While committed and/or married... Ok or not?

So here's a humdinger for you....

You are committed and/or married. Do you go out to lunch/dinner with a co-worker/friend of the opportsite sex? Just you and him/her.

Give Em Another Chance???

I've been breaking some old stuff out lately I've forgot about and some stuff thats been out for a while that I never really gave a chance.

Midtown - Forget What You Know - Midtown's last CD and for some reason I never even listened to it. I picked up a copy and it is actually a very good CD. Give it a try

Cracker - -They just had a CD come out in June that I haven't checked out but I love their old stuff.

The Lonely Kings - I always liked these guys but they never got any attention. They also had a new CD just come out but I like their old stuff better

Amazing Transparent Man - I especially like a song they have titled "The ocean is a F%$ of a long way to swim" , kinda sound like Blink 182

Satori - Try and not shake to this!! I dare you!!

Pearl Jam - I love the song Sonic Reducer

ToneLoc's Muse

Never Say Never....

If there is one thing I have learned since being a mother, it's never say never. You can not say that you will never pick your child's nose, or sniff thier butts, or spit clean thier face, or stop going to movies, or STAY AT HOME, until you have children. I have never said I would stay at home, never said I would do a lot of things, or be "that type of parent" until I had a baby and my whole composition changed. I changed. My thoughts changed, my feelings changed, my priorities changed. Don't label yourself, don't limit yourself.

Change of Plans for Saturday

OK, so I said plans could change bada-bing-bada-boom. Dey did aight? Back off, eh. I swear you'll taste some taser.
We'll be meeting at our new place in Saratoga Springs at 10am. The address is 2117 N Aurora Way. I once again have posted a map to our place. Either take Bangerter Hwy to Redwood and follow it down, or go down I-15 to the Lehi Main Street exit, and take that all the way out west to the crossroads.
Let me know who's planning on coming, either by a post or a call, so we'll know how many to count on. The more the merrier. Thanks.

Try this FOR FREE

I have been harping on this...I know. Three cool songs (not my fav's per se) are available for quick, free download. Tell me what you think. You will get a good flavor for what these guys are about. Cripes, their Danish! They HAVE to be cOoL!

http://www.purevolume.com/mew

80's....more 80's

So....Def Leppard. Awesome! We got the tickets for free...we showed up late and saw the last bit of Journey's set. We heard the best from them: Faithfully, Anyway You Want It, Don't Stop Believin', and Separate Ways. Only 3 out the 5 performing members of Journey are original: Neil Schon, Ross Valory, and Jon Cain. Steve Perry wasn't with them...so the vocals left some to be desired. But the energy was great and it was a good set from what we could tell.

Def Leppard was great. The stage was really retro. The metal stairs leading to a platform above the drum kit. The black banners with the Def Leppard band name written in that old 80's style. The guys are old but they still rock out like the old days. The hair was long. One guy (Rick Savage--the bass player) with flattened, long blonde hair is wearing a while vest with white pants. These guys played their guitars like the 1980's running around on stage...the windmill guitar strum...thrashing thier long hair around...it was awesome.

I was only a kid when these guys were at their peak...but I was so glad to see them live. I have been listening to their music a lot since my freshman year in high school. I love that glam rock scene. They really played well. I loved the one-armed drummer of course! Some of the high vocals that Joe Elliot used to do were taken over by other band members or he just sang them an octave lower. "Photograph" is tied for my favorite Def Leppard song (with "Animal" and "Hysteria") and it was toned down a bit. The high register vocals at the end weren't really there. Their cover of Badfinger and David Essex were cool. They put on a great show!!!

Anyway, it was a great show. I really enjoyed it. We had to leave early to pick Australia up. I wanted to stay but that's the way of things...I was glad to beat traffic...and I was excited to see my little girl even after only being away a couple of hours.

Saturday! Saturday! Saturday!

OK, so we will be moving on Saturday. We will be going out to eat Saturday Night as well. Hopefully around 6 or 7 that night. These plans may change, but for now here goes.
We would like the help of anyone that can from 10-12 that day. That way you don't give up your whole day. We will meet at Amber parents' house since our stuff is there. Amber's folks live at 1172 N 280 W in American Fork, Utah. I have posted a map of where she lives, here are directions from the freeway:
Take exit 281 to American Fork
1. Turn left at UT-145 which when you turn left is main street - go 0.5 mi
2. Continue on Main St - go 0.6 mi
3. Turn left at 100 W - go 1.5 mi
4. Turn left at 1120 N - go 0.2 mi
5. Turn right at 280 W - go 319 ft
6. Arrive at 1172 N 280 W American Fork, UT 84003

Honestly What Do You Wish You WOuld Have KNown?????

One of my oldest friends is getting married and her shower is on Saturday. We are doing some advice/what I wish I would have known scrapbook.. since she is last to get married. I thought I would look to you guys to see what you think. Now I know that all the spouses of each other read this.. so let's not get offended. What do you wish you would have known, or wish someone would have told you... what have you learned, or what is some advice?
Here's some of mine.

-That hard is normal.
-Make sure the other person values family and it's priority.
-How the gospel is even more important to have once you are married, so find someone who is strong.
-How important your in laws are in your life.. and how much we are our parents.
-To plan for your future.. the sooner the better.
-Are they intelligent? Interesting? Are they always striving to learn and improve themselves spiritually, physically, and intellectually.
-If they don't like to vacation, be recreational, physical now.. they most likely never will.
-How wonderful kids are, but how they change everything.
-Money is important and it matters.
-How hard it is to be away from your husband/kid to go to work or school.
-Keep your friends, (even though you dont want to leave your spouse.)
-Make sure your spouse has friends.. or else you wont either!
-Make sure your spouse gets along with your friends and can hang out with them on thier own.
-Make sure your spouse gets along with your family.
-Make sure your family and friends like them... they can jugde character better than you can.
-Listen to them! Even if you don't like what you are hearing.
-If they are a good parent, you will love them even more once you have kids. (I dont know what its like to be married to someone who is a bad one.)
-Be frugal and learn to live on what you make.
-Dont love them for thier looks.. they will be gone. Love them for who they are on the inside.

Republican Schmear campaign

Is it just me or do I spot a trend of Republicans scaring Americans into thinking that if they lose power America will be attacked again. Republicans say that Terrorists view the Democrats as weak so they will attack again, but how does that argument make sense if 9/11 happened when George Bush was president.

Orrin Hatch
Dick Cheney

Why Women Earn Less????

This really doesn't have much factual info but its just my observations. Not meant to piss any one off but I'm sure it will get some conversation going.

Why I think women earn less
-Women don't put their career first(this isn't a bad thing) but a woman is much more likely to leave early,show up late, or call in sick to attend to her kids. Women are much less willing to relocate for a career.
-Men usually put in longer hours and work harder. They take the harder jobs and also the harder training to get those jobs. There might me more women in college but they are getting degrees in History, Anthroplogie, and French Literature while men try fields like Engineering, Business, and Technological fields.
-Women still submit themselves and expect things from men. Example-If a man and woman go out to eat, or just get a drink, many women will expect the man to pay,get the door, carry things. My point is a woman who doesn't expect to pull their weight shouldn't expect to get the same pay.
-Finally I'm not saying this to be rude but Women cause drama, thay cause problems in the workplace and play little get even, be rude, show others up type of games.

Discuss and feel free to rip into my idea(not me)

Women in College = Women in Power?

Studies over the last 40 years have shown that the number of women enrolled in college outnumber the men. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the male-to-female ratio within the college population will reach 39 to 61 percent by 2009.

One author of an editorial stated, "More College = More Money + More Power. If that's true, 30 years from now women will be making most of the money and they'll be running society. That would certainly mark a turning point for civilization . . . No major society in recorded history has seen true parity of money and power between men and women. The United States would be the first."

So why haven't we seen a female president? (Hilary, that doesn't mean you're going to get it.) The closest we've come to women ruling the country have been Madeline Albright and Condoleeza Rice. In the Supreme Court, the number of women justices has actually decreased in recent times.

This is because the author states that "women have outnumbered men in college for almost 40 years now, yet they still earn about 75 cents for every dollar earned by men in comparable jobs." So maybe that formula for success isn't exactly true.

I read another article stating that women earn less because they aren't as concerned with a specific dollar amount being attached to their work; they care more about good relationships in business than they care about money. But despite this, in America, men still hold the power, college-educated or not. Therefore, it must hold that power is still derived from money, and maybe college isn't necessarily going to get you there on its own.

Ick

I own this t-shirt (in purple). Now I must burn it.

Cooking on a budget...

Now that Pops and I are on a strict budget, do any of you have ideas/recipes of cheap easy meals. Please share....

In response to Lizzen's provoking post...

As for aspartame...I had heard that too...but:

"Evidence does not support links between aspartame and cancer, hair loss, depression, dementia, behavioural disturbances, or any of the other conditions appearing in websites. Agencies such as the Food Standards Agency, European Food Standards Authority, and the Food and Drug Administration have a duty to monitor relations between foodstuffs and health and to commission research when reasonable doubt emerges. Aspartame's safety was convincing to the European Scientific Committee on Food in 1988,(2) but proving negatives is difficult, and it is even harder to persuade vocal sectors of the public whose opinions are fuelled more by anecdote than by evidence. The Food Standards Agency takes public concerns very seriously and thus pressed the European Scientific Committee on Food to conduct a further review, encompassing over 500 reports, in 2002. It concluded from biochemical, clinical, and behavioural research that the acceptable daily intake of 40 mg/kg/day of aspartame remained entirely safe-except for people with phenylketonuria."

Saccharin:

"Saccharin has been the subject of extensive scientific research and is one of the most studied food ingredients in the food supply. In fact, saccharin’s safety is supported by 30 human studies, a century of safe use, the approval of the World Health Organization and 100 countries around the world as well as leading health groups. Bernard Oser, Ph.D., noted toxicologist and former president and director of the Food and Drug Research Laboratories states, "No chemical additive for food has been tested in as many laboratories, for as long a period, in as many species of animals (including man) and in successive generations, and yet has been found to be as innocuous as saccharin.

The extensive research on saccharin has been reviewed by many international scientists, including a wide range of British, Canadian, German, Swiss, Scandinavian and American researchers, and by health groups interested in low-calorie sweeteners. These reviews have led to significant statements in support of saccharin."


The mission statement of the FDA is: The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. The FDA is also responsible for advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health.

I believe they do this. Neither you or I are remotely qualified to qualitatively dispute this. Any of our qualms with the FDA would be based on strictly hearsay evidence. We are not in the lab doing the experiments to determine anything. So faith in the FDA or faith in the renegades...its blind faith either way.

For any claim of toxicity in any of these products there are multiple claims of safety. I suppose we can choose whichever one we want to believe.

And don't think for an instant that the counter-mainstream pharmaceutical culture cares anymore about you than the FDA does. The herbs and other supplements that are alternatives to allopathic products are just as risky. Many do have some merit and are finding their way into the mainstream of healthcare...but the prospect of drug interaction is HUGE.

The St. John's Wort that a person is taking could interact with their medicine for their diabetes (for example)...killing them. There is no FDA-like organization to educate them on this risk. You want to talk about somebody wanting to make a buck? The makers of that herb do NOTHING to disclose the risks. These herbs can be every bit as potent as allopathic treatments. I listened to 3 lectures on drug interaction and the holistic health industry in 2005.

Plus the contents of the bottle can be labeled as ginger but contain drastically different compositions of the substance. One has more root than leaf...one has some stem in it. Each part of the plant having slightly differing chemical properties and effects. They don't disclose this either. There are NO REGULATIONS. Ask Orrin Hatch. He fights to defend the supplement industry. He is a pill popping congressman... I mean, he wrote the 1994 law that specifically exempted makers of diet supplements from having to prove to the FDA that they are safe and effective. And Utah is the world capital for this stuff.

You're right though....the FDA approves chemotherapies, for example, that are harmful to humans...but they serve a greater good. I don't think our nation's health regulations are out to get us. I think the people in the FDA want to help. There is likely corruption but as I like to say: Its the best thing we've got.

The generic comment? You are absolutely right. The generics are identical...the others are name brands just like clothes and breakfast cereals. You pay for the name. I have requested generics from my cousin who works at the pharmacy we go to. Its the best way to go.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMBER! and moving...

On this day, exactly twenty-three years ago, August 16th in the year of our Lord 1983 Amber Park was born. True as it was, she was born on the back of a mule while traveling from her home in the nuclear wasteland of Tooele to the green pastures of Salt Lake. Her parents felt that running water, electricity, and a location with no fallout would make the birth go smoother, and increase the life-span of the infant girl. Alas, they never made it. Luckily her mother, being of stout resolve, was able to deliver her unhampered into the world. The rest is history.

Also, we are closing on our house today. That means that the morning of Saturday Aug. 19th we will be moving in. Anyone that could spare a couple hours from 10-12 that morning is invited to help. I don't EXPECT anyone there in particular because all of our lives are so friggin busy. I know many of yous moved in while Amber and I weren't around, so we know how it is. But if you have the time, we'd be much obliged.

Tylenol?

I was just wondering what your view point is on taking over the counter pain killers. Or any pain killers or medicine for that matter. I read that everytime you take a tylenol, or pills with the active ingredient that you are 2.2 times more likey to get liver cancer. And everytime you pop an ibuprophen (Aleve, Motrin) you are 4 times more likely to get kidney disease. There is a theory that when your body is sick, fever-ish, that when you take pain relievers that it is interupting what your body's ability of healing itself.

So in the "family" one, I had, AND still have 2 huge canker sores (they suck) and I'm not too keen on it but I suppose its the best of the bunch we took. Chelz's mom took em, and it was just on some street up in Salt Lake.

If you like....

If you like the Postal Service...try PlayRadioPlay. Their music is available for free download at purevolume.com for free. Yeah...its free.

If you like Travis, Radiohead, Keane, and/or the Fray...try Turn off the Stars. Listen to them on purevolume.com too. Cool stuff.

Funny Funny

An elderly woman walked into the Bank of Canada one morning with a purse
full of money. She wanted to open a savings account and insisted on
talking to the president of the Bank because, she said, she had a lot
of money.

After many lengthy discussions (after all, the client is always right) an
employee took the elderly woman to the president's office.

The president of the Bank asked her how much she wanted to deposit. She
placed her purse on his desk and replied, "$165,000". The president was
curious and asked her how she had been able to save so much money. The
elderly woman replied that she made bets.

The president was surprised and asked, "What kind of bets?"

The elderly woman replied, "Well, I bet you $25,000 that your testicles
are square."

The president started to laugh and told the woman that it was impossible
to win a bet like that.

The woman never batted an eye. She just looked at the president and said,

"Would you like to take my bet?"

"Certainly", replied the president. "I bet you $25,000 that my testicles
are not square."

"Done", the elderly woman answered. "But given the amount of money
involved, if you don't mind I would like to come back at 10 o'clock
tomorrow morning with my lawyer as a witness." "No problem", said the
president of the Bank confidently.

That night, the president became very nervous about the bet and spent a
long time in front of the mirror examining his testicles, turning them
this way and that, checking them over again and again until he was
positive that no one could consider his testicles as square and reassuring
himself that there was no way he could lose the bet.

The next morning at exactly 10 o'clock the elderly woman arrived at the
president's office with her lawyer and acknowledged the $25,000 bet made
the day before that the president's testicles were square.

The president confirmed that the bet was the same as the one made the day
before. Then the elderly woman asked him to drop his pants etc. so that
she and her lawyer could see clearly.

The president was happy to oblige.

The elderly woman came closer so she could see better and asked the
president if she could touch them. "Of course", said the president. "Given
the amount of money involved, you should be 100% sure."

The elderly woman did so with a little smile. Suddenly the president
noticed that the lawyer was banging his head against the wall. He asked
the elderly woman why he was doing that and she replied,

"Oh, it's probably because I bet him $100,000 that around 10 o'clock in
the morning I would be holding the balls of the President of the Bank of
Canada!"

Infiltrating the Bathroom

Did you know there's a Descendents toilet seat for sale on ebay? Strange but true. Even stranger, I want it!

Quote

HAVE THE COURAGE TO CHANGE.

Website

www.fair.org

"Fairness And Accuracy In Reporting."

I think some of you will like this website.

Awesome

I have really been affected by what's going on the the Middle East. I decided to pursue some enlightenment on the topic. This is a great book!

Is There Such Thing As Luck?

I watched a movie today while Piper was home sick with Enterovirus (?) and it was about luck. I personally don't believe in luck. I believe in karma (the spiritual kind) where you do good things and good things happen to you. I believe if you do good things for others the world with work together for your good. I believe the more more active in the church you are the more "lucky" you are. I know from personal experience the less I practice these things the more "unlucky" I am. Well Piper is sick and crying and that is all the time I have. .. there is a thought, Windypops.

Personal Goals

Interesting that Pops suggested a post on this topic. I've been feeling a bit of angst lately about this, or more specifically, about career goals.

I went to a training seminar this past weekend in Bellevue. It got me thinking about my "career" or lack thereof.

Since I first took this job in January, I was excited because it was my first REAL, adult job out of college. I considered it the first step in my career and thought it would position me well for the future. But now as I reexamine the word "career," I don't think it quite fits the bill. To me, a career is the path that you're on in your work life, from where you started to where you want to be. I see it as a positive thing, as something you are excited to work hard for, and in return it will be quite rewarding. But I'm not finding that to be my case.

Maybe I'm taking it too literally. I know not every job is ideal, and some just plain suck. At the very least I should be grateful I have a job where I am financially secure and appreciated. But the point I'm trying to make is that there's much lacking. I'm not exactly "going places"; I'm barely even mobile. The only other position above mine is the marketing manager, a position that takes years and years of experience and industry know-how to reach. I spend 75% of my day doing absolutely nothing, hardly being productive or industrious. What purpose am I even serving here? What purpose would I serve anywhere?

I've decided that it comes down to my lack of goals--specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, timely goals. I don't know what I'm doing here because I can't see the big picture--I don't even have a big picture. I only have this vague impression of my future: To be with a marketing/public relations firm. But doing what? I don't have a degree in marketing or public relations. That's where my job experience has been, but what exactly do I need to be doing NOW or in the near future to push me in that direction? Do I even know enough about it to have it be a specific goal or driving force?

Lately I've been wishing I had some sort of a career counselor to help me out, or that I knew someone in the field who could guide me along, help me define my goals, and show me how to get there. I've thought about setting up appointments with HR people in the larger firms I'd like to work for to see what kind of positions are out there and what it would take to get one in the future. I also would like to talk to my boss to see what more I could be doing around here to keep me busy and make me feel like I am doing something worthwhile.

Any advice?

Golfing and voyerism

The voyeur was (yes, now past-tense) one of our clients. He golfed at our tournament in May with one of our employees (flatteringly portrayed in the tanning bed). Clearly the guy in the goggles is said voyeur. My boss made this . . . thought it'd be funny to pass it on.

Ouch

Word

Don't you think 'ombudsman' is the most ridiculous word? I mean, who came up with that word? What a worthless, do nothing word. It's probably used about once every 6 years. I can't stand it.

Other words I think are droll, or amusing:

Droll
Perriwinkle (not a color)
Cretacious
Moist (especially if not talking about food)
Pompous
Asenine
Grand ('That's a grand idea!)
Farcical
Aquatic
Ceremony
Brilliant ('That moving picture show was brilliant.')
Chewmongous
Punctilious
ajar (only can be used on cars for some reason)
Boorish
Brute
Satchel
Colossal
Crumb (You're a crumb)
Craptacular

And, of course, Vigoda.