text:
Are we becoming a fear driven nation?
Is our eye still on the prize?
The following article is written by one of my heros, Sibel Edmonds.
From her website Bio:
Ms. Edmonds worked as a language specialist for the FBI's Washington Field Office. During her work with the bureau, she discovered and reported serious acts of security breaches, cover-ups, and intentional blocking of intelligence that had national security implications. After she reported these acts to FBI management, she was retaliated against and ultimately fired in March 2002. Since that time, court proceedings on her issues have been blocked by the assertion of "State Secrets Privilege" by Attorney General Ashcroft, and the Congress of the United States has been gagged and prevented from any discussion of her case through retroactive re-classification issued by the Department of Justice.. She has been featured on CBS 60 Minutes, CNN, MSNBC, and NPR, and in the New York Times,Washington Post, Vanity Fair, Glamour, and others. Her book, 'Shooting the Messenger', co-authored with Professor William Weaver, is forthcoming from Kansas University Press.
Pen American Center awarded Ms. Edmonds the 2006 PEN/Newman's Own First Amendment Award for her "commitment to preserving the free flow of information in the United States in a time of growing international isolation and increasing government secrecy.
From the end of the second part of her article:
"My parents rescued me and my sister from a nation, a government, that targeted the youth; to clad them in veils, force them to pray five times a day, control what they read and listened to…
I rescued me and my freedom of speech by leaving the military regime of my home country behind and immigrating to a land that was famous worldwide for it's 'freedom of speech' and it's valuing of liberties."
The article:
Introduction: The Makings of a Police State
by Sibel Edmonds
Aren't We There?
I am starting my new series on a topic that for some reason, or reasons, has been designated as another of those 'no no' subjects. Even the mentioning of this topic is enough to get one labeled as an extremist, radical, nutty, kooky…Why do most people react this way? As with other issues here too we are looking at multiple factors.
For the government, the establishment, side of it, the reasons are obvious, and fit any government that is, has been, or was ever considered a police state. Have you ever come across a police state that actually considered itself to be a 'police state'? Exactly, I didn't think so. The governing/ruling powers of police states always seek to legitimize their police measures; whether made necessary by external threats, domestic threats, economic threats, security or terrorism threats…there is always a big threat(s) they point to and base their justification upon, and they always, and I mean always, claim that their measures are for the good of the public, for the security of their people, for the protection of their constituents. They portray their dissenters as collaborators in whatever 'threat' they claim they are fighting against, and silence their critics either with extreme authoritarian measures, or, if they are able to, by simply labeling them as radical, nutty, and kooky, enough to marginalize them and neutralize their potential effect.
The same holds true for the media side of this phenomena. After all, one of the major characteristics of a police state is social control and indoctrination through control of the media. These states utilize the media to spread their propaganda, to manufacture consent, to evilizechosen enemies, to paint dissent as unpatriotic, the dissenters as the enemies of the state, and of course the critics as the radical and nutty minority.
Now how about the people? Why are the majority of our people so quick to write off even the possibility of us becoming a police state, and do so in a similar manner as the government and media as described above? Aside from being indoctrinated by the establishment's calculative presentations, most people seem to be guided by their own biased beliefs and misplaced values. It may be from misdirected patriotism, when their love of our nation subconsciously is coupled with the love of whoever may be ruling it. It may be the simple act of denial; just as parents blinded by their parental love and pride refuse to see and acknowledge the negative realities in their children, there are those who willingly put on blinders before their eyes just so that they don't see the ugly realities inflicting the country they love and value. Maybe it is a case of extreme pride being misdirected towards those misperceived…
Whatever the reasons, the almost uniform response to those who even attempt to raise the police state question seems to be the same. Perhaps this is the reason why the very few outspoken legal experts, historians, and civil liberties activists, carefully, almost timidly, choose their words when it comes to the question of a police state in the USA. What I hear, what I read is usually along the following lines:
- We may be moving toward a police state.
At this rate we may become a police state.Are we on our way to become a police state?
These people talk about a 'police state' as if there is this exactly defined state with even more exactly defined prerequisites, so that when this state is reached it can be uniformly declared by all as a police state at the exact same time. However, most of these same people, when I talk with them privately, in a hushed voice tell me that they actually think we are there, or almost there. They are so afraid to come out and say it. They are terrified at the prospect of being attacked, labeled, and marginalized. So this is why you get the careful phrasing, and when you get close, the hushed voices.
Anyhow, I am not known to shy away too much from being labeled, attacked, and/or ostracized. I have serious concerns for my country, where it is today, and where it's headed. I have questions that I've been seeking answers for, which I want to share and discuss with you, openly and loudly, not in whispers. My main question pertaining to a police state is 'aren't we there?' rather than 'are we there?' I keep scrutinizing the broad definitions and characteristics of a police state in every encyclopedia and other source I can get my hands on, then I check and compare those aspects with what we have today as a national security state, and every time I do this my checkmark list tells me we seem to be 'there' already:
On Invoking, Creating and Maintaining Perpetual Wars:
- Our ambigious unending War on Terror, Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq
On Control and Monitoring Mass Communication:
- NSA's domestic spying on US Citizens are made legal & advocated as necessary
On Search & Seizures with No Probable Cause or Judicial Oversight:
- FBI's National Security Letters to be used on American Citizens with its Gag Order Provision
On Controlling & Restricting Citizens' Mobility:
- TSA's ever expanding secretive No Fly List with the 'known' inclusion of One Million Americans
On Government Operating in Extreme Secrecy:
- Government expenditures of nearly $10 BILLION to maintain tens of millions of secret documents and operations, and unconstitutional uses of Executive Privileges such as State Secrets Privilege
On Control and Usage of Media as Government's Own Propaganda Machine:
- The American Mainstream Media today is an extension and mouthpiece of the Federal Government
On Silencing & Persecution of Dissent:
- Our government's well-established record of its treatment of whistleblowers and critics, whether by gag orders or other overt and covert measures
On General Disregard for Human Rights and Related International Laws:
- Our Government's documented record on Rendition and Torture
I can easily go on and list more items, and justify every single one of them with supporting documents, cases, and reports, but for now the above criteria should suffice for our upcoming discussions and analyses. While I am at it I want to preempt one expected argument I have heard more than once:
- 'Of course we are not a police state, since you and others can write and talk about these issues without getting arrested or executed. Just look at all these bloggers and independent media…'
First, that's confusing a totalitarian government with a police state. You don't have to be a totalitarian state in order to be a police state. In fact police states can and do emerge in democratic countries – with the consent and acceptance of the populace. Totalitarianism is simply an extreme version.
Next, not being 'there' yet in this regard does not mean we don't fulfill most if not all other criteria to be considered a police state. Nations gradually creep towards becoming a police state, in various stages and by various degrees.
Finally, this aspect may actually be an indicator of an even more pathetic situation. Meaning, by having complete control over the mass media and utilizing successful propaganda and indoctrination the government doesn't even feel the need to go after the irate vigilant minority. They let their PR machine marginalize these voices and ensure their exclusion from the broad medium of communication channels.
Okay, now it is your turn. Don't be shy, and please don't censure yourself. Where do you see us as a nation? How do you define a police state? Do you think we are already there?
And take a few seconds to participate in our survey on the left column.
The Makings of a Police State-Part I
The National Security Generation
"When an opponent declares, 'I will not come over to your side,' I say calmly, 'Your child belongs to us already…What are you? You will pass on. Your descendants, however, now stand in the new camp. In a short time they will know nothing but this new community'."– – Adolf Hitler
Our children who were born on and around September 11, 2001 are now almost eight years old. These children, who we usually refer to as 'the future,' have only known a nation that has been engaged in perpetual wars, and to them it is 'forever.' How many times a day do they hear and read the word 'war'? Whether it's the TV they are tuned in to, or their parents' daily paper they happen to get a glimpse of, or the radio news program they listen to during their car rides…they can't help but hear and see 'wars': war on terror, war in Iraq, the Afghan war…
They know a nation whose state is defined by a color coded alert system. They are being told and taught to be 'alert' against a vague and never-defined threat posed by an even more vague enemy.
To them the days when their parents traveled with dignity is a sweet bed-time story; one that starts with 'Once upon a time we boarded our planes without going through metal detectors and puff-machines, without bending over before the 'badge-men' to remove our shoes, without being searched and probed…without fear; the fear of becoming a chosen one by our state and it's badge-men…'
Their national pride before international eyes is forced to adopt a coping mechanism: How to defend their nation's record on torture; how to explain their government's world-wide kidnapping as extraordinary renditions prompted by even more extraordinary circumstances; how to justify the civilian death tolls accumulated nonstop by their government's never-justified wars; and more.
As bad as all this sounds we may wish this was the extent of it, when it comes to our children, our new generation; our future. But we don't always get what we wish for; do we? Sometimes it takes more than 'wishful thinking.'
The strength and maintenance of any police state depends largely on the loyal unquestioning following of its masses. What better target than the young minds of the youth ready to soak up whatever information and training is designed for and directed toward them? What better method than misdirecting the passionate patriotism and innate sense of self-preservation against 'perceived' threats? What better place to create this than in our schools through 'specialized' education?
Our Nation's New Scouts
On May 15 this year Telegraph UK ran an article on a nationwide Boy Scouts training program on combating terrorism. The reported number of scouts between the ages of 14 and 21 who are currently enrolled in law enforcement and terrorism programs across the United States is around 35,000. Learning for Life, a subsidiary of the Boy Scouts of America Organization, runs and manages this project.
- "Many agencies, such as the Border Patrol, are heavily involved in shaping the activities and admit they see the programme as a useful recruitment tool. Although law enforcement exploring originally stuck to learning the policing basics, organisers say the training has become more specialised since the September 11 attacks …"
Can you picture our cute youngster scouts in their new scout environment, carefully designed and put in place after September 11? Here is a little glimpse:
- "Dressed in combat fatigues and armed with air guns firing tiny plastic pellets, they are taught how to assault buses, raid marijuana fields and rescue terrorist hostages from buildings."
Speaking of methods, how about this to define the new concept of being a true American? The new definition of honor and bravery?
- "This is about being a true-blooded American guy and girl. It fits right in with the honour and bravery of the Boy Scouts," said AJ Lowenthal, a sheriff's deputy and Explorer leader in Imperial, California."
I vaguely recall the words of a dictator spoken in a not too distant past. How did it go? Was it 'This is about being a true-blooded German youth representing their country with pride and bravery…' or something like that? Do you too recall what I am trying to remember? Or this – from the scouts' role in Mussolini's Italy, Opera Nazionale Balilla (ONB):
- "Mussolini assigned ex-Ardito and deputy-secretary for Education Renato Ricci the task of "reorganizing the youth from a moral and physical point of view". Ricci sought inspiration with Robert Powell, the founder of Scouting, meeting with him in England. The ONB included children between the ages of 8 and 18.The organization surpassed its purpose as a cultural institution that was intended to serve as the ideological counterpart of school, and served as a paramilitary group, training for future assignments in the Italian Army.Male children enrolled wore uniform. During military exercises, they were armed (the guns were replaced with toy versions for the Figli della Lupa)."
I for one see an amazing parallel. Is it because I am looking for it? I don't think so.
Our High Schools & the National Security Curriculum
LA Times reports on Meade High School in Northern Maryland, the first high school in the country to offer a four-year course in Domestic Security. The article's 'sexy' title goes like this: 'The School Mixes Algebra, Homeland Security.' The goal is identified as 'to help graduates build careers in one of America's few growth industries.' By the 'few growth industries' they mean not only the intelligence agencies, Department of Homeland Security, etc, but all the parasitic related private contractors such as private weapons companies and mercenary contractor firms like well-known Blackwater.
- "the 90 ninth-graders who chose the new homeland security program this last school year focused on topics torn from the headlines: Islamic jihadism, nuclear arms, cyber-crime, domestic militias and the like."
The story starts getting a bit sadly comical with the following lines:
- "New themes even were added to their science, social studies and English classes." There's a lot of homeland security issues in 'Romeo and Juliet,' " said Bill Sheppard, the program coordinator. "Like, how do you deal with infiltration in your own family?""
What is this man really saying? We must now prepare our youngsters to detect infiltration; however this infiltration is to be defined by the state, even in one's own family? Do you remember the loyal Nazi youth who reported their own parents? Didn't we make hundreds of movies about the Stazi and how they trained the youth to collaborate with them and act as their snitches?
You don't need much imagination to envision a description of the homeland security class, but here is a short one for you:
- "Edler's classroom is on the lower level, near the woodworking shop. One corner has armchairs, another a table covered with military and intelligence magazines. The walls are lined with students' posters that compare extremist groups at home and abroad."
…and here is how they lure these poor naïve kids:
- ""This course will help me get a top-secret security clearance," said Darryl Bagley, an eager 15-year-old. "That way I can always get a job." Since the Sept. 11 attacks, about 320 colleges and universities have begun awarding graduate or postgraduate certificates or degrees in emergency management, bio-defense and other security-related fields. Federal grants and a steady growth in jobs have driven the surge."
Now how many naïve kids can resist the misguided lure and glamour of getting 'security clearance,' the prospect of becoming a 007 like spy, the possibility of carrying badges and guns…and doing all that for one's 'state' and being told that it's for the protection and the good of the country? How many?
This new breed of programming the education of our youth seems to be mushrooming and spreading:
- "Joppatowne High School in northern Maryland started a similar program in 2007. And two more schools, one near Baltimore and the other in the state's western panhandle, will follow next fall, said state education department spokesman Bill Reinhard. Schools in other states, including California, are watching closely."
Mother Jones reports further on Joppatowne High School:
- "Dedicated to everything from architecture to sports medicine, "career academies" claim to offer high school kids focus, relevancy, and solid job prospects. Now add a new kind of program to the list: homeland security high. In late August, Maryland's Joppatowne High School became the first school in the country dedicated to churning out would-be Jack Bauers. The 75 students in the Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness magnet program will study cybersecurity and geospatial intelligence, respond to mock terror attacks, and receive limited security clearances at the nearby Army chemical warfare lab."
And here we can see the difference in reporting:
- "The new school is funded and guided by a slew of federal, state, and local agencies, not to mention several defense firms. Officials say it will teach kids to understand the "new reality," though they hasten to add that the school isn't focused just on terrorism. School administrators, channeling Cheneyesque secrecy, refused to be interviewed for this story. But it's no secret that the program is seen as a model for the rest of the country, with the Pentagon and other agencies watching closely."
Now think about it: how many public schools can resist getting this funding? To them, adding and offering these 'Motherland – Fatherland' programs means: tons of money (by their standards), real prestige (by blind and misguided standards), and maybe even the misguided positive stigma of being closely attached to the federal intelligence and police agencies.
The article goes appropriately to the real punch line:
- "The school's main goal is to get its grads jobs in the booming $24-billion-a-year homeland security industry. It's certainly in the right location: Northeast Maryland has become a mecca for the military-industrial complex. The Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground is the county's biggest employer, and all manner of defense contractors have set up shop nearby, including weapons maker Northrop Grumman."
Doesn't it always come down to money? This is exactly how they (The Feds) diminished the role and power of the individual states and this is how they are going about taking control of the public schools. This is the bait they dangle before our new generation's noses: we'll give you security clearance, mysterious and glamorous policing jobs, guaranteed employment and money. Now go and resist this in the name of real Americanism, independence, and the love of liberties. How many do you think will?
Military and Para-Military Training for our Schools
Last week another relevant story got my attention. Marine Corps Times published a piece titled 'Marine-Themed Public Schools Meet Resistance' about how the corps is wooing public schools throughout the country to expand it's network of military academies despite criticism.
- "Marine officials are talking with at least six districts — including in suburban Atlanta, New Orleans and Las Vegas — about opening schools where every student wears a uniform, participates in Junior ROTC and takes military classes, said Bill McHenry, who runs the service's Junior ROTC program. Those schools would add to more than a dozen public military academies that have opened nationwide, a trend that's picking up speed as the Defense Department looks for ways to increase the number of units in Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps."
Here is a single quote on the opposition side:
- "Critics such as Mike Hearington, a 56-year-old Vietnam War veteran whose son attends Shamrock Middle School in DeKalb County, say the schools are breeding grounds for the military."To pursue children like they are is criminal in my mind," Hearington said."
Is it me, or did they try to depict critics as die-hard Jane Fonda Style Vietnam war critics?
Now as for the 'money' angle:
- "In DeKalb County, the school district would get about $500,000 a year plus $1.4 million in startup funds from the Corps, Lewis said. The school would open with 150 cadets, growing eventually to about 650…Last year, Congress passed a defense policy bill that included a call for increasing the number of Junior ROTC units across the country from 3,400 to 3,700 in the next 11 years, an effort that will cost about $170 million, Defense Department spokeswoman Eileen M. Lainez said. The process will go faster by opening military academies, which count as four or more units, McHenry said."
To some of you these amounts may not seem much, while tremendous to others. Just take a look at most of these public schools' budgets and you'll see that $2 million or so is enough to have school administrators panting and drooling all over themselves…
Here is more in another article covering the same topic on Chicago schools:
- "One in 10 public high school students in Chicago wears a military uniform to school and takes classes — including how to shoot a gun properly — from retired veterans. That number is expected to rise as junior military reserve programs expand across the country now that a congressional cap of 3,500 units has been lifted from the nearly century-old scheme."
- "Opponents say the programs divert critical resources from crumbling public schools and lead to a militarization of US society." To call these young people child soldiers might be technically inaccurate, but it does reveal the truth of it," said Oscar Castro, a spokesman for the National Youth and Militarism Program, an advocacy group."
The Nazis were aware that education would create loyal Nazis by the time they reached adulthood. Hitler Youth, Hitler-Jugend, HJ, was organized into corps under adult leaders, and the general membership was comprised of boys aged fourteen to eighteen:
- "One aim was to instill the motivation that would enable HJ members, as soldiers, to fight faithfully for the Third Reich. Many HJ activities closely resembled military training, with weapons training, assault course circuits and basic tactics.The HJ was also seen as an important stepping stone to future membership of the elite Schutzstaffe, SS. The HJ also maintained several corps designed to develop future officers for the Wehrmacht. The corps offered specialist pre-training for each of the specific arms for which the HJ member was ultimately destined. The Marine Hitler Youth, for example, was the largest such corps and served as a water rescue auxiliary to the Kriegsmarine."
Again, is it me looking for parallels, or is it really there, clear and present?!
We all know how Adolf Hitler's regime after taking over Germany went about organizing the youth to have them become the future warriors for their armed forces. These young Germans were to be manipulated and put into service for the good of the Third Reich and would also go on to become the future warriors that would carry out the total war policies of Hitler and his loyal henchmen. Here is a paragraph on the role of the paramilitary training for the youth in schools:
- "To add more excitement, a new phase began for the Hitler Youth with increased emphasis on para-military training in direct association with the Wehrmacht (Army) Luftwaffe (Air Force) and Navy. In 1937, a Hitler Youth rifle school was also established. About 1.5 million boys were trained in rifle shooting and military field exercises over the next few years with over 50,000 boys earning a marksmanship medal that required near perfect shooting at a distance of 50 meters (164 feet)."
Let's not leave out colleges and universities. Our new President of 'Change' has come up with some 'change' plans for this segment of our youth too.
Our favorite man, Pincus, at The Washington Post seems to be having fun while reporting on our President of Change's Spy-Rearing project plans for Universities; here is his opening:
- "To the list of collegiate types — nerds, jocks, Greeks — add one more: spies in training. The government is hoping they'll be hard to spot."
"The Obama administration has proposed the creation of an intelligence officer training program in colleges and universities that would function much like the Reserve Officers' Training Corps run by the military services. The idea is to create a stream "of first- and second-generation Americans, who already have critical language and cultural knowledge, and prepare them for careers in the intelligence agencies," according to a description sent to Congress by Director of National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair."
Keep reading my friends, the story gets hotter:
- "The students' participation in the program would probably be kept secret to prevent them from being identified by foreign intelligence services, according to an official familiar with the proposal."
How do you like that? Where will the classes be held: some underground bunkers in Utah?! Maybe they will hold the classes in the wee hours of the night and have the students clad in camouflage!
Here comes the section on the alluringly attractive money bait being dangled before the college students' noses:
- "Students attending participating colleges and universities who agree to take the specialized courses would apply to the national intelligence director for admittance to the program, whose administrators would select individuals "competitively" for financial assistance. Much like the support provided to those in the military programs, the financial assistance could include "a monthly stipend, tuition assistance, book allowances and travel expenses," according to the proposal. It also would involve paid summer internships at one or more intelligence agencies."
I am planning to write a piece on the massive baggage that comes with obtaining Security Clearance, but here is how the new administration is planning to hook our college youth big time:
- "Applicants to the intelligence training program would have to pass a security background investigation, although it is unclear when they would have to do so. Students who receive a certain amount of financial assistance would be obligated to serve in an intelligence agency for the same length of time as they received their subsidy."
Just so that you know, a background check to receive clearance includes a background check of all your family members and friends, since you as an applicant have to provide information about everyone you regularly associate with…
The least these college babes can get out of it is becoming a good old-fashion snitch for agencies like the FBI. So for those who in the end may not score high enough, there are always positions like this:
- "The FBI is taking cues from the CIA to recruit thousands of covert informants in the United States as part of a sprawling effort to boost its intelligence capabilities.According to a recent unclassified report to Congress, the FBI expects its informants to provide secrets about possible terrorists and foreign spies, although some may also be expected to aid with criminal investigations, in the tradition of law enforcement confidential informants. The FBI did not respond to requests for comment on this story.
The bureau has arranged to use elements of CIA training to teach FBI agents about "Source Targeting and Development," the report states. The courses will train FBI special agents on the "comprehensive tradecraft" needed to identify, recruit and manage these "confidential human sources." According to January testimony by FBI Deputy Director John S. Pistole, the CIA has been working with the bureau on the course."
As we said, children are the future. This article details the current status of our youth as defined by the state. Is this our future?
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*Please take a few seconds to participate in our survey on the left column.
To Ela:
I have dedicated Part 1 of my 'The Makings of a Police State' series to our children, the youth, and our future. My daughter's birthday may have had something to do with this, so this is for my daughter, Ela, on her birthday, shared with all of you, something I almost never do; share my private and family life. I make this exception due to the alarming state of our nation and our government's apparent action-plan already in motion targeting our youth:
You'll be one year old tonight at 7:05 P.M. US EST, July 18, 2009.
I don't want you to have to pass through metal detectors like a potential criminal before attending your classes at school. I won't let that happen.
I don't want you in schools where you will be subjected to regular searches, your lockers sniffed by dogs, be treated as an untrustworthy suspect, and worst of all, have you get used to all that and view it as 'normal' life. I won't let that happen.
I don't want to see you join a once-upon-a-time honorable scouts program where you'll be clad in army fatigues, carry pellet guns, and play the hunter in search of a suspect to turn in, or take out. I won't let that happen.
I don't want you to come home from school and excitedly tell me about being taught how to detect and turn in 'Islamists', terrorists, or, maybe by then, war protesters or civil liberties activists. I won't let that happen.
My parents rescued me and my sister from a nation, a government, that targeted the youth; to clad them in veils, force them to pray five times a day, control what they read and listened to…
I rescued me and my freedom of speech by leaving the military regime of my home country behind and immigrating to a land that was famous worldwide for it's 'freedom of speech' and it's valuing of liberties.
I didn't come here and become a citizen to have a government whose buildings and offices were buried behind piles of concrete and metal barricades; where the gates and doors were protected by armed men, metal detectors, and cameras.
I didn't settle here to have my conversations and writings monitored by big brother around the clock.
I didn't take my citizenship oath just to let my rights be easily quashed by privileges befitting kings and the like.
I didn't consent to be a tax paying law abiding citizen so that the fruits of my labor could be spent on murder, torture, kidnapping, snitching services, and abusive gun carrying badge-men…
No I didn't. Neither did I intend nor consent to 'this' state of being for you. I didn't, I don't, and I won't.
On your first birthday, in addition to everything else I am giving you, I give you my solemn pledge: I will do everything I can, fight as much and as long as I can, and do whatever it takes to protect you from what my parents escaped, what I left behind in my home country, and what I have been fighting against here the last eight years. You are my love, my future, and as all children must be to their parents, you are worth fighting for.
Happy Birthday to you, Ela.
Sibel Edmonds is the founder and president of the National Security Whistleblowers Coalition (NSWBC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to aiding national security whistleblowers. She appears frequently on national radio and TV as a commentator on matters related to whistleblowers, national security, and excessive secrecy & classification.
Ms. Edmonds began her career in 1993 as Project Director for the Rostropovich Foundation, a non-profit humanitarian organization providing medical and food aid to children of the former Soviet Union. She re-located to St. Petersburg, Russia and managed correspondence, shipments, inventory and security precautions in the largest children's hospital in St. Petersburg. Later, she worked as the Executive Director & Co-Founder of Edmonds Industries, a Consulting and Holding Company, investing in international business and residential real estate development. Ms. Edmonds also worked as a volunteer for the Alexandria CASA program (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for abused children, and as an instructor for the Alexandria Office on Women's Domestic Violence Program.
Ms. Edmonds has a MA in Public Policy and International Commerce from George Mason University, a BA in Criminal Justice and Psychology from George Washington University, and AA degree in Science from NVCC. She is certified as a Court Appointed Special Advocate and as an instructor for the Women's Domestic Violence Program. She is fluent in Turkish, Farsi and Azerbaijani.
Her Blog: http://123realchange.blogspot.com/


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Hebrews 11, often dubbed "The Hall of Heroes," is filled with people who – according to the stories themselves – were not always heroic. The writer of Hebrews uses these examples to build a cumulative case that it was by faith – faith in Christ – that they held fast to God's promise and thereby overcame the world's assaults. The more sordid the scenes of their biography were just as essential to highlight in order to focus on this very point.
– Horton, Michael, Ordinary: Sustainable Faith in a Radical, Restless World; Zondervan; copyright 214; Kindle Edition; page 153

subset: commoncrawl


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AttentionThis page documents an earlier version. Go to the latest (v2.1)version.
What is YugabyteDB?
YugabyteDB is a transactional, high-performance database for building internet-scale, globally-distributed applications. Built using a unique combination of distributed document store, auto sharding, per-shard distributed consensus replication and multi-shard ACID transactions (inspired by Google Spanner), it is world's only distributed database that is both non-relational (support for Redis-compatible KV & Cassandra-compatible flexible schema transactional NoSQL APIs) and relational (support for PostgreSQL-compatible distributed SQL API) at the same time.
YugabyteDB is purpose-built to power fast-growing online services on public, private and hybrid clouds with transactional integrity, high availabilty, low latency, high throughput and multi-region scalability while also providing unparalleled data modeling freedom to application architects. Enterprises gain more functional depth and agility without any cloud lock-in when compared to proprietary cloud databases such as Amazon DynamoDB, Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB and Google Cloud Spanner. Enterprises also benefit from stronger data integrity guarantees, more reliable scaling and higher performance than those offered by legacy open source NoSQL databases such as MongoDB and Apache Cassandra.
YugabyteDB Community Edition is developed and distributed as an Apache 2.0 open source project .
What makes YugabyteDB unique?
YugabyteDB is a single operational database that brings together three must-have needs of user-facing cloud applications, namely ACID transactions, high performance and multi-region scalability. Monolithic SQL databases offer transactions and performance but do not have ability to scale across multi-regions. Distributed NoSQL databases offer performance and multi-region scalablility but give up on transactional guarantees.
Additionally, for the first time ever, application developers have unparalleled freedom when it comes to modeling data for workloads that require internet-scale, transactions and geo-distribution. As highlighted previously, they have two transactional NoSQL APIs and a distributed SQL API to choose from.
YugabyteDB feature highlights are listed below.
1. Transactional
Distributed acid transactions that allow multi-row updates across any number of shards at any scale.
Transactional document store backed by self-healing, strongly consistent replication .
2. High Performance
Low latency for geo-distributed applications with multiple read consistency levels and read replicas .
High throughput for ingesting and serving ever-growing datasets.
3. Planet Scale
Global data distribution that brings consistent data close to users through multi-region and multi-cloud deployments.
Auto-sharding and auto-rebalancing to ensure uniform load balancing across all nodes even for very large clusters.
4. Cloud Native
Built for the container era with highly elastic scaling and infrastructure portability, including Kubernetes-driven orchestration .
Self-healing database that automatically tolerates any failures common in the inherently unreliable modern cloud infrastructure.
5. Open Source
Fully functional distributed database available under Apache 2.0 open source license . Upgrade to Enterprise Edition anytime.
Multi-API/multi-model database that extends existing popular and open APIs including Cassandra, Redis and PostgreSQL.
What client APIs are supported by YugabyteDB?
YugabyteDB supports both Transactional NoSQL and Distributed SQL APIs.
YEDIS - YEDIS is a transactional key-value API that is wire compatible with Redis commands library and client drivers. YEDIS extends Redis with a new native Time Series data type.
YCQL - YCQL is a transactional flexible-schema API that is wire compatible with Apache Cassandra Query Language (CQL) and its client drivers. YCQL extends CQL by adding distributed ACID transactions , strongly consistent secondary indexes and a native JSON column type .
YSQL (Beta) - YSQL is a distributed SQL API that is wire compatible with the SQL language in PostgreSQL .
The three YugabyteDB APIs are completely isolated and independent from one another. This means that the data inserted or managed by one API cannot be queried by a different API. Additionally, there is no common way to access the data across all the APIs (external frameworks such as Presto can help for simple cases).
The net impact is that application developers have to select an API first before undertaking detailed database schema/query design and implementation.
Which API should I select for my application?
For internet-scale transactional workloads, the question of which API to select is a trade-off between data modeling richness and query performance.
On one end of the spectrum is the YEDIS API that is completely optimized for single key access patterns, has simpler data modeling constructs and provides blazing-fast (sub-ms) query performance.
On the other end of the spectrum is the YSQL API that supports complex multi-key relationships (through JOINS and foreign keys) and provides normal (single-digit ms) query performance. This is expected since multiple keys can be located on multiple shards hosted on multiple nodes, resulting in higher latency than a key-value API that accesses only a single key at any time.
At the middle of the spectrum is the YCQL API that is still optimized for majority single-key workloads but has richer data modeling features such as globally consistent secondary indexes (powered by distributed ACID transactions) that can accelerate internet-scale application development significantly.
How does YugabyteDB's common document store work?
DocDB , YugabyteDB's distributed document store common across all APIs, builds on top of the popular RocksDB project by transforming RocksDB from a key-value store (with only primitive data types) to a document store (with complex data types). Every key is stored as a separate document in DocDB, irrespective of the API responsible for managing the key. DocDB's sharding , replication/fault-tolerance and distributed ACID transactions architecture are all based on the the Google Spanner design first published in 2012.


text: By krh Posted September 12, 2019 In Photography, Writing Nature's got the time2019-09-122019-09-12http://keithhouk.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/krhlogo_11_2.pngkrhhttp://keithhouk.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/man-versus-nature.jpg200px200px 0 Man's imposition on nature and nature's response. Screw it. I'll just grow around it. I got time. always, climate, nature, pole, tree, wearegoingtolose krh Recommended PostsThe Green Bin – Part IVI went for a walk todayLife for the livingA Walk Leave a Comment Cancel reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


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Robert Weber, New Yorker Cartoonist
by Nick Galifianakis
Robert Weber, 92, and one of the truly gifted cartoonists, passed away a few days ago. Here is, I believe, his first cartoon for the New Yorker in 1962 (plus a couple of other smiles). I urge you to stroll through the hundreds of others he created over the last half century. An astute observer, he could puncture the pretentious and entitled with withering dryness.
Weber was a compositional master and the deftest of draftsman. His buttery-soft charcoal line had a simple, energy-filled immediacy yet somehow also retained the forethought of structure, a balance of in-the-moment expressiveness but with the weight of any great painting. This is the rarely (rarely) achieved Holy Grail of making art.
He is first among artists that have nudged me to draw more courageously, and I'm deeply saddened by the passing of one of my great heroes.
|"Lucy, move - you're blocking Pliny the Elder"


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Crystal Pendulums
Crystal pendulums are said to channel energy from the universe through your body. Have you ever not been sure about something and want some help on deciding from the universe? If the answer is yes than a Crystal Pendulum could be just what you need.
To use a crystal pendulum you must hold it by the top of the chain, close your eyes and clear your mind. Once you are in a completely neutral state the pendulum should reflect this, often by rocking side to side. Once you have got to this stage you can find out what your positive and negative signals are.
While still holding the pendulum by the chain change your thoughts to a resounding 'YES POSITIVE', the pendulum should then start to spin or move in some way. Generally a yes positive will mean the pendulum spinning in a clockwise motion. You can then repeat this process but replace the 'Yes Positive with 'No Negative' and see what the pendulum does.
Once you have you 'Yes Positive', 'No Negative' and 'Neutral' signals you are ready to start asking the pendulum questions and let the Universe help you out!
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Crystal Bullet Shape Pendulum£3.95 Select options
Crystal Reiki Symbol Pendulum£7.95 Select options
Crystal Cone Shaped Pendulum£5.95 Select options
Crystal Caged Chakra Pendulum£4.95 Select options
Crystal Chakra Striped Pendulum£4.95 Add to cart
Sunstone Dowsing Crystal Pendulum & Pouch£3.95 Add to cart
Lapis Lazuli Dowsing Crystal Pendulum & Pouch£3.95 Add to cart


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Sleep apnea continues to adversely affect the lives of millions of individuals afflicted with sleep disorder. Of course, their families and friends suffer, too, in that sleep apnea causes significant health issues ranging from loud snoring to cessations of breathing episodes.
You and your spouse can wake up in the morning feeling less than energized because of lack of sleep the night before. Now, picture this happening for years on end and you will be grateful for the investors of the CPAP machine.
Getting to Know the Parts
There are three major CPAP parts in every machine regardless of brand. The first is the flow generator, which is considered as the heart of the machine. This is because it is the part where airflow pressure is provided and adjusted.
You should never place the flow generator in water lest short circuits happen. Instead, just wipe it with a moist cloth followed by a dry one on a daily basis.
The second is the hose, which serves as the bridge between all the CPAP parts. Basically, it connects the flow generator with the user interface.
By the way, you have to clean the hose on a weekly basis to avoid the accumulation of dirt and dust, which can pass through the tube into your air passageways. It is also important to replace the hose when this becomes visibly dirty or torn.
The third part is the user interface. Despite its scientific-sounding name, this is the most recognized and most used of the CPAP parts simply because this comes in contact with your face. If you do not know by now, this is simply the mask or the nasal pillow.
Just like he hose, you have to clean the mask on a daily basis. This way, dirt, dust and facial oils will not accumulate on its surface, which can adversely affect its performance. Depending on the manufacturer, you should replace the mask every 3-6 months or when visible signs of wear and tear are present.
Getting to Know the Mechanism
To understand how the CPAP parts work in your health, you must first understand how the respiratory system works during sleep. In a normal person, meaning one who is diagnosed with sleep apnea, it is natural for the airflow going to the windpipe to stop.
This usually happens during the time between inhalation and exhalation. In this case, the soft palate begins to droop but is able to regain its firmness, so to speak, in normal persons.
For sleep apnea sufferers, however, this can be very problematic. There are longer pauses between the time of inhalation and exhalation so much so that the breathing seems to stop for a few precious seconds. The result is that oxygen flow to the body is dangerously lessened, which can lead to increased risks for a heart attack or a stroke.
The CPAP parts work against such repeated cessations of breathing by providing for a means with which the airways are open. This way, there is always sufficient air flowing into the respiratory system and, hence, oxygen into the body.
Once you know of the ways that each of the CPAPO parts work, you are better able take care of them. In so doing, you can take better care of your health, too.
CPAP Clinic – HealthCare at your home
We serve Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada.
Contact us: 1-877-430-CPAP(2727) or email@example.com
Find the best CPAP nasal masks Ontario, CPAP fullface masks in Toronto and other CPAP parts in Ontario, Canada only from CPAPClinic.ca today!


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Extended Stay: Places to See Northeast Ohio
Ohio's northeastern region rises up from the shores of Lake Erie and blooms with ethnic neighborhoods, the Rock and Roll and Pro Football Halls of Fame and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It stretches beyond suburban areas into rolling hills where highways dissolve into country roads, vineyards and horse & buggy traffic. People live and create the way they want to here, and it makes for an amazingly diverse, authentic set of experiences. Make the most of your summer college visit and stay to see the sights!
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Get the family outdoors and explore Ohio's National Park! With 33,000 acres and multiple, year-round excursions, the Cuyahoga Valley provides a tranquil escape for nature lovers and outdoor lovers alike. The park's Bike Aboard program allows riders to peddle along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and then rest and enjoy the scenery as the vintage-style train takes you back. Check out special, seasonal train rides including park ranger led tours, wine/beer tastings and more. Be sure to hike over to the 60-foot high Brandywine Falls, a gorgeous setting for photo opps!
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The spirit of rock is alive and well in Cleveland! Dance your way through the 150,000 square-foot museum featuring seven floors, four theatres and ever-changing rock and roll exhibits. The new Rolling Stone exhibit celebrates 50 years of the well-known publication and its honest, true stories about America's artists. The Summer of Love Turns 50 exhibition celebrates the epicenter of counterculture of 1967. Attend one of the 50 shows being held at Rock Hall Live (the museum's concert venue) and connect the family with music from your era and theirs.
On the shores of Lake Erie, Cleveland has all the attractions and excitement needed for a fun-filled adventure. Cleveland's University Circle is a great place to explore world-renowned museums, eclectic restaurants and gorgeous parks and gardens all within a square mile. Visit Wade Oval for a historic walking tour or ride the CircleLink shuttle to dinner in Little Italy. The Cleveland Aquarium is an out-of-the box idea for a weekend with the family. With over 1,400 animals representing 250 species, the Aquarium provides an educational and unique destination for a day trip. And of course, you can't forget about A Christmas Story House! They are open year-round, and you can even leave with your very own Red Ryder BB Gun. Cleveland offers shopping experiences, museums, and restaurants – plan your visit today!
Indians Game
Root for the home team at Progressive Field! You and the family can enjoy an evening in the heart of downtown, along with all the sights, sounds and tastes that come with a night at the ballpark. Join the Indians for a themed night for freebies at the tour and fan giveaways. The kids will enjoy a chance to meet Slider, the team mascot, and run around the bases after Sunday home games. Make lasting family memories and take them out to the ball game!
Burger Trail
This trail is a mouthwatering road trip for all kinds of burger lovers! Devour your way through the two savory stops in the northwest region. Enjoy a half-pound gourmet burger at Heck's Café in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood or park curbside at Swenson's Drive-In in Akron for a famous Galley Boy. With locations stretching across the state, this trail is perfect if your college visit is bringing you from Columbus or Cincinnati.
Grandpa's Cheesebarn
If you are taking I-71, you HAVE to stop at Grandpa's Cheese Barn in Ashland, Ohio. Prepare to enter cheese and fudge heaven. Tucked among the farm fields just east of Ashland, Grandpa's Cheesebarn really is located inside an old dairy barn converted to a cheese shop back in 1978. Today, it's still family-owned and operated, but the big white Cheesebarn has become the "capital" of a unique foodie village. Sample cheeses from Ohio's Amish County and order lunch from the café! The diverse selection of sweets and treats make Grandpa's Cheesebarn one delicious destination!


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Thinking of taking a European vacation this summer? If a trip to iconic city of Moscow or the edgier St. Petersburg is on your bucket list, an anti-gay law recently passed in Russia may have you thinking again. It is now illegal to be 'out and proud.'
In a throwback to the country's authoritarian ruling, Russian president Vladimir Putin has signed a controversial law that punishes people for "homosexual propaganda." The law fines people—including tourists—up to 200,000 rubles ($6,240 CDN) for "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations." So what is considered pro-gay? Anything from gay-affirmative speech to hand-holding; even displaying a rainbow flag on your backpack is illegal.


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Energy Minister in Cairo for talks with Egyptian Petroleum Minister
Minister of Energy Yiorgos Lakkotrypis will have talks on Monday with Egypts Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El Molla with the participation of delegations of the two countries.
The meeting's agenda includes the intergovernmental agreement on a pipeline from Cyprus to Egypt, EU-Egypt relations in the field of energy, as well as regional energy partnerships.
Technocrats from the two Ministries as well as representatives of the Cyprus Hydrocarbons Company and Egypt's state-owned natural gas company EGAS will participate in the talks.
Lakkotrypis will return to Cyprus on Monday afternoon.
Source: Cyprus News Agency


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Kathryn DennisWhy did you choose to submit your particular piece of art?
It is a final scene in a picture book I am working on. Urban birds are having to change their tunes to be heard above the city noise. The birds have gathered in one tree and for the first time, the loudest sound in the city is the birdsong.
What does being part of SCBWI mean to you?
It has been like a mentor. I have learned what to do and, more importantly, what not to do.
What is your favorite picture book from childhood?
Frederick, by Leo Lionni. I love that a little mouse stored memories of sunshine, colors, and words to survive the winter.
Fun fact: Kathryn began her career as an advertising art director. Learn more, and see more images, on STQRY here.
*excluding only those lazy bones or privacy freaks who don't answer our email questions, of course. We love them anyway.


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Student Recruitment Office
3200 W. 7th Avenue
Corsicana, TX 75110
Office: AB (Albritton Building)
Student Recruiting Office, Room 165
Phone: 903.875.7343
Let us know how many are in your group.
The campus tour gives you a student's perspective on life at Navarro. You'll see everything from our dining facilities to the residence halls, academic buildings, and athletic facilities.
Absolutely! We encourage you to bring your family and friends.
You will be walking around campus throughout the day, so we recommend comfortable shoes & casual clothes. Since you will be inside & outside, check the weather before you come.


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Neediness is the ultimate repellant that destroys your relationships, autonomy, self-esteem and your well-being in general.
While women can get away with neediness in certain circumstances, men never can. Neediness never goes unpunished when a man does it so it must be completely demolished and eradicated from your existence.
Since non-neediness implies not having needs at all (which is not true), most people don't even recognize neediness as a problem (it is). Just like losing doesn't make you a loser (giving up does), having needs doesn't make you needy.
Needy people constantly have trouble getting what they want out of life and, as a result, they live a life of despair.
If you are needy and reading this article to solve your problem, you are already miles ahead of the people who are not even aware of their own neediness and you will eventually overcome your problem. If you aren't needy, this article will confirm that you are not needy and help prevent you from falling into needy patterns of behavior in the future.
4 Perils of Neediness
1. Neediness Repels Others
Needy behavior broadcasts insecurity, despair and a lack of self-confidence, all of which repel others, especially women.
Neediness is the ultimate attraction killer. There's nothing that makes you more unattractive in the eyes of the opposite sex than neediness.
Neediness makes a man so unsalvageably unattractive that even the men of highest status can't pull it off. Imagine Brad Pitt on his knees begging a woman to give him a chance. You can vividly imagine the disgust on the woman's face, right?
You don't even need to interact with the members of the opposite sex in order for neediness to hurt you. Neediness has the potential to ruin all of your interactions with others.
For example, a needy salesman will repel his prospective customers. A needy relative will repel his/her relatives. A needy person will have a hard time making friends and keeping them, and so on.
2. Neediness Causes You to Lose Your Autonomy
Needy people have a deeply held belief of inadequacy which causes them to engage in behaviors to compensate for their real or imagined shortcomings.
For example, if a needy man wants to attract a woman, he will do favors for her that he doesn't actually want to do in order to make up for the imagined gap between his unattractive self and what he believes to make a man attractive to a woman.
If a needy man somehow gets in a relationship, he will occasionally reward his woman for doing nothing or, worse, for treating him poorly. For example, if she admonishes him for something trivial, he might apologize to her or even buy her a gift. Or he will keep doing nice things for her for absolutely no reason other than existing because he's secretly grateful that she somehow decided to be with him.
His needy behavior is bound to repel the woman he's interested in or he's in a relationship with. If he's aiming to attract her, he will fail to do so. If he's trying to keep her happy in the relationship (so that she doesn't leave him), he will (ironically) make her more likely to dump him.
There's nothing inherently wrong with rewarding a woman, buying her gifts and so on, as long as she earns it. But the needy man does these things from a position of weakness without her having to earn her rewards, which renders his efforts useless or even harmful.
3. Neediness Makes You A Burden To Your Loved Ones
His or her loved ones are the real victims of a needy person because while strangers can easily run away from a needy one, his or her loved ones can't, especially if the needy person in question is a relative.
Since needy people tend to lack self-sufficiency, they incessantly pester or coerce their loved ones into meeting their needs. Unfortunately, trying to meet the needs of a needy person is akin to trying to fill a bottomless pit, so the loved ones of a needy person will sooner or later grow tired of him/her.
What needy people fail to realize (due to their solipsism) is that nobody lives a problem-free life. Everybody has their own problems so it's unfair and even evil for an adult to be a burden on others. A needy person should take the matter into his/her own hands, become self-sufficient and be an asset to his/her loved ones, not a liability.
4. Neediness Leaves You Vulnerable to Being Taken Advantage of
Needy men who are desperate for love, affection and female company are easy prey for frauds who want to swindle them out of their money.
We've all heard the stories of love-thirsty men who sent huge amounts of money to women they met on the internet without even meeting them in real life. In many of such cases, the person on the other end of the line isn't even a woman but some fraud who uses the pictures of some attractive woman to fool the needy man into believing that he's talking to a woman who's attracted to him.
Causes of Neediness
Low self-esteem is the primary driver of neediness as it breeds inaction, a lack of options, and a scarcity mentality.
Traumatic childhood (or sometimes even adulthood) events, real or imagined physical or personality-wise shortcomings, or limiting beliefs and convictions are all common causes of low self-esteem.
Examples of traumatic events that lowers a person's self-esteem (and hence trigger neediness) are rejection (including not having needs met in a timely fashion during childhood), abuse, ridicule, and failure. While these events are often instantaneous, their effects can last for extended periods of time, sometimes a lifetime.
Real or imagined physical or personality-wise shortcomings can also hurt a person's self-esteem. Physical attributes (such as being fat, skinny, bald, hairy, short, tall, young, old, light-skinned, dark-skinned, and so on) or personality traits (such as being boring, introverted, unlikeable, unpopular and so on) that the person believes to be unattractive might cause him/her to act needy.
Inexperience is another driver of neediness which is hard to solve because neediness often paralyzes a person into inaction which makes it increasingly difficult to accumulate experience.
Laziness can also lead to neediness provided that the person believes that needy behavior is the easy way to get what he wants.
Last but not least, being spoiled will almost always result in neediness because spoiled people tend to be used to getting what they want without having to earn it.
Examples of Needy Behavior
Examples of needy behavior regarding romantic relationships are…
- Stalking
- Incessant calling and texting
- Constant questioning and testing of the other person's commitment
- Drama
- Clinginess
- Fishing for compliments
- Playing the victim
- Trying to make the other person jealous
- Rewarding the other person for doing nothing or, worse, for bad behavior
- Falling in love with the first attractive person that demonstrates (real or imagined) attention
- Pushing things too soon too fast (which usually freaks out and scares the other person away)
- Lying (to impress)
- Trying to buy someone's love and affection with expensive gifts
Needy behaviors aren't confined to the field of romantic relationships. For example, needy relatives might pester or coerce their loved ones into meeting their needs. Needy friends might pester or coerce their friends into spending more time with them. If their friends are busy, the needy ones might throw tantrums. Needy salesmen might be too pushy and scare away their potential customers, and so on.
Needy behaviors can also be passive. For example, putting up with or settling for sub-standard treatment for extended periods of time is common for needy people because they lack self-esteem and they inherently believe that they don't deserve to be treated any better.
How NOT to Stop Being Needy
There are two types of conventional methods to overcome the problem of neediness, both of which don't work:
- Cutting down on needy behavior
- Suppressing the needs
Both of these methods fail to cure neediness because they fail to address the underlying issues that breed needy behavior.
Focusing on the "needs" part of the equation is the wrong way to solve the problem because non-neediness doesn't equal to not having any needs. We all have psychological as well as physiological needs.
Psychological needs can be grouped into 4 broad categories which are security, self-esteem, autonomy, and connection.
Physiological needs are water, air, food, and sleep.
Sex is technically not a physiological need although it's a physiological act since we don't die if we don't have sex. But the physical act of having sex indirectly helps to satisfy the psychological needs such as self-esteem and connection as long as the person we are having sex with reciprocates our desire to have sex with her/him.
Neediness stems from not having our psychological or physiological needs properly met. It doesn't stem from having needs to be met.
Why Cutting Down on Needy Behavior Doesn't Work
Cutting down on needy behavior without addressing the underlying issues is akin to symptomatic treatment of a disease without treating its cause.
"Don't call or text him/her too much", "Wait 2 days before re-contacting him/her", "Don't be pushy", etc. You want to call (or text) your friend or your significant other but you don't want to come across as needy. So you consciously prevent yourself from calling or texting that person.
These are all examples of trying to solve the problem of neediness by controlling the final behavior. Calculating your every interaction with others (lest you come across as needy) is tiresome and inauthentic. It consumes your willpower, wreaks havoc on your autonomy, and sucks the joy out of your relationships. It's not even sustainable either, as you will sooner or later regress back to needy behavior patterns unless you address the underlying issues that result in needy behavior. I'd wager that this approach doesn't even treat the symptoms as neediness always finds a way to leak out and come through no matter how good you are at hiding it.
Needy behavior is only a symptom. The only way to not come across needy is to actually stop being needy.
Why Suppressing the Needs Doesn't Work
Religious authorities, political figures, and thought leaders who have the temerity to ask of people to ignore and suppress their needs are dime a dozen.
For example, you wouldn't act needy to attain sex if you didn't need to have sex in the first place, right? Duh. But how realistic or desirable is it to suppress your sexual needs? Of course, it's not realistic but that's exactly what many religions of the world advise their followers to do. If you are a good boy, you will be rewarded with plenty of sex after you die! Great deal. Where do I sign up?
Or, the so-called "gurus" lecturing you that "money doesn't make you happy" while swimming in money themselves.
Or, the so-called "relationship experts" lecturing you to calculate each and every action in your relationships in order to manipulate the other party into acting as you wish.
Suppressing your needs is never a good idea because ignoring your needs doesn't cause your needs to magically disappear. Your needs are still there no matter how much you suppress them and it's not uncommon for the suppressed needs to burst out and come to the surface in dangerous ways in the form of violence or mental problems.
By suppressing your needs, you sentence yourself to eternal dissatisfaction and unhappiness.
How to Stop Being Needy
The best way to stop being needy is to find efficient ways to get your needs met. This is not easy to do but it's doable by changing your mindset, attitude, and actions as well as your reactions. Your self-esteem will grow in the process as you improve yourself and start to get results.
The Power of Having Options in Eliminating Neediness
A lack of options is one of the most powerful drivers of needy behavior which makes having plenty of options as the ultimate antidote to neediness.
- Would you put up with an inferior relationship where your significant other treats you poorly if you had plenty of better relationship options?
- Would you live with the fear of getting dumped if you knew you can easily replace the person who might dump you?
- Would you fear rejection if you are confident that you have plenty of options to move on to?
- Would you act needy to get into a relationship with an attractive woman if you had a wide selection of attractive women who are swooning for you?
- Would you be desperate to make a sale if you had plenty of customers to sell to or a variety of attractive products to offer?
- Would you be desperate to find a job if you had a profitable business or you had job skills that are high in demand and employers are racing to hire you?
You see, the problem with neediness is not the need itself but it's the lack of options, which creates performance anxiety and wreaks havoc on your self-confidence.
Hence, the best solution to the problem of neediness is not to eliminate the need or to scrutinize and calculate your actions but to become a man who has options.
When you have a variety of ways at your disposal to have your needs met, you won't demonstrate needy behavior towards a solitary prospect.
Since building yourself up to become a man in demand with plenty of options is not easy, most people either gravitate towards shortcuts or settle for the low-hanging fruit.
Building yourself up to become a man with options eliminates neediness because if someone or some institution rejects you, you simply move on to your next option. You are confident of your worth, you have a track record of getting what you want and you will get what you want if not from a particular person or an institution, from someone or some institution else.
Of course, becoming a man with options is easier said than done but since there are no shortcuts, it must be done no matter where you are in life. It's game on as long as you are alive, and with determination and resolution, any situation can be turned around. Your self-esteem will also grow in proportion to your self-growth and the options at your disposal.
Focus on Attracting Your Objects of Desire Instead of Chasing Them
MJ DeMarco has a great analogy to summarize how this works:
If you chase a mischievous cat around the neighborhood, it eludes you. It hides up a tree, behind the rose bush, or in the garden. However, if you ignore it and focus on what attracts the cat, it comes to you and sits in your lap.
Humans are inherently selfish. Everybody is driven by selfish motives. The question "what's in it for me?" is always in the back of our minds when we make buying decisions or interact with other people directly (in personal relationships) or indirectly (by media). If you have what people want, they will come to you without you having to chase them.
Paul Stanley, The Kiss frontman, writes in his biography "Face the Music" that at every city they went on tour, girls congregated in hotels where the band members stayed, in order to get banged by the band members with barely so much as an introduction. He says he figured that there were probably guys in towns who had to date those same girls for months to get anywhere.
Since rock stars have massive value in the eyes of women, they don't chase girls but girls chase them. Of course, becoming a rock star is a long shot that almost all of us will never achieve in our lifetimes but this example goes to show the power of creating massive perceived value that effortlessly attracts what you need or desire.
Focus on what you bring to the table. Become valuable. Have what others want.
People who bring value to the table are "assets" whereas people who bring nothing to the table but ask for everything in return are "liabilities". Every person is busy dabbling with the problems life throws at him/her. No one wants another liability in their lives.
A sizable portion of the needy people that I know are liabilities who bring nothing to the table. Become a person who is an asset and other people will line up to meet your needs. Self-sufficient people who offer value are rare and as it is with most rare things, they are in demand.
Develop an Abundance Mentality
Scarcity mentality is closely correlated to neediness because if you believe that your options are limited you will hold on to them as if your life depends on them.
The only thing that's scarce is your time. There are 7 billion people on this planet and trillions of dollars of money. When you develop an abundance mentality, suddenly the actions of one person or one entity ceases to be important and loses its power over you.
Remember, a lack of options is the main driver of needy behavior no matter the lack of options in question is real or imagined. Developing an abundance mentality doesn't automatically increase your options but makes you aware that the options are there. If you have plenty of options, failures and rejections suddenly lose their importance and they become opportunities for growth.
Develop an Internal Locus of Control
Neediness is closely related to despair which in turn is closely related to a feeling of a lack of control over the trajectory of your life.
An internal locus of control is believing that you have control over the events in your life whereas an external locus of control is believing that your life is directed by external forces beyond your control.
Develop an internal locus of control. Aim for complete self-reliance and self-sufficiency. The more control you have over your own life, the less needy you will become. If you are in control, you can change your life for the better.
Eventually, all tactics and strategies to eliminate neediness boil down to becoming a resourceful person who brings a lot of value to the table.
People go out of their way to accommodate winners. People run away from liabilities and flock to assets. Incongruent tactics can work in the short run but if you are a liability your true colors will sooner or later be exposed.
Become valuable enough and you will never have to act needy.
Be sure to read:
- 24 Ways to Get Rid of the Victim Mentality and Adopt a Victor Mentality
- Be a Better Man in 30 Days Program, Action driven, intensive self-improvement program to improve your value as a man. (Warning: Lazy men who never take action aren't invited.)
- "I'm not good (enough) at anything" – How to Stop Feeling Inferior
- How to Get Your Life Together
- 21 Ways to Stop Being an Effeminate Modern Man and Be More Masculine


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You don't have to be a member of the chamber to share your events!
Learn more here.
Tinyfest Northwest
Name: Tinyfest Northwest
Date: August 17, 2019 - August 18, 2019
Website: https://www.tinyfestnorthwest.com/
Event Description:
Come celebrate tiny living at TinyFest NorthWest! Explore a variety of tiny houses from pro-builders and DIYers. Tour tiny houses on wheels, backyard cottages, shipping container homes, vans, bus conversions and more! Enjoy the Marketplace, meet the builders, hear live music and eat good food. Soak in all the knowledge and spark new ideas! TinyFest NorthWest will feature a full line-up of speakers and workshops to inspire and inform. Plus, builders and DIYers love to share their expertise and experiences.


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Palm Springs Tram: My sister picked me up from LAX and we headed towards PS, we stopped to ride the tram up to the top of San Jacinto mountain, That was so much fun! You travel up to 8,516 feet, it takes 10 minutes to go up the 2 1/2 miles. You are in a huge tram that can hold 80 people, the floor rotates for spectacular views!
If you would like more information on riding this tram go to : www.pstramway.com
On to the Scrapbooking......
Wow, this was an amazing get away with Patti and the whole Scrappin-Escapes gang!
We arrived Thursday night and stayed at the Renaissance resort, it was just me and Christy, we had the whole huge resort pool to ourselves, with the season over and everyone back in school and work, the place was all ours!
We swam, had a nice dinner and some wine.....
Friday morning we found the best little coffee shop for breakfast, Louise's kitchen, wonderful food!
We packed up and headed to The Hyatt Regency Resort, Oh my Goodness, this place was so gorgeous! We walked the paths through the resort, simply stunning, I have decided Resort Vacations are they way to go!!!
We scrapbooked all day, then hit the bar for happy hour food, fish taco and a burger, perfect!
Saturday, we were supplied with a breakfast buffet, scrapbooked all day, then went to the restaurant: Lantana, where we shared a fabulous spinach and mushroom pizza and more wine!
Sunday we packed up and headed home....So much fun packed in one weekend!
|Christy scrapadoodling!
|Me and a latte having fun!
|Me and a huge cactus, my morning coffee...
|Patti spoils us rotten!
I hope we can go back there again next year!


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Despite real economic challenges, the risk of a significant recession in Europe remains low -- barring monetary, fiscal or banking policy mistakes in the wake of the EU elections.
UK political turmoil (again)
The resignation of UK Prime Minister Theresa May last week, is something that has been coming since she failed to win a majority in the 2017 general election. With no electoral mandate she tried to find an answer to the UK's greatest political dilemma for 50 years. It was always going to be an impossible task as all sides were able to take advantage of her position and ensure whatever she did, would end in failure.
What will happen now is a new leader will try and find a consensus in the UK parliament for a solution. Whether the EU agrees to that solution is another matter. If they cannot, or the EU rejects it, then it will have to return to the electorate, either in the form of a general election, or less likely, another referendum. This raises the prospect of a 'Hard Deal' Brexit, which the market is conscious of. It also raises the prospect of a win for the Labour Party, which would not be perceived as business or debt friendly and thus it would not be viewed as a market-friendly government. As such, you would expect the currency to weaken and UK assets to price in this risk. Oddly they are not. As we are in a period of political chaos and uncertainty, the risk to the downside is clear and only when the new leader of the Conservative Party is named, will that begin to be priced in.
Europe reconfiguring
The outcome of the EU election looks more dramatic than it is: the narrative was supposed to be a nationalist surge but, with the exception of Italy, this has not happened. While the centre-right groupings in the EU have been weakened, they are joined by the Greens and Liberals who are even more pro-European integration. There will be a battle for the top jobs but expect them to go to solidly pro-European officials who can create a working consensus. The most important position for the markets is the new head of the European Central Bank (ECB). The appointment of the president of the Bundesbank, Jens Weidmann would create uncertainty and an element of fear, in particular for Italian debt spreads and the banking industry.
What happens next?
After the dust has settled from the European election, we will see a return of focus to other pressing issues. There is a major industrial/manufacturing slowdown that is persistent and broad. Many think this is caused by the US/China trade wars, but as it started in the second half of 2018, it pre-dates this. If this spreads to the service sectors, then a greater slowdown than we are already seeing will emerge. This will put real pressure on the politicians in the high-debt nations of Europe to try to offset it via fiscal means which the EU may oppose. It will put pressure on the ECB to renew quantitative easing, something that would be opposed by Germany. The risk of a significant recession (similar to 2008/9) is not great and we may already be in a mild one. However, the risk of policy mistakes making it deeper via monetary, fiscal or banking is real.
Caution and opportunity
So, for now we remain very cautious: in fact the risk (and thus for us the opportunity) is to the downside. So, if markets pull back substantially, there will be an opportunity to buy. Then we will have a view of a new cycle emerging. June is historically the worst month of the year for European equities and all the evidence is it will live up to expectations.
Any information, statement or opinion set forth herein is general in nature, is not directed to or based on the financial situation or needs of any particular investor, and does not constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results, or a recommendation with respect to any particular security or investment strategy or type of retirement account. Investors seeking financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in any securities or investment strategies should consult their financial professional.


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Looking for a medium sized community of scambaiters? Looking for help with virtual machines? Looking for help calling scammers? Do you just want to chill?
Well, our server is the perfect place for you. Here we have all kinds of bots for entertainment(Rythm, GamesROB) and usually at least 20 people online! We will see you there!


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When this gorgeous French Eclectic Tudor at 6640 Avalon hit my inbox, I was sure it was a new build. The lines are much cleaner than you see on homes from the 1920's, and it's absolutely pristine. Then I looked closer. Those windows are original and you don't see façade embellishments like these on new builds. My curiosity was piqued and I began to dig in and research.
This is actually an original 1926 house built by George E. Dolph as his personal home. Dolph also constructed Munger Place Baptist Church. A little over a year ago, the house was purchased by two very smart investors, Steven Riskey and Bart Fassino. They brought in a dream team — builders, Parc Chateau Homes, designer Leslie Pemberton, one of our favorite architects, Eddie Maestri — and got to work.
Nine and half months of magic later, this 4,010-square-foot,beauty was unveiled. "We completely gutted and reframed to meet code," Fassino said. "The entire home has been totally upgraded. The original metal windows on the front of the home were restored and we installed energy efficient Jeld-wen windows throughout the remainder of the house and guest quarters." Yes, guest quarters. It just gets better and better.
The home has four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms. It also has something rare in Dallas — a 706-square-foot basement that has been completely transformed with a game room, wet bar, full bathroom, and bedroom.
While the original brick was given a fresh modern look with white paint, one of the notable exterior features remained untouched."We left the slate on the hall stairway section over the porte cochere," Maestri said. "You don't see this a lot in Lakewood. It's a more modern quality. A lot of new homes incorporate metal on the façade and this slate addition is an example of someone trying to create a modern look back in the '20s."
"The front and side doors, entry tile, Batchelder fireplace, and staircase have all been restored," Fassino said. "I wanted to incorporate a few modern finishes to complement the historic touches, so you'll see modern fixtures and tile throughout. We also added a standing-seam metal roof to the garage and remodeled it with a guest suite, kitchen nook, and patio."
The dining room and living room were kept to the original size. Openings to the stair hallway and the kitchen were widened. "We add the enclosed sunroom off the dining room and added the porch off of the kitchen with a gas fireplace,"Fassino said.
Success in renovating an older home comes from knowing how to open up closed-off spaces to create a sense of connection while maintaining the original character and charm. Masetri is a master at this. "The kitchen was an area where we wanted to pay homage to an older layout with cabinetry and a breakfast nook," he said. It's a totally modern space with professional Wolf and Sub Zero appliances and soapstone countertops, yet the cabinetry and farmhouse sink impart a traditional feel. The bay window breakfast nook brings more attention to the backyard, and created a focal point for the back of the house.
A covered porch with a gas fireplace is located just off the kitchen. It's a great spot to look out over the gorgeous backyard. If you want to add a pool, it's going to be easy, as the yard was designed with all utilities below grade.
The master suite on the second floor was created by incorporating a smaller bedroom into the space. Ceilings were vaulted and beamed to create a sense of spaciousness without impinging on the intimacy of the room. That's a British Victoria + Albert volcanic limestone freestanding tub in the master bathroom along with Ann Sacks tile. Calgon, take me away!
Those guest quarters I mentioned earlier are 350 square feet of perfection that include a bedroom, bathroom, and wet bar.
Tyler Johnson with Gilchrist & Company Real Estate has this lovely listed for $1.95 million. It's not often you find an original Lakewood Tudor that has been so flawlessly renovated.


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Orthotics & Prosthetics
I'm the CEO and founder of Bickert's Orthotics & Prosthetics. I am also an American Board certified Prosthetist. I received my education at Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center and have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and Physics Education. During my professional career, I have worked with several different companies which have enabled me to experience all facets of the prosthetic and orthotics profession. I provide educational in-services to many hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and universities. I've designed prostheses for patients of all ages and levels of limb loss including: congenital amputees, inter-scapular thoracic, hip disarticulation, below knee, above knee and numerous bilaterals. I enjoy spending time with my wife and two daughters and coaching or watching them play soccer.
I've always strived to find ways to help others. Over 10 years ago my right leg was amputated below the knee. After months of recovery and therapy I was able to return to a normal and active lifestyle. Since then I have been looking for ways to help my community and my fellow amputees. As a peer visitor, I am a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen, and here to help in any way I can. I enjoy Ole Miss sports, the outdoors, and spending time with my amazing wife.
I have always felt blessed to help others in reaching whatever goals they are striving to achieve. I have worked in manufacturing facilities most of my career and each has been rewarding in different ways. By joining Bickert's Orthotics & Prosthetics, I get to see the strength and determination of patients that amazes me each day. I enjoy reading, organizing, photography and helping others. My true joy is being with my wonderful husband and two beautiful children.
I recently had the opportunity to travel with a prosthetic patient to Tanzania, Africa. I climbed alongside her and provided prosthetic support while she accomplished her lifelong goal of summiting Mount Kilimanjaro. It was incredibly inspiring to see a patient literally climb mountains, overcome obstacles and obtain her goals. This experience with my friend and patient is the personification of why I am in this field and why I am willing to go the extra mile. I find great joy in helping others reach their goals and no matter how grand or how small, I take pride in every "mountain" that is climbed.
I also enjoy all sports and played college soccer. Most important to me however, is my family including my wife and three kids.
After retiring (23 years) from Kimberly Clark, I joined Bickert's Orthotics & Prosthetics as the office administrator. It has been a rewarding job, meeting new people and seeing their lives change every day. My favorite saying is "I see more smiles going out the door than I do coming in." I am thankful to be able to work for such a great facility. I have been married for 33 years; have 2 daughters, 2 son-in-laws and 4 grandchildren. I love spending time with my wonderful family, traveling and meeting new people.


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Short sleep may harm bone health in older women
Can insufficient sleep be harmful to bone health? New research in postmenopausal women has found that those who slept for no longer than 5 hours per night were most likely to have lower bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis.
A team from the University at Buffalo, NY, led the study of 11,084 postmenopausal women, all of whom were participants in the Women's Health Initiative.
A recent paper in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research gives a full account of the findings.
The investigation follows an earlier one in which the team had linked short sleep to a higher likelihood of bone fracture in women.
"Our study suggests that sleep may negatively impact bone health, adding to the list of the negative health impacts of poor sleep," says lead study author Heather M. Ochs-Balcom, Ph.D., an associate professor of epidemiology and environmental health at the University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions.
"I hope," she adds, "that it can also serve as a reminder to strive for the recommended 7 or more hours of sleep per night for our physical and mental health."
Read more here.
All fields marked with an * are compulsory


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Category: Vacuum
Dibea F6 Handheld Cordless Vacuum Review
This is the second vacuum I've reviewed from GearBest. (Ok, ok the other was reviewed by my lovely wife, with much help from me.) Anyway I decided to run the show on this one. This is a handheld Dyson-like vortex/canister vacuum.
Yes this is a bit of a departure from my normal posts here. I believe I'll start using Thursday as my one-off reviews. Like vacuums!!


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Ginger Citrus Rice (Nauru)
Yields: 6 Servings
2 tablespoons gingerroot peeled and grated
1/2 teaspoon cumin ground
1 red pepper finely minced
2 cups rice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large lime zested and juiced
2 tablespoons butter
Cook rice as usual until tender. Keep rice aside.
Melt butter in saucepan, add ginger and cumin and cook for 1 minute. Add red pepper, cook for another minute.
Stir in cooked rice and salt. Reduce heat to low. Stir in lime juice and zest. Remove from heat.
Link to My Post on Nauru: https://theworldfrommykitchen.wordpress.com/2014/09/04/nauru/
Cuisine : Nauruan
Main Ingredient : Rice
Citrus Fillets (Nauru)
Yields: 6 Servings
2 lbs fish fillets
2 large onions sliced
3 lemons, sliced
3 oranges, sliced
1/2 cup butter cut into pats
1 teaspoon seasoning salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
5 bay leaves
1 tablespoon parsley
1 can pineapple chunks
Grease a 13×9 baking dish. Place sliced onions in a layer on the bottom of the pan. Place fish fillets on top of the onions and season with the seasoned salt, pepper, garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes, and parsley.
Place the bay leaves in the pan around the fish. Squeeze the lemon and orange slices over the fish, then place the slices around the fish in the pan. Place pats of butter around the fish in the pan. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
In a small saucepan, warm the pineapple. After the 20 minutes, remove from oven and remove foil. Drain most of the liquid from the pan.
Spoon the warmed pineapple over the fish. Bake at 350 degrees, uncovered, for 10 more minutes.
Link to My Post on Nauru: https://theworldfrommykitchen.wordpress.com/2014/09/04/nauru/
Cuisine : Nauruan
Main Ingredient : Fish
Original recipes: http://www.food.com/recipe/ginger-citrus-rice-459788


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- This event has passed.
SuperReturn Africa 2019
December 2, 2019 - December 4, 2019
Africa's largest private equity and venture capital event will be back in Cape Town this year. This is an opportunity to meet over 550 influential members of the global private equity community. 550+ senior private equity decision makers together in one place for 3 days comes round only once a year in Africa. You can therefore raise your profile and your brand exposure at the event and demonstrate how you can help 550+ potential clients.
Venue: The Westin Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Date: 2 – 4 December 2019
Time: Whole day event
Email: email@example.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 7017 7200
Website: https://finance.knect365.com/superreturn-africa/agenda/2


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- Theropod (meat-eater)
- Cretaceous Age
- Unidentified Formation
- Utah
- This is a RARE specimen to come by! The specimen will come in the 2 3/8″ x 2 3/8″ display box with Label as Shown.
The theropod (meaning "beast-footed") dinosaurs are a diverse group of bipedal saurischian dinosaurs. They include the largest terrestrial carnivores ever to have made the earth tremble. What most people think of as theropods (e.g., T. rex, Deinonychus) are extinct today, but recent studies have conclusively shown that birds are actually the descendants of small nonflying theropods. Thus when people say that dinosaurs are extinct, they are technically not correct. Still it's not as exciting seeing a sparrow at your birdfeeder as it would be to see a Tyrannosaurus rex there.


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Let's get the demons out of the way right off the bat. Demons are filling my room today: black despairing demons spiraling down, down.
Myself, I blame it on the weather. They told us warm (or perhaps it was just wishful thinking that made me hear that) and yet it's cold. I knew it would be. I knew there'd be no spring for us this year. "Warmer" is a dying concept. "Colder" is what we'll get, over and over.
All right. Get a grip. Remember that cold is simply a sensation. Your lifelong fear of cold is based on some frozen childhood memory, not on any kind of reality. Re-read that line above: cold is simply a sensation: a sensation like that of warm water running over your hands as you wash them; the sensation of smoky chocolate squares melting between a hot tongue and a hard palate. Cold is just another sensation. Enjoy it.
After all, what will happen when it does finally get warm this spring? It'll be time to clean the house, won't it? Time to take the area rugs out to the back porch and sling them, one at a time, over the railing. What we really need, of course, is to string a strong clothesline across the back yard so that we can sling those carpets over the line and beat them with the carpet beater. Air them out. Release the fleas and mites and dust bunnies, all the indoor winter creatures. Shake them out, beat them out so that you can carry a cool, pristine carpet back into the house and lay it on the newly washed and polished floor.
And what a pipe dream that is, eh? There may be a day or two, once the air is fresh instead of freezing, when I'll actually open the windows, wash a few of them, and empty out a closet or a drawer. I've always admired a woman who spring cleans thoroughly, setting aside a week to revive her home and make it ready for a new season. I've admired her, but I haven't aspired to be her.
Right now I'm trying to adjust to the new slant of the sun as it lowers in the afternoon. It streams through my front windows and spreads light all over the living room and dining room floor, illuminating, with its low angle, every single crumb, every bit of dust on the floor. So these days I find myself daily with my little brush-and-dustpan set, crouching to sweep up what the sun has uncovered. I assume that the floorboards beyond the reach of the sunlight are equally dust-affected, but that really is not my business. Out of sight, out of mind.
Let's go back to that sturdy clothesline over which one might, in spring, sling one's carpets. I want one! Not for carpets but for my overheated, over-tumbled clothing. It is probable that I'll only use it in the summer, but I want to hang towels outside and let them dry to a rough texture that will buff my showered skin. I want my sheets to whip in the wind until the cotton fibers go weak and soft and carry the outdoors smell into my bedroom. I want real feelings to surround my clothes, not the stale lump-thump of the dryer.
I remember carrying bushel baskets of laundry outside and pegging the wet, wrung clothes to the line with wooden spring-type clothes pins. Shirt-tail to shirt-tail to shirt-tail. The economy of overlapping each garment with its neighbor, using three pins instead of four to hang two garments. Socks pinned in pairs if they were thin, pinned singly if they were thick, to avoid damp toes. Sheets folded in half so as not to sweep the ground in their swinging. And everything hung so neatly (although without the controlling persnicketiness of those who said you had to hang sheets first, then towels, then kitchen towels, then skirtsor whatever the order was supposed to be). My joy and pride was simply to pin the clothes precisely at two edges instead of pegging them with one central pin that left the garment to float like an abandoned rag from its single anchor. My standards weren't high, but oh, I was proud of my clothes line.
Lacking a clothesline, on very hot summer days, I lug my collapsible wooden clothes rack to the back yard and drape my washing over the wooden rungs as efficiently as I can. The sun dries everything eventually. But the wooden rack prohibits flapping in the wind, and space is too limited for me to display the washing beautifully for all to see. It's better than the dryer, but it's just not the same as a real clothesline.
Copyright 2009 Ann Tudor