On New Year Resolutions...

On Setting New Year Resolutions:

What you SHOULD or COULD do with your life, does not matter.
The only thing that matters, from this day forward, is what you MUST do:
Love.

New Poetry Addition...

*I'm The Lucky One...
By: Michael A. Cordova

I'm the lucky one, always having fun,
a Jack of all trades, a master of none.
I look at the world with a smiling eye,
and laugh at the devil as his train rolls by.
Just give me a song from a one man band,
and you'll be looking at a happy man,
'cause I'm the lucky one.

Where I'm blessed, I guess,
by never knowing which road I'm choosing.
To me, the next best thing to playing and winning,
is playing and losing.
Not a care in the world,
not a worry in sight.
Everything's gonna be alright,
'cause I'm the lucky one.

(Inspired by Alison Krauss)

Santa Claus is Dead...

A Scientific Inquiry into Santa Claus

1) No known species of reindeer can fly. BUT there are 300,000 species of
living organisms yet to be classified, and while most of these are insects
and germs, this does not COMPLETELY rule out flying reindeer which only
Santa has ever seen.

2) There are 2 billion children (persons under 18) in the world. BUT since
Santa doesn't (appear) to handle the Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, & Buddhist children,
that reduces the workload to 15% of the total - 378 million according to
Population Reference Bureau. At an average (census) rate of 3.5 children
per household, that's 91.8 million homes. One presumes there's at least
one good child in each.

3) Santa has 31 hours of Christmas to work with. This is due to the different
time zones and the rotation of the earth, assuming he travels east to west
(which seems logical). This works out to 822.6 visits/second. This is to
say that for each Christian household with good children, Santa has .001
second to park, hop out of the sleigh, jump down the chimney, get back into
the sleigh and move on to the next house. Assuming that each of these 91.8
million stops are evenly distributed around the earth (which, of course,
we know to be false but for the purposes of our calculations we will accept),
we are now talking about .78 miles/household, a total trip of 75.5 million
miles; not counting stops to do what most of us must do at least once every
31 hours, plus feeding & etc. So Santa's sleigh must be moving at 650 miles/second,
3,000 times the speed of sound. For purposes of comparison, the fastest
man-made vehicle on earth, the Ulysses space probe, moves at a poky 27.4
miles/second. A conventional reindeer can run, tops, 15 miles/hour.

4) The payload on the sleigh adds another interesting element. Assuming
that each child gets nothing more than a medium-sized lego set (2 lb.),
the sleigh is carrying 321,300 tons, not counting Santa, who is invariably
described as overweight. On land, conventional reindeer can pull no more
than 300 lb. Even granting that "flying reindeer" (see #1) could
pull 10 TIMES the normal amount, we cannot do the job with 8, or even 9
reindeer. We need 214,200. This increases the payload - not counting the
weight of the sleigh - to 353,430 tons. This is four times the weight of
the ocean-liner Queen Elizabeth.

5) 353,000 tons traveling at 650 miles/second creates enormous air resistance.
This will heat up the reindeer up in the same fashion as a spacecraft reentering
the earth's atmosphere. The lead pair of reindeer will absorb 14.3 QUINTILLION
joules of energy. Per second. Each. In short, they will burst into flame
almost instantaneously, exposing the reindeer behind them, and create deafening
sonic booms in their wake. The entire reindeer team will be vaporized within
.00426 of a second. Meanwhile, Santa will be subjected to centrifugal forces
17,500.06 times greater than gravity. A 250-lb Santa (seems ludicrously
slim) would be pinned to the back of his sleigh by 4,315,015 lb. of force.

In Conclusion:
If Santa ever DID deliver presents on Christmas Eve, he's dead now.

YUMMM

Michael's Holiday Fruitcake Recipe

1 Cup Water,
1 Cup Sugar
4 Large Eggs
3 Cups Dried Fruit (your choice)
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Salt
1 Cup Brown Sugar
Lemon Juice
Nuts (your choice)
1 FULL bottle of your favorite Whiskey


*Sample the whiskey to check for quality.
*Take out a large bowl.
*Check the whiskey again to be certain
that it is of the HIGHEST QUALITY
*Pour 1 level cup and drink.
*Repeat last step.

*Turn on the Electric Mixer; beat 1 cup
of butter in a large fluffy bowl.
*Add 1 tsp. sugar and beat again.
*Make sure the whiskey is still OK.
*Cry another cup.
*Turn off the Mixer

*Break two geggs and add to the bowl.
*Chuck in the cup of dried fruit.
*Mix on the burner.
*If the fruit gets stuck in the beaties,
pry it loose with a screwdriver.
*Sample the whiky to check for toxisisticity.

*Next, Sift 2 cups of Salt.
Or something, who cares?
*Check the wishky.
*Now sift the Lemon Juice and strain the nuts.
*Add 1 TBSP of sugar or something...
Whatever you can find.

*Grease the oven.
*Turn on the cake tin to 350 degrees.
*Don't forget to beat off the turner.
*Throw the bowl out of the window.
*Check the wikky again.
*Go to bed!

Food For Thought...

Do Unto Others
The Golden Rule

All over the world, there exists a simple precept that, when followed, has the power to end conflict and banish strife. It is the Golden Rule, a key concept in many philosophies and spiritualities that admonishes us to “do unto others as we would have them do unto us.” Its meaning is clear: treat others only in ways that you would want to be treated. However, the golden rule is not always easy to follow. It can be a challenge to honor others as we wish to be honored. Yet, when we do so, we bestow a gift of loving kindness on our fellow human beings. And, in honoring others, we honor ourselves.

It is as uncomplicated a tenet as one could wish for. When we live by it, harming another person becomes nearly impossible. The Golden Rule is rooted in pure empathy and does not compel us to perform any specific act. Rather, it gently guides us to never let our actions toward others be out of harmony with our own desires. The Golden Rule asks us to be aware of the effect our words and actions may have on another person and to imagine ourselves in their place. It calls on us to ask ourselves how we would feel if what we were about to do were directed toward us. And yet this rule invites us to do more than not harm others. It suggests that we look for opportunities to behave toward others in the same ways that we would want others to act toward us. Showing compassion, being considerate of others, caring for the less fortunate, and giving generously are what can result when you follow the Golden Rule.

Adhering to the Golden Rule whenever possible can have a positive effect on the world around you because kindness begets kindness. In doing so, you generate a flow of positive energy that enfolds everyone you encounter in peace, goodwill, and harmony.

One For My Baby...

Put Your iTunes on Shuffle.
1. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
2. You must write down the name of the song no matter how silly it sounds!
3. Put any comments in brackets after the song name.
4. Tag at least 10 friends.
5. Anyone tagged has to do the same, because pointlessness fun spreads like a virus.


If someone says, "Is this okay?" You say?
Everybody's Free To Feel Good - Rozalla

How would you describe yourself?
Could You Be Loved (and be loved)? - Bob Marley

What do you like in a guy/girl?
Good Vibrations - Beach Boys

How do you feel today?
Live Like You Were Dying - Tim McGraw

What is your life's purpose?
Underneath Your Clothes - Shakira

What is your motto?
Love Can Move Mountains - Celine Dion

What do your friends think of you?
How Sweet It Is (To be loved by you) - Marvin Gaye

What do you think of your parents?
You Can't Escape My Love - Enrique Iglesias

What do you think about very often?
Do You Believe in Magic - The Lovin' Spoonful

What is 1+1?
I Believe in You and Me - Whitney Houston

What do you think of your best friend?
Amazing - George Michael

What do you think of the person you like?
Can't Fight The Moonlight - LeAnn Rimes

What is your life story?
When you Believe - Mariah and Whitney

What do you want to be when you grow up?
It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference - Alison Krauss

What do you think of when you see the person you like?
Fade Into you - Mazzy Star

What will you dance to at your wedding?
They Can't Take That Away From Me - Ella Fitzgerald

What will they play at your funeral?
If I Could Change The World - Eric Clapton

What is your hobby/interest?
Getting Some Fun Out Of Life - Madeleine Peyroux

What is your biggest fear?
Black Coffee - Peggy Lee

What is your biggest secret?
Womanizer - Britney Spears

What do you think of your friends?
I Can't Live Without You - Mariah Carey

What’s the worst thing that could happen?
What You Waiting For - Gwen Stefani

What is one thing you regret?
Carwash - Rose Royce

What makes you laugh?
Just The Two of Us - Grover Washington

What makes you cry?
Chain of Fools - Aretha Franklin

Will you ever get married?
Smoke Get's In Your Eyes - Peggy Lee

What scares you the most?
Please Remember Me - Tim McGraw

Does anyone like you?
Together Again - Janet Jackson

If you could go back in time, what would you change?
A Song for You - The Carpenters

What hurts right now?
Mama Said There'll Be Days Like This - The Shirelles

What will you post this as?
One For My Baby - Blue Eyes

HAHAHA

A Christmas Story for people having a bad day:

When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the Pre-Christmas pressure.

Then Mrs. Claus told Santa her Mother was coming to visit, which Stressed Santa even more.

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out, Heaven knows where.

Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.

Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drank all the cider and hidden the liquor. In his frustration, he Accidentally dropped the cider jug, and it broke into hundreds of little glass Pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.

Just then the doorbell rang, and irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.

The angel said very cheerfully, 'Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?'


And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas Tree.

Dear Abby...

Dear Abby,

I have never written asking for your help before, but I really need your advice. I have suspected for some time now that my wife has been cheating on me. The usual signs: phone rings but if I answer, the caller hangs up.

My wife has been going out with the girls a lot recently and when I ask their names, she always says, just some friends from work and you don't know them. I have tried to stay awake and look out for her when she comes home, but I usually fall asleep.

Anyway, I have never broached the subject with my wife. I think deep down I just did not want to know the truth, but last night she went out again and I decided to finally check on her.

Around midnight, I hid in the garage behind my golf clubs so I could get a good view of the whole street when she arrived home from a night out with 'the girls. When she got out of the car she was buttoning up her blouse, which was open, and she took her panties out of her purse and slipped them on.

It was at that moment, crouching behind my golf clubs, that I noticed a hairline crack where the grip meets the graphite shaft on my 3-wood. Is this something I can fix myself or should I take it back to the pro-shop where I bought it?

A Concerned Golfer

Holiday Cheer

Welcome to the 2008 Christmas Edition of ‘Getting to Know Your Friends! Highlight, copy, and paste in a new e-mail and change my answers to your answers. Be sure to send back to me. Enjoy!

Everyone has time for a few moments of fun! Don't be a scrooge!!!

1.Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
~I'd have to go with Hot chocolate on this one. I had some terrifying experiences with Egg Nog when I was young and I've associated too much pain and misfortune with Egg Nog. Maybe 1 glass a year, but THAT'S IT!!!

2.Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
~Santa is not allowed to wrap gifts anymore. I know who's gonna take credit for the wrapping this year. A lot of my gifts that claim to be from Santa are very poorly wrapped. So, This year, it's gonna be ME wrapping gifts!!! :)

3.Colored or white lights on tree and house?
~I would prefer Clear white lights on either or. It just looks cleaner and a tad bit classier. But it really depends on my mood. I can like multi-color lights if they're done well. :)

4.Do you hang mistletoe?
~I've never had the opportunity to kiss someone while under the mistletoe. I've never even had mistletoe to hang. What's Mistletoe anyway??? lol

5.When do you put your decorations up?
~I put them up as soon as time allows. I aim for the weekend after Thanksgiving, but this year things were a little hectic and the decorations will have to wait for a little later.

6.What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
~Excluding Dessert??? How can you say that? I guess I will have to say it's the Cheese Board by far. Give me some Stinky Cheese and some Wine and we can party all night long!!! :) Mmmm, Cheeze...

7.Favorite Christmas cookie?
~Well last year I made 13 different types of cookies that I LOVED EQUALLY for different reasons. :) But, I've gotta say that my favorite cookie of the holiday season is not really a cookie as much as it is a bar. It's the Blond Brownie. If you've never had one, you're missing out on one of the most incredible treats of the season. I'll be making them pretty soon. ;)

8.Favorite Christmas memory as a child?
~Receiving my Extra Large Plush Grey Elephant and naming him Harry Elefante. What a wonderful time in my life. :)

9.When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
~The Truth? What Truth? I just saw him yesterday and he seemed fine. :) Actually, I don't really know when. I think it must have been pretty early. I was a child that used logic for everything, and I don't think the whole Santa thing ever really made too much sense for me to believe in it completely! :)

10.Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
~I am patient. I don't need to open gifts early. I can Wait!!! :)

11.How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
~I Decorate it with LOVE, and the knowing that it will soon tower above many gifts with tags that say "To: Mike" :)

12.Snow! Love it or dread it?
~Oh, I Love the Snow. I just can't handle the cold. It's nice to be in sometimes, but I couldn't live in Chicago, or Alaska, or Siberia. TOO COLD FOR ME!

13.Can you ice skate?
~I can Rollerblade, and as far as I've heard, they're very similar. I think I'd be good at it. If not, it would take a few times practicing and I'd be going for the gold at the Olympics in 2010. :)

14.Do you remember your favorite gift?
~Harry Elefante

15.Do you have a favorite ornament?
~Something that is unique and has sentimental value. No favorites as of now.

16.What's the most important thing about Christmas for you?
~Sharing my Joyous Spirit, and loving the people that choose to have me in their life, and appreciating the fact that they can be in mine.

17.What is your favorite Christmas dessert?
~I thought we went over this? oh well. It's either Blond Brownies, or Pumpkin Cake roll, or Rum Cake, or Fruit Cocktail Cake, or Pumpkin Pie, or Fudge, or... or... lol

18.What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
~It's a fairly new tradition within the last 4 years, but, going to Winterpark to cut down a fresh Christmas Tree. It's one of the most exciting thing of the season. A little cold and snowy, but that makes it all BETTER!!! So much fun... LOVE IT!!!

19.What tops your tree?
The Tree-topper. It tends to be something different every year. Creativity is abundant in my decorating techniques.

20.Which do you prefer: giving gifts; or Receiving gifts?
~I LOVE giving gifts and seeing people's faces light up with joy and happiness and smiles. I put a lot of time and effort into researching and finding/making the perfect gifts for people, and the response is more than enough "Thanks" for me. :) It's nice to receive gifts as well. I'd much rather receive a heartfelt letter or something hand/home-made, than a gift-card to a store, or money.

21.What is your favorite Christmas song?
~The Christmas Song - Vince Guaraldi or Nat King cole :)

22.What is your least favorite Christmas song?
~Deck the Halls - Mannheim Steamroller

23.How soon in the season will you start listening to Christmas songs?
~Usually around Thanksgiving. :)

24.Favorite Christmas cartoon?
~Mickey Mouse and Pluto putting up the Christmas tree and running into Chip and Dale. :)

25.Favorite Christmas movie?
~White Christmas

26.Candy Canes - Yum or Yuck?
Yum. But only for a few of them for the season. Any more and I'd have to see the dentist in January! :)


Happy Holidays Everyone!!! :)

Reflections and Mirrors

Reflections of Self

We Are All Mirrors for Each Other

When we look at other people, we see many of their qualities in innumerable and seemingly random combinations. However, the qualities that we see in the people around us are directly related to the traits that exist in us. "Like attracts like" is one of the spiritual laws of the universe. We attract individuals into our lives that mirror who we are. Those you feel drawn to reflect your inner self back at you, and you act as a mirror for them. Simply put, when you look at others, you will likely see what exists in you. When you see beauty, divinity, sweetness, or light in the soul of another, you are seeing the goodness that resides in your soul. When you see traits in others that evoke feelings of anger, annoyance, or hatred, you may be seeing reflected back at you those parts of yourself that you have disowned or do not like.

Because we are all mirrors for each other, looking at the people in your life can tell you a lot about yourself. Who you are can be laid bare to you through what you see in others. It is easy to see the traits you do not like in others. It is much more difficult to realize that you possess those same traits. Often, the habits, attitudes, and behaviors of others are closely linked to our unconscious and unresolved issues.

When you come into contact with someone you admire, search your soul for similarly admirable traits. Likewise, when you meet someone exhibiting traits that you dislike, accept that you are looking at your reflection. Looking at yourself through your perception of others can be a humbling and eye-opening experience. You can also cultivate in you the traits and behaviors that you do like. Be loving and respectful to all people, and you will attract individuals that will love and respect you back. Nurture compassion and empathy and let the goodness you see in others be your mirror.