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BLAINESWORLD
#589
1.14.2008 In this issue: 1. Reflections 2. FYI 3. Simple math 4. Reviews . . . THE BUCKET LIST, etc. 5. TV alert 6. Vacation time 7. Websites 8. Computer tip 9. Helpful tips to make life simpler, part 2 of 2 10. A quote I like 11. Thought for the day 12. Advance planning department _________________________________________________________ 1. Reflections A. Cynthia, my beautiful bride, and I joined friends on Saturday for dinner at the Calaloo Cafe . . . it's an attractive restaurant that bills itself as "the Caribbean Getaway in Morristown, NJ." They have a wide-ranging menu with portions that are quite ample . . . my sesame chicken was OK, though I would have liked some larger chunks of chicken . . . Cynthia enjoyed her seafood kabob, and our dining companions said their mesquite chicken dishes were tasty. A baked banana dessert left something to be desired, though . . . there wasn't enough ice cream with it and what we could find was completely melted by the time it came to the table . . . also, the waiter wasn't very helpful in describing it . . . he had no knowledge of the item and when we asked him what ice cream came with it, all he could tell us were the two flavors of ice cream that had previously been served with it . . . that certainly was less than helpful to us in our decision-making. For more information about the restaurant, please click: http://www.calaloocafe.com B. On Sunday, Cynthia attended a workshop on the Feldenkrais Method at the Princeton YWCA . . . it was designed to help people of all ages learn to move more easily . . . to quote Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-1984), the movement's founder, the goal is to " . . . make the impossible, possible; the possible, easy; and the easy, elegant." Cynthia said the session was most informative, and she is looking forward to the next one that is slated for February 17 . . . Jaclyn Boone is the instructor; she can be reached at 609.712.2960 or via email: feldenkraismethod@mac.com. When she was attending that, I went with a friend to a free performance of SIGNS OF LIFE at the Princeton Public Library . . . this was the first of the Winter PlayLAB staged reading series, presented by the Princeton Rep Company/Princeton Rep Shakespeare Festival. It was a touching love story about two dreamers on a road trip out of New Jersey in pursuit of the life they can't seem to make together . . . Peter Aguero and Elaine Williams were both excellent in the leading roles, and Todd Reichart directed and narrated with distinction . . . afterwards, all three individuals stayed around for an informative talk back session, wherein the audience got to ask questions about what they had just seen. Future productions include BLUE/ORANGE on January 27 and SHYLOCK on February 10 . . . for more information, please click: http://www.princetonrep.org C. During the week, I attended a meeting with Josh Rubinsky--our teacher union's talented lawyer . . . he shared with me and the others in attendance the following quote that has already begun to help me better understand situations that come up in our daily interactions with the administration: Absent contractual and/or statutory rights, the employer has the absolute right to be irrational. Please feel free to share this with your friends and colleagues who may be having difficulty "understanding" their employers. D. CONGRATULATIONS to Pete Dominick for having recently been appointed to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees at Bucks County Community College . . . in addition, he is doing his usual fine job in his new position as executive vice president of Bucks County Bank . . . for more information about this latter organization, please click: http://www.buckscountybank.net ***** BLAINESWORLD BEST AWARD ***** This week, it goes to Mike Ross--a sales associate at Staples in Newtown, PA. Whenever I go to that particular store, I actually will go the register that Mike is working out to have him ring up my sale (even if it means having to wait longer in line) . . . he always is most helpful, and he has a great smile. Mike also has a whole bunch of stars on his nametag . . . when I asked him about them recently, he thanked me for noticing and then explained that Staples gives out these "super stars" to employees who get compliments from customers . . . it is no surprise that he has far more than any other employee in the store! Back to Top _________________________________________________________ 2. FYI Want to travel around the country for FREE? You can as an RV courier. It's easier than you think. For more information, please click: http://www.walletpop.com/2008/01/10/how-to-get-paid-to-travel/ This is NOT a joke! FYI, part 2 * Jean in Pennsylvania made this suggestion after reading last week's issue: In this issue, there are a LOT of readers asking you to promote their businesses/products/upcoming productions/websites. In the future, can you put them all in a separate section, such as OFFERS FROM READERS? It would make it much easier to scroll through. MR. CURIOUS HERE: What do YOU--other readers--think about this idea? * Nancy in Pennsylvania: I am starting to build a library for my Adult Basic Education (ABE), GED and Adult Literacy students. If any of your readers in lower Bucks would like to donate books, we would appreciate it. Kids' books are welcomed as well for our Family Literacy program. I'd be happy to fetch them! Many thanks. Call: Nancy at 215.579.1924. * Janet in New Jersey: BE YOUR OWN MEDICINE This is a newsletter that will help you tap into your best knowing to live happy and healthy. Information on tools and teachings from several sources and traditions in each issue to help you in mind, body, spirit, emotion, and soul medicine. As we near 2012, time is moving faster and so is healing and awakening. Sign up for this newsletter: http://www.oasisforthesoul.com You can also read articles and listen to her radio show on the home page of her web site. Janet StraightArrow is a Woman of Medicine, Medical Intuitive, Integrative Energy Healer and Teacher. Janet has studied healing for over forty years and will bring some Ancient and cutting edge teachings and tools to you each month. * "Bones" in New Jersey [when I asked him about his plans desire to have his skeleton used by a medical school]: Donating your body is a simple thing. This is very helpful to medical schools and can easily be accomplished by contacting the medical school of your choice. (There are about ten in the eastern Pa/NJ area.) They will send you information for your lawyer to put into your will. At the time of your passing, the school is notified and whoosh! . . . you disappear, off to help a new generation of doctors learn anatomy or into some fancy research project. Or both. My desire is a little more complicated. There is some serious prep that needs to be done to make a cadaver into a useful instructional skeleton. THAT is my present interest. Most medical schools buy plastic replicas, but many educators feel that is not ideal. So I continue to look for programs that make skeletons. That way, in our lust for guaranteed immortality (of a sort), many classes of doctors will find your bones useful and instructive. THAT is my dilemma . . . how are skeletons born? Ha! * Jack in Pennsylvania: Who said students don't have fun?  That's Ed Harvey on the left with the level, making sure my bra is
adjusted properly . . . I'm in the middle, and you're on the right . . . this was from the time Lisa Gable, the inventor of Stap-Mate, came
to speak to our classes, and we then did our marketing projects
on her business.
* And if you want to get an update on Strap-Mate, please click the company's website that Steve in Pennsylvania so graciously provided: http://www.strap-mate.com Back to Top _________________________________________________________ 3. Simple math Spotted near a Salt Lake City courthouse: “Love is grand. Divorce is 50 grand.” Back to Top _________________________________________________________ 4. Reviews A. THE BUCKET LIST was enjoyable, but not great . . . it's the story of two guys who put together a list of all the things that they want to do before they die . . . with Academy Award winners Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman starring, it was a film that I had really looked forward to seeing--but left me somewhat flat until the ending (when it somewhat all came together) . . . director Rob Reiner used what seemed to be a paint-by-the-numbers approach to putting it together; you could predict almost every scene. That said, there was some good dialogue . . . I particularly liked when Freeman turns to Nicholson and tells him that there are two questions that you'll be asked when you get to heaven: 1. Did you bring joy to yourself? 2. Did you bring joy to others? Rated PG-13. B. There seems be no new releases worth recommending for DVD rental, so do what I've been doing lately; i.e., catch up on some films that you may have missed and/or wanted to revisit . . . for example, there's LOST HORIZON (the classic 1937 version, not the junky 1973 musical remake) . . . it is the James Hilton tale of a small group of civilians who crash land in the Himalayans . . . they are rescued by the people of the mysterious valley of Shangri-La, a land that provides a seductive escape from the clouds of the approaching World War II . . . Ronald Coleman, dashing as ever, stars, along with Jane Wyatt. Sam Jaffe--and do you remember him as Dr. Zorba from BEN CASEY?--had a small but memorable role as the High Lama . . . he caught the essence of both the film and Shangri-La when he described it to Coleman's character: It is the entire meaning and purpose of Shangri-La. It came to me in a vision, long, long ago. I saw all the nations strengthening, not in wisdom, but in the vulgar passions and the will to destroy. I saw the machine power multiplying, until a single weaponed man might match a whole army. I foresaw a time when man, exalting in the technique of murder, would rage so hotly over the world, that every book, every treasure, would be doomed to destruction. This vision was so vivid and so moving, that I determined to gather together all things of beauty and of culture that I could, and preserve them here, against the doom toward which the world is rushing. Look at the world today. Is there anything more pitiful? What madness there is! What blindness! What unintelligent leadership! A scurrying mass of bewildered humanity, crashing headlong against each other, propelled by an orgy of greed and brutality. A time must come my friend, when this orgy will spend itself. When brutality and the lust for power must perish by its own sword. Against that time, is why I avoided death and am here. And why you were brought here. For when that day comes, the world must begin to look for a new life. And it is our hope that they may find it here. For here, we shall be with their books and their music, and a way of life based on one simple rule: Be Kind! When that day comes, it is our hope that the brotherly love of Shangri-La will spread throughout the world. Yes, my son; When the strong have devoured each other, the Christian ethic may at last be fulfilled and the meek shall inherit the earth. There were no ratings when this was released, but that said, I believe it would be most appropriate for anybody over the age of 12. C. My students tell me that they often take courses and even do well in them without ever buying a text . . . so in an attempt to find out how this is possible, I came across HOW TO TALK ABOUT BOOKS YOU HAVEN'T READ by Pierre Bayard (a French literature professor) . . . I actually read it and in doing so, found out that my students probably are similar to those of the author: * It is not astonishing that my students, without having read the book I am discussing, quickly grasp certain of its elements and feel free to comment on it, based on their cultural notions and personal history. And it is also unsurprising that their comments--however far removed from the initial text (but what, in fact, might it mean to be close?)--bring to the encounter an originality that they would undoubtedly have lacked had they undertaken to read the book. Bayard in a witty fashion covers all sorts of non-reading: books we've never cracked open, those we've merely skimmed, books that we've never laid on but have heard about from others, and those that we read years ago and have long since forgotten . . . he uses examples from such writers as Graham Greene, Oscar Wilde and Montagne and even, for good measure, brings in the film GROUNDHOG DAY. He also gives useful advice; e.g., when finding yourself having to talk to an author about one of his books that you haven't read, you should: * Praise it without going into details. An author does not expect a summary or a rational analysis of his book and would even prefer you not to attempt such a thing. He expects only that, while maintaining the greatest possible degree of ambiguity, you will tell him that you like what he wrote. Lastly, I liked Bayard's suggestion on what to do if and when somebody doubts what you have to say about a book: * If you have begun talking about a book imprudently and your remarks are challenged, nothing prevents you from backtracking and declaring that you've made a mistake. Our unreading or forgetting plays such a significant role that there is little risk in declaring yourself the victim of one of the any lapses in memory induced by or reading-non-reading-of books. Even a book that we recall with great precision is in some sense a screen book, behind which our own inner book is concealed. But in this particular case, is it really the best solution for the artist to admit his error? You won't be recognized as a literary genius after having read HOW TO TALK ABOUT BOOKS YOU HAVEN'T READ . . . however, you will impress at least a few people . . . and you'll have a fun time along the way. D. Heard the Nightingale-Conant CD program, THE 12 WEALTH SECRETS: HOW TO BE FINANCIALLY FREE FOREVER--written and read by Robert Stuberg. Though several years old (it came out in 1999), I still came across several useful ideas that are still relevant today . . . though I have heard most of them previously, they served as a good review for me . . . and would make worthwhile listening for those just starting to think about what wealth is all about. A key was this observation: If you're comfortable with what you have, then you probably have what you need. In addition, Stuberg points out the following: * To gain wealth, remember the wealth equation: Wealth = earning, plus saving, plus investing, less debt. * Pay off smallest debts first or, as an alternative, pay off the debts with highest rates of interest. * When watching TV, think how much it is costing you in terms of lost opportunity. * When you have passion for work, profits will follow. * A busy signal is better than call waiting. * Answering machines can be better than caller ID. * If you save $1 now, you also have all that $1 now earning more money for you. * More expensive products are expensive because of perceived value. * Make gifts where value will be compounded; e.g., to train doctors. * Warren Buffet will give all his money at his death, so it can now earn even more money. This informative program is available for purchase or rental . . . if you want to get it, please click: http://www.achievementlibrary.com/
. Above is the tape rental club I belong to; i.e., the Achievement Tape Library . . . this a great way to hear CDs and/or audio cassette tapes, view videos, etc.--all for a fraction of what it would cost to buy them . . . call the head of the firm (Paul Arroyo) directly at 1.800.735.3660 and mention my name . . . that way, you'll be sure to pay even higher prices . . . NOT. Back to Top _________________________________________________________ 5. TV alert A. AMERICAN IDOL returns for its seventh season on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on FOX . . . with the writers' strike continuing, you'll probably get more laughs here than anywhere else--especially given the fact that auditions run until February 6. B. SOUNDSTAGE features a concert from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers that also includes a few duets with Stevie Nicks . . . Thursday at 10 p.m. on PBS . . . since PBS dates and times often vary, check your local listings. C. MASTERPIECE adopts Jane Austen's gentle parody of Gothic fiction, NORTHANGER ABBEY, on Sunday at 9 p.m. on PBS . . . again, check your local listings. D. You may remember Bryan Cranston as MALCOM IN THE MIDDLE's oddball dad . . . he now plays a chemistry teacher who turns to churning out homemade crystal meth after being diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer . . . Sundays at 10 p.m. on AMC. Back to Top _________________________________________________________ 6. Vacation time Tom finally decides to take a vacation. He books himself on a Caribbean cruise and proceeds to have the time of his life--until the boat sank. He found himself swept up on the shore of an island with no other people, no supplies . . . nothing. Only bananas and coconuts. After about four months, he is lying on the beach one day when the most gorgeous woman he has ever seen rows up to him. In disbelief, he asks her, "Where did you come from? How did you get here?" "I rowed over from the other side of the island," she says. "I landed here when my cruise ship sank." "Amazing," he says. "You were really lucky to have a rowboat wash up with you." "Oh, this?" replies the woman. "I made the rowboat out of raw material found on the island. I whittled the oars from gum tree branches; I wove the bottom from palm branches; and the sides and stern came from a Eucalyptus tree." "But . . . but . . . that's impossible," stutters Tom. "You had no tools or hardware. How did you manage?" "Oh, no problem," replies the woman. "On the South side of the island, there is a very unusual strata of alluvial rock exposed. I found if I fired it to a certain temperature in my kiln, it melted into forgeable ductile iron. I used that for tools and used the tools to make the hardware." Tom is stunned. "Let's row over to my place," she says. After a few minutes of rowing, she docks the boat at a small wharf. As Tom looks onto shore, he nearly falls out of the boat. Before him is a stone walk leading to an exquisite bungalow painted in blue and white. While the woman ties up the rowboat with an expertly woven hemp rope, he can only stare ahead, dumbstruck. As they walk into the house, she says casually, "It's not much, but I call it home. Sit down, please. Would you like to have a drink?" "No, no thank you," he says, still dazed. "Can't take any more coconut juice." "It's not coconut juice," the woman replies. "I built a still. How about a Pina Colada?" Trying to hide his continued amazement, he accepts, and they sit down on her handwoven couch to talk. After they have exchanged their stories, the woman announces, "I'm going to slip into something more comfortable. Would you like to take a shower and shave? There is a razor upstairs in the cabinet in the bathroom." No longer questioning anything, Tom goes into the bathroom. There, in the cabinet, is a razor made from a bone handle. Two shells honed to a hollow-ground edge are fastened on to its end inside of a swivel mechanism. "WOW! This woman is amazing," he muses. "What next?" When he returns, she greets him wearing "nothing but vines" strategically positioned and smelling faintly of gardenias. She beckons for him to sit down next to her. "Tell me," she begins suggestively, slithering closer to him. "We've been out here for a really long time. I know you've been lonely. There's something I'm sure you really feel like doing right now, something you've been longing for all these months. You know . . . " She stares into his eyes. He can't believe what he's hearing! "You mean . . . ," he swallows excitedly. "We can really watch the EAGLES game from here?" Back to Top _________________________________________________________ 7. Websites A. Here's a great website--sponsored by Liberty Mutual--to look at with your children or grandchildren: http://www.befiresmart.com It consists of videos for parents, children, educators, and fire fighters, all of which explain ways to prevent and to fight dangerous fires that could happen . . . there's even a downloadable coloring book. B. To see a computerized version of an old magic trick that will amaze you, please click: http://www.quizyourprofile.com/guessyournumber.swf It's simple to follow and only takes a few moments of your time, yet each time you play it (and I did twice), you'll be impressed that "your number" always comes up. C. BLAINESWORLD, the website, remains up and running . . . to view it, please click: http://www.blainesworld.net If you're new to the newsletter and/or have never met me before, you can see a whole bunch of my pictures (and of my family, too) by going to "Blaine's Best" on the left, then Pictures . . . make sure you have your sound on for arguably the best song of all time! Back to Top _________________________________________________________ 8. Computer tip If you miss an issue of BLAINESWORLD or other email for that matter, it's a good idea to check your spam folder from time to time . . . sometimes, mail goes in there that you might actually want to review. I know this happens every so often with AOL . . . to find the spam folder, just go mail at the top, then spam folder. Methinks that other email providers have a similar setting that you might want to check . . . at the same time, you can often change your requirements; e.g., with respect to what you want to let in, block, etc. Back to Top _________________________________________________________ 9. Helpful tips to make life simpler, part 2 of 2 (continued from last week) Avoid cutting yourself when slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold the vegetables while you chop. Avoid arguments with the females about lifting the toilet seat by using the sink. For high blood pressure sufferers - simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure on your veins. Remember to use a timer. A mouse trap placed on top of your alarm clock will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives. Then you'll be afraid to cough. You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape. Remember: Everyone seems normal until you get to know them. If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem. Daily thought: Some people are like slinkies--not really good for anything but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs. Back to Top _________________________________________________________ 10. A quote I like Life is not worth living unless it is lived for others.--Mother Teresa (1910-1997), Roman Catholic nun who ministered to the poor, sick, orphaned, and dying for over forty years Back to Top _________________________________________________________ 11. Thought for the day Four boyfriends Once upon a time there was this girl who had four boyfriends. She loved the 4th boyfriend the most and adorned him with rich robes and treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best. She also loved the 3rd boyfriend very much and was always showing him off to neighboring kingdoms. However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another. She also loved her 2nd boyfriend. He was her confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with her. Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult times. The girl's 1st boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not love the first boyfriend. Although he loved her deeply, she hardly took notice of him. One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of her luxurious life and wondered: "I now have four boyfriends with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone." Thus, she said to the 4th boyfriend, "I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No way," replied the 4th boyfriend, and he walked away without another word. His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart. The sad girl then told the 3rd boyfriend, "I loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No!,"replied the 3rd boyfriend. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to marry someone else!" Her heart sank and turned cold. She then said to the 2nd boyfriend, "I have always turned to you for help, and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?" "I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time," replied the 2nd boyfriend. "At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave." His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was devastated. Then a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go." The girl looked up, and there was her first boyfriend. He was very skinny as he suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the girl said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!" In truth, you have four boyfriends in your lives: Your 4th boyfriend is your body. No matter how much time and effort you lavish in making it look good, it will leave you when you die. Your 3rd boyfriend is your possessions, status and wealth. When you die, it will all go to others. Your 2nd boyfriend is your family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for you, the furthest they can stay by you is up to the grave. And your 1st boyfriend is your Soul. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, your Soul is the only thing that will follow you wherever you go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of you that will follow you to the throne of God and continue with you throughout Eternity. Author unknown (if you know who wrote this and/or the source, please let me know) Back to Top _________________________________________________________ 12. Advance planning department A. Jim in Pennsylvania: If you're passionate about health (yours--as well as other people's) AND you'd like to earn money helping others with their health, then you'll want to read further. It's an invitation for you to check out a new Health Coach Business Program created by the folks at Hilton Johnson Productions, Inc. (If you're not familiar with HJP, they're a well-respected training company which has specialized in training entrepreneurs for the past ten years.) Frankly, Professional Health Coaching is one of the most exciting and unique business ventures I have seen in many years, and I'm happy to offer you the opportunity to check it out for yourself on: Thursday, January 17th at 2:00 p.m. ET (New York Time) On this 90-minute class exclusively for my friends, you'll learn how you can become a Professional Health Coach and create an income stream of at least $127 per hour (based on an independent study) working over the Internet and telephone. FREE! This is a two-part teleconference/web tour, and you must be on a PC and telephone at the same time. To register for both parts of the presentation, please click on the following link: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/341907189 B. According to Joe Doyle, director of GOODBYE CHARLIE, "The show is shaping up beautifully. It should be a crowd pleaser." For those not familiar with the play, it is George Axelrod's comic romp about Charlie, a womanizing man who is murdered and reincarnated as a women to learn lessons in humility, life and love. Shows run from January 18 through February 3, 2008 at the Heritage Center in Morrisville, PA . . . for more information, please click: http://www.actorsnetbucks.org/ C. Cyndy in Pennsylvania: SACRED CHANTING and TONING with Cyndy “Snake Dancer” SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2008, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Location: Landenberg, PA Donation: $40.00 To register please email or call 610.274.3109 by 1.24.2008. Together we will explore the sacred sounds created by our original vessel--our voice. We will use our intent to connect with Spirit and fill our bodies with beautiful resonance. Energy never dies. As we put forth our sound, mingled with our love, the Earth and all her inhabitants rejoice. No vocal experience or expertise is needed. Dress comfortably. D. YOUR CHANCE TO WIN $500! (I kid you not!!) . . . come to a presentation I'm giving on Tuesday, January 29, at Bucks County Community College . . . time: 6:30 p.m. . . . the topic: Four-mula 4 Success--the 4 Things You Need to do to Market Yourself . . . cost is FREE . . . for location, please email me at bginbc@aol.com. _________________________________________________________ PS. Please join me in celebrating praying that we soon get our remaining soldiers back from Iraq and that peace resumes in Israel . . . also, make it a great week! Back to Top ---------------------------------------------------------- SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBCRIBE INFORMATION To subscribe to this publication, please send an email to: bginbc@aol.com and put SUBSCRIBE in subject line . . . if you wish to unsubscribe, just send an email to same address and put UNSUBSCRIBE in subject line.
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