I miss my left hand

Since my bike accident last Saturday when I sprained my left wrist, my left hand has been pretty useless. I can type (although even typing hurts a little), but I can't even lift a coffee cup without wincing with pain. I accidentally lifted my purse with my left hand today, and it almost brought me to my knees with pain. <br /><br />I'm really regretting my decision not to see the doctor after my accident. It took the swelling in my hand three days to go down so that it looked more human (it looked like a fake hand), and it's still a bit swollen. I can't wear my wedding ring or my watch. Since it sort of hurts all the time, I've decided to go see the doctor. Even if there's nothing they can do, at least I'll feel better knowing it will heal someday (I hope!).<br /><br />My most favorite part of going to the gym is the weight lifting. I detest cardio, always have and probably always will. Since lifting even a five-pound dumbbell this week was out of the question, I stayed out of the gym (it kind of broke my heart, but I didn't go). Plus I was trying to give my body time to heal, especially my wrist.<br /><br />My bike accident was actually pretty serious, and I have the bruises all over my body to prove it. The bruise on the inside of my right knee is amazing. I've never seen anything like it. It's eight inches in length and four inches across. It's still a deep reddish purple, and it's still very sore to the touch and kind of burns all the time (maybe the doctor should look at this too). I was looking at it tongiht and thought it looked swollen. I measured my knees and the bruised one is <b>two </b>inches bigger than my undamaged knee. No wonder it looks so fat!<br /><br />Even though I stayed out of the gym all week, my <a href="http://www.bodymedia.com/">BodyMedia</a> really motivated me to still get in my exercise. I set it to give me goals to meet so I would lose two pounds a week. It set my goal at 10,000 steps, one hour of moderate exercise and 30 minutes of vigorous exercise per day. Calorie intake at 1910 per day, although I'm aiming more at 1,300-1500.<br /><br />These are tough goals to make but I'm amazed at how motivated I am to make them. This BodyMedia is the best investment I've ever made in my weight loss journey (that and my Polar heart rate monitor - I still use it). I know I sound like a commercial, but I really love this thing. I bought the armband and the Bluetooth display. At first I thought the Bluetooth display was a waste of money (for another $99). But it's really fun to check it during the day to see how many calories burned or how many steps I've taken. It makes me get up from my desk and run downstairs to get water and ice (no ice machine on my floor). Just that little jaunt is 100 steps and they all add up.<br /><br />When I get home, I can't wait to sync up my BodyMedia on my computer to see how I've done during the day and where I am on the calorie deficit. Entering my meals is so much easier than Weight Watchers and a lot more fun because you can see all the details of what you eat.<br /><br />I was surprised that my total calories each day are almost always a balance of the following: Carbs = 50%, Protein = 25% ,and Fat = 25%. It various a little, but it's been pretty close to that every day, and I'm eating different foods and a different calorie amount almost every day so I can't figure out how this is happening. I don't know if that's a good balance or not, but I think the Zone Diet is 40 / 30 /30. I've never done the Zone Diet but I have a friend that swears by it.<br /><br />For my exercise I've been walking/running at lunch. When I get home, if I haven't made my exercise goals I go for another walk/run, usually it only takes another 20 minutes. Tonight at 8pm I went for a 25 minute walk/run. I met and actually went above my exercise and step goals.<br /><br />I've done a fair job of meeting these goals most days. A couple days I either ate too much fruit (darn those nectarines, plums, cherries and apricots!) and/or got stuck at my desk during lunch (like yesterday) and didn't get any exercise. <br /><br />I was down to 189 on Tuesday, but then my weight jumped back up to 191 the next morning, and I didn't overeat. My guess is it's the swelling in my knee, and my other bruised and injured body parts. <br /><br />My night binge eating has basically stopped. I don't really know why, other than I can't bear the idea of entering my binge foods into the BodyMedia website. The one night that I did go crazy on the fruit, I entered in every bite. I was at 2005 calories, which is more than I think I should be eating, but seeing how many calories I'd burned that day made me feel a little better.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscWRU401z4AsBuv2mFdOgvsWlDrS1exCqcmDMy8jhsPReneR7W_5i-a_u68M1NSNzIwHwYeog8CS-kv3aHzb01anqqCs9oa_G32__ddDfoG2Z6fR4FZR_dhtjimgzEeRDRy3tv9dWEKaP/s1600/mon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscWRU401z4AsBuv2mFdOgvsWlDrS1exCqcmDMy8jhsPReneR7W_5i-a_u68M1NSNzIwHwYeog8CS-kv3aHzb01anqqCs9oa_G32__ddDfoG2Z6fR4FZR_dhtjimgzEeRDRy3tv9dWEKaP/s400/mon.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />Tomorrow morning I'm going to the gym to do some lower body weight machines and maybe the StairMaster. When I ballooned up to 199 a couple weeks ago I couldn't even think about the StairMaster, but I'm feeling more fit and ready to tackle it now.<br /><br /><br />I usually never post what I eat, but just for fun, I thought I'd post my 2005 calorie day from Monday. You can all see what a pig I can be at times. My late night snack was 761 calories!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRZ0qfrNBhN_CmzwpaHCo0YpLKtGndXQKHHwWT-rsvtAcCfd4bp4UAfEqrJdUf9UzHh8BAytFcb5CZD1uQT3MZ7Altf3TCkXFo2d1jpIGM1FBSSs4g4ujdOQT1c3VDY06UbfR6oDoopGE/s1600/2005.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRZ0qfrNBhN_CmzwpaHCo0YpLKtGndXQKHHwWT-rsvtAcCfd4bp4UAfEqrJdUf9UzHh8BAytFcb5CZD1uQT3MZ7Altf3TCkXFo2d1jpIGM1FBSSs4g4ujdOQT1c3VDY06UbfR6oDoopGE/s400/2005.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsP6cSZCZ1BEM1OB47EOUD4yKKm-BBbtVaVizYN1D8FBRYIUYeinwTECWDwZDDs6RzBrgP7aF2Nf1ejq2mSisnTy2JROvKU-ZC13ap8nr5Pip_Qa6plSHhl_BwhsPAq_rOee7MC-c1Jkj/s1600/2005_2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsP6cSZCZ1BEM1OB47EOUD4yKKm-BBbtVaVizYN1D8FBRYIUYeinwTECWDwZDDs6RzBrgP7aF2Nf1ejq2mSisnTy2JROvKU-ZC13ap8nr5Pip_Qa6plSHhl_BwhsPAq_rOee7MC-c1Jkj/s400/2005_2.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's a fairly decent review on the BodyMedia & BodyBugg (both made by the same company):</div>http://www.livestrong.com/article/366271-bodymedia-vs-bodybugg/

I miss my left hand

Since my bike accident last Saturday when I sprained my left wrist, my left hand has been pretty useless. I can type (although even typing h...

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Will you be the next to attend a Microsoft Partners in Learning Institute week?

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Submitted by Fiona Beal</span></i><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Any teacher interested in integrating technology with the curriculum would jump at a chance to visit Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond to attend their Partners in Learning Institute, wouldn’t they? Well I consider myself in that category and from 24th – 31st July I had the privilege of such a visit! This PIL Institute is a new part of Microsoft's vision for teachers, and you could be one of the next attendees! Microsoft is planning many more of these training events… </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Who attended this training?</span></b><br />Microsoft’s educational wing known as Partners in Learning shortlisted 50 innovative teachers from 31 countries to attend the inaugural training in Redmond. Three South African teachers were selected - Cheryl Douglas, Ngaka Ralekoala and myself.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><i></i></span><br /><script src="http://zoom.it/Onlc.js?width=auto&height=400px"></script><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Where did we stay?</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">We lodged at the incredibly luxurious Hyatt-Bellevue Hotel in an area between Seattle and Redmond known as Bellevue. The hotel had magnificent views from the rooms. The conference staff organised a very busy week right down to the last detail late at night – but I must say that every second was well worth it</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ouYs1RqjNDygFCwhNZ03TXnRpBa4dz4TYWJE6oOlQeR3TExfWGukCQ0Q1CWZJrA4rln6qA7TTaefiSzuxBW1UCNbdoXe6AbhAWpmDRABN3UphyphenhyphenZ2lz69aIoM-1XU1h1H-9XxLPbgCNA/s1600/hotel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ouYs1RqjNDygFCwhNZ03TXnRpBa4dz4TYWJE6oOlQeR3TExfWGukCQ0Q1CWZJrA4rln6qA7TTaefiSzuxBW1UCNbdoXe6AbhAWpmDRABN3UphyphenhyphenZ2lz69aIoM-1XU1h1H-9XxLPbgCNA/s320/hotel2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">A room with a view at the Hyatt-Bellevue in Bellevue</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><b>What was the purpose of the PIL Institute? </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">The purpose of the Microsoft Partners in learning Institute is to grow innovative teaching and learning </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">practices</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> around the world through a cadre of teacher trainers who will take what they have learned to their communities to coach and train other educators</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">.</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuc_8VMKBnIxWc0uUEwU7nInffFGZ_5O5Dhuirqp76iE8FWtP5xoqGDjy2fSMtKMR59n0DWB7mfsSOeV-iu963fdXdK7zNSywpttyuHvXEk7bLRKTDzLrudYgspU8QuZUZX4FjhGR1N0E/s1600/baldev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuc_8VMKBnIxWc0uUEwU7nInffFGZ_5O5Dhuirqp76iE8FWtP5xoqGDjy2fSMtKMR59n0DWB7mfsSOeV-iu963fdXdK7zNSywpttyuHvXEk7bLRKTDzLrudYgspU8QuZUZX4FjhGR1N0E/s320/baldev1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Baldev Singh from <a href="http://www.imagineeducation.net/">www.imagineeducation.net</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><b>What did we do each day?</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">D</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">uring the day we had training, workshops, discussions, field trips, work sessions and some learning excursions around which we created a project. </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">I also enjoyed the </span><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">TeachMeet</span></i><span style="line-height: 115%;">  where we got the chance to give two minute presentations on something successful we have done in technology integration. I would LOVE to introduce this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">TeachMeet </i>idea in South Africa. It would really enhance technology integration, I think. We also learned at length about 21^st century skills and how to create and assess activities using 21^st century skills. (We have homework to do on this due for the 15^th August). </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">It was marvelous to get to talk to teachers from all the different countries and find out how education happens in their country. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Another treat was to be able to view the 102 USA finalist entries for the Microsoft Innovative competition. I always love to see what teachers come up with. </span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Us1y2BRhphJK3cX1tGvzBinDat53LbqaLZRwJEuyYosc1LAK52Gn4G0NM8QBiOX4sanGSxkyXrdQBO5VCJ3TQ-0mdRxLOwekuymW07b5rwSRyi5ryeN2DysEGn3ifJAjZlQLwURVme8/s1600/DSCF4715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Us1y2BRhphJK3cX1tGvzBinDat53LbqaLZRwJEuyYosc1LAK52Gn4G0NM8QBiOX4sanGSxkyXrdQBO5VCJ3TQ-0mdRxLOwekuymW07b5rwSRyi5ryeN2DysEGn3ifJAjZlQLwURVme8/s320/DSCF4715.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">One of the USA PIL Innovative Teacher entries</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Here is a slideshow of some of the USA PIL Innovative teacher entries:<br /><embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Ffionabeal%2Falbumid%2F5637820872517497249%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" height="267" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"></embed><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Here is a summary of the USA projects:<br /><a href="http://bit.ly/qfUTvX">http://bit.ly/qfUTvX</a> </span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The winners of the USA IEF have now been announced:</span><br /><div><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2011/aug11/08-01IEF11PR.mspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2011/aug11/08-01IEF11PR.mspx</span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">One of the highlights was to visit the Microsoft Home of the Future at Their Headquarters in Redmond.</span><br /><div style="clear: both;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/mshome/VideoGallery.aspx">http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/mshome/VideoGallery.aspx</a></span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Who were our presenters?</b></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9.65pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The Institute was run under the Directorship of Maureen Cain. Our presenters were of the highest quality and everyone benefitted from their professional input as well as from the warm friendship and enthusiasm of the fifty teacher participants. <span class="Apple-style-span">One of the conference presenters was a Technology Integration specialist, Sonja Delafosse, from the Lake Washington school district. Now that is a job I would enjoy – helping teachers integrate technology into their lessons, because then both the students and the teachers benefit. What do you think?  Their classes seem to have netbooks at their disposal.  Sonja explained how technology integration in schools is very important to the parents of that area, since Seattle houses Microsoft, Boeing, Amazon.com, and Google also has offices there. In fact while we were participating in our Partners in Learning Institute, Google was holding one of its Google certified teacher courses at the same time.  </span></span></div></div><div style="clear: both;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Did we do a lot of sight seeing? </span></b></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9.65pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The 50 of us were transported everywhere by luxury coach.  Seattle is a great city. It is very green with beautiful trees and fresh clean air. Some call it the Emerald City. We didn’t have time for much sight-seeing in our busy schedule, but as mentioned, Microsoft cleverly arranged learning excursions in groups, with each group visiting a tourist site, and creating and completing a project about it. We stored these in our Partners in Learning Network shared folder, and shared them with one another. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HvDk0Vm97JS3qH5Fi0o2aZ0MlBHPAEi2SYKGjcJ5GcUHBbi55Wu7HBzilx_sJuFj-j-U71p9UhQwbhBppgR2L1OLwFdBcsxGsU6umgG8D0K1D4oeRpHekHmRX9KIJlEUZcWx4433KKo/s1600/Our+group+for+underground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HvDk0Vm97JS3qH5Fi0o2aZ0MlBHPAEi2SYKGjcJ5GcUHBbi55Wu7HBzilx_sJuFj-j-U71p9UhQwbhBppgR2L1OLwFdBcsxGsU6umgG8D0K1D4oeRpHekHmRX9KIJlEUZcWx4433KKo/s320/Our+group+for+underground.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Our group visited the Seattle Underground</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9.65pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With so many great Microsoft tools tools at our disposal everyone felt as though they had been everywhere...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.65pt;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The Seattle Underground via a photosynth made by Wichai...</span></i><br /><a href="http://bit.ly/rntjow"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">http://bit.ly/rntjow </span></a></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://photosynth.net/embed.aspx?cid=7fb39566-4f35-4d75-8e13-a44e3f088a10&m=false&i=0:4:2&c=0.00205078:-0.108068:0.00120274&z=595.845555452404&d=2.32396468923907:-2.45784581855064:-2.38653051201723&p=0:0&t=False&delayLoad=true&slideShowPlaying=false" width="500"></iframe><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.65pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>The Space Needle via a photosynth made by their group</i>...</span><br /><a href="http://bit.ly/pkSuZD">http://bit.ly/pkSuZD</a></span></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://photosynth.net/embed.aspx?cid=869b4d72-195a-437c-a1cc-395a544fb4d4&delayLoad=true&slideShowPlaying=false" width="500"></iframe><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.65pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>The Pike Place Market via a video made by Jugoslava..</i>.</span><br /><a href="http://bit.ly/ogWCcU">http://bit.ly/ogWCcU</a></span></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CUAS_bcV1_8" width="425"></iframe><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9.65pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Seattle using a flashcard application made by Birgy...</i><br /><a href="http://flashcards.educationlabs.com/#/Play/?deckid=4721">http://flashcards.educationlabs.com/#/Play/?deckid=4721</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.65pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>The Seattle Art Museum via photosynth made by their group..</i>.</span><br /><a href="http://bit.ly/nvcofi"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">http://bit.ly/nvcofi </span></a></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://photosynth.net/embed.aspx?cid=352a6d31-ee70-43b9-97f1-aeaf674bbfc2&delayLoad=true&slideShowPlaying=false" width="500"></iframe><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.65pt;"><i>A video to sum it all up made by Bram...</i></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/r57qWJEOkpM" width="560"></iframe><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 9.65pt;">Honestly I can’t believe Microsoft’s commitment to teachers – it is awesome! The company is playing such an active role in education. We saw previews of how Partners in Learning wants to facilitate change through educators. They are launching a completely new Partners in Learning Network in November, which we saw a preview of, and I think this will facilitate a powerful network of teachers world-wide. I loved this sign at Microsoft. After eventually working out that it stood for ‘Pedestrian crossing’, for me it still seemed to say… ‘Xing into pedagogical change’.  I have come back with a renewed vision for professional development. <i>Thank you</i> to Microsoft. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAXSYN8KsRbW1gVgzQDCMTy-l7aluIDw0OwqJEwt8Cx3A15RO2vR4SCAQQ08x0rSQpVg9RyfJao44YF_4TvZTEyxXdXRSuLxIIp4UalG3mGmeCpAqk5WWVLt4XJVPHcN4TSvfFhQOqGA/s1600/dsc06188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAXSYN8KsRbW1gVgzQDCMTy-l7aluIDw0OwqJEwt8Cx3A15RO2vR4SCAQQ08x0rSQpVg9RyfJao44YF_4TvZTEyxXdXRSuLxIIp4UalG3mGmeCpAqk5WWVLt4XJVPHcN4TSvfFhQOqGA/s320/dsc06188.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 9.65pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">THE END</span></div></div></div>

conferences Microsoft Will you be the next to attend a Microsoft Partners in Learning Institute week?

Submitted by Fiona Beal Any teacher interested in integrating technology with the curriculum would jump at a chance to visit Microsoft’s hea...

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Post Baby Update

<p>Howdy friends! I wanted to give everyone an update! Tuesday I had my 6 week check up with my doctor. I had to wait until this appointment to start any type of exercise and…other things! <img alt="Winking smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0l-x9qkg8mszI7otce9WcWCQEIFsm3c3jdHCBUZbX_lapHZbt-OWw-hu6nO2K6SVFeEZz9csZXkRyqq_LIUbE0MwdRUI8yPhOU445W_mtSw1m5Ld9akRvEA2Zp7wDQUdHVsxSOFCnGxt_/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-bottom-style: none"> Anyway…she said that I was good to go with exercise, but just to listen to my body, which was my exact plan! </p> <p>I had already researched and decided on using the couch to 5K plan. Click <a href="http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml">here</a> to see the program I printed. Yep, I printed it! I’m putting it on my fridge and going to check each day off as I complete it!</p> <p>Wednesday was day 1! I got my (new) running shorts on, grabbed my garmin, buckled Adelyn in our new (to us) jogging stroller, and we were off! Day 1 was a 5 minute power walk warm up and then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-erMPGxdySLXk7ZOF9H4oF6Ck9Cw6sZ-eVSZuRV3ztTwPr1jRG-5i9-vPhV54sEQITa02mH7sN0KcxHTtQWBPEyCW5JPGoSkscNmSpR51NzRLxOSCgVC4T9HpQRkbLB6nYNtA_Ah5o-1/s1600-h/DSC004815.jpg"><img alt="DSC00481" border="0" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAksa3Gvvj-RryM_fb06N7l08cKChXzsaj3e2plfFyZgomKeBcxokbXBJi9B5QCsXpCCw2g5r2_4YCxxFD8JClITXmKU5yOIdu_eMb44OeN4f07uk8XB1HUl54hJvWHQuYNyXMG1uIecI6/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; padding-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC00481" width="342"></a></p> <p>I didn’t know what to expect, but I sure didn’t expect my rear to feel like it gained an extra 10 lbs!! Seesh!! I felt like I had a ba-donk-a-donk! I talked to a few other fellow new mama’s and happily found out it gets better! Thank goodness!</p> <p>I found day 1 to be completely do-able and I’m looking forward to more runs with my baby girl!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPT8Of-ENTnPp0TY-lEvxxv66ADrOb4iNDyZ539D6N66ltiG0SadP9Jn8fEH2EO8K7kurN0pARJ9WhfRJd-rUTnXuiVT5esOUHRiOoi64hoVeWQMXQ9ETdwif8U2-oFBL24skG8_NPe-y6/s1600-h/DSC004865.jpg"><img alt="DSC00486" border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitG9uaKY_RQlT0M1xj6osd6eBnc_IenVkqXDvtmdX8sP-wrDRakXUFJsHV40Dv6wWftE1LivzgNvcD02HXsPCBto0916_PeiAemwYEexw0_Hcqo-jCrATDzNy6Ulau0ulhLqK9QnUVhtTW/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; padding-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC00486" width="351"></a></p> <p>Speaking of Adelyn, check out what she thought of her first time in the bumbo! That toothless grin melts my heart every time!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymtNETu7ZRoARrfai1HvKyVUtvfoW9xky4HIauNHDAS-NwIuzK5u_kuhoJ375dNNelhjKe2KGXyHQ0uk8ECTlPv1NXJOM2nCRUuNCrzkjwQNMWIZcEb_RUKUxkVxe1hzY64JlVShwdgFr/s1600-h/DSC004784.jpg"><img alt="DSC00478" border="0" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESOXVAvd6EvDGHB6_kfkjuah_69CWh3XPaiq3FLYDgWxCau2g8iZkM6YzeQ-pdbKkH850SqdeiOn1JWeHh51mlnt6ARwqaT8asujjxMHfCGexZw-9Muuc8DSoRpCXKboUZELs0c1TWxyj/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; padding-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC00478" width="324"></a></p> <p>So the other part of this post baby plan is focusing on my eats as well. I think it would be hard not to with a fridge filled with all these fruits & veggies! Monday I cleaned, chopped, & packaged carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet corn, grapes, cantaloupe, strawberries, pineapple, and watermelon!<img alt="DSC00476" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRV2UbyzzB7GHzuPdKlk2Yu6f-zIJO3gHOkSE48QakF-r9ruOUzOLwy4Z_MdK13ptvbs5eZxML9LmA6kFtmFYvhtoWJ3eWU5VU2nPwVAAQMiUq0Xlr-UOItqRYEVwnOtSLos2aX2H50faA/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; padding-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC00476" width="404"></a></p> <p>I’m hoping with adding exercise into my routine it boost the weight loss and help me tone! I hope everyone has a great rest of the week!</p> <p>Adios <img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmh4zvEp-d5QWHTgNZGj-vOV4wnW172KR9tqcUzHrMQ0lj5DtFT5QbpfpMmu8zimo8V3uek8nexk0Y6lcqKgeixx4hiCPJd48Ic5h3OLymtIzOOih20LmfZCQNATiKhZaPirxCcmNCKVo/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-bottom-style: none"></p>

Post Baby Update

Howdy friends! I wanted to give everyone an update! Tuesday I had my 6 week check up with my doctor. I had to wait until this appointment to...

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Food for Thought

<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE INCAPABILITY OF THE WEST TO INTERVENE IN SYRIA</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="266" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1ROqAcX2BJk?feature=player_embedded" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">On 24 and 30 June I mentioned in my blog that the Syrian regime will most likely survive the upraising. We are now into the 6^th month of uprising in SYRIA and the regime is still in power and will most probably stay, the reasons of which have been analyzed by mainstream media and basically reiterate what I have been stating in the first place.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The fear of total chaos and subsequent takeover by Islamic fundamentalists, after the tumble of the regime are simply too high. The close proximity to Israel and Lebanon are additional reasons the West is reluctant to intervene. It seems that the West has also learned its lesson with Iraq and thus will not want to do the same mistake with Syria.  </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thus the regime will stay in power, make one or two cosmetic concessions to calm the international community in order to obtain financial aid for its stagnating economy which is the only real threat that could tumble the regime.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="266" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PI6JQ7gjYv8?feature=player_embedded" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="266" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/REmG8Zij8EI?feature=player_embedded" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Since Syria has always shared close relationships with Russia and China it will in most likelihood receive aid from these countries easier then Europe or the USA, who are too occupied solving their own financial crisis. In return Syria will purchase arms and at the same time increase its ties with Iran in order to counterbalance the threat from Saudi Arabia who has their own agenda regarding Syria. (See <a href="http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MD28Ak01.html">http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MD28Ak01.html</a> )</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>SUPPRESSED ARAB SPRING</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Has the so called Arab Spring brought democracy to these countries? What changes have really been implemented by the new governments or interim authorities as is the case in Egypt? The longer the “revolution” is ongoing the less we read in mainstream media and the lesser are the chances that the Arab uprising is likely to succeed. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Looking at the current situation it seems that no real changes have occurred to implement democratic systems. Thus the more time elapses, the more the upraise is losing its momentum it originally generated.    There is also the danger that with each month passing without the creation of a democratic government the chances of Islamic fundamentalist taking over are growing.      </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">    </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>DOUBLE STANDARDS OF US RATING AGENCIES</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">It simply is amazing how manipulative US rating agencies are and the double standard they use when it comes to protect US interests. I have voiced my opinion about rating agencies in various articles on this blog. The question is why are the Big 3 US rating agencies not downgrading the USA in the wake of a looming default? The entire hype and influence rating agencies have over countries and international markets reflect the current state of mind financial as well economic wheelers and dealers have in an economic system which is becoming more and more like a casino monopoly game. What has become of society which bases their economy on speculation? ( economics are more complex then portrayed, but  I try to express the current situation in layman’s terms.)      </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="266" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hLzP86UZwwM?feature=player_embedded" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /><a href="http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/1233.html"><span style="color: #1c4680;"></span></a></span></div></div></div></div>

Food for Thought

THE INCAPABILITY OF THE WEST TO INTERVENE IN SYRIA On 24 and 30 June I mentioned in my blog that the Syrian regime will most likely survive ...

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...aka/'Ann Newton' of "Shadow of a Doubt"

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojZ9jp-etWTxKzSK6L3SownKXy4D6kHkMAbhf3Rd5dAfkL2ILkDHpnl24Gsv7fiRutyiGdoUAhhXAYeFmDaf5RHA9Cahyphenhyphens3chOd7pvCfs94LjXaadHHF04XptKudg80MgLw-woX5nvVtc/s1600/Edna+Ford+and+Carey+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojZ9jp-etWTxKzSK6L3SownKXy4D6kHkMAbhf3Rd5dAfkL2ILkDHpnl24Gsv7fiRutyiGdoUAhhXAYeFmDaf5RHA9Cahyphenhyphens3chOd7pvCfs94LjXaadHHF04XptKudg80MgLw-woX5nvVtc/s1600/Edna+Ford+and+Carey+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Shadow of a Doubt</i>, Wallace Ford, Edna May Wonacott, Macdonald Carey</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Early in 2010 I was doing research for a post on Alfred Hitchcock's </i>Shadow of a Doubt<i> and in the process came upon an interesting piece by one of TCM's MovieMorlock bloggers, Medusa. Entitled "My Favorite Book Worm or: Where in the World is Edna May Wonacott?", it focused on the child actress who portrayed Ann Newton in</i> Shadow of a Doubt<i>. I was inspired to locate and contact Edna (now Edna Green) and asked her if she'd like to be interviewed. She agreed, and our conversation evolved into a blog that first appeared at </i>The Classic Film & TV Cafe<i> on her 78th birthday in February 2010, was later published as a Sunday feature in </i>The Yuma Sun <i>and, later still, as an article in </i>Films of the Golden Age<i>. Here is a slightly revised version:</i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Edna May was nine years old and living with her family in Santa Rosa, California, when she caught the eye of director Alfred Hitchcock while he was in town preparing to make <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shadow of a Doubt</i> (1943). The director cast her in the role of Ann Newton, younger sister of the protagonist, Charlie Newton (Teresa Wright) and niece of the villain, Charles Oakley (Joseph Cotten). Edna May made quite a splash in the part and appeared in small roles in other films over the next few years.<br /><br />That Alfred Hitchcock happened upon Edna May and cast her in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shadow of a Doubt</i> is a minor legend, but an imprecise one. In some versions of the story, Joseph Cotten was with the director when they met. Edna clearly recalls the circumstances of that fortuitous day when she and two cousins were on their way home from a shopping excursion:</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"I was discovered in Santa Rosa, standing on a street corner waiting for a bus. Alfred Hitchcock and producer Jack Skirball were standing at the same corner looking over the town."</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnh_IUSetapGSq8c8YazjKArQIn83zhN9DH9EI6nzAPWcHRqsgDoIAfjemAHLINhy3FXkgchmJBlJgaWNhc78VcXZulzwBNQUr33FxA4TViyOXBFlkecNq7nyMZQACJb1c5mBtdhh_6Yuq/s1600/Edna+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnh_IUSetapGSq8c8YazjKArQIn83zhN9DH9EI6nzAPWcHRqsgDoIAfjemAHLINhy3FXkgchmJBlJgaWNhc78VcXZulzwBNQUr33FxA4TViyOXBFlkecNq7nyMZQACJb1c5mBtdhh_6Yuq/s1600/Edna+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hitchcock (right) in Santa Rosa, near the spot where he met Edna</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">That particular corner bus stop, in front of a Karl's shoe store, had a view of several prominent downtown locations including the courthouse, a circular green and the bank. Hitchcock and Skirball were looking and talking and jotting down notes on a clipboard. Edna May watched them and was curious. She edged away from her cousins to be closer to Hitchcock and Skirball so she could find out what was going on. The two men noticed her observing them and began to look her over.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"My older cousin made me move away from them and next to her, and the two men kept looking at me and finally walked over to us and introduced themselves and said they were making a movie in town and wanted to know if I wanted to be in it." They asked for her address and said they would be out to talk to her parents that afternoon.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Edna May ran all the way home to tell her mother that she was going to be in a movie. Her mother, well aware of her daughter's vivid imagination, thought she'd made it up until the cousins arrived and confirmed her story.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9KfC9_PbDcYpVYrRJDwGUTE2dz6z4Qb58Ewg3GgeO5uL1URJBmkqdiNeEwIy3b6KSNfo1Y6tDHmNFbXVTMQk2YHDeWrh-UUp-RNmkPQD_f6GqGfupRkHQbZ6RG3lLsPMgYMax9uzeb8P/s1600/Edna+on+the+phone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9KfC9_PbDcYpVYrRJDwGUTE2dz6z4Qb58Ewg3GgeO5uL1URJBmkqdiNeEwIy3b6KSNfo1Y6tDHmNFbXVTMQk2YHDeWrh-UUp-RNmkPQD_f6GqGfupRkHQbZ6RG3lLsPMgYMax9uzeb8P/s320/Edna+on+the+phone.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edna's first scene as Ann Newton</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The next day Edna May and her mother were on the night train to Los Angeles where the young girl would make her screen test. The following morning they taxied from the Glendale depot to Universal Studios, where they were met at the gate and escorted to the audition. Edna May was given a script for the phone scene, the first appearance of Ann Newton in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shadow of a Doubt</i>. Hitchcock directed her, basically instructing her on the reactions and expressions he was after. Edna May wasn't nervous, she just followed Hitchcock's direction and aced the screen test. She said she didn't have to be coaxed into taking the part, adding: "What nine year old wouldn't want to be in a movie?"</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The story goes - and it's true - that Edna May had no experience as a performer up to that point, not even in school plays or church pageants, "I hadn't had any acting experience and no interest in ever doing such a thing..."</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HI0OZH0w_WoUeJ98iGmUlaASAzUJOYun8RGZqMY39H-fzsrr3OQP2kEpkWxHS9SqdlMKTBWUbvBF6FO6CoaT1wif-DypgPTkKWYyURGd1-_Q8-nmbm9bntLZz2XQ8eFIZiiDYBIKbmyE/s1600/Abbott+and+Costello+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HI0OZH0w_WoUeJ98iGmUlaASAzUJOYun8RGZqMY39H-fzsrr3OQP2kEpkWxHS9SqdlMKTBWUbvBF6FO6CoaT1wif-DypgPTkKWYyURGd1-_Q8-nmbm9bntLZz2XQ8eFIZiiDYBIKbmyE/s200/Abbott+and+Costello+3.jpg" width="135" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abbott & Costello</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">While at Universal, Edna May and her mother ate in the commissary and were entranced as they watched actors and actresses in costume eating lunch. Edna remembers meeting Abbott and Costello, Deanna Durbin and Shemp Howard of Three Stooges fame that day. In fact, she and her mother were offered an all-expenses-paid weekend in Hollywood, including a chauffeur-driven car to take them anywhere they'd like to go. Edna May wanted more than anything to visit the Disney studios, but her mother, unsettled at being away from home and on her own for the first time, didn't want to stay - and they were on the train headed back to Santa Rosa that night.  </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Though she was a novice, Edna May didn't receive any special training for her performance. She gives credit to the director: "I had no coaching for the part and just took direction from Alfred Hitchcock." She worked well with him and had no trouble understanding what he wanted from her. She felt it was the same for the other actors in the cast (Joseph Cotten, Teresa Wright, Henry Travers, Patricia Collinge, Hume Cronyn, Macdonald Carey, Wallace Ford). She recalls Hitchcock as a very quiet man who kept to himself much of the time (she often saw him reading comic books on the set).</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ann Newton was a unique character, a confident, self-possessed little girl who loved books and didn't hesitate to speak up. She was an observant child, the only family member who took a dubious view of Uncle Charlie early on. I wondered if Edna May had been like Ann Newton as a child. In some ways, she doesn't think so ("I didn't like reading and would rather be outside riding my bike or playing."). On the other hand, she noted that she was "a very confident kid and never doubted I could do anything I wanted to do." And she was observant; it was her curiosity about Hitchcock and Skirball on that street corner that set her Hollywood adventure in motion.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrE91_4ieDPpcwPNJKhP1_bThyphenhyphenNKR_bR9XPRmJk20b-OoNqfg5b_6DCHRjZW2IQay15SN_TjI2DQRilp9mMYUeSPrEjzKyau6L12aB6oi3jXRSolCFlg3lCiGWQc_Q0taOQHv_XKqISqY/s1600/Edna+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrE91_4ieDPpcwPNJKhP1_bThyphenhyphenNKR_bR9XPRmJk20b-OoNqfg5b_6DCHRjZW2IQay15SN_TjI2DQRilp9mMYUeSPrEjzKyau6L12aB6oi3jXRSolCFlg3lCiGWQc_Q0taOQHv_XKqISqY/s200/Edna+4.jpg" width="166" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ann Newton is not impressed</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Edna remembers filming <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shadow of a Doubt</i> fondly: "The cast and crew were like a happy family. No one was treated any differently than anyone else. I had no favorites on the set other than the fact that I was madly in love with Joseph Cotten and melted every time he talked to me. Everybody knew this and I got kidded a lot!" Her crush on the charismatic Mr. Cotten didn't get in the way of her performance, though. Hitchcock's instructions to Edna May regarding her scenes with Cotten were: "It doesn't matter how nice he is to you, always be suspicious of him and question why he's doing what he's doing." Ann's skepticism of him is reflected the moment Uncle Charlie hands her an ill-chosen teddy bear gift and Edna May screws up her face and gives him a withering sidelong glance.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shadow of a Doubt</i>'s exterior scenes were shot on location in Santa Rosa, which was unusual for the time. The interiors were shot at the studio on a soundstage. When the time came to travel to Hollywood again, Edna May's mother and brother accompanied her. Her dad, who was a Santa Rosa grocer, stayed home and minded the store. It was her brother who helped her memorize her lines.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnSiWPQTXKCPkmY7VlvoR8RzNC80jzqwoVT7y5-fTrhxaqhscr6NvlyMflVhC3JLTToiEIPKJCN-_5ORZO8O17JvmOHtzoPNvU6LOMHXuT90ARsVQrKGd0Hf1HORvBqI_Kc3mS5LdWI7T/s1600/Edna+B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnSiWPQTXKCPkmY7VlvoR8RzNC80jzqwoVT7y5-fTrhxaqhscr6NvlyMflVhC3JLTToiEIPKJCN-_5ORZO8O17JvmOHtzoPNvU6LOMHXuT90ARsVQrKGd0Hf1HORvBqI_Kc3mS5LdWI7T/s320/Edna+B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edna's classmate, Sabu, 'the elephant boy'</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Filming on <i>Shadow of a Doubt </i>began in August 1942 and took three months to complete. While in Hollywood during the school year, Edna May was tutored on the set on the days that she worked. On off-days, she attended classes at the studio's schoolhouse. She particularly remembers one fellow student, Sabu, who captivated the class with stories about the elephants of India. His stories gave Edna May the impression that in India elephants were as common as dogs in the U.S., and treated in much the same way.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Edna May became close to Pat Hitchcock, the director's daughter, and the two often played gin rummy on the set. Both girls had crushes on Joseph Cotten, and when he gave Edna May an autographed picture inscribed "with love," Edna remembers that Pat was a little disconcerted because Cotten hadn't signed his picture to her with the same sentiment.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjci5xSC0pS1zqmjbZQLkf3NLdqtt8QGBvzIf6zSAzMwUceb3OiukRgEy0EPuWHIFwBDx8CvRY_gTG5P4cZ58mCzkhk2wWortTKj8GTbHHv4OhNSdZy0qYEL-BibACeGCK100G4kNRtcx_6/s1600/Joseph+cotten3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjci5xSC0pS1zqmjbZQLkf3NLdqtt8QGBvzIf6zSAzMwUceb3OiukRgEy0EPuWHIFwBDx8CvRY_gTG5P4cZ58mCzkhk2wWortTKj8GTbHHv4OhNSdZy0qYEL-BibACeGCK100G4kNRtcx_6/s1600/Joseph+cotten3.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joseph Cotten</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Hitchcocks frequently took Edna May to Hollywood's famous Brown Derby restaurant with them, and she spent many weekends as Pat's guest at the Hitchcock home. On most days, their meals would be ordered from the kitchen and sent up to Pat's room via a "dumb-waiter" built into the wall. One day, though, Pat told her there would be a formal dinner that evening and to "wear something nice." Edna May was flustered, not being familiar with the forks, spoons, knives, dishes and glasses used at proper dinners. She hoped to sit next to Pat and follow her lead. But Pat told her they'd be sitting across the table from each other and, when it came to the silverware, "just start from the outside and work your way in." It turned out that the evening's guests were Joseph Cotten, his wife and step-daughter - and Edna was seated next to him. She remembers being so smitten that she was trembling. And she'll never forget that he talked with her all through dinner.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Like so many kids of that era, Edna May had an autograph book. When it was Alfred Hitchcock's turn to sign, he did it as one might expect - with a twist. He signed the last page in the book and with his left hand (he was right-handed): "By hook or by crook, I'll be the last one to sign in this book."</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">At the end of the shoot, there was a goodbye party in San Francisco. Edna May received many gifts that she still cherishes, including an inscribed bracelet from Teresa Wright, a scarf with a "pigtail" motif from Joseph Cotten and a golden bow from Hitchcock inscribed "to Ann Newton from Alfred Hitchcock." Edna recalls that Hitchcock never called her anything but Ann throughout the making of <i>Shadow of a Doubt</i>.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHO2mcU15JprMCi9Zy46CpYnsyUfwaHp_trHsXh4bU3SxDrCLDJ3mkm5kloitW67lzg9SbHizWT4Pz_nUKZI8jwEO_LjEfRlbiHeqlrmI9l3l4-c8OTSWWNAZA0fZE6ZfH-H2VgihEdp3/s1600/Edna+autograph+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHO2mcU15JprMCi9Zy46CpYnsyUfwaHp_trHsXh4bU3SxDrCLDJ3mkm5kloitW67lzg9SbHizWT4Pz_nUKZI8jwEO_LjEfRlbiHeqlrmI9l3l4-c8OTSWWNAZA0fZE6ZfH-H2VgihEdp3/s320/Edna+autograph+resized.jpg" width="259" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edna May Wonacott, child actress</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Edna May, of course, was a local celebrity in Santa Rosa (then with a population of 19,000). "There was a lot of publicity and women would come into dad's store and want to touch the father of a movie star! I have lots of scrapbooks of the publicity and had quite a write-up in <i>Life</i> magazine and was in movie magazines. Little girls with pigtails and glasses suddenly started showing up on the street corners in town."</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When <i>Shadow of a Doubt</i> was released it premiered in Santa Rosa and Pat Hitchcock came up from Hollywood and attended with Edna May. There was quite a hubbub in town over the film and its release signaled a war bond drive, with Edna May kicking it off at the courthouse in Santa Rosa. She also took a trip to sell war bonds in Salinas when the movie opened there.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When she signed a five-year contract with producer Jack Skirball, Edna May and her parents moved to Glendale following the release of <i>Shadow of a Doubt</i>. Her older brother, then in college, stayed in Santa Rosa and ran the family store until he went into the military and served during World War II.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Her first assignment for Skirball was to be <i>It's in the Bag</i> with Fred Allen, and Edna May was to have equal billing. But Allen balked at this and refused to work with her. Ultimately, her contract was broken, but when the film was eventually made without her, Edna May was paid in full.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8eJ6HN3Rw-HpglAqAn4JM8Zo1ciz-mN92OlK3hvt3_yHiyP5319XfV3gMxTjMDCgbyqG7MjZKOoJ2EBhwisiP3c1wY9k882qrZ441YvxQV8JttD4UnK8gsLKScbxREIHFahxTcFGLx8I/s1600/Edna+C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8eJ6HN3Rw-HpglAqAn4JM8Zo1ciz-mN92OlK3hvt3_yHiyP5319XfV3gMxTjMDCgbyqG7MjZKOoJ2EBhwisiP3c1wY9k882qrZ441YvxQV8JttD4UnK8gsLKScbxREIHFahxTcFGLx8I/s320/Edna+C.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Bells of St. Mary's</i>,<i> </i>Ingrid Bergman, center, and Edna, right</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">At this point, she signed with an agent who handled child actors exclusively. Edna May won small roles in several more films, and she has warm memories of working on Leo McCarey's <i>The Bells of Saint Mary's </i>(1945), a film nominated for eight Oscars and winner of one. She played Delphine, a girl about to graduate from St. Mary's, the one who smacks a baseball through a window in Mr. Bogardus's (Henry Travers) new building. Edna recalls that, like <i>Shadow of a Doubt</i>, the atmosphere on the set was "just like family." Ingrid Bergman was "a real sweetheart who said hello to everyone from the janitor on up when she came on the set." Edna also remembers that a member of the crew would play a little tune on an ocarina whenever Miss Bergman arrived. She adds, "We had a lot of fun with Bing Crosby - since there was a schoolyard set, he was always playing basketball with the kids."</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Edna continued playing bit parts for the next few years but left acting at the beginning of the 1950s. Though her movie career is now long ago, she remembers those days with pleasure, "I have nothing but good memories of working in Hollywood. It was a different era than it is now and, being as young as I was, I didn't feel like an actress...I was just a kid who did what she was told to do."</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Along with her memories, Edna has a treasure-trove of <i>Shadow of a Doubt </i>memorabilia. From her scrapbooks, copies of <i>Life</i> magazine and the prized goodbye gifts, to her original script with its cover signed by Hitchcock and the entire cast.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Edna mused that some friends of hers recently watched <i>Shadow of a Doubt</i> after she told them she was in it. They were quick to tell her: "You are just <i>exactly</i> like you were in that movie." And I'll admit that at times during our conversation I could hear a little bit of Ann Newton as I spoke with Edna Green.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4a5xII9BGZhLn5ehPsrSOCsKM-TnrVYQbDS0y9l_y2CHT3FnQvAANI5d-ZVoyMFyCUPJuS3493dc2xkj-mG6iB2nFVIcIESl2T8GtczHymH8Fm91XZAIaHJiqml49qYO1kNtXRJfJ8v7/s1600/Edna+and+cougar+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4a5xII9BGZhLn5ehPsrSOCsKM-TnrVYQbDS0y9l_y2CHT3FnQvAANI5d-ZVoyMFyCUPJuS3493dc2xkj-mG6iB2nFVIcIESl2T8GtczHymH8Fm91XZAIaHJiqml49qYO1kNtXRJfJ8v7/s400/Edna+and+cougar+2.jpg" width="396" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edna on the set of <i>Under Western Skies </i>(1945) with one of her co-stars, a young mountain lion</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://moviemorlocks.com/2008/08/03/my-favorite-bookworm-or-where-in-the-world-is-edna-may-wonacott/">Click here</a></b> for MedusaMorlock's post about Edna; <b><a href="http://eves-reel-life.blogspot.com/2011/01/shadow-of-doubts-ann-newtontoday.html">click here</a></b> for an update on Edna's life a year after our first interview,<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><b><a href="http://evesreellife.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/from-edna-may-wonacotts-photo-collection/">click here</a></b> to view publicity photos from Edna's personal collection. <b><a href="http://eves-reel-life.blogspot.com/2012/07/a-tv-tour-of-hitchcock-film-locations.html">Click here</a> </b>to watch a 2012 TV interview with Edna (courtesy of KPIX TV, San Francisco).</div>

Alfred Hitchcock Edna May Wonacott Henry Travers Hume Cronyn Joseph Cotten Macdonald Carey Patricia Collinge Shadow of a Doubt Teresa Wright Wallace Ford ...aka/'Ann Newton' of "Shadow of a Doubt"

Shadow of a Doubt , Wallace Ford, Edna May Wonacott, Macdonald Carey Early in 2010 I was doing research for a post on Alfred Hitchcock's...

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Shadow of a Doubt Giveaway on Hitchcock's Birthday...the details

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJEu7rw-6-WRm0_4UztirtS1EQmUtfd0BmcU0w6Mld91p7quhZKeuXd1taAmn3q8wfG3r5DNsEBz-4rh3g1AjVf8-2E2cazjNiWt-ON9vBokkKDGf23b19K2TWvBysGNOi3oO7TgFlJUo/s1600/shadow+of+a+doubt+dvd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJEu7rw-6-WRm0_4UztirtS1EQmUtfd0BmcU0w6Mld91p7quhZKeuXd1taAmn3q8wfG3r5DNsEBz-4rh3g1AjVf8-2E2cazjNiWt-ON9vBokkKDGf23b19K2TWvBysGNOi3oO7TgFlJUo/s1600/shadow+of+a+doubt+dvd.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In celebration of Alfred Hitchcock's 112th birthday on August 13, Reel Life is giving away a DVD of one of his great masterpieces, <i>Shadow of a Doubt </i>(1943). The giveaway will be in the form of a random drawing to be held on the 13th at noon Pacific Time. To enter, send an email to ladyevesidwich@gmail.com and include your name and mailing address (U.S. residents only, please).</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In addition to the DVD, the winner will also receive an 8 x 10 photograph (shown below) personally autographed to them by Edna May Wonacott (Green), who portrayed younger sister Ann Newton in </span><i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Shadow of a Doubt</i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">. </span></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></i><br /><br /><i style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Update</b>: </span></span></i><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The drawing has been held and Jeff in Ohio is the winner. Thanks to all who participated!</span></span><br /><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">The Lady Eve</span> </span></span></i><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGI2Q8wF316aV3YIuojf9Jv1C1zNlqOaVU-SswvEnBehGsEe6xLmgDaZhmnHelNVV3SfIykau-znCyxchJErO1bK58R-TU4c2nZ-M-XNN8C5pkt3bNUf3lBOLaYXiz4mBn0b9P_iJk7if/s1600/Edna+and+Hitch+2+resized+small+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGI2Q8wF316aV3YIuojf9Jv1C1zNlqOaVU-SswvEnBehGsEe6xLmgDaZhmnHelNVV3SfIykau-znCyxchJErO1bK58R-TU4c2nZ-M-XNN8C5pkt3bNUf3lBOLaYXiz4mBn0b9P_iJk7if/s400/Edna+and+Hitch+2+resized+small+cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><br /> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edna and Hitch on the set of <i>Shadow of a Doubt</i></td></tr><br /> </tbody></table>

Alfred Hitchcock DVD giveaway Edna May Wonacott Shadow of a Doubt The Lady Eve (author) Shadow of a Doubt Giveaway on Hitchcock's Birthday...the details

In celebration of Alfred Hitchcock's 112th birthday on August 13, Reel Life is giving away a DVD of one of his great masterpieces, Shado...

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August Goals

It's time for me to check in on how I did at meeting my goals for the month of July, and then figure out what I'm going to do for August.  Perhaps I should rephrase that last part: "I need to make some actual achievable goals for August - ones that are so simple I know I can meet them! I need a confidence boost!"  <br /><br />1. <b>Go to the gym 5 days a week.</b>  This will consist of 40 minutes of cardio and 1 day per week of weight lifting. <i>I made it to the gym on average 3-4 days a week.  I'm not sure that I ever did 5.</i><br /><br />2. <b>Meet my first 10lb goal. </b>I can do this.  I'm 7 pounds away.  I. will. do. this. <i>I. didn't. do. this.</i><br /><br />3. <b>Plan my meals.  </b>By doing this, it will help me stay within my daily Points+ range.  Also, it will help me start going through my cookbooks, as is <a href="http://prittygoodbooks.blogspot.com/2011/04/hungry-girl-cooking-eggamuffin-101.html">another goal of mine</a>.   <i>I actually started off strong with this goal and did 2 solid weeks of meal planning for 5 days.  It helped initially.  Then I got busy and didn't make time to meal plan.</i><br /><br />4. <b>Take my lunch to work every day.</b>  <i>I do a very good job at this, especially lately.  </i><br /><br />5. <b>Divvy up my Points+ balance for each meal and stick to it.</b>  I have a tendency to just eat whatever I want when I want, regardless of the Points+ value.  Sometimes this works to my benefit, most times it does not.  I plan to use a variation of <a href="http://gettingnshape.blogspot.com/">Christina's</a> method and see how that works for me:<br /><div style="text-align: center;">I get a total of <b>41 Points+</b> per day.  They will be divided out as follows:</div><blockquote><blockquote><ul><li><i>Breakfast</i>: 10 Points+</li><li><i>A.M. Snack</i>: 5 Points+</li><li><i>Lunch</i>: 10 Points+</li><li><i>P.M</i>. Snack: 5 Points+</li><li><i>Dinner</i>: 11 Points+</li></ul></blockquote></blockquote><i>This actually worked well for me.  It helped me to break down my day into chunks and focus on those chunks so that I didn't go overboard.  I felt initially that eating 10 Points+ for my main meals was just too much food.  However, I found that when I would eat, let's say, 5 Points+ for breakfast, and start throwing myself off of that plan up above, I would go overboard because I lacked a true structure.  I also found that even though I felt like eating 10 Points+ for breakfast was too much, it kept me full longer.  ALSO, I found that when 7 of my breakfast Points+ are not including my Starbucks chai, I feel a whole lot more satisfied! </i><br /><br />Here's what I'm going to do for August:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.e-acai.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Weight-Loss-Goals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.e-acai.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Weight-Loss-Goals.jpg" /></a></div><br />1. <b>Print out and post my goals on my desk at work and on the fridge.</b>  Let's face it, I type these goals up on my blog, and then I forget about most of them.  If I have them front and center, in my face each day, then surely that will help remind me what I should be focusing on.<br /><br />2.  <b>Begin the <a href="http://www.priorfatgirl.com/2011/07/new-rules-of-lifting-for-women-as-a-group.html">New Rules of Lifting for Women Challenge offered by Jen at the Priorfatgirl.com</a></b>.  I've been wanting to include weight lifting into my daily gym routine, and this challenge could not have come at a better time.<br /><br />3.  <b>Incorporate 1 fruit and 1 vegetable into each meal every single day, and keep track of how often I meet this goal.</b>  Ultimately the goal here is to add 1 additional fruit and veg each month so that I'm meeting the Good Health Guidelines from WW.  But I'm going to start small.<br /><br />4. <b>Keep track of how many days I attended the gym, for how long, and what I did while there</b>.<br /><br />5. <b>Track and stay on plan at least 5 days per week</b> <b>- and actually keep track of whether or not I've done this</b>.  I cannot let my weekend start on Friday and end on Monday.  <br /><br />Weight loss is continuing to be a huge challenge for me each and every day.  It sucks. I'm not too proud of myself right now at all.

goals Weight Loss Weight Loss Challenges Weight Watchers August Goals

It's time for me to check in on how I did at meeting my goals for the month of July, and then figure out what I'm going to do for Au...

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Post bike crash update

I slept almost all day today. My body must be trying to repair the damage from my bike crash yesterday. My left hand and wrist are still very swollen, but the pain is more of a mild discomfort. As long as I don't try to use it for anything strenuous, I'm okay.<br /><br />I re-read this morning's post about my bike crash. Boy, was I ever dramatic! I think it was the Vicodin talking. It was pretty serious, and I could have broken some bones or if I hadn't had on a bike helmet, there's no telling what would have happened to my head when it hit the pavement. Even my biking gloves offered some protection, because one of them had a big rip in it after the crash. That could have been a rip in my hand.<br /><br />It's kind of funny because about ten minutes before I fell, I saw a guy riding without a helmet, with the wind blowing through his hair. I remembered when I was a kid and we never wore bike helmets. I even thought that the helmets are really for riding in traffic, in case you get hit by a car. My logic was that out on my trail, it's just bicyclists and pedestrians.What could happen to me out there that I would need a helmet for protection. I was really wrong about that one. I need protection from myself!<br /><br />By the way, just so you all don't think I have a drug habit or something, the Vicodin was left over from my root canal a couple months ago. My dentist insisted on giving me a prescription of 20 pills. I have no idea why he thought I needed them (other than he knows I'm a big baby when it comes to pain). I took one after the root canal, and threw up. The root canal didn't really even hurt much. On the other hand, my wrist hurt so bad last night that given the choice of throwing up or the pain, I'd take the chance on the throwing up. Luckily, the Vicodin didn't affect me like that this time.<br /><br />I'm still debating on going to the doctor in the morning. I guess I'll see how it feels. Typing still hurts, so I'm not sure how work will be since I type all day for my job.<br /><br />The reason for my accident was totally because I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing. I was being careless. When going downhill, rule # 1 is to keep both hands on the handlebars and both eyes on the road. Don't look down at your iPod, try to find the volume to adjust it with one hand, when traveling 15-20 mph going downhill and gaining speed. It's really not a good idea. <br /><br />Thanks for your kind words in my last post. I really am okay, and I didn't break anything so all is good.<br /><br />Roxie asked me a question about my BodyMedia, how does it know sleeping versus laying down. I haven't figured that out yet. This is what it says on the web site:<br /><br /><h3><i>How does the Armband measure my calories, activity, and sleep?</i></h3><i> </i><i>The Armband contains multiple sensors that measure motion, body heat, skin temperature, and conductivity. A proprietary algorithm "crunches" the collected information and the user's personal body parameters to deliver accurate information on calories, activity levels, steps, lying down, and sleep time.</i><br />  <br />A "proprietary algorithm", I'm not really sure if that's true, or if they're just making something up. I do know that it seems accurate. I notice the times I wake up during the night and looking at the chart the BodyMedia provides when I sync the data, it looks pretty correct. I can remember that I was definitely awake at the times it says I was awake (often 1 a.m., 2 a.m., 4 a.m., 5 a.m.). Even if I don't get up, I wake up and look at the clock. <br /><br />The other thing Roxie asked me about was about eating carbs in the evening. I've heard this off and on over the years, but never paid attention to it. I've always thought it doesn't matter that much what you eat, it's how much of it you're eating. Of course, healthy, whole foods are better for you, but if you want a sweet treat in the evening, it's okay as long as you count the calories (or Points). <br /><br />When I'm talking about a treat, for me that always meant a Weight Watchers frozen treat or a Dreyer's frozen juice bar, or some fresh fruit. Or maybe even frozen fruit with Greek yogurt.<br /><br />I watched a Netflix streaming video a few weeks ago that was about healthy eating and obesity. I actually watched several but I can't remember which one talked about the carb thing. They said you shouldn't eat a lot of carbs in the evening. They didn't say no carbs, just to limit your carb intake in the evening to help control cravings. Since I've never been a fan of low-carb diets, I chose to ignore that piece of advice.<br /><br />Then last week Gagan, the personal trainer, asked me why I thought I'd gained so much weight. I had told him I'd gained back 40 pounds in about a year and a half. I told him it was because I ate too much healthy food, especially in the evenings. I said I love fruit but I know too much of a good thing is bad. That's when he told me fruit is great for you, but it depends when you eat it. You shouldn't eat it in the evenings because it will cause cravings.<br /><br />I didn't ask where he'd learned this or the scientific reason for it. I do know he was 40 pounds overweight himself, and lost the weight and now competes in body building competitions. So although I have no explanation of why this would even work, I thought why not give it a shot. <br /><br />Today is day six without a binge (that's when I had my personal training session with Gagan and he told me about the fruit). It's also day five of using my BodyMedia and tracking all my food. I still eat fruit and carbs during the day, but I've changed my evening snacks to be fruit and carb free. Protein and low-carb vegetables are more of what I'm eating in the evening if I really feel hungry. Oddly, I haven't been hungry in the evenings this past week.<br /><br />Since I have a huge sweet tooth, this is a big change for me. I can really tell a difference in the cravings and feelings that I want to stuff my face in the evenings. They seem to have disappeared. I can't explain why this is happening, but I feel a sense of freedom when it comes to food. For the first time in, well, forever, I feel like I have some control over what and how much I'm eating.<br /><br />Maybe it is all in my head, but whether it's mental or physical, it's working and that's all I really care about. 

Post bike crash update

I slept almost all day today. My body must be trying to repair the damage from my bike crash yesterday. My left hand and wrist are still ver...

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Bike crash & BodyMedia update

Oh my God, I thought I had killed myself yesterday, and I am NOT kidding. I've had a few spills in the 50+ years I've been riding bicycles, but yesterday was the winner of my worst, most painful bike crash ever.<br /><br />It was a gorgeous day here in the Pacific Northwest. It was one of those days where you think maybe all those months of miserable, wet, cold weather was worth it. Sunshine, blue skies, 75 degrees, with a slight breeze that had just a hint of coolness. On a scale of 1-10, yesterday's weather was a 10.<br /><br />We had plans to go to the Seafair parade in downtown Seattle. It's a huge parade and my company is the biggest sponsor. It's called the "Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade". Since I hate huge crowds and this event draws thousands of people, I've managed to avoid it for the 23 years we've lived here. Every year my husband asks me if we can go, and every year, being the selfish brat that I am, I say 'NO, you know I hate crowds and that's the last thing I want to do!". For some reason this year I agreed to go. I've had my way for 23 years, I figured it wouldn't kill me to go one year (never again, by the way!).<br /><br />Back to the bike ride....<br />I decided to ride down to the mall on the BPA trail, it's the one I do all the time because the trailhead is only 1/4 mile from my house. It's a 5-mile, one-way paved trail. It's a great cardio workout biking 10 miles with a few killer hills in there. Emphasis on "killer".  I got to the mall with no problems, bought a couple cute tops, one to wear to the parade, and then headed home.<br /><br />I was heading down one really steep hill, thinking how much I totally love biking. I especially like going down long, steep hills on my way home because I remember how tough they were going the other way. It's like my reward. I have slowed down quite a bit since they posted 20 mph signs on the trail, but I still go too fast.<br /><br />As I was starting down this one particular hill where I can see for at least 1/2 mile, I wanted to turn up the volume on my iPod. It was a great song (can't remember what it was, but a current favorite). I was probably going about 15 mph when I reached down to mess with the iPod's volume when I lost control of my bike.<br /><br />I can't remember exactly what happened, other than I literally flipped in the air with my right hand holding onto my bike, trying to get control. My head smacked against the pavement, I could hear and feel the plastic of my helmet hit the pavement hard. I remember thinking at that moment, I might die.<br /><br />I took my left hand and reached behind me to try andbreak my fall before my head hit, but with all my weight and the weight of the bike, my wrist couldn't stop it. After my head hit, my left shoulder and elbow hit. I was wearing a tank top and my skin was shaved off my shoulder and my left elbow.<br /><br />I still can't figure out what happened to my legs, they both got entangled in the bike. Both of them have terrible bruises.<br /><br />The only people were down at the opposite end of the hill. I don't know if they saw me, but no one came running to help. Now the funny thing. Even though I was in complete agony, my first thought (after "is anything broken?"), was my BodyMedia. It was on my left arm which hit the hardest: was it broken? It's not broken but it got scraped up pretty bad. Thankfully, it still works. <br /><br />My bike chain had come off, but I got it back on. My bike seat that was a special, nicely padded $40 bike seat is has a huge slice horizontal slice in it, so it needs to be replaced. My bike bell has the lever broken off and the odometer is missing. I guess it fell off but I didn't notice (this is the second one I've lost and at $30 a pop, I think I'm done with the odometers).<br /><br />I called my husband to come get me at the next street intersection, about a mile away. My wrist hurt so bad that I thought it might be broken. I managed to ride my bike to that street, although it was making a terrible clicking sound and my left wrist was killing me (I thought it might be broken).<br /><br />My husband met me within a few minutes of me getting to the street. He came with an ice pack and a towel for the blood I guess, but I really wasn't bleeding that bad. I guess when I called him I scared the crap out of him because I was crying and said I was in a lot of pain.<br /><br />After a inspecting my injuries, we decided I didn't need to go to the doctor. My wrist is sprained pretty bad, but it's not broken. We went to the parade where there were literally thousands of people on the streets waiting for the parade to start. Luckily we had been smart enough to purchase VIP bleacher seats so we didn't have to stand around with the masses. Just getting to the bleachers was agony as people kept bumping into my left shoulder and arm.<br /><br />We found a drugstore and bought a couple of those instant ice packs and a soft wrist brace. That and the two Vicodin I took got me through the agony of my throbbing wrist, while watching the parade. Actually, it wasn't that bad and my husband enjoyed it. We were sitting next to a really nice lady that was super excited that her 13-year old daughter's drill team was in the parade. It was 2 1/2 hours long, but it wasn't as awful as I expected. Personally, I think our little Golden Days parade in Fairbanks is a lot more fun, but then when I go to that one it's with all my family and we have a blast together.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm surviving. My wrist is still hurting and swollen up a lot, but the Vicodin is really helping. Typing hurts, so I don't know how work will go tomorrow. I guess weight lifting is out of the question for a while, and I'll probably delay joining my other gym for a week or so, or until my wrist heals. Oh well, such is life.<br /><br />BodyMedia Update<br />I LOVE my BodyMedia! This is the coolest thing I've ever bought to help with my weight loss. I could write about it for hours, singing it's praises, but I'm going to be brief because I'm quickly losing my ability to stay awake (Vicodin), and my wrist is killing me. The good news is that I'm down to 189. I credit this to a couple things, number one is my BodyMedia, and number two is the bit of nutrition advice my personal trainer gave me. He's not really "my" personal trainer. I just have him two sessions with him at my new gym.<br /><br />The nutrition advice that really seems to have made a difference is cutting out most carbs and all sugars (including fruit) after about 4pm. I can't believe how my body is reacting to this. I started doing this on Tuesday, when I had my training session  and got this tip, and it's five days later without a single binge. It hasn't even been hard. I just don't think much about it.<br /><br />I also gave up my thinwich, Canadian bacon,2% cheese, egg breakfast sandwich for a fruit/spinach protein shake after my morning workouts. As Gagan explained, the fat in that sandwich slowed down the absorption of the nutrients by my muscles. After a hard cardio workout I need to get the nutrients in my body as quickly as possible. I'm not sure if that's factual or not, but it makes snese. Since it's helping me lose weight, I'm going to keep on doing it. <br /><br />First, here's a picture of yesterday's stats from my BodyMedia:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EvIax1hrns3xgkSDm4rJmRwylDJqeFxGy8p8Jg_jlxpaHP4VFa1RhjN-Di4ofSBdVuhINoNTEXIlyRPd25EOzz2x7FoITyowJ6Y6xs21vb4cxqwX3XaDzQzSiBUcTkPgYSkaMQlvS1QX/s1600/bm1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EvIax1hrns3xgkSDm4rJmRwylDJqeFxGy8p8Jg_jlxpaHP4VFa1RhjN-Di4ofSBdVuhINoNTEXIlyRPd25EOzz2x7FoITyowJ6Y6xs21vb4cxqwX3XaDzQzSiBUcTkPgYSkaMQlvS1QX/s640/bm1.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />What's really cool is that each one of these items expand and you can view it in detail. Check out my sleep:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FMUnslLZ3Q53JfVPZsf1pumgY9PN4yvjpVEWzjJO5cFKDJyZ2a5vaP6KKt1W04zvC-aEr9UpH4EegG2kliVi9BpbSru830EP3Aa058IQ6BcpTxBY7fr55vYuAJchq7MADx2dnJMkHS2d/s1600/sleep.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FMUnslLZ3Q53JfVPZsf1pumgY9PN4yvjpVEWzjJO5cFKDJyZ2a5vaP6KKt1W04zvC-aEr9UpH4EegG2kliVi9BpbSru830EP3Aa058IQ6BcpTxBY7fr55vYuAJchq7MADx2dnJMkHS2d/s640/sleep.png" width="640" /></a></div>Remember how I said how I said I wasn't sleeping? Well, turns out I'm not sleeping very well at all. In fact, Friday night when I went to bed super early, and was in bed for ten hours, I only actually slept 6:08 hours! Thursday night was even worse, I as laying down for six hours and only slept 3:41 hours. My sleep efficiency is running around 60%, meaning I only sleep a little over half the time I'm in bed. I think this is actually pretty accurate, because I constantly feel sleep deprived.<br /><br />One more picture, of the meals section. Since I started using this three days ago I've added every bite I've eaten into their meal tracker. It's about 100 times easier to use than the Weight Watchers tracker. Plus, it breaks down all the nutrients you're eating, as well as the percentage of protein, carbs and fat. Points are okay I guess, but this has a lot more detail and it's a lot easier to use. I just love it!<br /><br />You'll notice I only had 983 calories yesterday. That's because of the bike accident. Normally I'm eating around 1300-1500. Considering I burned 3114 calories yesterday, that is definitely not enough food! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxL7rHZ89MORIk1Z5fDvt0z3Ub_Kziu2yqZiIcUvCMfaHG6jOUKhKxRFlp43HXySc_0szxWE80G_ljj0riEIKyKs6fPO332ztC5g9Me1lNxMqfY7qu86fpWiq-DJ4AAJegQN-mEED0V6M/s1600/meal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxL7rHZ89MORIk1Z5fDvt0z3Ub_Kziu2yqZiIcUvCMfaHG6jOUKhKxRFlp43HXySc_0szxWE80G_ljj0riEIKyKs6fPO332ztC5g9Me1lNxMqfY7qu86fpWiq-DJ4AAJegQN-mEED0V6M/s640/meal.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc63Vf8U-vQmircKrwYDhrF8o5jMf7bmwhM7z816adVLhUOPyXgL3zfp_JGCD69gL0ZWCHYk8SVlNmUPL8dmeHUpyalln0LLCNVe-xYEf6gN_mj1hOrKlyoC0tpB8Xs2u4zWfy0xJ78mrC/s1600/meal2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc63Vf8U-vQmircKrwYDhrF8o5jMf7bmwhM7z816adVLhUOPyXgL3zfp_JGCD69gL0ZWCHYk8SVlNmUPL8dmeHUpyalln0LLCNVe-xYEf6gN_mj1hOrKlyoC0tpB8Xs2u4zWfy0xJ78mrC/s640/meal2.png" width="640" /></a></div>I could literally go on and on about my BodyMedia, but I'm really fading fast. It's only 9am, but it was a rough night!<br /><br />One last picture, of one of my bruises from my bike crash. I can't believe I'm showing you all my fat thigh, but you've got to see this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HlYRabL1C22Y1B_CSJWR5_WdKxbzGKdv9QiGh3MxS2hmIiJRwpE2V14UOU3DVbAY3PGcFLsuT1mLEJNR2psE6j-3WiZKfEJlypl_d0u52PV0pm5DxrrXenS_7Dj97-KTsSwGtfjgjjB9/s1600/thigh.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HlYRabL1C22Y1B_CSJWR5_WdKxbzGKdv9QiGh3MxS2hmIiJRwpE2V14UOU3DVbAY3PGcFLsuT1mLEJNR2psE6j-3WiZKfEJlypl_d0u52PV0pm5DxrrXenS_7Dj97-KTsSwGtfjgjjB9/s320/thigh.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />And my poor shoulder:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFNOQ4Vcv6_aUKt2l0fb4LegxopIaWq9ycPea8Mo1sjnRao3c9aAI2e5SBqXbvUk-GvHQJraMTNO_n5ls5vB36u-h8uIK8LlVRd38lfbsOdPEl-Mxx5KHKMq-ZNx8Z3Vy-pYCSzNpi1Ul/s1600/shoulder.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFNOQ4Vcv6_aUKt2l0fb4LegxopIaWq9ycPea8Mo1sjnRao3c9aAI2e5SBqXbvUk-GvHQJraMTNO_n5ls5vB36u-h8uIK8LlVRd38lfbsOdPEl-Mxx5KHKMq-ZNx8Z3Vy-pYCSzNpi1Ul/s320/shoulder.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiivVzstA2uVPiNDZBSyeXNIzKwuOYkWjPKvO7uY3WZhS25GL21ruL7S46RghsIU0u-kGptfJm34MdtQfmH6fZLHVMopfQEiig-kold0pj2DH3oFLQ6RINtabWF3fIaCxvToIMiw8igIMe/s1600/P1030275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>

Bike crash & BodyMedia update

Oh my God, I thought I had killed myself yesterday, and I am NOT kidding. I've had a few spills in the 50+ years I've been riding bi...

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LOOMING GENERATION CONFLICT - OLD VERSUS YOUNG

<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">GOOD BY OLD CONTINENT Part 3</b></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">In addition to Europe’s looming financial crash there is the threat of a Generations Conflict. With a predominantly old population running almost all aspects of life, the youth of Europe is a minority. In Austria and Germany for example, the old outweigh the young, thus the entire structure of society is built around the needs and lifestyle of the old generation. Young couples with children have to adapt to the “rules and regulations” of the old.    </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">In some cases young parents have to hush their children when entering the apartment building in order not to disturb the majority of old people living there, in order not to face complaints. Most restaurants and hotels cater for the elder and are not very child friendly, for pensioners dominate the “market” and thus the young minority has to adhere to the needs of the old.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAn0mM48lRhKt0GniHCPrR_c0v7mbLkZhCNelqjRGCLg0Aa5UVHKdtOj0hBBcy2nHC5bCwnoGbOEhBL_URgCa041QuXtr0yOK3q329IAcNn-pPIGXkU6ly2lfdFMU2OLzVngbIijT1c51d/s1600/image004+old+and+young+people.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAn0mM48lRhKt0GniHCPrR_c0v7mbLkZhCNelqjRGCLg0Aa5UVHKdtOj0hBBcy2nHC5bCwnoGbOEhBL_URgCa041QuXtr0yOK3q329IAcNn-pPIGXkU6ly2lfdFMU2OLzVngbIijT1c51d/s320/image004+old+and+young+people.jpg" width="320" /></a>In Austria with its aging population there are many pensioners and early retirees who receive large pensions which enable them to enjoy a lucrative life and thus are the driving force in most market sectors who in return adjust to the needs of those who are able to spend. On the other side of the coin young people, with an average monthly net income of 1300 Euro have to struggle to survive and on top of that have to adjust to the lifestyle dictated by the aging majority. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">Furthermore the young generations of Europe are increasingly worried about their own state pensions, social welfare system which in most likelihood they will not be able to obtain when they are about to retire. Thus the “Generations Pact”, as referred to in Germany and Austria is in jeopardy for the young working generation sees themselves betrayed, paying for the old generation but without receiving the benefit themselves. Thus frustration is growing among the young and a generation conflict is looming over aging Europe.</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span class="hps"><span lang="EN">Looming Generations Conflict, aging society, dept crisis and immigration denial are the most pressing subjects Europe has to analyze in order to avoid disaster.  </span></span></div>

LOOMING GENERATION CONFLICT - OLD VERSUS YOUNG

GOOD BY OLD CONTINENT Part 3 In addition to Europe’s looming financial crash there is the threat of a Generations Conflict. With a predomina...

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The Angry Whopper: Sacrament Of Our Day

Burger King has “unveiled” its newest work of culinary marketing – “the Angry Whopper.” Actually, the burger sounds pretty good and I am apt to eat one. As you have probably surmised, it is the regular old Whopper with some spicy substitutions like jalapenos and pepper jack cheese. But here’s what I’m wondering: why is the Whopper “angry”? Why not hot, fiery, spicy, searing, etc.? I gather that BK figures people want anger enough to pay for it, even at lunch. They want an angry lunch.<br /><br />This isn’t entirely new. Think back to the theme song of the 60’s classic western The Rebel.<br /><br />Johnny Yuma was a rebel.<br />He roamed through the west.<br />Johnny Yuma the rebel,<br />He wandered alone<br /><br />(So far it’s just Kant and Kierkegaard’s solitary individual with a sawed off shotgun. But here’s what puzzles me):<br /><br />Fighting mad<br />This rebel lad<br />He packed no star<br />As he wandered far<br />Where the only law<br />Was a hook and a draw.<br /><br />Ok, “no star . . . the only law was a hook and a draw” -- we are celebrating the heroism of anarchy, living the “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, short” life in Thomas Hobbes’s state of nature, bellum omnium contra omnes (the war of all against all – sounds like Congress and sometimes the Church). But what was Johnny Yuma fighting mad about? I watched the series faithfully, and found Johnny to be rather cool headed. But the theme song promised us he would be “fighting mad.” Why did they make such a promise utterly unsupported by the script or the acting? Whenever I wander far “where the only law is a hook and a draw” as is the case in some urban neighborhoods, I am not angry. I’m mostly nervous. So why was Johnny misrepresented in the song as “angry”?<br /><br />Now even our hamburgers are imbued with rage, which calls to mind the punk rock 90s classic “Rage” by Henry Rollins. Do you recall the lyrics? To this day, I know every line by heart. It went:<br /><br />Rage, rage, rage, rage, rage.<br />Rage, rage, rage, rage, rage.<br />Rage, rage, rage, rage, rage.<br /><br />My wife teaches Property Law to first year law students. Typically, disputes arise as to the degree to which the individual’s property rights should be constrained to accommodate the needs of neighbors or the common good (e.g., zoning regulations) -- issues over which students differ according to political ideology. The more conservative students tend to get pretty worked up over things like zoning. My wife has on occasion asked them where the anger comes from. They are unable to articulate the cause of their emotions, but the question itself makes them all the angrier. What is this about?<br /><br />Remember the Gulf Oil Spill. What were people actually angry at the President about – not so much any policy he had or had not adopted – they were angry that he was not sufficiently angry. With each passing year, anger grows more normative. Remember Sean Connery’s James Bond. He used to have a jolly good time blowing up the bad guys and saving the world. But Daniel Craig seethes with hatred. With him, it’s personal.<br /><br />In the psycho-spiritual model I believe in, emotions are emotions. They are all natural and human. The core self or the soul looks upon those emotions, either inside us or outside us, with interest, patience, and acceptance, balancing our feelings and preserving our capacity to live rationally and in harmony – harmony both with each other and with the various parts of ourselves. But what happens when one emotion is elevated above the others, when one emotion is given the place in life that is the natural province of our serene center?<br /><br />In Buddhism, there are 6 realms of being. We each live our life predominantly in one of them, but we experience all 6 realms each day as passing passions or moods. They are the realms of:<br /><br />The Divas – blissed out<br />The Diva Locis – blissed out but crazy and erratic<br />Human – rational and choice making<br />Animal – controlled by sensuality<br />Hungry Ghosts – driven by insatiability – constant sense of scarcity<br />Hell Beings – consumed by fear and loathing<br /><br />In the Buddhist model, it is the lowest realm of being that has become the pinnacle of spiritual aspiration in our popular and – God help us – political culture. When Clay, Webster, and Calhoun saved the nation in 1850 through Compromise, they acted rationally in a way which is hard to do in a society that buys anger for lunch.

The Angry Whopper: Sacrament Of Our Day

Burger King has “unveiled” its newest work of culinary marketing – “the Angry Whopper.” Actually, the burger sounds pretty good and I am apt...

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