Just Me

Writer's Block: It's the thought that counts

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:14:37 GMT

How much energy do you expend trying to find the perfect gift for someone you love? Do you enjoy the process or does it make you anxious?

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The joule (symbol J), named for James Prescott Joule, is the derived unit of energy in the International System of Units. It is the energy exerted by the force of one newton acting to move an object through a distance of one metre. In terms of dimensions:

One joule is defined as the amount of work done by a force of one newton moving an object through a distance of one metre.

For a "bulk" (unstructured) system they are the last remaining extensive variables. For an unstructured, homogeneous "bulk" system, there are still various extensive compositional variables { N_i } that G depends on, which specify the composition, the amounts of each chemical substance, expressed as the numbers of molecules present or (dividing by Avogadro's number), the numbers of moles

For the case where only PV work is possible

in which μ_i is the chemical potential for the i-th component in the system

The expression for dG is especially useful at constant T and P, conditions which are easy to achieve experimentally and which approximates the condition in living creatures

A total of 10 hours was spent in gift planning and buying this year.

One joule in everyday life is approximately:

the energy released as heat by a person at rest, every hundredth of a second.
the kinetic energy of an adult human moving at a speed of about a handspan every second.

2 hours was spent planning.

Therefore it is easy to see that 1,235,594 Joules were expended on Christmas giving this year. However, my calculations indicate that almost 2 megajoules were received. This sends me into the New Year with a net energy gain.

I hope that each and every one of you has a positive gradient of energy transfer this fine holiday season!!!!!!!

Writer's Block: You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch!

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:20:51 GMT

Are there any classic holiday movies or TV shows that you look forward to watching year after year? What are your all-time favorites? Are there any you simply can't stand?

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Every Christmas my family and I gather to watch Pulp Fiction. Nobody has truly captured the feel of the American holiday season like Quentin Tarantino. The film puts us in touch with our shared values as a group.

Writer's Block: Holiday cheer

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:18:48 GMT

Do you tend to get nostalgic during the holidays? Depressed? Giddy? How do the winter holidays make you feel?

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Right around the Winter Solstice every year it just somehow feels like the days are too short.

Writer's Block: New lease on life

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 11:44:26 GMT

Was there a significant event in your life that helped define who you and caused you to re-evaluate your priorities?

Submitted By itsnewyearseve

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I spent a brief period of time in a conflict zone in what is now Kisangani; it gave me a good close look at how much of the world lives. It also gave me a gut level insight into the kind of luck I had being born into a first world country. I also came very close to checking out early. Life since that point has been a gift and a bonus. I try hard to enjoy every single day.

Writer's Block: Winter wonderland

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:47:35 GMT

Do you long for snow during the winter holidays? Would you prefer to spend your holidays in the tropics or in a winter wonderland?

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I would prefer to live in a climate controlled world. Small areas of “natural weather” can be left for documentaries and the instruction of children. I like to spend my holidays in comfort with people bringing me things. Not risking shark bite or death by snow slide. The outside world is Mother Nature’s way of making you dead.

Writer's Block: Simply wonderful

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:35:00 GMT

It's often said that the simple things in life are the most precious. What small pleasures make you the happiest?

Submitted By nisie

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· The smell of the first cup of coffee of the morning.

· The moment you open a new book.

· When you click a link and it opens really fast.

· When you answer the phone and it is NOT a recording

· Seeing someone you have not seen for a while and remembering their name.

· The period of time between the bed warming up and going to sleep

· Holding hands

· The right people winning a football game.

· Reading something a friend wrote and really laughing out loud.

· Leaning something new and having that “That is so neat” feeling.

· And best of all still being curious.

Writer's Block: Honesty is such a lonely word

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:59:40 GMT

Do you think honesty is really the best policy when it comes to relationships? Is total honesty possible, let alone desirable?

Submitted By ryokimayuu

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It is my feeling that one should be as honest as it is practical to be. I have met a few people in my life that prided themselves on being “totally up front”. They tended to be rather obnoxious folks. As usual, I have to turn to Robert Heinlein for the wisdom on the subject. He stated,

“Moving parts in rubbing contact require lubrication to avoid excessive wear. Honorifics and formal politeness provide lubrication where people rub together. Often the very young, the untravelled, the naive, the unsophisticated, deplore these formalities as 'empty,' 'meaningless,' or 'dishonest,' and scorn to use them. No matter how pure their motives, they thereby throw sand into the machinery that does not work too well at best.”

Writer's Block: Take this job and shove it ...

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:17:46 GMT

Have you ever walked off a job on the spot? What drove you to it? Did you regret it afterwards?

Submitted By hisensei808

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Well I was escorted off the job once and I did regret it afterword because I thought of even more grossly insubordinate statements that I could have made. And just for the record, Ms. G you are still the worst excuse for an RN I ever worker for and you fired two women who’s feet you were not worthy to kiss and you still need to shave that damn little mustache. I am also still waiting to water your grave.

Writer's Block: Password protected

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:15:14 GMT

If your best friend and/or romantic partner read all of your email for the last month (or longer), how would it impact your relationship(s) and why?

Submitted By bacon_fiend

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I would have to listen to another round of “I cannot believe you read all those links and updates – you keep up with WAY too much weird stuff.”

Writer's Block: Holiday blues

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:04:03 GMT

What is the most emotionally challenging aspect of the holidays for you? Do you enjoy this season more or less than you did as a child?

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I find that too many folks have a score keeping mindset this time of year. Will I be able to receive more than I am obligated to give? Can I grab more than I have to hand out. There are not many that I know that are like this, but then again it does not take many.

Writer's Block: Trading places

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 12:20:36 GMT

If you could trade places with anyone in the world for one day, who would you choose and why? What if you could trade places for keeps, would you consider it?

Submitted By hilsongirl

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I would not I think switch places with anyone forever. I like my worldview too much and have worked too hard to earn it. For one day I would like to swap with any healthy female. Just to have a tiny bit of insight into how the other half lives.

Writer's Block: Voulez-vous parler ...

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 11:04:01 GMT

Which language(s) do you currently speak? If you could learn only one other language, what would you choose, and why?

Submitted By stormvoel

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Being an American I am only fluent in English. If I had my education to do-over I would speak several. I wish I could add on real conversational Spanish. It is becoming more and more useful in the American south. l think an Asian language would be my second choice. I might as well dream in color and wish for Japanese. Most likely, however, until they implant my Babelfish I will remain a monoglot.

Road Trip

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:54:35 GMT

Coming to you live from Hopklinsville KY. Home of my number one wife's baby sister. There may be pictures. However, there will be no exam.

Writer's Block: Forever young

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:16:10 GMT

If cryogenics became a real, affordable option (i.e., if you could freeze your body until aging and illnesses were better understood), would you consider it? If so, do you fear you'd miss out on the wisdom that comes with growing old and dying?

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I do not think there is a damn bit of wisdom that comes with dying. I have seen a hell of a lot of people check out and it never struck me as a learning experience. Wisdom come with age (I think – who am I to judge how wise I am) so I would not pass that up. But if I was in my final hours I would leap into the ice before I would seek the reaper.

Writer's Block: Role model

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:56:39 GMT

Is there any character from a novel or film that serves as a role model to you? What kind of advice do you think she or he would give you regarding any major issues you're facing right now?

Submitted By masakali

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Robert A. Heinlein was and is my major role model. Among his best advice was,

“Do not confuse "duty" with what other people expect of you; they are utterly different. Duty is a debt you owe to yourself to fulfill obligations you have assumed voluntarily. Paying that debt can entail anything from years of patient work to instant willingness to die. Difficult it may be, but the reward is self-respect.
But there is no reward at all for doing what other people expect of you, and to do so is not merely difficult, but impossible. It is easier to deal with a footpad than it is with the leech who wants "just a few minutes of your time, please — this won't take long." Time is your total capital, and the minutes of your life are painfully few. If you allow yourself to fall into the vice of agreeing to such requests, they quickly snowball to the point where these parasites will use up 100 percent of your time — and squawk for more!
So learn to say No — and to be rude about it when necessary.
Otherwise you will not have time to carry out your duty, or to do your own work, and certainly no time for love and happiness. The termites will nibble away your life and leave none of it for you.
(This rule does not mean that you must not do a favor for a friend, or even a stranger. But let the choice be yours. Don't do it because it is "expected" of you.)”

Writer's Block: Go it alone

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:23:01 GMT

Do you think society puts too much pressure on people to be in relationships and/or have children? Do you think this ostracizes people who would be perfectly content to remain single and/or child-free? Is this pressure worse around the holidays?

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I think that people have a great deal of choice in the “society” that they allow influencing them. If you have a good selection of family and society of choice then your strengths will be magnified. If you blow with the wind from the TV set then your weaknesses will be your definition.

Writer's Block: Destination anywhere

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:43:48 GMT

If you were asked to recommend one destination in your country to LiveJournal friends who had never been to your country before, what place would you choose, and why?

Submitted By thereshedances

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Why my house of course. It is after all the peak American experience. Why would I advise my friends to go elsewhere?

Writer's Block: Top ten playlist

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:25:21 GMT

What is your top-ten song list? What was it when you were a kid? Is there any overlap?

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The extensive works of Gerald Bostock have always made up my entire top song list. I can think of no greater producer of popular song.

Writer's Block: BFFs

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 12:04:37 GMT

Who is your best friend and why she or he is so important to you?

Submitted By twitterquotes

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I keep six honest serving-men
(They taught me all I knew);
Their names are What and Why and When
And How and Where and Who.

Rudyard Kipling

Writer's Block: 2012

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 15:53:43 GMT

If the world were going to end on December 21, 2012, how would you spend the last of your days on earth and why?

Submitted By rainwizard

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With a good computer connection and a big screen TV. The thought of all the rest of you folks going with me removes 99% of my fears of death. I know damn well I am not going to miss what happens next. It should be a visual event not to be equaled. I also suspect that the communication systems would be up to the last, Geeks are funny that way. The children of Martha stand by their posts till the last. My biggest decision would be choosing to go with Alcohol or Pharmaceuticals to insure that the final second would not be anxious.

Writer's Block: Hocus pocus

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:32:13 GMT

Have you ever purchased a lotion, potion, or pill that promised miraculous weight loss, perfect skin, or fantastic sex even though you knew it was (probably) a hoax?

Submitted By a_jake_justice

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When I was a few years younger than I am now I sent away for special glasses that would allow you to see through women’s clothing. I found that they did not work very well. I was very sad and felt that the world of comic book advertizing had betrayed me terribly.

Writer's Block: Sense and sensibility

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:20:16 GMT

If you could keep only one of your five senses--taste, touch, smell, sight, or hearing--which would you choose and why?

Submitted By chibikanada

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We will ignore the interconnected aspects of the "5" senses and just answer the question. I would have to pick sight, got to read and do the computer.

Writer's Block: Smoke screen

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:53:09 GMT

What are your feelings towards smoking? What rights do you think smokers and non-smokers should have?

Submitted By croses

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I was a smoker at one point in my life so I can not rant against them. I do not think smoking in a true outside area harms anyone. In an enclosed area I think the non-smokers rights have to trump. If it is your personal properity such as your house or car then you make the rules. Smoke or not smoke. I think that, like many other health issues, the risk of “second hand smoke” has been wildly overblown. Compared to the damage from car exhaust it is fairly benign in a ventilated environment.

I also feel that psychiatric hospital, acute units and prisons and other places that people cannot walk out of to smoke should have a provision for those who want to smoke. A properly constructed room with laminar flow that exhausts to the outside world is not going to contaminate the rest of the facility.

Writer's Block: Tinsel town

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:16:25 GMT

Do you put up decorations for the holidays? If so, when do the decorations go up and when do you take them down?

Submitted By carterbecks99

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Take them down??

Writer's Block: Let the shopping begin!

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:10:58 GMT

When do you typically start shopping for holiday gifts? Do you usually wind up buying stuff at the last minute?

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I do not understand the question - Santa brings all the gifts!!!!