4th of July

If anyone is doing anything fun and exciting for the 4th, please think about blogging about your holiday here!

Hypnosis 101

Going to the hypnosis class tonight. More to come!

Learned a couple things tonight about weight loss and hypnosis. Made pretty good sense.

I think most of us are aware that if we can change our subconscience, we can change some of our old thinking patterns. Instead of saying, "I don't want to be fat," it makes more sense to say, "I want to be thin." The reason is because the picture our brain sees is what we describe: fat vs. thin. It takes a lot of repetition to reprogram those messages we have been saying to ourselves over and over.

It's really not possible to make someone do something against their will when hypnotized. I would describe being hypnotized as being very relaxed and calm. When you are in a hypnotic state, your subconscience absorbs the new messages much faster than in our more alert states.

You know, we've all been in that state before: haven't you been so engrossed in a television program that we didn't see or hear what was going on around us? No wonder why companies pay so much for advertising. Or we drove somewhere but when we get there, we don't recall exactly how we got there?

Anyway, the best lesson I learned is if we all learned to eat like a naturally thin person, we could eat whenever we were hungry and lose weight. Too many of us have quit listening to our body's signals. Using a scale from one to ten, with one being famished, five being satisfied, and 10 being Thanksgiving day stuffed, figure out where you're at right now. If you eat when you're at three and quit when you're at five, you will lose weight. The problem I have, is I wait until I'm starving and eat until I'm at seven or eight. Or I eat when I'm not even hungry but stressed. Along with all that, I've messed up my metabolism and am inactive.

Another lesson I learned is that you should eat things you like and that energize you. If you feel tired after eating something, you are probably eating the wrong food. Choose food before you eat it. If you know it'll leave you feeling lethargic, choose something else. One hundred years ago, there weren't so many overweight people. Ask yourself whether the food was around 100 years ago... if it wasn't, don't ingest it.

I am going to work on my self-image as well as my stress management. This along with my new knowledge about eating will hopefully allow me to be successful without dieting.

Care to share?

I have sent a couple people invitations asking if they'd be interested in becoming contributors to this blog. Contributors have full access to posting compared to other users who can only post comments. If this sounds like something you'd like to do, please let me know and I will add you to the list.

Weight loss

I am attending a class tonight: Weight Loss through Hypnosis offered through Portland Community College's community education. I am an emotional eater and in the past few years, my life has been pretty high-stress. I guess the real answer is to address the root cause of my stress and the problem will be solved but I have been in lots of therapy and I still want ice cream when I leave work after a day of double-booked meetings, not to mention other stressors lurking at home!

Anyway, wish me luck. I will let you know if this method is worth pursuing for yourself; stay tuned!

Update: Wouldn't you know it... the instructor didn't show! We'll see if the class is re-scheduled. I was so disappointed I had to stop at Dairy Queen on the way home! Crud...

Update: The class has been re-scheduled to begin next Tuesday. I will let you know how it goes.

My Favorite Links

"My Favorite Links" is growing. In this post is a review of each one. I realize they are chick-centric so guys, please comment with your fav's and I may add them to my list.

Also, if you've created your own blog and would like to share, let us know.

Denise's WallWords - A website I created for an interior decorating product that I sell. Check out the site for some really creative decorating ideas and let me know if you'd like to place an order.

MoveOn - A political action group I belong to. If you consider yourself a conservative, you probably won't appreciate the point of view expressed here but you may wish to visit anyway to become a well-informed citizen.

Brighton - This is my favorite! I love Brighton's fashion accessories and shoes. The pieces feature fine leather and high quality silver findings.

Dogster - For my fellow dog lovers, you will like this site. Click these links to see pictures of my dogs, Chloe and CoCo. For all cat lovers, there is also a link to Catster on the site.

Best of the Web - The site that bestows websites with awards for, well, the best of the web. Categories include, arts, fashion, music, humor, health, science, sports, travel... something for everyone.

Dreamies - A very interesting artistic website. The artist creates poignant statements by incorporating film clips with music related to current events and popular culture.

Beliefnet - This is a very cool religious website. If you want to learn about other faiths in an unbiased environment, this is the spot. You can take quizzes, subscribe to newsletters, or join online discussions and prayer circles.

Century in Shoes - Cool site which creatively displays the history of shoes in the past century. If you're a shoe-nut like I am, you will really enjoy.

Tolerance.org - A site dedicated to people who are creating communities that value diversity and acceptance.

GiftCertificates.com - Have someone impossible to buy for on your gift list? Last minute shopper? Or just plain hate going to the mall? Then this is the solution for you! You select the denomination and send via e-mail. The recipient chooses which store the gift card comes from. Brilliant!

Intel - The website for the company I work for. More than just a corporate value, it really is a great place to work. I've been with Intel for six years now. After one more year, I get a paid two month sabbitical in addition to my three weeks of vacation! Yippee! I cannot wait.

Spyware - is your computer vulnerable?

Does your computer seem slower than it used to be?

Are you constantly inundated with pop-up ads even though you have a pop-up blocker?

Does your browser's home page change for no reason?

If so, you may have been infected with spyware! These non-consentual downloads may be collecting your personal information and are more annoying than anything.

What to do about it? You can try to delete the spyware yourself but the writers of these malicious little programs are very ingenious (if only they'd focus their efforts on something positive) and it probably won't work.

The first thing you could do is visit the Microsoft website and download the beta version of their antispyware software. This is the best anti-spyware program I've used so far.

If you want to change your security settings, select Tools > Internet Options and change settings on the Security, and Privacy settings increase your security level. Also, occasionally delete your cookies and files including offline content.

Another idea is to switch to a different web browser. Visit the Mozilla website to download the Firefox browser. I know this won't work for all of you who, like me, are being forced to use the Microsoft product at work but I have loaded it to my home PC.

I know I'm not an expert, but these solutions have worked for me so far. I guess the best solution of all would be to avoid risky websites that are the source of this spyware but I just don't know how to tell the difference.

Happy Father's Day!

We're having a barbecue at my parents' house for Father's Day.

What are your Father's Day traditions? Do you have any stories you'd like to share about your dad?

Here's a trivia question for you: my mom has never called my dad by his given name. Does anyone know it what his real name is?

Is hell exothermic or endothermic?

Don't let the scientific jargon put you off... this is much to funny not to pass along! ~dc

To all you cerebral types out there…

The following is supposedly an actual question given on a University of Washington chemistry mid-term. The answer by one student was so "profound" that the professor shared it with colleagues, via the internet, which is, of course, why we now have the pleasure of enjoying it as well.

Bonus Question: Is Hell exothermic (gives off heat) or endothermic (absorbs heat)?

Most of the students wrote proofs of their beliefs using Boyle's Law (gas cools when it expands and heats when it is compressed) or some variant.

One student, however, wrote the following:

First, we need to know how the mass of Hell is changing in time. So we need to know the rate at which souls are moving into Hell and the rate at which they are leaving. I think that we can safely assume that once a soul gets to Hell, it will not leave. Therefore, no souls are leaving.

As for how many souls are entering Hell, let's look at the different Religions that exist in the world today. Most of these religions state that if you are not a member of their religion, you will go to Hell.

Since there is more than one of these religions and since people do not belong to more than one religion, we can project that all souls go to Hell.

With birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the number of souls in Hell to increase exponentially.

Now, we look at the rate of change of the volume in Hell because Boyle's Law states that in order for the temperature and pressure in Hell to stay the same, the volume of Hell has to expand proportionately as souls are added.

This gives two possibilities:

1. If Hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls enter Hell, then the temperature and pressure in Hell will increase until all Hell breaks loose.

2. If Hell is expanding at a rate faster than the increase of souls in Hell, then the temperature and pressure will drop until Hell freezes over.

So which is it?

If we accept the postulate given to me by Heidi during my Freshman year that, "it will be a cold day in Hell before I sleep with you", and take into account the fact that I slept with her last night, then number 2 must be true, and thus I am sure that Hell is exothermic and has already frozen over.

The corollary of this theory is that since Hell has frozen over, it follows that it is not accepting any more souls and is therefore, extinct… leaving only Heaven thereby proving the existence of a divine being which explains why, last night, Heidi kept shouting "Oh, my God."

THIS STUDENT RECEIVED THE ONLY "A"

Comments anyone?

Well, I know I've had some visitors here... well, at least one... Steve said he liked my blog. But he didn't leave any comments. :( I guess I'll just have to keep watching and see if this thing takes off or not.

What the hell's a blog?

A blog's like an online journal or message board. It's public but much easier to keep updated than maintaining a website. And it's interactive; nearly anyone can post photos, comments, and announcements.

This is a great way to keep in touch without spending a lot of time and effort. I hope you add to the dialog. If you decide to create your own blogsite (it's free), let me know and I'll include a link.

In touch

We may not even realize from day to day how much things change until we attend a family reunion and see one of the “little kids” with kids of their own.

Time seemed to move at a different pace when I was younger. Forty seemed so old. Now that I have reached this momentous milestone, I have an even harder time believing I have 18 year old daughter!

Kids, church, jobs, school keep us all so busy it’s hard to keep in touch. How to solve the dilemma? Technology, of course! Sounds funny because a weblog isn’t really cutting edge but as long as I have the tools to make it work, I might as well give it a go.

Weekend get together
Many of us met this past weekend at David and Jo Ann’s beautiful home in Renton, Washington. It was a wonderful time to get reacquainted with loved ones. Siblings in attendance included David, Betty, Gerry, Dorothy, Lois, Byron, and Mike. First cousins: Mark, Mike, Lyn, Randy, Janelle, Denise Sherry, Zeke, Sarah, Dane, as well as many second cousins and spouses.

Oh, my gosh! The biggest newsworthy announcement from the weekend event came from Janelle and Adam who are expecting their first baby around Christmastime!

Join the great Goulet cook-off!
Some of my fondest memories are being greeted by the sweet smell of sticky cinnamon rolls, rosettes, and iced molasses cookies at Gramma’s and helping my mom (Gerry) make lefse at holiday time.

Potato Lefse
3 cups leftover mashed potatoes (or instant potatoes. I want to use garlic mashed next time!)
1 large tablespoon butter
1 cup flour
Small amount of cream
Dash or two of salt

Mix above ingredients and chill dough. On floured surface, roll out dough into tortilla-like circles. Heat a griddle to about 400˚ F. Cook both sides on the griddle until brown spots appear. Butter and eat warm or cool between dish towels.

If the spots on your lefse resemble Elvis or the Virgin Mary, please contact Gerry for directions on HOW TO SELL ON EBAY!

Post your favorite family recipes. If we get enough participation, perhaps we’ll be able to compile all into a cookbook. Pass the SPUDDAADDAS, please!

What happens in Vegas…
Some of us expressed interest in coordinating a trip to Las Vegas. Sounds like fun to those of us who inherited the Goulet Gambling Gene! Let me know if you’d like to know more; maybe we can get some special group-rate discounts.

Future topics
If you have any news items you would like to announce, feel free to post them here or send me a note. Do you have a special hobby or collection you’d like to share with everyone? This would be a great place to publicize your passion. Include any digital photos you’d like to share too. Don't forget to include news of births, weddings, graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, etc. as well as stories about vacations and trips you’ve taken.

Links
If you have a personal website you would like to publicize to family members, please post the link here.

Here’s a link to my website. Let me know if you’re interested in placing an order.