Monthly Archives: January 2013

Laughter Clubs

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Aging & Attitude

Laughter Club

In the dark, the digital clock with extra-large numbers taunts me with the time, 1:54AM.

I typically wake at this hour and according to Roger Ekirch, it is not that I cannot sleep, simply the end of the “first sleep”. Time to get up and check for comments on my blog post.

A faithful reader has written, “I miss your humorous side.”

No kidding, I am currently writing about Smart Thermostats and worrying about water waste.

I miss my humor too and thinking of joining a Laughter Club.

What is a Laughter Club?

They are fully independent, not-for-profit, non-political, non-religious and non-competitive community-based associations of diverse people who choose to be happy. In other words, Baby Boomers who believe laughing about nothing can ward off aging.

In the sixties, students were sent to detention.  Now these “Breakfast Club Scoundrels” have convinced others to join them in acting and looking ridiculous, claiming 100 chuckles is equal to a ten minute cardiovascular workout.

I read about Laughter Clubs in “Health, Fitness and More”. Linda Marlow a certified Laughter Leader was interviewed about  laughter workshops. The back of her red T-shirt reads, “Laugh Til it Helps” and to call 1-800-Now-Laff, for help.

A list of 25 yoga exercises that included, Air Kiss and Ear-wiggle Laughter Greetings can be found on-line. Intrigued I played the YouTube video, however I needed to rewind the tape several times to decipher the instructor’s plea to “Imagine your feet have roots” and there was no laughter only deep breathing.

There are other ways to benefit from a Laughter Club without leaving your home.

  • The  Phone Laughter Club
  • Electric Shock Laughter
  • Laughter Finger Racing

Phone laughter is free. Electric Shock Laughter is touted as the easy way, but no, I did not ask for details. You can finger race on your own and not only laugh but improve your brain function, a  BOGO.

However, a Smart Thermostat can save you up to $200 a year.

… just saying

P.S. Thank you, Marsha.

Is Lying A Crime?

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“Not only did I lie about lying, but I lied about lying about lying. And you’d better believe that’s the truth. 
”
― Jarod Kintz

By a lie, a man…annihilates his dignity as a man.
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Aging & Attitude

There is a conversation going on in my head, not a monologue – talking to yourself.

It is a dialogue. Something like this:

“Is it a crime to lie?”

“Depends. If you’re asked, ‘Does this dress make me look fat?’ It would be a death sentence or life without parole, and just stupid, to say anything but no.”

“So, a white lie, something small and insignificant is okay? Not like Lance Armstrong, Casey Anthony or that woman in Phoenix, Arizona, well she lied but decided to tell the truth, not really the truth, a different lie about the truth.”

“Lying under oath, perjury, is a crime, however Anthony worked briefly for a company that worked for Universal Studios and wasn’t being investigated when she lied. Armstrong told Oprah he didn’t believe he was cheating or committing a crime and considered doping necessary to level the playing field and lying was the right choice.”

“So it’s okay to lie.”

“Well, kind of, the Supreme Court recently ruled on the subject of lying ­­­­­­– Xavier Alvarez sued saying it was a violation of American’s First Amendment, our freedom of speech for him not to be able to say he was a Medal of Honor recipient. He won.

“Lying to the public was a crime, look at Nixon and Watergate”

“Clinton, too – they were presidents, held to a higher standard.”

“Although it’s a lie, Xavier Alvarez can say he won a Medal of Honor, but Casey Anthony can’t say she worked at Universal Studies during an investigation, if she was read her rights.”

“What about Manti Te’o, can he lie about having a girlfriend.

“Well Manti Te’o wasn’t lying, he didn’t know the truth.” 220px-Lars_real_girl

“But had he known the truth it would be his First Amendment right to lie. Remember that indie movie, “Lars and the Real Girl”.

“Blame Voltaire, he said, “I may not agree with what you say, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it.”

“I thought that meant the individual’s right to express an opinion and question others. Voltaire didn’t say I will defend your right to lie.”

“The actual quote is, ‘We have a natural right to make use of our pens as of our tongue, at our peril, risk and hazard‘. ~Voltaire, Dictionnaire Philosophique, 1764- consequences were included.”

It may be a  First Amendment right to lie, but it is still wrong.
…. just saying

Eating Moose

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                                                    Aging & Attitude

Eating Moose


Miss Eva giggles, when her mom, Sasha Martin, announces they will be eating moose. The little girl’s flirtatious glance causes Sasha to clarify and add, banana mouse. This week the country is Sao Tome and Principe, and the menu Sweet Potato Frittata, Cod Fish Feijoada and Banana Mouse with Chocolate Shavings. Miss Eva started eating  international cuisine as a toddler, has a sophisticated palate and would not be surprised if moose were on the menu.

Do you dream of world travel? Not Sasha Martin, she turns dreams into travel around the world without leaving Tulsa, Oklahoma. I discovered Sasha and Global Table Adventure listening to NPR. Global Table Adventure, a way to experience the world, educate her daughter and take her picky husband with her, is her brainchild.

Tag lines reveal the mission and nature of her character.

Imagine if it were possible to create peace one bite at a time.

Let’s eat out way around the world.

Cooking the world A-Z

Catchy phrases like “stove top travel” and “I’m giving you the recipes, facts and reviews,” lure you to culinary delights. With eyes closed you can experience being there.

Sasha is focused, and organized; the website user-friendly and the pictures fabulous.

A student of the Culinary Institute of America she tackles a list of 195 countries alphabetically. If only I had discovered the adventure sooner,  she has explored 151 countries.

Travel Tuesday, tells about the country and culture, Menu Wednesday reveals what to cook, Thursday shows techniques and Fun Friday includes tidbits and polls. Saturday the family cooks and dines and the following Monday is meal review with photos and occasional video.

There is an Interactive Map, Adventure Status, and Global Gift Guide of twenty items with links to the manufacturers if you like to buy. Everything from Fred M Matroyshkas dry measuring cups, to Buddy Trainer Chopsticks, a set of two for $5.99.

The journey is real and sincere.

Proverbs are included this year, and Sasha tells of a recent visit with a friend  to share the wisdom.

“If I am a prince and you are a prince, then who will lead the donkeys?” – Saudi Proverb

Sasha captures their conversation by concluding; “May we all let our hair be wild.”

I agree.

  … just saying

Why Are We Here?

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Rain in a Glass

“Freshly Squeezed” – London, England – Sarah Ann Wright – Featured Photographer

Aging & Attitude

   Why are we here? I ponder aloud, to which Mr. Wonderful retorts, “Because we are,” and leaves the room to watch the Rose Bowl. I am thinking more Palm Coast. Why are we living in Palm Coast, Florida, when our son and his family live in Albuquerque and our daughter in New York City.

His answer, “Because we are,” triggers a philosophical thought that fails to make a connection, perhaps it is Kierkegaard? It cannot be Descartes, “the Father of Modern Philosophy,” must be someone more obscure.

Descartes’s statement, “Cogito, ergo sum;” “I think, therefore I am.” rings in my head. He advocated dualism, the mind’s power over body and strength; defined as overcoming human weakness by relying on the infinite power of the human mind. Which leads me to Deepak Chopera and belief in mind/body spiritual healing or the concept that thought effectives body. Include Andrew Weil with these men.

How did I get so far away from where I was headed? And John Boehner is somewhere in the middle. His philosophy regarding why we are here? Winning! We are here, to win.

Kim Kardashian believes, for sure, she is here to shop, while Hilary’s purpose is world peace.

Greek philosophers Socrates, Plato and Aristotle thought the meaning of life was found in the pursuit of knowledge and the path there, learning and questioning. Socrates partnered philosophy with politics and proclaimed politicians be the wisest of men and have good morals. Plato believed all humans duty bound to pursue good. His apprentice, Aristotle, went further striving not only to study virtue, but be virtuous.

Stoicism, Skepticism, and Epicureans, schools of thought derived from their teachings, offer paths to happiness. The Stoics by living in moderation and finding inner peace,”the world is what you make it”.  Skeptics by putting everything in the hands of the Gods, “Let go and let God” and Epicureans purport not wanting anything to avoid displeasure, similar to Taoism, or “just have fun.”

A search on-line reveals other zigzag pursuits.

   Greta Christina suggests we make the dilemma more general and include everything, “Why is anything here?” Decide first if you believe in God, then search for the answer.

   Existenz contemplates the same question, but follows a scientific path or “the Big Bang” theory” to discover the answer. He talks about the ninety-two types of naturally occurring atoms, the billions of different combinations and the forming chemical components that underlie everything living and non living, including the most complex, human beings. It is a mystery.

So why are we here? Because we sold our house and it is a three-minute walk to the ocean, or as Mr. Wonderful  proclaimed, because we are.

                                                                  ….just saying

*Mr Wonderful is my husband of forty-one years