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    Define Needs for Your New Home

    The big challenge on this one is to define the NEEDS vs the WANTS. I don’t need hardwoods or built-in bookcases or a third bedroom. My problem is that I want all these things. Since I’ve jumped ahead a few steps I can tell you that making a list of “wants” rather than “needs” actually isn’t a problem. It’s really very fun! Until you start the house hunt and the realization hit you that not only can you not afford the hardwoods, built-in’s and a third bedroom, you can’t afford ANY of them. Unless you enjoy a three-hour commute. But that’s for the ‘Neighborhood’ post…

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    The 10-step Program

    Ha. I know what you’re thinking… I’m missing two steps. Nope. This is the 10 Step Program to Home Ownership, which might drive me to drink and subsequently into the 12 steps but for now I’m just looking at the 10. I’ve decided to document these steps here, and probably some of the in-between steps that they don’t tell you about. I’ve already discovered a great deal of confusion and stress associated with the home ownership path, and the place hasn’t even flooded yet. Quickly, to clarify, I don’t have a home in mind as yet. I actually have been through the first few steps of the 10, but I’m…

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    I’d rather be single than settle

    An excerpt from a book by Jen Schefft ‘Better Single that Sorry’ explains perfectly how I feel about being single. Absolutely perfectly.Readers of this blog hear me complain, a lot, about being single, but this is where I come to do that complaining. I truly enjoy the lack of accountability, freedom and simplicity of being single. Almost all the time.

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    And the "experts" say…

    Watched a fascinating special on PBS about marriages and how they survive. For example, the importance of talking, touching and appreciating each other daily, which seems basic but is easily forgotten. It also looked at the ways in which individuals were raised, how that caused them to deal with stress in everyday life and within a relationship. Most interestingly to me, it looked at the ways couples look at each other. When your happy and satisfied with your significant other they look more attractive to you; when you’re upset, they look slightly less attractive. Furthermore, when you fall in love the brain actually reacts in ways that would seem counter-intuitive:…

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    A Question of Faith

    I have come across several excellent articles over the past few weeks (some posted below, some not) about faith in America, the place of atheists in society and the true value and effect of religious justification and personal prayer. I’m preaching to myself here so it’s a little silly but for no other reason than to save these link, here are a few that I found especially intriguing: Losing Our Religion – Jerry Adler A Dissent: The Case Against Faith – Sam Harris Thank Goodness – Daniel Dennett

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    ‘Tis the Season…

    Do yourself a favor and turn on ‘The Daily Show‘ or ‘The Colbert Report‘ this week or next. These are two show that were designed, built and now run on the most plentiful energy source in entertainment: political satire. And coming up to a week before an election these show are running like the hysterical, overly-lubricated, inappropriate engines of comedy they are.

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    Ouch

    I really hate to post about sad, pointless things but I do think it helps me to write about them. Therefore, heads up: sad and pointless stuff coming. Skip to the next entry. I think I’ve said on here before that I don’t mind being single, and that is absolutely true. About 98% of the time. The other 2 % occurs every now and then. Sometimes just when I see a happy couple. Sometimes when I hear people talking about their significant other lovingly, or even casually in that way that implies care. Sometime I’ll catch that glance between couples, the kind that they instantly understand while everyone else misses…

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    These are a few of my least favorite things…

    I am about to commit the sin I’ve been harassing my friend Y0rii about… not blogging on my blog. So here I am, very inspired after a weekend of travel: STAY RIGHT, PASS LEFTJust do it people! Shhesh! The wagons on the way west did this, why can’t you??! If there is no one ahead in the left lane for you to pass, move over so that all the angry, frustrated people behind you can pass you before we decide running your ass off the road is the better option. We need to remind everyone about this rule. A petition? SPAM? Front page of USA Today? Suggestions? BTW, I’ve completed…

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    Joy to the World

    We sit at the precipice of my favorite time of year.I can’t tell you for sure the day it starts, but one day it’s just here. We have in front of us a good six months of great sports, activities, weather and more and I love the anticipation of all that’s to come… Sports: football, hockey, the best of the baseball (what little there is) and then basketball Activities: fall parties, weddings, vacations, tailgating, band competitions (don’t you judge me!), holidays, Oktoberfest Weather: cooler temperatures with lovely breezes, nice crisp winter air More: Thanksgiving food, Christmas food, fall and winter movies, the leaves turning colors, time with family and friends…

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    Just Don’t

    Girls: tell me if you know this senario: You’re walking down the sidewalk and a guy is coming towards you or maybe across the street and as he comes closer he starts either muttering to you, words you can’t hear but you know aren’t good, or calling out to you. “Hey baby!”, “How you doin’?” “, “You’ve got quite a pair there” and other, less subtle commentary. I don’t know if I know a single girl who hasn’t had this happen to her. To some perhaps it is flattering, but depending on the time of day, your location and yes, the guy, this can be a very unpleasant experience. I…