Thought of the Day #117 - Muscle Pain

When I push myself too hard at a task, and I end up with muscle pains
like I have now. I feel more alive. Unfortunately, at the same time,
the pain also makes me wish I were dead. Quite the dichotomy.

Thought of the Day #116 - Emotional Infants

Over the past few days I've had a few run ins with "emotional infants".
You know the ones...the adults who openly mock fat people or other
people with obvious differences.

I've had lifelong experience with these people and have come to theorize
that they're missing "something." I mean, seriously, can you imagine
yourself openly mocking a stranger about anything?? Most adults can not
and do not.

So, what sort of missfire is going on in these emotional infants? For
years, I've held the belief that they choose to insult others in order
to feel better about themselves. But, I think it may go deeper than
that. Where is the void? Could it be a genetic issue? Often these
people do have a certain look to their eyes. So maybe it is genetic? Or
does the look to their eyes develop over years of familial or societal
abuse? Maybe a combination? (Another nature/nurture question, just like
the recent color ToTD).

Poor public behavior is such a curious phenomenon. I think most people
experience it at some point, but there are those of us who are steeped
in the societal research whether we want it or not. My research will
continue. If I come to a definitive conclusion, I'll let ya know.

Thought of the Day #115 - Airflight

Plane fares are really low right now. Any one have vacation suggestions?
Preferably not in Mexico?

Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

 

Here are a few doll parts that were found on Friday. One giant arm and two heads. As I mentioned in the previous ToTD, you never know what you might find in the dirt.

Thought of the Day #114 - Acceptable Lies

Is subjective lying OK? I mean if a friend asks you how you feel about
their brand new and beloved dress (or car, haircut, boyfriend, artwork,
etc.) and you genuinely have distaste for it, should you say exactly
what you're thinking?

I think that unlike factual lies which are wrong 99% of the time, this
sort of subjective lying is usually OK. I think it's acceptable because
your opinion might be completely based upon misguided brain function.
Who's to say your opinion carries any more worth than the subject being
discussed?? In addition, your friend seemingly likes said object, and
your potentially misguded opinion may cause distress. Probably not
worth it.

That being said, I think that voicing the negative opinion may be the
absolute right thing to do, too. The trick is figuring which is the
right thing to say under the given circumstance.

Thought of the Day #113 - Money In the Dirt

Hidden treasures in the ground never ceases to amaze me. Bottles,
insulators, dolls, sculptures, etc, all trash from a bygone era is now
collectible. Before I moved down here, I had no idea. If you take a
quick tour of eBay's antique bottle sales, you'll see thousands and
thosands of bottles being sold every day. Most don't sell for more than
a few dollars, but occasionally you'll see the 10K+ bottle on there.
Most of these things were found buried in the ground. Long before there
were garbage haulers, people dumped their trash in outhouses or pits in
the backyard. 150 years later, the poop, paper and other biodegradable
pieces are gone, but the glass and porcelain remains.
It's an odd, dirty and lucrative hobby. Yesterday, we unearthed several
hundred dollars worth of treasures. If some of the broken ones were
whole, it would have been thousands. You just never know until you're
in the dirt.

Thought of the Day #112 - Colors

I've been wondering why colors can affect mood. Is it from previous
experience or is it just something genetic? Maybe a combination of
both? It's just a curious idea, really.

Thought of the Day #111 - Fat Not Fat

I think fat people who have never been thin as an adult have a much
easier time reaching body acceptance than people who have been
previously thin as an adult.

Full-time fat people have no *proof* that thin people are treated
differently (and I'm not talking just the misbehavior of assholes, but
rather the subtle nuance differences of socital acceptance), nor do
they probably know what it feels like to run a marathon, as an example.
Life as a full-time fat person is limited to their own experience. A
part-time fattypuff/part-time thinnifer has the ability to
compare/contrast life experiences as, essentially, two different
people.

Thought of the Day #110 - Slow Down

If I could bottle the feeling of being trapped in training that moves too slow...where time seems to drag, and drag, I would make a trillion dollars. Imagine that as you got older, you could take a sip of "TrainBrain" and decades would move soooo slowly. You could (hopefully) enjoy all of the nuances that life offers without the panic that time is passing too quickly. Ahhhh....the beauty of it.

Thought of the Day #109 - Chick Coven or Chick Oven

 

Chick Coven Oven? Not really a thought, but a funny photo from the other day in our chicken coop. The chicks avoid the center of the heat lamp when it's too warm, but still stay in circular formation. Good stuff!

Thought of the Day #108 - Sports Talk

If you were to listen to a sportscaster or a sports reporter talking about a game, but you weren't able to understand the words, I'm guessing most people could easily recognize it as "sports talk." The staccato spacing of the words, the inflection and tone -- all unique to sportscasting. I don't know if that's the way it is around the world, but in the US it's pretty discernible. I wonder how it all started? Is it based upon the feel or timing of the game or is it falsified enthusiasm to encourage us to get excited in the "action"?

Thought of the Day #107 - Tulips

My favorite flower: Tulips. I like their beauty and they're strength.
Given a crack in the sidewalk, year after year a tulip will push
through and bloom. Or even plant a large rock on top of the bulb and
the tulip will still eventually find the sun. Gotta love that.

Thought of the Day #106 - Passing Seasons and Years

 

When I took this photo today in downtown Salt Lake City, I was reminded of how quickly things change and how if we don't stop to take it all in, we'll miss it. One of my uncles died a couple of days ago, and he was just around 80 years old. If he was able to see beautiful blossoms every year, he would have only had the opportunity to see 80 changes of season. And, even then, probably only 77 where he was even aware of trees at all. Not that many, really. Blossoms, like life, are fleeting so be sure to soak it all in while you can.

Thought of the Day #105 - Food Choice Clarification

I really want to clarify that I still eat crap food, but try to make better choices. I know what better "wholesome" food choices are, but when I'm feeling lazy or craving crap, I will eat a double double from In-n-Out with the best of them. Speaking of which, I hear new In-n-Outs are moving into the Salt Lake area. Woot!

Thought of the Day #104 - Food Choices

I now rarely eat french fries. Most aren't that tasty and why eat
something if it's not very yummy nor good for your body? I'd rather
save the calorie expenditure on something I'll actually enjoy.

This has been a huge shift in mentality for me. Before, if it was on the
plate, and it was *ok* tasting, I would eat it. I'm getting pickier as I
get older, methinks, and I'm trying to listen more to what my body needs
and craves. It's tricky especially now that I'm starting to actually
know "hunger" due to the large amount of synthroid I'm on. (Who knew
about this hunger thing and didn't tell me??)

I'm not trying to lose weight, but rather get in touch with what I need.
I think as wee kids, we instinctively know what and how much our bodies
need to thrive, but we're lost in a field of advertising and
socialization surrounding food. Throw in emotional drama and we end up
eating things because they're there, we're stressed out and because the
television says we should consume, consume, consume.

I don't recall the person who said this...maybe Chopra? ...but
basically, we should be eating closer to the Earth. No, don't put your
ear to the dirt at dinner time! What it means is to eat things that are
less processed. So, a raw vegetable or fruit is one step from the Earth;
a grain shucked grain would be two steps; a cooked vegetable would be
two steps, too; a piece of animal flesh is three; a can of chili is
several steps; and a can of soda probably doesn't even rate on the
scales.
Basically, this theory is the opposite of all that is thrown at us ain
the advertising media. Nutrition and simplicty are rarely encouraged in
advertising. The less something is processed, the less potential for big
business profit, so why bother with simplicity?

Blah, blah...this could go on and on, but the theroy put simply: eat
simply and eat only what you like. I think this is possibly the best
way to secure good health.

Thought of the Day #103 - Simplify Taxes

On this, the US income tax filing deadline day, I wish to plead for simplification, standardization and equalization in tax. You know, a truly, honest flat tax. No deductions for "farm hand tools" (actual deduction on Utah's forms). I think Utah was trying for a flat tax this year...they put "The Utah tax rate for 2008 is a single rate of 5 percent". If that was really the case, there wouldn't be a 20 page instruction booklet for the basic form and an additional deduction form specficially for mining expenses. STOP the specialized deductions for your buds in particular industries. Seriously (or srsly as they kids say 'cuz they don't have money for a proper education ;-) ). Just make it simple and fair. Ahem. Back to your tax forms, everyone.

Thought of the Day #102 - Books and Covers

Look at the expression on the f*ckers faces at the beginning of this. Sooo flippin' rude. They judge and judge and well draw conclusions, if you watch this, you'll see they're just so wrong. Susan Boyle is amazing! Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY It brings a tear to my eye and a smile to my face. Just beautiful.

Thought of the Day #102 - I (heart) Google

They're not really an altruistic company -- they are out to make profits, and big ones at that -- but I am often blown away with the freebie applications that they offer which are completely free of advertising, too. I know I've mentioned Picasa a number of times and it's still my fav for picture organization. But, have you looked at all of the other offerings? http://www.google.com/intl/en/options/ So much stuff! And, for the most part, it's free. Kudos to Google!

Thought of the Day #101 - How To

1.Think of something.
2. Write it down.
3. Do so in a timely manner, somewhere within a 24 hour period.

Thought of the Day #100 - Masturbation

There are two different kinds of people in this world -- those who have
touched themselves in a sexual manner and those that lie.

Thought of the Day #99 - In Honor of CindyG

The "flabulous" CindyG died on Wednesday night. I just want to give a
final shout-out and thank you to a pioneer in the pictorial fat
acceptance movement online.

A little over eleven years ago CindyG had a Geocities site which
displayed photos of her "flabulous" 500+lb frame. She was one of the
first to do so, and she did it with gusto and humor. She started a
photo of the week page on her site, and I thought, "what a great idea!"
And with that, my "Photo Selection of the Week" portion of my site was
born.

She was a positive influence to me and many others over the years and
for that I'm grateful. Thanks, CindyG.

Thought of the Day #98 - Sexting

I don't believe sending nude or explicit photos via phone text aka
"sexting" should be illegal for teens nor adults. Espescially if it's
the individual sending their own picture. Seriously, how *dirty* is a
nipple at 5 pixels wide or a penis at 20 pixels long??

What should be illegal -- the sh*tty quality photos that are taken with
phone cameras. Grainy, blurry and nearly colorless...*that* is
criminal.

Thought of the Day #97 - Dandelions

I believe we should embrace the lowly dandelion. It's a
'wildflower'...not an eyesore. Stop throwing boatloads of herbicide on
the poor little spots of sunshine on your lawn.

If you're throwing chemicals on your lawn, where do you think they go
after the weeds are killed? Into the ground, down through to
watertable, and eventually back in your drinking water. Yum! Drink up!
It that tumor really worth killing off such a pretty flower??

Thought of the Day #96 - Modern Design

While waiting on a technical support helper, I had an opportunity to
thumb through yet another International Design magazine and it dawned
on me that what is termed "modern design" is starting to look very
dated.

While the clean lines and simplicity in shape can still be refreshing
when compared to your run-of-the-mill home design, the chairs and other
houshold furnishings could have been designed today or during the 50s,
so how *modern* is it really?

Modern design should have had a more time specific style name attached
to it, rather than "modern" which is any time close to current. Kinda
confusing.

In any event, it also became apparent that today's "modern designs" look
almost too simplistic and lazy. Maybe my eye is starting to appreciate
the grandeur, intricacy, time intensive and even 'thoughtful' nature of
"old world" craftsmanship rather than the plastic extrusion molds?

At this point, I would like genuinely modern design to start to drift
towards the real, possibly ornate, and even time intensive. If I'm
going to spend 3000 dollars on a chair, I want the person who actually
worked to produce the item to reap the reward for their labor, rather
than the solely for a designer who envisioned shiny red plastic.

Does that make any sense? Probably not. Maybe I'm thinking too 'modern'.

Thought of the Day #95 - Back Scratching

Does scratching your back only lead to an itchier back needing far more
scratching?

Thought of the Day #94 - Birthdays

I survived yet another birthday. *phew* I'm rackin' them up faster and faster it seems. If I were to have a cake with candles, the fire department better be on call. :-)

Thought of the Day #93 - Wind Power and Salt Flats

I don't recall if I've mentioned this before or not, but I think Utah
has the potential to become a super power in electricity production.
There are hundreds of miles of salt flats where plant/animal life
cannot exist. To me, a perfect place to build thousands and thousands
of wind power generators. No negative impact on the environment, no
neighbors complaining of the noise, and nothing to block the wind that
the mills would capture. All in all an ideal situation. The only trick
is figuring out how to build on the corrosive salt. There's gotta be a
way.

Thought of the Day #92- Business Greed

Why do people starting business want to "make it big"; to make millions of dollars??Don't get me wrong, having a lot of cash is a good thing, but I think there's a limit in how much one would "need" to be comfortable. Why not start a business and hope that you make 200,000 a year, which would be quite comfy for most people? I hope that going forward from this economic disaster, business owners seek to make quality over quantity and seek just modest gains. Grow slow and reap the rewards of NOT being on the stock market. Just say no to IPO!

Thought of the Day #91 - Morning Rush

I think as kids we were taught the need to rush, rush, rush by eating
cereal in milk. Seriously, if you like the snap, crackle, pop of Rice
Krispies in the morning, you've got about 35 seconds from crispy
cacophony to silent mush.

Thought of the Day #90 - Cinnamon

 

When making cinnamon rolls, don't use plain ol' cinnamon. Use Vietnamese cinnamon for a strong, almost biting flavor. Soooo good. Cinnabon uses something similar, and you know, the airport always smells good because of it.