Diane Seo and Catherine Toth Led by the talented and focused Diane Seo; a team of local writers, photographers, bloggers, and techies promise to deliver eating, events, and nightlife on Oahu — nonstop! The Genesis of Nonstop Honolulu is a story of determination, entrepreneurship, and hearts full of faith. Earlier this year, with the announcement of the merger of the Honolulu Advertiser and the Star Bulletin, the fate of Gannett owned Metromix Honolulu — a partner of the Advertiser — was bleak. Despite building a community that provided Metromix Honolulu with 62 million…
Life
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Most Topular Stories
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Former Metromix team to deliver Honolulu Nonstop
L.P Neenz Faleafine | From the Mind of NEENZ23 Aug 2010 | 4:46 am -
Fear of Falling
The New Old Age1 Sep 2010 | 6:37 amCan exaggerated anxiety about falling -- even if tests show your risk to be low -- increase the probability that you'll actually fall? -
Sphairistikè, Anyone?
Peterman's Eye1 Sep 2010 | 9:00 pmWith the US Open underway, I thought it time to ask ourselves why doesn't tennis get the love it deserves?After all, it doesn't require an interpreter to understand. Or keep score.It's a pure sport. Mano a mano.Unlike golf, there is defense and you have to be in shape. Since you occasionally get out of a brisk walk.It's also one of the few, maybe the only sport, where women are equals. Get the same prize money. Even though they don't play as many sets, which means women are good lobbyers.Some even lob as well. And, finally, when the trophy is hoisted in the US Open, they'll be one winner for… -
Erika of Ivory Hut Loses Home in Fire - Please Help with Donations
kirtsy-Popular Stories2 Sep 2010 | 8:13 amA mere hour or so later-and instant, really-we were outside, in our shirts and shorts, watching our house crumble as it was engulfed in flames. I'll never forget that hissing and crackling noise as my husband's home of almost 30 years...22 Vote(s) -
Secrets Of A Frequent Packer
Nothing But Bonfires30 Aug 2010 | 10:58 amOn Sunday night, I packed for a three-day business trip in ten minutes flat. Those are some good stats, my friends, and I didn't even forget anything crucial, like underwear or lipgloss. I've been traveling a lot this summer---mostly for work, but sometimes for fun---and I've managed to get the packing process down to a fine art. I could do it with my eyes closed. In fact, maybe next time I will. Oh, is that a challenge? Do I hear a challenge? Fine, next time I'll do it with my eyes closed and my hands tied behind my back. In seven minutes, how about that. read more
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L.P Neenz Faleafine | From the Mind of NEENZ
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Former Metromix team to deliver Honolulu Nonstop
23 Aug 2010 | 4:46 amDiane Seo and Catherine Toth Led by the talented and focused Diane Seo; a team of local writers, photographers, bloggers, and techies promise to deliver eating, events, and nightlife on Oahu — nonstop! The Genesis of Nonstop Honolulu is a story of determination, entrepreneurship, and hearts full of faith. Earlier this year, with the announcement of the merger of the Honolulu Advertiser and the Star Bulletin, the fate of Gannett owned Metromix Honolulu — a partner of the Advertiser — was bleak. Despite building a community that provided Metromix Honolulu with 62 million… -
NOH8 campaign lands in Hawaii
18 Aug 2010 | 1:25 am“The NOH8 Campaign is a photographic silent protest created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska and partner Jeff Parshley in direct response to the passage of Proposition 8. Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing their voices being silenced by Prop 8 and similar legislation around the world, with “NOH8″ painted on one cheek in protest.” In response to Governor Linda Lingle’s veto of HB 444 bill that would have legalized civil unions, the NOH8 campaign made a commitment to bring their silent message to Hawaii. Set-up in the VIP… -
7 hacks to improve your YouTube experience
11 Aug 2010 | 1:14 amYouTube users upload 20 hours of video each minute which translates to an equivalent of about 130K full length films per week. Despite 2 billion daily views, that’s still a lot of virtual film reels to wade through for consumers. Fortunately, geniuses create hacks and tools to improve our YouTube experience. Want to watch every single music video of your favorite artist in one search and click? YouTube Disco is for you. Want to share the funniest forty-five seconds of a not entirely funny ten minute long video? Visit Tubechop. Don’t want the hassle of clicking through all of your… -
Reels of facts you may not have known about YouTube
10 Aug 2010 | 10:39 pmSince their first 19-second video upload in 2005, YouTube continues to blow minds not just with its user-generated content, but with their statistics. Today, YouTube is localized in 22 countries in 24 different languages and exceeds 2 billion views per day. To understand what 2 billion views means, it’s nearly double the prime-time audience of all of the 3 major networks in the U.S. Here are more unreal facts about YouTube: The most subscribed channel is produced by a twenty-something college student from Hilo, Hawaii. With more than 2 million subscribers Ryan Higa, known on the video… -
Pearlridge art show to feature top Hawaii urban artists
8 Aug 2010 | 11:00 amMe Against the World Fresh from Paint the Vote!, this is the season for urban art whether it be muralists, fashion, or music. A mix of popular local urban artists and San Diego guest artists come together for the first-ever collaborative art installation Me Against the World art show at Prototype in Pearlridge Center Uptownon Saturday, August 14, 2010 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Meet the Artists Pancho Abalos of Ewa Beach turned his lifelong passion for art professional in 2003. Has been a live muralist with the Ground Up Movement and has shown in the Philippines and Los Angeles. His…
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The New Old Age
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Fear of Falling
1 Sep 2010 | 6:37 amCan exaggerated anxiety about falling -- even if tests show your risk to be low -- increase the probability that you'll actually fall? -
Fighting the Muscle Loss That Comes With Age
31 Aug 2010 | 8:56 amWhy muscles wither with age is captivating a growing number of scientists, drug and food companies and aging baby boomers. -
Aging's Misunderstood Virtues
30 Aug 2010 | 6:00 amA Swedish researcher explores 'gerotranscendence' and tackles the American 'busy ethic.' -
The Caregiver's Bookshelf: The Beginnings of Alzheimer's
27 Aug 2010 | 6:00 amA expert at Duke has authored an unusually informative guide for caregivers and the elderly facing Alzheimer's. -
Social Security and Younger Americans
25 Aug 2010 | 10:52 amTwentysomethings are none too sure Social Security will be available when they retire; nonetheless, most strongly support the program, a poll finds.
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Peterman's Eye
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Sphairistikè, Anyone?
1 Sep 2010 | 9:00 pmWith the US Open underway, I thought it time to ask ourselves why doesn't tennis get the love it deserves?After all, it doesn't require an interpreter to understand. Or keep score.It's a pure sport. Mano a mano.Unlike golf, there is defense and you have to be in shape. Since you occasionally get out of a brisk walk.It's also one of the few, maybe the only sport, where women are equals. Get the same prize money. Even though they don't play as many sets, which means women are good lobbyers.Some even lob as well. And, finally, when the trophy is hoisted in the US Open, they'll be one winner for… -
263 Prinsengracht
31 Aug 2010 | 9:00 pmAugust 1, 1944. Her last diary entry, three days before the Gestapo stormed into the house at 263 Prinsengracht.Anne Frank had written, in her book, bound with red-and-green plaid cloth and a small lock on the front, about "a bundle of contradictions.""Like so many words, it can be interpreted in two ways: a contradiction imposed from without and one imposed from within. The former means not accepting other people’s opinions, always knowing best, having the last word...in short, all those unpleasant traits for which I’m known." She went on to talk about her two… -
NOW... I Think of It
30 Aug 2010 | 9:03 pm"If I were married to you," Lady Astor said, " I'd put poison in your coffee." "If you were my wife, Sir Winston is purported to have said at the time, "I'd drink it." Then there was Politician Lewis Morris: "It is a conspiracy of silence against me — a conspiracy of silence. What should I do?" Oscar Wilde: "Join it."Of course there is no evidence these retorts came as advertised — rapier like, in the heat of the moment. The odds are that even these great wits muttered something innocuous, then stewed about what they… -
The Sex Life of Snails
29 Aug 2010 | 9:00 pm"Hello there. I'm whatever you want me to be."Like many air-breathing snails, Helix aspersa is a hermaphrodite, which means they contain both male and female sex organs. Which comes in handy.Since snails spend long times alone, and when they do come across another snail, the last thing they need to wonder is, "Is it my significant other half?" Originally from Europe, now found in North and South America and a variety of places, the common garden variety snail is not so garden variety when it comes to sex.They, after all, have the "love dart." (It is advisable not… -
Everyone's a winner at the salsa cook-off
28 Aug 2010 | 9:00 pmI've gone to my farm in Kentucky for the weekend. It's a great place to relax, do a little hard physical labor, and forget about the rest of the world. If you don't have such a place, I highly suggest you get one.In the meantime, here's a little something that I found for you to read that might just add some spice to your day. See you on Monday.J. PetermanFrom: The Emporia Gazette Continue reading this post
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kirtsy-Popular Stories
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Erika of Ivory Hut Loses Home in Fire - Please Help with Donations
2 Sep 2010 | 8:13 amA mere hour or so later-and instant, really-we were outside, in our shirts and shorts, watching our house crumble as it was engulfed in flames. I'll never forget that hissing and crackling noise as my husband's home of almost 30 years...22 Vote(s) -
The Oval Office gets a Make-Over
1 Sep 2010 | 10:23 amAnd I like it. But I am a sucker for stripes.42 Vote(s) -
The Season is Coming Whether We're Ready or Not
31 Aug 2010 | 2:01 pmSome handy printables for getting your holidays organized. If I could get myself to use half of them, it'd be a 100% improvement in my holiday stress level.57 Vote(s) -
Get Your Ninja On!
31 Aug 2010 | 11:39 amSeriously! Ninja cupcake decorations you can print out on your own printer! Don't walk. Run!41 Vote(s) -
How Overloaded Are You?
29 Aug 2010 | 10:32 amOf course, coming to Kirtsy is a great respite from our crazy days. Interesting story about life in the digital world.49 Vote(s)
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Nothing But Bonfires
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Secrets Of A Frequent Packer
30 Aug 2010 | 10:58 amOn Sunday night, I packed for a three-day business trip in ten minutes flat. Those are some good stats, my friends, and I didn't even forget anything crucial, like underwear or lipgloss. I've been traveling a lot this summer---mostly for work, but sometimes for fun---and I've managed to get the packing process down to a fine art. I could do it with my eyes closed. In fact, maybe next time I will. Oh, is that a challenge? Do I hear a challenge? Fine, next time I'll do it with my eyes closed and my hands tied behind my back. In seven minutes, how about that. read more -
How We Met, Reconstructed
29 Aug 2010 | 9:42 pmOne of the nice things about marrying a person you've known for six hundred bajillion years is that there's a pretty good chance his parents still live in the town where you met. My parents used to live there too, of course, which makes any visit back an exercise in fitful nostalgia. There's your old house, says Sean as we drive past it, and I crane my neck to peer into the kitchen. That's where my brother and sister used to wait for the school bus. There's the store where we bought our bread and our milk. read more -
How To Make A Large Graphic Sign For Your Wall
25 Aug 2010 | 8:09 pmread more -
Extreme Bedroom Makeover: The End Result
24 Aug 2010 | 11:42 pmInternet, welcome to the fourth and final week of my month-long makeover, wherein I’m painting the walls of our bland and boring bedroom in our very first home and transforming it—if all goes according to plan---into a room that’s sophisticated, comfortable, and just a little bit rock n’roll. read more -
Love Stinks, But In A Good Way
23 Aug 2010 | 6:33 pmI know it sounds like I can't shut up about my new commute---I've only been doing it for a few weeks and I've already written about it here and here---but there's a part of it I enjoy more than any other part, and it's this: the seven seconds it takes me to walk up the stairs from the underground platform to the slightly-less-underground station. (I have vowed to always take the stairs, see, instead of the escalator. read more
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Schmutzie.com
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25 Places and Things Behind, Under, or Inside Which I Have Hidden
1 Sep 2010 | 11:51 ambehind doorsunder the pile of blankets and pillows in the makeshift cupboard under the stairs in my maternal grandmother's house, because it was nice to be in the middle of everything and yet so securely alonein several of my bedrooms' closetsbehind the curtains in my grade two classroom to avoid being caught stealing my teacher's happy feet homework stampin the bed of a half-ton truck, pressed up against the closed tailgate, because I really didn't want my new friend's jealous girlfriend to find me with himbehind the chimney on the roof of my parents' house while I waited for my Venusian… -
The Man Behind the Schmutzie
31 Aug 2010 | 11:59 amThis is the man behind the Schmutzie: the Palinode. the iPhone Hipstamatic app with the John S lens, BlacKeys B+W film, and no flash Without him, I wouldn't be here, the iPhone PictureShow app and here is pretty phenomenal. the iPhone Hipstamatic app with the John S lens, BlacKeys B+W film, and no flash Thank you. -
Drunkenness Is Temporary Suicide*
30 Aug 2010 | 2:10 pmI am an alcoholic. The mojo I have been working since 1988 isn't working for me anymore, and I must live a life I can love if I am going to survive. I didn't want to start there, not with that first sentence, because it feels shameful to say something out loud that I have already known for more than ten years. I wanted to lead you through a bit of a story, ease into it, make us all feel a little more comfortable. In the end, though, that felt deceptive, especially when I feel like the emperor who didn't know he was naked for the whole town to see the entire time. Surely, my alcoholism can't… -
Me at BlogHer.com – How to Write (Better): 12 Steps for Writing a How-To Article
30 Aug 2010 | 9:23 amCheck out my latest at BlogHer.com, "How to Write (Better): 12 Steps for Writing a How-To Article": Writing a good how-to article is harder than most people think. I know this, because most of the how-to articles I come across on the internet are down-right terrible. They often assume a level of expertise that the reader does not possess or neglect to mention entire steps that would get the reader from step three to step four without causing them to rip out handfuls of hair. My how-tos, though, are quite fantastic, and I am here to tell you how to do it, so that when you decide to share your… -
Grace in Small Things: Sunday Edition #30
29 Aug 2010 | 8:41 am1. My new shoes 2. The Palinode making me blueberry oatmeal before I go to work 3. The first grey day that feels particularly autumnal, letting me break out a pair of fall boots and an oversized sweater 4. That when I makes decisions that are particularly hard to follow through on – going mostly gluten-free for example – the Palinode champions my cause during our first gluten-free grocery shopping trip, shopping thoughtfully and making me put the macaroni and cheese and ready-made perogies back on the shelf 5. The chocolate zucchini cake we ate at Ms French's birthday party last…
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Twenty Major
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Ten thousand peoploids split into small tribes
2 Sep 2010 | 7:13 amI’ve taken to reading a bit of science fiction lately, as a change from the usual. Space, future, wars, telecasting, fugue states, time travel of a fashion, and loads of other stuff. It’s all good. There’s one bit in the book I’m reading the moment where the chap in question has too many martinis (good to know we’ll not have descended into a race of Jaeger-bombing halfwits, even fictionally) and wakes up with an enormous hangover. He then simply takes a pill the next day and within seconds his hangover is gone. Disappeared. I want this. I’m enjoying the… -
Dr Murphy
1 Sep 2010 | 3:24 pmShe was mad, the doctor next door. We knew she was mad because she had the ‘Surgery’ sign outside her house but nobody ever came to get well. She had the black sign, the white writing, and even when the young man was run down by a car outside they didn’t go into her. Instead they chose the acoholic further up the road. We knew she was mad when the first time the ball went over into her back garden and one of us clambered over to get it we discovered she’d concreted over the lawn. Why didn’t she have some grass like everyone else? If you called to the door you had… -
Fuck off Tony Blair
1 Sep 2010 | 4:50 amTony Blair is coming to Dublin on Saturday for a book signing in Eason’s. Strict rules will apply: Those who wish to have their copy of his autobiography A Journey signed at the store in O’Connell Street will have to check in all bags, including purses and phones into a holding point. There will be no customer photography and no personal dedication. Wristbands will be issued for the event and will have to be removed after signing. There will be no guarantee that people who get wristbands will get their books signed as Mr Blair will be operating to a tight timetable. Firstly, I have no… -
They’re at least 8000 times worse than the KLF
31 Aug 2010 | 9:11 amFuckers. And it’s worse than they say. Similar posts March 31, 2010 — Mr B, Sir. Mr, B. (46) February 23, 2009 — Shane Ross and the Anglo 10 (10) August 10, 2010 — Cancerbank (26) June 7, 2010 — Close Anglo Irish Bank (14) May 30, 2010 — Oh really? (20) -
Flaming Nora
31 Aug 2010 | 2:08 amSo Mick Lally dies the Gaiety School of Acting celebrates 25 years in existence. Coincidence? To be honest, I don’t see how the two are in any way related whatsoever. It did intrigue me to see the story in the Irish Times though. The GS of A marked the occasion by setting somebody’s head on fire. Oh actors, they’re so zany and different. I used to know a few people who went to that acting school. Worked with them down in Leeson Street in the day. A couple of them worked behind the bars, one of them hilariously worked on the door of nightclubs despite being the same size as…
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Meg Fowler
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picture something something thousand words something something
23 Aug 2010 | 1:52 pmMy dad took this photo last Thursday or Friday — I can’t quite recall which. And I can’t think of a better photo to EMBODY how I feel right now. I’m in a great place, with a great view, and I can’t possibly complain about my situation. And I won’t. Job = great. Friends = great. Relationship = great. My cooking = mostly great. However, even there, with a cold coming on like a ton of bricks, a distinct lack of sleep and a very rainy Boston day? I am temporarily OVER IT. Like this bird. Overlapping a pole. Like this photo is overlapping the template. Like I… -
choose ye: uberdemographic edition.
18 Aug 2010 | 11:54 amThis is a reprint of a Choose Ye that I did two years ago. I was supposed to compile the results, and then I… well, I didn’t. Then I did it again last year, out of curiosity about the answers. And I’m still curious to see what my changing, evolving readership chooses, so… So let’s do it again! Reprint begins here: Okay. We’re playing hardball now, kids. Unless you’re ready to be covered in strawberries and whipped cream, no waffling! (And no, I’m not actually going to cover you in strawberries and whipped cream. Give your head a shake.) The choices we make sometimes… -
36 at 36.
26 Jul 2010 | 9:24 amIf you know me — or even just my blog — at all, you know I am a lover of lists. Love lists, grocery lists, to-do lists (although those can drive me up the proverbial wall at times), Christmas lists… heck, even lists of words I really like (bliss, pomegranate, obsidian…) But the kinds of lists I am NOT a fan of are the lists that isolate the “30 under 30″ or “40 under 40″ in any sort of industry. Not because I am no longer under 30 (sigh), and very much on the downward slope towards no longer being under 40 (nooooooo!), but because people seem to…
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wowOwow | The Women on the Web
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Dishing With Linda Gray and 'Expecting Mary'!
1 Sep 2010 | 9:00 pmOur Gossip Girl has the scoop on Sue Ellen’s latest goings-on Liz Smith | Today 12:00 am "YOU’RE A drunk, Sue Ellen, why don’t you just accept it?" says Liz Smith to Linda Gray. "Oh, oh!" responds Linda happily. "What was my line? Yes – ‘Joan of Arc would be a drunk if she was married to you!" Miss Gray and I then collapsed into giggles. Linda knows that this immortal exchange in TV’s "Dallas," between Larry Hagman as J.R. Ewing and Linda as his put-upon wife Sue Ellen, is one of her fans’ most treasured moments. -
Dear Margo: When Parents Are Pickled in Alcohol
1 Sep 2010 | 9:00 pmWith alcoholics as parents and not enough money to move out, I feel trapped. Margo Howard’s adviceMargo Howard | Today 12:00 am When Parents Are Pickled In Alcohol Dear Margo: I am 19 years old and in desperate need of advice. I work a full-time job and am trying to go back to school in the fall. I am currently living with my parents, and they are threatening to kick me out. We argue all the time. My parents have been alcoholics my whole life, and now that I am older, it seems it’s getting worse. I’m seriously afraid my mom is going to take all my stuff and throw it out of… -
Women, Men and Relationships: Forever a Work in Progress?
1 Sep 2010 | 9:00 pmDr. Willa Bernhard shares her findings about women of a certain age … and the relationships they keepWilla Bernhard | Today 12:00 am Ever wonder how older women feel about men and their relationships with men? Or wonder if your personal feelings are normal? I’ve wondered the same myself … so I decided to do a little research. I’m 81 and my husband is 83. I can’t believe how old we are because the inner me feels so much younger. I’m lucky because my husband and I are healthy, have interests that engage us, enough money to live the way we choose, two daughters,… -
The Truth About Cat and Dog People
1 Sep 2010 | 9:15 amNew Yorker cartoonist Liza Donnelly takes a look at pet loyaltyLiza Donnelly | 09/01/2010 12:15 pm Editor’s Note: Liza Donnelly, noted cartoonist for The New Yorker, is also the editor, with her husband, Michael Maslin, of the book Cartoon Marriage: Adventures in Love and Matrimony by The New Yorker’s Cartooning Couple. Liza’s next book, ... -
Iraq: A Page Not Quite Turned
1 Sep 2010 | 9:00 amA visit to Arlington West has journalist Julie Dermansky questioning the meaning of this turn of eventsPOV | 09/01/2010 12:00 pm On August 31, 2010, Obama declared it is "time to turn the page" on Iraq, yet he didn’t declare the war is over. The page may be turned but the story is not over. A visit to Arlington West illustrates the open book as more casualties are added to the records, and more markers are added in the sand. Week ending August 22, the week the last combat troops were pulled out of Iraq, more soldiers were killed in Iraq. The war in Iraq is over for some, but…
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Simply Jews
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A short quiz about a picture
2 Sep 2010 | 8:06 amIn the picture above there are three men:X - one who looks like he is in the process of swallowing a crowY - one who looks like he is trying to digest a crowZ - one who looks like he just succeeded to feed two persons with two crowsAssign numbers to X, Y and Z (from left to right, please)Update: Another picture, with a person that caught the crows and wrung their necks. But it's elementary, my dear Watsons, so no prizes for that one. -
Secret services 'must be made more transparent'
1 Sep 2010 | 10:00 pmThe secret services must become more transparent if they are to halt the spread of damaging conspiracy theories and increase trust in the Government, claims a leading think tank.Yep. That's a grand idea. Somehow it seems to be strangely (but not too strangely) fitting the general direction of the Political Correctness movement.I would also recommend to rename the Secret Service into Public Service. Let the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions manage it in a transparent way, with daily reports to Indie. Or, maybe, Minister for Women and Equality could take it over, having in mind to… -
Separated at birth: Michael Oren & Gary Busey
1 Sep 2010 | 9:50 pmThe character on the left is the Israeli ambassador to US, the remainder is the Hollywood lesser star Gary Busey - not exactly an Israeli darling.Back to you, Dave! -
James Jay Lee in Discovery channel building
1 Sep 2010 | 8:17 pmI don't know, people. I have read that online manifesto and I have to say that a) every self-respecting Green will agree with it; and b) it's much less inhuman and destructive than, say, the Communist Manifesto. Besides, it calls for salvation of "The Lions, Tigers, Giraffes, Elephants, Froggies, Turtles, Apes, Raccoons, Beetles, Ants, Sharks, Bears, and, of course, the Squirrels." Do you have a personal beef with Froggies? Or Squirrels? Go ahead, tell me.And even I, being Green only in spots and at random times, cannot disagree with this:You MUST KNOW the human population is behind all the… -
Tom Magill - a living testimony for Dodge Charger
1 Sep 2010 | 11:07 amA suicidal man jumped to a seemingly certain death from a 40-story* Upper West Side rooftop yesterday -- but miraculously survived when he landed on a sports car, police said. Tom Magill, 22, suffered just a broken leg, a shattered ankle and a collapsed lung after his 10:44 a.m. leap from atop the West End Towers on West End Avenue at 63rd Street. "I can't believe this. My car saved his life," said Guy McCormack, 40, a worker at a nearby construction site who had borrowed the 2008 red Dodge Charger from his wife.This is one car crash that ended well, I would say. Besides being a best PR job…
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this time ~ this space
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Childlike wonder and wisdom
27 Aug 2010 | 8:16 pmSome artists spend their careers trying to recapture the sense of wonder and imagination they had as children. I was reminded of that this summer while I sketeched and watched my friends kids create artwork from flotsam and jetsam on the beach. Their sand drawings, sand castles, driftwood forts, glass and shell and mobiles, and [...] -
End the War on Drugs
25 Aug 2010 | 9:54 amMarijuana is used throughout the world for diverse purposes and has a long history. In Chinese medicine marijuana is one of the fundamental herbs. In shamanic medicine in North America it also has a lengthy history of use. Although smoking is thought to be the most common form of ingestion, there are many healthy alternatives [...] -
Balanced living: Vacations are a necessity
20 Aug 2010 | 12:20 pmOne of the main reasons to take a vacation is to get some rest and recharge. On vacation people tend to pack in more hours of sleep and exercise, as well as spend more time with family and friends–all of which are good for reducing high blood pressure. According to a study conducted by the [...] -
Beating the Heat
16 Aug 2010 | 3:51 pmLast night I had several dreams and every one of them had the same theme - cooling down. From standing under a waterfall, to being caught in a snow storm, to being stranded on an iceberg, and shivering in an ice cave my sub-conscious mind supplied me with my deepest desire which was to be [...] -
Acai Berry Scammers on FTC Radar
16 Aug 2010 | 12:29 pmAfter my blog was repeatedly spammed by acia berry scammers I asked around and found that I knew some folks who had been sucked in by the scammers. They signed up for a supposed ‘risk free’ trial and then their credit cards were illegally billed over and over. Yes, açaí berry pills are offered through [...]
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TIME GOES BY
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Fear of Food
2 Sep 2010 | 5:31 amAbout ten years ago, on the evening before an airplane flight, Crabby Old Lady ate a bad oyster. Not that she knew it right away. She attended a meeting in San Francisco the next morning and then boarded her noon flight to New York, miffed that her aisle seat was directly across from a lavatory where there would be a lot of foot traffic for the duration of the trip. Within an hour, Crabby's displeasure turned to relief. For the rest of the flight, hardly any other passenger had a chance to get into that facility due to Crabby's intensifying discomfort. Back home, except for frequent trips to… -
October Elder Meetup in Lake Oswego, Plus...
1 Sep 2010 | 5:31 amTwo weeks ago, I offered two possible dates for an elderblogger (and readers) meetup at my home in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Responses are in and Saturday 9 October is the majority choice. That doesn't mean those who preferred 16 October can't attend if your schedule allows. Just let me know. You can do that in the comments below or use the “Contact” link in the upper left corner of this page. If others who are hearing about the event today for the first time would like to attend, of course you are welcome. Just follow the link above to read the particulars (although 9 October is now the date)… -
The Longevity Prescription of Dr. Robert Butler: Nurture Your Relationships
31 Aug 2010 | 5:31 amAs Dr. Robert N. Butler makes clear in Chapter 2 of his book, The Longevity Prescription titled “Nurture Your Relationships,” we should not “underestimate the value of touching, hugging, and sharing...” He is discussing the people he calls “elemental connections,” loved ones and intimate friends, (noting that he will discuss other kinds of close relationships later in the book). “A loved one might be a spouse, one of your children, a sibling, a parent, or a grandparent. Intimate friends, a trusted coworker, and a neighbor might belong here too...” “You must cherish them as… -
At Last: Updated Elderblog List
30 Aug 2010 | 5:30 amEDITOR'S NOTE: Before we get started on the update, two housekeeping items of note: Where Elders Blog Two more people have sent in photos for the Where Elders Blog feature. You can see Dianne Schmidley's blog desk here, Lisa's is here and instructions for including your computer area can be found here. If you haven't discovered this feature (link is in the right sidebar under TGB Features), it's terrific fun to see where people we have come to know through their blogs and comments do their keyboard tapping. Comment Policy This second item is less pleasant. In the past couple of weeks, there… -
ELDER MUSIC: Really Early Rocking and Rolling
29 Aug 2010 | 5:30 amYou never know who you're going to meet on the internet and I came to know Peter Tibbles (bio here) via email over the past couple of years. His extensive knowledge of most genres of music and his excellent taste became apparent only gradually (Peter's not one to toot his horn) but once I understood, I knew he needed his own column at Time Goes By - or, better, that TGB needed his column - which appears here each Sunday. You can find previous Elder Music columns here. This is yet another inspiration from Norma, the Assistant Musicologist. She may have had the inspiration but she left me to…
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GirlsAskGuys.com - Recent Questions
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Guys, do tall girls emasculate you?
2 Sep 2010 | 10:00 amWhy do most guys prefer to date a girl shorter than themselves? Is there some evolutionary reason or is it all cultural?Do you feel like less of a man around girls who are taller than you? and how tall are you? -
Why did he get in touch with me now ?
2 Sep 2010 | 9:53 amme and my ex split up last October I came back to the uk I continued emailing him and even adds him on face book but he denied my friend request I may I called him and he answered he told me I don't won't to here again from you again so since then we have had no contact in July the 31st I got an email saying that he would like to connect with me on yahoo is it because I told him that I was going back in august then I accepted his request and sent him a email saying you told me that when I come back we will talk so buy saying that he knows that I am still over here is that why he has not… -
Anyone have any suggestions?
2 Sep 2010 | 9:53 amLooking to find some ways to meet girls, by this I mean, nice, mature, down to earth, not afraid to speak their mind, won't dumb themselves down for guys, non gold digger/ user. Where are some good places to meet girls like this. I seem to only find immature, etc girls. It get annoying...Maybe you can suggest some ways to see these traits ahead of time to avoid wasting my time. -
Is this normal behavior?
2 Sep 2010 | 9:52 amSo this guy and I have had a thing going on for about a month. He texts me all the time and last week we saw each other and ended up cuddling on the couch; he put his arm on the couch behind me, I put my head on his shoulder and he put his arm around me and we eventually fell asleep. This guy is really outgoing and has ALLOT of friends so I was wondering if it's just normal behavior on his part?And what do guys think when they let a girl cuddle? -
My boyfriend overheard me venting about him!
2 Sep 2010 | 9:52 amFor 6 years my boyfriend has needed to know everything I do, from refinancing MY truck, to getting new shoes, and countless other things. He freaks out if I wait to tell him things after or right before they happen. When I have confided in him, he finds a way to either throw it in me face later or say I was hiding it from him for awhile. He has always had trust issues with me, even in the beginning he had issues with me EX husband saying we were still hooking up- he is my ex- not happening! Throughout the years he has made accusations of me cheating and lying. Our breakup fight was because I…
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Citizen of the Month
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Are Blog Commenters “Real” Writers?
26 Aug 2010 | 10:53 pmA few weeks ago, there was a raucous argument online over the unimportant question of the day — are bloggers “real” writers? I have my own thoughts about this, but I’m all about spreading the love, so for all practical purposes, I edge towards saying “yes.” If you write, you’re a “real” writer, whatever that means. A “professional” writer might be a better writer, but then again, there are a lot of shitty books published about cats. The problem is the word “writing,” which like “blogging” is too… -
Farewell, Apartment 202
23 Aug 2010 | 8:37 pmSophia and I have finally moved everything out of my in-laws’ Los Angeles apartment, and Sophia closed the lease. Fanya and Vartan lived in this one-bedroom apartment since 1984. Sophia was very strong during the whole ordeal, but as we were about to leave the apartment for the last time, Sophia burst into tears because there was such finality to the moment. From “Our House” by Crosby, Still, Nash and Young Come to me now And rest your head for just five minutes Everything is good Such a cozy room The windows are illuminated By the sunshine through them Fiery gems… -
I Like Big Ears
19 Aug 2010 | 10:39 pmOne of my biggest complaints about going to any sort of conference or networking function is that there are always cliques, and you feel a bit isolated if you don’t have a “tribe” to call your own. At BlogHer, these tight-knit groups were isolated around a common blog or project (MamaPop, Aiming Low, Kirtsy) or subject matter (photography, parenting). I returned home feeling that I don’t “belong.” What is my tribe? Most religious people believe that God works in mysterious ways, and maybe it is true. The day after I returned to Los Angeles, I… -
Stuff
17 Aug 2010 | 2:08 pmThe hardest part of packing up my in-law’s apartment is “the stuff.” We always hear that “stuff” — material objects — is meaningless. Yesterday, on Oprah, there was discussion about women who give up the trappings of the real world to become nuns. They were happy to trade in their “stuff” for a meaningful relationship with Jesus. I wish I could tell you that my “stuff” means nothing, but I’m not a nun, or a Buddhist. My “stuff” speaks to me. They are the props to the stories of my life. I have saved… -
BlogHer ’10
11 Aug 2010 | 12:50 pmJesus, I’m popular! Newbies wanted to meet me at BlogHer. Bloggers wanted to take their photograph with me, sometimes even asking me to hold their blog mascot on my lap. I’m on a first name basis with Jenny, the Bloggess. Even the snooty MamaPop writers came up to me to shake MY hand! I’m not bragging or anything. I’m just stating a fact. Bloggers love me! After the parties on Saturday night, I wandered the streets of Manhattan by myself until Sunday morning. More later. Like everyone else writing BlogHer recaps today, I have a list of my favorite…
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Simply Stated
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Please, Don't Call me Ma'am!
2 Sep 2010 | 7:40 amIn last Sunday's New York Times, there was a great article about women's strong—and mostly negative—response to being called "Ma'am." You can check it out at: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/29/weekinreview/29angier.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Ma%27am&st=cse I definitely related to the many women who said they recoiled in horror whenever addressed as "Ma'am,” mostly because it made them feel old, dowdy, or generally misunderstood. But it made me realize I'm often addressed with monikers that make me uncomfortable, and I'm torn… -
An Expense You Can't Skip If You Have Kids
31 Aug 2010 | 9:28 amHow much would you pay to protect your family from a devastating financial blow? How about less than the cost of a soda from the vending machine at work? And yet according to a new survey featured in The Wall Street Journal, some 35 million households have no life insurance -- up from 24 million in 2004, according to research firm Limra. That one in every three households. One reason for the decline: Many employees lost the life insurance coverage provided by employers when they lost their jobs, or when companies decided to reduce benefit packages. But people without life… -
When Nothing is Too Over-the-Top for Your Pet
30 Aug 2010 | 4:23 pmGreetings, fellow pet-lovers. Before we get into serious debate about what pets do and do not understand or how to pick the best pet insurance or when to let go and make the tough decisions, I figured a bit of lighthearted confession was in order. Nothing is too good for our pet. No piece of furniture (ok, well maybe the antique desk in my parents' home), no choice morsel of food (all it takes is one imploring look for me to set a piece aside on my plate), no mode of transportation (the car's seen better days but that's what vacuums are for). What have my husband and I done that… -
Thank-You Notes: The Friend-of-Your-Mother's Edition
26 Aug 2010 | 8:30 amIn the never-ending annals of thank-you note etiquette, one of the stickiest issues is what to do if you've sent a gift and not heard anything in response. I call this the Friend-of-Your-Mother's phenomenon, because I've been made aware that my mother is not the only one to call her daughter (and sadly, it's usually a daughter, rather than a son -- see my blog post on June 3rd) and ask, "Did you get the gift Beverly sent you? She was just wondering..." Now many a daughter would interpret this as code for, "You need to send Beverly a thank-you note,"… -
Finding Friends
26 Aug 2010 | 7:35 amFormer Girl Scouts, sing it with me: "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other's gold." Have you ever wondered about this line? Are the old friends silver and the new friends gold, or vice-versa? I've been thinking a lot about my old friends lately. You know, the ones I left behind when I moved two months ago? I've primarily been staying in touch with them over email and Facebook, and while technology enables me to still feel connected, the time has come for me to live where I am and make a concerted effort to find new friends in my new city. Admittedly, this is…
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Are We Still Cool?
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Don’t look up my dress!!
27 Aug 2010 | 11:15 amI have tremendous respect for women. My mom is one. After seeing Cool Mum go through two pregnancies, I witnessed a woman’s strength and resolve. And recently, I learned just how hard it is to be a woman. During a game of wallyball a few years ago, I jumped and felt a little *pop* in my lower left back. My back tightened for the rest of the game, but I didn’t think much of it. The next morning, I tried to get out of bed and the worst pain I’d ever felt in my life (and I’ve seen Waterworld) burned in my back and left leg. When I finally took a step, my knees buckled… -
Three Scenes from Summer Streets (video)
23 Aug 2010 | 7:32 pmA couple of weeks ago, we hit Summer Streets, where Park Avenue is closed to car traffic from 72nd Street down to the Brooklyn Bridge. We walked with Cool Friend Kristin. Here are three scenes from Summer Streets. Related posts:One year: Movin’ on up yet staying in placeWalking to worshipCool Review, Awarding Points: A pee-pee Saturday -
Cool Potty Talk #2: Talking Stock
19 Aug 2010 | 6:00 amIn the second episode of our infant reality/confessional show, a very tired Cool Mum and Dad talk about a “compliment” she received during a trip to the grocery store. No related posts. -
Stay-at-home-mom pool party ends in beer shower
17 Aug 2010 | 3:26 pmthis was taken before things got too crazy Cool Dad is going to come home tonight and ask why I smell like beer after being home with our two sons all day. I hope he believes this story. It all started with an innocent pool party in our backyard with a cool friend who brought her baby over to join us. Soon after she left, I felt some type of liquid being sprinkled all over me from above. It started getting heavier as I looked up. I guess our top-floor neighbors had decided to drain a keg off the edge of their patio. I actually know these neighbors too, but they did not show their… -
Nothing but love for laundromats
12 Aug 2010 | 2:35 pmLike many people out there, I used to have a washer and dryer in my home. Technically it was in the garage, so my only company on laundry days were the black widow spiders who hung out there. I specifically remember doing laundry one day after recently becoming a stay-at-home mom and thinking, “Of all of the world-changing things I could be doing, here I am in the garage washing dirty onesies.” At the same time, I felt that God was showing me I needed to be faithful in the small things in preparation for bigger things to come. Now, keep in mind that this post is written by a…
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turnings :: daniel berlinger
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The week in links (08/30)
30 Aug 2010 | 5:01 amIt’s been slow, as is usual for the “end” of summer. Paparazzi! is a small utility for Mac OS X that makes screenshots of webpages. RVM hits 1.0. The interactive sketching notation is an emerging visual language which affords the representation of interface states and event-based user actions. [Um... a few conventions never hurt.] http://www.padrinorb.com/. Yet another framework. Nice feature set though. [Updated] announcing-yard-0-6-0/ rails-has-great-documentation rails-3-0-it-s-done rails-3-0-released-and-22-free-videos-to-bring-you-up-to-speed… -
Storm King Mountain
29 Aug 2010 | 6:26 pmYou’d think that I would have known I was going to do this? Nah. 48 miles, 2155 feet of climbing. I believe it happened because I chose the route that didn’t have the “trucks this way” arrow. I now suspect that was a big mistake. I did get to see a motorcycle dude get pulled over for speeding (I presume). Kinda rare thinks I. I also almost got wiped off my bike by cars passing inches away from me about 9 times. What was with everyone today? Some lovely woman at the Riverside Deli and Market filled my bottles with cold water for me despite being closed. She also wished… -
Livestrong Philly Challenge 2010
23 Aug 2010 | 6:56 pmYou may recall last year I rode the Philly Challenge for the first time. And just as last year, there was no time for training or specific preparation for the ride. But I did accomplish two things by my steady improvement in a couple of areas. When teaching I stress the importance of doing the things you’re not good at and avoiding the natural tendency to focus on the things that come easy. Since nothing is particularly easy on the bike (for me) this approach generates a lengthy list of issues. I prioritize by which things I do worst, balanced by whichever part of me is working least… -
The week in links (08/16)
16 Aug 2010 | 4:40 amHere’s the advocacy section for this week. Our team has been using “exercise” balls to sit on during the day. This started because because of the appallingly sedentary hours we put in, and its negative effect on our health. The “Ballympics” is not far away, where feats of balance, strength, and prowess will be on display. I’m hoping for at least pictures, if not video… http://www.html5rocks.com/ Gollum: A simple, Git-powered wiki with a sweet API and local frontend. loading-scripts-without-blocking This is a strawman document describing a tin… -
The week in links (08/11)
11 Aug 2010 | 8:02 amhttp://html5reset.org/ http://html5boilerplate.com/ the-lowdown-on-routes-in-rails-3 baseline-testing-with-curl the-house-that-patience-built coffee-script/ flipping-out/ how-we-deploy-new-features-on-forrst how-we-deploy-new-features https://gist.github.com/4de7b3c1522b155008e1 Socket.IO http://www.flickr.com/cameras/ using-and-and-or-in-ruby do-you-know-how-slow-your-web-page-is http://dev.w3.org/2006/webapi/WebTiming/ http://webtimingdemo.appspot.com/ The Webkit Team added WOFF support for @font-face twitter.com user_streams
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37days
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poetry wednesday : the power of your intense fragility
31 Aug 2010 | 9:01 pmsomewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond-e.e. cummingssomewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyondany experience,your eyes have their silence:in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,or which i cannot touch because they are too nearyour slightest look easily will unclose methough i have closed myself as fingers,you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens(touching skilfully,mysteriously)her first roseor if your wish be to close me, i andmy life will shut very beautifully ,suddenly,as when the heart of this flower imaginesthe snow carefully everywhere… -
found-art tuesday : memory
31 Aug 2010 | 6:54 amI was delighted to reconnect with my high school art teacher on Facebook recently, and to receive this contact sheet (what's that? I can imagine Tess asking) from him via email yesterday.Ah, to see myself at 18, the age my oldest daughter, Emma, is now. A page of images holding so much memory and so much greater an understanding of the complexity of life at that age, and at this one.My thanks, David Sheets, for keeping this tucked away in your attic for all those years. -
Because I, too, have a dream.
28 Aug 2010 | 2:25 pmI am reposting this on the 47th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. Because I, too, have a dream. I have found as I've made my way into adulthood in this life of mine, that I share his dream. And I have dreams of my own. I have a dream that we won't fool ourselves into thinking Dr. King's dream has been realized. I have a dream that one day we will stand in lines all night long to find solutions to child abuse and child hunger, just like we stand in lines all night to buy iPads, and Harry Potter books, and tickets to the next Star Wars movie. I have a dream that… -
remembering katrina.
27 Aug 2010 | 5:26 amThis week marks the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. To mark this solemn date, I am reposting two essays I wrote as I watched from a distance the terrible situation deepen in New Orleans. Consider yourself part of the solution (first posted August 31, 2005) “In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.” – Flora Edwards Do something. Extend yourself. This is no way to say goodbye to someone who has been your cornerstone, your love, your driving force, your partner, your rock. Xavier Bowie was 57 and had lung… -
thinking thursday.
26 Aug 2010 | 8:18 am(I see Johnny Depp got the copy of my new book I sent him. Smile)mind :: my brain and yoursGet out the yoga mat. Yoga protects the brain from depression, says a new study: "Researchers have found that three sessions of the exercise a week can help fight off depression as it boosts levels of a chemical in the brain which is essential for a sound and relaxed mind. Scientists found that the levels of the amino acid GABA are much higher in those that carry out yoga than those do the equivalent of a similarly strenuous exercise such as walking." (Thanks to Lachrista Greco) body :: my place and…
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Story Bleed Magazine
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To the Sea
31 Aug 2010 | 7:45 am{by Nola from NOLA Notes} For those of us who returned after Hurricane Katrina to the Gulf coast, and to New Orleans, we frequently get questioned: Why did you return? How could you have returned? We evacuated to Little Rock on Sunday. Monday, my husband flew to Philadelphia for his job; he returned two weeks later. I spent much of those two weeks in a stupor, worried about my future, the future of New Orleans and the entire Gulf coast area. Monday, September 12, 2005, Little Rock, Arkansas. As I drove to the airport to pick up CS, I was barely able to keep the tears back. I should… -
The Cone of Uncertainty
24 Aug 2010 | 7:26 am{by Rachel from A Southern Fairytale} Southern is more than geography, it’s a lifestyle, it’s in the beat of our hearts, the soft lilt in our words; it’s in the traditions of cotillion and bunco, of cowboy boots and front porch swings, of moonshine and moonpies. Southern is a birth right and a blessing. One of the little things that we who live both in the South and on the Coast get to experience yearly is this little event you might be familiar with… it’s known as Hurricane Season. Down here we live on the Coast and from June to November (because Hurricanes use calendars, of… -
One Bad Day Out of Every Seven-hundred
24 Aug 2010 | 6:57 am{by Trisha Haas from MomDot} Standing on the edge of the water the past few months has caused me some great reflection. As my toe touches the sand, now dotted with black specs, no doubt remnants of the oil disaster, I can’t help but feel lucky; blessed. Blessed you say? Blessed for what? The brackish water, the industry falling apart, the tourism detracting? Yes. Because if you don’t live here you don’t see. You don’t know. You can’t feel. And that’s it, isn’t it? You can’t feel what we feel. You can’t know what it feels like to wake up and smell the salt, to feel the wind… -
Still We Remain
22 Aug 2010 | 7:12 pm{by Tara from If Mom Says OK} Early in our marriage, my husband was being recruited for a new job. One of the companies he was interviewing with was located on the Gulf Coast of Florida. At the time our oldest was three and I was epically pregnant with our second child. While he was schmoozing with the suits, the toddler and I were frolicking on the sugar white sands of Fort Walton Beach. I wanted to enjoy the full experience of a trip to the ocean, having come from the mountains of Tennessee, and wanted to avoid a lop-sided tan. So, I took a page out of the sea turtle mom’s handbook. I dug… -
Hope Remains: In the End, Life is Always Kind
22 Aug 2010 | 7:12 pm{by Heather from Queen of Shake Shake} When Megan called and asked if I’d write about why we’re still living along the Gulf Coast as part of Story Bleed’s Hope Remains carnival, sponsored by Tide Loads of Hope, my answer was so authentic that it came quick and unbidden, much like seeing boobs in a Rorschach test; no thinking, just open your mouth and the deep-seated perverse truth spills forth. “Because we’re crazy.” That’s undeniably true. It takes a special kind of crazy to live here – a type of insanity where you enjoy the smell of sweat and can hear double…
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In Palinode's Palace
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Five Days in New York
16 Aug 2010 | 9:25 pmOur plane arrives five hours late at the nearly empty Newark Airport. We arrange for a shuttle into Manhattan with an elderly couple and a young man in a baseball cap who never stops placing calls on his cell phone. The shuttle driver arrives with a clipboard. – Hey, you came here on a hot day in New York, the driver calls out, gesturing for us to follow. – Not where we're from, the elderly man announces, brushing his navy blazer and walking ahead of his wife. No one asks him where they're from.*** Some cities sprawl outward, but New York grows inward. Everything is wedged in or… -
Everybody Wants Something But I Don't Know What That Is
12 Aug 2010 | 9:04 pmA few weeks ago, in service of a joke, I looked up the lyrics to the Degrassi Junior High theme song ("Wake up in the morning/feeling kinda lonely/Gee, I gotta go to school"). The memory of that song, shared by pretty much any Canadian or Kevin Smith around my age, has a liturgical feel to it, a point of shared consciousness captured in the song's stacatto dada-dada-dada phrases. The lyrics start off in an anxious frame of mind, but the breathless pace doesn't give you time to dwell. And of course, by the time you get to that aspirational chorus (Everybody can succeed, all you gotta do… -
Emergency Euphemism Resupply Depot
30 Jul 2010 | 2:50 pmThe world needs euphemisms. Every day we find new perversions, and the demand for delicate phrases to cover them up continues to keep pace. As long as civilization demands a base level of hypocrisy, we will need suggestive phrases that throw an antimacassar over the ugly headrest of truth.The problem is, we are running out of euphemisms. No one is inventing whole new languages, and the economic downturn is affecting the steady production of metaphors that serve as base ingredients in the development process. Fortunately, I have a home euphemism distillery in my basement, and I'm giving away a… -
marks
30 Jul 2010 | 12:21 amThis is the story of how I agreed to get a tattoo of Hall and Oates fighting a Balrog. It is the kind of story that should not really happen to someone once they've passed the age of twenty three, but here I am at thirty nine making rash promises on social networks. I will never do that again, until the next time I do it.It started when I wrote this:Which prompted this:Having no good answer at hand, I closed my eyes and wrote down the first thing that appeared in my mind:Then the irrational entered. When I have pressing tasks at hand (I had a restaurant review to write, but since I'd only… -
Two-Minute Inception
19 Jul 2010 | 1:29 pmSpoilers. Don't be reading unless you like spoilers.[Scene: Wherever. Maybe it's a dream, maybe it isn't. Let's say it's some anonymous warehouse space or an office building lobby. If it's not a ridiculously expensive rotating hallway, then it's just some random spot with as much character as a Soviet apartment block.]SAITO: Cobb, I need you to plant an idea in someone's mind - what you call 'inception'. I need you to convince this man named Fischer to break up his father's business empire.COBB: I can do it. I'll need a new team, special sedatives, a dream within a dream within a…
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Brody Harper
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MYNH – Dan Craig
30 Aug 2010 | 9:30 pmI have a new favorite. I got an email today from a guy who stumbled on to the “Music You’ve Never Heard” section of this site and recommended this guy. Come on. This guy is the deal for sure. Not quite as sad as Damien Rice, but easily just as emotional. And just to be sure… you need to stay to the end of this video. Then everyone go check out Dan Craig and buy his stuff. Let him know you heard about him on “Music You’ve Never Heard”. Go on. MYNH – Dan Craig is a post from: Brody Harper -
Sadness
30 Aug 2010 | 3:14 pmI’ve been thinking a little about sadness today. It’s amazing to me how many different levels of sadness there are. And it blows me away that no matter what level you are in, there are always deeper levels of sadness and, the natural opposite of that, more shallow levels. It’s not that these ’shallow’ levels aren’t as sad. They are just different. Today is the first day Kristin and I are realistically looking at taking our dog of 11 years in to be put down. He’s at a point where he hasn’t eaten in three days, can barely walk and… -
‘When The World Ends’
27 Aug 2010 | 8:39 amSo, Barry might make fun of me for this. Probably call me a dirty hippie or something, but there’s no denying how amazingly these two guys can make their guitars talk. I’m an unashamed Dave Matthews fan for sure, but I’m more of a fan of his acoustic stuff, especially when it’s just him and Tim Reynolds. Mind blowing. I’d love to be able to pull off half the stuff he does with his guitar and still have the ability to sing. Any Dave Matthews fans out there? ‘When The World Ends’ is a post from: Brody Harper -
Natalie Grant’s ‘Love Revolution’ Today
24 Aug 2010 | 9:07 amAlright people. You know the drill. Today is release day for a one Mrs. Natalie Grant. I’ve been pretty heavily involved in this project, so it’s time for all the SkörKeepers to step up and start spreading the word. Make sure if you Tweet it, use the hashtag #LoveRevolution. Also make sure you use the link – http://bit.ly/bNFOk2 either on Twitter or Facebook. And for the 3 of you still on Myspace, do something there too. Now that the business is done I’d love to know what you people think about this record. I know this crowd has a pretty diverse musical… -
Thoughts On Books
23 Aug 2010 | 9:16 amSeth Godin announced today that he’s not publishing any more books. Not in the traditional way at least. The way I read it, he’s a little unclear as to what he’s going to do, but it’s for sure not going to be the ‘hard cover – sold in a bookstore’ type of way. Pretty interesting huh? He’s living out what he wrote in Linchpin. Sure, I’ve got some mixed thoughts on the whole thing, but here’s what I like about it. 1: I like that he’s stepping out and doing something different. I like that he’s taking what he…
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i obsess.
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The Inside of My Face
31 Aug 2010 | 10:32 amAm still unpregnant, if you've been wondering. Casey wrote a post that brought my lately-buried feelings about unpregnancy to the fore, and I would rather say it than pretend I don't care, like I've been lately doing, even to my own face. (The inside part of my face, not the... -
Truly, Madly, Exhaustedly
18 Aug 2010 | 9:50 amI'm really not into being a big, old whiner -- at this moment in time, anyway -- and so I've avoided this joint like the proverbial old-school demon-inspired illness for a little bit. There's so much to whine about, is the thing. But I'm okay, and I'll be okay-er soon... -
It's All Relative
2 Aug 2010 | 11:54 amI blame my parents for my nutty brain, I do. I blame my dad in particular. I've known I bore his thumbprint from the time that I was in my mid-teens; I said as much to mom when we were on an airplane bearing us to the South of Brazil... -
Moving and Changing In One Very, Very, Very Uncomfortable Fell Swoop
28 Jul 2010 | 12:49 pmI wrote a post I decided to publish on a separate blog, because it sort of feels more logical to locate it there, and I'm considering posting a whole series on the subsequent actions resulting from - well, just go here and read, and you'll understand what I mean. And... -
Writing When You Have a Specific Statement to Make (and Even When You Don't)
27 Jul 2010 | 9:25 amSo you might have gathered from the subject line that I don't necessarily, uh, have something very, very pointful to get to in this post. And you might be right. Which kind of pisses me off, that you would so immediately leap directly to such a conclusion when I *could*...
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Apartment Life
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Dallas Apartments: Exciting Cityscape
31 Aug 2010 | 9:37 amPerhaps you’re a longtime Texan looking for some new scenery, or your lease is almost up with the Dallas apartments you currently rent. Maybe your company is transferring you to this metropolitan hub, or you’ve been accepted to the University of North Texas at Dallas as a new student. Whatever the reason, Dallas apartments are a convenient solution. At ApartmentSearch, we make them easy (and rewarding!) to find. The flexibility and convenience of apartment living are unmatched, especially in big cities like Dallas. With so much to explore in the various neighborhoods and booming… -
Be A Good Apartment Neighbor
27 Aug 2010 | 9:47 amLiving in an apartment means close quarters, and one of the best ways to alleviate any tension that comes with that is to be a friendly and respectful neighbor. Whether you live in a house or apartment, it’s always a good idea to be familiar with your neighbors, even if only on a first-name basis. Especially if you live alone in an apartment, knowing your neighbors can help you feel more at home in your complex, and it is useful in the event of an emergency. An open line of communication between neighbors is ideal to harmonious apartment living. The most common complaint of apartment… -
Hosting Apartment Guests
23 Aug 2010 | 1:01 pmWhen friends or family visit from out of town, hosting them as overnight apartment guests can be a fun experience for all parties. Even with the space restrictions of a small apartment, it is easy to accommodate guests for an enjoyable, stress-free visit when you follow a few considerations. Your guests may be eager to explore your city, but don’t worry too much about planning an exact itinerary to follow. Do have some potential activities jotted down, so you can turn to the list for quick ideas on the go. Think about unexpected treasures in your city that guests would appreciate a… -
Sharing An Apartment Bathroom With Roommates
12 Aug 2010 | 8:24 amOne element of apartment living that takes a bit of adjusting to is sharing your bathroom with one or more roommates. Living with roommates can be rewarding and fun, not to mention smart financially. An apartment for rent with only one bathroom is generally less expensive outright, and it is easy to arrange a polite sharing agreement and maintain cleanliness together. Whether you are moving into a new apartment or are a seasoned bathroom sharer, it is crucial to approach the situation with a positive, considerate attitude and encourage your roommate to do the same. When you find an apartment… -
Austin Apartments: Capital of Cool
3 Aug 2010 | 8:17 amWe are proud to feature a huge, searchable database of Austin apartments in this undeniably cool Texas city. Whether you are a seasoned Austinite, new to town or considering a move to the state capital (also known as the Live Music Capital of The World), ApartmentSearch can help you find an apartment to ideally suit your needs here. Headquarters of the esteemed University of Texas and several Fortune 500 companies, Austin is populated by an eclectic mix of university professors and students, state employees, musicians and high-tech workers. The unofficial slogan, “Keep Austin…
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Dave Writes
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New York City Daytrip
28 Aug 2010 | 11:27 amI’m not sure what starting me thinking about New York City again, but yesterday, somewhat impulsively–but with a little planning–I decided to visit. By myself. Cheaply. Without a concrete plan, I did a lot and spent just a little over $100. I’ve been to NYC about half a dozen times. As a freshman at MIT, I took the train down from Boston, stayed at the West Side YMCA, did a quick sightseeing tour and hopped the train back the next day. A couple of years later, I followed the Gary Hart campaign to New York and camped out on someone’s floor in a Central Park… -
A More Modest Plan for Debate – September Primary in Massachusetts
24 Aug 2010 | 7:02 amA few days ago I wrote about an idea for a web-based debate between candidates. When I met with other bloggers in our community, we had plenty of good ideas…but we kept looking at that calendar and realizing we had very little time and no guarantee the candidates would even respond. So we came up with a better plan. We are starting by posting this: What question would you ask Congressional candidates Stephen Lynch and Mac D’Alessandro to answer if you had the chance? The editors of community web sites from Milton (02186 MyTownMatters), Dedham (MyDedham), and Westwood (Our… -
A Modest Proposal for Online Debates
19 Aug 2010 | 9:47 amOver at Our Westwood (http://westwoodblog.org) I recently expressed my frustration that candidates in the upcoming September 14 primary for U.S. Congress and State Senate were unlikely to debate. I have a proposal for doing this online that will serve our communities, respect the candidates and voters, and increase participation and interest in the political process. This needs to be local–sponsored and endorsed by real people with a stake in their communities. I’ve contacted the people I know in the area who run community sites like Our Westwood, and I am assembling a coalition… -
Why I Took my Money out of Sovereign Bank
18 Aug 2010 | 7:21 pmThanks to my diligent monitoring of my online banking account, I caught $2700 of errors in the past 30 days. Sovereign Bank (Santander) is still in the process of fixing the last mistake, but two strikes was enough for me to move my business to a local bank. The first error occurred when David Adkins walked into the Salem, MA branch of Sovereign Bank and withdrew $1500 from my account. When I saw this withdrawal online I was surprised and clicked on the link to pull up an image of the withdrawal slip. That slip–handwritten with a drivers license number for ID verification–gave me… -
Career Arc
3 Aug 2010 | 12:45 pmMy career is a search for opportunities to use my talents to help make a difference in people’s lives. My resume does not adequately make that connection. Much of what I enjoy writing involves connecting the dots between related but nonlinear ideas, so today I apply that to my own story: I began with an interest in politics and ideas when I was inspired to go on the road with the Gary Hart campaign while I was an undergraduate at MIT in 1988. “Democracy, not Media-ocracy!” A similar motive led me to organize and lead Paul Tsongas delegates in Washington State in 1992 while I…
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Reality Me
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Let’s talk SEO and domain names
1 Sep 2010 | 4:50 amSay for more than half a decade (really its been a decade) Cathy has blogged as DomesticPsychology.com and she has. Let’s say on a whim she decides she would rather be blogging as CathyMcCaughan.com (in reality she hasn’t..this is simply a working example). Currently http://CathyMcCaughan.com forwards to http://domesticpsychology.com/. To complicate things, let’s say they are registered at 2 different registrars so DNS is handled by two different organizations. Many options exist for moving a domain name. What is the best way to make http://cathymccaughan.com/ the primary… -
Quiet!
31 Aug 2010 | 6:46 pmIt’s too f’kin noisy. -
Deep Thoughts
31 Aug 2010 | 8:20 amDying is such a slow process. I’m nearly 41 years into my death and there’s still no end in sight. -
They grow up so quickly
31 Aug 2010 | 5:30 amMy youngest has been to kindergarten 2 days this year. They were short days with only the teacher and 2 other students to acclimate Evan to the environment and the routine. On those days, I drove him to school and Cathy picked him up. Today, Evan went to school full time. He is very excited and insisted on riding the bus with his sister. He was first in line and I missed the picture because I was introducing Evan to the bus driver. Amy, 8 years old, is proud to be taking care of him, holding her head high as she shows him the ropes. This is her realm and she will be his guide. His same aged… -
What a lucky day!
31 Aug 2010 | 5:06 amI just spilled a full mug of coffee all over my desk. Fortunately I rarely clean the desk so I was very lucky to have a large stack of project notes to absorb much of the coffee and prevent it from damaging the trinkets and clutter that is sitting around waiting to be thrown away. Now, that smear that used to be a ftp password, is that an oh or a zero or the letter Z?
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This Eclectic Life
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The Wright Stuff
2 Sep 2010 | 8:09 amSome mornings, I have to begin by seeking humor in order to face the world. Does that ever happen to you? This morning I pulled out a book of quotes and flipped to the page with observations by Steven Wright. Do y’all know him? He’s that sardonic comedian with the deadpan delivery that is so slow that you think he is asleep. His humor seemed like the right stuff to brighten my day. Wright looks at the world with a skewed eye, and sees the absurdities that most of us miss. Every time I’m exposed to his work, I find myself going out into the world and looking for… -
Just Like Christmas
31 Aug 2010 | 5:06 amEvery day at my house has become like Christmas, because I get to open packages! I’ve thrown away my mascara, because it runs down my face and makes me look like a sad clown (clowns are scary!). For some reason, my eyes leak every time one of those packages get opened. They are not gifts for me but for 150 kids with cancer. The boxes contain crocheted squares for to make afghans for Share A Square. When DeeDee contacted me at the Facebook page for Share A Square 2010, we talked about meeting for lunch. She had some yarn to give me that could be used for rimming the afghans we are… -
The Lawnmower Blues
28 Aug 2010 | 7:34 amWith a forlorn look on his face, my husband said, “The lawnmower is dead. It really died this time and I can’t fix it. The connecting rod broke.” I pretended like “connecting rod” meant something to me, and nodded wisely. “Oh,” I replied. “Then, don’t mow the lawn.” It seemed like a simple enough solution to me. That wouldn’t do for him, because we are expecting company this evening. He wanted the yard to look spiffy, so they would think he’s always got it looking good. In truth, I’ve been busily trying to spiff the… -
Stepping Back
27 Aug 2010 | 7:39 amAfter a very hectic, bittersweet summer I am finding that I need to “re-group.” As Jennifer Yane said, “I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once.” With all the stress, the thought had crossed my mind to simply stop blogging and delete This Eclectic Life, but then I came to my senses and realized how much I would miss all of you. Instead, I’m stepping back a bit. It’s quite likely that I won’t be blogging daily until I get my world in order. I’ve got some posts in mind, but finding time to finish them is my… -
Roughing It
25 Aug 2010 | 6:55 amWith my kitchen out of commission this past week, I’ve felt as if I were on a camping trip without benefit of Nature’s beauty. My Daddy would say I was “roughing it,” but I realize it’s not so bad. I could have to bring my water in buckets from the river, but instead I can pile them in the bathtub and hope I don’t get spaghetti down the drain. I wondered how in Thunder our great-great-grandmothers managed … so I pulled a book from my shelf that was originally printed in 1879. It’s called Housekeeping in Old Virginia and was written by the…
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Extraordinique
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Nina's House
20 Aug 2010 | 7:52 pmWhen it comes to furnishing baby's room, there's one common question, where's it all going to fit in the baby's room? Dave Keune, dutch interior products designer, created Nina's House incorporating a simple, functional and friendly design for the baby's room.This one piece serves as a crib, changing table, playpen and easily accessible dresser. This one piece was designed for so many functions.Keune thought of everything, including playful cut-out windows so that mom and dad can still keep an eye on the little one while playing in the playpen or sleeping. What's also cool is that the entire… -
Ninna Nanna Bassinet
20 Aug 2010 | 7:42 pmTalk about a simple, yet beautiful design. This Ninna Nanna Bassinet is open and plush with a solid birch rocker base, easy for keeping baby comfortable and sleeping close to your side.I love the minimalist nature of this design and the portable, re-usable function of it.Extraordinique!Website | Where to Buy -
Gotta Love the Cranky Pants
20 Aug 2010 | 7:02 pmCrankypants has now taken their popular Classic Crankypants and Monster Booty and Monkey Booty designs to a whole new level. To keep up with demand, Monsterbooty forged a partnership with a Fair Trade Federation certified knitting cooperative in Peru to produce these classics. This lets Crankypants produce these hot little numbers while keeping them hand knit and ethically produced. The cooperative is made up of head of household women who use knitting to support their families. These Crankypants longies are hand knit using 100% wool from the Peruvian Highlands that has been locally small… -
Giddy-Up Lil' ChickPea Kid
20 Aug 2010 | 6:43 pmFor the little ride 'em cowboy in your belly or out on the trail, these Chickpea Kid cowhide cowboy boots are so darling for the little cowboy (or cowgirl) in your life.Giddy-up!Website | Where to Buy -
Seaside Chums in Hoppop
20 Aug 2010 | 6:13 pmSo, now that I have your attention with that headline - how cute is bath time in Hoppop's Baby Bath Bato. This baby bathtub makes bathing easy and fun - not to mention, oh so stylish. Hoppop makes amazing baby products marrying style with function.Hoppop BatoWebsite | Where to BuyDuring bath time, keep your baby entertained with these darling phthalate free Seaside Chums Bath Squirts. Adorable!Seaside Chums Bath SquirtsWebsite | Where to Buy
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sex and the beach
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Affordable Beefcake Served Up in South Florida
30 Aug 2010 | 7:36 pmCover boy Eddy on the left (City of Miami Fire Department) and month of July Rafael (Monroe County Fire Rescue).They're back! The South Florida Firefighters Calendar 2010 team launched this year's calendar last week much to the joy of women all over South Florida. Sex and the Beach attended one of the launch events at The Clevelander Hotel in South Beach, where there was not one dry panty in sight.We interviewed cover boy Eddy from the City of Miami Fire Department but our audio got kinda screwed, probably from the sound of rushing hormones. But trust us when we tell you he's a good guy,… -
Travel: Going Solo
29 Aug 2010 | 2:09 pmThe sunset is there for everyone to enjoy ... the view from Hyatt Key West Resort and Spa, off the beaten path from Mallory Square.What with the movie Eat Pray Love coming out around the same time as my first press trip in years, I got to thinking about the value of traveling solo. Ladies, while it helps to get out of your comfort zone, you don't need to go to Italy, India or Bali to feel at peace with yourself. What you do need is an opportunity to get away from all the things that keep you from searching within, which is really one of Elizabeth Gilbert's core messages in the book. She was,… -
Silicone Bitch: Social Media Hits Category Busy This Summer
19 Aug 2010 | 9:07 amNews and notes about the South Florida social media and blogging scene, with a little tech thrown in for good measure. And maybe some other random events, too.Meteorologists try to predict how active each hurricane season will be with scientific knowledge and instruments, but no such gauge exists for social media. The point: no one who was involved in the local social media scene last year could have predicted how busy summer 2010 would be! So here we go ... lots of tidbits to share since our last post and that's just scratching the surface.COWORKING COMES TO FORT LAUDERDALEA new co-working… -
Food: Spaghettigasms at Scarpetta
10 Aug 2010 | 6:26 pmSpaghetti at Scarpetta: the best things in life don't have to be complicated.There's a group of folks I've recently met whose acquaintance is making it an even greater pleasure to live here in South Florida. The foodies are a motley crew from different walks of life with three things in common: a love of good eats, good drinks and good company.Many of the foodies are great bloggers and writers, including, but not limited to: South Florida Food and Wine Blog, Mango and Lime, A La Maude, Ergagit, Sushi Pro and even my former landlord (what a small world!), who delights us on Facebook with… -
Ignorance Is Bliss, Especially When It Comes to Football
6 Aug 2010 | 3:04 pmEarlier this week, I was enjoying an orgiastic bounty of incredible food at Tokyo Blue in Fort Lauderdale with good friends. Toward the end of dinner, a tall, muscular man rolled in on a wheelchair with a pair of crutches on his side and sat down at the table next to us. Immediately, my friends started sharing wily glances and speaking in hushed tones."Who the fuck is that guy? What are you talking about?" I asked. "He's a football star," one replied.This meant nothing to me because my closest connection to football was when I lived with Sir Fish A Lot an entire lifetime ago; every September,…
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verbatim
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Unplanned Events
30 Aug 2010 | 7:17 pmWhen I was younger and not plagued by insomnia quite so frequently, I used to look at the clock when I woke up in the middle of the night and hope it was early. Yes! I get to sleep 5 more hours! Zzzzz. Now when I wake up, I hope it's late—Did I make it through at least most of the night? (This cartoon captures it perfectly.) I'll say to Andy something like, "Last night was awful. I fell asleep right away, but then I saw 2, 3, and 4, so I guess I fell back to sleep sometime before 5:00." That refers to the clock-watching. I've read that you should just ditch your… -
Staycation
29 Aug 2010 | 8:23 pmAndy took last week off in the hopes that we could do some fun family stuff now that Steph is feeling so much better. Unfortunately, it did not turn out to be much of a vacation, partly because of the lousy weather the first half and partly because I had too much work to do (plus a mild but annoying medical problem that sapped me of energy and good spirits). We headed up to New Hampshire last Saturday in the rain. We did not go canoeing. We did not go to Whale's Tale water park (yay! shhhh!). We did not go to Echo Lake. We did not play bocce in the backyard. We did not even grill steaks. -
Friday iPod Random Ten
27 Aug 2010 | 5:54 pm1. Closing Time (live) - Lyle Lovett2. Unhappy Anniversary (live) - Loudon Wainwright III3. If I Were A Carpenter - Sheryl Crow & Willie Nelson4. Girl from the North Country - John Prine & Gove Scrivenor5. New Railroad - Crooked Still 6. Westchester County (live) - Loudon Wainwright III 7. Avalon, My Home Town - Bruce Cockburn 8. Sometimes I Forget - Loudon Wainwright III9. Red Apples - Cat Power 10. Do You Love Him (live) - The Avett Brothers -
Shipping Up to Boston
25 Aug 2010 | 5:48 pmThis is maybe the worst bout of insomnia I've had in a long while. I usually fall asleep pretty quickly, but then I wake up somewhere between 1:00 and 3:00 and I am wide awake. My brain is going a mile a minute—often replaying song lyrics over and over—but my body is so weary that I can't even imagine getting out of bed. Most of the time I fall back to sleep after a few hours of tossing and turning, but not always. It sucks.On top of that, last night I also had the sensation that every time I tried to swallow, someone was plunging a rusty dagger into my right tonsil and out my… -
Catching Up
23 Aug 2010 | 7:04 pmNow I'm afraid to let more than a couple of days go by without blogging or else everyone will think someone is in the hospital! No, this time we headed up to Franconia for a long (rainy) weekend, and Andy is off this week. Hopefully the weather will shape up at some point so we can hit the beach, and we've got Sox tickets for a day game this Wednesday. In the midst of all this, I have a few work deadlines looming, so I will have to budget my time carefully. But speaking of the hospital, Steph is doing well back home. Her recovery is a little slower than I'd imagined it would…
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Geek Mom Mashup
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A perfect combination of geek and craft
8 Aug 2010 | 12:40 pmICO Sackboy by Nikki at Pig Corner Every now and then, I see something that makes me smile. This combination of crochet (one of my favorite crafts) and video games (another favorite activity) puts a smile not only on my face, but in my geek heart of hearts. This adorable handmade “sackboy” is the creation of Nikki, a nursing student, video game player, superhero lover and geek crafter. This doll is Nikki’s “Ico Sackboy,” inspired by the game Ico. Isn’t he cute?! Check out the detail on the front of his shirt! She has also made dolls inspired by the popular… -
Found at the library! A children’s book about Twitter?
20 Jul 2010 | 6:13 pmBilly Twitters Book I was strolling through the children’s section of our local public library, and I spotted the spine of this book on the shelf. I thought, “is that really a kids’ book about Twitter?!” and grabbed it to take a closer look. As it turned out, it’s not a book about the Twitter “fail whale,” but a story about a boy and a whale. Still, I thought it was pretty funny, and worth sharing. If you’re familiar with Twitter and the infamous “fail whale” that is displayed when the service is unavailable and/or over capacity, you… -
Another Geek Mom Treat: Family Guy’s “The Empire Strikes Back”
15 Jun 2010 | 8:47 pmIf you’re not a regular watcher of Family Guy, you probably missed Seth Macfarlane’s animated version of Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. (If you’re wondering, that’s the one that starts on the ice planet Hoth, and Han Solo gets frozen in carbonite.) That’s okay, though, because it’s now available on hulu.com, and you can see the whole thing online for free! And even if you’re not a fan of Family Guy, you’ll still understand the parody and humorous asides, as long as you’re familiar with the dialogue and jokes from the… -
I might suck at Facebook, just a little bit… Do you?
8 Jun 2010 | 11:10 amHi. My name is Heather, and I’m a Facebook addict. You know how it is when you first join Facebook, and you go a little bit crazy with everything? It’s fun, it’s novel, and you click “Like” and “Share” and you “Poke” your friends all the time? You know, right? It’s not just me. (That’s what I tell myself…) So it’s normal for Facebook newbies to go nuts at first, with the games and sharing features. But you know there are a few people who take the craziness to an extreme. They never outgrow those noobish tendencies,… -
Summer Vacation, Already? Inconceivable!
31 May 2010 | 12:21 pmWading and Camping at Turquoise Lake How did this happen? My kids will be out of school in a day and a half, and then we’ll have a whole summer of family togetherness. Every day, we’ll be together for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Plus, since the days are so long and beautiful, and the sun doesn’t set until almost 9 p.m., we’ll have extra quality time in the evenings! I love my children to bits. All three of them. Really, they are my greatest joy in life. But there is a limit to the amount of time a person can spend in the presence of so much joy. Seriously! We have…
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Yes to Me - Lightworkers' Empowerment & Ascension
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Out-Of-Body Experience And Astral Projection
26 Aug 2010 | 8:37 am(Photo credit) I’ve been dropping hints about astral projection here and here. It’s time to share my understanding of this unusual phenomena. Is it astral projection or out-of-body experience? First, the issue of name. Often, the New Age people use the word “astral projection” while the more science-oriented people call it “out-of-body experience”. And when the phenomena is involuntarily induced with severe physical trauma, it’s called “near-death experience”. They are basically the same experience. However, I recently read a book called “Soul Traveler: A Guide to… -
Evil And The Law Of Attraction
20 Aug 2010 | 9:21 am(Photo credit) As I write this article, I wish to convey the depth of love that fills this universe. It’s always around you — you are wrapped in love. We just don’t sense it because our perception is severely limited. When I wrote “We are all causing evils”, you may have felt uncomfortable. Some of you may reacted thinking, “No way. I am a good person. I don’t do bad things. Plus, how could I possibly have caused the starvation in Africa or debilitating diseases to innocent children?” Well, even though it may not be so apparent, we all have caused the evils in this world. -
The Root Of All Evil
18 Aug 2010 | 8:15 pm(Photo credit) While we are talking about the shift to unity and love, it seems appropriate to discuss evil. Honestly, I have avoided this topic. I don’t think I have ever even used the word “evil” on this blog. I know it opens a big can of worms, with questions like: What is the cause of evil? If God exists, why does God allow evil to exist? How does the Law of Attraction work with the evil? Did crime victims and sick children “attract” those events? In this article, I am using the word “evil” to mean disastrous events such as wars, crimes, diseases, poverty, and so on. And no,…
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Magpie Musing
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Vacation by the Numbers
1 Sep 2010 | 2:38 pm3301 miles 16 days on the road 15 nights away from home 11 different bedsBoston, MA West Tremont, ME St. John, NB Mavilette, NS Halifax, NS Ingonish, NS Panmure Island, PE Alma, NB St. Andrews, NB Orr’s Island, ME Boston, MA7 ferries (from big ones with tractor-trailers and free wifi, to tiny ones where we drove off onto the sand) 7 museums/historical sitesBoston Museum of Science Wedgeport -
Eleven Into Fifty Minus Seven Equals FOUR
29 Aug 2010 | 6:28 pmFour months to go. 1. I did read some more of Gödel, Escher, Bach - and it traveled all the way to Canada and back in the glovebox of the car - taunting me every time I looked for something in there. 7. I took the knitting bag to Canada and picked the brains of two different people as to thus and such. I'm read to start the sweater for the girl; now to knit a swatch for gauge. 9. O Canada! We -
Guest Post #4: Any Other Name
26 Aug 2010 | 7:00 amOne night during the BlogHer conference, I went out to dinner with Sarah and Emily and Niobe. At one point, Emily turned to Niobe and said "you're really smart" in a wondering, admiring tone. Niobe replied "it's one of my salient characteristics". It is indeed. I remember precisely when she found my blog. She left a comment that was so oddly provocative that I dove into SiteMeter to try and -
Guest Post #3: The Big Three-Nine
23 Aug 2010 | 7:00 amS. is, I think, the first blogger I ever met, like in the flesh. She came to my house one day, and sat in my living room knitting a huge beautiful dark green afghan. Her blogging has gotten seriously sporadic, but when I asked her if she wanted to guest-post, she was all over it. Maybe this will be her jump start. * * * * * * * * The Big Three-Nine Like Magpie, I frontload before big -
Guest Post #2: The 10:50 to Pittsburgh
19 Aug 2010 | 7:00 amSarah's some kind of sibling, one of those people who you meet in adulthood and think "we were sisters in another life". There are eerie coincidences in our lives: our mothers were similar, we married a day apart and had the same lemon-buttercream-with-raspberry-filling cake, and we're both children of divorce. She's been to my house; we've communed in New York City, by phone, at BlogHer. For
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Kam Family Blog - Life in Hawaii as we live and enjoy it!
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The scoop on Cirque du Soleil’s Alegria opening in Honolulu, Oct. 15
24 Aug 2010 | 4:09 pmI first fell in love with Cirque du Soleil after watching Mystere at Treasure Island in Las Vegas years ago. Since then, I’ve seen Zumanity, Ka, and the traveling show Saltimbanco. Mind-blowing stuff and something everyone should experience at least once in their lives. I had the incredible opportunity to interview Cirque du Soleil’s Senior Artistic Director Michael G. Smith while he was in Honolulu back in June. He was here to help announce the coming of Cirque’s show Alegria which will open at Honolulu’s Neal S. Blaisdell Center on October 15, 2010. Aside from being… -
Oahu’s Living Art Marine Center a hidden gem
4 Aug 2010 | 9:43 amI have to admit that when my friend Toby invited me and my family to visit his new marine center client near Honolulu International Airport, I was completely skeptical. Having lived five minutes away in Salt Lake for more than six years, I know the area pretty well frequenting the airport and businesses around there quite a bit. But I nearly fell off my chair when he said “no seriously, there’s a Living Art Marine Center (LAMC) on Ualena Street behind Byron’s Drive Inn and it’s a great family attraction.” THERE’S A WHAT?! We’re always up for new… -
First post from my iPhone
17 Jul 2010 | 2:33 pmTesting…testing…Here goes nothing. My first post from the WordPress app on my iPhone 4 as I ride in the back of the RAV on our way to town. Little Avery was quite a happy ham this morning. Hope you’re having a great Saturday too. Filed under: Little A Tagged: iphone -
Fireworks, Fishing and Freaking Rats!
9 Jul 2010 | 11:00 amFourth of July weekend started off with a bang in Kailua as usual. My brother-in-law Kevin can always be counted on to entertain us with his amazing stash of fireworks and his “little apprentice” Ensen was having a ball playing with morning glories and pop-pops. It’s clear he aspires to be like his uncle and already likes playing with fire at the tender age of 3.1 years old. Wonderful! The following day, we headed back down to the windward side to have some fun. We ended up doing some backyard fishing at my in-law’s house and Ensen again had a blast catching talapia… -
Visited your neighborhood fire station lately?
3 Jul 2010 | 12:33 pmA few weeks ago, Kelly took Ensen and Avery for a walk to visit the Salt Lake Fire Station in our neighborhood. It’s one of those great free things to do that kids…especially boys…really enjoy! Ensen is no exception. He loves firetrucks and was quite excited to find himself up close and personal with them. Here’s Ensen getting ready to head inside… The friendly fire fighters at Station 30 allowed him to sit inside the truck and pretend he was on his way to fight a big fire. According to Kelly, Avery enjoyed herself too. A quick photo of the kiddies before…
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37days
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poetry wednesday : the power of your intense fragility
31 Aug 2010 | 9:01 pmsomewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond-e.e. cummingssomewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyondany experience,your eyes have their silence:in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,or which i cannot touch because they are too nearyour slightest look easily will unclose methough i have closed myself as fingers,you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens(touching skilfully,mysteriously)her first roseor if your wish be to close me, i andmy life will shut very beautifully ,suddenly,as when the heart of this flower imaginesthe snow carefully everywhere… -
found-art tuesday : memory
31 Aug 2010 | 6:54 amI was delighted to reconnect with my high school art teacher on Facebook recently, and to receive this contact sheet (what's that? I can imagine Tess asking) from him via email yesterday.Ah, to see myself at 18, the age my oldest daughter, Emma, is now. A page of images holding so much memory and so much greater an understanding of the complexity of life at that age, and at this one.My thanks, David Sheets, for keeping this tucked away in your attic for all those years. -
Because I, too, have a dream.
28 Aug 2010 | 2:25 pmI am reposting this on the 47th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. Because I, too, have a dream. I have found as I've made my way into adulthood in this life of mine, that I share his dream. And I have dreams of my own. I have a dream that we won't fool ourselves into thinking Dr. King's dream has been realized. I have a dream that one day we will stand in lines all night long to find solutions to child abuse and child hunger, just like we stand in lines all night to buy iPads, and Harry Potter books, and tickets to the next Star Wars movie. I have a dream that… -
remembering katrina.
27 Aug 2010 | 5:26 amThis week marks the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. To mark this solemn date, I am reposting two essays I wrote as I watched from a distance the terrible situation deepen in New Orleans. Consider yourself part of the solution (first posted August 31, 2005) “In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.” – Flora Edwards Do something. Extend yourself. This is no way to say goodbye to someone who has been your cornerstone, your love, your driving force, your partner, your rock. Xavier Bowie was 57 and had lung… -
thinking thursday.
26 Aug 2010 | 8:18 am(I see Johnny Depp got the copy of my new book I sent him. Smile)mind :: my brain and yoursGet out the yoga mat. Yoga protects the brain from depression, says a new study: "Researchers have found that three sessions of the exercise a week can help fight off depression as it boosts levels of a chemical in the brain which is essential for a sound and relaxed mind. Scientists found that the levels of the amino acid GABA are much higher in those that carry out yoga than those do the equivalent of a similarly strenuous exercise such as walking." (Thanks to Lachrista Greco) body :: my place and…
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It's my life...
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A Winner and Some Ethics to Protect Potential Wimpy Kids
31 Aug 2010 | 10:47 pmJust wow. Seriously. Just wow. I mean, there are just no other words. I asked for Wimpy Kid/Embarrassing school stories. I didn't expect to want to cry as the comments rolled in, each more heartbreaking than the last.Did I mention that my kid starts Kindergarten in a week? Couldn't you people have gone easy on me? Never have I been happier to have picked the particular school I picked for her. The things kids do to each other defies the imagination. Or maybe I'm too darn nice and ethical. But seriously, I couldn't have thought up half the stuff that people mentioned in the comments. Nor do I… -
Mental check-out for a weekend
30 Aug 2010 | 11:06 pmOn Sunday night I looked at my blog dashboard and I felt... nothing. No guilt about the campaign posts I'm supposed to write, no tug to blog about the weekend, no inspiration to write anything.In the past I've often felt compelled to write for the sake of writing, but this weekend I felt none of that.I pushed myself so hard this summer. I worked while family and friends were in town, staying up way too late to fulfill my obligations. I spent the summer torn in a million directions, always thinking three steps ahead, always lamenting the lack of time to sit back and enjoy the last summer… -
Starting the Year of Awesome on the right foot
26 Aug 2010 | 10:39 pmMy goals were simple: get back to my book and get back on my feet. So far I'm hitting both out of the park. Monday morning dawned bright, warm, and full of promise. I took the girls to daycare and headed to my favorite Starbucks where I sat down and answered emails, futzed around on Facebook, chatted on Twitter, and finally, finally, opened the file that holds my novel.I set the timer for 45 minutes and turned off the Internet access to my computer. And then... I started editing.Getting back into the story, reconnecting with the characters, all of it was heady. I love writing fiction. I love… -
A Wimpy Kid like every other. And a giveaway like none other!
24 Aug 2010 | 10:26 pmSo there I was, late as always, running like a bat out of hell to throw myself through the open doors of the Paris subway before they slammed shut leaving me to wait another ten minutes for the next train. The horn blasted and I sped up and just as the doors started to slide shut...And that's when I tripped and fell flat on my face. At least I fell into the compartment and managed to pull my feet out of the way of the sliding doors. Sadly I fell right at the feet of a gorgeous guy.Luckily he wasn't a classmate of mine. Even luckier I never saw him again. That fall was par for the… -
Happiness is yours to choose. No, really.
23 Aug 2010 | 10:26 pmThe other day a tweet flashed by in my Twitter stream. I can't remember the exact wording, but it said something to the tune of "I was having a fantastic day until someone said something that ruined it." I barely hesitated before firing off what could have been construed as a flippant answer."You can't control what someone says to you, but you can control how it makes you feel. You can choose to not let that person ruin your day."The person replied a bit later, thanking me for reminding her that that was true.As I was telling an old friend the story a few days later she said something that…
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Lisa Sabin-Wilson
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WordCamp Savannah – WordPress Q&A
19 Aug 2010 | 2:06 pmThe only real exposure I’ve had to Savannah, Georgia is through my reading of John Berendt’s Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil many years ago. I’ve always wanted to visit Savannah and this coming weekend, I get my chance to do just that. I am attending and presenting at WordCamp Savannah this weekend and am really looking forward to it. From what I understand, Savannah has a young WordPress community full of true beginners and people just getting started with WordPress. Jane Wells is doing a bang up job in organizing a local WordPress community there, and this… -
WordPress Web Design For Dummies
13 Aug 2010 | 5:39 pmContinuing along with my line of WordPress-themed books, I am currently working on adding a new title to my WordPress arsenal: WordPress Web Design For Dummies (published by Wiley Publishing: For Dummies division). I would give a word of thanks and gratitude to Wiley Publishing, in particular my editor Amy Fandrei for their continued support, encouragement and faith in me as an author of their most popular series of books on the WordPress platform! WordPress Web Design For Dummies will focus completely on designing web sites with WordPress. The book assumes you already have knowledge of… -
Smashing Magazine: Women in Web Design
20 Jul 2010 | 4:44 pmI don’t think I mentioned the interview I did with Smashing Magazine for their Women in Web Design: Group Interview. They published it at the end of May of this year, and I’m listed there, with a group of 15 other female designers who are all making the web a pretty place to be! I’m super honored to be listed among that group of fine ladies — and have to say, a little tickled pink to have been asked since I’ve been a raving fan of Smashing Magazine for quite some time! Here’s a listing ladies that I had the pleasure of sharing company with in the Smashing… -
A bit of a redesign
18 Jul 2010 | 1:10 pmIt’s been 2 years since I’ve touched the design on this site. I keep meaning to, and all that – but you know how it goes, right? Something about the Cobbler’s kids having no shoes….or something along those lines. I’ve been re-designing this site since March 2010 — it’s gone through several different iterations .. all of them wanting to meet my goal of simple. Just. Simple. This is my personal site, and I want it to reflect me, personally – - but at the same time, I do a lot of blogging here about my books and my work – - so I… -
WordPress All In One Desk Reference
19 Jun 2010 | 12:14 pmI posted yesterday about an exciting announcement that I would be making on the WP Weekly radio show today. If you’d like, you can listen to the audio of the WP Weekly show and my appearance on it here: WP Weekly Radio Show – June 19, 2010 Now that the radio show is over and the announcement has gone public there, I feel good about announcing it here, as well. As many of you may have guessed – it is another book project..with a little different twist to it this time, though! A few months back, I was having a talk with my editor at Wiley Publishing, Amy Fandrei –…
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Random Musings of The Wild Mind
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Facebook, High School Reunions, Birthdays and Aging
9 Aug 2010 | 2:43 pmNote or disclaimer or preface or something: I wrote this article, several months ago, long before the class reunion occurred. I was going to post it, in advance of the reunion, but I hesitated, intending to go back and edit and re-work it. Call me chicken. Now that I’ve actually attended my class reunion, reacquainted myself with people I’d lost contact with, and heard some of their feelings about our 30-year reunion, I’m posting this, even though it is after the fact. I looked forward to this reunion with hopeful anticipation, but also with a great deal of dread and… -
Some People, Like Books…
8 Jul 2010 | 5:51 pmSome people, like books, grip you from the minute you, after noticing the engaging and artistically designed cover, open to the first page and begin reading. You are instantly drawn in to the enchantment, the story, the drama. You read these people books hungrily, passionately, from cover to cover without so much as a break for food till the story is over. When the end ultimately arrives as you knew it would, as you knew it must, you read the last pages and the last words with a bittersweet sentiment. These are the people books that bid farewell when you wish they… -
Those Little Breaks in Life: Give Yourself Permission to Take One…or Two
24 Jun 2010 | 3:15 pmThere’s part of me that wants to call out in a high pitched, annoying, nasally voice, “I’m baaaaack!”, but how cliché is that? Instead, I just say I feel like doing it, instead of really doing it. If you are a detail person, you’ve noticed that the last post before this one was dated April 6. If you’re a relational person and you liked The Wild Mind, then you noticed I haven’t been writing and you missed me. I Took A Little Break from Blogging Well, not so little. It was a big enough break to get me kicked off some of those rating sites and blog lists since I didn’t… -
Old Dogs and Spinning Plates
6 Apr 2010 | 10:34 pmSome people are simply amazing in their ability to accomplish a ton of stuff in less time that it takes most of us to get dressed. You have people in your life like this, I’m sure. Maybe you are one of them. For me, back in college, it was the sorority sisters who could hold an office in our house (a demanding and time consuming leadership position often requiring additional meetings outside our own membership meetings), work, hold student body leadership positions on campus, carry a 4.0 GPA in a fairly rigorous academic course of study (or maybe even two) and still manage to… -
Photojournalism? Not!
24 Mar 2010 | 4:30 amI do not feel like this today. I do not feel like this today. I do not feel like this today. I feel more like this. The reason is because when I tried to do this: I ended up with a wonderful (to me) post about my upcoming…
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The Art of Manliness
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Boxing Basics Part VI: Punching Combinations
1 Sep 2010 | 6:30 pmEditor’s note: This is a guest post from Chad Howse who is doing a series of posts for AoM on the basics of boxing. So we’ve gone over the various punches and how to defend those punches; now it’s time to get into some combinations. A single punch by itself is pretty much useless. You need a jab to set up a cross, or a cross to set up a hook, or a hook to set up an uppercut and so on. If you’re just throwing one shot punches your opponent will see each punch coming, adjust, and land a flurry in return. In the video below I go over 3 basic combinations, and as with each article… -
“Are You a Good Roommate?” Quiz from 1947 Men’s Magazine
1 Sep 2010 | 5:29 pmI thought this quiz would be fun as guys are heading back to school and moving in with old and new roommates. Are you the kind of roommate that’s “too good to be true” or “should you be a hermit?” Find out with this quiz from the 1946 issue of Varsity Magazine before your roommates start leaving passive aggressive notes for you on the fridge. And quit playing that phonograph all the dang time! Related posts:Look What Happens When You Dress As Smart As You Are: Vintage Images From True Magazine Heading Out on Your Own Manvotional: Robert Service’s… -
How to Fire a Handgun Safely and Correctly
31 Aug 2010 | 6:30 pmI grew up around guns my entire childhood. My dad was a federal game warden, so seeing him holster up or clean his gun are some of my boyhood memories. Despite being around guns, I never really took an interest in them. I’m not sure why. I guess I just saw them as my dad’s work stuff. Nothing to get really excited about. A few months ago, I had a sudden urge to shoot a gun. I called my dad on the phone. “Hey Dad. I want to learn to shoot a handgun. Can you teach me how?” He was sort of surprised. “Why do you want to learn to shoot a gun all of a sudden?” he… -
Man Knowledge: Lost Cities Every Man Should Know
30 Aug 2010 | 5:17 pmOnce again we step into the realm of Man Knowledge, where we seek to broaden your understanding of various manly topics so that when the subject comes up in conversation, you’re ready to contribute. This time around, we’re off hacking through the jungles of who-knows-where and diving to the deepest depths of destinations unknown in search of that most mysterious of mysteries: Lost Cities. As young boys, most of us were fascinated by tales of daring adventure, where men like Indiana Jones and Allan Quatermain dashed through perilous jungles with savage tribesman hot on their trail in… -
How to Firmly Say No Without Coming Off Like a Jerk
29 Aug 2010 | 6:08 pmWe’ve talked a lot about the Nice Guy Syndrome here on AoM. You know the guy. Big time people pleaser, always puts others before himself, lets people walk all over him. Heck, maybe you’re that guy. These so-called Nice Guys might appear happy on the outside, but on the inside they’re feeling burnt out, resentful, and depressed. One trap that a lot of “Nice Guys” fall into is always saying “Yes!” to every request that comes their way. These “yes men” are afraid that people will stop liking them if they say no. By saying yes to everything,…
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Going The Wong Way
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Acronyms
1 Sep 2010 | 12:29 amIs it just me or does it seem like there are a lot more acronyms around? There are institutions for this, organizations for that, degrees in something else, and (especially) the forms and titles for all types of occupations. Acronyms are not inherently awful things. In fact they are quite convenient. They allow us to say “PC” instead of “personal computer” or “CEO” instead of “Chief Executive Officer.” They only become a problem, though, when people use more obscure acronyms as if everyone should know them. It seems to me that people assume too… -
Cheap And Wonderful
27 Aug 2010 | 12:10 amThey say that the best things in life are free. I don’t know if I really believe that, but some cheap stuff sure is good! -
Big Government
18 Aug 2010 | 12:31 amLately I have been reading and enjoying Big Government, which is a website created by Andrew Breitbart. It is a website that advocates a smaller government by exposing the ways that the government is improperly doing things. It is definitely enlightening because the articles attempt to show the readers ways that our very own federal government (of the United States of America) are doing things that most of us would very likely disapprove of. And boy do we! (Or at least…I do.) Compounding the problem is that many of these things do not even seem legal in light of the 10th amendment! This… -
Getting Paid Under The Table
5 Aug 2010 | 12:53 amLately I feel like I have been encountering people who are getting paid under the table, which means that they are being paid in a way that attempts to circumvent tax laws. Basically whoever is paying them is not reporting that payment as wages and that means that they are not liable for their share of the tax to the government. The person being paid has the benefit of also not being subject to tax for that payment amount, which effectively means that everyone is keeping more money for themselves. Unfortunately there is a loser in this transaction. And that loser is everyone else. Everyone… -
Crom, The One Who Cuts His Toenails At Work
28 Jul 2010 | 12:19 amSnip, snip, snip. The familiar sound can be heard at my workplace. Imagine the surprise of myself and my coworkers as we were chatting when we heard it. The sound is rather unmistakable and usually reserved for the bathroom in one’s home. However, we were actually at work on a weekday. It came as little surprise to us that Crom would do this. He is a man of little social reservation. He is the first to (eagerly) get his food. He is the first to go back to work so that he can leave earlier (without helping to clean up of course). He talks (sometimes loudly I might add) on the phone with…
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Hole In The Donut Travels
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Eat, Pray, Love In Real Life – How My Career Break Led to a Life of Travel
1 Sep 2010 | 5:37 amI went to see the new movie Eat, Pray, Love a couple of weeks ago. The movie wasn’t fabulous, it wasn’t even as good as the book, but it threw me into reminiscing. Nearly four years ago, like the author, Elizabeth Gilbert, I too made the decision to abandon my existing life and job to travel around the world for six months in pursuit of my true passions of travel, photography, and writing. The book had just been released at that time and I read it from cover to cover during the 36 hours and three layovers required to get to Vietnam. I remember being intrigued by the fact that I… -
Kayaking Nature’s Church In Silent Reverence
31 Aug 2010 | 4:01 amAs the crow flies, I was only a mile or two from the beach, but it might as well have been a thousand miles away. Despite ominous skies and the threat of rain, I climbed into my lemon yellow kayak, pushed off the ramp and slipped into Graham Creek. Silently gliding through slate waters, I navigated narrow twisting channels bordered by tall wire grasses that reflected subtle green mirror images on the unstirring water. Giant pines loomed over the dense vegetation like overarching staves of an ancient church and I paddled in silent reverence, awed by the overwhelming stillness of the place. My… -
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama’s Refreshing Commitment to Tell the Truth About the Oil Spill
29 Aug 2010 | 4:04 pmLike most Americans, I was mortified by the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico this summer. My stomach turned when I viewed the underwater photos of oil gushing from the breached well and I felt helpless, wishing I could help in some way but knowing there probably wasn’t anything I could do. Then, a few weeks ago, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism invited me to visit the area as part of their first ever press tour. Since I had long wanted to check out this part of the country I jumped at the chance, but I was anxious about what I would find, given the… -
What Do You Get When You Cross a Donkey With a Zebra?
23 Aug 2010 | 11:32 amWhat do you get when you cross a donkey with a zebra? A zedonk, of course! The owners of the non-profit Chestatee Wildlife Preserve near Dahlonega, Georgia got a big surprise recently when their mama donkey gave birth to her mixed breed foal. Since she was born with striped legs and a solid body, they named the baby Pippi Longstockings. The foal has attributes of both donkey and zebra. Though she sports stripes, she is much less skittish than a zebra and seems not to mind all the attention she is getting. Can’t see the video above? Click HERE to view on YouTube. Chestatee Wildlife… -
Gorgeous Beaches and Great Shrimp: Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama Are Oil Free and Open for Business
21 Aug 2010 | 12:04 amI’ve feasted on shrimp all around the world, but Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama have, hands down, the most delicious shrimp I’ve ever eaten. I arrived last night and promptly dug into my first helping at the Gulf Island Grill; today I had a shrimp Po’ Boy for lunch at the Beach Club and this evening I had broiled skewered shrimp at Live Bait restaurant in Orange Beach. I’m here as a guest of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism, enjoying four days on this lovely coastal barrier island and checking up on the status of the oil spill from the Deepwater Horizon…
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FlowerDust.net | Anne Jackson
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Another Book Release Day Surprise – Get Permission to Speak Freely on Audio for $2.98!
31 Aug 2010 | 10:18 amA few months ago, I sat in a little room for two days and read my book into a microphone that was essentially bigger than my face. I kept saying words incorrectly. Easy words. Like “rediscover” and “understand.” My voice started getting rough and I thought I began to sound like a man. The producer assured me I didn’t. But you can decide for yourself. My book (read by yours truly, in quite possibly a manly voice), is released through ChristianAudio.com and today through Friday (at noon Pacific Time), you can download it – yes – the entire audio book… -
Permission to Speak Freely – Free Excerpt #7
30 Aug 2010 | 8:10 pmSo, you’ve made it to the end. But it’s not really the end. You’ve just read six essays of my new book Permission to Speak Freely: Essays and Art on Fear, Confession and Grace. This is the final one…for today anyway. There are still 22 essays you haven’t read, plus all the art and poetry and other things that have been compiled into this lovely four-color book. But fear not, you can pick up a copy of the book here. Or if you’d like an autographed copy, or a T-shirt, you can click here. Or you can leave a comment below and tell me how you landed here (whose… -
A Tough Confession to Make
30 Aug 2010 | 12:47 pmA couple of weeks ago, I was on a retreat with a handful of people who earn their living from the platform. That platform could be writing, public speaking, or doing music professionally. At one point early in the retreat, somebody said something along the lines of, “Self-promotion is the opposite of the character of Jesus.” Given I had just written about my hesitation on how to market and promote a book, this statement made my stomach churn. The group shared some thoughts on that – the difficulty of realizing the complete truth of that statement (I mean, how many times in… -
Merton Mondays #8 – Love is Our Measure
29 Aug 2010 | 9:59 pmThe measure of our identity, of our being (the two are the same), is the amount of our love for God. The more we love earthly things – reputation, importance, pleasure, easy and success – the less we love God. Our identity is dissipated among things that have no value, and we are drowned and die in trying to live in the material things we would like to possess, or in the projects we would like to complete to objectify the work of our own wills. Then, we we come to die, we find we have squandered all our love (that is, our being) on things of nothingness, and that we are nothing,… -
Three Seconds to Vote on My Shirt!
25 Aug 2010 | 2:58 pmCan you take 3 seconds to leave a comment and vote on which shirt you’d buy (if any?) of the five options below? If you can leave your gender and age, that would be super helpful. Any other commentary is optional but would come in handy if you have, say, thirty seconds to spare. Feel free to share too, if you like “Shirt C” but would like it better in grey. And how much you would pay for a shirt like this…you guys are my heroes. Thanks! In keeping with the theme of my book, I present to you… Special thanks to Our Shirts Don’t Suck for the design and…
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DivineCaroline Home Page
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The Art of Originality
2 Sep 2010 | 10:37 am... Or: Why I'll Never Write Like Sue Bender I'm a writer.... -
Planning a Writing Assignment
2 Sep 2010 | 10:30 amGood essays, research papers, and articles require planning and organi... -
Smile, Baby, Smile - and While You're at It, Bring Me a Beer
2 Sep 2010 | 10:18 amOkay, I have to share an incident that happened to me last night. I wa... -
The Story of Scientific Names
2 Sep 2010 | 10:11 amWhen is a cat not a cat? Can you tell by an animal's name what..... -
Wrong Time, Mr. Right?
2 Sep 2010 | 9:49 amI read somewhere recently, though I can't recall where exactly, ...
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My Blog
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Stops Along the Way....
20 Aug 2010 | 2:02 pmOur recent trip to Alaska was pretty amazing. In fact, the place was so beautiful that I’m not quite ready to put it into words. I think, for now, the best I can do is put up a few pictures. Here’s one from each stop we made along our journey.Fairbanks:Delta Junction:Seward:Homer:Anchorage:Talkeetna:© 2010 Shelly Bryant -
Two Departures: A Contrast
1 Aug 2010 | 7:47 pmMy hometown baseball team, the Houston Astros, traded the past decade’s two faces of the franchise in a 48-hour period last week. As much as I hate seeing Lance Berkman in a Yankees uniform, I have to admit that it seemed like a pair of timely moves, trading him and Roy Oswalt to contending teams in exchange for 5 players who may help the Astros improve going into the future. This year’s team was going nowhere, and it looked like next year would be much of the same without some moves of this magnitude.Seeing the departure of these two career-Astros was an exercise in contrasts. Early in… -
Hit (or Miss) List, July ’10
25 Jul 2010 | 8:53 amI had a lot of company in July... which means less reading, but lots of fun!Here’s what I’ve been reading and watching in July:Hit List • Fahrenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury) • I Live by the Invisible (Ray Bradbury) • Downward Spiral (Leonard Kreger II) • Write Words 2007 (anthology of poems from Republic Polytechnic) • The Matrix (movie) • The Matrix Reloaded (movie) • The Matrix Revolutions (movie) • Inception (movie) • Pinnacles of Power (Michael Phillips)Most recent issues of these magazines: The Taylor Trust Not One of UsNeither Hit nor Miss * • The Evolution of God… -
Say it Ain’t So
17 Jul 2010 | 7:37 amI can’t believe this... based on my last post, a review of Robert Wright’s The Evolution of God, I pasted the text in at I Write Like, a site that analyzes your writing and tells you which famous author it is most like. The answer I got was rather unexpected for me. And kind of embarrassing.Um.I write like..... who??? I don’t believe that, of course. Dan Brown? Was the review really that bad?Well, if my pen could take me as far as Brown’s has taken him, I don’t suppose I should complain, right?© 2010 Shelly Bryant -
Review: The Evolution of God
10 Jul 2010 | 7:32 amThe Evolution of God. Robert Wright. New York: Little, Brown, and Company, 2009. 488 pages.ISBN: 978-0-316-05487-4It is hard to put concisely just what it is Robert Wright sets out to do in The Evolution of God. It is not that there’s no clear agenda — because agenda has its fingerprints all over this book — but more that the book is a little too ambitious in how it tries to carry out that agenda. Put in simplest terms, the book’s agenda is to urge the Abrahamic faiths toward tolerance, in order that the whole world can receive salvation. (And in case there’s any ambiguity here,…
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VirtualWayfarer - A Place For Intellectual Musings
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The Coming Storm: Digital Natives Will Redefine the Nature of Learning and the Future Course of Institutions
27 Aug 2010 | 9:37 amThe following is a re-production of a document I’ve assembled with my team as part of FusionVirtual’s ongoing push to revolutionize online education. You can view the whitepaper in .pdf format HERE. I value your feedback and am eager for a passionate discourse on the topic. Please do not hesitate to share your thoughts and observations in the form of a comment below or reach out to me on Twitter or by e-mail. FUSIONVIRTUAL POSITION PAPER THE COMING STORM: DIGITAL NATIVES WILL REDEFINE THE NATURE OF LEARNING AND THE FUTURE COURSE OF INSTITUTIONS. ABOUT THIS STUDY This… -
Exploring Stavanger, Norway
18 Aug 2010 | 11:03 amThe city of Stavanger is an interesting one. Located at nearly the same latitude as the Orkney Islands in Scotland, it’s situated on the inward side of a large peninsula on the southwestern coast of Norway. The city is the third largest in Norway, though still serves as a home to fewer than 300,000 people and is home to a large portion of the country’s oil fleet. Most of the city’s old town sits on one of two small hills which partially surround the old harbor – a picturesque area full of small cafes, parked ferry boats, and a few masted sailing vessels. In… -
When Pay It Forward Meets Its Match
15 Aug 2010 | 6:05 pmSeveral years ago I had a realization. That realization wasn’t sudden, or abrupt, but it was profoundly powerful. It was the realization that we as individuals are fundamentally responsible for our actions and the impact of those actions on the people around us. That realization led me to re-analyze the way I interact with people, and what type of people I choose to surround myself with. I’ve come to realize that there are effectively two types of people in the world. Those who create their own luck and dismiss adversity/challenges and disappointments as part of the… -
Post Arizona Travel Tweetup Wrapup
7 Aug 2010 | 5:02 pm(From Left to Right: Kerri, Toni, Patricia, Alex, Jackie) We just wrapped up the 2nd Arizona Travel Tweetup and I’m thrilled to say it was an absolute blast. We added three new faces to the group and spent a couple hours exchanging travel stories, wisdom, and doing more than a little brainstorming. You can see the original event announcement here. Who made it (make sure you’re following them!): Kerri who tweets at @khegre and is a passionate travel micro-blogger. Jackie who tweets at @bikelady, blogs at Bike With Jackie, Arizona Travel and Adventure and is a professional… -
Hiking Preikestolen The “Preacher’s Pulpit” in Norway
6 Aug 2010 | 2:46 pmFor years I’d seen photos of a stunning rock cliff face that leaned out over a massive fjord. The sheer majesty of the formation and the presence it conveyed – even in photos – captivated me. I knew at some point I’d have to track down where the images and videos were shot and find my way there. The spot has been featured in base jumping videos, wingsuit videos and more than a few rugged adventure photo sets. Despite it’s relative popularity, the actual name and location of the spot was anything but easy to track down. In many ways it’s one of…
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No Pasa Nada
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It’s all fun and games…
30 Aug 2010 | 12:20 pm“The alternative to a vacation is to stay home and tip every third person you see.” ~Author Unknown …until someone doesn’t get a vacation and then loses her shit all over everyone she knows. Or something like that. I literally ran out of my office today. I threw my heels to the side and contemplated buying scissors in Target in order to get the GD spanx off. I didn’t but here I sit with three bathing suits in a bag and some flip flops. That’s all that one really needs on vacation is, right? So off I go for five whole days away. On a beach. With clams. And… -
Life List #82: Write More About Politics
26 Aug 2010 | 12:01 pm“Follow your passion, and success will follow you.” ~Terri Guillemets I’d say that I’m doing this due to popular demand but I’m not really that popular. Regardless I have started a new venture(!!); Poliogue.com where I will discuss politics in my normal irreverent/having a conversation with my friends type fashion. I feel that politics and politicians should be accessible or at least give the illusion as such. I think what makes people feel so disconnected from what is going on in the political process is that everything on blogs or newspapers is either dumbed… -
French 75
23 Aug 2010 | 3:16 pm“Everybody should believe in something; I believe I’ll have another drink. ” ~Author Unknown Many many moons ago a group of us had drinks at the Warwick hotel in Manhattan. And like any other evening of drinks with girlfriends, we sat among each other laughing and catching up until the server arrived. The server, I still remember as he served two of us again months later, asked for our drink orders – and so far all of this very typical night out – and that is when dear Alexa chimed in that I should try the French 75. What could that be? I wondered out loud and… -
The Mosque in the Room
18 Aug 2010 | 3:38 pm“This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness. ” ~Dalai Lama Every election there’s the inevitable Thing – from here on known as The Thing. It’s The Thing that drums up controversy but has nothing to do with what is actually going on in the real world. It gives something a little more exciting and enticing for voters to talk about: This Thing that can either make or break an election to an unwitting candidate. Could you imagine being Kendrik Meek in… -
Still Loquacious After All These Years
11 Aug 2010 | 7:59 am“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” ~Marcel Proust On Thursday evening I sat – more like splayed – on the couch in a suite. Everyone else was milling about over wine and cupcakes the size of my noggin. The laughter was plentiful and despite the din I was having a peaceful, contemplative moment. Alana came to check on me. “Are you ok?” “Yes. I’m just…I’m thinking.” “Are you sure?” “Yes. It’s just that these…
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Suebob's Red Stapler
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My Parents Were Awesome - equal time for Mom
2 Sep 2010 | 10:34 amSince Dad got featured yesterday, I thought I would give Mom her time today. Dad had a picture similar to this in his wallet.Inspired by the site My Parents Were Awesome. -
My Parents Were Awesome, Suebob edition
1 Sep 2010 | 1:09 pmI love the blog My Parents Were Awesome.In that vein, I present Bernie (my dad) 1975. I think he could have gotten a gig on Mad Men. -
It will come to this for all of us
26 Aug 2010 | 9:14 pmJust a short post. Dad had a big stroke and is slowly fading away.The whole family is here and are being supportive, nurturing, polite and hilarious as only they can be.I sat awake all night last night watching Dad breathe. It was strange and good and awful and dear. Some day I will try to capture it in words.Update: He passed peacefully yesterday about 3 pm. We were all there. Rest in peace, dad, and have fun with Laura. -
Thanks to Facebook, I look like an idiot
22 Aug 2010 | 9:08 pmNot that I need help looking like an idiot. But Facebook has given me a new way to be awkward.Aside - do you know the Awkward Turtle sign? Ok, enough digression.I went on The Facebook and found, in my friend requests, a person from my childhood. He was a neighbor kid but his sister was my age and his older sister dated my brother for a while.I thought "That's weird," but what the heck. I mean, he's from the old neighborhood, so I clicked "Confirm." And then Facebook said "Friend Request Sent."WHAT??I did not want this guy as my friend. I have barely thought of him in 35 years, but I assumed… -
Post Racial
21 Aug 2010 | 12:55 pmIt's been a strange week, hasn't it? Dr. Laura claimed that her "First Amendment" rights were somehow violated by her quitting her own radio show after she made blatantly racist comments on the air.She should look into that free speech First Amendment thing, but I'll break it down for her as I understand it in my simple-minded way: if you say something stupid and someone tells you to shut up, that's not a violation of your first amendment rights. If you say something (that doesn't provoke real danger) and the government tells you to shut up, that IS a violation of your first amendment rights.
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To Think Is To Create
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The Abyss
10 Aug 2010 | 10:09 amI remember life being lived not even knowing about God encounters. Me, the life-long Christian, had no idea what it was like to be in His presence. Prayer was short, shallow, demanding. It danced along the edges of eternity never really stepping into that Glorious Abyss. I didn’t know the Abyss existed… {{Please click to read more over at (In)Courage…}} Share and Enjoy: -
The Old You
3 Aug 2010 | 12:55 pmDid you know? | Baby it doesn’t have to be this way. You don’t have to hurt. You don’t have to see only dark | I miss you, the real you. The old you. The one who was real and free and here. I watch you sleep I can’t wake you up. Only you can come over to this side of reality. Come join me in the light. It’s warm and feels like chocolate euphoria under the skin. It feels like life. It is Life. Did you know? photo credit Share and Enjoy: -
Remember When
1 Aug 2010 | 2:59 pmYou won’t remember living anywhere but here. You won’t remember being born in a living room in Indiana. You won’t remember Chicago. But you, and your outie, will remember the South. The beaches that call to us more days than not. Learning to worship in our humble little church. The peace that hangs on us, the humidity that hangs more. School starts in a couple weeks, but our beach days will carry on. Until the fall breeze strolls into town And we hide that outie from the sun until next year. I’m doing a survey – will you please help me out? I want to know more… -
My Purse, It Has Layers
30 Jul 2010 | 3:12 pmI got inspired by my friend Allison to do a “what’s in your purse” post. Why does this fascinate me SO MUCH? I know not. But it does. First, the bag: Next, the what’s-in-it: {{this is why I carry a huge bag}} So beginning at the top… 1. hypotrochoid art set that my son was playing with 2. small “birdy purse” as I call it, that tiny things go into, from Anthropologie, of course (from a few yrs ago, sorry!) 3. cards from etsy with my favorite – a hedgeie – on them, because I plan to write more handwritten letters 4. my “make love… -
The Path
28 Jul 2010 | 10:55 amI’m your mama, it’s my job. And your daddy’s. To teach you about the things with weight, and grace and love. To show you how to be peculiar. To point to the Light so you will turn towards it. On your own. Look, little one. There’s the path. Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man’s sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. Share and…
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iVillage - This Fish
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i will find you
31 Aug 2010 | 9:36 amFor the last year and a half - or more, I'm losing track - the Dork Lord has been getting text messages and phone calls from a girl he used to know. Like, in the Biblical sense. The messages always come on the weekend, somewhere around 2AM, and they always go unanswered. In fact, the Boy usually hands me the phone so I can see just WHO has woken us from those special, special hours of sleep wherein we gear up for another exciting round of Who Gets to Clean up after the Geriatric Dog? Months of these unanswered, desperately flung texts could make a girl wonder why anyone of her sex would… -
prelude to eye rolling
31 Aug 2010 | 5:22 amBefore I tell you a story of exaggerated and inappropriate behavior that will make you roll your eyes and say, "This woman is out of her MIND!" I would like to say thank you to everyone for your kind words. The funeral services we attended on Saturday might have been the most uplifting of experiences possible for such a sad time. When someone so beloved and so gifted at making other people feel wanted and important passes, paying tribute to their memory is really life affirming. Makes you want to be a better person. Can anyone really ever say anything more flattering about you than, You make… -
diametric & poignant
25 Aug 2010 | 5:53 amI'm sorry that things are a little less wordy around here this week. The Dork Lord's best friend lost his mother very suddenly on Monday morning. The news has been absolutely devastating and totally incomprehensible and all we can do is keep the fridge full of casseroles and beer and imagine what we would do if it happened to us. Saturday night, the Boy's family threw us the most wonderful, intimate engagement dinner at his parents home. I wish you could have seen just how amazing every little detail was. Sunflowers and potted basil, burlap laid over the table linens to make it look like a… -
practically pretty
20 Aug 2010 | 5:46 amRemember when Issac Mizrahi was designing for Target? Yeah, pretty much from now until my first hip replacement surgery (or first Life Alert purchase, whichever comes first) when I refer to the "good old days," that's what I'll be referring to. Ok, ladies, here's the (partial) outcome of the great make up chase of 2010. My face has officially said No, thank you to mineral make up. Disastrous. No amount of moisturizer made up for the drying it caused. However, my face is currently loving Nars blush in Orgasm - I absolutely love it. So fresh and pretty. Also, Lorac powder. Glorious! Because of… -
now 100% less icky!
18 Aug 2010 | 5:51 amHooboy, this wedding sure got D-I-Y in a hurry! Which, strangely, also means it suddenly got a whole lot more fun. Today I am letting the potential caterers know that we've decided to go in another direction - the direction in which no one will take advantage of us. See, my brother is a very gifted hobbyist chef. My mother and youngest sister also have The Gift. Sister Number Two (there are three of them, if you're new to my circus) gently pointed out that with all this talent - and so much willingness to put it to use - I was just being silly indulging these catering companies in their cat…
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CrazyAuntPurl
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Winner... and Winter's Bone
31 Aug 2010 | 3:04 pmIt's been fun reading all the comments today from fans and non-fans of Jane Austen. Hopefully we can all say we know ourselves better after having given P&P a try. --Anna I could not agree more. Thanks to everyone who commented yesterday, I think our little book club was a success! I sat down last night with a glass of merlot the size of my head and re-read all the comments, it was like listening in on the best conversation at the party. What struck me most was how careful everyone was to say their opinion but not be a jerk (there was no, "You're wrong and stupid! This book is a… -
Nerdy Monday: Book chat!
30 Aug 2010 | 10:06 amAugust got away from me, so I passed the weekend reading Pride And Prejudice, it felt like I was cramming for finals again. I will admit that I spent the first 85 pages or so bemoaning all you Jane Austen fans who voted so vociferously for this book over The Great Gatsby. Then I spent the next 100 pages or so remembering why I had never read a full Jane Austen book cover to cover until now. When forced to pick from a list of female writers from the 19th century, I always reached for Kate Chopin, Mary Shelley, Emily Dickinson. But when I had a choice in school I always sided with the men in… -
Weekend plans: Read Pride & Prejudice
27 Aug 2010 | 12:44 pmDon't forget, on Monday we'll be chitchatting about Pride And Prejudice, and to make it fun everyone who comments on the book will be entered into a random drawing for a random gift. I've been remiss in my reading so I need to get on the ball ... guess I will be spending Friday night with Jane Austen. I'd prefer an evening with George Clooney but they weren't selling him at the local bookstore. Ah well. Frankie is still mad we didn't decide to read Cat's Cradle. Have a great weekend! See you Monday! -
Hot fur in the city
25 Aug 2010 | 3:16 pmNothing to talk about but the weather. It is 107 degrees outside. I wish I were exaggerating but I'm not. It is mid-afternoon and 107 degrees here in the San Fernando Valley. Summer in the city! Everyone drives worse than usual when it's this hot. I went out early this morning for some groceries and I saw three accidents on Ventura Boulevard in a 2-mile radius. There was much honking and berating across the land. The weather has been mild until just recently and then overnight the city turned into an oven. Dapper Dallas Raines says we'll have chilly fall-like temperatures in the 70s by Monday… -
Crimes Against Yarn
24 Aug 2010 | 1:47 pmThe dire anguish of encountering the badly knotted Noro.
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Confessions of a Pioneer Woman | Ree Drummond
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Fool Me Thrice
2 Sep 2010 | 8:32 amI bought a rubber snake at Wal Mart the other evening. It’s a habit of mine. Anytime I see rubber snakes, I see beautiful moments of sticking them between our sheets, under pillows, and in drawers—all in an effort to scare my beloved husband Marlboro Man half to death. I know it sounds strange. Dysfunctional even. But it’s how we do things. So I put the snake in the shower yesterday afternoon and went about my business of laundry, laundry, and laundry…and I forgot all about it. Later, Marlboro Man came home from doing some kind of manual labor. He showered… -
From the Stands
1 Sep 2010 | 4:24 amNational Anthem. Something about little squirts with their hats over their hearts…well, it devastates me in the most wonderful way. Marlboro Man. I wish I could convey to you how many photos I have of him riding by our section of seats. Oh! He’s coming! Snap. There he is again! Snap. The Wranglers—they’re here! Snap. Snap snap snap. Snap. My nephew. He watches with such anticipation. Such regard. He’s been a miniature man since he was a month old. Seriously, I think there’s… -
A List
31 Aug 2010 | 1:59 pm1. I never told you, except on Twitter and Facebook, which you wouldn’t have read unless you have Twitter and/or Facebook, and even then there’s no guarantee you would have read it, since not everyone who has Twitter and/or Facebook checks in every day, and even if they did check in everyday, there’s no guarantee they would have read my update in enough detail to retain it, but our team wound up winning the Range Round-Up last weekend! Yeehaw. 2. Today is my daughter’s birthday and I’m making her a chocolate sheet cake without pecans… -
A Funny Story
30 Aug 2010 | 7:23 amI’m not sure where to begin. There are several doors through which I can start this story. Okay, backing up. Some of you might remember a post I wrote last spring, which addressed the subject of a possible movie based on Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, a story I began writing online and have now finished in book form. The post explained how the possible movie came about, which actress might be involved, etc. You can read about it here if you missed the bizarro announcement. My position on the movie is the same now as it was then: it would be great fun if it wound up being made,… -
Night One
28 Aug 2010 | 10:51 amOur ranch is in the big city this weekend, competing in the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association’s annual Range Round-Up. This is the twenty-fifth year we’ve competed in this ranch rodeo. That’s a lot of bruised ribs and sore muscles. And Advil. We’re having lots of fun! If you live in the Oklahoma City area, you should take a walk on the wild side and come watch tonight. Proceeds of the event benefit the Children’s Miracle Network, and you’ll get see real, live cowboys participate in real-life ranching-related competitions: Bronc Riding Team Branding…
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Jonniker.
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Survive
30 Aug 2010 | 7:29 pmYou know, thus far, 18 months is a challenging age, to put it mildly. And yes, I know I know, all the “Just Wait!” people are going to come out and be all, wait until she’s two! Wait until she’s three! Wait until she’s a teenager! This is nothing! Ask Moxie’s in my corner here, is all I’m saying. So is Kakaty. It’s not that she’s not wonderful — God, the highs are so high, full of moments that simultaneously lift and shatter my heart. She’s developing a sense of humor, and is starting to do things deliberately, for no other… -
In or Out
26 Aug 2010 | 8:01 pmFirst of all, do you love how Joanna appeared in the comments? Poor Joanna. I can now add “Bully readers into becoming friends!” into my list of dubious accomplishments. Although if I were SUPER crafty, I’d have put it on my life list, then figured out how to brand that shit. (Secretly, I am very excited. I LIKED Joanna, right away. And here is her website. See? Likable.) In other news, we started a new gym class with Megan and Lila, and while I really liked it, I … well, there’s no other way to say this. The instructor we had was a bit of a beefcake. No,… -
A winner and a tip! WINNER AND A TIP!
26 Aug 2010 | 7:56 pmHey-Yo! We have a winner in our merry wipes giveaway! Kristen! Wipes for Kristen! (Kristen was #12, and I did it via random number, and I CANNOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET A SCREENSHOT, so don’t yell at me.) Send me your address, and I will pass along to my friends at Huggies so you can get your glorious wipes! Don’t use them all in one place. This ends my Poo-Free Summer, and honestly, thanks for putting up with this. I know that I never do this kind of thing, but I … well, honestly, Huggies has been great to work for, and I actually use their products, so I felt okay about it. -
Just a Friend
24 Aug 2010 | 6:51 pmI’ve taken a bit of a television hiatus, in terms of finding new shows, anyway, because it’s summer, we’ve been busy, and whatever, there’s Big Brother, mock me if you will. But every night before we went to bed, Adam would watch It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and shake the damn bed with laughter while I glared at him in an obnoxious highbrow manner over the top of my book. He finally broke me down, and PEOPLE. I CANNOT STOP. It’s easily the funniest, most wildly inappropriate show I’ve seen in years. I’m howling! I’m crying! I’m… -
Summer in the City
22 Aug 2010 | 6:22 pmI didn’t get a pedicure once this summer, and let me tell you, that was a TRAVESTY OF FOOTCARE. These puppies are perhaps the most terrifying they’ve ever been, and I’ve done precisely nothing about it, and now — NOW! — I’m thinking maybe it’s time to pay attention and do something about it, because I can’t take it anymore. Day late, dollars — millions of dollars, to be specific — short. My urge to get a pedicure is strangely symbolic of the idea that I’m not all that excited about summer ending. Before I had Sam, I was a…
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larry borsato
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RIM: Shooting themselves in the foot.
31 Aug 2010 | 6:17 pmMy new startup is well on its way. igotihav now has a website, a Facebook app, and an iPhone app. You’ll be hearing more about it now that I have time to blog more. Apple took a while to approve the app. While I was waiting I completed most of the Android version. It’s in test now and will be coming soon. In fact, I had so much time that I decided to take a look at a BlackBerry version. I had heard horror stories about developing apps for the BlackBerry but just assumed that it was a bit more difficult than Android. After all, it was Java, and they did have an Eclipse plug-in,… -
Why are textbooks still $200?
3 Aug 2010 | 5:50 pmScott McNealy puts it very succinctly: “Ten plus 10 has been 20 for a long time” Textbooks are a multi-billion dollar market, for information that really doesn’t change. The internet and the world of open-source are forcing publishers to realize that things are changing though: The nonprofit Curriki fits into an ever-expanding list of organizations that seek to bring the blunt force of Internet economics to bear on the education market. Even the traditional textbook publishers agree that the days of tweaking a few pages in a book just to sell a new edition are coming to an… -
Congress shall make no law…
29 Jul 2010 | 5:53 pmThe First Amendment to the United States Constitution is as follows: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. It is beautiful in its simplicity. Elegant speech, no superfluous words, and direct to the point. Protecting rights and freedoms. I feel it necessary to remind everyone of that amendment, because the Democrats currently in power seem to have forgotten what… -
Kids need a break too.
15 Jun 2010 | 11:57 amCanadians are all work and no play: Sit-down family dinners are rare in the Grunling home. Myles, 16, and Colin, 14, play soccer on teams coached by their father. Crystal Grunling and her husband, Manfred, work full-time jobs, and the boys, in Grades 11 and 8, attend different schools. “We’re running every night of the week,” said Ms. Grunling, 44, a program director with the Edmonton Minor Soccer Association. “We have practices for one or the other, games for one or the other. It just never stops. To be fair, Americans are just as time-crunched. But we often do it to… -
When technology stops being technology.
8 Jun 2010 | 12:37 pmVia Seth Godin: I saw a two-year old kid (in diapers, in a stroller), using an iPod Touch today. Not just looking at it, but browsing menus and interacting. This is a revolution, guys. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The iPad is often written off, but when I saw it announced I believed that it was the single most important advance in computing technology since I started working with computers many years ago. The iPhone and the iPad have ushered in an era where technology has ceased to be technology and has become a tool we use in our everyday lives – casual,…
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Marisa's Dandelion Patch
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Strength And Weakness
11 Aug 2010 | 8:34 amMy strength is my weakness. You see, I’m a planner. I can plan and plan and plan. I’m great with lists. Detail is my forte. That’s a good thing. What isn’t good is how I never seem to get to the big picture. I start but never quite finish. I get so wrapped up in the planning and organizing that I never get the job done. I’ve got several blogs and sites in various stages of development. I have lists and plans pertaining to each. I have done nothing with them. I have similar lists and plans in my real life. I know how I want to organize my closet, the… -
Dear Moe
27 Apr 2010 | 9:01 pmWell, it’s been a year. I look back and can hardly believe that we made it this long without you. A year ago, it seemed impossible that we’d make it through just one day, let alone 365 of them. There were many times over the past year that I’ve wanted to sit down and write to you. There were times when my heart was so heavy that I could barely breathe and other times when I was so overjoyed about something that I wanted to shout from the top of our hill. There were many times that I heard a song or saw an image that made me think of you. I just never could bring myself to… -
Easter: More Than Just An End To Lent
4 Apr 2010 | 10:34 amThis Easter is so very different than the last one. This year, despite anything happening in the background, the foreground is quite clear: I have been blessed. I made it through Lent without even a sip of coffee. In fact, I had no caffeine at all. So this morning, as I sipped some regular coffee, then some Kona and now my Sumatra (yes, this is the third pot but there are several coffee drinkers here) I contemplated the whole sacrifice thing. I thought about why I stopped drinking coffee and how I behaved throughout the season. I wanted to “give up” something that really mattered. -
Sanhe Tech (SKGO) Signs Investment Memorandum with US Investors
19 Mar 2010 | 7:37 amThis is a sponsored guest post written by Editor Newswire on behalf of SkyBridge Technology Group, Inc.. Post powered by Sponzai. NANCHANG, China – (EDITOR NEWSWIRE) – SkyBridge Technology Group, Inc. (SKGO; http://www.skybridgetechgroup.com/) announces that its Chinese subsidiary Jiangxi Sanhe Science and Technology Co., Ltd. (Sanhe Tech; http://hgc11149.chinaw3.com/) signed Investment Memorandum with a group of US Investors. Ms. Yang Yu Fang CEO said, "This deal with US investors dates prior to the Sanhe merger in SKGO and has been in the works for months. The deal called… -
Mead Johnson, Maker of Enfamil, Loses Multi-Million Dollar False Advertising Case Against Store-Bran
11 Jan 2010 | 10:50 amThis is a sponsored guest post written by a Press Release on behalf of PBM Products. Post powered by Sponzai. GORDONSVILLE, VA., December 2 , 2009—PBM Products, LLC, a leading infant formula company that supplies store-brand infant formulas to Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, and other retailers, has received a favorable jury verdict and a $13.5 million damages award in its false advertising lawsuit against Mead Johnson & Co., the operating subsidiary of Mead Johnson Nutrition Company (NYSE: MJN) (“Mead Johnson”), the makers of the…
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Boss Sanders
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Win A Free Weekend Stay!
30 Aug 2010 | 12:44 pmWhat would you do if a hotel just GAVE you 100 rooms for 2 nights for you to invite all of your friends? Can you think of friends or family that you’d like to invite? Could you imagine how cool of a reunion or “bloggy” meetup that would be? Well, Hampton IS! Right now, they’re having a grand giveaway with the following prizes: GRAND PRIZE: Entire hotel for a weekend (100 rooms for 2 nights) 100 FIRST PRIZES: Weekend stays given away daily to winner and 3 of their friends Could you imagine how awesome that would be? I think I could easily fill those rooms… -
Surprise!
25 Aug 2010 | 7:50 amYep, you’re in the right place! With the help of “Judith Shakes,” I’m going with a new look. I still have things to tweak, but go ahead and take a look around! Don’t Miss – Be sure you check out the “post-it” up top. You can find me on twitter, facebook, and subscribe to my RSS feed. My new advertising page (located on the top bar). My version of the “About Me” page – “Not Very Frequently Asked Questions.” The search function is B-A-C-K!! Please, take a look around and find me on Facebook to let me know what you… -
Secret Agent Kit
23 Aug 2010 | 1:33 pmI have a special little guy that’s near to my heart who’s birthday is TODAY! His party was “secret agent” themed….so I made him this: The journal/spy notebook has a special birthday wish, as well as what each and every one of the contents is for. Evidence bags – to collect evidence Candy – You know, for when you’re on an extra long mission and you need to keep your sugar up. It’s a necessity. Sticky Notes – To leave people impromptu notes or to remind oneself of something very important. Super Secret Pen – The pen… -
A-Day-In-The-Life
23 Aug 2010 | 12:47 pmI’d love to tell you what a “typical” day in the life of US would look like, but there really is no “typical.” It’s so random, actually that I don’t even bother with a concise lesson plan or schedule for our day. Because. It. Will. Not. Work!! (For us, anyway.) Every day, I CAN count on the following to happen: - 1 minor OH CRAP moment - some sort of food being smashed into the floor - someone crying or screaming…generally, both. - naptime - something not going the way I had originally planned. But, nonetheless, here’s how we… -
Cool Homeschool (or Teacher) Resource (FREE!)
20 Aug 2010 | 7:27 pmIt’s published twice a year, and I just got my copy. I LOVE it! It’s packed full of great info that I’ll be keeping in my own “idea book” (a 3 ring binder full of ideas to use for future subjects, etc.) You can get yours HERE. PS- Did I mention it was FREE?
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Menstrual Poetry
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Holly Writes Sex and Sexuality (at Fascinations!): BDSM and Safe Words
A few months ago, after that whole EdenFantasys fiasco went down and several people, including myself, were banned from the site, I hooked up with the superbly awesome Essin Em who is the Online Media Specialist for Fascinations. Shortly after, … Continue reading → -
Mississippi’s Message to the World: We Will Erase Young People Who Do Not Conform to Gender Norms
A few months ago, Constance McMillen, a young woman from Mississippi, made international headlines after her school forbade her from attending her prom because she wanted to wear a tuxedo and go with her girlfriend. Rather than letting this young … Continue reading → -
Call for Submissions — “Dear Sister” Upcoming Anthology for Survivors of Sexual Violence
I saw the following call for submission posted on Womanist Musings last week and almost immediately after coming across it, asked Renee for permission to re-post it here. The subject matter is most definitely very close to my heart. As … Continue reading → -
A Media and Entertainment Blog You Should be Reading (and Not Only Because I Write for It)
If you follow me on Twitter or are friends with me on Facebook then you’ve probably already heard about my latest endeavor and if you haven’t, then keep reading! Renee of the super awesome Womanist Musings and I have started … Continue reading → -
The Kids Are All Right — A Summer Movie I’m Excited About for all the Right Reasons
Summer movies. Every year we are greeted with essentially the same rundown of events. We see the titles of upcoming movies grabbing headlines from every media outlet around, including blogs, newspapers, magazines and 30-second teaser trailers that pop up on … Continue reading →
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the slack daily
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And So It Begins...
31 Aug 2010 | 12:52 pmFollow the Savage County Gazette on Twitter! Like the Savage County Gazette on Facebook! Read the Savage County Gazette online! -
Adios, Motherfuckers.
27 Aug 2010 | 10:55 amRemember that you were the one who wanted to do it the hard way.When you entered my house, I left you alone. Perhaps you had a reason to be here. Perhaps I needed to learn why. Perhaps there would be a lesson at the end of all of this.Perhaps I was wrong.I am a firm believer in live-and-let-live, but when you started bothering my family, I knew something had to be done.I tempted you with gifts to get you to leave: Candy. Fruit. Alcohol. But you refused.I tried to reason with you, give you a way out of a situation that had clearly gotten out of control. But you ignored me.Finally, I gave you… -
Whereupon I Ask You For Stuff But It Only Costs Your Time.
24 Aug 2010 | 8:00 pmI said to Will last week I think I'm going to go to SXSW this year.This afternoon I received an email from Tanner Kling of Retrofit Films to be a part of their panel "Beyond Linear: The Next Generation of Webseries Storytelling."(It looks cooler when it's all centered and big and stuff.)But here's where you come in: you gotta vote for the panel.I mean, you don't GOTTA gotta. There's no law passed saying that you have to vote for the panel. (YET.) And I guess people get annoyed when you ask them to vote for their panels but I always vote for everyone's panels but I've never asked anyone to… -
What's a Girl Like Me Doin' in a Place Like This? Club 33
23 Aug 2010 | 7:15 pmIt starts with finding the door.A few weeks ago, Will scored a reservation to Disneyland's uber-exclusive Club 33. At first I thought it was a joke. I wrote for a hit series for the Disney Channel and even though we begged and pleaded, we couldn't get in. Flash forward ten years and my husband and I are weaving through the throngs of tourists to do our "test run." You see, Club 33 has rules. A dress code. And they expect you to be on time.We found the door in New Orleans Square, tucked next to the Blue Bayou Restaurant. Test run.A few hours later we were back, dressed in our finery. Here's… -
They'll Never Ask You to Babysit.
15 Aug 2010 | 10:50 pm
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She Just Walks Around With It
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What Is In My Purse
27 Aug 2010 | 11:55 amI just asked a stranger here at the coffee place for the connector doohickey for the iPhone --> Mac so I could download all my STELLAR photos from the BlogHer-and-Beyond trip so I could write about them. But there are like 900 million and they all suck and I'm a little hungover and so you're going to get a blog post about the contents of my purse instead. Happy Friday.I've seen this as a meme on Facebook (because seriously, what HASN'T been a meme on Facebook?), where you simply detail the contents of your purse for no apparent reason. Right. And so I just looked in my purse and laughed at… -
The Trip That Ate New York! PART ONE
17 Aug 2010 | 9:56 amIsh, Eve and I left on Tuesday, August 3 to head to New York. We were there for five nights.Then we visited Connecticut for three nights (since I spent the first 26 years of my life there and yet haven't really been back since I moved away nearly NINE years ago.)Then, since we were already on a traveling jag, we decided to spend two nights in St. Louis, visiting Ish's 97-year-old grandmother who had never met Eve (and vice versa).If you're counting, that's 3 hotels, 4 flights, 10 nights, and countless family/friends/parties/business-ings. WITH A BABY.The trip was great. Traveling with Eve was… -
A List Of Random. You Are So Very Welcome.
28 Jul 2010 | 2:25 pmI feel like a complete idiot most of the time, but maybe never more so than when I'm typing quickly and misspell my own name and don't realize it until AFTER I hit "send." In an email to a client.You know what pisses me off a lot? Like, a LOT a lot? People who expect praise and accolades and promotions and raises simply for doing their actual job. Promotions and raises come from growth, from going above and beyond what's expected of you, from taking initiative. Promotions and raises are NOT the result of you showing basic competency at the job we hired you for.I am not referring to anyone in… -
Project Mom Casting: "I do nothing right, and then I tell the internet about it."
26 Jul 2010 | 5:37 pmThis post was written for the express purpose of Project Mom Casting. Don't you think I should totally be in a reality tv show/movie about mombloggers and other crazypants internet people!?!?! * * * * * * * * * * * My point of view about being a mom, a blogger, an active participant in social media, and a human being who makes lots of mistakes and generally has crumbs all over her cleavage is this: there's no point in being anything but honest, even though that means the internet is probably going to yell at you.Do you guys remember that comment war on my post about MAYONNAISE?It… -
Slow And Steady Wins The Race Unless The Race Is Hitting That Goal Weight Before BlogHer
25 Jul 2010 | 10:54 amI weigh over 200 pounds.There. Now I've said it. Let it sink in, if you need to.I have never been willing (or able) to tell you that before because that number -- that point on the scale I can't believe I ever got to LET ALONE got waaaaay over -- has been my greatest personal mark of shame ever. I've spent a ton of time and energy writing about my weight here. I don't think I need to reiterate that my self-esteem isn't based on a number on a scale. I am perfectly happy and self-confident about the other bazillion facets of my life in which I'm engaged. I wrote a very important (if I do say…
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Sarcomical
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Only embarassing if you are alive...
1 Sep 2010 | 8:40 pmHere's a little something that's been keeping me busy lately:Babies.Oh, fantastic. A post about babies. LAME. WHO likes babies? Who wants to hear about stupid, cute, layabout babies? Who wants to see fat, sweet, slobbery baby cheeks? Ew.Well, as completely unappealing as they are I have to talk about them, because a lot of things in my life have been completely baby-centric the past couple of months. So...sorry, but you'll just have to bear with me. I know. It'll be hard. But I think a few of you can do it.The fact is, Mr. Sarcomical & I have not had the best luck in the offspring… -
IMA 100 Acres Grand Opening [Flickr]
Sarcomical (Melissa) posted a photo: Liz Kaufmann performs next to the lake at the IMA 100 Acres opening... -
Jenn's Birthday [Flickr]
Sarcomical (Melissa) posted a photo: (Lockerbie Pub, Indianapolis) -
Jenn's Birthday [Flickr]
Sarcomical (Melissa) posted a photo: (Lockerbie Pub, Indianapolis) -
Jenn's Birthday [Flickr]
Sarcomical (Melissa) posted a photo: (Lockerbie Pub, Indianapolis)
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Indexed
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Childhoods full of lies!
2 Sep 2010 | 8:10 am -
Those roses smell nice.
1 Sep 2010 | 10:03 am -
Oh, fudge.
31 Aug 2010 | 9:04 am -
Feast, famine, or function.
30 Aug 2010 | 6:54 am -
Founded or unfounded?
27 Aug 2010 | 6:47 am
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xkcd.com
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Orbiter
31 Aug 2010 | 9:00 pm -
Exoplanets
29 Aug 2010 | 9:00 pm -
Open Mic Night
26 Aug 2010 | 9:00 pm -
Falling Asleep
24 Aug 2010 | 9:00 pm
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Sparks and Butterflies
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New Feed
1 Sep 2010 | 3:58 pmSo, I’m updating the look of the blog, and as part of that had to check on my feed for something. I went to Feedburner and discovered that apparently my feed ended… Oh about a year ago. I have now fixed it. So those people I show up for out of the blue in your reader? Yeah. I’ve been around. You just didn’t know it. Anyway – In case you’re curious, here the official “real” feed. Sheesh. Talk about Blogging 101. -
Tough
1 Sep 2010 | 11:17 amReality is tough around here. Reality – my husband, if he’s home, is usually asleep. Because he’s working while we sleep. It’s tough. He (and we) do it anyway. Reality – my mother’s in the hospital. Again. It was touch and go for a while. Again. I helped my dad decide on a DNR, should it come to that. It’s tough. Reality – my son takes mental health medication. He’s been off his meds for 6 days due to a medical insurance/Cobra payment company snafu of Ginormous Proportions. “Just pay and we’ll reimburse… -
Welcome
30 Aug 2010 | 5:11 pmI’m sitting here clipping my coupons in preparation to marathon grocery shop tomorrow. On one sheet there are three different coupons: Prilosec (which I use due to my GERD and ulcers), diapers, and toilet paper. It is perfect. A ton of diapers, a whole lot of shit, and ulcers. Welcome to parenthood. -
Rest in Peace, Sir
25 Aug 2010 | 9:51 amI was a band geek… No, I was a Super Band Geek! I was in color guard (parade, field show, winter guard) and band (parade, field show, concert, and drum circuit.) Competition was had, trophies won, new songs and moves learned, and trips taken. Judges, and medals, uniforms, and more… It was interesting how I pulled it off. I truly don’t know that I would have survived high school had I not had that focus and, well, forced community. It was an important part of my life, and a lot of things surrounding it effected the person I became today. My family life… -
Losing It
18 Aug 2010 | 10:20 amSo, I started therapy last week. Friday was therapy day. I slogged through the morning chores etc. feeling like crap. I figured it was my sinuses – Logan and my allergies have been acting up lately. Major fatigue and moving really slow. Then I had therapy in my home, which she’s doing both to keep Joseph and my therapy separate in different places, and to save me on gas. I already go to the other therapy center 5 times a month, sometimes more. The effort is appreciated. I won’t discuss the content, except to say that she’s focusing a lot on my relationship…
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Skimbaco Lifestyle by Katja Presnal
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Greening School Lunches
2 Sep 2010 | 4:00 amMy son started school a couple of weeks ago and as for the first time I begin the daily task of packing school lunches I am realizing how much waste is generated each week. Thankfully, the teacher has my child send home the food he doesn’t eat (so it isn’t wasted and so I know [...] -
Michael Kors 60% off, Rachel Roy 70% off SALE!
2 Sep 2010 | 3:00 amThese two sales are amazing, had to share! I can’t believe I just bought a Michael Kors trench coat and now I see almost the same thing on Rue La La sale for only $99!! Ok, fine, mine has a removable liner and it’s from this fall’s collection, and the Rue La La has older.. I [...] -
August Explosion Part 1: from Las Vegas to Today Show in NYC
1 Sep 2010 | 4:00 amThe events during August were sort of surreal, and in a way I don’t even want to write it all. I want to be humble, yet I want to celebrate all of my work-related successes. I want to be down to earth, yet I want to acknowledge what has happened. I have never before reached [...] -
D-Signed Tween Fashion Line
31 Aug 2010 | 4:00 amI have been trying to do some back to school shopping with my ten year old daughter, who is very tall, and wears a size 12-14, sometimes even size 14-16, and she can wear some designer clothing in size 2 or 4, depends on the cut and designer. The problem is that she is only [...] -
Bicycle Trends
30 Aug 2010 | 4:00 amSummer might be coming to an end, but winter is still not here. The days are cooler, and now if ever is the perfect time to get a bicycle and start bicycling. Yes, bicycling is becoming more and more trendy, and Skimbaco is proud to welcome Maurelita, our bicycle reporter from Paris to share her [...]
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Miss Britt
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Accepting MY Normal
1 Sep 2010 | 8:54 amOne of the worst things about depression is the feeling that you’re not normal. You can’t do as much as everyone else, and you don’t understand why. You get tired. You can’t focus. You’re easily overwhelmed. You beat yourself up for being so lazy and immature. You want, more than anything, to be like everyone else. I’ve experienced normal. I know what it’s like to work when the sun is up and sleep when everyone else sleeps. I’ve made it to dinner without needing a nap. I’ve lived normal, and it is wonderful. Few things in… -
How To Save More Money Than You Ever Dreamed Possible
30 Aug 2010 | 12:51 pmStep 1 - Sit down at the end of the month and figure out where every dollar will go in the next month. Step 2 – Make a list of all of the expenses you can pay for with cash. Groceries, gas, allowances, all discretionary spending basically. Do this because you realized in New York City how much less you spend if you’re looking at a stack of bills and know this. is. it. Apparently knowing a debit card is attached to a real live bank account is not as sobering as looking at a limited amount of money, especially when it’s time to decide if this shirt is really worth $20 to… -
Parenting: when you need a little perspective
28 Aug 2010 | 7:37 amWhat a difference a week makes. Last weekend I was at parenting rock bottom. At least, it felt like rock bottom at the time, except that term suggests a one time hit before climbing your way back up. But parenting isn’t like that, is it? Parenting is an ongoing journey with peaks and valleys and rolling hills that make your stomach lurch, sometimes from fear and sometimes from mind-blowing joy. Last week was one of those valleys that makes you forget about the fluid nature of a journey; I was convinced this was the endgame and I had lost. And then a few people took the time to… -
Most People Are Not Idiots
25 Aug 2010 | 8:45 amI made the mistake of reading blogs this morning before getting to work. Worse than that, I made the mistake of reading comments on blogs. It took exactly two minutes before I stumbled on the first Everyone But Us Is An Idiot sentiment of the day. And just like that, I’m ticked off and feeling the urge to defend 95% of humanity. Or perhaps it’s less about defending humanity and more about protecting my sphere of influence from the unexpected negativity. Unexpected, because I do tend to be an idiot when it comes to what to expect from the Internet, clearly. Of course, there… -
It’s just a notebook
23 Aug 2010 | 7:22 pmNot a moleskine I decided I needed a notebook. After all, real writers use notebooks to jot down their thoughts. I’m suddenly having more ideas than I can contain in a blog, and many of them come to me at 11:30 at night when I’m trying to fall asleep. Mainly I got tired of keep track of my notes on the notepad app on my iPhone, especially after my daughter turned three months worth of post ideas into rghaghajdlfdiuuyyghhka8**emmahfjjdfkjfjafd^^^^^. I’m sorry, not my daughter. Some other iPhone fascinated creature that no one sees. I love writer’s notebooks and…
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GenerationXpert
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Auntie Helen
10 Aug 2010 | 1:34 pmI want to tell you about Helen Wilkoszewski. She was my aunt and she died last month. She was 92.Everyone called her Auntie Helen. All my friends did, for sure. In fact, I doubt they even knew her last name. But they did know her clever wit and her no-nonsense advice.Auntie Helen had a way of throwing you a zinger when you weren’t expecting it. Like the time she told me she was happy that she married my uncle and that she didn’t marry her old boyfriend Chester.“I heard he was horny,” she said.Auntie Helen liked to cook, garden, and give people a hard time. But she walked the walk. Her… -
Rock stars and super agents
17 Jun 2010 | 8:05 amI often tell my buddies that I want to be a rock star in lifelong learning (the field I work in.) I recently saw that my online Gen X buddy Jason Seiden apparently wants to be a super agent (and the video below is what my 9-year-old daughter would call the most awesome of awesomeness). What do you want to be? -
We need to stop looking and women's success like it's 1985
18 May 2010 | 2:01 pmTwo articles that recently discussed women in business this week made me want to puke. The first one is from the Wall Street Journal and asked the question “What’s holding back women entrepreneurs?” It says that although women are starting their own businesses at much higher rates than men – the women-owned businesses are not as big as the men-owned businesses. Problem #1 (and yes, they called it a problem)? Men tend to start businesses to be the “boss” and women start businesses to be personally challenged and balance work and family.The second article in Time Magazine touts the… -
Of pushing 40 and turning my back on mean girls
17 May 2010 | 4:33 pmA few weeks ago I had lunch with an old friend of mine. We don’t see each other as much as I like. Kids, jobs, and husbands seem to keep us both so busy. But when I do see her, we always have the most interesting conversations. We talked about how as we’re both around the hub of 40, our approach to friendship is different. When I was younger, I let me friends choose me. But now, I choose my friends. When I was younger, I had great friends – but I also had a few who did not treat me right. It was hard to get out of the friendships. Now, I have all great friends. This evolution occurred… -
Xers will never grow up to be Boomers
11 May 2010 | 4:05 pmEver notice how Boomers seem to think everyone over 40 is a Boomer? It makes sense, because "age" is a big issue for Boomers. They'll never grow old.If you are a Boomer reading this, before you get annoyed, we Xers have our own issue. It's being cool. We don't mind being old, as long as we stay cool. In fact, the Wall Street Journal recently ran an article that discussed why parents all the sudden are cool. I thought to myself when I read it, "Duh, parents are 'cool' today for the same reason that parents in the 80's were 'young' - it's our generation's issue."But back to my original…
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Domestic Psychology
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Extremely literal
31 Aug 2010 | 8:26 pmNurse: “What grade will you be in next year?” Noah: “Tenth.” Me: “You’ve only been in school a week. I think she wants to know about THIS year’s grade.” Noah: “She asked about NEXT year.” Noah: “Dad? Mom just texted me asking where we are.” Doug: “So tell her.” Noah: “What do I tell her?” Doug: “We are on a dock.” Noah: “But . . . that doesn’t tell her WHERE we are. I mean, that’s kind of vague and ….” Doug: “Never mind Noah. I just texted her. Then,… -
Boy doctors
28 Aug 2010 | 4:49 pmMany years ago, I took my oldest daughter for her yearly checkup at the pediatrician. Harmless questions about diet, exercise and television were followed by a question about puberty. In response to the answer, the pediatrician glibly told my pre-adolescent daughter that “periods are nasty, messy things.” I spent the rest of the appointment mentally asking myself why a doctor would plant such a terrible seed in my child’s brain. I am not a ‘gather the women for a ceremony under the full moon’ kind of mom, but the comment was so hale pe’a that I found it… -
More than play
27 Aug 2010 | 6:54 pmMe: “Evan? What are you doing?” Evan: “I’m just playing.” Me: “Playing what?” Evan: “I have to stack these toys using chopsticks instead of fingers.” Me: “Keep playing.” -
Noah says:
26 Aug 2010 | 6:49 pmMe: “Kill the wabbit. Kill the wabbit.” Noah: “Why are you singing about dead rabbits?” Me: “I’m just singing Elmer Fudd’s song.” Noah: “Who’s Elmer Fudd?” -
Perseveration
22 Aug 2010 | 3:33 pm“We’re here for a football game.” “I see popcorn! Can we get popcorn instead of football?” “The band is going to play music and then the football players will run on the field.” “Are the footballers still eating their popcorn?” “Why is that lady eating peanuts when there’s popcorn?” “The band is going to sit while the football players play.” “The band might get all the popcorn.” “Do you need to go potty?” “No. I need to go popcorn.” Evan leaned toward me with a bit of a…
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kerrianne.org
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The Things I Carry
31 Aug 2010 | 10:51 amTwo syllables summing up the hole in me. Fleece pretense thrown over my shoulders much too heavy, much too warm. A flashlight, blindfold, a shell I found in Korea, nowhere near the sea. A hatred of all things solid, sturdy like wood. A Mason jar of river water stolen from her belly April 15th, 1996. —————- Inspired by Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried. What about you? What do you carry? Feel free to be poetic or literal. I like both. -
Where Am I Going, Where Have I Been?
27 Aug 2010 | 3:07 pmThis week I have been: Writing, editing, and organizing grant proposals, and preparing gargantuan-sized grant budgets feverishly, to meet deadlines both old and new. Snuggling with my pug and enjoying any downtime I have been able to muster. Writing! I’m so excited about three different stories I have in the works, and thanks to a recent prompt by Danny, I’ve been sitting down daily to translate my excitement into actual words on a page. (Not unlike snakes on a plane. Only better. And with less Samuel L. Jackson.) Ruminating on some writing feedback I received from a poetry… -
Stand In The Place Where You Live
18 Aug 2010 | 11:24 amThis post inspired by my friend and partner in movie quote crime, Home Sweet Sarah. ————— Some of the most memorable places I have stood, in no particular order: On The Great Wall of China. Next to my sister as she took her wedding vows. In front of the Kremlin in Moscow. Next to my favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. Priest Lake. Specifically, my family’s Priest Lake dock spot. On Mt. Seorak, South Korea. Poolside for countless summers with friends, and cousins, and awesome(ly ridiculous) bikinis. At the base of Mother Russia in Volgograd (formerly… -
“I once saw him beat a guy up with a starfish.” “That’s ridiculous.”
9 Aug 2010 | 12:01 amFull disclosure: I initially considered titling this post !!!!!!!!! but Wordpress started laughing at me, and threatened to throw spam. At this point to say I cannot contain my already typically excessive exclaiming is to understate. HOW am I going to refrain from blurting out, “Hawaii! I’m going there!” from now until I leave at the beginning of September? Better yet, Maui! + getting to see my sister in TWO WEEKS = how am I going to sleep tonight? And the next night? And the night after that? HOW? But I suppose this post is coming completely out of nowhere if you… -
Not A Kid’s Movie Review: Pan’s Labyrinth
4 Aug 2010 | 1:02 amOriginally aired: January 19, 2007. Watched by Kerri Anne: August 1, 2010. Courtesy of: Netflix Instant Watch. Because: a) I was in the mood for a lighthearted, kid-centric story; b) Netflix told me I would four stars enjoy it and saw fit to leave out crucial somber-tone-revealing plot points in their synopsis; c) Netflix is a lying liar face; d) ALL OF THE ABOVE. Starring: A slew of great Spanish actors you’ve probably never heard of, most notably Ivana Baquero and Maribel Verdú. Protagonist’s name and non-spoilery story: Ofelia is the first and arguably main protagonist, and is a…
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i am bossy
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Fun With Bossy’s Cousin, The Bedtime Story
2 Sep 2010 | 7:26 amThis is Bossy’s cousin. And this is Bossy’s cousin’s truck: See Bossy’s cousin pack his truck with the contents of his life. Oh, look. Look and see. Oh, see. See Bossy’s cousin pack his truck and move seven states away where he can snowboard at will. See him go. Go, Bossy’s cousin, go! -
Bossy’s Favorite Things
2 Sep 2010 | 6:36 amThis little guy. He was in close proximity to Bossy all day yesterday, as his family situated themselves on a plot of sand directly next to Bossy. Bossy admits she doesn’t like kids. Well, that’s not true — but she isn’t one of those people who love babies just because they’re babies, or thinks all kids are adorable. She enjoys kids, as Nicholas Cage says in The Family Man, but on a case by case basis. Enter this little guy. He was completely happy, self-contained, self-directed, smart, content, flirty, and lit from within. He had his little shit completely… -
Yet Another Little Known Fact
2 Sep 2010 | 6:27 amWith the clock ticking down the final moments of summer, Bossy and her daughter took a day trip to the beach yesterday. -
Bossy’s Favorite Things
1 Sep 2010 | 3:40 amThis sign, which Bossy saw in a dressing room when she and her daughter had their big day in the city a couple of weeks ago. And actually, a sign like this didn’t make Bossy feel a bit better — in fact it nested a few thoughts in Bossy’s head not previously explored. -
Yet Another Little Known Fact
1 Sep 2010 | 3:40 amBossy’s neighborhood is cute as a button. A button with three hair salons, two dry cleaners, a Quaker background, and no liquor, that is.
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Looking Towards Heaven
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Purposeful Living
20 Aug 2010 | 9:32 amToday on my other blog (Living the Life Fantastic), I've written about Purposeful Living. Hint: It includes a brownie recipe. It also includes some tips from this book: The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook Purposeful Living: Purposeful Eating (*note: the link for the cookbook is an affiliate link) -
update
15 Aug 2010 | 9:26 pmdon't forget to check out my site: http://livingthelifefantastic.com.and also my business site: http://archercreative.com -
Hi! Remember me?
2 Jul 2010 | 7:25 amI've been trying to return to blogging for months now... I've been blogging in various places, but not here. I'm in the process of creating a new blog; this one will remain and I will refer to it at times in my new blog because the stories told on these pages are still a part of me and tell of how I got to where I am today... I have so many new stories to tell. Photos to share. It's been hard to find my voice for the last year and know what to say or how to say it. But they are still a part of me and I want to record them. My life is a mess. A beautiful mess. -
What 2009 taught me
31 Dec 2009 | 1:44 pmnothing is certain... we all know that. i've had to relearn that lesson many times and this year it seemed to be a monthly lesson; the 'Groundhog Day' version of my life. i don't want it to be for nothing, so i'm making this list to help me pretend i've got this all figured out. what i've learned in 2009: • family will always have my back. • finding a job of ANY kind is a full-time job and the pay sucks. • love doesn't see age • my kids love me regardless of my status • things that seem as though they'd be simple never are • i will never be someone who has things fall into her lap… -
Christmas, where are you?
8 Dec 2009 | 4:10 am(originally published December 21, 2007) I'm usually very transparent on my blog. I figure, if I can't tell it to a group of strangers who I probably won't know this side of Heaven, who can I tell? It is harder, now that I know some of you and have established friendships with many of you. That's my round-about way of saying that I've gotten a little more opaque lately and good at keeping things more fluffy. Not today. Today, I am hurting and trying to work through some things. I know that as I write this, I will keep wrestling with myself, telling myself to just delete it, once I write…
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A Wayward Journey
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Amazon-ish
1 Sep 2010 | 4:01 pm“This is way too Amazon-ish” the kiddo said just before taking off his shoes and jumping to the river. I have to agree with him. Picture in your mind all the images that come up when you think of the words “Amazon jungle”. That’s where we are staying tonight. We should be in Santa Cruz on September 3 and will update everything with tons of pics! -
In the Jungle (Villa Tunari, Bolivia)
28 Aug 2010 | 2:59 pmIn the jungle, the mighty jungle… the Vogels sleep tonight… Yep, we’re down. 290 meters (951 feet) above sea level. It’s hot. It’s sticky. It’s buggy. But we’re back on the road and it feels great. We’re now about 300 km from Santa Cruz. We’ll post photos once we get there. -
A Recap
25 Aug 2010 | 1:17 pmHoly macaroni - our lives got carried away for a while there (in a good way!). Now, we’re finally ready to move on. We were bummed when we left Oruro and started a massive detour taking the scenic route around Bolivia. Although we had wanted to stay up on the altiplano, a massive strike had shut the city of Potosi, where we intended to go. The silver lining, however, was that we would have a chance to see the Verhage family once again. It was nearly 1.5 years ago when we first met the Verhages in person after corresponding via email and Skype for many months. They, too, were… -
A Doctor Makes Life & Death Decisions
24 Aug 2010 | 10:15 am“Paulina is in desperate need of an operation to remove the tumor behind her eye,” Dr. Beatriz Salas, a pediatric oncologist in Bolivia, told me. “Unfortunately, we need to do an MRI and other scans before we can do it. I just hope we can find the money to pay for them before the tumor affects her central nervous system.” In the meantime, four-month-old Paulina simply waits in her hospital bed with her mother standing quietly by her side. Paulina’s tumor began to grow at the tender age of two months. Her parents, simple peasants from a village about five… -
Please help us help kids with cancer in Bolivia
21 Aug 2010 | 2:59 pm“Sometimes you reach a crossroads in your life,” Michael Verhage told me, “and you have to choose which way to turn.” For Michael and his family, that crossroads appeared a couple months ago. That day the family of four visited a Bolivian hospital and met Mariela Limpias Guari, a 13-year-old cancer patient. “We had a choice that day,” he said. “We could choose to turn our backs and continue our travels, or we could choose to step in. We made the choice to help a fellow human being.” Since that day the Verhage family has managed to arrange for Mariela’s medical…
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wellreadhostess.com
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Famous People Who Want To Be My Neighbor
31 Aug 2010 | 12:39 pmCatchy title, huh? Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful. And clever with titles. Brendan Fraser would love to be my neighbor. I just typed “neighbro” by accident, which sort of works, because I can imagine having a sibling-kind of relationship with him. I cannot explain WHY he would want to be my neighbor other than that. I think we’d get along. He’d like my family. He’d hang out on the back porch. He and my husband would help each other trim tree branches and paint stuff. He would like my cooking and frequently filch cookies from… -
Is it Hot In Here or Is It Just Me?
24 Aug 2010 | 8:42 pmIn which The Well Read Hostess gets uncharacteristically personal. Feel free to change the channel. I’m looking at you family members, neighbors, former and future students (who shouldn’t be here in the first place, buzz off and anyway, trust me, you are going to be so sorry if you stick around. Don’t say you weren’t warned.) I just discovered that I need those reading magnifier glasses. I’m pretty OK with that. I’ve always liked the idea of wearing them on a funky chain and perching them on the end of my nose and looking at people over them. I have… -
Doesn’t Everybody Have One?
23 Aug 2010 | 7:34 pmEverybody has place to go with a creek. Right? Or a river? Or a stream? Or a run? Or a something? Maybe not. I guess people in New Mexico or Arizona or Nevada or East Texas or some other dry place might not. Poor saps. Everywhere I’ve ever lived has had one, though. And this summer, I’ve been every day. The creek. The woods. The place you go when you’re a kid and catch frogs and splash around and pretend you’re a pirate and build a fort and get filthy. The place you go when you’re a slightly older kid to brood after school and sneak… -
Anne Morrow Lindbergh Has Got Nothing On Me
13 Aug 2010 | 4:43 pmThe ocean is different every day. I’ll pause here while you recover. That type of laser-sharp observation is often unsettling to average people; sort of knocks you off kilter for a while and takes you some time to process. I’m not good with change. I don’t like periods of transition. But when I’m spending a week at the beach, I wake up each day itching to see what the tide will be like – will it be windy? Will the waves be rough? Will the beach be flattened out and washed clean? Will there be ledges and ripples in the sand carved by waves from the… -
Our Little Life is Rounded With A Sleep
11 Aug 2010 | 5:08 pmMy back to school anxiety dreams have begun. I never had these dreams as a student, and in addition to putting up with people winking at me and saying, “Those who can’t do, teach!” I consider this ritual of August to be the worst part of my job. They seem to have begun a few weeks early this year, but I have the distinct feeling that I said that last year, so who knows. I remember bits and pieces of my dreams most nights, although they slip through my fingers within a few hours of waking so that I can no longer articulate them. The images might have taken hold, but…
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The Imperfect Parent
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How do I look?
1 Sep 2010 | 7:00 am"How do I look?" The question took me by surprise, as I think it may be the first time my son has asked it in his 12 years on the planet. But there he was, caring about his appearance as he was about to embark on a new school year. I should have seen it coming -- as that first day of school neared, there was a definite new trend in the way back-to-school shopping was conducted. Previously it involved fulfilling the supply list with whatever was on sale, buying jeans and t-shirts and socks in bulk, and calling it a day. Not this year. No, the shopping process stretched from its normal couple… -
Mominatrix
19 Aug 2010 | 9:00 pmMost women are more than happy to trade in the sometimes endearing but mostly annoying symptoms of pregnancy. Of course, there’s always that one freakish mom whose body somehow found its zen state at around 32 weeks and makes it her mission to proclaim her love of the beautifully bloated baby body any time she can. But even if you were one of the lucky ones who made it your entire nine months with only a couple of extra zits, a craving for capers, and a midnight charley horse, you’d probably agree that pregnancy bliss has more to do with the actual baby you’re carrying and… -
The Duggars like collecting children
12 Aug 2010 | 1:52 pmI have written about Kate Gosselin and her seemingly clinical neurosis in wanting to collect children, but as it looks now, I'm not sure Kate will have more children to pile on the rest of 'em, unless her career takes a further dump (not sure if that's even possible), then I'm sure we'll see her shacked up, knocked up and showing off her baby gut. The Duggars however, are on this week's cover of People Magazine, claiming they want baby number 20. Yes. You read that right. TWENTY! While their last baby was born dangerously premature and with complications, they're not committing to… -
Top 5 Things You Need to Do for Back to School
12 Jul 2010 | 6:49 amEven though it's still blistering hot out, the first day of school is going to sneak up on you before you know it. Here's the Imperfect Parent's top 5 things to remember to get ready for back to school, and the end of summer vacation madness: Register If you haven't done so already, it's best to do this as early as possible. Late registration landed my son, who was just entering middle school last year, a few hassles when he had to track down a gym uniform because he wasn't on the school's official list. Many schools nowadays have come a long way since standing in lines at a… -
Swagger Wagon: Presented by Toyota Sienna
3 Jun 2010 | 7:58 amWatch as the Sienna Family drops their hot new single, "Swagger Wagon." This post sponsored by Toyota
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David J. Hinson's Logorrhea
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Playing Around with Animoto
2 Sep 2010 | 9:14 am -
What Makes Communication Hard
1 Sep 2010 | 9:07 amHonest to-goodness two way Communication is hard. Very hard. It’s hard because each side holding up their end of the conversation has to have a common frame of reference before anything meaningful can be conveyed and understood. Speaking the same language. Having a common world view. Wanting similar outcomes. On the same topic. Most conflicts, micro and macro, have at their heart a deficiency in this common frame of reference. The significantly difficult parts of my job aren’t all the technical details involved in my day to day development tasks – it’s in managing the… -
Debugging for the New Blackberry 9800
30 Aug 2010 | 3:29 amHopefully, a helpful hint: Use the Blackberry SDK version of the 9800 simulator, and not the one that you can download separately from the Blackberry website. The SDK simulator seems to work fairly well; the separate download version tends to lock up when trying to access embedded web controls. This may be a very temporary thing. But for now, I can say at least anecdotally this has been my experience. -
Windows Phone 7 – Some Initial Thoughts
25 Aug 2010 | 6:07 amI’ve just started playing around with the Windows Phone 7 SDK. Here are some of my initial thoughts: The Windows Phone 7 UX / UI tools make what’s available on Android and Blackberry look lame by comparison (Android’s UI tools: slim; Blackberry’s: none). In fact, I would even go as far to say that Microsoft Expression Blend is a more powerful design tool that Apple’s Interface Builder. The overall UI itself is taking me some getting used to. It’s a little on the spare side for my tastes. The simulator is rock solid. Love the fact that I can compile and test… -
Playing a Sound File in a Blackberry Java App
24 Aug 2010 | 10:32 amWithout a lot of undo fuss, here’s one way to play a sound file in a Blackberry Java app: Class cl = null; try { cl = Class.forName("com.mycompany.myapp.MyAppMainClass"); } catch (ClassNotFoundException e) { e.printStackTrace(); } if (cl!=null) { InputStream is = cl.getResourceAsStream("/someSoundFile.mp3"); try { Player player = Manager.createPlayer(is, "audio/mpeg"); player.realize(); player.prefetch(); player.start(); is.close(); } catch (IOException e) { e.printStackTrace(); } catch (MediaException e) { e.printStackTrace(); } } I usually create a package under the res (resource)…
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Simple Marriage
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There’s More To Life Than Sex
31 Aug 2010 | 4:08 pmWe are all sexual beings. It’s part of our design. Sexuality plays a role in most everything we encounter. And our society has become more and more sexualized. But in marriage, there’s more to life than sex. Did I really just say that out loud? I guess I did. A major component of a fulfilling marriage is the connection you sustain with your spouse. However, many times this bid for connection can be met with skepticism. As if there is an ulterior motive with your wanting to touch your spouse. There may be times when your spouse sees right through your motives. It may also be that… -
Secrets to Staying Married in a Blended Family
30 Aug 2010 | 9:08 amFour years ago on September 23, I married a divorced man with kids. We dated for three years before a proposal, which at the time seemed to take forever. Now I see it was truly perfect timing. We really got to know each other, not just my husband and I, but the kids, too. I had a good idea what I was getting into becoming a full-time step mom. And it took time for Mr. Right to eat these words from when we first started dating: “Just so you know, I’m never getting married again.” Someone obviously had other plans. If you’re imagining roses and butterflies sprouting, let… -
Preparing Hearts for Remarriage
27 Aug 2010 | 7:00 amEditor’s Note: This is a guest post from Gary Smalley of smalley.cc. If you are preparing for remarriage or helping couples prepare for remarriage, you need to know there are many unique circumstances and situations that make remarried hearts more vulnerable to confusion, hurt, anger and conflict than hearts looking forward to being joined in a first marriage. If you’re already remarried, you probably know exactly what we mean. Closed for Business When a marriage ends because of death or divorce, it leaves a void, an empty space in the heart, whether you experienced the loss or were… -
Redefining Fidelity
25 Aug 2010 | 8:57 amLast week’s post, It’s Just Window Shopping, Right?, appeared to stir up some great conversations. I followed along with every new comment, and loved reading the back a forth that took place between several readers. The discussion was respectful, and helpful. But I do want to clear up a couple of things that were mentioned as well as expand on the idea a bit. First, is the broad brush picture I painted of males in the post. Let’s face it, when you write something that targets a specific issue or topic that impacts marriage, you generally have to live with a few stereotypes. -
Budget Stretching Secrets from a Frugalista Mom
24 Aug 2010 | 8:08 amI have often been called Thrifty, Frugal and now the best term yet Frugalista! I don’t mind these terms, in fact it is almost a little like a badge of honor. I think it is in my blood (German I am!) to be a smart shopper, always looking for the deal. It definitely came to surface during my years as a single mom – stretching those pennies as far as they could go and then some. When I knew I needed to find a way to bring in some extra money I started a little used book business in my hall closet. I would buy used books at thrift stores and then resell them on half.com and eBay. I…
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Bloorb
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It Took 9 Months
2 Sep 2010 | 8:50 amIt took 9 months, but I am officially, bored. I understand I'm spoiled rotten to get a year off with my boy, and I know that somebody somewhere is going to tell me I'm the worst mother ever, but honestly, sometimes taking care of my boy day after day after day AFTER DAY? Well it gets more than a little boring.How many times can I really, go for a walk?How many times can I really, go for a run?Go -
Perfect
31 Aug 2010 | 8:30 amThere's nights admittedly, where I beg my boy to sleep through the night. To not wake up that one time he wakes. To not make me go in there until 6 or 6:30am. Oh, and to never ever EVER revert back to those horrible teething nights.But there's also nights where he does stuff during that 2am feed that he'd never ever do during the day. Stuff like how lately, when he's done eating, he pushes his -
Man Moment
28 Aug 2010 | 3:23 pm[me] "What are you doing?"[him] "Just getting comfy on the couch so I can listen to some music? What are YOU doing?"[me] "I'm making D a bottle, packaging up some extra formula for the day, cutting up chicken for his lunch, picking out his outfit, checking we have a hat and sunscreen for him, setting up the stroller, putting the bjorn in the stroller in case he decides he's had enough half way -
Things I Didn't Know (before I had a kid)
21 Aug 2010 | 9:21 am7am would be considered not just a sleep-in, but a GOOD sleep-in.Weekends would almost always begin earlier than weekdays. It's like D KNOWS it's Saturday and everyone's home.I wouldn't need my alarm clock for 9 months... and counting...Laying on the floor next to my boy playing, I could ACTUALLY fall asleep on my extremely uncomfortable hardwood floors.I'd value time to myself - to read, surf, -
Defeated
17 Aug 2010 | 1:52 pmSome days - or moments - I feel completely and utterly, defeated.Like even making a decision about what to eat for lunch is too much to bear, so I opt for the same freakin' thing again and again and again, even though I am COMPLETELY and UTTERLY bored with it.Like I'm so exhausted from a night of screaming - have I mentioned how much I HATE TEETHING?! - that I HAVE to nap during D's morning nap.
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Abundance Blog at Marelisa Online
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The Power of Perseverance – Creating an Iron Will
30 Aug 2010 | 8:21 pm“Genius, that power which dazzles mortal eyes, is oft but perseverance in disguise.” – Orison Swett Marden Orison Swett Marden was born in 1850 in the state of New Hampshire. He lost his mother when he was three years old, and was orphaned at the age of seven when his father died. After the death of his father he was shuttled from one guardian to another, and he worked as a “hired boy” to earn his keep. Inspired by a self-help book—written by the Scottish author Samuel Smiles–which he came across, Marden set out to improve himself and his life… -
67 Perseverance Quotes to Keep You Going
26 Aug 2010 | 3:24 pmIn order to achieve your goals, you must cultivate perseverance and determination. Here are 67 perseverance quotes for when you feel your determination wavering and you need some motivation in order to keep going: 1. “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems… -
How One Hour a Day Can Change Your Life
24 Aug 2010 | 12:59 amMost people believe that in order to make an important change in their lives—pursue their dream career, become a published author, find a way to create multiple streams of passive income, and so on—they need to have a large chunk of free time at their disposal. At the same time, few people have the luxury of taking a long sabbatical–lasting a year or more—which they can devote exclusively to achieving an important goal. However, in order to change your life, all that you really need is one hour a day. Journalist Geoff Edgers, legal-thriller author John Grisham, and simplicity guru… -
60 Tips to Improve Your Nonfiction Writing
18 Aug 2010 | 1:43 amImproving your nonfiction writing can help you whether you’re writing a memo to your boss, preparing a business proposal for potential investors, writing a blog post, asking for a grant, or even if you’re writing a love letter. Below you’ll find 60 tips to improve your nonfiction writing. 1. Read great writers. Almost every article you’ll ever read on how to improve your writing will begin with this tip. The best way to improve your writing is to read great writing. Read as much as you can. Pay close attention not only to the content, but also to the style and the… -
How To Build Your Tribe – Finding ‘Your People’
16 Aug 2010 | 12:49 amWe all want to belong to a group of people we love to identify with: your network, amigos, sisterhood, brotherhood, or tribe. Your tribe may be composed of family members, childhood friends, or people you share a common interest with. Maybe you’re currently tribe-less. I have a guest post up on the fabulous blog “Marc and Angel Hack Life” on how to build your tribe. It will show you how to expand your tribe, or how to find your tribe if you don’t already have one. Here it is: How To Build Your Tribe – Finding ‘Your People’. Friends Forever is courtesy…
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Handy Man Fix Home Repair
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How to Repair a Ceramic Tile Roof
2 Sep 2010 | 3:20 pmOut of all the roofing materials you can use, ceramic tile is by far the nicest looking. Unfortunately, it's also very easily damaged and requires quite a bit of upkeep. For many homeowners however, this is a price they're willing to pay, given that the final product is so beautiful. If you've got a ceramic roof that needs a little attention, we'll show you how to save money by fixing it yourself. Before you get started, you're going to need some tools. You'll need: a ladder that is tall (and safe) enough to reach your roof replacement tiles silicone caulk gloves measuring tape It's actually… -
Home Repair and Construction Glossary Continued
2 Sep 2010 | 3:17 amAsbestos - This is a type of magnesium silicate that was used in a variety of different construction products because it was stable as well as fire resistant. Exposure to asbestos through the inhalation of loose fibers has been associated with a number of different forms of lung cancer or lung disease. Asphalt - This is a bituminous type of water that is often employed in a variety of different roofing materials because of the fact that it is capable of waterproofing. Backfill - This is soil or a type of gravel that is used in order to fill in a wall or a foundation. Backflow - This is a… -
7 Ways to Make Your New Rental Feel Like Home
1 Sep 2010 | 3:06 pmIf you're a renter, then you know that sometime it takes a while to feel at home in a new place, especially if you've had to move frequently in recent years. There's more to making a house or apartment feel like home than just moving your stuff in and setting it up. These 7 things can help you feel more at ease and at home right away. Clean thoroughly. Any good landlord will make sure that the apartment or house you're renting is thoroughly clean before you move in. But if you clean it yourself you remove that lingering doubt that maybe it wasn't cleaned thoroughly. And it will smell like… -
Complete House Building Book By George Nash
1 Sep 2010 | 2:53 amHave you ever dreamt about building your own home? This is a dream that thousands of Americans share, but the task itself can seem pretty daunting. Where do you begin and how on earth do you get the roof to stand up? George Nash answers all of these questions in his book, The Complete House Building Book. This is a must read for anyone interested in learning more about how homes are built or for those that may want to try to tackle this project on their own some day. By keeping everything very simple and using incredibly detailed graphics, Nash literally walks the reader, step-by-step,… -
Review of Basements Step by Step Projects
31 Aug 2010 | 2:44 pmCreative Homeowner's series on home improvements includes this title and it is well worth the read. It's a short read, coming in at around 80 pages, but don't let the size fool you. Basements Step by Step Projects is packed with information and projects that will have you turning your basement into a paradise during your weekends. It's intended audience is beginners or those with at least some DIY experience. It probably won't have enough information for a professional, but for the right audience, this is an invaluable book. It starts with how to plan out your basement changes in a logical…
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Life on a Southern Farm
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Now... Don't Go Copying This Thing
2 Sep 2010 | 1:55 amFarmMan has been busy building again. This is it. He doesn't want to tell about it yet because he was worried folks would copy his idea.It started out life as a farm harrow. That is it behind the gate.FarmMan loves to invent and build things. Like this machine he uses building the nest boxes. He also built the chicken brooders in the background.He uses metal from old farm equipment andlumber he -
Lee: A Life of Virtue- by John Perry-Book Review
2 Sep 2010 | 12:03 amLee A Life of Virtue written by John Perry is the second book in Thomas Nelson's (publisher)The Generals series I have read.Growing up and living in the South, I was interested in reading this book about General Robert E. Lee.I hate to admit I just didn't know much about the man Robert E. Lee. Just memories of history lessons long ago of the General Lee.A line from the book's introduction page -
Wordless Wednesday
1 Sep 2010 | 6:27 am
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Lyved
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Looking to America
23 Aug 2010 | 12:24 pmI am a young American. A young, flawed, American. A young flawed American looking, as I’ve done in the past, to America for guidance, for acceptance, and for strengthened hope. But what now reflects back into my eyes, mirrors anything but. It’s an America more flawed than I. An America covering her flaws in a veil. A veil threaded and woven with ignorance and fear for certain groups of her people. In the past she knitted and wore this veil, only to realize how out of fashion it was. But in these times of certain uncertainty, she is wearing it again. Her ignorance and fear is for those who… -
Lyved Classics
16 Aug 2010 | 10:32 amEvery once and awhile I like to compile a list of some of Lyved’s older articles for those who are new to the site or for those who haven’t had a chance to explore the archives. Here is a list of some of Lyved’s most popular and thought-provoking articles from the past. The art of getting off your ass “What do you think is the single most important element to getting things done, living the life you want, and accomplishing goals? It’s ACTION. It’s getting off your ass and going for it!” Read article here: http://www.lyved.com/success/the-art-of-getting-off-your-ass/ How to… -
4 Simple Strategies to Get Rid of the Just-In-Case Blues
9 Aug 2010 | 9:50 amThis is a guest post. Face it. Most of us have something lying around the home, car, closet, or at work for “just in case.” Just in case it rains. Just in case a guest stops by for an impromptu stay. Just in case I decide to go mountain climbing. It never ends! The downside of this just-in-case blues is that the more we think we “might” need it, the more we’ll accumulate, and soon, we don’t even know why we have the item here in the first place! The upside of all this? Not much. Unless you really do have impromptu guests crashing at your place often. Or you have spur-of-the-moment… -
Five Green Tips For De-Cluttering Your House
3 Aug 2010 | 4:17 pmThis is a guest post. De-cluttering your house and/or office space can have a restorative effect on you outlook. Clutter and general messiness can be distracting. Use green strategies for your de-cluttering project to help the planet as well as enhance the inherent positive effects of a clutter-free living space. Here are five green tips for a de-cluttered living environment: 1. Hold a garage sale/sell your junk at a local flea market. Essentially, the key to making your de-cluttering project green is to avoid throwing things away. Almost everyone has seen the pictures of overflowing… -
40 things to do, say, see, hear, taste, smell, and feel as soon as possible
29 Jul 2010 | 5:43 pmAlmost everyone loves to write, read, share, and tackle life goal lists. There are tons of books like “1,000 Places To See Before You Die,” sites for sharing lists like 43Things.com, and even a movie about two men chasing their final to-dos called, “The Bucket List.” It’s fantastic that people want to do and see so much before they die. But I’ve realized after writing and publishing a few of these lists, is that they often imply a “years down the road” mentality, that we have a ton of time to finish every item on our lists. This makes us lose interest and leaves our lists…
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Pun Intended
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My Dangerous Experience at Barnes & Noble
19 Aug 2010 | 8:06 amEntering Barnes & Noble I smiled at the security guard. I took the escalator to the 2nd floor to sample a few self-help books hoping to spark an idea for a mind-blowing inspiration piece for PI. After about 15 minutes of sampling some books, I got this strange feeling someone was watching me. Just as I turned around, I saw the security guard walking toward Starbucks. I tried not to think much of it, but something wasn’t right. What were the chances that the moment I looked behind me, the security guard’s in sight? I tried dismissing it as coincidence. Later, I went to the fountain to… -
Flight Attendant Loses His Marbles (And We Salute Him)
10 Aug 2010 | 11:57 amEver had a bad day? The kind that makes you want to lose your mind completely, strip naked, lace up your Nike’s, and joyously skip to your local grocery store to purchase Honey Bunches of Oat. I’ve had this experience many times and while I’ve never gone through with it, I respect any man who has. Meet Mr. Steven Slater, flight attendant for Jet Blue who clearly had a bad day, and unlike myself, who can be a sissy at times, he manned up and showed us all how to get jiggy with it when the world throws a curve ball at ya. We salute you sir. The haters can rot in hell. While having an… -
The Singing Method to Overcome Awkward Moments
28 Jul 2010 | 8:44 amEver had an awkward experience? You know, those that make you want to escape into a land occupied by fairies. Many consider me an authority on awkward experiences, which is why you’re in for a treat. A couple awkward experiences I’ve experienced: Bumping your head and then trying to act as if nothing unusual happened (WTF, you just bumped your head!) Getting caught picking your shnoz (Has happened to me many, many times) Noticing your zipper is down after spending an evening at a dinner party (don’t ask) Asking a girl for her number and being told no (Bamboo’s no foreigner to… -
How to Make Positive Choices That Bless Your Life
22 Jul 2010 | 10:10 amIllustration by *yannas Success results from a series of wise choices. While that’s true, losing focus of what needs to be done now for everything required to reach your goals can lead you astray. Every time I look back, unhappy with how I conducted myself, the cause has always been because of something I’ve chosen in the present moment, without exception! The above realization teaches us that if we’re present enough, we’ll live in ways that when we look back, we’re proud of. First figure out what you’re committed to doing and then focus your resources to doing it with only the… -
7 Requirements to be a Butler
20 Jul 2010 | 7:25 am1. You are male. Female butlers do not exist. 2. You are British, or pretend to be. Speak even a syllable without the accent, and your employment is instantly terminated. 3. You are eternally between the ages of 45 and 60. 4. You are a master in the art of sarcasm. 5. You are always the snazziest dresser in the room. 6. Elegance emits from your pores. Heck, your flatulence smells like cologne. 7. You must choose from the following names: Jeeves, Reginald, and Niles Related posts: 7 Requirements to be a Cowboy 7 Requirements to be a Motivational Speaker
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APRONSTRINGSANDANGST.COM
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Kitchen Gadget Corsage
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Basting Brush
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Spice Mill
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Norpro Set
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Easy Set
30 Aug 2010 | 3:53 am
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michael-moniz.com
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Question
30 Aug 2010 | 10:00 amIf you didn’t worry about what others thought of you, what would you do? Post from: Question -
Mirror, Mirror
26 Aug 2010 | 10:47 amHave you ever taken a good look in the mirror? I know you have looked to see if there was something in your teeth. I know you have given yourself a quick glance to see if you were wrinkled. But, have you really taken a good look at yourself? You know when you get out of the shower, buck naked and pass by the mirror. Do you stop and look? It really isn’t about looking that I wondering it about. I really am curious about what do you say? What do you see? Take moment one day to look at yourself in the mirror and see what thoughts, even judgements, come up for you. What is it that you say… -
You are going to be mad but…
24 Aug 2010 | 10:20 amThat is not the best way to start a conversation. When I hear this phrase it sets me up. Almost the moment the words leave the person’s mouth, I can feel my face go flush. I start to get a ringing in my ears and I fear the worse. Most of the time the but is followed with something that really isn’t that bad. I think maybe people say that first to help lessen the blow. My first thoughts are wondering why would someone do something they know would make me mad in the first place. If you care enjoy to tell me about it now means you want me to know. It also means you knew you were… -
Another Birthday…
19 Aug 2010 | 9:46 amNo it is not my birthday. That is in October. This month is a lot of people’s birthdays in my life. Justin, Nick, My Mom, Eric, Renata, Chris. (I hope I didn’t forget anyone) All celebrating birthdays. Some people dread having a birthday. I love it! I think people dread birthdays because it makes them feel full of regret. We look back and realize what we didn’t do that we said we would. How life is still the same. That our dreams are not any closer to reality. Or maybe it is the opportunity to realize it is the time for you to change all that. That you learn from what has… -
Does the Past Haunt You?
17 Aug 2010 | 9:23 amQuote from Lion King: Simba: I know what I have to do. But going back will mean facing my past. I’ve been running from it for so long. [Rafiki hits Simba on the head with his stick] Simba: Ow! Jeez, what was that for? Rafiki: It doesn’t matter. It’s in the past. [laughs] Simba: Yeah, but it still hurts. Rafiki: Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or… learn from it. [swings his stick at Simba again who ducks out of the way] Rafiki: Ha. You See? So what are you going to do? I was thinking lately about events in my past. I think…
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Sparkplugging Blog Network
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Printable Animal Mazes
1 Sep 2010 | 4:57 pmToday I discovered that drawing out mazes by hand is a real pain in the neck! But I’ve wanted a set of really cool animal maze printables for this site for a really long time… so I bit the bullet today and spent a few hours drawing up these. Fair warning, I think that these mazes are on the challenging side for kids – especially the grid mazes (that I got lost in while making them!). Check these out instead if you want easier mazes for kids. More Animal Printables: Jungle Animal Bingo, Printable Animal Masks, Paper Dragon Craft Giraffe Animal Maze Elephant Animal Maze… -
Secrets To Selling Used Halloween Costumes On eBay
31 Aug 2010 | 12:48 pmWith my last blog post stating how back to school sales are at an end, and Costumes on eBay are definitely the niche right now, you may be wondering some secretes to selling used costumes so successfully. One of my top strategies is to seek out other moms who just can’t wrap their brain around selling on eBay. Let’s face it…eBay is not for everyone. Not everyone has the time, not everyone has the patience. That’s where eBay addicts come in! You can get a lot of gently used items right from your own friends….and friends of friends! I have quiet a few regulars… -
Fall Kids Poems to Print
31 Aug 2010 | 12:11 pmMy pumpkin patch is overtaking my yard, the nights are getting cooler, and I am so ready for fall! It’s been a while since I’ve added new printable kids poems, so I’m happy to post these two new fall poems to print. Our kids poetry is written just for us, you won’t find these anywhere else! Related Pages: Fall Mad Libs, Fall Leaf Crafts, Printable Dominoes for Fall Fall Kids Poems - What Can You Do in the Fall? Fall Kids Poems - Autumn Car Trip Check out all of our fall kids activities from the Woo! Jr. Network! -
Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue Printables
30 Aug 2010 | 12:05 pmLast week Disney flew me out to their studios in California for a sneak peek at the brand new Tinker Bell movie – Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue. I was with a tiny group of only 15 other moms, and the trip was truly unforgettable! Not only did we get a private screening of the movie, but we also got to meet the director, producer, art director and character animator. I even got to go onto their computer and animate Tinker Bell myself! I swear that ranks up there with being on the Today Show last year! I have some more cool Tink content I’m going to post soon, but I found… -
Watermelon Fruit Salsa Recipe
30 Aug 2010 | 10:34 amSince our garden is overflowing with tomatoes right now, I wanted to come up with a recipe that would entice my kids to help me eat them. Normally they aren’t too into tomatoes, but they are huge fans of Mexican food. My husband and I came up with an amazing taco recipe, which I adapted into a nachos platter for dinner last night. Served up with this sweet watermelon salsa, my kids gobbled this meal up! Related Pages: Healthy Pasta Recipe for Kids, Applesauce Recipes, more Summer Watermelon Recipes Chips and Watermelon Salsa Watermelon Salsa Ingredients This is a mild and sweet salsa…
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The Summer House
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Why I Drink Full-Fat Raw Milk
1 Sep 2010 | 6:23 pmWhen my friends find out that I drink raw milk, they usually think that it's gross or weird or both. If you have never looked into raw dairy products, you might be interested in the science and politics behind it. It might make you mad. I've included some fantastic links for your reading enjoyment. They also explain why I only eat, full-fat dairy products.Raw Milk FactsRaw milk Vending Machines in Europe Full Fat Dairy for Cardiovascular HealthMore on Full-Fat Dairy -
My Creative Space...
1 Sep 2010 | 4:34 pmBunting from a thrift store blouse. (Thanks to my Australian Blogger "friends" for teaching me about bunting. I can't wait to have a party and hang it up!)Wanna play? Head over to Kirsty's -
Freezer Jam Without Added Sugar
29 Aug 2010 | 1:39 pmI've been trying to make more foods from scratch this year and I came across a recipe for freezer jam. The bummer is that all the pectin recipes include tons of sugar and/ or cooking the berries.And if you don't add all that sugar-the jam won't jell-up properly. The strawberries in California are amazing right now and I knew I wanted to make jam with just a hint of sugar. I looked online and found a small company that makes a pectin product you can use without adding any sugar, Pomona's Pectin. I ordered it online and it came very quickly.The jam is in the freezer… -
Mens Shirt to Womens Skirt
20 Aug 2010 | 12:24 pmI recently came across 2 beautiful 100% cotton Sulka dress shirts at the thrift store. Don't worry if you've never heard of Sulka-I hadn't either but I knew by touching them that they were high quality goods.(Here's a picture of the green shirt....I'm still deciding what to do with it.)So I scooped them up. I was just excited that they were XXL-more fabric for me and they even had a straight hem across the bottom. Yippee.Here's how I made the skirt....I didn't use a pattern or take enough pictures so hopefully I can explain it well. Prewash the fabric.Cut up the shirt by cutting out all… -
My Creative Space: Homemade Tortillas
18 Aug 2010 | 10:17 amEvery week or two I make a big batch of homemade tortillas. Some end up in the fridge, some end up in the freezer and some end up well....hmmm, being eaten warm with soft butter.Jana's Homemade Flour Tortillas4 cups white flour1 teaspoon sea salt2 teaspoons baking powder (no aluminum type)3 tablespoons softened butter1 1/2 cups filtered water (warm in your tea pot)Mix all the dry ingredients and then work in the soft butter with your hands. Add the warm water to the mix and continue mixing until incorporated. Kneed for just a small bit. Divide into 30 round balls and place on a plate covered…
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Eternal Ramblings of a Confused Mind
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Istanbul
9 Aug 2010 | 12:42 pmAlmost all the free time I have had since arriving in Istanbul has been spent on foot, walking and walking, seeing what I can discover and learning my way around the tiny, twisting streets that run up and down hill and back and forth, creating a Dr. Seuss-like confusion. It’s an easy and wonderful place to just wander around and get lost. The first day, I went in search of a store to buy a -
On Loneliness
11 Jul 2010 | 11:18 pm<!--StartFragment--> Throughout my life, there is one feeling that has always been there. Sometimes it is overpowering and at other times it lingers just below the surface, and I can feel it, waiting. Even now, in the one of the most populated places on the planet, I still feel so lonely. It is the feeling I wake up with, the one I carry around all day and one I feel when I go to sleep. Even -
A Bit Of This And That
19 Jun 2010 | 9:42 pmLately, I have just found myself at a loss for interesting things to write about, so I have decided to bore you with the things that aren’t so interesting… Just be warned before you read further, this is probably the worst blog post ever written in the history of blogging… Well, maybe almost… I moved. Finally! I did! I said goodbye to the landlady and the rest of her annoying but often -
Drama At Number 48
31 May 2010 | 5:47 amIf you happened to be looking toward Delhi this afternoon and saw a mushroom cloud, I can explain... I find myself at one of those times in life when everything changes quickly and one of the changes is that I am moving (more details on where, when and why later – for now, I am keeping things a bit on the DL). And like many things, what seems easy and organized well in advance becomes a nuclear -
Wasp Happening
24 May 2010 | 8:24 amPicture it if you will, me, sleeping all peaceful and innocent like, visions of sugarplums dancing in my head interspersed with Glee inspired numbers breathtakingly choreographed around yet another perfect rendition of some song I pulled out of my very own show choir catalogue when the unthinkable happened. It was just before five this morning when suddenly I felt a stab in my arm. Maybe not so
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But You Dont Look Sick?
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Please take a moment and vote for us for best health blog in the 2010 Blogger’s Choice Awards!
2 Sep 2010 | 9:27 amPlease take a moment and vote for us for best health blog in the 2010 Blogger’s Choice Awards! It doesn’t take much time and it is easy to vote. Thank you!!! Click the widget above, or go directly to this link: http://bloggerschoiceawards.com/blogs/show/21651?load=comments Thank you for your time!! -
Win an Authentic Epiphone Les Paul Jr. Autographed Guitar Autographed by Lady Gaga!
2 Sep 2010 | 9:03 amWhat a great fundraiser! The Lupus Alliance of America, Long Island Queens Affiliate is Raffling off tickets to win an autographed guitar by Lady Gaga, to help raise funds to care for those living with lupus and to fund research into the cause and cure.he Lupus Alliance of America, Long Island Queens Affiliate is [...] -
FDA Priority Review Designation for BENLYSTA® First Drug for Lupus in 50 years
1 Sep 2010 | 9:09 amROCKVILLE, Md.–(EON: Enhanced Online News)–Human Genome Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:HGSI) and GlaxoSmithKline PLC (GSK) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted a priority review designation to BENLYSTA® (belimumab) as a potential treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A priority review designation is granted to drugs that, if approved, offer major advances [...] -
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Do You Know The Symptoms?
1 Sep 2010 | 6:57 amIt is expected that over 21,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 15,000 women will lose their lives from the disease this year alone in the United States. Women usually do not talk about gynecological issues, but we need to stop the silence. Ask questions. Get informed. Talk to you doctor. Ovarian cancer [...] -
Today’s Tip: An Apple A Day….
31 Aug 2010 | 7:45 pmThe Centers For Disease Control and Prevention recognize September as “5 a Day” Month to promote at least 5 servings of the daily diet include fruits and vegetables. The good news for Spoonies is that some fruits and veggies contain natural anti-inflammatories! Stock up on those apples, apricots, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, spinach, kale, and [...]
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quoteflections
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Bottled Teas a Scam?
2 Sep 2010 | 6:10 amI enjoy about three cups of green tea in the afternoon, (after several cups of coffee in the morning.) I buy a good quality organic tea and throw a bag in a five cup tea pot. The brew can be enjoyed for several hours. Researchers say this is the best way to enjoy the tea's health benefits with an antioxidant punch.On the other hand, the bottled variety, which has enjoyed phenomenal growth over the last five years, has little to no health benefit. Also it packs a lot of calories thanks to all the added sugar.“Out of 49 samples, half of the bottle teas contain less than 10 milligrams of… -
Dictionaries go Digital
31 Aug 2010 | 8:01 pmAs I go through the dictionary from A to Z and find an interesting word a day at 365 Word Quest, I realize the importance of my hard copy. But I am in a growing minority. Soon, even the Oxford English Dictionary may only be available in digital format.This week the publisher said so many people prefer to look up words using its online product that it's uncertain whether the 126-year-old dictionary's Third Edition will be printed on paper at all.The digital version of the Oxford English Dictionary now gets 2 million hits a month from subscribers, who pay $295 a year for the service in the U.S. -
Pivotal Grains
30 Aug 2010 | 4:26 pmOK, which is the world's most important grain: wheat, rice, corn, or soybeans? It's an interesting question and doubtless there are good arguments to be made for each.Now all four have had their genetic sequence decoded. The latest is wheat, after rice in 2005, corn in 2009, and soybeans earlier this year.One researcher said the information could help scientists better identify genetic variations responsible for disease resistance, drought tolerance and yield. Also improved varieties could result in lower prices for bread and greater food security for the world's poor.New strains "are crucial… -
Tribute to Clouds
30 Aug 2010 | 5:41 amWho hasn't lain in wonder at the passing clouds? What if one was your friend? Michael Casker for Likecool has an entertaining photo series entitled Pet Cloud.This brings to mind a classic poem 'The Cloud' by Percy Bysshe Shelley:I bring fresh showers for the thirsting flowers,From the seas and the streams;I bear light shade for the leaves when laidIn their noonday dreams.From my wings are shaken the dews that wakenThe sweet buds every one,When rocked to rest on their mother's breast,As she dances about the sun.I wield the flail of the lashing hail,And whiten the green plains under,And then… -
Cool Canopy
29 Aug 2010 | 5:53 amIt's vacant now, two stories of red brick memories,The land ready for greenhouse expanseAnd the home depleted like the nature around it.Once surrounded by generous treesOf maple, white birch, and spruceNow only a canopy of leafy memories.My mother tended bountiful gardensWith a palette full of hot summer coloursMatching the vibrant harvest around the fifty acre sandy farm,a cornucopia of potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers.The barn and yard are gone nowWhere we circled with our bikesAnd played catch against the large barn door.My mother in the kitchen of cinnamon buns and zwiebackMy father adding…
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Heather Goodman's Blog -
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The Master's Artist: 21 Ways to Procrastinate Writing Your Story
31 Aug 2010 | 9:42 amFor hardworking, disciplined folks, I've composed a list of my favorite tools of procrastination, all in the name of creativity. For example: 2. Start your exercise program by trying out that new zumba/spinning/yoga class at the gym (dancing on a bicycle with one leg behind your back) 6. Clean out your fridge (what is that substance in the Tupperware container anyway?) 15. Troll YouTube for funny videos Read the list in its entirety. -
Redeeming Suburbia, Part II
30 Aug 2010 | 10:09 amWhen I moved back to the suburbs six years ago, I mourned the loss of the ministry for which I'd been preparing, namely church-planting in Italy. I mean, come on. I was headed for Trieste, Italy and landed in a Dallas suburb. The grieving period was necessary and long. Two things happened before I could fully embrace ministry in the burbs: First, I had to accept that God could and will redeem the suburbs. Romans 8 says that all creation groans for our future glorification. I had to listen to hear I wasn't the only one groaning in my neck of the woods. Second, I had to be joyful in this… -
Popinjay: Confidence
25 Aug 2010 | 8:17 amAs an artist, confidence is a tricky thing. It means being able to take criticism, knowing when to change your work based on that criticism and when to smile and ignore it. It means knowing when to hold back and polish and when to risk the public eye. It means knowing when to trash a piece and when to hold on to it for dear life. It means pressing on in the midst of rejections. And more rejections. Sometimes it means knowing when to compose silences and rest from your art. Find more photos portraying confidence here. Also, my piano's name is Claire. -
Redeeming Suburbia
23 Aug 2010 | 9:33 amThis has been a topic floating in my mind for the past five years. Christians talk often about rebuilding the city or reclaiming a simple country life, but for the most part, we seem to have little good to say about the suburbs or the possibility for the suburbs. We consider them detached places where people commute to their work, their grocery stores, their lives. They come home, pull their cars into their garages without the inconvenience of greeting neighbors, plant themselves in front of the boob tube or perhaps play with their children for a few minutes in the backyard, which is well… -
Secrets: A Series
18 Aug 2010 | 10:45 amOr, the end of the world as we know it. Or, why I haven't been blogging as much: explained. At the High Calling Blogs, Claire challenged us to submit photos freeze-framing a particular stage in life. I can't hold my secret any longer.
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Let Your Life Bloom
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What has your guidance been telling you lately?
19 Aug 2010 | 4:03 amI seem to be on a trend! The last two Thursdays, I've focused on guidance. First on how to access it. Second on the different ways it can show up. Now, let's make it even more real. It's time to check in with your own guidance and take note of what it's been telling you. Have the messages been loud and clear? Or more subtle? Pay attention to how the markers show up for you, as it will reinforce your ability to easily access your guidance and intuition when you need it. I almost always have a notebook on me to jot down flashes of insight, directions, intuitive hits, and… -
Many ways to wisdom: A short list of guidance wayshowers
12 Aug 2010 | 3:50 amEvery so often I like to compile a list of how guidance shows up. It's a handy way to remember that we are getting guidance and wisdom all the time from both our internal and external environments. Like anything in life, it all boils down to what you pay attention to and how you act on it. Personally, I prefer when things are easier, simpler, more creative and fun, and overall have a sense of lightness and love to it. Revisiting my guidance list is a way to tap into this way of living. My guidance list:My bodyLook for places of ease and discomfort. Our bodies are always moving towards… -
Your "Bright Light" checklist
10 Aug 2010 | 7:29 amHow do you maintain a sense of inner peace and forward motion in the midst of what often seems like a chaotic world? When you get knocked down by what's going on around or within you, what helps pull you back up? It's not about being perfect or perpetually positive. It's about catching yourself when you fall, notice when you're off center, and regrouping. Putting in some structure, resources, and reminders in place will help you access your strength again. This is essential!For those of us who aspire to bring as much light and goodwill to this world as possible (assuming this… -
Where's the recycling bin?
6 Aug 2010 | 5:20 pmOh yes I did just follow someone a few blocks to hand them back the empty soda can they threw onto the sidewalk. I was about a block behind the two teenage guys who did it, when I saw it happen. Whenever I witness something like this, I still get surprised. It never makes sense to me. And while I've learned to be more compassionate over the years in all of my interactions, I have to admit, I really wanted to throw the can at him.I picked up my pace, carrying said can in hand. I imagined getting really close to him and just whopping his head with the can, like an abusive mother. Then I… -
How to access guidance
5 Aug 2010 | 1:24 pmMost people have a sense of when something is right or not. It shows up as an overall feeling to move toward or away from something, someplace, or someone. We call it intuition, a gut feeling. It's common knowledge that we all have this inborn sense. What if you want detailed guidance? It is possible to get a more refined, clear, specific message tailored to you. In fact, it's easier than you think. And isn't that the ultimate irony of life, pretty much everything is easier than we think. That tricky mind!So…how do you access guidance? I've gathered together a few tips…
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Carrie and Danielle
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Color in Fashion,Culture and History – Why the Little Black Dress?
1 Sep 2010 | 9:33 pmSupposedly the problem began in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and so brought darkness into the world. From that day on, black has had a bad rap. But, an unfair one if you stop to think about it. Related posts:Natural Aphrodisiacs in Our Culture and History -
Perennially Blue – Flowers, That Is
31 Aug 2010 | 12:21 pmWhen I looked around the gardens this week I had a sudden realization. While I am always hearing how difficult it is to find blue flowers for the garden, my own was, by sheer accident, blessed with bountiful blooms in blue. Related posts:Beyond Chrysanthemums: Perennial Flowers and Bulbs for the Autumn Garden -
Hellebores and a Christmas Eve in Paris
22 Aug 2010 | 11:40 pmThat was my first meeting with hellebores – Helleborus niger, often called ‘The Christmas rose.’ A plant that blossomed in the cold of winter! Other than the odd pansy in a very sheltered spot, I had never dreamt of such a thing. But there it was – and my hostess led me out to her small garden to show me more. No related posts. -
My Plumber – the Ghost
20 Aug 2010 | 2:25 pmI never really believed in ghosts – I just wanted to believe in them. The tales I read of romantically haunted castles and old houses fired my imagination. It seemed to me that it would be a wonderful thing indeed to have an old house complete with ghost. But [...] No related posts. -
On Arriving in Scranton
20 Aug 2010 | 2:08 pmGetting out of my car at long last I looked up and was amazed. The gentle hills that surrounded me – the foothills of the Pocono Mountains, were ablaze with the lights of thousands of homes. As the land rose gently upward it was like looking at some celestial staircase that had been grounded. No related posts.
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Dragos Roua - Brilliantly Better
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How To Build Reputation With A Blog – Differentiate
1 Sep 2010 | 1:31 amTweetThis is the 5th post from the series: “How To Build Reputation With A Blog”. If you came here directly, you may want to read the first articles too: How To Build Reputation With Your Blog – The Series How To Build Reputation With Your Blog – Clearly State Your Expertise How To Build Reputation With Your Blog – Write Constantly How To Build Reputation With Your Blog – Interact With Your Audience How To Build Reputation With Your Blog – Interact With Your Peers How Do You Value Things? The answer to this question is fundamental, not only in blogging, but… -
Mariner Promo Code – September Edition
31 Aug 2010 | 11:00 pmTweetToday is September 1st, which means it’s time for the special, unique and exclusive mariner promo code which will give you an instant 20% discount on any Mariner products. Many of you are long time readers of my blog so I’ll just jump to the promo code first, and then get to the details. So, here you are, the mariner promo code valid for the month of September 2010 is venus With this code, you should go to the Mariner eStore, stuff your shopping cart with lots of goodies and then enter the code in the designated field. Hit “Apply”, and voila, all the products will magically… -
How To Build Reputation With Your Blog – Interact With Your Peers
30 Aug 2010 | 12:59 amTweetThis is the 4th article from the series: “How To Build Reputation With A Blog”. If you came here directly, you may want to read the first articles too: How To Build Reputation With Your Blog – The Series How To Build Reputation With Your Blog – Clearly State Your Expertise How To Build Reputation With Your Blog – Write Constantly How To Build Reputation With Your Blog – Interact With Your Audience Who Are Your Peers? In short, they are people who are doing exactly what you are doing. They are bloggers performing on the same field as you are. From a traditional… -
How To Build Reputation With Your Blog – Interact With Your Audience
25 Aug 2010 | 12:24 amTweetThis is the third article from the How To Build Reputation With A Blog series. If you came here directly, you may want to check out the first posts in this series: How To Build Reputation With A Blog – The Series How To Build Reputation With A Blog – Clearly State Your Expertise How To Build Reputation With A Blog – Write Constantly Today will talk about an important part of this process, namely the part in which you start to interact with your audience. Listen To Them The first and most important part of this process is to listen to them. Period. They are your… -
How To Build Reputation With A Blog – Write Constantly
23 Aug 2010 | 1:30 amTweetThis is the second article from the series “How To Build Reputation With A Blog”. If you came here directly, you may want to read the previous articles too: How To Build Reputation With A Blog – The Series How To Build Reputation With A Blog – Clearly State Your Expertise Why Writing Constantly? Writing is about reachability, about making you findable in the huge ball of information that we call the blogosphere. But it’s also about proving what you stated in the first article. Namely, your expertise. You can’t become an authority unless you start getting out there and…
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Steve's Leaves
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Late in the Game
1 Sep 2010 | 3:56 amThey were upright, faithful to God, year-by-year, decade-by-decade, walking a straight path with their eyes toward heaven. But the line was going to end there. They were old, and while their peers already had children and (perhaps) grandchildren, they were childless. Barren. For Zacharias and Elizabeth, it was an unavoidable stigma, an emptiness. A barren womb was seen as a curse, a disgrace. Their neighbors, however, had quivers full – lively sons and daughters – and they would leave their fingerprints on new generations. Yet the couple persisted on, faithful to God, though… -
A Doctor in the House
29 Aug 2010 | 4:06 amI was reading this morning in Craig Groeschel‘s (excellent) book, The Christian Atheist. This phrase leaped out at me: No believer is so broken that the Master Potter can’t put you back together (p. 221). I had been talking to my wife just the day before about the long, convoluted process of liberation that I have been through – how we may be released at one point in time from the prison, but that doesn’t mean that all the chains come off right away. You see, Jesus, as a Physician, is not just there for the occasional office visit or emergency house call. He moves in. -
How to Look Like a Stupid, Smug Bigot
28 Aug 2010 | 8:59 amIt’s very easy to marginalize people who are different from you, labeling and dismissing them with an air of arrogant superiority. This is an equal-opportunity danger – open to all races, geographies, and political parties. So, as a public service, I offer you 7 ways you can look like a really stupid bigot: 1. Assume that people are racist if they disagree with your particular agenda. Be sure to paint them with a broad bush, especially if you have no concrete evidence of their bigotry. And, do remember that only certain designated groups can possibly be guilty of… -
Can You Spare Me a Sign?
28 Aug 2010 | 5:08 amI was reading with the family this week the ancient story of Gideon, one of the “judges” God raised up to lead Israel out of the oppressive grip of its conquering neighbors. Long story short, Gideon was a hesitant soul. God told him what He wanted him to do, and promised to provide deliverance, and Gideon kept asking for miraculous signs to confirm that God really meant it. Instead of frying him to a cinder for his unbelief, God (who had chosen Gideon with full awareness of his weakness) condescended to accommodate his wavering faith, and actually provided multiple confirmations… -
Preparing…
27 Aug 2010 | 3:21 amPrepare the way of the Lord, wrote Isaiah. God prepared all the circumstances of John the Baptist’s birth and life – he who would prepare Israel for the Messiah. I go to prepare a place for you, Jesus said to his disciples. Believers are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand. To prepare is to make something ready beforehand. It implies forethought, care, and a level of control over circumstances. It doesn’t imply randomness or sloppiness. I’m thinking that may be a very good thing. You? Connect with Steve Woodruff Twitter: @swoodruff…
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Caffeinated Thoughts
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Jonathan Narcisse and Eric Cooper Should Be Allowed to Particpate in Iowa Gubernatorial Debates
2 Sep 2010 | 10:00 amWhile I’ve made it pretty clear I’m voting for former Governor Terry Branstad this go around, I do want issues debated. I also believe that third party candidates should not be shut out of debates. Jonathan Narcisse started a petition drive so that he would be included in the debates, and I have signed it. However, I also believe that Eric Cooper the Libertarian Party of Iowa candidate should be allowed to debate as well. Getting exposed to a variety of ideas and perspectives on the issues will help educate the electorate. If the debates stay as is… we are just… -
Dave Funk Responds to Cityview’s Personal Attack
2 Sep 2010 | 8:30 amAltoona, IA: In response to Cityview’s recent attack on Dave Funk’s disability status, he has composed an open letter to the residents of Polk County: I am campaigning on the belief that Polk County citizens deserve honesty, openness, and fairness from their government. To that end, I would like to give an honest response to some flawed accusations leveled against me, regarding my disability, in this week’s Cityview. Anyone who would like to read the decision can find it at http://decisions.iowaworkforce.org/workerscomp/2007/September/Funk,%20David-5010803D.doc. During my career as a… -
Wretched TV’s Todd Friel: Glenn Beck, Are You Really a Mormon?
2 Sep 2010 | 4:27 amWretched Radio and TV’s Todd Friel has been doing an outstanding job of reaching out to Glenn Beck personally, calling upon him to abandon Mormonism if he really has repented of his sins and believes in the Atonement. Other Christians who instead publically affirmed Becks’ faith include David Barton, Jim Garlow, James Robison, Jerry Falwell, Jr., and Dave Roever. These all participated in or helped promote Beck’s rallies in Washington, DC last weekend, called Divine Destiny (held on 8/27) and Restoring Honor. The latter rally may have had between 500,000 and a million… -
I Stand Corrected – Branstad/Reynolds Are Helping Polk County Republican Candidates
1 Sep 2010 | 6:11 pmI was pretty critical of former Governor Terry Branstad’s campaign this morning, and I learned from a friend that my criticism was rather unfair… in particular this comment was disputed: So the final lesson is that if you are a Republican legislative candidate who would like Governor Branstad’s help you should make sure that you are “targeted” first. If you are a local candidate – forget about it. My friend, Art Smith who is a co-contributor with me at From The Right at The Des Moines Register, writes at The Conservative Reader, and is the communication chair (on a voluntary… -
Branstad: Ready to Grow Iowa’s Agricultural Economy
1 Sep 2010 | 11:00 am(BOONE) – During the Farm Progress Show in Boone today, Gov. Branstad outlined his goals for growing Iowa’s agricultural economy. The proposal can be found here: http://governorbranstad2010.com/assets/ready-to-grow.pdf Branstad noted that agriculture is in the business of nourishing bodies and a major engine for job creation and economic growth. In 1983, with Iowa in the depth of an agricultural recession, its 115,000 farmers produced economic value of $1.98 billion on 33.7 million acres of farmland. Today, Iowa’s 92,600 farmers are producing crops and livestock on 30.8…
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Dominick Evans
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Just the Facts About the Mosque
24 Aug 2010 | 3:08 pmI’ve seen so much mis-information spewed about the Cordoba Cultural Center, which is supposed to be built two blocks from Ground Zero. While I am a proponent of freedom of religion and also realize you cannot blame an entire religion for the act of radical extremists, I also feel it is important to get accurate information out about this mosque. First, the mosque will be inside the Cordoba Cultural Center. It is not just a mosque, but is plans for a Cultural Center that will welcome people of all faiths. The Cordoba Cultural Center plans to feature a prayer area that will accommodate up… -
Name that Quote: Conservative Christian or Adolf Hitler?
20 Aug 2010 | 2:04 pmI have been thinking a lot about how Muslims are being treated in this country, especially by the Conservative pundits and their followers. I will fully admit I know little about the actual Muslim religion. I actually became friends with a Muslim woman at college and she was not at all what is perceived about Muslims. She wore a headscarf and long skirts, which I know is a part of traditional Muslim attire, but that was just her outer appearance. She was fun, friendly, and did not judge me at all, for being transgendered. She never denigrated me the way some of my Christian peers did. In… -
Dear Chip Dip, My Ass Doesn’t Need You
14 Jul 2010 | 9:58 amDear Chip Dip, My ass no longer needs you. Neither does my double chin, or pretty much any other part of my chubby body. Why do you have to be so damn appealing and want me to eat you? We need to break up. I’m sorry it has to be this way, but we do. It isn’t forever, I hope, but maybe one day, when I am thinner, we can be friends again. Love, Dominick As much as I wish dieting were as simple as sending a letter to the food you wish not to eat and telling it to avoid you, in reality, the food ain’t gonna listen. That is because food is an inanimate object that fatties like me… -
Tragedy Has Struck My Hometown – Lake Twp. Devastated by Tornado
6 Jun 2010 | 7:13 pmPLEASE DONATE BELOW! EVERY DOLLAR HELPS! The web has made it so those not in the same place as others can experience what is going on, with them. Last night, I had the chance to experience the events of my hometown, as they unfolded on Facebook. I grew up in the small town of Walbridge, Ohio. Pretty much everyone knew everyone there. I went to Lake High School, which served students from Walbridge, Millbury, Moline and Lake Twp, all surrounding areas for the school. My graduating class had less than 200 people in it. Many of us hung out at the local swimming pool. We knew kids in nearly every… -
School and God: Why Separation of Church and State MUST be Maintained
2 Jun 2010 | 11:14 pmI happened to catch something unfolding on Twitter and Facebook this evening. The QueenofSpain herself, Erin Kotecki Vest was sharing a story about an online friend and her daughter. First, let me just say, if you haven’t read my blog, I am not a Christian (I am religious, but my religion is private to me). I am also a parent. I homeschool my son and have for several years (since 2nd grade). This story has helped to remind me why I would homeschool any child Ashtyn and I have. After reading about Maria and her six year old, Bella, I felt enraged. I am furious that a public school has…
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Yellaphant
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F you, Earl. F you in the butt.
2 Sep 2010 | 4:26 amIt's September 2nd and I might be having an anxiety attack. This weekend is Labor Day Weekend. The unofficial end of summer and therefore my life. God, I hate Labor Day. You can keep your three day weekend, I'd like to go back to a weekend in early July please. I told you this would happen before before we even knew what hit us. Didn't I just recover from my Fourth of July hangover? How is it September already? Okay, well I guess a three-day weekend isn't so bad right now. I have been working some pretty long hours recently. And the stress has kind of been getting to me. My body definitely… -
Wednesday's Song of the Week
1 Sep 2010 | 4:12 amBeing as multiple people sent me this song over the past week, I think it's begging for a little Song of the Week action. It first came to me by way of blog comment. Tatiana was all ya gotta hear this song 'cause it's awesome but it's totally NSFW. This got me excited for two reasons:1) Someone besides my mother is reading this blog.2) I was at work when I read the comment and that little "NSFW" comment really buttered my bread because if there's one thing I love, it's inappropriateness in all things.I weighed my options for about 1.4 seconds: Staying on the professional, appropriate side of… -
My case for the cast of the Jersey Shore
26 Aug 2010 | 3:44 amWhen the concept of MTV's Jersey Shore first hit the public, I have to say I was a bit disgusted. I grew up in Philadelphia. I didn't need an MTV reality show to tell me that our next door neighbors to the west were ... how do I put this delicately ... trash. I had evidence enough every Friday and Saturday night in Old City when hordes of gelled up Jersey boys and girls crossed the bridge into our fair city to down some Red Bull and vods, flex their muscles, and yell obscenities as they got tossed from the bars.SIKE! Put your pitchforks down, Jersey. You know I love you. My favorite place in… -
Wednesday's Song of the Week
25 Aug 2010 | 4:54 amBack when I was a wee college girl, I would spend large chunks of my summers hanging out with a bunch of dreadlocked hippies -- when I wasn't delivering your mail, that is. We did all those things that fucking hippies did. Concerts. Festivals. Admire street art. Drum circles. You know. The usual.One of the bands that we had seen at one of those festivals was the John Butler Trio. And let me tell you, there is nothing quite like sitting in the grass in the scorching heat with your head spinning because you're slightly dehydrated with a beer sweating in your hand while you watch a band perform… -
Hide your kids, hide your wife, and hide your husband cause they rapin' everybody out here
24 Aug 2010 | 4:31 amThere are important moments in everyone's life that are never forgotten. Moments that shape you and the path of your life. Moments that give you purpose and passion. Your first kiss. The first time you ride a bike without training wheels. Your wedding day. The birth of a child. For me, that list got a little longer when I saw these videos for the first time.Please watch this clip from a local news station:And now watch this:AHWUYAHDKGSGZZZZ IS THAT NOT THE MOST AMAZING THING YOU'VE EVER SEEN? ARE YOU NOT CRYING TEARS OF LAUGHTER AND JOY? ARE YOU NOT INFUSED WITH LIFE?Wait, I need to amend…
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JordonCooper.com
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Waterworld II
31 Aug 2010 | 6:49 pmAfter work today, I sent Mark down to Safeway to get some fresh bread. As he came in he was yellling DAD… FIRE HYDRANT… BROKE… WATER… DO SOMETHING This was the view out the front door. Some kids had been jumping on the hydrant connection and broke it off. Within 10 minutes of calling the City of Saskatoon water works, the hydrant was shut down (and Avenue E lost their water) and order was restored. Luckily the water sprayed away from the house and I didn’t have to pump out the basement. Still, no one forsaw the probability of kids jumping up and down on a… -
Losing My Religion
29 Aug 2010 | 9:03 pmA lot of you have asked why I have stopped posting about items of faith and Christianity here and the reason is pretty complex. First of all after reading around 5 books a week for 15 years or so, I no longer have the time or the desire to read that much. Much of that reading was theological or about church life and what has been said on the topic for me has been said. I still get probably 100 books a year to review and most of them are just rehashing what has been said and said and said again. On the occasional time when I can force myself to enter into Scott’s… -
The Tipping Point?
29 Aug 2010 | 7:31 pmSeth Godin is done with publishing. Traditional book publishers use techniques perfected a hundred years ago to help authors reach unknown readers, using a stable technology (books) and an antique and expensive distribution system. The thing is–now I know who my readers are. Adding layers or faux scarcity doesn’t help me or you. As the medium changes, publishers are on the defensive…. I honestly can’t think of a single traditional book publisher who has led the development of a successful marketplace/marketing innovation in the last decade. The question asked by the… -
Worst Goal of All Time?
29 Aug 2010 | 1:27 pmIt reminds of some of the horrible goals I have let in over my life. No this is worse. via -
jordoncooper.com on Twitter
24 Aug 2010 | 7:58 amThis is a casual reminder that jordoncooper.com has a dedicated Twitter account. You can follow @jordoncoopercom to keep up with all the posts on the site.
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Trying to follow
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A Virtual Food Audit
23 Aug 2010 | 5:25 amA few years ago, a friend lent me the book A Life Stripped Bare, in which a family spends a year trying to live ‘ethically.’ They went about this in a very creative way by basically asking a handful of wise ethically-minded people to “audit” their lives. The people came in and basically went room to room, cupboard to cupboard, discussing items, energy choices, etc. I thought it was a very creative way to learn about these things, and as a concrete examples person, it helps me when things are specific. So, I thought I’d try my own experiment. On my most recent… -
Sorting Out My Food Values
16 Aug 2010 | 4:57 amIn my last post I wrote of some of my hesitations and concerns about the food movement. They where not major concerns but simple annoyances or critiques that I’d felt. The conversation that ensued was wonderful and I really appreciate those who took the time to reply to what I’d written and engage in some dialog. They were convincing arguments and I appreciated them. I’m willing, like I said before, to make changes in my families food choices. In thinking through it further, I recognized some values I have that seemed, at least in my head, to counter making changes in my… -
A Critique: Food Choices and the Food Movement
26 Jul 2010 | 5:41 amIn recent months, I’ve been encouraged by others to think a bit more critically about my families food choices. I’ve since watched and read a bit and I find myself still a bit skeptical. If an outsiders generalization of my readers is correct, my skepticism regarding the popular food trends of local and organic might be a bit controversial to you reading. I’m hoping it is, because I’d like to get some feedback and thoughts on the topic and am quite open to having my views changed. I have to start with a bit of a disclaimer. There are a lot of things espoused by the… -
Knowing or Doing?
7 Jul 2010 | 4:50 am“The Hebrew is concerned with practice, the Greek with knowledge. Right conduct is the ultimate concern of the Hebrew, right thinking that of the Greek.” -William Barrett I remember learning this distinction between these two ancient ways of thinking sometime shortly after high school when I was at YWAM. The basic idea that some saw “belief” as merely an intellectual exercise, and others as more a matter of action. Our society, and much of the church, is dominated by a Greek way of thinking. So, “believing” in Jesus is mostly a matter of praying a prayer or… -
Putting Politics Aside, Where is the Church?
15 Jun 2010 | 11:56 amWhen it comes to politics and faith I find a lot of Christians fall into one of two categories particularly when it comes to social issues: The church should care for the needs of the people (more republican leaning) or The church should influence the government to care for the needs of the people (more democrat leaning). Generally speaking, in theory, many agree that it’s a Christian thing to care for those in need, Christians just differ on how. But, then here is the crazy thing to me: both sides think something should be done AND both think the church should be a part of it. So, why…
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The Coyote Insight Blog
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Tattoo Who?
27 Aug 2010 | 10:51 amIn the last few days I've seen two people with tattoos who really stuck out in my mind; one man one woman, both likely in their early 50's. That's no surprise; there are countless others that age and older who are part of what I think of as Gen Tat, or the first generation with large numbers of both genders having tattoos. Yes I know that tattooing is as old as humanity itself but it's really taken off in the last 20 years or so, extending way beyond the early 20's military demographic that had been the primary customer base. For some time now there is no sub demo group I… -
Thanks For The Memories Dolores
20 Aug 2010 | 9:10 amWatching a Bob Hope/Bing Crosby "Road" picture the other day, I thought about Bob's career, which was topped off by the fact that he lived to be 100. If you're too young to know much if anything about him, take a few moments to scan the highlights, it's quite a story. Bob's accomplishments are legendary but have you ever thought about his wife Dolores, who, to this day, gracefully lives her life in Bob's shadow. Dolores was an entertainer herself when they met in 1933; a big band singer until she gave up her career in the 40's to raise her family and help Bob with his USO shows. From that day… -
Feel What?
13 Aug 2010 | 10:58 amI recently came across the following.One square inch of skin on the human hand contains 72 feet of nerve fiber, in total, 46 miles of the stuff in the average human body. Nerves. Pretty important aren't they?They can result in pleasure although more often we associate them with fear or strength ("nervousness", "nerves of steel".) So we all have 46 miles of the same material and yet some of us can't deal with the daily trials of life while others do the extraordinary. And then there are those with apparently little or no feeling at all. Nerves of Steel - Watch more Funny Videos -
Bob and Francis
6 Aug 2010 | 11:09 amTwo of my parents good friends were Bob and Francis. I well remember them visiting us and we them, along with their sons who were a few years older than me. At the time, about the same age as David and Ricky Nelson (from the TV show "Ozzie and Harriet".)That family epitomized the 50's, at least to me now in retrospect.Party people who enjoyed their cocktails, who drove a cool '57 Mercury, the one with the rear window that could be lowered; as far as I know the only sedan with that feature then or now.I think of Bob and Francis I think backyard barbecues of hamburgers and hot dogs, the dads… -
I Couldn't Invent This
30 Jul 2010 | 9:57 amStereotyping people is as common as people themselves. We all do it and have it done to us. Based on age, gender, beauty, occupation, you name it, we use it all and more to categorize each other.For example when I say Abraham Lincoln, what immediately comes to mind?How about Mark Twain (or Samuel Clemens if you prefer)?Steve McQueen?In the first case, US president, stove pipe hat, tall, assassination, civil war? Mark Twain surely brings to mind author, story teller, Mississippi, Tom Sawyer, and for Steve McQueen I think actor, race cars, early death. Whichever of these descriptors you think…
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It's my life...
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A Winner and Some Ethics to Protect Potential Wimpy Kids
31 Aug 2010 | 10:47 pmJust wow. Seriously. Just wow. I mean, there are just no other words. I asked for Wimpy Kid/Embarrassing school stories. I didn't expect to want to cry as the comments rolled in, each more heartbreaking than the last.Did I mention that my kid starts Kindergarten in a week? Couldn't you people have gone easy on me? Never have I been happier to have picked the particular school I picked for her. The things kids do to each other defies the imagination. Or maybe I'm too darn nice and ethical. But seriously, I couldn't have thought up half the stuff that people mentioned in the comments. Nor do I… -
Mental check-out for a weekend
30 Aug 2010 | 11:06 pmOn Sunday night I looked at my blog dashboard and I felt... nothing. No guilt about the campaign posts I'm supposed to write, no tug to blog about the weekend, no inspiration to write anything.In the past I've often felt compelled to write for the sake of writing, but this weekend I felt none of that.I pushed myself so hard this summer. I worked while family and friends were in town, staying up way too late to fulfill my obligations. I spent the summer torn in a million directions, always thinking three steps ahead, always lamenting the lack of time to sit back and enjoy the last summer… -
Starting the Year of Awesome on the right foot
26 Aug 2010 | 10:39 pmMy goals were simple: get back to my book and get back on my feet. So far I'm hitting both out of the park. Monday morning dawned bright, warm, and full of promise. I took the girls to daycare and headed to my favorite Starbucks where I sat down and answered emails, futzed around on Facebook, chatted on Twitter, and finally, finally, opened the file that holds my novel.I set the timer for 45 minutes and turned off the Internet access to my computer. And then... I started editing.Getting back into the story, reconnecting with the characters, all of it was heady. I love writing fiction. I love… -
A Wimpy Kid like every other. And a giveaway like none other!
24 Aug 2010 | 10:26 pmSo there I was, late as always, running like a bat out of hell to throw myself through the open doors of the Paris subway before they slammed shut leaving me to wait another ten minutes for the next train. The horn blasted and I sped up and just as the doors started to slide shut...And that's when I tripped and fell flat on my face. At least I fell into the compartment and managed to pull my feet out of the way of the sliding doors. Sadly I fell right at the feet of a gorgeous guy.Luckily he wasn't a classmate of mine. Even luckier I never saw him again. That fall was par for the… -
Happiness is yours to choose. No, really.
23 Aug 2010 | 10:26 pmThe other day a tweet flashed by in my Twitter stream. I can't remember the exact wording, but it said something to the tune of "I was having a fantastic day until someone said something that ruined it." I barely hesitated before firing off what could have been construed as a flippant answer."You can't control what someone says to you, but you can control how it makes you feel. You can choose to not let that person ruin your day."The person replied a bit later, thanking me for reminding her that that was true.As I was telling an old friend the story a few days later she said something that…
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Joe Blogs
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Making Some New Sense
24 Aug 2010 | 12:31 pmImage by joedawson via FlickrAbbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London. It is most notable for being the venue in the 1960s for innovative recording techniques adopted by The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and others. Today I was invited to the Studios to participate in a television pilot featuring Everything Everything, a British indie rock band.I travelled there alone expecting to meet my brother, unfortunately he had work commitments which meant he wasn't able to make an appearance. Thankfully I managed to meet someone that I shared… -
Go Ninja?
22 Aug 2010 | 5:38 amImage by rhurtubia via FlickrTrying to plan anything is a challenge; location, time, attendees and frequently I find that dates clash for different things that I plan to do. For instance yesterday, I received two surprise birthday invitations and several friends wanted to meet locally for a night out. Achievable? Definitely, I intended to participate in each event, although the 'surprise' for the birthday's was scheduled at the same time so I had to make a decision. Another factor was that one party was fancy dress, I decided against Spiderman and Captain Jack Sparrow, opting instead for the… -
Reach Those Notes
20 Aug 2010 | 9:02 amImage by Kmeron via FlickrThe Album Chart Show showcases the biggest and best album releases from the UK Top 100 Album Chart and also gives up-and-coming talent a chance to make their mark. Through Eventbrite I secured tickets for the show, which is recorded in front of a live audience in London's historic music venue KOKO. I have attended the show several times this year, usually with my partner, and we've made some good friends. I travelled to the show with a friend of the family, he's a great guy and like another brother! The Album Chart Show would be his first experience and the lineup… -
Taking Stock
19 Aug 2010 | 9:35 amA level results have been published. I had an unconditional offer for Leeds Metropolitan University to study Media and Popular Culture confirmed earlier in the year but I have still been worried about today. That's because the destiny of my partner would be confirmed, her placement at Liverpool John Moores University was conditional and dependent on results. I awoke early and nervously waited for the phone call to learn the outcome. My heart pounded when the phone started ringing, I felt confident based on her relaxed attitude and conversations with her over the last few months. As she… -
Don't Think About Elephants
17 Aug 2010 | 9:49 amImage by flick3r&fade via FlickrOkay, this is me, planting an idea in your mind. I say: don't think about elephants. What are you thinking about? I have been thinking about elephants; the reluctance of certain people to accept that I'm going to university, the money aspect, I want to see the faces of my children, A Levels, loyalties, commitments, feeding the Turok, becoming a roadie, the infinite playlist, siblings, confessions of a materialistic, higher education, choices, situations, consequences, hour glasses, not being in a position to extend an arm to embrace, express support…
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thinkBuddha.org
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Judgement and Experience
21 Aug 2010 | 6:26 amAbout eighteen months ago, I wrote a post here about judgement and about the need to test judgements against the fine grain of experience. In that post, I quoted the story – a story that I have been fascinated by for a long time – about the friend of the painter Courbet who used to wake in a cold sweat crying “I want to judge! I want to judge!” I’ve been thinking again about judgement, because I have been noticing whilst travelling that the mind does very curious things. This will not be news to anybody who a) has a mind and b) pays it any attention. But the… -
Having more than one name
16 Aug 2010 | 5:14 amIt happened for the first time this morning. I was checking out of the hotel in Qinzhou up the road, and I asked for a receipt. They told me to write down my name so that they could process the receipt. I wrote down “Will Buckingham”. They frowned. No, they said, that won’t do. I need to write down my name in Chinese. So I wrote down Bo Houde (博厚德) in Chinese. They seemed satisfied with this, and processed the receipt. When they handed the receipt to me, I realised that although in some cases I was Will Buckingham, in other cases, Bo Houde was now who I actually was. -
Out of sight of land
8 Aug 2010 | 2:59 amTravel, it has to be said, does not necessarily broaden the mind. Nevertheless, there is something to be said for placing oneself in an entirely alien context, and in running up against the limits of your own cultural conditioning. It’s not for nothing that certain Buddhist texts recommend that the Bodhisattva – the exemplar of Buddhist practice – should leave home and family and should live in a place not of their birth. If there is one experience of travel that I could identify as being the most useful, it is the experience of being out of one’s depth, of having the… -
Looking Back
30 Jul 2010 | 9:30 pmSo, as I’ve mentioned in the last couple of posts, thinkBuddha has now been around for five years. I don’t know how five blog years translates into human years, but I’m almost certain that if one could do the calculations, then the beard of this here blog would be flecked with grey. I am writing this from Wuhan, China, whilst steeling myself for a night of hard-seat train travel to Jinan; so in the meantime I thought I’d take a brief tour of the last five years. My first post, on July 29th 2005, was called Buddhism Without Buddhism. Back then, I wrote as follows:… -
Scriptural protection?
27 Jul 2010 | 7:45 amA long time ago now, I was travelling with a friend in India and Nepal, visiting the Buddhist sites. And one of the continual problems with travelling in India was the question of how best to deal with touts and rickshaw drivers and taxi drivers and all of the folks who – seeing a foreigner – wanted a little piece of you. Or, at least, of your cash. It was whilst we were being generously hosted by the Japanese Nichiren-shū Buddhists in Sarnath – they permitted us to stay as long as we got up at the crack of dawn to bang drums and chant, something that we were happy to do…
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Tres Lola
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Small ways to improve days
31 Aug 2010 | 6:16 amThink back to the last compliment you received… and consider how it made you feel. I was recently in a 7/11 convenience store and had the sales assistant tell me he liked my hair. It was random. But it was awesome. His off-the-cuff words made my day. We often think nice things about people but not bother to vocalise the thought. If you like your mates dress, tell her. If a guy in your class has great hair, tell him. If your teacher was lectured in a particularly inspiring manner, let them know. We fail to give compliments for all manner of reasons, but it’s often the little… -
The Value of Reading
11 Jun 2010 | 3:04 amThe rise of blogging as a most popular way of publishing content online has meant that an increasing number of people are finding themselves writing on a regular basis. People who would once never have considered putting pen to paper are now putting fingers to keyboard and broadcasting to the world. But is all this writing coming at the expense of time we might once have spent reading? Reading widely can ensure we consistently improve our own writing style. It is in observing the writing of others that we are best able to refine our own words. By absorbing the words of others we too increase… -
Smart Girls Guide to Saturday Night Style
7 Jun 2010 | 7:13 amA night out with the girls is often a weekend highlight. However, nights on the town can have a down side: blistered heels from pretty shoes, horrible hangovers from too many drinks and embarrassing photographs of dodgy hookups and wardrobe malfunctions. And with the rise of social media, our pain and shame is easily made public. Twitpics can be broadcast to thousands in just seconds, Facebook photos can be shared with everyone from your high school friends to your mum. We are a society of lifestreamers, even without intention. We have friends and those around us at the ready with their… -
How observation can fulfil curiosity
3 Jun 2010 | 1:50 amCuriosity is one of the great secrets of happiness. Bryant H. McGill Curiosity, acted upon, provides us with knowledge, and knowledge, acted upon, creates change. By nurturing a curious mind we are able to equip ourselves with greater perspective, and consequently a deeper sense of gratitude. By filling our minds with the ideas of others we are empowering ourselves to have ideas of our own. In learning and listening we encourage ourselves to think a little more, speak up more often and act in ways more considered and conscientious. But where does one start? Where can we fulfil our curiosity? -
How do you define success?
28 May 2010 | 6:10 amWhen considering our achievements, we are often our own harshest critics. We can reel off the successes of others with admiration or envy, but when it comes to our own stories, we waiver. We magnify our flaws and are quick to list all the points at which we feel we have failed. But what if we changed the language we use around success and failure? What if a failure is merely a stepping stone along the road to getting it right – without that ‘failure’ you’d not be pushed to explore a better option, without that ‘failure’ you’d not have learned…
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Kyle Steed
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Epic Shmepic
1 Sep 2010 | 9:17 amWe’ve become so loose in the tongue that even the smallest of achievements have become epic. But what is epic? Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey” are epic. Beowulf is epic. The design you saw last night on Dribbble is not epic. The new hot design conference you attended last month is not epic. But this is just the way I see it. Language has always adapted to each generation. But how long will the value of our words last when we start calling mediocrity epic? -
Making the Web by Hand
18 Aug 2010 | 12:42 pmAttending SXSW 2010 was one of the best decisions for my professional career, to date. I was stoked to meet so many people that I had only ever talked to online as well as meet some real heroes of mine. And even better, my site/font was featured in the Get Stoked on Web Typography panel by Samantha Warren. The whole experience really solidified my belief that the only value of the internet is the relationships we build with people. I am going to come right out and say it. You need to vote for my panel, Making the Web by Hand, for SXSWi 2011 if you know what’s good for you. Seriously… -
The Elements of Typographic Style
2 Aug 2010 | 10:26 amWhen I arrived at work this morning I found this little beauty waiting for me on my desk. My friend and co-worker Nathan Smith was kind enough to let me borrow it. I am expecting great things from the knowledge contained within its pages. So while I get to reading I will leave you with this inspiring quote: - Everything written symbols can say has already passed by. They are like tracks left by animals. That is why the masters of meditation refuse to accept that writings are final. The aim is to reach true being by means of those tracks, those letters, those sings – but reality itself… -
Fireshop or Photoworks
29 Jul 2010 | 6:40 amQuite frankly I’m tired of the ongoing debate over whether a designer should use Photoshop or Fireworks. They are only one tool a designer carriers in his/her design toolbox. So why then do we continue to stay in our corners defending the reputation of one app over another? An app is an app is an app. Meaning, if you’ve got the goods to make the hotness then it shouldn’t matter what app you’re using to design with. I read an article this morning on a very popular design blog telling us why we should “stick with” Photoshop. I’m sure the author has all… -
Keep It Simple Stupid
26 Jul 2010 | 7:46 amLife is too short to carry unwanted baggage. So while my last design was well received, I feel this new look is more fitting to my life right now. The actual design process was pretty straight forward. Show as little as possible while still remaining informative and beautiful. I was inspired by the simplicity of reading a book and the old saying that “content is king”. And credit must be given to this site for an enormous amount of inspiration. a clean slate I always like to clean the kitchen before I start cooking. I enjoy picking up and organizing the house before company…
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Ibn Ibn Battuta
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Photography Poll Results: The People Have Spoken
21 Aug 2010 | 10:00 amThe polls have closed, and the votes, comments, and emails of nearly 50 readers have been tallied. Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to consider the photographs and share your opinions! This process has helped me see these images in new and very different ways. Now, the envelope please... [cue drumroll] Photo number 1, "The anthill lookout" from northern Uganda is the clear favorite, with "Boy at the medersa pool" not far behind, followed closely by "Hammocks in a blue wood". Others had a strong following. "Children reflected", "Prayers from above", "Green-robed worshiper", and… -
Nat'l Geographic Photo Contest: Help Me Pick A Winner!
12 Aug 2010 | 7:16 pmIf you're reading this, I need your help! National Geographic Traveler magazine's fourth annual "World In Focus" photography contest ends later this month, and I've decided (perhaps foolishly) that I must take part! After years of traveling, and over 20,000 photos snapped around Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North America, surely one of them must be of National Geographic caliber, right? Think of NG's majestic cranes, the docks fading into the mist, brightly painted Saharan warriors, polar bears duelling on the sea ice, the piercing stare of the Afghan girl... or better yet, check out… -
Hating Hijabs or Badgering Blondes: What’s the Difference?
28 Jul 2010 | 6:35 pmLast night around 9:00 PM, I was walking home in the dark from a function near my office. After a long day at work, I felt like a rubber band that had been stretched too many times. I had just reached Dupont Circle, a small park in central Washington, DC, when a wild yell snapped me from my daze. Ahead of me, on one of the wide paths leading to the circle’s central fountain, a small pack of teenagers were cackling and swerving menacingly around a man and woman. At a glance, I noticed two things: the couple looked to be around 60 years old, and the woman wore a long dress and hijab (the… -
Reflections on South Africa 2010: World Watches Cup, US Watches World
14 Jul 2010 | 7:25 pmThe 2010 World Cup in South Africa has come and gone. I did not reach Africa's first World Cup, although I did my best to watch every game (and for the first few weeks, before returning to a desk job here in Washington, I came close to doing so). Watching this Cup here in the US was nothing like back in 2006, when each muggy evening I crowded with fellow spectators around the TV in a ramshackle Tanzanian bar. The contrast is unmistakable; while the rest of the planet takes a month-long break every four years for the World Cup, few Americans even bat an eyelash. If anything, most marvel at the… -
Wonder and Winces: Mixed Emotions in Dubai
22 Jun 2010 | 10:31 amMany people who know me assume that I would accept any free ticket, that I would jump on a train or plane to any destination, all without thinking twice. Not so. On my unofficial List of Places I Never Want to Go, Dubai held second place for years. (Nothing could be worse than Vegas.) Everything I had heard made me want to avoid ultra-artificial Dubai: the excesses of the city's buildings, the commercialism of the malls, the environmental degradation from golf courses and ski slopes built in the desert, and the exploitation of immigrant laborers by the locals - a disdainful upper caste of…
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Yes and Yes
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31 New Things: Eat Dinner In a Fancy Restaurant By Myself
2 Sep 2010 | 4:00 amWould you believe that this 31 New Things goal nearly gave me palpitions? Yes. How silly is that? As I walked into The Lexington, I was literally compiling a list of solo accomplishments in my head to bouy my confidence ("Moved to New Zealand without knowing anyone to get an M.A. Crossed the border between Bolivia and Peru by myself with beginning Spanish. Navigated five different kinds of transport, on my own, to get from Greece to Italy.")Because The Lex? It's a St. Paul landmark. It has chandeliers. It has patrons celebrating anniversaries and promotions. It has a red carpet outside, for… -
Happiness Killers
1 Sep 2010 | 4:00 pmThere are three happiness killers:doing work you do not love and are not passionate about, surrounding yourself with people who you do not really like (someone who just fills time), and living somewhere that does not let you be you. Just stop it. Life is far too short. - Richard Florida -
School? Cool!
1 Sep 2010 | 4:00 amIs it completely ridiculous that after completing 18 years of schooling, I still get a little bit excited when a new school year rolls around? It's hard to break the habit of buying piles of beautiful yellow pencils, a new Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper and decorating a locker with photos of Johnny Depp. But just because I'm no longer shuffling around campus trying to find 'Pluralistic Roots of American Feminist Literature' doesn't mean I can't join in the fun of going back to school!A few ways to join in the new school year fun, even if these days you're more 'Director of Marketing' than… -
Needed: Your Questions About Style and Fasion
31 Aug 2010 | 4:00 pmI'm putting together a podcast with my girl Katie who just happens to be the style editor at Minnesota Monthly. What?! Yes. (I told you my friends were awesome). What style or fashion-based questions do you have for her? I'll also be happy to chime in with my two cents.My two cents probably being things like "Don't wear things that make you uncomfortable. Or that don't allow you to climb trees."Questions can be technical ("How can I style a vintage dress so I don't look like a Mad Men extra?") or personal ("What are you must-have, go-to basics?)Ask away! -
The Happy House
31 Aug 2010 | 4:00 amWe've established that I love me some anthropomorphism. It's really only a matter of time till I compose a post entitled "Animals in Outfits: You Knew This Was Coming." But my love is not limited to animals that talk or smile or wear tiny top hats.No, no. I also love inanimate objects that have faces like people. See?Oh, look at you, adorable clown clock tower!This is on purpose, right? It's got to be. Nobody just accidentallymakes their house look like a Lego man!This building is saying "Oh Em Gee. You DID NOT just say that!"I feel like funny punk rock squatters who love B-movie slasher…
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ColorMePink!
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Cards Direct Giveaway!
1 Sep 2010 | 11:03 amI am so excited about this! You’re familiar with Cards Direct, right? They are a company that specializes in personalized, beautiful greeting cards for all kinds of occasions. And with fall fast approaching, the holidays are just around the corner! (I know I can’t believe it either!) Have you ever wanted to send out those beautiful Christmas Cards or other Holiday Cards that other people seem to find the time to do? What about some stunning Photo Cards of your family portrait? I never get around to it either, but I think this year is going to be different. From their… -
Gold’s Gym Dance Workout
31 Aug 2010 | 12:20 pmSo, part of the Mean Girl Cleanse Exercise this week talked about Being Impeccable With Your Word which really resonated for me because I have not been impeccable with my word to myself. One of the things I committed to at the beginning of the summer was moving my body more and while I certainly did improve in that area, I didn’t reach my goals exactly and the last couple of weeks I’ve been really slacking off. I’ve felt guilty about it and that’s only made it worse. You know how that goes right? So yesterday I was thrilled when this came in the mail! It’s… -
Giving Up Gossip
30 Aug 2010 | 11:49 amNot familiar with the Inner Mean Girl Reform School? Check out this post! Week 1 in the Inner Mean Girl Cleanse is about giving up gossip. The discussion questions were: 1. What’s the cost of gossip? 2. What’s the benefit? 3. What’s the truth? I don’t often participate in gossip and most of the people I know don’t either. I’m not perfect and occasionally I do have moments where I feel slighted and my first reaction is to resort to hurtful words – but when I really look at it, it’s more about my feeling of inferiority that makes me want to… -
SimpleMind Xpress
27 Aug 2010 | 1:55 pmI’ve been talking a bit about my experience with the 31 Days to a Better Blog Challenge and I thought I’d share a little bit more about how I’m implementing some of the ideas. On day 11 we worked on coming up with 10 post ideas; basically taking previous posts and expanding upon them in future, planned posts. This is commonly referred to as mind mapping and it’s something I do on a regular basis for not only my blog, but other areas of my life as well. Apparently it’s genetic, because when my father was here in June, I noticed him doing the same thing, but on… -
Broken Link Checker
26 Aug 2010 | 5:26 amRecently I participated in the SITS version of Probloggers 31 Days to a Better Blog which was one of the best things I’ve ever done for my blog. One of the most eye opening exercises was Day 27 which was “Go on a Dead Link Hunt“, which I had never done because the idea of going through posts dating all the way back to 2002 was more daunting than I was willing to deal with. Fortunately Kat recommended the Broken Link Checker plug in (duh Christine, of course there’s a plug in – has anyone else noticed that I look for more difficulty when there are simple…
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Where's My Damn Answer?
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Do Fun Stuff (or why bother)
31 Aug 2010 | 11:07 amThis is my motto for the day! One of our friends, Ryan (that some of you probably read - and if you don’t, should) has been working on an AWESOME project. I mean not just a little awesome … BIG FAT INSPIRATIONAL AWESOME! REALLY!! I’ll stop yelling now, but seriously … did I mention … it’s awesome? He has put together one of the best kid/parent/adults albums with some great bands and as if the music wasn’t fun enough to stand on it’s own, it’s got 100% of the proceeds going to a very worthwhile cause - Smith Magenis Syndrome (SMS). … -
Killer Carrot Cake and Easy!
25 Jul 2010 | 2:11 pmThis is by far the best Carrot Cake recipe I have ever tried - This recipe came from my dear girlfriend in Arizona. She and her husband used to make this at their family restaurant. 2 Cups Sugar 2 Teaspoons Vanilla 2 Cups Flour 1 Cup Raisins 1 1/2 Cups Oil 1 Cup Chopped Walnuts 4 Eggs 2 Cups Grated Carrots 2 Teaspoon… -
Princess and the Pea
18 Jul 2010 | 1:51 pmI am 42 years old and have never had to shop for my own mattress. Can you believe that? When I got married the first time, my Mom and Grandma took me out and said, we’re buying you a mattress … we picked one out and brought it home and it was done. I don’t even remember laying on them to try them all out. Poof … it was just there. Ron and I did them math and it was 17+ years ago that the mattress we were sleeping on was purchased. No wonder my joints hurt when we were sleeping … there was nothing left to the springs. It felt like we were sleeping on… -
Of COURSE Jodycakes is HOT - DUH
16 Jun 2010 | 11:16 amThe Houston Press wrote about our very own Jodycakes this week. Click the photo to read the interview with her after she found out she was dubbed one of “Houston’s Hottest Chefs”. Be sure to leave her a comment on their page too :D. We sure do miss you in Los Angeles Jody … but it makes me happy to see that you are thriving there (like I knew you would). Jodycakes
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Anja Merret
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Glee the TV show misses the opportunity of giving a disabled person a voice
31 Aug 2010 | 9:22 amMaybe it’s just me and possibly it’s also only because volunteering at a Centre for disabled young people has got me ‘seeing’ more. Able people just don’t notice disabled people I think. At least that was definitely me before this work placement. That’s not to say that most able people aren’t sympathetic to disabled people. I certainly have always been. After all my elder daughter has a fairly severe learning disorder inherited from her father and my sister’s middle child has autism. My husband’s brother died very young. He had… -
Business serves society or does society have to serve business?
25 Aug 2010 | 6:35 amThis post started off life as a comment to be inserted at the bottom of somebody’s post. It managed to find a life of its own and grew into a full on commentary. I had nothing to do with it. The article it refers to may be found on Kid Dynamite’s blog here. For those not wanting to hike to another blog to read the article here is a quick overview. A bunch of workers are striking because the company they work for want to reduce their pay. The employer states that the workers are paid above industry average – true- and that because there are so many unemployed people in the… -
If you were dying of thirst would you take water from a killer?
20 Aug 2010 | 9:01 pmA headline in the newsletter I get from Philanthropy-Today caught my attention this morning. It made me stop and consider the problem. The headline said that Pakistan bans flood aid by militant-linked Islamic charities. My first reaction was to think how stupid. Who cares where the money comes from. Money is money and the people in Pakistan are in desperate need of help. In fact the people of the world have been very slow in coming forward this time around. After the Tsunami and Haiti the world’s population opened their hearts and wallets and the money poured in. This time around with… -
Achieving something together is what counts
20 Aug 2010 | 4:59 amEvery now and then gems are found. In this instance the gem was on YouTube. A Baroque music ensemble playing Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos. One of those lucky finds and finding it has meant a lot of listening to magical music whenever time allows. As always as one gets older memories sneak into the mix. In this instance the vision that came up at one stage was myself in school uniform, yip those were the days, playing the recorder in our school orchestra. Playing exactly this bit of music. Of course the music teacher must have had a screw loose to even remotely consider our motley… -
Whatever happened to ‘it’s not polite to stare’
7 Aug 2010 | 11:43 pmThe new work blog for Hold the Future is coming along nicely. It takes a lot of work just to put the information up, start writing some articles and try and work out how to highlight the links amongst many other WordPress related challenges. As part of my work at the Centre I have subscribed to many newsletters and recently to blogs that deal with fund raising, disability and in the case of the latest blogs ones that are written by disabled people. One of the best that I am subscribed to is a blog by Dave Hingsburger called Rolling Around in My Head. It’s great, well written and often…
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Life on the High Wire
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Ayn Rand Fans Will Hate This Post
2 Sep 2010 | 9:18 amIt’s September, the first month of my favorite season. Fall means change, a time for new projects after the ease of summer. Fall is crisp air and soft sunlight, time to unpack the sweaters and switch from white wine to red. Fall makes me happy.What do I do when I’m happy? I read a 700-page book full of devastation and injustice. (You knew all that cheerful lightness couldn’t last for long.) If you haven’t yet read the late Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States, you owe it to yourself to take it on. Zinn is a great writer, and despite the density and emotional… -
Since It’s Too Early for a Margarita
30 Aug 2010 | 8:19 amI’m a crab this morning. My personal life has become a little complicated and it’s bogging me down. I tend to have a long list of things to do on Mondays, but today I’m looking at it and thinking – Ugh.My inner drill sergeant says, It’s Monday, Kahler, get off your ass! But today I don’t have the enthusiasm for the list, and there’s nothing I hate more than grumbling my way through a task. (Well, there’s bigotry. I hate that more. But that’s not on my list.)I know from experience I’ll wake up tomorrow – I tend to have a maximum 24-hour turnaround on bad moods – and… -
Excuse Me While I Close the Door – I’d Like to Have My M.I.T. in Private
26 Aug 2010 | 8:57 amI’ll start today’s Thursday Thievery with something educational: an interview with the smart, smart, smart Jane Friedman (via Wetmachine), the recently ex-Writer’s Digest publisher. The interview is longish, but worth the read if you’re a writer, editor, or anyone interested in the future of books. (Hint: There is, in fact, a future.)I’ll close with the uneducational, unless you think photographs of Burt Reynolds naked ass make you smarter, or you believe the fact that Michael Bolton survived on macaroni and cheese after the breakup of his first band is something you should have… -
Unless It Involved Free Margaritas and Jason Bateman
23 Aug 2010 | 9:27 amI’ve been thinking about my question from Thursday: Do I spread the risk with multiple projects, or put all my eggs in that basket and go for expert status with just one?I recently joked to a friend that I’ve made the most important decisions of my life with one simple question: What the hell? Despite the flip attitude, I make informed decisions – I research, talk it out with trusted advisors – but ultimately, it comes down to two things: listening to my gut, and imagining the worst-case scenario.In this instance, the gut says: One project. Focus on it until the end of next year and… -
My Advice to the Kitten: Squats and Leg Lifts
19 Aug 2010 | 8:17 amThere are a few projects I could pursue right now – freelance writing, literary memoir, Me and My Scamp, eBay mogul (six sales and I’m fantasizing an empire) – and I’m thinking about the difference between pursuing multiple projects at once, versus focusing on one and becoming an expert in that.Multiple projects have the advantage of lowering the risk. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” is a cliché for a reason. If one or two go nowhere, you’ve still got the others. But it’s tough to keep all the balls in the air (Cliché’s R Us!), and do each as well as you’d…
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Momma Muse
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Beginning Knitting – my projects
10 Aug 2010 | 9:53 pmA few months ago, I started meeting a friend at a local coffee shop with a knitting group. It was nice to start routinely going out again, even if just for an afternoon once a week. Since I didn’t knit, and really had no interest in starting.. I mean, I’d tried several years ago, and though I love the look, I determined it was just too complicated for me to bother with. Instead, I took other projects along. One day I cut out patterns for doll clothes, or tiny stuffed animals for doll toys – these were for my ball-joint dolls I’ve been collecting. I took some wool… -
Legacy – by Cayla Kluver
20 Jul 2010 | 8:54 pmCayla Kluver is my newest favorite author. I had downloaded Legacy: AmazonEncore Edition, but only just got around to reading it. Ms. Kluver is another young author, having written the rough draft for Legacy when during her sophomore year in high school. She then combined her junior and senior years to graduate early. Legacy is set in the times of Kings, Queens and castles, in the Kingdom of Hytanica; it’s a love story, a story of growing up and mystery. Alera is the eldest daughter and will become queen on her 18th birthday. But she must find a husband suitable to be king – and… -
Bobobie / ResinSoul Mei BJD For Sale or Trade
17 May 2010 | 12:48 pmFOR SALE OR TRADE: Bobobie / ResinSoul Mei I’m just going to laugh over this experience. But I am just not “into” this size of a doll. She’s lovely, so slender and dainty. And I knew going in that posing would be limited.. I’m going to rehome her because I just want smaller dolls. I had this vision, when first starting the journey into bjds, that I’d take a doll or a few with me when I went out to eat, or to the book store. I love taking pics of food and drinks when we go out to eat, or we’re just sitting around the table waiting, so I… -
How To Make Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap
17 Feb 2010 | 11:18 amHave you ever wondered how easy it would be to make your own homemade liquid laundry soap? This recipe is not only easy, the cost is less than a few dollars per batch and each batch makes enough for 110 loads of laundry. This liquid laundry soap works Great for High Efficiency washers as it’s not a super sudsy soap. The ingredients you’ll need should be available at your local grocery stores or maybe big box stores. Box of 20 Mule Team Borax – You need 1 cup – in laundry soap isle Box Arm & Hammer Washing Soda – You need 1/2 cup – in laundry soap isle 1… -
Rice Pudding with Leftover Rice
3 Feb 2010 | 7:33 pmIt’s been forever and a day that I enjoyed homemade rice pudding. It’s a memory from when I was about 7 years old, my grandmother and I would make both rice pudding and egg custard. This evening, one of my daughters made dinner. It included rice – of which she made a lot. Way more rice than we needed for dinner. Spur of the minute I decided to make rice pudding with some of the leftover rice. I search several different recipes and sort of combined what I thought I wanted. I ate mine while it was still hot, so it was still a bit soupy (like in the photo) but ooh was it…
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Thursday Drive
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New digs
14 Aug 2010 | 1:34 pmJust wanted to leave a reminder that I’ve moved to my new site, A Road with a View. I would love for you all to follow me there, so please update your subscription to the new feed or subcsribe by email so you don’t miss a post. Subscribe in a reader Subscribe by Email I’ve justed posted a new entry over at the new place. You can read it here Share this -
Moving day
31 Jul 2010 | 3:06 pmOver the last few weeks, I’ve been busy designing and setting up a new blog site, and I’m so excited to invite you to my new place. From now on, I’ll be blogging at A Road with a View. When you stop by, you might notice that, visually, things look a little brighter over there. I didn’t set out to create a lighter design, but it must have been intuitive for the new blog to reflect how I feel about this next part of my life. Until I sat down to write this, I didn’t realize how sad I would feel to say goodbye to this place. To say that this blog – and the… -
Pages
28 Apr 2010 | 9:19 amI could tell you things. Hell, I’ve tried. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve tried to scoop up the words like bits of confetti. There’s so much to tell that there’s not much I can say. Important choices and heavy-sounding words (Custody. Parenting time. But you said. No, you did. What’s best. What’s best?) sit in front of me like paperweights holding down the loose paper scraps of what was, what is, what will be. There are things to do, always. And, always, things to decide. I am one thing right now: a mother. The other parts of me are books on… -
Good fortune
13 Mar 2010 | 5:20 pmI reached into the bread basket on the kitchen counter and pulled out one of half a dozen fortune cookies left over from a takeout order a couple of weeks ago. I cracked it open and found this. At the end of a tough day of trying to stand my ground about some important things, it was just what I needed to hear. And then I cried, ’cause that’s how I’m wired. (Oh, you would have, too.) Share this -
To Mr. Kappus and me
14 Feb 2010 | 11:07 pmA leaf, pale gold and curled, lifts from a branch and rises in the updraft of an easy, cold breeze. It’s the middle of February, near the end of a rough winter, and somehow that leaf had been holding tight to its branch for all these months, through several feet of snow and the hard bite of blizzard winds. Then, on a sunny morning in a halfhearted breeze, it finally lets go. I watch it twist and roll on an invisible current, never losing altitude, until it disappears around the corner of the house. That, I think. I want to feel like that. By the time I left Arizona (and long before), I…
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Dateline: Oblivion
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Almost (Poem and Photographs)
1 Sep 2010 | 9:47 amAlmost(Near 92 Champs-Élysées, Paris) Thomas Jefferson lived hereAnd slept here, it is rumored,With a slave (not commemorated). But wait, there’s more!Corporal Robert Birlinger died hereJust two hours before Paris’ liberation.The fireman turned soldierDared to crossAvenue des Champs-ÉlyséesLeading a squad to fightBlazes and German snipers.Always a bad combination. He almost made it.Shot in the leg, heGave up too much bloodFor France,While those who could help himWere pinned down. Some critics of Birlinger's small plaqueTell a less heroic story: A tank shell simplyBlew him apart. But… -
The Story Behind the Criminal Conversations Screenplay
23 Aug 2010 | 2:31 pmBy Si Dunn The screenplay for Criminal Conversations explores several areas that intrigue me. (Here's the logline: A man meets up again with his ex-wife while his current spouse is dying and his ex-wife's current husband is suing her for divorce and trying to prove she is guilty of adultery.) First, I am interested in what can happen when two people who have had a previous, unhappy history together suddenly need each other again, yet they are constrained by forces both inside and outside their new circumstances. The youthful marriage of Ted and Alexandra ended badly several decades ago, and… -
Movie Project 'Criminal Conversations' Gains Distributor
23 Aug 2010 | 4:40 amCalifornia-based movie distributor FilmWorks Entertainment, Inc., has delivered a letter of intent (LOI) to distribute the movie project Criminal Conversations, which will be directed by Stephen Jules Rubin. The screenwriter is Si Dunn Logline: A man meets up again with his ex-wife while his current spouse is dying and his ex-wife's current husband is suing her for divorce and trying to prove she is guilty of adultery. The character-driven romantic dramedy is seeking additional funding and donations, and the movie is scheduled to be shot in Santa Fe, New Mexico, sometime… -
On-Set Security? Even No-Budget Movies Need It
20 Aug 2010 | 12:10 pmThe first time I worked on a movie set, I was a featured extra in two crowd scenes. I played a photographer in one scene, and I got to use my own cameras. It was a friendly set, and I was able to get some pictures of the stars. The next scene, however, did not require my cameras. So I left them in the big "extras holding" room where we were supposed to stash our personal belongings. That room was unguarded and unlocked, of course. And someone who was assumed to be one of the hundreds of extras entered it while the new scene was being shot. All… -
Low/No-Budget Movie Makeup Tips
25 Jul 2010 | 1:56 pmBy ErinJennifer Dunn Looking to make that next indie hit? And suddenly realizing you’ll need makeup for your actors? You frantically look at your budget, and you only have maybe $100 to put toward the makeup/hair/wardrobe department. Is it possible to make your actors look the part with $100 or less? Of course! These few easy tips and links can help you meet your makeup needs on a low-to-no-budget project. First, figure out how many actors you have. Male actors usually require little to no makeup. Women, however, do require makeup. If your movie is set in a certain era, you'll…
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Simplify Life
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How to Address Anxieties Your Kids May Have About Going Back to School
30 Aug 2010 | 8:16 amMost kids feel at least somewhat anxious, scared or uncomfortable about going back to school. Do you remember how it felt going back to school as a kid? This can be especially challenging if you’re going to a new school. I know we thought we’d never forget but over time it’s easy to forget or even minimize the challenges. So as a reminder, here are some things your kids might be worrying about – even if they haven’t voiced any concerns. I’ve also included some advice you might want to share with them so you can help them start their new school year with confidence. How will I make… -
7 Tips on Easing Into a New School Year
23 Aug 2010 | 8:05 amOur family has had a lot of fun this summer. It’s hard to believe school is starting just around the corner. Taking a little time now to get organized will help avoid the last minute chaos that usually greets the first day. And having an established routine will go a long way toward everything running smoothly.Here are some tips to make the transition simpler: Now’s a good time to put away the summer sporting equipment and clothing that you’re not using any more and make room for school items. Have you organized a place for the community calendar? How about a storage… -
Simplify with a Successful Bedtime Routine
16 Aug 2010 | 8:19 amI wrote earlier about the dangers of sleep deprivation. No doubt you’ve had your share of children fighting sleep at bedtime. There could be any number of reasons why that happens. Are they so engrossed in doing something that they don’t want to quit? Have they eaten something that has them wired? Have you inadvertently trained them to do this? Children thrive on routine. They love repetition. They want to know what to expect next. The same can apply to bedtime. Sleeping should be a comforting and peaceful time where children feel secure. -
Simplify Before Sleep Deprivation Causes Problems for Your Family
9 Aug 2010 | 8:26 amAs parents we try really hard to instill in our children good habits that will keep them healthy and happy. We teach them to eat nutritious food. We teach them how to be safe while engaging in every day activities, even crossing the road. But have you given any thought to what habits you and your children have regarding sleep? All of us can train ourselves in healthy sleeping habits whether we’re morning people or night owls. Studies indicate that most adults need at least 7 hours of sleep every night, and when you don’t get that much you start accumulating a sleep… -
End Summer with a Back to School Party
2 Aug 2010 | 8:10 amIf you're like me, summer has flown by. Literally. We've just stocked up on school supplies and uniforms and while I'm just a little excited that school is starting, my daughter surely is not. But why not celebrate all the fun we've had and launch the upcoming school year with a great party? Start by planning what type of party you want to throw and where it should be. Then decide how you’ll decorate – red apples for the teacher, school bus yellow, and what menu you’ll serve – maybe fun sack lunches with special treats as a nod to school days. You’ll also…
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Hitched
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10 Tips For Traveling Husbands to Keep Their Marriage Strong
1 Sep 2010 | 11:00 amKeeping your vibrant when on the road is a tough task to accomplish. Use these tips to keep your marriage fresh and strong. -
Getting Your Child To Sleep—And Stay In Bed
31 Aug 2010 | 11:25 amHow you and your spouse can combat two common scenarios when it comes to your child's bedtime. -
Dealing With 3 Common (Difficult) In-Law Scenarios
30 Aug 2010 | 11:45 amDealing with difficult in-laws is a team effort for a husband and wife. By uniting as a team, you will have a happier marriage. -
8 Ways to Keep It Fresh
29 Aug 2010 | 10:30 amWith everything going on around you, it can be easy to get off track. Use these 8 tips to keep it fresh. -
How to Plan a Romantic Backyard Picnic for Two
27 Aug 2010 | 10:22 amHow you can plan and execute more than just a picnic in your own backyard.
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WebSnacker
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Asking a Man Out?
30 Aug 2010 | 1:31 pmWhy a Woman Should Ask a Man Out?What’s wrong with a woman asking a Man out? This was question posed to me by a former female colleague who was complaining that a guy she had been eyeing for months had coldly vetoed her proposal for an evening date. She felt humiliated, she rued. And she was asking me (of all people) for an answer.I really didn’t know what to say. Maybe, she shouldn’t have asked the man out. This isn't because I believe it's the divine role or godly duty of man to do the asking out but maybe, he just didn’t like her.Or maybe quite simply, asking out a member of the… -
Websnacker’s Electronica Free Mp3 Mix Tape
23 Aug 2010 | 12:02 pmWhat I have Been Listening this Week I am not much of an electronic music fan but I will admit, there have always been some exceptions, especially the trip hop/trip rock, downtempo, lounge or the danceable electronica variety. The following electronic tracks have been on consistent replay on my car stereo for the last one week and one of the many reasons, why I thought they qualify as a great upload to share with you folks.Pay attention to the Norwegian duo Roykspopp’s superb ‘What Else is There’, Teddybears’ 'Cobrastyle' and to the Paul Oakenfold/Unkle remix of Ian Brown’s 'Fear'. -
Fasting During Ramadan
17 Aug 2010 | 1:02 pmWhat a Typical Day during Ramadan Entails!Picture yourself experiencing the humid heat of scorching summer without any chilled coolers to cool you off. Envision missing your daily breakfast, lunch and your favorite cup of coffee at 11 post noon daily for 30 full days. Imagine having to miss that fat five- star Sunday brunch that your friend has invited you for or envisage having to give up that free trip to Thailand. Imagine all these together and not lying, being good, honest to yourself and others around you and much, much more! Well, these are just some (and many) of the things Muslims… -
Review of 'The Dilbert Future - Thriving on Stupidity in the 21st Century'
13 Aug 2010 | 4:32 amScott Adams created a cartoon phenomenon with Dilbert, the workplace warrior. Now he takes on the next century with his usual bad attitude.I borrowed this book from a friend in January but until I had to take a boring cross country car trip, I never had the time to complete it. Perhaps life is too serious for some, but I have to confess I found this book released some 13 years ago in 1997 and billed as "hilarious" – is actually rather silly, witty and weird. It is, obviously, entertaining to a degree, but the author Scott Adams, creator of the hit comic strip - Dilbert takes a rather… -
Thinking of Childhood Heroes and Role Models
8 Aug 2010 | 11:54 amAll of us need role models regardless of our age. They teach us how to aspire; how to dream; they show us that we can all push beyond boundaries that have been set by our conditioning - what I personally call disablers, mental lakshman rekhas never meant to be crossed. They are the explorers, the mavericks, the mentors who lead the way acros the horizon.When I was a young (school going) boy - one of my many role models was a flamboyant, handsome Pilot – actually, my friend’s uncle with a larger than life, superstar lifestyle and an equally commanding persona. In those days, flying was an…
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The Art of Non-Conformity
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Strategy, Tactics, and the Plan for the Next 97 Days
2 Sep 2010 | 8:30 amHave you heard the news about the death of publishing? Books are going extinct! Paper will cease to exist! Buy stock in digital ink. Seth Godin, a mentor to me and the rest of the internet, recently announced his retirement from traditional publishing. Seth is perpetually ahead of the curve, so as usual, most people completely missed the point in responding to the news. When I read his interview, I thought “Wow, I need to catch up.” If I had twelve bestselling books, I’d say farewell to traditional publishing too. So everyone else in publishing, traditional or otherwise, who… -
Save the Date! Announcing the World Domination Summit
30 Aug 2010 | 6:24 amJolie and I went down to the Portland Art Museum for a meeting with the Events Planner last week. We looked around at rooms that seated 350+ people. We talked about projectors and coat rooms and WiFi and catering—and everything else you could think of related to holding a major event. “Look,” I said as we walked past a wide corridor. “That looks like a nice place for the bloggers’ lounge.” The corridor in question also contained a large statue of a naked man, but hey, it’s an art museum. “We don’t allow red wine in this room,” the planner told me as we walked… -
Postcard #23: Tim in Melbourne
28 Aug 2010 | 9:00 amThis week’s featured postcard comes to us from Tim in Melbourne, Australia. Here’s what it’s all about. See more postcards from readers here. Send your own in to this address: World Domination HQ 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd #639 Portland, OR 97214 USA -
How to Use Frequent Flyer Miles for Low-Cost, High-Value Trips
26 Aug 2010 | 3:17 pmAs regular readers know, I use Frequent Flyer miles to go all over the world several times a year. I’ve written before about how to earn miles without flying, and how you can become your own travel ninja through mass mileage accrual. Once you earn miles, however, you need to make a plan for using them. One of the saddest facts in the Frequent Flyer world is that every year, millions of miles go to waste. Help stamp out mileage expiration! Use your miles… but use them wisely. Here’s how. Always Consider Partner Airlines I always say the U.S. has the worst airlines but the… -
On Hustling
23 Aug 2010 | 1:33 pmSometimes people ask what hustling is. This great poster by Joey Roth provides one answer: The “hustler” image on the right is pretty much what I try to do every day: lots of work, lots of messaging. The messaging isn’t always directly related to the work at hand—sometimes I’m supporting other people with their own hustling. But on a good day, there’s plenty of work and and plenty of messaging. Another way to look at it is: Style without substance = flash. (Also, no one respects these people.) Substance without style = unknown. (Everyone who knows these people respects…
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Shiny Bits of Life
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Go digital
2 Sep 2010 | 1:09 amRecently I went on about how great it is to go analog – by writing or receiving a letter. Today I’ll backpedal. I think you should not save everything. Simply take a digital photo and then throw whatever away (or give it to your local charity shop). You will save yourself the hassle of throwing it away later. At one time in my life, I may have saved this little moving tag. It’s a remnant of an era that passed several year ago. I may have put it in an envelope for looking at on a rainy day. (It rarely rains in Denver, though.) And those analog letters you receive? Recycle… -
Striving for balance
1 Sep 2010 | 1:02 amToday I’m guest posting over at Elizabeth’s Letters from a Small State. So you’ll need to go to see what I wrote about striving for balance… and see how this photo relates. -
You must speak their language
31 Aug 2010 | 1:03 amMy Aunt Mary hadn’t heard from us in a while. She doesn’t do email. So I picked up a pen and applied it to paper. So she will receive a nice letter this week. Takeaway? Do something that communicates to people in a language they understand. They will be grateful. And it may well be a satisfying experience for you too! (Besides, I like getting letters in the mail. So I was just passing that joy along. My brother does do email, but we still exchange letters. There is something about the hold-in-your-hands experience that can’t be beat.) -
How to ride a bicycle
30 Aug 2010 | 1:01 amSo here is how to ride a bicycle: If you do this (and you don’t already), you will be amazed at what a difference it makes! Notes: a) If you have a single-speed bike, this may not work very well. b) If you have multiple gears, use a lower (easier) gear to get the optimum spinning speed. -
Fun for your Friday, number 8
27 Aug 2010 | 1:05 amWhen I saw these, I just cracked up.
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mental_floss Blog
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12 Celebrity Professors
2 Sep 2010 | 10:33 amAs college students head back to class for the fall semester, many of them will take classes with professors who are well known within their fields. A select few, though, will get to listen to lectures from bona fide celebrities. Here’s a look at a few big names who have ventured into academia in the past. 1. Oprah In 1999 Oprah co-taught a class at Northwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management. Her co-teacher wasn’t some stuffy tenured professor, either; it was her longtime beau, marketing consultant Stedman Graham. Oprah and Stedman taught a second-year M.B.A. course on… -
Lunchtime Quiz: Fictional Characters, Actual Companies
2 Sep 2010 | 8:30 amThere are plenty of fictional companies in movies and TV, mostly because things can get dicey when a real company’s name gets involved. Still, some real corporations appear from time to time. In this quiz, match the fictional character to the real company where they worked. Take the Quiz: Fictional Characters, Actual Companies -
An Analysis of Couch Fort Architecture
2 Sep 2010 | 8:09 amBuild Blog normally covers architecture and design, in their traditional, adult sense. But for the past few months they’ve occasionally dipped into tongue-in-cheek analyses of couch fort architecture, using photos of real couch forts built by kids, found online. There are now three essays: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. They read like design critiques of student work, pointing out flaws in the design, strengths of classical design, and often referencing design principles I’ve never heard of. My favorite is from Part 3: Build Blog‘s analysis: 12. This unfortunate example… -
The Hardest Word to Guess in Hangman
2 Sep 2010 | 5:10 amNext time you want to trip someone up in hangman, try using the word “jazz.” Mathematician Jon McLoone used a computer simulation that helped him uncover that “jazz” is the hardest word to guess in the game. The reason for this is simple: shorter words give the guesser fewer chances to get the right letter, and vowels are the most commonly guessed letters. The least guessed letters are those that are used less frequently in the English language, such as j, z, q, and v. Given that 2/3 of the letters in jazz are on that list, the word ends up being very hard to guess. Of… -
How to Write Movie Scenes
2 Sep 2010 | 4:48 amEver wondered how screenwriters do their thing? Lots of people have, and there’s a whole genre of books out there devoted to helping up-and-comers understand the arcane art of movie-writing. Despite all the screenwriting panels and workshops and books and DVD commentaries in the world — all the billions of words printed about screenwriting and how it’s done — when it comes down to it, most writers are relatively private about the nitty-gritty of their process. That’s why I love reading John August’s blog. August’s credits include Big Fish, Go, Charlie…
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MarriageTweets
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What is The Conversation? Award-winning actor and best-selling...
30 Aug 2010 | 6:46 pmWhat is The Conversation? Award-winning actor and best-selling author Hill Harper and Dr. Rozario Slack talk about the misconceptions about marriage, men and family and how to strengthen relationships between black men and women. More info at: National Healthy Marriage Resource Center -
Fighting for Your Marriage: A Deluxe Revised Edition “Instead of...
10 Jun 2010 | 9:07 amFighting for Your Marriage: A Deluxe Revised Edition “Instead of just fighting about money or how frequently to have sex, couples are also fighting about time spent of Facebook or whether it’s OK to send a text during a romantic dinner or bring a laptop on a getaway weekend,” Howard Markman says. Regardless of modern challenges, the authors believe a happy and successful marriage is attainable. The book includes information based on the latest professional research and includes a DVD showing real couples learning how to improve their marriages under the guidance of the experts. -
Report: Marrying Out Marriages between spouses of different...
4 Jun 2010 | 12:22 pmReport: Marrying Out Marriages between spouses of different races and ethnicities are more common than ever before, say authors of a report by the Pew Research Center. A record 15% — about one out of every seven — of new marriages in 2008 landed in the “Marrying Out” category. -
26 May 2010 | 10:33 am
26 May 2010 | 10:33 am -
study: Rise in loneliness due to divorce and family break-up
11 Apr 2010 | 6:10 pmThe number of UK children calling the national helpline Childline because they feel lonely has risen sharply. From April 2008 to March 2009, 5,525 children called the helpline due to loneliness, sadness or isolation, compared to 1,853 five years earlier. A further 4,399 children were counselled about loneliness as an additional problem, bringing the total to 9,924 - 6% of calls to the helpline. Counselors say changes within families and society could be behind the rise. Childline counsellors say changes within family structures and society as a whole could be behind the rise in these…
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Karl Rohde
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Widget advertising and web optimization advertising
9 Aug 2010 | 9:06 pmwebsite positioning marketing efforts that focus solely on keyword lists, meta tags and Directory submissions are only one small slice of web page marketing. search engine marketing knowledgeable Michael introduces the link building techniques that work for him. Search Engine Optimisation-Peace.com has a few of the most inexpensive and effective search engine marketing packages to [...] -
Widget advertising and search engine marketing advertising
9 Aug 2010 | 7:21 pmweb optimization marketing efforts that focus solely on keyword lists, meta tags and Directory submissions are just one small slice of website online marketing. search engine marketing skilled Michael introduces the link building strategies that work for him. Seo-Peace.com has some of the most inexpensive and effective search engine optimisation packages to offer. The company [...] -
Internet Marketing
5 Aug 2010 | 3:33 pmIf you have a website and you need to get it found by the people who are looking for what you’re selling; many websites will never get any visitors solely because they do not invest any time or money in marketing. There are so many ways to go about this, Internet Marketing is something that [...] -
Web Content for Beginners
5 Aug 2010 | 3:33 pmWeb content is different from a literary piece you would submit for an English writing project. It can be formal, informal, grammatically correct, grammatically incorrect and even ludicrous. As an internet marketer, the only type of web content you want to know about is the type that you can use to promote your business. You [...] -
VIDEO The Best WordPress Theme — A Video Tutorial For Thesis Theme
4 Aug 2010 | 9:05 pmThe Thesis for WordPress is the ultimate tool for contructing blogs — the the best way. You canrun your blog like a professional and at the top of the search engines an SEO expert. If are after more traffic, easy customization without coding, an easy to understand interface, and an extensive Thesis community available to [...]
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Zoe Rights
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A little drop here and a little drop there
28 Aug 2010 | 5:33 pmYes Internet, I had a much better week, thank you for asking. Well except for being visited by the water police. What? The water police? You don't have them in your area? Yes, the neighbor called the water police on me. To be generous I did kinda deserve it. This is the first year I've been in a house with automatic sprinklers. Well automatic sprinklers I was responsible for. You know that handy dandy little book that comes with the sprinklers? Well, it's just not all that handy. So I experimented. I am a college educated woman. I will figure it out. OK, what happens when I… -
NO one ever said I was a good parent
27 Aug 2010 | 5:32 amI've been thinking a lot about this lately- why don't they have tranquillizer's for children, well teens in particular? They have them for other animals who aren't even half as scary, like stampeding rhinos or elephants, sharks. Come on you can't tell me you don't wish for it sometimes? The little angels act perfectly normal and then the asshole button gets pushed. A quick phhfft, shot in the butt and instant time out. Think about it. Not every discipline technique will work for every child. Some kids (Sorry Parents Magazine) only respond to spankings, some only… -
Cocktail, Stat!
25 Aug 2010 | 6:42 amJesus, Joseph and Mary Internet, I might have have had the most awful day in the existence of bad days. Ever! Between picking up a piece of metal in my tire, to having to go to the dentist and then off to fix said damaged tire and then to court all the while drooling and swollen and maybe just a tiny weeny bit dopey on the pain meds the dentist insisted on, it just, the day just, the day...the day....wait let me catch my breath for just a moment. Okay, I'm calm. Let me back up and start at the beginning. I arrive home after dropping my little darlings off… -
Dot...dot...dot...dot...dot
23 Aug 2010 | 11:24 pmYou've been to a comedy club so you know how the routine goes. If you want even half a chance at a decent seat/don't want to sit in the front row and be heckled by the comedian all night you have stand in line for at least an hour before you even hit the doors. Which, if you think about it, is the perfect first date. Forget about watching how the other party treats the waitress...put someone in heels and make them stand still for an hour, you'll have a pretty good idea as to how he'll treat your mother. But anywhoo...we stood in line for an hour all decked out in… -
So Freakin' Excited
22 Aug 2010 | 9:33 amReally kinda stoked. It's my BFF's birthday tonight and to celebrate we are going to see Anjelah Johnson at Punchline. She is sooooo funny. Best known for this act. Tell you all about it tomorrow.
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Everyday Goddess
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Beware the Man Shrew
30 Aug 2010 | 6:50 amSo I used to think we'd eventually move to gender-neutral language. But it's clunky, right? I mean, I'm proponent of using the plural rather than he/she, and even that rather obvious and perfectly functional solution meets with resistance. We're never going to move organically to new words just to be gender neutral. I mean, OK: mail carrier, flight attendant, but it's not always so easy. And then I watched Battlestar Galactica, and experienced a world with equality where everyone uses "sir" - for men and women. I liked it. It works. What a relief, too, because there are a number of masculine… -
Baby, it's time to think.
29 Aug 2010 | 8:42 pmSuddenly I realized that I'm at 27 again. Funny, back in June when I turned 39, I specifically thought about how the number 39 felt like the number 27 to me. I got a tattoo for my 27th birthday; I got a tattoo for my 39th birthday. But it wasn't until last week that I consciously realized that what's going on with me is that I'm back at 27. It's like when I was in my early 30s, feeling like I was 13 again. I'd moved to L.A., and I had a bedroom in a shared apartment where I kept almost all of my stuff. I felt all the promise and frustration and dreams and innocence-soon-to-be-dashed of age… -
"Here Comes Another Lesson" by Stephen O'Connor
21 Aug 2010 | 11:42 amHere Comes Another Lesson by Stephen O'Connor is a particularly cold collection of stories. You might want to read them by a cheery fire this fall with a nice warm mug of hot chocolate. You can take a sip and warm your toes while O'Connor chills your soul with his crisp and imaginative stories that far too often may bring to mind thoughts of yourself or your life. Oh, and then sporadically you'll hit a crazy story about the adventures of a Professor of Atheism. He's quite a fellow. Now, let's talk books of stories. The challenge of reading through a whole book of stories is always that they… -
Gray Hair or Vagina?
19 Aug 2010 | 1:06 pmOne of my favorite life moments of sexism happened when I was an undergrad. I was just starting to change some girl's tire with a sorority sister when a trunk rolled up. "Do you girls even know what you're doing?" a man drawled as he walked up, eyeing us with skeptical amusement. In my memory, we just threw up our hands and walked away. Hey, man, if you wanna do the work, you go for it. Be our guest. I've been thinking of that moment recently because I seem to have hit a spat of something that feels similar. It starts with my suitcase for BlogHer. On the way to BlogHer, my suitcase was 48… -
iTunes by Keyword
15 Aug 2010 | 6:59 pmI often use the Genius feature in iTunes to play music for hours. I set it to 100 songs and let it go. But sometimes I'll play a smaller set by simply putting in one word. Today: Train. I was looking for "Hey, Soul Sister" by Train, but the resulting 10-song mix was so good I just let it play instead of hitting the Genius button: Alone On A Train - Lelia Broussard Cabbage Train - Blue Horses Westbound Train - Julie Moffit The Train Song - Deana Carter Hey Soul Sister - Train Train of Thought - A-Ha Trains - Jill Sobule Morning Train (Nine to Five) - Sheena Easton Love Train / My Girl / Stop,…
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Reading, Writing, and Reflecting
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Mobile Applications- 157 fascinating stats about the Past, Present, and the Future
21 Aug 2010 | 3:33 pmAs I’ve written in this blog a few times, like many, I’ve become an addicted smart phone user. In this post, I laid out my iPhone App storage usage patterns vs the average usage patterns, and raised some questions about the future growth and characteristics of users of these platforms. Now, I’ve come across some even more robust external data from the site Mobile Entertainment (ME) sets analyzing App usage of different smartphones which provide some further insight into the questions I raised in that previous post. Embedded below is a presentation with 157 Mobile App stats… -
How Foursquare and Vuvuzelas explain online vs offline personas
8 Aug 2010 | 8:22 amTwo recent and unrelated phenomenon are Foursquare and Vuvuzelas. Foursquare is the preeminent geo-location service, (competing sites include Gowalla, Loopt, and Yelp) where users check in to locations such as restaurants, bars, parks or almost any type of establishment, in essence announcing to their friends on social network and media sites like Facebook and Twitter where they are at the moment. Vuvuzelas, of course, gained international attention during the recent World Cup. The horn like plastic device, along with the actual soccer on the field, became the story of the World Cup. The… -
Is this the Future of Learning in Large Urban Slums?
25 Jul 2010 | 3:05 amIn the past two weeks, I came across two exciting and interesting news headlines, both dealing with technology and research developments in India. The two headlines: Using Computers to teach Children with No Teachers India develops world’s cheapest “Laptop” at $35 Now, the real excitement is how fast these two developments can be combined! Let me explain. Using Computers to teach Children with No Teachers This article discusses 10 years of research performed by Professor Sugata Mitra. Mitra first introduced children in a Delhi slum to computers in 1999 by embedding a computer in a… -
A Renewed look at Nadal’s future case for Greatest of all Time (GOAT)
4 Jul 2010 | 3:04 pmRafael Nadal won the 2010 Wimbledon today, a month after his 2010 French Open championship. Nadal is certainly back, regaining top form after injuries derailed much of his 2009. He now has 8 Grand Slam championships, surpassing John McEnroe and tying him with Ivan Lendl and Jimmy Connors in career grand slams. And all of this by age 24. With these consecutive titles, the discussion of how far can Nadal go is reigniting—a requisite inclusion in any article chronicling his Wimbledon championship (see Bruce Jenkins article, and Greg Garber’s article here). With Nadal’s 8th Grand… -
A Social Experiment: Listening to music or drinking coffee- What’s more common for the daily San Francisco pedestrian commuter?
2 Jul 2010 | 9:42 pmBeing a San Francisco city pedestrian commuter, I’ve been wondering what’s more common—people walking while listening to music or people walking while holding a coffee cup. I see commuters each day and my curiosity has me asking: has the proliferation of smart phones and ipods made listening to music as essential to the daily commuter as getting that Starbucks coffee before making that last stroll into the office. I, of course, did some research to find out. As part of my commute each work day, I take the Caltrain near my home to the final stop at 4th Street and King Street in…
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So Not Zen
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Delinquent
31 Aug 2010 | 7:09 amHow I spent my summer vacation... predominantly in the ballroom*********I've had so many things to write about, but no time to write them down. Which is, ultimately, a good problem to have, versus nothing to write about. I guess it's called "being present" in my own life, or some new-agey crap like that.I did have a huge burst of creativity at about 4 a.m. recently, with an idea for a story so tremendous I was giddy. And when I woke up, the idea was gone. Gone, but it left a shadow that has nagged at my brain for days. I have a feeling that *the big idea* is just on the outskirts of the… -
We're going camping... yay?
20 Aug 2010 | 8:24 amTomorrow morning I am leaving for an overnight camping trip. We've had a pretty busy summer, and school starts up again in 1.5 or 2.5 weeks, depending on where Carlie goes, which is still up in the air. So this will be our last outing for the summer. I wish it were something a little less camping-ish than camping. But whatever. There will be beer and oysters and s'mores, so I can't complain too much.We went camping a couple of weeks ago and I didn't say much about it because it was pretty uneventful, wherein uneventful = I wasn't crying and gnashing my teeth to get home, but when it was time… -
Back to school
17 Aug 2010 | 3:58 pmCarlie spent her day today planning her fall makeup color pallette. I am not even making this up. Have you met me? My makeup color pallette consists of brown/black mascara and -- oh wait, that's all. Middle school. God help us.The stress of our back to school situation is not helped by the fact that we still do not know which school she is going to. Her current school (Catholic, private) starts one week before her potential new school (Art School, public), which means if the Art School waits until the last minute to let us know that she is in, we will have to (a) purchase unnecessary school… -
Carlie goes Gidget
15 Aug 2010 | 8:15 am -
Carlie in the Flowrider
15 Aug 2010 | 8:11 amMaverick's in Sun River, OR. Not to be confused with Flo-Rida. He wasn't there at all.
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thelifething.com
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Need To Make Some Life Changes? Costa Rica Would Probably Work
2 Sep 2010 | 6:54 amSun, Sea, Sand and Serious Life Changes – sounds awesome. Hello all you happy campers, today is not a usual post but instead a sexy little look at a sexy little life changing retreat for you in sunny Costa Rica. The truly delightful and tasty Ashley Ambirge from TheMiddleFinger Projectis onto something epic, and this particular piece of epicness is in the form of a 7-day retreat on the sandy beaches of Costa Rica this December 7th -14th 2010. In her own words “the retreat was setup with the purpose of giving people an excuse to finally remove themselves from their daily routine,… -
10 Easy Steps For Getting Yourself To The Easy Life
31 Aug 2010 | 7:57 amThis is a guest post from Stephen Mills from theratracetrap.com Read Time: Around 5-6 minutes Stephen Mills is a personal development blogger who shares his thoughts at his blog “In this world, things are hard, and conflict and pain are commonplace. Fighting for what you want and against what you don’t want is considered normal. Struggle is celebrated in this world – in this difficult world.” – Julia Rogers Hamrick What is The Easy Life? To me the easy life is a life where you primarily do what you want, when you want to do it. You thrive instead of just survive. You live a life of… -
CHOOSE: Master Of Money or Slave To It. Download Your FREE Promobook Now!!!
28 Aug 2010 | 8:50 amGrab Your Free CHOOSE promotion ebook. Yes, because I am that nice. Download It Now. Read Time: 2 Minutes 5 Seconds Hello all, After some more tweaks, adjustments and refinements the CHOOSE ebook is almost ready for launch. Yes, I know. You are all as excited as a sackful of newborn puppies. I believe strongly in this book and am very proud of it, and for that reason I have created a small promobook for it which explains exactly what you get. I know, even more excitement. Did you know that: Money Dones Exist There are a different set of rules for the rich than for you. Earning money is a… -
Top Million Websites In The World – A Visualisation
26 Aug 2010 | 7:36 amThere are 232 Billion websites in the world. Here are the top million. To finish this little mini series on Info graphs I came across this neat little number. Perhaps your site is on there. Click the image for a larger view. Top Million Websites In The World – A Visualisation is a post from: thelifething.com Thanks for subscribing, you should now be at least twice as attractive to the opposite sex. Loyal reading of these articles increases your sexiness further. (Just so you know) r. thelifething.com - Life Design For A Designer Life...or something Subscribe to the comments for this… -
The Beauty Of Data Visualisation (the New Oil), From A Silky Voiced Englishman
25 Aug 2010 | 2:27 amInfo, Info Everywhere And Not A Clue What It Means…Untill Now. Following the popularity of the “How The Internet Works”Infograph of the other day, today I want to introduce you to David McCandless who is doing some incredible things with data manipulation or in laymens terms, making sense of the numbers. Check out his TED talk below. If you can’t see the embedded video then just click here. I have only just got round to setting up my own TED account almost 200 videos. In any case if you have one you can connect with mehere I have been a fan of the infograph for some…
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Another Hot Mess
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Because Good Help is Hard to Find
30 Aug 2010 | 7:01 pmIn a life just before this one, I ran the marketing and communication for a local non-profit with super-star aspirations. In non-profit, titles don’t mean a damn thing unless you are the executive director or a young, rich board member fulfilling daddy’s trust fund wishes. It was a hard job emotionally, but physically it was like a fucking Iron Man competition. I know this because I once met someone who participated in the Iron Man and I was *pretty* confident I could take him. I am also pretty confident I could take Rhonde Barber, but that’s a whole other story. Our executive… -
I Go Down. A Lot.
19 Aug 2010 | 6:49 pmSo, its confessional time. This is something I generally don’t like to talk about and I certainly don’t like to do. But it’s a reality. My reality. And as much as I try to change things, it still seems to happen. I go down. A lot. And I’ve got to tell you that in the past year, it has become a real problem. Because it happens in the most inopportune places. Sure, in my bedroom on occasion. But then it happened once by the pool. And another time in the parking lot of a supermarket. And yet another time dockside at a marina. It almost happened once in an Ann… -
Starting Over.
6 Aug 2010 | 12:59 pmSo, Go Daddy has been riding my ass about renewing my domain name. Literally, every day, four times a day, I get an email from him. With his crazy hair and green John Lennon spectacles. It’s been a year since I started this blog. And I haven’t posted anything here in too many months to count. (Okay. I said that for dramatic emphasis. I can *totally* count to six.) When I started this sad excuse of a blog, I did it because writing just wasn’t fun for me anymore. Corporate jargon. Mind-numbing adjectives like great and incredible and unparalleled. And, work never lets me… -
J.D. Salinger, John Mayer and the Jersey Shore made this post possible.
22 Feb 2010 | 7:34 pmRemember last year when crazy recluse J.D. Salinger (may he rest in peace) came out of a lifetime of hiding and drinking his own urine to proclaim his undying love for the newest installation of the Terminator series? One of America’s literary masterminds who for nearly half a century had essentially cut himself off from the outside world in a valiant effort to retain his privacy invited the liberal literary media into his home last year to talk about his fandom of the Terminator. Yes, the same man who created the yummy, edgy goodness of boyhood teen angst in Holden Caufield, broke his… -
I am not sure that Jesus would appreciate this. But I am pretty sure that Santa and his little people would. Actually, I think Jesus *would* appreciate this – especially if we’re talking about Baby Jesus.
24 Dec 2009 | 8:44 amSo I haven’t written a blog post in damn near a month. And let’s face facts, I only post once every two weeks at best. And the only thing happening regularly these days is my…yeah, TMI. I would like to tell you that it is because each and every post is a magnum opus, that I am a blogging artisan who carefully considers each word and places them delicately in harmonious unison within the careful structuring of a master class sentence. But if you have been here before, well, then you know better. If you haven’t been here before, well…welcome. And I apologize. I would…
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Men's Playbook
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Over 80 Immediate and Actionable Money Saving Hints
26 Aug 2010 | 10:00 pmWithin my circle, several of my friends ask me for money saving hints. They know that I'm always scouring the internet for ways to save a buck. They want some quick & immediate things they can help them get out of debt, increase retirement contributions, beef up an emergency fund or to grasp the concept of "spend less money than you earn". None of us want to look back 5, 10, or 20 years with regret because we didn't taking time to save more money. Many guys just sit back and complain about how they don't have any money. They play the blame game and we all know… -
Conquer Your Home By Eliminating Clutter
25 Aug 2010 | 10:50 pmI was recently having a conversation with a friend about our homes. He mentioned that he was looking to purchase a new home because he was running out of space in his current one. As I looked around, I couldn't help but to notice the excess of "stuff" everywhere. Perhaps by eliminating clutter, he would realize moving isn't really necessary while saving a ton of headaches and money. Eliminating clutter is a task that not many of us like to do. We are predominately a materialistic society where the more we have, the better we think we should look and feel. Thus over time, we… -
488 Words about Manhood
6 Aug 2010 | 8:58 amsomewhere in the world… A man is treating his woman like a queen, instead of degrading her and breaking her spirit… A man is teaching his son how to be a man, instead of letting him misunderstand it on his own… A man is washing dishes, clothes and taking care of the home because he sacrificed so his wife can live her dreams.. A man is reading nonfiction books in order to enhance his plight in life… A man paying his child support regardless of what he thinks the mother is really doing with the money… A man is substituting vulgar words for a vocabulary abundant of… -
The Essential Seven: Men’s Style Blogs to Follow If You Wanna Be As Sharp As A Tack
26 Jul 2010 | 6:25 pmBeing a well dress gentleman requires an ongoing education in men's style. Whether you currently consider yourself a stylish gent or aspire to be one, chances are you sift through popular monthly men's magazines such as GQ, Esquire and Details to learn more each month. Thanks to the power of the internet, there are a number of amazing and talented men and women who share their gift of style with us to learn from week after week and day after day through men's style blogs. If you're looking for the most popular men's style blogs in the blogosphere, this is not the… -
Are You a Businessman or a Business, Man?: The Importance of Personal Branding
12 Jul 2010 | 9:18 amLast week, we were overwhelmed with NBA Free Agency news. Most notably happened to be LeBron James and his hour long special announcing his plans to sign with the Miami Heat. LeBron James is one of the most interesting sports figures we have going. If you listen close enough, you'll hear just about as much about the "King's" brand as you do his on-the-court talents. It's interesting how much today's sports figures are concerned with their "brand." The brand is what gets people to purchase products they endorse, follow them on Twitter and root for them in…
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Juan-Carlos Hernandez - Life Photographer
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The Masquerade Is Over
31 Aug 2010 | 8:46 pmWidgets Amazon.frDon't forget to visit my other blog "Juan Carlos Hernandez - Stage and Jazz Photographer" -
And It's Supposed To Be Love
30 Aug 2010 | 4:45 amWidgets Amazon.frDon't forget to visit my other blog "Juan Carlos Hernandez - Stage and Jazz Photographer" -
Marie
26 Aug 2010 | 4:56 amWidgets Amazon.frDon't forget to visit my other blog "Juan Carlos Hernandez - Stage and Jazz Photographer" -
Silence
24 Aug 2010 | 8:50 amWidgets Amazon.frDon't forget to visit my other blog "Juan Carlos Hernandez - Stage and Jazz Photographer" -
Mouso Niyalén
22 Aug 2010 | 8:00 pmWidgets Amazon.frDon't forget to visit my other blog "Juan Carlos Hernandez - Stage and Jazz Photographer"
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Razor Branding Blog
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Brand Buzz: Branding with Collateral
30 Aug 2010 | 5:57 amTune in every Monday at 5:25pm to KPEL 96.5 for another exciting episode of Brand Buzz. Today's topic is the Branding Power of Collateral materials. A mainstay of direct marketing, collateral materials are the most important tools for B2B companies. Whether it is a standard like trifold brochures and pocket folders or one of the newer incarnations like pURLs and interactive pdfs, collateral materials are the best way to deliver your message and establish your brand in a B2B world. If you market your products and services to the masses, then mass media is for you. If, however, you… -
Effective Advertising Builds Brands
27 Aug 2010 | 6:23 amLondon Businessman, Thomas Smith, wrote a guide called Successful Advertising in 1885. His writings established the Theory of Frequency that is still applicable today. The first time a man looks at an advertisement, he does not see it. The second time, he does not notice it. The third time, he is conscious of its existence. The fourth time, he faintly remembers having seen it before. The fifth time, he reads it. The sixth time, he turns up his nose at it. The seventh time, he reads it through and says, “Oh brother!” The eighth time, he says, “Here’s that… -
4food's W(hole) Burger Builds Brand
25 Aug 2010 | 6:36 am4food is a quick service restaurant concept that is launching in New York in September. Sure, it's burgers. But with a twist. The biggest difference is the food. They are super focused on healthy natural food, you can check out their Credo to learn more about the do's and don'ts of how healthy the food is. But its not just the ingredients that make the difference. The 4food burger isn't shaped like anyone else. The meat pattie is built like a donut and the center is filled with a scoop of vegetable goodness. Inside the restaurant is a large… -
Is Snooki Building Gucci's Brand?
24 Aug 2010 | 4:41 amIt has long been a custom for companies to gift celebrities with their products in the hopes that there will be a picture of it that will make the press. This approach to 'free pr' has generated an entire business of gift bags at awards shows and gift suites during press junkets. One of my favorite branding practices is "borrowed glory". The theory, proven true time and time again, that if a consumer has an emotional connection to a product then they will develop an emotional connection to another product that is connected to it. If an athlete wears a particular shoe… -
Branding Through Print
23 Aug 2010 | 6:16 amTune in every Monday at 5:25pm to KPEL 96.5 (listen online at www.kpel965.com) for another exciting episode of Brand Buzz. Today's topic is the Branding Power of Print. The demise of newspapers and magazines have been predicted for years - including a few posts in this blog. Yet, they are still here, and in the case of magazines their subscription levels are actually increasing. The publications that are still focused on quality are drawing a niche crowd interested in a particular subject. In today's fast paced lifestyle, people are looking for opportunities to find a…
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Journey Mama
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Eight
1 Sep 2010 | 6:12 pmDear Kid A, You are so totally yourself. It has been eight years since that one first siren cry and the stunned silence afterward. You took stock, sucked on your fists, and deigned to stay with us. I don’t really know how to write about your unwavering ferocity toward life, the way you barrel forward, with your list of the top ten countries you want to visit, your wide eyes, your exuberance. Your melancholy. You are a boy of opposites, quick to laugh and get a joke, quick to notice the discrepancy between want and fulfillment. Even at eight, you get it. Your attitude toward travel… -
What he said
29 Aug 2010 | 9:45 pmI believe that Solo is trying to tell us that he would like us all to have a really fun week. With another move across the world looming, deadlines pressing in, and many, many meals to cook, I would like to take his advice. I’m writing fun down on my to-do list. -
Leafy Logic
25 Aug 2010 | 7:10 pmSo there’s that Coldplay song, you know- Lost? The lyrics go like this: “Just because I’m losing doesn’t mean I’m lost…” and “Just because I’m hurting doesn’t mean I’m hurt…” The Leafy Boy absolutely loves to riff on them. He’s non-stop. It’s just his sort of odd logic. Here are a few gems. Just because I’m a book, doesn’t mean people read me. Just because I’m a baby, doesn’t mean I have no hair. Just because I’m a house, doesn’t mean that people live in me. Just… -
Quietness and trust
19 Aug 2010 | 4:11 pmMy parents are staying with us this week. Some much beloved grandparent time. We’ve been knocking knees under our little table, sitting up talking, eating and exploring Santa Cruz. Today I was babysitting four girls (a trade with their mom, who was one of the incredibly generous moms who watched my kids while I was at Squaw Valley) and we packed up a lunch and headed to the beach. I spread twenty-six pieces of bread on the kitchen counter, slathered them with mayonnaise and threw some sliced things on them, folded them up and carefully stuffed them in an empty bread bag. We headed down… -
Home again
17 Aug 2010 | 7:58 amI so love the before and after of things. Before the writing conference: Terrified of scary authors and other writers. After: Friends with other fiction writers. Friends with other fiction writers! When I drove away from the dry forests to come back to the ocean, my heart was so full. I was glowing, vibrating with happiness. I loved reading the work of the other participants everyday, I loved talking about it and learning from what people said. I loved hearing author’s read their work and talk about their processes. The staff at the Community of Writers at Squaw Valley are some of the…
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Chai Life
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Scott Walker’s Spokesman is the “Worst Person In The World”
17 Aug 2010 | 5:59 amTweetLooks like someone needs explain to their staff that they should think before they tweet. Lets just hope the Barrett campaign can capitalize off this. Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy Tweet -
This is why my son = Awesome.
2 Aug 2010 | 7:57 pmTweet Tweet -
Why Facebook Open Graph Search is Bad for Bad News
9 Jul 2010 | 6:24 pmTweetNot too long ago, Facebook announced the Open Graph protocol. For those of you unaware of what this is, here’s a brief description in their own words: The Open Graph protocol enables any web page to become a rich object in a social graph. For instance, this is used on Facebook to enable any web page to have the same functionality as a Facebook Page. While many different technologies and schemas exist and could be combined together, there isn’t a single technology which provides enough information to richly represent any web page within the social graph. The Open Graph… -
Ever wonder how Panda tastes?
27 Jun 2010 | 8:06 amTweetMilwaukee’s finest grocery chain has the answer. Yummy... Cookies filled with Panda! Tweet -
iOS 4 on an iPhone 3G
26 Jun 2010 | 7:50 amTweetAll the talk over the last week on the Internets has been focusing on the new iPhone 4 or the fully-enabled iOS 4 on an iPhone 3GS, but not everyone is getting a brand new iPhone 4 or already has a 3GS. This review is for those of you, like myself, who are still saddled with the aging (yet still pretty awesome) iPhone 3G. The following review will let you know what you’ll get in the new OS, what you’ll be missing, and will hopefully help you decide if it is worth upgrading. The Good The very first thing I played around with when it was done updating was folders. If, like many…
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deCOMPOSE
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Cover for “The Resurrection”
1 Sep 2010 | 5:26 amI’m proud to finally unveil the cover for my first novel. It’s been a blast working with the Strang team, who now knows I am the nit-pickiest person on the planet. Really, they did a great job and I can’t thank them enough. Also, the release date of the book has been moved up to February 2011, which means you can take a peek in yonder chapel sooner than expected. That is, if you can get through the graveyard… -
Interview w/ My Grandson, Theo
30 Aug 2010 | 7:03 pm -
Christian Fiction and “The New Edgy”
29 Aug 2010 | 5:25 pmSo a while back, I joined a group for lovers of “edgy Christian fiction.” But I was disappointed. You see, unless you were a nun, a schoolmarm, or Mrs. Grundy … the group really wasn’t very edgy. That’s when it hit me: The term “edgy” means different things for different people. Take last month’s “conversation” regarding author Eric Wilson’s challenge to readers and writers of Christian fiction. My post at Novel Journey garnered not a few comments, one of which was from literary agent Chip MacGregor. For the record, I enjoy… -
Schizo-Blog
25 Aug 2010 | 5:41 amSo I got scolded by a writer friend because I blog too much. Of course, this is the same person who often bemoans not blogging enough. Such is the affliction of many novelists, a condition which I call Schizo-blog. Do you have Schizo-blog? Here’s some of the symptoms: You feel guilty for blogging because you should be writing your novel You feel guilty for writing because you haven’t updated your blog in a week You feel guilty prioritizing one over the other because with some creative management, or self-discipline, you should be able to do both Please note that the common… -
The Myth of “Secular” Fiction
22 Aug 2010 | 6:28 pmIf some novels are “Christian,” then the rest of them are not. We have chosen to call those “not-Christian” novels “secular.” Secular novels aren’t necessarily bad (in the moral sense), they’re just not “Christian.” Or “Christian” enough. Early in an author’s career, they are forced to make a choice and decide what kind of novel they will write — “spiritual” or “secular.” For the most part, Christian authors are the only ones faced with such a dilemma. It is a very important decision,…
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The Bare Essentials Today
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I should have gone to Kmart, I think they might have better blue light specials.
17 Aug 2010 | 5:34 pmEnter Target boy. We were “matched” on eHarmony and he sent me the first round of questions. They were the standard answers that every dude who is looking to get laid meet someone uses. Seemed harmless enough. I was a little skeptical, since he seemed pretty cute in his two pics. I hate that I think that way. I see a cute guys pic and I automatically think, why would he be interested in me. Pathetic. We breezed through all the hokey questions eHarmony makes you answers and started open communication. The subject of his email? Cheesey! Hmm, what the hell did that mean? So I clicked to see. -
Oh eHarmony, how you tease me
3 Aug 2010 | 10:31 ameHarmony, you tease me so with your online and television ads of finding that perfect someone. Boasting the most relationships/marriages from an online dating site. That really cute guy in the commercial. Delivering my matches to me daily. Not letting me see their pictures in the emails you send me, I anxiously log in each morning to see what bit of juiciness you have sent me to select from today. You fail. Meet J. The one thing J is most passionate about? PC Gaming J’s occupation? (this is an official quote from his profile) My official tittle is Inormation Facilitator, essentially… -
I’m still here. Alive and doing well, but quite possibly being sued.
23 Jul 2010 | 11:16 amDid you ever get slapped in the face with a wooden spoon? It doesn’t tickle. I have been MIA for a while. It has been so freaking busy, but that’s a good thing I guess. Job security, right? I had high hopes and big dreams. I had visions of parties on a beautiful patio. Wine by moonlight with a firepit crackling and dancing. BBQs with friends and family. More space. They were all squashed. Bastard. Back in April the end of March, I met with a contractor who was going to extend my lanai. I have a decent size one now, but I just wanted a little bit more space. Just 10 ft out. A few… -
Ever feel like you were in Groundhog Day except without Bill Murray?
10 May 2010 | 10:15 amI feel like I have been just spinning my wheels the past few months. Doing the same thing, over and over again. Day in, day out. Sounds exciting, right? No new dates since the one with the kids who didn’t even bother to walk me to my car. I’ve been *winked* at by someone who said he was 5’9” but is now feeling 5’11” (dontcha just hate when you grow like that??), been *winked* at by Silver dude who didn’t get the hint when I politely said I wasn’t interested so he felt the need to email me to tell me he was my Mr. Right. And also old enough to be my father. Got email from… -
I’m hoping the LASIK will help me see everything more clearly.
21 Apr 2010 | 2:31 pmI had LASIK surgery on Saturday April 17th. Best. Decision. Evah. I have absolutely no regrets. I was nervous. But it was easy schmeasy. I did my consult appointment with Updegraff Vision on Monday April 12th. The appointment took about 1.5 hours. I met with one of their consultants and she walked me through the procedure, let me ask any questions I might have had, discussed her procedure and basically gave me all the information I would need. I had been considering it for some time, but never got up the courage or the funds to do it. I had been saving and decided it was now or never.
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The Things
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Support the Troops and Donate.
20 Aug 2010 | 6:39 pmfallen soldier tribute from Crestock Creative Photos As many of you know, I’m an Iraq War Veteran. What you don’t know is that I owe a lot to the Vietnam war Veterans. When I say a lot, I mean even more than you do. If it wasn’t for the hell they were put through when they came home, I wouldn’t have a halfway decent VA hospital to go to, or a political voice in Washington. They set up the systems that I take for granted everyday. That is why I try to support them as best I can, which is never enough. That is why I’m happy that I finally got a “sponsored post”… -
Top 5 Reasons People Have Sent Gift Baskets
21 Jun 2010 | 2:50 pmbasket of fruits from Crestock Stock Images A gift basket is a gift delivered to family, friends, or coworkers that you don’t care enough about to actually see them in person. The best part is about giving a gift basket is that you don’t have to look long and hard for the perfect gift. There is generally enough variety in the basket that they will like it, and all you had to do was call or go online and pick one to send. A bunch different types of gift baskets exist,. They can have fruit, dry foods, canned foods, tea, crackers, jam, cheese and of course my favorite is wine. After… -
Are your tires safe?
8 Jun 2010 | 5:05 pmTraffic accident from Crestock Creative Images Have you ever experienced an accident or tire blow out? Do you know how to properly check your tire pressure? Do you know that you may have a lawsuit against the tire manufacture if you’re in an accident? Do you know what tread separation is? If you answered yes, then check out this website Defectivetires.com Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade…
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REVENGE OF THE SONITH
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Sonki Recommends: Forget 'Em Chemicals Ep. 3 Making Your Hair Darker
23 Aug 2010 | 11:20 pmImage via WikipediaHair coloring is quite an easy process, but it can sure get messy. Some of you are probably used to buying all those commercial hair products that promise you shiny black hair, but they never tell you what's inside those (or if they do, not all of it!). Anyway, here are some plants that may help you turn brunette (more or less) naturally: egg - makes the hair shiny (for more information see here) karchak (castor oil plant) - castor bean (for more information see... Read more... -
Sonki Recommends: Forget 'Em Chemicals Ep. 2 Hair Conditioners
19 Aug 2010 | 8:59 amImage via WikipediaEsentially, hair conditiner is a product used to change the way your hair looks. It is not necessary - as a shampoo might be in the strict act of cleaning your hair, but, at the same time, it IS if you want your hair to be lighter, shinier, stronger, and so on. {NB: some plants are taken from the shampoo article - I mean the ones that apply as both shampoo and onditioner, so they can be present in both posts.} Here are some plants that can help you: aloe vera -... Read more... -
Forget 'Em Chemicals Ep. 1: Washing Your Hair
16 Aug 2010 | 1:23 amImage via WikipediaThe idea of using a shampoo is relatively new (not more than 300 years), while the word itself is borrowed from the sanscrit चाँपो (chāmpo), originally only describing head-massage usually done with oil. (for more details check out the Wikipedia article on Shampoo) But what did our forefathers and mothers wash their hair with before that? Umm... and for free? (more or less) Here are some hair care possibilities you can very likely pick from the gardens or forests around you... Read more... -
Sonki Recommends: My Favourite Parks in Bucharest
14 Aug 2010 | 11:01 pmBucharest is Romania's capital city, therefore it is a very busy place, mostly city-like, but with great historical places, amongst which, some very beautiful (and large) parks. Here are some of the most popular green spots in Bucharest: *Herastrau - one of my favourite parks in the world. Herastrau is an old remnant of the places where the weekly promenade of the Belle-Epoque and Interwar Bucharest, both for the rich and the not so rich. Well, it's not only a park. Of course, there are... Read more... -
Sonki Recommends: Great Places to Visit in Tirgu-Mures, Romania
13 Aug 2010 | 10:49 pmImage via Wikipedia Tirgu-Mures (also known as Marosvásárhely in Hungarian Neumarkt am Mieresch in German or Novum Forum Siculorum in Latin) is a relatively small-bourgeois town in the heart of Transylvania. It's got a pretty long history and the observer can see that it's got a warm personality framed by soft hills and crossed in a very serpentine manner by the Mures River. (for more information, you can check the Wikipedia article about the town (which at the present time is unfortunately... Read more...
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Tales of a Literary Nobody
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Now that the MySpace Mentality has taken over Do Social Networks Need an Overhaul?
29 Aug 2010 | 9:59 pmTwitter used to be a haven for those wishing to escape the mentality that permeates MySpace, but now that it has spread to most social networks is it time for something new? -
Google Realtime Search Can Boost Traffic To Your Blog without the Headache of SEO
26 Aug 2010 | 10:35 pmGoogle has introduced real time search that can be a boon to your blog's traffic even without going through the rigors of optimization -
Death in the Digital Age: When Hit List Go Viral
26 Aug 2010 | 7:00 amThe internet has changed how criminals operate in today's digital society -
Boost Mobile is Making Staying Connected to Social Media Cheaper and Easier
24 Aug 2010 | 10:52 amBoostMobile is streamlining how you stay in touch with social media through SmartPhones for a fraction of the price of most mobile companies. -
What the heck is ROI and Are You Getting it Out of Your Blog?
23 Aug 2010 | 8:18 amMuch talk has been made about ROI. What is it and how is it essential to the life of your blog?
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The Mick's Grill
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Maddie and Olivia
27 Aug 2010 | 6:45 pmMy little girl Maddie watching a little TV - Posted using MobyPicture.com Filed under: Photo Blogging Tagged: Maddie, Photos, TV -
Favourite 5 Friday
26 Aug 2010 | 5:03 pmWelcome to this week’s edition of Favourite 5 Friday. Here we go… #1. The Old Spice Commercial #2. Favourite 80′s Comedy I’ve been watching religiously: The Cosby Show #3. Favorite Fake Movie Trailer: Christmas Vacation - Inception-style #4. Favorite thing I … Continue reading → -
Mike Idea #45: The Definitive List of Official Christian Swear Words
24 Aug 2010 | 6:43 pmUntil now, I don’t think there has ever been an actual list of Christian swear words. It seems that swear words that come out of the mouths of Christians are more powerful than Superman. I’m not sure why, maybe because no one expects Christians to … Continue reading → -
Who Will Play Me In A Bio Pic?
11 Aug 2010 | 6:13 amPrecious Blood Apparel presents the Mike Elliott story… well, sort of… This year marks 40 years since The Cross And The Switchblade movie starring Pat Boone first screened. I love this movie because: 1. It’s a real life story 2. The … Continue reading → -
Dear Prosperity Gospel Preachers
9 Aug 2010 | 5:09 amDear Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, and Creflo Dollar, and all those who preach about how God wants you to be rich: Since you already have millions of dollars it seems that you are always short on money. You keep asking for people … Continue reading →
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The Daily Menialities
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I want to fly an airplane.
14 Aug 2010 | 3:38 pmFly. He got a pilot license in a week… I need to do that! I know I’ve been interested in aircraft for a very long time, but never really wanted to actually fly one. Well, when I say that I mean private aircraft not military. Of course I wanted to fly a military plane… who doesn’t? Flying at mach 1.5 would be more than exciting. Anyway, I was thinking of joining the air force before college started and decided I wouldn’t join because I didn’t have the eyesight to do so and my preconceived notion that I would have serve in the military flying a plane as a job and only as a job. -
11 August 2010
11 Aug 2010 | 3:34 pmDecided to be consistent and so I’ll use this date format (from here on) because it requires no comma. My husband is a programmer, I have no idea what that means. Glad to know that some wives actually have interest in what their husbands do and not just the result of it. There might be hope for me as long as I can be a little more bold. I mean I can’t say I wasn’t bold in my freshman year of college.. as I profoundly say I am a techno geek because that’s my life summarized. I’m just quiet around people I don’t know yet and a little more quiet around women also less relaxed than… -
Midweek of August 7th
4 Aug 2010 | 5:16 amHah! There is only 1 1/2 weeks left in my book until I leave for college again. Sadly I have not purchased any airline tickets due to price. My budget allows for only $200 max for a one way ticket. Oh well, I’ll buy it soon! Need to find a group to join at school. Its either NSBE, archery, or back to foam fighting again. Think I wanna do something more meaningful, so the latter is most likely not to happen. I an still fascinated by aircraft and their evolution. Usually the 70s aircraft fascinate me because it is the initial years where the modern aircraft we use today really start to… -
Week of July 24
25 Jul 2010 | 3:06 pmPeople need to forget the small things in life. By small things, I mean the really really insignificant negative things that people tend to blow out of proportion.Hypothetically, lets say someone, a strange, decides to preach a racial epithet or stereotype, then it is no big deal, who the hell is that person? This is why I tend to act very ignorant of what people say or even their existence. If you’ve seen my post on friendship levels, then you’ll see that every stranger is practically a nobody to me. Anyway, just remember to let go of the most insignificant things because those things in… -
Tuesday July 13, 2010
13 Jul 2010 | 5:19 pm3 Disappointments in one day.. well maybe actually 2, but still. The story is I bought a computer case for my new workstation/gaming desktop, 1GB DDR3 memory stick, and a small portable media player. I bought the memory stick from an eBay seller in an attempt to cut costs of course, but I can’t believe he hasn’t shipped anything as of now. I bought it on the 4th of this month! Where is it? I think I want a refund. Next, I bought computer case from Newegg that came without the second side panel to cover it! What did I say? YES, it came without the side panel! I couldn’t believe it…
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Leftos - Lessons for the Opposite Sex
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Totally agree. Most men have more important things to work on than their abs
1 Sep 2010 | 7:42 pmNew Answer - I couldn't agree with you more. Most men have so many other things they should be working on to improve then simply their abs. Sure I love myself a sexy body, who doesn't, but have a 6-pack isn't that important. Guys should realize that it's the same for us as it is for them. A girl doesn't have to look like a playboy model for her to be pretty and attract the most handsome man. And so men, you don't have to think you should have some MTV body to attract the sexiest girls. If all guys completely gave up worrying about their abs, arms, and pecs and focused more on how to treat a… -
Why do dudes think girls love dudes with six-packs so much?
1 Sep 2010 | 9:46 amNew Question - Dudes seem to think 6-packs are as desirable on them as nice boobs or legs are on a girl. They're always talkin' like, "oh yeah, I'm getting that six-pack!" I just read something about 6-packs on the OkCupid blog and I could tell it was written by a dude just because he put that six pack on a pedistal!, right next to breasts (http://blog.okcupid.com/index.php/the-4-big-myths-of-profile-pictures/) (I swear I have no affiliation to OkCupid). Six packs are for sure not as hot as breasts! I'm not saying they're bad looking, but there have to be more parts of your body you think are… -
When you aren't growing together you are growing apart.
31 Aug 2010 | 6:35 pmNew Answer - I have had a hard time with longterm relationships in the past and I know how it can be awkward when you meet up with your partner after being apart for a long time. It is tough to have someone who you have had great experiences with and who you love deeply leave for a long time and you have to build up defenses to the pain of it. Those defenses can't come down in an instant. Sometimes it can feel like you are meeting the stranger who is your SO. For a long time my standard advice about long distance relationships was "just say no", but I have moved past that. My current advice… -
How to be a military wife or girlfriend?
31 Aug 2010 | 2:51 pmNew Question - My fiancee is currently abroad with the Navy. It's been an extremely hard 2 years ever since he started his first deployment. We've been together for a total of 6 years and I have no doubt that he's the man for me. But when he comes home for short periods of time, it's hard to just turn the switch on. It's even awkward sometimes. I just don't really know how to handle it all. Does anyone have advice? -
take turns, or go solo
31 Aug 2010 | 7:53 amNew Answer - My boyfriend and I have been together for 8 years and we often have this problem. If one family is more convenient in terms of transportation or timing, we tend to go there. If one family is REALLY big on one holiday in a certain year, we'll go there with the plan that the next year we'll go with the other family. If both families really want to see us, we sometimes split up. Maybe we'll each spend xmas with our own family, but I'll spend some time before or after xmas with his family and he'll do the same with mine. If there aren't kids involved and you have the means for…
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Oakland Gourmand
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Herb butter stuffed chicken breast with smoky fresh black eyed peas
22 Aug 2010 | 6:35 pmNow just in case that readers out there are thinking that I got my idea for this chicken dish from Mark Bittman and this column, I can promise you that I have been doing this technique for a long time and it is as promised in both this blog and the New York Times, a juicy, simple and easy way to make a typical boring chicken breast something special.However, what really got me excited while shopping was the fresh black eyed peas. I have NEVER seen fresh black eyed peas, and I was not expecting to see them in California, since they are not exactly a staple of the diet here on the west… -
Swiss Chard Lamb Rolls with Yogurt Sauce
8 Aug 2010 | 7:18 pmSo I obviously have been on a bit of a Middle Eastern food kick lately, but honestly, there are not many cuisines more suited for the weather and the produce of this season. If you disregard this year's abnormally cool summer, the climate in the Bay Area is surprisingly similar to much of the Mediterranian countries with who's cuisine I am currently obsessed with. Therefore, the vegetables and fruits that are seasonally available there at the moment are also currently available in all their correct ripeness here.This is yet another leaf-encased meat roll, with the addition of the… -
Fresh Corn, Heirloom Tomato and Bread Salad
26 Jul 2010 | 12:27 pmWhile here in the San Francisco Bay Area is it anything but Summer weather, I am still making dishes as if it were not 60 degrees and foggy. It is usually cooler here than in the rest of California during the early part of Summer, but this year has been particularly cool and foggy. My personal remedy is to make Summer dishes that will at least remind me that in other parts of this beautiful state that, yes indeed there is such a thing as the Sun, picnics and warm weather to be had. Dishes like this one make me dream of sitting out in the Sun on a beautiful warm day and sipping a… -
Fresh Fava Bean Falafel - Egyptian Style Falafel
15 Jul 2010 | 4:40 pmFalafel is probably one of the most widely eaten vegetarian foods in the world. Note that I did not say "healthy", just vegetarian. It is usually heavily salted, deep fried in oil, and in some countries, served with a heaping of French Fries IN the pita bread! Personally, I do not have particularly fond memories of Falafel as a child, which most likely came from a dried mix, which is often bitter and lacks the flavor of the beans. Thankfully, I have been lucky enough to both live in areas that can supply me with a proper Falafel, and to travel to the Middle East and… -
Lahmacun or Turkish Lamb Pizza
8 Jul 2010 | 12:31 pmTurkish food is fast becoming a favorite as of late. It has some great flavor combinations and the ingredients are well suited to the seasons in California. If you combine this with the fact that I love street food, it gets even better, as Turkish Cusine has some of the best street food out there such as Döner Kebab, Köfte, Pide, Simit and various other grilled, baked and fried deliciousness.Traditional Turkish food can be quite complicated due to the imperial nature of many food related customs. The Ottoman Empire, which was based in Istanbul (Constantinople renamed, just…
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Life As A Human
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Overcoming Our Pain One Step At A Time
If you have endured some form of physical pain for an extended period, then you know how much it can affect your outlook on life. Physical pain can weaken our resolve and dampen our spirits. However, it does not have to rule our lives.Overcoming Our Pain One Step At A Time is a post from: Life As A Human -
The Other Side of Me: Push No More
Thriving On the Other Side learns that though she has pushed through every other blockade or barrier in her life, it’s time to flow with her own path and push no more.The Other Side of Me: Push No More is a post from: Life As A Human -
What’s Your Perfect Lunch?
What’s your idea of the perfect lunch? Mike Sakasegawa ponders the significance of the difference between his answer and his wife’s. Why is there such a difference between the sexes?What’s Your Perfect Lunch? is a post from: Life As A Human -
What Does “Being Healthy” Truly Mean?
What will it take for us to start loving ourselves enough to realize that we are worth the investment of time, energy and money in order to truly be healthy in a complete and holistic way? Sadly, a lot of people would rather invest in the instant gratification of a daily $5 latte than invest in their actual emotional well being.What Does “Being Healthy” Truly Mean? is a post from: Life As A Human -
The Little Gift
Finding the right use for "that little gift" is best left to procrastinators.The Little Gift is a post from: Life As A Human
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Modestly Yours
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More Shenanigans in the Name of Breast Cancer "Awareness"
2 Sep 2010 | 8:01 amUgh. So we're going to do this again, eh? Are so many people still not aware of breast cancer that we're going to stoop to any level, no matter how demeaning or useless, in effort to Raise Awareness? (I capitalized "Raise Awareness" out of respect for the Awareness gods, for they are to be worshipped and revered at all times. As it is written: Thou shalt not question any deed done in the name of Awareness. Ever. Even if it's really, really trashy and dumb.) Well, the Breast Cancer Foundation of Singapore thinks so. Apparently there are so many women, (and I'm… -
Modest Swimwear and Activewear: The Next Generation
31 Aug 2010 | 7:54 pmModest swimwear has a pretty bad rap, especially online. Many a blogger without a topic to write about has, from time to time, relied on various "modest" contraptions to entertain his online audience. And frankly, one can see why: there is the swimsuit which resembles a beekeeper uniform, then the frightful housedress-and-wetsuit ensemble which, to me, evokes thoughts of polygamy more than going swimming--the list goes on and on. (My secret belief is that these atrocious ensembles are actually contrived by people trying to make modesty look bad, but of course this is… -
Eat, Pray, Love Dad!
26 Aug 2010 | 6:50 amSo I was reading Eat,Pray,Love by Elizabeth GIlbert because the movie is coming out and I wanted it fresh in my head for when I see it. Around page 285 she begins to reflect on her relationships. She talks about how her father, being a good feminist father, stayed out of her decisions. She talks about how in a different time in Western society her father would have sat down with the men in her life to find out whether or not he is a suitable candidate. asking such questions as "What are your intentions? How are you going to support you and my daughter?" and many other… -
What Our Sons See
18 Aug 2010 | 3:31 pmI am the happy, busy mom of three kiddos. I have two talkative girls and one lively 9-year-old boy sandwiched between them on the familial timeline. Raising a boy is no easy task. My mental hat goes off to ANY mom that has more than one boy. Boys' issues are so very different than girl's issues. As my little guy grows older and my ever-vigilant gaze sweeps over our culture, I am becoming increasingly aware of what I need to teach him in the realm of women and modesty.Modesty is not just a women's issue. No matter how many times we blog… -
Shade Stores Closing Soon
12 Aug 2010 | 8:14 amHello Friends, I just received an email from one of my favorite modest clothing lines, Shade, announcing that they will soon be closing their stores and website. I'm sad to see the company folding but in these current economic times, I suppose it's not surprising, unfortunately. Anyhoo, they are liquidating their stock at up to 75% off and everything must go. If you're a fan of Shade and want to get in on this last sale, now is your chance. The company is particularly known for their more modest swimwear so if you're in the market for one, why not take a look? When I made my…
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the Ultimate Lifestyle Project
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Cinco áreas de estudio a la hora de crear ‘El Estilo de Vida Supremo’
26 Aug 2010 | 11:50 pmPara continuar desde el primer artículo ‘La vida suprema’, que hablaba de la ideología y la filosofía del ‘Estilo de Vida Supremo’, este artículo habla de los elementos prácticos para crear ‘El Estilo de Vida Supremo’. Hay cinco áreas de estudio a la hora de crear ‘El Estilo de Vida Supremo’: la mente, el amor, la [...] -
¿Qué hacer con mi vida?
19 Aug 2010 | 11:51 pmLa pregunta “¿Qué hacer con mi vida?” es bastante intimidante pero a la vez se nos presenta como una oportunidad de elección para cambiar el rumbo actual de nuestra vida. Vivimos en una sociedad que nos obliga a escoger una trayectoria profesional ya desde la pubertad, una edad vulnerable en la que estamos influenciados por los [...] -
El Estilo de Vida Supremo
13 Aug 2010 | 10:35 pm¿Qué quiere decir exactamente ‘el Estilo de Vida Supremo?’ Para la mayoría de la gente, el Estilo de Vida Supremo es sinónimo de Hollywood: vidas que simbolizan la imagen de la perfección absoluta, la fama, la fortuna, el poder, el prestigio y la emoción, pero vidas tan completamente desconectadas del mundo real en que los [...] -
Fomentar la Creatividad
3 Aug 2010 | 4:19 pmFomentar la creatividad protegiendo el proceso de las influencias externas es imperativo para ayudarte a realizar tus sueños. La creatividad es una de las experiencias más emocionantes y gratificantes, y algo con lo que todo ser humano nace. Cuando creamos, estamos en nuestro elemento, pero muchas veces nuestro proceso creativo es [...] -
Bienvenidos!
23 Jul 2010 | 2:56 pmHola y bienvenidos al Proyecto del Estilo de Vida Supremo, una búsqueda del Estilo de Vida Supremo. En pocas palabras, ésta es una nueva y contemporánea filosofía para crear y vivir estilos de vida modernos que reflejen nuestro mundo moderno. Por favor, disculpa este breve momento de egoísmo – es una excepción: el proyecto es genial. La [...]
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The Homesteading Housewife
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In the last 24 hrs...
29 Aug 2010 | 10:32 amI have heard...The washing machine is finally fixed! No more Laundry Mat!The propane just ran out! No Dryer.. or hot water, and it's the week-end.Where's mommy?The cows are out.I don't like pork chops.You still owe me $10 mom.No, I wasn't sneaking a cigarette behind the house! I don't know why I smell like smoke again.I'm late for football practice.The cows are out.You forgot to buy me colored printer paper for school.Where's Mommy?We're out of bread.I'm hungry.Whats for dinner?But, It's MY TURN!But, I had it FIRST!He hit me!I don't like my eggs cooked this way.The cows are out.There is a… -
I guess I'll never learn...
25 Aug 2010 | 5:18 pmThe Man-of-My-Dreams has started his long journey from Kazakhstan back home to my arms.I am happy.I am excited.I am giddy.I am thrilled.I am PANICKED!yes... I said panicked.You see, as I sit here writing on the eve of his arrival, I realize I am, at this very moment, doing the exact same thing I did for years every day at 3:00pm as a teenager.My mother was a nurse.She worked the 7am-3pm shift at the hospital. I was a teenager, it was summer, and I was at home.Before she left for work each morning, she would tell me what she needed me to do.Wash the dishes, fold the laundry, clean the kitchen,… -
It's that time again.
22 Aug 2010 | 7:56 amI haven't been writing much this week because this has been me!YAY!!! Thats right! all 6 kids start school tomorrow!!!!I'll be back. :) -
Frazzled.
16 Aug 2010 | 7:43 amHi, My name is Dana...And I am FRAZZLED.I've been kinda burning the candle at both ends.And, at the moment, I feel like I am hanging on by a thread.I decided It was high time to get myself organized and make a "To Do" list.I thought it would help things seem a little less overwhelming.I thought it might calm me a little bit.I thought it would help me see that things aren't really as crazy right now as I thought they were.here is the list of things that need finished today.1.) Empty dishwasher.2.) Make breakfast for the kids.3.) Finish re-arranging the kids bedrooms and making room for our new… -
Panic! (Sunday Evening Haiku)
15 Aug 2010 | 5:17 pmPanic.Six Kids Starting SchoolJust seven short days awayNot one thing bought yet
