I found this article ridiculous. MSNBC.com is where this article can be found. It is absolutely the most riduculous explanation for seeing unexplained things. Good grief.
I wouldn't even want my name associated with that article. I understand that in a lot of cases there are rational explanations, however, I have personally experienced some things that can not be rationalized away.
When I was 17, I was sitting in my Aunt's living room. Everyone else was outside, down by the lake, I was reading. I thought I heard something and when I looked up, I saw a large object floating into the living room from down the hall. It looked like a ball of light, about the size of a basketball. When it come close to the television, which was across the room from me, it kind of faded into the wall and disappeared.
I have never been in a psychotic state, used drugs and I certainly was not sleep deprived. I was just a teenager staying away from the parents. Just like some of the comments at the bottom of that page, if you don't believe, and you've never experienced it, then just go on not believing. If you have experienced it, you should not use denial to justify what you have seen or heard. Some people are more receptive to the paranormal activity, and I believe that is a gift.
A gift that could be used to help the rest of us understand the paranormal world. However, because there is really no way for us as human beings to PROVE beyond a shadow of a doubt that psychic ability exists, most of us deny that it exists.
Something I learned from watching X-files, is that for the believer, no proof is necessary and for the non-believer no proof is enough. It's a shame. I am very open minded. I would love to have more "experiences" than I have had. There have been more than just the one listed here. I actually have had an experience with an evil spirit that was "attached" to a chair that was in my home. It was hideous, but I digress. My point is, I have no proof. Some of you who read this will think I may be a little bit crazy, or that I am the riduculous one for believing that this stuff has actually happened to me.
To each his own, I say. And remember when your keys go missing, and you know for a FACT that you put them on the kitchen table before you went to bed, denial is your friend. You must have moved them in your sleep...or something like that. Just keep telling yourself that. Happy Halloween!!!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Perfect Courtship or Death by Cannabalism
So, since it is getting closer and closer to Halloween, which I have stated before is one of my favorite holidays, I am looking for some scary or just plain weird stuff to blog about. This time, I am going to blog about a close relative to the Black Widow Spider. I found this article also at msn.com science.
They call them Redbacks in Australia, but if you look at the photo – they look exactly like a Black Widow. This story relates the mating procedure of the Redback Spider, and how if the male does not do his courting to the specific desires of the large female, he is devoured by her.
Now, I am not much for cannibalism or murder, but it does make me stop and think for a minute, if all the idiots who had ever hit on me were dead, there would be a lot fewer idiots on the planet. Am I right ladies? I am kidding, it is just a thought not an action.
These poor male spiders are much smaller than the female, and they do not know until they have completed their mating ritual if they have performed to her satisfaction. "The male will exclusively remain on the female's abdomen and then will insert his intromittent organ and perform a copulatory somersault and the female will begin consuming him”, according to a researcher from the University of Toronto.
How sad is that? What is even worse is that the other males are waiting at the edge of her web to fight with each other for the opportunity to mate with her. Mate with her or die, which ever of the two.
They call them Redbacks in Australia, but if you look at the photo – they look exactly like a Black Widow. This story relates the mating procedure of the Redback Spider, and how if the male does not do his courting to the specific desires of the large female, he is devoured by her.
Now, I am not much for cannibalism or murder, but it does make me stop and think for a minute, if all the idiots who had ever hit on me were dead, there would be a lot fewer idiots on the planet. Am I right ladies? I am kidding, it is just a thought not an action.
These poor male spiders are much smaller than the female, and they do not know until they have completed their mating ritual if they have performed to her satisfaction. "The male will exclusively remain on the female's abdomen and then will insert his intromittent organ and perform a copulatory somersault and the female will begin consuming him”, according to a researcher from the University of Toronto.
How sad is that? What is even worse is that the other males are waiting at the edge of her web to fight with each other for the opportunity to mate with her. Mate with her or die, which ever of the two.
Get Paid to Rock the Gange
I find this story, located in the weird news section of msn.com, hilarious. I am not a pot smoker; however, I do not have a problem with people who do smoke – albeit illegal, but the consequences of that is on those who smoke it.
Anyhoo, I am having a hard time believing that this alternative newspaper is actually interviewing for someone to review the different types of marijuana. Someone is going to be paid to get high and then write about it. What a job! I can see some of you stereotypical young college students getting all excited about it now.
However, there are certain qualifications you must meet. The number one being that you must have a prescription for medical marijuana. The second, I would suppose, is that you would have to live in a state where this is considered legal.
This position will require travel, because not only do they want a critique of the marijuana, a review of the store where it is purchased is also on the to-do list. I can see it now: I have my script in my back pocket. My money and my i.d. in my front pocket. The back seat of my car loaded down with a cooler of Coca-cola, a bazillion bags of original Doritos, a pillow and a blanket.
I walk into the dispensary, toss down my script and get the high dollar honey-whatever-whatever. Sit down, light up and commence to get high on legal marijuana, in public. Then go to my car, have a Coke (and a smile!) eat a bag of Doritos and take a long drug induced nap.
I personally think that if it going to be legal at all, it should be completely legal, no prescription necessary. It, in my humble opinion, is less harmful to people in general than say getting intoxicated. Drinking and driving will get you (or someone else) killed. Smoking pot and driving, well, that just draws a lot of attention to you because you drive to slow and when you stop to get out – you stink to the heavens of what you have been smoking. Drinking and karaoke-ing, you think you sing better when you’re drunk and all you do is sing louder. Smoking and karaoke-ing, well, you just stand there and laugh at your dumba@@ self for even getting up to try it. When you drink too much, you pass out and wake up with a hangover. When you smoke too much, you fall into a deep deep sleep, and wake up with no ill effects.
I am just saying. In addition, I would like to say that I do not partake, but I do condone. I have a hard time believing that any herb, freely grown by Mother Nature should be made illegal by any government. However, there are other drugs that are derived from things that originally come from Mother Nature that have been mutilated and changed that should forever remain illegal. As well as those chemical concoctions, that druggies have come up with that can kill you with the first use.
Anyhoo, I am having a hard time believing that this alternative newspaper is actually interviewing for someone to review the different types of marijuana. Someone is going to be paid to get high and then write about it. What a job! I can see some of you stereotypical young college students getting all excited about it now.
However, there are certain qualifications you must meet. The number one being that you must have a prescription for medical marijuana. The second, I would suppose, is that you would have to live in a state where this is considered legal.
This position will require travel, because not only do they want a critique of the marijuana, a review of the store where it is purchased is also on the to-do list. I can see it now: I have my script in my back pocket. My money and my i.d. in my front pocket. The back seat of my car loaded down with a cooler of Coca-cola, a bazillion bags of original Doritos, a pillow and a blanket.
I walk into the dispensary, toss down my script and get the high dollar honey-whatever-whatever. Sit down, light up and commence to get high on legal marijuana, in public. Then go to my car, have a Coke (and a smile!) eat a bag of Doritos and take a long drug induced nap.
I personally think that if it going to be legal at all, it should be completely legal, no prescription necessary. It, in my humble opinion, is less harmful to people in general than say getting intoxicated. Drinking and driving will get you (or someone else) killed. Smoking pot and driving, well, that just draws a lot of attention to you because you drive to slow and when you stop to get out – you stink to the heavens of what you have been smoking. Drinking and karaoke-ing, you think you sing better when you’re drunk and all you do is sing louder. Smoking and karaoke-ing, well, you just stand there and laugh at your dumba@@ self for even getting up to try it. When you drink too much, you pass out and wake up with a hangover. When you smoke too much, you fall into a deep deep sleep, and wake up with no ill effects.
I am just saying. In addition, I would like to say that I do not partake, but I do condone. I have a hard time believing that any herb, freely grown by Mother Nature should be made illegal by any government. However, there are other drugs that are derived from things that originally come from Mother Nature that have been mutilated and changed that should forever remain illegal. As well as those chemical concoctions, that druggies have come up with that can kill you with the first use.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Passwords & Login Info
As I read this article, found at msn.com, I had two very strong feelings or ideas about this whole handing over of private information. Well, maybe three...I will count when I'm finished with the blog.
The first, and most prominent idea is "what in the world do these employers think they are doing?!". Asking for private login and password information seems to me that just asking for it should be against the law. Is that not an invasion of my privacy? As the article states, what's next? Giving them access to my sock drawer?
I can understand the employer asking for a list of all the sites that a person might be a member of, for the sake of researching their off-duty behavior. However, the login information is just a wee-bit of a stretch for my little mind.
The second idea I have: why on earth would ANY ONE give this information out? What are these people thinking when they hand over their login information? So, in my humble opinion, if you are dumb enough to hand over the info, well, you get what you so justly deserve.
The third idea is this: If you live your life so that you have nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed of, then you should have no problem at least letting your employer know what sights you are on, and what your user name is. If, for example you are Party Patty, then first of all, you probably don't deserve the job. Second of all, when you "face your maker" and your life is replayed - will you be ashamed?
I have small moments in my life that I am ashamed of. And you can bet your sweet patooty that I would not post anything on-line about those moments. No photos of anything but my children and grandchildren. And when I post about my life, I only post the good things. Those "bad" or embarrassing things, are no one's business but the people who were involved.
Ok, time to get off my soap box. Y'all have a nice day!
The first, and most prominent idea is "what in the world do these employers think they are doing?!". Asking for private login and password information seems to me that just asking for it should be against the law. Is that not an invasion of my privacy? As the article states, what's next? Giving them access to my sock drawer?
I can understand the employer asking for a list of all the sites that a person might be a member of, for the sake of researching their off-duty behavior. However, the login information is just a wee-bit of a stretch for my little mind.
The second idea I have: why on earth would ANY ONE give this information out? What are these people thinking when they hand over their login information? So, in my humble opinion, if you are dumb enough to hand over the info, well, you get what you so justly deserve.
The third idea is this: If you live your life so that you have nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed of, then you should have no problem at least letting your employer know what sights you are on, and what your user name is. If, for example you are Party Patty, then first of all, you probably don't deserve the job. Second of all, when you "face your maker" and your life is replayed - will you be ashamed?
I have small moments in my life that I am ashamed of. And you can bet your sweet patooty that I would not post anything on-line about those moments. No photos of anything but my children and grandchildren. And when I post about my life, I only post the good things. Those "bad" or embarrassing things, are no one's business but the people who were involved.
Ok, time to get off my soap box. Y'all have a nice day!
Emotions....
This article found at msn.com definitely sparked an interest.
However, after reading it, I find that it really isn't about being "happier sad". It is more about allowing yourself to feel your feelings. Not just the fear in my opinion, but any feeling.
In my experience, it is hard for me to show (in public) any emotion other than happy. Even when I am at home, I really do not allow any emotion other than happiness. I even complain with a smile on my face. As many of you know, if you have read some of the things I have written, I am in a 12-step recovery group.
It is Al-anon, and thanks to this group, I have found that it is just fine to feel however I feel about anything. No matter what others might think, say or do about how I am feeling, they are MY feelings, and I have a right to them.
Confusion and fear are hard for me. Those two emotions cause tears, and I do not like to cry in front of anyone. (Worst of all, my eyes swell up something terrible when I cry for any period of time.) In the last few days, I have had some sad things happen, no details to be provided, but I have spent two days crying like a baby. In front of my family, in front of my friends, at both of my jobs, and you know what? It didn't hurt. It didn't hurt me or any one who witnessed it. As a matter of fact, it evoked emotions in others. I found support and love in my grief. It is amazing.
Today, while I am still sad, and I still tear up, I know that I have friends, family and co-workers who want to let me feel my feelings so that I can heal.
However, after reading it, I find that it really isn't about being "happier sad". It is more about allowing yourself to feel your feelings. Not just the fear in my opinion, but any feeling.
In my experience, it is hard for me to show (in public) any emotion other than happy. Even when I am at home, I really do not allow any emotion other than happiness. I even complain with a smile on my face. As many of you know, if you have read some of the things I have written, I am in a 12-step recovery group.
It is Al-anon, and thanks to this group, I have found that it is just fine to feel however I feel about anything. No matter what others might think, say or do about how I am feeling, they are MY feelings, and I have a right to them.
Confusion and fear are hard for me. Those two emotions cause tears, and I do not like to cry in front of anyone. (Worst of all, my eyes swell up something terrible when I cry for any period of time.) In the last few days, I have had some sad things happen, no details to be provided, but I have spent two days crying like a baby. In front of my family, in front of my friends, at both of my jobs, and you know what? It didn't hurt. It didn't hurt me or any one who witnessed it. As a matter of fact, it evoked emotions in others. I found support and love in my grief. It is amazing.
Today, while I am still sad, and I still tear up, I know that I have friends, family and co-workers who want to let me feel my feelings so that I can heal.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Haunted House - so SCARY that you get your money back!
Found this one on Snopes.com. I know it isn't news, but being that it is October, and Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, I wanted to share.
If you read the article referenced above, you will see that according to snopes.com, there is no such place as the "haunted house so scary that if you make it all the way through you get your money back". Boy am I disappointed. I have heard for most of my adult life that I needed to get up to Kansas City MO in October, and tour this mythical haunted house, and have always wanted to go!
Personally, I find most of the haunted attractions around Joplin disgusting, not scary. I'm not into blood and gore. I like mind tricks, like the power of suggestion. Or being startled so good that I scream.
I remember a haunted house I went through when I was sixteen. The scariest part of the whole gory mess was the upstairs. They had a maze, with a strobe light and the theme music from the original Halloween movie. I was so scared I almost peed my pants. Michael Myers terrifies me, because the first time I watched that movie I was about five years old, it kind of stuck with me. Funny thing about that floor of the haunted house - it was only music and a maze, nothing jumped out and got me. There was no Michael Myers. (The power of suggestion!) And, to date, that is still the scariest haunted house I have ever been in.
I have been in the Raycliff Manor. I must say, it was off season, so I wasn't really in the right mood, but we went because they were raising money for a good cause. Anyhow, they startled me A LOT. I screamed often, and then, because they were succeeding in startling me, they picked on me for most of the walk through. Those actors are awesome at their jobs. It is a good place to go, if you like being startled, and not grossed out. They even tell a little story that goes along with it. (I'm not trying to "plug" Raycliff Manor. Please don't take it that way.)
Back to the original storyline; I watch a lot of educational television, and I remember last year (I don't remember which channel); one of them ran a series of "Scariest Spook Houses" or something like that. The scariest one I saw, I believe use to be in New Orleans. From what I could tell, it was like walking through an old abandoned home that friends of Rob Zombie had lived in. Then, even though it appeared abandoned, there were actors inside just waiting to scare you. They showed a girl that actually came out of the last door having peed her pants, and another middle aged man had to be taken by ambulance to the emergency room because he had a heart attack. (Whether or not it was induced by the trip the haunted house, one will never know. However, I'm sure the owners of the haunted house liked that for advertisement.) This particular place was shut down because certain citizens believed it to be ran by Satanists, and complained to the city officials. Sad. I would like to have gone there.
Anyhow, as you can tell, I really enjoy the Halloween season. I throw a party every year, and every year my costume gets scarier and scarier. I love it. People don't recognize me; therefore I can become an actor as well. It is so much fun.
Happy Haunting!!
If you read the article referenced above, you will see that according to snopes.com, there is no such place as the "haunted house so scary that if you make it all the way through you get your money back". Boy am I disappointed. I have heard for most of my adult life that I needed to get up to Kansas City MO in October, and tour this mythical haunted house, and have always wanted to go!
Personally, I find most of the haunted attractions around Joplin disgusting, not scary. I'm not into blood and gore. I like mind tricks, like the power of suggestion. Or being startled so good that I scream.
I remember a haunted house I went through when I was sixteen. The scariest part of the whole gory mess was the upstairs. They had a maze, with a strobe light and the theme music from the original Halloween movie. I was so scared I almost peed my pants. Michael Myers terrifies me, because the first time I watched that movie I was about five years old, it kind of stuck with me. Funny thing about that floor of the haunted house - it was only music and a maze, nothing jumped out and got me. There was no Michael Myers. (The power of suggestion!) And, to date, that is still the scariest haunted house I have ever been in.
I have been in the Raycliff Manor. I must say, it was off season, so I wasn't really in the right mood, but we went because they were raising money for a good cause. Anyhow, they startled me A LOT. I screamed often, and then, because they were succeeding in startling me, they picked on me for most of the walk through. Those actors are awesome at their jobs. It is a good place to go, if you like being startled, and not grossed out. They even tell a little story that goes along with it. (I'm not trying to "plug" Raycliff Manor. Please don't take it that way.)
Back to the original storyline; I watch a lot of educational television, and I remember last year (I don't remember which channel); one of them ran a series of "Scariest Spook Houses" or something like that. The scariest one I saw, I believe use to be in New Orleans. From what I could tell, it was like walking through an old abandoned home that friends of Rob Zombie had lived in. Then, even though it appeared abandoned, there were actors inside just waiting to scare you. They showed a girl that actually came out of the last door having peed her pants, and another middle aged man had to be taken by ambulance to the emergency room because he had a heart attack. (Whether or not it was induced by the trip the haunted house, one will never know. However, I'm sure the owners of the haunted house liked that for advertisement.) This particular place was shut down because certain citizens believed it to be ran by Satanists, and complained to the city officials. Sad. I would like to have gone there.
Anyhow, as you can tell, I really enjoy the Halloween season. I throw a party every year, and every year my costume gets scarier and scarier. I love it. People don't recognize me; therefore I can become an actor as well. It is so much fun.
Happy Haunting!!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Teen suicide
An article addressing teen suicide and suicide prevention found here at msn.com, just makes me sad. As I read this article, I think about my kids, and how lucky I am that they didn’t try to take their own lives in the midst of the mess of a family life that they grew up in.
For the teens that are actually talking about this, I am happy for all the kids that have begun to discuss this subject, and are getting help for their depression. I understand that this subject is taboo, and it is very hard to talk about. However, as a member of a 12-step recovery group, I can tell you from personal experience sharing what you are going through, be it real or perceived, can really help you to get through it.
Knowing that someone else has had the same thoughts, feelings, or experiences, and they made it through to the other side has a deep impact on my personal life. I have realized in the last few years that I am not the only one who ever married an alcoholic. (duh!) I am not the only one who put up with such emotional abuse for longer than necessary. I also, am not the only one who has ever contemplated how to end the life of said alcoholic, or how to end my own life in order to stop the suffering. I have learned during my recovery that no matter how insane those things sound to a “normal” person, to a person who has shared the same life experiences, those things are just a reaction to an insane lifestyle.
FYI: I never followed through on any of those thoughts. Thank God! Today, I can not imagine ever feeling those feelings. And I know that those teens who are sharing their experience, strength and hope with each other will have success as well. They will get through these feelings, and come out on the other side stronger people for it. Hopefully, with those strong young people growing into stronger adults, our nation will once again become a great nation, led by great people.
For the teens that are actually talking about this, I am happy for all the kids that have begun to discuss this subject, and are getting help for their depression. I understand that this subject is taboo, and it is very hard to talk about. However, as a member of a 12-step recovery group, I can tell you from personal experience sharing what you are going through, be it real or perceived, can really help you to get through it.
Knowing that someone else has had the same thoughts, feelings, or experiences, and they made it through to the other side has a deep impact on my personal life. I have realized in the last few years that I am not the only one who ever married an alcoholic. (duh!) I am not the only one who put up with such emotional abuse for longer than necessary. I also, am not the only one who has ever contemplated how to end the life of said alcoholic, or how to end my own life in order to stop the suffering. I have learned during my recovery that no matter how insane those things sound to a “normal” person, to a person who has shared the same life experiences, those things are just a reaction to an insane lifestyle.
FYI: I never followed through on any of those thoughts. Thank God! Today, I can not imagine ever feeling those feelings. And I know that those teens who are sharing their experience, strength and hope with each other will have success as well. They will get through these feelings, and come out on the other side stronger people for it. Hopefully, with those strong young people growing into stronger adults, our nation will once again become a great nation, led by great people.
Stay at home moms
This article at msn.com is just a short little note on what the 2007 census showed stay at home moms to be. I was never able to be a stay at home mom; I could not afford to keep a roof over my family’s head, nor food on the table if I had not worked for a living. My husband also worked.
We were barely able to provide for our family with two incomes. I cannot imagine having a single income, and trying to keep up. Life is hard enough without having financial troubles as well. And these women, these stay at home moms who, according to the census are younger, less educated and more likely to have more children, have an envious position in my opinion.
As I look back over the life I gave my children, I always wonder how it would have been if I had stayed home to take care of them, instead of always hiring day care centers and baby sitters so that we could have material things. Granted the material things were not luxurious, they were most definitely needs, but still, one cannot help but wonder “what might have been.”
If any of you have read my paper number one for the English class we are in, you will know that the family life that was provided for me and my children was not at all an easy one. Part of my thought process on this “stay at home mom” thing is this: Could it have been better? If I had joined the ranks of all the stay at home moms, of whom a large number are on state aid, would things have been better? I would most definitely would have had to be on state aid, would that have been better? Would raising my family on state aid make them think that they wouldn’t have to work for a living? That they can just keep having babies, and letting other people pay their way?
Would they have still grown up to be the responsible adults they are today? Would they have grown up with a better attitude toward life, if I had been home to love them? None of the answers will ever be found, as all these things are “If only’s”. I do not dwell on them. However, I do occasionally wonder…..
We were barely able to provide for our family with two incomes. I cannot imagine having a single income, and trying to keep up. Life is hard enough without having financial troubles as well. And these women, these stay at home moms who, according to the census are younger, less educated and more likely to have more children, have an envious position in my opinion.
As I look back over the life I gave my children, I always wonder how it would have been if I had stayed home to take care of them, instead of always hiring day care centers and baby sitters so that we could have material things. Granted the material things were not luxurious, they were most definitely needs, but still, one cannot help but wonder “what might have been.”
If any of you have read my paper number one for the English class we are in, you will know that the family life that was provided for me and my children was not at all an easy one. Part of my thought process on this “stay at home mom” thing is this: Could it have been better? If I had joined the ranks of all the stay at home moms, of whom a large number are on state aid, would things have been better? I would most definitely would have had to be on state aid, would that have been better? Would raising my family on state aid make them think that they wouldn’t have to work for a living? That they can just keep having babies, and letting other people pay their way?
Would they have still grown up to be the responsible adults they are today? Would they have grown up with a better attitude toward life, if I had been home to love them? None of the answers will ever be found, as all these things are “If only’s”. I do not dwell on them. However, I do occasionally wonder…..
Marge Simpson on the cover of Playboy!
Holy cow! Marge Simpson is posing for Playboy! I cannot believe it! Read the whole article here at Yahoonews.com.
My first reaction to this, is how completely cute. I have always thought of the Playboy magazine as one of the most tasteful “nudie” magazines out there. I have actually read some of the articles in them myself. The pictures however, really do not do much for me. The last time I read one was because Stephen King had written a story (or been interviewed, I really cannot remember).
My second reaction to this is, Wow! A cartoon character in a nudie mag! What they won’t do to sell a magazine. And seriously, will this sell the magazine? Their sales have been down quite a bit according the article, since about 2006. But a cartoon character? And of all characters, Marge Simpson? Why not Jessica Rabbit, or Betty Boop, a character with sex appeal? I do not know any thing about selling nudie magazines. Actually, I don’t know much about nudie magazines at all.
Anyway, Marge is the first cartoon character to be on the cover of the men’s magazine. She has been given a full interview and the centerfold, just as if she were a human being. The cover picture shows Marge sitting in a Playboy bunny chair; this is not the first time this pose has been used. In 1971, the very first black woman to be the “center of attention”. The people of the magazine thought that the readers would get a kick out of it. Which I am sure they will.
I really have nothing more on the subject, except this: “You Go Marge!”
My first reaction to this, is how completely cute. I have always thought of the Playboy magazine as one of the most tasteful “nudie” magazines out there. I have actually read some of the articles in them myself. The pictures however, really do not do much for me. The last time I read one was because Stephen King had written a story (or been interviewed, I really cannot remember).
My second reaction to this is, Wow! A cartoon character in a nudie mag! What they won’t do to sell a magazine. And seriously, will this sell the magazine? Their sales have been down quite a bit according the article, since about 2006. But a cartoon character? And of all characters, Marge Simpson? Why not Jessica Rabbit, or Betty Boop, a character with sex appeal? I do not know any thing about selling nudie magazines. Actually, I don’t know much about nudie magazines at all.
Anyway, Marge is the first cartoon character to be on the cover of the men’s magazine. She has been given a full interview and the centerfold, just as if she were a human being. The cover picture shows Marge sitting in a Playboy bunny chair; this is not the first time this pose has been used. In 1971, the very first black woman to be the “center of attention”. The people of the magazine thought that the readers would get a kick out of it. Which I am sure they will.
I really have nothing more on the subject, except this: “You Go Marge!”
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Student loan forgiveness?
I found this article at msn.com very interesting as I have accepted many student loans in the last year or so.
I find it very difficult not to accept those loans, even though I know that when I graduate they will all become due. So the article I have linked above means a lot to me. I had no idea that there would be so many ways to find help paying them back. We can do volunteer work, and meet certain requirements through those volunteer programs and earn education credits. Some of these credits can be used to pay off old student loan debt, and some can be used to start a new education.
Of course, there is also the old standby, that if you are currently employed in your field of choice, that your employer will pay for your education. I have that option available to me, but I do not want to feel any obligation to the current employer, as I do not intend to stay once my education is complete.
There is a spot in the article that talks about if you are employed in your field of choice for ten years, then your debt can be forgiven. Would that not be awesome! As I said earlier, I have a lot of student debt already and have only been in a school for a little over a year.
I for one am already looking into ways to help alleviate the student loan burden and this article has helped me to do that.
I find it very difficult not to accept those loans, even though I know that when I graduate they will all become due. So the article I have linked above means a lot to me. I had no idea that there would be so many ways to find help paying them back. We can do volunteer work, and meet certain requirements through those volunteer programs and earn education credits. Some of these credits can be used to pay off old student loan debt, and some can be used to start a new education.
Of course, there is also the old standby, that if you are currently employed in your field of choice, that your employer will pay for your education. I have that option available to me, but I do not want to feel any obligation to the current employer, as I do not intend to stay once my education is complete.
There is a spot in the article that talks about if you are employed in your field of choice for ten years, then your debt can be forgiven. Would that not be awesome! As I said earlier, I have a lot of student debt already and have only been in a school for a little over a year.
I for one am already looking into ways to help alleviate the student loan burden and this article has helped me to do that.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Health care problem
This article also located at Forbes.com is very interesting, especially for us older folk. I know that I have a tendency to ignore just about every pain my body experiences. Then I fear for what may really be wrong with my body. However, without insurance, there is really nothing I can do.
I suppose I could go see the D.O. at North Park Mall. But the thing is, if there is really something wrong, he will have to send me for “those tests”. Those tests being the ones that for some reason or another cost tens of thousands of dollars. Most of those tests would be un-necessary because what ever may be wrong would be found only by one test, and probably with my luck, the last test that is done.
I am not trying to whine about my personal situation, I just want to make it clear that we, as a nation, are facing some pretty serious problems in health care. Also, locally, we have a serious situation with our insurance companies and hospitals. Right here in the four states, there is a specific hospital that actually tells the insurance companies that they do business with, that if they (the insurance co.) do business with the other local hospital, they will terminate their contract.
This is unfair to the consumer, what if I have had the same doctor for ten years, and then change jobs and medical coverage? Then because of this problem, I have to find a new doctor who practices in a different hospital. OR I have to pay a premium price (penalty) for going to a physician out of network.
I suppose I could go see the D.O. at North Park Mall. But the thing is, if there is really something wrong, he will have to send me for “those tests”. Those tests being the ones that for some reason or another cost tens of thousands of dollars. Most of those tests would be un-necessary because what ever may be wrong would be found only by one test, and probably with my luck, the last test that is done.
I am not trying to whine about my personal situation, I just want to make it clear that we, as a nation, are facing some pretty serious problems in health care. Also, locally, we have a serious situation with our insurance companies and hospitals. Right here in the four states, there is a specific hospital that actually tells the insurance companies that they do business with, that if they (the insurance co.) do business with the other local hospital, they will terminate their contract.
This is unfair to the consumer, what if I have had the same doctor for ten years, and then change jobs and medical coverage? Then because of this problem, I have to find a new doctor who practices in a different hospital. OR I have to pay a premium price (penalty) for going to a physician out of network.
Swine Flu Shot?
Swine Flu article found at Forbes.com. Hmm…I have to wonder, all this fuss over the Swine Flu. The “regular” flu also causes death, but you never see such a blow out on the news about it. Oh, there was that one year when there was a shortage of vaccinations against it, and THAT was blown out of proportion by the media, but other than that, there really is no big deal made about it.
I think that this whole perception of the swine flu being such a threat is just a way for the government to keep intelligent people from being able to keep up with the news that matters. (Conspiracy theory? Yes, I cannot think of anything else to write about!)
Think back a couple of years when that ridiculous blonde woman who died of an overdose was in the new twenty-four/seven. Did any of you care that much about a meaningless meth-head who had some sort of fame? I did not. I cannot even remember her name or what she was famous for, but it kept the media dealing us fodder for months!
That is just the government/medias way of performing a very well known parlor trick. You watch this hand over here, pay attention very closely…and you will not be able to see what the other hand is doing, and it is likely you are going to get “played”. Mostly, we will probably never know what they are hiding from us, but whatever it is, in a hundred years when our grand children’s grand children find out, they will probably laugh and ask why this information was hidden from the generation that it truly affected.
I think that this whole perception of the swine flu being such a threat is just a way for the government to keep intelligent people from being able to keep up with the news that matters. (Conspiracy theory? Yes, I cannot think of anything else to write about!)
Think back a couple of years when that ridiculous blonde woman who died of an overdose was in the new twenty-four/seven. Did any of you care that much about a meaningless meth-head who had some sort of fame? I did not. I cannot even remember her name or what she was famous for, but it kept the media dealing us fodder for months!
That is just the government/medias way of performing a very well known parlor trick. You watch this hand over here, pay attention very closely…and you will not be able to see what the other hand is doing, and it is likely you are going to get “played”. Mostly, we will probably never know what they are hiding from us, but whatever it is, in a hundred years when our grand children’s grand children find out, they will probably laugh and ask why this information was hidden from the generation that it truly affected.
I don't wanna grow up. I just wanna be a kid.
I thought this article at MSN careers would be fun to write about. Being a kid again, never grow up that’s me. (This coming from an accountant studying to become a CPA.) As I read over all the jobs listed that could make you feel young again, I have been reminded of movies that I loved as a kid, and one of my current part time jobs.
I remember watching Tom Hanks in the movie, and how I thought that’s what I would want. I wanted to be a grown up, so I could work and “do what ever I wanted to when ever I wanted to”. I can remember my parents laughing when I would say that, and now I know why they found it so funny.
Just because we “grow up”, doesn’t mean that we FINALLY get to do what we want to when we want to. It means we have a different set of responsibilities. No longer does just going to school and hanging out with friends cut it. Now we have to work, most of us at least 40 hours a week, to be able to pay the mortgage (or rent) and utilities.
On the outside, we still have to be the responsible adult. But on the inside, where it counts, we can be as young as we want to be. I find that I can act like the kid I wish I were when I sing karaoke on Thursday nights down at J3STERS, or on Halloween, when I can dress up and act silly. Of course, you cannot forget the magic of Christmas that always brings out the child in me.
Still, on the daily basis I have to be a grown up. In addition, turning back the hands of time is not an option. I will never want to be a video game/toy tester. I will never want to work at a concert – any concert, any job, NO WAY. I enjoy being an accountant, and I savor those small moments when I get to behave like a child.
I remember watching Tom Hanks in the movie, and how I thought that’s what I would want. I wanted to be a grown up, so I could work and “do what ever I wanted to when ever I wanted to”. I can remember my parents laughing when I would say that, and now I know why they found it so funny.
Just because we “grow up”, doesn’t mean that we FINALLY get to do what we want to when we want to. It means we have a different set of responsibilities. No longer does just going to school and hanging out with friends cut it. Now we have to work, most of us at least 40 hours a week, to be able to pay the mortgage (or rent) and utilities.
On the outside, we still have to be the responsible adult. But on the inside, where it counts, we can be as young as we want to be. I find that I can act like the kid I wish I were when I sing karaoke on Thursday nights down at J3STERS, or on Halloween, when I can dress up and act silly. Of course, you cannot forget the magic of Christmas that always brings out the child in me.
Still, on the daily basis I have to be a grown up. In addition, turning back the hands of time is not an option. I will never want to be a video game/toy tester. I will never want to work at a concert – any concert, any job, NO WAY. I enjoy being an accountant, and I savor those small moments when I get to behave like a child.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
A new look at human evolution
Amazing! I discovered this article on MSNBC.com and I truly hope you read it. I have always been a believer in evolution, and Darwin’s theory inspired a deep interest in how humans really “evolved”. In this article, you will see that evolution does not mean that we evolved from some sort of monkey or ape, but that humans and apes have a common ancestor.
My personal thoughts on human evolution have been challenged recently in my biology class. Due to the fact that, while I do believe humans evolved, I could never articulate my beliefs on the matter in such a way as to not sound like I was saying we evolved from monkeys. My beliefs were that we came from some common creature that as time went by, some of these “ancestors” evolved and changed and become apes, and some evolved into what we now call human.
This article really places a firm foundation under my beliefs now, and I feel that when I speak of evolution now, I can refer back to both Darwin’s theory, and now the discovery of Ardi, “a hominid who lived 4.4 million years ago in what is now Ethiopia”.
“In Ardipithecus we have an unspecialized form that hasn’t evolved very far in the direction of Australopithecus. So when you go from head to toe, you’re seeing a mosaic creature that is neither chimpanzee, nor is it human. It is Ardipithecus,” said Tim White, director of the Human Evolution Research Center at the University of California, Berkeley.
Ardi is 1 million years older than Lucy, whose remains were also found in Africa. Until the discovery of Ardi, Lucy was the oldest skeleton discovered and studied. Ardi is not the common ancestor of humans and apes, but he is as close as we can get today. He is a huge discovery for the study of human evolution.
My personal thoughts on human evolution have been challenged recently in my biology class. Due to the fact that, while I do believe humans evolved, I could never articulate my beliefs on the matter in such a way as to not sound like I was saying we evolved from monkeys. My beliefs were that we came from some common creature that as time went by, some of these “ancestors” evolved and changed and become apes, and some evolved into what we now call human.
This article really places a firm foundation under my beliefs now, and I feel that when I speak of evolution now, I can refer back to both Darwin’s theory, and now the discovery of Ardi, “a hominid who lived 4.4 million years ago in what is now Ethiopia”.
“In Ardipithecus we have an unspecialized form that hasn’t evolved very far in the direction of Australopithecus. So when you go from head to toe, you’re seeing a mosaic creature that is neither chimpanzee, nor is it human. It is Ardipithecus,” said Tim White, director of the Human Evolution Research Center at the University of California, Berkeley.
Ardi is 1 million years older than Lucy, whose remains were also found in Africa. Until the discovery of Ardi, Lucy was the oldest skeleton discovered and studied. Ardi is not the common ancestor of humans and apes, but he is as close as we can get today. He is a huge discovery for the study of human evolution.
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