Middle America's Worldview

It's been real nice to actually have a weekend off without the worry of going to work. My primary job still enters my mind, but it's the first full weekend in quite some time to not have to be somewhere for 10 + hours.

I was able to enjoy sleeping in till nearly 8 a.m., play with the kids, straighten the garage, move one of the kids furniture around in their bedrooms, enjoy some time with Kel's family, and that was only Saturday.

I know Kel is looking forward to being able to go to church with all of us (me included ) today.

I finished up reading Biblical Demonology: A Study of Spiritual Forces at Work Today. It is a fascinating read with detailed information.

I have started a new one entitled, The Believer's Guide to Spiritual Warfare: Wising Up to Satan's Influence in Your World. It also looks to be a good book.

I have also been attempting to learn some additional freebie programs. One is called VirtualDub. I am trying to get the best out of video making. I guess we will see where it goes. I have some ideas, but as you know putting those ideas into action, is another thing.

All in all, I have and continue to enjoy my first weekend off.

I should also mention (though not the least importance), Kel and I actually had a nice date Friday night. We went to see the movie Music and Lyrics.I thought it was cute. I really cannot recall the last movie Kel and I went to see. It's been that long.

I watched this vid yesterday and it really hits to the heart of the matter with America church today. The video is 24 minutes long, but well worth the time. The speaker does not babble around as many do, but keeps driving home the message.

A video well worth watching.

I had a brief moment at Walmart during my pepsi run today. I usually like to check out the electronics to see if anything came out on dvd's. I was checking out the new music cd's when I see a new cd put out by Ashley Tisdale.

Ashley Tisdale plays on "The Suite Life of Zach and Cody", on the Disney channel. I have seen it enough times with the kids to recognize the name. I wasn't aware of her putting a cd out. I knew she played in 'High School Musical'. Yes, we own both The Suite life and High School Musical dvd's.

Anyway, I kept looking at the picture on the cover, because it didn't look to be the same girl. I ran the cd under the barcode to listen to a piece of her song. It actually played a piece of a video of her singing. Let's just say.....It definitely didn't look like the same girl I am use to seeing on Suite Life.

Not being naive, I know sex sells. But, come on. She was born in 85 making her (counting fingers), wow 22? I didn't realize she was 22. Well, that explains it.

Ashley's official site

Tuesday was vote day for Pocola. A new school board term came up. There were only 2 candidates to choose from. I personally do not really know either one. I was (I guess should not be) surprised neither really campaigned. I only seen one (the one that that won the term) put a ad in Spiro paper, the other did nothing. Rather, I was told he did nothing. Neither called nor contacted me. Personally, I contacted the board members during my campaign.

It does sadden me candidacy puts so little effort in creating a platform of "why I want this responsibility", rather than lean on whoever is better known in town.

I called the Election Board today to get the final vote. 102-80. Not much of an outcome for the town either, if you consider there was nearly 4000 in population for the year 2000.source.

Oh well. We have a special board meeting this next Monday night. Looks like we will be bringing in the new guy.

I took a snapshot while I was at work today. Notice the arrows pointing to the security.



I am sure you see them at the front entrance, but they are also in the back doorways as well. Eventually they will be so sensitive, they will be able to auto-log the products going through the security scanners.

Check out RFID in Clothing and Anti RFID for some interesting reading regarding RFID.

Think of every product having an RFID that provides the necessary information to identify it. Then pass the products through the security sensors.

You see the greeters when you come into the Walmart. They normally say hello, ect.

However, if you happen to leave, you might have been one of the customers been stopped with the loud "We're sorry, there must have been a mistake....an associate will assist you momentarily". Then the greeter becomes the security agent. They check the bags ect. to determine what might still need to be scanned.

Yesterday, I came back from my route and had the unfortunate sight of one Walmart associate on either side of some girl, with a 3rd associate following. The poor girl was bawling and crying. She kept saying over and over "Please no. It was my first time." I am sure she was caught stealing. sigh.

With all the hype of illegal music download, especially in college campus, I thought this gem was interesting.

Ruckus makes free, legal music downloading available to all college students
Date: 01/07
Ruckus music announced this week that due to the overwhelming number of requests that they receive on a daily basis from students at universities not affiliated with Ruckus, that they will provide their free, legal music download service to all college students.

In a recent communication to OSHEAN members, Mairin Brzica, Director, Campus Sales for Ruckus Network said:

“While we do not want to turn all of these students away, it is important we make clear that our business will continue to be based on strong partnerships with universities. We will continue to sign on new schools - upcoming new partners include Texas Tech University, Oregon State, University of Illinois Chicago and many more - and as an affiliated partner your school will continue to receive several important benefits.”

Brzica continues, “First, our video library, which will soon be available with an expanded offering, will only be available to students at your school and other affiliated schools. In addition, the cache server at OSHEAN that provides media locally across your campus network will provide you with significant bandwidth savings and much faster download speeds. Students will have a far better overall experience. “

Get more information

Ruckus Music Service Subscription Levels at OSHEAN Partner Schools

It continues to amaze me how the week flies. It's already the 9th of February. I am up once again before 5 a.m. At least today, I have a foreknowledge of when my day will end. Yesterday lasted longer than expected.

I have another school board meeting next Monday night. Looks like a large agenda. Most shouldn't take long though. Seems whomever wrote it, still did not get it down correctly. Sigh.

In some way, I am looking forward to this weekend and next being my last Pepsi weekends. I look forward to sleeping in till 8 a.m. for at least one morning.

Not much to comment. Just work, school, more work this week.

This week sure did fly by. Not that all do anymore.

I will run to grab my Pepsi check today. We all stayed home yesterday due to the weather and we simply didn't want to travel.

Last night, I worked with the kids to catalog all their dvd's and movies. I had them open every one of them to ensure a) a dvd was in the case and b) the right one was in there.

We did nearly all the tapes as well. I need to finish up some remaining in brae's room.

Unbelievably, we logged nearly 260 dvd's and over 70 tapes. I wanted to do this for some time, but never got around too it. This will now allow us to know exactly what we have and which remaining tapes (those that we really want) we need in DVD format.

We will catalog the games today.

Speaking with Kel the other day, we decided on my last day to work at Pepsi. It has been troubling me more than usual lately. I will be giving them my resignation today.
Yes, I will actually miss it. I really enjoyed working on the weekends. However, with additional activities coming up and my realization the kids will not be getting any younger, I know I need to spend more time at home with the family.

One thing is for sure. I still intend to utilize my time on the weekends with the kids and projects.

I will have to be checking this book out and look forward to seeing the dvd.

Daryl Hannah, Sex Slaves & the New Global Sex Trade


Every year, an estimated 14,000 girls are smuggled into the United States from Eastern Europe and Asia and forced into secret sex slave rings. Actress Daryl Hannah, who recently revealed her own near-miss with a sex-slave ring, is now hoping her experience may help spotlight an issue that is long over-due to get American and worldwide attention.

Daryl Hannah

Actress Daryl Hannah is hoping to bring awareness to the devastating effects of global sex trafficking going on around the world -- after revealing her own near-miss with a sex slave ring.

Hannah, now 46, revealed that in the late 1970s she was offered a chance to model for an album cover in Las Vegas. However, she soon realized the offer was actually a scam to force her into a sex slave ring. Upon the realization, she and another girl were able to escape from a window and get back to Los Angeles unharmed -- however, thousands of other girls are not so lucky.

Hannah is hoping to bring awareness to this issue through a low-budget film that's in the works. The former "Splash" actress will be going undercover with hidden microphones and cameras to document what's really going on in brothels around the world.

"The more I learn, the more I am moved to take action," Hannah said.

"The Natashas" Reveals the Shocking, Dark Reality of Global Sex Trade Rings

In all, an estimated 1 million young women are sold worldwide for sex every year. In the Middle East, the women are known as "Natashas" (regardless of what country they came from), and they're the subject of an eye-opening and highly recommended exposé, "The Natashas: The New Global Sex Trade," by Canadian investigative journalist Victor Malarek.

The book reveals that girls as young as 10 are sold into this "21st century slavery," and forced to work in brothels, massage parlors, strip clubs and in apartments as private sex slaves in just about every corner of the world, including Europe, Asia, the Middle East, the United States and Canada.
Malarek reveals how women are smuggled into various countries under false pretenses, only to be beaten into submission, raped repeatedly and sometimes murdered.

A Necessary, Yet Shocking, Wake Up Call

The Natashas: The New Global Sex Trade

"The Natashas: The New Global Sex Trade" is an eye-opening investigation that reveals the uncensored truth about the fates of over 1 million women and children sold into secret sex rings every year. Truly a riveting and important book worth your time!

"They think they're going to be waitresses, nannies, work in a hotel, that kind of thing. Then they get busted and broken," said Malarek. "Once women are beaten into submission, they never question their pimps after that. They do as he says or he will kill them, and the other girls see it."

A $12-Billion Industry, Supported by Officials

Sex trafficking, though hardly ever talked about, is the third most profitable black-market commodity.

"This is a $12-billion-U.S.-a-year industry, and it represents the world's third largest criminal money-making venture behind drugs and weapons," Malarek says.

While the women receive nothing (and are lucky to even get food), the gangs behind the sex rings earn huge profits, selling women for $500 to $10,000 (and the pimps that buy them easily make back the money, Malarek says).

Adding to the already desperate scenario, the people who are supposed to be rescuing the women are often in on the scam. In some countries, Malarek says, "the largest number of users of these trafficked girls, these slaves, are United Nations peacekeepers, international aid workers and international police officers, who come to bring freedom and democracy."

"You had people being arrested for war crimes, including on charges of rape, and then in comes this international group which is essentially doing the same thing, but calling it R-and-R -- rest and relaxation. That's the irony," he says.

Malarek has uncovered many of the scandals reported in "The Natashas" first-hand, by visiting countries from Bosnia to Isreal to the Ukraine. Though what you will read is shocking, "The Natashas: The New Global Sex Trade," is an indispensable cry for help from women and children forced into sex rings, and represents a major call to action for people worldwide.

Overview

Money can put us in bondage. God wants to free us from this bondage and help us put money in its proper place by considering it his rather than ours. This six-session course will challenge the way you see money.

Session One

Money Belongs to God
Only by recognizing where money comes from can we be free of its power.
Psalm 24:1; Mark 4:14�21; 10:17�31; 1 Corinthians 4:7

God wants to help us get rid of the word mine when it comes to money. We need to think of our money not as ours, but rather as what it truly is: his.

Session Two

Money Traps Us into Wanting More
Instead of satisfying, money makes us hungrier.
Mark 10:17�22; Colossians 1:9�13; Hebrews 13:5

The strange thing about accumulating money is that it makes us want more. Only God can reorient this natural tendency.

Session Three

Money Lulls Us into Thinking We Have Power
Money isn�t just money; it is power, but its power can go either way.
Proverbs 30:8; Luke 16:1�15; 1 Timothy 6:17�19; Ecclesiastes 5:10�15

Money has the power to hurt and corrupt, or the power to heal and help. It also has the power to consume.

Session Four

Money Fails to Buy Happiness
True pleasure comes from contentment rather than from wanting more.
Matthew 6:25�34; Philippians 4:10�13; 1 Timothy 6:6�10

Even if we don�t admit it to ourselves, we think that money can bring us happiness. We want to make more money so we can buy more stuff and go more places. But money rarely brings us long-lasting pleasure.

Session Five

Money Convinces Us It Will Bring Us Prestige
Real prestige can only come from God.
Luke 12:16�21; 21:1�4; James 2:1�5

For many of us, how much we make, how much we have saved, or the kinds of things we own are indicators of what we�re worth. However, God infuses us with real prestige when we invest our money compassionately.

Session Six

Money Is to Be Used for God
Open your mind to the possibilities of using your money for God�s glory.
Isaiah 55:1�9; Acts 4:32�35; 1 Timothy 6:10�12

Money brings all sorts of impossibilities to our minds. But when we look in our wallets, God wants us to see possibilities: for making a difference, for contentment, and for freedom that we�ve never known before.

I came across this vid on YouTube describing things and people being chip. It's worth your 9 minutes to watch.

No, this isn't the mark of the beast. However, it definitely is a means to desensitize people in accepting it later on.

I came into town with no issues.

Saturday I spent it with the family. I had taken today off with Pepsi. I needed the rest and time with the kids and wife.

I took the kids to Spiro Mounds today. It was the only time I really could. They are closed any other time, I am off work.

I had planned on taking the video camera and doing a walkthrough with it. But I didn't. I was raining anyway, so we only hit the inside. Although, I haven't been there for years, I knew it was pretty small. It didn't take long to walk around.

I enjoyed the day with them, but it went way too fast.

Well, this is my official last day up here. I depart around 7 a.m. est tomorrow morning. I am sure I will be up by 2:30 or 3 a.m. in the morning ready to get out of here. I already have my stuff pretty much packed. They call for snow today, so we will see how that goes. With any luck, no delays.

I have to provide a overview on a application today. Funny, I am not the senior analyst, and I am the only one presenting something while everyone is in town. I was told yesterday, I had sit one on one with the senior analyst to teach him this application. One of the big boys at Corporate would like to see how a senior analyst does on it (rolling eyes). People put too much stock in titles. Don't get me wrong. The guy is nice, but why do I have to hand hold the others to train them. I am finding many people are much to re-active as opposed to pro-active. I have been trying to sit with this group for 4 months already.

I ended up in bed around 11 last night. I did manage to work on some home videos last night. I also happened to watch the Scifi channel (Kel gasps in surprise). There was a really good movie about Vlad Dracul. I liked it anyway. I noticed this review gave it a C.

We will order in lunch today for the team. I ate the last of my salad last night. So I shall leave work today and hit TGIF's on my way to the hotel. I did pretty good while I was up here in my eating habits. It was also remarked to me yesterday, I looked like I lost weight. That made me feel good.

While I was up here, I only hit the mall once (probably will again tonight). I basically hit work and the hotel. Doesn't get any simplier than that.

I can tell why some people get wrapped up in their work. I see it up here, everytime I come. There are those individuals that have their work as their identity. Everything revolves around it. Their success or failure at the work force drives their value of themselves. When they put those same "unrealistic" goals upon others that do not share that same view, it gets complicated in working with them. Personally, my world is currently in Oklahoma. Being away from them (even for a short time) is a reminder of it. That, and re-watching the home videos is a stark reminder of how fast time truly does fly.

It's early Wednesday morning. Amazingly 2 days have already passed. One of my peers took me ( I actually drove having the rental ) over to Whole Foods Tuesday for lunch.
It's similar to Trader Joe's, but seems a little more expensive. The place was larger and had a big salad bar, sandwiches, wraps, ect. I had a Creole wrap that was good. I was able to find the dried stuff Kel likes. So I snagged them.

Yesterday, I had a talk with the boss lady. During our updates, I pointedly asked "So you mentioned wanting me to come up here more often. How often are we talking about?" You see, I normally come up here once a quarter per year. She replied, "Oh, you know a couple more times." I finally was able to try to pin point it down. Seems she would be glad to see me up here once every other month (6 times a year) if I could. IE not traveling elsewhere, ect. Not sure how that will effect my part-time job, having to leave every other month. But that wasn't suppose to be forever (Although, I was hoping for another year at least). I guess one thing, it will acquire us many more points on the credit card to get those restaurant gift cards. : )

Last night, I went by the mall. I was still good on the eating. I purchased a Cobb Salad at TGIF's and picked up the new Avatar dvd for the kids. I will probably watch it with them Friday night. I actually enjoy the storyline in it.

I crashed at 9 p.m est last night, not seeing the State of the Union. I picked up some melatonin at Whole Foods and made good use of them.

In case your wondering, yeah, I woke up at 5 a.m. this morning without an alarm. That's actually 4 a.m. my normal time zone.

1st day down, 3 to go.

I was still up and moving along this morning. It's 9:31 p.m. currently.

I was able to go to Trader Joes after I left work today. Below is my haul.

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Basically, a couple of salads, 3 soups, some chocolate covered goodies, dried fruit and some "spicy Soy & Flaxseed Tortilla Chips (not shown).

I worked on my new video for youtube. I also am currently watching the Atlantis special on the history channel.

During all this, I am also importing home dvd's onto the laptop to add some titles, ect and burn them back onto DVD's.

Now I am growing tired. The lack of sleep is catching up with me.

Sigh, last night was a bummer for the realm of sleep. I didn't get the bed till one a.m. eastern. Then around 3:30 a.m. some alarm went off in the hotel. I literally pulled the clock radio out of wall, thinking some knucklehead has preset it before me. I finally found a button on the wall to push to stop the siren. Then weird dreams kept me fitfully awake.

I am up and already showered. Perhaps today will go fast so I can get some sleep tonight.

Looking online this weekend, I see there is a Trader Joes' merely 5 miles away from Corporate. I will definitely be checking this out, perhaps this evening.

I made it to King of Prussia, PA with no issues. Fortunately, the roads were not bad up here. My departure time was 4:30 p.m. central time. I finally touched down (going through Memphis) 9:58 p.m. eastern. I then had to grab a car at National and drove up to King of Prussia from Philly.

So now it's 12:11 a.m. eastern and I am about to hit the bed.

I was actually scheduled off this last Friday. So, my week went quick (quicker than normal). We ran up to Tulsa to see the From Abraham to Jesus exhibit. I really enjoyed it. We even made it out of there without purchasing any items at the bizarre. You couldn't take any pics nor vids though. : (

At the end of the walkt hrough, they had a actual piece of the Dead Sea Scrolls. That was really cool. It was worth the money to go.

This morning I am warming up the van to go to Pepsi for the day. The so-call weathermen changed their minds 5 times last night and now decide it will only rain this weekend. Yeah, we really have gone far from sticking our wet fingers in the air.

Tomorrow, I will be flying out to Corporate. I am glad to not see the ice storm, everyone had feared. I need to get my things together for tomorrow's trip. At least I will be able to attend Church in the morning.

It's Tuesday, but my hump day. I am actually off Friday! Woo hoo.

Yesterday was a bust for me. I didn't get anything I wanted accomplished and it just flew by. Perhaps today will mesh better.

I have to fly out to PA next Sunday. I booked a evening flight. I return the following Friday. This way, I will have this Friday off with the family, most of Sunday (before I fly out) and return the following Friday, spending a bit more with them. I plan to work on my website, ect. when I am up there alone.

I also started another project with the home videos. I had to buy a S cable to hook up our mini-camcorder to our DVD/VHS recorder yesterday. So last night, I played with it and was able to push the tape onto a DVD. I went further in acquiring a software that converts VOB (dvd) files to AVI (plays on the computer). Since I have been playing with the free Window movie maker 2 software, it will allow me to now add titles, ect to those home videos. I plan to get all of them converted over, titled, ect. and then provide copies to the rest of the family this Christmas. I been wanting to do this for some time, but just didn't have the means nor time to do it before.

I will be taking those home DVD's with me to work on next weeks evenings.