I was working on a post about Tennessee’s gubernatorial candidates, and wanted to point out that candidate Zach Wamp was not unlike both the current and most recent former president in his history of cocaine use.
Of course everyone knows that President Obama admitted to cocaine use in one of his books. But I had been under the impression that it was common and accepted knowledge that Bush was a cokehead at some point as well. I was surprised to learn that apparently I was wrong.
The most authoritative thing that I could find when I searched “Bush cocaine” was this Wikipedia page (note the qualification of “most” before authoritative there), but it doesn’t even contain the word “cocaine.” The rest of my search led me to unsourced (or shadily sourced) no-name webpages which contained all sorts of the sorts of wild allegations that set off the bullshit alarms from a mile away and remind you that anyone can post anything on the internet.
I wasn’t as turned on to politics in 2000 as I am now, not by a long shot (the 2000 post-election debacle was probably my turning point in that kind of attention, with 9/11 sealing the deal that this was something worth watching), so my skeptism-meter wasn’t as high. I must have “heard” that at some point (from one of my college classmates? from some radio jock? who knows?)and just accepted it as fact, and, until today, still did.
Most people are a lot more like me in pre-election day 2000 than like me now. Kind of scary when you think about how they’re getting their information.
When we have a headache, tummy ache or toothache or any kind of ache, we tend to dig deep in our bag and pull out a aspirin. We take this quick-fix in the belief that it will cure us and relief the pain in no time.
However, new research has found that this painkiller may be more of a hindrance than a help. A study from Edinburgh University, of 3,350 people whose blood pressure tests indicated they had problems with arteries in their legs revealed that they had almost double the risk of internal bleeding, while there was no discernible impact on heart disease.
Yorkshire-based GP Dr Andrew Green, who works with the charity Sense About Science said:
“The science part is that we know aspirin reduces people’s risk of heart disease in those who have previously had a heart attack,” he says. “For those people, the potential side effect of internal bleeding is a risk worth taking. But everyone else should steer clear — the risks outweigh the benefits.”
Judy O’Sullivan, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation said, “Women are three times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than breast cancer. And it’s not just postmenopausal women either. If you are in your thirties or forties and you smoke and are overweight, your hormones won’t necessarily protect you. You could be at risk of a heart attack.”
But don’t be alarmed just yet, last month there were reports from Harvard University, indicating that aspirin could protect against breast cancer. So it is debateable as to what research we should listen to? If any at all?
Dr Green said:
“You have to look at the data,” says Green. “That study only found mild benefits. We need to be naturally suspicious of borderline evidence: the risks are too great.”
//
For more information on heart disease, please click here.
For more information on breast cancer, please click here.
Unless you have been on mars for most of the last twelve months you would have heard about the H1N1 virus also known as swine flu. In response to the perceived “killer” virus, governments around the world ordered mass dosages of a vaccine against the virus in a bid to save the populace from the terror of flu.
As things turned out there was no threat and many governments in the northern hemisphere have scaled back their orders considerably. In fact latest figures from the USA show that this flu season has been particularly mild with far less cases than usual. The Australian government was not able to cut back its order and hence has a lot of vaccine in storage. It is looking to get rid of this by another scare campaign about second waves (which is tricky when there was no first wave).
Through all this though there has not been any questioning of the basic assumption that giving people a flu vaccine protects them from flu and that in turn they and society benefit. Many countries have annual flu vaccination programs for those over 65. Some of these have been going for many years.
It is interesting then to note that it emerged recently that there is not actually any evidence to show that this does any good! The well-respected Cochrane collaboration released a report, which looked at 75 studies over a 40-year period. The conclusion was that “The available evidence is of poor quality and provides no guidance regarding the safety, efficacy or effectiveness of influenza vaccines in people aged 65 years or older”.
In simple terms after 40 years we do not know if giving people over 65 a flu vaccine does any good or any harm. Now to be fair there is nothing at all to suggest that there is any harm done even though the safety of its use has not been proved. Also it could be that nobody was able to find the evidence of benefit even though it may be there.
However after 40 years and 75 studies on a commonplace medical procedure you would expect evidence of benefit to be apparent. The assumption that because it involves vaccination it must be good is not a scientific position but one of faith. Interestingly it is exactly the type of criticism that is leveled at those opposed to vaccines by health authorities and doctors. Unfortunately “debates” over vaccination generate heat and no light as positions are entrenched and facts are of little interest.
Some drugs are more useful than others. Those, which are shown to be not useful, go out of use. Medical procedures too, become superseded. There is no reason the same logic should not apply to vaccination. Those, which are shown to be useful, should be continued. Those where there is not shown to be benefit should not.
Last year serious questions were raised over the papiloma virus vaccine (marketed as the Cervical Cancer vaccine) as how long the effect lasts in the body is unclear. The program of giving it to 13 year old girls means it may have worn off by the time they need protection. Also there is the lingering question about whether the body will in most cases clear the virus anyway.
An Australian report showed that after the introduction of the Chicken Pox vaccine there was an increase in the rate of hospitalization of the elderly with Shingles, which is caused by the same virus. This led a call for another vaccine program. Whilst there was a reduction in cases of chicken pox, in children this is hardly a massive achievement as it is essentially a minor childhood illness (yes there can be complications but this is rare).
The bottom line is that this matters. Governments spend large sums of money on vaccine programs. There is in many instances some compulsion about being vaccinated and penalties for not doing so. This does not occur with any other area of medicine. Assessments made on the basis of facts, not pre conceived notions, faith in vaccines, or opposition to vaccines, is what is needed. Those, which are shown to have benefits outweighing risks, are worth doing. Those where this is not the case, are not worth continuing.
Vaccination is a medical and public health issue. It is not a sacred cow. Programs need to be assessed, criticized and changed or stopped if not found to be of benefit. Justification on the basis that vaccination, of itself, is good is no better an argument than vaccination, of itself, is bad.
Its me again back with good information for my Fellow riders. Tha Fastlife Runna cares about your health. What I’ve learned about this fruit, it actually kills HIV diseases. I know we got some people that is sick out there with HIV and depend on anti drugs that battle HIV. Some of you are nasty and don’t know if you got it. I don’t want you to pass it to me and mess my life up. That’s the reason why I’m writing this post. Anyways, when that happens in your body, why not eat banana like a monkey everyday? A monkey eats more banana more than an average person eats meal 4 times a day and then next thing monkey jumping like a fool all day. Do you know why? Let me tell you why. Its the natural chemicals from a banana that speeds up the metabolism which make you hyper and also boost up the immune system that battle diseases inside your body. I’m going start eating fruits like a mad man because I know its the T. R. U. T. H. If you think i’m not serious, do some research pal. It’s sad to know that people depend too much on man made drugs with side effects instead of what Heavenly father gave you to eat to live healthier life. Banana ain’t got no side effects. When you take those man made drugs, next thing you gonna find out you have HIV-2. That’s a scary, ain’t it? Not me. I’m going eat bananas as my life depends on it because I’m stuck with a gay roommate living next door to me. I don’t know what the hell he’s doing with weird looking dudes every night. I don’t talk to him and I can’t wait to move out of my place when I graduate in May. Sometimes I wish he stop waving at me every once in a while when he see me walking to class. If I find this nigga wheezing and coughing, you better believe I’ll take off running. Thats the kind of person I am. I’m cautious when I come to those things like that.
Around 165 million Americans are addicted to caffeine.
I forgot to mention caffeine addiction statistics in my last post. Caffeine is a more easily forgotten “drug.” (Yes, it really is a drug.) Well, I am one of those 165 million.
Yesterday, it occurred to me:
Matthew 7:3-5 ”Why do you notice the little piece of dust in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the big piece of wood in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your friend, ‘Let me take that little piece of dust out of your eye’?? Look at yourself! You still have that big piece of wood in your own eye. 5 You hypocrite! First, take the wood out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to take the dust out of your friend’s eye.
I remembered this verse while thinking of a couple people whom I know that have addictions. While I was thinking of them, I held a big cup of coffee in my hand.
Here’s some things I have learned through various sources such as other people, personal experience, my academic education, research, etc… It’s rrreeeeal easy to overlook caffeine addiction. It’s even easy to joke about. I mean heck, I joke about it myself. [Have yall seen that McDonald's commercial where the guy doesn't respond with more than "I haven't had my coffee yet" until he gets his morning coffee? Yeah, that's freakishly close to the truth with me.]
Now think about an alcoholic… He/she usually receives a stamp of disapproval from society. It’s not too funny to joke about. It’s serious. Same with the smoker, the drug addict, etc. Hmm… Have you really done your research and become well-informed/educated on the effects that these substances have on the body? Most
“AH, ZEPHYR, MY dearest son,” the Pope says as he struggles to rise and ultimately fails, slumping back into the plush chair with the air of a rich man who has just let loose with a particularly satisfying fart: one made perhaps all the more satisfying for the flunkies who have to stand there, drinking in the air and commenting on its magnificence.
Let me be clear the Pope and I have never met. He’s new and I’m so lapsed I don’t think I even count as Catholic any more. Where he gets off speaking so pleasantly I can’t tell you. I can see Pykes, Dufresne and the Senator are all thrilled to the point of Rapture to be in the flatulent old German’s presence. I make a pained face and keep walking and when the Pope offers me his hand with the big ring on it I play stupid and pump his arm a few times and then sit down at the nearest chair.
“It’s a pleasure,” I baldly lie. “Now what’s this all about?”
My frankness breaks the mood like even the Pope’s weak arse couldn’t. Pykes and Kirkness exchange glances and Senator Keenan emits a girlish chuckle and sits close enough to me she can reach out and periodically stroke my knee, which she proceeds to do with alarming regularity. She is a handsome and well-preserved woman, but up close and looking through the layers of her nearly Baroque make-up, it wouldn’t surprise me if at any moment she suddenly bared yellow fangs and her bloodshot eyes rolled up into her head as she gave in to her desire for human flesh.
“Please excuse Zephyr’s candidness, Your Holiness,” the mayor says with a nervous little frown I’ve rarely seen him wear. “I can only explain that he understands the value of your time and doesn’t want to beat around the bush, as we say here in the States.”
His Holiness waves his hand and looks beneficent as they taught him to in Pope school. I smile, he smiles, the row of unspeaking cardinals smile and Ivory Keenan titters just a little more. Again with the knee.
“It’s regarding the Bloomingdale bombing, Zephyr,” the Senator says. “Paramilitary Zionists called Israel’s Black Commandos have claimed responsibility for the attack. It took twenty-five lives and left a further fifteen people who are still in hospital.”
My memories are the stuff of news footage. I nod and look around the room. A few bland suits have slipped in and one of them, she has the whole black hair/green eyes/big titties thing happening, oh boy, and she begins taking notes with an electronic stylus. I try to catch her eye, but I guess Catholicism comes with the Irish gene and proximity to the Holy Father has put a dent in her receptivity.
“Okay,” I say and resist the shrug.
“The City States Symposium has deliberated,” the Pope says in his heavy-lidded German English. “We have decided we cannot take any position except to condemn all violence that encourages segregation.”
I nod and glance around the room. Pykes looks like a kid too afraid to put his hand up to go to the toilet and might just risk pissing himself before the afternoon ends. Ironically it is his deputy Dufresne who has the poise to pull off the high-powered meeting.
The Pope stares at me until he has my eye. “We will not make any formal statement. However, the government assures me it will endorse a statement of sorts in retaliation for this attack on its sovereign soil.”
I blink, nod again. “Okay.”
It looks like no-one else really wants to speak, suddenly. Dufresne scowls, looking around the room. Finally she rests forward, arms crossed over her knee.
“Zephyr, we want you to go after them.”
I TRY TO think this through for a minute and basically fail.
“You want me to go after the terrorists?”
“Absolutely,” Pykes says.
“On behalf of, and sanctioned by, the United States government,” Senator Keenan says with a bold, affirmative nod.
I glance around the table and eye the cardinals briefly. “Um, where are they, then?”
My question elicits more glass-eyed stares. Dufresne looks at Pykes who looks at Keenan who in turn stares at Kirkness. No-one dares look at His Holiness.
“We understand the security forces in Jerusalem have contained some members of a local cell,” Keenan says.
“Sure, but that’s on neutral soil,” I remark. “That would kind of undermine the whole idea of the neutrality of the City States, wouldn’t it, to send me in there?”
Someone clears their throat. It’s not anyone helpful. I ask, “Um, do you mind if I ask why you want me to do this? Surely the government. . . ?”
“The President feels it would be best not to formally link our response to the government,” the Senator says. “However, a well-known American parahuman, taking the matter into his own hands with the tacit approval of the current administration. . . .”
“Sorry,” I say and risk cutting her off, though Keenan looks far too pleased to be stopped talking for me to call it that. “I’m not sure exactly what you’re after. This attack was launched from within Atlantic City, obviously. Can you give me any information regarding these Commando dudes and any contacts or networks or . . . anything?”
I drift off because of the uncomfortable looks around me.
I hesitantly add: “I’m not sure what you think it is I am able to do about, um, all this. I’m, like . . . I’m a superhero, you know?”
“Terrorism is a crime, Zephyr,” Ms Keenan rebukes me.
“A crime? Yes. A specialist crime,” I say back to her. “This is like . . . like getting hand models to take on the Triads or something.”
“Finally, something sensible. . . .” Kirkness mutters.
“Zephyr, I think you’re doing yourself a disservice,” Senator Keenan says.
“You must have faith, my son,” the Pope adds.
“I’m sorry,” I say and stand with genuine remorse. “If you know where the bad guys’ lair is in Atlantic City, you let me and the Sentinels know and we’ll kick their tails. International terrorism and diplomacy though, that’s just not my bag. Sorry.”
Only slightly less incredulous than they that I’m actually doing so, I open my palms apologetically and walk from the room. The security cadre eyes me as I jostle past. Their eyes are too busy for anything resembling sympathy.
Looking At A New School…..
With all that the two Older Woody boys have been telling me lately about there so-called “Catholic” private high school we are now in the process of looking for a new school.
I was so very upset the other day when one boy let me know how the year 11 boys and girls visit the toilets at lunch time for a bit more than using the facilities the way they are meant to be used.
Then how the year 10, year 11, and year 12 smoke more than cigarettes before/during/after school – before reaching the school grounds, and then on the school grounds.
So NOT happy. We are paying good money for the boys to receive a great education, to be told what really goes on behind the scenes.
The icing on the cake was when I received a letter sent home (to our old address, luckily for the school I have our mail redirected) for our oldest boy Hayden – to say that he had breached the uniform four times. I was not informed once, nor on the second occasion, nor on the third. It actually took four times before they contacted me. Hayden could not explain why the uniform breech notice was sent, so I contacted the school.
It was for not having his “Formal” hat with him on four different times. He had his sports hat instead!!! Yet the school lets them get away with a lot more. They all have computers at the school – they have gone one on one. Each and every student is not using the computer within the guidelines. NOTHING has been done about that situation.
DOUBLE STANDARD.
So we are looking at a new school. One that is closer to start with, and one that is smaller…..a closer knit community so that the kids take pride in them selves and achieve more out of school. All I want for my two older Woody boys is to achieve the best that they can and with their school at the moment I don’t feel like they are reaching for the stars….
What are your thoughts?
Maybe A New School?
Cheers
Lisa Wood.
Went to see Brooklyn’s Finest today and it was pretty good overall. The movie relied heavily on stereotypes though, which made it feel unoriginal. The movie was entertaining though because of the interlacing storytelling and a small level of suspense.
There are three stories within the film, all about Brooklyn police officers. Eddie (Richard Gere) is a week away from retirement. He’s separated from his wife and really depressed. As a cop, Eddie is a underachiever. If he’s not on duty or in his precinct he basically doesn’t care a bit about the illegal things he sees going on around him. It’s after the character gets turned down by a prostitute and abandoned by coworkers that he realizes being a dick isn’t the best route in life (I should take note). Despite his pitfalls Eddie was my favorite character, probably because his outlook on life was similar to mine. Next, Tango (Don Cheadle) is an undercover cop knee-deep in drug deals and drive-bys. He strives to get a promotion and change his lifestyle and that’s about the extent of his character. Lastly, Sal (Ethan Hawke) is struggling to gather funds to move his family into a new house. His wife played by Lily Taylor is expecting twins, on top of the what seems like 20 kids they already have. To help get money, he steals drug money from drug raids. His character’s motives were noble and it was easy to empathize with him. The ending I won’t even mention because well, that would be mean.
There was definitely a lot going on in this film plot wise. So many different themes (family, loneliness, drug use, justice, etc.) were touched on in this film. Also, as you can tell already there were a lot of big name stars in this film. Gere delivered as always. Same goes for Hawke and Cheadle. They were all great at showing their character’s flaws while also making the viewer connect and feel sorry for them. Wesley Snipes, Brian F. O’Byrne and Ellen Barkin had supporting roles. The film was directed by Antoine Fuqua, who has directed the likes of Training Day, Shooter and King Arthur. So he has a lot of experience with the grim, crime-type movies.
LOS ANGELES – Corey Haim, a 1980s teen heartthrob for his roles in “Lucas” and “The Lost Boys” whose career was blighted by drug abuse, has died. He was 38.
Haim died at 2:15 a.m. Wednesday at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, Los Angeles County coroner’s Lt. Cheryl MacWillie said.
An autopsy will determine the cause of death and there were no other details, she said. Police Sgt. Michael Kammert said there’s no evidence of foul play.
Haim had flulike symptoms before he died and was getting over-the-counter and prescription medications, Police Sgt. William Mann said. The cause of death is unknown, Mann said.
“He could have succumbed to whatever (illness) he had or it could have been drugs. Who knows?” Mann said. “He has had a drug problem in the past.”
Haim was taken by ambulance to the hospital from an apartment in Los Angeles near Burbank. The enormous complex is known asOakwood and is popular with young actors, Kammert said.
Haim acknowledged his struggle with drug abuse to The Sun in 2004.
“I was working on Lost Boys when I smoked my first joint,” he told the British tabloid.
“I did cocaine for about a year and a half, then it led to crack,” he said.
Haim said he went into rehabilitation and was put on prescription drugs. He took both stimulants and sedatives such as Valium.
“I started on the downers which were a hell of a lot better than the uppers because I was a nervous wreck,” he said. “But one led to two, two led to four, four led to eight, until at the end it was about 85 a day.”
In 2007, he told ABC’s “Nightline” that drugs hurt his career.
“I feel like with myself I ruined myself to the point where I wasn’t functional enough to work for anybody, even myself. I wasn’t working,” he said.
The Toronto-born actor got his start in television commercials at 10 and earned a good reputation for his work in such films as 1985’s “Murphy’s Romance” and his portrayal of Liza Minelli’s dying son in the 1985 television film “A Time to Live.”
His career peaked and he became a teen heartthrob with his roles in the 1986 movie “Lucas,” and “The Lost Boys,” in which he battled vampires.
In later years, he made a few TV appearances and had several direct-to-video movies. He also had a handful of recent movies that have not yet been released.
But in 1997 he filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, listing debts for medical expenses and more than $200,000 in state and federal taxes.
His assets included a few thousand dollars in cash, clothing and royalty rights.
In recent years, he appeared in the A&E reality TV show “The Two Coreys” with his friend Corey Feldman. It was canceled in 2008 after two seasons. Feldman later said Haim’s drug abuse strained their working and personal relationships.
In a 2007 interview on CNN’s “Larry King Live,” Haim called himself “a chronic relapser for the rest of my life.”
Oh dear, it just wasn’t Sir James Smith’s day. Mr Smith was on his way home after spending 4 months behind bars for marijuana offenses when he and his wife were pulled over for a license plate infraction. Unfortunately the two had also been puffing away on some weed. Hmm, there is another marijuana charge right there. Oh and their 11 month old daughter was also in the car at the time so bonus, he gets a “neglect of a dependent” too.
While listening to music today, I was struck by lyrics stating, “I sometimes wonder if I am a part of the cure or if I am a part of the disease in today’s World…” Coldplay melodiously humming in my ears and my head bobbing to the alternative beat. As I looked out of the window into Nature I pondered all of the ills that plague our society today, from hatred, to greed, to the crimes that we witness take place daily. The mistreatment of other human beings and the disrespect shown for others, as if some of us are the only individuals inhabiting the planet. The abuse of drugs and alcohol. The making money and material things more important than people. The tainting of the amazing things that GOD created for our good. With all of these things continuously going on I wondered what category I fell into…
Drug Rehab tends to get to the root the twofold nature of addiction to drugs.
They are: physical and psychological addiction. Physical addiction involves a detox process to cope with withdrawal from unrelenting Rehabilitation clinics located in the United Kingdom are treatment clinics that supply a secure environment and offer support, counselling and education in assisting drug addicts and alcoholics to get over their addiction.
Rehabilitation centres in the United Kingdom try medical, mental treatments and counselling services. Many addicts of drugs and alcohol, require hospital treatment to beat their disease.
For more info about drug addiction have a look at www.drugsaddictionadvice.com.
My most recent ex-boyfriend is a formerly homeless, recovering meth addict who is in AA (Alcoholics Anonymous). We “met” through a Craig’s List ad I posted on Christmas Day 2006. His e-mail wasn’t witty nor did I find him particularly attractive (in his pictures) but I agreed to meet him in person because he had also responded to another Craig’s List ad I had previously posted. During our date, he dropped 2 bombs on me. One, he was 35 years old. (I was 23 years old at the time.) And two, he was homeless for 2 years. My response was: “So, what was that like for you?” I gave a very Social Work-ity answer. The belief that all people are fundamentally good guides the work I do. I shouldn’t apply the principles of the NASW’s (National Association of Social Workers) Code of Ethics to dating, though. I want a boyfriend to share my life with, not another client on my caseload.
This emotional vomiting/over self-disclosure phenomena occurs a lot when I disclose to men what I do for a living. A couple of weeks ago, when I was at a BDSM masquerade co-op party at a warehouse in Oakland, I was cross-faded (read: high and drunk) but, when I told some guy that I’ve worked with meth addicts, he said: “Well, when I was addicted to meth. . . “ Due to my foggy mental state, I listened to his story because, at the time, I was too disoriented to walk away.
While I am not religious nor would I consider myself very spiritual, I believe that life is not a string of haphazard events. As cliche as it sounds, I do believe that everything does happens for a reason. I suppose I project warmth, open-mindedness, and compassion into the universe. People pick up on that, I think. And, as a result, those in most need of love and unconditional positive regard gravitate toward me.
Despite the fact that Kyle Huber is not HIV positive, he has taken it upon himself to do his part in spreading the word about HIV/AIDS through his photography. The photographs of young gay men that have been affected with/by HIV are used very creatively as urinal ads directed right at the people that need the message the most. We have all been out to the bar and had a little to much to drink, then ended up going home with someone you maybe didn’t know that well. Hopefully these ads will catch your attention just in time and remind you that the only good sex is safe sex!
Check out more information and photos on this great campaign HERE!!!
“Despite knowing the information about HIV, too many young gay men feel invincible and invulnerable to the serious threat of being infected. So, in order to infect my audience with reality and the fear of HIV, I designed a powerful visual campaign consisting of graphic and personal imagery that creates a permanent emotional response. I strategically implemented “urinal posters,” typographic projections, car fliers and online ads to reach the young gay community at the most critical times. With support from local gay bars, nightclubs and events, my overall message is delivered as a system of unexpected reminders to practice safe sex.”- Kyle Huber
For more information on this great cause check out the HIV Awareness blog!
Don’t forget to JOIN the FACEBOOK GROUP and show your support of this great cause!!!
Don’t trust the witch doctors
they’ve got something to sell
they diagnose a customer
then cure you into hell
afraid to leave the house without your safety suit and tie
demand the younger man to wear one once before you die
walk with purpose and determination (and) don’t waste my precious time
the legal drugs will help you when you have to wait in line
I always have more than I need
’cause the more that I work and the more I succeed
the more that I drink and smoke the weed
then in the paper I read:
GD the legal drugs
and GD those illegal drugs
GD the legal drugs!
Dr. Bartendealer
Dealer, Deal Thyself
if you’re not an honest healer
then leave it on the shelf
the war on drugs makes more and more on drugs
while the drunkards kneel on DT rugs
and the smokers kiss their butts
I never have to worry if my cup is half empty or half full
’cause it’s always overflowing and I’m drinking like a fool
you’d like to profit from my vice but the poison served it’s purpose
when it killed me once or twice
now nothing gets me high
GD the legal drugs
and GD those illegal drugs
GD the legal drugs!
GD the legal drugs
and God please damn illegal drugs
GD the legal drugs!
“Take a vacation from yourself—leave this to the professionals.”
This was one that I did a great disservice to in missing back in 2000. You can’t really blame me, though. It was middle school. You really think this sort of movie was on my radar?
So let me now make up for it by saying that I unequivocally love this movie. This Cameron Crowe flick is a tale of life in a decade gone by, growth and coming of age, and most importantly, music, and how that music related to the rest. It is a story of character above all else, and all of them are superbly rendered to such a degree that the movie itself breathes. It exudes life in every note, and you absolutely feel it. This movie is not a musical, but it is musical, in every vein. This is the story of a band on the road to fame and the personalities that accompany it along its journey—and the journey is magical.
It catches you in the waves of music and carries you to every bank of that rushing, twisting stream. Oh, and if you didn’t catch it from the language, there’s drugs. Lots of drugs. Seriously, though—the soundtrack alone is sheer perfection. I normally take until the end to give you my feelings on the soundtrack—but in this case, it is as key a piece of the movie as anything else, and it shines in a barrage of powerful classics.
This movie is equal parts hilarious and endearing—charmingly moving, and a delightfully offbeat brand of comic. It is witty without trying, the characters sexy for their definitively human quality. The chemistry between characters is undeniable. Everyone connects and builds off one another, and there are no weak links. The majestic, tragic, but breathtakingly sultry Peggy Lane (Kate Hudson, in an Oscar-nominated role), is especially entrancing. And the catalyst for our story, the young reporter, William Miller (Patrick Fugit), is marvelous. We sympathize with him, with all of them, with every maddening twist and turn that defines and consumes their lives. We grow with Fugit. His life is ours—the outsider looking in, drawn ever-deeper into the world of his dreams. As he is exposed and he changes, so do we.
And also, a shout-out to Philip Seymour Hoffman. Ever a great among the acting world, even in a respectfully minor role as Miller‘s traditional blunt but insightful mentor, he shines. A few lines spill volumes of personality.
For a fun game, you might also watch it and try to pick out all the younger versions of some of your modern favorites. Zooey Deschanel, Jason Lee, and Jimmy Fallon all make the list.
Perhaps this film doesn’t capture all the negative aspects of the decade in as critical a light as it could, but at its heart, this movie remains a captivating look at what was and it makes us feel good while it does it. You will want to watch this again and your favorite scenes will stick with you. Even in its dark moments, it touches us—in a way that few movies can.
When things seem to bundle up and crunch all at once, like work and personal life issues, there is a tendency to just keep going and going. It is like feeding a locomotive that has gone off it’s tracks and we just keep making it go faster. One day it is going to hit something on its path and just crash in one big explosive way.
Some of us use alcohol, drugs and even sex to fuel this kind of mad coping mechanism. However, none of these things really help and we end up still wanting in the end with our “locomotive” out of steam or worse, damaged.
I have been hearing a lot lately about being authentic. This has been really meaningful to me. However, in the process to find true authenticity, there is a physical preparation to get there. One of the exercises is to simply breathe.
Many of us don’t breathe well. We don’t take time to take breaths that fill our bodies and let the oxygen flow through it. When we relax and for a few minutes do these deep breathing exercises with our eyes closed, it is amazing how calming and how connecting one can get with oneself.
I have begun to this more and it helps. Life is so chaotic and getting in touch with who we really are inside so that we can also live that way outside helps us to shape our lives authentically. That leads to happiness.
Today a tragic story in the News Paper and not isolated– and Jesus knows and cares!
I met with a Pastor not long ago and the topic got onto how there are people he encourages who feel despair, depressed, hopeless, without any happiness at all. It got me thinking about “Intimacy With Christ” restoring hope, transforming the depressed, giving joy to those who are in mourning sitting in ash heaps.
I’ve heard it said more than once or twice that Alberta has leading concerns in the area of domestic violence and depression. One web site- at just a simple quick search- came up with this:
The site basically supports the idea mentioned above. Also, other practitioners have said that 1/5 persons will at some point experience depression some time in their life. I have spoken with and to more than one or two persons who struggled with depression. I also had coffees with counselors and pastors who spoke to me about such cases. So, today– February 24th, 2010 there’s a good chance that such persons exist.
I once heard a long time ago that anxiety, depression, and guilt are primary causes for hospital beds being filled every minute in North America. I looked for a site that would substantiate this so I could cite it– but, didn’t find it- yet. Yet– we know– the state of the mind does influence the over-all delicate and minute or microscopic functions of the body.
So, what does “Intimacy With Christ” have to do with Depression, Domestic Violence, and Suicide?
Psalmist 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.
Isaiah— speaking prophetically what God was going to do by His Chosen One- The Messiah:
Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
The Lord Jesus Reading and Thus Pointing to Himself:
Luke 4:18, 21
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,.. And he began to say unto them; This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
The Greek Word “thrauo” translated “brokenhearted” / “downtrodden” – literally means to break into pieces–or to shatter into small pieces.
Matthew 12:20
He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.
2 Corinthians 7:6
But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us
Now, let me say this first— there are some so far down the ladder that their psyche/state of mind has basically taken their body and chemical balance to the bottom. So– have you considered that perhaps God is leading you to get to a Dr. for help so that you can get your body/chemical balances in a much, much better place? Then, after that- maybe then it’s time to seek out a professional who is licensed to speak with as well as someone who is known to be “Intimate With Christ”?
All truth is God’s truth. He made us. He knows us. He is intimate already with every man woman and child on planet earth in that He knows when we rise and when we retire. He knows what we’ve been through and what we will go through. Science– under God’s caring provision can be a good thing. Yes– we call Jesus- The Great Physician– however, combined with that- He’s Sovereign Lord, too– and so– may be leading you to seek help outside of the darkness and despair you suffer.
(Some books written by professionals on such topics)
What kind of God is this God that He comforts? He’s loving! What kind of God is this that He actually cares one inch about you, your family, or friends– He’s Compassionate! What kind of God is this that He in one day “took away” all the spottiness of wrong doing to those who trust in Christ on that cursed tree– He’s forgiving! (God has not given us a spirit of fear/timidity before His Face- but, rather power to change, love to feel loved and love, and a sound mind- one that’s on track with True truth.)
Friend: Jesus Christ is a friend to the downcast! I’ve heard story upon story upon story upon story of Him healing families- ending domestic violence- and lifting up those who are in misery to have the feet of mountain goats or the wings of an eagle to once again dwell in the “high places.” No– he’s not a “Morphine Jesus” to keep you high all the time– but, He can recover, renew, and restore.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.
Job 3:1, 12
After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth…. Why were there knees to receive me and breasts that I might be nursed? (Job knew what it was to be down-cast. And just read the last verses of Job and see how good God is– God is Good! )
Friend– Jesus knows and cares and understands you better than you know yourself. He made Dr.’s, Psychiatrists, Psychologists……. He gets your point. If you read the above verses you’ll see— The Bible Never Tries To Minimize A Situation Or Someone’s Pain.
The “Father-Mother God” (Jan. 19- My Utmost For His Highest- Oswald Chambers): The Bible teaches us that God is a Father to the fatherless. Someone can be fatherless in two ways– either you just didn’t have a dad at home or you have a dad or mom but they are emotionally not there for you at all. God both reveals in the Bible Himself as a father– a good father and as like a mother hen wanting to gather her chicks to herself for protection and nourishment.
Matthew 23:37
How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.
Jesus is All-Knowing: He knows when you stand up and he knows when you sit down. He knows you inside out and that counts for something when we speak of “Intimacy With Christ” as He calls everyone to come and take his yoke upon them and learn of him– He calls all who are weary and heavy-laden. Is that You?
Colossians 1:16
For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
Psalm 139:1-13
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
You know– Jesus Christ calls and transforms people on basically the primary 3 levels of counseling out there? Yes He does!
Cognitively Jesus wants to transform your mind. He says, “I am the truth.” He says that His Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth and He- God- Jesus- desires truth in your innermost being. The Holy Spirit- being the back-drop of authoring the Bible filled it with thousands of important truths. Many people are tormented because they believe a lie about something and so try to either carry the world on their shoulders, or seek to lift it up as though they should, and realize how heavy the burden all the time feeling that they should lift it, but- realize/fear they cannot.
Emotively Jesus wants you to experience Joy and a whole other range of positive emotions/healthy ones. He wants you to experience His peace. He wants you to experience His love. He wants to transform you emotionally from the inside out.
Behaviorally Jesus is instructs and calls one into behavior that is both productive/helpful and that which will be rewarded in the future. He wants our behavior to conform to loving our God with everything, loving our neighbors/ourselves, and loving our enemies. He’s concerned about behavior- and so tells the woman caught in adultery to go and sin no more.
Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor as we are told in Isaiah– He counsels His people by exhortation in that He tells us what to do and not to do in the Bible and reminds/enables us by His Spirit to be productive citizens of Heaven first and earth. He counsels by encouragement- speaking to our fears the truth to us in love. He counsels by insight– He listens beneath our words to what we are really saying. He hears us and listens. He can read between the lines and send the resources we need to be over-comers.
When we are told to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ”- we’re not believing on a dead man whose bones are buried 2000 some years ago. When we put our trust in Him- as many as received Him to them God the Father gave them the power to become the sons and daughters of God. We enter a family. Our whole nature is transformed into something of the likeness of Jesus’ nature. We enter the potential for loving, encouraging, and insightful relationships.
One song says:
Put on the garments of praise, for the spirit of heaviness;
Let the oil of gladness flow down from your throne!
Put on the garments of praise, for the spirit of heaviness;
Your joy is my strength alone, my strength alone!
Make these broken weary bones rise to dance again,
Wet this dry and thirsty land with a river!
Lord our eyes are fixed on you and we are waiting,
For your garland of grace as we praise your name.
Another says:
As the deer pants for the water,
So my soul longs after You.
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship You.
You alone are my strength, my shield,
To You alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship You.
I want You more than gold or silver,
Only You can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy-giver
And the apple of my eye.
You’re my Friend and You are my Brother,
Even though You are a King.
I love You more than any other,
So much more than anything.
Or:
Calvary’s love will sail forever
Bright and shining, strong and free
Like an ark of peace and safety
On the sea of human need
Through the hours of all the ages
Those tired of sailing on their own
Finally rest inside the shadow
Cast by Calvary’s love across their soulsChorus:
Calvary’s love, Calvary’s love
Priceless gift Christ makes us worthy of
The deepest sin can’t rise above
Calvary’s love
Calvary’s love can heal the Spirit
Life has crushed and cast aside
And redeem til Heaven’s promise
Fills with joy once empty eyes
Father God– I pray for every Albertan, every home, every down-cast person who cannot see hope, light, or purpose. Lord Jesus- You Cried out- “Come to Me All Who Are Weary and Heavey Laden.” I pray that they would come– that they would feel the pull and tug of Your Loving Spirit. My God– there have been people held in chains for years and need Your rescue. Father, I pray that they would be rescued. I pray Jesus Christ that by Your Power which can lift the Red Sea, unshrivel the lame legs, unblind the blind eyes, un-harden the hardest of hearts— I pray Lord– Have Mercy Oh Son of God- Son of David– Have Mercy on these.
Lord, many ask– why is Alberta such n such or repored as having high stats and explain it by the fact we work all the time. I pray that Albertans would once again see that worship of the “Almighty Dollar” is not Your path and brings no real and enduring happiness or peace.
I pray Father that You’d break the chains that have held people in their grip forever and a day. God, lift the spirit of the down-cast, lift up the weak, strengthen the knees that falter, heal the sick, deliver those full of anger from anger. Deliver those full of guilt from guilt. Deliver those full of hatred from hatred. Deliver those full of anguish from anguish of soul. You have Father at the Cross– but, in some sense they need deliverance to get them there– to the Cross– to Calvary’s love.
Oh Lord, I pray– Father grant them the joy You have given to me. Grant them the Peace You have given to me. Grant them a deep sense of worth and forgiveness that You have given to me. Grant them songs during the day and night– encouraging songs– which You grant to me every day. Father, I pray for Albertans and all who are down-cast and are in a cycle of despair– Help. In Jesus Name– AMEN.
Angie Sanselmente Valencia is a beautiful, young lingerie model. Authorities say she is also one of the biggest drug dealers in the world.
Several British tabloids including the Daily Telegraph, The Sun, and the Daily Mail have details about Valencia’s drug running activities and how she recruited an all-girl cocaine-smuggling crew. According to The Sun, she dated one of the world’s most violent drug dealers nicknamed “The Monster” and authorities almost caught up with her by tracing her registered Pomeranian lap dog.
Its me again back with good information for my Fellow riders. Tha Fastlife Runna cares about your health. What I’ve learned about this fruit, it actually kills HIV diseases. I know we got some people that is sick out there with HIV and depend on anti drugs that battle HIV. Some of you are nasty and don’t know if you got it. I don’t want you to pass it to me and mess my life up. That’s the reason why I’m writing this post. Anyways, when that happens in your body, why not eat banana like a monkey everyday? A monkey eats more banana more than an average person eats meal 4 times a day and then next thing monkey jumping like a fool all day. Do you know why? Let me tell you why. Its the natural chemicals from a banana that speeds up the metabolism which make you hyper and also boost up the immune system that battle diseases inside your body. I’m going start eating fruits like a mad man because I know its the T. R. U. T. H. If you think i’m not serious, do some research pal. It’s sad to know that people depend too much on man made drugs with side effects instead of what Heavenly father gave you to eat to live healthier life. Banana ain’t got no side effects. When you take those man made drugs, next thing you gonna find out you have HIV-2. That’s a scary, ain’t it? Not me. I’m going eat bananas as my life depends on it because I’m stuck with a gay roommate living next door to me. I don’t know what the hell he’s doing with weird looking dudes every night. I don’t talk to him and I can’t wait to move out of my place when I graduate in May. Sometimes I wish he stop waving at me every once in a while when he see me walking to class. If I find this nigga wheezing and coughing, you better believe I’ll take off running. Thats the kind of person I am. I’m cautious when I come to those things like that.
LOS ANGELES – Corey Haim, a 1980s teen heartthrob for his roles in “Lucas” and “The Lost Boys” whose career was blighted by drug abuse, has died. He was 38.
Oh dear, it just wasn’t Sir James Smith’s day. Mr Smith was on his way home after spending 4 months behind bars for marijuana offenses when he and his wife were pulled over for a license plate infraction. Unfortunately the two had also been puffing away on some weed. Hmm, there is another marijuana charge right there. Oh and their 11 month old daughter was also in the car at the time so bonus, he gets a “neglect of a dependent” too.
While listening to music today, I was struck by lyrics stating, “I sometimes wonder if I am a part of the cure or if I am a part of the disease in today’s World…” Coldplay melodiously humming in my ears and my head bobbing to the alternative beat. As I looked out of the window into Nature I pondered all of the ills that plague our society today, from hatred, to greed, to the crimes that we witness take place daily. The mistreatment of other human beings and the disrespect shown for others, as if some of us are the only individuals inhabiting the planet. The abuse of drugs and alcohol. The making money and material things more important than people. The tainting of the amazing things that GOD created for our good. With all of these things continuously going on I wondered what category I fell into…
This is Kyle!!
