Babies on Airplanes

Ok, Let me just say first off that I love children and while I am not a parent yet - I understand that the love that parents have for their children is an unconditional one. With that said, children are children and as such should not be exposed to places like bars, strip clubs, dance clubs .... and as far as I am concerned - AIRPLANES.

I fly internationally several times a year and as soon as I see a baby boarding the plane - I am filled with dread. For whatever reason, there is always one or two very small children on my plane screaming and crying bloody murder during the entire take off and landing, and sometimes during the flight. If I am really lucky - then I get to sit infront of the kid while it kicks the back of my seat.

I am not crazy about flying, I cant help but become more and more afraid with each flight, even though I know the chances of a plane crashing are rare - it just doesn't seem natural to be flying in the air in a monstrous piece of metal. Anyhow, flying with a crying baby on board is unbearable! It should be used to torture hostages because it is so awful and upsetting.

What I don't understand is why airlines allow children under 5 years old to fly internationally - or at all for that matter. I get why the babies are crying - its because flying is painful for adults, it must be excruciating for a small child! Your ears are in pain from the pressure, your legs and feet swell from lack of circulation, the air is being recycled, its cramped, the plane is making loud noises and your surrounded by tons of strangers.

I can even understand why its difficult for parents to stop their children from crying, you cant stand up or go anywhere for take off and landing - theres no way out and limited ways to calm down the child. But then why do parents insist on bringing small children on these flights. Its painful for the kid, they have no idea whats going on in the first place and its completely inconsiderate for the hundred or so other people who are being tortured by the parents screaming out of control baby.

Parents who take really small children on flights are selfish and clearly lack good judgment. I think that airlines should make a law requiring that children be 5 years old and older to fly. Its for the well being of the child and in consideration for everyone else on the flight who is paying thousands of dollars to fly and should not be forced to listen to a child crying the entire time.

Airlines have laws in place that prohibit intoxicated adults from boarding a plane due to possible disorderly conduct - well, I think babies conduct can be disorderly and should therefore be prohibited.

Me Likey

These are my fav websites and blogs! Just thought I'd share...


Perez Hilton : Juicy Celebrity Gossip!
This website has THE most up to date celebrity gossip! Its evil how funny and addictive it can be.


The Superficial
This website is another gossip favorite - it is HILARIOUS! Sometimes just flat out unbelievably funny - and the writers have other blogs as well, including Geekologie and I Watch Stuff.


PostSecret
Something about anonymous confessions ... great blog. You might get stuck reading it for a couple hours and wondering if any of its true.


The Best Page in the Universe
This guy is a self proclaimed literary genius. I highly recommend reading the Hate Mail section. This website has brought me to tears through laughter. A MUST READ!


Waiter Rant
If you have ever worked as a waiter or a barrista in a coffee shop or at a movie theater - or anywhere where you made barely any money, but worked hard and got treated like dirt, then you will love this blog. Its fun to read and sooo true.


Dooce
If you read blogs, but you've never heard of Dooce - then you must be living under a rock in a forest somewhere. Heather B. Armstrong has amazingly dry humor and her blog has famously coined the phrase "Dooced" because she was one of the first ever bloggers to be fired from her job because of her open and honest entries. I definitely recommend reading this blog - once I found it I spent days and days searching through reading every entry I could.


Super Skinny Me: Lose Weight, Get Skinny
I love this website because it actually has really great diet and workout advice and has a no nonsense attitude. Check it out.


Fit Day: Free Diary and Weight Loss Journal
Whenever I am dieting and trying to meet my goals, I love having an online tool to help me keep track of my food intake, workouts, and track my progress. This is a good one.


NutriDiary: Free Online Food and Exercise Diary
I actually like this one even better than Fit Diary because the interface is really cool and user friendly, but its optimized for Internet Explorer - which in my opinion is the worst browser on the planet. I think this website is worth checking out - I really like it.


Calorie Counter Database
Good for finding out the calories in everything and anything.

EYE CANDY

YUMMY YUMMY VINTAGE

Tricky Weight Loss Tricks

Okay - this is not the be-all of losing weight, but these little tricky tips may help when you get some cravings that make you want to go on a binge spree. By the way - if you really want to lose weight - then I can tell you how to do that, but these should help a little.

So, enjoy these little tidbits - and if you have some to add - then please do!!

- Don't try to fast for days and days. Fasting slows your metabolism and increases binge eating.

- In between each mouthful of food you eat, take a sip of water. It fills you up and slows your eating so that you stay in control.

- When drinking water - drink ice cold water. Your body has to burn calories to keep your temperature up.



- Do not take laxatives - they could seriously eff up your body. Eat grapes instead.

- Sleep at least 6 hours a night. Less than 6 hours stimulates appetite by 15%. Getting sleep is really important.

- Take a cold shower, like drinking cold water - it forces your body to burn calories.



- Drink hot beverages to take the edge off of hunger - this will also help you feel full.

- Focus the most on the first three bites of food. After the first three bites, your hunger is likely to subside and you will be content with a smaller portion.

- Spicy foods burn more calories and raise your metabolism. Ariba!



- Before you grab a huge bag of chips or eat a piece of cake - stop, breath, and count to 100. When you are done counting, you will likely realize that there are healthier options and that you do not need that snack.

- Write a note to yourself listing all the reasons you are finally ready to lose weight. Keep it on you at all times for inspiration.

- Track your triggers. Log them so that you can recognize when you are most likely to cave into cravings - then use this information to make sure that you are occupied at this time.



- Sit up straight. You'll burn at least 10 more calories sitting upright instead of reclining.

- Have a peppermint. Peppermints actually decrease hunger.

- Drink tea whenever you get hungry - its low in calories! Plus, green tea is an antioxidant and you can burn 110 extra calories a day by drinking three cups.



- Low calorie hot chocolate is great for curbing chocolate cravings.

- When you are cooking, make sure you chew gum at the same time - this way you will be less likely to munch on your own cooking. Mint gum mixed with pasta = yuck.

- Put your fork down in between bites during your meal.



- If you have a craving for sugar - try eating some sugar free jello.Only 10 calories per serving. You can eat the whole bowl and only have 40 calories.

- Wait 20 minutes before servings

- Get a piece of ribbon and cut it to the measurement that you want your waist to become, then tie the ribbon around your wrist like a bracelet. This is to remind you of your goal.



- When you are worried you will eat something super fatty, suck on ice.

- Don't ever skip breakfast! Your body's metabolism slows down at night and doesn't speed up until you eat something. Plus - if you skip breakfast you are more likely to be tired - which increases appetite, and you are more likely to binge at lunch time.



- Right after every meal, brush and floss your teeth. You will be less likely to eat more.

- Keep variety in your diet. Make sure that each meal is a variety of tempatures to satisfy all cravings.

- Go grocery shopping only after you have already eaten.



- Take a shower or a bath whenever a food craving strikes.

- Phone a talkative friend when you want to binge, stay on the phone until your cravings pass.

- Try going two weeks without any sweets. You will be amazed when your cravings vanish.

- Take a nap when you fight cravings. Sometimes you crave fatty food when you are actually hungry.

Achieve Your Goals

I found this great information about these 10 steps to achieving your goals quicker - since I am a true believer in setting goals, I thought I would share.

Enjoy!

1. Identify your dreams. What do you want? Don't be afraid - think big picture.



2. Maintain one clearly defined goal for every major interest.

3. Set goals that directly align with your life's mission.

4. Create goals high enough to ignite your spirit.



5. Write down all goals in specific, measurable detail. (This is always my favorite part of goal setting)



6. Absolutely, unconditionally commit to hitting each of your targets.





7. Share your goals with others. (Hay - maybe even start a blog to track your progress?!)

8. Set a whole series of related daily, weekly and long term goals, complete with starting times and completion dates.



9. 10 minutes a day - imagine how terrific it will be when you reach your goals.



10. Take an action step toward the attainment of at least one goal everyday.

Get some CONFIDENCE!!

"Scientifically, a situation can only be judged after the aim has been achieved or not. Confidence can be a self-fulfilling prophecy, as those without it may fail or not try because they lack it, and those with it may succeed because they have it, rather than because of an innate ability." - Wikipedia.

Oh how I love the Wiki. Did you just read that excerpt? Its about confidence. And let me tell you something - you need confidence in life. I myself suffer from feelings of self doubt and paralyzing worry, but those feelings will get you nowhere. Its all about having the confidence to go out and get what you want. You need to believe in yourself!

Its been tried and true - if you think you can, you can - if you think you cant, you cant. If you don't have it - then fake it till you can make it. All in all, you only have ultimate control over yourself - and if you cant believe in yourself - then what can you believe in.

People are drawn to confidence. Its attractive, its fun, its comforting. It brings a level of positivity and energy. Being confident will change your life. Listen up.....



In my opinion - confidence would be having a better body and being hotter and more attractive, combined with being an effective speaker, being funny and charismatic - it also means being honest and trustworthy and understanding. Basically, your self confidence is all based on how you see yourself and what you imagine would make you better and therefore more confident.

In order to be more confident - you really need to get that negative junk out of your head, its no bueno. Second, it helps if you are working towards some goals. But, here are some tokens of wisdom to get you started on your missh to a more positive mind - get pumped on life and the thought of having unbreakable confidence.

“Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.”

- Mark Victor Hansen

“Getting ahead in a difficult profession requires avid faith in yourself. That is why some people with mediocre talent, but with great inner drive, go so much further than people with vastly superior talent.”

- Sophia Loren

“The real secret to total gorgeousness is to believe in yourself, have self confindence, and try to be secure in your decisions and thoughts.”

- Kirsten Dunst





Other people’s opinion of you does not have to become your reality.

Self confidence is the key to the universe.

Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.

It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.




You gain strength, experience and confidence by every experience where you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you cannot do.

I am not a has-been. I am a will be.

Put your future in good hands - your own.

Even if you haven’t encountered great success yet, there is no reason you can’t bluff a little and act like you have. Confidence is a magnet in the best sense of the word. It will draw people to you and make your daily life.. and theirs.. a lot more pleasant.

Know yourself and you will win all battles.

- Sun Tzu

When you allow yourself to begin to dream big dreams, creatively abandon the activities that are taking up too much of your time, and focus your inward energies on alleviating your main constraints, you start to feel an incredible sense of power and confidence.

- Brian Tracey



Get with it people - don't spend another second of your life doubting yourself. Get some confidence and KNOW that you can do what ever you set out to do. YOU are the only one holding yourself back. The possibilities are endless.

Daily Inspiration

Life is like a combination lock; your job is to find the right numbers; in the right order; so you can have anything you want.

- Brian Tracy

If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.

- Thomas A. Edison



If a man for whatever reason has the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life, he has no right to keep it to himself.

- Jacques-Yves Cousteau

Its time to start living life the way you've imagined

- Henry James



You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances; the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself.

- Jim Rohn

Ninety-nine percent of all failures come from people who have a habit of making excuses.

- George Washington Carver

Decide upon your major definite purpose in life and then organize all your activities around it.

- Brian Tracey



The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.

- Michelangelo

You can be anything you want to be, if only you believe with sufficient conviction and act in accordance with your faith; for whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve.

- Napoleon Hill



You have to believe in yourself when no one else does. That's what makes you a winner.

- Venus Williams

If you are bored with life, if you don't get up every morning with a burning desire to do things - you don't have enough goals.

- Lou Holtz



You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.

- Rosalynn Carter

Most of us have far more courage than we ever dreamed possible.

- Dale Carnegie

You want to set a goal that is big enough that in the process of achieving it you become someone worth becoming.

- Jim Rohn



We come this way but once. We can either tiptoe through life and hope that we get to death without being too badly bruised or we can live a full, complete life achieving our goals and realizing our wildest dreams.

- Bob Proctor

We have an innate desire to endlessly learn, grow, and develop. We want to become more than what we already are. Once we yield to this inclination for continuous and never ending improvement, we lead a life of endless accomplishments and satisfaction.

- Chuck Gallozzi



If you are willing to do more than you are paid to do, eventually you will be paid to do more than you do.

- Unknown

Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson




These are especially helpful right before you go to the gym. ;)

You've Won the Lottery!

Listen, if you are reading this blog right now - chances are that you use a computer. Am I right?

Well, one thing you should know about if you are a computer user is that in the computer security world the biggest security weakness is the human being. Thats right, its you. It just so happens that your firewall and secure passwords and whatever else you have going on, cannot protect you when you are on the computer clicking away like a maniac on links in emails, downloading things from god-knows-where, and filling out a mysterious log-in form that popped up on what you don't realize is a site that you were redirected to by malware. Unless you read security news daily like myself - you may not know these things.

Infact, when I lived with my parents my dad thought "cookies" were destroying the computer. Mind you, he barely evolved to the cordless phone (I love him <3) style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">1. If you receive an email from someone you don't know - just delete it. I'm serious. If it happens to be from a friend then ... oh well. God forbid you open the email and are tricked into believing that you have won the lottery (when you haven't entered) or that some random person needs to use your bank account to transfer money or that you are the next of kin and will inherit 8 million billion dollars. Its all lies. I'm a serial deleter. I don't even open that forwarded joke junk - it bothers me - don't send it, I don't want to read that stupid joke or see those adorable pictures. Don't know the sender? Don't read the email.

2. Do not click on links in emails. I cannot stress this enough. It has happened to me and it will happen to you. There is something about a little blue link that hypnotizes you and almost forces you to click on it...don't do it. Links are evil. Stop being lazy, look at the URL address and go to it directly.

3. Do not download random junk off the internet. Unless its a vulnerability patch, from a known vendors website - don't download it. Why? Because you may be installing malware on your computer. If you download things online without taking the right precautions, then you could have a very tricky situation on your hands. I will explain....

Listen, you may think "who cares about malware and viruses and all that other stuff" but what you may not understand is that malware and viruses can be used to steal your information. A hacker could be notified everytime you log onto your banking website and your information could get jacked, or you could have all your passwords saved on your computer - guess who will have that handy information now. Or you could use your credit card online - do you want someone to have your credit card numbers? The best scenario ever is when you get malware and viruses on your computer at work - lets hope your company doesn't suffer from a huge security breach because you wanted to see a video of Britney Spears naked.

If you are afraid that your computer is already hacked - then I would suggest that you completely reinstall your computer, change all your passwords to something strong (not any words from the dictionary - read about how to create a strong password online), and last but not least - don't open email from people you don't know, only go to trusted websites, stop downloading junk, and no clicking on links in emails. You could be more hardcore about it, but these are just some basics. =)

How True...

"There are four ways, and only four ways, in which we have contact with the world. We are evaluated and classified by these four contacts: what we do, how we look, what we say, and how we say it."

- Dale Carnegie