Deployment Donut

There are some of you out there that serve our great country and have to leave home anywhere from a couple of months to over a year. In the time that I have deployed, I saw a great tracker of the time. It is called a Deployment Donut. Some have referred to it as the Donut of Misery or some other depressing term.

For those spouses that remain home and in charge of everything while their significant other is away, it can be hard. The Deployment Donut is a tracker to remind (sometimes painfully if a long time is left) how much time is left in the deployment and how much in per diem and family separation pay has been made.

I have created a Deployment Donut for those who would like to use it. It is a bit more decorative than the others that I have found out there, yet simple in nature. I hope you like it and I would appreciate any comments if this helps you!

Deployment Donut Download

Thank you to all who have served and supported our Armed Services!

Plastic Bag Tax

Citizens in Ireland have been faced with a tax on plastic bags for the past five months. In doing so, the government has reduced the use of the litter producing bags by 90 percent and increased revenue.

I feel that this a great measure in helping reduce the litter of these bags. They clog up the environment and create dangerous situations for some animals as well. Not to mention that they require oil to be manufactured.

I have already seen a trend where more and more people are beginning to use reusable bags to do their shopping, but it hasn't quite reached the mainstream just yet. I believe that the U.S. could learn a thing or two about this.

In fact, why should we stop at plastic bags? Why don't we start taxing everything else that is not eco-friendly? I believe that gasoline should be taxed more than it is at the moment. If it were, you would begin to see people drive more fuel efficient vehicles, ride bikes more often and use more public transportation.

But instead we will continue to invade nations that provide us with a steady cheap oil supply. What ever happened to using innovation and invention to overcome obstacles? I know most Americans do not share my sentiment, but if we are to ever turn our polluting ways around, the government will have to step in and either mandate certain policies, or tax us for choosing more polluting alternatives.

What are your ideas or opinions on the subject? I would love to hear from you. Just leave a comment below.

Google Provides Free Voicemail to Homeless

Google announced yesterday at a Project Homeless Connect event that they would provide free voicemail to homeless in San Francisco, if they choose to accept it. According to the article by MSNBC,

A homeless person will be able to call in for his or her messages from any phone.

The move by the city and the company would allow someone to be able to fill out a job application, which asks for a call back number.

It will allow clinics to share test results.

Mayor Gavin Newsom and Google said they want to empower people.

"How do you communicate as a homeless individual? " Newsom asked. "How do you expect your life to turn around if you can't even get information or if someone can't even get in touch with you?"

I believe this a great offer and Google should be lauded for their efforts in trying to help those who are less fortunate get back on their feet. Homeless people come from all backgrounds and each has a different story that got them to where they are today, but each of them can benefit from Google's offer to give them a better opportunity.

I also think that it is great that a corporation is stepping up to help those who have fallen on hard times. They government should only do so much, and it is good to see that a company with a lot of money being able to help out and support those who need it.

Double Dipping Bacteria

Clemson University professor, Paul L. Dawson, was intrigued by the "Seinfeld" episode in which George Costanza explodes into a diatribe about double dipping. So, he conducted a study where volunteers double dipped into various dips.

In my opinion the results were amazing. By double dipping, over 10,000 bacteria were introduced into the dip. I've never been a fan of double dipping, but if I am sharing something with my wife or other close family, it doesn't bother me as much.

But be warned germophobes! Bacteria could be lingering in the dip at the next party you attend!

Get Your Money From Congress

You could soon be receiving a rebate check from the government worth $300 to $800 a person. With the economy sinking faster everyday, the government is looking for a way to spur a turnaround. Along with rebate checks, President Bush also favors tax breaks for businesses.

There are many people out there that believe that this is an ineffective patch to the problem at hand. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review puts it bluntly, "Tax rebates, however, don't stimulate the economy. Cutting tax rates does". Becky states in her blog Just a Girl in short shorts, "Now, what would make a difference is if the government were to quit pocketing one third of our income, or at least knock it down in a meaningful way."

While I feel the rebate checks will undoubtedly be welcomed, I don't think it will help jump start our economy out of a recession. I believe that what ever positive spike in the economy is felt, it will be short lived and we will be back where we started.

What are your thoughts on the subject? Leave a comment to let us know!

More Women Bisexual Than Previously Thought

According to the January edition of Developmental Psychology, more women are bisexual than previously thought. Many researchers believed that bisexuality was more of a "phase" and that women grew out of it. This most recent research shows that bisexual women retain their attraction for both sexes over the years.

Personally, I can completely understand how a woman could be attracted to both sexes. Women are all around beautiful and can make an deep emotional connection. While being attracted to a male might represent security or submissiveness in some cases. Of course, one could see those same attributes in the opposite sex, that is what makes everyone different.

I also think there are probably more women out there that are bisexual that either don't want to admit it, or they are unsure because the thought of being bisexual is social unacceptable in most cases.

Source: USA Today

How To Look Good Naked

One of the shows that I didn't think I would find myself watching was "How To Look Good Naked". For one, it is on the Lifetime network and I vary rarely find something on that network that I watch and secondly, I don't like the host, Carson Kressley. One thing that I do like though, are bigger girls. The first episode had me hooked when they showed me Layla.

Layla is a curvy girl who was dissatisfied with her body. To me she looked absolutely gorgeous and just needed an adjustment with her self-esteem. The show does a great job of showing her how she sees her body and how it does not fit with the image she has placed in her head.

For example, Carson brought Layla to a room with a set of girls lined up in their underwear from smallest hips to biggest hips. Layla was also in her underwear and asked by Carson to place herself in the lineup where she thought she would fit in. Layla placed herself second to last. When Carson showed her that she should actually be second in line, she was astonished.

There were other tactics that Carson used to get the negative thoughts out of her head and getting her to think on how good she looked already. By all means, she looked great with her hair and makeup done and a new outfit. She especially looked fabulous when they did the nude photo shoot.

So, if you have someone in your life who frets about their weight, or doesn't like their body, you should have them watch this show. It is on the Lifetime network and also available on iTunes. If you want to check out the premiere, it is also available on Lifetime's website for free. How To Look Good Naked airs Fridays at 9/8 Central on Lifetime.