One of the world's oldest religions attracts a new, crowd and gets a "hipper" feel. In an article by CNN, author Jessica Ravitz explores what she dubs "New Jews" in all their glory. Like so many things in this world what was normal for one generation has become boring for another. Steven Cohen, a sociologist at Hebrew Union College in New York, says that about half of the young Jews marry fellow Jews and that of children born to inter faith couples, only 25 percent consider themselves Jewish when they grow up. That does not bode well for future growth.
Like the generations of the past, the young people make the changes. But in the case of "New Jews" they are returning to the faith of their past, but on their own terms. Everything from punk rock Jews to hippie Jews to the groups that propel these movements forward can be found. Interestingly enough It seems to be the religion's leaders, the Rabbis and the religious educators that are in the forefront, trying to make Judaism more "user friendly".
Take, for instance, Punk Torah, the web site created by Patrick Aleph (the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet). It is a self proclaimed place for anyone "who feels disconnected from the Jewish world of summer camps, Holocaust guilt trips, and overpriced High Holiday tickets." Aleph feels that the synagogue should be like a "Jewish night club" someplace where you can go to let your hair down and relax. To dance or sing, but mostly to connect. They also think that traditional synagogues have lost sight of that need and that websites like Punk Torah and its sister site Indie Yeshiva are now satisfying that need.
Not only are sites like Punk Torah and Indie Yeshiva cropping up, but there are other organizations out there to support alternative Judaism. Groups like Mechon Hadar. Self titled as an institute for "prayer, personal growth and Jewish study". They hold meetings and study groups in their own area as well as website link and support other groups. There is also Jewish Jumpstart, another group that supports thinking outside of the traditional box that Judaism seemed to be stuck in.
Another way that "New Jews" are accommodating the back-to-the-land-wilderness-retreat-seeking, modern global citizen of today is with groups like the Limmud (Hebrew for learning) and Wilderness Torah. The Limmud host volunteer staffed wilderness retreats in Colorado, Illinois, Georgia and around the world where one can go to further their spiritual journey. Wilderness Torah's byline is "Connect to the Earth through Judaism... Connect to Judaism through the Earth." They do this by hosting some of the major Jewish holidays, which are land based, out in the wild. For instance, they celebrate Passover in a desert, Sukkot on an organic farm, and Shavuot on a mountainside.
As with most religions, there are Jewish newspaper and magazine publications. But the advent of edgier journalism and websites such as The Forward, the Heeb Magazine, and the Zeek, are reaching out to a newer group of readers. Recently the Heeb published a picture of Rosanne Barr standing at an oven, dressed like Hitler and holding a tray of burned-Jew cookies. The reason for the image? To spark controversy. Anything to get people passionate about their faith.
There are podcasts teaching Judaism (G_dcast), Jewish record labels that handle edgy groups even a political movement to get Barak Obama elected was started. (The Great Schlep, started by Sarah Silverman) One of the most visible ways we are seeing changes is in the newest rage of Hebrew/Jewish tattoos. One site, Tattoo Jew, has been created to track the progress of a documentary recording the intersection between traditional Jewish culture and the current popularity of tattoos. If there is a way to be new, different and exciting in relation to Jewish faith, it is probably out there.
Wow, I was rather impressed and a bit surprised when I started to research a bit farther for this blog post. Although, now I am not sure why it surprised me so much. I am a Christian and there are just as many "alternative" events within my culture. I think it must be because when one thinks of the Jewish faith, especially one stuck in a small town like Joplin, MO, it is rather easy to play into the stereotype of "Tradition". I am so glad that there are blogs, and websites and retreats out there to help people to return to their heritage... or discover something new.
I found the tattoos the most refreshing part of this article, it is a permanent way for someone to announce to the world about their faith, and beliefs. It sure is a nice change from some of the ugly things people can ink their skin with. In reading this article I ran across a lot of terms that were outside the realm of my learning. I found a wonderful glossary of terms that helped me understand some of what I was reading. Best of all, some of these sites (Wilderness Torah for one) have Face Book groups so I can continue to learn more about them.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Cloth or plasic?
Taking your own grocery bag to the store with you to shop is a traditional practice that in the recent past has come back into favor. Target and CVS are now joining the companies that reward their clients monetarily for not using plastic sacks. In an article from CNBC it is noted that smaller companies have been rewarding their customers for a while now when they bring in their own shopping bags, but having large companies doing the same thing has brought about new technology. While Target is relying on giving each customer a nickel off of their bill for each bag that they bring in themselves, CVS has a tag that can be bought for a dollar and attached to the reusable bag. Each time a shopper goes into CVS, they swipe their tag and for each fourth visit they receive a $1 Extra Care Buck that will be printed on their receipt and used at their next visit.
Encouraging shoppers with monetary incentives to practice the three "R's" (reduce, reuse, and recycle) is not a new thing, smaller companies such as Whole Foods Inc. and Shop & Shop have been rewarding their customers for over a year. Whole Foods Inc. was quoted as saying that their banning plastic bags from their stores have saved over 150 million plastic bags from the landfills, and the use of reusable bags from home has tripled. Whether the choice of reusable bags over new plastic ones stems from living in a town where they are outlawed (yes, there are several) or the chance to save a nickel here and a dime there, reducing plastic waste is a good thing for all of us. And the positive P.R. certainly doesn't hurt the retailers either.
Well, I have been using my own bags for a while now (when I can remember them, that is) I do it just because of my "tree-hugging" tendencies. I like using my own bags, and boxes. I am an admitted tightwad, and really like the cheap cloth bags that I can use over and over again, for things beyond groceries and quick runs to Wal-Mart. I use them for carrying books to the library and for laundry, and... well you get the idea. I do take a bit of offense that it seems to me that being "green" is the latest bandwagon. I honestly doubt that the people that run the great big companies such as Target really worry about the impact their store and the products it sells has on our world. But, if making themselves more "green" means more sales, then it is a win-win situation for everyone.
I am also very uncomfortable with the tag on the bag gimmick from CVS. The way the article read to me, was that these tags would be just one more way for CVS to keep track of when you come into their store. I also noticed that they want you to pay cash up front for the tag, but they will only give you a coupon to use on your next purchase. Call me cynical, but I wonder just how many people never use their coupon. Not only does the article have a "spin" towards trying to make me feel like these companies are trying to do right by the world, but the marketing of the companies are too. In the words of my thirteen year old daughter, "Whatever!".
Encouraging shoppers with monetary incentives to practice the three "R's" (reduce, reuse, and recycle) is not a new thing, smaller companies such as Whole Foods Inc. and Shop & Shop have been rewarding their customers for over a year. Whole Foods Inc. was quoted as saying that their banning plastic bags from their stores have saved over 150 million plastic bags from the landfills, and the use of reusable bags from home has tripled. Whether the choice of reusable bags over new plastic ones stems from living in a town where they are outlawed (yes, there are several) or the chance to save a nickel here and a dime there, reducing plastic waste is a good thing for all of us. And the positive P.R. certainly doesn't hurt the retailers either.
Well, I have been using my own bags for a while now (when I can remember them, that is) I do it just because of my "tree-hugging" tendencies. I like using my own bags, and boxes. I am an admitted tightwad, and really like the cheap cloth bags that I can use over and over again, for things beyond groceries and quick runs to Wal-Mart. I use them for carrying books to the library and for laundry, and... well you get the idea. I do take a bit of offense that it seems to me that being "green" is the latest bandwagon. I honestly doubt that the people that run the great big companies such as Target really worry about the impact their store and the products it sells has on our world. But, if making themselves more "green" means more sales, then it is a win-win situation for everyone.
I am also very uncomfortable with the tag on the bag gimmick from CVS. The way the article read to me, was that these tags would be just one more way for CVS to keep track of when you come into their store. I also noticed that they want you to pay cash up front for the tag, but they will only give you a coupon to use on your next purchase. Call me cynical, but I wonder just how many people never use their coupon. Not only does the article have a "spin" towards trying to make me feel like these companies are trying to do right by the world, but the marketing of the companies are too. In the words of my thirteen year old daughter, "Whatever!".
Friday, October 16, 2009
Poo jokes garner attention to a deadly condition
"How do you solve a problem like diarrhea?" (Think Sound of Music here) is the question being asked at a controversial awards ceremony where they will be handing out the "Golden Poo" awards. Yes, there will be trophies shaped like little golden turds, as well as comedy and short films with clever plays on words like the opening question. Now, one might wonder just why the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine would be the sponsors of such an irreverent evening. It is to bring to the public's attention the devastating damage that diarrhea can have in the "third world" countries that have poor hygiene practices and rampant starvation. We might laugh at the jokes, but the one million children that die each year from diarrheal diseases, can't even cry about the enormity of this situation because their bodies are too dehydrated to shed a tear.
It would seem that just trying to educate the public about the toll that diarrhea has on developing countries is not enough. But once someone does something controversial, then the attention can be pointed in the direction it needs to be. Those of us in large, developed countries just don't have any idea just how devastating this symptom can be. For us it is just an inconvenience, but for a million children a year, it is deadly serious.
I admit that it took a bit for me to get the joke at the start of this article. And I also admit that to me, diarrhea has been just an inconvenience. I am blessed to have Pedialyte and Gatorade and Imodium AD, and clean drinking water and even a toilet. Now I have a better idea just how blessed I am. I had no idea that a million children die each year from something so preventable. Clean drinking water, hand washing, good hygiene and some kind of an electrolyte solution could drastically change the death toll numbers. I applaud the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine for taking the risk that they have in doing this award show. By being as edgy as they are, they are bringing the attention to the problem. And Education follows attention. Just look what happened when I noticed the "poo joke" that got me to read this article.
It would seem that just trying to educate the public about the toll that diarrhea has on developing countries is not enough. But once someone does something controversial, then the attention can be pointed in the direction it needs to be. Those of us in large, developed countries just don't have any idea just how devastating this symptom can be. For us it is just an inconvenience, but for a million children a year, it is deadly serious.
I admit that it took a bit for me to get the joke at the start of this article. And I also admit that to me, diarrhea has been just an inconvenience. I am blessed to have Pedialyte and Gatorade and Imodium AD, and clean drinking water and even a toilet. Now I have a better idea just how blessed I am. I had no idea that a million children die each year from something so preventable. Clean drinking water, hand washing, good hygiene and some kind of an electrolyte solution could drastically change the death toll numbers. I applaud the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine for taking the risk that they have in doing this award show. By being as edgy as they are, they are bringing the attention to the problem. And Education follows attention. Just look what happened when I noticed the "poo joke" that got me to read this article.
Male Breast Cancer's Famous Face
Famed founding member of the rock band KISS, Peter Criss, is speaking out about male breast cancer. In an article found on cnn.com Criss is quoted as saying that he is the "luckiest man in the universe" for having survived this cancer.
Most men don't know that they can get breast cancer, but they can. There is a small amount of breast tissue behind the nipples on men, and even that tiny part can get cancer. Less than one percent of the breast cancer reported each year in the US is found in men, but that is still almost 2,000 men and of that, 440 die. Even though breast cancer is much easier to spot in men, lumps appear and are seen much quicker, diagnoses are usually made at later stages in the cancer. And as we all know, early detection is the key. Another contributing factor is that men tend to ignore the warning signs such as asymmetrical lumps, nipple discharge and pain in the breasts.
Criss, now in his 60's was working out in the gym in 2007 when he noticed that he had a painful lump on his left breast, and upon the advice of his wife (who was herself battling cancer) went and got it checked out. Now, a year later and cancer free, Criss is lending his fame to the cause of male breast cancer awareness.
As a cancer survivor my interest is always peaked when I see someone mention that they survived cancer too. Of course, October is breast cancer awareness month so right now we are seeing all the stories about breast cancer, so I was really interested when I saw that there was info out there about male breast cancer. As women we are told over and over again to be aware of our bodies, to talk to our doctors about changes in how things look or work. Men don't get that message very much, nor do most of them know that they have any breast tissue. Or, what I suspect, is that breast cancer is perceived as a "girly" disease and thus some men don't want to admit that they might have it. My own son had issues that prompted us to go see he nurse practitioner and ask about male breast cancer, that was when I learned about it.
I am so very glad that we now have a famous face to shed light onto this rare, but potentially deadly disease. Perhaps men will start to take notice of their breasts and be more aware in case something changes. It is like Peter Criss said in the article "It's just important -- just go get checked out. It's not like you're going to lose your manhood."
Most men don't know that they can get breast cancer, but they can. There is a small amount of breast tissue behind the nipples on men, and even that tiny part can get cancer. Less than one percent of the breast cancer reported each year in the US is found in men, but that is still almost 2,000 men and of that, 440 die. Even though breast cancer is much easier to spot in men, lumps appear and are seen much quicker, diagnoses are usually made at later stages in the cancer. And as we all know, early detection is the key. Another contributing factor is that men tend to ignore the warning signs such as asymmetrical lumps, nipple discharge and pain in the breasts.
Criss, now in his 60's was working out in the gym in 2007 when he noticed that he had a painful lump on his left breast, and upon the advice of his wife (who was herself battling cancer) went and got it checked out. Now, a year later and cancer free, Criss is lending his fame to the cause of male breast cancer awareness.
As a cancer survivor my interest is always peaked when I see someone mention that they survived cancer too. Of course, October is breast cancer awareness month so right now we are seeing all the stories about breast cancer, so I was really interested when I saw that there was info out there about male breast cancer. As women we are told over and over again to be aware of our bodies, to talk to our doctors about changes in how things look or work. Men don't get that message very much, nor do most of them know that they have any breast tissue. Or, what I suspect, is that breast cancer is perceived as a "girly" disease and thus some men don't want to admit that they might have it. My own son had issues that prompted us to go see he nurse practitioner and ask about male breast cancer, that was when I learned about it.
I am so very glad that we now have a famous face to shed light onto this rare, but potentially deadly disease. Perhaps men will start to take notice of their breasts and be more aware in case something changes. It is like Peter Criss said in the article "It's just important -- just go get checked out. It's not like you're going to lose your manhood."
Judge in Lousiana refuses to wed interracial couple
Beth Humphrey and Terence McKay, of New Orleans Louisiana just wanted to get married. So, they did what couples, seeking to tie the knot do in their area, they called a justice of the peace. Only, when they did, they were shocked to hear that he would not marry them because they are an interracial couple.
According to this article by the Associate Press, it would seem that Justice Keith Bardwell, of Tangipahoa parish, believes that the children of an interracial union are not accepted by either of the two cultures and that it would not be fair to any future children to marry such couples. He claims: "I'm not a racist. I just don't believe in mixing the races that way," When a couple call him to set up a time for a marriage, he asks them if they are interracial and if they are, he refuses to marry them. He claims that he does not tell them that they cannot get married, just that he won't be the one to marry them.
Humphrey (who is white) and McKay (who is black) are planning on contacting the U.S. Justice department to file a discrimination complaint.
My first reaction when I read this article was total disbelief. I wanted to ask what year it was. I read it out loud for my children to hear and their first reactions were "Hey, he can't do that!". According to the article, Katie Schwartzman (an attorney for the ACLU in Louisiana) sent a letter to the Louisiana Judiciary Committee asking them to investigate Justice Bardwell because the Supreme Court ruled in 1967 that government can NOT tell people whom they can or can't marry. So, no, this guy can't do that. The Justice tried to defend his actions by saying: "I have piles and piles of black friends. They come to my home, I marry them, they use my bathroom. I treat them just like everyone else." Honestly I am having issues articulating my feelings on this article. Just by that last statement, where he is trying to justify what he does and claim that his is not a bigot would make me laugh if it weren't so sad
According to this article by the Associate Press, it would seem that Justice Keith Bardwell, of Tangipahoa parish, believes that the children of an interracial union are not accepted by either of the two cultures and that it would not be fair to any future children to marry such couples. He claims: "I'm not a racist. I just don't believe in mixing the races that way," When a couple call him to set up a time for a marriage, he asks them if they are interracial and if they are, he refuses to marry them. He claims that he does not tell them that they cannot get married, just that he won't be the one to marry them.
Humphrey (who is white) and McKay (who is black) are planning on contacting the U.S. Justice department to file a discrimination complaint.
My first reaction when I read this article was total disbelief. I wanted to ask what year it was. I read it out loud for my children to hear and their first reactions were "Hey, he can't do that!". According to the article, Katie Schwartzman (an attorney for the ACLU in Louisiana) sent a letter to the Louisiana Judiciary Committee asking them to investigate Justice Bardwell because the Supreme Court ruled in 1967 that government can NOT tell people whom they can or can't marry. So, no, this guy can't do that. The Justice tried to defend his actions by saying: "I have piles and piles of black friends. They come to my home, I marry them, they use my bathroom. I treat them just like everyone else." Honestly I am having issues articulating my feelings on this article. Just by that last statement, where he is trying to justify what he does and claim that his is not a bigot would make me laugh if it weren't so sad
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
What I have been working on this week.
My mother passed away on Sunday, and I was honored to write her obituary and her eulogy. I thought I would share them with y'all.
God bless you and yours
Deb Seely
Dura Mae Clark age 79, of Webb City MO passed away Sunday October 4th at Freeman Hospital. She was born on September 12th, 1930 in Texas, daughter of William Orville McGinnis, and Margaret Lackey McGinnis. Dura owned and operated several Wedding and formal wear businesses over the last forty-five years in Topeka, Kansas; Miami, OK; Joplin, MO; and Grove OK. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Jack McGinnis and Don McGinnis and her husband, Richard Clark. She is survived by one daughter, Deborah Seely of Webb City, MO and two sons, Dan Clark of Joplin, MO and David Clark of Joplin MO. She was known as "Nana" to her five grandchildren; Devon, John and Bailey Seely of Webb City, MO; Alec Burd and Kane Clark of Joplin MO. Visitation will be at Parker Mortuary on Wednesday, October 7th from six o'clock to seven o'clock in the evening. Funeral services will be at College Heights Christian Church on Thursday, October 8th at 1:00 in the afternoon with interment at G.A.R. cemetery in Miami OK
When we were growing up in a tiny town called Harveyville Kansas we lived in a big farm house. Now this town was not far away from Topeka and right in the middle of tornado alley. I can remember one night when I was six, Dan was 5 and David would have been 3. There was a tornado warning and mom had shuffled us all down into the basement to wait the storm out. She sat at the head of the stairs to keep an eye on the TV. We must have gotten upset or scared because the next thing I can remember was mom kneeling on the ground in front of the lantern all hunched over, her hands above her head making a shadow in the shape of a camel on the wall. She was terrified of storms but she loved us all so much and didn't want us to be scared so she put her own fear aside to comfort us. Those of you that knew our mom well, know what love and devotion it took for her to kneel on a dirt floor just to entertain three scared children. But that was typical of our mom, she was very devoted to us.
Mom was one of the bravest women that knew. I found out just recently that she had panic attacks and phobias for the last thirty years or so, but I did not know that until she told me. She faced fear head on each day just so she could take care of all of us. Not only did she take care of her three children and her husband, but her brother and his son lived with us for a while and she took care of her father during his last days.
Mom was one of the hardest working people I ever saw too. There were days when she would work all day and then once we kids were in bed, she would go back to work and stay there until it was time to come home and wake us up to get ready for school . Mom started out working for Witcher Studios in Topeka Kansas, and later on opened up the Dura Clark studio after she met and married our dad. That studio later on morphed into the Bridal Boutique as the business changed to include formal wear and flowers as well. Later, after a move back to Miami OK, and then on to Joplin MO, the store became Special Occasions. All three of us kids worked for mom in her store, I met my husband there and Dan and his wife Brandon carried on the tradition for a time as well.
Our lives were not all peaches and cream, pretty much everyone here knows that. Nobody's family life is. Mom parented us the best she knew how. She came from very humble beginnings. She was born in a tent in Texas and she lived through some very rough things. But if there was one thing that our mother was, it was a lady. Dura Clark was from a time when there was a difference between a lady and a woman. Mom was a lady. She passed that down to us as well. I grew up knowing how to be a lady and my brothers grew up knowing how to be gentlemen, not that during the 80's we showed it. Now that we are, in turn, parents those lessons are coming back to us and it is my hope that we can teach those lessons that I know mom must have despaired of us ever learning. I am glad that of all the women in the world, that God chose Dura Mae McGinnis Clark to be my mom, I have been blessed. We all were.
God bless you and yours
Deb Seely
Dura Mae Clark age 79, of Webb City MO passed away Sunday October 4th at Freeman Hospital. She was born on September 12th, 1930 in Texas, daughter of William Orville McGinnis, and Margaret Lackey McGinnis. Dura owned and operated several Wedding and formal wear businesses over the last forty-five years in Topeka, Kansas; Miami, OK; Joplin, MO; and Grove OK. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Jack McGinnis and Don McGinnis and her husband, Richard Clark. She is survived by one daughter, Deborah Seely of Webb City, MO and two sons, Dan Clark of Joplin, MO and David Clark of Joplin MO. She was known as "Nana" to her five grandchildren; Devon, John and Bailey Seely of Webb City, MO; Alec Burd and Kane Clark of Joplin MO. Visitation will be at Parker Mortuary on Wednesday, October 7th from six o'clock to seven o'clock in the evening. Funeral services will be at College Heights Christian Church on Thursday, October 8th at 1:00 in the afternoon with interment at G.A.R. cemetery in Miami OK
When we were growing up in a tiny town called Harveyville Kansas we lived in a big farm house. Now this town was not far away from Topeka and right in the middle of tornado alley. I can remember one night when I was six, Dan was 5 and David would have been 3. There was a tornado warning and mom had shuffled us all down into the basement to wait the storm out. She sat at the head of the stairs to keep an eye on the TV. We must have gotten upset or scared because the next thing I can remember was mom kneeling on the ground in front of the lantern all hunched over, her hands above her head making a shadow in the shape of a camel on the wall. She was terrified of storms but she loved us all so much and didn't want us to be scared so she put her own fear aside to comfort us. Those of you that knew our mom well, know what love and devotion it took for her to kneel on a dirt floor just to entertain three scared children. But that was typical of our mom, she was very devoted to us.
Mom was one of the bravest women that knew. I found out just recently that she had panic attacks and phobias for the last thirty years or so, but I did not know that until she told me. She faced fear head on each day just so she could take care of all of us. Not only did she take care of her three children and her husband, but her brother and his son lived with us for a while and she took care of her father during his last days.
Mom was one of the hardest working people I ever saw too. There were days when she would work all day and then once we kids were in bed, she would go back to work and stay there until it was time to come home and wake us up to get ready for school . Mom started out working for Witcher Studios in Topeka Kansas, and later on opened up the Dura Clark studio after she met and married our dad. That studio later on morphed into the Bridal Boutique as the business changed to include formal wear and flowers as well. Later, after a move back to Miami OK, and then on to Joplin MO, the store became Special Occasions. All three of us kids worked for mom in her store, I met my husband there and Dan and his wife Brandon carried on the tradition for a time as well.
Our lives were not all peaches and cream, pretty much everyone here knows that. Nobody's family life is. Mom parented us the best she knew how. She came from very humble beginnings. She was born in a tent in Texas and she lived through some very rough things. But if there was one thing that our mother was, it was a lady. Dura Clark was from a time when there was a difference between a lady and a woman. Mom was a lady. She passed that down to us as well. I grew up knowing how to be a lady and my brothers grew up knowing how to be gentlemen, not that during the 80's we showed it. Now that we are, in turn, parents those lessons are coming back to us and it is my hope that we can teach those lessons that I know mom must have despaired of us ever learning. I am glad that of all the women in the world, that God chose Dura Mae McGinnis Clark to be my mom, I have been blessed. We all were.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Anti-Wi-Fi paint
The University of Tokyo, has developed an interesting way to keep your Wi-Fi in your home, and away from neighbors that would like to "use" your signal without paying. In this article by the BBC World Service the new "Anti-Wi-Fi" paint is described as being able to block high frequency signals, keeping your sensitive data where it belongs. There are also indications that this paint could be used in theaters to keep your movie or play from being interrupted by ringing cell phones.
The reason this paint works to block high frequency signals (up to 100 GHz) is because it contains an aluminum-iron oxide that resonates at the same frequency as the Wi-Fi and other radio waves. This, in effect, absorbs and blocks the signal from going out and also keeps other signals from coming in. And the potential uses are limitless. Currently there is talk about using this formula to make new movie viewing screens and even clothing. The best part? It is not very expensive.
Now here is an invention I bet that Hugh Jackman wishes that the theater he was performing in recently had used this paint! A cell phone rang during the performance of the play and Jackman broke character and told the audience member to answer his phone. Ok, now that is an extreme reaction to a ringing cell phone, but you get my point. All of us have had a movie or sermon or speech interrupted by a cell phone. Stealing Wi-Fi is rampant too. Recently I noticed that there was a car paused outside of my house for a while and when I asked the man what he was doing he sheepishly told me that he had found signal and was using his computer, in the middle of my street! So annoying. Interestingly enough, the uses for this paint are not just limited to Wi-Fi signals and cell phones. There is also speculation that this paint could be used within hospitals to make the transference of information from one machine to a computer faster and more private as well. I will be interested to see where this all leads, and if it will become available to regular people like you and me.
The reason this paint works to block high frequency signals (up to 100 GHz) is because it contains an aluminum-iron oxide that resonates at the same frequency as the Wi-Fi and other radio waves. This, in effect, absorbs and blocks the signal from going out and also keeps other signals from coming in. And the potential uses are limitless. Currently there is talk about using this formula to make new movie viewing screens and even clothing. The best part? It is not very expensive.
Now here is an invention I bet that Hugh Jackman wishes that the theater he was performing in recently had used this paint! A cell phone rang during the performance of the play and Jackman broke character and told the audience member to answer his phone. Ok, now that is an extreme reaction to a ringing cell phone, but you get my point. All of us have had a movie or sermon or speech interrupted by a cell phone. Stealing Wi-Fi is rampant too. Recently I noticed that there was a car paused outside of my house for a while and when I asked the man what he was doing he sheepishly told me that he had found signal and was using his computer, in the middle of my street! So annoying. Interestingly enough, the uses for this paint are not just limited to Wi-Fi signals and cell phones. There is also speculation that this paint could be used within hospitals to make the transference of information from one machine to a computer faster and more private as well. I will be interested to see where this all leads, and if it will become available to regular people like you and me.
Baby Sitter Backlash!
Lisa Snyder, a Michigan mother was just trying to help out her neighbors by watching their children in her home for a short while each morning while they waited on the school bus. But, according to this article submitted by the AP, she is violating a law concerning un-licensed day cares and has been ordered to stop. When Mrs. Snyder, mother to first grader Grace, heard she was in trouble she immediately called the mothers of the three other children that she kept each school day morning.
It would seem that the law in Michigan states that you cannot care for children that are not related to you for more than four weeks each calendar year. Mrs. Snyder found out that it was a neighbor's complaint that set the wheels in motion. The agency investigating this said that they feel like this law gets in the way of common sense but are bound to investigate and the state is bound to enforce the law.
I find this such a great example of that old adage "penny wise but pound foolish". I would venture to say that most everyone has watched a friends' children and certainly Mrs. Snyder was just trying to help out her neighbors. The bus stop is right in front of her house and it just makes sense that the children wait there. I wonder what this "neighbor" that complained would have the young families that need two incomes do? It would certainly not be proper to leave the children home alone and it isn't very safe to leave children at the curb to wait on busses anymore either.
I was happy to see that the investigators know that this is a silly law in this case, and I do understand that they have to do their job to protect children, but this law needs to be changed. The article says that State Representative Brian Calley is currently working to draft new legislation that makes cases such as this exempt since this was not a working day care. It is refreshing to see that the "powers that be" recognize that this law is not serving the people very well and I do hope that the changes promised do, in fact, take place.
It would seem that the law in Michigan states that you cannot care for children that are not related to you for more than four weeks each calendar year. Mrs. Snyder found out that it was a neighbor's complaint that set the wheels in motion. The agency investigating this said that they feel like this law gets in the way of common sense but are bound to investigate and the state is bound to enforce the law.
I find this such a great example of that old adage "penny wise but pound foolish". I would venture to say that most everyone has watched a friends' children and certainly Mrs. Snyder was just trying to help out her neighbors. The bus stop is right in front of her house and it just makes sense that the children wait there. I wonder what this "neighbor" that complained would have the young families that need two incomes do? It would certainly not be proper to leave the children home alone and it isn't very safe to leave children at the curb to wait on busses anymore either.
I was happy to see that the investigators know that this is a silly law in this case, and I do understand that they have to do their job to protect children, but this law needs to be changed. The article says that State Representative Brian Calley is currently working to draft new legislation that makes cases such as this exempt since this was not a working day care. It is refreshing to see that the "powers that be" recognize that this law is not serving the people very well and I do hope that the changes promised do, in fact, take place.
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