After trying several relaxation and healing tapes/CD's, I have found one that I value so much, I want to shout it to the world. If you "are in pain, have been diagnosed with a disease, or have general malaise," this CD is for you.
I first saw Kathy Freston on Oprah, discussing her book on relationships called The One. After the show I purchased the book because I thought it would help me shed baggage that prevents me from attracting the right person. Unfortunately for me, the book is designed for someone who is already in a relationship. The premise of the book is that what you put into the universe, you will attract back. I have put this book aside and will do the exercises in it at some point in my future.
But Freston impressed me so much that I looked for other writings by her. Lo and behold, I found her transformational meditation CD's and I purchased two: One on relationships and the other one on healing.
Showing posts with label reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reviews. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Saturday, July 14, 2007
More Comments on The Loved Dog
Please see my previous review of The Loved Dog by Tamar Geller. Now that I finished reading the book, I will comment a bit further.
If you have experience raising and training dogs, the author’s point of view is fascinating. Her training methods may work on all dogs—if the owner can invest much time and consistency with training. She makes a good argument against inflicting physical discomfort on dogs.
The Loved Dog does not address problems with aggressive dogs, and I’m not sure if her methods would be effective, unless they were used when the aggressive (breed) dog was still a puppy. You can teach an old dog new tricks. But it takes dedication and commitment.
A dog takes physical cues from its owner. In my opinion, the owner must communicate superiority with some kind of physicality. For example, you can prevent a big dog from jumping on you by raising your knee to block him from making contact with your lap or chest. Or you can force a dog to sit by pushing on his rear with all your fingers tips—being careful not to injure the dog’s hips.
These physical cues are some of the ways to demonstrate that you can physically dominate your dog. You can get him to mind by using your superiority over him, instead of hitting him with a newspaper or jerking him harshly with a choke chain. Physical communication is a vital component of dog training but does not stand alone.
Playing games with the dog and having training sessions strengthens the bond between dog and owner that further instills a trust in the dog. And I think this is the author’s main point. The Loved Dog is mostly about establishing and maintaining a relationship with your dog.
If you have dogs and love dogs, Tamar Geller's point of view worth reading. But this book doesn’t give basic advice like potty training or crate training. There are also books available with more games and dog tricks.
In retrospect, the book is partly an autobiography of the author. In addition to surviving a difficult childhood, she has led a colorful life in Israeli Intelligence. Afterwards, she spent many hours observing wolves in their own habitat. Her love of dogs and her own methods of dog training demonstrate her own kind soul, and this is what she imparts to the reader.
If you have experience raising and training dogs, the author’s point of view is fascinating. Her training methods may work on all dogs—if the owner can invest much time and consistency with training. She makes a good argument against inflicting physical discomfort on dogs.
The Loved Dog does not address problems with aggressive dogs, and I’m not sure if her methods would be effective, unless they were used when the aggressive (breed) dog was still a puppy. You can teach an old dog new tricks. But it takes dedication and commitment.
A dog takes physical cues from its owner. In my opinion, the owner must communicate superiority with some kind of physicality. For example, you can prevent a big dog from jumping on you by raising your knee to block him from making contact with your lap or chest. Or you can force a dog to sit by pushing on his rear with all your fingers tips—being careful not to injure the dog’s hips.
These physical cues are some of the ways to demonstrate that you can physically dominate your dog. You can get him to mind by using your superiority over him, instead of hitting him with a newspaper or jerking him harshly with a choke chain. Physical communication is a vital component of dog training but does not stand alone.
Playing games with the dog and having training sessions strengthens the bond between dog and owner that further instills a trust in the dog. And I think this is the author’s main point. The Loved Dog is mostly about establishing and maintaining a relationship with your dog.
If you have dogs and love dogs, Tamar Geller's point of view worth reading. But this book doesn’t give basic advice like potty training or crate training. There are also books available with more games and dog tricks.
In retrospect, the book is partly an autobiography of the author. In addition to surviving a difficult childhood, she has led a colorful life in Israeli Intelligence. Afterwards, she spent many hours observing wolves in their own habitat. Her love of dogs and her own methods of dog training demonstrate her own kind soul, and this is what she imparts to the reader.
Monday, July 9, 2007
The Loved Dog
I’m reading a great book called The Loved Dog: The Playful, Nonaggressive Way to Teach Your Dog Good Behavior by Tamar Geller. I saw the author on Oprah, and admire her and her approach to training dogs. Geller witnessed the harsh training of dogs while she was in Israeli Military Intelligence. Later, her observation of wolves in the wild taught her about the inborn instincts of dogs. She eventually opened the first doggie daycare, where dogs spend their days kennel-free. I’m about halfway through the book but wanted to comment now.
I have a long history and background with dogs. My first two German Shepherds were more than I could handle because I made so many mistakes right from the beginning. I got them, four years apart, from short-term backyard breeders, and I took them home too soon (at five weeks). Also, the parents of my first dog would have killed me if they had been let loose, and I was too ill-informed to think that lineage mattered.
Having a big dog, especially one of the more aggressive breeds, is a job for experienced dog handlers only. Big dogs grow very fast, and if they’re not socialized from the beginning—before and during their adolescence—they will become overly territorial, and they will often become fear biters. A big dog needs lots of exercise.
Because I had difficult dogs, I eventually found a dog trainer to help me. After Travis died, Bruno was alone in the yard without his pal. I needed to be able to walk him down the street without getting dragged whenever he decided to engage with a passing dog. I was lucky to find Sallie, who’d been a K-9 officer with BART. She taught me much about the nature of dogs, which is pretty simple. Dealing with dogs is much like dealing with toddlers: consistency, love and positive reinforcement are the recipe for success.
I went on Sunday dog walks with Sallie and her dog trainer friends, and I took two of her classes—surrounded by other dogs—and my dog Bruno was able to pass his Canine Citizenship Test, which requires self-control and good behavior. He eventually could heal without a leash (sometimes) and complete a half-hour downstay without getting up, even when other dogs distracted him. You can teach old dogs new tricks.
Back to Tamar Geller, the author of The Loved Dog. Geller doesn’t believe in using prong collars or choke chains on dogs. I can’t imagine walking my huge GSD’s without a prong collar. But now I have Xena, my only German Shepherd, who is four. I got Xena from a top-ranking breeder. I visited the kennels in Chico, CA ahead of time and got Xena as a pup at eight-and-a-half weeks. She was bred to be a good pet, and she minds well most of the time. She is smaller than my boy dogs. Maybe I can attach the leash to her ID collar and forgo the choke chain. Hmmmm. Something to consider.
My first year with Xena was full of socialization and training, but everything came to a halt because I got ill. She has always gotten plenty of attention from me, but we are now just getting back out into the world together, and I realize how very easy she is to work with. Here's Xena below:
Xena is a partly-trained dog that needs much more socialization. I’m getting good ideas from Geller on how to strengthen the bond between her and me, now that I’m not so wrapped up in myself. I’ve been playing “find the toy” with Xena, and I’m surprised at how quickly she finds things that I hide. She seems to be tracking with her nose already. Our games with inspire more of Xena's trust in me, and she will be confident in more social situations.
When Sallie was training me to handle my dog Bruno, she taught me the Alpha Rollover. This is a method they use to train K-9 dogs. As I recall, they let the K-9's in training run out into the yard. They are not allowed to overly engage or attack each other. And if they do, the dog handler will pin the dog to the ground and stare the dog into submission.
Although, Sallie and I had used the Alpha Rollover on Bruno to get control over him—believe me, it’s a lot of work for a small person like me—Geller is abhorred by this method. She thinks trainers who use the Alpha Rollover are brutal. Yet, I know that Sallie loves dogs every bit as much as Geller. By the way, this method is usually used while a dog is muzzled. (Don't try this at home.) And I should say that Bruno had already bitten me once, and he’d lunged at two other people while he attempted to bite them. So I was saving his life by re-emerging as alpha and getting some kind of control over him. It was my job to protect him from making mistakes that couldn't be reversed.
Xena already knows that I’m alpha in the family. This is the most important principle in raising any dog, no matter what the size. Some dog owners don’t concern themselves about being alpha over their small dogs, and this is a big mistake. Since my grownup son moved out, my house is quiet. I do not raise my voice with Xena unless she’s in danger. She easily picks up on my quiet tones and body language. And since I’m a more experienced dog handler, I know how to throw my weight around—literally—when I’m with my dog. I walk and move like I have more prowess than the little person I really am.
I should add that little dogs can cause a lot of chaos in the home and in dog parks. Two little dogs in the park used to attack Xena, while the owners sat idly by. When Xena tried to defend herself, she’d look like a bully. When the owner of a small dog picks the dog up after it has misbehaved, this reinforces the small dogs’ bad behavior. All dogs need obedience training and socialization. All dogs need to know that their owner is alpha. This relationship is similar to toddlers feeling more secure when their parents set limits. These are simple concepts that take some work in following through.
Geller relies much on hand signals. My dog already knows “sit,” “down,” and “stay,” without my using words. Geller has the reader take stock of words the dog already knows. She says that dogs can easily learn fifty words.
Geller describes training methods that are new to me. She suggests teaching a dog to sit while (the human is) in a standing position, kneeling position, and lying down position. For dogs that jump on visitors, she suggests having the visitor turn their back on the dog. (My brother swears that there is no correcting this bad behavior with his dog Sam; we shall see.)
I’ve read many dog training books and watched videos as well. My favorite so far are by The Monks of New Skeet. The Monks used to breed German Shepherds for sale, and they too have a gentle philosophy.
Meanwhile, I’m working and playing with my dog, as I get more ideas from The Loved Dog by Tamar Geller, which is a great book. I will write a followup to this blog—or a bragfest on my successes.
I have a long history and background with dogs. My first two German Shepherds were more than I could handle because I made so many mistakes right from the beginning. I got them, four years apart, from short-term backyard breeders, and I took them home too soon (at five weeks). Also, the parents of my first dog would have killed me if they had been let loose, and I was too ill-informed to think that lineage mattered.
Having a big dog, especially one of the more aggressive breeds, is a job for experienced dog handlers only. Big dogs grow very fast, and if they’re not socialized from the beginning—before and during their adolescence—they will become overly territorial, and they will often become fear biters. A big dog needs lots of exercise.
Because I had difficult dogs, I eventually found a dog trainer to help me. After Travis died, Bruno was alone in the yard without his pal. I needed to be able to walk him down the street without getting dragged whenever he decided to engage with a passing dog. I was lucky to find Sallie, who’d been a K-9 officer with BART. She taught me much about the nature of dogs, which is pretty simple. Dealing with dogs is much like dealing with toddlers: consistency, love and positive reinforcement are the recipe for success.
I went on Sunday dog walks with Sallie and her dog trainer friends, and I took two of her classes—surrounded by other dogs—and my dog Bruno was able to pass his Canine Citizenship Test, which requires self-control and good behavior. He eventually could heal without a leash (sometimes) and complete a half-hour downstay without getting up, even when other dogs distracted him. You can teach old dogs new tricks.
Back to Tamar Geller, the author of The Loved Dog. Geller doesn’t believe in using prong collars or choke chains on dogs. I can’t imagine walking my huge GSD’s without a prong collar. But now I have Xena, my only German Shepherd, who is four. I got Xena from a top-ranking breeder. I visited the kennels in Chico, CA ahead of time and got Xena as a pup at eight-and-a-half weeks. She was bred to be a good pet, and she minds well most of the time. She is smaller than my boy dogs. Maybe I can attach the leash to her ID collar and forgo the choke chain. Hmmmm. Something to consider.
My first year with Xena was full of socialization and training, but everything came to a halt because I got ill. She has always gotten plenty of attention from me, but we are now just getting back out into the world together, and I realize how very easy she is to work with. Here's Xena below:
Xena is a partly-trained dog that needs much more socialization. I’m getting good ideas from Geller on how to strengthen the bond between her and me, now that I’m not so wrapped up in myself. I’ve been playing “find the toy” with Xena, and I’m surprised at how quickly she finds things that I hide. She seems to be tracking with her nose already. Our games with inspire more of Xena's trust in me, and she will be confident in more social situations.
When Sallie was training me to handle my dog Bruno, she taught me the Alpha Rollover. This is a method they use to train K-9 dogs. As I recall, they let the K-9's in training run out into the yard. They are not allowed to overly engage or attack each other. And if they do, the dog handler will pin the dog to the ground and stare the dog into submission.
Although, Sallie and I had used the Alpha Rollover on Bruno to get control over him—believe me, it’s a lot of work for a small person like me—Geller is abhorred by this method. She thinks trainers who use the Alpha Rollover are brutal. Yet, I know that Sallie loves dogs every bit as much as Geller. By the way, this method is usually used while a dog is muzzled. (Don't try this at home.) And I should say that Bruno had already bitten me once, and he’d lunged at two other people while he attempted to bite them. So I was saving his life by re-emerging as alpha and getting some kind of control over him. It was my job to protect him from making mistakes that couldn't be reversed.
Xena already knows that I’m alpha in the family. This is the most important principle in raising any dog, no matter what the size. Some dog owners don’t concern themselves about being alpha over their small dogs, and this is a big mistake. Since my grownup son moved out, my house is quiet. I do not raise my voice with Xena unless she’s in danger. She easily picks up on my quiet tones and body language. And since I’m a more experienced dog handler, I know how to throw my weight around—literally—when I’m with my dog. I walk and move like I have more prowess than the little person I really am.
I should add that little dogs can cause a lot of chaos in the home and in dog parks. Two little dogs in the park used to attack Xena, while the owners sat idly by. When Xena tried to defend herself, she’d look like a bully. When the owner of a small dog picks the dog up after it has misbehaved, this reinforces the small dogs’ bad behavior. All dogs need obedience training and socialization. All dogs need to know that their owner is alpha. This relationship is similar to toddlers feeling more secure when their parents set limits. These are simple concepts that take some work in following through.
Geller relies much on hand signals. My dog already knows “sit,” “down,” and “stay,” without my using words. Geller has the reader take stock of words the dog already knows. She says that dogs can easily learn fifty words.
Geller describes training methods that are new to me. She suggests teaching a dog to sit while (the human is) in a standing position, kneeling position, and lying down position. For dogs that jump on visitors, she suggests having the visitor turn their back on the dog. (My brother swears that there is no correcting this bad behavior with his dog Sam; we shall see.)
I’ve read many dog training books and watched videos as well. My favorite so far are by The Monks of New Skeet. The Monks used to breed German Shepherds for sale, and they too have a gentle philosophy.
Meanwhile, I’m working and playing with my dog, as I get more ideas from The Loved Dog by Tamar Geller, which is a great book. I will write a followup to this blog—or a bragfest on my successes.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Your Drug May Be Your Problem
It seems like everybody’s taking Prozac, Zoloft or some other antidepressant. Well, maybe not. But we all know somebody who is. At least one of the Columbine shooters was on antidepressants (Eric Harris was on Luvox). These drugs may help some people but they make other people crazy. Taking a mind altering drug is like playing Russian Roulette.* Here's an article that lists the many killings done by individuals on antidepressants.
Drugs and Mass Shootings
You may assume that these killers all had serious problems before they took these drugs. But all too often a patient who is given a drug to cope with mild depression has a bad reaction to the drug. This reaction may occur over time in a patient that is not monitored adequately by a doctor. And no one recognizes the problem until it's too late.
Drugs to alter our moods are common today. The drug companies are making a bundle of money while we are their guinea pigs. Many consumers have a naive sense of security, believing that we’re protected by the FDA. I urge anyone who takes a mood altering drug, or loves someone who takes a mood altering drug, to read Your Drug May Be Your Problem: How And Why To Stop Taking Psychiatric Medications by Peter Breggin, M.D. and David Cohen, Ph.D.
How does anyone know how drugs affect the brain? The idea that Prozac corrects a chemical imbalance is purely a guess. However, it is a proven fact that Prozac causes a disruption of the normal firing of brain cells. No one who knows the research can dispute this. Drugs like Prozac, Ritalin, or Xanax destroy the brain’s capacity to function properly on its own.
How long does this disruption last? No one has the answer to this question because there is no long-term research done. All research to approve a drug is conducted over short time periods.
Your Drug May Be Your Problem describes adverse effects of various psychiatric drugs, including antidepressants, stimulants, benzodiazepines (tranquilizers), mood stabilizers, neuroleptics, and others. If you are taking a mood altering medication, please read about the side effects of your particular drug. Often the patient believes (or is led to believe) that their “chemical balance” has gotten worse, when it is the drug that is causing the problem.
Aren’t we protected by the FDA? The FDA relies on data that the drug companies have assembled, organized, pruned and interpreted. Using only this data, the FDA makes its risk/benefit analysis. The FDA almost always ends up making compromises in order to accommodate industry. This process is called negotiating with the drug companies. It is kept entirely secret from doctors and consumers alike. The risk/benefit ratios are never determined by the patient.
Here is Peter Breggin, discussing antidepressants on The O'Reilly Factor:
Peter Breggin on You Tube
Breggin and Cohen have written a solution-oriented book. They describe some of the side effects of withdrawing from these drugs. They suggest guidelines to help therapists offer patients a more balanced view of using drugs, and, finally, they give sound psychological principles to help patients learn to feel better so that a drug may be used as a last resort.
*Sorry if this is P.I. The phrase illustrates a point.
Drugs and Mass Shootings
You may assume that these killers all had serious problems before they took these drugs. But all too often a patient who is given a drug to cope with mild depression has a bad reaction to the drug. This reaction may occur over time in a patient that is not monitored adequately by a doctor. And no one recognizes the problem until it's too late.
Drugs to alter our moods are common today. The drug companies are making a bundle of money while we are their guinea pigs. Many consumers have a naive sense of security, believing that we’re protected by the FDA. I urge anyone who takes a mood altering drug, or loves someone who takes a mood altering drug, to read Your Drug May Be Your Problem: How And Why To Stop Taking Psychiatric Medications by Peter Breggin, M.D. and David Cohen, Ph.D.
How does anyone know how drugs affect the brain? The idea that Prozac corrects a chemical imbalance is purely a guess. However, it is a proven fact that Prozac causes a disruption of the normal firing of brain cells. No one who knows the research can dispute this. Drugs like Prozac, Ritalin, or Xanax destroy the brain’s capacity to function properly on its own.
How long does this disruption last? No one has the answer to this question because there is no long-term research done. All research to approve a drug is conducted over short time periods.
Your Drug May Be Your Problem describes adverse effects of various psychiatric drugs, including antidepressants, stimulants, benzodiazepines (tranquilizers), mood stabilizers, neuroleptics, and others. If you are taking a mood altering medication, please read about the side effects of your particular drug. Often the patient believes (or is led to believe) that their “chemical balance” has gotten worse, when it is the drug that is causing the problem.
Aren’t we protected by the FDA? The FDA relies on data that the drug companies have assembled, organized, pruned and interpreted. Using only this data, the FDA makes its risk/benefit analysis. The FDA almost always ends up making compromises in order to accommodate industry. This process is called negotiating with the drug companies. It is kept entirely secret from doctors and consumers alike. The risk/benefit ratios are never determined by the patient.
Here is Peter Breggin, discussing antidepressants on The O'Reilly Factor:
Peter Breggin on You Tube
Breggin and Cohen have written a solution-oriented book. They describe some of the side effects of withdrawing from these drugs. They suggest guidelines to help therapists offer patients a more balanced view of using drugs, and, finally, they give sound psychological principles to help patients learn to feel better so that a drug may be used as a last resort.
*Sorry if this is P.I. The phrase illustrates a point.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Dyson Is a Feminist Issue
As a young woman, I boycotted cooking and cleaning. Feminism was in full swing, and I wanted more out of life than menial jobs that were relegated to women. Someone had to cook and clean; when I had to do it, I refused to enjoy it.
Through the years I've shed the contraints I put on myself in the name of feminism and realized that I love to cook. Most of the men in my life are great cooks. I exchange recipes with my brother and with my son who's a professional cook.
Do I also love to clean? Not necessarily, but like most people, I feel more comfortable and emotionally uncluttered in a tidy and clean room.
Enter the Dyson brand vacuums. Awhile back, my cleaning lady brought her Dyson to my house, and she was kind enough to try vacuuming the back of my car, as nothing would remove the dog hair. It took her awhile because German Shepherd hair gets embedded in the fabric, but the car looked pretty dang good.
I don't have the luxury of a cleaning lady right now, and I decided to invest in a Dyson vacuum. I'll say right now that the Dyson brand is expensive. But Dyson is in a category of its own. There are vacuums and then there is the Dyson. There are several dog hair models. Mine is the D14.
The first time I used the D14, I had already vacuumed my family room, which is about 9 x 12 feet, with my other vacuum. With the first pass, I filled up the whole bagless chamber with dog hair. I have grandbabies and don't like them crawling or lying in dog hair. Working with the right tool makes a difference, and I can truthfully say that I love to vacuum, using the Dyson.
I've tried various methods to pick up dog hair. With previous vacuums, I had them repaired regularly because the dog hair clogged them and put too much stress on the motor. If the Dyson gets sluggish, I glance at the see-through chamber and see that it's full of dog hair. This basket is simple to change.
The Dyson is cleverly designed. When it is totally upright, the suction comes out of the top that hooks to the attachments. When the Dyson is tipped backwards in vacuuming position, the suction comes out of the base on the carpet or floor. The permanent hose miraculously stretches far enough to vacuum the stairs. The D14 is relatively easy to carry upstairs, especially with the basket removed.
One caveat: I noticed that the cleaning lady's Dyson was getting a little banged up. She may have been throwing it down the stairs or using it for a doorstop. It might not be built to shove in and out of a trunk. It has plastic parts. But I've had my D14 for probably a year, and nothing is broken, nicked or scratched.
I consider my Dyson an investment, so I shopped around. At that time, the price was the same everywhere: at the Dyson site itself, at Costco, and at Walmart.
On my blog I like to share things I like a lot (I'm the Oprah of blogland). My blog is not a store, but I do post links to items I write about. If I don't own it and love it, I don't write about it or post a link to it.
I'm posting a link below to Amazon. You can read about the hepa filter, the mini-turbine head, and the lifetime filter. I often find good deals at Amazon. At the time of this writing, the D14 costs less at Amazon than at Costco or Walmart.
All the Dyson models are similar. If you buy one for your family, everyone will want to use it. Warning: Don't try using the Dyson to vacuum bathroom rugs. The suction is too strong.
Through the years I've shed the contraints I put on myself in the name of feminism and realized that I love to cook. Most of the men in my life are great cooks. I exchange recipes with my brother and with my son who's a professional cook.
Do I also love to clean? Not necessarily, but like most people, I feel more comfortable and emotionally uncluttered in a tidy and clean room.
Enter the Dyson brand vacuums. Awhile back, my cleaning lady brought her Dyson to my house, and she was kind enough to try vacuuming the back of my car, as nothing would remove the dog hair. It took her awhile because German Shepherd hair gets embedded in the fabric, but the car looked pretty dang good.
I don't have the luxury of a cleaning lady right now, and I decided to invest in a Dyson vacuum. I'll say right now that the Dyson brand is expensive. But Dyson is in a category of its own. There are vacuums and then there is the Dyson. There are several dog hair models. Mine is the D14.
The first time I used the D14, I had already vacuumed my family room, which is about 9 x 12 feet, with my other vacuum. With the first pass, I filled up the whole bagless chamber with dog hair. I have grandbabies and don't like them crawling or lying in dog hair. Working with the right tool makes a difference, and I can truthfully say that I love to vacuum, using the Dyson.
I've tried various methods to pick up dog hair. With previous vacuums, I had them repaired regularly because the dog hair clogged them and put too much stress on the motor. If the Dyson gets sluggish, I glance at the see-through chamber and see that it's full of dog hair. This basket is simple to change.
The Dyson is cleverly designed. When it is totally upright, the suction comes out of the top that hooks to the attachments. When the Dyson is tipped backwards in vacuuming position, the suction comes out of the base on the carpet or floor. The permanent hose miraculously stretches far enough to vacuum the stairs. The D14 is relatively easy to carry upstairs, especially with the basket removed.
One caveat: I noticed that the cleaning lady's Dyson was getting a little banged up. She may have been throwing it down the stairs or using it for a doorstop. It might not be built to shove in and out of a trunk. It has plastic parts. But I've had my D14 for probably a year, and nothing is broken, nicked or scratched.
I consider my Dyson an investment, so I shopped around. At that time, the price was the same everywhere: at the Dyson site itself, at Costco, and at Walmart.
On my blog I like to share things I like a lot (I'm the Oprah of blogland). My blog is not a store, but I do post links to items I write about. If I don't own it and love it, I don't write about it or post a link to it.
I'm posting a link below to Amazon. You can read about the hepa filter, the mini-turbine head, and the lifetime filter. I often find good deals at Amazon. At the time of this writing, the D14 costs less at Amazon than at Costco or Walmart.
All the Dyson models are similar. If you buy one for your family, everyone will want to use it. Warning: Don't try using the Dyson to vacuum bathroom rugs. The suction is too strong.
Death by HMO
Today is the nationwide release of Michael Moore’s documentary Sicko. Maybe I’m a dreamer, but I hope this movie is the catalyst for the long-needed change in our medical system. No matter how much attention Sicko garners, it’s still up to all of us collectively to stand up and be counted, and refuse to tolerate conditions as they are. In a “civilized” country such as ours, the medical care is often far from civilized. In a country (the USA) that prides itself in technological advancement, our medical care really isn’t “care” at all.
If you’ve never been exposed to medical negligence or indifference, you are vulnerable to betrayal. Caring doctors and nurses are out there, but we can’t assume the professionals know best without us asking many questions and doing our own research. People often question their auto mechanic more than they question their doctors.
One family’s fight to reform the medical system is documented in an excellent, but gut-wrenching book, Death by HMO: The Jennifer Gigliello Story. This book is written by Dorothy Cancilla, a bright and feisty woman, who learned the hard way how callous and incompetent some medical providers can be. Cancilla’s book documents her daughter Jennifer’s eight years of painful illness that eventually led to a premature and avoidable death. Jennifer (below) died four days before her 30th birthday.
I’m amazed at how much information and detail is compiled into this 132-page book. The reader gets an education on the human body, and the tragic errors made by doctors at every turn become very clear.
I can’t imagine helplessly watching my daughter suffer, as Cancilla was forced to do. She and the rest of the family tried everything they could to support Jennifer and help her make the right decisions. Their biggest mistake was daring to think that doctors and Kaiser Hospital had Jennifer’s best interest at heart.
Jennifer’s problems began with frequent abdominal pain and vomiting. While doctors debated about the cause of her suffering, she trusted her doctor who literally butchered her (let’s tell it like it was) by removing her pancreas, instead of her gallbladder. Jennifer, who was somebody’s mother, wife, daughter and sister, tried to live a normal life around many hospital stays and surgeries. Cancilla portrays her youngest daughter as heroic. Anyone reading this book will fall in love with Jennifer, but what pulls at my heart is Cancilla’s loss—a mother’s loss—that never goes away. She honors her daughter and husband by writing this book.
Death by HMO documents medical negligence and indifference but also shows how truly callous some businesses can be for the almighty dollar. In Jennifer’s case the greed of the HMO set off a chain of events that affected her life––and her death—which in turn devastated her family. While viewing Jennifer in her casket, her father Lou Cancilla had a heart attack and died. Dorothy Cancilla and her family lived through a horror show, barely hanging on, in a daze, wondering which family member might be next as they survived two funerals.
To add more insult to much injury, Kaiser Hospital (and members of it) promised to release the facts of the cause of Jennifer’s death, only to hide the autopsy until the courts intervened.
I love Dorothy Cancilla. What a mom she is, and one tough cookie. She did not disappear in her grief, but joined the family in suing Kaiser; and then she later wrote this book. Although the family was triumphant in winning a lawsuit against Kaiser, I’m disappointed that the law limited their financial compensation—received by Jennifer’s husband and son—to a whopping $125,000. Of course, no money really compensates for suffering and loss of life. But at least the judgment in the case allows the author to legally and openly state that Kaiser was at fault.
People need to know what can happen to any of us once we put ourselves in someone else’s hands. We must advocate for ourselves and our loved ones. We cannot assume that the doctor is always right. We have to keep in mind that the only body we have has to last us a lifetime. We are the ones who are affected by wrong decisions. Ultimately we must consider the medical professionals as part of our team. They are expert consultants and sometimes gifted surgeons. But even the most dedicated doctors are imperfect, not God-like. Even decent medical people may be cajoled into betraying their patients by the HMO who pays their salary.
Death by HMO will surprise and dismay you. But you will be inspired by the courage of Dorothy Cancilla and her family. This story has all the elements for a great movie.
If you’ve never been exposed to medical negligence or indifference, you are vulnerable to betrayal. Caring doctors and nurses are out there, but we can’t assume the professionals know best without us asking many questions and doing our own research. People often question their auto mechanic more than they question their doctors.
One family’s fight to reform the medical system is documented in an excellent, but gut-wrenching book, Death by HMO: The Jennifer Gigliello Story. This book is written by Dorothy Cancilla, a bright and feisty woman, who learned the hard way how callous and incompetent some medical providers can be. Cancilla’s book documents her daughter Jennifer’s eight years of painful illness that eventually led to a premature and avoidable death. Jennifer (below) died four days before her 30th birthday.
I’m amazed at how much information and detail is compiled into this 132-page book. The reader gets an education on the human body, and the tragic errors made by doctors at every turn become very clear.
I can’t imagine helplessly watching my daughter suffer, as Cancilla was forced to do. She and the rest of the family tried everything they could to support Jennifer and help her make the right decisions. Their biggest mistake was daring to think that doctors and Kaiser Hospital had Jennifer’s best interest at heart.
Jennifer’s problems began with frequent abdominal pain and vomiting. While doctors debated about the cause of her suffering, she trusted her doctor who literally butchered her (let’s tell it like it was) by removing her pancreas, instead of her gallbladder. Jennifer, who was somebody’s mother, wife, daughter and sister, tried to live a normal life around many hospital stays and surgeries. Cancilla portrays her youngest daughter as heroic. Anyone reading this book will fall in love with Jennifer, but what pulls at my heart is Cancilla’s loss—a mother’s loss—that never goes away. She honors her daughter and husband by writing this book.
Death by HMO documents medical negligence and indifference but also shows how truly callous some businesses can be for the almighty dollar. In Jennifer’s case the greed of the HMO set off a chain of events that affected her life––and her death—which in turn devastated her family. While viewing Jennifer in her casket, her father Lou Cancilla had a heart attack and died. Dorothy Cancilla and her family lived through a horror show, barely hanging on, in a daze, wondering which family member might be next as they survived two funerals.
To add more insult to much injury, Kaiser Hospital (and members of it) promised to release the facts of the cause of Jennifer’s death, only to hide the autopsy until the courts intervened.
I love Dorothy Cancilla. What a mom she is, and one tough cookie. She did not disappear in her grief, but joined the family in suing Kaiser; and then she later wrote this book. Although the family was triumphant in winning a lawsuit against Kaiser, I’m disappointed that the law limited their financial compensation—received by Jennifer’s husband and son—to a whopping $125,000. Of course, no money really compensates for suffering and loss of life. But at least the judgment in the case allows the author to legally and openly state that Kaiser was at fault.
People need to know what can happen to any of us once we put ourselves in someone else’s hands. We must advocate for ourselves and our loved ones. We cannot assume that the doctor is always right. We have to keep in mind that the only body we have has to last us a lifetime. We are the ones who are affected by wrong decisions. Ultimately we must consider the medical professionals as part of our team. They are expert consultants and sometimes gifted surgeons. But even the most dedicated doctors are imperfect, not God-like. Even decent medical people may be cajoled into betraying their patients by the HMO who pays their salary.
Death by HMO will surprise and dismay you. But you will be inspired by the courage of Dorothy Cancilla and her family. This story has all the elements for a great movie.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Why I Love Amy Sedaris
Strangers with Candy began its run on Comedy Central in 1999. My recent viewing of the insane 2006 movie, based on the series, prompted me to buy the three-season DVD . The movie and series have a preposterous premise about Jerri Blank, an ex-con, ex-drug addict, ex-prostitute “runaway.” At age 46, she returns to high school as a freshman to turn her life around. The humor is tacky, wacky and politically incorrect.
Although “Jerri,” played by Amy Sedaris, stands out as a nerd and a loser, the kids and teachers don’t seem to notice her age. The writers
--Paul Dinello, Stephen Colbert, and Amy Sedaris--may have started with the show After School Special and thought, How can we take each episode and seriously scr*w with it? In a story with a lesson, each shallow character learns something. We're not sure what.
This movie trailer shows a taste of what I attempt to convey:
Trailer to 2006 Movie
Amy Sedaris’s transition to Jerri Blank requires her to freeze a pathetic expression on her face, like Billy Bob Thornton did when he played Karl Childers in Sling Blade.
The real Amy is adorable. She appears as the cat lady on My Name is Earl tonight (May 31). Below she attends the Bewitched premier (2005).
This is what fascinates me about Amy: She has figured out how to combine her talents in a unique way. Not only does she act, write, and perform demented comedy, but she has expertise and creativity as a homemaker. She has created a beautiful, but kooky book about entertaining. Someone (maybe Amy) coined her as “Martha Stewart on crack.” I Like You: Hospitality under the Influence features photos of prepared foods and completed crafts, shot in Amy’s funky apartment. The book has a campy look to it with Amy wearing vintage clothing. She also runs a business out of her kitchen called Dusty Food Cupcakes.
I Like You includes several Greek recipes, like Koulouraki and Kourambiethes (cookies) that are part of my family tradition (my family name is Tahtaras). Besides delicious food, the book gives advice about having guests. My favorite tip is: "Try filling your medicine cabinet with marbles. Nothing announces a nosy part-goer more successfully than an avalanche of marbles striking a porcelain sink." This sample page shows the flavor of the book:
Amy Sedaris should have her own show on HGTV, the Food Network, or Comedy Central. I Like You is something that has never been done. In plain words, it is awfully darn funny, and would make a great gift.
I only write reviews about things I buy. If you find SNL funny (Amy is from Second City), you will like Strangers with Candy, available as a TV series and movie. I Like You doubles as a useful cookbook and pretty coffee table book--it is large with 304 pages of color photos, drawings and recipes.
Although “Jerri,” played by Amy Sedaris, stands out as a nerd and a loser, the kids and teachers don’t seem to notice her age. The writers
--Paul Dinello, Stephen Colbert, and Amy Sedaris--may have started with the show After School Special and thought, How can we take each episode and seriously scr*w with it? In a story with a lesson, each shallow character learns something. We're not sure what.
This movie trailer shows a taste of what I attempt to convey:
Trailer to 2006 Movie
Amy Sedaris’s transition to Jerri Blank requires her to freeze a pathetic expression on her face, like Billy Bob Thornton did when he played Karl Childers in Sling Blade.
The real Amy is adorable. She appears as the cat lady on My Name is Earl tonight (May 31). Below she attends the Bewitched premier (2005).
This is what fascinates me about Amy: She has figured out how to combine her talents in a unique way. Not only does she act, write, and perform demented comedy, but she has expertise and creativity as a homemaker. She has created a beautiful, but kooky book about entertaining. Someone (maybe Amy) coined her as “Martha Stewart on crack.” I Like You: Hospitality under the Influence features photos of prepared foods and completed crafts, shot in Amy’s funky apartment. The book has a campy look to it with Amy wearing vintage clothing. She also runs a business out of her kitchen called Dusty Food Cupcakes.
I Like You includes several Greek recipes, like Koulouraki and Kourambiethes (cookies) that are part of my family tradition (my family name is Tahtaras). Besides delicious food, the book gives advice about having guests. My favorite tip is: "Try filling your medicine cabinet with marbles. Nothing announces a nosy part-goer more successfully than an avalanche of marbles striking a porcelain sink." This sample page shows the flavor of the book:
Amy Sedaris should have her own show on HGTV, the Food Network, or Comedy Central. I Like You is something that has never been done. In plain words, it is awfully darn funny, and would make a great gift.
I only write reviews about things I buy. If you find SNL funny (Amy is from Second City), you will like Strangers with Candy, available as a TV series and movie. I Like You doubles as a useful cookbook and pretty coffee table book--it is large with 304 pages of color photos, drawings and recipes.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
The Secret
We usually think of a secret as information known by some but withheld from others. Previously known as positive thinking, the law of attraction (the secret) has been around for as long as I can remember. Well-known books with similar messages are Think and Grow Rich, The Power of Positive Thinking, and Creative Visualization. In a book called See You at the Top (1982), the author Zig Ziglar recommends consistently programming ourselves with positive thoughts to counteract the negativity that comes at us from all directions. With CNN we can see and hear bad news 24 hours a day. No wonder everyone is depressed.
Ziglar suggests reading motivational books and listening to audiotapes as a regular routine. I have taken his advice. I believe what he says. I am happier when I surround myself with happy people. I avoid naysayers. We all have difficulties in life. It is the inner workings of the mind--or what we think about each day--that determines whether or not we are happy.
As someone who has benefitted from positive messages, I will take all the good stuff I can get. The Secret presents positive thinking with a new spin that gives me a deeper understanding. I have the four-CD unabridged audio version of the book. I don’t have time to reread the book, but I have played the CDs several times in my car. I still have light-bulb moments.
The central theme of The Secret is that like attracts like. We reap what we think about. Thoughts are powerful. Positive thoughts have more power than negative ones. If we believe in something, we can make it happen.
Some people object to The Secret, but its principles follow the teachings of Jesus, minus the Christian element. Ask and you shall receive. Is this idea only for Christians? Does it only work if you pray through Jesus?
Having faith, belief, or hope always improves my own life. If I’m filled with hope, my life is already improved during that minute, during that hour, or during that day when I feel hopeful. When I feel hopeful, I notice goodness around me. How can thinking this way possibly hurt me?
Besides changing our thoughts and feelings, The Secret is about the vibration that we emit into the universe with each thought. And we attract this same vibration back to us.
Critics of The Secret are bothered by its focus on material possessions. Why? Is something wrong with money? Gratitude and giving are emphasized more. Money satisfies no one, unless they have gratitude. Others take issue with the book’s ideas about illness. Sometimes attitude makes a big difference in our health. I think everyone has made this observation. Should we blame ourselves if we are dying of a terminal disease? Of course not. My personal view is that the lessons that I’m here on earth to learn--including those in The Secret--expand my soul and help me cope with death more easily. I have had to face my mortality more than once. I have earned this opinion.
The Secret is a gift for anyone who wants to receive it. My advice is to take what you can learn from reading the book, listening to the CD or watching the DVD. Each time I play the CD, I hear something new. I grow a little. I feel happy. I feel hopeful.
I suggest that everyone take this message and use what you can. Here is something from The Secret to try: If your marriage is unhappy, make a list of all your spouse’s good qualities. This might take some thinking. Peel away your partner’s defensive facade and remember the reasons you fell in love. Review your list each night before bed. Do this for a week. Be focused and committed for one week. Something great will happen.
The way to understand the principles of Rhonda Byrne and the other contributors is to take their suggestions. Just try. Make that list. If you humor me, and focus your mind and energy on just this one exercise, you will find that the law of attraction is working. Take what you can use from this book, and leave the rest. Use prayer with these principles, if you wish, to honor God while you honor yourself. But be careful. You may have to adapt to getting what you want and wanting what you get.
Ziglar suggests reading motivational books and listening to audiotapes as a regular routine. I have taken his advice. I believe what he says. I am happier when I surround myself with happy people. I avoid naysayers. We all have difficulties in life. It is the inner workings of the mind--or what we think about each day--that determines whether or not we are happy.
As someone who has benefitted from positive messages, I will take all the good stuff I can get. The Secret presents positive thinking with a new spin that gives me a deeper understanding. I have the four-CD unabridged audio version of the book. I don’t have time to reread the book, but I have played the CDs several times in my car. I still have light-bulb moments.
The central theme of The Secret is that like attracts like. We reap what we think about. Thoughts are powerful. Positive thoughts have more power than negative ones. If we believe in something, we can make it happen.
Some people object to The Secret, but its principles follow the teachings of Jesus, minus the Christian element. Ask and you shall receive. Is this idea only for Christians? Does it only work if you pray through Jesus?
Having faith, belief, or hope always improves my own life. If I’m filled with hope, my life is already improved during that minute, during that hour, or during that day when I feel hopeful. When I feel hopeful, I notice goodness around me. How can thinking this way possibly hurt me?
Besides changing our thoughts and feelings, The Secret is about the vibration that we emit into the universe with each thought. And we attract this same vibration back to us.
Critics of The Secret are bothered by its focus on material possessions. Why? Is something wrong with money? Gratitude and giving are emphasized more. Money satisfies no one, unless they have gratitude. Others take issue with the book’s ideas about illness. Sometimes attitude makes a big difference in our health. I think everyone has made this observation. Should we blame ourselves if we are dying of a terminal disease? Of course not. My personal view is that the lessons that I’m here on earth to learn--including those in The Secret--expand my soul and help me cope with death more easily. I have had to face my mortality more than once. I have earned this opinion.
The Secret is a gift for anyone who wants to receive it. My advice is to take what you can learn from reading the book, listening to the CD or watching the DVD. Each time I play the CD, I hear something new. I grow a little. I feel happy. I feel hopeful.
I suggest that everyone take this message and use what you can. Here is something from The Secret to try: If your marriage is unhappy, make a list of all your spouse’s good qualities. This might take some thinking. Peel away your partner’s defensive facade and remember the reasons you fell in love. Review your list each night before bed. Do this for a week. Be focused and committed for one week. Something great will happen.
The way to understand the principles of Rhonda Byrne and the other contributors is to take their suggestions. Just try. Make that list. If you humor me, and focus your mind and energy on just this one exercise, you will find that the law of attraction is working. Take what you can use from this book, and leave the rest. Use prayer with these principles, if you wish, to honor God while you honor yourself. But be careful. You may have to adapt to getting what you want and wanting what you get.
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