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Meaning of a Signature
This thought came to mind while watching the Count of Monte Cristo tonight. I just finished the book and enjoyed it so much decided to Netflix the French version with Gerard Depardieu. No need to rent it as the story does not follow the book very well and being such a great book no movie could ever do it justice.
Anyway, there is a scene in the movie where Morrell explains to Maximilian that a signature is an extension of a handshake, which confirms your “word” your promise, your very honor that, for your part the agreement will be respected.
The signature used to be unique and only you could sign yours. Therefore, when you put the pen to paper it was a promise, unique to you simply because nobody else could make your signature the way you do.
Well, with technology it seems the importance of the signature has lessened a little bit. After all, most transactions are done electronically now and a signature could be copied very easily. All you need is an electronic version of the original and then could create as many copies as you wanted.
If I recall correctly people were a bit hesitant to sign on those electronic pads for companies to capture and retain their personal signature. It would appear that this apprehension has disappeared.
But it never did for me. I still do not like the fact that companies can retain my signature indefinitely. So, when I am forced to sign that electronic pad I usually just make a scribble.
I wonder if this is legal. If it were illegal, I wonder if a case could be made to challenge the company retaining my signature as misuse could be very high. After all, the signature belongs only to me and by the company retaining it might be akin to giving the company a blank check on my behalf.
I’m sure these legal issues were resolved a while ago in the interest of commerce but a law is only valid as long as the legal community wishes it to be so and could always be challenged.
Anyway, that is what was going through my head tonight.
Goodnight.
Friday Night
Yet again, long time no post. When I look back it seems that I tend to get motivated, it drops off then I get motivated again and so on.
Well, tonight being Friday night it was Netflix night. We watched a pretty good one called “Mother and Child.” But as my mind tends to drift I actually started to think about why I do not post so much anymore.
I guess one reason is that I spend much more time on the GC as it is a great outlet for my thoughts on returning to the USA, what seems like continual culture shock and a way to comment on the news. Further, my life has become pretty average recently so no over the top drenching of the senses with new experiences in strange lands to mention.
Perhaps another reason is that people actually started using computers these past 8 years. Now I no longer just write out into the abyss that is the anonymous internet but people I actually know will most likely be reading.
Not that this bothers me but also for professional reasons I have to consider who in my work life might have a peek. This doesn’t really bother me at all either but in corporate land everything is so sterile and it is in the American culture to put on a façade if you will. There is the “work” you and the “real” you.
For some, this chasm is quite large. For me, it is not, but this blog gives a very serious peek into my personal life and as our culture (especially work culture) dictates you are only supposed to let people get so far. I think they call this being “professional.” In other cultures they call this being “cold” and “distant,” but no, here in the USA it is called being “professional.”
This can easily be seen in standard greetings. In Latin America and southern Europe you get to give cheek kisses and hugs. In Southern Asia you clasp their hand with both of yours in a very warm manner. In America you are supposed to simply extend your hand, stare them in the eye as though you are trying to penetrate their soul, force a smile and say “Nice to meet you,” (so long as you promise to stay at least 1 foot apart from me.)
Of course what this really means is, “How are you going to benefit me,” and “What can I gain from you,” but hey, every culture is different.
Guess it all makes sense when we compare cultures Spain, France and Italy got romantics. America got religious outcasts called the Puritans who were none too romantic to say the least.
Anyway, I guess this may be one of the reasons I’m pretty tame on the old blog as of recent.
But good news! I finally found an app that I really like for posting random things to the blog. WordPress finally got their act together and came out with an easy to use piece of software. So, as long as I stay motivated I plan to post a bit more even if it is just random picts and one liners. I like cataloging my life to say the least and share! Maybe I should create a clone blog for the professional types in which I could talk about paradigms, turn key solutions, leveraging resources and win-win situations! YAY!
Nah, if I cannot get motivated enough to write about the fun things there is no way I’ll ever feel like writing about paradigm shifts. 
Anyway, hope all is well to all who happen to read this blog. And ya, I disconnected it from the FB. Don’t need every single person I know reading everything I write. If you want to read, you know where to find it.
Happy Friday!