Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Zero Dark Thirty
I just saw Zero Dark Thirty. It is presented pretty much as a documentary. Not in style, but in substance. It follows the trail of this investigator as she joins the team searching for Bin Laden and progresses through the eight some-odd years until he is found and killed. There is very little emotion until the late middle of the film, when the investigator starts to get frustrated by delays. This is compounded by her experiences and loses. Is this an Oscar-worthy movie? No. Does Jessica Chastain, who plays the investigator, deserve an Oscar? No. Does it deserve a screenplay award? Maybe. There is a lot of information packed into this 2 hour 37 minute movie, but I don't think most of the characters are well served. They are presented as needed and only giving what is needed. It was a good exercise in telling the supposed story behind the manhunt, but it did little to draw me in or move me.
Gangster Squad
Just saw Gangster Squad. Meh. I should have waited until it came to the budget theater. Sean Penn is pretty good, and Josh Brolin is very Joe Friday in his portrail. None of the characters really made me want to support them, though, so the movie became a series of fight scenes. It was no where near as bloody as Django Unchained, but it seemed the fight scenes were all that drove the movie. Yes, there is a plot, a very one-dimensional plot. It was not a satisfying movie-going experience.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
The Paleo Diet by Loren Cordain, Ph.D.
Source Citation:
Cordain, Loren. The Paleo Diet: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Food You Were Designed to Eat. New York: J. Wiley, 2002. Print
The introduction mentions losing weight to the point of being slightly annoying. The author sites individual scientific studies backing his point. However, one study does not a truth make. Also, I question the validity of his genetic code argument. The orientals evolved without the enzyme to break down bovine milk, whereas the occidentals (particularly Norse) evolved with it. Therefore, is the argument about minor change since paleolithic times valid? Have we evolved beyond this way of eating in the centuries since cultivation began? Another point of his argument is newly discovered tribes are eating the same foods as their ancestors, so what they are eating is what the paleolithic diet included. If we again look at evolution, wouldn't food have evolved over the 2.5 million years man was hunter-gatherers? The author actually answers this at one point, saying "We simply haven't had time (10,000 years of agriculture compared to 2.5 million years of hunter-gatherer) to adapt to agriculture's new foods." The restrictions of the paleo diet are simple: Eat all the lean meat, fruit, and vegetables you want, but limit eggs to 6 a week, dried fruit to 2 oz. a day, and nuts/seeds to 4 oz. a day. The recipes presented in the book, though, are sometimes in conflict with some of the author's points. He is against canned tuna, as canning depletes the nutrients, but a canned tuna recipe is included. Broccoli is considered the best of the vegetables, but only one of the recipes contains broccoli. This gives an overall inconsistent feel and inaccurate tenor to this book.
Intro: Explains the concept of the paleo diet, how 2.5 million years of hunter-gatherer evolution programed our genes to respond to particular foods. Also claims modern agricultural diet of last 10,000 years is reason for most modern disease, such as diabetes and heart attacks.
Chapter 1: Says genetic code has changed only 0.02% in 40,000, so paleolithic genes are still present. Therefore, we are programed to eat a paleolithic hunter-gather diet. Paleolithic diet had no dairy, used cereal grains (wheat, rice, corn) as starvation foods, used no salt, had only honey for added sugar, ate lean animal meat, got carbs from nonstarchy fruits and veggies, and ate healthy fats. Paleo diet balance: 19-35% protein, 22-40% carbs, 28-47% fat. Modern low-carb diet: 18-23% protein 4-26% carbs, 51-78% fat. Regarding fats, monounsaturated (olive oil, nuts, avocados) are best. Low-glycemic-index, nonstarchy wild fruits and veggies are best. A high acid diet promotes excretion of calcium. So does salt because the chloride in sodium chloride is an acidic food. Lean meat is defined as 80% meat/20% fat.
Chapter 2: The modern paleo diet consists of all the lean meats, fish and seafood one can eat; all the fruits and nonstarchy vegetables one can eat; and no consumption of cereal grains, legumes, dairy products, or processed foods. There are three levels of adherence, which are not defined here. He again talks about his research and mentions he ran "hundreds of computerized analyses." From this, he got the seven keys: Eat high amount of animal protein, eat fewer carbs than modern diets but from fruits and veggies instead of grains and starches, eat large amount of fiber, eat moderate amount of fat eat foods high in potassium and low in salt, eat alkaline rather than acid, and eat nutrient-full foods. (See my food spreadsheet at this link.) The author mentions the over 100 recipes he provides. He claims that all his computer analyses reveal all possible combinations of paleo diet exceed RDA allowances. He provides an example daily diet at 2200 calories and gives the nutrition info for it. (I am tempted to go to the grocery store to see what this one-day diet cost, as it includes a 12-ounce portion of salmon.) Vitamin D is produced from cholesterol by exposing skin to ultraviolet sunlight, another reason we have high cholesterol counts. The author next presents a "normal" 2200-calorie diet. Only two nutrients, calcium and phosphorus, exceed RDA guidelines. He compares the nutritive results of the two diets. He follows this with claiming a paleo diet makes one feel full while a normal diet does not. Next, he claims that following the paleo diet will result in one's body returning to a normal, healthy weight.
Chapter 3: The author states his analyses are based on the fossil record, contemporary hunter-gatherer diets, chimpanzee diets, and nutrients in wild animals and plants. He defends meat at having been responsible for the increase in our brain size, and he says a vegetarian diet never would have had this result. The advent of tools is linked to the increase in meat consumption (particularly brain and marrow) that, in turn, is linked to brain expansion. He again reiterates high protein intake speeds metabolism, reduces appetite, and lowers cholesterol, stating 55% of total calories should come from lean meats. Modern chronic disease had its start in the Agricultural Revolution. Comparing paleo and agro stats, early farmers were shorter and had more infectious diseases, increased childhood mortality, and shorter lifespans. Cavities begin to appear in the fossil record. He defines good carbs (low glycemic index) and bad carbs (high glycemic index). The next few pages are him showing how the modern diet does not follow the seven keys. Now the author states that meat protein should be between 19-35% of calories, but earlier he said 55%. He says grains and legumes are bad because they are low in nutrients and have a high glycemic index. Legumes also block the absorption of B vitamins and grains block absorption of biotin, so they are "anti-nutrients." Diseases of modern grain-fed lives include scurvy, pellagra, beriberi, osteoporosis, and heart disease.
Chapter 4: This is all about losing weight on the paleo diet. Need to lose weight is based on Body Mass Index (BMI). Use a BMI calculator at this link. BMI should be between 18.5%-24.9%. I am at 26.7%. I should weigh less than 169 but no less than 125, according to the index. A success story is presented. The author then introduces thermic effect and how it is related to lean protein intake, as protein takes 2-1/2 times more energy to digest than carbs or fats. Now comes the sales pitch, "Lose weight without cutting calories or exercising, simply eat more lean meat proteins!" Another success story is presented, this time knocking Weight Watchers and Atkins. Other positives of protein are quicker satiety and improved insulin sensitivity. The 35% protein calorie limit is based on how much protein the liver can process. Going beyond that limit results in protein toxicity with nausea and diarrhea. The author again states his info is scientifically validated and presents three more success story, including a vegetarian and a nutritionist. He ends the chapter by stating "The Paleo Diet is a lifelong way of eating that will normalize weight in everyone."
Chapter 5: The author now takes on "Civilization" diseases (diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, dyslipidemia, obesity) by associating them with high blood-insulin levels. A disease cure success story is presented. A study of 76,000 people found no difference in cancer rates between vegetarians and meat eaters. Most of the chapter is spent showing how high blood-insulin levels increases insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) which, in turn, decreases insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 causing tissues to be less sensitive to retinoic acid. Retinoic regulates cell growth, including eyeball shape and skin surrounding hair follicles. Women with PCOS also have elevated IGF-1. The conclusion is many of diseases, from acne to cancer, are partially caused by a grain-heavy diet. An Eskimo quote says it all: "We never use to be so sick. The white man's food is not good for us."
I just had someone at work tell me this sounds a lot like the Maker's Diet. Interesting, since God did not allow eating of animals until after the flood (if memory serves me). When I read the Maker's Diet, I will have to compare the two.
Chapter 6: Here is presented the science behind diet and disease, both cause and prevention. For example, broccoli cleans cancer-causing chemicals from cells. Also, eating acid-base foods, such as cheese, overload the kidneys and cause health problems. Acid-base imbalance can lead to osteoporosis, stroke, kidney stones, asthma, Meniere's syndrome, insomnia, and motion sickness. Low fiber can lead to heartburn, appeidicitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and gallstones, among others. The all-meat diets of Arctic explorers resulted in zero constipation, in contrast to the grain diet previous eaten. Symptoms of schizophrenia are reduced in patients on grain- and dairy-free diets. The author concludes with a caveat: "Proper diet reduces your risk of developing types of skin cancer, but it cannot completely prevent it."
Chapter 7: We are now on to the basics of the diet. The 55%/35% error noted earlier is clarified. Eat about 60% of daily caloric intake from lean meats and 40% from plant foods. This should provide one with about 35% protein. An exotic meat list is provided, which includes ostrich, bison, kangaroo, and others. Fruit, vegetable, and nut lists are also provided, as are lists of foods to avoid.
Chapter 8: Foods are discussed more specifically (i.e., what to look for in each meat type, choose wild over farmed, choose fresh/frozen over canned, etc.). The author again reiterates "grow or hunt your own" is best. He discusses nuts and seeds as well as oils. There is a brief caveat about individualizing the diet to one's own needs and health issues. Supplementation is addressed, concentrating on vitamin D, antioxidants, and fish oil. There are tips on dining out and asking acquaintances for support.
Chapter 9: Levels of the diet are predicated on how many non-Paleo meals are planned. These meals are supposed to ease the feeling of deprivation when giving up favorite foods and are not a binge day, as other diets prescribe. A 2-week meal plan is provided for each of the 3 levels.
Chapter 10: Recipes, cooking tips, and stone age substitutions are given. The recipes range from simple (baked fish sprinkled with lemon juice and seasonings) to decadent (4 lobsters). I find it unusual that he includes a recipe using canned tuna when he specifically ranted about how canning tuna depletes it of all its nutrients and adds unnecessary salt and oil. I also find it odd that broccoli tops his veggie list but is only used in one recipe.
Chapter 11: There is no such thing as a paleo exercise plan, because hunter/gatherers were constantly exercising. The points here are exercise is better at keeping weight off than losing weight, any exercise is better than no exercise, and paleo exercise meant days of extreme exertion followed by days of rest. This is kind of like the slow-burn exercise theory, where a lot of exertion is done one day followed by three days of rest. The author also discusses the scientifically proven benefits of exercise and recommends cross training.
Chapter 12: The concluding chapter talks about eating only when hungry and taking the diet one day at a time.
Appendices include an acid- and alkaline-base chart of foods, a meat fat comparison chart, and steps to take to make our food chain healthier.
The bibliography is 20 pages long, and there is an index.
Cordain, Loren. The Paleo Diet: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Food You Were Designed to Eat. New York: J. Wiley, 2002. Print
The introduction mentions losing weight to the point of being slightly annoying. The author sites individual scientific studies backing his point. However, one study does not a truth make. Also, I question the validity of his genetic code argument. The orientals evolved without the enzyme to break down bovine milk, whereas the occidentals (particularly Norse) evolved with it. Therefore, is the argument about minor change since paleolithic times valid? Have we evolved beyond this way of eating in the centuries since cultivation began? Another point of his argument is newly discovered tribes are eating the same foods as their ancestors, so what they are eating is what the paleolithic diet included. If we again look at evolution, wouldn't food have evolved over the 2.5 million years man was hunter-gatherers? The author actually answers this at one point, saying "We simply haven't had time (10,000 years of agriculture compared to 2.5 million years of hunter-gatherer) to adapt to agriculture's new foods." The restrictions of the paleo diet are simple: Eat all the lean meat, fruit, and vegetables you want, but limit eggs to 6 a week, dried fruit to 2 oz. a day, and nuts/seeds to 4 oz. a day. The recipes presented in the book, though, are sometimes in conflict with some of the author's points. He is against canned tuna, as canning depletes the nutrients, but a canned tuna recipe is included. Broccoli is considered the best of the vegetables, but only one of the recipes contains broccoli. This gives an overall inconsistent feel and inaccurate tenor to this book.
Intro: Explains the concept of the paleo diet, how 2.5 million years of hunter-gatherer evolution programed our genes to respond to particular foods. Also claims modern agricultural diet of last 10,000 years is reason for most modern disease, such as diabetes and heart attacks.
Chapter 1: Says genetic code has changed only 0.02% in 40,000, so paleolithic genes are still present. Therefore, we are programed to eat a paleolithic hunter-gather diet. Paleolithic diet had no dairy, used cereal grains (wheat, rice, corn) as starvation foods, used no salt, had only honey for added sugar, ate lean animal meat, got carbs from nonstarchy fruits and veggies, and ate healthy fats. Paleo diet balance: 19-35% protein, 22-40% carbs, 28-47% fat. Modern low-carb diet: 18-23% protein 4-26% carbs, 51-78% fat. Regarding fats, monounsaturated (olive oil, nuts, avocados) are best. Low-glycemic-index, nonstarchy wild fruits and veggies are best. A high acid diet promotes excretion of calcium. So does salt because the chloride in sodium chloride is an acidic food. Lean meat is defined as 80% meat/20% fat.
Chapter 2: The modern paleo diet consists of all the lean meats, fish and seafood one can eat; all the fruits and nonstarchy vegetables one can eat; and no consumption of cereal grains, legumes, dairy products, or processed foods. There are three levels of adherence, which are not defined here. He again talks about his research and mentions he ran "hundreds of computerized analyses." From this, he got the seven keys: Eat high amount of animal protein, eat fewer carbs than modern diets but from fruits and veggies instead of grains and starches, eat large amount of fiber, eat moderate amount of fat eat foods high in potassium and low in salt, eat alkaline rather than acid, and eat nutrient-full foods. (See my food spreadsheet at this link.) The author mentions the over 100 recipes he provides. He claims that all his computer analyses reveal all possible combinations of paleo diet exceed RDA allowances. He provides an example daily diet at 2200 calories and gives the nutrition info for it. (I am tempted to go to the grocery store to see what this one-day diet cost, as it includes a 12-ounce portion of salmon.) Vitamin D is produced from cholesterol by exposing skin to ultraviolet sunlight, another reason we have high cholesterol counts. The author next presents a "normal" 2200-calorie diet. Only two nutrients, calcium and phosphorus, exceed RDA guidelines. He compares the nutritive results of the two diets. He follows this with claiming a paleo diet makes one feel full while a normal diet does not. Next, he claims that following the paleo diet will result in one's body returning to a normal, healthy weight.
Chapter 3: The author states his analyses are based on the fossil record, contemporary hunter-gatherer diets, chimpanzee diets, and nutrients in wild animals and plants. He defends meat at having been responsible for the increase in our brain size, and he says a vegetarian diet never would have had this result. The advent of tools is linked to the increase in meat consumption (particularly brain and marrow) that, in turn, is linked to brain expansion. He again reiterates high protein intake speeds metabolism, reduces appetite, and lowers cholesterol, stating 55% of total calories should come from lean meats. Modern chronic disease had its start in the Agricultural Revolution. Comparing paleo and agro stats, early farmers were shorter and had more infectious diseases, increased childhood mortality, and shorter lifespans. Cavities begin to appear in the fossil record. He defines good carbs (low glycemic index) and bad carbs (high glycemic index). The next few pages are him showing how the modern diet does not follow the seven keys. Now the author states that meat protein should be between 19-35% of calories, but earlier he said 55%. He says grains and legumes are bad because they are low in nutrients and have a high glycemic index. Legumes also block the absorption of B vitamins and grains block absorption of biotin, so they are "anti-nutrients." Diseases of modern grain-fed lives include scurvy, pellagra, beriberi, osteoporosis, and heart disease.
Chapter 4: This is all about losing weight on the paleo diet. Need to lose weight is based on Body Mass Index (BMI). Use a BMI calculator at this link. BMI should be between 18.5%-24.9%. I am at 26.7%. I should weigh less than 169 but no less than 125, according to the index. A success story is presented. The author then introduces thermic effect and how it is related to lean protein intake, as protein takes 2-1/2 times more energy to digest than carbs or fats. Now comes the sales pitch, "Lose weight without cutting calories or exercising, simply eat more lean meat proteins!" Another success story is presented, this time knocking Weight Watchers and Atkins. Other positives of protein are quicker satiety and improved insulin sensitivity. The 35% protein calorie limit is based on how much protein the liver can process. Going beyond that limit results in protein toxicity with nausea and diarrhea. The author again states his info is scientifically validated and presents three more success story, including a vegetarian and a nutritionist. He ends the chapter by stating "The Paleo Diet is a lifelong way of eating that will normalize weight in everyone."
Chapter 5: The author now takes on "Civilization" diseases (diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, dyslipidemia, obesity) by associating them with high blood-insulin levels. A disease cure success story is presented. A study of 76,000 people found no difference in cancer rates between vegetarians and meat eaters. Most of the chapter is spent showing how high blood-insulin levels increases insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) which, in turn, decreases insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 causing tissues to be less sensitive to retinoic acid. Retinoic regulates cell growth, including eyeball shape and skin surrounding hair follicles. Women with PCOS also have elevated IGF-1. The conclusion is many of diseases, from acne to cancer, are partially caused by a grain-heavy diet. An Eskimo quote says it all: "We never use to be so sick. The white man's food is not good for us."
I just had someone at work tell me this sounds a lot like the Maker's Diet. Interesting, since God did not allow eating of animals until after the flood (if memory serves me). When I read the Maker's Diet, I will have to compare the two.
Chapter 6: Here is presented the science behind diet and disease, both cause and prevention. For example, broccoli cleans cancer-causing chemicals from cells. Also, eating acid-base foods, such as cheese, overload the kidneys and cause health problems. Acid-base imbalance can lead to osteoporosis, stroke, kidney stones, asthma, Meniere's syndrome, insomnia, and motion sickness. Low fiber can lead to heartburn, appeidicitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and gallstones, among others. The all-meat diets of Arctic explorers resulted in zero constipation, in contrast to the grain diet previous eaten. Symptoms of schizophrenia are reduced in patients on grain- and dairy-free diets. The author concludes with a caveat: "Proper diet reduces your risk of developing types of skin cancer, but it cannot completely prevent it."
Chapter 7: We are now on to the basics of the diet. The 55%/35% error noted earlier is clarified. Eat about 60% of daily caloric intake from lean meats and 40% from plant foods. This should provide one with about 35% protein. An exotic meat list is provided, which includes ostrich, bison, kangaroo, and others. Fruit, vegetable, and nut lists are also provided, as are lists of foods to avoid.
Chapter 8: Foods are discussed more specifically (i.e., what to look for in each meat type, choose wild over farmed, choose fresh/frozen over canned, etc.). The author again reiterates "grow or hunt your own" is best. He discusses nuts and seeds as well as oils. There is a brief caveat about individualizing the diet to one's own needs and health issues. Supplementation is addressed, concentrating on vitamin D, antioxidants, and fish oil. There are tips on dining out and asking acquaintances for support.
Chapter 9: Levels of the diet are predicated on how many non-Paleo meals are planned. These meals are supposed to ease the feeling of deprivation when giving up favorite foods and are not a binge day, as other diets prescribe. A 2-week meal plan is provided for each of the 3 levels.
Chapter 10: Recipes, cooking tips, and stone age substitutions are given. The recipes range from simple (baked fish sprinkled with lemon juice and seasonings) to decadent (4 lobsters). I find it unusual that he includes a recipe using canned tuna when he specifically ranted about how canning tuna depletes it of all its nutrients and adds unnecessary salt and oil. I also find it odd that broccoli tops his veggie list but is only used in one recipe.
Chapter 11: There is no such thing as a paleo exercise plan, because hunter/gatherers were constantly exercising. The points here are exercise is better at keeping weight off than losing weight, any exercise is better than no exercise, and paleo exercise meant days of extreme exertion followed by days of rest. This is kind of like the slow-burn exercise theory, where a lot of exertion is done one day followed by three days of rest. The author also discusses the scientifically proven benefits of exercise and recommends cross training.
Chapter 12: The concluding chapter talks about eating only when hungry and taking the diet one day at a time.
Appendices include an acid- and alkaline-base chart of foods, a meat fat comparison chart, and steps to take to make our food chain healthier.
The bibliography is 20 pages long, and there is an index.
How to Apologize to a Customer
Tip #1: Do it quickly.
Tip #2: Call or meet IN PERSON.
Tip #3: Research whatever you can before contacting the customer.
Tip #4: Listen carefully, and demonstrate you are listening (paraphrase, lean forward, nod, express concern)
Tip #5: Say "I apologize" instead of "I'm sorry."
Tip #6: Keep cool.
Tip #2: Call or meet IN PERSON.
Tip #3: Research whatever you can before contacting the customer.
Tip #4: Listen carefully, and demonstrate you are listening (paraphrase, lean forward, nod, express concern)
Tip #5: Say "I apologize" instead of "I'm sorry."
Tip #6: Keep cool.
Source:
Amster, Robin. "The Magical Apology." Success Feb. 2013: 14. Print.
Zig Ziglar quotes
"People don't buy for logical reasons. They buy for emotional reasons."
"You will get all you want in life if yo help enough other people get what they want."
--Zig Ziglar
Source: Success Magazine, February 2013, pg 12.
"You will get all you want in life if yo help enough other people get what they want."
--Zig Ziglar
Source: Success Magazine, February 2013, pg 12.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Priority #1 progress - a new roommate?
Things are moving quickly in several different directions.
I called about a conversion van and was told I would probably need at least 50% down if I wanted financing. That would mean using up all my spare cash. I'm not sure I want to do that.
I posted an ad on Craig's List looking for a roommate and have only received scam emails from foreign countries.
There was an ad on Craig's List for a roommate near where I work. I met the fellow, and he said he wold email me the credit report application. Hopefully, I will pass that. That will give me a room (a pretty large room) within 4 miles of work, saving me 51 miles of driving per day. Instead of buying 2-3 tanks of gas, I will only have to buy 1 take every 3 weeks or so. That means I can put all the money from my extra jobs to buy what I need for business. We shall see.
I called about a conversion van and was told I would probably need at least 50% down if I wanted financing. That would mean using up all my spare cash. I'm not sure I want to do that.
I posted an ad on Craig's List looking for a roommate and have only received scam emails from foreign countries.
There was an ad on Craig's List for a roommate near where I work. I met the fellow, and he said he wold email me the credit report application. Hopefully, I will pass that. That will give me a room (a pretty large room) within 4 miles of work, saving me 51 miles of driving per day. Instead of buying 2-3 tanks of gas, I will only have to buy 1 take every 3 weeks or so. That means I can put all the money from my extra jobs to buy what I need for business. We shall see.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Priority #1 progress - denied a mortgage
Unfortunately, it turns out one has to wait at least 2 years, and possibly up to 7, after a bankruptcy to even be considered for a mortgage. That gets eliminated from my list. What do I have left?
So, what are the options for sleeping:
1) Getting an apartment
3) Sleeping in a van
4) Become someone's roommate.
5) Find a live-in job
6) Get a large business space and live out of that
It might be impossible to get an apartment, too, because they do a credit check first. While I am leaning toward buying a van right now, I should try to find an apartment.
I'm going to need to do that outside of Craig's List because I keep getting scammers.
So, what are the options for sleeping:
1) Getting an apartment
3) Sleeping in a van
4) Become someone's roommate.
5) Find a live-in job
6) Get a large business space and live out of that
It might be impossible to get an apartment, too, because they do a credit check first. While I am leaning toward buying a van right now, I should try to find an apartment.
I'm going to need to do that outside of Craig's List because I keep getting scammers.
Something Accomplished!
Well, a minor goal has been accomplished. I have finally cleaned up my emails. I discovered there was stuff out there from a year ago. Ouch. Anyhow, it is now all cleaned and organized. Now I need to figure out a few things to do while waiting to go to Freedom Financial Services to talk about a mortgage.
Priority #1 progress - applying for a mortgage
In an effort to get Priority #1: Finding a Place to Sleep moving, I checked on a locally advertised company, Freedom Financial Services. They open at 10 a.m. in the Chapel Hills Mall, so I am going to go down there and see if there is anything they can do. They have something called a nonconforming loan, which their website says could be the ticket for people with less-than-good credit. Hey, if I come away from today knowing my credit is just too bad to get a home loan, I can at least eliminate this option from my list.
New year, new commitment
With the new year I have to bring a new commitment to the things I wish to accomplish. Right now, the thing that seems to be hampering me most is not having a home. So, I need to come up with a plan to find some place to sleep, and I am going to use this blog to help me organize my thoughts.
So, what are the options for sleeping:
1) Getting an apartment
2) Buying a house
3) Sleeping in a van
4) Become someone's roommate.
5) Find a live-in job
6) Get a large business space and live out of that
If these are my 4 options, what are the steps I need take:
1) Fix credit rating
2) Get pre-approved for a home loan
3) Look at vans
4) Find a roommate
5) Locate potential business spaces
6) Apply for jobs
As I have been writing this, things have altered quite a bit. I have thought of two other ways to have a place to sleep and added those. In my mind, I am thinking the order will be something like this: Get started on the pre-approval. While that is processing, look for a live-in job and a large business space. I can also start fixing my credit rating. If the loan is not approved and I am unable to find a live-in job or an appropriately priced business space, I will buy a van to live in. In the event there is no appropriate van for sale, I will have to look for a roommate situation as a last resort.
No matter what the order, finding a place to sleep, and possibly live, is my current #1 priority. Everything else takes a back seat for now.
So, what are the options for sleeping:
1) Getting an apartment
2) Buying a house
3) Sleeping in a van
4) Become someone's roommate.
5) Find a live-in job
6) Get a large business space and live out of that
If these are my 4 options, what are the steps I need take:
1) Fix credit rating
2) Get pre-approved for a home loan
3) Look at vans
4) Find a roommate
5) Locate potential business spaces
6) Apply for jobs
As I have been writing this, things have altered quite a bit. I have thought of two other ways to have a place to sleep and added those. In my mind, I am thinking the order will be something like this: Get started on the pre-approval. While that is processing, look for a live-in job and a large business space. I can also start fixing my credit rating. If the loan is not approved and I am unable to find a live-in job or an appropriately priced business space, I will buy a van to live in. In the event there is no appropriate van for sale, I will have to look for a roommate situation as a last resort.
No matter what the order, finding a place to sleep, and possibly live, is my current #1 priority. Everything else takes a back seat for now.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Target quote
"We all yearn for something, and that something . . . is the other sock."
--Target commercial
--Target commercial
Thursday, December 27, 2012
M. C. Escher quotation
"Until you're ready to look foolish, you'll never have the possibility of being great."
--M. C. Escher
original source unknown
--M. C. Escher
original source unknown
Sunday, December 23, 2012
A homeless holiday
So, what is a homeless guy going to do on the holiday? Well . . .
I am already at the church I clean, and there is nobody here. Therefore, I am going to try to clean the church as fast as I can and then get some sleep.
The YMCA opens at 5 a.m., so I will head over there to get some exercise and shower. That will take about 2 hours.
At 7:30 a.m., the Comfort Dental chain offers free dental work, so I plan on heading over there to see if I can get some cavities filled. They are open until 11:30 a.m.
When I leave there, I will probably go to a movie theater. I will pay for one movie and then try to sneak into others if I can. I need to waste enough time to avoid returning to the church until after 9 p.m., when Christmas Eve services are finished.
I will clean fast and sleep at the church.
For Christmas Day, I have no idea what is going to be open. I will attempt the WalMart and maybe a mall. If the WalMart is open, I will start working on my frugalista report comparing WalMart to Target to King Soopers. If the WalMart is not open, I will drive to the nearest mall to see if it is open. Otherwise, I have no idea what I will do on Tuesday.
The church is having a dinner, so I cannot return to the church until after 2 p.m. Hopefully, it will be safe to do that, especially if I can find no other place to be.
I really need to make a few decisions:
1) Should I keep looking for a job or just get my businesses started?
2) Will either be easier if I have an apartment or buy a van to live in?
3) I supposed another important question is do I want to move back to Wisconsin? Or maybe even somewhere I have never been? Because I really, REALLY need to get out of this shit hole named Colorado Springs.
---Update 1---
I have done the preliminary cleaning of 3 of the 5 hallways and decided to take a break. I was originally going to nap, but I remembers there is week-old pasta in the church's fridge, which I was invited to eat by the youth activities leader. Therefore, I nuked a bowl of pasta and wrote this update instead of napping. Well, back to work.
I am already at the church I clean, and there is nobody here. Therefore, I am going to try to clean the church as fast as I can and then get some sleep.
The YMCA opens at 5 a.m., so I will head over there to get some exercise and shower. That will take about 2 hours.
At 7:30 a.m., the Comfort Dental chain offers free dental work, so I plan on heading over there to see if I can get some cavities filled. They are open until 11:30 a.m.
When I leave there, I will probably go to a movie theater. I will pay for one movie and then try to sneak into others if I can. I need to waste enough time to avoid returning to the church until after 9 p.m., when Christmas Eve services are finished.
I will clean fast and sleep at the church.
For Christmas Day, I have no idea what is going to be open. I will attempt the WalMart and maybe a mall. If the WalMart is open, I will start working on my frugalista report comparing WalMart to Target to King Soopers. If the WalMart is not open, I will drive to the nearest mall to see if it is open. Otherwise, I have no idea what I will do on Tuesday.
The church is having a dinner, so I cannot return to the church until after 2 p.m. Hopefully, it will be safe to do that, especially if I can find no other place to be.
I really need to make a few decisions:
1) Should I keep looking for a job or just get my businesses started?
2) Will either be easier if I have an apartment or buy a van to live in?
3) I supposed another important question is do I want to move back to Wisconsin? Or maybe even somewhere I have never been? Because I really, REALLY need to get out of this shit hole named Colorado Springs.
---Update 1---
I have done the preliminary cleaning of 3 of the 5 hallways and decided to take a break. I was originally going to nap, but I remembers there is week-old pasta in the church's fridge, which I was invited to eat by the youth activities leader. Therefore, I nuked a bowl of pasta and wrote this update instead of napping. Well, back to work.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
From The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen
I just read The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen in one sitting. It is a sweet, captivating, romantic book. Out if it, I pulled a few quotes I really liked.
"Fate never promises to tell you everything up front. You aren't always shown the path in life you're supposed to take. But if there was one thing she'd learned in the past few weeks, it was that sometimes, when ou're really lucky, you meet someone with a map"
"Happiness means taking risks. And if you're not a little scared, you're not doing it right."
"Fate never promises to tell you everything up front. You aren't always shown the path in life you're supposed to take. But if there was one thing she'd learned in the past few weeks, it was that sometimes, when ou're really lucky, you meet someone with a map"
"Happiness means taking risks. And if you're not a little scared, you're not doing it right."
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Random quotation
"There are teenagers who have unprotected sex but have a case for their iPhone. Let that sink in." - rocketpowers.tumblr.com
Things turning around? And I just jinxed it.
Things may actually be starting to turn around for me.
I have a job interview at Liberty Tax on Tuesday. A student of mine sent me an email for a state job that pays $500 more per month than I am making now. My former college advisor asked if she should forward my info to a private tax prep company. My RTRP test is less than 2 weeks away.
Today I also turned in my workout cards to my wellness coach at the YMCA. She was very impressed and is looking forward to drilling me starting Wednesday morning.
My outfits continue to get compliments, although one of my dickeys is already damaged.
On top of all that, I have a best friend again.
Now that I have counted my blessings, let the jinx shitstorm commence!
----UPDATE 1----
I just finished the application for the state job. Man, was it long! It took me over an hour just to fill out an on-line application. I really hope it was worth it. Now, I guess I just sit here and wait to see if anything comes of it.
As for the job via the college advisor, she is going to forward my information to the tax guy today (hopefully). Again, it is wait and see if anything comes of it.
At least I know I have the Liberty Tax interview scheduled for Tuesday. I have to remember to get a shirt and tie out of storage for it. I've been told I look good in blue, and blue is a color of trust, so I will get a blue shirt and tie. Of course, I will still wear a vest and watch chain; those are not optional.
----UPDATE 2----
Just scheduled another interview for Friday. This one is as a teller at a check cashing place. Not much glamor, but could be some good experience, maybe even lead to a teller position at a bank. I so much want to believe in this stuff, but I know the shit is going to hit my face any time now.
----UPDATE 3----
I got to the interview today (Friday), and took the time to fill out an application. When I turned it in, I was told they were running an hour behind. I had to be at workin an hour, so I had to walk away from the interview. See, I told you I jinxed it.
I have a job interview at Liberty Tax on Tuesday. A student of mine sent me an email for a state job that pays $500 more per month than I am making now. My former college advisor asked if she should forward my info to a private tax prep company. My RTRP test is less than 2 weeks away.
Today I also turned in my workout cards to my wellness coach at the YMCA. She was very impressed and is looking forward to drilling me starting Wednesday morning.
My outfits continue to get compliments, although one of my dickeys is already damaged.
On top of all that, I have a best friend again.
Now that I have counted my blessings, let the jinx shitstorm commence!
----UPDATE 1----
I just finished the application for the state job. Man, was it long! It took me over an hour just to fill out an on-line application. I really hope it was worth it. Now, I guess I just sit here and wait to see if anything comes of it.
As for the job via the college advisor, she is going to forward my information to the tax guy today (hopefully). Again, it is wait and see if anything comes of it.
At least I know I have the Liberty Tax interview scheduled for Tuesday. I have to remember to get a shirt and tie out of storage for it. I've been told I look good in blue, and blue is a color of trust, so I will get a blue shirt and tie. Of course, I will still wear a vest and watch chain; those are not optional.
----UPDATE 2----
Just scheduled another interview for Friday. This one is as a teller at a check cashing place. Not much glamor, but could be some good experience, maybe even lead to a teller position at a bank. I so much want to believe in this stuff, but I know the shit is going to hit my face any time now.
----UPDATE 3----
I got to the interview today (Friday), and took the time to fill out an application. When I turned it in, I was told they were running an hour behind. I had to be at workin an hour, so I had to walk away from the interview. See, I told you I jinxed it.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Planning for Christmas
Well, I am planning for my first homeless Christmas. The first step is to find out the schedule at the church I clean. It turns out, they are shutting down their child development center on December 21 through January 7; and they will be completely closed on December 24, December 25, and January 1. The next thing I need to find out is their service schedule. I also need to find out when the school will be completely closed for the holidays and what the local public library hours will be. With a little luck, I will be hired by Liberty Tax to prepare taxes, so I may be able to spend some of this time at a tax office preparing for tax season. We shall see.
I had three dreams a few days ago that I just have to get written down before I forget.
In the first, I am sitting in what appears to be a classroom. Apparently, I fall asleep in my dream. When I wake up, people are moving their chairs into an arrangement like a school bus. I try to move my chair as well, but I am blocked by a table and cannot align with the rest of the class. I apparently fall asleep again. I wake up to being asked a question that I don't hear. I feel puzzled. The teacher says, "Just tell us about how you have started exercising." I introduce myself, mention that I am an accounting student, and that I have not yet really started exercising. The other students just stare at me.
The second dream has me sitting in the pew of a church. There is some sort of play going on. As I look forward, something rises toward the ceiling. It feels like a huge popcycle stick covered with decorated paper plates. It go up for a long time, until it finally falls backwards from its own weight. The person who was raising it is furious. He raises some sort of large paper man and proceeds to tear it to pieces. He then storms through bundles of brown paper and up the aisle. There is now someone sitting next to me. It is a woman I recognize, although I cannot remember her. She says, "Well, that's Bob for you."
Lastly, I am standing in a bright room. I turn my head to look behind me. There is a bed with a man lying in it. I return my gaze forward. There is now a very unkempt and crazed looking man in front of me. He is carrying a flat-head screwdriver. It sucks on it and then threatens to stab me with it. Something happens, causing both of us to alter our gaze. When I look forward again, he is gone. I turn my head to look behind me. There are four men walking in slow motion toward the bed. Three of them are naked; the other is wearing a pair of white tights with the crotch cut out.
This is when I wake up. I would love to hear what Freud would have to say about these dreams.
In the first, I am sitting in what appears to be a classroom. Apparently, I fall asleep in my dream. When I wake up, people are moving their chairs into an arrangement like a school bus. I try to move my chair as well, but I am blocked by a table and cannot align with the rest of the class. I apparently fall asleep again. I wake up to being asked a question that I don't hear. I feel puzzled. The teacher says, "Just tell us about how you have started exercising." I introduce myself, mention that I am an accounting student, and that I have not yet really started exercising. The other students just stare at me.
The second dream has me sitting in the pew of a church. There is some sort of play going on. As I look forward, something rises toward the ceiling. It feels like a huge popcycle stick covered with decorated paper plates. It go up for a long time, until it finally falls backwards from its own weight. The person who was raising it is furious. He raises some sort of large paper man and proceeds to tear it to pieces. He then storms through bundles of brown paper and up the aisle. There is now someone sitting next to me. It is a woman I recognize, although I cannot remember her. She says, "Well, that's Bob for you."
Lastly, I am standing in a bright room. I turn my head to look behind me. There is a bed with a man lying in it. I return my gaze forward. There is now a very unkempt and crazed looking man in front of me. He is carrying a flat-head screwdriver. It sucks on it and then threatens to stab me with it. Something happens, causing both of us to alter our gaze. When I look forward again, he is gone. I turn my head to look behind me. There are four men walking in slow motion toward the bed. Three of them are naked; the other is wearing a pair of white tights with the crotch cut out.
This is when I wake up. I would love to hear what Freud would have to say about these dreams.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Google Drive kind of sucks
I want to backup the files on my 500 gb external drive, so I thought I would use Google Drive, since it is available. First, Google Drive required me to download an app to put on my Mac (which is running 10.6.8). Okay, I did that. The app created a folder much like the Dropbox folder. I am simply supposed to move files into the folder, and Drive is supposed to sync with my folders. Unfortunately, this never happened. There is also no option to start a sync, although there is an option to pause. Maybe I am just too impatient, but I am really not happy with there being no information on whether or not my files are syncing or have synced. Therefore, I went back to the old way of getting files out to Google Drive: I uploaded them. At this point, I would have to say that the new Google Drive sucks as compared to uploading file and compared to Dropbox. Since Google+ is also suspending my account for not using my legal name, I think it is time to cut back on my use of Google products.
I thought I would check out Microsoft's SkyDrive, since I also have an email account with them. SkyDrive has 7gb of free storage compared with Google Drive's 5gb. SkyDrive also has an app available to create a folder to put synced items into. However, the app requires 10.7, and I am only at 10.6.8. I could still use SkyDrive to upload folders, but that took forever using Drive, so I am not all that enthused about trying it.
Okay, I just tried syncing something smaller, a folder with 2.4mb. Nothing happened for what seemed like the longest time, then I got a "unable to connect" error on the drop-down menu. After that, the toolbar icon (that looks like the three-arrow recycling logo), started to change hues. When that stopped, the files were in both the folder and the on-line drive. I suppose my difficulty was trying to load too much as one time. I will proceed using smaller files and see what happens.
I started a 483mb folder at 1:24 p.m. Before it began to sync, I opened the drop-down menu and clicked "Pause" then "Resume". Within 1 minute, the icon started changing hues again. The title of the folder has appeared on-line, and little check marks are appearing next to the file names in the folder as they sync. As of 2:57 p.m., the sync is still running. I am beginning to wonder if it would just be more beneficial to forget this and start everything fresh. I forced it to stop so I could go on with other things.
While waiting for this procedure to complete, I checked my backed-up .zip files. I have almost 31gb of old backup. Combining SkyDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox, I have a total of 13gb to use. I guess I need to start deciding which backups are really needed.
I thought I would check out Microsoft's SkyDrive, since I also have an email account with them. SkyDrive has 7gb of free storage compared with Google Drive's 5gb. SkyDrive also has an app available to create a folder to put synced items into. However, the app requires 10.7, and I am only at 10.6.8. I could still use SkyDrive to upload folders, but that took forever using Drive, so I am not all that enthused about trying it.
Okay, I just tried syncing something smaller, a folder with 2.4mb. Nothing happened for what seemed like the longest time, then I got a "unable to connect" error on the drop-down menu. After that, the toolbar icon (that looks like the three-arrow recycling logo), started to change hues. When that stopped, the files were in both the folder and the on-line drive. I suppose my difficulty was trying to load too much as one time. I will proceed using smaller files and see what happens.
I started a 483mb folder at 1:24 p.m. Before it began to sync, I opened the drop-down menu and clicked "Pause" then "Resume". Within 1 minute, the icon started changing hues again. The title of the folder has appeared on-line, and little check marks are appearing next to the file names in the folder as they sync. As of 2:57 p.m., the sync is still running. I am beginning to wonder if it would just be more beneficial to forget this and start everything fresh. I forced it to stop so I could go on with other things.
While waiting for this procedure to complete, I checked my backed-up .zip files. I have almost 31gb of old backup. Combining SkyDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox, I have a total of 13gb to use. I guess I need to start deciding which backups are really needed.
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