my mantra.