Month: July 2007

  • cindys TUESDAY POLITICS

    So I guess you saw the YouTube Debates. It was really pretty clever and amusing and it would be nice to know who handpicked the videos of commonfolk asking questions by this incredibly popular new technology because they seemed to do a fairly evenhanded job as far as I could tell. It was kind of like watching the entertainment during half-time at the Super Bowl. Lots of ambience and foo-fah, lots of answers we’ve heard before with too few details, lots of good cheer. Some like the trusty Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel made Talking the Talk sound like something might actually change if they were in charge. Meanwhile, back at Democratic Rep John Conyers’ office on Capitol Hill, one citizen and her back-up for the day were Walking the Walk. Conyers is the House Judiciary Chairman who actually raised the possibility of impeachment more than a year ago. Today, however, chanting “What do we want? Impeachment. When do we want it? Now,” Cindy Sheehan et al were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, though they were likely to be released within hours after processing. Well, we all had good fun watching those debates. Hopefully, we’re all having a great summer. Lindsay Lohan just got arrested again and I’m betting we’ll see her face plastered on every news program and Entertainment Weekly type show for days to come. Gee, wonder if we’ll see any news about that arrest for Walking the Walk. With Congress approval rating at 21%, I’m guessing not. But it’s my birthday today, so that’s my wish. Just one peek at the Real News. Is that too much to ask? By the way, here’s that news item with lots of interesting comments to follow.

    Deep Thought:“If you ever feel like you’re on the verge of a nervous breakdown, just follow these simple rules: First, calm down; second, come over and wash my car; third, shine all my shoes. There, isn’t that better?”
    Today I am grateful for: The color red (which signifies so many things)
    Guess the Movie: “I know there is a law in life, that blood gets more blood as dog begets dog. Death generates death, as the vulture breeds the vulture! But the voice I heard today on the hill said, ‘Love your enemy. Do good to those who despitefully use you.’”  Answer:  Ben-Hur, 1959.
    Exploring a Surprising Link
    Between Obesity and Diet Soda
    Do unhealthy people drink diet soda? Does diet soda make people unhealthy? (Rest of article here.)

  • sleepySUNDAY GOOD NEWS

    Recently I watched the fairly humdrum video Peaceful Warrior, based on the book The Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman that came out in 1980 at the height of the self-help spirituality movement. It was a book I somehow missed reading in my flower child days so rather than “reading the book of the movie” I checked out another title from Millman, Everyday Enlightenment, from my local library. Right away in the first few chapters he gets to the bottom line of self-help (also emphasized by Scott Peck in The Road Less Traveled – what a surprise in 1978) – discipline. Self-help suggestions are kind of like religious suggestions – they all pretty much turn out to be the same common wisdom no matter what the source. The trick is to pick any one of them and Just Do It. That’s where discipline comes in. And you can separate folks who are focused from folks who are not usually by the array or disarray of their lives and personal emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health. And focus takes energy. With that in mind, here’s a list just out from WebMD via Redbook magazine of “22 ways to tackle life’s biggest energy zappers.” For the longer version with details click here. Happy Sunday.
    1. Have breakfast…even if you don’t feel hungry.
    2. Eat every three to four hours.
    3. Fill up on more fiber.
    4. Fuel your brain with omega-3s.
    5. Stay hydrated.
    6. Watch caffeine intake after noon.
    7. Splash some water on your face or take a shower when you’re feeling burned out.
    8. Suit up in a “power” outfit to beat the blahs.
    9. Vent your feelings.
    10. Turn on some tunes.
    11. Let go of grudges.
    12. Take belly breaths.
    13. De-clutter a corner.
    14. Do some good.
    15. Cut back on TV and computer time after 8 p.m.
    16. Hide your alarm clock.
    17. Give your pet his own separate sleeping space.
    18. Lower the thermostat.
    19. Skip the nightcap.
    20. Get your exercise.
    21. Follow the 15-minute rule.
    22. Write down your worries.

    Deep Thought: “Whenever I hear the sparrow chirping, watch the woodpecker chirp, catch a chirping trout, or listen to the sad howl of the chirp rat, I think: Oh boy! I’m going insane again.”
    Today I am grateful for: Coming from a reading generation.
    Guess the Movie:     “That’s what all these cripples down at the VA talk about: Jesus this
    and Jesus that. They even had a priest come and talk to me. He said God
    is listening and if I found Jesus, I’d get to walk beside him in the
    kingdom of Heaven. Did you hear what I said? WALK beside him in the
    kingdom of Heaven! Well kiss my crippled ass. God is listening? What a
    crock of shit.”  Answer:  Forrest Gump, 1994.  Winner:  soul_survivor.
    West Nile Virus Spreads Quickly, Killing California Woman
    (Rest of article here.)