My Unfavorite Things: #1 Disappearing Ink

Ever wonder why those old purchase receipts become unusable? Most cash registers now use disappearing ink. People like me who leave receipts in a hot car often find that I lose the ability to return goods because the sale register information has vanished from my paper receipts.

Well, I guess it will be good for the economy if I do not keep returning what I buy.

Oh to learn how it is to be a good consumer-- Just buy what you need, not buy on impulse.

Check this out:
http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/forms-pdf/cp/oca/complaint/pricegouging.pdf

Taming an 8,000 lb' Gorilla or Training the CSU on Accessibility

Taming an 8,000 lb' Gorilla or Training the CSU on Accessibility

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The 8,000-lb Gorillas

I heard the news today that one of my favorite people Jean Wells is leaving the CSU ATI office in CSULB. Here is a sample of her contribution as the "premier" Accessibility Whisperer.

Animoto is wazup!

Springtime is here... must hit the flower fields.
Enjoy.
Going for flowers

Worth Listening To

Who is... worth listening to? Teachers TV podcast shows a 20-year old John Simpson guiding us through the theory AND reality of student life on the autism spectrum.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/video/2008/nov/18/understanding-autism-teachers-tv

Failing Miserably

...to see the good in every circumstance

Here she is... the resentful one!

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Enjoy!

Second Fork: Resistant Grays

Charles Dickens wrote in Barnaby Rudge: "Father Time is not always a hard parent, and, though he tarries for none of his children, often lays his hand lightly upon those who have used him well; making them old men and women inexorably enough, but leaving their hearts and spirits young and in full vigour. With such people the grey head is but the impression of the old fellow's hand in giving them his blessing, and every wrinkle but a notch in the quiet calendar of a well-spent life."

New hobby: Plucking gray hair at a stop light. Why the superficial preoccupation... when what matters is continuing wisdom? Check out:
http://www.realarmorofgod.com/armor-of-god.html

Human Replacement

If what I do on a daily basis can be replaced by a mechanical solution, how would that alternative look?

Fork in the Road

Symptom No. 1 Computer Glasses

http://webworkerdaily.com/2009/10/20/to-work-on-the-web-you-have-to-be-able-to-see-the-screen/

Live to Die Trying?

Okay, that question of the day just wrinkled my brain. Check out
http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2009/04/24/on-the-shortness-of-life-an-introduction-to-seneca/

I am currently on an impasse on my two-year goal. I just noticed how fast four months went by.

Music To My Ears

Gotta love the cardiologists... check this out!

http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/js/2.0/video/evp/module.js?loc=dom&vid=/video/health/2009/05/11/gupta.music.stress.cnn

Now if only we're cognizant of the volume on our MP3 players, we could also prevent hearing loss.

Top 50 iPhone Apps for Educators | OEDb

Top 50 iPhone Apps for Educators | OEDb

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Smells Like Home

My daughter has keyed into her father's use of the Glade plug-in scents. I just read that Ohio State University is looking at the health benefits of aromatherapy. The jury is still out on whether scents have quantifiable physical measures (or positive effects) on stress hormones, heart rate, pain, or immune-system activity. Psychologically, after an hour, testers note:

• Citrus scents to lift mood
• Chamomile to soothe irritation
  
• Lavender for relaxation and to increase deep sleep
• Fresh-cut grass or pine to remind of summertime and childhood
• Ylang-ylang, jasmine and patchouli to calm down
• Rosemary, sandalwood or bergamot to relieve fear and exhaustion
  
• Roses or lilac blossoms to alleviate anger and anxiety

Pharmacist Jim Avedikian at the Phoenix Wellness Center recommends, "Peppermint oil rubbed on the forehead and gently massaged into the temples can relieve migraines." If I do hang something infused with bergamot essential oils around my neck (burn candles or incense), can he guarantee happiness?

Crayon Colors

Last weekend, I listened to the unabridged audiobook version of The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Having won the parent lottery and having been blessed with intellectual muscle, he was extremely grateful to have achieved his childhood dreams. He counts being a mentor to up-and-coming recovering jerks a great purpose in his life. Randy espoused his love for crayons and requested parents to let their children paint their bedroom walls as a favor to him.

So looking at our vanilla walls and oatmeal world, here's some color meanings to ponder:

1. RED gets one excited, raising blood pressure and heart rate.
2. ORANGE imbues living spaces with warmth and energy.
3. YELLOW captures the joy of sunshine and communicates happiness.
4. GREEN is considered the most restful color for the eyes.
5. BLUE relaxes, bringing down blood pressure and slowing heart rate.
6. PURPLE is associated with luxury and creativity.

More mood enhancers can be found at _____________

Marvel Super Hero

ELEKTRA is driven by tragedy and versed in the ancient ways of the ninja. This mysterious femme fatale kills for hire, loves for thrills and brings destruction to all who are foolish enough to cross her path.

Hmmm, what is to marvel at?

Fatalism

Death is as imminent as taxes and rising gas prices. Christopher Miller, in his analysis of Kung Fu Panda -- takes note that fatalism is not biblical.

http://outofthemiryclay.com/2008/06/27/kung-fu-christian-lesson-1-there-are-no-accidents/

Overcoming Life Crisis

Jerry White in his book entitled I Will Not Be Broken suggests:

1. Face Facts. Respond to your new reality. You cannot turn back the clock; it only moves forward.
2. Choose Life. Don't let the situation define you. Choose humor, hope and love so that you may start living again.
3. Reach Out. Isolation can kill you. Humans are social beings and need community support to heal.
4. Get Moving. Passivity achieves nothing. Work matters.
5. Give Back. Giving back turns your perspective of life and death around. It forces you to share and inspires others to heal.

Figures

Angelina Jolie says, "Love one person, take care of them until you die. You know, raise kids. Have a good life. Be a good friend. And try to be completely who you are. And figure out what you personally love. And go after it with everything you've got no matter how much it takes."

Tomorrow is not promised.

One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't ' anymore.' No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more 'just one minute.' Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say goodbye, say 'I love you.'
So while we have it, it's best we love it, care for it, fix it when it's broken and heal it when it's sick. This is true for marriage ...And old cars .. And children with bad report cards, and dogs with bad hips, and aging parents and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a classmate we grew up with. There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what. Life is important, like people we know who are special. And so, we keep them close! Who are those people who are 'keepers' in your life? Suppose one morning you never wake up -- do all your friends know you love them?
Today I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or three words needing to be said. Let every one of your friends know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do. And just in case GOD calls me home -- I LOVE YA!!!

Taken to Heart

Declares the Lord, "for I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me that all your heart. I will be found by you."
Jeremiah 29: 11 - 14

Yes, when confusion paralyzes my actions, I turn to God.