Enjoying Life, What a Concept

Cat, Rat & Dog are Best Friends

2008-12-15T23:16:00.000-08:00

Aren't animals awesome?!

Robot Plays the Flute Like a Human

2008-11-07T21:54:00.000-08:00

An article from http://newslite.tv/2008/11/06/robot-plays-the-flute-better-t.html
Robot plays the flute like a human
November 6, 2008 6:57 PM

Robots could soon be taking over the orchestra if this chap is anything to go by, and if they do they will be wearing snazzy hats too.

The robot flautist, or WF4IV as he likes to be called (you know what these musical types are like) is the latest creation from Waseda University.

He is able to play complex musical scores perfectly and is even able to engage with the audience giving him what his creators say is a human-like quality.

Everything about him is designed to make him the perfect musician, his mouth and lungs have been carefully designed to mimic and improve upon the expert air control of a professional flautist.

His eyes even have cameras which monitor other members of the orchestra and interact with their performance ... there is however, no explanation for the hat.
WF4IV is, as his name would suggest the forth in series of flute playing robots from the Japanese university.

Research started in 1990 but the first model was not created until 2003.

In this version the robot's tongue was redesigned to enable the double-tonguing technique (not what you are thinking) a high-speed playing technique.

Watch him perform 'Flight of the Bumblebee' almost flawlessly - well certainly better than I could do.

Makers hope he will one day be sophisticated enough to be able to teach music to pupils, hopefully he won't lead them off like the Pied Piper.

Waseda University

Mickey Mouse for President

2008-10-29T00:34:00.000-07:00

According to American Partisen Mickey Mouse gets approximately 20,000 votes in each general election. Other notable write in candidates include Donald duck, Bart Simpson and Madonna. Those of you as old as I may remember the popular 1968 slogan “Pat Paulsen for president.”

In 1992 Pat Paulsen received enough votes in a few counties to come in 2nd to Bill Clinton. That same year he came in second to George Bush in the North Dakota Republican Primary. In the 1996 primaries Pat Paulsen received a total of 76,754 votes, although Paulsen died in 1997 he received 10,984 votes in the last republican primary - enough again to be considered a major spoiler in the election. This year because of feelings of national political hopelessness and discontent, political experts believe Paulsen has the potential to siphon votes off from both parties and become a spoiler once again.

On average only about 60% of registered voters vote in each election. Between 1-5% of those are willing to throw away their vote. So if you tell yourself that your vote doesn’t count, you are mistaken. In a country of 300 million people, a mere 10,000 votes can make or break an election. If every voter voted for a viable candidate, instead of throwing away their vote, the outcome might be different. Or if only 200 people from each state decided that their vote might count, and voted, they could change the outcome of American history.

Ventriloquism In Motion: How Sound Can Move Light

2008-08-27T20:22:00.000-07:00

Ventriloquism In Motion: How Sound Can Move Light

ScienceDaily (Aug. 24, 2008) — Research led by Dr Elliot Freeman, lecturer in psychology at Brunel University’s School of Social Sciences, recently published in Current Biology, confirms that what we see can sometimes depend as much on our ears as on our eyes.

The study, conducted in conjunction with Prof. Jon Driver at University College London, revealed that the perceived direction of motion from a given visual object (in this case, red bars across a screen), depends on minute variations in the timing of an accompanying sound (a sequence of beeps, for example). This provides evidence that the brain’s integration of these visual and audio cues occurs at a very early stage of processing.

Every day examples of audio-visual integration include our ability to identify who is saying what in a noisy crowd and the illusion that sound comes directly from the an actor’s lips seen on a television, rather than from the loudspeakers; the latter is the well-known ‘Ventriloquist Effect’, where seeing influences the location of sounds.

The audiovisual illusion revealed by this new research could be dubbed ‘reverse ventriloquism in motion’, as it shows that sound affects what we see. This might explain why if we watch dancing without sound, the dancers appear to have no rhythm; and why the sound of a ball hitting a racket can help us to determine the direction of the ball in a game of tennis even though the ball moves faster that the camera or eye can track.

Dr. Freeman believes that his research could have profound implications for the understanding of the neural processes that underlie multisensory perception. This knowledge could be applied in a number of industries: “The illusion could be applied to novel displays that change their appearance depending on sound, which may be of use in advertising or providing an eye-catching multisensory warning or alert in safety-critical applications. It may also eventually be useful in detecting and diagnosing subtle perceptual differences thought to be characteristic of certain clinical conditions such as dyslexia and autistic spectrum.”

Adapted from materials provided by Brunel University.

The Michael Phelps Olympic Diet

2008-08-13T09:09:00.000-07:00

Michael Phelps is sweeping the Olympics this month as he has now won more gold medals than any other Olympic swimmer in history. At 6 foot 4 inches tall and about 200 pounds he is a tower of muscle and mass.

In a recent interview he said that all you have to do to follow his athletic diet is to order the entire left side of the menu at Olive Garden and then go to sleep. funny, I tried that diet once and ended up looking more like the Goodyear Blimp. I suppose the real "diet" secret is to power swim 7 hours a day.

This morning I was listening to the radio and heard the host list what Michael Phelps eats in a day; I was completely floored. He eats an average of 12,000 calories a day. The average man eats about 2000 calories a day. Unbelievable! I have only one question though, where's the veggies?! Men.

Breakfast:
Phelps starts off his morning by eating 3 fried-egg sandwiches piled high with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, fried onions and mayonnaise.

He then eats a 5-egg omelet, a bowl of grits, three slices of French toast topped with powdered sugar and three chocolate-chip pancakes.

Lunch:
At lunch he downs up a pound of enriched pasta and two large ham and cheese sandwiches slathered with mayo on white bread - he also drinks about 1,000 calories worth of energy drinks with his meal.

Dinner:
For dinner, the athlete loads up on carbs by eating another pound of pasta and an entire pizza.

He washes all that all down with another 1,000 calories worth of energy drinks.

I'm hoping his pasta dishes come with veggies, I mean, he wouldn't want to be a bad example right?

Alarm Clock with Nine Lives

2008-07-25T12:41:00.000-07:00

This is every cat I have ever owned. Aren't pets wonderful?!

If you've ever owned a cat...
Uploaded by a62vw

FISH PEDICURE!!! Live Fish Eat Dead Feet Skin.

2008-07-22T20:28:00.001-07:00

In the effort of living green perhaps this will be the next best way to save the planet. Imagine, no more dead skin cells filling our landfills or polluting the water. GO GREEN!

Liquid? Solid? You be the Judge - Cornstarch Experiment on Ellen D.

2008-06-14T03:11:00.001-07:00

I love quirky science experiments and You Tube has plenty to share. Life is full of amazing and entertaining venues. I believe we can enrich our life by finding and enjoying them.

What Happened to the Electric Car?

2008-05-27T01:57:00.000-07:00

So what is so unobtainable that Mel Gibson, Tom Hanks and Peter Horton were unable to buy one? It's not a baseball team or a tropical private island. The one thing that no amount of wealth can purchase is a GM, EV1 electric car.

In the late 90's several auto manufactures began to lease all-electric vehicles that could go 100 miles between charges. They were large and comfy enough for a family of 4 and could keep up with any gas guzzler on the highway. Mel Gibson, Tom Hanks and Peter Horton all leased EV1's. But when the car companies and the oil companies decided to trash the vehicles not even these high profile people were able to purchase their vehicle - at any cost.

GM had made the decision to lease the vehicles, instead of selling them, just so they would have the power to destroy them later on. And that is exactly what they did. When people offered to pay far more than the $25,000 sticker price for their already used cars GM refused. Instead the cars were all taken back, at the end of each lease period, and shredded.

Until recently the last EV1 known to exist was on display at a Smithsonian Museum. But GM decided that people didn't need to be reminded that electric vehicles were a possible answer to the fuel crisis. They want the public to forget that the technology already exists so they had the car taken off display. Why? Because from 1997-2003 the leased car became the most requested vehicle on GM lots. GM soon realized that the electric vehicles were so reliable that they didn't need to visit service and parts departments as often as gas vehicles. And that meant loss of revenue for auto manufacturers. It all came down to greed overruling public desire and environmental health.

And what happened to the diesel vehicles of the 80's that were getting an average of 60 mpg? I owned a diesel VW Rabbit that got 60 mpg even in mountainous terrain. It needed frequent maintenance, as did many of the diesel cars of the period, so that wasn't an issue for the manufacturers. In fact it was the oil companies that began to panic. Diesel at the time was about 19 cents a gallon which was about 1/3 the price of gas. And the incredible gas mileage the cars got meant that fewer gallons of fuel were being sold. As soon as the oil companies saw that the diesel car was becoming a high demand vehicle they raised the price of diesel to rival and even surpass the price of gasoline. Again, it was all about greed.

We have the technology for electric vehicles, fuel operated vehicles that get 60-plus MPG and even solar cars, but government and big business is more interested in maintaining their outrageous bank accounts than in providing environmentally friendly transportation. We, the people have been prevented from having a voice for so long that we are becoming complacent and passive to the point of non-action. What will it take to rile us up enough for us to stand up and take our power back? What ever happened to the idea of "Power to the People?"

Dance Away Your Troubles

2008-05-13T10:13:00.003-07:00

At 23 months old she is already a dancing queen.

There is something wonderful about the spontaneous, jubilant, expression of a child's happiness.

If we would all just let loose once in a while and dance, we could get through our difficulties without so much stress.

The IRS and Governmentlly Enforced Robbery

2008-04-15T20:21:00.000-07:00

So April 15th has come and gone once again; the most disliked American ritual - tax day, has passed.

This morning I listened to a man brag about his keen understanding of the tax system and how that knowledge enabled him to keep from paying any taxes this year. "Oh, really," I responded, "didn't you pay the government about $30,000 in taxes over the course of the year?" he was visibly shaken by my abrupt declaration of the truth and admitted that he had indeed paid about a third of his income to the government.

That got me thinking. Our government figured out long ago that if you automatically have money taken out of your paycheck and put into a savings account every week you aren't likely to miss that skimmed money. If you have never held it in your hands it seems as if it doesn't exist. So they devised a system where they take your money before you see it and put it into their bank account, hoping that we won't protest; and for the most-part, we don't.

But what if you got to keep all of your money every week, and at the end of the year the government said you had to write them a check for $30,000 (or roughly a third of your annual income)? My guess is that people would scream, riot and do whatever they could to get out of giving their money to the crookedest charity in the US, the US government.

So why are we so passive about allowing our hard earned money to be snatched from us every week? Do we truly believe that we cannot fight city hall? Probably. And unless there were a nationwide boycott against the IRS in which nearly every citizen participated, nothing much would change.

So what's a person to do besides blog about their angst? Well one thing is to learn about where your money is going, and to begin participating in the process of deciding what the government uses it for.

Taxes are just a way to socialize our society. Like Robin Hood, the government takes from the employed and gives to the bureaucrats. About 70% of your hard earned tax dollar goes to pay someone else's salary and administrative costs that go along with their government appointed job. Another 15% goes to provide homes and money for the unemployed and the rest goes to funding ridiculous pseudo-researchers and their pet projects.

Every time you vote yes on a ballot issue that says it will cost money to provide for that service you are willingly allowing the government to take more out of your paycheck. Why not just keep your money and decide for yourself which charities to support? Instead of creating countless administrative agencies to decide how the remainder of the money will be spent. Why doesn't the government give us a list of charities we can give to and allow us to bypass the middleman? I guarantee that the money would go further to help those in need and we the contributor would feel a deeper sense of connection to out American neighbors.

Even if the IRS forcibly required us to donate 10-15% of our income to our chosen charities, not only would the money be better invested but we would still end up with more than we have now. We could provide better for our own family. The economy would flourish, and we would feel more in control of our personal destiny.

I understand that taxes are already such an integrated part of our society that changing the system is only a pipe dream. But now that I have given all of my money to the government, dreaming is the only pastime I can afford.

Bugs Bunny for President?

2008-03-05T15:58:00.000-08:00

According to an article by Jeff Greenfield of Slate.com every election year since 1960 a pole is taken asking people who they would vote for for president - Bugs Bunny or Daffy Duck. Hands down, every 4 years the waskaly wabbit wins the nomination for president of the United States. It may sound like comedy but since the 1960's analysts have studied the phenomenon and have come to some interesting conclusions.

"Bugs and Daffy represent polar opposites in how to deal with the world. Bugs is at ease, laid back, secure, confident. He's onto the cons of his adversaries. Bugs never raises his voice, never flails at his opponents or at the world. He is rarely an aggressor. When he is pushed too far and must respond, Bugs always prevails" writes Greenfield.

Daffy Duck, by contrast, is always at war with a hostile world. Greenfield adds, "He fumes, he clenches his fists, his eyes bulge, and his entire body tenses with fury. His response to bad news is a sibilant sneer ("Thanks for the sour persimmons, cousin!"). In one classic duel with Bugs, the two try to persuade Elmer Fudd to shoot the other—until Daffy, tricked by Bugs' wordplay, screams, 'Shoot me now! ...Hmmm,' he adds a moment later in a rare bit of self-scrutiny. "Pronoun trouble."

The article goes on to make parallels between the Loony Toon characters and past and present presidential nominees, and sure enough, Bugs Bunny always wins.

In 2000, when George W. and Al Gore were sparing partners, the two created one of the most memorable debate quips in recent history. As Bush began answering a question Al Gore arrogantly stood up and began walking behind Bush almost as if he were nervously stalking his opponent. Bush looked over his shoulder, smiled wryly and said "Oh, hi there!" It was a classic, laid back and lightly comedic, Bugs vanquishing tactic - and the debate was effectively over.

Greenfield states "Is there any doubt about who is Bugs and who is Daffy between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama? When Clinton insisted that Obama not simply "denounce" Louis Farrakhan but "reject him," Obama shrugged. "Well, he said, I don't really see any difference, but if you think there is, I reject and denounce." Very bugs-like.

So this begs the question, does life imitate art or is the political stage and it's players a collection of personified characters better describes as Loony Toons?

Old Fashioned Family is Best for Children

2008-02-17T23:07:00.000-08:00

Well I've got another granddaughter on the way. She is due in about a week but and we can hardly wait. As usual I wish we lived closer so that I could be a bigger part of my family's life. Being a mother, mother-in-law and grandmother has got to be the best part of life. I do believe that having a close loving family is the best way to enjoy life to the fullest.

There is something to be said for the way families used to function. I'm talking about family structure in world history up until about 100 years ago. Families stayed together geographically. Children grew up and married and still lived with their family - often in a new home built for them on the same piece of pasture land that they grew up on. Children were raised by their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Cousins were best friends and family was the central focus of life.

In spite of the technological deficit and physical hardships, children felt secure in the large family unit. They had more than their parents telling them how to grow into adults, they had the example of everyone around them showing them social etiquette and family obligations. Work ethic was taught early on and they grew up knowing that their contribution to the family was important.

Mother-in-laws remembered what it felt like to be the young bride and new member of the family and so it was easy for them to welcome their son's wife with open, loving arms. If fact she was probably happy to have another woman in the family to commiserate with. Fathers were eager to see their young sons become men and so they encouraged them and accepted them as they grew into individuals with thoughts and opinions of their own.

Of course there were families with more than their share of troubles. I'm sure that mental illness, domestic violence and substance abuse tore families apart then just as they do now. And history is full of stories of children growing up to become outlaws and ladies of the night - likely products of these troubled families. But overall, I think that society functioned nicely for most.

Families today are becoming less cohesive and more isolated from each other and from society in general. We are becoming a culture of lonely, depressed islands unto ourselves. Parents rationalize that a nanny is a good substitute for their own time and attention. And the latest studies show that such children grow up narcissistic and dependent rather than feeling like important contributors to the world around them.

Truth is that no era in history seems to have completely mastered a way to produce a generation of whole, self assured adults. But I do believe that we are falling way off the mark in today's hedonistic, personal and family culture. We are experimenting with the lives of our children and paying too much attention to our own desires and not enough to the needs of our children.

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Now playing: KXNT
via FoxyTunes

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Now playing: KXNT
via FoxyTunes

Hillbillery - Black Gold, Arkansas Tea...

2008-02-08T14:37:00.000-08:00

Hillbillary Clinton Photo.

Many have begged the question, "Who will really be leading the country if Hilary wins the presidential election?" Those who remember the Clintons first 8 years in the White House, without the fog of idealism that seems to obstruct the view of some, can remember how in many ways, they were like hillbillies in designer clothes. Thus the creation of the term Hillbillery. It's funny, they are anything but united in their marriage but when you put their names (or their photos) together it seems to indicate that they were meant for each other.

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Now playing: KXNT
via FoxyTunes

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Now playing: KXNT
via FoxyTunes

Square Watermelon, Japanese Farmers Test the Limits

2008-02-05T00:16:00.000-08:00

Round watermelons don't stack very well, especially when you are attempting to ship them in large quantities. So Japanese farmers have developed a way to force watermelons to grow in cubes instead of in large ovals.

Once the small fruit has begun to grow they insert it into a square jug. This forces the watermelon to grow to fit the shape of the jug. Ingenious! Not only does this allow them to ship the fruit more efficiently but it also allows chefs to cut the fruit into neat cubes without any waste. And in Japan, that is a very important selling factor as watermelon is very expensive. According to Japanese restaurant owners, the ability to make every ounce count compensates for the higher price of the square delicacy.

Life is a constant exercise in imagination and ingenuity.

Freedom from Anger

2008-01-26T05:08:00.001-08:00

Every once in a while I meet someone who is so negative, so angry that they have forgotten how to enjoy life. On more than one occasion I have commented on their pattern of anger and have received an instant, angry response of "I'm not an angry person...humph, scowl, growl."

Anger is a surface feeling. It is always a cover for another more vulnerable feeling such as fear or frustration. Learning to recognize the underlying emotion can help you express your feelings with words instead of resorting to the primitive expression of acting out.

What a lot of people haven't realized yet is that anger is a choice. Sure all of us have moments of irritation, frustration and impatience, but it is our choice to foster those feelings and allow them to grow into anger and bad behavior. Although we would like to believe that we are not in control of our feelings and behaviors regarding anger, the fact is that we are - or at least we can choose to be.

Some people become so habitually angry that they actually become accustom to feeling negative and they forget what it felt like to be at peace with themselves and with the world. Anger, like gambling and alcohol can become an addiction, creating a sad and miserable lifestyle.

If you find yourself feeling negative, judgmental, angry or sullen much of the time you can choose today, this minute to change your life. Here are a few first steps you can take to begin feeling the peace and freedom that comes with ridding yourself of anger and negativity.

1. Make a firm and committed decision to replace every negative thought with a positive one.

2. Every time you have a judgmental, angry or negative thought replace it by thinking of something you are grateful for, something positive about the person you are thinking about or something you can do to stop the negative thought from turning into a negative behavior.

3. Start including feeling words in your vocabulary. Use I statements to express yourself, i.e. "I feel hurt when I am ignored because I fear that I'm not important to you."

4. Do something positive for yourself for every day that you are able to reach your goal of remaining positive.

5. Share your success with others. Teaching others is a great way to reinforce your own healthy habits. And letting others praise you for your efforts is positive reinforcement for a job well done.

6. Allow yourself to forgive. Forgiveness is a powerful deterrent to negativity. Learning to forgive yourself and others is one of the quickest ways to begin to feel less negative and angry. Forgiving doesn't mean that you now accept the wrong that has been committed; it just means that you have decided not to let your anger control your life or your feelings anymore.

7. Take a break. When you begin to feel frustrated step back from the situation and figure out what your true underlying feeling is. Then find words to express your fears and frustrations rather than exploding angrily.

Take your power back. Let go of your anger and allow yourself to start enjoying life. Today only comes around once. Choose to make it the happiest day yet.

God and the Mind of a Woman

2008-01-18T04:38:00.000-08:00

So, a priest a rabbi and a minister went for a walk along the beach. All of a sudden the Lord came to them and told them he would answer one prayer for each of them. The priest clasped his hands and said "Oh Father, please bring the people back to my church. They just don't see the importance of attending mass anymore." Then just like that the priest was gone and his prayer was answered.

Then the rabbi said "I have one prayer that is most important to me, please let their be peace in the Middle East." Then boom, just like that, there was peace in the Middle East.

At that the minister said "Oh Lord, I work so hard without any rest and I have always wanted to go to Hawaii, but I'm afraid to fly. Could you create a bridge between here and Hawaii so that we could get to Hawaii more easily?"

The Lord looked down at the minister and said "A bridge? But that is not a rational request, and a bridge that long would be a huge waste of resources. Don't you have another prayer that I could answer?"

The minister thought for a moment and then said. "Yes Lord, I have a wife and 3 daughters. No matter how hard I try I just cannot make them happy. So, could you help me to truly understand the mind of woman?"

"The Lord quickly answered, "So, should I make that bridge two lanes wide or four?"

No commentary needed.

Managing Your New Year's Resolution

2007-12-25T22:25:00.000-08:00

What's your New Year's Resolution? Like diets, most people never fully complete their New Year's Resolutions.

For most of us, our resolutions to change and better our life in some way is no more than a wish. We lack the passion and commitment to tenaciously stick to our original plan. In fact most of us never even get to the planning phase of the resolution - we just voice it and then hope that it takes care of itself.

We lie to ourselves too easily. We tell ourselves that we really want to loose weight or to finish college, but in truth we have other desires that we allow to take precedence over our stated goal.

This year look deep inside yourself and decide how you want to make your life better. Then break down that goal into small manageable pieces and put them in order. Instead of expecting yourself to miraculously become a new person, let yourself feel the accomplishment of reaching little related goals every day.

Keeping your motivation high is imperative to reaching your end goal, and to do that you need to feel the pride of accomplishment each and every day. Write down what your daily goal will be and make sure it is easily attainable. Expecting too much of yourself will result in feelings of failure, and will open up the opportunity for self-sabotage.

You can make your resolutions honest and attainable by keeping your baby steps fresh in your mind. Before you know it one day will lead to the next and you will eventually make that change a reality. In the end you will not only feel the joy of having reached your overall goal, but you will have strengthened your self confidence along the way.

Straight No Chaser - 12 Days

2007-12-18T17:40:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas & Other Anti-PC Comments

2007-12-18T04:22:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Are you insulted? Do you feel offended? Would you like your lawyer to ban me from the internet? Tough. I love the Christmas season and I am not about to stop sharing my Christmas cheer because a few people are thin skinned and way too board.

The truth is that most Americans feel the same way. The people who want to stop us from expressing our Christmas cheer are politicians, big business owners and a small number of attention seekers.

People want to be able to share their joy with others in their own way. And why shouldn't they? No matter how hard I try I am not powerful enough to "make" anyone feel anything. Feeling offended is a choice. To say otherwise is to state that society has more power over you than you have over yourself. It is a weak-willed, victim mentality.

So how do I feel when someone says Happy Hanukkah? I feel happy. I feel free. I feel blessed to live in a country where we all can share our joy and happiness with each other without feeling guilty or offended. How about you?

You Tube Debates and Media Bias

2007-11-30T02:19:00.000-08:00

Have you been watching the newest craze in political advertising? Yes, politics has now joined with You Tube, gathering questions from the public instead of having the questions created by left-winged CNN producers. Of course the questions used for the debates are still chosen by the left-winged CNN producers. That became ridiculously apparent during the latest republican You tube debate.

Of the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of video-taped questions sent into You Tube only a handful were chosen. For the democratic debate held earlier this month, the questions focused on the war, medical insurance reform, foreign policy and of course immigration. But for the republican debate the questions chosen were largely about the Bible, gays in the military, guns and "what if" abortion questions.

I found it irritating that the biases of the producers were served instead of focusing on the issues that Americans want to hear about - you know, those things that a president might actually be involved in doing something about.

I also found it irritating to have the audience constantly cheering or booing loudly in the background. It was like having a laugh track in the background attempting to influence the feelings and views of the home audience. It did influence the answers of the candidates, and that was most unfortunate.

OK, this article isn't exactly entertaining, but politics is a huge part of our life, and I believe that expressing disdain for the way the debates were handled is a good way to do my part. I mean, if the media effects our life - and it does - then why not speak up and let them know exactly what they can do better next time.

Expressing yourself without apology is a great way to enjoy your life.

Are Color Changing Cars in our Future?

2007-11-18T23:46:00.000-08:00

Imagine, a car that is painted with a special technique that causes the color to change depending on the temperature, the humidity or the amount of light that's hitting it. It isn't science-fiction. In fact the technology has already been created.

Another article just out claims that the new color changing technology will allow you to change your car color at your discretion to the color you desire just by pressing a button. At rest, your car is the original color but once you turn over the engine you have the ability to change the color scheme to whatever you want.

Does this mean I will be able to program my T-bird to have orange and red flames on the hood one day and 60's flowers & peace signs the next? Perhaps, but the actual technology is being created for a higher technological purpose, not for the creative pleasure of car owners. But once the technology is out there, who is to say that Ford might not start equipping their 2010 Mustangs with the colorful new upgrade. Awesome!

I'm old enough to remember our family's first color television, the first handheld calculators (which were huge and could only do rudimentary math for about $400 a shot), and the invention of cell phones (previously referred to as car phones). And I cannot wait to see what the near future has in store for us in this fast changing world of technology. In many ways technology definitely makes life enjoyable.

Mother Nature, Gratitude & Enjoying Life

2007-11-07T03:14:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of us at the beautiful Waimea Canyon in Hawaii. I'm the one in shorts, bundled up in my husbands' overcoat. We have several pictures of us at different tourist spots, but they all look pretty much like this one.

Actually it has been a great trip. We spent one beautiful day, in pouring rain, zip lining through the rain forest. Another day was spent at Hanalei Beach watching the muddy rivers pour into the ocean creating brown waves and dirty water. And finally one day was spent in thick fog.

I can't complain - much. It was our choice to come in November and Mother Nature has her own schedule to keep. But in spite of the interesting weather Kauai is still one of the most pleasant places on Earth.

I have repeatedly reminded myself that it is a wonderful blessing just to be here again - this time with my husband & our oldest son. At home my husband has to be at work much of the time, but here I have his undivided attention and that alone is something to be grateful for. My son lives in a different part of the state than we do so spending this time with him is priceless. In fact, when I think about it, there is really nothing to complain about.

Of course Hawaii is expensive. We went to a health food store to buy local beef and it was $9.09 per half pound; so we went elsewhere to buy meat and dinner was a raving success.

Some fellow tourists in a nearby condo have been yelling at each other, and at the child traveling with them, for much of the week. I feel sad for them. In spite of all the wonderful things we have to be grateful for it just seems pointless to allow discontent to block our ability to enjoy life - just the way it comes.

Stupid Criminals

2007-10-11T00:16:00.000-07:00

Three teens suspected of burglarizing vehicles were arrested after they attempted to elude a police car by turning into a police station.
_________

Bank Robber returns to bank to open account. 11/25/01: A man without principle attracted a lot of interest after he returned to a Queens bank he had robbed to open up a savings account there, police said. "What a dope!" said one amazed police official, who could barely contain his laughter. "This guy has to get the jackass of the year award. I guess that's why they call them 'criminals' - they're just sometimes really stupid."
_________

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - A man robbing a bank demanded the money by writing a note on one of his own checks, authorities say. Not surprisingly, he was caught soon afterward.
_________

MANNING, S.C. - Amber Renee Helton was trying to avoid legal problems by paying a traffic ticket. She ended up behind bars when authorities found out she drove a stolen car to the courthouse to pay it, police said.
_________

MONROE -- A man and woman robbed a busy Starbucks early yesterday morning and wound up serving coffee through the drive-up window for at least 30 minutes to make additional cash. They then waited until business slowed enough to make a getaway.
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ELKO, Nev. An off-duty sheriff's deputy was pulled over and charged with driving under the influence — by her husband, a fellow deputy.
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David Posman, 33, was arrested recently in Providence, R.I, after allegedly knocking out an armored car driver and stealing the closest four bags of money. It turned out they contained $800 in PENNIES, weighed 30 pounds each, and slowed him to a stagger during his getaway so that police officers easily jumped him from behind.
________

Drug-possession defendant Christopher Johns, on trial in March in Pontiac, Michigan, said he had been searched without a warrant. The prosecutor said the officer didn't need a warrant because a "bulge" in Christopher's jacket could have been a gun. "That was no gun", said Christopher, who happened to be wearing the same jacket that day in court. He handed the jacket over so the judge could see it. The judge discovered a packet of cocaine in the pocket and laughed so hard he required a five-minute recess to compose himself.
________

Oklahoma City -Dennis Newton was on trial for the armed robbery of a convenience store in a district court this week when he fired his lawyer. Assistant district attorney Larry Jones said Newton, 47, was doing a fair job of defending himself until the store manager testified that Newton was the robber. Newton jumped up, accused the woman of lying and then said, "I should of blown your [expletive] head off." The defendant paused, then quickly added, "-if I'd been the one that was there." The jury took 20 minutes to convict Newton and recommend a 30-year sentence.
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STEVENS POINT, Wis. -- A woman didn't have to look far to figure out who likely broke into her home and took a camera from her purse. Police said the burglar left behind his probation and parole card.
________

Were the Good-ol-Days All that Good?

2007-10-03T00:30:00.000-07:00

Well this week my husband will be bringing home another computer. That will make 4 that are in use in the house and at least 2 that are in storage. My husband and my son love to put together their "dream" computer about once a year. They do it that often because after a year the current computer is no longer their "dream" computer.

That is just fine however, because it seems to me that after about a year something is bound to go wrong with the home-built dream. My husband blames me for going to sites with bugs and I protest that our bug detector should protect us from all pests. I believe they do. I also believe that these crazy overly-powered home built computers are also overly-sensitive resulting in their short lives.

This time I begged my husband to just buy a computer that was already put together the way he wanted. Of course the Del commercials had me believing that anything they wanted could be built into a computer and shipped out. But that just isn't the way my husband does things. No, he did do as I asked, he bought a new computer. But after he and my son got hold of it they decided that it needed much more than it came with after all.

"I have 8 more gigs that I can add to it," my husband said with that "Tim Taylor" look in his eye.

"And I think I have a better sound card," added my son. So they went to work. That was 2 weeks ago and I still don't have my new computer. Consequently I'm still using this old computer with Linux and Ubuntu that doesn't support flash. It can be maddening.

My web site is all but down and I can't get to it because Dreamweaver is on the other system. I can't add pictures to my blogs because this computer doesn't have my photos on it. I have my flash drive, but this computer has no way to read it. I suppose I could read a book - I'd rather read one on my PDA but my granddaughter wiped my hard drive and I can't back it up with the Ubuntu system.

So here I sit, waiting for my life to get back to normal. Sometimes I wonder how I ever existed without a computer - and yes, I'm old enough to remember those simpler times.

Religion, Archeology and Common Sense

2007-09-24T14:57:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed that whenever an archaeologist unearths a new discovery their instant conclusion is that whatever they found must have been used by the ancients for religious purposes? Now I understand that religion has been a cultural foundation for most civilizations throughout history, but come on, isn’t it possible that just like us, the ancients also had lives and customs that weren’t centered around their spiritual beliefs?

Recently My husband built a pergola around our front patio. We live in a very windy area so in the true “Tim Taylor” manner, he built it to withstand hurricane force winds. Afterwards we stood back to look at it and joked that hundreds of years from now, some archaeologist will dig it up and proclaim it to be an ancient religious site. Then he will uncover the fire-pit in the center and insist that the local villagers had made sacrifices to their gods on this very site.

We looked at each other and chuckled. Then my husband said, “Now I think I’ll start working on my rock wall down by the garden." We chuckled again - Stone Hinge!

URL Registration Sites Reviewed - Go Daddy, Google & More

2007-09-17T21:18:00.000-07:00

It used to be that everyone thought that Register.com and Network solutions were the only inexpensive URL registering sites out there. At $35 a year for each domain name you owned. In the beginning it seemed like the only way to get your own URL. Now however there are several very good URL registration sites to choose. Most of them are less expensive than Register and many offer top-notch services and options. Here is a review of some of them.

www.godaddy.com is rising to the top fast with its fabulous customer service and inexpensive anual fee it is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing domain name vendors out there. Their yearly rate is $8.95 and if you transfer your domain from another site they give you a free year.

Here is what a happy customer said:

I signed up for a membership at godaddy.com, then clicked a link that says transfer domains. I entered the domains I wanted to transfer over from register.com, paid the transfer fee (like 7.95), and then told register that I wanted to transfer. Within 2 days I got a telephone call from Go Daddy thanking me and asking if there was anything more they could do to help me - awesome customer service!

Another inexpensive service is I&I.com which offers prices according to the extension you choose. the typical extensions .com .org and .net are starting at $5.99 per year and right now there is an offer of only $2.99per year if you choose a .us extension. They also offer web hosting and starter pages for beginners or those without the correct software to start your own. I don't know anyone who has used I&I yet but if you have tried it I would love to hear from you.

networksolutions.com I believe was the original URL vendor on the web. I started with them in 1996 and used them for years until I discovered register.com. At the time I switched register was offering a better deal but now, Network Solutions is offering tried and true services for only $9.96 per month. That may be enough to make this old customer return to them. If price per year is your only priority you can still find less expensive vendors out there, but I can tell you from experience that few have the offers and options that are connected with Network Solutions, especially if you are a high-volume webmaster.

Google haqs also started URL registration at $10.00 per month which of course comes with automatic Google calendar, instant messaging and other Google widgets. From the information I gathered it looks like they the URL's they offer come through other vendors i.e. if you want to sign up for example.com you may get the URL of buy.example.com instead. Google is new with this so I would advise you to wait until they have exactly what the public wants before signing up.

There are plenty of other site out there who profess to have great services with low prices for registering your domain name. Here are links to just a few.

http://www.active-domain.com/ - $2.85 per year
http://www.mydomain.com/ - $827 per year or $7.99 to transfer from another vendor
http://www.rwgusa.net/ - Worldwide Domains available
http://www.koredomains.com/?gclid=CLLNms2QzI4CFShVYQodEnmLDA Differing rates, Bulk URL transfer options.

As always, check out the vendor carefully and check to see if their low prices are only for the first year, to lure you in. You don't want to be in a position to have to switch again next year because of a crooked add campaign. And of course, read the contract carefully before giving them your credit card information!

Are We All Bigots?

2007-08-22T22:51:00.000-07:00

Technorati Profile

There is an interesting game show that started this summer called "Without Prejudice." The host is a Clinical Psychologist who works with CNN from time to time.

Each game has 5 contestants who don't do anything. They are sequestered in a soundproof room backstage. On stage are 5 people from various walks of life who have the job of determining which of the 5 contestants "deserves" to be awarded $25,000. After each elimination the panelists see a brief clip of each of the contestants talking about their life. And with each new piece of information they receive they have to decide who should be voted off next, until they are left with one person - the winner.

Although the name of the show is Without Prejudice, it is glaringly obvious that all of the panelists are overflowing with judgments, fallacious assumptions and religious, moral or other prejudices. Few admit to their own bigoted or prejudicial feelings, but the truth is that participating in such a forum would not be possible without personal judgments. This begs the question, Are we hypocrites when we say we are non-judgmental or tolerant of others' lifestyles?

I found the show to be an incredible study into the microcosm of humanity and how all of us are judgmental and biased from time to time, without merit or vindication.

I think this show helps the viewer think about their personal biases. It may even help people to get real about how they form their own "first impressions."

Leave a Legacy of Love - Grandparenting

2007-08-05T23:25:00.000-07:00

Few things in life are sweeter than spending time with grandchildren. Sure, like any children, they can wear you out, defy your sensibilities and create a mess in the living room faster than the speed of sound. But over all, grandchildren are the frosting on the cake and the twinkle in their grandparent's eye.

Having children was a wonderful experience for me. Now 50, I wish I could go back and change a few things here and there, but for the most part, I love being a mother. Now that my kids are grown however, there is a part of me that still yearns for that wonderful feeling of a child putting their arms around my neck and letting me know that I am loved. My granddaughter fills that yearning need for me. And for some unexplainable reason, I seem to be able to cherish it so much more now than I did when I was a young mother.

Perhaps it is part of getting on in years that make you appreciate each golden moment you have with them. Or maybe it is knowing that loving them is your only real responsibility. As a parent you have so many other things that enter the mix like constantly thinking about how your parenting skills are going to affect them in the long run, or having to carry on with life's other chores while attending to your child's physical, spiritual, mental and social needs. Parenting can be overwhelming.

But Grand-parenting is one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever had. My granddaughter is still young, but I imagine that eventually I will be able to impart my years of experience and acquired wisdom with her when she gets her heart broken for the first time or when she is last to be picked for volleyball. I imagine that she and I will develop a bond based on unconditional love and sharing that isn't encumbered by the moments of frustrations that can come with actually living with family members.

It's funny to think about life as a grandparent. As a parent I was still young enough to feel immortal. Now I think about my health and work at taking care of myself because I want to be around to participate in my grand-children's lives for as long as possible.

My mom has been blessed with many great-grandchildren. Family, what a concept.

2007-06-09T02:31:00.000-07:00

Dogs pees upside down

A Chinese woman says her pet dog has taken to peeing upside down.

The woman says her pet dog has taken to peeing upside down. 18-month-old Baby began peeing in the new position just three months ago

“He used to pee as other dogs do. But one day I found him putting both hind legs up onto the tree to pee," she told East Asia Business News.

"I thought maybe that was only for the one day. But from then on, unexpectedly, he would pee in that acrobatic position.”

Dogs pees upside down

A Chinese woman says her pet dog has taken to peeing upside down.

A Chinese woman says her pet dog has taken to peeing upside down. Mrs Chen, of Changchun city, says 18-month-old Baby began peeing in the new position just three months ago /Lu Feng

Mrs Chen, of Changchun city, says 18-month-old 'Baby' began peeing in the new position just three months ago.

“He used to pee as other dogs do. But one day I found him putting both hind legs up onto the tree to pee," she told East Asia Business News.

"I thought maybe that was only for the one day. But from then on, unexpectedly, he would pee in that acrobatic position.”

So, Ya gotta have a strange and funny dog story once in a while to make life laughable. In fact, sitting down and laughing for a 30 minute show of funny animal film clips is a great way to alleviate despair and the everyday doldrums that come along from time to time.

Go find something to make yourself laugh; you will feel better.

Five Friends You Need to Have to Enjoy Life

2007-04-20T02:05:00.000-07:00

Writer Edna Buchanan once said "Friends are the family we choose for ourselves." In our busy lives it is becoming common to relegate our friends to an occasional email and a Birthday card. But Mental Health Experts agree that having a close-knit group of friends with who you feel safe and energized, you are much more likely to give yourself a much higher grade in the "Life Happiness" Scale.

Here are the five types of friends that you need to include in your ring of close friends in order to get most of your social needs met.

1. The Uplifter
This is the friend who really listens to you and eagerly supports you in your decisions. She can give you 3 reasons why your glass is half full instead of half empty. Talking with her is a good way to verbalize your ideas and she will help you feel creative and intelligent for having thought of them.

2. The Travel Buddy
It is a fact that women have much more fun traveling together without men than they ever had with a man. This friend must be OK with silences, able to make the best out of a wrong turn and someone who has a bit of adventure in her that can make her a little quirky once in a while - every holiday needs someone to liven it up a bit.

3. The consistently truthful
This is someone who has tact, who can speak the truth with love instead of jealousy or males. When you find her, you'd be smart to seek out this woman's perspective. She is the one who will not be afraid to tell you that Great Aunt Jane will hate that T-shirt as her souvenir.

4. The Girl Who Just Wants to Have Fun
This friend is easy going and can pour over nick-nacks in a country store for hours and never get board. She is the shopping antithesis to men. She is the one eager to put on her size 42 bathing suit and jump into the spa or to have a picnic under the stars She makes you smile and step out of your comfort zone once in a while

5. The Unlikely Friend
This is a friend that at first didn't seem like they would fit the group, but after getting to know her you realize that she represented a completely different view of the world that you do and you love to interact with her and learn more of her world.

To fully enjoy your life you must allow yourself to have a varied arrangement of friends with whom to share your life.

Woman Bitten by Dead Gopher - Life is One Big Joke

2007-04-13T12:12:00.000-07:00

I heard about a new type of Yoga the other day called "Laugh Yoga." Essentially a group of people get together and start laughing without cause. By the end of the session most are laughing at the silliness of their own laughter and they are feeling better, more relaxed and optimistic about life.

Today, if I had known where to join such a group, I would have. I started out this morning late for an appointment. I grabbed my shoes and started towards the door thinking that I could put them on once I arrived at the Dr.s office. As I loped across my living room rug I stepped on something both slimy and sharp - a dead gopher head and its kidney. My cats had left me a surprise gift.

After washing the guts off of my foot I again headed off to my appointment. When I arrived I was told that I was not late at all, but I was actually 3 days early. I laughed, then I told them my gopher story and all of us had a good long laugh - including an older couple in the waiting area who had over heard the story.

I guess I didn't really need to join a "Yoga Laughter" group after all, my life is silly enough to create my own laugh therapy. And believe it or not, so is yours. All of us have a choice every day to go about our business with a smile on our face or to choose to continually look at the world through a serious lens.

Why waste your life feeling pessimistic and sullen when you can live every moment with joy and laughter? There is a reason people look better when they smile. Even Mother Nature wants us to be happy.

Being Grateful Can Improve your Life

2007-04-11T11:56:00.000-07:00

"Gratitude is the first step on the Simple Abundance path, or it just won't work. Simplicity, order, harmony, beauty and joy—all the other principles that can transform your life will not blossom and flourish without gratitude."
— Sarah Ban Breathnach

Several years ago Oprah did a show about being grateful for everything in your life - even those things that seemed troublesome. She claimed that having a "Attitude of Gratitude" was part of what has brought her happiness and success. She said:

"Accept with an open heart whatever is going on in your life right now. And whenever you can't think of something to be grateful for, remember your breath. With each breath you take, you can say, "I am still here."

People all over the world began making lists of things they were grateful for and it didn't take long before they were writing to Oprah, telling her how that simple daily habit had changed their life.

It is true that changing your attitude to a positive frame of mind can change your whole life. Becoming positive instead of negative will attract positive people and positive events to you. And you will be more likely to recognize a positive opportunity when you are in a positive frame of mind.

While you are making your list of things to be grateful for, make a mental note of those areas of your life that can be changed from a negative to a positive. Make a commitment to stop gossiping, judging others, or expecting that others should live to your standards. Replace those old habits with positive ones. Look for the positive in others, be compassionate, and be grateful that everyone around you is a unique individual.

The Family Pet & Mental Health

2007-03-20T22:30:00.000-07:00

I know a woman who's therapist wrote her a prescription for a cat. The therapist thought that the cat would bring the woman comfort and companionship during a difficult divorce. The woman got the cat and for 20 years she was able to use the cat's expenses as a tax write off.

Pets can be great therapy. They love unconditionally and they require little more than food, shelter and love. Another wonderful side effect of having a pet is that caring for and connecting with a pet teaches the owner empathy and compassion. Children who grow up with a pet in the home are more likely to learn these lessons than those who do not.

However getting a pet while children are under the age of 5 can be a risky situation for the pet. Although children will eventually learn empathy by interacting with a pet the learning process takes time and it is important for parents to closely supervise the interactions between the child and the pet.

When the child does something that hurts the pet it is important for the parent to react in a way that helps the child understand that the pet has both physical and emotional feelings. Children as young as 2 years old can begin to understand the connection between hitting (or pulling a tail) and the sensation of pain in others. The parent just needs to take time to explain it calmly.

So go ahead and get that family pet. But don't expect the child to be responsible for it. Just help them learn how to love it.

Learning About What Makes You Happy - and how to relieve daily stress

2007-03-08T22:57:00.000-08:00

Today I spent time with a client who was beginning to feel as if she had lost control over her ability to run her life. Life was too busy and every aspect of her business seemed far too underdeveloped and she couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel.Because she has issues with instant gratification I tried to help her understand how relieving it would be to remove some stress factor's from her life that cause or add to the stress in ones self or in the home. Findind ways to eliminate chaos in her home or office might be one way to relieve stress improve her level of confidence and thereby limit helping her to find quiet time to herself where she cam rejuvenate for a moment.

One of the best ways for people to relieve stress is to have at least on really good hobby. Fixing up old cars, running, biking, getting away for a weekend with your wife or working on a project for your special someone all might be great ways to release stress in your life. Instead of focusing on how hard life is for you, begin thinking about how you can make yourself more productive by re-energizing your own batteries a little everyday. Even if reading a novel is your therapy, arrange to do id for 10-15 minutes a day during what otherwise may have been a stressful period.

The problem is that when we are in the midst of the ongoing chaos, we tell ourselves that we don't have time for a hobby. NOT TRUE! You are just too busy being busy and the thought of tending to your own needs may cause you to feel guilty, unworthy, not-good-enough. But settling into a couple of relaxing activities twice a day can significantly improve your work productivity and your ability to function at home and in the world.

Family: Don't Waste Your Life Being Angry

2007-02-28T15:57:00.000-08:00

What is it about families that make it so easy to hold a grudge and so hard to let by-gones be by-gones? Friends may stay around for a long while, but even our best friends are rarely with us forever. On the other hand, our family will always be our family. We can refuse to speak to some of them and we can choose to punish them with our anger, but they will still influence a large part of our life. Even "disowning" a family member can't erase the impact they have on our life.

Overcoming our anger means acknowledging our hurt, and it is the emotional pain that is at the bottom of most family squabbles. We humans have a tendency to ignore our pain and replace it with feelings we feel more comfortable with such as superiority and pride.

It is much easier to elevate our own importance in order to reduce the importance of someone close to us. But doing so never eases the emotional pain for long. Emotional pain has a way of festering and then popping out in all kinds of destructive ways - one of which is bitterness. When we choose to ignore our hurt feelings we are inviting negative feelings into our life that can infect all of our other relationships.

Our family members are not so different than we are. In fact they are probably more like us than we care to admit, which is another reason why we have difficulty with some of them. We hate being constantly reminded of our own shortcomings and so we often criticize family for things we hate about ourselves. Again, it seems easier than looking at the truth about ourself.

Forgiveness is a much misunderstood concept, but it is one of the most powerful and constructive things we can do to rid ourself of a bitter and destructive lifestyle. Forgiveness requires a couple of very important abilities, releasing our own stubborn pride, and accepting our role in the conflict. It requires us to move beyond the prison that hate keeps us in and choosing to grow beyond our hurt and anger.

It requires a lot of conscious effort, but the outcome will be worth it. And what can be better than being OK with family events instead of being continually stressed by them?

Don't Let Negativity Become Your Identity

2007-02-08T21:57:00.000-08:00

Ever meet someone who seems to be perpetually negative, grouchy or just plain unhappy? Have you ever been that person? All of us have moments of disenchantment with life, but allowing those moments to drag on into a life long pattern is a choice. Ask any child if they want to grow up to be a negative grouch and they will tell you NO! And yet some of us at some point in our life choose that role as our identity.

Perpetual unhappiness is not a personality type. It is something we do have control of. Sometimes when I tell my clients this, they complain that I just don't understand what they have been through. Truth is, I do know how life can seem to continually deal you a bad hand. But that doesn't mean that you have to allow those bad hands to forever cloud your ability to enjoy life.

Every day when you get out of bed you have a choice; you can put on a smile and attack the day head on, determined to do what you can to make it great, or you can let the darkness control your destiny. The solution is simple, however, implementing that solution takes a determined spirit. I never say it will be easy, but I promise you that if you do your best every day to smile, and do all that you can do to keep the negative attitudes away, you will begin to enjoy your life.

So I'm asking you, Do you want to grow up to be negative and unhappy? Or would you rather reach out and grab for all the happiness you desire? Determine today to make that answer a reality! You can do it.

Oldies But Goodies

2007-01-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

Some things just never get old. That is especially true for classic movies, I Love Lucy reruns and people you love. OK people might age, but when you love somebody their aging process is rarely a detriment. After all you are getting older too.

Perhaps that is why we have such a love for all things nostalgic. We remember things from our youth and for a moment we feel young again. We smile as we momentarily re-live a pleasant part of our past.

My mom, who is in her 80's, still stands up to dance when she hears big-band music. My husband loves to relax and watch Star Trek reruns - the original 60's version. He practically has the episodes memorized, but seeing them again and again does something for him. It makes him happy. I have re-connected with several old friends on Classmates.com over the last few years and it is always fun to reminisce with them about the "good-ol-days."

Enjoying life isn't always about creating new memories; sometimes enjoyment comes in old but well loved packages. Of course if we are to make sure that "today" eventually becomes one of the "good-ol-days," we have to make choices that create happiness in our life today. Most of the time that entails laughing at ourselves when we look silly, letting the little pleasures become important and remembering to appreciate everyone in our life. The crazy woman who lives next door might seem intolerable today, but someday, she might be the impetus for a great story.

Look around at your life and discover what you otherwise would have taken for granted today. Appreciate it, celebrate it and share it with someone you love.

Experience Everyday - While it Lasts

2007-01-19T11:21:00.000-08:00

Today I'm going to spend the afternoon with a friend and her husband. I tend to spend a good amount of time visiting friends, but today is different. My friend's husband is dying of cancer, and he is not expected to last the weekend. Not a very uplifting day to be writing about how to enjoy one's life. But in fact it is.

You see, 3 months ago Jay was healthy and fit. He was always busy working out in their lush yard, growing flowers for church on Sunday, making furniture for his lovely home, or playing his saxophone. So you see, today writing about enjoying your life is particularly poignant. We never know when we or a loved one will be called home. And for that reason, it is so important to treat each day like a precious jewel.

It is so easy to become complacent in life, to take each day for granted and to forget that every moment that passes is gone forever. Make a decision today to make each moment count. Tomorrow will come soon enough.

Keeping Your Digital Photos Safe

2007-01-11T23:58:00.001-08:00

One of the best ways to enjoy your life is to take lots of pictures. Now you don't need to read a blog to figure this out, but with technology exploding into the fast lane I thought it was appropriate to mention a few ways to keep your memories safe and available.

1. Most people are using digital cameras these days and one mistake we can make is to neglect to get prints of the pictures we want to fawn over from time to time. Sure it is nice to have them all saved on your screen saver but there are times that you'll want to have them available to take to parties and family functions - so you can let others enjoy them too. (Yes I'm one of those grandmothers who shows complete strangers pictures of my grand baby).

2. Heaven forbid you should have something go wrong with your computer and loose all your precious photos. Make sure you have your photos backed up either on hardware or by using an online photo keeper such as Costco or Walmart. There are a lot of sites out there but if you keep your photos on a site that can also print them for you, it will be a lot easier to order prints.

3. Send Grandma all your wonderful family photos via email or web site. That way even if you loose your copy you will have access to them - Grandmothers never delete their precious photos!

4. Remember to upload your pictures to your computer from your camera frequently so that you don't accidentally erase them. And do your best to be organized about where on the computer you place them. We lost a whole days worth of priceless family photos (which we were solely responsible for) and my family hasn't forgiven me yet. My husband finally found them on an old hard drive but we were really lucky that we didn't loose them permanently.

Technology has made some things easier but you have to develop different habits to ensure that your time and efforts aren't wasted.

What the Hail?

2007-01-05T00:26:00.000-08:00

You won’t believe this story – but it’s true. It was one of “those” days today.

After getting home late from a tiring day in the city I walked the 1/8th mile jaunt to my mailbox. There was a break in the rain and I figured it was now or never. I tucked the huge bundle of mail under one arm and held up a lantern with the other so I could see the numbers on the cold steel combination lock which secures our gate.

My fingers were stiff and slow to find the right combination. Just as I got the numbers set in place it started to rain. Quickly I wrapped the the lock through the large ranch style gate, flipped the numbers and turned with the intention of scurrying up the hill before getting drenched; but before I stepped away I realized that I hadn’t placed the lock around both the post and the gate. So, in the rain, with chilled fingers, I held up the lantern once again and struggled to re-enter the code. Then, it began to hail.

I tried to hurry, but that only slowed me down. So, patiently I concentrated on the numbers and tried to forget the hail that was now large and heavy. Finally, I re-locked the gate and turned to go back up the driveway, but as I stepped away the lantern flew out of my hand and crashed against the post. In my narrow minded, concentrated effort, I had wound the steel cord through the handle of my lantern before re-locking the gate.

By now the hail had whitened my hair, flown down my neckline (brrrr!) and was stinging my wet hands as it hit my frigid skin. Frustrated, I thought of leaving the lantern attached to the gate until morning. Instead, again I suffered hail, cold and now, no lantern to illuminate the numbers, I re-opened the lock, withdrew my lantern, re-locked the gate for the 3rd time and finally, again, I turned to go up the hill. All this time my trusty dog had been by my side, but I had forgotten about her and as I turned I stepped on her. She yelped, I jumped, landed in a puddle and lost my grip on the mail under my arm which quickly fell into the watery ditch next to the gate.

So there I was, in the dark with my wet dog, hail stuck to my hair, on my knees, searching a ditch for mail that was probably all marked “occupant.”

As I turned for the last time toward the house, I had to laugh. I couldn’t wait to tell my husband what had just happened. Surely he would think I made it all up – but I didn’t.

Hope your day was just as fun.

Following Blindly for all the Wrong Reasons

2006-12-29T00:53:00.000-08:00

Let me tell you a funny but poignant story I heard many years ago.

Four generations of women and their families gathered for New Years Eve. It was their tradition to fix a large turkey for dinner and this year it was the newlywed, the 4th generation to cook the large bird.

So, as she had been taught by her mother, she got out her large roasting pan, sliced the back end off the turkey and covered the rest with aluminum foil. Her young husband watched and admired his young bride for her complete knowledge of preparing a turkey to cook. But he was a bit perplexed about why she had cut off the back end of the turkey, so he inquired about it. “That is the way my mother always did it.” She replied.

So the young man went to his Mother-In-Law and asked her why she always cut the end off the turkey before cooking it. "Well son, she said, that is how mother taught me to do it and I never thought anything about it; so that is how I do it still.

The young husband sighed. He was an engineer and the answers he was getting just weren’t setting right with him; so he went to his wife’s grandmother and asked her the same question. Again the answer was the same – “that is how I was taught by my mother son.”

“Someone in this family has to know what the science behind this tradition is,” he thought to himself as he approached the elderly great grandmother. “Granny,” he uttered respectfully, “Why do all the women in your family cut the back end off of the turkey before cooking it?”

“Son,” she replied as she sat up in her wheel chair, “I don’t have a clue as to why those silly girls do that. As for me, when I was a young bride I didn’t have a pan big enough to hold a whole turkey so I cut the end off to make it fit.” The three younger women dropped their chins nearly to the floor when they discovered that what they thought was a family secret for cooking a good turkey actually turned out to be one generation after another carrying on a tradition that didn’t exist and had no positive benefit.

This time of year you may be spending time with relatives and that gives you an opportunity to look at the habits and traditions that your families have created either willfully or unconsciously; now is the time to decide which of those habits and traditions are positive and productive and should be preserved. And there are others that should be abandoned like drinking too much, staying so long that angry words start to fly, or realizing that you want to create some of your own traditions that will benefit your own family.

How can you make your family traditions so wonderful for your children and grandchildren that they will always remember them with joy and anticipation? What do you need to do to stop traditions that end up with children feeling left out, or people getting sloshed or rude or hurtful? You have control over your life. And you can make choices that will ensure that your immediate family lives happier lives because of the choices you made early on. Be more concerned about making yourself and your children happy than you are about the possibility of hurting someone else’s feelings – they are adults – they are capable of dealing with their own feelings; you are not in charge of monitoring their reactions to what you say or do.

1. Be independent and do what is right for your family.

2. Don’t feel so obligated to blindly follow old traditions, especially if they take away from your happy moments with your immediate family.

3. Remember what I say: “The choices you make today will determine your tomorrow; choose wisely!” Karen Dougherty MS

2006-12-21T20:58:00.000-08:00

Here are the lyrics to a fun Christmas song written by Frank S. Stringham, a professional musician, entertainer and motivational speaker. You can reach his blog through the link S.Capades in my "links" on this page.

Have a great holiday, see you here next Friday.

Old Fake Nick

1. If you see Santa on a corner and he’s ringin’ on a bell
And he tells you it’s for charity, you know, for sure, darn well,
That he’s a fake,…ooooh, yeah he’s a fake
If you see him in the mall, and he’s actin’ kinda funny
And he tells you that, in fact, at Easter time he’s Easter Bunny
He’s a fake,…oooh, yeah a fake.
If he doesn’t know when you’re awake
You probably have guessed he’s good for nothin’ flake

2. If you remember that he’s often seen with reindeer and a sleigh
And you see him get into a Ford and start to drive away
Then he’s a fake,…ooooh, yeah he’s a fake
If you’ve heard that he is comin’ here from somewhere in the north
And he’s sittin’ there and asking for Tequila por favor,
Then he’s fake,…oooh, yeah he’s a fake
If he’s allergic to the milk, and the cookies and the cake
And the pasta, and the candy, and potatoes and the steak
He’s a fake. Yeeeeeeaaaaaahhhhh….

Bridge
The real Santa Claus, you could never mistake
“Cause he makes you want to say, “Be good, for goodness sake”
Don’t you think we’ve taken all that we can take
Don’t it make you want to just Rattle, Roll, and Shake?
Oooooooohhh, Santa Baby….

3. If you know that Old Kris Kringle is an elf that’s overweight
But you see him bony skinny and he’s standin’ six foot eight
Then he’s a fake….oooh, yeah he’s a fake
If his eyes don’t ever twinkle and he doesn’t seem too jolly
And you realize he’s the one who has been smokin’ all the holly,
He’s a fake,…oooooh, yeah he’s a fake
If you see him playing flute, while charmin’ a snake
He also is a fakir, as well as being fake.

End
He’s a fake…yeah….he’s an imitation, fabrication, simulation fake!

Attitude Makes the Day

2006-12-16T05:17:00.000-08:00

Well, this week I have pneumonia and it looks like I'll be ill through the Christmas Holiday.

So Last week I wrote about how important it is to laugh, but this week I'm revising that sentiment a bit to warn everyone out there who may have a pulmonary crisis this week (like I do), laughing can actually hurt more than it helps.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, my whole family laughs a lot. Our sense of humor is what ties us together. We laugh at ourselves, at each other and at all the strange things we discover out there in the world. So now that the family is beginning to show up at my house for the holiday it has been much more difficult for me to maintain my lack of affect. The problem is that when I laugh it starts a chain reaction of coughing, chocking and sputtering between each gulp of air. All the commotion sounds pretty silly so that gets everyone laughing harder - now at my expense - which makes my attempts to keep from laughing harder still. Consequently I have been laughing myself into a coma about every 25 minutes or so since they arrived.

My whole body aches. The laughing and consequent coughing has stretched muscles all the way up and down my sides so when I'm able to relax I still can't get comfortable. So I sit in some strange position, which of course strikes someone funny and the laughing starts all over again.

My son wanted to show us some funny video clips he found on You Tube when he got here tonight, and that got us going again. And then there were the Ugly Dog Pictures and a few jokes that just couldn't be passed up...By now I think I'm ready for the morgue. But I guess if one is bound to die, it wouldn't be so bad to die laughing.

For a few days I was feeling bad that I wasn't out there buying gifts and getting the decorations out, but now, after doing some on-line shopping and sending my hubby to get the tree all by himself, things are starting to look up again. Even in spite of serious illness, we have found a way to make the most of the holiday season. I'm not one to complain much, but I'm always in favor of making adjustments in order to allow life to be as fun and fulfilling as possible. I refuse to let physical limitations rob me and my family of a great time together. So I guess that is the theme of this blog, Attitude is the definitive ingredient to making any holiday great~ choose to entertain the happy and enjoyable themes and leave the rest behind. Life is too short to waste time complaining instead of loving what we can make out of what we already have. Smile, it will make your day!

Keep Your Cool

2006-12-01T22:20:00.000-08:00

Well, the holiday shopping is in full swing, the lights are going up on the houses around town and the shopping centers have degenerated into temporary holding tanks for those who are suffering with a dreadful, uncontrollable illness known as "Shop-a-holic syndrome" This is a disease of the body mind and holiday spirit. The first symptoms toy with your mind and can seem harmless enough, for example: You notice that Mrs. Jones has just brought home a Gucci bag, the same model that was displayed in the store window. You politely look away but before you can get a handle on your raging jealousy, the "illness" rears its ugly head, you smile, turn casually around and say, "Oh, Ms. Jones, Where did you find that quaint, Gucci knock-off? I saw one just like it in So-Ho for $15. You are so good to help the poor street vendors out like that." Then symptoms of the body take over as you wave casually goodbye, get into your car and then dangerously, race to the store only to discover that every Gucci Purse in the store has at least 2 women fighting over it. But today, you must get a purse, and, it has to be to-die-for - the brawl kills any spirit you had left for the season.

Well, maybe it's because I live in the country, or perhaps I just don't like crowds, I find it much less stressful to shop online. The major people in my family have on-line wish lists. That makes shopping a breeze. Out of 500 items I pick a few and thy are always delighted on Christmas morning.

Shopping on-line I avoid obsessed, neurotic people who insist that my parking space was really meant for them. Shopping on-line, I end up with no car repair bills, no lawyers and no headache; works for me.

Of course there is something nostalgic about taking the family to the mall and letting everyone spread out so that they can shop in secrecy. It is like a game of Clue as everyone acts like they want to avoid the rest of the family, but secretly they spy on each other hoping to get a glance of their future gift. If you go early, on a Tuesday Morning, you can get your shopping done in less time than it will take the thieves in your neighborhood to raid your home and steal all the presents you bought yesterday. But if you take time out to have lunch, take the kids to the arcade and stand in line to see Santa, you might as well give in to the fact that it is going to be a very long and exhausting day.

Some of my kids have made homemade gifts for each of us for Christmas and we cherish those things they put so much thought and effort into. One year they recorded classical hymns with both of them singing (they are professional singers) and that is something we will love always. One year my son wrote a little book, a story of the true meaning of Christmas, I show it proudly in my library. A pair of socks, another trinket for my shelves would be nice, but it is the love and attention that the personal gifts carry with them that I cherish.

So I'm not telling you to stop shopping and start crafting. I just thought that if you could give a little thought to the quality of the experiences you want to create for your holiday season, and then organize activities and duties in a way that will help your holiday dreams to come true, and then you just might get your wish. If you are happy the whole family will be happier. And that isn’t such a bad thing.

Laughter is Good Therapy

2006-12-01T02:02:00.000-08:00

-The average adult laughs about 15 times per day
-The average preschooler laughs about 400 times per day.

“Psychotherapists have discovered humor as an aid in the treatment of several clinical disorders, most notably depression. Humor has been reported to strengthen the bond between client and therapist in the treatment process, increasing the progress toward recovery.” (Fry and Salameh, Catholic Health Association.)

As a therapist, I see people all the time who take themselves way too seriously. And one way that I know when a client is starting to heal is by the degree to which they are willing to laugh at life and at themselves.

I will never forget how impressed a mother was that I was able to “heal” her 14 year old son so quickly. In fact, it was humor that started him on his road to recovery. Early on I realized that the young man was terribly serious, and that his seriousness was a cover for intense fear; fear of rejection, fear of failure and fear of looking imperfect to family and friends.

The first 3 sessions he cried; then I discovered that he had a secret love of the comic strip “The Far Side.” I happened to have a large “The Far Side” book, so I loaned it to him. The next session was spent talking about the cartoons he enjoyed the most, and we laughed until he cried again. Until that day his mother hadn’t realized that he had a passion for humor. But after that day, both of his parents started lightening up and began laughing with him and his siblings regularly. The boy relaxed. In fact it seemed that the whole family began feel happier. They thought I was a miracle worker, but in fact, humor entered their life and tension began to fade.

Today laugh like a child, and it will be a great day.

Research has shown that laughing can help in:
• lowering blood pressure
• reducing stress hormones
• increasing muscle flexion
• boosting immune function by raising levels of infection-fighting T-cells, disease-fighting proteins called Gammainterferon and B-cells, which produce disease-destroying antibodies triggering the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers producing a general sense of well-being.

Quotes:

Seven days without laughter make one weak.
-Joel Goodman
A smile is the shortest distance between two people.
-Victor Borge

Be Easy on Each Other

2006-11-24T14:25:00.000-08:00

Today's Blog is in late because, well, I was in bed early and slept late; my version of recovery after a day full of cooking, family and stress. Of course most of the stress was good stress. But it seems that with every family gathering there is bound to be at least one point of undesirability. Perhaps it comes when uncle Joe flatulates at the table sending the adults running out of the room looking for air freshener and the kids giggling out of control. Or perhaps it happens when Grandma starts crying after mentioning how fun the holiday used to be when Grandpa was here to carve the turkey. Whatever the case, one moment of undesirable stress can take it's toll even on the best of days.

So now that the day is over and you are committed to either sit and watch football all day or go to the mall and shop till you drop, it is all our way of taking care of ourselves amidst stressful encounters. So today, let's be easy on each other. You go do your thing and let everyone around you do theirs. It is all decompression and all necessary. Let's not linger on the negative, or continually search out accolades for a job well done. Let's just go about life in a way that is good for us and hopefully, benefits the rest of the family. After all, once the weekend is over you will have to start thinking about how to deal with the next holiday family gathering. And that will take a clear mind and an untroubled heart.

Pay it Forward

2006-11-16T22:27:00.001-08:00

This Thursday most of us here in the US will be glutting ourselves on turkey and pumpkin pie. There will be family gatherings and plans will be made for December holidays. Some of you live in areas where the weather is already cold and you have to remind yourself to bring an umbrella or to get out that windshield scraper. And for most of us, those who can get to a computer to read this blog, life just doesn't seem so bad.

Although I'm not going to guilt you into a generous frame of mind, I am going to talk a little about how giving to others can be the best therapy for whatever ails you. Those who have given of themselves on a regular basis realize that by doing good to others they themselves feel happier and more satisfied with life. This is a great time of year, there are so many opportunities to help others. Anyone can write a check to give to charity, but it is the giving of your own person, your time and your love that not only can enlighten another sole, but will help you become uplifted in the process.

Joseph B. Lightfoot said: Try to help others. Consult their weaknesses, relieve their maladies; strive to raise them up, and by so doing you will most effectually raise yourself up also.

We who have much are continually tempted to become deeply engrossed in our own affairs. We claim to be busier than God and quite often it feels as if we truly are. However, egotism and hedonistic pleasure seeking will never bring us true joy. In fact, true happiness comes only when we share a part of ourselves with another.
Mother Teresa once said: Everybody today seems to be in such a terrible rush, anxious for greater developments and greater riches and so on, so that children have very little time for their parents. Parents have very little time for each other, and in the home begins the disruption of peace of the world.

She often claimed that although she lived without monetary privilege, that because of her service to others, she was happier than most. Her family was the world. But for many of us, our family is a small selected few with whom we live; and charity begins at home.

I'm not asking that you leave your home and possessions and join the Peace Corps, but wouldn't it be wonderful if you, and everyone around you would commit to do one simple task each day to brighten the life of a friend, or a family member? Say hello to a lonely child. Help someone with their groceries. During this holiday season let's take a moment to do our part to bring peace to the world.

10 Tips For Enjoying Family Gatherings

2006-11-10T13:49:00.000-08:00

The holidays are fast upon us. For some of us the holidays can be a time we look forward to, a time to enjoy the increase of good-will that seems to increase for a time. But for many, the holidays brings less benevolent feelings; feelings of loss, of loved ones that won't be coming home this year. Or perhaps everyone is coming for dinner and that brings up feelings of anger, jealousy or discomfort.

So, how can we get through the holidays without loosing our temper at inlaws or without feeling abandoned by those who aren't there?

First of all remember that you don't have to go anywhere you don't want to go. If you are invited to Uncle Joe's house for a party, but you cannot stand the way certain family member behave at family gatherings, you have the right and the choice to not go. Keeping your won sanity is much more important than trying to cater to people who really don't care much about you.
Set realistic goals
This is key for keeping expectations simple -- for yourself and others. Don't expect that Uncle Joe is going to be a great guy (this time) just because it is the holiday season.
Make a budget and stick to it
Financial worries add more stress. Don't try to keep up with everyone else. Spend what you can afford. Seek out free activities. Just because Great Aunt Betty gives you a gift doesn't meant you have to reciprocate.
Don't overdo
Try not to overeat or drink excessively to escape stressful feelings. Eat healthy foods and get plenty of exercise. Allow for extra time when traveling. After dinner get out of the house and go for a walk instead of sitting next to Cousin Marty while he talks politics.
Pace yourself
The holidays are more than one day; spread enjoyable activities throughout the entire season. With enough enjoyable activities with people of your own choosing you can breeze through until January without pulling your hair out
Try to stay in the present
Look forward to the future. Life is full of change. Consider what is important in your life and good about these times. Don't set yourself up by comparing today with the good old days. This is especially true if you are missing a loved one. Cherish them in your private monents, but don't allow your loss to permeate your thoughts during what are supposed to be the happy moments. Enjoy those who are still with you.
Organize your time
Make a list and star the important activities. Be realistic about what you can and cannot do. Be careful not to overbook yourself. Remember, you don't have to go if you really don't want to. The world won't fall apart if you don't show up at your neighbors Apple Bash.
Honor your own feelings
Remember that the holiday season does not banish reasons for feeling sad or lonely. There is room for these feelings to be present. But plan times alone when you can express your feelings fully so that you don't have to carry them on your sleeve.
Spend time with supportive and caring people
Don't waste your energy on "toxic" people or distant acquaintances.
Save time for yourself
Recharge your batteries. Let others share some of the responsibilities.

Overcoming the Winter Blues

2006-11-02T01:04:00.000-08:00

There is no need to suffer with the Winter Blues when there are some simple remedies that can have you singing-in-the-rain in no time at all. Now I'm not talking about a quick fix to a true clinical depression; for that you may need to seek professional help. But I do have the cure to those dark day blues that can catch us by suprise during the winter months. The following remedies may sound silly or even foolish, but I promise you that if you take them to heart and practice them when you are feeling down, you will start feeling better in no time.

Smile. It sounds silly, but studies have shown
that even a fake smile produces "feel good" chemicals
(endorphins) in your brain. Go find a mirror and force
yourself to smile for at least five minutes. Go ahead, make faces at yourself if you want to. If your not
laughing by within a minute or two, go outside and smile at strangers. Sound
Strange? (You're probably smiling at the thought of it,
right now!) It may be strange, but it works, I guarantee
it!
Exercise. A good swift walk around the block
or 15 minutes of aerobics will stimulate your brain's "feel
good" chemicals. If you get into the habit of doing a
little daily exercise, you can reduce your recurring feelings
of despair by a drastic degree. If aerobics isn't your
thing, just go for a 20 minute walk every day.
Keep a journal. In your journal write about
whatever is bothering you. Write your feelings in all
their blackness. Write about what part of the situation
you did have, or could have had, some choice, some control
over part of it. Then before you're through, for each
entry, end the list with at least one thing you like about
yourself. Then write one thing you would like to do to
help someone else, (open a door for an older person at
the mall, say something sweet to a child, etc.)
Do a good deed. This is another of those weird
suggestions that sounds unrealistic. However, over and
over, people have experienced, and studies confirm, that
when you get out of your egocentric world of "woe-is-me,"
and spend time helping others, you tend to forget about
your problems, and your dreary feelings disappear. It's
like nature's magical remedy. Even Oprah recommends serving others as a way to save ourselves. Try it- it works!
Talk to someone. Find someone you can trust.
I don't mean your best friend who has, in the past, "leaked"
something you have told them in confidence. I mean someone
you KNOW will not tell anyone and who will not judge you
or try to tell you HOW to feel. Someone who will just
let you get it out of your system without trying to "fix
it." If you're so inclined, cry while you talk. Studies
(yes I read a lot of studies), have shown that depression's
chemicals, produced by your brain, come out in your tears.
Crying is a wonderful way to relieve yourself of the excess.
It hurts for a while, but generally, afterward, you will
feel much better.