Despite the lateness of the day, Chris Smith--the team's assistant general

manger--kept our interest with his engaging account of what minor league

baseball is all about . . . in addition, we were impressed with how much

the Tourists do to help build a better community . . . he then surprised

us with a Tourists' cap on the way out . . . so though you don't see me

with it on in the above picture, don't be surprised if you see me wearing

it around town.

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

This week, it goes to Gary Shuford--the manager of a place called
the Ice Cream Garden that Cynthia and I somehow stumbled upon
while wandering around Biltmore Village.

Gary was friendly, as well as helpful, and made our first visit
to his place a memorable one . . . he also dishes out generous
portions, which is always a plus . . . and they have some
unusual flavors, plus a range of toppings (including chocolate
sprinkles, something that surprisingly isn't to be found in a lot
of places in this area).

To find the place, look for Legacies at 2 Boston Way, Asheville;
888.879.8886 . . . you'll see a sign with an ice cream cone
in front; come around the back, and you'll find the Ice Cream Garden.

 

It's slated to be open throughout the winter, weather permitting.
 
_________________________________________________________


2. FYI

During the week, Cynthia and I also got to hear a most informative
presentation on "The #1 Relationship Booster: The Power of
Appreciation" . . . it was delivered by Pripo Teplitsky, a licensed
professional counselor, who shared his belief that heartfelt
appreciation to another person is the quickest way to enhance
the flow of positive energy in any relationship.

Not only did he effectively deliver his message, but he then
had audience members actually practice the skills that support
how to communicate this appreciation . . . this can be done verbally
and/or in writing by completing such statements as the following:

I love how you . . .
I feel hopeful about us when you . . .
I appreciate the way you . . .
I am grateful how you . . .
I feel good when we . . .
Thank you for . . . 
It makes me smile to see . . .
What I love about you is . . . etc.

What's most important: After you have expressed your appreciations to your

partner, notice your improved feelings and inside be appreciative of the way

you feel.

Should you want to learn more about this topic or Pripo's fine work,
call him at HeartShare Counseling & Consulting Services . . . the
number is 828.687.6571.

FYI, part 2

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

Can you ask your readers if they know of places or activities that cater
to singles for New Year's Eve in the Yardley/Phila/South Jersey areas.
Thanks.

* Marilynne in North Carolina:

My brother sent me the following link to all the national Black Friday
sales, it's a pretty interesting site and includes all the usual suspects:
Best Buy, Home Depot, Amazon, etc. The site has links to the actual ads
that will be appearing this week; you can print them out.

I just discovered that the flat screen TV I bought at Best Buy last week will
be $50 less on BF.   I'm told I can bring in my sales receipt on Friday and
get a credit for the difference.  If I can deal with the crowds . . .

Check it out You can also subscribe to the site, which according to my
brother, is legitimate.

http://bfads.net/

* Verna in New Jersey:

READ THIS AND THEN RE-COPY IT TO YOUR OWN STATUS TO GET
THE WORD OUT: If you get a notification that says a friend reported you
to Facebook for being offensive or in violation of terms of service, do NOT
click it. It's a virus.

TO THOSE READERS ON FACEBOOK:

If we haven't becomes "friends" yet, invite me to be one . . . you can
reach me at Facebook via:

http://www.facebook.com/blainegreenfield

* Ruth in Pennsylvania:

Loves the interview I did with two-time Oprah guest:

http://tinyurl.com/y8mk3k2

MY TWO CENTS:

THANKS, Ruth, for sharing . . . these were fantastic, and I'm sure that others

will enjoy them too!

* Scott in Pennsylvania (with another great FREEBIE):

The safest way to use your phone while driving. Zoomsafer, software for
your mobile phone, helps you focus on the road and prevent
distracted driving. For more information, please click:

 

http://www.zoomsafer.com/what-is-zoom/zoom-products/zoomfree.aspx

* Michael in Las Vegas:

MY two cents: I also have used 

http://www.cheapoair.com

as well as

http://www.travelocity.com 

for great air/hotel deals.  "Wanna make your trip/vacation last longer?" . . . you
can  see color pictures of the various hotels and start your imaginary journey
well before you get there . . . the fun begins during your research. Once you
start your journey, the trip is over before you know it.

_________________________________________________________

3. Santa at the mall

My friend Artie loves playing Santa at the mall. But parents often have trouble
getting young children to sit on his knee. It took a lot of coaxing for one little
girl to perch there, so Artie got straight to the point.

“What do you want most of all for Christmas?” he asked. 

She answered, “Down!”

_________________________________________________________

4. Reviews

A. A few years ago, I read THE BLIND SIDE by Michael Lewis . . . it
was one of my favorite books of the year . . . now, after seeing the
movie version that has the same title. I'd have to say that it's
going to go on my list of favorites for this year . . . it is the true
story of Michael Oher, a homeless youngster from a broken home,
taken in by the Touhys--an affluent white family, who help
him . . . Sandra Bullock does her best work in quite some time as
the mother of the Oher character (well-played by Quinton Aaron,
a virtual newcomer) . . . rated PG-13, though appropriate for any boy
over 9 . . . females will like this film, too.

B. Out on DVD is FUNNY PEOPLE . . . it's a supposed comedy
about a comedian who has a near-death experience . . . I don't
recall laughing or even smiling through the whole thing. . . Neither
Adam Sandler nor Seth Rogen could save this turkey . . . rated R.

A much better rental would be MR. HOLLAND'S OPUS . . . Richard
Dreyfuss is outstanding as a music teacher who takes a high school
teaching job so he can pay the bills . . . so instead of composing,
his true love, he winds up in the classroom for over 30 years where
he changes the lives of many of his students--often neglecting
his own child . . . rated PG . . . this is a film that the whole
family will enjoy and should try to watch together.

C. Like everybody else, I was both amazed and thrilled in January, 2009
when Captain "Sully" Sullenberger brought a crippled US Airways
flight onto the Hudson River, saving the lives of all the passengers
and crew . . . I watched all the news accounts, yet it was
not until I completed his excellent autobiography (HIGHEST
DUTY, written with collaborator Jeffrey Zaslow) that I could truly
appreciate the magnitude of the feat--as well as what a remarkable
person Sullenberger is.

The book  gives you all the details of the landing, as you might
expect . . . one even made me laugh:

* When we go to the hotel on the night of the incident, we were still
in our wet clothes. All our belongings, of course, were on the plane.
A fellow pilot who had come to help us ran out to a convenience store
and purchased toiletries for us. Because we had no dry clothing, he
also bought Jeff and me an identical wardrobe: black sweatsuits, black
socks, and black, size-34 low-rise briefs. A week later I told him, "My
wife liked those low-rise briefs. They're sexier than the whitey-tighties
I normally wear." Jeff responded: "Your wife may like yours, but I'm a
lot thicker around the middle than you are. Looks like they have us
the same-size briefs. On me, it looks like a thong."

However, what moved me about the book was how Sullenberger
wove the details of the flight around his personal life . . . the
subtitle says it all: MY SEARCH FOR WHAT REALLY
MATTERS . . . he made me truly appreciate what a pilot
misses (for example, often half of his or her child's lives) and
just what being in this profession entails:

* I am a man of routine, and there's a precision to my life that leaves
Lorrie [his wife] rolling her eyes sometimes. She says I'm very controlled
and regimented, and though she believes that is part of what makes me
a good pilot, it also makes me hard to live with on occasion. Lorrie knows
other pilots' spouses who describe them the same way. Like me, they'll
come home after days away and try to take charge, annoying loved ones
by reorganizing the dishes in the dishwasher, finding a more efficient way
to stack everything. I guess the flying culture-all our training-is what makes
us so organized. Or, as Lorrie suspects, maybe there's a certain type
of personality attracted to the profession.

In addition, there were many life lessons that I came away after
reading HIGHEST DUTY . . . yet it was what Sullenberger shared
toward the end of the book that really got me thinking:

* I flew thousands of flights in the last forty-two years, but my entire career
is not being judged by how I performed on one of them. This has been a 
reminder to me: We need to try to do the right thing every time, to perform
at our best, because we never know which moment in our lives we'll
be judged on.

If you know any pilots or folks in the airline industry, this is a great
gift item for them . . . however, even if you're not personally
interested in flying, get and read this book soon . . . it, like
Sullenberger, is a real winner.

MORE ON THE SUBJECT (of real winners):

I don't ordinarily profile collaborators, but I will in this case . . . Zaslow,
a columnist with THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, is rapidly becoming
one of my favorite authors . . . the book he coauthored with Randy Pausch,
THE LAST LECTURE, is a title you MUST read . . . . it's as good
as it gets . . . then, a year later, he followed it up with another
bestseller--THE GIRLS FROM AMES . . . add these titles, too,
to your holiday shopping list.

D. Some books are actually better in the CD version, such
as ALWAYS LOOKING UP--written and read by Michael J.
Fox . . . I say that because while I imagine it is a fine book to read,
I do believe that you'd like it even more if you heard it like I
did . . . that way, you get to actually hear Fox' voice, which
will bring back memories of why you liked him so much (think
FAMILY TIES, BACK TO THE FUTURE, etc.)

Yet this is not a book about his show business career, though
there are bits and pieces about it that are thrown in . . . rather,
it is an update of his earlier book: LUCKY MAN . . . since
that was published, the author has not regularly appeared on the
screen . . .he instead has undertaken become an incurable
optimist, becoming perhaps this country's leading activist
for a cure for Parkinson's Disease.

I was touched to  learn how Fox manages to get through
his daily life, made increasingly difficult by his illness . . . yet you
don't get the feeling he is complaining about what has happened
to him . . . he just does what he has to do, yet a lot
more as he has also gotten involved in both politics and
the running of the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

There's also information about how his situation has affected
his wife and children (in many ways, it seems, in a positive
fashion) . . . and, of course, the trademark Fox wit shines
through when he throws in such one-liners as this one:

* Keep the fight clean and the sex dirty.

_________________________________________________________

5. TV alert

A. BIGGEST LOSER: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? has over 40
contestants from the past seven seasons return to show off their
post-ranch bods . . . Wednesday at 8 p.m. on NBC.

B. Wednesday is the night for Sting is on GREAT PERFORMANCES
at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings because PBS times and
dates often vary), followed by PAUL McCARTNEY: GOOD EVENING
NEW YORK CITY at 10 p.m. on ABC.

C. ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME CONCERT . . . Springsteen,
Aretha, Simon and even Garfunkle are among the rock royalty
performing at the Hall's 25th anniversary celebration . . . Sunday
at 8 p.m. on HBO.

D. MEET THE NATIVES: USA starts with two episodes on Sunday
at 9 p.m. on THE TRAVEL CHANNEL . . . this reality show is about
five tribesmen from the Vanuatu island of Tanna who are given clothes
and after being transported to the U.S., are introduced to the natives
of various cities . . . according to THE WALL STREET JOURNAL,
"Their experiences--such as saloon-dancing in Montana, getting
pedicures in Orange County and a "low-fro" at a barbershop in the
Deep South--are fun to watch."

_________________________________________________________

6. Rough times

Here is the best description of the current state of the economy that I've
heard lately:

This is worse than a divorce. I've lost half my money and still have
my wife!

_________________________________________________________

7. Websites

A. In honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, please click:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR0OrgKtgsM

Crank up your speakers when doing so . . . and THANKS
to Arlene in Pennsylvania for telling me about the above.

B. For the BEST way to deal with telemarketers I have
ever heard, please click:

http://800notes.com/articles/Video.aspx/ZYW4XYBo8ADI_gjJXHU9pA

Methinks if you used something similar, you wouldn't get
many more telemarketing calls . . . however, that reduction
may well be offset by all your friends and relatives calling
you just to hear the message!

THANKS, also, to Janeen in Pennsylvania for sharing that one.

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

http://www.blainesworld.net

In case this is one of your first visits, make sure you check out the
headings to the left for additional information . . . when you do,
"follow" my eyes as you highlight the headings.

_________________________________________________________

8. Computer tip

Last week, I mentioned Windows Search as an option for quickly finding
documents, email, etc. . . . I use it from time to time, but I actually
prefer Searchopia instead:

http://www.sunrizen.com/

It's not nearly as fast as Windows Search, but it is much more
thorough for finding a single word or series of words in any
document you may have on your hard drive . . . it has been
around for a long time; my only hope is that it will work
with Windows 7 or a new version will come out (though I'm not
holding my breath).

Give it a try. You won't be disappointed.

_________________________________________________________

9. It's easy

The preacher, in his Sunday sermon, used "Forgive Your Enemies" as his
subject. After a long sermon, he asked how many were willing to forgive
their enemies. About half held up their hands.

Not satisfied, he harangued for another twenty minutes and repeated his
question. This time, he received a response of about 80 percent. Still
unsatisfied, he lectured for another 15 minutes and repeated his question.
With all thoughts now on Sunday dinner, all responded except one elderly
lady in the rear.

"Mrs. Hill, are you not willing to forgive your enemies?"

"I don't have any."

"Mrs. Hill, that is very unusual. How old are you?"

"Ninety three."

"Mrs. Hill, please come down in front and tell the congregation how a
person can live to be ninety-three and not have an enemy in the world."

The little sweetheart of a lady tottered down the aisle, very slowly turned
around and said: "It's easy, I just outlived the bit*hes."

_________________________________________________________

10. A quote I like

You don't drown by falling into water. You only drown if you stay
there.--Zig Ziglar, American author, salesperson and motivational
speaker

_________________________________________________________

11. Thought for the day 

Twas the night of Thanksgiving,
But I just couldn't sleep.
I tried counting backwards,
I tried counting sheep.

The leftovers beckoned:
The dark meat and white,
But I fought the temptation
With all of my might.

Tossing and turning with anticipation.
The thought of a snack became infatuation.
So, I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door,
And gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore.
Gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,
Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.

I felt myself swelling so plump and so round,
Till all of a sudden, I rose off the ground.
I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky.
With a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie.
But, I managed to yell as I soared past the trees…
Happy eating to all - pass the cranberries, Please.

May your stuffing be tasty,
May your turkey be plump.
May your potatoes 'n gravy have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious.
May your pies take the prize.
May your Thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs!

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

_________________________________________________________

12. Advance planning department

A. Cathy in Pennsylvania:

"This is so cool! This is so cool!” a thirteen-year-old boy repeated
as he squeezed rounds from a real M-16, picking off “enemy combatants” 
in a video game while perched atop a real Army Humvee. “I just came
to the mall to skateboard but everyone said this was pretty cool. . . . "
 
This is not what we want our children to learn! Stop the militarization
of our youth.

At noon on Friday, November 27, the busiest shopping day of the year
known as BLACK FRIDAY, join the noon vigil at the corner of Knights
and Woodhaven Roads, to let thousands of shoppers on the busiest
shopping day of the year know that we're not shopping the Mall, and are
encouraging others to do the same, as long as it is home to the Army
Experience Center.  Walk with us to the Franklin Mills Mall to let store
owners and Mall management know that they have the power to Close
the Army Experience Center.
 
The Army has stated that they would not be building more of these centers. 
They have never said that there are plans to close this one!!!
 
Please see our website for more information on this very important event:

http://www.cfpabuxmont.org

B. My community, Biltmore Lake, has an upcoming event that I thought
would be of interest; e.g., if you live anywhere near Asheville:

Resident Cynthia  Greenfield (see also Section 1A) is offering a fun
enjoyable FREE  workshop:
 
Move Your Body (Journey Dance) 

When: 7:00-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 1

Where:  Clubhouse

Move Your Body is a freeing movement experience. You start with a short
meditation and yoga-like stretches to warm up. Then, using inspiring music
from around the world, you are softly led into easy-to-follow movements. At
times you follow, and other times you move intuitively on your own. You are
encouraged to honor yourself at all times. It is a form of fun, joy, creativity,
connection, community and self-acceptance. You end with a delicious
relaxation exercise. The Move Your Body experience will leave you feeling
renewed, empowered and invigorated.

Move Your Body includes and celebrates all types of bodies, people and
energy levels. No yoga or dance background required. This is an experience
that ALL Biltmore Lake residents, both men and women, will enjoy.

Instructor bio:

Cynthia Greenfield is a certified JourneyDance and Kripalu Dancekinetics
instructor. She has extensive experience in the areas of yoga, meditation
and breathing techniques. She moved to Biltmore Lake with her husband
Blaine a year ago, retiring from having been a guidance counselor. One of
her joys now is to offer these movement experiences to the Asheville
community.

Please RSVP by Monday, November 30th--either on the Intranet RSVP
system or directly with Cynthia. Feel free to contact Cynthia with any
questions: 828.633.1049 or cgreenfield1001@aol.com.  

C. Mei in Pennsylvania:

A cast of 28 eager performers will multiply the laughs in “Exponential Journey:
An Evening of Comedy Improv That Will Take You Here to There and Back
Again”

December 4th (Fri) and 5th (Sat).
7 p.m. (both nights) at Bucks County Community College
275 Swamp Road, Newtown, PA in the Gateway Auditorium.

Admission is $5 at the door.  For more information, call the Department
of the Arts at 215.968.8425.

The biannual comedy showcase is directed by Bill McLaughlin, himself
a comedy veteran, who has taught improvisational performance at his alma
mater for more than four years. He honed his comedy craft in Chicago
under the tutelage of the famous Del Close, then spent the next 25 years
performing improv in New York City.

D. Robin in Pennsylvania:

Just in time for holiday gift giving . . . beautiful unique hand-crafted
gifts . . .

My dear friend Elaine Daniels will be selling her jewelry at an open studio
sale from December 10-13.

Location: 919 S. 7th St., Philadelphia, PA.

Times: Thursday, 5-8 p.m., Friday, noon-8 p.m., Sat. & Sun., noon-6 p.m.

For more information: 215.588.4622 or 610.308.8695.

_________________________________________________________


PS. Happy turkey day (aka Thanksgiving) to you and your
families . . . and to help get you in the mood, please read Sections
7A and 11 . . . also, please join me in praying that we soon get our
remaining soldiers back from Iraq and Afghanistan . . . .and that peace
comes to Israel and her neighbors. . .  make it a great week, too!

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