BLAINESWORLD
#725
8.23.2010
In this issue:
1. Reflections
2. FYI
3. Buyer beware
4. Reviews . . . EAT PRAY LOVE, etc.
5. TV alert
6. Confusion
7. Websites
8. Computer tip
9. Lunchtime
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 had a blast at a friend's party that was taped for an upcoming episode of ON THE ROAD WITH AUSTIN & SANTINO on Lifetime. It is tentatively slated to air on October 7 at 10:30 p.m.; we'll let you know when this is confirmed. But if you can't wait, that's us with Austin Scarlett (top photo) and Santino Rice (bottom one).
The taping experience was interesting . . . and longish, too . . . we had to go through about 12 tapings of one scene . . . it reminded us of the movie GROUNDHOG DAY . . . I'd like to tell you more, but the folks from the show asked us not to review anything until the show airs . . . so mum's the word for now.
B. By the time you read this, I'll be "up North" for the week for some meetings, a few hypnosis appointments, and the chance to catch up with some relatives and friends . . . unfortunately, Cynthia will not be with me.
My flight on Sunday was not pleasant . . . because of bad weather, we were flown into Baltimore where we were kept on the plane for nearly four hours while it was supposedly refueling and waiting to take back
off . . . when that did not happen, they left us off the plane (I'm sure so they would not have to pay a
fine) . . . more delays followed, and we had to wait on the plane even longer . . . so what ordinarily is a 90 minute trip took 8 hours.
THE OFFER REMAINS:
SOUTHERN DISCOMFORTS runs at the Off-Broadstreet Theatre in Hopewell, NJ from
August 27-October 2 . . . it is the is billed as a beautiful exploration of the intimate workings of a relationship between a widow and a widower who meet later in life and find a way into each other’s
hearts . . . for more information, please click:
http://www.off-broadstreet.com/id16.html
I'm planning to see the evening performance on Saturday, August 28 (going for dinner beforehand at one of my favorite Chinese restaurants): Yao's, which was formerly Mrs. Chow's, in Skillman, NJ . . . it would be great to catch up; if interested, just send an email to bginbc@aol.com and put AUGUST 28 in the subject line.
C. MR. CURIOUS HERE:
Has any reader (or member of your family) had Lyme disease? If so, do you still have it . . . or what did you do to get rid of it? Any personal insight you can share with me would be much appreciated, in that I'm seeking to help a very dear friend.
D. CONGRATULATIONS to Brian Cohen on being accepted into the graduate education program at Cabrini College.
***** BLAINESWORLD BEST AWARD *****
This week, it goes to Officer Christopher Hickman with the Asheville Police Department.
I was fortunate to be teamed up with him for a recent "ride along" . . . this came about as a result of my having previously completed the Asheville Citizens Police Academy. (A great experience, by the way.)
We began the evening, driving around his area; i.e., the Charlie District . . . this includes most of the downtown area, as well as the subsidized housing units . . . over the next several hours, I got to see
him at work checking out a business alarm, directing traffic as other officers successfully prevented a suicide, stopping two cars for various infractions, giving a citation to a panhandler and arresting a guy who had been in an argument with his girlfriend . . . in this latter instance, the guy had a prior warrant out for his arrest, so he was taken off to jail in handcuffs . . . . I then saw him frisked and taken before a judge for a bail hearing.
I also learned an important lesson . . . as I casually entered the jail area, I had my hands clasped behind my back . . . BIG MISTAKE! . . . another officer there thought that I too had handcuffs on, so I was all set to be frisked until cooler heads prevailed--and I had the sense to show that my hands had nothing on them.
Overall, the whole experience was a fascinating one . . . it gave me a much greater appreciation for the fine work done by the Asheville Police Department . . . and in particular, I was impressed with the professionalism exhibited by Officer Hickman.
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2. FYI
Each August since 1998, Beloit College has released the Beloit College Mindset List. It provides a look at the cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering college this fall.
Most students entering college for the first time this fall—the Class of 2014—were born in 1992. For these students, Benny Hill, Sam Kinison, Sam Walton, Bert Parks and Tony Perkins have always been dead.
1. Few in the class know how to write in cursive.
2. Email is just too slow, and they seldom if ever use snail mail.
3. “Go West, Young College Grad” has always implied “and don’t stop until you get to Asia . . . and learn Chinese along the way.”
4. Al Gore has always been animated.
5. Los Angelenos have always been trying to get along.
6. Buffy has always been meeting her obligations to hunt down Lothos and the other blood-suckers at Hemery High.
7. “Caramel macchiato” and “venti half-caf vanilla latte” have always been street corner lingo.
8. With increasing numbers of ramps, Braille signs and handicapped parking spaces, the world has always been trying harder to accommodate people with disabilities.
9. Had it remained operational, the villainous computer HAL could be their college classmate this fall, but they have a better chance of running into Miley Cyrus’s folks on Parents’ Weekend.
10. Entering college this fall in a country where a quarter of young people under 18 have at least one immigrant parent, they aren't afraid of immigration . . . unless it involves "real" aliens from another planet.
For the rest of this year's list or previous ones, please click:
http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2014.php
FYI, part 2
* Barbara in Pennsylvania (with a REQUEST FOR HELP):
Does anyone has baseball cards they would like to get rid of for a minimal amount of change? (Phillies would be super.) My grandson is just coming into the game of little league baseball and is loving it. He's very good, if I must say so myself'!! He plays out in Las Vegas and roots for the Phillies, his dad's home team. He can play any base, but is a pitcher--or maybe a closer. If you can help out, please respond to: mamataj3@verizon.net
* Natalie in Pennsylvania:
Looking for someone to portray King Henry VIII for a bridal shower on September 17 from noon to 3:00 p.m. at the Winery at the Grange, 4970 Antioch Road, Haymarket, VA. For more information, contact Natalie via email: natkaye@starlinx.com
* Stephen in Pennsylvania:
To be clear, I got "photofunia" from Diane in Pennsylvania. Oh, and "What would you do?" sounds a lot like my Social Psychology class in college, where we studied experiments of people's ethical decisions in social settings. As a result of that class, I have an over-developed sense of responsibility that if nobody speaks up, I'm speaking up.
* Mandy in Pennsylvania:
I really like this definition of success; thought I’d share:
Success is doing what you want to do, when you want, with whomever you want, as much as you
want.--Tony Robbins
* Gregg in Pennsylvania:
Shari and I are selling our house at:
203 Fulgens Court
Warrington, PA 18976
We are starting out at mid to low 220's.
We would like to find a buyer ourselves since it will save us a lot of money. If you or anyone you know would be interested in purchasing the home, we are looking to sell in October.
Please call me or have the interested person(s) call me to discuss details.
Home Details:
Age: 5
Type: Condominium
Bed Rooms: 2 and a loft (from master bedroom)
Baths: 1.5
Basement: unfinished (great for storage or big enough to finish)
School District: Blueribbon Awarded (5 out of 505 School Districts) with Central Bucks
Oven: Gas Heat
Heat: Force Hot Air
Air Conditioning: Central
Square Footage: 1400
Kitchen: Upgraded cabinets, dishwasher, microwave, oven, refrigerator
Location: couple minutes from Wawa, Walgreens, banks, gas stations, Genuardi's, Wegman's, Valley Square Shopping Center, 10 minutes from PA Turnpike and 25 minutes from Interstate 95.
Options: Ceiling fans in: Living room, Master bedroom, Second bedroom. Also, recessed lighting in Living Room.
Thank you.
Greg Williams
215-287-8339
goodstuffe@aol.com
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3. Buyer beware
I enrolled in an online school to become a private investigator. I gave them my money, and then I never heard back from them. I thought, either I just got ripped off, or this is my first case.--comic Mike Vecchione
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4. Reviews
A. EAT PRAY LOVE by Elizabeth Gilbert (see also Section 4C) was one of my favorite books of the past few years . . . the film with the same title doesn't compare . . . I'm not quite sure what was missing, but it left me flat . . . the first portion, set in Italy, was especially slow . . . things pick up a bit in the second and third parts, largely because of the appearances of Richard Jenkins and Javier Bardem . . . in the leading role, Julia Robers is just OK . . . I was also disappointed that my favorite scene from the book--involving Gilbert asking others to help her get her divorce--was completely left out . . . rated PG-13.
B. CITYISLAND is now out in DVD format . . . my review from BLAINESWORLD #709 follows:
Saw CITY ISLAND, a quirky comedy that I enjoyed very much . . . it's the story of a correctional officer who, secretly, wants to become an actor . . . but for that to happen, he must deal with a family that has its own secrets . . . Andy Garcia is excellent in the leading roles, and he's aided by a fine ensemble cast . . . this is a small independent film that unfortunately won't be around for too long in the theaters, even though it got very good reviews from the critics . . . rated PG-13.
C. COMMITTED by Elizabeth Gilbert is a follow-up to her runaway bestseller, EAT PRAY LOVE (see also Section 4A).
It takes her from the end of the first book--when she falls in love with Felipe--to their life afterward . . . all was going smoothly until he was detained by the U.S. government, which then gave the couple a choice . . . either they needed to get married or Felipe would never again be allowed to enter into the country.
That became problematic, in that both individuals had said they'd never get married again because of their previous marriages . . . however, as much thought and realizing they didn't have many other options, they did choose the marriage route.
It took them some ten months to cut through all the details that were required and during that time, Gilbert devoted herself to the study of matrimony . . . she read everything she could about the subject and, also, spoke to countless individuals throughout the world.
That was the part about COMMITTEED that I liked least . . . what I liked most were the parts that the author devoted to her life with Felipe . . . I became interested in their lives and enjoyed reading about how Gilbert sought help from one border guard:
* "What would you do now, if you were in our situation," I asked. This is a technique I've learned to use over the years whenever I find myself at an impasse with a dispassionate customer service operator or an apathetic bureaucrat. Phrasing the sentence in such a manner invites the person who has all the power to pause for a moment and put himself in the shoes of the person who is powerless. It's a subtle appeal to empathy. Sometimes it helps. Most of the time, to be honest, it doesn't help at all. But I was willing to try anything here.
I also enjoyed reading about their love story, including this following passage:
* Then Felipe's eyes filled with tears and he said, "Thank you for coming into my life. No matter what happens now, no matter what you decide to do next, just know that you've given me the two most joyful years I've ever known, and I will never forget you."
Lastly, as was the case the first book, there were parts that had me smiling--such as when Gilbert described the issue of wedding gifts:
* As Miss Manners once coolly explained to a reader, the proper technique for congratulating a serial bride-to-be is to eschew all gifts and galas and simply write the lady a note expressing how very delighted you are for her happiness, wishing her all the luck in the world, and being very careful to avoid using the words "this time."
I hope that there's at least a third book about this couple, covering how their life in New Jersey has turned out for them.
D. James Patterson is certainly a prolific author . . . while I sometimes wonder how much writing he does in all the books that list him as an author and/or co-author, I nevertheless enjoy many of them---including THE 9TH JUDGMENT that he wrote with Maxine Paetro.
This is part of an ongoing series dubbed THE WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB . . . I recall reading the first volume several years ago . . . and though I enjoyed it, I never returned to any follow-ups in that I'm typically not a big fan of such tales . . . they rarely top the first book and more often, they don't even come close to matching it.
I might make an exception as a result of listening to THE 9TH JUDGMENT . . . it featured two main
cases . . .the first involved a psychopath, known as the "The Lipstick Killer," who is terrorizing the residents of San Francisco . . . the second was about a cat burglar called "Hello Kitty," who is being framed for a murder when a well known movie star shoots his wife following a robbery at their home.
The book flew from scene to scene and kept my interest until the very end . . . in addition, the ending nearly took my breath away.
Carolyn McCormick's narration was excellent.
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5. TV alert
A. THE WISH LIST stars Jennifer Esposito as a woman with very specific ideas about Mr. Right, only to find herself falling for someone who doesn't meet any of her qualifications . . . Saturday at 9 p.m. on HALLMARK CHANNEL.
B. Kim Raver (GRAY'S ANATOMY) stars in BOND OF SILENCE, based on the true story of a widow's journey to find and ultimately forgive her husband's killer . . . Saturday at 9 and repeated on Sunday at 7 on LIFETIME.
C. THE 62ND ANNUAL PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS, hosted by Jimmy Fallon, airs on Sunday at 8 p.m. on NBC . . . MAD MEN and GLEE look to get a bunch of awards, and I'm glad; they're both excellent shows . . . I'm hoping that Julia Louis-Dreyfus wins for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy for her work in THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE--especially since it was (unfortunately taken off the air) . . . I'd also like to see Andre Braugher win Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama for MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE, a show that didn't gain a lot of nominations but is worth watching.
D. CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL skewers the medical show genre . . . I saw one episode and found it funny . . . but then again, with a cast including Rob Corddry, Megan Mullaly and Henry Winkler, you would certainly expect that to be the case . . . Sundays at 10:30 p.m. on CARTOON NETWORK.
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6. Confusion
My husband, Tom, was in our back yard trying to fly a kite. He threw the kite up in the air, the wind would catch it for a few seconds, then it would come crashing back down to earth. He tried this a few more times with no success.
All the while, I was watching from the kitchen window, muttering to myself how men need to be told how to do everything. I opened the window and yelled "You need a piece of tail."
Tom turned with a confused look on his face and says, "Make up your mind. Last night, you told me to go fly a kite."
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7. Website
A. I've always thought age was a relative number . . . to see for yourself, please click:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtyAsiZWktY
B. For some useful advice on what every woman should tell her daughter, please click:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzrMKdYO7jM
NOTE:
This applies not just to mothers and daughters, but to those having nieces and granddaughters as well; in fact, just about anybody would benefit from viewing this clip!
C. BLAINESWORLD, the website, remains up and running . . . to view it, please click:
http://www.blainesworld.net
If you've ever wondered about what the above website is all about, your best bet is to read the box at the very top of the homepage . . . you'll then know all you want to know--and then some.
D. Are you on Facebook? In the unlikely event we have not yet contacted as friends there, please feel free to send me an invite by clicking:
www.facebook.com/blainegreenfield
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8. Computer tip
SPECIAL THANNKS to Bill in North Carolina for the following email about last week's computer tip [about having multiple websites open at the same time]:
A correction to #8. There’s more to it than what you’ve stated. I will use Firefox as my browser example.
You can have “multiple” home pages, but you can’t go from one tab to another and each time designate a new homepage. That won’t work. What happens is the last homepage you enter overrides the previous homepage. Instead, here’s what to do.
First, you must go to Tools/Options and use “Startup” under the “General” tab. Select “When Firefox starts: Show my windows and tabs from last time." Secondly, under the same “General” tab, string out your desired websites one after another. (NOTE: Each URL needs to be separated by the “|” character, also know as a pipe or vertical bar). Finally, be sure that you click on “Use Current Pages” under “Home Page:”
Give it a try.
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9. Lunchtime
A couple of attorneys walk into a bar, order drinks and pull lunches from their briefcases.
“Sorry,” the bartender says, “but you can’t eat your own food here.”
The guys look at each other, shrug their shoulders and swap sandwiches.
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10. A quote I like
Hard work spotlights the character of people: Some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.--Sam Ewing (1920-2001), American author and humorist
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11. Thought for the day
Suzanne Somers is not a doctor so why is she saying all these things?
by Jim Donovan*
Is Suzanne Somers a doctor? No, she’s not. She’s an actress, an entertainer, an entrepreneur and an author. All you need to do is pick up a newspaper, watch a television show, or visit a website to see her being criticized for her books. After all, they say, “She’s not a doctor!”
What these bozos are leaving out however, is the simple fact that Suzanne is not making any medical claims. What she is doing, thankfully, is interviewing some of the top medical professionals in the world as well as sharing information she’s gleamed from the forefront of longevity and complementary medicine.
When she interviews someone like Dr. Russell Blaylock, a leading neurosurgeon with more than thirty years of experience and he is talking about the dangers of food additives, especially excitotoxins like MSG in soft drinks that we’re giving children, it is a medical doctor delivering the message.
When she talks with someone like Eric Braverman, another world-class doctor, it is he, not Suzanne, who is the source of the information.
Throughout her books, particularly “Breakthrough” my personal favorite, Ms. Somers delivers life saving ideas and preventative health information from the top independent medical experts of our time.
The one and only reason that she is attacked is because this information in the hands of masses, will greatly improve the health or our rapidly deteriorating population.
While this seems to you and me to be a good thing, it’s a huge threat to a pharmaceutical industry whose business model is to keep as many people as possible, taking as many drugs as possible. No, Suzanne Somers is not a doctor, but thankfully she’s a writer and she’s not afraid to step out and take the heat to ensure people hear the truth about maintaining their health and not succumbing debilitating disease.
However, don’t take Suzanne’s word for it, nor mine for that matter, find out for yourself. If you want to know more about ways to remain healthy, take responsibility for the state of your health and learn what you need to know to stay as healthy and vibrant as you possibly can. In my book, Don’t Let an Old Person Move Into Your Body, I devoted an entire chapter to this subject and in the back of the book as well as here on my Web site, I list contact information for some of the leading independent sources of health information.
By taking responsibility you’re putting your health back in your own hands where it belongs. By all means visit your doctor regularly, however expecting she or he to “fix” your problems without assistance from you is simply ludicrous.
* Reprinted with the gracious permission of Jim Donovan, a longtime friend and one of my favorite authors/motivational speakers. For more information about him, please click:
http://www.jimdonovan.com/blog/about-2/
MY TWO CENTS:
As is usually the case, I find myself in agreement with what Jim writes . . . Somers is not a medical doctor, but her books have much useful information--and I've found many of them worthwhile reading . . . for more information about what she has written, please click:
http://www.suzannesomers.com/Categories/Library
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12. Advance planning department
A. North Carolina events:
* Y'all are invited to a FREE session I'll be presenting:
Positioning: How to Differentiate Yourself from the Competition.
Gain specific techniques to make your business stand out from the crowd in this informative seminar presented by SCORE.
Blaine Greenfield, a SCORE counselor, will be the presenter. Tuesday, September 14 from 2-4 p.m.
AB Tech Enka Campus, Small Business Center Room 2046
No fee to attend.
RSVP to Jill Sparks by 9.9; 828.254.1921, ext. 5849.
The above session is part of Minority Business Week of Western North Carolina. For the entire week's schedule, please click:
http://wncmedweek.org/events
* Cynthia in North Carolina (see also Section 1A):
Sept.23, 30, Oct. 7, and Oct. 14th from 11:30-1:00
Center for Creative Retirement
828-251-6140
JourneyDance class
JourneyDance 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 if you are comfortable. You honor yourself and what you need in the moment. It is a form of fun, joy, creativity, connection, community, and self-acceptance. For dancers and non-dancers, it is an experience not to be missed!
B. Pennsylvania/New Jersey event:
Join Savannah for a special Crystal Bowls and Mediation session on August 30 from 7-9:30 p.m. in New Britain, PA . . . to quote from the description of the program:
Tonight, through sacred sound and meditation, we will create positive healing energy for ourselves and our beloved Mother Earth. The guided healing meditation and relaxation exercise will create a full sensory experience, including breathing techniques, color imagery, aromatherapy with essential oils, and sound healing.
For more information, please click:
https://susanduvalseminars.com/Events.html
:
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PS. Methinks that we all need to pray for the folks who died in the BP oil spill, as well as for our remaining soldiers in both Iraq and Afghanistan . . . while we're at it, include those in Israel and her neighbors who are seeking peace . . . and perhaps most importantly: Make it a great week, too!
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