Merry Christmas!!!

 "Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"

–Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Happy Saturnalia

The Original Xmas!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Be thankful for what you have 

Right this very minute,

Be Kind,

Be Compassionate

Be Thankful

From My Family to Yours,

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Veterans Day

All Gave Some.

Some Gave All.

Thank you Veterans.

Do You Have Faith or Are You Crazy?

Lately, I have noticed a new phenomenon.  It's called Blind Faith in certain people.  Gone are the days of having faith, trust and confidence in someone or something at a normal level, now we go all out and put certain people on pedestals as if they are Gods or Deities and whole heartedly believe they can do nothing wrong ever.   

Allow me to define the difference between Faith and Blind Faith using Dictionary.com

Faith is complete trust or confidence in someone or something. Or a strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.

Now there is nothing wrong with a little faith or trust or even confidence in someone or even something.  But when you cross the line, and think that a human being is God like or infallible, you have just lost your mind.   

As much as I abjure religion, I do not take away from people that do beleive in God and completely understand that they think he is infallible, but there is NO HUMAN, that ever walked the earth that is infallible.  And if you are religious, and believe that any man or woman is infallible, I hope your God smites you!  You know who I'm talking too!

Definition of Blind Faith is to have unwavering faith in someone or something without true understanding, perception and discrimination.  To have an unreasonable and unfounded trust and confidence in something or someone.

Now doesnt that sound just a little CRAZY to you?  You ARE a normal, rational human being aren't you? 

I was seeing this Blind Faith usually only when I would talk to the current POTUS fans, but recently, I'm seeing it from the other side too.  But it has more to do with Party or core beliefs as opposed to person.

I guess because I do not have Blind Faith in anything, I do not understand why anyone would have it.  I think that a healthy dose of faith is always a good thing.  As human beings we need to believe in something or sometimes someone and having high hopes for situations or people isn't really a bad thing.  But it crosses a line when you think that beyond any doubt, your person, party, or idea is without fault or error.  It is hubris to think that people will not or can not make mistakes.

I think its time all of the moderate, balanced, idea driven people ban together.  I wouldn't really call myself a Liberal, although I do fall slightly left of center and I would definitely not call myself a conservative, as I feel their ideals are too severe and restricting.  But really all I have seen lately are people that are too far left and too far right.  When I thought that I have seen the most left of leftist or the right of rightist, there is always someone that tops the most extreme on both sides.

In ending, I am a firm believer in the middle, no crazy, no extreme.  I also believe that the steely pendulum of politics certainly does swing from one side to the other, and with it currently at the height of the right, it will swing back, hard and fast to the left.  So I would implore everyone to find a solid middle ground as I have done, as it's much easier to stand than to kneel. 

Happy Columbus Day

In fourteen hundred ninety-two

Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

He had three ships and left from Spain;

He sailed through sunshine, wind and rain.

He sailed by night; he sailed by day;

He used the stars to find his way.

A compass also helped him know

How to find the way to go.

Ninety sailors were on board;

Some men worked while others snored.

Then the workers went to sleep;

And others watched the ocean deep.

Day after day they looked for land;

They dreamed of trees and rocks and sand.

October 12 their dream came true,

You never saw a happier crew!

“Indians! Indians!” Columbus cried;

His heart was filled with joyful pride.

But “India” the land was not;

It was the Bahamas, and it was hot.

The Arakawa natives were very nice;

They gave the sailors food and spice.

Columbus sailed on to find some gold

To bring back home, as he’d been told.

He made the trip again and again,

Trading gold to bring to Spain.

The first American? No, not quite.

But Columbus was brave, and he was bright.

Wat you call me?

In my best Howard Cosell voice, "Ladies and Gentlemen....In this corner we have...".

Well ok maybe I'm being a little dramatic, or maybe not.  But it seems to me no matter where I go or what discussion I try to get into these days there is always always always someone who will start dropping the name calling.  Seriously, a person just can't have a serious political debate or conversation with someone without someone starting the name calling.

This got me to thinking.  Why do people resort to calling names when you are trying to have a serious conversation?

I would have to say the reason I think people resort to name calling is that they are not very educated or very smart and they get very annoyed that you are not agreeing with them.  Call it egocentric or self centered, but everyone wants to be the "right" one, but it takes a truly well read or educated person to understand there are more than just YOUR opinion in the universe and that the world is not always black & white and that there is a whole big gray space out there that things are in limbo.

It also seems that the really dumb ones; you know the type, they get all of their news and history from Facebook memes, and usually think they are so much smarter than you, seem to be the loudest and nastiest of the bunch.

I also love the ones that have the comeback to a point you may have made with, "oh yea, I've done that, talked to that, been in that, and I got a totally different outcome than you"  I call that the, I'm too stupid to come up with a legitimate counter point so i'm just gonna say "nah nah nah boo boo, what bounces off of me sticks to you" comment.  I can't even begin to tell you how many times I have been called a "snowflake" simply because I do not have blind faith in our political system, either side...question authority, now that is patriotism.

But that's really not the way a conversation works.

I love having a real conversation with people that may not view the world the way I do.  I have always enjoyed the challenge and the information exchange.  I have learned a lot from people that I do not agree with.

But it never seems to fail, that some time during a great conversation and exchange of ideas, there will be at least one jackass that jumps in and starts with the name calling.  Their spelling, context and punctuation are usually pretty bad also.

Sometimes they can't help themselves.  They are not really intellectual enough to make valid points so their frustration always gets the best of them.  I am not talking specifically about the left or the right but both sides have these low IQ Individuals.   Some of the names are rather funny actually but they have no place in a true meeting of the minds.

I like to think I have an open mind, while I will say that my core values do lean more toward the left than the right, I do not always side with the left.  As far as I am concerned, extreme anything is not a good mindset.  I also do not give any man, woman or being my faith blindly.  I do not have faith in what could or may happen.  I have faith only in myself and my accomplishments and those who have shown me they mean what they say.

So in ending, when you want to get into a conversation with people, have a point, don't call people names because you don't agree with them or have a different view.  Listen to what others have to say.  You may find something new and exciting and actually learn something from others.  Don't close your mind to others thoughts or ideas.  Don't go through life with blinders on and DONT call people names, it just makes you look unintelligent.

Open up your mind, the possibilities are endless.

Target Beauty Box - September Edition

My September Target Beauty Box came last week.  One of the things that I really like about this sample box is that for $7 you get at least 1 full sized product.  The other thing I like about this box is that you don't have to sign up for a subscription and can decide if you want the box or not before you actually purchase it.  Most of the time you have to be pretty fast though, they do tend to go quickly.  

This box theme was called new Leaf.  Refresh, recharge and refine.  After a long hot summer your skin and hair get dried out, and this little box has everything you need to rehydrate and renew your tired skin.  

The September Target Beauty Box Contained:

• Garnier Skin Active Moisture Bomb Jar-7ml
• Acure Ultra Hydrating Shampoo- 1.3 oz
• Acure Ultra-Hydrating Conditioner- 1.3 oz
• Total Tease Mascara – Very Black Washable
• Simple Micellar Water- 1.9oz
• Premium Cotton Rounds -2
• Sensodyne ProNamel Strong & Bright- 2.0 oz
• NIVEA In-Shower Body Lotion -13.5oz

I haven't really gotten a chance to use everything just yet.  I really like the in-shower body lotion.  I never understood the Micellar Water, its like expensive water in a bottle if you ask me.  I never see any kind of change good or bad when I use it.  The cotton rounds (2) were a complete waste of space.  I can't wait to try the mascara but I already have like 3 or more tubes open and girls know you cant keep that stuff laying around forever!

Anyway, it was a half decent box again this month.  

Cant wait to see what they have for November and December!

Happy Labor Day

Wishing you all a Happy

and Safe Holiday

False Idols

In current events there has been a lot of hoopla about confederate monuments. As I'm sure anyone that that doesnt live under a rock is aware of the riot that started in Charlottesville VA and ended with some wacko Neo Nazi wanna be nationalist gunning it towards a group of people, killing 1 woman and injuring about 2 dozen more.

In a recent study (2017) there are about 1500 statues, symbols and monuments of the Confederacy in public places throughout the country, most of which are in the southern part of of the country.  They include not only statues and monuments but also names of schools, libraries, flags and other assorted tributes.  The majority of which were erected in the early 20th century, specifically 1911 which was the the 50 year anniversary of the start of the civil war.  (1861 to 1865).  There is a belief that a lot of these statues and monuments were erected as a "fuck you" to the north and the introduction of the Jim Crow laws that supported segregation between 1876 and 1965.  

Make no mistake, we all know why the Civil War was waged, it was in a nutshell for a State's right to allow people to be owned.

A little History Lesson...

By the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 slavery was legal in all 13 colonies.  By the time the Constitution was ratified in 1789 there was a small number of free people of color who were among voting citizens (male property owners).  After the revolution the Abolitionist laws were passed in most northern states which developed into a movement to abolish slavery.

By the end of the 18th century, Slavery was pretty much abolished, in the north at least.  The problem came around because in the north there was a different economy and much more low cost labor.  At the same time, the cotton industry in the south was booming, and so to keep up with the high demand, the southern states remained slave societies.   And during that same time, the southern states tried to extend slavery into the western territory and annex cuba as slave territory, this is pretty much when the country became polarized over the use of slavery, so much so, it created the mason-dixon line, where above the line, colored people were free, below, not so much.

One more little tidbit before I get to my actual commentary is by the time the Slaves were freed, there were 4 million slaves in this country...think about that for a second...FOUR MILLION SLAVES...now that's fucked up...

So here we are, 2017 and we are fighting over tributes.  I mentioned above, the majority of these statues, monuments and tributes were not erected directly after the end of the civil war but decades later.  Whether or not they really were a "fuck you" in the face of the more socially progressive north and government, I do not know, it was 106 years ago, not many people are still around from that time to tell us truthfully what was the idea behind the tributes.  

If you look at this logically, for colored people, to look upon a statue of a general or soldier that you know wanted you and your children enslaved to them, segregated, ostracized and treated worst than a dog, just put your feet in their shoes for a minute.  What if it were colored people who wanted to subjugate white anglo saxon people?  How would it make you feel seeing those tributes?

I am not condoning the violence and the protests that have been going on, I feel that nothing will ever be settled if people don't stop screaming and listen for a minute and have a reasonable conversation without resorting to name calling and blame...

Should the tributes be taken down?

I think that should be handled on a case by case basis.  These are all antiquated works of art and should be treated as such.  Art in its many forms, isn't always liked or enjoyed.  Art is made to evoke emotion, good and bad, so these tributes are indeed works of art.  As works of art, I feel they should be put into museums, not destroyed.  

There are larger ones, like Stone Mountain in GA (which, if you have never been, you should go, it's really spectacular) which can not be put into a museum but I think should stay where it is, untouched.  The point is that we can not whitewash (no pun intended) our history but we can tell it to our children in an appropriate way.  What is going on now with the insanity of the statues is just ridiculous and short sided.    

Why is this a Problem now?

In my research on this subject, I found that it's not necessarily new.  While there have been outcries about the flying of the confederate flag over Public properties for many years, it all came to the mass public light and social media in 2015 when Dylan Roof shot and killed 9 colored people in a church in Charleston, SC.  He got a lot of attention because he posted pictures of himself posing with firearms and the confederate flag.  Eventually the confederate flag that flew for years at the state capital was taken down.  And this is what started this Statue shitstorm we are living through today.  

The confederacy fought to maintain slavery and white supremacy in the United States, it's a very dark spot on the south, and they know it and that is why now the representatives of these states are looking at taking these tributes down.  

While there is historical justification to these tributes, it isn't really something this country as a whole should honor or commemorate in any way.  But because these tributes have been there for so long, they should be treated with the historical value and teaching generations to come.

In ending, a quote from Frederick Douglass, Abolitionist.

"We must never forget Victory to the Rebellion meant death to the Republic.  We must never forget that the loyal soldiers who rest beneath this sod flung themselves between the nation and the nation’s destroyers. The Confederacy was on the wrong side of history and humanity. It sought to tear apart our nation and subjugate our fellow Americans to slavery. This is the history we should never forget and one that we should never again put on a pedestal to be revered."

Peace Out
Jaded 😸

Me Thinks Thou Protests Too Much

When I think of Protests, I think of the Vietnam war and the huge protests that happened in the 60's & 70s.  Or more famously in America the Boston Tea Party.  Our country is young but we have seen our share of Protests, Violence and Chaos when a group of people gather to assert their first amendment rights and free thought and expression.  Especially when counter-protesting groups have something to say too.

There have been many Protests that people came together peacefully to force a change and it actually worked.  The Seneca Falls Convention in 1894, led to the 19th amendment and the Right of Women to vote in 1920.  The Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, when Rosa Parks was arrested for failing to give up her seat to a white man.  After about a year a protesting, Montgomery Alabama integrated it bus system.  In 1963, when Martin Luther King and 200,000 people Marched on Washington and he gave his famous speech "I have a dream" lead to Lyndon Johnson signing the Civil Rights act of 1964.  There are many many more throughout our history that have culmanated in changing what was into what is.

I believe that the idea behind what a protest is, is indeed genuine and thought of with good intentions for most people. However, as with many good intentions, someone is always bound to take things too far. Many groups these days I believe begin altruistic and eventually get taken over by people that's sole purpose is to physically fight with opposing groups.  

Groups that started with a legitimate cause, such as BLM or Occupy Wall Street, who had a legitimate grievance to voice, it began very slowly and quietly, until every time they gathered, the Black Bloc would creep in and ruined whatever peaceful demonstrations they were having. We have all seen the videos of those black clad demonstrators, faces covered, woven between peaceful participants, then they go berserk and start smashing windows, cars, fences, barricades, whatever they have or can find.

So now we have violent groups to the far left, such as the Black Bloc and Antifa, that have fashioned themselves after the far right groups such as the KKK, Neo Nazis, Skinheads, White Supremacists or Nationalist.  Ready to incite violence whenever they can.  It's kind of hard to wrap your head around people whose core beliefs are liberal or socialist to want to incite violence but as I always say, the pendulum swings both ways.   Perhaps their ideas are a bit barbaric, perhaps they are mad for totally different things.  Whatever the case, it seems to me that people who join any of these groups, left or right are mad about something.  But being mad, doesnt make a bit of difference if you don't get out and Vote!

There are still the altruistic people stuck in the middle, which is who most people that go to these demonstrations are.  I think we all lose site of the fact that we all still have the right to speak out against our grievances and most people are not totally left, or totally right but sit somewhere in the middle, shaking our heads and fingers at both sides.  We all have an opinion, and are duly entitled to that opinion.  But we do not have a right to force our opinion on another person.  We can debate, argue, bicker or stew over our beliefs but it will always be wrong to use violence to get our point across.

Violence will never change anyones mind.  As a matter of fact you may just lose ground if you are violent or cause chaos.  Demonstrations or Protests are meant as a platform to bring people together under a common cause PEACEFULLY.  You do not have to agree with what the Protesters are saying, that's up to you, but to invoke violence in the name of Peace?  Are you fucking kidding me?  You just make yourself look dumb.  

As far as joining these dumb groups, I will say this in ending. You were born into a group, it's called AMERICAN CITIZENS. For crying out loud, start acting like it already.  This is a country that has many people to make one people, e pluribus unum. There is no white indigenous people here, there are no black or latino, or asian indigenous people here.  No one has more rights than any other person, it's guaranteed by our constitution.  We are only fighting each other while all the politicians screw us over.  There will never be a good ending if WE don't ban together to make this country work, its call team work and its not impossible, it may take some effort on everyone's part, but it does work out in the end.  I promise...

Peace out..

Jaded 😸

How to Survive the Current Adminstration

Summer Break

Hello Folks,

I just wanted to let you know I will be taking a break for a few weeks.
Ill be coming back by the end of August with some new content, laughs and satire I know you all love.

Be safe, Be healthy, Be kind

Jaded 😈

Happy 4th of July!!

Wishing you all, 

A Happy, Healthy 

And Safe 4th of July Holiday

Happy Summer!!!!

YES its Finally Here!!!

Happy Fathers Day

To My Dad, who I love so much

Target Beauty Box - June 2017

 I recently received the June edition of the Target Beauty Box.  This one was $7 plus tax.  You really have to act fast when these come out because they have some really great stuff in them and go really fast.  I belong to "My subscription addiction"
Link Here >> Subscriptions!!!!
So I get notifications on when it's out and what is in it before it actually comes out.

This specific box is Summer Themed, which who doesnt like the summer and summer beauty products?  Once again, the contents are wrapped in cheery summer fun color orange tissue paper and as always, you receive a $3 coupon off a $15 health & beauty purchase at Target.

This month the box included the following items.  

• Hawaiian Tropic Island Sport Sunscreen- 2 oz
• Jon Frieda Beach Blonde Sea Salt Spray- 1 oz
• Sinful Colors Nail Polish- .5 fl oz
• Masque Bar Soothing Sheet Mask- 1 ct
• Aussie 3-Minute Miracle Treatment- 1.7 oz
• Schick Hydro Silk Women’s Razor- 1 ct
• NYX Gotcha Covered Concealer in Medium

 The Hawaiian Tropic is the perfect size to toss into your bag to carry with you on the go.  You never know when you will need some sunscreen and its always good to have some with you.

Not sure what I will do with the sea salt spray since I'm not a blond but I think its supposed to give you that, "I've been at the beach all day" matted hair look??

I love the nail polish in Island Coral, its a very summer beachy neutral color.

Im waiting to get more sun before I use the sheet mask, I have a feeling its going to be great. I love those facials that are like a paper mask you just place over your face.

Anything from Aussie is great for me, I just LOVE their products and they are very affordable and make your hair so soft and beautiful.

The Hydro silk women's razor is excellent and that right there is almost a $10 value!

Although I don't really use concealer, it seems to cover pretty well.

I definitely like Targets box way better than Walmart's box.  Although Walmart's box is only $5 its mostly samples that you can get for free on the individual websites. Where at least a few items in the Target box is full sized so much more worth the $7 plus tax it costs.

Also Target offers other specialty boxes, like they have a men's father day box available now, and they have a health box that comes out once a month.

So if you are going to buy into a beauty box, I would without a doubt pick this one before the rest.  The only odd thing is that you have to order it each month so you have the option to take it or not.

50 Things That Really Piss Me Off

1. People that do not stop at stop signs, no, slowing down is NOT stopping.
2. People that walk behind your car when you are trying to pull out of a parking space, are they retarded?
3. People who stop more than one car length from the car in front of them at stop lights/signs,  or in traffic, what is that about?
4. People who pull into traffic and then slow down, are they trying to cause accidents?
5. People that park on the line of a parking space, so that the next space is too small to fit in.
6. People that are way too aggressive in their driving habits.
7. People with huge gas guzzling, FU mobiles that think because they can drive over bumps without feeling them everyone else can too!
8. People with huge gas guzzling, FU mobiles that act like that are carrying around dynamite when they go over bumps.
9. People that cut corners instead of actually making the turn.
10. People with huge gas guzzling FU mobiles
11. People that drive BMWs, Lexus’s, and Mercedes all SUCK at driving.
12. People who are too busy talking on their cell phones to pay attention to the road – see # 11 – it’s usually them.
13. People that speed up when you are trying to change lanes or pull into traffic, were you born an asshole?
14. People with bumper stickers on their cars, the more there are, the worst they are at driving.
15. People that do not understand what a 4-way or 3-way stop is.
16. People that do not understand what Yield means.
17. People that walk in the street, not on the sidewalk.
18. People that do not say “please”, “thank you” or “EXCUSE ME”.
19. People that talk loudly on their cell phones in public.
20. People that talk on their cell phones when they are in line at the supermarket, really? Can't it wait?
21. People that run into you with their shopping carts then look at you like YOU did something wrong to them.
22. Bus Drivers
23. Taxi Drivers
24. People that race with their shopping basket so that they can get in front of you in line.
25. People that only speak American when there is money involved.
26. People that refuse to learn to speak American while living in the United States.
27. Illegal Aliens
28. Politicians
29. The fact that Politicians REFUSE to make a national language – American!
30. People that think they know everything!
31. Doctors that think they are Gods
32. Most lawyers – not mine!
33. Being the last person to know
34. Having to stick myself 4 times a day or more - (not anymore!)
35. Having to tell people how to do their jobs - all of the time!
36. Having to do other people’s jobs because they are too stupid to do it themselves.
37. People that call you over and over and over again to sell you something you don’t really want or need.
38. Insurance Companies and Pharmaceutical companies
39. When a person refuses to take “no” as an answer
40. People that pay lip service to their religion.
41. People that preach.
42. People that lie, cheat and steal.
43. People that will allow their Constitutional rights to be whittled away all in the name of terrorism.
44. People that do not use their blinkers.
45. People that coast through stop signs.
46. People that are too arrogant to think that they couldn't learn something if they would just shut up and listen to others!
47. Having to ask the same question over and over and never really getting an answer.
48. Being ignored when I am speaking.
49. People that don’t flush at work.
50. People that always think they have the right of way even when they don’t!

Happy Memorial Day

To all those that have served or are serving, My most heartfelt and sincere THANK YOU for your service.

Social Media Etiquette

Social media is the bane and black hole of our time.  What I thought started out as a wonderful new communication tool has turned into a dark abyss of overly sensitive cry babies and stereotypical jerks.  I have all the major profiles in the social media outlets, I have also connected with people that I thought I had lost touch with many years ago and also made some good lifelong friends via social media.  So it's not all dark, but folks, it's pretty dark at times.

But lets face it, people do and say some of the stupidest things that you know damn well they would never do if they were standing there right in front of you, am I right?

So I want to take some time today to talk about what is not acceptable behavior on social media.  Because, it seems to have taken the place of actual human interaction, there needs to be some ground rules...

1.  Don't Be rude or offensive for no good reason.  You must be a freaking idiot or just a really mad person, whatever your problem is, stifle it, no one gives a shit how your day is going.  You need to NOT be on social media till you pull out what ever crawled up your buttox then.  Especially if your nastiness has nothing to do with the conversation at hand.
2. Don't Forward chain messages.  I did not like them when they were sent via regular mail, I really hate them now.  Texting and messaging was meant for sending private messages NOT for your stupid freaking forwards that Oh BTWs you will NOT be getting a million dollars in a half hour or nor will you be getting health, wealth or prosperity by forwarding those stupid things.  If you really want to tell me you love me, how about calling me or stopping by to tell me to my face?  Nes` Pas`?
3. Don't Bust in and put your stinking 2 cents in when a conversation is obviously not truly public.  Yes all social media is public, but sometimes, when two or more people are having a real conversation, maybe you should just READ it and not enter it?  Use your better judgement, not every conversation is for you to stick your nose in and drop your 2 cents worth of doo doo and then run.  Sometimes you just need to let shit go without commenting on it.
4. Don't ask People if they saw your posts.  If they did, maybe they didn't think it was worth replying too?  If they didn't, maybe they too busy not spending 3/4 of there day on Facebook, twitter, instagram, or whatever? Uh yea, let me get back to you on that...
5. Don't share Amen, Like and "share this" posts.  Fuck you and your Amen and seriously, I don't like anything on social media, well somethings, but certainly nothing you are sharing. I am not a lemming, I do not follow others off a cliff.  Maybe you are, but it's really annoying. Got it? Good.  
6. Dont complain about everything others post.  Why are you even on Social media if you don't want to hear or communicate?  If you don't like it, GO AWAY! Or better yet, "unfriend" "unfollow" "undo"!
7. Don't be offended by what people post, then go on your own page to bash what you just saw.  Seriously, you are a little pussy with absolutely ZERO balls or couth.  If you don't like someone or things they post, why are you staying friends with them?  Cut that shit loose.  
8. Don't post attention getting posts.  If you post something like "at the hospital, send prayers"  damn it, you better be telling us what the hell is wrong!  It is wrong, plain and simple to expect people to not question. That is, unless your wall is so damn boring that you are just seeking attention, there had better be an explanation!
9. Don't comment on Memes that people post because you don't agree with them.  Memes are meant to be Funny or Satirical for the most part.  Sometimes they are just meant to be ironic, they certainly don't pinpoint or pigeon hole a person's entire existence or views of the world, so don't act as if it does.   They certainly aren't made to start a conversation, more likely they are made as a statement.  Whatever the case, you look like an idiot arguing with a meme.
10. Don't lecture.  YOU are not the most perfect person in the world.  When you start to lecture, you just look like an idiot and that you are a know-it-all. You can practically hear the eye rolling when people start lecturing, You do not have all the answers.  It is not your place to tell people that, oh you shouldn't do this, or do that, or I'm so right I'm holier than the holiest person that ever walked the earth.  If someone asks for your input by all means, give it to them, but if not, stifle the urge to make yourself look like a asshole.  

In ending, take my advice, don't be a turd on social media.  Your status on social media is that people know of you now since we don't really do face to face anymore.  Do you really want to be known as a hard ass, disrespectful, rogue? Do you want to be known as a self centered know-it-all with a holier than thou complex?  I think not.

Happy Mothers Day

Some day there will come a time, when you can no longer call or see your mom and tell you that you love her.  Don't let those moments slip away.  Let your mother know how much you love her, don't regret not telling her one day.

All Clogged Up - Common Problem After Bariatric Surgery

There is a lot of things your bariatric team usually don't tell you before you actually have bariatric surgery.

Maybe they don't say anything because they don't think about it or don't think that it's a point that should be mentioned.  They usually only tell you the bullet points they have in their presentation to persuade you to actually have the operation.  Lets face it, it's a major life changing thing that you are doing to yourself and maybe there just isn't enough time in the day to go over every little single thing that may or may not happen to you, right?

Well I'm here to tell you the good, the bad and the ugly of what happens to a person after they have Bariatric Surgery.

Today's Topic - Constipation...

This is a very real problem and more than just annoying, it can damage you, keep you from losing weight and cause havoc with your insides.

I found that initially it wasn't much of a problem.  I have never been a "regular" pooper but I'd say about 9 months after I had the surgery, things went south and have never really corrected themselves without some help.  I thought at first it was because of the matra, "protein first" and I dutifully always ate my protein before anything else.  Anyone with this tube of a stomach can tell you, if you eat protein first, there isn't really much room for anything else.

I also thought that maybe it was all the vitamins you take at first?  I was on a multi + iron, b-12 sublingual and b-6 sublingual.  Or maybe I wasn't getting enough fiber?  After all, I don't really eat bread anymore except for the occasional piece of toast.  I have also been told that it could be because I am dehydrated and do not drink enough water during the day.  Water is hard for me, I have to mix things into it to get it down.

Whatever it is, it seems that I am not in the minority when it comes to this problem.  I have spoken to many people with the same issue and it seems the majority of them deal with it the same way, which is gentle laxatives a couple times a week.   I have to say, it's probably not the BEST way to deal with it, but it is the easiest.  Also on a side note, you can become addicted or at least dependent on laxatives, so you should only take them if you haven't pooped for at least a few days.

The other thing I want to mention is that most of the people that I have spoken to about this, report that the constipation that they are having is the hard nugget type which usually indicates that you are dehydrated or are lacking fiber. As much as I can say that I have tried to increase both of these things by drinking more water and eating fiber chewys by the handful, neither of those things helped me in any way.

I am starting to think that maybe this is just the new norm for me?  Maybe because food metabolizes differently for me now, this is just the way that it is. Whatever the cause or case, I have found that it's a very common occurrence that is seldom spoken about or addressed by your medical team.  It is however something that you should know before going into this.  I'm not saying that its bad and not to get this surgery because of it, I think that the health benefits far outweigh the minor annoyances, but it's something you should know that may or may not happen to you.  💩

Am I Hungry? Probably Not...

This post is about Head Hunger and how it sabotages your weight loss.

I find posting about some of the problems I have and have had very satisfying and cleansing.  I know that I have an addiction to food and just because I had my stomach removed doesnt make everything all well and good now.  As a matter of fact, having bariatric surgery actually complicates the bad habits that I have put upon myself over the years.

Eating when you are not actually hungry is a problem.  If you eat when you are bored, happy, sad, mad, excited, or nervous, YOU have a problem.  I always used food, usually decadent food, as a crutch, which I'm sure that many of you who read this blog also have done.  Some people do drugs, some people drink alcohol, others go to God, I have always gone to food.  And because of that I have a hard time figuring out if I am actually hungry or not.

Head hunger is when you take your emotions, whatever they are, and your brain reads them as if you are hungry when in fact, you are not.  Even though I have lost a ton of weight, I still struggle with not knowing if what I am feeling is actual hunger or if its just a symptom of an emotion that I am having.  

I don't actually know that it feels like to be hungry.  As with most overweight people I do a lot of grazing during the day so therefore, I couldn't possibly actually BE hungry, right?  And like I said before, what exactly does "hunger" feel like anyway?

According to Wikipedia - Physical Hunger is:

The physical sensation of hunger is related to contractions of the stomach muscles. These contractions—sometimes called hunger pangs once they become severe—are believed to be triggered by high concentrations of the ghrelin hormone. The hormones Peptide YY and Leptin can have an opposite effect on the appetite, causing the sensation of being full. Ghrelin can be released if blood sugar levels get low—a condition that can result from long periods without eating. Stomach contractions from hunger can be especially severe and painful in children and young adults.

Hunger pangs can be made worse by irregular meals. People who can't afford to eat more than once a day sometimes refuse one-off additional meals, because if they don't eat at around the same time on the next days, they may suffer extra severe hunger pangs.^[3] Older people may feel less violent stomach contractions when they get hungry, but still suffer the secondary effects resulting from low food intake: these include weakness, irritability and decreased concentration. Prolonged lack of adequate nutrition also causes increased susceptibility to disease and reduced ability for the body to self heal.^[4][5]

The truth is, if you eat every 2 or 3 hours, chances are, you are not hungry.  If you have a number of snacks a day, you are not hungry.  If you just put things in your mouth without thinking about it, you are not hungry.  I know, I have never, or at least as far back as I can remember, ever have physical contractions in my stomach telling me I'm hungry.  I would love for just once, to know what that feeling is.

On the flip side of not knowing what the feeling of hunger is, I also did not know what the feeling of "full" felt like.  Of course, I do not have that problem anymore, but there have been occasions that I have eaten too much and that just makes me throw up now.  Before I had bariatric surgery though, I had no idea what it felt like to actually be sated.  

I believe these are a two for one problem with people that are overweight.  Not knowing if you are hungry and not knowing that you are full is just a recipe for disaster or at the very least, a lot of weight gain.

In ending, if you do not keep these two monsters, Hunger and being Sated in check, you will never ever keep your weight in check.  The constant grazing or binge eating will always catch up to you, even if you have had your stomach removed.

Happy 420

Happy 420 to all those that Participate

May the Powers that be 

Finally realize

that Pot is not a gateway drug

Doctors pushing Oxycodone are!

Happy Easter

To all my friends that celebrate..

May you find peace and compassion on this day.

5 Things No One Told Me about BEFORE I had Bariatric Surgery!!!

This is my list of 5 things that no one told to me before I got Bariatric Surgery.

Anyone that has had Bariatric Surgery can tell you.  Most insurance companies will put you through the ringer and make you jump through hoops to even HAVE the surgery.  Even though, for many people, including myself, it will save your life.  They fight tooth and nail to let you have it.

With that said, I had to get cleared by no less than 6 specialist, such as Cardiologist, Pulmonologist, Psychologist, Endocrinologist, Gastroenterologist and Nutritionist.  But during NONE of these 6 or more months of appointments and testing, did any of them mention the 5 things in the list below.  So if you are thinking of having this operation or already have had it, keep these things in mind:

1. Constipation is a fact.  I do not think that I have met anyone that had NOT had a problem with Constipation.  I didn't have the problem at first, I suppose because just about everything you eat in the first 6 months to a year is either liquid or soft.  But after that year when I found that I could eat other foods in moderation, I became constipated.  I don't know why, it just happens...fiber helps a little, but I would say, just get used to it and try to get ahead of it.

2. You really will NEVER eat the same way again, EVER...and when I say that I mean NEVER.  Oh I can still eat most things, although not very much of anything really, but there will be foods that you just can not stomach anymore, no matter what you do or how you eat it, it will make you nauseous or just sit in your stomach like a rock.  And don't get pissed but some of the foods maybe things that you LOVED previously.  To this day, I still can not eat tough or dense cuts of beef or pork, cole slaw, more than a tbsp or 2 of Ice cream at a time, over greasy foods, anything that is too rich or dense will seriously put me in a B.A.D. mood.

3. If you have been overweight to obese for most of your life, like I was, Do NOT expect to all of a sudden become 125lb diva.  The truth is, the older you are, the harder it still will be to get to what they call your "goal" weight.  Unless you have a private chef and can work out 3 or 4 times a week for 4 or more hours a day, don't expect to reach your "goal".  Let's be realistic, You were fat, you got that way because you didn't eat right and didn't exercise.  Just because you had this operation and will probably lose a good amount of weight, don't expect miracles.  

4. Chances are, if you do not change the way you eat, you will gain weight back.  I know it's hard to stop doing what you have always done.  And sometimes your body just battles against you.  But it's the truth as much as I do not want to admit it, it happens to more people than anyone actually ever talks about.

5. Oh you never heard of Dumping Syndrome?  It happens to the best of us and without warning.  Its when food is passed through your sleeve of a stomach too quickly, usually this happens with things very high in sugar or carbohydrates or very fatty.  It usually happens a short while after you eat.  You will get nauseous, dizzy, anxious and probably get diarrhea.  Believe me you will remember it.   The few times I have gotten it, I was sick to my stomach for hours after.  Just remember to connect the dots, don't eat whatever it was that made you feel like that.

FAQ

On occasion, ok maybe more than just occasionally, I get email from people.  Some I know, many I don't.  They ask me questions about my world views and bariatric stuff.  I have also gotten some hate e-mail too from time to time, but I figure those are just people with nothing better to do and way too much time on their hands.

Yea SO WHAT that I am opinionated?  If we were having these conversations over a bottle of wine or cocktail, most likely they would be laughing at the world with me instead of taking me so seriously.  I swear people have lost their ability to laugh at stuff anymore.  But I digress...

Anyway, I have compiled a shortlist of some of the most common questions I have been asked.  Which I will answer, to the best of my ability.

Q.      Why don't you allow comments on your blog posts?
A.       Well, truth be told, I don't really want to moderate what other people                   have to say.  This is my blog, my world, my rules.  If you really want to
           make comments, I have a facebook page associated with this blog,
          you can comment there, or not, I really don't care.

Q.      You can be really nasty and opinionated, what's up with that?
A.       Have you ever heard of the Jersey Attitude?  I am not nasty, I am a
           Satirical Commentator.  Laugh once in awhile so your face don't crack!

Q.      How can you be an Atheist and an Ordained Minister?

A.      Do I really need to believe there is an Omnipotent Being living in the sky

          to be able to marry people and say eulogies?  Do I need to believe there is 

          a heaven and hell so I do right by my fellow human beings and other living           things?  Just because I do not have the threat of heaven and hell over my              head, doesnt me that I can not or will not administer kindness and                          compassion.

Q.        When you had your stomach removed, did it hurt?
A.        Its really different for everyone.  I felt like I was hit by a train for about 2                days.   I never really had any actual pain though.  The incisions were a
            little itchy but I don't think I took anything stronger than motrin when I
            got home.

So those are the questions that I am asked most and the standard answers that I give when I get them.  If you have any questions for me.  Please do not hesitate to email me via the contact form on the sidebar of this page or directly at: JadedMage@gmail.com