tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34605601506786444862024-03-05T11:23:50.321-08:00Chaka's WorldStill Blogging Like It's 2008!Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.comBlogger478125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-18615082128359590672023-11-07T19:41:00.003-08:002023-11-07T19:41:47.027-08:00If I Was Running For a Political Office...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="373" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7c7yVwWHY0k" width="501" youtube-src-id="7c7yVwWHY0k"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-25736151234716613362023-09-07T04:49:00.006-07:002023-09-07T04:49:58.127-07:00Deception in The Fitness Industry<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="346" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ziAggyTQFTE" width="480" youtube-src-id="ziAggyTQFTE"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-73095395990667819232023-08-17T08:23:00.016-07:002023-08-17T08:26:54.122-07:00Too Many Ads and Sponsors<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's been a long time since I've posted to my blog. Many years ago I used to wonder how people could neglect their blog and allowed it to turn into a ghost town. I guess now I know how that happens. Things change over time. The biggest change for me over the years has been changing my focus from a blog to a YouTube channel. Since I'm too lazy to write anything else, here is my most recent video about sponsors and ads we frequently see online.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="387" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xbmaepxYHos" width="506" youtube-src-id="xbmaepxYHos"></iframe></div><br />Feel free to subscribe to my channel if you enjoyed this.<p></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/YourFitnessQuest/videos">https://www.youtube.com/user/YourFitnessQuest/videos</a></p>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-69366171728714041572023-01-08T11:42:00.003-08:002023-01-08T11:42:29.016-08:00Driving Adventures Update<p>In my last post, I shared some interactions I've had with the police over the years here in Ghana. I was hoping not to add to it so soon, but a few days ago I had another encounter. While driving through town, my wife and I stopped at a red light at a busy intersection (the one mentioned in my prior post where officers walk around your car to check to see you have insurance and registration stickers.) My wife hates going that way due to this, but I reminded her that we are not breaking any laws and we had current stickers on the car so we have nothing to worry about. </p><p>When we came to the red light I could see the same officer who had pulled us over in the past from my rear view mirror. He was several cars behind us walking through the stopped vehicles. He walked right up to us and tapped on the window and motioned for us to roll it down. I did so and he said our proof of insurance was not scanning. This bothered me since he had not even tried to check it and had just walked up to us and made this statement. I pointed to the insurance sticker on the windshield that showed it was still in force until the end of next month. He insisted it was not scanning which means it must be counterfeit. He opened the back door and got in our car and told us to drive to the nearby police station. I could not believe this was happening again. </p><p>When the light turned greed he told me to turn left at the busy intersection. I was not in the left turn lane or even the one next to it, but was in the third lane over and he told me to just turn on my signal and go left. I told him I was absolutely not going to turn left across two lanes of traffic in an intersection and ended up going straight for about half a mile before I could turn around and double back to the police station. When we got there he told me to come in. </p><p>He then explained to me that there are many fake insurance stickers provided by third parties and they are not valid and it is against the law to use them. I told him this was a valid sticker purchased from a real insurance company. He kept insisting if it were, it should scan in his database when he enters the license plate. This still shocked me since he had still not even attempted to input any data into his phone. His co workers in the police station were just smiling and laughing. After a few moments of silence he quietly slid over a slip of paper to me that had scribbled the number 200 on. I told him I was not going to pay it. </p><p>I realized that he did not remember me from our previous encounter so I reminded him that over a year ago he had pulled me over when our car had a recently lapsed insurance sticker on it. At that time he told me it would be 600 cedis or we would have to go to court where it would be more expensive. I told him I only had 240 which he immediately took and said I could go. I didn't have a problem paying a "fine" at that time since the insurance had in fact lapsed on that occasion. <br /><br /></p><p>I told him I was not going to pay any bribe today since I had not broken any law and had an active insurance on the vehicle. He kept saying we had counterfeit third party insurance which was against the law but I knew he was just trying to intimidate us. I told him we have been living in Ghana for over 6 years and we are not naive tourists. I told him I was pulled over two weeks ago by different police officer and they had no problem with my insurance then. I told him I'm sick of police trying to extort money from me because I am a foreigner. After several minutes he just handed me license back with an almost embarrassed look on his face and said we could go. </p><p>I was later able to access the online insurance database he talked about. When I input our license plate, it showed an active policy was in force for the vehicle which shows that he was just lying the whole time, but I already knew that. </p>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-21622709431330846272022-12-18T10:04:00.000-08:002022-12-18T10:04:09.803-08:00My Driving Adventures In Ghana<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Recently while driving, I made a
right turn at a red light after coming to a complete stop and making sure no
vehicle was coming in my lane. As I turned the corner I was immediately stopped
by a police officer standing nearby. He pulled over several vehicles including
the ones I had just followed but signaled for them to move along when he saw me.
He came up to my window and in disbelief and disgust repeatedly yelled “Why?” I
said “why what?” and he quickly signaled for his partner to hop in my back seat
and accompany me to the police station. As I was driving there I remembered that
turning right on a red light is against the law in Ghana. I learned this before
but had forgotten since I’d recently returned from driving in the US for
several months. Interestingly, when I am stopped here at a red light with my
right turn signal on, many times the cars behind me will honk wanting to
know why I’m not going so it makes me wonder if that rule is actually enforced.
Apparently it is.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We arrived at the police station a
few minutes later and the commanding officer was
watching World cup commentary very loudly on TV. After a few minutes of me
straining to hear what he was saying, he lowered the volume and drew a diagram of
the intersection and told me that even if the lane was clear and I had stopped,
I was not allowed to proceed until the light turns green. He was much calmer
than the original officer who flagged me down. He said I would need to go to
court on Monday to discuss it with a judge. This surprised me since usually
when we get pulled over, the officer tells us we did something wrong and that we
will have to pay a fine OR go to court. They are usually looking for a bribe to
dismiss it and let you on your way, but nobody brought up payment at all and
that shocked me. I asked the officer how much a ticket for an
infraction of turning right on a red light would be and he said the court would
decide depending on the severity. It could be 600 cedis up to 1,200 but there
was no way he could determine it. I thought that was odd that they didn’t have
a set fine for traffic infractions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
took my Ghanaian drivers license and issued me a hand written ticket which
indicated I was arrested on it. He said to come back Monday at 9:00 am for
court. I asked where the court is and he said nearby and to just come to the police
station first.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Before I proceed, here is some background to our prior
experiences with police in Ghana over the last 5 years:</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Many officers have been polite
and friendly when we go by a check point or are pulled over, but those
instances are usually the exception. Over the years we have been pulled over for the following reasons:</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-Just to be asked where we are going on many occasions<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-Because the police want to know where we are from<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-We've been told our
car was too dirty and that was an infraction<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-We've been stopped and asked
what food we have because the officer was hungry<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-During Covid we were pulled over
for not wearing masks while driving with the windows up on the freeway<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-We've been stopped and the
officer asked if we would take him back to the US with us<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">- Most of the time we are asked
if we have “something small for the boys” or “what can you do for me?” This means they want some money to proceed. We don't pay bribes when this happens. If we talk with them long enough and they see we are not intimidated tourists new to the area, they eventually let us go.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Years ago I was pulled over for
running a road block at night. The road block consisted of a vehicle parked on
the side of a dark road and someone with a flashlight standing in a nearby front yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few minutes later I saw lights flashing as
a jeep full of officers with machine guns quickly raced after us and pulled me
over and angrily wanted to know why I would run through their road block. I
responded I saw nothing in the road but someone walking on the roadside with a
flashlight. He informed me he was going to have to take me to jail. I said “ok" and
I think my calm response shocked him. When he realized we had been living in
Ghana for several years and were not new he got frustrated and
just asked what I was going to do for him. I pretended I didn’t know what he
was getting at. He finally said the batteries in their flashlights were
finished and he needed new ones and asked what I was going to do. When I told
him I only had a few cedis he was insulted and walked off angrily and got in
his jeep and then quickly pulled over the next car that drove past us on the
road.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Once while waiting in traffic at
an intersection, an officer walked up and down the line of cars checking their
insurance and registration stickers. One of ours had recently expired unknown
to us so an officer jumped in the back and told us to drive to the nearby police
station. The boss at the station said the infraction of expired insurance
was going to be over 800 cedis or go to court. I don’t usually pay bribes but I
realized the insurance had lapsed so I didn’t have a problem paying a fine but
didn’t want to prolong the process and go to court. I told him I only had 240
cedis and he ended up taking it and sent me on my way with no receipt or
paperwork. I’m sure he documented the transaction and forwarded the money to the appropriate places.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">If I do break a traffic law I am
willing to pay the fine as long as it is a standard fee and not an outrageous
adjusted amount just because they think I am a naive, rich American. I just get a
kick out of the police choosing to get angry and lecture me about dangerous
driving when on a daily basis I see the following things on the roads in Ghana:</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">People parking on narrow roads and
obstructing traffic flow to visit shops on the side of the street.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Traffic lights at busy
intersections that have burnt out bulbs and have not worked for months before
being repaired.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">People driving on the wrong side
of the road playing chicken in an attempt to avoid the potholes on their side
of the road.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Drivers running through red
lights through intersections.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Cutting in front of other drivers
who have the right of way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Excessive and obnoxious honking. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Trucks packed well over capacity
that are leaning over and ready to topple. I’ve seen the fallen ones blocking
traffic many times too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Motorcycles cutting between both
lanes of traffic when it is not safe to pass. Several months ago one driver
scratched up the side of our car doing so then proceeded to yell at my wife as
if it was her fault.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Motorcycle drivers holding a cell
phone up to their face while driving with just one hand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Driving with broken headlights at
night (last night I counted 11 vehicles without lights over a 2 mile stretch of
road)</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">After living in this driving
environment for 5 years I am just surprised when the police choose to get
upset over small things because I'm a foreigner and treat me like I'm guilty of vehicular manslaughter when they turn a blind eye to so many moving violations all day.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Anyway, I returned to the police
station Monday morning. The commanding officer showed up shortly
after and said “I didn’t think you would come, so I gave your file to an
associate. He will be here later today. Come back at 3:00.” I made another trip
later in the day just to be told that I could either pay a fee at the police
station, or go to court later which would be much more expensive. There it was,
the bribe finally showed its head but it took several days instead of the usual
immediate traffic stop. I ended up paying 300 cedis which was equivalent to
about $25 dollars. I had broken a traffic law and I felt that was a reasonable
fine. When I asked for a receipt they were surprised and laughed and said the
original hand written ticket they issued was the receipt even though it
contained no documentation of me paying anything. I was just glad to get my driver’s
license back from them and leave.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Living here has given me greater
empathy for minority groups who claim they are profiled by the police back in
the US. In the mean time, I'll just keep trying to blend in better and not stick out, but that can be a challenge. Until next time.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-23960151595106516622022-11-08T18:16:00.000-08:002022-11-08T18:16:10.209-08:00Taking the Good<i>I wrote this post back in mid 2000 during the peak of riots, civil unrest, and uncertainty, but never published it. Since I can't seem to produce any new content these days for his blog, I am sharing this new, yet old post that has never been seen.</i><div><br /></div><div>Recent trends in society have made judging and labeling people a very popular sport. Labels are now quickly bestowed upon people with opposing viewpoints. This has recently been highlighted by many founding fathers of this country being labeled as hateful, racist men. Some people want to destroy any evidence of their lives and that includes the many contributions they have made to society. I think we need to look at the bigger picture. Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water!<div>
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<div>
I've been let down many times in my life by having someone I thought was a role model fall from grace. Below is a list of people who I previously looked up to (some I still do) for a variety of reasons and was saddened when I learned of their failures, secret lives, or other aspects of their life that hurt others or negatively impacted the world.</div>
<div>
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<div>
OJ Simpson- Since I was a kid I admired his athletic skills and accomplishments. I felt he was a charismatic, nice guy and liked seeing him in movies after his retirement from the NFL. He was a rags to riches role model for so many people. It sucked to see him fall.</div>
<div>
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Bill Cosby- For decades he was a clean comic with universal appeal. He was so relatable and fun. He entertained and set an example for so many people. It was sad to learn about how many women he had hurt.</div>
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King David- I love the story of this young man standing up to Goliath and the Philistine army with such faith. With one brave act he became a military hero and saved his people. Then he got sloppy.</div>
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There are many lesser examples who have done less serious things to fall from grace but I still appreciate and enjoy their accomplishments and contributions.</div>
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I might add my disappointment in the many actors and musicians who I really enjoyed and looked up to but they needlessly ended their own lives prematurely through drug abuse and destructive behavior. </div>
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<div>
There are many talented actors I admire for their skill and love to see perform in films. This doesn't mean I have to agree with their beliefs or political statements. Tom Cruise is probably my favorite actor but I don't share his beliefs in Scientology. I appreciate the acting skills of Sean Penn, Robert De Niro, Tim Robbins, and Leonardo DiCaprio but I don't share their same political views on certain subjects.</div>
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There have been many talented late night TV hosts and comedians who have made me laugh over time but I don't agree with their politics or hypocrisy. Many people in the entertainment world are Atheists. I believe in God but I can still listen to, learn from, and appreciate the contributions of those who don't.</div>
<div>
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<div>I appreciate the fact that Trump is not intimidated by the media. He has improved the economy (especially economic conditions for minorities). I believe he loves his country and is looking out for Americans first and foremost. At the same time I am so turned off by his egotistical behavior, provocative tweets, and immature name calling. </div>
<div>
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I thing Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time and was my childhood hero but after watching The Last Dance documentary, I was slightly put off by his intense, obsessive, competitive nature which spills over into other areas of life like gambling. I enjoyed seeing him win games and push his team, but it's frequently not pretty behind the scenes when you live at that level of intensity and expect teammates to live up to the same standard.</div>
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I loved Magic Johnson and the 80's Showtime Lakers but I don't like the fact that the Lakers were so promiscuous, careless, and essentially a travelling brothel. </div>
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Karl Malone was one of my favorite basketball players. I admire his work ethic and power but he fathered a child with a teenager and then denied responsibility or support. I don't think the NBA or the Jazz will be ripping down his statue in front of the arena any time soon.</div>
<div>
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Lebron is my favorite player today and the main reason I have followed the NBA for years. I respect him for his all around game and what he has made of himself, but I don't necessarily agree with many his political or social statements.</div>
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<div>
All of these talented people have influenced society and contributed many good things. Many of them have a dark side or negative contributions too. Just like all of us. Some of the examples I gave are extreme and others not that big of a deal. I think all of us can relate to doing good things and then there are moments of our lives we would prefer to forget or erase. </div>
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<div>
I understand that people are passionate about their beliefs as we see today with the zealous social justice warriors who want to topple statues, attack whatever they disagree with and rename everything and do away with any history that is not palatable to their country. The boycotting and cancel culture expects perfection but nobody is free from controversy.</div>
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<div>
I will stand up for what I believe is right, but at the same time I will appreciate, applaud, and enjoy all the good I see in the world, even if it came from someone with an imperfect past. I will continue to be amazed at LeBron's basketball skills, I will probably still laugh when I hear a classic Cosby joke, and I will definitely continue to appreciate the contributions of our founding fathers and the Constitution they established.</div>
</div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-1459895024456178382022-08-10T10:30:00.002-07:002022-11-07T07:56:16.325-08:00Midlife Crisis Dunk Challenge<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's been a while since I posted here so I thought I'd share an update of what's new.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="366" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2aowHPfNqmM" width="440" youtube-src-id="2aowHPfNqmM"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-60049731759300408762022-01-31T09:37:00.000-08:002022-01-31T09:37:40.738-08:00Time Travel Expert Rates Time Travel Scenes<p>I recently found myself watching a bunch of YouTube videos where an expert like a doctor, lawyer, soldier, or wilderness survival specialist reviews scenes from movies or TV that are related to their specialty. They then proceed to give their analysis and opinion of how legitimate each scene is. I feel I'm a good judge of noticing when a movie scene is no longer realistic and loses credibility. This got me wondering what my specialty might be. I have always been a fan of time travel movies. I've even covered the topic of time travel on this blog previously.</p><p>So I thought it would be funny to do a parody of these "expert critique" videos I frequently see online but cover a subject that is pure fantasy. I ended up making the following video. Enjoy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="374" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GohRojy-7hA" width="451" youtube-src-id="GohRojy-7hA"></iframe></div><br /><p>PS- I just realized today that my settings require my approval for people to post comments on this blog. I didn't realize that and found comments going back to 2017 (most of them spam) but some actual ones too. I will check them more regularly in the future. </p>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-13031524175604419562021-08-20T06:31:00.001-07:002021-08-20T06:31:17.301-07:00My Rantings About Tik Tok<p>I've been critical of several social media platforms in the past and I'm up for a new round today. Over the last year I've noticed a lot of trends with Tik Tok. I don't have the app but I am always flooded with Tik Toks that are being promoted on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. Today I'd like to share my analysis of this trending platform.</p><p>I first remember seeing a bunch of teenagers doing dance moves in unison and that was my first exposure to it. I then started seeing some funny comedy skits on Tik Tok. There are some DIY projects and occasional life hack tips. I have to admit there have been some funny and creative things, but it is usually cringe! Lately the trend seems to be a bunch of women trying to prove how confident and happy they are and how much better they are since they got divorced or started their new online business. "I think she doth protest too much."</p><p>This platform was made for people who want to dance around to music and point a finger as their short message appears while nodding their head in approval. There are like 10 songs that they always use over and over as they either do a short comedy skit, brag about how successful they are, or twerk and show off their body. I can't get that stupid "Oh no, oh no, oh no no no no no" song out of my head.</p><p>I'm going to make a parody video mocking these Tik Toks and will post it here later.</p><p><br /></p>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-64512566072515724232021-02-22T06:17:00.000-08:002021-02-22T06:17:03.323-08:00Getting Tired of Covid<p> I am losing my patience in dealing with the Covid pandemic. Yesterday my wife and I went on some errands to replace a modem and buy some data, and I came home very frustrated.</p><p>We mask up when we go out in public as requested by Ghana's government and as required by the larger businesses in the area. When we arrived we did our usual hand washing routine outside the store before an employee pointed his thermometer gun at our heads to get our temperature, and then he squeezed two big pumps of sticky hand sanitizer on our recently cleaned hands. We then walked a few paces into the store and were met by another woman who informed me that I was not social distancing, since I was standing next to my wife. She had us separate and stand on some floor stickers further away from each other. She then said we had to sanitize our hands. We explained that we did so 15 seconds ago by another employee and pointed to her coworker standing near the door, but she insisted we add more sanitizer. My wife did so but, before I could, I was told only one of us could come in the store, so I sat in a waiting area outside the store. </p><p>I know these precautions are an attempt to slow the spread and protect people. I also respect private businesses to enforce whatever rules they decide. It is their business; "no shirt, no shoes, no service comes" to mind. Even though I see where they are coming from, I am getting sick of this. In that moment I had some empathy for the people I've seen on the Internet complaining about the loss of freedom and making a scene in public places. </p><p>Here is my problem: If this disease had a high mortality rate and there were dead bodies stacked in the streets, I would be the first to wear a full hazmat suit, if I even dared to leave my home at all. Ghana has over 30 million people and over the last year there have been 565 deaths from Covid. In contrast, they experience about 2,000 deaths from traffic accidents a year. I am much more likely to die driving my car here than I am from Covid.</p><p>I understand the mortality rate changes significantly when comparing different countries, age groups, and those with existing health problems, but I just don't feel it is the threat that we are told it is. I think the way this pandemic has been handled has been more detrimental than the actual disease. Isolation, inactivity, uncertainty, loss of livelihoods, and damage to the economy has caused an increase of stress, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, domestic violence, and suicide for many people. We can't be blind to all the collateral damage that has occurred.</p><p>I'm also frustrated by the many conflicting messages from the "experts". At first we were told we don't need masks, then you were a grandma killer if you don't want to wear one. Within the last week, "experts" suggested we wear two masks! Whenever scientists, virologists, or doctors share opposing views and data, or question the efficacy of masking for this particular virus, they are often crucified by the mainstream media as being quacks or conspiracy theorists. </p><p>I just wish there was more "science science" and less "political science" when it comes to Covid. For some reason, the disease is no longer a threat once you walk in a restaurant and sit down to eat. A group of maskless friends can sit next to each other for hours eating and laughing with no problem, but if I'm driving with my immediate family in my car with the windows up and come to a police check point on the road, they want to know why we are not wearing our masks. </p><p>I have seen many arbitrary and illogical rules as well as a good share of hypocrisy and abuse of power from leaders and experts around the world when it comes to Covid precautions. That makes it all the harder to jump on board and do whatever we are told for the greater good. </p><p>Luckily there is a vaccine available now. I am not an anti-vaxxer but I am not excited about injecting myself with an experimental vaccine that has been tested for less than a year, with no long term studies. I would actually jump at receiving it if it solved the problem and I could return to the normal life of pre-2020 but, after receiving the vaccination, I am told you still have to social distance, wear a mask, and you can still get Covid!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUqQiFItsaYP4CRt3w3lv61vJEYVY00Sx1qXuA3xmEzAap_qbaBy7HeMc72LUvSAHNc2m9_KbVB6EJH_xnwcvrwc7B4ya5v0uXh1F-7jSdJhqrsHYMLKBmf0lhXg5vStxiXQ-WNJsw3w/s817/covid.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="817" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUqQiFItsaYP4CRt3w3lv61vJEYVY00Sx1qXuA3xmEzAap_qbaBy7HeMc72LUvSAHNc2m9_KbVB6EJH_xnwcvrwc7B4ya5v0uXh1F-7jSdJhqrsHYMLKBmf0lhXg5vStxiXQ-WNJsw3w/w351-h263/covid.jpg" width="351" /></a></div><p>When I went to the mall last week I noticed the sign above. This has been up since last March when the Pandemic hit. This is what "science" is saying here. I guess I will stay away from our goats and will make sure to cook my eggs very well to protect me from the virus. </p><p>I believe this virus is real and can be deadly to a certain segment of the population. We should all take common sense steps to protect ourselves and we should do more specifically for those high risk individuals who are the most vulnerable. Whatever we do, let's handle it with actual science and truth, not just fear or good intentions. We've experienced a year of contention, judging, name calling, fear mongering, and virtue signaling and I'm sick of it. Protecting lives doesn't have to be done at the exclusion of our livelihoods, standard of living, or freedom. </p>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-54417692398564356682021-02-03T04:28:00.000-08:002021-02-03T04:28:06.331-08:00Conspiracy Theories<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJIgVuKqiOcDYTBvEYCeTcjnAtlUuATPwE4jgxGmlecEckvOPrRcdLEHXqztXdhH4fk9ktfqlFB5mNuAxRdv4xsDkOP2ojLEwIuCp3GbEBDxVlt8snBMH1j_i339ty4qEtH10SNHVcAA/s718/tin+foil.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="718" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJIgVuKqiOcDYTBvEYCeTcjnAtlUuATPwE4jgxGmlecEckvOPrRcdLEHXqztXdhH4fk9ktfqlFB5mNuAxRdv4xsDkOP2ojLEwIuCp3GbEBDxVlt8snBMH1j_i339ty4qEtH10SNHVcAA/w200-h200/tin+foil.png" width="200" /></a></div>You may have noticed that over the past several years the concept of conspiracy theories has become more popular with some individuals while at the same time being immediately dismissed by others. Recently the label of conspiracy theorist is being used as an insult.<p></p><p>The definition of conspiracy is "a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful." A conspiracy theory is defined as "a theory that rejects the standard explanation for an event and instead credits a covert organization with carrying out a secret plot."</p><p>Since the world began there have been countless conspiracies and you would have to be a fool to think that they don't exist. Anytime people work together in an attempt to cover up a crime it is a conspiracy. The problem is when some people attribute almost everything they see on the news or in the government as a conspiracy. </p><p>There are some really good movies address this topic. Films like Close Encounters, 3 Days of the Condor, The Manchurian Candidate, The X-Files, Capricorn One, The Divinci Code, Jack Reacher, and many others have all featured a person who had a hunch or inside information that something about an event was not right. They are immediately labeled as being paranoid or crazy. They then have an uphill battle with superiors and the public as they try to prove there was some kind of cover up by the higher powers. This concept makes for great movies but isn't usually applauded in real life.</p><p>There are some people who say conspiracy theories don't exist and refer to those who believe in them as tin foil hat wearing, delusional people. These are the people who quickly dismiss any theory and are quick to label those who disagree with them or question government as conspiracy theorists. They frequently say things like "the government is here to protect us, it would never do that" or "how could that many people be in on the secret together without someone finding out?"</p><p>On the other extreme there are some people who attribute almost everything that happens to conspiracies. Some people don't believe we landed on the moon. When there is a mass shooting they insist that it is a false flag and that the victims are government actors. These paranoid people don't trust anyone and are suspicious of everything and of all authority.</p><p>Neither of these two extremes give their cause much credibility. I find myself more in the middle. I don't consider myself a conspiracy theorist but I'm troubled by unanswered questions about 911. I believe in vaccines, but I 'm disturbed with certain aspects of the industry. I believe in government and law and order but I also have concerns about government overreach. I just don't care for the current trend of calling someone a conspiracy theorist as an attempt to silence them or make them look crazy.</p><p>So I guess what I'm trying to say is let's not be so fast to attribute every thing that happens to a behind the scenes secret organization that is out to enslave us. At the same time, let's not dismiss people's concerns they have about ulterior motives or consequences of things they see happening around us. If you wonder why people don't always trust their governments, just look at the history books and see what horrible things those in power have done to others through the ages.</p><p>Solving this issue once again comes back to being able to determine real truth, not just what most people or a biased media outlet may tell you. That is the ironic challenge of our day when there is more information available than ever before but we are not sure which sources to trust. </p><p>On a lighter note, my boys have a Youtube channel where they do short comedy skits making fun of movie tropes. I wrote the following sketch for them about this subject.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="328" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oKRuWSWDrHU" width="396" youtube-src-id="oKRuWSWDrHU"></iframe></div><div><br /></div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-20851950529165812312021-01-17T14:08:00.000-08:002021-01-17T14:08:56.421-08:00People I've Misjudged<div>As I look back over my life there have been times when I was quick to judge others. It really is easy to judge a book by it's cover. Often when we make judgement calls, we do so out of laziness or bias without sufficient information to make an informed decision. </div><div><br /></div><div>For this post I am not referring to anyone I really despised but rather just didn't care for, I made a quick decision that I was not a fan of them and it stuck for a while until I learned more about them. Here are some people I decided I didn't really like after an initial brief encounter but some time later realized I had made a mistake.</div><div><br /></div><b>Fred Willard</b>- I first remember seeing him as one of the hosts of a the TV show Real People back in the late 70's. He just didn't appeal to me and never came across as being very funny in the things I saw him in. That was until I saw his performances as a clueless dog show commentator in Best in Show or as a bumbling singing group manager in A Mighty Wind. His awkward, inappropriate style and hilarious improvisation skills are great.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAI42Axpz7VuWlB6uL4Kj26ugrfRX2u_8ohMaEmBS5rRkr46omEQrEqbJcJYgnifu1qsMnZqG1laJxj8Dn7JVC-kRlUu544r76nGEKZatJaZU44Pm7CHZEQd2JeU3hJo8dJIhknhf30Us/s819/bestinshow1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="819" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAI42Axpz7VuWlB6uL4Kj26ugrfRX2u_8ohMaEmBS5rRkr46omEQrEqbJcJYgnifu1qsMnZqG1laJxj8Dn7JVC-kRlUu544r76nGEKZatJaZU44Pm7CHZEQd2JeU3hJo8dJIhknhf30Us/w393-h194/bestinshow1.jpg" width="393" /></a></div><div><div><br /><b>
Led Zeppelin</b>- My initial experience with this famous band was not from listening to their music but just hearing people mention their name when they talked about hard rock/heavy metal bands like Deep Purple or Black Sabbath. I was not a fan of that kind of music and decided I wasn't into Led Zeppelin. It wasn't until I was in my 30's listening to a block party on the radio that I began to appreciate their music. With more exposure over time I was impressed with their talent and versatility and now understand why Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham are considered one of the greatest rock bands of all time. (I had a similar experience with Pink Floyd too.)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Norm McDonald</b>- Norm was the news anchor on SNL during a time when I chose to watch little TV so that was about all I saw him aside from some small roles in Adam Sandler movies that didn't impress me much. It wasn't until I came across interviews with him that I realized how intelligent and funny he was. There are certain things that only he can do, like the clip below from a Bob Saget Roast. These programs are known for having the participants cut loose with foul language and savagely roast the participants, so when they gave him the go ahead and told him to not hold back, he told a bunch of lame jokes from a 40's joke book. The audience didn't know how to handle it and it was over their head, much like I didn't get his style when I first encountered him. It is one of the most awkward and funny things I've ever seen and is classic Norm.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="398" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L-9wo_apQ1s" width="479" youtube-src-id="L-9wo_apQ1s"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Roy Clark</b>- As a kid I always hated Saturdays and one reason was because of the lame TV shows that came on in the evening. First there was Hee Haw and that was followed by Lawrence Welk. I hated both of these music genres and used to make fun of Buck Owens and Roy Clark pickin' and grinnin' in their overalls. I'm still not a country music fan today but I can totally appreciate Roy Clark's talent. Here is a short clip from an episode from The Odd Couple where he made a guest appearance. Over time I googled his performances and I had no idea he played so many instruments and styles of music. With more exposure, my mind was blown by this talented performer and my opinion of him changed. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="393" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-xssnp7R51A" width="472" youtube-src-id="-xssnp7R51A"></iframe></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are just a few people who I did not care for after my first introduction to them. In some cases, it took me decades to change my opinion and finally appreciate their talent and contributions. Unfortunately 3 of them have passed away by now. One thing that helps me really appreciate people is learning more about them. When you know their backstory and where they came from it can make all the difference in helping you appreciate someone. Hopefully I can learn from these experiences and won't be so quick to judge or write people off in the future before I get to know more about them. </div></div></div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-21700996370023041662020-11-08T10:58:00.000-08:002020-11-08T10:58:28.040-08:00The Power of Perception<p>I find it fascinating when people witness an event, yet they come away with very different takes on the exact same thing they both saw. This has really stood out with politics and the recent elections. People can see the same video footage of something yet come away with completely different thoughts on the subject. Media bias and propaganda can plays a big role in this, but people are also stubborn and like to look for proof to back up their opinions. </p><p>Here are some visual examples of how powerful perception is.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_Ih0k6QyA1xneUF0KcXsp8sHdbPwNqmzzFsRJ3M6FFySoTVe-V6dUjVBxGE7mte8jUfU-PTLq8EFjxr4_vyDc9OF8hVMOQhmvztvSgfdyOaVUd5q1JExKCniO5tI9DVXEr6M7Aj18cw/s1200/perception+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_Ih0k6QyA1xneUF0KcXsp8sHdbPwNqmzzFsRJ3M6FFySoTVe-V6dUjVBxGE7mte8jUfU-PTLq8EFjxr4_vyDc9OF8hVMOQhmvztvSgfdyOaVUd5q1JExKCniO5tI9DVXEr6M7Aj18cw/w465-h261/perception+4.jpg" width="465" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Obviously our environment, background, and upbringing impact how we view things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94ZIGXnFrqfAbg6GTQPYatDA5pa-xYrqZczxjqLTN3U9ghgmZrnyuCoV8Id608e1wjptRmswi1gDFtqAr06sqvZ27AfdGgV7u8-3FFPTB9VD5K_LB5eBt7kliTMY12gqqfdnzm3vx63w/s960/perception+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="890" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94ZIGXnFrqfAbg6GTQPYatDA5pa-xYrqZczxjqLTN3U9ghgmZrnyuCoV8Id608e1wjptRmswi1gDFtqAr06sqvZ27AfdGgV7u8-3FFPTB9VD5K_LB5eBt7kliTMY12gqqfdnzm3vx63w/w383-h413/perception+2.jpg" width="383" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The pictures above and below are both taken of the same events at the exact same time, but depending on your vantage point, they can create very different stories.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRphFGxUITJkuKcpbdRr0BktIQnB6_qbs7Mu9ikDwaPMA3GBv6iV2hq6kaLzWWEHAh4XhuHzYFbKbTHRcrvKFdR6R4W7oRYfVSAUmfG6ROPmyi8poewbsW_ZLxGjxoVf4HGwJbJvNkT1A/s890/perception+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="890" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRphFGxUITJkuKcpbdRr0BktIQnB6_qbs7Mu9ikDwaPMA3GBv6iV2hq6kaLzWWEHAh4XhuHzYFbKbTHRcrvKFdR6R4W7oRYfVSAUmfG6ROPmyi8poewbsW_ZLxGjxoVf4HGwJbJvNkT1A/w417-h323/perception+1.jpg" width="417" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sensationalism and controversy draws more viewers so it's common for the media to share inflammatory and provocative stories and narratives. This happens on both sides of the aisle. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XJ6e9XgH2-OYbJWFX1c2HAk29X9OTCbhrAR06_53si0zugEBecm94O6X7FAKl7rM4XKIX9LRQJfZeFtAuw9lkZx3WuhDyd16MM70pzgNnXDqNST6xfGvUGWGUBf4DrSwxjqXRjLxJR4/s720/media.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="524" height="445" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XJ6e9XgH2-OYbJWFX1c2HAk29X9OTCbhrAR06_53si0zugEBecm94O6X7FAKl7rM4XKIX9LRQJfZeFtAuw9lkZx3WuhDyd16MM70pzgNnXDqNST6xfGvUGWGUBf4DrSwxjqXRjLxJR4/w324-h445/media.jpg" width="324" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Not to bash media, but it is much more difficult to find unbiased news sources today. There is such an abundance of information online, yet ironically, many people don't trust the accuracy of that information or the motivation of the sources.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIRgyGtMzkURdDiugW9CTVixu-1oba9zer8ZRs2u0sdPBj8a8xa3fZpHJQvJA1oZk6vbVN8XkeGEzH3kGiBNQb8Insa001nKLf7beHGMSRDS6EvAvLmh7s_Q-2AyotcNU1gs0MUolOQ4/s1522/perception+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="1522" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIRgyGtMzkURdDiugW9CTVixu-1oba9zer8ZRs2u0sdPBj8a8xa3fZpHJQvJA1oZk6vbVN8XkeGEzH3kGiBNQb8Insa001nKLf7beHGMSRDS6EvAvLmh7s_Q-2AyotcNU1gs0MUolOQ4/w468-h200/perception+3.png" width="468" /></a></div><br /><div>I like this last picture because it shows that things are often more complex than we imagine and sometimes in our quest for truth, we have to be willing to look at things from another perspective in order to be enlightened with the big picture. When we can see where someone else is coming from they don't seem quite so threatening and stubborn to the "truth" that is so obvious to us.</div><div><br /></div><div>I really don't think the media, politicians, salespeople, etc. will ever stop manipulating the truth in order to promote their agenda, but I do hope that people will have more civility, patience, and willingness to examine issues more thoroughly in order to get all the facts. </div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-24093048139358171072020-06-04T10:01:00.001-07:002020-06-09T07:43:54.716-07:00Evolution of Society's Behavior<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6RcFa1tWGqq-ojwGlHJoN35GPbr4QCyZEGKK-RL_HDNe02p3VyB68dP74gJgVb0e_qHibo3_9NVHCwWGeYJAc6yfO-GYJJzj4mCf3q-6-Va-9Kj8H6IVQAGKhPMrCoiR1d3kia4dwgo/s1600/protest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6RcFa1tWGqq-ojwGlHJoN35GPbr4QCyZEGKK-RL_HDNe02p3VyB68dP74gJgVb0e_qHibo3_9NVHCwWGeYJAc6yfO-GYJJzj4mCf3q-6-Va-9Kj8H6IVQAGKhPMrCoiR1d3kia4dwgo/s320/protest.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
I appreciate the many advances in technology we've made over the years. Life is certainly more convenient than ever before. I'm glad we no longer have to deal with rotary phones, taking your film to Fotomat to get pictures developed, use dial up internet, card catalogs, or VHS tapes.<br />
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We get things much faster today and that includes the news which runs 24/7. We hear opinions on sports, news, politics, and everything else. A big segment of entertainment these days consists of critics who share their opinion, pontificate, mock, or question others.Not only do we have an abundance of actual news, but everyone has turned into a news commentator with social media. There are many different viewpoints and even the experts frequently contradict each other about any given subject.<br />
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As much as I appreciate the abundance of news at times, I have noticed a negative side effect from it. We have lost our ability to be patient and think before we react. We jump to conclusions too quickly. I've seen friends argue about articles they post online when they haven't even read them and just assume they know a person's position from a headline. There is so much sensationalism and frequently an agenda or bias behind the media we take in. I despise how everything turns political so fast. People regularly get offended and outraged when someone expresses a different point of view.<br />
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I was surprised how quickly the Covid-19 panndemic quickly turned political and divided people into different camps. If you thought the government over reacted in their response and did more harm than good, then you are an insensitive, selfish, conspiracy theorist, that doesn't care if people die. If you were concerned and wanted people to wear masks and social distance then you were in favor of Totalitarian dictators, willing to give up your freedom for security, and just following with all the other scared sheeple.<br />
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The truth of the matter is most of us were feeling bi-polar about the whole thing. I kept going back and forth between these two extremes as did many others, but I think most people could relate to both sides. It is possible to be concerned about everyone's health while at the same time being concerned about your constitutional rights and quality of life. Lives and livelihood are both important.<br />
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Last week when I saw the footage of the cop kneeling on a incapacitated George Floyd's neck I was sickened and outraged. Over the last several days my anger has only grown as I watch people assault, rob, vandalize, and create chaos all around the country. Knee jerk reactions and people giving in to their anger has only escalated tension and amplified the problem. <br />
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Once again we are encountering people being painted into the two extreme sides of the issue. If you criticize people rioting and looting, then you are told you must agree with systemic racism. If you say most police officers are good people who serve their community, then you are a racist and part of the problem.<br />
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Again we are coming back to the us vs. them mentality. "You are either with us or against us." Maybe I'm with both of you and maybe I'm not with either of you! People are more complex than being divided into two groups or given a simple label when it comes to every issue.<br />
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They say hindsight is 20/20. When we look back on troubled issues of the past it is easier to make sense of why things happened and what would have been the best way to deal with them after we have gotten all the facts, but unfortunately that takes time. Nobody is willing to be patient and discuss things civilly when they are like powder kegs just waiting to explode. I've found myself guilty of this too recently. I felt my blood boiling this week after watching several different video clips of violence and injustices done to a variety of people as a result of all this anger.<br />
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We currently have the perfect storm that cultivates fear and anger. We live in such a polarizing and divisive society and the speed in which we get information and the poor quality of that information is a real problem. Political narratives, speculative and biased news stories, partial truths, denial, conspiracy theories, ignorance, and prejudices all muddy the water and our ability to see clearly.<br />
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If someone has a different opinion or viewpoint than you, that does not mean that they hate you or are attacking you. I appreciate it when I see civil debates between adults who may disagree with each other but do so amicably and respectfully. That is so rare these days since most people go ballistic as soon as they realize you don't agree with them and resort to name calling and labeling others.<br />
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The only way to fix our problems is to take a step back, take some deep breaths and then change our energy. We have to lose the anger and cultivate more love and respect for each other. I only see things getting better when we can focus on and put more attention on all of our similarities as opposed to our differences. That goes for every group, not just black/white, Republican/Democrat, Christians/Muslims, and Ford/Chevy.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-32363457201138892872020-05-12T10:38:00.000-07:002020-05-12T10:38:43.717-07:00Cultural Appropriation<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRUXy2mD6NOOyCW7NpIT53eaTQFeE0jvWoSkSWJ0uq9VosR0pD3eIna0T6CqP97WOYFM8a0j5p2CD6NH7LnE2ehpGSyGBsjqs01VXkgOqj5GfXt2p0A0IyfcbRc41kAbch1-74OXR0bk/s1600/matrix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="360" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRUXy2mD6NOOyCW7NpIT53eaTQFeE0jvWoSkSWJ0uq9VosR0pD3eIna0T6CqP97WOYFM8a0j5p2CD6NH7LnE2ehpGSyGBsjqs01VXkgOqj5GfXt2p0A0IyfcbRc41kAbch1-74OXR0bk/s200/matrix.jpg" width="200" /></a>As hard as I try to keep my blog from offending anyone, there are times I have to take a stand and
express my thoughts. It's amazing how easily people can get offended by the smallest things these days. I'm surprised being offended is not an Olympic sport yet.<br />
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When I watch movies from the past it is obvious that our society has changed. When I think back about comedies from the 70's and 80's certain words, attitudes, and references jump out at me that would just not fly today. Blazing Saddles, Sixteen Candles, Soul Man, Airplane, and The Jerk would all offend audiences today for a variety of reasons.<br />
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I agree that there are many offensive things in those movies, especially for those looking to be offended. We've made progress as a society when it comes to being more sensitive about certain subjects but, at the same time, we are also walking on egg shells and taking ourselves too seriously.<br />
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One of the ways some people are easily offended is "cultural appropriation." They are essentially saying you should not adopt parts of other cultures you are not a member of. People now get offended by Halloween costumes, prom dresses, hairstyles, and much more.<br />
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So does this mean eating Italian, Mexican, or Chinese food can be deemed cultural appropriation for me. I'm certain if I tried to use chopsticks that would definitely be appropriation, but luckily for me I like the food too much to waste my time playing with it. I am of English/Scottish descent so should I be eating boiled meat, Haggis, and tea? I'm pretty sure that last comment was a rude, insensitive stereotype of my ancestors but odds are they wouldn't be offended.<br />
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I certainly understand someone being upset if somebody is mocking or diminishing aspects of other people's cultures or religious beliefs. I think the Haka war dance is a cool feature to Maori culture. The BYU football team usually has a high percentage of Polynesian players each year and in the past they would perform the Haka before a game. I'm actually glad they recently stopped that pre-game tradition. Something just didn't look right seeing some of the skinny Caucasian receivers trying to perform it with their Polynesian teammates.<br />
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I've seen people express their displeasure when white people wear dreadlocks or cornrows, but they don't seem to mind if Niki Minaj or Beyonce wear their hair blond and straighten it to look like they are Swedish. For the record, I think black women with blond hair look better than most white people with cornrows but that's not the point. It's the double standard.<br />
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We have lived in Ghana for the last three years. My wife's wardrobe has changed drastically since she loves African fabric, patterns, colors and styles of dress. We've never had any Africans express displeasure when we've worn traditional African clothes, in fact they are usually pleased to see us embracing their culture.<br />
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I frequently do yoga stretches but I'm not from India. Will it trigger someone if they see me doing Child's Pose or Pigeon Stretch after I go running?<br />
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I named my daughter Carmen because it's a beautiful name, but she is not Hispanic. Lo siento.<br />
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If you drink alcohol, can only Mexicans drink Tequila, Russians Vodka, and Japanese Saki?<br />
Speaking of drinking, Cinco de Mayo, St. Patricks Day, and Oktoberfest may have specific origins but today they are celebrated by people of all cultures (especially those looking for an excuse to get plastered.)<br />
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If you are a woke person who is super sensitive to appropriation, then maybe Che Guavera shirts should only be worn by college students if they are from Argentina. By the way, did Che appropriate that cool beret look from Europeans?<br />
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At first I thought cultural appropriation just meant using elements from someone else's culture, but the actual definition is "the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society."<br />
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That "typically more dominant" qualifier is basically code for white people. So this practice apparently is only offensive when it is done by white people. America is a melting pot of people from all around the world and from a variety of cultures. While I believe it is important to respect other cultures, we should also relax a little bit and not be so hypersensitive and ready to take offense. It is natural to utilize and celebrate the best things we enjoy and appreciate from every culture around the world.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-83123489088985914042020-04-26T11:42:00.000-07:002020-04-26T11:42:21.665-07:00Recycling and The Environment<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Pws-T_YIbQUBZL4Kgn9ykfpRsOd0jN1zbUlN8lFBpxcBv9ta4SMb82qZSsojAU8fk8wVechMMJ2TSNVtL9GZhmRC7x8pEXcSkF9_2zZkrGDsNXBAe5y4t-TDJoPW9WstNP8170DjNBg/s1600/recycle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Pws-T_YIbQUBZL4Kgn9ykfpRsOd0jN1zbUlN8lFBpxcBv9ta4SMb82qZSsojAU8fk8wVechMMJ2TSNVtL9GZhmRC7x8pEXcSkF9_2zZkrGDsNXBAe5y4t-TDJoPW9WstNP8170DjNBg/s200/recycle.jpg" width="200" /></a>Earth day was last week so I've decided to share some thoughts about the environment. I am concerned about the environment but I don't consider myself to be a stereotypical environmentalist. I'm not a fan of the whole climate change agenda. I acknowledge that the climate is always changing but I think we attribute too much to our ability to control it. I am also turned off by those who are overly political about the environment, especially when there is so much hypocrisy from the very same politicians and celebrities preaching that we need to reduce our carbon footprint.<br />
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That being said, I believe we need to be good stewards of our environment. I hate driving behind vehicles that are billowing out smoke from their exhaust or seeing trash on hiking trails or anywhere else for that matter. I like clean air and water as much as anyone else and would prefer to live in a healthy, clean, and beautiful environment. I try to take the simplified mentality of just being responsible enough to clean up after ourselves.<br />
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Recycling seems like one common sense approach to the problem. I have always paid a little extra in order to have a separate recycle dumpster. A couple years ago a friend told me he was taking a load of garbage to the dump. While he was unloading it he noticed a recycling garbage truck drive into the same bay and unload plastic, paper, and cardboard into the same landfill with all the other garbage. He said that was the last day he made any attempt to recycle. I hope that was just a fluke incident but it made me wonder how effective some recycling efforts really are once they drive away with your trash.<br />
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Some of the countries with the best reputations for recycling include Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Iceland, and South Korea. The United States needs to do much better when it comes to recycling. Side note- The U. S. takes a lot of blame on the world stage when it comes to pollution (especially emissions) but China, India, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Russia, Nigeria, and many others are also prolific polluters but for some reason they don't seem to be held accountable by the world for their negligence.<br />
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Since I moved to Ghana I have been much more aware and concerned about the environment. The reason for this is because back in the states trash is usually out of sight and out of mind but sanitation services here are limited so many people just make a pile of garbage on their property and light it on fire every so often. Public littering is also very common here. I regularly see adults throw empty containers and bags on the ground while out in public.There are plastic bags, bottles, and packages everywhere. As we've been gardening and landscaping recently, I've been shocked at how much buried garbage we have unearthed in our yard from the prior residents.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQ_OAJ5sNl5kMjefyxdGulGqlJ3O6bcsErx3sRoieOTMAWmpgsPpYrCwTeRdunXSEpJPX9P7HWGuddhGO4xelLG4xTL9qlWp_pI7pUNz5zWoBAnynRivxm6c48XJ__1fbOyJCX9rPygw/s1600/kenya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="942" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQ_OAJ5sNl5kMjefyxdGulGqlJ3O6bcsErx3sRoieOTMAWmpgsPpYrCwTeRdunXSEpJPX9P7HWGuddhGO4xelLG4xTL9qlWp_pI7pUNz5zWoBAnynRivxm6c48XJ__1fbOyJCX9rPygw/s400/kenya.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A roadside trash pile I encountered in Kenya last month</td></tr>
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I have also become more aware of how much unnecessary packaging there is whenever you buy something. This is obvious whenever you buy an appliance or something packed in styrofoam and big boxes, but it's also a problem with smaller purchases too. Whenever I buy a small ice cream treat from a street vendor, they always insist on putting it in a clear plastic bag and then within another little black plastic bag. These are the same bags you see blowing all over the streets and piled up in gutters. I have started the habit of taking my own bags when I buy certain things, especially fruit. I actually prefer using my own bags because unlike the plastic ones, they are strong enough to hold several pineapples or even a watermelon and I can wash them when they get dirty.<br />
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In an effort to cut down our trash disposal costs and to keep our dumpster from filling up so quickly I started composting yard waste, organic debris, and food scraps. We then use the composted soil when it's had time to decompose into nice gardening dirt. I know these are just small efforts but I hate contributing to excess trash that has to end up somewhere.<br />
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I know the environment can be a volatile subject with many people due to the extremes on each side of the spectrum. Some minimize ore even turn a blind eye to it while others become militant about wanting to outlaw straws. I'm sure there is some common sense middle ground that most people would agree on. Regardless of our political affiliations or your beliefs on the subject, we can all do a better job of cleaning up after ourselves.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-78901409110415848152020-03-21T01:18:00.001-07:002020-03-21T01:18:29.165-07:00Ghana vs. Kenya<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnCWfyeJ7nUh1Rtdnalw-MLyF5P7Oo1WadJ-Fe6Dm4J5lNTvvYgncoYzAZgPCoJEJv2OGKIo7D-5jzcqf54vYh6YeojE_iI2PoY5YOBXzIl4YrlUjPwx-NpWZDZ2IzrlYC1jfz-AX1JY/s1600/flags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="304" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnCWfyeJ7nUh1Rtdnalw-MLyF5P7Oo1WadJ-Fe6Dm4J5lNTvvYgncoYzAZgPCoJEJv2OGKIo7D-5jzcqf54vYh6YeojE_iI2PoY5YOBXzIl4YrlUjPwx-NpWZDZ2IzrlYC1jfz-AX1JY/s200/flags.jpg" width="200" /></a>I've been living in Ghana for nearly 3 years now but recently took a trip to Kenya and really enjoyed
it. I thought it would be fun to write a brief post highlighting some of the differences between these two countries. I admit my observations are superficial and that they are just generalizations due to the limited amount of time I spent there, but here are some of the insights that stood out to me.<br />
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<u>Country size and population</u>- Kenya is located in East Africa and has approximately twice the land mass of Ghana in the West. Kenya has about 50 million residents compared to Ghana with around 29 million.<br />
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<u>Weather</u>- I've grown accustomed to dry season weather in Ghana over the last 5 months. The dust from the Harmattan has limited visibility and air quality. East Africa is not affected by this. When I arrived in Kenya it was a good 10-15 degrees cooler, the skies were blue and clear, and it was not nearly as humid. It was a wonderful change. I did not sweat nearly as much there and it felt much more like being home in Utah.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkh2uzPRX-8G5IR-ZL8Z8UMM5dp2fi41Nu3Txz7NolDlG4ncby_5FtmYYdtsSUZYfK7Fd9u1XvO33TAm4Uv_2e8bSDG6ggRWPYAJ_iD6553Y-w_3YoIy4AXyCzGkbVwOWkDkqJVBh1y0/s1600/safari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="959" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkh2uzPRX-8G5IR-ZL8Z8UMM5dp2fi41Nu3Txz7NolDlG4ncby_5FtmYYdtsSUZYfK7Fd9u1XvO33TAm4Uv_2e8bSDG6ggRWPYAJ_iD6553Y-w_3YoIy4AXyCzGkbVwOWkDkqJVBh1y0/s320/safari.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picnic during our safari<br /></td></tr>
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<u>Wildlife</u>- Ghana has several monkey sanctuaries and a Mole Safari park in the far north, but Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa have claim to some of Africa's greatest safaris. I felt like I was watching The Lion King as our Jeep passed Elephants, Giraffes, Lions, Ostriches, Zebras, Water Buffalo, Gazelles, Hippos, Baboons, etc. I was really impressed with the Masaai Mara but it is much more expensive to vacation there than Ghana, especially if you stay at any of the nice lodges within the Park.<br />
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I know donkeys are not considered exotic animals, but I was surprised to see so many of them in Kenya pulling carts around. I've only seen a handful of donkeys in Ghana.<br />
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<u>Food</u>- The food I ate was much less spicy than many of the traditional Ghanaian dishes. Some of the dishes were also eaten with their hands like here in Ghana. I really liked the Kenyan food. There appeared to be an abundance of cheese and milk in Kenya so those particular foods were cheaper than they are in Ghana.<br />
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<u>Health</u>- Both countries have a similar life expectancy numbers but there is a higher prevalence of AIDS in Kenya. People are also less likely to be obese in Kenya. There were many more people in Kenya with thin builds.<br />
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<u>Sanitation</u>- There is plenty of garbage in the streets in both countries, but Kenya recently outlawed plastic bags. There was trash in the busy streets of Nairobi but elsewhere I didn't see nearly as many empty water sachets or black plastic bags in gutters or blowing around like I do in Ghana.<br />
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<u>Public transportation</u>- Many of the vans, buses, and motorcycles in Kenya had fancy paint jobs on them. I was surprised to see so many vehicles decorated with a variety of themes. I saw an NBA bus, Money heist motorcycle painted with characters and sayings from the show. There were church, and many movie themed buses too. It's looked like graffiti artists had decorated many of the vehicles. The vans I saw and rode in appeared to be in slightly better repair than many of the tro-tros and taxis I use in Ghana. Most of their motorcycles also had weird shaped windshields on them.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5Yp77dgsLTsDWKdlb7C8gpQ3OHMmE9tsCgtf_NwU-pCk70EsWw7oA7NH4sUVYj14OubGo0z1lrV6jChfxdZ8TxnHDrHB8FHzZBYZU3WRqC2FAtkKxuY20AYrc4qFfqFLfWxp6nKq_Iw/s1600/bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="908" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5Yp77dgsLTsDWKdlb7C8gpQ3OHMmE9tsCgtf_NwU-pCk70EsWw7oA7NH4sUVYj14OubGo0z1lrV6jChfxdZ8TxnHDrHB8FHzZBYZU3WRqC2FAtkKxuY20AYrc4qFfqFLfWxp6nKq_Iw/s400/bus.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">example of artwork on vehicles.<br /></td></tr>
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<u>Housing</u>- The homes I visited in Kenya all had unique metal front doors with a small opening that just your hand can fit through to unlock the lock on the inside. I guess this prevents someone with bolt cutters from accessing the lock on your home when you leave and lock up. I also didn't notice many homes under various states of construction. In Ghana there are many homes in a partial state of completion with piles of sand, gravel, and bricks, piled up in the front yards.<br />
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<u>Vendors</u>- I did not see vendors walking up and down the roads selling goods on their heads like you experience in Ghana. I kind of missed being able to just get a fan ice, plantain chips, or a loaf of bread at any intersection.<br />
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<u>Police</u>- I only saw one police vehicle during my entire week in Kenya. That is not to say they don't have a sufficient police force, but it was nice not having to experience any police stops at road blocks. This week I drove from Accra to Kumasi and was pulled over at 5 different police stops. I also did not encounter any toll stations on the roads we traveled in Kenya. Both countries do however, have an abundance of speed bumps on many of their roads. It seems you can only drive at a decent speed for so long before you have to slow down to a near stop to avoid damaging your car on these bumps.<br />
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<u>Capital City</u>- I went to some nice places in the city but did not enjoy downtown Nairobi. It was so crowded and dark and dirty. The country was beautiful once you get out of the big city though. When it comes to safety, I'd feel much more comfortable in downtown Accra than Nairobi, especially at night. I'm not sure if that's due to familiarity or the massive numbers of people there.<br />
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I like both countries but I'd really like to go back to Kenya again sometime.<br />
<br />Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-41910680329626402682020-02-23T07:03:00.002-08:002020-02-23T07:07:09.583-08:00For Those Who Despise Haggling<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxId4ICPg9ofqBOBOLGJTLADmsMlpoYzPl3nCQlmneCgdEBXyvJy3mFjEGn_VFqa4eMleEOC-0szRuzAFQzkPP9ZqtJGdjsemz5yk4_MyN7rF1ngpzJrGu-fofkKigoV0mgJvYqxn6Zc/s1600/haggle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="500" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxId4ICPg9ofqBOBOLGJTLADmsMlpoYzPl3nCQlmneCgdEBXyvJy3mFjEGn_VFqa4eMleEOC-0szRuzAFQzkPP9ZqtJGdjsemz5yk4_MyN7rF1ngpzJrGu-fofkKigoV0mgJvYqxn6Zc/s200/haggle.jpg" width="200" /></a>I have never cared for the practice of bartering or haggling when one is trying to purchase something. Some people love the rush they get as they put their negotiating skills to the test and demonstrate their business savvy. I am not one of those people. Maybe I'm a wuss, but I tend to avoid any unnecessary confrontational interactions and I just can't stand the inefficiency and repetitive nature of bartering.<br />
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I'd like to first clarify that I don't think there is anything wrong with getting a bargain or being good with money. It's been said "a fool and his money are soon parted." I also understand that there are times and places when you don't have a choice but to bargain, but why would you do it if you didn't need to? I would describe haggling as an unnecessary extra step, a waste of your time, and an exercise in inefficiency. I don't like having to employ acting skills and excessive dialogue in order to purchase something at a fair price.<br />
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My first encounter with this came as a teenager when I went to Tijuana with some friends. As soon as we crossed the border we were swarmed by salespeople trying to sell their goods. If you wanted to buy a blanket, hammock, jewelry, or any souvenir, you had to go through the process of listening to the vendor tell you how much they wanted for it which was usually 5 times too much. Then you countered their offer by saying you would pay far less than the item was worth. You did this back and forth multiple times as each party slowly gave in and got more reasonable. By the end of the process you pretended to be uninterested and walk away until they finally ran up to you and agreed upon the appropriate price both parties were okay with. This is the real price you could have just bought it for in the begin without all the theatrics. Even buying an inexpensive thing like a can of soda involved going through this ridiculous routine!<br />
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I would rather pay more for almost anything than have to play this silly game and waste my time when I buy something from a street vendor. Since I moved to Africa a couple years ago I have been forced to barter and bargain more than I like. Taxis are notorious for making you haggle. Many taxi drivers here typically ask 3 to 4 times the going rate when I need a ride. I just feel it is insulting to my intelligence to have to play this game. That is one reason I love Uber. I know what the price is before the driver even shows up and it is usually a third of what the taxi drivers demand. I don't have to spend any time or energy arguing because the decision is made in a split second on the app. If the quote is too high, I simply don't proceed.<br />
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One exception where I can accept this type of negotiating is when you are making a large purchase like a home. It doesn't seem quite as annoying when people are dealing with large sums of money and are submitting written offers and counter offers with a deadline while their offers are being entertained. At least this only happens for most people a handful of times in a lifetime.<br />
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If you disagree with me, just think what your shopping experience would be like if the next time you went to Costco or a grocery store the person in front of you with a large cart of groceries haggled with the clerk over every item they purchased.<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-2iZjxSGca8" width="560"></iframe>
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After writing this post I was looking online for a picture for haggling and came across this video clip. I feel vindicated if Monty Python is also making fun of this topic. Just because I hate bartering doesn't mean I'm better than those who do enjoy playing this game... it only means I have more common sense than them.😄Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-69293221671063673052020-02-17T11:29:00.001-08:002022-01-31T08:49:29.567-08:00Controlling Governments<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDf0G6x26yZ3ON81xlLwHa5hF8bFlestYCnjHEiJR-bZaeQn9uPZdxPLEoS09de5l5IyrfSN5TBEG-rB5QJhUKJJ5B9E1vV0ezgjnmTZmx0qOiIEuTFoRon5xxB4NH9rIrAau7t9Oq7g/s1600/wire.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDf0G6x26yZ3ON81xlLwHa5hF8bFlestYCnjHEiJR-bZaeQn9uPZdxPLEoS09de5l5IyrfSN5TBEG-rB5QJhUKJJ5B9E1vV0ezgjnmTZmx0qOiIEuTFoRon5xxB4NH9rIrAau7t9Oq7g/s200/wire.jpg" width="200" /></a>I haven't given much thought to communism over the years, but with the recent Coronavirus outbreak.
I've had some interesting insights and reminders about controlling governments. It has been interesting to see how slow the Chinese government was to admit that they had a serious health crisis on their hands. They even criticized other countries that had issued warnings to their citizens about travelling to China saying they were over-reacting and promoting needless fear. It's also been disturbing to see Chinese citizens, reporters, and bloggers attempting to tell the world about the actual severity of the problem be censored, jailed, or just simply disappear. On the bright side, a controlling government made it much easier to shut down and quarantine a city with twice the population of Los Angeles. That would be much harder to do in the US where people are accustomed to going wherever and whenever they want.<br />
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I've noticed a similar patterns in other countries over the years. The citizens of North Korea are only allowed access to media that is provided by their government. There is no social media or interaction with other countries. All the movies made in North Korea are produced by the government and this propaganda paints their leader as a man who is approaching deity. Their starving citizens are taught to fear the rest of the world and are constantly being told how well they have it. The last thing their leaders want is for their citizens to have their eyes opened to how the rest of the world is living and to the freedoms they do not enjoy. In a way it seems like North Korea is pulling a massive Truman Show prank on 25 million people.<br />
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Speaking of the Coronavirus, it might not spread into North Korea as quickly as other countries since it is so isolated with travel restrictions for visitors, however; if it ever did infect North Korean citizens, I doubt their government would ever be willing to acknowledge it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeFWFflaEQdmdrDF3q4CBURwxh-fuAx1Lxz-BS2gffeDbxhb9flTGVIXb1_grNyhSxWiHGHN5aUrGwrp3q5HCV008T38xFRuOwrcEHfGj9MRJih0q6FQFabtEUBC4JhOsu9aoTKEl-Qw/s1600/kor.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1200" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeFWFflaEQdmdrDF3q4CBURwxh-fuAx1Lxz-BS2gffeDbxhb9flTGVIXb1_grNyhSxWiHGHN5aUrGwrp3q5HCV008T38xFRuOwrcEHfGj9MRJih0q6FQFabtEUBC4JhOsu9aoTKEl-Qw/s400/kor.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Korea keeps it's citizens in the dark "literally"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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In 1986 I remember learning of the nuclear power plant disaster at Chernobyl. The Soviet Union downplayed the severity of that situation and their state controlled media tried to cover up and minimize what had happened. It seems in many of these communist countries the image a country is trying to project for the rest of the world is valued more than the safety and well being of it's citizens. These countries are frequently too proud to admit the truth about many issues if it does not line up with the propaganda they have been promoting to their citizens and the rest of the world.<br />
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Going back even further to the late 70's I remember visiting Germany when the Berlin wall was still up. This was during the days of East and West Berlin and the difference between the two was shocking. I will never forget visiting the Check Point Charlie museum as a young kid and seeing how those in the East would risk their lives to try and get to the other side in order to flee their government.<br />
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Reviewing these examples of Oppressive governments makes me grateful for the freedom I have. My country is not perfect and I admit it has many problems. Ironically, I know this due to the fact that we have freedom of speech and the press. I don't think I could handle living in a world where my mail, phone conversations, and e-mails were monitored and censored. I complain enough as it is about my entertainment options but I'd go crazy if I could only watch government approved programs and was told what kind of music, clothes, and hairstyle I could enjoy. Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and the right to bear arms are things we can easily take for granted.<br />
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I am not anti-government. Governments play an important role in bringing order to society. I also understand that many bad things can happen within a country when it gives it's citizens so much freedom but when you weigh the problems of a free society versus the problems of a society where government controls every aspect of your life, I will always choose freedom. Many young people today believe in a Utopian form of government that will take care of all of their wants and needs and solve all their problems. I would suggest they have probably not been around the world or studied history enough to see what happens to your standard of living when you relinquish your freedoms over time to a government for the promise of future benefits.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-29110229999199060322020-02-06T13:38:00.000-08:002020-02-06T13:38:10.507-08:00Too Many Holidays<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHX5JYiXsaUJMCAbTSA-HK6EZomVMKGayvbCuRAtGkbKh5MMo3Ikl-JJc7FlrP-aE3puZcBNNarVYInv-I_Jd3VDVFXFHYzzK5K8YZLNaHT3YyiiFDeGZ4NRBPjUPBgPvNONED_gMdIKg/s1600/calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHX5JYiXsaUJMCAbTSA-HK6EZomVMKGayvbCuRAtGkbKh5MMo3Ikl-JJc7FlrP-aE3puZcBNNarVYInv-I_Jd3VDVFXFHYzzK5K8YZLNaHT3YyiiFDeGZ4NRBPjUPBgPvNONED_gMdIKg/s320/calendar.jpg" width="320" /></a>I'm surprised at how frequently I keep hearing that regular days carry some kind of significance and have been designated as minor holidays or commemorative days. I 'm cool with the usual big holidays like Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Days for one's country, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, but there are just way too many supposedly special days.<br />
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If you look up unofficial holidays or awareness days you will see there is a special day every single day of the year which basically cheapens any legitimate holiday. So here is my opinion on some of these other holidays or "fun days."<br />
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I'll be the first to admit that some of these holidays are kind of lame but I can go along with them since most of them are a great excuse to justify eating food or treats. Some that fall in this category include:<br />
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Feb 14- Valentines Day- A day people do something for their significant other out of obligation and peer pressure. Also a day many restaurants increase their dinner menu prices by 25%.<br />
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Apr 1- April Fools Day- A day for kids and immature adults to do pranks and mess with people.<br />
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May 4th- National Star Wars Day- "May the Forth Be With You" It was destiny and I like puns so you will have no complaints from this Jedi Knight.<br />
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May 5- Cinco Dey Mayo- This is not Mexico's Independence day but commemorates a military victory over the French. Many people know this is a great excuse for Gringos to enjoy Mexican food and beer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4mdDRcZcUngVr17d2zf6jbde_pHr1EDlGTBP_bzXbr1VLaDpjvt8_PQqkkqd0yYWQq-Z4EeVnv9IMwpNSfg_Iwr8d6eJSFzvg-gCIau_tI2lTz1FGEn_dBqW2Kav2_xAhjLk0zCcCH4/s1600/star+wars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4mdDRcZcUngVr17d2zf6jbde_pHr1EDlGTBP_bzXbr1VLaDpjvt8_PQqkkqd0yYWQq-Z4EeVnv9IMwpNSfg_Iwr8d6eJSFzvg-gCIau_tI2lTz1FGEn_dBqW2Kav2_xAhjLk0zCcCH4/s1600/star+wars.jpg" /></a><br />
National Donut day and World Chocolate Day- If you insist it is appropriate to eat chocolate or donuts on these days I'm not going to fight you.<br />
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Then there are some special awareness days that are not as well known as big holidays but I feel they are worthy of taking note. I'm sure there are many more but I'm too lazy to look them up. These would also include religious holidays from a wide variety of religions that followers choose to observe.<br />
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Jan 11- National Human Trafficking Awareness Day<br />
Jan 27- International Holocaust Remembrance Day<br />
Mar 2- Employee Appreciation Day<br />
Aug 21-World Senior Citizen Day<br />
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My final category includes holidays or special days that I think are just plain dumb. I love science fiction, Nutella, and cinnamon rolls, but I don't need an official day designated to enjoy them.<br />
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Jan 2- National Science Fiction Day<br />
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Feb 2- Groundhog Day- Who benefits from this? I am as sick of this mindless tradition as Bill Murray was in the movie.<br />
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Feb 5- World Nutella Day<br />
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June 24- Take Your Dog to Work Day<br />
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Oct. 4th- Cinnamon Roll Day<br />
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Nov 15- Day of Imprisoned Writer- Yes this is a thing. This day commemorates the serious topic of human rights and those who have been repressed but it sure sounds odd. How many imprisoned writers are there? The first one that always comes to mind is ironically Hitler writing Mein Kampf.<br />
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Others special days that are just plain silly include static electricity day, national gorilla suit day, no pants day, monkey day, talk like a pirate day, etc. Sometimes there are the special commemorative dates that a State or City might choose to observe. I love the Utah Jazz but was shocked to see our State declare February 29, 2012 as Jeremy Evans day after he won the NBA slam dunk contest. Wouldn't it make more sense to just congratulate him?<br />
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Anyway, I hope I haven't stepped on too many toes. If your family gets excited for Apricot Day each January 9th then go for it. I hope you enjoy celebrating your favorite holidays but I think I'm going to start making up my own because I'm pretty sure I could do much better than most of these.<br />
<br />Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-68096713991529825462020-01-22T08:22:00.000-08:002020-01-22T08:22:20.427-08:00So Much Confusion...Recently I've been amused with how much contradictory information we are constantly bombarded <br />
with. There is more information available now than at any time in the history of the world but sometimes the more I study a subject the more confused or even manipulated I feel. One area we regularly see this is in the world of politics as different sides of the isle share their propaganda and try to discredit their opponents. We see many biased news reports and editorials as well as claims of "fake news". Social media has only amplified this problem with trolls, memes, and keyboard warriors stirring up controversy and sharing their opinion as if it was absolute truth. It's hard to know what to believe anymore. Don't worry, I'm done talking about politics.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-WQKuwUkqRCSn7ZDXc4TRpMdRmrGV3A-uwdtgIdHuCFGzF4dcinEK105CGkraPiAcWfjUxFy7gs7ecwB09HEWBTsI7L1fQx4FDbv-AWTa53tfWIxwyF8PFTyohX6y1aLFUOvYz5O4Xg/s1600/chan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="161" data-original-width="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-WQKuwUkqRCSn7ZDXc4TRpMdRmrGV3A-uwdtgIdHuCFGzF4dcinEK105CGkraPiAcWfjUxFy7gs7ecwB09HEWBTsI7L1fQx4FDbv-AWTa53tfWIxwyF8PFTyohX6y1aLFUOvYz5O4Xg/s1600/chan.jpg" /></a></div>
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Another area where I've noticed inconsistencies is in the medical field and health and fitness industry. It's interesting to see how things change over time. Bloodletting was a common practice to cure disease several hundred years ago. In the 50's there were smoking ads endorsed by physicians. I even remember as a kid in the 70's seeing health spas featuring machines with vibrating belts to melt away fat from your hips and stomach. In the 80's our country went on an anti-fat crusade and adopted grains and cereals as the foundation of our foods. As a result, obesity increased and today those same carbs are currently the villain when it comes to weight gain. The USDA food pyramid has evolved over time so was that due to new findings, lobbyist food groups, or mutations in the human population?<br />
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Every so often aspirin, chocolate, salt, wine, and egg yolks are bad for you and then a few years later we are told they are good for us. We were told to eat more small meals throughout the day and that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Now we are told intermittent fasting is better for us and you really only need 2 meals. Much of the confusion lies with media outlets sharing these new findings for the sake of getting our attention with quick sound bites but frequently many of the studies they report are incomplete or not scientifically sound.<br />
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I understand that a good portion of the confusion we encounter comes from scammers, quacks, and deceptive salespeople who will always promote half truths and even outright lies in order to sell their miracle pill or ineffective products to the masses. What is even more frustrating is when even scientists and authorities on a particular subject sometimes argue with each other when they disagree and point to studies and experimentation that proves their point. It seems that many scientific studies can be spun to prove a person's position on a particular subject. Sometimes trying to find the truth can be like looking for a needle in a haystack since there is so much conflicting and confusing misinformation you have to sift through.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoFaQp6Yi11PO1o-IPLrreorJx6P-uu3muGjRcaXQazwmrM-52fZv1zudWpGjb5PoPKMhFyP9mIh1ZUuwGBOdN1qR0AnvZopVQ2CJQz8kyWsd1P5IiacGY-ZZSaX62Hv00xEZJsPAo8I/s1600/needle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1023" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoFaQp6Yi11PO1o-IPLrreorJx6P-uu3muGjRcaXQazwmrM-52fZv1zudWpGjb5PoPKMhFyP9mIh1ZUuwGBOdN1qR0AnvZopVQ2CJQz8kyWsd1P5IiacGY-ZZSaX62Hv00xEZJsPAo8I/s400/needle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I live in Ghana and we have an non-profit that promotes literacy. We recently got a large shipment of books donated from the US. While I was looking through several of the boxes containing medical and health and fitness books that had been written over a 40 year span I noticed something interesting. Many of these were popular or best selling books when they were first published but I noticed that quite a few of them were written by authors who were either later discredited or proven wrong for some of their theories and teachings.<br />
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I'm not super excited to hand out books that promote principles that are now questionable or ideas that are 30 years behind when it comes to the latest scientific findings. The truth should not change every 10 years like clothing styles or music trends. Truth should be constant. Sometimes I feel like despite our technological advances and abundance of information, I am still living in the dark ages relying on rumors, misinformation, and superstition. Luckily, you can have the peace of mind knowing that everything you read here at Chaka's World is 100% accurate and true, with the exception of most of my posts.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-21559487808781383412019-12-17T01:50:00.001-08:002019-12-17T01:50:52.943-08:00Invisible Walls<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZNUWkC_fzwI-CCCJ1uM3s8Bq1NBc3IYZwL9Xqcd8RXEo5htULADv-vZsB1VpYCqfqXwXVWOTHcyU4FgFugP1bt6njeS5xSNaydKicx-hVMbv3Bs5-NFzd5dr2QArif4zePWReTOXQSM/s1600/omar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="800" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZNUWkC_fzwI-CCCJ1uM3s8Bq1NBc3IYZwL9Xqcd8RXEo5htULADv-vZsB1VpYCqfqXwXVWOTHcyU4FgFugP1bt6njeS5xSNaydKicx-hVMbv3Bs5-NFzd5dr2QArif4zePWReTOXQSM/s200/omar.jpg" width="200" /></a>Over 20 years ago I remember seeing the TV mini-series of Gullivers
Travels starring Ted Danson. I only saw parts of it and don't
remember much but one scene that has always stuck with me was when Gulliver encountered a character played by Omar Sharif. The man offered Gulliver food and lodging and suggested he rest for a night before continuing his journey. Apparently he was a sorcerer with bad intentions and was trying to distract him from his journey. He placed a spell on him where he thought each day at his home was his first and at the end of each night he'd invite him to rest for the night in order to have energy for his long journey the next morning. I think this continued for several years until Gulliver finally realized what had happened and how much time had been wasted. I feel like the same thing happened to me...about 6 years ago.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-AX7Vupdlg_qb6Di8GHv8dKyCHfclVL81FKa6NEtye2IeDn6E_xAVYUHT1w7DsvdfOGUUSpzuFtlasLHy2JtvP4LbZZw-dPoipWIXFDvH6laVOLRY_FoUALP0s_rRTswOzUA0uqoPp0/s1600/elephant+rope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="1200" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-AX7Vupdlg_qb6Di8GHv8dKyCHfclVL81FKa6NEtye2IeDn6E_xAVYUHT1w7DsvdfOGUUSpzuFtlasLHy2JtvP4LbZZw-dPoipWIXFDvH6laVOLRY_FoUALP0s_rRTswOzUA0uqoPp0/s200/elephant+rope.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
You've probably heard stories about how fleas in a jar can easily jump out but after a lid has been attached for several days they stop trying even after the lid is removed. There is also a story about how baby elephants are tied to a stake with a thin rope and as they grow bigger they don't even attempt to pull on the rope because they've been conditioned to believe it is a sturdy anchor holding them there.<br />
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It's amazing how small habits (good or bad) slowly become part of your daily routine. It might be something like constantly checking social media way more than you think you do, or slowly phasing out of prior habits like praying, flossing your teeth, or exercising. Either repeating bad actions or omitting good ones over time can quickly become habitual.<br />
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Some days I feel like I'm in Groundhog Day. The days seem so similar and are always repeating and if I screw up or have a bad day I always get a chance the next day to try again with what seems like little or no consequences. This has become even more obvious since I've been living in Ghana. It's not very convenient to do many of the things I've previously enjoyed doing like playing basketball. Aside from the cultural differences, I have limits on my income and transportation and as a result, I spend a lot more time on my computer which is not the best recipe for self improvement.<br />
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My productivity over the years has decreased and I feel like I've been confined by invisible walls. I used to passionately work on personal growth, learning new things, and achieving goals. One of these days I will finally pull out the thin rope and stake that I feel tethered to. My daily routine has been pathetic for some time now but each night I assume it will be better after I have a good night's rest in preparation for the long journey that lies before me.<br />
<br />Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-31467529210005818062019-05-24T06:31:00.003-07:002019-05-24T06:31:56.915-07:003 Controversial OpinionsIt's been a while since I've added content to my blog. Sometimes I just write about random topics but today I'd like to share my thoughts on three important things I'm very passionate about. The first two fall under the category of manners, etiquette, or proper protocol, and the third is a pet peeve.I don't want to sound like an ignorant hick by going against the grain but it's time to stand up for how I really feel so let's get started.<br />
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My first concern is with spaghetti. I was taught it is bad manners to cut your spaghetti so you should instead swirl it around your fork. Maybe I've just witnessed too many little kids making a mess of their face and clothes as they slurp up long strands of pasta. I'm a big enough boy to be able to eat the "appropriate" way without making a mess but I don't want to. Since my blog is a big hit in most culinary circles there will undoubtedly be several 5 star chefs reading this and rolling their eyes. They would probably suggest I eat a bowl of spaghettios with a spoon if I don't want to adhere to the appropriate protocol, but I don't care. I'm going to keep cutting my spaghetti.You can have my fork when you pry it from my cold, dead, hands.<br />
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You should also know I break the spaghetti in half when I cook it. Yes, I'm aware that this is also taboo but you may have this rebel confused with someone who cares.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivc_tfqOYWFVRpDJQltl6lyuvJqw0zZ3Ga9m9FU9ahD9S3lD_OV_D7hrjuc6XpF4IHBZKSx0f5y8YB3MaFLcEhhyOhVo0mxPSRM2Nhkn_FqoreYlpfEm4CeYK9JyjgW-wHTKjwqRzGHM/s1600/spag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="852" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivc_tfqOYWFVRpDJQltl6lyuvJqw0zZ3Ga9m9FU9ahD9S3lD_OV_D7hrjuc6XpF4IHBZKSx0f5y8YB3MaFLcEhhyOhVo0mxPSRM2Nhkn_FqoreYlpfEm4CeYK9JyjgW-wHTKjwqRzGHM/s320/spag.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The next topic to address is tie tacks. I'll admit I'm a good 30 years behind the times when it comes to fashion trends but this accessory just doesn't feel right. I've known for a long time that when you wear a tie bar, it should attach at the level of the third shirt button. I just think that is way too high. That may look acceptable when you are wearing a jacket but once the jacket comes off, I think it looks imbalanced and awkward. It doesn't even serve it's purpose when it's up so high and your tie will still swing around down below. I own a few tie bars but never wear them since I will probably have some know-it-all come up to me and tell me it's supposed to be worn higher up on the tie than I prefer. As a result, the world is missing out on seeing me sporting stylish tie bars. Your loss.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMWHws99WlthOR9pHYsyb1E6XyzlUMmcAtny5CEWaLMNf67oRaxfxWwVf2zW4jfqK6DHdp-pj-I8AxFB8nCN3qrnfPFbw8_UrXpQ_iDt8WJJpXUzMNSRsD0sKu1QzOm3cjmNYsRHvhuE/s1600/tiebar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="700" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMWHws99WlthOR9pHYsyb1E6XyzlUMmcAtny5CEWaLMNf67oRaxfxWwVf2zW4jfqK6DHdp-pj-I8AxFB8nCN3qrnfPFbw8_UrXpQ_iDt8WJJpXUzMNSRsD0sKu1QzOm3cjmNYsRHvhuE/s320/tiebar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My final gripe is a pet peeve about something I see regularly on Facebook. I usually see this from women who post a lot. I don't understand why someone posts a link to an article on their page and then say "for later", meaning they have not even read it but it sounds interesting to them. That's like an Instagram user taking pictures of a menu descriptions instead of the food they are eating. Why would you promote something you haven't even read? It was obviously not important enough for you to take the time to read but you share it with others? Do these same people forward e-mails they have not read to their friends after just reading the subject bar?<br />
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I'm sorry if I have come across as being judgmental and uptight. I admit I probably need to chill out. By the way, one of the best ways to blow off steam and relax is by breaking handfuls of spaghetti in half.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-14559344469472173372019-03-06T07:11:00.002-08:002019-03-06T07:13:25.178-08:00I Hate Getting OldMy vision has always been good, but for the last 10 years I've been using cheap reading magnifiers to help me see fine print. I had a shocking wake up call when I forgot to take my reading glasses to church on Sunday and realized it was not just fine print I needed them for. I could not read <b>anything</b> without my glasses. I felt as blind as Velma from Scooby Doo when she'd drop her glasses and could not see them right in front of her. My already impaired hearing in my right ear has also gotten worse over the last couple years.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBhd4W_93t3B5n-Pcg_U0-D891rQ6mMiW4itmbJyornkvaRDi4iACgkoGnMWRX3od1enIE4J6AZ6sbj5xFG-jrueN3c3F3v4_cPSeZ7GC5eqxPsriC7Fn_0IC4o_oqRXFU9lXh5-r_44/s1600/velma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="246" data-original-width="445" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBhd4W_93t3B5n-Pcg_U0-D891rQ6mMiW4itmbJyornkvaRDi4iACgkoGnMWRX3od1enIE4J6AZ6sbj5xFG-jrueN3c3F3v4_cPSeZ7GC5eqxPsriC7Fn_0IC4o_oqRXFU9lXh5-r_44/s400/velma.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I also find myself getting tired earlier and earlier in the evening. I hit a certain point at night when I realize I'm finished and have about 2 minutes remaining to brush my teeth before I literally lie down and fall asleep for the night. It's like an aura that hits someone before a seizure. I get this feeling that I'd better be ready to sleep in a few minutes because my energy is gone. It's the same kind of panic and urgency you feel when you see you have a 1% charge remaining on your cell phone.<br />
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Another feature of aging is that I am more prone to injuries now and they take longer to heal. I no longer have cool stories to tell about why I am limping but now have to give embarrassing answers like "I hurt myself taking clothes out of the dryer." I also experience odd phantom injuries in my hip and shoulders that come and go. Some days I am fine and others I can hardly walk up stairs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6O55z1AdJUlfXqmIYC6lggIngsLbUEQqCb-FvEc5TD85uAHAeQg7Dx0PQ4q10Nee9s1p7RVpl3CRyxQGsPjMSwRlZoXK_osn-geno7g6P4an4oENOE8WhiwGd9tzqvWnGLczNpw_JfY4/s1600/Childhood-vs-Adult-Injuries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="700" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6O55z1AdJUlfXqmIYC6lggIngsLbUEQqCb-FvEc5TD85uAHAeQg7Dx0PQ4q10Nee9s1p7RVpl3CRyxQGsPjMSwRlZoXK_osn-geno7g6P4an4oENOE8WhiwGd9tzqvWnGLczNpw_JfY4/s320/Childhood-vs-Adult-Injuries.jpg" width="320" /></a>I've been complaining about getting old on this blog for over 10 years. I just reviewed some of my older posts about this topic and I have to laugh since I would love to be in the shape I was in my 40's when I was whining about how hard getting old is. Sometimes I feel like aging gracefully requires a personal chef, trainer, masseuse, hormone replacement therapy, and a special effects budget.<br />
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I've already experienced many mid-life crises over the years so I'm not sure if I need to find a different name for what I'm feeling. Some days I get a little frustrated or depressed with a body that doesn't perform like it used to but I'm not going to give up. In fact, I have a chip on my shoulder about getting old. Years ago I set a goal to be able to dunk a basketball when I was 50. I'm now 50 and it's been a couple years since I dunked so I guess I need to start working on that goal soon if I'm going to make that happen.<br />
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My body may be working slower than it used to, but on the bright side, my nose and ear hair is growing faster than ever before.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460560150678644486.post-44812829870765189502019-01-11T02:50:00.001-08:002019-01-11T02:50:15.925-08:00The Harmattan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PqYTyPEMJQj8G66O3ExdaL5TSM08EKC5KYQbcmWuzbr7DtCyjuXZilar5atkZWe3bhFADnCnZ1HSi-AOAAsazgOQOPwqYmziMqAYzk0YqhNgJZxbb1Bbl5QOzVQNEyNYdY1uJlYoY8M/s1600/dry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="959" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PqYTyPEMJQj8G66O3ExdaL5TSM08EKC5KYQbcmWuzbr7DtCyjuXZilar5atkZWe3bhFADnCnZ1HSi-AOAAsazgOQOPwqYmziMqAYzk0YqhNgJZxbb1Bbl5QOzVQNEyNYdY1uJlYoY8M/s200/dry.jpg" width="149" /></a>Last year I went back to America around Christmas time and ended up missing much of the dry season in
Ghana. This year I'm learning what it's like. Between November and March, West Africa experiences the "Harmattan" which is the dry season. It is a result of the winds from northern Africa blowing sand from the Sahara desert down to the coast of west Africa.<br />
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When I first heard that explanation I thought someone was just making up the reason for the dusty air but it's not just a wives' tale. Trade winds from the Sahara do actually blow dust and sand all the way down here. During this time of year it stops raining and the air is more hazy and dryer than usual. In the last two months I've only see it rain twice and there is not substantial rain in the forecast for several months. Lately I've noticed you can look directly at the red sunsets in the evening since there is so much debris in the air.<br />
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There is a fine layer of red dust that settles on everything on a daily basis. I'm even shocked at how fast it can accumulate in some of the rooms where we have air conditioning and closed windows. I have not been running in this weather and don't intend to start strenuous exercise outside until we get some rainfall. Once the rains start again the humidity will soar but I'd still prefer that to having everything covered in dust. I found the following clip on Youtube that shows how the drastic contrast in the weather that happens during Harmattan.<br />
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I miss the rain and am looking forward to things greening up again in several months.</div>
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17679642225332541173noreply@blogger.com0