Friday, February 29, 2008
Turn On, Tune In, Opt Out!
Today's PSA:
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Notes on Victoria and Pre-Victorian Literature
Victoria Web
Essays on Philosophy
Ann Radcliffe and Charlotte Smith
"The present rage for gigantic and impossible horrors, which I cannot but consider as a symptom of morbid and vitiated taste, makes me almost doubt whether the simple pleasures afforded by natural objects will not appear vapid to the admirers of spectre novels and cavern adventure." ~ Charlotte Smith on writing in the 'new' Gothic style.
Monday, February 25, 2008
The Memory Play
Tennessee Williams claimed that all of his major plays fit into the "memory play" format he described in his production notes for The Glass Menagerie.
The memory play is a three-part structure: (1) a character experiences something profound; (2) that experience causes what Williams terms an "arrest of time," a situation in which time literally loops upon itself; and (3) the character must re-live that profound experience (caught in a sort of mobius loop of time) until she or he makes sense of it. The overarching theme for his plays, he claimed, is the negative impact that conventional society has upon the "sensitive nonconformist individual."
With their emphasis on the irrational, the desperation of humanity in a universe in which cosmic laws do not work, and their tragi-comic examination of the conflicts between the gentility of old Southern values and the brute force of new, Northern values, Williams's plays fit nicely into a genre critics call "Southern Gothic."
Trading the World for a Cabin in the Woods
“And you’re going there why?” asked one, martini in hand.
I had explained my need to escape — to find some simple peace and quiet in a muffled, snowbound forest that had no chance of cellphone reception.
“That scares me,” admitted another.."
In honor of our pursuit of acreage, I found this NYT article in Escapes
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Be Kind Rewind
Be Kind Rewind
MosDef and Jack Black team up after Black's character creates chaos at the local video store
Friday, February 22, 2008
Caribbean Cafe
... on Millbrook near our house gets a great review by Greg Cox:
"Caribbean Café has been open for nearly a year, but it's a modest little eatery in one of those countless nondescript three-tenant strip malls in North Raleigh, so it's easy to overlook.
Judging by the scene that greeted me the first time I dined there, however, the local Latino community has had no problem finding the place. It was early on a Wednesday evening, and the tropically colorful dining room was already half full. A couple of men sat at the bar watching a soccer match, and a happy jumble of Spanish and New York accents spilled from the back room, where a large party was celebrating a birthday. A little eavesdropping confirmed that they had once called Puerto Rico home.
I'm guessing they enjoyed their meal. The restaurant's specialty isn't Puerto Rican, precisely, but it's Dominican, which is about as close as you'll get in these parts. And while I couldn't say whether there's a subtle distinction between the two neighboring islands' versions of, say, arroz con pollo, I can say I've enjoyed most everything I've eaten at Caribbean Café.
One of my favorites is sopa de res, a soulfully satisfying beef soup that features large, tender cubes of beef in a cilantro-fragrant broth. Be advised that when the menu says a "cup" of soup, it means a generous bowl, even though the price is only $3.50. Order the "bowl," and you're in for a filling $6 meal. Sopa de pollo is also available, and sometimes a classic Puerto Rican -- er, Dominican tripe soup called mondongo.
This is not to be confused with mofongo, a rib-sticking medley of green plantains mashed and fried in the fashion of tostones, pork cracklings, garlic and olive oil. Odd as the combination sounds, it quickly grows on you.
Otherwise, the appetizer offering consists of shrimp seviche, grilled chorizo with tostones, tasty if sometimes overcooked shrimp in garlic sauce, and a handful of variations on the chunks-of-fried-meat theme. One of these, called picadera mixta, serves up chunky nuggets of fried pork, slices of grilled chorizo, yuca simmered in an addictively tart and garlicky mojo sauce, and tostones. Inspired by the Columbian picado, it's one of a handful of dishes sprinkled throughout the menu that venture beyond the Dominican home turf. Regardless of its origins, picadera mixta is just what you want if you're out with your buddies for a couple of Coronas.
The menu describes pernil simply as "roast pork," which doesn't do justice to the juicy shreds of garlic-marinated, slow-cooked porky goodness that are piled on your plate alongside your choice of two sides (tostones are usually a good bet, though occasionally dry; I'm partial to the caramelized sweetness of platanos maduros, and to the soupy red beans).
Bistec encebollado, thinly sliced sirloin steak marinated in vinegar and adobo, then grilled and smothered in grilled onions, is another winning entree option. Chicharron de pollo features small pieces of bone-in chicken deep-fried to a crackling crunch. Chicken doesn't hold up as well to the treatment as pork, however, and tends to be chewy and dry. Bacalao Caribeño, on the other hand, shows just how toothsome dried salt cod can be when it's simmered in a savory sauce of tomatoes, onions and green olives. Arroz con cangrejo y camarones Caribeño nets a surprisingly generous catch of crab. You'll have to watch for bits of shell lurking in the yellow rice, however, as the crabs are chopped into sections.
The restaurant's owners are Cuban native Carlos Rivero and his wife, Yoselin Nuñez, who hails from the Dominican Republic. Rivero, whose career includes more than 20 years in the kitchens of Dominican restaurants in New York and New Jersey, insists on cooking many dishes to order. Food can take a while to get to your table, a problem that's compounded by an understaffed dining room. The servers are friendly, though, and besides, what's your hurry? When you walk through the door, just consider yourself on a mini Caribbean island vacation.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Should We Get Behind A Growth Moratorium?
"It is all about money -- greed -- versus common sense."
City Councilman Rodger Koopman proposes growth moratorium - the community is behind him but not the rest of the council.
My former NCWF co-worker, Dean Naujoks, now a Neuse RiverKeeper, says "I think it may become necessary. We've kind of forced ourselves into a position where we've really limited our options. Had we gone to conservation sooner, we may have more options on the table."
Koopman's idea got a cool reception
from City Manager Russell Allen. Allen said a moratorium wouldn't help in time for this drought, for two reasons: Building permits that have already been issued can't be rescinded, and construction that hasn't started probably would outlast the drought. Also, the city manager said, Raleigh's policy needs to take into account that a moratorium would hurt the city's economy.
"What's the economic impact of running out of water?" Koopman retorted.
Despite the drought, Raleigh keeps growing. The city's population grew last year by an estimated 4.2 percent, or almost 15,000 people.
Raleigh issued 8,675 building permits last year, according to city records. Almost 5,000 were issued after the drought's local declaration in May.
Water and Drought Fact Finder
Track The Drought
Water Savers
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Kim Sunee
After reading the NYT article today on Kim Sunee and considering as part of a wedding gift, her book, , I decided to check out her website, found she had a blog and lo-n-behold, she was in NC eating BBQ and raving about La Vaquita in Chapel Hill and Durham just 2 days ago!
Both Allen and Sons BBQ and La Vaquita are two Triangle eateries I've been eager to visit. I've encouraged Sean and J-Boy to even go it alone to La Vaquita on one of their many forays into the Durham Lunch Scene. Ms. Sunee often photographs her meals before indulging and I have to admit, the view of the spread at La Vaquita made my mouth water.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
NOTHING INDUSTRIAL ABOUT IT
Small Batch Dairies Are Big on Flavor
Milk, butter, yogurt, ice cream and other products made by small-batch farmers are catching on with chefs and home cooks, who are discovering their farm-fresh taste.
Poverty Is Poison
Two NYT articles today focus on disadvantages that continue to afflict our children:
Poverty is Poison
"L. B. J. declared his “War on Poverty” 44 years ago. Contrary to cynical legend, there actually was a large reduction in poverty over the next few years, especially among children, who saw their poverty rate fall from 23 percent in 1963 to 14 percent in 1969.
But progress stalled thereafter: American politics shifted to the right, attention shifted from the suffering of the poor to the alleged abuses of welfare queens driving Cadillacs, and the fight against poverty was largely abandoned.
In 2006, 17.4 percent of children in America lived below the poverty line, substantially more than in 1969. And even this measure probably understates the true depth of many children’s misery....neuroscientists have found that “many children growing up in very poor families with low social status experience unhealthy levels of stress hormones, which impair their neural development.” The effect is to impair language development and memory — and hence the ability to escape poverty — for the rest of the child’s life."
Higher Education Gap May Slow Economic Mobility"found startling evidence that a majority of black children born to middle-class parents grew up to have lower incomes and that nearly half of middle-class black children fell into the bottom fifth in adulthood, compared with 16 percent of middle-class white children...and warned that widening gaps in higher education between rich and poor, whites and minorities, could soon lead to a downturn in opportunities for the poorest families.
The researchers found that Hispanic and black Americans were falling behind whites and Asians in earning college degrees, making it harder for them to enter the middle class or higher."
Further info in report found at Economic Mobility.org
Mr. Bull Goes to Washington
Jim Cramer sends the Mad Money bull to Washington DC to deliver a Valentine's Day card to Ben Bernanke.
Today's Recipe
Garlicky Sesame-Cured Broccoli Salad
Time: 10 minutes, plus 1 hour marinating
1 1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
2 heads broccoli, 1 pound each, cut into bite-size florets
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 fat garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
2 teaspoons roasted (Asian) sesame oil
Large pinch crushed red pepper flakes.
1. In a large bowl, stir together the vinegar and salt. Add broccoli and toss to combine.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil until hot, but not smoking. Add garlic and cumin and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in sesame oil and pepper flakes. Pour mixture over broccoli and toss well. Let sit for at least 1 hour at room temperature, and up to 48 (chill it if you want to keep it for more than 2 hours). Adjust seasonings (it may need more salt) and serve.
Sustainable Architecture, Sustainable Life
Architect William McDonough speaks at TED on Sustainable Design
using excerpts from his NPR 6-part series entitled Monticello Dialogues and his book Cradle To Cradle
argues "that the conflict between industry and the environment is not an indictment of commerce but an outgrowth of purely opportunistic design. The design of products and manufacturing systems growing out of the Industrial Revolution reflected the spirit of the day-and yielded a host of unintended yet tragic consequences...and makes the case that an industrial system that "takes, makes and wastes" can become a creator of goods and services that generate ecological, social and economic value..."
Speaking of sustainability - seems Duke is having a symposium Saturday (Free? breakfast? just register at the website?) entitled Fueling, Feeding, and Financing Sustainable Change
Today's Quote
The trick is to realize that the shit that falls on you is fertilizer.
- Ron Mangravite
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Lindsay's Last Sitting?
Wonder if the photographer put his hand under her cover up and fondled her like Marilyn's photographer bragged...
Lindsay Takes It Off
The Future of Water Markets
Openings to flow from water demand
By Sophia Grene FT.com
Increasing pressure on global water supplies will create opportunities for investors, according to a report from Zurich-based Sustainable Asset Management Group.
Water – a Market of the Future looked at the challenges of supplying sufficient water to a rapidly expanding global economy and identified four themes that offer investment opportunities. They are: distribution and management; advanced water treatment; demand-side efficiency; and water and food.
“The spectrum of investment opportunities is very broad and encompasses companies that at first sight appear to have little direct connection with the theme of water, but are closely linked to the sector: food production, for example,” the report commented.
While the growth rate of the water market will vary in different regions, with Asia and the Middle East looking likely to provide double digit growth, even in Europe, where predicted growth is lacklustre, consolidation and technological developments will offer opportunities for suppliers of service and equipment to the water industry.
One way to deal with limited resources is to use those resources more efficiently.
Industry is a major and growing consumer of water; Sam’s report focuses on the need for China and other industrialising countries to improve their water efficiency and the treatment of industrial waste water.
Death Is Nothing At All
Death is Nothing at All
by Henry Scott Holland (1847-1918)
Canon of St. Paul's Cathedral
Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other,
that we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference in your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without affect,
without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolutely unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you,
for an interval,
somewhere very near,
just around the corner.
All is well.
.
Thoughts on Retirement from Ric Edelman
Top Ten Things to Do Before Retiring
Here’s what to do now if retirement is on your horizon.
1. Decide how you are going to spend your time. What are you going to do during the first 6 to 12 months in retirement, and what do you plan to do for the rest of your retired life?
2. Determine (realistically) how much money you will spend monthly. Remember to include periodic expenditures such as gifts, vacations, taxes, an occasional new car, and emergencies.
3. Anticipate the cost of health care. You’ll have no employer to pay this for you; Medicare, MediGap, and private insurance are all up to you.
4. Buy long-term care insurance. Now.
5. Refinance your mortgage. Many people are shocked to discover that they either cannot borrow money after they retire, or they are forced to pay higher rates.
6. Boost your cash reserves. Make sure your rainy day fund is enough to cover at least six months’ worth of expenses.
7. Evaluate your sources of income. You have already figured out what you’ll spend on a monthly basis. Now figure out where that money will come from.
8. Revise your investment strategy. The way you’ve handled your investments over the past 30 years is not how you should handle them for the next 30. While preparing for retirement, you were focused on asset accumulation. When you’re in retirement, you need to focus on income and on keeping pace with the increasing cost of living. Assets must be flexible and liquid so you can meet needs you did not anticipate. New words will enter your vocabulary: rollovers and lump sums.
9. Review your estate plan. Review your will and trust. Don’t have them? Get them. These documents can protect you and your assets while you are alive and benefit your spouse and children when you pass on.
10. Perhaps the most important thing of all. If you are not excited about retirement, then don’t. Many people quickly become bored after retiring. It’s OK — even exciting — to return to school or the workplace. Many do this, often in completely new fields.
Notes From New Raleigh
York Properties is anxious. Condos in downtown Raleigh aren’t cheap and apparently, they aren’t selling well. It’s no secret that downtown’s growth has waned recently, with projects slow to mature and sales slow to materialize. In the Charlotte Observer today Jack Hagel reports that York is putting One Eleven Seaboard on hold. While we have seen continued commercial development, residential plans have been scaled back in many projects across downtown Raleigh.
Hagel goes on to say that the RBC Plaza (the developer was the 2nd highest source of tax revenue in the county) and West are doing fine moving condos. Three Boylan Avenue projects have been put on hold or scaled back and the Tucker has been converted to rentals. George York on the subject: “The market is just gone.” Sounds that way for the time being.
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SideTrack Brewpub trying it again... until there's an opening date, I remain sceptical.
Monday, February 18, 2008
BIPV
Understanding BIPV (Built-In Photovoltaics)
By Jennifer Dooley
In an effort to reduce their carbon footprint and "go green," millions of people and companies have begun exploring or using Builti-In Photovoltaics-solar cells-as an alternative, renewable source of energy. The Earth's inhabitants use less energy in an entire year than the sun sends to the planet in 30 minutes. Development of solar technology is crucial because it will allow us to take advantage of a clean energy source that has no waste product. Increased presence of solar power could even provide electricity to the 2 billion people-approximately 1/3 of the population-who do not have it.
Below are several key facts about solar cells and solar energy:
-Charles Fritts built the world's first photovoltaic cell in 1883, when he coated a thin layer of gold over selenium; the resulting solar cell was barely 1% efficient.
-In 1946, Russell Ohl received a patent for the basic model of what we know as the modern solar cell
-Solar cells can currently be as much 28 to 45% efficient
-A typical solar cell is only .01 inches thick
-Currently, only 0.04% of the planet's energy usage comes from solar energy
-A solar cell works like this: sunlight makes contact with the cell, which releases electrons; the electrons form a DC (direct current), identical to the current flowing from a typical battery
-One watt of electricity is produced by a silicon cell of approximately four inches
-Solar cells are typically made out of silicon, though other light-absorbing materials that may be used for photovoltaic cells include Cadmium telluride and Copper-Indium Selenide
-Silicon comes from silica (or silica sand); it takes a great deal of energy to separate silicon from silica
-Over two years can elapse before a solar cell has converted enough energy from light energy to electricity to replace the energy that was used to make it
-A 2007 study sponsored by the National Science Foundation showed that when scientists placed nanoparticles of silicon over the pre-existing layer of silicon, the cells become more efficient and long-lasting
-Built-In Photovoltaics can serve as roof shingles, and carry the energy they convert directly to the building on which they reside
-Built-In Photovoltaics can also take the form of opaque glass facades
-Both types of building material can replace traditional building materials such as plastic, and so the money a company or family saves by installing BIPV comes not only from the free solar energy, but from not having to buy traditional materials
-Japan, Germany, China and the United States are the leading nations in the production of solar cell manufacturing
-Japan is the world's largest exporter of manufactured photovoltaics
-In 1985, consumer demand worldwide for solar panel installation was only 21 Megawatts
-The company Sharp is the world's foremost manufacturer of photovoltaic technology
-By 2006, this number had multiplied to over 3000 Megawatts
-In Germany, people who connect their BIPV systems to the public power system can earn almost 50 euro cents per kilowatt hour
-Each year between 1982 and 2007, consumer demand for solar energy increased 25%; in contrast, the demand for hydrocarbon energy has only grown annually at about 1%
Sources
"Fast Solar Energy Facts," SolarBuzz. Retrieved January 12, 2008, from
http://www.solarbuzz.com/FastFactsIndustry.htm
Kloeppel, James E. "Silicon Nanoparticles Enhance Performance of Solar Cells," Newsbureau: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Retrieved January 12, 2008, from http://www.news.uiuc.edu/news/07/0820solarcells.html .
"Solar Cell," Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 12, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaic_effect#Current_research_on_materials_and_devices.
"Solar Electricity," Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, Retrieved January 12, 2008, from http://www.nesea.org/buildings/info/solarelectricity.html.
Raleigh Recycling: WHAT'S IN, WHAT'S OUT
HERE'S WHAT CAN GO IN THE RALEIGH RECYCLING BIN
* Newspaper
* White paper
* Green, brown and clear glass
* Corrugated cardboard
* Paperboard such as cereal boxes, shoeboxes
* Plastic bottles
* Aseptic juice boxes
* Gable-top paper cartons such as milk cartons
* Metal food cans
* Aluminum beverage cans
* Aluminum foil (no food residue)
* Six-pack rings
* Magazines
* Junk mail and catalogs
HERE'S WHAT SHOULD STAY OUT OF THE RALEIGH RECYCLING BIN
* Yogurt cups
* Margarine containers
* Frozen food trays
* Plastic wrap
* Plastic bags
* Styrofoam
* Phone books
* Stamps and stickers in junk mail
* Pizza boxes
* Plastic bottles that contain oil or hazardous substances
GOING TO WASTE
11.8 million: Tons of garbage disposed of statewide
1.3 million: Tons of material recycled statewide in 2007
1,880: Pounds of waste the average household generates a year.
745: Pounds of waste that households could recycle each year.
243: Pounds of waste that North Carolina households recycle each year.
(N.C. DIVISION OF POLLUTION PREVENTION)
USDA Orders Largest Meat Recall in U.S. History
USDA Largest Recall
Abuses at Hallmark Slaughterhouses Caught on Tape
Not only is this animal abuse, the claim that the US has never had a case of 'Mad Cow Disease' comes into question. When a USDA vet's only inspection of an animal is seeing them quickly walk past them, they somehow "Pass" before going to slaughter. These videos show the extremes (shocking, waterboarding, rolling with forklifts, dragging) that the slaughterhouses go to to get a downer cow to slaughter. There is too great a chance that these downer cows have the disease, but no one is checking and they're being shoved along just to get their money's worth to market. AND THE MARKET IS SHIPPING TO OUR CHILDREN'S SCHOOLS!
Warning: Graphic Animal Abuse
This last video shows how widespread Westland Meat shipments were to schools across the US, including NC schools (brands include Hallmark, Westland, King and Regal)
Humane Society Videos
Make A Choice To Never Buy Factory Farmed Meat
Stop Buying Poultry raised in Battery Cages
Stop Buying Meat raised in Crates
Update:
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Dumping the school beef
Holly Springs may complain about reassignment, but at least its residents won't be stuck with thousands of pounds of recalled beef.
This morning, the state Department of Agriculture will pick up the 900 cases of recalled beef currently sitting in the Wake school system's Child Nutrition Services warehouse. They'll eventually get the 600 cases sitting at the individual Wake schools.
Today's batch of beef will be carted to an Ag Department warehouse in Butner. Gary Gay, director of the Food Distribution Division for the state Ag Department, said the beef will later be carted off for disposal at a landfill in Person County.
This means the new South Wake Landfill near Holly Springs won't be saddled with the frozen beef patties, spaghetti sauce and hot dog chili.
Smaller districts that have fewer than 50 cases of the recalled beef can dispose of it themselves. They just need to dump bleach on the beef before sticking the cases in a dumpster.
.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
How We Age and How We Can Avoid It
Dr. Aubrey de Grey at the TED Conference talks on reversing the aging process
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Bush Quote of the Day
"Your fight against corruption is visible and easy for the people to see," Bush said. "This is such a good lesson ... because leaders around the world have got to understand that the United States wants to partner with leaders and the people, but we're not going to do so with people that steal money, pure and simple."
- Bush speaking to Thomas Boni Yayi, the president of Benin on his African Lame Duck Tour
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Adrienne Shelly
I feel outta touch. We rented the movie Waitress months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was looking forward to more from the screenwriter. Not until today did I read the horrible news of it's writer/director/fellow waitress, Adrienne Shelly.
Guilty Plea In Actress' Killing
Kill-A-Watt
Spend $40 to Kill-A-Watt
Although it has a LCD screen and it is the size of an older ipod, it does not play any mp3s or videos. In fact, it is like a swiss knife with only one blade and really only does one thing - measures electricity consumption. My wife gave me this device, called Kill-A-Watt, for Christmas.
It is simple to use. First you plug a household appliance into the device and then plug the device into the wall. That's it. You are done. The device measures the resulting electrical consumption on a large LCD screen. So, if you know how much your electrical utility charges per kwh, you can quickly calculate how much the appliance is costing you per day/per month/ per year.
I have been rotating this device between different household appliances for the past couple of weeks and here are some of my preliminary results:
* 20 gallon aquarium : $1.0 a month/$12 a year
* Fancy Keurig Coffee Maker : $1.5 per month/ $18 a year
* Old Cathode Ray Tube iMac : $1.9 per month/$22 a year
* Newer Flatscreen iMac & Phone : $2.6 per month/$31 a year
* Old School CRT TV and Stereo : $1.34/$16 a year
Are we going to change anything? Coffee stays at all costs, however, we are now discussing decommissioning the aquarium and our older computer. It is embarrassing that this computer stays on upstairs and I rarely use it.
Feedback is a powerful tool in controlling demand. Anyway, buy one of these for yourself and then give it to a friend.
P4460 Electricity Usage Monitor
DI Y?
Dreamy Idealist (DI)
The dreamy idealist is very cautious and therefore often appears shy and reserved to others. He shares his rich emotional life and his passionate convictions with very few people. But one would be very much mistaken to judge him to be cool and reserved. He has a pronounced inner system of values and clear, honourable principles for which he is willing to sacrifice a great deal. Johanna von Orleans or Sir Galahad would have been good examples of this personality type. He is always at great pains to improve the world. He can be very considerate towards others and does a lot to support them and stand up for them. He is interested in his fellow beings, attentive and generous towards them. Once his enthusiasm for an issue or person is aroused, he can become a tireless fighter.
For the dreamy idealist, practical things are not really so important. He only busies himself with mundane everyday demands when absolutely necessary. He tends to live according to the motto “the genius controls the chaos” - which is normally the case so that he often has a very successful academic career. He is less interested in details; he prefers to look at something as a whole. This means that he still has a good overview even when things start to become hectic. However, as a result, it can occasionally happen that he overlooks something important. As he is very peace-loving, he tends not to openly show his dissatisfaction or annoyance but to bottle it up. Assertiveness is not one of his strong points; he hates conflicts and competition. He prefers to motivate others with his amicable and enthusiastic nature. Whoever has him as superior will never have to complain about not being given enough praise.
As at work, the dreamy idealist is a helpful and loyal friend and partner, a person of integrity. Obligations are absolutely sacred to him. The feelings of other are important to him and he loves making other people happy. He is satisfied with just a small circle of friends; his need for social contact is not very marked as he also needs a lot of time to himself. Superfluous small talk is not his thing. If one wishes to be friends with him or have a relationship with him, one would have to share his world of thought and be willing to participate in profound discussions. If you manage that you will be rewarded with an exceptionally intensive, rich partnership. Due to his high demands on himself and others, this personality type tends however to sometimes overload the relationship with romantic and idealistic ideas to such an extent that the partner feels overtaxed or inferior. The dreamy idealist does not fall in love head over heels but when he does fall in love he wants his to be a great, eternal love.
Adjectives which describe your type
introverted, theoretical, emotional, spontaneous, idealistic, dreamy, effusive, pleasant, reserved, friendly, passionate, loyal, perfectionist, helpful, creative, composed, curious, obstinate, with integrity, willing to make sacrifices, romantic, cautious, shy, peace-loving, vulnerable, sensitive, communicative, imaginative
These subjects could interest you
literature, philosophy, psychology, music, art (museums), writing, drawing/painting, astrology, spiritual things, meditation, handicrafts, writing, voluntary work
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The Shame of A Lame-Duck Session
By a vote of 68 to 29, the Senate gave final approval to a
bill that expands the government's spying powers and gives
legal protection to phone companies that cooperated in
President Bush's warrantless eavesdropping program.
FISA
Bush pleased with Senate eavesdropping bill
US Senate passes controversial wiretapping bill
Senate Votes to Broaden Government's Spying Powers
Australia Tries To Reconcile Past Wrongs
The Stolen Generation is finally getting an apology. Just last night I was wondering, since this is Black History Month, why doesn't the US have a Native American Month??? We are still ashamed but too proud to admit our wrongs. I'm glad Australia finds something more important than pride.
Sudarshan Kriya
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's breathing and relaxation technique or "Kriya"
Sudarshan Kriya : How The Magic Unfolds
Relax face, and breathe. |
You can increase pace of breathing for a while. | ||||
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Old Skool Lives
Mom n Pop-run high-quality record pressing service is seeing a boom
Brooklyn Phono
Cds may be nearing 'obsolescence' but vinyl is seeing a comeback
The Science of Peace
One of my favorite Presidential candidates, John Hagelin, with the Natural Law Party is in the first video link. If you listen to him, you'll understand why he wasn't elected. He, like the later candidate he endorsed, Kucinich, just made too much sense and were too much about creating peace instead of 'defending freedom'.
Science of Peace
Other Videos From MUM
I've always wondered how 'good' of an education I would get from MUM - and if O decides to go out of state for college, I'd like him to consider this.
I was reminded of my interest in this and TM when I heard that the Maharishi died this week.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
Budget This!
MONTHLY BUDGET AMOUNT MONTHLY ACTUAL AMOUNT DIFFERENCE
INCOME:
Wages and Bonuses
Interest Income
Investment Income
Miscellaneous Income
Income Subtotal
INCOME TAXES WITHHELD:
Federal Income Tax
State and Local Income Tax
Social Security/Medicare Tax
Income Taxes Subtotal
Spendable Income
EXPENSES:
HOME:
Mortgage or Rent
Homeowners/Renters Insurance
Property Taxes
Home Repairs/Maintenance/HOA Dues
Home Improvements
UTILITIES:
Electricity
Water and Sewer
Natural Gas or Oil
Telephone (Land Line, Cell)
FOOD:
Groceries
Eating Out, Lunches, Snacks
FAMILY OBLIGATIONS:
Child Support
Alimony
Day Care, Babysitting
HEALTH AND MEDICAL:
Insurance (medical,dental,vision)
Unreimbursed Medical Expenses, Copays
Fitness (Yoga,Massage,Gym)
TRANSPORTATION:
Car Payments
Gasoline/Oil
Auto Repairs/Maintenance/Fees
Auto Insurance
Other Transportation (tolls, bus, subway, taxis)
DEBT PAYMENTS:
Credit Cards
Student Loans
Other Loans
ENTERTAINMENT/RECREATION:
Cable TV/Videos/Movies
Computer Expense
Hobbies
Subscriptions and Dues
Vacations
PETS:
Food
Grooming, Boarding, Vet
CLOTHING:
INVESTMENTS AND SAVINGS:
401(K)or IRA
Stocks/Bonds/Mutual Funds
College Fund
Savings
Emergency Fund
MISCELLANEOUS:
Toiletries, Household Products
Gifts/Donations
Grooming (Hair, Make-up, Other)
Miscellaneous Expense
Total Investments and Expenses
Surplus or Shortage (Spendable income minus total expenses and investments)
For expenses incurred more or less often than monthly, convert the payment to a monthly amount when calculating the monthly budget. For instance, convert auto expense that's billed every six months to a monthly amount by dividing the six-month premium by six. This money should be kept separate from your other money so it's available when the bill becomes due.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Heath Ledger's Autopsy Revealed
“While no medications were taken in excess, we learned today the combination of doctor-prescribed drugs proved lethal for our boy. Heath’s accidental death serves as a caution to the hidden dangers of combining prescription medication, even at low dosage.”
No mention of illegal drugs
The medical examiner cited oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine as causing the actor’s death. There was no mention of alcohol or illegal drugs.
Oxycodone, marketed as OxyContin, is used in other painkillers such as Percodan and Percocet; hydrocodone is used in a number of painkillers, including Vicodin.
Diazepam and alprazolam are the generic names for the anti-anxiety drugs Valium and Xanax, temazepam is a sleep aid sold as Restoril, and doxylamine is an antihistamine used in over-the-counter sleep aids and cold medicines.
How Clean is Your House?
Heloise Hints
BBC Gals
More Tips
Eco-Cleaning
Eco-Cleaning part2
This was a surprise - it's actually on Raleigh's city government website
Produce Stickers Reveal All!
I have not confirmed this, just passing it along. The little stickers on vegetables and fruit in the supermarket apparently can give you some data you can use. A 4-digit number means it is conventionally grown, a 5-digit number starting with 9 means it is organic, and a 5-digit number beginning with a 5 means it is genetically modified. If anyone can confirm this, please let me know.
