It somewhat tided us over for the week, in that we spent a rare Thanksgiving holiday
apart . . . in fact, it was the only time we have ever been separated for this holiday--and we

have decided that it will probably be our last.

She visited her sister and brother in New Jersey, and I stayed home to take care of the

cats . . . hey, it's a tough life, but somebody had to do it.

B. Also, I had to spend much of the time finishing my sabbatical report that I recently submitted

to Bucks County Community College . . . it contained the results of the smoke cessation programs
that I ran last spring . . . I'm pleased to report that we were able to help several folks quit

completely and/or reduce their consumption of cigarettes--as can be seen in the following

chart:

SPECIAL THANKS:

 

If you'd like a copy of the whole report, put the word REPORT in the subject line of an email and

send it to bginbc@aol.com.

 

ALSO, DON'T FORGET:

 

If you'd like me to hypnotize you to help you quit smoking or for any purpose, give a holler . . . I'm

continuing to do such work in person in the Asheville area, but also via phone or Skype for those

living elsewhere.

 

C. In addition, I spent much of the week recovering from flu-like symptoms . . . I went to the doctor

and she said that because I did not have a high fever, she could tell it was not the flu . . . rather,

she called it the "crud" . . . I later found out that's a term used at least by folks in North

Carolina when they can't come up with some other name for an illness . . . when pressed,

my doctor said I had an upper respiratory illness--aka a cold.

 

My doctor recommended that I take Claritin-D and a prescription nose spray . . . they

worked, somewhat, but dried me up . . . I eventually did better by switching to a sugar-free

menthol cough drop and Vicks 44 for a cough that I had developed, along with

a nightly application (THANKS, Cynthia!) of Vicks Vapor Rub . . . I put this on my

chest, as well as on my feet . . . the latter locale is one of these old wife's tales that

did seem to help.

 

D. CONRATULATIONS to:

 

*   Matt Cipriano, Director Student Life; Jean Dolan, Assistant Director, Public Relations;

Karen Goeller, Director, Enterprise Systems;  and  Linda McCann, Director, Library Services

at Bucks. These individuals have made major contributions to the life of the College and 

recently received well-deserved Administrative Special Recognition Awards.

 

* Kohlepp Investments for being named as a 2009 Five Star Wealth Manager by PHILADELPHIA

MAGAZINE  For more information, please click:

 

 

* Mark Sfirri,who has been selected to receive the James Renwick Alliance 2010

Distinguished Educator Award. The honorees were selected for their reputation for excellence

and innovation in education, their influence on students in their field, and for their contributions

to American education in the craft field. He will be honored on Monday, December 7,

at a reception  in the Hicks Art Center Gallery at Bucks County Community College

 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

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

This week, it goes to  Robin James--a pharmacist at my local CVS
on Smokey Park Highway in Candler, NC . . . in recovering from my
aforementioned cold, I sought some over-the-counter stuff that
could help me . . . Robin was not only available, but she also
came out from the counter and walked me directly to the aisle
to show me what she thought would work best . . . she also
answered all my question in a patient and thorough manner . . . I
did not feel rushed by her and appreciated the good advice that
she gave me (it seemed to help, too) . . . as I was ringing-up my
transaction, she encouraged me call CVS to answer the few
evaluation questions that were mentioned on my receipt . . . I
don't usually do so, but did this time because of her encouragement
and the fact that she said that the Candler store has even had
some $1,000 winners . . . I didn't win a cash prize; however,
if I win the big prize, methinks that will be even better!

_________________________________________________________


2. FYI

I get a lot of forwarded email and much of it is spam . . . or items
of dubious value . . . from time to time, though, some gems sneak
through . . . such as this one:
 
XEROX IS DOING SOMETHING COOL AGAIN THIS YEAR
 
If you go to this web site:

http://www.LetsSayThanks.com
 
you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will
be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out
who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services. How
AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!!
 
It is FREE and it only takes a second. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the
soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the
war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them. This takes
just 10 seconds, and it's a wonderful way to say thank you. Please take
the time and please take the time to pass it on for others to do. We can
never say enough thank you's. Thanks for taking to time to support
our military!
 
AS ALWAYS:
 
I checked on the validity of the above; i.e., by sending it on to you . . . I
urge you to do the same by clicking:

 

http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/letssaythanks.asp

FYI, part 2

* Mel in Colorado:

Have you lost a pet lately? Then you know how painful it is. I am hosting
a teleseminar this coming Monday evening Dec. 7, at 8 PM EST. In one hour,
I can help you move forward "from mourning to morning." I have been a Rabbi
and Grief Specialist for 35 years, and I invite you to join me. For more
information, go to:

http://tinyurl.com/yca72wk.

* Jaclyn in Pennsylvania:

If you're going to buy a Christmas Tree this year and are looking for a way
to give back to the community, stop down to Snowball's Christmas Tree Lot
on Route 413 across from Wal-Mart in Bristol (near Rt. 13). In addition to
running a food and coat donation, these guys also donate a portion of the
proceeds to charity. They're very knowledgeable about choosing and caring
for your tree and are sensitive to budgets, selling Douglas and Frasier Furs
starting at $20. Mention BLAINESWORLD for $5 off your tree!

Snowballs is located ON Route 413, across the street from the side entrance
to the Wal-Mart Complex, approaching Route 413. Snowballs is located
between Route 413, Western Drive and Old Rodgers Road and is visible from
Route 413.

For more information, please call Brian at 215.919.6469, email us at

snowballstrees@gmail.com, join our Facebook fan page (search "Snowball's
Christmas Tree Lot") or follow us on twitter at twitter.com/snowballstrees.

* Jean in Pennsylvania:

A good free newsletter you may want to subscribe to: WYLIE'S WRITING
TIPS . . . for instance, it advises the best length of a tweet to be
only 129 characters . . .. for more information, please click:

http://tinyurl.com/pqjsf

* Risa in New Jersey (NOT my daughter):

HWPN LOVE TO WALK TEAM

Sunday, December 6th at 9 a.m. (meet at 8 a.m.)
Livingston Mall, Livingston, NJ

Join me to raise awareness and support for Arthritis.

Team page for registration

Inquires: 973.761.5758 or email me at risa@risaolinsky.com

* Laura in New Jersey:

Does anyone have any idea of how to suggest a good book for a movie to a
producer such as Sandra Bullock? I read "The Morning Gift" by Eva Ibbotson,
which is a very funny book about a British professor who marries a young
German Jewish woman to get her out of Nazi Germany and then lets her live
on her own with her parents and their funny relatives who had already gotten
out.  I think it would make a great movie. 
 
Also, since you seem to know what is on the TV schedule . . . I have heard
that there is going to be a competition of a cappella sing groups on TV and
have no idea of what channel or when. I don't want to miss it. Can you
research that for me?

MY RESPONSE (AT LEAST TO THE SECOND QUESTION):

This new show airs on December 14 . . . for more information, please click:

http://tinyurl.com/yd9zqxp

* Pat in Pennsylvania:

Well I have to admit you two seem to be full-fledged locals now. And I
am equally impressed at how you two have gotten involved in the community
and how you write about so many people of the different people you have
met down there!! Laughing here . . . it's almost like you are the mayor. Ha!!!

I started to think about how not too long ago you two made the rounds
of checking out places to live/retire. And gosh, can you imagine if you went
to one of the other places you visited to live? I do not get the feeling you'd
be having as much fun as the two of you are having now, right? So keep
it up!

ACTUALLY:

We're having more fun than Pat commented on!

* Leslie in North Carolina:

I just briefly read your newsletter and noticed that you found Kayak. I have
used it.  I use it like Google to find prices and schedules of all flights
searching the route I would like to travel. However, I have the American
Express Delta rewards program.  I try to fly Delta most of the time in order
to get the rewards. ( In fact it only cost us$120 for both of us to fly last August
from Asheville to NY). I usually find that Delta is competitive with the other
airlines. In fact,, Delta is a bit cheaper from NY to Asheville than US Airways.

* Lana in Ohio:

Just an FYI about telemarketers: there is a national do not call list and one
can sign up, I believe, at the post office for the appropriate form. There is also
a website: 

https://www.donotcall.gov/

* Robin in Pennsylvania:

Go to Zen Habits:  

http://zenhabits.net/

Read: How We Can Help Alleviate World Poverty in Three Easy Steps

Act.

I know times are tough for many right now, but as little as $25--an amount
most of us spend without thinking on two movie tickets and not much
more--can make a HUGE difference.

Won't you join me in taking this small step to making a difference in the world? 

_________________________________________________________

3. New perspective

Students in a high school history class were discussing the
qualifications to be president of the United States. It seemed to be
pretty simple: the candidate must be a natural-born citizen
of at least 35 years of age. However, one girl in the class
immediately started in on how unfair was the requirement to
be a natural-born citizen.

In short, her opinion was that this requirement prevented
many capable individuals from becoming president. The other
students in the class were just taking it in and letting her rant, but
everybody's jaw hit the floor when she wrapped up her argument
by asking, "What makes a natural born citizen any more
qualified to lead this country than one born by C-section?"

GETTING SERIOUS (FOR JUST A MOMENT):

As you may know, some have raised similar concerns about President
Obama; i.e., that he is not a natural-born citizen . . . here's what
I have found out:

 

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/citizen.asp

_________________________________________________________

4. Reviews

A. Enjoyed PIRATE RADIO (aka BOAT THAT ROCKED), a quirky
comedy about a group of British DJs who challenged Rock and Roll listening
habits in the 1960s . . . though there were a whole host of groups making
headlines at the time (think Beatles, Rolling Stones, etc.), the
BBC would not give them air time . . . so some stations
challenged this monopoly by playing music from the
middle of the Northern Atlantic . . . this drove the government
crazy . . . Philip S. Hoffman, Bill Nighy (always one of
my favorite actors), Rhys Ifans and Kenneth Branaugh are
all excellent, along with many others in the large cast
that were new to me . . . the best part of the movie, however,
was the soundtrack . . . it featured music from such performers as
The Kinks, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Cat Stevens, Moody
Blues, Dustry Springfield, The Who and two songs from arguably
the greatest rock group of all time, The Turtles . . . rated R.

TO LISTEN TO CLIPS FROM ALL 32 SONGS:

http://tinyurl.com/ye6u6nc

AND FOR THE REAL STORY:

After I saw PIRATE RADIO, I wanted to find out if any of
it was true . . . apparently so; see for yourself by clicking:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120358447

B. UP is now out in DVD format . . . my review from BLAINESWORLD
#661 follows:

UP is the a gem of a film for just about anybody . . . adults will like it, but
so will their kids and grandkids . . . it is the animated story of a
78-year-old balloon salesman (Ed Asner in fine form) who gets to fill
his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons
to his house and flies away to South America . . . but only en route does
he discover there's a stowaway, an annoying 8-year-old scout who can
only get a merit badge if he helps a senior citizen.

There's a five-minute portion toward the beginning of UP that traces
the salesman's life with his wife . . . it is as touching as anything
I've seen in the movies for quite some time . . . whatever you do,
when you see it, make sure you see the 3-D version . . . you'll have
to pay more, but it will be worth it . . . rated PG.

C. Allen Carr's EASY WAY TO STOP SMOKING is, by far, the
best book I've ever read on that topic . . . it has helped
several people that I know kick the urge to smoke.

So I was curious to see if the author could be of similar help
to people with weight issues . . . I therefore obtained another
book he has written. ALLEN CARR'S EASYWEIGH TO LOSE
WEIGHT, in attempt to see if it made as much sense
as his other effort.

Though perhaps not quite as good, I still think it has a lot to offer . . . Carr
goes through each of the reasons that people tend to overeat, then
quite clearly and logically points out why they make little
sense . . . he also states that:

* You can eat as much of your favorite foods as you want to, as often as
you want, and be the exact weight that you want to be, without having
to diet or undergo special exercise or even having to use willpower
or discipline.

How is this possible? The key is as follows:

* Because our brainwashed minds have confused ideas about the reasons
why we eat, we try to clear our plates at each and every course of the meal.
If you stick to the principle of eating when you are hungry and stopping when
you have satisfied that hunger, you will not only enjoy every meal, but you
will have no weight problems. However, I would emphasize that I said stop
eating when you have satisfied your hunger, and not your gluttony. Does
this still make you feel deprived? Just think about it. Is this really a
restriction? Why would you even want to eat if you weren't hungry? Get
it clearly into your mind: Eating is pleasurable--over-eating is objectionable.

Carr then presents a series of simple, easy-to-follow instructions to make
it possible to attain your ideal weight . . . as he asks:

* Wouldn't it be nice if you knew for certain the exact weight that you should
be? You can! It's the weight you happen to be when, clad only in underwear,
you can stare at your reflection in a full-length mirror and admire what you
see. It's the weight you are when you wake up each morning completely
rested, bursting with energy, looking forward to each new day with genuine
joie de vivre.

I don't know if I'll quite ever get to that point; i.e., being able to wake
up each morning feeling that way . . . however, I certainly plan
to try . . . this book gave me some great ideas to use along the way.

D. I've long admired Barbara Walters as a television journalist . . . however,
until I heard AUDITION, her autobiography that she both wrote and
read, I knew little about her.

This was a most enjoyable book that I'd recommend to anybody
interested in finding about more about what makes Walters tick . . . I learned
that she lived a nomadic childhood, often moving because her father
Lou Walters would be involved in various nightclub ventures throughout
the country.

She then became perhaps the most successful female newscaster
of all time, largely because she had to stand up to such counterparts
as Frank McGee and then Harry Reasoner . . . it wasn't easy at times;
however, she persevered and eventually won the prestigious Lifetime
Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts
and Science.

There are a lot of details about her encounters with such celebrities as Judy
Garland, Golda Meir, Richard Nixon, Fidel Castro . . . but to Walters'
credit, none of it feels gossipy . . . rather, it's almost as if you're sitting
down with her over coffee and watching the TV show she now co-hosts,
THE VIEW.

I particularly liked her advice about the right ways and the wrong
ways to ask touchy questions. When dealing with a heinous killer,
for instances, Walters advises against asking, "How could you be such
a monster?" Far better to do it this way: "There are people who think
you are a monster. How do you respond to that?"

In addition, I got a kick out of reading about her reaction to Gilda Radner's
caricature of her as "Baba Wawa" on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE . . . though
audiences found it "hysterically funny," she at first found the spoof
"extremely upsetting"  . . . only when her daughter told her to
"lighten up" did she realize she was losing all perspective . . . Walters
later met Gilda Radner and told her she thought the caricature
was funny, and when Radner died of ovarian cancer, Walters sent
a simple note to her husband, Gene Wilder . . . it read: "She made
me laugh. I will miss her. Baba Wawa."

_________________________________________________________

5. TV alert

A. STEVEN SEGAL LAWMAN features the action-film vet
as a real-life Louisiana sheriff's officer deputy . . . the show
premieres on Wednesday at 10 p.m. on A&E.

B. Rob Riggle (onetime correspondent on THE DAILY SHOW) hosts
a night of comedy on LIVE AT GOTHAM ON Friday at 11 p.m.
on COMEDY CENTRAL.

C. DEBBIE MACOMBER'S MRS. MIRACLE stars Doris Roberts and
James Van Deer Beek in a holiday tale about a brokenhearted widower
who gets a little assists with his motherless twins from a truly
divine housekeeper . . . Saturday at 8 p.m. on HALLMARK.

D. ROBIN WILLIAMS: WEAPONS OF SELF-DESTRUCTION
has the stand-up comedian returning to stand-up stage . . . Sunday
at 9 p.m. on HBO.

_________________________________________________________

6. Turkey season

A game warden was driving down the road when he came upon a young
boy carrying a wild turkey under his arm. He stopped and asked the boy,
"Where did you get that turkey?"

The boy replied, "What turkey?"

The game warden said, "That turkey you're carrying under your arm."

The boy looks down and said, "Well, lookee here, a turkey done roosted
under my arm!'"

The game warden said, "Now look, you know turkey season is closed, so
whatever you do to that turkey, I'm going to do to you. If you break his leg,
I'm gonna break your leg. If you break his wing, I'll break your arm. Whatever
you do to him, I'll do to you. So, what are you gonna do with him?"

The little boy said, "I guess I'll just kiss his butt and let him go!"

_________________________________________________________

7. Websites

A. If you live in Asheville or plan to visit in the near future, please click:

http://www.halfpriceasheville.com/intro.php

You'll find half price gift certificates for some of the area's best
establishments . . . only a limited number of gift certificates
for each establishment are provided, so you have to be
fast . . . but check back frequently because the offers
frequently change.

In addition, it it's restaurant coupons you want, make sure you look for them
at the following website:

http://www.restaurant.com/

You've heard me mention this one in the past, but it's worth mentioning
because of many new readers . . . and because you may have forgotten
to check it in the past . . . I just did and found 31 restaurants within
15 minutes of my North Carolina home . . . if you live anywhere near
Newtown, PA, there are over 83 restaurants.

And once you get on the mailing list, look for special offers . . . you
can buy sometimes buy coupons for as low as $2 that will enable you
to save you $25!

B. Since I'm sure you sooooo much enjoyed my recent medical update
(see also Section 1B), here's something else that I thought you'd
like to see: your very own Disease Trading Cards:

http://www.cdc.gov/gcc/exhibit/cards.htm

I did you NOT about the above . . .  there are three sets to download,
print and trade with your friends . . . offer to trade your Campylobacter
jejuni for a Strep A Infection . . . perhaps best of all: all the cards are
richly illustrated.

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

http://www.blainesworld.net

In case you're lying awake nights and wondering what happens to your email
address if you give it to me (as a subscriber to BLAINESWORLD), click
"Newsletter" to the left and then "Privacy Statement."

_________________________________________________________

8. Computer tip

If you're on Facebook or Linkedin . . . or any other similar type social
networking site, for that matter, BEWARE of what you put in your
comments . . . you never know who might be reading; e.g.,
potential employers . . . or in the case of this one women,
her insurance agent:Facebook Page Costs Woman Her Benefits

A Canadian woman on sick leave for depression says she lost her
benefits after her insurance agent found photos of her apparently having
fun on Facebook.

For the rest of the article, please click:

http://tinyurl.com/yb8q356 

IF YOU'RE NOT YET SCARED OFF:

Do invite me to be your Facebook friend if we've not already
contacted there . . . to find me, please click:

http://www.facebook.com/blainegreenfield 

_________________________________________________________

9. Water
 
A fleeing Taliban, desperate for water, was plodding through the Afghan
desert when he saw something far off in the distance. Hoping to find
water, he hurried toward the oasis, only to find a little old Jewish man at
a small stand, selling ties..

The Taliban asked, "Do you have water?"

The Jewish man replied, "I have no water. Would you like to buy a
tie? They are only $5."

The Taliban shouted, "Idiot! I do not need an over-priced tie. I
need water! I should kill you  with my bare hands but I  am weak from
thirst and must find water!"

"OK," said the old Jewish man. "It does not matter that you do not
want to buy a tie and that you hate me. I will show you that I am bigger
than that. If you continue over that hill to the east for about two miles,
you will find a lovely, well-respected restaurant. It has all the ice cold
water you need for free. Shalom."

Muttering, the Taliban staggered away over the hill. Several hours
later he staggered back, almost dead. "Your f****ing brother won't let me
in without a tie!"

_________________________________________________________

10. A quote I like

We do not quit playing because we grow old, we grow old because
we quit playing.--Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809-1894),  American poet,
physician and essayist

_________________________________________________________

11. Thought for the day 

The thimble (a touching parable)

One day, a seamstress was sewing while sitting next to a river, and
she dropped her thimble into the water. When she cried out, the Lord
appeared and asked, "My dear child, why are you crying?"

The seamstress replied that her thimble had fallen into the water
and that she needed it to help her husband in making a living for their family.
The Lord dipped His hand into the water and pulled up a golden thimble
set with pearls.

"Is this your thimble?" the Lord asked.

The seamstress replied, "No, sir."

The Lord again dipped into the river. He held out a silver thimble ringed
with sapphires.

"Is this your thimble?" the Lord asked.

Again, the seamstress replied, "No, sir." The Lord reached down again
and came up with a leather thimble.

"Is this your thimble?" the Lord asked.

The seamstress smiled and replied, "Yes."

The Lord was pleased with the woman's honesty and gave her all three
thimbles to keep, and the seamstress went home happy.

Some years later, the seamstress was walking with her husband
along the river bank, and her husband fell into the river and disappeared
under the water. When she cried out, the Lord again appeared and
asked her, "Why are you crying?"

"Oh Lord, my husband has fallen into the river!"

The Lord went down into the water and came up with George Clooney.

"Is this your husband?" the Lord asked.

"Yes!" cried the seamstress.

The Lord was furious. "You lied! That is an untruth!"

The seamstress replied, "Oh, forgive me, my Lord--it is a misunderstanding.
You see, if I had said 'no' to George Clooney, you would have come up with
Brad Pitt. Then if I said 'no' to him, you would have come up with my husband.
Had I then said 'yes,' you would have given me all three. Lord, I'm not in the
best of health and would not be able to take care of all three husbands,
so that's why I said 'yes' to George Clooney."

And so the Lord let her keep him.

The moral of the story: Whenever a woman lies, it's for a good and honorable
reason, and in the best interest of others.

_________________________________________________________

12. Advance planning department

A. Michael in Pennsylvania:

The College’s Book Discussion Group, one of the longest-running public
book groups in the county, wraps up its fall series on Thursday December
10 with The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann
Shaffer and Annie Barrows.
 
According to Powell’s Books, a charming series of letters make up this
short novel set in post-WWII Europe. The correspondents, drawn together
by their love of books and affection for each other, collectively tell a moving
tale of endurance and friendship in the shadow of war.
 
The informal talk gets underway at 7:30 p.m. in the  Rollins Center (Room
114) at Bucks County Community College in Newtown, PA.   The group will
also select titles for the spring semester, including its next meeting
on January 14. For more information, contact Michael
Hennessey at 215.968.8164  or via email: hennesse@bucks.edu. 

B. Marie in New Jersey:

Marie invited you to "Holiday POPS Concert - 2009" on Friday,
December 11 at 8 p.m.

Where: Nicholas Music Center (Douglass Campus, Rutgers Univ.,
New Brunswick)

C. Marjorie in Pennsylvania:

FREE 45-Minute WEBINAR
 
December 15, 2009
12 p.m.
 
Presented by Senior BRODY Facilitator Amy Glass
 
Topic: Meeting the Generations:
Baby Boomers, Generation X and Millenials
 
Professionals in any role can succeed by understanding and
communicating better with the various generations, to create stronger
and more effective business relationships.
 
Register by clicking:

http://tinyurl.com/ylz5o7m

D. John in Pennsylvania:

Here's some real advance notice:

Triplets at the Temperance House, Newtown, PA,
Saturday, January 30, 2010, starting at 9 p.m.

Plan ahead. That's two months from now. Be there--no excuses!

_________________________________________________________

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!

----------------------------------------------------------

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBCRIBE INFORMATION

To subscribe to this newsletter, please put SUBSCRIBE in the subject line
of an email and send to bginbc@aol.com   . . . in the unlikely event you
wish to unsubscribe, just put UNSUBSCRIBE in subject line and send
to the same address.