Library Media Specialist - Staples High School, Westport

<strong>Library Media Specialist - </strong><strong><strong><span style="color: #48286d;">Staples High School</span></strong></strong>, Westport. 2013-2014 School Year. Qualifications: Appropriate CT Certification Required (062); High school experience preferred; Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Salary Range: According to the Teachers contract (2013-2014) (see website <a _fcksavedurl="http://www.westport.k12.ct.us" href="http://www.westport.k12.ct.us/" target="_blank">http://www.westport.k12.ct.us</a> – personnel contracts). Starting Date: August 2013. Application Deadline: Open until position is filled. To Apply: Internal applicants must send a letter of interest and resume to the Human Resources Department, Town Hall, Room 305. External applicants: Must submit an on-line application via our website (<a _fcksavedurl="http://www.westport.k12.ct.us" href="http://www.westport.k12.ct.us/" target="_blank">http://www.westport.k12.ct.us</a>) and follow posted directions. Paper copies will not be considered or accepted. Employment decisions of the Westport Public School system are made without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability or any other discriminating basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law.

Library Media Specialist - Staples High School, Westport

Library Media Specialist - Staples High School , Westport. 2013-2014 School Year. Qualifications: Appropriate CT Certification Required (0...

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Www.acerLawsuit.Com - Acer Class Action Lawsuit

Have you bought an Acer Laptop recently?<br /><br /> Go to the <b>Acer class action lawsuit settlement page</b> to see whether you are eligible for any claims. The Acer Class action lawsuit was for the Acer Laptops sold with pre installed Windows Vista but didnt come with enough RAM to support the O/S. If you are eligible and submit the Claim form - you might get checks ranging from 10-100 USD or a 16 GB USB Flashdrive.<br /><br />Go to <a href="http://www.acerlawsuit.com/">http://www.acerlawsuit.com/</a> for more details on the<b> ACER Class Action Lawsuit</b>, the FAQs and the claim forms. Do check out the deadlines for the claims.<br /><br /><br />

ACER Class action lawsuit Www.acerLawsuit.Com Www.acerLawsuit.Com - Acer Class Action Lawsuit

Have you bought an Acer Laptop recently?  Go to the Acer class action lawsuit settlement page to see whether you are eligible for any claim...

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Monday, Monday - Tuesday Edition

<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.archidose.org/wp/">A Weekly Dose of Architecture</a> Updates**:</span><br /><br />This week's dose features the <a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2013/06/17/amar-childrens-culture-house/">Ama'r Children's Culture House</a> in Copenhagen, Denmark, by Dorte Mandrup Architects:<br /><a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2013/06/17/amar-childrens-culture-house/"><img alt="this week's dose" src="http://archidose.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Jun13-17.jpg" title="This week's dose" width="640" /></a><br /><br />The featured past dose is the <a href="http://www.archidose.org/Jul08/07/dose.html">Kastrup Søbad</a> in Copenhagen, Denmark by White arkitekter:<br /><a href="http://www.archidose.org/Jul08/07/dose.html"><img alt="this week's dose" src="http://www.archidose.org/Jul08/07/image03.jpg" title="featured past dose" width="640" /></a><br /><br />This week's book reviews are <a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2013/06/17/designing-suburban-futures-original-copies/"><i>Designing Suburban Futures: New Models from Build a Better Burb</i></a> by June Williamson (L) and <a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2013/06/17/designing-suburban-futures-original-copies/"><i>Original Copies: Architectural Mimicry in China</i></a> by Bianca Bosker (R):<br /><a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2013/06/17/designing-suburban-futures-original-copies/"><img alt="this week's book review" height="300" src="http://archidose.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/williamson.jpg" title="This week's book review" /></a> <a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2013/06/17/designing-suburban-futures-original-copies/"><img alt="this week's book review" height="300" src="http://archidose.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/bosker2.jpg" title="This week's book review" /></a><br /><br />: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :<br /><br /><b>**NOTE: The next weekly dose will be 2013.07.01.**</b><br /><br />: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">American-Architects <a href="http://www.american-architects.com/en/pages/50x50">Building of the Week</a>:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.american-architects.com/en/projects/project-review-detail/41645_jobie_l_martin_classroom_building_hinds_community_college">Jobie L. Martin Classroom Building, Hinds Community College</a> in Jackson, Mississippi, by Duvall Decker Architects:<br /><a href="http://www.american-architects.com/en/projects/project-review-detail/41645_jobie_l_martin_classroom_building_hinds_community_college"><img alt="this week's Building of the Week" src="http://c214210.r10.cf3.rackcdn.com/files/projects/41645/images/900:w/jobielmartin1.jpg" title="Current Building of the Week on american-architects.com" width="640" /></a><br /><div style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">Jobie L. Martin Classroom Building, Hinds Community College - See more at: http://www.american-architects.com/en/projects/project-review-detail/41645_jobie_l_martin_classroom_building_hinds_community_college#sthash.RCX3i1us.dpuf</div>

Monday, Monday - Tuesday Edition

A Weekly Dose of Architecture Updates**: This week's dose features the Ama'r Children's Culture House in Copenhagen, Denmark, ...

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Tune into our SchoolNet webinars this week “Even MORE uses of Powerpoint’ and ‘Inspiring Educational Gaming projects’

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhND-7vR_S5KetCsRuiieJuCP3U3OHj3UNxhloEod3lPFHPju3U1tJVxacSYItDmPFAlMHHTxuD6VDaRJ0prUjpmqbG04eU506o6iXHUyjCydLdCTWaD6v8UZUEcy9PpirzM3U0UCPXeLg/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="400" /></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We invite you to two useful short webinars this week. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><strong><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(1) Even MORE amazing uses of PowerPoint</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week our webinar was entitled ‘Did you know PowerPoint could do all this?’ where we looked at 10 uses of PowerPoint apart from the normal use of making a presentation. The recording and Slideshare have been posted on this blog. This week we look at Part 2 of the series entitled ‘Even MORE amazing uses of PowerPoint’. Do we realise the potential that lies within this Microsoft product? You’ll be astounded to see how many more uses there are for PowerPoint and that it could be one of the most powerful and diverse applications you use. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Name</u>:Even MORE amazing uses of PowerPoint<br /><u>Summary</u>: This is part two in the series about Microsoft's PowerPoint showing even more uses than we looked at last week. You will discover that PowerPoint is both powerful and diverse in the ways that it can be used. <br /><u>Presenter:</u> Fiona Beal from SchoolNet<br /><u>Start Time</u>: Wednesday June 19th at 3:30 PM<br /><u>Duration</u>: 15 - 30 minutes<br /><u>URL</u>: <a href="http://meet78641452.adobeconnect.com/powerpoint2/">http://meet78641452.adobeconnect.com/powerpoint2/</a><br /><u>Access</u>: Anyone who has the URL for the meeting can enter the room</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><br /></strong></span><strong><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(2) Inspiring Educational Gaming projects created by teachers</span></strong> <br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We will be running a three part series on the popular topic of Educational Gaming.  Today we look at some of the inspiring ways that teachers use Gaming in Education. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Name</u>: Inspiring Educational Gaming projects<br /><u>Summary</u>: In this webinar you will hear about amazing gaming projects created by teachers in South Africa and further afield. <br /><u>Presenter:</u> Megan Rademeyer from SchoolNet<br /><u>Start Time</u>: Thursday June 20th at 3:30 PM<br /><u>Duration</u>: 15 - 30 minutes<br /><u>URL</u>: <a href="http://meet78641452.adobeconnect.com/gamification1/">http://meet78641452.adobeconnect.com/gamification1/</a></span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It will be great if you can attend either or both of these webinars. If it is your first time in attending an Adobe Connect webinar you might be prompted to install an add-in. If so, just follow the prompts. See you in the cloud maybe! </span><br /><br /></div></div>

webinars Tune into our SchoolNet webinars this week “Even MORE uses of Powerpoint’ and ‘Inspiring Educational Gaming projects’

We invite you to two useful short webinars this week. (1) Even MORE amazing uses of PowerPoint Last week our webinar was entitled ‘Did you k...

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The Landscapes of Le Corbusier

Head over to World-Architects to read <a href="http://www.world-architects.com/en/pages/le-corbusier-moma">my write-up of the MoMA exhibition</a> <i>Le Corbusier: An Atlas of Modern Landscapes</i> in the <a href="http://www.world-architects.com/en/emagazine/architecture-news">current eMagazine</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.world-architects.com/en/pages/le-corbusier-moma" title="Le Corbusier: An Atlas of Modern Landscapes by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Le Corbusier: An Atlas of Modern Landscapes" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3759/8996978856_a4dbf35e4c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>

The Landscapes of Le Corbusier

Head over to World-Architects to read my write-up of the MoMA exhibition Le Corbusier: An Atlas of Modern Landscapes in the current eMagaz...

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Two Summer Exhibitions in NYC

In addition to the <a href="http://www.world-architects.com/en/pages/le-corbusier-moma">Le Corbusier retrospective at MoMA</a>, the upcoming <a href="http://archidose.blogspot.com/2013/06/rpbw-fragments.html">Renzo Piano show at Gagosian Gallery</a>, and a must-see <a href="http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/exhibitions/upcoming/james-turrell">James Turrell show at the Guggenheim</a>, here are a couple smaller exhibitions in New York City worth checking out this summer.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.acfny.org/event/the-vienna-model/">The Vienna Model</a></b><br />Austrian Cultural Forum New York<br />April 17 - September 2<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/9054205524/" title="The Vienna Model by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="The Vienna Model" height="800" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7391/9054205524_f55b05792a_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/9051978655/" title="The Vienna Model by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="The Vienna Model" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7432/9051978655_557de6dd1f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/9051979351/" title="The Vienna Model by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="The Vienna Model" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5453/9051979351_5b4cc118c3_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/9051975121/" title="The Vienna Model by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="The Vienna Model" height="480" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2884/9051975121_79e27f4090_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><b><a href="http://cfa.aiany.org/index.php?section=upcoming&expid=251">FitNation</a></b><br />Center for Architecture<br />June 13 - September 7<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/9052732739/" title="FitNation by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="FitNation" height="800" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3828/9052732739_a4b2406b37_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/9052731925/" title="FitNation by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="FitNation" height="541" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5441/9052731925_bf09cbe27f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/9052730885/" title="FitNation by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="FitNation" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3830/9052730885_51c61bb486_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>

Two Summer Exhibitions in NYC

In addition to the Le Corbusier retrospective at MoMA , the upcoming Renzo Piano show at Gagosian Gallery , and a must-see James Turrell sho...

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Origami

Origami is a marvelous little sushi restaurant located in Duval Square.  We sat at the bar and Ciaran ordered a beer.<div><br></div><div>While we were waiting to order we were given an amuse bouche of a cucumber salad with the most lovely dressing.</div><div><br></div><div>Ciaran ordered a dinner box while I ordered some shrimp tempura sushi, spicy tuna sushi and some tuna sashimi along with some steamed pork gyoza.  I didn't realize how much food that was going to be!!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGlPrqn61frENNhndbl431mWrVJ0pZNsIiiwnxRWuqPVnT5SPQzbNuB9Bk-_W4gb2bWHv2JmkTSCor6Yf5zXONoYF2m1sMVBQUJHa3pbqBxLNVo32GZUf7GMVga3H_TAX0mvWh_UhRfbg/s640/blogger-image-2009290098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGlPrqn61frENNhndbl431mWrVJ0pZNsIiiwnxRWuqPVnT5SPQzbNuB9Bk-_W4gb2bWHv2JmkTSCor6Yf5zXONoYF2m1sMVBQUJHa3pbqBxLNVo32GZUf7GMVga3H_TAX0mvWh_UhRfbg/s640/blogger-image-2009290098.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagA75uhDNQXY39-qsUnuiq6S-4ZbZw4KmBowEFyaESuh2TYS9DT3p3cUShB2bd-r6sxu_Clc-quiaYnLLP9ZBtCCWw6MBjljLPtH6n09FzvTXbp5_G_BzHg9vJssr3WiSVjMJWKXh-1q_/s640/blogger-image-927281755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagA75uhDNQXY39-qsUnuiq6S-4ZbZw4KmBowEFyaESuh2TYS9DT3p3cUShB2bd-r6sxu_Clc-quiaYnLLP9ZBtCCWw6MBjljLPtH6n09FzvTXbp5_G_BzHg9vJssr3WiSVjMJWKXh-1q_/s640/blogger-image-927281755.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtuNU3e5vUa-A1df4KdRANtOwe2iOP_UOzk4MSsVDGUfPbPxDCZxOQdOREYblFAqMPxvk4aWUqRO-vsv2ndc8Gql1yy6jwJ-OicEt575P7FOAuiCxHnAopmrWWxGj6rxXOxGJuxBaun5D/s640/blogger-image-178194555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtuNU3e5vUa-A1df4KdRANtOwe2iOP_UOzk4MSsVDGUfPbPxDCZxOQdOREYblFAqMPxvk4aWUqRO-vsv2ndc8Gql1yy6jwJ-OicEt575P7FOAuiCxHnAopmrWWxGj6rxXOxGJuxBaun5D/s640/blogger-image-178194555.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7e7gi9lROEA7lwa6LBovCOuijp8-AGS2YBeGAx3-FsswwEJm0ysL5iydOFKTenUrHFhR7kAF_EMl6Cgh9lZ9GKOa8eYjC-fPyOIiGZAZm4Hd1Gf12LDvg0HnHogJrRegVCjeAh9k-FOXy/s640/blogger-image-1523922484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7e7gi9lROEA7lwa6LBovCOuijp8-AGS2YBeGAx3-FsswwEJm0ysL5iydOFKTenUrHFhR7kAF_EMl6Cgh9lZ9GKOa8eYjC-fPyOIiGZAZm4Hd1Gf12LDvg0HnHogJrRegVCjeAh9k-FOXy/s640/blogger-image-1523922484.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We split and shared all of the food.  Afterwards we went to CVs and bought peanut butter ice cream for dessert back at home.  This was such a treat - first time I had tasted peanut butter ice cream as you can not get it in Ireland!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxlEr2LpeMvYLPV1-fuPIOpdiI5ugT1zhvhvG-t3XDO4Un8m2rf46WmabacF3NJ4GYyvNBUviJyGaBuD7YTBYVxkOpZb91CCnP2wsjSsQ07rBhOCOP0hWKUF5i3-TE0_l8tYx6Ky3OMJf/s640/blogger-image-1512179091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxlEr2LpeMvYLPV1-fuPIOpdiI5ugT1zhvhvG-t3XDO4Un8m2rf46WmabacF3NJ4GYyvNBUviJyGaBuD7YTBYVxkOpZb91CCnP2wsjSsQ07rBhOCOP0hWKUF5i3-TE0_l8tYx6Ky3OMJf/s640/blogger-image-1512179091.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>

Origami

Origami is a marvelous little sushi restaurant located in Duval Square.  We sat at the bar and Ciaran ordered a beer. While we were waiting ...

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TRAI announcement regarding roaming voice calls and text sms

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="background-color: white; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 18.71875px;">TRAI cuts the ceiling for national roaming calls and SMSs and instituted a new regime for providing flexibility to service providers. The TRAI has announced the quite relief in the roaming charges but the totality but it is not free at all.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Monday declared  lowered national mobile phone roaming charges for voice calls and SMS. But, cell phone users wouldn’t be able to enjoy free national roaming now. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">Roaming tariff has now been cut to Rs 1 per minute for outgoing local calls and Rs 1.50 per minute for outgoing STD calls. Earlier the roaming tariff was fixed at Rs 1.40 per minute for outgoing local calls and Rs 2.40 per minute for STD calls.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px;">The customs tariff for those who available in national roaming services through STV (Special Tariff Vouchers) and combo vouchers, Roaming tariff for incoming calls have been cut of Rs 1.75 per minute to 75 paise per minute, while outgoing local SMSs would be charged at Rs 1 per SMS and outgoing STD SMSs at Rs 1.50. Incoming SMSs remain free.</div></div>

mobile news review Technology TRAI announcement regarding roaming voice calls and text sms

TRAI cuts the ceiling for national roaming calls and SMSs and instituted a new regime for providing flexibility to service providers. The TR...

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Mayhem in the AM Shut Down by the PC Police

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal">Hola all you politically correct folks out there! Well, the PC Police got ‘em another one, or uh, three on Monday as the three DJ’s from the “Mayhem in the AM” show on 790 the Zone in Atlanta got canned for their “insensitive” and “offensive” remarks on the air. What did they say? Well, they mocked former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason who is suffering from ALS. If you would like to hear the 2 minute segment you can <a href="http://deadspin.com/heres-the-steve-gleason-bit-that-got-three-atlanta-rad-513889322" target="_blank">RIGHT HERE</a>. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I don’t know anything about the history of these guys so I don’t know if this is more or less offensive than their usual shtick. I also don’t know if it rises to level of deserving to be fired over. It was certainly lame, and completely unfunny, and I can see how people found it insensitive and even OUTRAGEOUS. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">This comes on the heels of my spending some time reading and digesting Patton Oswalt’s “<a href="http://www.pattonoswalt.com/index.cfm?page=spew&id=167" target="_blank">A Closed Letter to Myself About Thievery, Heckling and Rape Jokes</a>” If you haven’t read it, I do recommend that you set aside a free afternoon and do so if you’re a fan of comedy. (It’s kind of long.) <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqcM9ZRIl8Pmlw7SVxQed2FUxPRWmyhQccF9AQEBSTYkNHe6S8mSN1_YVxSFClHDXpkvGJMRPPfh-KFC3n7wh2HHvFvoS6LRLUHYGA6J4EKIdsTG6YLxmcudPKE_8NKRSbVZ0fFtL5zI/s1600/Jay+Stand+Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqcM9ZRIl8Pmlw7SVxQed2FUxPRWmyhQccF9AQEBSTYkNHe6S8mSN1_YVxSFClHDXpkvGJMRPPfh-KFC3n7wh2HHvFvoS6LRLUHYGA6J4EKIdsTG6YLxmcudPKE_8NKRSbVZ0fFtL5zI/s320/Jay+Stand+Up.jpg" width="249" /></a>Although I do love and follow comedy very much, I’m not a comedian. I’m not a stand-up comic and I’m not a professional humorist. I occasionally say or write something that is funny, but that’s usually by accident. But, I am the cohost of the (usually) number one rated comedy show on <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/im-with-stupid" target="_blank">BlogTalkRadio</a>. This doesn’t make me any kind of big expert on comedy or anything like that, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have opinions on comedy either. (BTW, a big pet-peeve of mine is all these people who just up and call themselves comedians and suddenly declaring themselves the equal to people like George Carlin, Bill Hicks and Chris Rock.)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">These radio hosts who did the lame bit on Steve Gleason aren’t comedians either though. They’re shock jocks who are hired to … well … shock people! You know, all these “morning zoo” shows are pretty much the same. And most radio station and network owners are basically like sports team owners when it comes to steroids. They’re fine with it as long as it doesn’t cause TOO much controversy or cost them money. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">For a country full of people who love to brag about how “politically incorrect” we all are, we sure do demand the complete and total destruction of someone’s entire livelihood when we decide they’ve said something mean or offensive, don’t we? We are all about wagging our finger at folks who get out of line or go too far. Good thing we’re all so pure and perfect in our own lives and none of us ever tell any off-color or race or gender joke ourselves or we would look like a bunch of hypocrites, huh? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The problem with amateurs such as these guys on 790 the Zone is that after the “shock joke” there usually isn’t anything else. We’re not professional comedians so the “shock joke” isn’t usually part of a bigger picture or a deeper critique of society or culture or whatever. That’s why people like Carlin and Chris Rock are so great. There’s subtlety to their jokes or stories about black people, white people, stupid people, fat people etc that is actually saying more about society and our culture than the people they’re supposedly mocking. I don’t know about “rape jokes” though. Those are kind of hard to do. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Generally I don’t care about what comedians decide to joke about. I feel like they should feel safe and free to bring up any subject up there on stage. They certainly aren’t free from the consequences of what they say, or above being criticized though. Radio hosts on the other hand have to worry about bosses and advertisers and if they go too far and damage the show and kill the revenue then they’re goners. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">That’s what’s so awesome about blogs and podcasts like <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/im-with-stupid" target="_blank">I’m With Stupid</a>. We are free to say or write whatever we want. People might disagree, quit reading or listening and maybe even let us know we suck, but at least we can’t get fired from it.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">And, thank God we can’t get fired otherwise we would have been sent packing a looooooooong time ago! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:Jayman3768@gmail.com">Jayman3768@gmail.com</a><br /><a href="http://facebook.com/Jayman68" target="_blank">Facebook.com/Jayman68</a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/jayman_iws" target="_blank">@Jayman_IWS </a>  <o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></div>

Mayhem in the AM Shut Down by the PC Police

Hola all you politically correct folks out there! Well, the PC Police got ‘em another one, or uh, three on Monday as the three DJ’s from the...

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Washington Examiner streamlines site

Check out the new and improved <i><a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/">Washington Examiner</a></i><br /><blockquote>Everything you know and like about our coverage of politics and policy is still here — it’s just better than ever. - Stephen G. Smith, Editor</blockquote>On Monday they rolled out the new, streamlined site:<br /><blockquote>We've redesigned our site to improve your digital experience by expanding our award-winning reporting and commentary on national politics and issues.<br /><br />The navigation is smarter so you can get where you want to go faster. Breaking news and daily updates are front and center, where they belong. We've made it easier to find our most popular sections - including Beltway Confidential - as well as new features such as Data, which you can customize to learn more about elected representatives and bills. It's all designed to better serve your passion for being where you want to be - in the know.</blockquote>

Beltway Confidential Stephen G. Smith Washington Examiner Washington Examiner streamlines site

Check out the new and improved Washington Examiner Everything you know and like about our coverage of politics and policy is still here — it...

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Getting Body Wraps That Work

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Ginger Taylor</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>Are you ready to lose inches, better your skin and detoxify your body without spending an arm and a leg at an extravagant spa? If this sounds good to you then you have to try a body wrap at home!<br /> <br /> Within the last five years I have found out that body wrapping at home can be just as successful as spa wraps if you have any of the following goals:<br /> <br /> a. Tightening saggy skin<br /> <br /> b. Reducing cellulite<br /> <br /> c. Getting Slimmer<br /> <br /> d. Detoxing your body<br /> <br /> The true secret to obtaining impressive results is implementing the right strategies in combination with the best ingredients.<br /> <br /> I will be the first to tell you that there is a bit of a learning curve in the case of doing home body wraps. Five years ago I wasn't absolutely certain what I was doing, so it was an interesting experience to put it mildly!<br /> <br /> The thing is five years ago body wrapping at home was a somewhat new concept and there was not really any body wrap information or pre-made slimming wrap kits out there, so I had to experiment with a variety of recipes and techniques to find what essentially worked.<br /> <br /> What I Have Figured Out About Wrapping At Home<br /> <br /> I learned quite a bit of things while performing experiments over the years. Here are a few of the most crucial things that I've learned because of personal experience:<br /> <br /> 1. Pick Ingredients Carefully - Not only is it paramount that you use high quality organic ingredients in your wrap, but using the appropriate blend of ingredients for your goals is a key to success. You could possibly have found some basic body wrap recipes, but what you have to recognize is that your targeted goals require certain ingredients to be able to work properly.<br /> <br /> 2. Be leery of Poor Quality Body Wrap Kits - If you look at the ingredients in some of the most popular ready made body wrap kits (like the Hollywood Detox Body Wrap), you will notice that almost all of the ingredients are man-made - not the kind of substances you want to be using on your skin! There are pre-packaged body wrap kits such as the It Works Ultimate Body Applicator that are an exception because as the name hints, they really work! These are my personal favorite because they are easy to use with no mess or hassle.<br /> <br /> 3. Take the time to Exfoliate! - It's very important that you open the skin pores before conducting your home body wrap. This assures that the formula you apply to your skin during wrapping is absorbed down to the deepest layer of the skin. I always brush my skin, and spray my body with a special toning spray to ensure I get the most out of each wrapping session.<br /> <br /> 4. Exercise & Eat Well - so as to get the most out of your home wraps, a healthy lifestyle is a necessity. Your body really needs to be working correctly from the inside, and your circulatory system should be in top shape. Eating a high-quality diet, exercising regularly and performing two weekly slimming wraps is a awesome combination that will help you lose weight and feel great. Drinks lots of water too.<br /> <br /> 5. Be Consistent - Like most things in life, to be able to realize results you need to be committed. Even if you are ecstatic with the results you bring about after your first home wrap, don't stop there! You can amplify your results by doing at least one or two wraps weekly.<br /> <br /> I hope these recommendations are helpful to you, and wish you the best of luck with your first home wrap! I am certain that if you follow the steps I've discussed, you will get incredible results as if you went to a fancy spa.<br /> <br /> Stop following all those extreme diets and trying to do bootcamps that are way too strict for you, discover a new you with <a href="https://worksbodywrap.myitworks.com/shop/product/135">It Works</a>! <br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>You owe it to yourself to try the ultimate makeover <a href="https://maximizepotential.myitworks.com/Shop/Product/507">DC Body Wrap</a></div><br /> </div><br />

Getting Body Wraps That Work

By Ginger Taylor Are you ready to lose inches, better your skin and detoxify your body without spending an arm and a leg at an extravaga...

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Find Success With These Excess Fat Loss Strategies!

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Belinda Norbert</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>Losing weight is arguably the New Year's Resolutions people make.<br /> <br /> You can still eat your favorite foods when they are intentionally made to include less calories. Hunger and food cravings for specific foods cause many people to fail in their diet plans.You could choose the reduced-calorie types of your favored foods, and this will help you to lose weight while still leaving you satisfied.<br /> <br /> Novelty diets can seem to be a fantastic way to lose weight rapidly. Even more scary is the fact that these meal plans do not instruct you on correct nutrition. It is much better to choose a process of eating that educates you how to choose nutritious food choices.<br /> <br /> Consume lean meat dishes when you are attempting to lose weight. Try opting for lean cuts of meat, barbecue or steak gravy. This can prevent your meat from appearing dry or dry. Chutneys are sweet and fruity tastes and add excellent flavor to your healthy proteins.<br /> <br /> Keep wholesome snacks on hand.Get yourself a jumbo-sized Tupperware container.Get ready your veggies, fill the base of the container with ice and a small amount of water and store the greens in the refrigerator. You can generally have a very simple and well-balanced snack that is easy to take along with you!<br /> <br /> Try tolessen pressure in your stress.Stress will tempt you to take in foods that are undesirable for you.<br /> <br /> One effective way to reduce additional weight is to drink a glass of milk before meals. Milk is rich in calcium for building muscles and will keep your bones solid as well as create muscle mass.<br /> <br /> A pedometer can track of your jogging when you are taking. You should be taking at least 10,000 steps every day. When you realize your average amount of steps, you can motivate yourself to take more steps. Each step you take helps you nearer towards attaining your goals.<br /> <br /> You can use Tupperware or baggies and containers to hold your carefully measured. Having prepared food at your fingertips indicates you'll be less possibly to overeat.<br /> <br /> There are a lot of diets out there today that won't get you your preferred results. Strive to get a gym membership or get into a fitness program. You can't just diet; you need exercise as well as food regimen. This will allow you to reduce the calories that you consume.<br /> <br /> If you are one person who did make this goal this year, simply reading this article will give you a great beginning. With these tips, you are now more aware of possible strategies and tips to develop a healthy and sustainable weight loss plan. We hope you achieve your goal!<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>To learn more about on how to lose weight using <a href="https://www.inspiredwellbeing.com/products/grocery-and-home-food-and-snacks-gluten-free/orgran-gluten-free-gluten-substitute-gfg-120g">coeliac diet plan</a>, click on the link. Or visit <a href="https://www.inspiredwellbeing.com/contact-us">https://www.inspiredwellbeing.com/contact-us</a> to contact Inspired Wellbeing.</div><br /> </div><br />

Find Success With These Excess Fat Loss Strategies!

By Belinda Norbert Losing weight is arguably the New Year's Resolutions people make. You can still eat your favorite foods when ...

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Must-Do Fun Beach Workouts Together With A Newport Beach Personal Trainer

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Patricia Neill</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>Newport Beach is one popular place for swimming and other beach activities in the US. This is why the area is flocked by many holiday seekers looking to relax and have some fun under the sun. In the summer season, it's a great opportunity to enjoy and be physically fit at the same time. With a Newport Beach personal trainer, you can get the best result from must-do beach exercises.<br /> <br /> What's the Catch?<br /> <br /> Beach workouts are definitely not different from the workouts you usually do inside a fitness center. However, these routines integrate fun that's why it gets easier to do. It's not made up of strict guidelines that might bore you out in the process.<br /> <br /> There are many beach exercises that you could do while having fun. Swimming, playing volleyball, biking, and running are some effective beach workouts.<br /> <br /> Rowing<br /> <br /> For improving your upper and lower body strength, rowing is the best beach activity to do. This is because it requires a repetitive motion from your chest, shoulders, arms, thighs, and legs. It's a fun activity since you can do it in a group. Dragon boat enthusiasts usually have events on the beach where you can join and have fun.<br /> <br /> Sprints and Jog Circuits<br /> <br /> Circuits are series of routines that are done in a simultaneous manner. It requires some skill but it's very easy to grasp. Sprints and jog circuits are very effective when done in a beach. This is because you need to apply more force in your lower body to push yourself forward.<br /> <br /> For improving your upper and lower body strength, rowing is the best beach activity to do. This is because it requires a repetitive motion from your chest, shoulders, arms, thighs, and legs. It's a fun activity since you can do it in a group. Dragon boat enthusiasts usually have events on the beach where you can join and have fun.<br /> <br /> Beach Volleyball<br /> <br /> Another fun way to stay fit and have fun in the beach with a Newport Beach personal trainer is playing beach volleyball. Well, you can get competitive or enjoy a casual game with your family and friends - the result is having a great full body workout while having fun. You can also try a variant of beach volleyball which is water volleyball. This is more difficult but it's more effective than playing the sport on land.<br /> <br /> Swimming<br /> <br /> People don't go to the beach just to show off their abs and curves - they swim! Enjoy playing with the waves and swim. Your Newport Beach personal trainer will definitely say that swimming is one of the best cardio exercises that don't require overpriced equipments. In fact, you can incorporate other activities while playing in the water such as water jogging or running.<br /> <br /> If you're sick and tired of doing repetitive routines in a gym, you may want to look outside and have fun while doing various workouts. A Newport Beach personal trainer knows how to combine workouts and fun activities under the sun. Instead of getting bored, have fun and achieve the same results under the sun.<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>Being in good shape with the aid of <a href="https://plus.google.com/116618666336536176190/about">Newport Beach Personal Trainer</a> not simply boosts your entire body but furthermore your health as well. The advantages that one can receive from <a href="http://www.theperfectworkout.com/personal-trainer-newport-beach/">Personal Trainer Newport Beach</a> are limitless.</div><br /> </div><br />

Must-Do Fun Beach Workouts Together With A Newport Beach Personal Trainer

By Patricia Neill Newport Beach is one popular place for swimming and other beach activities in the US. This is why the area is flocked ...

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When You Should Go to a Personal Trainer

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Moises Lamarre</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>Lots of people hate to work out in spite of all of the good reasons to participate in workout routines. And despite all these good reasons in mind, they still find it quite hard to become determined. If you don't want to exercise yet you have to do it frequently, think of obtaining the expertise of a personal trainer. Still not sure? Here are some other good reasons why a skilled trainer may be the remedy to all of your exercise nightmares.<br /> <br /> When You Want Something Fresh<br /> <br /> Even those who believe that they're exercise specialists may reach the stage of being uninterested in what they're performing. Getting bored is addressed by introducing something different. Diversity keeps you interested and thrilled with your workout routines. What is great about having a personal trainer is that it can bring life to all these, and allow you to view a totally new perspective to keeping your mind and body in good condition. There is no need to meet your trainer every single day. Even a number of visits each week is already beneficial. Your trainer can provide you with new tips regarding how to enhance your way of living.<br /> <br /> If You Want To Prepare for an Event<br /> <br /> Athletes always look like they know what they're doing when they are on the playing field, arena, court, or ring. It's because of the training they get from their personal trainers. If you're planning to join an event or sport, you also have to go through proper training.<br /> <br /> If You're Not Obtaining the Outcomes You Desire<br /> <br /> You have been following this or that diet regimen to the letter, but do not seem to be obtaining the outcomes you have been told you will be acquiring following a specific period of time. You allow it much more time. The days extend to weeks and to months and you just notice a small bit of change which can be very annoying indeed. Must you still spend a lot of effort and time on it? Or is it time to attempt something different? What can keep you from sensing as if you have misused a lot of time for nothing, not a single thing at all? You require a personal trainer. A specialist could review your workout program, make corrections which will work to your benefit, be sure you stay focused on realistic and achievable objectives, and ultimately allow you to achieve them one by one.<br /> <br /> When You're Unwell<br /> <br /> Old age and traumas shouldn't discourage you from remaining in shape. In fact, they are excellent explanations for you to give attention to your overall health. Search for an expert trainer who is competent enough to work with your doctor so they could produce a program that will help in the process of recovery, and make sure that those muscle tissues will not wither to waste.<br /> <br /> Should you go into any of these classes, you have to think about finding a personal trainer. You don't have to be someone famous and it doesn't have to be performed just for vanity reasons. You are going to do it for your physical health and overall well-being.<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>For much more information on why you need to hire a personal trainer, visit our <a href="http://personaltrainerphiladelphia.org/">website</a>. You will find a good deal of beneficial data on this and various other subjects.</div><br /> </div><br />

When You Should Go to a Personal Trainer

By Moises Lamarre Lots of people hate to work out in spite of all of the good reasons to participate in workout routines. And despite al...

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Netflix Needs to Address the Movie Catalog and Give Kids TV Shows a Break

<div class="MsoNormal">I am a rabid fan of video streaming services, and Netflix is at the top of my list.  However, it seems like the company that pretty much put Blockbuster out of business is aiming at the wrong target.  According to CNBC, Netflix and DreamWorks Animation have <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/news/netflix-strikes-largest-original-content-115743008.html">signed an agreement</a> that will give Netflix exclusive access to 300 hours of original television programming.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I know what you’re thinking:  Didn’t Netflix already sign a deal with DreamWorks Animation?  According to Wired, you are right, because the two companies agreed to <a href="http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2013/02/netflix-dreamworks-turbo-f-a-s-t/">develop the story of Turbo</a> the racing snail (soon to be a major motion picture) as a children's television series.  All this content for kids is great, but Netflix seems to be missing one key area of development—movies.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">It seems like the video streaming giant has been taking on television rights and family friendly fare left and right, but when it comes to getting better films into the catalog, everything seems pretty much stuck in neutral.  <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Don’t get me wrong, “The Lorax” (Hmm, another kids offering) and other films are great, but I expect to see a little more variety in my “Just Added” queue on a regular basis.  As big a nerd as I am I can only bring myself watch “Battlestar Galactica” and “Firefly” so many times, and those are television shows.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Netflix needs to do a little better on the feature film category.  Yes, the service is still a great deal for unlimited streaming, and yes there is a lot of content to consume.  The real question is:  How many of the shows and recommendations does anyone watch?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Hey, nobody is expecting them to score the Star Wars Saga or even some of this year’s box office bombs, but the company could at least make an effort to score some newer releases.  Focusing on original content might one day put Netflix on par with HBO, but if nobody is subscribing for lack of quality movies no one will notice. <o:p></o:p></div>

netflix netflix catalog nothing to watch Netflix Needs to Address the Movie Catalog and Give Kids TV Shows a Break

I am a rabid fan of video streaming services, and Netflix is at the top of my list.  However, it seems like the company that pretty much put...

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does.dcnetworks.org - DC Unemployment Insurance Claims

Even though Unemployment has declined recently -<b> DC unemployment</b> rate for April 2013 is still at a high of 8.5 %. Go to the <a href="http://does.dcnetworks.gov/"><b>Does.dcnetworks.gov</b></a> website to file for <b>unemployment insurance claims</b> - both for first timers and repeat appliers. There are some mandatory and some desired requirement for the insurance claims. It is better to keep your job search data and process handy as they could be required.<br /><br />It is better to apply online as the site claims that online filers get quicker service. It is required to keep your Social Security number and <span class="st">UI Claimant Services password ready.</span><br /><span class="st"><br /></span><span class="st">Check out the Unemployment compensation process here.</span><br /><span class="st"><br /></span><span class="st"><a href="http://does.dc.gov/service/unemployment-compensation-process">http://does.dc.gov/service/unemployment-compensation-process</a></span><br /><br /><span class="st">Hope you have a smooth process for your filing. </span><br /><br />

DC Unemployment compensation DC Unemployment Insurance Claims does.dc.gov does.dcnetworks.org does.dcnetworks.org - DC Unemployment Insurance Claims

Even though Unemployment has declined recently - DC unemployment rate for April 2013 is still at a high of 8.5 %. Go to the Does.dcnetwork...

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Death Be Not Decaffeinated: Over Cup, Groups Face Taboo - NYTimes.com

Socrates did not fear death; he calmly drank the hemlock. Kierkegaard was obsessed with death, which made him a bit gloomy. As for Lorraine Tosiello, a 58-year-old internist in Bradley Beach, N.J., it is the process of dying that seems endlessly puzzling.<br /><br><br /><br>"I'm more interested, philosophically, in what is death? What is that transition?" Dr. Tosiello said at a recent meeting in a Manhattan coffee shop, where eight people had shown up on a Wednesday night to discuss questions that philosophers have grappled with for ages.<br /><br><br /><br>The group, which meets monthly, is called a Death Cafe, one of many such gatherings that have sprung up in nearly 40 cities around the country in the last year. Offshoots of the "café mortel" movement that emerged in Switzerland and France about 10 years ago, these are not grief support groups or end-of-life planning sessions, but rather casual forums for people who want to bat around philosophical thoughts. What is death like? Why do we fear it? How do our views of death inform the way we live?<br /><br><br /><br>"Death and grief are topics avoided at all costs in our society," said Audrey Pellicano, 60, who hosts the New York Death Cafe, which will hold its fifth meeting on Wednesday. "If we talk about them, maybe we won't fear them as much."<br /><br><br /><br>Part dorm room chat session, part group therapy, Death Cafes are styled as intellectual salons, but in practice they tend to wind up being something slightly different — call it cafe society in the age of the meetup. Each is led by a volunteer facilitator, often someone who has a professional tie to the topic (Ms. Pellicano, for instance, is a grief counselor). The participants include people of all ages, working and retired, who are drawn by Facebook announcements, storefront fliers, local calendar listings or word of mouth. Women usually outnumber men.<br /><br><br /><br><br /><br>"In Europe, there's a tradition of meeting in informal ways to discuss ideas — the café philosophique, the café scientifique," said Jon Underwood, 40, a Web designer in London who said he held the first Death Cafe in his basement in 2011 and has propagated the concept through a Web site he maintains.<br /><br><br /><br>Mr. Underwood adapted the idea from a Swiss sociologist, Bernard Crettaz, who had organized "café mortels" to try to foster more open discussions of death. "There's a growing recognition that the way we've outsourced death to the medical profession and to funeral directors hasn't done us any favors," Mr. Underwood said. He envisioned Death Cafe as "a space where people can discuss death and find meaning and reflect on what's important and ask profound questions."<br /><br><br /><br>In practice, people's motives for attending vary, as does the depth of the conversation. Dr. Tosiello, who said she had never lost a close family member, was there for intellectual enjoyment. Others went to ponder the questions and feelings that the death of a loved one had raised.<br /><br><br /><br>For instance, at a Death Cafe meeting this month in St. Joseph, Mo., the host, Megan Mooney, a 29-year-old social worker, asked each of the 19 participants to supply a single word that he or she associated with death. "Freedom," someone said. "Grief." "Transition." "Relief." "Finality." And then, "Graduation."<br /><br><br /><br>The last came from Kelly Vanderpool, a 25-year-old mother, who was a high school freshman when a friend with a new driver's license died in an auto accident. "Ever since, I've wanted to know where he was," she said in an interview. "Is it true that life continues? Is Joe around still?"<br /><br><br /><br>Jeneva Stoffels, who is 69 and drove 70 miles from Auburn, Neb., to attend the meeting, told Ms. Vanderpool that she did not have an answer. But she did know that her late mother once spoke to her in a dream. "A younger version, glowing and happy, an 'I'm in a good place so you can let go' kind of thing," Ms. Stoffels said in an interview. "Regardless of where it came from, it was reassuring."<br /><br><br /><br>Ms. Mooney, the host, asked a series of conversation-starting questions: What is your biggest fear about death? What do you want your legacy to be? She had brought markers and blank boards on which people could finish the sentence "Before I Die I Want to … ." The responses included "See Egypt," "Win the lottery," "Write a book of poems" and "See my daughter grow up."<br /><br><br /><br>Over all, Ms. Mooney said, "There are some somber moments, but people laugh. They have fun."<br /><br><br /><br>The meetings tend to be more mundane than macabre, and more likely to produce small epiphanies than profound realizations. "It's not like psychotherapy," Ms. Stoffels said. "There's not going to be a big breakthrough. It just widens the door a crack."<br /><br><br /><br>Doctors and scholars who study attitudes toward death say that for most people, such conversations are healthy; talking about death can ease people's fears and the notion that death is taboo. "A major part of American society is very averse to thinking about dying," said David Barnard, a professor of ethics at the Oregon Health and Science University who has written extensively about the end of life.<br /><br><br /><br>In the United States, Death Cafes have spread quickly. The first one met last summer in a Panera Bread outside Columbus, Ohio, where guests were served tombstone-shaped cookies. Since then, more than 100 meetings have been held in cities and towns across the country, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Cleveland, Los Angeles and Seattle.<br /><br><br /><br>"At one cafe, I had someone who believed in reincarnation sitting across from three atheists, telling them about her past lives," said Lizzy Miles, a hospice social worker who organized that first meeting in Columbus and has led the group there ever since. Discussion topics have included euthanasia, grief, the best-selling book "Proof of Heaven" and do-not-resuscitate orders.<br /><br><br /><br>Ms. Miles logged 112 participants in her first nine events and determined that a quarter were under 35 and 22 percent were over 65, with most ages 45 to 64 and women predominating. About half of the people who filled out a survey after a meeting agreed with the statement that "I feel more comfortable talking about death and dying now."<br /><br><br /><br>The Death Cafe movement has a few ground rules. Meetings are confidential and not for profit. People must respect one another's disparate beliefs and avoid proselytizing. And tea and cake play an important role.<br /><br><br /><br>"There's a superstition that if you talk about death, you invite it closer," said Mr. Underwood, the organizer in London. "But the consumption of food is a life-sustaining process. Cake normalizes things."<br /><br><br /><br><a href="http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/16/death-be-not-decaffeinated-over-cup-groups-face-taboo/?hpw">http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/16/death-be-not-decaffeinated-over-cup-groups-face-taboo/?hpw</a>

Death Be Not Decaffeinated: Over Cup, Groups Face Taboo - NYTimes.com

Socrates did not fear death; he calmly drank the hemlock. Kierkegaard was obsessed with death, which made him a bit gloomy. As for Lorraine ...

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i survived

Have you ever been so tired that you have trouble forming a full sentence? That would be me.<br /><br />I told y'all about the 50th anniversary party we were set to have at our house on Saturday but while I got ready for that last week I also had a surprise 4-day hospital stay (the hubs and he's OK now), an unexpected tree removal, out-of-the-blue plumbing problems and a sudden downpour.<br /><br />But the Sister Sledge in me held on and I survived. And more importantly, 60 people had a great time. If you follow me on <a href="http://instagram.com/littleblackdoor/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> you got a few sneak peaks, but I'll do a proper party post after I sort thru the tornado that is my house and see if I got any good pictures. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXab-UGpgzsuFeDkrhP8z96fDts0uQ20yh0Q1AqAzGd7uH4xdtliCZLojvlde-4Mr2cwJQSO9lFV0_GoL1Dqxgea1eiOOPg9CeRJA1bohSbX9rBam_b0LPAeO_-0iQHtTAV8g_8QqAmxQ/s1600/welcomewreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXab-UGpgzsuFeDkrhP8z96fDts0uQ20yh0Q1AqAzGd7uH4xdtliCZLojvlde-4Mr2cwJQSO9lFV0_GoL1Dqxgea1eiOOPg9CeRJA1bohSbX9rBam_b0LPAeO_-0iQHtTAV8g_8QqAmxQ/s400/welcomewreath.jpg" width="396" /></a></div><br />Until then here is the welcome wreath that greeted guests at the front gate.<br /><br />So what did I miss last week? Anything exciting happen? Share, share!

i survived

Have you ever been so tired that you have trouble forming a full sentence? That would be me. I told y'all about the 50th anniversary par...

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Cheating Ourselves of Sleep - NYTimes.com

<base href="data:"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Think you do just fine on five or six hours of shut-eye? Chances are, you are among the many millions who unwittingly shortchange themselves on sleep.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Research shows that most people require seven or eight hours of sleep to function optimally. Failing to get enough sleep night after night can compromise your health and may even shorten your life. From infancy to old age, the effects of inadequate sleep can profoundly affect memory, learning, creativity, productivity and emotional stability, as well as your physical health.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">According to sleep specialists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, among others, a number of bodily systems are negatively affected by inadequate sleep: the heart, lungs and kidneys; appetite, metabolism and weight control; immune function and disease resistance; sensitivity to pain; reaction time; mood; and brain function.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Poor sleep is also a risk factor for depression and substance abuse, especially among people with post-traumatic stress disorder, according to Anne Germain, associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh. People with PTSD tend to relive their trauma when they try to sleep, which keeps their brains in a heightened state of alertness.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Dr. Germain is studying what happens in the brains of sleeping veterans with PTSD in hopes of developing more effective treatments for them and for people with lesser degrees of stress that interfere with a good night's sleep.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">The elderly are especially vulnerable. Timothy H. Monk, who directs the Human Chronobiology Research Program at Western Psychiatric, heads a five-year federally funded study of circadian rhythms, sleep strength, stress reactivity, brain function and genetics among the elderly. "The circadian signal isn't as strong as people get older," he said.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">He is finding that many are helped by standard behavioral treatments for insomnia, like maintaining a regular sleep schedule, avoiding late-in-day naps and caffeine, and reducing distractions from light, noise and pets.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">It should come as no surprise that myriad bodily systems can be harmed by chronically shortened nights. "Sleep affects almost every tissue in our bodies," said Dr. Michael J. Twery, a sleep specialist at the National Institutes of Health.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Several studies have linked insufficient sleep to weight gain. Not only do night owls with shortchanged sleep have more time to eat, drink and snack, but levels of the hormone leptin, which tells the brain enough food has been consumed, are lower in the sleep-deprived while levels of ghrelin, which stimulates appetite, are higher.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">In addition, metabolism slows when one's circadian rhythm and sleep are disrupted; if not counteracted by increased exercise or reduced caloric intake, this slowdown could add up to 10 extra pounds in a year.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">The body's <a href="http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=486518" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; ">ability to process glucose is also adversely affected</a>, which may ultimately result in Type 2 diabetes. In one study, healthy young men prevented from sleeping more than four hours a night for six nights in a row ended up with insulin and blood sugar levels like those of people deemed prediabetic. The risks of cardiovascular diseases and stroke are higher in people who sleep less than six hours a night. Even a single night of inadequate sleep can cause daylong elevations in blood pressure in people with hypertension. <a href="http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=183124" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; ">Inadequate sleep is also associated with calcification of coronary arteries</a> and raised levels of inflammatory factors linked to heart disease. (In terms of cardiovascular disease, sleeping too much may also be risky. Higher rates of heart disease have been found among women who sleep more than nine hours nightly.)</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">The risk of cancer may also be elevated in people who fail to get enough sleep. A Japanese study of nearly 24,000 women ages 40 to 79 found that those who slept less than six hours a night were more likely to develop breast cancer than women who slept longer. The increased risk may result from diminished secretion of the sleep hormone melatonin. Among participants in the Nurses Health Study, Eva S. Schernhammer of Harvard Medical School found <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3036562/" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; ">a link between low melatonin levels and an increased risk of breast cancer</a>.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">A study of 1,240 people by researchers at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland found an <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.25507/abstract" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; ">increased risk of potentially cancerous colorectal polyps in those who slept fewer than six hours nightly</a>.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Children can also experience hormonal disruptions from inadequate sleep. Growth hormone is released during deep sleep; it not only stimulates growth in children, but also boosts muscle mass and repairs damaged cells and tissues in both children and adults.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Dr. Vatsal G. Thakkar, a psychiatrist affiliated with New York University, recently described evidence associating inadequate sleep with an <a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/16/attention-problems-may-be-sleep-related/" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; ">erroneous diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children</a>. In one study, 28 percent of children with sleep problems had symptoms of the disorder, but not the disorder.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">During sleep, the body produces cytokines, cellular hormones that help fight infections. Thus, short sleepers may be more susceptible to everyday infections like colds and flu. In a study of 153 healthy men and women, Sheldon Cohen and colleagues at Carnegie Mellon University found that <a href="http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=414701" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; ">those who slept less than seven hours a night were three times as likely to develop cold symptoms</a>when exposed to a cold-causing virus than were people who slept eight or more hours.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Some of the most insidious effects of too little sleep involve mental processes like learning, memory, judgment and problem-solving. During sleep, new learning and memory pathways become encoded in the brain, and adequate sleep is necessary for those pathways to work optimally. People who are well rested are better able to learn a task and more likely to remember what they learned. The cognitive decline that so often accompanies aging may in part result from chronically poor sleep.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">With insufficient sleep, thinking slows, it is harder to focus and pay attention, and people are more likely to make poor decisions and take undue risks. As you might guess, these effects can be disastrous when operating a motor vehicle or dangerous machine.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">In driving tests, sleep-deprived people perform as if drunk, and no amount of caffeine or cold air can negate the ill effects.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); position: static; z-index: auto; ">At your next health checkup, tell your doctor how long and how well you sleep. Be honest: Sleep duration and quality can be as important to your health as your blood pressure and cholesterol level.</div></div><a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/17/cheating-ourselves-of-sleep/?pagewanted=print">http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/17/cheating-ourselves-of-sleep/?pagewanted=print</a><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div>

Cheating Ourselves of Sleep - NYTimes.com

Think you do just fine on five or six hours of shut-eye? Chances are, you are among the many millions who unwittingly shortchange themselves...

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The EAS Warning Tone is the Soundtrack of My Life

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Cheers Bitches and suck it!!  Yeah that’s right…<br /><br />I said that, and you know?<br /><br />While I haven’t said that in quite awhile, after Jayman<strike> happily</strike> graciously bringing some things to my attention on the air yesterday during our<a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/im-with-stupid/2013/06/16/manabration" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><i> IWS Radio Manabration</i></span></a> broadcast, I should say that more often.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0Nyq6tx9YR8m6eYQcQuKuLxHYOppMTYJia0KJyoDvZJxYZw3m4MnAogXyoszdc4Z9eG0_3JUSTKBxgJs9XuqXcHfagxn6ILmxJcVesWcDpPVQKLtd1Y1vkUv6hbO6fMzuAFeQZroyrg/s1600/supercell+thunderstorm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0Nyq6tx9YR8m6eYQcQuKuLxHYOppMTYJia0KJyoDvZJxYZw3m4MnAogXyoszdc4Z9eG0_3JUSTKBxgJs9XuqXcHfagxn6ILmxJcVesWcDpPVQKLtd1Y1vkUv6hbO6fMzuAFeQZroyrg/s400/supercell+thunderstorm.jpg" width="400" /></a>During our opening witty banter yesterday, Jayman pointed out to me that during our nearly three years on the air, a number of things have transpired in my life that are less than pleasant, and promulgate the theory that a metaphoric cloud does indeed hang above my head.<br /><br />Since the inception of our radio show on August 29, 2010 Jayman noted that the following things have happened in my life…<br /><br />My brother John died.<br /><br />I was laid off for awhile.<br /><br />Schmoop underwent a traumatic medical scare and subsequent major surgery that put her out of commission, unemployed, and in the dumps for several months.<br /><br />Drive-By Mikey, the Beer Mine owner and my boss, lost his dad and his Mother-in-Law.<br /><br />My brother Vince died.<br /><br />Annnnnd as Jayman<strike> laughingly</strike> soberly pointed out…Schmoop and I had broken up and reunited 114 times.<br /><br />What the hell?  Why do these things always happen to me?  These people dying, laying me off, and rebuking my undying love, are beginning to piss me off, damn it!!<br /><br />It makes me realize that there isn’t a mere cloud that hangs above my head; it’s a super cell thunderstorm pregnant with the rain of ruination, lachrymose lightning strikes, and hailstones of heartache.  It’s a sad, sad situation, my friends.<br /><br />I met the new year, this year, 2013 with hope as I knew that this is the Year of the Snake.  I mentioned back in February on our radio show that since I was born in the Year of the Snake, this was going to be MY YEAR.<br /><br />I went on to state that especially this summer, the one that is but days away, was going to be the Summer of Matt, and guess what?<br /><br />Last night I was writing about what I plan to do and/or accomplish during the Summer of Matt, but guess what happened at 11:34 PM yesterday.<br /><br />I fricking assidently deleted the damn essay!!  Ha!!  Of course I did!!  Why wouldn’t I?<br /><br />It’s very understandable why I did delete it.  My fingers slipped on the keyboard as the super cell thunderstorm above my head was raining ruination down upon me.<br /><br />So last night after that unforeseen, yet totally expected incident in my life, I shut down the computer, took God’s name in vain, ate a most excellent hoagie, and then went to bed.<br /><br />Sometimes I think I should just give up, but Jayman pointed out something to me yesterday during his listing of my maladies, that gives me hope.<br /><br />He reminded me that summer doesn’t officially begin until this coming Friday, so it may very well still be the Summer of Matt.<br /><br />I am going to cling to that shred of hope like grim death, well…<br /><br />Until I wake up Friday morning, slip on the hailstones dropping from the metaphoric storm over my head, trip over the coffee table, and break my coccyx.<br /><br />Uuch…I need to buy a metaphoric umbrella.<br /><br />But in the meantime, I, as you should do as well, will listen to our IWS Radio Manabration show that aired yesterday.  It was good stuff, and you can catch all the hilarity right here:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="370" src="http://player.cinchcast.com/?show_id=4990581&platformId=1&assetType=single" width="400"></iframe></div><div style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;"><br /></div>Cheers!!<br />Matt-Man<br /><br /><a href="mailto:mattmaniws@ymail.com">mattmaniws@ymail.com</a><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/MattMan_IWS" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">@mattman_iws</span></a></div>

The EAS Warning Tone is the Soundtrack of My Life

Cheers Bitches and suck it!!  Yeah that’s right… I said that, and you know? While I haven’t said that in quite awhile, after Jayman happily...

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