UPDATE: Okay, I'm closing off comments because I don't think my poor immortal Christian soul can handle the increasingly racey comments. Sorry!

Semen - Addictive & Mood Enhancing

According to an article in Psychology Today, the study's author, Gordon G. Gallup, Ph.D., "a psychologist at the State University of New York, women who do not use condoms during sex are less depressed and less likely to attempt suicide than are women who have sex with condoms and women who are not sexually active, leads one researcher to conclude that semen contains powerful—and potentially addictive—mood-altering chemicals."

Something tells me, guys are going to have small laminated copies of this article made, just to keep in their wallets and share it with the women in their lives.

Posted by: Michele at 10:12 PM | Comments (12) | Add Comment
Post contains 129 words, total size 1 kb.

The USS WASP (LHD-1), which is the lead ship of a class of multipurpose amphibious assault ships. This Navy-Marine Corps team's amphibious warship, has as its primary mission the support of a Marine Landing Force. USS WASP and her sister ships are the first specifically designed to accommodate new Landing Craft, Air Cushion for fast troop movement over the beach and Harrier II (AV-8B) Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing jets which provide close-in air support for the assault force. LHD-1, which is 844 feet long with a beam of 106 feet, also accommodates the full range of Navy and Marine Corps helicopters, conventional landing craft, and amphibious vehicles.

To carry out its primary mission, USS WASP has an assault support system that synchronizes the simultaneous horizontal and vertical flow of troops, cargo and vehicles throughout the ship. Two aircraft elevators service the hangar bay and flight deck. Six cargo elevators, each 12 by 25 feet, are used to transport material and supplies from the 100,000 cubic foot cargo holds throughout the ship to staging areas on the flight deck, hangar bay and vehicle storage area. Cargo is transferred to waiting landing craft docked within the ship's 13,000 square foot, 266 foot long, well deck. Helicopters in the hangar bay or on the flight deck are cargo-loaded by forklift.

For the comfort of the 1,075 crewmembers and 1,600 embarked troops, all manned spaces and berthing areas are individually heated and air conditioned. Onboard recreational facilities include a state-of-the-art Library Multi-Media Resource Center with Internet access, a weight room, arcade machines and satellite television capabilities.

USS WASP's two steam propulsion plants--the largest currently in operation in the U.S. Navy--generate a total of 400 tons of steam per hour. The propulsion system develops 70,000 shaft horsepower, powering the ship to speeds in excess of 22 knots. USS Wasp was built using more than 21,000 tons of steel, 400 tons of aluminum, and 400 miles of electrical/electronic cables. The WASP weighed more than 27,000 tons when moved onto the Ingalls Shipping floating dry-dock on July 30, 1987 for launch on August 4, 1987, becoming the largest man-made object rolled across land. [Pictures and information courtesy of the U. S. Navy.]

Tomorrow: The Men & Women of the USS Wasp [Yes, a litttle eye candy for my blog brothers and sisters].

Posted by: Michele at 06:42 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 380 words, total size 3 kb.

The first fleet week that I can ever remember was during our country's bicentenial celebration. I remember it vividly because the impressive US Naval fleet took center stage for the first time in our State's history, and showed off its amazing power and technology.

The ship I remember the most, and not only because of its impressive size, was the beautiful ship below - The aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67). It was just a few years old when it sailed down the mighty Hudson along with its sister ships, but its newness was not what captured my heart. What swept me off my feet was seeing the the tender message written across it's platform, "I [heart] NY" by a formation of sailors standing at attention. Now that's impressive! They didn't even know us and yet they loved us. That message was displayed every time they visited NY for an official celebration. The picture below was from its Fleet Week visit in July of 1999.

So why am I telling you landlubbers about this ship? 2 reasons: It was decommissioned 2 months ago and will not be returning to NYC; as a result, my love affair with this impressive vessel is forced to be over. [sniff, sniff]

I now must find a new love. So to fill my hearts void, and see how lucky I could get [figuratively, I'm not that easy!] I went in search of a new love this past weekend. Yes folks, I trolled the piers for a bit of wanderlush. But more about that tomorrow. For today, enjoy the view!

Side conversation: Hey blog daddy, what happens to ships when they're decommissioned? And do crusty old sailors suffer the same fate? Inquiring minds want to know.

Posted by: Michele at 12:18 PM | Comments (11) | Add Comment
Post contains 289 words, total size 2 kb.

A poem to honor those who gave their lives for our country.

Day is done,
gone the sun,
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the sky.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.

Go to sleep,
peaceful sleep,
May the soldier
or sailor,
God keep.
On the land
or the deep,
Safe in sleep.

Love, good night,
Must thou go,
When the day,
And the night
Need thee so?
All is well.
Speedeth all
To their rest.

Fades the light;
And afar
Goeth day,
And the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well;
Day has gone,
Night is on.

Thanks and praise,
For our days,
'Neath the sun,
'Neath the stars,
'Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.

~ Anonymous

Posted by: Michele at 12:15 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 130 words, total size 1 kb.

I'll be back Monday. Till then may you all have a wonderful, safe and fun weekend.

Posted by: Michele at 12:51 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 22 words, total size 1 kb.

Oh, hey, I'm glad you stopped bye. Just wanted to say thanks to all of you for the kind wishes you imparted in yesterday's post. They were greatly appreciated. I would love to thank each of you personally, but life has been increadibly accelerating at mach speed. Its been so busy in fact, I wish I could join Oddy wherever she was going! I need to escape too. Anyone know any rental properties either in the caribbean or in the woods for next to nothing? Will cook for lodging.

Anywho, it's been so intensely busy I don't even have time to blog about it. But rest assured I'll be fulfilling my meme obligation from Daz'd soon, and when I do I doubt you'll be able to guess my selections! Till then enjoy this little thing I stole from RSM. Notice how all of a sudden every one is claiming extreme badness in order to achieve the position of uber cool. Kids, give it up! The rooool of cooool is you either got it or you don't. You were either a bad motha from the getgo once you sprung from the canal or you've been trying so hard, that finally only you and the mirror believe you are. Want to see who's right, then take the 5min. test!

You Are 67% Pure

You're pretty pure, and you have no plans on changing that. You do have a devilish side though... and it will probably get the better of you.

Posted by: Michele at 12:58 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 259 words, total size 2 kb.

It's been 3 years since I began blogging to heal from all my losses. What started as a place to pour out my pain and tears has become a place to reflect, create, and explore. Even though the pain is mostly gone, I continue to use this blog:

- to reflect on how the past continues to affect and imbue my present spirit and actions.
- to create, using my talents and the inspiration I receive from others.
-To explore who and where I am, while continuing to move towards my dreams and discover who I am yet to be.

Thanks to all of you who stop here along your own personal roads of discovery, for you have all become part of me in one way or another.

Posted by: Michele at 12:28 PM | Comments (10) | Add Comment
Post contains 132 words, total size 1 kb.

1 Blogs, such as yours, that cause me to reflect on my own life is what compels me to return each day. Congrats on 3 years and may there be many more years to come. Dazd

Posted by: Dazd at May 22, 2007 01:57 PM (os7Zl)

2 Happy Blogoversary! May you have many many more.

Posted by: Teresa at May 22, 2007 02:39 PM (gsbs5)

3 and what _talents_ they are....

Posted by: _Jon at May 22, 2007 02:56 PM (cPJtC)

4 Thank you for sharing with us. It has been a wonderful experience to read your blog.

Posted by: vw bug at May 22, 2007 04:07 PM (FPOeI)

5 You are a real trooper, and a big inspiration, given what you have gone through. I'm proud of where we come from, and the kind of kick-ass person it has made you.

Posted by: Erica at May 22, 2007 08:36 PM (n1ABe)

6 Happy Anniversary, I only hope that my new blog is half as successful as yours is after 3 years....Bunny

Posted by: Bunny at May 22, 2007 10:04 PM (+OVgL)

7 I consider myself blessed to have found you here. Congratulations on your 3 years of blogging and wishing you many more!

Posted by: Jean at May 22, 2007 10:33 PM (2nDll)

8 A blog birfday? Does this mean I get to issue a birfday spankin'? No?! Huh. Oh, well. Happy blogiversary, anyhow.

Posted by: zonker at May 23, 2007 08:39 AM (PrUNH)

9 Happy Third

Posted by: oceanguy at May 23, 2007 09:32 AM (fA7Rx)

10 Happy Blogiversary, Michele! :-)

Posted by: Richmond at May 23, 2007 02:42 PM (e8QFP)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

I'm posting Eva Cassidy's rendition of Over the Rainbow, because its by far the best rendition of your most favorite song I have ever heard. When I hear it, it always makes me think of our fun sing-alongs during our roadtrips to Canada, Florida, & Pennsylvania. Here"s another favorite - Wonderful World - that is also sung beautifully by her. Enjoy!

The song below is a relatively new one, which I could have easily written about our friendship after you passed on. Thank you for having been in my life. You were truly a gift that I will always treasure and love.

Comments are closed due to the personal nature of this post.

Posted by: Michele at 12:05 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 123 words, total size 1 kb.

Reading other poets often inspires me, for in their poetic self-revelation I often find threads or remnants of myself. And while in that place I often find their words imbue my creativity. Jean's poem inspired me to write the words below:

Alone can be
disconcerting,
deafening,
and uncomfortable.

That is,
until you find
yourself,
and create
a space for
loving,
nurturing
and healing.

Alone can be
a time for:
adventure,
exploration,
and reflection.

ItÂ’s an adventure
to see
how far
this me
can stretch
silently.

Its a time
for me
to explore
and expand
my soul
spiritually,
and creatively,

Its always
a time
for
learning,
changing
and growing.

Alone,
is simply
the best time
for me
to become
the best ME
I can possibly
BE.

Thanks Jean, for sharing so openly and willingly and for your wonderful inspiration!

Posted by: Michele at 12:55 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
Post contains 144 words, total size 1 kb.

I have a really important confession to make. Yes, I have to confess it all before I explode. After more than 20 yrs., my affections for a special someone have finally been outgrown (as you can see I'm nothing if not loyal) due to neglect and lack of growth. Yes, my love has shifted from this man to a new man in my life.

I'm sorry but I just can't seem to stop thinking about this wonderful new man. Believe me, it has nothing to do with his money, power, or prestige, as those do nothing for me. NOPE! It DOES have everything to do with his intelligence and unbelievable wit. I'm sorry but that's an incredibly sexy and deadly combination. Don't believe me, see him in action for yourself and judge. Is he not the sexiest man alive? I'll bet you'll agree. Brad Pitt and George Clooney have NOTHING on him. Besides, we both have the same political inclinations and we are both multi-faceted media people.

But back off ladies (and this means you Tammi, and you, and you, and you too Jane!), 'cause I lay a claim to this man and he's mine! Mine, MINE, MINE I tell you!!!

Posted by: Michele at 11:11 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
Post contains 205 words, total size 2 kb.

I can be ditzy at times and this was one of them. In your post you asked for questions for your interview and I shared my experiences in job searches and interviews. I also alluded to a great article and forgot to post the link. DUH! Sorry! But there's a part that was so funny, I thought I'd share it with my readers, and also keep it on my blog as a reminder for when I do my next job hunt. Here's one section of the Q & A, that I thought you'd enjoy!

Question: How should I prepare for an interview?

Answer: An interview is a test you can study for. So memorize answers to the fifty most common questions. Most interviewers ask standard variations on standard questions, and there are right answers to these questions.

Whether you are a stripper or a CIA agent, the answer to the question, “What is your weakness?” is a story about how your weakness interfered at work—in a specific situation—and you overcame it. Most of your other answers should be stories, too. This means you need to make them up before you get to the interview. Stories of your life are memorable. Lists of your life are not. Be memorable if you want to be hired.

Another way to prepare is to go to the gym right before the interview. It doesn’t matter if you never go to the gym—although you should, because people who workout regularly are more successful in their careers. You should go right before an interview because people judge you first on your appearance, and if do heavy lifting with your back and stomach muscles you will stand up much straighter in the interview. This will make you look more confident, which is half the battle in being judged by appearance.

Also check out Question 12. GOOD LUCK!

Posted by: Michele at 11:31 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 314 words, total size 2 kb.

1 "...if do heavy lifting with your back and stomach muscles you will stand up much straighter in the interview." I know a number of people who would end up in the hospital instead of the interview if they did this. *grin*

Posted by: Teresa at May 17, 2007 03:33 PM (gsbs5)

2 One spring, when I was about 24 years old, I made the mistake of showing up for the season's first softball practice without spending the previous month gradually limbering up for it. I was a walking question mark for the next three days. Youch.

Posted by: Tuning Spork at May 17, 2007 10:03 PM (1frLL)

3 Heheheh... not a problem, Michele. Although, I will admit that I was a little confused at first!

Posted by: That 1 Guy at May 20, 2007 09:43 AM (amJz2)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

I have shoutouts or dedications today for 2 very sweet and special guys. The first is Zonker who will be visiting nyc in June. I'm reeeeeeeally looking forward to it! Not only is he a fellow vegetarian, he has me howling everytime I read his blog or talk to him on the phone. I so looking forward to his visit, that I thought I'd post a video/song dedication, just to get him in a NY state of mind (and no it's not the Billy Joel song; you have to be a resident to feel that way. Don't you think Erica?).

The second shoutout goes to Tuning Spork for being a great musicologist and fellow blogger, who posts some of the most unusual music videos on his blog. He helped inspire my Musical Mondays posts and the New York, New York dedication to Zonker.

So for Tuning Spork I have the irreverently humorous new band (check out their interviews on you tube) The Rogers Sisters. They first came to my attention during the Siren Mermaid Festival in Brooklyn. The video I'm sharing with you is "Never Learn To Cry" which is their lead single off their debut album 'The Invisible Deck'. Its a sweet tune that is somewhat evocative of a softer, gentler B-52's, but with the poigniant lyrics of Natalie Merchant's 10,000 Maniac days. TS, if you disagree let me know.

I dare say it's mellow enough for most of my readers and just rocky enough for me. Hell, it's a song even the bluesy/jazzy Zonker could love and if used well during his visit, could help him to finally score with the ladies. 'Cause he's sure not gonna score with what he's writing about now.

Zonk, here's a tip when you visit: dress hip (70's), talk cool, don't comb your hair and I guarantee you'll have an oppty to score with those unsuspecting & unknowing college girls.

Posted by: Michele at 03:49 AM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
Post contains 330 words, total size 3 kb.

1 Et tu, Michele? I am the intarwebnet's piñata.

Posted by: zonker at May 15, 2007 12:57 PM (PrUNH)

2 Great songs...enjoy your visit with Zonker! (Now I'm off to check him out!)

Posted by: Mrs. Who at May 15, 2007 04:49 PM (9FXen)

3 I only had time to watch the first video - it is AWESOME! I love the architecture of that place. All the buildings, the layout - how cool. And hardly any people in the pictures...

Posted by: _Jon at May 15, 2007 07:02 PM (cPJtC)

4 Very cool!

Posted by: Richmond at May 15, 2007 09:40 PM (e8QFP)

5 Ahhh...the city so nice they named it twice. That song certainly does make me want to kick my feet up in the air with the rest of the Rockettes (upstage me though they may). Oh, and hey...don't you just positively dig it that a blue-eyed Eye-Talian from Hoboken made it famous? What? He didn't have anything nice to say about his own hometown that he had to sing about ours? Heh...go Frankie.

Posted by: Erica at May 15, 2007 09:51 PM (n1ABe)

6 Zonker is a doll, I absolutely adore him!!

Posted by: Christina at May 16, 2007 06:36 AM (d3xGU)

7 Hmm. My comment from yesterday seems to have disappeared. Rogers Sisters! Never heard of 'em! They're great! That running girl looks a lot like me ex. Spooky.

Posted by: Tuning Spork at May 17, 2007 02:05 AM (Bw7lp)

8 Oooooh-aaaay...Christina, what? You don't adore me too?

Posted by: Erica at May 19, 2007 07:41 AM (n1ABe)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

This week I"m turning to Country Music. Here are 2 of my 3 favorite songs. First up is Selah singing - "Bless the Broken Road" which always leaves me in tears as it holds special meaning for me. I dedicate this song to some of my wonderful blog-family members & readers, for the strength you share with me whenever I face challenges. Thank you & please wait while the video loads!

This weekend I turned to Country, seeking some wonderfully familiar & soothing sounds. Here's another lovely video montage, accompanied by Carrie Underwood singing lyrics by Tresa Jordan - I Turn to Country. Enjoy!

Posted by: Michele at 12:14 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 122 words, total size 1 kb.

Yes folks, if you are an allergy sufferer OR are prone to alergy-related asthma attacks then the next 4 days are days for those near me to stay indoors, with windows closed and the AC on.

To check the pollen (type & count) level in your click through the image to go to pollen.com. This incredible little service of free emailed pollen alerts have kept me and my son asthma free and our allergies (itchy-watery eyes, sneezing, coughping, itchy face, etc.) under control for the past 3 years. I highly reccomend them.

This is a portion of the kind of personalized report you'll get:

Posted by: Michele at 08:47 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
Post contains 112 words, total size 1 kb.

I was very angry when I saw the political ad purchased by 3 retired generals and being aired by the MSM. I was angered because its a blatant attempt by 3 very ambitious men to capitilize and politicize the war.

Imagine my elation when I saw the troops counter their efforts via an appeal of their own in a legitimate form of redress for their betrayal at the hands of former commanders. Through an Appeal for Courage that was delivered to Congress these men and women seek to correct a very grave and selfish wrong! Imagine this, in a little over 24 hours 2,936 active military members have signed the Appeal. Please spread the word to others so they may sign too!

[Hat tip to my Good Lt.]

Posted by: Michele at 11:53 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 128 words, total size 1 kb.

28 Weeks Later (Opens this Friday). This movie makes my list as a nod to Rocket Jones; simply because we both enjoy classic Zombie movies, he more than I. I just love to make fun of them. Plot: The U.S. military has occupied Britain to make it habitable again and stamp out the last vestiges of the "rage" virus that decimated the land. Now it's "28 Weeks Later," and the troops are allowing refugees to repopulate the realm. Strengths: The zombie event of the year. Another reminder the undead gravitate to brains (i.e. quality filmmaking). Director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, six years after his Sundance breakthrough, Intacto, continues to show style and guts. Six months after London is declared zombie-free, zombies ransack it again — then the U.S. military fly in to firebomb South Kensington — we get the sobering, hopeless finale 28 Days Later needed. Weaknesses: On the other hand — as fraudulent as that cheerful ending felt, it’s the kind of left-field risk you accept from an iconoclastic filmmaker like Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Millions). And guess what? No Danny Boyle this time (though he is producing). Oh, and the U.S. government is brought in to restore order when chaos sweeps a foreign land? The zombie genre always did like a touch of satire. A NYT reviewer wrote: "The Satire Is Biting, and So Are the Zombies"

Home Of The Brave (Opens this Friday). This movie follows four returning soldiers as they survive the ravages of war in a distant land and then try to come home to continue their lives. It was Robert Browning who said: "He who did well in war, earns the right to begin doing well in Peace." Many find that a difficult task. Strengths: The exceptional cast does a great job in portraying their respective roles. Weaknesses: ItÂ’s a little obvious, and ham-handed in places. But its opening a window onto a scene that we shouldnÂ’t be ignoring. What it wants to do, storywise, and succeeds in doing more at times, compensates for the forgivable gaffes it stumbles into along the way. But thatÂ’s a civilianÂ’s point of view anyway.

Away From Her (May 1 . This is beautifully moving love story that deals with memory and the circuitous, unnamable paths of a long marriage. Married for almost 50 years, Grant (Gordon Pinsent) and Fiona's (Julie Christie) commitment to each other appears unwavering, and their everyday life is full of tenderness and humor until their relationship is challenged. Strengths: Summer’s unlikely art-house hit: A young Canadian actress (Sarah Polley, 2 adapts an emotionally nuanced story by Alice Munro about an elderly couple, Alzheimer’s, and nursing homes. The plot is human-interest material with substance: A husband checks his wife (Julie Christie) into a nursing home and 30 days later finds she has no memory of him. Christie stages a comeback Oscar won’t ignore. Weaknesses: If Evening doesn’t depress you, this definitely will. Classic autumn fare. As assured as the film is, Polley is no virtuoso — so far she strikes a couple of notes well. The strong performances and uncompromising tone risk pumping up its reputation way beyond reason.

Posted by: Michele at 11:43 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 536 words, total size 3 kb.

Yes, thatÂ’s me according to a childless/single co-worker. It seems that IÂ’m barbaric for telling an 8y.o. his behavior (temper tantrum really) was so out of control that I would tell the Pgm Director and his mother that they needed to pull down his pants and use my thick grommeted leather belt to tan his bottom, so he could understand the pain he was inflicting publicly on others by throwing his books around. You see, this kid threw such a temper tantrum outside the facility that when he threw his books he accidentally hurt a smaller child passing by.

I know this child. I actually taught him for 6 months when he was in Kindergarten with my son. He had issues with the teacher before me because whenever he threw a temper tantrum they would do anything to quiet him down – she eventually quit because she couldn’t deal with his behavior (he hit the teacher a couple of times). He had temper tantrums with me only twice. Both times I carefully picked him up and placed him outside in a fenced in empty storage area in the school’s play area. Why? Because he was a danger to himself and others. Whenever he got angry (for not getting his way) he would start throwing things and hitting people. The first time he had a tantrum with me while teaching him I picked him up in the middle of the tantrum and he was in a time-out in that empty fenced in storage area for 15 min. I immediately called the mother and explained what had happened and what I did. After she said she was okay with it I invited her to sit with me and the child after school so we could discuss some discipline strategies. The second time it took only 5 minutes before he calmed down and apologized. According to his mother, he didn’t have another tantrum again. That worked well till recently, when his father and mother began the process of separation.

So last night, while in the middle of the tantrum I stopped and held onto the boys hands and asked him calmly to step inside the facility (along with the child he hurt) I got someone with first aid training to take care of the little girl and escorted the boy to the Lobby/Waiting area and spoke to him in front of my son and other parents. He was still a bit wild and yelling and thatÂ’s when I told him if he didnÂ’t calm down and stop kicking and throwing things I would take off my belt and offer it to his mother so that she could pull down his pants and use it to tan his bottom. Looking around and seeing his school friends and the parents staring at him he began to calm himself down. His mother just stood there speechless and in shock not knowing what to do.

This morning in discussing what happened with the childless/single co-worker, I told her how things ended and she asked me to stop and said, “I can’t talk to you any longer, your disciplining methods are simply barbaric.” So there you have it folks, I’m a barbarian. When I asked what she would have done? She said she simply would have talked to the kid. My response, “Oh, just like his mother. And that’s working out so well for her!” I said in a very sarcastic voice as I rolled my eyes and walked away. This from a woman who yells and throws things at her pets, and whose puppy I had to train so he would stop pooping all over the house. Yeah, she’s a roll model.

For the record, IÂ’ve never had to use the belt with my son, I have taken it out only twice in my sonÂ’s lifetime, but my stare is intimidating enough for him to immediately stop his bad behavior and apologize as he goes to the corner to put himself in time-out. The most severe punishment IÂ’ve ever had to inflict in his 7 years, is to have him kneel during a 5 min. time-out. Since then the threat of time-outs is enough to curb all wayward behavior.

That combined with some REALLY unbelievable msm news items this morning made me use some very unlady-like language. I'm glad Brian wrote about his reaction in a more gentlemanly way. Soooo, do you think I'm barbaric too?

Posted by: Michele at 08:44 AM | Comments (14) | Add Comment
Post contains 745 words, total size 4 kb.

1 Oh my - the childless child expert. She has such vast experience to draw upon... all those kids she... oops - there haven't been any have there - guess that's what makes her such an expert. As for a child having tantrums (the child that is not your own...) immediate separation from everyone. Tantrums are meant to draw attention. No attention and the tantrum dies down. Once the child isn't acting out any more - then other disciplinary measures are called for. That's when the time outs and groundings have an effect. Talking to a kid having a tantrum is like pouring gasoline on a fire. If you don't have a separate place to take the kid throwing a tantrum - then you have to figure out a way to shock them into stopping - I think your method was pretty effective *grin*. Your co-worker is a total idiot. But I've only raised 2 kids (one of whom was an expert tantrum thrower) - so what do I know... heh.

Posted by: Teresa at May 10, 2007 10:04 AM (gsbs5)

2 Was Conan your brother? Ummm, your co-worker is an idiot. I've seen the end results of some children growing into adults who have been spared the rod, so to speak. It's not pretty folks.

Posted by: Dazd at May 10, 2007 10:44 AM (Vj2v/)

3 good for you, Michele. I'll bail you out when your idiot co-worker calls the cops on you for threatening "child abuse". (I hope the sarcasm and disgust at your co-worker come through in that sentence) It drives me up a farookin wall when parental units do not discipline their children. Hubby's cousin's kids are holy terrors. I do not allow them inside my house because they are screamers and destructive monsters. My step-daughter is no angel, but she is a good kid over all. And we've never had major problems with her. The biggest thing we're currently dealing with is she's 10, pre-teen, and turning into a real smart alec. And sometimes she's mean-spirited. I anticipate rocky teen years.

Posted by: wRitErsbLock at May 10, 2007 11:01 AM (+MvHD)

4 If you are a bararian, then I'd hate to think what I am.........

Posted by: Tammi at May 10, 2007 12:02 PM (Bitcf)

5 That's supposed to be BarBarian Oops.... :-)

Posted by: Tammi at May 10, 2007 12:03 PM (Bitcf)

6 I haven't posted it yet, but I'll put it out here. I'm having serious issues with discipling Tot. The times out don't work. Nor the 'rewards for good behavior'. And usually a spanking won't work. For those who think the worse, a spanking from me is usually butt bare and one good slap... something he will remember and only once. Last time, I sprayed him with cold/cool water. Soaked him with the kitchen sink sprayer. He was kicking the living sh.t out of his brother and refused to stop. He hated the water. I'm sure your friend would consider that just as barbaric. But it worked. He has hit and pinched and kicked his brother... but ONLY in the car where I can't get to him. I am considering getting a spray bottle. I think you did a great job. Wish you lived near me and could help me ith Tot.

Posted by: vw bug at May 10, 2007 02:38 PM (FPOeI)

7 Time outs? Pffft. When we misbehaved when I was growing up we didn't have time outs, we had black outs.

Posted by: Tuning Spork at May 10, 2007 11:11 PM (+B9ku)

8 mmmm... barbarian women... http://space.unh.edu/~djl/DRAGON/dc2001/ROLL3/PREVIEWS/PRE02.JPG

Posted by: Harvey at May 11, 2007 01:18 AM (L7a63)

9 Uhhhh.... Lemme think. *No*

Posted by: Richmond at May 11, 2007 09:53 AM (e8QFP)

10 I just have to get this out there .. Just because someone is childless doesn't mean they don't know how to care for or discipline a child. Ok now ... What you did is right on with me. Growing up there was the 2" wide leather belt (with holes) and after being spanked by it just once we knew the threat of it was enough to get us to calm down. Alot of kids, when in a state, won't listen to reason or listen to words. Physical action is what is needed. I am not condoning violence but sometimes restraint or a slap on the ass is what is needed to bring the hysterical child back to earth.

Posted by: Quality Weenie at May 11, 2007 04:34 PM (BksWB)

11 QW, you're absolutely right, being childless is not an indicator of parental abilities or lack thereof. That's why I shared about the pets too. It's always been my belief that a person that can't relate to pets are usually unable to relate to people, especially little people. And this person is bad with both. She doesn't talk to them or manage behavior... nope she yells and throws things at them in a very abusive way. I wouldn't let her babysit my son, if my life depended on it. So, that's what I was trying to get across.

Posted by: michele at May 11, 2007 08:04 PM (Nn3Ar)

12 No! The women hasn't a clue...

Posted by: Edd at May 12, 2007 05:03 AM (T5QrJ)

13 If that was barbaric; then I wonder what I am. When mine were little I had a bush in the yard that they had to chose their whipping switch from. Yep, they had to cut it off and bring it in to me. Pants down, one swipe across the back of the legs usually did it. Three if it was really serious.

Posted by: Tink at May 13, 2007 09:25 AM (ZW8U5)

14 People use the word "Barbarian" as if it were a BAD thing....

Posted by: Graumagus at May 15, 2007 01:41 PM (FFj2f)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

My temporarily blogless Blog-bro _Jon, thinks so and shares with us this link to a one on one interview with Fred Thomson. What do you think? Should he run? Is he a viable candidate?

Posted by: Michele at 08:09 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 40 words, total size 1 kb.

Are you? Check and see if your website is banned by our wonderful 'Trade Partners & friends' at the People's Republic of China by clicking through the link and taking the test.

[H/T to D-Ring]

Posted by: Michele at 09:59 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
Post contains 36 words, total size 1 kb.

1 Since mine is available, any messages you'd like sent?

Posted by: Dazd at May 08, 2007 02:15 PM (Vj2v/)

2 I'm betting that all of mu.nu is banned. Not that anyone would want to be reading me from over there anyway... heh.

Posted by: Teresa at May 08, 2007 02:38 PM (gsbs5)

3 Mazel Tov, and to hell with those commies! There's still plenty of time left in the season of 24 for Jack Bauer to fix this.

Posted by: Cappy at May 08, 2007 08:00 PM (QZirb)

4 I'll bet they can't get to mine from there either. However, the new hard drives have come in. $600 - ack!

Posted by: _Jon at May 08, 2007 11:39 PM (cPJtC)

5 I tried this March 27th of this year and I was not banned... and it still is not banned.

Posted by: vw bug at May 09, 2007 09:02 AM (FPOeI)

6 I'm blocked. I've never been so filled with pride. **sniffle** I tried a few other sites, including a couple left-wing sites like barbrastreisand.com, and they were all blocked. The only site I tried that was available was www.miniclip.com which is a game site.

Posted by: Tuning Spork at May 10, 2007 11:44 PM (+B9ku)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

This morming George Tenet was interviewed by Tim Russert on Meet The Press. In that interview Tenet said repeatedly that although he had opportunities to counter false data or skewed interpretation he did nothing to stop it.

"I should not have allowed my silence to imply acquaissance" with the information that was being disseminated.

Tim Russert pointed out various times Tenet's sins of ommission, by not speaking up to the President & Vice-President, led them and the American people astray. In each instance he admitted that he did not correct the President and he did not establish the truth because he was unaware of what the President said. However, the truth is. as Russert pointed out, he or his office approved every fact in every speech and every position the White House took in every speech during his tenure. Tenet's silence or lack of correction of the facts is not just a sin of ommission, it is in fact lying to the American People!

What gets me angrier, if that's possible, is that in one breath he charges that the Bush Administration was gung ho in going to war in Iraq in one breath, while in another he admits all the intelligence was flawed and he kept his silence. So which is it Tenet? What is the truth? Or perhaps the truth is that you're incapable of telling the truth! And since you're incapable of telling the truth it means you're incapable of recognizing the truth as presented by the French, the British and Italian intelligence agencies!!!

What I see now is a man backpeddling over intelligence where he either repeatedly lied or failed to provide evidence to the White House staff of exactly what was going on prior to 9/11. Tenet should never have been allowed to remain in office as long as he did.

Each time Russert confronted Tenet with key statements in his book, Russert showed that Tenet lied in those passages. His explanation... he either didn't know or he never read the speech or press reports on what the White House said or reported.

THIS MAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CREDIBILITY OF OUR LEADERS AND OF OUR COUNTRY BEING TARNISHED BEFORE THE WORLD STAGE TIME AND AGAIN. HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR LYING REPEATEDLY THROUGH OMMISSION DURING CONGRESSIONAL AND SENATE HEARINGS. HIS RESPONSE - "I MADE A MISTAKE" IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE.

In retrospect, Tenet admission that by August 2001, "we weren't giving the President more intelligence, and more of the types of information he needed" to make the correct assessment on the impending Al Qaeda attack is enfuriating.

Tim Russert did an exceptional job at pointing out each time he lied at important moments in history and in his book and though I'm grateful, I still believe Tenet's failures are border on treason.

To say that I'm angry, is to say very little. I have always believed that the intelligence failures and the cuts in funding to the CIA in the 90's caused the deaths of 9/11. Tenet's (gov't lacky) attitude failed us through out his term, but especially when he relied and gave inexperienced operatives and individuals like Valerie Plame and her husband the opportunity to obtain intelligence.

Tenet is right in one thing - when you don't get the right type of intelligence, you're at risk. He still believes we as a nation are at risk; so do I. Folks, that's the ony thing he and I will ever agree on.

Posted by: Michele at 09:55 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 586 words, total size 3 kb.