THE GAS CRISIS - THE CURE FOR OBESITY?

THE GAS CRISIS COULE BE THE ANSWER TO OBESITY

So is there a positive side to this gas hike crisis? Almost $4/gallon for gas – OH MAH GOD??? Outside of the positive for the oil behemoths making record profits at your expense, could there actually be something POSITIVE for the rest of us? In my pain at the pump, I decided to look for something constructive about this economic reality – and guess what, I actually found it.

First, I must expound on the downside. The rise in oil prices affects everyone and everything. Not only does it just hurt to fill up your gas tank these days, think of the costs to the massive trucking industry- which moves the nations food supply and more. This creates an increase in the cost of basic staples- from milk to toilet paper (you get the connection) and everything in between. If you are reluctant to fill up the gas tank more often, you will take less trips which affects tourism and the restaurant and hotel business. Even the fast food chains get hit. All this can end up resulting in layoffs and higher unemployment payouts.

Unemployment = loss of medical insurance. That can lead to more depression when you can’t pay your bills or properly care for your family. And, you don’t have insurance so you can’t even get the medical/psychological attention you may need. Oh, I could go on, but then I will be terribly depressed AND I did say there was an upside to all this. So, let me get to it.

Higher gas prices typically result in cutting down on travel (I am assuming this, of course). This means less pollution in the air. What a way to clean up the environment, wouldn’t you say? Consider car pooling. Stop using your gas guzzling Humvee. Could this possibly even mean less traffic. Since I live in L.A., just the thought of less traffic excites me.

It also means spending more time at home with the family. I would suggest you make it quality time and not spend it silently in front of the tv. If you don’t have the screaming children that are featured in The Nanny, more downtime at home could result in less stress, resulting in less physical and emotional problems, i.e. less medical bills.

Then there is the increase in the cost of food – which just might result in your spending less on food. Are you aware that there are many people who make ends meet – and do well- living off the healthy food that is thrown in dumpsters. And, I am not referring to the homeless. Restaurants have to throw away perfectly good food because it was put out on someone’s table. The health department requires that whether or not it is touched, once it is out on the table, it must all get dumped after you’ve paid your bill (unless the help eats it). Just think of all the bread and butter and pizza you could survive off of that has been thrown out. How much do YOU throw out after each meal or after a week? How much food do YOU waste?

With the increase in food costs, you can be more discerning and less wasteful. I would suggest you buy as you go. None of this buy in bulk stuff. I realize that some economists tell you to buy in bulk, well I say phooey on that one. You end up spending more, throwing away more and maybe even using more than you otherwise would. So, buy your meals daily or every other day if you can. Your food will be fresher. You will throw away less and consume what you need. You will even discover as you do this, that you will buy less because you will learn what you do and don’t need or even want. Walk to the store. If you must buy for more than a day or two at a time, don’t buy what you aren’t going to consume. And, this goes for things other than food as well. Do you really need a box of staples that will last you a lifetime?

This country’s obsession with over consumption is about to get a good reality check. How much do you need? How many new clothes, shoes and other items made from oil products do you need (anything plastic is a petroleum byproduct). If you want a list of just some of the things made from petroleum check out: http://www.saskschools.ca/~gregory/sask/oilproducts.html (and here I just bought new contact lenses) or www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/non-renewable/oil.html.

What’s more, you might even find that this gas crisis results in weight loss for you. If you can walk to the store, you increase your caloric output. The high prices will result in eating less and walking more. Could we have found the answer to our nation’s obesity problem!!???

There is a lot to say on this and I know you can find additional upsides to this situation. Comment and let me know what you think.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE OSCARS?

POST OSCAR SUMMATION

Since I wrote about the Grammy’s, I feel it is incumbent upon me to write about the Oscars – though there isn’t much to say.

First, the positives. The dresses really were lovely this year. Everyone looked rather classy – no ostrich heads peaking out from underneath someone’s crotch. The stunner of the night for me was Kathryn Heigl. She looked fabulous, and such a tiny waist (must have had a couple of ribs pulled out). Nicole Kidman could have done without that necklace – but still classy. Renee Zellweger looked fabulous in a most elegant dress. She was walking rather slowly across the stage, however. I’m sure any fast moves and her skin tight attire, though very attractive, could have resulted in an amusing fashion faux pas.

I loved Kristin Chenowith's number. Of course, I must be her number one fan, so she can do no wrong.

Now, I am not sure what to say about Oscar winner, Marion Cotillard's dress. Was she a fish or not a fish? I was waiting for the song from The Little Mermaid to accompany her walk to the podium.

The other side of positives: Was this any good?? The bit between Seth Rogen (Dame Judi Dench) and Jonah Hill (Halle Berry) was pretty stupid. Harrison Ford sounded like he had been hitting the sauce before he got to the stage. Tilda Swinton definitely needs to spend a little money on eye make-up before appearing in public.

Absolutely nothing else is memorable – oh, except I never knew Scott Rudin was gay.

Overall, the night was rather boring. I kept switching channels immediately after they announced the winners so as to avoid any annoying speeches. And, since so many of them were accent laden, it made it even more annoying. I think more awards were given to foreigners than at the Golden Globes.

The best part was that there was not a lot of predictability this year – that’s a plus. Jon Stewart, whom I really like, is just not a Billy Crystal. He was okay, but nothing special. Sort of a blase stand up. Thank heavens the writers are back! Can you imagine what it would have been like without them????

The Grammy’s were much more exciting to watch. For an 80th birthday party, it was pretty bland. My mother’s 80th was more fun.

Maybe next year, they could entice Billy Crystal to return. Then there might be a chance for a really memorable Oscar night.

So, tell me what you thought about the Oscars this year.

LOOKING FOR ANSWERS

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE??

The shootings that took place last week have put me in a tail spin - along with feelings of minor depression. First, the murder of the therapist in New York by her colleagues’ client. (It wasn’t even her patient.) Secondly, the death of the 6 students at Northern Illinois University by an obviously mentally disturbed young man. And, the question we all have is: WHAT IS GOING ON HERE???!!! These types of incidences are happening way too often.

I found I got even more upset by the President’s latest scam to protect his lobbying buddies at the phone companies by insisting that Congress grant the phone companies immunity for doing illegal acts. Of course, he had to say that it was important to national security and that we would all be blown to smithereens if we don’t protect the financial interests of AT&T and others who contribute heavily to the Republicans. Hmmm, how does that relate? It doesn’t!! National security is one thing. Granting limitless favors to protect big business is another. Interesting how this President seems to intertwine the two – invoking fear, more fear, code red, terrorism and alien invasions on behalf of the communications industry. Sort of makes you wonder who really planned 911.

As I consider all of these events, along with the endless war in Iraq, it’s no wonder Americans are losing it. Forces outside of us have taken over. We feel we have so little control. We have a government that is playing mind games with us. We have a media that never (and I mean never) tells the entire story of what is going on. Years later, we find out about cover ups, lies, distortions and the media going along with all of it, never bothering to dig an inch deeper into self serving press releases.

Everyday, another scam or lie is revealed. (Couldn’t it have been discovered beforehand?) Most of us just want to live our lives without any great storm flooding our days. We want health – mental and physical- loving family and friends and we want to contribute in a positive way to the world around us. Most of us don’t care about having millions. It might be nice, but we really want our bills paid, a nice vacation once a year and a feeling of security, both internal and external. And, we don’t want our houses foreclosed on.

As many of you are aware, the Danes are considered the happiest people on the planet. They have a good standard of living, and rank family and friends as their highest priority. They also don’t worry about health care or education – knowing that they will be taken care of. But, in America – where the streets are supposed to be paved with gold – where we can be, do and have anything, we are not that high on the happiness or satisfaction level.

That’s because it is all a lie. We can’t have it all. We hear all these so called famous people telling us ‘don’t give up your dreams.’ In the next breath, they also say, ‘don’t give up your day job.’ Well, eventually, you might have to give up those dreams to stay mentally sane. You might have to look at what is precious to you in life. If it’s fame and fortune – you will never be satisfied. You will never have enough and you will find your mental, physical and emotional health all negatively affected.

No, I am not saying forget where your passion lies. Go after what you want, but sometimes, after years of struggle and unhappiness, you might just want to give it up and go after something attainable.

The killings this past week were done by people considered to have mental health problems. What was not attainable to them? Where did life go wrong for them? What weren’t these people told about themselves? What medications were they on – was it helpful or harmful?

What are you doing for your life, your family, your country to make sure you are mentally and emotionally sound? Think about your daily life, your contribution to yourself and others and how all these types of events are affecting you. Where are your frustrations and aggravations? How are you treating others and vice versa?

The answer, of course, is not to go out and shoot someone. The answer may be in accepting things the way they are and realizing what you can and can’t do and give up what you can’t. Express yourself appropriately-without physical or verbal violence. If you can help change things in some small way, then make sure to do it. Talk to someone about how you are doing. Don’t isolate yourself.

I know this doesn’t answer the dilemmas that face us or even address my initial opening, but it does shed some light on why we are all so frustrated and why some people’s frustration leads to aggressive behavior.

THE GRAMMY'S, NOISE AND MENTAL HEALTH

For pure talent, there was nothing like the Grammy’s this past Sunday night. It was the most entertaining awards show I have ever seen. The Oscars could take a lesson from them on how to be fun, energetic and not boring. But, as I was watching Kanye West and others perform with a backdrop of electricity, neon light, and ear blowing sound, I couldn’t help but think of the constant over stimulation that we are all subject to these days…especially children and teenagers. And, maybe, just maybe, it is harmful – very harmful, particularly in the long run.

Sure, it was great entertainment and I enjoyed the show, but the loud noise, the barrage of lights on the eyes and brain, the attack on the ears and the nervous system has its downside. (I could turn down the tv – but you couldn’t do it if you were there.)

I know what happens to me when some idiot who apparently has hearing issues, pulls up next to me in his oversized pick up and the music is so loud that my car begins to dance on its own. Yes, that’s right, my car starts to vibrate and my heart begins to race. I am agitated, nervous - even find myself feeling like I’m getting a panic attack.

I understand the connections between loud noise, my ears and my bodily reaction. It is disturbing and physically stressful. But, I’m an adult. What does this do to young children subjected to this onslaught? An infant/toddler exposed to loud noises on a regular basis often develops serious emotional and neurological issues. Afterall, the natural fear we are all born with is to loud noises.

We already know that the high decibel output of rock music has resulted in an increase in hearing loss among young people – who surely will be deaf by the time they’re 60.
The nerve signals in the ears are very sensitive and it doesn’t take much to damage them permanently. Why even sounds above normal speech can do damage. So, what do you think all this rock concerts, computer games, loud tv, etc. does to the ears and the brain?

All kinds of stimuli can temporarily disrupt normal functioning of the brain, either by overloading it with, or by depriving it of, sensory stimulation." (THE OUT OF SYNC CHILD, 1995)

In war torn areas, like the Middle East, children (and adults) subject to the loud barrage of bombs, noises, gunshots and screams develop hypersensitivity, sleeplessness, agitation and depressive symptoms. Though the setting is definitely not the same as a rock concert, the nervous system really does not differentiate one type of loud noise from another and the bodily responses are typically the same.

I propose that all this light and sound overloading our kids and ourselves on a continuous basis is resulting in more childhood disorders, more mental illness, an increase in ADD symptoms and an inability to cope. It is also creating an increase in addictions. What do you do when the music stops? How do you continue to stimulate those dopamine receptors in the brain?

We are not able to sit still or find calmness in our lives. Either the tv, radio, computer (or all three) is always on prompting us to give our brains more and more excitement. It’s another addiction, just one that is accepted in society. Time to consider quieting things down for the sake of the world.

ON BEING ADDICTED TO COMPUTER GAMES

So, here I am at work, suddenly bored after a very hectic day, and what do I do. You guessed it, I digress to playing Mah Jong Solitaire – my serious internet addiction (especially one lay out that drives me utterly crazy). [My boss doesn’t see and I am fast with the mouse so I can change the screen instantly.]

But, I am thinking, what a complete waste of time, energy and human potential is my addiction to this game. Afterall, one area of expertise that I have is ‘addictions.’ Yes, I counsel addicts as part of my practice and here I am addicted to this game. So, why am I doing this? Isn’t there something more productive I should, could, oughta be doing right now to improve my brain functioning. I could be exercising in my cubicle (if I had the leg room). I could be cleaning my cubbie- now that would be an improvement. But, no…..

“Just one more game and then I’m through,” I say to myself. Then, some 50 games later, I hear myself saying, “just one more game and then I’m off to bed.” At least I don’t have a laptop that I can take to bed with me – a small consolation.

How do I stop this, I ask. NEVER START comes the rip roaring answer. Oh, yes I do stop - eventually. I am able to pull myself away from the computer by the time 5 p.m. roles by, only to find myself going home and being magnetically drawn to the game on my home computer. And at night, as I fall asleep, the images of colorful tiles keep flashing onto my retina making me feel I’m having a strange flashback to the ‘80s (or is that the ‘60s).

I awake renewed, refreshed and swearing not to touch this Solitaire Mah Jong game again – only to tell myself “just one, and I’ll stop.”

And, how is your computer game addiction going????? Comment and let me know.