I'm a sucker for a good MLM!!!

It's true! I eat these things up. I will stay awake at 2:00a.m. and think to myself, "I really SHOULD be a real estate genious. After all, that really IS what I've wanted to do all my life." I've made it a rule, though, to NOT sign up for anything--no matter how good it sounds--on the day (or night) I first hear about it. I think this has saved me a couple times from making an early A.M. bad decision. (Also, I've tried to make it a rule not to buy anything I see for order on T.V. This too has been a blessing, whereas I have yet to find myself pining away after that super-duper nose and ear hair trimmer things--oooh, except I forgot "Hip Hop Abs". Now THAT one was worth it. Can't get enough of that Shawn-T. . . . Oh yeah, and I know Lisa loves her "Monster" . . . But seriously! We're not buying ANYTHING else that's sold on T.V. . . . but I digress)

So MLM's. Yeah, they always impress me. Here's one to which I got IM'd an invitation. It left me w/ that same "sounds appealing" feeling I get from Carlton Sheets every time I hear about how he can get me rich on real estate. If you're not scared to check things like this out (and I'm not using that term to "dare" you into it; rather, I seriously mean there is a healthy filter of suspicion, if not fear, that one ought to apply to these things--especially if you're succeptible to seccumb to them like me). . .so yeah, if you're not too scared, take a look at this one. --but DON'T fill out your real email info. OR sign up for the thing. If you're gonna sign up, you gotta tell me to jump on board so you can sign up under me. Start getting ME rich a little quicker, instead of the dude that randomly IM'd me the link.

Here's the website: http://website.ws/khjo912

Skip all the "you can totally get as rich as you want" stuff, and just click to see the video.

(So that you don't have to endure the whole "we're gonna make you a star" speil before finding out what the product is, I'll spoil it for you: it's domain names for a monthly subscription. You sign people up for these online domains at $10/month on an MLM basis.)

G'luck. Enjoy. Lemme know what you think.

Funny Bad Neighbors

I saw this some time ago, but saw it again last night, and thought it was funny enought to post here again.

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A city councilman in Utah , Mark Easton, had a beautiful view of the east mountains, until a new neighbor purchased the lot below his house and built a new home.

The new home was 18 inches higher than the ordinances would allow, so Mark Easton , mad about his lost view, went to the city to make sure they enforced the lower roof line ordinance. The new neighbor had to drop the roof line, at great expense.

Recently, Mark Easton called the city, and informed them that his new neighbor had installed some vents on the side of his home. Mark didn't like the look of these vents and asked the city to investigate. When they went to Mark's home to see the vent view, this is what they found... (see attached pictures) ...

My ability to communicate

I ascribe a great deal of power to the concept of communication. I have come to believe that when my opinion doesn't share a common ground of belief with the people I communicate with, it's not because we couldn't (possibly under different circumstances) come to believe the same thing; rather, it's because I have simply failed to articulate my ideas in such a fashion that the receiving party is willing to accept them. I tell myself that such is typically the case because of the life experiences that the listening party has had.

For example, I have a communist friend. She is convinced that the best possible method for achieving "the most good" available on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is when government provides the lower eschelon needs (food/shelter) for its citizens--even at the expense of the citizens' opportunity to pursue the higher eschelon needs of Self Actualization. This expense is well worth the cost in my friend's opinion. I believe the opposite--that government's job is to secure our opportunities for self actualization, and that it has neither the obligation nor the right to limit those opportunities in the name of "providing for citizens", "safety", or any other cause. No matter how eloquently I articulate my view, my communist friend won't see it my way. She has had too many social, cultural, and personal experiences to believe otherwise. Yet, I maintain my belief in my view.

I see power in communication because I believe that there IS a "true North". I believe the concept of "absolute truth" affects far more areas of our life than most people are willing to give credence. Instead, we have come to accept the idea that there is no 'right' or 'wrong'; rather there's only "what I value" and "what you value" based on our respective perspectives.

So here's why I bring all this up. That I'm struggling to articulate my view on the dangerous aspects of spouses developing a "non-marriage-related personal side" doesn't change the fact that I believe there are some legitimate "true North" dangers there. That being said, I genuinely lament any pain or stifling effect this view may have on my dear wife, and I am seeking to rectify such things.

I sincerley appreciate the thoughts that have been communicated, but interestingly (to me, at least) I don't disagree with any of them. That is, they all coincide with my view on this issue. (i.e. I think personal associations are important, I should be careful to not let my personal emotions manipulate my wife's actions, etc.) That may seem contradictory, but I maintain it is so.

A quote attributed to a Dr. Frank Crane defines friends thusly: "What is a Friend? I'll tell you. It is a person with whom you dare to be yourself. . . . He understands those contradictions in your nature that cause others to misjudge you. . ." I appreciate the level of friendship I have with all people I encounter. To those who have yet to completely understand all the contradictions in my nature, I just wish I could communicate more effectively.

Girls Nights Out

Not long ago, I was asked what I don't like about "Girls nights out".

Tha answer is just that I don't like that my wife would prefer to take the effort to go out and have fun with someone else than with me. I don't care that she's out and having fun. I care that she'd prefer to be out and having it with NOT me. It's not that I get mad or upset, or that I care to control where she is or who she's with, etc. . . It's just a bummer to me that on that night I'm not #1.

Sorry to everyone to whom I sound like a tyrrant. I'm sorry to my wife who has to put up w/ my desire to be her #1 option every night. I love my wife. I hope she's always happy. I'll do my best to help that happen--including try not to be offended on the nights she'd prefer to be NOT with me.

So, here's to girls nights out.

The Lyrics . . .

So, this is actually a response to Wade's comment in my "question of the day" post, but I thought the response was a bit bigger than is appropriate for the comments section. To catch you up, Wade registered a concern with the lyrics of the song. I actually learned them as I was learning the song on guitar. I think they're interesting and borderline profound, but rather depressing. Here they are:

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Lyrics to "Human" by The Killers (stupid band name, if you ask me)

I did my best to notice
When the call came down the line
Up to the platform of surrender
I was brought but I was kind
And sometimes get nervous
When I see an open door
Close your eyes
Clear your heart

Cut the cord
Are we Human?
Or are we Dancer?
My sign is vital
My hands are cold
And I'm on my knees
Looking for the answer
Are we Human?
Or are we Dancer?

Pay my respects to grace and virtue
Send my condolences to good
Give my regards to soul and romance
They always did the best they could
And so long to devotion
You taught me everything I know
Wave goodbye
Wish me well

You got to let me go
Are we Human?
Or are we Dancer?
My sign is vital
My hands are cold
And I'm on my knees
Looking for the answers
Are we Human?
Or are we Dancer?

Will your system be alright
When you dream of home tonight?
There is no message we're receiving
Let me know is your heart still beating?

Are we Human?
Or are we Dancer?
My sign is vital
My hands are cold
And I'm on my knees
Looking for the answer

You got to let me know
Are we Human?
Or are we Dancer?
My sign is vital
My hands are cold
And I'm on my knees
Looking for the answer
Are we Human
Or are we Dancer?

Are we Human?
Or are we Dancer?

Are we Human
Or are we Dancer?

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So here's my take on why this is somewhat profound:

I think the song eloquently addresses the dichotomy of spirit (dancer) vs. instinct (human) that is mankind. There is a part within each of us that desires to exist beyond the simple necessities of life to nobleness and higher meaning (as represented by the author's reference to ART or "dancer"). Yet there is another part within us all that simply exists in baseness--willing to simply "be" (or be acted upon), rather than worry about "becoming" (or to act). This side of us is represented by the author's reference to a mere species in the animal kingdom or "Human" (Note: the author's lack of pluralizing the word "Human" makes it a classification of category, (i.e. species) rather than the description of any of the noble attributes we typically associate with humankind that asking "Are we humanS?" might offer.

The question might be re-articulated from a religious perspective as "Are we natural men [enemies to God] or are we Saints [meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to the will of God, etc.]?" (Mosiah 3:19) In fact, I believe this is what the author IS asking in a very succinct format (Human or Dancer). I think it's even from a religious perspective that the author is approaching the question, as evidenced by the repeated phrase: "I'm on my knees looking for an answer". There really aren't too many settings--other than those within a religious framework--where seeking an answer brings a soul to his knees.

The depressing part of the song is that the author seems to be making the choice to be Human (or NOT noble) throughout the course of the song. Either that, or the song is actually the author's farewell to his belief in the virtues that make up the realm of "dancer" (or nobleness) because he has already made the decision. Either way, it's depressing because it's an articulation of a lack of faith in the Good (and in God, for that matter). To me, there's not a much more depressing thought than that an entire nation would lose their faith in the Good. When men exist with nothing more than a Korihorian belief that what one merits in this life and the worth of life in general is solely based on the efforts of the flesh--having nothing to do with nobler virtues or higher purposes--it is then that, in the words of James Madison, "Tyranny Rules".

Indeed, a depressing thought.

The silver lining of the song is this: The author opens the question for people to consider. He asks if we're going to be OK, even though he feels like he can't get a revelation on whether or not he's human. At least, that's what I made of these lines:

Will your system be alright
When you dream of home tonight?
There is no message we're receiving
Let me know is your heart still beating?

Here's the positive part. Yes, my system's just fine, and I think most people's will be, because most who will consider the human or dancer question as deeply as the author--even to the point of looking for the answer on their knees--will actually FIND an answer, and for most that answer will include the spark of divinity that is within each of us. In fact, I think the author inadvertently challenges the listener to do just that: to pray to know about the nature of the soul. While the author of the song articulates a belief that we can't get an answer, I have found the opposite to be true. Namely, that an honest contemplation of the virtues associated to the Good will lead the sincere in heart to an understanding of the true essence of their character and purpose in life--which is divine (and virtue-based) in nature. Even from a strictly secular standpoint, virtue and the Good make mankind beautiful. What would the world be without the dancer in each of us?

. . .

Anyway, enough pontificating for tonight. Thanks for the food for thought there, Killers. That is such a stupid band name!

What a scam!!!

So, anyone who's thinking they'll update their blog just to get to the top of Lisa's list--don't waste your time. I think it's rigged. I updated but didn't show up first (yeah, try 8th!!!). Lisa says maybe it just takes a while for her blog to recognize that mine has been updated. I say she's got some kind of conspiracy.

Speaking of conspiracy-- what do you think of this whole governer of Illinois thing? I'm just wondering what he did to get "out of the club" there in Chicago. Must've "gone against the family", I guess. Doesn't he know you NEVER go against the family!

Back on top, BABY!

I just wanted to be at the top of Lisa's list of favorite blogs again--and I think it is rank-ordered by who updated their blog last, so . . . thanks for reading. :)

Oh, and here's a cool picture of Kid Rock -- just to make it worth it for clicking on my blog. Kid Rock ALWAYS makes it worth clicking, right?

Question of the day. . .

Here it is: Are we Human, or are we Dancer?

(Don't think about it too much, Mom. It relates to the lyrics of a popular song on the radio. I don't get it, so I thought I'd just throw the question out there for anyone to feel free to explain which we are--human or dancer, and why.)

Paul Potts

So here's the Paul Potts video I was talking about in my previous blog. The first time I saw this was at my MBA residency week. In one of my classes, they talked about becoming and being who you really are inside. They played this video, telilng us that this guy went on to win the competition in which he was competing.

The funny thing was--as they played the video, and this guy sang his song, I couldn't help but feeling emotionally moved by the music--literally to tears. I've had that experience in church when I understand the words, and there's a thought that accompanies the music, but this was different. I don't even understand the words this guy's singing, yet somehow the music was just that moving.

It was tough, cuz here I was in this 70-person class of MBA students (which was 90% men), and I'm sitting here bawling. Rediculous! I'm such a little girl.

I blame the sound and theater system, actually. It was a really nice sound system, and they had a much better quality video than this grainy Youtube thinger below; therefore, the visceral effect was impressive--making it easy to get into the music. Yeah. . . I'm sure that's it. Nothing to do with my simple emotions connected with this guy with an amazing voice.






p.s. Isn't that girl judge w/ Simon and Piers pretty? I don't know who she is, but she's almost like 87% of Lisa's prettiness. . . . almost. ;)

A New First. . .

So, this has never happened to me (that I recall anyway). . .

I was riding in to work today (on track to arrive there by 9:00a.m.--sorry, Ken, I know we're shooting for 8). . . Anyway, so I was on my way into work today, and the DJ on the radio started talking about this video he had seen on Youtube. He described it, then started playing it. As the song played, and the DJ described what it was about, tears came to my eyes, and I started just crying--over what I was hearing on the radio. Wierd, eh? So, yeah. . . that was a first for me. I DID cry once while watching Youtube when I watched the summary of the Paul Potts experience on "Brittain has talent" --but his music is simply amazing.

Anyway, here's the video that I liked today. I think it was a pretty cool idea. Not sure it's really the tear-jerker I found it to be on my way into work, but it's good. Don't know why I was so weepy-- maybe I'm pregnant.

Anyway, here it is: