For the sake of the children!

I just read (most of) an article (Rolling Stone: Sexting, Shame and Suicide) about how a 15yr old girl committed suicide after being embarrassed by people who sexually assaulted her!  Wait, what?  Thankfully none of these things were even close to the reality I was exposed to!

I'm not sure where to attribute my successfully navigating the harsh reality of life to.  I was teased a lot as a kid [insert childhood video that I never want to see again] and rightly so since I was on basically the lowest rung you can get to socially.  I was a redheaded 200lbs 10yrs old and was at least a year younger than most of my classmates.  Most people, at least when I grew up, would not tease a "differently abled" (retarded) child, since I was just a fat redhead it was open season!  I have no memory of how I was able to deal with the shaming and bullying.  I don't recall ever being beaten up, I was punched in the throat once, leaned that lesson pretty quickly.

So when I read an article about some teen girl who killed herself after being bullied I first think, thats sad but sheesh, suck it up, it couldn't have been that bad.  Then I keep reading and see it was because someone raped her and published the pictures of it to their peer group at school... WTF?  You have got to be kidding me!  Okay, she was dressing sexy (short shorts, thong pulled out the top, skimpy tops showing her boobs off, etc.) so there is a moment where you could think "she was asking for it dressed that way"... then you realize she was getting really drunk and "making out" with a a couple of the boys at the part so you might think "well theres your problem"... then you find out she passed out drunk and the boys dragged her into a room where they assaulted her (details withheld) and took pictures of themselves doing it.

At this point I shift focus away from this poor young girl's bad decisions and think about what kind of degenerates the boys in this story are!

I am a youth leader for a large group of boy ages 12yrs - 18yrs.  I "teach" a sunday church "class" of 8yrs - 11yrs old boys every sunday.  I have two boys of my own now.  I was once a boy between the ages of 8yrs - 18yrs old.  I feel that these boys could have been helped some how to keep themselves doing this!

I'm not one to blame the alcohol, I don't think its a great idea to get all sloppy drunk at that age, but it is not like alcohol causes you to become a pervert!  It lowers your inhibitions which means you have to have been broken in the first place!

I would like all boys within the reach of this message to know that you are the ones in control!  You choose to be a pervert or not!  You can choose to bully others or not!  You choose to be affected by bullying!  You choose to allow others to bully others while you do nothing!

You kids these days need to look out for each other.  Your presence at a party where something like this happens can implicate you or your innocent friends in a crime!  Who is to say someone doesn't blame you for what happened?!

My friends in high school use to tell raunchy jokes and use foul language.  We decided girls didn't want to be around that kind of person so we decided to help each other out.  We chose to punch anyone of us that was being offensive.  This worked well!

By policing yourself and your friends you are keeping the problems to a minimum and you might save a life!  That life you save might be your own!

Oh how the mighty have fallen! [UPDATE]

BlendTech sent me out a replacement and made the process simple and easy.  I have been reducing the amount of frozen fruit I am putting in.  I have also upped the kale volume a little.  The most common mix is:

• approx. 3C Kale
• a layer of frozen mango
• a layer of frozen fruit mix
• approx. 12OZ of Orang Juice
• fill to cover with water

With this mix I hit the "whole juice" button and it ends up thin like juice not thick like a smoothie... and I hafta say, I kinda like that better.

No smoke so far so I'm gonna say this situation is fixed... I'll let you know if that changes.

Oh how the mighty have fallen!

This post is being brought to you by Siri...

So I decided to see if I can blog via phone via Siri. So far so good to sentences down the rest to go...

I love my blend tech blender. Now when I say this I don't mean it in a creepy sort of have the blender next to me on my night stand. Or have to take it with me when I go on vacation. What I mean is I use my blend tech blender every morning cycling through it's preprogrammed cycles three or four times. If you're wondering why so many cycles I: a. want my food completely silky smooth and b. I run at two or three times with food and then once with soap for cleaning.

Imagine my surprise when this morning after filling the blender container with the normal complement of food it errored and stopped blend. Errored you ask yes I have a touchscreen blend tech design Series blender. I filled it with my normal complement of fruits and vegetables: some kale, carrots, mangoes, berries, peaches, and topped it off with some orange juice for liquid.

I loaded it, up hit go, and it spun up for just a few seconds then stopped. It displayed some sort of error code I of course ignored it and just powered off and powered on the blender. After hitting go again I let it run for a few seconds and realized it was making kind of a funny sound. Because any of the high-priced high-powered blenders are allowed to keep my blender behind a cupboard door. Once I opened the cupboard I noticed there was a thick black smoke inside the cabinet. I immediately powered the blender off and ran it outside in case it was going to burst into flames. Fortunately there was no continued drama just continued smoking. I brought it back inside plugged it in and it displayed an "I'm overheated symbol"... Yeah thanks. 

I called blend tech customer service who said we need to do some further troubleshooting to figure out the cause. I'm confident we will find a solution. I might need a new blender which I'm also confident they will supply for free with no hassle. But my goodness I've seen on the Wille blend YouTube channel a blend tech blender chop up a broom handle! Again oh how the mighty have fallen.

Green Smoothie - Reloaded

First of all, I have a few people to apologize to... you know who you are.

Second of all, remember, the right tool for the right job.

When I started doing my green smoothies I would have people tell me about their blender and how it would liquefy the food... I was like, sure.  I finally caved in a bought a BlendTec Blender from Bed Bath and Beyond because they said if I didn't like it I could return it at any time... no time limit!

Last night was the sound test (to be sure I wouldn't wake up the house) and found that it is totally doable if you close the thing in a cupboard.  I opted for under the sink since there is already an outlet for power thanks to the insinkerator and I might gain super powers from all the chemicals down there... well 50% isn't bad right.

I went with the more expensive BlendTec, not because of the fancy tough screen, but because it comes with the larger container.  The larger container costs $90 so I thought it would be worth the extra $50 to get the big container and fancy touch screen.

I put all the ingredients into this thing and was VERY glad I bought the bigger one.  I didn't have enough room for everything so I was planning on running it all twice.  Good thing too because the kale got all stuck at the top of the container.

Contents for Round One:

• 2 medium carrots
• 4 stocks of kale (two dino and two regular)
• a few oz lemonade
• an orange peeled with a potato peeler and quartered
• some strawberries with tops on (the green bits left on)

I could tell it kinda spun up and was not hitting the rest of the food so I stopped it early and packed the kale down a little and added some ice.  That ran a full cycle of "Whole Juice" setting... by then end of the cycle it had killed most of it but there were still some big pieces that had been on the top.

Contents for Round two:

• mostly blended stuff from round one
• ice
• a banana

I hit the same setting and shut the door.  After a it was over I kinda thought I would have to run it again since it sounded like it was gonna topple over as if there were a baseball bouncing around in there (remember, its behind a closed cupboard door so all I get is the sound and my minds eye.)

When I opened the lid it was liquefied... my jaw hit the floor.  And why I say liquid I mean almost watery.  I drank some to see if I should add more fruit or something.  The taste was not that great, a little bitter, but the texture was silky and smooth.  I was dumbfounded.

I pored the contents into a Nalgene bottle and was happy to see it filled with extra left over (32+oz).  I was a little annoyed I did not have a straw to drink it from.

I assume the order of how I fill the blender container will make the difference.  I will experiment and maybe update things.

Now that I have jumped back in with both feet I need to find more recipes to try... thanks to google I found the following posts:

• http://www.healthysmoothiehq.com/category/green-smoothies
• http://www.oatmealinmybowl.com/the-kitchen/30-delicious-green-smoothie-recipes/
• http://www.blenderbabes.com/

to be continued...

Eagle Scout Project (2013-05-16 @ 6:30p)

Aaron Camiling’s Eagle Scout Project

> What: Talent Show and Blanket Making Live Event!

> When: Thursday May 16th @ 6:30p

> Where: 5520 Topeka Dr, Tarzana, CA 91356

> Why:  (From the Scout Project Proposal paperwork)

My name is Aaron Camiling. For my Eagle Project, I propose to design and deliver a project that will serve the San Fernando Rescue Mission. This is a nondenominational outreach Christian Ministry that helps to provide refuge, recovery, and restoration for the homeless in our local community. They provide refuge specifically by providing food, clothing, and shelter for 30 homeless families for up to six months, while helping them recover spiritually and socially. Fifty percent of the guests who stay at the mission center are twelve years and younger. The Mission’s goal is to help these families get back on their feet and able to have independence again and they assist in finding these families longer-term living situations. The Mission also goes out in trucks daily and offers a shower, clothing, and food for the homeless that they are unable to provide shelter for that are actually on the street. In order for this charity to continue to operate, they need donations and help from the donors and volunteers in the community. They are dependent on any assistance they can get. I found this to be a worthy cause.

My plan is to hold a canned food and hygiene drive in the community over the course of the next two and a half weeks, culminating on Thursday, May 16th, where I will organize and host a dinner and Talent show at the Tarzana Ward building for the community as a way to bring people together to help donate towards this cause. The talent will be from among the community from various wards and my school, and the dinner will be open to the community via an open Facebook event, phone calls, personal invites, and flyers. On the night of the dinner, we will additionally be making forty no sew double thick fleece blankets to donate to the San Fernando Rescue Mission for the families that stay there. I expect about 100 people to attend.

> How: Admission to the tallent show requiers a donation of either your assistance in blanket making at the event or a donation of food or hygiene item.

Items that will be accepted for this project:
All donations listed below Must be undamaged, unopened, and in the manufacturers original packaging.

Personal Items:

• Razors (men & women)
• Socks Men’s/Women's/Kid's
• Toothbrushes
• Deodorant
• New men’s underwear (boxers 34, 36, 40)
• New women’s underwear (Sizes 5 & 6 or XS & Small)
• Women’s bras (34B, 34C, 36B)
• Diapers (sizes 4 & 5) & Baby wipes
• Baby Shampoo
• Shower Gel/Foam
• Sunblock
• Lotion
• Umbrellas / Panchos

Food:

• Cooking / Vegetable / Olive Oil
• Barbecue Sauce
• Pasta Noodles / Sauce
• Garlic Salt
• Tomato Sauce
• Italian Seasoning
• Canned Raviolis
• Salt / Pepper
• Soy Sauce
• Canned Meats (Chicken / Beef / Tuna)
• Cream Soup
• Pinto Beans
• Refried Beans
• Fruit Juice
• Baby Formula
• Granola Bars
• Canned Fruit
• Whole Grain Crackers
• Healthy Cereal
• Salad Dressing
• Peanut Butter
• Jelly

Also remember that you can make monetary donations to the San Fernando Rescue Mission site directly.

To Vaccinate or not to Vaccinate...

A friend posted an interesting photo on Facebook:

Caption:

CDC Vaccine Schedule.
What do you guys think about this?

This lead to my post:

Ivan Lawrence What are the dates that each of the vaccines became available? And to people who don't vaccinate, please don't fill up the hospital I only go to for non preventable emergencies... (Yes this is a low blow)

Which was met with the response:

Everyone needs to do their own research and not just blindly listen to what their pediatrician tells them. I have done a lot of research on them and decided that I did not want that poison in my child's body. I spoke to our pediatrician, and he too, does not believe in the new vaccine schedule. He said that the child's immune system CANNOT process it all. Some of the dosages that they give are enough for 2 GROWN men. and yet you want to inject that into a small child; no thanks. So, say what you will about me (low blow and all) but I would rather have my children the way that God made them then with out the crap the scientists make. And I have seen 1st hand a completely normal child become autistic after receiving their MMR vaccine.

Which lead to my rebuttal:

Ivan Lawrence I agree that we should all do our own research... Well, I think we should research the plethora of information that exists from reputable scientists whom have documented and reproducible findings.
For example, I saw a Penn & Teller show where they covered Vaccines, that lead me to ScienceBlogs.com's verification of most of what they said (http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2010/08/16/penn-teller-deconstruct-the-anti-vaccine/) and ScienceBlogs.com came from a group of experts to help us average joes learn more science (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ScienceBlogs).
I also looked into the answer of my question about when the different vaccines were released thinking that most of the new vaccines since the 80's were new since the 80's (http://www.immunize.org/timeline/).
And this all comes full circle for me when I see the old guy at church who has walked with a limp most of his life after winning his childhood fight with polio, a fight that people who are vaccinated don't have to fight. Remember, because of vaccines there are some diseases that no longer exist, they are just gone!
I agree somewhat with your statement about wanting kids to be "as God made them" but I also believe that science is a blessing from God and not using it is like not looking at the serpent on Moses's staff (http://goo.gl/pKQbR). We do not have a full understanding of all things, and I am not a scientist or biologist, but I do try to observe and think for myself.
Prior to the 1900's life expectancy was 30's, now its 60's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_expectancy) which correlates to a bunch of things (science advances, religion restoration, etc.) but remember correlation does not equal causation... if correlation DID equal causation then we should all begin to pray to the great FSM (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Spaghetti_Monster) as the creator and begin to wear full Pirate Regalia.
These are my opinions, you are allowed to have your own. Please don't take things too personally... You think you're right and I think I'm right, but mostly I hope that all of our kids remain heathy and live long lives regardless of their parents opinions.

As I hope I am accurate in my data and conclusions I also feel very strongly that both parents (me and the other poster) are just trying to do what we think and feel is best for our kids.  And if we feel that one way is best we would then feel we need to share these opinions with others to help their kids.  So really I think we should just all focus on the greater concept of helping our children be strong, healthy, and enjoy long lives!  I hope the decisions I make are right just like others hope their decisions are right... and I am glad that we can all freely share our opinions with each other!

UPDATE:
There is more info and opinions:

With a link: www.regardingcaroline.com/pubmed

My thoughts:

Ivan Lawrence Did you read through any of these studies? I just read through some and have to say I am VERY glad I am not a research scientist Also, almost everything is a non committal conclusion "May cause", "sugests a link", etc. Additionally, some of those paper were written in the 90's, where is the followup?

The main problem: there is no hard data in either direction! Meaning, it is a gamble, your kid might get a debilitating desease that kills them or causes extra chalenges throughout their life... or... they might have a debilitating metal desease that can cause extra chalenges throughout their life. Or your child might be like the vast majority and have no negative effects. One real tough part about being a parent seems to be making the call and having no regrets, even if you made the wrong choice, did you make the best choice you could with the info you had at the time?
What about other factors like technology. The advent of cell phones or WiFi and the increased amount of radio waves penetrating our bodies? Air pollution, for example, has recently been proved to cause heart desease... what are the odds that vaccines either have nothing to do with it or are simply a catalyst?

Science is hard...

Are You Tough Enough for Whitsett?

Are YOU Tougher Than a Boy Scout?

Make sure you tune in this Monday, March 4th at 8PM to watch the new National Geographic realityseries in which adults who never reached the rank of Eagle test their mettle against young Eagle Scouts at the top of their game. In the show, contestants compete in challenges drawn from Merit Badges and outdoor Boy Scout skills to see if the adults can match the skills and traits required to be an Eagle Scout. Producers of the show, who are also behind Deadliest Catch and Ice Road Truckers, had to find a location to host the show for activities such as Whitewater rafting, rappelling, wilderness navigation and canoe jousting (admittedly a new addition to the Boy Scout skill set). They chose our own Camp Whitsett, which rests in the heights of the Sequoia National Monument near Lake Ida and the mighty Kern River, because its traditional Mountain Camp ambiance and rugged terrain could challenge even the most practiced outdoorsman.

Test Your Mettle This Summer at Camp Whitsett!

Campers at Whitsett this summer will get to see if they are tough enough for Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout by taking on the Tough Enough Challenge. In order to earn the Tough Enough patch, campers will have to complete several challenges from Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout. These events will pair skills tested on the show such as Climbing, Shooting, natural navigation, obstacle courses, and pioneering. Make sure you take advantage of this opportunity to take the challenge in the very same location where the show was filmed!