by Rupe | Jul 5, 2011 | Frugal-Me
Article written by – Lauren Ray
For the thrifty individual, buying a new vehicle is anathema. But sometimes the buy-quality-and-hold approach pays off in the long run. In 1967, my dad bought two new cars: an AMC Rambler and a Chevrolet Stepside C-10 Pickup. He had the car for more than 20 years and the truck for over 30. As a matter of fact, the truck outlived my father.Â
 With a brutal, roundtrip commute of about 150 miles every day, plus long family road trips on our school vacations, he managed to put nearly a million miles on the Rambler over its lifetime. When my older sister eventually got her driver’s license, being the frugal dad that he was, he sold the car to her. Read on…
My Comments:
This is simply awesome. My current Mitsubishi Eclipse was built and purchase in 1991 so as of today it is 21 years old. I have just over 170,000 on the odometer. At the current average of 8100 miles a year over the life of the vehicle, I could conceivably get to 300k on the vehicle. The body is in great shape, the engine is really clean and would you believe it, it has made 2 deployments to Bahrain for a total of 26 months in the dusty and dirty grime of the island. I really can’t say enough about my car. It has really been a wealth builder for me and I must say, I love that car.
by Rupe | Jul 4, 2011 | Money Matters
I’ve often discussed the concept of how to live below your means. I believe that it’s the cornerstone of living well in the financial sense, so I’ve decided to reflect on a couple of financial philosophies that all of us have been practicing in some form or another. I revisited the questions:
I’ve often discussed the concept of how to live below your means. I believe that it’s the cornerstone of living well in the financial sense, so I’ve decided to reflect on a couple of financial philosophies that all of us have been practicing in some form or another. I revisited the questions:
They sound like they’re the same thing at first glance, but when I reflect on these questions, I realize they don’t exactly mean the same thing, and that I lean towards the approach of “earning more than I spend†more than I do its counterpart. I prefer to earn more than I spend — meaning that I focus more on income generation than I do on cutting costs, although I definitely employ both tactics in order to build my net worth. This is the case because I’d like to have the option of being able to enjoy creature comforts and a few luxuries on occasion. Having money simply means having more choices. Continue….
My Comment:
I am definitely a frugalist in the truest sense of the word. Â I tend to approach purchases from a pragmatic standpoint. Â Yes, I do have my times and weaknesses, but by-and-large I still to my frugal ways…call me cheap if you wanna.
by Rupe | Jul 2, 2011 | Money Matters
I have a far-out idea to share with the next generation of the American middle class.
Right now, I’m speaking specifically to the young people who are finishing up a college degree, perhaps in a promising field, and starting to get interviews for jobs with salaries they could only dream of just a few years earlier. The Adult World lies exciting and vast before you, and the Opportunities are unlimited!
At this point, let’s imagine you just dive in and start playing it by ear. You work hard at the new job, buy a new car, rent an apartment, enjoy restaurants and vacations, and may even save towards the downpayment on your first house.  Click to read full article….
My Comment:
This is locked on; really good article. Â I had my first kid at 32, not exactly at retirement, but the idea was to make sure that I had means in place before adding kids to the mix. Â I am really happy I did that because now, the reality of not having to work until I am 90 is a bit closer than it would have been. Â Here is another good article from Forbes Magazine.
by Rupe | Jun 30, 2011 | Fitness
You tell yourself you are putting in the work to slim down your midsection, but the mirror is telling you something entirely different There’s your belly, hanging over your belt. What’s that about?
Before you just forget the belt, remember that there’s more at stake than looking buff. Excess belly fat can tag along with a laundry list of chronic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Read more…
by Rupe | Jun 30, 2011 | Health-Wellness-Sex
We’ve all heard about “beer goggles”, the mythical, invisible eyewear that makes everyone else seem incredibly attractive after a few pints too many. If only beer had the reverse effect, making the drinker seem irresistibly attractive. Well, the good news is that beer does actually do this. The bad news is that the ones who are attracted are malarial mosquitoes.
Anopheles gambiae (the mosquito that transmits malaria) tracks its victims by their smells. By wafting the aromas of humans over thousands of mosquitoes, Thierry Lefevre found that they find the body odour of beer drinkers to be quite tantalising. The smell of tee-total water drinkers just can’t compare. The somewhat quirky conclusion from the study, albeit one with public health implications, is that drinking beer could increase the risk of contracting malaria.
by Rupe | Jun 30, 2011 | Mad Musings
While Medicaid and Medicare sound similar, they are in fact very different programs. One of the biggest differences is Medicaid is a state governed program and Medicare is a federal governed program. Here are some other differences:
Medicaid is for low income:
- Pregnant women
- Children under the age of 19
- People 65 and over
- People who are blind
- People who are disabled
- People who need nursing home care
- Application for Medicaid is at the State’s Medicaid agency.
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by Rupe | Jun 29, 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.  Â
Workout: Day 41 (W29/Upper Body I) – 81mins/1min rest
Bench press 3×12 (75,75,75)
Incline press 3×12 (50,50,50)
Front Military Press 3×12 (40,40,40)
Bench Dips 3×25
Push Down 3×12 (140,140,140) + 3×25@70
Forward Arm Raises – 3×12 (20lbs plates) – can substitue DB punch
Bent-over Lateral – 3×12 @15
Cardio: 30mins
Distance: 3.85
Pushups: 0
Calories: 826
Tracker
Total Distance: 113.02 miles (Goal 250/136.98 remain) *
Total Calories: 27,565 (Goal 50,000/22,435 remain) *
Total Pushups: 1,755 (Goal 10,000 / 8,245)
Good livin’…keep movin’!
-R-
by Rupe | Jun 27, 2011 | Fitness
You’re a busy man—you have fat to burn, muscle to build, beer to drink, and, oh yeah, work. So we’ll keep this short: You don’t have to make big changes in your life to make a big difference in your health. Little things can mean the difference between having a heart attack at 40 and living to see your great-grandkids.
These 12 disease-fighting tricks may seem insignificant because they take almost no time to do, but they’ll make you healthier, slimmer, and stronger so you live better and longer. Â Â Read more….
by Rupe | Jun 27, 2011 | Fitness
I put off this workout from last Friday because I did not bring my workout clothes. No worries though, I felt pretty good. I went up slightly on the lying hack, but stayed pretty constant otherwise. Also, I upped the number of reps some. I will be increasing my rep count to tone muscle and and continue to get rip.
Workout: Day 40 (M27/Lower Body) – 72mins/1min rest
Hack Squat 1×12,12,12 (360,410,410)
Smiths Machine Stiff-Legged Dead lift 1×15,15,15 @ 140, 140,140 (45’s+25s)
Seated Leg Extension 1×12,15,15 (150,110,110) added several additional burnout reps
Hamstring curl – 3×15 (60lbs)
Seated Calf-raise 3×20 90 (2×45’s)
Standing Calf Press 3×15 (110)
Cardio:Â 20 mins
Distance: 1.75 (took it very easy)
Pushups: 0
Calories: 600
Tracker
Total Distance: 109.17 miles (Goal 250/140.83 remain) *
Total Calories: 26,739 (Goal 50,000/23,261 remain) *
Total Pushups: 1,755 (Goal 10,000 / 8,245)
Good livin’…keep movin’!
-R-
by Rupe | Jun 23, 2011 | Fitness
Went easy on legs today although it should have been a cardio session; instead I focused on working my abs. I spent only about 10 mins on the elliptical. Weight crept up a bit this week since I have been eating a bit more than I usually do. I will just have to hit the cardio a bit more.Â
Workout: Day 39 (Th23/Cardio-Abs) – 45mins/1min rest
Obliques – 75
Reverse Machine – 50
Reverse Lying – 50
Lying Crunches – 50
Left Curl – 50
Right Curl – 50
Total – 325
Cardio: 10mins
Distance: 0.9
Pushups: 0 (at least 50 per day)
Calories: 450
Tracker
Total Distance: 107.42 miles (Goal 250/142.58 remain) *
Total Calories: 26,139 (Goal 50,000/23,861 remain) *
Total Pushups: 1,755 (Goal 10,000 / 8,245)
Good livin’…keep movin’!
-R-
by Rupe | Jun 22, 2011 | Military-Political
Washington — Japan and the United States agreed Tuesday that the deadline to move the Futenma military base within Okinawa Prefecture by 2014 is no longer viable and committed to completing the relocation “at the earliest possible date after 2014.”  Click to read...
My Comments:
With the growing Sino influence throughout the far east, and the constant threat from the North Korean, it would be quite foolish for the Japanese to push the U.S out of Japan. Â Yes, they are a proud people, but they are realists as well. Â The ironic things is…the Chinese are as well.
by Rupe | Jun 22, 2011 | Fitness
Really all-around good workout. I didn’t feel as tired at the end as I have recently. My eating has gotten much better. I feel like I had enough fuel in the tank to get a good workout in. I might need to pull back on the Pull-downs to improve on my form and technique so I can get good gains.Â
Workout: Day 38 (M13/Upper Body II) – 62mins/1min rest
Pull down 1×15,15,15 (140,140,140)Â
Deadlifts – 15 @ 140
One arm DB rows (70,70,70)
Barbell Bentover Rows – 15@110
Smits Machine Shrugs – 3×15 @ 110lbs
Smits Machine Reverse Shrugs – 2×15 @ 110lbs
Seated Shrugs – 3×15@90,110,110
Preacher Curl – 1×12 @ 30lbs (2x15s)
Barbell Curl – 10 @ (Long Bar with 10s)
Barbell Reverse Curles – 10@ (Just Long Bar)
Short Barbell Curl 1×12,10,10 @ 10lbs
DB Curl 1×12,12 – 25,25,25lbs
Cardio: 20mins
Distance: 3.0
Pushups:Â 0 (at least 50 per day)
Calories: 700
Tracker
Total Distance: 106.52 miles (Goal 250/142.48 remain) *
Total Calories: 25,689 (Goal 50,000/24,311 remain) *
Total Pushups: 1,755 (Goal 10,000 / 8,245)
Good livin’…keep movin’!
-R-
by Rupe | Jun 21, 2011 | Fitness
Pretty good cardio day. Also had a great push up day as well. I am closing in on 50% of my caloric burn goal. Will do a measure-up this weekend. Still feel pretty good all-around. I also need to kick up my ab routine. Will be working on that over the next few weeks. Â
Workout: Day 37 (T21/Cardio) – 65mins
Elliptical: 60mins
Distance: 5.0
Abs: 0
Pushups: 200
Calories: 1050
Tracker
Total Distance: 103.52 miles (Goal 250/145.48 remain) *
Total Calories: 24,989 (Goal 50,000/25,011 remain) *
Total Pushups: 1,755 (Goal 10,000 / 8,245)
Good livin’…keep movin’!
-R-
by Rupe | Jun 20, 2011 | Health-Wellness-Sex
Most bedroom problems boil down to this: Men are microwaves and women are slow cookers.
With men, all you have to do is push a few buttons and we”re hotter than a habanero. But with women, it”s an all-day process. You have to buy the ingredients, mix them together, and then put everything in the pot and let it simmer . . . and simmer . . . and simmer.
That”s why we”re offering a microwave mentality for the Crock-Pot reality: quick, easy things you can do to make her heating speeds better match yours. Our suggestions take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. The payoff? They”ll quickly adjust her thermostat to high heat.
Read more by clicking source below
My Comments:
Pretty interesting list from Men’s Health…nuff said.Â
by Rupe | Jun 20, 2011 | Fitness
Probably one of the best workout day I have had recently. I felt strong through the entire workout. I had a yogurt and an energy before heading out to the gym…that might be the trick. In addition, as I have been doing the last few upperbody workout, I went for a 30min Elliptical hit at high intensity.   I continue to maintain my weight goal, workout are going well, and I generally feel great about life…oohyeahhh!!! .
Workout: Day 36 (M20/Upper Body I) – 81mins/1min rest
Bench press 1×12,10,10 (70,75,75)
Incline press 1×12,10,10 (45,50,50)
Front Military Press 1×12,10,10 (40,40,40)
Bench Dips 3×15
Push Down 3×12 (130,140,140) + 3×25@60
Forward Arm Raises – 3×15 (15lbs plates) – can substitue DB punch
Bent-over Lateral – 3×15
Cardio: 30mins
Distance: 4.0
Pushups: 0
Calories: 1235
Tracker
Total Distance: 98.52 miles (Goal 250/151.48 remain) *
Total Calories: 23,939 (Goal 50,000/26,061 remain) *
Total Pushups: 1,555 (Goal 10,000 / 8,445)
Good livin’…keep movin’!
-R-
by Rupe | Jun 18, 2011 | philosophy-religion
It happens rarely, but when it does it causes a commotion of great proportions; it attracts the attention of all, becomes a popular topic for discussion and debate in marketplaces and taverns. It drives people to take sides, quarrel and fight, which for things philosophical is quite remarkable. It happened to Socrates, Hypatia, Thomas More, Giordano Bruno, Jan PatoÄka, and a few others. Due to an irrevocable death sentence, imminent mob execution or torture to death, these philosophers found themselves in the most paradoxical of situations: lovers of logic and rational argumentation, silenced by brute force; professional makers of discourses, banned from using the word; masters of debate and contradiction, able to argue no more. What was left of these philosophers then? Just their silence, their sheer physical presence. The only means of expression left to them, their own bodies — and dying bodies at that.
he situation has its irony. It is an old custom among philosophers of various stripes and persuasions to display a certain contempt toward the body. Traditionally, in Western philosophy at least, the body has been with few exceptions seen as inferior to the mind, spirit or soul — the realm of “the flesh,†the domain of the incomprehensible, of blind instincts and unclean impulses. And so here are the condemned philosophers: speechless, with only their dying bodies to express themselves. One may quip that the body has finally got its chance to take its revenge on the philosophers.  Read full article here…
My comments:
Among other thing, this piece deals with the idea of dying for ones beliefs or life philosophy as some of the ancients did. Â Do most of us hold our faiths in such regard that we would die for what we believe in as did Jesus or Socrates. Â I am still young in the ways; my philosophy still uncertain, so I am not sure how strongly I feel about all the things I believe in that I would readily give my life for them.
by Rupe | Jun 17, 2011 | Fitness
Great mix-workout day. Started off with group P/T this morning at 0700. Did the new Navy Fitness Regime. I will attached the parts below. After about 30 mins on that, we broad for a 1.25 mi run. I ran to the gym and then rode the elliptical for another 15mins.  All-around great workout.Â
Workout: Day 35 (F17/Cardio) – 60mins
Road Run : 15mins
Elliptical: 15mins
Distance: 2.25
Calories: 800
Tracker
Total Distance: 94.52 miles (Goal 250/155.48 remain) *
Total Calories: 22,704 (Goal 50,000/27,296 remain) *
Total Pushups: 1,555 (Goal 10,000 / 8,445)
Good livin’…keep movin’!
-R-
by Rupe | Jun 16, 2011 | Fitness
Pretty strong workout again. But I keep running out of gas by the end of my routine.  All around pretty good workout.  Went heavy on hack again – this time I have press 400lbs for the first time. I have also started extending the numbers of my reps. I think Iwill taper off in increasing weight here and start increasing reps instead.
Workout: Day 34 (Th16/Lower Body) – 61mins/1min rest
Hack Squat 1×12,12,12 (400,400,400)
Regular Squats (Smith’s Machine) 1×12,12,12 @ 130, 130,130 (45’s+20s)
Seated Leg Extension 1×12,12,12 (150,150,150)
Standing Weightless Squats – 3x 15
Walking Lunges 3×12 (30,35,35) (not scheduled for this event)
Smiths Machine Stiff-Legged Dead lift 1×12,12,12 @ 150, 150,150 (45’s+25s, +5s)
Lying Leg Curl 1×12,12  (110,110,110) – only did 2x sets here
Seated Calf-raise 3×20 110 (2×45’s+20)
Hack Squat Calf Press 3×20 (360)
Cardio:Â 15 mins
Distance: 1.1 (took it very easy)
Pushups: 0
Calories: 800
Tracker
Total Distance: 92.27 miles (Goal 250/157.73 remain) *
Total Calories: 21,904 (Goal 50,000/28,096 remain) *
Total Pushups: 1,535 (Goal 10,000 / 8,465)
Good livin’…keep movin’!
-R-
by Rupe | Jun 16, 2011 | Military-Political
The Obama administration has escalated the campaign of targeted killings against suspected terrorists worldwide, increasing the use of
unmanned drone strikes (ForeignPolicy) and so-called kill/capture missions (PBS) on al-Qaeda and Taliban leadership both on and off the traditional battlefield. While some analysts tout successes, like the U.S. Navy SEAL raid that killed Osama bin Laden inside Pakistan, others say the strategy lacks proper legal boundaries, as in the targeting of an American jihadist, Anwar al-Awlaki (WSJ), in Yemen.
Should targeted killings continue? CFR’s Matthew Waxman cautions against overreliance on them as a counterterrorism tool but says so far U.S. policy is within legal bounds. Constitutional lawyer Pardiss Kebriaei questions the legal basis that U.S. administrations have used to justify killing suspected terrorists off the battlefield, suggesting a violation of constitutional rights of due process. Decapitating terrorist networks is an effective strategy, says Georgetown’s Daniel Byman, capable of robbing a group of charismatic leadership critical to its success. 
But Afghanistan expert Kate Clark argues that targeted killings often produce an organizational chaos that unleashes a more radical generation of
subordinates.
U.S. strikes against senior al-Qaeda or affiliated terrorists in places like Pakistan or Yemen–most recently, the reported (but unverified) killing of al-Qaeda-linked Pakistani militant Ilyas Kashmiri (Reuters)–often give rise to accusations that the United States is engaged in unlawful “extrajudicial killing,” “assassination,” or violations of sovereignty. In part because of the secrecy surrounding these policies, such legal claims often don’t get thoroughly and specifically answered. However, lethal force directed against particular individuals outside a combat zone like Afghanistan is legally and strategically appropriate in limited circumstances.  Continue reading…
My Comments:
Pretty good read from four debaters on the above topic at the Council on Foreign Relation (CFR). Â Not sure why it always workout that these types of topics usually break down along the males-female divide.
by Rupe | Jun 15, 2011 | Fitness
Relatively good cardio day. Â I kicked in the pushups today…probably shouldn’t have gone so hard. Â The big draw back, however, is that I did not work the abs during this workout. Â I can make it up though later. Â The good thing about abs is that they don’t take a lot of time or exercises.
Workout: Day 33 (W15/Cardio) – 70mins
Elliptical: 60mins
Distance: 5.57
Abs: Â 0
Pushups: 140
Calories: 1040
Tracker
Total Distance: 91.17 miles (Goal 250/158.83 remain) *
Total Calories: 20,304 (Goal 50,000/29,696 remain) *
Total Pushups: 1,535 (Goal 10,000 / 8,465)
Good livin’…keep movin’!
-R-
by Rupe | Jun 15, 2011 | Mad Musings
Self portrait: I drew this picture of myself at the age of 21 – circa 1988 in the Bronx, New York.
[simpleviewer gallery_id=”3″]
by Rupe | Jun 14, 2011 | Money Matters
Are we headed for a double-dip recession? Did we ever really recover from the last one? Who knows – ask ten economists and you’ll get ten different answers. What I do know is times are still tough for most people, regardless of what the government statistics report.
It has never been a better time to get out of debt, build savings and learn to live more frugally. Along those lines, here are 62 money-saving tips to help you spend less/earn more money each month, recession or not.
- Don’t pay a dime for banking privileges. There are too many free checking options out there to pay one penny in fees for the right to write a check or use a debit card. Many banks and credit unions simply require direct deposit or a minimum number of debit card uses per month to qualify for fee-free accounts. If you can’t find one, try ING Direct.
- Shop your car insurance coverage at esurance.com. Take 6 minutes to complete the free quote and shave a significant amount off your car insurance premiums.
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by Rupe | Jun 13, 2011 | Fitness
Started off this workout pretty strong, but then got drained to the end. I wasn’t able to get through some areas as strongly as I wanted to – ie. Pull downs,  and barbel curls. I have to be very strategic with this workout and try to push before running out of energy.
Workout: Day 31 (M13/Upper Body II) – 65mins/1min rest
Pull down 1×12,10,10 (140,130,130) – tried to go up to 150, but couldn’t…too tired.
Deadlifts 1×12,10,10 (110 – 45s+10s, 120,120)
One arm DB rows (70,70,70)
Smits Machine Shrugs – 3×15 @ 90lbs,110,110
Seated Shrugs – 3×15@90,110,110
Preacher Curl – 1×12 @ 30lbs (2x15s)
Barbell Curl 1×12,12,12 (Just Barbell, 10s,15s,) did a couple with the 20s
Short Barbell Curl 1×12,10,10 @ 10lbs
DB Curl 1×12,10,10 – 30,30,30lbs
Cardio: 20mins
Distance: 1.80
Pushups: 50 (at least 50 per day)
Calories: 800
Tracker
Total Distance: 85.60 miles (Goal 250/164.40 remain) *
Total Calories: 19,264 (Goal 50,000/30,736 remain) *
Total Pushups: 1395(Goal 10,000 / 8,595)
Good livin’…keep movin’!
-R-
by Rupe | Jun 11, 2011 | Not So Recent Reads
Title: Oceans Apart by Karen Kingsbury
Publisher’s Summary
Airline Captain Connor Evans has nearly forgotten that stormy weekend in Hawaii nearly ten years ago when he broke the greatest promise of all. Now Connor has the perfect life with his wife, Michele, and their two daughters, and the secret of that long-ago time is his own. But an ocean away, a flight attendant is raising her young son by herself when the plane she’s working on crashes into the Pacific. Her will is very clear about one thing: before her seven-year-old son, Max, can be turned over to the state, he must spend the summer with the father he’s never met, the father who doesn’t know he exists, Connor Evans.
The news rocks Captain Evans’ life, and in the process he is presented with a choice: refuse the child and never hear from him again, or take him for two weeks and decide whether to claim the boy as his own. Now the family is on the brink of destruction. Can Michele and their daughters ever forgive Connor for what went wrong all those years ago? Or will the presence of one lonely child destroy everything?
My Comments:
Very well written book and one of the most thoughtful I have ever read. All the characters come alive and the unfolding of the story is so real. Karen Kingsbury is a genius. A must read by any married couple, especially if you have had monogomous  challenges.
Grab it now at Amazon Â
    Â
Regular Book          Kindle Version
by Rupe | Jun 11, 2011 | Fitness
Great workout day. Â I went for a 30min Elliptical jazz and then back in the afternoon for a nice energized chest workout while hitting shoulder and traps. Â Probably one of the better chest workouts I have had in a while. Â particular good workout today. Â I continue to be at the weight I want to be at, workout is going well and I am feel quite good right now.
Workout: Day 31 (F10/Upper Body I) – 82mins/1min rest
Bench press 1×12,10,10 (70,70,70)
Incline press 1×12,10,10 (45,50,50)
Front Military Press 1×12,10,10 (45,45,45)
Bench Dips 3×25
Push Down 3×12 (130,140,140)
Lateral Arm Raises – 3×15 (10lbs plates) – can substitue DB punch
Bent-over Lateral – 3×15 (10lbs plates)
Cardio: 30mins
Distance: 4.8
Pushups: 0
Calories: 1020
Tracker
Total Distance: 83.80 miles (Goal 250/166.20 remain) *
Total Calories: 18,464 (Goal 50,000/31,536 remain) *
Total Pushups: 1345(Goal 10,000 / 8,645)
Good livin’…keep movin’!
-R-
by Rupe | Jun 11, 2011 | Musical Words
Life is beautiful:  I ran across Faye Wong (王è²) when a friend of mine loan me his hard drive to copy a bunch of music.  I saw 3 songs with Chinese characters next to them.  I didn’t pay much attention to them, never played them, just copied them.  A year later (May 2011), I was going through my collection and cleaning up, and decided to play one of the song  – see below.  I was blown away.  I swear I probably listened to it and the other songs a million times…they totally moved me deeply.  I am totally convinced now that music is universal and is one of the most beautiful experience we can have.  I have no idea, save the translated topics to the songs, what her words are, but her voice is so expressive it is unbelievable.
Here are the initial songs I listened to (click to listen):
1.  我愿æ„
2.  棋å
3.  容易å—伤的女人
Faye is consider, probably the most influential artist in China (hello Jackie Chan). Â She is pretty reserve and has kept out of the limelight for the most part throughout her career. It blows me away that she is not better known outside of China. Â I don’t think that the language is a limiting factor, her expressiveness can carry the day. Â I really…really….love this stuff.
d
by Rupe | Jun 10, 2011 | Military-Political
Gates Questions NATO’s Future by JULIAN E. BARNES
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates issued a blunt critique of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Friday, arguing the Libya operations demonstrated serious gaps in military capabilities and showed the consequences of America’s allies failing to spend enough on their own defense.
One of the NATO’s most ardent defenders and pointed critics, the outgoing U.S. defense chief scathingly identified Europe as increasingly behaving like a free rider when it came to military spending. He suggested that deep cuts in military spending across Europe showed that alliance members were unwilling to “devote the necessary resources” for their own defense.
America’s European allies, Mr. Gates said, are “apparently willing and eager for American taxpayers to assume the growing security burden left by reductions in European defense budgets.”
Mr. Gates’s tough remarks were greeted with tentative applause from the audience at Brussels’ Security and Defense Agenda, a think tank.
Although the Libya mission has met its initial military objectives of grounding the Libyan air force and eroding Col. Moammar Gadhafi’s ability to mount attacks on his own citizens, the ongoing operations have exposed weaknesses in the alliance, Mr. Gates said.
[Comments: My personal opinion is that NATO sucks. We foot the freaking bills on ….. ]
(more…)
by Rupe | Jun 9, 2011 | Fitness
Study: It’s better to keep trying to lose weight than to remain obese. By Jenny Merkin Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Trying to shed the results of eating all that Thanksgiving turkey with Christmas roast right around the corner is a worthy cause, a new study shows.
Yo-yo dieting — losing and regaining weight — is better than remaining at a higher weight, the study shows, and may in fact extend your life.
The study, conducted at Ohio University, runs counter to the conventional wisdom that yo-yo dieting is harmful.
Scientists separated 30 mice into three groups: one that remained on a high-fat diet, one they switched between high-fat and low-fat diets every four weeks, and a consistently low-fat group. The study, which was announced yesterday at the annual Endocrine Society in Boston, found that mice on the fluctuating diet lived 25 percent longer than those who ate a high-fat diet exclusively.
The yo-yoing mice lived an average of 2.04 years, while the obese mice lived 1.5 years; the low-fat group lived 2.09 years.
Ed List, a scientist at Ohio University’s Edison Biotechnology Institute who was the lead researcher on the study, had a personal interest in the results: “I did this every year myself — I gain weight, I lose weight. I’ve been told by nutritionists that it’s bad for you, and I just naively accepted it. I gain weight around Christmastime, and then I have a New Year’s resolution to get it off, and it helped knowing millions and millions of people do this.â€
“Don’t give up,†said List. “If someone read that it’s better to remain obese, then they might just give up. So I hope that people continue to try to lose weight. It is the healthiest thing to do — try to stay thin. But if they do fail, and I’m sure nine out of 10 times they will fail, they should keep trying.â€
Megan Fendt, a registered dietician at Beth Israel Medical Center’s Freidman Diabetes Institute, isn’t surprised by the results.
“One day of eating more healthfully and exercising is better than spending that day eating high-fat, high-calorie foods or remaining sedentary,†said Fendt. “It’s always that pound that’s going to help you for the long term.â€
Richard Feinman, the founder of the Nutrition & Metabolism Society, called the dangerous effect of yo-yo dieting “a myth. It doesn’t have any basis in hard science. If you spend a year at a normal [weight], and then your weight creeps up, that’s better than always being heavier. Doctors in particular are very conservative and have this idea that everything’s supposed to be smooth.â€
DASHing away the poundsA new ranking of the best diets in America says the popular DASH diet is the best overall, even though it’s not the most effective at making you lose weight.
For dropping those extra pounds, Weight Watchers was ranked No. 1 by U.S. News & World Report, followed closely by Jenny Craig and the Raw Food Diet.
However, the new DASH diet was deemed best overall, because it also helps to lower high blood pressure and combat diabetes.
“Our analysis put hard numbers on the commonsense belief that no diet is ideal for everybody,†the magazine said on its website.
DASH — Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension — emphasizes fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products, fish, poultry and whole grains. It is high in fiber, potassium, calcium and magnesium, and low in fat.
The Mediterranean Diet came in second on the magazine’s list.
U.S. News & World Report compiled profiles of 20 diets, which were reviewed by a panel of 22 experts in diet and nutrition, diabetes and heart disease.
The rankings were based on scores in seven categories — short-term weight loss, long-term weight loss, easiness to follow, nutritional completeness, ability to prevent or manage diabetes and to manage heart disease.
— Reuters
My Comments:
Okay, so everytime someone says something about overweight (I usually say “FAT”) people, you get tagged with being insensitive, even called the “A-word”. Well, you know what…I am just gonna get oustide of my politically correct mind-frame for a minute here; and if you are a friend of mine and you are offended by my words because you are fat or you have a fat friend, well…I have lots of friends so I am trying to get rid of a few….just kidding…I am sorry…I love all my friend…even the fat ones…sincerely tho, this is not meant to offend.
So here we go…
Aaaigghht…I get it – its in your genes, you have a medical condition, your mom was fat so….you know what I say to that…whatever fat-@$$!Â
I do believe there are folks who are fat for some legitimate reason, but when I look around each day and see close to 3 out of every 4 women overweight walk by me, pulling kids that are well on their way to overfatness…it is downright shameful; and those large gut dudes don’t get a pass either – it is shameful . Go on then with your fat-a@@ wondering …why do I have hypertension, diabetes…etc… Â
Bottomline – as a society, we overeat and teach our kids to do the same. It is an epidemic. If you are gonna eat a whole pizza at one sitting then prepare to move yo-@$$ to work it off later…don’t expect to not become huge by just sitting around. Fat is simply not attractive folks…lose the excess and look your best.
by Rupe | Jun 8, 2011 | Fitness
All around pretty good workout. Â Went heavy on the Hack again, this time it was a little bit easier, although not much. Â I tell you what legs are really really hard. Â I got to put it to work though, so it all good. Â Unlike last week also, the lying curls and leg extensions were not as hard. Â I felt much stronger in those areas. Â The only thing missing for this period that was planned, were push ups and cardio. Â Since I am gonna hit cardio tomorrow, in this new regime, I figure I can make up my times and distances.
Workout: Day 30 (W8/Lower Body) – 50mins/1min rest
Hack Squat 1×12,10,10 (360,360,360)
Regular Squats (Smith’s Machine) 1×12,10,10 @ 110, 110,110 (45’s+10s)
Seated Leg Extension 1×12,10,10 (135,150,150)
Standing Weightless Squats – 3x 15 (not scheduled for this event)
Walking Lunges 3×12 (30,35,35) (not scheduled for this event)
Smiths Machine Stiff-Legged Dead lift 1×12,10,10Â @ 140, 150,150 (45’s+25s, +5s)
Lying Leg Curl 1×12,10,10 (100,110,110)
Seated Calf-raise 3×20 Â 100 (2×45’s+10)
Hack Squat Calf Press 1×15 (360)
Cardio: 15mins
Distance: 2.5
Pushups: 60
Calories: 587
Tracker
Total Distance: 79.00 miles (Goal 250/171.00 remain) *
Total Calories: 17,444 (Goal 50,000/32,556 remain) *
Total Pushups: 1345(Goal 10,000 / 8,645)
Good livin’…keep movin’!
-R-
by Rupe | Jun 7, 2011 | Military-Political
Defending Defense: Ten Questions on the Future of US Defense Spending Priorities for Secretary of Defense Nominee Leon Panetta Background
The Obama administration has requested that Congress provide $553 billion for the Defense Department’s base budget in FY 2012 — $13 billion less than what the administration had projected requesting a year earlier.
President Obama’s deficit reduction plan calls for $400 billion in cuts to national security spending over the next 12 years. This is in addition to the approximately $400 billion already cut by the administration during the previous two years.
The baseline defense budget is now 3.5% of America’s GDP, a figure well below the post-World War II average of 7.5%. If the Obama administration succeeds in its plans to cut defense further, that percentage will drop to 3% or lower — the lowest total in the entire post-World War II era.  Click to keep reading…
My comments: Lots of really important issues brought up. Â We definitely need to cut back on spending. Â I think defense could give up a little bit as well.
