Rural consumers who draw water from their own wells aren’t in the clear either, experts say.

Even users of bottled water and home filtration systems don’t necessarily avoid exposure. Bottlers, some of which simply repackage tap water, do not typically treat or test for pharmaceuticals, according to the industry’s main trade group. The same goes for the makers of home filtration systems.

Contamination is not confined to the United States. More than 100 different pharmaceuticals have been detected in lakes, rivers, reservoirs and streams throughout the world. Studies have detected pharmaceuticals in waters throughout Asia, Australia, Canada and Europe — even in Swiss lakes and the North Sea.One part of me says, How is this different than it’s always been? Where’s the news? What we put in our bodies comes out and gets recycled into the water. Natural.The article also answers this – we’re taking more meds and more meds are being invented. Side effects unknown. Over the past five years, the number of U.S. drug prescriptions rose 12 percent to a record 3.7 billion, the article explains. That can’t be good can it?Or maybe it’s just the creation of just another useless worry over which I have limited control. Looking for another neurosis anyone?

Post from: Blisstree

Birth Control in the Water

After living a life filled with enough (some would say) lurid material that even Hollywood couldn’t make it up, I wonder if the world will be able to muster a modicum of respect and sensitivity.

Judging from this CNN.com headline, I’m skeptical: “Smith: From Topless Dancer To Tabloid Star”.

In a way, her death reminds me of my own mother’s passing…alone, broken-hearted, with no true identity.

I truly hope her new-born daughter will be taken care of and will grow up to know something enlightening about her mother — beyond her centerfold and tabloid self.
Such a shame.

Post from: Blisstree

Anna Nicole Smith Dies Alone

Consider these key paragraphs in Fortune Magazine’s infamous — The 100 Best Companies To Work For Issue:

At Google it always comes back to the food. Google runs 11 free gourmet cafeterias at its Mountain View, Calif., headquarters, and offers all its employees free gourmet meals.

In addition to its cafés, Google has snack rooms which contain various cereals, candy, nuts, yogurt, carrots, fresh fruit and other snacks, and dozens of different drinks including soda and make-your-own cappuccino.

Aside from the food, (big woop sauteed Sea Bass) consider some of Google’s now epic perks:

• Unlimited sick days
• Five on-sight doctors (free)
• TGIF Parties
• Scooters
• $ 5,000 subsidy to buy a hybrid car
• Free on site washers and dryers (free detergent)
• You can bring your dog to work, you can play pool, you can play video games, you can climb a rock wall…oh god I can’t take it!

Would these benefites make you a happy employee…would you ever leave the HQ building…are you now considering working for Google?

Not so fast amigos…there are several unconventional do’s and don’ts during the interview process, such as:

• Do stress your diverse interests…narrow interests or skills are a turn-off at Google — and bungee jumping is passe.
• Do have more than a 3.7 gpa…or you’ll have to explain that B you got in geology.
• Do be prepared to write software code during your interview.
• Don’t talk about money…you’re not there to supposedly get rich.
• Don’t talk about the competition…they just don’t care. (would you?)

I realize the world owes a lot to Google…but here are a couple of my own observations about America’s #1 company:

• Playtime never is never over, no matter how old you get.
• The world is made up of 2 kinds of people: 28-year-old software-coding maniacs prodigies — and then us.
• Coders are this century’s advertising executives
• Advertising execs are geeks. (Hear that Donny Deutsch–Mr. Big Idea?)

But…If there all such geniuses over there…why do they even have woobies offices…

…why don’t they all work from home in their pj’s?? (Or does Google offer free pjs?)

THAT attitude would not have gotten me a job at Google.

That’s their H.R. prowess…employees are actually kidnapped….they never go home…but the stock is through the roof and their all stinking rich.

Some text compiled from Fortune Magazine.

Image: Flickr.com

Post from: Blisstree

Honk If You Think Google Is Neat-O — Fortune’s No. 1

It is interesting to me how a national event is mirrored in small towns. I work from my home each day, and on a typical spring morning, I usually endure the buzz of lawn mowers and hedge trimmers used by local landscape companies throughout the town. A good majority of the workers who tend to our lawns are from Mexico.

Today, it is dead silent. No mowers, no leaf blowers…it’s simply a quiet, glorious May day. Interesting juxtaposition, if you ask me.

How has your business been affected by today’s rallies…or if you are protesting, how did the day go for you?

Photo from Associated Press for cnn.com

Post from: Blisstree

“Day Without Immigrants”