by Rupe | Jul 19, 2011 | Fitness
You exercise extra hard for “six-pack†abs, but no matter how much sweat you produce, you are not seeing the outcome that you are after. It’s hard to lose abdominal fat, if you are not exercising correctly.
Men store most of their fat around the waist. Unfortunately, this is the type of fat that is linked to chronic disorders, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and colon cancer.Â
Exercise is a great way to improve your mid-section, but it must be performed properly. The following includes 7 common abdominal training mistakes most men make.
1. Only Performing Crunches and Sit-ups
These exercises are probably the most commonly performed for abdominal training. And for good reason – they work! However, your muscles quickly adapt to certain exercises. If this happens, they may stop responding. Changing your workout every few weeks will ensure the results keep coming.  Continue…
by Rupe | Jul 19, 2011 | Health-Wellness-Sex
Do you feel like you are surrounded by sweets? Cookies, ice-cream, candy, soda and other sugary treats are everywhere, along with the extra calories and simple carbohydrates they contain. For people with diabetes and those trying to cut calories and carbohydrates, sugar is a big no-no, so the words “sugar free†can be music to their ears—or at least satisfaction for a sweet tooth. Continue reading…
My Comments:
Really great article on sweeteners…well worth a read.
by Rupe | Jul 19, 2011 | Fitness
One of the better leg workout that I have had in a long time. I think I got through most of the workout without much issue, although I started to tire at the end. I had an ok breakfast and that I believe did help.
Workout: Day 50 (M18/Lower Body) – 61mins/1min rest
Hack Squat 3×12 @ 360
Smith’s Squat 3×12 @ 150,160,180
Stiff-Legged Dead lift 3×12 @ 150,16,180
Seated Leg Extension 3×15 @ 135,150,135
Hamstring curl – 3×12,10,10@90,100,100lbs
Seated Calf-raise 4×15 @Â 90 (2×45’s)
Cardio: 20 mins
Distance: 2.0
Pushups: 0 (at least 50 per day)
Calories: 800
Tracker
Total Distance: 134.00 miles (Goal 250/116.00 remain) *
Total Calories: 34,791 (Goal 50,000/15,209 remain) *
Total Pushups: 1,755 (Goal 10,000 / 8,245)
Good livin’…keep movin’!
-R-
by Rupe | Jul 18, 2011 | Mad Musings, what the...?
DADAAB, Kenya — The people start trudging in at dawn, more than a thousand every day, exhausted, sick and starving, materializing out of the thin desert air to take their places at the gates of the world’s largest refugee camp, here in northern Kenya.They are fleeing one of the worst droughts in Somalia in 60 years and many have walked for weeks through an anarchic landscape replete with bandits and militants but little food.By the time they get here, many can barely stand or talk or swallow. Some mothers have even shown up with the bodies of shriveled babies strapped to their backs.   Click HERE to read the rest of this article  and click HERE to view slide show
My Comments:
Too much hunger…too much poverty only made worse by stupid men fighting mindless war for some dumb cause. Â The disturbing thing about this picture is that this mother…this women without a name to me is reaching put for a bowl, as she hold the listless body of her helpless infant in her arms. Â I can imagine the father of this infant off at some distant place, probably fighting for some god, his faith or some other cause, while his kid suffers. Â Why is it that we burden our women with such heavy labor of body and mind. Â We call ourselves men…but we are nothing but mere fools. Â If the meek shall inherit the earth, I guess very few of us men will have his inheritance.
by Rupe | Jul 17, 2011 | philosophy-religion
by Rupe | Jul 17, 2011 | Money Matters
Regardless of your age, your income or your receding hairline, it’s not too late to start retirement planning and move toward a more comfortable future.
Maybe you cared more about Woodstock than shares of stock. Or it could be that you kept a closer eye on your favorite MTV VJ than on your 401(k).
Whatever the reason, you’ve put off saving for your retirement — until now. With retirement on the horizon, you worry that you’re too late, that you’ll never amass enough money, that your retirement dreams will stay just dreams.
My Comments:
This article provides really cogent commonsense advice on saving for the future. Â I would recommend it highly.
by Rupe | Jul 15, 2011 | Fitness
Sort of a tough workout. Â Felt pretty tired by the time I got to the end of it. Â Had problems hold my gripDrank a spark drink, but by the time it kicked in I was done. Â Really silly preparation, but better getting in something than sitting on my bum.
Workout: Day 49 (F15/Upper Body II) – 42mins/1min rest
Pull down (wide grip) 3×12  @ 110,120,110
Pull down (close grip) 3×12 @ 110,120,130
Deadlifts – 3×12 @ 140, 160, 180 (*) aahhhhhh! bad ass!
One arm DB rows 2×12 @ 60,60
Barbell Bentover Rows – 10@110
DB Shrugs 1×12 – 60lbs
Smith Machine Shrugs – 3×15 @ 90lbs
Smits Machine Reverse Shrugs – 3×15 @ 90lbs
Seated Shrugs – 3×15@90,110,110
Preacher Curl – 1×12 @ 40lbs (2x20s)
Barbell Curl – 12 @ (Long Bar with 10s)
Standing DB Curl 3×12 – 20lbs
Cardio: 0 mins
Distance: 0.0
Pushups: 0 (at least 50 per day)
Calories: 400
Tracker
Total Distance: 132.00 miles (Goal 250/118.00 remain) *
Total Calories: 33,991 (Goal 50,000/16,009 remain) *
Total Pushups: 1,755 (Goal 10,000 / 8,245)
Good livin’…keep movin’!
-R-
by Rupe | Jul 14, 2011 | Inspiration, Musical Words
[ti_audio name=”Yvad” autoplay=”1″ autoresume=”1″ width=200″ height=”170″]
Yvad is probably one of the most influential musicians in my life. I find his music uplifting, spiritual, positive and very pragmatic (real). I have been listening to this album for well over 20 years. It has held me up at times when I was in some pretty dark places. He is truly a blessed messenger of the island of Jamaica (my birthplace). Enjoy!!!!
by Rupe | Jul 14, 2011 | Health-Wellness-Sex, Mad Musings
Physical pleasure binds two people together and lets them endure the inevitable pains and losses of being human. When sex becomes boring, something deeper is usually the problem — resentment or envy or lack of honesty. So I worry about the sudden craze for Lysistrata’s solution. Why reject honey for vinegar? Don’t we all deserve sugar in our bowls?
People always ask me what happened to sex since “Fear of Flying.†While editing an anthology of women’s sexual writing called “Sugar in My Bowl†last year, I was fascinated to see, among younger women, a nostalgia for ’50s-era attitudes toward sexuality. The older writers in my anthology are raunchier than the younger writers. The younger writers are obsessed with motherhood and monogamy. Continue…
My Comments:
This article is really worth a read by anyone who things that close physical connections between adults are important.
by Rupe | Jul 13, 2011 | Fitness
Really good workout although I got pretty tired to the end. Unlike the last upper body day, I did not have an energy bar like the last. My 30 minute elliptical was at moderate pace. Focusing a bit on upping my reps on the exercise and upping my cardio burn…staying out of the anerobic level.
Workout: Day 48 (W13/Upper Body I) – 94mins/1min rest
Bench press 3×12 (75,75,75)
Incline press 3×12 (45,45,45)
Decline press 3×12 (45,45,45)
Front Military Press 3×12 (40,40,40)
Bench Dips 3×25
Push Down 3×12 (100,100,100)
Pec-Rear Delt 3×12 (70,100,100)
Fwd Str Arm Push Down 3×12 (70)
Forward Arm Raises – 3×12 (20lbs plates) – can substitue DB punch
Bent-over Lateral – 3×12 @15
Cardio: 30 mins
Distance: 3.0
Pushups: 0 (at least 50 per day)
Calories: 1000
Tracker
Total Distance: 132.00 miles (Goal 250/118.00 remain) *
Total Calories: 33,591 (Goal 50,000/16,409 remain) *
Total Pushups: 1,755 (Goal 10,000 / 8,245)
Good livin’…keep movin’!
-R-
by Rupe | Jul 13, 2011 | Health-Wellness-Sex
You’re about to leave the office to meet your new summer fling for a hot date. To check your breath, you turn to the classic breathing on your palm trick. The problem: It doesn’t work. (As if you hadn’t already figured that out by now.)
Here’s a better way to test your breath from Margaret Mitchell, D.D.S., member of the American Dental Association, and founder of the Mitchell Dental Spa in Chicago: Lick the back of your hand. Wait 10 minutes, then smell the area. Sulfur salts will stay on your hand, leaving a bad smell.
So what do you do if your mouth smells like a St. Bernard’s? Continue…
My Comments:
Hmmmm….! there is nothing like bad breath that can kill an otherwise good kiss. But can it be a good kiss, if the other person’s breath is pushing you back? I don’t think so. By the way, check to make sure your house is in order too. When it comes to kissing, one should live by the saying - Give to your partner what you would like them to give onto you…well, unless you like bad breath. Anyway…great article, click to take a read.
by Rupe | Jul 13, 2011 | Mad Musings, Mentoring
I was trying to do two things at once — cook (in the kitchen) while deciphering some paperwork (in the next room). I’d been interrupted a thousand times with requests for snacks, shrieks over spilled paint water, questions about what squirrels like to eat, and arguments over whether clouds could be blue and flowers could be green. And did I mention that a ruptured disk in my back was throbbing even worse than my head?
Still, nothing can excuse my behavior that afternoon.
I erupted like Mount Momsuvius: “Enough! Get out! Stop bothering me!” Continue…
My Comments:
Okay, so I am listening to CNN this morning at my desk and this reporter came on with this article…”9 Things not to say to your kids”. Now, I must admit, I am not the most liberal father out there, but for crying out loud…you have got to be kidding me. You have got to read this.
by Rupe | Jul 12, 2011 | Fitness, Inspiration
Everyone tells us to stay motivated. Our friends, our co-workers, our relatives say to keep going, don’t quit. Sometimes, though, you ask, “Why? Why try my hardest when it ends in disappointment? Why go through something when it’s going to hurt? Why?”
Because it’s going to be different this time! Because you can’t accomplish anything that you give up on. Disappointments and failures happen to everyone. The difference between those who reach their goals and those who don’t is staying motivated. If you’re motivated, you’ll keep going. If you keep going, eventually you’ll reach your goal.  Continue...
My Comments:
Awesome article on motivation from Sparkspeople…a must read.Â
by Rupe | Jul 12, 2011 | Fitness
Another awesome cardio/Abs session. It honestly was not as intense as last week: I did not do as many reps, because I think I need to take a rest…my body feels a bit worn because I have been working out straight for the last 4 days.
Workout: Day 47 (T12/Cardio-Abs) – 60mins/1min rest
Obliques -Â 75 (w/40lbs)
Reverse Machine – 50
Lying Crunches – 60
Lying Left Crunch – 60
Lying Right Crunch – 60
Cardio: 30 mins
Distance: 4.10
Pushups: 0 (at least 50 per day)
Calories: 600
Tracker
Total Distance: 129.00 miles (Goal 250/121.00 remain) *
Total Calories: 32,591 (Goal 50,000/17,409 remain) *
Total Pushups: 1,755 (Goal 10,000 / 8,245)
Good livin’…keep movin’!
-R-
by Rupe | Jul 11, 2011 | Fitness
Since I worked out over the weekend, I felt pretty sore for today’s workout. Â From the first rep to the last it was not really a struggle, but the soreness did prevent me from pushing to the hilt. Â Did not bulk push today; in fact, most of my weight was well down. Â No worries though, I will kick it in for next lower body.
Workout: Day 46 (M11/Lower Body) – 61mins/1min rest
Hack Squat 3×15 @ 270
Stiff-Legged Dead lift 1×12,6,10 @ 140, 140,140 (45’s+25s)
Seated Leg Extension 1×15,25,15 (150,70,150) added several additional burnout reps
Weightless Squats 3×25
Hamstring curl – 3×15 (60lbs)
Seated Calf-raise 3×20 90 (2×45’s)
Hack Calf Press 3×15 (270lbs)
Cardio: 20 mins
Distance: 2.75
Pushups: 0 (at least 50 per day)
Calories: 800
Tracker
Total Distance: 124.90 miles (Goal 250/125.10 remain) *
Total Calories: 31,991 (Goal 50,000/18,009 remain) *
Total Pushups: 1,755 (Goal 10,000 / 8,245)
Good livin’…keep movin’!
-R-
by Rupe | Jul 11, 2011 | Fitness
Exercise beginners usually try to make up for lost time by going all out their first week. The result? Injury or intense soreness. Pain does not necessarily mean gain.
Many injuries occur at joints, where bones meet and provide motion. An enormous amount of stress and constant pressure are put on your joints, even from everyday activities, especially if you have added weight. Just as you wouldn’t expect your house to handle the wear and tear without strong beams, your body won’t handle the stress without stronger muscles. Lower back pain, hip pain, shin splints, shoulder injuries, knee pain, tight calves – all can be avoided with a warm-up and proper stretching, along with a little strength exercising. Continue…
by Rupe | Jul 11, 2011 | Health-Wellness-Sex
Read the paper, watch TV, listen to the radio, or simply survive a day at the office and you’ll encounter plenty of things to get angry about. But turn the other cheek? Never, says Yann Martel, the author of Life of Pi and the new book Beatrice and Virgil. “I shout and I beat and I kick until I’m satisfied that the jerk who brought it on himself is deeply sorry and won’t ever do it again,†he says. It’s all safely contained inside Martel’s head, of course—a freeing truth that allows him to shout at, spit at, set fire to, and bury alive anyone he wishes to his heart’s content.Â
You can make anger work for you, too. Research shows that occasionally blowing your lid can ease your mind, improve athletic performance, boost libido, and facilitate business negotiations. In fact, we’ve found 5 healthy reasons to have a temper. One disclaimer from our lawyers: Seek professional help if your anger fantasies threaten to cross the line into really going postal.  Read more…
My Comment:
Ok read. I think it needs to be kept away from the female unit though.
by Rupe | Jul 10, 2011 | Mad Musings
Gary Younge believes that identity itself is harmless, but the ways people choose to use it can hurt.
In his new book, Who Are We — And Should it Matter in the Twenty-First Century? Younge explores the ways people identify one another and how those identities affect our lives.
Younge tells NPR’s Brian Naylor that his exploration of identity started, naturally, with his own.
“I’m a black Brit who’s lived in New York for nine years,” he says.
And that matters because of all the ways he’s been misidentified and because of how that treatment has influenced his own story — a story that very much informs his point of view.
“I think we all come to life, politics, social interactions with something,” he says. “The idea that we are purely objective, omniscient all-seeing beings is a terrible mistake.”
But sometimes the more powerful your identity is, the less it can actually feels like one. Younge uses his own story as an example. Â Continue….
My Comments:
Really good read. Â You can even listen to the podcast on NPR as well.Â
by Rupe | Jul 10, 2011 | Money Matters
I think all of the elements are indispensable, but in my opinion, risk control is what separates an outstanding investor from the rest. Risk control is invisible in good times, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t important. It’s only in bad times that we find out who had the risks under control and who didn’t. When people make high returns in good times, it could be because of skill, or luck, or risk-bearing, or any combination. But people who do it through luck or risk-bearing tend to give those gains back in bad times. We want to know who they are and avoid relying on them.
My Comments:
After years of studying the stock market, I have come to the conclusion that beating the market consistently is extremely hard. Â I don’t necessarily believe that a superior investor is a function of skill…it is more of a group of inside guys manipulating the market. Â Sorry for the cynicism…
by Rupe | Jul 10, 2011 | Health-Wellness-Sex
The number of obese U.S. adults rose in 16 states in the last year, helping to push obesity rates in a dozen states above 30 percent, according to a report released on Thursday.
By that measure, Mississippi is the fattest state in the union with an adult obesity rate of 34.4 percent. Colorado is the least obese — with a rate of 19.8 percent — and the only state with an adult obesity rate below 20 percent, according to “F as in Fat,” an annual report from the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
While the number of states showing significant year-over-year increases in obesity has been slowing, no state chalked up an actual decline. Even Colorado does not win high marks — its score means one in five state residents is at higher risk for conditions like heart disease and diabetes.  Continue…
My Comments:
While I do understand the dynamics of this problem, I don’t get why people would persist in such harmful ways.
by Rupe | Jul 10, 2011 | Fitness
At a deeper level, moderation is a commitment to balance and wholeness. It is rooted in the recognition that each person has many different (and often competing) needs, desires, abilities, and goals. Living up to your full potential means finding ways to incorporate all of them into your decision-making processes and choices.
Continue…
My Comments:
Really good article. Â I have really come to believe in this idea of moderation. Â I think, however, that before you get to the point where you can practice moderation, one has to take drastic steps to break the destructive dieting cycle. Â So, if you are 300lbs, you need to embark upon a massive weight loss goal and then start to take gradual moderation steps to continue on the road.
by Rupe | Jul 10, 2011 | Fitness
Like the run yesterday with Marcus, decided to take out the entire family this morning. Â We got out there about 1000 hrs and ran for about 30 mins. Â The got pretty hot really quickly…it was also pretty humid as well. Â Way to go family…good job.
Workout: Day 45 (Su10/Cardio-PU) – 30mins
Cardio: 30 mins
Distance: 2.25
Pushups: 100 (at least 50 per day)
Calories: 429
Tracker
Total Distance: 122.15 miles (Goal 250/127.85 remain) *
Total Calories: 31,191 (Goal 50,000/18,809 remain) *
Total Pushups: 1,755 (Goal 10,000 / 8,245)
Good livin’…keep movin’!
-R-
by Rupe | Jul 9, 2011 | Fitness
Since I missed my leg workout yesterday, I decided to do a full body workout this morning.  In fact, it is  Pretty good all-around workout. The weird thing about the workout was
Workout: Day 44 (S9/Full) – 55mins/1min rest
DB Press – 3×12 @ 70lbs
DB Row – 3×12 @ 40lbs
DB St. Leg – 3×12 @ 35lbs
DB Squats – 3×12 @ 35lbs
DB Biceps – 3×12 @ 20
Db Triceps – 3×12 @ 20,30,20
DB Shrugs – 3×15 @ 40lbs
Cardio: 25mins
Distance: 2.25
Pushups: 0 (at least 50 per day)
Calories: 1167
Tracker
Total Distance: 119.90 miles (Goal 250/130.10 remain) *
Total Calories: 30,762 (Goal 50,000/19,238 remain) *
Total Pushups: 1,755 (Goal 10,000 / 8,245)
Good livin’…keep movin’!
-R-
by Rupe | Jul 7, 2011 | Fitness
Awesome cardio/Abs session. Eating was ok, pretty good elliptical session, and hyped up obliques.
Workout: Day 43 (Th7/Cardio-Abs) – 62mins/1min rest
Obliques – 100 (w/40lbs)
Reverse Machine – 50
Flutter kicks – 50
Lying Crunches – 100
Lying Left Crunch – 100
Lying Right Crunch – 100
Cardio: 30mins
Distance: 3.3
Pushups: 0 (at least 50 per day)
Calories: 1015
Tracker
Total Distance: 117.65 miles (Goal 250/132.35 remain) *
Total Calories: 29,595 (Goal 50,000/20,405 remain) *
Total Pushups: 1,755 (Goal 10,000 / 8,245)
Good livin’…keep movin’!
-R-
by Rupe | Jul 7, 2011 | Frugal-Me, Inspiration
This July 2nd my wife and I happily celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. In our seven years together as a married couple we have experienced loss (mother, aunts, grandparents, friend), gain (our two children, nieces, and nephews) and believe it or not, financial prosperity.
This last one may not seem like a big deal on the surface, but I believe our mindset about money is what has allowed us to survive the good, the bad, and the ugly during our years of marital bliss. Continue reading…
My Comments
This is a pretty lock-on couple and is a strong candidate for frugal marriage of the year. I really like reading about this kinda stuff; they are serious inspiration to me and my family.
by Rupe | Jul 7, 2011 | Fitness, Inspiration
From Sparkpeople – SARAB1989
Tonight I went to a cycling class at 24HourFitness, not knowing it was an advanced class. About 15 minutes into it, my entire shirt was wet from sweat!
I’ve participated in cycling classes before, and even though they were hard, they were absolutely nothing compared to this one. The room was dark, people were scattered all over the floor on their bikes, and the music was pumping in the background.Â
40 minutes into the class, we were pedaling as fast as we can, up for 3 seconds and down for 3 seconds. I felt every single muscle in my legs burn as if they were about to tear. The instructor kept saying “You can do this! Do it for yourself!” I repeated to myself over and over as I continued to give it my all. Continue Reading…
My Comments:
I really like inspirational pieces like this. I like to see people pushing through what they perceive to be limitations and reach new heights. Sara is truly a champion…awesome stuff.
by Rupe | Jul 6, 2011 | Fitness
After quite a bit of time away from the gym over the July 4th weekend. I felt pretty good, although it was not optimum.  Really all-around good workout. I didn’t feel as tired at the end as I have recently.
Workout: Day 42 (W6/Upper Body II) – 78mins/1min rest
Pull down 1×10,10,10 (130,140,150)
Deadlifts – 3×12 @ 160
One arm DB rows (70,70,70)
Barbell Bentover Rows – 10@110
Smith Machine Shrugs – 3×15 @ 110lbs
Smits Machine Reverse Shrugs – 2×15 @ 110lbs
Seated Shrugs – 3×15@90,110,110
Preacher Curl – 1×12 @ 40lbs (2x20s)
Barbell Curl – 10 @ (Long Bar with 10s)
 Short Barbell Curl 1×12,10,10 @ 10lbs
DB Curl 1×12,12 – 25,25,25lbs
Cardio: 15mins
Distance: 1.33
Pushups: 0
Calories: 1015
Tracker
Total Distance: 114.35 miles (Goal 250/135.65 remain) *
Total Calories: 28,580 (Goal 50,000/21,420 remain) *
Total Pushups: 1,755 (Goal 10,000 / 8,245)
Good livin’…keep movin’!
-R-
by Rupe | Jul 6, 2011 | Not So Recent Reads
Title: SuperFreakanomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
Publisher Summary:
Global Cooling, Patriotic Prostitutes, and Why Suicide Bombers Should Buy Life Insurance
The New York Times best-selling Freakonomics was a worldwide sensation, selling more than four million copies in 35 languages and changing the way we look at the world. Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner return with Superfreakonomics, and fans and newcomers alike will find that the freakquel is even bolder, funnier, and more surprising than the first.
SuperFreakonomics challenges the way we think all over again, exploring the hidden side of everything with such questions as: How is a street prostitute like a department-store Santa? What do hurricanes, heart attacks, and highway deaths have in common? Can eating kangaroo save the planet?
Levitt and Dubner mix smart thinking and great storytelling like no one else. By examining how people respond to incentives, they show the world for what it really is: good, bad, ugly, and, in the final analysis, super freaky.
Freakonomics has been imitated many times over – but only now, with SuperFreakonomics, has it met its match.
My Comments:
I read the first iteration Freakanomics back in 2005 and was really amazed by the varied relationships uncovered, this takes that discovery writing to another level and is well worth the time to read.
Grab it Now at Amazon
by Rupe | Jul 6, 2011 | Not So Recent Reads
Title: The Assault on Reason by Al Gore
Publisher’s Summary:
Here is a visionary analysis of how the politics of fear, secrecy, cronyism, and blind faith have combined with the degradation of the public sphere to create an environment dangerously hostile to reason.
At the time George W. Bush ordered American forces to invade Iraq, 70 percent of Americans believed Saddam Hussein was linked to 9/11. Voters in Ohio, when asked by pollsters to list what stuck in their minds about the recent campaign, most frequently named two Bush television ads that played to fears of terrorism.
We live in an age when the 30-second television spot is the most powerful force shaping the electorate’s thinking, and America is in the hands of an administration less interested than any previous administration in sharing the truth with the citizenry. Related to this and of even greater concern is this administration’s disinterest in the process by which the truth is ascertained, the tenets of fact-based reasoning – first among them an embrace of open inquiry in which unexpected and inconvenient facts can lead to unexpected conclusions.
How did we get here? How much damage has been done to the functioning of our democracy and its role as steward of our security? Never has there been a worse time for us to lose the capacity to face the reality of our long-term challenges, from national security to the economy, from issues of health and social welfare to the environment. As The Assault on Reason explains, we have precious little time to waste.
Drawing on a life’s work in politics, as well as on the work of experts across a broad range of disciplines, Al Gore has written a farsighted and powerful manifesto for clear thinking.
My comments:
I quite liked the read and found very few faults. Â It read pretty much like a textbook and I think I would not mind attending lectures on this subject. Â I recommend.Â
Grab it from Amazon
by Rupe | Jul 6, 2011 | Not So Recent Reads
Title – Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick
Publisher’s Summary:
Barbara Demick’s Nothing to Envy follows the lives of six North Koreans over 15 years – a chaotic period that saw the death of Kim Il-sung and the unchallenged rise to power of his son, Kim Jong-il, and the devastation of a far-ranging famine that killed one-fifth of the population.
Taking us into a landscape never before seen, Demick brings to life what it means to be an average Korean citizen, living under the most repressive totalitarian regime today – an Orwellian world in which radio and television dials are welded to the one government station, a country that is by choice not connected to the Internet, a society in which outward displays of affection are punished, and a police state that rewards informants and where an offhanded remark can send a citizen to the gulag for life. Demick’s subjects – a middle-aged party loyalist and her rebellious daughter, an idealistic female doctor, an orphan, and two young lovers – all hail from the same provincial city in the farthest-flung northern reaches of the country. One by one, we witness the moments of revelation, when each realizes that they have been betrayed by the Fatherland and that their suffering is not a global condition but is uniquely theirs.
Nothing to Envy is the first book about North Korea to go deep inside the country, beyond the reach of government censors, and penetrate the mind-set of the average citizen. It is a groundbreaking and essential addition to the literature of totalitarianism.
My Comments:
A really great read. Â This book does give you a pretty good glimpse into one of the most dires situations on the globe. Â I would highly recommend a read.
Grab it Now at Amazon
You exercise extra hard for “six-pack†abs, but no matter how much sweat you produce, you are not seeing the outcome that you are after. It’s hard to lose abdominal fat, if you are not exercising correctly.
