Inner Universe

Philosophy of Soren Kierkegaard

2012-01-29T23:19:00.000-07:00

So the world is going to end... figures

2012-01-28T01:21:00.000-07:00

I'm just saying if all those occurances of strange noises all over the world (see videos below or all over the freakin place) are not hoaxes, then don't they sound freakishly like those things on 'war of the worlds'? ... so that would not be good. Any day now big machines are going to errupt from the ground and start vapourizing us. Granted it would be easy to fake one of these, but some of them... like the ones where there are a baseball stadium or city full of witnesses, not so much, so wtf? So, yep, that is classic end of the world material really. Or mother earth is groaning because of all the shit we are pulling. One theory that the earth plates are all shifting deep down and that is end of the world worthy. Seriously, it would be interesting to have someone come up with a reasonable explination for those sounds, and their occurance in difference areas. From the ground or the atmosphere?

In all liklihood if the world is ending (and if the Myans are right we have till the end of the year anyway) we all know from various movies and, well, common sense, that the goverment would be the last ones to tell us it is happening because a) panic amoungst the masses which is really in human nature. When the going gets tough, we go ape shit, break crap and break all rules of society and common sense. b) because all the rich people need time to pay for their tickets to the uber secret boat/spaceship/bunker where the rest of the government will be hunkering down and the rest of us peons would just get in the way. So if it is an unexplained phenomena, it will be unexplained for awhile, until some scientist actually investigates it. If it is the end of the world, then it has already been investigated over the last year and we are all shit out of luck and just don't know it yet. Either way, no point worrying about it. Still, color me intrigued about the cause.

And a little more recent and close to home... athough this one is likely a fake one, because really what better things do we have to do in Alberta? Except freeze our asses off that is. Now the one recently on the news here was in Manatoba but I did not find a clip for it.

Not this winter!

2012-01-23T23:50:00.001-07:00

Wow found awesome ticket site ever

2012-01-23T23:46:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine's spouse likes his collage football in the states and there going in a trip around a few of them and she wanted me to google around a bit to find a place, cause they don't have interact in the country, or at least not dependable interact. I found this huge ticket site. Massive. "Ticketamerica.com has college sports and game tickets UTEP MinersValparaiso Crusaders and the Vanderbilt Commodores basketball and football seating." utep miners tickets,valparaiso crusaders tickets,vanderbilt commodores tickets and more, which should work perfectly for what they are looking for.

But after checking this site out, that is http://www.ticketamerica.com/ I realized they have theatre and concert tickets as well... what an awesome way to plan a vacation around a theatre event I want to see or a concert.... and drag poor Martin along with me! It is crazy how much they have on there... bet I could even find him some good blues or country if I had to.

Black Sabbath - Awesome!

The Fray

Mama Mia - I so want to see that.

Anyway, if I ever take a vecation I'll have to check this out again.

RETIRED/BORED HUSBAND JOKE

2012-01-12T20:23:00.001-07:00

After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to Target.
Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunate, my wife is like most women - she loves to browse.
Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from the local Target:
Dear Mrs. Harris,
Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against your husband, Mr. Harris, are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras:
1. June 15: He took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other people's carts when they weren't looking.
2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in House wares to go off at 5-minute intervals.
3. July 7: He made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.
4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in House wares. Get on it right away'. This caused the employee to leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor that in turn resulted with a union grievance, causing management to lose time and costing the company money.
5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&Ms on layaway
6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told the children shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department to which twenty children obliged.
8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?' EMTs were called.
9.. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.
10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.
11. October 3: Darted around the Store suspiciously while loudly humming the ' Mission Impossible' theme.
12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look' by using different sizes of funnels on his chest.
13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, he yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'
14. October 22: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a
fetal position and screamed 'OHNO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'

15. Took a box of condoms to the check out clerk and asked where the fitting room was?

And last, but not least:
16. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, and then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here.'
One of the clerks passed out.

2011-12-27T22:14:00.001-07:00

'Yeah, I'm your present. Deal with it.' Ah, Charlie, the gift that just keeps giving.

Pledge me in the BMO Boolathon in support of Kids Help Phone!

2011-10-13T18:29:00.000-06:00

Pledge me in the BMO Boolathon in support of Kids Help Phone! We are going to go bowling for the Kids Help Phone charity this year. Sponsor me!

Ok, I luv cats... but this would freak me out a little

2011-10-02T01:27:00.001-06:00

Yep, smoking is a hard habit to quit

2011-09-18T23:26:00.002-06:00

Goofy dog...

2011-09-16T00:18:00.000-06:00

Pretty sure that was not the stick his owner threw...

I loath flying

2011-07-25T19:53:00.000-06:00

I devloped a dislike for flying right around the time the changed it from a time efficient and comfortable way to travel to a very fustrating was to travel in really cramped conditions without eating. I honestly have no idea why someone would say they like it all things considered. So it should come as no surprise that if you have chronic migraines something that is uncomfortable and fustrating goes to a whole new level. I peaked at a 9 level migraine pretty much the moment we hit the air and unfortanately being in an uncomfortable enviroment; crammped, loud, light, that I have no control over made this migraine completely untreatable. So I had an acute migraine for four hours in conditions that were less than favourable when in severe pain. Obviously that sucks. Now when you are in severe pain after a short time lets just say you become exceptionally brainless. Makes sense. Someone who breaks their leg might have troubles with calculas. Someone with a full blown migraine has trouble walking for one, seeing for another and apparently navigating an airport becomes a very fustrating maze. I swear I was stuck in the Toronto airport for twenty minutes or so... I did ask three to four people for directions that apparently I could not follow because I could barely walk... and you know they do not exactly have a big blaring sign that says 'this way to freedom!' which is what I needed. I did aim for several exit signs, but since I was on the second floor, it was not really a real exit so much as a way to fall out of a building. I suppose, in hidesight, I should have aimed for the stairs sign... but seriously I was extremely confused. This is why I do not travel on my own. I can't drive long distances or fly apparently without tacking on some nasty pain that increases exponentially. I think they should offer morphine on those flights. A wee tiny plastic cup of pop and a shot of morphine.

So that was how my work trip started. That is after the flight was cancelled and I got on a later flight anyway. So by the time I got out of the airport it was midnight. Which meant by the time I got to the hotel-learning center assuming I had fallen asleep that instant would still not have gotten eight hours. Since I could not take a sleeping pill (not having eight hours for it to run through my system) I got two hours of a fittful sleep. I was a major zombie this morning and oddly enough with that sleep deprivation and lack of eating for a day led to that uber migraine still being around. Joy! And this is why I was not excited to travel to this course; yes, necessary, but yeah I do loads of things that are necessary with chronic migraines that I sure the hell do not enjoy and if I had the choice sure the hell would not do. Given my brain does not adjust well to changes I suspect it is going to be loads of migraine fun.

And just so you know what makes loads of migraine fun so much fun-er is having a 'wellness instructor' come in twice a day during the course to ensure everyone does a little exercise, because that is what I do in acute pain... move around a lot. I will manage my own wellness or lack there of myself thank you very much. There is the possibility that if they get me to touch my toes while having an acute migraine I will a) vomit b) pass out c) wish I could pass out.

I so want to be home right now. I really like being able to suffer as I please in a nice comfortable enviroment. I really miss my man because he totally makes things easier for me and, well, just plain makes me feel better even if I am in pain. And I bet he can get out of an airport with no problems... cause I followed him last time I flew and don't remember a damn thing except I was in a lot of pain and followed Martin. Is that a sort of disability accomadation? Must travel with spouse? That would be cool... except if it was, I don't work for the sort of place that would provide it! lol They are totally accomadating if accomadating means you do what they want you to do, or have a very visible disability or have a disability that is not actually a disability (maybe a mildly-annoying-ability) or, of course, if you are not me (i'm assuming in general they are just as good as any other company with following disability laws and such, just not in my particular instance). *sigh* Is there something so wrong with distance learning anyway? It is all the fad. It is wicked cool. Or, from a capitalist perspective... think of all the pennies you'll save! Billions of pennies I am sure.

Marriage secret

2011-07-20T22:51:00.000-06:00

Just a short but pleasant visit with family!

2011-07-10T23:43:00.000-06:00

Sarah (martins Aunt) was kind enough to drive all the way from Calgary for a short visit with Martin's grandmother, Lily. It is great because we don't get to see Martin's family as much as we like to, although we do plan on going to visit his sister soon and hopefully another visit to one of his nephews.

Here is a pick of Sarah.

This is Martin's grandmother, Lily. A very sweet and pleasant woman.

Here is Martin all sprawed out in Dave's chair.

Here are all the cats freakin out when we pulled out a robot I bought Dave for Christmas a few years back.

Martin insisted on taking me since I was behind the camera. So there I be.

And my mom, Lesley, came over when we ordered Chinese food. I always wanted to invite mom over for diner so why not that day and get to see some of the other side of the family. Hell, maybe me and Martin should get hitched, then everyone could actually meet everyone else. And what a party that would be!

This pic is here because the reason for the visit, other than the visit itself, was because Lily has moved into a new home and thought of giving some things away. Martin mentioned the pcitures becase he thought they were as fasinating as I did. Partly, he loves boats. But more importantly those pictures are boats his grandfather sailed on, during and after the war. They are not just pictures they are pieces of his grandfathers life, who recently passed away. So we hung the pictures on a bare wall we had, in order of date. And I must say it is pretty cool. I'm am glad Martin has that little piece of family history with him.

Happy Canada Day

2011-07-02T15:39:00.000-06:00

To start the day we went to grab supper and a few beers.
We went out to see the Michelle Wright concenrt. Got eaten alive by misquitoes for a bit. Went and got bug spray came back on the other side of the part and found the beer gardens! Yay! We chilled and listened to the show till the fireworks. Firework show was awesome this year, but I took no shots of it because this new camera of mine was not charged... my bad.

That is Michelle Wright up on stage. Country music not my thing. Martin says she was hot in the 90's and at that time I was still into heavy metal and alternative.... so I like recognized two of her songs. Still can't beat a live bad hanging out with my man.

Martin got eaten alive by mosquitoes. I wore long sleeves so only got bit seven times on the hands.... little blood sucking bastards! Martin on the other hand... they liked to suck his blood. Obviously they were winning the war so we did what any sane person would do... retreat to get some good ammo.

My, my... my eyes are big. All the better to see you with. I am still not used to wearing normal glasses so I tend to look over them when I look at people, cause they get in my way... stupid glasses. It was damn sunny out, wonderful for everyone except my photophbic self, so I needed specs and chose my glasses with clip on instead of my cover the face sunglasses because I figured it would be dark so enough... should have went with the cover my face specs.

New Camera!

2011-07-02T15:15:00.000-06:00

In this wonderful shot Martin was testing the autofocus and Bam it took a picture, because it is not like our other camera where you hold the button halfway to focus and then all the way to take the picture.

In this awesome shot I was looking at the front screen to figure out when it goes on and did the same damn thing Martin did and took a pic of my eyeball.

Mr Saxobeat

2011-06-03T01:52:00.000-06:00

Out and about Clark Clan

2011-05-19T03:23:00.000-06:00

Chinese food reteruant glen, Lynsay, Andrew

Dale and Glen

Grandma- the lush

Smile... wedding shots

2011-05-19T03:03:00.001-06:00

Gotta love the scenic route

2011-05-19T02:56:00.001-06:00

Vancouver trip

2011-05-19T02:50:00.002-06:00

Vancouver trip-Reid and Tanya's wedding

2011-05-17T02:12:00.001-06:00

So we had a pretty damn good trip really. I'll post some of the mountain picks once I get my film processed. After we got in we went to grannies and then to dinner with my uncle Glen, my aunt Dale, Grandma, aunt Chirs, aunt Jeannie, mom and of course me, martin and dave. We went to a chinese food resteraunt which was awesome, because first loads was ordered and I tried all sorts of dishes I never heard of but were awesome. And asian beer is pretty damn good......

Saturday was the wedding and reception. The wedding was in the rose gardens outside, and although the sky threatened rain, for that specific time we did not have it. Reid and Tanya wrote their own vows whcih were great. After the wedding we went to Glens to chill till the reception. He had had some snacks; cheese platter and suishi- and I don't like the idea of raw fish but I'm always willing to try something and some of the was very good. Then we all headed over to the receptioin and drank and visisted and danced the night away. Since I have film I'll show some I grabbed from Tanya's facebook!

Dale and others gettin groove on

Cousin Layne hoolohoopin

in Background me & Martin talkin to Chris

Tanya

Signing the legal contract to finalize the deal!

Gran stittin down with Chris, mom, Jeanie and Martin in back

Tanya gining the hoolahoopin a try

Saying the vows

Sunday we went to see Martin's gran and his uncle Martin. It was great tto see Martin again. He is taking care of his mum right now since his father is near death and she has demencia (sp?) We looked through some awesome photo books, they have pics going way way back which is so cool. Martin wants to scan them and we will get some so I can add them to that geneology site I am trying to re-do. And Martin's gran mostly can recongize people in the pictures and what was going on, and I think it made her happy to show them and Martin too since that is his family and he has never seen those. His grandma does have problems with short memory though but I think having her son there really helps. She is a sweet woman. Martins uncle is also cool to chat with.

Monday we went for fish and chips down by spanish beach and then took a ride through stanley park, with Jeanie, Paul, Chris, mom, me, dave and Martin. Then me, Martin and dave took a jaunt through a casino (and lost, which is what made it quick). I tried roulette, even tho the odds are horrific, but I just wanted to try to say I did. After we went to Whitespot, cause it is mandatory in Vancouver: best burgers ever. Then tonight we met up with Jeanie, Chris, Mom, Paul, Layne, her boyfriend Jaren, Reid and Tanya, my cousin Andrew and his wife Lyndsay (I know I am not spelling her name right) and a few of Reid's friends. Had a few beers and chatted a bit, but we could not stay long with our long ass drive tomorrow. And we gave Reid and Tanya our gift because we forgot to bring it with us at the reception, forgot to wrap it and forgot a card... so I was glad I remembered when I saw them!

And that was our trip. It was great to see family again, if I had had time I would have gotten in touch with my other aunts and uncles on the other side, as well as went to the zoo and tour of stanley park... but there is always next time.

Adele - Rolling In The Deep

2011-05-03T12:46:00.000-06:00

Kalam Comsmology and the Infinite

2011-04-29T02:05:00.000-06:00

In Medieval times the argument that the world was eternal was focused on demonstrating that an actual temporal infinity was possible. On the other hand Creationists offered the basic arguments why the concept of an infinite past was absurd. Their argument was based on there facts: a) the infinite cannot be traversed, b) the infinite cannot be added to, and c) infinite series cannot be put into ratio with each other.

The primary source of this argument is found in Kalam Cosmology in an effort to demonstrate that since an actual infinity leads to absurdities the world must be finite and created. The Muslim school of thought, called the Kalam, was interested in cosmology and developed many arguments against temporal regress. The Kalam school of thought developed in the Middle Eastern nations in 9th to 12th century and in Muslim Spain from thr 10th to 12th century. A philosopher who followed the Kalam was called a mutakallimun. The mutakallimun adhered to the notion of creation ex nihilo and were against the Aristotelian notion of the eternity of the word.

To continue reading Kalam Cosmology and the Infinite

2011-03-28T23:37:00.000-06:00

2011-03-28T22:25:00.002-06:00

One eskimO - Chosen One (Skinny Mix)

2011-01-26T22:30:00.000-07:00

One Eskimo - Kandi Lyrics

2011-01-26T22:28:00.000-07:00

Zodiac signs are changing... doesn't that blow your mind?

2011-01-19T15:11:00.003-07:00

I think astrology is fun and about as accurate as any other personality test really. It is also more complex than just your sun sign certainly. But we are talking an old method no scientist would endorse, or would they? They have gone out of their way to update it, which I found insanely funny. But is is not for tropical astrology... that stays the same, which I heard is the common way of doing it in north america and europe. I am not sure which way I used to do it, but I suspect I did my full chart the other way. A little more about all that Sidereal astrology. Nevertheless it means you have the choice to stick with the same sign via the tropical astrology or accepting the change via the sidereal astrology. Which means I have the choice of saying whether Aries or Taurus more reflect who I am, or both, or neither. Still loads of fun. Then I read this and decided I have no idea which chart I used to do...http://www.lunarplanner.com/siderealastrology.html

Now I used to be a Taurus, which as far as sun signs go made a great deal of sense... stubborn, lazy and is good at banking. But now I am an Aries which is even less fun. I suppose there is a little Aries in me.

April-15-May-15

Being born in Sidereal Aries you are an essentially positive restless and idealistic character. Always ready to move on to the next thing you display a degree of energy and drive that fills your life with considerable excitement. Your super abundant energy is the envy of your friends and enemies alike.
You despise everything common ordinary and mediocre. Life is an opportunity to explore new possibilities to pioneer something new and excel in it. Sidereal Aries

Dave remains a Taurus, lucky bugger. My mom, who was a Gemini is now a Taurus... trippy. Martin who was a Virgo, which actually fit really, is now a Leo? Now that's just crazy talk.

Capricorn: Jan. 20-Feb. 16.
Aquarius: Feb. 16-March 11.
Pisces: March 11-April 18.
Aries: April 18-May 13.
Taurus: May 13-June 21.
Gemini: June 21-July 20.
Cancer: July 20-Aug. 10.
Leo: Aug. 10-Sept. 16.
Virgo: Sept. 16-Oct. 30.
Libra: Oct. 30-Nov. 23.
Scorpio: Nov. 23-29.
Ophiuchus: Nov. 29-Dec. 17. (And yes, this one is new... I feel sorry for you guys because it does not look easy to say but at least it will be a conversation starter.
Sagittarius: Dec. 17-Jan. 20.

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/01/13/horoscope-hang-up-earth-rotation-changes-zodiac-signs/#ixzz1BWMyAGA1

The field of astrology, which is concerned with horoscopes and the like, felt a major disruption from astronomers, who are concerned with actual stars and planets. The astronomers from the Minnesota Planetarium Society found that because of the moon's gravitational pull on Earth, the alignment of the stars was pushed by about a month.
"When [astrologers] say that the sun is in Pisces, it's really not in Pisces," noted Parke Kunkle, a member of the group's board. Your astrological sign is determined by the position of the sun on the day you were born, so that means everything you thought you knew about your horoscope is wrong.
It turns out that astrology has had issues from its inception. (Aside from the fact that it tries to link personality traits with positions of the stars.) Ancient Babylonians had 13 constellations, but wanted only 12, so threw out Ophuchicus, the snake holder. Libra didn't even enter the picture until the era of Julius Caesar.
Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/01/13/horoscope-hang-up-earth-rotation-changes-zodiac-signs/#ixzz1BWP1Fbcp

Winter wonderland

2011-01-17T00:57:00.000-07:00

I abhor winter. These pics were taken after the last blizzard, but we have a few more inches in the last week on top of that. Not to mention the extreme changes in temperature from frigid to chilly. I would get to work faster on a snowmobile than on the nightmare in the streets.

Franky eats cucumber

2011-01-16T23:49:00.001-07:00

Franky sure does love cucumber... he is really trying to lick the middle out because he is not too fond of the skin. Crazy cat.

Simon's Cat in 'The Box'

2011-01-16T23:13:00.000-07:00

Simon's Cat in 'Cat Chat'

2011-01-16T23:11:00.000-07:00

Simon's Cat in 'Lunch Break'

2011-01-16T23:09:00.000-07:00

K'Naan Feat. Will.I.Am & David Guetta - Wavin Flag

2011-01-03T17:05:00.000-07:00

Moody Blues - What Child is This (original lost Xmas song!)

2010-12-21T21:18:00.000-07:00

Fantasia Faries - Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

2010-12-21T21:09:00.000-07:00

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Canon Rock

2010-12-21T21:05:00.000-07:00

Carol of the bells - Christmas song

2010-12-21T21:01:00.000-07:00

Snoopy vs. The Red Baron (Snoopy's Christmas) (CC)

2010-12-21T20:59:00.000-07:00

I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas

2010-12-21T20:58:00.000-07:00

2010-12-19T03:12:00.002-07:00

Ho Ho Ho humor

2010-12-17T15:39:00.002-07:00

More Christmas humor

2010-12-17T00:54:00.000-07:00

A little Christmas humor

2010-12-16T21:29:00.001-07:00

When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the Pre-Christmas pressure.

Then Mrs. Claus told Santa her Mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more.

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out, Heaven knows where.

Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.

Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drunk all the cider and hidden the liquor.. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug, and it broke into hundreds of little glass pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.

Just then the doorbell rang, and an irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.

The angel said very cheerfully, 'Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you.. Where would you like me to stick it?'

And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.

Not a lot of people know this.

The Empiricist John Locke

2010-12-13T23:33:00.000-07:00

The Empiricist John Locke - a little overview of John Locke's empiracism.

Nothing Comes From Nothing

2010-12-13T00:35:00.002-07:00

Nothing Comes From Nothing - Whether you think God created the universe out of nothing, or that prior to the Big Bang there was nothing, in the end the principle nothing comes from nothing holds true. There always has to be something, some state of affairs, for anything to change or be created.

Sen Bernie Sanders Amazing Speech!

2010-12-07T02:26:00.000-07:00

Capitalism without restrictions leads to unrelenting greed. I have been thinking for the last five years the states was headed this direction- where their middleclass is disapearing, where people have to work more jobs just to survive, while that wealthy 1% just get richer. And I told my brother, this is rather like what Marx was talking about... the poor getting poorer with no hopes of entering another class and the rich getting richer. And I think if things keep going like this, expecially with the recession, something has got to change or something will explode. Marx saw it as inevitable and maybe when it comes to unchained capitalism he was right. How poor do the poor have to be before they realize they are being screwed? That their children are not even getting a good enough education to even have a hope of doing better than their parents in their futures? Capitalism and democracy work, but they are not utopia. We can all see the flaws, but we like to believe the benifits out wiegh those flaws. It sickens me sometimes when I think about those flaws and how goverments cater to the rich, the rich corporations and seem to have less interest in us, the people, or the enviroment we live in. In the states those flaws are being magnified such that without a middle class the inequality is becoming too large to ever bridge. If I lived there I would be about ready for a revolt, because the goverment is crippled, even if they want to make productive changes their hands are tied, or they give in to lobyists, or to those that fund their campaigns, rather than having the people's interests in mind as they should. And when they have a good president right now people seem to think absurd things like changes to their healthcare is communism. Come on now, people. The spectrum is a little larger than that. Making improvements for the people as a whole in one area does not make communism in a day. Maybe they believe in all human rights, except the human right that all people deserve to have access to health care, without crippling themselves financially, or some avoiding it all together and without check ups never finding out they are ill until it is terminal. I think that is a fundamental human right and it is in Canada. I think a little socialism tempers all that greedy capitalism such that peoples needs and rights are taken care of. We Canadians were hit by the recession as well, but not as badly, and we put money into job creation and our middle class, while smaller than it was, has not seen a steady decline such as they have in the states. It would frighten me if that were the case. Something is wrong with the system if that is happening. Something has to be put back into balance. And I think if people would look at other countries and how they are managed they might realize how they are being gyped, how their health and education is suffering. As a Canadian I can see how my country can be improved for everyone, so I don't think it is such a big deal for others to do the same... and when needed to something about it. Mr. Sanders puts it quite well and I for one would be outraged at what is happening. Frankly, it is disturbing given they are our closest neighbors and while we are more socialist in some areas, we share some of the same flaws, even if the govermental systems vary a great deal, capitalism if left unchecked can cause a great deal of damage. Greed, greed, greed.

Rene Descartes- Meditations

2010-12-07T01:18:00.000-07:00

Rene Descartes- meditations-on-first-philosophy - Here is a little overview of the arguments used in Meditations. Rene Descartes was one of the first philosopher's I ever read and I had a fondness for the concept of Dualism. Although I think his radical doubt method is rather, well, radical.

My X-mas list

2010-12-04T02:28:00.000-07:00

I made a list of things Martin could get me for Christmas then he lost the list... and since my memory sucks I forgot what was on it. So here are some things I want, although I admit the kinect is out of the price range. These are besides books, cause I do love getting books!

My Grandma has a Kindle and unlike some of the e-book readers, I like this one because there is no glare, which means even my photosensative eyes can read from this screen. I figure I should get one of these one day, simply because i could save some money and space buying e-books.

I definately want the X-box kinect... and that dancing game. Too expensive for Christmas I figure, but still awesome.

Wii Party - This is one thing on my wishlist this year... just cause it has loads of fun looking games.

Another wondeful Ansel Adams pic

2010-11-28T02:41:00.002-07:00

I knew it!

2010-11-28T02:22:00.000-07:00

see more Very Demotivational

LOL- Those Were the driods you were looking for

2010-11-25T20:30:00.002-07:00

Heidegger on Technology

2010-11-23T01:25:00.000-07:00

“The darkening of the world, the flight of the gods, the destruction of the earth, the transformation of man into a mass, the hatred and suspicion of everything free and creative, have assumed such proportions throughout the earth that such childish categories as pessimism and optimism have long since become absurd.” - Heidegger.

Heidegger’s whole perspective on technology and the environment is linked to his conception of Being and Dasein. The best answer to the fundamental question of Being Heidegger comes up with Being is equal to Time. Being then is the unfolding of time, the revealing and concealing of beings. Thus Being is actually Becoming. Dasein is our way of being-in-the-world. Analyzing how we are in the world to find Being does not get us far, we actually have to ‘let Being be’ am to listen to what it reveals to us through the medium of Dasein. We can hear Being speak more clearly through art, poetry and music. Modern technology covers over Being and hides us from ourselves. Heidegger on Technology

A little Ockham on Time

2010-11-23T01:21:00.000-07:00

"Medieval philosophers often thought of time as relative to motion. Even today we may wonder why we need to postulate time as a dimension, time as anything more than a measure of motion and change. Time for William Ockham is a measure of the duration of motion. It is worthwhile to note that Ockham suggests motion is not separate from objects. This is an attractive notion since we would no longer be concerned with time’s ontological status, as it is not separate from permanent things. Ockham argues that time and an instant are relative to the motion of objects. For him there is no need for absolute time separate from motion." Ockham on the Nature of Time

Study into Antimatter... cool and a little freaky

2010-11-20T23:51:00.000-07:00

Scientists would like to be able to study antimatter to figure out how it is different from matter, as that might provide clues about the apparent disappearance of antimatter. But there's a problem — when antimatter and matter encounter each other, they both get annihilated, producing pure energy.
Because our world is made of matter, antimatter atoms produced artificially until now have lasted just millionths of a second before hitting the matter walls of their container and getting annihilated.
The latest study, which took place at the CERN Laboratory near Geneva, Switzerland, has found a way to trap atoms of antihydrogen away from the walls of their container to prevent them from getting annihilated for nearly one-10th of a second.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/11/17/antimatter-antihydrogen-atoms-trap.html#ixzz15tgpuUGU

Philosophy: Paradigm Shift From Materialism

2010-11-10T19:09:00.002-07:00

Philosophy: Paradigm Shift From Materialism - I don't think reductive materialism when considering matter to be inert, concrete and distinct from other objects gets us very far, but if we review how we consider matter then there are endless possibilities for ontologies. I read a lot of Paul Davies and Matter Myth was awesome.

'That There May be The Eternal Joy of Creating'

2010-11-10T00:01:00.001-07:00

That There May be The Eternal Joy of Creating

Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher (1844-1900) who was influential in existentialism and still is. He wrote quite critical philosophy on religion, morality and the culture and science of his time. He might be familiar with the concepts of will to power, the overman, the eternal recurrence and of coarse ‘god is dead…. We have killed him’. I am only going to mention but a slice of his work and in particular the notion that we create ourselves.

Content Source: Bukisa - That There May be The Eternal Joy of Creating

Philosophy: Thin Particulars and Temporal Parts - Info Barrel

2010-11-08T16:49:00.002-07:00

Philosophy: Thin Particulars and Temporal Parts - Info Barrel - I rather like D.M. Armstrong. He presents a strong case. I just don't like thin particulars.

Philosophy: The Mind-Body Distinction - Info Barrel

2010-11-08T13:09:00.001-07:00

Philosophy: The Mind-Body Distinction - Info Barrel - I've always been a fan of dualism myself, likely from the early influences of good old Rene

The Big Five personality test

2010-11-05T16:27:00.001-06:00

I'm a O76-C35-E9-A38-N32 Big Five!!

Openness to Experience/Intellect

High scorers tend to be original, creative, curious, complex; Low scorers tend to be conventional, down to earth, narrow interests, uncreative.

You are relatively open to new experiences. (Your percentile: 76)

Conscientiousness
High scorers tend to be reliable, well-organized, self-disciplined, careful; Low scorers tend to be disorganized, undependable, negligent.

You tend to do things somewhat haphazardly. (Your percentile: 35)

Extraversion
High scorers tend to be sociable, friendly, fun loving, talkative; Low scorers tend to be introverted, reserved, inhibited, quiet.

You probably enjoy spending quiet time alone. (Your percentile: 9)

Agreeableness
High scorers tend to be good natured, sympathetic, forgiving, courteous; Low scorers tend to be critical, rude, harsh, callous.

You find it easy to express irritation with others. (Your percentile: 38)

Neuroticism
High scorers tend to be nervous, high-strung, insecure, worrying; Low scorers tend to be calm, relaxed, secure, hardy.

You are generally relaxed.

http://www.outofservice.com/bigfive/info/

Chronic Pain: A Philosophical Discussion

2010-11-05T02:34:00.001-06:00

Chronic Pain: A Philosophical Discussion

I know what you're thinking, only a I could philosophize about pain. Well, hell, we write and think about we know, right? I know bucket loads about this here topic.

Philosophy: Sartre's Good Faith - Info Barrel

2010-11-04T17:28:00.001-06:00

Philosophy: Sartre's Good Faith - Info Barrel I really do like Sartre's theories. if your going to start reading I would suggest 'Being and nothing'

Philosophy: Exploring Existence - Info Barrel

2010-11-02T14:59:00.001-06:00

Philosophy: Exploring Existence - Info Barrel

Yeah, I got my philosophizing on and wrote a little something about 'existence' when the thinking about philosophy and ontology.

killer bunny

2010-10-28T17:01:00.003-06:00

More late fall, pre winter pics

2010-10-25T23:28:00.002-06:00

Late fall pre winter pictures

2010-10-15T15:34:00.000-06:00

This is likely the worst time to take pictures, but why not, eh?

Maksim-exodus

2010-10-15T15:09:00.000-06:00

2010-10-09T15:20:00.000-06:00

Got Dave! Watch till end!!!!!

2010-09-29T21:17:00.000-06:00

The cats... goofballs

2010-09-29T20:56:00.000-06:00

Charlie rolled on his back to show off his fat tummy

Charlie crashed in our bed

Yum... flowers

Ahhh... devil cat!

Why we must remember to close linen closet

Charlie sort of playing catch w/ his treat bag

2010-09-29T20:48:00.000-06:00

Martin & Dave - Camera Dodgers

2010-09-29T20:34:00.002-06:00

2010-09-01T02:12:00.000-06:00

Here are a few of the pictures I took from my recent trip to Vancouver. I love the drive there. So much better than flying, but maybe that is because my brain does not like airplanes. The scentic route is well worth it.

Sorry for the drama

2010-08-14T00:06:00.000-06:00

The thing about the internet is that it sure makes suicide more dramtic. I rather think I wrote a fine suicide note all things considered. Made a fine attempt too.

I may have chronic pain but I am not depressed. Sometimes we handle the pain and sometimes it handles us. Sometimes it is easier not to think about it so it is not so real and endless. Sometimes while I am at work and that pain is arching through me I feel like weeping and have to choke back sobs.... is that depression or is that simply a reaction to being in pain and trying not to show it? Does it really matter? Is my invisible disability not as worthy as a visible disability or more known illness? hell, after all this time enduring is this even surprising or is it simply inevitable?

I got caught in one of those dangerous moments. Where I am not upset but I can't imagine or concieve of living a moment more of that agony. A very dangerous moment because it is easy to just do it then... and that is that... no second choices if you make the wrong choice in that small moment.

I had had a migraine since that friday and it was a brutal one. I went to work because frankly work was not giving me any choices in the matter. The pain became so intense I could not sleep, which meant that migraine continued through the weekend. Usually I get a sense of profound relief when the weekend comes because even if I am in pain I have no demands placed on me and no facade to uphold (thus the lack of a social life). This time however I was tired, I just could not sleep and the pain contuined. I had been stressed out about work and how they were not handling my invisible disability, thus proving the 'invisible' part.

So that week was bad from the get go. I was so drained I thought to myself why not take a lot of sleeping pills, which I know will not kill me, but if I was lucky I would get a nice coma. I may not be able to call in sick for a migraine... but surely a coma would count? I called in sick Wednesday because the pain was making me frantic... however just calling in sick and knowing I would have to deal with the consequences of that on my return was difficult to handle. Having taken all those sleeping pills, well I slept on in till 3pm and missed another day of work thus trippling my distress on having to handle that. That night having taken just my one sleeping pill, but being in too much pain to sleep I got up... that being my mistake right there... what can you do when you are in so much pain, can't get rid of it, can't sleep and have to get up and go to work in the morning? Well, apparently you try to kill yourself. I don't remember all that clearly. Just that I could not go to work and I knew work would not let me not go to work. I was too calm... maybe numb. Nothing much mattered at that point eccept ending that pain. It was like my brain had come to this inevitable comclusion that I had no will or desire to resist. Stuck in that moment of pain that clouds out everything else, eliminates all other possibilities. And I gave into its demands. And it was so easy to take that knife and make that pain end all the pain. And as I was bleeding I was thinking there it goes... finally I did something to finish it. Fortunately, my brother woke up and found me, took me to hospital and that is that.

I am not depressed, which sounds insane to say after such an attempt. I am just living in a lot of pain, trying to do what I should be doing and that can be too much for the best of us. So I survived. I have no intentions of trying again. Normally I would never consider such a final act that would cause so much pain to the people I love... but the power of that moment and that agony that seemed like it would stretch to eternity had me its it grip. Never underestimate the power of pain and its ability to take you out of the moment, until you are lost in it.

So I feel fine now. My wrists are a constant reminder of what I attempted. And I freaked out my entire family. And this all seems so extreme to have done such a thing because I could not imagine being able to work the next day or face the guilt of not working. Work is not worth it, people tell me. But work had power over me. The power to make me think I was failing. To make me feel guilty for being in too much pain to work. To make me worried I would lose my job and the guilt that would cause. To make me feel ashamed for being in pain, for being ill for not being up to par. What can I say? People dont think clearly when they are in pain. I don't know why my workplace would think I would endure that torment silently forever... something had to break, kinda wish it had not been me... I had a nice facade going on there.

Well Im not dead

2010-08-12T05:00:00.002-06:00

This is why decisions should not be made when you have an acute long lasting migraine and are on sleeping pills. Makes you think hard thoughts and do stupid things. But on the plus side, I'm still here.

It’s not you its me. It is not about some sort of depression or ennui that comes and goes. I am not depressed, I am just shoved into a corner. This about the loss of hope. This as about a workplace that would get up a cheer if your quite. This is about someone with chronic pain that could the fight, fought the battle, but lost the war. I have fought the fight for a very long time and done well. I laugh things on and pretend they are not as bad as they are to make others happy.

So don’t blame yourself. There is no point to that. I did none of the standard suicidal things. Hell, when I took forty sleeping pills my aim as for a coma. I thought just a little break was all I needed to survive the pain and work again. Seriously, who would have though 40 sleeping pills have little effect on me except make wobbly on the feet.

The thing is I have to go to work tomorrow. And I can’t do it. I can’t face working another day ins such pain, while management has one of there talk so me about how I am not getting this target and not available enough. At first they threaten to fire me, made me come in with horrific migraines and told others to not let me leave, now (suppose because legalities) they now just threaten by work position. Whether they created a hostile work environment…. Not the staff by the way, who have been wonderful to me and a sympathetic ear. The area manager would not accept my comprises and that was that. I was left with coming in every day, missing no days, which is fine for them torment for. So they defeated me. And when they did I felt dead inside, honestly just numb… like they had taken the only think that could have worked for me, I was in the same situation and they could not care less unless I was productive.

I feel shame and guilt for not going in…. even damn it I am the sick one. Damn then. Maybe they think I am lying and that migraines are not a disease and maybe It is my fault for not changing my life style. Fact is, it is a disease. And with chronic migraines statistically we get most beating with the stigma stick. I think also that more chronic migraine suffers die from suicide than they do by stroke, heart attack and seizures. They don’t know shit. They mad me feel like my ‘problem’ was my fault. Then forced me in everyday with their veiled threats of a possible demotion. ,plus demanding I get my audit shores up and got knows what else while working with migraines, migraine related drugs and painkillers. I felt humiliated, frustrated, embassies and angry.

I gave up a social life. I gave up extracurricular activities. Martin does the shopping and the cooking. This is because working with migraine and chronic pain takes everything else I have to give. He fills the gaps because he loves me and I love him for it. Work does not care about that, that my life has been whittled down to making through the work day and then collapsing. And that is hard on my man, but he is a good loving man.

I am left feeling trapped. I have to go into work, I have to suffer, with no sympathy from the higher ups and the benefits are all there side, with no consideration or accommodation on my side. I know I can’t make it in every day. Not with those killer five day migraines. So they win, who is to say what the result will be. It is funny though, or so very funny… if only I had a mental disorder then I could have all the time needed. Chronic pain is a disability, but not according to them. What do they have against invisible disabilities? Don’t we suffer physical, mentally and emotionally?

Fact is I have fought long and hard. I had to give up getting my Phd, a dream gone by. I tried to just find a ‘a job’ and those did not work either because of the shift work. Then my current employer hired me even when I told her I had migraines and just cam off a leave of them. Point is I gave all those dreams and goals up in order to survive. And survive I did and developed some awesome coping strategies. But we all break under torture. That is a fact.

But I can. I am tired of this constant battle between good pain day at work to a crippling pain wish I could die pain day. I am tired of doctors who can’t help me fast enough since I am the one that has to work when the migraines go out of control.

I wish I would be killed in a car accident or have a fatal stroke or heartache. You may think that sounds odd…. But everyone with chronic pain has the same wishful thinking. Dying, just dying but not at our own hand, so not one would feel guilty about it. That is not suicidal thoughts.. That just a trick we use to get through the day. I wished for it endlessly when I was in so much pain and at work… I just wanted my heart o give out… because then that would be a ’valid leave of absences.” My writing has always been a way to distract me.

What can I say this is a half life I live. It is torture. But I like living. I love Martin more than he knows it. He is a good man who would help me at the drop of a hat if I needed something. He is sweet and goofy and smart. I will miss him terribly. He has ways been my strength, my comrade in arms and the love of my life. I love slurpies and thunder strorms and good books… Hell, life is worth living. This existence I call like is not. I don’t know what to do about work any more. I can do what they expect of me.

I am sorry Martin- I can’t do it anymore. For so long I did it and laughed about it… but work is killing me. Bad enough to have migraines ruin our social calendar and my life outside of work, but work is too painful and I know they want to fire me and makes me feel so useless so guilty and ashamed. And I think that is the way at home too… work takes everything I have, including all the med I need to take, and then there is nothing left over by the time I get home. I love you and I always will. I will miss you so much. I don’t want to do this to you. I don’t want to die, I just can’t take the pain anymore. It is one thing having migraine at home… but at work, it is horrific… how could they torture me like that?

I sorry Dave- You have always been there for me, thick and thin. My best brother, and my best friend. You make me laugh and then sometimes I forget the pain. That is like a super power. I could thank you a thousand times for making my mood better when it was otherwise not.

Date Line show Did you see that?

2010-07-20T00:05:00.000-06:00

Date line- Did you see that? on this show they did some amazing tricks of the normal human mind. First of all the brain pulls in massive amounts of information, that it has to filter through in what it regards as important, secondly the brain is designed to creation order and patterns on what it sees... these are both good since we are not bombarded by sense date we do not need, and the minds ability to see patterns helps us grasp things faster. Sometimes not though. On the show that had different situation where one person is talking to another person, then they switch one person to see if the other one notices... and they don't. You mind expected to see someone and when they change it adapts and you carry on.

Then they had a group of people listen to random sounds and with that they put in subtitles with lerics... and everyone heard the lyrics even though there were none.

This made me wonder about my one of my fav shows Ghosthunters and the EVP recordings they get of voices... maybe we just think those are words because we expect to find words and our brain supplies them by interpreting words form the sounds. Now I highly doubt that is the case all the time... but maybe a factor.

Then I was thinking what about my brain on migraines? I take in loads of sense data, but it seems I am oblivious to my surroundings, so maybe the pain narrowing my focus. Plus the damn thing tricks me all the time with the auras and the auditory sounds... unless those too are real? Who knows, damn tricky brains are making fun of us.

Now isn't this a topic for epistemology or what? How do we know what we know? In this case seeing is clearly not believing. How can we know what we percieve is accurate?

Cat and Crow

2010-07-11T16:26:00.001-06:00

Happy Canada Day

2010-07-02T01:41:00.000-06:00

Check out the fireworks for Canada Day. Awesome show this year!

Irene and Dave

2010-06-29T00:04:00.000-06:00

Such a nice picture and oh so cute.

Orininal from here

Spring storm watchin

2010-06-27T22:30:00.000-06:00

Bp's final option!

2010-06-25T00:30:00.002-06:00

Charlie... what is up with your tail?

2010-06-17T00:59:00.000-06:00

Charlie is our youngest cat, at almost a year old now. His tail seems so poofy for a short haired cat though... not sure what is up with that. Maybe his dad was a racoon.

Little family get together for my mom and Laura's b-days!

2010-06-15T23:43:00.000-06:00

Here is a pic of Heather and her boyfriend, who accidently looks like I got him with a pink moustache here. Heather looks awesome here and I think maybe she is way more photogenic than I am (might be the white of me is a bit on the glaring side)

On the left here is my cousin Vince and on the right you can see my uncle Ken and in the middle at the head of the table is Laura.

Here is a pic right before Laura blows out her candles and the cake is in front of Ken. Those stacks of take out is all the left overs... because Martin did not have much of an appitite today!

Here is a shot of everybody. Just chillaxin before the food comes.

Me and Martin... I had a migraine all day and the shot I have without my specs on, well, you can totally tell. Yeah, I look really, really white beside Martin... he tans as soon as he thinks about the sun (whereas I burn and squint and run back into the house)

Me and Mom!!!!!!

Mom blowing out her candles on her side of the b-day cake!

Dave and Paul

Anyways we don't see enough of Ken, Laura, Vince and Heather plus families and significant others. We should have a BBQ or something before what summer we have is over.

2010-06-14T01:04:00.002-06:00

Don't have to worry bout this with my kittens!

2010-06-01T13:21:00.002-06:00

Hey-ya

2010-06-01T01:00:00.002-06:00

Spring I think... End of freakin May

2010-06-01T00:58:00.000-06:00

Yeah, this is Spring in Alberta. Then there is a month of Summer, a few of Fall, then back to Winter. Gag.

Cheap ass vacuums

2010-05-31T20:50:00.000-06:00

I broke another vacuum... so that would be three in the last couple of months. Hardly my fault... alright a little bit my fault. I am vaccuming along and then accidently suck up a sock or something, which gets stuck, so I stop and pull it out and try going on which does not work cause the dang belt is broke. Sometimes I don't figure out right away that it is actually not sucking, and so then the motor goes poof and that just plain sucks.

I remember when I was a wee lass of like 12 ish and we had this ghastly brown and teal vacuum and I remember sucking things up into it.. and it would making this horrific EeeeEEeeee noise. I would take out the offending object and then off I go. That dang thing lasted years and years of this abuse before I eventually did bust the belt.

With these new fancy smancy vacs I apparently need to buy eight belts too.

SWINE FLU!!!

2010-05-28T17:42:00.000-06:00

The Dark Knight Meets Superman

2010-05-28T17:19:00.000-06:00

2010-05-16T22:47:00.000-06:00

I hate this day

2010-05-13T22:41:00.000-06:00

I hate that I have a status migraine. I hate that I was in enough pain for enough days that I felt the need to call in sick. I hate that my boss did not agree and made me feel that much more guilty for something I can't do a damn thing about, except all the things I do already. I hate that I felt the need to go into work. I hate that that much pain is impossible to hide in front of others and that I was all emotional. I hate that I had to go to the ER because I could not think of anything else to do. I hate that that only worked a little bit. And I hate that I still have this damn migraine.

However, I appriciate that my coworkers were concerned about my welfare and made me focus on my health instead of feeling like I had to be there or else. I appriciate that my co-workers filled in the remainder of my shift, even though that means more work for them. You have no idea how much I appriciate that when I am feeling that on edge. Not a good place to be, but when people demonstrate such unselfish concern I am beyond grateful. Most people cannot comprehend a migraine, let alone a status migraine. If you can comprehend a migraine, then imagine it lasting, none stop for three days. It is the migraine that can kill... stokes, comas, heart related issues, siezures. It is the migraine that makes you wish it would just do that already. So, I very much appriciate it, when people show empathy and just tell me that I should not be trying to function when I can't and when it comes down to it one person being hurtful can just really be devestating after all that ongoing pain and when it comes down to it sometimes when i can't think straight I listen to that and think I should be what I should be but cannot. So, yeah, I appriciate the hell out of my co-workers. And the ER staff, that at least helped somewhat with the pain for a bit. And for Martin being Martin.

And for those that don't get it....

"Based on the most recent U.S. census statistics, Migraine Disease affects nearly 36 million people in the United States alone.
Migraines are NOT headaches. Migraine is a genetic neurological disease, similar in some ways to Epilepsy. The head pain of a Migraine attack is only one symptom of an episode of Migraine Disease, just as a seizure is only one symptom of an episode of Epilepsy.

Migraine Disease is NOT a psychological disorder. The Disease and all it's symptoms are neurological in origin and very, very real. Migraineurs are not neurotic, lazy, "high-strung," overly emotional, or faking. They are in very real pain and physical distress.

Not all doctors have the experience and knowledge to properly treat Migraine. Finding a doctor to properly treat Migraine is one of the most important, and sometimes most difficult, steps in treatment.

There is NO CURE for Migraine. Most Migraineurs, with the help of a qualified doctor, can find preventive regimens that will prevent many, but not all, Migraine attacks.

Migraine abortive medications such as Imitrex, Zomig, Maxalt, Amerge, Axert, DHE, and Migranal, do not work for all Migraineurs. It is sometimes very difficult to find medications that will relieve the pain and other symptoms of a Migraine attack.

Migraine attacks can be dangerous. If the pain of an attack lasts more than 72 hours with less than four pain-free hours while awake, it is termed Status Migrainousus, and puts the sufferer at increased risk for stroke. A Migraineur in Status Migrainousus needs immediate medical attention.

A Migraine attack can, in rare cases, actually be fatal. An otherwise healthy 21-year-old member of our community died of a Migrainous Stroke in November, 2001.

Migraine Disease can be disabling for some Migraineurs to the extent that they qualify for disability income or qualify for the Americans with Disability Act provisions. There are many whose Disease is so severe that doctors are unable to control the attacks, and the Migraineur is unable to work or participate in "normal" daily activities. When a Migraine attack strikes, most Migraineurs desperately need a dark, quiet place to lie down.

Migraine attacks can be triggered by many things:
Perfumes and fragrances from other sources are a very common Migraine trigger. If you live or work with a Migraineur, please refrain from wearing fragrances around them.
Bright and/or flickering lights, especially fluorescent lighting -- some Migraineurs need to wear sunglasses, even inside.
Many foods can be triggers, especially foods prepared with MSG.
Loud noises and crowded places can also be triggers.
Changes in weather are triggers for many Migraineurs.
Cigarette smoke, exhaust fumes
Each Migraineur's triggers vary. There are many other potential triggers. This list is just a beginning.

Stress is NOT a Migraine trigger. It is what is called an exacerbating factor that makes Migraineurs more susceptible to their triggers just as stress makes anyone more susceptible to the virus that brings on the common cold.

The Migraineur(s) in your life need your help and understanding. They need you to realize that they cannot help being ill, they are not "having headaches for attention," and they are sometimes unable to care for themselves. If they need medical attention, they need someone to take them and be with them. As well as being extremely painful physically, Migraine can be devastating emotionally and to relationships and careers. Since the disease is so misunderstood, Migraineurs often feel alone, isolated, and desolate. They also often feel guilty because they are not able to "be there" for their family and friends as much as they want to be and because they may have to miss days of work. The Migraineur(s) you know need not only your help with getting their medicines and any medical care they may need; they need your moral support every bit as badly. A good, solid support system is as important to Migraineurs as their health care teams. YOU are very important to them. That's why it's important that you understand Migraine."

By Teri Robert
RE: Understanding Migraine Disease and Migraineurs

2010 Nasa UFO Cover-up - Galactic Federation of Light scoutships around ...

2010-05-11T23:36:00.000-06:00

Stress management tecnique that really works

2010-05-10T00:19:00.000-06:00

Just in case you are having a rough day, here is a stress management Technique used traditionally in Sicily. The funny thing is that it Really does work.

1. Picture yourself lying on your belly on a warm rock that hangs out Over a crystal clear stream.

2. Picture yourself with both your hands dangling in the cool running Water.

3. Birds are sweetly singing in the cool mountain air.

4. No one knows your secret place.

5. You are in total seclusion from that hectic place called the world.

6. The soothing sound of a gentle water fall fills the air with a Cascade of serenity.

7. The water is so crystal clear that you can easily make out the face of the person you are holding underwater.

There!! See? It really does work. You're smiling already. Feel free to forward this if you know others who might benefit from this technique.

The green monster visited my birthday bash

2010-05-04T23:55:00.000-06:00

My birthday went quite good this year. I got to do some shopping. The we went to a ne italian resturant, which had awesome food. The had some sort od dueling piano thing I'd like to check out next time. Then me, martin and dave went to Smittys for a few drinks and when it got two quiet there we went to Cosmos and had a few more... See where this is going. We got sloshed. Martin bought three rounds of this yummy cowboy drink, not sure what it was, but went down nice. Martin played his slots for a bit and broke even. A man joined us at our table and flirted and was shot down by every girl in the bar. Dave was not willing to be his wingman. I danced a few times with him, pretending to two step... sober or drunk still can't figure that one out. Then Martin go insanely jelous over the dude that knew we were together and was hitting on everyone else? There is no logic in drinking jelousy, it is just man and booze thing. Ironically I was hit on by this really sweet biologist, who took my no easily and we chatted a bit after. Normally martin would not get jelous is some dude just flirted with me, it would be if I flirted back that would irk him. Me and Dave asked more than once, "are u on crack?" Ended with a bang anyway, but nothing too carried away. We did have a but of a texting anrgument while he walked home, but that was it. There has to be a joke there somewhere... there were two drunk people having an argument by text....

So they were feeling way hung over the next day and oddly I felt fine. So their presents for my birthday will be put on hold to next weekend.

"cell-phone and PDA use being linked to "brain aging," brain damage, early-onset Alzheimer's, senility, DNA damage, and even sperm die-offs"

2010-04-29T23:41:00.000-06:00

This is a great article to read through, although it is disturbing. Who exactly is to blame for the fact pretty much every damn study shows there are harmful effects, short term and long, from exposure to cell phones and Wifi? Remember back in the day there was all that commotion about cell phones and brain tumors? Well now we make jokes about that because we seem to think that our government is looking out for our best interests and not corporate interests, so they would have done their due dilligence. That is what people thought... the risk must be minmal or there would not have been a green light, and encouragement for this product. So wrong. The goverment is way, way more influenced by corporations than our well being. As long as they make a show of doing something it all seems to go away. And this is a major and kind of freaky change to our living enviroment. I am quite sensative to such fluctuations in my enviroment and I totally did not need anything to be added the the huge list of things that causes migraines. Since we plowed ahead, so we have to simply reap what we sow? If something can be changed will companies even go for it, or will governments legislate they do? Honestly, our society seems to be rather ambivilent to the adverse effects of our lifestyles and enviroments, such that when diseases become more and more common we don't change the causes, we just add pills to fix the problem. Are we just going to tack 'brain tumor' and 'DNA damage' to the acceptable risks of living in our society?

Though the scientific debate is heated and far from resolved, there are multiple reports, mostly out of Europe's premier research institutions, of cell-phone and PDA use being linked to "brain aging," brain damage, early-onset Alzheimer's, senility, DNA damage, and even sperm die-offs (many men, after all, keep their cell phones in their pants pockets or attached at the hip). In September 2007, the European Union's environmental watchdog, the European Environment Agency, warned that cell-phone technology "could lead to a health crisis similar to those caused by asbestos, smoking, and lead in petrol."

Read More http://www.gq.com/cars-gear/gear-and-gadgets/201002/warning-cell-phone-radiation#ixzz0mYddJ4o0

All of these concerns—the danger of microwaves issuing from the phones we place next to our skulls, the danger of waves emitted by the cell towers that dot our landscapes—also apply to the Wi-Fi networks in our homes and libraries and offices and cafés and parks and neighborhoods. Wi-Fi operates typically at a frequency of 2.4 gigahertz (the same frequency as microwave ovens) but is embedded with a wider range of modulations than cell phones, because we need it to carry more data. "It never ceases to surprise me that people will fight a cell tower going up in their neighborhoods," Blake Levitt, author of Electromagnetic Fields: A Consumer's Guide to the Issues and How to Protect Ourselves, told me. "They they'll install a Wi-Fi system in their homes. That's like inviting a cell tower indoors."
In the summer of 2006, a super-Wi-Fi system known as WiMAX was tested in rural Sweden. Bombarded with signals, the residents of the village of Götene—who had no knowledge that the transmitter had come online—were overcome by headaches, difficulty breathing, and blurred vision, according to a Swedish news report. Two residents reported to the hospital with heart arrhythmias, similar to those that, more than thirty years ago, Allen Frey induced in frog hearts. This happened only hours after the system was turned on, and as soon as it was powered down, the symptoms disappeared.

Read More http://www.gq.com/cars-gear/gear-and-gadgets/201002/warning-cell-phone-radiation?currentPage=4#ixzz0mYfO162o

Sure sums up my day

2010-04-24T01:44:00.002-06:00

Coloring your hair is tricky business.

2010-03-29T00:08:00.000-06:00

First time I colored it myself, it was less than impressive, as I missed some areas. This time I was like, I'll color it a bit darked so when it grows in it should match my own color, thus delaying me from doing this again anytimes soon. I had a migraine and my hands were very shaky, which was mistake number one. I would use the squit bottle and my hand would twitch and get the stuff on the floor, on me, on my shirt. Yeah, I made a big mess. then I waited the ten minutes and while waiting a grabbed a pop, mistake number two since everything I touched with my dye gloves on is now speckled with brown finger prints, influding the fridge, the door knob and door to the bathroom... and a towel for some reason. Oh, and a wash cloth.

I rinse it out and it looks good enough wet. But it dried real dark, almost black, but not quite. Dark, dark brown... to bring out my pasty complexion? It only lasts a month and it will fade a bit, but when my hair is too dark it really does not flatter my light skin tone and the shadows under my eyes. Whatever. It is done and I should not have to do it again for a bit.

Brutal migraine... led to Charlie's confinement.

2010-03-13T04:29:00.000-07:00

If you have ever had a migraine before then you know when you've had one for five days you kinda run out of med options, which was me this morning. I took a pain killer, went into bed in a room that is as dark as possible and then covered my head with a blanket. I had hoped to sleep a little and go to work for the late shift. But I could not sleep. Too much pain, too much throbing and ringing in my ears. So I lay there and lay there. Then eventually I did sleep, woke up, then slept some more. And that was my seven hours of fun... what a freakin waste of a day. I moved to the couch when Martin was about to come home, took another pain killer and then lay there for the next three or so hours. Martin went to feed the cats and Charlie is usually right there, on the counter, ready to stick his head in and start eating. Martin thought that was odd and went for a search. Found Charlie in the master bedroom bathroom, where I had accidently closed the door on him, because the bathroom gives off some light. Oops. And did not hear him. Oops. So he was in there for eight hours. Peed on the floor too. Poor guy.