Au Cochonnet Marin

The most consequential decision that you will ever make is choosing a career path. The problem is that you have to decide early (in your teens) without really knowing what you want, or what you are capable of.

So most of the people simply coast through college and then go begging for a job. Definitively the wrong way to go about it. Don’t plead for a job… create one.

Many of today’s tech tycoons quit college to pursue their dream. To name just a few: Michael Dell, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Ellison, Travis Kalanick, etc. They all quit college to start their own business.

If you are not technically minded, no worries… Just reinvent yourself. Like a snake, leave your old skin behind and reappear under a new persona.

There are traditional jobs and then there are unorthodox occupations. Since there is too much competition for traditional jobs, it is better to keep away from those and create your own. Something that nobody (or few) ever heard of. The more mysterious, the better.

In our society, people are always looking for something new. So, provide what’s unfamiliar… and intriguing.

Henry Kaiser said, “Find a need and fill it.” Being a little more forward-thinking than Henry, I say “Find a craving and provide it.”

 Sex always sells, so becoming a tantric sex guru is a good idea. Tantra is about “physical and spiritual awareness.” In today’s world, there is a big market for that.
Charge big fees to reinforce the idea that you are unique and teaching something educational and valuable.

Keep in mind that you don’t need to know much about what you will be promoting. Your followers probably know even less. All you need is a silver tongue. No matter what, don’t be afraid to be outrageous, and fabricate with confidence.

You could start a Turning Dervish school. It is not widely known in the US and might interest a small but devoted following.

Starting a new religious movement also works very well. Many people need guidance and feel lost without a shepherd. Step in with confidence. Your followers will be eager to defer to you and open their purse strings for you anytime you ask. New jet? No problem. Keep young Joel Osteen as a shining light. He did very well for himself.

Storyteller. This is another good path to fame and fortune. Many parents are burdened and tied down by their children’s neediness. As a storyteller, your role is to free them by captivating the children with fantastic stories. Some hotels in London offer this service to parents who want to go out without taking their children with them.
As a good storyteller, you could even succeed in politics… And that’s where the Big Money is.

As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities for entrepreneurs out there.

But, and this is one the cardinal rules, whenever you succeed, you must give back. Don’t ever hoard money. Always share the wealth with your employees and charitable institutions.

If you don’t, you will anger the Gods (particularly Lyssa), and it is never a good idea to displease a lady.

Create and thrive!

Happy New Year to all… (except you know who).

Alain

I don’t know if you are aware of it, but articles (such as a, an, and the) don’t exist in the Russian language. I think that they were banned and dispatched to Siberia during the 1917 Russian Revolution.

Seriously, there are no articles in Russian. It makes English a little more challenging for former Russian denizens. They often forget to use those pesky little things or they don’t know where to put them.

Am I a linguistic expert? Do I speak Russian fluently? Heavens No! But I am in daily contact with a Russian native who has a shaky relationship with articles.

Many people don’t realize the importance of those humble little things until they try to converse with a native Russian. It might sound funny in the beginning but it is fast becoming annoying.

A Russian wouldn’t say “Are you going to the park?”, he would say “Are you going to park?” which altogether means something totally different.

Some people think that when you don’t use articles, you might sound more forceful. For instance, “give me borscht” sounds much manlier than “could you please give me some borscht.” But manliness does not count when you try to convey a specific message.

I am not a grammar nitpicker (actually I am), but I always appreciate a clear unequivocal mistake-free document.

Due to a certain familiarity with Romance languages, I believe that most of them use articles. A Russian speaking inaccurate English is probably more difficult to understand than an Italian or a Spaniard because both of their languages use articles.

So, never underestimate the importance of articles. Without them, most of the European languages would be confusing, especially if you grew up in their midst.

I know that habits are very difficult to break. Personally, I still find it much easier to count or alphabetize in French rather than English. So, I do understand very well the difficulty to adapt.

This, by the way, is not to denigrate the Russian language; it can do equally well what any other language can accomplish. Don’t forget that the Russians (without the help of any bourgeois articles) put Sputnik in orbit before anybody else could.

And don’t forget:

“Never make fun of someone who speaks broken English. It means they know another language.” Jackson Brown, Jr.

 Da svidaniya mujiki (until later peasants)

 Alain

Did you ever think that you were an ambassador? Probably not.
You might not have the title of the trappings, but in the court of public opinion, you are the flag bearer of your ethnicity.

Everything that you will do, especially if you break the law, will reflect on your specific background. You often won’t be judged as an individual, but as the representative of your social group.

If you are of Russian background and behave like a drunken Cossack, it will shed a very negative light on Russian people; it will give rise to generalities – all Russians are drunkards and ruffians – and prejudice.
Similarly, if you are black and commit any crime, the entire black community will be blamed for your misdeed.

All of us, regardless of our ethnicity or backgrounds are viewed as stand-ins for our specific tribe. No matter where you go or what you do, especially if you are a minority, you will be first seen as a reflection of your peers.

That is why you must always remain tuned in to your environment. Whenever on the world scene or on the pétanque court, as an ambassador, you must show a positive image of the breed that you represent.

Newly minted duchess Megan Markle for example, cannot afford to misstep. She is the perfect potential target for hate groups. She is a commoner, she is divorced and biracial. If she trips, all these details will come back and hit her like a boomerang.

The search for a scapegoat is the easiest of all hunting expeditions. Dwight D. Eisenhower

So, whoever or wherever you are, watch your steps. Don’t scream, don’t make a scene. The world is watching and judging you.
The Big Guy is much too busy to keep track of his restless flock, but Public Opinion never sleeps. In this time of ubiquitous recording devices, everybody is on camera.

Whether you are a Dago,

a Frog, a Gook, a Gringo, a Limey, a Chink, a Gook, a Goy, a Greaseball, a Good ol’ boy, a Jap or  a Kraut, always control your temper, and avoid being called any of the above colorful niceties.

Alain