Twilight, Love Story?

So I've finally read the first novel in the saga, Twilight. At first I wasn't impressed. It had all the makings of a good book but it wasn't packaged right, there was something missing, deepth missing. I realized later though that possibly what is missing is Me. It's a love story that is so basic I almost missed it. It is of two beings so in love so in need of each other they over come all to be together even when it may not be best for either of them. They still have the strength to move forward with their love.

So as I go to bed tonight thinking not of sugar plums but of Edward Cullen, I have to hand it to Stephanie Meyers for passing her story off on so many. Bravo!

Aerosmith

I heard on the radio today that Aerosmith is considering moving on without Steven Tyler. I don't get it, how can a band like Aerosmith think any of it's members are interchangeable? No way I say! All members stay. When you've been around as long as they have they don't get to make changes like that, JOE PERRY!!!! Aerosmith is Aerosmith, it wouldn't be it with some guy from Ohio feeling in for Tyler. It doesn't work that way. Try again please.

History Final

1. Dorothea Dix- 1802-1887- Dragon Dix was know for her saint like devotion to improving conditions for the deranged, though also for her strict run of Civil War hospitals. She spent between 20-30 years of her life campaigning for better treatment and conditions for the insane. She also ran a Civil War time hospital where she only took in nurses over 30 years of age and not looking for marriage. Fashion was not need or permitted in her hospitals and those in her care improved as her nursed fell in line with her thinking.

2. Frederick Douglass- 1818-1895- was a very popular lecturer on antislavery, and he rejected suggestions of dumbing himself up to be more believable. He escaped his slavery from Maryland in 1838 by disguising himself as a sailor and borrowed a seaman’s papers. He made it north were he would show what he was truly made of. Douglass had learned to read and write while a slave and he had master a trade as well all under the direct knowledge of his master. Douglass published the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass in 1845, which included his accounts of his life as a slave. His accounts worked, they showed that not all blacks were dumb and unable to be taught and learned people.

3. Clara Barton- 1821-1912- most know for founding the American Red Cross. Barton also opened a free public school. She is remembered in the text The American Nation simply as a nurse with a tale about a pregnant woman being wiped. She also helped notify families of missing during the Civil War.

4. The Freedman’s Bureau- put into action in 1865 as a means to assist the black man in his entry to equality. The bureau was made to ensure blacks were treated fairly and were receiving their new rights as free men. The bureau also issued clothes and medicines to those in need. Unfortunately the bureau failed to protect at the dead of night when blacks were being beaten or threatened the most. When complaints were issued to the bureau slaps on the hand were mostly issued and the offending party set free to repeat his offense.

5. Battle of Antietam- 9/17/1862- single most bloody day in the war and important due the location of Antietam, Maryland. This battle was the turning point in the war forcing General Robert E. Lee back down the Potomac.

6. First Battle of Bull Run- 4/12/1861- the first major battle of the war. The union nearly lost Washington D.C. to the Confederacy and would have if the south had acted faster after the win.

7. Remember the Alamo- the day Texas took a stand against Mexico for their independence. Also the battle in which Davy Crocket lost his life.

8. Dred Scott- a slave wanting freedom since his master had died while the Scotts where in a territory not yet defined as a slave region or not. The supreme court did not grant the Scotts their freedom.

9. John Brown- 1800-1859- extremist who dragged five unsuspecting men from their homes in the dead of night and killed them. Brown and his cronies escaped capture thought he went into hiding. The Scourge of Kansas tried to make himself a martyr at his death but only made himself into a song.

10. Ida B. Wells- 1862-1931- was an activist for equality.

Manifest Destiny reached it peak in the 19th century. The cause of this movement was of course American Pride. Though the founders of this idea wanted at first to spread through out the whole of North America, they were successful in spreading from coast to coast. The idea of manifest destiny is still current today on now we are spreading our ideas and not our force so much. The main consequence of this movement was it feed Americans with the theory that their way is the best way.
At first the idea of spreading out from coast to coast sounded fair. But why stop there when we could have the whole of North America. The idea was to concur Canada and Mexico. Then the capitol would be moved to Mexico City, which showed the brain stormers of this idea were really thinking more of the Americas and not just North America. This was just not to be so.
Today America forces other countries to adopt our ideas of democracy, even if that is not what the country wishes. We still use force to get our way and are still actively spreading our wills. Yes manifest destiny is still alive and well.

Edited for Content

There came a point last night when I realized I edit my life. There are things I don't say because they'd be too much. There are actions I don't take as they'd be too much. How different would I be if I didn't edit for content? Don't we all edit? Isn't that what our conscious is for?

I may sit and ponder all the things I don't say, all the actions I don't take but isn't that who I am just as much as the things I do say and the actions I do preform?

Do What I Say, Not What I do

Have you ever just wondered what the @@ck? I'm sure we all do. Mine is at TV vs Computers right now. I tell my kids all the time that TV is bad for them. They only get 30 per day of TV or they can watch 1 movie. They also only get 30 minutes of any digital game, ie Wii, DS, Diji, Leapster. I want them to PLAY to be active to ride their bikes to be Kids but yet I sit in front of this computer so much that I have to wear 'computer glasses' to help prevent the strain. I've also read women that use computers for work have a higher risk of reproductive problems, ie birth defects, miscarriages and general infertility. Yet here I sit, exposing myself to the radiation.

My point is this, shouldn't I practise what I preach? Shouldn't I get off my chair and go do something????

SATC 2

I am so READY for the new movie to come out!! I've recently finished re-watching the entire series and now I'm ready for all the Big/Carrie drama & all the Girl Drama. I'm ready to see what the writers have in store for us with Samantha. Dying for more Classic Charlotte moments & willing to take on Miranda one more time.

As I sat thinking about why it is I love this show so much I realized it's more about the escape than anything else. I mean who really takes a cab ride with all their girlfriends to discuss "up the butt"? And when you think about it, these ladies where ABLE to film that without laughing!! I love the writing, I love the characters, I love the acting. I love Sex and the City! I'm ready for fresh & new and familiar. Bring on the girls!

Grateful & Thankful

Sometimes we forget to say thanks. Thanks for being there, thanks for caring, thanks for just being you. We are who we are because of the people we allow in our lives and I've being meaning to say thank you to all of them.

Thank you to my Madre to with whom I wouldn't be me. For all you've done, for always being there, thank you. For never giving up on me even when you weren't sure how to lead me, thank you.

To my Ma-in-Laws both are wonderful and both are very similar (wonder what that means....) You may not notices how much I listen or how much I care about you but I do. Thank you for aways having patience even as I stumble. For not just shaking me but explaining why things maybe the way they are. Thank you for being you. & for my Spare Ma-in-Law... all I can say is WOW! I never realized how great you are. Thank you for being in my corner, even when you don't agree with me. I am so grateful to have you there.

To the one I call my sis-in-law. You are unique, you have often been my Jiminy Cricket & we both know it. I love you and am so glad God put someone so much like me, and yet so very different, in my life to shake me up when other won't ;-) Without you I'd surely be very different.

To my aunts & uncles, thank you for always letting me vent, for being that sounding board we all need.

To my Brother, thank you for showing me time and time again how NOT to do things!!! Btw I'm so very Proud of how you've turn out... things could have been so different.

To all my other family & friends, thank you for putting up with me. I have a better understanding of what makes me tick because of it, and what to watch for.

To my husband. I love you. You don't always see it, and you don't always let me say it but I do. I am grateful we are taking this next step in our relationship and building a better tomorrow for us and our family. It takes courage to admit you might have faults and greater courage to say lets fix it. Thank you for finally taking my hand.

It's funny how God puts certain people in your life and what they can show you. Reflection is all well and good, but moving forward is necessary too. thank you one and all for being my support team, the web that binds me.

The Anasazi

The Anasazi
Try to image life within the confides of a cliff, where existence is vital to the crop brought in. Now image living this way two thousand years ago, before modern tools. How did the Anasazi of Mesa Verde do it? Here is a people who understood the fight for life and somehow lost the battle. The remarkable nature of these people doesn’t stop at their ability to live in the unimaginable habitat of the cliff but also how four of their “villages” are aligned along the 108 degrees west longitude meridian.
The four aligned villages are the Aztec ruins, Solomon Ruins, Chaco Canyon and Casas Grandes, so we know they migrated far distances. Not only did they migrate but they perfected corn crops and brick laying. The village at Mesa Verde remains as a reminder of their intelligence and points to the answers of their existence. At Mesa Verde the housing is constructed in geometric shapes. These shapes were also reflected in their artwork, showing an understanding of mathematical concepts.
Early Earth science is a must have to have continued success with crop and to have four villages on the 108 meridian. This study had to be a focus for them to pull off a feat of such magnitude. How else would the Anasazi have been able to strive until around 1200 C.E. if not for their superior knowledge of nature. In the end there civilization has been lost and only the questions of how such a great people lost the battle of existence remains.
http://www.towson.edu/~brenda/newmexico/anasazi.htm

Columbus Found Asia?
Of course Christopher Columbus thought he had found Asia and went so far as calling the native people Indians but in fact all he found was the New World. The same dogged determination that produced the voyage to find Asia was Columbus’s down fall for not fully seeing what he had found. Had Columbus given in to the possibility that he just might be wrong he could have enjoyed the fact he was better than wrong, he was lucky. Never has one person been so close but yet so far from his goal and pride prevented Columbus from seeing the true jewel he had sailed upon.
In 1484 Columbus strived for a funded expedition to find a new route to Asia and was smacked down by King John II. After licking his wounds and getting his affairs in order Columbus sailed home to Spain to try his hand with their court. At first the Spanish Crown was not interested in Columbus but then in 1492 Queen Isabella turned and sponsored his voyage in hopes of spreading Christianity. Over the next eight years Columbus would make three trips to the west in search of Asia and never admit his idea was wrong and he had found a completely new world.
Christopher Columbus died in 1506 without realizing his dream of sailing west to Asia, this wouldn’t be possible until the early 1900’s. He had gone a little mad with his constancy he had found Asia or come to close to it. His death past without ceremony and yet we still honor him today.
http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/eurvoya/columbus.html

Beacon’s Rebellion
In a land where the enemy lived at your properties edge Nathaniel Bacon found his element.
Being a young Englishmen settling in Virginia the native Indian was the target enemy for Bacon. When the law would not give Bacon a commission in 1675, Bacon took it by force.
Bacon befriended nearby peaceful Indians and persuaded them into taking hostile Indians capture. Once the peaceful Indians had successfully done as Bacon had asked he in turn killed all of them, hostile captured and peaceful alike. Gov. Sir William Berkeley labeled Bacon a traitor but failed to stand against Bacon. After months of Bacon’s Indian hunting, Bacon returned to Jamestown with 500 of his closest cronies and forced Berkeley’s hand in giving him the commission.
Berkeley fled to Chesapeake Bay and awaited help in the form naval force after recanting his given commission. Bacon died in October 1676 and his rebellion went with him. After the arrival of royal force and without Bacon the Baconites (or Bacons followers) subdued. The aftermath is the real point of the rebellion, however. It planted the seed that an upraise could be accomplished and that there never really was a strong law in early Virginia.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part1/1p274.html
Instructor comments: This is just excellent work Thank you Dick Sennet score 60/60!
àThe New England Puritans were nothing more than a group of fanatics trying to hold dear to theology in a harsh frontier. When so many variables were out of their hands, they could at least control the destiny of their mortal souls. Were they superstitious religious fanatics? Yes, but only because of their own ignorance and strong hold to what they did hold true. Were they pious Christians committed to family values and conservative life styles? NO. If they were then why was there such a problem getting second and third generations to join the church as members? They latched on to their beliefs for stability and hope for a better future, after all they did leave England for a reason. Score 25/25

Nacierma

For those of you familiar with this article, I took it as serious as a student could. I did not question any aspect of it and took it at face value. As such my response is even more poignant. At the bottom of my response I've added the secret to this article for those that are not familiar to it.

Article 30: Body Ritual Among the Nacirema
The naive and primitive acts of body rituals in the Nacirema show the rest of the world faith is a truly powerful thing. The way this culture regards the body and then places their faith unquestionably in the hands of their “holy men”, “listeners” and “holy-mouth-men” shows learned behavior at its best; after all, faith is just another learned behavior. Even when things are at there grimmest the Nacirema still look forward to going to the said “holy-men” as if they will grant them everything they need for being healed. Exactly what that is unclear however, are they looking for rights of passage to the afterlife, are they looking for a miracle, what is it they really hope to gain from being mutilated by the “holy-men”?
While growing up Nacirema has its problematic situations, their children hold certain reservations about going to the “holy-men” showing faith in their gut feelings that marvels their adult counterparts. Perhaps if these children had more of a backbone they would be able to stand up for their rights and not attend the “holy-men” for healing. The benefit is undoubtedly longer lives by perhaps improved dental hygiene at the very least.
No matter how different the Nacirema are, they are a beautiful culture that deserves the right to practice their unique faith. The inclusion of this article in the class text is valid to show just how left cultures can be from American culture and still their cultures work for them. The American way is not always the best way and it can be certain the Nacirema would not want to live within the confines of the American culture anymore than any American would wish to throw themselves down at the feet of the “holy-mouth-men” for their semi-annual dentist appointment or the “holy-man” for their yearly physical.

***Spoiler Alert*** The article about the Nacirema is actually an article about Americans written in the 1950's. Some of the examples used of the culture are no longer relevant but the view point is. Here is someone looking at our culture from an outside perspective and this is what/how they saw it. Lesson Learned!

The Tall & Short of It

Article 38, Assignment 10

Is what we eat really a factor in how tall we are or does genetics play a part in the equation. In The Tall and the Short of It, Barry Bogin leads us to believe it is a mixture of both. He gives us argument supporting his thesis and it is sound argument. Mr. Bogin explains that humans have plasticity which enables us to grow to our surroundings and with what is available to us. Mr. Bogin down plays the importance of genes however, though he does give them a nod.

Mr. Bogin states on page 185 that the way to stop pygmies from being pygmies is to immigrate them to the U.S. but really is it that simple? I would argue not. Though the pygmy cultures may see an increase in height due to the better health and foods provided in the U.S. one would think these people would still remain on average smaller than there new U.S. counter parts or how else could we continue to call there original cultures pygmies. Wouldn’t they just be mal-nourished if they grew to average height once established in the U.S.? This would mean we would have to discontinue the use of the word pygmy in reference to their original culture. The continued use of the word gives meaning the culture really does have a genetic disposition to being shorter than average.

I would be interested to hear what Mr. Bogin has to say about my family, being how we are either short (below 5’5”) or tall (over 6’). My brother and I being a prime example of this, we grew up in the same house eating the same things and yet he is 6’4” while I am 5’3”. Mr. Bogins argument would have me to believe that somehow I didn’t get as much nourishment as my elder brother. I argue that this just could not be since we had the same diet growing up and were exposed to the same environment. Genes have to be a factor in this. This is not to say that Mr. Bogin doesn’t include genes in the equation, it just shows there is room for variance in the equation of height.

Bank's closure leaves void - Bakersfield.com

Bank's closure leaves void - Bakersfield.com

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Primate Aggression

Assignment 5, Article 15
“Rethinking Primates Aggression” written by Richard Conniff tells about the need to reconnect after a fight only the subject matter is chimpanzees and not humans. This article shows basic need to be reassured that all is still well. It also points to a greater understanding of behavior, be it chimpanzee or human. Conniff chronicles Frans de Waal research of chimpanzees and his observations. His admiration for de Waal is evident in his writtings and his siding on the anthropomorphism debate also focused in this article. In short Conniff is paraphrasing de Waal.
The article gives examples of how making up after a conflict can strengthen the group and help keep them united, just like in a human family unit. This is a very important aspect of evolution since there is strength in numbers. Chimpanzees have simply figured out they have a better chance of survival if they stick together so they better make peace thus making the group stronger and more united.
What I found interesting however was de Waal’s research center erecting partitions in the chimpanzee habitat so the chimps could copulate without being caught by the alpha male. Was this really a necessary addition to the habitat? Doesn’t this stray from natural environments? Do chimpanzees really have strong enough sexual urges to need to fulfill them? Apparently de Waal felt they were needed but they still leave this reader puzzled.

God Opens the Womb Part 2

It's true, God truly does open and close the womb. He sees how our lives are, he sees the people we surround ourselves with. He sees into our hearts. He knows if we are ready and willing to open our hearts to a new child. He sees the hope that may or may not be there. God knows all. He sees all.

We may not understand why he closes our womb, even when we pray so hard for him to open it, but he lets us know. In time God always shares with us. We just have to open our hearts and our ears and listen to him.

Carbon Dating

Assignment 9, Article 26
The topic of dating is a very tricky one, be it carbon, argon or social dating, someone always has an opinion. In Article 26: Erectus Rising in the 2005 Annual Editions, James Shreeve relates his findings mixed with a bit of wit for a decent read on dating Homo Erectus. His main point being that erectus could very well have migrated out of Africa before the accepted date of 1 million years ago. He also plays with the idea that erectus is actually a separate form of the African Homo erectus referring to the African erectus as Homo ergaster and the Asian erectus as Homo erectus. He writes in a fashion that gives little to his actual belief on the topic of lineage other than he is acknowledging there are varried thoughts on the matter.
This article takes us for a ride with nearly five full pages of text, all of which very informative but lacking in opinion expected from an article punctuating Shreeves views. This was definitely one of the more text book articles in the Annual Editions with posturing a politician would appreciate. The empty feeling of contempt and open ended argument is non-the-less worth the read. Where the Javan fossils are in fact a separate species or one with the African h. erectus is one expected to be pinpointed. Shreeves never says this is what I interpret the finding to be, he just say here are the facts you decide.
Shreeves even ends his article with this statement “But this tenacious debate is unlikely to be resolved without basketfuls of new fossils, new ways of interpreting old ones- and new dates.” (132). What is that for a closing statement? He is saying yeah we don’t know what we are doing and cannot agree on what we do know. This is not very encouraging for a young student hoping to follow anthropology. This article while informative on the different views accruing in modern anthropology, only showed how much guess work is really in this field. For the record I tend to believe that Java and the African form are both Homo erectus even with all that I have read.

Making Good w/ Goodall

Assignment Four, Article Twelve
Zoologist Jane Goodall contributes to our text in Article 12: The Mind of the Chimpanzee and opens the door to a new way of thinking. She provides information into the depths of the chimpanzee mind and proves just how remarkable they are. Goodall tells us in her article that the chimpanzee is highly intelligent and offers up a few laughs as well. As with all things Goodall, never under estimate the possibilities.
Goodall starts off with introducing us to a very distinctive chimpanzee, Lucy. I laughed out loud as she described how Lucy was able to pour herself a gin and tonic. It isn’t important that Lucy poured herself an adult beverage so much as she knew what she would need to make the beverage and got it herself. Goodall proceeds to enlighten us on just how smart Lucy is by letting us in on her ASL ability though Lucy isn’t the only one mentioned with ASL knowledge. Goodall also offers Washoe, Moja, Dar, Tatu and Loulis[1] as examples of chimpanzees who sign. Unique to the group is Loulis who was provided to Washoe as an adoptive son who was taught ASL from his companions and not human interaction.
Though the previously mentioned chimpanzees were not raised in the wild, Goodall was able to point to intelligent behavior in wild chimpanzees also. With simple mention of problem solving abilities of a chimpanzee who fashioned a tool to achieve his goal, Goodall shows chimpanzees have a broader mind than we have initially given them credit for. Goodall concedes she only knows a “fraction of what was going on in a chimpanzee community” (67) and yet proves she should be taken seriously even if her ideas varied from the norm at first print. Our article was taken as an excerpt from Through a Window, and makes me want to read the full text, at no point did I find myself wondering if perhaps this article should not be credited or included in the assembly of works here in the Annual Editions.
[1] Goodall, Jane. “Article 12: The Mind of the Chimpanzee” Annual Editions: Physical Anthropology. (05/06). 63-67

A Womans Curse

I now know the three words that have prevented me from becoming pregnant: Short Luteal Phase. I guess this is God letting me know that now is not the time for me to welcome another baby into my family. The good news is it can be corrected fairly easily from what I've read, from just adding more B6 (which I already eat lentils for breakfast nearly every day.... so not sure that's the problem) to getting more doctor prescribed progesterone treatments.

At least now I know ;-0 This does remind me of an article however so here we are:

Assignment 6, Article 19
“A Woman’s Curse” by Meredith F. Small was deeply interesting to me. Small writes about an anthropologist Beverly I. Strassmann and her observations on women’s menstrual cycle.
The article follows Strassmann through her weeding process for an observation group and her final pick of two from the fourteen original possibilities. Strassmann believed she could “see the connection between the physiology of women and the strategies of men and women to exploit that physiology for their own reproductive end” (96) better in a more natural birthing society. The end results and numbers are what I found most surprising.
Strassmann picks two villages for observation over a 2 ½ year time span in which she and her assistant immerse themselves into the culture of the society. They lived in huts without running water and electricity, learned the local language and observed the menstrual huts. These huts proved to be the main object of her study. They were cramped and crowded yet most of the villagers knew who was in them and when. Their way of life decreed it necessary for these women to give up their privacy and take refuge in huts during their cycle, they couldn't even use their own cookware all because of religion. But in all this nightmarish existence there is a silver lining. The findings.
Strassmann found that on average her subjects only had about 110 cycles during reproductive years, compared to our 350 to 400. Not fair I say. Those menstrual huts are looking pretty comfy if it means cutting the amount of cycles by ¾’s, though the eight to nine children is a little much by most western standards. So the woman in Strassmann’s study can keep their huts but they also benefit from lesser chances of reproductive cancers. Whose society ultimately has the better ideology on how to deal with the woman’s curse is unclear or just personal, but one thing is for sure, it definitely makes you think.

Of Mice & Men

This was one of my all time favorite articles to read and to review. I quote this article frequently so here it is:

Assignment Three, Article Eight
“Of Mice, Men and Genes” proved to be an excellent read. Robert M. Sapolsky gave convincing portrayal of how “environmental influences don’t begin at birth” (45). In his article he uses the example of mice and how they are tested in laboratory environments to clue us in on the nature vs. nurture debate. Most interesting of the points used was the first example of the testing done by Darlene Francis at Emory University, though the use of Beatrix Potter images was lost on this reader.
At Emory, Francis was examining the effect of being cared for by a parent whose constitution was more relaxed or timid than that of the baby and found that the trait in question was not being passed on to baby when the parent was an adoptive parent. Now here is where it gets interesting, Francis was able to provide evidence that when timid mama mice were implanted with embryos of relaxed babies the baby would grow to be just as timid as mama! Now who would want to take the time and effort to do such a thing other than a dedicated scientist.
Sapolsky also has a second example of a study done in New Zealand on one thousand children and the potential for clinical depression. Though this example has some merit, it could also be argued that no matter a persons genetic-make up there are always going to be some things that may trigger depression. He did a much better job of substantiating his claim on nature vs. nurture by the first example.

Anth 2

ARTICLE FOUR, ASSIGNMENT TWO

Dread began to settle as this weeks reading assignment loomed overhead. Both articles proved easy to read, however, and dread was soon replaced with interest in the first paragraphs of Patrick Huyghe’s [1] article profiling Dr. Clyde C. Snow, anthropologist extraordinar. Huyghe skims over Dr. Snow’s career in this article to give the reader an overview of his achievements. At times the article could have been better scripted for a popular movie than a text book, it was a nice change from traditional text.

Few men have done as important work as Dr. Snow has done with the FAA, Cook County Medial, with Aquino’s Human Rights Commission, and the American Association for Advancement of Science. On top of all these intriguing work places Dr. Snow has also assisted to unmask King Tut, identify JFK and track down Nazi “Angel of Death” Josef Mengele. Dr. Snow worked on bodies found on the Battle of Little Bighorn site and many airline crash sites. His knowledge of forensic anthropology helped put it on the map and give families identities to their loved ones. He, at one point, was the go to guy and he knew it and if we are to believe the author, he is modest as well. At the time of this reading little information is available on Dr. Clyde C. Snow other than he was born in 1928, which shows Huyghe point on Dr. Snow‘s modesty. Dr. Snow had a career spanning over sixty years and may still be consulting.

Who can ask for a more exciting career? At the same time though, who can believe all of this to be true of just one man? Perhaps the article glossed over the details with to wide a brush fore at times the image of Sean Connery as Indiana Jones father crept into view. Whatever the interpretation, the out come is the same, Dr. Clyde C. Snow was a tireless man who was quite good at his job and became a hero to many.

[1] “Profile of an Anthropologist: No Bone Unturned” Annual Editions: Physical Anthropology (05/06) 24-28

The Native Right

When does ones ancestry become less of that one person and more of an united ancestry? In the movie watched on September 21st, the question was posed to all Americans and not just the tribes that can date their ancestry to pre-Columbus. The ethical stance of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act is brought into question when challenged with the collective rights of the American people to have prehistoric clues saved for study. Our film lasting just over an hour examines what may be lost to the NAGPRA if prohibited.
Our film starts unassumingly enough with an archaeologist discovering what would be the find of his life on a beach, bones from a male about 45 years of age with a stone aged weapon lodged in his hip. After more analysis by both the archaeologist and a forensic investigator the modern man found on the beach proves to be nearly 9000 years old. The remains of this man tell a major story of brutal existence. NAGPRA hears about the find and invokes their right to the bones, demanding the bones be returned for proper reburial, causing the archaeologist to file a law suit to prevent the return of said bones.
Upon further examination of the bones it is believe he had a more Caucasoid facial structure than that of the Native structure giving clues to mans existence in the Americas before the Clovis migration. This pre-dating Native existence and falsifying the NAGPRA’s claim to the bones. The beach bones where not the only ones providing evidence of pre-Clovis inhabitants, there was also a man found in a bear cave being called Spirit Cave Man with facial similarities to that of the beach man and dating to the same period. Sharon Long reconstructed his face and hypothesized the two bones of being more like the Japanese Inuit than the Native Americans. Which brings us back to the question at hand, just because these bones pre-date Columbus, does that mean the Native Americans can invoke NAGPRA when there is clear evidence of the bones pre-dating their known entry into the Americas? The question is being examined in the trail of the beach bones and hopefully justice will be served to the greater good of knowledge.

Anthropology 1

I had a dream last night that I was a professor. Well I don't see that happening soon but one of the reasons I gave in my dream for being in this profession was that I wanted to share what I knew before I forgot. It struck home when I awoke so I will be adding more of my old college articles ;-) In my Anth 101 class we had to read two articles and do a write up on one of choice... some of my siting my not be correct as it wasn't necessary for that class and it's been a few years since I attended these courses. I apologize for the inconvenience.

Article two, assignment one

Having read both the first and second articles in a short period of time, I found large similarities in their bodies. The stand out of the two articles is Darwin‘s Influence on Modern Thought by Ernst Mayr. Mr. Mayr goes so far as to say “no biologist has been responsible for more-and for more drastic-modifications of the average person’s worldview than Charles Darwin” (13) within the first two paragraphs. This is a brave statement that pulls the reader into the body of the article trying to prove the statement false.

Darwin may have published first but only because he had gotten wind of Alfred Russell Wallace drawing similar conclusions independently of Darwin. Had Wallace not lived at the same time as Darwin, there is a chance Darwin may not have published. Though Mr. Mayr does mention Wallace, he fails to mention Darwin’s reluctance to publish, and to give a nod to Wallace for being the great instigator. Nowhere in the text of Mr. Mayr’s article is there mention of the race to the printing press.

Charles Darwin did print first, however. The courage needed to print must have been great but his hesitation nearly cost him. In the end Mr. Mayr is correct in saying Darwin is responsible for vast changes in the layman’s view, but Darwin did not get there without a bit of provocation. Mr. Mayr’s lack of detail to the origins of Origins was an irritation that could have been eased with an acknowledgement of Wallace being on the same track. Had Wallace been a bit quicker the article could have just as easily been Wallace’s Influence on Modern Thought. The rest of the article was well composed and concurred with other studies of mine so much so no larger impression was made. Ernst Mayr merely found a new way to paraphrase the acknowledge fruits of Charles Darwin, which in itself is an accomplishment.

U2 featuring Mary J. Blige

U2 is one of my all time favorite bands. I first remember falling in love with them at the age of 15 when my then boyfriend listened to them non stop in remembrance of his dearly departed mom. When you just sit and listen to them sing to the lyrics to the way the music moves over you, you feel them. Or at least I did. So as I was looking for the lyrics to 'One' I discovered a Mary J. Blige version that I was determined to hate when I first saw it. Then I listened to it. I'm a convert. The song transcends Mary's vocals and is just as beautiful as before only slightly different. Here is the link. Check it out for your shelves:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipoZbsc_3eU

enjoy

Changing of the Seasons

To help ward off the bitterness of the cool air rustling in the tree leaves:



Is it getting better

Or do you feel the same

Will it make it easier on you

Now you got someone to blame



You say

One love

One life

When its one need

In the night

Its one love

We get to share it

It leaves you baby

If you dont care for it



Did I disappoint you?

Or leave a bad taste in your mouth?

You act like you never had love

And you want me to go without



Well its too late

Tonight

To drag tha past out

Into the light

Were one

But were not the same

We get to carry each other

Carry each other

One



Have you come here for forgiveness

Have you come tor raise the dead

Have you come here to play Jesus

To the lepers in your head

Did I ask too much

More than a lot

You gave me nothing

Now its all I got

Were one

But were not the same

We hurt each other

Then we do it again



You say

Love is a temple

Love a higher law

Love is a temple

Love the higher law

You ask me to enter

But then you make me crawl

And I cant be holding on

To what you got

When all you got is hurt



One love

One blood

One life

You got to do what you should

One life

With each other

Sisters

Brothers

One life

But were not the same

We get to carry each other

Carry each other

One

One.

Sex and the City DVD's

is there anything better than re-living SATC moments on DVD? No says I ;-) Loving season 3 while working/blogging/answering e-mail. I'm one happy camper.

Geology

Chapter Quiz for "Chapter 2 - Minerals: Building Blocks of Rocks"
1. Which of the minerals illustrated in the following photograph exhibits cubic cleavage?+ Correct: center
2. A cubic centimeter of quartz and gold weighs 2.7 and about 20 grams respectively. This indicates that __________.+ Correct: gold has a much higher specific gravity than quartz
3. The two major groups of silicate minerals are the ferromagnesian silicates and the nonferromagnesian silicates.- Incorrect: false
4. The most common group of rock-forming minerals is the __________.+ Correct: silicates
5. Granite is a common mineral.+ Correct: false
6. All minerals have a crystal form.+ Correct: true
7. All silicate minerals contain which of the following two elements?+ Correct: silicon, oxygen
8. The ratio of silicon atoms to oxygen atoms is the same in each of the various silicate structures.+ Correct: false
9. Which of these mineral properties may be of minimal value in identifying the mineral quartz?+ Correct: color
10. This mineral exhibits cleavage.+ Correct: false
11. Which one of the following is NOT included in the definition of a mineral?+ Correct: unordered internal structure
12. When minerals break evenly in more than one direction, cleavage is described by the number of planes exhibited and the angles at which they meet.+ Correct: true
13. Most rocks are aggregates of minerals.+ Correct: true
14. Which one of the following sets of two terms describes how a mineral responds to mechanical impact?+ Correct: cleavage, fracture
15. The silicon-oxygen tetrahedron is a complex ion.+ Correct: true

Older than Lucy?

With all the famous Lucy's out there you might be wondering which one I'm referring to... It's not Lucille Ball, or Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds but none other than Lucy our 3 million year old ancestor. I tried to share this article from it's page but apparently it doesn't "talk" with blogger so you'll have to follow the link:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091001/ap_on_sc/us_sci_before_lucy

Let me know what you think

Premarital Sex

With more & more Americans par-taking in premarital sex we have to ask ourselves if this is really how we would like our children to be raised? In a world where Sex and the City is celebrated (yes I'm VERY Guilty on this one) is it possible to lessen the effect of premarital sex on minors? How can we take sex off the TV when it sales so well? How can we convince producers that really there can be more to a plot line than a steamy sex scene. As a responsible parent we've got a lot of help from TV stations on the quality of the programing based off of the reviews and ratings posted in the beginning of the shows but how about keeping some of these programs off TV all together?

I'm all for Sex and the City. I loved it when it was on HBO and hunted for people that would let me come crash their couch to watch (always with a little gift of bubbly of course) but now that it is on TBS, I wonder at the effect it has. Yes it's edited for content but the message is still there and at 7PM my kids are still up. That is at least one show that should NOT be on during waking hours for my children to happen upon, but yet it is. I'm not suggesting that the world edit it's content for children but shouldn't it be a bit more red light? Lets get our children to an age that they can understand the plot lines and the show biz aspect before we shove them in front of shows on the CW. Children have the right to be Children and our shows shouldn't target them into thinking it is the norm for all this sex.

Iced Tea

So for years I've watched my mother drink Iced Tea and thought why?? I grew up drinking it (and swear it's why I'm so short... you know all that caffeine) as did everyone in my family. I watched as my grandparents drank pitcher after pitcher. I can now tell the difference in day old tea versus freshly brewed tea and I owe it all to my mother. But I never got it. I didn't see the big deal in Iced Tea until today. Now I get it! It's an alternative to all the sugar drinks that only add to the hips. So now I'm off to brew my own tea.

For those of you that need a little kick for your tea here's one of my fav's:

Long Island Iced Tea

1/2 oz. Vodka
1/2 oz. Gin
1/2 oz. Rum
1/2 oz. Triple Sec
1/2 oz. Tequila
1 oz. Sour Mix
Cola

- Fill mixing glass with ice
- Add Vodka, Gin, Rum, Triple Sex, Tequila, Sour Mix
- Shake
- Pour into glass
- Top w/ Cola
- Garnish w/ lemon slice

Bridal Shower Lingerie Poem

Your wedding day is approaching real soon
& before you know it you'll be on your honeymoon.

As your bridal party, we got together
to help add more steam to that cool (PUT MONTH OF WEDDING HERE) weather.
To ensure that you'll have a really great time,
open each bag as I read each rhyme.

Monday: You'll both take it slow,
white innocence is the way to go.

Tuesday:You'll be all warmed up,
in a hue of floral you will be(PUT GROOM'S NAME) buttercup

Wednesday: Hump day after all
with this leopard print(Husband's Name) will be climbing the walls.

We wanted to have a little fun to,
so we thought real hard to see what we can do.
Put this on (Husband's Name) he will look out of sight
in this matching print you will have a wild, wild night.

Thursday: Will prove to be the most romantic,
All in pink you will make (Husband's Name) heart tick.

Friday: You will be sexy as a kitten in bed,
(Husband's Name) will be calling you his lady in red.

Saturday: Fulfills every fantasy and desire,
clad in black you will set(Husband's Name) on fire.

Sunday: Is your day of rest
since all week long you have given (Husband's Name) your best,
so with these pajamas cuddle up in bed,
lay down, close your eyes and rest your head.
But just in case (Husband's Name) is still on the make,
here are some Tylenol for that old,"NOT TONIGHT HONEY I HAVE A HEADACHE"!

We hope you enjoyed this little poem. Take these gifts & use them often in your new home.

obviously I'm gearing up for that Bridal shower I told y'all about :-) shop at http://www.mohot.com/

NFP

NFP, Natural Family Planning. I stumbled across this term yesterday in search of the whole God opens the Womb thing. This concept complete caught me off guard. I knew that there were people out there that still practise the rhythm method but I didn't realize it was a whole movement. They amount of stuff I found out there for NFP was amazing. Here the "Church" is recommending every woman regardless of her status of trying to get pregnant or trying not to, should practise NFP for health reasons. They even quoted science for their argument. Here was a line I wasn't expecting to see. It was nearly a reasonable argument for their side. Afterwards I was left in awe about how well thought out the argument really was. Go NFP for walking the fence accurately.

Anyhow I'm not saying everyone should jump the NFP movement but that sometimes it doesn't hurt to listen to the other side... This blogger isn't ready to give up her MoHot just yet, but I'm glad to her argument as to why the 26 year old mother may not be so into it. ;-)

God Opens The Womb

As I set out to answer my eternal question on how God sees conception today I was reminded how Vague he can be. My husband gets on to me about being Vague but really God has got the handle on that one doesn't he? Genesis alone, the first Book of the Bible, we see example after example of how God states a man goes to his wife and she conceived. Here God hints at how he is the one in control of the womb. But is he? Doesn't he also give us free will? And in Genesis 29:31 when he states he opens Leah's womb, he doesn't give a time line, only hints that now she should be able to conceive. Even with the birth of each of her son's, God doesn't hint at how long it took to conceive or how many times Jacob came unto Leah, just that Leah bore sons. The important thing to remember is that God leaves a lot up to us. He gave us freewill but ultimately he's in control of the gift of life. What we do with it once we've got it is ours to live.

Sex and the City 2

What goes better with an all Girls Blog than Sex and the City??? Well there's a new movie in production, maybe you've heard, and we're going to chat it up. As an avid Sex and the City enthusiast I figured it was time to add it to the blog. Yes I know we rarely see any of the Ladies in lingerie and it's doubtful they'd shop at http://www.mohot.com/ but they are still worthy of our blabber.

Now lets get down to business, the movie is slotted for opening May 28, 2010. Write it down. Post-it note your computer, add it to your day planner, do what you've got to do to make sure you SAVE that date.

With a little over 8 months until Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda retake the big screen, I'm sure we'll hear all sorts of juicy gossip about the movie and what's to come. And just for the record, we here at Translucent Thoughts & at MoHot.com a like to agree that Chris Noth as Mr. Big aka John James Preston is the SEXIEST man/character currently in film. We leave the door open on "ever on film" by the way as Harrison Ford and Sean Connery have definitely left their own marks as well. All things considered though, there is nothing that can make me smile quite like Big. His character is so well written you don't even hate him for all the truly awful things he's done to Carrie and because of Big, on other love interest was big enough for Carrie.

So as the count down begins, I'm anxious to see what our Ladies are up to. Bring on the Sex!

Get your shaking arm ready for Cosmo's one more time:

Cosmopolitan

2 oz. Vodka (preferably Lemon-flavored)

1 oz. Triple Sec

1 oz. Cranberry Juice

1/2 oz. Lime Juice

-Fill mixing glass with ice

-Add Vodka, Triple Sec, Cranberry Juice & Lime Juice

-Shake

-Strain into chilled martini glass (you can go all out and by the SATC martini glasses online)

-Garnish with a lime slice

Enjoy!

Lingerie and Bridal Showers

So I got this invitation to a Bridal Shower the other day, and it requested NO LINGERIE. Now, it was my turn to be surprised. This bridal shower is for a 26 year old mother and she doesn't want lingerie? Really? Does she think her mother doesn't want her having good sex? Does she think her mother doesn't realize she probably already does?? I mean she is getting married to a man she has a child with, she's not fooling anyone.

Enough ranting, but there is a lesson here. If a woman is so uncomfortable to receive lingerie from her closest friends and family in a well wishing of her future happiness for a fruitful marriage, what hope for romance does she have? Remember lingerie should be a relationship tool. It's not about bringing smut to your relationship but about bonding and relationship building. Lingerie is called intimates for a reason. You should feel free and comfortable with a little silk or satin in your drawers.

Just another Translucent Thought from Mohot.com

Google Google Google

I, like most people, LOVE Google! Today I discovered that my Mohot Facebook page is on page 4 when googled and http://www.mohot.com/ comes up on page 6. Looks like I've got some work to do!

On another note... when I googled my own name, an article I wrote while in college showed up on page 2. So I guess as a person I'm more popular than my business, huh?

Favorite Sexy Song - Chris Isaak Wicked Games

"Wicked Game"

The world was on fire and no one could save me but you.

It's strange what desire will make foolish people do.

I never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you.

And I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you.

No, I don't want to fall in love (This world is only gonna break your heart)

No, I don't want to fall in love (This world is only gonna break your heart)

With you (This world is only gonna break your heart)

What a wicked game to play, to make me feel this way.

What a wicked thing to do, to let me dream of you.

What a wicked thing to say, you never felt this way.

What a wicked thing to do, to make me dream of you and,

I want to fall in love (This world is only gonna break your heart)

No, I want to fall in love (This world is only gonna break your heart)

With you.

The world was on fire and no one could save me but you.

It's strange what desire will make foolish people do.

I never dreamed that I'd love somebody like you.

And I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you,

No, I want to fall in love (This world is only gonna break your heart)

No, I want to fall in love (This world is only gonna break your heart)

With you (This world is only gonna break your heart)

No, I... (This world is only gonna break your heart)

(This world is only gonna break your heart)Nobody loves no one.

Thank you Chris Isaak for being you!