tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-153332572024-03-13T10:47:09.543-04:00All Of ItSearching for the truth behind the hype.hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.comBlogger300125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-79777424461445937352014-06-09T11:10:00.000-04:002014-06-09T11:10:21.434-04:00On Success (a personal musing)I have succeeded in at least one thing: being the kind of mother I would have been proud to call my own; not perfect, but loving and strong, learning alongside her children on this journey called parenthood.<br />
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I see three children I am proud to call my own. I see the adults they have become, not because of my own guidance, but because of the individuals they are. I hope that, in some small way, I have contributed to the people they have become. Nevertheless, I feel privileged to share my life with them.hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-63862036700598317962013-11-21T07:53:00.002-05:002013-11-21T07:57:04.220-05:00Process of Journey (poem)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5G9LaqxkYMj167ZUnfcg4R6UuwaV9kUmtZBbBzhJqidfjznyk4PqtPxkJGo_Y4M8AurArDqf0xGC4cevgezO3ctcN1IFQtY4C1CFg2FklE2yCsjQJNu_soY1_6iIk2s7uxDuZQ/s1600/brook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5G9LaqxkYMj167ZUnfcg4R6UuwaV9kUmtZBbBzhJqidfjznyk4PqtPxkJGo_Y4M8AurArDqf0xGC4cevgezO3ctcN1IFQtY4C1CFg2FklE2yCsjQJNu_soY1_6iIk2s7uxDuZQ/s200/brook.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brook by Andrea E. Feeser</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If I told you what I see,<br />
Would you believe me?<br />
If you opened-up your ears,<br />
Would you hear?<br />
The world is all around you.<br />
There is nothing left to fear.<br />
<br />
Reach-out your hand, I'll guide you.<br />
The colors are so bright.<br />
Don't lose the path before you<br />
To the darkness of your sight.<br />
<br />
<br />
Faith, it was forgotten,<br />
Or distorted in the glass.<br />
Beyond the water's surface,<br />
You'll find your moor, at last.<br />
<br />
In time, to cast adrift<br />
Into the fresh unknown.<br />
Unfurl the sails and loosen<br />
All knots that held you stone.<br />
<br />
Embark upon the ocean<br />
Into the starry night;<br />
Through the stormy tempest<br />
Onto breaking light.<br />
<br />
If I told you what I see<br />
Would you believe me?<br />
If you opened-up your ears,<br />
Would you hear?<br />
The world is all around you.<br />
There is nothing left to fear.hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-40115291020410668112013-09-10T10:15:00.004-04:002013-09-10T10:15:50.381-04:00Octavius Catto - Why have I never heard of him?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://archives.pacscl.org/catto/resources/catto_harpers1871_800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://archives.pacscl.org/catto/resources/catto_harpers1871_800.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
I was looking up a <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.920833,-75.263333&spn=0.01,0.01&t=k&q=http://toolserver.org/~para/GeoCommons/GeoCommons-simple.kml&hl=en">location on Google Maps</a> for the Philadelphia area, when I found a marker for <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Octavius_Catto_grave.jpg">"Octavius Cato grave"</a>. It was the only specific marker in the list; the others being cemeteries and public transportation stops. Curious, I clicked on it (especially since I've never heard of Octavius Catto).<br />
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The top of his memorial stone reads "The Forgotten Hero", and this is definitely true. I wish they would have at least mentioned him in high school American history class. He was a leader of the civil rights movement of the 1800's, tirelessly fought for voting rights for blacks, was headmaster of what is now Cheyney University, served as a Major in the Union Army in the Civil War and was assassinated on election day in front of a polling place in Philadelphia! If all that isn't enough to keep him off the "forgotten" list, I don't know what is.
Yes, I got all that information from his memorial stone. But I intend to learn more about him. I have found links to a <a href="http://tastingfreedombook.com/">book about Catto (Tasting Freedom by Daniel R. Biddle and Murray Dubin)</a>, information about him on <a href="http://www.ushistory.org/people/catto.htm">ushistory.org</a>, and a biography of him on <a href="http://isc.temple.edu/awaskie/biography_of_octavius_v_Catto.htm">Temple University's website</a>. All of which I intend to read, the latter two as soon as I am done typing this blog post.<br />
<br />
His sheer volume of accomplishments is astounding. (My glances at the other links have gleaned the additional information that he was a founder of an all-black baseball team.) If not for the Internet, I may have never heard of this great American hero! hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-62528318755537675142013-02-24T15:07:00.002-05:002013-02-24T15:14:31.985-05:00Notable Movies of 2012<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005LAIGZU/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B005LAIGZU&linkCode=as2&tag=alofit-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B005LAIGZU&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=alofit-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=alofit-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B005LAIGZU" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<br />
Best Movie: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005LAIGZU/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B005LAIGZU&linkCode=as2&tag=alofit-20">Act of Valor</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=alofit-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B005LAIGZU" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<br />
<br />
<div>
Best Family Movie: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BEZTMFY/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00BEZTMFY&linkCode=as2&tag=alofit-20">The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=alofit-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00BEZTMFY" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
</div>
<br />
<div>
Best Comedy: The Watch</div>
<div>
<br />
Best Horror or Thriller: The Cabin in the Woods </div>
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<div>
Summer Blockbuster: Prometheus</div>
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<div>
Best Cinematography: Skyfall</div>
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<div>
Best Special Effects: Prometheus </div>
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<div>
Most over-hyped: Cloud Atlas</div>
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<div>
Disappointing sequel: Skyfall</div>
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<div>
Pointless Remake: Red Dawn (still enjoyable, though)</div>
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<div>
Just for Fun: Rock of Ages</div>
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<div>
Most Innovative: The Cabin in the Woods</div>
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<div>
Better than expected: Seven Psychopaths</div>
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<div>
Best Car (and Motorcycle!) Chase: The Bourne Legacy</div>
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<div>
Best Actor: Michael Fassbender (Prometheus)</div>
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<div>
Best Actress: (No Entry)</div>
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<div>
Best Animated Film: Brave</div>
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<div>
Best Action Sequence: Fight between the USS Missouri and the mothership in Battleship</div>
hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-7330345353526839132013-01-19T10:55:00.001-05:002013-01-19T10:55:49.797-05:00Technology, at a CostThere's something that's been on my mind for the past several months. It has been constantly gnawing at me. The resulting ache has left me with two choices: give-in to the hopelessness or try to do something about it. The latter comes with a myriad of questions. Not the least of which, how can anything be done about so huge a problem?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9k3eeCNu6oXUQYFIOgKizz6_Qw5DqMGlia9jrbTasxPitXICWBiWCOOu_Qx9g7EJw-zd7rqtsinuu8VyboRHc7Jyaqvd1FYfq097aKm_Iqkd6YRmxp3S6G8hkihG0Bv0iBf36Q/s1600/laptop1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9k3eeCNu6oXUQYFIOgKizz6_Qw5DqMGlia9jrbTasxPitXICWBiWCOOu_Qx9g7EJw-zd7rqtsinuu8VyboRHc7Jyaqvd1FYfq097aKm_Iqkd6YRmxp3S6G8hkihG0Bv0iBf36Q/s320/laptop1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
What is this all-consuming issue? Intelligence...or the lack thereof. It is becoming increasingly obvious that our society is becoming, for lack of a better term, stupid. Our modern technology, at its increasing advancement, is enabling this stupidity. Of course, it's not happening all at once, but in small turns (the proverbial frog slowly boiling in a pot of water).<br />
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Just consider this one set of examples. First of all, cursive handwriting has been slowly dying-out. It is not taught in many schools. Two of my sons (only one of whom is still in high school) have never been taught handwriting. They cannot read cursive handwriting. That's fun for me, of course. If I want to write something that I don't want them to be able to read, I just write it in cursive.<br />
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This, in itself, seems harmless enough. Indeed, most communication is done electronically and, therefore, typed onto a keyboard or similar device. It is harmless, until we consider the next progression. Technology's main goal has always been to make processes easier whenever possible.<br />
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There is a recent Windows 8 commercial which depicts users tracing photographs with their fingers. They are using a photo password. The user can chose to create a photo password instead of a keyed-in password. Sure it is a far cry from illiteracy, but it is another step on the path.<br />
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Modern Western culture values immediacy. The ability to look-up anything at any time on the Internet gives the illusion of intelligence. The knowledge is there, if you know where to look, but the mind must be trained in logic, deduction, history, etc. Knowledge without intelligence is flat and dead. What can you create with knowledge, if you do not possess the intelligence to explore it, test it and consider new options? <br />
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I'm not saying there is immediate danger, but I don't like where this is headed. How to fix it? What to do about it? I don't know. Is there a viable way to promote the pursuit of intelligence? Is there a way to make it more desirable than its effortless alternative? Can we ensure that our progeny will continue that pursuit? I don't have the answers, but I'm looking. Otherwise, I'll just forget about it and keep playing my video games.<br />
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<br />
References:<br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/XBmtde_XNBs" target="_blank">Windows 8: Sign in with a Smile - commercial</a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiling_frog" target="_blank">Boiling Frog Myth</a><br />
<a href="http://bostonglobe.com/ideas/2012/12/30/mom-what-was-handwriting/R6rdxJKS5OGS2YicuXhCaK/story.html" target="_blank">Mom, What was Handwriting? - article/interview of author Philip Hensher, Boston Globe</a>,hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-17404757992633423092012-10-05T09:44:00.001-04:002012-10-05T09:44:53.974-04:00Who Won the Presidential Debate?Who won the presidential debate? That seems to be the main question bandied about in the wake of the October 3rd debate between President Obama and Governor Romney. And the general consensus seems to be that Mitt Romney won.<br />
<br />
However, there is more to this debate than that simple question. Clearly President Obama could have done a lot better, but the big surprise is how well Governor Romney performed. He had been vague on his campaign policies, and that vagueness did show-up in this debate, but he had a better over-all strategy for his policies than in the previous several month. And, I'm sure, his recent release of semi-candid remarks had sparked many people to watch the debate simply to see if he would verbally misstep again.<br />
<br />
President Obama, it was evident, was prepared to debate on some of the few points of policy that Governor Romney had brought-up along his campaign trail. However, that was no help to the President and he was found floundering, as Governor Romney debated in favor of his new policy ideas.<br />
<br />
All this being said, Governor Romney showed himself to be a much better contender than was previously evident. If President Obama prepares himself better for the next debate, which I am sure he will-and with the help of his aids-then we should have a quite interesting and lively debate when they meet again on October 16th.<br />
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A side note: It was very refreshing to see how the candidates were so congenial with each other at the debate on October 3rd-a definite change from previous years. Let's hope that continues.<br />
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Links: <a href="http://www.2012presidentialelectionnews.com/2012-debate-schedule/2012-presidential-debate-schedule/" target="_blank">2012 Presidential Debate Schedule</a> hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-9685060463387784072012-08-13T11:26:00.000-04:002012-08-13T11:26:25.569-04:00He or She? His or Her?Which is correct? Or are both correct? I am writing an article in which I reference the reader's child. I am finding myself writing "his or her" and "he or she", etc. It used to be the practice to write the masculine form to include both male and female. Somewhere around the 70's or 80's, "he/she" and "him/her" began to crop-up amongst the "he"s and "him"s. Then, in the 1990's, writers began using the feminine to refer to both. Is there an accepted form for modern writing? What does the reader prefer, generally? If I settle on a particular set, am I making a statement (if inadvertently)?hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-7383780248117961902012-08-08T10:05:00.000-04:002012-08-08T10:05:07.147-04:00Looking for Advice on Anecdotes vs. GeneralitiesI am working on an article about patient advocacy. I have come to a point in the article where I am not sure which "road" to take. I can either give anecdotes from my personal experience or just write in general terms. There are pros and cons for each, but I am particularly curious about two things.<br />
<br />
The first, which do readers relate to better. Would they feel an affinity with my story and understand what I am trying to convey through that means? Or would they have difficulty relating it to what they may be experiencing? If so, does that mean generalities would communicate more effectively?<br />
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Secondly, which approach does the audience actually prefer? In other words, is there any data that shows which technique leads to greater readership.<br />
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I welcome any and all comments on this subject. I will continue in researching this on my own, as well.<br />
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Back to writing...hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-17217036175853058142012-08-06T12:58:00.000-04:002012-08-06T12:58:49.970-04:00WritingI'm trying to streamline my writing process-or, at least, get it going on a regular schedule. I just cleaned-off the desk in my bedroom and set it up with the tools I need for writing. Of course, I have pens, pencils, reference books, a desk lamp and space for my computer. But I also have a few things that inspire me: three antique books, my Baby Ben clock, and some hand-made items from my kids.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1581157606/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1581157606&linkCode=as2&tag=alofit-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1581157606&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=alofit-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=alofit-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1581157606" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
I picked-up a book called Starting Your Career as a Freelance Writer by Moira Allen. Of course, I have been doing some freelance writing for a while, but nothing that could be considered close to living wages. When I paged through the book, I saw many things I already new about (such as writing query letters, basics of writing articles, etc.). However, I also saw a few subjects I could use some improvement on (finding timely subject matter, exploring the market), as well as others that I had previously not considered (for example: strategies for marketing articles).<br />
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I am hoping that, by blogging about this process, I will encourage myself to continue and not give up. Perhaps, it will encourage others as well.hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-35899424287268340552012-07-13T13:21:00.000-04:002012-07-13T13:21:22.274-04:00What I'm Reading: Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/038533348X/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&tag=alofit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=038533348X"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=038533348X&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=alofit-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=alofit-20&l=as2&o=1&a=038533348X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
It's written in a different format than standard novels. And the story is interesting and keeps my attention. hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-10832999252482546152012-07-01T08:25:00.000-04:002012-07-01T08:25:03.503-04:00Prometheus: The Questions it Inspires<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjonbugj9hLWEn0Zk17GG7L06MdBWb0N9zKHIEWeNF61muWLULCQRWJXBqxOgtAfkMCbwegcdaEjXs-YTQpufJSxzujPmTQBny-HkfQiSC6BPOzPWOCTe6IGlujts6IBJjG9yASw/s1600/prometheus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjonbugj9hLWEn0Zk17GG7L06MdBWb0N9zKHIEWeNF61muWLULCQRWJXBqxOgtAfkMCbwegcdaEjXs-YTQpufJSxzujPmTQBny-HkfQiSC6BPOzPWOCTe6IGlujts6IBJjG9yASw/s320/prometheus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>Warning: Spoiler Alert regarding the movie Prometheus.</i><br />
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My husband and I went to see the movie Prometheus yesterday. While the story was, for the most part, predictable, I found it incredibly fascinating. The stunning cinematography and the realistic visual effects drew me in, but the psychology of the story and the interaction of the characters are still haunting my thoughts.<br />
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One of the questions I have from viewing the film is centered on the character David. David is the artificial life form that watches over the crew during the years-long voyage of the ship Prometheus and aids the human members in various tasks. While he can emulate the appearance of different emotions, he supposedly does not experience them. Also, we are led to believe, he does not do things based on his own decisions. He can make decisions, but they are always to serve the programming and mission requirements that are given him.<br />
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At one point, he finds a black, organic, viscous material. After a conversation with Dr. Holloway, he puts a small amount of this material into a drink that he gives Dr. Holloway. My question is this: did he do this because he was instructed to (or in order to accomplish his mission, etc.), or did he choose this action as an experiment on his own-to see what would happen? <br />
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My husband thinks that it was part of David's mission. But I could find no support for or against this theory in the movie. I keep thinking that David wanted to see what would happen. I find I attribute an intrinsic curiosity to every android in popular movies and television. Wouldn't it be a vital part of the nature of an artificial intelligence for its creators/designers to include intellectual curiosity as part of its learning functions?<br />
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If David did perform this action out of his own curiosity, did he have an idea of what might happen? Did he have a personal agenda? Did his own "survival instinct", coupled with the philosophical questions raised by the crew of potentially meeting their own "makers", lead him to the decision to put the strange material in Dr. Holloway's drink?<br />
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There are other questions that have arisen in my mind, after view this film. But the question above is the one I have been continuously turning over in my mind. Of course, I may never find the answer to any of these questions. However, the fact that the movie has inspired so many questions is a tribute to the importance that movies have in our lives and their ability to inspire creativity.<br />
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I welcome any comments in regard to this question. If you have anything to add, please do. I would love for this to evolve into a dialogue.hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-60865616371336094012012-04-13T09:19:00.001-04:002012-07-13T13:25:04.218-04:00What I'm Reading: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JQU1VS/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&tag=alofit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000JQU1VS"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B000JQU1VS&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=alofit-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=alofit-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000JQU1VS" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-12805512322285918062012-01-01T10:15:00.000-05:002012-07-13T13:29:33.598-04:00What I'm Reading: Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0812550706/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&tag=alofit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0812550706"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0812550706&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=alofit-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=alofit-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0812550706" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-34737527585849865692012-01-01T09:52:00.000-05:002012-01-01T09:52:55.658-05:00Cell Phone SpamIt's a new year that brings new opportunities for spammers. I have already received 3 spam texts and this is just the 1st day of the new year. I went to the <a href="https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx">National Do Not Call Registry</a> website. Good news: Registration no longer expires. If you register your phone numbers after February 2008, you won't have to do it again. So, now's as good a time as any. If anyone calls or texts after you register, you can file a complaint at the same site.hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-91719111796006087332011-07-23T08:12:00.000-04:002011-07-23T08:12:50.350-04:00Goals UpdateLast year, I posted a list of goals I wanted to accomplish by July 1st, 2011. It is near the end of July, so I figured I should post the results:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic; font-size: 85%;">goals</span><br />
<ol><li><span style="font-family: Century Gothic; font-size: 85%;">pay off a credit account and close it - <span style="background-color: lime;">done<span style="background-color: yellow;"></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Century Gothic; font-size: 85%;">get the siding fixed - <span style="background-color: yellow;">attempted </span><span style="background-color: yellow;"></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Century Gothic; font-size: 85%;">go camping with my family</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Century Gothic; font-size: 85%;">get emergency fund back up to 1000</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Century Gothic; font-size: 85%;">finish 3 crochet projects - <span style="background-color: yellow;">finished 2 crochet projects</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Century Gothic; font-size: 85%;">read 6 books - <span style="background-color: yellow;">read 3 books</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Century Gothic; font-size: 85%;">have a poem published in a magazine</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Century Gothic; font-size: 85%;">hike at least 5 miles of the Appalachian trail</span></li>
</ol><span style="font-family: Century Gothic; font-size: 85%;">Details:</span><br />
<ol><li><span style="font-family: Century Gothic; font-size: 85%;">We paid off the van.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Century Gothic; font-size: 85%;">I talked to someone about price and they said they would do it (twice). But they never showed up. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Century Gothic; font-size: 85%;">I kind of gave up on this one. Since my health issues have gotten worse, I haven't wanted to deal with trying to sleep in a tent (which was my original goal). I am considering cabin camping for the fall. We'll see.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Century Gothic; font-size: 85%;">While I haven't put any additional money into our designated "emergency fund" in the past year, Bob and I each have been adding to our individual savings accounts. Of course, we plan to use a lot of that on our vacation next month.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Century Gothic; font-size: 85%;">I made a hat for my son, Devin, and a shrug for me. I don't think I like the shrug. I have only had questionable comments about it when I wore it.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Century Gothic; font-size: 85%;">I only read 3 books in the past year. I have to get better at this. I used to read at least 10 to 12 books a year. Lately, I have only been reading at bedtime, and it is hard to get through a book when you are falling asleep.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Century Gothic; font-size: 85%;">I haven't really attempted to do this. However, I have published an <a href="http://www.suite101.com/content/are-you-tech-savy-beyond-the-basics-of-electronic-safety-a373732">article at Suite101.com. </a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Century Gothic; font-size: 85%;">Same as #3, above. My condition has really flared-up in the past year. But this goal is not completely out of the question for the future. I figure I can manage small hikes when I am having good days. However, the risk of falling on uneven terrain (and damaging joints) may give me pause.</span></li>
</ol><br />
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic; font-size: 85%;">Now, I guess I should consider goals for the next 12 months. I'll have to think about those and post them later. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic; font-size: 85%;"><br />
</span>hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-15724148299804121202011-07-15T07:18:00.000-04:002011-07-15T07:18:41.384-04:00Amateur sleuth Yaakov German helps cops catch Levi Aron and solve murder of Leiby Kletzky<a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2011/07/15/2011-07-15_i_just_cant_stand_to_see_something_like_this_happening_in_our_community_how_his_.html">Amateur sleuth Yaakov German helps cops catch Levi Aron and solve murder of Leiby Kletzky</a><br />
<br />
Citizen's detective work leads to arrest of alleged child-killer.hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-22007450776127266002011-06-08T06:36:00.000-04:002011-06-08T06:36:53.532-04:00My First Suite 101 ArticleCheck out my first Suite 101 article: <a href="http://www.suite101.com/content/are-you-tech-savy-beyond-the-basics-of-electronic-safety-a373732">Are you Tech-Savy? Beyond the Basics of Electronic Security</a>.hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-50850375331529776252011-01-23T12:44:00.000-05:002011-01-23T12:44:04.994-05:00Me and My (lack of) WritingI haven't written in a long time. I've been feeling useless. My writing has gotten more and more sparse. I've finally been accepted to write on another blog, but my mind has gone blank. Writer's block, I suppose. Or maybe I think that there's no one interested in what I would say. Heck, I don't even know why I'm writing this.<br />
<br />
My life has changed so much in the past 12 months. I have pain every day of my life. From the tests, so far, it looks like rheumatoid arthritis, but the rheumatoligist has yet to make a specific diagnosis. I take pain medication, but no DMARDs. I don't like to talk about it too much, but I guess people can tell something is going on. Besides the pain and stiffness, it makes my tire easily, have difficulty balancing when I walk and weakens my hands. I don't want people to treat me differently, I just want to find different ways to "make do".<br />
<br />
I am still trying to find my place; what I can do (and want to do) within the time limits of my lower energy. I can't say if, or how, writing will fit into all this. I do miss the writing, but there are other things I also want to do.hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-64552333019101187772010-11-13T15:09:00.000-05:002010-11-13T15:09:05.342-05:00Why the Mosque at Ground Zero is NeitherThere has been a lot of talk in the past few months about the so-called Mosque at Ground zero. This media-promoted name is enough to make any red-blooded American protest. But if you examine further, you will find that this is not what is going on at all.<br />
<br />
<br />
This building is not going to be a mosque. It is to be a community center. Sound like semantics? Not really. A mosque is a building used for Muslim worship, education and the settling of disputes (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosque">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosque</a>). While prayer space will be available on one of it's 15 floors, it is primarily a community center. It will boast a 500-seat auditorium, conference rooms, library, banquet room, classrooms, gym and pool. (<a href="http://www.cordobainitiative.org/?q=content/frequently-asked-questions">http://www.cordobainitiative.org/?q=content/frequently-asked-questions</a>)<br />
<br />
The proposed building is not at the location of ground zero, but two blocks away. It is not even visible from ground zero. <br />
<br />
This project, named the Cordoba Initiative, is being spear-headed by Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf. He is a Sufi Muslim, author of the book What's Right with Islam is What's Right with America, and Imam of Masjid al-Farah in New York City. His life's work has been to serve as a bridge between the faiths. Sufi Muslims are a minority in Islam. They are a mystic sect and are not accepted by many Sunni and Shia Muslims. The terrorists on the planes on 911 were Sunni Muslims from Saudi Arabia but, more importantly, they were religious extremists.hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-63044868375805929762010-11-02T07:11:00.004-04:002010-11-02T07:17:01.338-04:00Time to Vote<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgB2ZpcEr1xLpP8cOjvqVYPNmTBiQsOLSgBJdIoR5oF3cbXlx1BhWFJ2kBVfBXUZcXUx0dBDCWFIhShvFKnocrKceEmlSSjY67Dg0HjKarWLkN0rBUXy4pwdDl2LKaA0Dycquy2w/s1600/flagme.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 160px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534909582571427490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgB2ZpcEr1xLpP8cOjvqVYPNmTBiQsOLSgBJdIoR5oF3cbXlx1BhWFJ2kBVfBXUZcXUx0dBDCWFIhShvFKnocrKceEmlSSjY67Dg0HjKarWLkN0rBUXy4pwdDl2LKaA0Dycquy2w/s320/flagme.jpg" /></a><br /><div>For unbiased voter information, check out this site at the League of Women Voters.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.smartvoter.org/">http://www.smartvoter.org/</a></div>hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-45634905271805657962010-10-16T08:50:00.004-04:002010-10-16T09:11:19.756-04:00Olympic Torch in Alabama 1996I volunteered at <a href="http://www.jasminehill.org/video2.html">this event </a>in 1996. The Olympic Torch traveled to Jasmine Hill Gardens in Alabama. Jasmine Hill Gardens is an outdoor museum that contains/displays full-scale replicas of ruins and statuary of ancient Greece, including the Temple of Hera. <a href="http://www.jasminehill.org/video2.html">This video</a>, after a short tour of the grounds, records the ceremony of the Olympic Torch Lighting in Greece for the Centennial Olympics, part of the travels of the Olympic Torch and its arrival at Jasmine Hill Gardens in Alabama.<br /><br />link:<br /><a href="http://www.jasminehill.org/video2.html">http://www.jasminehill.org/video2.html</a>hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-11766406601584254772010-08-20T06:52:00.003-04:002010-08-20T06:58:04.326-04:00Who You Are<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSjjGXuQCeIpzONaHiiYZmhmFZrV05AMEMMVUq3rlDtZkzW9SxcehYIoXAmcBIMQlGw9ujKxxeURerSuKHs-zSSM3xHw1u_tpeA-8KVZhDNJIrivCxbSvkI299zbS92tK-XfadQ/s1600/06-25-08_0604.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSjjGXuQCeIpzONaHiiYZmhmFZrV05AMEMMVUq3rlDtZkzW9SxcehYIoXAmcBIMQlGw9ujKxxeURerSuKHs-zSSM3xHw1u_tpeA-8KVZhDNJIrivCxbSvkI299zbS92tK-XfadQ/s320/06-25-08_0604.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507444393624148194" border="0" /></a><br /></div>You are more than your ancestry and the culmination of all that has gone before you. Though that is a great thing. You are more than the execution of your DNA, inherited from your parents. You create yourself and demonstrate yourself through every new thought you execute, through every action you take, through every choice you make.hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-56710195428289559252010-07-18T17:23:00.002-04:002010-07-18T17:36:18.496-04:00Goals: 8 Goals Between Now and July 1, 2011<p><span style=";font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;" >On <a href="http://myallofit.blogspot.com/2010/07/personal-musings-etc.html">the 5th, I wrote</a> that I have been working on my goal list for the next year. Here is that list. I have only eight things on the list, but I hope to accomplish all of them.</span></p><p><span style=";font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;" >I will update my progress on this blog and use the tag: goals. I hope this inspires others to create their own list.<br /></span></p><p><span style=";font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;" >goals</span><br /></p><ul><li><span style=";font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;" >pay off a credit account and close it</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;" >get the siding fixed</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;" >go camping with my family</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;" >get emergency fund back up to 1000</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;" >finish 3 crochet projects</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;" >read 6 books</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;" >have a poem published in a magazine</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;" >hike at least 5 miles of the Appalachian trail</span></li></ul><br /><p> </p>hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-68006964151546655602010-07-05T13:16:00.005-04:002010-07-05T13:29:19.202-04:00Personal musings, etc.All week, at work, I think there are so many things I want to say-to blog about. But the weekend comes, and nothing. I just end up relaxing or running the kids around. It's like my brain is drained by the end of the week. I miss writing regularly on my blog.<br /><br />Well, right now I am reading The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. I'm in the middle and it is starting to get interesting. I also started working on goals to accomplish by July 1st 2011. I got the idea <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prljXRMaHV8">here from Blade376.</a> I only have about 12 things on my list, but I am pretty excited about it. I will share them on here, I don't have the list readily available at the moment.<br /><br />On June 5th I had my gall bladder taken out. It was my first surgery, and it went fine. Just figured I'd mention it here. I am back up to 100% now.hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15333257.post-48566386773865583362010-05-02T07:18:00.003-04:002010-05-02T08:10:27.088-04:00Food, Toys, and Parental Responsibility<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDt3dNmRwZyLf9ZMtuhFbrP897fZk6I1Nk4MJeqwTujmaEN8Rc6CMW30Uw8ZkyRJFpTzZfA6xS1a8A3CU377FpFSSlTsiCmFtIlSvNrI0oduZCl_Q83ssyEmFXKNY04g7mp3VmQ/s1600/mcd1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 135px; height: 135px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDt3dNmRwZyLf9ZMtuhFbrP897fZk6I1Nk4MJeqwTujmaEN8Rc6CMW30Uw8ZkyRJFpTzZfA6xS1a8A3CU377FpFSSlTsiCmFtIlSvNrI0oduZCl_Q83ssyEmFXKNY04g7mp3VmQ/s320/mcd1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466643756837394130" border="0" /></a><br />This past week, Santa Clara County (California) supervisors passed a law prohibiting the inclusion of toys in children's meals unless the meal meets certain caloric and sodium guidelines (no<span id="mn_Global"><span id="mn_Article"> more than 485 calories or 600 milligrams of sodium). This is just another step in the ongoing movement to have government take away our choices and our responsibilities.<br /><br />The most visible target of this ordinance is McDonald's. People see statistics on childhood obesity and want to do something about it. I can understand that. We had so much more physical activity when I was growing up. We had gym class more than once a week (which is how often my teen sons have it). We could join sports without having to make major monetary investments. We walked or biked almost everywhere. We went outside every day. We did yard work. And, yes, we also had McDonald's Happy Meals with toys. The difference there was it was a special occasion to go to McDonald's (or any other restaurant, for that matter). We ate most of our meals at home. Once every two weeks (for us), we would eat out somewhere. Some families ate out once a month, some once a year!<br /><br />Our lifestyles have changed, and now we are trying to legislate ourselves some easy answers. But there is no "easy answer". Why should we penalize businesses for something that is our own fault? McDonald's (and most other fast-food chains) offer alternatives to the traditional, high-calorie meals. Children can choose (or parents can choose-imagine that, parents actually telling their kids what they will eat instead of having the government choose for them!) chicken nuggets or a hamburger instead of the cheeseburger, apples instead of fries, and juice or milk instead of soda. They still get the prize. And then they can burn off the calories running around the McDonald's Playland. Better yet, they can walk to McDonald's (on their once per two-week excursion).<br /></span></span>hollesdottirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970621075832990070noreply@blogger.com2