Friday, June 17, 2011

Some things used to be better.

The 70's were a magical time.

Got a cough?  Take heroin.

Cocaine infused wine was wildly popular, and used by such folks as Queen Victoria, Pope Leo XIII and Thomas Edison.  True fact.

Toothache?  Cocaine's your drug of choice.

Knowledge of History is Instructive.

Understanding Religious Tolerance.

A more cogent biblical reinterpretation.

Of course, via TIME - "The psychedelic drug in magic mushrooms may have lasting medical and spiritual benefits, according to... Johns Hopkins School of Medicine."

Imagine that, a plant growing naturally upon the earth and used for centuries for its spiritual and consciousness expanding properties does exactly what folks have always said.  So, of course, we live in a world where its ingestion is a crime that equates with beating, robbing or killing someone.  We're all fucking geniuses, I swear...

Study: Psilocybin, the Drug in 'Magic Mushrooms,' Lifts Mood and Increases Compassion Over the Long Term - - TIME Healthland:
"...The mushroom-derived hallucinogen, called psilocybin, is known to trigger transformative spiritual states, but at high doses it can also result in 'bad trips' marked by terror and panic. The trick is to get the dose just right, which the Johns Hopkins researchers report having accomplished.
In their study, the Hopkins scientists were able to reliably induce transcendental experiences in volunteers, which offered long-lasting psychological growth and helped people find peace in their lives — without the negative effects..."

All you need to understand about the Weiner "scandal."



Daily Kos: Congratulations to the Democratic leadership!:
"Congratulations to the White House and the House Democratic leadership! Anthony Weiner will resign.

Bush will not be investigated for lying us into war, authorizing torture, and spying on American citizens; but Anthony Weiner will resign.

Cheney will not be investigated for lying us into war, authorizing torture, and spying on American citizens; but Anthony Weiner will resign.

Rumsfeld will not be investigated for lying us into war and authorizing torture; but Anthony Weiner will resign.

Rice will not be investigated for lying us into war; but Anthony Weiner will resign.

Clarence Thomas will not be investigated for rank corruption; but Anthony Weiner will resign.

Justice has been served."

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Training.

P90X D56 - Core Synergistics

P90X went on hiatus from last Sunday as a family emergency required travel and time. And it looks like it'll be of a longer duration than expected, so need to, starting today, incorporate P90X back into my newly frazzled schedule and routine. One lesson learned last year - for the dozenth time - like most lessons - is that in times of stress, I need to exercise even more than normal, or I'll find myself eating whole pizzas and downing fifths of Jack Daniels. Even this week, while not doing the P90X routine, I tried to get some exercise daily, as it served/serves as a much needed release valve.

But the Food/Cooking Log posts are on hiatus until back to home; no time now. Tracking food by pen/paper, low carb-ish primal/paleo-ish, avoiding junk, one day a week free/splurge.

6/11 - 20m run/jog + sprints, Bas Rutten MMA Workout - Boxing - Heavy Bag 10x2m rounds
6/10 - 20m run/jog, Bas Rutten MMA Workout - Boxing - Heavy Bag 10x2m rounds
6/9 - no workout
6/8 - Bas Rutten MMA Workout - Boxing - Heavy Bag 7x2m rounds - Shadowboxing 3x2m rounds
6/7 - Jumprope, calisthenics, band work
6/6 - 20m run/jog/walk
6/5 - no workout; travel day
6/4 - P90X D55 - Core Synergistics
6/3 - P90X D54 - Kenpo X
6/2 - P90X D53 - Yoga - Tony Horton One on One "Patience Hummingbird" - PBF Fit Test
6/1 - P90X D52 - Yoga - Tony Horton One on One "Patience Hummingbird"
5/31 - P90X D51 - X Stretch - max set dips/chins/hypers
5/30 - P90X D50 - Rest/Free/Off/Food Poisoning


Inspiring - Christina Adler Body Transformation | Muscle & Strength:
Age: 36
Weight: 155 lbs Weight: 127 lbs
Bodyfat %: 32% Bodyfat %: 17%






And this made me laugh.

I LOL'd.


Perspective.

Fiscal Philosophy 101 - Advice for Kids.

Laughter is a goodness.


This.

Politics 101.

Paul's not perfect - a little too Jesus-y for me - but he's one of the best of a pathetically bad and disingenuous lot.

The Drug War Failure.

More at the link.

Declare Defeat and Go Home - Reason Magazine:
"In the decade and a half since then, the federal government has shelled out more than $100 billion—vastly more, by some estimates—fighting the scourge of illegal drugs. How’s that workin’ out? Not too good! Last Thursday the Global Commission on Drug Policy, an international panel that included such sober souls as former Fed chairman Paul Volcker, said the U.S.-led war on drugs 'has failed.'

It has not simply failed. It has failed miserably. Increasing federal expenditures have risen hand-in-hand with increasing drug use. From 2002 to 2009, national drug-control funding rose from $10.8 billion a year to $15 billion—a 39 percent increase. Yet as The Chicago Tribune’s Steve Chapman noted last October, roughly 22 million Americans used illegal drugs in 2009. That represents a 9 percent increase over the year before and the highest rate since 2002..."

This - "When you assume an ever-greater share of responsibility for the world's affairs, other countries will become increasingly irresponsible..."

SecDef Gates: Old Europe's Lack of Participation in America's Global Policework Is "Unacceptable" - Hit & Run : Reason Magazine:
"It never ceases to amaze that America's ruling class cannot wrap their heads around one obvious fact: When you assume an ever-greater share of responsibility for the world's affairs, other countries will become increasingly irresponsible (or non-responsible, if you prefer). You want to make allies a bit more concerned with their own defense, let alone with foreign military adventures? Remove your troops and bases from their soil, and let them know that you are no longer in the business of being a first-responder in the guarantee of their security. Meanwhile, it might be worth beginning to consider whether intervening in far-flung civil wars really qualifies as 'defense.'"

Engagement Win.

And that's how relationships are.