With all the attention surrounding the Tiger Woods sex scandal, therapist are now coming out and saying that sex addiction is a possible psychiatric mental disorder.
Give me a break. According to the story released by ABCNEWS, www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/sex-addiction-real-problem/ the reasons for Tiger Wood's infidelity stems from sex addition. Several years back when actor David Duchovney was discovered having an affair against his wife Tea Leoni, he to came out and in his public response stated that he was addicted to sex. So the question is, is sex addiction real or is it just an excuse when spouses are caught in affairs?
According to family therapist, Terry Real, "the community needs to start accepting that addictions don't always revolve around chemical substances." He goes on to say that sex addiction is along the same lines as someone who is addicted to gambling. When are these people just going to stand up and just admit that they couldn't control themselves and keep their pants on. After all the Psychiatric Diagnosis Manual hasn't even made a reference to sex addiction.
Now, the so called addicts that have been "outed" have all been men and so far the public has just been very sympathetic to the men's "problem." Now, how would the public view the same situation if the sex addict was a woman? I guarantee the public would crucify her in the media. The woman would be called everything from a "whore" to a "slut" or perhaps worse.
These people just need to fess up to what they were really doing and move on.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Entertainment Woes
Hello ladies and gentlemen. My rant for this week comes from our local movie theater. First off, we have a very nice movie theater here in Joplin. Very up to date and very clean. My problem with the whole "going to the movies" experience is the price.
For instance, the other night when my boy and I went to the movies the price of admission was actually more than it would have been if we would've went to see a Springfield Cardinals baseball game. I mean, for me and my boy to attend a movie we had to pay close to $20 for the ticket. On top of that Ethan always has to have snacks from the concession stand. Here's where the theater gets you in the wallet too. We always buy the large tub of popcorn and the large drink. This cost us approximately $9.50. Reason we always get the large sizes is because it is actually cheaper to buy the large size as compared to buying any other size. Plus the large sizes always come with free refills. (Of course we never get refills, but it is a better value.) We then have to buy some sort of candy, well, because with me if I eat something fairly salty I need something sweet to go with it. Price of the candy is approximatley $3 to $4 a box, depending on what you get.
Now add in the price of admission, with the price of the snacks you have now spent approximatley $40 to $45. When my son and I go to Springfield to watch the Cardinals play we get the red bird roost tickets. The cost of those tickets run about $26 a piece, but that also comes with an all you can eat buffet and drinks for the game. A far better value.
When are the consumers of America going to stand up and say enough is enough. I know that the theater pays a handsome price for the the movies that they show, but come on, you can't make up the cost of the movie with the admission price and the prices at the concession stand. What will happen to the movie industry if people of America start refusing to pay these insane prices? Probably a question that will never be answered, but definately something to think about.
For instance, the other night when my boy and I went to the movies the price of admission was actually more than it would have been if we would've went to see a Springfield Cardinals baseball game. I mean, for me and my boy to attend a movie we had to pay close to $20 for the ticket. On top of that Ethan always has to have snacks from the concession stand. Here's where the theater gets you in the wallet too. We always buy the large tub of popcorn and the large drink. This cost us approximately $9.50. Reason we always get the large sizes is because it is actually cheaper to buy the large size as compared to buying any other size. Plus the large sizes always come with free refills. (Of course we never get refills, but it is a better value.) We then have to buy some sort of candy, well, because with me if I eat something fairly salty I need something sweet to go with it. Price of the candy is approximatley $3 to $4 a box, depending on what you get.
Now add in the price of admission, with the price of the snacks you have now spent approximatley $40 to $45. When my son and I go to Springfield to watch the Cardinals play we get the red bird roost tickets. The cost of those tickets run about $26 a piece, but that also comes with an all you can eat buffet and drinks for the game. A far better value.
When are the consumers of America going to stand up and say enough is enough. I know that the theater pays a handsome price for the the movies that they show, but come on, you can't make up the cost of the movie with the admission price and the prices at the concession stand. What will happen to the movie industry if people of America start refusing to pay these insane prices? Probably a question that will never be answered, but definately something to think about.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Shooter Amy Bishop Likely Schizophrenic, Says Lawyer
According to a story released by ABCNEWS, www.abcnews.com/health/mindmoodnews/, Amy Bishop, a 45 year old professor from the University of Alabama, who opened fired on collegues in a staff meeting at the university killing three is pleading insanity according to her court appointed attorney. Her attorney is saying the his client is likely shizophrenic. Allegedly Mrs. Bishop, a Harvard educated professor, was upset that she was not granted tenure and was going to be released at the end of this term.
Give me a break. Why is it when people who commit these horrible crimes always try to plead insanity? I think that Mrs. Bishop's attorney needs to do some research before he tries to make his case for his client.
According to www.ablify.com shizophrenia is a imbalance of two chemicals inside of the brain called serotonin and dopamine. It is also very hard to diagnose because there are no set test that can accurately diagnose shizophrenia. Then there are the characteristics that are associated with shizophrenia. You have the "positive" characteristics that include hallucinations, dellusions, and disorganized thinking. With "positive" characteristics you also have "negative" characteristics which include lack of emotion, energy, and motivation.
After reading these symptoms, I have made the following determinations. Of course I'm not a doctor, so these are just opinons.
I'm pretty sure that with her being a professor, let alone a Harvard alumni, I am pretty certain that Mrs. Bishop had motivation, and organized thinking. Plus it has not been released if she had ever had any hallucinations or dellusions. Bottom line I feel that she was just upset that she was going to be let go at the end of the term. I think she knew exactly what she was doing when she walked into that staff meeting and opened fired. She should now face her charges like anyone else.
Give me a break. Why is it when people who commit these horrible crimes always try to plead insanity? I think that Mrs. Bishop's attorney needs to do some research before he tries to make his case for his client.
According to www.ablify.com shizophrenia is a imbalance of two chemicals inside of the brain called serotonin and dopamine. It is also very hard to diagnose because there are no set test that can accurately diagnose shizophrenia. Then there are the characteristics that are associated with shizophrenia. You have the "positive" characteristics that include hallucinations, dellusions, and disorganized thinking. With "positive" characteristics you also have "negative" characteristics which include lack of emotion, energy, and motivation.
After reading these symptoms, I have made the following determinations. Of course I'm not a doctor, so these are just opinons.
I'm pretty sure that with her being a professor, let alone a Harvard alumni, I am pretty certain that Mrs. Bishop had motivation, and organized thinking. Plus it has not been released if she had ever had any hallucinations or dellusions. Bottom line I feel that she was just upset that she was going to be let go at the end of the term. I think she knew exactly what she was doing when she walked into that staff meeting and opened fired. She should now face her charges like anyone else.
I Just Love Rude People
I just love rude people. Thanks to the common everyday rude person I was able to find a topic to rant about for this weeks blog.
It all started this past Monday. I went to my local Wal-Mart, which is prime entertainment while shopping for the "everyday low values," to pick up some small items before taking my boy to his wrestling practice. After the items were gathered I proceeded to make my approach to the check out line. Well as usual all four lines at the check out stations were completely backed up. After all it was 5 o'clock in the evening and the evening rush was on.
As I was waiting for my turn to check out, a lady practically ran me and my son over just to be sure that she could check out. Now usually if someone has less items than I do, I will graciously offer to that person with the lesser items to step in front of me. However, in this case it was quite the opposite situation.
I gently tapped the woman on her shoulder and asked her if she realized that she "cut" in front of me in the line. She proceeded to turn to me and in front of my child told me to, well, to do something to myself. I'm sure all you educated adults out there can probably figure out what she told me to do.
Now, usually, I am a person who tries to avoid confrontation, especially when I am in a public setting and when my boy is around. However, in this case I felt that this woman has probably done this to other people before and has gotten away with this sort of behavior many times. So on behalf of all good citizens I proceeded to give this rude lady a very large piece of my mind.
I received the woman's undivided attention and before she was able to respond I was able to go on the offensive. First I told the lady that she was going to listen to whatever I had to say since I did give her the opportunity to speak her mind first. She did try to cut me off, but I did inform her that I let her exercise her first amendment right to free speech and that it was my turn to exercise my first amendment right. After that comment she just stood there in front of me with the "deer in the headlight" look.
I then told her that her behavior was very rude and by most standards very socially unacceptable. I then told her that Wal-Mart was a family type environment and that her telling to "f myself" in front of my 12 year old son was not appropriate. I then asked the lady if she had any children. She said that she had a 7 year old daughter. I then asked her how she would feel if I would have talked her that way in front of her daughter. The lady was so dumbfounded from the turn of events that three different people went in front of us to check while the events were being unfolded.
The lady then looked up at me and apologized to me and my son for her behavior. She even offered to pay for the items that I was going to purchase. I told her that was not necessary, but asked her to think about things before she acts on her impulses.
So remember, a trip to Wal-Mart is not only for shopping, but for entertainment as well.
It all started this past Monday. I went to my local Wal-Mart, which is prime entertainment while shopping for the "everyday low values," to pick up some small items before taking my boy to his wrestling practice. After the items were gathered I proceeded to make my approach to the check out line. Well as usual all four lines at the check out stations were completely backed up. After all it was 5 o'clock in the evening and the evening rush was on.
As I was waiting for my turn to check out, a lady practically ran me and my son over just to be sure that she could check out. Now usually if someone has less items than I do, I will graciously offer to that person with the lesser items to step in front of me. However, in this case it was quite the opposite situation.
I gently tapped the woman on her shoulder and asked her if she realized that she "cut" in front of me in the line. She proceeded to turn to me and in front of my child told me to, well, to do something to myself. I'm sure all you educated adults out there can probably figure out what she told me to do.
Now, usually, I am a person who tries to avoid confrontation, especially when I am in a public setting and when my boy is around. However, in this case I felt that this woman has probably done this to other people before and has gotten away with this sort of behavior many times. So on behalf of all good citizens I proceeded to give this rude lady a very large piece of my mind.
I received the woman's undivided attention and before she was able to respond I was able to go on the offensive. First I told the lady that she was going to listen to whatever I had to say since I did give her the opportunity to speak her mind first. She did try to cut me off, but I did inform her that I let her exercise her first amendment right to free speech and that it was my turn to exercise my first amendment right. After that comment she just stood there in front of me with the "deer in the headlight" look.
I then told her that her behavior was very rude and by most standards very socially unacceptable. I then told her that Wal-Mart was a family type environment and that her telling to "f myself" in front of my 12 year old son was not appropriate. I then asked the lady if she had any children. She said that she had a 7 year old daughter. I then asked her how she would feel if I would have talked her that way in front of her daughter. The lady was so dumbfounded from the turn of events that three different people went in front of us to check while the events were being unfolded.
The lady then looked up at me and apologized to me and my son for her behavior. She even offered to pay for the items that I was going to purchase. I told her that was not necessary, but asked her to think about things before she acts on her impulses.
So remember, a trip to Wal-Mart is not only for shopping, but for entertainment as well.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Learning How to Swim
One of the fondest memories that I have of my dad was the day that he taught me how to swim. I remember as if it were yesterday and it's one of the memories that I will always hold very dear to me.
I was about 5 years old and we were at a family reunion at the Lake of the Ozarks. At the time I was very scared of the water. In fact, I hated it. I had no desire to learn how to swim. I would get my feet wet, but there was absolutely no way that I would ever get the rest of my body in the water.
My Dad was perhaps one of the most patient people that I had ever had known in my entire life. He would work with me as much as humanly possible to get me in the water. This went on for the entire summer. He would try to get me in the water and I would always rebuke him. The finally my Dad had enough.
Again, we had went up to the Lake of the Ozarks. My dad tried to "sweet" talk me into getting in the water. After about the 5oth time of me saying no, my dad just snapped. He picked me up and carried me out into the water and threw me in. All I remember was him saying, "sink or swim." Well instincts kicked in and wouldn't you know it. I was swimming.
That memory has been with me a lot over the past week. Now with him passing I have to "sink or swim" to make my life as right as he did his.
I was about 5 years old and we were at a family reunion at the Lake of the Ozarks. At the time I was very scared of the water. In fact, I hated it. I had no desire to learn how to swim. I would get my feet wet, but there was absolutely no way that I would ever get the rest of my body in the water.
My Dad was perhaps one of the most patient people that I had ever had known in my entire life. He would work with me as much as humanly possible to get me in the water. This went on for the entire summer. He would try to get me in the water and I would always rebuke him. The finally my Dad had enough.
Again, we had went up to the Lake of the Ozarks. My dad tried to "sweet" talk me into getting in the water. After about the 5oth time of me saying no, my dad just snapped. He picked me up and carried me out into the water and threw me in. All I remember was him saying, "sink or swim." Well instincts kicked in and wouldn't you know it. I was swimming.
That memory has been with me a lot over the past week. Now with him passing I have to "sink or swim" to make my life as right as he did his.
Richard Rea 1955-2010
On Wednesday February 3, 2010, my Father, Richard L. Rea passed away suddenly at the age of 55. He was a wonderful husband to my mother for over 32 years and a great Dad to me and to my younger brother Nathan.
As I am sitting down writing this written tribute to my dad, I find that the words aren't quite coming to me as easily I had hoped. There is just so many wonderful things that I can say about the man who has shaped me to being the type of father that I am to my own son. I am still hoping that I can become just half the man that he was.
My Dad came into my Mother's life and mine when I was 2 years old and once they were married my Dad adopted me so I could carry his last name. A few short years later Nathan, my younger brother, was born. My Dad shown me what it was like to show someone the "unconditional" love. He didn't have to adopt me when he married my mother, but according to him, "there is no such thing as step child in my family." In fact everyone on the Rea side of the family welcomed me and my mother as if we had been there the entire time.
My dad was the all aroung typical American dad. He taught me how to hunt, fish, work on cars, remodel houses, sports, you name it and me and my dad was always hip deep in some kind of mischief. He was the type of man who always loved to take care of his family. He was always there when I needed him. Now suddenly he was taken from this Earth by a heart attack. The attack came on so sudden and severe that my dad was gone before he hit the floor.
The hardest part of the passing of my dad came when I had to tell my 12 year old boy that his "papa" was now singing with the angels in heaven. Ethan took the news very, very hard. He was full of anger that quickly turned to grief. When I asked my boy if he still wanted to compete in Grapple Mania in Springfield, he replied, "yes, for Papa." Before each and every match my son usually recites the Lord's Prayer before he steps out onto the mat. Well, last weekend, not only did he recite the Lord's Prayer, but he also prayed to his Papa to watch him because he was going to win the tournament for him. My son also wrote my dad's initials on both of his shoes in tribute to my dad. After my son won first place he dropped to both knees and pointed up to the sky and said, "thats for you, Papa!"
I know that my dad is now in a much better place, but I feel that he was taken from this Earth far to soon. He had to much more love to give. Heaven, again, called for one of it's angels to come home, and my dad answered the call.
I love you Dad and I miss you!
As I am sitting down writing this written tribute to my dad, I find that the words aren't quite coming to me as easily I had hoped. There is just so many wonderful things that I can say about the man who has shaped me to being the type of father that I am to my own son. I am still hoping that I can become just half the man that he was.
My Dad came into my Mother's life and mine when I was 2 years old and once they were married my Dad adopted me so I could carry his last name. A few short years later Nathan, my younger brother, was born. My Dad shown me what it was like to show someone the "unconditional" love. He didn't have to adopt me when he married my mother, but according to him, "there is no such thing as step child in my family." In fact everyone on the Rea side of the family welcomed me and my mother as if we had been there the entire time.
My dad was the all aroung typical American dad. He taught me how to hunt, fish, work on cars, remodel houses, sports, you name it and me and my dad was always hip deep in some kind of mischief. He was the type of man who always loved to take care of his family. He was always there when I needed him. Now suddenly he was taken from this Earth by a heart attack. The attack came on so sudden and severe that my dad was gone before he hit the floor.
The hardest part of the passing of my dad came when I had to tell my 12 year old boy that his "papa" was now singing with the angels in heaven. Ethan took the news very, very hard. He was full of anger that quickly turned to grief. When I asked my boy if he still wanted to compete in Grapple Mania in Springfield, he replied, "yes, for Papa." Before each and every match my son usually recites the Lord's Prayer before he steps out onto the mat. Well, last weekend, not only did he recite the Lord's Prayer, but he also prayed to his Papa to watch him because he was going to win the tournament for him. My son also wrote my dad's initials on both of his shoes in tribute to my dad. After my son won first place he dropped to both knees and pointed up to the sky and said, "thats for you, Papa!"
I know that my dad is now in a much better place, but I feel that he was taken from this Earth far to soon. He had to much more love to give. Heaven, again, called for one of it's angels to come home, and my dad answered the call.
I love you Dad and I miss you!
Friday, February 5, 2010
10 Americans Charged with Kidnapping
In a story released by ABCNEWS, 10 missionaries have been charge with kidnapping in trying to pass 33 Haitian children across the border to the Dominican Republic.
The Idaho based baptist church, led by 40 year old Laura Silsby, were stopped at the Dominican border with 33 Haitian children. When questioned by authorities, Ms. Silsby was unable to produce the paperwork necessary that gave Ms. Silsby the right to possess the children.
Since the arrest of the missionaries, it seems that 9 out of the 10 will be released and sent back to the U.S. The one lone missionary to face the judge is ofcourse Ms. Silsby. She has gone on record and told authorities that the other missionaries did not know that Ms. Silsby didn't have the proper documentation to legally have the children.
Upon further investigation, Haitian authorities have since discovered that many of the orphaned children wasn't even orphans at all. Many of the children still had parents. It was also discovered that the parents of those children willingly gave up their children because they did not have the means to feed and care for their children.
Now here are a couple of questions to think about. One, should Ms. Silsby still be charged with kidnapping? Two, should the parent's of the children be also charged with the crime of child abandonment? The answers to those questions may not be as simple as they seem. Although I understand that the parents of the children had to make a difficult choice for the survival of their children they still should have pursued the legal process before just handing their children over to a stranger. Second, Ms. Silsby should have also followed the same protocols before she took possession of the children. I know that all the parties involved had good intentions, however, act on your intentions in a legal way.
The Idaho based baptist church, led by 40 year old Laura Silsby, were stopped at the Dominican border with 33 Haitian children. When questioned by authorities, Ms. Silsby was unable to produce the paperwork necessary that gave Ms. Silsby the right to possess the children.
Since the arrest of the missionaries, it seems that 9 out of the 10 will be released and sent back to the U.S. The one lone missionary to face the judge is ofcourse Ms. Silsby. She has gone on record and told authorities that the other missionaries did not know that Ms. Silsby didn't have the proper documentation to legally have the children.
Upon further investigation, Haitian authorities have since discovered that many of the orphaned children wasn't even orphans at all. Many of the children still had parents. It was also discovered that the parents of those children willingly gave up their children because they did not have the means to feed and care for their children.
Now here are a couple of questions to think about. One, should Ms. Silsby still be charged with kidnapping? Two, should the parent's of the children be also charged with the crime of child abandonment? The answers to those questions may not be as simple as they seem. Although I understand that the parents of the children had to make a difficult choice for the survival of their children they still should have pursued the legal process before just handing their children over to a stranger. Second, Ms. Silsby should have also followed the same protocols before she took possession of the children. I know that all the parties involved had good intentions, however, act on your intentions in a legal way.
Another Great Weekend of Youth Wrestling
Here we go again, another weekend of youth wrestling. Some of you may be wondering, "what is this guy talking about?"
My 12 year old son Ethan has been involved in wrestling for the last 7 years. He is a 3 time state champion and is currently pursuing number 4. We are at a different youth wrestling tournament every single weekend. This weekend coming up we will be at Grapple Mania in Springfield, MO. This is a very tough tournament, in fact many youth coaches consider this the "mini state tournament." Last season my son finished this tournament placing second, but it did earn him the number one seed in the district tournament.
What's really great about youth wrestling is all the travel that it entails. My son has been able to see many different cities in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska just to name a few. Just this season alone, we have been to Kansas City, St. Joseph, St. Louis, Tulsa, and Liberty just to name a few. Another great thing about all the travel is the learning experience that Ethan gets out of seeing all these cities. Before we leave for the weekend he always looks up the various cities and gets a little history lesson about the city. It's kinda fun to see his face light up when he discovers something about a city.
Now the next several weekends are going to be full of traveling. This weekend, as Ive already have mentioned, is in Springfield. Next weekend, we will be in Chanute, KS, the weekend after that we will be at the National Tournament in Liberty, MO., and then to finish out the month of February we will be in St. Joseph, MO.
I know it all seems like a lot and some of you may ask, "how in the world do you have time to get all your homework done or when do you have a life?" Well the answers to those questions are not as simple as it seems. However I do enjoy watching my boy compete.
My 12 year old son Ethan has been involved in wrestling for the last 7 years. He is a 3 time state champion and is currently pursuing number 4. We are at a different youth wrestling tournament every single weekend. This weekend coming up we will be at Grapple Mania in Springfield, MO. This is a very tough tournament, in fact many youth coaches consider this the "mini state tournament." Last season my son finished this tournament placing second, but it did earn him the number one seed in the district tournament.
What's really great about youth wrestling is all the travel that it entails. My son has been able to see many different cities in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska just to name a few. Just this season alone, we have been to Kansas City, St. Joseph, St. Louis, Tulsa, and Liberty just to name a few. Another great thing about all the travel is the learning experience that Ethan gets out of seeing all these cities. Before we leave for the weekend he always looks up the various cities and gets a little history lesson about the city. It's kinda fun to see his face light up when he discovers something about a city.
Now the next several weekends are going to be full of traveling. This weekend, as Ive already have mentioned, is in Springfield. Next weekend, we will be in Chanute, KS, the weekend after that we will be at the National Tournament in Liberty, MO., and then to finish out the month of February we will be in St. Joseph, MO.
I know it all seems like a lot and some of you may ask, "how in the world do you have time to get all your homework done or when do you have a life?" Well the answers to those questions are not as simple as it seems. However I do enjoy watching my boy compete.
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