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The Pursuit Of Happiness

Posted by Michelle Moquin on 2nd January 2010

I have a few mantras, or affirmations if you will, that I say to myself every morning. One of them is: “It’s easy to be happy”. I just love the way it rolls off my tongue. I say this because happiness really is ‘a state of mind’. I know…I know…not exactly what you want to hear, but it is true. One ‘chooses’ to be happy…But hey, whatever helps to get one there is always welcome.

While perusing the net this morning, I came across this article written by best selling author Gretchen Rubin, whose most recent book is called The Happiness Project. Hmm…a project to attain happiness. So, I checked it out. I’m all about creating more happiness in my life. Who isn’t?

In this article Gretchen talks about her book and 7 surprising truths about what makes us happy:

In my new book The Happiness Project I describe the year I spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, the current scientific studies, and the lessons from popular culture about how to be happier — from Aristotle to Thoreau to Seligman to Oprah. Here on the Huffington Post, I’ve recounted some of my adventures and conclusions in pursuit of happiness.

I’m describing my happiness project, but of course, the point of The Happiness Project is to encourage you to start your own happiness project. I’ve heard from many readers who have tried my suggestions themselves — such as keeping a daily one-sentence journal, making their bed, or joining a group — to happy effect.

To take just one small example, I’ve written about my idea of the abstainer/moderator split: when it comes to resisting temptation, some people find it much easier to abstain altogether, while others do better exercising moderation. (Here’s a quiz to tell you which camp you’re in.) Abstainers and moderators judge each other harshly; abstainers think moderators constantly cheat, and moderators think abstainers have a rigid, unhealthy attitude.

Neither way is the right way to resist temptation. As with many aspects of happiness, it’s a matter of knowing the right approach for you. I myself am an abstainer — like Samuel Johnson, who observed, “Abstinence is as easy to me as temperance would be difficult.” When you recognize your own nature, you’re better able to devise a happiness project that works for you.

One woman commented:

Learning that I am an abstainer … has been a great boon to my happiness. Knowing myself better helped me make the choice to give up sugar and flour all together. I have found it much easier to stick to my resolution when abstaining totally. Plus, I have lost 45 unwanted pounds over the last several months. And that is a certainly a happiness booster!

Before I started my happiness project, I certainly didn’t realize I was an abstainer, and it surprised me to discover that it was far easier for to give up things altogether than to indulge every once in a while.

In fact, as I used myself as guinea pig to test various theories about how to be happier, I discovered several things that surprised me. The most effective ways to pursue happiness were sometimes counter-intuitive.

1. Do buy happiness.
Well, maybe money can’t buy happiness, but spent wisely, it can buy things that contribute mightily to happiness. Some of the best things in life aren’t free. To be happy, we need to feel loved, secure, good at what we do, and have a sense of control. Money doesn’t automatically fill these requirements, of course, but it sure can help.

2. Don’t get organized.
When I faced tackling the intimidating piles of clutter in my apartment and office, my first impulse was to run to a supply store to buy lots of organizing gizmos. Then I realized — no! My first task was to get rid of things that I didn’t need or didn’t work. The most important tool in my clutter-clearing arsenal turned out to be trash-bags. (Here are 27 bonus tips for keeping your house in order.)

In many cases, after sorting through a pile, I found myself left with nothing to organize. Conquering clutter is a happiness booster because for most people, outer order contributes to inner calm.

3. Do let the sun go down on my anger.
In the past, I’d always conscientiously aired every complaint before bedtime. Studies show, however, that the notion of “anger catharsis” is nonsense. Venting anger related to minor, fleeting annoyances just amplifies bad feelings; not expressing anger often allows them to dissipate.

4. Don’t insist on “the best.”
There are two types of decision makers: satisficers seek to satisfy certain criteria; maximizers seek to make the best possible decision. Once satisficers find a tent or a watch that meets their requirements, they buy it; maximizers want to find the best tent or the best watch. Maximizers tend to be less happy than satisficers, because they agonize over their choices. I often remind myself of one of my favorite Secrets of Adulthood (cribbed from Voltaire): Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

5. Do embrace the fun of failure.
Positive psychologists tell us that challenge and novelty are key elements of happiness. Studies show that people who do new things — learn a game, travel to unfamiliar places — are happier than people who stick to the familiar. When I tested this proposition, I figured it wouldn’t be true for unadventurous, routine-loving me, but to test it, I launched a blog. True, the novelty and challenge of my blog initially often brought me frustration and anxiety, as I had to face failing at multiple tasks until I figured them out, but mastering those tasks made me extremely happy.

6. Don’t practice “random acts of kindness.”
We’ve all been urged to practice random acts of kindness — pay the toll for the next car in line, feed a parking meter, buy a stranger a cup of coffee. And studies do show that if you commit a random act of kindness, you’ll feel happier. However, the person who is the beneficiary of your random act probably won’t feel happier.

Research indicates that many people reacted to receiving a random act of kindness with — suspicion! It’s not the kindness of the act that’s the problem; it’s the randomness. We’re on guard when we don’t understand a person’s actions. Of course, it’s always nice to be nice, but if you want to boost other people’s happiness as well as your own, practice non-random kindness. Help a co-worker who has a tight deadline. Let someone with a few items cut in front of you in the check-out line. If you look, you can probably find enough opportunity for non-random kindnesses to keep you busy.

7. Do “fake it till you feel it.”
Although we assume that we act because of the way we feel, we often feel because of the way we act. An almost uncannily effective way to change my emotions, I discovered, was to act the way I wanted to feel. If I feel resentful, I act thoughtful. If I feel lethargic, I act energetic. If I smile, I feel happier. One experiment showed that people who used Botox may feel less angry, because they aren’t able to make angry, frowning faces! Although it may seem insincere at first, controlling your actions is an effective way to change your feelings.

Have you been surprised by something that did – or didn’t make you happy, contrary to your expectation?

Gretchen Rubin is the author of The Happiness Project–an account of the year she spent test-driving every conceivable principle about how to be happy.

Readers: Does any of the above resonate with you? I can say one thing…an abstainer, I am not. I am definitely into moderation. The only time I abstain is when there is a time limit. For instance I have done many cleanses in the past 10 or so years. If it requires that I not eat sugar for a month or two – no problem. No sugar for the rest of my life – no way.

Also, number 3 was a bit surprising, but true in some ways for me. Recently I have let some things go that I thought were more major and they did dissipate leaving me feeling no charge at all.

I could say more but I’d rather hear from you. Blog me.

Zen Lill: I knew you would enjoy the Rune that I pulled. It is perfect isn’t it? How lovely that you were out at the cliffs taking in the sun and sending it out into the world. There was none here to speak of but I envisioned it nontheless. I miss watching the whales and dolphins migrate at this time of year. Doug and I haven’t done that on new year’s day in a long time.

Peace & Love & Happiness: “Live it, Give it, Create it”

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor

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For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

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" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Posted in Good Reads and Good See'ds, Health & Well Being, Journeys within, Style | 1 Comment »

Color: What’s It To Ya?

Posted by Michelle Moquin on 28th December 2009

Being a designer, color has always been a part of the design process. As I have transitioned into a stylist for women and men, I have found a new love interest in color that has me fascinated with color in a different way than ever before. I have begun to pay more attention to the different reactions people have towards color….what people love, hate, and are attracted to compared to what I am drawn to.  A lot of it has to do with preference, but it even goes to a deeper level.

I recently took a class where we examined, very closely, the eye color of several people. When you look at eye color in good light and up close, you will see that most people have two, three and even four different colors in the eyes. It is no surprise for instance, that people tend to match their main eye color to something that they wear to enhance and feature their eyes, but I have learned that people are intuitively drawn toward colors that are actually present not only in their eyes but in their skin too.

Try this out: Have someone look closely into your eyes and describe the colors they see. You’ll not only discover that you have several colors that you may not have know about, but more than likely it will be colors that you like and/or are drawn to wearing.

Here’s an interesting article that I found that takes color to an even deeper level.

USING COLORS TO CHANGE YOUR WORLD

What’s your favorite color? It’s a question we all have very strong opinions about because colors are powerful in many ways — for changing mood, expressing emotions, even influencing action. While somewhat controversial, a whole world of modern color research has evolved to help marketers and others use color in productive ways.

One of the most recent pieces of research is from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, that assessed how a red or blue background color on computer screens affected the work of 600 students. When the background was red, students responded with greater recall and attention to detail. When it was blue, they became more creative. According to color therapist Jill Morton of Colorcom in Honolulu, Hawaii, a possible explanation lies in the different wavelengths of the colors, causing people to perceive red objects as moving toward us and blue ones as moving away. She speculates that one reason for the finding was that students may have focused more on close detail work simply to get relief from the aggressiveness of the red background… but of course, it’s hard to know for sure.

COLOR AND HEALING THERAPIES
While modern scientists continue to debate the whys and wherefores of colors, there’s much that can be learned from ancient healing therapies, where colors have revered and established roles.

In the Ayurvedic tradition, it is believed that there are seven energy centers — the chakras — that run from the base of the spine to the top of the head. Each chakra is associated with a specific color as well as emotions and parts of the body… and also with a specific element which in turn carries a certain vibrational frequency that correlates to the visible light spectrum. For example, the Muladhara or Root Chakra (red) is governed by the earth element — red has the slowest frequency of the visual light spectrum and earth has the slowest frequency of the elements.

Diantha Harris, color therapist and author of Simply… Color, told me that color can be used to address challenges on the physical, emotional, mental or spiritual level. The individual chakras can be balanced with color to help particular issues. There are two ways to do this — you can enhance a quality by adding a color… for example, more yellow in your day may bring an increased sense of personal power (represented in the third or solar plexus chakra). You could alternatively use a dose of color to offset a problem. If you are struggling with feelings of envy, you can regain balance by adding its complementary color (red) to your environment. Harris suggests some ways to increase the presence of a chakra color in your life: bringing flowers into your home… adding foods of that color to your diet… wearing it (in socks or underclothes if it isn’t one you like)… or using sheets, towels or blankets of the color.

THE CHAKRAS
Briefly, chakras, their colors and associations are as follows:

• The Root Red Chakra — at the base of the spine, associated organs include spine, adrenal glands and others. Red therapy replenishes courage and energy. A red challenge includes anger, frustration and issues with survival including money. Complementary color: green.

• The Sacral Orange Chaka — in the lower abdomen, its organs include reproductive ones and lower intestines. Orange benefits community, connection, creativity and sexuality… it helps to create and support healthy relationships and boundaries, as well as healing shock or trauma. Negative challenges include addiction and moodiness. Complementary color: blue.

• The Solar Plexus Yellow Chakra — near the navel and under the ribcage, its organs are the pancreas and liver. Yellow is for clarity, focus, will or personal power and to help assimilate knowledge and experiences. Negative challenges include an ego that is out of balance and feelings of timidity. Complementary color: purple.

• The Heart Green Chakra — in the center of the chest, its organs are the heart, lungs and thymus gland. Green supports feelings of safety, love and expansion. Negative challenges are envy, bitterness and the need to refocus and regain energy. Complementary color: red.

• The Throat Blue Chakra — in the base of the throat, its associated organs are the thyroid, throat, mouth and neck. This is the color of communication and truth, trust, faith and peace. Negative challenges include isolation, loneliness and depression. Complementary color: orange.
• The Third Eye (the Brow) Indigo Chakra — at the center of the head, between the eyes (third eye). Associated organs are the eyes, brain and pituitary gland. Indigo has to do with higher mind functions of intuition and clairvoyance and it also can be used to enhance meditation. Negative challenges are severe depression or isolation. Complementary color: yellow.

• The Crown Violet Chakra — on the top of the head, associated with the brain and pineal gland. It is the color of healing, as well as spiritual and emotional issues and offers support during times of transition. Negative challenges include loss, grieving and suffering. Complementary color: yellow.

The colors you need at a given time will shift according to events in your life. There are a number of books and Web sites that have information on color and how to incorporate its healing influence. In addition, you can meet with a color therapist to work on using color to improve your life. Sessions generally cost in the $75 to $100 range and you can find a list of holistic healers including those practicing color therapy at The International Wheel of Colour (http://www.wheelofcolour.com/ or http://www.byregion.net/).

Source(s): ?
Jill Morton, director of Colorcom in Honolulu, Hawaii. http://www.colormatters.com.
Diantha Harris, color therapist and author of Simply… Color. She lectures and teaches about color, feng shui and the healing use of color. http://www.lifepotentials.net.

Readers: Pretty interesting huh? Did you click through the last two websites? There is some pretty interesting reads if color fascinates you as it does me. What’s your fave color? Mine’s always been green – no surprise it is also the main color of my eyes.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the ‘Donate’ button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my ‘Donate’ page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

or click here: “A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2009

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Posted in Good Reads and Good See'ds, Health & Well Being, Style | 20 Comments »

Holiday Traditions: What’s Your Fave?

Posted by Michelle Moquin on 24th December 2009

I’ve never considered myself a traditional girl, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like traditions. Like watching, ‘White Christmas’ and It’s A Wonderful Life’, during the holiday season, or baking my favorite holiday cookies, and indulging in Hot Buttered Rum!

I found this article that I think you would enjoy:

Lets Bring back The Holiday Season Edition

It seems that Americans have always been nostalgic around the winter holidays. Just look at the lyrics of Irving Berlin’s iconic song, White Christmas, written around seventy years ago:

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten,
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

According to legend, Berlin came up with the song while dawdling poolside in the sunshine at Arizona’s Biltmore Resort. The trappings of a snowy holiday must have seemed very far away to him — as they do to many of us today in different parts of the country and world.

In this special edition of Let’s Bring Back – my recurring column that celebrates objects, rituals, curiosities, and personae from eras past – I’ve compiled a shortlist of holiday season cheer from eras past. Many of these whimsical things are not necessarily from a world “[we] used to know,” but rather one that we wish we had known.

Without further ado, Let’s Bring Back ….

1. Popcorn strands on Christmas trees. Along with those wonderful big yellow bulbs, the sort that hang in Van Gogh’s cafe paintings. Also popular in my childhood household: construction paper chains, which invariably drooped lower and lower to the floor as the days passed.

I love childish, disheveled-looking Christmas trees; so did one of my favorite writers, Truman Capote. In his novella Breakfast at Tiffany’s, main character Holly Golightly decorates hers with stolen balloons from Woolworth’s; in his short story A Christmas Memory, a child and his elderly cousin festoon their tree with “coils of frazzled tinsel gone gold with age,” “a few winged angels devised from saved-up sheets of Hershey-bar foil,” and a “shoebox of ermine tails.” As a final touch, they “sprinkle the branches with shredded cotton (picked in August for this purpose).”

2. Fur muffs. Black or white ones, worn with red coats: very Dr. Zhivago-chic. Rarely made anymore, they can be easily found in flea markets, vintage stores, and on eBay for a song.

3. Ice skating parties. And ice-skating after-parties as well. The 1966 New York Times Cookbook includes a menu for “A Supper After a Skating Party,” featuring hot buttered rum and old-fashioned vegetable soup. Just the thing to warm your ego after your many spills onto the ice.

recipe for hot buttered rum from the Food Network:

* 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
* 2 cups light brown sugar
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
* Pinch ground cloves
* Pinch salt
* Bottle dark rum
* Boiling water

In a bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Refrigerate until almost firm. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the butter mixture into 12 small mugs. Pour about 3 ounces of rum into each mug (filling about halfway). Top with boiling water (to fill the remaining half), stir well, and serve immediately.

4. Bing Crosby’s Christmas albums with the Andrews Sisters.love the Andrews sisters: Maxene, Patricia, and LaVerne. These ladies – and their songs – once pulled the heartstrings of every homesick American soldier in World War II. And Mr. Crosby’s voice consoled the soldiers’ wives, sweethearts, and mothers back home.

5. The art of toasting. Nothing makes an occasion more memorable (for better or worse) than a toast given to commemorate it; yet it is an increasingly arcane artform. In their book A Gentleman’s Guide to the Noble Tradition of the Toast, etiquette experts John Bridges and Bryan Curtis offer the following example of an appropriate New Year’s Eve toast:

“I can’t think of a better way to ring in the new year than with a group of people who have been such an important part of my past and, if the heavens are smiling on me, will be an equally important part of my future. Here’s hoping the new year will bring each of us good health and happiness.”

However, Bridges and Curtis warn the gentlemen not to say something along the lines of the following: “Here’s to the new year – it can’t be any worse than the last one.”

6. Laura Ingalls-style Christmas stockings for little girls. I used to absolutely covet Laura’s stocking presents that she finds in her stocking on Christmas morning in Little House in the Big Woods. If my memory is correct, it was filled with a rag doll, peppermint candy, tangerines, and a shiny penny in the toe. I’m not sure that all girls would appreciate the relatively spare quaintness of this suggestion, but any Little House fans certainly will.

7. Sleigh rides. The perfect occasion to debut your new fur muff, and after which to try out the hot buttered rum recipe above.

8. New Year’s Day parties. An elegant alternative to drinking your face off the whole night before and ringing in the New Year with a horrendous hangover and sense of remorse.

The 1966 New York Times Cookbook suggests the following menu for a civilized “Dinner for New Year’s Day”:

* Consomme Julienne
* Beef Wellington
* Sauce Madere
* Rissole Potatoes
* Spinach with Sauteed Mushrooms
* Grand Marnier Pudding

9. The film Scrooge with Albert Finney (1970), who was the most deliciously peevish Ebenezer Scrooge ever to grace the silver screen. While the special effects might seem hokey by today’s standards, Finney’s wistful cantankerousness and the London street scenes make revisiting this movie a sheer pleasure. Plus: Finney is a gorgeous hunk of man in the flashback scenes.

10. While we’re in the general realm of Dickensian England, let’s bring back Christmas goose for supper. These days, turkeys often have to do double-holiday duty, appearing on our tables at both Thanksgiving and Christmas. This year, why not opt for their old-fashioned feathered cousins instead?

In Fall 2010, Chronicle Books will release a book by Lesley M. M. Blume based on this popular column. ‘Let’s Bring Back‘ will be a sophisticated, stylish cultural encyclopedia, celebrating forgotten objects, pastimes, and personae from bygone eras. From sealing wax and quill pens to the Orient Express, fainting couches, and limericks, there is a great deal of ground to cover. Please make sure to visit previous installments of Let’s Bring Back.

Readers: Some fun ones huh? Any traditions you have that you would like to share? Blog me if you can.

Zen Lill: Thanks for sharing your experiences. And I agree with you. I try to see what is underneath the ‘crankiness’, aka the ‘persona’, and be compassionate to the soul.

Peace out…and have a wonderful Christmas Eve where ever you happen to be.

With Love…

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the ‘Donate’ button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my ‘Donate’ page)

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Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

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" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Posted in Entertainment & Laughter, I'll drink to that! Let's eat!, Style | 16 Comments »

Are You Tweeting? Find Out How To Make The Most Of It

Posted by Michelle Moquin on 22nd December 2009

Find Twitter To Be Useless? You’re Doing It Wrong

I’ve come across people both online and in real life who view Twitter as this useless service with 2 ridiculous purposes: Assisting in stalking, and giving people the opportunity to share their boring lives with the world, and follow their friends’ boring lives. In truth, there’s really more to Twitter than just sharing a picture of the waffles you had for breakfast.

As I run GeekSmack and write articles for the site, it’s obviously important to stay up to date on all the occurrences in the technology world. Along with having a comprehensive RSS feed collection, I also follow some technology publications and tech bloggers on Twitter. At times, a blogger would post an exclusive and tweet about it. This thus tips me off about it along with various other bloggers, causing the article to spread like wildfire.

I also follow publications as I mentioned above. Most technology news sites out there, including GeekSmack, have a Twitter account that automatically tweets new articles published. This allows you to have all the latest articles from these trusted publications in your Twitter stream, allowing you to view them at a glance.

Often, people discover news faster on Twitter than they do by other means. This of course isn’t limited to technology news; it can apply to political news (people may either find out about it by following a news publication of their choice, or discover it through the “Trending Topics” feature, which at times has political topics should it be significant enough to cause a large number of people to tweet about it). Everyone, including the news media itself was generally kept up to date on the Iranian elections for example via Twitter. People find out that celebrities die via Twitter. I personally found out that more Google Wave invites were being delivered via Twitter.

Of course, the trending topics often are dominated by rather dumb topics from time to time, but they do prove useful. Along with what I mentioned above, I’ve also followed some good discussions on Twitter. I’ve debated, watched debates on the sidelines, and even seen some arguments. It’s pretty interesting at times to see debates and arguments take place when each person only has 140 characters per tweet to work with.

Twitter is useful to businesses (and their clients) as well. They can tweet about their latest news, products, information, promotions, etc., and their loyal customers can stay up to date and perhaps learn about a certain new product, or the fact that the company is opening up a store in their area which they may otherwise have never known about. Online stores such as Amazon use Twitter to share with their customers the latest and greatest deals, so you may find out that a certain product you’ve been looking to buy is cheaper than it has ever been through Twitter.

The point here is that, while some only use Twitter for the purpose of sharing their lives with the world and tweeting every detail of it, others use it to debate, stay informed, learn about good deals, increase the amount of dedicated clients to their business, stay updated on their favorite companies and their latest products, and more. Twitter is a tool that allows people to be connected with the world, and, while sharing what you do in life is perfectly fine, you shouldn’t limit your use of this powerful service to that.

Written By Paulpaliath-Geeksmack

Zen Lill: You are so right – ‘frustration’ doesn’t cover it. As far as ‘going Ghandi’, I am near there…all I need is to figure out the place and time.

Got to run…

Love & Peace: “Live it, Give it!”

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the ‘Donate’ button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my ‘Donate’ page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

or click here: “A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2009

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Posted in Style | 1 Comment »

The New Old Face Of Racism, And My Two On Tiger

Posted by Michelle Moquin on 19th December 2009

The New Old Face Of Racism

One of the great challenges of our nation has been and will be to reconcile the racial tension of our past. The historical ramifications of slavery are still felt in the streets of West Baltimore, the country roads of the Mississippi Delta and corridors of the United States Congress. When our nation gathered up enough strength and courage to elect the first African-American president, in the words of our great GlobalGrind blogger, Erica Williams, “our nation did not become post-racial, but we’re making every effort to be post-racist.”

During the president’s first year of his term, often has our nation endured various situations that dealt with race, including Skip Gates’ arrest, the “birthers” movement, the “Witch Doctor” poster, amongst many others. Although we have made tremendous progress in our discussions revolving around race, one consistent reminder that we have not reached a state of high consciousness is the ability of the few to co-opt the opinions of the masses. As the Republican Party has tried hard to give itself a new face, with Michael Steele becoming the first African-American chairman in its history, it is sadly still the race-baiting commentators that dictate the agenda.

This week, Rush Limbaugh made a sickening comment in his attempt to interpret the words of Rev. Jackson, when he said that the “black frame of mind” is “terrible” and that “Tiger Woods choice of women sure didn’t help it.” When three Republican U.S. Senators and half a dozen evangelical preachers do it, why isn’t he saying it depresses the white race? Limbaugh’s bringing in Tiger’s infidelity as if it’s related to black culture goes back to an old and deeply evil racist connection of black men and sexual promiscuity. To use the image of the black man as the sexual predator is the oldest form of race baiting, dating back to Emmit Till and before that, the slaves on the plantation. Moreover, Rush is using Tiger as an Obama surrogate, using Tiger as a way to say that these men cannot be trusted. Rush knows exactly what he is doing by being the first to link the plight of the black man to the sorrows of Tiger Woods.

It was only a matter of time, before the new face of the Republican Party resorted back to their old tricks. And if you keep these type of games going, we will get another four years to pass our progressive agenda, because the majority of Americans, including Republicans, are tired of it. If you think, for one minute, that the real “new” face of the Republican party, the new emerging young conservative voice, want Dick Cheney or Sarah Palin or Rush Limbaugh as their leader, you are foolishly mistaken. Young people are tired of blue and red America…they want purple America. Young people are tired of the divisive name calling, they want to work together to solve the nation’s problems. Young people are tired of fighting two wars, they want peace. So, Mr. Limbaugh and your cronies, you can continue to spew your hate all you want, because this type of racism and pain will only work for so long.

We will build a new America, together. We will build a post-racial America, together. We will build a nation that will no longer tolerate racism, new or old, together.

-Russell Simmons, Huffington Post

Readers: I wasn’t going to add anything here but speaking of Tiger Woods, got my mind going. What I want to add has nothing to do with racism, but everything to do with Tiger. I haven’t said anything on the subject, as I am just so disgusted with his behavior and all of the press that it is generating. However because he was part of today’s article I just have to give my two on the subject of Tiger and his infidelities.

First of all, how many mistresses are we up to now? Ten?..eleven? At this point who’s counting? My concern is that at least two of Tiger’s mistresses have reported having sex with him, sans a condom. I just have to ask, “What the hell were you doing Tiger, having sex without a condom? Do you care so little about your wife and family that you would risk getting an STD or worse Aids, because of your selfish irresponsible behavior?”

It is one thing to cheat, but another to do it without protection. Does the thought, “If this woman is going to have sex with me without a condom, she must be having sex with other men without a condom too”, come to mind? Uh yeah! Get a clue – put one on. Don’t you realize that by not using a condom, you’re basically having sex with every person that your mistress has been having sex with unprotected?

No doubt in my mind, Tiger is a walking time bomb. Who knows what kind of diseases he has and is passing around. Hey…it’s simple math: One bad experience of unprotected sex is all you need. All it takes is one time to get infected. One. And Tiger has had lots of unprotected sex over the period of his affairs, with not just one mistress but with two.

Elin, you are making the right decision by getting out of this marriage. His behavior and the company he has been keeping, shows he has no respect for you. The lack of protection via a condom, shows that all he cared about was himself feeling good at the moment, and showing that he has little care or love for you. If he did he would’ve said, “No glove, no love” and donned a condom. Simple as that.

No man who truly loves his wife would ever jeopardize her life. Tiger’s actions speak louder than any words he has ever whispered in your ear. No amount of therapy is going to change the man he really is. And your life is not worth losing over this loser, if it isn’t lost already. I hope for you it isn’t. This man is way too risky, and I would not trust for a moment that he won’t be irresponsible again. I’ll say it one more time: “Elin, get out of this marriage.”

Readers: Am I being too harsh on Tiger? I don’t think so. Have anything to say about Simmon’s article? Blog me.

Oh….FYI: I am out town for 5 days with a dear friend who is need of my support, and we have a very demanding schedule. My communication will be quite limited even more so until Thursday. Thanks for your understanding.

Anna: Yes, of course it would be okay with me, and I would be happy to forward to Zen Lill. Thank you for thinking of me! Hafa Adai.

Al: Let us know how you do in the game. Maybe you will have better results in the game than the meetings sadly in Copehagen did.

Zen Lill: Have fun at your parties and good luck with selling your line!

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the ‘Donate’ button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my ‘Donate’ page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

or click here: “A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2009

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Posted in Good Reads and Good See'ds, Political Powwow, Style | 3 Comments »