We then went to see two adult communities run by
G.L. Homes: Valencia Pointe in Boynton Beach and
Valencia Lakes in the Tampa area . . . though both were
nice, we most probably will be seeking something else.

C. Such as . . . The Villages, self-proclaimed as America's
friendliest home town . . . it just may well be . . . everybody
seemed to always be smiling, and I don't think we spoke
to even one person who had anything bad to say about the place.

We stayed there for three nights, living in one of the delightful
cottages . . . they give you a great rate, which also includes
two meals at very fine local restaurants and movie passes.

Each night, we would then go into one of the two squares to
listen to the entertainment and/or dance . . . on our last full
day there, we looked at homes with a realtor . . . if we choose
to live in Florida, this likely will be where we wind up hanging
our hats.

For more information, please click:
http://www.thevillages.com/

Yet we have just begun our search, so do keep sending us
ideas for other places to check out . . . next up is probably
North Carolina in the spring.

To recap what we're looking for: 55 and over community that
is still building . . . or that will be building through next
spring . . . ideally, we'd like something with at least
500 homes . . . in addition, we'd want 3 bedrooms and if there
was a walkout basement, even better.

D. THANKS to Pat in Pennsylvania for sending me the following
link to an article in the COURIER TIMES, in which I'm quoted:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/147-12302007-1463409.html

***** BLAINESWORLD BEST AWARD *****
This week, it goes to Jayne Venanzi--one of the two personal
assistants I'm blessed to have working for me.

Jayne helps run things out of my home office in Belle Mead,
NJ . . . so if you ever call me there, that's the friendly voice
you might hear some afternoons.

She is also the person who helps keep me on top of much
of my correspondence, and she is presently helping me
research possible locations for our retirement home.

Jayne first worked for me some 13 years ago when I lived
in East Windsor . . . she moved from that area before I did,
but when we bumped into each other while shopping last
year, I was fortunate to find out that she was again available
to work for me on a part-time basis.

My other excellent assistant is Bridget Hughes (recipient
of the BLAINESWORLD BEST AWARD in March, 2004) . . . she
assists with much of my dispute resolution work, as well as my
school stuff at Bucks County Community College.

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2. FYI

If you get mail from somebody that requires an answer, cut out the
return address from that person and then tape it to your envelope
for a quick and easy mailing label . . . for example, I do this
when I get the bill from my lawn maintenance company since
a return envelope is never enclosed . . . with my handwriting,
this is particularly useful--and virtually guarantees delivery (as opposed
to having the post office try to decipher my chicken scratch).

FYI, part 2

* Verna in New Jersey (with a REQUEST FOR FEEDBACK):
I have started online publishing some of my recipes,
and I think your readers and perhaps even yours truly
might like not only my recipes but also those of the
many others that share their recipes from all around
the world. I guess what I am asking is: Is there
someway you could mention my website in your
newsletter and perhaps somehow get some feedback
on "my" recipes that I have posted.

Here's the website:
http://www.grouprecipes.com/people/ravenseyes

* Colleen in Pennsylvania:
If you're a dog lover, please check our website:
http://www.radiantsungoldens.com/

It will tell you all about the golden retrievers we raise and
have for sale . . . our pups are exceptional . . . you must
be qualified to become an owner . . . for more information,
feel free to call me, Colleen, or Harry at 215.752.6969.

* Jean in Indiana:
Check out Click to Give @ The Animal Rescue Site:
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces 

* Steve in Pennsylvania shared another article about Lisa
Gable, his amazing mother, and the inventor of Strap-Mate:
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/Over80Gable.aspx

* Bill in Pennsylvania:
There is a Cereality Cereal Bar on College Avenue in State College, PA. 
I stopped in for a quick peek the last time I was at Penn State. 

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3. Accidents do happen

A blonde was weed-eating her yard and accidentally cut off the tail
of her cat, which was hiding in the grass. She rushed her cat,
along with the tail over to Wal-Mart.
 
Why Wal-Mart? 
 
Wal-Mart is the largest retailer in the world!

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4. Reviews

A. THE GREAT DEBATERS is the best film I've seen in a long
time . . . Oscar winner Denzel Washington both directs and stars
in this uplifting drama about a debate coach who takes a Texas
college team from a small, segregated town to national acclaim
and a match against Harvard . . . though the formula is
familiar, THE GREAT DEBATERS nevertheless caught my
attention from the opening minutes right through the closing
credits when you find out what happened to the participants . . . Forest
Whitaker also stars, along with Jurnee Smollett--an actress methinks
you'll be hearing more about in the future . . . rated PG-13.

B. THE HEARBREAK KID is now out in DVD format . . . my
review from BLAINESWORLD #575 follows:

THE HEARBREAK KID is a Farrelly brother's remake of the
1972 film of the same title . . . I liked the original, and I liked this
version too . . . Ben Stiller stars as a guy who won't commit . . . you
feel for him, especially when you see him sitting in a very funny scene
at the kids' table at the wedding of his former fiance . . . things finally
perk up for him when he meets Malin Akerman (a Cameron
Diaz lookalike), and they soon marry . . . yet shortly thereafter,
Stiller finds out that she is anything but what he thought
she was--and he dumps her for another woman . . . both
Stiller and Akerman had me laughing out loud, at times,
as did what might be described as the most obnoxious mariachi
band of all time . . . rated PG-13.

C. M. J. Rose is one of my favorite authors . . . I believe I've read
all her previous erotic thrillers and have enjoyed each one.

So when I picked up THE REINCARNATIONIST, I was intrigued
by the fact that this promised to be different . . . though
labeled "a novel of suspense," it was unlike just about
anything I've ever read before--and certainly nothing like
the author's previous efforts.

It is the tale of a photojournalist who after an accident
in Rome, finds that his life seems to keep shifting from
the from the present back to the past . . . along the way,
he discovers several murders that all seem to be related.

It kept my attention from beginning until end, and I
was impressed how Rose managed to tie several
stories together.

As always, her writing was on target, as evidenced
by such passages as the following:

* "It's not just a hobby," Malachai corrected. "It's the preferable way
to live your life." He laughed. "Making magic," he said, repeating
Josh's exact phrase.

* "When you look into the eyes of someone you're photographing
and glimpse a terrible suffering, don't turn away," his father had
once told him. "It's a gift to see into the depths of grief, because
only when you realize that someone can be in that much pain and
still function, speak civilly, shake your hand and tell you how nice it
is to meet you, do you understand why you can't ever give in or give
up. There's always another chance, another day. That's the miracle
of the human spirit. Take on the pain, Josh. Give it its due. That's
the only way to beat it."

* She had studied art with a passion since she was twelve, and she
knew there were hundreds of thousands of paintings in the world.
Her teacher had once told her that of all those, maybe ten of thousands
were breathtaking. Of them, thousands were masterpieces. Of those,
perhaps a mere hundred or two hundred exhibited the rarest of talents
-the ability to use a simple brush and pigment and re-create life. To
present a moment of human suffering or madness or ecstasy and offer
it up as a mirror. To show man how brutal he could be, how sublime,
how passionate or how profound. Only a few dozen painters could
make you forget for a moment that what you were looking at was not
flesh and blood-that the coal eyes would not blink, that the pink lips
would not part. Caravaggio was one of them. And so, Esme thought,
the painting she was looking at must be one of his.

You don't have to believe in reincarnation to enjoy this book, though
I image that if you do, you'll like it even more . . . yet that said, should
you want to learn more, there's a helpful reading list at the end
of THE REINCARNATIONIST.

D. Heard the taped version of FACE THE NATION,  written and read
by Bob Schieffer . . . it is a compilation of the author's favorite
memories of the award-winning news broadcast of the same title.

Though not a regular viewer of the show, I was nevertheless
fascinated by this program . . . it truly made history come
alive for me as it highlighted shows that featured interviews
with Senator Joe McCarthy and Nikita Khruschev, as well
as such events as the civil rights movement up to the war
in Iraq.

I liked how he brought others into the story, such
as when he used this famous quote from Charles F.
Kettering:

We should all be concerned about the future because we have
to spend the rest of our lives there.

I also enjoyed hearing about the author's take on the early history
of TV and, in particular, news reporting.

Perhaps the best part of FACE THE NATION was the
fact that Schieffer not only narrated it, but he concluded
the book with a collection of several fascinating essays . . . in
fact, replaying them in my mind might has motivated me to
TIVO the TV program this coming Sunday as I watch MEET
THE PRESS--my favorite news shows--that airs unfortunately
at the same time.

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5. TV alert

A. PIONNERS OF TELEVISION is a four-part documentary that
celebrates early TV . . . the opener focuses on the impact of
five classic sitcoms: I LOVE LUCY, THE HONEYMOONERS, MAKE
ROOM FOR DADDY, THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, and the DICK
VAN DYKE SHOW . . . Wednesday at 8 p.m. on PBS.

B. Donald Trump returns to TV, this time hosting CELEBRITY
APPRENTICE on Thursday at 9 p.m. on NBC . . . such players
as country singer Trace Adkins, Stephen Baldwin, Marilu
Henner, boxing champ Lennox Lewis, and KISS' Gene Simmons
compete for $250,000 of Trump money for a favorite charity.

C. Professional NYC matchmaker helps chronically available women
find--and hold onto--men who are actually good for them on MATCHED
IN MANHATTAN, a new series on LIFETIME on Fridays at 9:30 p.m.

D. Democratic and Republican candidates gather in
back-to-back debates in advance of next Tuesday's New Hampshire
primary . . . Saturday at 7 p.m. on ABC.

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6. Test time

One day, a teacher, a garbage collector, and a lawyer all die and go to
Heaven. When they get to the gate, St. Peter informs them that there
will be a test to get into Heaven. They each have to answer one question.

To the teacher, he says, "What was the name of the ship that crashed
into the iceberg and sunk with all its passengers?"

The teacher thinks for a second and then replies: "That would have been
the Titanic, right?".

St. Peter lets him through the gate.

St. Peter turns to the garbage man, and, figuring that Heaven doesn't
REALLY need all the stink that this guy would bring into there and so
decides to make the question a little harder: "How many people
died on the ship?"

The garbage man guesses: "1228."

"That happens to be right; go ahead."

St. Peter turns to the lawyer: "Name them."

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7. Websites

A. Nonie in New York:
Here's something I came across that is very interesting. I thought you
would like to share with your readers:
http://www.greatquotesmovie.com/

You'll find a short movie with many memory quotes.

B. Those folks at jibjab keep cranking out winning stuff; e.g., this one:
http://www.jibjab.com/originals/in_2007

What a great review of this past year!

C. BLAINESWORLD, the website, remains up and running . . . to view
it, please click:
http://www.blainesworld.net

If you'd like to see a collection of books and CDs that I have reviewed
over the years, click the above and "Blaine's Best" (on the left), then
the second paragraph of letter O.

THANKS in large part because of the fact that many readers have found
such reviews helpful, I am now #350 in amzon.com's list of Top 500
reviewers . . . if you'd like to help me climb even higher, do this:

1. Go this website:
http://www.amazon.com

2. At Search at the top, look in books for any title I have reviewed
recently--such as:

YOU DON'T NEED A TITLE TO BE A LEADER by Mark Sandborn

3. Scroll down to find reader reviews. Mine is probably the first or
second one from the top on the right.

4. If you feel my review has been helpful, and I hope you do, please
click YES.

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8. Computer tip

Last week, I recommended that you use Disk Defragmenter . . . to
make it run even better and quicker, first shut down your
computer . . . then, as you start it up, press F8 as you do so . . . this
will give you the option to go into "safe mode" . . . doing so will
make things go much quicker . . . when you're done defragmenting
your computer, shut off your computer again and when you restart
it, you'll be pleasantly surprised how much better it will run.

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9. AARP banners

I believe in having sex on the first date
At my age, there may not be a second one.

Senior Campbell's New Large Type Alphabet Soup

I must be getting older…
All the names in my phone book end with M.D.

I'm not old.
I'm Chronologically Gifted

Florida
God's Waiting Room

Experience is a wonderful thing.
It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.

At my age
Flowers scare me.

I'm so old that whenever I eat out,
They ask me for money up front.

I'm so old…
All my friends in heaven will think I didn't make it.

Birthdays are good for you.
The more you have, the longer you live.

One good thing about Alzheimer's…
You get to meet new people everyday.

Support Bingo
Keep Grandma off the streets.

Any day above ground is a good one.

Retirement
Twice as much husband, half as much money.

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10. A quote I like

Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down  to their level, then
beat you with experience.

SOURCE:
Fortune Cookie (the food item, NOT a person)

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11. Thought for the day 

Pound cake speech, delivered by Bill Cosby in May 2004, at an event
to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education
Supreme Court decision:

They're standing on the corner and they can't speak English. I can't
even talk the way these people talk: Why you ain’t, Where you is,
What he drive, Where he stay, Where he work, Who you be . . .  And
I blamed the kid until I heard the mother talk. And then I heard the
father talk.

Everybody knows it’s important to speak English except these
knuckleheads. You can't be a doctor with that kind of crap coming out
of your mouth. In fact you will never get any kind of job making a decent
living.

People marched and were hit in the face with rocks to get an education,
and now we've got these knuckleheads walking around. The lower economic
people are not holding up their end in this deal. These people are not
parenting. They are buying things for kids. $500 sneakers for what? And
they won't spend $200 for Hooked on Phonics.

I am talking about these people who cry when their son is standing
there in an orange suit. Where were you when he was 2? Where were
you when he was 12? Where were you when he was 18 and how come
you didn't know that he had a pistol? And where is the father? Or who
is his father?

People putting their clothes on backward: Isn't that a sign of something
gone wrong? People with their hats on backward, pants down around
the crack, isn't that a sign of something? Or are you waiting for Jesus
to pull his pants up? Isn't it a sign of something when she has her dress
all the way up and got all type of needles [piercing] going through her body?

What part of Africa did this come from? We are not Africans. Those people
are not Africans; they don't know a thing about Africa. With names like
Shaniqua, Taliqua and Mohammed and all of that crap, and all of them
are in jail.

Brown or black versus the Board of Education is no longer the white
person’s problem. We have got to take the neighborhood back. People
used to be ashamed. Today a woman has eight children with eight different
"husbands"--or men or whatever you call them now. We have millionaire
football players who cannot read. We have million-dollar basketball players
who can't write two paragraphs. We as black folks have to do a better job.
Someone working at Wal-Mart with seven kids, you are hurting us. We
have to start holding each other to a higher standard.

We cannot blame the white people any longer.

PLEASE NOTE:
This is one of those items that's being circulated on the Internet that
can actually be verified; e.g., by clicking:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/cosby.asp

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12. Advance planning department

The Women's Center at Bucks County Community College--under the
capable direction of Natalie Kaye--has some great events this coming
spring semester . . . that are all open to the public . . . see below for
more information:

* Monday, January 28, 1:00 p.m. – Laura Pelon “Women in Music: 
Someone Will Remember Us” – Library Auditorium.

Musician/storyteller/historian. Traces the story of women in music
by performing on 25 ancient and modern instruments. 

* Wednesday, February 20 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – “Standing
on My Sisters’ Shoulders” screening and talk by Joan Sadoff, producer
who will also bring two eye witnesses to this historical period. 
Library Auditorium 

* Wednesday, February 27 – 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. – “Beauty
Undressed” – Shannon Cutts, 16-year survivor of anorexia and
anxiety disorder will share her story through music and power
point presentation. Library Auditorium.

And to celebrate Women's History Month: 
* Monday, March 3 -  11:00 a.m. – “The Good Wife”, one-woman
show by Jo Ann Tufo depicting the life of Mrs. Benjamin
Franklin – Library Auditorium. 

* Wednesday, March 5 - 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. – “I Question
America”, one-woman show by Hollywood actress, E.P. McKnight,  
depicting the life of Fanny Lou Hamer – Library Auditorium. 

* Wednesday, March 19 – 12:00 p.m. – Kick off the “Myth of Beauty”
Series with screening of “Killing Us Softly” in Faculty Center.

* Wednesday, March 19 – 7:00 p.m. – “I Am Woman” – performance
by Bucks students of drama, dance and music celebrating Women
in Art: Women of Vision – Library Auditorium 

* Wednesday, March 26 – 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – “Reading/Writing
Women” poetry and literature readings – Gateway Lobby.

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PS. Don't forget that 2008 is going to be your year . . . consequently,
after serious and cautious consideration, your contract of friendship
has been renewed for the new year with this wish for you:

May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your
debts. May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet of $100 bills.  
May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your
lips! May your clothes smell of success , may happiness slap you
across the face and may your tears be those of joy. May the problems
you had forget your home address! Or in simple words . . .

May the best part of your 2007 be the worst of your 2008!

Also, please join me in praying that we soon get our remaining
soldiers back from Iraq and that peace resumes in Israel . . . and make
it a great week!

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