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Soul Searching
Tuesday October 3, 2006
This message has been removed by the author.
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Sunday September 24, 2006
I will post an article on Net Neutrality once a week. The links from my
first post are to voice your disagreement, if that is the case, so we
don't wake up one day and read about it in the newspapers!
Net Neutrality: This is serious
Submitted by timbl on Wed, 2006-06-21 16:35. :: Public Policy and the Web
When I invented the Web, I didn't have to ask anyone's
permission. Now, hundreds of millions of people are using it freely. I
am worried that that is going to end in the USA. I blogged on net
neutrality before, and so did a lot of other people. (see e.g. Danny
Weitzner, SaveTheInternet.com, etc.) Since then, some
telecommunications companies spent a lot of money on public relations
and TV ads, and the US House seems to have wavered from the path of
preserving net neutrality.
There has been some misinformation spread about. So here are some
clarifications. Net neutrality is this: If
I pay to connect to the Net with a certain quality of service, and you
pay to connect with that or greater quality of service, then we can
communicate at that level. That's all. Its up to the ISPs to make sure
they interoperate so that that happens.
Net Neutrality is NOT asking for the internet for free. Net
Neutrality is NOT saying that one shouldn't pay more money for high
quality of service. We always have, and we always will. There have been
suggestions that we don't need legislation because we haven't had it.
These are nonsense, because in fact we have had net neutrality in the
past -- it is only recently that real explicit threats have occurred.
Control of information is hugely powerful. In the US, the threat is
that companies control what I can access for commercial reasons.
(In China, control is by the government for political reasons.) There
is a very strong short-term incentive for a company to grab control of
TV distribution over the Internet even though it is against the
long-term interests of the industry. Yes, regulation to keep the
Internet open is regulation. And mostly, the Internet thrives on lack
of regulation. But some basic values have to be preserved. For example,
the market system depends on the rule that you can't photocopy money.
Democracy depends on freedom of speech. Freedom of connection,
with any application, to any party, is the fundamental social basis of
the Internet, and, now, the society based on it. Let's see whether the
United States is capable as acting according to its important values,
or whether it is, as so many people are saying, run by the misguided
short-term interested of large corporations.
I
hope that Congress can protect net neutrality, so I can continue to
innovate
in the internet space. I want to see the explosion of
innovations happening out there on the Web, so diverse and so exciting,
continue unabated.
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Saturday September 23, 2006
This morning I will light a candle, a very unique, special candle for some very unique and special people here on Blogstream.
This particular candle was given to me as a gift and I have been waiting for a special ocassion to light it.
The occasion has arisen.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
There are many who need our thoughts, positive energy and prayers.
Renegade started a new Blog entitled,"Circle of Light" to compliment my
Blog, "Safe Haven" and we are working together on this as we both care
very much for those in need, those who are struggling...those in pain.
Circle of Light is a place for one to go when in need of spiritual strength/prayers/hope!
There
is strength in numbers and there are some beautiful "numbers" on this
Stream! Stop by and see who is in need of prayer/positive thoughts/
soul energy...kindness!
Let them know you are thinking about them and know I keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers daily!
Thanks again Ren for "Circle of Light!"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It is a Wood Wick candle and sounds just like a crackling fire. It
holds very special meaning to me, as do the ones on Blogstream I have
become very fond of.
The manufacturer of the candle is "Yankee Candle" and I thought of ^BELLE^ right away and her darling husband!
I thought of "her" recent discovery and the truths she uncovered while on a long journey that has held a lot of pain.
And although her determination has brought her to a crossroads, please
continue to support her while bravely walking her "new path." She has
just made a huge first step in confronting what has been a life long
crises for her.
A Solitary Candle
You can almost capture the fragrance of these beautiful flowers and even taste the fruit!
Our "Circle of Light" Will Shine
Brightly on our "Safe Haven"
While
visiting other blogs and sharing in the everyday joys that one will
write, stop for a moment, a moment of your time, to visit with those
who need our support right now, more than ever.
There are a lot of beautiful, loving and compassionate people on this "Stream".....
Reach out a hand and watch as the Love you share comes back to you in abundance!
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Thursday September 21, 2006
This project, as some of you know, was "supposed" to be completed by August 1st!!!
So, these are my "so-far" pictures, but show how it is shaping up!
The "2" corners of the deck are five feet and the corners graduate to eight deep.
When
I designed the pool and decking, I chose the swirl effect on the
length. It came out really nice. That, I'm happy with!
In the center of this, the large section of the deck, which is 15ft
wide and the length of the deck, which is 75ft, is where my Zen
Waterfall is going. Thanks to some great ideas I got from one of my
blogstream buddies, AKUAKATHLEEN from "Looking Behind Gets You Ahead."
Thanks Kat!!
On the right, it looks like Sir Edgar Allan's "butt." He's the only one that has "pool priviledges."
So, what is left is the Cabana which is going to be built next week.
Outside the pool area there will be a deck for the grill and table and
chairs and ...maybe....even some people!!!
The Cabana will hold my whicker set, table and 4 chairs, a ceiling fan
with a light, my frig and a couple of whicker cabinets.
I look forward to it being self-contained as now, being as far
from the house as it is, I'm getting just a little more exercise than I
am used to!!!!
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Sunday September 17, 2006
First, I know this is a long post but I feel it can only benefit anyone reading it.
This is a problem that is NOT going away and needs to be addressed, not just by some...but by everyone!!!
Today
I received a phone call from one of the Mom's in a Grief Group I've
attended. She's having a difficult time, as is her husband and her
children. Her son committed suicide 2 years ago. Briefly, her story...
She
came home from work and went into her son's room as he was usually in
front of the TV and when she didn't see him, she went to the bathroom
and the door was closed. She knocked repeatedly and no answer. It was
locked. She called her husband and he forced open the door to find him
hanging inside of the shower. He had been dead for awhile.
The
guilt that both her and her husband feel is overwhelming and it's
normal when someone you love commits suicide because you always wonder
why you didn't see the signs, if one even knows what to look for
especially in a teenager as their behavior is unlike that of anyother
age group and they go through so many changes in a short amount of
time, but nevertheless, the guilt is always there.
They
both worry about the other kids they have as they have been in therapy
and one is not coping well at all and just wants the pain to stop. So,
we talked for quite awhile and she is going to take extra precautions
as she is exhibiting signs of wanting to "bail out."
She
called me as I have experienced the "wanting" to "bail out" but of
course never acted on it. She knew I would not judge her or preach the
all too famous and stale words,"Things will get better or don't think
like that." (Although these words and others are used by those who
truly care and they are well intentioned, they just do not help someone
who is wanting the pain to stop. And the reason it is so very important
to be well informed as how to properly help someone contemplating
suicide, as everyone has not "been there.")
These words do not apply to someone who is in such deep
pain and can't see past the next moment.
There is different help for different people. But, the one basic need
that will always exist is just..."Being There and Caring" as they feel
they have no reason to continue on in the state they are in.
The
reason I am posting this tonight is remembering all of the parents who
I spoke to at various meetings who did NOT see any signs OR did NOT
know WHAT SIGNS to look for.
So, I hope in a way to enlighten anyone who either has teens going
through a difficult time or even friends who need help and maybe there
is a way for you to guide them to get it, because when contemplating
suicide there is little to NO motivation to seek out help as all they
really want (and it's NOT to die) is for the PAIN to stop.
With the Holiday's fast approaching it may benefit someone to read what
has been researched and well, I might add, on the signs to look for in
teens and adults alike.
Warning Signs
When the page comes up click on the left with titles. There are many more to research also!
A lot of Free Information Available on Suicide
There
are many links that will explain how important it is to watch for these
Warning Signs, including articles on Teen Depression.
One major fact regarding Suicide:
In the past 25 years, while the general incidence of suicide has decreased, the rate for those between 15-24 has TRIPLED!!
It
is generally considered to be the second or third most common cause of
death among adolescents, even though it is seriously underreported.
These facts are also substantiated by the CDC.
Some sites on suicide claim these numbers are higher, again mostly due to the fact that they are not reported.
Letter To Anyone Considering Suicide From A Dad Who Lost His Son
I strongly suggest that every parent take a few minutes to read this.
It may save you a lifetime of pain.
"Written by Tony Salvatore in Memory of Paul A. Salvatore, 1968-96."
National Suicide Hotline
1-800-SUICIDE
1-800-784-2433
National Hope Line
KNOW I CARE...Solid
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Have you checked out the
new Blogstream site,
Question Stream.com?
Many Blogstream members are there
already! Quotes from members: "It's like blog lite!" -- "I like the instant
gratification!" -- "Stop spectating, get in the game!"
If you have not joined in, you are really missing out!
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