Hi! My name is Isaac Privett and here I am getting out into the world, exploring new things, and establishing the identity I will have for the rest of my life. I am starting this blog to inform people about the trials and tribulations of growing up in todays world and making decisions that will affect me for years to come.

:: Friday, March 02, 2007 ::

What I have been up to

I haven't posted in a few days because I have been busy painting. Yes, I am an artist or at least pretend to be one. I guess I will share a few finished pieces that I have been working on.

I am pretty proud of these and there are plenty more to come.

Labels: Life

:: American-N-Canada 9:19 PM [+] ::
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What is the new upcoming spring fashion for school girls in England? Baby bellies!

This story needs to get more press because I hope the trend doesn't jump the pond and become a problem here. This story is off of Foxnews.com

Pregnant 14-Year-Old Says Having a Child Is the Newest Fashion Among Teens

LONDON — The newest fashion among schoolgirls is getting knocked up, according to one pregnant 14-year-old whose four friends are also expecting.

British teen Kizzy Neal says she's been approached for advice from other pregnant girls her age ever since she conceived, reported London's Daily Mail.

"When my friends see my bump they say they wish they could have a baby, then three weeks later they're pregnant and don't know what to do," Neal said.

"It seems to be fashionable to get pregnant. ... Teenage girls think babies are cute, but they forget the physical side of being pregnant, then having to give up your own childhood to look after a baby," she told the paper.

Neal says she got pregnant the first time she had sex with her 13-year-old boyfriend.

Family campaigners say her comments show how current sex education policies leave teens with the "ridiculous but extremely worrying" idea that having a child is comparable to buying a new handbag.

Neal's comments come as figures show England and Wales have the highest rates of teenage pregnancies in Europe — with the biggest growth among girls under 16.

Wow. The article blames this new trend on a failure sexual education. I don't know if all the blame can be placed on sex ed. One thing that sticks out to me is that kids are having sex this early. Who's fault is that? The parents. They should know where their kids are and what they are doing. If they are old enough to be interested in the opposite sex, they should not be allowed to socialize in their room with the door closed. Situations like that lead to opportunities for mistakes to happen. I know it is impossible for a parent to remove all opportunities for their children to make a carnal mistakes, but the whole point is to minimize the amount of occasions that this can happen.

Labels: Weird News

:: American-N-Canada 3:49 PM [+] ::
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"Honey, I would like you to meet my mistress."

Sometimes I have a hard time believing the news, but this story is too good to make up. Off of Reuters.com:

Stand-in mistress sought to take wife's abuse

BEIJING (Reuters) - A Chinese businessman has advertised on the Internet for a stand-in mistress to be beaten up by his wife to vent her anger and to protect his real mistress, Chinese media reported on Monday.

"When the woman found out her husband had a mistress, she insisted on beating her up," the Beijing Youth Daily said, citing the advertisement posted on a popular online jobs forum on sina.com.

More than 10 people had applied for the job, the newspaper said. The "successful" candidate would be 35 and originally from northeastern China and would be paid 3,000 yuan ($400) per 10 minutes, it said.

Many Chinese businessmen keep mistresses in second homes, a trend banished after the Communists swept to power in 1949 but which has made a comeback with market reforms in recent decades.

This is just plain hilarious. Some guy is looking for a fake mistress to protect his real mistress. I think the price he is paying is a little low. A lot of damage can be done by a person in ten minutes. Most of the time altercations don't last that long.

Labels: Weird News

:: American-N-Canada 3:40 PM [+] ::
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Horoscopes

I for one check my horoscope every day out of habit. I think astrology is a fascinating practice and if fun to play around with. Sometimes astrology can lead to insight on certain subjects merely because you haven't thought about that angle. However, I learned rather quickly not to put any stock in what my horoscope says for that day. Then the question is why do I look at them if they are 99.9% wrong? I really can't answer that. Why do I? Let's look at my horoscope that I had today for fun off of yahoo.com

There's no going back on this endeavor. Keep a positive attitude.

That is a very general statement. Since today is technically over, being after midnight, I think it is safe to criticize this horoscope. What endeavor is there no going back on? Today I really didn't have much endeavors. I didn't do much of anything at all. I did keep a positive attitude though, but most days I do. So in essence, I think this horoscope is complete crap.

What about my horoscope from myspace.com?

It may be challenging to stay on track now, as Mars in airy Aquarius fans the flames of Venus, Jupiter, Pluto and Saturn -- all moving through fire signs. There are major distractions in your life and you are ready for any one of them to turn into your next great adventure. Give yourself permission to dream, but don't float off into space. If you slip into fuzzy fantasies, just bring yourself back down to Earth.

This one is a little more whimsical. This is the type of horoscope that really gets people thinking. The funny part is that you start to fit the pieces so that they fit the horoscope. When I think about this horoscope, I consciously go through important events in my mind to check it against the horoscope. If it doesn't have anything to do with it, it just passes by and I move on to the next thing. Eventually, I can find something in my life to fit this statement. Does this make the horoscope true? You be the judge.

Apparently I have a great adventure coming.

Labels: Life

:: American-N-Canada 12:18 AM [+] ::
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Takei responds to Tim Hardaway's anti-gay comments

For those that haven't read about it, former NBA star, Tim Hardaway, made some pretty harsh comments slamming people who are of he homosexual orientation. Here is some of what he said off of ESPN.com

"You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known," Hardaway said. "I don't like gay people and I don't like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States."

Well, I don't really want to say much about it because this man is entitled to say what he wants. I completely disagree with his sentiments but that is what makes our country great. You have freedom of speech.

George Takei, most famously known for his role as Mr. Sulu on Star Trek, exercised his right to free speech with responding to what Hardarway said. Takei is an open homosexual and his comedy is extremely funny at times. One of my recommendations would be to watch his roast of William Shatner on the Comedy Central website. Anyway, here is a link to the video of Takei's response. It is classic!

http://www.influks.com/post897.html

Labels: Internet

:: American-N-Canada 12:05 AM [+] ::
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Are you a little too hairy?

This is off Reuters.com

Spearmint tea may help treat excess body hair

NEW YORK - A few mugs of spearmint tea could help women combat excess facial and body hair, Turkish researchers report.

Women with excess body hair, a condition known as hirsutism, who drank two cups of the herbal tea a day for five days showed significant reductions in their levels of free testosterone, Dr. Mehmet Numan Tamer and colleagues from Suleyman Demirel University in Isparta report.

Typical treatments for hirsutism target excess levels of male hormones, and include oral contraceptives to prevent the production of these hormones or drug treatment to block the body's response to them, Tamer and his team point out in the journal Phytotherapy Research.

The researchers previously noted that drinking peppermint tea seemed to lower the libido in some men, which prompted them to investigate spearmint as an anti-hirsutism treatment. Hirsutism is characterized by excessive hair growth on the face, breasts and belly, and affects about 5 percent of women. It is thought to be related to the body's level of androgens (male hormones).

The researchers had 21 women with hirsutism drink a tea prepared from a heaping teaspoon of dried spearmint leaves twice daily. Twelve of the women had polycystic ovary syndrome, while the rest had hirsutism with known cause.

(Continues)

So now you can forget about the laser hair removal ladies. The solution is just eat tons of spearmint! I wouldn't suggest any guys trying the spearmint thing because it probably would give you the libido of a male panda bear.

Labels: News

:: American-N-Canada 12:01 PM [+] ::
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Chinese man claims lack of sex lead to a longer life

This is off Reuters.com

Man aged 107 forsakes sex for longevity: paper

HONG KONG (Reuters) - A 107-year-old Hong Kong villager, who still enjoys an occasional smoke, has attributed his longevity in part to decades of sexual abstinence, a newspaper said on Sunday.

"I don't know why I have lived this long," Chan Chi -- one of Hong Kong's oldest people -- was quoted as saying in the South China Morning Post during an annual feast for the city's elders.

"Maybe it has to do with the fact that I have lived a sex-less life for many years -- since I was 30," said Chan, a widower whose youthful bride perished during the Japanese invasion in World War Two.

(Continues)

This article made me chuckle a little. They have no evidence to support the his nonexistent sex life has kept away death. Yet, it is claimed as such. Maybe his diet cause the longevity. Some people also just seem to live longer than others. I don't know about you but I wouldn't give up sex to live an extra 20 years.

Labels: Weird News

:: American-N-Canada 11:52 AM [+] ::
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Airport security get to mimic Superman

This is off of Reuters.com

U.S. airport debuts controversial X-ray scanner

PHOENIX (Reuters) - U.S. authorities began testing a controversial new X-ray machine to screen air passengers for weapons in Phoenix on Friday, which critics likened to a "virtual strip search."

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration rolled out an X-ray machine that uses so-called "backscatter" technology at one checkpoint at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The machine peers beneath passengers' clothes to search for hidden explosives and weapons.

The TSA will test the machine in Phoenix for 60-90 days before deploying machines in Los Angeles and New York's John F. Kennedy Airport for additional testing by the end of the year.

"Everyday the bad guys are working and improving their tools. We need to continue working to improve ours and introducing this technology is part of that work," TSA regional spokesman Nico Melendez told Reuters.

Privacy groups and the American Civil Liberties Union have labeled the new screening a "virtual strip search" that could be abused.

But TSA officials said Friday they had worked with industry specialists to blur any images of body parts generated by the scan, and likened the resulting picture to a "chalk outline" of a person.

(Continues)

That is right. Random people that work for the airport get to have x-ray vision. I am not sure how I feel about this. The article says that they have made the machine to blur enough to where no private parts are showing, but I am not sure I am inclined to believe them. Also, what about potential for abuse. I can see huge potential. Before we know it, we are going to see websites spring up with these pictures all over the internet.

Labels: News

:: American-N-Canada 3:24 PM [+] ::
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A sad little picture

I saw this picture on eonline.com. For those of you that don't recognize her, this is Britney Spears getting ready to hit the vehicle of a paparazzi with an umbrella. I must say she looks kind of cute with her shaved head. The only problem is that she looks absolutely batty in the picture. She needs to curl up on the couch for a few days and just eat ice cream.

Labels: Celebrities

:: American-N-Canada 3:15 PM [+] ::
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Give me a break

This is off CNN.com

FDA approves ADHD drug Vyvanse

The Food and Drug Administration approved Vyvanse, also known as lisdexamfetamine, agency spokeswoman Susan Cruzan said. The drug is made by Shire PLC.

Shire hopes the drug will extend its lucrative ADHD franchise once its top-selling Adderall XR begins facing competition from lower-priced generic versions in 2009. Shire plans to move patients from the older to the newer drug at the time, company spokesman Matt Cabrey said this week.

Shire said it tried to limit the drug's potential for misuse. It tested the drug on adults with a history of abusing stimulants to assess its "likeability." Results suggest the drug delays the onset and limits the intensity of amphetamine-like effects, the company said.

Vyvanse works by gradually releasing its active ingredient, d-amphetamine, after the drug has been swallowed and comes into contact with enzymes in the digestive tract.

Unless it's swallowed, Vyvanse remains inactive. Shire believes that will curtail its potential for abuse by users who snort or inject crushed pills.

(Continues)

First of all, I am going to just come out and say that ADD and ADHD are the two biggest crocks in modern medicine. They are just a lame excuse for people to not act like everyone else. The real problem is that people don't want to take control of their own actions but rather blame it on some phantom disorder.

Second, I guess they need a new drug for all the users out there to have fun with. Sure they made it to where you have to swallow it to get the effects, but they also made it a long lasting drug. Do they only think that people snort pills? I work in the restaurant industry. The percentage of people who work in that industry doing drugs is amazing. Most of them pop the pills at work. They don't snort it off the counter. When are they going to come out with a pill that makes people space out for a whole day until it is time to go to sleep? That way they won't have to do anything but pop a pill in the day time and sleep at night. Then they can't pretend anything is wrong with them until they start complaining about some bad dream disorder.

Labels: News

:: American-N-Canada 1:13 AM [+] ::
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Another odd news story

This is off of sfgate.com

Porn DVD Screams Prompt Sword 'Rescue'

A man says he broke into an apartment with a cavalry sword because he thought he heard a woman being raped, but the sound actually was from a pornographic movie his upstairs neighbor was watching.

"Now I feel stupid," said James Van Iveren, who has been charged in the case. "This really is nothing, nothing but a mistake."

According to a criminal complaint, the neighbor told police that Van Iveren pounded on the door and kicked it open without warning Feb. 12, damaging the frame and lock.

"Where is she?" Van Iveren demanded, thrusting the sword at the neighbor, the complaint said. "Where is she?"

The neighbor told police Van Iveren became increasingly aggressive as he repeated the question, insisting that he had heard a woman being raped. The complaint said that, with the sword pointed at him, the neighbor led Van Iveren throughout the apartment, opening closet doors to prove he was alone.

The neighbor later played for police the part of the DVD he believed Van Iveren heard downstairs.

Van Iveren, 39, of Oconomowoc, was charged with criminal trespass, criminal damage and disorderly conduct, all while using a dangerous weapon, and is due in court March 5. Together, the misdemeanor counts carry a maximum sentence of 33 months in jail.

(Continues)

I just love the odd news story for some reason. The poor guy thought he was going to save a damsel in distress so he goes dashing up the stairs with a sword. The only problem was that he heard a porno. Now, the first thing I thought of was how loud the tape must have been playing for the person to hear it downstairs and think it real. I don't know about you but if I am ever to watch something risqué, I wouldn't want other people to hear it. Don't get me wrong. I am not sticking up for the guy with the sword. He should have let the police handle it. The only good thing to know from this story is that there are still people out there that care for the well being of others.

Labels: Weird News

:: American-N-Canada 12:56 AM [+] ::
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Important thing she needed to tell me

What was it? I still don't know because she didn't call me back today. My personal opinion on the matter is that is must not have been too important because she didn't call me back. However, it still wasn't a nice thing to do. There was no need to get me all worked up about it and it only goes to further prove that women are evil.

Labels: Life

:: American-N-Canada 12:54 AM [+] ::
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I wonder what it is

Part of my story from the last couple years is that I met a woman, fell in love, got engaged, and then had a broken engagement when she left me. Why she left, I am still not completely sure. That isn't what is really important because I have been making great strides in moving on. I haven't talked to her in a while now. The only thing is that she called my cell today out of the blue. I left my phone in my bedroom so I missed the call.

When I come back for my phone a couple hours later, I listen to the voice mail. it was somewhat odd. She just said, "Isaac, call me back. I have something really important to tell you." I call her back and get her voice mail. It is now after midnight and she hasn't called back.

My opinion on the message is that it is really evil in a way. It is a cliff hanger of the worst kind. I am now left to wonder what the important thing is that she needs to tell me. It could be so many different things! I will also admit that hearing her voice left a small twinge in my stomach. I still hurt from time to time, but these days I am doing extremely well in that regard. Anyway, it is my hope that I will hear this important information tomorrow and I will definitely keep you posted.

Labels: Life

:: American-N-Canada 12:54 AM [+] ::
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I love the odd news story

From Reuters.com

Thief gets F in planning and driving

CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - A would-be thief proved himself lacking in key skills like reconnaissance and driving after he tried to pull a heist beside a police-dog training site and then got stuck in the snow trying to flee.

Police in Edmonton, Alberta, said officers were training with a dog at a business late Tuesday when they heard an alarm sound from the building next door.

When they went to investigate, a car smashed through a garage door and zoomed past an officer and his dog, Wizzard, Edmonton police spokeswoman Karen Carlson said.

"He didn't get very far because he got stuck in a snow bank," Carlson said. The car turned out to be stolen.

The suspect tried to make a break for it on foot, but was quickly forced to give himself up when Wizzard caught up with him.

"There was a marked police car parked outside and they were inside the building doing training, which is normal for us," Carlson said. "Then, sure enough, this goes on right next door to them."

Police recovered a cash box taken from the building. a 23-year-old male faces charges.

This man had to either be extremely dumb or extremely unlucky. Either way, he shouldn't have been trying to steal things anyway.

Labels: Weird News

:: American-N-Canada 8:45 PM [+] ::
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Why isn't this getting more coverage?

From Reuters.com

U.S. family immigrant centers like prisons: report

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Family detention centers for illegal immigrants and asylum seekers in the United States are like prisons, where residents face harsh discipline and lack adequate health care, two advocacy groups said on Thursday.

The Women's Commission for Refugee Women & Children and the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service surveyed facilities in Texas and Pennsylvania that can hold up to 600. Most of those held there are mothers and children.

"(The) Homeland Security (Department) has to look for alternative models," said Michelle Brane, director of the Women's Commission. "Families should not be split or put in something that looks like a prison."

One of the facilities, the Don Hutto Residential Center in Texas, can house 512 people. Before it opened last year, most of the families were either released from detention or separated and detained individually, the report said.

It is operated by Corrections Corporation of America under contract with Williamson County, Texas.

The center was opened in response to demands by the U.S. Congress for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, to stop separating families and to seek alternative programs.

ICE said that detention facilities maintain safe, secure and humane conditions

(Continues)

Apparently these facilities are furnished with razor wire and fenced cells. This is becoming a human rights issue, in my opinion. Yet, very little is being reported about it in the main news entities. I have mixed feelings about illegal immigration. I feel for these people because most are just coming here to have a better life. However, I also think there needs to be an orderly admittance where we can keep track of who exactly we are letting in.

What we are doing now is a disgrace. This is the United States of America. We have one of the best countries in the entire world to live. We are renowned for the freedoms that we are allowed to take for granted. I am proud to be an American but I am not proud about how we are treating these people.

Labels: News

:: American-N-Canada 8:37 PM [+] ::
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Please No...

Off CNN.com

Is it finally Scorsese's turn?

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Among the five Academy Award directing nominees, one name seems to be on everyone's lips: Martin Scorsese.

Nominated five times previously for best director since the 1980 masterpiece "Raging Bull," Scorsese has gone home a loser each year.

With Scorsese's sixth directing nomination, this one for his return to the vivid and violent crime genre on "The Departed," seemingly everyone in Hollywood figures he finally will have his Oscar come Sunday. (Watch Hollywood's history of Oscar IOUs )

Not that he is up against a bunch of slouches. His formidable competition includes Clint Eastwood, who beat him for the directing Oscar two years ago and is nominated this time for the World War II saga "Letters From Iwo Jima."

Also nominated are two British filmmakers, Stephen Frears for the insightful palace drama "The Queen" and Paul Greengrass for the September 11 chronicle "United 93," and Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu for the sprawling ensemble tale "Babel." (Do you think Scorsese will win? Play our inside the envelope game.)

Scorsese has made no secret over the years that he would like to have that Oscar trophy. Contemporaries of his stature, such as Steven Spielberg and Francis Ford Coppola, have long since won theirs.

(Continues)

I, for one, hope he doesn't get the directing award. Before you start to scream and shout, I actually really liked The Departed. The only thing about it is that it wasn't anything all that impressive from a directing standpoint. The acting was wonderful. The cinematography and the rest wasn't anything to rave about. Maybe next time Scorsese. Who am I kidding? It isn't really about who deserves to win what anyway. It is all politics.

Labels: News

:: American-N-Canada 8:26 PM [+] ::
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Saying Goodbye to Women for Lent

Ever seen that movie, "40 Days and 40 Nights"? Well since lent is upon us, me and a friend thought we would bet we could do the same thing. However we included flirting just for added difficulty. I am not Catholic by any means but I have my reasons for doing so. I just would like to see what my life would be like without that added frustration that the opposite sex tends to bring along. Let's see how I do.

Labels: Life

:: American-N-Canada 12:24 AM [+] ::
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Interesting Star Wars Fan Flick

I saw this on Youtube and this is becoming a cult thing. It is actually pretty well done and the special effects are nifty. Enjoy. Apparently, they are in the process of making a second movie.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=8NE5elL30w4

:: American-N-Canada 12:00 AM [+] ::
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