A man named Alec Brownstein has managed to change his life with $6. As a man on the job hunt, Alec chose a very creative way to market himself to creative directors over the Internet. An admitted self googler, Mr. Brownstein bought the rights to some of his favorite directors and paid $.15 a click to add a link when their names were googled. He chose "Hey, (creative directors name) googling yourself is a lot of fun. Hiring me is fun, too." And then he posted a link to his web site alecbrownstein.com
He was contacted by all but one of the directors he did this to and was eventually hired by two of them.
Pretty amazing if you ask me! I am definitely impressed that he would think of something so cool. It also seems as though it paid off for him and gave him 15 minutes of fame at the same time.
I am not as creative as this gentleman, in fact I can't really think of anyone I know who is this creative! I say he deserves all the notoriety he can get and if those companies who hired him don't treat him well, there will be another in line to hire him from now on. Imagine what he could do for your business is he was in charge of marketing??
Friday, May 14, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
My first 5K
On May 15th, myself and plenty of others will be running (or walking) in a 5K event for the Joplin Family YMCA. The event is in honor of our Armed Forces, and is open to anyone member or non who would like to sign up.
I am running to honor my Grandfather, who was in the Navy in WWII. I have never ran (or walked) in an organized 5K before, so this is a very exciting event for me. 5K is actually just over 3 miles, so it isn't as bad as it sounds.
In the spirit or the day, I have recruited several other people to run with me. So far I have 7 other first timers willing to chug along with me on this early May morning. They are all pretty excited too. We will not be among the first to cross the finish line, but we will finish!
I read that most marathoners are most excited about the t shirt you get for finishing, and I must admit that proudly sporting a finishing 5K and then hopefully a half marathon and eventually a full marathon (26.2 miles!!) is definitely a motivating factor for me!
I am running to honor my Grandfather, who was in the Navy in WWII. I have never ran (or walked) in an organized 5K before, so this is a very exciting event for me. 5K is actually just over 3 miles, so it isn't as bad as it sounds.
In the spirit or the day, I have recruited several other people to run with me. So far I have 7 other first timers willing to chug along with me on this early May morning. They are all pretty excited too. We will not be among the first to cross the finish line, but we will finish!
I read that most marathoners are most excited about the t shirt you get for finishing, and I must admit that proudly sporting a finishing 5K and then hopefully a half marathon and eventually a full marathon (26.2 miles!!) is definitely a motivating factor for me!
Intimate Body Scanning
An Miami airport security guard has been arrested for assaulting another guard. The source of the scuffle can be traced back to the body scanner used in security screening. Apparently, the guard who was assaulted taunted his attacker repeatedly about the size of his personal body parts. He saw these parts on the image from the body scanner. Civil liberty and privacy issues are coming to light over how closely the images show the body of people being scanned. The images are deleted and never recorded once the person being searched leaves the scanner.
I was concerned when I read this story. I did not know that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) used technology that was this intense. It is almost scary to think that you can be viewed this closely without even knowing it. I understand the need for increased security measures, but I am also a modest person who doesn't exactly fancy the idea of being naked in public...even if it is a simulated image.
I think this story is very sad. For someone to violently attack another is inexcusable. That being said, I can also see how humiliating it could be for a co worker to basically see you naked and to have to be tormented because of it is not only an invasion of privacy, but inexcusable as well. There will be no happy ending in this case, that's for sure.
I was concerned when I read this story. I did not know that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) used technology that was this intense. It is almost scary to think that you can be viewed this closely without even knowing it. I understand the need for increased security measures, but I am also a modest person who doesn't exactly fancy the idea of being naked in public...even if it is a simulated image.
I think this story is very sad. For someone to violently attack another is inexcusable. That being said, I can also see how humiliating it could be for a co worker to basically see you naked and to have to be tormented because of it is not only an invasion of privacy, but inexcusable as well. There will be no happy ending in this case, that's for sure.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Another flight disturbed by threats
In addition to the recent blog I wrote about the man who sprayed water on fellow passengers en route to his destination, another man has decided to freak out during flight. This time, Derek Stansberry, was on board a flight from Paris, France to Atlanta, Georgia and told the flight crew that he had a bomb in his backpack and was going to press the detonator device and blow up the plane. He later said he had taken 8 Ambien tablets and that is why he said those untrue things. He later said he only took one tablet. Two Doctors were consulted in the article and both agreed that Mr. Stansberry was probably not influenced to say those things because he said them in the context of where he was in real time and that is not consistent with Ambien side affects.
This story is not very original. To blame your actions on someone or something else is taking the easy way out.
Whoa. This is an unfortunate side effect of a medicated America. If there weren't so many different medications out there, it is possible that people who make terrorist threats wouldn't have a medication to blame it on. Or, he would probably just try to blame it on something else.
This story is not very original. To blame your actions on someone or something else is taking the easy way out.
Whoa. This is an unfortunate side effect of a medicated America. If there weren't so many different medications out there, it is possible that people who make terrorist threats wouldn't have a medication to blame it on. Or, he would probably just try to blame it on something else.
Possible new pet
My beloved dog of 14 years, Gizmo, was the best pet I could have asked for. He became very disoriented in his last year and also had a lot of arthritis pain. I made the choice to have him put to sleep because I loved him enough to want to release him from his pain. It was a very hard decision and one that I struggled with for a long time. The vet was so kind and made the process a lot easier to deal with. They even made a paw print in clay for me to take home. We buried him on our land so that he will always be near.
It has been a few months and I am considering adopting a dog. I am torn about what to do because I almost feel as though I would be "replacing" Gizmo, and that's not what I want to do. If I did get a new pet, it would be because I want to love it and give it a great life.
My sister has a miniature poodle/bichon mix that she has had for about two years. Her name is Gracie and she is so full of energy and love. My nieces and nephew are all young and not able to care for her on their own. Lately my sister has been talking about giving her away and I would love to have her! I think she would love living on the farm and I can give her all the attention she deserves.
Now the only thing I have to do is talk Ryan into it...
It has been a few months and I am considering adopting a dog. I am torn about what to do because I almost feel as though I would be "replacing" Gizmo, and that's not what I want to do. If I did get a new pet, it would be because I want to love it and give it a great life.
My sister has a miniature poodle/bichon mix that she has had for about two years. Her name is Gracie and she is so full of energy and love. My nieces and nephew are all young and not able to care for her on their own. Lately my sister has been talking about giving her away and I would love to have her! I think she would love living on the farm and I can give her all the attention she deserves.
Now the only thing I have to do is talk Ryan into it...
Morbid motorcycle rider
As sad as death is, a family in Puerto Rico has found a very memorable way to honor their recently deceased family member. 22 year old David Morales Colon was the victim of a shooting last Thursday, April 22nd and his family chose to have him embalmed and posed on his beloved motorcycle during his 3 day wake. He was placed in the cruising position bearing down on the engine and is wearing street attire with a hat and sunglasses. Critics are speaking up about whether this is what the deceased would have wanted.
When I first read this story it was hard to believe it was true, but after seeing the video feed and researching it a little more I found the story to be true. I am happy that the family was able to "honor" Mr. Colon's memory in a way they felt would represent him. I am a little shocked at the way they chose to do it, though.
When you lose someone, it is a very hard process. If you can ease the pain even just a tiny bit by showing them in a way that you feel fits them, then who is anyone to judge? Mr. Colon was buried in a traditional casket at the conclusion of his wake, so really the only thing out of the ordinary about this situation is the manner in which the family chose to portray him during the wake itself. While researching, I found another story about the same funeral home, in which the family chose to have their loved one standing up. My only concern is where will this end? After all, the dead are not puppets that can just be manipulated to entertain.
When I first read this story it was hard to believe it was true, but after seeing the video feed and researching it a little more I found the story to be true. I am happy that the family was able to "honor" Mr. Colon's memory in a way they felt would represent him. I am a little shocked at the way they chose to do it, though.
When you lose someone, it is a very hard process. If you can ease the pain even just a tiny bit by showing them in a way that you feel fits them, then who is anyone to judge? Mr. Colon was buried in a traditional casket at the conclusion of his wake, so really the only thing out of the ordinary about this situation is the manner in which the family chose to portray him during the wake itself. While researching, I found another story about the same funeral home, in which the family chose to have their loved one standing up. My only concern is where will this end? After all, the dead are not puppets that can just be manipulated to entertain.
Friday, April 23, 2010
I would like the firing squad, please
Ronnie Lee Gardner, a death row inmate in the state of Utah will soon get his wish. He is choosing to be put to death by a 5 man firing squad. The law has changed since then that does not allow future inmates to choose death in this manner, but since this man had already chosen it, he can still be put to death this way. He was convicted in 1985 of killing an attorney. The last inmate to choose this method was in 1996.
I am kind of weirded out that someone would have to choose the manner in which they are executed. I naively believed that the only method that still existed is lethal injection.
I guess this inmate wants to go out with a bang.
I am kind of weirded out that someone would have to choose the manner in which they are executed. I naively believed that the only method that still existed is lethal injection.
I guess this inmate wants to go out with a bang.
Man threatens to blow up plane, sprays water
A man recently had to be restrained while aboard a flight from LA, California to Tampa, Florida. He was a first class passenger who apparently became erratic and grabbed a 2 liter bottle of water which he then proceeded to spray over passengers while saying "Get behind me, Satan". If that isn't enough, he then said to a flight attendant "I am going to bring this plane down...You need to land this plane or I'm going to blow it up [and] I will blow up this plane and take you all with me". Passengers and flight attendents detained the man until the plane could land safely in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
This story is really scary. Of course the man didn't really have the means to blow up anything, but to threaten innocent people who don't know if it is true or not is a really heartless thing to do!
Talk about a nut job!! I feel terrible for the people whose lives probably flashed before their lives when they thought they might actually be blown up by this deranged man.
This story is really scary. Of course the man didn't really have the means to blow up anything, but to threaten innocent people who don't know if it is true or not is a really heartless thing to do!
Talk about a nut job!! I feel terrible for the people whose lives probably flashed before their lives when they thought they might actually be blown up by this deranged man.
Networking Addiction
Staying in touch with friends and family has become easier than ever now thanks to social networking sites such as facebook and myspace. On the upside, you can broadcast what you are doing to everyone at once or to individuals with the click of a mouse. On the downside, it is very easy for personal information to leak out to others and photos to surface after wild nights. There are age restrictions on most sites, but it is easy to put down a different birth year if you really want to gain access, so they aren't much of a security feature. I have been the recipient of scammers via myspace messages, so I know how easy it can be for someone to try to be your friend and then weasel out info. As a result, I have the highest security settings you can have and I am only friends with people on the sites that I am friends with in real life. I communicate what I am up to, but I don't broadcast personal information like my address or phone number. I hope that using precautions such as this will lessen the chances of being targeted if someone wants to try anything hinky. You never know who may be out there and what their motives are, but protecting yourself in simple ways such as this can never hurt!
Friday, April 16, 2010
8th time was not the charm
Larry King is now divorcing for the 8th time from his 7th wife. His wife, Shawn is filing for physical custody of their two children and they are both requesting not to pay the other spousal support. They are citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for separation.
I am pretty disappointed after reading this article. Larry King is a very public figure and he is so well known, I hope people don't follow his example and just throw away their marriages because it is easier than working through their problems.
All I can say is that I think Larry King is setting a terrible example for his viewers. How can you really have a role model who goes through wives faster than most people go through vehicles? Albeit, he has been married to this wife for 12 years, it doesn't leave a very promising future for him to tame his wild ways. Larry King is 76 years old and Shawn is 50.
I am pretty disappointed after reading this article. Larry King is a very public figure and he is so well known, I hope people don't follow his example and just throw away their marriages because it is easier than working through their problems.
All I can say is that I think Larry King is setting a terrible example for his viewers. How can you really have a role model who goes through wives faster than most people go through vehicles? Albeit, he has been married to this wife for 12 years, it doesn't leave a very promising future for him to tame his wild ways. Larry King is 76 years old and Shawn is 50.
Alternative to Boston Marathon
This article was found on CNN.com and focused on the Boston Marathon. A race that has been going on every year for the past 114 years. Only 26,700 racers are allowed to compete at the Boston marathon and racers who tried to register after the cap found themselves in a dilemma. They are able to race at an alternate location in Exeter, Rhode Island where about 60 people will run in an elites-only race. Some participants are very disappointed that they were able to qualify for the Boston, but will not be able to run there, and others are very excited about not having to run with all of those other people in such a packed race.
I thought this was a great article. I can understand how someone who had been looking forward to the Boston could be pretty bummed about not getting to run there though. I can only imagine how accomplished they would feel after qualifying.
Michael Tamarro, the Rhode Island native who started the Exeter race had this to say about his reasons for starting the new race "Leave the crowd, the charity runners, leave the event, and let it be about running. That's what I'm offering. I think this was a great way for him to see the brighter side of things and offer participants a more memorable way to race than by tripping over other runners at the Boston Marathon.
I thought this was a great article. I can understand how someone who had been looking forward to the Boston could be pretty bummed about not getting to run there though. I can only imagine how accomplished they would feel after qualifying.
Michael Tamarro, the Rhode Island native who started the Exeter race had this to say about his reasons for starting the new race "Leave the crowd, the charity runners, leave the event, and let it be about running. That's what I'm offering. I think this was a great way for him to see the brighter side of things and offer participants a more memorable way to race than by tripping over other runners at the Boston Marathon.
Life on Discovery Channel
If you haven't had the privilege of seeing an episode of Life on the Discovery Channel, you are definitely missing out. This is one of the most amazing series I have ever seen. According to discoverychannel.com, the series took over 3 years to film and hundreds of hours of film to create each episode. The concept of Life, is to show viewers a raw view of the animals that inhabit the world we share with them. Episodes include: Challenges of Life, Reptiles and Amphibians, Mammals, Fish, Birds, Creatures of the Deep, Hunters and Hunted, Insects, Plants, Primates, and Making of Life. They play on Sunday nights at 8pm throughout the end of March and April. Each episode starts out by introducing their focus group and then weaving through the myriad of creatures in that specific kingdom. They are narrated by Oprah Winfrey and are so captivating you almost forget you are learning as you are enjoying a visual delight. The colors and sounds you experience are almost too amazing to be true. I would definitely recommend watching in High Definition and surround sound if at all possible.
Friday, April 9, 2010
If there was an extra day in each week
I was just thinking about the concept of having an extra day in each week. Can you imagine if we all had one day to ourselves? If we could have one more chance to relax, or read a favorite book, or even take a two hour bubble bath, can you imagine how much more calm we would all be? Of course the day would probably get taken over by homework or chores, but the thought of such a respite is a pretty nice daydream. If I had an extra day, I would use it to: Work out, relax on the sofa with my puppy, get a massage, learn how to make jewelry, paint my nails, write cards to my favorite girlfriends, work on my scrapbook, and best of all I would go to bed early. I would not take my day for granted and I would catch up on all the things I wish I had time for now. I wouldn't cook or clean because those aren't relaxing things and I have to do them every regular day. It would be like having one day to recharge my batteries before facing the world. The reason I had this daydream for an extra day is because I have not been able to catch up on any of the items I listed and I don't want to be someone who always has good intentions but no follow through. The only thing better than an extra day would be having a personal assistant to help out with the mundane tasks so you could focus on the fun ones! Just a thought...
Starbucks uncovered
In a fun story I found today on CNN.com, 7 things you might not know about Starbucks, I became privy to some inside information about the coffee giant. The origin of the Starbucks name, a story of self sacrifice, what exactly the logo stands for, the monumental up rise, a lawsuit, a "forbidden" battle, and a tip war were all explained in the paragraphs.
This was a well written article. It made me happy to hear of some of the good things S'bucks (and their employees) have done. I was surprised at how many S'bucks locations there are in so many different countries. I wish they had added something about their coffee bean farmer initiatives.
I absolutely loved this article. I am a huge S'bucks fan and it was really cool to read about some of the lesser known facts regarding the coffee giant. My opinion of S'bucks did not change throughout reading this story and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning a bit more about their local S'bucks cafe.
The only thing missing from this story is exactly why Starbucks can charge so much for a beverage and get away with it.
This was a well written article. It made me happy to hear of some of the good things S'bucks (and their employees) have done. I was surprised at how many S'bucks locations there are in so many different countries. I wish they had added something about their coffee bean farmer initiatives.
I absolutely loved this article. I am a huge S'bucks fan and it was really cool to read about some of the lesser known facts regarding the coffee giant. My opinion of S'bucks did not change throughout reading this story and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning a bit more about their local S'bucks cafe.
The only thing missing from this story is exactly why Starbucks can charge so much for a beverage and get away with it.
Child Bride Dies of internal bleeding.
In another shocking story from CNN.com, a 12 year old child is now dead due to internal bleeding caused by intercourse with her "husband". The girl is from Yemen, where the age a child can be married off to an older man is often an accepted practice. Another 12 year old bride died in September during childbirth. Reasons given for the marriage of such young girls included release of financial or moral responsibility. Another very young bride, a 10 year old named Nujood, endured rape and beating from her "husband" before escaping to a court house where she demanded and was later granted a divorce. Yemeni officials are lobbying to have the minimum age of marriage raised.
I am yet again disgusted that such young girls are forced into these dealings. It automatically makes me think of my nieces and little sister as being "wives" at their tender young ages and it is almost too much to bear. I am also saddened that the parents of these young girls would rather have them married off than give them the opportunity to have a real childhood and mature before subjecting them to the bonds of marriage.
This story makes me think differently of the world as a whole. There truly is no equality in the world, and that fact is very disheartening. If there were, then women would be able to have the rights that men have. You do not often hear of boys being married off at such a young age. Or better yet, everyone would be able to marry for love, or at least marry the person they want to rather than the one they are forced to. My views did not change after reading this article. I still think it is very sad and I'm sure the families of the two girls would rather have them at home tonight safe in their beds, than in a grave. It is just such a shame that they couldn't see what a colossal mistake they were making at the time.
I know this blog is full of my opinions, but it is so hard not to get upset when you hear about nonsensical deaths of innocent children. Those girls didn't ask for this and they didn't deserve what they got.
I am yet again disgusted that such young girls are forced into these dealings. It automatically makes me think of my nieces and little sister as being "wives" at their tender young ages and it is almost too much to bear. I am also saddened that the parents of these young girls would rather have them married off than give them the opportunity to have a real childhood and mature before subjecting them to the bonds of marriage.
This story makes me think differently of the world as a whole. There truly is no equality in the world, and that fact is very disheartening. If there were, then women would be able to have the rights that men have. You do not often hear of boys being married off at such a young age. Or better yet, everyone would be able to marry for love, or at least marry the person they want to rather than the one they are forced to. My views did not change after reading this article. I still think it is very sad and I'm sure the families of the two girls would rather have them at home tonight safe in their beds, than in a grave. It is just such a shame that they couldn't see what a colossal mistake they were making at the time.
I know this blog is full of my opinions, but it is so hard not to get upset when you hear about nonsensical deaths of innocent children. Those girls didn't ask for this and they didn't deserve what they got.
Friday, April 2, 2010
New Dream Job
I recently read an article on CNN that changed my mind about my future career goals. A company called RunawayBrideandGroom.com had come up with a way to create buzz by offering a job to one couple who will visit various romantic locations over a six month span and blog about their experiences. The Irish travel company was impressed with the results that Australia's Tourism Queensland board had when they created an ad for "The Best Job in the World" which was to pay one lucky applicant almost $140,000 to live on Hamilton Island for six months and blog about how great it is. The idea quickly spread to other companies due to how much business this sort of dream job scenario could bring in. The Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau in Florida also jumped on the dream job bandwagon when they created a job that would created a job that would require one couple to visit every theme park and attraction in the state within 67 days and write about their experiences.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article. I am really impressed with the creativity these companies have. I can only imagine how much fun the chosen people will have on their assignments. To be able to have those experiences AND get paid for it would be pretty unbelievable.
David Meerman Scott, author of "The New Rules of Marketing & PR" said "The Best Job in the World" generated tens of millions of dollars in free publicity for Tourism Queensland". That is pretty ingenious. I think this sort of advertisement is a great way to give a lucky person the opportunity of their lifetime while giving readers an inside view of the destinations from a real persons view. It also makes the company seem like a wonderful company worthy of your business.
Whoever thought of this idea deserves a lot more than just a pat on the back!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article. I am really impressed with the creativity these companies have. I can only imagine how much fun the chosen people will have on their assignments. To be able to have those experiences AND get paid for it would be pretty unbelievable.
David Meerman Scott, author of "The New Rules of Marketing & PR" said "The Best Job in the World" generated tens of millions of dollars in free publicity for Tourism Queensland". That is pretty ingenious. I think this sort of advertisement is a great way to give a lucky person the opportunity of their lifetime while giving readers an inside view of the destinations from a real persons view. It also makes the company seem like a wonderful company worthy of your business.
Whoever thought of this idea deserves a lot more than just a pat on the back!
Mom is the new terrorist
It was recently reported that a mother from Colorado has been arrested in connection with terrorist activities. Allegedly Jamie Paulin-Ramirez and Colleen R. LaRose were charged with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists. E-mail messages were exchanged between the women that indicated they were self proclaimed terrorists who planned to travel across Europe "with the intent to live and train with jihadists". In addition, Jamie Paulin-Ramirez brought her son with her on the trip to Europe. LaRose had planned on killing Lars Vilks, a resident of Sweden after al Qaeda offered a reward to the person who would.
I am appalled that someone who calls themselves an American could ever be involved with these types of organizations. It is sickening to hear that these women could be so corrupt that they would want to learn how to kill others in "violent jihad".
These types of stories are so shocking because they hit so close to home. To think of a mother and American being able to convert to Jihad and become a murderer is so scary. I wonder how those terrorists get inside people's heads to make them think what they are doing is actually legit. The indictment alleges "Paulin-Ramirez married an unidentified co-conspirator whom she had never met" and that "LaRose said she recruited people on the Internet who had passports and the ability to travel to and from Europe in support of jihad". It all sounds like something out of the twilight zone and not real life.
It seems like the stories people make up in their heads sound more lifelike than the actual events shown on the evening news.
I am appalled that someone who calls themselves an American could ever be involved with these types of organizations. It is sickening to hear that these women could be so corrupt that they would want to learn how to kill others in "violent jihad".
These types of stories are so shocking because they hit so close to home. To think of a mother and American being able to convert to Jihad and become a murderer is so scary. I wonder how those terrorists get inside people's heads to make them think what they are doing is actually legit. The indictment alleges "Paulin-Ramirez married an unidentified co-conspirator whom she had never met" and that "LaRose said she recruited people on the Internet who had passports and the ability to travel to and from Europe in support of jihad". It all sounds like something out of the twilight zone and not real life.
It seems like the stories people make up in their heads sound more lifelike than the actual events shown on the evening news.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
D-Day Disaster
We were all very excited about our impending weekend, unfortunately no one checked the forecast prior to our departure. If you had told me Friday morning that we would have snow dumped on us within 24 hours I would have laughed. It was seriously near the 70's and sunny while we were packing. When we arrived at the camp site and set up the camper all the boys were buzzing around with excitement. They couldn't wait to take their Jeeps out on the trails and try out the new toys they had added to it over the winter. We met up with our usual group of riding pals and took off for some of the more experienced trails. It almost seemed like a bad omen right from the start because my seat belt wouldn't work so I had to sit in the back. Then, a Jeep that one of the guys had just finished building broke it's rear axle. From there, the night went downhill fast. More vehicles got stuck, broke down, or just plain got torn up.
After heading back to the camper, we were already feeling cold temperatures creeping in. All of a sudden the slush machine in the sky kicked into high gear and we started seeing the first layer of white stuff sticking to the ground. By morning, the whole camp was covered in more than four inches of snow and the rock stomp events were cancelled. Our group started leaving one by one until we were the last and since the boys didn't want to be defeated by mother nature, they convinced me to stay too. There were plenty of other yahoos still there, but since we didn't know any of them, we couldn't go out on the exciting trails because we never go out on them without at least one other vehicle. Eventually the cold weather won and we ended up spending most of the day and night in the camper playing cards and I snuck off to read a book I had been looking forward to catching up on.
By Sunday, I was just ready to be home. Next time we will definitely check the weather and be more prepared before leaving the farm!
After heading back to the camper, we were already feeling cold temperatures creeping in. All of a sudden the slush machine in the sky kicked into high gear and we started seeing the first layer of white stuff sticking to the ground. By morning, the whole camp was covered in more than four inches of snow and the rock stomp events were cancelled. Our group started leaving one by one until we were the last and since the boys didn't want to be defeated by mother nature, they convinced me to stay too. There were plenty of other yahoos still there, but since we didn't know any of them, we couldn't go out on the exciting trails because we never go out on them without at least one other vehicle. Eventually the cold weather won and we ended up spending most of the day and night in the camper playing cards and I snuck off to read a book I had been looking forward to catching up on.
By Sunday, I was just ready to be home. Next time we will definitely check the weather and be more prepared before leaving the farm!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Conell University deals with suicides
CNN.com posted a story regarding Cornell University in Ithaca, NY and their recent jump in suicide rates. Since the begining of the fall semester, there have been 3 confirmed suicides and 3 more suspected suicides. From 2005 to 2008, there were no reported suicides at the school, so officials are tackling the issue head on to try and resolve it. In an attempt to dissuade anyone from jumping off a bridge into a gorge, as some of the students had, Cornell has placed guards at the bridges to monitor them.
As I read this story, I was saddened by the cold hard facts and I feel badly for the students that could not find help in time. I have lost a very dear friend to suicide and I know how it feels to be left without answers.
I can only imagine the pain the friends and family of those people must be going through. It's possible that some of those friends knew more than one of the victims, and that pain must be paramount. Suicide is a very sensitive subject, and I believe part of the reason why is that speculation plays such a big role in it. No one can ever really know the suffering a person feels when the only way out seems to be ending it all. How could you? Even if they left a note, the anguish can never be truly realized. The president of Cornell, David Skorton, said "If you learn anything at Cornell, please learn to ask for help. It is a sign of wisdom and strength" I hope that not only students at this particular University, but people everywhere can heed this message. After my friend died, I was angry at him for not reaching out and guilty that I didn't recognize the signs before hand.
I hope this story can somehow shed light onto the stress college students can feel overwhelmed by. Sometimes just calling a friend who can be there to listen is a way to relieve stress. Or taking the time to be that kind of friend to someone else who needs it can have a positive impact.
As I read this story, I was saddened by the cold hard facts and I feel badly for the students that could not find help in time. I have lost a very dear friend to suicide and I know how it feels to be left without answers.
I can only imagine the pain the friends and family of those people must be going through. It's possible that some of those friends knew more than one of the victims, and that pain must be paramount. Suicide is a very sensitive subject, and I believe part of the reason why is that speculation plays such a big role in it. No one can ever really know the suffering a person feels when the only way out seems to be ending it all. How could you? Even if they left a note, the anguish can never be truly realized. The president of Cornell, David Skorton, said "If you learn anything at Cornell, please learn to ask for help. It is a sign of wisdom and strength" I hope that not only students at this particular University, but people everywhere can heed this message. After my friend died, I was angry at him for not reaching out and guilty that I didn't recognize the signs before hand.
I hope this story can somehow shed light onto the stress college students can feel overwhelmed by. Sometimes just calling a friend who can be there to listen is a way to relieve stress. Or taking the time to be that kind of friend to someone else who needs it can have a positive impact.
Going to D-Day for the weekend
We are going to an army themed adventure park called D-Day for the weekend. It is a Jeep/4 wheel rally where there will be mud boggs, camping, trails riding and a live band. We have gone once before but it was almost winter and it was very cold already. I enjoy being outdoors and this will be the perfect weekend to break the winter haze that has been over me. My boyfriend, Ryan, has a jeep that we will be taking with us. He has done a lot of work to make his jeep trail ready, and he is a very good driver, so I don't worry even when we are climbing almost vertical trails. For safety, we always wear our seat belts and there are extra roll bars on the roof.
The owners have separated the near 1,000 acre property into trails and paintball scenarios, so while you are riding around you can see planes, army tanks, and old school buses all over the place. It almost feels as if you are in a different time. There is even an open church building that has platforms on different levels you can shoot from.
Our boxer pup, Remy, will be going with us this time and he must be able to sense the excitement in the air because he has been running around like crazy every time we open the front door to load more things into the camper. I think this will be an awesome weekend and I will take a lot of photos to share.
The owners have separated the near 1,000 acre property into trails and paintball scenarios, so while you are riding around you can see planes, army tanks, and old school buses all over the place. It almost feels as if you are in a different time. There is even an open church building that has platforms on different levels you can shoot from.
Our boxer pup, Remy, will be going with us this time and he must be able to sense the excitement in the air because he has been running around like crazy every time we open the front door to load more things into the camper. I think this will be an awesome weekend and I will take a lot of photos to share.
Woman aspires to beat Guinness record
In an article I recently read on Fox News.com, a 42 year old woman is hoping to be in the Guinness Book or Records. Not an uncommon goal, a lot of people aspire to beat records. Her goal, however, is to become the fattest woman ever. Her name is Donna Simpson and she is the mother of two children and is currently 600 pounds and to beat the record she must be over 1,000 pounds. She insists that she is healthy, while eating around 12,000 calories of food a day at a cost of about $750 a week. She has a boyfriend who is supportive of her goal and even admits that he likes her weight. She cannot get around unless aided by a scooter and says she earns the money to feed by being a part of a web site where people pay to watch her eat fatty foods.
I am sickened, repulsed, and totally grossed out by this story. My thoughts did not change one bit as I read it and after browsing through some of the comments others have left regarding it, I feel even more strongly about my initial feelings toward the story.
How could anyone be so selfish that they would put their life at risk in such a way? I do not understand why she would ever want to leave her children motherless, especially for something that is so meaningless. For people out there that have serious psychological problems that lead to food dependency or eating disorders, this is like a serious slap in the face. It is sickening to think about because all my life I have heard of the starving people in other countries who don't have even one meal a day to live on, and here this lady is stuffing her face shamelessly for personal gain. I have nothing but contempt for someone who is so self serving that she would purposefully eat till she can't even walk around by herself. She even says "she tries to stay sedentary, so she burns as few calories as necessary". I seriously had to read that sentence three times because I could not believe what I was reading.
There is no reason someone who can help themselves shouldn't be doing everything they possibly can to be healthy so their children don't have to suffer the burden of their death at such a young age. No one will ever be able to explain why Donna Simpson would rather eat a doughnut than be there to see her children grow up.
I am sickened, repulsed, and totally grossed out by this story. My thoughts did not change one bit as I read it and after browsing through some of the comments others have left regarding it, I feel even more strongly about my initial feelings toward the story.
How could anyone be so selfish that they would put their life at risk in such a way? I do not understand why she would ever want to leave her children motherless, especially for something that is so meaningless. For people out there that have serious psychological problems that lead to food dependency or eating disorders, this is like a serious slap in the face. It is sickening to think about because all my life I have heard of the starving people in other countries who don't have even one meal a day to live on, and here this lady is stuffing her face shamelessly for personal gain. I have nothing but contempt for someone who is so self serving that she would purposefully eat till she can't even walk around by herself. She even says "she tries to stay sedentary, so she burns as few calories as necessary". I seriously had to read that sentence three times because I could not believe what I was reading.
There is no reason someone who can help themselves shouldn't be doing everything they possibly can to be healthy so their children don't have to suffer the burden of their death at such a young age. No one will ever be able to explain why Donna Simpson would rather eat a doughnut than be there to see her children grow up.
Friday, March 12, 2010
SENSITIVE SUBJECT ALERT!! Mississippi school sued for cancelling prom
In a shocking story brought to us by Cnn.com, Constance McMillen, a senior from Fulton, Mississippi, is making waves at her high school after being told she would be ejected from her prom, along with her date if any other students complained. Constance is an open lesbian who wished to accompany her girlfriend (who is also a student) and wear a tuxedo. She was told by school officials that her date must be of the opposite sex and that only male students would be allowed to wear tuxedos. After the issue gained notice, the school board voted to cancel the prom altogether due to the fact that it was interfering with the education process and that they hoped students would still have their prom by other means. The school is being sued by the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) on the basis of violating Constance's First Amendment right to freedom of expression.
I am angry that a school would retaliate against a student in such a way for being gay. I am also shocked that they would blatantly violate a students rights just because they would rather not have to see her at a school function in pants rather than a dress.
My personal opinion is that the school board is a biased group that should all be booted for their old fashioned mind sets. People like that shouldn't be in charge of molding the minds of the next generation. Living in the bible belt, I have grown up with closed minds all of my life and I hate it. Everyone has the right to believe what they want to believe and practice whatever religion they choose in the U.S., but why are they not allowed to pick their own prom date in Mississippi? I am saddened that a student has to face such animosity from other students and school officials because she wanted to be like everyone else and go to her prom.
This is like a huge step back in equality for all from the article I wrote about an hour ago. And here I though we were making progress!
I am angry that a school would retaliate against a student in such a way for being gay. I am also shocked that they would blatantly violate a students rights just because they would rather not have to see her at a school function in pants rather than a dress.
My personal opinion is that the school board is a biased group that should all be booted for their old fashioned mind sets. People like that shouldn't be in charge of molding the minds of the next generation. Living in the bible belt, I have grown up with closed minds all of my life and I hate it. Everyone has the right to believe what they want to believe and practice whatever religion they choose in the U.S., but why are they not allowed to pick their own prom date in Mississippi? I am saddened that a student has to face such animosity from other students and school officials because she wanted to be like everyone else and go to her prom.
This is like a huge step back in equality for all from the article I wrote about an hour ago. And here I though we were making progress!
Greek Yogurt...Delicious AND nutritious!
In my never-ending quest for super food that will be great tasting AND good for me, I believe I have found a winner!! After learning how to really read food labels and decipher hidden lingo, I think the newest yogurt by Dannon, Greek 0% fat free is the best. There are only 80 calories in a 6 ounce serving and no fat calories (which are the bad dudes) and also there is no fat and most importantly there is no trans fats or saturated fats (which are the reeeeeally bad dudes).
As for nutrient content there is 150mg of Potassium, which I was told by my doctor I am lacking. There are only 6 carbs and 6 grams of sugar, which comes for the lactose (think naturally occuring milk sugars) and a whopping 16 grams of protein. I have heard about the benefits of Greek yogurt before and was prepared to buy the original flavor to save myslef from all those extrea calories (versus Vanilla, Blueberry, or Strawberry which taste amazing by the way) but I was not prepared for the taste. I was very surprised by the tangy tartness and thickness of the yogurt. After so many years of weak yogurt, the custard-like thickness was a welcome change. The tartness however will take some serious getting used to.
My first thought was that it reminded me a lot of sour cream and how I should swap them the next time I make burrito's and whether or not Ryan would notice. I will let you all know his reaction.
My plan is to have one of the 6 ounce cups every morning, and I will experiment with different flavor combinations such as sprinkling cinnamon over it or adding some natural vanilla flavor. Hopefully I will see some positive changes due to my new breakfast find.
As for nutrient content there is 150mg of Potassium, which I was told by my doctor I am lacking. There are only 6 carbs and 6 grams of sugar, which comes for the lactose (think naturally occuring milk sugars) and a whopping 16 grams of protein. I have heard about the benefits of Greek yogurt before and was prepared to buy the original flavor to save myslef from all those extrea calories (versus Vanilla, Blueberry, or Strawberry which taste amazing by the way) but I was not prepared for the taste. I was very surprised by the tangy tartness and thickness of the yogurt. After so many years of weak yogurt, the custard-like thickness was a welcome change. The tartness however will take some serious getting used to.
My first thought was that it reminded me a lot of sour cream and how I should swap them the next time I make burrito's and whether or not Ryan would notice. I will let you all know his reaction.
My plan is to have one of the 6 ounce cups every morning, and I will experiment with different flavor combinations such as sprinkling cinnamon over it or adding some natural vanilla flavor. Hopefully I will see some positive changes due to my new breakfast find.
First Female Head Football Coach at Washington D.C. School
I recently read a story on CNN.com about a woman named Natalie Randolph, who has been named her High School's new Varsity Head Coach. Natalie is a former wide receiver for the women's pro team, The D.C. Divas, and has a lot of experience with the sport as well as coaching boys in the sport, and she is also a science teacher at the school where she is to coach. The Mayor of Washington D.C. has also named March 12th, 2010 as "Natalie Randolph Day".
The photo shown in the article is of Natalie and her late father, Nate Randolph hugging and smiling the biggest smiles possible after one of Natalie's games.
I really liked this article, especially the photo that accompanied it. I felt the author presented it in a way that flattered Natalie and showed her in the best light possible. I was surprised that the Mayor would giver her an honorary day but I thought that was very cool. I also thought it was awesome that no one touched on the fact that Natalie is African American. The article had so much other great info presented in it that for once race wasn't an issue. Hooray!!!
I felt very happy for Natalie that she was honored in such a way and I'm sure her father would have been very proud of her had he been there to see it. She is undoubtedly qualified for the position and hopefully she will not have to face any adversity. Not very many High School teams can say that their head coach is a former professional football player, whether they are male or female. Rich Daniel, the general manager of the Divas, said she will face questions regarding her abilities but said "People will have that initial reaction, but they'll realize...she really knows what she's talking about." That sort of praise doesn't come easily.
It seems as though history is being made every day in the U.S. and I am proud that we have taken one more step towards equality for all.
The photo shown in the article is of Natalie and her late father, Nate Randolph hugging and smiling the biggest smiles possible after one of Natalie's games.
I really liked this article, especially the photo that accompanied it. I felt the author presented it in a way that flattered Natalie and showed her in the best light possible. I was surprised that the Mayor would giver her an honorary day but I thought that was very cool. I also thought it was awesome that no one touched on the fact that Natalie is African American. The article had so much other great info presented in it that for once race wasn't an issue. Hooray!!!
I felt very happy for Natalie that she was honored in such a way and I'm sure her father would have been very proud of her had he been there to see it. She is undoubtedly qualified for the position and hopefully she will not have to face any adversity. Not very many High School teams can say that their head coach is a former professional football player, whether they are male or female. Rich Daniel, the general manager of the Divas, said she will face questions regarding her abilities but said "People will have that initial reaction, but they'll realize...she really knows what she's talking about." That sort of praise doesn't come easily.
It seems as though history is being made every day in the U.S. and I am proud that we have taken one more step towards equality for all.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Trip to Oregon
I recently took a much needed trip to a seafood and wine festival on the Oregon coast. I met up with eight of my friends in Portland and we drove three hours to the Newport Beach area. I have worked with several of the girls on board various cruise ships and the other girls were friends of my former boss.
We have all been looking forward to this trip for months and I was so glad to finally be there. We rented a house to be more cost effective, and after arriving we all unloaded our belongings and the mayhem began with picking out our rooms. The house was rather large and boasted accommodations for twenty-one, which included several futons and various sized beds. My two closest friends and I got put in the basement and rather than sleeping in the bedrooms, we pushed three futon beds together to create one mega bed. The other girls laughed so hard when they saw it and I think some of them were secretly jealous because they hadn't thought of it first.
I had a wonderful time catching up with everyone, because we are all from different states and don't get the chance to speak regularly. The first night I don't think anyone could sleep due to the giddiness of being together in one place for the firs time in a very long time. Morning came too soon and after a Starbucks run, we were off to the festival. But being the fun loving girls we are, we stopped off for beads and fun hats to wear first. After arriving at the festival grounds, the excitement mounted and everyone had their cameras ready to catch all the funny moments that we had waited so long to enjoy together. It was not a disappointment. About two hours later than we should have stayed and a few hundred photos later, we all piled back into our vehicles and headed to the beach for some more fun. I don't think we could have had a bad time if we had tried. The weather was perfect and the sun showed up to make our day even better. The Pacific was more beautiful as I remembered it, and I could not believe it has been two years since I saw it.
As good times always do, the weekend was over seemingly before it had even started and it was time to say goodbye. It was almost harder leaving the girls I have grown to love now than it was when we all left the cruise ship. We have plans on making this an annual girls weekend trip, so hopefully we will all be able to see eachother atleast once a year.
We have all been looking forward to this trip for months and I was so glad to finally be there. We rented a house to be more cost effective, and after arriving we all unloaded our belongings and the mayhem began with picking out our rooms. The house was rather large and boasted accommodations for twenty-one, which included several futons and various sized beds. My two closest friends and I got put in the basement and rather than sleeping in the bedrooms, we pushed three futon beds together to create one mega bed. The other girls laughed so hard when they saw it and I think some of them were secretly jealous because they hadn't thought of it first.
I had a wonderful time catching up with everyone, because we are all from different states and don't get the chance to speak regularly. The first night I don't think anyone could sleep due to the giddiness of being together in one place for the firs time in a very long time. Morning came too soon and after a Starbucks run, we were off to the festival. But being the fun loving girls we are, we stopped off for beads and fun hats to wear first. After arriving at the festival grounds, the excitement mounted and everyone had their cameras ready to catch all the funny moments that we had waited so long to enjoy together. It was not a disappointment. About two hours later than we should have stayed and a few hundred photos later, we all piled back into our vehicles and headed to the beach for some more fun. I don't think we could have had a bad time if we had tried. The weather was perfect and the sun showed up to make our day even better. The Pacific was more beautiful as I remembered it, and I could not believe it has been two years since I saw it.
As good times always do, the weekend was over seemingly before it had even started and it was time to say goodbye. It was almost harder leaving the girls I have grown to love now than it was when we all left the cruise ship. We have plans on making this an annual girls weekend trip, so hopefully we will all be able to see eachother atleast once a year.
Couple starves real baby, nourishes virtual child
In a short but startling story on CNN.com, a South Korean couple starves their 3 month old baby to death while simultaneously raising a healthy "virtual" child in an online role playing game called "Prius Online". The facts of the story presented a couple who had become so engrossed in their online fantasy that they neglected to feed their real life baby who had been born prematurely.
I am in absolute shock after reading this story. I have heard of people getting lost in the virtual world before, but for both of them to be so out of it that their child would starve to death is beyond torture for that little baby. Upon further thinking of this story my stomach became sick at the thought of an innocent child being so neglected by parents who were lucky to receive such a precious gift.
According to Chung Jin-won, a police officer in South Korea, "They indulged themselves in the online game of raising a virtual character so as to escape from reality, which led to the death of their real baby" To be so deluded that a defenseless child would die has got to be to pit below rock bottom. It is not hard to imagine that pity will not be shown for the couple. I wonder if they even grasp the magnitude of their actions, or if they are more upset by not being able to play their virtual game than by losing their real daughter.
It is a sad and strange world that we live in where stories such as this are not make believe. This sort of torturous neglect is more appropriate for a Stephen King novel than an actual event.
I am in absolute shock after reading this story. I have heard of people getting lost in the virtual world before, but for both of them to be so out of it that their child would starve to death is beyond torture for that little baby. Upon further thinking of this story my stomach became sick at the thought of an innocent child being so neglected by parents who were lucky to receive such a precious gift.
According to Chung Jin-won, a police officer in South Korea, "They indulged themselves in the online game of raising a virtual character so as to escape from reality, which led to the death of their real baby" To be so deluded that a defenseless child would die has got to be to pit below rock bottom. It is not hard to imagine that pity will not be shown for the couple. I wonder if they even grasp the magnitude of their actions, or if they are more upset by not being able to play their virtual game than by losing their real daughter.
It is a sad and strange world that we live in where stories such as this are not make believe. This sort of torturous neglect is more appropriate for a Stephen King novel than an actual event.
Fake newspaper controversy
Sometimes the news cannot be trusted...Such is the case for the March 5th Los Angeles Times front page. On the fake front page today, The Mad Hatter's face is emblazoned over news stories. The background stories are only part of the reason for a lot of people to be frustrated with the decision for Disney to advertise their new adaptation of Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland"in such a way. It came to light that the stories in question were not fake stories, but were actually printed on February 18th and 19th. The titles or other details of the original articles were altered to appear real. The other aspect is that the front page was essentially sold for advertising purposes which represented a breakdown in ethical behavior by blurring the lines of traditional front page news with advertisements.
My thoughts on this article were first of confusion and second of irritation. My thoughts did not change very much as the article went on, although I did feel somewhat more irritated afterward than I did at the beginning. I think the idea to advertise this way is hilarious and I just wish The Joplin Globe had done it too.
It seems as though if there is nothing newsworthy, there is always something someone can twist into a news story. Just like this story. The confusion came first as to why the LA Times couldn't just make up some articles to place behind The Mad Hatter's head. Surely the advertising department could come up with some funny what not's to throw behind it, like something "Alice in Wonderland" related perhaps. The use of a real story being altered in any way and then re-printed sounds an awful lot like plagiarism to me. Secondly, I was irritated because I don't understand how this article is actually newsworthy. According to the report, "Several (un named) journalists from CNN's Los Angeles bureau did not immediately realize that the real front page was inside". To this all I have to say is I bet they realized as soon as they opened the newspaper. Does anyone really care that a newspaper sold advertising space to make money? I don't care because there are more important things going on in the world.
I wonder how my grades would be if I slightly altered someone else's articles and turned them in as my own as long as I purchased their work first. Would it really be mine to mess with? My thoughts are the same with the altered stories. Yes they were purchased by the author or written for the newspaper, but is it right to attach an author's name to something that has been changed? Or to reprint an article and not pay the author anything for reproducing their work?
My thoughts on this article were first of confusion and second of irritation. My thoughts did not change very much as the article went on, although I did feel somewhat more irritated afterward than I did at the beginning. I think the idea to advertise this way is hilarious and I just wish The Joplin Globe had done it too.
It seems as though if there is nothing newsworthy, there is always something someone can twist into a news story. Just like this story. The confusion came first as to why the LA Times couldn't just make up some articles to place behind The Mad Hatter's head. Surely the advertising department could come up with some funny what not's to throw behind it, like something "Alice in Wonderland" related perhaps. The use of a real story being altered in any way and then re-printed sounds an awful lot like plagiarism to me. Secondly, I was irritated because I don't understand how this article is actually newsworthy. According to the report, "Several (un named) journalists from CNN's Los Angeles bureau did not immediately realize that the real front page was inside". To this all I have to say is I bet they realized as soon as they opened the newspaper. Does anyone really care that a newspaper sold advertising space to make money? I don't care because there are more important things going on in the world.
I wonder how my grades would be if I slightly altered someone else's articles and turned them in as my own as long as I purchased their work first. Would it really be mine to mess with? My thoughts are the same with the altered stories. Yes they were purchased by the author or written for the newspaper, but is it right to attach an author's name to something that has been changed? Or to reprint an article and not pay the author anything for reproducing their work?
Friday, February 12, 2010
Sex offender stigma remains
Another informative story from CNN features Ricky Blackman, a now 20 year old ex-registered sex offender. When Ricky was 16, he engaged in a sexual encounter with a girl he met at a teen club in Iowa. He was under the impression she was 15. When the girl ran away from home, the police traced her to Blackman. He admitted to having a sexual relationship with her and was informed that she was only 13. He was arrested and had to register as a sex offender or the registry. After undergoing court ordered treatment, he was released from the list in Iowa, but was placed on it when he moved to Oklahoma. Blackman described the treatment he has received after being labeled a sex offender and the way it affected his family as well.
This story has many levels and it seems that each brings a different emotion. I can understand the shame he must have felt after being arrested for something that he didn't even know he had done wrong. I have seen girls who look like they are much older to find out later that they were only twelve or thirteen. Based on looks, it would be hard to guess how old someone is. When he moved to Oklahoma and was harassed by people who didn't know him or his situation, it was an unfortunate side affect of his previous actions. If you look on the sex offender website, you can see who lives in your area, and it wasn't meant to protect the offenders, but it is terrible that he wasn't even allowed to graduate from high school because he was a supposed "threat" to the other students.
At the end of the article, I was empathetic to his situation and I feel as though he had made a mistake that truly changed the person he could have been to the person he is now. It is strange how one mistake can suddenly put you in the same league as child molesters and pedophiles. The harassment he has endured is not justified by the fact that he was on a list.
It is disappointing that someone can be judged so unfairly after already having to go through so much. If he could change his actions I believe he would without a doubt, but this is another example of hindsight being 20/20.
This story has many levels and it seems that each brings a different emotion. I can understand the shame he must have felt after being arrested for something that he didn't even know he had done wrong. I have seen girls who look like they are much older to find out later that they were only twelve or thirteen. Based on looks, it would be hard to guess how old someone is. When he moved to Oklahoma and was harassed by people who didn't know him or his situation, it was an unfortunate side affect of his previous actions. If you look on the sex offender website, you can see who lives in your area, and it wasn't meant to protect the offenders, but it is terrible that he wasn't even allowed to graduate from high school because he was a supposed "threat" to the other students.
At the end of the article, I was empathetic to his situation and I feel as though he had made a mistake that truly changed the person he could have been to the person he is now. It is strange how one mistake can suddenly put you in the same league as child molesters and pedophiles. The harassment he has endured is not justified by the fact that he was on a list.
It is disappointing that someone can be judged so unfairly after already having to go through so much. If he could change his actions I believe he would without a doubt, but this is another example of hindsight being 20/20.
Olympic Cheese Remedy
CNN provides a variety of news stories, and they did not disappoint with the latest Olympic news: Skier spreads cheese on leg to heal injury. Lindsay Vonn, an Olympic hopeful from the United States, injured her shin while training in Austria. As others before her have done, Lindsay has chosen an unorthodox method to help maximize her healing. She is spreading her shin with cheese. Not just any old cheese, it is a special Austrian cheese called topfen, that is hopefully going to reduce inflammation. Other Olympic hopefuls have tried other methods to ease injuries including castor oil and lard in plastic wrap.
I was impressed with their tactics, it takes someone really creative to think of cheese as an anti-inflammatory agent. Old wives tales have been around probably as long as regular wives have, so there is probably a laundry list of remedies she could try to relieve pressure and swelling. One of the main points the article makes is that it may be the placebo effect that can help Lindsay heal faster, by using her positive thoughts to basically override the brain into thinking the injury is healed when in fact it is not. If it works, we could have another few medals for the Americans this Olympic season.
A great thing I think this story contributes is the possible popularity of the topfen after it's use as a possible healing agent has been publicised. According to Norbert Wabnig, a native Austrian and founder of The Cheese Store, of Beverly Hills, the cheese is not popular with customers. If people want to try this cheese and it helps bring some business to his store, or to Austrians in general then that is pretty cool.
All in all it was a pretty cheesy article, but I think that was the aim and they definitely found their mark.
I was impressed with their tactics, it takes someone really creative to think of cheese as an anti-inflammatory agent. Old wives tales have been around probably as long as regular wives have, so there is probably a laundry list of remedies she could try to relieve pressure and swelling. One of the main points the article makes is that it may be the placebo effect that can help Lindsay heal faster, by using her positive thoughts to basically override the brain into thinking the injury is healed when in fact it is not. If it works, we could have another few medals for the Americans this Olympic season.
A great thing I think this story contributes is the possible popularity of the topfen after it's use as a possible healing agent has been publicised. According to Norbert Wabnig, a native Austrian and founder of The Cheese Store, of Beverly Hills, the cheese is not popular with customers. If people want to try this cheese and it helps bring some business to his store, or to Austrians in general then that is pretty cool.
All in all it was a pretty cheesy article, but I think that was the aim and they definitely found their mark.
US Army vs. Single Mother
In a story brought to us by CNN, the US Army has discharged a single mother for failing to deploy to Afghanistan with her unit. The soldier, Alexis Hutchinson had a ten month old at the time of the incident. The reason she gave was because she did not have anyone to stay with her son while she was away. The Government requires all soldiers to sign Form D-A 53-05 which states that they have a family care plan and that they acknowledge they could face disciplinary action if their plan isn't maintained. Rather than being court martialed, Alexis was reduced to the lowest enlisted rank and possible loss of Army benefits.
When I read the first part of this article, I was amazed that the Government would treat one of their own this way. Reading the facts listed, it seemed as though they were discriminating against a woman for not having anyone reliable enough to watch her son while she was away for up to a year. I didn't think this was fair at all.
The end of the article changed my mind about my initial reaction somewhat. a statement issued from the US Army said "The investigation revealed evidence, from both other soldiers and from Private Hutchinson herself, that she didn't intend to deploy to Afghanistan with her unit and deliberately sought ways out of the deployment ." If this is true then I have a lot less respect for Private Hutchinson. It must be very scary facing time in a war zone, but it was her choice to sign up for the Army and she was aware of the fact that she could be deployed when she signed up, so the sympathy can only go so far. I personally am not brave enough to face that kind of danger and I respect the hell out of someone who is.
I can't really say whether or not Private Hutchinson deserves to be punished for her actions, but I do hope she doesn't set an unfair precedent for other soldiers. If she ends up losing her benefits, it will not only hurt her, it will affect her son also. He is the innocent one in this ordeal.
When I read the first part of this article, I was amazed that the Government would treat one of their own this way. Reading the facts listed, it seemed as though they were discriminating against a woman for not having anyone reliable enough to watch her son while she was away for up to a year. I didn't think this was fair at all.
The end of the article changed my mind about my initial reaction somewhat. a statement issued from the US Army said "The investigation revealed evidence, from both other soldiers and from Private Hutchinson herself, that she didn't intend to deploy to Afghanistan with her unit and deliberately sought ways out of the deployment ." If this is true then I have a lot less respect for Private Hutchinson. It must be very scary facing time in a war zone, but it was her choice to sign up for the Army and she was aware of the fact that she could be deployed when she signed up, so the sympathy can only go so far. I personally am not brave enough to face that kind of danger and I respect the hell out of someone who is.
I can't really say whether or not Private Hutchinson deserves to be punished for her actions, but I do hope she doesn't set an unfair precedent for other soldiers. If she ends up losing her benefits, it will not only hurt her, it will affect her son also. He is the innocent one in this ordeal.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Pilot error claims 50 lives
In an article posted today on CNN.com, the cause of the 2009 crash near Buffalo, NY has been released. Pilot error was cited as the cause of the wreck, which claimed 50 souls, including one person on the ground. The article listed several reasons that may have lead to the pilot's inability to handle the aerodynamic stall that lead to the crash. Pilot fatigue, unnecessary conversation between pilots during takeoff and landing, adequate training to handle stalls, and record keeping systems that allowed failed tests to be concealed were the major safety problems listed. The safety board ruled that neither Captain Marvin Renslow or first officer Rebecca Shaw noticed the signs that the plane was stalling, and when they did notice it, Capt Renslow reversed the direction he should have pulled on the plane's control column. It was later found that Capt Renslow had failed three pilot tests, but had only disclosed one and later failed two more once employed with the owner of the aircraft, Colgan Air, Inc. Had the total number of failed tests been disclosed, Capt Renslow wouldn't have been employed to pilot the plane.
I am saddened to hear that so many people lost their loved ones over such an irresponsible mistake. It wasn't a terrorist that caused these people to lose their lives, it was on of our own Americans who was just to full of pride to admit that he needed more training or was possibly too fatigued to pilot the plane. If he had been more prepared, or less chatty and more serious about his job this tragedy could have been avoided and those people would still be here.
Jennifer West, whose husband Ernie perished in the crash, stated that "knowing the cause of the crash is more difficult than not knowing" I agree that knowing it was the pilots error and not a mechanical malfunction would be a very hard thing to comprehend. Losing a loved one would be hard enough without knowing it could actually be tied directly to two people who could have prevented it. If the trained pilots really felt as though they were too fatigued to fly, it was up to them to say they couldn't handle flying that day. John Kausner, whose daughter Elly perished in the crash, said this about the guilt he was feeling "We were trying to buy a ticket that was most affordable, and unfortunately, we bought her demise" That has got to be the hardest burden a parent has ever had to carry.
Flying has been proven to be safer than driving for travel, but reading article's such as this add to the fear of flying in my mind. It is difficult for passengers because we don't know who our pilots are and we have to trust the airlines to make sure proper training is met and only the highest quality of pilots are flying us and our loved ones in the so-called friendly skies.
I am saddened to hear that so many people lost their loved ones over such an irresponsible mistake. It wasn't a terrorist that caused these people to lose their lives, it was on of our own Americans who was just to full of pride to admit that he needed more training or was possibly too fatigued to pilot the plane. If he had been more prepared, or less chatty and more serious about his job this tragedy could have been avoided and those people would still be here.
Jennifer West, whose husband Ernie perished in the crash, stated that "knowing the cause of the crash is more difficult than not knowing" I agree that knowing it was the pilots error and not a mechanical malfunction would be a very hard thing to comprehend. Losing a loved one would be hard enough without knowing it could actually be tied directly to two people who could have prevented it. If the trained pilots really felt as though they were too fatigued to fly, it was up to them to say they couldn't handle flying that day. John Kausner, whose daughter Elly perished in the crash, said this about the guilt he was feeling "We were trying to buy a ticket that was most affordable, and unfortunately, we bought her demise" That has got to be the hardest burden a parent has ever had to carry.
Flying has been proven to be safer than driving for travel, but reading article's such as this add to the fear of flying in my mind. It is difficult for passengers because we don't know who our pilots are and we have to trust the airlines to make sure proper training is met and only the highest quality of pilots are flying us and our loved ones in the so-called friendly skies.
11 year old Mother
The New York Dailey News (nydaileynews.com) has printed a story that will inspire nightmares in parents across the nation. An 11-year-old gives birth to baby girl... after going into labor at her wedding This article tells the story of how a young girl, just days past the 11-year-old mark met a man that would impregnate her within a week of meeting. Apparently the young girl, Kordeza Zhelyazkova, lied to her future husband, Jeliazko, about her real age and represented herself as 15. They are from Bulgaria where the age of consent is 14 years old, so he mistakenly assumed the relationship was legal and is now facing 6 years in prison. Kordeza's family planned a 3 day wedding at which she went into labor and had their daughter after 20 minutes of labor.
I am absolutely floored after reading this article. Not only should Kordeza's family have taught her some version of the birds and the bees, but for them to condone it by throwing a celebration like that is beyond me. I would be ashamed and horrified to find that my daughter, who is my responsibility, allowed herself to be put into that sort of situation.
I know there is under age sex going on in countries besides the US, but with all the STD's out there, it is strange to me that a young girl would throw caution to the wind and engage in a sexual act without protection. The article did not specifically mention lack of birth control, but as the article states "within a week, Kordeza was pregnant", so it leads me to believe they either didn't know about birth control or didn't use any if they did. I was shocked that the family did not seem to react with disdain that their barely 11 year old daughter was on her way to becoming a mother herself. It's normal for our girls to have babies young," said Kordeza's grandmother Dida, 55. "It's our tradition"
I hope Mothers out there read this and have a talk with their child before it's too late. Even if it's just a talk about basic facts like safe sex and the value of being responsible, it can make a world of difference. There are a lot of people that will one day make wonderful parents, but not until they are no longer children themselves.
I am absolutely floored after reading this article. Not only should Kordeza's family have taught her some version of the birds and the bees, but for them to condone it by throwing a celebration like that is beyond me. I would be ashamed and horrified to find that my daughter, who is my responsibility, allowed herself to be put into that sort of situation.
I know there is under age sex going on in countries besides the US, but with all the STD's out there, it is strange to me that a young girl would throw caution to the wind and engage in a sexual act without protection. The article did not specifically mention lack of birth control, but as the article states "within a week, Kordeza was pregnant", so it leads me to believe they either didn't know about birth control or didn't use any if they did. I was shocked that the family did not seem to react with disdain that their barely 11 year old daughter was on her way to becoming a mother herself. It's normal for our girls to have babies young," said Kordeza's grandmother Dida, 55. "It's our tradition"
I hope Mothers out there read this and have a talk with their child before it's too late. Even if it's just a talk about basic facts like safe sex and the value of being responsible, it can make a world of difference. There are a lot of people that will one day make wonderful parents, but not until they are no longer children themselves.
USC committed to 13-year-old QB
In a recent story brought to us by USA TODAY, The University of Southern California "USC" has received a verbal commitment from future QB David Sills.
This 13 year old dynamo is apparently almost six feet tall and boasts impressive skills at such a tender age. Lane Kiffin, USC's football coach pressed for a committment before David could even complete puberty.
My first reaction is shock that College's are recruiting pre-High School children and placing so much pressure on them so early. I still felt this way after I finished reading the story and look forward to seeing how it develops in the future.
I think this example is setting a bad standard for College football recruiters. What if David changes his mind and wants to be a musician or would rather play soccer than football next year? The pressure he will feel to not let anyone down will probably be enough for such a young man to put aside his wants to fulfill those of his "future coach" or parents. I feel like this is the beginning of a made for TV movie in which a troubled 20-something reflects on how his life was mapped out for him and choices taken away before he even knew what he wanted to do with his life. But on the other hand, this is probably the most exciting thing that has ever happened to him and the 15 minutes of fame he is enjoying could lead to an energized passion for football that leads to his first NFL contract. "USC football coach Lane Kiffin wanted to get a commitment from David Sills before the quarterback's voice changed" That's the problem with planning his future so early, David has just recently joined the teen force and teenagers are notoriously fickle.
No one will be able to say whether this is a good decision for David, except for him. I just hope his parents are supportive enough to help him ride out the storm if he does change his mind about football or is injured and can no longer fulfill the verbal commitment he made.
This 13 year old dynamo is apparently almost six feet tall and boasts impressive skills at such a tender age. Lane Kiffin, USC's football coach pressed for a committment before David could even complete puberty.
My first reaction is shock that College's are recruiting pre-High School children and placing so much pressure on them so early. I still felt this way after I finished reading the story and look forward to seeing how it develops in the future.
I think this example is setting a bad standard for College football recruiters. What if David changes his mind and wants to be a musician or would rather play soccer than football next year? The pressure he will feel to not let anyone down will probably be enough for such a young man to put aside his wants to fulfill those of his "future coach" or parents. I feel like this is the beginning of a made for TV movie in which a troubled 20-something reflects on how his life was mapped out for him and choices taken away before he even knew what he wanted to do with his life. But on the other hand, this is probably the most exciting thing that has ever happened to him and the 15 minutes of fame he is enjoying could lead to an energized passion for football that leads to his first NFL contract. "USC football coach Lane Kiffin wanted to get a commitment from David Sills before the quarterback's voice changed" That's the problem with planning his future so early, David has just recently joined the teen force and teenagers are notoriously fickle.
No one will be able to say whether this is a good decision for David, except for him. I just hope his parents are supportive enough to help him ride out the storm if he does change his mind about football or is injured and can no longer fulfill the verbal commitment he made.
Friday, January 29, 2010
In a story recently posted on CNN, Doctors drinking while on a mission trip may be in hot water for acting improperly. Pictures of doctors posing while treating patients were posted without written consent of the patients. Some of which also showed patients wearing little clothing over their private parts. Other photos showed the same group of doctors drinking various alcoholic beverages in their work attire, which was then compared to a police officer consuming alcohol while in uniform. And still yet, photos of the same group of well trained doctors were smiling as they held guns owned by soldiers. These were all posted on a very popular social networking site. An ethics committee is now deciding whether disciplinary actions will be pursued against the group, and some have already been fired.
The doctors deserve the benefit of the doubt in this situation. I felt like more information should have been provided as to what the doctors were doing when they were photographed.
My first reaction to the story was to wonder if the doctors were on duty at the time the photos were taken and whether or not they were to return to duty the next day. On one hand, if their shift was over and they were just relaxing after a hard day, I can understand why they might have felt the need for a friendly get together. On the other, I am appaled that they would pose with guns and big smiles. It is also bizarre that they would think to ever post a picture of a patient without securing permission. Doctors who are trained to save peoples lives should definitely have more respect for their patients privacy. Facebook can be a great way to show people what you are doing to help others, especially in a devastated country. By posting these kind of pictures, I feel like their purpose is cheapened in some way.
I still feel as though the doctors should be given a chance to tell their side of the story, but there is no excuse for them violating the rights of others by showing their pictures without permission.
When they took their oath to save lives and do right by their patients, I don't think they ever expected to end up in a situation like this. Hindsight is 20/20, but forethought is priceless!
The doctors deserve the benefit of the doubt in this situation. I felt like more information should have been provided as to what the doctors were doing when they were photographed.
My first reaction to the story was to wonder if the doctors were on duty at the time the photos were taken and whether or not they were to return to duty the next day. On one hand, if their shift was over and they were just relaxing after a hard day, I can understand why they might have felt the need for a friendly get together. On the other, I am appaled that they would pose with guns and big smiles. It is also bizarre that they would think to ever post a picture of a patient without securing permission. Doctors who are trained to save peoples lives should definitely have more respect for their patients privacy. Facebook can be a great way to show people what you are doing to help others, especially in a devastated country. By posting these kind of pictures, I feel like their purpose is cheapened in some way.
I still feel as though the doctors should be given a chance to tell their side of the story, but there is no excuse for them violating the rights of others by showing their pictures without permission.
When they took their oath to save lives and do right by their patients, I don't think they ever expected to end up in a situation like this. Hindsight is 20/20, but forethought is priceless!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
I thought our economy was "broken?!?"
I just read an article from CNN entitled
Putting 'Avatar' in per$pective and it really struck a chord with me economically speaking. The article compared and contrasted the blockbuster "Avatar" with other big names such as "Gone With The Wind" and "Titanic". The number of theaters available to show movies, amount of people in the movie viewing pool, cost of ticket with inflation added, and number of tickets sold were all listed as reason why "Avatar" may not be the big dog after all. The fact that "Avatar" is shown via IMAX and 3-D is also a factor adding to the popularity of the film, as premium prices are added for these two viewing options.
I am very confused by the popularity of not only this movie, but of all the movie attractions. The last time I visited the Joplin movie theater, I paid $9 for one adult ticket. At a minimum wage job, it would take 1.24 hours to earn the pre tax money it would take to buy one ticket. So my initial shock is to wonder why there is so much drama in the news about our broken economy, when all it takes is one cinematic adventure for us to find the money to smash records in the box office. If it is that easy to find the money, why are there so many hungry people in America today? If it is that easy to find the money, why are the unemployment lines so long? And my least favorite, if it is that easy to find the money, why are there so many American's facing foreclosure of their homes?
Although the article does mention how some moviegoers returned to the theater ten or more times back in 1997 when "Titanic" splashed onto the scene, I still think the economical situation we are in should have made some sort of impact on the $558 million dollars "Avatar" has pulled in so far. I was saddened to hear that while there is so much hurt going on in other places in the world, even the writer of this article admits that ""Avatar" is making ridiculous amounts of money".
Ridiculous indeed.
Putting 'Avatar' in per$pective and it really struck a chord with me economically speaking. The article compared and contrasted the blockbuster "Avatar" with other big names such as "Gone With The Wind" and "Titanic". The number of theaters available to show movies, amount of people in the movie viewing pool, cost of ticket with inflation added, and number of tickets sold were all listed as reason why "Avatar" may not be the big dog after all. The fact that "Avatar" is shown via IMAX and 3-D is also a factor adding to the popularity of the film, as premium prices are added for these two viewing options.
I am very confused by the popularity of not only this movie, but of all the movie attractions. The last time I visited the Joplin movie theater, I paid $9 for one adult ticket. At a minimum wage job, it would take 1.24 hours to earn the pre tax money it would take to buy one ticket. So my initial shock is to wonder why there is so much drama in the news about our broken economy, when all it takes is one cinematic adventure for us to find the money to smash records in the box office. If it is that easy to find the money, why are there so many hungry people in America today? If it is that easy to find the money, why are the unemployment lines so long? And my least favorite, if it is that easy to find the money, why are there so many American's facing foreclosure of their homes?
Although the article does mention how some moviegoers returned to the theater ten or more times back in 1997 when "Titanic" splashed onto the scene, I still think the economical situation we are in should have made some sort of impact on the $558 million dollars "Avatar" has pulled in so far. I was saddened to hear that while there is so much hurt going on in other places in the world, even the writer of this article admits that ""Avatar" is making ridiculous amounts of money".
Ridiculous indeed.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Vacationing in Haiti
In an article I just read on cnn.com titled "Would you be comfortable on a cruise to Haiti" http://connecttheworld.blogs.cnn.com/2010/01/18/would-you-be-comfortable-on-a-cruise-to-haiti/
I found that Royal Caribbean is coming under fire for continuing to take passengers to the island of Haiti. The Independence of the Seas is a ship that has already visited and dropped off supplies, but the real question is whether or not it is right to vacation there while there is so much hurt and devastation going on about 100 miles away. Royal Caribbean has built a resort that has a private beach and a pier, which currently employs hundreds of Haitians. The company has also pledged $1 million for aid to the island.
I agree with both points of the story, but I feel as though not taking people to the resort or to the island would be a mistake. As much as people want to tip toe around the issue right now, the truth of the matter is that Haiti is a poor country and any money they receive will benefit them. If that means that cruisers will still go to the resort, then by all means let them go. If Royal Caribbean were to stop taking passengers there, and the shops, restaurants, bars, and other ammenities didn't have customers to earn a profit from how would that be helping the employees who are struggling to make an income? I am not an uncompassionate person, and I do feel that it may be callous to have people enjoying a vacation 100 miles from Port-au-Prince, but the employees at all of those places are in need also. I think the vacationers would definitely be in a more giving mood if they were allowed to continue going to the resort and could give more money to the workers through tips or other funding that would go directly to the Haitians.
I found that Royal Caribbean is coming under fire for continuing to take passengers to the island of Haiti. The Independence of the Seas is a ship that has already visited and dropped off supplies, but the real question is whether or not it is right to vacation there while there is so much hurt and devastation going on about 100 miles away. Royal Caribbean has built a resort that has a private beach and a pier, which currently employs hundreds of Haitians. The company has also pledged $1 million for aid to the island.
I agree with both points of the story, but I feel as though not taking people to the resort or to the island would be a mistake. As much as people want to tip toe around the issue right now, the truth of the matter is that Haiti is a poor country and any money they receive will benefit them. If that means that cruisers will still go to the resort, then by all means let them go. If Royal Caribbean were to stop taking passengers there, and the shops, restaurants, bars, and other ammenities didn't have customers to earn a profit from how would that be helping the employees who are struggling to make an income? I am not an uncompassionate person, and I do feel that it may be callous to have people enjoying a vacation 100 miles from Port-au-Prince, but the employees at all of those places are in need also. I think the vacationers would definitely be in a more giving mood if they were allowed to continue going to the resort and could give more money to the workers through tips or other funding that would go directly to the Haitians.
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