Daily Thoughts & Issues

IN THIS ISSUE:

OCTOBER 30

Days left until the next millennium 01.01.3001

Photo of the Week
Phil DeRiemer/Adventure Photo & Film
Achieve Your Dreams

October 30 - In winter I get up at night and dress by yellow candlelight. In summer quite the other way, I have to go to bed by day - Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) The Mystic's Wheel of the Year * Halloween Checklist. For safety, make sure your ghosts and goblins follow these tips:  Trick-or-treat with an adult. Bring a flashlight and rear reflector tape. Make sure the costume doesn't limit vision or movement. Use nontoxic make-up, stay away from pumpkins with lit candles, wear flame-resistant fabrics. The Mystic's Wheel of the Year * Independence Day in Turkmenistan. * The Devil's Night, formerly a Mischief Night, on the evening before Halloween and an occasion for harmless pranks, chiefly observed by children. However, in some areas of the US, the destruction of property and endangering of lives has led to the imposition of duck-to-dawn curfews during the last two or three days of October. Not to be confused with "Trick or Treat" or "Beggar's Night", usually observed on Halloween. * Batter-Door-Night. On this night in some rural Scottish towns, boys played pranks such as banging cabbages on the doors of neighbors and relocating their horses. * Orson Welles announces in a radio drama that Martians are invading, causing widespread panic among listeners who believe him. * Birthdays: Todd Sand, Henry Winkler, John Adams, Charles Atlas, William "Bull" Frederick Halsey, Louis Malle, Ezra Loomis Pound, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Alfred Sisley, Dick Gautier, Harry Hamlin, Ed Lauter, Diego Armando Maradona, Kevin Pollak, Charles Martin Smith.

DAILY THOUGHTS

It is because our conscious self resists our unconscious wisdom that we become ill. It is precisely because our consciousness is disordered that conflict occurs between it and the unconscious that seeks to heal it. The Road Less Traveled

A person can live erotically every minute of the day by valuing deep pleasure, beauty, body, adornment, decoration, texture, and color - all things we too often consider secondary or even frivolous. Soul Mates

Don't tell me you don't want to try something because you've already done it. If you haven't done it with me, you really haven't done it. - Meredith, 24 Best of 1001 Sex Secrets Every Man & Woman Should Know

You could ask, "Did you have a good time at school today?" A better approach:  "Tell me what you learned today."  Then you can be the judge of whether it was a good day. Dr. Buff's 365 Day Parenting Calendar

Successful aging must be a conscious choice with a commitment to continuing self-education and the development of a whole set of strategies. Let's don't even call it aging anymore. Let's refer to successful aging as sageing - the process by which men and women accumulate wisdom and grow into the culture's sages. New Passages

The difficulty in life is choice. - George Moore. Achieve Your Dreams

Things to Be Happy About:  Balancing the checkbook. Parent-teacher conferences. Just-made candy apples. 14,000 Things to Be Happy About

Scribble. Really Important Stuff My Kids Have Taught Me

We have to accept the consequences of every deed, word, and thought throughout our lifetime. - Elisabeth Kubler-Ross.  If Life is a Game, These are the Rules

Proactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Influence. They work on the things they can do something about. The nature of their energy is positive, enlarging and magnifying, causing their Circle of Influence to increase. Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

Making your own lunch has to take less time than it takes to get to a restaurant, stand in line for a table, place your order, wait for it to arrive, eat it, wait for the bill, argue with your luncheon date about who's going to pay for it, calculate the tip, pay the bill, wait for the receipt, and make your way back to the office.  Simplify Your Life

A study at the University of Miami Medical School showed that daily meditation can boost immune response. Between 10 and 20 minutes of daily meditation can slow heart rate, relax muscles and generally create conditions within the body that improve its ability to fight disease. Stress Busters

Melt white chocolate in a microwave with a parent's help. Add pretzels, M&M's, peanuts, and Chex cereal. While it's still warm, separate it into pieces. Let dry. My dad and I make it every yea. It's delicious! To Do Today

Success is not forever and failure isn't fatal. Win the Day!

La piel (PYEHL) Skin. Solo de pensarlo se me pone la piel de gallina. Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps. (Lit. Just thinking about it gives me chicken skin.) Living Language

TODAY'S ISSUE: HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

Basic Tips

  • Carry a flashlight
  • Walk, don't run
  • Stay on sidewalks
  • Obey traffic signals
  • Stay in familiar neighborhoods
  • Don't cut across yards or driveways
  • No sidewalk? Walk on the left side of the road facing traffic
  • Approach only houses that are lit.

Costume Tips...

  • If you buy a costume, look for on made of flame retardant material
  • Make sure costumes don't drag on the ground
  • Wear clothing with reflective markings or tape
  • Shoes should fit (even if they don't go with your costume)
  • Avoid wearing masks while walking from house to house
  • Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props

Parents...

  • Make your child eat dinner before setting out
  • Children should carry quarters so they can call home
  • Ideally, young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult
  • Older children should know where to reach you and when to be home
  • You should know where they are going
  • Although tampering is rare, tell children to bring the treats home to be inspected before consuming anything.
  • Look at the wrapping carefully and toss out anything that looks suspect

Homeowners...

  • Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and lower pots that can trip the young ones.
  • Battery powered jack o'lantern candles are preferable to a real flame
  • If you do us candles, place the pumpkin well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing
  • Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won't be blown into a flaming candle
  • Healthy food alternatives for trick-or-treaters include packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be microwaved later
  • Nonfood treats:  plastic rings, stickers, erasers, coins

Drivers...

  • Go slow, slow, slow all evening
  • Adult Halloween partiers should have a designated driver.

Halloween pumpkin carving web sites: www.thepumpkinfarm.com/carvemenu.html or www.everythinghalloween.com or www.pumpkinmasters.com

Hey Man: Did you make a difference yesterday? Let us know at Contact Us. So, why are you just sitting there?  Find something stimulating and challenging right now, and do it! Want to make a difference but you don't know where to start?

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Sh*t My Dad Says, Justin Halpern. After being dumped by his longtime girlfriend, the author found himself living at home with his seventy-three-year-old dad who is like Socrates, but angrier, and with worse hair." He has never minced words and when the author moved back home, he began to record all of the ridiculous things his dad said to him. More than a million people how follow his philosophical musings on Twitter, and in this book, his son weaves a brilliantly funny, touching coming-of-age memoir around the beset of his quotes. An all-American story that unfolds on the Little League field, in Dennny's, during excruciating family road trips, and, most frequently, in the authors kitchen over bowls of Grape-Nuts. This book is a chaotic, hilarious, true portrait of a father-son relationship from a major new comic voice. www.ShitMyDadSays.com or www.Twitter.com.ShitMyDadSays. HarperCollins, 2010 ISBN 978-0-06-199270-4

SPECIAL URLs

 

MENSTUFF COLUMNS BY AUTHOR

  • The Advice Diva - The Advice Diva - relationship and sexuality issues discussed - www.menstuff.org/columns/advicediva/archive.html
  • Peter Alsop - Song of the Month - www.menstuff.org/columns/alsop/archive.html
  • Reid Baer - A Man Overboard - Interview of the Month - www.menstuff.org/columns/overboard/archive.html
  • Reid Baer - Poetry - poetry read on YouTube - www.menstuff.org/columns/baer/archive.html
  • Molly Barrow - Shrink About This - www.menstuff.org/columns/barrow/archive.html
  • Peter Baylies - At Home Dads - on at-home-dad issues that impact fathers who stay at home to raise their kids - www.menstuff.org/columns/baylies/archive.html
  • Tom Blake - Middle-Age Relationships - from an expert on dating after 50. www.menstuff.org/columns/blake/archive.html
  • Mark Brandenburg - Great Fathers - on fathering issues - www.menstuff.org/columns/greatfathers/archive.html
  • Ted Braude - BoysWork - a columnist in the The Detroit Free Press "Body and Mind" section www.menstuff.org/columns/braude/archive.html
  • Armin Brott - A Father's Guide - hosts "Positive Parenting" on radio www.menstuff.org/columns/brott/archive.html
  • Dan Bulf - Get Real - weekly pod cast on men's issues - www.menstuff.org/columns/bulf/archive.html
  • Ken Byers - Transition - on men's life transitions - www.menstuff.org/columns/byers/archive.html
  • Sandra L. Caron - Sex Talk - college students get answers to their questions - www.menstuff.org/columns/sextalk/archive.html
  • Neil Chethik - Relationships - www.menstuff.org/columns/chethik/archive.html
  • Otto & Susie Collins - Susie and Otto - relationship issues discussed - www.menstuff.org/columns/susie&otto/archive.html
  • David Copeland - How to Succeed with Women - www.menstuff.org/columns/howtosucceed/archive.html
  • Forrest Craver - Spirituality & Social Change - www.menstuff.org/columns/craver/archive.html
  • Layne & Paul Cutright - Powerful Partnerships - relationship issues - www.menstuff.org/columns/cutright/archive.html
  • Ron DesMarais - Cavemen in the Kitchen - great recipes for men - www.menstuff.org/columns/desmarais/archive.html
  • Jed Diamond - Irritable Male Syndrome - www.menstuff.org/columns/diamond/archive.html
  • Doc Love - Women Don't Lie, Man Don't Listen - answers to relationship issues - www.menstuff.org/columns/doclov/archive.html
  • Barry Durdant-Hollamby - Creating Change - creating change in your life - www.menstuff.org/columns/durdant/archive.html
  • Irv Engel - The Real Deal - www.menstuff.org/columns/engel/archive.html
  • Nancy Fagan - Expert Dating Advice - with Nancy Fagan - www.menstuf.org/columns/fagan/archive.html
  • Warren Farrell - Men's Issues: Facts and Perspectives www.menstuff.org/columns/farrell/archive.html
  • Leonard Felder - Wake Up or Break Up - www.menstuff.org/columns/felder/archive.html
  • Marty Friedman - Strong Men, Strong Marriage - www.menstuff.org/columns/friedman/archive.html
  • Kim Garretson - Mansgland - using humor to encourage prostate exams - www.menstuff.org/columns/mansgland/archive.html
  • Lion Goodman - How to get Women to Love You - www.menstuff.org/columns/goodman/archive.html
  • Liz Halliday - In a Man's World - www.menstuff.org/columns/halliday/archive.html
  • Rick Hanson - Your Wise Brain - www.menstuff.org/columns/hanson/archive.html
  • Tim Hartnett - Daddyman Speaks - being a father www.menstuff.org/columns/daddyman/archive.html
  • John Hershey - Blood, Phlegm & Bile: Parenting with Humor - He writes a syndicated biweekly humor column about parenting and family life. www.menstuff.org/columns/hershey/archive.html
  • Gary Hoeber - Psychotherapy as Soul Work, www.menstuff.org/columns/hoeber/archive.html
  • Patrick Houser - Fathers Make a World of Difference, www.menstuff.org/columns/houser/archive.html
  • Paul Joannides - The Guide to Getting It On - on sex - www.menstuff.org/columns/getiton/archive.html
  • Jack Kahn - NOMAS Boston - www.menstuff.org/columns/kahn/archive.html
  • Patrick Kennedy - Seniors - www.menstuff.org/columns/kennedy/archive.html
  • Joe Kort - Gaydar - to increase understanding between gay and het men - www.menstuff.org/columns/kort/archive.html
  • David Kundtz - David Kundtz - presents seminars, workshops, retreats, and conference presentations in the areas of men's emotional health, stress management, and spirituality. www.menstuff.org/columns/kundtz/archive.html
  • Bruce Linton - Dr. Dad - on fathering - www.menstuff.org/columns/drdad/archive.html
  • Ron Louis - How to Succeed with Women - www.menstuff.org/columns/howtosucceed/archive.html
  • Tom Matlack - Tom Matlack - Good Men Project - www.menstuff.org/columns/matlack/archive.html
  • Wendy McElroy - Wendy McElroy on Feminism, www.menstuff.org/columns/mcelroy/archive.html
  • Robert N. Minor - Minor Details - on GBT sexuality - www.menstuff.org/columns/minordetails/archive.html
  • Robert L. Moore - Man & Mythology - www.menstuff.org/columns/moore/archive.html
  • Dennis W. Neder - Being a Man - general questions about men's lives - www.menstuff.org/columns/neder/archive.html
  • Marty Nemko - Worklife - general questions about men and work - www.menstuff.org/columns/nemko/archive.html
  • Eli Newberger - Eli Newberger - general information on men's lives - www.menstuff.org/columns/newberger/archive.html
  • Linda Nielsen - Embracing the Father - working with the father/daughter relationship. www.menstuff.org/columns/nielsen/archive.html
  • Kathy Noll - Bullies and Youth Violence - working with schools, teachers and parents to end school violence - www.menstuff.org/columns/noll/archive.html
  • Mark Phillips - Stay-at-Home-Dads - helping men maintain that which makes us men, instead of becoming hairy Mom-substitutes - www.menstuff.org/columns/phillips/archive.html
  • Carey Roberts - Socialism & Feminism - is a social commentator on political correctness. www.menstuff.org/columns/roberts/archive.html
  • Perry Rose - Dating, Relationship, Sex
  • Glenn Sacks - His Side - on fathering - www.menstuff.org/columns/sacks/archive.html
  • Trudy Schuett - Domestic Violence - serving the under-represented www.menstuff.org/columns/schuett/archive.html
  • Carl J. Schutt - Circumcision - social commentator on circumcision - www.menstuff.org/columns/schutt/archive.html
  • Hugo Schwyzer - A Pro-feminist's Response - www.menstuff.org/columns/schwyzer/archive.html
  • Michael Shaffran - Men's Issues - www.menstuff.org/columns/shaffran/archive.html
  • Judith Sherven - Judith & Jim - discussion and answers regarding relationship issues - www.menstuff.org/columns/judith&jim/archive.html
  • Judith Sherven - The New Intimacy - www.menstuff.org/columns/newintimacy/archive.html
  • George Simons - Bellicose Veins - is a US specialist in intercultural and gender communication who hangs out in Mandelieu - la Napoule, France, as well as in Santa Cruz, CA. www.menstuff.org/columns/simons/archive.html
  • Andy Smith - Hard Hat Brotherhood - www.menstuff.org/columns/hardhat/archive.html
  • David B. Smith - Fighting Father Dave - www.menstuff.org/columns/smith/archive.html
  • Jim Sniechowski - Judith & Jim - discussion and answers regarding relationship issues - www.menstuff.org/columns/judith&jim/archive.html
  • Jim Sniechowski - The New Intimacy - www.menstuff.org/columns/newintimacy/archive.html
  • Reena Sommer - Custody - is an internationally recognized relationship and divorce consultant. www.menstuff.org/columns/sommer/archive.html
  • R. Don Steele - Don Steele - relationship questions answered -
    www.menstuff.org/columns/steele/archive.html
  • David Steinberg - Comes Naturally - on sexuality - www.menstuff.org/columns/steinberg/archive.html
  • Mary Lou St Lucas - A Mother's Love - www.menstuf.org/columns/stlucas/archive.html
  • Surprise - Surprise Author - From a new columnist every month - www.menstuff.org/columns/surprise/archive.html
  • Steven Svoboda - Fatherhood, Activism and the Law www.menstuff.org/columns/svoboda/archive.html
  • Michael Taylor - A New Conversation with Men - www.menstuff.org/columns/taylor/archive.html
  • Bruce Van Horn - Yoga for Men - issues around the health benefits of yoga for men - www.menstuff.org/yoga/archive.html
  • Michael Webb - Secrets of Blissful Relationships - on relationship - www.menstuff.org/columns/bliss/archive.html
  • Stuart Wilde - Spirituality - www.menstuff.org/columns/wilde/archive.html
  • Dr.Williams - Sex Health - on sexual health - Dr. Williams, www.menstuff.org/columns/sexhealth/archive.html
  • KC Wilson - On Gender Politics is a social commentator and author. www.menstuff.org/columns/wilson/archive.html

Plus

  • Health Tips - on general health - www.menstuff.org/columns/healthtips/archive.html
  • Independent Means - resources for raising financially fit kids - www.menstuff.org/columns/independentmeans/archive.html
  • Numbers - www.menstuff.org/columns/numbers/archive.html
  • Questions - www.menstuff.org/columns/q&a/archive.html
  • Surprise - from a new columnist every month - www.menstuff.org/columns/surprise/archive.html
  • Words Can Heal - helping children grow up healthy - www.menstuff.org/columns/wordscanheal/archive.html
  • Wuzup?! - National or international events happening this month - www.menstuff.org/columns/whassup/archive.html

AWARENESS EVENTS THIS MONTH

October is Adopt-a-Shelter Dog; Alternate History; Auto Battery Safety; Campaign for Healthier Babies; Celiac Sprue Awareness; Child Health; Computer Learning; Diversity Awareness; Dryer Vent Safety Awareness; Energy Management is a Family Affair-Improve Your Home; Family History; Family Sexuality Education, Fantasy; Gay and Lesbian History; Health Literacy; International Fired Up; Listen to Your Inner Critic; Lupus Awareness; National AIDS Awareness; National Animal Safety and Protection; *National Breast Cancer Awareness; National Car Care; National Crime Prevention; National Depression Education and Awareness; *National Disability Employment Awareness; *National Domestic Violence Awareness; National Family Health, National Family Sexuality Education; National "Gain the Inside Advantage"; National Home Inspection; National Orthodontic Health; National Pharmacy; National Physical Therapy; National Pizza; National Popcorn Poppin'; National Roller Skating; National Skin Care Awareness; National Spinal Health; National Toilet Tank Repair; Pediatric Cancer Awareness; Rett Syndrome Awareness; Sarcastics Awareness; Substance Abuse Prevention; Talk About Prescriptions; Unmasking Halloween Dangers; Vegetarian Awareness Month.

9/15-10/15: Hispanic Heritage Month. 10/1-7: Mental Illness Awareness; *Minority Enterprise Development; National Health Care Food Oct 8-14: *Fire Prevention; Home Based Business; National Adult Immunization Awareness; *National School Lunch, National Walk to School Week. 10/9-13: Pet Peeve, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Week. 10/10-16: Wildlife Week. 10/14-20: Ally, Pharmacy Week. 10/15-21: Getting the World to Beat a Path to Your Door; *National Character Counts; Teen Read Week. 10/16-22: National Health Education Week. 10/22-28: National Massage Therapy Awareness, National Save Yur Back Week. 10/23-31: Red Ribbon 10/25-31: Peace, Friendship & Goodwill Week. 10/1: World Vegetarian Day. 10/2: World Habitat Day, 10/3: Techies Day. 10/4: Toot Your Flute Day. 10/8 Global Learn Day; National Children's Day. 10/9: Indigenous Persons Day; *Leif Erikson Day, Yom Kippur, Canadian Thanksgiving Day. 10/11: Coming Out; Teddy Bear to Work Day; 10/12: Oktoberfest. 10/13: Blame Someone Else; Scream, Train Your Brain Day, Friday the 13th. 10/14: Sukkot. Be Bald and Be Free Day. 10/15: National Grouch; *White Cane Safety Day. 10/16: Dictionary;  Boss' Day, Intl. Librarians World Food Day. 10/17: Black Poetry, International Eradication of Poverty Day. 10/18: Canadian Persons;  Boost your Brain Day. 10/19: Evaluate Your Life Day 10/21: Sweetest Day. 10/22: Mother-In-Law; National Scientific Literacy Day. 10/23: National Mole Day. 10/24: United Nations Day. Black Thursday. 10/25: Cartoonists Against Crime Day. 10/26: Horseless Carriage; Mule, Intersex Awareness Day 10/27: Frankenstein Friday, Navy Day, Ugly Pickup Contest. 10/28: Make a Difference; Wild Foods Day; Day of Meditation. 10/29: Daylight Savings Times Ends. 10/31: Halloween; National Magic; *National Unicef Day. 11/2 is Election Day. Vote Absentee Ballot.

* Means a Presidential Proclamation has been made.

Domestic Violence Prevention Month - See Issues. Also, see books on anger, violence-general, violence-domestic, violence-rape, violence-sexual, women's violence, sexual harassment plus Q&A Slide Guide on Gangs and Safe Dating in Merchandise and Alternatives to Violence programs. - resources for male and female perpetrators and male and female victims. Got some information to add, send it to mailto:violence@menstuff.org

* Means a Presidential Proclamation has been made.

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Men are so competitive that we even "out-die" women in all 15 of the major causes of death in the U.S. Most of these deaths are preventable with a positive change in life-style, eating habits, and/or general health care. Let's not strive so hard to hold on to this record. See what you can change now to live a healthier life.
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