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BLAINESWORLD
#568 8.20.2007 In this issue: 1. Reflections 2. FYI 3. How to call the police 4. Reviews . . . SUPERBAD, etc. 5. TV alert 6. Face up or face down 7. Websites 8. Computer tip 9. Hurricane tips, 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 were fortunate to be able to celebrate my mother's birthday--discretion prevents me from telling you which one--this past Friday at Il Bacco Ristorante (718.224.7657) in Little Neck, NY . . . the food was fine, but even better was the fact that we were able to get together with family and a bunch of her friends . . . Risa, my daughter, was even able to come in for the event. See below for a picture of, l-r: Cynthia, Risa, my mother, and yours truly:  B. It was good getting to spend some additional time with Risa . . . she and
I, along with Cynthia, had a talented massage therapist by the name of Cindy Sullivan come to our place to give us Thai massages . . . that's a type massage that involves a lot of stretching and reflexology; for more information, please click: http://www.thaimassage.com/itta/pages/what_is_tm.html We all felt better afterwards . . . should you want to contact Cindy, her email address is: starionred@comcast.net Another high spot was a visit to the Americana Diner in East Windsor, NJ . . . it brought back memories for Risa and I, in that we both ordered what used to be our favorite item to eat together: chocolate chip pancakes . . . they were as good as always . . . Cynthia ordered and enjoyed another of my favorites, cinnamon French toast . . . Risa's friend Honey joined us and said her calamari salad was good, too. For more information about the Americana, please click: http://www.americanadiner.com/ C. Cynthia and I were invited for dinner at the home of our good friends Natalie and Ivan . . . we always have a fun time with them, and the conversation is always upbeat. We especially enjoyed one of Natalie's "special" dishes; the recipe follows: Italian chicken Chicken breasts . . . about 1-3 pounds . . . I always make 3 lbs. Eggs Italian bread crumbs 1 can chicken broth (14.5 ounces) 1/4 cup white wine . . . make it good wine, not just cooking wine Mushrooms 1 package Muenster cheese Soak chicken in beaten eggs overnight . . . that's the official recipe; I just slice them thin and soak them as I cut up all the chicken . . . then coat chicken with Italian-flavored bread crumbs. Melt some butter and/or olive oil and saute chicken until light brown. Remove chicken into casserole dish. Melt more butter or oil and saute sliced mushrooms. Add chicken broth and white wine and cook until hot. Pour over chicken and top with the grated Muenster cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until browned and bubbly. D. I spent Monday of this past week, making a presentation to a group of parent liaisons in Trenton on the subject of "Conflict Resolution." Then, during the latter part of the week, I was in Philadelphia as a member of a three-person arbitration panel on a stock exchange case . . . I learned a few things: * The best way to get in the city is via SEPTA train, leaving from West Trenton. What a pleasure to go into town this way. Methinks I'll never take the car again. * If you're married or in a relationship, both folks should be on the same computer screen with respect to investments. The case I had featured a husband and wife who constantly were battling over investment strategies. * If you are having problems with a broker or investment company, speak up when you are having them--not after the fact. I was lucky to get to work with two other arbitrators who were both great: Michael Neft, an industry representative, and Nickolas Monteforte, a lawyer who also served as chair of the panel . . . in addition, I got to know them better over our working lunch each day at Elephant and Castle (215.751.9977) in Philadelphia, PA . . . the food there was delicious. ***** BLAINESWORLD BEST AWARD ***** This week, it goes to Edith Smith--the person we're fortunate to have clean the residence of the Greenfields of Belle Mead (our home, in other words). We've had the pleasure of working with Edith for some two years now . . . she always does a fine job, and she never misses an appointment. I'd recommend her strongly to anybody in the Bridgewater, Hillsborough or Somerville areas, though at present, I believe she is only interested in cleaning offices in the evenings. Edith can be reached at 908.526.5722. Feel free to mention that you read about her in BLAINESWORLD. Back to Top _________________________________________________________ 2. FYI Renewing magazines through their publishers might be the easiest way to do so, but it usually isn't the cheapest. For example, I recently was in the process of renewing TV GUIDE . . . the cards that fell out of the magazine kept offering different rates and premiums, and so did the various letters I received directly from the publication. However, I checked on the Internet and found this excellent company: http://www.magazines.com Rates were about 14% cheaper, and I was also able to get a guaranteed rate for a longer period of time. Calling can get you the same information and rates; in fact, I called company's 800.624.2946 number because I was pressed for time (in that my subscription was due to end soon) . . . a woman by the name of Jennifer helped me . . . she provided truly excellent customer service to the extent that I will use magazines.com in the future--and recommend it to all BLAINESWORLD readers via this passage. FYI, part 2 * Joan in Pennsylvania: Support the YWCA of Bucks County just by searching the web As part of our ongoing efforts to raise funds, please review this information and instructions on how to register with GoodSearch--as a means of directing donations to the YWCA. An easy way to help the YWCA of Bucks County is through a new search engine powered by Yahoo! called GoodSearch. GoodSearch will make a donation to the YWCA of Bucks County with every search. It doesn't cost you a thing--the money comes from the advertisers. The more people who use this site, the more money will go to those in need. So please spread the word to your friends and family. Here's the website: http://www.goodsearch.com
Just follow the instructions on this site and put down: YWCA Bucks County-Trevose I use goodsearch.com exclusively whenever I need to access the web. If we could multiply my searches times 100 staff, board, friends and supporters, we could earn $700 + per year for the YW--just by doing our searches through this engine. One hundred is a small group. 1,000 users could equal $7,000 + per year. * Bernadette in Pennsylvania: Keep them [the newsletters] coming. My husband Rich also enjoys reading them! MY TWO CENTS: If any reader would like separate copies spent to a spouse and/or child, just provide me with their email addresses. * Sorry, but due to the length of this week's issue, there is only room for these two emails . . . look for more next week! Back to Top _________________________________________________________ 3. How to call the police George Phillips of Meridian, Mississippi was going up to bed when his wife told him that he'd left the light on in the garden shed, which she could see from the bedroom window. George opened the back door to go turn off the light but saw that there were people in the shed stealing things. He phoned the police, who asked "Is someone in your house?" and he said "no." Then they said that all patrols were busy, and that he should simply lock his door and an officer would be along when available. George said, "Okay," hung up, counted to 30, and phoned the police again. "Hello, I just called you a few seconds ago because there were people stealing things from my shed Well, you don't have to worry about them now because I've just shot them." Then he hung up. Within five minutes three police cars, an Armed Response Unit and an ambulance showed up at the Phillips' residence and caught the burglars red-handed. One of the policemen said to George: "I thought you said that you'd shot them!" George said, "I thought you said there was nobody available!" True story. And the thing to remember: Don't mess with old people! Back to Top _________________________________________________________ 4. Reviews A. SUPERBAD has gotten great reviews . . . frankly, I don't understand why . . . I didn't enjoy it and thought the few funny spots were more than offset by a film that dragged until the very end . . . though many of the same actors, writers and producers had made 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN and KNOCKED UP (both of which I enjoyed), they just couldn't pull this one off . . . however, I did like the work of Jonah Hill as the foul-mouthed loser obsessed with sex . . . rated R. B. THE LIVES OF OTHERS is now out in DVD format . . . my review from BLAINESWORLD #547 follows: THE LIVES OF OTHERS won the Oscar last year for Best Foreign Film, and I can see why . . . it is a riveting political thriller about life in East Berlin, five years before Glasnot and the fall of the Berlin Wall, that takes a series of characters through 1991, in what becomes the reunited Germany . . . the acting is superb . . . I particularly liked the work of Ulrich Muhe (a Rob Corddry lookalike) as the police officer who eventually becomes disillusioned with his job . . . despite the fact that I saw this movie two weeks ago, I can still see it vividly in my mind--often a telltale sign that I really enjoyed it . . . you might have to dig some to find it, but please make the effort . . . I know that as of today, it was still playing at the Montgomery Cinema in Skillman, NJ . . . rated R. C. Joseph Finder is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors . . . his last two thrillers, PARAONIA and COMPANY MAN, were both page turners that I couldn't wait to finish . . . such is also the case with his latest effort, POWER PLAY. It is the tale of a bunch of corporate employees on retreat at a deluxe lodge in the wilderness . . . all of a sudden, their calm is upset by the appearance of armed intruders who seek to hold them hostage. Finder spins a taut story that also has a nice romantic subplot . . . while a bit on the violent side, I'd still recommend his book to anybody looking for a book that even manages to bring-in some humor from time to time, such as in this passage: * Dogs are underrated as girlfriend-substitutes, I think. Gerty never complained when I came home late from work; if anything, she was even happier to see me. She didn't mind eating the same thing day after day. She never insisted on watching Desperate Housewives when I wanted to watch football, and she never asked me if I thought she looked fat. I also like how the author describes certain situations; for example, how it is to live with a woman: * I've always thought that living with a woman is like visiting a foreign country where no one speaks English and the signs are all in some strange alphabet that almost looks like English, but not quite. If you want to buy coffee or order dinner or get a seat on a bus, you have to learn a few basic phrases of the local dialect. Lastly, I appreciate how he really researches a subject before writing about it . . . his five pages of acknowledgments ranges from FBI folks to those with expertise on money-laundering and includes such others as those with knowledge about internal corporate investigations, the aerospace business and salmon-fishing. When you read POWER PLAY, you'll constantly feel that you are learning something, even if it is as basic as the following: * "Right. I told Mike not to leave Mumbai until he gets Mr. Gupta's signature on the LOI." An LOI was a letter of intent. "I don't care how sick of curry he gets." I now can't wait to read Finder's next book! D. Heard the Nightingale-Conant CD program, CREATING IRRESISTIBLE INFLUENCE WITH NLP--written and read by Charles Faulkner. He's an author and NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) modeler who shares many useful ideas on how to obtain what you want more quickly . . . you can succeed in doing so by keeping in mind such points that were made as the following: * Meaningful influence is helping people get what they really want. * Give people what they want. If they want chocolate ice cream, get them the best ice cream you can get. People will know you're listening to them. * You can give something more status by making your voice lower and, also, by gesturing upward with your hand. * People want to be the heroes of their own life. Show them that what you are offering can help them do that. * When you help people fulfill their life's purpose, you'll make a difference they will remember. * We can't help not respond to what is meaningful for us. My only disappointment in CREATING was that it was a bit dry . . . also, the use of more real examples earlier in the program would have helped. Back to Top _________________________________________________________ 5. TV alert A. REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER returns for a fifth season of his political chatfest on Friday at 10 p.m. on HBO . . . though I have no idea what topics will be discussed, I can report some good news for me at least; i.e., the series has been renewed for a sixth season, premiering in 2008. B. Kenneth Branaugh directs Shakespeare's AS YOU LIKE IT and sets it in 19th-century Japan . . . Kevin Kline and Alfred Molina star . . . Saturday at 4 p.m. on HBO . . . for other times, please click: http://www.hbo.com/apps/schedule/ScheduleServlet?ACTION_DETAIL=DETAIL&FOCUS_ID=621048 C. HOUSE star Jennifer Morrison plays a journalist probing Princess Diana's fatal car crash in THE MURDER OF PRINCESS DIANA, a TV-movie based on Noel Botham's book . . . Saturday at 9 p.m. on LIFETIME. D. BOB SAGET: THAT AIN' T RIGHT has the FULL HOUSE alum showing off his bawdy side in a New York stand-up concert on Saturday at 10 p.m. on HBO. Back to Top _________________________________________________________ 6. Face up or face down There are three men to be guillotined: a doctor, a lawyer and an engineer. The doctor is first to be executed. The executioner tells him he has a choice: he can be face up or face down. The doctor votes for face up and just as his head is about to be lopped off, the blade stops in mid-air, about a foot from his head. No one can believe their eyes, and they are all in amazement. This has never happened before. It must be divine intervention--the doctor must be innocent. Therefore, he is pardoned and allowed to leave. Next up is the lawyer. He’s asked the same question by the executioner and decides to be face up as well. Just as the blade is about to cut off his head, it stops in mid-air exactly as it did the first time. Once again, everyone is stunned and believes that the lawyer must be innocent since there has been divine intervention yet again. He is pardoned and allowed to leave. Then the engineer steps up to the guillotine and when asked which way he wants to be, he says, face up . . . but I think I see what the problem is. Back to Top _________________________________________________________ 7. Websites A. Tobi in Pennsylvania: I heard this guy speak at a LBCCC Percolator meeting. It’s free and comes full of good tips [for small business owners that are also applicable to others]: http://www.pennypinchingtips.com He has a regular column in the PHILADELPHIA BUSINESS JOURNAL. B. Jean in Pennsylvania: I just watched a beautiful and powerful presentation that really touched me, and I wanted to share it with you. I'm sure you'll enjoy the breathtaking images and the inspiring message; see below: http://www.212movie.com/ Make sure you have your sound on . . . the music is mesmerizing. C. BLAINESWORLD, the website, remains up and running . . . to view it, please click: http://www.blainesworld.net Should you want to learn more about Cynthia or the dance programs she conducts, click "About Cynthia" on the left of the homepage. Back to Top _________________________________________________________ 8. Computer tip To search for videos on the Internet, you can always go to Google's YouTube site . . . however, you won't find videos from other sites there, nor will you find copyrighted clips. There are several video-search engines now out there . . . the best might well be: http://www.truveo.com According to Katherine Boehret in "The Mossberg Solution" in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, 8.22.07, page D1, "Truveo takes a refreshing look at video search and as long as you have the patience to travel to sites where content originated, you'll find it useful. It stands apart from other search engines in looks and functionality." That said, there are three other websites you might also want to consider: http://video.yahoo.com http://www.google.com/video http://www.blinksx.com Back to Top _________________________________________________________ 9. Hurricane tips, part 2 of 2 (concluded from last week) SHUTTERS: Your house should have hurricane shutters on all the windows, all the doors, and--if it's a major hurricane--all the toilets. There are several types of shutters, with advantages and disadvantages: Plywood shutters: The advantage is that, because you make them yourself, they're cheap. The disadvantage is that, because you make them yourself, they will fall off. Sheet-metal shutters: The advantage is that these work well, once you get them all up. The disadvantage is that once you get them all up, your house will look like a redneck crack house and your hands will be useless bleeding stumps, and it will be December. Roll-down shutters: The advantages are that they're very easy to use, and will definitely protect your house. The disadvantage is that you will have to sell your house to pay for them. Hurricane-proof windows: These are the newest wrinkle in hurricane protection: They look like ordinary windows, but they can withstand hurricane winds! You can be sure of this, because the salesman says so. He lives in Nebraska. Hurricane Proofing your property: As the hurricane approaches, check your yard for movable objects like barbecue grills, planters, patio furniture, visiting relatives, etc. You should, as a precaution, throw these items into your swimming pool (if you don't have a swimming pool, you should have one built immediately). Otherwise, the hurricane winds will turn these objects into deadly missiles. EVACUATION ROUTE: If you live in a low-lying area, you should have an evacuation route planned out. (To determine whether you live in a low-lying area, look at your driver's license; if it says Florida," you live in a low-lying area). The purpose of having an evacuation route is to avoid being trapped in your home when a major storm hits. Instead, you will be trapped in a gigantic traffic jam several miles from your home, along with two hundred thousand other evacuees. So, as a bonus, you will not be lonely. HURRICANE SUPPLIES: If you don't evacuate, you will need a mess of supplies. Do not buy them now! Florida tradition requires that you wait until the last possible minute, then go to the supermarket and get into vicious fights with strangers over who gets the last can of SPAM. In addition to food and water, you will need the following supplies: 1. 23 flashlights. At least $167 worth of batteries that turn out, when the power goes off, to be the wrong size for the flashlights.. 2. Bleach. (No, I don't know what the bleach is for. NOBODY knows what the bleach is for, but it's traditional, so get some!) 3. A 55 gallon drum of underarm deodorant. 4. A big knife that you can strap to your leg. (This will be useless in a hurricane, but it looks cool.) 5. A large quantity of raw chicken, to placate the alligators. (Ask anybody who went through Andrew; after the hurricane, there WILL be irate alligators.). 6. $35,000 in cash or diamonds so that, after the hurricane passes, you can buy a generator from a man with no discernible teeth. Of course these are just basic precautions. As a hurricane draws near, it is vitally important that you keep abreast of the situation by turning on your television and watching TV reporters in rain slickers stand right next to the ocean and tell you over and over how vitally important it is for everybody to stay away from the ocean. Good luck, and remember: it's great living in Paradise. Back to Top _________________________________________________________ 10. A quote I like The greatest of faults, I should say, is to be conscious of none.--Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881), Scottish essayist, satirist and historian Back to Top _________________________________________________________ 11. Thought for the day Winner of the kingdom by Cynthia Greenfield There once lived a King and Queen, and they had a grand kingdom. They were both elderly and knew they would be giving their kingdom onto their heirs. Since they did not have children of their own, they were going to pass on this honor to their nieces and nephews. Having many sisters and brothers, there were many nieces and nephews who would have this amazing opportunity to take over the throne. So the King and Queen declared that for any niece or nephew that proved themselves to be worthy, they would be given the kingdom. They sent out a notice declaring the qualities they were looking for and explaining that there would be a series of tests. The first test was the test of being a positive, affirming individual since this quality was of such importance when working with a kingdom. The nieces and nephews were told to do an action which would show their affirming nature. There were many different ways that each of them showed this quality. One person just kept inviting them to dinner, verbalizing affirmations at times. the other spilled over with one affirmation after another. Another did not even seem sincere, but just talked about some educational program called the Forum. Another just came to visit once in awhile, was quiet but did come and was never intrusive. Even another cut out articles of interest to all the people and sent them via email or regular mail. They all went away feeling very sad as they were being positive and affirming in their own way and could not understand why they didn't measure up. Nevertheless, the King and Queen rejected them all. The next test was to be open and vulnerable and share yourself as a person. This quality was so important so that the people in the Kingdom realized that the King and the Queen were real, vulnerable people too. One person just would not open up but called a whole lot, the other came to visit only once and a blue moon, never ever called and just never shared his feelings at all. Still another cried at movies, and when it came to sharing his feelings would share happiness, but when sad, would share a joke to lighten up the mood. So many different personalities, yet none of them measured up to this perfect expectation of being open and vulnerable. The King and Queen rejected them also. The next test was of etiquette--doing the right thing in all circumstances. This quality also was so needed, especially for a King and Queen who are on display at all times. One person always did the right thing, visited whenever possible, made dinner a whole lot, worked like a dog, and would do anything that was necessary but at times was so exhausted doing it and felt unappreciated. Another one hardly ever did the right thing, but again he did show up and talked a whole lot less than his sisters, which was such a relief. (All that talking and expressing feelings can be exhausting!) And still another one showed up but was oftentimes oblivious to what was needed at the moment and just never quite did the “right” thing, according to the specifications that the King and Queen stated. Alas, the King and Queen rejected them as well. The King and Queen were becoming increasingly disturbed as none of the nieces or nephews seem to live up to their “perfect” picture of what qualities would be expected of a King and Queen. What were they to do? There was one nephew left who did not even attempt to perform any of these tests. He was known to be a little “slow.” No one paid much attention to this nephew in the family because he wasn't very intelligent. This nephew lived without expectations of what others would do for him. Since most people did not give him much attention or any affirmation, anything that he received made him so happy. He did not take anything for granted, and he always realized that life was a gift. And if he received more than just being alive, it was gravy for him. What everyone else just expected as givens, he rejoiced in them as if they were amazing gifts. He woke up in the morning and just waking up was a gift to him. The sun and trees, his eyes and ears and legs, and anyone who happened to be in his life were blessings to him. This nephew was the kind of person that if he wanted a basketball for a present for his birthday and someone gave him a tennis ball, well . . . he would jump up and down and be sooooo thankful that he got a present at all and that it resembled (even a tiny bit) what he had originally wanted. If he asked someone to acknowledge and affirm him and they invited him for dinner, he would be happy and realize that was their way of affirming him. If he wanted someone to be open and vulnerable with him, and they just came to visit and be very quiet, he would be so touched that the person came and just spent time with him. As for the etiquette part, he just never asked anyone for that because he realized that there was never any particular way that things should be done. The only measure was that everyone felt affirmed and acknowledged for who they were. If they could perform for him in a way that touched him, his thinking was that alone was quite a gift. And if they did other things, he would realize it was still their gift to him, and he would acknowledge it. He would not reject a present that anyone gave to him because he realized it was the best they could do, and they were being generous in their own way. He knew in his heart of hearts that if he did reject it--expecting his present to show up in one "perfect" particular way--he would be left with no friends or family. Because rejecting people’s offers (not matter how imperfect one may think they are) is one sure way to discourage a relationship. So it turned out that the King and Queen finally found their heir to the throne. And the Kingdom all worked together to help this young man (as even he was far from perfect and needed much help) The Kingdom thrived and all celebrated the new heir to the throne. People’s hearts became so big that love just overflowed. People danced in the streets, affirming each other in all their differences. Everyone felt so full and acknowledged that they became the very best people that they possibly could become. There was much play and celebration. Everyone felt as if they were so important because they knew that their particular personality was “gotten” and even more than “gotten," it was celebrated. There was such joy and happiness that all the Kingdoms of the world came together. War and hatred was abolished. And peace remained throughout the land. Back to Top _________________________________________________________ 12. Advance planning department A. Cynthia (see also Sections 1A and 11) in New Jersey: Just wanted to describe this new form of dance that I will be teaching. JourneyDance/Move Your Body is a transformative, freeing movement experience. Using inspiring music from around the world, you are softly led into easy-to-follow movements. At times, you follow, you move intuitively on your own, or you may choose to lead only if you are comfortable. For more information, see below for upcoming programs; also: cgreenfield1001@aol.com 609.731.0808 * Hillsborough Library Hillsborough, NJ Wed. August 22: 7:00-8:30 p.m. FREE class. Call 908.369.2200, ext. 13 for details and registration. * Princeton Center for Yoga and Health 50 Vreeland Drive Suite 506 Skillman, NJ http://www.princetonyoga.com 609.924.7294 Sunday, September 16: 11:00 a.m.-12:30; $15 drop-in fee Sunday, September 23: 2:00-5:00 p.m.; Fundraiser for children at St. Jude's Hospital Other activities also: yoga, pilates, etc. Contact Center for more information and what you need to do to participate. B. Tom in New Jersey: I started rehearsals yesterday for THE FULL MONTY at the Montgomery Theater yesterday, and the director informed us that tickets are selling faster than any show they have ever produced. Evidently, this is a favorite with Old Ladies Groups! This represents something of a departure for me . . . what with the Jazz/Rock score and all the “artistic” dancing. The cast at this small, attractive theatre in Souderton PA is about 1/3 Equity and really terrific! The show runs from September 12-October 6. I'm very excited about this role (hopefully, not too excited during the final number), and hope that it leads to bigger and better things (bigger and better than things appear to be in the mirror, anyway)! For more information, please click: http://www.actorr.com/next.htm C. Debbie in Pennsylvania: OMPHALOS is proud to present the OUTRAGEOUS AND WONDERFUL healer/singer/songwriter/comedian Scott Kalechstein. Please mark your calendars for a concert: Friday, September 14th 7:00 p.m. $20 advance registration; $25 at door. OMPHALOS The Center for P.E.A.C.E. 301 Oxford Valley Rd. Suite 1504 (upstairs) Yardley, PA 215.493.3456 Join us for an evening of illumination, inspiration, improvisational song, and lots of belly laughter. Visit him and sample wit, wisdom, and songs at: http://www.scottsongs.com Expect to laugh loudly, lighten up, get silly, and leave walking on air. Back to Top _________________________________________________________ PS. Please join me in praying that we soon get our remaining soldiers back from Iraq and that peace resumes in Israel . . . also, make it a great week! ---------------------------------------------------------- SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBCRIBE INFORMATION If you or somebody you know wants to subscribe to BLAINESWORLD, have them drop me an e-mail to that effect . . . new readers are always welcome . . . my address is: bginbc@aol.com In the unlikely event you wish to unsubscribe, notify me at the same email address.
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