Manitoba The Eastern Prairie
Manitoba is one of Canada's provinces. It is the fifth Canadian province created by the government in 1870. Manitobas population is around 1,176,132. To the west of Manitoba is saskenwan and to the east is the province of Ontario. It is considered a Prairie Provinces. It also is the most eastern prairie province in Canada. The largest city and capital of the province is Winnipeg. Morden, Flin Flon, Thompson, Dauphin, Churchill, The Pas, Selkirk, Portage la Prairie, Swan River, Steinbach, Brandon, and Winkler are all neat cities in and around Manitoba.
The province has many neat things to do, the wildlife is my favorite. There are so many freshwater lakes to go fishing and boating in the summer time. Hunting is also a big draw to Manitoba because there so much undisturbed land that wildlife thrives. The province has a coast line which is part of Hudson Bay. So you can really never run out of things to see and do in this province.
Quick Facts of Manitoba
-Winnipeg is the largest city in Manitoba
-The Population is 1,176,132, 5th in Canada
-8th Province to join Confederation on July 15, 1870
This province is one not to miss, there is so much to do and see that it would take more then a week to enjoy. From fishing, camping, boating, visiting historic sites, this province has a lot to offer. So if you need a break from city life then head over to Manitoba and enjoy a couple of weeks there.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
After Rocky Start, Sky is the Limit for Bomar
The career of QB Rhett Bomar started a bit rough, to say the least. He committed to OU, expecting to have a clear line to the job as a true freshman. True, Paul Thompson was there, but with competition, Bomar knew that he could step it up and try to win the job.
Then Jason White did the unexpectedthe fifth year senior decided to come back for a sixth year of eligibility granted by injury. When Bomar committed earlier in the year, Jason White was simply an outgoing senior, a guy who had two bum knees and hadnt finished a season with playing time without getting hurt one way or another. When the 2003 season was over, White was the Heisman Trophy winner, coming back to defend his honor as the most outstanding player in the nation.
After sitting out the 2004 season learning the system and honing his skills during a redshirt season, he faced a heated battle during the spring and summer with Paul Thompson. Bomar was the fan-favorite in many ways, he was the up-and-comer who was highly recruited and had the arm and tools to become the next John Elway (as the Daily Oklahoman put it). Thompson proved to be more level-headed by not making as many mistakes during practiceshowing the signs of a veteran in the system. The coaches were impressed more with Thompsons consistency than by Bomars flashes of brilliance and Thompson received the job.
The unthinkable happened the first week of this season as Oklahoma, a team that had played in two consecutive BCS title games, lost at home to TCU, a solid mid-major, but a 20+ point underdog. The 17-10 loss to the Horned Frogs featured little in the way of offensive prowess. Neither quarterback played well, with Thompson responsible for three turnovers, Bomar for one in his limited action.
Still, the OU coaching staff decided the Paul Thompson-era at OU would just last one game. Bomar got the start for the second game against Tulsa, and while the Sooners got the win 31-15, it was mostly because of Adrian Peterson, who ran for 230 yards. Bomar got just 13 pass attempts and turned those into only 42 yards. The Golden Hurricane had almost that many on their two interception returns. It got so bad that even with a slim 7-6 lead at the half, Oklahoma did not even attempt a pass in the second half, running every time to their 24 second half points.
Since then, however, Bomar has grown up, and done it fast. He has been to the road at storied programs like UCLA and Nebraska. He has played against Texas in the Cotton Bowl. He has had lots of success as of late, with the Sooners winning five of their last six. Two of those games featured either no Adrian Peterson or an ineffective one.
Bomar showed perhaps the most in the Sooners loss at Texas Tech. Bomar had been enjoying a rough outing the first three quarters of the game, but he managed to put that behind him and lead OU back to the lead. Bomar took the team under his reigns, leading them on 11 and 9 play drives for TDs to put OU in the lead 21-17. His stats werent great for the game, but he showed the ability to put that behind him and lead his team to victory. Only questionable calls later in the game kept OU from winning the game.
People look at Bomars stats and may ask what the big deal is. Well, one must not forget that Jason Whites favorite targets all left with him. Mark Bradley was drafted by the Bears, Mark Clayton by the Ravens, and Brandon Jones by the Titans. The OL lost two four-year starters, Wes Sims and Vince Carter to go along with Outland Trophy winner Jammal Brown. The cupboard wasnt bare, but it wasnt exactly left stocked full either. The talent may be as good as it was under White, but the polished experience wasnt there.
Bomar has grown faster than his freshmen WR corps. Earlier in the year the passes werent hitting their targets as often. Costly turnovers were plaguing the Sooners more, and blame could be directed at the QB position. Now, more often than not, the passes are on target, but the wideouts arent catching the balls.
Judging his improvement with his experience throughout the year, the sky is the limit for this freshman QB. If he continues to improve at this rate, he could be one of the greats, continuing the Oklahoma tradition that goes back to Mildren, Watts, Holieway, Heupel, and White. He already had the talent, now he has the experience to go with it...it could be a scary three years for the rest of the conference.
The career of QB Rhett Bomar started a bit rough, to say the least. He committed to OU, expecting to have a clear line to the job as a true freshman. True, Paul Thompson was there, but with competition, Bomar knew that he could step it up and try to win the job.
Then Jason White did the unexpectedthe fifth year senior decided to come back for a sixth year of eligibility granted by injury. When Bomar committed earlier in the year, Jason White was simply an outgoing senior, a guy who had two bum knees and hadnt finished a season with playing time without getting hurt one way or another. When the 2003 season was over, White was the Heisman Trophy winner, coming back to defend his honor as the most outstanding player in the nation.
After sitting out the 2004 season learning the system and honing his skills during a redshirt season, he faced a heated battle during the spring and summer with Paul Thompson. Bomar was the fan-favorite in many ways, he was the up-and-comer who was highly recruited and had the arm and tools to become the next John Elway (as the Daily Oklahoman put it). Thompson proved to be more level-headed by not making as many mistakes during practiceshowing the signs of a veteran in the system. The coaches were impressed more with Thompsons consistency than by Bomars flashes of brilliance and Thompson received the job.
The unthinkable happened the first week of this season as Oklahoma, a team that had played in two consecutive BCS title games, lost at home to TCU, a solid mid-major, but a 20+ point underdog. The 17-10 loss to the Horned Frogs featured little in the way of offensive prowess. Neither quarterback played well, with Thompson responsible for three turnovers, Bomar for one in his limited action.
Still, the OU coaching staff decided the Paul Thompson-era at OU would just last one game. Bomar got the start for the second game against Tulsa, and while the Sooners got the win 31-15, it was mostly because of Adrian Peterson, who ran for 230 yards. Bomar got just 13 pass attempts and turned those into only 42 yards. The Golden Hurricane had almost that many on their two interception returns. It got so bad that even with a slim 7-6 lead at the half, Oklahoma did not even attempt a pass in the second half, running every time to their 24 second half points.
Since then, however, Bomar has grown up, and done it fast. He has been to the road at storied programs like UCLA and Nebraska. He has played against Texas in the Cotton Bowl. He has had lots of success as of late, with the Sooners winning five of their last six. Two of those games featured either no Adrian Peterson or an ineffective one.
Bomar showed perhaps the most in the Sooners loss at Texas Tech. Bomar had been enjoying a rough outing the first three quarters of the game, but he managed to put that behind him and lead OU back to the lead. Bomar took the team under his reigns, leading them on 11 and 9 play drives for TDs to put OU in the lead 21-17. His stats werent great for the game, but he showed the ability to put that behind him and lead his team to victory. Only questionable calls later in the game kept OU from winning the game.
People look at Bomars stats and may ask what the big deal is. Well, one must not forget that Jason Whites favorite targets all left with him. Mark Bradley was drafted by the Bears, Mark Clayton by the Ravens, and Brandon Jones by the Titans. The OL lost two four-year starters, Wes Sims and Vince Carter to go along with Outland Trophy winner Jammal Brown. The cupboard wasnt bare, but it wasnt exactly left stocked full either. The talent may be as good as it was under White, but the polished experience wasnt there.
Bomar has grown faster than his freshmen WR corps. Earlier in the year the passes werent hitting their targets as often. Costly turnovers were plaguing the Sooners more, and blame could be directed at the QB position. Now, more often than not, the passes are on target, but the wideouts arent catching the balls.
Judging his improvement with his experience throughout the year, the sky is the limit for this freshman QB. If he continues to improve at this rate, he could be one of the greats, continuing the Oklahoma tradition that goes back to Mildren, Watts, Holieway, Heupel, and White. He already had the talent, now he has the experience to go with it...it could be a scary three years for the rest of the conference.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Black - Fashion Constant But Do It Correctly
Fashion is changing. But one thing is should be constant - black. Nothing is boring about the newest fashion in New York and Paris. This is a great tip, which professionals know that make models look brilliant. Black is the basis for two important looks, according to Sally Singer, Vogue's fashion news director. "The interesting thing about black this season is that it's either used as a pop art basic against white, a '60s look that shows the graphic nature of black and white. (Christian) Dior did it well. ... Or, you see a mixing of textures and tones of black. Black velvet, black gauze, black silk or viscose. ... There's varying amounts of light that goes through it to make the black sometimes look gray, blueish or brownish," she says.
Another reason black is great for fashion, is its mess with fantastic jewelry. Style.com's executive fashion director Candy Pratts Price "You could wear a black beaded necklace on a black cashmere sweater, which will look very '40s, or you could also do it with silver -- the '60s -- or with pearls -- the '50s."
Black with a white skirt is a great fashion item. You can always spice it up with a beautiful thick, medieval looking belt.
It's a good time to invest in special black pieces, Vogue's Singer advises, perhaps a Pierre Cardin-inspired pea coat, which would look great against white trousers or blouse, or a pair of jeans.
One of the pieces Singer already bought for herself is a Loris Azzaro black blazer that's lined in gold lame. "That was the kind of special piece I was looking for," she says, especially since it hits on three trends: black, Russian-inspired details and a shrunken jacket silhouette. (She notes that less expensive versions of these "special" pieces are available at retailers such as J.Crew.)
The classic ballroom black dress is always an option. However, try spicing them up with the occasional yellow scarf, or shawl. You'll catch the attention of people with accessories that like. Colors that go well with black are almost endless, just go with the current colors of the season. You'll love the boundless options that you'll be able to mix-and-match when it comes to black.
Men, always own a black pin striped English tailored suit. These are in right now. They are beautiful and gorgeous. I'm not sure of any woman who doesn't love these. ATTENTION: Business professionals. Get this suit, and accessorize with a beautiful modern watch.
Have a look at some of the great options black has this season. Sleek stylish and sophisticated are blacks names. Enjoy it this fashion season, especially when winter blows in.
Brandon Wilson 2005
Fashion is changing. But one thing is should be constant - black. Nothing is boring about the newest fashion in New York and Paris. This is a great tip, which professionals know that make models look brilliant. Black is the basis for two important looks, according to Sally Singer, Vogue's fashion news director. "The interesting thing about black this season is that it's either used as a pop art basic against white, a '60s look that shows the graphic nature of black and white. (Christian) Dior did it well. ... Or, you see a mixing of textures and tones of black. Black velvet, black gauze, black silk or viscose. ... There's varying amounts of light that goes through it to make the black sometimes look gray, blueish or brownish," she says.
Another reason black is great for fashion, is its mess with fantastic jewelry. Style.com's executive fashion director Candy Pratts Price "You could wear a black beaded necklace on a black cashmere sweater, which will look very '40s, or you could also do it with silver -- the '60s -- or with pearls -- the '50s."
Black with a white skirt is a great fashion item. You can always spice it up with a beautiful thick, medieval looking belt.
It's a good time to invest in special black pieces, Vogue's Singer advises, perhaps a Pierre Cardin-inspired pea coat, which would look great against white trousers or blouse, or a pair of jeans.
One of the pieces Singer already bought for herself is a Loris Azzaro black blazer that's lined in gold lame. "That was the kind of special piece I was looking for," she says, especially since it hits on three trends: black, Russian-inspired details and a shrunken jacket silhouette. (She notes that less expensive versions of these "special" pieces are available at retailers such as J.Crew.)
The classic ballroom black dress is always an option. However, try spicing them up with the occasional yellow scarf, or shawl. You'll catch the attention of people with accessories that like. Colors that go well with black are almost endless, just go with the current colors of the season. You'll love the boundless options that you'll be able to mix-and-match when it comes to black.
Men, always own a black pin striped English tailored suit. These are in right now. They are beautiful and gorgeous. I'm not sure of any woman who doesn't love these. ATTENTION: Business professionals. Get this suit, and accessorize with a beautiful modern watch.
Have a look at some of the great options black has this season. Sleek stylish and sophisticated are blacks names. Enjoy it this fashion season, especially when winter blows in.
Brandon Wilson 2005
Before You Change Jobs, Change Yourself
Dont feel appreciated on your job? Youre not alone. Even worse than not receiving praise for good work, is being degraded, belittled or ridiculed by your supervisor, coworkers or both.
No matter what job you have, there are some aspects of it you dont like. Many people work in an atmosphere so toxic that they dread going to work, and often experience sick spells from the anticipation and actual abuse, etc. What can you do if youre in a negative work environment?
Most people would quickly retort, Quit! Get another job. But is that really the solution? Of course you want to seek a job where you can feel appreciated and gratified, but changing jobs may not bring the happy results youre seeking if youre going to be the same YOU in each new situation. Before you quit your job, there are a few things you may need to do.
1. Assess specifically what you dont like and determine what it would take to fix it. If you hate your corner cubicle perhaps trading with someone may work. If your trouble is with unfair conditions or behavior investigate what resources are available to resolve your problem through your Human Resources Department or Employee Assistance Program. Even taking your lunch out of doors instead of in the company cafeteria may help relieve some stress. One clerical worker brings an apple and water so she can take a vigorous walk during her one hour lunch.
2. Pick your battles. Give your situation some deep thought and determine how important your complaint or discomfort is in the general scheme of things. Sometimes just changing your work schedule, lunch hour or location will resolve some problems. Listening to soothing music through a headset while doing desk work helped one employee shut out all the personal exchanges that were going on in cubicles around her.
3. Develop a thicker skin. Most of us have to find love and acceptance in deeper relationships than you can achieve with coworkers. Guard against letting little inconsequential things get to you. Seek humor in the situations that are just plain stupid so you dont unwittingly get swept into becoming a Don Quixote.
4. Draw the line. Make it clear to your coworkers and boss where your personal boundaries are. Some coworkers love to blurt out every detail of their personal lives at work. Maybe you dont.
5. Personalize your workspace. Perhaps having photos of your family and pets on your desk, wall or cubicle cheers you up throughout the day. Many employees bring a lamp, desktop waterfall, plants and soft music to warm up a sterile workspace.
6. Find allies. Align yourself with coworkers who feel the way you do about the job situation. But rather than malign your boss and gossip about coworkers, use your time together to cheer each other up, exchange positive ideas and share new job listings.
7. Learn to play the game better. Happiness in the workplace depends on not just doing your job well, but getting along with the your boss and coworkers also. Learn who you can trust and who can be counted on to stab you in the back. While you can be friendly, you must also guard against overstepping your bounds. Unless youre the boss, refrain from giving your opinion on how the whole company needs to be restructured. When you have suggestions, present them to the decision maker, not to the crowd around the water cooler. Read Survival of the Savvy by Brandon and Seldman to help you safely navigate office politics. Visit websites like http://www.officepolitics.com that offer strategies and resources.
8. Find your passion. Many of us are miserable on our jobs because were just collecting a paycheck, not following our passion. Learn how to find your passion from books, tapes and newsletters such as those offered by Barbara Sher, www.barbarasher.com, The Path by Laurie Beth Jones, The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, What Color is Your Parachute by Bolles and Bolles, and Repacking Your Bags by Leider and Shapiro.
Finally, consider this: discomfort and stress on your job may be a big red flag that you are in the wrong place. This just may not be the job, career or company that suits your style and taste and fufills your life mission. To find your rightful lifes work, you may need to throw out parental shoulds, or get off the fast track with the lets-become-a-millionaire-before-30 crowd. Before you change jobs, do your heartwork. Get busy finding out what you love to do, then get busy doing it.
Dont feel appreciated on your job? Youre not alone. Even worse than not receiving praise for good work, is being degraded, belittled or ridiculed by your supervisor, coworkers or both.
No matter what job you have, there are some aspects of it you dont like. Many people work in an atmosphere so toxic that they dread going to work, and often experience sick spells from the anticipation and actual abuse, etc. What can you do if youre in a negative work environment?
Most people would quickly retort, Quit! Get another job. But is that really the solution? Of course you want to seek a job where you can feel appreciated and gratified, but changing jobs may not bring the happy results youre seeking if youre going to be the same YOU in each new situation. Before you quit your job, there are a few things you may need to do.
1. Assess specifically what you dont like and determine what it would take to fix it. If you hate your corner cubicle perhaps trading with someone may work. If your trouble is with unfair conditions or behavior investigate what resources are available to resolve your problem through your Human Resources Department or Employee Assistance Program. Even taking your lunch out of doors instead of in the company cafeteria may help relieve some stress. One clerical worker brings an apple and water so she can take a vigorous walk during her one hour lunch.
2. Pick your battles. Give your situation some deep thought and determine how important your complaint or discomfort is in the general scheme of things. Sometimes just changing your work schedule, lunch hour or location will resolve some problems. Listening to soothing music through a headset while doing desk work helped one employee shut out all the personal exchanges that were going on in cubicles around her.
3. Develop a thicker skin. Most of us have to find love and acceptance in deeper relationships than you can achieve with coworkers. Guard against letting little inconsequential things get to you. Seek humor in the situations that are just plain stupid so you dont unwittingly get swept into becoming a Don Quixote.
4. Draw the line. Make it clear to your coworkers and boss where your personal boundaries are. Some coworkers love to blurt out every detail of their personal lives at work. Maybe you dont.
5. Personalize your workspace. Perhaps having photos of your family and pets on your desk, wall or cubicle cheers you up throughout the day. Many employees bring a lamp, desktop waterfall, plants and soft music to warm up a sterile workspace.
6. Find allies. Align yourself with coworkers who feel the way you do about the job situation. But rather than malign your boss and gossip about coworkers, use your time together to cheer each other up, exchange positive ideas and share new job listings.
7. Learn to play the game better. Happiness in the workplace depends on not just doing your job well, but getting along with the your boss and coworkers also. Learn who you can trust and who can be counted on to stab you in the back. While you can be friendly, you must also guard against overstepping your bounds. Unless youre the boss, refrain from giving your opinion on how the whole company needs to be restructured. When you have suggestions, present them to the decision maker, not to the crowd around the water cooler. Read Survival of the Savvy by Brandon and Seldman to help you safely navigate office politics. Visit websites like http://www.officepolitics.com that offer strategies and resources.
8. Find your passion. Many of us are miserable on our jobs because were just collecting a paycheck, not following our passion. Learn how to find your passion from books, tapes and newsletters such as those offered by Barbara Sher, www.barbarasher.com, The Path by Laurie Beth Jones, The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, What Color is Your Parachute by Bolles and Bolles, and Repacking Your Bags by Leider and Shapiro.
Finally, consider this: discomfort and stress on your job may be a big red flag that you are in the wrong place. This just may not be the job, career or company that suits your style and taste and fufills your life mission. To find your rightful lifes work, you may need to throw out parental shoulds, or get off the fast track with the lets-become-a-millionaire-before-30 crowd. Before you change jobs, do your heartwork. Get busy finding out what you love to do, then get busy doing it.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Teilhard de Chardin
FATHER PIERRE TEILHARD de CHARDIN:
He is one of my heroes and an inspiration for all who seek for Peace and Harmony through a conspiracy of LOVE. His templates suggest that one thought perfectly conceived by one man can influence the totality of consciousness or World Mind. I hope he is right, and I try to develop this critical mass of consciousness. I have covered the continuing battle the Catholic Church has with his thought and numerous other things related to him and Jean Houston, in other books.
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was a visionary French Jesuit, paleontologist, biologist, and philosopher, who spent the bulk of his life trying to integrate religious experience with natural science, most specifically Christian theology with theories of evolution. In this endeavor he became absolutely enthralled with the possibilities for humankind, which he saw as heading for an exciting convergence of systems, an "Omega point" where the coalescence of consciousness will lead us to a new state of peace and planetary unity. Long before ecology was fashionable, he saw this unity he saw as being based intrinsically upon the spirit of the Earth:
The Age of Nations is past. The task before us now, if we would not perish, is to build the Earth.
Teilhard de Chardin passed away a full ten years before James Lovelock ever proposed the "Gaia Hypothesis" which suggests that the Earth is actually a living being, a colossal biological super-system. Yet Chardin's writings clearly reflect the sense of the Earth as having its own autonomous personality, and being the prime center and director of our future -- a strange attractor, if you will -- that will be the guiding force for the synthesis of humankind. (1)
Gerald Massey has written about the Seven Souls of Man and many interpretations of various religions in his theosophical quest. I think he expresses what we all must do in terms of piercing the veils of both religious and scientific paradigm thinking which seems all too managed and deceitful. I find too many people need black and white answers when the Mysteries are quite chaotic just because they do not understand the fundamental laws or ways that energy works. It is better to trust in the awesome nature of nature and reality than to manufacture pat or self-serving answers or directed inferential theories to make it seem all is known. Chardin and Bellarmine or many others like Roger Bacon who toiled within the bowels of the behemoth of Catholicism were not averse to saying there is more than they knew.
The modern manufacture of ancient mysteries is just as great an imposition, and equally sure to be found out. Do not suppose I am saying this, or waging war, on behalf of the mysteries called Christian, for I look upon them as the greatest imposition of all. Rome was the manufactory of old masters 1800 years ago. I am opposed to all man-made mystery, and all kinds of false belief. The battle of truth and error is not to be darkly fought now-a-days behind the mask of secrecy. Darkness gives all its advantage to error; day light alone is in favour of truth! Nature is full of mystery; and we are here to make out the mysteries of Nature and draw them into day-light, not to cultivate and keep veiled the mysteries made by man in the day of his need or the night of his past. We want to have done with the mask of mystery and all the devious devilries of its double-facedness, so that we may look fully and squarely into the face of Nature for ourselves, whether in the past, present, or future. Mystery has been called the mother of abominations, but the abominations themselves are the superstitions, the rites and ceremonies, the dogmas, doctrines, delusive idealisms, and unjust laws that have been falsely founded on the ancient mysteries by ignorant literalisation and esoteric misinterpretation! (2)
FATHER PIERRE TEILHARD de CHARDIN:
He is one of my heroes and an inspiration for all who seek for Peace and Harmony through a conspiracy of LOVE. His templates suggest that one thought perfectly conceived by one man can influence the totality of consciousness or World Mind. I hope he is right, and I try to develop this critical mass of consciousness. I have covered the continuing battle the Catholic Church has with his thought and numerous other things related to him and Jean Houston, in other books.
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was a visionary French Jesuit, paleontologist, biologist, and philosopher, who spent the bulk of his life trying to integrate religious experience with natural science, most specifically Christian theology with theories of evolution. In this endeavor he became absolutely enthralled with the possibilities for humankind, which he saw as heading for an exciting convergence of systems, an "Omega point" where the coalescence of consciousness will lead us to a new state of peace and planetary unity. Long before ecology was fashionable, he saw this unity he saw as being based intrinsically upon the spirit of the Earth:
The Age of Nations is past. The task before us now, if we would not perish, is to build the Earth.
Teilhard de Chardin passed away a full ten years before James Lovelock ever proposed the "Gaia Hypothesis" which suggests that the Earth is actually a living being, a colossal biological super-system. Yet Chardin's writings clearly reflect the sense of the Earth as having its own autonomous personality, and being the prime center and director of our future -- a strange attractor, if you will -- that will be the guiding force for the synthesis of humankind. (1)
Gerald Massey has written about the Seven Souls of Man and many interpretations of various religions in his theosophical quest. I think he expresses what we all must do in terms of piercing the veils of both religious and scientific paradigm thinking which seems all too managed and deceitful. I find too many people need black and white answers when the Mysteries are quite chaotic just because they do not understand the fundamental laws or ways that energy works. It is better to trust in the awesome nature of nature and reality than to manufacture pat or self-serving answers or directed inferential theories to make it seem all is known. Chardin and Bellarmine or many others like Roger Bacon who toiled within the bowels of the behemoth of Catholicism were not averse to saying there is more than they knew.
The modern manufacture of ancient mysteries is just as great an imposition, and equally sure to be found out. Do not suppose I am saying this, or waging war, on behalf of the mysteries called Christian, for I look upon them as the greatest imposition of all. Rome was the manufactory of old masters 1800 years ago. I am opposed to all man-made mystery, and all kinds of false belief. The battle of truth and error is not to be darkly fought now-a-days behind the mask of secrecy. Darkness gives all its advantage to error; day light alone is in favour of truth! Nature is full of mystery; and we are here to make out the mysteries of Nature and draw them into day-light, not to cultivate and keep veiled the mysteries made by man in the day of his need or the night of his past. We want to have done with the mask of mystery and all the devious devilries of its double-facedness, so that we may look fully and squarely into the face of Nature for ourselves, whether in the past, present, or future. Mystery has been called the mother of abominations, but the abominations themselves are the superstitions, the rites and ceremonies, the dogmas, doctrines, delusive idealisms, and unjust laws that have been falsely founded on the ancient mysteries by ignorant literalisation and esoteric misinterpretation! (2)
100 Top Baby Names
I found it very interesting researching the top 100 baby names for this article, because although my husband and I thought we were going for unique baby names during my pregancy, both our daughters' names are on the list! I guess we are not as innovative as we thought we were.
Every year, the US Social Security Administration compiles a list of the most popular baby names. You can search their online database for the popularity of a certain name, and you can also see how the popularity of a name has changed over time. (http://www.ssa.gov/) It's a very interesting way to waste an hour instead of working (lol).
It is fun to note that the letter "E" is quite popular. Common "E" names in the top 10 of the top 100 baby names are: Emily, Emma, Ethan and Elizabeth. It seems that slightly old-fashioned, or traditional, names are making a comeback as well, with names like William, Joseph, and Christopher for boys, and Elizabeth, Abigail, Hannah and Grace for girls.
However, "new age" or modern names are also in the 100 top baby names with babies' names such as: Tyler, Brandon, Logan, Austin, Hunter and Cody (for boys) and Briana, Kayla, Chloe, Hailey, Jasmine, Destiny and Makayla (for girls).
Jacob and Emily are the number one most popular names for a few years in a row.
Its always important to imagine what your babys initials or nickname will be. My mothers friend was shocked when she was pregnant because her last name was Cole, and she wanted to name her baby Nathan Kingsley, but everyone said that he would be nicknamed Nat King Cole!
I also recommend imagining what your babys email address will be. My initials are sdi and my email is sdingram@. You need to be aware that your babys email could be dumb@ or fat@; just something to keep in mind.
Whether you are looking into babies names because you want to go with the pack and make sure your baby's name is common and amongst the more popular, or you are the opposite and you want to make sure your baby's name is innovative and original, be sure to check out the top 100 baby names so that you can ensure the name you want is there (or not!).
I found it very interesting researching the top 100 baby names for this article, because although my husband and I thought we were going for unique baby names during my pregancy, both our daughters' names are on the list! I guess we are not as innovative as we thought we were.
Every year, the US Social Security Administration compiles a list of the most popular baby names. You can search their online database for the popularity of a certain name, and you can also see how the popularity of a name has changed over time. (http://www.ssa.gov/) It's a very interesting way to waste an hour instead of working (lol).
It is fun to note that the letter "E" is quite popular. Common "E" names in the top 10 of the top 100 baby names are: Emily, Emma, Ethan and Elizabeth. It seems that slightly old-fashioned, or traditional, names are making a comeback as well, with names like William, Joseph, and Christopher for boys, and Elizabeth, Abigail, Hannah and Grace for girls.
However, "new age" or modern names are also in the 100 top baby names with babies' names such as: Tyler, Brandon, Logan, Austin, Hunter and Cody (for boys) and Briana, Kayla, Chloe, Hailey, Jasmine, Destiny and Makayla (for girls).
Jacob and Emily are the number one most popular names for a few years in a row.
Its always important to imagine what your babys initials or nickname will be. My mothers friend was shocked when she was pregnant because her last name was Cole, and she wanted to name her baby Nathan Kingsley, but everyone said that he would be nicknamed Nat King Cole!
I also recommend imagining what your babys email address will be. My initials are sdi and my email is sdingram@. You need to be aware that your babys email could be dumb@ or fat@; just something to keep in mind.
Whether you are looking into babies names because you want to go with the pack and make sure your baby's name is common and amongst the more popular, or you are the opposite and you want to make sure your baby's name is innovative and original, be sure to check out the top 100 baby names so that you can ensure the name you want is there (or not!).
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Letting Go and Trusting The Universe
One of the most important things in Wealth Creation is not so much in cracking our head trying to come up with the next million dollar idea or get rich quick scheme.
The most important thing which is one of the greatest obstacle for most people is Letting Go.
Human beings have been conditioned in such a way that they think they have to figure out everything themselves.
For example, most people believe that in order to become rich or earn more money, you have to work hard.
To some extent, putting our committment and dedication into our job is important, but that is a difference between enjoying what we do and 'working hard'.
If you do something you like, then literally there is no issue of 'hard'.
Secondly, the Universe is Abundant. A lot of people have problems accepting and understanding that.
Most people have a mindset of Lack and Scarcity. I was a victim myself, until I discovered about Abundance from the Wealth Beyond Reason program.
It could be the past programming from our Ancestors, when as caveman we had to hunt and fight for food. Certain factors and behaviours have not changed even despite the progress, development and modernization humankind has gone throught.
Things such as greed, fear, will always remain no matter how the world change.
Anyway, coming back to the Wealth Beyond Program, it has really helped me changed and shift my beliefs around Wealth Creation, opening up my mind and soul to the concept of Abundance,
and introducing me to the powerful Universal law, the Law of Attraction.
To conclude, creating wealth is not so much in working harder but rather, to remove the barriers and resistance within us so that we can RECEIVE what we asked for to come.
What we desire can be manifested in many ways, even though our mind and brain might not be able to come up with anything or only a few ways. The Universe, after all, is Abundant.
Brandon Hong
brandon @ brandon-hong.com
www.you-can-have-everything.com
www.brandon-hong.com
One of the most important things in Wealth Creation is not so much in cracking our head trying to come up with the next million dollar idea or get rich quick scheme.
The most important thing which is one of the greatest obstacle for most people is Letting Go.
Human beings have been conditioned in such a way that they think they have to figure out everything themselves.
For example, most people believe that in order to become rich or earn more money, you have to work hard.
To some extent, putting our committment and dedication into our job is important, but that is a difference between enjoying what we do and 'working hard'.
If you do something you like, then literally there is no issue of 'hard'.
Secondly, the Universe is Abundant. A lot of people have problems accepting and understanding that.
Most people have a mindset of Lack and Scarcity. I was a victim myself, until I discovered about Abundance from the Wealth Beyond Reason program.
It could be the past programming from our Ancestors, when as caveman we had to hunt and fight for food. Certain factors and behaviours have not changed even despite the progress, development and modernization humankind has gone throught.
Things such as greed, fear, will always remain no matter how the world change.
Anyway, coming back to the Wealth Beyond Program, it has really helped me changed and shift my beliefs around Wealth Creation, opening up my mind and soul to the concept of Abundance,
and introducing me to the powerful Universal law, the Law of Attraction.
To conclude, creating wealth is not so much in working harder but rather, to remove the barriers and resistance within us so that we can RECEIVE what we asked for to come.
What we desire can be manifested in many ways, even though our mind and brain might not be able to come up with anything or only a few ways. The Universe, after all, is Abundant.
Brandon Hong
brandon @ brandon-hong.com
www.you-can-have-everything.com
www.brandon-hong.com
Before You Change Jobs, Change Yourself
Dont feel appreciated on your job? Youre not alone. Even worse than not receiving praise for good work, is being degraded, belittled or ridiculed by your supervisor, coworkers or both.
No matter what job you have, there are some aspects of it you dont like. Many people work in an atmosphere so toxic that they dread going to work, and often experience sick spells from the anticipation and actual abuse, etc. What can you do if youre in a negative work environment?
Most people would quickly retort, Quit! Get another job. But is that really the solution? Of course you want to seek a job where you can feel appreciated and gratified, but changing jobs may not bring the happy results youre seeking if youre going to be the same YOU in each new situation. Before you quit your job, there are a few things you may need to do.
1. Assess specifically what you dont like and determine what it would take to fix it. If you hate your corner cubicle perhaps trading with someone may work. If your trouble is with unfair conditions or behavior investigate what resources are available to resolve your problem through your Human Resources Department or Employee Assistance Program. Even taking your lunch out of doors instead of in the company cafeteria may help relieve some stress. One clerical worker brings an apple and water so she can take a vigorous walk during her one hour lunch.
2. Pick your battles. Give your situation some deep thought and determine how important your complaint or discomfort is in the general scheme of things. Sometimes just changing your work schedule, lunch hour or location will resolve some problems. Listening to soothing music through a headset while doing desk work helped one employee shut out all the personal exchanges that were going on in cubicles around her.
3. Develop a thicker skin. Most of us have to find love and acceptance in deeper relationships than you can achieve with coworkers. Guard against letting little inconsequential things get to you. Seek humor in the situations that are just plain stupid so you dont unwittingly get swept into becoming a Don Quixote.
4. Draw the line. Make it clear to your coworkers and boss where your personal boundaries are. Some coworkers love to blurt out every detail of their personal lives at work. Maybe you dont.
5. Personalize your workspace. Perhaps having photos of your family and pets on your desk, wall or cubicle cheers you up throughout the day. Many employees bring a lamp, desktop waterfall, plants and soft music to warm up a sterile workspace.
6. Find allies. Align yourself with coworkers who feel the way you do about the job situation. But rather than malign your boss and gossip about coworkers, use your time together to cheer each other up, exchange positive ideas and share new job listings.
7. Learn to play the game better. Happiness in the workplace depends on not just doing your job well, but getting along with the your boss and coworkers also. Learn who you can trust and who can be counted on to stab you in the back. While you can be friendly, you must also guard against overstepping your bounds. Unless youre the boss, refrain from giving your opinion on how the whole company needs to be restructured. When you have suggestions, present them to the decision maker, not to the crowd around the water cooler. Read Survival of the Savvy by Brandon and Seldman to help you safely navigate office politics. Visit websites like http://www.officepolitics.com that offer strategies and resources.
8. Find your passion. Many of us are miserable on our jobs because were just collecting a paycheck, not following our passion. Learn how to find your passion from books, tapes and newsletters such as those offered by Barbara Sher, www.barbarasher.com, The Path by Laurie Beth Jones, The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, What Color is Your Parachute by Bolles and Bolles, and Repacking Your Bags by Leider and Shapiro.
Finally, consider this: discomfort and stress on your job may be a big red flag that you are in the wrong place. This just may not be the job, career or company that suits your style and taste and fufills your life mission. To find your rightful lifes work, you may need to throw out parental shoulds, or get off the fast track with the lets-become-a-millionaire-before-30 crowd. Before you change jobs, do your heartwork. Get busy finding out what you love to do, then get busy doing it.
Dont feel appreciated on your job? Youre not alone. Even worse than not receiving praise for good work, is being degraded, belittled or ridiculed by your supervisor, coworkers or both.
No matter what job you have, there are some aspects of it you dont like. Many people work in an atmosphere so toxic that they dread going to work, and often experience sick spells from the anticipation and actual abuse, etc. What can you do if youre in a negative work environment?
Most people would quickly retort, Quit! Get another job. But is that really the solution? Of course you want to seek a job where you can feel appreciated and gratified, but changing jobs may not bring the happy results youre seeking if youre going to be the same YOU in each new situation. Before you quit your job, there are a few things you may need to do.
1. Assess specifically what you dont like and determine what it would take to fix it. If you hate your corner cubicle perhaps trading with someone may work. If your trouble is with unfair conditions or behavior investigate what resources are available to resolve your problem through your Human Resources Department or Employee Assistance Program. Even taking your lunch out of doors instead of in the company cafeteria may help relieve some stress. One clerical worker brings an apple and water so she can take a vigorous walk during her one hour lunch.
2. Pick your battles. Give your situation some deep thought and determine how important your complaint or discomfort is in the general scheme of things. Sometimes just changing your work schedule, lunch hour or location will resolve some problems. Listening to soothing music through a headset while doing desk work helped one employee shut out all the personal exchanges that were going on in cubicles around her.
3. Develop a thicker skin. Most of us have to find love and acceptance in deeper relationships than you can achieve with coworkers. Guard against letting little inconsequential things get to you. Seek humor in the situations that are just plain stupid so you dont unwittingly get swept into becoming a Don Quixote.
4. Draw the line. Make it clear to your coworkers and boss where your personal boundaries are. Some coworkers love to blurt out every detail of their personal lives at work. Maybe you dont.
5. Personalize your workspace. Perhaps having photos of your family and pets on your desk, wall or cubicle cheers you up throughout the day. Many employees bring a lamp, desktop waterfall, plants and soft music to warm up a sterile workspace.
6. Find allies. Align yourself with coworkers who feel the way you do about the job situation. But rather than malign your boss and gossip about coworkers, use your time together to cheer each other up, exchange positive ideas and share new job listings.
7. Learn to play the game better. Happiness in the workplace depends on not just doing your job well, but getting along with the your boss and coworkers also. Learn who you can trust and who can be counted on to stab you in the back. While you can be friendly, you must also guard against overstepping your bounds. Unless youre the boss, refrain from giving your opinion on how the whole company needs to be restructured. When you have suggestions, present them to the decision maker, not to the crowd around the water cooler. Read Survival of the Savvy by Brandon and Seldman to help you safely navigate office politics. Visit websites like http://www.officepolitics.com that offer strategies and resources.
8. Find your passion. Many of us are miserable on our jobs because were just collecting a paycheck, not following our passion. Learn how to find your passion from books, tapes and newsletters such as those offered by Barbara Sher, www.barbarasher.com, The Path by Laurie Beth Jones, The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, What Color is Your Parachute by Bolles and Bolles, and Repacking Your Bags by Leider and Shapiro.
Finally, consider this: discomfort and stress on your job may be a big red flag that you are in the wrong place. This just may not be the job, career or company that suits your style and taste and fufills your life mission. To find your rightful lifes work, you may need to throw out parental shoulds, or get off the fast track with the lets-become-a-millionaire-before-30 crowd. Before you change jobs, do your heartwork. Get busy finding out what you love to do, then get busy doing it.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
The Dish: Confessions of a Kansas Screw-Up
The stars were aligned.
The Kansas Jayhawks had just made a prodigious march through the Big 12 tournament. Their young players---chief among them Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers---had gotten their heads together at the right time; after losing four of their first seven games, this freshman- and sophomore-heavy team had learned to play together. What's more, they were doing it primarily with defense: Kansas was one of the nation's most efficient and intimidating man-to-man defensive teams in 2005-6.
Add to that a high seeding in the NCAA tournament (they marched all the way from the bubble to a #4 seed!), a charismatic coach (Bill Self), a player many scouts are saying could be a lottery pick right now (Rush), and placement in the tournament bracket with the "weakest" #1 seed (Memphis). Plus, I just happen to be writing a novel that takes place, in part, in Kansas. Plus, I really like that band, The Jayhawks. Talk about a harmonic convergence. All these factors came together, and it was clear: the Jayhawks were going to the Final Four.
Damn.
While my bracket is, generally speaking, relatively intact, that damn 30-foot prayer by Bradley Brave Will Franklin at halftime was the difference, and "my" Jayhawks went down in the first round. Gaaa.
Surely you have a similar story this week. "My bracket would be perfect, if I hadn't had San Diego State in the Elite Eight," you say. "If not for the underperforming Southern Illinois Salukis, I would certainly be atop my office pool." "Damn you Marquette Golden Eagles! Damn you to hell!"
Meanwhile, my mom's Final Four teams are all still alive. I think she picked them according to the number of letters in their university president's name.
Which is your most surprising team of the NCAA Tournament so far?
Greg Jorssen, BoDog.com: I must say that I am not surprised by the performance of #13 Bradley. This is one talented team that I believe is not done yet. They have the right chemistry and are peaking at the right time. They have a solid seven-foot center in Patrick O'Bryant and forward Marcellus Sommerville is a definite force. They have a solid bench, great size, and are as athletic a team as anybody still in this tournament. And you read it here first! My upset special is Bradley over Memphis this Thursday.
As for your question, the team that has surprised me the most is...the Selection Committee! I cursed them a week ago, criticizing how they picked so many mid-major teams. I bet Billy Packer and Jim Nantz are regretting chastising them on national television!
Which high seed do you most think is going to fall flat on Thursday or Friday?
GJ, BoDog.com: As mentioned above, Memphis will be eliminated by Bradley on Thursday, and the Braves will become America's darlings, the ultimate Cinderella team. They are that good. I believe Bradley matches up quite nicely with Memphis and the Tigers' inexperience in tournament play will be their downfall. Besides, I had them pegged with a second-round loss (they screwed up my bracket!).
How did the betting public do in the first two rounds?
GJ, BoDog.com: With three mid-major teams making the Sweet 16, safe to say that the public did not fare as well as they would have liked. You can always gauge how well the public does based on the number of brackets that are found in the garbage can after the first weekend. Safe to say there were quite a few thrown out come Monday morning. :-)
Do you have a favorite parlay that came through for bettors last week?
Again, with three mid-majors making it into the Sweet 16, a lot of parlays were busted up for bettors over the past week. That said, the one that hurt us the most were bettors that parlayed Arizona to cover over 'Nova and the Over.
The stars were aligned.
The Kansas Jayhawks had just made a prodigious march through the Big 12 tournament. Their young players---chief among them Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers---had gotten their heads together at the right time; after losing four of their first seven games, this freshman- and sophomore-heavy team had learned to play together. What's more, they were doing it primarily with defense: Kansas was one of the nation's most efficient and intimidating man-to-man defensive teams in 2005-6.
Add to that a high seeding in the NCAA tournament (they marched all the way from the bubble to a #4 seed!), a charismatic coach (Bill Self), a player many scouts are saying could be a lottery pick right now (Rush), and placement in the tournament bracket with the "weakest" #1 seed (Memphis). Plus, I just happen to be writing a novel that takes place, in part, in Kansas. Plus, I really like that band, The Jayhawks. Talk about a harmonic convergence. All these factors came together, and it was clear: the Jayhawks were going to the Final Four.
Damn.
While my bracket is, generally speaking, relatively intact, that damn 30-foot prayer by Bradley Brave Will Franklin at halftime was the difference, and "my" Jayhawks went down in the first round. Gaaa.
Surely you have a similar story this week. "My bracket would be perfect, if I hadn't had San Diego State in the Elite Eight," you say. "If not for the underperforming Southern Illinois Salukis, I would certainly be atop my office pool." "Damn you Marquette Golden Eagles! Damn you to hell!"
Meanwhile, my mom's Final Four teams are all still alive. I think she picked them according to the number of letters in their university president's name.
Which is your most surprising team of the NCAA Tournament so far?
Greg Jorssen, BoDog.com: I must say that I am not surprised by the performance of #13 Bradley. This is one talented team that I believe is not done yet. They have the right chemistry and are peaking at the right time. They have a solid seven-foot center in Patrick O'Bryant and forward Marcellus Sommerville is a definite force. They have a solid bench, great size, and are as athletic a team as anybody still in this tournament. And you read it here first! My upset special is Bradley over Memphis this Thursday.
As for your question, the team that has surprised me the most is...the Selection Committee! I cursed them a week ago, criticizing how they picked so many mid-major teams. I bet Billy Packer and Jim Nantz are regretting chastising them on national television!
Which high seed do you most think is going to fall flat on Thursday or Friday?
GJ, BoDog.com: As mentioned above, Memphis will be eliminated by Bradley on Thursday, and the Braves will become America's darlings, the ultimate Cinderella team. They are that good. I believe Bradley matches up quite nicely with Memphis and the Tigers' inexperience in tournament play will be their downfall. Besides, I had them pegged with a second-round loss (they screwed up my bracket!).
How did the betting public do in the first two rounds?
GJ, BoDog.com: With three mid-major teams making the Sweet 16, safe to say that the public did not fare as well as they would have liked. You can always gauge how well the public does based on the number of brackets that are found in the garbage can after the first weekend. Safe to say there were quite a few thrown out come Monday morning. :-)
Do you have a favorite parlay that came through for bettors last week?
Again, with three mid-majors making it into the Sweet 16, a lot of parlays were busted up for bettors over the past week. That said, the one that hurt us the most were bettors that parlayed Arizona to cover over 'Nova and the Over.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Independents in Football
Notre Dame and Navy will dominate the Independents again this year. With Temple changing alliance and no longer in the Big East will spark more interest in Independents. Army coming over from Conference USA will not affect the perspective of the independents unless they have some surprises
2005 Predicted Order of Finish
1. NOTRE DAME
With a returning very experience offensive unit and a new coach from the NFL, the loyal fans are expecting the Irish to be in contention for the national title. Starters returning are quarterback Brady Quinn, running back Darius Walker, tight end Anthony Fasano, and wide receiver Rhema McKnight. All five offensive linemen return as well. On the special teams there is kicker/punter D.J. Fitzpatrick. The defensive front seven will need some replacements, but linebacker Brandon Hoyte will return. Hoyte finished second in tackles on the team and should exceed his 2004 performance.
2. NAVY
Senior Lamar Owens will run the team from the quarterback position. The running game will depend upon Trey Hines. The defense is solid with linebacker David Mahoney and defensive end Jeremy Chase leading the charge. The secondary has strength in cornerback Jeremy McGown and safety DuJuan Price.
3. TEMPLE
Senior quarterback Mike McGann returns and has John Gross to anchor the offensive line. He will also have running backs Tim Brown and Umar Ferguson to push the ball. One weak spot will be in the wide receiver position with no returning starters. Last years defense (ranked 107th) must improve. The Owls have senior defense end Mike Mendenhall returning from making All-Big East last season.
4. ARMY
With one returning starter on the offensive line, Carlton Jones will have a tough time repeating his 2004 performance (1,269 yards). Sophomore wide receiver Jermy Trimble is another excellent performer (17.5 yards per catch) that may have trouble repeating his prior seasons performance. The only returning starter for the defense is free safety Dhyan Tarver. It could be a long season for Army.
Notre Dame and Navy will dominate the Independents again this year. With Temple changing alliance and no longer in the Big East will spark more interest in Independents. Army coming over from Conference USA will not affect the perspective of the independents unless they have some surprises
2005 Predicted Order of Finish
1. NOTRE DAME
With a returning very experience offensive unit and a new coach from the NFL, the loyal fans are expecting the Irish to be in contention for the national title. Starters returning are quarterback Brady Quinn, running back Darius Walker, tight end Anthony Fasano, and wide receiver Rhema McKnight. All five offensive linemen return as well. On the special teams there is kicker/punter D.J. Fitzpatrick. The defensive front seven will need some replacements, but linebacker Brandon Hoyte will return. Hoyte finished second in tackles on the team and should exceed his 2004 performance.
2. NAVY
Senior Lamar Owens will run the team from the quarterback position. The running game will depend upon Trey Hines. The defense is solid with linebacker David Mahoney and defensive end Jeremy Chase leading the charge. The secondary has strength in cornerback Jeremy McGown and safety DuJuan Price.
3. TEMPLE
Senior quarterback Mike McGann returns and has John Gross to anchor the offensive line. He will also have running backs Tim Brown and Umar Ferguson to push the ball. One weak spot will be in the wide receiver position with no returning starters. Last years defense (ranked 107th) must improve. The Owls have senior defense end Mike Mendenhall returning from making All-Big East last season.
4. ARMY
With one returning starter on the offensive line, Carlton Jones will have a tough time repeating his 2004 performance (1,269 yards). Sophomore wide receiver Jermy Trimble is another excellent performer (17.5 yards per catch) that may have trouble repeating his prior seasons performance. The only returning starter for the defense is free safety Dhyan Tarver. It could be a long season for Army.
Smokers, Death Benefit Arguments, and Poly-behavioral Addiction
Do Governments Save Money by Watching Smokers Die Prematurely?
This was the conclusion of a report, commissioned by Philip Morris, who looked at the cost of smoking in the Czech Republic in 1999. They concluded that tobacco can save a government millions of dollars in health care and pensions because many smokers die earlier. They reported that the government had benefited from savings on health care, pensions and housing for the elderly that totaled $30 million - the "indirect positive effects" of early deaths (Arthur D. Little International, 2000).
I was shocked to hear this death benefit argument for the first time, after making a presentation to a group of professionals informing them that tobacco use is the chief avoidable cause of illness and premature death for over 430,000 Americans each year. It reminded me of the dialog in the movie, Traffic, when Michael Douglas playing a congressman/ drug czar asked a Mexican general (played by Tomas Milian), How do you treat your drug addicts? And the general responded by saying, We let our drug addicts treat themselves. They overdose and die, and then there is one less drug addict to worry about.
Although the argument is immoral, unjustifiable, and factually inaccurate (National Center for Tobacco-Free Kids, 2001), it would appear that 46 States in the United States are indirectly supporting this dreadful argument as only 5% of the tobacco-settlement funds (of the $206 billion settlement for tobacco-related health costs that went to 46 States according to a National Conference of State Legislators study), are being spent on tobacco prevention and treatment programs.
Should the U.S. Federal Government be in the Tobacco Business?
Federal taxpayers are directly paying more than $340 million to tobacco farmers to make up for lost income because of low prices and tobacco litigation settlements. These direct payments are in addition to subsidies in the form of tobacco crop insurance, administrative costs for price supports, and non-recourse loans. This subsidy supports expanded tobacco production at the same time that the federal government is spending millions actively discouraging the use of tobacco for public health and safety reasons (Green Scissors, 2006).
These subsidies also occur at the same time that our political candidates accept millions of dollars in contributions from the tobacco industry. Tobacco companies are heavily invested in politics, contributing $36.8 million to federal candidates and political parties since 1989, the Winston-Salem Journal reported Oct.23, 2004.Observer, June 25, 2000.
Do Government Laws Prohibit Minors from Legally Smoking Cigarettes?
Federal law does not allow retailers to sell cigarettes, tobacco, or smokeless tobacco to anyone under the age of 18. Laws regarding the possession of tobacco are left up to the individual states. I wonder why it is legal for minors to smoke cigarettes in most States, but illegal for minors to buy cigarettes when there are approximately 1.23 million new smokers under the age of 18 each year (Gilpin, et al., 1999), and more than 6,000 children and adolescents try their first cigarette each day (CDC, 1998).
More than 90% of first-time use of tobacco occurs before high school graduation. Because the average age at first use is 14.5 years, smoking prevention must start early.
Approximately 40% of teenagers who smoke eventually become addicted to nicotine.
Hawaii presently has a bill before the Legislature that would prohibit the use of tobacco products by minors, with penalties including tobacco education, community service, fines and drivers license suspension (Honolulu Advertizer, March 12, 2006). Why has it taken the 50th State - 50-plus years to propose this bill? And what are the other States doing with the other 95% of their settlement, if their not attempting to educate and treat smokers?
Children smoke 1.1 billion packs of cigarettes yearly. This accounts for more than $200 billion in future health care costs. The health consequences of this addiction are enormous. Tobacco smoking is responsible for 1 of every 5 deaths and is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.
Should Governments Promote Life and Provide Treatment for Smokers?
Proponents of the death benefit argument would say that tobacco victims (46.5 million American smokers, CDC, 1997) deserve to die, because they have chosen to smoke and risk the consequences. Does this also include the 70% of smokers who want to quit (Health Education Authority, 1995), but find themselves physiologically, psychologically, and socially addicted to nicotine? In fact, less than 25% of smokers who try to quit succeed as long as a year (Stolerman, I.P. & Jarvis, M.J., 1995).
It does not appear that Governments are actively supporting treatment for smokers. In 2001, a survey of the federal-state Medicaid coverage for tobacco-dependence in the United States was conducted, and only 1 State in 50 (Oregon) provided for all the tobacco-dependence counseling and pharmacotherapy treatments recommended by the 2000 Public Health Service (PHS) guideline. Only 10 States in 2001, offered some form of tobacco-cessation counseling services to the 11.5 million federal-state Medicaid program patients that smoke (CDC, 2003). A lack of reimbursement for tobacco-cessation counseling services is also the most common complaint for private health insurance companies when inquiring about treatment for smokers.
If the death benefit argument was applied across the board to all areas, then these proponents would end all medical research directed at preventing and finding treatments for illnesses and diseases, and promote euthanasia for all unproductive people in society including the elderly, severely retarded, mentally ill, and physically handicapped. The answer is not in condemning victims of diseases, disorders, and addictions, but in providing effective prevention, education, assessment/ diagnosis, treatment, and aftercare programs for those in need.
Diagnosing Nicotine Dependence
Nicotine addiction is classified as a nicotine use disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV TR, 2000). The criteria for the diagnosis of 305.1 - Nicotine Dependence - include any 3 of the following within a 1-year time span:
o Tolerance to nicotine with decreased effect and increasing dose to obtain same effect
o Withdrawal symptoms after cessation
o Smoking more than usual
o Persistent desire to smoke despite efforts to decrease intake
o Extensive time spent smoking or purchasing tobacco
o Postponing work, social, or recreational events in order to smoke
o Continuing to smoke despite health hazards
Screening for Nicotine Dependence
Screening tools are available to assist counselors and therapists with diagnosing this condition - such as the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire (FTQ). Two items in the FTQ that are considered the key questions are as follows:
1. Do you smoke within 5 minutes of awakening?
2. Do you smoke greater than 25 cigarettes per day?
Individuals that answer Yes to both questions are highly dependent on nicotine (Prochazka, 2000).
Note: If after reading the above, you started rationalizing to yourself, Well it usually takes me 6-minutes to light-up after I get out of bed or I never smoke more than 20 cigarettes per day, (As my old graduate professor use to say) STOP BULL-SH#%ting yourself and go see a therapist.
Co-morbidity & Nicotine Dependence
Addictions such as nicotine dependence and other addictions as a rule do not develop in isolation. Individuals can shift from one addiction to another or sustain multiple addictions at different times. The National Co-morbidity Survey (NCS) that sampled the entire U.S. population in 1994, found that among non-institutionalized American male and female adolescents and adults (ages 15-54), roughly 50% had a diagnosable Axis I mental disorder at some time in their lives. This surveys results indicated that 35% of males will at some time in their lives have abused substances to the point of qualifying for a mental disorder diagnosis, and nearly 25% of women will have qualified for a serious mood disorder (mostly major depression). A significant finding of note from the NCS study was the widespread occurrence of co-morbidity among diagnosed disorders. It specifically found that 56% of the respondents with a history of at least one disorder also had two or more additional disorders. These persons with a history of three or more co-morbid disorders were estimated to be one-sixth of the U.S. population, or some 43 million people (Kessler, 1994).
Psychiatric disorders are more common among tobacco users than in the general population. Among patients seeking tobacco cessation services, as many as 30% of them may have a history of depression (Anda, et al, 1990) and 20% or more may have a history of dependence (Brandon, 1994). Most descriptive studies of alcohol abusers published in the past 20 years have reported tobacco use rates of at least 90%. (Bobo, 2000). More research and information is needed on the co-morbidity of nicotine dependence and behavioral addictions such as pathological gambling, eating disorders, and sexual addictions.
Poor Prognosis
We have come to realize today more than any other time in history that the treatment of lifestyle diseases and addictions are often a difficult and frustrating task for all concerned. As already noted, less than 25% of smokers who try to quit succeed as long as a year (Stolerman, I.P. & Jarvis, M.J., 1995). Repeated failures abound with all of the addictions, even with utilizing the most effective treatment strategies. But why do 47% of patients treated in private treatment programs (for example) relapse within the first year following treatment (Gorski,T., 2001)? Have addiction specialists become conditioned to accept failure as the norm? There are many reasons for this poor prognosis. Some would proclaim that addictions are psychosomatically- induced and maintained in a semi-balanced force field of driving and restraining multidimensional forces. Others would say that failures are due simply to a lack of self-motivation or will power. Most would agree that lifestyle behavioral addictions are serious health risks that deserve our attention, but could it possibly be that patients with multiple addictions are being under diagnosed (with a single dependence) simply due to a lack of diagnostic tools and resources that are incapable of resolving the complexity of assessing and treating a patient with multiple addictions?
New Proposed Diagnosis
Since successful treatment outcomes are dependent on thorough assessments, accurate diagnoses, and comprehensive individualized treatment planning, it is no wonder that repeated rehabilitation failures and low success rates are the norm instead of the exception in the addictions field. Treatment clinics need to have a treatment planning system and referral network that is equipped to thoroughly assess multiple addictive and mental health disorders and related treatment needs and comprehensively provide education/ awareness, prevention strategy groups, and/ or specific addictions treatment services for individuals diagnosed with multiple addictions. Written treatment goals and objectives should be specified for each separate addiction and dimension of an individuals life, and the desired performance outcome or completion criteria should be specifically stated, behaviorally based (a visible activity), and measurable.
To assist with resolving this problem a multidimensional diagnosis of Poly-behavioral Addiction, is proposed for more accurate diagnosis leading to more effective treatment planning. This diagnosis encompasses the broadest category of addictive disorders that would include an individual manifesting a combination of substance abuse addictions, and other obsessively-compulsive behavioral addictive behavioral patterns to pathological gambling, religion, and/ or sex / pornography, etc.). Behavioral addictions are just as damaging - psychologically and socially as alcohol and drug abuse. They are comparative to other life-style diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease in their behavioral manifestations, their etiologies, and their resistance to treatments. They are progressive disorders that involve obsessive thinking and compulsive behaviors. They are also characterized by a preoccupation with a continuous or periodic loss of control, and continuous irrational behavior in spite of adverse consequences.
Poly-behavioral addiction would be described as a state of periodic or chronic physical, mental, emotional, cultural, sexual and/ or spiritual/ religious intoxication. These various types of intoxication are produced by repeated obsessive thoughts and compulsive practices involved in pathological relationships to any mood-altering substance, person, organization, belief system, and/ or activity. The individual has an overpowering desire, need or compulsion with the presence of a tendency to intensify their adherence to these practices, and evidence of phenomena of tolerance, abstinence and withdrawal, in which there is always physical and/ or psychic dependence on the effects of this pathological relationship. In addition, there is a 12 - month period in which an individual is pathologically involved with three or more behavioral and/ or substance use addictions simultaneously, but the criteria are not met for dependence for any one addiction in particular (Slobodzien, J., 2005). In essence, Poly-behavioral addiction is the synergistically integrated chronic dependence on multiple physiologically addictive substances and behaviors (e.g., using/ abusing substances - nicotine, alcohol, & drugs, and/or acting impulsively or obsessively compulsive in regards to gambling, food binging, sex, and/ or religion, etc.) simultaneously.
New Proposed Theory
The Addictions Recovery Measurement Systems (ARMS) theory is a nonlinear, dynamical, non-hierarchical model that focuses on interactions between multiple risk factors and situational determinants similar to catastrophe and chaos theories in predicting and explaining addictive behaviors and relapse. Multiple influences trigger and operate within high-risk situations and influence the global multidimensional functioning of an individual. The process of relapse incorporates the interaction between background factors (e.g., family history, social support, years of possible dependence, and co-morbid psychopathology), physiological states (e.g., physical withdrawal), cognitive processes (e.g., self-efficacy, cravings, motivation, the abstinence violation effect, outcome expectancies), and coping skills (Brownell et al., 1986; Marlatt & Gordon, 1985). To put it simply, small changes in an individuals behavior can result in large qualitative changes at the global level and patterns at the global level of a system emerge solely from numerous little interactions.
The ARMS hypothesis purports that there is a multidimensional synergistically negative resistance that individuals develop to any one form of treatment to a single dimension of their lives, because the effects of an individuals addiction have dynamically interacted multi-dimensionally. Having the primary focus on one dimension is insufficient. Traditionally, addiction treatment programs have failed to accommodate for the multidimensional synergistically negative effects of an individual having multiple addictions, (e.g. nicotine, alcohol, and obesity, etc.). Behavioral addictions interact negatively with each other and with strategies to improve overall functioning. They tend to encourage the use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, help increase violence, decrease functional capacity, and promote social isolation. Most treatment theories today involve assessing other dimensions to identify dual diagnosis or co-morbidity diagnoses, or to assess contributing factors that may play a role in the individuals primary addiction. The ARMS theory proclaims that a multidimensional treatment plan must be devised addressing the possible multiple addictions identified for each one of an individuals life dimensions in addition to developing specific goals and objectives for each dimension.
The ARMS acknowledges the complexity and unpredictable nature of lifestyle addictions following the commitment of an individual to accept assistance with changing their lifestyles. The Stages of Change model (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1984) is supported as a model of motivation, incorporating five stages of readiness to change: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. The ARMS theory supports the constructs of self-efficacy and social networking as outcome predictors of future behavior across a wide variety of lifestyle risk factors (Bandura, 1977). The Relapse Prevention cognitive-behavioral approach (Marlatt, 1985) with the goal of identifying and preventing high-risk situations for relapse is also supported within the ARMS theory.
Conclusions
The impact of nicotine dependence and poly-behavioral addictions is of course financially devastating. The estimated smoking attributable cost for medical care in the US in 1998 was more than $75 billion and the cost of lost productivity due to smoking-related disability was estimated at over 80 billion per year (CDC, 2003). But making life and death decisions based on a cost analysis is putting a price on life itself, which I believe no mortal man has the authority to do. Considering that addictions involve unbalanced life-styles operating within semi-stable equilibrium force fields, the ARMS philosophy promotes positive treatment effectiveness and successful outcomes that are the result of a synergistic relationship with The Higher Power, that spiritually elevates and connects an individuals multiple life functioning dimensions by reducing chaos and increasing resilience to bring an individual harmony, wellness, and productivity.
Partnerships and coordination among all service providers, government departments, and health insurance organizations in providing treatment programs are a necessity in addressing the multi-task solution to Nicotine Dependence and Poly-behavioral addictions. I encourage you to support the addiction programs in America, and hope that the (ARMS) resources can assist you to personally fight the War on nicotine dependence within poly-behavioral addiction.
For more info see:
http://www.booklocker.com/books/1966.html
http://www.geocities.com/drslbdzn/Behavioral_Addictions.html
Poly-Behavioral Addiction and the Addictions Recovery Measurement System,
By James Slobodzien, Psy.D., CSAC at:
James Slobodzien, Psy.D., CSAC, is a Hawaii licensed psychologist and certified substance abuse counselor who earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology. The National Registry of Health Service Providers in Psychology credentials Dr. Slobodzien. He has over 20-years of mental health experience primarily working in the fields of alcohol/ substance abuse and behavioral addictions in medical, correctional, and judicial settings. He is an adjunct professor of Psychology and also maintains a private practice as a mental health consultant.
References
American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition,
Text Revision. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 2000, p. 787 & p. 731.
American Society of Addiction Medicines (2003), Patient Placement Criteria for the
Treatment of Substance-Related Disorders, 3rd Edition,. Retrieved, June 18, 2005, from:
http://www.asam.org/
Arthur D. Little International, Inc., Report to Phillip Morris, Public Finance Balance of Smoking in the
Czech Republic, November 28, 2000, Http://tobaccofreekids.org/reports/phillipmorris.
Bandura, A. (1977), Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review,
84, 191-215.
Bobo, J.K., Sociocultural influences on smoking and drinking. Alcohol Res Health. 2000;24(4):225-32. Review. PMID: 15986717 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Brownell, K. D., Marlatt, G. A., Lichtenstein, E., & Wilson, G. T. (1986). Understanding and preventing relapse. American Psychologist, 41, 765-782.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Retrieved June 18, 2005, from: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/
Gorski, T. (2001), Relapse Prevention In The Managed Care Environment. GORSKI-CENAPS Web
Greenscissors.org/news, Up in Smoke Tobacco Program 840 Million, 2006.
Healthy People 2010. Retrieved June 20, 2005, from: http://www.healthypeople.gov/
Publications. Retrieved June 20, 2005, from: www.tgorski.com
Lienard, J. & Vamecq, J. (2004), Presse Med, Oct 23;33(18 Suppl):33-40.
Marlatt, G. A. (1985). Relapse prevention: Theoretical rationale and overview of the model. In G. A.
Marlatt & J. R. Gordon (Eds.), Relapse prevention (pp. 250-280). New York: Guilford Press.
McGinnis JM, Foege WH (1994). Actual causes of death in the United States. US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC 20201
Humphreys, K.; Mankowski, E.S.; Moos, R.H.; and Finney, J.W (1999). Do enhanced friendship networks and active coping mediate the effect of self-help groups on substance abuse? Ann Behav Med 21(1):54-60.
Kessler, R.C., McGonagle, K.A., Zhao, S., Nelson, C.B., Hughes, M., Eshleman, S., Wittchen, H. H,-U, & Kendler, K.S. (1994). Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders in the United
States: Results from the national co morbidity survey. Arch. Gen. Psychiat., 51, 8-19.
Legislative Bills, Honolulu Advertizer, March 12, 2006.
Morgenstern, J.; Labouvie, E.; McCrady, B.S.; Kahler, C.W.; and Frey, R.M (1997). Affiliation with
National Center for Tobacco-Free Kids, 2001
Alcoholics Anonymous after treatment: A study of its therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action. J Consult Clin Psychol 65(5):768-777.
Nicotine Addiction, emedicine.com. 2004.
Orford, J. (1985). Excessive appetites: A psychological view of addiction. New York: Wiley.
Prochaska, J. O., & DiClemente, C. C. (1984). The transtheoretical approach: Crossing the boundaries of therapy. Malabar, FL: Krieger.
Slobodzien, J. (2005). Poly-behavioral Addiction and the Addictions Recovery Measurement System (ARMS), Booklocker.com, Inc., p. 5.
Whitlock, E.P. (1996). Evaluating Primary Care Behavioral Counseling Interventions: An Evidence-based Approach. Am J Prev Med 2002;22(4): 267-84.Williams & Wilkins. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Guide to Clinical Preventive Services. 2nd ed. Alexandria, VA.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy People 2010 (Conference Edition). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office; 2000.
Do Governments Save Money by Watching Smokers Die Prematurely?
This was the conclusion of a report, commissioned by Philip Morris, who looked at the cost of smoking in the Czech Republic in 1999. They concluded that tobacco can save a government millions of dollars in health care and pensions because many smokers die earlier. They reported that the government had benefited from savings on health care, pensions and housing for the elderly that totaled $30 million - the "indirect positive effects" of early deaths (Arthur D. Little International, 2000).
I was shocked to hear this death benefit argument for the first time, after making a presentation to a group of professionals informing them that tobacco use is the chief avoidable cause of illness and premature death for over 430,000 Americans each year. It reminded me of the dialog in the movie, Traffic, when Michael Douglas playing a congressman/ drug czar asked a Mexican general (played by Tomas Milian), How do you treat your drug addicts? And the general responded by saying, We let our drug addicts treat themselves. They overdose and die, and then there is one less drug addict to worry about.
Although the argument is immoral, unjustifiable, and factually inaccurate (National Center for Tobacco-Free Kids, 2001), it would appear that 46 States in the United States are indirectly supporting this dreadful argument as only 5% of the tobacco-settlement funds (of the $206 billion settlement for tobacco-related health costs that went to 46 States according to a National Conference of State Legislators study), are being spent on tobacco prevention and treatment programs.
Should the U.S. Federal Government be in the Tobacco Business?
Federal taxpayers are directly paying more than $340 million to tobacco farmers to make up for lost income because of low prices and tobacco litigation settlements. These direct payments are in addition to subsidies in the form of tobacco crop insurance, administrative costs for price supports, and non-recourse loans. This subsidy supports expanded tobacco production at the same time that the federal government is spending millions actively discouraging the use of tobacco for public health and safety reasons (Green Scissors, 2006).
These subsidies also occur at the same time that our political candidates accept millions of dollars in contributions from the tobacco industry. Tobacco companies are heavily invested in politics, contributing $36.8 million to federal candidates and political parties since 1989, the Winston-Salem Journal reported Oct.23, 2004.Observer, June 25, 2000.
Do Government Laws Prohibit Minors from Legally Smoking Cigarettes?
Federal law does not allow retailers to sell cigarettes, tobacco, or smokeless tobacco to anyone under the age of 18. Laws regarding the possession of tobacco are left up to the individual states. I wonder why it is legal for minors to smoke cigarettes in most States, but illegal for minors to buy cigarettes when there are approximately 1.23 million new smokers under the age of 18 each year (Gilpin, et al., 1999), and more than 6,000 children and adolescents try their first cigarette each day (CDC, 1998).
More than 90% of first-time use of tobacco occurs before high school graduation. Because the average age at first use is 14.5 years, smoking prevention must start early.
Approximately 40% of teenagers who smoke eventually become addicted to nicotine.
Hawaii presently has a bill before the Legislature that would prohibit the use of tobacco products by minors, with penalties including tobacco education, community service, fines and drivers license suspension (Honolulu Advertizer, March 12, 2006). Why has it taken the 50th State - 50-plus years to propose this bill? And what are the other States doing with the other 95% of their settlement, if their not attempting to educate and treat smokers?
Children smoke 1.1 billion packs of cigarettes yearly. This accounts for more than $200 billion in future health care costs. The health consequences of this addiction are enormous. Tobacco smoking is responsible for 1 of every 5 deaths and is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.
Should Governments Promote Life and Provide Treatment for Smokers?
Proponents of the death benefit argument would say that tobacco victims (46.5 million American smokers, CDC, 1997) deserve to die, because they have chosen to smoke and risk the consequences. Does this also include the 70% of smokers who want to quit (Health Education Authority, 1995), but find themselves physiologically, psychologically, and socially addicted to nicotine? In fact, less than 25% of smokers who try to quit succeed as long as a year (Stolerman, I.P. & Jarvis, M.J., 1995).
It does not appear that Governments are actively supporting treatment for smokers. In 2001, a survey of the federal-state Medicaid coverage for tobacco-dependence in the United States was conducted, and only 1 State in 50 (Oregon) provided for all the tobacco-dependence counseling and pharmacotherapy treatments recommended by the 2000 Public Health Service (PHS) guideline. Only 10 States in 2001, offered some form of tobacco-cessation counseling services to the 11.5 million federal-state Medicaid program patients that smoke (CDC, 2003). A lack of reimbursement for tobacco-cessation counseling services is also the most common complaint for private health insurance companies when inquiring about treatment for smokers.
If the death benefit argument was applied across the board to all areas, then these proponents would end all medical research directed at preventing and finding treatments for illnesses and diseases, and promote euthanasia for all unproductive people in society including the elderly, severely retarded, mentally ill, and physically handicapped. The answer is not in condemning victims of diseases, disorders, and addictions, but in providing effective prevention, education, assessment/ diagnosis, treatment, and aftercare programs for those in need.
Diagnosing Nicotine Dependence
Nicotine addiction is classified as a nicotine use disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV TR, 2000). The criteria for the diagnosis of 305.1 - Nicotine Dependence - include any 3 of the following within a 1-year time span:
o Tolerance to nicotine with decreased effect and increasing dose to obtain same effect
o Withdrawal symptoms after cessation
o Smoking more than usual
o Persistent desire to smoke despite efforts to decrease intake
o Extensive time spent smoking or purchasing tobacco
o Postponing work, social, or recreational events in order to smoke
o Continuing to smoke despite health hazards
Screening for Nicotine Dependence
Screening tools are available to assist counselors and therapists with diagnosing this condition - such as the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire (FTQ). Two items in the FTQ that are considered the key questions are as follows:
1. Do you smoke within 5 minutes of awakening?
2. Do you smoke greater than 25 cigarettes per day?
Individuals that answer Yes to both questions are highly dependent on nicotine (Prochazka, 2000).
Note: If after reading the above, you started rationalizing to yourself, Well it usually takes me 6-minutes to light-up after I get out of bed or I never smoke more than 20 cigarettes per day, (As my old graduate professor use to say) STOP BULL-SH#%ting yourself and go see a therapist.
Co-morbidity & Nicotine Dependence
Addictions such as nicotine dependence and other addictions as a rule do not develop in isolation. Individuals can shift from one addiction to another or sustain multiple addictions at different times. The National Co-morbidity Survey (NCS) that sampled the entire U.S. population in 1994, found that among non-institutionalized American male and female adolescents and adults (ages 15-54), roughly 50% had a diagnosable Axis I mental disorder at some time in their lives. This surveys results indicated that 35% of males will at some time in their lives have abused substances to the point of qualifying for a mental disorder diagnosis, and nearly 25% of women will have qualified for a serious mood disorder (mostly major depression). A significant finding of note from the NCS study was the widespread occurrence of co-morbidity among diagnosed disorders. It specifically found that 56% of the respondents with a history of at least one disorder also had two or more additional disorders. These persons with a history of three or more co-morbid disorders were estimated to be one-sixth of the U.S. population, or some 43 million people (Kessler, 1994).
Psychiatric disorders are more common among tobacco users than in the general population. Among patients seeking tobacco cessation services, as many as 30% of them may have a history of depression (Anda, et al, 1990) and 20% or more may have a history of dependence (Brandon, 1994). Most descriptive studies of alcohol abusers published in the past 20 years have reported tobacco use rates of at least 90%. (Bobo, 2000). More research and information is needed on the co-morbidity of nicotine dependence and behavioral addictions such as pathological gambling, eating disorders, and sexual addictions.
Poor Prognosis
We have come to realize today more than any other time in history that the treatment of lifestyle diseases and addictions are often a difficult and frustrating task for all concerned. As already noted, less than 25% of smokers who try to quit succeed as long as a year (Stolerman, I.P. & Jarvis, M.J., 1995). Repeated failures abound with all of the addictions, even with utilizing the most effective treatment strategies. But why do 47% of patients treated in private treatment programs (for example) relapse within the first year following treatment (Gorski,T., 2001)? Have addiction specialists become conditioned to accept failure as the norm? There are many reasons for this poor prognosis. Some would proclaim that addictions are psychosomatically- induced and maintained in a semi-balanced force field of driving and restraining multidimensional forces. Others would say that failures are due simply to a lack of self-motivation or will power. Most would agree that lifestyle behavioral addictions are serious health risks that deserve our attention, but could it possibly be that patients with multiple addictions are being under diagnosed (with a single dependence) simply due to a lack of diagnostic tools and resources that are incapable of resolving the complexity of assessing and treating a patient with multiple addictions?
New Proposed Diagnosis
Since successful treatment outcomes are dependent on thorough assessments, accurate diagnoses, and comprehensive individualized treatment planning, it is no wonder that repeated rehabilitation failures and low success rates are the norm instead of the exception in the addictions field. Treatment clinics need to have a treatment planning system and referral network that is equipped to thoroughly assess multiple addictive and mental health disorders and related treatment needs and comprehensively provide education/ awareness, prevention strategy groups, and/ or specific addictions treatment services for individuals diagnosed with multiple addictions. Written treatment goals and objectives should be specified for each separate addiction and dimension of an individuals life, and the desired performance outcome or completion criteria should be specifically stated, behaviorally based (a visible activity), and measurable.
To assist with resolving this problem a multidimensional diagnosis of Poly-behavioral Addiction, is proposed for more accurate diagnosis leading to more effective treatment planning. This diagnosis encompasses the broadest category of addictive disorders that would include an individual manifesting a combination of substance abuse addictions, and other obsessively-compulsive behavioral addictive behavioral patterns to pathological gambling, religion, and/ or sex / pornography, etc.). Behavioral addictions are just as damaging - psychologically and socially as alcohol and drug abuse. They are comparative to other life-style diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease in their behavioral manifestations, their etiologies, and their resistance to treatments. They are progressive disorders that involve obsessive thinking and compulsive behaviors. They are also characterized by a preoccupation with a continuous or periodic loss of control, and continuous irrational behavior in spite of adverse consequences.
Poly-behavioral addiction would be described as a state of periodic or chronic physical, mental, emotional, cultural, sexual and/ or spiritual/ religious intoxication. These various types of intoxication are produced by repeated obsessive thoughts and compulsive practices involved in pathological relationships to any mood-altering substance, person, organization, belief system, and/ or activity. The individual has an overpowering desire, need or compulsion with the presence of a tendency to intensify their adherence to these practices, and evidence of phenomena of tolerance, abstinence and withdrawal, in which there is always physical and/ or psychic dependence on the effects of this pathological relationship. In addition, there is a 12 - month period in which an individual is pathologically involved with three or more behavioral and/ or substance use addictions simultaneously, but the criteria are not met for dependence for any one addiction in particular (Slobodzien, J., 2005). In essence, Poly-behavioral addiction is the synergistically integrated chronic dependence on multiple physiologically addictive substances and behaviors (e.g., using/ abusing substances - nicotine, alcohol, & drugs, and/or acting impulsively or obsessively compulsive in regards to gambling, food binging, sex, and/ or religion, etc.) simultaneously.
New Proposed Theory
The Addictions Recovery Measurement Systems (ARMS) theory is a nonlinear, dynamical, non-hierarchical model that focuses on interactions between multiple risk factors and situational determinants similar to catastrophe and chaos theories in predicting and explaining addictive behaviors and relapse. Multiple influences trigger and operate within high-risk situations and influence the global multidimensional functioning of an individual. The process of relapse incorporates the interaction between background factors (e.g., family history, social support, years of possible dependence, and co-morbid psychopathology), physiological states (e.g., physical withdrawal), cognitive processes (e.g., self-efficacy, cravings, motivation, the abstinence violation effect, outcome expectancies), and coping skills (Brownell et al., 1986; Marlatt & Gordon, 1985). To put it simply, small changes in an individuals behavior can result in large qualitative changes at the global level and patterns at the global level of a system emerge solely from numerous little interactions.
The ARMS hypothesis purports that there is a multidimensional synergistically negative resistance that individuals develop to any one form of treatment to a single dimension of their lives, because the effects of an individuals addiction have dynamically interacted multi-dimensionally. Having the primary focus on one dimension is insufficient. Traditionally, addiction treatment programs have failed to accommodate for the multidimensional synergistically negative effects of an individual having multiple addictions, (e.g. nicotine, alcohol, and obesity, etc.). Behavioral addictions interact negatively with each other and with strategies to improve overall functioning. They tend to encourage the use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, help increase violence, decrease functional capacity, and promote social isolation. Most treatment theories today involve assessing other dimensions to identify dual diagnosis or co-morbidity diagnoses, or to assess contributing factors that may play a role in the individuals primary addiction. The ARMS theory proclaims that a multidimensional treatment plan must be devised addressing the possible multiple addictions identified for each one of an individuals life dimensions in addition to developing specific goals and objectives for each dimension.
The ARMS acknowledges the complexity and unpredictable nature of lifestyle addictions following the commitment of an individual to accept assistance with changing their lifestyles. The Stages of Change model (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1984) is supported as a model of motivation, incorporating five stages of readiness to change: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. The ARMS theory supports the constructs of self-efficacy and social networking as outcome predictors of future behavior across a wide variety of lifestyle risk factors (Bandura, 1977). The Relapse Prevention cognitive-behavioral approach (Marlatt, 1985) with the goal of identifying and preventing high-risk situations for relapse is also supported within the ARMS theory.
Conclusions
The impact of nicotine dependence and poly-behavioral addictions is of course financially devastating. The estimated smoking attributable cost for medical care in the US in 1998 was more than $75 billion and the cost of lost productivity due to smoking-related disability was estimated at over 80 billion per year (CDC, 2003). But making life and death decisions based on a cost analysis is putting a price on life itself, which I believe no mortal man has the authority to do. Considering that addictions involve unbalanced life-styles operating within semi-stable equilibrium force fields, the ARMS philosophy promotes positive treatment effectiveness and successful outcomes that are the result of a synergistic relationship with The Higher Power, that spiritually elevates and connects an individuals multiple life functioning dimensions by reducing chaos and increasing resilience to bring an individual harmony, wellness, and productivity.
Partnerships and coordination among all service providers, government departments, and health insurance organizations in providing treatment programs are a necessity in addressing the multi-task solution to Nicotine Dependence and Poly-behavioral addictions. I encourage you to support the addiction programs in America, and hope that the (ARMS) resources can assist you to personally fight the War on nicotine dependence within poly-behavioral addiction.
For more info see:
http://www.booklocker.com/books/1966.html
http://www.geocities.com/drslbdzn/Behavioral_Addictions.html
Poly-Behavioral Addiction and the Addictions Recovery Measurement System,
By James Slobodzien, Psy.D., CSAC at:
James Slobodzien, Psy.D., CSAC, is a Hawaii licensed psychologist and certified substance abuse counselor who earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology. The National Registry of Health Service Providers in Psychology credentials Dr. Slobodzien. He has over 20-years of mental health experience primarily working in the fields of alcohol/ substance abuse and behavioral addictions in medical, correctional, and judicial settings. He is an adjunct professor of Psychology and also maintains a private practice as a mental health consultant.
References
American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition,
Text Revision. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 2000, p. 787 & p. 731.
American Society of Addiction Medicines (2003), Patient Placement Criteria for the
Treatment of Substance-Related Disorders, 3rd Edition,. Retrieved, June 18, 2005, from:
http://www.asam.org/
Arthur D. Little International, Inc., Report to Phillip Morris, Public Finance Balance of Smoking in the
Czech Republic, November 28, 2000, Http://tobaccofreekids.org/reports/phillipmorris.
Bandura, A. (1977), Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review,
84, 191-215.
Bobo, J.K., Sociocultural influences on smoking and drinking. Alcohol Res Health. 2000;24(4):225-32. Review. PMID: 15986717 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Brownell, K. D., Marlatt, G. A., Lichtenstein, E., & Wilson, G. T. (1986). Understanding and preventing relapse. American Psychologist, 41, 765-782.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Retrieved June 18, 2005, from: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/
Gorski, T. (2001), Relapse Prevention In The Managed Care Environment. GORSKI-CENAPS Web
Greenscissors.org/news, Up in Smoke Tobacco Program 840 Million, 2006.
Healthy People 2010. Retrieved June 20, 2005, from: http://www.healthypeople.gov/
Publications. Retrieved June 20, 2005, from: www.tgorski.com
Lienard, J. & Vamecq, J. (2004), Presse Med, Oct 23;33(18 Suppl):33-40.
Marlatt, G. A. (1985). Relapse prevention: Theoretical rationale and overview of the model. In G. A.
Marlatt & J. R. Gordon (Eds.), Relapse prevention (pp. 250-280). New York: Guilford Press.
McGinnis JM, Foege WH (1994). Actual causes of death in the United States. US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC 20201
Humphreys, K.; Mankowski, E.S.; Moos, R.H.; and Finney, J.W (1999). Do enhanced friendship networks and active coping mediate the effect of self-help groups on substance abuse? Ann Behav Med 21(1):54-60.
Kessler, R.C., McGonagle, K.A., Zhao, S., Nelson, C.B., Hughes, M., Eshleman, S., Wittchen, H. H,-U, & Kendler, K.S. (1994). Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders in the United
States: Results from the national co morbidity survey. Arch. Gen. Psychiat., 51, 8-19.
Legislative Bills, Honolulu Advertizer, March 12, 2006.
Morgenstern, J.; Labouvie, E.; McCrady, B.S.; Kahler, C.W.; and Frey, R.M (1997). Affiliation with
National Center for Tobacco-Free Kids, 2001
Alcoholics Anonymous after treatment: A study of its therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action. J Consult Clin Psychol 65(5):768-777.
Nicotine Addiction, emedicine.com. 2004.
Orford, J. (1985). Excessive appetites: A psychological view of addiction. New York: Wiley.
Prochaska, J. O., & DiClemente, C. C. (1984). The transtheoretical approach: Crossing the boundaries of therapy. Malabar, FL: Krieger.
Slobodzien, J. (2005). Poly-behavioral Addiction and the Addictions Recovery Measurement System (ARMS), Booklocker.com, Inc., p. 5.
Whitlock, E.P. (1996). Evaluating Primary Care Behavioral Counseling Interventions: An Evidence-based Approach. Am J Prev Med 2002;22(4): 267-84.Williams & Wilkins. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Guide to Clinical Preventive Services. 2nd ed. Alexandria, VA.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy People 2010 (Conference Edition). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office; 2000.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Arrival at Company D, 40th Signal Battalion, Qui Nhon, RVN
Article 4
Arrival at D Company, 40th Signal Battalion, Qui Nhon
Upon our evening arrival I was picked up along with the other replacements at the Qui Nhon airport moved to the company area. We were shown our temporary bunks and stowed our gear. Mike Massey, Bob Carpenter, and I went over to the EM club to get something to drink. The place had nothing to eat and of course the chow hall was closed. Back to the billets and for some much needed rest. Of course we had no mosquito nets.
The following day we in-processed the company and were assigned permanent bunks with our respective platoons. We were pole line construction and the following day I worked the pole line for half a day. Before going back to work the line after noon chow Mike Massey and I were called to the orderly room to see the operations sergeant. He offered us cable splicing school in Long Binh. We had not been in Qui Nhon for 3 days and its back to Long Binh for 3 weeks of in country cable splicing school.
Nothing eventful happened. What I do remember was that you had to be an E-6 or above to use the ice machine in the mess hall. In other words you could get ice tea for without the ice. This was one of my first indicators of the poor leadership that I would experience over the coming months in this outfit... This ice problem was later corrected with the help of the inspector general and some disgruntled troops. I also remember trying to get a mosquito net. Our platoon sergeant tells us to go to the supply room and of course the supply room has no nets. We were told to get one off someone rotating home. Of my 33 months in Vietnam I never received a net from supply. I dont ever remember receiving much of anything from company supply. Anyway it's off to Long Binh.
Article 4
Arrival at D Company, 40th Signal Battalion, Qui Nhon
Upon our evening arrival I was picked up along with the other replacements at the Qui Nhon airport moved to the company area. We were shown our temporary bunks and stowed our gear. Mike Massey, Bob Carpenter, and I went over to the EM club to get something to drink. The place had nothing to eat and of course the chow hall was closed. Back to the billets and for some much needed rest. Of course we had no mosquito nets.
The following day we in-processed the company and were assigned permanent bunks with our respective platoons. We were pole line construction and the following day I worked the pole line for half a day. Before going back to work the line after noon chow Mike Massey and I were called to the orderly room to see the operations sergeant. He offered us cable splicing school in Long Binh. We had not been in Qui Nhon for 3 days and its back to Long Binh for 3 weeks of in country cable splicing school.
Nothing eventful happened. What I do remember was that you had to be an E-6 or above to use the ice machine in the mess hall. In other words you could get ice tea for without the ice. This was one of my first indicators of the poor leadership that I would experience over the coming months in this outfit... This ice problem was later corrected with the help of the inspector general and some disgruntled troops. I also remember trying to get a mosquito net. Our platoon sergeant tells us to go to the supply room and of course the supply room has no nets. We were told to get one off someone rotating home. Of my 33 months in Vietnam I never received a net from supply. I dont ever remember receiving much of anything from company supply. Anyway it's off to Long Binh.
Insider Secrets of an eBay Millionaire - Reviewed
"The Insiders Secrets of an eBay Millionaire" is a thorough study of the techniques to making a generous living on eBay. Derek Gehl and Brandon Dupsky have teamed up to produce a detailed eBay success system on how to navigate eBay, find the right products, enjoy profitable online auctions and become a Power Seller. Every tip and trick that Brandon has used on eBay to generate 8 million dollars in sales last year, are revealed to Derek Gehl.
The only part that was difficult for me is the length of time it took to study and digest the material included. There is so much information you will probably have to revisit the books until they become second nature. Derek and Brandons claim that you will be up and running on eBay in the next 24 hours is a little ambitious. Take your time and really let the information sink in.
Let me supply a little background on Derek and Brandon. You may have heard of Derek Gehl CEO of The Internet Marketing Center, a company with over 40 million dollars in internet sales. Brandon Dupsky on the other hand tends to fly under the radar. He is a regular guy from Nebraska that started selling a few odds and ends from his garage. Brandon then turned the internet business into one with sales last year of 8 million dollars. These two guys know what theyre talking about. Derek convinced Brandon to spill his secrets on how to become an eBay entrepreneur and I found this a very enlightening learning experience.
This work is loaded with tips and tricks that anyone interested in eBay auctions as a hobby or a home business must have. It will show you how to start from nothing and expand into a profitable eBay business. Many people spend years learning what works and what doesnt work on eBay. Derek and Brandon have drastically reduced the timeline it takes to become an eBay success.
The course materials are vast. Their heart is a 237 page manual and four audio-CDs, all filled with useful tips on building an eBay business from scratch. Each audio-CD has a read along transcript with margin notes to build on key points. The margin notes are excellent since they highlight the most important topics that were addressed on each page. There are also four bonus CD-ROMs with tips on more advanced eBay buying selling techniques. These CD-ROMs answer the questions of how to attract lots of bids on your products, how to create stunning listings that bring bidders to your auction, and how to set up foolproof payment and shipping systems. These steps are crucial to establishing yourself successfully on eBay. If you already have an internet business, Derek and Brandon will show you how to tap into some of the 2,000,000 visitors who come to eBay each day.
"The Insiders Secrets of an eBay Millionaire" delivers on its promise to teach you all of the fundamentals needed in order to grow into an eBay expert. It logically and easily takes you through the steps, from finding a product to completing an auction. This resource will be something that you refer to time after time and I suggest you take notes as you go along.
If anything, you may have to read all of the books again before you will be able to absorb the subtleties of using eBay profitably. Brandon and Derek go into so much detail that I was amazed at what they revealed.
In Dereks introduction, he tells you that you cant afford not to have this information and I totally agree with him. For me, this was the ultimate source to learn more about eBay and I am making the most of it.
Some people have asked me if there was some way to improve on this product and I can honestly say NO. I was astounded about the secrets that I learned from Brandon because I have been selling on eBay since 1999.
The only question I have is how Brandon manages his various weekly auctions. I would have preferred an in-depth study on how he accomplishes this very involved task.
If you are interested in growing an eBay business, this is the comprehensive course you should have. I give it my highest rating. For more information on this subject please visit: http://www.ebay-insidersecrets.com.
Copyright © 2006 Mary Hanna All Rights Reserved.
This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.
"The Insiders Secrets of an eBay Millionaire" is a thorough study of the techniques to making a generous living on eBay. Derek Gehl and Brandon Dupsky have teamed up to produce a detailed eBay success system on how to navigate eBay, find the right products, enjoy profitable online auctions and become a Power Seller. Every tip and trick that Brandon has used on eBay to generate 8 million dollars in sales last year, are revealed to Derek Gehl.
The only part that was difficult for me is the length of time it took to study and digest the material included. There is so much information you will probably have to revisit the books until they become second nature. Derek and Brandons claim that you will be up and running on eBay in the next 24 hours is a little ambitious. Take your time and really let the information sink in.
Let me supply a little background on Derek and Brandon. You may have heard of Derek Gehl CEO of The Internet Marketing Center, a company with over 40 million dollars in internet sales. Brandon Dupsky on the other hand tends to fly under the radar. He is a regular guy from Nebraska that started selling a few odds and ends from his garage. Brandon then turned the internet business into one with sales last year of 8 million dollars. These two guys know what theyre talking about. Derek convinced Brandon to spill his secrets on how to become an eBay entrepreneur and I found this a very enlightening learning experience.
This work is loaded with tips and tricks that anyone interested in eBay auctions as a hobby or a home business must have. It will show you how to start from nothing and expand into a profitable eBay business. Many people spend years learning what works and what doesnt work on eBay. Derek and Brandon have drastically reduced the timeline it takes to become an eBay success.
The course materials are vast. Their heart is a 237 page manual and four audio-CDs, all filled with useful tips on building an eBay business from scratch. Each audio-CD has a read along transcript with margin notes to build on key points. The margin notes are excellent since they highlight the most important topics that were addressed on each page. There are also four bonus CD-ROMs with tips on more advanced eBay buying selling techniques. These CD-ROMs answer the questions of how to attract lots of bids on your products, how to create stunning listings that bring bidders to your auction, and how to set up foolproof payment and shipping systems. These steps are crucial to establishing yourself successfully on eBay. If you already have an internet business, Derek and Brandon will show you how to tap into some of the 2,000,000 visitors who come to eBay each day.
"The Insiders Secrets of an eBay Millionaire" delivers on its promise to teach you all of the fundamentals needed in order to grow into an eBay expert. It logically and easily takes you through the steps, from finding a product to completing an auction. This resource will be something that you refer to time after time and I suggest you take notes as you go along.
If anything, you may have to read all of the books again before you will be able to absorb the subtleties of using eBay profitably. Brandon and Derek go into so much detail that I was amazed at what they revealed.
In Dereks introduction, he tells you that you cant afford not to have this information and I totally agree with him. For me, this was the ultimate source to learn more about eBay and I am making the most of it.
Some people have asked me if there was some way to improve on this product and I can honestly say NO. I was astounded about the secrets that I learned from Brandon because I have been selling on eBay since 1999.
The only question I have is how Brandon manages his various weekly auctions. I would have preferred an in-depth study on how he accomplishes this very involved task.
If you are interested in growing an eBay business, this is the comprehensive course you should have. I give it my highest rating. For more information on this subject please visit: http://www.ebay-insidersecrets.com.
Copyright © 2006 Mary Hanna All Rights Reserved.
This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Goal Setting; Part I
To be successful you must have a clear and exciting vision of the future. Clarity of vision today will significantly impact your life tomorrow. Olympians in the sporting arena and Olympians in life are people with an incredible personal vision. They wholeheartedly believe in the truthfulness of the old Japanese proverb which states that vision without action is a daydream and action without vision is a nightmare so they act on their vision in a very meaningful and significant way. The first step in turning your vision into reality is to set goals. This is such a vast and important subject it is impossible to do it justice in just one issue. My goal is to present to you the most salient points on goal setting and have you setting powerful goals that will catapult you to the life of your dreams.
Goals-The building blocks to your dreams
Goal setting is considered the master skill of life. It is a vital ingredient to living a successful life and your life will always be limited to the extent to which you master this skill. In other words you may be a good, decent hard working person however your level of success will be limited to the extent that you learn to effectively set goals. If you never learn to drive a car or use a computer it doesnt mean that you wont be able to live a good life; it simply means that you will be limited to the extent that you can do those things. The same way you can learn to drive a car or use a computer and get better at it through repeated practice; you can learn to set goals and attain higher levels of proficiency by doing it over and over again. Goals are the building blocks to the life of your dreams. Each small goal set and achieved serves as a platform and then a launching pad to increasing levels of success. It is impossible to fulfill the entire vision with one massive flurry of activity however by setting smaller short term and medium term goals you would have put in place the building blocks that lead to the life of your dreams. For example, your vision of becoming a college graduate, depending on the degree you chose to pursue will take between two to five years. It is the act of choosing the college and the courses you will do each semester that form the building blocks that will make that dream achievable and ultimately fulfilled. It is inconceivable to eat an elephant with one big gulp but you certainly could get the job done with many tiny bites.. So it is in fulfilling the vision you have for your life. Yard by yard life is hard, inch by inch lifes a cinch!
Goals- Chose your own
A few months ago my seven old son Brandon, came to ask my advice about what he should be when he grows up. Apparently his cousin, who happens to be round about his age his grandmother and think that he should become a doctor. At this age the little fellow has a liking to red fire trucks and sees himself as a fireman. I once asked why he wanted to be a fireman and he told me that it is so that he can save me if there was ever a fire. How can you not just love a son like that! At any rate he was in a quandary as to what he should do. I reassured him that he can do, have or become anything that he chooses but it was important that it was his choice. In the same way we must not allow others to craft our vision and define the limits of our success, we must be careful not to allow someone else to choose our goals.
Subconsciously, many of us are influenced by a dominant personality or someone we simply want to please. When I graduated high school I wanted to enlist in the Officer Corps of the Jamaica Defence and eventually attend the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England. My father wanted me to go the local university and study chemistry or something like that. I didnt even like chemistry. I stuck to my guns. I am pretty sure that had I folded and pursued my fathers goals for me I would have missed the opportunity to be a part of Jamaicas first Olympic bobsled team. So, whatever your goal is be careful that is something that YOU truly want to do. Dont try to please anyone else because you will spend the rest of your life wondering what would have happened f you had pursued your own dreams. There is nothing worse than looking back at your life with regret.
Goals-Steer you in the right direction
Imagine that you are on a cross-country trip to Florida. If you happen to live in Florida, imagine you are coming to visit me in the Big Apple. You would no doubt have a tank full of gas, some of your favorite snacks and of course the exact address of where you were going. However if you have never made the trip before and didnt have a map, there is no way you could get to your destination in a timely fashion. Undoubtedly you would eventually get there but only after a long exhaustive trip plagued by detours, going around in circles and retracing your steps. Does this sound familiar? Isnt it true that this is how some people live their lives? This is a true indication of a life lived without goals. They see the vision and take off without planning their route and end up frustrated and dejected, sometimes even giving up on the dreams because the road is just too difficult. Most people spend more time planning a vacation making the hotel reservation, booking the airline tickets, renting the car, buying the clothes, (the list goes on) than they do planning their life. Which is more important to you?
Those with goals arent guaranteed a nice easy road ahead but at least they are always able to take their bearings because they planned their route. Even if they have to take a detour(we all do every now and then) they know how to get back on track because their goals serve as a road map. Someone described goals and dreams as magnets that pull you towards them but I prefer to think of them as a compass that points along the path to success and ultimately to life you have envisioned. Having a sense of direction and ultimately the opportunity to march in the opening ceremony of your dreams and to live the life you have envisioned is one of the great benefit of goal setting.
Goals - The motivation to achieve. Investing the time and energy necessary to do the soul searching to determine your goals will reap handsome rewards in the powerful swell of motivation it produces. This incredibly powerful tool for success flow naturally when you set goals, compelling you to do everything you can to get better, withstanding distractions and temptations and staying focused on the outcome you have envisioned. When you set powerful goals they live and breathe inside of you. You will get up early and work late. Throughout your day youll be constantly aware of what you need to do and you will have boundless energy and an envigorating sense of control over your life because you have the motivational energy.
Action Steps
1. Armed with a note pad and pen set aside about 25-30 minutes of quiet time for yourself. No cell phones or other external distractions.
2. Close your eyes and as deeply and clearly as possible picture what you would like your life to look like in the next 5 to 10 years.
3. As quickly as you can begin to list one below the other all the things you would like to have, do or become. Give no thought to whether you think its feasible or not, just list EVERYTHING
4. Repeat the exercise until you think youve got it all down on paper
Keep On Pushing!
To be successful you must have a clear and exciting vision of the future. Clarity of vision today will significantly impact your life tomorrow. Olympians in the sporting arena and Olympians in life are people with an incredible personal vision. They wholeheartedly believe in the truthfulness of the old Japanese proverb which states that vision without action is a daydream and action without vision is a nightmare so they act on their vision in a very meaningful and significant way. The first step in turning your vision into reality is to set goals. This is such a vast and important subject it is impossible to do it justice in just one issue. My goal is to present to you the most salient points on goal setting and have you setting powerful goals that will catapult you to the life of your dreams.
Goals-The building blocks to your dreams
Goal setting is considered the master skill of life. It is a vital ingredient to living a successful life and your life will always be limited to the extent to which you master this skill. In other words you may be a good, decent hard working person however your level of success will be limited to the extent that you learn to effectively set goals. If you never learn to drive a car or use a computer it doesnt mean that you wont be able to live a good life; it simply means that you will be limited to the extent that you can do those things. The same way you can learn to drive a car or use a computer and get better at it through repeated practice; you can learn to set goals and attain higher levels of proficiency by doing it over and over again. Goals are the building blocks to the life of your dreams. Each small goal set and achieved serves as a platform and then a launching pad to increasing levels of success. It is impossible to fulfill the entire vision with one massive flurry of activity however by setting smaller short term and medium term goals you would have put in place the building blocks that lead to the life of your dreams. For example, your vision of becoming a college graduate, depending on the degree you chose to pursue will take between two to five years. It is the act of choosing the college and the courses you will do each semester that form the building blocks that will make that dream achievable and ultimately fulfilled. It is inconceivable to eat an elephant with one big gulp but you certainly could get the job done with many tiny bites.. So it is in fulfilling the vision you have for your life. Yard by yard life is hard, inch by inch lifes a cinch!
Goals- Chose your own
A few months ago my seven old son Brandon, came to ask my advice about what he should be when he grows up. Apparently his cousin, who happens to be round about his age his grandmother and think that he should become a doctor. At this age the little fellow has a liking to red fire trucks and sees himself as a fireman. I once asked why he wanted to be a fireman and he told me that it is so that he can save me if there was ever a fire. How can you not just love a son like that! At any rate he was in a quandary as to what he should do. I reassured him that he can do, have or become anything that he chooses but it was important that it was his choice. In the same way we must not allow others to craft our vision and define the limits of our success, we must be careful not to allow someone else to choose our goals.
Subconsciously, many of us are influenced by a dominant personality or someone we simply want to please. When I graduated high school I wanted to enlist in the Officer Corps of the Jamaica Defence and eventually attend the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England. My father wanted me to go the local university and study chemistry or something like that. I didnt even like chemistry. I stuck to my guns. I am pretty sure that had I folded and pursued my fathers goals for me I would have missed the opportunity to be a part of Jamaicas first Olympic bobsled team. So, whatever your goal is be careful that is something that YOU truly want to do. Dont try to please anyone else because you will spend the rest of your life wondering what would have happened f you had pursued your own dreams. There is nothing worse than looking back at your life with regret.
Goals-Steer you in the right direction
Imagine that you are on a cross-country trip to Florida. If you happen to live in Florida, imagine you are coming to visit me in the Big Apple. You would no doubt have a tank full of gas, some of your favorite snacks and of course the exact address of where you were going. However if you have never made the trip before and didnt have a map, there is no way you could get to your destination in a timely fashion. Undoubtedly you would eventually get there but only after a long exhaustive trip plagued by detours, going around in circles and retracing your steps. Does this sound familiar? Isnt it true that this is how some people live their lives? This is a true indication of a life lived without goals. They see the vision and take off without planning their route and end up frustrated and dejected, sometimes even giving up on the dreams because the road is just too difficult. Most people spend more time planning a vacation making the hotel reservation, booking the airline tickets, renting the car, buying the clothes, (the list goes on) than they do planning their life. Which is more important to you?
Those with goals arent guaranteed a nice easy road ahead but at least they are always able to take their bearings because they planned their route. Even if they have to take a detour(we all do every now and then) they know how to get back on track because their goals serve as a road map. Someone described goals and dreams as magnets that pull you towards them but I prefer to think of them as a compass that points along the path to success and ultimately to life you have envisioned. Having a sense of direction and ultimately the opportunity to march in the opening ceremony of your dreams and to live the life you have envisioned is one of the great benefit of goal setting.
Goals - The motivation to achieve. Investing the time and energy necessary to do the soul searching to determine your goals will reap handsome rewards in the powerful swell of motivation it produces. This incredibly powerful tool for success flow naturally when you set goals, compelling you to do everything you can to get better, withstanding distractions and temptations and staying focused on the outcome you have envisioned. When you set powerful goals they live and breathe inside of you. You will get up early and work late. Throughout your day youll be constantly aware of what you need to do and you will have boundless energy and an envigorating sense of control over your life because you have the motivational energy.
Action Steps
1. Armed with a note pad and pen set aside about 25-30 minutes of quiet time for yourself. No cell phones or other external distractions.
2. Close your eyes and as deeply and clearly as possible picture what you would like your life to look like in the next 5 to 10 years.
3. As quickly as you can begin to list one below the other all the things you would like to have, do or become. Give no thought to whether you think its feasible or not, just list EVERYTHING
4. Repeat the exercise until you think youve got it all down on paper
Keep On Pushing!
Top 100 Baby Names and Helpful Tips To Consider When Naming Your Baby
Are you an expectant parent anxiously waiting for that little package of joy? Yet, you and your spouse are still looking for that perfect name? Well...fret no more! The list of the top 100 baby names may be the answer to your prayers.
Searching for your baby's name is loads of fun! Whether you're seeking a name for your soon-to-be baby boy or baby girl, you and your spouse should be curious about what names in the top 100 are currently hot.
What is particularly interesting is tracking the popularity of baby names over the decades. In looking through baby name lists from 1880 to the present, some amusing patterns emerge, particularly in regards to baby names for girls.
For example, in Victorian times, Biblical names such as Mary, Sarah and Ruth were very popular for baby girls. There were also many baby names that are now considered very old-fashioned like Martha, Alice, Bertha and Minnie.
From the 1920s to the 1950s certain baby names rose in popularity. These included names such as Susan, Debbie, Patricia, and Linda. All of these baby names have since waned, to be replaced, by the 1980s, with fancier names such as Jennifer, Jessica and Nicole.
However, according to the new top 100 baby names, there's been a lot of renewed interest in the more "old-fashioned" names like Hannah, Abigail and Ethan, plus many Biblical names such as Sarah, Rachel, Joshua, Jacob, and Samuel. There's also been a surge in nontraditional baby names including Madison, Ashley and Brianna for baby girls, and Brandon and Logan for baby boys.
When naming a baby there are, of course, many other points to consider besides how popular or unique a name is. Here are some helpful tips that you can use with your spouse and immediate family in choosing a name for the new baby and to make the process fun:
1. Baby names need to go nicely with the sound of your last name. Also, pick a first name and a middle name that go together well. (So maybe not something like Erasmus Beelzebub Jones!)
2. When your family finds a name you all like, observe the initials to be sure that you don't give your new baby a name with initials that will make people laugh or cause teasing by his or her peers. (For example: Pamela Iris Greer, which equals pig!)
3. You might not want a baby name that is so unusual that the other kids will make fun of your child in school which could result in low self esteem. So please do not be selfish when choosing a name.
4. You also might not want a baby name that is so trendy that it will sound funny by the time the baby is ten years old. (For example... Sunshine.)
5. Be careful not to pick a name that's really cute for an adorable little baby but will sound silly when your little one grows up. (For example, Dimples or Cutie Pie.)
6. Avoid baby names that might produce insulting nicknames when people shorten them. (So maybe not Smellonius, or Smelly for short !)
7. You and your family might not want a name that is so hard to spell or to pronounce that people will always get it wrong and therefore, your poor son or daughter will have to go through their entire life correcting people.
8. You and your family might want to pick baby names in honor of favorite relatives or ancestors, or special names that show your family's ethnic roots. You may even want to borrow a name from one of your favorite celebrities or sports athelete.
9. Study the top 100 baby names and choose one that has a special meaning that you like - maybe something that means "strong" or "kind" or "brave".
10. Look at your own family names and see if using any name combinations create unusual baby names you like. Ask other family members for their suggestions, even invite your friends to give you their opinions. Does a relative have a name you like? Be careful if the name is already being used. Ask other family members to be sure your favorite unusual baby names are not given to relatives. It can become confusing in families when two people have the same names.
Conclusion
Have fun and enjoy viewing the top 100 baby names when choosing your child's names. Celebrate the moment. You will find out it was worth every minute spent deciding upon that baby boy or baby girl name...a name that will identify them for their lifetime.
Are you an expectant parent anxiously waiting for that little package of joy? Yet, you and your spouse are still looking for that perfect name? Well...fret no more! The list of the top 100 baby names may be the answer to your prayers.
Searching for your baby's name is loads of fun! Whether you're seeking a name for your soon-to-be baby boy or baby girl, you and your spouse should be curious about what names in the top 100 are currently hot.
What is particularly interesting is tracking the popularity of baby names over the decades. In looking through baby name lists from 1880 to the present, some amusing patterns emerge, particularly in regards to baby names for girls.
For example, in Victorian times, Biblical names such as Mary, Sarah and Ruth were very popular for baby girls. There were also many baby names that are now considered very old-fashioned like Martha, Alice, Bertha and Minnie.
From the 1920s to the 1950s certain baby names rose in popularity. These included names such as Susan, Debbie, Patricia, and Linda. All of these baby names have since waned, to be replaced, by the 1980s, with fancier names such as Jennifer, Jessica and Nicole.
However, according to the new top 100 baby names, there's been a lot of renewed interest in the more "old-fashioned" names like Hannah, Abigail and Ethan, plus many Biblical names such as Sarah, Rachel, Joshua, Jacob, and Samuel. There's also been a surge in nontraditional baby names including Madison, Ashley and Brianna for baby girls, and Brandon and Logan for baby boys.
When naming a baby there are, of course, many other points to consider besides how popular or unique a name is. Here are some helpful tips that you can use with your spouse and immediate family in choosing a name for the new baby and to make the process fun:
1. Baby names need to go nicely with the sound of your last name. Also, pick a first name and a middle name that go together well. (So maybe not something like Erasmus Beelzebub Jones!)
2. When your family finds a name you all like, observe the initials to be sure that you don't give your new baby a name with initials that will make people laugh or cause teasing by his or her peers. (For example: Pamela Iris Greer, which equals pig!)
3. You might not want a baby name that is so unusual that the other kids will make fun of your child in school which could result in low self esteem. So please do not be selfish when choosing a name.
4. You also might not want a baby name that is so trendy that it will sound funny by the time the baby is ten years old. (For example... Sunshine.)
5. Be careful not to pick a name that's really cute for an adorable little baby but will sound silly when your little one grows up. (For example, Dimples or Cutie Pie.)
6. Avoid baby names that might produce insulting nicknames when people shorten them. (So maybe not Smellonius, or Smelly for short !)
7. You and your family might not want a name that is so hard to spell or to pronounce that people will always get it wrong and therefore, your poor son or daughter will have to go through their entire life correcting people.
8. You and your family might want to pick baby names in honor of favorite relatives or ancestors, or special names that show your family's ethnic roots. You may even want to borrow a name from one of your favorite celebrities or sports athelete.
9. Study the top 100 baby names and choose one that has a special meaning that you like - maybe something that means "strong" or "kind" or "brave".
10. Look at your own family names and see if using any name combinations create unusual baby names you like. Ask other family members for their suggestions, even invite your friends to give you their opinions. Does a relative have a name you like? Be careful if the name is already being used. Ask other family members to be sure your favorite unusual baby names are not given to relatives. It can become confusing in families when two people have the same names.
Conclusion
Have fun and enjoy viewing the top 100 baby names when choosing your child's names. Celebrate the moment. You will find out it was worth every minute spent deciding upon that baby boy or baby girl name...a name that will identify them for their lifetime.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Micklewrights Pasture was a Field of Dreams
There are pleasures in life and some of those pleasures linger in our memory down thru the years. My generation is not the first group who enjoyed playing ball on a field of dreams. Dad and his childhood buddies also enjoyed a ball game or two down in Micklewrights pasture.
Clayton Micklewright the youngest son of the pasture owner gained his desire and enthusiasm for sports on a Sunday afternoon or so playing in this favorite community spot. Clayton or as my dad called him, "Shine" went on and was a member of the first football team Hewitt high school ever fielded.
Micklewrights pasture was a dual purpose playing field boys played football during football season and baseball in baseball season. Clayton Micklewrights exploits as a running back on Hewitts' very first ever football team was a proud product from this field of memories. For all of posterity I am proud to list the teammates who joined Clayton at Hewitt.
The 1926 Hewitt High School team roster.
Guy Fitzpatrick Clayton Micklewright
Ben Clayton Jerry Morrow
Ralph Clayton Claude (C.M.) McClendon
Britt Massey Berlie Taylor
Oscar Kennaman Ted Martin
Leslie Robinson Paul Bradford Sr.
Bobby Burns Baxter McDonal
Ab Leslie
The bright lights of a stadium may never shine down on this playing field but brilliant memories will never dim. More than likely this field will one day be center of attention once again as a parking lot for a large shopping mall.
By the way if you are ever are fortunate enough to meet someone who played ball in Micklewrights pasture shake their hand. Invite them to visit a spell for their upbringing and heritage speaks volumes as to their character and being plain down home folks.
May I share one other short and to the point story? Training beginning baseball players one item of importance is to make sure the youngster is well grounded in being able to overcome the natural fright of the ball hurting them. As a small fry youngun playing baseball in Micklewrights pasture a ball thrown too close hit me square in the back.
Being little I was not seasoned enough to simply back away or fall backwards out from the plate. I simply froze and turned my back to the ball. Bingo it hit just right to knock my breath out.
If I ever overcome this fear totally I'm not sure? I relate this getting hit with the ball in and effort to impress upon dads and all coaches the need to take a lesson Learned in Micklewrights pasture and use it as a teaching thought.
Batter Up! Let's Play Ball...
There are pleasures in life and some of those pleasures linger in our memory down thru the years. My generation is not the first group who enjoyed playing ball on a field of dreams. Dad and his childhood buddies also enjoyed a ball game or two down in Micklewrights pasture.
Clayton Micklewright the youngest son of the pasture owner gained his desire and enthusiasm for sports on a Sunday afternoon or so playing in this favorite community spot. Clayton or as my dad called him, "Shine" went on and was a member of the first football team Hewitt high school ever fielded.
Micklewrights pasture was a dual purpose playing field boys played football during football season and baseball in baseball season. Clayton Micklewrights exploits as a running back on Hewitts' very first ever football team was a proud product from this field of memories. For all of posterity I am proud to list the teammates who joined Clayton at Hewitt.
The 1926 Hewitt High School team roster.
Guy Fitzpatrick Clayton Micklewright
Ben Clayton Jerry Morrow
Ralph Clayton Claude (C.M.) McClendon
Britt Massey Berlie Taylor
Oscar Kennaman Ted Martin
Leslie Robinson Paul Bradford Sr.
Bobby Burns Baxter McDonal
Ab Leslie
The bright lights of a stadium may never shine down on this playing field but brilliant memories will never dim. More than likely this field will one day be center of attention once again as a parking lot for a large shopping mall.
By the way if you are ever are fortunate enough to meet someone who played ball in Micklewrights pasture shake their hand. Invite them to visit a spell for their upbringing and heritage speaks volumes as to their character and being plain down home folks.
May I share one other short and to the point story? Training beginning baseball players one item of importance is to make sure the youngster is well grounded in being able to overcome the natural fright of the ball hurting them. As a small fry youngun playing baseball in Micklewrights pasture a ball thrown too close hit me square in the back.
Being little I was not seasoned enough to simply back away or fall backwards out from the plate. I simply froze and turned my back to the ball. Bingo it hit just right to knock my breath out.
If I ever overcome this fear totally I'm not sure? I relate this getting hit with the ball in and effort to impress upon dads and all coaches the need to take a lesson Learned in Micklewrights pasture and use it as a teaching thought.
Batter Up! Let's Play Ball...
The Beginner's Guide to Building Ramps
Disclaimer:
Building and riding ramps can be fun and rewarding; however, caution should be
practiced with both. The author Brandon Cardone and any other contributors to this
article are in no way, shape or form responsible for any legal matters, injuries or
even death that may occur as a result of the information and content in this article.
The following chapter is one of five that can be found in my skateboard ramp
building guide "The Beginner's Guide To Building Ramps," This 54 page guide can
be instantly downloaded in PDF format from www.buildaramp.com. The skateboard
ramp building guide is filled with tons of photos and easy to understand
instructions and illustrations, you will also find on my website, tons of useful links
related to skateboard ramps, a ramp building photo gallery, free skateboard
wallpaper for your computer, a free skateboard screen saver, and even up to the
minute skateboarding RSS news feeds.
Introduction
So you want to build a skateboard ramp, maybe you are a parent and want to build
something for your kid. Maybe you have been skateboarding, riding BMX, or inline
for a while and realize that you want more than the few spots you get kicked out of
on a regular basis. Whatever the reason, you?ve started in the right direction by
reading this article. Building ramps is a productive learning experience, but the
most important thing is that it is fun and very rewarding if it is done right.
Most people really don?t understand how to build skateboard ramps and end up
giving up before they even give it a second thought. I have people all the time ask
me How do you bend the wood like that? or Where would you even begin building
something like that? Questions like these are why I wrote this guide in the first
place. I want people like you to know that it really isn?t that hard to build skateboard
ramps if you have the right knowledge under your belt. I have been building ramps
with my friend Mike Fitch since I was like 12 years old and over the years and plenty
of trial and error, we have learned the art of building skateboard ramps. I asked
myself if this kind of knowledge should be kept a secret, then I remembered all the
fun I had growing up building my own stuff to skate and all the friends I have made
over the years. We even had the chance to fulfill our dream of building an indoor
skateboard park located in Johnson City, NY, East Coast Terminal as a way of giving
back to the pastime that gave me direction and purpose in my life. I hope this article
gives you that spark of inspiration that I found so many years ago. Who knows,
there could be your own dream skate park lurking deep inside of you just waiting to
be built and for others to enjoy. I wish you the best of luck in your quest and, most
importantly, have fun.
Chapter 1 "Scope Out The Territory"
Before you start building
Some Things to consider
After the site has been decided and inspected
Before you Start Building your Skateboard Ramp
Before you get all gung ho and go down to your local lumber store to buy materials
and grab the tools out of the shed, there are some things you should think about
before you start building. For example, if all you want is a slider box or a jump
ramp, you shouldn?t need a huge area to put your ramps. In this kind of a situation,
an empty parking lot or your driveway will work. Be creative, like screwing some
trucks and wheels from an old skateboard or roller skates to the side so you can
wheel it around easy. You could even cut handles in the sides of the templates to
carry your ramp easier.
If you had your heart set on a ramp bigger and unmovable, obviously you will need
more space. You see, the idea here is that if you know where you are going to be
building your ramps, you can measure out the area and draw it on some graph
paper or even some regular paper will work fine.
Some Things to Consider
Consider how easy it will be to get your materials to the construction site
If your spot is way out in the woods, you better have some muscles because you will
be carrying a lot of wood. This is when a wheel barrow comes in handy.
Access to electricity
Power tools are your friends and building a ramp without them is very hard, but not
impossible if you are Amish. A generator or a bunch of extension cords might be
the way to go.
Neighbors and noise
Those nosey neighbors of yours already hate you and are just waiting to ruin your
fun. Will they call the cops when you?re having a session at 3:00 in the morning?
One solution to this problem is to fill the coping with concrete or sand and nail a
layer of carpet to the underside of your ramp.
Weather
Wood and bad weather don?t tend to agree with each other over time. If you can find
an area that is protected from Mother Nature, then more power to you. For the rest
of us, buying a good tarp is a really good investment. If you have the extra wood
you could even build your own make shift canopy, this way you can ride your ramp
even if it?s raining. You may also want to consider building your ramp up of the
ground on cinderblocks to keep the ramp high, dry and level.
Helpers
The more people you can find to help you build the better off you will be.
Ask everyone you know about available space
Hey you never know, your sisters, boyfriends, dad might have an empty garage or
empty lot of land that they will sell you dirt-cheap.
Damage prone areas
Your trying to do a 360 flip pivot to fakie and oops, you just zipped out and your
board is heading 100 miles an hour towards your mom?s new car. You should take
note of breakable objects around your ramps and make the necessary barriers to
prevent them from being damaged.
Zoning Laws
You may be living in an area where it is the law to get a building permit or you could
just take your chances and hope your local zoning board doesn?t find out. You may
end up having to pay fines and tear down your new creation. Trust me it isn?t fun to
take something apart that you?ve put so much time and effort into.
Remember, it is important that you build your ramps on a flat or level surface. If you
don?t, your ramp will not be as easy to build and ride. Once you have decided on a
spot to build your ramps, start by measuring the whole parameter of the space you
are going to be working in. Measure out any obstructions that might get in the way
when you are building, like a tree or a telephone pole, things like that. You should
also observe the landscape to see if you will have to level the area out or even build
your ramp up off the ground on posts. By doing this you are saving yourself a lot of
trouble down the road when you are halfway through your project and realize you
don?t have enough room or your that one side of your ramp goes uphill.
By:
Brandon Cardone
Here is a list of the other chapters that can be found in "The Beginner's Guide To
Building ramps" found at www.buildaramp.com
Chapter 2 "Construction Preparation"
Chapter 3 "All About Ramp Templates"
Chapter 4 "All About Framing a Ramp"
Chapter 5 "All About Sheeting Ramp"
Disclaimer:
Building and riding ramps can be fun and rewarding; however, caution should be
practiced with both. The author Brandon Cardone and any other contributors to this
article are in no way, shape or form responsible for any legal matters, injuries or
even death that may occur as a result of the information and content in this article.
The following chapter is one of five that can be found in my skateboard ramp
building guide "The Beginner's Guide To Building Ramps," This 54 page guide can
be instantly downloaded in PDF format from www.buildaramp.com. The skateboard
ramp building guide is filled with tons of photos and easy to understand
instructions and illustrations, you will also find on my website, tons of useful links
related to skateboard ramps, a ramp building photo gallery, free skateboard
wallpaper for your computer, a free skateboard screen saver, and even up to the
minute skateboarding RSS news feeds.
Introduction
So you want to build a skateboard ramp, maybe you are a parent and want to build
something for your kid. Maybe you have been skateboarding, riding BMX, or inline
for a while and realize that you want more than the few spots you get kicked out of
on a regular basis. Whatever the reason, you?ve started in the right direction by
reading this article. Building ramps is a productive learning experience, but the
most important thing is that it is fun and very rewarding if it is done right.
Most people really don?t understand how to build skateboard ramps and end up
giving up before they even give it a second thought. I have people all the time ask
me How do you bend the wood like that? or Where would you even begin building
something like that? Questions like these are why I wrote this guide in the first
place. I want people like you to know that it really isn?t that hard to build skateboard
ramps if you have the right knowledge under your belt. I have been building ramps
with my friend Mike Fitch since I was like 12 years old and over the years and plenty
of trial and error, we have learned the art of building skateboard ramps. I asked
myself if this kind of knowledge should be kept a secret, then I remembered all the
fun I had growing up building my own stuff to skate and all the friends I have made
over the years. We even had the chance to fulfill our dream of building an indoor
skateboard park located in Johnson City, NY, East Coast Terminal as a way of giving
back to the pastime that gave me direction and purpose in my life. I hope this article
gives you that spark of inspiration that I found so many years ago. Who knows,
there could be your own dream skate park lurking deep inside of you just waiting to
be built and for others to enjoy. I wish you the best of luck in your quest and, most
importantly, have fun.
Chapter 1 "Scope Out The Territory"
Before you start building
Some Things to consider
After the site has been decided and inspected
Before you Start Building your Skateboard Ramp
Before you get all gung ho and go down to your local lumber store to buy materials
and grab the tools out of the shed, there are some things you should think about
before you start building. For example, if all you want is a slider box or a jump
ramp, you shouldn?t need a huge area to put your ramps. In this kind of a situation,
an empty parking lot or your driveway will work. Be creative, like screwing some
trucks and wheels from an old skateboard or roller skates to the side so you can
wheel it around easy. You could even cut handles in the sides of the templates to
carry your ramp easier.
If you had your heart set on a ramp bigger and unmovable, obviously you will need
more space. You see, the idea here is that if you know where you are going to be
building your ramps, you can measure out the area and draw it on some graph
paper or even some regular paper will work fine.
Some Things to Consider
Consider how easy it will be to get your materials to the construction site
If your spot is way out in the woods, you better have some muscles because you will
be carrying a lot of wood. This is when a wheel barrow comes in handy.
Access to electricity
Power tools are your friends and building a ramp without them is very hard, but not
impossible if you are Amish. A generator or a bunch of extension cords might be
the way to go.
Neighbors and noise
Those nosey neighbors of yours already hate you and are just waiting to ruin your
fun. Will they call the cops when you?re having a session at 3:00 in the morning?
One solution to this problem is to fill the coping with concrete or sand and nail a
layer of carpet to the underside of your ramp.
Weather
Wood and bad weather don?t tend to agree with each other over time. If you can find
an area that is protected from Mother Nature, then more power to you. For the rest
of us, buying a good tarp is a really good investment. If you have the extra wood
you could even build your own make shift canopy, this way you can ride your ramp
even if it?s raining. You may also want to consider building your ramp up of the
ground on cinderblocks to keep the ramp high, dry and level.
Helpers
The more people you can find to help you build the better off you will be.
Ask everyone you know about available space
Hey you never know, your sisters, boyfriends, dad might have an empty garage or
empty lot of land that they will sell you dirt-cheap.
Damage prone areas
Your trying to do a 360 flip pivot to fakie and oops, you just zipped out and your
board is heading 100 miles an hour towards your mom?s new car. You should take
note of breakable objects around your ramps and make the necessary barriers to
prevent them from being damaged.
Zoning Laws
You may be living in an area where it is the law to get a building permit or you could
just take your chances and hope your local zoning board doesn?t find out. You may
end up having to pay fines and tear down your new creation. Trust me it isn?t fun to
take something apart that you?ve put so much time and effort into.
Remember, it is important that you build your ramps on a flat or level surface. If you
don?t, your ramp will not be as easy to build and ride. Once you have decided on a
spot to build your ramps, start by measuring the whole parameter of the space you
are going to be working in. Measure out any obstructions that might get in the way
when you are building, like a tree or a telephone pole, things like that. You should
also observe the landscape to see if you will have to level the area out or even build
your ramp up off the ground on posts. By doing this you are saving yourself a lot of
trouble down the road when you are halfway through your project and realize you
don?t have enough room or your that one side of your ramp goes uphill.
By:
Brandon Cardone
Here is a list of the other chapters that can be found in "The Beginner's Guide To
Building ramps" found at www.buildaramp.com
Chapter 2 "Construction Preparation"
Chapter 3 "All About Ramp Templates"
Chapter 4 "All About Framing a Ramp"
Chapter 5 "All About Sheeting Ramp"
Friday, December 22, 2006
Saving Memories Without Losing Your Mind
The summer is flying by for Cindy and her family. It seems like just last week
when they visited Disneyland. In fact, it seems like last month Nicole was born and
now shes 7! Yes, the kids are growing up too fast and yet not fast enough all at the
same time. Thank goodness for pictures!
Cindy started scrapbooking when she was pregnant with Nicole. She has the first 2
years of her life documented in a beautiful album which Nicole still enjoys looking
at. Then there was Megan....she started a book for Megan somewhere....And
Zachary, well, shes lucky if she remembers to take any pictures of him, let alone
start a photo album. Cindy longs to have these memories of her childrens growing
up years preserved, but the thought of dragging out her supplies and sorting out
the pictures is truly overwhelming. After all, the pictures from the last 5-6 years are
scattered everywhere (in drawers, under piles of paper and who knows where else)
and very few of them are dated. The other problem is finding a place to spread out
her stuff where Zachary, who is now crawling, cant get into it. Time is also an issue.
When in the world could Cindy find an uninterrupted 15 minutes, let alone an hour
or two?
A few days later, Cindys mother in law calls asking for recent pictures of the kids.
She is wanting to bring pictures to her class reunion and needs them by next week.
Cindy assures her that they just took a family photo at Disneyland in May and she
will get it right out in the mail. Unfortunately, finding the picture took over an hour
of digging through piles of paper and mail. If only she had some way of organizing
all of this photo clutter!
Tracy walks to the mail box to pick up the prints from their vacation to Disneyland.
She sent her film to Snapfish, a company who develops her film, scans them online
and sends the hard copy and negatives to her in the mail. When she arrives home
she sends a quick email link to view her photos to her friends and family who live
out of state.
After dinner the Tells enjoy looking at the photos together and Tracy tosses any
that were blurry or didnt turn out. When they are finished, she stores them in a
photo box labeled 2005. She has an index card subdividing each months pictures.
Negatives are stored in the Negative storage box. Each month has an envelope to
hold the negatives of all pictures taken during that month.
The following week Tracy prepares for scrapbooking with Brook and Brandon. She
and the kids do this once a month during Alexs nap time. Tracy has a scrapbook
area set up in the closet of her office. The doors have been removed, a large table
has been placed inside and a hanging system on the wall holds all of her supplies.
Brook is able to sit at the table with her and they each create pages for their own
albums. Even Brandon can feel a part because Tracy moved his little table into the
room with Brook and her. The little table gives him a place to practice cutting scraps
of paper left from mom & Brooks scrapbooks.
When Tracys mother in law calls needing recent pictures of the children, Tracy tells
her she can pick the pictures she wants online and either print them herself or pay
by credit card to have Snapfish send her the sizes and copies she wants. Tracys
mother in law is satisfied and Tracy is off the hook!
Traditional Photo Organizing Tips:
Dont save every picture! When you receive
your processed photos, toss all blurry, poor quality photos or photos without
meaning right away.
Sort photos in a photo box and label. Ideas for sorting
include: chronological, by event or theme or by person.
Store photos in a dark,
moisture free and acid free environment.
If preserving memories is important to
you, create a workspace specifically for scrapbooking. Think creativelya corner of
a room, a closet with the doors taken off or a craft armoire that closes up.
Keeping
supplies accessible is key. Try keeping supplies on the wall just within reach of a
workstation so digging out the tools doesnt keep you from scrapbooking.
Make a
space that is visually appealing. If the space is somewhere you like to be, you are
more likely to get the work done and be inspired to create!
Consider making the
space big enough for 2 or more. Older children often enjoy looking through
scrapbooks and making their own scrapbooks as well. Invite them to join you and
make it a bonding time together.
If you dont enjoy creating scrapbooks and cant
stand the pile of unorganized pictures, check out www.DigMyPics.com. You send
them your slides, film or prints, and they send them back to you along with a CD or
DVD containing high resolution scans of your photos. Once on disk, your photos
can be enjoyed and preserved for generations to come. Get 2 copies of each CD or
DVD- 1 for home and one for a safety deposit box.
If you have old photos that
have faded or discolored over time, Epsons photo scanners with Easy Photo Fix will
transform your old photos to their original color, automatically.
When getting your
photos developed from traditional film most developers will give them to you on CD
as well as prints for a small fee.
Digital Photo Organizing:
When two or three photos are taken of the same subject
matter, save only the best and delete the rest.
Snapfish prints digital photos for 12
cents a piece as well as organizing them in albums for you online. Use a photo
organizing program such as Picasa (free software from Google) at www.picasa.com
or iPhoto on the Mac. These can be used to sort photos by date, theme or title, as
well as simple editing such as removing redeye or cropping.
Digital photos can be
easily emailed to share with friends and family. When emailing, you dont need to
send photos at a resolution more than 72 dpi unless the person receiving it will be
printing the pictures.
Digital photos can (and should) be backed up on your
computer or CD.
Digital photos can be used in slide shows, home movies
or sent on CD to relatives.
The summer is flying by for Cindy and her family. It seems like just last week
when they visited Disneyland. In fact, it seems like last month Nicole was born and
now shes 7! Yes, the kids are growing up too fast and yet not fast enough all at the
same time. Thank goodness for pictures!
Cindy started scrapbooking when she was pregnant with Nicole. She has the first 2
years of her life documented in a beautiful album which Nicole still enjoys looking
at. Then there was Megan....she started a book for Megan somewhere....And
Zachary, well, shes lucky if she remembers to take any pictures of him, let alone
start a photo album. Cindy longs to have these memories of her childrens growing
up years preserved, but the thought of dragging out her supplies and sorting out
the pictures is truly overwhelming. After all, the pictures from the last 5-6 years are
scattered everywhere (in drawers, under piles of paper and who knows where else)
and very few of them are dated. The other problem is finding a place to spread out
her stuff where Zachary, who is now crawling, cant get into it. Time is also an issue.
When in the world could Cindy find an uninterrupted 15 minutes, let alone an hour
or two?
A few days later, Cindys mother in law calls asking for recent pictures of the kids.
She is wanting to bring pictures to her class reunion and needs them by next week.
Cindy assures her that they just took a family photo at Disneyland in May and she
will get it right out in the mail. Unfortunately, finding the picture took over an hour
of digging through piles of paper and mail. If only she had some way of organizing
all of this photo clutter!
Tracy walks to the mail box to pick up the prints from their vacation to Disneyland.
She sent her film to Snapfish, a company who develops her film, scans them online
and sends the hard copy and negatives to her in the mail. When she arrives home
she sends a quick email link to view her photos to her friends and family who live
out of state.
After dinner the Tells enjoy looking at the photos together and Tracy tosses any
that were blurry or didnt turn out. When they are finished, she stores them in a
photo box labeled 2005. She has an index card subdividing each months pictures.
Negatives are stored in the Negative storage box. Each month has an envelope to
hold the negatives of all pictures taken during that month.
The following week Tracy prepares for scrapbooking with Brook and Brandon. She
and the kids do this once a month during Alexs nap time. Tracy has a scrapbook
area set up in the closet of her office. The doors have been removed, a large table
has been placed inside and a hanging system on the wall holds all of her supplies.
Brook is able to sit at the table with her and they each create pages for their own
albums. Even Brandon can feel a part because Tracy moved his little table into the
room with Brook and her. The little table gives him a place to practice cutting scraps
of paper left from mom & Brooks scrapbooks.
When Tracys mother in law calls needing recent pictures of the children, Tracy tells
her she can pick the pictures she wants online and either print them herself or pay
by credit card to have Snapfish send her the sizes and copies she wants. Tracys
mother in law is satisfied and Tracy is off the hook!
Traditional Photo Organizing Tips:
Dont save every picture! When you receive
your processed photos, toss all blurry, poor quality photos or photos without
meaning right away.
Sort photos in a photo box and label. Ideas for sorting
include: chronological, by event or theme or by person.
Store photos in a dark,
moisture free and acid free environment.
If preserving memories is important to
you, create a workspace specifically for scrapbooking. Think creativelya corner of
a room, a closet with the doors taken off or a craft armoire that closes up.
Keeping
supplies accessible is key. Try keeping supplies on the wall just within reach of a
workstation so digging out the tools doesnt keep you from scrapbooking.
Make a
space that is visually appealing. If the space is somewhere you like to be, you are
more likely to get the work done and be inspired to create!
Consider making the
space big enough for 2 or more. Older children often enjoy looking through
scrapbooks and making their own scrapbooks as well. Invite them to join you and
make it a bonding time together.
If you dont enjoy creating scrapbooks and cant
stand the pile of unorganized pictures, check out www.DigMyPics.com. You send
them your slides, film or prints, and they send them back to you along with a CD or
DVD containing high resolution scans of your photos. Once on disk, your photos
can be enjoyed and preserved for generations to come. Get 2 copies of each CD or
DVD- 1 for home and one for a safety deposit box.
If you have old photos that
have faded or discolored over time, Epsons photo scanners with Easy Photo Fix will
transform your old photos to their original color, automatically.
When getting your
photos developed from traditional film most developers will give them to you on CD
as well as prints for a small fee.
Digital Photo Organizing:
When two or three photos are taken of the same subject
matter, save only the best and delete the rest.
Snapfish prints digital photos for 12
cents a piece as well as organizing them in albums for you online. Use a photo
organizing program such as Picasa (free software from Google) at www.picasa.com
or iPhoto on the Mac. These can be used to sort photos by date, theme or title, as
well as simple editing such as removing redeye or cropping.
Digital photos can be
easily emailed to share with friends and family. When emailing, you dont need to
send photos at a resolution more than 72 dpi unless the person receiving it will be
printing the pictures.
Digital photos can (and should) be backed up on your
computer or CD.
Digital photos can be used in slide shows, home movies
or sent on CD to relatives.
Before You Change Jobs, Change Yourself
Dont feel appreciated on your job? Youre not alone. Even worse than not receiving praise for good work, is being degraded, belittled or ridiculed by your supervisor, coworkers or both.
No matter what job you have, there are some aspects of it you dont like. Many people work in an atmosphere so toxic that they dread going to work, and often experience sick spells from the anticipation and actual abuse, etc. What can you do if youre in a negative work environment?
Most people would quickly retort, Quit! Get another job. But is that really the solution? Of course you want to seek a job where you can feel appreciated and gratified, but changing jobs may not bring the happy results youre seeking if youre going to be the same YOU in each new situation. Before you quit your job, there are a few things you may need to do.
1. Assess specifically what you dont like and determine what it would take to fix it. If you hate your corner cubicle perhaps trading with someone may work. If your trouble is with unfair conditions or behavior investigate what resources are available to resolve your problem through your Human Resources Department or Employee Assistance Program. Even taking your lunch out of doors instead of in the company cafeteria may help relieve some stress. One clerical worker brings an apple and water so she can take a vigorous walk during her one hour lunch.
2. Pick your battles. Give your situation some deep thought and determine how important your complaint or discomfort is in the general scheme of things. Sometimes just changing your work schedule, lunch hour or location will resolve some problems. Listening to soothing music through a headset while doing desk work helped one employee shut out all the personal exchanges that were going on in cubicles around her.
3. Develop a thicker skin. Most of us have to find love and acceptance in deeper relationships than you can achieve with coworkers. Guard against letting little inconsequential things get to you. Seek humor in the situations that are just plain stupid so you dont unwittingly get swept into becoming a Don Quixote.
4. Draw the line. Make it clear to your coworkers and boss where your personal boundaries are. Some coworkers love to blurt out every detail of their personal lives at work. Maybe you dont.
5. Personalize your workspace. Perhaps having photos of your family and pets on your desk, wall or cubicle cheers you up throughout the day. Many employees bring a lamp, desktop waterfall, plants and soft music to warm up a sterile workspace.
6. Find allies. Align yourself with coworkers who feel the way you do about the job situation. But rather than malign your boss and gossip about coworkers, use your time together to cheer each other up, exchange positive ideas and share new job listings.
7. Learn to play the game better. Happiness in the workplace depends on not just doing your job well, but getting along with the your boss and coworkers also. Learn who you can trust and who can be counted on to stab you in the back. While you can be friendly, you must also guard against overstepping your bounds. Unless youre the boss, refrain from giving your opinion on how the whole company needs to be restructured. When you have suggestions, present them to the decision maker, not to the crowd around the water cooler. Read Survival of the Savvy by Brandon and Seldman to help you safely navigate office politics. Visit websites like http://www.officepolitics.com that offer strategies and resources.
8. Find your passion. Many of us are miserable on our jobs because were just collecting a paycheck, not following our passion. Learn how to find your passion from books, tapes and newsletters such as those offered by Barbara Sher, www.barbarasher.com, The Path by Laurie Beth Jones, The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, What Color is Your Parachute by Bolles and Bolles, and Repacking Your Bags by Leider and Shapiro.
Finally, consider this: discomfort and stress on your job may be a big red flag that you are in the wrong place. This just may not be the job, career or company that suits your style and taste and fufills your life mission. To find your rightful lifes work, you may need to throw out parental shoulds, or get off the fast track with the lets-become-a-millionaire-before-30 crowd. Before you change jobs, do your heartwork. Get busy finding out what you love to do, then get busy doing it.
Dont feel appreciated on your job? Youre not alone. Even worse than not receiving praise for good work, is being degraded, belittled or ridiculed by your supervisor, coworkers or both.
No matter what job you have, there are some aspects of it you dont like. Many people work in an atmosphere so toxic that they dread going to work, and often experience sick spells from the anticipation and actual abuse, etc. What can you do if youre in a negative work environment?
Most people would quickly retort, Quit! Get another job. But is that really the solution? Of course you want to seek a job where you can feel appreciated and gratified, but changing jobs may not bring the happy results youre seeking if youre going to be the same YOU in each new situation. Before you quit your job, there are a few things you may need to do.
1. Assess specifically what you dont like and determine what it would take to fix it. If you hate your corner cubicle perhaps trading with someone may work. If your trouble is with unfair conditions or behavior investigate what resources are available to resolve your problem through your Human Resources Department or Employee Assistance Program. Even taking your lunch out of doors instead of in the company cafeteria may help relieve some stress. One clerical worker brings an apple and water so she can take a vigorous walk during her one hour lunch.
2. Pick your battles. Give your situation some deep thought and determine how important your complaint or discomfort is in the general scheme of things. Sometimes just changing your work schedule, lunch hour or location will resolve some problems. Listening to soothing music through a headset while doing desk work helped one employee shut out all the personal exchanges that were going on in cubicles around her.
3. Develop a thicker skin. Most of us have to find love and acceptance in deeper relationships than you can achieve with coworkers. Guard against letting little inconsequential things get to you. Seek humor in the situations that are just plain stupid so you dont unwittingly get swept into becoming a Don Quixote.
4. Draw the line. Make it clear to your coworkers and boss where your personal boundaries are. Some coworkers love to blurt out every detail of their personal lives at work. Maybe you dont.
5. Personalize your workspace. Perhaps having photos of your family and pets on your desk, wall or cubicle cheers you up throughout the day. Many employees bring a lamp, desktop waterfall, plants and soft music to warm up a sterile workspace.
6. Find allies. Align yourself with coworkers who feel the way you do about the job situation. But rather than malign your boss and gossip about coworkers, use your time together to cheer each other up, exchange positive ideas and share new job listings.
7. Learn to play the game better. Happiness in the workplace depends on not just doing your job well, but getting along with the your boss and coworkers also. Learn who you can trust and who can be counted on to stab you in the back. While you can be friendly, you must also guard against overstepping your bounds. Unless youre the boss, refrain from giving your opinion on how the whole company needs to be restructured. When you have suggestions, present them to the decision maker, not to the crowd around the water cooler. Read Survival of the Savvy by Brandon and Seldman to help you safely navigate office politics. Visit websites like http://www.officepolitics.com that offer strategies and resources.
8. Find your passion. Many of us are miserable on our jobs because were just collecting a paycheck, not following our passion. Learn how to find your passion from books, tapes and newsletters such as those offered by Barbara Sher, www.barbarasher.com, The Path by Laurie Beth Jones, The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, What Color is Your Parachute by Bolles and Bolles, and Repacking Your Bags by Leider and Shapiro.
Finally, consider this: discomfort and stress on your job may be a big red flag that you are in the wrong place. This just may not be the job, career or company that suits your style and taste and fufills your life mission. To find your rightful lifes work, you may need to throw out parental shoulds, or get off the fast track with the lets-become-a-millionaire-before-30 crowd. Before you change jobs, do your heartwork. Get busy finding out what you love to do, then get busy doing it.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Why I Would Rather Be A Slugger Than A Pitcher
During the last NLCS, I asked Brandon Backe of the Astros what the hardest thing was for him in making the conversion from outfielder to pitcher in the minors. He said it was "not playing every day." That is why I would rather be a slugger, to answer your question. I'd want my mind and body to be in every inning of every game. I wouldn't want to be one elbow injury away from a possible end of my career or a lost year. I listened to Nolan Ryan talk at the last All-Star FanFest in Houston about how he would have to "rebuild" his body from one start to the next, an incredibly arduous process that the great pitchers know and few fans realize. Ryan would be on the bike immediately after each start, and he said his physical strength would go down to about 50 percent a day or two after each start, and then his mission was to get it back up to 100 percent by the next start. As the slugger you mentioned, I'd love to be in that zone of hitting in the cages every day and be able to "slow down" every pitch like Manny Ramirez and Albert Pujols do so incredibly well.
There is no greater feeling on earth than hitting a ball over a fence and running around the bases at your own speed. And I would be just like Scott Rolen, who has the fastest home run trot in the game -- no-nonsense, get back to the dugout and prepare for that next at-bat. I would be even-keel like a Cal Ripken and a Tony Gwynn and take satisfaction from reaching my potential every day and living in that zone and being completely in every inning.
The above article was written and given to this publication with permissions
by Mark Newman
You can find Mark at www.mlb.com
For me hitting a ball on the sweet part of the bat is the best. As far as doing anything in sports, I cannot think of anything that pleased me more. This includes shooting a basketball, scoring a touchdown, or sinking a long put in golf. When I played, it was my fantasy to hit one squarely. This is what I dreamt about. Hit one to right center. Hit one to left center. Hit one down the line.
Always hit it hard.
Aron Wallad Founder Baseballs Pride and Joy
During the last NLCS, I asked Brandon Backe of the Astros what the hardest thing was for him in making the conversion from outfielder to pitcher in the minors. He said it was "not playing every day." That is why I would rather be a slugger, to answer your question. I'd want my mind and body to be in every inning of every game. I wouldn't want to be one elbow injury away from a possible end of my career or a lost year. I listened to Nolan Ryan talk at the last All-Star FanFest in Houston about how he would have to "rebuild" his body from one start to the next, an incredibly arduous process that the great pitchers know and few fans realize. Ryan would be on the bike immediately after each start, and he said his physical strength would go down to about 50 percent a day or two after each start, and then his mission was to get it back up to 100 percent by the next start. As the slugger you mentioned, I'd love to be in that zone of hitting in the cages every day and be able to "slow down" every pitch like Manny Ramirez and Albert Pujols do so incredibly well.
There is no greater feeling on earth than hitting a ball over a fence and running around the bases at your own speed. And I would be just like Scott Rolen, who has the fastest home run trot in the game -- no-nonsense, get back to the dugout and prepare for that next at-bat. I would be even-keel like a Cal Ripken and a Tony Gwynn and take satisfaction from reaching my potential every day and living in that zone and being completely in every inning.
The above article was written and given to this publication with permissions
by Mark Newman
You can find Mark at www.mlb.com
For me hitting a ball on the sweet part of the bat is the best. As far as doing anything in sports, I cannot think of anything that pleased me more. This includes shooting a basketball, scoring a touchdown, or sinking a long put in golf. When I played, it was my fantasy to hit one squarely. This is what I dreamt about. Hit one to right center. Hit one to left center. Hit one down the line.
Always hit it hard.
Aron Wallad Founder Baseballs Pride and Joy
2006 Detroit Tigers Preview
2005 Overview:
About the only good news for Detroit Tigers fans in 2005 occurred at the end of the season. In October it was announced that Jim Leyland was coming out of retirement and had accepted the Tigers managerial job. Leyland is looking to help change the teams fortunes for 2006 and beyond but he will have his work cut out for him. The Tigers managed to win only 71 total games in 2005 posting a lackluster 71-91 record. Yet somehow the Motown offense was able to score a total of 723 runs which was only 18 fewer then the World Series Champion Chicago White Sox. Of course it didnt help matters that the Tigers also allowed a total of 787 runs - mostly due to an inconsistent and underperforming pitching staff.
The 2005 offense was led primarily by outfielder Craig Monroe (.277 20 89), and DH Dmitri Young (.271 21 72). Rookie 1st baseman Chris Shelton (.299 18 59) also provided some much needed offensive spark with veterans Ivan Rodriguez (.276 14 50) and Rondell White (.313 12 53) posting respectable numbers. The rest of the 2005 offensive production was supplied by 3rd baseman Brandon Inge (.261 16 72) and 2nd baseman Placido Polanco (.338 6 36) who was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in a midseason trade.
The Tiger starting pitching in 2005 had very few bright spots. Starters Jeremy Bonderman (14-13 4.57) and Mike Maroth (14-14 4.74) managed to combine for 25 total wins, while the rest of the starters struggled for much of the entire season. Both starting pitcher Nate Robertson (7-16 4.48) and Jason Johnson (8-13 4.54) turned in forgettable performances in 2005. The Tigers used a combination of five different closers with Ugueth Urbina (1-3 2.63 9 saves) performing the best, prior to his being traded midseason to Philadelphia.
For Detroit Tiger fans, the season couldnt end soon enough.
Off Season Moves:
The Detroit Tigers signed free-agent lefty Kenny Rogers (14-8 3.46), to a 2-year, $16 million contract, hoping to provide some better stability in the starting rotation. The Tigers also signed closer Todd Jones (1-5 2.10 40 saves) from Florida in order to help upgrade their bullpen. Jones a 12 year veteran experienced a renaissance year with the Florida Marlins by holding opposing hitters to a .230 batting average while saving a total of 40 games (his highest save total in five years).
2006 Analysis:
Rogers is an improvement to the starting rotation as is bringing in Jim Leyland from out of his retirement to help. Leyland has worked in similar environments before and has proven he knows how to handle the challenge. The starting rotation is still lacking. Detroit made a run at a few different free agents this winter, but little materialized. The Tigers have some hitting and can score runs. There's also some talent in the bullpen, but the rotation doesnt appear to be much stronger than it was last season (4.85 ERA, 10th in the AL). Fans will need to be very patient as Leyland attempts to rebuild from within.
2005 Overview:
About the only good news for Detroit Tigers fans in 2005 occurred at the end of the season. In October it was announced that Jim Leyland was coming out of retirement and had accepted the Tigers managerial job. Leyland is looking to help change the teams fortunes for 2006 and beyond but he will have his work cut out for him. The Tigers managed to win only 71 total games in 2005 posting a lackluster 71-91 record. Yet somehow the Motown offense was able to score a total of 723 runs which was only 18 fewer then the World Series Champion Chicago White Sox. Of course it didnt help matters that the Tigers also allowed a total of 787 runs - mostly due to an inconsistent and underperforming pitching staff.
The 2005 offense was led primarily by outfielder Craig Monroe (.277 20 89), and DH Dmitri Young (.271 21 72). Rookie 1st baseman Chris Shelton (.299 18 59) also provided some much needed offensive spark with veterans Ivan Rodriguez (.276 14 50) and Rondell White (.313 12 53) posting respectable numbers. The rest of the 2005 offensive production was supplied by 3rd baseman Brandon Inge (.261 16 72) and 2nd baseman Placido Polanco (.338 6 36) who was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in a midseason trade.
The Tiger starting pitching in 2005 had very few bright spots. Starters Jeremy Bonderman (14-13 4.57) and Mike Maroth (14-14 4.74) managed to combine for 25 total wins, while the rest of the starters struggled for much of the entire season. Both starting pitcher Nate Robertson (7-16 4.48) and Jason Johnson (8-13 4.54) turned in forgettable performances in 2005. The Tigers used a combination of five different closers with Ugueth Urbina (1-3 2.63 9 saves) performing the best, prior to his being traded midseason to Philadelphia.
For Detroit Tiger fans, the season couldnt end soon enough.
Off Season Moves:
The Detroit Tigers signed free-agent lefty Kenny Rogers (14-8 3.46), to a 2-year, $16 million contract, hoping to provide some better stability in the starting rotation. The Tigers also signed closer Todd Jones (1-5 2.10 40 saves) from Florida in order to help upgrade their bullpen. Jones a 12 year veteran experienced a renaissance year with the Florida Marlins by holding opposing hitters to a .230 batting average while saving a total of 40 games (his highest save total in five years).
2006 Analysis:
Rogers is an improvement to the starting rotation as is bringing in Jim Leyland from out of his retirement to help. Leyland has worked in similar environments before and has proven he knows how to handle the challenge. The starting rotation is still lacking. Detroit made a run at a few different free agents this winter, but little materialized. The Tigers have some hitting and can score runs. There's also some talent in the bullpen, but the rotation doesnt appear to be much stronger than it was last season (4.85 ERA, 10th in the AL). Fans will need to be very patient as Leyland attempts to rebuild from within.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)