The Randomness of Being Charles

Wise Old Bear

2012-01-10T09:50:00.001-08:00

"Deep in slumber, dreams unending,

Wise old bear, patient, strong,

Send me dreams of transformation.

Grant me intuition along

With introspection of my life,

Inner listening, no more strife."

Eagle's Message and Medicine

2011-12-13T08:02:00.000-08:00

Spirituality / Strength / Power / Air / Healing

The majestic bald eagle is found throughout North America, but more eagles nest in Florida than in any other state except Alaska. The word "bald" means white, not hairless. The bald eagle thrives in Alaska because of the salmon. Fish that are dead or dying are important sources of food for Eagle. Eagle is a member of the sea and fish eagle group. Eagle will eat whatever prey is easiest to attain including, mice, rats, rabbits, other small mammals, and road kill. Eagles powerful talons can easily lift and carry prey to their nest. Eagle can consume a pound of fish in a four minute time period. The flesh of its prey is torn off with the powerful beak of eagle. All eagles have excellent eyesight. They have two foveae, or centers of focus which allows them to see both forward and to the side at the same time. Eagle can see fish several hundred feet below while in flight. Eagles like all birds have color vision. The sharpness of eagles vision is at least four times that of a person with perfect vision. Eagle has 7,000 feathers, like hair and nails, and are made of heratin. Layers of feathers insulate the birds against cold and protect eagle from the rain.

Eagle's ability to soar to great heights makes it a symbol of freedom, honor, spirituality, and respect. Eagle is a symbol of the United States of American. To the Native Americans, eagle represents the Great Spirit. The feathers of eagle are sacred to the Native Americans. Eagle feathers have been used in regalia, sacred objects, bonnets and hair since early times. The feathers are used in healing and ceremonies. Eagle bones are made into whistles used during the sweat lodge and Sundance. Eagle feathers also play an important role in the eagle dance. The message of eagle is the maintenance of balance and to recognize the connection with all of our relations. When eagle enters your life a whole new dimension opens and your perception and understanding of spirituality increases allowing you to make contact with the Spirit in all things. To align oneself with the medicine of eagle is a big responsibility and not to be taken lightly.

Butterfly’s Message and Medicine

2011-12-13T07:55:00.000-08:00

Transformation / Change / New Beginnings/ Rebirth

Butterfly is a flying insect usually having striking colors and beautiful patterns on their wings. Butterfly has four wings and six legs. Butterfly develops through a process called metamorphosis, a Greek word meaning transformation or change of shape. The four stages of butterfly are egg, larvae, pupa and adult (butterfly). The natural enemies of butterfly and their stages are ants, beetles, birds, flies, lizards, frogs, spiders and praying mantises.

Butterfly represents the cycles of life, movement and change. Life’s passages, the four seasons and the various phases of the sun and moon , all demonstrate the necessity of change and transformation. Butterfly has a short life span. Their message teaches us how to live each minute of life to the fullest. Butterfly prepares us for change and progress. When your life becomes stagnate and you are unable to move forward , evolution enters the picture and gives you the necessary " shove" you need to initiate change and progress. Fear and discomfort are the major reasons for change. Dissatisfaction with life, work, relationships and crisis, force you to make changes and take risk. If you listen to Butterfly’s message, you can prepare for change before it is forced upon you. All endings offer new beginnings.

Buffalo’s Message and Medicine

2011-12-13T07:33:00.001-08:00

Endurance, Survival / Strength / Protection / Unity / Abundance Give-a-Way / Sharing

The bison or American Buffalo is a large mammal weighing well over a ton. It has a massive curly head, humped shoulders and shaggy hair. This animal can be unpredictable and dangerous. It is strong and a symbol of abundance to the Native American. At one time the buffalo thrived in a land of plenty but was reduced in number by greed and ignorance. The color of the buffalo is dark brown. The white buffalo is of spiritual significance to the Lakota.

Buffalo's message is to give thanks. Give something back to the community. Count your blessings. Visit the sick. Get involved with life. Recognize the Great Spirit in all things. Trust and have faith. Do not waste time, energy or the abundance of nature. Plant a tree, adopt a pet or provide money for their support. Clean out your closet and the garage. Let go of things that you no longer use. Do a give-a- way of cornmeal or sage. Make tobacco ties or do a small sacrifice for all your relations. Your relations are those that walk on two legs, and those that fly, swim and crawl. Remain grounded and centered. Give up old attitudes that no longer serve your highest good

Your Nine Animal Totems

2011-12-08T09:26:00.001-08:00

Each person has nine animal essences or totems that walk through life with them, teaching and guiding them and in some cases, protecting them. These nine totems usually remain the same throughout your lifetime; however, major life alterations can cause some or all of your totems to change. These totems are around your spirit: East, South, West, North, Above, Below and Within. The last two animals are walking beside you at all times; your Right Side (male) and your Left Side (feminine). While sometimes the living animal is around you, most often they are only the essence of the animal.

At different times in your life, you may also have Special Helpers and/or Special Protectors. These stay with you for an limited period of time, depending on the challenges that you must face. They usually appear in person, in dreams or during meditation.

Different Types of Animal Souls

There are three different types of animals souls: the high protector animal souls, the familiars, and the lower animal souls.

There are only three high protectors: Dragon, Phoenix and Unicorn/Pegasus (whose souls are interchangeable). These souls only incarnate when there is a living animal like them; if not, they stay in spirit form and are connected only to older souls.

The familiars are animal souls that are connected through an energy link to only one person, usually someone who has psychic or magical abilities. There is nothing evil about them and they are not demons in way, shape or form. They are simply animal souls who have formed a bond with one person. Familiars are hive souls -- seven souls in total -- with one or two souls incarnating while the rest stay in spirit form. They are usually of the cat and dog genus (incl. tigers, wolves, etc.). People who work with Magic sometimes have birds familiars, usually Ravens, Crows, Magpies or Owls. The familiars take turns incarnating, although one soul might have closer ties to their person and incarnate more often than the others. Familiars only incarnate to their soul person -- when not incarnate, they stay in spirit form.

All other animals (including dogs, cats and birds who are not familiars) are lower animal souls. They can move between species but stay on this planet, while high protectors and familiars stay with your soul in its various incarnations on different planets.

Whales and Dolphins are higher souls than animal souls but younger souls than human souls. They are sentient beings.

You want what?

2011-12-08T09:08:00.001-08:00

Red-Tailed Hawk

2011-12-08T08:44:00.001-08:00

Seeing the larger picture / Message from Spirit / Clear Sight / Focus / Flow

The red-tailed hawk is a bird of prey. It is the most commonly seen hawk in California and is the largest of hawks. It gets its name from its broad, rounded tail which is russet red in color, the rest of the body is covered with dark brown feathers and it has a wing span of approximately five feet. The female weights about 3-4 lbs and is nearly 1/3 larger in size than the male who weights 2. 5 lbs. Nest building and mating usually begins in March. At that time both male and female perform spectacular aerial displays. They circle and soar to great heights, fold their wings and plummet down to treetop levels. This performance is repeated several times a day which guarantees the interest and attraction of both sexes. They mate for life and both assist in constructing the nest. Hawk loves to soar and glide upon the wind currents with ease and has excellent eyesight.

Hawk has a strong, hooked beak and powerful talons. Its prey is rabbits, snakes and rodents. It is a fearless bird and can be seen perched on utility poles and tree tops observing life with attention and interest. The red in its tail represents a strong life force or energy. Its message is to flow with life instead of struggling. If you have hawk medicine you are a visionary and can see beyond the surface of things and situations. You are capable of looking at the big picture before making important decisions. Remember to focus on problems before trying to solve them. You are a strong and courageous person. Freedom is important to you so give yourself space in relationships. Hawk is a messenger of the Great Spirit and when hawk is seen circling above you, it is a blessing from the Creator

http://www.lilytherese.com/POWER1.HTM

Hawk: Power, Magic, Messenger

Hawk is the messenger, the protector and the visionaries of the Air. It holds the key to higher levels of consciousness. This totem awakens vision and inspires a creative life purpose. A Hawk totem is filled with responsibility because Hawk people seek the overall view. Be careful not to become caught up in the details; step back (or fly high) so you can see the big picture. Observe and study your surroundings and work on accepting things the way they are, rather than forcing change. Soar high above the mundane and everyday problems and find the peace and power that comes from having a Hawk totem.

A Red-Tailed Hawk totem is special. It has direct ties to the Kundalini, the seat of primal life force. It is associated with the base chakra. If you have this Totem, you will be aware of and work towards fulfilling your soul's purpose. It reflects a greater intensity of energy within your life: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual forces will all be strong within you. The Red-Tail Hawk is a permanent totem -- it will always be with you. It is associated with the Tarot card Temperance. This card represents the teaching of higher expressions of psychic ability and vision.

Owl’s Message and Medicine

2011-12-08T08:35:00.001-08:00

Silent Movement / Mystery / Secrets / Wisdom / Clairvoyance

Owl is a creature of the night and darkness. There are over 100 species of owls. Rodents are the primary food of owls. An owl will usually swallow its prey whole , head first. Bones, teeth, fur and claws which are indigestible are regurgitated in the form of pellets. Owl has excellent eyesight and can detect subtle movements of its prey easily. Its hearing is as keen as its eyesight. Owls cannot move their eyes but their neck is flexible and gives them a wide range of peripheral vision. It is linked with the unseen and unhidden world of Spirit. Owl represents your sub-conscious and the occult (that which is hidden). Owl is also associated with the Moon and view superstition. Some Native Americans refer to owl as Night Eagle. Others Owl with suspicion and fear. Owl is a beneficial influence for people who are attuned with the Goddess, or other Earth related religions.

If you have Owl for a power animal, it’s message is to pay attention to your dreams and feelings. Question your fears and act on your intuition. Focus on our intentions and move swiftly toward your goals and objectives. Be silent and conserve your energy until you are ready to act with undivided attention. If you are experiencing problems and uncertainty, take some time out to confront your fears and confusion. Invoke Owl to help with discernment and self-knowledge. Do not fear the dark or unknown. Explore your inner world with confidence. Work on developing Clairvoyance. Use Ritual and the Moon’s influence to generate power and make positive changes. Take time to get acquainted with your shadow-self.

http://www.lilytherese.com/POWER1.HTM

Owl: Magic, Omens, Wisdom

The owl is the symbol of the feminine, the moon and the night. The owl is the bird of magic and darkness, of prophecy and wisdom. Owl people work best during the night hours. An owl totem gives you the power to extract secrets. Meditate on the owl and things will be revealed. Listen to its voice inside of you. You will hear not what others are saying, but what is hidden. You can detect subtleties of voice that others cannot. People cannot deceive a person who has an owl totem. Owl people can see into the darkness of others souls. Most owl people are clairvoyant because of this ability. It can be very scary at times. Learn to trust your instincts about people. Let your owl totem guide you.

Cougar's Message and Medicine

2011-12-08T08:32:00.001-08:00

Power/ Swiftness / Balance/ Planning / Patience/ Cunning.

Cougar is known by many names: puma, panther, mountain lion, and catamount. Cougar is the second largest cat in the western hemisphere. It is very fast and powerful. It can leap over a distance of over 40 feet. It uses its bite and claws to bring down its prey. The deer is the cougar's favorite prey and when it attacks, it does not hesitate. Cougar is an independent and fierce predator. It is usually lean and strong. It is tawny of color with a long tail that helps it maintain balance.

Cougar teaches us to respect the boundaries of others . Do not waste energy . Think before you act. Time for solitude. Stay on tract. Keep focused on your goals. Take a leadership or communication class. Dare to be different. Share with others but do not allow them too become to dependent on you. Visit the zoo. Practice walking like cougar. Relax completely and stretch whenever possible. Walk to the store . Be fully alive in the moment. Study your environment. Use all of your senses and trust them. Be firm but playful. Pay attention to what your physical body is telling you.

Cougar, Mountain Lion: Leadership

This is a very powerful, but very difficult totem. Cougar medicine is the lesson of the use of power, how to be an effective, fair leader and not abuse power. This totem's gift is how to balance power, intention, strength and grace. It is the balance of body, mind and spirit. The first responsibility of leadership is truth. Remember: Responsibility is no more than the ability to respond to any situation. Cougar can teach you how to bring out your power and fill your heart with it you can take charge of your life. You can use Cougar power to defend yourself or to attack. If you see Cougar (either the animal or an image), you are being called to lead. You must be decisive and not procrastinate. Move forward with courage and always keep your eyes on the goal.

Bighorn Sheep's Message and Medicine

2011-12-08T08:27:00.001-08:00

Balance / Strength / Power / Virility / New Beginnings

Bighorn sheep are the largest and best known wild sheep in the North American continent. These mountain dwellers reside on rocky ridges and cliff ledges. Bighorn sheep get their name from their massive curved horns, which spiral backwards, from the top of the head of the mature males. The horns are used as weapons for defense and are also a status symbol. This muscular bodied animal is covered with a brown coat. Its belly, rump, back of legs, muzzle and eye patch are white. Bighorn Sheep is a grazing animal. Its diet consist of tender grasses, such as June grass, wheat grass, and blue grass. These alert sentinels have exceptionally keen eyesight, smelling and hearing abilities. Their unusually strong cloven hooves are hard on the outside and soft on the inside. The hooves act as shock absorbers making the sheep an excellent climber and jumper.

Bighorn sheep’s message is that of new beginnings. If you have this animal for your power ally, have confidence in your powers to land safely on your feet, in most circumstances. The spiral horn symbolizes your creativity, energy, and endurance. You can initiate new projects and have the strength to complete them. Defend your territory and test your strength, but do not lock horns just to prove your point. Think before you act. Stay in balance with your environment by hiking ,walking, or climbing. Take a class to expand your mind and use your imagination to reach new heights of achievement. Seek new opportunities in your work and relationship areas. Now is a good time to make changes . You can accomplish a lot if you are prepared.

Ram: New Beginnings

If you are thinking of starting a new project or furthering your education, now is the time to start. Ram is the herald of new beginnings and opportunities. Ram is a moving totem and therefore opportunities must be grabbed quickly without hesitation. Remember that the openings for new beginnings and opportunities can be mere toe-holes, but if you act quickly, you will secure your spot. Ram is also an intellectual totem and therefore stimulates the mind. Curiosity and an active imagination are traits of the Ram totem. Ram also gives you the ability to be stoic in face of adversity, sensitive to others, and have great perseverance. Use Ram's gifts to their fullest and you will have a great foundation for whatever project you begin

Bear’s Message and Medicine

2011-12-08T08:22:00.001-08:00

Strength / Introspection / Stamina / Renewal / Healing, Dreaming

Bear is the largest of carnivores but it is also omnivorous, eating fruits, plants, nuts and meat. There are many species of bear. The most common is the black bear. However not all back bears are black. They can be back, brown or cinnamon colored. The Alaska brown bear is the largest of bears . The grizzly is a relative of the brown bear and is known for its aggressiveness and temper. Bear is also related to the raccoon.

The strength of Bear medicine is the power of introspection. The bear represent the west side of the Medicine Wheel. The West is the place of intuition, transformation, inner-knowing, shamanic journeying, dreams and visions. Bear teaches you to go within to solve problems and promote healing. Seek knowledge and wisdom through meditation and dreams. Go within your Winter Cave (subconscious mind) for renewal and the resources necessary for survival and healing. If you have Bear medicine, remember to slow down in Winter. Keep a slower pace during this season so you can contemplate the past year and prepare for the year to come. Study herbs and explore quiet places in Nature for balance and healing. Rest, but try not to hibernate all year long. Spring will provide you with new ideas and opportunities. Plan and prepare for next year, but don’t forget to live fully in the moment in the present moment.

Changing Habit

2011-11-03T12:46:00.001-07:00

Leave work at 4p every day and get in some physical activity. At the gym, walk, lift, something!

Changing Habits

2011-11-03T12:45:00.000-07:00

Here’s how to change these habits:
Change only one habit at a time. It doesn’t matter which habit you choose. Just choose one. You’ll want to do more than one, but don’t.

Create positive habits you enjoy. Read the last word again — if you enjoy it, the habit change will be easy. Replace smoking with positive habits you enjoy that fulfill the needs that smoking now fulfills (stress reduction, social lubrication, boredom relief, etc.). Replace red meats with healthy foods you enjoy.

Start as small as possible. Just do 5 minutes the first week, and try to be consistent as possible. Then do 10 minutes. Small change is by far the most effective method I’ve used for changing habits. Slow change lasts.

Make it social. Find a partner or group to change the habit with you, so you’re more likely to stick with it.

The 8 Habits of Healthy Living

2011-11-03T12:44:00.000-07:00

The 8 Habits of Healthy Living

1. Stop smoking. This is by far the most important habit, as it affects almost every single one of the leading causes of death. It’s also the hardest of these habits to change. It’s not at all impossible — I quit six years ago next month (read my tips).

2. Lose weight (if you’re overweight). This is not exactly a habit — the best habit to form to lose weight is to eat less. Or eat more of things that don’t have a lot of calories, like fruits and veggies. Being overweight is just below smoking the worst risk factor for many diseases.

3. Exercise. You don’t need me to tell you to exercise, but listen to this: lack of exercise is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, colon & rectal cancers, diabetes, breast cancer, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. If you don’t exercise, you’re just asking to get a major disease. It’s almost a magic pill: do a bit of exercise every day, and you get healthy. You don’t need much — start with 5 minutes a day in the morning.

4. Drink only in moderation. Heavy drinking is one of the worst risk factors for many diseases. That’s more than 2 drinks of alcohol a day for men, and more than 1 drink for women. A glass of red wine is a good thing, but too many and you’re greatly increasing your risk of disease.

5. Cut out red & processed meats. Eating red meats, and processed meats like sausages, bacon, canned meats and so on, is a risk factor for colon/rectal cancer, stomach cancer, and high cholesterol, which in turn is a leading risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke. While this won’t sit well with many people, the overwhelming mass of research supports this. I recommend going vegetarian.

6. Eat fruits & veggies. This is obvious, but it’s amazing how few veggies most people eat. Eating fruits and veggies reduces your risk of several leading diseases, and it’s one of the easiest habits to form. Eat a salad (without heavy dressings, bacon or other meats, croutons or cheese), add veggies to soups or veggie chili, cook up veggies as a healthy side dish with dinner or lunch. Eat fruits with breakfast and as snacks.

7. Reduce salt, and saturated/trans fats. Salt and saturated or trans fats are in so many processed or prepared foods, and they increase risks of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which increase risk for heart disease and stroke. Despite what the Weston Price Foundation and other people on the Internet tell you, saturated fat isn’t healthy — read the sources. Note that this isn’t a controversy in the medical community, but the “harmlessness” of saturated fats is perpetuated by the diary and meat industries, and lay writers like Gary Taube. Cook your own healthy meals instead of eating out or eating prepared foods.

8. Reduce stress. Stress is a risk factor for heart disease and high blood pressure, which is itself a risk factor for stroke. Simplify your workday so that you’re not overly stressed, and exercise to relieve stress.

Zen Habits.
http://zenhabits.net/unrisky/

Favorite iPad apps. First two weeks.

2011-10-20T19:28:00.001-07:00

SportCenter XL (full blown scores, schedules, videos and stats) (Free)
Flip book (content, including USA today, Facebook, twitter and a sick iPad UI) (Free)
Evernote (organize everything and synch iPad and Web) (Free, but I upraded)
ContactsXL (superior address book , integrates with Mac contacts and iCloud)
PageOnce (keep track of all bills, bank accounts and investment accounts). Really leverages previously setup web access to accounts. Simple but very efficient.
Lotus Traveler. (iPad access to my work NOTES ... Painless and very pretty)
Intellicast HD / Weatherbug (weather, weather.....) (Free)
Newsstand (national geographic, wired subscriptions). Built for the iPad.
They are gorgeous magazines on the iPad)
Kindle (access all your amazon kindle content... But it's prettier)
(Free)SI magazine (free with print subscription or way expensive by e issue)
Observatory (wicked clock, stars phases of the moon ....)
Kayak (totally integrated travel covering every major airline)
Bloomberg (for financial junkies) or CNBC (Free)
Crackle (older movies .. Free) universal soldier anyone? (Free)

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The PLAN

2011-10-20T08:04:00.000-07:00

Starting today.. I am developing a PLAN to get my life back in order. I have to admit at taking inspiration from my daughter Courtney as she is searching for her way. She sent a long email to "the family" outlining her Goal, her Obstacles and her Rules. Initially I thought it was kinda funny... maybe another catharsis moment from my darling professionally trained drama queen but upon further review it showed that she had really thought about what were the constraints and limitations that were impeding her ability to achieve her life goal which is to be an working actress.

Way to Go Courtney.. we can get inspiration from all kinds of sources.

Also thanks to Dr. Oz who is providing the details to the framework for my Plan.

Love my ipad2

2011-10-17T19:07:00.001-07:00

Hard to describe how cool this device is!

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My Love affair...

2011-10-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

.. with the Raleigh Farmers Market.

Probably about 2 years ago I decided to start going to the Raleigh Farmers Market which is approx. 5 miles from my home.

I loved the hustle and bustle of the market. All kinds of folks wandering around buying fresh local produce, landscaping, bakery items, herbs. I always try to get what is in season like TOMATOES.

Sweet Potatoes, Peppers, Eggplant (8 different varities!)

Great Fall Trip.. hope you enjoy the pics. Oh yeah, they flowers and PUMPKINS too!

And finally.. a little creativity.

Rusted Root

2011-10-01T18:41:00.001-07:00

Fantastic downtown. Shimmer wall.

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A year ago today...

2011-08-25T12:44:00.001-07:00

Saw a note on my FB yesterday that was a posting from a year ago. I had just finished the 108 movements of the Taoist Tai Chi. A goal I thought I would never achieve. It made me strong and now I am weak so guess where I am going.. .yup, back to Tai Chi.

Slap upside the head...

2011-08-25T12:42:00.000-07:00

Life has a way of opening your eyes and telling you that all is not well.   That you need to make some changes and fast.

That evening I had not been able to get comfortable. There was growing pain in my lower back shoulder, more in my lungs I thoughts.   I went to bed, tried to get comfortable to no avail.   It grew worse and soon was accompanied by a shortness of breath.   I got up, tried to walk it off and finally when I had had too much I woke Gail and told here we had to go to the emergency room.   I didn't know what was wrong but I knew we had a problem.    Once I got to "Western Wake" they were very quick and efficient.   Vital signs, chest xray and bammm..   "you have blood clots in both lungs"!    Welcome to the world of the Pulmonary Embolism. What followed was an MRI, more tests, getting admitted and being in serious pain. The type that makes you feel 95 years old, bent over and shuffling your feet pain. Gail was a constant source of strength at my side virtually every waking moment. She slept in the room for 3 nights, played games with me and worked to keep my spirits up throught the shots and the incredibly lousy food. The nurses were great, the Dr's competent and in 3 days I was ready to go home. A few more days of rehab and after only 6 days back to work.

Welcome to the world of Blood Thinners.   As to what this means?   First and foremost I am too Sedentary.. I never move. I have felt for many months age creeping into me.. making it hard to even move sometimes.   So MOVE or DIE!

An IBM Executive once said...

2011-05-31T07:26:00.000-07:00

.. when you have to spend the majority of your time talking about what YOU ARE NOT rather than what YOU ARE... you have already lost the communications battle.

I would have a whole lot more respect for you Mitt if you would just embrace your past rather than run from it. You have flip and flopped from your very days in the public spot light and I for one find it pathetic. Even if you are a fellow Mormon.

http://www.slate.com/id/2293879/

Happiness

2011-05-13T12:51:00.001-07:00

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Zen

2011-05-13T12:50:00.001-07:00

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Peace

2011-05-02T22:00:00.001-07:00

Courtney Christison

‎"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

I LOVE the ONION

2011-02-16T11:21:00.000-08:00

Are The Republican Battles Becoming Too Public?In the latest instance of discord within the Republican party, former senator Rick Santorum publicly rebuked GOP star Sarah Palin's decision not to attend the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, implying that she was more concerned with money than governing. Here is further evidence of a party in turmoil:

Nov. 2008: Following their failure to capture the presidency, Republicans are split into two factions: one supporting the traditional elephant logo, and another backing a new logo featuring an elephant that has a machine gun for a trunk, sunglasses, and a humongous erect penis

Nov. 19, 2010: Mississippi governor Haley Barbour takes a swing at Mitt Romney, misses, and then has to sit down for 45 minutes to catch his breath

Dec. 8, 2010: In a live broadcast on Fox And Friends, Mike Huckabee and Texas governor Rick Perry get into a heated argument over who hates science more

Dec. 21, 2010: An irate John McCain rips into Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a bronze bust of George Washington, and a figure only visible to him that he calls "Stephen," accusing them all of plotting to steal his things while he's in the bathroom

Jan. 8, 2011: Numerous prominent Republicans gang up on Tim Pawlenty for taking more than two whole hours after the Tucson shooting to stand up for gun rights

Jan. 28, 2011: As criticism of her unsanctioned State of the Union rebuttal mounts, a furious Michele Bachmann finally bursts into 10,000 spiders on the House floor

Feb. 2, 2011: Michele Bachmann delivers response to Punxsutawney Phil's (D-PA) response to shadow

Feb. 6, 2011: On Face The Nation, Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal hits Sarah Palin below the belt by suggesting she has as much chance of becoming president as he does

When a song says it all..

2011-02-16T07:27:00.000-08:00

Rascal Flatts Bless the Broken Road

"Bless The Broken Road"

I set out on a narrow way many years ago

Hoping I would find true love along the broken road

But I got lost a time or two

Wiped my brow and kept pushing through

I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

[Chorus:]

Every long lost dream led me to where you are

Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars

Pointing me on my way into your loving arms

This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you

I think about the years I spent just passing through

I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you

But you just smile and take my hand

You've been there you understand

It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

[Chorus]

Now I'm just rolling home

Into my lover's arms

This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you.

Random pics from Visit to NYC (December 2010)

2011-01-12T08:42:00.000-08:00

Pure Joy. Reunion with Corrine. August 2010

2011-01-11T21:32:00.000-08:00

This is what Soulmates say .. .in public .. on FB

2011-01-11T21:20:00.000-08:00

Gail Christison

I knew my husband had a blog & I glanced at the first page once or twice always reverting back to the superficial FB page.. quick updates. Tonight, however, I took the time to sit & read EVERY entry back to the inception of his first blog entry. Chuck... is ALL I have ever dreamed of in a partner. He's loving, kind, faith-driven, honest, sensitive, strong, smart, fun & not only do I love him, but I really LIKE him.

23 minutes ago ·Like ·Comment · View Feedback (2) Hide Feedback (2)

Gail Christison He's THE ONE, and its HIS arms I want holding me when I take my last breath. I am the luckiest woman on Earth =-)

23 minutes ago

Kevin J. Carpenter

I hear he has pretty good taste, too.

22 minutes ago · Like· 2 people

Gail Christison and Susan Spencer-Lutes like this.

From Christine

2010-12-13T14:46:00.001-08:00

Christine's Tribute VIdeo for Chuck n' Gail.

A day in the LOVE on FB

2010-12-04T10:03:00.000-08:00

Gail Birkby Psyk Going downtown today to pick up our Marriage License =-)

Yesterday at 9:45am ·
Gail Birkby Psyk ‎01/01/11 at 10am his church =-) Just our children are attending because we want it small.. but the BIG party is 01/15/11 =-) I get a GREAT guy and three young adults to add to life.. LIFE IS OUTSTANDING =-) I couldn't be happier =-) When its RIGHT.. its just SO RIGHT!

Yesterday at 9:58am · · 2 people

Caryn Pasciak Selagy Gail, I honestly can't begin to tell you how very very happy I am for you! I've seen you use the term "soul mate" to describe Chuck, and now you're truly walking the talk, as they say! When I first read your post, my jaw dropped. And then I got tears in my eyes..... I am so very very happy for you. Wishing you both the best always!

15 hours ago ·

Gail Birkby Psyk

Caryn.. Yes.. I took a little heat for using the word "soul mate" so soon, but it was so apparent so quickly.. He has a gentle kindness and an honest openness in his eyes.. and strength in his faith and commitments to his family, friends, and community. I feel so safe to just be "me" with him. He IS my Soul Mate.. my other half. I'm not wanting to waste a moment of our lives hesitating. Everything.. every experience I've had led me to just the right place to meet Chuck and we are going to have such a FUN life together. =-)

12 hours ago · · 3 people

Caryn Pasciak Selagy Cherish it, Gail. I think you know how rare that is. :-) (Every pot may have a lid, but rarely do they fit so perfectly.)

Chuck Christison It was almost instantaneous (after the 1st date that is... ) that I knew that Gail had a character and a depth unlike any woman I had every known and she was FUN too!. I got lost in her eye's and her every changing smile and I truly knew that I had found the "dreaded soul mate". I used to mock the idea of a soul mate because I was sure that it did not exist.. I am here to tall all.. that I have been ridiculously proven wrong. Life is Good.

5 minutes ago ·

Giving of Thanks.

2010-11-24T12:56:00.000-08:00

Wherever your tears take you this Thanksgiving holiday.. whether it be sadness, joy or Love I wish you the very best my friends. It is you that help make my life richer and more diverse and I thank you. I leave this with you in parting,.....

“There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love.” - Irvin

Soulmate

2010-11-10T07:27:00.001-08:00

Gail Birkby Psyk

I hope you are happy for me... I finally found my soulmate =-) He's a 6'8", kindhearted, strong, faith driven man with arms big enough to catch me when I fall =-)

Monday at 9:12pm

For the first time...

2010-10-25T13:58:00.000-07:00

.. I have decided to take my online profile off the dating sites. I have met others but never had one that I felt felt had enough of the criteria to devote all my time and attention. Maybe I wasn't ready. Maybe I hadn't found the right one. It is pretty incredible when you do.

Meet Gail.

Wish me luck!

Sign of the Day

2010-10-25T13:54:00.001-07:00

I am sorry...

2010-10-13T13:49:00.001-07:00

I am sorry Ms. O'Donnell. You are not me. You don't understand me and I don't want you to. You are everything that is wrong with this political season and to think that someone of your abysmal qualifications could even remotely be considered for the US Senate is a farce beyond reason. But wait, we considered some one almost as incompetent as you for Veep.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxJyPsmEask

We are not worthy..

2010-10-07T15:55:00.000-07:00

We as a nation, we as a party or a politician are not worthy of the sacrifice that our young men and young women make on our behalf.

So many should be humbled to the point of tears when they see that a young man, served TWELVE tours in harms way with the elite US Army Rangers.

Army Ranger, Sergeant First Class Lance Vogeler was a soldier, husband, and father expecting his third child. He was killed in action last week. Army officials say 29-year-old Sgt. 1st Class Lance Herman Vogeler was killed Friday in a heavy fire fight during combat operations in Afghanistan's Helmand province. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia.

Vogeler was on his 12th deployment after seven previous deployments to Afghanistan and four deployments to Iraq.

http://www.examiner.com/military-community-in-national/army-ranger-died-defending-our-nation-afghanistan

My newest Buddha

2010-09-29T09:54:00.000-07:00

My latest acquisition by Anita Feng

Things I have done.

2010-09-21T19:22:00.001-07:00

Things you have done during your lifetime:

by Chuck Christison on Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 10:43am

() Gone on a blind date

(X) Skipped school

(X) Watched someone die

(X) Been to Canada

(X) Been to Mexico

(X) Been to Alaska

(X) Been to Florida

() Been to Hawaii

(X) Been on a plane

() Been on a helicopter

(X) Been lost

(X) Gone to Washington, DC

() Met the actual Santa in North Pole, Alaska

(X) Swam in the ocean

(X) Cried yourself to sleep

() Played cops and robbers

() Recently colored with crayons

(X) Sang Karaoke

() Paid for a meal with coins only

(X) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch.

(X) Been to the top of the Empire State Building

(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't.

() Made prank phone calls

() Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans

(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose

() Caught a snowflake on your tongue

() Danced in the rain-naked

() Written a letter to Santa Claus

() Been kissed under the mistletoe

() Watched the sunrise with someone

(X) Blown bubbles

(X) Gone ice-skating

(X) Gone to the movies

() Been deep sea fishing

(X) Driven across the United States

() Been in a hot air balloon

() Been sky diving

(X) Gone snowmobiling

(X) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets

() Seen a falling star and made a wish

(X) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser

(X) Seen the Statue of Liberty

(X) Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle

(X) Gone to the top of CN Tower

(X) Been on a cruise

() Traveled by train

(X) Traveled by motorcycle

() Been horse back riding

(X) Ridden on a San Francisco Cable Car

(X) Been to Disneyland OR Disney World

X() Truly believe in the power of prayer

() Jumped off a building

() Been in a rain forest

() Seen whales in the ocean

() Been to Niagara Falls

() Ridden on an elephant

() Swam with dolphins

() Been to the Olympics

(X) Walked on the Great Wall of China

(X) Saw and heard a glacier calf

() Been spinnaker flying

( Been water-skiing

(X) Been snow-skiing

(X) Been to Westminster Abbey

() Been to the Louvre

(X) Swam in the Mediterranean

(X) Been to a Major League Baseball game

(X) Been to a National Football League game

Dream catcher

2010-09-14T21:32:00.000-07:00

Purchased grand canyon 2001. Hung outside my office at inn.

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Old People

2010-08-30T12:54:00.001-07:00

Among Americans over the age of 65, 80 percent are non-Hispanic whites, an artifact of an earlier era in which the number of Latinos was negligible and African Americans were the only minority population of any significance. This over-65 population, well represented at the rally, has tended to be the most hostile to President Obama’s agenda. Not coincidentally, the average age of Fox News viewers is 65, a shade older than CNN’s 63 and MSNBC’s 59.

I just wish they would be honest with themselves..

2010-08-20T07:18:00.000-07:00

I wish many of those folks that opposed the proposed Islamic Community center TWO BLOCKS from the world trade center site would be honest with themselves. Don't wrap yourself in the American Flag or Christianity or Patriotism or anything else that is decent and good about this country. Just admit that you are are intolerant and ignorant.

There is no concievable way that you can call your self a true patriot (Please see US Constitution, Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Assembly) or a Christian. See:

John 15:12. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you

Just be true to yourself. Look yourself in the mirror and say to yourself.. "I am a bigot, a xenophobe and an idiot".

See.. now don't you feel better being honest with yourself!

I SEE YOU!

2010-08-18T14:34:00.001-07:00

Your hate, your intolerance, your detachment from all reality. Your situational embrace of the US Constitution. There is no Yes, but... in Freedom. I SEE You

Tommy

2010-07-21T16:07:00.000-07:00

Well. I went to my redneck barber shop today... was sitting there when Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was doing his press conference to apologize Ms. Sherrod. It was on Fox, of course. Tommy told me before I took my implant off.. ."If that man does not go to the bathroom after and throw up, he is not a white man"... and then after I finished the haircut, which I thankfully do totally silent he told me "The pope would be proud of that confession, he did exactly what Obama told him to do. And he may be your hero, but you know what I would call him, I am from Johnston county" and then he repeated that "that man should not dare to call himself a white man".

shocked.. not really. deeply, deeply saddened... yes. another testament that there is 49% of the American population that is still incredibly ignorant and full of the vilest set of contraditions I can imagine. How dare they call themselves Christians.

I love being...

2010-07-14T21:01:00.000-07:00

Saw recently on my FB that someone joined the FB Group "I like being Black"..

So I wonder.. what would be the reaction if I joined a group that said

"I love being White!"... would probably be called a racist.

And Jesse pulls the "slave card" vis.a.vis LeBrand .... abit silly to pull the nuclear option.

The Buddha weeps for you.

2010-07-02T20:55:00.000-07:00

According to the legends weeping Buddha cries because our world is a sad place and someone must always weep for our sorrows. By touching the back of the buddha we pass all of our sorrows on to the weeping Buddha, thus making life a little better

I see you..

2010-06-19T07:48:00.001-07:00

Chuck Christison is tiring of hypocrites .. you hating on the Gov't and all of a sudden lovin' the gulf but sit in your existence built on big oil, big chemicals and artificiality. There are 4000 oil wells in the gulf and over 15,000 chemical plants. and you are only NOW paying attention because it soothes your fractured conscience. I see you.

It's Obama's fault.

2010-06-15T19:53:00.000-07:00

IT'S OBAMA"S FAULT!

ZOMBIES ATTACK (Newsweek)

http://poynter.org/resource/public/20100615_101329_26833.png

This is a little piece of genius. While this was up, if you went to
Newsweek.com and entered the Konami Code (up, up, down, down, left,
right, left, right, B, A, Enter — a common video-game cheat this
Zombie page is what appeared.

A Newsweek spokeswoman said: "It's true that our programmers had a bit
of fun and hid the Konami Easter egg in the site. It does not affect
the rest of the site's functionality. Now that we've all had a laugh,
we will be removing it."

I love propellor heads and it's not even April 1!

Chuck

A little piece of Zen

2010-05-30T18:12:00.000-07:00

Bass Akwards as my Father used to say..

2010-05-29T06:03:00.001-07:00

Alicia Keys expecting baby, plans to marry

My Truck says Feed Me!

2010-05-23T19:58:00.001-07:00

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And they are silent...

2010-05-20T19:10:00.000-07:00

..

Mexican President Felipe Calderón tell the Congress that 80% of the automatic weapons being used in the drug war are from the US and he challenges them to stem the tide. The Democrats applauded. The Republicans sat on their hands.

No wonder.. they don't want anyone to see the blood on their hands.

Stamps Explained

2010-05-19T08:31:00.000-07:00

The name Charles (They called you as Charlie) has 2 syllables

These stamps were made during a trip to Beijing China,

They contain my name and Teresa (First and Last name).

The name Teresa has 3 syllables - tagged as 1(Te), 2(re), 3(sa)

Teresa is on Top

Charles is on the Bottom

Chinese Charles

2010-05-18T15:53:00.000-07:00

Name : Charles
Chinese characters : 查而斯

Pinyin : Chá ér sī

Chinese Seal Generator

Stamps pair

2010-05-18T12:55:00.001-07:00

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Chinese stamps

2010-05-18T12:54:00.001-07:00

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Dalai Lama

2010-05-18T07:46:00.000-07:00

A quote from the Attachment article on Tiny Buddha.

“Most of our troubles are due to our passionate desire for and attachment to things that we misapprehend as enduring entities.” ~Dalai Lama

Passionate Desire.. Check. Attachment.. Check. To Things.. Check.

Much work to do.

Happy Buddha for Saturday.

2010-05-15T11:44:00.001-07:00

Art Institute of Chicago

Know you can’t change the past.

2010-05-15T11:40:00.000-07:00

Still looking for Peace in my head...

Even if you think about over and over again. Even if you punish yourself. Even if you refuse to accept it. It’s done. The only way to relieve your pain about what happened is to give yourself relief. No one and nothing else can create peace in your head for you.

Letting Go of Attachment, from A to Zen - Lori at Tiny Buddha

Zen Habits.

2010-05-14T08:35:00.000-07:00

Letting Go.

“Most of our troubles are due to our passionate desire for and attachment to things that we misapprehend as enduring entities.” ~Dalai Lama

I will elaborate on each of this individually over time.

Bare fish tank

2010-05-11T19:19:00.001-07:00

$225 for tank and stand. $350 of supplies on order.

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Change is a bitch...

2010-05-10T18:32:00.000-07:00

.. even though I am a master of change. I inflict upon others every day in my professional life.

But for me in this time and space.. my personal life. I have to change to survive. I have to change to live. I need a passion and a direction.

So you think you have to be young to be adrift... it comes in phases. .in stages. Once you have it all figured out. .the landscape changes and you are adrift again.

Blessed landing at land fall.
Chuck

Mom"s day

2010-05-09T07:30:00.001-07:00

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Five Ways

2010-04-28T16:04:00.001-07:00

I have FIVE ways to check my email.

Iphone
Blackberry.. mostly work
Legacy Sprint Samsung
Mac OX Tiger
Windows whatever...

Is this just abit too connected?

Random tickets

2010-04-27T10:01:00.001-07:00

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ENTJ

2010-04-27T09:36:00.001-07:00

Myers Briggs back in the day

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Fourty Eight things... except some are missing for some reason

2010-04-24T18:54:00.001-07:00

Stole it from the Son.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My grandfather's name was CHARLES, and my dad's first name is WAYNE.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? NPR story on war dead in Afghanistan

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Love it

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Bologna

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Unless they have a healthy sense of humor and wide interest in the world.. probably not.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM? With Intelligence.. yes.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Nope

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Never.. find me a 6'8" guy that survived.

10. FAVORITE CEREAL? Frosted Mini Wheats.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Every time.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Real Strawberry.

16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? The Demons talk to me.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Daughter Corrine.. she's on an LDS mission in upstate NY.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THIS LIST? .. Nope. TMI.

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Pants are Jeans, so blue... and i'm wearing slippers.. from Brookstone!

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Missouri vs. Kansas.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Mauvelous
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Crayola_crayon_colors

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Honeysuckle

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Boss

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? College B-ball.

27. HAIR COLOR? I think they politely call this Salt n' Pepper.

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Nope.. lasiks

30. FAVORITE FOOD? Steak.. Grrrrr...

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings... I don't do Scary Movies. Hold Me!

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Avatar.

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Black.

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer.

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? clueless

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Geiger.. cuz he is weird.

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? The Alchemist.

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Macbook Pro's don't need no stinkin' mouse pad.

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Nothing.

42. FAVORITE SOUND(S)? Thunderstorms, Flush?

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Stones.. sick of the Beatles.

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Beijing, China.

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? God talks to me through Street Lights.

46. WHERE WERE U BORN? Merced, CA.

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? I don't care, i just did this for fun... stole this from David.

48. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER? Which one?

In the Air..

2010-04-24T07:39:00.001-07:00

Beginning Watercolor Class today and my Nikon arrives on Monday. Their is creativity in the air.

Their is also discontent with this life. The Big 5 are not all working and they will be soon. Today I will be introspective.

Politics..

2010-04-16T18:39:00.000-07:00

In the 1828 the proponents of John Quincy Adams called Andrew Jackson's wife a whore and their relationship bigamy. Which technically was correct.

The forces of Andrew Jackson called JQA, during his first term as president, a pimp for the Czar of Russia and accused him of providing a 16 year old virgin american girl to the Czar. It was of course a lie.

After the disputed election of 1824, the supporters of Jackson waged an unrelenting assault on the presidency of John Quincy Adams. They blocked every legislation, subjected he and his administration to unrestrained and constant verbal and written attack.

And we think that politics is rough now. Ha

Walk every morning?

2010-04-05T20:24:00.001-07:00

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Dignity comes in all kinds of stories..

2010-04-02T16:32:00.001-07:00

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2010/04/from-jim-crow-to-barack-obama-long-time-white-house-butler-dies/1

Mom.. 15 mos.

2010-03-26T18:49:00.001-07:00

1415

2010-03-26T18:45:00.000-07:00

No.. that is not a year.. it is a number. This is the number of links on my daughters facebook for pictures. We are talking she has almost 1500 images on FB! That is more than the combined photo footprint of her previous zillion generations.. no doubt.

I am the curator of the CHRISTISON and my generations legacy and photos.. and I probably would be lucky to have 500.. and that is the recorded photographic legacy of every generation back about.. 6 or 7 or so..

But now.. one person.. 1500 images?

No we Can't

2010-03-24T22:10:00.000-07:00

Sign of the times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0oWzRnnLTg

A facebook Rant today

2010-03-24T18:52:00.000-07:00

One of the fascinating things about studying our founding fathers (or brothers) is the degree to which they were in complete disagreement. The author of the Declaration of Indepenence (Jefferson) was completely opposed to the prevailing interpretation of the Constitution and Federalist Papers (Hamilton, Madison and Jay). Jefferson was a States Rights man while the others believed in a more balanced Federal role.

They all rarely agreed on anything but they were engaged debating the issues PERSONALLY. They sat across the table from each other, broke bread togther and retained friendships that allowed for civil discourse.Their was little of the HATRED or pure delusion we witness in our time.

In answer to a FB post.

You would be surprised. Jefferson was an unrepentant slave holder, although in private in angst and torn. If you study Jefferson he really had little use for organized religion. And a man's rights depends on their laws enacted by the state or the federal government or to some other cause.. they all understood this. They agreed on only one thing.. they wanted to be independent of a king that they felt did not understand them or value them. The king has publicly offended Franklin and punished them with silly taxes. The Tyranny was deemed to be economical as well as moral. Comparing the British empire and a king to "big government" is frankly silly. They truly had no idea what they were embarking on and made it up as they went along. Any generality of the founding fathers as having some unified position outside of a piece of parchment is pure Disney and not based in any type of studied reality.

TJ did say one thing I think we can all agree on "Leave all the afternoon for exercise and recreation, which are as necessary as reading. I will rather say more necessary because health is worth more than learning."

We have established a collective set of principles in this country that are worth fighting and dying for.. of this I have no doubt. But these principles do not belong to a party, or a group or an individual. They are part of the collective of what it means to be American. To question another's patriotism, honor, duty and allegiance is destructive to our national fabric and allows a mental escape hatch to debating our true differences with civility and decorum.

Reasonable minds..

2010-03-24T11:47:00.000-07:00

I was struck this week by the degree of division amongst my fellow Americans. I had always chalked this up to some fringe crackpot Republicans and held the belief that if people were just reasonable, informed and just not plain ignorant they would see things the same way I did.

Well. a rude awakening. I saw a Facebook posting from someone I know to be highly educated, intelligent and active in home, hearth and boy scouts. In fact, he was a member of my wedding party. This was his post.

Sadly, today we witnessed the demise of our freedom in this country. The congress and president have, by fiat, legislated away our freedom in the form of their "healthcare bill". They have absolutely no regard for the rule of law or the constitution that they all vowed to uphold. No need to visit Europe any longer w...hen our country is being shaped into the liberals European utopia.

His wife also had a comment.

“Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom and then lost it have never known it again.” ~ Ronald Reagan, from his first inaugural speech as governor of California, January 5, 1967

So it seems that reasonable minds can disagree and in this instance, the majority won. One man's moral imperitive is another man's anarchy. I am not quite sure how to react to this. So it's not just fire breathing facist such as Rush or ignorant History re.makers such as Glenn Beck?

All I know is the TRUTH is a casualty in these arguments and just because you say it long enough and loud enough does not make it right. Witness the majority of Republicans that still think Obama is a Muslim. I just shake my head.

How can you possibly debate...

2010-03-23T08:00:00.001-07:00

.. with people like this. It is downright scary.

NEW YORK – On the heels of health care, a new Harris poll reveals Republican attitudes about Obama: Two-thirds think he's a socialist, 57 percent a Muslim—and 24 percent say "he may be the Antichrist." This lunacy speaks for itself.

Some weekends are better than others...

2010-03-21T14:58:00.000-07:00

.. this one was too much sedentary an too much TV. BIG Dance for sure.. but it was beautiful outside and I barely set foot outside.. I think I am becoming a hermit.

Big things to do this week at work.. the tsunami of the role is cresting.. multiple work threads, some clarity on assignments but much discipline to impart this week.. will do the best I can. Sometime scary.

The voyage of the duckies

2010-03-16T20:29:00.000-07:00

Spring has sprung!

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Gotta love Ronnie.

2010-03-04T21:09:00.001-08:00

Hey.. he can have the $50. I loved him.

This was, IMHO his finest moment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtYdjbpBk6A

Imorral

2010-02-25T18:28:00.001-08:00

San Francisco

Anthem Blue Cross, the health insurer that plans to boost rates by as much as 39 percent in California this year

Two Thousand Yard Stare

2010-02-23T16:46:00.000-08:00

The thousand-yard stare or two-thousand-yard stare is a phrase originally coined to describe the limp, unfocused gaze of a battle-weary soldier. The stare is a characteristic of acute stress reaction, also known as combat stress reaction, which is related to post-traumatic stress disorder.

The despondent stare is a symptom displayed by victims who have succumbed to the shock of trauma by dissociation from it. The phrase originated from military circumstances, but it is a symptom of severe psychological distress that can occur anywhere, and is not unique to soldiers.

Something happened to Tom Lea after going into Peleliu. The pictures painted out of his Peleliu experience show a new approach. There is the tension of terror in the bodies here, and the distorted facial expressions of the men under fire show it, too. If the propagandistic style has not changed, his subject matter certainly has

One of the most famous, of course, is the Two-Thousand Yard Stare portrait of a young marine who has had all, or more than, he can take. The staring eyes, the slack lips, the sleepwalker's stance. He had seen men with that look on their faces.

The reduction of the Japanese pocket around Umurbrogol mountain is considered to be the most difficult fight that the U.S. military encountered in the entire Second World War. The 1st Marine Division was severely mauled and it remained out of action until the invasion of Okinawa on April 1, 1945. In total the 1st Division suffered over 6500 casualties during their month on Peleliu, over a third of their entire division. The 81st Infantry Division suffered over 3000 casualties during their tenure on the island

Random Playlist.

2010-02-18T21:57:00.001-08:00

Fallible

2010-02-17T17:21:00.000-08:00

fallible
adj

capable of being mistaken; erring
liable to mislead

[from Medieval Latin fallibilis, from Latin fallere to deceive]

fallibility , fallibleness n
fallibly adv

Wasting away...

2010-02-17T15:46:00.001-08:00

Wastin' away again in Margaritaville
Searching for my lost shaker of salt
Some people claim that there's a woman to blame
But I know it's my own damn fault

My life

2010-02-16T07:36:00.001-08:00

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JohnPeter's "About Me" on Facebook

2010-02-15T08:39:00.001-08:00

When I signed up for vacation paradise planet earth, I didn't bother reading the fine print. I think what got me were the pictures of happy people dancing around campfires, playing guitars and flutes, and feeding each other exotic fruits they'd just plucked off lush branches bowing down to them. Or maybe it was the headline "You too can be popular and pampered in one of the Western Galaxy's favorite destinations." Since finding out that there is no refund provision and that customer service has moved to an undisclosed location, it's been a bit of a learning curve adjusting. Still, I can't help loving the place for the sheer variety of life expressions it boasts. Interplay between the gender halves alone is worth the trip, I think. Am currently engaged in reevaluating puerile assumptions of what the planetary experience is all about. The spectrum of observable mind reactions ranges from panic to serenity.

Motivation

2010-02-14T20:15:00.000-08:00

"Between stimulus and response, there's a space, and in that space is our power to choose our response, and in our response lies our growth and freedom. Mindfulness gets you into that space." - author and Holocaust survivor Victor Frankl

The Man in the Glass

2010-02-14T19:57:00.001-08:00

The Man In The Glass
Anonymous

When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.

For it isn’t your father or mother or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass.
The fellow whose verdict counts most in you life
Is the one staring back from the glass.

You may be like Jack Horner and chisel a plum
And think you’re a wonderful guy.
But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum
If you can’t look him straight in the eye.

He’s the fellow to please-never mind all the rest,
For he’s with you clear to the end.
And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass.
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

My beloved Lake Johnson

2010-02-13T12:42:00.000-08:00

What a well behaved snow storm. Came in the evening and dropped 4". Made everything pretty, didn't muck up the roads and next day is bright, blue and beautiful.

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Just a dusting

2010-02-13T09:29:00.001-08:00

A little 4" reminder from mother nature.

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Jailbreak..

2010-02-11T22:05:00.001-08:00

Time to Jailbreak my iPhone.
http://www.davidturnbull.com/minimalists-guide-jailbroken-iphone/

So this is what is wrong?

2010-02-11T21:51:00.001-08:00

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Who am I to whine about a 2 hr. delay?

2010-02-11T21:50:00.000-08:00

.. gotta love coming home. I love my place. 2 hrs late leaving out of Chicago. Hour & thirty flight. 126 miles and hour tailwind. I still hate flying.

Could have been way worse. Guy in the seat next to me had been trying for 24 hours to get home from Slovenia of all places. Major snowstorms in Europe also, routed through London across Greenland to Chicago and finally home in Raleigh.

Guy at the counter in chicago trying to get to NYC and AA said the next available seat was SATURDAY morning!

So.. who am I to whine about a 2 hr delay. Well, I am Charles and WHINE about these things! I truly do not like flying. I cramm 6'8" of my frame into those seats!

Wake up in Raleigh, go to bed in Chicago

2010-02-08T05:24:00.001-08:00

Today I go to Chicago to start my new job as OPS mgr for a major IBM Acquisition.

This is quite a step for me. NITIX build a sold foundation across brands and this should be the ticket to the 10. It's also gonna be a ton of work. I just need to chill. There is plenty of time to worry about the Foundations appliance later.. if it every happens.

Well.. wich me good luck. Oh yeah, no chemistry for the entire week.

Why is it so

2010-01-31T20:27:00.001-08:00

Freekin difficult?

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Loves an iPhone

2010-01-30T18:40:00.000-08:00

This is one incredible gadget !

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Ice ice baby

2010-01-30T18:17:00.003-08:00

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Snow

2010-01-30T18:17:00.001-08:00

Snow and ice and cold.

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