When is the last time you felt good about cleaning? Have you ever gotten done cleaning your kitchen, just to turn around and feel some sort of weird filmy substance on your counters? Or got done cleaning your bath-tub and taken a shower, only to find that all your efforts were for naught? What about brushing your teeth? Have you ever brushed and wondered why you need to rinse that crud off your toothbrush as soon as you are done brushing?
Here are some interesting thoughts on cleaning:
- If something has a smell, it is leaving a residue on that surface (probably an oily one)
- Most household cleaners are hazardous to yourself and the environment (Think back to that bathtub cleaning session for a perfect example).
- Every day cleaners such as Windex (anything with ammonia) are closely linked with an increase in asthma
- If something leaves a residue on what you are using to clean something, it is leaving a residue on what you are cleaning.
You may be asking yourself if there is anything you can do. Some people have advocated using vinegar and baking soda as primary cleaning products. This is great because it's safe and all environmentally safe. However a lot of people do not like the smell of vinegar, nor do they like that they have to rinse whatever they clean.
This is where the Shaklee get clean products come in. They leave no reside, they are safe and they are easy to use. You can always visit my website to learn more about these products. Not only are they safe, and will actually get your home cleaner, but they will help you to save significant amounts of money.
Take, for example, Shaklee's Basic H2. A single bottle of this retails for $11.95. This is just a little bottle really, but it will make 48 Gallons of all-purpose cleaner, and thousands of gallons of window cleaner.
The Toothpaste, a favorite of mine, is amazing. It leaves no sticky crud on your toothbrush when you are done, which means that you KNOW it is leaving no sticky crud on your teeth. How would you feel if you knew that not only was the toothpaste cleaning your teeth, but that it was safe and non-poisonous.
I hope you take a minute to visit the website listed above. I know you will find that you are impressed and you will be healthier and live a safer life for yourself and the environment.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
March 29th
Again, I'll feed my tirade about fathers. Why are fathers so frequently idiots? I speak as a man myself, but why are fathers stupid? I work with a lot of families and I frequently hear a father telling a child, in a raised tone of voice, "Don't you raise your voice to me." Obviously what he's modeling is not what he's telling the kid. So MAYBE, (slight chance) the kid will not raise his or her voice to the parental units, but then hollers at the sibling, etc. etc. etc.
IF, for some odd chance, you think that this is not stupid, I have also seen (literally seen, not heard a story about, but literally seen!) the following scenario play out:
DAD: "Do what I tell you to do."
Child: "But ..."
DAD: "DO IT NOW" (In a slightly raised voice)
child: "but..."
DAD: "I SAID DO IT!" (Flat out hollering)
someone else: "Why are you hollering?"
DAD: "I'm not hollering" (in a perfectly normal voice)
What the heck is going through this guy's head? Seriously! I have attempted to reason with these fathers. (As an aside, this is exactly what they continually want me to do with their children, but the child is unreasonable or will not listen to reason... Hmmmmm.) There is some thing put into their brains that has convinced them that they are completely and always right. I cannot fathom this kind of callous disregard for other people's intelligence.
This leads into another philosophy that I have. Everyone knows something better than I do. You, dear reader, might know how to make a leather wallet. You might now how to brew the perfect cup of coffee. You might know how to rewire a 1978 Chevy so that it gets an extra 12 horsepower. You might know where to find the most pocket change lost in the street in any given town. There is SOMETHING that you know better than I do.
I might THINK I know more about ABA and ASD than the average person, but how do I know that you are an average person in this regard? You could have been researching Autism for the past 20 years, and have finally burned out on it an just spend all of your time drinking good coffee and playing chess. You could be an auto expert or a computer genius, and your friends might never realize it!
My point is this: Everyone has value. Everyone is work knowing and befriending. Sometimes people are more difficult to befriend than others, but that doesn't decrease their value as a human being. I have found that some people others find very difficult, just need a little attention. I have been known to befriend "mean old ladies." Turns out they respond well to me because first I find out what they are interested in. I actually listen to what people have to say, and I share their excitement. Try this with your mortal enemy at work. Befriend them, get to know what they like. Find out what they are an expert in! You might think they are incompetant at work, and they might actually factually be incompetant. That doesn't mean that they are a bad person!
Anyway,
jsl
IF, for some odd chance, you think that this is not stupid, I have also seen (literally seen, not heard a story about, but literally seen!) the following scenario play out:
DAD: "Do what I tell you to do."
Child: "But ..."
DAD: "DO IT NOW" (In a slightly raised voice)
child: "but..."
DAD: "I SAID DO IT!" (Flat out hollering)
someone else: "Why are you hollering?"
DAD: "I'm not hollering" (in a perfectly normal voice)
What the heck is going through this guy's head? Seriously! I have attempted to reason with these fathers. (As an aside, this is exactly what they continually want me to do with their children, but the child is unreasonable or will not listen to reason... Hmmmmm.) There is some thing put into their brains that has convinced them that they are completely and always right. I cannot fathom this kind of callous disregard for other people's intelligence.
This leads into another philosophy that I have. Everyone knows something better than I do. You, dear reader, might know how to make a leather wallet. You might now how to brew the perfect cup of coffee. You might know how to rewire a 1978 Chevy so that it gets an extra 12 horsepower. You might know where to find the most pocket change lost in the street in any given town. There is SOMETHING that you know better than I do.
I might THINK I know more about ABA and ASD than the average person, but how do I know that you are an average person in this regard? You could have been researching Autism for the past 20 years, and have finally burned out on it an just spend all of your time drinking good coffee and playing chess. You could be an auto expert or a computer genius, and your friends might never realize it!
My point is this: Everyone has value. Everyone is work knowing and befriending. Sometimes people are more difficult to befriend than others, but that doesn't decrease their value as a human being. I have found that some people others find very difficult, just need a little attention. I have been known to befriend "mean old ladies." Turns out they respond well to me because first I find out what they are interested in. I actually listen to what people have to say, and I share their excitement. Try this with your mortal enemy at work. Befriend them, get to know what they like. Find out what they are an expert in! You might think they are incompetant at work, and they might actually factually be incompetant. That doesn't mean that they are a bad person!
Anyway,
jsl
Sunday, March 18, 2007
google Analytics
Just signed up for the google analytics API. We'll see if it tells me anything I don't already know. As it stands now, no one is reading this blog. And why should they (you)? It's an uninteresting, semi-esoteric eclectic connection of thoughts and ramblings. The only people who will probably be interested in this are people who shouldn't read it for health reasons. (What those health reasons my be, I'll never let on... muahahahahahahaha!)
N-Ee-weigh. I'm hoping to get a podcast going sometime soon. That'll be linked here, perhaps google hosts podcasts? we'll see...
jsl
N-Ee-weigh. I'm hoping to get a podcast going sometime soon. That'll be linked here, perhaps google hosts podcasts? we'll see...
jsl
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Shaklee
I have recently decided to sell Shaklee products. For those of you who are not familiar with this brand, I will let you know a little more. Shaklee is a health company; that is to say that they are interested in making people healthier. They spend a lot of money in research and development of their products and really attempt to make a good product. They have products pertaining to cleaning, nutrition, weight management and pure air/water.
Why have I decided to sell this stuff? Where is the allure for me? Two years ago I bought a Shaklee air purifier. It is a $200 air purifier that will take care of a little room for a year. I have little money and little patience for frivolities, so why did I buy this thing? I borrowed one from a Shaklee rep and it made my car smell good.
I'll tell you a little about this car. It was a 1982 (or something) Buick Skylark. Before I had it, it had been in storage for several years. Apparently smoking teens and lonely rats had taken up residence in this auto. The smell was horrendous. I could not drive the car with the windows up. A Shaklee rep told me it would make the car smell better. I said, "Whatever... I'll try it." She loaned me a purifier for a week. I put this in my car around noon and took it out around 4:00pm to take it inside for a little while. After 4 hours my car was discernibly fresher. Actually, it was pretty darn good! I was sold. If that little mug-sized purifier could do that in my car... wow.
I talked to my wife and we scraped together the cash to buy one of these marvelous little devices. We put it in the bedroom next to my side of the bed. I have always had mild allergies which give me headaches and other weird things. Well, with this thing next to my bed I had few, if any, problems. Well, like all good things, the main unit wore out. I'm getting a replacement for it, but I can definitely tell that my health is suffering. I have constant phlegm and headaches of increasing intensity. I wanted to see what would happen if I didn't have that filter running. My quality of life is down as well as my energy levels and mood.
If a product can do that much for my life, I am definitely interested in distributing it and letting others know about it.
Why have I decided to sell this stuff? Where is the allure for me? Two years ago I bought a Shaklee air purifier. It is a $200 air purifier that will take care of a little room for a year. I have little money and little patience for frivolities, so why did I buy this thing? I borrowed one from a Shaklee rep and it made my car smell good.
I'll tell you a little about this car. It was a 1982 (or something) Buick Skylark. Before I had it, it had been in storage for several years. Apparently smoking teens and lonely rats had taken up residence in this auto. The smell was horrendous. I could not drive the car with the windows up. A Shaklee rep told me it would make the car smell better. I said, "Whatever... I'll try it." She loaned me a purifier for a week. I put this in my car around noon and took it out around 4:00pm to take it inside for a little while. After 4 hours my car was discernibly fresher. Actually, it was pretty darn good! I was sold. If that little mug-sized purifier could do that in my car... wow.
I talked to my wife and we scraped together the cash to buy one of these marvelous little devices. We put it in the bedroom next to my side of the bed. I have always had mild allergies which give me headaches and other weird things. Well, with this thing next to my bed I had few, if any, problems. Well, like all good things, the main unit wore out. I'm getting a replacement for it, but I can definitely tell that my health is suffering. I have constant phlegm and headaches of increasing intensity. I wanted to see what would happen if I didn't have that filter running. My quality of life is down as well as my energy levels and mood.
If a product can do that much for my life, I am definitely interested in distributing it and letting others know about it.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Games
I love playing games. Not like anti-social games where I attempt to get other people to do things to cause damage to themselves. I hate those games. They're bad. I like socializing games. Games you play with other people and have fun. You know, the kind of games we used to play in the 80's!
I work with children who have autism, and I use these games with them. Primarily, I use two games right now, but I'm working on adapting some other games. I'll let you know about these two for now.
First, I use a game called Abalone (google it). It's described as "SUMO Chess." The game is very simple, but the strategies that can be used are very complex. At least, they can be complex. When I play with my clients, I use the game to reinforce concepts that we're working on. Things like not whining and not gloating. If the client starts whining, I play harder. Same thing if they start gloating. If they display appropriate social skills, I play easier. Since the like to win at everything, this is a good arrangement.
Second I use a game called Fluxx. Fluxx is game with constantly changing rules. This game allows me to check for a client's ability to adapt to changing rules as well as reading comprehension and working with abstract concepts. To win the game you have to focus on what you actually have in your hand as opposed to what you want to have in your hand.
These Diagnostic tools are unoffensive to the persons with Autsim. The kids look at these games without prejudice and they open doors into their worlds. Just as with regularly functioning adults, children with autism do not deal well with direct input. There is just something about telling these children something directly that puts up a barrier in their brains and does not allow them to accept it. If the information is presented indirectly, the likelihood that that information will pass into the processing centers without prejudice is greatly heightened.
This brings me to my next game to tackle. I want to develop (or rather modify) an RPG system in order to put it in use with my clients. We do a lot of role playing anyway, and I want to make it a game. If you are role-playing in a psychological setting, it is very structured. There is a right and a wrong answer; that is, there are answers I want to hear. In a game setting, there are no right or wrong answers, there are only consequences. You can always start a new character, but in the game world, you'll always suffer or thrive because of your choices. If you do something monumentally wrong in a RPG town, those people will always remember you. If you do something good, they will always remember. If you do evil in the town, or are just annoying, they will still remember. Perhaps you will be run out of town when you next attempt to visit. Perhaps you will be given a parade. It all depends on what you've done in that town to deserve your reputation.
In Autism, it is very difficult to understand results of social snafu's. This is my goal in RPG and autism: To help children understand the results of their actions.
I work with children who have autism, and I use these games with them. Primarily, I use two games right now, but I'm working on adapting some other games. I'll let you know about these two for now.
First, I use a game called Abalone (google it). It's described as "SUMO Chess." The game is very simple, but the strategies that can be used are very complex. At least, they can be complex. When I play with my clients, I use the game to reinforce concepts that we're working on. Things like not whining and not gloating. If the client starts whining, I play harder. Same thing if they start gloating. If they display appropriate social skills, I play easier. Since the like to win at everything, this is a good arrangement.
Second I use a game called Fluxx. Fluxx is game with constantly changing rules. This game allows me to check for a client's ability to adapt to changing rules as well as reading comprehension and working with abstract concepts. To win the game you have to focus on what you actually have in your hand as opposed to what you want to have in your hand.
These Diagnostic tools are unoffensive to the persons with Autsim. The kids look at these games without prejudice and they open doors into their worlds. Just as with regularly functioning adults, children with autism do not deal well with direct input. There is just something about telling these children something directly that puts up a barrier in their brains and does not allow them to accept it. If the information is presented indirectly, the likelihood that that information will pass into the processing centers without prejudice is greatly heightened.
This brings me to my next game to tackle. I want to develop (or rather modify) an RPG system in order to put it in use with my clients. We do a lot of role playing anyway, and I want to make it a game. If you are role-playing in a psychological setting, it is very structured. There is a right and a wrong answer; that is, there are answers I want to hear. In a game setting, there are no right or wrong answers, there are only consequences. You can always start a new character, but in the game world, you'll always suffer or thrive because of your choices. If you do something monumentally wrong in a RPG town, those people will always remember you. If you do something good, they will always remember. If you do evil in the town, or are just annoying, they will still remember. Perhaps you will be run out of town when you next attempt to visit. Perhaps you will be given a parade. It all depends on what you've done in that town to deserve your reputation.
In Autism, it is very difficult to understand results of social snafu's. This is my goal in RPG and autism: To help children understand the results of their actions.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Fathers in the marketplace
Hi. I'm not a father, but I play one in utero. Ok, so my wife is preg-o, and I'm not talking about the canned sauces. I saw the first of many pictures of the little wiggler, and I have to say, I am becoming more and more annoyed with fathers these days.
I work wich children. I'll not give you any more than than, but I work with children. One father I know refuses to actually do anything beneficial for his child. He believes that by dominating the poor kid and bending the child to his every will, he is benefitting the boy. Ok, so the teachers this child has are all complaining that the child is becoming difficult to handle and shows controlling tendencies. Obviously the mother's fault, right?
Another father I know takes week long vacations during the Christmas Holidays. This would be great if the rest of the family were invited. It would be less worse if the father were not always away on trips for business. I know it's not my place to judge, and I'm not. This father (just like the previous one) believes that he is doing what is best for his children.
It is interesting that all too often we look at things we do and defend them as things we do for others. Are we really doing things for others? What does doing things for others look like?
Well, this is something we can define by what it is not. Doing for others does not include the words, "I, me or myself." Doing for others does not take a vacation. It is not something that understands the phrase, "No time for..."
Why, "No time for..."? If we say, "No time for work." That is a complaint, is it not? If we don't have time for something, there is an implied, "I" which we know is off the mark at the start of it! What is a good idea, and a good practice, is "what would you like to do?" That will truly begin our struggle down the path of other-centeredness. Just ask your partner this week or next. "What would YOU like to do." Then put no qualifiers on it. Make no adjustments, do it exactly as the other person wants it to be done. If you can do that, you have acheived a new level of awareness.
I work wich children. I'll not give you any more than than, but I work with children. One father I know refuses to actually do anything beneficial for his child. He believes that by dominating the poor kid and bending the child to his every will, he is benefitting the boy. Ok, so the teachers this child has are all complaining that the child is becoming difficult to handle and shows controlling tendencies. Obviously the mother's fault, right?
Another father I know takes week long vacations during the Christmas Holidays. This would be great if the rest of the family were invited. It would be less worse if the father were not always away on trips for business. I know it's not my place to judge, and I'm not. This father (just like the previous one) believes that he is doing what is best for his children.
It is interesting that all too often we look at things we do and defend them as things we do for others. Are we really doing things for others? What does doing things for others look like?
Well, this is something we can define by what it is not. Doing for others does not include the words, "I, me or myself." Doing for others does not take a vacation. It is not something that understands the phrase, "No time for..."
Why, "No time for..."? If we say, "No time for work." That is a complaint, is it not? If we don't have time for something, there is an implied, "I" which we know is off the mark at the start of it! What is a good idea, and a good practice, is "what would you like to do?" That will truly begin our struggle down the path of other-centeredness. Just ask your partner this week or next. "What would YOU like to do." Then put no qualifiers on it. Make no adjustments, do it exactly as the other person wants it to be done. If you can do that, you have acheived a new level of awareness.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Annoyance of All Annoyances
And Paul wrote, "And they'll know we are Christians by our multi-media experience." Oh, oops. Sorry. That wasn't correct. What was that... I don't remember anymore. I think I heard something about this on a Christian Music Video. Oh gosh, don't tell me I'm going to have to look in BIBLE.
Ok, so that's an obviously stupid point. Unfortunately, it seems to be the case that many of our teens and 20 somethings are following this line. We have our Christian music, our Christian books, our Christian T-shirts, our Christian shoes, our Christian Zipper pulls, our Christian hoodies, our Christian car dealerships and our Christian contractors. There is even a Christian distribution of Linux (Ubuntu CE). I'm not antagonistic towards these groups, the Christian Linux project is doing some really good work. Christian music is giving teens a nice alternative. The problem is that we have gone too far.
Why can we simply not have musicians who are Christian? Why can we not have contractors who are Christians? Why can we not have car dealerships who are Christians? I believe that we avoid this "truth" simply because of the implications. If we are merely Christians who happen to be musicians, then we'll not be as set on making money and getting an audience, we'll be concentrating on God's will.
Christian music has been hit like this before, so I'm not going to bother with that industry more than I already have. I would prefer, rather, to address the issues of everything else. I recently had the misfortune to use a "Christian" contractor. This gentleman did poor work slowly. I talked with various other contractors to determine the length of time this task should have taken. The general consensus is that is should have taken a day, maybe two. Instead this job took a full work week. The "Secular" contractors was amazed that any person in this line of work would do the low quality of work seen in my basement. Why did I hire this man? Simply because he professed Christianity. There was a cross on his ad and I bought into it. I talked with him and he told me about his church experience. I foolishly believed that because he professed something he would live it out.
I have met with several of this man's peers, mostly non-Christians. The witness this man is showing is that Christianity is a complete marketing scam. Why would someone want to follow this lead?
Instead we should simple do our jobs to the best of our abilities. When people see our work, see how we respond under poor circumstances, see that we do not simply give up under general adversity, they will wonder what is wrong; why are these "Christians" different?
To new Christians, do not run about screaming at people to live Christian lives. Just follow the way yourself. To veteran Christians, stop telling people you are a Christian and show them that you are. Actions speak louder than words.
Ok, so that's an obviously stupid point. Unfortunately, it seems to be the case that many of our teens and 20 somethings are following this line. We have our Christian music, our Christian books, our Christian T-shirts, our Christian shoes, our Christian Zipper pulls, our Christian hoodies, our Christian car dealerships and our Christian contractors. There is even a Christian distribution of Linux (Ubuntu CE). I'm not antagonistic towards these groups, the Christian Linux project is doing some really good work. Christian music is giving teens a nice alternative. The problem is that we have gone too far.
Why can we simply not have musicians who are Christian? Why can we not have contractors who are Christians? Why can we not have car dealerships who are Christians? I believe that we avoid this "truth" simply because of the implications. If we are merely Christians who happen to be musicians, then we'll not be as set on making money and getting an audience, we'll be concentrating on God's will.
Christian music has been hit like this before, so I'm not going to bother with that industry more than I already have. I would prefer, rather, to address the issues of everything else. I recently had the misfortune to use a "Christian" contractor. This gentleman did poor work slowly. I talked with various other contractors to determine the length of time this task should have taken. The general consensus is that is should have taken a day, maybe two. Instead this job took a full work week. The "Secular" contractors was amazed that any person in this line of work would do the low quality of work seen in my basement. Why did I hire this man? Simply because he professed Christianity. There was a cross on his ad and I bought into it. I talked with him and he told me about his church experience. I foolishly believed that because he professed something he would live it out.
I have met with several of this man's peers, mostly non-Christians. The witness this man is showing is that Christianity is a complete marketing scam. Why would someone want to follow this lead?
Instead we should simple do our jobs to the best of our abilities. When people see our work, see how we respond under poor circumstances, see that we do not simply give up under general adversity, they will wonder what is wrong; why are these "Christians" different?
To new Christians, do not run about screaming at people to live Christian lives. Just follow the way yourself. To veteran Christians, stop telling people you are a Christian and show them that you are. Actions speak louder than words.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Welcome
Hello. My name is Jonathan. I'm blogger... At least I am now. I wasn't three seconds ago. Anyway, I'm Linux type of person. I affirm the philosophies of F/OSS. I am also a Christian. This is a lame blog post, but you'll get my dronings about both of these topics. if you want. That is if you read this. Which why would you?
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