Thinking in 4s

4 songs that I am addicted to

1.       Rolling in the deep - Adele

2.       Nessum Dorma – Three Mo Tenors

3.       Home – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

4.       Nine Million Bicycles – Katie Melua

4 things I cannot live without

1.       Sleep

2.       Food

3.       Cell phone

4.       Creative writing

4 memories I won’t forget

1.       June 1989 – baptism

2.       October 1998 – mom died

3.       December 2009 – international convention

4.       April 2011 – wedding day

4 words I cannot go a day without

1.       Really ?!?!?

2.       Love

3.       Eat

4.       No

 

Georgia anti-obesity ads

Wake up! Obesity is real. A child healthcare organization is trying to bring attention to the issue. The campaign has its supporters and of course there are those who criticize as too harsh.

http://www.hlntv.com/article/2012/01/04/are-georgia-anti-obesity-ads-too-harsh?hpt=hp_c2

Some people feel that this is going to further depress fat children so that they remain in a cycle dependence on food. I think that the ad campaign is a good thing.

The same people that criticize the campaign also say that the campaign should be targeted towards fast food restaurants that present unhealthy options instead of calling young people fat. I think that the campaign cannot go after the fast food industry because this is a capitalist market. Economic principles show that market changes happen because of change in supply or demand. As long as there is a demand for what they are offering, the fast food restaurants will present a supply of cheap, unhealthy foods to be sold. This campaign tries something different. It is focused to the parents and the children (the demand in the market equation). Currently, it is probably a correct assumption that children do not correlate their unhealthy eating habits with their obesity and health problems. If the parents and children demanded more healthier foods, then the fast food restaurants would change their supply to meet the change in market needs.

I do not think that this campaign is saying anything that is mean or unkind. If a child is overweight, that is a fact. Someone needs to tell that child that he/she is overweight and give the child the education and proper diet in order to reach a healthier weight. If the parents are going to be subject to the whims of their children, then it is the children who need to tell the parents what they want so that they can lose weight and be more healthy. It is true that some bullies might use this campaign as additional fodder when making fun of a fat kid, but, even without this campaign, children are bullied for being overweight.

When parents allow their children to eat a diet of French fries and chicken nuggets, there is no wonder that the child is so fat. Instead of teaching the child to be healthy, the parent tries to teach the child to be happy while obese. Keeping in mind that everyone should have some modicum of self-esteem despite their size, they also need to be a healthy weight for their body frame. Some may say this is a vain attempt to demonize those who are not skinny, but the campaign is talking about being healthy. Healthy people usually live longer and have a better quality of life because they are not as sick.

I am sure that it can be difficult for a parent to tell their child “No” to all that cheap processed food since it is a chore to go to the grocery store, buy and cook wholesome food on a daily basis. Parents need to be concerned with the diet of their children because it is their lives that is at stake. Parents that refuse to acknowledge the issue might end up with bigger problems for their children: hypertension, diabetes, and joint replacements. The sad part is that a lot of these conditions are avoidable because they are based on the nutrients or lack thereof that are put into our bodies.

Twilight stars career advice

I have heard that the celebs from Twilight are so popular because of this series that they run the risk of not being able to have a career after Twilight.

 

http://thestir.cafemom.com/entertainment/131074/robert_pattinson_kristen_stewart_arent

 

I read the article in the link above and the comments and it surprised me how many people seem to believe that Robert Pattinson and Kristin Stewart are really good actors. I was like “REALLY?”

Watching the somber, overly morose characters annoyed me. The story is supposed to prove how true love can conquer all. I have to agree in this case true loves seems to succeed even in spite of vapid behavior.

But I digress since this is not a critique of the Twlight movies.

 

Back to the characters. I think they risk not being able to have a career because they cannot really act. The few movies that I have seen that have had Robert Pattinson with a leading role, he seems to replaying his miserable, self-deprecating, self-destructive character without the benefit of being a vampire. Maybe if he plays a different type of character, I will change my opinion.

Kristen Stewart also seems to gravitate towards the roles of dark, somber females that remain of the fringes of society. None of her movie characters have impressed me yet. I am curious to see how she performs in the movie Snow White since that looks like she is playing a lead action actress role. I like that better than the weak-I-cannot-live-without-you type of female.

 

If they can expand their range, I am sure that they could become decent actors. If they keep taking roles that are similar to what Twilight, they will continue to be mediocre actors.

When I say “expand their range”, I mean that they should do something that is completely different from what they are used to doing.

Some examples of actors/actresses that I can think of right off the top of my head that I see as having a wide range: Glenn Close, Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Jack Nicholson, Samuel L Jackson

 

OK woman shoots intruder

I file this story under HILARIOUS

http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/04/justice/oklahoma-intruder-shooting/index.html

 

I feel bad for the woman because she has a baby and her husband died of cancer a week before this happened. Two enterprising low-life guys had the genius idea to rob her on the chance that her husband might have left some potent painkillers feeding their prescription drug addiction. Good thing that she had a shot gun and knew how to use it.

Many would just shoot first and ask questions later, but she was on the phone with 9-1-1 speaking to the operator during the entire ordeal and asked if it was okay to shoot the intruder. Since she barricaded herself, the intruder had no idea what was about to happen. And it is at this part of the story that I begin to chuckle to myself. Tee hee hee.

 He was planning on terrorizing this poor girl and who knows what else? Thankfully he did not get the chance. He got through the door, she saw something shiny and let the shots fly.

Bravo for her!

But this story raises one important question: Where  were the police???

Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining that she shot him, but that must have been some harrowing experience for her. She was on the phone with the 9-1-1 operator for 20 minutes.

Was the operator so enthralled in the drama that they forgot to dispatch the police?

Did the police know she had a gun and hoped she would save them some paperwork and the county tax money of processing him after an arrest?

 

In any case, the police said that they would not press charges because she shot him in self-defense. I hope this woman, for her baby’s sake, is able to find some security and peace of mind while she continues to grieve for her husband and move on with her life.

 

 

Lying can get you deported

There is a hilarious story on all the national media outlets about a girl who ran away from home, lied about her citizenship and ended up being deported to Colombia.

http://www.newser.com/story/136942/deported-american-teen-jakadrien-turner-to-be-returned-today.html

 

At first I had mixed reactions because I did not have any information that would give insight to the type of child she was (even though 14 years old is not exactly a child). As more information about this story has come out, my official reaction: HILARIOUS!!!
She is a misbehaving teenager that was trying to beat a theft charge. I guess she thought that the authorities would call her mother who would most likely give her hell for running away and getting arrested. So she got the bright idea to lie about who she was. If she had been more informed, she would have realized that claiming to be a person without legal status in the US only gets you a free one-way trip back to your home country and motherland.

 

The stories make a big deal about the fact that she did not know Spanish and she was interviewed by several officials. I take issue with the allegation that this is the fault of the various officials involved.

1.    Her mother said in an interview that Jakadrien claimed she was this person who is undocumented but the officials should have made sure – Why would the officials believe that she was lying? If a person goes to the police station and says they committed a crime, should the police then investigate to make sure they were telling the truth? Uhhh no. They are going to book then on charges. Don’t admit to crimes you don’t commit. In this case, she was admitting that she came to this country illegally and that was not the case.

2.    Her mother said Jakadrien was a 14 year old claiming to be 21 but the officials should have doubted that she was who she said she was – Children are just bigger and more mature looking these days. I have been to the high school and wondered how old they are because they look like adults. She looks to me like she is older than she is. I know if I am fooled from her picture, it is understandable that they were fooled by her in person.

3.    Media outlets say she did not know Spanish which should have been a red flag that she might have been lying – Her reticence to speak was probably misinterpreted. While she was busy trying to pretend not to speak English, she should have been paying attention to what they were saying they were going to do to her. Maybe she did not know what “deportation” meant. It is at this point that she should have realized how deep she was and started asking for her phone call to contact her family. But knowing how teenagers operate, she was probably still trying to figure how she was going to get out of it on her own. Since she did not have sense to fess up, she was shipped to Colombia.

Jakadrien is not the first person to get deported because of lying about not having papers. A few months ago, a guy ended up in Mexico when he claimed to be undocumented, trying to beat a drug charge.

Oh well. On a positive note, she is definitely a survivor since she was able to get a job and support herself in a country where initially she did not even know the language. I wonder if she learned to speak Spanish. That would be one way to make the best of her bad situation. In any case, she is on her way back and MAYBE she will now appreciate US life.

 

In an interview on CNN, her momma has dollar signs in her eyes, trying to make her daughter to be a innocent victim in this whole situation. It is not like her daughter was six years old and clueless. I hope none of them get paid. She paid a high price for lying, but do not blame the officials for treating her based on her own admission.

Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj = Good Teachers...does not compute

Really??? Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj praised as teachers of the year?

http://newsone.com/nation/afisher/lil-wayne-nicki-minaj-teachers-of-the-year/?fb_ref=post

I know that I cannot speak too much to the quality of the lyrics of Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj because I do not really listen to their music. I have seen a few videos of each artist. Lyrically they are able to put words together in such a way that makes for an interesting rhyme. However, I do think that they have anything uplifting and up building to say that should qualify them to be voted as teachers of the year. The designation of “teacher of the year” should be given to someone who is trying to improve the lives of the young people they teach. This should go to someone who is trying to expand the horizons of young people. What difference are they trying to make besides increasing their own personal fame and fortune? In my opinion, both are promoting lifestyles that encourage unrealistic ideas by their alter egos.

Young men that want to emulate Lil Wayne might get the impression that getting respect on the streets means taking whatever means necessary to make that happen. Trying to get respect on the streets most often leads to prison time with potential for a life sentence when someone is killed over something trivial (see link about rapper Slim Dunkin below).
Young women who want to emulate Nicki Minaj might decide that the most important thing in life is their appearance to be able to attract the man with the money to pay for the lifestyle they want. But with the young men listening to Lil Wayne misogynistic lyrics that demean females, I wonder where they will find all these “good men”.

Teacher of the Year should be based on the quality of the instruction given. Teaching young people how to perpetuate negative stereotypes should not be praised or encouraged. That only leads to the further degradation of society.

Kobe + 105 = Ex wife

This is why I don’t care if celebs get married. More failures than success stories these days.

http://newsone.com/entertainment/sports-entertainment/casey-gane-mccalla/kobe-bryants-wife-accuses-him-of-cheating-with-105-women/

What is the appeal of getting married if they are going to disrespect the institution and the vows by cheating every chance they get? In a perfect world, I think that everyone would have high moral standards, people would practice abstinence until marriage, and no one would cheat on their spouse. I realize that people do not value morality the way that I think they should. In any case, it seems that marriage is just something to do to spend money and not really about a lasting commitment and promise between two people.

I do have to give proper commendation to Kobe’s levelheaded mother-in-law that talked her daughter to staying married long enough to receive half of everything thing he owned. Kobe might have thought he was off the hook after he gave that very expensive “I’m sorry” gift a few years ago when his other indiscretions came to light.

I am sure there are people that say that Kobe’s wife could have been as much at fault to the point that she might have “caused him to cheat”. This is a possibility. But if that was the case, he could have divorced her by filing for irreconcilable differences. Why continue in a union when there is obviously something wrong? The time he wasted sleeping with other women while he was married now means that she has relieved him of half his income. Bravo Bravo!

My suggestion to other celebs: DON’T GET MARRIED unless you are absolutely certain that you are going to dedicate your life to making it work with this person (barring mental and physical abuse or other serious issues that might prevent a successful married life).

 

Rumors

Gossip and rumors are everywhere

You know what I heard?

Ears ready to receive the latest information

Let me tell you…

Mouths poised to make facts public

Gossip and rumors are everywhere

I obtained my facts from a reputable source

He went where?

She said what?!

Who was there?

Ask and you shall receive your answers

Gossip and rumors are everywhere

You received your details from a reputable source

Talking with confidence makes it true

Our words are carried like autumn leaves in the cool wind

Harmless idle talk 

damaging reputations

imputing bad motives

ruining lives

Gossip and rumors are everywhere

And we THOUGHT our information was from a reputable source

Crime is dangerous

I love reading stories where the thief attacks the wrong person and get their behind handed to them properly. This is what happened when a man tried to rob an expert in Ultimate Fighting. Needless to say, a tussle ensued and the man was pinned down waiting for the police to save him. LOL

http://www.newser.com/story/134854/cops-man-robs-expert-in-ultimate-fighting.html

Maybe the next time he will ask if the person has any kung fu or kickboxing experience before asking them to give up their wallet. Or maybe this bad experience will cause him to reexamine his options and try a less dangerous lifestyle like working hard for honest money.

I wondered to myself what is it about these types of stories that cheers me so much. I realized it is because I like reading of situations where the bully/thief/bad person picks on someone who is not intimidated and, not only fights back, but wins the altercation.  A big part of crime is the power of the person to intimidate others because they are afraid of what the bully/thief/bad person will do if they do not comply. They have little regard for others and only use their power (usually enhanced by their weapon of choice) to frighten and invoke fear.

But when the stars are in perfect alignment, the threat of “Give me your money, or ELSE” is met with BAM! SLAP! CRACK! POP! And the offending party is nursing his/her injuries while cowering on the floor, usually in a fetal position to protect their vital organs. Who is scared now?

It warms my heart when a would be bully/thief/bad person picks the wrong one and it leads to their own detriment.

I am not a political person, but these two have me shaking my head

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/01/cain-blames-time-for-change-in-story/?hpt=hp_c1

 

It is funny to see the “Right” playing the race card. Any other time, they would say the person is crying victim for no reason. Personally, I don’t know if Cain harassed those girls or not. That being said, his behavior is not consistent with someone that is innocent. When first questioned about it, he turned the question around as if to say, “Who has not been falsely accused of harassment?” Ummm I know a lot of men who have not. Plus, it is easy to make claims when the other person is under a legal contractual agreement not to divulge their side. I wonder if Cain is walking on a thin line with some of his comments or will he face legal action. Comments have been made that Cain should be able to face his accusers. I think he knows who both the women in question are and is hoping that the company does not relieve them of their obligation to keep quiet.

As for settling out of court for a sexual harassment issue, I can see how someone would do that. It happens all the time with discrimination and harassment cases. Who has the money and time to go up against a big corporation even when you were wronged? Corporations have the resources to file motion after motion to prolong the trial. Meanwhile, the victim/accuser has to figure how they will pay their bills along with mounting legal fees because they probably lost their job by this point.

I have taken several classes dealing with HR issues, and this is what I know. Someone cannot just make a claim and get a check to be quiet. For the company to settle out of court, they know that the person has a strong case. There is proof of a questionable situation that would lead a jury to side with the accuser/victim. If the company could find anything on the accuser/victim, they would use that as leverage to make the claim/case go away. Is the person credible? Do they have poor work performance? Do they get along with others at work?

In any case, whenever a person creates a hostile work environment, it is their responsibility to change. They cannot tell the person that feels harassed that they should not feel that way.

I hope that the company releases the women to be able to tell their side. There is his side, her side, and the truth. At this point, I think her side might be closer to the real facts than his. He cannot get his story straight and blames the media for that!

 

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/27/tea-party-group-to-bachmann-quit-the-presidential-race/

 

This is funny because I think that once some people get their moment in the spotlight, they have a hard time letting it go. Bachmann is not doing well in the polls and Cain is overshadowing everyone in the GOP right now. She had her few minutes of fame because of the outrageous things she was saying, only to be upstaged by Cain who has shown himself to be even more extreme. It seems there is a contest over who can be the most divisive and controversial. Before Bachman, there was Palin and lets now forget McDowell (the would be witch from cannot-remember-the-state). And now there is Cain. So many are taking their turn piloting the crazy train to who-knows-where. You can be sure that they will write a book and do a book tour about the journey. They are around until enough of their would be supporters wish them into oblivion. So now it is time to say good bye to the woman who notoriously said that blacks had it better during slavery than under Obama. It pains my heart and saddens my soul when I try to imagine how I would feel to be subjected to inhumane treatment of slavery. Sad to say, but I think that she has convinced herself that mindless, nonsensical drivel was a logical thought.

Poetic Justice

An abusive man was hitting his wife while she was driving. When she lost
control of the car, the car went into a body of water. The woman and
daughter survived, but fortunately he did not.

http://www.newser.com/story/131900/diaper-saves-toddler-from-drowning.ht
ml

Even though I like the fact that he seemed to get what he deserved, I
only hope that the woman in this story learns from this incident for
future relationships. It can be hard to get out of an abusive
relationship, but she has been given a golden opportunity. I hope that
she gets the help that she needs so that she has the self-worth not to
get emotionally involved with another abuser. Her daughter is a baby and
not yet scarred by seeing an unhealthy relationship between her mother
and father unfold. I hope this woman and her daughter find happiness and
peace in a life that continues to be free from physical or emotional
abuse.

Shameless Promotion

Sharing the various links associated with my entrepreneurial efforts

 

www.designsbonitas.com  My website that explains different services that I am willing to provide if you are willing to pay for them. I try to be an economical option to people that may not have a big budget.

www.amaryllisturman.wordpress.com This is my latest blog that I created with the purpose of sharing reviews. I have various types like movies, products, restaurants, and hotels. I try to share a picture with most entries. If the review is about a product that is available for sale on Amazon, I include the link to make it easier for you to purchase if you so desire.

 

http://www.cafepress.com/chocolatiada This is my online Cafepress storefront for a few of my designs. I hope to get some new designs in store soon, but I have been trying to find the right inspiration.

http://www.helium.com/user/show/30475 Helium is an online article database spanning various topics. Feel free to peruse my articles and learn more about any number of subjects.

 

Tanka Poem: Caught!

Small rodent leaves hole

A gross miscalculation

Trapped in kitty’s claws

Playtime is now beginning

And then toy becomes dinner

Poem: True love is...

True love is giving up your favorite perfume because to him, it smells like “old lady”

True love is getting her a cat, even though you have always been a dog person

True love is buying a limited edition magazine because it is the only one he is missing for his collection

True love is making her a bookcase because she said she needed somewhere to put her books

True love is not just roses and sweet poetry, but thoughtfulness and consideration

True love encompasses all the things we do for those special in our life

Poem: What is Truth

what is truth

is it actual facts

or my perception of what I believe it to be

mental riddles, mind playing games

contorting the physical into an alternate reality

visible to only me

what is truth

is the vow of undying affection

that he bestowed upon me

pursued me with intensity

filling unspoken wishes as if he lived inside my mind

was it truth or trickery

overpowering my discernment abilities

ruse, hoax, fraud

presented before me

as the luscious fruit was before Eve

a glorious deception of promises of happiness

brain manipulation like a potter with his clay

forced hallucinations like mirages in the desert

cleverly crafted world of dreams

become nightmares

where darkness absorbs all light

words of attestation flow freely like water

through cracks in a broken well

action do not corroborate

testimony given, statements cannot be truth

I love you

truth or trickery

is it he or my own ear that deceive

wanting to believe

doubt my ears instead

question their capacity to hear correctly

but in this life of misery

all that is left is to accept the truth

his actions speak truth that his voice will not

Poem: Inner Thoughts Spoken

you took my voice

but I am not despondent

so happy that if you cut me

I would bleed butterflies, rainbows, and sunshine

yet words do not do my feelings any justice

clique expressions and tame overused adjectives

are unable to explain these emotions inside of me

known to be loquacious I should be able to eloquently describe

yet you have left me speechless

I forget my words and thoughts as I catch my breath

our love intensely overwhelms me

who knew an emotion was so powerful to create paradox

delightful, wonderful chaotic but bringing balance

hence my confusion defining this thing called love

Poem: Operation Harmony

there exists a battle for hearts and minds
each side deploys weapons of choice
forward attack with rage and hatred
counter attack with happiness and joy
both become intertwined
cool coils of kindness entangle stark anger
diffusing gently
as darkness turns slowly to muted light
comprehension dawns, glowing with peace
one end brings new beginnings
and feelings of serendipity

In the news

Piranhas attack beachgoers
http://www.newser.com/story/129554/piranhas-attack-brazilian-beachgoers.
html
Open season on tourists. I think that people should develop a taste for
fried piranhas to thin out the population. Until then, maybe it will be
best swim in the pool instead. Seems like the beach is really overrated
unless you like getting your feet and legs nipped by swarms of mini
sharks.
GOP staffers meet with the Birther Queen
http://www.newser.com/story/129563/gop-staffers-meet-with-orly-taitz-bir
ther-queen.html
I don't understand why this lady is so obsessed with the issue of
Obama's birth certificate. The whole conspiracy is for what? To have a
black president? It seems like a whole lot of wasted effort. But what I
don't understand is if his mother is a US citizen, why should it matter
where he was born? Shouldn't he be a US citizen too? But I think that
some people will find anything to complain about. It really is not that
serious. Too bad they are wasting precious energy on this instead of
doing something productive like charity work.

Ala. loses workers as immigration law takes effect

http://news.yahoo.com/ala-loses-workers-immigration-law-takes-effect-222
404123.html
I just had a conspiracies' theory thought - Wonder if the push for
legislation against illegal immigration is a ploy in any way for
corporations to be able to force out domestically owned small
businesses/farmers. It is not that local farmers do not want to pay
workers, there are not enough people willing to work for low wages in
such labor intensive jobs. With the new legislation it is even more
difficult for them to find workers to pick their crops. If no one is
there to harvest all the fruits and vegetables, the farms cannot sell
their goods or pay their bills. When the local farms go out of business,
Big Business Farms can fill the void with produce from their overseas
farms. Consequently, the rich get richer and the poor stay poor.

In the news

Great White Shark attacks swimmer
http://www.newser.com/story/129752/great-white-attacks-swimmer-who-ignor
ed-warnings.html
The alarm was sounded and people were supposed to heed the warning. But
one idiot decided that he did not want to pay attention.
What can happen when you scoff in the face of danger? You lose your
legs.
Some would say that is a high price to pay for stupidity. Hopefully now
he has learned his lesson. Should we feel sorry for him? Someone who did
not value his life enough to pay attention to the warnings now has the
rest of his life to think about how foolish he was. Last I heard, he was
in critical condition. If he survives, he should dedicate his life to
helping children understand the importance of following safety rules.
I wonder what kind of man this guy was before this incident. Was he
arrogant, headstrong, pompous? Why would a person be so reckless?
Whatever the case, he has decimated his quality of life because of an
ill advised decision.