M.J's space

REMINDER FROM GOD:

  "Realize that your prayers are being most wonderfully answered in a way that seems painful, but is the only way."

 We only need to remind ourselves of God's love for us to find the strength, courage, and joy for life's journey.
 May you live with courage, passion, joy, and peace!

Our Daily Devotional:

The Bottom Line
Matthew 6:22-23 NIV: The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

"Seeing is believing!" Or so some have said. "Show me the bottom line--give it to me in black and white and then I will consider it." We sit ourselves at the table of life ready to feast upon all things we can physically set before our eyes. And within our search for the solid proof and tangible truth, we give up power over our will only to that which can be seen with human eyes. Too much of our living is influenced by what we want, what looks good or what brings us pleasure. God would have us remember that behind all the hype and perfect presentations of pleasure that the world has to offer, there is truly more than meets the eye-and it is certainly not all we would have hoped it to be.

 Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks. - Jeremiah 16:16 

=================================

WORD FOR THE DAY:

mores \MOR-ayz; -eez\, plural noun:
1. The fixed customs of a particular group that are morally binding upon all members of the group.
2. Moral attitudes.
3. Customs; habits; ways.

Usually the laws mirror the mores of the populace in this regard, though at times they run ahead, and at times they lag behind.
-- Daniel C. Maguire, "Death Legal and Illegal", The Atlantic, February 1974

In much the same bold spirit, I rapidly absorbed the other gestures, turns of phrase and exclamations popular among my peers, as well as grasping the deeper mores and etiquettes prevailing in my new surroundings.
-- Kazuo Ishiguro, When We Were Orphans

Artists rebelled against the stodgy mores of the bourgeoisie.
-- David Brooks, "The Organization Kid", The Atlantic, April 2001

Mores comes from Latin, plural of mos, "custom." It is related to moral.
____________________________________

SLANG WORD FOR THE DAY:

do one
English Slang | ShareThis
Origin: English Slang
Definition: go away
Example: Adam, go do one.

=============================

QUOTES FOR THE DAY:

CONFUCIUS SAY:  I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

Things To Ponder:       Can you be a closet claustrophobic?
                        Do they have reserved parking for non-handicap people at the Special Olympics?
                      
I believe that every human has a finite number of heart-beats. I don't intend to waste any of mine running around doing exercises.
  - Buzz Aldrin

The average Ph.D. thesis is nothing but a transference of bones from one graveyard to another.
  - J. Frank Dobie

The future will be better tomorrow.
  - Dan Quayle

============================

JOKES:

You might be a REDNECK if... 
    ...you had your anniversary dinner at the Food Court in the Mall. 
 

-------------------------

Left Handed

Little Ricky was spending the weekend with his grandmother after a particularly trying week in kindergarten.

His grandmother decided to take him to the park on Saturday. It had been snowing all night and everything was beautiful. His grandmother remarked, "Doesn't it look like an artist painted this scenery? Did you know God painted this just for you?"

Ricky said, "Yes, God did it, and he did it left handed."

This confused his grandmother a bit, and she asked him, "What makes you say God did this with his left hand?"

"Well," said Ricky, "we learned at Sunday School last week that Jesus sits on God's right hand!"

------------------------

Out the Window

A French man, an English man, an American man, and a lawyer were sitting on a train. The French man offered everyone some French bread, then he threw it out the window. The French man said, "Don't worry we have plenty of those where I come from."

The English man offered everyone a crumpet and then he threw it out the window. The English man said, "Don't worry we have plenty of those where I come from."

The American man quickly threw the lawyer out the window. The American said, "Don't worry we have plenty of those where I come from."

------------------------------

Cars in Heaven

Three men died and stood in front of God. God asked the first man if he had been faithful to his wife. The man admitted to two affairs during his marriage. God gave him a compact car to drive in heaven.

The second man admitted to only one affair and was given a mid-sized car.

The third man was asked the same question and said that he had been faithful to his wife until the day he died. God praised him and gave him a big luxury car.

A week later the three guys met in a parking lot in heaven. The man driving the luxury car began to cry.

"What's the matter?" the other two men asked.

He replied, "I just passed my wife, and she was riding a bike!"

-----------------------------------

Lawyerly Laffs

Q: What is the definition a "Lucky Break?"
A: When a busload of lawyers goes off a cliff.

Q: What is the definition of a "Crying Shame"?
A: There was an empty seat.

Q: What do you get when you cross the Godfather with a lawyer?
A: An offer you can't understand.

Q: Why is it that many lawyers have broken noses?
A: From chasing parked ambulances.

============================

RECIPES:

BBQ Biscuit Cups

TOTAL TIME: 27 min

15 min prep

20 cups
 
Ingredients

2 (12 ounce) cans refrigerated biscuit dough
1 (2 lb) package ground chuck
1 (15 1/4 ounce) can niblet corn, drained
10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup barbecue sauce
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Directions

1 Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease 2 (12 cup) muffin pans.

2 Separate dough into biscuits. Press biscuit dough into bottom and up sides of 20 muffin cups; set aside.

3 In a large skillet, cook ground chuck over medium high heat until beef is browned and crumbles. Drain well. Stir in corn, bacon, barbecue sauce, onion powder, garlic powder and 1 cup cheese. Spoon evenly into prepared muffin cups; sprinkle evenly with remaining cheese.

4 Bake 12 minutes, or until biscuits are lightly browned.
Serve with carrot and celery sticks, if desired.

 

<a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page"><img border="0" src="http://www.wikihow.com/skins/WikiHow/wikiHow.gif"></a>
<h1 style='margin-bottom: 0px;'><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-Vinegar">How to Make Your Own Vinegar</a></h1>
<b><i>from <a href='http://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page'>wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit</a></i></b><br/>
There is an abundance of <a href="/Veganize-Recipes" title="Veganize Recipes">recipes</a> on making <a href="/Category:Flavored-Vinegars" title="Category:Flavored Vinegars">flavoured vinegars</a> but it is also possible to make your own vinegar at home. It can be made from pretty much any liquid containing alcohol, and the flavor of homemade vinegar is often reckoned to be far better than anything you can find at a store. It also makes a unique <a href="/Make-a-Thoughtful-Gift" title="Make a Thoughtful Gift">gift</a>! People have been making vinegar around the world for thousands of years, why can't you?
<a name="Ingredients"></a><h2>  Ingredients </h2>
<ul><li>starter
</li><li>alcoholic liquid
</li></ul>
 
<a name="Steps"></a><h2>  Steps </h2>
<ol><li> <b>Get your starter.</b> The starter's job is to provide acetic acid bacteria, which converts ethanol into acetic acid (the primary ingredient in vinegar).
<ul><li>Unpasteurized, unfiltered vinegar. It's important to use vinegar that hasn't been processed in a way that interferes with the acetic acid bacteria.
</li><li>Mother of vinegar. This slimy looking thing consists of acetic acid bacteria and cellulose. It's a natural product of the vinegar-making process. If you have a friend who makes vinegar, you may be able to get a piece of theirs, or you can make your own. You can make your own by mixing unpasteurized and unfiltered vinegar with an alcoholic liquid and putting the mixture in a sunny spot for two weeks, but in that case, you might as well use the vinegar itself as a starter; a mother will form with your vinegar that you use next time.
</li><li>Mycoderma aceti. You may be able to find it in a wine-making store. It's clear and comes in a jar.<a href="#_note-0" title="">[1]</a>
</li></ul>
</li><li> <b>Prep the container.</b> Choose a container made from glass or enameled earthenware. You don't want the container material to react with the vinegar. Aluminum, iron and plastic will ruin the vinegar.<a href="#_note-man-1" title="">[2]</a><a href="#_note-wine-2" title="">[3]</a> Clean it thoroughly. Pour in the starter and swirl it to coat all the surfaces so that the vessel is inoculated with the acetic acid bacteria.<a href="#_note-wine-2" title="">[3]</a>
</li><li> <b>Pour in the alcoholic liquid.</b> Since oxygen is necessary for this process, try to ensure as much liquid surface area as possible. Fill the container up to its widest point.<a href="#_note-wine-2" title="">[3]</a>
<ul><li><a href="/Brew-Cheap-Wine" title="Brew Cheap Wine">wine</a>
</li><li><a href="/Brew-Cheap-Cider" title="Brew Cheap Cider">cider</a> (referred to as hard cider in the US and parts of Canada)
</li><li><a href="/Brew-Your-Own-Beer" title="Brew Your Own Beer">beer</a>
</li><li>fermented fruit juice
</li></ul>
</li><li> <b>Cover the opening with cheesecloth.</b> Tighten the cheesecloth around the opening with a rubber band or string. This will allow oxygen in while keeping flies and other contaminants out.
</li><li> <b>Wait.</b> Put the container in a warm, dark place and let nature do its thing. Keep the mixture between 60 degrees and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.<a href="#_note-hsw-3" title="">[4]</a> During the course of about 3-4 weeks, it should start forming a mother of vinegar; you can observe this if you used a glass container. The amount of time it takes for the vinegar making process, however, depends greatly on they type of alcoholic liquid you used, and how much of it you're converting. The range is anywhere between 3 weeks to 6 months.
<ul><li>Some sources suggest stirring the mixture daily in order to provide oxygen, and taste testing a little bit at a time towards the end of the 3-4 week period to see if the vinegar's ready.<a href="#_note-hsw-3" title="">[4]</a> Other sources recommend leaving the mixture undisturbed, so that the mother doesn't sink (at which point it becomes inactive).<a href="#_note-wine-2" title="">[3]</a>
</li><li>If you decide to leave the mixture undisturbed, it'll be a little trickier to see if it's ready. Smell it through the cheesecloth; it's done when there is an intense vinegary smell that almost burns in your nostrils. If, based on this, you taste it and it's not ready after all, let it ferment undisturbed for another period of time, depending on how close it is to your desired vinegar flavor.<a href="#_note-wine-2" title="">[3]</a>
<ul><li>A container with a spout at the bottom would make this much easier, since you can taste the vinegar without disturbing the mother at the top.
</li></ul>
</li></ul>
</li><li><b>Bottle and store your delicious, homemade vinegar!</b> Strain out the vinegar through cheesecloth or a coffee filter, separating the mother, which can be kept for making more vinegar.
<ul><li>Unless you ferment the vinegar for a very long time, there is probably alcohol still left in it, which you can remove by boiling. While you're at it, you can pasteurize and reduce the vinegar, so that you can store it for longer and concentrate the flavours, respectively.<a href="#_note-wine-2" title="">[3]</a> To achieve pasteurization, heat the vinegar to 170 degrees Fahrenheit and hold it there for 10 minutes.<a href="#_note-hsw-3" title="">[4]</a> Crock Pots are perfect for holding food for a long time below the boiling point. Use a thermometer to check your crock pot's temperature at each setting to determine which setting is closest to 170 degrees.
</li><li>Unpasteurized vinegar can be stored in sterilized, capped jars in the refrigerator for a few months. Pasteurized vinegar can be stored in sterilized containers with tight-fitting lids at room temperature for more than a few months, as long as they are kept out of direct sunlight.<a href="#_note-hsw-3" title="">[4]</a>
</li></ul>
</li></ol>
 
<a name="Video"></a><h2>  Video </h2>
 
<a name="Tips"></a><h2>  Tips </h2>
<ul><li>The vinegar can be flavoured as with any other vinegar if wished.
</li></ul>
 
<a name="Things_You.27ll_Need"></a><h2>  Things You'll Need </h2>
<ul><li>Small bowl
</li><li>Wide-mouthed container (such as a jug)
</li><li>Cheesecloth
</li><li>Storage bottle with lid
</li></ul>
 
<a name="Related_wikiHows"></a><h2>  Related wikiHows </h2>
<ul><li><a href="/Make-Flavored-Vinegars" title="Make Flavored Vinegars">How to Make Flavored Vinegars</a>
</li><li><a href="/Make-Rose-Vinegar" title="Make Rose Vinegar">How to Make Rose Vinegar</a>
</li><li><a href="/Make-Pineapple-Vinegar" title="Make Pineapple Vinegar">How to Make Pineapple Vinegar</a>
</li><li><a href="/Make-Blueberry-Vinegar" title="Make Blueberry Vinegar">How to Make Blueberry Vinegar</a>
</li><li><a href="/Make-Cranberry-Vinegar" title="Make Cranberry Vinegar">How to Make Cranberry Vinegar</a>
</li><li><a href="/Make-Mustard-from-Scratch" title="Make Mustard from Scratch">How to Make Mustard from Scratch</a>
</li></ul>
 
<a name="Sources_and_Citations"></a><h2>  Sources and Citations </h2>
<ol class="references"><li id="_note-0"><a href="#_ref-0" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://www.gangofpour.com/diversions/vinegar/vinegar1.html" class="external free" title="http://www.gangofpour.com/diversions/vinegar/vinegar1.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.gangofpour.com/diversions/vinegar/vinegar1.html</a></li>
<li id="_note-man-1"><a href="#_ref-man_1-0" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://www.vinegarman.com/VinegarMaking.shtml" class="external free" title="http://www.vinegarman.com/VinegarMaking.shtml" rel="nofollow">http://www.vinegarman.com/VinegarMaking.shtml</a></li>
<li id="_note-wine-2">↑ <a href="#_ref-wine_2-0" title="">3.0</a> <a href="#_ref-wine_2-1" title="">3.1</a> <a href="#_ref-wine_2-2" title="">3.2</a> <a href="#_ref-wine_2-3" title="">3.3</a> <a href="#_ref-wine_2-4" title="">3.4</a> <a href="#_ref-wine_2-5" title="">3.5</a> <a href="http://www.wine-tastings-guide.com/how-to-make-wine-vinegar.html" class="external free" title="http://www.wine-tastings-guide.com/how-to-make-wine-vinegar.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.wine-tastings-guide.com/how-to-make-wine-vinegar.html</a></li>
<li id="_note-hsw-3">↑ <a href="#_ref-hsw_3-0" title="">4.0</a> <a href="#_ref-hsw_3-1" title="">4.1</a> <a href="#_ref-hsw_3-2" title="">4.2</a> <a href="#_ref-hsw_3-3" title="">4.3</a> <a href="http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/how-vinegar-works2.htm" class="external free" title="http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/how-vinegar-works2.htm" rel="nofollow">http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/how-vinegar-works2.htm</a></li></ol>
 
<p>
<i>Article provided by <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page">wikiHow</a>, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-Vinegar">How to Make Your Own Vinegar</a>.  All content on wikiHow can be shared under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/">Creative Commons license</a>.</i>
</p>

10 Things You Didn't Know About Allergies
Going beyond watery eyes, itching, and a runny nose.
By Rich Maloof for MSN Health & Fitness
 
1 | 2 | Next >

Allergies of every kind, from mold to milk to metal, are becoming increasingly common in the United States. With a sympathetic nod to those of you bracing yourselves against this spring's burgeoning pollen count, here are 10 allergy facts that don't come up as regularly or reliably as seasonal symptoms do.

1. Allergies can give you a shiner. When hay fever strikes, pressure from nasal congestion can be so great that it causes blood vessels in the face to become constricted. The blood can't flow freely and may pool under the eyes. Blood draining back toward the heart, or venous blood, appears blue in color (compared to arterial blood flowing from the heart, which is red) and, when trapped, results in the appearance of an allergic shiner, sometimes known as "black-eye syndrome."

2. Any organ in the body can be affected by allergies. Sufferers of hay fever (allergic rhinitis) will attest that allergies can cause a runny nose, irritated eyes, and an itchy throat. Some allergic reactions can cause the skin to break out in hives or the intestines to cramp, and allergy-induced asthma takes a toll on the lungs.

"These are the common 'end organs' for allergic disease," explains Asriani M. Chiu, M.D., associate professor of allergy and immunology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. "In a severe allergic response, there can be a systemic reaction that affects multiple body systems. A bee sting, for example, can affect the cardiovascular system and send the body into shock." Consequently, any organ could potentially shut down as a result of reduced blood flow. An anaphylactic response affecting the respiratory system is similarly threatening.

In very rare cases, Dr. Chiu notes, an allergy cell called the eosinophil can target and cause isolated damage to an organ like the esophagus or heart. However, when organs such as the liver or kidneys are affected by an allergy, it's far more likely to be the indirect result of a system-wide reaction.

3. It's not pet hair that gets your dander up. Contrary to popular belief, pet hair is not an allergen—though it's still no fun to clean the sheddings of cats and dogs from your wool coat. Rather, it's the particles of pet dander (dead skin), saliva, and urine trapped in the hair, or airborne in your breathing environment, that prompt allergic reaction.

4. "Allergy-addiction syndrome" lacks credibility. Like a drug addict who craves a chemical that's bad for the body, some people claim to have an addiction to foods to which they are allergic. But paradoxical cravings are most likely explained by a typical psychological trick we play on ourselves: We always want something a little more when we know we can't have it. As Dr. Chiu notes, a child with a food allergy will instinctively spit out food that causes her mouth to itch or her lips to swell. Electing to override that natural survival instinct may be a mild form of masochism, but it's not an addiction.

5. The sharp rise in peanut allergies is still not well understood. The rate of peanut allergies in the U.S. has doubled over the past 10 years, currently affecting between 1 and 2 percent of the population. Prevalence in the U.S. may be explained by our method of processing; dry-roasting is not as popular a method in countries where the allergy is less common. Another prevailing theory is the hygiene hypothesis: Now that we're living in an increasingly sterile environment where diseases are eradicated and bacteria vanquished, the immune system may be seizing on harmless foreign antigens—essentially, protecting our system against a false threat.

A new study reverses recent health strategies. Rather than delaying an introduction to peanuts, the research suggests we might increase tolerance by introducing peanuts earlier and more frequently
6. Black boys are at especially high risk of having food allergies. A March 2009 study showed that black male children are about four times more likely than the rest of the population to be food allergic. The study of more than 8,200 participants found both food sensitivities and food allergies to be highest among blacks, males, and kids—which leaves these kids right in the demographic crosshairs. Prevalence of food allergy is also higher among persons of lower income. Genetic and environmental factors are being researched, but the cause of food allergies and sensitivities is as yet unknown.

7. Eight foods are responsible for 90 percent of all food allergies. The chief offenders: milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, and wheat. As Dr. Chiu explains, some make the list because they're prevalent among children, and others because they prompt lifelong reactions. "A child will 'outgrow' some food allergies, notably milk and egg; as the GI system matures, the system gets better at breaking down the proteins in them that cause an adverse reaction. Other foods, such as shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts, tend to trigger an allergic response even when broken down, so the reactivity is more apt to be lifelong."

8. A link has been drawn between allergies and obesity—but to date the association is controversial. Some research has suggested that food allergies contribute directly or indirectly to obesity. In 2007, one study published in the journal Diabetes found that a high-sugar, high-fat, low-fiber diet caused an immune response of inflammation, in turn leading to increased insulin resistance, which prompts the body to store more fat.

However, the prevailing wisdom is that allergic disease and obesity are each based on a variety of genetic and environmental factors. The research is not yet conclusive enough to establish a causal link between the two.

9. Nickel allergy is a common culprit of contact dermatitis. If your skin is irritated where contact is made with bracelets, rings, earrings, or eyeglasses, it may be due to nickel content in the metal. Reactions to 24-karat gold or other metals used in fine jewelry (such as platinum or titanium) are rare. Trace amounts of nickel in detergent, nail polish, and makeup, or even in buttons and snaps, however, can cause an itchy rash at the site due to metal allergy.

10. The prevalence of allergies continues to increase. According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, allergies of every kind—inhaled, ingested, contact, or otherwise—are steadily increasing in rate. Allergic diseases currently affect more than one in five Americans, making them the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the U.S. If you have pollen or mold allergies, you can check daily counts in your area through the National Allergy Bureau.

"It's important to know what's causing a reaction," Dr. Chiu offers in conclusion. "Healthcare providers and allergy specialists can help identify the specific cause so that you can actually avoid what you're allergic to rather than simply treat symptoms with medication."

Rich Maloof's award-winning writing has covered subjects ranging from soda pop to stem cells. He has written for MSN, CNN, MSNBC, Yahoo!, Women’s Health, and various other publications. He is the published author of 12 books to date, including several instructional titles for musicians. He is a regular contributor for Brain & Body. Rich is currently preparing a book on mortality for St. Martin’s Press with co-author HP Newquist.

REMINDERS FROM GOD:

"You do not make yourself loving, strong and kind. You live with Me then My Life accomplishes this miracle-change."

Our Daily Devotional:

Patterns

Romans 12:2 NIV: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God´s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I remember as a boy watching my mother make clothes. She usually began by choosing a pattern. The pattern package was often colorfully illustrated to show what the finished product might look like. My mother would spread the material, pin the pattern to it, and begin to cut. As the pattern was followed, the finished product was fairly predictable. As we are raised, we learn how to follow patterns for living. If a situation arises in which a desired result is expected, we search our minds for a pattern that we think will produce the best results. But the patterns of thinking and behaving that we have developed often place more trust in our own reasoning and abilities than in the thoughts and ways of Christ. To be "transformed by the renewing" of our minds, means we are willing to put aside our old patterns, and be willing to try things a new way-God´s way. As a new creation in Christ, we must learn to respond to life anew. And to stop before we respond to life, and consider what He would have us do.

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
- Isaiah 53:4

===========================

WORD FOR THE DAY:

equanimity \ee-kwuh-NIM-uh-tee; ek-wuh-\, noun:
Evenness of mind; calmness; composure; as, "to bear misfortunes with equanimity."

For one whose mind has been notoriously troubled, Brian Lara is at least retaining a sense of equanimity.
-- Richard Hobson, "Croft offers no respite as Lara's theme continues", Times (London), June 8, 2000

When one is happy, one can look at both comedy and tragedy with equanimity.
-- Phillip Lopate, Totally, Tenderly, Tragically

I think one person can hardly understand why another has conducted his life in such a way, how he came to commit certain actions and not others, whether he looks upon the past with mostly pleasure or equanimity or regret.
-- Chang-Rae Lee, A Gesture Life

=======================================

QUOTES:

You give my regards to St. Peter, or whoever has his job, but in Hell.
  - Joss Whedon, Zack Whedon, Maurissa
Tancharoen, and Jed Whedon
The worst moment for the atheist is when he is really thankful and has nobody to thank.
  - Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Science is nothing but trained and organized common sense, differing from the latter only as a veteran may differ from a raw recruit: and its methods differ from those of common sense only as far as the guardsman's cut and thrust differ from the manner in which a savage wields his club.
  - Thomas H. Huxley

CONFUCIOUS QUOTE:  Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.

THINGS TO PONDER:  What causes the holes in Swiss cheese? 

"Never give up, never, never give up."
- Winston Churchill

========================

JOKES:

You might be a REDNECK if... 
 ...you drive your truck through a metal detector...and it doesn't go off. 
 
 ...your bumper sticker says, "My other car is a combine."

---------------------------

Q: Why did Marshall Applewhite insist that his follwers be castrated?

A: He heard that to be really successful on the Internet you have to work
with UNIX.

---------------

One gay man says to the other, did you hear Newt Gingrich is coming out?
"Really?" the second gay man says, "that's amazing!"
The first gay man says, "yeah we're lucky, he's only coming
out of Congress, would you wanna sleep with him?"

-------------------

A fellow had just been hired as the new CEO of a large high tech
 corporation.  The CEO who was stepping down met with him privately and
 presented him with three numbered envelopes. "Open these if you run up
 against a problem you don't think you can solve," he said.

 Well, things went along pretty smoothly, but six months later, sales
 took a downturn and he was really catching a lot of heat. About at his
 wits's end, he remembered the envelopes.  He went to his drawer and took
 out the first envelope.  The message read, "Blame your predecessor."

 The new CEO called a press conference and tactfully laid the blame at
 the feet of the previous CEO.  Satisfied with his comments, the press --
 and Wall Street -- responded positively, sales began to pick up and the
 problem was soon behind him.

 About a year later, the company was again experiencing a slight dip in
 sales, combined with serious product problems. Having learned from his
 previous experience, the CEO quickly opened the second envelope.  The
 message read, "Reorganize."  This he did, and the company quickly
 rebounded.

 After several consecutive profitable quarters, the company once again
 fell on difficult times.  The CEO went to his office, closed the door
 and opened the third envelope.

 The message said, "Prepare three envelopes."

-----------------------------

Iraqi TV Guide

MONDAY
8:00    Husseinfeld
8:30    Mad About Everything
9:00    Suddenly Sanctions
9:30    Allah McBeal

TUESDAY
8:00    Wheel of Fortune and Terror
8:30    The Price is Right if Saddam Says its Right
9:00    Children are Forbidden to Say The Darndest Things
9:30    Iraq's Funniest Public Execution Bloopers

WEDNESDAY
8:00    Buffy the Yankee Imperialist Dog Slayer
8:30    Diagnosis: Heresy
9:00    Just Shoot Me
9:30    Veilwatch

THURSDAY
8:00    Mahatma Loves Chachi
8:30    M*U*S*T*A*S*H
9:00    Veronica's Closet Full of Long, Black, Shapeless Dresses
9:30    My Two Baghdads

FRIDAY
8:00    Judge Saddam
8:30    Captured Iranian Soldiers Say The Darndest Things
9:00    Achmed's Creek
9:30    No-witness News

------------------------------------

The Pope and Queen Elizabeth were standing on a balcony beaming at
thousands of people in the forecourt below. The Queen says to the Pope
out of the corner of her mouth, "I bet you a tenner that I can make
every English person in the crowd go wild with just a wave of my hand."
The Pope says, "No way.  You can't do that."
The Queen says, "Watch this."
So the Queen waves her hand and every English person in the crowd goes
crazy, waving their little plastic Union Jacks on sticks and cheering,
basically going ballistic.

So the Pope is standing there thinking, "Uh oh, what am I going to do?
I never thought she'd be able to do it."
So he thinks to himself for a minute and then he turns to her and says,
"I bet you I can make every Irish person in the crowd go wild, not just
now, but for the rest of the week, with just one nod of my head."
The Queen goes, "No way, it can't be done."
So the Pope headbutts her.

----------------------------------

How do you break a blonde's nose?

Place a dildo under a glass table!

-----------------------------------

RECIPE:

Rhubarb Cheesecake Bars Creamy

rhubarb filling is flanked top and bottom by a caramel-like crumbly mixture. Yum!

Prep Time: 20 min
Total Time: 4 hours 40 min
Makes: 5 dozen bars

2 1/2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
2 cups quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
3 eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups chopped fresh rhubarb

1. Heat oven to 350°. Grease bottom and sides of jelly roll pan, 15 1/2x10 1/2x1 inch, with shortening, or spray with cooking spray. Beat flour, oats, brown sugar, butter, salt and baking soda in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until crumbly, or mix with spoon. Press about 4 cups of the mixture in pan.

2. Beat remaining ingredients except rhubarb in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until blended. Stir in rhubarb. Spread over crust. Sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture; press lightly.
3. Bake 40 to 50 minutes or until center is set; cool 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours but no longer than 48 hours. For bars, cut into 10 rows by 6 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

Did You Know... 
Rhubarb is actually a vegetable and originated in China over 4,000 years ago. The deeper the red, the more flavorful the rhubarb stalks are likely to be. Medium-size stalks are generally more tender than large ones, which may be stringy.

Special Touch 
Turn these bars into a decadent dessert. Serve larger squares on dessert plates drizzled with caramel sauce, then add soft whipped cream and an edible flower to dazzle guests.

Nutrition Information:
1 Serving: Calories 100 (Calories from Fat 55 ); Total Fat 6 g (Saturated Fat 4 g); Cholesterol 25 mg; Sodium 75 mg; Total Carbohydrate 10 g (Dietary Fiber 0g); Protein 2 g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 4 %; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 2 %; Iron 2 % Exchanges: 1/2 Starch; 1/2 Fat
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

 

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<h1 style='margin-bottom: 0px;'><a href="How">http://www.wikihow.com/Weave-with-Seed-Beads">How to Weave with Seed Beads</a></h1>
<b><i>from <a href='http://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page'>wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit</a></i></b><br/>
Weaving with <a href="/Use-Seed-Beads" class="mw-redirect" title="Use Seed Beads">seed beads</a> is like normal bead weaving, with a couple of slight differences. Here is how to weave with seed beads. Click any image to enlarge it.
<a name="Steps"></a><h2>  Steps </h2>
<ol><li>  <b>Learn a bit of terminology.</b>
<ul><li>Warp Thread: The long, strong thread running over the loom
</li><li>Weft Thread: The thread you string the beads onto and then weave under and over the warp thread, creating the weft thread
</li><li>Dowel: The round wooden stick at either end of the loom.
</li></ul>
</li><li><b>Learn the differences between normal bead weaving and seed bead weaving.</b> In particular, Be careful <i>not</i> to split the <a href="/Measure-Thread-for-Beading" title="Measure Thread for Beading">thread</a> with the needle as you work your way across the warp, as you will then not be able to pull your warp thread through the weft thread.
</li><li>  <b>Warp the loom for seed bead weaving.</b> Tie one end of the thread onto the pin on the dowel.
</li><li> <b>String the loom</b> so that you can slip the thread off the dowel holder without clipping all the threads.
<ul><li>Pull the thread over the top of the loom and wind around the pin on the other dowel.
</li><li>Pull the thread over the loom and then wind it under the pin and over the top of the loom again.  Continue warping the loom with sufficient threads to accommodate the required number of beads to obtain the width of your piece.  This will also depend on the size of the beads you are using.
</li><li>Thread from the outside in.  This is to keep the threads tidy on the pins and prevent a bunch of knots when the threads are removed from the loom.
</li></ul>
</li><li><b>Tie the other end down with a double <a href="/Tie-a-Square-Knot" title="Tie a Square Knot">knot</a> as well</b> (on the opposite side from your starter knot) around the pin on the dowel.
<ul><li>This way of warping is absolutely essential for this method.
</li></ul>
</li><li><b><a href="/Thread-a-Needle-and-Tie-a-Knot" title="Thread a Needle and Tie a Knot">Thread your needle</a></b> and secure the weft thread (white) with a double knot to the warp thread (pink). Here, there is enough thread on the loop to hold 8 beads.
</li><li><b>Slip 8 beads onto your needle</b> and pass it through UNDER the warp threads. With your other hand, push the beads up through the threads.
</li><li><b>Push the needle back through the beads</b> over the top of the warp threads, making sure that you do not split the thread.
</li><li><b>Continue weaving your beads</b> until you have reached the required length for your item.  Once the desired length is reached, work the thread back and forth a few rows.  Make sure this row is secure so the beads don’t fall off.
</li><li><b>Thread and sew the beginning weft thread</b> through a row of beads to tidy it off. The weaving part is done. The rest is finishing.
</li><li> <b>Loosen one dowel slightly</b> and turn the pin towards the woven strip so that the threads can fall off the pin.
</li><li><b>Lift all the threads off</b> being careful not to pull on them and so warp your strip. Snip only the thread that is knotted, just above the knot.
</li><li><b>Gently lift your work over the loom</b> and it will automatically slip off the pin on the other side. Again, snip only the thread that is knotted, just above the knot.
</li><li>Instead of loose threads hanging off the sides, you should now have little loops.
</li><li>  <b>Start with a thread at or near the centre</b>, to leave enough thread either side of the bracelet to finish off your work and still have enough thread to add a clasp.
</li><li><b>Hold the work firmly in one hand</b> and start by pulling the centre thread.  Then take it one row at a time on either side of the centre.
<ul><li>Keep the tension even. Don’t pull the thread too tightly as this will cause your beadwork to scrunch up.  If you do pull it too tightly, just smooth it out again.   After each pull, your thread will become longer.  Continue like this until you have pulled all the threads through.
</li><li>You will also notice that you once you have pulled a thread through, the ends are pulled completely onto the bead. On the left hand side, the thread (which was the long thread) is now also pulled completely onto the bead.
</li></ul>
</li><li><b>Continue doing this</b> until all the threads are pulled through.
</li><li><b>Use the two remaining threads</b> to add a clasp or finish the piece however you want.
</li></ol>
 
<a name="Tips"></a><h2>  Tips </h2>
<ul><li>To avoid splitting the thread, use a 0.2mm clear gut with a long, thin beading needle. This method also helps to make the threads less conspicuous once the item is completed and you therefore do not have to have thread that matches your beads, which can be difficult if you are weaving different coloured beads.
</li></ul>
 
<a name="Related_wikiHows"></a><h2>  Related wikiHows </h2>
<ul><li><a href="/Work-with-Seed-Beads" title="Work with Seed Beads">How to Work with Seed Beads</a>
</li><li><a href="/Do-Peyote-Stitch" title="Do Peyote Stitch">How to Do Peyote Stitch</a>
</li><li><a href="/Make-a-Beaded-Necklace" title="Make a Beaded Necklace">How to Make a Beaded Necklace</a>
</li><li><a href="/Measure-Thread-for-Beading" title="Measure Thread for Beading">How to Measure Thread for Beading</a>
</li><li><a href="/Make-a-Beaded-Bracelet" title="Make a Beaded Bracelet">How to Make a Beaded Bracelet</a>
</li><li><a href="/Make-Paper-Beads" title="Make Paper Beads">How to Make Paper Beads</a>
</li></ul>
 
<a name="Sources_and_Citations"></a><h2>  Sources and Citations </h2>
<ul><li>Download the full pdf file at <a href="http://www.renzocrafts.com/HTHLW.pdf" class="external free" title="http://www.renzocrafts.com/HTHLW.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.renzocrafts.com/HTHLW.pdf</a>
</li></ul>
 
<p>
<i>Article provided by <a href="wikiHowhttp://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page">wikiHow</a>, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on <a href="How">http://www.wikihow.com/Weave-with-Seed-Beads">How to Weave with Seed Beads</a>.  All content on wikiHow can be shared under a <a href="Creative">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/">Creative Commons license</a>.</i>
</p>

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<h1 style='margin-bottom: 0px;'><a href="How">http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Rainstick">How to Make a Rainstick</a></h1>
<b><i>from <a href='http://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page'>wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit</a></i></b><br/>
 If you want to make a professional looking rainstick then you've come to the right place!
<a name="Steps"></a><h2>  Steps </h2>
<ol><li>  Use a fine sanding sponge (such as the 3M Fine Sanding Sponge) to smooth the entire PVC pipe.
</li><li>  Draw dots on the PVC pipe about two (2) inches away from the end of the pipe and all the way up. These dots should be arranged helically (spiraling). The dots should be spaced apart evenly: one half (1/2) inch up and one (1) inch across.
</li><li>  Flip the pipe over and draw dots again so that the two lines intersect each other to create a sort of double helix.
</li><li>  <a href="/Use-a-Drill-Safely" title="Use a Drill Safely">Drill</a> on the dots with a drill bit that corresponds with the size of your BBQ skewers.
</li><li> Put the BBQ skewers in the holes and cut to an appropriate length (as close to the hole as you can).
</li><li>  Tip the skewers with <a href="/Get-Super-Glue-Off-Fingers" title="Get Super Glue Off Fingers">super glue</a> designed for PVC pipe. In the pictures, Gorilla PVC Cement is used.
</li><li> Leave to dry.
</li><li>  Sand off the little nubs left from the skewers with a flat bastard or some sandpaper.
</li><li>  Fill the pipe with about one one quarter (1 1/4) cups of rice or baubles, or until desired sound is reached. Place one (1) of the PVC caps on one end of the pipe and your hand on the other end to test the sound.
</li><li>  After the desired sound is found, take off the first cap (make sure the rainstick is flat on a level surface) and super glue both caps to their respective ends and make sure that both are securely fastened.
</li><li> Dip the brush in Mod Podge (or an equivalent decoupage substance) and spread evenly on a small portion of the pipe at a time. Place the paper overlapping (as shown) or in any design that you would like. (Don't worry, Mod Podge can be globbed as much as you want, it will still dry clear.)
</li><li>  After the paper is on, go over it with more Mod Podge.
</li><li>  Once the whole pipe and both caps are complete, leave it to dry.
</li><li>  There should still be a large portion of Mod Podge left, so go over the whole thing again or until it isn't papery to the touch.
</li><li>  Leave to dry.
</li><li>  Admire its beauty.
</li><li>  Do a rain dance!
</li></ol>
 
<a name="Video"></a><h2>  Video </h2>
 
<a name="Tips"></a><h2> Tips</h2>
<ul><li>For an easy alternative method, you can use a cardboard paper towel roll and toothpicks instead of PVC pipe and BBQ sticks. Follow the same directions above. Masking tape can be used to secure the toothpicks in place, and to close both ends, instead of glue. Rice, lentils, split peas, and gravel make great sounds!
</li></ul>
 
<a name="Warnings"></a><h2>  Warnings </h2>
<ul><li>Always be cautious when using power tools or other dangerous items. Have someone close by in case of calamities.
</li></ul>
 
<a name="Things_You.27ll_Need"></a><h2>  Things You'll Need </h2>
<ul><li>PVC Super Glue
</li><li>A Fine Sanding Sponge
</li><li>A square of sandpaper or a flat bastard
</li><li>A pencil
</li><li>A ruler
</li><li>A pair of scissors
</li><li>One (1) PVC pipe
</li><li>Two (2) PVC caps that fit your PVC pipe
</li><li>Tissue paper or other papery materials
</li><li>About one quarter (1/4) cup of Mod Podge
</li><li>A paint brush
</li><li>A drill
</li><li>Bamboo BBQ skewers
</li><li>Rice or other baubles
</li></ul>
 
<a name="Related_wikiHows"></a><h2>  Related wikiHows </h2>
<ul><li><a href="/Make-a-Didgeridoo-out-of-PVC-Pipe" title="Make a Didgeridoo out of PVC Pipe">How to Make a Didgeridoo out of PVC Pipe</a>
</li><li><a href="/Make-a-Walking-Stick" title="Make a Walking Stick">How to Make a Walking Stick</a>
</li><li><a href="/Make-a-Hockey-Puck-Rain-Gauge" title="Make a Hockey Puck Rain Gauge">How to Make a Hockey Puck Rain Gauge</a>
</li><li><a href="/Create-a-Rain-Garden" title="Create a Rain Garden">How to Create a Rain Garden</a>
</li></ul>
 
<a name="Sources_and_Citations"></a><h2>  Sources and Citations </h2>
<ul><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainstick" class="external free" title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainstick" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainstick</a>
</li><li><a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_15893_make-professional-quality.html" class="external free" title="http://www.ehow.com/how_15893_make-professional-quality.htmlhttp://www.ehow.com/how_15893_make-professional-quality.html">http://www.ehow.com/how_15893_make-professional-quality.html</a>
</li><li>"<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/wATzSvWYXS0&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" class="external free" title="http://www.youtube.com/v/wATzSvWYXS0&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/v/wATzSvWYXS0&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6</a>"
</li></ul>
 
<p>
<i>Article provided by <a href="wikiHowhttp://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page">wikiHow</a>, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on <a href="How">http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Rainstick">How to Make a Rainstick</a>.  All content on wikiHow can be shared under a <a href="Creative">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/">Creative Commons license</a>.</i>
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<h1 style='margin-bottom: 0px;'><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Escape-From-the-Trunk-of-a-Car">How to Escape From the Trunk of a Car</a></h1>
<b><i>from <a href='http://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page'>wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit</a></i></b><br/>
<a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Trunk_release.jpg" class="image" title="Trunk_release.jpg"></a>Being trapped in a car's trunk (or "boot") can be a harrowing, sometimes deadly experience. Sometimes a <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Survive-an-Abduction-or-Hostage-Situation" title="Survive an Abduction or Hostage Situation">criminal will force a person into a trunk</a>, and sometimes a person (usually a child) will accidentally get trapped in a trunk, but regardless of the cause of entrapment, a trunk is a very dangerous place to be.  Unfortunately, it's not easy to get out of a locked trunk.  While some vehicles now have trunk release levers inside, the majority of cars on the road do not.  So what can you do?  Read on to find out.
<a name="Steps"></a><h2>  Steps </h2>
<ol><li><b><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Calm" title="Be Calm">Remain calm</a> if you become trapped in a trunk.</b> Trunks aren't airtight, so the danger of suffocation is low. What could kill you is <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Hyperventilation" title="Prevent Hyperventilation">hyperventilation</a>, so breathe regularly and don't panic. It may get very hot in there - up to 140 degrees F - but you still need to stay calm in order to increase your likelihood of escaping.<a href="#_note-0" title="">[1]</a>
</li><li><b>Attempt to escape through the back seat.</b>  Some cars have back seats that fold down to allow access to the trunk.  Generally the release for these seats is located inside the car, but there may be one in the trunk as well.  If not, try to push, kick, or pry the seats down, and then climb out.
</li><li><b>Look for a trunk release.</b> The trunk you're in may not have a release unless it's a newer model or it's your car and you've installed a release.  Nonetheless, it's worth looking for the release, just in case.  It will usually be a glow-in-the-dark handle located near the trunk latch, but it may also be a cord, button, or toggle switch, or a handle that does not glow in the dark.
</li><li><b>Look for a trunk release cable.</b> If the car is equipped with a cable trunk release that can be operated from inside the car (usually by a lever near the drivers seat), you may be able to pull the cable and open the trunk latch.  Pull up the carpet on the floor of the trunk and feel for a cable.  It will typically be on the driver's side.  If no cable is there, search along the side of the trunk.  If you locate a cable, pull on it (pulling toward the front of the car) to open the trunk.  The cable may be difficult to pull, but keep trying.  If there are pliers inside the trunk they may help you grip the cable.
</li><li><b>Pry the latch open.</b> Search for a screwdriver, crowbar, or tire iron inside the trunk.  There may be a toolkit or tire-changing tool set under the trunk floor.  If you find a tool, use it to pry open the trunk latch.  If you are unable to pry the latch, you may be able to pry up the side of the trunk.  This will provide some ventilation and enable you to signal for help.
</li><li><b>Push out the <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Brake-Light-Bulb-on-a-2005-VW-Beetle-TDI" title="Change the Brake Light Bulb on a 2005 VW Beetle TDI">brake lights</a>.</b>  You should be able to access the brake lights from inside the trunk.  You may need to pull or pry a panel off to get to them.  Once you have access to them, rip the wires out of them.  Then try to push or kick the lights through so that they fall out of the back of the vehicle.  You can then signal to motorists or passersby.  Even if you're unable to push the lights out, if you disconnect the wires, you increase the chance that whoever is driving the vehicle (if you've been abducted) will get pulled over by the police.
</li></ol>
 
<a name="Video"></a><h2>  Video </h2>
A controlled demonstration in which a woman attempts to kick out the tail light while trapped inside the trunk of a car.
 
<a name="Prevention"></a><h2>  Prevention </h2>
<ol><li><b>Install a trunk release in your car's trunk.</b> The vast majority of trunk entrapment cases occur in the victim's own car.  The good news is, you can prepare for such an eventuality by installing a trunk release.  Check if your car already has a trunk release in the trunk.  If it doesn't you may be able to install one as long as your has an operational electronic trunk release mechanism.
<ul><li><b>If your trunk can be opened remotely,</b> the easiest thing to do is to hide a spare remote in the trunk.  Make sure to tell your children and other family members where it is located and how it is operated.
</li><li><b>If your trunk cannot be opened remotely,</b> you can purchase the supplies to install a trunk release yourself for about $4.  Have the release installed for you if you are not confident in your mechanical abilities.
</li></ul>
</li><li><b>Keep a <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Personal-Flashlight" title="Choose a Personal Flashlight">flashlight</a> and crowbar and/or screwdriver in your trunk.</b>  If you can't install a trunk release, keep tools in your trunk that will help you pry open the latch or, at the very least, help you attract attention from passersby.
</li></ol>
 
<a name="Tips"></a><h2>  Tips </h2>
<ul><li>Emergency trunk releases have been required on all passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. beginning with the 2002 model year.
</li><li>Keep in mind that if you have been abducted, your kidnapper will have most likely already cleared out the trunk, as these people usually will think ahead.
</li></ul>
 
<a name="Related_wikiHows"></a><h2>  Related wikiHows </h2>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Survive-an-Abduction-or-Hostage-Situation" title="Survive an Abduction or Hostage Situation">How to Survive an Abduction or Hostage Situation</a>
</li><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Thwart-an-Abduction-Attempt" title="Thwart an Abduction Attempt">How to Thwart an Abduction Attempt</a>
</li><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Being-Carjacked" title="Avoid Being Carjacked">How to Avoid Being Carjacked</a>
</li><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Escape-from-a-Sinking-Car" title="Escape from a Sinking Car">How to Escape from a Sinking Car</a>
</li><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Get-out-of-a-Car-That%27s-Hanging-over-a-Cliff" title="Get out of a Car That's Hanging over a Cliff">How to Get out of a Car That's Hanging over a Cliff</a>
</li><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Smart-Car-Surveillance-System-Using-a-Mobile-Phone" title="Make a Smart Car Surveillance System Using a Mobile Phone">How to Make a Smart Car Surveillance System Using a Mobile Phone</a>
</li><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Get-off-a-Slippery-Boat-Ramp" title="Get off a Slippery Boat Ramp">How to Get off a Slippery Boat Ramp</a>
</li></ul>
 
<a name="Sources_and_Citation"></a><h2>  Sources and Citation </h2>
<ol class="references"><li id="_note-0"><a href="#_ref-0" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://www.worstcasescenarios.com/scenario.htm?scenarioid=16&cache=1233460539" class="external free" title="http://www.worstcasescenarios.com/scenario.htm?scenarioid=16&cache=1233460539" rel="nofollow">http://www.worstcasescenarios.com/scenario.htm?scenarioid=16&cache=1233460539</a></li></ol>
 
<p>
<i>Article provided by <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page">wikiHow</a>, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Escape-From-the-Trunk-of-a-Car">How to Escape From the Trunk of a Car</a>.  All content on wikiHow can be shared under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/">Creative Commons license</a>.</i>
</p>

 

 

 

 

Microwave Fudge
 
 25 min

 5 min prep 

So easy, yet so moreish! To check for 'hard ball stage' - when the mixture becomes thick and caramel coloured, drop a small amount into a bowl of iced water. It should form a fairly firm ball quite quickly. If not, cook for 2 minutes more and try again. **Please be careful when working with hot sugar!**

SERVES 24 , 24 squares

Ingredients

14 1/2 ounces condensed milk
2 1/8 cups caster sugar
4 1/2 ounces butter
1 teaspoons vanilla essence

Directions

1  Place condensed milk, butter and sugar in a large microwaveable bowl and microwave on full power for 3 minutes then stir.
2  Microwave for a further 10-16 minutes (depending on your microwave), stirring every 2 minutes until the mixture reaches the 'hard ball stage'.
3  Once at the correct stage, mix in vanilla and quickly pour into a greased baking tray.
4  Leave to set.
5  Cut into Squares when cool.

-------------------
Nutrition Facts 
Serving Size 1 (39g)

Recipe makes 24 servings
 

Calories 156  
Calories from Fat 51  (32%) 
Amount Per Serving  %DV 
 Total Fat 5.7g  8% 
 Saturated Fat 3.6g  18% 
 Monounsaturated Fat 1.5g  
 Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g  
 Trans Fat 0.0g  
Cholesterol 16mg  5% 
Sodium 51mg  2% 
Potassium 65mg  1% 
Total Carbohydrate 26.0g  8% 
 Dietary Fiber 0.0g  0% 
 Sugars 26.0g  
Protein 1.4g  2% 

A techie poem!

The computer's swallowed grandpa.
Yes, honestly its true!
He pressed 'control and 'enter'
And disappeared from view.
 
It devoured him completely,
The thought just makes me squirm.
He must have caught a virus
Or been eaten by a worm.
 
I've searched through the recycle bin
And files of every kind;
I've even used the Internet,
But nothing did I find.
 
In desperation, I asked Jeeves
My searches to refine.
The reply from him was negative,
Not a thing was found 'online.'
 
So, if inside your 'Inbox,'
My Grandpa you should see,
Please 'Copy, Scan' and 'Paste' him
And send him back to me.
 
 
This is a tribute to all the Grandmas and Grandpas who have been fearless and learned to use the Computer.... .
 
They are the greatest!!!

 

 

CLEANSING YOUR HOME, AND YOURSELF

    From time to time, we can all benefit from spiritual cleansing, as can our homes.  This advice is extended across the board, regardless of who you are or what your religious persuasion is.  Because, quite simply put, every one of us engages and encounters the kinds of environmental, personal, energetic and psychic influences that can taint or upset our personal balance and the spiritual safety of our homes.

    I'm referring to the fact that on any given day, we might argue, stress out or suffer from fatigue.  Too, we may feel any range of negative emotions - from upset to depression to worry. We might get angry or sad - and the energy of those emotions stays with us.  That is, until we release or cleanse it.  Those energies can also build up, over time, in our homes.  Then too, it must be released or cleansed.

    There is also the issue of negative entities or spirits.  Dealing with them requires fire-power of an ancient and intense nature.  Please read on - knowing some of the most basic of these techniques, is of benefit to everyone.

{ NOTATION:    For the sake of this blog, I would like to differentiate between negative entities and evil, malevolent entities.  There is a vast difference.  Negative entities (energies and spirits) can disrupt the balance and positive energy in your home.  They can incite arguments, affect your health and create tension.  Sometimes they can produce sounds, disruptions in electrical equipment, or foul smells.
    Evil, malevolent entities, on the other hand, are capable of oppression and possession.  Oppression is when the entity enforces its will upon you - making you say and do things that are utterly out of character and very likely evil.  Possession is when the entity is able to get inside of one's body, usually through the crown chakra.

    I will not be discussing how to address true evil malevolence, here.  Should you feel you are in the presence of such, I recommend that you contact a qualified paranormal investigative team, a Wiccan High Priestess or Priest, or a trained and initiated Shaman, immediately.

    Why these folks, and not a Pastor, Minister or Christian Priest?  Simply and honestly put, these members of the worldwide clergy, are very often not in possession of the tools or skills required to address oppression or possession.  Too often, the problem is poorly handled, not solved, or the job is handed off or deferred on, altogether.  I have heard tale after tale, of one of the types of aforementioned clergy members, contacting one of us (Pagan clergy), to deal with such a problem.  Therefore, rather than waste time and risk subjecting yourself to further danger, it is wise to go straight to the source that can best address your concern. }

    The type of negativity all of us are most likely to encounter, is the routine build-up of negative energy within oneself or one's home.  Let's discuss how to address that problem.
    Like other routine things such as the sun rising and the refrigerator needing to be regularly stocked, spiritual cleansing should be a normal - and regular - part of our lives.  Once you know how to do it, and get into the habit of keeping the required tools on hand, you'll find the ritual to be easy and empowering.

    Here are the things you should keep stocked so that you're able to cleanse yourself or your home, any time you feel the need:
    * White candles
    * Black candles
    * Dried white sage or your preferred purification substance (Dragon's
       Blood and powdered Frankincense are excellent alternatives)
    * Sea salt (organic if possible)
    * Spring or filtered water
    * A bell (sterling silver if possible, brass or gold being the two second
       choices)
    * A lighter (no matches as the sulfur is not in harmony with higher
      energies)
  

    The above list comprises the most basic of negative energy cleansing supplies.  For the more advanced practitioner or more serious individual, additional tools such as the ancient protection symbols, the Pentacle and the Eye of Horus, are powerfully effective as well.
     Too, botanical or energetic substances such as Dragon's Blood resin, Frankincense, Myrrh, Sage, White Angelica or Pine essential oils; black pepper and calendula (or dried marigold petals), are powerful deterrants for, and banishers of, negativity.  As are sterling silver, a Brigid's Cross, hematite, lodestone, quartz crystal and amethyst.  (And yes, there are more - too many to name, here.)

    I should briefly mention that the cleansing ritual outlined below, is the one that I personally use to keep my home fortified.  My home, known to students and members of my spiritual community as Autumn House, is where my children sleep and where I provide spiritual instruction and perform magick and ritual.  Translation: I am very serious about keeping it protected and cleansed.

    I should also mention that the ritual below, is lengthy compared to some others.  Frankly put, it is designed for effectiveness, not speed.  It is thorough and it does the job well.  Should you find it too lengthy or involved, a simple cleansing with white sage and a salt-bath, is effective, too.  However - for those able to lay their hands on the required supplies and willing to perform all the steps included in this cleansing ritual, the results are immediate and powerful.

    Just as sleep is most beneficial for our bodies during the night (as we are physically calibrated to benefit, heal and rejuvenate most when the sun is not shining) and prosperity rituals work best during the approximate two week period between the New and Full Moons, so too is there an ideal time to cleanse negative energies from your home or your person: the waning or decreasing phase of the moon and the Full Moon.

    Waning Moon occurs in the approximate two week span of time from the Full Moon to the Dark Moon.  That is not to say that cleansing cannot be performed any time it is needed.  Certainly, if negative energies are detected, one should not wait to perform a cleansing.  However, the cleansing is indeed maximized during the Waning Moon.

 

    Why is this so?  Because as the moon's light decreases, the energies governing matters of a psychic or spiritual nature, are technically dwindling or approaching a monthly "low."  Picture this: as the moon decreases in size and light each night, it creates an energetic flow of "release and decrease."  Performing your cleansing during that time, allows you to "jump into the lunar fray" as it were, going with the natural flow and riding that energetic wave, harnessing the natural "release and decrease" energy in order to put it to work for you.
    Therefore, if your cleansing is a routine act and not a 9-1-1- situation, then waiting for the Waning Moon, might be prudent.

    The Full Moon is a desirable time to cleanse because that is when the Moon, which affects your heart rate, your brain waves, influences moods and emotions and controls ovulation and menstruation (not to mention the ocean tides and wild animal behavior), is at it's most powerful.  Harnessing this power by performing your cleansing on the night of the Full Moon, infuses your ritual with additional oomph.

    If performing on the Waning Moon, plan to perform your cleansing during the light of day.  If performing your cleansing on the Full Moon, wait until the moon has risen.

    Set out all the materials you will need, ahead of time.  You will need all of the essential cleansing items listed.  For this ritual, have the water in a small bowl or glass, and add a pinch of salt to it.  Stir it clockwise to dissolve the salt.

    If you can perform your cleansing with a partner, all the better - then you won't have to juggle all the items.  However, if you're cleansing solo, simply put your supplies on a tray.
    You will be carrying your tray from room to room.  Upon it should be your white sage, a white candle which you will light at the outset of your ritual, your bell, the salt-water and some dry sea salt.

    Begin by preparing yourself.  If your goal is to perform a personal cleansing, this "preparation" step will do the trick.

    Find and face the North.  Have all of your supplies within reach.  First, light the white sage.  If you are using Dragon's Blood or Frankincense, you will need to first light a charcoal disk used for incense burning, then sprinkle some of the powdered substance onto the lit disk.    
     Once you have purification smoke, wave it all over yourself, up above your head, down the front of you and up and down each arm and leg.  Be sure to lift up your feet and wave it under your feet, too.

 

    This practice is called smudging.  It is an ancient indigenous tradition.  Many people think smudging is Native American in origin, but the fact is, many indigenous cultures, including the Maya of the Highlands of Guatemala, the Voudoun of Haiti and the Shamans of Siberia, smudged, using all manner of purification herbs and resins, which they smoldered.

    The belief that is found most consistently within the mythos or traditions within those cultures, is this: as the smoke from the smoldering substance rises heavenward, it takes our negative energy along with it.  Modern practitioners, herbalists and scientists have been able to identify chemical constituents in certain substances used frequently for purification purposes, such as white sage, which literally affect the way ions are charged - shifting negative charges to positive ones.  This is the science behind the belief.

    As you smudge yourself, say:

    I cleanse myself in the ancient way.
    All negative energies fall away.
    Negative entities begin to flee
    I am cleansed and protected, Blessed Be.

    NOTE:  You will need to keep the sage/Dragon's Blood/Frankincense burning as you proceed through the cleansing, adding more as needed, so have an amply supply and the lighter, on your tray.

    Now, anoint yourself with salt water on your forehead (third eye area), at your throat, on the palms of your hands, on the soles of your feet and over your heart.

 

     Say:

    This holy water blesses and protects me
    Blessed Be

    Now begin cleansing your home, if that is your intention.  Follow these steps:

    1.  Open a window or a door.  This is to be the "outlet."  You will be ordering negative energies and entities to depart; the open door or window gives them an escape route.

    2.    Light your white candle and set it on the tray. 

 

    Say:

        I light this candle with sacred fire
        To cleanse my home is my desire
        Negative energies will be banished today
        In Light and Love, so I say

    3.    Go to the highest room in the house - be it in the attic or the upstairs.  Start in the North.  Walk the room in a circle clockwise, ringing the bell as you go.  Be sure to ring it loud and clear, jingling into every corner and into the closets, too.  Say:

        A powerful sound comes from this bell,
        It banishes negativity; all shall be well!
        Negative energies, wake up and break!
        Scatter and leave, hearken and obey!

    4.    Now, circle the room clockwise with the smoldering purification substance.  Be sure to get into all the corners and the closets.  Say:
  
        Cleansing smoke, pure and fair
        I release  your power into the air
        Drive all evil far away
        Banish negativity from this place

    5.    Next, circle the same room clockwise with the salt-water.  Be sure to get into all the corners and the closets.  Say:
  
        This holy water blesses this room; Negative energies, begone!
        Depart, in the names of the Most Holy throng!

    Now, touch the top, bottom, left and then right of every mirror and doorway in the room.

    6.    Next, circle the same room clockwise with the lit white candle.  Say:

        This burning candle illuminates this place,
        Bringing the Light, making Sacred Space
      

    7.    Proceed to the next room and repeat the process, exactly.  Continue through every room in the house, including the basement rooms.

    8.    Go to the downstairs room you consider to be the hub of your home - often the kitchen, sometimes the living room.  Set down your tray and raise your arms.  Say in a powerful tone:

        Negative energies and entities, I command you depart
        The way has been made - now make a start!
        Take your leave from this space now Holy and Free
        I command with birthright power; So Mote It Be

        Allow a moment.  Now close the window or door.
      

    9.    Go now to your front door.  Open it and draw a line of salt clearly across your threshold.  Say:

            No negative thing may cross this line;
            A boundary it is, through space and time.
  
    10.    Now invite positive, helping energies to come guard and protect your home.  You have just purged your home of negative energies and thus created a void.  But when there is a void, something must fill it.  Say:

            Good and helpful spirits of North, East, South and West
            Come protect my home, at my request
            Lend your gifts and protection, day and night
            This I request, in Love and Light

            Now close the door.

    Allow your white candle to burn out completely.  Do not blow it out.  When night falls, light one black and one white candle - symbolizing balance.  Burn or smolder some more sage, Dragon's Blood or Frankincense, in thanks.

    Your home is now thoroughly cleansed.  Repeat on the next Waning or Full Moon, or whenever you feel the need.

BLESSED BE

 

 

DREAMS -

Thoughts on them:

Dreams are they not wonderful?
You can dictate you dreams in anyway you wish.
In a dream you can go anywhere
You can be anyone
You can do anything
You can be with anyone you want
Doing what ever you want
In your Dreams.
That is the best part of dreams
Whether they be nite dreams
Or they be Day dreams
They are dreams.
They are Our Dreams some of what
We may build our future on;
Our escape from this old world;
Our release for that time;
Our wants our needs are met,
For that moment
As long as we let ourselves,
Enter in that moment
Enjoy that dream,
Become part of that dream
Do not be an outsider, a bystander
Enjoy, become one, for that time,

Our dreams. . .
Are Us
Are a part of us
We are our Dreams

Enjoy. . .

 

by

2/20/02  MJStorey

 

I would like to ask all of you to go to the below television website and vote for this photo in their Valentine Photo Card Contest.

 

I sumitted it from some I had in a collection and put this caption with it. . . . .Well I thought it was cute. . .

 

Would you please help me win by voting below. . Thank you   and by the way  HEARTS< FLOWERS> CHOCOLATES AND LOVE TO YOU TODAY

 

 

 

BLESSINGS

<a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page"><img border="0" src="http://www.wikihow.com/skins/WikiHow/wikiHow.gif"></a>
<h1 style='margin-bottom: 0px;'><a href="How">http://www.wikihow.com/Toilet-Train-Your-Cat">How to Toilet Train Your Cat</a></h1>
<b><i>from <a href='http://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page'>wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit</a></i></b><br/>
<a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Train-a-Cat" title="Train a Cat">Cats can be trained</a> to use the toilet instead of the <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Litter-Box" title="Clean a Litter Box">litter box</a>. It takes <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Patient" title="Be Patient">patience</a>, it takes time (weeks up to many months), and preferably, it takes an extra toilet dedicated to cat business, but it can be done!
<a name="Steps"></a><h2>  Steps </h2>
<ol><li>  <b>Move your cat's <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Fix-a-Cat%27s-Litter-Box-Behaviour" title="Fix a Cat's Litter Box Behaviour">litter box</a> into the bathroom</b>, next to the toilet, but do it gradually. Move your cat's litter box 1 inch closer to the bathroom than where it was before. Repeat the move daily until the box reaches the bathroom, ending up directly up against the toilet.
</li><li>  <b>Gradually raise the <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Your-Litter-Box-from-Stinking-up-Your-House" title="Prevent Your Litter Box from Stinking up Your House">litter box</a> up</b> by placing phone books (or something similar) under it. Repeat daily until the box is of equal height to the toilet. Whenever you raise the box take a little bit of the <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Kitty-Litter-Cake" title="Make Kitty Litter Cake">litter</a> out of the box. You may need to secure the litter box to the phone books or whatever it's sitting on so that it doesn't move when the cat jumps onto it.
</li><li> <b>Move the box over 1 inch onto the seat.</b> Repeat daily until the box is directly over the seat. Continue gradually decreasing the amount of litter in the box until there is only a thin layer (less than 1 inch) of it left.
</li><li> <b>Replace the <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Fix-a-Cat%27s-Litter-Box-Behaviour" title="Fix a Cat's Litter Box Behaviour">litter box</a> with a "training box".</b> You have a few different options here, but the important thing to remember is to make sure the "training box" can hold your cat's weight if they step or jump onto it:
<ul><li>Lift the <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Install-a-New-Toilet-Seat" title="Install a New Toilet Seat">toilet seat</a> and tape a piece of <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Laminate-With-Wax-Paper" title="Laminate With Wax Paper">wax paper</a> over the hole so that the toilet looks like a <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Set-up-a-Drum-Set" class="mw-redirect" title="Set up a Drum Set">drum</a>. Lower the seat over the wax paper. Add flushable litter.
</li><li>Lift the toilet seat and tape a bowl or aluminum pan to the edges. Put the seat down so that it holds the bowl in place. (See video below.) Add flushable litter.
</li><li>Use a commercial training device, sold specifically for this purpose.
</li></ul>
</li><li> <b>Transition into the cat using only the toilet.</b> If using wax paper or an aluminum pan, cut a hole about one inch in diameter in the center and gradually increase the size of the hole until it is almost gone. If you're using a training seat, remove the rings, one at time. This is done to gradually get the cat used to  urinating or defecating into water. Simultaneously, no matter which method you're using, reduce the amount of litter so that there is no litter when the paper, bowl, or device is removed.
</li></ol>
 
<a name="Video"></a><h2>  Video </h2>
Video demonstration of helping a cat become used to using a toilet.
 
<a name="Tips"></a><h2>  Tips </h2>
<ul><li>If when you remove the "training box" the cat seems confused, try sprinkling a little flushable litter into the water to spark his or her memory.<a href="#_note-0" title="">[1]</a>
</li><li>Always, always, always wait until the cat is comfortable with a setup before changing it. Go slow. If you rush the cat, this will not work, and you are more likely to have accidents. Don't ever try to force a cat to do anything that it does not want to do. For example, you should never have to pick up the cat and put it in the litter box or on the "training box". If you must show or force a cat to do something, you've moved too quickly from one stage to the next. Go back to square one.
</li><li>This will not work with indoor/outdoor cats, as they will probably just learn to hold it rather than deal with this drama.
</li><li>This will work best if you are home full-time for the duration of the training time.
</li><li>Flush the toilet after your kitten urinates as some cats are shy to defecate onto urine.
</li><li>Try rewarding the kitten with treats after a successful toilet experience to reinforce a good job well done.
</li></ul>
 
<a name="Warnings"></a><h2>  Warnings </h2>
<ul><li>Do not teach your cat to flush.  Although it is possible, once they learn they seem to enjoy it and will do it all the time.
</li><li>If you don't have a spare toilet, this is going to require much more effort, especially if there are other people living in the house. Everyone will have to move the litter holder each time they want to use the toilet and then put it back the way they found it.
</li><li>Cats can contract Toxoplasma Gondii and excrete it in their feces in the first 7-10 days of contracting the protozoa. It's not known whether wastewater treatment kills this parasitic protozoa, so if you live near the ocean with sea otters and you know your water treatment facility dumps into the ocean, it is recommended that you do not train your cat to use the toilet.<a href="#_note-1" title="">[2]</a>
</li><li>Kittens like to bury their work so make sure you remove small items from the bathroom. Otherwise your stuffed toy shark may be found swimming in the bowl.
</li></ul>
 
<a name="Related_wikiHows"></a><h2>  Related wikiHows </h2>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Leash-Train-a-Cat" title="Leash Train a Cat">How to Leash Train a Cat</a>
</li><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Litter-Box" title="Clean a Litter Box">How to Clean a Litter Box</a>
</li><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Litter-Train-a-Cat" title="Litter Train a Cat">How to Litter Train a Cat</a>
</li><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Kitty-Litter-Cake" title="Make Kitty Litter Cake">How to Make Kitty Litter Cake</a>
</li></ul>
 
<a name="Sources_.26_Citations"></a><h2>  Sources & Citations </h2>
<ol class="references"><li id="_note-0"><a href="#_ref-0" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://www.toilettrainacat.com/" class="external free" title="http://www.toilettrainacat.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.toilettrainacat.com/</a></li>
<li id="_note-1"><a href="#_ref-1" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://cats.about.com/cs/parasiticdisease/a/seaotters.htm" class="external free" title="http://cats.about.com/cs/parasiticdisease/a/seaotters.htm" rel="nofollow">http://cats.about.com/cs/parasiticdisease/a/seaotters.htm</a></li></ol>
 
<p>
<i>Article provided by <a href="wikiHowhttp://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page">wikiHow</a>, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on <a href="How">http://www.wikihow.com/Toilet-Train-Your-Cat">How to Toilet Train Your Cat</a>.  All content on wikiHow can be shared under a <a href="Creative">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/">Creative Commons license</a>.</i>
</p>

How to Get Rid of Anger
 
There are many ways to control anger so that you don't become
angry in the first place, but even the calmest of us lose our
patience sometimes. So what do you do when that anger has
already developed? How do you release it without hurting others
or yourself, emotionally, or physically? Here are some ways to
take off the edge.

 
 Steps

1.Calm down. Before your anger gets the best of you, take it down a notch. The neurological process that triggers anger lasts just two seconds.[1] The rest is up to you. Either the anger response can be amplified, or it can be defused. As soon as you feel angry, do one or a combination of the following to nip the anger in the bud:
?Breathe deeply from your diaphragm. Breathing shallowly from the chest won't help you relax.[2]
?Tell yourself, in a soft voice, to "relax" or "take it easy" as you're breathing deeply.
?Close your eyes and visualize a setting or memory that calms you, like lying in bed, or floating in water.
?Avoid extreme words. Avoid words such as “always” or “never” . “They are always finding fault with me” or “They never even helped me once before”. These words are usually not true and using them can amplify the anger and cause the situation to worsen.

2.Avoid the temptation to vent. People are commonly advised to act out their aggression by doing things like screaming into a pillow, or hitting a punching bag. This is called catharsis, and recent studies suggests that it actually fuels hostility, rather than minimize it.[3] Avoid any of the following suggestions:
?Kicking a ball into a tree or shed, pretending it's the person you are really mad at.
?Throwing something hard, like ice cubes, at a wall that cannot be damaged by them, like tiles in the shower or a brick wall outside.
?Throwing a fit (without anyone else around).

3.Lighten up. Many times, when we look back at what we were angry about, it really is ridiculous and silly, even though we certainly didn't see it that way at the time! Injecting a little bit of humor into your perspective (after that initial wave of anger has passed) can help you break out of your angry mood.
?10 funny counts - Forget about the old fashioned “count to 10 you are fine” talk. Use the 10 funny counts instead. When you are angry, just count“1 funny clown, 2 funny pig, 3 funny bananas, 4 funny red nose boss, 5 funny short giraffe…" etc. Our brain works better with pictures, and when you say something funny, you will tend to imagine it in the mind.
Visualize something funny you are angry at. Are you angry with your boss because he yelled at you for something that you didn’t do? Picture him fatter, balloon him up, put a pair of dorky spectacles on him, a big red nose that makes him keep falling over when he is yelling. Are you able to get angry at the new mental picture of your boss now? Hard to do!
?Do a comical impression of yourself when you get angry. Throw your hands up in the air, shake them wildly, and go "GRRRRRRRRRRRR".
?Do something that makes it impossible to take yourself seriously. Do a pirouette (who can feel angry while spinning around?) or a silly dance, like the chicken dance or the macarena.

4.Redirect the angry energy. Anger is often an energizing emotion (because of the hormones that are released) and that physical energy has to go somewhere! The most constructive way to redirect that energy is to tire yourself out with exercise. Run, jump rope, do jumping jacks, or do push-ups until you're too exhausted to feel angry anymore.

5.Work it out. This is the most important step. Once the anger has subsided, don't just completely forget about it. Whatever made you angry will probably make you angry again, unless you address and resolve it when you're calm. More importantly, any residual anger can turn inward and manifest itself in hypertension, high blood pressure, or depression. It may also return as passive-aggressive behavior (getting back at people indirectly; you might not even realize you're doing it) or you may start to become a cynical and bitter person overall.[2] So take this opportunity to understand yourself, and be proactive.
?If your anger is related to a specific person:
¦Practice Nonviolent Communication
¦Give a Feedback Sandwich
¦Deal with Impossible People
?If your anger is related to circumstances you can't control, like actions by people you don't know, or a canceled flight:
¦Be Optimistic
¦Be Thankful
¦Be Laid Back
?If your anger is caused by thoughts about the past or future (anxiety, worries, grudges, etc.):
¦Live in the Moment
¦Get Closure
¦Forgive

Tips•Time Out! - Arguing with someone? Is the situation getting out of hand? Most likely, both of you are not too calm and in the right mind to talk about anything. Ask for a time out, take whatever time off you feel that is appropriate and bring yourself to a level where you are calm and relax before you talk about anything. When you ask for a time out, be sure to let the person know that you still want to converse with them, and tell them you will schedule a meeting to further discuss the issue.

•Keep a book on recording your anger. Find out the patterns and triggers that lead you to feel angry. Once you identify the problem, you can then find a solution.

 Warnings•Sarcasm is not constructive! Finding a witty way to tell someone that they've done something wrong is passive aggressive.

 

Related wikiHows•How to Relieve Stress
•How to Manage Stress by Focusing on Your Heart Rate
•How to Release Anger
•How to Control Anger Outbursts

 

Marijuana's Memory Paradox
Are pot smokers less likely to get Alzheimer's? A compound similar to the active ingredient in cannabis shows promise as a potential memory protector.
By Maia Szalavitz for MSN Health & Fitness

Marijuana isn't known for being a friend to memory; its short-term effects notoriously impair recall. And although the data is conflicting, some studies link cannabis with memory deficits in those who use excessive doses for long periods of time

But new research suggests that one of the active ingredients in marijuana—THC—and similar compounds could possibly prevent or even reverse one of the most devastating memory disorders of all: Alzheimer's disease.

In a paper published in the December 2008 issue of the journal Neurobiology of Aging, researchers found that a compound that affects the same brain receptors as THC reduced brain inflammation and improved memory in older rats. (The rodents were the human equivalent of age 65 to 70.) Although there's debate over the role played by inflammation in Alzheimer's, many researchers believe it's an important part of the process that causes dementia.

"We were shocked and surprised that it worked," says Gary Wenk, Ph.D., one of the study's authors and a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Ohio State University. 

Wenk and his colleagues traced the anti-inflammatory effect of the compound (which has the awkward name "WIN-55,212-2") to its activation of cannabinoid receptors on brain cells—the same receptors activated by THC.

Other anti-inflammatory compounds studied in rats and humans like NSAID drugs (ibuprofen, etc.) showed effects on young brains, but unlike WIN-55,212-2 did not improve aged brains.

Wenk has also found in these older rats that the  WIN-55,212-2 compound promotes the growth of new brain cells—a process that declines and may even stop in older animals. "The most amazing thing we saw was that it re-initiates neurogenesis—usually, the only drugs that do that are the SSRI antidepressants [selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, the class of drugs that includes Prozac]."

Timing is everything

How could a drug that clearly impairs memory while people are under its influence function to protect users' recall in the long term? Wenk theorizes that this could be due to differences in the way young and old brains learn.

Research shows that the neurotransmitter glutamate is involved in storing memory in a process that involves growing both new cells and connections between them, and destroying old ones. Some current Alzheimer's drugs like memantine affect glutamate—as does THC.

Early in life, this process is in balance, and so interfering with either the growth or the "pruning back" of brain cells and connections—as might occur from using marijuana—might impair memory. But, says Wenk, "The same systems involved in pruning neurons at the beginning of life could be killing them at the end." Therefore, interfering with the pruning process later in life might actually help, rather than harm.

No need for a high

Rest assured, Wenk and his colleagues aren't advocating a stoner lifestyle.

Because WIN-55,212-2, like THC, produces a high, the researchers looked for the lowest effective dose. They estimate that that dose is the equivalent to just one toke of marijuana. "A puff is enough," Wenk says.

Though that dose wouldn't get someone high, it could, admittedly, have some psychoactive effect. But this wouldn't necessarily rule out medical use. The drug could be taken before bedtime, for example. And with long-term use, tolerance to these psychoactive effects can develop, so impairment might be minimal with a steady dose anyway.

Cannabis research is controversial

To find out if THC has a protective effect on humans, scientists could study marijuana smokers as they age. If the theory holds, such users might be expected to develop Alzheimer's disease at lower rates than non-users—although the timing and extent of use would almost certainly also matter.

Given the controversy that would likely arise if a protective effect were to be discovered, however, no one has funded the epidemiological studies that would be needed to show this.

It's even hard to get experimental research published, according to Kim Janda, Professor of Chemistry at the Scripps Research Institute in California. In 2006, he published a paper demonstrating that THC interfered with another process implicated in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease: the formation of amyloid-beta plaques and fibrils.

Janda's THC research was rejected by several big-name journals and eventually published in the journal Molecular Pharmacology; it's now one of his most frequently cited articles by fellow scientists. Unfortunately, the article was also denounced in the press by the likes of Rush Limbaugh as an example of politicized science by hidden supporters of legalization—despite the fact that Janda also works on anti-cocaine addiction vaccines.

Although Janda would like to investigate further, he currently does not have grants to enable him to do so.

Why further marijuana studies should be funded

Bill Thies, Ph.D., chief medical and scientific Officer of the Alzheimer's Association, says of Wenk's research, "The authors of the paper make the case that one way to modulate the inflammatory reaction is to activate cannabinoid receptors. I think that's perfectly reasonable basic science."

Thies notes, however, that it's a long way from basic science to a usable drug, and pleads for a rational discussion. "The issue of marijuana is highly emotional and political and the minute it's put in context of legalizing marijuana, the discussion loses all sensible aspects."

Don Abrams, M.D., chief of hematology/oncology at San Francisco General Hospital, has studied medical marijuana use in people with HIV for more than a decade. He says, "I think the safety profile of marijuana compares very favorably to many other prescribed drugs," noting that there have not been any reported overdoses, and that most research does not support a link between smoking the drug and lung cancer (which may be because marijuana users  tend to not smoke nearly as much as cigarette smokers).

"Cannabis is anti-inflammatory and it is also an antioxidant, and those are two things that we seek in treating neurodegenerative disorders," he says, "It's there, it's in nature, if the research does find that it has these benefits, why not take advantage of it?"

With five million Americans currently living with Alzheimer's and no highly effective treatment or prevention method known, any promising lead—even one as politically fraught as marijuana and related synthetics—could be worth following.

Maia Szalavitz is a journalist and author who covers the intersection between mind, brain and behavior. She is a Senior Fellow at Stats.org, a media watchdog organization, which investigates coverage of science and statistics. Her own personal experience as a former heroin and cocaine addict brings a unique perspective to her work. She's a regular contributor to Brain & Body.

Her most recent book, co-written with leading child trauma expert Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D., is The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog and Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook: What Traumatized Children Can Teach Us About Loss, Love and Healing (Basic, 2007).

How to Get Rid of Fleas
 
"Did I do that?"Sometimes pets accidentally bring some friends home to play, and those friends happen to be tiny, blood-sucking, and persistent. Here's how to get rid of the unwelcomed guests.

Steps

1. Throw all of the pet bedding in the washing machine. That includes
anything that the pets like to regularly lay or sleep on, which isn't
always intended to serve as pet bedding. Does Fido love to nap on that
throw rug in the living room? Wash it. Does Fluffy enjoy lounging on
the doiley on the coffee table? Wash it. Wash it all - the bedsheets,
the throw on the sofa, the bathroom rug.

2. Spray an insect growth regulator (IGR) like methoprene or
pyriproxyfen. Room foggers (total release aerosols) aren't as effective
as sprays unless they contain an IGR to prevent the larvae from turning
into adult fleas. Without IGRs, larvae won't be controlled because they
won't be reached at the base of carpet fibers where they develop.[1]

3. Become friends with your vacuum cleaner. While the loose, potentially
flea-infested items are being washed, arm yourself with a vacuum and
suck the flea life out of every surface, nook and cranny you can find.
While you're doing this, send the pet(s) outside, or confine them to
the bathroom, so that any fleas they're carrying won't jump onto the
surface you just vacuumed. Here are some spots to concentrate on:

- areas that don't get much exposure to sunlight (fleas like humid and
cool spots)

- anywhere that you find dried blood and feces (flea debris)

- upholstered furniture (lift up those couch cushions)

- crevices around baseboards and cabinets (that's where the eggs and
larvae are probably hiding)

When the vacuum bag is full, seal it in a plastic trash bag and put it
in a covered trash container, preferably outside. Otherwise, the little
buggers can crawl out and make themselves cozy again.

4. Give Fido or Fluffy a bath. They might hate you for it but not as
much as you hate the fleas.

?Choose a flea shampoo carefully. Anything with conventional insecticides
(pyrethrins, permethrin, d-limonene, chlorpyrifos, or carbaryl) might
irritate or harm your pet, and the people around it.[1]

?Wash the neck first so that the fleas don't jump up to the head during
the bath.[2]

?Apply a flea-killing product, available as a flea-collar, a spot-on,
or oral medication. If the collar contains only insect growth regulator
(which prevents larvae from turning into adults, but does not affect
the existing adults) use another treatment, such as a spot-on product,
to control adult fleas.[1] The following products are not effective:[1]

¦Vitamin B1 (thiamine hycrochloride) supplements
¦brewer's yeast
¦herbal collars
¦ultrasonic devices

5. Reclaim your back yard. Before letting the pet(s) outside, prune
foliage and trim grass to expose flea larvae to sunlight.[3] Look around.
Do you see any dark, moist spots? Find a way to expose them to sunlight,
if you can.

6. Follow up. This is the most critical step because if you skimp on
it, all your efforts from your previous steps will be undone. The eggs
that survived will hatch, and the entire cycle will begin again. Do the
following until you find no traces of fleas on your pets or in your
home:

?Vacuum thoroughly every other day - since fleas can develop resistance
to insecticides, vacuuming regularly is essential in order to bring
them under control[1]

?Mow the lawn regularly

?Wash pet bedding in hot, soapy water at least once a week

Tips

•When using any chemical, follow the instructions carefully.

•When checking your pets for fleas, use a fine-toothed comb
specifically designed to remove fleas. A flea is covered with tiny
hairs that allow them to "grip" onto the host's fur. Using a comb with
teeth that are close enough together that the flea can't slip through
is the most effective way to dislodge them. A comb designed for another
purpose or a brush won't remove all the fleas.[4]

Warnings

•Make sure that everyone - especially children - washes their hands
right before eating, since swallowing a flea infected with tapeworm
can, well, get you your very own tapeworm.[4]

Related
wikiHows
•How to Kill or Repel Fleas Naturally
•How to Treat Flea Bites
•How to Get Rid of Tapeworms in Your Pets
•How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

 

Sources and Citations
1.? 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7419.html
2.? marthastewart.com
3.? http://www.ehow.com/how_2439_get-rid-fleas.html
4.? 4.0 4.1 http://animals.howstuffworks.com/insects/flea.htm
Ads by Google•Pet Meds - Save Up to 50%
Free Shipping on Orders Over $35 & $5 Off To The First 300 Customers.
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•No More Chemicals
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<h1 style='margin-bottom: 0px;'><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Skies-Beautiful-with-GIMP">How to Make Skies Beautiful with GIMP</a></h1>
<b><i>from <a href='http://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page'>wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit</a></i></b><br/>
  Do the skies in your photographs look somewhat "blah"? So long as you take your photographs thoughtfully, you can make them pop with a few easy tweaks in GIMP, the renowned <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Migrate-to-Open-Source-Software" title="Migrate to Open Source Software">open-source</a> image editor. These tweaks are also a great introduction to some of GIMP's more advanced features, such as layers, layer modes and layer masks. Here's how to do it.
<a name="Steps"></a><h2> Steps</h2>
 
<a name="Getting_It_Right_To_Start_With"></a> Getting It Right To Start With
You can make your job much, much easier (or, rather, not impossible) by following a couple of steps when <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Take-Better-Photographs" title="Take Better Photographs">taking your photographs</a>.
<ol><li>  <b>Shoot at a slow ISO speed</b>, if your camera supports changing this. For point and shoot cameras, this should always be the slowest speed you have. If you have a digital SLR, this is less important, but you should still err towards using slower speeds. Our example used 100 ISO on an ancient Canon D30; more recent digital SLRs will be fine at much faster speeds. We'll get to the reason for this in a bit.
</li><li> <b>Use a graduated neutral density filter when taking your photos.</b> Consider getting one if you don't have one. A graduated neutral density filter blocks out light in part of your photo; since skies are typically much brighter than whatever is below them, this allows you to get a more consistent exposure across your photo. But, if you don't have one, or you have no way of fitting filters to your camera or lens, don't worry about it; see the next step.
</li><li> <b>Underexpose</b> if you're not using a neutral density filter. This can be by as much as a stop or two; anything that ensures that your sky does not go pure white (or largely so). The lost detail in dark areas can often be recovered later. Blown highlights (from an overexposed sky) can never be. The opposite is often true of film cameras; even massive overexposure does not result in blown highlights, but shadow detail is often impossible to recover. This is part of the reason you should shoot at a slow ISO; recovering shadow detail brings out noise. Also, the technique used here will bring out any noise that is in the sky, too. If your photo is already noisy (as it will be at faster ISO speeds), then the end result will be ugly.
</li></ol>
 
<a name="Editing_your_Photo_with_GIMP"></a> Editing your Photo with GIMP
<ol><li> <b>Open your image</b> (File -> Open).
</li><li>  <b>Create a duplicate layer of your photo.</b> Open the Layers dialog (with Ctrl+L). Right click on the Background layer and go to Duplicate, or use the button.
</li><li> <b>Add a layer mask to your duplicated layer.</b> Right click on the "Background copy" layer and go to Add Layer Mask.... Hit "Add"; none of the settings are relevant to you here.
</li><li>  <b>Select your gradient tool.</b> Press L to select the gradient tool, or bring it up from your tool. Go to the main GIMP window and ensure that the foreground colour is set to black, and the background is set to white. Ensure that the gradient is set to black-to-white (one of the ones called FG to BG).
</li><li>  <b>Draw a gradient on your layer mask</b>. Hold down your Control key (this ensures a straight line). Click and <i>hold down</i> your left mouse button on (or at some point above) the horizon line and hold down your left mouse button. Drag your mouse pointer to some arbitrary point upwards; you will have to experiment with this to see what works better for your photograph. Release your left mouse button. In the Layers dialog, right click on the "Background copy" layer and go to Show Layer Mask to ensure that you've done it right. Do the same again to turn off the display of your layer mask.
</li><li>  <b>Set the layer mode to "Soft light" from the drop-down "Mode" list.</b> You will notice that the contrast and colour of your sky has improved. This is what you want. We'll call this the "soft light layer" from here on.
</li><li>  <b>Duplicate your soft light layer to taste.</b> Zoom to 100% on your photo (View -> Zoom -> 1:1). Then, in the layers dialog, right click on your soft light layer and go to Duplicate Layer. Do this until either you're either happy with it, or until you start seeing large blocks of colour (when you hit the latter, this is sensor or film noise taking its toll).
</li><li>  <b>Merge your layers</b> by right clicking on any layer in the Layers dialog and going to Merge Visible Layers. Hit "OK"; none of the options are relevant here.
</li><li>  <b>Kick up the saturation in the sky a little.</b> This is optional. Use the freeform select tool (hit F) to loosely select the sky. Go to Select -> Feather, use a Radius of roughly 1%-2% of the height of your photo in pixels. Go to Colors -> Hue/Saturation and slide the Saturation slider over to the right to taste. As earlier, it might be best to zoom to 100% in order to ensure that you're not bringing out too much noise in the process. Hit "OK" when you're happy with it.
</li><li>  <b>Recover the shadow detail from below the horizon.</b> You can skip this step if you used a neutral density filter on the sky. Duplicate the bottom layer and add a layer mask, as we did in steps 2-5; except this time you want to do it backwards by drawing the gradient starting at or just above the horizon line, and ending at some point just below the horizon line; the end result is that the ground will be in the white area of the layer mask, and the sky will be in the black area. As before, you'll have to experiment with this. Set the layer mode to Dodge or Screen. Duplicate it to taste, then merge them, as before.
</li><li> <b>Do any other processing that you see fit to do.</b> In our example, the sky was crudely de-noised a little with a selective gaussian blur (Filters -> Blur -> Selective Gaussian Blur), then the area below the horizon was sharpened (Filters -> Enhance -> Unsharp Mask), and finally a single pass of <a href="http://registry.gimp.org/node/4562" class="external text" title="http://registry.gimp.org/node/4562" rel="nofollow">Harry Phillips' "tone mapping" script</a> was applied.
</li><li>  <b>Admire the finished result.</b> Or don't; go away for a few minutes, come back and compare it to your original to see if it really was an improvement. Chances are good that it was; but it doesn't hurt to go back to the start and experiment with different layer masks, and so on.
</li></ol>
 
<a name="Things_You.27ll_Need"></a><h2> Things You'll Need</h2>
<ul><li> A camera, and a photograph with plenty of sky in it taken therewith.
</li><li> The free <a href="http://www.gimp.org/" class="external text" title="http://www.gimp.org/" rel="nofollow">GIMP</a> image editor; see <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Install-GIMP" title="Install GIMP">How to Install GIMP</a>.
</li></ul>
 
<a name="Tips"></a><h2> Tips</h2>
<ul><li> Using Hard Light or Overlay instead of Soft Light for your sky layer can give better results.
</li><li> For digital SLR users: When you take your photo, try using center weighted metering. Point your camera at a bright part of the sky and hit your auto-exposure lock button. Then recompose and take your shots. This will cause the sky to be properly exposed.
</li></ul>
 
<a name="Related_wikiHows"></a><h2> Related wikiHows</h2>
<ul><li> <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Install-GIMP" title="Install GIMP">How to Install GIMP</a>
</li><li> <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/De-Haze-a-Photo-with-GIMP" title="De Haze a Photo with GIMP">How to De-Haze a Photo with GIMP</a>
</li><li> <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Take-Better-Photographs" title="Take Better Photographs">How to Take Better Photographs</a>
</li></ul>
 
<a name="Sources_and_Citations"></a><h2> Sources and Citations</h2>
<ul><li> The idea of underexposing a shot on digital cameras and fixing the lighting later came from Ken Rockwell's <a href="http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/fixing-dynamic-range.htm" class="external text" title="http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/fixing-dynamic-range.htm" rel="nofollow">Adding Dynamic Range to Any Digital Camera</a>.
</li><li> The idea of using a soft light layer with a layer mask on skies came from Sam Knox's   <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/swampy_bogtrotter/3050582173/" class="external text" title="http://www.flickr.com/photos/swampy_bogtrotter/3050582173/" rel="nofollow">brief Photoshop tutorial</a>.
</li></ul>
 
<p>
<i>Article provided by <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page">wikiHow</a>, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Skies-Beautiful-with-GIMP">How to Make Skies Beautiful with GIMP</a>.  All content on wikiHow can be shared under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/">Creative Commons license</a>.</i>
</p>