Saturday, February 24, 2007

My Truth

I'm sitting back in a corner, trying not to be seen. To be seen would mean having to be who I came here to be. It would mean facing the world. Facing parts of the world that aren't as kind, open, and understanding as I'd like them to be--I'm trying not to be seen out of fear. There are times when I come out of the corner, toss fear to the side, and live up to my potential. Then there are times, like now, when I contemplate moving into this corner for good. Setting up shop, decorating, and never leaving. Whatever I decide, things keep moving. And even in my quiet corner, change takes place--even if I try not to notice. While I still have breath, there is only one option: To Live. Whether it be in a corner or in my truth, there is only one option. To Live.

Miss Nikki Ann

Thursday, February 22, 2007

In The News: Be Afraid: Powder-Sized RFID Chips : Tom Samiljan : Yahoo! Tech:


"Everyone's so paranoid about the RFID chips that are already in place in so many parts of our lives, so here's an item (via Engadget and Pink Tentacle) about Hitachi's new powder-sized RFID chips to make us even more scared of Big Brother (or little-Brother-ID thief). RFID chips are tiny microchips that use radio waves to do everything from conduct credit card transactions (as on those little key-fob-Paypass MasterCard thingies) and pay for tolls (EZ Pass and its ilk) to keeping track of your devices and travel (U.S. passports).

Hitachi plans to start marketing these new chips—seriously no bigger than a speck of dust at 0.05 x 0.05 mm—in two to three years. The company says this super-tiny chip can be used in paper, currency, gift certificates, and the like, but as some sites have pointed out, today's chips are already small enough for those uses. So, as Engadget cracked, does this mean we should be watching what we eat in case of some James-Bond-style pepper-shaker swap?

Maybe, but is the terror around RFID over-hyped? According to most proponents of the technology, and my own experiences paying with PayPass at my local drug store, you really need to physically tap the RFID chip to something for the transaction to go through. And yet, when I go through a toll booth, my RFID-enabled EZ Pass box is only about ten feet away from the sensor. So maybe it is time to watch what you eat, lest Big Brother starts to track you wirelessly (or you spill some RFID powder from which evil ID thieves can extract your vital stats!)"

By: Be Afraid: Powder-Sized RFID Chips : Tom Samiljan : Yahoo! Tech

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

A Healthful Reminder

Refusing to forgive is just as bad as eating one too many pieces of cake. Forgiveness is apart of a healthy lifestyle. Got Forgiveness?

My Truth

It's easier to be mad and pissed at other folks than to stay centered--taking stock of your contribution to the situation--and move forward without uttering a nasty word or harboring a negative thought.

Difficult to accomplish.

But...

Possible.

Just Chatting...

It'd be wise of me to keep a closer eye on Isom as he's destroying all of my hard work--I'm getting rid of old clothes so that new ones can come in. What was once organized has now found itself on the floor--or on his head or foot. And he's chewing on something. The problem? I haven't given him anything to eat. I should check on him...

Y'all have a good one!

Miss Nikki Ann

Sunday, February 18, 2007

In The News: Lead-laden lunchboxes OK'd by government - CNN.com

Lead-laden lunchboxes OK'd by government - CNN.com:

Story Highlights

"• Study found one in five vinyl lunchboxes tested contained unsafe amounts of lead
• CPSC statement indicated 'no instances of hazardous levels'
• FDA sent a letter to manufacturers warning of possibly dangerous lead levels
• Experts say elevated levels of lead in blood a significant health hazard for children

(AP) -- In 2005, when government scientists tested 60 soft, vinyl lunchboxes, they found that one in five contained amounts of lead that medical experts consider unsafe -- and several had more than 10 times hazardous levels.

But that's not what they told the public."

Read the entire article...

In The News: Man wins $25,000 lottery two days in row - Yahoo! News

Man wins $25,000 lottery two days in row - Yahoo! News:

"MAPLEWOOD, Minn. - An airline pilot from Maplewood won a $25,000 lottery jackpot — two days in a row. Raymond Snouffer Jr. matched the winning numbers 11-14-23-26-31 to win Saturday's Northstar Cash drawing with odds of about 170,000 to 1, Minnesota Lottery officials said.
ADVERTISEMENT

On Sunday, Snouffer stuck with 11 and switched to 3-7-19-28 — and won again.
Lottery officials said such a sequence was so farfetched that the odds against it were 'virtually incalculable.'"

2,269 Sundays To Go

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Up For Grabs: Bald Britney gets new tattoo in L.A. - Yahoo! News

Personally, I think the bald head looks really cute on Britney (being bald headed myself and all). What I thought was rude was an interviewee's comment: "It looks terrible."

It's funny to me how easy it is to spend time bringing other folks down; folks whom you don't know and have never met. And these types of folks can give you a complex, make you second-guess yourself. And what you may fail to realize is that these are the same folks who sit at home berating themselves or their family members because they don't feel good enough.

Often I get the comment: "That short hairdo fits your face, but not everyone can wear it."

Who in the hell says so?

And I always reply: "That's not true."

One woman even had the audacity to tell me that she knew a woman who looked really ugly in her short hairdo.

Years ago, a friend of mine cut off her long dreadlocks after hearing one too many negative comments. Years later she went with her instincts, set aside her doubts and fears, and grew them back. That time she got lots of positive comments. Goes to show you that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And I bet she wished she hadn't cut them the first time around--I bet she even dreamt of how long they would have been if she hadn't cut them the first time.

So, who knows what in the hell folks think about us. What's important to remember is that you are your own "beholder" every second of your life. Be sure that the image that is reflected back in the mirror is one that you like and not what someone else thinks you should look like.

Here's to women who are brave enough to go bald headed, whether it be for health reasons (hair falling out from chemotherapy) or because they fucking felt like it.

My Truth

When I check the stats on my blog, I am overwhelmed by how many of you come to this page to see how my life is going--even more faithful visitors come during times when I haven't blogged in weeks.

I no longer seek to be great or special. My desire is that I be and do what I came here to be and do. It is all of you who keep me going. Without your attention I would be different. You are my mirrors. You give me a good look at and into my SELF. Without your reflection it would be difficult to gauge my growth. All of you are in my life for a reason. There is no coincidence. And some of the things I have to learn from you aren't easy on me, but they make me wiser and more grounded in GOD, FAITH, Love, and patience.

Thank you for visiting. Thank you for helping me to see myself. It's priceless.

Miss Nikki Ann

Housecleaning

My friend Ang sent me this email (Thanks Ang!). Many of you have probably received this one too. Enjoy!

Housecleaning

Last Week I threw out Worrying. It was getting old and in the way.
It kept me from being me; I couldn't do things God's way.

I threw out a book on MY PAST (didn't have time to read it anyway).
Replaced it with NEW GOALS, started reading it today.

I threw out hate and bad memories. (Remember how I treasured them so?)
Got me a NEW PHILOSOPHY too; threw out the old one from long ago.

Brought in some new books too, called I CAN, I WILL, AND I MUST.
Threw out I MIGHT, I THINK and I OUGHT. WOW, you should've seen the
dust.

I ran across an OLD FRIEND. Haven't seen him in a while.
I believe his name is GOD. Yes I really like His style.

He helped me to do some cleaning and added some things Himself.
Like PRAYER, HOPE AND FAITH.... Yes, I placed them right on the shelf.

I picked up this special thing and placed it at the front door.
I FOUND IT- its called PEACE. Nothing gets me down anymore.

Yes, I've got my house looking nice. Looks good around the place.
For things like Worry and Trouble there just isn't any space.

Its good to do a little house cleaning, get rid of the things on the
shelf.

It sure makes things brighter; maybe you should TRY IT YOURSELF.

Friday, February 16, 2007

In The News: Peter Pan/Great Value Peanut Butter Alert

Officials search for salmonella source - CNN.com:

"Story Highlights

• Outbreak has slowly grown to nearly 300 cases in 39 states since August
• CDC: Outbreak thought to be first in U.S. history linked to peanut butter
• About 20 percent of the 288 infected people have been hospitalized
• FDA: Don't eat Peter Pan or Great Value with product code starting '2111'


ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- Government scientists struggled Thursday to pinpoint the source of the first U.S. salmonella outbreak linked to peanut butter, the kid favorite packed into millions of lunchboxes every day.

Nearly 300 people in 39 states have fallen ill since August, and federal health investigators said they strongly suspect Peter Pan peanut butter and certain batches of Wal-Mart's Great Value house brand -- both manufactured by ConAgra Foods Inc.

Shoppers across the country were warned to throw out jars with a product code on the lid beginning with '2111,' which denotes the plant where it was made.

How the dangerous germ got into the peanut butter was a mystery. But because peanuts are usually heated to high, germ-killing temperatures during the manufacturing process, government and industry officials said the contamination may have been caused by dirty jars or equipment."

Read entire story

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Sir's Valentine's Day Delivery



Sir made a beautiful Valentine's Day card for Aunt Theldra. We traveled all the way around the block to give it to her. The snowfall couldn't stop us and Sir was thrilled about wearing his boots and snowsuit. I told Sir to holdup the card so that I could take a picture of it. Poor fella thought I meant for him to hold it up to his face! Anywho, he's wearing the Valentine's Day outfit that Aunt Theldra (or Mother Superior, as he calls her) gave him.



Leaving the house...



Knocking on Aunt Theldra's door...




The delivery's a success!











Happy Valentine's Day

There's a wintry mix outside, which makes for great cuddling weather. For those who reside Up North and can't make it out to dinner due to the weather, find someone special to spoon with. For those living in warmer climates, enjoy a nice dinner out with your special someone.

As for me, I'll have to snuggle with Sir. We have plans on baking a German Chocolate Cake and visiting his Valentine--Aunt Theldra. She bought him an adorable Valentine's Day outfit; I plan on dressing him in it and walking him around the corner in this icy weather so that he can hand deliver it to her.

Hugs and kisses to you all.

Miss Nikki Ann

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Come To Find Out...

Man: "So, why do you want to work at this hotel?"

Nikki Ann starred blankly in amazement. Again she surveyed the low rate of pay and made no comment.

Man: "So, why do you want to work at the front desk?"

Nikki Ann blinked her eyes in amazement. Her mouth wide-open.

The man shut up and thought to himself for a minute, obviously surveying Nikki Ann's extensive resume and credentials.

Man: "You just need money, don't you?"

Nikki Ann: "What in the hell do you think?"

**Actually, Nikki Ann only shouted that to herself, but it would have been a great comeback.**

Here's what really happened:

Nikki Ann and the man looked at each other, both had a hearty laugh.

And she hasn't heard from him yet.

To be continued...

Housekeeping

I made a few changes...

In The News: Yahoo! Health News: Male sweat can boost arousal in women

"Male sweat can boost arousal in women

February 13, 2007 04:55:11 PM PST

A chemical in male sweat can boost mood, brain activity and sexual arousal in heterosexual women, according to a new study released just in time for Valentine's Day.
The study offers the first direct evidence that humans secrete a scent that can affect the physiology of the opposite sex, said researchers at the University of California, Berkeley. Their findings were published this week in The Journal of Neuroscience.

'This is the first time anyone has demonstrated that a change in women's hormonal levels is induced by sniffing an identified compound of male sweat,' said study leader Claire Wyart, a postdoctoral fellow at UC Berkeley. 'There is much more going on than we think when we are smelling body odor.'

The study conducted last year involved 48 undergraduate women who took 20 sniffs from a bottle containing androstadienone, a compound found in male perspiration and other bodily secretions.

The researchers measured the women's levels of the stress hormone cortisol and compared them to the women's responses to a control odor. Cortisol levels in the women rose within about 15 minutes of inhaling the androstadienone scent and remained elevated for more than an hour, UC Berkeley researchers found.

They also discovered that blood pressure, heart rate and breathing increased, mood improved and sexual arousal was boosted.

While the compound can make women feel more positive and sexually aroused, it's still unclear how it affects their behavior, Wyart said.

'Humans are more complex,' she said. 'You cannot expect them to have stereotypical responses like rodents.'"

Monday, February 12, 2007

In The News: Valentine roses hit with toxic chemicals - Yahoo! News

Valentine roses hit with toxic chemicals - Yahoo! News:

"BOGOTA, Colombia - It's probably the last thing most people think about when buying roses — by the time the bright, velvety flowers reach your Valentine, they will have been sprayed, rinsed and dipped in a battery of potentially lethal chemicals.

Most of the toxic assault takes place in the waterlogged savannah surrounding the capital of Colombia, the world's second-largest cut-flower producer after the Netherlands. It produces 62 percent of all flowers sold in the United States."

Up For Grabs: List of Grammy Award winners - Yahoo! News

List of Grammy Award winners - Yahoo! News

Come To Find Out...

That newspaper is still on top of Neighbor's house.

2,270 Sundays To Go

And after find 3 new grey hairs, I am cherishing every day of my early thirties.
Dang!
Forty, here I come...

The Cries And The Screams

Isom and I are on our way on a field trip with his playgroup to Chuck E. Cheese. I haven't been since I was a child, and right now I am having chilling memories of lots of screaming children, which will be a perfect fit for Mr. Bizzy Bee who couldn't contain himself, rubbing the top of some bald headed man at church last night. Speaking of church, the preacher spoke about Loving You Neighbor As You Love Yourself... It's something I know and am trying to implement in ways that I haven't before. I'd love to chat more about it, but a room-full of screaming lads seem to be awaiting me.

Latas...

Miss Nikki Ann

Friday, February 09, 2007

Up For Grabs: Anna Nicole Smith lived in glare of tabloids - Yahoo! News

For those who don't know, I am a big Anna Nicole fan. I always thought she was a sweet and unique soul. Yes, she was weird...and strange...and far from normal... But aren't most folks? Aunt Theldra and I both agree that Howard K. Stern (her lawyer and new husband) has something to do with Anna and her son's untimely death. Then again, Aunt Theldra and I watch way too many soap operas and listen to gossip-diva Wendy Williams. We probably need to find better interests! I hope that it wasn't Howard. And with that paternity issue and Anna not being in a good relationship with her mom, who knows what will happen with her baby. Anywho, here's a piece of the story for those who aren't in-the-know.

Anna Nicole Smith lived in glare of tabloids - Yahoo! News: "LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - From her first Playboy centerfold and marriage to an 89-year-old oil tycoon to the mysterious death of her adult son, Anna Nicole Smith lived her life in a special corner of America -- the often garish world of supermarket tabloids.

Few figures in modern pop culture have garnered as much publicity as the buxom, blond Texas native, whom the media alternately painted as a bubble-headed naif and a cynical gold-digger with the soul of an adding machine.

Smith, 39, still enmeshed in disputes over the paternity of her 5-month-old daughter and the circumstances of her son's death in the Bahamian hospital where she had just given birth in September, died on Thursday in Florida.

Her sudden death bore an eerie parallel to the demise of Smith's personal idol, screen legend Marilyn Monroe, who died in 1962 at age 36. Like Monroe, Smith rose from a troubled background to gain worldwide fame as a sex symbol."

Just Chatting...

It's after midnight and I should be sleeping. Sleeping... I like to sleep with my fan on. Yes, 365 days a year, below zero weather. It's blowing in my face now. The sound of it lulls me to sleep. When I go "fanless" it just isn't any fun. I'm a beachgoer, and the fan's white noise transports me back to the Caribbean. Boy, I need a vacation.

So, Sir and I have been babysitting once a week. I spend that time telling Sir to stop hitting Aaron and telling Aaron that it's okay to share. It takes Sir a good 2 hours to warm up to Hudson the dog, but after that, I catch him trying to yank off the poor doggie's tail. But it keeps me busy and Sir is excited every time we pull into Aaron's driveway. The other day Anna (Aaron's mom) called and thanked me for the great job I did on cleaning the microwave. No, it's not in the job description, but Sir and Aaron are so busy playing together that I actually have time to do stuff (that never happens when Sir and I are home alone; I become his entertainment.). I've found that having two kids is better than one... As long as I can send the other back to his mom!

That's it for now...

~Miss Nikki Ann

2,271 Sundays To Go

2,272