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August 28, 2009

Four For Friday

Image via Wikipedia

Q1 - Wikipedia: It appears Wikipedia's positioning as the Internet's encyclopedia may be in need of some editing of its own. Media reports quote a spokesperson for the Wikimedia Foundation, which manages the uber-site, as saying that the English-language version of Wikipedia.org will soon start experimenting with designated editors to check for errors, vandalism and opinions sneaking their way into entries involving public figures still living. Have you ever created or edited a Wikipedia entry?

Q2 - Hypnosis : Experts estimate over 10 million Americans suffer from disabling chronic pain, and there is considerable scientific evidence that practicing self-hypnosis under the guidance of a certified hypnosis professional can quickly help improve the quality of life for these people. According to Michael Ellner, an internationally prominent self-hypnosis educator and co-author of three books on self-empowerment, the recent spate of bad news about possible adverse effects of popular analgesics and concerns about abuse, overdose, and addiction to controlled pain killers are compelling reasons to consider effective complementary and alternative approaches like self-hypnosis. Have you ever been hypnotized? If not, would you consider hypnosis to treat chronic pain?

Q3 - Death of a Kennedy: Two prominent members of the Kennedy family passed away this month. Which do you feel had a greater impact on society... Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy (born February 22, 1932 - died August 25, 2009) -- a United States Senator and a member of the Democratic Party; or his sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver (born July 10, 1921 - died August 11, 2009) -- founder of the Special Olympics and founder of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)?

Q4 - Era: If you could choose any era other than the one in which you currently live, what era would you live in? (Think ancient Rome, the middle ages, Gupta Empire, Ottoman Empire, industrial revolution, etc.)

Posted by Mikal at 2:48 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack

August 21, 2009

Four For Friday

Image via Wikipedia

Q1 - Food: A friend of mine insists certain foods are exclusively "outdoor" foods, while others are exclusively "indoor" foods. For example, he says pizza is an indoor food, and hot dogs are meant to be eaten exclusively outdoors. Do you agree, and if so, what would classify as indoor or outdoor foods?

Q2 - Wasteful: The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) -- an educational assistance organization with 40 private, historically black, member colleges and universities -- coined the phrase "A mind is a terrible thing to waste" back in the early-1970's (actually, it was Forest Long, an advertising executive with Young and Rubicam, who developed the tagline for UNCF). Aside from money, water, gas, electricity, hot dogs, and pizza, what else do you feel is a terrible thing to waste?

Q3 - Research: According to research conducted by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, nearly 70% of all American adults have used the Internet to get help with personal economic issues related to the recession and to gather information about the origins and solutions to national economic problems. Those hard hit by the recession are among the most avid and wide-ranging Internet users searching for advice and understanding. Some 52% of American adults have either lost their jobs, seen their investments fall by more than half their value, suffered a pay cut, watched their house lose half its value, or lost their job outright during the downturn in the past year. How about you... have you recently gone online to search out information specifically related to an impact brought on by the recession?

Q4 - Performance: Fifty-one percent of likely voters now say they disapprove of the President's job performance, according to the latest Zogby Poll. How would you rate the President's job performance: Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor?

Posted by Mikal at 11:08 PM | Comments (9) | TrackBack

August 17, 2009

Just received an email message from my Mother (subject: "Look at Me") containing the following image:

The 74-year-old on the back of the bike... that's my Mom... the same woman who gave birth to me and has always insisted that I NEVER drive or ride on a the back of a motorcycle! What's next, yogurt? (Inside joke: My Mother has never tasted yogurt, ever!)

August 14, 2009

Image via Wikipedia

Q2 - Location: What's most important to you when choosing where to live: Proximity to family, good paying jobs, affordable homes and apartments, top-notch schools, low crime, fun things to do, access to the arts, something else?

Q3 - Storage: What if anything is stored under your bed?

Q4 - Taxes: As Americans have continued to eat more and exercise less, health and fitness experts have focused their efforts on inspiring healthful change one individual at a time. Unfortunately, this approach has not improved the nation's obesity crisis, nor has it increased adherence to healthful eating habits and regular physical activity programs. With steps ranging from a trans fat ban in California restaurants to mandatory nutrition labeling in New York, regulators are changing federal and state policies to improve the health of the nation. Do you think its okay to impose higher taxes on calorie-dense and nutrient-poor foods, which some experts say might lower consumption of unhealthy foods and generate revenue to subsidize programs that promote better choices?

August 7, 2009

Q2 - Pamper: What do you do to pamper yourself when you're tired, stressed, and worn out? How about when you're feeling on top of the world for having accomplished something you worked really hard to achieve?

Q3 - Deal: What's the best buy or deal -- the biggest bang for the buck -- you recall ever receiving?

Q4 - Trade: The Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), colloquially known as "Cash for Clunkers," has helped an estimated 250,000 Americans receive a $3,500 or $4,500 voucher toward to the purchase of a new, more fuel efficient vehicle when trading in a less fuel efficient vehicle. Eligibility requirements for vouchers include that your 'clunker' be less than 25-years-old, receive 18 or fewer miles per gallon, be registered and insured continuously for the full year preceding the trade-in, and be in drivable condition. Based on those criteria, do you have a vehicle that qualifies for Cash for Clunkers?