The 2010 Atlanta Falcon season is off to an exciting start. Atlanta’s third-year quarterback Matt Ryan has led the team to impressive wins in two of his first three games. Atlanta’s loss of the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints last weekend has given Falcon fans much to celebrate.

Although the Falcons lost their first game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime, their next two games have been big wins. The Falcons outscored the Arizona Cardinals in their 41-7 victory on September 19. Last Sunday they stunned New Orleans 27-24 on a Matt Bryant field goal in overtime. This was an impressive win on the road at the Superdome. The Falcons’ next game will be against the San Francisco 49ers at home in the Georgia Dome.

The Atlanta Falcons joined the National Football League in 1966 as an expansion team. The Falcons played their first season in Atlanta’s new Fulton County Stadium. After several dismal early seasons, the team had its first winning season in 1971. After several more disappointing seasons, the Falcons finally earned a playoff berth in 1978. They made the playoffs again in 1980, ending the regular season with a 12- 4 discs, the best until that moment. The team went through more disappointing seasons over the next decade and a half, before finally having a breakout season in 1998. That year they won the NFC Championship for the first time in franchise history, advancing to the Super Bowl. They suffered a disappointing loss to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII. In December 2001, Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank purchased the franchise. In 2008 and 2009, the Falcons finally posted the first consecutive winning seasons in franchise history.

Mike Smith is in his third season as the Falcons’ head coach. His solid coaching experience includes eleven years in the NFL. He spent four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and five seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Prior to his years in the NFL, Smith spent twelve years as a college football coach at Tennessee Tech.

The Falcons have played their home games at the Georgia Dome in downtown Atlanta since 1992. The Dome has a capacity of more than 71,000 seats. This season’s exciting new pre-game activities are designed to encourage fans to get there early and enjoy the game day experience. The Falcons have seven home games left this season.

Kaylin McFarren has received more than 40 national literary awards, as well as a prestigious Golden Heart Award nomination for Flaherty’s Crossing, a book she and her eldest daughter, Kristina McMorris, co-authored in 2008. Before beginning her journey as a writer and developing the popular action/adventure romance series Threads, poured her passion for creativity into her work as director of a fine art gallery in the Pearl District of Portland, Oregon; she also served as a Governor-appointed member of the Oregon Commission on the Arts. When she’s not traveling or pampering her puppies and three grandchildren, she enjoys giving back to her community through her involvement and support of various charitable and educational organizations in the Pacific Northwest, and is currently the president of the Soulful Giving Foundation, a Nonprofit organization focused on cancer research, care, and treatment in Oregon hospitals.

Welcome Kaylin and thanks for being with us today! Why don’t you start by telling our readers a bit about your journey to becoming a published author?

I’ve always had a love of reading… at least for as long as I can remember. My interest in writing began at the tender age of 10, when an English teacher took an interest in my stories and encouraged me to keep a journal. Throughout high school and college, I worked at the newspaper and actually had my own column. But it wasn’t until my kids were grown that I had the luxury of writing stories and sending them to publishers in New York. At one point, I was accepted by a famous and well-known firm, but then they told me to change everything about my book…everything that made it special. Rather than struggle to fit into fiction, I chose to spread my own wings with a small press and ultimately as a self-published author, which resulted in setting my own hours and deciding what I really enjoy writing about.

What is “Twisted Threads” about?

Akira Hamada, a beautiful Japanese geisha, failed to kill Kaito Mitsui two years ago, the same yakuza gang leader who destroyed her lover and forced her to become an assassin. Now, with her sister’s killer traveling to the Caribbean on a cruise ship, Akira has ten days at sea to identify her target and complete her mission as penance, or face her own death.

What inspired you to write this story?

For many years, I have been privileged to experience remarkable things and unique opportunities while traveling the world with my husband. This included a wide range of means of transportation, from private planes, helicopters, and hot air balloons to kayaks, submarines, and elegant cruise ships. My travels around the world have not only allowed me to meet interesting people and discover fascinating cultures, but also to develop lifelong friendships with fellow travelers and introduce dear friends in all parts of the world. Interesting stories shared by friends, personal experiences, and extensive research have all contributed to making this character-driven story possible and have inspired me to write this “twisted” story.

What character do you most identify? Is there something of you reflected in the characters?

Honestly, I think there are little pieces of myself in every character I create: my fears, my insecurities, my longings and my longing for love, affection and acceptance. That said, I find myself entangled in the character of Devon Lyons, even though he is a confident man. Truly, he is a lost soul in this complex murder mystery story. For several years, he has been struggling to find his true identity in a successful, strong, critical and extremely stubborn family circle. I think this is the only chance for him to break through and find out what he’s really made of and if he’s capable of true love.

How involved was your research for “Twisted Threads”?

It took me almost eighteen months to write twisted threads. This included time spent researching ship disasters, interviewing cruise enthusiasts, reacquainting myself with characters from other books I’ve written, and editing my final manuscript—maintaining an active lifestyle, of course. I usually create a visual storyboard on Pinterest, write a short summary, and just write without thinking about how the story will end. I don’t really like storyboards and long-term planning like other authors. For me, it’s more interesting and fun to let my characters develop and direct the plots of each book.

How do you keep the narrative fresh in a series?

I draw on my personal experiences and inner voices that yearn to be heard. I love each and every one of my characters, despite his flaws and imperfections, and I want readers to sympathize with his plight, heartaches, and damaged lives.

What do you like to read?

Everything you can imagine… but mainly thrillers and action-adventure stories.

Do you believe in writing every day as standard practice? Tell us about your writing schedule and a typical day at Kaylin McFarren’s desk.

I write as a daily practice from 10 am to 6 pm. When it comes to creating fiction, this can take fifteen minutes or four to five hours every day. But when I write, I am forced to express the emotions buried deep within me. Years ago I was a wounded soul, but I have always longed to be strong and overcome the insignificance that I felt throughout my life.

How do you feel when you finish a writing project?

Accomplished. When I write the final words in a manuscript, I want to believe that the truth of my story is being told and that the readers who see it will understand the hidden message in the final chapter. We all grow and become stronger from our experiences in life, good or bad…negative or positive, and I want to believe that my stories make a difference in their telling.

Which writers have inspired your own work as an author?

I love all kinds of genres: mystery, erotica, science fiction, historical romance… you name it. But what I like most is the present told in a fictional story. That’s why I love Jodi Picoult’s books. She really inspires me. Her books are controversial because they deal with real tragedies that ordinary people don’t like to discuss but at the same time consider an inescapable subject.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received about writing or about life in general?

Write what you are passionate about. I understand that some stories require research and others require commitment and honest personal experiences. But what I’m talking about is the need to share what your beliefs are… what you believe to be true and want others to understand more than anything in this world. Do not try to pretend, because it shows… believe me. Write with your heart on your sleeve and with an open mind to possibilities and you will touch lives you never thought possible.

What advice can you give to aspiring writers?

Read like there is no tomorrow. We learn from experience, whether our own or someone else’s. Just trust your talent and never stop believing that you have a gift to share.

What’s next, do you have another project in the works?

I am currently working on a new time travel story which I have discussed with my husband. Oddly enough, he dreamed of this story and I want to write about it in the worst way possible.

Where can readers connect with you on social media to learn more about “Twisted Threads” and your other books?

I honestly try to be everywhere… while writing as much as I can. You can find me on Facebook and Goodreads under Kaylin McFarren, and on Twitter at @4kaylin. My website is http://www.kaylinmcfarren.com.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

If you like stories created by an author, be sure to let them know. Your praise and support encourages them to work harder on developing new dramas, romances, murder mysteries, and adventures that they will ultimately enjoy and feel rewarded about writing.

It is the second week of the COVID-19 lockdown in Italy. The whole country is in the so-called “red zone”. About three weeks ago, people refused to take the arrival of this virus seriously, in part because Dr. Maria Rita Gismondo, director of the Microbiology, Virology, and Bioemergencies Laboratory at Luigi Sacco University Hospital in Milan, he had reported that it was little more than the normal flu and that the virus would no longer be discussed after a week (by March 4). She thought the Italian public had been collectively brainwashed by the media, saying: “C’e’ stato a lavaggio del cervello collettivo.“She was not the only influential person who thought that there was little to fear. Therefore, many people did not know what to think. I, for example, wondered why the Chinese had worked so hard to combat this virus if it was not so lethal. I was left concerned, even though, thanks to Dr. Gismondo, I thought it was still safe to drive cautiously. Also, many employers continued to force their employees to work, thinking that Dr. Gismondo and some other “experts” were right after of everything.

In Cremona, one of the regions hit by COVID-19, some 60 Americans representing “Samaritan’s Purse” have decided to help by supplying the Maggiore Hospital with the necessary materials that arrive from the United States. These Americans have generously provided medical equipment in horrific conflicts like Somalia, Rwanda, Afghanistan, and Iraq (according to Corriere della Sera). Its staff is made up of sixty people, including doctors and technicians. They will be providing sixty beds and eight places for intensive care. There was already a meeting between these volunteers and Giuseppe Rossi, the director of the Maggiore Hospital. Gianluca Galimberti, the mayor, is grateful that these good Samaritans have come to Italy.

There is a call from local leaders to respect the rules because the cases of illness continue to increase. In the afternoon, the streets of Milan will be empty. The president of the Lombardy region, Attilio Fontana, is begging citizens to stay home because he says more drastic measures will have to be taken if people don’t reduce numbers outside; Any departure from home is a risk for the one who leaves and for others as well.

Wednesday morning at Santa Marta House Chapel, Pope Francis prayed for the deceased and for the health care providers who have given their lives for others. He prayed to God for the end of the pandemic and for the healing of the sick. Pope Francis urges the population not to waste this time, to try to be closer to their families and to dedicate time wisely to reflection. In addition, an important conference that Pope Francis had planned to attend later in March, “The Economy of Francis” in Assisi, was postponed due to the gravity of the Corona virus situation.

Marcello Natali, a 57-year-old doctor, Provincial Medical Secretary of Lodi, has given his life, fighting to the end to save his patients. Although he had no pre-existing conditions, he did not make it, proving that anyone can be a victim of CORONA-19. According to Corriere della Sera (March 18, 2020), Natali was taken to intensive care on March 11 after she had pleaded with the government to provide more evidence for citizenship. Shortly after, he was transferred to Milan. Like many other doctors, nurses, and volunteers who have worked long hours during this emergency, Marcello Natali will always be a hero.

Many Italians have turned to the Internet to keep in touch with friends and family. Neighborhood solidarity groups have been formed on Facebook, Instagram and other social media websites. Many people who have never used these sites before now use them to encourage each other and make suggestions on how to solve problems. A Facebook user posted old photos of community members as children so that other members could participate and guess who those children were. Others took more recent photos of nature.

Italians on Facebook want to know who will be delivering food, water and even pizza to their local homes. Many make comments about the ways people should respond to this international emergency (ie not walking around town too much and staying indoors as much as possible). Many argue about what constitutes acceptable exercise; Is walking outside a really permissible exercise during this difficult period when everyone is supposed to be cooped up indoors? Do you have to be “running” to move around the city? Fortunately, local priests have established religious services, prayers and the online mass to unite the citizenry and give them faith. May your prayers be answered!

If your nieces or nephews are like a lot of kids, they’re probably pretty crazy about you. After all, there’s nothing like time with your aunts and uncles.

However, given the competition that some aunts and uncles face in terms of grandparents who also want to spend some special time with their favorite children, play games with friends, go to school, sports, and the ever-present lure of video games and television, it can be hard to carve out time to do things with your niece and nephew for those extra special experiences where you create those remarkable memories, the ones that last a lifetime.

So the next time you’re planning fun things to do with your nieces and nephews, try one of these five ideas to help you put together something truly memorable:

Give them a chance to try something they’ve never done with mom and dad.

The fastest way to score cool points with your favorite short people, and create memories that last a lifetime, is to give them an experience they’ve never had with their parents. These unusual things can be adventures to have at home, like a camping trip in the living room, a scavenger hunt in the backyard, or an indoor scavenger hunt.

Or, they can be events and activities that require you to get in the car and go somewhere, like a theme restaurant you’ve never tried before, a drive through the countryside, a picnic in a park you’ve never been to, or a trip down “memory lane” to see important milestones from your own growing up years.

Check out some live entertainment.

If your niece or nephew tends to spend a lot of time watching their favorite shows on DVR or playing digital games, it’s about time they discovered the joys of live entertainment. Options to consider include dinner shows, community theater or productions at your local high school or college, concerts in the park, and musical performances at local churches.

Have a surprise party.

You can build excitement about your afternoon or evening with your nieces and nephews by letting them know a few days in advance that they’re going on an outing with you, but that they won’t know what the outing entails until they arrive. at your destination Add fun and suspense with a systematic campaign in the days leading up to the event by dropping a few strategic tips.

For example, if you’re taking them to a sleepover at the zoo, you can arrange to put a different clue on their breakfast table each morning: Animal crackers one day, gift bags with new pajamas inside the next, etc.

Make them feel older.

Add some flair and uniqueness to your outing by planning something with an adult theme, such as a “dinner party” at your house. You can ask kids to RSVP, suggest a “host gift” if the event involves them coming to your house, and help them pick out stylish outfits. Even if the meal is hotdogs and hamburgers, you can keep the theme going by wearing your best china and glasses, and having an “after-dinner drink” of floating root beer or fancy lemonade.

Try a theme night.

A special theme for your outing can make the activity even more memorable and help increase the pre-event excitement. You can make it seasonal, like “Start of Summer” or “Christmas in July,” or you can do something historical, like “80’s Night” or “Medieval Night.” Ask the kids to do a little research ahead of time, or prepare special outfits or costumes, to help them get into the spirit of things before the big day arrives. You can keep the theme going by having themed party favors, conversation starters, dinner items, etc.

As you prepare a home for sale or rent, here are some basics to ensure you get the best response from prospective clients.

Your goal is to make the house as attractive as possible while investing the least amount of cash. Buying a home is often an emotional decision. People decide to buy a house because they fall in love with it. In many cases, you just have to make sure that they don’t have a reason not to like the house.

Here are some ideas for the houses you are selling or renting. You want to present the best of you in any way.

Spic-and-span sales. Make sure everything is clean and shiny.

paint it Fresh paint works wonders in any room. Sometimes you can get by with a touch up, but a full paint job will definitely make everything look like new. You even get the added benefit of a new-smelling home when the walls are freshly painted. Make sure to use bright but neutral colors. We used a light tan satin paint for the walls and a bright white semi-gloss for all the trim.

Clean the carpet. A thorough professional cleaning is an inexpensive way to freshen up any carpet. If it’s not in good condition, feel free to replace it. New carpet is worth every penny when a home is shown. Again, choose a neutral color that isn’t too dark. Tanning is usually a good option.

Seriously consider replacing worn appliances. You can usually replace a stove and dishwasher for $500 or less if you find a floor model or a discount for scratches and dents. New or “like new” appliances have a big impact on the appeal of the kitchen.

Replace outdated kitchen and bathroom faucets. This will quickly improve the room.

A new dresser is a must. They are a quick and cheap way to make things shiny and clean. Get the $7 targets made of wood. They look great.

Replace light switches and wall outlets. TURN OFF THE POWER FIRST! New switches and outlets don’t cost much and instantly brighten up any room.

Replace outdated light fixtures. Old light fixtures can quickly age a home. You don’t have to install expensive accessories, just new ones to replace the dusty and rusty ones.

As you do, put new light bulbs in each lamp, in each socket. Choose the highest wattage that can be used safely and do not leave any sockets unused. Your goal is to keep things bright. Even in broad daylight, I turn on all the lights in the house during a screening.

Ceiling fans are a good investment. Get some cheap ones and place them in every bedroom. Have them turn low while the prospects are looking. There is something cozy and soothing about a slowly spinning ceiling fan.

Remove old and outdated window treatments or damaged shutters. Replace them with new, inexpensive mini blinds.

Take a good look at your house from the street. Does it measure up to the other houses in the neighborhood? You really should look better than a lot of your neighbors. Do some inexpensive landscaping by adding flowers, shrubs, and some mulch. The yard must be clean and well maintained. Trim bushes and trees, and keep grass trimmed and trimmed.

Check the house numbers on the house and on the mailbox. A prospect is sure to look at the street number, so make sure it conveys the quality of the house.

No blinds? Add some! Installing shutters on a home is like putting hubcaps on a used car. The cost is minimal, but the curb appeal is powerful.

Visit new subdivisions and open houses in your area, especially model homes. You will get some good ideas to present your home. Some real estate agents place small signs throughout the house noting special features such as: energy-saving heat pump, new water heater installed in 2004, or stay-in-home refrigerator. This is a great way to point out features.

Another idea we had at an open house was to set the dining room table with nice plates, glasses and cloth napkins. That’s great if the furniture is still in the home. We also recommend that you play classical music on the stereo. Remember, most people are “moving in” to their new home, so make them feel like they’re really renovating.

And for some finishing touches, place a vase of fresh flowers on the counter, some candles on the mantel, and some clean hand towels in the bathroom.

Finally, put a new doormat on the front door. You can pick one up for under $10. I like the ones that actually say “Welcome.”

Always remember that your tastes may be different from those of your potential buyer. You are making a very personal decision. By paying attention to the little details, you can make a big difference in your perception. Make sure the house is attractive enough that they want to make it their own.

Between yoga for infertility and Pilates, two of the most well-known and practiced forms of fertility exercise, yoga may be the best option when you want to get pregnant.

Here are some reasons why:

Yoga is easier on the pelvic organs

Pilates involves pelvic techniques that can be detrimental to improving your fertility. According to Randine Lewis, author of The Infertility Cure, Pilates doesn’t allow enough breathing room for internal organs to function as well as they can. The reproductive organs need to be relaxed and have space. Pilates is counterproductive to the balance that must be present to have an optimal environment for conception. When you want to get pregnant, this may not be the best time to work on those hard, sexy abs.

Yoga is a tried and true system.

Yoga has been around for many centuries, while Pilates is less than a century old. As for age, this makes yoga more reliable.

Yoga came from India and was discovered in the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300-1700 BC). From then until today, yoga continues to evolve due to the spiritual philosophy behind it.

On the other hand, Pilates is an exercise system designed by Joseph Pilates, a German gymnast. His system was based on aerobic exercises during World War I with the intention of aiding in the physical rehabilitation of returning wounded soldiers.

Yoga is a holistic and spiritual approach.

Pilates focuses on working the entire body, paying particular attention to the abdominal muscles, lower back, and glutes.

It is based on eight principles of breathing, centering, proper alignment, precision, control, concentration, and fluid movement, all of which seek to fuse mind and body for the result of being fit and lean. as well as developing physical grace, balance, and economy

Yoga for infertility focuses on the interconnectedness of the mind and body, including meditation, which improves overall health and reduces stress, greatly improving fertility.

Also, yoga for infertility doesn’t put too much emphasis on exercising your muscles, so it’s gentler than Pilates and for you. Studies have shown that too much strenuous exercise makes it harder to conceive, especially if you’re over 30 years old.

Yoga is endorsed by the medical community.

Physicians are now beginning to see the value of yoga’s contribution to overall good health.

One example is the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), under the National Institutes of Health, which has in the past funded studies on yoga for obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Today, NCCAM is funding the Oregon Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Neurological Disorders (ORCCAMIND), in Portland, for its five-year, half-million dollar study of the effects of yoga on people with multiple sclerosis and also on healthy people. elderly people.

At Harvard Medical School, Alice Domar, PhD has created a fertility program that uses yoga. In 2000, 55 percent of the women who participated in his 10-session program became pregnant within a year.

Domar said that yoga is really good if you are very anxious. In fact, many of the women who participated in her program were angry with their bodies for not being able to conceive. Domar said that yoga allowed them to get back in touch with their bodies and this transformation helped many of them eventually get pregnant.

If you’re looking for something to have for lunch, try the peaches and banana. Not only will they fill you up, but you’ll consume vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and still not gain appreciable weight. Not bad if you’re like me, not so young and watching everything you eat.

Why not? After all, the body is no longer what it once was, the food-grinding machine of a sixteen-year-old, or a twenty-six-year-old, for that matter.

Cheeseburgers or egusi/melon soup with mashed yams are delicious foods, but you don’t always need to eat them, unless of course you’re lucky enough to be into manual labor.

But I’m not so lucky as I mostly do sedentary work. It’s not that I don’t like my job, but I wish it came with some real physical activity, just enough to get you sweating and keeping the weight off constantly, but not so much that you tire your ankles, knees, and bones. I’ll need them when I’m ninety, like my nonagenarian friend. Well that’s for sure.

For starters, peaches and bananas go together like water and cement. In combination, they will satisfy your hunger and satisfy your appetite.

If you’re wondering where to get fresh peaches and bananas, stores like Big Y, Stop and Shop are my favorites. Locate a store near you where you can easily get your supply of fresh peaches and bananas.

Until I started writing this article, I never knew that peaches could refresh the body, face, skin appearance, and could even slow down the aging process. You don’t need any more reasons to include peaches on your menu, do you?

One particular afternoon I was looking for something to have for lunch instead of almonds. I usually skip lunch because I don’t think lunch is important, especially if you’re like me with a sedentary lifestyle. I sit all day, occasionally getting up to stretch out a hand, but quickly sitting back down in a chair.

The point is that I don’t do much and therefore I don’t deserve much food. Some days, however, when she was hungry (not without a sense of guilt), she would drive to a nearby store and buy a bag or two of almonds. I’d immediately go back to the car, my finger opening the little plastic bag and decanting nuts, three or five at a time, until I was done. After that, I would face the other pack and take a hit like I did the first. Each bag contained 130 calories, so this little snack gave me 260 calories.

Most of the time my hunger would fade, allowing me to continue my sedentary lifestyle of sitting on my stool throughout the day, occasionally standing up if I need to emphasize a point when talking to parents and their children, doing the best I can. I can to alleviate, even temporarily, their physical and sometimes mental afflictions.

Do not misunderstand. There are times when I go from one consulting room to another, down the short hallway to the refrigerator to select a shot or reach out to rummage through the wall cabinets for a needle, syringe or gloves.

No one in their right mind would call any of these activities anything but sedentary, for which a heavy load of food, such as mashed yams or Garri, or rice, goat meat, soup, chips, hamburgers, or sandwiches, would be unnecessary. That’s why I tried to keep my lunch very simple and limited to walnuts and almonds.

So that afternoon, when I was looking for what to eat instead of walnuts and almonds, my mind turned to bananas and peaches. Well, not that I’ve never eaten bananas or peaches, but I never knew they could be such a great replacement for my two pack of almonds at around 260 calories. Somewhere in my brain, the banana and peaches had been hiding in plain sight ever since I saw my son Jermane bite into a slice of banana and my daughter Amy bite into a piece of peach.

“Is that all the peaches you bought?” He had asked Amy when I saw her eating a large peach. “Yes, dad, I’m sorry,” she said.

The next day at lunch, instead of buying two packets of almonds at the corner store, I went to the ‘Stop and Shop’ grocery store and selected two firm but ripe peaches and a bunch of four ripe bananas and firm.

Back in my car I reached under the seats and found a half-full bottle of water with which I washed the peaches. I placed one peach on a clean napkin on the front passenger seat and held the other, re-examining it for dents and soft spots, which I don’t like on fruit.

Satisfied, my teeth bit into it and I took a piece of juicy peach. What a delicious, refreshing and slightly spicy flavor! The velvety feel of the skin made me want to hold the fruit a little longer, but hunger was getting the best of me.

Peaches are nutritious, packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. I don’t think they are given the respect they deserve among the fruit family.

The banana is a very popular and ubiquitous fruit, so there is no need to discuss it in detail, just to say that I take the time to choose my banana as I want it exactly the right way, not overripe or underripe, just ripe. , and strong and easy to peel from the top, not soft. Like peaches, bananas contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

As usual, the plantain did not disappoint and I ate two of the four. Shortly after my hunger passed, I began to suffer from post-gluttony despair.

Perhaps I have overindulged in food, sweet food that I still remember my grandmother warning me about when I was a child. I had run away to stay with her in my village in Akokwa, because I wanted to escape the scrutiny of my parents. My mother in particular used to come to my room very often to see how she was doing and she would ask me: “Are you alright, my son?” even though all she wanted to know was who he was dating. Grandma never worried about any of that; she brought bitter leaf soup with dried fish to me, her eighteen-year-old grandson: bitter leaf soup, cooked with dried fish.

Oh, I miss grandma. Forgive me where I’ve gone astray, but I thought you should understand the kind of person I am, at least a little bit of what I was as a child.

Compelled by the kind of person I’ve become, I added up the calories and cost of two peaches and two bananas. One peach, the size I ate, was about 70 calories, two of them 140 calories. Let’s say one giant banana contains 150 calories, two would contain 300 calories. Together, two large peaches and two huge bananas add up to about 440 calories; It’s not that expensive either, all for the price of just $2.00.

Peaches and bananas fill the stomach better than two small packets of almonds. The next time you’re wondering what to have for lunch, try two peaches and two bananas. I promise you will enjoy them. If you’re a weight watcher, don’t feel guilty; you will have had a healthy meal and only consumed about 500 calories.

FINAL

On the way home from spring break, we stopped by a skydiving spot on I-75 near Tampa. It seemed like a cool place, and as we watched from the highway, my passenger was tempted to try it out.

No matter how tempting the place was, she wanted no part of it. Having been terrified of heights since my childhood, I walked right past it.

The rest of the way home I pondered the art of skydiving, remembering television shows in which a character took up the hobby. Here’s the list we came up with, featuring classic sitcoms and modern series.

Howard Sprague in Mayberry, RFD

The milquetoast (played by Jack Dodson) from North Carolina’s most famous fictional town pretended to like skydiving, just because his girlfriend found it an enjoyable hobby.

Bud Bundy in Married with children

Al and Peg’s only son (played by David Faustino) finds himself on a plane with a girl, hoping to impress her with his courage.

marge simpson in The Simpsons

To get out of the routine, Homer’s wife decides to experience the sensation of free fall through the air.

Woody, Norm and Cliff in Health

In the episode titled “Jumping Jerks”, the three friends make a pact to land by parachute.

peggy hill in King of the hill

In the episode “The Decline and Fall”, Hank’s wife takes up skydiving, something the propane salesman never attempted.

Drake Bell and Josh Peck in Drake and Josh

The guitar-playing stepbrother gets into a helicopter to jump from, prompting a more sensible Josh to hop on in hopes of talking him out of it.

Jesse Katsopolis in Full house

Before their wedding, Mary Kate and Ashley’s favorite uncle (played by John Stamos) decides to take a literal step. He landed in a tree and ended up going home in a tomato truck, only to be late for the ceremony.

Peter Griffin in family man

“Turban Cowboy” is the episode where Peter, Quagmire, and Joe parachute to end their boring lives. Peter finds the activity so invigorating that he keeps jumping until a landing on the Eiffel Tower sends him to the hospital, where he is almost convinced to convert to Islam.

Carly, Spencer, Freddie and Sam in icarly

After being invited to accept an award in Japan, the gang ends up having to parachute into Tokyo in an episode titled “I’m Going to Japan”.

Indonesia, without a doubt, is one of the most fascinating countries in Southeast Asia. From the jungles and lakes of Sumatra to the cultural heart of the nation, Java, via Bali, Flores, Sulawesi, West Papua, Ambon, the Banda Islands and West Papua: every step is a discovery.

Let me give you a few tips to help you navigate this incredibly diverse country, Indonesia.

cultural sensitivity

Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world. Although Islam is the state religion, there are parts of the country where other religions are prevalent. North Sulawesi is 90% Christian, the Balinese are predominantly Hindu, and in the Moluccas and Flores, Muslims and Christians live together, generally in peace. When visiting places of worship, whether it be a mosque, temple or church, be sure to dress conservatively. Remember to remove your shoes before entering a mosque or temple. Ladies should wear long-sleeved tops, skirts that reach below the knee, or long, baggy pants. When it comes to clothing in general, don’t take Kuta as typical of the rest of the country. If you go to a restaurant (other than in Kuta) or if you are invited to visit an Indonesian home, dressy casual is fine. Local people really appreciate if you can use a few words of Bahasa Indonesia, the language that unites Indonesia and crosses the geographical and cultural diversity in this huge archipelago.

visa regulations

To enter Indonesia, your passport must be valid for at least another 6 months from the date of entry. Immigration officials are on the lookout for passports that have less validity and have the right to deny you entry to Indonesia.

7 day visa on arrival was abolished in January 2010

30 day visa on arrival

At the time of writing, the cost of a 30-day visa on arrival for Indonesia is US$25, which you must pay in cash in US dollars, using clean, unmarked banknotes that were issued after 2001. Since January 2010, this visa can be extended once, for 30 days, while here in Indonesia. To be totally frank, the procedure is complicated, and if you think you might spend more than 30 days in Indonesia, get a 60-day tourist visa before entering Indonesia.

60 day tourist visa

You must obtain the 60-day tourist visa before entering Indonesia. The good news is that since January 2010 this visa can be extended in Indonesia. If you intend to travel to West Papua province, or are planning to extend your 60-day visa, please have 4-6 spare passport photos with you.

For more information on visa regulations, please consult the website of your nearest Indonesian Embassy or Consulate.

Money

The local currency is the Indonesian rupiah (IDR). It’s always a good idea to carry some small bills (Rp 1,000, 2,000, 5,000) with you when shopping at the local stores (toko) or planning to eat at a warung (small local restaurant or food stall). The easiest way to manage money is by using a credit or debit card to withdraw cash from ATMs, which are almost everywhere except for a few really out-of-the-way places. If you intend to travel or stay off the beaten track for an extended period of time, you’ll need to bring enough Indonesian cash with you to pay for accommodation, food, and transportation. Please do not rely on being able to exchange foreign currency. With the advent of ATMs, traveler’s checks have practically gone out of style.

Health

By far the biggest health hazard for tourists is dehydration and sunburn. Please try to drink at least 2 liters of water per day. Coffee, tea, beer, juice, and other liquids don’t really count. Indonesia is in the tropics, and you’ll probably be spending a lot of time outdoors, so protect yourself and use a good quality sunscreen, as well as a hat.

In Bali there is currently a problem of rabies spread by sick dogs. If a dog scratches or bites you, he should get medical attention as quickly as possible.

Water: even the local people drink bottled water! It’s cheap, so don’t take any chances.

Alcohol: Questionable Arak is sold in Bali, and there have been more deaths this year because of it.

Sex is fun, but be sure to use condoms if you have a close encounter of the (very) personal kind while in Indonesia. All types of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, are widespread, so take precautions.

drugs

Drugs should be an absolute no-no. Don’t even think about bringing drugs into Indonesia, because you will most likely end up in jail. Don’t be tempted to get drugs while in Indonesia. If you spend any time in Kuta, Legian, or Seminyak, chances are you’ll be offered something. Please say no. You may very well be dealing with a police informer, which means you won’t be using your ticket home!

Personal security

Don’t let sensational media reports stop you from visiting Indonesia. For tourists, Indonesia is as safe as other countries. Unfortunately, as things stand today, any public place in the world could be the wrong place at the wrong time. To avoid becoming a victim of petty crime, simply don’t flaunt expensive electronics, cameras, or jewelry in public. I have been visiting Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia since the mid-1970s, and have never had a problem with theft or bag snatching. Yes, it can happen, so be careful, but don’t get paranoid about it.

Don’t become a virtual traveler in your own living room, getting second-hand experiences by watching travel shows on TV – get out there and experience the magic first-hand.

Packing list

Get a pack of zip-lock bags at the nearest supermarket. They are essential if you like to snack and want to keep ants and cockroaches out of your room/bed/backpack. I always carry loads of them with me

Bring toilet paper and soap as these are NOT provided in budget accommodation. Instead of carrying soap and shampoo for my hair, I tend to use shower gel which is also fine for washing my hair.

Since digital cameras often have very specific batteries, don’t forget the charger that came with your camera.

Bring a flashlight (flashlight), as power outages are not unusual. Also the trails, if they exist, are known to be uneven and often have huge holes. So if you hike after dark and don’t want to end up breaking some bones, take one with you.

Take a couple of sarongs with you, as very often beds only have a sheet and you may want to cover up for the night. Mosquito coils or sprays and/or personal insect repellant is something you should definitely not forget about. Remember to have bottled water in your room, you can NOT drink the tap water. I use tap water to brush my teeth, but if you have a sensitive stomach I would suggest using bottled water for that as well. prior to

Hopefully the tips above will help you have a great time in Indonesia. Just one more thing: If possible, bring rechargeable batteries and an appropriate charger, or a spare battery and charger for your specific camera. There is no safe means of disposing of used batteries in this country, creating environmental and health hazards.

Come and take a look, but be aware that visiting Indonesia is a health hazard – it’s addictive!

My biggest fear, along with most Americans, would be whether we will outlive our money in retirement or have enough money to retire. As long as our government lives on separate terms from the people it governs, I anticipate that millions of Americans will experience financial conflict later on. Most Americans really think that Social Security will be enough to get them through their twilight years. Personally, I think Social Security won’t exist for most of us and if you depend on Social Security to support you through your twilight years, you’ll find that it won’t be enough. Social Security was only created to subsidize your investments, retirement plans and/or savings. It was not created to act as a retirement plan.

Since I’ve had the luxury of being affiliated with the banking industry for over 30 years, I’ve seen thousands of senior savings accounts that had less than $10,000 in them. I spoke in Northern California in 2004, where I mentioned that many of the jobs that children and young teens used to hold would no longer exist because older people don’t have the money to retire. I laughed at the stage for 6000 people. Who’s laughing now! There are no more newspaper delivery jobs for children due to older people now filling those jobs. I also said that most fast food jobs along with Walgreens and CVS jobs would no longer be filled by high school teens and would be replaced by seniors just look around and tell me its not happening right at in front of your eyes. People don’t laugh anymore. I also told people at that seminar that I anticipate tens of thousands to millions of thousands of homeless people in the next 10 to 20 years.

You might want to take note of the thousands of people who set up shop under freeway ramps across the country. They live in tents and shower in fast-food restrooms. This is happening in the greatest nation on earth. You can keep looking the other way but pretty soon you won’t have anywhere else to look. If the government doesn’t do something very soon, everything they know will end abruptly.