<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlFImmIoblSPsUZQ48XQAZu1HNlWwaA_ceQl_QckTinf16A2IMxZjIH86sPQ1mjkQJML3Jz-Az2bgbXY3rmrxhKWjqMB8gceZCW0ELDc_r6BQYyhgj0ZcCm0UlyJeAvv0xgEDZQlX8Xii/s1600/Conspiracy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlFImmIoblSPsUZQ48XQAZu1HNlWwaA_ceQl_QckTinf16A2IMxZjIH86sPQ1mjkQJML3Jz-Az2bgbXY3rmrxhKWjqMB8gceZCW0ELDc_r6BQYyhgj0ZcCm0UlyJeAvv0xgEDZQlX8Xii/s400/Conspiracy.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Financial Illiteracy of Those Who Mock Conspiracy Theorists</b></span></div><br />Article by Anthony Wile via Daily Bell<br /><br />From Social Psychological and Personality Science (SPPS), a journal from the independent publisher Sage Publications, comes an article that has predictably seen wide distribution on the Internet. It implies that those who believe in globalist CONSPIRACY THEORIES are illogical – even downright nutty.<br /><br />The article is entitled  "Dead and Alive: Beliefs in CONTRADICTORY CONSPIRACY THEORIES" and the thesis of the article is that people who believe in conspiracy theories eventually become so immersed in them and so mesmerized that they do not realize they are holding contradictory beliefs.<br />"Conspiracy theories can form a monological belief system: A self-sustaining worldview comprised of a network of mutually supportive beliefs. The present research shows that even mutually incompatible conspiracy theories are positively correlated in endorsement." (SPPS Abstract)<br />"Conspiratorialists" become so distrustful of "government" and "authority" that they will impute any and every kind of malevolence to them.<br /><br />Thus it is that people can claim, on the one hand, that Osama bin Laden is "dead" and died years ago, while simultaneously claiming that bin Laden remains alive and that US and Pakistan government authorities are not being truthful about him and his physical state.<br />Of course, I've never run into anyone, who claims that bin Laden is ALIVE. But it's true that here at the Daily Bell we've run articles explaining that bin Laden probably died years ago. <br /><br />The SPPS article would likely have you believe this is an outrageous conspiracy theory. But given that FOX news ran a report on bin Laden's death in 2001, and given that Pakistan's former president Benazir Bhutto herself claimed that bin Laden died in the early 2000s (supposedly as the result of an assassination), it doesn't seem so far-fetched to speculate that bin Laden didn't die as the result of a US raid in 2011.<br />But that's almost minor stuff. Articles like this, despite their scientific patina, are deeply illiterate. Why so? Because invariably such articles won't deal with the bedrock financial illiteracy of current economic and political paradigms.<br />Imagine if the world were based on lies. Well, unfortunately, that's the truth. The lies go far beyond "who shot JFK" or whether the US government was directly or indirectly involved in 9/11.<br />When one uses the logical framework of Austrian, free-market analysis to analyze the Way the World Works in the modern age, one inevitably comes to the conclusion that modern society is built around fundamental untruths.<br />The first one is economic: It is the idea that central bankers can efficiently and effectively set the price of money. They cannot.<br /><br />Every time central bankers decide on how much money to print or where short interest rates should be, the decisions are "fixing" prices – and price-fixing never works. Price-fixing distorts economies and causes a wealth shift from those who create it to those who don't and may not know what to do with it. Over time, aggressively mis-priced money causes first recessions and then depressions.<br /><br />The second lie is that laws and regulations are necessary and that they can save society from "anarchy." In fact, anarchy is only the absence of government. That's the real definition. And absence of government does not necessarily imply "chaos." Just as setting interest rates fixes the price of money, so every law and regulation is a price fix as well, preventing someone from doing something within the context of the marketplace. This also constitutes a wealth transfer.<br />One can have a perfectly adequate and satisfying society without formal government, certainly without the kinds of intrusive and murderous governments we've got today. History is full of examples of societies that flourished with at least minimal government, especially societies where power truly flowed from the bottom up.<br /><br />The third lie is that government is essential for purposes of defense and defending its citizens. But a quick survey of modern wars shows a disturbing tendency of governments – especially certain Western governments – to foment the very wars that citizens believe they're being protected from.<br />War is the "health of the state" – the way that those in power consolidate their hold while punishing their enemies using phony pretexts having to do with "treason" and "leaking classified information." Sound familiar?<br />It is what we call the Internet Reformation that has gradually shed light on the fundamental untruths permeating modern society in both the developed and developing world.<br /><br /><b>The Internet, like the Gutenberg before it, is a revolutionary device that has allowed people access to information that was hitherto denied or covered up, especially in the 20th century when the power elites control over society was perhaps at its apex.</b><br /><br />A conspiracy likely DOES exist. The Internet easily reveals not just facts that illuminate it, but also PATTERNS that show the same command-and-control strategies implemented throughout history, over and over.<br />It is easy, unfortunately, to mock those who believe in so-called "conspiracy theories" because the truth of what has occurred in this weary world is so extreme and shocking that most people simply cannot believe it. What truly horrifies us becomes a target for mockery. It's a defense mechanism.<br />What is it about the UN, IMF, World Bank, International Criminal Court, world Health Organization and hundreds of others lesser known globalist facilities that people who deny or decry modern "conspiracy theory" don't understand?  <br /><br />An entire gamut of globalist entities has been superimposed on the world in the past 75 years. Most recently − only this past week, in fact − the US military held a formal exercise over the skies of Los Angeles using the same black helicopters that conspiracy theorists were mocked for mentioning not a decade ago.<br />But the biggest issue by far – bigger than even the establishment of the facilities of the New World Order – is the fundamental illiteracy of those who choose to support modern society as it is today and as it has evolved over the past 100 years.<br /><br />While human societies have always been based on fairly bizarre rituals, it is safe to say that the current crop of behind-the-scenes leaders have raised statist insanity to a new level.<br />Every part of modern society, from its basic economic building blocks to its liturgical belief in dysfunctional "laws and regulations" to its deep-seated reverence for the manipulated destruction of war, is questionable on a factual basis.<br /><br />The reality of modern society is increasingly pathological – and the ones with the pathology are those who lead the rest of us along using paradigms that are evidently and obviously dishonest and dysfunctional.<br />Articles that mock the looniness of "conspiratorialists" need to deal with the fundamental economic and sociopolitical dishonesty of their own assumptions. They should begin by admitting the evident and obvious logical fallacies of the "modern" society they celebrate.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wbohNbQ6AKxvIl0HlNRF6ARe-bZ2sgyx7NpjjwsRIioRm2zj-rNg8W4A6DxLA3erWbNLGk2F_eNszGrD48ecvKUQcowq3f4wkB9rWg4ehIU5uDQtB6GncvAOSLcFDJHD2MCjkAYk_8z9/s1600/2424492-2-see-no-evil-hear-no-evil-speak-no-evil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wbohNbQ6AKxvIl0HlNRF6ARe-bZ2sgyx7NpjjwsRIioRm2zj-rNg8W4A6DxLA3erWbNLGk2F_eNszGrD48ecvKUQcowq3f4wkB9rWg4ehIU5uDQtB6GncvAOSLcFDJHD2MCjkAYk_8z9/s400/2424492-2-see-no-evil-hear-no-evil-speak-no-evil.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>WHY DO CONSPIRACY THEORIES WORRY THE ESTABLISHMENT?</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>By Ray Storch</i></span><br /><br /><div style="color: red;"><b>Don’t forget the Information Highway:</b></div><br /><span style="color: red;">THE ROMANS created roads in order to move their armies faster and thus became an empire</span><br /><div style="color: red;"><br />THE BRITISH created the railroads in order to move their armies faster and thus became an empire</div><div style="color: red;"><br />THE USA created the Information highway (Internet) in order to obtain more information and control cyber space and thus became an empire. </div><br />In all three cases it gave the civilizations a strategic and political advantage, but at the same time also provided adversaries similar gains. Nevertheless the benefits surpassed the disadvantages, for all three civilizations ended up becoming empires who dominated the world. The downside, as history has proven, is that empires are destined to fall, sooner or later…….<br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Conspiracy theories Mainstream Media versus Alternative Media </span></b></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKIL7O0QNrrssgpByiRxWRewrhMv0TysLPcl65RVVNU6PDzQiVueZUtqxMo4nkRfiXELjZ8LDpJIP7rHObO1akxzUAIMYrASdTwofzzOAi5RWsssArSuFmO1uBjCh1hREzXdnvkrO3qMg/s1600/climate-change-conspiracy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKIL7O0QNrrssgpByiRxWRewrhMv0TysLPcl65RVVNU6PDzQiVueZUtqxMo4nkRfiXELjZ8LDpJIP7rHObO1akxzUAIMYrASdTwofzzOAi5RWsssArSuFmO1uBjCh1hREzXdnvkrO3qMg/s320/climate-change-conspiracy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Why do mainstream media and the political establishment oppose conspiracy theories so vehemently? Could it be because these theories are not so farfetched after all?<br /><div style="color: blue;">The internet turned out to be journalists and politician’s best friend and worst nightmare at the same time, for they are unable to control it. In the good old times one had to “believe” what media reported, without the option to verify the content. Now with the internet and its research options things changed and thus people don’t take everything for grant what mainstream media and the political establishment tries to sell or tell them. </div>Thus it comes of no surprise that these entities are becoming increasingly worried and therefore will do everything in their power to portray conspiracy theories, alternative media and information forums etc. as the creation of lunatics and thus something that cannot be taken serious, for it threatens their credibility. <br /><br /><br /><br />The proof on how uncomfortable mainstream journalism is with conspiracy theories is shown in an article published in PROFIL, an Austrian weekly magazine. The article is in German and reads as follows: <br /><i>Via Profil.at </i><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Vom Hören sagen</b></span><br /><br />Oslo, der 11. September und was Barack Obama, CIA oder die Rothschilds damit zu tun haben: Als Nachrichten getarnte Verschwörungstheorien drängen aus dem Internet in den Mainstream. Obskurantismus wird zum Massenphänomen.<br /><b>Von Sebastian Hofer</b><br /><b> </b> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJrd8-OwDuCHKiEkG1SamyIRznHsGMiYRLYYdJonLb-La7dNcx773KRvB1bcDBhv4WTAtzqtEidtSZeRCGOHeB3bMbOv0OOIapN1W6zTOv3uVRkTjWIUw_Q2oKyaoDWUA2Lh21TiAHFuL/s1600/mainstream-media-blind-bias-peoples-cube-sad-hill-news.jpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJrd8-OwDuCHKiEkG1SamyIRznHsGMiYRLYYdJonLb-La7dNcx773KRvB1bcDBhv4WTAtzqtEidtSZeRCGOHeB3bMbOv0OOIapN1W6zTOv3uVRkTjWIUw_Q2oKyaoDWUA2Lh21TiAHFuL/s320/mainstream-media-blind-bias-peoples-cube-sad-hill-news.jpeg.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>Manchmal ist das Wesentliche für die Augen leider unsichtbar. Zum Beispiel in Oslo, vor allem in den letzten Tagen. Zum Glück durchschaute Paul Joseph Watson, Blogger und Radiomoderator aus Austin, Texas, im Gegensatz zu allen beteiligten Behörden die Hintergründe von Anders Breiviks Wahnsinnstat sehr schnell, auch wenn sie ziemlich kompliziert waren. In groben Zügen lief die Sache, Watson zufolge, so: Über eine vom britischen Geheimdienst MI5 infiltrierte rechtsradikale Hooligantruppe namens English Defence League wurde Breivik von hochrangigen britischen Politikern und Geschäftsmännern finanziert und instruiert, um Norwegen auf diesem Weg für seine allzu palästinenserfreundliche Nahostpolitik abzustrafen. Belege anbei. Auch ein Einfluss der libyschen Al Kaida sei denkbar, müsse aber noch näher untersucht werden. <br /><br />Das Online-Forum, in dem Watson seine Sicht der Osloer Anschläge erläuterte, heißt Prison Planet, sieht aus wie ein ganz normaler Nachrichtenkanal und verbreitet doch sehr viel mehr, nämlich die reine, letzte und geheime Wahrheit. Also das, was die etablierten Medien offensiv verschweigen, Politiker bewusst verbergen und konspirative Cliquen hinter dicken Polstertüren zurechtbiegen. Dass diese Wahrheit irgendwie mit dem Ende der Welt (wie wir sie kennen) zusammenhängt, wird dabei gern betont (ohne dabei allzu konkret zu werden) und mit Werbebannern für Wasser-Entgiftungsanlagen, Überlebenscamps und krisensichere Goldmünzen auch marketingmäßig sehr anschaulich aufbereitet. Das eigentlich Seltsame an Prison Planet ist aber nicht seine krude Mischung aus Verschwörungstheorie, Infotainment und blankem Wahnsinn, sondern die Tatsache, dass es sich um ein Massenmedium handelt. Und dass es keineswegs allein da draußen ist. <br /><br />Im Internet hat sich in den letzten Jahren eine Art Hintergrundrauschen ausgebreitet, ein immer dichteres Netz aus verschwörungstheoretisch unterfütterten Nachrichten, Filmen und Dokumenten, das längst nicht mehr nur Paranoiker und Ufo-Gläubige einfängt, sondern zunehmend den ganz normalen Medienkonsumenten im Visier hat. Über populäre Seiten wie Prison Planet, Infowars oder Zero Hedge, millionenfach heruntergeladene Filme wie die „Zeitgeist“- oder „Loose Change“-Videos, über amerikanische Talkradio-Shows oder internationale Nachrichtenkanäle wie den konspirativ veranlagten Sender Russia Today erreichen Verschwörungstheorien heute ein Massenpublikum. Auch die etablierten Medien können sich dem Reiz der Geheimniskrämerei immer schlechter entziehen. Vor wenigen Tagen berichtete das ARD-Kulturmagazin „ttt“ geradezu euphorisch über den deutschen Publizisten Mathias Bröckers, der eine Verschwörung hinter den Anschlägen des 11. September 2001 wittert. Wohlwollender Off-Kommentar: „Auch zehn Jahre nach den vier tödlichen Flügen, nach dem Tag, der die Welt, unser Denken, unsere Ängste veränderte, gibt es noch viele offene Fragen. Mathias Bröckers stellt sie.“ Und macht damit ein richtig gutes Geschäft.<br /><br />„Man darf nicht vergessen, dass Verschwörungstheorien meistens auch gut gemachte Unterhaltung sind“, sagt der Freiburger Amerikanist Michael Butter, der seit Jahren zum Thema forscht. „Sie erzählen tolle, spannende Geschichten, wobei man oft nicht genau trennen kann, wo die Wahrheitssuche endet und wo die Geschäftemacherei beginnt. Man darf Verschwörungstheorien jedenfalls nicht damit abtun, dass man sagt: Das sind ein paar irre Paranoiker am Rande der Gesellschaft. Im Gegenteil: Es handelt sich um Massenphänomene.“ Dementsprechend erfolgreich werden obskurante Thesen für einen wachsenden Markt aufbereitet und immer unverschämter auch in die politische Debatte geworfen. Im republikanischen US-Vorwahlkampf wird, angeheizt von den verschwörerischen Thesen der prominenten Talkshow-Moderatoren Glenn Beck und Alex Jones sowie dem Anti-Establishment-Furor der Tea Party, schon seit Monaten allen Ernstes darüber diskutiert, ob Barack Obama nun wirklich und wahrhaftig Amerikaner sei oder nicht vielleicht doch ein ausländischer, mutmaßlich islamistischer Verschwörer. Ein zweites, europäisches Beispiel: Vor wenigen Wochen outeten sich etliche Schweizer Politiker als 9/11-Skeptiker. Auf der Online-Plattform www.911untersuchen.ch äußerten gleich mehrere Nationalräte ihre Zweifel an der offiziellen Version von den Anschlägen in New York und Washington. Der ehemaligen Berner Regierungsrätin Dori Schaer fiel dazu der folgende Beitrag ein: „Offen ist, ob 9/11 nur benutzt, bewusst nicht vermieden oder sogar durch US-Stellen inszeniert worden ist.“ <br /><br />Neben politischen und ökonomischen Interessen hat die gegenwärtige Verschwörungs-Hochkonjunktur aber auch eine mediale Säule, eben das Internet. Denn wirklich neu ist das Phänomen nicht, wie Michael Butter erklärt: „In den sechziger und siebziger Jahren gab es dieselben Theorien und wohl auch dieselbe Menge an überzeugten Verschwörungstheoretikern. Nur taten sie sich damals wesentlich schwerer, ihre Thesen an den Mann zu bringen.“ Im Netz dagegen fallen die traditionellen Kontrollinstanzen weg, das publizistische Ethos funktioniert online nicht oder nach ganz anderen Regeln, die Grenze zwischen Fakt und Fiktion verschwimmt, die Informationsflut wird undurchsichtiger. In diesem Umfeld werden Verschwörungstheorien als regierungskritischer Bürgerjournalismus oder „Alternativer Journalismus“ verkleidet und von „Presseagenturen“ wie dem französischen Alter Info (das mit Vorliebe iranische Propagandabotschaften und Hisbollah-Kommuniqués unter seine Meldungen streut) oder „Nachrichtenkanälen“ wie Infowars verbreitet. Obskure Spinnereien bekommen den Anschein von seriösem Expertenwissen, verbreiten sich in atemberaubender Geschwindigkeit und gewinnen allein schon durch ihre massenhafte Präsenz an Glaubwürdigkeit – ein sich selbst verstärkendes Hörensagen, das auch von der antiautoritären Grundverfasstheit des Internets profitiert, derzufolge das Establishment schon einmal a priori verdächtig ist. Den Soundtrack zum „Truth Movement“ liefern regierungskritische Musiker wie der Wiener Rapper Kilez More, die Werbung für einschlägige Nachrichtenseiten erfolgt per Graffiti. Verschwörung ist auch Popkultur. <br /><br />In diesem Rahmen verdeckt die Frage „Wem kann man noch glauben?“ leider eine viel wesentlichere, nämlich: „Was sollte man eigentlich wissen?“ Der Politologe Peter Filzmaier erkennt darin ein Symptom von „erschütternd geringer Mediennutzungskompetenz: Viele Leute erkennen den Unterschied zwischen seriöser Berichterstattung und obskuren Verschwörungstheorien schlicht nicht.“ Kein Wunder: Wenn auch in seriösen Medien Information und Entertainment zunehmend zum Infotainment verschwimmen, wenn sich Wissenschaftssendungen mit Ufos und Atlantis beschäftigen und politische Talkshows über islamistische Verschwörungen debattieren, erscheinen auch abstruse Konzepte wie eine von Freimaurern, Illuminaten, jüdischen Bankiers und der Bilderberg-Gruppe angestrebte „Neue Weltordnung“ nicht mehr ganz so abstrus.<br /><br />Dazu kommt, dass neuere Verschwörungstheorien an ihren vernünftigeren Enden durchaus anschlussfähig für eine rationale Gesellschaftskritik sind. Dass der ehemalige US-Vizepräsident Dick Cheney aufgrund seiner engen Verbindungen zur Rüstungsindustrie auch private Interessen in den Irakkrieg schickte, liefert ebenso begründeten Anlass zu weiterführender Spekulation wie die enge Allianz zwischen US-Politik und Wall Street nach der Bankenkrise 2008. Michael Butter: „Was Verschwörungstheorien verbindet, ist, dass sie in mehr oder weniger verzerrter Form auf echte oder wahrgenommene soziale Probleme hinweisen, zum Beispiel auf ein wachsendes Misstrauen gegenüber der amerikanischen Politik. Auch deshalb sollte man sie durchaus ernst nehmen.“ Der Vietnamveteran, Ex-Wrestler und ehemalige Gouverneur von Minnesota Jesse Ventura, Star der vom US-Kabelsender TruTV ausgestrahlten Reihe „Conspiracy Theory“, garniert seinen soeben auf Deutsch erschienenen Bestseller „Die amerikanische Verschwörung. 9/11 und andere Lügen“ denn auch mit einem Zitat von Albert Einstein: „Blinder Glaube an die Obrigkeit ist der schlimmste Feind der Wahrheit.“<br /><br />Der schlimmste Feind der Vernunft wiederum ist die Angst. Zum Glück können Verschwörungstheorien auch diese verringern – oder zumindest in geordnete Bahnen lenken. Es mag schrecklich sein, von unbekannten Mächten kontrolliert und getäuscht zu werden, aber eben nicht ganz so schrecklich wie die Vorstellung, dass ein 32-jähriger Psychopath nicht daran gehindert werden kann, in einer guten Stunde 68 Menschen zu erschießen. So etwas kann nicht wahr sein, also muss mehr dahinterstecken. So wie es auch nicht wahr sein kann, dass kein Staatschef, kein Zentralbanker der Welt ein echtes Rezept gegen die Kreditkrise hat. So hilflos kann die Politik doch nicht sein. Also muss sie lügen. Verschwörungstheorien bieten Erklärungen an, schließen Zufälle aus und verringern so die Angst vor dem Chaos. Alles hängt mit allem zusammen, und das hat alles schon seine Ordnung so. <br /><br />Weniger klar ist die ideologische Ordnung hinter der Verschwörungsaufdecker-Szene. Auf die These, dass hinter den Anschlägen vom 11. September ein Regierungskomplott steckt, können sich amerikanische Rednecks und Schweizer Grünpolitiker, antisemitische Norweger und New Yorker Globalisierungskritiker gleichermaßen einigen. Wo alles auf undurchschaubare Weise mit allem zusammenhängt, wo 9/11, Bankenkrise, Waffenlobby, Freimaurer, Klimawandel, Islamismus und Grippeepidemien Teil derselben Verschwörungsszenerie sein können, kann es auch zu seltsamen Allianzen kommen. Die Welt der Verschwörer ist eine Scheibe, die sich so rasend schnell dreht, dass rechts und links schwer voneinander zu unterscheiden sind. Der Freiburger Experte Michael Butter: „Verschwörungserzählungen schaffen Kollektive, von denen man sich zunächst gar nicht vorstellen kann, wie sie zusammenkommen konnten. Wenn man konkreter hinsieht, erweist sich aber die Schlüssigkeit dieses Prinzips: In dem gleichen Grundgerüst können, mit kleinen Veränderungen an den entsprechenden Scharnieren, rechte wie linke Ideologien andocken.“ Auch die wahrste Wahrheit muss schließlich interpretiert werden. Bleibt es bei der Interpretation, stellt das nur ein intellektuelles Problem dar. Dass es dabei bleibt, ist leider gar nicht so sicher. Der deutsche Historiker Wolfgang Wippermann hat diesbezüglich jedenfalls Bedenken: „Wir unterschätzen die Wirksamkeit von Verschwörungsideologien. Dieses Denken ist gefährlich, denn Ideologie ist nicht nur falsches Bewusstsein, sondern auch ein Indikator von realen politischen und historischen Vorgängen. Das wird verwirklicht.“ <br />Andererseits: Das ist der CIA bestimmt schon längst bewusst. Und die hat schließlich ihre Mittel.<br />1.8.2011

Financial Illiteracy of Those Who Mock Conspiracy Theorists Article by Anthony Wile via Daily Bell From Social Psychological and Personality...

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EATING: YOUR COMPENSATION AND DEFINITION OF VALUE

<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Somewhere along the line you were told you suck. You were parented or “friended” into being something other than yourself. You were told to change who you are, otherwise your mom and dad wouldn’t like you, your friends wouldn’t accept you, society wouldn’t praise you, and without someone’s opinion to tell you if you were doing a good job− you’d never know what your value was. In short, your value is externally created. It has to be earned.</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When someone says you’re doing great! They add to your value. When someone judges you negatively, they have the power to take from your value. Think about how you react when someone angrily honks their car horn at you. Do you react by feeling angry and defensive? Does that random stranger have the power to make you feel emotionally threatened? Is that because other’s reaction to you is so important to your perceived value? You are at the mercy of other’s judgment, other’s opinion, and other’s validation in order to define your success, the quality of your soul, and the value of your life. </span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When this type of value based on external approval is instilled from childhood, you’re doomed to believe that how people perceive you is the truth of your value. You’re judged on your religion, what you wear, how you talk, your education, your job, how much money you make, how many friends you have, how big your breasts are, how big your truck is, your children’s success following the rules, and any other definition of value that isn’t necessarily the truth. So eventually we are all the same, wanting the same exact things in life, and we are waiting for someone or something to tell us what to do. </span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is why consumerism has become such a large part of our culture. Businesses tell you what services and products you need to feel better about yourself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They create the illusion everyone is buying it, they slap their logo on what it is and the more people you see with that logo, the more you feel you need to buy it. Some of the most valuable things that increase value are: money− or buying power, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>education, where you got your education, your job, your house, your car, your clothes, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>your parent’s/childen’s accomplishments on this scale, and your ability to have and attract sex. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sad part is that if any of those ideals are taken away or lost, you actually believe your value is less. </span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because you’ve given outside influence the power to define your value, that influence has the power to control you, your actions, your spending, you motivation, the way you make decisions, and how you perceive yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>You don’t have self-worth but instead, money-worth, clothes-worth, religious-worth, sexual-worth, body-worth, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>fill-in-the-blank-worth. Those outside influences are what you think brings you happiness, but also are the influences that can be lost to create stress and sadness.</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How much of your life was created for you? Decided for you? Directed by something else you thought was in charge of your happiness? What I’ve noticed is that when the most important dictators of your value judge you poorly, the easy way to feel better about it is to seek out another form of validation. For example, if someone in your family is sick (which tests the idea that you were taught happiness comes when there are no problems) and you have to take them to the hospital, do you eat to feel better about it?</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When one level of value is decreased, in order to feel better about it you’re going to need to find something else to compensate. How many of you compensate with food? Do you eat to feel better about all of the vulnerabilities in life? Has eating become the only stable emotional reinforcement that only you control? Finding a way to control emotional stability is why we have behavioral addiction.</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The question I have is what if you decided your value wasn’t defined by your parents, religion, spouse, children, job, money, and your body? What is your true authentic value? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you were the creator of your value and didn’t need an action, object, or person to define you, your happiness would be something you create rather than receive.</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you eat to compensate for the vulnerability of the world, I suggest you start by thinking about the things, people, objects, and actions you believe define your value. Recognize why they’ve become such a large part of your identity. Seek to find your identity without those addictions, and from there, allow the inevitable vulnerability and fear of rejection, when you allow yourself to be authentic. No matter what others judge and what their opinion of your value is. This is the foundation of self-worth and is the only true source of happiness that isn’t vulnerable to anything other than existence of life.</span></div>

EATING: YOUR COMPENSATION AND DEFINITION OF VALUE

Somewhere along the line you were told you suck. You were parented or “friended” into being something other than yourself. You were told to ...

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Super Excitement - It Never Fails

It is Super Bowl week. It "officially" begins tonight with the kickoff of the Pro Bowl. It ends next Sunday when a new Super Bowl champion is crowned. In between there are parties, Media Day, interviews, overblown analysis, and NBC shoving their stars in our faces as much as humanly possible. I hear a new show is premiering on Monday...I think it's called "Smush."<br /><br />But even with all of that ringamaroll, I still find myself excited. Any sports purists out there may wave their hand and wish that it was 1976, where the Super Bowl festivities consisted of four quarters and a performance by Up With People. I, on the other hand, say bring it on! Read on to find out why.<br /><br /><b>1. It sure beats watching the snow fall</b><br />The Super Bowl is placed at the most ideal time of year: the time when NOTHING is going on. Christmas cheer has finally worn off, the idea of shoveling for a fourth time in one week gives you a headache, and the Oscars are still weeks away. March Madness is a tiny pinprick in the distance, and even though "pitchers and catchers reporting" sends you into spirals of glee, the season still doesn't actually begin until April.<br /><br />What else are you going to do the first weekend of February? It is an opportunity to set aside the mundane everyday tasks and figure out how an office pool really works. I personally plan on going to the store and selecting food items I wouldn't normally choose. TGIFriday's green bean fries and queso dip, for example. (Probably not together.) <br /><br /><b>2. It is entertaining to watch non-sports people try to talk football</b><br />A lot of people may hear their friend talk sports and think they're nuts. After all, this friend hasn't watched a lick of football all season and is taking their knowledge of the Big Game from...Access Hollywood? I, on the other hand, laugh and enjoy them as they sound...silly. (They are our friends, after all. Let's be nice.) A lot of times they spout off information just because they want to fit in. But occasionally they actually are interested in what people have to say and want to sound smart around the water cooler.<br /><b> </b><br />I, for one, enjoy sounding intelligent as I recall the last NFC team to win back-to-back Super Bowls (Cowboys in '93 and '94) as they scramble to remember the name of the Patriots' tight end (Rob Gron-kow-ski, to help you sound it out).<br /><br /><b>3. Everyone knows who is playing!</b><br />Sure, this matchup of the Patriots and the Giants is incredibly intriguing...if it was 2007 and the Patriots were 18-0. Sure, Harbaugh Bowl would have been a lot more fun. But everyone knows who is playing. People will be whispering "Patriots" or "Giants" during meetings. They might even be mentioned in that morning's sermon. For one week, everyone will have two teams on their mind. And even though your heart bleeds Honolulu Blue, you'll probably be rooting for Classic Blue or Navy Blue for three hours. <br /><br /><b>4. ...the Commercials...</b><br />Even for all of the Patriots-Giants talk, the only way that the game gets more talk than the commercials on Monday would be if Tom Brady and Eli Manning decided to switch sides in the second quarter. So of course people are going to get excited for the prospect of the commercials! I have to say "prospect," because it's likely that only three or four are really going to make you laugh or make you think. There will be eighteen stupid beer commercials, ten animal commercials, eight movie trailers, and one commercial that comes out of nowhere and really makes you wonder, "What was that about again?"<br /><br />So there are four reasons that I always get excited for the Super Bowl. I will do my best to avoid the overhype and NBC promotional material and enjoy the aspects that I like. If you do the same, I'm sure you'll enjoy this little break in the monotony as well.

Super Excitement - It Never Fails

It is Super Bowl week. It "officially" begins tonight with the kickoff of the Pro Bowl. It ends next Sunday when a new Super Bowl...

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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvriSkisIRuxuaSU59-_CvPAEp3hOTBl7fRSfdunikRMXa079vIVeeMeGG20_J3VqKuiBDJYAKpgyEhd8qgBoh-pB3_L3OyYJkZcETKwIw-ggP-ykWDGKELBjbjquvUv38IUV6uypcy-K/s1600/90b541fa409db47097dd415c86b2a672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvriSkisIRuxuaSU59-_CvPAEp3hOTBl7fRSfdunikRMXa079vIVeeMeGG20_J3VqKuiBDJYAKpgyEhd8qgBoh-pB3_L3OyYJkZcETKwIw-ggP-ykWDGKELBjbjquvUv38IUV6uypcy-K/s400/90b541fa409db47097dd415c86b2a672.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">  </span></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Israeli Exports to Turkey rise 42% to equal exports to Germany </span></div><br />What we are made to believe is one thing, what occurs in reality is another. This obviously applies in geopolitics and is one of the causes as to why conspiracy theories becoming increasingly popular amongst a broader spectrum of internet users and thus causes eyebrow rising among the “ruling establishment”. <br />Take for example the current eco - political rift between TURKEY and ISRAEL. For month now we are made to believe that relations between the two nations are going down the drain, due to the GAZA flotilla incident, (see <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/09/turkeys-middle-east-chess-game.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/09/turkeys-middle-east-chess-game.html</a>) and that this rift will have serious percussion's on the Geo-strategic situation in the MIDDLE EAST. Looking at the latest economic trade figures between the two countries it becomes evident that reality is somewhat different then what we are made to believe. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">According to latest data, exports from ISRAEL to TURKEY rose 42% to $1.85 billion in 2011, while exports to GERMANY totaled $1.94 billion. This showcases that deteriorating diplomatic relations between the two countries has not affected trade.<br />ISRAELI exports to TURKEY totaled $132.1 million in December 2011, 51% more than in the corresponding month.<br />ISRAELI imports TURKEY rose 20.6% from 2010 to $2.1 billion in 2011, <br />resulting in a trade deficit of $321 million.<br />ISRAELI exports to EGYPT and JORDAN rose 26% in 2011. </span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Stats obtained via Globes </i></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Witty Turks </b></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqpDI6Z-0tHu7gFWMS9vZZXCGetCHI8r51qYODnVZuL94scExeZDqmI6GiELkjTa2Kaf0o7NmEKlhTacdoSl68BCBH3Q2A6lNnwr81jDRBIpMdsgvegkAuxe-TfWMTkS291Enf0vmMrSk/s1600/balanced_seesaw-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqpDI6Z-0tHu7gFWMS9vZZXCGetCHI8r51qYODnVZuL94scExeZDqmI6GiELkjTa2Kaf0o7NmEKlhTacdoSl68BCBH3Q2A6lNnwr81jDRBIpMdsgvegkAuxe-TfWMTkS291Enf0vmMrSk/s320/balanced_seesaw-001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>As for TURKEY one should also not forget that it plays a similar game with IRAN. On the one hand TURKEY is in alliance with the USA and the EU in supporting the tumbling of the SYRIAN regime which is supported by IRAN. TURKEY on the other hand, officially at least, does not considers IRAN as being its favorite neighbor but nevertheless assists IRAN to bypass the oil embargo by facilitating INDIA with HALK BANKASI bank transactions so that INDIA is able to conduct its oil trade with IRAN in gold. Last but not least TURKEY seems to keep a political backdoor open by only adhering to sanctions against IRAN’S nuclear program if imposed by the UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL, which is a no go for RUSSIA and CHINA will never ratify these sanctions, thus giving TURKEY the leverage to deal with its neighbors according to its eco-political needs.

  Israeli Exports to Turkey rise 42% to equal exports to Germany What we are made to believe is one thing, what occurs in reality is another...

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Current Affairs - Argentina

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOzogBfeHiJdS-2tns1-8OLmbsz0jn1AC21XjTfhCvP5YTvaJYLKmm3P1YAG_kXvRnOSPsNqPkLExf3-tAj7YbZgID0FfXVRxsq8AIiS4aj7hYb4-2fWq1HRbneAfe4wi81iYf1rvKPBJ/s1600/mapa_bariloche1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOzogBfeHiJdS-2tns1-8OLmbsz0jn1AC21XjTfhCvP5YTvaJYLKmm3P1YAG_kXvRnOSPsNqPkLExf3-tAj7YbZgID0FfXVRxsq8AIiS4aj7hYb4-2fWq1HRbneAfe4wi81iYf1rvKPBJ/s320/mapa_bariloche1.gif" width="269" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>ARGENTINA NABS IRANIAN-HIZBALLAH CELL, ABORTS THIRD HABAD ATTACK</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Via DEBKAfile Sat. 28 Jan 2012</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />ARGENTINA has captured a three-man IRANIAN-HIZBALLAH cell and is hunting for the rest of the network, according to exclusive DEBKAFILE sources. Its counter-terror police were a step ahead of attacks plotted against several of the 10 HABAD centers in the country, part of a worldwide joint terrorist offensive against ISRAELI and Jewish targets.<br /><br />The three-man cell was captured in the ARGENTINE resort town of SAN CARLOS DE BARILOCHE, 1,680 kilometers from Buenos Aires, a favorite starting-point for ISRAELI backpackers touring PATAGONIA and the ANDES.<br />ARGENTINA'S anti-terrorist FEDERAL SPECIAL OPERATIONS GROUP, known as T4, waylaid the three terrorists on tips from US and ISRAELI intelligence. In their possession were incriminating documents and maps.<br />HABAD hospitality centers and Jewish institutions in the country were then shut down and given extra security guards, as was the ISRAELI embassy in the capital.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6AwTQNWcCg4sFh67NFi2sfcUxc7gE2uEYmBf7PTQhvZxfWhmHUimpaa7yPkjS6xeHtOJh3nG4tfNH3cjK4-PkPOWMaiOZ6J4zyHqb6Gz9EvClPZM8NBilEMCSUD86c24_8TJ8yDIO5bp/s1600/Bariloche+Argentina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6AwTQNWcCg4sFh67NFi2sfcUxc7gE2uEYmBf7PTQhvZxfWhmHUimpaa7yPkjS6xeHtOJh3nG4tfNH3cjK4-PkPOWMaiOZ6J4zyHqb6Gz9EvClPZM8NBilEMCSUD86c24_8TJ8yDIO5bp/s200/Bariloche+Argentina.jpg" width="197" /></a></div><br />In 1992, the embassy was attacked by IRANIAN terrorists killing 29 people and injuring 242. DEBKAFILE'S intelligence and counter-terror sources reveal that one of the things the investigation seeks to discover this time is whether the captured IRANIAN-HIZBALLAH cell was given a safe house, guidance and aid by family members of World War II Nazi criminals who won sanctuary in ARGENTINA.<br /><br />At the time of the ISRAELI embassy bombing twenty years ago, the IRANIAN and HIZBALLAH terrorists were suspected of working hand in glove with local pro-Nazi elements.  ARGENTINA, GERMANY and ISRAEL never confirmed this.<br /><br />The terror alert BUENOS AIRES declared this week was also communicated to CHILE, PERU, URUGUAY and MEXICO, in case additional Iranian-Hizballah teams were heading for Israeli and Jewish targets there too.<br /><br />

Current Affairs - Argentina

ARGENTINA NABS IRANIAN-HIZBALLAH CELL, ABORTS THIRD HABAD ATTACK Via DEBKAfile Sat. 28 Jan 2012 ARGENTINA has captured a three-man IRANIAN-H...

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The Plan

<p>First of all, thank you sweet friends for all your kind & encouraging words on my <a href="http://brings together friends, families, businesses and communities in team-based wellness challenges designed to promote positive lifestyle change">post yesterday</a>! It means so much that you’re still out there and didn’t give up on me!</p> <p>I thought I’d update you on what I’m doing to lose weight.</p> <p>As many of you know I became a <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2009/07/im-still-aliveand-im-lifetimer.html">lifetime Weight Watchers</a> member in June 2009. My goal weight was 161. Why 161? No reason other than the fact I was happy with my weight there and I was ready to go for free!! So that’s what I am doing, Weight Watchers,…for life! <img alt="Winking smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhHqaYYOwozwT6S80j_yKuwJZrLyzhRJC9cQrqmxsGm73kayI0pci_HD0n4keUObVh-yhikWrn9JburyA7CEBrnv4jKsRvDzP3E5tqXOf9vUALABAjbBuhDOsMVvOiE2zflfc81Y9-swf/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none"> I’ve still got a good number of lbs to lose before I can go for free again, but it’s more than attainable and I KNOW I can do it!</p> <p>Currently I get 37 points per day. I get an additional 7 because I am nursing. Before Adelyn was solely nursing and wasn’t on solids yet I got 44 points/day. I think 37 is going to be much better for my weight loss. </p> <p>I’m also getting in about 4 workouts/week. I either go over my lunch break and get in a quick 30 minutes or I go in the evening after I’ve put Adelyn to bed. Sometimes its hard to go at almost 8pm, but I have to keep telling myself I CAN DO THIS!</p> <p>Another motivation is <a href="http://www.livehealthyiowa.org/default.aspx">Live Healthy Iowa</a>. From their website:</p> <p align="center"><em>Live Healthy Iowa brings together friends, families, businesses and communities in team-based wellness challenges designed to promote positive lifestyle change</em>. My work encouraged people to get teams together.</p> <p>So one of my staff members & I got 2 teams together and are having a little friendly competition! There are 8 members on my team and we named ourselves the “Sweat Sisters” because there are 2 sets of sisters on the team! Our main goal is activity minutes. Not only will increased activity help my weight loss, but it will also help my Live Healthy Iowa team!</p> <p>That’s the plan friends! Help me stay accountable and soon enough I will be at my lifetime weight again and won’t have to suck it in when I shimmy those jeans on! Ha! <img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7aVuK3ftkuxRet92QylXfD_cGB2IvQ-pXBgL_Esdd-Y4C4v43QrAZaM3tP8Tl82b3cFuMVA13U4gXniIakeOP_zR0M0SKoMit26RwgJscx_E3TTDtGw_OxMiVPczSubd03FJyzTI9SwN/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none"></p>

The Plan

First of all, thank you sweet friends for all your kind & encouraging words on my post yesterday ! It means so much that you’re still ou...

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Vertigo: Alfred Hitchcock's Edifice to Obsession

<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">a video blog by guest contributor Brandon Kyle Goco</span></i></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8h98cjr5QYTShX9sbO0VuRVYfAWvtKbgbKsjoIeA_adh0vkdrhMB5nE2z4LchPFkD1mSB6-scrNaH5LSOI_2TW5OJo8Wg22W4Ygon4LIn2jCzF_K2hLrwy2ogHHnbXFP_9s3iZ_x-Jn_d/s1600/Brandon+Kyle+Cinephile+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8h98cjr5QYTShX9sbO0VuRVYfAWvtKbgbKsjoIeA_adh0vkdrhMB5nE2z4LchPFkD1mSB6-scrNaH5LSOI_2TW5OJo8Wg22W4Ygon4LIn2jCzF_K2hLrwy2ogHHnbXFP_9s3iZ_x-Jn_d/s400/Brandon+Kyle+Cinephile+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: small;"><b>Brandon Goco</b>, guest host of Turner Classic Movies’ monthly podcast series for October 2011, is both a film student and a movie fanatic. He has penned well over a hundred individual blogs for the TCM Classic Film Union, has his own blog, <a href="http://brandonkylethecinephile.blogspot.com/" style="color: #990000;">Brandon Kyle the Cinephile</a>, and has only recently taken up video blogging. At the age of 20, Brandon is currently attending a California State University, majoring in film studies and working part-time as the production coordinator and general manager for the university’s local television station. He has dreams of becoming a film director or film preservationist some day. </span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Brandon on <i>Vertigo</i> <span style="font-size: small;">(</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">he recommends his video be viewed in 720p)</span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">: </span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ly0KIyN400w" width="560"></iframe></div>

A Month of Vertigo Alfred Hitchcock Brandon Kyle Goco Vertigo Vertigo: Alfred Hitchcock's Edifice to Obsession

a video blog by guest contributor Brandon Kyle Goco Brandon Goco , guest host of Turner Classic Movies’ monthly podcast series for October 2...

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color coded

I stare at these bookshelves a lot. Most of the action in our house happens in this room. Barbie's wardrobe is stored just below these shelves, as well as puzzels, legos, movies, games. Everything. And of course there is the TV as well. I watch a lot of TV. I love TV. So again, I stare at these suckers all the time.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXZxK6-W53wVhhusdd7czdxKZxfwDv-ytNoON-A-fwN_gLkaDgr-0V9EUNmsUVye_aNGFnWJE4qxjBc5gycvTCyAJ4OJt0SRsQrgjQptbmBcIg7xn_OXiP2cwBywI-1aSx-NEZP_iVdcr/s1600/PB180944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXZxK6-W53wVhhusdd7czdxKZxfwDv-ytNoON-A-fwN_gLkaDgr-0V9EUNmsUVye_aNGFnWJE4qxjBc5gycvTCyAJ4OJt0SRsQrgjQptbmBcIg7xn_OXiP2cwBywI-1aSx-NEZP_iVdcr/s640/PB180944.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">every bookcase looks a little better with Aiden in the middle</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And as I stare, I always think to myself, "You really need to paint the back of those suckers. I am over that brown. Why didn't you paint over that when you painted the rest of the room?" <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_bk4QE1nO-cB0DC1KxlViOy4MNW28gDjCtPrLzQKCYEoIsrDvIlWsPsoMFlmP1TeE8kRQbuHUc5mqS3MGTJJkv3CHuy5BU4HOIfY2XUgqAtPGJBIExLau9OIuQoWTt5CW27r45e7DMwT/s1600/PB180940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_bk4QE1nO-cB0DC1KxlViOy4MNW28gDjCtPrLzQKCYEoIsrDvIlWsPsoMFlmP1TeE8kRQbuHUc5mqS3MGTJJkv3CHuy5BU4HOIfY2XUgqAtPGJBIExLau9OIuQoWTt5CW27r45e7DMwT/s640/PB180940.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>"You need to find something to actually go in those big picture frames if you are going to hang them up you lazy fool. A picture of a flower on its side is not doing it for me."<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/AVvXsEhJ0egRNP3Y6okDVvj5umwAwQ487H4rJDF_WZRBXfES8GdKg16D5wT_6wWK680KBtvX7FBCppZfhaG3Nra80SYnmW2IyYG6qvKCxaTWlkkK-9ubpxLEFA9msx4vb9Rq9WoXRFjqKSbKcMlM/s1600/PB180942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0egRNP3Y6okDVvj5umwAwQ487H4rJDF_WZRBXfES8GdKg16D5wT_6wWK680KBtvX7FBCppZfhaG3Nra80SYnmW2IyYG6qvKCxaTWlkkK-9ubpxLEFA9msx4vb9Rq9WoXRFjqKSbKcMlM/s640/PB180942.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">good gracious the lighting down here is awful</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="text-align: left;">So a few weekends ago I had the rare treat of an entire 24 hours with no one to take care of. I took it as a sign. (to paint and drink cocktails) So, </span>I stripped them down, clean up about a pound of dust (does anyone dust bookshelves on a regular basis) and taped them up. Buh bye brown.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLrmugxnsAM8B9RyL-92qh1u-gnb2EcGjY07VqxSFXf-3riUb4b_CUyruUoKZLz9yF_lucmZ5cMZ5GnnAq2_NULhtbqdWr3HWLDgPAX15Fb3NO_cp1PIb39nO1vyS9lHmZdZIkMIkVNsk/s1600/PC161942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLrmugxnsAM8B9RyL-92qh1u-gnb2EcGjY07VqxSFXf-3riUb4b_CUyruUoKZLz9yF_lucmZ5cMZ5GnnAq2_NULhtbqdWr3HWLDgPAX15Fb3NO_cp1PIb39nO1vyS9lHmZdZIkMIkVNsk/s640/PC161942.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I looked thru my <a href="http://pinterest.com/ladybaum/" target="_blank">pins</a> and found that I'm obviously loving the whole color coded look. Like this.<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/AVvXsEgcxMOl1IHRcj2Kuz3FueQ0_jro6_QjeBNvIMH8jf8pu1B8TNIILaAMKnKJ72ac_uiUXtrdFprVsV2H_FZhzE8JLKDq69kG5gWe6SRiqBW9I6JE0aTgn3CAChu4CwQR-8q39czJAsik2zKC/s1600/6896205649170813.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="513" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxMOl1IHRcj2Kuz3FueQ0_jro6_QjeBNvIMH8jf8pu1B8TNIILaAMKnKJ72ac_uiUXtrdFprVsV2H_FZhzE8JLKDq69kG5gWe6SRiqBW9I6JE0aTgn3CAChu4CwQR-8q39czJAsik2zKC/s640/6896205649170813.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/6896205649170813/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></td></tr></tbody></table> Or this.<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/AVvXsEjHaF2WJElTB6iMfTumL3v-8iHGdX3WwNabrL7Q1aQCgjV2FnnkJLUi82QV3AmaHsw1Wdk6pXTaWTinmor80-CLUY-pEI2vj5xdje2v2pfC7c68C9ccuT-fWbtgmVpSdIcr99Ak1PIRWfId/s1600/art-of-display_26.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHaF2WJElTB6iMfTumL3v-8iHGdX3WwNabrL7Q1aQCgjV2FnnkJLUi82QV3AmaHsw1Wdk6pXTaWTinmor80-CLUY-pEI2vj5xdje2v2pfC7c68C9ccuT-fWbtgmVpSdIcr99Ak1PIRWfId/s640/art-of-display_26.jpeg" width="390" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/6896205649083028/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></td></tr></tbody></table>As a side note - isn't it funny to look thru your boards and find you pin ten variations of the same thing? Subliminal design. Hey, that would be a good name for a business...I'm getting off track.<br /><br />To go polar opposite of the brown, I wanted something fresh and clean, but not white. I liked having a color of some kind back there. Martha pulled thru with just the right fresh, clean but not white color. (I need to get better about keeping paint chips so I can remember the name of the color)<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/AVvXsEgikyLdNULvYPvSDxRZik3wVyXwKws6sKSycf5SD9WQ_8qvZT8-YpgSL9YIbOIpwcGIMr5dMYjy1xPvjjrybOQc8-WDoH1lVj4hUki0uFADwJPJvlOkqBUL1rWgMBbiWD93Grm21QeTV-C4/s1600/PC161943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikyLdNULvYPvSDxRZik3wVyXwKws6sKSycf5SD9WQ_8qvZT8-YpgSL9YIbOIpwcGIMr5dMYjy1xPvjjrybOQc8-WDoH1lVj4hUki0uFADwJPJvlOkqBUL1rWgMBbiWD93Grm21QeTV-C4/s640/PC161943.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to the power of the internet...voila. Painted shelves.</td></tr></tbody></table>Much cleaner. Much brighter. A good start. Now lets see if I have enough books for a rainbow.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKnsbGBJcIXb7Y_-l6DtPZ6qhyphenhypheniZYXhPCju96w2bqJcZPxr_ywQfStxBCexIUhT4D98eFWrk27MeLAdl5bSrv2qDEU7phgyEX2F3uNCqSrU-bedHcb3mPCObhEBS4KPp7DpeNnxs0MkJU/s1600/P1273405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKnsbGBJcIXb7Y_-l6DtPZ6qhyphenhypheniZYXhPCju96w2bqJcZPxr_ywQfStxBCexIUhT4D98eFWrk27MeLAdl5bSrv2qDEU7phgyEX2F3uNCqSrU-bedHcb3mPCObhEBS4KPp7DpeNnxs0MkJU/s640/P1273405.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>Who knew I had so many red books? And yellow? Crazy.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__fMvIhVh6f9ndba_jc9e2qmsn6r6d3nG5dkzmTor696ZwCgWTiTO3_4NlfOQDFgW4WqYhnyf7dH175CA5SK7sIbZzj53v-bclsqg2BNmXwonIZGmofDlS3tGcKmiEC5bKD9nEeyeU5bi/s1600/P1273408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__fMvIhVh6f9ndba_jc9e2qmsn6r6d3nG5dkzmTor696ZwCgWTiTO3_4NlfOQDFgW4WqYhnyf7dH175CA5SK7sIbZzj53v-bclsqg2BNmXwonIZGmofDlS3tGcKmiEC5bKD9nEeyeU5bi/s640/P1273408.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>An afternoon of finger painting and I had some new artwork...from Amelia. Not me. My finger painting days are behind me.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoVpcIUQ_DCmjojPZdg9eDuSoMIeo1zbIqz2NcCxT-sDyJiFtV5iDFvmEJtsMA5QvtnGiUaFE0hJ7G1rfGQ-7VP41yFjl1IL0ZYCB7PJkfecKeS2tjHLRvduX29idfk_nTVF430MGEKD3/s1600/P1273410.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoVpcIUQ_DCmjojPZdg9eDuSoMIeo1zbIqz2NcCxT-sDyJiFtV5iDFvmEJtsMA5QvtnGiUaFE0hJ7G1rfGQ-7VP41yFjl1IL0ZYCB7PJkfecKeS2tjHLRvduX29idfk_nTVF430MGEKD3/s640/P1273410.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Old cup/bowl/whatever it is made by me, age 8<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3kgfU7NDUckbqVEPkHl1xWa2QEh9N2xIZDUz21uUh0cYIi4f8SjX5h9UeDqP-r-Te4HjY4-EPTtpk8LYTOAmheyuqpTTU_wlb4GEQl3AagDk2-JM3BhSrzjKz_t3C8-F9lonxCXckrbC/s1600/P1273425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3kgfU7NDUckbqVEPkHl1xWa2QEh9N2xIZDUz21uUh0cYIi4f8SjX5h9UeDqP-r-Te4HjY4-EPTtpk8LYTOAmheyuqpTTU_wlb4GEQl3AagDk2-JM3BhSrzjKz_t3C8-F9lonxCXckrbC/s640/P1273425.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHgtgNDKMxPUeSq8KdVQ-SEJuG0Yyxx0Xbj9Fwwom9Rhm7QyitrGFbkYUTZdHva5ZlaEPai65GzhKFALdfYCawNEzQJbw5dxOxcK2JRyjHM5dquwu4NDAJAoayAcQnVweO38fazJ7keUM/s1600/P1273447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHgtgNDKMxPUeSq8KdVQ-SEJuG0Yyxx0Xbj9Fwwom9Rhm7QyitrGFbkYUTZdHva5ZlaEPai65GzhKFALdfYCawNEzQJbw5dxOxcK2JRyjHM5dquwu4NDAJAoayAcQnVweO38fazJ7keUM/s640/P1273447.JPG" width="426" /></a></div> Rainbow continued on the other side. I apologize for the horrible lighting.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2ixgmUAMldyfrDMGzpEJWkUT7Ndja22jKEtkvZ9mqeOLB7WsyFOm-ybwEJw_fgeUmwfemmLpfH_FtKWCLToLl05kpENi8pc2DL_uV40AT0sB699IJuRiyOCYazfiS1avtLxJGNM21STb/s1600/P1273450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2ixgmUAMldyfrDMGzpEJWkUT7Ndja22jKEtkvZ9mqeOLB7WsyFOm-ybwEJw_fgeUmwfemmLpfH_FtKWCLToLl05kpENi8pc2DL_uV40AT0sB699IJuRiyOCYazfiS1avtLxJGNM21STb/s640/P1273450.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>The finished product with the Olivia stamp of approval. Not a huge change, and not a lot of work but it makes me feel like I've done something. And its nice to stare at something new while watching TV.<br /><br />Have you made any small changes around your house lately? Is this all the motivation I need to get started on some of my bigger projects? And more importantly, who's ready for Monday's RHOBH reunion show? Viewing party at my house!

color coded

I stare at these bookshelves a lot. Most of the action in our house happens in this room. Barbie's wardrobe is stored just below these s...

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It's Going to be Different!

<div><div><div>It's been 5 months since I last posted and I've finally decided to come out of hiding! J/K I've actually just spent these last 5 months figuring out the balancing act of being a working mom! If you want to see what we've been up to feel free to hop on over to our family blog <a href="http://bangertfam.blogspot.com/">here</a>. </div><br /><br />Ok now it's time to spill my guts! My last post I left you guys with was about conquering week 3 of C25K and I had made some WW friendly freezer meals. Well, pretty sure I haven't ran since then and all those freezer meals are gone! ;)</div><br /><br />I went back to work from maternity leave part time on September 6th and then full time on September 12th. That was a major few weeks of transistion for me. I did not like leaving my baby everyday. But the weeks went on and I adjusted. I'm still not a fan of leaving her at daycare, I'd much rather be home with her, but it's just one of those facts of life that you have to deal with.<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702178879187564322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzs5gLYLameENXw6-ZHrdopcsFIKKgYIkdyALJhMzqxqY68uDS77ZSqX7x_k69YvKk5MrPGvOIR1jQ0VkOmaVELyHqIVJ0pfILCBP92YIAAzjSdehXLNKxofQJiy5-InxfbnSOs-1Brl9/s400/IMG_0821.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" /><br />Ok I'm getting de-railed....<br /><br />So once I was back to work I joined Weight Watchers at work, which was perfect. The weekly meeting was right on campus where I work. Over the next few months I lost about 10lbs of post baby weight. Then November came...<br /><ul><li>I had a work trip away in state.<br /></li><li>Thanksgiving.<br /></li><li><a href="http://bangertfam.blogspot.com/2011/12/mommys-home.html">I ended the month/started December with a week long work trip to Vegas</a>.<br /></li><li><a href="http://bangertfam.blogspot.com/2012/01/omaha-christmas.html">We celebrated Christmas a week early in Omaha with my family. </a><br /></li><li>And then the week of Christmas & New Years. {read: calories galore}<br /></li></ul><div>What are all those things? Excuses! That's it plain & simple. </div><br /><div>In those 7 weeks I went to Weight Watchers 2 times. Naughty, naughty! The scale showed it too, I gained 5 lbs. Eeekkk!!<br /><br /></div><div>After the New Years I vowed I need to get back on track & lose this baby weight. We didn't have enough members to keep our at work meetings going so I had to drive off campus to the local meeting in town. And that is what I've been doing for the past 3 weeks! Haven't missed one yet and have no plans to!<br /><br /></div><div>So that brings you to where I am today! I've started working out again, either on my lunch break or after I put Adelyn to bed. As far as food goes...sit back & let me tell you about me & food!<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702179760129478770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSM7O5SqE5ezQCXTmIA_8vKzNaTI52jXVY_GJbJpbvsI7MCOMI7_7W28eAPNqdIaFU8wm0ksrUy4KNJquen1lKiaetBxJj9vTR37nZl379uvLt4DK81-xCub4V_yeJ3_GXPEqeFFDxIOtF/s400/IMG_0808.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" /></div><br /><div>I think a big part of it is such a head game for me. I weigh in on Thursdays. In my head I tell myself I can eat what I want on the weekends and then buckle down and make up for it M-W. I've done that the past 3 weeks and sure I've lost, but it's been minimal, -.6lbs or -.4lbs. </div><br /><div>I have to be honest with myself. Doing that isn't going to get me back to my goal weight. It's just a vicious cycle and it isn't the point of the program. Eating like that was in no way benefiting me.</div><br /><div>So here I am, out there for all see {read}, <strong>this week is going to be different</strong>. I'm not going to spurlge this weekend, I'm going to track what I eat, workout, and next week I will see the reward when I got to my WW meeting! </div></div>

It's Going to be Different!

It's been 5 months since I last posted and I've finally decided to come out of hiding! J/K I've actually just spent these last 5...

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Things I'm Loving This Week

<b style="color: #674ea7;">1. Hungry Girl's <a href="http://www.hungry-girl.com/newsletters/raw/367" target="_blank">Yum Yum Brownie Muffins</a> {5 PointsPlus}</b><br /><br />These are definitely on the steeper side of PointsPlus values on sweet treats for me, especially since it's <i>just </i>a muffin!  However, they are really chocolatey and provide some hidden fiber as a bonus, thanks to the pumpkin.  They're actually a nice size too.  INCREDIBLY easy to make: simply mix <span style="color: #999999;">{ONLY}</span> the cake mix + the pumpkin puree and bake in 12 cup muffin tin at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. <span style="color: #999999;">{HG Tip: Make these in mini muffin tins to yield around 36 mini muffins at a smaller PointsPlus value!} </span><br /><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/AVvXsEguzgAL09sN8ngryhaBBVpWgXwjGAYDz_QmBmGKZUYsL72qb1roL9WahVSJF40dW7KG55TZiagLs_b3_jYzJv3-_VoanM_hUJ4cb2JbKmlu6OZmKUCo-K22zWO9ZiZSEWEJdMk7-Zmc5Gg/s1600/brownie+muffins+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzgAL09sN8ngryhaBBVpWgXwjGAYDz_QmBmGKZUYsL72qb1roL9WahVSJF40dW7KG55TZiagLs_b3_jYzJv3-_VoanM_hUJ4cb2JbKmlu6OZmKUCo-K22zWO9ZiZSEWEJdMk7-Zmc5Gg/s400/brownie+muffins+3.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">easy peezy</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8quTmk7iE289_IXUjUw5K3u09s9usEkcdUu0tp3ZyBDZqNBPkmMq5dlAmmUYJuWQqSQufY2EVAXL3HUVlMC5htmJwCWkQDA-bXbNwzK6Ibw5VIxwC5ZpjO4cHXUxhYrlcPQZCuuT32wU/s1600/brownie+muffins+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8quTmk7iE289_IXUjUw5K3u09s9usEkcdUu0tp3ZyBDZqNBPkmMq5dlAmmUYJuWQqSQufY2EVAXL3HUVlMC5htmJwCWkQDA-bXbNwzK6Ibw5VIxwC5ZpjO4cHXUxhYrlcPQZCuuT32wU/s400/brownie+muffins+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />You could argue that these muffins have an almost....dis-pleasurable look to them. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOd72hil_x3hBe8_SV4SM3pBseHdR90UOaXMTpGFAVOlabeFZhaqD0xi5D9wxwmYPMMXTesivZYZhWMvnfQgj7-9oQwt0as49KAUNJD69B-LPuSKhHBm6karLlgPIYxVP1BtfC-HCECQ/s1600/brownie+muffins+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOd72hil_x3hBe8_SV4SM3pBseHdR90UOaXMTpGFAVOlabeFZhaqD0xi5D9wxwmYPMMXTesivZYZhWMvnfQgj7-9oQwt0as49KAUNJD69B-LPuSKhHBm6karLlgPIYxVP1BtfC-HCECQ/s400/brownie+muffins+2.jpg" width="306" /></a></div> <br />They somewhat resemble what might "happen" to you if you consume endless amounts of fiber.  BUT if you can look past their....outward appearance.... and try not to think about it as you bite into the goodness, you will be glad you didn't judge this brownie-muffin by it's cover!<br /><div style="color: #351c75;"><br /></div><div style="color: #674ea7;"><b>2. Mini Chopper</b></div>I received this mini chopper as a Christmas gift two years ago.  My mom purchased it as part of a Black Friday special at Wal-Mart for $4.97.  Sometimes, you get what you pay for.  In this case, I can assure you that this less than $5 chopper has been nothing short of amazing and useful since I first unwrapped it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBW4wQklboCx6K2-iuZtHDBU7iNLDG3KjLqDmO77IvA-C7SJtB7cJY1UD7dQd9x1JlGNGURTf8G0X0l87tdHYX5HmR_K_zkYqoE4YENgMWHEkOE1WlKMUspywcoZgpkxWPMw4mFpNozg/s1600/mini+chopper+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBW4wQklboCx6K2-iuZtHDBU7iNLDG3KjLqDmO77IvA-C7SJtB7cJY1UD7dQd9x1JlGNGURTf8G0X0l87tdHYX5HmR_K_zkYqoE4YENgMWHEkOE1WlKMUspywcoZgpkxWPMw4mFpNozg/s400/mini+chopper+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I primarily use my mini chopper to get those pesky onions minced up.  I hate onions, but a lot of ingredients in recipes that I cook often call for them.  Once upon a time I would've never considered putting onions in a dish.  But since I got my mini chopper, I can get them so finely minced that I can pretend they're not even in the food I'm making!<br /><br />Of course, it's also extremely good at grinding up Oreos to make <a href="http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/easy-oreo-truffles-95085.aspx" target="_blank">Oreo Truffles</a>.  <span style="color: #999999;">{Tip: If you do make the truffles, refrigerate or freeze them for up to an hour before dipping them in the chocolate.  Otherwise you will have a mess of melted Oreo balls in your bowl of chocolate.}</span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbbZScAuAe7o9azHmpfefyTZj1lB9H4C5-AYRpiAeZFza6jifIlL6h7n0Ky2wTJSFlTGqpiHZCBbxnYoEF_z2HtBBkjAcVniRjOIStSLPlod_-e77ipVgZmBFPOvtL45HFchfyclGeFk/s1600/mini+chopper+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbbZScAuAe7o9azHmpfefyTZj1lB9H4C5-AYRpiAeZFza6jifIlL6h7n0Ky2wTJSFlTGqpiHZCBbxnYoEF_z2HtBBkjAcVniRjOIStSLPlod_-e77ipVgZmBFPOvtL45HFchfyclGeFk/s400/mini+chopper+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The stainless steel blade, chopper bowl, and lid are all dishwasher safe.  What more could you ask for in a $5 kitchen appliance?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Y9Gpjqa3eVagyznQwpaEL7sDF4HN9At_55wYehcl3ybq8aelNP4v-iuEogXCvVNwcoN5lHgO2Ruebrkri6g3J9LgAS6MnFwiMdBKkqW0tym81BmEXeVjP2ZDQWveEqebSdAFNlgI-gs/s1600/mini+chopper+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Y9Gpjqa3eVagyznQwpaEL7sDF4HN9At_55wYehcl3ybq8aelNP4v-iuEogXCvVNwcoN5lHgO2Ruebrkri6g3J9LgAS6MnFwiMdBKkqW0tym81BmEXeVjP2ZDQWveEqebSdAFNlgI-gs/s400/mini+chopper+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I have used this chopper over and over and <i>over </i>again, and the blade is starting to get a little dull.  Any idea where I can go to get something like that sharpened?<br /><br /><div style="color: #674ea7;"><b>3.  <a href="http://www.drpepper.com/products/#drpepperten" target="_blank">Dr. Pepper Ten</a></b></div>Diet pop is an acquired taste, let's face it.  It's about the same as during your freshman year of college, when your first taste of an alcoholic beverage is, inevitably, cheap beer.  You choke it down at first, but eventually you cannot even tell the difference between <a href="http://www.anheuser-busch.com/s/index.php/our-beers/#%21Natural" target="_blank">Natural Light</a> and the "premium" beer that is the <a href="http://www.coorslight.com/" target="_blank">Silver Bullet</a>.  {That was then, however!  No way will you catch me sipping a Natty Light these days!}<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOX_yXOEh9yoJwq015YmZTP6m6mVyq9775QTsL4fQhT4B5ImnFBeng4kJx5f9PEbZK2ARFPLnuQ0eCArbNf_6u8xBPHOtbMg6wvpQiVIL7R0KJwrJ-O-inDcTuKNckE7M3qN-hVqwx1U/s1600/dr+pepper+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOX_yXOEh9yoJwq015YmZTP6m6mVyq9775QTsL4fQhT4B5ImnFBeng4kJx5f9PEbZK2ARFPLnuQ0eCArbNf_6u8xBPHOtbMg6wvpQiVIL7R0KJwrJ-O-inDcTuKNckE7M3qN-hVqwx1U/s400/dr+pepper+1.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br />Still, Dr. Pepper Ten is the closest variation to it's "parent" version that I've tasted yet.  Coke Zero may be a close second.  But Dr. Pepper Ten has absolutely no after taste what so ever.  And for 10 calories, I will take it!  I don't drink a lot of diet pop, but I will not hesitate to use it as a substitute for eating whenever I'm craving food.  I find it filling and it gives me a taste of something other than water.  <br /><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/AVvXsEi8Gk5pdxFuGUGSXGbBH5vcUjcBzqsnSItWrwgMalqLoeZObXsP4qEZi8Na5w9SZk5Vc_3LfFjIMn9sALUuNZI8qLq10pzFaHwv8Ld1XI1qT7AIUF9sfdmYVXi_7m8YzfZKbYK4CNhecBc/s1600/dr+pepper+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Gk5pdxFuGUGSXGbBH5vcUjcBzqsnSItWrwgMalqLoeZObXsP4qEZi8Na5w9SZk5Vc_3LfFjIMn9sALUuNZI8qLq10pzFaHwv8Ld1XI1qT7AIUF9sfdmYVXi_7m8YzfZKbYK4CNhecBc/s400/dr+pepper+002.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">click to make larger - yes, there is HFCS</td></tr></tbody></table><br />This gem was an accidental discovery whenever Joel was looking for a low-cal mixer for his Jack Daniels fix.  I'm so glad he discovered this!<br /><br /><b style="color: #674ea7;">What are some things you love this week?</b>

Hungry Girl Things I Love Weight Loss Products Weight Watcher Recipes Things I'm Loving This Week

1. Hungry Girl's Yum Yum Brownie Muffins {5 PointsPlus} These are definitely on the steeper side of PointsPlus values on sweet treats f...

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ORIENT AND OCCIDENT A THIN DIVIDING LINE

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixXfumjFXIIoPBaUCI_NESfGqg7V8FtIpxPVjrNob-_AhG72mkjJKk-WZC5o79iUob2P5rwjNNI3lZ57ljlG3RLh9p_QpnY0_qutYWXLP47EF8f3M2AvI_AN8aKRT3YiCTvwAHiSF-XOm/s1600/solutions2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixXfumjFXIIoPBaUCI_NESfGqg7V8FtIpxPVjrNob-_AhG72mkjJKk-WZC5o79iUob2P5rwjNNI3lZ57ljlG3RLh9p_QpnY0_qutYWXLP47EF8f3M2AvI_AN8aKRT3YiCTvwAHiSF-XOm/s320/solutions2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">  </span><br /><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">                       WIND OF CHANGE</span> <br /><br /><b style="color: blue;">ILLOGIC SHIFT IN STRATEGIES OR CALCULATED RISK? </b><br /><br />The pace at which the geo political and strategic landscape in the MIDDLE EASTERN region is changing is simply astonishing and at times beyond logic. Thus it comes as no surprise that every mainstream media outlet as well as alternative media sources around the globe speculate on the outcome as well as to the “why”? Thus RUSSIA’S alleged shift of its stance on SYRIA comes as somewhat of a surprise. But then also does the fact that ISRAEL supports a regime change in SYRIA. (see http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2012/01/syrias-destiny-sealed.html )<br />According to mainstream media RUSSIA apparently has changed its attitude towards SYRIA by distancing itself from the ASSAD Regime. Other media outlets though report that RUSSIA had just inked a deal with SYRIA selling a considerable amount of fighter jets to SYRIA! <br /><br />TURKEY’S official stance regarding IRAN is that of hostility but just a few days ago TURKEY announced publicly that it would not adhere to any sanctions against IRAN'S nuclear program unless they were imposed by the UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL. So where does that leave TURKEY, pro or contra IRAN?  As of recent, TURKEY’S foreign policies have caused a bit of an uproar among the INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, thus making its geo political agenda behind these havoc moves hard to analyze. On the one hand TURKEY strongly oppose IRAN and subsequently SYRIA, but on the other hand it supports INDIA to bypass EU and US sanctions on IRAN by supporting INDIA to bypass the sanctions, for INDIA announced that it would circumvent EU and US sanctions on IRANIAN oil by buying IRANIAN oil with gold. The transactions will allegedly be conducted by two state-owned banks: the CALCUTTA-based UCO Bank, whose board of directors is made up of INDIAN government and Reserve Bank of INDIA representatives; and HALK BANKASI (Peoples Bank), TURKEY'S seventh largest bank which is owned by the government.<br /><br />These are just a few examples on how the MIDDLE EAST chess game is picking up pace as well as surprise moves, which still leaves us with the question as to why? Here are some hypotheses:<br /><br /><div style="color: blue;"><b>CURRENCY WAR?</b></div><br />Is the MIDDLE EASTERN turmoil really about dollar dominance and private central banking? Was the LIBYAN “intervention” because LIBYA wanted to set up a private gold currency in AFRICA? <br />Was the idea to create a new currency among AFRICAN and MUSLIM nations to purchase oil and other resources something that provoked the echelons of WESTERN powers because it meant that the dollar would de facto lose its “value”? Such move would definitely shift the economic balance of the world. Establishing a banking system in AFRICA and the MIDDLE EAST, based on ISLAMIC doctrines would create outrage among WESTERN FINANCE POWER jugglers for ISLAM as a faith does not allow to borrow-sell money with interest. Such doctrine would surly cause havoc among the casino finance system currently ruling the markets.<br /><br />Thus the creation of a Muslim finance cartel and the Islamic GOLD DINAR is something the ANGLO AMERICAN finance cartel wants to make sure does not occur for it would jeopardize their power and influence significantly, especially since the GOLD DINAR currency would be based on large quantities of gold, where as WESTERN currencies are “based on digital numbers” without physical value backing! It appears that there is no "mainstream" currency in the world that is backed by metals, either silver or gold. Less than 150 years ago money was considered to be gold or silver, in other words worth real value.<br />Recent past has shown that oil producing countries that tired to implement oil trade in other currencies then the dollar faced severe “punishment” from the ANGLOSPHERE oil and finance cartel. Now we read that INDIA is planning to pay for Iranian oil with gold and rumors have it that CHINA will follow suit.<br />(See http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2012/01/circumvention.html)<br /><br />The question is if the ANGLOSPHERE oil and finance cartel really intends to defend dollar dominance at all cost. Looking at the current currency war with EUROPE one might come to the conclusion that they do so indeed. Aside from the currency war with EUROPE one should not forget that the world remains dollar driven and the dollar remains a source of WESTERN power, not to mention that the dollar is still referred to as the worlds “RESERVE CURRENCY”.<br />SAUDI ARABIA, a key ally of the USA and UNITED KINGDOM, refuses to sell their oil for anything other than dollars.<br /><br /><b>On subject matter, Anthony Wile from the Daily Bell writes:</b><br /><br />The arrangement is perhaps a convincing argument, by the way, against peak oil theories. What are the chances that SAUDI ARABIA just happens to be the ANGLOSPHERE'S biggest producer of oil in the MIDDLE EAST and also the WEST'S strongest ally?<br />Isn't it more reasonable to conclude that WESTERN powers-that-be have RESTRICTED oil discovery and production around the world? Famously, according to a statement by one of the FORBES brothers last year, there is enough oil in the mainland UNITED STATES to furnish energy for the next 1,000 years. That doesn't even include natural gas (which is still flared off) and coal.<br />(See also: http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2012/01/deceiving-tactics.html under the headline: <b>Are claims that crude oil resources are diminishing legitimate or a deliberate lie</b>?)<br /><br />The world is likely drowning in energy. The scarcities that people fear are generated by the power elite's dominant social themes– the fear-based promotions that are intended to frighten people into giving up power and wealth to globalist facilities such as the UN, IMF and WORLD BANK<br /><br />In view of these facts here are 3 possible scenarios as to why the current “Strategic Chess Game” in the MIDDLE EAST and NORTH AFRICA is such a decisive one.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">1. GEO STRATEGIC SUPREMACY</span> </b><br /><br />Looking at the current developments on could argue the entire sabre-rattling is about strategic resources and military-intelligence advantages over RUSSIA and CHINA. The idea, that we are once again face a cold war scenario where the WEST is repositioning itself both defensively and offensively to gain maximum flexibility and power over potential adversaries is imminent. This would also explain the sudden shift of US strategic interests in ASIA.<br /><br /><b style="color: blue;">2. MONETARY DOMINANCE </b><br /><br />Bank institutions or “Banksters”, who run much of the WEST’S military industry, intend to “seize” public central banks in order to replace them with private ones, as is the case with the FEDERAL RESERVE in the USA. These private monetary institutions fear that citizen led governments print their own paper money. <br />This fear seems imminent, for GERMANY announced that will begin to abolish cash transactions step by step from August 2012, putting the EU directive 2009/110/EC (PDF) into practice. (See http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2012/01/total-control.html) <br /><br /><b style="color: blue;">3. ISLAMIC CRESCENT ARC</b><br /><br />The Crescent Arc is a theory which argues that the ANGLOSPHERE intends to spread the war on terror in the MIDDLE EAST and is actively aiding ISLAMIC regimes in order to create this war. While this may sound far-fetched to some, the various regimes that have been destabilized by so-called YOUTH MOVEMENTS (controlled it seems by the USA and BRITAIN) are all SECULAR, where as the replacement regimes are all ISLAMIC. This theory not only seems to apply for the MIDDLE EAST but can also be applied for BOSNIA. The details of which will be described in an article on subject matter on this blog in due course.<br /><br /><b style="color: blue;">CONCLUSION</b><br /><br />The ongoing geo-political turmoil in NORTHERN AFRICA, the MIDDLE EAST and IRAN are most likely sparked by the USA and its allies as part of a wider strategy aimed at gaining dominance in the region, in order to create a basis for future quests into ASIA and AFRICA, thereby gaining tactical advantage over its adversaries, the BRICS (BRAZIL, RUSSIA, INDIA, CHINA and SOUTH AFRICA) and other emerging economies, who also claim a slice of the “energy and geo strategic cake”. This coincides with US Asia-Pacific orientation and the need to have a foundation on AFRICAN soil, for the AFRICAN continent is about to become of increased eco – geo political importance for developed nations, a fact that many seemed to have ignored until recently, thus underestimating the potential the continent offers. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Parts of above article contain extracts from Anthony Wile's article “Truth About Middle East is Spreading” published via the Daily Bell.</i></span>

ORIENT AND OCCIDENT A THIN DIVIDING LINE

                         WIND OF CHANGE ILLOGIC SHIFT IN STRATEGIES OR CALCULATED RISK? The pace at which the geo political and strategic l...

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James Stewart: A Walk on the Dark Side

<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">by guest contributor Classicfilmboy</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmnXVHdkvY9NAzmc_IAZJdYpeSIwZ7wOISZ4TxYh3Hxq69nQ5GBcKdVjMvdP4zbLizNSdB2K9bTAVQ979eNhxwc1byGH1l_Ddfg2FGlcTGQBpyUgP6Mz4IDUkPnXBN-TZoqf1H6PjPaao/s1600/Scottie+Obsessed+and+Coit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmnXVHdkvY9NAzmc_IAZJdYpeSIwZ7wOISZ4TxYh3Hxq69nQ5GBcKdVjMvdP4zbLizNSdB2K9bTAVQ979eNhxwc1byGH1l_Ddfg2FGlcTGQBpyUgP6Mz4IDUkPnXBN-TZoqf1H6PjPaao/s400/Scottie+Obsessed+and+Coit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Alfred Hitchcock had a knack for bringing out the worst in the best of actors. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And I mean that as a compliment. He could take likable leading men, cast them as dark characters and draw great performances. Think of Cary Grant’s Johnnie in <i>Suspicion</i> (before the studio re-edited the ending), Joseph Cotton’s Uncle Charlie in <i>Shadow of a Doubt</i> and Robert Walker’s Bruno in <i>Strangers on a Train</i>.<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Perhaps the best example of this was how Hitchcock used James Stewart, whose image was the “aw shucks” guy next door. As Hitchcock biographer Patrick McGilligan suggests, his heroes began to deepen with Grant and then with Stewart, and those films deepened as a result. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><a name='more'></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But as much as I love Grant, he has a particular on-screen persona that became part of almost every performance he gave starting in the late 1940s. Meanwhile, as Stewart aged, he pushed away from his all-American persona and began playing dark and conflicted men, looking less and less like the characters audiences loved in the 1930s and early 1940s. Frank Capra tapped into Stewart’s dark side in 1946’s <i>It's a Wonderful Life</i>, with the actor playing a man who is contemplating suicide, forced to stay and work where he never wanted to and bitter that he never had the opportunities that others enjoyed. According to McGilligan, Stewart told Lionel Barrymore that his air force experience during World War II made him question acting, resulting in Stewart searching for stronger parts. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIos6P3kd1a7AMECdSmwtgAiTygL26OF16qX2RcqwJfN60t2sbQoElSWmZVVhJwiOFXvQ5WL45YKXIeUKK135proqum1jTaUw6vbWJaPlrfW0TPaqDaDNHazc9ZLnrqB8MM6F9MqbDhGK/s1600/rope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIos6P3kd1a7AMECdSmwtgAiTygL26OF16qX2RcqwJfN60t2sbQoElSWmZVVhJwiOFXvQ5WL45YKXIeUKK135proqum1jTaUw6vbWJaPlrfW0TPaqDaDNHazc9ZLnrqB8MM6F9MqbDhGK/s400/rope.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rope </i>(1948)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It makes sense that Hitchcock would pick up on Stewart’s newfound attitudes. Yet, oddly enough, Stewart’s first film with Hitchcock was 1948’s <i>Rope</i>, in which Stewart is very much playing off his good-guy persona. Stewart does his usual fine job, but both he and Hitchcock learned from this for their future collaborations. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But first came some fine roles that would eventually comprise a decade of marvelous work from Stewart, starting with 1950’s <i>Harvey</i>. As the gentle Elwood P. Dowd, Stewart plays someone who’s not in touch with the rest of society, which in itself can get you labeled as mentally disturbed even if that’s not the case. Stewart mines the dark comedy in playing a man who would rather be friends with a large imaginary rabbit that with any humans, and it takes a special actor to make this character resonate rather than becoming too cute or too disturbing. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Stewart’s early 1950s westerns also brought out a toughness in character. Just look at <i>The Naked Spur</i>, with Stewart as a bounty hunter in a tale that predates some of John Wayne’s more conflicted Western characters.  </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidj7TaMT1aCX2URWkPopJycrJXeiSevUlcForgeX1ReBg3zhYLq2J6wS_Bm5KA9znAULJJDaOBQuX8mgwaZmDnUy5QxpUJVU6HLKrCpMmmVo-syil0pPir9SSyXK9cDTeTX62vpa3aH3Ne/s1600/rear+window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidj7TaMT1aCX2URWkPopJycrJXeiSevUlcForgeX1ReBg3zhYLq2J6wS_Bm5KA9znAULJJDaOBQuX8mgwaZmDnUy5QxpUJVU6HLKrCpMmmVo-syil0pPir9SSyXK9cDTeTX62vpa3aH3Ne/s400/rear+window.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rear Window </i>(1954)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Stewart’s second pairing with Hitchcock is 1954’s <i>Rear Window</i> which is my favorite Hitchcock film of the 1950s. It’s rare to think of Stewart as having a sexuality on screen, yet here Hitchcock fully taps into it with Stewart’s character, Jeff, having an open affair with Grace Kelly. It’s rather shocking to see Mr. All-American, in a leg cast and wheelchair, clearly in lust with the lovely Ms. Kelly. Yet it works, bringing Stewart down to our level. Yes, he’s still the hero, but he also has desires and doubts like the rest of us. The fact that our hero likes to spy on all of his neighbors adds an unsettling dimension to that character, because the audience is right there with him, knowing it’s wrong but unable to do anything but indulge. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">How better than to have your audience identify with a peeping Tom than have that man played by Stewart. He’s a flawed man, and one that Hitchcock and Stewart brilliantly explore together. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXofHi52KyOTYj4QZYwpYQn4M1tQo0gw76Ddy3sIDbnePOH2gMYpRnBXs-TsP_MBZlASLZTLlgD_mQLladvtZY3xC_klo_fVhniHxTJCrqj5pvdqZOJFyThhDViUbf5XIhHnuT0M4GmczN/s1600/tmwktm+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXofHi52KyOTYj4QZYwpYQn4M1tQo0gw76Ddy3sIDbnePOH2gMYpRnBXs-TsP_MBZlASLZTLlgD_mQLladvtZY3xC_klo_fVhniHxTJCrqj5pvdqZOJFyThhDViUbf5XIhHnuT0M4GmczN/s400/tmwktm+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Man Who Knew Too Much </i>(1956)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It’s worth noting that Stewart was cast before screenwriter John Michael Hayes started his work, so the role was tailored to Stewart. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Stewart and Hitchcock were both friendly and business-like to each other. More importantly, they understood each other. Stewart re-teams with Hitchcock a third time in <i>The Man Who Knew Too Much</i>, although in the first half of the movie Stewart relies on his aw-shucks persona too much. It isn’t until the latter stages when Stewart’s Ben MacKenna is desperate to save his child. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But Hitchcock fully taps into the dark side of Stewart in <i>Vertigo</i>, their fourth film together. Stewart’s Scottie may be afraid of heights, but that’s the least of his problems in light of his sexual obsession over Kim Novak. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://eves-reel-life.blogspot.com/2012/01/deadly-obsession-alfred-hitchcocks.html" style="color: #990000;">R.D. Finch</a> does an outstanding job of discussing Stewart in his <i>Vertigo</i> post from earlier this month during The Lady Eve’s <i>Vertigo</i> event, and there’s no need to repeat what he wrote. What’s worth noting is the unsettling, frightening darkness to Stewart’s character. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuXMpQOTi5IFMTrFSWhFKGhrtw8d2hVoD6xBMOeVm5COsQUbEgWqKP8GmEDmHz6NWVKugybFms-BET6NNajmaPQpXdSyDwUR24GdN6LRasAkooODHIRGjRJMWd153N3JviQnJUkiEifKa/s1600/changing+judy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuXMpQOTi5IFMTrFSWhFKGhrtw8d2hVoD6xBMOeVm5COsQUbEgWqKP8GmEDmHz6NWVKugybFms-BET6NNajmaPQpXdSyDwUR24GdN6LRasAkooODHIRGjRJMWd153N3JviQnJUkiEifKa/s400/changing+judy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Perhaps this is why the film wasn’t much of a success when it was released. In <i>Rope</i>, <i>Rear Window</i> and <i>The Man Who Knew Too Much</i>, Stewart eventually overcomes his weaknesses, although with some struggle. In <i>Vertigo</i>, the weaknesses are debilitating, and maybe that’s what audiences simply don’t want to see in Stewart or accept from one of his characters. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMH60yQmjCJdMjmwlOCXXBwF2r5djqMORIFCHNNpnp6398H768l1uiRYpTNHPTeGhV-WgtB6tTSS5HYasRpQkehHHG6-q6CfgKOld0k7arQHIWxBgwuzWcRjTl60z5m_BBGdBuiTQ1Lfv/s1600/vengeance+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMH60yQmjCJdMjmwlOCXXBwF2r5djqMORIFCHNNpnp6398H768l1uiRYpTNHPTeGhV-WgtB6tTSS5HYasRpQkehHHG6-q6CfgKOld0k7arQHIWxBgwuzWcRjTl60z5m_BBGdBuiTQ1Lfv/s400/vengeance+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But Scottie should be a disorienting figure in a film where dizziness is both literal and figurative. For me, Stewart’s casting is genius, because it adds another level of disorientation. I doubt another actor could have carried this off. Sure, others may have given strong performances, but Hitchcock and Stewart knew what they were doing. It’s that extra push, the expected screen persona that’s built into the audience mindset before the film begins that ultimately shocks them in the end. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnGAHVdo4Nz_fopkDZyqTFxnnSiDB8rFx-RFUnI5WsdhC5gzGGgvSgy9nFzpSUYYImZMFtn8vNzHvU1DLd5SsUXxCId6nU5tXL8IxRW-1FPZfGdO9Y3af4k6taxyADdoKcah0iUORDyc2/s1600/acrophobia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnGAHVdo4Nz_fopkDZyqTFxnnSiDB8rFx-RFUnI5WsdhC5gzGGgvSgy9nFzpSUYYImZMFtn8vNzHvU1DLd5SsUXxCId6nU5tXL8IxRW-1FPZfGdO9Y3af4k6taxyADdoKcah0iUORDyc2/s400/acrophobia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">  </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> As a result, <i>Vertigo</i> is an enduring, disturbing tale. Over four films, Hitchcock and Stewart worked well together, and the great director elicited from Stewart some of his best work, perhaps none as disturbing as Scottie.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-D0Z1YDOm8nivyoh1Ba-Wbpfd1EYgd62tOxxAKg6o29ekRouh1ubcMamMzCxPqzxSbIFviwymFa8Z5iQyFqRLGGks5Htk6va1UwGHdNv9nO3Slm5wdx1qn1I52nzGSJe84XLy1wa2vajz/s1600/shattered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-D0Z1YDOm8nivyoh1Ba-Wbpfd1EYgd62tOxxAKg6o29ekRouh1ubcMamMzCxPqzxSbIFviwymFa8Z5iQyFqRLGGks5Htk6va1UwGHdNv9nO3Slm5wdx1qn1I52nzGSJe84XLy1wa2vajz/s400/shattered.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">  </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">~</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Brian, aka Classicfilmboy, developed a love of classic films at a young age with the annual airing of </i>The Wizard of Oz<i> on CBS (which he partially blames for his tornado phobia). As a kid growing up in a small Midwestern town, access to classic films was limited, which made their mystique even more enticing. Brian later spent 10 years as a film reviewer and now writes <a href="http://classicfilmboy.com/" style="color: #990000;">Classicfilmboy.com</a>, although he wishes he could devote more time to his blog. He specializes in pre-1970 film history, and for fun he teaches noncredit film appreciation classes at his local community college in suburban Chicago. </i></div>

A Month of Vertigo Alfred Hitchcock Classicfilmboy James Stewart Vertigo James Stewart: A Walk on the Dark Side

by guest contributor Classicfilmboy Alfred Hitchcock had a knack for bringing out the worst in the best of actors. And I mean that as a comp...

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Kickin' Chicken Pot Pie

One thing I love in particular about this version of pot pie is the crust. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZBJZAGTIdI1PJVR0eaCsxMWODRxsdMpqNt2UsLngU569HZw4wf-fDmxcWTONER8-6gb2i0flk_ng6C36mNN4cWWOWICiLRc1xoXwKvpUtmH8pB7yLQHBWjX_VjAcc2JdI2VEyJqUh3c/s1600/chicken+pot+pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZBJZAGTIdI1PJVR0eaCsxMWODRxsdMpqNt2UsLngU569HZw4wf-fDmxcWTONER8-6gb2i0flk_ng6C36mNN4cWWOWICiLRc1xoXwKvpUtmH8pB7yLQHBWjX_VjAcc2JdI2VEyJqUh3c/s400/chicken+pot+pie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Hungry Girl makes it using Pillsbury Reduced Fat Crescent Rolls, making for a really delicious and buttery flavored topping.  As much as I love pot pie, I'm less of a fan of the pie crust used to make a traditional pot pie.  This one? Love!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuPm2pkWxJAKyFX7Rar9L1bzVDdqIO0RvACzvtCNhcctnQRPFNA-XkxGleEomn3zpmsSilg7R6OL9_M2sN0MQhmFKKasGvEyW_QYxx8SHlBBqE7jZtWnbG7D2oFDQb1FuZvY0I8rbeFY/s1600/hungry-girl-book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuPm2pkWxJAKyFX7Rar9L1bzVDdqIO0RvACzvtCNhcctnQRPFNA-XkxGleEomn3zpmsSilg7R6OL9_M2sN0MQhmFKKasGvEyW_QYxx8SHlBBqE7jZtWnbG7D2oFDQb1FuZvY0I8rbeFY/s320/hungry-girl-book.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b><u>Hungry Girl's <a href="http://www.hungry-girl.com/newsletters/raw/710" target="_blank">Kickin' Chicken Pot Pie</a></u> - <i>7 PointsPlus</i></b><br /><i>Ingredients:</i><br /><ul><li>8 oz. raw boneless skinless chicken breast; cut into bite-sized pieces<i> (I used a can of chunk chicken)</i></li><li>3 cups frozen mixed vegetables</li><li>1 can (10.75 oz.) Campbell's Condensed Soup, 98% Fat Free Cream of Celery</li><li>3 servings (triangles) Pillsbury Reduced Fat Crescent Rolls (unprepared)</li></ul><i>Directions:</i><br />Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Saute chicken pieces for several minutes in a pan spritzed with nonstick cooking spray, until chicken is light brown/cooked but still tender; set aside. Heat frozen veggies in microwave according to package. Mix chicken, vegetables and soup together and put in a 9" round baking dish sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Place dish in oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly (stir about halfway through). While dish is cooking, unroll 3 crescent rolls. Combine pieces together with hands to make one large ball of dough. With a rolling pin, roll dough out into a circle to cover top of dish <span style="color: #674ea7;">{you have to get it very, VERY thin!}</span> . Add dough to the top of the dish and cook for an additional 15 - 20 minutes or until top is golden brown. Serves 4.</blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnYA-YWmL_16uQkznFfgEIcgdT1s3yuMLOkIEk6uRnQgf0s7dAixoXouVvG5vxfSTQCSo7Bn96_xJ093AyjpxUP8I8q_Q87iP-P8MIUmLjvGqpkyHBzvlJSTR3qu5pbUX_M23YfQDaXk/s1600/pot+pie+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnYA-YWmL_16uQkznFfgEIcgdT1s3yuMLOkIEk6uRnQgf0s7dAixoXouVvG5vxfSTQCSo7Bn96_xJ093AyjpxUP8I8q_Q87iP-P8MIUmLjvGqpkyHBzvlJSTR3qu5pbUX_M23YfQDaXk/s400/pot+pie+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />

Hungry Girl Weight Watcher Recipes Kickin' Chicken Pot Pie

One thing I love in particular about this version of pot pie is the crust.  Hungry Girl makes it using Pillsbury Reduced Fat Crescent Rolls,...

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The worst weighin ever

Okay, maybe it's not my worst weighin ever. When I weighed 240 pounds I practically cried every time I stepped on the scales (and I weighed 240 pounds for over a year).<br /><br />Maybe it's because I'm out of tears that have been shed over other things, or maybe it's because I know this is temporary, and I can and will lose the weight, but I'm not terribly upset with myself. It's more like, oh well, shit happens. I gained ten pounds in twelve days. <br /><br />So here it is, available for public viewing, my weighin this morning, at home, buck naked, before breakfast or coffee:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">188.0</div><br />I knew it was going to be bad. In fact, I shut my eyes before I looked down at the scale and tried to guess my weight. You're not going to believe this but I guessed exactly correct. I guessed 188.0 and that's exactly the number I saw on the scale. Weird.<br /><br />The last time I stepped on the scales was January 12, that's only twelve days ago when I weighed 178.2. Normally I weigh every day, yet I stopped for 12 days. During that twelve days I was dealing with my sister's sudden move to Seattle and my totally insane niece, fallout from other family members because I basically kidnapped my sister and moved her, and of course, the snowstorm, ice storm and the power outage. All great excuses for eating like a fool (at least that's what I told myself).<br /><br />Not only have I been eating poorly and eating too much, but I also cut back on my gym workouts drastically. I didn't even go this morning, claiming I was just too tired and too beaten down. That's exactly when I should go, but I just couldn't do it this morning.<br /><br />No worries though, I have plans to get back on track. I'm not beating myself up too bad because I have lots of other people that do a great job of beating me up mentally (okay, really only one person but she has many personalities).<br /><br />Tomorrow I meet with an attorney to file court papers to stop my niece's crazy antics. Even though I'm dreading the whole legal maze I'll have to go through to stop my niece, I have a sense of relief that I made the decision to follow through on what I've been talking about for months.<br /><br />Thank you for all your supportive comments on my sad day post yesterday. It really helped. I agree that I need to seek help from a professional. I know this, but right now I'm swamped with all the financial, medical and now legal facets of my sister's life, not to mention my real life job.<br /><br /> Until I get things straightened out for my sister, I have to put myself on the back burner, but just temporarily. I know someone I can see that can  help me. She's a therapist I met years ago in Toastmasters and she's awesome. We've kept in touch and as soon as things calm down a bit I'm calling her for an appointment. I think she can help me sort out this craziness. Thank you again. I love you guys. You make me feel somewhat normal (and not the wicked witch of Washington). <br /><br /><br /><br />

The worst weighin ever

Okay, maybe it's not my worst weighin ever. When I weighed 240 pounds I practically cried every time I stepped on the scales (and I weig...

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Circumvention

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIr8MwgY7Gd1VkeW28mxH6vkSw99gMa4Nj-GyBEN0ZVYevQrEKcOBDaiq7qIS5PeS6DftztN1MG6MqmhNg7pyG8XElFDLE8FIrNYf9p8A38mEkLmewqErs6g5ER1mw7_h6lMEzyNkUxJ8c/s1600/url.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIr8MwgY7Gd1VkeW28mxH6vkSw99gMa4Nj-GyBEN0ZVYevQrEKcOBDaiq7qIS5PeS6DftztN1MG6MqmhNg7pyG8XElFDLE8FIrNYf9p8A38mEkLmewqErs6g5ER1mw7_h6lMEzyNkUxJ8c/s320/url.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="color: red; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I<b>NDIA TO PAY GOLD INSTEAD OF DOLLARS FOR IRANIAN OIL. OIL AND GOLD MARKETS STUNNED </b></span></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Via <span style="font-size: small;">DEBKAfile </span></span><br /><br />INDIA is the first buyer of Iranian oil to agree to pay for its purchases in gold instead of the US dollar, debkafile's intelligence and IRANIAN sources report exclusively.  Those sources expect CHINA to follow suit. INDIA and CHINA take about one million barrels per day, or 40 percent of IRAN'S total exports of 2.5 million bpd. Both are superpowers in terms of gold assets.<br /><br />By trading in gold, NEW DELHI and BEIJING enable TEHRAN to bypass the upcoming freeze on its central bank's assets and the oil embargo which the EUROPEAN UNION'S foreign ministers agreed to impose Monday, Jan. 23. The EU currently buys around 20 percent of IRAN'S oil exports.<br />The vast sums involved in these transactions are expected, furthermore, to boost the price of gold and depress the value of the dollar on world markets.<br /><br />IRAN'S second largest customer after CHINA, INDIA purchases around $12 billion a year's worth of IRANIAN crude, or about 12 percent of its consumption. DELHI is to execute its transactions, according to our sources, through two state-owned banks: the CALCUTTA-based UCO Bank, whose board of directors is made up of INDIAN government and Reserve Bank of INDIA representatives; and Halk Bankasi (Peoples Bank), TURKEY'S seventh largest bank which is owned by the government.<br /><br />An INDIAN delegation visited TEHRAN last week to discuss payment options in view of the new sanctions. The two sides were reported to have agreed that payment for the oil purchased would be partly in yen and partly in rupees. The switch to gold was kept dark.<br /><br />India thus joins CHINA in opting out of the US-led EUROPEAN sanctions against Iran's international oil and financial business. TURKEY announced publicly last week that it would not adhere to any sanctions against IRAN'S nuclear program unless they were imposed by the United Nations Security Council.<br />The EU decision of Monday banned the signing of new oil contracts with IRAN at once, while phasing out existing transactions by July 1, 2012, when the EUROPEAN embargo, like the measure enforced by the UNITED STATES, becomes total. The EUROPEAN foreign ministers also approved a freeze on the assets of the Central Bank of IRAN which handles all the country's oil transactions.<br /><br />However, the damage those sanctions cause the IRANIAN economy will be substantially cushioned by the oil deals to be channeled through TURKISH and INDIAN state banks.  CHINA for its part has declared its opposition to sanctions against IRAN.<br /><br />Debkafile's intelligence sources disclose that TEHRAN has set up alternative financial mechanisms with CHINA and RUSSIA for getting paid for its oil in currencies other than US dollars. Both BEIJING and MOSCOW are keeping the workings of those mechanisms top secret.<br /><br /><br />

Circumvention

I NDIA TO PAY GOLD INSTEAD OF DOLLARS FOR IRANIAN OIL. OIL AND GOLD MARKETS STUNNED Via DEBKAfile  INDIA is the first buyer of Iranian oil t...

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Fast Fix Lasagna

Those of us trying to lose weight know more than anyone how difficult it can be to enjoy pasta.  2 oz of spaghetti is such a joke!<br /><br />Hungry Girl certainly has her <a href="http://www.hungry-girl.com/newsletters/raw/666" target="_blank">substitutes</a>, but I still prefer the real deal.  My go to pasta is <a href="http://ronzonismarttaste.newworldpasta.com/" target="_blank">Ronzoni's Smart Taste</a> - loaded with fiber, but not grainy like traditional whole wheat pasta.<br /><br />I always say that my favorite "international" cuisine is Italian, and particularly lasagna.  I LOVE lasagna.  I'm worse than Garfield when it comes to this layered feast.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://theskinnyonmyjeans.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/its-that-kind-of-day.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://theskinnyonmyjeans.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/its-that-kind-of-day.gif" width="324" /></a></div><br /><br />I came upon <a href="http://www.marlenekoch.com/" target="_blank">Marlene Koch's</a> recipe for a lasagna-style dish called Fast Fix Lasagna.  Though this is not prepared with your traditional flat lasagna noodles.  She uses these cute little curvy numbers called Campanelle {i.e. "bell flowers"} noodles.  Have you heard of them?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3aZSckjoWsxrwaGPwRKlq7SkoY0Q7ZPBeMg96dhJTKd8EBjfWUoiHS8jh-77WSHkmes2m7_z-h_jlQe9m_nyagLRG18yJNZvPr6LAn8J5SjtEpOD4evvQbhGokz-ToE4mSQFS0BK0kE/s1600/campanelle+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3aZSckjoWsxrwaGPwRKlq7SkoY0Q7ZPBeMg96dhJTKd8EBjfWUoiHS8jh-77WSHkmes2m7_z-h_jlQe9m_nyagLRG18yJNZvPr6LAn8J5SjtEpOD4evvQbhGokz-ToE4mSQFS0BK0kE/s320/campanelle+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Man, I had a hard time finding these.  None of my grocery stores {Giant, Safeway or Shoppers Food Warehouse} carried them.  It wasn't until months later, after first attempting to make this dish, that I stumbled upon them at Target.  Thank you Tar-jay for stocking these awesome noodles in your stores!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjbVvSerD2iPhL0pyxeeyv9FEsSJ_aBH2jEXvpc-sbPVA5b5JUyPFupV9h2ZHepFWyTi8LL5TZUVIEfUSZNrNFXJz3l2ZyW9W33BROyG_grQwR-KUa0EoJ6E1n76JFWv-oaLfYdMYEi4/s1600/campanelle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjbVvSerD2iPhL0pyxeeyv9FEsSJ_aBH2jEXvpc-sbPVA5b5JUyPFupV9h2ZHepFWyTi8LL5TZUVIEfUSZNrNFXJz3l2ZyW9W33BROyG_grQwR-KUa0EoJ6E1n76JFWv-oaLfYdMYEi4/s400/campanelle.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><br />Essentially, the process of making Fast Fix Lasagna is the same as making regular lasagna - the only difference being the noodle shape.  Below is the original recipe.  Obviously because it's pasta, it's high in PointsPlus values, but I promise you it is a nice serving size (1.5 cups or 1/12 of the recipe) and is filling.  Served with a side salad, you'd be plenty satisfied!<br /><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/AVvXsEhU2VyQb0mJWVVIMkZXXExyuJMqQrNyT_kEpFurP3X41-_NLFwsIEejAOEDJRdY3N2NNLNVLPoAeocqvQP0aaKWPa1Wk_FeFS8-W2mUne4P-x8r4wYgw4oLj43WvzIW5TyYyBawVtd2iHE/s1600/fast+fix+lasagna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2VyQb0mJWVVIMkZXXExyuJMqQrNyT_kEpFurP3X41-_NLFwsIEejAOEDJRdY3N2NNLNVLPoAeocqvQP0aaKWPa1Wk_FeFS8-W2mUne4P-x8r4wYgw4oLj43WvzIW5TyYyBawVtd2iHE/s400/fast+fix+lasagna.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looks just like lasagna to me!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Enjoy!<br /><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/AVvXsEhctzzzglrVr3L_BpnAGVQDABQHvINAoMH8kWL7JSlofL9RhYeMtmj_xYwNH4Y7qHATaf4GGREd-_qVhVTc0E7jSeh8g3Fg7BvL-zUBdGKvdnlQx4UjicyLpeD6rwrNJA6ZHXZzKx5tud8/s1600/eatwhatyoulove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctzzzglrVr3L_BpnAGVQDABQHvINAoMH8kWL7JSlofL9RhYeMtmj_xYwNH4Y7qHATaf4GGREd-_qVhVTc0E7jSeh8g3Fg7BvL-zUBdGKvdnlQx4UjicyLpeD6rwrNJA6ZHXZzKx5tud8/s320/eatwhatyoulove.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">her new book is coming out in March!<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eat-More-What-You-Love/dp/0762445890" target="_blank">Eat More of What You Love</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><u>Eat What You Love - Fast Fix Lasagna</u> - <i>8 PointsPlus</i></b><br /><b>Ingredients:</b><br /><ul><li>12 oz campanelle noodles</li><li>1 Tbsp olive oil</li><li>1 small white onion, chopped</li><li>3 garlic cloves, chopped</li><li>8 oz Italian turkey sausage, bulk or removed from casings (I used Shadybrook Farms)</li><li>1 (14 oz) can reduced-sodium beef broth</li><li>1/3 cup dry red wine</li><li>1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes</li><li>1 (6 oz) can tomato paste</li><li>2 tsp granulated sugar</li><li>1 1/2 tsp dried basil</li><li>1 1/2 tsp dried oregano</li><li>1/4 tsp black pepper</li><li>1 1/2 cups low-fat cottage cheese</li><li>1 (15 oz) pkg part skim ricotta cheese</li><li>2 Tbsp water</li><li>2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese</li><li>1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese</li></ul><br /><b>Directions:</b><br />1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 13 x 9 inch casserole dish with nonstick spray.<br /><br />2. Cook the pasta according to package directions while preparing the sauce and set aside.<br /><br />3. Marinara sauce: In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat.  Add the onion and saute for 2 minutes, or until tender.  Add the garlic and sausage and cook until meat is slightly browned.  Deglaze the pan by pouring in the beef broth and wine and scraping the browned bits from the bottom.  Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, herbs and pepper. Simmer for 15-20 minutes.<br /><br />4. In a medium bowl, mix together the cottage cheese and ricotta cheese.  Add the water and a dash of black pepper.  Set aside.<br /><br />5. Toss half of the red sauce with the cooked pasta.  Layer half of the pasta in the casserole dish.  Top evenly with the cheese mixture.  Pour 1/2 cup of sauce across cheese mixture and top with remaining pasta.  Cover with remaining sauce and sprinkle top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.<br /><br />6. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, or until heated through.  Serve.<br /><br />

Archer Farms Eat What You Love Food Finds target Weight Watcher Recipes Fast Fix Lasagna

Those of us trying to lose weight know more than anyone how difficult it can be to enjoy pasta.  2 oz of spaghetti is such a joke! Hungry Gi...

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