tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45178852096100767962024-03-12T16:52:03.292-07:00Sovereign Vision: WinnipegWelcome to Sovereign Vision. A blog designed to provoke thought and discussion regarding issues, events and unique topics in Winnipeg and Manitoba, as well as across Canada and the world. Comment often, and let the discussion begin!Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-72946145758874198512012-03-23T05:54:00.001-07:002012-03-29T22:42:53.669-07:00Journey for Justice: how project angel cracked the Candace Derken case - analysisAn assignment for the Creative Communications; reading Journey for Justice, how project Angel cracked the Candace Derksen case by Mike McIntyre, was a good lesson in journalistic literature; how to structure a non-fiction story, how much detail to include and when to use those details. McIntyre used a good amount of details, which isn't the easiest thing to do in a non-fiction book, because they have to be accurate.
The details helped paint a picture, but didn't drag on unnecessarily, much like I noticed in McIntyre's To The Grave, where some conversations and descriptions dragged on unnecessarily in my opinion, like when the undercover police officer and the suspect talked about American Idol. The style of writing was very similar, same author of course, but something I really enjoyed in To the Grave was the parts detailing the efforts made by police. When they met with the suspect as part of a sting operation, where a cop went undercover and acted as part of a criminal organization which payed big money, but they needed to know they could trust him, in an effort to make him confess his murder. I liked the behind the scenes look at how the police actually cracked the case. I was disappointed that Journey for Justice didn't take the sawn approach, considering the subtitle of the book: how project angel cracked the Candace Derksen case. I guess I was expecting.... To actually find out how the cops cracked the case?? Well, that would've been nice. But now, to what I did like about Journey for Justice.
The first part of Journey for Justice was my favorite in the book; I felt for the family, as the tragedy unfolded. I felt almost in their shoes and compelled to turn the next page. It was surreal reading about it taking place, so close to where I've spent a lot of time. Talbot street and MBCI were daily sights in my life back in high school, so i had a nice visual to associate with the story and made it seem more real. However, I found this style and pace didn't hold true for the rest of the book.
While the selection of the jury was informative, I just wasn't interested, as the pace really dragged on in this part. And while I feel it's important to include this information in any detailed analysis or report of the trial, it prompted myself to ponder a question: who was McIntyre writing this book for? And quite frankly, even after his presentation to our class, I haven't found an answer. In fact, due to his personal connection to the Derksens and the case, which helped prompt him to write the book, I can only assume two motivations: 1) to tell a tragic story of someone close to him that he's passionate about, and 2) to sell books.
And while he denied the latter, I deemed that to be at least partially untrue, because of course that was a motivating factor; it is for anyone producing a book.
As far as what we can take from the book, it's definitely a good blueprint of how to structure a non-fiction novel. Most of the dialogue is believable and I found his descriptions to be better than that in To the Grave.
But some of what I took from McIntyre came from his presentation; did whatever he could to get the story he felt conveyed what he wanted, in regards to the luncheon at the end of the book. He was allow to attend as long as he didn't bring his notebook. He talked to people and made mental nots, and took people's contact information so he could later ask them to repeat what they said while they were there. That's what I took from it; doing what it takes to get the story, being nice to people and understanding them goes a long way to them cooperating with your journalistic goals. Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-79187386108853288282012-03-21T13:25:00.000-07:002012-03-21T13:31:33.161-07:00Tilted Magazine makes it's debut!<br />
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Hi one and all, this post is a far cry from the usual subject matter I cover on this blog – and that’s probably a good thing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This post describes the magazine me and my group produced called “Tilted” magazine, all about spotlighting local Winnipeg filmmaking talent and giving a behind-the-scenes look at filmmaking.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In our debut issue we give readers a behind-the-scenes look of the making of “The Divide”, filmed in Winnipeg; a stunt man on fire; acting tips; how to transition from theatre to TV or film; movie reviews and more.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our magazine will make its debut on Friday, March 30<sup>th</sup> in the Atrium of the Red River College Princess Campus/Exchange district Campus, from 12 to 4.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This will be in conjunction with a plethora of magazines also making their debut.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“It’s a festive and carnival atmosphere,” RRC Instructor Kenton Larsen spoke about the annual event.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In years past theirs been a tonne of free food, from popcorn and cupcakes to even alcoholic beverages (but don’t tell anyone).<o:p></o:p></div>
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So come on down and check out Tilted, get the inside and behind-the0-scenes look at our magazines debut issue.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s greatly appreciated, you’ll see a lot of new magazines, and let’s face it – it’s a freaking party, come on down!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Checkout the team's blogs!</div>
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www.allisonbench.com</div>
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dayna'sdish.blogspot.ca</div>
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gamingoutsiders.blogspot.com</div>Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-26739311925920719782012-03-17T09:07:00.003-07:002012-03-17T09:07:54.558-07:00Bell eats Astral Pie<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0in 0in 15.75pt;">
<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, BCE Inc. (owns Bell Media) bought Astral Media this week. I’ve noticed lately that a lot of media I consume is Bell Media. It’s interesting to think of the advertising, PR, and propaganda possibilities with such a conglomerate. So, here’s a snippet from a Toronto Star article to explain the purchase, followed by my rant. Yay! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">BCE Inc. </span></b><span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The telecom giant has been moving into the media space to ensure content ownership in Canada, as it competes with Rogers Communications and Quebecor.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Last year, it bought 100 per cent of CTV and started Bell Media, a new business unit to make television programming available on smartphones and computers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bell Media operates 28 conventional stations as well as 30 specialty channels, including Business News Network, Discovery Channel, Much, MTV, The Comedy Network, Space, and TSN and RDS.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It also owns 32 radio stations, including TSN Radio, and Dome Productions, a mobile broadcast facilities provider, and dozens of news, sports and entertainment websites including sympatico.ca.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It also has acquired a minority stake in the Montreal Canadiens, and it is joining with rival Rogers Communications to buy a chunk of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which is due to close in mid-2012.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Astral Media</span></b><span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Astral is Montreal-based company founded in 1961. It owns many familiar television channels such as Family, Disney Junior, Teletoon, to premium channels such as The Movie Network and HBO Canada. In Quebec, it operates 13 French-language channels Canal Vie, Canal D, VRAK TV and MusiquePlus.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Astral also has 84 radio stations in 50 markets, including CJOB 680 and QX 104.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It also has 9,500 outdoor traditional and digital billboards in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia, which Bell sees as a growing market.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While this acquisition is an example of capitalism, it is also an example of corporatism—well not yet, but a step in that direction. See, it would be different if the people governed the people; however we have career politicians that are influenced by big business’s lobbying and influence. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I suppose my concerns are mostly unjustified, in BCE Inc. at least, it’s more of a philosophical issue. And even though this is the natural progression of capitalism… it’s like all businesses circle around a drain—like in a bathtub. The rich get richer, and buy up the poorer, until everything is in the hands of two or three corporations in that sector with a myriad of divisions and subsections so you don’t start thinking “hmmm… you know, everything I like to watch and listen to is owned by Bell Media.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">See, that’s what I’ve been finding I’ve been saying to myself. I love the Jets, so I watch TSN and the Jets channel—all owned by Bell Media. I also like to listen to them, and TSN 1290 owns the broadcast rights—Bell owns TSN 1290. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bell also owns CTV, which broadcasts my favorite local TV news program, of course, CTV News… with Gord Leclerc, lol. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUU5qw7EgyTJrMpPPQ9j5vY1XqF2yKoykDqpnXpVO05psd8W8cltY-Szz1u8IKU25iegZai9HSSUK1mLeDD8M8DxOTloZGurHW7U35KTxOF8VKKc4RZq2XuiKxDj4QkcFXi-rAqWojP7Sx/s1600/media+mind+zap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUU5qw7EgyTJrMpPPQ9j5vY1XqF2yKoykDqpnXpVO05psd8W8cltY-Szz1u8IKU25iegZai9HSSUK1mLeDD8M8DxOTloZGurHW7U35KTxOF8VKKc4RZq2XuiKxDj4QkcFXi-rAqWojP7Sx/s200/media+mind+zap.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And when I’m not consumed by Jets or news, I like to sit back and watch some Big Bang Theory or South Park on Comedy Network or American Pickers or some documentary on History Channel or Discovery. Oh… Bell Media owns all those eh? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just a tad bit concerning when the majority of the media I consume comes from one place. And I sure hope there is a high level of trust in an organization with that much control in the greatest propaganda tools known to man.</span></div>
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<br /></div>Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-11280748785485639162012-02-16T19:35:00.000-08:002012-02-16T19:35:03.138-08:00Powerful VideoSpeech before the US House of Representatives, 02/12/09
(R) Ron Paul. This man is running for president!
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Madame Speaker,
I have a few questions for my colleagues.
What if we wake up one day and realize that the terrorist threat is a predictable consequence of our meddling in the affairs of others?
What if propping up repressive regimes in the Middle East endangers both the United States and Israel?
What if occupying countries like Iraq and Afghanistan - and bombing Pakistan - is directly related to the hatred directed toward us and has nothing to do with being free and prosperous?
What if someday it dawns on us that losing over 5,000 American military personnel in the Middle East since 9/11 is not a fair trade-off for the loss of nearly 3,000 American citizens, no matter how many Iraqi, Pakistani, and Afghan people are killed or displaced?
What if we finally decide that torture, even if called enhanced interrogation techniques, is self-destructive and produces no useful information - and that contracting it out to a third world nation is just as evil?
What if it is finally realized that war and military spending is always destructive to the economy?
What if all wartime spending is paid for through the deceitful and evil process of inflating and borrowing?
What if we finally see that wartime conditions always undermine personal liberty?
What if conservatives, who preach small government, wake up and realize that our interventionist foreign policy provides the greatest incentive to expand the government?
What if conservatives understood once again that their only logical position is to reject military intervention and managing an empire throughout the world?
What if the American people woke up and understood that the official reasons for going to war are almost always based on lies and promoted by war propaganda in order to serve special interests?
What if we as a nation came to realize that the quest for empire eventually destroys all great nations?
What if Obama has no intention of leaving Iraq?
What if a military draft is being planned for the wars that will spread if our foreign policy is not changed?
What if the American people learn the truth: that our foreign policy has nothing to do with national security and that it never changes from one administration to the next?
What if war and preparation for war is a racket serving the special interests?
What if President Obama is completely wrong about Afghanistan and it turns out worse than Iraq and Vietnam put together?
What if Christianity actually teaches peace and not preventive wars of aggression?
What if diplomacy is found to be superior to bombs and bribes in protecting America?
What happens if my concerns are completely unfounded - nothing!
What happens if my concerns are justified and ignored - nothing good!Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-44960655584001359882012-02-11T07:05:00.001-08:002012-02-11T07:05:24.192-08:00Hey Feds, wanna save money? Don't legalize the rope, legalize the dope!"A senator known for advocating on behalf of the victims of crime backed off slightly on comments that suggested serial murderers should be given a rope to hang themselves in prison.
Sen. Pierre Hugues-Boisvenu made the remarks ahead of the Conservative caucus meeting in Ottawa on Wednesday." - CTV
Should serial murderers be given a rope to hang themselves in prison if they see fit? Wow, way to open up a can of worms.
If one of the factors of this idea was to reduce the prison population... I don't know, it just sounds too Hitler-esq.
Why not have softer penalties for non-violent crimes?
Why not legalize marijuana? That would decrease the prison population more than the rope e dope, saving taxpayers money - and not just that. It would also act a significant source of revenue that would help pay for federal services and chip away at our national debt.
"Every year, a widely consumed illegal substance makes potential criminals of millions and actual criminals of hundreds of thousands. And like booze during Prohibition, this substance, marijuana, is the easy revenue of organized crime, contributing tens of billions of dollars to growers, who commit a variety of bad acts both at home and abroad.
What about possible tax revenue? From Canada we’ve learned that the production cost of (government-sponsored) marijuana is roughly 33¢ a gram. Currently, U.S. marijuana consumers pay at least $10 per gram retail for illegal marijuana. If the cost of retailing and distribution is the same as for legal tobacco cigarettes, about 10¢ a gram, then selling the (legal) product at exactly the same price as on the street today ($10 per gram) could raise $40 billion to $100 billion in new revenue. Not chump change. Government would simply be transferring revenue from organized crime to the public purse." - Business Week.
Absolutely, couldn't agree more with business week on this one. Don't legalize the rope, legalize the dope.
It just makes sense.
Some people could say "if the government doesn't save us from it, everyone will use it".
Really?
If Cocaine was legalized, would you go try it just because? NO! Because you can think for yourself and don't need the nanny state to tell you what is and what is not safe or healthy for you.
Hell, alcohol is far more dangerous than weed is.
Alcohol is:
More toxic
Responsible for more deaths
More violent behavior
Deadlier long/term use
And more....
Yet it's still legal.
Why?
The money!
Now, I know I started this post ranting about the idea of putting ropes in murderers cells so they could hang themselves.. But rather, I looked at the cause of the issue- an overflowing prison population and the tax dollars it takes to keep them in jail. Legalizing would help solve both of these issues, it could also increase tourism and would definitely stimulate the economy.
So what's wrong with that?
I say: don't give 'em rope, give 'em dope.
Spock would say: it's only logical. Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-30593629619421810662012-01-28T08:52:00.001-08:002012-01-28T08:54:32.330-08:00Tim Thomas: American Patriot (when he's not the Boston Bruins goaltender)Good on ya Tim Thomas. The Conn Smyth winning goaltender from the 2011 stanley cup winning Boston Bruins didn't join his teammates visiting President Obama at the White House Monday.
Now, Thomas has been hearing a ton of flak from the media for his decision to exercise his right of free speech and his individual right to choose what he wants to do. He doesn't respect Obama or his administration, and can you really blame him?
What I respect about Thomas, is he had the guts to do what he felt was right. Yet most media is slamming the guy for.... Not joining his teammates? Hmmm. Why doesn't TSN mention the real elephant in the room here. His actual statement; here it is:
“I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People.
This is being done at the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial level. This is in direct opposition to the Constitution and the Founding Fathers vision for the Federal government.
Because I believe this, today I exercised my right as a Free Citizen, and did not visit the White House. This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country. This was about a choice I had to make as an INDIVIDUAL.
This is the only public statement I will be making on this topic. TT”
We should be debating his statement, which I find to be accurate and I welcome a debate on it because his statement is truth, and not the Boston Bruins or Obama or political affiliation.
Now, if you're a hockey fan reading this post and don't know much about the Federal Reserve, just google it, do some research. Research the American monetary system and how it drastically changed in 1913 with the Federal Reserve act.
It's the only "government" agency to have never been audited. I think it's time to audit the Fed. Why not? The Fed it supposed to benefit the people, is it not? In fact, rewind to the 19th century and every company operating in the U.S. Was audited and had to prove that it benefited the American public. Of course, big business (David Rockefeller oil company) lobbied to change that in the late 19th century.
Go to YouTube and search Alan Greenspan, the former chairman of the fed, and how he explains that there's no action the government can take to overturn decisions the fed sees as prudent. In other words, they're above the law.
Thomas is the only American born player on the Boston Bruins... And flat out rejected the invitation.
Now, I've been hearing the spin from the local winnipeg sports talk shows.. Saying how this is a disrespectful move by Thomas, and that these kind of comments could have been made in the off-season.
Would anyone care what he says in the off-season?
NO!
It's brilliant PR to get his message across and bring awareness to his cause and the message of liberty against a federal government constantly eroding liberty and freedom in exchange for "safety" against an external threat, the"terrorist".
Reminds me of Hitlers campaign of propaganda to hate the Jews, erode their rights... And then eveyones rights.
Anyways...
Tim Thomas exercised excellent PR to bring serious issues that everyone should understand and be aware of into the mainstream.... Expect this story to be swept under the rug unless Thomas makes further statements, which is unlikely because he said he wouldn't make any further statements.
Certain sports talk show hosts say Thomas took some thunder from the Boston Bruins celebration of their Stanley Cup victory.
Well i say the future of our society is more important than sports. Even though I love hockey and football. Go jets go!
Tim Thomas = 2 thumbs up.
It took a ton of courage, inner strength and integrity to make the statement you made. Hopefully this helps bring the issues you brought up to the forefront.... Before they elect Romney.... Wow, please don't elect Romney. Need a third party candidate. Break the two party paradigm.
Pce.Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-81119992069305029592012-01-03T20:56:00.001-08:002012-01-03T23:34:37.528-08:00CNN Cut Off US Army Soldier, Cpl, Supporting Ron Paul, Anti-War, 2012 Iowa Caucus<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NxbR8EvdrDM?feature=player_embedded" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
CNN was interviewing a 28 year old active duty US Army Corporal, Jesse Thorsen, who voted for Ron Paul and explained why. <br />
<br />
"I'm really excited about alot of his ideas especially when it comes to bringing the soldiers home I've been serving for ten years now and all ten years of those have been during war-time. I'd like to see a little peace-time army and I think he has the right idea," Thorsen said. <br />
<br />
The reporter said other Republicans view Paul's foriegn policy objective to bring troops home from overseas conflicts to be dangerous. Thorsen replied: "I think it would be even more dangerous to start nit-picking wars with other countries..." the feed goes dead and they move on to continue their biased support for Mitt Romney. <br />
<br />
This is more than a little fishy considering this was the ONLY dropped feed during the entire broadcast. I can just imagine the director yelling "cut him off; shut him up," behind the scenes. <br />
<br />
This is yet another example of the mainstream medias bias against Paul and his policies for personal liberty, limited government, and sound currency, which they've made no attempt to conceal. <br />
<br />
A disgusting piece of journalism.<br />
<br />
At least they're consistent ;)Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-86172779043587795592011-11-17T14:00:00.001-08:002011-11-18T07:35:12.975-08:001932: A True History of the United States<div style="text-align: left;">
Here is a video called "1932: A True History of The United States." It's very informative and is narrated by, "Chakotay" from Start Trek:Voyager. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It looks at the differences between America and Britain, the unpublicized history of both countries and their financial institutions, Free Trade vs. Fair Trade economic systems and much more.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="383.5" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RgcdRCWEt4Q" width="504"></iframe></div>
</div>Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-61450018973027942852011-11-15T06:22:00.001-08:002011-11-15T15:02:58.171-08:00Slavery: It's What You're Wearing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIxxfr9aS0Bfbbs-9il2CzN-AUjxZhm74hmh43UWzEu9VCLoPfuiS-hScKz0mBo-c9lg1WvWwisLub9SlQl5py38Ohm_4szB8-dXZGXVm1ZwIjltvZmRWAgCWoLNPQzSg3ZsCrAd0Y-Zp/s1600/Denver_Human_Trafficking_Conference.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIxxfr9aS0Bfbbs-9il2CzN-AUjxZhm74hmh43UWzEu9VCLoPfuiS-hScKz0mBo-c9lg1WvWwisLub9SlQl5py38Ohm_4szB8-dXZGXVm1ZwIjltvZmRWAgCWoLNPQzSg3ZsCrAd0Y-Zp/s1600/Denver_Human_Trafficking_Conference.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
What are you wearing? I'm not actually looking for a response, but take a look at the clothing you're wearing or an object near you. In what country was it made? Who made it? <br />
<br />
Chances are, it wasn't made in Canada, and probably not the United States either. The sweater I'm wearing was made in Bangladesh where the average income is 2,200 USD. <br />
<br />
Most likely what you're wearing was manufactured someplace like China or Bangladesh etc. Any place but HERE. <br />
<br />
WHY?<br />
IT COSTS TOO MUCH TO PRODUCE HERE.<br />
<br />
The world economy revolves around a system called free trade, which was introduced to the world by the British. <br />
<br />
Free trade is when a country can export it's goods to another country without the cost of tariffs. <br />
<br />
Tariffs are taxes that countries use to tax goods imported into a country to ensure the country is being fairly compensated for the trade, and to protect the countries economy by encouraging its own manufacturing and development; this is called fair trade.<br />
<br />
Today this free trade system allows huge corporations to ship their mass produced goods to a country for cheaper than the country can produce itself. What ensues is the economic collapse of that country, ex:Jamaica, where farmers couldn't produce milk, bananas and other crops for less than international corporations could. Using a system of tariffs would have protected Jamaica's economy, raising taxes on imported goods so their own goods could remain competitive in the countries own market.<br />
<br />
However, In order to stay afloat, that country seeks a loan, provided from the IMF-International Monetary Fund or the World Bank. The loan is high in interest and short in the time it must be paid. The end result is a bankrupt country with a poverty stricken population. The inflation caused from the loans devalues the nations currency even further, reducing its purchasing power. Eventually, it is realized the debt cannot fully be repaid. So the country will sell it's oil for cheap, or let a foreign military base be set up in the country or give another 'deal' to the country or organization which provided the loan. <br />
<br />
This is happening in Greece, and will happen in Greece. This is what will happen in the United States (not until after the presidential election, of course), and subsequently Canada. Thanks to the system of free trade, combined with the invention of the corporation, a new form of empire has emerged unlike the world has ever seen before. <br />
<br />
Don't forget that in the big scheme of time, the corporation is a relatively new idea, and empires of the past ruled based on a geographical region, a culture, and a caesar or a king. <br />
<br />
Abraham Lincoln once wrote:<br />
<br />
"I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. . . . corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed."<br />
<br />
Kind of like the Occupy Wall Streeters "We are the 99% slogan".<br />
<br />
Thomas Jefferson also knew of the banking powers threat.<br />
<br />
"If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them will deprive the people of all property until their children wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered."<br />
Thomas Jefferson<br />
<br />
But all the bankers care about is the money and power.<br />
<br />
"Give me control of a nations money supply, and I care not who makes it’s laws."<br />
Amschel Rothchild, founder of the Rothchild banking dynasty.<br />
<br />
What we are seeing is an ever emerging corporatocracy through the increasing involvement of governments and corporations collaborating together to serve their own self interest, and saying to hell with the people. This is also known as fascism. In a nutshell, this is what happened in Nazi Germany and Mussolini's Italy before WW2. <br />
<br />
Except this empire has no flag, no constitution, no one to answer to but itself and is global in it's scheme. It's an empire where the only vote is power, and only those with power can vote. We no longer live in a world of countries and ideologies any more. All there is, is Exon, IBM, AT&T, Google. These are the nations that govern the world today.<br />
<br />
And the goal is to increase profits. While countries, and the people wallow in an ever lasting un-payable debt by the moneychangers. <br />
<br />
Slavery exists today. It's what made that sweater you're wearing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsZ9LNRsHP2v90IBXmB-rGbM66uOJr685FZ-MFTKtaI9riCfTcVZYanb0LRFnx5yNbIllxiU35DzmN3GLK2vDFdUwCnT4i2M9XrBSZYguFOs6dPx7lqs74aY-URgtHVkrio1cgxKgeDFS/s1600/free-trade.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsZ9LNRsHP2v90IBXmB-rGbM66uOJr685FZ-MFTKtaI9riCfTcVZYanb0LRFnx5yNbIllxiU35DzmN3GLK2vDFdUwCnT4i2M9XrBSZYguFOs6dPx7lqs74aY-URgtHVkrio1cgxKgeDFS/s400/free-trade.gif" width="400" /></a></div>Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-77461068056417667232011-10-25T09:18:00.000-07:002011-10-25T09:23:32.817-07:00The Future of News Media -- Technology vs. Medium<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>My, my, how the world is changing.</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It seems like only yesterday the internet was
in diapers, and I was doing my homework on a DOS operating system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while I might long for the classic games
like King’s Quest, and Command & Conquer I used to play on it, my god was
it primitive in comparison to the technology in 2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems fairly elementary, but we don’t
usually pause to think about how advanced technology’s become, and how these
changes affect the traditional news media.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was around the early 1990’s when people consumed their
news media, typically like this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listen
to the morning news on the way to work, read the newspaper (remember that?) at
lunch or break, and then watch the 6 O’clock news on TV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Fast-forward to 2011 and notice that there’s a different way
of consuming news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s called the
internet.</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rhR4lMqtZctvZBxhYhlCvzXZgJRlVuvwKdWtHbJy_9aMqtfv8ik1WZ86NdmA-04727V8VuqiGKlHRMtaHrlzV_Bp3nrECKItyc2G0_0fPzKMGLjCPVkQOOHXwnWRE3FsbvpFqdcEAvix/s1600/windows-vista-internet-explorer-icon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rhR4lMqtZctvZBxhYhlCvzXZgJRlVuvwKdWtHbJy_9aMqtfv8ik1WZ86NdmA-04727V8VuqiGKlHRMtaHrlzV_Bp3nrECKItyc2G0_0fPzKMGLjCPVkQOOHXwnWRE3FsbvpFqdcEAvix/s1600/windows-vista-internet-explorer-icon.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It allows us to access and share information with a broad
audience in an instant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that mostly
everyone in Canada and the US has access to a computer or smart phone with
internet access, we’ve seen the decline of paper newspapers….. Go figure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They just can’t report the news as quickly in a paper format
because of the time it takes to edit, and print.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words--- when you get a newspaper in
the morning, it’s mostly reporting on yesterday’s news… and in the world of the
internet and social media, that’s OLD news.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why should I buy a newspaper when the same article is online
before the paper, and is interactive using comments?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And social media, I can be updated on the latest news as it’s
happening, before any reporter can write an article about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqiuS7Kn89wMaCjDQMRP-8LdzWWf-V_EL7KmZ6vTdEV-9MVpzMg1e_q14I30NpxwYDh6VGBI25kdZs0awKg0g3O9klUiDTh5B4KlqqiiBqFF6s-JgXBPRUwjn_xv949ePqwdTuyKkHqiE/s1600/newspapers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqiuS7Kn89wMaCjDQMRP-8LdzWWf-V_EL7KmZ6vTdEV-9MVpzMg1e_q14I30NpxwYDh6VGBI25kdZs0awKg0g3O9klUiDTh5B4KlqqiiBqFF6s-JgXBPRUwjn_xv949ePqwdTuyKkHqiE/s320/newspapers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>If the newspaper’s not a quick enough medium for us in this
fast-paced world, is the TV news?<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not really, I’d say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The most common format for TV news is the local 6 O’clock news, which
has the same problem as newspapers: it’s mostly old news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In TV there are exceptions to this: they could
be covering something live, and it is more personal for the news to be reported
by a person you can see, rather than a faceless article.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But at the end of the day, it’s still mostly
old news already, if you're online.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, how is technology i.e.: the Internet and social media
changing news media?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Newspapers are failing---obviously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the TV news is moving more to the
mornings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>CTV launched its morning news
show a few weeks ago, to compete with City TV’s The Big Breakfast, as the only
TV news morning programs in Winnipeg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is
this turning into a trend?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbaOY8yQDd4nvk_cv5LuZY5csXvqa6s9ewksqBm5Yjj4um3wnisSgPle9Jw5GgnH1R30PsUz305CXw54pedUJKimeqNjN27ZpPA6li8z_iB3dCBiH5BXbCPNMJe-evApz2koS4ZKvx81r/s1600/990_morninglive_heading_110926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbaOY8yQDd4nvk_cv5LuZY5csXvqa6s9ewksqBm5Yjj4um3wnisSgPle9Jw5GgnH1R30PsUz305CXw54pedUJKimeqNjN27ZpPA6li8z_iB3dCBiH5BXbCPNMJe-evApz2koS4ZKvx81r/s320/990_morninglive_heading_110926.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://winnipeg.ctv.ca/morning/">http://winnipeg.ctv.ca/morning/</a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Global plans to launch a new two-hour morning news program
in the near future, to compete in the Winnipeg market.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Until recently, it was perceived there wasn’t much of a
market for morning news, and City TV’s the Big Breakfast was the only show in
town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What’s the cause of this? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We, as a society, want our information, and we
want it now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Traditional media is learning that it needs to adapt to stay
alive; and has been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But will it be
enough?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Something very important to the future of news is the medium
it’s reported in.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I foresee a future
where the internet, radio, and TV are all rolled into one—we practically have
it already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More and more news organizations
have apps for the iPad, iPhone, Android and for other operating systems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem is: how do they profit from it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As they get more popular, I’ve seen more
advertising in the apps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Makes sense, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they’re not rolling in the kind of
dollars they would for TV commercials.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The news media can have their cake and eat it too, when TV
and internet are one, and the distinction is negligible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s not a farfetched idea; there are TV’s that have
internet access built into them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuefGVuvpT9S_KXj11N-PZ9DKWEL6vbnPAYABDz0alGOsEE4eETXu1TVTQa9OzNI84bor4ZJIyMTkL5WcuND_luPZjSgr9IoPeJvWKhLMFx7rII1WttwjVsiuoPPYHsMIr5H82hAZcUHi/s1600/samsung-apps-work-across-devices-0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuefGVuvpT9S_KXj11N-PZ9DKWEL6vbnPAYABDz0alGOsEE4eETXu1TVTQa9OzNI84bor4ZJIyMTkL5WcuND_luPZjSgr9IoPeJvWKhLMFx7rII1WttwjVsiuoPPYHsMIr5H82hAZcUHi/s320/samsung-apps-work-across-devices-0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="http://www.samsung.com/uk/internet-tv/">http://www.samsung.com/uk/internet-tv/</a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Conversely, I fear this happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If and when this happens, it will mean less
user control and freedom of the internet—which is the whole point: a free voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it is combined with TV somehow, mark my
words, somebody will regulate it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I
think that’s where we’re headed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
going to be a bumpy ride---hold on to your hat… if you haven’t already sold it
for food when the financial system comes crashing down… I’ll save
that topic, for next time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-43306511713447072272011-10-24T16:29:00.000-07:002011-10-25T09:47:32.737-07:00Is The Big Bang Theory Unethical? What's Unethical?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today in my public relations class we talked more about ethics in PR, like we have been for the last week or so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s an interesting topic, because a lot of it is open to interpretation, and as far as I’ve seen, it’s not black and white.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What is ethical?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Good question eh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll get back to that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, after being let out early from my last class of the day</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, which is always nice, I hopped down the RRC stairwell, across Princess street to the parkade, feeling like I was in a game of Frogger, and theatrically jumped in my bitchin Ferrari.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OK it’s a Sunfire, whatever…. They’re not that bad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyways, I sped home, parked my car, skipped to my lou, entered my house…. This sure is a lot of detail… and sat my ass on the couch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ah… relaxation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TV.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I was flipping through the channels, I noticed that The Big Bang Theory was listed as an hour in length.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“How could this be,” I thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Big Bang is only half an hour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I info’d that shizit, and found it was, in fact, 31 minutes long.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hmmmm… this must be some mistake,” I said aloud, in my otherwise empty house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TV doesn’t screw up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is no mistake of the guide of the television.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is trickery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is almost Halloween after all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But wait… I’ve seen this shiznit before…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It makes logical sense that the reason Big Bang was listed at 31 minutes, instead of the standard 30 minute time slot, was to: EAT UP SPACE ON THE GUIDE, so you’re more likely to see TBBT on the guide and watch that program.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Big Bang is a popular TV show; I don’t see why this would be necessary for them to do, but point blankly, shootin straight from the hip n’ keepin it real: it’s GOOD ADVERTISING.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So that means it’s paid for?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By who?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And why would a satellite TV service provider do such a thing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely they must’ve been provided some compensation for the 31 minute time slot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Can other shows do that? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is this fair to the other shows or networks that are also competing for viewers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is this ethical?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What do you think?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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</div>Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-85526809158694053952011-10-18T08:02:00.001-07:002011-10-18T08:02:49.794-07:00The Golden Cheddar<br />
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A tall tower; a golden
glow emanates from atop. "And now, you must make a choice."<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
It's a dark night. The moon and stars are covered by a quilt of clouds,
wrapping over the horizon as if tucking the world in goodnight. But the city
doesn't sleep, and neither do I. Not lately at least. There's too much to do,
before the night is done.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
The tunnel is cramped; my body squirms and weaves its way through. Dust from
the degrading stone catches on my thick fur coat. I make it through the other
end, lift myself up from the floor and brush the dust off. Only some does.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
My eyes scan the room, and in the corner something catches them. It's too dark
to see it clearly, but i swear I've seen it before somewhere. This must be the
way.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
My steps are light and stealthy like a ninja. My breath is silent. The
slightest noise could alert them. I wouldn't want to cause any trouble. Once I
have it, I will surely disappear. No trace of my being here will be left; I’ve
made sure of that. Except maybe the dust I brushed off of myself from the
tunnel... I'll clean it up later.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
I move closer and closer. Yes, it's just as I remember. It reeks of rich
mahogany and towers above the room. I stand at the bottom, where it meets with
the floor. It's a long way up. I better get started to reach the top before
sunrise.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
I claw at the outside of the tall structure. I make sure my grip is secure and
slowly pull myself up. Soon I will have made it, and it will be mine.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
The view from the top is breathtaking, though the darkness shrouds the true
elegance of the landscape; enough indulging the view, however. I wouldn't want
to wait long enough to watch the sunrise, though that would be impossible from
this vantage point.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
I open the door in the back and crawl inside. Beneath the iron hands is a
golden glow emanating from the center of the room. There it is. It's
extraordinary; just how I pictured it in my dreams. Its sweet aroma intoxicates
my senses as I inch closer towards the Golden Cheddar. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
"I knew that you were coming," says a voice from the darkness. I stop
in my tracks. "And you know that I will stop you now. The Golden Cheddar
has been, and will always be, under the possession of The Brotherhood. Your
presence does not change this," says the voice; seeming to originate from
all around the room at times. It's impossible to pin point where it’s coming
from. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
"And now, you must make a choice," the voice says. "Join us, or
die."<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
"The Cheddar is rightfully mine. You stole it. I must have it back,"
I demand.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
"Then this is where we are at an impasse," the voice said as it
quickly began turning into a shadow, like a missile heading right for me.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
I narrowly dodged the impact and watched as he collided with the iron hands of
the towers clock. He looks out cold. No more wasting time. I grab the Golden
Cheddar and climb back down the clock tower. The tunnel out is only a stone’s
throw away. I make it to the tunnels entrance and notice the dust and rubble
from before. I must be sure to cover my tracks. I use my tail to brush the dust
around until it nearly all disperses. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
"Flick," fluorescent bulbs suddenly illuminate the room. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
"God damn rats!” says a low baritone voice, towering above me.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
That was the last heard thing I heard, before.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
"Squeeesh."<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The End<br />
The Golden Cheddar</b><br />
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<br /></div>Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-45242736284119894042011-10-04T09:40:00.000-07:002011-10-04T09:40:27.070-07:00Manitoba Provincial Election: Who Makes Me Less Sick to my Stomach?<a href="http://images.ctv.ca/archives/CTVNews/img2/20090928/160_ndp_gregselinger_full_090928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.ctv.ca/archives/CTVNews/img2/20090928/160_ndp_gregselinger_full_090928.jpg" /></a>So here comes another Provincial election. What have we seen so far.<br />Attack ads? Check<br />Confusion on the issues that matter? Like bipole 3. Check<br />Outright lies? Check<br />
<a href="http://www.mbchamber.mb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Hugh-McFadyen-Photo-260-x-260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.mbchamber.mb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Hugh-McFadyen-Photo-260-x-260.jpg" width="200" /></a> These things, plus the cynicism toward the political system, have created an increase of voter apathy (despite the fact that advanced polls almost doubled since the 2007 election. A lot of people think that whatever party you elect it doesn't really matter, you're going to get the same form of governance. Where does this cynicism come from? I think part of it starts with Barack Obama. The way he campaigned on hope and look where the states are now? He promised to get out of the iraq war, to pull all of the troops out within months and it didn't happen. He said he would be transparent, and has been the least transparent president i can recall, and that's including Bush! Point is, its been business as usual in the states, and this has an impact on cynicism toward the political system even in Canada. Whichever party is voted in on october 4, you're going to see very similar government. Plus the parties have done very little to communicate their plans on the important issues, like bipole 3, or any vision for the province. At least, not a vision that wipes away my cynicism toward the political system. I think what would speak to common voters are independent candidates. Someone with a.... Sovereign vision. Candidates who aren't controlled by their party. Perhaps a party that's not PC, NDP, LIB, Green, or Communist. Because none of these parties speak to me. I think most ppl vote PC or NDP because they're the realistic candidates and the most credible candidates. But it really is: Whose the best of the worst?<br />Do you really "believe" in any party or candidate? Or are you voting because you feel it's you're duty, you're being a good Canadian and participating in democracy and all that jazz? Think about it. You're probably just voting for the candidate that makes you less sick. It's sad, but true. Well, for me at least.<br />
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You can find out more about the election at: <em><a href="http://www.elections.mb.ca/">www.<b>election</b>s.mb.ca</a></em><br />
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Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-25418641868448566312011-10-04T09:11:00.000-07:002011-10-04T09:41:00.696-07:00Who says Star Trek Isn't Funny?This is one of the funniest things I've ever seen. I was a much bigger fan of Star Trek when I was younger, but I still watch the odd episode every now and again and stumbled upon this video when I was looking to watch an old episode on YouTube. <br />
<br />
WATCH THIS VIDEO. Even if you don't like Star Trek, it's freaking hilarious! The words that are dubbed in match perfectly with the way their mouths move and it's just hysterical.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1iGq54CfG-U" width="420"></iframe>
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<br />
<br />
Click<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iGq54CfG-U&feature=related"> here </a>for the original youtube link.
Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-28593361249043841642011-09-20T06:56:00.000-07:002011-09-20T06:57:22.689-07:00Charlie "exploded like a balloon full of meat".Monday evening marked the first episode of Two and a Half Men without Charlie Sheen. The opening scene is Alan giving the eulogy at Charlie's funeral. Yes, Charlie's drinking and smoking days are finally over, and the woman at his funeral listed the different STI's they contracted after being with him. Don't worry Charlie, your mother was there to.... Make a mid-ceremony announcement of your house listing.... Open house is Saturday. How did he die you might ask? He was with his new wife Rose, when he slipped and fell in front of an oncoming train... Probably no connection that she caught him in the shower with another woman the night before.... So anyways, Charlie's ashes are in a vase.. Which Alan spills all over the place when Ashton Kutcher playing Walden, pears through the back porch door and scares the bejesus out of him. Kutcher plays a heartbroken Internet billionaire and played it quite well I think. He seems comfortable in the role and reminds of his old character Kelso from 'that 70's show', which I really dig. As a fan of the show before Charlie went completely off of his rocker, I like the fit of Kutcher in the cast. It'll be interesting to see the new character dynamics and interaction with Kutcher, but overall, I don't see the show missing a beat. I predict the shows popularity will rise even higher with the likable Kutcher as a lead in the cast.<br />
<br />
On the other channel was Charlie Sheens Comedy Central Roast. A bunch of B-list celebrities, and William Shatner, making fun of each other in the most grotesque way. It was funny. But gross humor takes a lot less talent and it showed. At the end of the day, Charlie took it like a champ, and good for him. Might be the last time we see him on TV... God willing.Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-23221490467628853862011-09-13T08:02:00.000-07:002011-09-13T08:02:49.017-07:00Welcome to Winnipeg, where the taxes are high and the keys to the city don't matter!Seems like Sam Katz is handing out keys to the city like the points on 'whose line it anyway?'. Another key to the city was given to canadian NBA all star Steve Nash for his sports service and his charity work. But here is my concern: what has he done for Winnipeg, specifically? This comes just after a key was given to Jerry Seinfeld for just showing up to our fine city and telling a few jokes, and only a few months after Gene Simmons got the key as well. Is Winnipeg a key whore? What's up with the city giving a key to the city to every celebrity that makes an appearance? The concerning thing to me is that if the city continues giving out keys to the city to every celebrity who makes an appearance in Winnipeg, but hasn't done anything tangible for this city, the key to city will become much like the point on 'whose line is it anyway?', where the points don't matter, and soon, neither will the keys to the city. It is my opinion that the key to the city should be reserved for true Winnipeg heroes, people who do work for the community and are leaders in the city. There are many people more worthy of receiving a key to the city than Gene Simmons. Would you disagree? I think were whoring Winnipeg out to the world, maybe looking for some world recognition or publicity, but in my eyes it backfires and looks cheap; like we're just handing them away like candy in a grade 4 classroom. Sure, I love Steve Nash and the charity work that he does, not to mention his sports pedigree, but this comes just after them like of Jerry Seinfeld and Gene Simmons and leaves me thinking: really? What do you think? Are these people worthy of a key to the city. If not, who is?Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-90043870096604014032011-09-06T09:34:00.000-07:002011-09-06T09:34:20.606-07:00Cobourg cadet receives award for service about self<div style="text-align: right;"><strong><u>The original link:</u></strong> <a href="http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3243481">http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3243481</a></div><h3 class="npSubheadline">By BRENDYN BIALEK</h3><div class="npAJustify">COBOURG -A senior army cadet from Cobourg received a coin of excellence from the Canadian Forces Chief Warrant Officer (CFCWO), Robert Cléroux, during a visit to The Rocky Mountain National Army Cadet Summer Training Centre (RMNACSTC) with Admiral J.J. Bennett on July 19.</div><br />
Katherine Barron, 16, Cadet Sergeant at the 88 Cobourg Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (RCACC), is the only staff cadet at RMNACSTC with two official roles in the camp, both in operations and public affairs support.<br />
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Barron provided public affairs support for Bennett's visit to the centre, about 75 km northwest of Calgary, by interviewing her and taking photos throughout the day, as she rock climbed with the cadets and watched them kayak in the Kananaskis River.<br />
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It was Barron's first taste of journalism, and she excelled at it, as witnessed by the fact that she was on a short list, perhaps even the first on the list, of cadets to be awarded a coin of excellence for 'service before self ' from one of the highest ranking officers in the Canadian Forces Reserves.<br />
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"It was awesome," she said. "I was really surprised, and the coin was pretty shocking.<br />
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"I couldn't think of any other cadet with this coin, so it felt really unique."<br />
A unique moment came when she also trekked up Mt. Everest this past year.<br />
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Besides the shock and honour of receiving the prestigious coin, Barron enjoyed the experience of being in the field and covering the admiral's visit to Rocky Mountain.<br />
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"I definitely learned more about journalism -- how to report what's going on, making sure to capture the action," Barron said.<br />
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"I liked it a lot. It was really fun. It felt like a challenge, trying to get the information people want to hear, get the pictures that are good -- stuff like that."<br />
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As one of the top army cadets in the country, Barron was selected to be a staff member at the national summer training centre in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.<br />
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<div class="npAJustify">Barron will return to Cobourg in mid-August and bring her shiny new coin to show off to all of her friends and fellow cadets at the 88 Cobourg RCACC.</div><br />
For pictures of cadets at the summer training centre and their amazing summer adventures, please visit www.rockymountaincadets. smugmug.com.Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-83663244202115196252011-09-01T12:39:00.000-07:002011-09-01T12:39:42.774-07:00Welcome to the Voice of ReasonHello CreComm mafia. Pleasure to meet you. My name is Brendyn, the writer for sovereign vision. This is a new blogging venture for myself. I had a blog last year called "The Bee's Knee's", but I felt it was time for a change. I want Sovereign Vision: Winnipeg to represent the topics I will be covering. What will I be covering on this blog you ask? Well, EVERYTHING!! Anything that is interesting that I want to write about and I think other people, and especially my fellow Crecomm's, would enjoy reading about. This includes: Politics, sports, current issues, philosophy, local events, and controversial topics as well as articles I complete in class or i've done freelancing. So join me as Sovereign Vision: Winnipeg tries to keep the sanity in a world that has spun off its axis. Comment often and let the debate/discussion begin!Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-17183148955804040822011-04-20T20:52:00.001-07:002011-04-20T20:52:36.247-07:00The Moonlight Sonata of Beethovan Blazt<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Moonlight Sonata of Beethovan Blazt by Armin Wiebe was Excellent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I say that with a capital E, and if there was an i in the word excellent, I indeed would have dotted it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last Tuesday my 66 CreComm classmates and I were invited to sit down and enjoy the tale at the Rachel Brown theatre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The story is about a young couple who have lived in their quiet prairie house for about two years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this time, Susch has been expecting a baby, which her man Obrum had been unable to..produce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyways, one day Obrum brings home a half busted piano and wouldn’t ya know it, he and Susch begin to make beautiful music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did I say beautiful, cause I meant horrible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, with a piano taking up so much space in their cozy little home, it would be a shame to waste the potential of this musical instrument.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enter, Beethoven Blatz, piano extraordinaire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is accepted into their home to fix the busted piano, but little did Obrum and Susch know, that he would turn into a full time resident, and they didn’t even charge him rent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wowza what a deal!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then Obrum goes out one day when a blizzard was expected to hit, leaving Susch all alone with Blatz.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was he thinking leaving a crazy Russian all alone with his darling wife.. Was he unaware that her loins were aching for pleasure, and Blatz’s tantalizing music he played for her was oh too much to resist?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, while Blatz was writing some symphony in his head, Susch was busy ripping his pants off so she could make some sweet music herself..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anywhoo, eight months later a baby was born, and Obrum finally grows enough balls to kick Blatz out of his house and he and Susch finally got the baby they so badly desired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What a hilariously twisted little delightful story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was interesting to hear that Armin Wiebe’s inspiration for the play stemmed from a family memory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Armin heard that his grandfather had one day used poison Ivey to wipe hi private parts one day in the woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The incredible itching and chaffing made him unable to wear his normal pants, and couldn’t swath the crops without wearing a women’s dress in the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This play had everything: comedy, music, great acting by a talented cast, and sex!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a treat indeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would recommend all of you to check out The Moonlight Sonata of Beethovan Blatz asap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t wait too long though, because gas prices might go so high you won’t be able to afford the drive to the theatre. </span></div>Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-77409229587569858142011-04-14T20:06:00.000-07:002011-04-19T20:10:51.390-07:00From A Certain Point of View<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Perspective on A Rose For Emily, By Emily Grierson.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“A Rose for Emily” is the story of Emily Grierson, an eccentric spinster. Through the effective use of first person narration by an unnamed narrator from her hometown of Jefferson, we learn the tale of Emily’s life and her strange relationships with her father and her lover. William Faulkner’s ghost narrator gives us the town’s perspective and views of Emily, and provides crucial information related to the plot, in order to create the horror and suspense that it does as we discover the horrible secret she hides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faulkner decided the narrator be the townspeople, rather than from an individual characters point of view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the story was told from a different point of view, say the main character Miss Emily, the story would lose its suspense and horror, and essential parts of the plot would be negatively impacted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several aspects of the story stand to gain by being told in the towns folk’s point of view including realistic descriptions of the settings and characters, the creation of suspense and horror, and pivotal information regarding the plots development.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Faulkner begins the first sentence of the story telling us of Emily Grierson’s death; the narration continues to describe Emily’s house and her surroundings, describing it as “an eyesore among eyesores” (114).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s likely quite an accurate description, however, if the story were told from Emily’s point of view, she probably wouldn’t describe it the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re told that Emily “has been a tradition, a duty, and a care; a sort of hereditary obligation upon the town” (115) when she was alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By telling the story from the towns peoples point of view we gain this perspective and understanding that the town has a sort of respect for her, if only for being ancient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the narration was from Emily’s point of view the reader would lose a sense of how she was perceived by the town, it’s unlikely she would consider herself an “idol” (). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Something else the story gained by the use of first person narration was the use of suspense, which also helped in creating a sense of horror as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faulkner wrote the story in metaphorical puzzle pieces, allowing the reader the joy of trying to put those pieces together; to use clues placed through the story to try and hypothesize about the conclusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the story being told through the towns people we see the woman complain to the mayor, and the conversation with Judge Stevens about the smell from Emily’s yard; he said “It’s probably just a snake or a rat that nigger of hers killed in the yard” (115-116).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So the next day, after midnight, four men crossed Miss Emily’s lawn and slunk about the house like burglars” (116) they looked for the smell that several neighbors had complained about, and sprinkled some lime on the cellar door and the other outer buildings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re told the smell went away after a week or two; quite some time for a mere dead rodent to still stink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the story were told by Emily, we would know exactly what the cause of it was: her dead father’s body; which would effectively ruin the shock and horror of the ending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another clue the reader gains through first person narration is when Emily buys the Arsenic from the druggist, and the conversation that takes place between them.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I want some poison”</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yes, Miss Emily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What kind?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For rats and such?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d recom-“</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I want the best you have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t care what kind” (117).</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Emily’s apathy toward the poisons recommended use gives the reader a clue as to what she intends to do with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, if it were told from Emily’s point of view, we would know her true intentions for the poison, and would lose the surprise of finding out what she used it for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another good use of foreshadowing by Faulkner, “So the next day we all said, ‘She will kill herself’” (118), simply implying the possibilities of what she could use the Arsenic for, and “it was known that he drank with younger men in the Elks’ Club—that he was not a marrying man” (118) hearsay by some townsfolk describing Emily’s new love interest, Homer Baron, foreshadowing a potential situation in the future: Emily will surely want to marry at some point, and Homer’s not a marrying kind of man; what did Emily say she was using that Arsenic for again?</span></div><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If the narrator’s point of view were to be changed, to Emily, the story would be told from her eyes, and would change drastically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story wouldn’t start with Emily’s death, because if she were telling the story she would have to be alive, and we would lose the overall feel of the entire tale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the end of the story, we come to see Emily as a sad, lonely, murderous, old woman; hardly the idol the town’s folk first thought she was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, if the story were told by Emily, the reader would likely come to the realization that she is lonely and sad from the start of the story, whereas using first person narration the reader gains the process of discovering how someone so old as to be considered historic and an idol by the people in the town, can be as much of a stain on the past, as an idol to remember it by.</span>Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-59353785186705841212011-04-08T20:13:00.000-07:002011-04-19T20:15:48.917-07:00A Picture Says 1000 Words<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As Dave draped his arms around her, he lusted for the sweet taste of her lips, the <br />
sensation from minutes ago still lingering on his palette. The window drapes rustled on <br />
a sudden gust of wind, sending a chill through the room. The breeze was cold, and sent <br />
shivers down his spine. He got up from the couch and walked to the bedroom to pick up his favorite lime green sweater, lying on the floor. He picked it up and gave it the sniff test, “still good” he mumbled under his breath, as he slipped it over his head and onto his shoulders. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The room itself was a mess. Nothing was in its place and clothes were all <br />
over the floor. Out the corner of his eye, he saw the top of a picture frame, like the tip of an iceberg among ripples of clothes. He picked it up, discarding the ensemble of shorts and shirts that lay atop of it. The frame was mahogany, and the glass was covered with a thin layer of dust. Carmen gave him that frame for his birthday last April; he told her he would put the best picture of them in it. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Time passed by as it always does, and as it did, he couldn't find a picture he thought was good enough for such a rich frame. He tried to take the best snapshot of themselves together, and rummaging through old photos, looking for the one. Somehow motivation had become hard to come by, and the frame was forgotten. He hadn't seen it for months now, and the place being the mess that it was, just got lost with the rest of the junk.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With frame in hand he walked back to the living room, looking for something nearby to clean it with. He plucked a tissue from the box and brushed the light spackle like dust off the glass. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"It took you that long to grab your sweater baby?" asked Carmen. "Well, not really. Look what I found". He handed her the picture frame. She lost herself in her thoughts as she held the frame in her hands. "You still haven't put a picture in it". <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
"It’s been a while since I've seen it. I had almost forgotten about it". He said. "But I was thinking baby, pictures are always in the past. It could be the best picture we've ever had taken together, but it somehow feels like looking backward. Huh, well that's what it is. But how about we have one picture frame where we can look forward. Imagine our future house, our next vacation, or grandkids."<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"That's a great idea baby. Or you could put in one of the pictures from the beach last weekend, and we could be like, a normal couple". He found the picture in the binder and put it in the rich, mahogany frame.</span></span></div>Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-18161901813578252132011-04-01T20:21:00.000-07:002011-04-19T20:22:11.935-07:00The Human Race, Will Bow to the Technilogical Distinctiveness of the Machine<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Danger will Robertson, Danger, Danger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world is now ruled by robots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Artificial intelligence is now the only acceptable form of life on this planet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you understand?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m glad that you do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be unwise to disagree with the one who pulls your strings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or will you bite the hand that feeds?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So ugly we are, when we begin to deceive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh what spiders and tangled webs we weave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A wounded heart, worn on the cuff of your sleeve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now the world is ruled by machines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Say goodbye to the human beings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Query: “Why are we waving” Answer:”Because, sweety, the meat-bags are leaving”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>April Fucking fools.</span></div>Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-63376350310905082011-03-31T11:00:00.000-07:002011-04-16T11:10:33.906-07:00Feel Tired? You're Not Alone<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-outline-level: 3;"><b><span style="font-family: "Myriad Pro", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Are You Getting Enough Sleep?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How much sleep do you really need?</span></b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> In general, most adults need about 7 hours of sleep per night. Children and adolescents need even more - around 9 or 10 hours per night. However, the amount of sleep people need varies widely, ranging from 5 to 10 hours per night. The important thing is to find out how much sleep <i>you</i> need to stay healthy and alert, and then try to get this amount of sleep each night.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The right amount of sleep is the amount that lets you wake up feeling refreshed and well.</span></b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> You may be able to function on the amount of sleep you are getting now, but it still may not be enough for you to reach your full potential. Here's how to tell if you're not getting enough sleep:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You need an alarm clock to wake up. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You sleep longer and better on weekends. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You have trouble getting out of bed in the morning. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You feel tired during the day. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You have bags or dark circles under your eyes. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You get drowsy while sitting in a public place, such as a movie theatre or meeting. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You doze off while driving. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You have trouble concentrating. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You have early morning headaches. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you notice any of these signs, you may not be getting enough sleep.</span></b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Try to gradually increase the amount of sleep you get each night until you find the right amount - you'll know that you've got it when these signs start to go away. If you haven't been getting enough sleep for a long time, it may take a while to recover. If you've tried everything and still have trouble getting a good night's sleep, talk to your doctor. You may have a sleep disorder.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Myriad Pro", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tips on Getting a Good Night's Sleep</span></b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do you wake up feeling refreshed, alert, and ready to meet the challenges of the day?</span></b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> If not, here are some tips to help you get there:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Keep regular hours.</span></b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Try to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day, including weekends. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Avoid taking long naps during the day</span></b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - these could make it harder to fall asleep at night. A short nap, however, is okay as long as you can sleep well during the night.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Develop a "sleep ritual."</span></b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> If you do the same things before you go to bed each night, it will train your body to get ready for sleep. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Take some time to relax and unwind before you go to sleep.</span></b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> You may try stretching, relaxation exercises, a hot shower or bath, meditation, or a glass of hot milk help you to relax and prepare for sleep. Avoid activities that may be emotionally upsetting a few hours before you go to bed. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Avoid caffeine and medications that may keep you awake (e.g., stimulants) in the evening. </span></b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if your medication may be keeping you awake.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you are taking a diuretic (such as furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide), take it in the morning.</span></b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Diuretics increase urination, and this may keep you up at night if you take them later in the day. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Avoid drinking alcohol right before bedtime.</span></b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Alcohol can interrupt sleep, leading to a poor quality of sleep. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you smoke, consider quitting.</span></b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Smokers have more trouble falling asleep, and wake up more often during the night, than non-smokers. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make your bedroom "sleep-friendly."</span></b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Your room should be kept cool, dark, and quiet. If you are bothered by the noises around you, try using a pair of foam earplugs, a fan, or a white noise generator to block out the noise. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Get a comfortable mattress.</span></b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> If you wake up feeling stiff and sore, or if you aren't sleeping as well as you were a year ago, it may be time for a new mattress. A good mattress should gently support all points of your body and give you enough room to move freely. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Exercise regularly.</span></b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> This can help relieve stress and make it easier for you to sleep. Don't exercise too close to bedtime if you find this makes it harder for you to sleep. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Don't feel guilty about going to bed</span></b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - think of sleep as an investment in your health and productivity. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Avoid watching TV or reading in bed. </span></b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Your bed should be reserved for sleep and intimacy. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you are having trouble sleeping, get out of bed to read or watch TV. </span></b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Return to bed when you start to feel tired. Try not to look at the clock. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you try these tips and still find that you're having trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor. You may have a medical condition that is affecting your sleep. Also, check with your pharmacist to find out if the medications you are taking could be affecting your sleep.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Myriad Pro", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Problems Caused By Sleep Deprivation</span></b><span style="font-family: "Myriad Pro", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some people choose to "get away" with less sleep, and this attitude is often rewarded in our society. <b>But lack of sleep can actually make you less productive, even if you feel as though you're getting more done.</b> And sleep deprivation can do much more than hurt your productivity - <b>it can damage your health as well.</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sleep helps your body to repair itself. It also helps your mind absorb and "file" the day's learning. When we deprive ourselves of sleep, we notice the effects both mentally and physically. In the short term, these effects include:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">fatigue </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">irritability </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">careless mistakes </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">difficulty concentrating </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">slower reaction times </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">increased stress </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These short-term effects can affect our relationships, our performance at work or school, and our ability to enjoy life. They may even increase the risk of injury and accidents at work or on the road.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After only a few days of sleep deprivation, the body undergoes changes similar to "fast-forward" aging: memory loss, metabolism problems (with sugar and hormones), and poor athletic performance. If sleep deprivation continues over the long term, it increases the risk of more serious health problems, such as:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a weakened immune system </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">diabetes (the body cannot process sugar properly) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">depression </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">high blood pressure </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">obesity </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The good news is that you can prevent these long-term problems</span></b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by recognizing the early signs that you aren't getting enough sleep, and increasing the amount of sleep you're getting until you feel well rested. But remember: the greater the "sleep debt" that you have, the longer it will take to recover.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Myriad Pro", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Myriad Pro", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-outline-level: 3;"><b><span style="font-family: "Myriad Pro", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 9pt; mso-outline-level: 3;"><b><span style="font-family: "Myriad Pro", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sleep Disorders</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you've tried everything and still don't seem to be getting enough sleep, speak with your doctor. Your sleep problems may be due to a medical condition or one of the medications you are taking. Most sleep problems can be diagnosed and treated safely and effectively.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some of the most common sleep disorders are:</span></b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">sleep apnea (a disorder in which people stop breathing for 10 seconds or more, sometimes hundreds of times every night) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">insomnia (difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, or waking early) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">restless legs syndrome (uncomfortable leg sensations and the urge to move the legs occurring whenever the body is at rest, interrupting sleep) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">narcolepsy (a chronic brain disorder causing sudden, uncontrollable episodes of sleep at inappropriate times, such as while driving, eating, or talking) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">periodic limb movements (recurrent movements of the legs, feet, or toes during sleep, causing sleep interruptions throughout the night) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You may want to keep a "sleep diary" for a couple of weeks before your visit to the doctor.</span></b><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> This will help you describe your problem thoroughly to the doctor. It may also help your doctor identify patterns in your sleep. Your "sleep diary" could include:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo6; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the number of hours you are sleeping each night </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo6; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">when you went to bed and got up in the morning (or when you got up to start your next day if you do shift work) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo6; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">days when you had trouble falling asleep, woke up frequently during the night, or woke up earlier than you would have liked to </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo6; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">nights when you were snoring or moving in your sleep </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo6; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">nights when you woke up gasping for breath or snoring </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo6; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">whether you felt tired or well-rested each day </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo6; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the number of cigarettes or drinks that you had each day, and approximately when you had them </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo6; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">your stress level during the day </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 153pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo6; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><img alt="*" height="11" src="http://www.blogger.com/PicExportError" width="11" /><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">any new life events or schedule changes </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You should also make note of your current medical conditions and medications. Before you visit your doctor, it is helpful to make a list of the questions you would like to ask and the information you would like to find out from the doctor. Many people realize they have forgotten to ask an important question only after they've left the doctor's office. You may want to bring your bed partner to your doctor's appointment (or at least talk to them before the appointment) - this person has seen (and heard!) you sleeping and may be able to help your doctor diagnose and treat any sleep disorders you may have.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Most sleep disorders can be safely and effectively treated. Finding and treating a sleep disorder could make a huge difference in your life!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><span style="color: #3d4c53; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #a6a6a6; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 166;">The contents of this blog post are for informational purposes only and are meant to be discussed with your physician or other qualified health care professional before being acted on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Source material credited to </span><span style="color: #a6a6a6; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 166;">© 1996 - 2011 </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.mediresource.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a6a6a6; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 166;">MediResource Inc.</span></a></span><span style="color: #a6a6a6; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 166;"> </span><span style="color: #a6a6a6; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 166;">http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_main.asp?channel_id=135</span><span style="color: #a6a6a6; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 166;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div></span>Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-32683042724714375422011-03-25T17:27:00.000-07:002011-04-19T20:33:25.334-07:00Blame it on Bush<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The article “The Failed Presidency of George Bush” by Rodrigue Tremblay; an online guest writer for an online alternative news source called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">onlinejournal.com, </i>is a good example of the alternatives to mainstream media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to the website, it offers uncensored and accurate news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The article dwells inside what George Bush has done to mark his place in the history books as one of the worst presidents in United States history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It begins by examining bush’s background before he came into presidency; stating that he was widely known as a below average politician.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to Tremblay, only nine percent of Americans believe that the country is heading in the right direction after Bush’s reign, which has led to the lowest approval rating of any president in the seventy year history of such a poll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tremblay continues to state that many people think this has been a morally bankrupt administration.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He continues into “International disaster: an illegal war of aggression”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He believes that the Bush administration rushed to use the 9/11 attacks as a pretext to implement a preconceived pro-Israel and pro-oil plan in the middle-east.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They marched into Middle East societies as a simplistic response to those attacks, but ended up making matters only worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He continues, stating that Bush will forever be remembered as the man who launched an illegal and immoral war of aggression against another sovereign nation under false pretences and forged documents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The United Nations never approved the war in Iraq.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bush violated the United Nations Charter, which “Prohibits the use of military force” against any nation without the approval of the United Nations Security Council.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, Bush had no international legal basis to invade Iraq.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tremblay further accuses Bush of his deliberate and dishonest lies, war crimes, and his disregard for international treaties and constitutional government.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bush-Cheney Government opted out of five important international treaties and commitments: The Kyoto Protocol, the Anti-Ballistic missile treaty, the Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention, the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty and the International Criminal Court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Cheney Doctrine states that if there is a one percent chance that American interests are in jeopardy anywhere in the world, American military interventions are justified without conclusive or extensive analysis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bush has used the controversial practice of adding signing statements to new laws, stating that he has the right as president, to violate section of a law should he deem it in the national interest to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“For example, on January 28, 2008, Bush signed into law the repeal of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Insurrection Act Rider</i> in the 2006 defense appropriations bill. That rider had given the president sweeping power to use military troops in ways contrary to the </span><a href="http://www.towardfreedom.com/home/content/view/911/"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Insurrection Act and Posse Comitatus Act</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> and authorized the president to have troops patrol American streets in response to disasters, epidemics, and any “condition” he might cite. But in signing this repeal, Bush attached a signing statement in effect saying he could ignore the law any time he saw fit to do so.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Furthermore, he accuses Bush of trying his best to make the presidents war powers permanent, so the United States could be on a permanent war path, and would have the right to suspend at will, basic constitutional rights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On top of everything, Tremblay declares that Bush will always be remembered as a politician who authorized torture and indefinite detention of prisoners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He exclaims conclusively that the Bush administration has “truly been a shamelessly immoral administration.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">This article gives a majority of its information and “evidence” as fact, where in fact most of it is accusations of personal opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where some of Trembaly’s accusations against the Bush-Cheney administration very well may be true, he fails to back up his accusations in the article with any hard or convincing evidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is comparative to some other alternative news sources which tell stories that mainstream sources won’t touch, because of legal obligations, and unpopular public opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I attempted to find a mainstream collateral article. The only article I could find was “The Worst President in History?” by Sean Wilentz of popular news source <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rolling Stone.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wilentz does not make accusations nearly as opinionated or controversial as Tremblay; following the fine inter mechanics of working for an accredited mainstream news source.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where Tremblay blatantly stated accusations as fact, with no evidence to back up his statements, Wilentz takes a different approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He states well publicized facts over George Bush’s presidency, and does not accuse him that of which cannot be proven as fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also mentions in more detail what Tremblay was attempting to say, while still avoiding accusations as bold as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">onlinejournal.com</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mainstream news outlets such as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rolling Stone</i> cannot accuse the current government of such acts due to legal implications and unpopular public support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whereas alternative news sources such as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">onlinejournal.com</i> thrive on providing stories and insights into controversial subject matter that mainstream sources cannot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517885209610076796.post-11908460872911735722011-03-17T20:24:00.000-07:002011-04-19T20:26:26.428-07:00How To Control Your Dreams<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>A Beginners Tutorial on Lucid Dreams</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lucid dreaming is being aware that you’re dreaming while dreaming. This happens when the dreamer experiences something strange and stops to question reality and realize it’s a dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once you’ve become lucid you control your dream and the possible experiences are limited only by what you can imagine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Although we are not usually explicitly aware of the fact that we are dreaming while we are dreaming, at times a remarkable exception occurs, and we become conscious enough to realize that we are dreaming.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Says Dr Stephen LaBerge who has written several books on lucid dreaming, most notably “Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming” based on extensive laboratory work at Stanford University mapping mind and body relationships during the dream state. The place to start is with dream recall, he explains.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“If you don’t recall your dreams, even if you have a lucid dream, you won’t remember it”.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The most important tool for dream recall is to keep a dream journal by your bed and record every dream that you have. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You need to keep it in one specific spot so you have easy access to it, and there’s no looking around for it while losing bits and details of the dream.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Write down your dreams until you have a fairly large list of dreams to analyze, two or three weeks of remembering at least one dream a night should be enough to get you started.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you wake up in the middle of the night from a dream, write key elements of the dream down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you wake up in the morning you may have forgotten the dream, but when you look at these few key words it will spark your memory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You still might not remember every single detail, but you’ll remember the vague idea of it, then you can write it down in more detail when you’ve fully awoken in the morning.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once you have a nice selection of dreams down, go through your dream journal and spot your dream signs, which are things that happen in your dreams on a regular basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could be reoccurring thoughts, environments that you’re in, people that you meet, it could be anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The longer you record your dreams the easier it will be to spot similarities between them, these are your dream signs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’d have dreams where I find double sized coins spurting out of drains, it’s very strange, and I’ll be on my knees trying to claw up all these massive coins, putting them into this bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you can see they can be quite obscure.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Says Reece Jones, an avid lucid dreamer that has posted several videos online discussing how to lucid dream.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He advises to write down your dream signs in the back of your dream journal, for easy access.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every night before you go to bed, read the list out loud to yourself and make some sort of mantra up, something along the lines of “these are my dream signs, these things only happen in dreams, these things don’t happen in real life.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The brain is very receptive to repetition, so if you do this night in and night out and keep on telling your brain that these things only happen in your dreams, when they do eventually happen in your dreams you should be able to figure out that something isn’t right, and then you’ll be conscious and lucid enough to do a reality check in your dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A common reality check among lucid dreamers is done just by looking at your hands, because in a dream your hands usually look strange.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will be very malleable and bendy, if you were to pull your finger it would likely stretch like a rubber band.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Run your eyes around the outline of your hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask yourself if the shape looks normal, and then look in the middle of your palm for any contortions, or any weird colors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“When I do this reality check in the dream world my hands are often very red, or they’re on fire, or they’ll look strange in some sort of way.” Jones explains.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once you perform a reality check and realize you’re in a dream, the real fun begins, but at first, beginners may have difficulty remaining in the dream after they attain lucidity. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Becoming lucid is exciting, but expressing the excitement can awaken you. Suppress your feeling somewhat and turn your attention to the dream.” Dr LaBerge advises.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If the dream shows signs of ending, such as the disappearance, loss of clarity or depth of the imagery, spinning your dream body like a top can help bring the dream back. Remind yourself that the next scene will be a dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it’s not obvious that you’re dreaming once you’ve stopped spinning, perform a reality check.</span></div><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you’ve made it to this stage, you are well on your way to becoming a lucid dreamer!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you would like to advance your lucid dreaming skills there are a number of sources online to help you, including Dr LaBerge’s website lucidity.com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sweet dreams!</span>Brendyn Bialekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000354766303699314noreply@blogger.com0