Florida Congressman Mark Foley - Ick!

     Florida Congressman Mark Foley. I saw some of the e-mails (alleged e-mails) from Foley to male pages. EEww, eeww and eeww. He stepped down yesterday. This will probably get uglier. I just don't get it.

Getting Older, Diversity and Other Stuff

     I spoke with a dear friend this morning and did a quick prayer. When we all were younger we never thought of illness, or if we thought of it at all, it was about someone else, never us. All of the little aches and annoying pains from long ago are making us pay our dues. I know with me it is a fall that I took when I was in my 20's and worked at the newspaper office, now I notice that my ankle becomes tender to touch when it is humid. Oh my goodness. Hel-low! Have I turned into my mom?

Stedman Graham was on television this morning talking about his new book, Diversity: Leaders Not Labels – A New Plan for the 21st Century. He seemed uncomfortable talking about the book, but I know that he is a dynamic speaker. Maybe he was not used to hawking his books on television. I bought You Can Make It Happen years ago and found it helpful and inspirational. I still go back to it.  Graham said something that really got my attention, "...connect to people based on their spirit." I love that. He was talking about looking past the obvious, gender, skin color, ethnicity and looking for the not so obvioius. I am sure that I will purchase this new book.

People tend to forget that Stedman Graham is a successful businessman http://www.stedmangraham.com/ and not just Oprah's BF.  The thing is once when I needed some information concerning him and could not remember his full name, I did type "Stedman Oprah's boyfriend", it even works when you type "Oprah's boyfriend." Either way he pops up (LOL)  Thanks to one the atty's in my old office, I learned very early on that you don't have to be a genuis to do a search on the Internet. I salute her wisdom and hope she is doing well wherever she is.

This is a stressful writing week. Mostly because I am having a problem putting articles together. My mind is wandering something awful. I decided to read something that would allow me to enjoy the words rather that think about them, so I chose a couple of my "Cat Who...." novels. Did that work? Nope, I find myself putting strips of paper between the pages of the novels. In one, there is a mention of  valentine candy, you know those heart shaped boxes filled with chocolates. That took me back to my childhood, I clearly remembered that my dad used to buy a large box of these candies every Valentines Day. I can'tremember if mom actually ate the candy, but I guess she must have, I don't recall getting one of the little chocolates.  

None of us is defined by our circumstances, nor are we defined by how other people perceive us. It is up to each one of us to define ourselves, and that is a life's work. Each of us has the ability to lead a dynamic life by pursuing our unique goals and dreams. There are no limits to what you can do.

 Stedman Graham

Lack of Connection is Just a Passing Phase

 That's what my horoscope has said for 3 days already. What's up with this?? But taking taking some precautions, moving slowly and with purpose--just in case ;-).  I talked at length with my girlfriend, three of us may get together before the snow flys. While talking to her, I was reminded of something I have always remembered from the Felix and Oscar television show (can't remember proper name). Felix was fond of saying, "Never assume, because when you do you make an 'ass' of  'u' and 'me'." That was so obvious when we were speaking of hotels, etc. I guess forgot that people do change, so sometime this year we will all stay at what I call my 'stage door' place. If you are familiar with this classic film you will know the kind of apartment we will be living in for a week. She was delighted when I told her that our concierge(sp) may be a "Carlton-like" (Rhoda show) gentleman. She said that's fine as long as the price is right!! Was this my girlfriend? Right then I confessed that I thought she would hate it and told her why, she reminded me that at one time she had a huge expense account and that things and people do change. (LOL) It will be great to see two old friends again--we will have a lot to talk about.

You know, I just noticed that I have mentioned horoscopes in several recent posts, while I do read them I usually forget them immediately. Wonder why I am not these days?

 

Home Again, Home Again

    I took some get-away time. Arrived home late last night, the traffic was so backed up for so long I became antsy.  Just dreadful. I am inundated with e-mails. I was able to check my e-mails while away, but just handled the ones I had to answer. There were only 2 pc's available and everybody had the same idea--checking their online mail. This is not a complaint, the pc usage was free as was the printer and paper. You can't beat that.  One of the e-mails I received was an offer at my Work & Family site for free cell phones for myself and my readers for a review of the new phones. Of course I cannot accept these phones, so will respond with regrets and a thank you for offer today. 

I had saved some information asking me to do some volunteer work for a local community cause. This morning, I said no and deleted the information. I am really trying to get better at saying no without feeling guilty.

Gotta Get Cable?

   I am thinking that I just may have to break down and get cable, at least I was thinking that last night. It's so difficult trying to watch television cuz I really do hate most of the shows. I finally turned to Ch. 13 and caught a program about Leonard Bernstein. It was great--I think he may have been my first real crush. I clearly remember watching Young People's Concert every week, without fail. I thought he was sooo handsome. Last night they were showing an aged Bernstein and was wondering, "is that what he looked like?" and finally they showed early Bernstein, the man I remembered. I did get a chance to see him in person and he was as powerful (I doubt I used that word back then) as I remembered him on television. I never knew anything about him, except his music. Boy, he had issues, and then some. I remember crying like a baby when I learned that he had died.  I am sure that I have a couple of his records in "my vault". I often think of doing something with my old records, there is a lot of good stuff there, including some very old (1920's??) records.

 

Finger's Crossed for a Good Week

     Well, one of my contracts was just renewed for another year (yah!). I signed Saturday. I have finished two reviews and sent them in, am hopeful that they will be used this week.  Have to head to my biz mailbox with a positive attitude, maybe I will find goodies awaiting.  

I am looking outside and all of the trees are still green, but it feels like fall. I still can't believe how it feels like so Autumn already. Of course, you know that I don't hate it. This is a favorite time of year for me. Still, when the weather changes so quickly, I am always reminded of those old cartoons where "night falls" and night comes down like a falling curtain. This moring I grabbed a sweater to toss over my shoulder's and see that 2 buttons are missing. (whine) I hate when that happens, you can't even replace them unless you have saved the one or two extras that come with new sweater. When you keep clothing as long as I do, that is highly unlikely. Still I will check in my button box, maybe I will get lucky, or least find 9 buttons that match and fit the button-hole. Yeh, right! (lol)

I might well leave the house now, the telephone call I was waiting for is not happening :-(

 

Misleading Media Header??

      Today as always, when my AOL Welcome Page opened I looked at all of the sections. This is what I saw in the Lifestyle Section.

 

Alarming Report on Cigarettes

Are Black Smoker's Being Targeted

 

Wow!! Naturally I clicked on the blue link to read this story--this is the paragraph mentioning "blacks"

 

The study found the three most popular cigarette brands with young smokers - Marlboro, Newport and Camel - delivered significantly more nicotine than they did years ago. Nicotine in Kool, a popular menthol brand, rose 20 percent. More than two-thirds of black smokers use menthol brands.

 

I am not getting it. It may be true that blacks do smoke more menthol. My dad smoked Camels. MMMmmm digressing. When you click on the blue link this is what you actually find.

 

U.S. Report: More Nicotine in Cigarettes

http://health.aol.com/news/story/_a/us-report-more-nicotine-in-cigarettes/20060830083909990001

 

Why that particular header? I have read reports that the show that  some African American and Hispanic neighborhoods are targeted with cigarette [and  liquore] ads. However, "targeting" is not the subject in the article above.  When I see stuff like this, it makes me sad. :-(  

 

FYI. When I clicked on the Mass.  link in the article I was taken to the states "try to stop smoking" link http://trytostop.org/

 

 

Tennis's Bad Boy Gone Good

    I can't believe that former tennis bad boy Andre Agassi has become almost an elder statesman in tennis. I keep remembering the cocky, in-your-face, flamboyant Agassi who would fly of the handle at the drop of a hat. To hear him speak to eloquently about his fans and tennis, and to watch those tears streaming down his face was something to behold.

A lot of people are not aware that Agassi has done some very find things, one is his foundation.Elton John (Sir Elton) and Emeril Lagasse are on the BOD of The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation. I am aware that the full board is important, but there are to two names I am familiar with.  http://www.agassifoundation.org/

 

The AACF was founded 1994 by professional tennis player Andre Agassi, the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation (AACF) was created to provide recreational and educational opportunities for at-risk children in Southern Nevada.

Since its inception, the Foundation has supported more than 20 organizations and raised more than $60 million for programs designed to enhance a child's character, self-esteem and career possibilities. Because all of the Foundation's operating costs are underwritten, every penny raised goes directly towards improving the lives of at-risk youth.

"I have been very blessed and had many opportunities available to me," said Agassi. "Children today face so many obstacles. If I can make a positive impact on at least one child's life, then it has all been worthwhile."

While he was behaving badly on court, he was being generous elsewhere. Good for you A.A.

Made a Hard Decision, Can I Follow Through?

 Today my horoscope says, You are being restrained from expressing yourself as freely as you would like, but this is probably more positive than you realize. If you just say whatever is on your mind today, you could offend people who mean a lot to you. Patience is your best friend now. Don't make any sudden changes yet, but if you feel certain about something special, move slowly and with great intent. Sometimes it is so right-on it is scary. I have been wrestling with a decision I have (already have made in my heart) to make. Not quite sure how to go about it.

Personal life changing decisions are so hard. I have thought about the positives and negatives. The negatives here far outweigh the positives. I am relying on my mom's wisdom--it has not failed me yet. 

Welcome Fall

I have been so busy do my 'writing for money' thing that I have not visited Bloggie. This week I changed my Watkins site for Autumn www.watkinsonline.com/ryanes. I was telling a friend that this site fought me all the way to complete edit. :-( Very frustrating. Oh well--it's done now :-)

Want to wish my September buddies a happy birthday month. Enjoy! my Virgo and Libra friends. I am not clever enough to remember that off the top of my head, but I am clever enough to keep my Linda Goodman's Sun Signs book close at hand.