Some kinks, and some dead links...EmilyJayne.com
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
New Year; New Site
I thought along with the new year, I'd kick off the welcome of a new website! Yeah, I know. I just did one at the start of this blog. Yeah, get used to it. I create websites to fit to my stage in life, to use and hone my skills and imagination, and keep my mind organized. I find my webpage can be a reflection of my mind. If it's a mess, I feel like a mess and vise versa.
Some kinks, and some dead links...EmilyJayne.com
Some kinks, and some dead links...EmilyJayne.com
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Panacea
In Greek mythology, Panacea was the goddess of healing. She was the daughter of Asclepius, god of medicine, and the granddaughter of Apollo, god of healing (among other things).
Panacea was said to have a poultice or potion with which she healed the sick. This brought about the concept of the panacea in medicine. 'Panace' is also the term for heal-all herbs, and an Asterix character.
Panacea was said to have a poultice or potion with which she healed the sick. This brought about the concept of the panacea in medicine. 'Panace' is also the term for heal-all herbs, and an Asterix character.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
The Sharper Your Knife, The Less You Cry
Just finished The Sharper Your Knife, The Less you Cry by Kathleen Flinn. A true story of food, romance, Paris and a lifelong dream: a degree from famed Le Cordon Bleu culinary school.
Here's the publisher's description from Kathleen's website:
In 2003, Kathleen Flinn, a thirty-six-year-old American living and working in London, returned from vacation to find that her corporate job had been eliminated. Ignoring her mother's advice that she get another job immediately or "never get hired anywhere ever again," Flinn instead cleared out her savings and moved to Paris to pursue a dream-a diploma from the famed Le Cordon Bleu.
The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry is the touching and remarkably funny account of Flinn's transformation as she moves through the school's intense program and falls deeply in love along the way. Flinn interweaves more than two dozen recipes with a unique look inside Le Cordon Bleu amid battles with demanding chefs, competitive classmates, and her "wretchedly inadequate" French. Flinn offers a vibrant portrait of Paris, one in which the sights and sounds of the city's street markets and purveyors come alive in rich detail.
The ultimate wish fulfillment book, her story is a true testament to pursuing a dream. Fans of Julie & Julia, My LIfe in France, and Eat, Pray, Love will be amused, inspired, and richly rewarded by this seductive tale of romance, Paris, and French food. (OK, so that's what my publisher says...)
Here's the publisher's description from Kathleen's website:
In 2003, Kathleen Flinn, a thirty-six-year-old American living and working in London, returned from vacation to find that her corporate job had been eliminated. Ignoring her mother's advice that she get another job immediately or "never get hired anywhere ever again," Flinn instead cleared out her savings and moved to Paris to pursue a dream-a diploma from the famed Le Cordon Bleu.
The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry is the touching and remarkably funny account of Flinn's transformation as she moves through the school's intense program and falls deeply in love along the way. Flinn interweaves more than two dozen recipes with a unique look inside Le Cordon Bleu amid battles with demanding chefs, competitive classmates, and her "wretchedly inadequate" French. Flinn offers a vibrant portrait of Paris, one in which the sights and sounds of the city's street markets and purveyors come alive in rich detail.
The ultimate wish fulfillment book, her story is a true testament to pursuing a dream. Fans of Julie & Julia, My LIfe in France, and Eat, Pray, Love will be amused, inspired, and richly rewarded by this seductive tale of romance, Paris, and French food. (OK, so that's what my publisher says...)
The aliens and Roswell
My new couch potato obsession (like Dawson's Creek [which I hate] but with aliens) - check 'em out:
http://www.hulu.com/roswell
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
This just in ~ "Mr. Dick"
When Cheshire cats and queen of broken hearts dance, it's time to call for a beheading.
Monday, November 10, 2008
New Video: "See It My Way" ~ Emily Jayne
I never thought I could sail in a bathtub. Now for the rubber ducky... :)
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Occam's razor
Reminds me of "once you have eliminated the impossible, whatever is left, however improbable, must be the truth."
Occam's razor (sometimes spelled Ockham's razor) is a principle attributed to the 14th-century English logician and Franciscan friar, William of Ockham. The principle states that the explanation of any phenomenon should make as few assumptions as possible, eliminating those that make no difference in the observable predictions of the explanatory hypothesis or theory. The principle is often expressed in Latin as the lex parsimoniae ("law of parsimony" or "law of succinctness"): "entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem", roughly translated as "entities must not be multiplied beyond necessity". An alternative version "Pluralitas non est ponenda sine necessitate" translates "plurality should not be posited without necessity". [1]
This is often paraphrased as "All other things being equal, the simplest solution is the best." In other words, when multiple competing theories are equal in other respects, the principle recommends selecting the theory that introduces the fewest assumptions and postulates the fewest entities. It is in this sense that Occam's razor is usually understood.
Originally a tenet of the reductionist philosophy of nominalism, it is more often taken today as an heuristic maxim (rule of thumb) that advises economy, parsimony, or simplicity, often or especially in scientific theories. -WIKIPEDIA
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Schrödinger's cat
Schrödinger's Cat: A cat, along with a flask containing a poison, is placed in a sealed box shielded against environmentally induced quantum decoherence. If a Geiger counter detects radiation then the flask is shattered, releasing the poison which kills the cat. Quantum mechanics suggests that after a while the cat is simultaneously alive and dead. Yet, when we look in the box, we see the cat either alive or dead, not a mixture of alive and dead.
Electromagnetic radiation and health
In 2001, Ahlbom et al conducted a review into EMFs and Health, and found that there was a doubling in childhood leukemia for magnetic fields of over 0.4 µT, though importantly summarised that "This is difficult to interpret in the absence of a known mechanism or reproducible experimental support".[24] In 2007, the UK Health Protection Agency produced a paper showing that 43% of homes with magnetic fields of over 0.4 µT are associated with overground or underground circuits of 132 kV and above.[25]
Ahlbom's findings were echoed by Draper et al in 2005 when a 70% increase was found in childhood leukaemia for those living within 200 metres (656 ft) of an overhead transmission line, and a 23% increase for those living between 200 metres (656 ft) and 600 m (1,969 ft). Both of these results were statistically significant.[26] The authors considered it unlikely that the increase between 200 metres (656 ft) and 600 m (1,969 ft) is related to magnetic fields as they are well below 0.4 µT at this distance. Bristol University (UK) has published work on a theory that could account for this increase, and would also provide a potential mechanism, being that the electric fields around power lines attract aerosol pollutants.[27] [28]
The World Health Organisation issued Factsheet N°263 in October, 2001 on ELF (Extremely low frequency) EMFs and cancer. It said that they were “possibly carcinogenic”, based primarily on IARC's similar evaluation with respect to childhood leukemia. It also said that there was “insufficient” data to draw any conclusions on other cancers.[29] The WHO issued a new factsheet, N°322, in June, 2007 based on the findings of a WHO workgroup (2007), the IARC (2002) and the ICNIRP (2003), which reviewed research conducted since the earlier publication. The factsheet says “that there are no substantive health issues related to ELF electric fields at levels generally encountered by members of the public.” For ELF magnetic fields, the factsheet says “the evidence related to childhood leukaemia is not strong enough to be considered causal”, and “[as regards] other childhood cancers, cancers in adults, ... The WHO Task Group concluded that scientific evidence supporting an association between ELF magnetic field exposure and all of these health effects is much weaker than for childhood leukaemia. In some instances (i.e. for ... breast cancer) the evidence suggests that these fields do not cause them.”[10
Ahlbom's findings were echoed by Draper et al in 2005 when a 70% increase was found in childhood leukaemia for those living within 200 metres (656 ft) of an overhead transmission line, and a 23% increase for those living between 200 metres (656 ft) and 600 m (1,969 ft). Both of these results were statistically significant.[26] The authors considered it unlikely that the increase between 200 metres (656 ft) and 600 m (1,969 ft) is related to magnetic fields as they are well below 0.4 µT at this distance. Bristol University (UK) has published work on a theory that could account for this increase, and would also provide a potential mechanism, being that the electric fields around power lines attract aerosol pollutants.[27] [28]
The World Health Organisation issued Factsheet N°263 in October, 2001 on ELF (Extremely low frequency) EMFs and cancer. It said that they were “possibly carcinogenic”, based primarily on IARC's similar evaluation with respect to childhood leukemia. It also said that there was “insufficient” data to draw any conclusions on other cancers.[29] The WHO issued a new factsheet, N°322, in June, 2007 based on the findings of a WHO workgroup (2007), the IARC (2002) and the ICNIRP (2003), which reviewed research conducted since the earlier publication. The factsheet says “that there are no substantive health issues related to ELF electric fields at levels generally encountered by members of the public.” For ELF magnetic fields, the factsheet says “the evidence related to childhood leukaemia is not strong enough to be considered causal”, and “[as regards] other childhood cancers, cancers in adults, ... The WHO Task Group concluded that scientific evidence supporting an association between ELF magnetic field exposure and all of these health effects is much weaker than for childhood leukaemia. In some instances (i.e. for ... breast cancer) the evidence suggests that these fields do not cause them.”[10
Monday, October 13, 2008
Watch Movies Online
I've been watching some classics (and not so classics) online at Hulu. I was looking for "Bones" episodes and started watching movies. There are a few ads, but nothing like TV.
The sister site (I presume) is http://www.fancast.com/home
The sister site (I presume) is http://www.fancast.com/home
Monday, September 29, 2008
One Jerk’s Opinion: The 2008 Beaner’s Songwriter Competition
One Jerk’s Opinion: The 2008 Beaner’s songwriter competition (ONLINE EXCLUSIVE)
Matthew R. Perrine Budgeteer NewsPublished Monday, September 29, 2008
If you’re a Beaner’s regular, the changing of the seasons isn’t marked by the trees’ pretty colors; it's marked by the annual concert series One Week Live. And, for the past five years, Jason Wussow has been setting aside one night of this jam-packed series (which honors his coffee shop’s “birthdays”) for a songwriters competition.
This time around, I had the honor of serving as one of its judges. I was joined by Chris Garett, a bona fide Duluth music fan, and three representatives of the Twin Ports’ busy radio market: KUWS’s resident superstar DJ, Walt Dizzo, and Tim Roubik and Maija Morton, with The Bridge and KUMD, respectively.
I wanted to recap the night (it was held last Wednesday) because, as you might imagine, there was a lot of “undiscovered” talent up there on that stage. While each performer was only allotted two songs, it was obvious that there was a lot of memorable, heart-felt music being made up there. That said, it’d be a plain shame if you didn’t know who these performers are and what kind of music they peddle. (In the issue of fairness, I have provided — wherever available — links to the artists’ Web sites. You know, so you don’t just have to take my/one jerk’s word for it.)
The Beaner's songwriting competition judges for 2008, from left: KUMD's Maija Morton, the Budgeteer's Matthew R. Perrine, Tim Roubik of The Bridge, KUWS DJ Walt Dizzo and Duluth music fan Chris Garett. Image courtesy Jason Wussow/Beaner's Central
Dustin Ralston • It’s never easy to be first in any sort of competition, and that goes double for fledgling (and admittedly nervous) hometown songwriters. That said, I wouldn’t dismiss Ralston because of these two awkward numbers. As optimistic as his MySpace greeting is, I’m sure we’ll be hearing a lot from this upstart in the coming years: “I really don’t intend on leaving my hometown. If my music ever does ‘make it,’ I have all the inspiration I need right here: an amazing girlfriend, a beautiful city with abnormal weather conditions, a decent-paying job and wonderful friends ... and besides, I can record from the comfort of my own home.” YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.myspace.com/dustinralston
Billy Southern • Like fellow competitor Greg Tiburzi (see below), it’s no secret that I’m a fan of this talented local songwriter, so I’ll just lift some lines from my review of “Swamp Dog” (and urge you to read the rest of the album review — see link at left): Southern’s music is a by-the-books example of “the Duluth sound,” as it’s is chock full of earthy, non-aggressive melodies, blatant local references and folksy instrumentation. YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.myspace.com/billysouthernmusic
Sam Dull • Despite his unfortunate surname — and S----- Beatles jokes from “Wayne’s World” notwithstanding... — this Beaner’s employee sure turned some heads with his two-song “mini set.” It sounded like he wrote all of his songs for an alternative rock band, like Incubus (or something less insulting), so it’d be nice to hear them in their perceived natural setting.
Kim Monson • Without her band, the Fish Heads, to lean on, Monson said she felt a little naked. To this, the night’s quirky (but 85 percent entertaining) emcee suggested she should try writing naked so the transition would be easier. Big laughs were had by all, but that wasn’t the case when she played: her two selections were terrifically sad. Actually, like Brenda Weiler’s album “End the Rain,” they were almost the definition of melancholy. YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.bigfishtunes.com/fishheads.html
Jason Robuk • The night’s sole hip-hop performer, Jason Robuk (aka Mechanic of the Super Group) seemed a bit out of place. As far as his rhymes are concerned, I’d place this Badly Drawn Boy lookalike’s skills at the same level as Brougham’s Luke Sick circa “7th Grade.” No better, no worse. YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.myspace.com/seedsofvietnam
George Kaplan • I was pleasantly surprised by St. Paul’s George Kaplan, who was playing one of his first solo outings. His mature, Bob-Dylan-fronting-the-Dropkick-Murphys voice made him seem at least 10 years older. Even when he flubbed his lines from time to time, he kept the show rolling right on track. Hopefully he’ll be coming back to the area someday soon. YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.myspace.com/georgekaplan
The Tico Three • The Tico Three, né Israel “Mo” Malachi, is one hell of a performer. While I quickly lost interest with his second selection, a self-indulgent display of “furious fretwork” if I ever did see one, its predecessor was quite a different story. Like a twisted concoction of Neil Young’s songwriting and Buckethead’s ability to back up himself, it was utterly inspiring. Here’s hoping he balances out his Mike McCready-leaning tendencies and opts for a less-flamboyant performance style. YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.myspace.com/theticothree
Drew Anderson • My pick for the night’s best “find.” I know others have warmed to the magical presence of Anderson’s somewhat-quirky batch of songs, but I hadn’t had the pleasure until Wednesday night. For the uninitiated, Anderson is all at once evocative of Radiohead, Brian Wilson and Nerf Herder (though not nearly as irreverent). Definitely one to watch. YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.myspace.com/drewanderson
Stephanie Dykema • While I have nothing against Steph’s most visible musical outlet, the Brushstrokes, her solo stuff just didn’t do it for me. True, she is an extraordinary performer — her songs filled Beaner’s — but the lyrics of “Linger” and “Naked” made me feel ... awkward. Saying “I really don’t hate men” was a nice gesture, but I still felt like there was a party going on onstage that only half of the audience was invited to. YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.myspace.com/thebrushstrokes
Mark Blom • My first thought about this guy’s performance: “If he’s not in the Alrights already, he needs to call them up ASAP.” It sounded as if he was directly involved in the “Meeting of the St. Louis County League of Volunteer Astronauts: Excerpts from the Keynote Address” EP’s songwriting process. Good stuff, but a little too poppy for most, I reckon. Still, he proved popular with the judges: second place! (Confidential to M.B.: I know I must’ve looked awfully rude eating a “Naughty Bird” during your set — especially after you had just made a crack about the people who come to your place of employment’s open mic night and mow down on wings — but A) those sandwiches are utterly delicious and B) it had been nine-plus hours since I’d had anything to eat. I was starving. So lay off!)
Emily Jayne • Oh boy, here goes another “compliment sandwich”: (+) Cloquet’s Emily Jayne is a polished performer, whose songs are as radio-ready as they come. (-) However, they just happen to fall under the umbrella of adult contemporary — which, if you know me at all, is pretty much the last thing I’d ever want to be listening to. (+) She seems to have a winning personality, though, seeing as all of her friends in attendance helped her land the coveted People’s Choice award for the night. YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.myspace.com/demonsthatbite
John Derke • Don’t listen to John Derke when he says, “I make noise.” With a voice evocative of both Live’s Ed Kowalczyk and the Standard’s Tim Putnam, there was no way this performer was going to lose any points from this judge. YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.myspace.com/johnderke
Adam Depre • Old Knifey and the Cutthroats' Adam Depre is a solid songwriter and performer, and, better still, he has a sense of humor: After playing the stunningly authentic “Ain’t Never Tried Blues,” he said his second song, a C&W-soaked ode to whiskey, cigarettes and country music, was “about a girl.” YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.myspace.com/oldknifeyandthecutthroats
Greg Tiburzi • As was the case with Billy Southern, it’s no secret that I’m a big fan of third-place winner Greg Tiburzi’s work, so I’ll leave you with a line from my review of his album “In a Blue Haze” (and urge you to read the full review — see attached story): “This guy is good … real good.” YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.myspace.com/gregtiburzi
Steve Isakson • Talk about versatility. Isakson’s solo acoustic adventures sounded nothing like the reggae-leaning grooves of his regular group, Max Dakota & Modern Life. While I wasn’t blown away by his performance — I didn’t really hear anything fresh or “unexpected” — he did have the highest overall score amongst the judges. Not bad, especially considering that he was a last-minute addition after scheduled contestant Seth Doud (of Off the Mike Mark) failed to show up.
Taken from http://www.duluthbudgeteer.com/articles/index.cfm?id=22997
Matthew R. Perrine Budgeteer NewsPublished Monday, September 29, 2008
If you’re a Beaner’s regular, the changing of the seasons isn’t marked by the trees’ pretty colors; it's marked by the annual concert series One Week Live. And, for the past five years, Jason Wussow has been setting aside one night of this jam-packed series (which honors his coffee shop’s “birthdays”) for a songwriters competition.
This time around, I had the honor of serving as one of its judges. I was joined by Chris Garett, a bona fide Duluth music fan, and three representatives of the Twin Ports’ busy radio market: KUWS’s resident superstar DJ, Walt Dizzo, and Tim Roubik and Maija Morton, with The Bridge and KUMD, respectively.
I wanted to recap the night (it was held last Wednesday) because, as you might imagine, there was a lot of “undiscovered” talent up there on that stage. While each performer was only allotted two songs, it was obvious that there was a lot of memorable, heart-felt music being made up there. That said, it’d be a plain shame if you didn’t know who these performers are and what kind of music they peddle. (In the issue of fairness, I have provided — wherever available — links to the artists’ Web sites. You know, so you don’t just have to take my/one jerk’s word for it.)
The Beaner's songwriting competition judges for 2008, from left: KUMD's Maija Morton, the Budgeteer's Matthew R. Perrine, Tim Roubik of The Bridge, KUWS DJ Walt Dizzo and Duluth music fan Chris Garett. Image courtesy Jason Wussow/Beaner's Central
Dustin Ralston • It’s never easy to be first in any sort of competition, and that goes double for fledgling (and admittedly nervous) hometown songwriters. That said, I wouldn’t dismiss Ralston because of these two awkward numbers. As optimistic as his MySpace greeting is, I’m sure we’ll be hearing a lot from this upstart in the coming years: “I really don’t intend on leaving my hometown. If my music ever does ‘make it,’ I have all the inspiration I need right here: an amazing girlfriend, a beautiful city with abnormal weather conditions, a decent-paying job and wonderful friends ... and besides, I can record from the comfort of my own home.” YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.myspace.com/dustinralston
Billy Southern • Like fellow competitor Greg Tiburzi (see below), it’s no secret that I’m a fan of this talented local songwriter, so I’ll just lift some lines from my review of “Swamp Dog” (and urge you to read the rest of the album review — see link at left): Southern’s music is a by-the-books example of “the Duluth sound,” as it’s is chock full of earthy, non-aggressive melodies, blatant local references and folksy instrumentation. YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.myspace.com/billysouthernmusic
Sam Dull • Despite his unfortunate surname — and S----- Beatles jokes from “Wayne’s World” notwithstanding... — this Beaner’s employee sure turned some heads with his two-song “mini set.” It sounded like he wrote all of his songs for an alternative rock band, like Incubus (or something less insulting), so it’d be nice to hear them in their perceived natural setting.
Kim Monson • Without her band, the Fish Heads, to lean on, Monson said she felt a little naked. To this, the night’s quirky (but 85 percent entertaining) emcee suggested she should try writing naked so the transition would be easier. Big laughs were had by all, but that wasn’t the case when she played: her two selections were terrifically sad. Actually, like Brenda Weiler’s album “End the Rain,” they were almost the definition of melancholy. YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.bigfishtunes.com/fishheads.html
Jason Robuk • The night’s sole hip-hop performer, Jason Robuk (aka Mechanic of the Super Group) seemed a bit out of place. As far as his rhymes are concerned, I’d place this Badly Drawn Boy lookalike’s skills at the same level as Brougham’s Luke Sick circa “7th Grade.” No better, no worse. YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.myspace.com/seedsofvietnam
George Kaplan • I was pleasantly surprised by St. Paul’s George Kaplan, who was playing one of his first solo outings. His mature, Bob-Dylan-fronting-the-Dropkick-Murphys voice made him seem at least 10 years older. Even when he flubbed his lines from time to time, he kept the show rolling right on track. Hopefully he’ll be coming back to the area someday soon. YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.myspace.com/georgekaplan
The Tico Three • The Tico Three, né Israel “Mo” Malachi, is one hell of a performer. While I quickly lost interest with his second selection, a self-indulgent display of “furious fretwork” if I ever did see one, its predecessor was quite a different story. Like a twisted concoction of Neil Young’s songwriting and Buckethead’s ability to back up himself, it was utterly inspiring. Here’s hoping he balances out his Mike McCready-leaning tendencies and opts for a less-flamboyant performance style. YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.myspace.com/theticothree
Drew Anderson • My pick for the night’s best “find.” I know others have warmed to the magical presence of Anderson’s somewhat-quirky batch of songs, but I hadn’t had the pleasure until Wednesday night. For the uninitiated, Anderson is all at once evocative of Radiohead, Brian Wilson and Nerf Herder (though not nearly as irreverent). Definitely one to watch. YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.myspace.com/drewanderson
Stephanie Dykema • While I have nothing against Steph’s most visible musical outlet, the Brushstrokes, her solo stuff just didn’t do it for me. True, she is an extraordinary performer — her songs filled Beaner’s — but the lyrics of “Linger” and “Naked” made me feel ... awkward. Saying “I really don’t hate men” was a nice gesture, but I still felt like there was a party going on onstage that only half of the audience was invited to. YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.myspace.com/thebrushstrokes
Mark Blom • My first thought about this guy’s performance: “If he’s not in the Alrights already, he needs to call them up ASAP.” It sounded as if he was directly involved in the “Meeting of the St. Louis County League of Volunteer Astronauts: Excerpts from the Keynote Address” EP’s songwriting process. Good stuff, but a little too poppy for most, I reckon. Still, he proved popular with the judges: second place! (Confidential to M.B.: I know I must’ve looked awfully rude eating a “Naughty Bird” during your set — especially after you had just made a crack about the people who come to your place of employment’s open mic night and mow down on wings — but A) those sandwiches are utterly delicious and B) it had been nine-plus hours since I’d had anything to eat. I was starving. So lay off!)
Emily Jayne • Oh boy, here goes another “compliment sandwich”: (+) Cloquet’s Emily Jayne is a polished performer, whose songs are as radio-ready as they come. (-) However, they just happen to fall under the umbrella of adult contemporary — which, if you know me at all, is pretty much the last thing I’d ever want to be listening to. (+) She seems to have a winning personality, though, seeing as all of her friends in attendance helped her land the coveted People’s Choice award for the night. YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.myspace.com/demonsthatbite
John Derke • Don’t listen to John Derke when he says, “I make noise.” With a voice evocative of both Live’s Ed Kowalczyk and the Standard’s Tim Putnam, there was no way this performer was going to lose any points from this judge. YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.myspace.com/johnderke
Adam Depre • Old Knifey and the Cutthroats' Adam Depre is a solid songwriter and performer, and, better still, he has a sense of humor: After playing the stunningly authentic “Ain’t Never Tried Blues,” he said his second song, a C&W-soaked ode to whiskey, cigarettes and country music, was “about a girl.” YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.myspace.com/oldknifeyandthecutthroats
Greg Tiburzi • As was the case with Billy Southern, it’s no secret that I’m a big fan of third-place winner Greg Tiburzi’s work, so I’ll leave you with a line from my review of his album “In a Blue Haze” (and urge you to read the full review — see attached story): “This guy is good … real good.” YOU BE THE JUDGE: www.myspace.com/gregtiburzi
Steve Isakson • Talk about versatility. Isakson’s solo acoustic adventures sounded nothing like the reggae-leaning grooves of his regular group, Max Dakota & Modern Life. While I wasn’t blown away by his performance — I didn’t really hear anything fresh or “unexpected” — he did have the highest overall score amongst the judges. Not bad, especially considering that he was a last-minute addition after scheduled contestant Seth Doud (of Off the Mike Mark) failed to show up.
Taken from http://www.duluthbudgeteer.com/articles/index.cfm?id=22997
Saturday, September 27, 2008
WVO, SVO, Biodiesel, MN law and taxes
Here's some info from a site I came across that was a little hard to find. But now I did, and I want to share it with you. If you're interested in installing a greasekit in your diesel car in Minnesota, read below.
"I commute 100+ miles to work 5 or 6 times a week, that adds up very quickly on anybody's odometer! And it get's worse when you look at a vehicles fuel mileage/ fuel bill. with the cost of gasoline headed up last Spring I decided to find a vehicle with a high MPG rating. Most are high bred's such as the Toyota Prius or Honda Insight which are Gas/Electric & are short on track record, yet. I decided on a diesel, proven economy, dependability, & flexibility on fuel.
On the following pages I attempt to explain how you can do this too! I also want to give you a "hands on" view of problems you can expect or avoid from my experiences. Sorry, put your credit card away I'm not selling anything.
For anyone looking for Bio-diesel Info this is the wrong site. As I am all for Bio-diesel, but I don't deal with it for a variety of reasons:
1. Ethanol or Methanol is required for the making of Bio-diesel, it is very flammable!
2. Lye is required, & it too is very toxic.
3. It costs more to make Bio-diesel than SVO/WVO.
4. It is illegal to make Bio-diesel without a permit and paying Road Taxes.
5. I am not a chemist.
CONSUMER ALERT: When an add claims to be "Biodiesel ready" be cautious, as most vehicles are not ready for Biodiesel. To use Biodiesel in most vehicles the fuel lines, which are usually made of rubber, need to be replaced with a polyvinyl or Vinton type lines. Veg oil &/or biodiesel will break down the rubber and cause leakage.
And more things to watch out for, just 'cause an item is on a WVO Web Site don't believe it is the only place to get it. Case in point: A certain web page I came across is selling the cone type filters used in restaurants, (I use them as a coarse filter, prefilter if you will), a box of 50 for $24.95+shipping!!!! I buy the same thing from Dunbar's Inc., Sup.,WI for about $8.00. Everything on my pages should be able to be purchased locally.
A quick Thank-You to some of my Suppliers:
Ace Hardware of Sandstone, MN, Steve & the guys can help me out with most all those last minute needs.
Cummins of Duluth, MN, Roger & the rest of the guys behind the counter will know what your looking for in filter needs.
Duluth Sheet Metal, Great Guys at building Steel or Aluminum Fuel tanks at a reasonable price.
Foreign Affairs in Duluth, MN, Jeff and his crew work on all makes of European vehicles. This is Super great for me & many others as there are NO dealerships within 100+ miles for most makes,(VW, Porsche, Mercedes,etc.). Their knowledgeable staff are very accurate with their estimates and up-to-date with the latest servicing of vehicles.
The Latest: All Minnesota Residents, Please Read!!!
Spring update for 2008: Sent in my WVO Fuels tax for 2007! All $86.40. For anybody that hasent heard, we had a bridge collapse back in Aug. 2007. Brought on by bad design/maintenance/overuse/etc. so... Have heard from many people on their state tax woes, both in E-Mail & articles, & decided it's better to join them than fight. Besides, I save so much more than what the legal fees would be!
I have parts I will be hawking (selling), to any body that wants to do the copper Tube-in-a-tube set-up as I do, but don't have the expertise or tools to do the ends. Basically consists of a copper "T" with ends that use clamps & a brass nut to close the ends. I will be selling them in pairs, one for each end. They come with my year+ of actual use & no problem/leak history.
I'm also hoping to have a booklet available with nearly everything I can think of pertaining to WVO use! Including: Filtering, Design, Installation, Cold Weather Use, & a Short Cut Section all with ample color photos. This is aimed basically at Novices, converting VW & Mercedes, Basics of most other brands, & hopefully objective enough for you to decide wether WVO is for you, & wether to buy a kit or build your own as I have. Available May,'08
Dec. 28th, 2006 I receved a Letter from the Minnesota Internal Revenue Office, Grease Police, oops Petroleum Tax Unit. Seems some new laws have been passed requiring all of us Greasers to pay $.20/ Gal. on all WVO/SVO we've been using & will use in the future!
Yeah, that's right!!! Am looking into when this went into effect, Who authored the bill, & a lot more...
I spoke with Jeremy Neeck, Revenue Tax Specialist, about this. As they have no way of verifying one's usage, it is basically on an honor system at this time. However, let's get our input on this as soon as possible! Contact your Legislature or my self.
Please contact me through my Links page, your info will not be passed on, I want to get a movement going to have this at least revised. Diesel is taxed at 20cents/gal., WVO & Bio-Diesel, in my opinion, should be taxed at a lower rate, which I will explain in the future.
If you have immediate questions, you may contact: Jeremy Neeck, of the Petroleum Tax Unit at jeremy.neeck@state.mn.us phone: (507) 523-1030 or Michelle Zitur michelle.zitur@state.mn.us or (651) 556-6359.
I do believe as users of our hiways & byways we should pay tax. I don't believe as leaders in an alternative fuel we should pay as much, I also believe that if MN wants to be a Leader in the future of Alternative Fuels it needs to give us a break!
The fact sheet you will want to read is: Organic Oil Motor Fuel Tax - Fact Sheet 701. The Tax form is: Organic Oil Motor Fuel Tax Return - ORG-1.
Originally, when I talked to a MN Hiway Patrol Officer about WVO use he informed me we were looked at as Hybrid Vehicles, such as Toyota Prius & Honda Insight's. This has now changed of course! I want to push for a bill allowing us to continue as Hybrids, we start & stop on Diesel, a conventional fuel, and use an alternative fuel, WVO, at times. The problem with the state trying to regulate WVO (or Elec.), is they have NO way of knowing how much it's being used. I agree I should be, as well as people who make & use Bio-Diesel, paying Taxes, however, I believe we should get a break.
This could be in the form of:
1. Paying less per Gallon, instead of $.20/ gal. it should be cut in half, 10 cents/ gallon.
2. A credit on our Taxes for using Alternative Vehicles, ( Frankly I believe everybody who uses Public, Car pooling, or Alternative Transportation should get a credit).
3. Last resort would be a flat tax at time of yearly registration. Ranging from $25- 100.00
depending on vehicle Avg. MPG. Lower tax for vehicles with a higher MPG, more money for vehicles with a lower MPG that want to use WVO or Bio-Diesel.
If you think about it this make sense for a few reasons:
1. Wether we are using WVO or Biodiesel we are collecting a USED, ALREADY TAXED & PAID FOR REFUSE! We are keeping this out of landfills, in most cases in my neck of the woods, the WVO is thrown into dumpsters. The WVO collection companies everybody has read about in the Mpls. Trib. last summer, that collects the used oil & replaces it with new, at a cost of $3000-5000 & a commitment of 5 years, are not going to come up to each of the restaurants for the 10-20 gallons of wvo every week or two! Not 1 eatery up here could afford that!
2. We have modified &/or purchased equipment (invested), to do this. I typically spend about $400/vehicle + the $200 or so for filtering. Not sure what the Bio-Diesel investments are, but have heard $2000 is not unusual.
3. The fuel we are burning is cleaner! State can't discount that, considering they have mandated 2% Bio-Diesel in all diesel a year & a half ago!!!
4. If the state of Minnesota wants to stay at the front line of Enviromentally Friendly Policies they should make right by the people who have taken the initiative to start, ambition to act, & willingness to fight for what is right! Especially considering we are not asking for thousands of dollars to go into a business that cannot survive without Government subsidies & law supported demand (I'll leave it at that).
5. And yea, there after me, cause of this web page, they have no real roadside test of knowing who is adding WVO to their Diesel without taking a sample & sending it in to a lab for testing. I suppose they could stand on the side of the freeway with their noses to the wind sniffing for fried food!!! lol
Something to think about...."
"I commute 100+ miles to work 5 or 6 times a week, that adds up very quickly on anybody's odometer! And it get's worse when you look at a vehicles fuel mileage/ fuel bill. with the cost of gasoline headed up last Spring I decided to find a vehicle with a high MPG rating. Most are high bred's such as the Toyota Prius or Honda Insight which are Gas/Electric & are short on track record, yet. I decided on a diesel, proven economy, dependability, & flexibility on fuel.
On the following pages I attempt to explain how you can do this too! I also want to give you a "hands on" view of problems you can expect or avoid from my experiences. Sorry, put your credit card away I'm not selling anything.
For anyone looking for Bio-diesel Info this is the wrong site. As I am all for Bio-diesel, but I don't deal with it for a variety of reasons:
1. Ethanol or Methanol is required for the making of Bio-diesel, it is very flammable!
2. Lye is required, & it too is very toxic.
3. It costs more to make Bio-diesel than SVO/WVO.
4. It is illegal to make Bio-diesel without a permit and paying Road Taxes.
5. I am not a chemist.
CONSUMER ALERT: When an add claims to be "Biodiesel ready" be cautious, as most vehicles are not ready for Biodiesel. To use Biodiesel in most vehicles the fuel lines, which are usually made of rubber, need to be replaced with a polyvinyl or Vinton type lines. Veg oil &/or biodiesel will break down the rubber and cause leakage.
And more things to watch out for, just 'cause an item is on a WVO Web Site don't believe it is the only place to get it. Case in point: A certain web page I came across is selling the cone type filters used in restaurants, (I use them as a coarse filter, prefilter if you will), a box of 50 for $24.95+shipping!!!! I buy the same thing from Dunbar's Inc., Sup.,WI for about $8.00. Everything on my pages should be able to be purchased locally.
A quick Thank-You to some of my Suppliers:
Ace Hardware of Sandstone, MN, Steve & the guys can help me out with most all those last minute needs.
Cummins of Duluth, MN, Roger & the rest of the guys behind the counter will know what your looking for in filter needs.
Duluth Sheet Metal, Great Guys at building Steel or Aluminum Fuel tanks at a reasonable price.
Foreign Affairs in Duluth, MN, Jeff and his crew work on all makes of European vehicles. This is Super great for me & many others as there are NO dealerships within 100+ miles for most makes,(VW, Porsche, Mercedes,etc.). Their knowledgeable staff are very accurate with their estimates and up-to-date with the latest servicing of vehicles.
The Latest: All Minnesota Residents, Please Read!!!
Spring update for 2008: Sent in my WVO Fuels tax for 2007! All $86.40. For anybody that hasent heard, we had a bridge collapse back in Aug. 2007. Brought on by bad design/maintenance/overuse/etc. so... Have heard from many people on their state tax woes, both in E-Mail & articles, & decided it's better to join them than fight. Besides, I save so much more than what the legal fees would be!
I have parts I will be hawking (selling), to any body that wants to do the copper Tube-in-a-tube set-up as I do, but don't have the expertise or tools to do the ends. Basically consists of a copper "T" with ends that use clamps & a brass nut to close the ends. I will be selling them in pairs, one for each end. They come with my year+ of actual use & no problem/leak history.
I'm also hoping to have a booklet available with nearly everything I can think of pertaining to WVO use! Including: Filtering, Design, Installation, Cold Weather Use, & a Short Cut Section all with ample color photos. This is aimed basically at Novices, converting VW & Mercedes, Basics of most other brands, & hopefully objective enough for you to decide wether WVO is for you, & wether to buy a kit or build your own as I have. Available May,'08
Dec. 28th, 2006 I receved a Letter from the Minnesota Internal Revenue Office, Grease Police, oops Petroleum Tax Unit. Seems some new laws have been passed requiring all of us Greasers to pay $.20/ Gal. on all WVO/SVO we've been using & will use in the future!
Yeah, that's right!!! Am looking into when this went into effect, Who authored the bill, & a lot more...
I spoke with Jeremy Neeck, Revenue Tax Specialist, about this. As they have no way of verifying one's usage, it is basically on an honor system at this time. However, let's get our input on this as soon as possible! Contact your Legislature or my self.
Please contact me through my Links page, your info will not be passed on, I want to get a movement going to have this at least revised. Diesel is taxed at 20cents/gal., WVO & Bio-Diesel, in my opinion, should be taxed at a lower rate, which I will explain in the future.
If you have immediate questions, you may contact: Jeremy Neeck, of the Petroleum Tax Unit at jeremy.neeck@state.mn.us phone: (507) 523-1030 or Michelle Zitur michelle.zitur@state.mn.us or (651) 556-6359.
I do believe as users of our hiways & byways we should pay tax. I don't believe as leaders in an alternative fuel we should pay as much, I also believe that if MN wants to be a Leader in the future of Alternative Fuels it needs to give us a break!
The fact sheet you will want to read is: Organic Oil Motor Fuel Tax - Fact Sheet 701. The Tax form is: Organic Oil Motor Fuel Tax Return - ORG-1.
Originally, when I talked to a MN Hiway Patrol Officer about WVO use he informed me we were looked at as Hybrid Vehicles, such as Toyota Prius & Honda Insight's. This has now changed of course! I want to push for a bill allowing us to continue as Hybrids, we start & stop on Diesel, a conventional fuel, and use an alternative fuel, WVO, at times. The problem with the state trying to regulate WVO (or Elec.), is they have NO way of knowing how much it's being used. I agree I should be, as well as people who make & use Bio-Diesel, paying Taxes, however, I believe we should get a break.
This could be in the form of:
1. Paying less per Gallon, instead of $.20/ gal. it should be cut in half, 10 cents/ gallon.
2. A credit on our Taxes for using Alternative Vehicles, ( Frankly I believe everybody who uses Public, Car pooling, or Alternative Transportation should get a credit).
3. Last resort would be a flat tax at time of yearly registration. Ranging from $25- 100.00
depending on vehicle Avg. MPG. Lower tax for vehicles with a higher MPG, more money for vehicles with a lower MPG that want to use WVO or Bio-Diesel.
If you think about it this make sense for a few reasons:
1. Wether we are using WVO or Biodiesel we are collecting a USED, ALREADY TAXED & PAID FOR REFUSE! We are keeping this out of landfills, in most cases in my neck of the woods, the WVO is thrown into dumpsters. The WVO collection companies everybody has read about in the Mpls. Trib. last summer, that collects the used oil & replaces it with new, at a cost of $3000-5000 & a commitment of 5 years, are not going to come up to each of the restaurants for the 10-20 gallons of wvo every week or two! Not 1 eatery up here could afford that!
2. We have modified &/or purchased equipment (invested), to do this. I typically spend about $400/vehicle + the $200 or so for filtering. Not sure what the Bio-Diesel investments are, but have heard $2000 is not unusual.
3. The fuel we are burning is cleaner! State can't discount that, considering they have mandated 2% Bio-Diesel in all diesel a year & a half ago!!!
4. If the state of Minnesota wants to stay at the front line of Enviromentally Friendly Policies they should make right by the people who have taken the initiative to start, ambition to act, & willingness to fight for what is right! Especially considering we are not asking for thousands of dollars to go into a business that cannot survive without Government subsidies & law supported demand (I'll leave it at that).
5. And yea, there after me, cause of this web page, they have no real roadside test of knowing who is adding WVO to their Diesel without taking a sample & sending it in to a lab for testing. I suppose they could stand on the side of the freeway with their noses to the wind sniffing for fried food!!! lol
Something to think about...."
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Beaners Songwriters Competition
What a wonderful night of music at the 2008 Beaners Songwriters Competition last night. I really enjoyed the diversity! I was invited to play. So I did! :) I chose "See It My Way" and "Prisoner Of Snow." I was the only person on keys, as usual! I did win the People's Choice Award though!
Thank you all for your support of local music! And Beaners!
http://www.beanerscentral.com/
Thank you all for your support of local music! And Beaners!
http://www.beanerscentral.com/
Friday, September 12, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
The Shire Concept
I Am Not There
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I did not die.
Joyce Fossen
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
The Blue Room
I recently learned of an fellow Alumni who took a terrible path. Read the article. I was inspired to dive deep into a place I didn't necessarily want to go. This news affected me strongly, not only as a victim but now as a mother. Out came this song.
The Blue Room
Listen my little one
You’ve seen through a rosey calm
Where are these monsters from?
Their mothers upside down
And I hate and I hate breadcrumbs left in the cold
And I hate and I hate plucking of a red rose
Where you can go
Wearing these pantyhose
What are they running from?
They know he’s an angels face
With a devils gun
And they hate and they hate bloomers lost in the snow
And they hate and they hate icicles in birthday clothes
Now you can go
How could I get lost on a blue day?
How long til I get these feet underneath me?
Hold tight while I scream “hope that I bleed”
Inside I wouldn’t mind if I died in the blue room
Inside your Blue Room
Under a blood red moon
You want my union
Lost in a scream from a silent coup
And I hate and I hate when the lights are out
And I hate and I hate when you push me down
You can go
How could I get lost on a blue day?
How long til I get these feet underneath me?
Hold tight while I scream “hope that I bleed”
Inside I wouldn’t mind if you died in the blue room
Monday, August 18, 2008
John's New Tattoo
Yesterday was a great day! I worked on John's Celtic Snake tattoo. It's been a challenge to say the least! John and I worked together on the design then I drew it up. It's a pretty rocking tattoo actually! As you can see in the pic, there's a knotted snake, with celtic knots as the scales. Woven in and out of that is vines and ivy. The snake head has a celtic trinity for mother, maiden, & crone. The head isn't done; needs shading. It'll need touchups, and some of the vines we'd like to add some more brown. Tattooed by me, Emily Jayne.
Friday, August 15, 2008
New Song! "See It My Way"
I wrote a new song today. I've been struggling for months and months to be creative at all, let alone pull a song together. I have been able to write music, but no lyrics. It just comes out of the piano into my hands. The lyrics; that requires more brain power. I need my wits about me to weave words together in a way that pleases me. I can't say my wits were there today, but I'm having a pretty darn good day overall. Guess something was in the stars. A completely new one jumped out.
I got to thinking about politics and relationships. After seeing Dark Knight and reading Angels and Demons, I have been thinking about political maneuvering. Here you go:
In this game we don’t keep score
I hear winning’s an elusive whore
She’s as easily mine as she is yours, is yours, is yours
With an ace in the hole
The last time you checked in
Our black and white worlds changing
We’re feeling underwater, will we sink or swim, or swim, or swim
Not loving my new fins
But you’re saying my love’s out of tune
And that you don’t mean to be rude
But you were holding all the cards
From the very start
You’re saying baby please won’t you stay
Stay and won’t you see it my way
I promise baby I won’t complain
A-baby, won’t you see it my way?
We’re tumbling out of control
I can only watch while it takes hold
Fear of emptiness sets in, in my skin, my skin, my skin
It’s our colors changing
While I'm ugly, I'm free
Don’t you know that it hurts me
I guess I won’t have to worry bout a thing, bout things, bout things
About your “thing”
But you’re saying my love’s out of tune
And that you don’t mean to be rude
But you were holding all the cards
From the very start
You’re saying baby please won’t you stay
Stay and won’t you see it my way
I promise baby I won’t complain
A-baby, won’t you see it my way?
Sometimes we love ourselves best alone
No ones’ home
Now you’re saying my love’s out of tune
And that you don't mean to be rude
But you were holding all the cards
From the very start
You’re saying baby please won’t you stay
Stay and won’t you see it my way
I promise baby I won’t complain
A-baby, won’t you please just stay?
Stay and won’t you see it my way, see it my way?
Now you can check out the video: YouTube
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Sara Bareilles - Love Song
Well, it took me way too long. I know a lot of people are into Sara Bareilles, but I was avoiding her because she's on every fricking ad on TV these days. One day, while browsing YouTube, I came across her video for Love Song. I can't say I love the video, but I realized that I should take this lady a little more seriously. She plays the piano. She's got a quirkiness that seems familiar. Hmm? Wonder where? Also, I just found out it was produced by Eric Rosse. Yup. None other than Tori Amos' early producer. I checked out Sara's complete CD on her website. I'm going to pick up the CD.
The Sims 3 Traits
This is a list of all the confirmed traits that will appear in The Sims 3 so far. The traits are a new system which will make Sims more unique, each Sim will have a selection of 5 traits which will define how the react and communicate with Sims around them.
All in all there will be 80 traits. Each Trait will have a specific manner in the way a Sim might act in a certain situation, for example a Loner Sims will not want to get married while a Nosy Sims will be poking around in another Sims business all the time.
All in all there will be 80 traits. Each Trait will have a specific manner in the way a Sim might act in a certain situation, for example a Loner Sims will not want to get married while a Nosy Sims will be poking around in another Sims business all the time.
Adverserial
Artistic
Athletic
Brave
Charismatic
Childish
Clumsy
Commitment Issues
Conversationalist
Creative
Cursed
Daredevil
Dreamer
Easily Bored
EVIL
Excitable
Family-Oriented
Flirty
Fortunate
Friendly
Frugal
Genius
Gloomy
Good Sense of Humor
Good
Green Thumbs
Gourmet
Grumpy
Handy
Hot-Headed
Hydrophobic
Idealistic
Inappropriate
Insensitive
Kleptomaniac
Light Sleeper
Loner
Lucky
Mooch
Natural Cook
Neat
Nice
Nosy
Outdoorsperson
Over-Emotional
Paranoid
Partier
Perfectionist
Pizza Lover
Playful
Romantic
Rude
Schmoozer
Shy
Slob
Socialite
Tramp
Unforgiving
Unlucky
Vegeterian
Whiney
Workaholic
Worrywart
Some More Books I've Been Reading...
Okay. Since I've been so under the weather lately, I've found myself just pouring in and absorbing books! No surprise to the rest of my extended family, who are big readers. I'm sure they're thinking "what took that girl so long to come around?!" I have gone through phases in my life, but nothing like this. I'm getting through a novel every two days. I fear at this rate, the local library will soon be inadequate. In the past, I've been playing the computer (The Sims2 or surfing the net.) Since I'm in the long haul with my health, this is far more peaceful. Here's a taste of the latest:
Tweak; Growing Up on Methamphetamines by Nic Sheff
Deception Point by Dan Brown
Girls In Trucks by Katie Crouch
Twisted Triangle;A Famous Crime Writer, a Lesbian Love Affair, and the FBI Husband's Violent Revenge by Caitlin Rother
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Electrical Sensitivity & Hypersensitivity
Can you believe it...?
What is Electrical Hypersensitivity (EHS)?
Electrical hypersensitivity (EHS) is a combination of up to three factors:
a natural sensitivity, similar to other idiopathic or allergic reactions, which is not typical of the general population.
sensitisation by some trigger, which could be one, or more, of a variety of commonly encountered substances.
sensitisation by some incident, which has the capability of damaging the bioelectrochemical communication within the body.
Some people are electrically sensitive, that is they are aware of the presence of electromagnetic fields (EMFs), but are not adversely affected by them. Other people may or may not be aware of the presence of EMFs, but can become seriously ill in their presence. These people we refer to as electrically hypersensitive (EHS). People who have developed EHS have a physiological disorder, characterized by neurological and idiopathic reactions, that noticeably appear or intensify near sources of EMFs such as electrical appliances, especially VDUs (computer monitors), power lines, fluorescent lights, mobile phones, cordless phones, wireless computers (wLANs), mobile phone base stations, etc.
Being EHS means experiencing recurring feelings of stress or illness when near an EMF source. Any noticeable, recurring ill health that is triggered by an electromagnetic field, and that diminishes or disappears away from the EMF source, constitutes a case of electrical hypersensitivity. While symptoms may diminish quickly after the exposure is reduced, it can take several days, weeks or occasionally months if the person has become severely sensitised, for the effects to disappear.
It is not yet known whether EHS is an independent condition, or a kind of Multiple Environmental Sensitivity Syndrome, linked possibly also to Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome.
For EHS sufferers living in a high EMF environment, it is like a person with auditory sensitivity trying to carry on normal life with someone shouting in both ears all the time.
Many electrically sensitive people seem to have quite dry skin and can carry high electrostatic charges on their body. Not only can other people experience a 'zap' when touching the person, but the electrostatic charges can also be transferred to electronic equipment causing equipment to malfunction. This can sometimes give an appearance of clumsiness or ineptitude, which can lead to a lack of confidence in using electrical equipment. This is quite concerning when young people, even in pre-school nurseries, are being exposed to computers, and they may develop this sensitivity, which can lead to a lifelong lack of confidence and self-esteem problems.
How many people does EHS affect?
People who have EHS develop different symptoms, for reasons that are poorly understood. Some people will react to power-frequency electric fields, some to magnetic fields and some to both. They may (or they may not) also react to radiofrequency fields such as those transmitted by the mobile phone networks, some reacting to the phones, some to the masts, and some to both. Some people will only react to radiofrequency fields and not to power-frequency fields. Some people will even react to sunlight, another part of the EMF spectrum.
Because of this the condition is not an easy one to diagnose. People with EHS often cannot go into hospital, even to visit. Hospitals are full of electrically powered equipment, some giving off very high EMFs, and hospitals have fluorescent lights, a common trigger for EHS and intolerable to most EHS people.
The incidence of EHS seems to be slightly higher in women than in men, and there appear to be significant day to day variations in their sensitivity. Many people with EHS have lower incomes and may be unemployed. These variations may be explained, at least in part, by difference in Health and Safety practices, especially with regard to chemical (and other) exposures in lower paid jobs, and the fact that EHS can lead to the inability to work in a 'normal' environment.
The social, work and financial lives of EHS sufferers are likely to be affected by the fact that fluorescent lights are used in public offices (making it hard to make claims for, or to draw, Social Security benefits), shops, libraries, theatres, cinemas, concert halls, restaurants, churches, trains, trams and buses.
A study by the Irish Doctors Environmental Association reported that half the people reporting ill-health effects as a result of living near to mobile phone base stations were unable to work due to the severity of the symptoms. They also led a very restricted social life, feeling like 'prisoners' in their own homes, which were not always comfortable places for them to be either.
Even cars have electrical and electronic equipment (power wiring, fan motors, computerised controls and dashboards) that can disturb electrically hypersensitive people, especially in the front seat.
Many trains, railway stations and planes now contain wireless computing systems, so that passengers can access the internet 'on the move'. City centres are being covered by WiMAX systems, making access for EHS sufferers ever more difficult. Neighbours who are 'ham' radio operators can, even unwittingly, make an EHS neighbour's life almost unbearable. A nearby lamp-post height mobile phone mast can make a house uninhabitable by an EHS person. They may not even be able to go down a road where one of these masts is situated. This makes living a 'normal' life almost impossible in severe cases of EHS.
It is generally accepted that probably between 3% and 7% of the population are EHS to some degree and maybe up to 35% show some mild indications of electro-stress.
Read more here:
http://www.ei-resource.org/illness-information/related-conditions/electrical-sensitivity-&-hypersensitivity/
What is Electrical Hypersensitivity (EHS)?
Electrical hypersensitivity (EHS) is a combination of up to three factors:
a natural sensitivity, similar to other idiopathic or allergic reactions, which is not typical of the general population.
sensitisation by some trigger, which could be one, or more, of a variety of commonly encountered substances.
sensitisation by some incident, which has the capability of damaging the bioelectrochemical communication within the body.
Some people are electrically sensitive, that is they are aware of the presence of electromagnetic fields (EMFs), but are not adversely affected by them. Other people may or may not be aware of the presence of EMFs, but can become seriously ill in their presence. These people we refer to as electrically hypersensitive (EHS). People who have developed EHS have a physiological disorder, characterized by neurological and idiopathic reactions, that noticeably appear or intensify near sources of EMFs such as electrical appliances, especially VDUs (computer monitors), power lines, fluorescent lights, mobile phones, cordless phones, wireless computers (wLANs), mobile phone base stations, etc.
Being EHS means experiencing recurring feelings of stress or illness when near an EMF source. Any noticeable, recurring ill health that is triggered by an electromagnetic field, and that diminishes or disappears away from the EMF source, constitutes a case of electrical hypersensitivity. While symptoms may diminish quickly after the exposure is reduced, it can take several days, weeks or occasionally months if the person has become severely sensitised, for the effects to disappear.
It is not yet known whether EHS is an independent condition, or a kind of Multiple Environmental Sensitivity Syndrome, linked possibly also to Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome.
For EHS sufferers living in a high EMF environment, it is like a person with auditory sensitivity trying to carry on normal life with someone shouting in both ears all the time.
Many electrically sensitive people seem to have quite dry skin and can carry high electrostatic charges on their body. Not only can other people experience a 'zap' when touching the person, but the electrostatic charges can also be transferred to electronic equipment causing equipment to malfunction. This can sometimes give an appearance of clumsiness or ineptitude, which can lead to a lack of confidence in using electrical equipment. This is quite concerning when young people, even in pre-school nurseries, are being exposed to computers, and they may develop this sensitivity, which can lead to a lifelong lack of confidence and self-esteem problems.
How many people does EHS affect?
People who have EHS develop different symptoms, for reasons that are poorly understood. Some people will react to power-frequency electric fields, some to magnetic fields and some to both. They may (or they may not) also react to radiofrequency fields such as those transmitted by the mobile phone networks, some reacting to the phones, some to the masts, and some to both. Some people will only react to radiofrequency fields and not to power-frequency fields. Some people will even react to sunlight, another part of the EMF spectrum.
Because of this the condition is not an easy one to diagnose. People with EHS often cannot go into hospital, even to visit. Hospitals are full of electrically powered equipment, some giving off very high EMFs, and hospitals have fluorescent lights, a common trigger for EHS and intolerable to most EHS people.
The incidence of EHS seems to be slightly higher in women than in men, and there appear to be significant day to day variations in their sensitivity. Many people with EHS have lower incomes and may be unemployed. These variations may be explained, at least in part, by difference in Health and Safety practices, especially with regard to chemical (and other) exposures in lower paid jobs, and the fact that EHS can lead to the inability to work in a 'normal' environment.
The social, work and financial lives of EHS sufferers are likely to be affected by the fact that fluorescent lights are used in public offices (making it hard to make claims for, or to draw, Social Security benefits), shops, libraries, theatres, cinemas, concert halls, restaurants, churches, trains, trams and buses.
A study by the Irish Doctors Environmental Association reported that half the people reporting ill-health effects as a result of living near to mobile phone base stations were unable to work due to the severity of the symptoms. They also led a very restricted social life, feeling like 'prisoners' in their own homes, which were not always comfortable places for them to be either.
Even cars have electrical and electronic equipment (power wiring, fan motors, computerised controls and dashboards) that can disturb electrically hypersensitive people, especially in the front seat.
Many trains, railway stations and planes now contain wireless computing systems, so that passengers can access the internet 'on the move'. City centres are being covered by WiMAX systems, making access for EHS sufferers ever more difficult. Neighbours who are 'ham' radio operators can, even unwittingly, make an EHS neighbour's life almost unbearable. A nearby lamp-post height mobile phone mast can make a house uninhabitable by an EHS person. They may not even be able to go down a road where one of these masts is situated. This makes living a 'normal' life almost impossible in severe cases of EHS.
It is generally accepted that probably between 3% and 7% of the population are EHS to some degree and maybe up to 35% show some mild indications of electro-stress.
Read more here:
http://www.ei-resource.org/illness-information/related-conditions/electrical-sensitivity-&-hypersensitivity/
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Northern Flicker
Today I found a Northern Flicker in the yard. I kept hearing a call that I wasn't used to... So I got out the specs and took a look into the trees. Sure enough, after about 3 minutes, I found a Flicker clinging to a dead tree trunk. Right next to it was a little one. They pretty much just hung there for about 10 minutes, not moving at all. Only to look around. It was pretty cool!
Dan Brown
I've just started Angels & Demons by Dan Brown. Yup. The same as The DaVinci Code. John recommended I read it after he read them both. I'm several chapters in and have found it enjoyable. More to come...
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Some books I've been reading...
Raw Family: Victoria, Igor, Sergei & Boutenko
Ten Cents A Dance:Christin Fletcher
Clouds Without Rain; An Ohio Amish Mystery: P.L. Gaus
The Beach House: Jane Green
Ten Cents A Dance:Christin Fletcher
Clouds Without Rain; An Ohio Amish Mystery: P.L. Gaus
The Beach House: Jane Green
OPC3 & MultiTech
I finally got my order of OPC3 and MultiTech, along with Might-A-Mins. The girls and I have started on that a few days ago. I will admit, it tastes chemical in a manner, but no more so than any other multivitamin I've taken. I have noticed I feel a bit better overall. No surprise.
MORE...
MORE...
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Shelter For My Soul
I'm a bit embarrassed to be star struck, but I can't shake it.
There's not much I can say other than that I'm moved by this actor. I think it also has something to do with the fact that I just lost an aunt, and while Heath has been gone for a while, I just recently learned of it. There's something far deeper than Heath that is speaking to me. I believe he's just the manifestation. So pray to our gods...
At the end of my days when I’m called to go,
Into the open arms of the Holy Ghost,
To have lived such a life as I have known,
Fortune follows me, but I’m brave no more.
For my great mistakes I will surely pay,
I’m running low and the devil is on my trail,
When fate delivers me all I’ll ask it for,
Is a place to rest and shelter for my soul.
Oh if I could spend my days,
Free from the prison of your gates,
Then I could die a happy man.
Oh if I could spend my days,
Free from the shadow of my name,
Then I could die happy man.
I am released from this mortal load,
I’ll take my leave but I don’t wanna go.
When fate delivers me all I’ll ask it for,
A place to rest and shelter for my soul.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Why So Serious; The Dark Knight
John and I went to see Batman: The Dark Knight a few days ago. It's one of my new favorite movies. Disturbing, moving, dark, thoughtful...Heath Ledger's death has been weighing on me... Strange. I'm not sure why. I was looking at the wikipedia entry for him and see he was born the same year I am. Now it's going to weigh on me more...
I found this article about the The Dark Knight pre-release hype (pretty cool, but crazy;)
While marketing and advertising in the film industry is nothing new (trailers promoting upcoming movies have been around since the 1960s), movie studios are continuously looking for new methods to generate buzz for upcoming releases. The current trend: the creation of highly-targeted and interactive programs designed to engage niche audiences. Warner Bros. has taken this tactic to new heights with the viral campaign behind one of this year’s most anticipated movies, The Dark Knight.
Dubbed in a recent LA Times article as “one of the most interactive movie-marketing campaigns ever hatched by Hollywood: a multi-platform, hidden-in-plain-sight promotional blitz,” the team behind promoting the newest Batman adventure has kept the movie community buzzing with its provocative and tantalizing campaign for nearly a year.
The first half of the program was centered around one of Batman’s most iconic and infamous antagonists, The Joker, portrayed by the recently departed Health Ledger. Fake Websites, scavenger hunts and staged events ignited the curiosity of fans…. but the real shining moment of the program, the “master-stroke” as stated by the LA Times, was the campaign’s “clown-cake giveaway.”
“In December, conscientious followers noted a mysterious countdown on WhySoSerious.com (a viral site created for the film) that instructed viewers to travel to 22 real-world addresses in cities from coast-to-coast to pick up a ‘very special treat’ under the name ‘Robin Banks’ (get it?). Turns out the addresses were bakeries in possession of a number of cakes bearing phone numbers spelled out in icing. Many of those who called the number recoiled in confusion when the cake in front of them began to ring — cellphones encased in ‘Gotham City Evidence’ bags had been baked directly inside, each containing a phone charger, Joker paraphernalia and explicit instructions to keep the phone with them at all times. In addition to enlisting the players as the Joker’s minions, the devices conveyed invitations to special screenings of newly cut ‘Dark Knight’ Imax trailers.” Cool? Very, very cool.
(courtesy of http://identitypr.com/blog/?p=78)
Lawnmowers can Kill!
No, but really, they can! John was mowing the lawn last week and shot a baseball sized rock out from under it. It flew a good 30 feet, and smashed the windshield of our new Jetta. (Thank goodness for glass coverage!) If this had hit anyone, human or animal, they would have been killed. Please, do NOT let your children and pets around you while you're mowing!
WhatBird.com Identifier
I often find myself laying in bed in the morning, listening to bird calls. I really have no idea what many of them are. So I check out http://www.whatbird.com/ and have been able to find all the sounds I've needed.
I realized that I was hearing a Pileated Woodpecker some mornings. (Sounds a bit like a monkey to me.) http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/183/_/Pileated_Woodpecker.aspx
This morning, I heard a Northern Cardinal but didn't know what it was for sure. I confirmed that this is what it is just from listening to the sound clips! http://identify.whatbird.com/mwg/_/0/attrs.aspx
This is a pretty cool tool to have.
I realized that I was hearing a Pileated Woodpecker some mornings. (Sounds a bit like a monkey to me.) http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/183/_/Pileated_Woodpecker.aspx
This morning, I heard a Northern Cardinal but didn't know what it was for sure. I confirmed that this is what it is just from listening to the sound clips! http://identify.whatbird.com/mwg/_/0/attrs.aspx
This is a pretty cool tool to have.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Homeschooling for Pagans
Found this cool link while looking into homeschooling:
http://barbooch.homestead.com/PaganHomeschool.html
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Work From Home
I have been thinking I need to work from home, but have been thrown down by hour of looking, day after day, applying and still haven't found one. There's a good article from ABC News. I didn't find anything, but maybe some of you will.
Monday, July 21, 2008
THe Sims 2: Apartment Life with Witches!?
Okay. So I truly hate to admit, but I've gotten into the Sims over the past couple of years. I really like the ability to control everything. Ha! When I was working on my restaurant, I found the build capabilities very useful for visualizing the space in 3D. The architects I brought our business plan to couldn't believe I had generated an floorplan image. They would ask "what program do you use?" and I would admit like the dork that I am "are you familiar with ea games and the sims?" *grin* I have most all of the expansion packs, but am looking forward to Apartment Life because I hear they are bring back witches! Yahoo! Check out this awesome detailed preview of the expansion pack. Good, bad, neutral, ugly, pretty...
I still use the build feature mostly. I upload my creations to my sims page every now and again. I'm a little frustrated that they delete them after a month, but I understand they need to make room. It's awesome they allow free uploading at all!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
GreaseCar Kit of the Jetta!
We finally got our GreaseCar kit for the Jetta! We're going to be installing it soon!
So you may ask, how does the Greasecar system work?
The Greasecar system is a two tank fuel system. The vehicles existing diesel tank and filter will supply diesel fuel to the engine at start up and shut down. After start up radiator fluid will transfer heat from the engine to the heat exchangers in the Greasecar fuel system. These heat exchangers will heat the vegetable oil in the fuel filter, lines and fuel tank. The heat will reduce the viscosity of vegetable oil so that it is similar to diesel and can be injected into the engine properly. When the vehicle is being shut down for a period long enough for the fuel to cool the vegetable oil must be purged from the fuel sy
stem and replaced with diesel for the next start up.More info about the system and biofuels at GreaseCar.com
Market America Isotonix Solution
I spent the day yesterday learning about Market America and their products. I really like the Isotonix products. Here's what's special about them:
A free radical is an atomic structure with an unpaired electron in its outermost shell. These unpaired electrons tend to be highly reactive, resulting in chemical reactions such as oxidation. Because they have one or more unpaired electrons, free radicals are highly unstable. They scavenge the body to grab or donate electrons, causing damage to cells, proteins and DNA. Free radicals are naturally occurring; however, air pollution, stress, smoking, heavy exercising and aging all contribute to the creation of harmful free radicals. Free radicals can cause oxidative damage to the body, potentially leading to serious health problems. Normally the body is able to protect itself from the damaging effects of free radicals, but if antioxidants are unavailable, or if free radical production becomes excessive, damage can occur.
Antioxidants are natural cell protectors, neutralizing free radicals by pairing an electron to the outermost shell of radical oxygen molecules, rendering them harmless. Antioxidants are nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, and enzymes that are capable of counteracting the damaging, but normal, effects of the physiological process of oxidation in bodily tissues. Antioxidants work in two ways, chain breaking and prevention. A chain-breaking antioxidant such as vitamins A, C and E, stabilize free radicals or cause them to decay into harmless atomic structures. A preventative antioxidant prevents the oxidation process by scavenging free radicals.*
Isotonix® OPC-3® is an isotonic-capable food supplement that is made from a combination of bilberry, grape seed, red wine, pine bark extracts and citrus extract bioflavonoids, all found to be potent antioxidants. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) are bioflavonoids (complex organic plant compounds) found in fruits, vegetables and certain tree barks that provide exceptional nutritional benefits to the human body. Studies have shown OPCs to be up to 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than vitamin E in neutralizing free radicals. Isotonix OPC-3 contains the only isotonic form of Pycnogenol® in the world. Pycnogenol is a natural plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, and the most clinically researched and potent bioflavonoid.*
Isotonic, which means “same pressure,” bears the same chemical resemblance of the body’s blood, plasma and tears. All fluids in the body have a certain concentration, referred to as osmotic pressure. The body’s common osmotic pressure, which is isotonic, allows a consistent maintenance of body tissues. In order for a substance to be absorbed and used in the body’s metabolism, it must be transported in an isotonic state.
Isotonix® dietary supplements are delivered in an isotonic solution. This means that the body has less work to do to obtain maximum absorption. The isotonic state of the suspension allows nutrients to pass directly into the small intestine and be rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. With Isotonix products, little nutritive value is lost, making the absorption of nutrients highly efficient while delivering maximum results.**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
A free radical is an atomic structure with an unpaired electron in its outermost shell. These unpaired electrons tend to be highly reactive, resulting in chemical reactions such as oxidation. Because they have one or more unpaired electrons, free radicals are highly unstable. They scavenge the body to grab or donate electrons, causing damage to cells, proteins and DNA. Free radicals are naturally occurring; however, air pollution, stress, smoking, heavy exercising and aging all contribute to the creation of harmful free radicals. Free radicals can cause oxidative damage to the body, potentially leading to serious health problems. Normally the body is able to protect itself from the damaging effects of free radicals, but if antioxidants are unavailable, or if free radical production becomes excessive, damage can occur.
Antioxidants are natural cell protectors, neutralizing free radicals by pairing an electron to the outermost shell of radical oxygen molecules, rendering them harmless. Antioxidants are nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, and enzymes that are capable of counteracting the damaging, but normal, effects of the physiological process of oxidation in bodily tissues. Antioxidants work in two ways, chain breaking and prevention. A chain-breaking antioxidant such as vitamins A, C and E, stabilize free radicals or cause them to decay into harmless atomic structures. A preventative antioxidant prevents the oxidation process by scavenging free radicals.*
Isotonix® OPC-3® is an isotonic-capable food supplement that is made from a combination of bilberry, grape seed, red wine, pine bark extracts and citrus extract bioflavonoids, all found to be potent antioxidants. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) are bioflavonoids (complex organic plant compounds) found in fruits, vegetables and certain tree barks that provide exceptional nutritional benefits to the human body. Studies have shown OPCs to be up to 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than vitamin E in neutralizing free radicals. Isotonix OPC-3 contains the only isotonic form of Pycnogenol® in the world. Pycnogenol is a natural plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, and the most clinically researched and potent bioflavonoid.*
Isotonic, which means “same pressure,” bears the same chemical resemblance of the body’s blood, plasma and tears. All fluids in the body have a certain concentration, referred to as osmotic pressure. The body’s common osmotic pressure, which is isotonic, allows a consistent maintenance of body tissues. In order for a substance to be absorbed and used in the body’s metabolism, it must be transported in an isotonic state.
Isotonix® dietary supplements are delivered in an isotonic solution. This means that the body has less work to do to obtain maximum absorption. The isotonic state of the suspension allows nutrients to pass directly into the small intestine and be rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. With Isotonix products, little nutritive value is lost, making the absorption of nutrients highly efficient while delivering maximum results.**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Katy Perry!
Okay. So I browse the web a lot. Okay. A LOT! Here is the influence for my website. I liked the old school tattoo look of her site. Also, "I Kissed a Girl" has been stuck in my head! Arg. Check it out.
Market America
Today I learned from a friend about Market America. We had a nice chat about how it all works. Trying to free your family from the bonds of working a "45-year plan." I'm going to look into it more. In case you're intersted:
MarketAmerica.com
MarketAmerica.com
Monday, July 14, 2008
Emily's Raw Foods Blog for Raw Recipes
There have been so many requests for raw recipes from people I run into, that I've decided to start a raw blog, where I can keep all of you up to date on new stuff!
Star Wars Exhibit
A few days ago, there was a pilgrimage to the St. Paul Science Museum for the Star Wars Exhibit. It was a blast! Stokes, Anne, Cadence, Liam, John, Isobelle, Victoria and I all spent the day poking around. Many cool exhibits. Victoria really liked the dinosaurs. Isobelle was interested in the mummy and the double headed turtle. Yup! The boys liked the Star Wars costumes and props. Very fun day. Check out the pics:Friday, July 11, 2008
Insomnia is the Mother of Invention
Yahoo! The new site navigation is finally up. Www.EmilyJayne.com If I'm going to suffer from insomnia, might as well get something done.
I keep going back to this blog, but feel like I'm wasting my time. I've decided to type something for no more than five minutes a day...
Even that seems too much time to waste...
Thursday, July 10, 2008
A Place For Narcissism
Just thinking on blogs, as I am new to it. Just a form of narcissism?Narcissus, who was doomed to fall in love with his own reflection in a pool of water.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
These Are Not My Hips!
Okay. *takes a deep breath*
Here goes nothin'!
There are so many blogs out there, and I'm feeling a need to leave my mark on the world wide web. Ha! Feeling my mortality and all. I'm working on a new navigation menu for my website (Www.EmilyJayne.com) where I'm already leaving a dent, but somehow feel that with all I create, I should start a blog. I'm not generally into doing things because they're hip, but these are not my hips!
Here's to a start. We'll see if I fizzle.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
