Divorce Support

A message to my ex

2011-10-27T06:26:00.000-07:00

Hi. I'm glad we finally got to talk for a bit the other day. It was almost like we were friends again for a few minutes there. And, I gotta say, that was nice. Sometimes, I miss those days. It sucked that we had to have the reason we did to have that chat, but it's good to remember we're both still human beings.

That little talk got me thinking again – something I tend to do a lot of these past few years whether I want to or not. See, I've been doing this self-analysis thing (No, it's not Scientologahh or any of that garbage. It's something another friend taught me, and it's helping a lot.). I'm finding more and more things about myself which I never realized were there. For what it's worth I'm discarding as much as I can of the bad things I find (It's one hell of a fight) and I'm putting all the resources of my mind towards those good things I find.

But anyway...

Some of those things I've found, they're sorta hard for me to understand. Memories come flooding in sometimes, and believe it or not, this program I'm working on has me remembering them kinda sorta from your perspective. I know. That sounds “weird” but this is how it works. A big part of this whole thing is to give the mirror a good, long, hard look, and no matter what I see, to keep looking and watching without any interruption or interference or dishonesty of any sort, because that's how it happened while it happened, and denial of the cold, hard, cruel truth is the first step into madness. If my self-flagellation gives you any joy, it burns like nothing I've ever felt before. I can honestly say Dad's death was easier to cope with than this. It's the single-most hardest thing I've ever imagined doing.

Now, I'm not saying I'm the only one who had any faults in our marriage. To say so would be just as dishonest as it would be to deny any responsibility on my part. What I'm trying to come around to is just, I'm sorry. You're a good person, and I hope you know that. You deserve a chance at happiness, just like anyone else on Earth.

It might be hard to believe, but even the stupidest things I ever said or did were based upon good intentions. I meant well. I hope someday that makes sense to you. It probably doesn't right now, and that's okay too, I guess. Because that's just the way it is. Those things done by others to me and us are all on them, and I will never accept responsibility for the actions and words of others, but for my own actions and words, I'm finally coming to grips with them. K?

You may never forgive or forget what's happened over the years. That's cool. Even if I could make you, I really would not want that kind of power over another. For all I know, you might not even accept anything – not even one single word – of what I say here now. You do not have to. I'm not insisting, begging, pleading or even asking for your forgiveness.

What I am doing – in addition to trying to bury the hatchet for their sakes – is trying to be the change I've been hoping to see in my world. For once, I'm finally m.t.f.u. and sending out that which I hope to get back. I'm acknowledging the truth that you're an alright kinda gal. (Some of our friends might be a totally different story altogether haha but you – you're okay.)

I'm really gonna try at this, until my dying day. See, while I've been doing this self-analysis program and cleaning up my mess and strengthening those good things I've found, I noticed something else too. A lot of those good things I found, I got them from you. Many of those things which might someday redeem me as a man were given to me by you, and I just want you to know that.

Peace.

Top Five things I'm grateful for in my divorce

2011-07-07T21:46:00.000-07:00

Divorce is such a difficult situation to find one's self in, many people around the world are even questioning the logic behind marriage itself. Mine was rough, but frankly, I'm one of the lucky ones. Men and women both – all too often – make stupid choices in response to the trauma of a failed marriage, from which they sometimes never recover.

But not me. I'm actually grateful for a few of the lessons learned from the experience. Admittedly, at first, this list might've been things like “I've eaten today,” “The sun is shining,” and stuff like that. But adversity brings growth, and there are some excellent parts of life which I share here today. What are your top five things to be grateful for, in your divorce?

1. The kids are okay. This rightfully deserves a place as my number one thing to be grateful for. In the long run, it's really all that has ever mattered. In fact, not only are they just “okay,” they're better off than when I was a kid. The little ones are also safe, too. With all the wuss, cowardly, chickenshit qualities of my ex's “Elmer,” at least there's no evidence of him being a pedo or anything. If he were, I'd already be prison-bound. But it seems there are no worries there.

Might I also add that, even with my ex's relentless efforts at parental alienation, I'm their father. We're linked genetically, and that, my friend, is something which God® himself could not change, and the single, greatest privilege of my life. She can try lying to herself all she likes, but it's one thing she has no control over.

2. I found real love. In fact, most women are not mysandrists, in spite of the gum-slapping, militant feministas who seem to dominate the airwaves and Internet. Yup, in the old life, both my ex and I felt “stuck” in constant battles, for a variety of reasons. It's not that way for me and my new gal. Out of the billions of people on this planet, I met the right one. I'm so damn lucky.

3. I've grown stronger After I was thrown out of a very unhealthy marriage, I felt devastated. Fellow divorcees know what I mean, too. Never in my wildest dreams, did I ever see myself getting off of my mental knees. But it happened. A 10-horsepower motor, given a 12-horsepower job will burn out. But, give a 10-horsepower person a 12-horsepower job, and they become a 12-horsepower person. A hat-tip to Tony Robbins for that message.

4. I'm free! Gone are the incessant demands of her ignorant, naïve, ridiculous “friends” (the good friends are great) who “thought" their business was everyone's lives but their own. Gone are those vicious, hateful, mean-spirited, authoritarian sister and mother of hers too. (I still miss my ex-brother and father-in-law, though, even if they hate me)

Let me share a little story of how vicious these two are. One day, my oldest daughter spoke her first word: Grandma! As the woman walked into the house, I told her my daughter's first word (Her first granddaughter, mind you) and she growled! Yes! She GROWLED! WhiskeyTango Foxtrot, right? What kind of mean-ass heart does it take to respond with an angry growl, to your first grandchild saying “Grandma” as her very first spoken word? Her sister's just as f'ing mean, too. Don't know what I ever did to her, but she lashes out at anything that's not Disney Prince Perfect about a guy.

And LOL Out-Loud I'm free of that bullshit. Ha!

5. I'm alive. This might not seem like much to the average yay-hoo on the street (then again, it just might for all I know), but for years I felt as if I was on the brink of suicide. I'd lost my marriage, business, job, and children. I found myself tempted to do something irrevocably horrible to my ex's “boyfriend.” (They met while was still married to me and I've since owned up to all the reasons I drove her to him so lay off all you ridiculous armchair therapists.) But, fortunately, I had the presence of mind to physically remove myself from that temptation.

Every single day, for years, I woke up to the first thought in my head being, “I need to die.” I've since come to learn what I was meaning to tell myself was, “I need to improve.” And I have. It is so clear now, just how precious life is, and how scarce time is. No point wasting it looking back on the past. Besides, my suicide is one more thing I get to deny her vicious heart (and those of her mean ass mom and sister) the satisfaction of having. The best revenge is, after all, to live well.

Please help with Divorcesupport.info

2011-04-26T15:06:00.000-07:00

It was a terrible mistake I made, giving such a wide invitation to guest bloggers for the site. You know the story – New blog shows up wanting to index – gets a bunch of guest blogs – everything's covered in spam and what could have been good was ruined.

Not this time. I'm only allowing guest blogs from those capable of sharing a topic, which others might find helpful. Custody issues are big. Dealing with the ex properly is big now, too. Getting along with friends/family of the ex is another tough topic. Anyone wanting that one could link back to anything legal they wish to.

There's no money in this. But you'll be helping a good blog, with page rank ~finally ~ to index. And again, there's those back-links. Just comment on your desire to guest-blog, and I'll get in touch. If you know me, already, pm me on Fb with your name, email address, and which blog you're wanting to guest blog for (only one to start.)

Keeping us safe

2011-04-26T13:34:00.001-07:00

Thanks for the post from Sylvester Campbell

When I set up my business website last year I was careful to keep it as private as possible. Since I work from home, I didn't necessarily want everyone out there to be able to look up my address and phone number based on my site. I opted for private registration like they offer on sites such as http://www.domainnames.com and had my dehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifsigner code some extra privacy settings into the site itself, just to be safe. I still can't decide if I want to offer a login component for my clients. It's going to be a lot of extra work but that way they can easily login and see their personal portfolios at a glance. I'm just a little worried about how much extra work will go into making sure it's all ! secure. I figured I take great care in my home office to shred important documents and encrypt all my sensitive files, so why wouldn't I be just as careful when setting up my online presence? It's scary how much is easily exposed in the online world and I just want to be careful to protect myself and my clients.

A small investment in medical scrubs will save you loads of laundry-cleaning time and money

2011-04-13T17:15:00.000-07:00

In a time where we're all pinching every penny until Lincoln yells, we must all look to save every way we possibly can. Who might've thought a small investment in a set or two of medical scrubs could save a person money as well as time cleaning laundry? Work outfits can be worn more than merely once for those who change into some comfortable pajama-like medical scrubs.

Men, as well as women can enjoy the convenience and versatility of relaxing at home in the evenings by picking up a few sets of uniforms and scrubs at a reasonable price. But do you know what men really enjoy, ladies? They love those little scrub hats.

For those who do happen to work in the medical field, knowing where to buy medical scrubs can save much time and hassle from shopping. Just know the sizes wanted, and keep a sharp eye out for bulk deals or other offers.

Parental Alienation: Four Facts

2011-03-01T09:43:00.000-08:00

Parental alienation is becoming recognized around the US and Canada for the damaging act it is. As more and more couples are divorcing, and co-parenting, this important subject is coming to light. Here are some facts for those wanting to learn more.

Parental Alienation: Four Facts-Number One: Parental alienation is "brainwashing" - According to Fact.on.ca, parental alienation is when one parent (typically the one with primary custody) makes an attempt to sever the bond between children of a divorced couple, and the target parent. Over the years, as the concept of joint custody has become popular, so has the incidence of cases of parental alienation.

Parental Alienation: Four Facts-Number Two: Parental alienation is child abuse. - According to Dr Glenn F. Cartwright, children desire, by nature, to love both parents. The alienating procreator, in their attempts to either "eliminate" the target progenitor, or to recruit the children onto their "side," cause unnecessary pain and confusion to the subject child. Regardless of whether the alienating parent is the mother or father, and regardless of which parent "wins," it's always the child who loses.

Parental Alienation: Four Facts-Number Three: Parental alienation is beginning to be recognized as damaging by the psychiatric community. - At the website Stopparentalalienation.org, new divorcees can learn about the damaging effects of an alienating parent on children from a host of legitimate certified experts on the subject of child psychology. Experts are even beginning to recognize patterns that, many experts believe, may be an expression of a condition now known as Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS).

PAS is identified by such symptoms as A) an irrational and unjustified hatred of the target parent; B) otherwise normal child behavior until the target parent is mentioned; and C) claims against the target which, are based on memories preceding the birth of the child. When actual abuse or neglect is present in the case history, a determination of PAS is not applied.

Forcing a child to have to choose between the approval of their Mom or Dad, over the other, has such dire consequences for the children later in life that, it deserves to be recognized as a jail-able offense. Any other form of child abuse is treated as such.

Parental Alienation: Four Facts-Number Four: Re-marriage can sometimes trigger parental alienation - Again, according to Fact.on.ca, whenever a parent re-marries, it's sometimes the case that, one parent might try to "make room" for the step-parent by attempting to "turn" the child against the target parent. Competition between the ex-spouse and the new step-parent might also be a cause of the issue. Mothers wishing to "move on" and fathers wanting to get away from the past may also commit acts of alienation. Mostly, these problems seem to center around one basic emotion, and that emotion is fear.

Sources:

Embedded

Originally published on the Yahoo Contributor Network January 24th, 2010

My Valentine's Day Story on the Yahoo! Contributor Network: Meeting Janet

2011-02-26T09:34:00.000-08:00

A reader would have to ask Janet about the exact day we found one another, through both of us writing for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. She tells me that, when we first met, I was "critical" of her work. She said I used the words, "I was expecting more from this," in a comment to one of her articles. At the moment, I must have only been considering this to be just another encounter with a fellow writer, only slightly more noobish than me. As is often the case in my life, I was unaware what I was getting myself into, with this amazing woman.

My Valentine's Day Story on the Yahoo! Contributor Network. How did I know it was her? Over the next few months, our mutual comments on one another's works evolved into mutual comments to one another. Those comments naturally grew into discussions in which we didn't "kiss up" to each other, and yet we never fought. (Okay. I did some kissing up. After realizing this woman was just a bit different than so many others, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.)

She was "quick on the draw" with come-backs to my jokes. She added to a few, with her own material, which I suspected was stolen from other, actually funny people. Either that, or this girl ate two midget eggs and a side of clown-meat bacon for breakfast every, single morning. She also understood business concepts, and could talk marketing, and advertising trade. Intelligence being one of the biggest aphrodisiacs for some of us, she quickly had me won over.

My Valentine's Day Story on the Yahoo! Contributor Network. How did I get her attention? I drew her, at every possibility, into random conversations about questions I already knew the answer to. She came to me with questions. At first, I surmised she only returned for my capacity to communicate in terms such as, "yantoo?" and "c'mere." Then, the gradual realization dawned upon me, I was meeting a new, best friend. It was a time for meeting good friends on the Yahoo! Contributor Network, by the way. I've met the entire spectrum of people through writing here. While I'm grateful for all of them, from the bottom of my heart, Janet will obviously always stand out to me. Through the darkest time of my own life the friends I've found here, and especially Janet, were a light that helped me find my way.

My Valentine's Day Story on the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Will it also happen for others? The Yahoo! Contributor Network proved more than just a publishing platform for me. Working here has helped me learn more, do more, and even love again. It's funny to me how something as mundane as online publishing, can lead to two people out of billions, to finding their own Valentine's Day miracle. I can't guarantee everyone will have such a great experience as I did, but it can happen. I know it can, and just when you least expect it.

Of course, the Yahoo! Contributor Network isn't some sort of meat market for single people. But if two people are going to hit it off, I'm honestly not surprised I met that someone, here. Even if love and romance isn't in the cards, so to speak, new writers here will at least find awesome friends, respectable opponents, and wise counsel among other contributors. Thank you to AssociatedContent.com and the Yahoo! Contributor Network. But mostly, thank you Janet, for giving me the time of day.

Source:
Personal experience and good fortune

While Out of Gas One Day in Sheffield, Tx.

2011-02-25T13:57:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad I've outgrown writing divorce poetry. But I remember the feeling that brought this one on:

Within the light I've come to learn,
Whom I can't trust, I just won't keep,

And therein will no passion burn,
Regardless of the 'love' they heap,

And pile, and toss (and dig and turn
The trash, and filth, and rot they reap).

The self-limited life they earn
Is never good. So I'll let them weep.

As I've found my final power,
Hidden, down, within, and deep,

I see now why, so sanct' each hour
'Cause I can't beg. And I won't sleep

Until I sweeten up the sour
Thoughts of her...and that son-of-a-(beep)!

(I wonder why he'd want to cower
And just not face me. Is he a creep?)

Now, for she who did me wrong
(Why did I ever think to leap?)

Her warmth was halt. Her cold was long,
Her silly sadness, slow did seep

Into her head. But she's young
And he won't find her terms too steep.

So, here, I'll give you one last song:
Happy is easy and laughter's cheap.
Originally published on The Yahoo! Contributor Network, way back when they were just AC.

Austin, Texas: Concrete power washing, power washing decks, and carpet cleaning

2011-01-31T11:37:00.000-08:00

Most Austin, Texas business owners with a brick-and-mortar, physical location, and even a few homeowners, know they need to keep the exterior of their building clean to keep the retail end of their business friendly and open. Those buildings with more than one story are in particular need of at least the occasional power washing and other exterior maintenance. The effects of clean windows alone can do wonders for general morale.

Even non-office Austin, Texas buildings need power washing. How many bar/tavern owners are there, whose deck out back gets covered in booze and/or food, at each event? Not only is it attractive to keep those outdoor decks cleaned up with regular power washing, it will help keep hungry, wild critters away from the guests. Restaurant and grocery store owners around Austin might even want to look into the inevitable tile or hardwood floor cleaning. Just having customers requires professional floor maintenance.

Austin, Texas residents in need of a good carpet cleaning might also be looking for reasonably-priced, dependable, convenient, and reliable professional carpet cleaning, too. Those who are always want to shop around on the best prices from carpet cleaning businesses around Austin, and get the best, overall package possible. A clean home, being a clean mind, and all.

My list of retweeters will RT you to 60k + on Twitter for FREE!

2011-01-20T10:38:00.000-08:00

Maybe we could get a few more click-throughs and readers, if enough people follow us on Twitter, many of us “think.” We then learn the hard, sour, and bitter truth of it all, that only 1/10th of a percent, to ½ of all Twitter followers ever even click through to read our articles. It seems Twitter, as most of the web, is just bogus. It's only when friends point out to us that, we enjoy a higher possibility of indexing, the more we're tweeted and re-tweeted, that a real benefit is seen in being shared by thousands.

The trick then becomes to find a way to be retweeted by thousands and thousands, without following the entire planet Earth, and to do it for free. After three years of hard work and research, I have finally found a good number of Twitter users who do exactly that, as part of their overall website marketing efforts. So far, I've compiled a total of fifteen reliable retweeters, and I'm glad to share them with you today.

Those who just want to go to the Twitter list, and add all, be my guest and get the whole list here. The retweet services in the following recommended list will still respond the fastest. I'm just trying to help save you some time. Some won't mind bothering with all of them, and that's understandable.

A few within the Retweet list are faster at following back than others. They all respond within three days, or they get booted from my list. But of these who follow back, writers, bloggers, and artists everywhere can enjoy being retweeted to thousands, within a matter of mere days. All the following retweet services ask is a) Follow them, b) they follow back, and c) any message you want them to retweet for you, to their followers, need only be sent as a direct message. Leave enough space for them to include your info as a retweet.

Being seen on tens of thousands of Twitter feeds and time-lines helps with Google ranking (and eventually, indexing '" as mentioned). So, do it all you can. These are my favorites from my Twitter RT list. Alone, they'll share you with at least 60,000 others on Twitter. Pay it forward by passing this list on to others as well, please.

@DJGUS_BRQTO
@lovendotodo
@PesimoServicio
@ADM_Voyage
@ChistesLA
@ADM_Fashion
@TweetEchos
@followretweet
@RetweetHub
@Shout_RT
All links are sponsored. Wait 5 seconds, and click “Skip ad.” Thank you.

This piece is also available on the Yahoo! Contributor Network.

Originally published on IM Faceplate.com.

Obamanomics: Trickle up poverty – Why does Obama hate business so?

2011-01-17T12:14:00.000-08:00

It's not so much that President Obama hates business in and of itself. What America's current “glorious leader” doesn't like is any business, wherein which he doesn't get a cut. By “he” I mean the government itself. Once the beast is born, she's gotta be fed.

In an effort to derive 100% of the taxability out of an enterprise, government agents need only be in charge of the companies they're taxing, right? If the government can't own all business, after “rescuing” it, then government will shut a business down.

Our current American President, Barack H. Obama, is as “pro-big-governmet-tax-funded ops” as a sitting president can be. In order to fund the machinations he desires to, they'll need taxes. Taxes are nothing more than funding earned, from the efforts of those in society, who prove valuable as it is. We're the only ones who really pay anything, as it is.

Fortunately, for myself, at this time, I'm only building up my body of work, at a rate of $0 upfront pay, per piece, in hopes that readers will find me later. I have little to no income to tax anyway, right now. I may be one of the poorest Americans you've ever “met.” Without my readers sharing my work around, I've nothing either.

While President Obama is attacking the key bedrock principles in American business themselves, many of us are coming online, finding what work we can. Feel free to share your site in the comments below, as long as you can pass my WOT.

An open letter to those looking for good content on their sites:

2011-01-17T06:57:00.001-08:00

If content for your site is what's needed, please make sure to refrain from blatantly taking anything from this site, without permission.

Most contributors here will love the thought of being linked back to, with no more than 1/3 of the topic used as a preview, with a link back.

If you add to that, a unique, original opening introductory paragraph or two, you're updating your own domain with unique, fresh content - and that's also good for you.

There's no need to openly "steal" anything from anyone's site, ever. It's inexcusable, and not looked upon well. No "Honestly Monica, we re-wrote it better," will save your butt from a bunch of angry online writers, either. We will get you. I was there for "Cook's Source."

So, if you need something, contact me, or whichever author you're looking at, and do it properly, or at the very least, follow my linking guideline suggestions. You'll find almost everybody who writes online will work with you, just be cool about it, okay?

Drowning Pool brings us breakfast for the head in bed!

2011-01-17T06:44:00.001-08:00

If you live to be 80 years of age, you get a total of 29,000+ days of life, total. This includes your childhood, and every single day you have lived up until this exact, particular moment, precisely. How many days does that leave you? What will you do with each of those irreplacable gifts we so casually call the days of our lives?

DivorceSupport.info is looking for additional, regular contributing authors.

2011-01-16T15:48:00.000-08:00

We have a total of 98 open contributing author positions. I'm looking for folks willing to either publish here, or link with previews to other works, elsewhere.

Each post must have it's own, unique, fresh, original, opening paragraph, and discuss the post you're linking to - or be absolutely unique to this blog only.

If saying something isn't the problem, it's just getting enough people to see it, please apply to share here. All I need you to do is provide me with your email address, via the bolgger messaging system. I charge nothing for you to share here, and will gladly pay for exemplary work. Each payment will be on a case-by-case basis, and will never be lower than $1 US, minimum, even for mere blurbs.

Tell me your favorite topic category, and your "take" on the topic. What would you like to share with us, here? Where/How would you share your links to the content, for more readers? What are your income goals/How much are you hoping to make with me? Let me know.

AT&T has no business being in business

2011-01-15T06:37:00.000-08:00

Do you use AT&T? They suck, don't they? How many times must we customers get over-charged, treated badly, or have to chase down a refund due, from someone speaking way too rapidly, and in an accent too difficult to follow? At&T is not too big to fail and they deserve to. Pardon me for wishing a job loss on someone, but any company that refuses to do one damn thing right, doesn't deserve to be in operation. Too many competitors exist who can do the job.

Both my girlie and I use the company for our wireless, but only because no other wireless service is available in our area. Were there a choice in the matter, this would not be the case. I'll admit that, no company is free of mistakes, and still I'd choose any other possible company were I able to.

The offer from AT&T is that customers who call other AT&T wireless customers aren't charged a per-minute rate. They charge me, every time. Now, we're even seeing where time is deducted for calls that weren't even answered. Sure, if you call “Charles” or “Nigel” in customer service, they'll refund the time. It sucks to have to keep chasing them down, though. Jeezus Christ on a bike people! Fix something!

It may just be conjecture and/or speculation about AT&T employees but, it seems they are only interested in living off the fat of an over-bloated company. Shades of Lily Tomlin come to mind when dealing with them “We don't care. We don't have to. We're the phone company. Shhnnooorrrtt!” Management is over-loaded with the sorts of pseudo-businesspeople who just can't comprehend basic business principles, because they've never built or created anything in their lives. Their authority is merely borrowed from real businesspeople, long since dead.

How has AT&T screwed you? Feel free to share any bad experiences you've had with this over-bloated, phony, incompetent company in the comments. This vent felt good. Though I doubt if any of the fat bastards working for AT&T come across it, they'll be honest enough to do anything about it.

Domino's Pizza can still kiss my ass

2011-01-14T14:18:00.000-08:00

I'll admit it. I wish I could be a customer of Domino's Pizza. But I'm just not going to subject myself to bullshit. I'd really like to forgive them, and even tried to just a few minutes back. But with the latest wrankle, they're just not worth patronizing as a customer.

Going online to their website, I registered to see the latest coupons offered by Domino's Pizza. One caught my eye: 2 medium, 2-topping pizzas for $5.99 each. "Hey, not a bad price!" I thought to myself. So I began the process of placing an order.

I picked the crust, sauce and toppings I wanted, and going to checkout, the price of my order were $1 more per pizza, than the coupon offered. That's not even including the $2.99 delivery charge (which, I've heard, the drivers get very little of...but that's their problem for being stupid enough to work for this outfit). While a dollar per item might not seem that big of a deal to most, it's the principle of the matter. Domino's offers one price, and we customers get hit with another. I didn't order anything extra on my pizza.

Normally, folks would recommend - and I would agree - that I should call the local store to ask them what gives. An explanation would have helped. But the last time I called one of these jackasses, the manager told me "You don't have no right to question how we operate our business 'round heeeaahhh," in a viciously angry voice. LOL! Oops. I almost forgot. (Oh, btw. They did eventually send free pizza coupons to try to make up for that incident. It was never an attempt to get anything free out of these asshats. My girlie redeemed the coupons they sent. She was the one they screwed up with, anyway. I told them thanks for making right by her, but that I never wanted to hear from those assholes again.)

So, if Domino's Pizza can't even operate their website properly, and I'm not allowed "to question how they operate their business 'round heeeaaaaahhh," then my only other option is to recognize that the craving for the queso-morphines, and the starch of the crust, is all just in my head. Screw Domino's. My money has better places to be spent. And to think, some people actually wonder why they can't keep a customer.

Creepiest opening for an infomercial in human history

2011-01-14T10:49:00.000-08:00

For the most part, I believe in humor for therapy. He who can still laugh, can still think. I can't remember who said it first. But "funny" isn't always found in jokes. Sometimes, life itself is funny.

What tickles me the most about this following video is that, someone actually spent thousands of dollars to make it. Those of you who might be offended by certain words like "asshole" might want to skip this one.

Breakfast for the head from an 8-year-old girl, and a crowd of hockey fans

2011-01-13T05:25:00.000-08:00

Ususally, this is where a commercially produced piece of music would be shared. Somehow, I find this a bit more inspiring today. What a voice! What a crowd!

CBS poll shows most don't believe Giffords' shooting is due to politics

2011-01-12T13:47:00.000-08:00

I never wanted my blog to be a political soapbox. Not only because I have mixed feelings about nearly everyone's viewpoint, but also for the best reason of all: Politicians don't pay me to fight their battles for them. I don't work for the fat man for free. I'm nobody's useful idiot. Sure, from time to time, I'll shill for a friend in comments, and feed the trolls, but that's because it's funny watching a zealot blow a gasket.

But after what happened out in Tucson last weekend with the dipshit Loughner shooting Congresswoman Giffords in an assassination attempt, and killing a few innocent bystanders, I've been hearing about some political figureheads suggesting legislation that would make “offensive language” illegal. That pisses me off.

Most people see what the deal is here. Loughner is a deranged and deluded young man who appears to have fixated on his target, due to some real or imagined slight by her towards him, years ago. This guy had problems long before Gabrielle Giffords even came into his life. His stupid act wasn't a result of “fury and vitriol” of the modern American political scene. Even a poll by CBS shows that most Americans don't believe it to be the case either. (Source link, since Google doesn't want anyone to link from their blog pages: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/11/politics/main7237404.shtml )

If you'll be so kind as to actually read that poll, you'll see one other little factoid, too. It's near the bottom of the poll that most people, across party lines do not believe stricter gun laws would have had any impact on the incident, either. In fact, the folks I've spoken with, who are able to converse in any language other than party line blatherspeak believe that we're sorta lucky he only had a gun, and not a truck bomb.

But really, limiting speech that one finds “offensive” is immature, weak, silly, and will only result in a backlash of more anger. Let's all stop trying to demonize the members of opposing parties for having an opinion other than yours. Because I know this: Even if you make it criminal for people like me to call politicians nothing more than parasites and fatbags, I'll keep saying it. I'm not afraid of a government employee so intellectually weak and dishonest as to want to silence critics and dissenters..

This is America. Freedom of speech is fundamental to our liberty. Limiting “offensive” speech by gun-backed legislation is not the answer. Growing a pair and being true to the Constitution of the United States of America is. If political agenda find the founding documents in the way, maybe that “agenda” should be scrapped.

Divorce: How to tell your spouse you want one

2011-01-11T11:25:00.000-08:00

Divorce can be rough, that's for sure. Even in cases of a marriage between two people who perhaps should not have married in the first place, watching a relationship end is a sad, painful thing to endure. Along with the emotions, there are financial headaches, property divisions, and let's not forget custody.

Among all of the nightmare scenarios I've seen/heard/read since my own, one common thread seems to occur: The two parties of a divorce seem to not be going about it in a very considerate or thoughtful manner. Cruelty, viciousness, false accusations, and attacks are all rationalized away with the excuse of “well they started it.” Perhaps if the divorce itself were initiated in a better way, first, all of the ancillary bullshit could be avoided in the first place. There are no guarantees of this, since I have no way of knowing whether your marriage is to someone with mental health issues, or how mature either one of you are.

However, seeing that you've come to this page, it's likely you were pulled in by the title. So, if divorce is what the doctor is calling for, I'll offer a few tips on how best to let your spouse know that you want to dissolve the union. Before I do, though, you deserve to know I am no psychiatrist, counselor, social worker, or “expert” of any sort. My suggestions here are only based on a big case of “couldashouldawoulda,” and not much more. These tips might fit the bill for your situation, and still I might be lacking. Yet, at the very least, you should be aware to be mindful how you begin the divorce process in order to keep it from getting ugly.

Divorce: How to tell your spouse you want one – Be first to speak up. Why wait? Look, if the marriage is doomed anyway, just bring it right out. The truth is that, if you're considering an end to a bad marriage, they might be feeling the same. If you need to look at it like a dissolution of a contract, then do so. If you both want to get all “Maury Povich” and cry over it, feel free. For all anyone knows, bringing the topic up, and starting an honest discussion up on the topic just might actually end up saving your marriage.

That's not necessarily going to be the case, though, and if it's the end then be the first to say it. It's commonly believed that the partner who calls it quits is the one who recovers faster, as far as emotions go. Don't wait for your spouse to tell you. They might not be as thoughtful.

In those sad cases where a spouse won't handle the news all that well (abusive, controlling, mentally ill, etc.,) enlist the aid of help. Cops are happy to help those folks leaving an abusive relationship. Most towns have some sort of resource for the other possible scenarios. In most cases though, there will just be tears, a broken heart, and perhaps a long goodbye.

Divorce: How to tell your spouse you want one – Be kind. At this point, it really doesn't matter who started what, when, and how. It's over. Tell them, but leave the blame out of it. Why fight? If there's really nothing more to save in your marriage, then there's nothing to fight over. There is no excuse for either one of you to be vicious or defensive about this phase of a marriage-gone-south. Say what you must without being cruel. Believe me. It hurts bad enough.

Not only is it wise to be kind to your spouse about wanting a divorce, make damn sure to not bring it up in front of the children, until you're both ready to talk to them about it. That's just evil! Even if you hate your spouse, you once loved them enough to marry them, so being kind to your spouse might be a great start in a smooth(er) divorce.

Divorce: How to tell your spouse you want one – Be clear. If it's the end, it's the end, and no amount of “Oh baby I'll change just give me one more chance,” will change that. Life isn't some stupid country song (or rock, hip-hop, or jazz) and you need to make your mind up. Once the message is relayed, make sure it's crystal clear. This is no time to pussy-foot around with your spouse.

Divorce: How to tell your spouse you want one: Be ready. This part seems perhaps the most callous of all of this advice. Have some money stashed, a trusted friend to fall back on, and somewhere for the leaving party to go. While nothing in life goes according to plan anyway, it's still foolish to make this sort of a change without a plan. The rest of the details will be enough of a battle, as it is.

This tip was saved for last, because I want to mention again that, if your spouse isn't the sort who can handle this well, you sure don't want to go into it alone. Contact whatever resources you will need in advance.

Timing is also crucial, here. Friday is the worst day to announce a divorce to your spouse. Making your desires known on a Monday allows your soon-to-be-former spouse the ability to contact resources if need be, as most offices someone might have to call are closed on weekends. Weekends are just a terrible time to make any major moves like telling your you want a divorce.

Representative Gabrielle Giffords responsive: Amidst the tragedy, some good news (Video)

2011-01-08T21:08:00.000-08:00

Reports are now coming in that Representative Gabrielle Giffords is conscious and responding to commands of hospital staff. Her condition is still listed as critical, after emergency surgery for a gunshot wound which went “through and through,” inflicted by 22-year-old Jarod Loughner. The LA times carried the report that in the middle of this senseless attack, she is alive. Source link: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-naw-gabrielle-giffords-20110109,0,6531799.story

The events of today are terrible. Among the dead in Tucson are a federal judge, and a nine-year-old girl. It would be easy to decry all of us Americans who oppose the recent health care legislation, and stand for limited government, but to do so would be in error. Most of us are peace-loving people, who only wish to preserve the “great experiment” that is uniquely American liberty, and individual rights as guaranteed by our nation's constitution.

What Jarod Loughner did to Gabrielle Giffords today is nothing short of a reprehensible act of evil, and nothing more. He is no “hero” to the cause of Constitutional ideals. He is, in fact, nothing more than a vicious killer. Not only have his actions taken the lives of many innocent people, he has further strained the national discussion, and he should be ashamed. Jarod Loughner had no right to make the decision to use violence, when peaceful processes still exist. If there are any other parties responsible for this senseless violence, let's all hope law enforcement brings them to justice soon.

May Representative Gabrielle Giffords make a speedy and full recovery. May all of the shooting victims recover as well. I can only hope those who lost someone today can find peace with their grief someday soon. Please remember, Jarod Loughner is no more representative of those of us in America who wish to restore a constitutional republic, the “TEA party,” or any reasonable Americans, any more than eco-terrorists are representative of all democrats.

Jared Loughner, 23, identified as Rep. Gabrielle Giffords shooter

2011-01-08T13:13:00.000-08:00

In a piece of tragic news today, Representative Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head by a gunman, who is now identified as 23-year-old Jared Loughner, in a tweet from @RussertXM_NBC. Along with Gabrielle Giffords, one of the other shooting victims was US District Court Judge John M. Roll, and seven others.

This sort of deplorable violence just makes no sense. Let's all hope that a tragedy of this type doesn't further strain relationships between people on opposing sides of the imaginary political fence. While Representative Gabrielle Giffords may have held positions that some would disagree with, her entire perspective was not “wrong,” and she certainly had the right to hold those beliefs. Now, Jared Loughner will find himself losing many of his own rights, for such an evil act.

Jared Loughner is responsible for the shooting of a total of thirteen people in Tucson, Arizona today, during a “Congress on your Corner” event held by Representative Gabrielle Giffords. This was her first appearance for such an event. Among the thirteen people reported to have been shot by Jared Loughner, four were killed, and doctors are working to save the other nine. The shooter's motivations are not known yet, but police will undoubtedly determine what drove young Jared Loughner to throw his life away, soon enough.

Of those shooting victims who were delivered to the hospital, only one has died thus far, and was a mere child. Shame on you, Jared Loughner.

Surgeons labor to save Gabrielle Giffords after Tucson shooting (video)

2011-01-08T12:21:00.000-08:00

Surgeons are reported to be working to save the life of Representative Gabrielle Giffords after a Saturday shooting in Tucson, Arizona. In the following video from msnbc, a hospital spokesperson confirms she is alive, but is unable to confirm other details.

A total of nine people have been delivered to the hospital, including Representative Gabrielle Giffords, and there were four fatalities at the scene. Most legitimate news sources had received conflicting accounts on whether Representative Gabrielle Giffords was alive or dead.

The motivation of the as yet unidentified gunman remain unclear. Though they're more than likely misguided political motivations. Witnesses say the shooter used a semi-automatic rifle for the unjustified attack.

Sadly, While Representative Gabrielle Giffords and I would have disagreed vehemently on some (not all) of her positions, violence is rarely ever the answer, and even then only in defense. Regardless of how disagreeable another's position may be on a political standpoint, murder is just wrong.

Let us all wish the best, not only for the family and friends of Representative Gabrielle Giffords, but also for the other eight survivors. My heart goes out also to the loved ones of those already lost, as well. This in an indescribable tragedy, which should have never occurred.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Robert E Boone of Toledo Ohio: Latest walking pile of crap to hit the news (video)

2011-01-05T05:26:00.000-08:00

Over last weekend, Robert E Boone, his girlfriend, and her mother went out to Toledo, Ohio's “Little Sheba” bar for some fun. As is so often the case when alcohol mixes with low IQ scores, he and his pathetically idiotic girlfriend got in a fight outside of the bar, where he began “smacking the bitch around.” According to the following video from Fox News, her mother - Carrie Gill - did what any mother who raised an idiot for a daughter would do, and stepped in to protect her daughter.

In true walking pile of crap style, he allegedly bit her finger off. Reportedly, Carrie Gill grabbed Robert E Boone, Jr by the shoulder to pull her off of her daughter, and found out the hard way that her daughter was involved with an animal and not a man. See? When you see a guy beating your daughter, it's far better to just stab him in a kidney, and then finish him off with a solid kick to the throat while he drops to his knees, rather than try to get in the middle of the fight.

While a “legitimate” news source would cover this story of Robert E Boone, Jr, and his babymomma's Momma, from an angle which might elicit sympathy for Carrie Gill, the plan here is to take a completely different approach altogether. We should remember that, while Robert E Boone, Jr. is obviously a piece of trash for being violent to the woman who loves him, we need to remember that this is exactly what Darwin was talking about in the term “survival of the fittest.”

Let's all recognize that none of these three really deserve to live. Robert E Boone, Jr. has shown himself to be the kind of vicious animal who would eat his own, literally. His girlfriend keeps the average IQ of Ohio down where it is by believing that if she just “loves him enough, he'll change.” Carrie Gill deserves the Darwin Award simply because she failed to club his nasty, woman-beating, stinking, drunk ass like a baby seal for hitting her daughter when he did. In fact, Carrie Gill gets bonus points on the dipshit scale for reproducing in the first place. There is no sympathy to be found here, today. If sympathy for Carrie Gill of Toledo, Ohio is what you seek, move along.

It's likely that, as Robert E Boone, Jr, calls her collect from jail at $5 a minute – three times a day, he'll offer up tons of “Oh baby I'm so sorry,” “I promise never to hurt you again,” and of course a steaming pile of some shit he learned from daytime TV shows about how “jail has brought him to his senses,” and all that crap. When he gets out of jail, who wants to bet they celebrate by drinking? We can only hope all three of them get hit by a city bus, as they stagger across the street, and die.

Men who would beat and abuse the woman they love are real special pieces of crap, in my eyes. There are few things more appealing than the thought of seeing them choke on their own blood and/or vomit. These so-called men, like Robert E Boone, Jr, lack the emotional maturity required to rationally cope with their own insecurities, jealousy, or need for dominance over another. The son-of-a-bitch does not need to pass his genes on. Still, we must all acknowledge the level of responsibility of his dumb-ass girlfriend, as well as mom Carrie Gill.

A message for Carrie Gill, her daughter, and any other women who hope to change a man's behavior.
Ladies: Whenever you meet a man like Robert E Boone, Jr., and he starts treating you badly, you need to walk away. Will this break his heart? Sure. But real life isn't a soap opera or a country music song. Violence against anyone, that's not in self-defense, is just plain wrong. And to let someone treat you badly, or anyone in your family, is just asking for more violence. You have a moral obligation to yourself to keep slobs like Robert E Boone, Jr away from yourself, and to live your life.

Woman has finger bitten off: foxtoledo.com

Meet Ted Williams: Columbus, Ohio homeless man with an amazing voice

2011-01-04T18:04:00.000-08:00

You've seen them, the homeless people near Interstate highways begging for change. But Columbus, Ohio has something special in a homeless man by the name of Ted Williams. His hand-written sign claims he has “the God-given gift of voice,” and he isn't lying. See for yourself:

Ted Williams owns up to having been involved in alcohol and drugs, and that he has two years clean now. He doesn't come across as the run-of-the-mill bum. Something in his eyes tells us that hope remains for something of a future in radio, or at least voice-overs. Something in his voice suggests hiring him might be a great idea.

Those who might sit in judgment of Ted Williams for being homeless are simply narrow-minded – and wrong. More of us are closer to homelessness ourselves than may be realized. As for me, I've dealt with homelessness myself, and only through the help of family and friends, was I able to get out of the streets. It was difficult, too.

Here's to seeing Columbus, Ohio's Ted Williams finding work soon. If any readers happen to work in the radio industry near Columbus, Ohio, then please give him a chance. Maybe your company might find a profitable endeavor, in helping one homeless man to work his way back into productivity and self-worth.

Stupid 911 Calls from 2010

2011-01-02T20:23:00.000-08:00

Once in a while, some Internet source provides a clip or two of 911 calls which make us laugh. They're great to find, too, when we can. Often, ridiculous calls to the 911 system score massive viewer hits on sites like YouTube, or other video hosting sites.

Well, ABC News has been kind enough to give us all a chuckle while 2011 starts out, by compiling a collection of the tragically stupid. In their slideshow of videos from various news sources around the country, we see that some of the most incredibly stupid calls made to the American emergency response system are from people having disagreements with merchants over products and/or services. Others are for non-threatening disagreements with family. There's even one of a woman calling 911 for a date. Readers can enjoy them here. Prepare your self for massive amounts of facepalm.
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Which are the best stupid 911 calls? It's hard to pick.
Some of my personal favorites are when drunk drivers call in to report themselves for driving drunk. While they're getting a menace off the road, why not just pull over, and call a friend, instead? That's booze for you. It makes you stupid.

At least that caller had booze to blame. Wait until you get to hear the lady who calls 911 after locking herself inside of her car. Yeah. You read that right. She was inside her car. A few of the callers were arrested, while others seemed to have met some of the most patient emergency workers alive. But all of the bogus calls to 911 are a fun celebration of idiocy in hindsight.

Stupid 911 calls are more than a hassle.
While we're all able to watch these videos provided by ABC News and laugh at some of the stupidity of last year, really, calling 911 for any reason other than an actual emergency/crime in progress is a dangerous and thoughtless act. While operators are busy handling calls such as these, a real emergency, with someone's life on the line, could experience a delay.

Source:

ABC News "Funny 911 calls"
Originally published on DonPennington.info.

Largazole derived from cyanobacteria: Can pond scum hold the cure for cancer?

2011-01-01T17:46:00.000-08:00

Exciting news from the world of science, again! Cancer researchers have long fought to find a cure for the dreaded disease, as promising as the compound called Largazole. Almost everyone either knows someone with the disease, or suffer with cancer themselves. So, to read that a scientist has discovered a compound produced naturally by cyanobacteria that withers cancer cell cultures, yet leaves healthy tissue cultures unscathed is beyond exciting to most of us. Largazole may be the best medical news in centuries.

In the fight against cancer, a hero arrives: Leusch and his cyanobacteria toxins!
Newsweek shares the story of one Hendrick Leusch, a 40-year-old associate professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Florida in Gainesville, who may very well be onto something wonderful. Tiny cyanobacteria exist in a variety, within nearly every body of water on Earth. Some types cause the condition known as “swimmer's itch” while others can even prove fatal. According to Leusch, “They produce this huge diversity of compounds that have never been identified,” and after discovering the Symploca strain, he learned their extract withers tumor cultures, yet do no harm to healthy tissue cultures. This resulted in his development of the compound “Largazole.” Oh Joy of Joys!

Largazole is not the only discovery from marine pharmaceutical research. Other cyanobacteria and marine life hold promise, too.
With recent advances in technology Marine Bioprospectors, as they're known, are making amazing discoveries recently in several areas. Other forms of cyanobacteria exude toxins that help treat neuroblastoma, sea sponges provide some promise in curing breast cancer, and red coral contains a substance which targets skin cancer. Recent discoveries by all of the thirty-odd Marine Bioprospector teams around the world are expected to increase Mankind's pharmaceutical capabilities by ten-fold. What an amazing time to be alive.

Much, much more breakfast for the head, and for a whole, new year. I don't know the artist

2010-12-31T19:58:00.001-08:00

It will all be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.

Happy New Year chumps!

2010-12-30T15:08:00.000-08:00

You really are under attack.. please stop pretending they are here to keep you "safe". The Food "Safety" Act is just the tip of what is coming, and so is Net "Neutrality".

Happy New Year, sucker!
They are taking more and more control over everything, every single day. In this regard, there is 100% bi-partisanship. Why are you not seeing all this cooperation on TV and phony political brainwashing meetings? Why is there a mantra about how the "other" Party hates you and will not let anything get done? What do you think the purpose is of making sure you are divided from and paranoid about the people just like you who vote for the "other" politicians?

Happy New Year! Now bend over!
Why do you think political operatives in your community work so hard to get you to trust their major Party, instead of following your gut and your rational mind? Why do you not realize that the rank and file of the other party get the same propaganda about you as you get about them? Why are both left and populist, peaceful, and Constitutionally protected organizations all on terror watch lists? Why are people being warned to look out for people who defend the Constitution? Why do they name these Bills and Resolutions in a way that is exactly the opposite of what they do?

Happy New Year, now lick those boots.
Why do you think they always say anyone who can see and articulate this is "crazy", or is violent, and use some kind of emotionally anchored negative buzzword to describe them so you will stop thinking, and respond emotionally? Why are there certain words that scare you, and cause you to stop listening, reading, and thinking, and raise your heart-rate?

Because They do not want you to realize that they are stealing everything, from ALL OF US.

The Politicians from both Parties ARE GETTING A LOT DONE TOGETHER, AND YOU CANNOT PAY THEM ENOUGH TO AFFORD THEIR REPRESENTATION!

Quit being a sucker.

http://www.naturalnews.com/030873_EU_directive_medicinal_herbs.html

Happy New Year

Forward this like a freak, and support the Individual Rights Amendment, which you will be learning about in the coming months, from ALL kinds of people, ALL over the Country.

McDonald's being sued for offering Happy Meal Toys by lard-ass ineffective mom Monet Parham

2010-12-30T11:10:00.000-08:00

Leave it up to the dipshits of California. On the 15th of December, 2010, Sacramento mother Monet Parham filed suit with McDonald's Restaurants for - get this - offering toys in their Happy Meals. Yes, you read that right.

Monet Parham appears, at first, to have what could be considered a valid concern for her child's eating habits. As a parent myself, I could see this point, too. But what Monet Parham does not seem to have is the parenting skills to tell her child "no." So, Monet Parham has filed suit in a California court in what appears to be an effort to get big gubbermint to do her parenting for her. Maybe leading by example could help her, but she might just be too weak-minded to understand the concept.

Monet Parham claims that "children eight years old and younger do not have the cognitive skills and the developmental maturity to understand the persuasive intent of marketing and advertising." Therefore, "McDonald's advertising featuring toys to bait children violates California law because it is inherently deceptive and unfair." Her contention is that since children are too young to understand that the toys offered are meant as marketing to children, it is deceptive in nature.

Apparently, the non-parent Monet Parham fails in understanding that it is her job to teach her children about life, and setting guidelines, establishing dietary habits. Because of her weakness, she's now asking the gun-backed force of California's government to inflict her weaknesses on the rest of society, too.

But wait. There's more to Monet Parham than meets the eye.
Not only is this woman a lousy parent who obviously can't tell her own children "no," a little research brings to light some interesting information about what really drives her to attack free enterprise. Here's a little nugget of information about her:
Name: Monet Parham-Lee, MPH
Title: Regional Program Manager
Organization: Network for a Healthy California, CA Dept. of Public Health
Address:1616 Capitol Ave
City: Sacramento State: CA Zip Code:95814
Phone: (916) XXX-9906
Email: monet.parham-lee@XXXX.XXgov
Monet Parham-Lee serves has a Regional Program Manager within the Network for a Healthy California; a program of the California Department of Public Health funded by the USDA-Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly the Food Stamp Program). She spends most of her time at the Network providing consultation, technical assistance and on-going support for the Regional Networks which facilitate the full integration of a variety of State Network-level functions on the regional level, bringing services and support closer to Network-funded projects and partners serving the low income audience. Ms. Parham-Lee also serves as the Network's lead staff person on early childhood matters, working closely with several Network funded Statewide Leadership Projects focused on early nutrition and physical activity. Prior to joining the Network, she worked in a variety of health services, childrens services, and public health programs at the State-level, as well as with the Greater Sacramento Urban League.

So, it turns out she's just another big government shill, out to push yet another ineffective, bullshit, political agenda. These weak-minded, boot-licking, government slobs just aren't going to be happy until every single aspect of a prosperous, free society are destroyed. As for fatty Monet Parham claiming McDonald's unfairly interferes with the parent/child relationship - wait until her daughter discovers boys.

Christine O'Donnell investigated over campaign funds usage (video)

2010-12-30T06:20:00.000-08:00

Former Delaware Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell is being investigated by federal authorities over complaints that she used campaign funds for personal expenses – as personal as rent. She had been reported to have raised a record $7.3 million in her campaign, thanks to being backed by the highly energetic Tea Party.

According to the following videos from NBC Nightly News and the Today Show, as well as a report from msnbc, Christine O'Donnell calls the investigation “phony and based on unsubstantiated rumors.”

In an interview with NBC's Ann Curry, she states that she has not been contacted in regards to the federal investigation, and finds it strange that the Associated Press was “tipped off” before either her attorney, or campaign managers. The Tea Party backed candidate points out her primary accuser – a fired staff member – alleged the offense happened in 2009, while she had only worked with the campaign in 2008.

Christine O'Donnell alleges Joe Biden is behind the charges, as political revenge. Do you believe her?
She points out in the same interview that among her chief accusers we'll find both a disgruntled former employee, and a former staff member of Vice President Joe Biden. In her own defense, she explains why she stayed at a townhouse her campaign used as an office during her campaign, and that she paid her campaign managers to do so.

Still, a third accuser was a man who claimed to be her finance director, David Keegan, who stated he had to “consistently” hold her back from spending, and that she was “completely, financially irresponsible.” In response she says he was never her finance director, but rather a volunteer who hosted a fundraiser at his home. He was also let go from her staff “because he gave so many people 'the creeps,'” and was not invited to future campaign functions.

Christine O'Donnell says she was threatened with this very scenario. Why is she telling us this now?
While she has her defenders, she also states that there was a threat to crush her campaign with investigations, meant to make her political reputation “toxic.” Why was this threat not mentioned before these allegations arose? It seems if they were made known before this investigation was started, her accusers would have carried much less weight. The conservative candidate Christine O'Donnell should know politics is a dirty business, and we all know it will all come out in the wash.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Please visit my friend, Rissa.

2010-12-29T14:53:00.000-08:00

The topic totally changed when I heard the news of Rissa Watkins being diagnosed with leukemia. The plan was to post a restaurant review or two, then maybe a movie review or two, but that all changed. Now, I want to tell you about Rissa.

First: She's beautiful. But, she's also married. So, my fellow men will just need to join the ranks of the heart-broken, and accept the fact that she's not only taken, but happy. Lucky guy.

Second: She's funny! Her articles may not always have a humorous bent to them, but seeing her status updates on Facebook sometimes makes me want to laugh so hard that I crap out fourteen babies, get botox so I can look like Angelina Jolie, and default on my seller-financed mortgage like Octomom. Really, though, she'll brighten your day with her charm and grace.

Third: Just like me, she's paid according to how many readers she gets, and knowing what kind of expense medical treatment is, I just want to help bring her some more readers. Don't just wait for her new material, either. Look at her older work. She's paid on that, too. Please join me in showing support to a really wonderful gal. Here's her profile page. She'll win you over. I promise you. If you still don't believe me, check out "Puppetry of the Penis: A Hands-on Kinda Show." It won't make you go blind.

More breakfast for the head - This time from Chevelle!

2010-12-28T08:20:00.000-08:00

You remember Chevelle? I knew you weren't that young!

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell calls America 'a nation of wussies' for canceled NFL game (Video)

2010-12-27T11:41:00.000-08:00

Governor Ed Rendell is finally showing his true colors, and his disdain for people, as a career politician. In response to a canceled NFL football game, Pennsylvania's governor complained that America has become “a nation of wussies.”

According to a report from Yahoo News, while New York has been dealing with the recent blizzards, an expected blizzard in Philadelphia caused a Sunday game to be canceled by NFL execs out of concern for fan safety. While the blizzard fizzled in Philadelphia, it was bad enough to shut down airports, trains, and many New York City roads. Still, weather forecasts had called for dangerous driving conditions around Philadelphia.

The NFL made the call to cancel the game, opting instead for a Tuesday night game. Apparently, this little tidbit of news did not sit well with Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell. In an interview with a reporter, rather than accept the fact of the NFL executives looking out for the fans' safety, Governor Ed Rendell said "It's an absolute joke. I was looking forward to this. It would have been a real experience. This is what football is all about. We're becoming a nation of wussies."

Good to know how you feel, Governor Ed Rendell.
Of course, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell would probably not be the one doing his own driving. As well, were Governor Ed Rendell to get stuck in the snow, the fee to get pulled out would not be coming out of his pocket, but rather the taxpayer wussy's pocket. Were no service available to pull him out, he certainly would not have to dig himself out. Governor Ed Rendell would, instead, rely on one of his wussies in his employ to do any dirty work.

Poor Governor Ed Rendell missed his football game. Aww.
See, folks, no politician would have to sit in the cold bleachers with all of those wussies. No, he would have, at the very least, sat in a taxpayer-wussy-funded fanbox stocked with all of his favorite creature comforts, and served by his wussy staff. Maybe he would have stayed home, and watched the game played, on his wussy-funded big screen television, in his comfortable wussy-funded governor's mansion.

I hope Governor Ed Rendell remembers that the wussy NFL made their call when they did, based on the information they had, at the time. The NFL chose to consider the lives and property of their wussy fans, rather than go for the ticket sales. But at least we now know how career politicians really feel about the wussies of America. To Governor Ed Rendell, I say this: Go get a real job, you wussy. I don't expect any response from a wussy politician.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Nadya Suleman aka Octomom facing eviction

2010-12-27T06:56:00.000-08:00

Octomom Nadya Suleman is in the news again. Fortunately, it isn't due to having more children. Behind on a $450 k balloon payment from last October 9th, 2010, Nadya Suleman is facing eviction on her four bedroom home. Unless the balance of $450 k is paid by this Friday December 31st, 2010, eviction proceedings will go through.

According to an Associated Press report from msnbc, Amer Haddadin says he believes the world-famous Octomom Nadya Suleman and lawyer Jeff Czech have the money, but are hiding it. Mr Haddadin states that he financed the home to Ed Doud, father of Nadya Suleman because a traditional bank loan was not available to the unmarried, unemployed mother of fourteen, and he wanted to help a fellow Arab having trouble. The seller is reported to have already allowed a six-month extension on the balloon payment.

While some may decry Amer Haddadin for evicting Nadya Suleman aka Octomom, we must understand that he has a contract with her and attorney Jeff Czech. If she is not keeping her end of the deal up, he has a right, a moral duty, to protect his own interest in the property. While such a predicament is obviously a tough situation to find herself in, it's one where she put herself.

Originally published on Gather.

When divorce meets injustice

2010-12-27T05:36:00.000-08:00

In most cases, divorce turns out to be a good thing. Two people should probably choose to separate, as opposed to constant fighting and bickering, especially in front of the kids. Two people who make each other miserable from their constant, mutual expectations for the other to change, should probably find their way apart. Divorce is not why I find myself so angry. I'm angry over the bullshit.

Right before I accepted surrender and allowed myself to be thrown out into the streets back in 2007, I asked my ex-wife to “let” me stay in the house, on the couch, near our kids. It was where I belonged, anyway. Refusing that, I asked to be allowed to stay in the basement. She said “No. I want you gone.” What a pussy I was to agree. I should have thrown her out, instead.

I'm now realizing, her story has been a bit different, than what really happened. Being a bit slow, I'm only now realizing she has been telling everyone in her world that I “just up and left.” Maybe that's why everyone from the court clerk, to convenience store workers were so cold and shitty to me, when I went back to see my kids. People are so damned ignorant. People are a bunch of damned, dirty, ignorant animals.

The news also came to me – and I failed in putting it together – that a big part of the reason the divorce came like it did was rumors. Friends of hers, had spread rumors and lies, for no damned good reason. Rather than ask me about what she had heard, she seems to have just assumed I was in the wrong. But, this is just evidence that there was no real love within the marriage anyway. I only hope I was successful in getting her rumor-mongering, gum-slapping, lard ass friend fired, but I probably wasn't. There is no justice.

It's amazing that it has taken me all these years to realize how many lies have been told on me. To justify the divorce in her tiny, little, self-important mind, she has painted a dishonest picture of me as some sort of a damned animal. I was truly unaware. At least now I understand why so many were so hard on me, when I was back there. There is no hope of clearing my name.

There is no winning this battle. “People” don't want to hear the truth. They only want to hear what they want to hear, and there is no changing that. There is no justice. All I can ever hope for is to someday be able to handle the thought of losing everything over nothing more than lies and rumors. No form of revenge will ever satiate the pain, either, and would only serve to hurt my children further – and they have been through enough in this divorce.

That's what really makes me sad: knowing what hell my kids have been put through. Knowing their little hearts were broken for no other purpose than for some evil-hearted, ignorant, fat bitches to pretend they're living a soap opera, and spread rumors over donuts, about a man who never did them any harm.

I find moments of peace, though. I'm fortunate now to have found a real love. In spite of a vicious divorce from a woman who chose bullshit over reality, I have been shown that real love does exist. I will make it through this. Someday, my kids will know the truth, when they're old enough to handle it. Until then, I must just keep moving forward.

Sea urchins might inspire self-sharpening tools

2010-12-26T16:09:00.000-08:00

Who knew sea urchin teeth could be of such utility to modern man? The odd-looking creatures are making news lately with the reported discovery of their amazing, self-sharpening chompers, the continuously growing teeth of this creature being one of the very few things in nature which are self-sharpening.

According to a report from Science Daily, sea urchins survive on a day-to-day basis by literally eating their way through rock to find shelter, as well as holding themselves in place against buffeting waves. That much has been known for years. But only upon rigorous microscopic and molecular examination have scientists been able to determine how their tiny dentition devices stay sharp in the face of all that rock-grinding.

It seemed to many over the years that, even a sea urchin's teeth would break in some places, and wear down. How a sea urchin kept it's teeth as sharp as they are has been a long-wondered mystery. As it turns out, not only is the answer surprisingly simple but like much in nature, things were not as they appeared.

It's not so much a case of a sea urchin having teeth that never wear down and break. In fact, they regularly wear down and break. The secret of the ever-sharp teeth of a sea urchin lies in two factors: 1) The teeth of a sea urchin are constantly growing; and 2) They break in strategic locations, for ideal sharpness.

The structure of sea urchin teeth are really quite complex. First, there is the structure of the calcite crystals consisting of both calcite crystal plates and fiber, then these are held together by a super-hard nanocement. Between the various layers of these plates and fibers are organic material, which are obviously not as strong as the calcite plates, fibers, and nanocement.

This weaker organic material being easier to break than calcite crystals, coupled with the constant growth of the teeth of a sea urchin, allow for an endless supply of sharpened edges, whenever a section breaks off. The weaker organic material within the structure of the teeth of a sea urchin allows the teeth to break apart at key points, and creates the illusion of teeth that never wear down. In fact, the teeth of a sea urchin break as constantly as they grow, always offering a new sharp edge behind the old one.

In addition to this amazing process, the nanomaterial of the calcite crystals themselves are also intriguing to scientists. After thorough examination of the molecular structure of the crystalline substance, scientists now believe human tool-makers could replicate the process, and develop truly self-sharpening tools of our own.

This is not August Busch IV's first brush with the law (Video)

2010-12-24T13:53:00.000-08:00

Authorities in Frontenac, Missouri are investigating the suspicious death of a 27-year-old woman in the home of former Anheuser Busch CEO August Busch IV. At this time, no autopsy has been performed, so details into what caused the woman's death are pending.

According to the following Fox News video, Busch's lawyer has already come forward with a statement: “There was nothing suspicious,” and that “this was just the sad death of a young woman.” Talking heads on the news are already discussing if such a statement would be made, if his attorney was not expecting August Busch IV to face charges.

But also according to the same news piece, it appears August Busch has faced a somewhat similar situation some thirty years ago. While in his early twenties, he and a passenger were involved in a crash of his Corvette. His female passenger died from injuries sustained in the crash, and young August fled the scene. Police conducted a search which was only successful because police also checked at the man's house. In that case, August Busch IV faced no charges, whatsoever. Now, let's see if prosecutors hold the same feelings, as they did for the younger August Busch IV, and his family's money.

Virgin Mary apparitions: More dummies fall for the scam in Wisconsin

2010-12-24T06:09:00.000-08:00

Well, I guess the Virgin Mary bullshit will never die. For years now, we've had the Lourdes, France Virgin Mary bullshit, the Our Lady of Guadalupe bullshit in Mexico, as well as a few other locations around the globe. Now, right here in America we have our very own Catholic priest confirmed, "as bona-fide as we're gonna get," church endorsed Virgin Mary bullshit.

Champion, Wisconsin is the latest city to attain pious fraud status, and the stomachs of the reasonable doth turn. So that those of us with intelligence understand where this latest itchy rash of bullshit comes from: Here's a bit of the story:

In 1859, a Belgian immigrant named Adele Brise was smart enough to realize that fleecing the gullible was a pretty easy way to get chumps to send her money, one year after hearing about the success of the Lourdes, France Virgin Mary bullshit. So, Ms Brise came up with a cockamamie story about three visions of Jesus' mom, and claimed the visions to be her reason the becoming a Catholic nun/teacher/knuckle-whacker. Ms Brise failed to understand however that, being of Jewish descent, the odds are good that The Holy Lady, probably would not have been a blond.

After decades of "conversions" (people pressured into becoming Catholic), "healings" (people being treated by a competent doctor), and other "signs of divine intervention" (coincidences not understood by the dumb), and conveniently timed after the recent sex scandals of the Catholic Church, the church finally recognized the financial potential of poor Americans too. For "verification" Bishop David L. Ricken "investigated the matter," and has determined that "in moral certainty, that Ms Brise did, in fact, have encounters of a supernatural character, that are worthy of belief." (Hahaha!) So, the very group which stands to make money from the latest Virgin Mary bullshit are also conveniently those who "verify" legitimacy? (Hahahahahahaaaaaa! You guys slay me!)

Catholic Church leaders are mobilizing fast on this case of Virgin Mary bullshit. Just in case anyone comes along who sees this latest money-making, attention distracting ploy for what it is, church leadership is pre-emptively decrying nay-sayers as "devious." Here's what Johann Roten, Director of the International Marian Institute at the University of Dayton says:

“This is a gift to the believers. It would be devious to say that this was somehow pulled out of the attic to exorcise the problems of the church today,” See? He said "devious" just like I predicted he would, with my psychic powers. Oh? Did I mention? Bishop Ricken just so happens to be ass-deep in charges that his church obstructed investigations into his fellow priests who've been accused of diddling kiddies...and folks like me are devious?

The Catholic Church need not fear, though. America has plenty of thick-headed, emotionally-driven chumps who will gladly give you their money, so it can be sent to the bank account of the creator of all things...because in spite of having made "all things wise and wonderful, all creatures great and small" he sucks when it comes to handling money. This latest Virgin Mary bullshit serves as a great way for the Catholic Church to get more money from suckers.

Do humans really have just five senses?

2010-12-23T17:55:00.000-08:00

It is now believed human beings have never had just five senses. It's actually a lot more, and some researchers believe, maybe more like twenty-one. We're not talking about mystical mumbo-jumbo here. This isn't a discussion of all that "psychic" bs, or ESP.

The current model of five senses comes from Aristotle, who, it turns out, had about as much real medical knowledge of the human body as an ancient Greek philosopher. After thousands of years of medical advancements, it's time we all update our handy-dandy books of scientific understanding.

According to a report shared at Misconception Junction, "the commonly held definition of a “sense” is “any system that consists of a group of sensory cell types that respond to a specific physical phenomenon and that corresponds to a particular group of regions within the brain where the signals are received and interpreted." Well, that sounds reasonable.

Here's where most people get gummed up: Sight is actually two senses; one for brightness, and one for colors. The "sense" of taste is actually the senses of sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami (savory). The sense of hearing stays in it's solitary position of honor, as does smell, but smell still mingles with taste senses to enhance flavors of food. It's "touch" that gets complicated.

The sense of "touch" is believed now to be a vast set of sensory perception systems that run the gamut from the traditional tactile sensations, to the similar-but-different sensations as nociception (pain), pressure, temperature, balance, tension, and proprioception (the awareness of where body parts are in relation to other body parts). Add to this list of new sense classifications thirst, hunger, stretch receptors, magnetoception (perception of magnetic fields), chemoreception, and time.

New Congress new spam

2010-12-23T09:52:00.000-08:00

While the Republicans were in the minority, the people who couldn't stand to be ignored anymore began an off-shoot political movement known as the Tea Party. Those most vocal of these new political activists got quickly absorbed by the lure of easy tax dollars by the faltering Republicans, until a measure of control over Congress was regained.

In the process of attacking to destroy all of the terrible beasts created by an insane, irrational, and monstrously vicious Pelosi-led Congress, the conservative factions discovered Facebook, and the spam doth multiply. Messages came in to my inbox from names I'd never heard of, in parts of the country where I don't live, on topics of which I was painfully unaware, apparently. My previous support of candidate Ron Paul somehow placed me four-square in the sites of every online political-activist-list-seller on the planet.

At first, the messages from those also disgusted by the Republican party as well as the Democrat party seemed intriguing. Some seemed even worth reading. But no sooner had I done that, as the face of another sneering, status-quo-loving big government statist was presented and endorsed. Oh, the chicanery and deceptive ploys and tactics never end, do they?

So, now with the Democrats behind, and desperate to regain any part of the whole dang pie, it'll be Democrats sending inane sound-bite spam all over the web. It will be the Democrat candidate slowing up Facebook, and any other site their fat, slow, and incompetent staff will jam up with bullshit line after bullshit line. I'm so sick of spam, as it is. At least I'll enjoy the ability to delete all of the politician f#(&ers, unlike television. But they'll send it. They'll send it to such a point, we'll probably see the web in general slowing down.

Why do we put up with North Korea and Kim Jong Il? Somebody send his portly son a cheeseburger

2010-12-23T09:12:00.000-08:00

What is the deal with Kim Jong Il? Does the little guy feel some need to prove himself a full-sized man, in these recent tirades against the South? Can't the decrepit old midget just accept the fact that his reign as Chief Asshat of North Korea is pretty much spent, and that he should just go ahead and hand over the reigns to his rather portly son, before the world gets sick of him and cleans him off the desk?

North Korea used to have reasons to be a pain.
In times past, as North Korea ran out of grain, fuel, money, or whatever, needle-dick would throw a temper tantrum, and the global community would respond by sending grain, fuel, money, or whatever to shut Kim Jong Il up. Even though we found the little guy sort of amusing, that whiny nasal voice of his could only be stood for so long. So, he got what he wanted – to look good to his really gullible subjects – and we got what we all wanted – for Kim Jong Il to shut the f&^% up. Now, according to BBC News, Kim Jong Il has a few dramatic delusions of a “sacred war.”

An analogy of North Korea, were all world governments, residents in a nursing home.
Kim Jong Il is not just a total shithead, he's more like an irritable old man in a nursing home who keeps crapping himself between every bed check, and the nurses are having to let the other residents lie in their own piss for a bit, because they know that if Old Man Pants-pooper isn't cleaned up first, he'll lay there and grump, keeping everyone up. But now the old bastard isn't just being a bed-crapping “working condition.” Somebody reminded him he's still ambulatory, and now he's being physically abusive to the weaker residents, like the ones with Alzheimer's Disease. You're not allowed to kill him, by law, for scratching old Mrs. McGillicuddy at lunch earlier, but the D.O.N. is considering posey restraints.

Maybe North Korea will make fat-boy tow the line.
His son, Kim Jong Un (Hey! His name sounds like a card game!) seems like sort of a cool guy. But the world will need to let Chubbers know that we're not going to accept the same whiney bitch behavior from him like we did his daddy. Portly isn't as amusing on stage, as was the midget. Maybe fat boy will look around the room of current world leaders and realize that, if some changes aren't seen from North Korea soon, B-Cup Boy might find a few missiles heading his way, and he'll get slapped so hard that he likes it. I'm so sick of North Korea and Kim Jong Il bitching about being alive.

Knoxville Mom Davida Nicholson murdered for Christmas by Brandon James Johnson

2010-12-22T15:41:00.000-08:00

Davida Nicholson was just a 46-year-old woman, who happened to stop for cash at the wrong ATM in Knoxville, Tennessee. While she was getting her cash, 20-year-old lowlife Brandon James Johnson, was casing her out as a robbery target. The piece of crap shot this poor woman for not being cooperative enough, and handing over his hard-stolen money. According to a report from WVLT-TV News, Brandon James Johnson fired at the vehicle of Davida Nicholson after she drove away. He then fired at another vehicle, and several individuals in the parking lot.

While the ridiculous dirtbag was robbing an innocent victim, he also reportedly climbed into the vehicle driven by Davida Nicholson, in an attempt to pull her mentally challenged son out of the truck. While he made it into the vehicle, officers made quick work of the punk.

At the first chance of a stand-off, police demanded Brandon James Johnson to step out and surrender, which he refused. Officer Eric Razote furthered the suggestion with a well-placed shot to the neck. Both the criminal and Davida Nicholson were then rushed to the emergency room. Unfortunately, Davida Nicholson died, while Brandon James Johnson – the dirtbag – lived. At the moment, however, the thieving criminal faces charges of felony muder, attempted murder, multiple counts of assault and other charges.

Officer Eric Razote is on administrative leave, for the shooting, as a part of standard operating procedure. But, good shot, just the same. Next time, a little further up, please? Let's allow our thoughts to be for the family and friends of Knoxville, Tennessee's Davida Nicholson. May the trial that puts punk Brandon James Johnson in prison for life be quick, and may his neck hurt daily.
Originally published on Sidetick.

Free Brian Aitken US political prisoner held in New Jersey

2010-12-22T09:39:00.000-08:00

We have a two-fold problem here. Sadly, for one Brian Aitken, it's a problem in that the government of a US state is stealing his life, in so doing, the government of New Jersey, under Governor Chris Christie, is also stealing a basic American right.

The State of New Jersey, is terrorizing the life of Brian Aitken in the most extremely ridiculous case of gun control tactics, in the hopes of setting an example and precedent for us all. In wrongfully, wantonly destroying the life of Brian Aitken, as demonstrated in the following video, Governor Chris Christie, of New Jersey, is denying the constitutional right of a free American, and thereby threatens all Americans. In the video, contact information is given, to ask the governor to release Brian Aitken. Spread the word, please. A Tweet/#RT of http://adf.ly/Dmso will help tremendously.

Personally, I'm of the mindset that not only are guns allowed in America, it's actually illegal for government to ban guns, based on the US Constitution. Am I incorrect? Please show me where our founding documents allow our government to criminalize the actions of Mr. Brian Aitken.

More freakin breakfast for the head from Bon Jovi "Hallelujah"

2010-12-22T08:55:00.000-08:00

Bon Jovi is the new King of Rock and Roll, I don't care what you say

Rat poison sales to be curbed by the EPA

2010-12-22T08:27:00.000-08:00

Each year, thousands of young American children are exposed to loose rat poison, always under three years of age. EPA documents show the government agency has been aware of the risks of loose rat poison to small children since as early as 1983.

According to a report from msnbc, between 10,000 and 14,000 calls came in to poison control centers from the years 2004 to 2008, from young children ingesting rat poison. Government officials estimate the number to reflect approximately a fourth of all rat poison exposure incidents.

During the Clinton administration, the EPA had passed rules requiring manufacturers to make the toxic vermin bait unappealing to children, and to include a brightly-colored dye to make ingestion easy to identify. But during the Bush administration, those rules were reversed. Manufacturers had successfully argued that to make the toxin taste bad, would negate its effectiveness.

But starting as soon as June, 2011, highly toxic loose rat poison will no longer be available to the general public and will no longer be sold at the retail level. Only professional exterminators will have access to loose bait. As for other types of bait, sales over one pound of product will also be restricted, and its usage will be limited to childproof bait traps.

Originally published on Gather.

Magnitude 7.4 earthquake shakes Japan Bonin Islands December 21, 2010

2010-12-21T09:57:00.000-08:00

The U.S.G.S. Reported today, an earthquake measuring 7.4 for the Bonin Islands in the region of Japan. As the report is just now coming from the reporting agency, no words, as of yet, as to the costs in damages, or lives.

For as small of a territory as Japan is, the island nation is densely populated. Information and updates will be covered by main-stream news updates. We'll do our best here, to follow up on topics that pique reader interests. The earthquake report page gives all of the measurements and activity data. Let's all be ready to send our donations there too, now.

Remember to pay it forward for Josh.

More and more breakfast for the head from Bon Jovi

2010-12-21T07:54:00.001-08:00

Markus Evans held on possible murder charges in Milwaukee girl Jonoshia Alexander shooting death

2010-12-20T17:36:00.000-08:00

Teen Markus Evans is believed to be the killer of young Jonoshia Alexander, of Milwaukee. Markus Evans himself, is only 17-years-old. So sad to see a multitude of young lives wasted. The prosecution is weighing how far they're required to go in prosecuting the young man for the killing. They're still deciding on how many ways to do it.

Based on a news report from msnbc, 17-year-old Markus Evans was said by mother Maryhellen Evans that he said “he was maniac.” Sometime after 6 p.m. last Wednesday, he entered her bedroom, pointed a gun at her, then back on himself, within one hour before authorities finding the dead body of young Jonoshia Alexander. With the investigation being early, it's not clear if any of these deaths were tied to gang activity, or turf wars. Sadly, gang violence destroys thousands of young lives yearly.

Markus Evans is said to suffer from mental illness and “snapped” after hearing gunshots from a neighbor. He is held by Milwaukee police until charges can be determined, and an appearance before a judge. Let our thoughts be with the family and friends of young Jonoshia Alexander, in their grief and loss, and may they soon find peace.

Ooooohh! Some Somali pirates done messed up! The fools done hijacked from the United Arab Emirates

2010-12-20T14:57:00.000-08:00

Now they've gone and done it. A few Somali pirates have hijacked another ship. This time, instead of hitting a guilt-ridden American ship, British, or Asian ship, they've hijacked a ship from the United Arab Emirates. This does not bode well for this handful of Somali pirates.

As this is being written, it's likely a precision team is assembling in an encircling formation. Those hijacking, kidnapping, thieving thugs may have a couple of days to live, yet. It's possible they might all be dead in hours. If you're going to thug a few ships around, you don't want to pick those of a country that can afford to kill you by drone. So, these particular Somali pirates might have selected their last mission.

According to the Antara News Agency, two pirate skiffs were used in the assault, which included small arms, and grenade launchers. The United Arab Emirates may not be the most liked of regimes globally, but hand it to them it's theirs, they will protect their own. What chance these foolish Somali pirates have of getting away from this scene without, at the very least, identified? That same technology which can blow them away, can also photograph them, track them, and follow them. Let's hope this pisses the United Arab Emirates off enough they choose to surgically remove the interest in being a pirate in Somalia.

Phillip Greaves: Author of the Pedophile's How-To Book arrested today in Polk County Florida(Video)

2010-12-20T14:22:00.000-08:00

Under charges of “engaging or depicting children in a harmful relationship,” Polk County Florida Sheriff’s Deputies picked up one Phillip Greaves with distribution of obscene material which depicts minors engaging in harmful conduct. Parents, I am sure the world over, are relieved that the author of an infamous pedophile's how-to guide, is under direct observation in a Florida jail.

According to a report from CNN, Phillip Greaves was apprehended for what amounts to basically encouraging the sexualization of children. Some may attempt to decry arresting Phillip Greaves for publishing his book, as a limitation on the freedom of speech. Most will agree, however, that it could be just as irresponsible to publish and distribute an instruction guide to bomb-making. If any of the deaths were investigated, should such an author also be liable?

With Greaves behind bars, and his equipment searched, other points of contact will be discovered, and investigated. We moms and dads of America would like to thank the Sheriff's office in Polk County Florida, for finding a scary and dangerous man.

Originally published on Sidetick blogs.

Should a divorce blog take a new path?

2010-12-19T17:42:00.000-08:00

Should a niche-centered blog, such as a blog for divorce, change it's niche? If a blog is representative of the blog-owner, and a topic like divorce is just no longer a major topic in the blog-owner's life - shouldn't the blog adjust, to accurately reflect what the major topic is, of the life thereof and blabbity blah-blah.

When the concept for a divorce blog came up, the end of my marriage was the major focus of my life, you understand. Since my world was coming apart at the seams, I figured a number of other people's were too. I also incorrectly assumed those individuals would be online.

When you add those factors on top of the lack of posting on the topic, (good divorce content is really hard to find), we get a mess of blog postings, just sitting there. They do nothing. They don't inform. They don't reassure. They don't amuse. What good are the blips and bloops and bleeps that make up a blog, if nobody is going to ping it?

So, I find myself at a crossroads. The topic will no longer merely be divorce. Life must begin anew, as something better than a focus on failure. Life should be lived as if we just might survive it yet. Life is to be lived. So, DivorceSupport.info will soon be no more. But only the name, and the sad tone will be gone. Please stick around. RSS me, if you would. You'll likely enjoy the announcement here shortly.

For my fellow writers, please enjoy some free web-writer resources and tools.

Guest divorce blogger/contibutor Janet Hunt "The pain of divorce"

2010-12-12T15:18:00.000-08:00

It's always helpful to see from another person's perspective on a topic like divorce. The empotions involved, and the associations our minds make to those emotions can leave us lost in something akin to an anxiety attack. But, keeping our wits about us always helps.

To help us realize our difficulties are somewhat common, one divorce between another, we also see they're commonly managed. Here's my love Janet with her perspective on the difficulties of divorce, from a woman's unique point of view:

The Pain of Divorce
And Moving on with Your Life...by Janet "That's me" Hunt April 18th, 2010

Millions of people get divorced every year and are forced to begin the journey into rebuilding their lives. So what I am writing is nothing new to them. I haven't come upon any great discoveries or amazing knowledge about the subject. I am just sharing a few observations and knowledge gained through personal experience.

Divorce turns your world upside down. It forces you to look at yourself in a whole new light. All the hopes, dreams and aspirations that you had based your life upon, the life of you and your spouse, are gone. Who you thought you were and what you thought you were all about are all in question. Your self-esteem has taken a beating. Perhaps if you were the one who was "let go" you begin to wonder what it is that is wrong with you.

All the well wishers (or nay-sayers) who tell you to...Go here for the rest.

Three tips for the divorcee at Christmas time

2010-12-08T14:52:00.000-08:00

Divorce is bad enough. But around Christmastime, even in the best of circumstances, it's a rather bittersweet experience. Are you ready? Until recently, this time of the year was a rough time for me. I was angry at the world, in a lot of pain, and it seemed nobody gave a damn because they were too busy dealing with their own pain.

Screw that. If you're here, there's a reason. I want to help. You know why? Because nobody was there for me, and dagnabbit, that needs to change! So I'm honored that you're reading my blog. Here are three tips I've found that helped me through. I hope something I offer helps you too. It's rough, I know. Obviously, not every problem, for every other divorcee can be anticipated. It just seemed to me that, isolation, bitterness, and loneliness were my big three. So I'm offering what I can.

(Oh, by the way, if you feel the need to bring up all that stuff about how terrible Christmas is, it's a pagan holiday, or some sort of dork religious debate, lighten up. Okay?)

Divorcee Christmas tip one: Stay in touch.
During your marriage, you've bound to have made at least one friend. Even if that friend is somehow connected to your ex, keep in touch. Maybe they miss you too. If they do happen to hate you after the divorce, they really weren't that good of a friend in the first place, but just in case the connection was genuine keep the friendship going.

Now could be one of the worst times to isolate yourself. So, please don't do it. I used to think isolation was what I needed, but I was wrong. The pain wasn't worth listening to my fears. Family wants to hear from you, too. That includes your kids. Being alone might seem like what you want, but you're wrong.

Divorcee Christmas tip two: Celebrate something!
Even if you're not a Christmas celebrant, find something to celebrate. Join someone for something, even if it's just meeting at a bar to celebrate being single. The point is to remind yourself to feel some twinge of gratitude. Because if you don't have gratitude, you got nothing.

Having some kind of fun will serve to remind you that you're still alive. Besides, you just don't know whom you might meet at a party. Just allow yourself some joy, okay? Just in case you feel you need some sort of permission, you have mine. Besides, there might be food. Nom.

Divorcee Christmas tip three: Forget yourself, at least for a day.
Okay, your divorce sucked, your ex was vicious and took everything from you, and even your dog doesn't like you - at least it seems that way. Want some relief? Think about someone else. You can do this by donating some time at the local soup kitchen. Maybe you could volunteer to help the local Toys for Tots program. If none of these things are in your town, I'd bet there's a nursing home somewhere, chock full of residents, lonely and forgotten by their families. You think you feel bad around Christmas? Imagine them. Taking a bit of the focus off of yourself not only just feels good, it helps to bring back a better perspective on how fortunate you really are.

Christmas is just one day. Get through it sane. I hope that one of these tips helps some, or at least gives you a few ideas of your own. Merry Christmas.

Getting through a divorce is easier with some new friends

2010-11-30T06:57:00.000-08:00

Making a new set of friends, even if just online, really can help with getting through a divorce. When my last marriage ended, it my online friend networks, which got me through, and beyond my own failed marriage. There's no way an adequate "thank you" could ever be given to those kind souls. So, rather than sit and mull the events of your life recently, and getting depressed, find a new set of friends. find some faces which are not connected to your ex, or even your own past.

Having someone to talk with on occasion, has benefitted me through my own relationship death. At the time the divorce started, it was the community of folks in a site called Yuwie.com. I'm so grateful to them, I don't even tell folks about them with a referral link. If you join, great. But I don't need credit for it. The next site I relied upon for real-world, kind-hearted friendships was call AC, at the time. They've since been bought out and are now known as the Yahoo Contributor Network. I don't claim credit for referring folks to them either, even though they have offered me to. I'm only privileged to have good friends like the folks who run that site. Not only have they been giving in the emotional support, but they've also been a very reliable source of extra cash.

But sometimes, you'll want a network of friendship around you, that's not involved with a money-making venture. Sometimes, just having a stranger to talk to, perhaps who has "been there before," can be a real life-saver. An objective third-person perspective has more than once, pulled me through a difficult time. Well, if you'd just enjoy a fun, valuable, cherished set of friends that, not only do not know your ex, but don't know you either, might I recommend MatesGate? This site is not only filling quickly with nice, pleasant, and helpful people to befriend, the pages load smoothly, chat is efficient and smooth, and the blog is...just...beautiful!

On top of all of that, the admin pays out a revshare portion to the members. He doesn't use complicated fomulae, or those multi-level marketing bullshit gimmicks, he just does a little "cashback" thing. I'm opting out, myself, on the money. I'd rather give the change to a charity. You do whatever you want.

But join MatesGate for the friendships and fun, first of all. You'll find some really decent folks over here. Don't try surviving your divorce alone. Just come visit. You'll see.

Web-writer or not, here are three great resources, to make sure you get read. Share your divorce story! Share any story!

2010-11-28T14:22:00.000-08:00

If you're ever going to blog online, for any reason whatsoever, you might as well make sure you get read. Whether it's the story of your most harrowing divorce, along with advice for the young 'ns, or whether the blog you share has the world's most scrumptious creme puffs, there's no sense writing anything about anything, without readers.

To help bring readers to your page, you must understand a few things. Folks find what they're looking for, not what they're told to. so, that means while some advertising might do some good publicity for your topic, the best bet is to go for the search engines, and established social networks. For this reason, I'm going to share three of my favorite resources which, should give just about anyone a basic writing opportunity.

My three favorite resources number one: A practice blog!
Totally free to sign up for, a blog is the best format to practice and learn to develop online writing. Using a free blog is the easiest, least risky ways to learn what sorts of contextual advertising will come up with what sort of topics, you'll determine the topics you like to write about, and you'll see what subjects readers respond too.

In addition to the blog format you get for free, here, there is also a fine community of readers, qualified to share knowledgeable feedback. The company offering the blog even offers their members a revenue share feature, to which I have opted out for the time being. Others have enjoyed it, though.

My three favorite resources number two: Know your keyword density, to be found by spiders. - Spiders tend to give articles with a 2 to 5% keyword density a chance. From there, the reader's responses determine how deeply a topic will index high in organic search engine inquiries. While the response of searchers who discover your page is still an altogether different matter, at least know what percentages your topics keywords are here, for free. When a topic is below 2% keyword density for the subject you publish on, just add a few headers containing the keyword(s). This is free and easy to use.

My three favorite resources number three: Actually free advertising, without the safelist spam!
In keeping your own blog, you'll want to have something in place to build up advertising credits, which can bring you visitors later. Once you find material which brings you valuable advertisers, you'll want traffic. No amount of money justifies what page view earnings might come in, so traffic exchanges are best. Problem is, most mutual exchanges involve nightmarishly antiquated safelists (spam), or cost money. Adzly is different. Free to sign up for. See what they can bring your blog right now. not all advertising is a waste.

Good pieces of divorce reading, that you're probably too late for, anyway.

2010-11-25T19:21:00.001-08:00

Just when I was beginning to think it time to all but abandon the actual topic of divorce, someone shares links with me to these little gems. It's nice to see folks still get published, on a topic many feel is beaten to death too often, but we know will never go away: divorce attorneys! The piece being shared is an actual book, while most others are merely an online article, you might enjoy. I don't know really, if you will, but here goes nothing.

A little more "Texas centered," "Basics of Texas Divorce Law" covers the topic of being ready for your divorce as if it is easy. We all already know it to be a good thing, just difficult. Well, forewarned is fore-armed, and attorneys Michelle May O'Neil and Ashley Bowline Russell, of O'Neill Attorneys in Dallas, Texas.

While most readers stopping by here will likely already be farther into their own divorce than this book could help. There may still be something helpful for those, already begun but early on. Ordering information is contained on their page, in the link.

Wouldn't it be nice to get away? Travel could be a great option to relax and begin anew

2010-11-24T19:50:00.000-08:00

Some day, we'll all look back at a certain point in our lives, and realixe there was a specific day, a moment when, we remembered that not only were we alive, it was not permanent. That was the day when we remembered to live, too.

Knowing there is a world just outside our own doors, and all that is needed to get there, is to head in the selected direction. Going from here to everywhere was altogether the easy part. What we all find one day is how big of a challenge to just come back.

But the future awaits us all. Our aim, thus far, is to have one final day, and when our individual life flashes before our individual eyes, we at least enjoy the movie.

Random laugh-laugh at life and aggravation in general

2010-11-24T18:54:00.000-08:00

When crap has you down, and money goes all to the ex, and what little you have left over, won't exactly finance that newsprint empire you've dreamt of, remember this:

Maybe now is a great time to move on to other topics.

2010-11-24T08:23:00.000-08:00

While it's my every intention to keep the name DivorceSupport.info, now seems as good of a time as any to begin introducing other topic content into this blog. Divorce attorneys seem not so freakin' interested in advertising upon the inane and all.

So, where could a blog like this go, and retain the name?
You should know, the blog topics can go anywhere, from here on out. Life is mine! And so is the blog name, too. With other blog titles like "6 Die," "Hungry Mommy Nomnomnom," and others, why the hell not a "DivorceSupport" blog which may yet be saying not one damned thing about a sappy failed marriage to an unhappy woman? Why not?

There are too many good things about life, to keep my blog focused only upon the difficulties experienced. This little spot of cyber-land, should be getting used for some more of the fun, positive aspects of living, while I am still here, with you. So...that is exactly what we're doing here.

If I can entertain you, will you be so kind as to give the occasional stumble, digg, or tweet? If a picture gets you giggling, please share the giggle with a buddy or two thousand. Ok? Thank you. See you in the funny papers.

Life is so damn good.

Say what you really feel

2010-11-22T11:43:00.000-08:00

Maybe this picture works better

2010-11-22T08:44:00.000-08:00

Fits my life.

What do you think, huh?

2010-11-22T08:41:00.001-08:00

Is it me?

Starting over after divorce takes work from the ground up

2010-11-12T16:16:00.000-08:00

Starting over anew after a divorce is a bigger project than it looked like to the partners initially considering it. But no matter how much hard work and sheer stubbornness it takes, it can be done! Somehow, some way soon, you're going to pull through onto the other side and from the crest of the climb, enjoy that smooth sailing that comes with the freedom of the end of your marriage.

Keeping folks off your back to live your dreams is worth it.
Putting time in at the local McDonald's is far, far superior to sitting in county jail for non-support. In order to even have the freedom to consider what you're going to build on your own time, have a job part-time! Part-time employment, at the minimum, will give authorities something to garnish. They'll have their pound of flesh.

This allows you the time to build up any venture you dream. Marketer? Voice-over artist? Writer? Musician? Visual artist of some sort? Whatever your gig, make sure to have an income source, which gives Domestic Relations something to attach. Build that dream on the side. (BTW. Help share me with an #RT? Hmm? Please.)

Put up with what you must to keep the garnish paid.
Nod your head and say “Uh-huh. Yeah boss!” to all of the nit-picking the average fast food manager uses for motivation. Ignore the co-workers who mumble chattily. It's only really blocks of 3 and a half to four hour blocks of time between breaks, on one of those little crappy fast food jobs. But that check is worth what it buys you beyond money. Although your marriage has definitely ended, stay employed...anywhere. Keep up with your child support.

Love after divorce: You both deserve a fresh start

2010-11-02T18:19:00.000-07:00

Okay. so your first marriage didn't work out, and ended in a divorce. so you're newly single again, but not dead! Just because you and one other person weren't right for each other, doesn't mean total rejection from the entire planet. But, in finding that new love, you'll want to make sure and not hold any lingering grudges over the head of your new mate. Here are some tips:

Love after divorce - Tip one: Forgive your ex.
As hard as it may be to believe, to make sure the new love relationship isn't pre-emptively soured, forgiving your ex is a must! Holding a grudge against the former spouse will not only make you look like a bitter ass to the new love interest, it will unfairly prejudice you against those little things they do...and we all have our own "little things." Even if your perceptions of the first marriage were exactly accurate (never happens) that doesn't mean another person shares the same motivation.

Let's clarify: Let's say the ex would "stay late at work" to have the chance to meet with their affair. Your new lover does the same - sans affair. They really are at work. You don't want to be too suspicious of an innocent party, do you? forgiving - even understanding - what motivated the former spouse to having an affair will help you see clear to avoiding the suspicions of your new love.

If you're still at the point where you just can't forgive your ex, then talk about that. Maybe you'll find them understanding. Maybe they'll share a fresh perspective. Or, maybe you're just not ready to move on yet. I'm mentioning this tip first because it's the biggie for most people. Get it out of the way and the others are a piece of cake. you like cake, right?

Love after divorce - Tip two: Build a new routine.
Did you and your ex watch a movie together every Thursday evening? Try a different night, or even a different activity. Find out what the new relationship likes to do. Heck, find out what you like to do! Just stay out of the old routines, that will remind you of the past. It's gone.

Love after divorce - Tip three: Burn those old tapes and record new ones.
Ever catch yourself in a case of the "Coulda shoulda wouldas?" We all do, sometimes. Force yourself to replace the "I should haves" with "The next time I'll..." or "This time I'll..." Focus on the present, and live towards the future. Use notes to help re-train your self-talk, if you must. Ask your new love to help you with reminders, too. They'll be glad to. They love you. Remember that, and love them back. It's a whole new world, now.

Divorce and child support payments: It's about the kids

2010-10-31T06:43:00.000-07:00

Divorce and child support go hand-in-hand just like marriage and having children usually goes together. The situation can be rough too, for the non-custodial parent. To the parent on the obligatory end, it stinks like a scam, in that no matter what your situation you're screwed. But that doesn't have to be the case.

The solution to earning enough money to make the payments, survive, and save for the future isn't hopeless. It's difficult, but not hopeless at all. As for your ex being a total asshole about visitation...that's another story. But the child support situation isn't totally hopeless.

Child support tip number one: Stay calm. You'll get through anything if you just keep your wits about you. Do not give your asshole ex the satisfaction of making you angry. Whatever their reasons for wanting to screw up a fellow human's life, let them stew in it, and never show the slightest bit of emotion. Let them and their asshole friends talk badly about you all they like. Let them and their asshole parents hate you all they can. In fact, you can even take pleasure in watching them waste their energy in being assholes. But, show no emotion whatsoever. Never, ever, ever give them that.

Child support tip number two: Have a job. Nothing helps make the child support payments like having a job. While you may be thinking "Well duh!," believe it or not some of us guys believe that alternative income sources are more lucrative. But nothing will keep the idiot asshole ex, your asshole ex in-laws, and all of those fat little government assholes happy like a part-time paycheck to garnish. Let them have that, and you'll find yourself with enough free time to build your business on the side.

No amount of "reasoning," explanations, or excuses will win one single point with a fat, piece of crap government bureaucrat...or your unreasonable, vicious, lying, asshole ex anyway. All they can see is their own very limited, narrow perspective in all of this. Even if they do see your point of view, they're not going to agree to it, since throwing you in jail for non-payment is the perfect opportunity for revenge against you for not licking their boots. Just get a job, and let them garnish you. That's how life is...and you know it.

Child support tip number three: Be good to your kids. They had nothing to do with the divorce. It's your unreasonable, dishonest asshole ex who seems to forget they're just children, and not pawns in a power-struggle, right? Be good to them because they matter. Remember birthdays and special events and know that someday, they'll come to understand that you love them. This one point alone is the primary reason you must make those payments. It's not really about staying out of jail. It's not about obeying those slobby, fat, useless bureaucrats. It's about making sure your kids have what they need.

Child support tip number four: Patience is vital. Learn some deep-breathing exercises. Practice meditation. Take up yoga. do what you must to maintain perspective. Some day, those kids will grow up and recognize that you did your best. They'll also one day come to understand that all the manipulative games your asshole ex played with their minds was the bullshit it is. That's when playing fair and doing right by them will pay off. Pay your support with that ridiculous chump-change job with that goal in mind. Your asshole ex will find themselves screwed soon enough.

If you're in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand, and you'd like to look into an online business that you can use to make money from advertising, check this out:

Accelerate Your Divorce Recovery by Stephanie L Watson on AssociatedContent.com from Yahoo!

2010-09-30T09:04:00.000-07:00

In my quest for putting good, useful, real-world divorce information on this blog, I sometimes do run into some great advice. Most of the stuff I find is usually about religion, bitterness, or revenge. None of that helps those of us who are intent on starting over. But this young lady's contribution seems to be good.

One of the biggest risks we divorcees face isn't as much the loss, as it is our obsession over the life-changing power of a failed marriage. It's a better idea to just move on in a productive and positive direction. Enjoy these tips from a great thinker:

Accelerate Your Divorce Recovery
Facing certain tried and true facts can help you accelerate your divorce recovery.
Read More

Men only: Let's dispel some myths about women

2010-09-15T20:10:00.000-07:00

I hear it all the time: When we men have trouble in our marriages and relationships, we turn to some old stand-bys in regards to how we're being "treated by" women. While these myths/beliefs might seem comfortable and familiar, they're quite toxic, and tantamount to superstition. Once any man comes to understand why women do those things they do, the "issues" many men seem to have with women just fade away. We guys could do a lot better to understand some of the reasons why things happen the way they do. The ladies have perfectly valid reasons. Let's look at a few and also the truth about these myths:

1. Women are manipulative - Why any other man has a problem with this is beyond me. Face it, women are usually the weaker sex. Could you imagine our cave-dwelling ancestor's reaction to a woman insisting on anything? Or, could you just imagine a physical struggle for dominance in the old cave-stead? They would've been killed...literally! So, as a survival tactic, women have been forced to learn the finer art of "manipulation." That is such an unfair sounding word. Let's call it "politics."

A woman's ability to negotiate a man into complying with her wishes, and all while letting him think it's his idea, is quite an art form. This facet of the fairer sex isn't at all a bad thing. As recently as the 19th century, London actually had laws on the books that made murder of a man's wife a misdemeanor! Too many times, even today, women are constantly subjected to physical violence...an implied death threat. If you ask me, anyone whose burden is the entire world on their shoulders...and they carry it well...all while being treated like a second-class citizen, is actually testimony to just how amazing a woman really is. Instead of resenting a basic survival function that women have developed over the centuries, show a little understanding, and join them in the negotiations. We men have much to learn from the ladies.

2. Women are always testing us men - You're durn skippy they are! Can you blame them? They need, and deserve to know that, their selection of a mate is going to be the kind of strength they need. They need this kind of strength to know their partner can provide for, and protect them. With a title such as this one, I'm bound to get a few "modern" women, and even lesbians, who might find offense with that last comment. This post isn't about philosophies, or you. I'm speaking about biological drives here between men and women. So, please don't think me a conservative, or a prude. The fact just is that, over centuries, this is how most of humanity lived, and right or wrong, the dynamics are still in place.

This "testing" hasn't lost it's utility with the modern age, either. Even today, a woman will still want to know if a guy is strong enough to be counted on, and not an animalistic jerk abuser. So guys, when you're tested by your woman, rise to the challenge, but don't "lord it over" her. When you're being tested, it's only because you're in the running as one of her prospects. Keep that in mind. Be good to her.

3. Women don't appreciate nice guys. - Half-right. What makes this half-right is the different definitions of "nice." "Nice can mean intelligent, attractive, strong, dependable, gentle, considerate, and devoted...to a woman. But we guys confuse what she's asking for, with what our Mothers told us as little boys. Face it guys. We all have as our first example of womanhood...good old Mom. But even Mom will tell you that you're no longer a little boy. Women want nice men. Nice boys are really kind of annoying. Stop that sucking up. Stop worrying about whether you always have "permission." Make some decisions. If you're still confused what "nice" might mean to women, ask a female friend to open up and be honest about what they mean...and listen to them dammit!

I might even be back to explain a little more about getting along with women. Just don't let my secret out. Ok?

It really has

2010-09-08T06:10:00.000-07:00

Divorce doesn't make the man

2010-09-04T17:36:00.000-07:00

As James Allen is quoted for saying “Circumstances do not make the man. They merely reveal him,” divorce is not what has made you into what you are now. It merely clears away many of the masks we wear. Just like a hurricane can tear the facade off of a building, leaving nothing but the actual building materials, any life changing event will reveal yourself to you.

Do you now find yourself dealing with a myriad of problems after your divorce? It could be true that, those problems pre-existed, you just didn't see them. Maybe your spouse was deflecting some of the effects of your flaws, and now that they're gone along with the emotional shelter, it's nothing more than your own raw nerves finally experiencing the cold, bitter wind like it should have been all along.

I mistakenly thought my own divorce had caused a variety of emotional issues for me. Only after several months of cold, hard, honest, and very painful analysis did I come to understand my emotional problems were mine...all mine. Only after being forced to study my own motivations in order to survive, did I finally see the truth of my own faults. This is not easy.

Too many of us marry for too many unhealthy reasons. Too many of us are co-dependant to our partner's flaws, addictions, and problems. All too often we believe ourselves responsible for the happiness of another. This one of the great big lies we tell ourselves. Maybe, just maybe, when we truly love someone we must let them fall on their own.

I've no way to ever know whom it was that shared this tidbit of knowledge with my ex. But if I ever do learn, I'm giving them a sincere thank you. This is not a facetious statement or veiled threat. I really do owe them a lot. It's quite possible my ex, being quite bright herself, probably figured it out on her own. Either way, letting me go was my only hope.

The shock of being cast aside, and plainly disregarded, was enough to finally get through to the part of “me” which serves as the “director” in my personality construct. I was too dependent on my ex, and even with all of the stress I laid on her shoulders, my demands were ever-increasing – much like a spoiled baby with no tolerance for frustration.

As of late though, I've been making attempts at growing emotionally. Some days the progress is mere baby steps. Other days, great strides are made. On those days, it's like growing up all in one day. I still have a lot of room to grow. But now, I'm no longer afraid of doing it on my own.

Healing can be easier with friends...

2010-09-01T08:17:00.000-07:00

You've more friends than you might realize. Nobody who's gone through the nightmare of a divorce, and made it whole...improved, on the other side of the event, would deny divorce newbies a little advice.

It's the very pain of a failed marriage itself, which ends up serving we survivors. At first glance, that last statement might not make sense. But, read it again, and during your future chats with yourself, be honest. Eventually, what very items hurt you about your loss, were likely just what you needed help with. See? It's already starting to make sense to you, now. Let it.

Some times the very best friend to be found in recovering from a painful divorce, will be yourself. Mark Twain said it best:
"A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval." By "man," he means "mankind," not just males. Ask yourself daily, if what you do/are/believe isn't right by you, why would you do/be/believe it? Dare to explore. Face the truth with courage, especially when it hurts.

I'd also recommend some helpful music. Some bands, in this case Blue October, might help with some of the disparity in thinking. Blue October:

I'll be honest: My love and I are no Hollywood fairy tale.

2010-08-31T08:07:00.000-07:00

Janet and I now share a love that isn't anything someone might expect from a Hollywood fairy tale. It's part of the reason my passion for her burns like it does. Most of what is so sexy and alluring about my girly is her comfortable base personality being so in tune with the reality around her.

She doesn't come at me with semi-six-year-old-girl aspirations of a Prince Charming. At no time has she ever even seemed upset that once in a while I miss opening the door for her, although I like opening the door for her, and she doesn't act offended when I do open it.

She and I share more of a comfortable familiarity with different types of people. She's a good-natured soul who doesn't hold trivial things against people. She sees right through appearances. I'm grateful to her, for choosing love over looks, especially in my case. It's not often we homely men get to meet such good-looking women, so, I'm gladly enjoying being loved like this...by one such as her.

None of this would've happened, had not my divorce occurred. All of the pain turned out to be a bitter pill to swallow, but cured so many an illness. Isn't too bad spell checker doesn't catch incorrect syntax?

It's difficult for a body to put the pieces together, in advance of their living the life they must. Rather, we mortals must simply know that, somehow, our lives turn out exactly the way we make them. 'Tis our consciousnesses which choreograph our steps here, while upon the stage, while we live as together the actor, director, and audience of the show.

Isn't it great to be alive?

Pre-logue - Divorce is worth it!

2010-08-04T11:31:00.000-07:00

Who knew? Who could possibly have known? Nobody can see the love coming that blind-sides you in an intersection of a decision in life. Love can come at us like a coffeepot left on, just two blocks towards the theater, so you gotta turn around and go back. True love is the security of knowing you both have a home to return to tonight.

I'd have never expected her to be Janet. To me, she doesn't "look the part," and it still changes nothing. Before we ever saw clear pictures of each other, we got to know a tiny bit about each other's minds. We're similar in many of the primary regards. It's compatible love.

She and I sat either, online, or on a phone talking for hours for a solid year before we ever met. She helped me through one of the roughest years of my life. It was the year I came to accept that my immortality was over. It was when I'd learned that not only one day would I die, but that I'd welcome that sweet rest, were it to come now, and yet I now love life like never before.

Janet loved me through that time in my life. As the flames of hell licked my feet, I ran, finding only those who could even be good friends since they could keep up. This one was unique to me. Her "voice was intelligent, authoritative, yet friendly. We only chatted at first. Then, when the phone calls happened, she had a voice so lovely that I couldn't help but think her to be the sweetest gal alive. There was just something in that voice, something buried under the quasi-Cajun drawl...something...

Read more from the archives here.

I won't tell my story of Janet and I until there are a few more followers. She says she understands. So...

2010-07-27T09:43:00.000-07:00

The story of Janet's meeting her trophy husband, and how he met his best friend and lover, won't be told before there are a few following subscribers. We're offering to share the story of our love. Readers get to enjoy the sensitive side of a man - without actually needing to put up with a sensitive man! Hah!

If we're all lucky, we'll get to hear, time to time, from Janet, too! Won't that be fun? So, please share us on MySpace, Facebook, your blog(s). Accomplishing this without money, is merely impossible. Completing this without readers is utterly pointless. Do you agree? Subscribe then, please...and share. I promise you the best romantic reading experience we can bring you.

Divorce gave me love

2010-07-01T19:31:00.000-07:00

How cliche it must all be. We so often hear of those divorced folks finding new love, and happiness, and getting on with things. But, our divorce just seems so harder. There's the custody fights, ripping the kids apart as much as the parents themselves. Attorneys, judges, enforcement officers, and other bureaucrats make the whole experience so much more the pain.

Then there's those wonderful "friends and loved ones." Somehow, even with all that's going on within the dissolution of this union, they find room to stick their nose. Where does a body even begin to recover from an event so traumatic as a failed marriage?

What helped me the most was finally accepting the shaded truths about myself, our bad marriage, and both of our ulterior motives. This one act allowed me the chance to finally settle with my own self, and in becoming comfortably self-accepting - flaws and all - was I ever able to begin to love myself.

Wouldn't you know it? Once I finally reached that esoteric point of Nirvana and Zen, I find another soul on a quite similar path. Wrapped up around that soul is a beautifully sexy body, and one of the sweetest women a guy could hope to meet. This gal has not only become my new love, she's also been a large part of my own psychological adjustment period post divorce.

She started as my friend, and she still is. Now, I've come to see the gem that she is, and must say, how lucky I am to have ever met her at all.

Life does go on after divorce. Love does try to poke it's head in...or it sticks it's neck out anyway. Recovery from divorce does happen. Tell a story about your divorce in the comments please. Ask any questions you may have.

Domestic Violence - the Story of an Emotionally Abused Wife by Theresa Wiza on AssociatedContent.com

2010-06-26T06:43:00.000-07:00

Hello readers! It took me a few days to get back to the blog. Thanks for your patience. I'm sharing a story today from one Theresa Wiza. The lady's an inspiration. Her piece on the hell she went through and what she had to do to survive will, hopefully, serve another abuse victim...I mean abuse target (I hate to see folks seeing themselves as "victims.")

She published this on November 12th, 2009. But there may never be a time when it's not relevant to someone out there. It's my hope, and Theresa's, that some reader, somewhere, can find strength and courage from this beautiful woman's story:
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Domestic Violence - the Story of an Emotionally Abused Wife by Theresa Wiza on AssociatedContent.com

Includes Resources to Help Victims of Domestic Violence and Abuse

According to helpguide.org, "Domestic abuse, also known as spousal abuse, occurs when one person in an intimate relationship or marriage tries to dominate and control the other person."

According to that same source, "The aim of emotional or psychological abuse is to chip away at your feelings of self-worth and independence. If you're the victim of emotional abuse, you may feel that there is no way out of the relationship, or that without your abusive partner you have nothing."

Statistics

Statistics on spousal and relationship abuse are staggering. The Domestic Violence Resource Center (DVRC) concludes that 25% of women have experienced domestic violence in their lifetimes. What that means is that as many as 960,000 up to 3,000,000 incidents of domestic violence occur EVERY YEAR. And those statistics relate only to physical violence. Domestic violence that ends in death accounts for 30% of murdered women and 5% of murdered men, according to the same site.

Violence comes in many forms: physical, psychological, emotional, and mental. But while bruising and lacerations prove physical abuse, proving emotional trauma is not only difficult, it is sometimes downright impossible. But ask yourself - does it really matter how you are being abused?

No, it matters that you are being abused, and it matters that you find the courage to end the abuse.

Everybody asks, why don't you just leave him (or her)? And the answer is this - fear and intimidation prevent people from leaving their partners. You can escape, however, and you have everything you need to get out of the abusive relationship. What follows is the story of one woman who found out she was actually worth more than the abuse she suffered. Hopefully you too can find your way out of this pit of despair.

In the beginning

Four months after my 19th birthday, I met the man I would later call "the love of my life." I had never been more attracted to anybody than I was to him. He was gorgeous, he had numerous friends who idolized him, and he had numerous women who did too. I learned quickly that I had to wait in line if I wanted to spend any time with him.

In a desperate attempt to demonstrate my love for him, I showered him with affection, and I searched for gifts I knew he would like. The attraction was powerful - so powerful it defied common sense (something I wish now I had said out loud).

It might have been wise for me to ask myself why I was so attracted to him. He never complimented me, though he always found something about other women to compliment - whether it was their hair, their clothing, or their perfume - but never once did he find anything about me that deserved recognition.

I spent enormous amounts of money trying to be like the women he complimented, so I could hear even one positive comment from him. I never did. And yet I clung to him year after year, woman after woman, awaiting my......Go here for the rest!

When Father's Day Sucks

2010-06-19T05:25:00.000-07:00

This Father's Day is, like these last few for me, a painful day. Some day, I know, it'll get easier, but until then the day is filled with a sadness for the time with them lost. Regrets over the parts of the childhood of my kids that I miss might not ever be forgiven.

But hear me out please: I'm not ranting on my ex here. Sure, she made her mistakes. But the big screw-ups were my reaction to the situation. While most men would've "toughed it out," I chose to run. I chose to allow myself to be defeated. I'm the one who let the liars, fools, and idiots win in separating me from my kids.

Everybody has their issues. Some folks find Christmas painful. I used to until I found a way to see the good in that season. Holidays, in general, used to bring me pain, until I decided to simply make myself find something good about each of them.

But Father's Day (for me) is something enjoyed by another man who wasn't there to see them born, a man who didn't get up to bring them to Mom for nursing in the middle of the night, somebody who may very well resent their existence. And there's not one single thing I can do about it.

A huge part of me still wants to rip the whole damned world to pieces over them. I'll resent their Mother for taking them from me, in an immature attempt to "punish" me for not being "a good Christian," like her Mom, Dad, and all of her Imaginary Prince Charming dreams. I never promised to be Price Charming.

But the acts of anger in my heart today would only hurt them. So, I'll keep them bottled up and maybe someday, I'll find the peace of mind about the injustice of those ridiculous fools I used to call my in-laws.

Still, my customers are going to want to say "Happy Father's Day" all day long. I'll smile, and in my friendliest voice I'll reply, "Thanks! You too!" My smile will hide the voice in me that will want to scream "Please shut up! Save your well wishes for those men wise and strong enough to be with their kids. Please."

I can, at least, still talk to my Dad. He ascended to a better place on November 19th, 2008, but that sure doesn't stop me from talking with him. Before the cancer finally beat the strongest man I ever knew, it was actually a pain-in-the-ass to ever call the Old Man. How ironic it is that, now that he's gone, I can talk to him whenever I like...and I can almost imagine what his responses will be. I can just about hear his voice.

As well, I still have the right to be grateful for my kids. Nobody can ever take that from me, in spite of any lies. I'll always have the privilege of remembering them, and in so doing, exploring the whole Universe. Those kids of mine remind me that, just by their existence, Life should go on.

I'm alright with Father's Day. I wish you all a Happy Father's Day, too.

Fidelity and the divorced soul

2010-06-12T17:00:00.000-07:00

Well, it finally happened. The day has arrived when I'm over my own pain enough to realize that I am, in fact, better than some others. I'm not talking about being better off, or better on some esoteric level, I mean I'm starting to see that I'm a better person than some.

When my ex finally chose her affair, and my expulsion from the family, all sorts of thoughts ran through my head as to "why" it happened. But, the plain and simple truth of the matter is that, I'm just not a dog. What brought this about? Sure. I'll share.

Without using any names: I have this co-worker, see. He's a nice enough of a guy, who works hard in his field, and he's even friendly. He's married to a beautiful woman with his first child on the way soon. The problem is that, he's constantly scoping out opportunities with the opposite sex. In short, he's a cheating fool.

I've tried warning him not to do it. His reply is that, where's he's from, "the woman bows to the husband...even when he makes a 'mistake.' " His attitude is such as to infer that he can do what he wants, when he wants, with any woman that'll give him a chance...because that's how it is in his home country.

What an idiot.

Little does he know his wife has some new American friends ever so willing to share with her the rights of being a wife, a woman, and an American. He's soon to find himself out on his ass, the moment his "woman" catches on that she doesn't have to take his crap. I laugh silently as I realize this probability.

This is where I think I'm better than he is:

I've tried warning him. But, he seems to think his penis is a tiny little god, made to be worshiped by those in a "lower station" than he. Boy...is he ever in for a rude awakening. Will I feel sorry for him when it happens? Nope. The Universe delivered me to him as a friend to offer him my advice...and he's not open to considering what sort of stew he'll be a part of.

Besides all of that, she's a geat gal, really beautiful, and she'll replace him faster than he can pronounce "Yes yes," as his usual reply to my warnings. From this point on, I'm staying completely out of it.

Consider also that, our mutual supervisor has told me he doesn't trust anyone who chooses to go the way of infidelity. Sounding ever so much like H. Ross Perot, he believes anyone who can't be trusted by the one who loves them, surely can't be trusted by a boss, who doesn't. Good point, I say.

I've been burned by a cheater. There's just no sympathy for them in my heart, either. I'm just going to enjoy the fireworks that is his life...because I really am better than he is.

The Mirror Burns - And It Will Save Your Soul!

2010-06-06T04:22:00.000-07:00

The mirror burns, my friend. There is no divorce with only one side to it. It doesn't matter who says what, there is no failed relationship that was destroyed by only one partner. Both of you screwed up, at least on some level.

This was a hard lesson for me. My arrogant ass was convinced that my ex had made most of the big mistakes in our marriage, and while she had made many, mine were bigger and more painful.

As recently as only a few months back, I'd begun questioning myself as to my own actions. The voices in my head drove me to find the truth, and had I known what I was going to find, I might've not taken the trip.

Committing myself to meticulous honesty, I ran the old tapes out with no filter. I started watching other couples whom I had befriended. Every time I saw a man (or woman) pulling some bone-headed stunt, or even making so "harmless joke," the obvious truth was I did the exact same thing myself...and sometimes worse.

It became clear to me, that laundry list of my own crimes, as hers had been all-too-clear already. As I read my own charges, my internal jury became exceedingly unfriendly. There were even a couple of entire months that I considered suicide as the only fair retribution.

Eventually, the longer I held on, and the clearer the truth I allowed myself to accept, the more healing the process became. Those old Baptist preachers came to mind pointing out old Bible quotes about "gold is tried by fire," and "the truth will set you free."

Well, it sucked.

The power of freedom is really found within the truth. When I began all of this, were anyone to try to point out my faults, I'd have gotten defensive. (Yeah, I know that's not really proper English)

Nowadays, if my ex tells you I was a son-of-a-bitch, I can honestly admit that she's right. The man she remembers was a son-of-a-bitch. That's exactly who she married. For the sake of truth and justice, I must own this fact, and will not refuse it. But it's this exact truth that has finally allowed me the peace I sought.

Divorcee Dating: Avoid Those Damned Dating Sites!

2010-06-05T11:33:00.000-07:00

According to DatingSiteReviews.com in the last year, 17% of all marriages resulted from two people meeting on a dating site. This trend is estimated to increase. As well, according to OnlineDatingMagazine.com, in 2003 singles spent millions of dollars on an online dating profile. This trend has only increased also.

It's not that online dating doesn't work. It obviously does. My problem with them isn't the good sites like eHarmony.com or Chemistry.com. It's those less-than-reputable sites that yank my chain. I'm sick of the spam. I'm sick of the scammers.

Some of these idiots serve to make me ever-so-grateful to have found love already. Today alone, I've had to remove another twenty-five spam emails from sites I've never joined. Those few I ever did join seem to be populated with a membership consisting of little more than prostitutes.

Ever hear of AdultFriendFinder.com? They're one of the worst. Paying for a membership with them is one of the most foolish things a single male can ever do. I'm sort of hoping law enforcement will investigate them even. There's nothing wrong with using a service to meet someone, but, this is obviously not the goal of this pack of low-lives.

To the best of my memory, all I ever got a response from were either, married women hoping to cheat - at best or women asking for a "token" (translation - payment) to meet. Hell, if I were hoping to hire an escort I'd have just gone to an escort site.

At least going into a site like AFF, most folks are aware they're probably due to only encounter losers, weirdos, psychos, and professionals. I get totally irked over being "enrolled" without my knowledge into sites like Match.com, and others. These spamming scumbags not only spam the crap out of anyone they can, unsubscribing from them only leads to more spam, as they now see your email to be a legitimate one.

Criminals, the whole lot of 'em. I hope this blog posting pisses them off.

I actually feel bad for Tipper and Al Gore

2010-06-04T08:38:00.001-07:00

Please, don't get me wrong. I'm no fan of any politician. And don't even ask me if I think both Tipper and Al Gore are both a couple of idiots...because it'd turn into a rant faster than a jackrabbit hopped up on Starbuck's. But, the divorce of Al and Tipper Gore makes me sad.

This sadness is on multiple levels too. First off, they're only icons together. If it weren't for Tipper being easy on the eyes I'd not even watch Al with the volume turned down. Were it not for Al being so damned laughable I'd rather not hear another squawk from Tipper.

Secondly, I only know how painful, demoralizing, and confusing a divorce can be after eleven years myself. These two have been married since...what...the stone age? I feel sad for both of their pain they're facing regardless of their political views. We're all just people, after all.

Thirdly, they're now both "available." Obviously, Tipper's gonna find a new man soon...she is sorta hot. The poor sap who she snares might wanna consider buying several pairs of earplugs...for all I know. BUT, add to the tragedy...Al Gore's back out on the singles scene.

While this will mean that just about any guy with a face will transform into a stud by comparison, it's just tragic to see any fellow man embarrass himself so. Goldbrickers will drool though. The guy's rich.

So, a little sympathy for the devil is called for here. It is a love lost. That's always a heart-breaker in my book. I wouldn't wish a failed marriage on my worst enemy...death maybe...but not a divorce.

This situation also speaks to the breakdown of marriage itself in America today. If two idiots such as these - practically made for each other - can't tough it out, then who the heck can?

Thoughts on Dating and Divorce - Is There Love After Marriage?

2010-06-03T06:14:00.000-07:00

I'm hoping this post can be helpful to both men and women who've been through a divorce and start dating again. If I miss something, or you have something additional you'd like to share, feel free to leave a comment:

Is there love after marriage?

In my travels since my own divorce, I've had the pleasure of meeting and talking with hundreds of fellow divorcees. All of us agree the experience to be similar to suffering a death. Most of us believe our personal situations to be somehow "different" than everyone else's. Half of us are still reeling from the loss - even years later. Some of us are convinced that we'll never date - or fall in love - ever again.

That last group within our demographic are so far off the mark that it's almost unbelievable. Yet, that belief can be powerful.
According to Census.gov, the strongest relationships are those made of two partners who've been through a divorce of their own, and thanks to the lessons learned, are now stronger emotionally, love without reserve, and who truly cherish each other.

So, with less to fear, why aren't some folks re-marrying? It's simple: fear.

Looking back, and fixating on the past, brings nothing good for anyone. Dwelling on the points that brought about that last failure not only keeps a body in emotional turmoil over the errors of both parties, this act also creates a "mind-set" that is neither conducive to a new, budding relationship, it's just not attractive to a potential mate.

We've all seen it. We may have even done it. A dating opportunity arises. The two meet. Numbers are exchanged. Dinner reservations are made. But it's all for not because one, or sometimes both, relates anything and everything their date says, does, or appears to do, with their ex.

The bitterness and resentment shows on your face even if the ex isn't brought up in discussion. This is a form of mental defect commonly known as obsession. Or, maybe it's fixation, I forget.

Either way, not only does it throw a wrench in the works, it's just plain immature. We men are especially guilty of it. We tend to focus on a specific partner instead of focusing on a specific type of sponsor. Read that last sentence again and again until it makes sense to you.

(This scenario can also apply to women, but being a male, I can only share from my perspective.)

Look - The past is gone and immutable. What mistakes were made can't be taken back. Words let loose can't be edited out of a mouth. There is no delete button.

My own issue was difficulty forgiving her and myself. This subject, forgiveness, could easily make an unending series of novels. Forgiveness of flaws, and acceptance of reality are not only two powerful tools to defend yourself psychologically, it's quite attractive.

Letting fear of repeating the same mistakes take you over isn't very sexy either. It's also damned unfair to your prospective new partner. Why hold the actions of one person against someone else? Sure, all men, and all women might share some common traits and predictable behaviors. But that lovely soul across the table from you isn't the one who did you wrong/was done wrong by you.

Focus on this new opportunity right in front of you. Laugh at yourself sometimes. You only get so many opportunities at either in life. Love like you're living on borrowed time because we all are.

Where can a family turn for financial help?

2010-06-02T16:16:00.000-07:00

As much as some divorce scenarios might bring relief to either, or both parties in a marriage-gone-south, there still remains the very real fact that a divorce might also mean a significant loss of income to the remaining family members left behind.

While some resources might cover issues regarding Real property, as in this site's case, most families find themselves struggling with immediate needs like food, utilities, car payments, and the like.

Even when a newly-single parent is able to either work more hours, or get a second job to make ends meet, new problems pop up like childcare, and gas for a commute. Just how can folks find the light at the end of the tunnel?

The good news is, there is good news! All fifty US states offer some sort of financial assistance, in the form of food stamps operated under the USDA, energy assistance programs, and even automobile purchases/repair in some states. Please don't be afraid to ask for the help. It's what we all pay taxes for.

In addition to government funded programs, many communities offer food banks, daycare programs, and other such services. A phone call to the local City Hall can often lead to the programs in the area. Even if city employees might not know of the resources themselves, they usually know what direction to point someone in.

Another powerful resource to turn to, believe it or not, are churches within your community. Some churches might only help members of their congregation, others might only help fellow believers, and still others are comprised of folks who wake up in the morning, praying for the chance to simply do some good in this life. (It's why the author just can't pass up a Salvation Army kettle around the holidays.)

There's another resource struggling families can turn to - others. This isn't a joke. Quite often family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and even understanding fellow divorcees are the source of help with things like babysitting, car-pooling to work, and maybe even cash.

Folks are basically good. Given the chance, they'll surprise a body with their level of care and concern within their hearts. There's no need for a family to suffer just because of a failed marriage.

More Divorce Comedy - Can we get too much?

2010-06-02T09:46:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we al just need to not take ourselves, and our divorce, so seriously.

There seems to be a rash of comedy about failed marriages. That might be since there's a rash of marriages. But nevertheless, they're all around.

It might help if we all weren't so easily hurt...and that we had a peculiar Sottish accent to boot - like this guy:

Dating After Divorce Video - Funny!

2010-06-01T18:37:00.001-07:00

Just be ready for the painful, and funny, truth:

Keep Your Eyes On The Prize: It's Only A Marriage That Ended

2010-05-31T06:31:00.000-07:00

I'll admit it. I probably don't know you. But, you're here. So, the odds are good that you're looking for something to do with handling the pain, loss, and innumerable regrets of a failed marriage.

Those marriages-gone-south can be painful. I know. It took me a few years to get over my divorce. Even with moving on, there are still some bittersweet memories that I want to keep, since they're a part of who I am today.

There was a time when, I was actually considering ending it all, rather than coping with the loss. That was, until I met the grown-up daughter of one girl, whose Dad actually did check out. It was then that I decided to not force that sort of pain on my own kids.

Other folks went even further. In a little town called Saegertown, PA a guy caught his wife having an affair, and murdered them both in cold blood. This was wrong on so many levels.

It hurts to lose someone you love, even if the marriage was miserable, and loveless. Maybe you're glad they're gone but you still have regrets for mistakes, things not said, and the wisdom of silence ignored.

But the past is gone and un-change-able. It's a gift to have been given the lessons learned from mistakes (yours or your former spouse's). It's a self-inflicted curse to stay focused, and dwelling, on that same past.

My own viewpoint on the subject of love and marriage was that, it was all a huge conspiracy of chocolatiers, florists, and gynecologists. Fortunately, a few rare, and good friends, reminded me to just ride the storm out. They taught me to focus not on any one love, but rather, to focus on my own vision of the ideal love.

One part of me didn't want to believe them. But life was so painful that I was desperate to grab any straw. Now, I'm thankful for that desperation since it forced me to try and take their advice.

In these forty years, I'd come to not believe in love, and in one moment I learned I was wrong. Can anyone be happier to have been proven wrong? Maybe, but I doubt it.

Right now, these may just be words to you. I hope the message gets through to you though, someday, and you find peace with the loss. I hope you let your heart heal on it's own. Don't block your own forgiveness.

A lost love can give a person the sense of failure. It's okay to fail sometimes. It's okay to fail because, it's okay to also forgive yourself, and "them." It's permissible to forgive because it's good to survive. At least try to focus on what you do want, and not so much on what you're scared to lose.

Divorce Recovery: Now I'm Inspired Too!

2010-05-28T08:25:00.000-07:00

This next piece I'm sharing with you nearly didn't make it onto my blog. But, even with the "God" references, it's still worth sharing. Some of those folks who contributed to what's now called "the bible" might have been a tad misinformed about reality beyond this life, but that doesn't preclude the wisdom contained in some of their lessons, and their experiences.

The message from the lovely Jill Hamilton, in "Divorce Recovery: A Single Mother Is Inspired," really hit home with me. Face it, she's spot on! Enjoy:

"Divorce Recovery: A Single Mother is Inspired"

A Daughter's Quest Inspires Her Mother on Her Journey Toward Healing
"I'm too big for training wheels now!" my daughter Amy announced on her fifth birthday. All summer she'd been using four wheels to tag behind her older siblings. Now she was ready to ride like the big kids.

She was so excited when I removed the training wheels. She was hoping we could take a family bike ride to the park that afternoon. But she soon realized that learning to ride on two wheels involved more than simply
removing training wheels; she was going to have to work at it.

Day after day Amy called to me, "Mama, come watch me!" As I sat on the front porch step and saw her struggle, my 5-year-old taught me three valuable lessons...Go here for the rest!

At the heart of all quests

2010-05-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

I've come to understand something again today. I'm grateful for it, too.

We humans are almost always searching for something. Sometimes, it seems we're searching for wealth. Other times, it appears to be a desire for adventure. Still, other times, it looks to be that we're looking for "fun."

But, in all cases and at the heart of the matter, we're always searching for love. Bear with me on this please.

Those folks seeking wealth are looking for it since wealth allows for security, a bit of authority and power, and also security. These particular things allow those folks to be more attractive to a mate.

Those looking for adventure are ultimately looking to see what they can and to experience what they can. This enables a body to be sophisticated, worldly, and well-rounded in their knowledge. These things help to make a person truly interesting...and therefore much more attractive to a partner.

Ultimately all things that we search for, if you think it through, are about enabling ourselves to find love, to be loved, or to at least love ourselves.

The ultimate journey for any of us always works out to be able to find that one-in-billions type of soul that's enough like ourselves to be understood and accepted, while remaining different enough to be exciting.

I, myself, have drifted and ran all over my America for 40 years just to find this one special thing called love. I've wanted to give love, receive love, and understand love...just like everyone else. After these quickly ran four decades I've found it.

Sometimes, you just can't help but learn something.

2010-05-23T10:58:00.000-07:00

Hi my dear readers.

After having come all of this way to where I am in this world, and having found her, I'm humbled by all of the gifts I've been given. All that's happened over these past few years seemed painful while happening, in hindsight though, I now see this has all been for preparation for finally finding her.

Were all of my universe only to end up having met her once, I'd go through it all again twice. Living to feel this kind of love seems what I've been meant for all along.

Still...considering all of this, I read one of Her late nephew's free flow poetry works earlier. He had written these during the time while he lived, after learning of his own impending death. Now, I'm not one to normally read the works of another. (Being truly original is difficult enough), but since She asked me to, I read.

One of the pieces I came across is titled: "When Evening Arrives" No mere description of this bit of verse can ever describe it better than the work itself. I can only hope to do it justice here for your enjoyment and enlightenment. Read it, slowly, as many times as necessary in order to take it all in:

When the evening arrives
I should know
what brings happiness

to the faces of the ones
who have taken the incentive
to arrive for excellence.

The finest things in (life*)
are not only meager,
but a position of chance.

In conclusion to the situation,
love is the greatest element
for the ones who hope for a better life.

-Kenneth D Porter 1971 - 1998, but he never really died.

(* originally "live." Believed to be a possible typo, and therefore corrected here for you...but you should know...)

Below this verse, dear readers, is the following text. It's not clear if this is also a part of the piece, or a quote from someone else, or what:

"Life may move on, but sorrow takes it's own path, in it's own time."

I was immediately struck by what seemed to be a message that also presented itself as but a tiny "piece" of the grand scheme of the universe. So, what am I saying, you may ask.

The last line actually takes me back to the front of the piece and discusses how the quest for love, is a quest for life, and the only journey any of us can take. That's what I learned. What did you get out of it?

Well...that was quick!

2010-05-22T15:59:00.000-07:00

The more things change, the more they stay the same, I guess. The original plan was to promote this divorce blog during a walk from Lexington, KY to Louisiana to meet my soul-mate.

But she let me know there wasn't any way she'd let me make such a walk...and so she bought me a ticket right to her town. On my arrival, I may not have reached a tenth of the numbers I hoped to share DivorceSupport.info with, but stepping off the bus I found what I've sought for my whole life-her.

It's my intention to keep this blog up, but not as a "whine-pit." I'm going to aim these pages towards information about recovery from a divorce. Eveyone who's been through that type of hell needs to find this kind of love.

Later taters.

My first update for the journey

2010-05-16T11:40:00.000-07:00

This first week of a new start in life has been packed with planning, charting a course, and determining my itinerary. So far, the trip is going to begin in Lexington, KY. I'll end in the Lake Charles, LA area. I'm starting in Kentucky just because the trip might be impossibly long from Pennsylvania. The mountains of West Virginia alone might kill a mere mortal like I am now.

There are plenty of good, friendly, helpful folk in that part of the south to make the trip survivable. What's really needed is publicity. The more folks that might hear about the trip from Lexington to Louisiana to promote DivorceSupport.info (NOT DAWT COM PLEASE! :D), the more readers we may find. That'll only lead to new questions for/from readers, more of what readers want posted here, and more usefulness for someone's life.

Until the next update friends. Thank you for sharing.

How can a long walk help the blog?

2010-05-08T17:28:00.000-07:00

Hi readers!

I know I've not been able to get much up here recently, but from here on, you'll hear from me at least weekly on a daily journal of a very special promotion to find readers, help folks, and ease pain.

That's what we're all under, those pain/pleasure barriers, borders, and limits. As we succeed in easing pain, all of us advance a tiny bit closer to our own personal Nirvana. A rising tide lifts all boats. So this promotion is really a lot more important to many more folks than just me.

I've been learning a little bit more about the responsibility I bear personally in my own lost marriage. This really helps in moving on. This might help with my soul, but now I need to make good on being the Dad parent I should be, even if it means being apart from the kids.

So...with all that said, earning a million or more regular readers for each update will take care of that end of my family. That money sent to the ex is too important for me to fall behind upon further.

Here's the plan:

I'm making my way from the town of Meadville, PA to The Lake Charles, LA area, by hook or by crook. On the way, I'll personally introduce new readers to the url DivorceSupport.info. As they varied-ly share with others too, we'll hopefully reach others.

The complete journey takes me from an old habitual lifestyle into an "aware" state of operation...and to a real chance at love(...LOVE? For ME?!?! Yeehaw!) So there's that too. heh. She's a great chick. We've been friends communicating and laughing together for over a year.

This time, I'm not walking in blind. I like what I see in so many ways! I'll see you all in a week if all goes well.

Thanks so much!!

2010-04-21T18:07:00.000-07:00

You folks who read this are the ones keeping this blog going.

Sharing us is one of the greatest kindnesses you could bestow upon us. I'm only hopingthat something here makes a burden lighter.

You're all welcome to share questions. You're all welcome to share answers if your information is good. Thank you.

Divorce Custody Questions Answered at the Divorce Room.

2010-04-17T20:14:00.000-07:00

It's an old adage within judge's chambers' around the US that: "Any right not expressed does not exist." That means, any parent uneducated as to their rights/responsibilities in a custody fight, may find themselves at a loss in a big way.

A new fav discovery on the web about a lovely centralize location for each state's information in regards to different divorce laws is called the divorce room. Now, valuable knowledge is no longer monopolized by the "legal community."

This site can never replace professional counsel, nor do they intend to try. The biggest benefit for readers is learning a few good questions to ask for themselves.

They begin with:

Divorce custody refers to the issue of with whom the child lives with after the divorce. A divorce is extremely emotionally draining and to add insult to injury, there is the issue of who can get to keep their beloved child. After all, divorcing parents may find each other incompatible but their love for their child remains undisputed! Therefore, both the parents begin to wage custody battle for their child.

Why divorce custody laws at all?

Divorce custody laws in USA are the factors that decide which parent gets the custody of the child. These laws address the issues concerning financial arrangements for the child’s growing needs in the form of child support. Thus, child custody laws ensure that there is no injustice to either of the parent and the one who can address the best interests of the child gets the custody.

In this column, issues related to child custody concerning the father, child custody agreements, explanation of child custody evaluations, custody mediations, child support, visitation rights and even non-parent custody rights (such as grandparents’ rights) etc are addressed. Apart from these, child custody laws of different states of USA have been elaborated...go here for the rest.

"Maintenance of my blog hasn’t been up to snuff" from Don

2010-04-16T13:24:00.000-07:00

Readers, friends, and noobs: I’m so glad to see you! My sole purpose on this blog is to bring some bit of news, information, ideas, and/or a laugh somewhere. Having learned of the pain of losing your world personally myself with nowhere to turn hurt. All friendships, alliances, and family were associated to the ex.

Resources for Divorced-American folk skimp on the hard questions as well. This is a direction I’m hoping you’ll help me take this blog. You get to do that with comments, questions, and such via the comments boxes. If you’re real good you might even end up a contributor…paid for volume of readership/subscribers. Who knows?

Some drastic promotion is coming soon to bring readers and visitors by shortly. Our sponsors have been good enough to insure a successful business model when and if that occurs. Future sponsors might even help in other ways. The journey will be logged whenever and wherever it goes. That’s all about it…for now.

Anyhoo…send your questions, comments, suggestions, and lewd come ons via the comment section within each posting on our blog. Your opinion is quite valuable.

Without money, this has merely been impossible. Without readers it would be totally pointless. Share us. Thank you.

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On Losing a Custody Case by Seahawk on AC!

2010-03-31T14:24:00.000-07:00

Nearly a couple of years back, someone's heart was getting ripped from a soul's chest. They lost a custody hearing...yet...they survived.

The lesson learned was a source of inspiration for a handy guide/list of suggestions for other divorcees. Nowadays I just hope you folks find the work helpful if you're in need:
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Great Tips and Advice to Handle Losing a Child Custody Case by Seahawk on Associatedcontent.com

Battling the courts over who gets custody of your children can be a gut-checking experience. If you happen to lose the case you may be experiencing a devastating effect. Losing a small child can be especially difficult situation to cope with. Losing a child custody case can be easier to deal with if you follow some of these simple tips.

Take some time to sit back and calmly reflect on the losing the custody case. The last thing you want to do is react emotionally to something that may further jeopardize your future with your children. It's not uncommon for the courts to have been presented with false information about the custody case...go here for the rest!

So it's time to just come right out and ask:

2010-03-31T14:00:00.000-07:00

Hi Reader! I'm so happy you've stopped by! Without money, this has merely been impossible. Without you, it's all pointless.

The purpose of this blog is to offer any sort of information that might help our fellow divorcees. There might be times you and need information that those in the know won't give away for free. Sometimes it's a custody issue. Sometimes it's just a laugh we need.

So I need your support to give support to any other. Subscribe to us for free! While you're at it, please also share us and/or forward to others suffering their own divorce. At the very least tel someone hurting about DivorceSupport.INFO! It's more of a miracle than you may be currently aware.

Thank you.

Who's better to ask than my readers? (The best folks around)

2010-03-22T09:10:00.000-07:00

Having gone through my own divorce I understand folks who come across this blog are folks in personal pain of their own. So, I try to bring others the occasional resource, lead to a name of a helpful author, or something to laugh about.

In return, all I'll ever hope for is a list of readers who might ever use or share something they like. So...could/would you do that for me right now please?

Somewhere out there, are at least ten million divorcees at one point in their recovery or another...but we're all still divorcees just the same. Life can be good, even if it is topsy turvy right now.

No matter who you might be, I'm asking you, as a reader, to share me with your favorite social networking sites that you like to use. The goal is to reach at least one million divorcees in any one given month. This could really be done overnight since our content is 100% free (thanks to sponsors.)

I just can't do it alone. I need your help. Please help by sharing us.