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Blaine's Best

BLAINESWORLD
#674
8.31.2009

In this issue:
1. Reflections
2. FYI
3. Cooperation
4. Reviews . . . INGLORIOUS BASTERDS, etc.
5. TV alert
6. State of the art
7. Websites
8. Computer tip
9. Frantic
10. A quote I like
11. Thought for the day
12. Advance planning department

_________________________________________________________

1. Reflections

A. Cynthia, my beautiful bride, and I had a rare week apart when I
had to go "up North" to attend an In-Service Day meeting at Bucks
County Community College . . . I think it was a waste of my
time and money, especially given the fact that I'm just teaching
one online Creativity course this fall . . . my thinking is that
there should be an online option for such meetings, especially
for faculty members living out of town . . . but despite several attempts
on my part to arrange such an option, none was made available.

B. Yet all was not lost because I also used the time to complete
the hours needed for my hypnosis certification from the National
Guild of Hypnotists . . . I did so by running two group stress reduction/
self-hypnosis sessions, attended by 23 folks, and then was able
to schedule seven individual appointments to help with such problems
as smoking cessation, weight loss and conscious eating.

THE OFFER REMAINS:

Just like I did when in Bucks County, I'm willing to work with
you--particularly if you live anywhere near the Asheville, NC
area--to help you kick any habit you want to break . . . as you may
have heard me say, I can help you lose your luggage without going
to the airport.

I'm still not charging anything for this service . . . my only expectation
is that, in return, you'll give me 100% effort toward meeting whatever
goal you set for yourself.

C. I did get to grab a dinner with my daughter Risa and her
husband JP at Michael's Restaurant, a diner located at 2991
Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ; 609.530.1681 . . . the food
there is both plentiful and reasonably-priced . . . . also, I got
to squeeze-in two visits with my favorite chiropractor, Dr. Wendy
Attadgie:

http://attadgiechiropractic.com/index.php

She is the absolute BEST, as is her massage therapist Dana
Pringle . . . hey, you just know that if I was going to get an
adjustment, I was also going to get myself a massage--and I did
that two separate times.

I even managed to catch a show with my friends Natalie and Ivan:
DANGEROUS CORNER . . . it's a psychological drawing-room
thriller that was well-performed by the Langhorne Players . . . George
Hartpence, as always, was excellent in one of the starring roles . . . his
wife, Carol Thompson, also shined . . . do catch it if you can; it runs
through September 12 . . . for more information, please click:

http://www.langhorneplayers.org

D. MR. CURIOUS HERE:

Do you text while driving? I sincerely hope NOT, but if you do or
know somebody who engages in this practice, please click:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rdV9ADjpcg

What about using your cellphone while driving? I've come to the conclusion,
somewhat belatedly, that using a cellphone while driving can be equally
distracting . . . to see for yourself, please click:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAlLZD2LrC8

Think of the above clip when you next look down to pick up your
phone, dial a number, take a call, etc. . . . headsets help--but
not when it comes to taking your eyes away from the road.

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

This week, it goes to Staci O'Brien--an Independent Agent
representing Aflac (American Family Life Insurance Company
of Columbus).

When Bucks would inexplicably not allow me to use a room for the
hypnotism sessions mentioned in Section 1B, Staci stepped
forward--at the request of her mom--and graciously offered the use
of her office . . . this meant that she had to come in and then stay around
for some three hours until the last person had left . . . in addition, Staci
helped with the recruiting efforts, personally inviting some of her
friends and coworkers to attend.

Staci, by the way, is now wearing another hat for Aflac; she's
a Coordinator in Training . . . I can see why she's moving up
the ladder there . . . she's a real people person, interested in
helping others.

If you'd want to contact her with questions about Aflac, the company
that sells insurance for daily living to help you and your family with
unexpected expenses, she can be reached at 267.251.3151. Or
via email: staci_obrien@us.aflac.com.

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_________________________________________________________


2. FYI

If you want to declutter your home or office, consider donating any
unwanted books to Better World Books. When you do so, you'll be
promoting global literacy in the process.

You even get a prepaid shipping label for three or more books. The
company then resells them online and proceeds go to help nonprofit
literacy and education charities.

To date, Better World Books had contributed $6.6 million to charity. If
any book can't be sold, it is simply sent directly to one of five main
partners: Books for Africa, Room to Read, Worldfund, the National
Center for Family Literacy or Invisible Children Inc.

Or if you're simply looking to trade-in your old books for new reading
material, then check out Bookins Inc., which enables you to swap
your dusty, neglected novels for any of 500,000 books or 30,000 DVDs
from other people across the country. Cost in only $4.49 for shipping items
you receive (those you send out are free), and everything’s done through
a centralized warehouse.

For more information, visit either:
 
 
www.bookins.com

FYI, part 2

* Kevin in Pennsylvania:
 
I'm writing to let you know that Ginny is doing very well at Neshaminy Manor
Home (NMH) in Doylestown. She enjoys every day and walks and smiles
with everyone. Although it was difficult to make the move from our home
of 25 years to NMH, we've had the best possible outcome. The staff is so
loving and caring for her.
 
In honor of Ginny's phenomenal care and to aid and support the on-going
efforts of the activities at NMH, I am pleased to invite you to attend and/or
donate to their annual Alzheimer's Awareness Walk. It's a loop around the
facility,and I will be there and many of the residents, their families and friends.
It's unknown whether we'll be able/want to get Ginny out to participate, but
that will be something we face that day.
 
WHEN?
 
Saturday September 20th, 2009: Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. and
after a brief stretch, it's off to the races for a loop around the building.
Probably will end by 11:30 a.m. Rain or shine.
 
DONATE?
 
If you wish to join me and make a small or large donation to their great
effort and support the continued activities they provide: Please send a check
made out to NESHAMINY MANOR  to me (Kevin Jameson)  at PO Box 431,
Doylestown, PA 18901. I will bring it along with me at the event. Thank you
in advance!
 
Feel free to call me anytime if you want to visit with Ginny or talk
about anything!
 
With Love and Regards, Kevin . . . 215.345.6676

* Jo in Pennsylvania (with a REQUEST FOR HELP):

I have a question for you and fellow newsletter readers (if you don't mind).  
My sister-in-law was in an auto accident. After 30 some days, she's
home from the hospital (health coverage says time's up) and doing
outpatient rehab. I think I had sent you the website that Jonson and I
put together  to help organize fundraising efforts. Anyway, there's more
details there:

http://www.friendsofcherylsanderford.org/  

The question is about buying private health insurance. Brian (my brother)
sent this to family today . . .
   
If anyone knows of a good (cheap with good benefits) private insurance
option let me know. I've seen some of the ones on TV and online,
but they are not really insurance, more like discounts.

Do you have any leads on that, and if not, would you mind inquiring? I would
REALLY appreciate it. Their insurance is about to run out.
and she still has a long road of therapy ahead.  

* Floyd in Pennsylvania:

I can say one thing: Every time I read your column, I find ways to cheat
on any diet I was ever thinking of . . . LOL.

I think if I'm ever through or near your area, I'll be trying more than
one place to eat.
 
MY TWO CENTS:

I do eat out with Cynthia quite often, but whenever we do or when we're
eating home for that matter, we tend to watch what we eat . . . we often
split meals in half, so that we can take a portion for another meal . . . we
almost always order dressings and sauces on the side . . . we always
refuse the bread tray . . . and I only have ice cream now once a week as
a "special treat."

* Scott in Pennsylvania, continuing to amaze me with finding so much
FREE stuff out there:

Free Subscription to Drive Performance
 
http://driveperformance.subaru.com/Subscribe/Default.aspx

Free Subscription to LEGO Magazine!

This 12 issue subscription is a great gift idea, too! Call 1.866.534.6258,
Monday to Saturday. You'll need to join the LEGO Club (it's free!) and
give the operator this special code: EGG26.

Free Fruitista Freeze Printable Coupon@ TACO BELL:
 
http://www.kzzp.com/pages/promo/taco-bell/images/free-fruitista-coupon.jpg

* Michael in Nevada (on the subject of PAWN STARS, the TV show):

Every morning I work out in the same gym as Rick, the"blue collar historian"
co-owner of the pawn shop. I hear some of the stories he tells on the show.
He also graduated from the school of Hard Knox.

* Dana in Pennsylvania:

Saw TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE. It was pretty good, but not great . . . not
THAT bad, though!

* Linda in North Carolina (on THE MASTERY OF LOVE):

That good, huh?  And the FOUR AGREEMENTS is not a "Christian" book?

ANSWERS:

Yes. No. (It is a spiritual book that would be of interest to virtually
any reader.)

* Mel in Colorado:
 
What also should have been included in that book [MASTERY] is another
helpful rule: What other people say about you, is NONE OF YOUR
BUSINESS! 

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_________________________________________________________

3. Cooperation

At one point during a game, the coach called one of his 9-year-old
baseball players aside and asked, "Do you understand what cooperation is? 
What a team is?" The little boy nodded in the affirmative.

"Do you understand that what matters is whether we win or lose together
as a team?" The little boy nodded yes. "So," the coach continued, "I'm sure
you know, when an out is called, you shouldn't argue, curse, attack the umpire
or call him a pecker-head. 

"Do you understand all that?"Again the little boy nodded. He continued, "And
when I take you out of the game so another boy gets a chance to play, it's
not good sportsmanship to call your coach a dumb a*s, is it?" Again the
little boy nodded.

"Good," said the coach. "Now go over there and explain all that to your
grandmother."

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_________________________________________________________

4. Reviews

A. INGLORIOUS BASTERDS is up there with the best films I've seen so far
this year (along with 500 DAYS OF SUMMER) . . . it is director Quentin
Tarantino's revisionist look at how a group of Jewish soldiers engage
in targeted acts of retribution against the Germans in World War II . . . there's
humor, suspense, great dialogue and outstanding performances from Brad
Pitt, Mélanie Laurent and Diane Kruger; however, it's Christopher Waltz
who steals just about every scene he's in . . . if he is not nominated for
an Oscar, I would be both surprised and disappointed . . . be forewarned
that there is a good amount of violence, but please don't let that
deter you . . . rated R.

B. THE SOLOIST is now out in DVD format . . . my review from
BLAINESWORLD #656 follows:

Cynthia and I had been seeing coming attractions for THE SOLOIST
for months and couldn't wait to see it . . . the film, based on
a true story about a homeless man with amazing musical talent
who is befriended by a newspaper columnist, looked like it couldn't
miss being a winner . . . sad to say, when we did get to see
it this past week, our reaction was one of disappointment . . . we
found it watchable, in large part because of the performances
of Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. in the two main roles . . they
were fine, but overall, THE SOLOIST just didn't register with us . . . we
weren't as moved by it as we had both hoped and thought we
would be . . rated PG-13.

C. Joseph Finder writes corporate thrillers (PARANOIA, POWER PLAY,
etc) as well as any author today . . . his latest, VANISHED, is no
exception.

It is the story of Nick Heller, a tough and smart investigator
with a private intelligence firm, who is asked to help find his
estranged brother . . . he does so, largely to keep his
brother's son and wife alive.

From page 1, the story speeds along at a pace that
kept me turning pages . . . along the way, I really began
to feel for the main characters--a fact that made the
book even more interesting than books of a similar nature.

In particular, Finder's use of dialogue keeps things moving
along . . . and even had me smiling at times, for example
as exemplified by these passages:

* You call that music?" I said. Just like old farts have been
saying to teenage kids for generations. I imagine Mozart's
dad said something like that, too.

* "Marriage is great--for some people. I just don't think it's in
my skill set."

* My brother and I used to tell a joke when we were kids that
went something like this: Hey, did you hear PLAYBOY just
came out with a magazine just for married men? Yep. Every
month, the centerfold's exactly the same woman.

The chase for those responsible for the disappearance
of Nick's brother had me wondering what would happen until the
very satisfying conclusion of VANISHED.

I only wonder how Finder will top this effort, which is the
first in a proposed series about the main character.

D. A good friend had been touting Marshall Sylver for several
months . . . she kept telling me how his programs were
excellent, and that I should listen to them.

So I finally broke down and just finished PASSION, PROFIT
& POWER--written and read by Sylver . . . and in doing
so, I found out that my friend was right: the author
(also a well-known hypnotist) has many good ideas that
can be applied to just about any profession.

This particular effort is subtitled "A SUBCONSCIOUS
REPROGRAMING SYSTEM TO HELP YOU CREATE THE
RLEATIONSHIPS, MONEY AND PERSONAL WELL-BEING
THAT YOU DESERVE NOW! . . . in large part, it is the
subconscious part that makes it so valuable . . . Sylver
first presents the ideas, then helps you learn them
by showing you how self-hypnosis can be utilized
for this purpose.

Among the useful tidbits I gained from listening were these:

* If you're the one who notices you're in the middle of a disagreement,
it's your responsibility to get things back on track when you know
they're off.

* The key question to ask yourself--to know you're in a healthy
relationship--is whether you are getting more in your life because
of the relationship than you would get if you were out of it.

* Another great way to gain rapport with someone else is to get
them talking about themselves.

* Regarding habits, it usually takes 21 days to form on. . . . To change
a habit, you must first tell yourself that it's already done. Affirm the
change is occurring in the present.

* The are three massively effective programming words to plunge from
your vocabulary to get more of what you want: try, attempt and but.

* Also avoid "whimp" words: hope and if.

The accompanying workbook is excellent, as are the exercises
that are contained in it . . . my favorite one had you think about
and then write down "your perfect day of work."

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_________________________________________________________

5. TV alert

A. Boxing fans will want to catch MAYWHEATHER/MARQUEZ 24/7, an
account of the training camps of undefeated Floyd Mayweather
and JuanManual Marquez who are preparing for their upcoming
September 19 fight . . . Episode #1 airs on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
on HBO and Episode #2 is on Saturday at 10 p.m.

B. To save yourself in a nuclear attack, watch SURVIVING DISTASTER
on Thursday at 11 p.m. on SPIKE . . . new episodes run on Tuesdays
at 10 p.m.

The website features other useful information; e.g., how to survive a
burning high-rise, as well as a hijack . . . to see for yourself, please click:

http://tinyurl.com/lrlgqc

C. Dangerous roads throughout the world are examined on MODERN
MARVELS on Friday at 8 p.m. on HISTORY.

D. MICHEL LOFTUS: YOU'VE CHANGED features the razor-tongued
comedian on Friday at 10 p.m. on COMEDY CENTRAL.

If you're not familiar with him, please click:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWk13vp9cII

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_________________________________________________________

6. State of the art

A man was telling his neighbor, "I just bought a new hearing aid. It
cost me $6,000, but it is state of the art."

"What kind is it?"

"Twelve thirty."

Back To Top
_________________________________________________________

7. Websites

A. Regardless of how you feel about the health care proposals
that are being discussed, please click:

http://grandrants.wordpress.com/2009/07/27/obamacare-the-musical/

Make sure your sound is on . . . that way, you'll get to listen
to ObamaCare: The Musical!

B. A few weeks ago, there was an unassisted triple play in
major league baseball . . . see it for yourself by clicking:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG7rMRs6BFA

Even if you're not a baseball fan, methinks this is one website
that you'll want to forward to your friends and/or relatives who may
like the sport. 

C. BLAINESWORLD, the website, remains up and running . . . to view
it, please click:

http://www.blainesworld.net

If you've ever wondered what this website is all about, just look
at the box at the very top of the homepage (in the middle).

Back To Top
_________________________________________________________

8. Computer tip

Previously (in BLAINESWORLD #651), I mentioned how easy it was
to set up a FREE Google alert; e.g., to notify you whenever you
are mentioned somewhere online . . . if you missed that information,
please click:
 
http://www.google.com/alerts

If you feel there are lies that appear in the records of Google
and other search engines, please click:
 
www.reputationdefender.com

There's a charge for the above service, but keep it in mind if
you ever in the future.

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_________________________________________________________

9. Frantic

A psychiatrist gets a frantic call. 

“You've got to help me, Doctor,” a woman says. “My husband thinks
he’s a big opera star. Every night, he sings every word at the top
of his lungs! Aida! Rigoletto! Traviata!” 

“Send him to me,” the shrink says. “I'll see what I can do.” 

A week later, the woman calls again. “Doc, I don't know how you did it!
He’s not singing nearly as much. Did you cure his delusion?” 

“No,” says the psychiatrist. “I just gave him a smaller part.”

Back To Top
_________________________________________________________

10. A quote I like

Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.--Anam Thubten Rinpoche,
spiritual adviser and charma teacher for the Dharmata Foundation . . . for
more information, please click:

http://www.dharmatameditation.com/tulku-thubten.html

Back To Top
_________________________________________________________

11. Thought for the day 

The following is longish, but it is a "MUST" read. Be forewarned
that it is also a tearjerker.

To my dog loving friends (and others will like it, too):

They told me the big black Lab's name was Reggie as I looked at him lying
in his pen. The shelter was clean, no-kill, and the people really friendly.
I'd only been in the area for six months, but everywhere I went in the small
college town, people were welcoming and open. Everyone waves when
you pass them on the street.

But something was still missing as I attempted to settle in to my new life
here, and I thought a dog couldn't hurt. Give me someone to talk to.
And I had just seen Reggie's advertisement on the local news. The shelter
said they had received numerous calls right after, but they said the people
who had come down to see him just didn't look like "Lab people," whatever
that meant. They must've thought I did.

But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie and
his things, which consisted of a dog pad, bag of toys almost all of which
were brand new tennis balls, his dishes, and a sealed letter from his
previous owner. See, Reggie and I didn't really hit it off when we got home. 
We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter told me to give
him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the fact that I was trying
to adjust, too. Maybe we were too much alike.

For some reason, his stuff (except for the tennis balls--he wouldn't go
anywhere without two stuffed in his mouth) got tossed in with all of my
other unpacked boxes. I guess I didn't really think he'd need all his old stuff,
that I'd get him new things once he settled in. But it became pretty clear
pretty soon that he wasn't going to.

I tried the normal commands the shelter told me he knew, ones like
"sit" and "stay" and "come" and "heel," and he'd follow them--when he felt
like it.  He never really seemed to listen when I called his name--sure, he'd
look in my direction after the fourth or fifth time I said it, but then he'd just
go back to doing whatever. When I'd ask again, you could almost see him
sigh and then grudgingly obey.

This just wasn't going to work. He chewed a couple shoes and some
unpacked boxes. I was a little too stern with him and he resented it,
I could tell. The friction got so bad that I couldn't wait for the two weeks
to be up, and when it was, I was in full-on search mode for my cellphone
amid all of my unpacked stuff. I remembered leaving it on the stack
of boxes for the guest room, but I also mumbled, rather cynically, that the
"damn dog probably hid it on me."

Finally I found it, but before I could punch up the shelter's number, I also
found his pad and other toys from the shelter. I tossed the pad in Reggie's
direction and he snuffed it and wagged, some of the most enthusiasm
I'd seen since bringing him home.  But then I called, "Hey, Reggie, you
like that?  Come here and I'll give you a treat." Instead, he sort of glanced
in my direction--maybe "glared" is more accurate--and then gave a
discontented sigh and flopped down. With his back to me.

Well, that's not going to do it either, I thought.  And I punched the shelter
phone number.

But I hung up when I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten
about that, too. "Okay, Reggie," I said out loud, "let's see if your previous
owner has any advice." . . . 

To Whoever Gets My Dog:

Well, I can't say that I'm happy you're reading this, a letter I told the shelter
could only be opened by Reggie's new owner.

I'm not even happy writing it. If you're reading this, it means I just got back
from my last car ride with my Lab after dropping him off at the shelter. He
knew something was different. I have packed up his pad and toys before
and set them by the back door before a trip, but this time . . . it's like he
knew something was wrong. And something is wrong . . . which is why
I have to go to try to make it right.

So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond
with him and he with you.

First, he loves tennis balls. the more the merrier. Sometimes I think he's part
squirrel, the way he hordes them. He usually always has two in his mouth,
and he tries to get a third in there. Hasn't done it yet. Doesn't matter where
you throw them, he'll bound after it, so be careful--really don't do it by any
roads.  I made that mistake once, and it almost cost him dearly.

Next, commands. Maybe the shelter staff already told you, but I'll go over
them again: Reggie knows the obvious ones--"sit," "stay," "come," "heel."
He knows hand signals: "back" to turn around and go back when you put
your hand straight up; and "over" if you put your hand out right or left. "Shake"
for shaking water off, and "paw" for a high-five. He does "down" when he
feels like lying down--I bet you could work on that with him some more. He
knows "ball" and "food" and "bone" and "treat" like nobody's business.

I trained Reggie with small food treats. Nothing opens his ears like little pieces
of hot dog.

Feeding schedule: twice a day, once about seven in the morning, and again
at six in the evening. Regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand.

He's up on his shots. Call the clinic on 9th Street and update his info
with yours; they'll make sure to send you reminders for when he's due. Be
forewarned: Reggie hates the vet. Good luck getting him in the car--I don't
know how he knows when it's time to go to the vet, but he knows.

Finally, give him some time. I've never been married, so it's only been Reggie
and me for his whole life. He's gone everywhere with me, so please include
him on your daily car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat, and he
doesn't bark or complain. He just loves to be around people, and me most
especially.

Which means that this transition is going to be hard, with him going to live
with someone new.

And that's why I need to share one more bit of info with you . . .

His name's not Reggie.

I don't know what made me do it, but when I dropped him off at the shelter, I
told them his name was Reggie. He's a smart dog, he'll get used to it and
will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. But I just couldn't bear to give them
his real name. For me to do that, it seemed so final, that handing him over
to the shelter was as good as me admitting that I'd never see him again. And
if I end up coming back, getting him, and tearing up this letter, it means
everything's fine. But if someone else is reading it, well . . . well it means
that his new owner should know his real name. It'll help you bond with him. 
Who knows, maybe you'll even notice a change in his demeanor if he's been
giving you problems?

His real name is Tank.

Because that is what I drive.

Again, if you're reading this and you're from the area, maybe my name
has been on the news. I told the shelter that they couldn't make "Reggie"
available for adoption until they received word from my company commander. 
See, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could've left Tank
with . . . and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment
to Iraq, that they make one phone call to the shelter . . . .in the "event"...  to
tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption. Luckily, my colonel is a dog
guy, too, and he knew where my platoon was headed. He said he'd do it
personally.  And if you're reading this, then he made good on his word.

Well, this letter is getting to downright depressing, even though, frankly, I'm
just writing it for my dog. I couldn't imagine if I was writing it for a wife and
kids and family. But still, Tank has been my family for the last six years,
almost as long as the Army has been my family.

And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family and that
he will adjust and come to love you the same way he loved me.

That unconditional love from a dog is what I took with me to Iraq as an
inspiration to do something selfless, to protect innocent people from those
who would do terrible things . . . and to keep those terrible people from
coming over here. If I had to give up Tank in order to do it, I am glad to have
done so. He was my example of service and of love. I hope I honored him
by my service to my country and comrades.

All right, that's enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off
at the shelter. I don't think I'll say another good-bye to Tank, though. I cried
too much the first time. Maybe I'll peek in on him and see if he finally got
that third tennis ball in his mouth.

Good luck with Tank. Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss
goodnight--every night--from me.

Thank you,
Paul Mallory

I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. Sure I had heard
of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even new people like me. 
Local kid, killed in Iraq a few months ago and posthumously earning the
Silver Star when he gave his life to save three buddies. Flags had been
at half-mast all summer.

I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring
at the dog.

"Hey, Tank," I said quietly.

The dog's head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright.

"C'mere boy."

He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor. He sat
in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn't heard
in months.

"Tank," I whispered.

His tail swished.

I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time, his ears lowered,
his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed as a wave of contentment just
seemed to flood him. I stroked his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my
face into his scruff and hugged him.

"It's me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me." Tank
reached up and licked my cheek. "So whatdaya say we play some ball?"
His ears perked again.

"Yeah?  Ball?  You like that? Ball?" Tank tore from my hands and disappeared
in the next room.

And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in his mouth.

Author unknown
(if you know who wrote this and/or the source, please let me know)

NOTE:

I checked and found the above is not true, but it does serve
as a good reminder of how much those in the service give to our
country . . . for more information, please click:

http://www.snopes.com/glurge/reggie.asp

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_________________________________________________________

12. Advance planning department

A. Labor Day Sale!
 
Tunc and Edinah asked me to share this sale that will be running
in Sarar, their store, from 9.4 to 9.7:
 
Buy 1, get 2 free
 
Everything in the store (except accessories).
 
Locations: Madison Ave. (at 46th Street) in NYC and, also, at Garden
State Plaza, Paramus, and Central Valley, NY.
 
Print this part of the newsletter to show Tunc or Edinah . . . or if they're not
there and the store doesn't recognize the "coupon," have the manager
call either of my friends.

For more information about all the Sarar stores, please click:

http://www.sarar.com/en.html 

B. Yours truly is speaking to the residents of my development,
Biltmore Lake, on Friday, September 25, at 7 p.m. . . . the topic,
"Four-mula 4 Success," the 4 things you need to do every day to
market yourself and/or business . . . if you'd like to attend as
my guest, please drop me an email to that effect . . . put
SEPTEMBER 25 the subject line of your email.

C. Get your tickets now to hear Nikki Giovanni, acclaimed poet and
writer . . . she is speaking on "The Balm that is Poetry" and reading
from her new book BICYCLES on Friday, September 25, 7:00 in the
Gateway Auditorium at Bucks County Community College in Newtown,
PA. Also on the program is Kim Allen of Sister Sledge ("We are Family").
Tickets $10; $5 for students. Go to:

www.bucks.edu/tickets

or contact Natalie Kaye, 215.968.8015 or kayen@bucks.edu.

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_________________________________________________________

PS. Please join me in praying that we soon get our remaining soldiers
back from Iraq and Afghanistan and, also, that peace comes to Israel
and her neighbors. . .  make it a great week, too!

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Blaine Greenfield
19 N. Kaufmann Stone Way
Biltmore Lake, NC 28715
Phone : 828.633.1049
    FAX : 828.633.1327 

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