I stumbled upon an article that referenced 10 devices that changed the world in the 2000s.  For the most part they were electronic/mechanical in nature: iPods, Kindles, the Prius, etc etc.  But one device caught my eye:

The Lifestraw gives people access to potable water in areas where they normally wouldn’t have it.  The filter supposedly lasts for an entire year (now that I think about it I might replace my Brita with one of these things — that sucker’s filter only lasts about 27 days).

But honestly I wish I could buy a bajillion of these devices.  Here I was, worrying about my retirement plan & the future of the economy & this one site reminded me that there are millions of folks out there that can’t get a sip of water when they need it.

I’ve never urged folks to donate before but one of these devices costs 7 bucks.  Why not spend 15 bucks to provide clean water to 2 people for 1 year instead of getting smashed on an extra couple Ketel One & Tonics this New Years’?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please allow me to share with you how “The Secret” changed my life and in a very real and substantive way allowed me to overcome a severe crisis in my personal life. It is well known that the premise of “The Secret” is the science of attracting the things in life that you desire and need and in removing from your life those things that you don’t want. Before finding this book, I knew nothing of these principles, the process of positive visualization, and had actually engaged in reckless behaviors to the point of endangering my own life and wellbeing.
At age 36, I found myself in a medium security prison serving 3-5 years for destruction of government property and public intoxication. This was stiff punishment for drunkenly defecating in a mailbox but as the judge pointed out, this was my third conviction for the exact same crime. I obviously had an alcohol problem and a deep and intense disrespect for the postal system, but even more importantly I was ignoring the very fabric of our metaphysical reality and inviting destructive influences into my life.
My fourth day in prison was the first day that I was allowed in general population and while in the recreation yard I was approached by a prisoner named Marcus who calmly informed me that as a new prisoner I had been purchased by him for three packs of Winston cigarettes and 8 ounces of Pruno (prison wine). Marcus elaborated further that I could expect to be [...] raped by him on a daily basis and that I had pretty eyes.
Needless to say, I was deeply shocked that my life had sunk to this level. Although I’ve never been homophobic I was discovering that I was very rape phobic and dismayed by my overall personal street value of roughly $15. I returned to my cell and sat very quietly, searching myself for answers on how I could improve my life and distance myself from harmful outside influences. At that point, in what I consider to be a miraculous moment, my cell mate Jim Norton informed me that he knew about the Marcus situation and that he had something that could solve my problems. He handed me a copy of “The Secret”. Normally I wouldn’t have turned to a self help book to resolve such a severe and immediate threat but I literally didn’t have any other available alternatives. I immediately opened the book and began to read.
The first few chapters deal with the essence of something called the “Law of Attraction” in which a primal universal force is available to us and can be harnessed for the betterment of our lives. The theoretical nature of the first few chapters wasn’t exactly putting me at peace. In fact, I had never meditated and had great difficulty with closing out the chaotic noises of the prison and visualizing the positive changes that I so dearly needed. It was when I reached Chapter 6 “The Secret to Relationships” that I realized how this book could help me distance myself from Marcus and his negative intentions. Starting with chapter six there was a cavity carved into the book and in that cavity was a prison shiv. This particular shiv was a toothbrush with a handle that had been repeatedly melted and ground into a razor sharp point.
The next day in the exercise yard I carried “The Secret” with me and when Marcus approached me I opened the book and stabbed him in the neck. The next eight weeks in solitary confinement provided ample time to practice positive visualization and the 16 hours per day of absolute darkness actually made visualization about the only thing that I actually could do. I’m not sure that everybody’s life will be changed in such a dramatic way by this book but I’m very thankful to have found it and will continue to recommend it heartily.

It’s the mirror at work.  The internal universe reflecting externally.  The self loathing and constant abuse that your crazy friend lives with day in and day out also manifests itself in their external life.

The flip side is also true.  My girlfriend will sometimes bring up our relationship and how she’s so glad we found each other. She claims that I changed her — that she was immature, spiteful, and malicious before she met me and that meeting me and being around me changed her.  Untrue (except for the immature, spiteful and malicious part … the fact is that she changed — she changed on the inside and the new reflection shows her to not possess any of those characteristics.  I don’t know that spiteful person. I never did.  In fact I wouldn’t have ever shown up in her life if she hadn’t changed first.

The mirror traverses relationships and can be applied to other areas of your life.  For example, diet and health.  Let’s talk about my diet and health.  I exercise regularly, eat a sensible diet, and generally take fantastic care of myself.  If you were to look at my self image mirror you would see just that — healthy, fit, and somewhat vain stud, who likes the way he looks and feels and strives to maintain it.

So if you’re looking to lose substantial weight or even just get lean and fit the key isn’t to exercise and eat a sensible diet.  That’s really the aftereffect of the mirror.  The real key is who you are inside. I’m a lean healthy person inside.  That’s how I’ve always seen myself since I was a little kid.  The exercise and diets are really just biproducts of my internal vision.

How do you see yourself?  Are you as happy as you want to be? Are you as successful at work or your business as you feel you should be? Are you content with the way you treat your wife, girlfriend, kids,friends,etc?  Even more telling — are you happy with the way the treat you? If not it may be time to pull out the Windex and buff up that mirror.

There are a few different schools of thought.  Some will say that you do yourself a disservice if you pursue money in lieu of focusing on providing value.  Others say, that it’s more important to make money because that is what ultimately decides a lot of what you can and cannot provide for yourself and your family.

I remember when I first got out of college.  Those first couple of years are pretty eye opening.  While you’re in school you have this overarching idea that you can do everything and be everything; you kind of can while you’re in school.

Then you get out.  You think you’re the hottest thing on the block and no one can tell you shit.  I remember having a conversation with one of my friend’s fathers.  He was a few years from retiring from corporate law and I asked him what was more important – money or doing what you love.  His response

Al — I absolutely hate my job.  But it pays well… it gave me a comfortable living and gives my kids the ability to do and be whoever they want.  I can worry about doing what i “like” when I’m retired and the kids are graduated from college

That was an interesting self sacrificing way of dealing a part of your life that you’re not that fond of. Another one of my friends is in the most simplest terms working in a lab actively searching for a cure for cancer.  He has a job that doesn’t pay that well and has a wife and kid. But he loves what he does.

Does that make him selfish? Should he be more focused on providing for his family than performing a service to humanity or working in an area that is highly self fulfilling?

Personally I think both avenues are correct.  I think it’s great to make millions of dollars. Like my father always said, an athlete “deserves” to make a boatload of money if someone is willing to pay him that much.  I also believe that it’s good to work at a job that you love even if it doesn’t pay you a good deal of money.

The real key to making this seemingly impossible conditional statement plausible is how you the individual resonates with the choice.  There is no right answer. There is only the right answer for you.  With every choice in life there is going to be some sort of sacrifice but if the intended result is one that you truly believe in then you must stick to your guns and live with your decision.

David Tyrizzle is a winner

We got lucky — we didn’t get lucky. Who cares. At this point Manning can do no wrong in my eyes. I just handed him a get out of jail free pass for this entire season. Every time I see Michael Strahan my eyes well up with the joy of a proud parent watching his kid walk for the first time

G.

Men.

take a trip back in time with me

side note: I’m watching the US Open right now. As an ex tennis player I absolutely can’t stand the way Andy Roddick plays.  Great personality, self effacing, blah blah blah but Christ how can you be a the 5th best player on the PLANET and not be able to hit a backhand or volley to save your drunken uncle Larry’s prostate?

My feeling is that the resounding thought, although manifesting in many ways boils down to a simple want or desire. Open your eyes and look around at the people who you come in contact with on a daily basis. Think about your family. Think about your friends. What is the thought that rules their life?

As for my friends and family — here are a few basic themes that stand out:

- Sex: I’m not talking male female – I mean the good old fashioned bump and grind. This is the theme of one of my good friend’s life. Everything revolves around sex. Every time we speak it comes up in some form or another whether it’s discussing a past conquest, the exact physical proportions of a passerby, or by sending me a mms (picture text) with some woman performing a particularly suspect action.

- Money/Power: I’ve got another friend that you can substitute the word “sex” for “money” in the paragraph above and it would fit it to a tee. Every time we talk it’s what I’m doing in business and what she is doing to make a mark in the world. New business ventures… investments…. yadda yadda.

-Charity: This one is interesting. I have a few friends who are charitable in all of their actions. Some who do it for a living…preach it…eat it…. live it. And others who in almost every action try to be the savior/martyr

- Rebelliousness: This is a theme that resounds from most of my artistic/musical friends. Doing things the way other people do them is an abhorrence to them. Every thought or idea revolves around being different or doing the opposite of what the crowd is doing even to their detriment.

-Respect: More specifically the constant battle to be respected. I don’t know why there’s a direct correlation between this theme and height. But my shorter friends and family members are the owners of this theme are on constant defense, constant war with perceived villains that threaten to slight them in untold unforseen ways.

These are a few of my observations and for those of you who read this and know me, don’t get too upset. Who knows, perhaps I’ve pegged you wrong and you think of yourself in another category. Even if I’ve listed it, maybe I’m off base. I do believe that you can hop from category to category but for the most part you spend most of your day in one theme.

What do I think about all of this? Well, in the end each of us is living part or all of our life in between our ears.  What I mean by that is that that it is nearly impossible to truly do two things at once.  Either your thoughts are focused on the here and now and what’s going on at this moment in the world around you… OR you’re living/reliving past experiences and future ones in the realm of your mind. Take that grain of salt as you wish.

And for me, what’s my resounding theme? Well a girl must keep her secrets but I will reveal something that occupies my mind a lot, other than my theme: Music. Ever since I can remember I’ve always had a song in my head. The song will change throughout the day but generally there’ll be a song playing. My first memory was in kindergarden — the song? The theme song to Sesame Street.

What’s playing right now?

Women like cats. Men say they like cats. But when women aren’t looking, men kick cats and replace them with baby lions. It is then acceptable to train the lions to attack on command, but be docile otherwise.

 more WikiManCode

The basic premise is that visitors leave anonymous posts about revealing happenings in their life. I’m sure some of the posts are 100% fabricated but it is somewhat hilarious stuff.

Here’s an excerpt from one post:

My old girlfriend from college used to fart when ever she felt like it. Even if we were in public, she’d just let one rip and not give a damn. She was kind of a tomboy, but only in her actions.

Anyway, this one time when we were having sex she farted so loud that she pooped on the bed sheets. She was so embarrassed and ending up crying… but the reason why she cried wasn’t –> Continue

Guess who’s going to hell….

I’ve been a Bulls fan since the 89-90 season.  Since MJ left the area, they show less and less Chicago games on tv.  They were really hurting there for a while too.  I ended up watching a lot more Nets games and falling in love with their style of bball.  I felt that same feeling tonight watching the Celts play.  Man do they look good.  But the old schoool fan in me will never be true fan of any Mass based sports (Sox/Pats/Celts).

My roundabout-as-usual point though, is that I was watching the game and the camera kept on panning to the crowd showing Big Papi wearing a Ray Allen uniform.  I always thought it kind of cool when a Pro athlete from one sport shows total Fanatical behavior when rooting for his team.  Here’s a nice shot of Papi taunting Chauncey Billups after a huge Ray Allen shot (by the way Ray Allen… still the purest jumpshot in the league — the second coming of Jesus [shuttlesworth])

This is my 200th post in Degrees, since October. There were a couple of misteps along the way.  I managed to lose all of this hard work a couple of times but I have survived. For # 200 I’m linking back to my favorite 10 cinco posts over the past 8 who knows how many months:

In no particular order:

1. Embarrassing moments the third : a little snapple and a long commute – bad combo

2. Otherwordly experiences : Something I may never be able to fully explain

3. Kodak Moments : Some moments should be erased. Forever.

4. Japanese Privacy Rights : Don’t go to Japan. They will embarrass you on national television

5. Lion-o : Transgendered Thundercat    at this point the comments severly outdo the post

6.

I reallized that everyone has had their teeth pulled kind of like everyone owns a timeshare (Orlando for me).  But a wisdom extraction is probably likened to a “girl’s first time”.   Every experience is different.  And boy do I wish mine was different.

(this is usually where i post a picture but the way it looks & the way it feels are two different things…. so i’ll just post what it feels like)

After the novo wore off at 7pm it felts more like i got hit with a lightsaber dead in my jaw.

3 interesting things about my extractions:

1) I thought the motherfucker wasn’t supposed to hurt.  I had the novo (which randomly I’ve never had before in my life — that was like getting blasted with the ball in the face in little league soccer in the dead of November) AND the local.  When the surgeon started to extract the first tooth all I could think was: ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING ME?  I mean really, all those drugs and I’m STILL feeling pain?

2) Painkillers: Man, Vicodin doesn’t have shit on Oxycotin. Either that or I was in that much MORE pain than my last surgery  .  By the way 2007 has a been year to remember.  Without a doubt one of my best years on planet earth.

3) I’m more a a bitch-ass than I thought. What more can we say about that people?

It’s VICO-TIME. Can’t see how these hollywood types get hooked on a drug that doesn’t do jack shit.  This is like the time my sophmore year of college when the pot-heads on the team ventured out to ventura blvd and picked up some drogas that turned out to be the equivalent of a chopped up NY times and a grond up car freshener that smelled a lot like weed.

Good times as usual.

I picked up an ipod nano and the 30 dolla nike plus a few weeks ago.  I’ve gotta say, I’m a pc-ho and have always had a strong allegiance to the PC world.  I think part of that is just the herd mentality.  Apple makes dope products. period.

The nikeplus works but insert a small plastic transmitter in your shoe (or in my case, my sock) and a radio transmitter on the end of the nano.  It tracks:

-distance

-time

-pace

-calories

it’s like having your very own treadmill display  AND music in a device that weighs about as much as nothing.  It took a bit to configure the device correctly and get it in the right spot in my sock so that it always works.  But i’ve got the system down pat and from what  I’ve heard the sucka is accurate to within feet.

two cool features:

distance: you set the distance that you want to run.  A voice lets you know when you hit certain milestones on your way to your goal……….. 1 mile…. 2 miles…. 200 metres to go…. Awesome and absolutely dangerous feature.  I’m pretty sure I died a few times mid-stride since I bought it.

new record: when you break your old distance record you get a congratulatory message from Lance Armstrong. I would have much preferred the Dalai Lama or Optimus Prime but Armstrong will do.

The total cost of everything was about 2 bones including tax. Well worth the dolo.

Instead of deleting the comment the way i usually do I decided to play johny adlibs with it. So check out the replacement phrases:

Allah – –Al Davies, Rightful Leader of Zamunda
Islam — Albino Bearcat
Iraq — jersey shore
Christians — baby kittens
christian – overmedicated female bodybuilder
jews — baby gorillas
jew — 14 year old boy from the bronx
holocaust — mixed martial arts fight
america — 15th century el salvador

now check out the actual comment: it appears after the post.. obvi

I asked him about the difference between being an LLC and a sole proprietor and what a certain dollar amount would end up being in both scenarios. The long and short of it is that if you own your own business you can pretty much keep 99% of the money you make if you wanted to.

The conversation then focused in my direction as he asked me about what I make and what my big expenses are. Now, I’m big willie and make a load of cheddar working for my company (relatively speaking). But I’ve started tracking both my expenses as well as the after effects of uncle sam on my salary. Lou, with some quick mental calculations and his usual dry humor spelled wrapped up my whole situation in one neat sentence.

so you spend almost 20 PERCENT of your salary after taxes to just get yourself to and from work every day?

I thought about it for 5 seconds. He was right. I drive a car that’s paid off. But between car insurance (around 2K), gas (almost 3k) tolls (about a G) and general upkeep (about 1.5K) I’m spending a good chunk of change to get around, most of which is getting back and forth from work.

I kind of like to think “big picture” like Lou. Checking expenditures on a daily level is nice and works well to some degree for me but working with big buckets in longer timeframes really points out the “exceptions”. Who would have thought that a little expense like a paid off car actually eats into my dolo so much?

Do you know how the percentages of your expenses breaks down?

Finding that other children may be afflicted with the same dismal plight, I suggest execution of Plan A. Plan A is an excellent way to prove parents’ hypocrisy that I would wholeheartedly prescript. When entering the bathroom to find that your mother has, alas, left the water faucet running full-blast, AGAIN, merely say,”Well, you always talk to me about water conservation, but you’re probably wasting a gallon.”

From adora svitak’s blog; the 9 year old published writer.

We’ve come a ways in terms of Black and White. Part of that has to do with the passage of time. I think the other part of it is the “melting pot” phenomenon that is this country.  So now there’s less tolerance of racial discrimination of any kind. In fact there’s been a bit of over sensitization recently (Banning Words? are you serious?) to the issue.  But we’ve moved away as a culture from taking jabs at those that sit on difference sides of the color line.  Racial slurs, even in joke form, aren’t PC and you’re looked upon with disdain if you use them (in public at least).

So there’s been a discrimination void that’s been waiting to be filled and it’s been plugged with anti-gay sentiment.  Don’t think so?  Just listen to any mainstream radio broadcast or any twenty-something pop culture program.  The morning radio show that I wake up to does a good job of demonstrating what I’m talking about.  Every few minutes a self deprecating comment is made or an unassuming stab is made about someone’s sexuality.

“That’s so gay… you’re such a fag….” Comments like these are intended to add humor to the program. They’re also sprinkled in our everyday conversations.   Some folks come from sticks and stones school of thought.  Their idea is to keep untethered our right to free speech, no matter what the consequences.

I think that we should know better.  I’m not innocent of using this type of language in my past but life is about learning and growing.  One day it dawned upon me that you could substitute race in for sexuality and all of those little jokes, quips, and side comments that all use would suddenly be fighting words.

Just to drive the point home a little bit more let’s think about what I’m imparting in a different manner.  We’ve all joked about a different culture/religion/race at one time or another.  Let’s say you’re in a crowd of the group that you’ve joked about in the past. At this point  you know whether or not you choice of words is truly a JOKE or not.

So think about it the next time you decided to use particular adjectives to describe a person, place, or thing.  And remember, just because you hear it on the radio and see it on the video doesn’t mean that it’s okay