So I started the Primal Diet and have already lost 3 pounds. I'm sure it's just water weight I'm losing at this point, but it's a start.
I have noticed that I'm much more hungry with this diet. I'm eating fruits and veggies all day long, and it's as if my body is processing it so fast that I stay constantly hungry. I'm sure I'll adjust.
Yesterday at work I completely forgot about being on my diet and did my normal routine. After I got in, I went straight to the breakroom and got a bagel. WITH cream cheese. Only later at lunch did I realize, "Hey! I'm not supposed to be eating bagels or cream cheese!" I experienced my normal afternoon dip in energy, too.
Today I stuck to it. And you know what? I didn't have that energy dip in the afternoon. I was actually pretty even energy-wise. All day.
Will all of this primal stuff reduce my cholesterol? I'm hoping. Even if it doesn't, I'm already seeing small gains just after 3 days. My neighbor said I looked better, too... my skin was "glowing" she said. :) Thanks, Michiko!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Young people worldwide having more unsafe sex - Health - Sexual health - msnbc.com
Young people worldwide having more unsafe sex - Health - Sexual health - msnbc.com
So here's a disturbing trend that I think needs some addressing. I have a 6yo daughter and a 2yo son, and I plan to equip them with as much knowledge as I possibly can when the subject of sex comes up. I'm not going to be one of those Bible-thumping Christians who bury their collective heads in the sand and ONLY preach abstinence. The truth is this: you can tell your child all you want that NOT having sex is the only way to be 100% sure he/she won't get pregnant or contract an STD. If they truly want to have sex, they will... despite the logic of abstinence.
You wanna know why I know? My mom did the same thing to me. I had sex anyway.
She flat out refused to answer any of my questions about sex when I was 9 years old. She said that I was too young to "know" any of "that." Guess what? By that age I'd already overheard "that" stuff on the school bus. So in my 9yo way I called bullshit. What did I get? I got sent to my room, that's what. I learned the rest of the biological details when we had sex ed in the 6th grade. I learned even more when I became a peer counselor in 10th grade. Where was my dad? Well, he was like most dads in the 70's and 80's. He thought moms should talk to daughters about all that stuff... while he had a talk with the boy. You know. Old school. However, he was much more willing to answer my questions than my mom was, and aside from feminine questions, I gleaned a lot from the knowledge he shared with me.
There are ways to broach the subject with young children without getting into the details. I think if you start with openness and honesty, that can't hurt. Don't tell your kiddos that the stork brought them home to you in a pink or blue blanket, and don't be afraid to own your own past indiscretions in the sex department, either. Sans the gory details, of course.
I plan to be honest with my kids. Yes, I had sex before I was married. Yes, I wish I had waited until I was older. Yes, sex is awesome. But I also plan to tell them about condom use, about how boys usually have one thing on their minds, how girls often equate sex with love, and about how self respect and self confidence will get them further than just about anything else. I also plan to tell them that oral and anal sex (these were not even discussed when I was in school!) are NOT healthy alternatives for teens despite what they'll hear from today's sex ed materials. In fact, by the time they DO hear it, I expect things to be even more different.
Will I deliver all of this sex info flawlessly and in an English accent? No. I won't. You know what? I'm okay with that. Will I be the FIRST one to tell them any of this? Probably not. Kids are hearing things earlier and earlier these days. That's scary. But I'm the parent. I am responsible for teaching them responsibility.
According to this article, young people just don't feel empowered enough. That needs to change. The more information people have, the better they'll be able to make informed decisions. If you give them all that info and they then decide to be STUPID, then that's on them.
I know I sound pretty preachy here, but it's really simple: you own it, Parents. Don't rely on public education to give your children the real deal on sex. You can still advocate abstinence, as I plan to do, but don't be so stupid to think that will be enough. Equip your children as much as you can.
So here's a disturbing trend that I think needs some addressing. I have a 6yo daughter and a 2yo son, and I plan to equip them with as much knowledge as I possibly can when the subject of sex comes up. I'm not going to be one of those Bible-thumping Christians who bury their collective heads in the sand and ONLY preach abstinence. The truth is this: you can tell your child all you want that NOT having sex is the only way to be 100% sure he/she won't get pregnant or contract an STD. If they truly want to have sex, they will... despite the logic of abstinence.
You wanna know why I know? My mom did the same thing to me. I had sex anyway.
She flat out refused to answer any of my questions about sex when I was 9 years old. She said that I was too young to "know" any of "that." Guess what? By that age I'd already overheard "that" stuff on the school bus. So in my 9yo way I called bullshit. What did I get? I got sent to my room, that's what. I learned the rest of the biological details when we had sex ed in the 6th grade. I learned even more when I became a peer counselor in 10th grade. Where was my dad? Well, he was like most dads in the 70's and 80's. He thought moms should talk to daughters about all that stuff... while he had a talk with the boy. You know. Old school. However, he was much more willing to answer my questions than my mom was, and aside from feminine questions, I gleaned a lot from the knowledge he shared with me.
There are ways to broach the subject with young children without getting into the details. I think if you start with openness and honesty, that can't hurt. Don't tell your kiddos that the stork brought them home to you in a pink or blue blanket, and don't be afraid to own your own past indiscretions in the sex department, either. Sans the gory details, of course.
I plan to be honest with my kids. Yes, I had sex before I was married. Yes, I wish I had waited until I was older. Yes, sex is awesome. But I also plan to tell them about condom use, about how boys usually have one thing on their minds, how girls often equate sex with love, and about how self respect and self confidence will get them further than just about anything else. I also plan to tell them that oral and anal sex (these were not even discussed when I was in school!) are NOT healthy alternatives for teens despite what they'll hear from today's sex ed materials. In fact, by the time they DO hear it, I expect things to be even more different.
Will I deliver all of this sex info flawlessly and in an English accent? No. I won't. You know what? I'm okay with that. Will I be the FIRST one to tell them any of this? Probably not. Kids are hearing things earlier and earlier these days. That's scary. But I'm the parent. I am responsible for teaching them responsibility.
According to this article, young people just don't feel empowered enough. That needs to change. The more information people have, the better they'll be able to make informed decisions. If you give them all that info and they then decide to be STUPID, then that's on them.
I know I sound pretty preachy here, but it's really simple: you own it, Parents. Don't rely on public education to give your children the real deal on sex. You can still advocate abstinence, as I plan to do, but don't be so stupid to think that will be enough. Equip your children as much as you can.
Monday, September 26, 2011
The Primal Diet or Lipitor?
So last week I got the results back from my annual physical. I'm healthy except for two things: my weight and my cholesterol levels. Neither of these things are a surprise to me. I've had high cholesterol since I even started measuring it in my early 20s. My weight has been a problem for the past 15 years or so. What did get my goat, though, was that my doctor wants to put me on Lipitor. It's a statin, and I will likely have to take it for the rest of my life.
If I ever start taking it...
And I don't intend to start.
You're probably scratching your head. Why would I go against the advice of my doctor? Surely he has my best interests at heart, right? Maybe, but I'm not entirely convinced that he does. In his defense, he has suggested diet and exercise in the past to bring down my cholesterol levels. I haven't really changed either in the past 5 years. He also refrained from putting me on statins since I wanted to have another child. Statins can cause birth defects, and neither one of us wanted that. Now that I'm done with child-bearing, statins would be "safe".
Except they're not.
Why on earth would I want to put anything in my body that could cause birth defects in another human being? You're scratching your head again. "I thought you were done having babies," you're saying. Yes. But if the chemicals in these drugs can cause damage to a human being - at any stage of development and beyond - why on earth was deemed it safe for ANY non-reproducing human to consume? Money, and the FDA, I suppose. But I digress.
What exactly does a statin do, you ask? According to WebMD, "Statin drugs work by blocking the action of the liver enzyme that is responsible for producing cholesterol." Wait. It blocks a normally occurring bodily function to prevent it from producing cholesterol? I thought the problem was with OUTSIDE cholesterol from a poor diet? So what happens to the cholesterol I consume through said diet? That's the potentially harmful stuff, right? Not the cholesterol my body produces. Somehow that just doesn't make any sense. Is my body broken to the point that it and it alone produces too much cholesterol?
Hmmm... WebMD goes on to say that statins lower OVERALL cholesterol, even the good stuff that our body needs. How is that a good thing? Do the benefits outweigh the risks? I'm not entirely convinced that they do, given the list of side effects (again, from WebMD):
I've also learned from several chiropractors that statins loosen ligaments (not in a good way) and make it next to impossible to get any results from chiropractic treatments. I need chiropractic treatments. They help me stay pain free.
Still, my doctor says statins are safe. He gave me a prescription and a handy-dandy discount card that would make lipitor only cost me $4 for a months supply... for as long as I take it. What a huge incentive to buy their product! All I have to do is present the card at time of payment, and no matter what my co-pay is, all I have to pay is $4! Still, I'm not ready to commit to putting chemicals in my body for the rest of my life. There has to be an alternative.
So I'm going to actually counter with what I've been trying to do this whole year of cutting the crap: I'm going to drastically change my lifestyle by eating only fresh fruits, veggies, and meat/poultry/fish. I'll include a daily exercise plan. A friend recommended the Primal Diet. It looks very much like what I intended to do, so I'm going to try their 30 day challenge and go from there. It can't hurt, right? And it's certainly better than the alternative.
I now have an incentive, which is to lower my cholesterol, so maybe I'll get off my butt and actually do this. If after a few months of this lifestyle change I don't see results in my cholesterol counts, then and only then will I consider Lipitor.
Heaven help my family. This is going to be one bumpy ride.
If I ever start taking it...
And I don't intend to start.
You're probably scratching your head. Why would I go against the advice of my doctor? Surely he has my best interests at heart, right? Maybe, but I'm not entirely convinced that he does. In his defense, he has suggested diet and exercise in the past to bring down my cholesterol levels. I haven't really changed either in the past 5 years. He also refrained from putting me on statins since I wanted to have another child. Statins can cause birth defects, and neither one of us wanted that. Now that I'm done with child-bearing, statins would be "safe".
Except they're not.
Why on earth would I want to put anything in my body that could cause birth defects in another human being? You're scratching your head again. "I thought you were done having babies," you're saying. Yes. But if the chemicals in these drugs can cause damage to a human being - at any stage of development and beyond - why on earth was deemed it safe for ANY non-reproducing human to consume? Money, and the FDA, I suppose. But I digress.
What exactly does a statin do, you ask? According to WebMD, "Statin drugs work by blocking the action of the liver enzyme that is responsible for producing cholesterol." Wait. It blocks a normally occurring bodily function to prevent it from producing cholesterol? I thought the problem was with OUTSIDE cholesterol from a poor diet? So what happens to the cholesterol I consume through said diet? That's the potentially harmful stuff, right? Not the cholesterol my body produces. Somehow that just doesn't make any sense. Is my body broken to the point that it and it alone produces too much cholesterol?
Hmmm... WebMD goes on to say that statins lower OVERALL cholesterol, even the good stuff that our body needs. How is that a good thing? Do the benefits outweigh the risks? I'm not entirely convinced that they do, given the list of side effects (again, from WebMD):
- headache
- difficulty sleeping
- flushing of the skin
- muscle aches, tenderness, or weakness
- drowsiness/ weakness
- dizziness
- nausea and/or vomiting
- abdominal cramping and/or pain
- bloating and/or gas
- diarrhea
- constipation
- rash
I've also learned from several chiropractors that statins loosen ligaments (not in a good way) and make it next to impossible to get any results from chiropractic treatments. I need chiropractic treatments. They help me stay pain free.
Still, my doctor says statins are safe. He gave me a prescription and a handy-dandy discount card that would make lipitor only cost me $4 for a months supply... for as long as I take it. What a huge incentive to buy their product! All I have to do is present the card at time of payment, and no matter what my co-pay is, all I have to pay is $4! Still, I'm not ready to commit to putting chemicals in my body for the rest of my life. There has to be an alternative.
So I'm going to actually counter with what I've been trying to do this whole year of cutting the crap: I'm going to drastically change my lifestyle by eating only fresh fruits, veggies, and meat/poultry/fish. I'll include a daily exercise plan. A friend recommended the Primal Diet. It looks very much like what I intended to do, so I'm going to try their 30 day challenge and go from there. It can't hurt, right? And it's certainly better than the alternative.
I now have an incentive, which is to lower my cholesterol, so maybe I'll get off my butt and actually do this. If after a few months of this lifestyle change I don't see results in my cholesterol counts, then and only then will I consider Lipitor.
Heaven help my family. This is going to be one bumpy ride.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Help your local library!
Today's blog topic is something that's near and dear to my heart: public libraries. I think public libraries are one of the most precious standing contributions Man has made to His Fellow Man. I've loved going to the library since I can remember, and I haven't stopped as I've gotten older. Now my children love books almost as much as I do and look forward to picking out their own. Conveniently, I work right next to the Southglenn Library and can go on a regular basis. It's fantastic.
All that being said, I want to talk about donating used books and magazines to your local library. We all have books and magazines we know we'll never read again, so why not pack them up and donate them? Chances are that your library will be ever-so-thankful. Some libraries even offer a tax deductible receipt, so that's added incentive.
Why is this important? Well, public libraries have very tight budgets, and those budgets are in danger of getting axed every fiscal year. Take Aurora, Colorado as an example. 4 of Aurora's 7 libraries were permanently closed in 2010. FOUR. This was because the tax paying citizens of Aurora didn't want tax increases to keep libraries open. Now the remaining libraries (as well as libraries around the country) have to operate on a shoestring budget. The number of new titles they can purchase every year has been greatly reduced.
See my logic here? If you know you're never going to read a book or magazine again, then take it to the library and give back to your community. You get to cut out some of the clutter in your home, and someone else gets to enjoy that book. AND the library will get to increase its catalog without spending a dime.
Oh, and if you can spare the time, volunteer at the library as well. Pay it forward!
All that being said, I want to talk about donating used books and magazines to your local library. We all have books and magazines we know we'll never read again, so why not pack them up and donate them? Chances are that your library will be ever-so-thankful. Some libraries even offer a tax deductible receipt, so that's added incentive.
Why is this important? Well, public libraries have very tight budgets, and those budgets are in danger of getting axed every fiscal year. Take Aurora, Colorado as an example. 4 of Aurora's 7 libraries were permanently closed in 2010. FOUR. This was because the tax paying citizens of Aurora didn't want tax increases to keep libraries open. Now the remaining libraries (as well as libraries around the country) have to operate on a shoestring budget. The number of new titles they can purchase every year has been greatly reduced.
See my logic here? If you know you're never going to read a book or magazine again, then take it to the library and give back to your community. You get to cut out some of the clutter in your home, and someone else gets to enjoy that book. AND the library will get to increase its catalog without spending a dime.
Oh, and if you can spare the time, volunteer at the library as well. Pay it forward!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Recycle Your Old Electronics!
dont-bury-electronic-trash-kiplinger: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance
Here's something that makes sense. Recycle your electronics. This article provides a few links to help you out with that, and it gives you some ideas. I never knew that Best Buy accepted old electronics. That's GOOD. I bet if I do some digging, more places accept used electronics. I know that ATT will let you trade in your old phone. I got $50 trade in value for my old crackberry. That phone was refurbished and sent overseas. That's way better than letting my children destroy a perfectly working phone. Someone else gets to use it.
I have a whole box of out-of-date electronic stuff in the basement: old routers, computer parts, a zip drive... and old cell phones among many other things. I bet we all have those. Next month our Women In Leadership group is organizing a cell phone drop to help benefit safe houses/women's shelters in the Denver Metro area. When you donate your old phones, they are cleaned up and given to women in these shelters. That way, a woman can always have a means to dial 911. Kinda cool, dontcha think?
So, here's your cut-the-crap challenge for the week: get rid of some electronics that are taking up space! Perhaps someone else can use them!
Here's something that makes sense. Recycle your electronics. This article provides a few links to help you out with that, and it gives you some ideas. I never knew that Best Buy accepted old electronics. That's GOOD. I bet if I do some digging, more places accept used electronics. I know that ATT will let you trade in your old phone. I got $50 trade in value for my old crackberry. That phone was refurbished and sent overseas. That's way better than letting my children destroy a perfectly working phone. Someone else gets to use it.
I have a whole box of out-of-date electronic stuff in the basement: old routers, computer parts, a zip drive... and old cell phones among many other things. I bet we all have those. Next month our Women In Leadership group is organizing a cell phone drop to help benefit safe houses/women's shelters in the Denver Metro area. When you donate your old phones, they are cleaned up and given to women in these shelters. That way, a woman can always have a means to dial 911. Kinda cool, dontcha think?
So, here's your cut-the-crap challenge for the week: get rid of some electronics that are taking up space! Perhaps someone else can use them!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Ballpark hero: Nationals Park beer vendor saves choking child - Big League Stew - MLB Blog - Yahoo! Sports
Ballpark hero: Nationals Park beer vendor saves choking child - Big League Stew - MLB Blog - Yahoo! Sports
I want to see more headlines like this one!!! Two things to take away here: take CPR classes AND never pass up an opportunity to do something for your fellow man. :)
I want to see more headlines like this one!!! Two things to take away here: take CPR classes AND never pass up an opportunity to do something for your fellow man. :)
Monday, August 29, 2011
School superintendent gives up $800k in pay - Yahoo! News
School superintendent gives up $800k in pay - Yahoo! News
We need more superintendents like this one!!! Talk about cutting the crap!
Why can't more people who already have all they need give back to their communities like this? It doesn't have to be to the degree that this man goes... it could be volunteer work (time is money!), or donations of unused books, something... ANYTHING!!!
I don't have any extra $$ to perhaps fund another teacher or aide at my daughter's school, BUT I do have time. I have a WONDERFUL job that allows me to be flexible, and today I was able to help out with a field trip. Last week I volunteered in her classroom by helping grade papers and do math assessments. I'm doing this not only because I want to show Megan how important her education is to me, but because - as I chronicled earlier in the year - her elementary finally had to let go of its teacher's aides. If more parents who are able to volunteer would actually DO so, then our state/local/district budget woes wouldn't seem as terrible.
There are plenty of ways to help. If you're a photographer, what about donating some time for the school year book? If you have a medical background, what about teaching a class on anatomy or the benefits of a healthy lifestyle? If you do international business, what about sharing what it's like to travel to distant locales and be immersed in different cultures? I have a teaching background so I help with all those teaching tasks as best I can. Even though I'm a project manager these days, I use what I know to help. I encourage you to do the same!!!
GIVE BACK to your communities by helping in the schools! Our nation's children desperately need us!
We need more superintendents like this one!!! Talk about cutting the crap!
Why can't more people who already have all they need give back to their communities like this? It doesn't have to be to the degree that this man goes... it could be volunteer work (time is money!), or donations of unused books, something... ANYTHING!!!
I don't have any extra $$ to perhaps fund another teacher or aide at my daughter's school, BUT I do have time. I have a WONDERFUL job that allows me to be flexible, and today I was able to help out with a field trip. Last week I volunteered in her classroom by helping grade papers and do math assessments. I'm doing this not only because I want to show Megan how important her education is to me, but because - as I chronicled earlier in the year - her elementary finally had to let go of its teacher's aides. If more parents who are able to volunteer would actually DO so, then our state/local/district budget woes wouldn't seem as terrible.
There are plenty of ways to help. If you're a photographer, what about donating some time for the school year book? If you have a medical background, what about teaching a class on anatomy or the benefits of a healthy lifestyle? If you do international business, what about sharing what it's like to travel to distant locales and be immersed in different cultures? I have a teaching background so I help with all those teaching tasks as best I can. Even though I'm a project manager these days, I use what I know to help. I encourage you to do the same!!!
GIVE BACK to your communities by helping in the schools! Our nation's children desperately need us!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Granola Cereal Bars - How one family broke its junk food addiction on Shine
Granola Cereal Bars - How one family broke its junk food addiction on Shine
Now THIS is what I'm talking about! We need to cut out all that crap! I checked out their blog, and they have some pretty interesting takes on things. I'm now a follower. :) Have a look: http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/
Don't know if I can pull this off, but this really has been my goal for over a year now. I'm just not as disciplined as these people are. LOL
Now THIS is what I'm talking about! We need to cut out all that crap! I checked out their blog, and they have some pretty interesting takes on things. I'm now a follower. :) Have a look: http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/
Don't know if I can pull this off, but this really has been my goal for over a year now. I'm just not as disciplined as these people are. LOL
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
USA becomes Food Stamp Nation but is it sustainable? - Yahoo! News
USA becomes Food Stamp Nation but is it sustainable? - Yahoo! News
The woman and her family featured in this article seem to be doing everything they can. She has to feed her son. If I were in her shoes, I'd be asking for assistance as well to make sure my children could eat. Here's a quote that's telling of the ignorance of economics, though: "'It's a good thing that the government helps, but if employers paid enough and gave enough hours, then we wouldn't need to be on food stamps," said Green, who has a six-year-old daughter." If employers raised wages, they'd also have to raise their prices. That price increase means everyone will have to spend more to get the same thing... which means we're right back where we started. Here's an idea... do something to better yourself so you're not stuck in a minimum wage job for the rest of your life.
However, I think this over-dependence on public assistance is a symptom of a larger problem. We have people who abuse this assistance and our system practically encourages that abuse. I certainly don't have any solutions on how to fix this. I wish people smarter than me did, though.
To answer the question of "Is this sustainable"... the answer is NO. It doesn't take an economics professor to figure that out. The phrase that keeps coming to mind is this: "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. TEACH a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime." Why can't we apply that philosophy to public assistance programs? Just sayin'. Train/educate people. Give them job and life skills so they can sustain themselves. I know there are programs in place, but I have no idea what they are or what they offer.
Sounds like I might need to do some research.
The woman and her family featured in this article seem to be doing everything they can. She has to feed her son. If I were in her shoes, I'd be asking for assistance as well to make sure my children could eat. Here's a quote that's telling of the ignorance of economics, though: "'It's a good thing that the government helps, but if employers paid enough and gave enough hours, then we wouldn't need to be on food stamps," said Green, who has a six-year-old daughter." If employers raised wages, they'd also have to raise their prices. That price increase means everyone will have to spend more to get the same thing... which means we're right back where we started. Here's an idea... do something to better yourself so you're not stuck in a minimum wage job for the rest of your life.
However, I think this over-dependence on public assistance is a symptom of a larger problem. We have people who abuse this assistance and our system practically encourages that abuse. I certainly don't have any solutions on how to fix this. I wish people smarter than me did, though.
To answer the question of "Is this sustainable"... the answer is NO. It doesn't take an economics professor to figure that out. The phrase that keeps coming to mind is this: "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. TEACH a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime." Why can't we apply that philosophy to public assistance programs? Just sayin'. Train/educate people. Give them job and life skills so they can sustain themselves. I know there are programs in place, but I have no idea what they are or what they offer.
Sounds like I might need to do some research.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Warning Signs: What’s Your Body Trying to Tell You? - Healthy Living on Shine
Warning Signs: What’s Your Body Trying to Tell You? - Healthy Living on Shine
Good things to look over.
Sorry for the blogging drought, you guys. I'll get back in the writing saddle soon. Why am I so busy, you ask? I got a promotion. YAY! It's a good thing, but now I've got to live up to what my employer expects me to get done. :)
Good things to look over.
Sorry for the blogging drought, you guys. I'll get back in the writing saddle soon. Why am I so busy, you ask? I got a promotion. YAY! It's a good thing, but now I've got to live up to what my employer expects me to get done. :)
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Cutting the Crap: Camping
So this weekend we were invited to go camping with family down near Alamosa. For those of you who don’t know, this is near the Colorado/New Mexico border and was a LOOONG drive from our house. No worries, though. It was a fun drive even if the kids (and we had our nephew with us) were a bit nuts in the back seat before we got to the campsite.
Where was said campsite, you ask? Actually, we camped on some property that the family bought earlier this year. There was no electricity or running water, so we roughed it. We even had a latrine that was nothing more than a toilet seat and a hole in the ground. But I’m getting ahead of myself. We had to pack before we could actually GO anywhere. THAT took a lot longer than I wanted it to. We didn’t get to Colorado Springs to hook up with family until about 4pm-ish. So since I’ve learned exactly what we do and don’t need for a camping trip like this, next time I’m hoping to cut down packing time significantly. Here’s my short list. If we have just these items next time, I think we’re good.
- Tent & tools to erect it
- Food (and dishes)
- Water
- Sleeping bags, air mattresses
- Clothing for the allotted time
- Toilet paper & wet wipes.
- Lanterns/flashlights
- A shovel
We had a LOT more stuff in our van than what was on this short list. I’m not going to get into that now. You really don’t want to know.
Something else we need to do BEFORE heading out next time is practicing putting up our tent. We borrowed one from some close friends. They’d put it up before and told us that it took them (two people) about 45 minutes to assemble from start to finish. When we got to our campsite, it was dark. And rainy. It took 5 people 45 minutes to assemble. Yes, we did read the directions, which were cryptic. (when I say “we”, I’m not actually included.) Things were color-coded for our convenience, but in the dark, that helps very little. And though I complained that we really didn’t need such a BIG tent (it slept 12, for crying out loud), I really did come to love the extra space we had. I would really like one of those spring loaded tents that you pull out of the bag, untwist the hoop things, and let it fly. No, I don’t know the technical lingo for tent set-up. Gimme a break. But I digress. As I said, this tent slept 12, had two rooms, and it came with TWO CLOSETS. Yes. You read that correctly. It had closets. Not sure a tent needs those, but someone obviously thought so. If you’re camping, I’d argue that you don’t need closets. Just sayin’. Maybe that crap needs to be cut. Next time, we’ll hopefully have a simple tent (even if I will miss the closets of the borrowed one.)
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Extreme Couponing... Should I do it?
I can't decide if Extreme Couponing is a way to cut the crap or if it would actually complicate things. I could save money, yes, but I don't really want to drive all over town to get a few good deals. AND I don't think buying stuff I don't use is a good idea. I mean, really? That just doesn't seem sane to me. So I decided to do a little research on extreme couponing.
Here's what I found:
So... I think I might try out some couponing, but I'm not going to get extreme about it. I'll share my successes and failures in this new venture. In the meantime, give me your feedback.
BTW, for those of you worried about whether or not I was working this morning... I was. I crammed this little bit of writing into the nooks and crannies of my free time between meetings and reading/answering email. HAHAHA I'm getting my writing fix one measly minute at a time, but there it is.
Here's what I found:
- I learned there is a show on TLC called Extreme Couponing. Who knew? Since I cut cable, I hadn't heard of this show. There are people on there who border on the insane, I think. They hoard. I'm not kidding. People actually dumpster dive for coupons. Yes, you read that correctly. And they go NUTS on things they don't need. WHERE oh WHERE do they store all this stuff?
- This college student is trying to help her parents save money. Can someone please tell me WHY she bought so much baby formula if she doesn't need it? I'm happy that she donated the formula to Joplin tornado relief, but just where does one store 30 containers of baby formula? Or 288 rolls of toliet paper? Yes, she slashed her family's monthly grocery bill from $400 to $100. That's an awesome accomplishment. But again, where does one store all this STUFF?
- There are multiple sites devoted to extreme couponing and couponing in general. You can get check for coupons, print them, do whatever, all from your PC.
So... I think I might try out some couponing, but I'm not going to get extreme about it. I'll share my successes and failures in this new venture. In the meantime, give me your feedback.
BTW, for those of you worried about whether or not I was working this morning... I was. I crammed this little bit of writing into the nooks and crannies of my free time between meetings and reading/answering email. HAHAHA I'm getting my writing fix one measly minute at a time, but there it is.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Sharing mommy's bed won't harm kid's social skills
Oh gee. Thanks for giving me permission to do what I think works for me and my family.
Sharing mom's bed won't harm kids' social skills
Is anyone else annoyed by all these "experts" whose opinions fly in the face of what we think works for our own families? Bed sharing, for instance, has been frowned upon for the better part of the last decade (and dare I say it, LONGER than that?) and suddenly it's now okay. So many of us depend only on what experts say rather than think for ourselves. I say we need to cut that crap out and take everything with a grain of salt. Obviously, it is wise to listen to the counsel of other wise folks. However, it is better to think through that counsel and make up our own minds. Agreed?
Email Update #2
Today I deleted 492 emails from two folders. I'm getting closer, Folks!
Sharing mom's bed won't harm kids' social skills
Is anyone else annoyed by all these "experts" whose opinions fly in the face of what we think works for our own families? Bed sharing, for instance, has been frowned upon for the better part of the last decade (and dare I say it, LONGER than that?) and suddenly it's now okay. So many of us depend only on what experts say rather than think for ourselves. I say we need to cut that crap out and take everything with a grain of salt. Obviously, it is wise to listen to the counsel of other wise folks. However, it is better to think through that counsel and make up our own minds. Agreed?
Email Update #2
Today I deleted 492 emails from two folders. I'm getting closer, Folks!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
When is the best day to buy things?
According to this Yahoo Finance video, Wednesday is the best day to get some good deals. :) Most grocery stores start their sales on Wednesdays and many gas stations haven't hiked up the prices for weekend driving. Good to know.
I do all my shopping on the weekends... with the crowds and everything. That's one thing I'd like to cut out of my life, but taking my kids to the grocery store by myself is a daunting thought. The hubby works. However, I can certainly get gas on Wednesdays. That's easy. LOL
When do you all get groceries and such?
P.S. Email update #1.
My work email inbox has over 14k things in it. I seriously need to clean it out! What I've been doing lately is immediately put read emails into folders so I can find what I need easier and faster. I'm also starting to delete anything I don't think I'll need in a month's time. Now if I can just start weeding through everything else... bleck.
I do all my shopping on the weekends... with the crowds and everything. That's one thing I'd like to cut out of my life, but taking my kids to the grocery store by myself is a daunting thought. The hubby works. However, I can certainly get gas on Wednesdays. That's easy. LOL
When do you all get groceries and such?
P.S. Email update #1.
My work email inbox has over 14k things in it. I seriously need to clean it out! What I've been doing lately is immediately put read emails into folders so I can find what I need easier and faster. I'm also starting to delete anything I don't think I'll need in a month's time. Now if I can just start weeding through everything else... bleck.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Word of the Day
Moving Spirit - n. Someone who provides significant impetus or guidance in a given venture, movement, enterprise, etc.
So here's a title to which I will aspire. I want to be a moving spirit in cutting the crap, and so far I've been doing a pretty crappy job of it. So here's my self-challenge. Over the next few weeks I'm going to choose one area at at time and explore ways in which I can simplify that area... streamline it... trim the fat... and I'm going to set myself up for success by starting with easy areas. I'll share them here.
My first target will be my email in-boxes. I have several in-boxes, so this ought to be interesting. LOL I'll report on my progress.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
First Person: The 6 Surprising Money Savers Hiding in My Home - Yahoo! Finance
First Person: The 6 Surprising Money Savers Hiding in My Home - Yahoo! Finance
Wow! I hadn't heard of any of these ideas before, so I'm going to try them... especially the mesh bag thing so I can scrub my pots. :) Here they are for those of you who don't want to click on the link:
Wow! I hadn't heard of any of these ideas before, so I'm going to try them... especially the mesh bag thing so I can scrub my pots. :) Here they are for those of you who don't want to click on the link:
- Use mesh bags onions and potatoes come in to scrub pots and pans.
- Use cheap coffee filters in place of paper towels to clean things like windows and mirrors.
- Use baking soda splashed with vinegar to clean toilets, showers, etc.
- Pour about half a cup of baking soda into a small dish, add 12 drops of essential oil to get rid of odors.
- Use an unused toothbrush to brush the cornsilk out of corn cobs.
- Use a cheap shower curtain liner under picnic blankets to keep things dry during summer events like concerts in the park.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Cutting the Crap: Independence Day
So how did you cut the crap for Independence Day this year?
Here's what I didn't do:
Here's what I DID do:
So all of this means I didn't spend loads of money or sacrifice my sanity by joining the 4th of July hordes in all the usual places. My weekend soooo did NOT suck because of this.
There it is, Folks. Simplicity.
Here's what I didn't do:
- I didn't drive more than a mile from my house.
- I didn't plan a huge BBQ.
- I didn't purchase any fireworks.
Here's what I DID do:
- I spent most of the weekend in our pool.
- I watched Independence Day with the family.
- I had dinner/good times with our awesome neighbors.
- I drove to the top of a hill near my home to see fireworks in all of Denver Metro.
So all of this means I didn't spend loads of money or sacrifice my sanity by joining the 4th of July hordes in all the usual places. My weekend soooo did NOT suck because of this.
There it is, Folks. Simplicity.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Snacking, not portion size, largely driving U.S. overeating
Snacking, not portion size, largely driving U.S. overeating
So according to this article we're eating more often, and we're adding calories. Add to this that we're not getting enough exercise, and this is the reason Americans are more obese than ever.
I fall into this obese category, unfortunately.
So... simply put... to reverse this alarming trend all we need to do is exercise more and eat less. Yes? However, is that going to happen? Today we have more jobs that require sitting (in front of a computer or otherwise) than ever before. This means we'll need get exercise before and/or after work. Many people are so busy with family commitments before/after putting in 8+ hours a day that they don't take the time to exercise.
Exercise is an individual choice. However, it would be nice if those sit-down jobs would encourage more activity. My company does. Not only do we have locker rooms onsite, but we participate in the Global Corporate Challenge every year. We participate in Bike To Work Day, and we even have a dedicated bicycle storage in our parking structure. Even our company president leads by example by biking to work as much as humanly possible. We have posters all over the place advocating healthy life choices. We have onsite workshops that talk about current health trends. We've even had a fitness boot camp here. We also get corporate discounts at places like 24 Hour Fitness. Do I participate in any of these things? Occasionally, yes. Sadly, I should do more since I have so much available to me.
More companies should be like mine, though. They should offer incentives to people to get healthy. Still, exercise is an individual choice. As a whole, I think we Americans need to choose to get healthy. Until then, this trend will become ever worse, I'm afraid.
So according to this article we're eating more often, and we're adding calories. Add to this that we're not getting enough exercise, and this is the reason Americans are more obese than ever.
I fall into this obese category, unfortunately.
So... simply put... to reverse this alarming trend all we need to do is exercise more and eat less. Yes? However, is that going to happen? Today we have more jobs that require sitting (in front of a computer or otherwise) than ever before. This means we'll need get exercise before and/or after work. Many people are so busy with family commitments before/after putting in 8+ hours a day that they don't take the time to exercise.
Exercise is an individual choice. However, it would be nice if those sit-down jobs would encourage more activity. My company does. Not only do we have locker rooms onsite, but we participate in the Global Corporate Challenge every year. We participate in Bike To Work Day, and we even have a dedicated bicycle storage in our parking structure. Even our company president leads by example by biking to work as much as humanly possible. We have posters all over the place advocating healthy life choices. We have onsite workshops that talk about current health trends. We've even had a fitness boot camp here. We also get corporate discounts at places like 24 Hour Fitness. Do I participate in any of these things? Occasionally, yes. Sadly, I should do more since I have so much available to me.
More companies should be like mine, though. They should offer incentives to people to get healthy. Still, exercise is an individual choice. As a whole, I think we Americans need to choose to get healthy. Until then, this trend will become ever worse, I'm afraid.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Spoons.
When I started this blog, I said I would chronicle my family’s journey to simplicity. I haven’t done much chronicling of my family life lately, so I apologize. In fact, I’ve been doing some pretty lazy blogging by linking to articles that somehow fit the cut-the-crap bill. Those are interesting, and I hope you enjoyed them. Today I’m moving on to something else.
Spoons.
Yes, you read that correctly. Spoons. And frozen yogurt.
A new frozen yogurt place opened up near us that is pretty fun. Yo Craze. It’s an add-your-own-toppings place that has some yummy flavors. They charge you by the ounce, so if you let your kids go crazy with the toppings, you’ll pay for it. Anyway, they have these great plastic spoons in a variety of colors. My daughter loves them.
When everyone is done with their yogurt, they toss these spoons and the paper bowl in the trash. The bowl I understand. But these spoons are actually pretty heavy grade plastic. To date we’ve saved 4 spoons from the trash. Not a lot, mind you, but I figured we paid for them. Why not?
So this begs the question, why doesn’t Yo Craze recycle these spoons? I’m not suggesting that they add the overhead of washing all of them and using them over… though, that wouldn’t be a bad idea. But why don’t they just put a recycling bin next to the trash that says “SPOONS”? There would be A LOT of spoons that didn’t make it to a landfill this way. Every little bit counts.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Heiress Patricia Kluge files for bankruptcy
Heiress Patricia Kluge files for bankruptcy | The Upshot Yahoo! News
I guess even the rich can have it tough. However, I cannot fathom how someone with so much money and such an extravagant lifestyle can file for bankruptcy... or even need to...
My family and I live on a budget, yes, but we are pretty comfortable for the most part. We have everything we need. 12 years ago, though, it was a different story. We definitely lived beyond our means and paid the price for it. Big time.
This woman and her husband had it all, and apparently they were frivolous, too. I don't know all the details. Maybe they made some bad investments, and the article did cite the downturn in the economy as being a factor. That downturn has affected everyone. I just can't help thinking that if they'd cut some of the unnecessary luxurious crap out of their lifestyle they may have avoided bankruptcy. It's the difference between choosing to downgrade and being forced to. Just sayin'.
I wonder if they've learned their lesson, though.
I guess even the rich can have it tough. However, I cannot fathom how someone with so much money and such an extravagant lifestyle can file for bankruptcy... or even need to...
My family and I live on a budget, yes, but we are pretty comfortable for the most part. We have everything we need. 12 years ago, though, it was a different story. We definitely lived beyond our means and paid the price for it. Big time.
This woman and her husband had it all, and apparently they were frivolous, too. I don't know all the details. Maybe they made some bad investments, and the article did cite the downturn in the economy as being a factor. That downturn has affected everyone. I just can't help thinking that if they'd cut some of the unnecessary luxurious crap out of their lifestyle they may have avoided bankruptcy. It's the difference between choosing to downgrade and being forced to. Just sayin'.
I wonder if they've learned their lesson, though.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The 10 Dirtiest Foods You're Eating
The 10 Dirtiest Foods You're Eating
Wow! This was sort of shocking, but at the same time it made sense. I can tell you right now that I'm not going to cut any of these foods out of my diet... I now have to figure out a way to sanitize them somehow. I do follow the rules of safe handling and make sure I wash EVERYTHING that comes in contact with meat... especially poultry. I wash all my fruits and veggies. Not sure what else I can do...
Here's the list for those of you who don't want to click the link and read the article:
Chicken
Ground Beef
Ground Turkey
Oysters
Eggs
Cantaloupe
Peaches
Lettuce
Scallions
Wow! This was sort of shocking, but at the same time it made sense. I can tell you right now that I'm not going to cut any of these foods out of my diet... I now have to figure out a way to sanitize them somehow. I do follow the rules of safe handling and make sure I wash EVERYTHING that comes in contact with meat... especially poultry. I wash all my fruits and veggies. Not sure what else I can do...
Here's the list for those of you who don't want to click the link and read the article:
Chicken
Ground Beef
Ground Turkey
Oysters
Eggs
Cantaloupe
Peaches
Lettuce
Scallions
Monday, June 20, 2011
Ryan Dunn Dead At The Age Of 34 | The Morning Freak Show - 96.1 Kiss
Ryan Dunn Dead At The Age Of 34 | The Morning Freak Show - 96.1 Kiss
There is NO excuse for drunk driving. Period. Everyday innocent lives are taken because other people can't use better judgement when it comes to alcohol and driving.
Let’s talk a minute about drunk driving, shall we? For any of you who do it, CUT THAT CRAP OUT. Don’t tell me you know your limits. Don’t tell me you can handle it. Just don’t friggin’ do it. Got it?
Why do I bring this up, you ask? THIS is why. Ryan Dunn of Jackass fame (need I say more?) got drunk off his ass (he tweeted pics of him crap-faced just hours before the accident) and decided to drive his Porsche 911 GT3 into a tree. The tree won. Not only did he get himself killed, but he killed his passenger. THANKFULLY, there were no other vehicles involved.
For those of you who don't know, GT3's are super fast (they're some of the fastest Porsches ever made), and even SOBER, PROFESSIONAL drivers find it challenging to keep the beasts from sliding in turns at high speeds. Add alcohol and an idiot to this and you get what you see in the pictures in the link. There is very little left of the car.
I know. I know. This guy has people who love him, so I should show a little compassion. Right? WRONG. His passenger had loved ones, too. It was stupid to get in the car with Mr. Dunn, but there it is anyway.
There is NO excuse for drunk driving. Period. Everyday innocent lives are taken because other people can't use better judgement when it comes to alcohol and driving.
CUT THAT CRAP OUT, PEOPLE!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
5 Ways TV Can Hurt Your Health
5 Ways TV Can Hurt Your Health
So, like I've been saying... cut the crap! Get off your butt and go outside. It's summer, for crying out loud!
All that being said, I think it's common sense these days that a sedentary lifestyle makes you gain weight. In turn, weight gain isn't good for you. For people to continue spending money on research to tell us what is common sense is ridiculous. Cut THAT crap out, too, you crazy finance people. That money could be better spent on finding a cure for cancer. Oh wait! That HAS been discovered but big pharmaceutical companies want none of it... wonder why?
Sorry. Soapbox much.
Go outside! It's beautiful!
So, like I've been saying... cut the crap! Get off your butt and go outside. It's summer, for crying out loud!
All that being said, I think it's common sense these days that a sedentary lifestyle makes you gain weight. In turn, weight gain isn't good for you. For people to continue spending money on research to tell us what is common sense is ridiculous. Cut THAT crap out, too, you crazy finance people. That money could be better spent on finding a cure for cancer. Oh wait! That HAS been discovered but big pharmaceutical companies want none of it... wonder why?
Sorry. Soapbox much.
Go outside! It's beautiful!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Welcome Back To Work
Like most of you, I am recovering from my 3-day weekend by going right back to work. I have a lot on my plate today: meetings & meeting minutes, schedule new meetings, action logs, a project plan review, and even doctor’s appointment. This is why I decided to find an article of use to you and point you there.
I didn’t find a good one for you, so I apologize.
Most of the articles I found about returning to work after a long weekend/holiday/vacation were the usual drivel: get back on a sleep schedule (one person suggested taking drugs to accomplish this), check email BEFORE you head back into the office, mentally prepare yourself (really?), etc.. After taking 10 precious minutes out of my perfectly, overly-busy day, I decided to give up. You don’t need crap like this.
Welcome back to work.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Should this be a speech every American high school principal gives?
I got the following via viral email, and it got me thinking. I agree and disagree with some of these things… In a sense, the author is suggesting that a large scale cutting of the crap should take place in public schools. Of course, these ideas will never see the light of day, but I wanted to get your take on it anyway.
I apologize if this is somehow copyright infringement, and will take this down if Mr. Prager asks, but since it was in a viral email, I saw it as now public domain.
High School Principal Speech
By Dennis Prager
To the students and faculty of our high school:
I am your new principal, and honored to be so. There is no greater calling than to teach young people.
I would like to apprise you of some important changes coming to our school. I am making these changes because I am convinced that most of the ideas that have dominated public education in America have worked against you, against your teachers and against our country.
First, this school will no longer honor race or ethnicity. I could not care less if your racial makeup is black, brown, red, yellow or white. I could not care less if your origins are African, Latin American, Asian or European, or if your ancestors arrived here on the Mayflower or on slave ships.
The only identity I care about, the only one this school will recognize, is your individual identity -- your character, your scholarship, your humanity. And the only national identity this school will care about is American. This is an American public school, and American public schools were created to make better Americans.
If you wish to affirm an ethnic, racial or religious identity through school, you will have to go elsewhere. We will end all ethnicity-, race- and non-American nationality-based celebrations. They undermine the motto of America, one of its three central values -- e pluribus unum, "from many, one." And this school will be guided by America's values.
This includes all after-school clubs. I will not authorize clubs that divide students based on any identities. This includes race, language, religion, sexual orientation or whatever else may become in vogue in a society divided by political correctness.
Your clubs will be based on interests and passions, not blood, ethnic, racial or other physically defined ties. Those clubs just cultivate narcissism -- an unhealthy preoccupation with the self -- while the purpose of education is to get you to think beyond yourself. So we will have clubs that transport you to the wonders and glories of art, music, astronomy, languages you do not already speak, carpentry and more. If the only extracurricular activities you can imagine being interesting in are those based on ethnic, racial or sexual identity, that means that little outside of yourself really interests you.
Second, I am uninterested in whether English is your native language. My only interest in terms of language is that you leave this school speaking and writing English as fluently as possible. The English language has united America's citizens for over 200 years, and it will unite us at this school. It is one of the indispensable reasons this country of immigrants has always come to be one country. And if you leave this school without excellent English language skills, I would be remiss in my duty to ensure that you will be prepared to successfully compete in the American job market. We will learn other languages here -- it is deplorable that most Americans only speak English -- but if you want classes taught in your native language rather than in English, this is not your school.
Third, because I regard learning as a sacred endeavor, everything in this school will reflect learning's elevated status. This means, among other things, that you and your teachers will dress accordingly. Many people in our society dress more formally for Hollywood events than for church or school. These people have their priorities backward. Therefore, there will be a formal dress code at this school.
Fourth, no obscene language will be tolerated anywhere on this school's property -- whether in class, in the hallways or at athletic events. If you can't speak without using the f-word, you can't speak. By obscene language I mean the words banned by the Federal Communications Commission, plus epithets such as "Nigger," even when used by one black student to address another black, or "bitch," even when addressed by a girl to a girlfriend. It is my intent that by the time you leave this school, you will be among the few your age to instinctively distinguish between the elevated and the degraded, the holy and the obscene.
Fifth, we will end all self-esteem programs. In this school, self-esteem will be attained in only one way -- the way people attained it until decided otherwise a generation ago -- by earning it. One immediate consequence is that there will be one valedictorian, not eight.
Sixth, and last, I am reorienting the school toward academics and away from politics and propaganda. No more time will devoted to scaring you about smoking and caffeine, or terrifying you about sexual harassment or global warming. No more semesters will be devoted to condom wearing and teaching you to regard sexual relations as only or primarily a health issue. There will be no more attempts to convince you that you are a victim because you are not white, or not male, or not heterosexual or not Christian. We will have failed if any one of you graduates this school and does not consider him or herself inordinately lucky -- to be alive and to be an American.
Now, please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of our country. As many of you do not know the words, your teachers will hand them out to you.
To the students and faculty of our high school:
I am your new principal, and honored to be so. There is no greater calling than to teach young people.
I would like to apprise you of some important changes coming to our school. I am making these changes because I am convinced that most of the ideas that have dominated public education in America have worked against you, against your teachers and against our country.
First, this school will no longer honor race or ethnicity. I could not care less if your racial makeup is black, brown, red, yellow or white. I could not care less if your origins are African, Latin American, Asian or European, or if your ancestors arrived here on the Mayflower or on slave ships.
The only identity I care about, the only one this school will recognize, is your individual identity -- your character, your scholarship, your humanity. And the only national identity this school will care about is American. This is an American public school, and American public schools were created to make better Americans.
If you wish to affirm an ethnic, racial or religious identity through school, you will have to go elsewhere. We will end all ethnicity-, race- and non-American nationality-based celebrations. They undermine the motto of America, one of its three central values -- e pluribus unum, "from many, one." And this school will be guided by America's values.
This includes all after-school clubs. I will not authorize clubs that divide students based on any identities. This includes race, language, religion, sexual orientation or whatever else may become in vogue in a society divided by political correctness.
Your clubs will be based on interests and passions, not blood, ethnic, racial or other physically defined ties. Those clubs just cultivate narcissism -- an unhealthy preoccupation with the self -- while the purpose of education is to get you to think beyond yourself. So we will have clubs that transport you to the wonders and glories of art, music, astronomy, languages you do not already speak, carpentry and more. If the only extracurricular activities you can imagine being interesting in are those based on ethnic, racial or sexual identity, that means that little outside of yourself really interests you.
Second, I am uninterested in whether English is your native language. My only interest in terms of language is that you leave this school speaking and writing English as fluently as possible. The English language has united America's citizens for over 200 years, and it will unite us at this school. It is one of the indispensable reasons this country of immigrants has always come to be one country. And if you leave this school without excellent English language skills, I would be remiss in my duty to ensure that you will be prepared to successfully compete in the American job market. We will learn other languages here -- it is deplorable that most Americans only speak English -- but if you want classes taught in your native language rather than in English, this is not your school.
Third, because I regard learning as a sacred endeavor, everything in this school will reflect learning's elevated status. This means, among other things, that you and your teachers will dress accordingly. Many people in our society dress more formally for Hollywood events than for church or school. These people have their priorities backward. Therefore, there will be a formal dress code at this school.
Fourth, no obscene language will be tolerated anywhere on this school's property -- whether in class, in the hallways or at athletic events. If you can't speak without using the f-word, you can't speak. By obscene language I mean the words banned by the Federal Communications Commission, plus epithets such as "Nigger," even when used by one black student to address another black, or "bitch," even when addressed by a girl to a girlfriend. It is my intent that by the time you leave this school, you will be among the few your age to instinctively distinguish between the elevated and the degraded, the holy and the obscene.
Fifth, we will end all self-esteem programs. In this school, self-esteem will be attained in only one way -- the way people attained it until decided otherwise a generation ago -- by earning it. One immediate consequence is that there will be one valedictorian, not eight.
Sixth, and last, I am reorienting the school toward academics and away from politics and propaganda. No more time will devoted to scaring you about smoking and caffeine, or terrifying you about sexual harassment or global warming. No more semesters will be devoted to condom wearing and teaching you to regard sexual relations as only or primarily a health issue. There will be no more attempts to convince you that you are a victim because you are not white, or not male, or not heterosexual or not Christian. We will have failed if any one of you graduates this school and does not consider him or herself inordinately lucky -- to be alive and to be an American.
Now, please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of our country. As many of you do not know the words, your teachers will hand them out to you.
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