Wednesday, October 16
In The NEWS
Sports, Entertainment, & Culture
> Sean "Diddy" Combs accused of multiple allegations of rape and sexually assaulting a minor as six new lawsuits filed against him (More)
> Lilly Ledbetter, social activist who fought for equal pay for women, dies at age 86 (More) | Ka, independent rapper and producer who was also a firefighter and 9/11 first responder, dies at age 52 (More)
> Kansas, Alabama, and two-time defending champions Connecticut lead men's college basketball preseason AP Top 25 poll (More)
Science & Technology
> Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences awarded to trio of economists for their work on why some postcolonial countries flourished while others floundered (More) | Selection caps the 2024 Nobel Prizes; see recap here (More)
> Adobe launches AI video generator that can extend existing footage by up to a few seconds; platform includes text-to-video and image-to-video capabilities (More) | Generative AI explained (More, w/video)
> Paleontologists discover the oldest-known animal to display left-right asymmetry in its body; the over 500-million-year-old fossil sheds light on the evolution of single-cell organisms into complex animals (More)
Business & Markets
> US stock markets close higher (S&P 500 +0.8%, Dow +0.5%, Nasdaq +0.9%); S&P 500, Dow notch fresh record highs (More) | Nvidia shares close at record high, with AI chipmaker's market cap approaching $3.4T (More)
> Elliott Investment Management formally calls for Dec. 10 special meeting at Southwest Airlines; Elliot has an 11% stake in Southwest and has been pushing for the ouster of CEO Bob Jordan amid board shake-up (More) | True Value files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, plans to sell most of itself to rival Do It Best (More)
> Tom Donohue, former US Chamber of Commerce CEO, dies at age 86; he led the business lobbying giant for more than two decades before retiring in 2021 (More)
Politics & World Affairs
> Trial begins against Delphi, Indiana, man charged in 2017 murders of two eighth graders (More) | Italy's Supreme Court overturns acquittals of roughly 20 people accused of covering up late Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's underage sex scandal (More, free w/email) | Canada, India expel each other's diplomats in dispute over 2023 murder of Sikh activist in Canada (More)
> Investigation underway after federal authorities arrest Las Vegas man with unregistered firearms Saturday ahead of former President Donald Trump's rally near Coachella Valley, California; man reportedly had multiple fake IDs in his SUV (More)
> China holds large-scale sea and air military drills surrounding Taiwan; comes less than a week after Taiwan's president reiterated island's sovereignty in a speech (More) | South Korea says North Korea allegedly preparing to demolish its northern half of roads connecting the two nations (More)
SOURCE: 1440 NEWS
Cooking for Myself
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When my wife and I retired in 2015, I was informed that she was no longer cooking and if I wanted anything to eat that I was going to have to cook it myself. While I was fine with that, my wife still cooks for herself and wants to cook the meals at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
I am not a great cook but every once in a while, I end up cooking something that is really good. I guess those odds are still in play. Most of my cooking is simple and is suitable for me to eat, although, I have been known to thrown away a couple of dishes that were SIMPLY HORRIBLE.
I have prepared and cooked:
- lasagna
- spaghetti
- casseroles
- cakes
- pies
- breads
- pizza
- chili
- soups of all sorts
- stews of all sorts
- stir fries of all sorts
- quiches
- one pot meals
Most of the time, I do not follow the recipe and that is when I eat whatever I make even if it is not that good.
I don't really cook steaks or any kind of red meat but every so often, we purchase something from Omaha Steaks during one of their sales and I cook their ribeye's. However, I slice the meat up into thin slices that I usually cook with broccoli and rice
Most of the time, I cook chicken, turkey, pork chops, and fish. My fish selection is usually Salmon, tuna fish, flounder, grouper, and white fish.
Vegetables and beans are used a lot either separate or together and I have come to realize that I SHOULD NOT combine more than two beans at one time.
I try to incorporate onion, bell peppers, garlic, celery, leeks, green onions, carrots, and potatoes as often as I can.
The easiest way to make soup, a thick kind of soup is preferred, is to cook whatever I want to include, then use a submersible blender. Blending everything creates a nice thick texture that I like.
Oftentimes, I get tired of cooking and cleaning and opt out for a TV dinner, which is fast and dependable and no cleanup, other than throw the plastic container away.
Female-Led Marriages
The concept of female-led marriages may seem unconventional to some, but it is a dynamic that has been gaining attention and acceptance in various societies. A female-led marriage (FLM) is a relationship where the traditional roles are often inverted or equalized, with the woman taking a leading role in decision-making processes and household management.
Understanding Female-Led Relationships
In a female-led marriage, the power dynamics shift to empower the woman as the primary decision-maker. This can manifest in various aspects of the couple's life, from finances and household chores to intimacy and social engagements. The degree of the woman's leadership can vary greatly from one relationship to another, ranging from low-level, where the woman's leadership is subtle, to extreme-level, where she has significant authority over the relationship's direction.
The Importance of Communication and Boundaries
Communication is a cornerstone of any healthy relationship, and in FLRs, it becomes even more critical. Establishing clear expectations and boundaries is essential to ensure that both partners feel valued, respected, and understood. These guidelines are not about dominance or submission but about finding a balance that works for both individuals, fostering a harmonious and supportive partnership.
The Role of FLM Rules
FLM rules serve as a framework for the relationship, providing a roadmap for both partners to navigate the unique dynamics of their partnership. These rules might include how decisions are made, the division of household responsibilities, and the ways in which both partners can support each other's growth and happiness.
Challenges and Misconceptions
Despite the potential benefits, female-led marriages can face societal scrutiny and misconceptions. Some may view these relationships as a reversal of "natural" roles or misunderstand the concept as one partner having absolute control over the other. However, those who practice FLMs often report a high level of satisfaction, citing improved communication, mutual respect, and a deeper connection with their partner.
The Future of Female-Led Marriages
As society continues to evolve and challenge traditional norms, female-led marriages are likely to become more recognized and understood. These relationships offer an alternative model that prioritizes equality, mutual respect, and the strengths of each partner. For those interested in exploring this dynamic, resources and communities are available to provide support and guidance.
Female-led marriages represent a shift towards a more balanced partnership, where traditional gender roles are re-examined, and power dynamics are negotiated to suit the needs and preferences of both individuals. As with any relationship model, the key to success lies in open communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to adapt and grow together.
NOTE: For further reading on the topic and to delve into the nuances of FLM rules and dynamics, consider exploring resources such as "A Beginner's Guide to Female-Led Marriages" and other informative articles available online.
Tuesday, October 15
How Long is Your Memory?
It does not take a BRAIN SURGEON to know that gasoline and food prices are up substantially more than they were 4 years ago, even though they have dropped a tad (TN expression).
It does not take a BRAIN SURGEON to realize that Russia is still fighting in Ukraine and Israel is still fighting HAMAS, Hezbollah, and Iran whereas these two conflicts were non-existent 4 years ago.
It does not take a BRAIN SURGEON to know that ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION has substantially increased over the last 4 years paralleling the increase in crime, violence, and fentanyl deaths, even if MAINSTREAM MEDIA IS NOT REPORTING THEM.
In a few weeks we have a chance to tell our government to:
STOP WHAT THEY ARE DOING
<OR>
CONTINUE WHAT THEY ARE DOING
UNFORTUNATELY,
there are unintended consequences with either choice that may or may not manifest themselves until several months after the election.
These manifestations could be:
- higher/lower prices everywhere
- a slow/fast growing economy
- increase/decrease in global aggression
- a valuation/devaluation in the US dollar
- a weakening/strengthening military
- a decrease/increase in crime and violence
- an increase/decrease in illegal immigration
- an increase/decrease in USA division
CAVEATS:
- While the USA is dicking around with DEI, social programs, and green energy, the rest of the world is spending the least amount that they can in order to avoid economy collapse
- While the USA is taking money away from the military and homeland security for social programs, our enemies (CHINA, RUSSIA, IRAN, NORTH KOREA, INDIA, BRAZIL, SOUTH AFRICA) is building up their military and ignoring social programs
- While the USA is willingly giving up their global leadership role, CHINA is frantically trying to take our place as they attempt to control our destiny.
The issue here is one that few see and that is while the USA is virtually ignoring the rest of the world, the rest of the world is not ignoring us and many of these countries have LONG MEMORIES.
In The NEWS
Sports, Entertainment, & Culture
> New York Liberty defeats Minnesota Lynx 80-66 to even up WNBA Finals series 1-1 (More) | Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich becomes first woman to run marathon in under 2 hours and 10 minutes, winning 2024 Chicago Marathon (More)
> Kanye West accused of drugging and sexually assaulting ex-assistant as part of a wrongful termination lawsuit (More)
> Army and Navy both ranked in college football AP Top 25 poll for first time since 1960 (More) | MLB League Championship Series is underway; see preview of National and American League matchups (More)
Science & Technology
> Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences to be awarded this morning at 5:45 am ET; see selection here (More) | See previous write-up on Friday's Peace Prize, awarded to anti-nuclear weapon advocates (More)
> Scientists observe "real-time" evolution in generations of marine snails over three decades; organisms were introduced to a handful of Swedish islands in 1992 following a devastating algae bloom (More) | What is convergent evolution? (More)
> DNA analysis of hair found in teeth of the Tsavo man-eating lions reveals prey included giraffe, human, oryx, waterbuck, wildebeest, and zebra; the two lions infamously killed at least 35 construction workers in Kenya in the late 1800s (More)
Business & Markets
> US stock markets close higher Friday (S&P 500 +0.6%, Dow +1.0%, Nasdaq +0.3%) amid third-quarter earnings season (More)
> Boeing lays off 17,000 employees—10% of its workforce—amid ongoing production workers' strike; company will also delay development of 777X aircraft, halt production on future 767 orders (More)
> Jeep and Chrysler parent company, Stellantis, announces CEO will retire in early 2026 at the end of his contract amid broader management shake-up; announcement comes amid stagnating US sales, with shares down around 40% this year (More)
Politics & World Affairs
> President Joe Biden announces $612M in federal assistance to regions affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene; funding—via six Department of Energy projects—includes efforts to build electric grid resilience (More)
> Sudan's army conducts airstrikes on a market in southern Khartoum, killing at least 23 people and wounding over 40 others (More) | See previous write-up (More)
> Lithuania's center-left Social Democrats lead in yesterday's parliamentary elections, will attempt to form coalition (More, free w/email)
SOURCE: 1440 NEWS
Witchcraft and Faith
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The Bell Witch
This is a well-documented American ghost story about a family in Robertson County, Tennessee who were haunted by an invisible, shapeshifting entity from 1817 to 1821. The Bell Witch was said to be able to speak, affect the environment, and move with superhuman speed. The Bell Witch Cave and the Bell Family Farm are located near Adams, Tennessee, and are considered to be one of the most haunted places in the United States.
Now...
do you believe in witches or witchcraft?
Witchcraft is the practice of using magic or supernatural powers to harm others, or to communicate with demons or evil spirits. It can also refer to a religion or tradition that involves these practices.I find it interesting that witchcraft can be seen as a religion... because when one thinks of religion one thinks of Christianity or Islam or Buddhism. And what is interesting about Christianity is that there are six main groups:
The Church of the East
Oriental Orthodoxy
Eastern Orthodoxy
Roman Catholicism
Protestantism
Restoration
Oriental Orthodoxy
Eastern Orthodoxy
Roman Catholicism
Protestantism
Restoration
But we don't stop there.
Protestantism is broken down into the following groups
In short there are TWENTY-FOUR (24) different variations of Protestant Christianity.
I was raised a United Methodist which is different from a regular Methodist but not counted in the above list... and, when I moved from NC to TN, I came into contact with the BAPTISTS and SOUTHERN BAPTISTS (also not in the list above) and their main doctrine is if you are not a Baptist then you are practicing FALSE CHRISTIANITY...
Southern Baptists do not believe in WITCHCRAFT or WITCHES and have ordered their congregations not to watch HARRY POTTER, at least the church I attended did.
HOWEVER...
witchcraft is part of our heritage and was quite a big deal in SALEM.
But my question is this:
HOW OPEN ARE YOUR BELIEFS???
Our Universe's Beginning
One of the biggest and also the toughest questions in modern astronomy is the origins of the universe. How did it come into existence? How did it evolve into what we know today? Though there’s still a lot that scientists don’t know, they do have a general idea of how energy, matter, stars, and galaxies were formed.
In the first half of the 20th century, physicists and astronomers fiercely debated the idea that there was no true “beginning” to the universe — that it had always existed. While this assumption hasn’t been definitively disproven, it has since become more of a fringe theory.
Instead, science presents a completely different picture of the universe’s birth and early evolution, and we’re eager to explore it with you. READ MORE...
Monday, October 14
The Day is Upon Us
The title of this posting is a phrase spoken in the Lord of the Rings and in a commercial by some motel chain. It is a phrase that I am sure was used often back when we had KIGHTS OF THE RHELM... and everyone lived in a KEEP.
However, it is doubtful that William Shakespeare used that phrase in any of his plays.
At sunrise the day begins (the presence of light) and at sunset the day ends (the absence of light). Light therefore denotes the day.... when it starts and when it ends.
So, if the day is upon us, then one can rightfully assume that it is past sunrise but before sunset... also implied is that the appearance of the day is closer to sunrise than to sunset.
What if the "DAY" is symbolic for something else... something bigger... like LIFE ITSELF?
OUR LIFE IS UPON US...
We currently live, for the most part, but NOT ON AVERAGE, to between 80 and 100 years old. Some live more than 100 but not that much more and some die early because of accidents or health... all of which is inside the hand of cards we have been dealt.
One could ask, is our life random or has it been planned?
There was a 50/50 chance of being:
- male/female
- tall/short
- smart/stupid
- talented/no talent
- pretty/ugly
so forth and so on...
Our life is upon us means what to us?
Hard to say because it is going to mean something different at 8 years old, 13 years old, 18 years old, 21 years old, 25 years old, 40 years old... etc.
Could we say that CARPE DIEM is similar or the same as OUR LIFE IS UPON US or THE DAY IS UPON US?
Each individual must answer these questions by themselves, but it is obvious that the phrase have been internalized differently by:
- Michael Jordan
- Bill Clinton
- Oprah Winfrey
- Mickey Mantel
- Denzel Washington
- Sam Walton
- Elon Musk
HOWEVER...
obviously, my examples pertain to those who have been financially very successful... but there are only 20% (AT MOST) of the general population that are going to be successful. What about the others?
What does THE DAY IS UPON US mean to YOU?
How do YOU define SUCCESS?
I would think based upon what I see around me that OUR SOCIETY here in the USA defines success from a FINANCIAL perspective.
Any person that has HALF A BRAIN soon learns that NO MANY OF US will ever be financially successful without some form of TALENT or SKILL that others do not really possess.
THAT REALIZATION for many of us is also DEPRESSING... to say the least... as well as frustrating...
Is your day upon you? Is your life upon you?
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