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January 2004! Can you believe it. Time is a goin'. You better keep up or it will pass you by. We need to stop and enjoy each day as it comes. There will never be this particular moment in time again. I guess we need to make the most of every day - the good, the bad and the ugly. Life is what we make it. There is no past, there is no future, there is only today - this moment in time. Seize this opportunity to make the most of this day. Take a chance - create a day that is meaningful to you. Make the most of this day, now. Tomorrow will be to late. Experience today. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Each and every day you have the power to live that day to the fullest. Do it now. As the new year approaches many people make New Year Resolutions. Some resolutions are trivial. Some are unrealistic. But some are serious. Most resolutions will fall by the way side before January 1 is even over. Many of us will forget our resolutions by the end of the last bowl game. Trivial, unrealistic or serious, there is nothing wrong with making resolutions. Do it as a game or do it just for something to think about or do it for keeps. This is the perfect time to take inventory of ones life. Where are we in our life? Are we where we want to be? Have we achieve our goals? Do we have goals or are we drifting through our existence waiting for an external force to let us know "which way to go". I think the people who are proactive in determining their life goals have a better chance of realizing their full potential. I believe that these people find true happiness. The kind of happiness that comes from within. People who find this happiness are self actualizing individuals. They have found the true meaning of life, acceptance of self is spite of the obstacle that the world puts in their paths. Tom Benson sent me the following selection, "Moments in Life". It expresses the sentiment that I think is appropriate at this time of year, a new year. I don't know who wrote it or anything about it, but it is food for thought. "Moments
in Life"
Now lets talk New Year Resolutions: I've been thinking about this all December. This year I think I have some real resolutions to reveal. I make these resolutions after sincere reflection and presence of mind to realize their attainment. My 2004 New Year Resolutions (At least the ones I choose to reveal): 1. Buy some new clothes. Clothes that actually fit me. Since my weight loss, I have continued wearing the same old clothes. Clothes that are 2 to four sizes too big for my new body. I did go back in my closest and pull out many of the shirts and pants that I wore in the early 90's, but in many cases they are10+ years old. They look good, but I feel like I am caught in a time warp. So, I will buy some fashionable clothes that fit. My underwear is so big that my briefs feel and look like they are boxers when I wear them. Add my way too big jeans and you have a prescription for pain and misery. I can't tell you how many times I turned the wrong way too fast and things got kind of mixed up. I didn't know if I was coming or going. If you are a male, I think you are well aware of the kind of pain I'm describing. To put it bluntly, I need more support for my manliness. It down right hurts when things get tangled and need sorting out. I don't know how those young boys wear those big clothes that they wear. They must have balls of steel. 2. Once a week I will do some light dusting of furniture, etc, run the vacuum and clean the bathrooms. I hate to clean. I clean thoroughly every 3 or 4 weeks. I think I need to do a light cleaning every week. That concept dawned on me when I viewed the latest commercial for Febreze. The commercial said to make your house smell fresh, spray Febreze all over your house each day as you are doing your daily tidying up. I thought, daily? I don't even tidy up on a weekly basis. So I thought that maybe I need to do a weekly light clean up. If you've ever been to my house, you know my house is not dirty. I'm not a cleaning freak, but after a few weeks sometimes the furniture can get a little dusty. And I really need to clean those bathrooms on a weekly basis. It couldn't hurt. The house looks and feels so nice when you have just finished cleaning it. You know or you may get the feeling that your house is really clean when you see the lines in the carpet that the vacuum makes . Now that's clean. 3. Do some home improvements. I need new living room furniture. Again, my present furniture is fine, but it is old. A few months ago a guest, a very blunt guest, told me that my furniture looked like it was from the 70's. Well, I bought it brand new in 1985 or was it 1984, well anyway it was before I moved from Tampa to Ft. Lauderdale. It's only 20 years old, but old nonetheless. I'm looking for new furniture. In fact today when I was perusing the after Christmas sale pages of the newspaper, I saved an furniture store advertisement. In January I'll start looking. Also, I'm interested in redoing my kitchen. My present kitchen is practical and usable; however, brand spanking new appliances and cupboards would be nice. The bathrooms need new vanities and mirrors. The old ones are 100% usable, but in the perfect world, I would redo it in a New York minute. One place that needs attention, the balcony or Florida room or porch or whatever you want to call it. I want to remove the screening and put in storm windows from top to bottom. Either put in new sliding doors, between the living room and porch, or maybe totally eliminate the sliding doors and make the porch an extension of my living room. In case you have forgotten the floor plan of my condo, click for a reminder. Yes, Tommy the light bulb in the master bathroom is still out, I haven't changed it. And by the way there's another one out, too. Like I say I'm not quick to do improvements. It's light enough in there, I'll replace them when I get a chance. One last thing about the home improvements resolution...don't expect too much. In January I'm scheduled to replace the A/C filter. One thing at a time. Replacing the A/C filter is a must in Florida. I want to keep that new A/C unit running in top shape. There you have it, I did do some home improvements. I replaced the A/C unit on the roof in September. Of course it was after I sweated through Labor Day weekend with no air! Those are a few of my New Year Resolutions. If you wish to reveal your resolutions click here and enter your resolutions and/or view other's resolutions. Just returned from my Christmas holiday with my family in Pennsylvania. Thanks to everyone who made my stay a happy one. The get togethers, the food, the visits, the candy, the people, the kids, and the food (again) were all great and exceeded my expectations. "There is no place like home for the holidays." I hope everyone has a Happy New Year! May the New Year bring peace, happiness and good health to all! A really big year is approaching. So many things to do and celebrate. January starts off the celebrations. Some January dates worth noting:
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Entertainment Slow month on the movie front. I only saw 2 movies in the month of December. Love Doesn't Cost a Cent . Now stop laughing, I know the movie was totally bubble gum, totally mundane and adolescent, but something made me see it. Actually it was quite entertaining. I was the only patron in that cinema room watching the movie that day. They played that movie just for me. The music was too loud. There was a lot of rap, ethnic music. Too much bass for me. I like bass as much as any other connoisseur of contemporary music, but the walls sounded like they were vibrating. The cast was predominately under 20 years old. I felt like I was back at work walking through the school at lunch time. The movie had a great message, be yourself. Popularity comes and goes. Be true to yourself. That's the message I got from the movie. Paycheck the usual Ben Affleck type of movie. Once the plot was revealed, the movie was realistic and made sense. Affleck a computer engineer routinely has his memory erased so he can not reveal the top secret projects that he has been working on. The last project and the eventual memory erasing did not follow the usual plan. During the project, Affleck's character discovers something amiss with the intended outcome of the project. When he completes the project his memory is erased and he receives an envelope with his personal items that he had in his possession before the project started. All true to form, except the items were not his. He is told that he had sign a contract to forfeit his payment, $4 million. The items in the envelope are clues to what has happened during the project. Federal agents pursue him and the chase is on. Entertaining, not an Oscar contender, but interesting. There are many movies out now that I do want to see. Cold Mountain, Mona Lisa Smile, The Last Samurai and possibly Stuck On You. If I know me, I'll probably see maybe one of the 4 movies mentioned. I'll let you know in the February 2004 Newsletter.
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The flu, enough said...almost. It's starting to become an epidemic in the state of Florida. The flu usually hits Florida in mid to late January. After all the holiday visits are over, and in the midst of the snow bird season. But this year like most other places it started early and more severe. As you've heard and read this season's flu has the possibility of being a killer. It's too late for the flu shot. The serum is almost depleted anyway. Getting a flu shot is not a guarantee that you won't get a flu. You probably won't get the particular strain of flu that is in the current serum, but another strain may get you. I think the researchers were out smarted this year. They may have decided on the wrong strain of flu. Although the paper says that this year's strain of serum may aid in one's chances of not getting the flu as severely, but it "ain't" the right strain. Those are the chances we take. A flu shot or nasal spray if you are under 50, is no guarantee of health and prosperity. You could still get sick from other strains of flu, viruses or colds. Getting the flu shot just makes you feel more secure. I got my flu shot early in October. On one of my regular appointments, I got the injection. As luck would have it, that day was the first day that my doctor's office received the serum. ******************************************** I'm in a period of stability right now. Blood pressure is under control. The doctor thinks he stumbled on the right medication and dosage to stabilize my blood pressure. My last 3 biopsies were good. I didn't even have to go in for a follow up. I don't have to go back to the derm for 6 months. One day at a time. ******************************************** PPO vs. HMO, my doctor doesn't advise me to switch from PPO to HMO. One reason, his group may drop the HMO option next year. Also, the lady at the desk said that if you go to the hospital, an HMO doctor at the hospital has to treat you while you are in the hospital. I may stay with the PPO for awhile, the monthly payment is not that expensive right now. Before I retire, I must change to HMO or I won't be able to retire because of the price. In 3 years the PPO monthly premium is predicted to be close to $900.00, HMO about $300.00. When I retire I have the option of staying with the group plan, but pay the entire monthly premium not just the employee's responsibility because I won't be an employee at that time. Hooray! But as they say, one day at a time. ******************************************** If it's January, then it must be diet time. It seems like the whole country goes from feast to famine during December and January . December it was eat, drink and be merry. We told ourselves it's the holiday time. From Thanksgiving to New Year's, even up to when that last left over is eaten, it is eat, eat, eat, for many people. If you were one of those people, then 10 to 1 you are dieting now in January. Come on, be honest. Remember it's not your fault. The heck it isn't? Who put those 2 dozen cookies in your month? Who was it that forced you to eat that pound of chocolates? And the holiday meals, did you think the terrorists were attacking the food supply. The antidote for Mad Cow disease is not eating like a cow. Of course I'm just having some fun with you. Most Americans gain weight from Thanksgiving to New Year's, some gain up to 20 lbs. By all means, you are the only one who has the right to comment on your eating habits. Maybe it's time to take a look at what we put ourselves through at this time of year. I read an article about this time of year and American's eating habits. I tend to agree on many of the ideas that were discussed in the article. One major point, when we eat, even at holiday time, do we see the big picture. In other words are we really cognizant of the end result of our overeating. Do we imagine the heartaches overeating will cause us in the many, and in some cases I do mean many, many months to come? Why overeat for 4 weeks and then diet, which is hell for anyone, for the next 4 to 6 months? Do we really want to do that to ourselves? Maybe we should re-evaluate our holiday consumption. What does your food taste like? The first couple of bites of food, no matter what the food, tastes the best. That first bite of candy or cake or cookie tastes the best. After a few bites, the thrill is gone. Suggestion, really taste those first few bites, really deliberate over the tasting of those first bites. Think about what you are experiencing, taste that food. Don't rush, take your time. Chew, taste, chew some more, let the morsels of that food gently rub against the roof of your month. Stop, don't swallow. Keep enjoying that bite of food. Let that food gently line the inside of your teeth. Do a little swish action, no not when you walk, but when eat, when you move those beautiful jaws of yours. Take your tongue and seduce that last gram of taste in your mouth. Now being fully immersed in the tasting of that one bite of food, swallow. Gosh, I think I need a cigarette, and I don't smoke. Of course, that was a dramatization. The point, realize what you are eating and enjoy it. If you do this, you will get filled up faster and you will have tasted the food and will be satisfied. Some times we eat too fast. Or we eat for the sake of eating. Know when to say when. This goes for drinking alcohol, too. Sometimes we have to slow down, stop and think. Our brains need the time to catch up, so to speak. Our brains need time to realize the physical condition of our stomachs, mouths, etc. Eating for the sake of eating may suggest a reason other than hunger for eating. If other (not food) of our needs, physical or emotional, are not being met, then we may try to overcompensate by eating in excess. Did you ever find yourself eating and realizing that you were not even hungry? We need to learn not to live to eat, rather eat to live. What about those holiday cookies, pastries, and candies? Stay away from them? Not on your live. Indulge, but do so realistically and responsibly. A piece of candy or even two, a slice of cake, a cookie or two will not hurt you (unless you are under doctor's orders not to indulge). The abuse of food will hurt you. It could kill you. As Emerson, Lake, Palmer and Young (I believe I got those 70's music artists right) say, "...in the end it's with you you have to live." It's up to you. Remember as an adult, you are the only person who you must answer to. It's your choice. Now excuse me while I go and have another piece of Philadelphia candy. Thank God for Patti. That candy is so good. When I die, please bury me with a pound of Philadelphia candy in my hands. Instead of a rosary, put in some Philadelphia candy. You can be sure that I will be smiling down on you.
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Former Vice-President Al Gore endorses Howard Dean. Dr. Dean is a motivating candidate, motivating to Democrats, but I don't believe he is capable of attracting the independent voters and the Clinton followers in a national election. I just don't know. Several of the Democratic candidates are throwing literally everything into this contest. That's how passionately these men and woman want to capture the White House. I am right with them. President George W. Bush is an insult to average, middle class Americans. The people who made the United States a strong world power are oblivious in the eyes of President Bush. In case you are reading this Mr. President, oblivious is defined as "lacking remembrance, memory, or mindful attention; lacking active conscious knowledge or awareness." You do not even know that we exist, Mr. President. You see us as the person who parks your car or the voice on the other side of the phone when you call for a number or directions. You see us as the person who prepares your food, makes your bed, sells you your clothing. The person who works in the schools, hospitals and storefronts all across America. We are more than your service workers. We are people who many times must work 2 and 3 jobs to make ends meet. Many of us are average, hard working children of immigrants. We need attention, too. The president has no inkling of the condition of middle America. He uses rhetoric and visions of unrealistic situations to soothe us. He gives us tax cuts, yes, but then prices rise and services drop. He gives his wealthiest friends more tax cuts, more benefits and less responsibility. How can you reconcile this with your purported religious beliefs. Do you know what Jesus meant when he said "What ever you do to the least of my brethren, that you do unto me." I think not. The election in a few short months will have lasting effects on the future of America and the middle class. We need to strengthen our middle class. These are the men and women who built this country. How can we risk our future on a man and a political party who misleads, destroys and ignores the very people who make up this great country. The Democratic Party is not perfect, they are just as "political" as the Republican Party, but at least the are inclusive. The Democratic Party represents all people, regardless of stature, wealth or influence. It is the party of all Americans. That is part of it's greatness and part of it's downfall. An all inclusive party tends to splinter. Factions split the party. People have different thinking on many different subjects. But that is what America is about. We are different people with the same goal - peace, prosperity and freedom for all people. Maybe the Gore endorsement will energize the Democratic candidates and their supporters. Maybe more Democrats will be motivated to support one of the other candidates. Senator Lieberman is gaining more support, at least financially. I like his views on many of the current issues, but he is not charismatic. He really doesn't seem "presidential". John Kerry or Dick Gephardt, your time has passed. John Edwards and Wesley Clark are viable candidates. They have the best chance of making inroads in the south, but they lack support. The other candidates, some have good positions on the issues, but they can not win in a national election. The secret is in the undecided voters. They make up at least 30% of the registered Democratic voters. This group will determine the Democratic presidential nominee. |
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I went to the 7:30 a.m. Christmas Mass at The Church of the Little Flower in Hollywood, Florida. It's about 2 or 3 miles south of me. It a quaint church. On the most part, middle class families, very unpretentious church community. It reminds me a little of the congregation of St. Stan's in Sharon. The church and school buildings are simple and serves their purpose. South Florida must be the retirement home for Catholic priests. In the Catholic churches that I have attended, most of the priests seem to be older and retired. I'm not active in the church. I really do not keep up with church affairs. I am not involved in the day to day or even the Sunday to Sunday happenings in the South Florida Catholic Churches. I guess we are in disparate need of religious, priests especially. That's probably the reason I see many older priests celebrating the masses that I attend. Something is missing at our churches today. Namely, good, interesting and contemporary priests. Most homilies that I hear are so boring and archaic. I see and feel no relationship to what the priest is saying. I feel no bond or relationship between the priest and the people attending the service. I would like intellectual, realistic and timely sermons. My time at church is spent in private prayer, meditation, and remembering. Of course I hope to earn the ear of God while at church. I try to meditate on life and my part in it. However, I spend the majority of my time thinking about the past and reliving my experiences at my childhood church, St. Joseph's. I think about all the reasons for my visits to the churches in my life. In other words, church provides for me a timeline of my existence. I think about my childhood experiences in church. I remember "peeing" my pants when I was little. Even now the first thing I locate when I enter a church is the restroom. I have a feeling that as I grow old, "peeing" my pants in church may become a worry for me again. I remember family occasions that led us to our family church - baptisms, communions, weddings, funerals, etc. I think church, mass has a definite meaning and place in my life. I believe that attending church services provides for me an opportunity to reflect and put in perspective the important aspects of my life. For a short hour I am blessed to have the time to go back in time, remember, reflect, renew and prioritize those things in life which I hold dear. In retrospect I thank those retired priests. Thank them for being there and for celebrating God's gift to us. We don't have the most fashionable and timely sermons, but we have God's true and tried servants to provide for us that relationship to our past, future and our God.
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Tech Talk The New Year is a perfect time to perform simple maintenance to your computer. Of course do the regular - error checking, defragmentation and cleaning up unnecessary files, but it is also a good time to check for updates for you computer at http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp . Make sure you have the latest drivers and patches. Even if you have Windows XP, especially if you have Windows XP, make sure you have downloaded all the security "fixes" for the operating system. By the way, there's no need to download these patches, drivers etc. every time you need to reinstall them. Download once, on a removable disk, cd, zip, storage hard drive, etc. This way you have a permanent update when ever you need it. In updating remember to check you computer manufacturer for upgrades. I go to support at www.dell.com periodically to check for updates for my dell computer. Caution, read and understand the fine print. Do not download and install unless you are sure it's the right thing to do. The right thing to do depends on you and your degree of comfort in performing computer upgrades. We are our own worse liabilities. Most of the time we are anxious and lack self assurance when we opt to do these upgrades or whenever we attempt to fiddle with the computer. Remember it's just a computer. You really can't hurt it. Yes, you can mess it up, but then you can fix it, too. A good rule of thumb, the next time you decide to invest and replace your computer keep the old one for practice. Open it up, explore, try new things with it. Use it as a model. If you mess it up, so what, you don't need it anyway, you have a new computer. While we are discussing downloading updates from windows update, I read on http://www.langa.com/ on January 16, 2004 windows 98 and 98SE will officially be obsolete. Windows update will no longer provide updates for 98 and 98SE. It's very important that if you are running windows 98 or 98SE to download the upgrades on to a removable disk and keep for future need. The current updates and fixes will still be available, but new ones will be discontinued after 1.16.04. Any program or application you download and install on your hard drive should be saved on a removable disk for future reference. Here's the web site that discusses the Windows 98 issue http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=16700516 Speaking of operating systems, according to Langa, the most commonly reported OS used is Windows. Windows XP is by far the choice of most people, 52%. Windows 98 comes in as 19% users and Windows 2000 with 15%. Of course these statistics are a little misleading. Langa obtain his data by self reports of people accessing his technology information web page. These people visit his site for current computer technology information. The majority of them are probably computer geeks. They probably are "into" computer stuff and upgrade regularly. That's probably the reason for the high percentage of Windows XP users. I would venture to guess that a good many people with computers still have the original operating system loaded on their computers and it's probably Windows 98. I have the new computer bug again, but I am going to resist, at least for the time being. My 1.0 gig Dell is running quite fine. I don't "need" a new computer, but I want one. My computer is really out-dated, but it runs fine. I am thinking about purchasing Windows XP for my desktops. It came with my notebook, but the notebook is an HP. The back up is formatted to be load on only the HP notebook. I tried pirating Windows XP from my notebook and installing it on my Dell, but no luck. HP/Compaq are slick. Another reason that I like my Dell products so much is the back up or reinstall software. As some of you may know, Dell gives you a reinstall disk of your operating system and the drivers, etc. for all operating systems, to the most current as of the date you bought your computer. At least that's the way it worked when I got my Dell in 2000. 2004, I really need to upgrade.
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