‘Just Noticing’: Observations Of A Blogger
Posted by Michelle Moquin on May 16th, 2010
Good morning. I’m going to be brief this morning. ‘Just noticing’ that our refrigerator is empty and I need to go shopping. First stop is the Farmer’s Market, and then off to Walgreens for some daily necessities. Just in case anyone’s interested, here’s my shopping list. Am I missing anything?
Readers: Don’t you just love it? I found this on the Huff Po:
Here we have what seems to be a standard grocery list that was found in a Seattle parking lot: mac and cheese, flour, dildos (double-headed of course). Wha??? We really hope Walter’s aware of this list and the products he’s apparently in dire need of. Because if he doesn’t, he’s got an interesting afternoon in front of him. (via reddit)
‘Just noticing’…Not judging. Have a great Sunday – whatever is on your ‘shopping’ list!
*************
Arthur: Thanks for your persistency – it was worth it yes? Not to take away from the seriousness of your article, but I can’t help think that maybe a little less testosterone in this world could be a good thing especially in countries where women are raped and abused daily. Some men could use a dose of statins, and some debilitating muscle pain. The pain would be nothing compared to the suffering and abuse some men inflict daily on women.
In regards to you: Stick to your guns – you know know your body best. I wish you good health.
Demi: Thanks for the reminder.
Peace out…
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my ‘loyal’(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
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May 16th, 2010 at 11:28 am
LOL
Loved it Michelle. You made my day.
May 16th, 2010 at 11:41 am
3-SECOND ENERGY BOOST
Yawning is something we mostly stifle — after all, it’s embarrassing to yawn in the face of another as if to announce that you didn’t get enough sleep or, worse, that you’re bored.
That’s a shame — because researchers have discovered that the humble yawn is a major contributor to mental alertness… keeps our brains properly cooled (literally)… and helps us to shift from one activity to another, even to adjust from one time zone to another.
They recommend using yawning consciously as a tool to make life better. For example, yawn soon after awakening to rev up your brain for the day or at night to help calm yourself and promote sleep.
THE SCIENCE OF THE YAWN
Most people believe that we yawn to bring oxygen from the air into the body, but that’s wrong, says psychotherapist Patt Lind-Kyle, MA, the author of Heal Your Mind, Rewire Your Brain.
She calls yawning an “exercise for the brain” based on the growing number of studies that have found that it facilitates mental efficiency.
Yawning does its magic by literally forcing extra blood directly to the brain.
When you yawn, your facial muscles broadly contract and then relax, and this action pushes oxygen-rich blood into the brain’s prefrontal cortex, the location of the “executive function” that covers planning, organization, decision-making, personality expression and many other crucial activities.
The yawn also sends blood to stimulate an area called the precuneus, which is involved in consciousness along with memory and motor coordination.
As far as serving to cool the brain, a 2007 study at State University of New York-Albany found that performing difficult mental tasks, such as processing lots of information, actually increases brain temperature.
Though we’re all familiar with the way ongoing mental labor can trigger yawning, it’s not because it is tiring. Again, the yawn sends blood to the brain to curtail its rising temperature, which is how it helps to maintain mental efficiency.
Interestingly, both yawning and body thermoregulation seem to be controlled by the same area of the brain, the hypothalamus.
PUTTING YOUR YAWNS TO WORK
Okay, so now we know that yawning can increase our efficiency in a number of areas… how can we take better advantage of this?
Just decide to yawn and then do it — and I mean do a real face-stretcher! I’ll tell you how in a moment, but first here are some situations in which Lind-Kyle suggests adding a yawn…
To stimulate better thinking. When you are preparing for an exam, a presentation or an important conversation, you can enhance your performance by yawning several times first. During an exam, don’t be shy about yawning when you find yourself losing focus or starting to stumble in your thoughts — it will help.
To reduce jet lag and reset energy levels. At 20 weeks gestation, fetuses start to develop a wake/sleep pattern and as part of the process, they yawn… a lot. Lind-Kyle says that we can consciously use yawning to help reset our wake/sleep patterns, including when suffering jet lag. To start, yawn five times or so as soon as you get off the airplane. When you’ve experienced how well this refreshes you, Lind-Kyle says you may soon begin to do it intuitively — you’ll find yourself yawning whenever you feel yourself starting to drag. She says that yawning can be used in this manner to help you acclimate to high altitudes and to reset your energy level as you switch from one activity to another, such as from sleep to wakefulness.
To improve your mood… and, possibly even your relationships. Yawning is associated with increased levels of dopamine, the neurotransmitter released from the hypothalamus that is associated with pleasure, motivation and sociability. Lind-Kyle says that when two people yawn together, it can help diminish tension in the relationship… and fortunately, yawning is highly contagious, so it’s easy for both of you to get in on the act. If nothing else, a shared yawning session should make for a few ice-breaking laughs.
For relaxation. Curiously, although yawning serves to stimulate the brain, a deep yawn and wide stretch also relax the body. Lind-Kyle, who leads meditation classes, always starts with a healthy yawn, which she says gets people relaxed quickly. She said that bringing on a few deep yawns at bedtime may help you get to sleep.
HOW TO BRING ON A YAWN
We think of yawns as automatic, but it’s surprisingly easy to make yourself yawn…
Focus thoughts on yawning. Yawns are not only contagious from person to person — even thinking about a yawn can help trigger one, says Lind-Kyle. Close your eyes and picture a yawn, or say the word “yawn” repeatedly to encourage one.
Fake a yawn… or two… or three until a real one sets in. Lind-Kyle says she generally gets a real yawn after one or two fakes, but however long it takes, stick with it — it will happen.
Consciously slow your breathing. The decreased oxygen may help trigger a yawn — flaring your nostrils as you breathe in may make this happen faster.
And finally, the best yawn is one you fully experience, Lind-Kyle says. So go all the way — open your mouth wide, scrunch your face fully, and take a deep, full breath. Just be ready to explain yourself if you’re in company!
Source(s):
Patt Lind-Kyle, MA, psychotherapist based in Nevada City, California, and author of Heal Your Mind, Rewire Your Brain (Energy Psychology Press).
May 16th, 2010 at 11:58 am
I say we round up the wets and ship the back to Mexico. As for losing the latino vote. We only need 40% of their vote to win the white house as long as we get 55% of the white vote and that is a given.
I truly believe that there are 40% of wets out there who want to be white bad enough to vote for the republican party come 2012.
So I say Arizona should pass the toughest laws they can think up to target the wets. I look forward to other states following suit.
We republicans should back them at every turn. The dems will alienate the white vote if they go against this drive by good white Americans to take back our country.
Clarence
May 16th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Peter
Even the captain of police is suggesting to the Chief to resign.
————————————
Police Captain Calls For GPD Chief Suba To Step Down
Last Updated on Monday, 17 May 2010 11:14
Written by Kevin Kerrigan
Monday, 17 May 2010 11:09
Guam – Guam News
Guam – A letter released to the media from Guam Police Captian E. Bordallo Jr. calls for the resignation of his own Chief, Paul Suba.
The letter is reprinted below in its entirety:
To: Chief of Police
From: Fred E. Bordallo Jr.
Captain
Subject: Letter of Appreciation
Refs: Service to the Guam Police Department.
Chief, I want you to know that during the past week I know it has been a very stressful for you and your family, because of the recent controversy surrounding the incident at KUAM, studios Harmon, and the unauthorized release of confidential information to the media that sparked the beginning of negative publicity involving the Guam Police Department Police Trainee John Edwards. Today Monday May 17, 2010 I believe there is uncertainty as to what may lay ahead with pending litigation our department faces. In addition, there is an uncertainty as to the decision that would be made of your status as the Chief of Police Guam Police Department.
My intention of sharing this Letter of Appreciation with the media and the public is to raise awareness for all, that despite the criticism you have received from me during your confirmation hearings at the Guam Legislature, you have sought to rectify the issues I had concerned with during that period.
There have been persons whom I will not identify have asked me what I would do if placed in the same situation you face with the current controversy. My answer was that rather than be possibly relieved of duty, a euphemism for being fired which would be a disappointment, if I had over thirty years of service to the Guam Police Department I would submit the necessary documents for retirement, leaving the department honorably.
There is great respect for Retired Police Commander Joaquin G. Reyes, whom despite the controversy surrounding his departure from the Guam Police Department performed professionally and accomplished many task for the Guam Police Department.
In this respect you have certainly accomplished many things for the Guam Police Department, and for this I am hoping that the decision you make takes into consideration the impact of the confidence the public has with the Guam Police Department under your leadership.
Some people may not be aware that you have a business card that cites the following “There is no creativity in negativity” from the biblical passage 1 John 5:4
While it is admirable that you ascribed to encouraging among the employees of the Guam Police Department to be optimistic, and remain positive, with the current situation that exist, and has resulted with what I recognize as a circling of the wagons and defending your leadership, I believe that the cost associated with your defense against the criticism by the media, certain members of the Guam Legislature, and the Lt. Governor is not worth it.
I believe that it is time to reach out and salvage our department’s relations with the news media, because we need positive relations with the media for effective community relations. I believe that there needs to be a healing process with the media, and that can only happen, with a change of leadership with the Guam Police Department. I believe, that the Guam Legislature, and the current Administration want to be assured that the Guam Police Department maintains high standards and has the confidence of the public.
With all attention on the uncertainty of your status, I believe it directly affects the morale of the men and women of the Guam Police Department and this is a cost, I believe you and I can’t ignore.
The legacy you leave behind for this department and what is remembered by the years of your helm as the Guam Police Department’s Chief of Police will be depended on your awareness of the situation confronting you, and the actions you take today.
Sincerely,
Fred E. Bordallo Jr.
Captain
Guam Police Department
———————————-
Now that’s getting action.
Hafa adai
Nana
May 16th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Subject: Take two aspirin…
Every year, English teachers from across the country can submit their collections of actual analogies and metaphors found in high school essays.
These excerpts are published each year for their amusement.
Here are last year’s winners…
18. Even in his last years, Granddad had a mind like a steel trap, only one that had been left out so long, it had rusted shut.
May 16th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
That was hilarious. Is that list for real?
May 16th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Where’s the seriously trashy lingerie and spiky cfm’s?!