tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90964647721991258122024-03-12T17:01:14.671-07:00ObservationsObservations!http://www.blogger.com/profile/13113212508229796594noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096464772199125812.post-34113898013446365292014-02-15T20:16:00.001-08:002014-02-15T20:16:46.542-08:00Ella's Dance Music Video to Pharrell's "Happy"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://i1.ytimg.com/vi/6c-py-ska_w/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/6c-py-ska_w?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/6c-py-ska_w?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />Observations!http://www.blogger.com/profile/13113212508229796594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096464772199125812.post-79872975819432733622010-08-29T08:39:00.000-07:002010-08-29T08:39:33.036-07:00Facebook Therapy<span></span><span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/THp73DmS8DI/AAAAAAAAAL8/TxHML_9r-H8/s1600/FB_Eye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/THp73DmS8DI/AAAAAAAAAL8/TxHML_9r-H8/s320/FB_Eye.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I am like millions of other individuals guilty of spending a lot of time and energy on Social Networking Sites (SNS) such as Facebook and Twitter. As I upload pictures, and enter my status today I became keenly aware that these social networking sites are more than meets the eye of the status update. <br />
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The evolution of SNS has given the fast-paced global society a way to plug-in and feel connected to family that are down the street or scattered around the globe, to busy friends, friends of friends, and to new relationships that share common interests. <br />
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Multiple studies have been done and many more are in the works on the effects of SNS in our society. Despite dire predictions from naysayers who warned that spending too much time online would be damaging to real-life relationships, the opposite appears to be true. Many researchers agree that for the most part, being part of a social network is good for you. For example, a recent study in Scientific American Mind finds that social support and social networking offer benefits, from additional resilience to greater life satisfaction to reducing the risk of health problems. Other studies in the past two years have found that feeling like a part of a larger group helps in stroke recovery and memory retention and boosts overall well-being.<br />
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In my earlier life, I studied to be a psychologist and I distinctly remember Gestalt therapy (GT), which focuses on the individual’s experience in the present moment, the environmental and social contexts of a person's life, and the self-regulating adjustments people make as a result of their overall situation. Reflecting on this, I see that it fits the actions taken on the SNS. SNS sites allow the individual to provide a “status update” which is the present moment in the Gestalt therapy, allowing one to express whatever is happening to them at the time, releasing both positive and negative thoughts. Feedback from readers provide a way for the individual to monitor, gage, and reflect on their status update, and sometimes adjust, self-regulating adjustment in GT, and learn from the feedback. <br />
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Social networking sites offer "three degrees of influence" — that is, your friend’s friend's friend, most likely someone you don't even know — who may indirectly influence your actions and emotions. For example, when a friend starts exercising more, you may examine your own exercise regimen and decided that you need to start exercising more. When you share your new status update that you’ve joined a gym you may also be influencing others to do the same. You either change your behavior or you transmit information about the behavior to others, who may change their behavior.<br />
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Another aspect of SNS is the fact that it has ushered in a new kind of extroversion, in which people who might be shy or uneasy in traditional social settings can express themselves online. People seemed to feel less threatened to state exactly what is on their mind as a general status update, than they would if they were in a real-time face to face encounter. This is one of the areas that those opposed to SNS have a problem. In one sense it is allowing the person to express themselves freely, but at the same time it is weakening the real-time relationship skills required for building intimate relationships. <br />
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With everything considered, I believe that SNS is a positive influence on society. Interestingly, it develop in a time in our lives where we most need to connect to one another. Uncertainties on a global level, separation of family and friends, and the highest level of anxiety that has ever existed, are eased by being able to connect and share our lives with those that we care about. Each person has the freedom and right to communicate, or not. Best of all you can “unplug” or not respond if you don’t like it. <br />
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More reading on the subject:<br />
<a href="http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol13/issue1/boyd.ellison.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter">http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol13/issue1/boyd.ellison.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter</a><br />
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<a href="http://royal.pingdom.com/2010/02/16/study-ages-of-social-network-users/">http://royal.pingdom.com/2010/02/16/study-ages-of-social-network-users/</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2009-09-27-social-networking_N.htm">http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2009-09-27-social-networking_N.htm</a><br />
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<span><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=observation06-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0812696751&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span>Observations!http://www.blogger.com/profile/13113212508229796594noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096464772199125812.post-78908840634514027982010-08-10T18:42:00.000-07:002010-08-10T18:56:30.386-07:00Burqa Banning and Society Rights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/TGH5cM9_-wI/AAAAAAAAALs/0VEfBQADWZU/s1600/burqa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" mx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/TGH5cM9_-wI/AAAAAAAAALs/0VEfBQADWZU/s320/burqa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The controversy of wearing a burqa, a head-to-toe covering worn exclusively by women, designed to conceal the entire body, including the face, has become a subject of contention worldwide. I was recently engaged in an electronic string of opinions on the subject, where anger, dismay, and alarm were revealed in each contributor’s electronic voice. The various opinions made me look deeper within and weigh how I feel, and to also research the current status, beliefs, and laws on wearing a burqa.<br />
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My initial knee-jerk reaction to the tweets that I read was that a woman in the United States has the right to wear whatever they choose. If a woman chooses to wear a hijab, the traditional covering of the hair and neck worn by Muslim women, or a burqa, a full body-covering, due to religious and cultural traditions, then let them do it. Upon further research and learning about both sides of the argument, my thoughts on the matter have changed. <br />
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The burqa is primarily worn by women in Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. Under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, all women--including foreign visitors--were required to wear burqas. Today, it is no longer a necessity but still the preferred choice of many women, who wear the burqa as a safety measure given their country's volatile political regime.<br />
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Many people and entire countries say and believe that the burqa is not a religious driven act, and therefore it should be banned from use in public places. It is a moot point as to where or why the burqa is being used by some Muslim woman; the point is that it is and has been a tradition for centuries. While the burqa is often associated with the Islamic faith, its history actually predates Islam by thousands of years. The earliest known instance of women veiling their faces is found in the Assyrian empire, which dates back to 5000 BC.<br />
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The problem in the banning of the burqas is that it is infringing on the traditions and beliefs of Middle Eastern peoples centuries old values and mores. Many woman in the Middle East, still choose to wear the burqa when going out in public to protect themselves from being targets of political unjust doings. <br />
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We all know that banning and denigrating a cultural tradition simply divides communities and engenders anger and resentment in a way that is not constructive toward building a multicultural society. Yet, in the post 9/11 era, it is a difficult stance to allow people to be hidden by a full body-covering outside of the Middle Eastern countries where the custom is embraced. Security issues are elevated worldwide now, and many European countries are banning wearing burqas. Belgium was the first European country to ban wearing burqas. France recently banned the burqas and face-veils in public. Germany, Britain, and Spain are also following the lead of France in prohibiting burqas in public.<br />
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In the United States, the custom of woman wearing the burqa in public is protected by the first Amendment. Recent stories have surfaced where women have tried to get a driver’s license photo with their face covered by the burqa and were denied. Repercussions regarding these isolated incidents have caused law-suites on the basis of religious rights being restricted. <br />
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Unfortunately, it may be true that most woman wearing burqas are doing so due to tradition or religious belief, however, it allows for those that mean to do harm to have a perfect cover-up to hide their identify and more. For governments, to modify existing laws such as driver license policy stating that the full-face picture is the requirement, to allowing the face to be completely covered, doesn’t make sense nor is it logical in the present global reality. Banks also have had to rewrite policies so that a person can easily be identified while doing business in the establishment. <br />
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A society is built on the mores and values derived from the established practices of a society rather than its written laws. They consist of shared understandings about the kinds of behavior likely to evoke approval, disapproval, toleration or sanction, within particular contexts. <br />
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Each country has its own set of mores and values. When I traveled to Italy and visited St. Peter’s Basilica, in Rome, I witnessed a woman being turned-away from entering the church because she had a mini-skirt on that was more than 5” above the knee. A dress code is established for entering the church, and those that want to visit must adhere to the rules if they wish to enter. In the Middle East it would not be unacceptable to wear a bikini bathing suit in public. <br />
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In summary, we must honor and respect the cultural rules of the country that we are visiting or choosing to setup our permanent residence. In total respect of those that wish to continue wearing a burqa, realize that in the United States, there are laws and policies that everyone that lives here must abide by. Since it is, and has been the custom to show full-face photo for driver's license in the majority of states, then one must abide by the rule. Some states have accommodated the burqa wearing woman by taking the photo in private with another woman present. If this is not acceptable, then a driver's license should not be permitted. <br />
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Further reading on U.S. burqa policies by state:<br />
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http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/litigation/documents/LWVJ.pdf<br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=observation06-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0978714148&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Observations!http://www.blogger.com/profile/13113212508229796594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096464772199125812.post-74232387661617340692010-07-16T14:56:00.000-07:002010-07-17T09:44:41.592-07:00EX-Im and the Downfall of America Integrity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/TEDVdYAgOEI/AAAAAAAAALM/xAGblCaGpMs/s1600/flag_upsidedown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" hw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/TEDVdYAgOEI/AAAAAAAAALM/xAGblCaGpMs/s200/flag_upsidedown.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Until recently, I had never heard of the US Export-Import Bank (EX-Im Bank). My interest in this bank developed when I was verifying some recent accusations regarding Obama lending Brazil 2-billion dollars for the purpose of offshore deep-well oil drilling. <br />
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Looking into EX-Im’s recent activities, I realized it has had the ability to manipulate capitalism since its very creation by FDR in the 30’s, and has been used extensively by all presidents since then for this purpose. I felt so naïve after reading how powerful this export credit agency is, and it is a part of the Executive branch of Congress! My guess is that the majority of Americans don’t know anything about this credit agency and what a powerful role it has in determining national and global effects on the financial and economic sectors, and what products/services will benefit from their loan approvals. I should mention that many countries have their own Export/Import bank used for similar purposes.<br />
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In simple terms, the basics and fundamental role of the bank is to lend countries low-interest money so that they can purchase US products, producing jobs and revenue through exportation of materials and services. OK we can all get behind this concept. However, the criticism over the years is that they have allegedly favored special interests by subsidizing corporations such as Boeing and Enron. In 1996 the bank provided $120 million loan to the China National Nuclear Power Corporation. <br />
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Reading about these recent special interests that were provided internally by our government is very disturbing to me. In 1996, our president Clinton, whom I always believed was against building up nuclear power, evidently was OK with the China nuclear transaction. In addition, Enron who is the biggest thief of all time was subsidized by our executive branch. <br />
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Further investigation of Ex_Im bank revealed that approximately $243 million in fraudulent loans to companies doing business with Mexico, including companies with no verifiable address and to individuals who were known associates of Sinaloa and Jujarez drug trafficking cartels. This fact confirmed a documentary that I saw years ago, which I thought at the time had a slanted view of drug trafficking being supported and generated by our internal government. It’s hard to swallow such truths! Ugly, truly ugly.<br />
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The recent allocations of Obama lending 2.1 billion to Brazil for the purpose of deep-well oil drilling are true. The loan was already approved back in 2009, and US business will be launched in supplying piping, technology, oil rigs, etcetera, for assisting in Brazil’s oil exploration. But I thought that Obama was against fossil-fuel projects? His campaign specifically stated that we had to look toward alternative natural, green energy! I’m feeling more naïve now than ever before. <br />
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In February 2009, the Ex-Im Bank settled a 7-year long legal proceeding brought by Friends of the Earth, other non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and various American cities. The plaintiffs claimed that the Ex-Im Bank and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) provided financial assistance to oil and other fossil fuel projects without first evaluating the projects' global warming impacts. <br />
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Evidently, in the settlement agreement, Ex-Im agreed to evaluate future carbon dioxide emissions prior to lending for these specific types of projects. Liars! Since their agreement they lent 2.1 billion to Brazil. <br />
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Let it be known right now, I’m no longer affiliated with any political party! What a farce! <br />
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Further reading:<br />
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<a href="http://www.exim.gov/">http://www.exim.gov/</a><br />
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<a href="http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/issues/candidates/barack-obama/">http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/issues/candidates/barack-obama/</a><br />
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<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203863204574346610120524166.html">http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203863204574346610120524166.html</a><br />
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<span><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=observation06-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0313312729&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span>Observations!http://www.blogger.com/profile/13113212508229796594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096464772199125812.post-81103314621947395322010-07-06T21:09:00.000-07:002010-07-06T21:17:10.777-07:00Silent Alliances Destroying Our Country!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/TDP73OYqt3I/AAAAAAAAAK8/aQIrs3t9nf0/s1600/mortLoanModification.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/TDP73OYqt3I/AAAAAAAAAK8/aQIrs3t9nf0/s320/mortLoanModification.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Have you wondered why the entire mortgage lending industry has conspired to ignore struggling home owners needs? I have!<br />
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There has been so much media hype about programs that were developed by Obama’s Administration, such as <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">HAMP</span> (Home Affordable Modification Program,) that are not being offered to the majority of home owners that have applied. Also, there is ample evidence that the current <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">HAMP</span> and other modification guidelines are being interpreted differently by each bank, reflected in many places including the scenarios described by the 20,000+ members of the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">loansafe</span>.org community. Additional evidence can be found in hundreds if not thousands of complaints and requests for assistance sent by struggling homeowners to their Senators and Congressmen across the country, as well as the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and other agencies that have been instituted to regulate these banks. So what is really going on?<br />
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Let’s just take a look at one bank closely, such as One West, former <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">IndyMac</span>. They have stated to many homeowners that they are not participating in any of Obama’s modification plans. Now how can they legally not participate in or offer the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">HAMP</span> program to struggling homeowners? <br />
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Upon further investigation, I found out that the major investors in One West Bank are the billionaires George <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Soros</span> and Michael Dell, who purchased the failed bank for 13.9 billion! You know Dell of course from Dell computers, but who the heck is George <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Soros</span>? Try the founder of <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">MoveOn</span>.org! It gets more interesting now. Evidently, good old George many claim is the sole reason Barack Obama made it to the Presidency! OK, I can get behind that. <br />
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<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Umm</span>, let’s see. The Feds sold <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">IndyMac</span> to One West Bank (<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Soros</span> and Dell) for 50c on the dollar of the assets they were holding [your mortgage] and then backed them for 70% of any thing they might loose. Freddie and Fannie only insured at the 40% level. So now One West can foreclose on mortgages that they paid 50c on the dollar for and still make 70% on it if they sell the home for 1/2 of what your mortgage was! <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Comprendé</span>?<br />
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Why would One West Bank, or any bank for that matter, want to help to keep you in your home when they can make a 70% profit if you foreclose? Furthermore, it seems crystal clear why Obama has turned his back on the mortgage lending industry. <br />
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<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Hmm</span>, seems to be silent alliances here!<br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=observation06-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00276HAE4&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Observations!http://www.blogger.com/profile/13113212508229796594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096464772199125812.post-89302504314647856182010-07-04T17:33:00.000-07:002010-07-04T17:33:11.187-07:00Truly Celebrate the 4th of July!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/TDElx_-2feI/AAAAAAAAAK0/ccZUK3PGmOM/s1600/4thof+July.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/TDElx_-2feI/AAAAAAAAAK0/ccZUK3PGmOM/s200/4thof+July.jpg" width="168" /></a></div>OK America, we have been through so much this past decade. In spite of 9/11, the economy, oil spill, immigration controversy, Iraq, Afghanistan, corruption in big business, etcetera., etcetera., etcetera., we should still remember and celebrate our founding fathers that worked so hard to provide the beautiful country that we live in.<br />
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I watched a documentary this morning on the building of America. I forgot how tough and hard our forefathers worked to make a life here in the United States. The industrial revolution, the Erie Canal built by hand, and the cotton gin, long forgotten in our history are the backbone of who we are and where we have come from. These people had vision, fortitude, and dedication to improve their lives as well as the lives of others. <br />
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I believe that we Americans still have it in us to care, work hard, and make a difference for our families and future generations. Unfortunately, the distractions of a world troubled by war, angst by greed, and worry about environmental pollution, has robbed many of us of the realization that we still have a decent life here in America compared with the rest of the world.<br />
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When you are celebrating with your family and friends today, concentrate on all of the good things that we have here in America. Give thanks that we still have options and opportunities to make a life, even thought it is currently difficult, if we choose too! <br />
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Happy 4th of July!<br />
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<span><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=observation06-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000643EOE&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span>Observations!http://www.blogger.com/profile/13113212508229796594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096464772199125812.post-2307424158462228462010-07-02T21:47:00.000-07:002010-07-02T21:52:26.705-07:00Gulf Oil Spill May be Killing Cures for Cancer and Malaria!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/TC608z_XbwI/AAAAAAAAAKs/egjoHJwfWGE/s1600/Malaria_oil_spill+diagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/TC608z_XbwI/AAAAAAAAAKs/egjoHJwfWGE/s320/Malaria_oil_spill+diagram.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So do the Sara <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Palins</span> of the world still think that global warming and pollutants aren't ruining our planet and jeopardizing our life? Today it was revealed by researchers that the Gulf spill could wipe out a potential cure for malaria and treatments for cancer and other diseases by killing off marine organisms that are the basis of experimental drugs.</div><br />
Evidently, the Gulf of Mexico and Florida are two main resources for sponges, sea worms, and other invertebrates that live in the oil slicks path. This is the core ocean area that researchers use for specimens in research and development for cures.<br />
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A number of modern drug treatments are based on compounds produced by marine organisms. Many of these organisms live in small, unique locales. Once killed off by something like the oil spill, their potential research contributions could be lost to medical science forever! <br />
One of the most promising treatments threatened by the spill is a possible cure for malaria. M<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: #ffffff;">olecular</span> biologists and drug discovery experts are testing compounds taken from sponges collected off the coast of Florida and other waters in the path of the spill, and the testing and research performed thus far has been successful. <br />
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The tragedy here is that the basis for these cures is only found in the Gulf or the waters around the Florida peninsula—exactly where the crude is spewing, and spreading, in the millions of gallons. <br />
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Hey "Drill baby, drill" people, how is <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: #ffffff;">BP</span> going to pay for that? <br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=observation06-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0890969094&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Observations!http://www.blogger.com/profile/13113212508229796594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096464772199125812.post-3643376535512559032010-06-30T11:41:00.000-07:002010-06-30T11:45:32.673-07:00What happened to President Kennedy’s Physical Fitness Program?<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/TCuPrVQuDxI/AAAAAAAAAKc/5C7Ulzo9sgs/s1600/Presidents_PT_Program.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/TCuPrVQuDxI/AAAAAAAAAKc/5C7Ulzo9sgs/s320/Presidents_PT_Program.gif" /></a></div>The Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation put out a new report today stating that obesity rates have increased by 28%. It also indicated that 84% of parents felt that their children were at a healthy weight! There are many reasons beyond health problems that contribute to an obese nation: technology, lack of exercise, less time, more stress, less vacations, and an abundance of uncertainty are just a few. In addition, many of the public schools have cut physical fitness programs due to lack of federal and state funding.<br />
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We’ve become a physically inactive society, where the only exercise that we get is clicking on a keyboard or the remote control of our TV sets! Think about it, when we go to the supermarket, movies, or shopping, we try desperately to get the closest parking spot to the entrance! Our children don’t get any exercise either. They sit around the house talking on the phone, texting, watching television, or playing computer games, instead of playing outdoors. <br />
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During the 60’s when I was in elementary school, President Kennedy took over a federal physical fitness program that was started and failed by Eisenhower, and he reorganized a new council to oversee and market a new physical fitness program for all Americans. During 1961-1962 school years, the president developed a physical fitness pilot project for the schools. A core group of almost a quarter of a million schoolchildren took part in the Council-sponsored pilot projects in six states. The physical fitness program was structured into the daily curriculum of school study. <br />
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I was fortunate to be a part of this pilot project. I was in the 6th grade when this program was implemented. I remember feeling pride that I was part of a program that our president designed and was paying close attention to. We were trained to be athletic by running, doing sit-ups, climbing ropes (those were hard), doing push-ups, and strengthening our muscles by doing multiple stretches for all muscle groups. <br />
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At the end of the pilot project year, we took a physical fitness test and half again as many students passed a physical fitness test as had a year earlier. Furthermore, there was a general improvement of physical education programs around the country. Students that passed the test were given a badge that had an eagle emblem and the words, “Presidential Physical Fitness Award.” For those of us that received this emblem, we had such pride in being part of the project and being physical fit. It also set a foundation on how to live healthy for our future. <br />
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I say bring back the president’s council on physical fitness! Let children have pride being part of something larger than their Wii box, or 40” television sets!<br />
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<a href="http://www.jfklibrary.org/Historical+Resources/JFK+in+History/The+Federal+Government+Takes+on+Physical+Fitness.htm">http://www.jfklibrary.org/Historical+Resources/JFK+in+History/The+Federal+Government+Takes+on+Physical+Fitness.htm</a><br />
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</div>Observations!http://www.blogger.com/profile/13113212508229796594noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096464772199125812.post-20943476556490228372010-06-29T14:16:00.000-07:002010-06-29T19:23:24.670-07:00Elena Kagen, You Go Girl!It will be hard to corner Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagen, because she is one of the few public officials of ANY party who has literally a perfect and blameless record! In fact she has NO record!<br />
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Despite this fact, GOP senators accused her of blocking the Pentagon’s recruiters’ access to Harvard Law School career services offices when she held the position as Dean. Come on fellas, since when has the Pentagon not been able to accomplish any of its missions? <br />
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In response to this accusation, Kagen stated that she acted because of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which bars openly gay men and women from servicing, was a violation of the university’s anti-discrimination rules. Kagen suggested an alternative for military recruitment through the veterans’ office on campus. She also pointed out that “military recruiting went up that year not down,” when Pentagon’s representatives worked through the veterans office. <br />
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It’s comical to hear statements such as Democrat, Sen. Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, “We have less evidence about what sort of judge you will be than on any nominee in recent memory. Your judicial philosophy is almost invisible to us.” <br />
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“There will be 59 Democrats [voting for her] and you can count on at least a few Republicans,” says Sen. Orrin Hatch (R) of Utah, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Unless she stumbles badly and makes some terrible mistakes, the odds are she will be confirmed.”<br />
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Kagen is the first woman to serve as solicitor general and the first women dean of Harvard Law School; she has drawn positive comment from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. <br />
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******************************<br />
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<strong>SUPREME FACTS</strong><br />
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Of 111 justices since 1789:<br />
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• 53 was the average age at appointment<br />
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• 36 served in the military<br />
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• 11 had no children<br />
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• 6 never married<br />
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• 4 were divorced<br />
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• 3 did not have a private law practice<br />
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• 39 were not judges before appointment<br />
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• 39 were Episcopalian<br />
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• *18 attended and 14 graduated from Harvard Law School<br />
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• 26 were from judicial families<br />
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• 41 had fathers who held public office<br />
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• 39 grew up in urban or small-city settings<br />
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• 40 grew up on family farms, family plantations, or rural settings<br />
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• 31 grew up in small toObservations!http://www.blogger.com/profile/13113212508229796594noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096464772199125812.post-64710735204783713912010-06-24T20:00:00.000-07:002010-06-24T20:00:40.594-07:00Eulogy for the Gulf Ocean<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/TCQZ3Jye2tI/AAAAAAAAAKE/Df6EM8UXo_Y/s1600/oil_spill_bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/TCQZ3Jye2tI/AAAAAAAAAKE/Df6EM8UXo_Y/s200/oil_spill_bird.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Not surprisingly, the Federal Judge that overturned Obama’s offshore drilling moratorium owns stock in the offshore oil industry including TransOcean! TransOcean is the owner of the oil well in the gulf that is spewing oil and presently on fire again!<br />
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When I first read that Judge Feldman overturned the moratorium, my first thoughts were that he must have investments in TransOcean, and therefore, he didn’t want to lose any more money. Why else would an intelligent and rational man want to start drilling immediately again, as oil spewed into the sea? Now, a few days later after his overturn, I read that that Judge Feldman owns stock in TransOcean and five other major oil companies that are directly or indirectly involved in the offshore drilling business.<br />
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Further reading revealed that 58% of federal trial judges in oil-affected states have a stake in the oil industry. The entire situation is a catch-22. The billion dollar oil companies rule and write their own ticket in these areas, and the entire world for that matter, because they have free reign and full support of federal judges and politicians that have a vested interest in oil.<br />
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One of the comments that I recently read stated, “This kind of justice and climate must have led to the fall of the Roman Empire. The difference today is that we face a global cancerous epidemic of greed and we’re out of touch with Mother Nature”! <br />
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How much proof do these large corporations and opposing politicians need before they agree that we are killing our planet? The oil slick that is now present on Florida’s shores will continue to travel to other coastal communities, killing hundreds, perhaps thousands of fish, mammal, birds and entire ecosystems. Scientist state that there may be irreversible damage, and if we don’t do something immediately there will be no turning back. <br />
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I consider myself to be an optimist, but I’m having a hard-time visualizing a multi-billion dollar industry, halting to save the planet. Many of the environmental organizations such as Greenpeace, The Climate Project, and International Network for Sustainable Energy (INFORSE), feel that this is the right time for us to layout our plan on alternative safe energy. All of the images on television of oil coated beaches and wildlife, should help to forge forward with our case already proven: pollutants are killing our oceans and skies.<br />
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It is ludicrous to continue relying on fossil fuel, and turn our backs and let these companies continue to drill like nothing has ever happened. Presently, BP is scouting out Alaska for a deep-well drilling project, that will drill down two miles vertically, and then 8 miles horizontally. Evidently, this area is an oil goldmine. This drilling is supposed to start in September. <br />
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I understand that the situation with the oil-spill is complicated in that many of the jobs in the gulf rely on this business for income. This industry is all that these people know. This is there livelihood. However, it is clear that some alternative income and jobs along these areas are needed to help in the transition to a clean energy solution. <br />
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Even if our president steps up to the plate, and mandates that we are no longer allowing deep-water drilling, and that we are moving forward with a plan for alternative energy; he would have to have global support, and at this point I find it difficult to visualize this type of a miracle.<br />
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GreenPeace:<br />
<a href="http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/">http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/</a><br />
Climate Project:<br />
<a href="http://www.theclimateproject.org/">http://www.theclimateproject.org/</a><br />
INFORSE:<br />
<a href="http://www.inforse.org/">http://www.inforse.org/</a>Observations!http://www.blogger.com/profile/13113212508229796594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096464772199125812.post-44838162639365495492010-06-16T15:55:00.000-07:002010-06-16T16:12:33.793-07:00Music Genius or Divine Intervention<span style="font-family: inherit;">Last night I attended the STING concert at the Hollywood Bowl. It was by far one of the best music performances that I have had the pleasure and opportunity to witness. There was no opening or closing acts, only STING along with the accompaniment of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performed. Beautiful!</span><br />
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His music engulfed me and carried me to a another plane where spirit, emotion, nostalgia, love, romance, and delight live and breath for all of humanity. This is why we go to concerts. It’s a form of meditation and a transcendental experience, where thought and knowledge are not necessary to have all of our senses totally engaged! <br />
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There are many musicians that have no formal training, and yet they were driven to teach themselves to play an instrument due to a calling from somewhere deep within to make music. It’s almost as if the unknown piece, song, melody, and chords, contacts the person requesting to be born, and will not stop requesting until it's creation! <br />
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During an interview with STING, a reporter asked, “Where do the melodies and metaphor’s come from”? STING replied, “I don’t really know where they come from. A melody is always a gift from somewhere else. You just have to learn to be grateful and pray that you will be blessed again some other time."<br />
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Of course you can say this for any creative expression or endeavor. When a painting, music, story, or dance wants to be born, it will totally take over the person until it is in full-bloom. Is it truly genius or is it divine intervention? In my opinion it’s both!Observations!http://www.blogger.com/profile/13113212508229796594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096464772199125812.post-66545856901426693582010-06-12T12:33:00.000-07:002010-06-13T09:37:01.081-07:00Bill Maher Live "I'm Turned-Off"I've been a big fan of the HBO series, "Bill Maher Live" for the past year. I've gotten behind the majority of his political rhetoric on daily current events because somehow, I felt that the POV (point-of-view) was coming from him, and that he was in some way helping different causes and getting people motivated to do something other than complain!<br />
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I have to report that I'm disappointed and turned-off now, because last Thursday I decided to go to the CBS studios to see the rehearsal of the Bill Maher Live show, and last night I watched the live broadcast which of course contained some of the material that he did at the rehearsal. <br />
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As I watched the final broadcast of the season last night, for the first time I saw someone very different from the Bill Maher image that I thought I knew. I saw a man that was an artist in presenting Liberal political views, outlandish and crude statements, along with his "New Rules," as it is: a mathematical formula produced by Hollywood. <br />
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When Bill repeated some material from the rehearsal monologue in the live broadcast as if it never rolled-off his lips before, I just saw the whole show in a different light. For sure, I saw an artist, but one that is so mathematically programmed, smooth, and convincing, and it turned-me off!<br />
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His big guests last night were Queen Noor and Oliver Stone. When interviewing each of them individually, what I may have overlooked prior to the rehearsal show, I clearly saw last night. A man that insulted his guests and really showed little respect. He constantly interrupted Oliver Stone and in my opinion he was really out-of-line with Queen Noor.<br />
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Unfortunately, I don't think that I will see the Bill Maher Live show the way I saw it before. Now I see a pawn that is used by big business, politicians, and the Hollywood money moguls, used for mental masturbation in a ploy to control the masses by providing hot-button topics that will get the viewers at home heated, allowing them to "get-off" pent-up anger, fear, and emotion. <br />
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The control mechanism that I see is deliberate response rhetoric, and we the public are like Pavlovian subjects, predictable and therefore, controlled. Perhaps by letting off-steam by yelling and cursing at the TV set, we don't feel it necessary to take action and go out in the world as a group to stand-up to the things that are upsetting us. <br />
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Bill will be off the air until September, so I have some time to ponder about what I'm saying here, and I'll probably tune-in then, to see if perhaps I can wear my rose-colored glasses again!Observations!http://www.blogger.com/profile/13113212508229796594noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096464772199125812.post-79176242370202637032010-06-10T10:01:00.000-07:002010-06-12T11:14:54.828-07:00Lakers Playoff Games 2010!I love watching the basketball playoff games every year! Generally speaking, I'm not one who enjoys following or watching sports, however, I make an exception for the playoff games, especially when the Lakers are playing!<br />
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This season, the Lakers are playing against the Boston Celtics, and both teams have excellent strategies and plays. It is very exciting to watch excellence and perfection in the works. Each year I'm always amazed at the individual and team focus that is occurring each second that they are on the court. <br />
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I'm learning that basketball is kind of like the game of chess. Each move is predetermined and calculated, however, the thing that makes basketball so exciting is that these strategies are made in less than a second, determining where every player in the game is, distance, guards, basket, play setup, etc. Genius! <br />
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After each game the losing team uses their loss to put together a better strategy for the following game. Each game seems to become more intense and focused, and in the case of the Lakers and Celtics they're neck in neck in the point spread! Truly exciting to watch!<br />
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When the playoffs are over, I don't follow any team, including my wonderful Lakers. Yes, I know, I'm a playoff adrenalin junkie, skimming only the cream from basketball, and leaving when they're not in the limelight. <br />
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<a href="http://www.nba.com/lakers/">http://www.nba.com/lakers/</a>Observations!http://www.blogger.com/profile/13113212508229796594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096464772199125812.post-62974590793607672452009-10-15T21:02:00.000-07:002009-10-24T09:19:12.545-07:00Foreclosure PredictionMy prediction is that many of the home owners that didn’t foreclose last year will definitely foreclose in 2010! You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure that out! The media is trying to convince us that the mortgage crisis is on its way to recovery. I don’t believe it, and from many of the home owners that I’ve talked to here in Los Angeles, they don’t believe it either!<br />
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This new group of foreclosures are the home owners that has been hanging on by the seat of their pants, hoping, praying, and monitoring the home values regularly, in hope of selling when the market indicates that they can at least payoff what they owe. They are not even thinking about profit now, just relief from the financial burden. The majority are in mortgages that are upside-down, meaning they owe more than the current market value! <br />
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The majority of home owners that purchased in the last 5 years will foreclose <em>intentionally</em> because their property is so upside-down. The owners that don’t have 10 to 15 years to twiddle their thumbs and wait until the market comes back to what they currently owe, will decide to pack up, and simply walk away from their property.<br />
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These home owners are the type of people that have always paid their bills on time, always paid their mortgage, never even thought about throwing in the towel. I know for sure that this is accurate, because I’m one that falls into this “walk-away” group. I’ve been sitting on the fence for a year, and I’m seriously considering renting a great place at the ocean in Los Angeles for $1,500.00 less than I’m putting out monthly mortgage payments! <br />
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I’m wondering how many of you reading this blog are thinking about deliberately walking away from your upside-down property?Observations!http://www.blogger.com/profile/13113212508229796594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096464772199125812.post-36166455281767388462009-10-14T18:57:00.000-07:002009-11-01T10:24:24.281-08:00Quantum Physics and Mind Power<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StaX68d2n7I/AAAAAAAAAJc/mzuWHeVaKNA/s1600-h/quantumphysics.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392664642742296498" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StaX68d2n7I/AAAAAAAAAJc/mzuWHeVaKNA/s320/quantumphysics.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 208px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> We have all been told that the thoughts that we produce have a direct affect on our reality. In other words, whatever we focus on shows up in abundance in our physical life. If we worry and focus about not having money, then we continue to not have money. When we focus on love, giving, and kindness, in return we are surrounded with people that give us what we are mentally putting out into the universe with our thoughts.<br />
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Many Nobel Prize winning physicists have proved beyond doubt that the physical world is one large sea of energy that our minds our interacting with every fraction of a second, over and over again.<br />
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I've always been intrigued with the power of the mind even before I understood or heard about the concept of quantum physics. Looking back on my early <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">adolescence</span> I had the "Pollyanna" syndrome, and I truly believed without a doubt that I could and would conquer anything that I set my mind to. Where these thoughts came from is beyond me, but luckily they were there to catapult me out of the environment that I was born into, to the realities created by my imagination and thoughts. I must say here, that I'm also aware of the negative physical realities that are part of my world, that I know I create, and I'm currently working on "turning the focus around."<br />
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In 1995 I read Ageless Bodies, Timeless Minds: The Quantum Alternative to Growing Old. I found the book to be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">fascinating</span> on many levels, especially the sections on the power of our thinking and the affects it has on our physical realities.<br />
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There was one section that provided a little experiment that you could take to "prove" how you outwardly control your physical world with your mind. If you haven't witnessed this and you're curious I have outlined the instructions for the test below. Try it!<br />
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<strong>Instuctions:</strong><br />
Tools: (You will need fishing line or strong thread, and a key)<br />
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Cut the thread or fishing line to approximately 4 feet so that when it is doubled it will measure 2 feet long.<br />
<ol><li>Take the Key and slide onto the thread or fishing line and knot the two ends together at the top. (<em>Measurement with the key threaded should be no longer than 2 feet).</em></li>
<li>Wrap the thread around your index finger so that it's secure.</li>
<li>Sit down at a table, and with the arm that is holding the key, place your elbow on the edge of the table with your arm and hand upright. </li>
<li>Your index finger holding the thread can point so that it is horizontal instead of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">vertical</span>.</li>
<li>Keep your position and stay completely still. </li>
<li>The line should be suspended now from your index finger. Do not move your finger or arm in any way now.</li>
</ol><strong>The Power of the Mind Test</strong><br />
<ol><li>Think: move the key in a circle to the right. </li>
<li>Keep saying this over and over in your mind. </li>
<li>The key will adjust its natural swag and start rotating in a circle to the right. </li>
<li>Now, tell it to rotate in a larger circle. Repeat several times, rotate in a larger circle. If you are truly focused the key will easily rotate in a larger circle.</li>
<li>Now tell the key to circle to the left. You will watch the key listen to your instructions and slowly change its orbit to the left as you suggested! </li>
</ol>I haven't perform this experiment since 1995, so I decided to try this earlier this evening before I wrote the blog. It worked, as I knew it would, 100%<br />
Let me know how it goes after trying this quantum physics experiment!Observations!http://www.blogger.com/profile/13113212508229796594noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096464772199125812.post-79102214623565414742009-10-13T18:35:00.000-07:002009-11-27T17:05:11.388-08:00Does the Season Affect Your Mood?<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StUz8d9FQpI/AAAAAAAAAJM/5-xw8tAVCvc/s1600-h/Path+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392273242772030098" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StUz8d9FQpI/AAAAAAAAAJM/5-xw8tAVCvc/s320/Path+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 247px;" /></a> First let me start by saying that I'm not a "Woo-Woo" new-age person, but I have noticed over the past decade that this time of year, October through January, I become more alive, more enthused, have a better outlook, hopeful, positive, social, and just plain happy. This <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">phenomenon</span> happens like clockwork every year starting around October. <br />
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<div>I was born in the month of July, however, I'm usually not at my best or peak during the summer months. I find it interesting that my mood is so positive during this fall/winter <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">time frame</span>, because this is the time of year that many people get depressed or feel lonelier than usual. <br />
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<div></div><div>Logically speaking, my mood shouldn't be as good as it is during this time of year because there are negative factors for me such as: this is the time of year that finances are magnified due to multiple holiday expenses, not having a partner to share holidays with, and not having a large family. To the contrary, I love this time of year! I can only attribute this to the astrological premise that the time of day, and planetary line-up when you were born, definitely have an influence in this shift I feel yearly!<br />
</div><div>I have no other explanation and I'm wondering if others are affected by a particular season, month, etc.?<br />
</div>Observations!http://www.blogger.com/profile/13113212508229796594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096464772199125812.post-33142982478064488222009-10-11T10:03:00.000-07:002009-10-12T20:10:40.463-07:00Youthful<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StIfhLfXZZI/AAAAAAAAAHg/9vYN4PwpFMM/s1600-h/chris_kitchen_2009JPG.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391406358796395922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 141px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StIfhLfXZZI/AAAAAAAAAHg/9vYN4PwpFMM/s200/chris_kitchen_2009JPG.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The dictionary defines "youthful" as young; possessing youth; not yet old or mature. Fresh, vigorous, active. This definition doesn't mention chronological age, therefore, we can all agree and conclude that age has nothing to do with being youthful.<br /><br />I have observed people that are 20-years old that are not youthful and lack exuberance and vitality that is expected for that age and stage in life; and I've also known people in their 80's that are so alive and vigorous that it is clear to see that they have maintain their youthful spirit and vigor throughout the weeks, months, years, and decades of their life! It's exciting and beautiful.<br /><br />Granted, many people lose their youthfulness over the years, not from body deterioration, but from the mental bombardment of stress, disappointment, and not living up to their rigid expectations set early on in their lives. This group of people never learned to "shift-gears" during life's turmoils and therefore they've robbed themselves of the key to happiness which is maintaining youthfulness by ensuring that mental balance is always monitored and nurtured appropriately. Disappointment and stress can turn into anger and depression which can rob one of the joy and energy of life.<br /><br />I naturally gravitate toward youthful people, meaning chronologically aged between 20 and 100, that hold the treasured key of youthfulness in the core of their beings. I know their stories and some have turmoil, loss, and many unfortunate situations that have occurred in their lives, however, their flexibility and constant monitoring of their mental state, allowed them to endure by making the appropriate changes in their lives to ensure balance is achieved and maintained first and foremost. A positive attitude regardless of the situation is never lost by people that have maintained youthfulness.</div><div> </div><div>The youthful people are recognized quickly by the light in their eyes, the tempo of their dialog, and their "fresh" outlook on all their daily experiences. It's excitement! I do have many friends that are chronologically younger than myself, some by 20-years, and I enjoy sharing time and experiences with them because of their excitement about life that is unjaded, unscripted, spontaneous, positive, and most of all passionate. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br />I've been told by many recently that there is no way that I'm a 60-year old woman because I look like I'm in my 40's. I believe this to be true only because I have been blessed with the ability to shift gears in times of turmoil and adjust my life accordingly to maintain balance and happiness. Also, I attribute my youthfulness as a vibe in thought, interests, activities, fashion, and the people that I choose to surround myself with.<br /><br />I recently had lunch with a couple of young woman from work that I wasn't acquainted with prior to our lunch; and after lively discussions on many topics, one of the woman suggested that I start my own blog. Interestingly, her suggestion was just what I've been looking for! An avenue to express myself in an arena where it's apparent that "youthfulness" is one of the major ingredients on the blog site and needed for an audience.<br /><br />May you all maintain the key to being youthful!</div>Observations!http://www.blogger.com/profile/13113212508229796594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096464772199125812.post-83389385188017443812009-10-10T14:16:00.000-07:002009-10-10T18:53:47.227-07:00And then there's the children...<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StE5YRRFrPI/AAAAAAAAAG0/p5mKJjqMLUY/s1600-h/Addison_4_09.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391153318053915890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 186px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StE5YRRFrPI/AAAAAAAAAG0/p5mKJjqMLUY/s200/Addison_4_09.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StD9AnEI-iI/AAAAAAAAAE8/Z0vj1OuFcMI/s1600-h/ella_ilonnie_zia2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391086940890659362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StD9AnEI-iI/AAAAAAAAAE8/Z0vj1OuFcMI/s320/ella_ilonnie_zia2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StD6xm6XbRI/AAAAAAAAAEs/j8wiCQtn-V0/s1600-h/ilonnie.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391084484128369938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StD6xm6XbRI/AAAAAAAAAEs/j8wiCQtn-V0/s320/ilonnie.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br />The spirit of children help us to see all of the beauty that still exists in this world. They provide hope in our future and they set examples for unconditional love and acceptance. Such joy!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StD6THhPOTI/AAAAAAAAAEk/Dq5Y0abELSQ/s1600-h/beautiful.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391083960305400114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StD6THhPOTI/AAAAAAAAAEk/Dq5Y0abELSQ/s320/beautiful.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StD6THhPOTI/AAAAAAAAAEk/Dq5Y0abELSQ/s1600-h/beautiful.jpg"></a>Observations!http://www.blogger.com/profile/13113212508229796594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096464772199125812.post-54440022858962999162009-10-10T13:50:00.001-07:002009-10-11T14:40:24.087-07:00Beautiful Hands!I've always loved beautiful hands, especially men's hands. One day I spent the day taking the first four photos that I've <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StD384m7ImI/AAAAAAAAAEc/Ctk_NKNlbCU/s1600-h/Hand1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391081379322339938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StD384m7ImI/AAAAAAAAAEc/Ctk_NKNlbCU/s320/Hand1.jpg" border="0" /></a>posted here. I just love them!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StD2ruxfiUI/AAAAAAAAAEE/SghS-k4FR-Q/s1600-h/Hand3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391079985112910146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 209px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StD2ruxfiUI/AAAAAAAAAEE/SghS-k4FR-Q/s320/Hand3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391459136815818114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 236px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StJPhQ7w5YI/AAAAAAAAAIk/BW2mfYr7XRw/s320/Hand5.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391459543594094850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 270px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StJP48TQ0QI/AAAAAAAAAIs/TNmBhqG4Na8/s320/Hand4.jpg" border="0" /> <div><div><div></div>**************************************************<br /><div>I found the following photographs of hands on the Internet and enjoy their beauty and stories:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391453795854450882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 273px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StJKqYTWAMI/AAAAAAAAAHs/SUQ-pXeN9bE/s320/blanck_hands_holdingworld.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391457454245825858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 242px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StJN_U30TUI/AAAAAAAAAH8/9x2nse3x1_8/s320/oldhandsholding_cup.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StDzxlod0fI/AAAAAAAAADs/9h9xKSShTF0/s1600-h/scan0013.jpg"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391457905645590642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StJOZmd6GHI/AAAAAAAAAIE/Pf6cqiDILhY/s320/Pottery_hands.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391458148150237250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 232px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StJOnt3hWEI/AAAAAAAAAIM/641DN51MVVc/s320/old_hand_holdingbird.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391458516594452498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 286px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StJO9Kbd6BI/AAAAAAAAAIU/VrCNHxmqBVM/s320/henna_hands.jpg" border="0" /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br 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/><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Observations!http://www.blogger.com/profile/13113212508229796594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096464772199125812.post-88074524095961598752009-10-09T20:52:00.000-07:002009-10-10T13:33:40.938-07:00QualityI ask you, "When did the quality of shoes and clothing deteriorate to plastic and polyester, respectively"? I've noticed for several years now, that the mass produced women's merchandise found around the country in departments stores has degraded to cheaply made, ill fitting, disposable garbage! For example, I've been searching from New York to Los Angeles for a fashionable, comfortable shoes that are versatile enough to wear to both work and weekend evening wear. I thought when I went to New York in August that I would definitely find a "leather" shoe that would fit this description. Wrong! I searched the entire city, and found mostly plastic man-made materials that I found to be ugly and certainly not comfortable! When I returned to Los Angeles, I searched again and found that most shoes, even the designer shoes, were partially man-made material and some kind of plastic.<br /><br />When I was a young adult in New York in the late 60's early 70s, I shopped in Manhattan on 34th street and shoe store after shoe store, had shoes that were all leather, and made really well. Bloomingdales had fabulous leather shoes and they were stylish and gorgeous! If you go to Bloomdales now you will find that most of the shoes are partial leather and the rest man-made.<br /><br />I was also looking for some great tailored light-wool slacks for work, and I looked in Nordstroms recently, and many of the designers are constructing their clothes in polyester.<br /><br />If you've been paying attention to this trend, you will agree that this has been happening in all of the major department stores including Macy's, Nordstroms, Barney's, and even Saks, over the past decade.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the middle class woman doesn't have much to choose from in the major department stores across the country. Quality is just not a part of the new millenium!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFlfipSfeFI/StDuMDOSWbI/AAAAAAAAADU/mZWVboSdT84/s1600-h/Shoes.jpg"></a>Observations!http://www.blogger.com/profile/13113212508229796594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096464772199125812.post-30569366188856562962009-10-08T21:04:00.000-07:002009-10-08T21:06:32.597-07:00Never Again, Never Again...She sat quietly trying not to fidget. Her heart raced and her palms perspired and were cold as dead fish. This has been happening to her for over a decade now, and each time she tries to walk through the feelings bravely.<br /><br />People surrounded her, rushing in every direction with full focus and intention in their fast strides. “Breath in one, breath out two, breath in three,” she softly repeated to herself.<br /><br />It was time and she picked herself up out of the chair and walked as steady as she could, wondering if it was written all over her face and body language. She tried to blend, by maneuvering and using the common gestures of those that surrounded her.<br /><br /> The transition was familiar to her. She sat and looked out. “Everything’s OK, Everything’s OK. Please God let me have the middle free,” she murmured. Single file, one by one, they moved before her and moved beyond her. “Thank God, Thank God,” she sighed with some relief. Then there was one more person. “No, no, please keep walking. <br />P L E A S E keep walking,” she mumbled over and over, with her fists tightly clenched, and every muscle in her body held tight like a guitar string prior to breaking.<br /><br />He looked like Charlie Manson. His black shoulder length hair was dirty and disheveled, and his clothes were worn, torn, and dirty, as if he had been living in the wilderness for years. His eyes were black piercing spears, and they gave him a wild and insane presence.<br /><br />Charlie moved into place beside her, in the middle. She placed her head on the cold glass. The speed and vibration took over. It was very loud. Tears began to flow down her face. She looked at Charlie from her peripheral teary eyes, and saw that he was genuflecting the cross with his right hand to his forehead, then his chest, left shoulder, right shoulder, over and over, and at the same time he repeated “Fuck, Fuck, Oh Fuck”! <br /><br />Faster and faster, higher and higher, tears flowing, genuflection, and Fuck, Fuck, Fuck.<br />This continued for a good twenty minutes. Then it started. The sound of metal against metal, and the shaking up and down, shaking left and right, shaking, vibration, and noise. She gasped and hugged herself tightly. She lost her breathe and gasped again as the tears flowed into her hyperventilating open mouth. The red light was on. A child was crying loudly, and someone said, “It’s OK, it’s OK.”<br /><br />Charlie said, “Never again, never again. Oh shit, never again.” At that point she began to tremble uncontrollably. Charlie reached into his pocket and pulled out black rosary beads, and gently placed them in her hand. He called for help. Shake up and down; shake up and down, shake, shake, shake, and the metal grinding. The woman in a white starched shirt stood before them. Charlie asked for a blanket. <br /><br />He covered her trembling body with the blue blanket. She didn’t say a word. Up and down, shake left, shake right, metal squealing. He told her to hold the rosary beads tightly. He said that he had them his whole life and that they gave him good luck. Her head bobbed in and out on the glass like a buoy in the sea, and she didn’t try to adjust herself for comfort. She followed his instructions and held the rosary beads tightly. <br /> <br />Two hours of shaking, crying, noise, coldness, trembling, genuflecting, and Fuck, Fuck, Fuck. And then it was smooth. Slower, slower, slower, and down, down, down.<br />She moved her head from the window, and sat up straight and tried to collect her composure. She turned to Charlie and said, “Thank you for taking care of me. You’re a very kind man.” She handed him the black rosary beads. Charlie replied, “We fucking made it, but never again, never again.Observations!http://www.blogger.com/profile/13113212508229796594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096464772199125812.post-21015527411475794342009-10-08T20:25:00.000-07:002009-10-08T20:29:31.913-07:00Falling or Flying<span style="color:#3366ff;">Remembering the freedom<br />when your arms were easily<br />guided by the undercurrent<br />of my flight.<br /><br />Ah, the softness of your voice<br />blended with the wind,<br />was the music of my soul<br />under my spread wings.<br /><br />And the wind lifted us high,<br />where we viewed the sun<br />sprinkling the sea with crystals,<br />illuminating the route to Morro Castle.<br /><br />Your beautiful hands held<br />the dandelion as we danced<br />on the edge of the wind,<br />and we both watched in wonder.<br /><br />You held me close<br />and lightly brushed my hair aside,<br />and you gently whispered,<br />“Are we falling or flying”?</span>Observations!http://www.blogger.com/profile/13113212508229796594noreply@blogger.com0