B3 Jazz

And Thanksgiving Was Official…

// November 26th, 2009 // No Comments » // Blogged // Blogged

On October 3, 1789, our nation’s first President, George Washington, declared the following:

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor…

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the twenty-sixth day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these United States . . . that we then may all unite unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are now blessed. . .

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just and constitutional laws, discretely and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord, to promote the knowledge and practice for the true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and Us, and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3rd of October, A.D. 1789.

George Washington

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.  Count and enjoy all your blessings and be thankful that we live in a place where we can enjoy such liberties.

The CFP Needs To Report This?

// November 9th, 2009 // No Comments » // Blogged // Blogged

My friend forwarded this story to me today about Michelle Obama’s outrageous number of staffers.  My initial reaction was to ask, “Where is all the outrage?”  The engaged audience of America and supporters of the administration need a reality check!  Then I wondered why the Canada Free Press reports this story yet I couldn’t find any reputable US news outlets that covered the story.

I dug a little deeper and found this posting from the Snopes Website.  Just another example of a spun story.  Keep digging for the real stories, my friends.

Happy Pumpkin Day from B3Jazz

// October 31st, 2009 // No Comments » // Blogged // Blogged

I want to wish all my loyal readers and fans an enjoyable Halloween Day.  My kids will be dressed as a pumpkin and Mario & Luigi today.  It’s gonna be great.

Trivia of the Day:

What phobia do you suffer from if you have an intense fear of Halloween?

Samhainophobia refers to an abnormal and persistent fear of Halloween. This time of year may also stir up other phobias such as the fear of: cats (ailurophobia), witches (wiccaphobia), ghosts (phasmophobia), spiders (arachnophobia), the dark (nyctophobia), and cemetaries (coimetrophobia).

Funny Motivational Posters

// October 30th, 2009 // No Comments » // Blogged // Blogged

While I’m out browsing and find something that makes me laugh out loud, I try to share it.  Here’s the disclaimer: some of the content on the referenced site contains language and/or photos that may be objectionable to some readers/viewers.  In other words, it’s for grown-ups.  But if you want a chuckle today, check out these motivational posters.

Weight Loss Shouldn’t Be the End All

// October 29th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Blogged // Blogged

I’m on my own personal journey.  With the help of some friends (thanks to my wife for the encouragement, Ryan for the bike, BJ for the cycling tips, the hockey team, and everyone else who’s encouraged me), you can do it too!  To date, I’m down from my max weight by 74 pounds.  I guess my thought for today is that, as I got off the bike trainer after a 1 1/2 hour ride, this isn’t about just “losing weight” anymore.  As I watched the movie “Miracle” and rode, the thought crossed my mind that, just several short months ago, I was in the hospital awaiting the delivery of my new baby and gauging my RHR at a whopping 70+!

I know you’ve all heard stories about the incredible benefits of becoming and staying healthy, I don’t need to remind you.  But the very realization that I was headed for failure – possible cardiac arrest, diabetes, high blood pressure – makes me think about all I could have lost were it not for changing direction!  Besides, and as anyone with young children will tell you, it’s a little embarrassing when your 5-year-old can outrun you.

I’m setting new goals and expectations every day, and if there’s anyone out there who thinks they can’t do it – let me assure you that you can!  Your body, mind, and spirit will thank you for what you’re doing for yourself

Word Game Addictions Run Amok

// October 28th, 2009 // No Comments » // Blogged // Blogged

Scrabble's Many Tiles

I’ll be the first to admit – I am addicted to word games. Anagrams, Scrabble, wordplay games – anything involving words is good. That’s why when I find a new game, I like to share it. For all of you with an iPhone, check out the Juju Play website and their iPhone app called Frozen Lexicon. It’s awesome, and it’ll prep you for all those 7-letter bingos in Scrabble. Some other sites I recommend are anagrammer.com and Scrabulizer.

Jill Boltie’s Amazing Story (T.E.D.)

// October 26th, 2009 // No Comments » // Existentialism // Existentialism

Wow, you should really check out this story. Jill Boltie had a stroke, a true scientist. Just listen to her description of her own stroke. You decide.

Photographing Snowflakes

// October 24th, 2009 // No Comments » // Photography // Photography

I found this site today.  How cool is this?  Photographing snowflakes seems like something I could really get into.

Visit SnowCrystals.com

Michael Moore – You’re Missing the Point

// October 24th, 2009 // No Comments » // Blogged // Blogged

Michael Moore, I’m sorry to say I disagree with you again. So, the point of your answer to this student’s question is that it is wrong that he might have to go work for Taco Bell after college because he got himself into a ridiculous amount of debt by accepting all those credit card offers.

What you are missing here is the whole concept of (guess what) personal choice and responsibility. Should this or any student decide to take out those credit cards and rack up the charges while having no income and no way to pay off the debt, they are the one who is making the overtly stupid choice. This is not the fault of the credit card companies or the schools. Continue Reading

Exercise or Death?

// October 24th, 2009 // No Comments » // Exercise // Exercise