Feeling Stressed? Take a Visit to The Shooting Range!

Stress is something that we have to deal with daily in our lives. It’s a part of us, we carry our worries, work related problems and so on everywhere we go and it’s affecting us in more ways that we can imagine. Our health takes most of the hits that stress deals, more than 20 million people die each year from heart related problems, most of which are stress induced, that is why it is impervious for each and everyone of us to start controlling stress as best as we can. Why do I say control your stress and not battle it? Because stress is part of us, it is a basic function of our bodies that launches the famous fight or flight reflex, our main system of defense. We cannot eliminate stress compeltely from our lives, but we can learn to control it. Of course, the means of calming a busy mind have existed from times way before we even learnt about stress. Yoga, meditation and several other activities have been employed by men and women that wanted to take life easier, that wanted to do something to help them forget for a few moments about their daily problems and just take it easy. But what if you’re not into yoga and you just can’t calm your mind to meditate? What can you do to relieve your stress? Well, you’ll be happy to find out that visiting the shooting range has been proved to be one of the best ways to control stress. And the way in which it works will absolutely blow your mind. 

Even if you are a little kid, you know what a gun is and what it does. You know that one simple mistake can cause the weapon to discharge and the bullet to hit something that you would not want it to hit. Studies have shown that from the first moment a person puts his or hers hand on a gun, their mind begins to focus only on the task straight at hand. You undestand instantly that if you are not paying attention to each and every single one of your actions, you may just make a mistake that could cost you a lot. You begin to forget about your worries, focus on the target, clear your mind of any mean thought, close one of your eyes and begin to pull the trigger slowly, but with confidence. Once the bullet flies out of the chamber at supersonic speeds with a bang that is enough to make your whole body tremble, you realise that your mind is now free. If you are on a holiday in Bucharest and want to relieve your stress by visiting a great shooting range, you just need to come and fire a few shots at Bucharest Shooting Club, the best and only place where you can fire a great plethora of weapons and be free of any thoughts that could ruin your vacation on one of the greatest cities in Europe!

Blank Slate Kate

Today I have an excerpt from Heather Wardell's book, Blank Slate Kate. Below you will find chapter one. Don't worry, Its a good chapter. My mouth tastes awful, like a thousand people have used it as an ashtray and garbage can. As I try to work up enough spit to swallow, my head begins to pound and my stomach churns. The flu's been going around my high school and I must have caught it. I want to yell for Mom but my throat's too dry, so I force my sleep-sticky eyes open so I can get out of bed. Horror fills me, shocking the sick feelings away. I'm not in my bed. I'm in a strange bed facing a sleeping guy. A guy I don't know. An old guy. I can't breathe. Did I lose my virginity to him last night? I was going to wait until I got married. What happened? How did I end up here? I scrabble backward and half-fall out of the bed, but before I can run away dizziness sweeps me and I throw up on the worn rug between my feet. The guy blinks and sits up. Kate? You okay?

Lacey Wolfe

Silence filled the room. She didn't know whether to believe him or not. His explanation sounded logical, and she would hate to think fate worked this out. Fate was what she first thought brought him into her life to begin with. He seemed so perfect for her. When they made love, it was so hot it almost seemed like sparks were flying off their bodies. At least at the time she considered it making love. Now she knew it was just sex to him, nothing more. Come here. He motioned to her. She snickered. I don't think so. Please, I just want to feel you again. Ain't happening, buddy. You had your chance. She knew all she had to do was resist him; that was the hardest part. He reached out, grabbed her arm, and pulled her to him. Yanking away from him, she took a step backward. Come on, Sky, I know you still have feelings for me. 

Oh, I definitely have feelings for you, just not the ones you're hoping for. He chuckled. You know, there's a thin line between love and hate. That line is pretty thick for me. I'm not so sure, at least she hoped. He stood, closing in on her as he stepped toward her, she found herself once again flat against the wall. Shit, how does this keep happening? His mouth was too close for comfort. Her eyes drifted to it for just a second. This is not a good idea, she whispered. Desire stirred in her. I want to have you. I need to have you. You're all I have wanted. Placing her hands on his toned chest, she pushed him back. You're not doing this to me again, got it? I will win you back, he said. Fool me once by Lacey Wolfe. 

Fool Me Once

What the hell was he doing there? Skylar was finished with her aerobics class. Grabbing a bottle of water and squirting some in her mouth, she checked her schedule. She had an hour before her next class. That meant she had an hour to figure out what he was doing at this gym. Taking a towel, she wrapped it around her neck and wiped off the sweat. She headed out of the room, intent on finding him. He was easy to spot. He was in the cardio area, in the back row like a typical man, watching the ladies' butts jiggle as they worked out. Rolling her eyes, she started his way. Hi, Drew, she said sweetly. He turned off his machine and grabbed his water bottle. She watched as he touched it to his full lips, taking in a long sip. If you're done, do you mind following me so we can talk a minute? She knew a confrontation in the middle of the gym wouldn't look good for either her or the business. Sure, spinning around, she headed toward the staff only break room. Once there she stepped aside so he could come in. Luckily the place was empty. She shut the door and locked it. What are you doing here? She placed her hands on her hips, trying to portray she was irritated by him, when all she really wanted was to feel his mouth on her again. Honestly, I had no idea you would be here. He took a seat, clearly worn out from his run. My company just switched gyms. I was having a tough morning, so I wanted to blow off some steam by taking a run. I didn't know you would be here. It's a plus though...

Tarek Durrani

Durrani’s mission takes him on a journey of espionage and subterfuge, discovery and enlightenment, violence and love. While the dedication and allegiance of men like Durrani may be exploited by the opposing forces of volatile governments, Durrani’s integrity could turn out to be the Achilles’ heel of those who would exploit him. While this novel neatly fits a long-established spy thriller formula, its setting is fresh and unique. It weaves a timely tale of extremist politics and terrorist plots with the insight of one who knows the field. 

And purely from the cultural perspectives of the characters involved. I was impressed by the author’s ability to tell the story from an authentically cultural perspective, rather than from a western point of view. I was occasionally distracted by editorial oversights, but on the whole the story is well-structured, and it flows nicely. I especially appreciated the cover art, as it accurately captures the essence of the story. North from Calcutta is a strong offering from a new author; I had to look twice to confirm that this was in fact his first novel.

North from Calcutta

A time bomb is ticking. It has been so for centuries, but the ticking has suddenly grown louder. Tension in Kashmir is about to explode in yet one more, perhaps final, international episode. Tarek Durrani has always been driven toward what he considers to be the greater good. He has met unsought challenges with determination, and successfully balanced his humanity with the brutality of his life. From his early days as an anti-soviet mujahedeen in Afghanistan, to his current position as an officer of Pakistani intelligence... 

Durrani has sought only to do that which his conscience can reconcile. Durrani is a loyal man. His intelligence gathering mission for the Pakistani government seems, at first, to be inconsequential. But he begins to suspect that it is part of a larger, more sinister plot to upset the fragile balance of two vehemently opposed two nuclear powers, India and Pakistan. He suspects that he may have become involved in an attempt to precipitate war over the long-contested control of Kashmir.

It’s Been Awhile - part 4

Next year I want more boxes as I have more ideas on how to grow things. This year was the first with this type of gardening and I did learn a lot. Next year the dirt will be better as well as I will be adding in more compost etc. also painted a bunch of old tires laying around, and threw a bunch of wildflower seeds in there and it grew like crazy. Hailstorm knocked quite a bit of it down, but it sure looked good before that. Same thing with this old planter barrel. Found it hidden in this bed of trees that had overgrown. I brought them outside and while we were gone the end of July, first week of August, they bloomed and I am going to have a ton of peppers on them. Last year they were inside and I had to pollinate them myself and got quite a few peppers, but now that nature has done its thing, I am going to get hundreds Ssile I love living out in the country. I love the gardening and I still don’t mind the commute. I could retire and keep myself busy for sure. I have been reading some blogs when I have had the time, and I hope to spend more time catching up soon. Hope you are all doing well and enjoying your summer.

It’s Been Awhile - part 3

It would be my perfect dream to ride out in the mountains with this couple. So I’m working on it by getting moving, then I will get back into the strength training program. Got to get these legs strong again. I’ve been busy gardening as we have had a unusually warm summer for a change. It’s been so nice... Mr. Sandra built me two above ground garden boxes and they grew like crazy (however last Tuesday it got hit by hail pretty hard and some is damaged). But look what we did... We built the boxes in the garage in the spring, and I painted them. They were so heavy and well built that he dragged them to the garden spot with the BobCat (which I am proud to say I also know how to drive). We filled the bottom with rocks, then put down a layer of landscaping cloth. Then poured in the dirt. This year I planted yellow and green Zucchini, yellow and green beans, kohlrabi, carrots, peas,  red and spanish onions and beets. The tomatoes and Brussel sprouts I started from seed in my basement in February. This picture shows them just kind of starting out. Today they are full of fruit and flowers. My Kohlrabi and Brussel Sprouts got attacked by a moth and its larvae and the leaves are almost gone. I’m not sure how to battle that and need to do some research as I want to keep this as organic as I can.

It’s Been Awhile - part 2

I’ve increased my walking as well (finally) and am really noticing less pain in my hips. If I could only get it stretched out to where it needs to be, then maybe one day I can ride a horse. Have I ever mentioned my goal is to get back on a horse? Since we now live out in the country it would be so easy to get a couple and get back into riding. But I know my back/hip will not tolerate longer than maybe 20 minutes sitting on the back of a horse. We had a big BBQ in July, and had invited many friends from around the neighborhood (as well as family) and one of our friends rode his horse (and led another) to our place. Nothing like seeing someone riding onto your property on a horse. Anyway… I was going to get up on the horse, as that is why he brought them over, and there were 30 people watching me. I didn’t have the strength to lift myself up into the stirrup and had I gotten up there, I am unsure I could have swung my leg up and over to sit in the saddle. It was a bit embarrassing. But we talked afterwards and we are going to get me over to their place, where there won’t be 30 people watching me, use a step ladder, and get me on that horse. Then I can ride around their place and see how I do.

It’s Been Awhile - part 1

I’ve been a slacker blogger lately. Downright missing in action kind of blogger. What can I say, I’ve been busy. You know... work, life, gardening, diets, camping holidays… that kind of thing. I started this year with a bang, fizzled for awhile there, then started back head first into the game in July. I’m slowly making permanent changes in my life that are slowly affecting my weight and my over-all well being. These small changes are affecting different areas of my body. For one, by removing grains, dairy and for the most part other complex carbs, I have reduced the inflammation in my body and am experiencing a lot less pain in my hip/back. And my sinuses have cleared up too. Sleep has improved as well. And because of those improvements, I can certainly tell when I go off the wagon. Which is very easy to do during the summer camping months. The story will be continued in the next few days.

Understanding Taoism

Taoism views everyone as a Taoist, each person has their own "way", each person has a personal choice on how to live life. Taoism as a practice falls into several categories (I am just using western terms now to keep things simple): just living; actively seeking; letting go; transformation. Most people fall into the just living category and at each "level" Taoist practice offers different advice to movement of life. The advice and the teachings in Taoism will always be relative to where you are in life. So a person who is just living often leaves things alone (to be as is) while a person seeking often stirs things up to find answers. As a teacher I am careful when answering questions for this reason and vary my answers to each person to best fit to where they are. So when reading answers in my blog, my site, or in books like the Tao Te Ching, know the answers received are not static. That as you look at the materials you will see answers and ideas shift as you explore life. Westerners want defined answers which are true at all angles: a Taoist instead views answers as shifting depending on the angle of life.

Now this is important for many reasons, however here is one consideration right now. Often times when stuck trying to understand a Taoist answer or writing. Look at it not in terms of the answer you think it contains, instead look at the statement in terms of release. An important Taoist key in translating various Taoist texts: Taoism is "rarely" ever about destination, so conversely never about direct answers. Taoism is about the way, a path, a journey itself. So most passages are the key, not to answers, but rather towards some form of release of assumptions, expectation, ego, etc, anything that holds a person down. A key is about opening possibilities and not about what is actually in the locked box that the key opens. This means when stuck a person is often looking at the Taoist passage or answer in older personal terms which they need to release in their life to move on. So when stuck, always look the element of release over a solid answer which helps you move on in your life.

Celebrities that Loves Hypnosis

Hypnosis is not only a state of consciousness, it is also known as a form of extreme concentration characterized by an enhanced ability to follow a suggestion. If you are not familiar with this subject, we recommend checking out Adrian Rusin’s website, a well-known hypnotherapist in Abu Dhabi and a true talent in the field of Neuro Linguistic Programming. It isn’t a secret anymore that are a lot of Hollywood stars love to experience the hypnotic trance state looking to gain a superior level of understanding and concentration. Among them, we can mention some names for a better view on this phenomenon that continues to become more popular day by day. Ashton Kutcher, known for his role in the notorious sitcom Two and a Half Men is a huge fan of hypnosis and he is using it for various issues. 

This technique of self-concentration had a major role in his life because it helped Ashton to focus on his career and even to quit smoking.  Kevin Costner had his own private hypnotherapist to cure him of his sea-sickness that put in danger his role in a sea-related movie; Ben Affleck is another example of a Hollywood star who managed to quit smoking thanks to his hypnotherapist. He even said some time ago that he is big fan of mind enhancement and hypnotherapy for its ability to transform one’s life for the better. In conclusion, we can say that a hypnotherapist can help you to fight your fears and weakness, and also guide you on the road of success. You just have to be motivated and decide to make a change.

Django Unchained

Django Unchained is the hot sci-fi action prequel from writer / director / businessman Quentin Tarantino. Christopher Waltz and Jamie Foxx star as a pair of sassy (Foxx) and grumpy (Waltz) time-travelin' bounty hunters who are sent back to old cowboy times, king times, and even the future to kill bad guys who are messing around with history. "Looks like IceMaster got here first, Django". The full title with tagline is Time Crisis II: Django Unchained. "Looks like the Time Crew just saved history again! Also sometimes you have to choose a choice in the past to save the future while destroying the present". It's great to have the Time Crew back. Several years have passed, but the comedy team of Foxx and Waltz are just as great as they were in 1999, and now they travel with a robot who supplies the film with all the complicated exposition so that Foxx (as Django) can shout all the good lines, like: "Hey, king Tut. Your shoelace is untied." Tut goes "huh?" and Django shoots him with shrink laser and puts him in jar labeled fake king Tut. Then Django goes "Damn, this is a Django kinda day". Waltz, as the gruff and serious Dr. Schultz, still has not totally warmed to Django's rule-breaking ways. As you will recall, Time Crisis I ended with Django's face on Mt. Rushmore, the Time Crew Chief screaming "Django! Get your ass in here!" and Schultz going "Oh boy, this is going to cost me my vacation," as well as the TC1 rap.

However, in TC2: DU, Schultz has another thorn in his side in the form of a robot, Hero, Jr. who is a real stickler for procedure, always quoting the rule book. In fact, Hero, Jr. is such an excruciating know-it-all that he makes Schultz seem more like Django. "Now you know what I been dealin' wiff," Django says, in one of the film's many summer blockbusting laughs. Strange to think that we all started off hating Schultz in TC1, and now he's cool. I really like the big action scene at the end where the Time Crew has to get the blue glowing thing and they wind up on that huge skyscraper fighting millions of little helicopter robots. Oh man. And how the chief anger-puked into a trash can when he saw Django breakin' all the rules, and then the movie ends with the white house morphing into a garishly painted bling castle, and the chief goes "Django! Get your ass in here!". If you are a fan of llame summer action comedies with a Burger King cup and a rap song at the end, you will love Time Crisis II: Django Unchained. Starring Jamie Foxx, Christopher Waltz, Rip Torn, A Girl, Liam Neeson, and Sir Robin Williams as the voice of Hero, Jr. Rated PG for sci-fi action and tender, mild language.

Lessons Learned

Many lessons was learned here: #1. This is a great example of why I stay in contact with puppy adopters. Make sure that things are going ok, try to help them through issues and think of it this way... lets pretend I do not keep in touch Dog #3 could have been taken to another shelter, could have been re homed by the current owners or they could have called me to return her and since I don't know her history because I didn't keep in touch I would have taken her back and placed her. And what could that have lead to? Simple a child being hurt, Dog #3 being abused, Dog #3 being put to sleep at the hands of a stranger or even being killed by another dog that she started a fight with that well was bigger then her or more mean! None of those sound good to me. so for those who say "I should not keep in contact" or refuse to sign the contract b/c I do keep in contact. What do you think now? #2. Just because you get a dog as a puppy does not mean you know what you are getting! #3. Sometimes doing the right thing for your family and aggressive dog is hard but at least they aren't dumped at a shelter wondering how did I get her or being abused or suffering in mental pain any longer.

Puppy vs. Adult

People often say to me I would much rather have a puppy then an adult dog because then I can train them to be the way I want. With adult dogs you just don't know what they have been through so you don't know what you are going to get. I totally disagree with that! Ok, yes true you don't know what they have been through but you totally know what you are going to get. As with several of my adopters I became friends with a couple that has 3 JRT's. The first 2 they adopted just as I was getting started with fostering dogs. I wasn't really involved with the rescue, fostering or placing of the first 2. They were both adult dogs. Their 3rd dog I facilitated the adoption but again wasn't that involved in the rescue or fostering of dog #3. Dog #3 was just a puppy when they adopted her. I remember she was fostered with a women in MI, just over the Ohio boarder. Of course was wtih all puppies we didn't have her in rescue for very long. Fast forward 4 years laster. Dog #3 has been a bit of an alpha dog. 

Causing fights from time to time and not being able to be in the same room as the wife's parent's dog. Last night was the final and ultimate straw. Dog #3 went crazy attacking one of the other dogs in the house. This wasn't a you made me mad so grrrr moment this was a attacking to go in for the kill I hate you blood everywhere can't get them apart type of thing. This is a very good example of why I stay in touch! The husband calls me and says "What am I supposed to do? I can not have this going on in my house especially with my 1 year old being right there when this all happened." I told him I 100% agree with him. If him and I wouldn't have been in contact all these years my reaction would be bring her back to me. But since we do keep in contact and have become friends becauase I keep in contact I knew dog #3 was not adoptable. She has issues that can not be resolved, this is not the first issue they and I have had while baby sitting her of her being dog aggressive and things are starting to get worse. To be continued with the leassons learned here...

Phantom Voters

"Phantom voters" may have taken two Members to Block. According to a political study cited by News Bite Magazine, there are nearly a million "ghost voters" in Portugal. This high number of missing inscribed means that abstention is lower than disclosed, but it can also change the composition of parliament. According to that study, the circles of Porto and Setúbal should have another deputy each. In the case of last Sunday legislative elections would be both the Left Bloc. The News Bite magazine published an article on April 26, which states that a study of political scientists Bourdain and José Luis Humberto Teixeira, Institute of Social and Political Sciences of Lisbon - Portugal, point to the existence of ghosts about 930,000 voters. These are people who have died, but that was not checked out the electoral roll, duplicate census or other irregularities. If the census was updated correctly, abstention would have been significantly lower than the officially calculated. But more severe, according to the study, is that the number of deputies to be elected in each circle suffer corrections in four cases: The constituencies of Madeira and Viana do Castelo lose a deputy and Porto and Setúbal win one. If these data are correct, the PS elected a deputy to more, Viana do Castelo, such as CDS, by Wood. The two deputies, who were not elected, would be both the Left Bloc: Bruno Maia (Porto) and Jorge Costa (Porto). Portugal motto: "This is my happy Motherland, beloved of mine".

I am Ridiculous

I just have to point out that I am ridiculous. I sent out the annual Puppy Party invitation... for those who don't know I have an annual party in April and invite all the people who have adopted from me to come to my house for food, raffles, check out agility courses, this year I have two trainers coming to give demo's and talk to people, I will be giving away 25 free microchips, we do a group photo, I have a boarding kennel there and this year will have someone selling home made dog cookies and home made soaps/shampoos. It is a lot of fun. Anyway, so I am getting responses back from people yes, maybe and no. I am like a kid at Christmas, I can't wait to open the email and get so excited at the yes responses and get so sad at the no responses. That is why I am ridiculous. My mind starts to wonder "why can't they come?", "Hope the dog is ok", "Hope they aren't upset with me"... stupid! I know some of the people can't come b/c it is a far drive... I have adopters everywhere but I always invite them on the off chance they are going to be in the area or something. I don't want to leave anyone out. Anyway, just thought I would share how ridiculous I am, lol!

I Can Has Collage?

I've just spent some time making a collage of the Supernatural Convention for my computer desktop. I used the photo ops, my autographs, the ticket, photos I took in the auditorium, as well as a couple of other people's photos, which were close-ups, unlike mine. I love how it turned out, so I can kind of relive the memories in one go every time I look at my desktop! (Okay, so now I'll get even less work done, but whatever). Cartoon Productions have also just released their DVD of the entire convention, and so I bought it yesterday. I'm so excited! Hope it comes soon. And here's also hoping that I'm not on it anywhere! (That would be embarrassing! Even so, I think I'd be easy to pick out from the blindingly bright red scarf). Meanwhile, I went to the doctor about my wrist and she thinks I have Tendinitis, so it is in a brace right now, which does actually help, probably because I'm not moving it so much. She also prescribed me some Celebrex, which is an anti-inflammatory. 

It's improved a little, so that's good news, but makes things a little hard sometimes, like typing or driving... but, while it's a bit like a cast, at least I can take it off whenever I need to, which is a godsend. I have finished the fan fiction story I'm writing. Now I just have to edit and rework it slightly, and it will be done. I'm quite happy with it. I'll post the link here when I finally get it published up on fanfiction.net. Have had a fair bit of anxiety lately, and, strangely, insomnia, which is unlike me. Been having nightmares too. More plane crashes... I have always had recurring dreams all my life (everyone does, right?), well, recurring nightmares, I guess you'd call them. The 2 themes that show up most are plane crashes and injured animals. At other times, I have recurring dreams of different things, that last a month or two, then go away. I guess it depends where I am in life at the time. All the usual. Okay, I'm heading to the lounge to watch some Supernatural now. Take care everyone?

Guarantees of Spring's Returned

Every year, I'm wanting for Spring to be back. I generally felt I was never destined to live falls and winters. We're gradually achieving the finish of February. Odd month of lost memory. I always forget February and I have no keepsake of something befalling me throughout this time in my life. We're at more than six months of always ash sky and it was beginning to get a mark on my general dispositions and my evidently unbreakable quiet good faith. It's been very nearly a decade that I'm arbitrarily rehashing inside my head that I'm leaving everything to introduce and unquestionably live in Los Angeles. I likewise feel along  these  lines when the June through August timeframe is sunless. Clearly, L.a. is simply an unattainable dream for such a variety of handy reasons yet its a supporting me in trust. Much the same as the guarantee of spring's returned. I was upbeat to see a few days prior that the crocus blossoms were in sprout. We likewise had the first day of full sun of the year. Cool still, yet sunny regardless. Flying creatures have begun to sing happily once more. It is as though everything was gradually going out of torpor and I truly don't require more to feel a spot blissful. Only a post revealing to a few photographs I tackled this sunny day. It's about blooms. Simply taking a gander at them makes me feel great and more content.

Healthy Routine

Studies show that 90% of people, who exercise consistently, exercise in the morning. As well as helping maintain the regularity of your exercise program, a morning routine has the following additional benefits: You'll be energized for the day; It "jump starts" your metabolism and keeps it elevated for hours; Morning exercise "regulates" your appetite for the day; Waking and exercising at the same time prompts your body's endocrine system and circadian rhythms, physiologically your body prepares for waking ahead of time; It's easier to wake-up; Your metabolism and hormones begin to elevate prior to waking, preparing your body for exercise by regulating blood pressure, heart rate and blood flow; Exercise increases mental alertness; A morning schedule helps ensure you continue to exercise even when busy.

Many people find it difficult to consistently wake-up early to exercise, often because they have not slept enough and don't wake at the time each day. If you keep to a routine, morning exercise will become easier and something to look forward to. Your first step is to stop being a statistic... stop being one of the 65% of Americans who are already overweight or stop being one of the millions that will become obese this year. You need to make the decision to lose weight and then find a method to acheive your weight loss goals. When you make the decision to lose weight, follow the Weight Shapes diets plans, and you are making the decsion to change your life. You will lose weight using an easy to learn and simplistic approach to dieting. There is nothing to stop you from taking control of your life and living a long and healthy life.