Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Church Hosts Conference on 'Ex-Gay' Therapy


Very interesting article. We can all get healed from our gay tendencies! My wife will be pleased! Why don't they come up with a therapy for pedophilic priests or do they have that already? If gayness is wiped out - what will happen to men's fashion?

Church Hosts Conference on 'Ex-Gay' Therapy

Audio for this story will be available at approx. 7:30 p.m. ET

All Things Considered, February 28, 2007 · The controversial idea that counseling and therapy can overcome homosexual tendencies is at the heart of what's called the "ex-gay movement." Proponents of ways that gays and lesbians can be "cured" recently held a conference in Phoenix, Ariz.

The notion has been in the news recently, in connection with the former pastor of the New Life Church in Colorado. Ted Haggard resigned from the church in November, after his relationship with a male prostitute became public.

He has been meeting with leaders of the church, and one of them said recently that Haggard "is on the road to recovery."

Bethany Bible Church in Phoenix recently held an all-day event called Love Won Out, sponsored by Focus on the Family. The essential message is that homosexuality can be overcome through therapy and devotion to Jesus Christ.

That was the theme put forward by Alan Chambers, one of the speakers at the event.

"You know what, God did an amazing work in my life and I am so proud every day to be a living, breathing example of his grace, and his mercy and his transformation," Chambers said in a talk titled "Help for Those Who Struggle."

About 75 men and women were in the audience to hear Chambers, who acknowledged his own past. "The truth is, I used to be gay," he said at one point. "Big whoop."

Chambers is president of Exodus International, an umbrella group for many Christian ex-gay ministries. He says more and more people who are uncomfortable with their same-sex attraction are seeking what some in the ex-gay movement call "reparative" therapy.

"Cure is not a word that I would ever use," Chambers said. "Certainly that's not what we're advocating with regards to homosexuality. But we are saying is that it is a condition that people have found freedom from, they have changed."

Clinton Anderson directs the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Concerns Office in Washington, D.C., for the American Psychological Association. The APA says so-called "conversion therapy" is not supported by science.

"We have the concern first of all that the therapies have never been adequately demonstrated to be safe or effective," Anderson says, "and that the promotion of such therapies contributes to the climate of prejudice and discrimination in this country."

But leaders in the ex-gay movement say thousands of Americans are now living as former-homosexuals, and that each person should have the right to decide for themselves what is best.

At the conference, about a hundred protestors stood outside, chanting. Many say they find the conference offensive, and that gays and lesbians shouldn't need to change who they are, regardless of their religion.

Among them were Pennie and Mark Vatcher of San Diego, along with their son Brett. They made the 350-mile drive to hear the testimonials. Brett Vatcher, 16, says he's knows he's gay.

"I did not want to come at all," he says, laughing. "But I guess, you know, I have no choice because my parents, you know, they control my life."

Brett's parents are both devout Christians; they say they just want what's best for their son. They're considering therapeutic programs to help Brett become heterosexual. His mother, Pennie, says the conference was inspiring.

"Even though my son right now at this point is not desiring to be anything following the Lord," she says, "I believe seeds are planted today, and I have the faith that it's going to be growing, watering through his life and one day he will accept Christ."

Brett says he listened with interest to the formerly gay speakers and found their stories compelling. But, standing next to his mom and dad, Brett admits he's not interested in any kind of therapy.

"Don't tell my parents but no; I know I'm gay, and like, their stories are really inspiring but I know this is me and I don't really want to change."

Brett's dad, Mark, said the conference taught him he needs to learn he needs to love his son? unconditionally.

"Absolutely," he says, "love him forever."

But he also says the weekend renewed his hopes that one day his son will become straight.

From member station KJZZ, Rene Gutel reports.

How sad...when will we ever start accepting people for who they are? Where's the cure or therapy for intolerance?


Tuesday, February 27, 2007

VORTEXES - REALITY OR FANTASY?


Many years ago, I visited Sedona, Arizona and found it to be one of the most beautiful places in North America. I am no world traveler by any means but I have yet to find a place with such natural aesthetics and an overall "mystical" feeling within the US, Mexico and Canada. In fact, it feels almost like a different planet from my neck of the woods in Northeastern, Ohio. I went back for a second time a few years ago and my feelings were unchanged. I was so compelled to go back that I even started planning my wedding and honeymoon in Sedona.
One cannot go to Sedona and not hear about the vortexes in the area (unless you're on your honeymoon and remain in your private bungalow). I was even told that Native Americans used the area for vision quests as they believed it to be an area filled with so much energy that one should use it for self-discovery but should never live there full-time. In listening to people in Sedona about the vortexes it sounded a lot like a chapter out of a Carlos Castaneda book - I half expected Don Juan to jump out of some sage brush and teach me to morph into a coyote.

What is a vortex? A vortex, according to Brad Olsen's book entitled Sacred Places Around the World: 108 Destinations, 'Vortexes are subtle earth energy centers located along strong ley lines in various locations around the world.' Vortexes are basically- magnetic energy in motion.

Here is a list of countries around the world purporting possible energy vortexes:
Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala,Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, United States, Venezuela,
Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Tunisia,
Burma, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam,
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Crete, Croatia, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Malta,
Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom,
Iran, Iraq,
Israel, Palestine, Saudi Arabia,

Syria, Turkey

For a detailed list of locations - go to - Sacred Sites

Vortexes seem to be located in areas in which our ancestors built ceremonial mounds or monuments. I suppose they sensed this energy or is the energy a by-product of past events?
Here is what is says on the website of Sedona Vortex Tours:

A vortex is a place of concentrated energy that people can sense. It is usually a result of positioning: Where two or more energy meridians, called "ley lines," intersect on the earth's grid. Many of the sacred temples and cathedrals around the world are built on these natural earth energy centers. People who were guided to put them there, usually just said that the location 'just felt right'. A “man made” vortex site can be created by setting one’s intention… The earth remembers this intention and some of the people who come at a future time may sense that energy.

So what can a vortex do for you? Apparently, it connects you to your higher consciousness, expanding awareness and creativity and possibly having healing effects.

I know for myself that visiting Sedona was a wonderful experience but so are most vacations - they are usually relaxing and since one is far removed from the routine of everyday life they can feel uplifting. I am compelled to go back to Sedona - but is it because of the vortexes? Are these areas really filled with higher energy levels? I feel exhilarated in New York City - is there a vortex there? If anyone has any real life experience with vortexes and there validity - please let me know.



Monday, February 26, 2007

YUBAN COFFEE


A few years ago a friend turned me on to Yuban Coffee. In the past, as a coffee snob, I would not even consider drinking "supermarket" coffee and would go to specialty stores or mail order Green Mountain Coffee. However, to my surprise Yuban was a great tasting coffee at a Maxwell House price. I was completely satisfied drinking Yuban for many years until they stopped selling it in this area. Apparently, I was the only one buying it at the time as the local supermarkets pulled it from their shelves since it wasn't a big seller. At this point I was hooked on Yuban and wrote letters to the company (which I then discovered was Kraft) and letters to the local supermarkets to see if they would consider changing their minds about pulling it from the area. My letters did not work and I resorted to purchasing the coffee in large quantities while visiting other localities that carried it -even while on vacation over 700 miles away from home. Now Yuban is back again in my area and has an organic version and is a corporate supporter of the Rainforest Alliance.
But now I am torn as I love the coffee but wonder if I should support more socially/environmentally responsible coffee companies. Here's some information on Kraft and what a consumer supports if they support Kraft:

Illegal coffee growing threatens wildlife, Kraft major buyer

In a well-investigated and detailed report (pdf) released yesterday, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) revealed that robusta coffee is being illegally grown in southern Sumatra, with most being purchased by large coffee producers such as Kraft and Nestlé.

"Illegally grown coffee is mixed with legally grown coffee beans and sold to such companies as Kraft Foods and Nestlé among other major companies in the U.S. and abroad." -- WWF

The coffee is being grown inside Indonesia's Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, which has over 300 bird species and is one of the few places where the endangered Sumatran subspecies of tigers, elephants, and rhinos coexist. This park has already lost 30% of its land to illegal agriculture, mainly coffee. WWF found 173 square miles being used for illegal coffee growing, with a yield of nearly 20,000 tons of coffee annually. Wildlife has abandoned these cultivated areas. WWF tracked the illegal coffee from the park through export routes to multinational coffee companies using satellite imaging, interviews with coffee farmers and traders, and trade route monitoring.

The U.S. received 17% of the coffee tainted with illegally grown beans. Illegal beans are sold to local traders, who mix them with legally grown beans which then make their way to exporters. Major international companies purchase beans from exporters, and if they are not conscientious about their supply chain, they may not know they are buying illegal beans. The main buyers are shown in this graph from the report (click to enlarge), with Kraft being the number one buyer.

Wwfgraph1

Exports of robusta beans from Lampung province, where most the park lies, have been steadily increasing, and the top six companies on the graph buy 55% of all Lampung beans. The profits spurring the encroachment into the park are financed by the purchases of these global roasters, and all Lampung beans have a very high probability of being contaminated with illegally grown beans, according to WWF. Talcoa (part of Kraft Foods), Kraft, and Nestlé were the top recipients in 2003-2005; Folgers (Procter & Gamble) and Starbucks received smaller amounts in 2004.

After being contacted by WWF, Kraft and Nestle were among five companies in the early stages of "engaging with WWF" on the problem. Four companies, including ED&F Man, parent company of VOLCAFE (which supplies beans to Nestlé and Maxwell House), denied involvement. Eight other companies did not reply (full list in report).

Remember this is robusta coffee, so you don't have to worry about the Sumatran arabica beans from your favorite specialty roaster. The illegal beans are those used in most supermarket blends. Another reason to not buy these coffees!

Copied from Coffee and Conservation

It is a tough call - Here is what Yuban claims on their website:

Making a difference...is as simple as brewing a delicious cup of Yuban coffee. As the world's largest supporter of Rainforest Alliance Certified™ coffee beans, Yuban helps to protect the environment and support the people and wildlife in coffee-growing regions. So the next time you brew a cup of Yuban coffee, know you're doing something good. Every sip counts.



'Titanic' attack on Resurrection





The Oscar-winning director of "Titanic" is expected to announce in a news conference tomorrow that his next film project is a documentary suggesting Jesus wasn't resurrected, was married to Mary Magdalene and had a son.

James Cameron is producing "The Lost Tomb of Jesus," claiming the discovery of 10 stone coffins in a Jerusalem suburb in 1980 is actually the family crypt of Jesus of Nazareth.

The 90-minute film will be shown on the Discovery Channel at a later date.

The film makes the case that Jesus had a son named Judah with Mary Magdalene.

Prominent Jerusalem archaeologist Amos Kloner is disputing the claims, saying, "It makes a great story for a TV film. But it's impossible. It's nonsense."

Cameron and his director, Simcha Jacobovici, claim also to have DNA evidence to back their story.

Jacobovici is trying not to alienate the faithful, by suggesting the ascension into heaven by Jesus could still have occurred spiritually if not physically.

"People who believe in a physical ascension – that he took his body to heaven – those people will say, 'Wait a minute,'" warns the director.

The news comes a year after the release of "The Da Vinci Code" movie, based on the best-selling novel of 2004 by Dan Brown, both of which also claimed Mary Magdalene was the wife of Jesus.

James Tabor, chairman of the religious studies department at the University of North Carolina who is interviewed throughout the documentary, says it will not be so easy to dismiss this work.

"This is archaeology," he claims. "We've got the casket. We've got the bones. I think we can say, in all probability, Jesus had this son, Judah, presumably through Mary Magdalene."

The coffins reportedly carried the names of Jesua, son of Joseph, Mary, Mary, Mathew, Jofa and Judah, son of Jesua. Some archaeologists who studied the find point out those were common names in Israel 2,000 years ago.

A statistician is brought into the documentary to suggest finding that combination of names in a first century crypt at 600 to 1.

The news conference is schedule to be held in New York and a website has been created to tout the media event. A companion book, "The Jesus Family Tomb," published by Harper-Collins, is set for release this week.


If you'd like to sound off on this issue, please take part in the WorldNetDaily poll.

© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

Sunday, February 25, 2007

The Air Car

My next vehicle!

Friday, February 23, 2007

Nine Year Anniversary!


Congratulations to me for managing to stay in a relationship for 9 years. Congratulations to my wife for putting up with me for 9 years! She deserves an award or medal of courage and perseverance. According to national statistics, we beat the median of almost 8 years of marriage before ending in divorce! Congratulations to all those other couples out there that have found their "soul mate."
My wife has many reasons to leave me but I can't think of any basis for leaving her - good for me! We know how to fight - which rarely happens but when it does we debate our issues politely and resolve them. Rarely do we bring up past issues.

Here is a cautionary list of the 10 mistakes I have made:

1. During our dating days when I lived in a dorm, I constructed my bed out of two beds and it wasn't extremely sturdy - I stated "You can sit on my bed, you shouldn't break it" - Any women could take offense to that.

2. One morning, while we were still in bed and her hair was a mess -I said "How did Robert Smith from The Cure get into this bed!" - ouch

3. While we were in college I moved my friend into her apartment without really clearing it with her. Consequently, I ended up spending more time visiting with my friend at her apartment than spending time with her.

4. One night she planned a romantic night and made me chocolate covered strawberries, bought champagne and decorated the room with stars and candle light and when I arrived home I told her I wanted to watch Blade Runner instead - she fell asleep during the opening credits.

5. One morning she made me breakfast in bed and I continued to sleep until lunch time.

6. I bought a motorcycle. - I thought it was cool - she didn't!

7. I've only cleaned the bathroom a few times in 9 years.

8. I continued to watch a uneventful baseball game while she was standing next to me in sexy lingerie.

9. A couple years ago - I listened exclusively to Frank Zappa for almost 6 months and proceeded to talk with her everyday about the complexity of his music. - I'm still recovering!

10. I drop everything to play golf and once golfed the whole day of Mother's Day while she prepared dinner for her mother and our daughter!

I'm sure my wife could triple this list. What can I say...I have the next nine years to improve!
And to all the ladies out there that put up with guys like me - Cheers to you!

Happy Anniversary to my wife! I wouldn't want to spend it with anyone else.

What's the #1 reason why your significant other should leave you?

Thursday, February 22, 2007

GLOBAL WARMING


What's up with global warming? I took a daily poll today and 60% of participants think that global warming is a farce. Many people believe that Al Gore's movie, An Inconvenient Truth is more fiction than truth based on inconclusive data. With the world population now an estimated 6,525,170,264, and over 600 million cars in the world notwithstanding the long list of other ways carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere, it seems that we humans may have some impact on our environment.


Burning One Gallon of Gasoline Generates 22 Pounds of Carbon Dioxide

Are we naturally so arrogant that we can't admit that we are responsible for climate change and the thought of giving up our SUVs is too much to ask even if it is for the sake of our children's future? Or is Michael Crichton's book State of Fear, correct in stating that the science behind climate change is ultimately pseudoscience, or is his book the work of fiction as it is listed? More Europeans seems to understand the impact we are having on the environment. Are most Americans in denial? How do you feel about this issue? Should we sit back and wait to see how things pan out or should each and every one of us start conserving?

Meka's Cob Cottage

Alternative homes!

I don't know much about these cob houses, only that they are made of dirt and straw and are environmentally friendly. I read somewhere that you can build them for $11,000. I am wondering how they stand up to the elements - are they practical in different climates? Anyone have any experience in building one of these sweet looking homes?


http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1107/p02s01-usec.html

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

WRITERS OF LOST (Parody)

Now we finally know how they come up with those twisted and surreal plots. Check out a great website on the theories of LOST at: http://lost-theories.com/

MAGIC HAT


Good company, a #9 and nothing else to do!!! Seven years anxiously awaiting and Magic Hat Beer has finally arrived in Northeastern Ohio! Not sure what took so long but the wait made it even sweeter. Magic Hat Brewing Company is located in South Burlington, Vermont (greatest state in the union - Ohio is 7th) and the makers of par excellence micro-brewed beer. Here's a description of the #9 just to get you thirsty: 'A beer cloaked in secrecy. An ale whose mysteries and unusual palate will swirl across your tongue and ask more questions than it answers. A beer brewed clandestinely and given a name whose meaning is never revealed. Why #9? why, indeed. A sort of dry, crisp, fruity, refreshing, not-quite pale ale. #9 is really impossible to describe because there's never been anything quite like it.' Now you see what I'm talking about but you have to taste one to know why I am even posting this on my blog. I would like to thank the beer rep who suggested putting this on-tap at two local establishments. Keep it coming and let my wife know that I won't be home for a while.

Any micro-brews that you love? - post comment.

Magic Hat Brewing Company

Monday, February 19, 2007

COLORFUL BUILDINGS NEAR MOSCOW




Why can't we do something like this in Cleveland, Ohio? Cleveland is similar to Moscow from what I understand. It might help with the overall morale of the city.

Check out other pictures at:
http://sturman.livejournal.com/271320.html

Why Britney Shaved Her Head!


Britney Spears did not shave her head because she was symbolically reborn and starting fresh. Britney is not making a dramatic musical shift inspired by Sinead, embracing feminism and singing angry and intense songs instead of the mainstream garbage she put out in the past. Britney is not becoming a Buddhist monk. Britney is not undergoing cancer treatment.
The real reason Britney shaved her head according to informed sources is that she had head lice - much like Sigourney Weaver in Aliens. Due to excessive partying, rubbing up with the likes of anyone who could stand hanging with her and being malnourished -she contracted the Pediculus humanus capitis and the best way to rid yourself of these little buggers is to rid yourself of your hair. The other theory is that she has a staring role in the next season of Prison Break.

Sunday, February 18, 2007

NATURAL MORPHINE


Oh to just be content...to sit and watch the waves upon the beach or the snow falling softly to the ground. How often do these moments spring forth in our lives? What is it that gives us a sense of completeness and connectedness to something greater? Those moments when whatever we are doing is all we need...for a time we are free from hunger, thirst, and all physical and emotional pain washes away and our state of consciousness seems to be divinely inspired. Philosophers have spoken of this for centuries and athletes term this as being in the "zone." I have felt this while snowboarding, sailing, playing golf and spending time in good conversation. We all have these moments and long to have them again. I wonder what flood of chemicals are occurring in my brain at these moments- is it similar to a dopamine release when ingesting morphine or other opiates? The experience is what poems and any great works of art are made of - something that only the creative of minds can put into words or color. I enjoy the surprise of these moments as they do not always occur when doing the activities I love. It's as if everything has to be in order for these moments to occur - I know how to increase the likelihood of their occurrence but I can never force it to happen. I can complete a round of golf every weekend for the next season and never get into the zone and then when I least expect it everything falls into place and I have that quietude, that connection, that visualized shot that works as planned and overall that sense of oneness with everything. Was it the variety of foods I consumed at lunchtime? Or the mix of chemicals I inadvertently put into my body? How did I get there and how can I get back sometime soon? More importantly, how can I control this and bring it to me when I need it most? Or would it be less euphoric if it wasn't a spontaneous event? Until the next time...

THE SECRET


I watched The Secret not long ago and found it to be interesting and worthwhile when it comes to taking responsibility for our thoughts and gaining a better understanding of whether our thoughts are in line with our intentions and goals in life. Do we have internal conflicts that we may not be aware of? Are we always wishing for money because we feel we will never have enough and in turn sending out the forever wishing but never achieving manifestation? I like the idea of moving away from the external locus of control to an internal realization that we can accomplish and obtain whatever we focus on. However, I started thinking about my day job working with homeless individuals - I believe that homelessness exists and is a real problem in this country and I focus a lot of my attention on the issue. My reality of the issue has expanded and prior to working in this field, I knew nothing about the number of homeless individuals around me in my community. So, as this has become a real issue in my life - I have to ask- Are my coworkers and I creating more homelessness by focusing intently on the issue? A strange question to ask indeed - yet I wonder if we focused on believing that homelessness will end or is not a great problem -would the issue lessen over time? When we add more police to our streets, do we create more criminals? When we fight the war on drugs, are we creating more drugs coming into the country? If what we focus on becomes our reality, are these things manifesting themselves in our world?

The laws of attraction makes sense on many levels. I know that there are certain things that I expect and those things seem to manifest in my life. Nevertheless, other things such as believing that I will eventually out-grow my asthma seems out of reach. I can believe each and every day and know that it's working and then I have an attack and it is reinforced within me again that I will forever suffer from this malady. What do we have the control over to change? I can believe in happiness and peace for my family but when some natural force destroys my house - did I somehow create this? Did innocent families in Baghdad bring the war to their communities because of the laws of attraction?
I grew up in an area with very little criminal activity, got used to never locking my car, and always left my keys in my car. When I moved around the county because of conditioning, I continued to leave my keys in my car not thinking much about it being stolen. Friends were dumbfounded by this behavior and repeated told me my car would be stolen. I never believed them and continued to leave my keys in my car on most occasions and the only car that was ever stolen from me was the car that was locked, and I still have the keys. Therefore, perhaps our beliefs reinforce what happens to us and can influence our reality. But we can't go so far as to say that the child that was kidnapped was sending out this attraction, however, it's possible to believe that the mother who believes that the world is a more dangerous than when she was a child is going to be living in a scarier world and be more fearful because she has created this idea in her mind and reinforcing it by watching the news each night.

Anyone have more congruent thoughts on the laws of attraction?- or any real life experiences on using the laws of attraction feel free to comment.

Friday, February 16, 2007

SECOND LIFE



I am sure everyone knows about Second Life by now. But in case you haven't - it's a virtual world in which you design your own person, meet other people, get a job, purchase land, build things, have sex and do just about everything you can do in the real world only through your computer. It is reminiscent of SIMS but better graphics and one is capable of doing so much more. One of the nice aspects of Second Life is you are able to fly if you want to get somewhere fast. Another piece of this "game" is you are able to make real money and spend money. The Linden dollar can be converted to US currency and people are supplementing their income in their "second life" and some have quit their day jobs altogether. It is possible to spend money on real estate that doesn't really exist and make money selling items you have made in this virtual world. I just had to check it out. I found it to be quite fascinating and met people from all over the world. I went to great areas had drinks, good conversation and even checked out some of the seedy areas. After three days in this world - I was beginning to understand how compelling it could be - I could be everything that I am not in this world. I made my avatar muscular and attractive and decided that I could be bold and Type A - acting in ways that I don't feel comfortable doing in this world. However, after pulling my undernourished, red eyed, overstimulated physical body away from the computer and discovering that my first life was suffering and responsibilities skirted - I pulled the plug and erased it from my computer.

I wonder what the future holds for us? The experience of Second Life was like some sort of matrix and I could see how it could end up consuming much of my time. The virtual world is like simulated Prozac or a form of escapism that some us can't reach in this world. It gives us instant control and pulls you in right away with the allure of being able to fly and creating your own character. Do we retard our progress in this world by spending time in the virtual world or can it be part and parcel to our emotional/spiritual growth? I suppose it is no different than other computer games or perhaps similar to the internet and blogs in general. You can make connections with others from around the world but what happens when we spend 6 to 8 hours a day in the virtual world? What will become of the real world? Will I someday be able to go on a date with my wife on some tropical island without leaving our house? Just hook me up to an IV and plug my brain in...Any thoughts?

Check out Second Life if you haven't already -http://secondlife.com/ - it's free unless you want to join - Make sure you remember to eat, shower, talk to spouse/kids/friends and go to work!

FREECYCLE


Check out this very cool website for finding free items that you may need or giving away stuff that is cluttering up your house! It is the free version of EBAY.

The Freecycle Network™ is made up of many individual groups across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer (them's good people). Membership is free. To sign up, find your community by clicking on the region on the left. You may then go directly to your local group by clicking on "Go To" or you may immediately joining by clicking on "Join." It will generate an automatic e-mail which, when sent, will sign you up for the local group and send you a response with instructions on how it works. Can't find a group near you? You might want to consider starting one (click on "Start a Group" for instructions). Have fun!

The Freecycle Network was started in May 2003 to promote waste reduction in Tucson's downtown and help save desert landscape from being taken over by landfills. The Network provides individuals and non-profits an electronic forum to "recycle" unwanted items. One person's trash can truly be another's treasure!

http://www.freecycle.org

Thursday, February 15, 2007

LOST - Those darn torches


I am a little obsessed with LOST right now and was thinking about the torches they use. If you were stranded on a deserted island - how would one go about making a torch that stays lit? I know that you can use birch bark if these trees are available but I don't think they have these in tropical regions. Any experience in making torches?-Please let me know in case I happen to find myself isolated somewhere in the wilderness and need a light, supposing that I am even able to get a fire going.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU MESSED UP VALENTINE'S DAY


Well, it looks like I'm on the couch tonight. I didn't pull off any brilliant last minute romantic plans for my sweetheart. What is it with some of us guys who seem to be challenged when it comes to romance? Perhaps our definition of what is romantic changes over the years as going out to eat and spending time at a local hardware store with my sweetheart seems like an evening of romance -or what could be more romantic than some beer and a basketball game in the comfort of your own home? Anyway, now I am forced to come up with a few ways to make things right when you have messed up the most romantic day of the year. Here are my thoughts:

1. Offer to clean the bathroom for a month!(I've only cleaned it twice in 9 years)

2. Dress up as Sawyer from LOST and call her sexy names like "Hot-cheeks" and "Sweet-tits"

3. Send her a rose each day for a week

4. Serenade 'What a Difference a Day Made' while massaging her feet

5. Or the classic - bring her breakfast in bed on Saturday

I may have to do all of these...we'll see how it goes. I would like to thank my significant other for thinking of me on this Valentine's Day and planning ahead. The card was great and the light for my water bottle is going to come in handy when we are camping.

If anyone has any other suggestions feel free to let me know. I'm going to try and sneak into bed now.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Happy Valentine's Day!


Ok...I really messed things up for Valentine's Day - I never plan ahead and was going to get my wife something for Valentine's Day yesterday after work, however, we were hit with 12 plus inches of snow and it wasn't safe to drive the 10 miles I needed to go to pick up her gift. So, she gave me a very nice and unique gift this morning and I have done nothing yet. I am in the dog house on this as I could have picked up her gift over the weekend. What should i do? Will chocolate and flowers suffice until I can get her gift tomorrow (she already stated that she doesn't want me to drive the 10 miles today as the roads are still bad)? Perhaps she will forget all about it as LOST is on tonight!!! Maybe make her dinner? Any suggestions? Does Valentine's Day really matter to women? It's not like I messed up our anniversary.

NEW BLOG


Please help!!! I have so many questions about everything and even more questions about the answers to questions. I am forever inquisitive and always searching to know how others feel about certain issues. I need explanations on how things work and how things are in the world and how to behave with proper etiquette. My profundity is lacking on so many levels and I ask for your insightful help to provide some elucidation to my clueless mind. Thank you for your help.