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Pete Graham almost there on Chameleon E4 6a, Stanage
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Route: Chameleon
Camera used: Nikon D200 / Nikkor 18-200mm DX


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Packers saga to be featured on NFL NetworkPosted by on August 30, 2011 – 10:42 am
NFL Network will feature the Packers on America's Game: 2010 Green Bay Packers, on Wednesday, Sept. 7, and NFL Films Senior Producer Dave Douglas promised Packers fans the show will reveal a new piece of information about the team's Super Bowl run.
"McCarthy needed to find something to get them over the hump. He found a unique way, which you'll see in the show, to get them over the hump. No team had ever done it before. It's unique and it worked," Douglas said, referring to Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy.
The show focuses on three personalities: McCarthy, defefnsive back Charles Woodson and quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
"Mike is the first interview we did. These are lengthy interviews. It's not one of those 20-minute interviews in which we lob softballs at you. With Mike it was over two hours," Douglas said. "His first job was to clean the bathroom at his dad's bar and he said some of the older guys didn't have the best aim."
The show details McCarthy's ascent from a volunteer assistant at Pitt, when he worked the graveyard shift at a toll booth on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. "Here's a guy who was fired by the team he would later lead to the Super Bowl title," Douglas said in tracing McCarthy's career from his native Pittsburgh through Green Bay and back to Green Bay.
"Even the most veteran, loyal Packers season-ticket holder will learn something they didn't know," Douglas said.
"The most intriguing thing I found out about Charles Woodson was his honesty about his career in Oakland, and being on the outs in Oakland and not having many teams interested in him. He had a big fight with his (Packers) position coach on the field. He and Mike went toe to toe about it. They didn't hit it off well in the beginning, but their respect for one another now is incredible."
It's revealed in the show that Woodson was born with severely clubbed feet and he had to be carried around the house.
"He doesn't want to come to Green Bay, but he does, and he's 2009 player of the year and now he's the co-leader of the team. The guy that has the man-crush on Woodson is Aaron," Douglas said.
Much of the interview with Rodgers, the MVP of Super Bowl XLV, focuses on the stormy years as Brett Favre's backup.
"The thing I learned about Aaron Rodgers is how much I love the guy. He was very honest about the first year with Brett Favre and how difficult and stressful it was. I didn't know there was that much turmoil there," Douglas said.
This is the third America's Game Douglas has produced. He had previously produced shows on the 1985 Bears and 2000 Ravens.
"The 1985 Bears are arguably the greatest cast of characters with character ever. When you look at the 2010 Packers, their back stories are amazing: Mike McCarthy's Sharpee, Aaron Rodgers' belt celebration. The Packers are unique in their own right," Douglas said.
Posted in Vic Ketchman Blog | 9 Comments »
9 Responses
to "Packers saga to be featured on NFL Network"
By Richard on Aug 31, 2011 | Reply
Jags fan here. I miss your commentary and perspective. Good luck in Green Bay. Unlike Jax, you have a very dedicated fan base in Wisconsin. It will be a very different experience. For some reason, it just isn't going to happen in Jax. I wish it would, but it doesn't look like anyone can make it happen. Enjoy the season.
By Paul Cochrane on Sep 2, 2011 | Reply
OK Vic – earn your money pick the 53 man roster that McCarthy will unveil tomorrow… lets see you and Mike go to it ..
By Sean on Sep 3, 2011 | Reply
Any way to watch without having NFL network? sounds like a cant-miss
By Jerry Smith on Sep 3, 2011 | Reply
Hey Vic. Was great to talk about the show on NFL channel but you did not say WHEN. I do not subscribe to NFL channel but a friend will record for me. Get the word out about the tyime. Jerry
By minocquabat on Sep 5, 2011 | Reply
just wondering if anyone was beaten, shot or mugged at the 9ers – chargers game out in mexifornia?? glad to be in the heartland of AMERICA here in WI, although Obummer and the libby's are bringin them in evry day!! WTF!!
By Ann Carr on Sep 7, 2011 | Reply
Will the President's speech and following comments interrupt the game on NBC? Worried in Alabama. Ann
By Sean on Sep 7, 2011 | Reply
There was a post earlier last month stating that the speech will be over by gametime
By minocquabat on Sep 9, 2011 | Reply
THANK THE GOOD LORD that we have our beloved Packers & Brewers to keep us elated amidst the Obummer campaign speech, better pass the 450 billion bill RIGHT NOW LIBBY'S… LOL!!! Maybe we'll get more free cheese for a few more years (and not pay taxes) while were at it, and I don't mean curds…THE TRUTH sucks don't it?? Anyone going to work today????
By salwaterjag on Sep 10, 2011 | Reply
VIC! Miss you down in JAX…. Just not the same with out you! I hope the Pack fans love you as much as we did.. I'm sure they gave you crap at first for you Pittsburg stories..LOL….As we did…
Sorry, comments for this entry are closed at this time.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Nom Nom Paleo Newsletter Pin It Hankering for some Nom Nom Paleo delivered fresh to your email inbox? Then sign up for my newsletter! In it, you'll find plenty of food for thought, including my musings on food, nutrition and fitness, featured recipes (by both me and others), links to fun articles on clean (and not-so-clean) eats, cooking resources, and detours into the world of gastro-awesomeness. You'll discover loads of stuff that you won't see on my website, Facebook page, or anywhere else! Best of all: It's completely free — and I promise to never sell or otherwise disclose your email address to anyone else. Ever! Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye! If you're ready to sign up for some good reads, click here to subscribe. And if you're taking a wait-and-see approach, no problem! You can peruse past issues of the Nom Nom Paleo Newsletter below. Cheers!


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A.J. Foyt Day
Saturday, May 28th, 2011
Gates 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
The legendary first four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, A.J. Foyt, will be honored Saturday, May 28 during "A.J. Foyt Day" at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Read announcement here). This year marks the 50th anniversary of Foyt's first Indianapolis victory, in 1961.
Join us for special activities on May 28th in celebration of A.J. Foyt's accomplishments and contributions to the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race including:
Location (see map here)
|9:00 a.m.
|Autograph Session Wristband Distribution*
|Pagoda Plaza
|11:30 - 11:45 a.m.
|Q & A with A.J. Foyt on Coca-Cola Stage
|Pagoda Plaza
|11:55 a.m. - 12:25 p.m.
|Exclusive Autograph Session with A.J. Foyt
*Number of wristbands available for exclusive autograph session limited to 100
Location (Map)
|9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
|Indianapolis 500 Memorabilia Show
|Infield Area
|9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
|Autograph Session: 2011 Indy 500 Field of 33 Drivers (Current Field)
|Pagoda Plaza
|9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
|Autograph Session: Living Indy 500 Veterans (Retired Former Winners)
|Pagoda Plaza
|10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
|Red Bull Battle at the Bricks
|Flag Lot
|10:40 - 11:00 a.m.
|Public Driver's Meeting
|Tower Terrace
|12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
|Autograph Session: Veteran Indy 500 Legends (Indy 500 Former Starters)
|12:00 p.m.
|Virtual Indy 500
|MotoGP Garages
|1:00 - 1:30 p.m.
|Firestone Indy Lights Driver Q & A - Bryan Clauson
|Coca-Cola Stage
|1:45 p.m.
|Bryan Clauson Autograph Session
|Infield Area
|All Day
|Book Signings featuring Indianapolis Motor Speedway authors
|67 Indy 500 Winning Cars Display
|Hall of Fame Museum
|Vintage, Sprint, and Midget Cars Display
|Infield Area
The "World's Largest Autograph Session
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has invited all 269 living veteran drivers of the Indianapolis 500 to appear at the "World's Largest Autograph Session" to be held in two segments on May 28. The event will begin in the Plaza at 9:00 a.m. with the traditional autograph session featuring the 33 drivers that will compete at the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 on the 29th Indy 500 champions of the past will sign autographs in the Plaza Hospitality beginning at 9:00 a.m., with both events concluding at 10:00 a.m. The traditional Drivers' Meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Tower Terrace.
- Mon, September 29
Monday Racing Roundup: Gordon Wins at Dover
- Thu, September 25
'500' Champion Hunter-Reay to Compete in Race of Champions
- Thu, September 25
Legendary '500' Drivers and Cars To Appear at Santa Fe Concorso
- Tue, September 23
500 Champion Hunter-Reay Returns To IMS For Firestone Test
- Mon, September 22
Monday Racing Roundup: Logano Keeps Team Penske Atop NASCAR Chase


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Police are searching for a man they say robbed a Deer Park bank on Monday afternoon.
The man entered New York Commercial Bank on Grand Boulevard around 12:40 p.m. and handed the teller a note demanding cash, police said.
The teller complied with the demands and the man fled the scene on foot. He was last seen heading west on Grand Boulevard, police said.
The robber is described as having a dark complexion, between 25 and 35 years old, approximately 5-foot-8, with a slim to medium build. He was wearing a dark knit cap, sunglasses, a brown suede jacket, blue jeans and gloves.
Detectives are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.


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Posts Tagged 'Lifestyle'
The "Slow" DietJuly 13th, 2013 at 5:40 pm by timigustafson
The Mediterranean diet is praised by its proponents as one of the healthiest eating styles around. Dominated by fruits and vegetables, it is considered well suited for the prevention of heart disease, stroke, cancer and even mental decline. What gets rarely mentioned, however, is that it is not so much the dietary principles but rather the underlying lifestyle that sets the Mediterranean diet apart. For example, not rushing things too much and enjoying a leisurely clip are just as important as the food itself. And that does not only apply to food preparation or consumption but to life in general.
The Mediterranean diet as we know it today is inspired by many, often ancient, culinary traditions from southern European and northern African countries bordering on the Mediterranean Sea. It's not a specific cuisine but rather the product of centuries-old struggles for survival in lands that can be harsh and barren.
In fact, contrary to popular belief, the Mediterranean population never had it particularly easy. The region is by no means a bountiful breadbasket. The landscapes that surround the sea, mostly mountainous peninsulas and islands and narrow coastal plains, do not easily yield a livelihood to their inhabitants. The food supply comes mostly from small farms that have been operated by the same families for eons. Industrial farming methods are neither practical nor welcome.
"For all the sun-drenched ease we associate with the Mediterranean – in reality little more than a vacationer's fantasy – there is an undertone of harshness to the region's beauty," writes Ayla Alger, co-author of "Mediterranean – The Beautiful Cookbook" (Harper Collins, 1994). "It is indeed remarkable that agriculture has flourished at all in the Mediterranean, the result not only of skillful cultivation but also of the peasant tenacity and hardiness of its peoples."
Still, despite all the difficulties (or, perhaps, because of them), there has always been a deep appreciation for nature's gifts. People's relationship to their food is profoundly personal. Those who don't farm themselves buy locally grown produce at the market and prepare their meals at home from scratch. Hardly anyone ever eats alone. Having food is a communal affair that involves families, neighbors, friends and visiting guests.
By contrast, our lifestyles demand ever-greater speed and efficiency in nearly all aspects of our lives, including our mealtimes. Many of us skip breakfast or grab something from the coffee shop on the way to the office. We work through lunch and watch TV or spend more time on computers and other devices while having dinner, which is usually take-out or something microwavable.
Fast food, an icon of Western culture, is the quintessential opposite of the home-cooked family meal. It is available almost anywhere and at all times; it comes ready to eat; it can be consumed alone; it doesn't require a table or even a plate; and its non-descript taste never varies. Instead of bringing us together, it allows us to keep to ourselves, we don't even have to get out of our cars if we don't want to. As such, it doesn't just impact our physical health but our entire well-being, including the quality of our familial and social life.
We must pay more attention to the consequences of our constantly accelerating world, warns Jay Walljasper, a contributing editor to National Geographic and author of "All That We Share."
"The human time world is no longer joined to the incoming and outgoing tides, the rising and setting sun, and the changing seasons," he says. "Instead, humanity has created an artificial time environment punctuated by mechanical contrivances and electronic impulses."
Our eating habits are a direct reflection of our lifestyle that is becoming increasingly unsustainable, says Walljasper. Feeding ourselves has become just one of the countless activities we engage in day in and day out. It has no special meaning. There is no attention being paid, no gratitude felt. It's just consumption.
It wasn't always like this – and it doesn't have to continue this way. "People want to slow down because they feel that their lives are spinning out of control," he says. Polls have shown that a majority of Americans would accept pay cuts if they were given more time off in return.
There is also a growing hunger for getting back to basics. More young people now consider farming – the small kind – as a career option, and also because they want to do something meaningful with their lives. And their sentiments are widely shared. The popularity of farmers markets all over the country speaks for itself.
The desire to slow down and take more time for things that really matter can become a reality at any moment and without much ado. Walljasper describes his own "conversion" to a slower-paced existence like this: "I've started the "Slow Is Beautiful" revolution in my own life – right in the kitchen, scaling back my busy schedule to find more time for cooking good meals and then sitting down to enjoy them in a festive, unrushed way with my wife, son and friends. Even cleaning up after dinner can offer a lesson in the pleasures of slowness, as I learned a while back when our dishwasher went on the fritz. […] I'd put some jazz or blues on the stereo and sing along, or just daydream as I stacked dishes and glasses on the drying rack."
Who says you can never go home again?
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Timi Gustafson R.D. is a registered dietitian, newspaper columnist, blogger and author of the book "The Healthy Diner – How to Eat Right and Still Have Fun"®, which is available on her blog and at amazon.com. For more articles on nutrition, health and lifestyle, visit her blog, "Food and Health with Timi Gustafson R.D." (www.timigustafson.com).
The Healthiest Places to Live in the U.S.June 8th, 2013 at 5:17 pm by timigustafson
How healthy you are depends largely on the diet and lifestyle choices you make. It also matters how educated and financially secure you are. And where you live – not only in what kind of neighborhood but also in which part of the country – plays a role as well.
If you are looking for the most health-promoting environment in America today, Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the place to be, according to a survey conducted by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), titled the American Fitness Index™ (AFI).
The report, which has been issued annually since 2007, measures the state of health and fitness at the community level throughout the U.S. Among the considered factors are opportunities to exercise and be physically active, including access to safe sidewalks and bike paths, athletic facilities, playgrounds, public parks and so on.
"What Minneapolis does so well – they are firm believers in the 'if you build it, they will come' attitude," said Dr. Walter Thompson, a professor at Georgia State University and chair of the AFI advisory board in an interview with NBC. "They spend a lot of money on their parks. They spend $227 per capita on their parks. […] So you can see they put their money where it needs to be to create a healthy environment," he added.
By contrast, the least proactive places in terms of fitness promotion on the AFI list spend about $62 per capita on parks and other recreational facilities.
Runner-ups were Washington D.C., Portland, Oregon, and San Francisco, California. Seattle, Washington, came in eighth.
The existence of public parks is an especially important indicator because it provides people with the lowest hurdle preventing them from exercising. Unlike many sports facilities such as gymnasiums, swimming pools, basketball courts, running tracks or golf courses, parks don't require memberships or have limited opening hours.
When you provide the environment for people to exercise, there is no excuse to be a couch potato, said Thompson. And that translates to lower personal health indicators such as obesity and diabetes as well as poor lifestyle choices like smoking.
Minneapolis was also found to be especially conducive for the health of seniors. According to the United Health Foundation's America's Health Ranking Senior Report, more older people report being in very good to excellent health in Minnesota than in all other states. Also, the poverty rate among the elderly is lower here than elsewhere.
The aspect of senior health in our communities is of growing importance because the baby boomer generation, a large segment of the population, is about to retire. It is also a group of people plagued by considerable health problems, many due to less-than-perfect lifestyle habits. Creating environments that allow for the betterment of their health status is in all our interest and should be given much attention.
If you liked this article, you may also enjoy reading "How Healthy You Are Also Depends on Where You Live."
Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest
Timi Gustafson R.D. is a registered dietitian, newspaper columnist, blogger and author of the book "The Healthy Diner – How to Eat Right and Still Have Fun"®, which is available on her blog and at amazon.com. For more articles on nutrition, health and lifestyle, visit her blog, "Food and Health with Timi Gustafson R.D." (www.timigustafson.com).
Even Small Amounts of Alcohol May Cause Cancer, Study FindsMarch 15th, 2013 at 3:05 pm by timigustafson
Moderate drinking of alcoholic beverages can have a place in a healthy lifestyle, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The question is what counts as moderate. Two drinks for men and one drink for women per day are permissible, says the agency. Excluded from these recommendations are children and adolescents, women who are pregnant or trying to conceive, and individuals who cannot control their alcohol intake, are on certain medications, or plan to drive or operate machinery.
All that is well known and widely accepted. But a new study found that even smaller amounts of alcohol than what is deemed acceptable by the USDA's Dietary Guidelines for Americans may be too much when it comes to preventing certain diseases, including cancer. In fact, having just one drink per day can increase the risk.
Researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) determined that alcohol-related cancer accounted for three to four percent of all cancer deaths in the United States annually and that even light drinkers were at an increased risk.
Well over half a million Americans die from cancer every year. Of these, approximately 20,000 cases are linked to alcohol, according to the study.
We talk a lot about tobacco and poor diets, but alcohol use is a factor that is often missed in the discussion over preventable diseases and deaths, says Dr. David Nelson, director of the Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program at the NCI and lead author of the study report. While the majority of cancer-related deaths from alcohol occurred in people who consumed substantially more than what is considered moderate drinking, Dr. Nelson's team found that 33 percent of the diseased had no more than one alcoholic drink per day on average.
Although only 18 percent of men and 11 percent of women are heavy drinkers, meaning they have more than the recommended daily amount on any given day, it is still a significant health concern, said Patricia Guenther, a nutritionist at the USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion and author of a separate study on the issue, in an interview with Reuters
Among men, 31 to 50 year olds consume the most alcohol, according to the study. Among women, the heaviest drinking takes place between ages 51 and 70. The researchers did not investigate the reasons for the differences in age.
Besides cancer, other well-known health risks from alcohol use are high blood pressure, heart disease, liver damage, pancreatitis, nerve damage, depression and dementia.
Moderate alcohol use has long been considered as harmless if not beneficial. Especially red wine is thought of by some as heart healthy. But conflicting messages like these only confuse consumers, says Dr. Nelson.
"The purported benefits of alcohol consumption are overrated when compared to the risks," he says. "Even if you take into account all the potential benefits of alcohol, it causes 10 times as many deaths as it prevents worldwide."
If you liked this article, you may also enjoy reading "Almost Half of All Cancer Cases May Be Preventable."
Timi Gustafson R.D. is a registered dietitian, newspaper columnist, blogger and author of the book "The Healthy Diner – How to Eat Right and Still Have Fun"®, which is available on her blog and at amazon.com. For more articles on nutrition, health and lifestyle, visit her blog, "Food and Health with Timi Gustafson R.D." (www.timigustafson.com). You can follow Timi on Twitter and on Facebook.
To Prevent Heart Disease, Follow a Mediterranean LifestyleFebruary 27th, 2013 at 12:46 pm by timigustafson
Southern Europeans are among the healthiest and longest living humans on the planet, according to studies on quality of life and longevity in different parts of the world. Considering the economic crisis that has taken hold of the region over the past few years, this seems almost a paradox. Experts have long suspected that good eating habits as well as a slower-paced lifestyle are largely responsible for these advantages.
A recently completed study from Spain has now confirmed some of these assumptions. It found that people who followed what is called the "Mediterranean diet" could lower their risk of heart disease by up to 30 percent.
As the name indicates, the Mediterranean diet is based on the culinary cultures of countries bordering on the Mediterranean Sea. It consists mainly of fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, lean meats, whole grains, olive oil, nuts and also wine with most meals.
Even by comparison to Northern Europeans who have a similar or even higher standard of living, Southerners show overall lower rates of heart disease. One of the reasons for this may be that olive oil and nuts contain monounsaturated fats, which are more conducive to maintaining artery health than saturated fats in butter and lard, more commonly used in the north.
For the study, over 7,400 participants between the ages of 55 and 80 were assigned slightly different diet regimens. All were at an increased risk of developing heart disease at the outset of the study because of other illnesses such as diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure as well as weight problems, family history and poor lifestyle choices. Surprisingly, those who were given olive oil and a selection of nuts in addition to their regular food intake did best in improving their health condition.
The benefits of the Mediterranean diet seem also applicable to age-related mental health. In a separate study, researchers from the Columbia University Medical Center in New York found that participants who followed the dietary guidelines most strictly could cut their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by up to 40 percent. The reasons are similar to those for heart disease. Experts believe that uninhibited blood flow to the brain, enabled by good heart functions and unobstructed arteries, is crucial for the prevention of mental decline.
Of course, it would be naive to assume that dietary improvements alone would make us altogether healthier and let us live longer. For instance, to prevent heart disease, it is not only important to eat right but also to exercise regularly, manage stress, get enough sleep and also have loving relationships in one's life. We affect our health not only by the way we eat but also how we behave, said Dr. Dean Ornish, founder of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute in Sausalito, California. It's not just one thing that will make us well but a "spectrum program" of choices, as he calls his comprehensive approach to disease prevention and better health.
One of the most important aspects of the Mediterranean lifestyle is having close ties with family and friends. Sharing meals, taking time for conversation, celebrating special occasions surrounded by loved ones – all of that contributes to people's well-being.
"Study after study has shown that people who are lonely and depressed and isolated – and I think that's a real epidemic in our culture – are three times more likely to get sick and die prematurely than those who have a sense of love and connection and community," he said in an interview. "In part this is because when you are feeling lonely and depressed, you're more likely to smoke, overeat, drink, work too hard, abuse yourself in different ways, as a way of just getting through the day." In the end, he added, what matters most is your overall way of living.
Timi Gustafson R.D. is a registered dietitian, newspaper columnist, blogger and author of the book "The Healthy Diner – How to Eat Right and Still Have Fun"®, which is available on her blog and at amazon.com. For more articles on nutrition, health and lifestyle, visit her blog, "Food and Health with Timi Gustafson R.D." (www.timigustafson.com). You can follow Timi on Twitter and on Facebook.
A Season to Slow DownDecember 16th, 2012 at 2:57 pm by timigustafson
In principle, I guess, one can get addicted to anything. I'm not just talking about drugs, alcohol, caffeine, nicotine or food. People can develop addictions to other people, their work, shopping, television or the Internet. The latter seem especially prone to cause addictive behavior. In this past year, the media outlets of every kind have been selling us "the news" like junk food, thereby creating yet another addiction. "News junkies suffer from withdrawal symptoms after the election," I read the other day in the paper. I wonder why?
Certain addictions are hard to avoid in our culture where more is always considered better. We take it for granted to think of progress exclusively in terms of "growth." So we find ourselves in a never-ending chase of things that supposedly make our lives more comfortable and more exciting. We live in larger homes, drive bigger and faster cars and surround ourselves with more possessions than any generation before us – and yet, there remains this nagging feeling that we don't have enough to be content.
Inevitably, our relentless "pursuit of happiness" comes at a steep price. It's called stress. True, most people suffer from stress and anxiety at one time or another. That's life, some would say. Yet, what we are seeing today seems somewhat different. More and more people exhaust themselves, just by trying to keep up. They are reaching the end of their rope. Doctors and psychologists have already come up with new terminology to describe the stress symptoms they find in their patients with increasing frequency, using terms such as "time stress," "chronic overscheduling" or "time poverty."
To be sure, having goals and ambitions does not automatically make anyone sick. There is such a thing as "good stress" where people can thrive on a certain amount of pressure and even derive pleasure from it. But being constantly pressed for time without relief is not healthy, no matter how we may rationalize it. In fact, the idea that a "normal" life has to be filled with constant activity is a concept that should not remain unquestioned. Why should it be "the norm" that we always work harder, earn more money, buy more stuff, increase our standard of living? Why is having the newest and the latest to be considered a must? Why can't we imagine living without gadgets that did not even exist a little while ago? Why don't we ever feel that we have accomplished enough and that we can enjoy what we already have?
The Holiday Season is supposedly a time when we stop the rat race and focus on family, friends and all the good things that really matter in life. Of course, most of us end up doing the exact same thing as last year and the year before. We get caught up in the Holiday rush, no matter how much we wish it was different this time.
There are better ways to deal with our perpetual time crunch – there must be! Merely wishing life was different is not enough. All lifestyle changes, great and small, require will power and determination. Here are a few ideas that may help things along:
First: Let's establish some rules. No matter how much pressure we may receive from the outside, let's not forget that we are responsible for the ways we spend our time. Only we can find ways to organize our time better and use it more wisely. Instead of running around like crazy trying to put out fires all day, let's set up a healthier routine and stick to it.
Second: Let's set priorities. Let's ask ourselves what value we get in return for our time and effort. Is our only reward more money to buy more stuff? So what if we don't have all the latest fads? Those will be outdated and obsolete tomorrow. Instead, let's focus, perhaps with a sense of gratitude, on what we already have – and not just in material terms.
Third: Let's include regular down-time in our schedules, so we can recover and recharge our batteries. There are benefits in doing nothing once in a while. Allowing ourselves to slow down should not make us feel guilty. So, let's switch off the cell phone, get off the Internet, stop listening to the News. Instead, let's go for long walks, find a quiet place where we can spend time alone, meditate or write a journal – these are the gifts we can give to ourselves that will make for a truly Happy Holiday Season.
Timi Gustafson R.D. is a registered dietitian, newspaper columnist, blogger and author of the book "The Healthy Diner – How to Eat Right and Still Have Fun"®, which is available on her blog, "Food and Health with Timi Gustafson R.D.", and at amazon.com. You can follow Timi on Twitter and on Facebook.
Don't Get Crazy Busy!December 8th, 2012 at 5:22 pm by timigustafson
Whenever I make phone calls or send off e-mails to family members and friends to touch base and inquire about their well-being, the answers are almost always the same: "busy," "crazy busy," "insanely busy," "busy, busy, busy." I know full well that I'm expected to respond with something like "that's good," or "that's a good problem to have." Being able to say that there is plenty going on in our lives, even if it drives us nuts, is almost considered an asset in our culture, although it's made to sound more like a burden.
The holiday season may be an especially challenging time when we try to get many extra chores squared away in addition to our already overloaded schedules. But, let's face it, being swamped with work and activities has become a way of life for many of us all year round. It is so much part of us, it would be hard to get off the treadmill, even if we tried.
"Without intending for it to happen or knowing how it got started, many people now find that they live in a rush they don't want and didn't create, or at least didn't mean to create," says Dr. Edward Hallowell, a psychiatrist specializing in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and author of "Crazy Busy: Overstretched, Overbooked, and About to Snap! Strategies for Handling Your Fast-Paced Life" (Ballantine Books, 2006).
While being active and engaged can be a positive experience, losing sight of what we want and what's important to us should not be the outcome. "Being too busy […] can become a habit so entrenched that it leads you to postpone or cut short what really matters to you, making you a slave to a lifestyle you don't like but can't escape," says Dr. Hallowell.
Much of today's hurry, bustle and agitation has been created, or at least accelerated, by the arrival of communication technologies allowing us to stay connected with the outside world at all times. We have even adopted a term that originated in the computer industry to describe our responses to our many pressing demands: "multitasking," says Christine Rosen, editor at The New Atlantis who writes about the social and cultural impact of technology. "Used for decades to describe the parallel processing abilities of computers, multitasking is now shorthand for the human attempt to do simultaneously as many things as possible, as quickly as possible, preferably marshalling the power of as many technologies as possible," she says.
In recent years, scientists have begun to pay more attention to potentially adverse effects of the multitasking phenomenon on people's health, not only in terms of stress management but also with regards to mental health. When neurologists studied brain functions through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, they were able to observe the inner workings of multitasking as blood flowed to different brain regions whenever test participants shifted their focus. Multitasking, or task-switching, as the process is sometimes called, requires time and energy, and if too much of it is required at any given time, a "bottleneck" effect may occur while the brain struggles to respond simultaneously to several stimuli, according to research conducted by Dr. René Marois, professor at the Department of Psychology at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee. The reason is that the human brain can only focus sequentially, not simultaneously, on different tasks at hand. It must disengage from one before engaging in another. This limits it to a finite amount of goals it can pursue before its capacity maxes out.
"For example, someone who is writing a report might be able to take on a second task, like checking e-mail, without losing their train of thought. But if that e-mail asked for a decision about something, that would amount to a third task, and the brain would be overwhelmed," he said in an interview with National Public Radio (NPR) about his findings.
Yet, many of us, especially when we are good at it, take pride in our ability to get lots of stuff done within a short period of time, and find it very rewarding. The question is, at what price?
Besides giving us toxic stress, making us sick, causing accidents and errors and turning us into rude and irritable people, the greatest damage from being too busy is that it prevents us from controlling our own lives," says Dr. Hallowell.
Chronically overworked and overtired, we often don't have enough energy left for doing the things we really want, such as spending more quality time alone or with loved ones. It doesn't have to be this way. We can question our behavior from time to time in terms of what we want to achieve and how important our goals really are to us. The holiday season can be a good opportunity to re-examine our priorities.
If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy reading "A Season to Slow Down."
Timi Gustafson R.D. is a registered dietitian, newspaper columnist, blogger and author of the book "The Healthy Diner – How to Eat Right and Still Have Fun"®, which is available on her blog, "Food and Health with Timi Gustafson R.D.", and at amazon.com. You can follow Timi on Twitter and on Facebook.
Enhancing the Quality of Life Wherever We CanOctober 31st, 2012 at 12:45 pm by timigustafson
For the longest time, there has been nothing but bad news coming from Greece: An economy in complete shambles, high unemployment, drastic tax hikes and cutbacks in social services, unrest in the streets, a society at the brink of collapse. And yet it is precisely in this region where people seem to live longer, healthier lives than about anywhere else on the planet. What's their secret?
Based on years of research, Dan Buettner, best-selling author of "The Blue Zones: Lessons in Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest" (National Geographic Society, 2008), and two of his colleagues found that the inhabitants of the Greek island of Ikaria were reaching the age of 90 at two and a half times the rate Americans do.
"Ikarian men in particular are nearly four times as likely as their American counterparts to reach 90, often in better health. But more than that, they were also living about 8 to 10 years longer before succumbing to cancers and cardiovascular disease, and they suffered less depression and about a quarter the rate of dementia." By contrast, Buettner says, almost half of American seniors show signs of Alzheimer's by the age of 85.
Despite of its remoteness and rugged, mountainous landscape, the island has been known for centuries for its health-promoting climate and soothing hot springs. A slow-pace, leisurely lifestyle is still prevalent among the people here who savor tasty meals and long afternoon naps. Time seems to stand still – most villagers don't even wear watches.
Many of the young people who once left the island in search of better paying jobs in the cities have returned, disillusioned with their fading prospects. Because of high unemployment rates, some have no choice but to move back in with parents and grandparents, but others see the lifestyle of their forbearers as a viable alternative.
Besides tourism, small-scale agriculture is the only industry on Ikaria. When it comes to food supply, most families are self-sufficient. Gardening and tending to livestock fills the day that starts late in the morning and ends with dining and socializing with family, neighbors and friends.
The latter is as crucial as the diet the Ikarians adhere to. The social structures might turn out to be even more important, says Buettner. The cultural attitude that honors and celebrates old age keeps seniors more engaged in their communities. Studies have shown that the concept of retirement, common in industrialized countries, actually reduces life expectancy. Such "artificial punctuations" in life, as he calls it, deprive retirees unnecessarily of a sense of purpose and meaningful existence.
Another puzzling phenomenon is that Ikarians also live longer than other islanders in the region who share a comparable environment. Obviously it's not one specific thing that sets these people apart, says Buettner, but rather a host of "subtly powerful, mutually enhancing and pervasive factors are at work" such as a healthy diet, sufficient sleep, lack of stress and time pressure, daily physical activity through walking and manual labor, and being part of a functional community. In other words, it's the high quality of life that results in the extraordinary longevity.
Obviously, not everyone can move to an idyllic island and grow vegetables, milk goats, bake bread and snooze the afternoon away. But what we all can do is to stop once in a while and consider whether our days really have to be as hectic and exhausting as they often are. Perhaps we would be better off if we took regularly inventory and separated what's necessary from what just crept in on us.
We don't have to aim at living forever. Longevity itself doesn't have to be the primary goal. Being around a few years longer is not worth the effort if we're only getting more of the same. A better quality of life, on the other hand, is something we can always strive for at any time and anywhere.
Timi Gustafson R.D. is a registered dietitian, newspaper columnist, blogger and author of the book "The Healthy Diner – How to Eat Right and Still Have Fun"®, which is available on her blog, "Food and Health with Timi Gustafson R.D.", and at amazon.com. You can follow Timi on Twitter and on Facebook.
Living Long, Living WellAugust 29th, 2012 at 5:47 pm by timigustafson
Americans may be less optimistic about the future in general than they once were, but a solid majority still hopes to enjoy a long life. In fact, longevity is considered by most as part of a good life, on par with health, prosperity and loving relationships.
60 percent expect to live at least until they're 80. 40 percent think 120 to 150 years could be feasible within their own lifetime due to further advancements in medical and biological technology. And one percent believes that death could eventually be eliminated altogether, according to a survey conducted by David Ewing Duncan, a science writer and author of "When I'm 164: The New Science of Radical Life Extension and What Happens If It Succeeds."
Considering that two thirds of the population are currently dealing with weight problems and a host of lifestyle-related diseases, this may be wishful thinking for many. But the fact is that the average life expectancy has indeed dramatically increased over the last century due to improved hygiene, diet and medical care. In 1900, people could expect to live just under 50 years. In the year 2000, it was nearly 77. The average lifespan was lengthened between 1.5 and 2.7 years per decade, according to data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau.
What's even more stunning is that our chances of living longer seem to go up all the time. How so? "Because the more time you spend in the world, the more time the world gives you," says Ted C. Fishman, author of "Shock of Gray" (Scribner, 2010). "For every hour we live," he claims, "the average human lifespan increases between eleven and fifteen minutes. Every day sees the average lifespan grow another five hours."
Of course, that doesn't apply for everyone across the globe, Fishman admits. "Your odds are better if you have avoided the obesity epidemic and live in a place that enjoys good health care, education, and freedom from war and terrible poverty." It also helps if you can manage to stay mentally fit and don't suffer from memory loss and cognitive decline. A loving family, a circle of friends and other supportive social surroundings add to your chances.
Unfortunately, many of these important factors for longevity cannot be taken for granted. Baby boomers, now entering retirement, are rightly worried about their prospects when it comes to their financial security, health needs and social life.
"It does not bode well for the baby boom generation at all," warns Dr. S. Jay Olshansky, a professor for public health at the University of Illinois at Chicago who studies longevity, in an interview with Reuters. More recent studies show that life expectancy gains in the U.S. have actually flattened out since the 1960s. Despite of dramatically increasing expenditures for health care, many Americans live with chronic diseases that are left insufficiently treated, especially among the uninsured and those with limited coverage. One study concluded that poorer citizens have on average a shorter lifespan of up to five years than the more affluent.
Obviously, money can't buy everything and life remains an uncertain enterprise no matter how rich you are. For the rest of us, there are plenty of opportunities to take care of our health and well-being by eating right, exercising, etc. (you know the drill) – and for this, it's never too early to get started.
Researchers found that physical fitness achieved during middle-age can lower the risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure in later years and may be associated with compression of morbidity at old age. Compression of morbidity is what many health experts consider the optimal outcome of aging. The idea is "to delay the onset of age-related disease and inevitable decline without worrying about extending life," writes Dr. Andrew Weil, author of numerous best-selling health books, including "Healthy Aging" (Knopf, 2005). Not longevity itself should be our first concern, but the quality of life we have as long as we are around, he says.
This reminds me of the late Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple Inc. who died last year at the age of 56, when he spoke of the inevitability of death at his 2005 Stanford Commencement Address.
"No one wants to die," he said. "Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one ever escaped it. And that is as it should be because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. […] Your time is limited," he ended, "so don't waste it…"
Even the longest life can be a waste if it's not brought to its full potential. Even the shortest life is rich and fulfilled if it's lived well.
If you enjoyed this article, you may also be interested in "The High Cost of Living Longer."
Timi Gustafson R.D. is a clinical dietitian and author of the book "The Healthy Diner – How to Eat Right and Still Have Fun"®, which is available on her blog, "Food and Health with Timi Gustafson R.D." (http://www.timigustafson.com), and at amazon.com. You can follow Timi on Twitter and on Facebook.
Following a Heart-Healthy Lifestyle Can Add Years to Your LifeMarch 25th, 2012 at 3:48 pm by timigustafson
Do you observe a healthy diet, abstain from smoking, watch your cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose levels and do you exercise at least for 30 minutes three times a week? If so, your chances of dying from a heart attack are much lower than those of your contemporaries with less health-promoting lifestyles.
Researchers found that taking a few simple, commonsense steps to protect your heart can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease more substantially than previously thought.
For a recently completed study that followed almost 45,000 adult Americans, scientists looked into data collected by the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and linked them with a database of deaths over three time periods, starting in 1988 and ending in 2010. After almost 15 years of follow-up, the survey showed that participants who adhered most closely to the diet and lifestyle recommendations of the American Heart Health Association (AHA) had a 76 percent lower risk of dying from heart disease and a 51 percent lower risk of all-cause deaths than those who complied less. The details of the study were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA – 3/23/2012).
Unfortunately, the researchers also found that only a small minority of Americans follows all or most of the AHA guidelines for heart health.
"Everyone knows that the heart health of Americans is dismal. Yet, despite of trying hard (really hard), I fail more than 90 percent of the time to get patients to change their heart-healthy behaviors," laments Dr. John Mandrola, a cardiologist. "Nine in ten patients return just as fat and sedentary as they were at the time of my previous lecture on heart health."
The problem is not that Americans lack access to information that prevents them from taking better care of their heart health. "Getting people to know [the facts] is not the issue, rather the issue is the implementation of the plan, says Dr. Mandrola.
Heart disease is the most common cause of deaths in the U.S. today, ahead of cancer and stroke. One and a half million Americans die every year from the disease or complications connected to it. While it is true that heart disease can be caused by inherent risk factors such as family history or simply by aging, poor lifestyle choices are to be blamed in most cases. Excess weight, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, smoking, alcohol abuse and insufficient physical activity are all commonly known culprits. Most heart patients have several of these risk factors to deal with – and they tend to "gang up" and aggravate each other's effects.
Heart disease usually shows no specific warning signs. You have to look at the numbers to find out about your heart's health condition. "You can and should make a difference in your heart health by understanding and addressing your personal risks," says Dr. Susan B. Shurin, director at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institute of Health (NIH). For any successful treatment of heart disease as well as for prevention it is crucial to regularly monitor cholesterol levels – LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides –blood pressure and, of course, body weight.
Americans tend to rely too quickly on medications when they encounter heart health problems. In many cases that may be a necessary first step, but the goal should always be to achieve risk reduction by better diet and lifestyle choices. "Good Nutrition and lifestyle are the cornerstones of health," says Dr. Leslie Cho, director of the Women's Cardiovascular Center at the Cleveland Clinic. "Pills are supplements. They're not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle."
Timi Gustafson R.D. is a clinical dietitian and author of the book "The Healthy Diner – How to Eat Right and Still Have Fun"®, which is available on her blog, "Food and Health with Timi Gustafson R.D." (http://www.timigustafson.com), and at amazon.com. You can follow Timi on Twitter and on Facebook.
Signs of Memory Loss Found in Younger PeopleJanuary 8th, 2012 at 3:25 pm by timigustafson
Loss of memory and other cognitive functions may start much earlier in life than previously thought, according to a clinical study from England. A modest decline of mental abilities such as reasoning and problem-solving was found in participants who were only in their forties.
For the study, researchers tested 7,000 men and women over a period of 10 years for memory, vocabulary and aural and visual comprehension. The results showed an average of 3.6 percent decline in reasoning skills in both sexes at the age of 45 to 49. 65 to 70 years old men showed on average a steeper decline than women of the same age group – 9.6 versus 7.4 percent.
Since the youngest participants were 45 years old when the study began, it is possible that the deterioration of brain functions may commence even earlier, according to Dr. Archana Singh-Manoux, the leader of the research, which was co-sponsored by the Center for Research in Epidemiology and Population in France and the University College London. The results were recently published in the "British Medical Journal."
Previous studies on age-related decline of mental health have primarily focused on people in their sixties, seventies and beyond. By limiting ourselves to a narrower scope, we may not yet have gotten the entire picture, according to Dr. Singh-Manoux. A decline of mental capacity doesn't suddenly happen at old age. That variability exists much earlier on, she says.
Researchers still need to learn more about the risk factors that lead to progressive cognitive impairment. There is strong evidence that Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia is closely related to heart disease, which is typically caused by weight problems, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
We probably underestimate how affected the broader population may be, says Dr. Singh-Manoux. The participants in this study were drawn from a relative homogeneous pool of office workers who were well educated and, for the most part, enjoyed a comfortable life and good health. This is not necessarily a representative profile at a time when so many suffer from obesity and other lifestyle-related health issues.
Although the causes of mental decline are not yet fully understood, experts recommend a number of measures that may not prevent but at least slow down the process. These include regular physical exercise, healthy nutrition, weight control, intellectual activity, avoidance of smoking and alcohol/drug abuse, stress reduction, sufficient amounts of sleep as well as social activities and supportive relationships.
A study conducted by the Mayo Clinic concluded that engaging in stimulating mental activities through reading, discussion, playing challenging games and other interactions can help decrease the risk of cognitive impairment significantly. This does not only apply to the elderly. To prevent even mild cognitive impairment (MCI), it is important to "exercise" the brain at any age.
"This study… demonstrates that aging does not need to be a passive process," says Dr. Yonas Geda, a Mayo Clinic neuropsychiatrist and lead author of the study report. "By simply engaging in cognitive exercise, you can protect against future memory loss."
To what degree we actually hold the key to our mental health remains to be seen. Preserving our physical health as best as we can is certainly a good strategy. Baby boomers have long been spending millions to save their sagging skin, fix their crow's feet and plump their lips. As they reach old age, they finally are beginning to turn to brain boosters to fight memory loss, writes Virginia Anderson of WebMD in an article titled "Seven Brain Boosters to Prevent Memory Loss." In fact, the process may begin much earlier in life and people need to pay attention before it's too late.
Timi Gustafson R.D. is a clinical dietitian and author of the book "The Healthy Diner – How to Eat Right and Still Have Fun"®, which is available on her blog, "Food and Health with Timi Gustafson R.D." (http://www.timigustafson.com), and at amazon.com. You can follow Timi on Twitter and on Facebook.


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Written by Patricia Lei Murry
Hawaiian Quilt Inspirations: A Journal of Life is a collection of unique quilts and the stories that inspired their creation. It is a book to treasure and to share. In it Patricia Lei reveals the great golden kaula, the thread that binds Hawaiian thinking and values for living. Patricia Lei also honors the early quilters who created quilts not only for warmth and as artistic objects of beauty, but to convey hidden messages. Featuring quilters from all over the islands, the book is not only a reflection of a modern Hawaiian tradition but of the people and lives quilting touches. Wit something for everyone, this book is sure to inspire seasoned quilters as well as the novice.
Hardcover: 80 pages.
Back to Hawaiian Books


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Let me tell you how this works ;) :
The car and bikes WILL STOP, if YOU CROSS the street. So walk! Don't let us stop just so that we can start all over again making some speed. Let us stop for something: you crossing that damn street.
Always visit this bookshop when you're in Paris.
Traveling is the best—true story—but it can be damn exhausting. Missing a train, haggling, washing your laundry in the sink or puking up that roasted grasshopper you ate can be stressful. Rough patches like these call for a time-out. OTP drowsily selected our choicest spots to lay your weary head and refuel. Don't forget to set the alarm.
Situated along the breathtaking Bay of Kotor is the small village of Perast, population 300. Back in the day, Perast was the place to be if you were a sailor or a dude with wares to peddle. Now, it's a rustic hiking town nestled in the mountains. Muster up just a little strength and row out to two of the islands, where you can bake in year-round sun.
You're bound to find more out-of-work fisherman and sea shanties than tourists on the island of Newfoundland(pronounced NEW-fin-lind). With crazy beautiful land to explore, you can get lost and cozy up where no one knows your name for a good solid break from the hustle of modernity. Bonus points if you work in your naptime on an ocean voyage; triple if you're a stowaway.
Since dead people are experts at long naps, take a good slumber in these bone-filled dank caverns to beat the oppressive heat of South American summers. Snuggling up with the dead in some underground labyrinth is spooky nap central. It's definitely relaxing enough to sleep; as for fending off ghastly nightmares , you're on your own. If you feel a guard poking you with a femur, be prepared to bounce.
Telling an Aussie that Western Australia is your main destination is like telling a prostitute you only want to talk. This mostly desolate wilderness is primarily populated by long-haul truckers and kangaroos, but also full the most beautiful deserted beaches and undeveloped areas Down Under. It's cheap, slow and perfect (no matter what the city folk may think).
Far from the donkey shows of Tijuana, the red-eyed fiestas of Mexico City and the drunk co-eds at Senor Frog's in Cancun,Oaxaca is a slice of real Mexico. Head there for the legendary Day of the Dead, and wear yourself out by diving into Native American celebratory culture. Once you're good and tired, you'll be glad to know that nap time (siesta) rolls around from 2pm to 4pm.
Often overshadowed by its democracy-inventing and Renaissance-spurring neighbors, Albania is the long-overlooked lovechild of isolation and Stalinist regime. Society has become increasingly open in the past 15 years, and they've got some of the best beaches in Europe. Cheaper in every way than its surrounding countries, places like Sarande are ideal to hang a hammock and relax Shqipthar (Albanian) style.
North Africa, civil unrest or not, is not only a great broke-ass travel destination, but beautiful and nap-tastic. Get beached in Morocco like General Patton, and then cruise the southern Mediterranean. You'll find thousands of miles of beaches where you can exist on a meager budget and sleep your way to travel refreshment.
The Seychelles are one of those last secluded gems left on our shrinking planet. If escaping the modern world is the MO of your napquest, this little tropical paradise is your ticket to the best rest of your life. There's nothing even remotely close to the urban rat race on these islands, just ancient gods and gorgeous beaches; no one will hear you snore for miles.
A mix of nostalgia and respect, the "Cradle of Civilization" is will rock you to sleep like a baby. Some of the best vistas of the western river can be found near Gaziantep, Turkey, close to the Syrian border. Cuddle up in Mesopotamia; that right there is a nap to make your 9th grade geography teacher proud.
Thailand's great when you're in the mood for partying and less-restful nights. The Philippines will help to nurture you back to whole. You'll meet people less jaded by the throngs of tourists and experience an Asian cuisine deeply influenced by the Spanish and perfected to concoct flavorful, mouth-changing dishes. Achieve an adequate food coma, find a lovely pair of coconut trees to hang a hammock between and sleep while your stomach figures out the digesting details.
OTP Tip: The Spaniards are notorious nappers and if you're in the less metropolitan areas of the country (most ofAndalusia), a lot of places (supermarkets, cafes, stores, etc.) close for nap time from 2 pm until 5 pm. While we're not sure when Spaniards find time to work, take the hint and get something soft to lay around on for a few hours.
Napping is easy; finding the right place and time to temporarily call it quits takes skill. Make nice with the locals and you'll be steered clear of Acapulco shirts and fanny packs to the chillest spots. Worst comes to worst, if you're drowsy enough, the nap will eventually find you.
Abstract interpretation of the Great Horned Owl
Black ball point pen | App. 3.5 Hours. Larger View.
(Source: lifeisjustbe)
Let's start with the fact I was sick and had to stay home. How lame is that. Thank god I wasn't the only one playing sad sick person tonight. Something in the air was making a lot of people this way. I made sure I stuffed myself with all the delicacies that were brought into this house for this special day, this special eve. I was thinking over this year – was it better than the one before? Most certainly it was different, but the 365 days had been good to me whatsoever. Yes, I took some planes this year which has caused me a new addiction. This had been a good year.
Anyway, I made sure I enjoyed myself this evening with the company I had. People, texting, the sound of the television, food, and drinks.
People talk about the same things (we've made it through another year! –yay.), whishing each other the same wise words (happy new year, stay healthy, have a great time), getting drunk at the same parties (hell yeah) and tomorrow they will all share the same hangover.
But this year I had to stay out of that…
Counting down the last minute and the firework starts, giving me beautiful enlightened colors to watch. My sickness forced me to stay in, but from the top floor of our house through the open window I had a good view that reached pretty far. Most of our neighbors weren't home. It gave me a clear sight. Less smoke. For half an hour now, standing motionless on the bed under this window, I was gazing at the firework. I realized how much I love watching this. Can't wait to attend the next firework show! But then I suddenly realize something else and wonder how many people will get injured this night. Maybe even on the corner over there. I also wonder if the reason of this thought popping into my mind is my study. Which is not cool.
I went downstairs to be amongst the people again and – darkness. The power is gone probably due to some prank or little accident, haha. What a weird way to start a new year. – It can only get better! I am sooo ready for you 2012. Watch me ;)


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Found December 29, 2012 on Orlando Magic Daily:
PLAYERS: Glen Davis, Kyle Lowry
TEAMS: Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors
TEAMS: Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors
Orlando, Fla. (10-20) vs. (12-17) Time/TV: 7 p.m./FSFlorida Line: Magic by 4 Tickets: $27-$850 on Vivid Seats Season Series: Lost 97-86 in Toronto on Nov. 18; Lost 93-90 in Toronto on Dec. 21; Tonight in Orlando; Jan. 24 in Orlando Pace Off. Rtg. Def. Rtg. eFG% O.Reb.% TO% FTR Toronto 94.5 101.4 104.7 47.5 23.9 12.1 27.6 Orlando 94.5 98.4 99.9 48.8 25.0 14.8 19.7 Video Vault: {youtube}n5GK2DgTOY8{/youtube} 1) The Magic certainly took a step back in losing their fourth straight game in a loss to the Wizards. The defense continued to regress and the Magic are struggling to win without Glen Davis. 2) Hedo Turkoglu appears set to make his return after breaking his hand in the first gam...
Original Story: http://www.orlandomagicdaily.com/dece...
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The Fed's new tool: Negative interest rates?
Krissy Clark
Jul 30, 2012 The Federal Reserve meets again this week, and the buzz is that Chairman Ben Bernanke could be considering some "new tools," for stimulating growth -- perhaps using interest rates to encourage banks to take some risks with their money.
Ben Bernanke testifies before the House
Kai Ryssdal
Jul 18, 2012 Quite literally, it was nothing we hadn't heard before.
Bernanke likely to be queried about LIBOR scandal
John Dimsdale
Jul 17, 2012 Senators are likely to question Federal Reserve chairman about what banking regulators knew about manipulation of key lending rate.
Is the Federal Reserve running out of ammo?
Heidi N. Moore
Jun 21, 2012 Global markets, and many economists, seem unimpressed this morning with the news yesterday from the Federal Reserve that it will expand the Operation Twist monetary stimulus program.
How the markets could react to latest Fed meeting
Josh Brown
Interview with
Jun 20, 2012 The Federal Reserve wraps up a meeting today in Washington. And the expectation is that policymakers will launch more monetary stimulus to boost the economy.
Federal Reserve to announce possible monetary policy changes
Heidi N. Moore
Interview with
Jun 20, 2012 The U.S. Federal Reserve Open Market Committee finishes two days of meetings today. And we'll have an announcement shortly on what -- if any -- change in monetary policy they might have decided on.
Market hope hangs on Bernanke
David Gura
Jun 7, 2012 All eyes are on Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke today as he testifies today on Capitol Hill and announces his plans for interest rates and quantitative easing.
Options narrow for Federal Reserve action
Jeremy Hobson
Interview by
Jun 7, 2012 Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke is on Capitol Hill today and he's under pressure to do more to stimulate the economy in the United States.
Bernanke: Fed will act if there is risk
David Gura
Interview with
Jun 7, 2012 Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke was on Capital Hill today, he didn't rule out action, but did not suggest any immediate policy changes.
Who Americans trust with big economic decisions
Frank Newport
Interview with
May 3, 2012 Bill Clinton is warning Europeans that the prescription of austerity, quote "continues to be pushed in the face of evidence that it won't work." For those not inclined to accept this kind of economic advice from an ex-U.S. president, the question arises: who do Americans trust to handle these matters?


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8 College Of The Canyons Football Players Headed To Division I Colleges [1]
Kicker Ricky Drake, a Valencia High graduate, going to UN Reno.
Eight football players from College of the Canyons will continue their collegiate careers at NCAA Division I schools in the fall.
Shawn Johnson, an offensive lineman, will be headed to UCLA, and Ricky Drake, a kicker who went to
Sponsored By:
Defensive back Kenny Brown, who played his high school football at Paraclete in
Defensive lineman Jonathan Hollins from
Four other players from College of the Canyons decided to continue their football careers at Division II or NAIA schools.
Defensive back Kamuela Brito will play at
Wednesday was national signing day, when football players can officially announce where they will play in the fall.


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For your convenience, the Human Resources Department has made most of its forms, documents and publications available online in Portable Document Format (PDF) or Microsoft Word format.
PDF files are suitable for distributing highly formatted documents via the Internet. They are created using Adobe Acrobat and can be read by downloading a free copy of Adobe Reader.
Fillable PDF files have been created to allow you to fill out the document online and either print or save the completed form.
Word files denote word-processing documents that can be used as templates for electronically completing documents.
|Dependent Reimbursement Form
|Request for Refund of Matriculation Fees for Dependents of College Employees
|Dependent Reimbursement Form Instructions
|Instructions on Filing a Request for Refund of Matriculation Fees for Dependents of College Employees
|Verification of Eligibility for Certain Dependent Children
|Form for verifying the eligibility of certain dependent children for Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurance coverage
|Domestic Partner Affidavit
|Affidavit of Domestic Partnership
|GRAMM-LEACH-BLILEY Document
|GRAMM-LEACH-BLILEY Act Privacy Notice
|Direct Deposit Form
|Direct Deposit Authorization Agreement
|Employee Time Sheet
|Time Sheet for Seminole State Hourly Employees
|Payroll Calendar
|2014 Payroll Calendar
|Records and Processing
|HR-310 Recommendation for Employment Part-Time (CS, professional, student) - Additional Jobs
|Recommendation for Part-Time Employment (CS, professional, student) - Additional Jobs
|HR-320 Recommendation to Hire Part-Time Instruction - Additional Jobs
|Recommendation to Hire Part-Time Instruction - Additional Jobs
|Instructions: HR-320 Recommendation to Hire Part-Time Instruction - Additional Jobs
|Instructions: Recommendation to Hire Part-Time Instruction - Additional Jobs
|HR-340 HR Action Form for Full-Time Employees
|HR Action Form for Full-Time Employees
|HR-370 Recommendation for Contingent Worker/Person of Interest
|Recommendation for Contingent Worker/Person of Interest
|Change of Address
|Change of Address Form
Change of Name Form
Request for Advanced Education Plan Form
|Recruitment and Staffing
|HR-110 Checklist for Screening Committee Chairs
|Checklist for Screening Committee Chairs
|HR-120 Screening Committee Checklist
|Screening Committee Checklist
|HR-125 Paper Screening Checklist Sample
|Paper Screening Checklist Sample
|HR-130 Selection of Candidates for Interview
|Selection of Candidates for Interview
|HR-135 Interview Invitation Letter
|Interview Invitation letter
|HR-140 Applicant Travel Reimbursement Request/Guidelines
|Applicant Travel Reimbursement Request and Guidelines
|HR-150 Selection of Finalists
|Selection of Finalists
|HR-155 Regret Letter - Applicants Interviewed
|Regret Letter - Applicants Interviewed
|HR-200 Approval of Screening Committee
|Approval of Screening Committee
|HR-210 Reference Checks Form
|Reference Checks Form
|HR-215 Manager's New Employee Checklist
|Manager's New Employee Checklist
|HR-230 Position Description Template
|Position Description Template
|Employee Relations
|Supervisor's Performance Log
|Supervisor's Performance Log Template and Sample Log
|Preparing Documentation
|Preparing Documentation - Job Aide
|Record of Employee Counseling
|Record of Employee Counseling
|Positive Direction Process/Template
|Positive Direction Training
|Performance Improvement Plan
|Performance Improvement Plan (template)
|Exit Checklist
|Supervisor's Employee Exit Checklist
|Written Warning
|Written Warning (template)
|Accommodation Request Form
|Reasonable Accommodation Request Form
|ADA Request For Medical Information
|ADA Request for Info from Medical Provider
|Leave Administration
|TL-610 Leave of Absence Form
|Leave of Absence Form
|TL-610 Leave of Absence Form Instructions
|Leave of Absence Form Instructions
|Fee Waiver Form
|Employee Fee Waiver Form
|Fee Waiver Form
|Employee Fee Waiver Form
|Sabbatical Leave Form
|Employee Sabbatical Leave Application Form
|Employee Recognition
|Pathfinder Award Nomination Form
|Pathfinder Award Nomination Form
Contact Human Resources
Seminole State College
100 Weldon Boulevard
Sanford, FL 32773-6199
Phone: 407.708.2101
Fax: 407.708.2425


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When the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints face off this weekend in the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs, we will be seeing one of the top quarterbacks in the league going head-to-head with the top secondary.
But what is the Seahawks secret to success?
According to former New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, it is their ability to ignore the rules and perfect the art of pass interference.
"If you think they're going to be called and expect that to be the solution to the problem, you're going to be sadly mistaken," Gilbride told Kevin Clark and Jonathan Clegg of the Wall Street Journal. "They've perfected the art."
As is always the case, officials will miss a number of calls on the field and Gilbride is suggesting that the Seahawks just rough up opposing receivers at every opportunity knowing that they will not always have penalties called against them. If that is truly their strategy, it has worked.
Seattle has big, physical corners that are able to disrupt their opponents rhythm, and they don't seem to be worried about having the refs throw some laundry on the field.
It is interesting timing for Gilbride's comments, however, so we will have to keep a close eye on the officials this weekend to see if they are more willing to throw a flag for pass interference against Richard Sherman and company.


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Arthur Cole spoke with Kianoosh Naghshineh, president and CEO of Chelsio Communications. The company makes no secret that it thinks Fibre Channel (and SANS in general) are on the decline. And it's certainly willing to help the process along by adding Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) to its 10 GbE adapters. While some might think that would only help enterprises leverage their existing FC plants a little longer, Chelsio has a different goal in mind: replacement of native FC HBAs with 10 GbE ones. Naghshineh explains.
Cole: Chelsio is adding FCoE to its 10 GbE adapter line. What sort of consolidation ratios should enterprises expect now that both 1 GbE HBAs and Fibre Channel adapters can be replaced by a single device?
Naghshineh: It is difficult to come up with a consolidation ratio. Fibre Channel-connected servers today still need to be connected via Gigabit Ethernet. However, if they were using FC over Ethernet (FCoE), eventually they can avoid needing an FC HBA altogether. In that sense, this second fabric can be completely eliminated. It's important to also note that storage area networks (SANs) as a whole are on the decline relative to network-attached storage (NAS), which in turn drives the need for an Ethernet-based solution.
"The growth will be in NAS, or iSCSI, and finally FCoE when the ecosystem is finally established."
Cole: Your aim is to support Open-FCoE. Does that mean it will support any flavor of Fibre Channel or FCoE elsewhere in the data center, or should IT managers look for the Open-FCoE label on related storage and networking equipment?
Naghshineh: We support Open-FCoE today because it can be supported on our current-generation hardware technology. With our next-generation ASIC technology, we will support the full HBA flavor of FCoE and leave the customer with the choice of which version they want to use. The difference between the two tends to be in terms of ease of integration in proprietary operating systems.
Cole: It's been said that FCoE is a crucial element both for future Fibre Channel and Ethernet hardware. Does this move by Chelsio indicate that you expect native Fibre Channel to be around for a little while longer?
Naghshineh: Fibre Channel will steadily lose market to iSCSI and FCoE. In addition, the SAN market as a whole is losing share to NAS, so there are three pressure points on FC hardware, and we expect FC installations to diminish over time. The growth will be in NAS, or iSCSI, and finally FCoE when the ecosystem is finally established.
Post a comment
Business performance information for strategic and operational decision-making
SOA uses interoperable services grouped around business processes to ease data integration
Data warehousing helps companies make sense of their operational data


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Alumni Association Board and ALOT Advisory Program Guidelines
To cultivate future alumni leaders by creating an opportunity to connect current students with alumni who are devoted to Franklin & Marshall College. ALOT educates seniors on the many opportunities that are available to alumni to stay involved with the college. The Advisory Program will match ALOT students with Alumni Board members so that the students can see what it looks like to be an engaged alumnus. Partnerships will be based on similar backgrounds, interests in career, and academic and organizational involvement at F&M.
· To encourage future alumni to stay involved with the college by showing the benefits of being involved alumni.
· Deepen the bonds of students to F&M through unique experiences. This advisory program will help deepen their bond by creating lasting relationships between students and alumni that extends beyond their four years at the college.
· Create informal and friendly relationships between students and alumni
· To aid in the transition from undergraduate to member of the alumni association through senior year into post-graduation
Responsibilities of Advisor
· Be committed to serve as a resource to the advisee
· Meet/interact/communicate with students 4-5 times per academic year
· Share life experience to provide perspective to students on post-F&M opportunities
· Help students discover ways to stay involved and become active alumni
· Share why you stay involved with the college and the benefits of doing so
· Encourage advisee to seek networking opportunities with alumni
· Use your alumni resources and knowledge to make your advisee feel supported by F&M
· You do not need to help your advisee with career, although you are more than welcome to!
· Educate on the importance of philanthropy, service, and engagement with F&M following graduation
Responsibilities of Advisee
· Initiate dialogue with advisor
· Follow through with your advisor
· Ask advisor questions and start the conversation. Here are some examples of questions to ask:
o What did you major in?
o What were you involved in during college?
o What was your favorite class?
o How did you get to where you are today?
o What did you do right after college?
· Be mindful of the advisors time
· Be receptive to suggestions and feedback
· Do not ask advisor for a job
· Thank Advisor for their time
Suggested activities:
· Have a phone call
· Connect on social media
· Go to an F&M event together
· Go to lunch or coffee
· If applicable, have advisee shadow advisor at the office
Suggested Topics of conversation
· What you did/do at F&M
· What you do as an alum/student
· Why you stay involved
· Why it is important to stay involved
· Perks of being an involved alum
· How to properly conduct yourself when approaching alums- professionally written emails
· Your memories of F&M- remember, this is all about relationship building!
· September
o Advisors chosen for ALOT members
o Students reach out to advisor- make introductions
o Have a social between ALOT and AAB during September meeting
· October
o Make plans to meet during Homecoming weekend or during October Break if the advisor and advisee live near each other
· November
o Contact initiated by student to advisee- look at conversations topics if you need ideas
· December
o Check in email from advisor- see how students are doing with finals, etc.
· January
o Advisor contact students to make sure they will come to the AAB and ALOT social
o AAB and ALOT social during the January meeting
· February
o Advisee contacts advisor- talk about how to properly contact alums, professionally written emails, etc.
· March
o Advisee contacts advisor- check in email
· April
o Advisor contacts advisee- what are their plans for next year?
· May
o See at Senior Toast-advisor contacts with a reminder about the Senior Toast
· Following September/October
o Advisor sees how advisee is doing- asks if coming to homecoming, if they have gone to any regional events, etc.
Tips for a successful relationship
1. Have a positive attitude
2. Keep an open-mind
3. Have effective communication- always respond in a timely manner
4. Be flexible with your plans
5. Have fun! If you run out of things to talk about, talk about your time at F&M!


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Posts tagged communication
Posts tagged communication
Couples talk candidly about infidelity. Their responses may surprise you. What I like most about this video is the diversity amongst the people included.
Aggie hits it out of the park again. If you're solo poly, non-primary, or primary in a couple, triad, or other…. Heck, if you're a living, breathing human being who talks to other people, read this.
Hearing your voice makes everything better. <3
~I feel the same My sweet pet.
Smile, laugh, giggle, all the above. :)
Oh, and wet, did I mention that one?
Exactly how I feel about my beloved pain slut =P
I want to save this link to send to every new poly person and couple who asks me, "how do we start?" or "what went wrong?" So much of this I've learned through the difficult experience of making these mistakes, and my partners making these mistakes.
Especially this part:
Honesty is another core value of polyamory. It's not just about everyone knowing and consenting to multiple overlapping intimate relationships. At a more basic level it means having the courage to be honest with others — up front, in a forthright manner, volunteering important information and context, not waiting for new partners to figure it out for themselves.
In any relationship, everyone involved deserves enough information, early enough to decide for themselves whether or how to proceed.
This is especially important when it comes to owning up to your potential downsides.
In order to be this honest with your non-primary partners, you first must be honest with yourself, and with your existing relationship partner(s). Extremely honest. This also requires courage, because this is the part that can get awkward or embarrassing.
I'm so enjoying everything Aggie has said in zir blogs and so much resonates with my feelings, thoughts, experiences.
Many of the reactions to this growing awareness that I've seen from men is some form of resentment that they don't get to flirt with, cruise, or attempt to pick up women whenever they happen to see someone attractive. Leaving aside the underlying assumption that men should be able to express their sexual desire any time we want, I want to talk about the general cluelessness of most men around the incessant sexual intrusion that most women experience and the effects that has on flirting.
I'm writing this specifically for the men who want to flirt with women, whether the hope is for a one-night stand, a relationship, a conversation, a date, or simply to pass the time. What happens when the intention is to harass, stalk, annoy, or get any other reaction from women is a different thing. But right there, that is the root of the problem. A lot of the time, it's difficult, if not impossible, to tell the difference. That sucks for the guys who genuinely want to connect with someone. And you know what? As much as it sucks for you and me, it's many, many times worse for women.
Reid Mihalko's formula for how to have Difficult Conversations - article available here
This came across my path at a particularly good time. I've used this formula (just now) to write up a plan for a conversation I need to have. Haven't had it yet, but I'm feeling much better now that I have an idea of how to approach this difficult, scary, intense conversation with my loved ones.
I'm really enjoying this entire series of videos and have found lots of helpful advice.
Romance for the Rest of Us by Reid Mihalko and Cathy Vartuli - are you a cat or a dog in your approach to romance?
I figured out that most of the time I'm a cat (other times I'm very much a dog), and one of my partners is definitely a dog. This has been a major disconnect in our relationship and part of why we "downgraded" our relationship to fuck buddies rather than romantic partners.
Reid Mihalko on Handling Mean People - great tips for communication and empathy. I wish my previous partners knew these tricks, many would be very helpful in dealing with me in times of distress.
I guess, as the old saying goes, the more things change the more they stay the same. I was talking to a young woman today and she made a comment about 'how to please a man'. It went something along the lines of "feed him and then suck his cock". I was suddenly reminded very much of my wife when I first met her all those years ago. She was raised with a similar view. As I said, the more things change the more they stay the same. The question, is where do woman get these ideas?
Let me get this out on the table. It takes a hell of a lot more than food and a blow job to make a man happy. You might get away with that with boys but never men. We can feed ourselves, bath, jerk off and wipe our own asses. We don't need to be taken care of! What do men need then? What makes men happy? Partners! A man wants a woman who is willing to work with him through the hard times and knows how to enjoy the good ones. We want someone to share sorrows and joys with. We don't want someone to nurse and humor us, we want lovers, friends and companions. These are the things that make us happy.
Oh, and when it comes to sex we want someone who is not only good, game and giving; we want someone who is willing to receive! None of this "no that was OK" or "oh, no I don't feel like cumming" or "whatever you want to do". BULLSHIT! Tell me how you like it, what you want to do and how you want it to be done. We are adults; this guessing game went out of fashion in elementary school. Share your fantasies, your desires or even what needs to be done to make sex better for you. Men have no problems receiving pleasure but it cannot be one sided.
Is every woman like this? Of course not. But that philosophy is still out there and it needs to be stopped!
Now, through all of this I've use the hetero-normative voice. But guess what. This applies to every group of adults. There are LGBT people who have the same problem. This isn't about straight men and straight women. It is a human problem.
We all must remember that if you are only trying to please the other people in your life you will only succeed in aggravating them. Find what makes you happy and then share it with the ones you love.
And if that love includes blow jobs, I don't think that there would be many men who would mind. Just give us a chance to return the favor. :-)


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- Evangelina Cifliganec
- Bronx, NY
- United States
Writer, Publisher, HappySomething.com
This conversation is closed.
Is there anything more important for humanity, and its long term survival, than knowing the "truth"?
I think the question is clear enough, although general. Sometimes we take for granted why we always want to know the truth, and my answer is because it helps us survive better, at least in the long term. Even gossiping and curiosity about other people's lives I believe come from that fact, that knowing the truth, and less secrets helps us survive better, more often than not. But this instinctive truth search sense we have developed in old and different times, to me seems as needed as ever today. I wonder what other people think, how many of us have thought of this, and the media, or the paparazzi, etc. in that way, and is there anything more essential for humanity's long term survival, in terms of values than knowing/seeking greater truths?
Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.
Feb 27 2011: I think there are a lot more important things for humanity and it's long term survival than knowing the truth. Love for example. If Christopher Columbus never discovered America a lot of Native American tribes wouldn't have suffered their cruel fate. If Albert Einstein never discovered E=MC squared then no bombs would have been dropped on Japan causing countless pointless deaths. The fact is that truth can be more harmful to humanity, and can be the cause of it's destruction. It would be far more wiser to have age old secrets, than just spilling out the truth to everyone. What would happen to the world if one day everyone would know the secrets of the Universe.
Not everyone is capable of handling the truth. Your question "Is there anything more important for humanity, and it's long term survival, than knowing the truth"? I gave an important example of Love. If you find out all the secrets of the universe and on your deathbed you would have regretted your life and called it a waste for there was no love, just truth.
So therefore I believe there are far more important things for humanity and it's long term survival than truth.
Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.


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The troubles went away before, they'll go away again. I can..wait.
Nathan: Full moon last night.
Audrey: Oh, look at you. Trying to make a werewolf joke. (Nathan stares) You know, you should smile more often. People will know when you're joking
Nathan: Probably.
Nathan: Ow
Audrey: NATHAN what are you doing?
Nathan: I felt that
in honor of national pancake day
Kids today we're gonna learn about magnets.
his face though


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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
We need the carriages from Gilneas complete with driver on the front, though Lorna Crowley and her shotgun on the roof are optional. Room to ride in comfort, storage space with all the trunks that are strapped onto it maybe the space to carry a friend or two with you. And all at an expensive purchase price... perhaps even a monthly or weekly upkeep cost for the hire of the driver, the stabling of the horses that pull it, not to mention the repair price needed for wheel spokes given how rough the Stormwind cobblestones are.
I'm sure personal goblin zepps traversing the horde cities would be just as suitable for the same purpose :)


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The Reckoning
Sarah Reeves
Mainstream rock with all the rough edges smoothed out (albeit with some added muscle) was in high demand circa 2006, and bands such as Pillar are certainly a prime example of this style. The Oklahoma natives have the aforementioned sound/approach down to a science on their fourth release overall, The Reckoning. Singer Rob Beckley has no problem doing what just about every single up-and-coming modern rock vocalist is required to do in the post-Incubus landscape — melodic crooning during the verses and then letting out a holler or two when the mood fits (which usually seems to happen when the chorus rolls around). And similarly, Noah Henson does what's expected of mainstream rock guitarists of the early 21st century, as he alternates between some tranquil, emo-like strumming for the verses ("When Tomorrow Comes") or Tom Morello-esque riffing (the title track), before stomping on the distortion pedal for the choruses. The tunes and the performances are perfectly in place.