How to Read Your Way To Riches!

Well I finished book 11 of the Wheel of Time series, called The knife of Dreams. It, like the last few books in the series was long winded and fairly uneventful. If I hadn't invested so much time in the story I'd have stopped reading it several books ago. So, as I wait for Robert Jordan to write what is supposed to be the last book in the series (due out potentially next year). I've decided to change the pace and read something far more useful. Trump, How to Get Rich by Donald Trump is so far an intriguing read. Actually, I listen to the audio version so I can 'read' while I'm driving, and this book is Interesting! I find it a mix of self-help, and life strategy with a frank and honest approach to a subject The Donald is quite familiar. He talks as though you're running a company which, of course we all are! Our life IS our company. Listening to his message is proving to be very informative.

-- By Rex Hoss

Healthy Cleaning Habits

This information was passed on to me through and email, and I found it so interesting and useful I decided to share it with my little corner of the Internet - THE WORLD!

Peroxide vs. Bleach

This was written by Becky Ransey of Indiana (a doctor's wife), and I want to share it with you. She was over recently for coffee and smelled the bleach I was using to clean my toilet and counter tops. This is what she told me.:

"I would like to tell you of the benefits of that plain little ole bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1.00 at any drug store. What does bleach cost? My husband has been in the medical field for over 36 years, and most doctors don't tell you about peroxide. Have you ever smelled bleach in a doctor's office? NO!!! Why? Because it smells, and it is not healthy! Ask the nurses who work in the doctor's offices, and ask them if they use bleach at home. They are wiser and know better!

Did you also know bleach was invented in the late 40's? It's chlorine, folks! And it was used to kill our troops. Peroxide was invented during WWI in the 20's. It was used to save and help cleanse the needs of our troops and hospitals. Please think about this:

1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. (I do it when I bathe.) No more canker sores and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash.

2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of peroxide to keep them free of germs.

3. Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters.

4. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.

5. I had fungus on my feet for years until I sprayed a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.

6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine but was healed by soaking in peroxide.

7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.

8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, plugged sinus. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes, and then blow your nose into a tissue.

9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.

10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through. You will not have the peroxide-burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages but more natural highlights if you r hair is a light brown, faddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually, so it's not a drastic change.

11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.

12. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour it directly on the soiled spot. Let it set for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.

13. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors. There is no smearing, which is why I love it so much for this.

I could go on and on. It is a little brown bottle no home should be without!

With prices of most necessities rising, I'm glad there's a way to save tons of money in such a simple, healthy manner!"

This information really woke me up. I hope you gain something from it, too.

If you wish, pass it on!

-- Rex Hoss

How to Stop Complaining

I ran across an awesome website today called Stevepavlina.com. He has an article about how to STOP complaining! That might seem on the surface like a simple and easy thing to do, but as Steve points out it's not. Some people may spend their whole lives learning some of the principles he talks about.

As some of you may know I'm a BIG believer (recently converted) in the idea that we, that is to say each one of us individually, create our lives by our thoughts. To summarize, what we think, we become, or at least create in our lives.

Some of you may have heard of "The Secret". A book, and more recently a movie about creating the life and reality we want by directing our thoughts toward what we want and away from things we don't want. I not only believe these principles, but I've put them to work in my life and had some amazing results so far - more on the way!

At any rate, I encourage you to check out the article about Stopping your complaining, because there's some really good information in it. Also check out The Secret if you haven't already!

Let's Make our lives, the ones we WANT and not the ones we feel we're 'stuck with'!!!

As always, let me know your thoughts,

--By Rex Hoss

Wild Animalz II - not quite a sequel

We'll I posted below a video I created with at Animoto.com. The pictures were taken at San Diego's Wild Animal Park. Now, since I'm cheap and don't want to pay for a full membership I can only create 30 second videos. Thats' way too short for a chronic photographer like me. So I give you my Picasa video. Many more pictures but no audio. Perhaps I'll buck up (after payday) and get a full membership to Animoto, but for now, I'm just experimenting. So enjoy more of my day at San Diego Wild Animal Park.

-- By Rex Hoss

Wild Day in the Park

Some photos I took during my day at the San Diego Wild Animal Park.

I'm still experimenting with Animoto animation site. These photos I took last Sunday at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Don't ask me what some of the animals/birds are called, I can't remember what their names are (except the obvious ones). I'll probably post a Picasa video also, as I can put more pictures in Picasa (but no music).

--By Rex Hoss

Happy 25th Birthday, compact disc! - Engadget

Happy 25th Birthday, compact disc! - Engadget
Can it really be 25 years since the first CD (Compact Disc) was pressed? Apparently, yes! Here's a cool article about it on Engaddget.com

--By Rex Hoss

Much Ado Revisited

Just for fun!

I found this video creation site and wanted to try it out. The "free" account only allows 30 second videos but they are pretty cool. It even helps you post online! Not bad.

-- By Rex Hoss

Day at the Beach

Last weekend I spent the day at Venice Beach photographing whatever caught my eye. There's plenty to see there from the street vendors, musicians, myriad of tourists, muscle beach studs, roller bladers, and of course all the local Los Angeles people there to see and be seen. This photo was taken by my friend and fellow Nikon photography friend Larry. I'll post some more of my more interesting shots later. I just hadn't posted anything much this week - too busy with work and too exhausted afterward to post much. Anyway, if you haven't been to Venice Beach, it's worth the trip - although parking is something else entirely. I hadn't been there in a long time and it's quite a lot of fun for a day adventure.

--By Rex Hoss

Now Reading

Well I finished book 10 Crossroads of Twilight, of Robert Jordan's gargantuan series "The Wheel of Time". There are, so far, 11 books in the series. Book 10 seemed a little slow without much plot development. As a whole the series is somewhat long-winded. The author goes into great detail describing what seem to be superfluous and unnecessary details to give 'depth' to the story. It ends up being a long read of too many books to tell what could be done in a much more compact form. At this point I'm only reading book 11 Knife of Dreams because I want to finish the story. It's a little crazy since Robert Jordan has in fact not finished the story! There are apparently going to be 12 books and he's working on that last one - due out sometime next year (in theory).

At least the 10th book ended with a 'cliff-hanger' but otherwise as a long and somewhat tedious read. There are in my opinion too many characters, too many lengthy descriptions of things that ultimately don't move the story along. Note to R.J.: Speed it up, loose the tedious descriptions, and for crissake, stop introducing endless new characters! I can't keep track of all of their names and story lines-I don't know how anyone could!

OK, I'm done with my rant! It's on to the reading. Actually, I listen to the stories on audio book format! My new means of entertainment.

--Rex Hoss

Aiken for some Clay

OK, bad puns aside, I had to let everyone know about my Clay Aiken concert experience. Saturday night I got the opportunity to see the crooner in action at the Greek Theatre in Hollywood. While I'm not particularly a 'fan' of the singer, I have to admit he put on an enjoyable show! He's a self-proclaimed slow song singer - that's what he does - sing slow songs. The most enjoyable parts of the show were when he did his tribute to TV theme songs and his attempt at 'being cool', where he tried to sing fast songs from 'somewhat' current artists. Another highlight were the two awesome background singers. Both black women who tore up the stage with their wonderful voices. Clay was smart enough to let each of them have their own moment in the spotlight and sing a song for us - without Clay! It's great to see a 'star' that's not afraid to let other wonderful talent shine as well. Footnote to Clay - Michael Jackson isn't exactly considered 'cool' these days, so singing TWO of his songs just goes to show how actually uncool you are - but then you did warn us you weren't cool. Otherwise an enjoyable evening!
--By Rex Hoss