look at this picture. just look at it.

that’s right. this is the kind of sludge i have to navigate my way through these days. i feel sorry for all the small kids who don’t know any better. it was better, at one point.

you know, hollywood, just because someone can make a movie, doesn’t mean they should. i could make a movie. it would involve parachutes and flying llamas. it may also contain golden penises ejaculating all the money i’d steal from pepsi by putting their logo on the side of my levitating schlong.

please. make a good movie. perhaps a sci fi? oh wait, avatar. i forgot about that. well, make the movie for tomorrow, when i have nothing to do. that would be great.

Being outspoken about atheism is often perceived as poking people in the eye and then asking them to thank you for it. Stop poking me in the eye you idiot!

Idiot is a popular word used to describe atheists, the condescending toot-toot of “oh deary, that poor fella’s gone done it all up in his head with them there screws dun’he?” Honestly, I don’t understand what you’re saying. Does anyone? Or do people just agree because you speak in that condescending tone?

It’s as if this concept of God, this almighty, all knowing, always present, always lurking, always spying entity were so blatantly obvious that anyone who doesn’t believe in it is an idiot. One doesn’t even have to argue; one doesn’t even have to put a comprehensible sentence together. Still, I am apparently the idiot.

Recently I had a conversation with a man concerning Jesus. This is an educated man with a PhD in engineering and most definitely not an idiot, but he is very religious.

The questions I asked were phrased rudely but he forgave me because he thinks I’m an idiot (it’s a reoccurring theme).

I asked if he honestly believed that Jesus was the son of God, was simultaneously God, that he had risen from the dead and had suffered for all of humanity’s sins. Of course his answer was yes.

Then I asked why. He changed the subject.

Why? This one word question of the greats is the reason I became an atheist.

There was no revolt or anger that spurred it, it was simply asking why, and not receiving an answer that made me realize that religion, with all its bells and whistles, is not about seeking truth, it’s about seeking an antidote to reality.

I like asking why, I appreciate children who never let up and demand answers when their parents continuously regurgitate “because I said so”. The kids got it down, this is not an answer; it’s an authoritarian mindfuck.

Religion is the philosophy that strives to be a science; it encourages the question why but doesn’t want to answer it. It speaks about truth but doesn’t want to objectively define it. It encourages belief in [insert deity here] but can’t pinpoint what it is, and this has somehow become such a universal practice that disassociating oneself from it causes red blaring run for the hills alarm.

All I’m asking is why?

This tiny question is left on the sidelines as if it were something only an idiot would ask. Why religion? Why God? Why scripture?  Why your scripture? Why not Harry Potter?

I suddenly feel immense solidarity with the village idiots of old. I think they were genuinely misunderstood.

So until someone can answer me why instead of just telling me “because I said so” I will remain an atheist, and an annoyingly happy one at that.

The Dirty Dozen:
The Environment Working Group has released a list of the 12 foods consumers should always buy Organic. Known as “The Dirty Dozen”, these items have been shown to have the highest levels of pesticide residues. Be sure to put them in your shopping cart during your next trip to the Organic produce section.
courtesy:semiAnn

Apparently, in the strictest sense of the word, Gringo only applies to Americans. Since I am not a filthy Yank, I am saved the torment of that particular phrase. Suck it, Americans!

I am also not a racist. I quite like some Americans. Some. Russians, however…

-

In other news, I started reading the Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. It’s quite a fascinating read so far, but I will say that the bleak coldness of distant Russia feels quite alien in this land of warmth and majesty. It’s strange how realism for some is escapism to others.

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. I've heard it referred to too often to ignore any longer.

-

Watched the film 500 Days of Summer last night. Wonderful stuff – very clever film making with one of the best final lines I’ve seen since the German film The Lives of Others. I think I may be getting my emotions back, too. I didn’t cry, but for the first time in a long time I actually understood why people would. This is a wholly new experience for me.

The film explores Love. But it is very clever with it and in the end is a very nuanced, complex tale with a strong dramatic character study in its own right. My thanks to Sebastian Hosu for the rec.

So, guys and gals, while camp 2010 seems like a long way off, it will be here before you know it.  Planning and preparation are already underway.  In fact, dates have been set and a new location has been reserved.  What’s more… our speaker has been determined and we are already making decisions concerning our classes and our overall camp theme.  Things are coming along, and we are hoping to have a great turnout.  the plan is to have information and forms in your hands soon.  Please keep an eye on the blog, here, for further updates.  Oh, and… comments are delightful, so please don’t hesitate to contribute.

***  Please go ahead and mark your calendars – or have your parents mark theirs – for…

AIM SE Youth Camp 2010

July 25-29 (Sunday-Thursday)

Woodland Christian Camp in Temple, Georgia (“Junction”)

-Adam

everyone’s been in a situation where you’re making a recipe or looking for one when you notice you don’t have one of the ingredients.  some stop right there.  but the best cooks solider on, knowing they can, as tim gunn would say, “make it work.”  here’s a few that can get you through those difficult times.

Buttermilk – 1 cup milk with 1 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar

Brown Sugar – 1 cup sugar with 1 tablespoon molasses or dark corn syrup

Fresh Herbs – for 1 tsp fresh do 1/2 tsp dry; for 1 tbs fresh do 1 tsp dry

Currants – raisins or dates

Tomato Paste – let 1 cup tomato sauce reduce to 1/2 cup

Bacon – pancetta or smoked ham

Dry Breadcrumbs – make your own with fresh bread

Butter – replace some with applesauce…for every 4 tablespoons of butter do 3 tablespoons of applesauce and 1 tablespoon of butter.

Bisquick – 1 c flour, 1 1/2 tspbaking powder, and  1/4 tsp salt mixture

2010 Buffalo Auto Show

We are “thrilled and excited” to join with the Niagara Frontier Automobile Dealers Association (NFADA) for the 2010 Buffalo Auto Show. The Buffalo Auto Show is one of Western New York’s largest indoor events with attendance approaching 100,000 each year.

Paul Stasiak, President of NFADA, stated that the Buffalo Auto Show “is looking to continue its success and growth under the direction of Quinlan and Company’s special events team, which is being led by Al Klenk.”

We will be providing creative promotional and media buying services for the event. Our hopes are to make the event an even bigger hit in the community than it has been in years past.

The Buffalo Auto Show will be held February 10-14, 2010 at the Buffalo Convention Center. From viewing the latest cars before they hit the showrooms, to meeting celebrities and a chance to win prizes, the Buffalo Auto Show will prove to be a fun event for the entire family.

Visit http://www.buffaloautoshow.com for more information on this year’s Buffalo Auto Show and http://www.quinlanco.com for NFADA’s top choice for full-service advertising in Western New York.

…for those long meetings and out-of-hand parties.

Iono how all this will pan out or how I feel about it but we’ll see, Hopefully we get that exclusive re release of that snow man tee with the trap or die 2 mixtape, so icey 2? does anyone even care if theres no beef anymore tho really??? its all love anyway.

My food blog is finally up and running!

Deliciously Wholesome

I plan to update it regularly, along with this blog.
Feel free to check it out and leave a comment.

]]> http://mikesasso.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/who-fucked-up-your-life/ Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:42:30 +0000 mikesasso http://mikesasso.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/who-fucked-up-your-life/

We all have an asshole hiding in the woodshed.

Someone that fucked up our lives.

Or so we think.

Someone that made fun of us.

Or called us names.

That kicked our ass.

Or stole our glory.

Ran off with our wives,

or ruined our reputation.

Fired us for no reason,

or destroyed us financially.

Or both.

And we hate this person.

For life.

There’s no possibility of redemption.

No amends.

No apologies.

No gifts,

or favors.

Nothing.

They’re banished,

for eternity.

Period.

Who are these self-centered, hateful assholes,

who treated us like shit?

That continue to walk this earth,

that continue to breathe the air,

and have the nerve to continue living,

in spite of what they’ve done to us?

Was it your brother,

your sister,

your mother,

your father,

your uncle,

your bitch aunt,

your perverted grandfather,

your neglectful grandmother,

your insecure boss,

that fat, ugly coworker,

the bully down the street,

that prick from high school,

your first girlfriend,

your cheating husband,

your ex-wife,

your entitled children,

your new landlord,

your sub-prime lender,

your corrupt lawyer,

your probation officer,

that fucking judge,

your drug dealer,

your pimp,

your stock broker,

your plastic surgeon,

your proctologist,

your best friend,

your mistress,

your real estate agent,

your pen pal,

your abusive stepfather,

your priest,

your president,

your teacher,

your in-laws,

your God,

was it you?

Did you,

or do you still,

treat yourself like shit?

No?

Just checking.

Whoever it was, or still is,

get away from them, immediately.

If you haven’t already.

Fuck them, whoever they are,

and forget about it.

Move on,

and try not to take it personally.

It wasn’t about you anyway.

It never is.

© 2009 OMW

JPFDH2D5PBMC

This code is from a Technorati web site to show proof of access.  This artical is not intended to mean much of anything else.  Sorry for the disruption in posts.

Most Americans endorse public efforts to reduce childhood obesity but don’t want to do so through taxes or regulation, a new survey reveals.

Almost 91 percent of those surveyed thought parents “have a lot of responsibility” for childhood obesity, with only 16 percent saying the government holds a significant amount of responsibility, according to the report in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. People could list multiple sources of responsibility.

“The public clearly wants to reduce unhealthy, and increase healthy, food consumption among children and adolescents. However, they are wary about accomplishing these goals through intensive regulation or taxation” say W. Douglas Evans, Ph.D., and colleagues at RTI International, a North Carolina not-for-profit research institute.

For instance, the survey participants generally supported ideas like restricting the availability of unhealthy foods in school vending machines and cafeterias but they opposed raising the costs of these foods or implementing a “junk food tax,” the researchers found.

Those surveyed were also overwhelmingly in favor of nutrition and exercise education in schools but not at the expense of other subjects like reading, math and science.

The national survey of 1,047 households, conducted between January and March 2004, revealed that 41 percent believe that childhood overweight and obesity is a serious problem. Most of the people surveyed said junk food and fast food, followed by too much time spent in front of the television, are the biggest culprits.

Although the survey participants did not want to see specific taxes on foods, more than 70 percent said they would support a $25 income tax increase to support government or school-sponsored childhood obesity intervention programs.

Evans and colleagues also found that households with children at home and individuals with at least some college education were less likely to support school-based programs like regular weigh-ins and weight “report cards” sent home to parents, similar to those used by Arkansas public schools in 2004.

“This is the first survey to compare and contrast support for specific types of childhood interventions that have recently been implemented or proposed. Such data are likely to be of great interest to policymakers and others who might consider endorsing specific interventions,” Evans says.

“However,” he adds, “relatively little scientific information exists on which of these interventions are effective in actual school, community and media settings.”

Overweight and obesity rates among children and teens have tripled since the 1980s, now reaching 15 percent of the child population.

The study was supported by RTI International.

Childhood obesity not an individual responsibility

Many claim that obesity is an individual responsibility. And, they also think that children can easily cure themselves by following good eating habits and through regular exercise. But, all these people don’t realize some important facts. Many schools in America are filling children’s stomachs with calorie less soft drinks. And, in fact, many schools don’t have proper recess and exercise policies. Then, how can obese children be blamed in any way?

Parents should bear the blame

Don’t blame the children for their obesity problem. In fact they are not allowed to make their own choices about their lives. It’s the parents and schools that need to be blamed for the obesity epidemic. Give a choice a child may prefer to do some exercise – walking, running, cycling, jogging – anything they love to do.

Do you know the fact that in US 32% of 2-7 year olds and 65% of 8-18 year olds have television in their bedrooms? Then, who is the reason for the excessive TV viewing habits among children in America? Is it not their parents?

Realize the childhood obesity aftereffects

Research studies show that most of the eating and physical activity habits are established in childhood only. And, the psychologists say that most of one’s habits and traits for lifelong are established by the age of 12. Excess body fat that is accumulated in a child persist throughout childhood and also into adulthood.

Obese children are physically less active compared to a normal child. In one study it is found that an obese child walks slower, flat footed, asymmetrically and with turned toes. These poor walking habits and physical inactivity results in structural deformities and body tissue damage. Even when walking itself is a bid challenge for an obese child you can imagine about other physical activities.

Childhood obesity prevention possible

We can easily prevent the childhood obesity only by following two obesity prevention tips – eat the right food and do regular exercise. Inculcate these two obesity prevention habits into your overweight child’s routine. You can expect the best results very soon. Also, don’t forget to consult a child psychologist to save your child from the behavior problems that come with obesity problem.

Aurora Illinois is located in Kane County and is situated on the Western edge of what would be considered the Greater Chicago Land region.  First Settled in 1834 Aurora has some great old homes through out the community and with them comes some unique HVAC challenges.

Many of the homes have Boilers which while efficient are expensive to replace or repair and lack the duct work to cleanly integrate central air conditioning in many of these old homes.

If your lucky enough to have duct work it tends to be ran under the home through the floors with floor level vents and air returns.  This takes up valuable floor space as you can’t cover the vents and it’s harder to get cold air high enough up to get good consistency.  You can mitigate this buy using ceiling fans and I’ve seen some success with variations in blower motors and controls.

That being said there are many innovative options available such as a line of Fujitsu air conditioning units.  It’s a self contained air conditioning unit that mounts horizontally on the wall.  They draw air from the bottom of the unit and blow cold air out the top.  To move the heat outside there is just tubing that needs to be routed to the AC coil located outside.  This style of unit isn’t exactly cheap.  However it gives you some great flexibility when you don’t want to chop holes in a classic old home.

I love these old homes and I hate seeing new duct work or window air conditioning units disrupt the majesty of these old homes.

Here are a couple of resources you might be interested in if you live in the Aurora or North Aurora area.

• Weather underground web site for Aurora is great for checking out the weather trends in this area
• You can find the Aurora community web site for more general information
• For HVAC related topics, you can check out the Four Seasons Aurora web site or their resource center web site for other helpful information.  If you live in another community you can use there search site to check if your city is covered.

I’ve been considering leaving the internet lately…  Not the whole internet.
I would still keep this blog, and the food blog I am in the process of creating, but leave Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter.  Actually, I’ve played around with different variations of leaving.  Like, I’ve thought about only leaving Facebook.  I’m not as into MySpace as I used to be, but at least I could still keep in touch with some people.  The only reason I would leave Twitter is because I don’t think many people read my tweets.  I’m grateful to those who do, but I don’t feel a strong connection to it…

So, I don’t know what I’m going to do just yet, but I know I need change.

Ok, so this is quite a bit late according to the previous posted list… Sorry… But at least its good! I hope you enjoy this detailed list of facts about the country Mauritania )

Mauritania

Country: Mauritania
Area (in Square Miles): 1,030,700 sq. km. (slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico)
Number and names of provinces, states, etc.:
Capital: Nouakchott
Ports (if any): Nouadhibou, Nouakchott
Infrastructure (how are the roads, are there railways, etc.): Mauritania’s infrastructure is poor compared to its neighbors. The roads are dilapidated, particularly in the countryside; long distances and the difficult desert climate make their maintenance difficult. There are about 7,660 kilometers (4,760 miles) of roadways, 866 kilometers (538 miles) of which are paved, and 704 kilometers (460 miles) of railroad line for carrying iron ore from Zouérat to Nouadhibou. Several roads are under construction, and land conversion and road construction are a top priority for the government. The country is home to the world’s longest freight train. The more than 1.5 mile-long train carries iron ore from central Zouirat to the port of Nouadhibou.
Kind of Government: Islamic Republic
Leaders Name: President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984; Chief of State) Prime Minister Cheikel Afia Ould Mohamed KHOUNA (since 16 November 1998; head of government)
Kind of Economy: Overview- A majority of the population of Mauritania still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though most of the nomads and many subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for almost 50% of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. With the current rise in metal prices, gold and copper mining companies are opening mines in the interior. The nation’s coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country’s first deep water port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In recent years, drought and economic mismanagement have resulted in a buildup of foreign debt.
Major crops: Millet and sorghum were Mauritania’s principal crops, followed by rice and corn. Before the 1980s, millet and sorghum accounted for 70 to 80 percent or more of total grain production. Rice production in the 1970s averaged 5 to 10 percent, and corn made up 10 to 25 percent. In the 1980s, rice production grew in importance, as national planning emphasized irrigated agriculture (which favored rice) and a change in dietary habits.
Major Industry: Agriculture, Cement, Fishing, Industrial Gas, Mining, Paints, Textiles
Major Natural Resources: iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish
GDP: $2.756 Billion (2007 Est.)
GNP: $1.72 Billion
Trade Deficit: A trade deficit of 6.6 billion ouguiyas is growing, however, and reflects not only the weakness of the domestic economy but also increased debt repayments and the decrease in money transfers from Mauritanian workers abroad.
Human Trafficking Report: Mauritania is a source and destination country for children trafficked for the purpose of forced labor, begging, and domestic servitude; adults and children are subjected to slavery-related practices rooted in ancestral master-slave relationships in isolated parts of the country where a barter economy exists
Crime statistics: Crime in Mauritania is moderate but steadily increasing. Most incidents occur in the cities and larger towns and are petty crimes, such as pick-pocketing and the theft of improperly secured or openly visible valuables left in vehicles. Most criminal activity occurs at night; therefore, walking alone at night is not advisable. Residential burglaries and robberies, particularly at the beaches in Nouakchott, are not uncommon. In Nouakchott, travelers should avoid the beach at night. During the day, beach-goers should travel in large groups or stay in popular areas because of the increase in the number of thefts and robberies there in the past several years. Violent crimes and crimes involving the use of weapons are rare, but increasing. Rapes and assaults have occurred and, in some instances, involved the American community. Foreign tourists, including Americans, might be targeted for kidnapping in Mauritania.
(?)Top 5 ways people die
HIV/AIDS incidents (in % of people infected): 0.8% (2007 est.)/ 14,000 (2007 est.)
Percent of people in poverty: 40% of people below poverty line
Average yearly wage: Average Annual Income (GNI per capita) US$560
Largest employers: The government and Mining Industry
Military: Mauritanian Armed Forces: Army, Navy (Marine Mauritanienne; includes Naval Infantry), Air Force (Force Aerienne Islamique de Mauritanie, FAIM) (2005
Any wars fought in last 20 years: Mauritania/Senegal Border War 1889-1991
Alliances: Morocco and The U.S.
Official Languages: Arabic (official and national),
Unofficial language: Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French, Hassaniya
Mission Agencies working in the country: IMB, Joshua Project, Hannover International Bible Church
Whether Bible translations are available in all the language: Yes
Whether the Jesus movie is available in all the languages: Yes
#of Computer users: (per 100 people; 2005 est.) 1.4
# of internet users: (per 100 people; 2005 est.) 0.5
#of cell phone users: 24.3(Per 100 people; 2005 est.)
Climate: desert; constantly hot, dry, and dusty
Environment Current Issues: overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal, which is the only perennial river; locust infestation
Age Structure: 0-14 years- 41% (male 643,436/female 638,793)
15-64 years- 55.7% (male 818,778/female 923,046)
65 years and over- 3.4% (male 44,836/female 60,597) (2009 est)
Median Age: total: 19.2 years, male: 18.3 years, female: 20 years (2009 est.)
Diets: Mauritanians live on a simple starchy diet of couscous or rice. Families can rarely afford meat or fish. Fruit, most of which is imported, is considered a luxury. Vegetables are not popular, as they are expensive and hard to grow in the desert soil.

-THE WAY )

You’re there, baby.

Click to see: www.shoeism.ca

Perfect Holiday gift for your girl to practice on them hand jobs.

Sold at a store near you.
(Via Reggie B.

Why do people care so much,

about what other people think of them?

To the point of absurdity.

What will people think?

It all starts when we’re a child.

Be a good girl.

a good boy.

A complete drone.

Be polite.

Mind your manners.

Be on your best behavior.

Don’t speak unless you’re spoken to.

Just stand there and smile.

Don’t ask questions,

just do what you’re told.

Behave yourself at school.

Don’t embarrass me in front of the neighbors.

Keep your feelings to yourself.

Or better yet, don’t have any feelings at all.

But whatever you do,

don’t give yourself away.

Be anyone, but who you really are.

A shallow, empty vessel, with no thoughts of your own.

You are, or have become, what you’re supposed to be.

It’s all a part of our socialization process.

Our domestication.

And we are all to blame.

We suppress each other.

And ourselves.

Knowingly, willingly.

No wonder we’re all so fucked up.

We don’t even know who the fuck we are.

We have become what others want us to be.

Instead of becoming ourselves.

We have no sense of self,

or individuality.

We’re just another someone, anyone, no one.

A face in the crowd.

Our spirit was killed,

before it even had a chance.

Our candle was never lit.

Have a nice day.

© 2009 OMW