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Looking for a Job?
If you are in the market for a job, there is no shortage of
employment websites. Many even have jobs listed. Most have a lot of resumes.
As with anything you find on the big ole WWW, there are good and bad. I know I've posted about the work-at-home-and-get-rich postings before. One expects to see those in spammy emails; not on otherwise valid websites.
For those considering online employment assistance, a couple of caveats. Don't pay to post a resume! There are dozens of legitimate services that are free for job searchers. They make their money by charging employers.
Always do a search for the company posting the position. Virtually all businesses have websites and you can learn a lot. The job posting on XYZ Job Search may be out of date. Companies generally use more than one employment service and may fail to notify everyone when a position is filled.
Unless you have a background in sales, be careful and check the specifics closely. From what I can see and remember, they are risky. Working on commission generally means a lower base salary (or none at all), that might not be enough support the family.
There are jobs out there. Every day, a few more open up or are created. The situation isn't good, but it is getting better. And, with a little care, you just might find exactly what you want.
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Jules
Insurance for Your Home
This is something in which I strongly believe. Everyone needs property insurance. Whether it's
home insurance or renters' insurance, this is nothing to ignore.
Not all policies are the same. Some have a higher deductible, which keeps monthly premiums down. But, if you have a loss, the out-of-pocket costs can be difficult to cover.
To my mind, rather than make you spend $500.00 upfront, couldn't they just reduce the payout by that amount? (Maybe that's what they do. I've never filed a claim, so I'm not exactly sure.)
Does anybody know how it works? Leave a comment below, if you've
been there, done that.
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State of the Union
My apologies to the politicos, but I only watched part of the State of the Union address last night. Like a campaign speech, it tends to be full of things we already know and lots of promises. The only difference is you don't hear "When I'm elected ..." in the middle of it all.
I did, however, read a transcript of the speech this morning. There were some interesting promises / proposals. Now, if we can just Congress to agree to:
- "... take $30 billion of the money Wall Street banks have repaid and use it to help community banks give small businesses the credit they need to stay afloat."
- "... a new small business tax credit -– one that will go to over one million small businesses who hire new workers or raise wages."
- "... slash the tax breaks for companies that ship our jobs overseas, and give those tax breaks to companies that create jobs right here in the United States of America.
In support of keeping jobs in this country, it is important to give our businesses somewhere to sell their goods:
"So tonight, we set a new goal: We will double our exports over the next five years, an increase that will support two million jobs in America. To help meet this goal, we're launching a National Export Initiative that will help farmers and small businesses increase their exports, and reform export controls consistent with national security."
These are pretty words. They are designed to inspire Americans' faith in their government's ability to help; ability to do the right thing. I hope they aren't just glorified campaign promises.
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Liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau: January 27, 1945
Auschwitz Entrance Gate - 1945
Today marks the 65th anniversary of the
Liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
The last roll call, according to Auschwitz Kalendarium, taken January 17, 1945 listed 67,012 prisoners: 16,226 at Auschwitz, 15,668 at Birkenau and nearby sub-camps, with the balance at Monowitz and its sub-camps.
May 27, 1944 - Women in Auschwitz-Birkenau
When the Nazis evacuated on January 18, 1945, prisoners were given the option of staying behind until the Russians arrived or leaving with the Germans. (A forced march to the German Reich border, followed by transport to Dachau, Buchenwald, Bergen-Belsen or Mauthausen.) Most left; many didn't survive. Prisoners and guards alike were shot and left by the side of the road.
Burial of Those Who Died After Liberation
Stories tell of those who stayed (Otto Frank) and survived, as well as those who left (Elie Wiesel) and survived. They also tell of the abandonment of the survivors at Auschwitz-Birkenau by the Red Army. Holocaust deniers claim that, were the Nazis truly genocidal, they would have obliterated the camps and the prisoners - leaving no evidence or witnesses.
But survivors exist. As do Red Army soldiers who were present at Auschwitz-Birkenau on January 27, 1945. As do photographs, stills, and movies - from Nazis, survivors, and liberators.
As Elie Wiesel said, in
his speech at Buchenwald last year:
There must come a moment -- a moment of bringing people together.
And therefore we say anyone who comes here should go back with that resolution. Memory must bring people together rather than set them apart. Memories here not to sow anger in our hearts, but on the contrary, a sense of solidarity that all those who need us. What else can we do except invoke that memory so that people everywhere who say the 21st century is a century of new beginnings, filled with promise and infinite hope, and at times profound gratitude to all those who believe in our task, which is to improve the human condition.
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Putting Christ Back in Killing?
I'm absolutely flabbergasted! In the words of Frankie Howerd, "Never has my flabber been so gasted." What in the world were they thinking?
Were they thinking?
Did it occur to anyone at Trijicon Inc of Wixom, Michigan that adding Biblical inscriptions on rifle scopes could be interpreted as an attack on Islam? I cannot fathom the purpose for this - unrequested - addition to American military equipment. And Trijicon certainly hasn't offered an explanation.
Oh, and by the way, does the American military actually inspect the products they purchase from these contractors? How long have these inscriptions been a part of the scopes? Anyone care to explain that one? Trijilon? Petraeus?
Are we now supposed to be impressed that they have "voluntarily offered to stop putting scripture references on products made for the U.S. military?" They were the ones who "voluntarily" added the damned things, in the first place. Our military may pull some questionable stunts, but even they have more sense (well, since Bush left the White House) than this.
What's next?
John 3:16 on our bullets?
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Human Bedwarmers? Ooooh, I Don't Think So
Now, if you'll forgive me, this is an idea that just makes my skin crawl. To put it simply: Ewwwwww!
In trying for unique service, Holiday Inn bedwarmers may be going just a tad too far. This is the 21st century. We have electric blankets, even hot water bottles would be less ... ewwww!
Frankly, it doesn't really matter how covered up the staff member is - there is just no way that I could sleep well knowing that a stranger had just crawled out of my bed. I don't even like them to turn down the covers. Just, honestly, put clean sheets on the thing and then leave it alone.
Well, you could leave a chocolate or two - in a dish, next to the bed.
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Bedeviled Haiti (Part II)
Pat Robertson recently blamed the earthquake in Haiti on a Haitian pact with the devil - which, beyond sheer stupidity, contradicts what I was taught about God's direct involvement in the lives of man. Not to mention, if some supreme being were 'smiting' non-believers and sinners - Earth would be a much roomier place to live.
In an effort to place Mr. Robertson's comments in some sort of historical context, I started researching Haiti. [ Bedeviled Haiti (Part I) ] And, for what it's worth, Mr. Robertson:
- Louis XIV was King of France and Navarre when the French claimed the western part of Hispaniola in the late 1600s
- Louis XVI was King of France at the time of the Haitian Revolution in 1791
- Napoleon Bonaparte, also ruling as Napoléon I, was First Consul of the French Republic and Emperor of France in 1804, when Haiti declared its independence
But, back to the source of all the hoopla: the meeting at
Bwa Kayiman on August 14, 1791.
The articles I found agree that a large meeting took place on this date. Most agree it was near the Morne Rouge. From there, things get a little fuzzy.
Reading carefully, if not a little between the lines, it appears that two meetings took place in August of 1791. One, on the 14th at Le Normond plantation, gathered slaves from more than 100 plantations under the 'pretext of a meal' and is well documented by the French. The second, on the 21st "in a place called 'Kayiman'," was not described until 1814 in a book by Antoine Dalmas, a French doctor and "colon raciste" present in Haiti at the beginning of the revolution.
The biggest credibility hurdle is that the ceremony which is widely credited with inciting the revolution, ending slavery, and inexorably linking Haiti and Vodou in the minds of the world, bears more resemblence to a B sci-fi movie than to the reality of the day. Is it a myth, designed by the French to discredit the intelligence, fortitude, and spirit of the slaves who drove them out? Or by the slaves to separate themselves in toto from their Christian owners? Or did it happen at all?
Don't ask the Protestants - they're still crazed over the whole thing, after 206 years! Although, their obsessive writings on the subject do, contrary to their intent, lend credence to the mythos. Don't they?
The bottom line, if there is such a thing when dealing with something as intertwined as Vodou and Haiti, is simple. Once again, the narrow-minded have judged that which they do not understand. In my humble opinion.
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Removing Acne Scars
During my recent hunt for information on acne medications, I noticed that several comments were made about acne scars. In fact, a user of one product complained that it actually increased scarring. That led me to wonder what
acne scar removal products are available .
The short answer - a lot. The longer answer - a lot of questionable information, combined with products that are best handed out by dermatologists. I would be very reluctant to arbitrarily slather some of these gels and creams on my face without professional guidance.
Basically, in order to remove or, more accurately, reduce scarring caused by acne it is necessary to remove the scar tissue. This involves chemicallly scrubbing off layers of skin. That's what dermabrasion means. And it's going to hurt.
The skin is going to become red and irritated - that's just how it is. What worries me is the risk for doing more damage if the products are not properly applied. By going online and making that medication decision without guidance, how does one know they're choosing wisely?
I searched for review and information sites, but was disappointed there, as well. Many simply regurgitated manufacturer claims. Others offered reviews that couldn't be found and links that went nowhere.
Once again, very frustrating.
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Online Job Hunting
Well, the government is telling us that jobs have been saved. Have they? What about the new jobs that were supposed to be created? Anyone see those, yet?
I'm certain that some industries and some cities are faring better than others. For example, listings for Philadelphia PA jobs have actually increased lately. In Arizona, however, the positions to be found are - shall we say - interesting.
There are the standard receptionist, office admin type jobs. I'm not sure that they pay well enough to keep the wolf from the door, but there are jobs. What keeps me shaking my head are the work-from-home-and-make-thousands postings. These are actually found on otherwise reputable sites.
Perhaps the audit process is a tad off. Who knows? Maybe I should apply.
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Bedeviled Haiti (Part I)
If ever there was a poster-child for religious intolerance, it would have to be Pat Robertson. His narrow-minded, bigoted pronouncements, based on heaven-knows-what, are appalling.
However, because even the most insane blubberings may have a grain of truth at their root - I decided to research this 'pact with the devil.' I found an amazing story.
In March 2009, The Stockholm Review of Latin American Studies published an article by Markel Thylefors, entitled “Our Government is in Bwa Kayiman:” A Vodou Ceremony in 1791 and its Contemporary Significations [PDF file]. It is the 'Bwa Kayiman' (also Bois Caiman) to which Robertson and his Protestant brethren (for generations) refer in their diatribes against the Haitians.
To understand the significance of this event, one must understand the history of the people of Haiti. Nearly all native Tainos were killed by disease and European settlers; with a small population escaping to the mountains. Only after most of the Spanish left for richer gold finds, did the population begin to recover. When the French claimed the western portion of Hispaniola in the late 1600s, they brought African slaves to work their plantations. (Many escaped, during uprisings, to the mountains where they met the last generation of Tainos.)
These slaves, it is believed, were primarily from tribes and areas along the Atlantic coast that practiced Vodun, or Vodou (anglicized to Voodoo). Horror movie cliches aside, Vodon is a belief-system not dissimilar to Christianity. There is belief in a supreme being, unreachable by man, and lesser beings with whom man communicates and asks for intercession. (It has been compared to Christ and the saints, by some scholars.) Harsh treatment of the slaves meant the need for constant 'resupply' from Africa, which kept African culture (and Vodou beliefs) strong in the slave population.
It is in August of 1791, in an uprising that began the Haitian Revolution - leading to the abolition of slavery and the independence of Haiti - that histories begin to diverge. It is a long-held belief that a Vodou ceremony was held on August 14, 1791 at Bwa Kayiman, in which slaves were incited to rise up against their owners.
The most frequently cited version describes a meeting of over 200, presided over by a man named Boukman. A black pig was sacrificed by a tall, black woman (priestess) and the blood was drunk by all present. A raging storm where 'lightning shot across the sky' figures in most tellings, as well.
This is the beginning of Haiti - the Vodou Haitian creation story, if you will - that has and does incite Protestants to angry crusades. But, is it true?
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Diet Supplements?
Now, maybe I'm a tad confused - wouldn't be the first time. But, aren't
diet supplements ... never mind. I figured it out.
I was thinking of dietary supplements - those pills and potions that are designed to augment less-than-stellar eating habits. You know, vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants - good stuff, by and large. Whereas, diet supplements are pills and potions designed to enhance and improve weight-loss efforts. Confusingly similar, aren't they?
Oddly enough, caution should be taken with both types of supplements. Some vitamins - A & E, for example - are fat-soluble which, among other things, means that they are slow to leave the body. The risk of dangerous levels in the body is higher than with water-soluble vitamins, such as C.
If that weren't enough. Safe dosage levels may vary greatly. The risk of birth defects exists for both too-low and too-high levels. However, research indicates that the amount of Vitamin A present in standard supplements may be based on old data.
In 2001, the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine revised the RDA for Vitamin A - downward, dramatically. The new recommendations are: Men 19+ years old - 900 mcg (3,000 IU)/day; Women 19+ years old - 700 mcg (2,333 IU)/day. (RDAs for pregnant and lactating women are higher.)
The multivitamins we have in the house, as suspected, use Daily Values as established in 1968 - not the latest revisions. So, even something that might be beneficial, can cause problems.
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Facebook Status Change for Haiti
Disasters bring out the best - and the worst - in people. Donations for Haiti are mounting. Unfortunately, not all of them through legitimate sources.
One of the earliest scam / hoax posts I noticed was in status updates on Facebook, claiming that FB was monitoring statuses and donating $1 for every repost. Because people wanted to believe that they could do something for nothing, the reposts were rampant. I am reminded of the emails that claim some Internet-related company is paying money to people who forward the bogus message.
As always, know the source of the information. Yes, we all want to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake - but repeating hoaxes and scams helps no one. Truly, it doesn't matter the intent of the person initiating these ridiculous claims. The damage is created through disinformation.
If you are looking to help, but don't know where to start - there are a number of valid, vetted organizations on the Global Disaster Relief Facebook page. You don't have to be a member to access the information.
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Hazelnuts Recalled
I had stopped reviewing FDA recalls, because of the time delay between when they occurred and when I got them posted. It seemed I was always running behind. However, I still believe that it's important information that should be shared.
Consequently, I went back through some of the recent notices and found a number of recalls for hazelnuts. Although these are from December, 2009, there are too many to ignore.
It appears that the Salmonella exposure occurred at a common processing location. Most of these nuts were distributed and sold in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, although some were included in packages and products sold in Arizona, Colorado, New York, Texas, and Utah.
Please use the above links for product, package, and return information.
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Annular Solar Eclipse
My astronomy education appears to be a little lacking. I didn't know there was such a thing as an
annular solar eclipse. In fact, when I saw the listing in Google, I thought it was a typo! Color me embarrassed!
NASA has some terrific information on the eclipse, including charts and maps and figures. My favorite were the maps - animated and interactive. Really fun stuff.
Want to know when an eclipse will be visible, or was visible, in your city? NASA has a Solar Eclipse Explorer that will tell you - for any period from 1900BCE to 3000 CE. Or use the Solar Eclipse Search Engine to find any type, in any date range, and plot it on a Google map.
Oh - if, like me, you didn't know what an annular eclipse was, here's what Wikipedia has to say:
An annular eclipse occurs when the Sun and Moon are exactly in line, but the apparent size of the Moon is smaller than that of the Sun. Hence the Sun appears as a very bright ring, or annulus, surrounding the outline of the Moon.
I also didn't know that an eclipse can only occur during a new moon, because that is the only time that the moon and the sun are in proper alignment.
However and whenever they happen, I'm going back to play with the NASA toys!
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Getting Rid of Belly Fat
One of the great 'joys' of being female - and female at my age - is this extra layer of fat that we women carry. It's what gives us that lovely little rounded appearance to our bellies. And it is incredibly difficult to minimize.
Once, several years ago, I managed to virtually eliminate that little 'problem' and I wasn't even trying. During a time when Mark was most ill, I did a lot of hefting, toting, running, carrying, and other strenuous work. Calories burned far exceeded calories consumed. It just happened.
Now, they have supplements to reduce belly fat. Or at least half of the Internet claims that they do. The problem I ran into is, among other things, most of the sites seem inter-related. Clones, as it were.
Today, I found no less than 10 - yup Ten - sites with the exact same marketing format for their 'top picks.' Six of those sites blatantly used javascripts to pull marketing details. The other four were a tad more subtle. But all 10 pages were identical ...
Down to the shared typographical error in the description for their #1 product.
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FDA Recall Notices - January 15, 2010
The following recalls, market withdrawals, and/or safety alerts were listed today by the FDA:
Please visit the above links for complete product information, recommendations, and return details.
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Serious Acne Treatment
Okay, this is getting seriously annoying. Got up today, looked in the mirror, and found a brand new collection of blemishes. At my age, zits are very very
not amusing. (Okay, they're not fun at any age.)
Notice - amidst all the whining - I said blemishes. With the reading I've been doing about acne and treatments, I don't think my skin problems qualify as serious. Especially not for something as powerful as tazorac, a treatment I stumbled across today.
While not new, it was introduced in 1997, I hadn't heard of Tazorac until recently. Briefly, Tazarotene is a retinoid - related to vitamin A - used as a topical acne treatment for moderate to severe acne. Apparently, it is also quite popular, with dozens of user comments on the Internet. And, happily, not those planted-by-company-stooges comments.
There are lots of review sites out there; I've spent plenty of time looking for them today. Some have precious little information; some have nothing to offer, at all. Others let actual sufferers explain how they use a product, what their symptoms are like, and whether or not others should invest their time, money, and energy.
Those are the sites that I enjoy finding.
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Exercising or Snacking?
Until very recently, if someone suggested I try the
dip station, I'd be looking for the nearest snack tray. Though I know better, I'm still craving potato chips and french onion dip - which happens to be sitting in the fridge, whispering my name. Or maybe apple slices and caramel dip, with some chopped nuts?
Exercise is just not the first thing that comes to mind when I get up in the morning, or when I have time on my hands. Not (only) because I tend to be a sedentary soul, but mostly because it's a lot of work - before the workout even begins.
Finding the energy to make space, drag out equipment, and - then - actually exercise? I need a nap after I get done in the shower! But, perhaps, I could be convinced to try something simple.
Simple - minimal prep, small size, no complex instructions. Sounds a lot like a dip station. On the other hand - where were those chips?
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Wyclef Jean Foundation
Whilst perusing
The Smoking Gun, which figures frequently in one of my favorite reads, I started reading about an organization collecting donations for Haitian relief. It didn't exactly give me warm fuzzies, to say the least.
Apparently, the Wyclef Jean Foundation, dba Yele Haiti Foundation, operates under a different accounting requirement than other tax-exempt organizations. I'm no expert, but it was my understanding that tax returns or at least notices must be filed yearly with the IRS. Incorporated 12 years ago to, one assumes, render aid to Haiti, it's rather difficult to tell if that has actually occurred - ever.
At a time when the people of Haiti need all of the aid and assistance they can get, is this foundation really planning to help - well, help someone besides themselves? One hopes so.
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Earthquake Devastates Haitian Capital
Earlier today, I stumbled across these
pictures coming out of Haiti.
Like many people, I am shocked by the devastation of a 7.0 quake. Few cities in the United States, or other developed countries around the world, would experience this level of destruction. It boggles the mind and breaks the heart.
We can but hope that the recovery effort from around the world will act quickly and help begin the healing.
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Bath Safety Awareness
In a previous post, I listed some of the 'themes' for the month of January. One was
National Bath Safety Month. Something that, unless you have small children or an elderly parent in the house, you may not think about every day.
It wasn't until Mark got really sick in 2004, that bath safety became an issue for us. Due to elevated ammonia levels caused by his failing liver, he was a serious fall risk. Dizzy and disoriented much of the time, with decreasing muscle mass, it was difficult for him to get in and out of the tub. Heck, it was difficult for him to get to the tub.
Safety-proofing a bathroom is a lot different when you're dealing with a disabled adult. Yet, some considerations are the same. Watching water temperatures are important, as are no-slip mats or decals.
We also added grab bars in the shower and around the toilet. With a shower chair and hand-held nozzle, Mark could sit and bathe with much less risk. Unfortunately, he loved soaking in the tub - so there was still the occasion when we had to get him up and out.
I certainly didn't need an exercise program in those days.
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Addiction and Rehab
A new year is a time for thinking about making changes. Maybe we want to eat better or exercise more; start some good habits. Perhaps, it's time to get rid of some bad habits. Alcohol or drug abuse seriously reduce the quality of life.
Centers offering drug rehab exist all over the country. While there are many considerations in choosing where and how to get help, location may not be one that immediately comes to mind. Perhaps it should be.
Naturally, someplace close to home is more convenient for outpatient therapy. Travel expenses may be prohibitive and financial concerns could have a negative affect on recovery. Choosing inpatient services some distance from home, however, can have serious benefits.
Individuals who lack a sober support system at home or whose family and friends are part and parcel of the addiction, may need to break the connections that keep them mired in negative behaviors. Living with a practicing alcoholic seriously decreases the chances for getting and staying sober. A social system consisting of suppliers, users, and enablers is - to say the least - counterproductive to change.
While therapy and lifestyle modifications are important, it may not be possible to realize permanent change while surrounded by the very people and situations that trigger the addictive behaviors.
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Is the Hoopla Over Reid Necessary?
Let me start by saying that there are dozens of ways to phrase an opinion. Some are more 'politically correct' than others; some are just downright insulting. And some are, for lack of a better term, simply an unfortunate choice of words. No harm or insult intended. Merely the mouth engaging before the brain.
I agree that Senator Reid could have, definitely, used a less potentially-divisive term. But did he actually, in this private conversation, say anything that other Americans weren't also saying or thinking? Much was made of Obama's race during the 2008 campaign; keeping it upper-most in many minds.
Appearances, especially in public office, are everything. Would voters truly want an individual running this country who looked slovenly, moved as though lacking connective tissue, and spoke with the fluency of a 2nd grade dropout? Regardless of race, creed, color, gender, religious-preference, or sexual orientation - I don't think so.
For too long, minorities in this country have been treated as second-class citizens. Worse, many young people seem to be making an effort to behave in a manner that encourages this discrimination. Right or wrong, initial judgements are made based on appearance, public behavior, and communication skills.
So, yes Mr. Reid could have chosen a more 'proper' term in his private conversation. And Joe Biden could have been less insulting in 2007. However, like many, I too was impressed with Mr. Obama's demeanor, intelligence, and erudition. Frankly, I didn't - and still don't - care about the color of his skin.
I was simply happy that at least one party wasn't promoting a village-idiot for higher office.
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HGH Supplements
We're all getting older. It starts from the day we're born, actually. And there is nothing we can do about it. As the book says, "No one here gets out alive."
That said, many people are still looking for a magic pill to smooth skin, tighten abs, and build muscle. Sadly, there are those who offer these 'magic' pills all over the Internet. One version, hgh supplements, make some amazing claims. Which, of course, triggered my curiosity.
To start with, HGH is short for Human Growth Hormone. It is produced by the pituitary gland to, among other things, stimulate growth in children and young adults. Over time, the pituitary slows production and release of this hormone. As a consequence, we stop growing and lose muscle and skin tone; in other words, we age. All pretty natural.
In an effort to stop this natural aging process, or at least slow it down, interest has developed in synthetic HGH. Thus far, though studies are limited, only individuals with true growth hormone deficiency show benefits from HGH therapy.
Note: synthetic HGH is administered by injection and requires a prescription. According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no evidence that any pill form is actually effective.
In fact, the list of possible side effects in healthy adults is daunting. Ranging from swelling in the extremities to joint and muscle pain to complications of diabetes and heart disease, this is nothing to take lightly. It is believed that the effects are more pronounced in older adults, precisely the individuals at risk for diabetes and heart disease.
Lastly, the reported increase in muscle mass is deceptive. It is believed that HGH allows the muscles to store more water, giving the appearance of growth, without any improvement in strength.
A healthy diet, exercise, and strength training remain the safest ways to fight the aging process.
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Ouch! New Shoes!
As I mentioned previously, I bought myself new shoes. Running in and out at all times of the day and night, I need comfy shoes that I can slip on easily. Which is what I thought I had found. Not so much.
I have long, skinny feet that make shoe shopping a real challenge. Rarely do I buy anything that I haven't tried on first. But, there was this Christmas bonus just waiting for me at Amazon, so I ignored the little voice and went looking.
After a frustrating search - even 'found' money must be spent wisely - I settled on a pair of Reeboks. The price was right; they looked easy-on and easy-off. Best of all, they came in my size! Now to wait for delivery.
Note: delivery services slow waaaay down after the Christmas rush! Eventually, my new shoes arrived. White canvas with a light tan diagonal strap across the arch - they were just as cute as the picture. There's where the good news ends.
The first time I wore them, just a quick trip to the corner store for chips, they rubbed my heels - badly. By the time I got home, my heels were actually bleeding. This was seriously not good.
A couple of days later - with socks protecting my poor feet - I tried again. Nope - not gonna work. The shoes are now non-returnable, as the heels are stained from my bleeding feet.
Never again will I try to buy shoes online. I don't care how cute they are or how great the price. Even my old tennies hurt my feet now - and probably will for a while.
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Acne Treatment
Santa was looking out for me this year. He stuffed my stocking with all sorts of goodies to take care of my skin. And, because he's a wise old elf, they actually work. When I remember to use them.
Since not all skin goodies are created equal, I decided it was time to start looking at acne medicine claims and reviews again. As with everything else that has a life on the WWW, not all goodies are good for you. And not all products work.
Acne is a tricky problem. There are so many possible causes and so many sites offering 'expert' advice, it is mind-boggling. For example, my skin problems are easily diagnosed - insufficient skin care, periodic high stress, and not keeping my hands off my face. I don't need $100.00 acne cream; I just need to drink more water and wash my face twice a day. (Well, that may be over simplifying, but close enough.)
Individuals with moderate to severe breakouts, have an entirely different situation. And, to be perfectly honest, shouldn't be trying for Internet miracles. Without knowing the underlying cause - which can run the gamut from stress to infection to overwashing - how in the world can someone treat their acne online? Yet, that's exactly what so many try to do.
Not to mention, like me and my new shoes, you don't know what you've purchased until it's in your hands. The guy selling you the miracle cure is not likely to tell you it's snake oil. Especially if he's making $10 on every bottle sold.
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To Pawn or Not To Pawn
Things are hard and money is tight. Especially at the end of the month. How do you get a few dollars, quickly - without signing away your life? The local pawn shop?!
That is an option, with several caveats.
One, they don't take just anything. Primarily, they 'deal' in power tools, electronics, musical instruments, and jewelry. But, depending on the local shop, not all electronics. The last time we visited, printers were on the we-have-too-many-already list.
Two, it has to work. Seriously! If the owner defaults and they can't resell it, why would they want to take an item. (Obviously, this doesn't apply to jewelry.)
Three, they don't pay much. For most of the items, brokers pay a percentage of the original purchase price. By entering the serial number from a DVD player, for example, employees can see the retail price, year of manufacture, and recommended loan amount. (Jewelry is priced by the gold content and weight.)
Lastly, it isn't cheap. A local business charges $3.00 processing fee, off the top. If an item only qualifies for a $10.00 loan, that's 30% upfront. Then, there is the interest rate, which varies from item to item, and increased dramatically at our local store in 2009
When it's all said and done, the $10.00 that put milk, eggs, and bread on the table at the end of the month, could end up costing $25.00 - or more - when it's time to reclaim that power tool. And, sadly, you do run the risk that what worked when you took it in, won't work when you bring it home. We've seen it happen.
Over the years, we've had a DVD player broken, a printer cord disappear, and stones in a cocktail ring come loose. So, if you do decide to get a short-term loan from the local pawn shop - check everything very, very carefully, when you reclaim it.
The business is only as reputable as its worst employee.
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Exercise Equipment
Personally, I resolved to make no resolutions this year. The failure rate is just too high and too depressing. But saving money doesn't require resolve and January is a great time to save.
Whether online or brick-and-mortar, stores need to clear it or count it. Having helped with year-end inventory in the past, I understand their motivation. Why not let their needs meet yours and get a great deal?
Looking at treadmills or elliptical machines for your new, physically-fit lifestyle? Many sites are offering tremendous New Year discounts - 50% off, and more. Personally, I love online shopping - they deliver and haul it up the stairs for me!
Hmmmm? Doesn't sound like someone looking to get in shape in 2010, does it?
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Whine of the Day
It is my fondest hope that this does not become a recurring theme, but ...
I, again, am struck by the fact that the mobile content of major news providers is annoyingly and vastly dissimilar to their Internet content.
For a while now, it has been my habit to review the latest news, editorials, advice columns, what-have-you in bed each night - on my phone. It keeps me somewhat up-to-date with world happenings and, in the case of odd news reports, relaxes my mind so that I can get to sleep. Often, it gives me ideas for a blog post or directory category as an added benefit.
Lately, however, I have found that the articles I read - just hours before on the phone - are nowhere to be found when I fire up the laptop the next day. It would make sense, perhaps, if the news items were not available in the mobile content, as some stories are lengthy and probably don't translate well to the smaller platform. But it's the fact that I can find an article on epigenetics on the phone and, yet, it takes a monumental search to locate the same information on the same website using the laptop.
If I could, I would just forward a link to my email. But I'm currently using Opera Mini on my phone and, as far as I can tell, have no way to forward. That, however, is a whole 'nother Whine.
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Epigenetics: Evolution in a Generation?
I stumbled across an interesting article,
Why Your DNA Isn't Your Destiny, while trying to wind down and get to sleep. By the time I finished reading, I was wide awake. (Perhaps I'd better stick with entertainment stories, if I want to get any rest.)
The field of Epigenetics isn't all that new - Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, a predecessor of Darwin, postulated that evolution could occur within a generation or two - but some of the studies and papers in the news are really fascinating. Poor Darwin. Guess he didn't have all of the answers and Lamarck wasn't an idiot, after all.
In the 1980s, Dr. Lars Olov Bygren did a study on the long-term effects of feast and famine on the children living in a small parish in Sweden in the 19th century. While, obviously, the years of famine took a toll on the children's health, it was the years of feast that had the greatest affect - on the children and grandchildren of the residents! Bygren found that the years of gluttony reduced the lifespan of descendants by not just a few years, but decades.
Other papers discovered that a poor diet during pregnancy, known to cause low birth weight and related health problems, also put these children at significant risk for heart disease in adulthood.
Scientists are rethinking some of the truisms of nature versus nuture, in that epigenetics studies the systemic effects of environmental stressors (among other things) and how they can be passed from generation to generation. In one case, mice with genetic memory problems were placed in an environment rich with stimulation. Not only did the test subjects show memory improvements, so did their offspring.
The belief is that these changes, although heritable, are reversible. Once the stressors are removed, the DNA code will revert. After all, it is the activity/behavior of the genome that is altered; not the genome itself. However, anything (it appears) is possible.
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Disability Appeal
There is nothing worse in this world than going through all of the tests, doctor's appointments, and paperwork involved in an SSDI application, just to be turned down on a technicality. It's an upsetting and frustrating situation that can, often, be avoided.
When you've been denied and need to file a disability appeal, getting the right help is critical. Not everyone can do it on their own; they need help. Someone who has a 98% success rate, who's helped over 130,000 people with disability applications is a good place to start.
Mark and I have been through it. We just accepted the denial and tried to get on with things the best we knew how. That is not the way to proceed, I promise.
It wasn't until Mark was - literally - at death's door that we finally got everything right. I don't recommend doing it our way. Find the help you need.
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Themes for January
Every month has its own 'awareness' themes, as well as the odd daily or weekly observances. They run from the important to the silly. I enjoy checking to see what each month is celebrating or laughing over.
On the serious side, January is (in no particular order):
These are valuable topics and the links provide important information.
On a lighter note, January is also, among other things:
Personally, I'm going to have a cup of tea, a bowl of soup, and do a little computer housekeeping. How about you?
- With many thanks to Brownielocks.com who offers amazing, validated holiday and observance information.
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What This World Needs ...
Smells detonate softly in our memory like poignant land mines hidden under the weedy mass of years. Hit a tripwire of smell and memories explode all at once. A complex vision leaps out of the undergrowth.
~ Diane Ackerman
It's amazing how the aroma of homemade chicken soup can trigger a dozen memories of my grandmother. She made the world's best soup - any and every kind. And don't get me started on her rye bread. That scent can take me back 40 years!
The same with the smell of a cigar. Two of my favorite uncles smoked cigars; as did one of my first boyfriends.
Each type of cigar has its own unique aroma and its own set of memories that take me back to a much different time.
Let me tell you - a good cigar is more than a smoke.
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