Visions & Views from a Visiting Voyeur

Loud mouth insight to the nothing and nowhere. Deep thoughts and questions that have no where else to go...

Midnight is fast approaching. This year I have seen the first minorty become president, a female still be able to be harassed nationally due to gender and no one say anything about it, and a Govenor, who is known for pulling down corrupt, gets caught with his pants down.. literally! The supreme court said that raping a child wasn't heinous enough to award corporal punishment which spurred the first presidential election agreement.

I also saw China hit with a horrible disaster and the Olympics. I still can't believe those little girls were old enough to compete. No use harping over that though. I saw people continue to come together to help others stuggling with natural disasters. I talk to a woman who spent 4 weeks in Corpus Christi after the hurricane. She came all the way from Florida.

The Wii grew in popularity and movies became less popular. Movie stars were probably to busy taking time to have babies.

And for me I saw heartache, strength, commitment, confidence, tears, grief, disbelief, happiness, hope and devastation.

So now that my cuboards are bare and the dust and debri has been sweeped out I look forward to starting tomorrow in a new year with hope that more good than bad will happen and more happiness than grief will be felt.

"As you meet your Shepherd, let him renew and refresh your spirit. I pray a that you've left some of your burdens at the foot of the cross. And remember: Regardless of the challenges of life, there is one who cares and will never leave you. 'We are his people, the sheep he tends' (Psalm 100:3)" (Max Lucado, Traveling Light 2002)

I have been thinking... okay stressing about some stuff in my life. I found out the day before Christmas that I may not have financial aid to continue my degree. Then there are the other things as well. I have been trying to stay calm and say hey this too shall pass but I think part of me just isn't believing it. Last night I ask God why have you forsaken me?

Honestly, He hasn't. Things happen. Somethings I bring on myself, some things just are. I know there is a purpose, a plan at work here. I know that doors can open just when I think that they won't. Spending to much time questioning God or myself gets nothing done but building up my anxiety over things I normally am powerless over.

Surrender! Such a easy word to say but such a hard task for me to do. It reminds me of the story of the man who's daughter is sick. He asks Jesus to come heal her. Jesus asks, "Do you believe that I can?" and the man replies, "Lord I believe, please help my disbelief." As humans looking through human eyes it is hard to see sometimes that things will work out and life will be okay. We put on our "Belief" masks so that no one sees how fragile we are. I admire this man that he has the courage to say "Yes I believe but there is still part of me that has disbelief please HELP ME". And we forget or at least I do, that I really can't do anything but live today. Tomorrow has its own things for me to deal with but until it becomes today there really is much I can do about them.

So taking from a pray a friend gave me I say.... "Oh Lord, help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that you and I together can't handle..."

Ta ta for now!

Okay I didn't come up with these. I actually swiped them from a friends blog I read off a website I go to. If losing weight or getting healthier is one of your goals for the new year I would like to highly recommend http://www.sparkpeople.com/. IT is an awesome website and it is free. I hope you enjoy... ta ta for now.



100 Simple Ways to Lose Weight

1. Walk to work.

2. Use fat-free milk over whole milk.

3. Do sit-ups in front of the TV.

4. Walk during lunch hour.

5. Drink water before a meal.

6. Eat leaner red meat and poultry.

7. Eat half your dessert.

8. Walk instead of driving whenever you can.

9. Take a family walk after dinner.

10. Skate to work instead of driving.

11. Avoid food portions larger than your fist.

12. Mow lawn with push mower.

13. Increase the fiber in your diet.

14. Walk to your place of worship instead of driving.

15. Walk kids to school.

16. Get a dog and walk it.

17. Join an exercise group.

18. Drink diet soda.

19. Replace Sunday drive with Sunday walk.

20. Do yard work.

21. Eat off smaller plates.

22. Get off a stop early and walk.

23. Don't eat late at night.

24. Skip seconds.

25. Work around the house.

26. Skip buffets.

27. Grill, steam or bake instead of frying.

28. Bicycle to the store instead of driving.

29. Take dog to the park.

30. Ask your doctor about taking a multi-vitamin.

31. Go for a half-hour walk instead of watching TV.

32. Use vegetable oils over solid fats.

33. More carrots, less cake.

34. Fetch the newspaper yourself.

35. Sit up straight at work.

36. Wash the car by hand.

37. Don't skip meals.

38. Eat more celery sticks.

39. Run when running errands.

40. Pace the sidelines at kids' athletic games.

41. Take wheels off luggage.

42. Choose an activity that fits into your daily life.

43. Park further from the store and walk.

44. Ask a friend to exercise with you.

45. Make time in your day for physical activity.

46. Exercise with a video if the weather is bad.

47. Bike to the barbershop or beauty salon instead of driving.

48. Keep to a regular eating schedule.

49. If you find it difficult to be active after work, try it before work.

50. Take a walk or do desk exercises instead of a cigarette or coffee break.

51. Perform gardening or home repair activities.

52. Avoid laborsaving devices.

53. Take small trips on foot to get your body moving.

54. Play with your kids 30 minutes a day.

55. Dance to music.

56. Keep a pair of comfortable walking or running shoes in your car and office.

57. Make a Saturday morning walk a group habit.

58. Walk briskly in the mall.

59. Choose activities you enjoy and you'll be more likely to stick with them.

60. Stretch before bed to give you more energy when you wake.

61. Take the long way to the water cooler.

62. Explore new physical activities.

63. Vary your activities, for interest and to broaden the range of benefits.

64. Reward and acknowledge your efforts.

65. Choose fruit for dessert.

66. Consume alcoholic beverages in moderation, if at all.

67. Take stairs instead of the escalator.

68. Conduct an inventory of your meal/snack and physical activity patterns.

69. Share an entree with a friend.

70. Grill fruits or vegetables.

71. Eat before grocery shopping.

72. Choose a checkout line without a candy display.

73. Make a grocery list before you shop.

74. Buy 100 percent fruit juices over soda and sugary drinks.

75. Swim with your kids.

76. Flavor foods with herbs, spices, and other low-fat seasonings.

77. Remove skin from poultry before cooking to lower fat content.

78. Eat before you get too hungry.

79. Don't skip breakfast.

80. Stop eating when you are full.

81. Snack on fruits and vegetables.

82. Top your favorite cereal with apples or bananas.

83. Try brown rice or whole-wheat pasta.

84. Include several servings of whole grain food daily.

85. When eating out, choose a small or medium portion.

86. If main dishes are too big, choose an appetizer or a side dish instead.

87. Ask for salad dressing "on the side".

88. Don't take seconds.

9. Try your burger with just lettuce, tomato and onion.

90. Try a green salad instead of fries.

91. Bake or broil fish.

92. Walk instead of sitting around.

93. Eat sweet foods in small amounts.

94. Take your dog on longer walks.

95. Drink lots of water.

96. Cut back on added fats or oils in cooking or spreads.

97. Walk the beach instead of sunbathing.

98. Walk to a co-worker's desk instead of emailing or calling them.

99. Carry your groceries instead of pushing a cart.

100. Use a snow shovel instead of a snow blower.

So this morning I am sleepily climbing up the computer thinking I should get up and get some everyday things done like laundry, clean my cluttered room, wash dishes and ack... walk my dog. Poor Jeni has been forced to being lazy because of my no cold weather policy.

This time last year I made the resolution to get healthier and lose weight. Though I don't think I made a big huge amount of progress I did make some. I lost 19lbs, I am more mentally healthier than a year ago and I have some willpower.

So what am I carrying over into the new year? This year I am going to continue to work on my health. I actually have this crazy goal of doing a triathlon they hold in a city I live near. Why would this be crazy... well I am out of shape, not athletic, and I hate running. Okay I don't really hate running but when I conjure up thoughts on it I remember Jr high track. I was the slow chunky kid. So where do you decide as a coach to put the slower chunky kid? Well of course on distance running. I still remember the chariots of fire theme playing in my head as I head around the curb at a meet. I can do this I told myself, I can make it to the finish line. Its just 3 miles right. I run and run and a scratched record sound plays in my head as I fall head long into the dirt/pebbles of the track below. Then the song of "Another one bites the dust" jingles in my head. Score 1 for the track and 0 for the chubby runner. So you can see I am mentally psyched out by the thought of trying to run again. Okay and I have some physical shall I say hindrances that are less then graceful when I try as well.

So why do it? Well it raises money for a good cause. The money raised goes toward a day camp for special needs children. Also it is like this look at me what I have accomplished goal. No one probably would ever think I would or could do a triathlon. When I say I am not athletic that isn't some humble remark so that I don't look to full of myself. I am the clumsy backwards kind of person. Okay so I will just say it... I'm a big nerdy female, literally. But winning this shindig actually isn't the goal. The goal is to pass that darn finish line. I don't care if I am the last person. If the 12 and under crowd have left me in the dust. If grandma and grandpa are already chowing down at the after festivities. I need to cross that line. I need to finish and finish well.

So here I am making a renewed vow to work on my lifestyle. To choose healthier habits and to work more diligently on my goal of racing at that triathlon in September. I can see me now... I look great in a tie dye shirt.

Well ta ta for now... hope you are able to finish well on your resolutions for 2009 as well.

Oh how I love controversy mixed with some weekend sunshine. Today, I decided to put down my thoughts about the new kid in the executive branch, Mr Barack Obama. Whether you love him, hate him, disagree or stand firm in what he says he is going to do, I am sure I will get some colorful remarks for what I am about to propose.

I would like to propose that Mr. Obama will sadly either become a flop or a puppet in his presidency. Why would I say such a thing. Yes he is intelligent. Yes he has some limited experience. Yes he has some interesting proposals. So what is my point?

Well Mr. Obama forgot to tell the American public that his proposals are doomed for failure and if not doomed for failure then only to be an illusion so that we as citizens are fooled into thinking that he made good on his promises.

He promises to provide health care for all Americans. He says he will pay for it by taxing the wealthy. And if not raise taxes then just allow the prior tax breaks to run out for the rich. Problems I see in this are as follows:

  • He first has to propose it to congress who is sadly corrupted by corporation dollars. Pork belly legislation, corporate lobbyist, and some having their hands so far into the workings of different firms have driven policy in our government for way to long. So how or why in the world would they agree to tax the wealthy. This would be like shooting the hand that feeds them. Not a likely scenario. Either Mr. Obama is naive or is a magician ready to give the American people an illusionist show. Nothing up my sleeve... Presto!
  • Health care system has its own corruption issues. Rates aren't regulated, fees are outrageous and care for those who don't pay high prices is less than adequate. Go into a clinic and then go into a Dr office where you will pay well. You will see that the quality of care is different. With universal care there is a big chance that though many will get health insurance, however as seen in the welfare system, the level of care will be dictated by what they deem is necessary. The things they deem necessary becomes clouded and the mountains of red tape become monumental.

I would love to see more people be able to obtain quality care, however, until those two systems get a major overhaul I don't see universal care being the answer we need.

Mr. Obama says it will take at least 10 to 12 years to see progress in his proposals. So how does he think he will see them through. Presidents can only serve in office for 2 terms consecutively. Unless he proposes a change to this I don't see how it would be possible.

I would love to see the government in the US changed. For corruption and greed to be strained from it. I would also like to see world peace, for siblings to always get along and for pigs to sprout wings and fly but I don't see that happening any day soon.

Mr. Obama has a case of ants in his pants as my grandpa would say. He never stays very long in any position to make very many changes. He is busy strategizing on what his next step is in climbing the ladder. My fear is that once he is in the office where will he be planning to move up from there. Is there an opening in the world dominance department? He seems restless and unable to maintain himself once he gets planted. This makes him being able to complete his plan seem impossible. Mr President-elect do you have ADHD?

I do wish him the best in his mission. I would like to see communities healthier and happier. That more people get assistance and be able to live better lives. But I think that until each person takes up this mission and stops waiting for the government to do it there is no way Mr. Obama or I will ever see this occur.

My prof., the one who believes humans are inherently good, also thinks that we are more cooperative then competitive. I really don't know if he is right or wrong. Don't know if his point is valid, but if we are more cooperative I would like to say I believe it is selective cooperation. Perhaps that will be a discussion for later on down the road. Ta Ta for Now!

So where did my name, Visiting Voyeur, come from? I am sure many think that it eludes to something sexual but in all honesty it is just a description of who I am. I see my voyeurism as more of the second definition...An obsessive observer of sordid or sensational subjects. I tend to blend into the background or not be looked at seriously. I actually have been sat on before on accident. Believe me it was quite surprising. The person looked quite startled and said, "uh uh I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." So you see I find myself in a position of viewing people and perspectives from my outside perch. I don't seem to have the capacity to not open my mouth when it comes to my thoughts and views. And I tend to be honest even if it gets me into trouble. I don't fit into the world I belong too so I have accepted my status as a visitor of it. So if you were afraid to let the kiddies come in don't be. I am just an average plain jane that has alot of nothing to say about everything. Nothing wrong with that. Ta ta for now!

I have thankfully finished another semester. One of my professors gave me much to ponder. He believes that humanity as a whole is inherently good. Being the believer in sin and the wretched apple episode from long ago, I had to put in my thoughts that humans have the ability when they are born to be both good and bad. But even with that said I am still mulling it over in my head. Am I such a cynic that I can only see peoples evil side? These thoughts lead to more of course.


I wonder how he could come up with such a position. I had a thought that perhaps it comes from that before we are able to walk, talk, or say more than gurgle, gurgle we have no knowledge of what is right and wrong. And what is right and wrong? Who determines it? In this theory of humans being inherently good I gather that it is society. So if someone were to grow up without a society to dictate that could they be evil? Is evil learned or does it dwell within waiting on an opportunity to show itself?

Then I watched the movie Apocalypto that is directed by Mel Gibson. I am really interested in different cultures such as the Mayans. Who showed them that to become powerful they must take captive their neighbors? Are they evil because they cut off the heads of their captives in ritual sacrifice? Or are they good because they worked hard to appeaze their gods? They were fathers, sons, providers, warriors, and they displayed harsh humanity.

So I guess I am left with more questions then any great insight into this battle of good and evil. I guess it is better left solved by the comic book heros or perhaps God whom sees even my deeply hidden heart.

Who is the better cook?

About this blog

This blog is a rambling of different thoughts, subjects and ideas. The world has many things to offer and what might be contained on theses pages is anyones guess. Enjoy.

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