BLAINESWORLD
#640
1.5.2009

In this issue:

1. Reflections
2. FYI
3. Southern living
4. Reviews . . . YES MAN, etc.
5. TV alert
6. Football--finally making sense (BLOND JOKE ALERT)
7. Websites
8. Computer tip
9. Dogs and cats are better than kids
10. A quote I like
11. Thought for the day
12. Advance planning department

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1. Reflections

A. Cynthia, my beautiful bride, and I are adjusting nicely into
our Southern lifestyle . . . people here are just so friendly . . . on
New Year's Eve, for instance, we got invited to a gathering
at the home of some folks we had just met . . . it turned
out to be a very nice evening.

We also learned a lot about the area . . . I especially liked this one
bit of advice that I got from Vic (one of our hosts) about
how best to plan retirement . . . he mentioned that he had attended
an informative weekend at the Center for Creative Retirement
on just that topic . . . and what he most remembered was
that it's important to set a date for retirement--then stick by it.

As we discover Asheville, we are exploring various religious
services . . . on Sunday, we went to Jubilee--a self-proclaimed
unique Community of Faith . . . it was just that . . . there was a lot
of music and a lot of warmth . . . I particularly liked the question
that Howard Hanger, the minister of spiritual guidance and
ritual, suggested that you ask when you look into the mirror:
Who do you think you are? . . . he then said that how you answer
that will very much determine your day.

Howard--in discussing how religions differ--had us laughing with
this one joke he told:

Jews don't recognize Jesus as the Son of God.
Methodists don't recognize the Pope as the Ruler of the Church.
Jubilants don't dress up for church on Sundays.
Baptists don't recognize each other in Hooters.

For more information about Jubilee, please click:

 

http://www.jubileecommunity.org/

B. After Jubilee, we went to a a restaurant next door
that had been highly recommended: Laughing Seed
Cafe . . . it serves international vegetarian cuisine.

Cynthia enjoyed her vegetable omlette and organic carrot
juice . . . I liked the biscuit I had, along with a fruit smoothie
known as Freaky Tiki . . . it contained strawberries, coconut
milk, pineapples, papaya, lime and banana.

For more information, please click:

 

http://www.laughingseed.com

It turns out, however, that the meal was as expensive a one
as we've ever had . . . turns out the very friendly hostess had
a pair of shoes on that Cynthia liked . . . when asked where
they had been purchased, we were told Discount Shoes . . . so
naturally we had to go there.

And as could be expected, Cynthia just had to buy a pair of
shoes . . . that said, I must admit that this is quite an
operation . . . prices seemed about 20-25% less than we've
seen elsewhere (e.g., for Dansko, Rockport, etc.), and the
selection was huge . . . salespeople were friendly, too.

We even got to have a nice chat with Albert Morgan, the
owner, who told us about his new store right next door: Country
Casuals . . . this place has clothing for work or play and features
such brands as Wrangler, Carhartt, etc. . . . I even wound-up
buying two pairs of jeans for my now svelte 33 size.

For more information, Discount Shoes is located on 1266 Bevard
Road, Asheville; 828.667.0085 . . . Country Casuals is located
at 1255 Brevard Road; 828.667.9976. 

C. Is it just me--or are jars and packages becoming more difficult
to open? Cynthia recently brought a large jug of Aloe Vera Juice from
Earth Fare and couldn't open it . . . nor could I . . . so I went to
the Internet and did some research on the topic.

I found many useful ideas at this website:

 

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x5986113

However, my two favorites [providing a response to the question posed
by a person who couldn't take a stuck top off a can of spaghetti sauce]:

Put on a nice clean white shirt. Then try and open it. Works every time. Red
sauce just rushes out to get all over that nice white shirt.

Break the jar and pick the glass outta the sauce.

Alas, no mater what we tried, nothing worked . . .  so Cynthia
wound up bringing the jug back to Earth Fare and nobody at the
store could open it either . . . they then got another two jugs
from the shelves that couldn't be opened either . . . finally, on
the third try, they found a jug that could be opened.

D. As we move into 2009, I thought you'd get a kick out of
this past year . . . so here's a recap I thought you'd enjoy:

 

***** BLAINESWORLD BEST AWARD *****

This week, it goes to Shane Davis--an account executive with
TSAChoice.

That's the company that took care of all the TV, phone, wiring and
computer needs for our new home . . . it was a real pleasure
to be able to take care of all these arrangements (many of them
being made when we still lived in New Jersey) with just one
person.

Shane was great on finding out our needs, returning calls
and being flexible when changes were needed; e.g., when we
upgraded both our TV and phone choices.

We were also appreciative of the help provided by John Davis . . . he
was the home technology specialist that Shane arranged to do
most of the installation work.

Shane can be reached at 828.225.3307 or via email,
sdavis@tsachoice.com . . . methinks if you work with him, you
won't be disappointed!   

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2. FYI

Contesting tickets in NYC (and elsewhere, too)

Any driver who challenges a parking ticket--in person, in writing or
online--is offered a substantial, guaranteed reduction for most fines,
under a program the city quietly introduced in 2005.

Plead guilty to parking at an expired meter in Midtown, for example, and
agree to forgo a hearing, and the city will immediately reduce the fine
from $65 to $43. No questions asked.

But most people who get tickets, about 80 percent by city estimates,
do not challenge them and still simply pay the full fine.

SOURCE:

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/02/nyregion/02parking.html?pagewanted=all

You may have to be an online subscriber to see the above. You can register
for free by clicking:

 

http://www.nytimes.com

Even if you don't have to register to see the page, you may want to register
anyway. THE NEW YORK TIMES often has articles that you'll want
read and/or save.

MY TWO CENTS:

The above procedure works.

I recently got a parking ticket in NYC and wrote to explain the situation.
By return mail, I got a form that offered a $20 reduction if I pled guilty
and waived my right to a hearing.

I did just that . . . and immediately made "no more parking tickets"
one of my 2009 resolutions.

By the way, not immediately pleading guilty works with other
tickets as well . . . if you get a speeding ticket and go to court
to contest it, for example, you can often plea bargain with
the prosecutor . . . the result will often mean less points
for you (though you may have to pay a larger fine) . . . you
really have little to lose.

FYI, part 2

* Carole in New Jersey [commenting on my proposed business
card, in which my title will be Rewirement Expert-in-Training]:

My husband's "card" isn't quite so classy. His just reads, "I'm
retired. Don't call me. I'll call you."

* Patricia in Pennsylvania (with a JOB/INTERNSHIP POSSIBLITY):

New non-profit needs help in the following areas:

admin. assistant to make phone calls to local hospitals, schools, etc.
help with putting our message on social networking sites
managing and creating website
posting things on You Tube
videotaping presentations
taking a few professional photos . . . and touching them up!
assistance creating press materials
PR
help with creating Powerpoint presentations

IS THERE A COLLEGE CLASS THAT WOULD LIKE TO "ADOPT"
THIS PROJECT? ARE YOU A HELPFUL INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS
TIME AND SKILLS TO OFFER?

I am available to come to your college class and tell the students
about the project. College professors and students, please call. Thanks.

Our non-profit's mission is to destigmatize depression and other mental
illnesses and to offer programs to the community to help those suffering
and their families.

Please see our website:

 

http://www.speakingaboutdepression.com

or call Patricia Gallagher, Executive Director, at 267.939.0365.

* Marie in Indiana:

I  thought you might want to include this information in your next
newsletter about how to find and connect with local businesses
for free from your home:

 

http://www.google.com/goog411/

LET ME KNOW:

If you check it out, what you think of it . . . my initial reaction is
that it seems to be another winner form Google, but I haven't
really gotten to use it yet.

* Linda in Pennsylvania:

Had dinner at Paul's new restaurant last week. It was very good. 

MORE ON THE RESTAURANT:

It is run by Paul Licitra, a longtime mutual friend. in the same
location as his previous place . . . if it's anything as good as
that was, you'll be in for a delightful dining experience whenever
you go there . . . the location:

Tuscany At The Towpath House, 18 West Mechanic St., New
Hope, PA 18938 . . . phone: 215.693.1599.

* Jayne in New Jersey:

Just read your BLAINESWORLD. You look like you're having a great time
and enjoying your new life in NC. Cynthia looks great, too! 

I have been off from work for the last 10 days and enjoying it. Saw 3 movies:
MARLEY AND ME: Very cute. If you're a dog lover, you would enjoy it.

BENJAMIN BUTTON: Slow and very long. Story was ok.

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE: thought it was really good, but didn't know
anybody in the movie.

* Marie in New Jersey [commenting on the latter film]:

Just wanted to let you know that the male lead is one of the main characters
in the BBC series, "Skins." Perhaps some of your readers have seen that
show; the season finale just aired a week or two ago. I'm sure it will be back
as it was quite popular (and a little twisted). I am planning to see the film
and enjoyed your review. 

* Michael in Pennsylvania:

I do appraisals, so please feel free to refer the reader from last week--and
others . . .  to reach me, your best bet is to call  to 215.547.6196.

In addition, I thought you'd want to see this website:

http://www.trafficareinternational.com/

It is a service that helps you with traffic tickets, so if you get a lot
of them (or have done so in the past), you might want to check it out.  

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3. Southern living

If I ever forgot that I now live in the South, the last line of an obituary
in our local paper certainly set me straight.

It read: “In lieu of flowers, please send fried chicken.”

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4. Reviews

A. If you're in the mood for a sweet romantic comedy, catch Jim Carrey
in YES MAN . . . it's the story of a loser who begins to turn his
life around after participating in a seminar designed to help
him say "yes" to all opportunities that come his way . . . the only
problem is that he can't ever say "no" . . . when Zooey Deschanel
(a Debra Winger lookalike) enters the film, it really takes off . . . she
is just terrific, much like she has been in such other pictures
as ELF, ALMOST FAMOUS, etc. . . one scene, in particular, had
me laughing out loud  . . . Carrey puts a glass of wine on a
Tempurpedic bed he has just purchased to see if it will spill when
he jumps up and down . . . it didn't and damned if that wasn't
also the case with my own Tempurpedic bed (I tried a similar
experiment) . . . rated PG-13.

B. Now out on DVD is TRAITOR, a somewhat convoluted political thriller
that's watchable because of the fact that Don Cheadle stars in it . . . he
turns in another solid performance--this time as a devout
American Muslin who begins to show up on the FBI's radar because
he's seemingly always near terrorist bombings . . .Guy Pearce (an actor
so good in MOMENTO and not in nearly enough films since then) plays
the agent tracking him down . . . the story began as a concept that
Steve Martin--yes, the comedian/actor--developed . . . rated PG-13.

IF YOU LIKE READING MOVIE REVIEWS:

Then also check out those from Michael Dequina, a longtime
BLAINESWORLD reader and online friend . . . they can be
accessed by clicking: http://www.themoviereport.com/

If you go there, you can even get on his FREE online mailing
list to have his weekly reviews delivered directly to your
mailbox . . . that option can be found on the right of his homepage.

C. Jim Donovan, author of STOP LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK
(see also Section 11), asks this provocative question on the
back of his book: Would you like to know how to make
money without leaving your present job or risking your
savings--even if you're starting from scratch with little or no money?

If the answer is "yes," then this is a title that you should
read right away. . . and even if you aren't sure of your answer,
you still might want to get hold of it just to get you thinking.

Donovan begins with a review of attitudes about money--and
why it is important to allow abundance . . . he writes that
it is important:

* To see yourself as a positive, generous, wealthy person. Affirm,
"I am wealthy and use my wealth for good for myself and others."

From there, he stresses the need to take action:

* One of the things that prevents many people from changing
their money situation is the belief that they need to know
everything before starting. Start first, refine later. Jump in
and get your feet wet.

But Donovan just doesn't make suggestions; he also
presents specific ways to do this via providing a service business,
eBay, network marketing, Google AdSense, etc. . . . the
key is to always remember:

* Whatever you do, in any transaction, make sure it's a win for
everyone. If it's not, then it's not a win for anyone. There are no
exceptions to this. A good deal always benefits all parties.

I also liked his advice on getting ahead, in general:

* As my friend and hero Charlie "Tremendous" Jones said: "In
five years, you will be the same person that you are today with
two exceptions, the books you read and the people that you hang
out with." Being around people at network marketing gatherings
is a good way to immerse yourself in positive energy on a regular
basis.

Though STOP LIVING is just 100 pages in length, it is
packed with useful ideas that make it the ideal gift for both
children and grandchildren, friends and even yourself.

To obtain your own copy, please click: http://www.paychecktopaycheckbook.com

D. If you freeze when you go on a job interview, join the crowd . . . lots of
other folks do, too.

I've even had this happen to me, at times, so I was intrigued by
the premise of 101 GREAT ANSWERS TO THE TOUGHEST
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS, third edition--a CD version of the book
written and read by Ron Fry.

What surprised me was the fact that I learned a lot more than
just the rote answers to questions . . . Fry also covers what
to do both before and after the interview, and he offers many
useful suggestions that just aren't used by all job-seekers.

For example:

* When asked, do you have any questions . . . never say "no." The
interviewer will assume you're not interested. Some possibilities
to consider: Can you give me a formal job description? Does this
job lead to other jobs in the company? What happened to
the other person who had the job?

* Send thank you notes to every interviewer you meet. (He even
shows you how to write them!)

* Never accept an offer the time it is offered.

Yet as I was listening, I found myself wondering how he
would recommend answering the one question that always
throws me: What salary do you expect?

He suggests to first make sure you know what is typical for
the industry . . . when you do, then you can respond, "I'd expect
something in the broad range of (cite two figires with the bottom
one being the lowest you'd consider accepting).

101 GREAT ANSWERS got me thinking, which is always
a good sign . . . in addition, I'll always remember how
to respond to this other typical question: Why are you leaving
your present job? the author suggests:

* Be positive. The key word to remember is "more." You want
more responsibility, more challenges, more opportunity and finally
as a consequence of those other mores, more money.

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5. TV alert

A. Look for the return of two weekly shows:

* NIP/TUCK, one of my guilty pleasure favorites,  has its fifth season
premiere on Tuesday at 10 p.m. on FX; and

* DAMAGES returns with William Hurt joining Glenn
Close in this twisty legal drama . . . Wednesday at 10 p.m. on FX.

B. CYRANO DE BERGERAC, the Broadway version of the show,
airs on GREAT PERFORMANCES on Wednesday at 8 p.m.
on PBS . . . check local listings because PBS times and
stations often vary.

C. HOWIE DO IT has Howie Mandel doing his thing in a
hidden-camera series . . . if it's anything like his appearances
on THE TONIGHT SHOW, it should be quite funny . . . Friday
at 9 p.m. on NBC.

D. DANE COOK: ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES features
the comedian in a sold-out Madison Square Garden
contest . . . Sunday at 10 p.m. on COMEDY CENTRAL.

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6. Football--finally making sense (BLOND JOKE ALERT)

A guy took his blond girlfriend to her first football game. They had great
seats, right behind their team's bench. After the game, he asked her how
she liked the experience. 

"Oh, I really liked it,' she replied, "especially the tight pants and all the
big muscles, but I just couldn't understand why they were killing each
other over 25 cents."

Dumbfounded, her date asked, "What do you mean?"

"Well, they flipped a coin, one team got it and then for the rest of the game,
all they kept screaming was, "Get the quarterback!  Get the quarterback!

"I'm like thinking . . . Helloooooo? It's only 25 cents."

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7. Websites

A. To help you understand the different types of people in the world,
please click:

 

http://www.frontiernet.net/~jimdandy/specials/sweettators/

This is an oldie--sometimes called "Sweet potatoes"--but goodie, and
it still has a lot of truth to it . . . you can enjoy it with or without
the sound.

B. If you're upset with the economy or anything else that's happening
in the United States, you can take action by clicking:

 

http://www.sockandawe.com/

WHAT'S FAIR IS FAIR:

The above is funny, regardless of your political affiliation . . . but if
you disagree, feel free to email me and share your thoughts . . . even better,
come up with something that pokes fun at President-elect Obama, and I'll
try to run that too.

C. BLAINESWORLD, the website, remains up and running . . . to view
it, please click: http://www.blainesworld.net

If you're new to BLAINESWORLD (the website and/or newsletter), you
can meet some of my friends and relatives by viewing some of the
pictures from past issues . . . go to "Blaine's Best" on the left, then
"Pictures" . . . when you do, make sure your sound is on so you can
hear what's arguably the greatest rock song of all time!

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8. Computer tip

Is your email inbox close to overflowing?

If so, here's an easy tip to get rid of a lot of stuff--quickly.

Do a search of your email inbox for these letters: Fwd . . . you can
usually do this by looking for a Search option; in AOL, it is called
Quick Find.

If your mailbox is anything like mine, you'll probably have a bunch
of stuff there . . . included will be many jokes and other stuff that
might be mildly interesting; i.e., if you had the time to read it all . . . but
if you don't, then just delete it . . . dare I say it, without reading
the material first.

Here's a related tip: If you want folks to read stuff from you,
don't just forward it . . . process the email that you want to send
along, then cut and paste it to get rid of all the times that it has
been forwarded to you (and also all the names other than
your own) . . . then eliminate the Fwd, put in a more descriptive subject
heading, include your name and you're on your way!

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9. Dogs and cats are better than kids

As a follow-up to last week's item ("Message for non-pet owners"),
non-pet owners should consider that dogs and cats:

1. Eat less.

2. Don't ask for money all the time.

3. Are easier to train.

4. Normally come when called.

5. Never ask to drive the car.

6. Don't hang out with drug-using people.

7. Don't smoke or drink.

8. Don't want to wear your clothes.

9. Don't have to buy the latest fashions.

10. Don't need a gazillion dollars for college.

11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children.

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10. A quote I like

Do or do not. There is no try.--Yoda in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK

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11. Thought for the day

Your most creative time
by Jim Donovan*

There is a time when we're at our most creative, productive and powerful.
A time when we have complete access to all of our resources and can
solve virtually any problem. 

A time when the great inventors of our time talked about having
had their "ah ha" ideas and where many of our most pressing
problems have been solved. 

It is that time in our lives when we have total access to our power
and can tap into the Source of "All that is," for help with anything
in our lives. 

The time that I am referring to is our dream time. 

Those precious hours just after we drift off to sleep.

This is some of the most creative time we have available to us. 

Unfortunately, most people prepare themselves for entering this time
by watching late night news programs just before retiring for the night.
While I have nothing against TV news programs and even worked on
The ABC  Evening News years ago, I am totally against watching news
just before you go to bed. 

This is the absolute worst thing you can do. Think about the imagery
that you are taking with you into your dream state. Vivid images of war,
murder, tragedy and mayhem of every kind. 

This is what people are giving their subconscious mind to work with
during the time of their most heightened productivity. 

It's no wonder so many people are unhappy and depressed. How could
you not be? 

For those of you who have a habit of watching late night news, I will
challenge you to an experiment. For the next 30 days, in place of the
late night news, use that time to listen to a self-help audio program or
read an inspiring book. 

If you do this for just 30 days, I personally guarantee you that your life
will improve. 

By substituting positive, uplifting ideas in place of all the negative ones
that you are getting from the TV news, you will be giving your
subconscious mind thoughts, words and images of the kind of life
you want to be living. 

You will be giving it the fuel to ignite your dreams, and it will pay you back
by showing you ways to achieve them. 

You will be drifting off to sleep with images of your goals and a positive
feeling about achieving them. This will have a dramatic effect on your
creativity and outcomes. Don't be surprised if you start waking up with
new, empowering ideas that will propel you toward even greater success.  

These images will provide your subconscious mind with a clear picture
of what you want. Since your subconscious acts on whatever commands
you give it, by virtue of the laws of the universe, it will begin bringing it
towards you. 

I expect to hear from you in a month or less, telling me about all the great
things that are occurring in your life. 

To help you get started, go to:

 

http://www.jimdonovan.com

and subscribe to my Jim's Jems newsletter. As my way of welcoming you,
I offer a free ebook or audio recording. 

PS. If you must watch the news, please do it earlier in the evening so that
you are not processing all the negativity during your most magical time.
Better yet, don't watch it at all. 

* Excerpt from STOP LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK (see also
Section 4C) by Jim Donovan, published with his permission. This excellent
book is available at: http://www.paychecktopaycheckbook.com

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12. Advance planning department

A. You are invited to Newtown Arts Company's Pick Your Seat Party:

Sunday, January 11th at 4 p.m.

Join us at the historic Newtown Theatre, 120 North State Street, Newtown
PA for the annual Pick Your Seat Party. Enjoy a selection of wine, soft
drinks, cheese and chocolates. Find your seat for the 2009 six-show season
of live theater. If you have already purchased season tickets, you may pick
up your tickets at the party. If you have not purchased tickets, you may do
so at the party. Individual tickets go on sale starting Jan. 12th.

Newtown Arts Company 2009 Season:

“The Importance of Being Earnest,”  Feb. 12-18
“Little Women, ” Apr. 16-22
“Barefoot in the Park,” June 11-17
“Sweet Land, ” Aug. 20-26
“Laura,” Oct. 15-21
“Meet Me in St. Louis,” Dec. 3-9

To order tickets online, visit:

 

http://www.newtownartscompany.com

To use a credit card call, call 1.800.838.3006 (surcharge applies). For info:
215.860.7058.

B. From January 26 to February 8, see the best of Off-Broadway for only $20!

Here is your chance to catch up with shows you may have missed, get a
sneak peek at the next big show or revisit a favorite--all for only $20 each! 

Since Off-Broadway has performances to fit everyone’s schedule, you can
see more than one: on Saturday for example, you can see Gazillion Bubble
Show at 11, Altar Boyz at 2, Forbidden Broadway at 4, The Fantasticks
at 8 and Sleepwalk with Me at 10:00!