Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Sunflower Update
I drove past the field today and they were gone. They have not looked very good for the last week. They had drooping heads and many looked seedless. There was a sign on the edge of the field identifying Natorps as the sunflower planter. They were nice when fresh but the field now looks better mowed.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Smile
Along Snider Road just north of Fields-Ertel there is something new this year. What in previous years had been just another soy bean field is planted in sunflowers.I pass this field on my way to somewhere several times a week. For the past month the flowers have been in bloom. Every time I have passed the field, there has been someone standing at its edge looking at the field of sunflowers.
Most of the time people are also taking pictures of the sunflowers. People standing along Snider Road with a camera taking a picture of a field. I have also seen people on top of ladders taking photos from above, I have seen more than one couple just inside the first row kissing while having their picture taken, and entire families surrounded by sunflowers being photographed.
It makes me smile to see people made so happy by a field of sunflowers. I have seen sunflowers before but this is the first time have have witnessed such a fuss around the flowers.
Does anyone know why?
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Haircuts
I never know how to react right after my wife gets a hair cut. Nearly 25 years of marriage has taught me that haircuts are always a risky subject. Maybe it is too short, maybe the shape is wrong, maybe the color isn't what she really wanted. There are too many possible problems. However, if she loves the haircut and I don't say how good it looks then I get told I never notice anything.
At work the risks are just as high with the added risk of what is really appropriate for a male to be saying to a female co-worker. I wouldn't think an innocent comment like, 'that's a cute haircut' could be considered harassment but I am not 100% sure that I can ever comment on how someone else looks in the workplace.
So I behave like a chicken in both situations and act as if I hadn't noticed.
Yesterday after work I got my hair cut.
The only comments I received today were variations on the "you got a haircut" theme. No one said it was cute, or made me look slimmer or younger, so either others play the chicken game also or it is really a bad haircut!
At work the risks are just as high with the added risk of what is really appropriate for a male to be saying to a female co-worker. I wouldn't think an innocent comment like, 'that's a cute haircut' could be considered harassment but I am not 100% sure that I can ever comment on how someone else looks in the workplace.
So I behave like a chicken in both situations and act as if I hadn't noticed.
Yesterday after work I got my hair cut.
The only comments I received today were variations on the "you got a haircut" theme. No one said it was cute, or made me look slimmer or younger, so either others play the chicken game also or it is really a bad haircut!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Vacation
Any additional vacation ideas? (June 28).
How far ahead to you plan your vacation?
Does planning start as soon as the last vacation ends?
Are several little vacations (3 days or less) better than one big see it all vacation (7 days or more)?
When is your favorite time of year to take a vacation?
If you vacation in the winter do you go to a winter location or is a winter vacation used to go to warm location?
Do you save up for vacation, or put it on credit?
How far ahead to you plan your vacation?
Does planning start as soon as the last vacation ends?
Are several little vacations (3 days or less) better than one big see it all vacation (7 days or more)?
When is your favorite time of year to take a vacation?
If you vacation in the winter do you go to a winter location or is a winter vacation used to go to warm location?
Do you save up for vacation, or put it on credit?
Sunday, July 5, 2009
July 4th Trivia
Many of the answers have been repeated in yesterday's news broadcasts about the 4th:
1). Name the president(s) who died on July 4, 1826, (50 years after 1776).
2). Name any other presidents who died on July 4th, any year.
3). Name the president(s) born on the 4th of July.
4). What early 20th Century song is about a composer born on the 4th of July?
5). Name the composer from question #4 above.
6). Name the only Chief Justice of the United States to die on July 4th.
7). Name the current presidential connection to July 4th.
1). Name the president(s) who died on July 4, 1826, (50 years after 1776).
2). Name any other presidents who died on July 4th, any year.
3). Name the president(s) born on the 4th of July.
4). What early 20th Century song is about a composer born on the 4th of July?
5). Name the composer from question #4 above.
6). Name the only Chief Justice of the United States to die on July 4th.
7). Name the current presidential connection to July 4th.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Declaration of Independence
The Unanimous Declaration
of the Thirteen United States of America
When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.
He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.
He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislature.
He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states:
For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing taxes on us without our consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury:
For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses:
For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule in these colonies:
For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments:
For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.
We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.
New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton
Massachusetts: John Hancock, Samual Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery
Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott
New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris
New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark
Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross
Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean
Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton
North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn
South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton
Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton
Source: The Pennsylvania Packet, July 8, 1776(Copied from the following website)http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/freedom/doi/text.html
4th of July
Happy Independence Day!
Did you ever wonder why we have fireworks on the 4th of July?
Well, let me tell you about someone who predicted it happening ....
Back in 1776 there was a man named John Adams who was at an extended business meeting in Philadelphia. Mr. Adams had a habit of writing to his wife Abigail, who had not traveled with Mr. Adams to Philadelphia, but remained home in Massachusetts.
Mr. Adams was a person that had a few revolutionary ideas.
For some reason the Adams Family didn't feel the need to keep their private correspondence private, so the contents of his letter is known. (If alive today, I would think they would be very comfortable having a very public Facebook or My Space page).
In the letter written July 3rd, 1776 Mr. Adams states: "The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."
Adams' prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated Independence Day on July 4, the date the much-publicized Declaration of Independence was approved, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress. (Thank you Wikipedia).
Did you ever wonder why we have fireworks on the 4th of July?
Well, let me tell you about someone who predicted it happening ....
Back in 1776 there was a man named John Adams who was at an extended business meeting in Philadelphia. Mr. Adams had a habit of writing to his wife Abigail, who had not traveled with Mr. Adams to Philadelphia, but remained home in Massachusetts.
Mr. Adams was a person that had a few revolutionary ideas.
For some reason the Adams Family didn't feel the need to keep their private correspondence private, so the contents of his letter is known. (If alive today, I would think they would be very comfortable having a very public Facebook or My Space page).
In the letter written July 3rd, 1776 Mr. Adams states: "The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."
Adams' prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated Independence Day on July 4, the date the much-publicized Declaration of Independence was approved, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress. (Thank you Wikipedia).
Friday, July 3, 2009
Numerically Challenged?
I will give him the benefit of the doubt, he is probably counting Puerto Rico, DC, Iraq, Israel, Egypt, Mexico, Panama, and Guam.
Those extra states sure help explain the budget deficits.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Happy Independence Day!
Yes, I know it is only July 2nd.
Did you know that the 2nd Continental Congress voted on July 2nd, 1776 to accept a resolution that the thirteen colonies of America were independent of the British rule?
It took two more days for the wording of the formal declaration to be approved.
Our Independence Day Holiday has been celebrated two days late ever since.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Shifting Morality
The recent movie based on the book My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult raises a number of moral questions. I can only address the book and the movie in general terms since I have neither read the book, nor seen the movie. My only information is from Wikipedia for the book and the movie trailers for the movie. The Wikipedia sight contains spoilers for the book, so don't go there unless you want to know the ending.
The morally disturbing part about this book and movie is that a child is created in a laboratory to provide body parts for a sickly older sibling. Not being a parent I don't know how I would react to the illness of my child, but to sacrifice a second child to save the first one is not right. At what point does the second child become a human being with all the legal rights to defend herself against parents wanting her body parts. (The point of the movie?) The parents in this movie (again only from what I have seen in the trailers) don't believe the child has individual rights at age 11. The parents never granted the second child any human dignity, she was created only to be a parts factory.
What does this movie say about our society when something like this is presented in a seemingly rational manner? Are the parents seen as heroes for wanting to save their first daughter, or villains for the inhumanity shown to the second daughter? Does the younger daughter have an obligation to 'save' the life of the older daughter? Are any of the moral questions addressed or does the movie only play on the emotional? Does the current society accept a moral code?
I think this book & the movie indicate how dehumanized society has become. Is there no value to life except for its utilitarian value?
If a person can serve a utilitarian purpose then they are valued in society, if a person serves no purpose, well too bad. Does our society exist to only serve the people that are valued? Does raw power determine value to society?
What does this say for the powerless in society; the poor, the elderly, the unborn, and the mentally ill? Do they have any inalienable rights granted by their creator (such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness) or do they settle for only those rights that the government grants them? Are they dependent on the generousity of those with power?
If we are dependent on government granted rights, we must also be aware that those rights can change as the power base within government changes.
What do you think?
The morally disturbing part about this book and movie is that a child is created in a laboratory to provide body parts for a sickly older sibling. Not being a parent I don't know how I would react to the illness of my child, but to sacrifice a second child to save the first one is not right. At what point does the second child become a human being with all the legal rights to defend herself against parents wanting her body parts. (The point of the movie?) The parents in this movie (again only from what I have seen in the trailers) don't believe the child has individual rights at age 11. The parents never granted the second child any human dignity, she was created only to be a parts factory.
What does this movie say about our society when something like this is presented in a seemingly rational manner? Are the parents seen as heroes for wanting to save their first daughter, or villains for the inhumanity shown to the second daughter? Does the younger daughter have an obligation to 'save' the life of the older daughter? Are any of the moral questions addressed or does the movie only play on the emotional? Does the current society accept a moral code?
I think this book & the movie indicate how dehumanized society has become. Is there no value to life except for its utilitarian value?
If a person can serve a utilitarian purpose then they are valued in society, if a person serves no purpose, well too bad. Does our society exist to only serve the people that are valued? Does raw power determine value to society?
What does this say for the powerless in society; the poor, the elderly, the unborn, and the mentally ill? Do they have any inalienable rights granted by their creator (such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness) or do they settle for only those rights that the government grants them? Are they dependent on the generousity of those with power?
If we are dependent on government granted rights, we must also be aware that those rights can change as the power base within government changes.
What do you think?
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Quotations
I have a book of quotations, 8,789 Words of Wisdom by Barbara Ann Kipfer, that I look at occasionally. There a few things I don't like about the book, so I end up putting it down after a few pages. (But then I pick it up a few days later). For example, many quotes in the book contradict previous listed quotes. What is up with that, it is just confusing.
On page 234, 'Truth is the truth no matter what others may think'.
On page 236, 'The truth is relative'.
I find it difficult to reconcile these two statements. I think they are mutually exclusive statements. Can they both be correct?
Another thing I dislike about the book is the lack of identification of who is being quoted.
Who said the truth is relative? Did the author make it up just to be contentious?
Some of the quotes I like:
'Have passion for what you are doing.'
'Nothing is permanent except change.'
'Celebrate being alive.'
'Let your character speak for you.'
'Act like the person you want to be.'
'Dreams can become real.'
'Be led by reason.'
'A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures.'
What are some of your favorite quotes?
Is there any quote you use to guide your life?
On page 234, 'Truth is the truth no matter what others may think'.
On page 236, 'The truth is relative'.
I find it difficult to reconcile these two statements. I think they are mutually exclusive statements. Can they both be correct?
Another thing I dislike about the book is the lack of identification of who is being quoted.
Who said the truth is relative? Did the author make it up just to be contentious?
Some of the quotes I like:
'Have passion for what you are doing.'
'Nothing is permanent except change.'
'Celebrate being alive.'
'Let your character speak for you.'
'Act like the person you want to be.'
'Dreams can become real.'
'Be led by reason.'
'A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures.'
What are some of your favorite quotes?
Is there any quote you use to guide your life?
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Vacation anyone?
If money and time did not restrain you, where would you like to spend your next vacation?
Would it be a busy city or a quiet retreat? Would you take someone with you to share the experience or would you prefer to do it alone? The choice is up to you, after all this is your fantasy vacation.
What would you take with you? Books, music, or empty suitcases for shopping?
Do you like to take pictures while on vacation? And do you share your pictures?
Will you check your email, voicemail, Facebook, or MyFaceSpaceSite? (I know a shameless plug).
Tell me about your adventure.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Private Long
Private William Long.
Does the name mean anything to you?
Dr. George Tiller mean anything to you?
Both men met their deaths about a month ago in gun violence from a single gunman.
Dr. Tiller was murdered in a church in Wichita, Kansas and Private Long was murdered on a street in Little Rock, Arkansas. Both men became targets for what they did with their lives. Dr. Tiller for being an abortionist, Private Long for being a soldier.
An attack on a military target on the streets of American gets little notice from the news media.
Media bias once again? I understand the attraction of reporting on Dr. Tiller. He had a high profile, people had already heard of him because of his connection to Kathleen Sebelius, so his death is truly newsworthy. My first reaction when I heard the first reports of an unidentified abortion doctor being shot in Kansas was to wonder if it was Dr. Tiller.
Private Long on the other hand was a young man unknown except to those in his circle of friends and family. Private Long gained notoriety only in his death. But the media was reluctant to report on his death at the hands of a Muslim convert in an act of domestic terrorism.
Is there a bias toward making bad examples out of murders of abortionist doctors, while minimizing the threat of terrorism on American streets?
Could Private Long's killer be charged with a 'hate crime'?
Does the name mean anything to you?
Dr. George Tiller mean anything to you?
Both men met their deaths about a month ago in gun violence from a single gunman.
Dr. Tiller was murdered in a church in Wichita, Kansas and Private Long was murdered on a street in Little Rock, Arkansas. Both men became targets for what they did with their lives. Dr. Tiller for being an abortionist, Private Long for being a soldier.
An attack on a military target on the streets of American gets little notice from the news media.
Media bias once again? I understand the attraction of reporting on Dr. Tiller. He had a high profile, people had already heard of him because of his connection to Kathleen Sebelius, so his death is truly newsworthy. My first reaction when I heard the first reports of an unidentified abortion doctor being shot in Kansas was to wonder if it was Dr. Tiller.
Private Long on the other hand was a young man unknown except to those in his circle of friends and family. Private Long gained notoriety only in his death. But the media was reluctant to report on his death at the hands of a Muslim convert in an act of domestic terrorism.
Is there a bias toward making bad examples out of murders of abortionist doctors, while minimizing the threat of terrorism on American streets?
Could Private Long's killer be charged with a 'hate crime'?
Friday, June 26, 2009
Mario Lavandeira's Problem Week
Poor Mario Lavandeira (aka Perez Hilton) just can't get a break this week.
First he insults and gets an assault from an associate of the Black Eye Peas singer Will.I.Am. and now he insults Michael Jackson fans when he blogs that Michael was doing a publicity stunt, instead of having an actual heart attack.
Fox News reports Mario wrote, “Supposedly, the singer went into cardiac arrest ...” Hilton wrote in his blog, before stating, “We are dubious!!”
“Either he’s lying or making himself sick,” the blog continued. Then it urged those who had purchased tickets for Jackson’s series of concerts in London to “get your money back!”
Jackson fans were not amused. “That guy (Mario) is seriously sick in the head. He does more harm that good and he needs to get off the internet now,” wrote one blogger, in a fairly typical response.
Some people will do anything (like pirate someone's name, be insulted by someone's opinion, taunt a celebrity, and figure everyone else is as manipulative as yourself when it comes to publicity) to extend their fifteen minutes of fame and Mario's time is up.
Since Mario is a big heel do you think he might reinvent himself as Jim Shue?
First he insults and gets an assault from an associate of the Black Eye Peas singer Will.I.Am. and now he insults Michael Jackson fans when he blogs that Michael was doing a publicity stunt, instead of having an actual heart attack.
Fox News reports Mario wrote, “Supposedly, the singer went into cardiac arrest ...” Hilton wrote in his blog, before stating, “We are dubious!!”
“Either he’s lying or making himself sick,” the blog continued. Then it urged those who had purchased tickets for Jackson’s series of concerts in London to “get your money back!”
Jackson fans were not amused. “That guy (Mario) is seriously sick in the head. He does more harm that good and he needs to get off the internet now,” wrote one blogger, in a fairly typical response.
Some people will do anything (like pirate someone's name, be insulted by someone's opinion, taunt a celebrity, and figure everyone else is as manipulative as yourself when it comes to publicity) to extend their fifteen minutes of fame and Mario's time is up.
Since Mario is a big heel do you think he might reinvent himself as Jim Shue?
Celebrity Deaths
Unfortunate timing for Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon to depart the stage.
Seeing Farrah's Story last month helped to demystify a legend. I sometimes forget that behind the fame and fortune is a human being with struggles, pains and fears trying to see their way through this adventure called life.
The essence of life is it begins with potential and you try to use that potential to leave the world a better place because of your existence. That universal struggle is what makes us human.
Ed McMahon was a great entertainer as Johnny Carson's foil and should also be remembered as the first host of Star Search in the early '80's.
With the 24 hour cable news coverage of the death of Michael Jackson there will be little about his life that will be unknowable. I don't want to diminish his contributions to music and entertainment but I wonder why such extensive coverage? If his life hadn't taken such an odd turn with the surgeries, skin condition, germophobia, child abuse lawsuits, surrogate motherhood for his children, etc. would we have seen endless news coverage of his death?
Was his life like the auto accident on the highway that everyone has to slow down and look at?
Seeing Farrah's Story last month helped to demystify a legend. I sometimes forget that behind the fame and fortune is a human being with struggles, pains and fears trying to see their way through this adventure called life.
The essence of life is it begins with potential and you try to use that potential to leave the world a better place because of your existence. That universal struggle is what makes us human.
Ed McMahon was a great entertainer as Johnny Carson's foil and should also be remembered as the first host of Star Search in the early '80's.
With the 24 hour cable news coverage of the death of Michael Jackson there will be little about his life that will be unknowable. I don't want to diminish his contributions to music and entertainment but I wonder why such extensive coverage? If his life hadn't taken such an odd turn with the surgeries, skin condition, germophobia, child abuse lawsuits, surrogate motherhood for his children, etc. would we have seen endless news coverage of his death?
Was his life like the auto accident on the highway that everyone has to slow down and look at?
Monday, June 1, 2009
Last Survivor of the Titanic
The last survivor of the Titanic disaster died at age 97 on Sunday. Millvina Dean was just two months old when the ship sank in the North Atlantic. She survived along with her mother and brother, but her father died in the sinking.
If you have ever seen a documentary on the Titanic you have probably seen Millvina.
Ninety-seven years have passed since that dark cold night in April.
If you have ever seen a documentary on the Titanic you have probably seen Millvina.
Ninety-seven years have passed since that dark cold night in April.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
More Media Bias?
"GOP senators sidestep harsh criticism of Sotomayor
By PHILIP ELLIOTT, Associated Press Writer Philip Elliott, Associated Press Writer – 18 mins ago
WASHINGTON – Leading GOP senators on Sunday offered more subtle criticism of the first Hispanic nominated to the Supreme Court, but passed up the chance to stifle racially charged critiques of Sonia Sotomayor by some fellow Republicans.
The party out of power in Washington is struggling to develop a unified political strategy to oppose the Supreme Court nominee. "
But further in the article the following quotes are reported:
"I definitely think we need to have the respectful tone and we need to look at the record," said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, a Republican from Hispanic-heavy Texas. "We need to have the responsibilities that have been put on us by the Constitution taken very seriously."
"She brings a form of bigotry or racism to the court," Limbaugh said on his radio program last week.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Sunday refused to criticize that remark, although he said it doesn't represent his view.
"I think that she is a person who believes that her background can influence her decision. That's what troubles me," said Sessions, R-Ala. Although he would prefer that they not call Sotomayor a racist, he said, "people have a free right to speak and say what they want and make the analogies that they want."
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., also a member of the Judiciary Committee, said that he doesn't think Sotomayor is a racist. However, Graham, who is white, said she should apologize for comments that suggest "all the hardship she has gone through makes her better than me."
Should the Senators even be trying to stifle free speech?
With 59 Democrat votes in the Senate (60 if the Minnesota election is settled in favor of Al Franken) I don't think there is any doubt that Judge Sotomayor will be the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. To suggest that the Republican party is trying to oppose the nomination as stated in the second paragraph is ridiculous. President Obama will have his nominee confirmed, but it is the role of the Senate to 'advise and consent' not just roll over and say 'Yes, Sir'.
By PHILIP ELLIOTT, Associated Press Writer Philip Elliott, Associated Press Writer – 18 mins ago
WASHINGTON – Leading GOP senators on Sunday offered more subtle criticism of the first Hispanic nominated to the Supreme Court, but passed up the chance to stifle racially charged critiques of Sonia Sotomayor by some fellow Republicans.
The party out of power in Washington is struggling to develop a unified political strategy to oppose the Supreme Court nominee. "
But further in the article the following quotes are reported:
"I definitely think we need to have the respectful tone and we need to look at the record," said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, a Republican from Hispanic-heavy Texas. "We need to have the responsibilities that have been put on us by the Constitution taken very seriously."
"She brings a form of bigotry or racism to the court," Limbaugh said on his radio program last week.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Sunday refused to criticize that remark, although he said it doesn't represent his view.
"I think that she is a person who believes that her background can influence her decision. That's what troubles me," said Sessions, R-Ala. Although he would prefer that they not call Sotomayor a racist, he said, "people have a free right to speak and say what they want and make the analogies that they want."
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., also a member of the Judiciary Committee, said that he doesn't think Sotomayor is a racist. However, Graham, who is white, said she should apologize for comments that suggest "all the hardship she has gone through makes her better than me."
Sen. Jon Kyl, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate and a Judiciary member, declined to call Sotomayor a racist.
"I'm not going to get drawn into characterizations before I have even met her," Kyl said.
Short of saying that anyone that uses the word racist when describing Judge Sotomayor should be arrested what more can five Republican Senators do 'to stifle racially charged critiques'?Should the Senators even be trying to stifle free speech?
With 59 Democrat votes in the Senate (60 if the Minnesota election is settled in favor of Al Franken) I don't think there is any doubt that Judge Sotomayor will be the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. To suggest that the Republican party is trying to oppose the nomination as stated in the second paragraph is ridiculous. President Obama will have his nominee confirmed, but it is the role of the Senate to 'advise and consent' not just roll over and say 'Yes, Sir'.
Abortion Doctor Murdered
Dr. George Tiller, described by the Associated Press as a prominent late-term abortion provider, was murdered today. Dr. Tiller is known for being a large contributor to HHS Secretary Sebelius when she was governor of Kansas, and he is also known for being acquitted earlier this year on 19 violations of Kansas law related to abortions he provided.
Although I am on the opposite side of the abortion debate from Dr. Tiller, I find it to be a sad day in Kansas. Murder is not a justifiable crime. May his family find peace.
Although I am on the opposite side of the abortion debate from Dr. Tiller, I find it to be a sad day in Kansas. Murder is not a justifiable crime. May his family find peace.
Friday, May 29, 2009
TGIF
Where did the phrase TGIF come from? Wikipedia says it was started by an Akron, Ohio disc jockey in the early 1970s.
Using my critical thinking skills, and wikipedia's lack of citation, I tend to doubt that as the source.
There is a 1978 disco theme movie by the name Thank God Its Friday that won an Academy Award for Best Song in 1979. (Donna Summer perf0rming Last Dance). Not a movie I remember.
Enjoy the weekend!!
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Using my critical thinking skills, and wikipedia's lack of citation, I tend to doubt that as the source.
There is a 1978 disco theme movie by the name Thank God Its Friday that won an Academy Award for Best Song in 1979. (Donna Summer perf0rming Last Dance). Not a movie I remember.
Enjoy the weekend!!
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Thursday, May 28, 2009
First Amendment
The first amendment to the Constitution of the United States reads:
"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."
The first ten amendments to the Constitution are also known as the "Bill of Rights" and refer to the rights of the people not the rights of the government. The founders of this country had just fought a war to throw off the tyranny of the King of England and wanted to ensure that the government being established did not end up being as oppressive as the one discarded.
The House of Representatives has passed legislation (HR 1913) to increase the penalty for a violent crime if it was motivated by hate. I don't understand how Congress can legislate away 'hate'. I understand things people say can be offensive. I have been offended at times and have probably also been offensive, but how can Congress label one set of values (and thoughts) as hateful and illegal and still be within the first amendment? Is punishing motives in addition to actions a form of thought control? Is it more acceptable to beat someone up as long as it is done with love?
I have always thought that the freedom of speech leads by a natural extension to a diversity of ideas, thoughts, and expressions. Just because there is diversity, not every thought will be of value or even for the betterment of society as a whole, but the founders wanted to provide an outlet for minority opinion that could not be suppressed by the majority. This would include speech that would be offensive to the majority of the people.
If the government begins to criminalize some speech as hateful, we have lost freedom and will loose diversity. If you think diversity is bad, then hate speech legislation is good way to limit diversity. I am ok with it as long as everyone thinks like me. (NOT!)
What is your opinion?
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"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."
The first ten amendments to the Constitution are also known as the "Bill of Rights" and refer to the rights of the people not the rights of the government. The founders of this country had just fought a war to throw off the tyranny of the King of England and wanted to ensure that the government being established did not end up being as oppressive as the one discarded.
The House of Representatives has passed legislation (HR 1913) to increase the penalty for a violent crime if it was motivated by hate. I don't understand how Congress can legislate away 'hate'. I understand things people say can be offensive. I have been offended at times and have probably also been offensive, but how can Congress label one set of values (and thoughts) as hateful and illegal and still be within the first amendment? Is punishing motives in addition to actions a form of thought control? Is it more acceptable to beat someone up as long as it is done with love?
I have always thought that the freedom of speech leads by a natural extension to a diversity of ideas, thoughts, and expressions. Just because there is diversity, not every thought will be of value or even for the betterment of society as a whole, but the founders wanted to provide an outlet for minority opinion that could not be suppressed by the majority. This would include speech that would be offensive to the majority of the people.
If the government begins to criminalize some speech as hateful, we have lost freedom and will loose diversity. If you think diversity is bad, then hate speech legislation is good way to limit diversity. I am ok with it as long as everyone thinks like me. (NOT!)
What is your opinion?
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Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Critical Thinking
Are critical thinking skills still being taught?
Has the 24 hour a day news cycle reduced journalism to being a race to being the first with a story, without concern that the facts may be incorrect?
I read a story on-line recently, but can't locate it for a link, about a 22 year old who added a non-existent quote to a wikipedia page about a recently deceased musician. He wanted to see how quickly false information would travel on the web, and get into mainstream reporting.
A number of newspapers pulled the quote from wikipedia and ran it in their obit articles. Wikipedia pulled the quote from its article because the quote had no citation. (Similar to this blog entry).
An interesting development would have been if the quote creator had used the newspaper's use of his wikipedia quote as the citation to put the quote back on the wikipedia page. And the circle would have been unbroken. But he choose not to complete the deception. He left the quote off the page once it was pulled by wikipedia.
The 22 year old fessed up to his experiment about month after it had taken place. He was waiting to see if any of the newspapers would discover their error. They did not.
The whole point of this entry is to point out that just because something is on the web, in the newspaper or on TV doesn't mean that it is a fact. Fact checkers no longer exist, and I am not sure they ever did exist except in the realm of our expectations.
What is a person to do?
Be a little skeptical. Does what you are reading seem reasonable based on what you already know? Are there other possibilities to what has been reported?
Did I just make all this up? You will have to make a judgement.
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Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Swine Flu Update
The media is still hyping the swine flu. Bloomberg.com is now reporting that the 'swine flu is spreading more widely than the official numbers show.'
Uh? What is the basis for the report, other what Bloomberg wants to report? Does Bloomberg now collect medical statistics from seven continents?
'Forty-three countries have confirmed 12,022 cases, including 86 deaths, according to the World Health Organization’s latest tally. ..... The Geneva-based agency is asking vaccine makers to prepare for large-scale production of an inoculation for swine flu, while also ensuring adequate supplies of a shot for seasonal flu, which kills an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 people worldwide each year.'
Am I missing something?
Swine flu has killed 86 people and a normal seasonal flu kills a half of a million people, and the media covers the swine flu story like it could be the end of humanity as we know it.
The Dept of Health and Human Services is ready to spend $ 1 billion to get a stockpile of swine flu vaccine to treat 20 million people. The last time the government pushed a swine flu vaccine on the public (in the early 1970s) people died from a reaction to the vaccine.
What is wrong with this picture? (I mean the media picture, not the one in the upper right corner).
Monday, May 25, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Memorial Day
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Has Memorial Day become just another Monday holiday?
Did you know this day started after the Civil War?
When I was a younger man, I saw a movie that was set in 1888, and one of the main characters always referred to the conflict as the war between the states. When asked why he didn't call it the Civil War, he replied that there was nothing civil about war.
The most often quoted number of deaths in the US Civil War is between 600,000 and 700,000. The death toll in this single war equals the total US deaths in all other wars combined. (WWI US deaths - 116,000, WWII US deaths - 400,000, American Revolutionary War - 25,000, Viet Nam - 58,000, Korea - 37,000). At the time of the war between the states the US had only fought the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. I can't even begin to imagine the impact so many deaths had on the US society and culture.
I hate reducing war deaths to numbers, each life lost is some one's son or daughter, husband, wife, father, mother, brother, or sister. The numbers are really not the way to record the loss from a war. Each life is sacred and a lost potential. It is numbing to think of the number of deaths.
Worldwide deaths from WWI and WWII are 15,000,000 and 55,000,000 respectively. Adding the Russian Civil war (9,000,000) and the reign of Stalin terror (20,000,000) the death toll from just these four 20th Century events approaches 100,000,000 people. Include the Chinese revolution, Asian conflicts, and African conflicts the total death toll reaches close to 200,000,000. Two hundred million deaths in 100 years.
The 20th Century has to be one of the deadliest centuries in recorded human history. Be thankful that you lived through all the carnage.
Take time this weekend to give thanks for your life and remember those that have given their lives for your safety and freedom.
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Has Memorial Day become just another Monday holiday?
Did you know this day started after the Civil War?
When I was a younger man, I saw a movie that was set in 1888, and one of the main characters always referred to the conflict as the war between the states. When asked why he didn't call it the Civil War, he replied that there was nothing civil about war.
The most often quoted number of deaths in the US Civil War is between 600,000 and 700,000. The death toll in this single war equals the total US deaths in all other wars combined. (WWI US deaths - 116,000, WWII US deaths - 400,000, American Revolutionary War - 25,000, Viet Nam - 58,000, Korea - 37,000). At the time of the war between the states the US had only fought the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. I can't even begin to imagine the impact so many deaths had on the US society and culture.
I hate reducing war deaths to numbers, each life lost is some one's son or daughter, husband, wife, father, mother, brother, or sister. The numbers are really not the way to record the loss from a war. Each life is sacred and a lost potential. It is numbing to think of the number of deaths.
Worldwide deaths from WWI and WWII are 15,000,000 and 55,000,000 respectively. Adding the Russian Civil war (9,000,000) and the reign of Stalin terror (20,000,000) the death toll from just these four 20th Century events approaches 100,000,000 people. Include the Chinese revolution, Asian conflicts, and African conflicts the total death toll reaches close to 200,000,000. Two hundred million deaths in 100 years.
The 20th Century has to be one of the deadliest centuries in recorded human history. Be thankful that you lived through all the carnage.
Take time this weekend to give thanks for your life and remember those that have given their lives for your safety and freedom.
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Abortion
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If you don't believe that human life begins at conception, then the abortion debate really has no meaning.
If you do believe that human life begins at conception, but still think a woman have a right to choose the death of the child, I don't know how to respond to that belief.
If you took the time to view the 'world clock' on the May 6th post, you would see statistics for worldwide deaths. As of this morning, (May 22) YTD worldwide deaths were 23,553,000. This includes deaths from disease and injury. Deaths from abortion are not included in the death total but would add an additional 16,063,000 deaths.
On an annual basis in the US, about 1,200,000 abortions are performed. Worldwide that number jumps to 50,000,000 (fifty million) abortions per year.
My point is, in 4 years 200,000,000 (two hundred million) abortions are performed worldwide or as many deaths as 100 years of war in the bloody 20th Century.
President Obama has said he wants to reduce the number of abortions, so he must not think that they are morally neutral.
A question I have to ask is how many times has the cure for aids or cancer, the solution to the energy crisis or a world peacemaker been destroyed in the mother's womb?
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If you don't believe that human life begins at conception, then the abortion debate really has no meaning.
If you do believe that human life begins at conception, but still think a woman have a right to choose the death of the child, I don't know how to respond to that belief.
If you took the time to view the 'world clock' on the May 6th post, you would see statistics for worldwide deaths. As of this morning, (May 22) YTD worldwide deaths were 23,553,000. This includes deaths from disease and injury. Deaths from abortion are not included in the death total but would add an additional 16,063,000 deaths.
On an annual basis in the US, about 1,200,000 abortions are performed. Worldwide that number jumps to 50,000,000 (fifty million) abortions per year.
My point is, in 4 years 200,000,000 (two hundred million) abortions are performed worldwide or as many deaths as 100 years of war in the bloody 20th Century.
President Obama has said he wants to reduce the number of abortions, so he must not think that they are morally neutral.
A question I have to ask is how many times has the cure for aids or cancer, the solution to the energy crisis or a world peacemaker been destroyed in the mother's womb?
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Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The World Clock
An interesting site is the world clock.
It not only tells the time but has statistics on world population, births, deaths, illnesses (and it is not tracking swine flu), crime, environmental, energy, crime and a few others.
It has given me additional perspective about the world around me. Give it a try.
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It not only tells the time but has statistics on world population, births, deaths, illnesses (and it is not tracking swine flu), crime, environmental, energy, crime and a few others.
It has given me additional perspective about the world around me. Give it a try.
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Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Cinco de Mayo
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Who can forget today is Cinco de Mayo?
It is like the 4th of July holiday in that the holiday names the date, but unlike the 4th of July Cinco de Mayo does not celebrate the Mexican independence day which is September 16th.
Cinco de Mayo celebrates a victory of Mexicans over occupying French troops in the city of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
Celebrating independence or not, it is a good excuse to eat Mexican food and drink a margarita.
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Who can forget today is Cinco de Mayo?
It is like the 4th of July holiday in that the holiday names the date, but unlike the 4th of July Cinco de Mayo does not celebrate the Mexican independence day which is September 16th.
Cinco de Mayo celebrates a victory of Mexicans over occupying French troops in the city of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
Celebrating independence or not, it is a good excuse to eat Mexican food and drink a margarita.
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Swine Flu
With all the news hype about the swine flu, I began to wonder ....
From a USA on-line report dated May 2nd - "Tests had confirmed 397 cases of Influenza A H1N1, or swine flu, in Mexico as of Friday night, up from 312 on Thursday night, Health Secretary José Córdova said. The number of deaths rose from 12 to 16."
I heard a report that there have been a total of 1,000 cases reported world-wide.
The world has a total of 6.742 billion people. So a total of 1 in every 6,742,000 people has the swine flu. The odds of getting hit by lightning in the US in a given year are 1 in 400,000. The odds of getting hit by lightning in your lifetime are 1 in 5,000.
Why isn't Vice President Joe Biden warning everyone to avoid the great outdoors for fear of lightning. Instead he is telling us to avoid confined spaces, the exact opposite of what would probably be the best protection against lightning, a greater threat than swine flu.
What is he trying to do, get us all killed?
From Voice of America News:
"U.S. officials worry that, even if the virus' spread is eventually contained, it could re-emerge months from now during the northern hemisphere's winter flu season, when more than 30,000 Americans die each year from common influenza.
The Obama administration says it is laying the groundwork to develop a vaccine against swine flu, although no decision has been made on large-scale production of such a vaccine."
"Even if the virus' spread is eventually contained"?? - is there an expectation or possibility that the virus will spread totally unchecked through the entire world population?
Why does the media continue to hype a story and not put out the facts?
Why does the government join in?
What is your opinion?
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Friday, May 1, 2009
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday
Mayday, mayday, mayday - the international voice distress call.
This blog is one month old and in danger of death.
It has been fun while it lasted, but it is becoming very dry and lifeless.
Unless someone can give me a reason to continue, we may be at the end.
Please respond.
This blog is one month old and in danger of death.
It has been fun while it lasted, but it is becoming very dry and lifeless.
Unless someone can give me a reason to continue, we may be at the end.
Please respond.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Comments, comments, comments
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"I want a comment section."
"Where do we make comments?"
"Why can't I make comments?"
OK, it has been 8 days since comments have been available, and only four comments. That averages to a 1/2 of a comment per day. (All four comments were made the first day).
The blog already has two pages of blog posts. It is obvious that my posts are very insignificant, and not very thought provoking.
I don't know what is the facespace equivalent of the question, "Does the cat have your tongue?"
Help with content ideas, suggestions for improvements, or write your own blog as a comment.
Your comments please.
"I want a comment section."
"Where do we make comments?"
"Why can't I make comments?"
OK, it has been 8 days since comments have been available, and only four comments. That averages to a 1/2 of a comment per day. (All four comments were made the first day).
The blog already has two pages of blog posts. It is obvious that my posts are very insignificant, and not very thought provoking.
I don't know what is the facespace equivalent of the question, "Does the cat have your tongue?"
Help with content ideas, suggestions for improvements, or write your own blog as a comment.
Your comments please.
Is there anyone out there??
It is almost one month into this and I have gained additional respect for all the world's bloggers, web masters, and producers of content for the WWW.
The barriers to entry into this arena are so low that nearly anyone can put content on the web.
This leads to people like me thinking that there is value in adding to the everyday noise. If no one is reading this blog does it really need to exist?
I understand content needs to be interesting, and I see the www as similar to a television with a million (or more) channels. What should a person look at? How does a message find its way to someone that would like to consume that message?
Does the www work best as a broadcast or a narrow cast?
Does a blog gain readers by being predictable and comfortable?
At times I get the impression that I am just talking to myself. I know my thoughts, does anyone else need to know them?
Your comments please.
The barriers to entry into this arena are so low that nearly anyone can put content on the web.
This leads to people like me thinking that there is value in adding to the everyday noise. If no one is reading this blog does it really need to exist?
I understand content needs to be interesting, and I see the www as similar to a television with a million (or more) channels. What should a person look at? How does a message find its way to someone that would like to consume that message?
Does the www work best as a broadcast or a narrow cast?
Does a blog gain readers by being predictable and comfortable?
At times I get the impression that I am just talking to myself. I know my thoughts, does anyone else need to know them?
Your comments please.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Culture Shift
The Internet is a great place to see the world.
Today, April 29, is the 61st anniversary celebration of independence for the only functioning democracy in the middle east, Israel.
Happy Independence day Israel!
Yesterday, Israel recognized their Memorial day.
Memorial day remembers the soldiers and civilians killed since the founding of the nation. The numbers are roughly 22,000 soldiers and 1,200 civilians killed in war related conflicts. For all the news this area of the world generates I thought the numbers would have been much higher.
Don't misunderstand I am not trying to minimize the loss of even one life, it just shows how repeatedly spotlighting an ongoing news event makes it easy to lose a comparative perspective on a situation. The US had approximately 21,000 murders in 1995, although the number has decreased by several thousand in recent years, that number is close to the total lost over a 61 year period in Israel to war violence. Again, let me state the loss of one life is a tragedy.
A few statistics about Israel: Population - 7,411,000. (75% Jewish, 22% Arab, 3% other)
Area - 8,019 sq miles (the state of New Jersey is 8,729 sq miles). The gross domestic product is $28,400 per capita (compares to the US at $46,900 per capita).
Today, April 29, is the 61st anniversary celebration of independence for the only functioning democracy in the middle east, Israel.
Happy Independence day Israel!
Yesterday, Israel recognized their Memorial day.
Memorial day remembers the soldiers and civilians killed since the founding of the nation. The numbers are roughly 22,000 soldiers and 1,200 civilians killed in war related conflicts. For all the news this area of the world generates I thought the numbers would have been much higher.
Don't misunderstand I am not trying to minimize the loss of even one life, it just shows how repeatedly spotlighting an ongoing news event makes it easy to lose a comparative perspective on a situation. The US had approximately 21,000 murders in 1995, although the number has decreased by several thousand in recent years, that number is close to the total lost over a 61 year period in Israel to war violence. Again, let me state the loss of one life is a tragedy.
A few statistics about Israel: Population - 7,411,000. (75% Jewish, 22% Arab, 3% other)
Area - 8,019 sq miles (the state of New Jersey is 8,729 sq miles). The gross domestic product is $28,400 per capita (compares to the US at $46,900 per capita).
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Website versus Blogging
Since I started the MyFaceSpaceSite.com Blog, I find it harder to be motivated to update the MyFaceSpaceSite.com website.
Blogging is so much easier. So far the blogging site has been able to do everything I have made the website do, such as links to other sites, embedded video from YouTube and pictures.
The only advantage I see to the website is the interesting web address. The blog has the advantage of comments from any readers.
I am now at the point of questioning the need to do something routinely on both the website and the blog site.
My preference would be to do updates on the blog and use links back to the website if ever necessary.
Starting this website and blog has proven the minimal cost and small amount of knowledge needed to get into cyberspace. The domain name cost is less than $10 per year, and everything else has been free. I have used a free website hosting site, free html software and now free blog hosting. I knew nothing about how all this would work before I started, and although I know just a little more than before, I have been able to put a website and a blog together on my own.
One major deterrent to getting into cyberspace is what to put out there. But anyone with access to a computer can get on the stage.
I keep returning to the first statement I made when I started all this, "I don't understand the desire for social networking. I don't think anyone will be interested in what I am doing during each minute of each day."
Should I put the website domain name up for sale? I hate to loose myfacespacesite.com, but it might just be one of those collection issues that I need to resolve.
What do you think?
Blogging is so much easier. So far the blogging site has been able to do everything I have made the website do, such as links to other sites, embedded video from YouTube and pictures.
The only advantage I see to the website is the interesting web address. The blog has the advantage of comments from any readers.
I am now at the point of questioning the need to do something routinely on both the website and the blog site.
My preference would be to do updates on the blog and use links back to the website if ever necessary.
Starting this website and blog has proven the minimal cost and small amount of knowledge needed to get into cyberspace. The domain name cost is less than $10 per year, and everything else has been free. I have used a free website hosting site, free html software and now free blog hosting. I knew nothing about how all this would work before I started, and although I know just a little more than before, I have been able to put a website and a blog together on my own.
One major deterrent to getting into cyberspace is what to put out there. But anyone with access to a computer can get on the stage.
I keep returning to the first statement I made when I started all this, "I don't understand the desire for social networking. I don't think anyone will be interested in what I am doing during each minute of each day."
Should I put the website domain name up for sale? I hate to loose myfacespacesite.com, but it might just be one of those collection issues that I need to resolve.
What do you think?
Spring
There is nothing better than the warmth of the Spring breeze and the awakening of the earth.Renewal is all around and the dreariness of Winter is immediately forgotten.
Open your eyes to the changes happening in the world and it is so easy to smile.
Feel the heat, see the growth, smell the flowers, hear the birds, taste the fresh fruit and let the experience touch your heart.
Fully experience Spring.
("Tulips" by Chad)
Monday, April 27, 2009
Stuff we collect
Are humans natural collectors?
People are known to collect antiques, stamps, coins, spoons, teapots, dolls, stuffed animals, real animals, books, old farm equipment, automobiles, autumn leaves, pictures and some people even collect spouses. Spouse collecting, unlike other collections, is usually limited to one at a time.
Wikipedia has a list of common collections which lists some things that I find rather odd to collect. An example is tea bags as a collection, are they used tea bags? Maybe the tea bags go with the sugar that some people collect from restaurant tables.
What do we do with all we collect?
In my experience, my collections force me into one additional collection, a collection of dust.
Why do we collect? Is there satisfaction in having something unique?
I can't say that is the answer, since I have collected the fifty state quarters over the past ten years, and my collection is hardly unique. I know of someone who has multiple collections of the fifty state quarters, each collection of quarters from a specific minting location. That is dedication to a collection. I felt good just getting the state quarter, I didn't think about it being minted in Denver, San Francisco or Philadelphia. My collection is sitting on a shelf and is worth about $12.50 on a good day.
What do you collect?
(Image used by permission: "framing hammer collection 2007" by chazferret)
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Chocolate Anyone?
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Are we obsessed with chocolate?
Does it make you feel better when you need a pick me up?
Have you ever said no to chocolate?
What is you favorite use of chocolate in a food?
Do you prefer milk, dark or even white chocolate?
I remember the first time I ever had a piece of white chocolate, it was in Gatlinburg, TN and I was seven or eight years old. I was a chocolate novice, only having had milk chocolate until then. I thought white chocolate was the best, until I tried the dark stuff.
More on Chocolate from Wikipedia.
The World Atlas of Chocolate states that the Swiss are the top consumers of chocolate, consuming 22.36 lbs per person on an annual basis.
The United States comes in at number 11 on the list, consuming 11.64 lbs per year per person. Which is 27,000 calories, 1530 grams of fat, 1130 mg of cholesterol, 4400 mg of sodium, 3150 g carbs and 350 g of protein.
There is a website CHOCOHOLIC.COM to provide the best of chocolate treats, and will sign you up for a Chocolate of the Month Club.
Are you a chocoholic? Take the online test.
You might be a chocoholic if ....
Maybe I am obsessed with chocolate, how about you?
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Are we obsessed with chocolate?
Does it make you feel better when you need a pick me up?
Have you ever said no to chocolate?
What is you favorite use of chocolate in a food?
Do you prefer milk, dark or even white chocolate?
I remember the first time I ever had a piece of white chocolate, it was in Gatlinburg, TN and I was seven or eight years old. I was a chocolate novice, only having had milk chocolate until then. I thought white chocolate was the best, until I tried the dark stuff.
More on Chocolate from Wikipedia.
The World Atlas of Chocolate states that the Swiss are the top consumers of chocolate, consuming 22.36 lbs per person on an annual basis.
The United States comes in at number 11 on the list, consuming 11.64 lbs per year per person. Which is 27,000 calories, 1530 grams of fat, 1130 mg of cholesterol, 4400 mg of sodium, 3150 g carbs and 350 g of protein.
There is a website CHOCOHOLIC.COM to provide the best of chocolate treats, and will sign you up for a Chocolate of the Month Club.
Are you a chocoholic? Take the online test.
You might be a chocoholic if ....
Maybe I am obsessed with chocolate, how about you?
.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Dancing Bunny
A comment from a previous blog entry requested a dancing bunny.
Happy to provide the following:
Happy to provide the following:
Media Bias?
The recent flap over who won the Miss USA beauty pageant and why, has been good on a number of levels. It was good for Donald Trump, owner of the Miss USA pageant business for all the free publicity. Although, the publicity would have better served him prior to the pageant rather than after the event.
It has also been good at illuminating media and cultural bias.
Prior to the election as a candidate, President Obama, answered a question about marriage with an answer worded similarly to what the beauty pageant contestant Carrie Prejean would answer.
To my untrained ear, the answers sound very similar.
President (to be) Obama: "I believe marriage is the union between a man and a woman, for me as a Christian it is also a sacred union. Now God's in the mix."
Miss USA wannabe: ".... in my family, I think I believe marriage should be between a man and a woman, no offense to anyone out there, but that's how I was raised and that's how I think it should be between a man and a woman, thank you. "
Where was the outrage when the presidential candidate expressed this opinion about marriage? Why does a beauty pageant contestant take all the recent heat? Is there any consistency left in media?
The presidential candidate even brought "God in the mix". Where was the endless harping about the need for the separation of church and state? The outrage just didn't happen.
Miss Prejean has been told her answer was stupid and been called a term that in polite company would be used only to refer to a female dog.
A Presidential candidate (The One) with the same answer hears not a peep of descent, and is even lauded for being an inclusive candidate on this issue.
In my opinion the different treatment of the two individuals by the cultural media on this issue is hypocritical at best. At worst it points out once again left leaning media bias.
Shouldn't a presidential candidate receive more scrutiny than a beauty pageant contestant?
I thought a free and unbiased media was one of the keys to our liberty by keeping our government and its leaders in check. When the media fails at this responsibility and shows bias in favor of the government leaders, is an unchecked government far behind?
The media continues to make the claim that it is not biased, but with examples like this I don't see how that claim can be supported.
Another example of media bias is the reporting on recent government spending.
The media continues to repeat the message that it is the worst economic times since the great depression. But what are the facts? Is it a spending problem or an unemployment problem?
Is government spending a problem only done by a Republican administration as reported by Bill Moyers over a year ago. The budget being reported on in the Moyers piece was passed by a Congress controlled by the Democrat party.
Where is the outcry on government spending now?
Where is the reporting on the magnitude of this spending when compared to past spending?
The stimulus package authorized in less than three months of the Obama-Pelosi administration exceeds the spending for eight years of the Iraq war, which had often been used as a measure of excess spending during the Bush presidency.
Media bias?
What is your opinion?
It has also been good at illuminating media and cultural bias.
Prior to the election as a candidate, President Obama, answered a question about marriage with an answer worded similarly to what the beauty pageant contestant Carrie Prejean would answer.
To my untrained ear, the answers sound very similar.
President (to be) Obama: "I believe marriage is the union between a man and a woman, for me as a Christian it is also a sacred union. Now God's in the mix."
Miss USA wannabe: ".... in my family, I think I believe marriage should be between a man and a woman, no offense to anyone out there, but that's how I was raised and that's how I think it should be between a man and a woman, thank you. "
Where was the outrage when the presidential candidate expressed this opinion about marriage? Why does a beauty pageant contestant take all the recent heat? Is there any consistency left in media?
The presidential candidate even brought "God in the mix". Where was the endless harping about the need for the separation of church and state? The outrage just didn't happen.
Miss Prejean has been told her answer was stupid and been called a term that in polite company would be used only to refer to a female dog.
A Presidential candidate (The One) with the same answer hears not a peep of descent, and is even lauded for being an inclusive candidate on this issue.
In my opinion the different treatment of the two individuals by the cultural media on this issue is hypocritical at best. At worst it points out once again left leaning media bias.
Shouldn't a presidential candidate receive more scrutiny than a beauty pageant contestant?
I thought a free and unbiased media was one of the keys to our liberty by keeping our government and its leaders in check. When the media fails at this responsibility and shows bias in favor of the government leaders, is an unchecked government far behind?
The media continues to make the claim that it is not biased, but with examples like this I don't see how that claim can be supported.
Another example of media bias is the reporting on recent government spending.
The media continues to repeat the message that it is the worst economic times since the great depression. But what are the facts? Is it a spending problem or an unemployment problem?
Is government spending a problem only done by a Republican administration as reported by Bill Moyers over a year ago. The budget being reported on in the Moyers piece was passed by a Congress controlled by the Democrat party.
Where is the outcry on government spending now?
Where is the reporting on the magnitude of this spending when compared to past spending?
The stimulus package authorized in less than three months of the Obama-Pelosi administration exceeds the spending for eight years of the Iraq war, which had often been used as a measure of excess spending during the Bush presidency.
Media bias?
What is your opinion?
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Comments Anyone?
The long awaited comment section.
Not quite what I had expected for comments, but it will work for now. I am sure it will be able to handle the many comments that this site will produce. And it is free.
There is so much to view on You Tube:
Now that we have a comment section, I need help with content suggestions.
Nothing too difficult, but something interesting.
Not quite what I had expected for comments, but it will work for now. I am sure it will be able to handle the many comments that this site will produce. And it is free.
There is so much to view on You Tube:
Now that we have a comment section, I need help with content suggestions.
Nothing too difficult, but something interesting.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The First Blog
The comment section is now available for use.
Add comments for all the world (or the few people that stumble upon this blog) to see.
Add comments for all the world (or the few people that stumble upon this blog) to see.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Auction Fever
This video is for John Michael Montgomery fans:
John Michael Montgomery Sold at the Grundy County Auction
A few more auction related videos:
John Michael Montgomery Sold at the Grundy County Auction
A few more auction related videos:
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Income Tax Day
Today is the day to file your individual income tax return or file an extension.
Found some interesting video for today.
First up is a Bill Moyers' show from over a year ago, talking about the Bush budget for 2009.
The next video is more recent, showing the impact of the stimulus spending.
These are spending comparisons ADJUSTED for inflation.
I work with numbers everyday but I can't really comprehend the magnitude of the spending that has been passed by the Congress. Without any meaning, trillions of dollars are just big numbers in my mind.
The issues raised by the Moyers' program have only been magnified by the recent unchecked spending.
Has our lust for spending crippled any possibility for prosperity in the future?
Will there be money to support those that can't support themselves, or will non-productive members of society become excess baggage (without human dignity) and seen only as a drain for those pursuing the American dream?
Will this continue to polarize society? Will the middle class disappear as those currently in the middle class move up or down in wealth?
Is this how the bloody French Revolution started? Or WWII?
What have we allowed to happen?
Can it be reversed, is there a will or need to reverse the spending?
Think about the issues as you complete your return, and then if you are concerned, make your voice heard through your Representatives, Senators and President.
Happy Tax Day, our big government at work!
Found some interesting video for today.
First up is a Bill Moyers' show from over a year ago, talking about the Bush budget for 2009.
The next video is more recent, showing the impact of the stimulus spending.
These are spending comparisons ADJUSTED for inflation.
I work with numbers everyday but I can't really comprehend the magnitude of the spending that has been passed by the Congress. Without any meaning, trillions of dollars are just big numbers in my mind.
The issues raised by the Moyers' program have only been magnified by the recent unchecked spending.
Has our lust for spending crippled any possibility for prosperity in the future?
Will there be money to support those that can't support themselves, or will non-productive members of society become excess baggage (without human dignity) and seen only as a drain for those pursuing the American dream?
Will this continue to polarize society? Will the middle class disappear as those currently in the middle class move up or down in wealth?
Is this how the bloody French Revolution started? Or WWII?
What have we allowed to happen?
Can it be reversed, is there a will or need to reverse the spending?
Think about the issues as you complete your return, and then if you are concerned, make your voice heard through your Representatives, Senators and President.
Happy Tax Day, our big government at work!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
How old would you be if you didn't know how old you was?
- Satchel Paige
Is it poor taste to wish yourself a happy anniversary?
It has been one week, since this madness started and already there have been several evolutions in the content.
We have seen mean nasty cat, political satire, a guy dancing his way around the world, and then a couple days of really serious stuff.
I hope everyone is enjoying this mindless journey through my thoughts.
It has been one week, since this madness started and already there have been several evolutions in the content.
We have seen mean nasty cat, political satire, a guy dancing his way around the world, and then a couple days of really serious stuff.
I hope everyone is enjoying this mindless journey through my thoughts.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Creative Writing ??
It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult. - Seneca
This website has taken a sharp turn toward the serious side during the last few days.
I started it on April 1st, and I thought it more as an outlet for jokes about the absurdity of Facebook, My Space, the Internet blogs, tweets, and the like.
Then something happened, I woke up Saturday with a big head and thought that maybe someone really cares about what I have to say. The ability to put one's thoughts out into the world with very little cost, has an intoxicating effect. The sense of my own importance has been distorted. My thoughts are no more important, and deserve no more attention than the thoughts of anyone else.
I need to snap out of it. I may need an intervention.
Newsflash:
"Website Novice Head Explosion"
- A novice website developer's head grew so big that it exploded late Monday night. Witnesses at the site said there was little to clean up since it appears the head was empty when it exploded. The few readers of the website may have seen problems developing but had no comment section to rapidly deflate the expanding head before it reached a critical mass.
"The wild web world is no place for the inexperienced, this really happens quite often", said Webmaster Sy Teasigner. "Feeding the beast daily, usually empties the head quickly. Then the head expands rapidly as its sense of self-importance becomes deluded and reality becomes clouded. Sometimes the novice is able to stop, but this particular head was totally lacking in any reasonable thought."
Monday, April 6, 2009
Anxiety for today
What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Current Headlines: "North Korea Launches Rocket", "Recession outlasts even extended jobless benefits", "Financial sector bailout will cost taxpayers more", etc.
It is a new week, with new challenges, new fears, but the week also holds unlimited potential.
As we go through each day we sometimes ignore the good that comes our way.
No matter how bad things are going today, we are socially, economically, and physically better off in the US than the majority of the world. Normally, we don't have to struggle to find enough food or clean water to survive another day.
With that said, I would be a fool to think just because we know we are better off than others, that comparison alone is enough to take care of the things that individually pain us. It doesn't. And most of us carry burdens that are not, and maybe can not be, shared with anyone else.
What lies within us? Is it sadness, is it joy, is it despair or hope?
Anxiety is one of those hidden burdens that may lay within us.
Typing anxiety into 'Google' returns over 58,000,000 hits. WebMD has numerous articles on anxiety and is one place to start if you think you want to know more about this issue.
Do we need to express what lies within us?
In the last few years I have been told (at different times) that I wear rose colored glasses, that I see the glass half-empty, and that I rain on the parade. From those comments I believe that I must be rather expressive of what lies within me.
Sorry world, I can't keep my opinions to myself.
In my humble opinion, it has helped me to keep a positive outlook when I am able to express what is running through my mind. It has happened more than once that another's viewpoint has shown me that my approach to an issue may not be the only or best solution. Sometimes it just feels good to bring your fears out into the open.
Reach out to someone, get a different perspective on an issue, pray, support each other, or even start a website. (Although without a comment section or anyone visiting your site, feedback is a little difficult, blogs work better in that case).
After you have aired the problems of the day, try hard to focus on the good, be kind to others, borrow some rose colored glasses, and laugh out loud.
And if you think you need professional help to cope with anxiety, please seek it.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Sunday
He does not seem to me to be a free man who does not sometimes do nothing.
- Cicero
Enjoy a day of rest.
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Saturday, April 4, 2009
This is for any supporters of President Obama that might be viewing this site.
(Really, it is not a slam as might be expected from me).
The next video up for review is pretty serious stuff. It is titled "Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams." The length is 1 hour and 16 minutes, which should be an indication that it is not a normal You Tube video. And it does take a little longer than expected to load.
From the You Tube description:
Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch (Oct. 23, 1960 - July 25, 2008) gave his last lecture at the university Sept. 18, 2007, before a packed McConomy Auditorium. In his moving presentation, "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," Pausch talked about his lessons learned and gave advice to students on how to achieve their own career and personal goals.
(Really, it is not a slam as might be expected from me).
The next video up for review is pretty serious stuff. It is titled "Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams." The length is 1 hour and 16 minutes, which should be an indication that it is not a normal You Tube video. And it does take a little longer than expected to load.
From the You Tube description:
Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch (Oct. 23, 1960 - July 25, 2008) gave his last lecture at the university Sept. 18, 2007, before a packed McConomy Auditorium. In his moving presentation, "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," Pausch talked about his lessons learned and gave advice to students on how to achieve their own career and personal goals.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
It is the second day for this website and already I am finding it very hard to be creative.
There is so much to learn about using this free web design software or maybe I have reached the limits of its abilities. Did I mention it is FREE web design software.
A comment section is in the works and will be added as soon as I figure it out.
I find it easy to link to content created by someone else, but very hard to be original.
I found this good for a quick laugh.
Everyone who laughed when I said "face space" needs to check this out.
Sorry, no dancing bears today.
Did I mention I got my hair cut on Monday?
Maybe we need to revisit the first paragraph of April 1, 2009.
There is so much to learn about using this free web design software or maybe I have reached the limits of its abilities. Did I mention it is FREE web design software.
A comment section is in the works and will be added as soon as I figure it out.
I find it easy to link to content created by someone else, but very hard to be original.
I found this good for a quick laugh.
Everyone who laughed when I said "face space" needs to check this out.
Sorry, no dancing bears today.
Did I mention I got my hair cut on Monday?
Maybe we need to revisit the first paragraph of April 1, 2009.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
I don't understand the desire for social networking. I don't think anyone will be interested in what I am doing during each minute of each day. Perhaps after viewing this site you will agree.
Favorite TV Show: The Amazing Race - 12 teams of 2 people race around the world, following clues that lead them to the next clue in the race. Along the way the teams must do some task common to the country that they happen to be in at the time. These tasks can be silly, some require physical ability, some tasks require some brains, and some of the tasks require overcoming fear. For example the broadcast this week (3/29/09) the teams were in India, and had to travel to the zoo. One of the tasks was to have your picture taken sitting next to a tiger. The irony of the situation was that the tiger handler (using a long stick to move the tiger's head around for the picture) had only one arm.
Would you sit down next to a tiger, being managed by a one armed tiger handler?
Favorite YouTube video: Matt Harding
Favorite political blog: http://baracksteleprompter.blogspot.com
The first day of my site (April 1, 2009) didn't get the overwhelming response that the launch of other sites have provoked in the wild web world (www).
Maybe its the site name. It hasn't shown up on Google yet.
Maybe its the lack of promotion. RK - Where can I find someone to do a press release on this new website? Also, some brochures would be nice.
Maybe its the site content.
There have been some comments that the site lacks basic appeal, no bells or whistles. Web viewers expect flashy, entertaining sites. Maybe you should reread the first paragraph on this page.
Sorry, but what is expected from a free web host, and free html software?
However, where else on the web can you find a picture of a mean nasty cat and a link to a guy dancing his way around the world on the same page? (And some current political satire as a bonus). Some people might consider that real entertainment!
SR this video is just for you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTDelq0zTAc&feature=related
Favorite TV Show: The Amazing Race - 12 teams of 2 people race around the world, following clues that lead them to the next clue in the race. Along the way the teams must do some task common to the country that they happen to be in at the time. These tasks can be silly, some require physical ability, some tasks require some brains, and some of the tasks require overcoming fear. For example the broadcast this week (3/29/09) the teams were in India, and had to travel to the zoo. One of the tasks was to have your picture taken sitting next to a tiger. The irony of the situation was that the tiger handler (using a long stick to move the tiger's head around for the picture) had only one arm.
Would you sit down next to a tiger, being managed by a one armed tiger handler?
Favorite YouTube video: Matt Harding
Favorite political blog: http://baracksteleprompter.blogspot.com
The first day of my site (April 1, 2009) didn't get the overwhelming response that the launch of other sites have provoked in the wild web world (www).
Maybe its the site name. It hasn't shown up on Google yet.
Maybe its the lack of promotion. RK - Where can I find someone to do a press release on this new website? Also, some brochures would be nice.
Maybe its the site content.
There have been some comments that the site lacks basic appeal, no bells or whistles. Web viewers expect flashy, entertaining sites. Maybe you should reread the first paragraph on this page.
Sorry, but what is expected from a free web host, and free html software?
However, where else on the web can you find a picture of a mean nasty cat and a link to a guy dancing his way around the world on the same page? (And some current political satire as a bonus). Some people might consider that real entertainment!
SR this video is just for you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTDelq0zTAc&feature=related
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