Sunday, April 27, 2008

Your barking up the WRONG TREE

FOR THE LAST TIME.....FOR THE VERY LAST TIME....I WILL GO OVER THIS TOPIC!!!!

I AM NOT MENTAL MADGE............THIS IS THE ONLY BLOG THAT I WRITE!

Mental Health HOTLINE 1-800-SUICIDE

Feeling Suicidal?
How to Help Yourself

What would drive someone to actually try and kill themselves? For years, our guest, Melanie, was told she was worthless, lazy, crazy, and would never amount to anything. She and other callers share their stories of suicide attempts and how they feel about surviving. Dr. Kumar provides insight into psychological aspects of suicide. Here are some ways to help yourself if you're feeling suicidal:

1. Tell your therapist, a friend, a family member, or someone else who can help.

2. Distance yourself from any means of suicide. If you are thinking of taking an overdose, give your medicines to someone who can give them to you one day at a time. Remove any dangerous objects or weapons from your home.

3. Avoid alcohol and other drugs of abuse.

4. Avoid doing things you're likely to fail at or find difficult until you're feeling better. Know what your present limits are and don't try to go beyond them until you feel better. Set realistic goals for yourself and work at them slowly, one step at a time.

5. Make a written schedule for yourself every day and stick to it no matter what. Set priorities for the things that need to be done first. Cross things out on your schedule as you finish them. A written schedule gives you a sense of predictability and control. Crossing out tasks as you complete them gives a feeling of accomplishment.

6. In your daily schedule don't forget to schedule at least two 30-minute periods for activities which in the past have given you some pleasure such as: listening to music, playing a musical instrument, meditating doing relaxation exercises, doing needlework, reading a book or magazine, taking a warm bath, sewing, writing, shopping, playing games, watching your favorite DVD or video, gardening, playing with your pet, participating in a hobby, taking a drive or a walk.

7. Take care of your physical health. Eat a well-balanced diet. Don't skip meals. Get as much sleep as you need, and go out for one or two 30-minute walks each day.

8. Make sure you spend at least 30-minutes a day in the sun. Bright light is good for everyone with depression, not just people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

9. You may not feel very social but make yourself talk to other people. Whether you talk about your feelings or about any other topic, reducing your social isolation is likely to be helpful.



Remember that while it may feel as if it will never end, depression is not a permanent condition.

The National Hopeline Network 1-800-SUICIDE provides access to trained telephone counselors, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Or for a crisis center in your area, go here.

Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE
(1-800-784-2433)
LifeLine: 1-800-273-8255
Depression Hotline: 630-482-9696

* Depression Screening: Since untreated depression is a major contributor to suicide, free depression screening is offered year round to anyone. Children from age 6 and above can be screened. This has often been the first step in the process. Many clients have told SPS that being able to walk through the door, have the screening done, and get help, has been the first step in a successful journey out of depression.

* Depression Hotline: Our empathic paraprofessionals are trained to counsel callers with any personal problems, such as anxiety, alcohol, family, school, and sexuality, and are prepared to work with the lonely, the depressed, and the suicidal.

* Information and Referral: Operators provide information about the availability of social services of a health or mental health nature in Kane County, Illinois.

* 1-800-SUICIDE Emergency Service: Operators are trained to help people through such emergencies as attempted suicide, drug overdose, and psychotic episodes.

* My Buddy: Volunteer operators call or visit shut-ins daily or on specific pre-arranged days to check on their well-being. Buddy Calls are provided free of charge on either a temporary or long-term basis.

* Who are SPS Hotline Operators? Our hotline volunteer paraprofessionals are concerned community members from every social, economic, and educational background. Volunteer paraprofessionals are taught about emergency procedures, telephone counseling techniques and methods of providing social service information. Lectures cover topics such as basic psychology, suicide, psychotherapeutic techniques, drugs, alcohol, rape, incest, domestic violence, and adolescent and family problems. During the training, volunteers are given an opportunity to practice being an operator through role-playing exercises, as well as on-the-line training. Credit is offered through approved colleges. Training is available throughout the year to accommodate each person's schedule and lifestyle.

Friday, April 25, 2008

MAUDE vs. Dorothy!







Just Say Julie

It seems that some Madonna fans have just now discovered the Julie Brown parody of Madonna's Blond Ambition Tour. When I was in college, Julie had a show on MTV called "Just Say Julie." It did not last a long time, but it was so funny! I recall one show when she threw cookie dough at a Jane Child video! Another show, she gave out shows---and opened the envelope and started to say Paula Abdul---and then she cut herself off and screamed NO WINNER--there is NO WINNER in this category!







The Madonna parody aired on Showtime here in the US back in the early 90s. I have the entire show on VHS somewhere---I saw online that you can now buy it on DVD! It is funny......There are some YOUTUBE clips of it online. I have to agree with some TOT members that it is probably the best parody of Madonna....VAGUE--PARTY IN MY PANTS! Priceless!






















NOW___Remember that MTV used to also have DOWNTOWN JULIE BROWN as well!

FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY











Thursday, April 24, 2008

Malaguena

El amor me llevo hacia ti
Como tu suave matador
La constancia de tu querer
La alegria bajo el bisel

Malagueña de ojos negros
Malagueña de mis sueños
Me estoy muriendo de pena
Por tu, solo tu querer

Malagueña de bonita
Te quiero besar

Malagueña de ojos negros
Malagueña de mis sueños
Me estoy muriendo de pena
Por tu, solo tu querer

Malagueña









This is the Babelfish translation---hahaha

The love I take towards smooth you Like the your killing certainty of your wanting alegria under the bevel Malagueña of black eyes Malagueña of my dreams I am dying of pain By your, single one your to want Malagueña of pretty I want to You to kiss Malagueña of black eyes Malagueña of my dreams I am dying of pain By your, single one your to want Malagueña











Originally the sixth movement of the Suite Andalucia by Ernesto Lecuona, who also provided it with Spanish lyrics, the song Malagueña has since become a popular, jazz, marching band, and drum corps standard and has been provided with lyrics in several languages.

A German language version, sung by Caterina Valente, with Werner Müller's Orchestra, was popular in the United States (not making the Billboard chart, but charting on Cash Box, peaking at position #42) in February 1955. English lyrics have been written by Marion Banks. A later charting version was recorded by Connie Francis in 1960, and charted at #42 on Billboard as the flip side of her #1 pop smash "My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own." Bill Holman's arrangement for the Stan Kenton Orchestra which appeared on the 1961 album Adventures in Jazz turned Malagueña from a flamenco genre piece into a fiery big band showpiece[1].

Over the years, “Malagueña” has been performed numerous times by the University of Massachusetts Amherst Marching Band, and as such, has become one of the songs most identified with the group [2]. The University of Minnesota hockey pep band also plays the song after each home win by their men's hockey team. The Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps also often feature the song, and won their second DCI World Championship with a program including the work. Other corps to perform the piece include the Boston Crusaders, The Cadets, and the Hawthorne Caballeros as well as the Hanover (PA) Lancers. One of the most notable performances of this piece in recent years has been as part of the Broadway musical Blast!, a fusion of Corps style musical arrangements and field (stage) movements with traditional theatric elements.

Rock versions have included an instrumental version by Bill Haley & His Comets recorded live in Sweden in 1968 (it was a staple of their live shows in the 1960s and 1970s, usually performed by guitarist Nick Nastos). An instrumental version by Ritchie Valens was released years after his death. A surf instrumental version of Malagueña has been performed by the Trashmen and the Bambi Molesters, as well as in part of an arrangement of Misirlou by Dick Dale and others. The genealogy of this arrangement is not known. Other instrumental versions were provided by Brian Setzer in his album "ignition" and by Dave Salyer in his Album "Red Hot Guitar"

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Denial and the TOT

The TOT are in denial! They cannot accept the truth---the fact---that I am not the author of the Madonna blog. I am not M---I am not Madonna! They are in denial about this fact. TO help them recover from their disorder, here is information about denial and suggested treatments. I hope that you will soon learn to accept the reality that you have been mistaken for all of these many months! Truly, each of them are the "Queen of Denial!"










Denial
Definition

Denial is the refusal to acknowledge the existence or severity of unpleasant external realities or internal thoughts and feelings.

Theory of denial

In psychology, denial is a concept originating with the psychodynamic theories of Sigmund Freud. According to Freud, three mental dynamics, or motivating forces, influence human behavior: the id, ego, and superego. The id consists of basic survival instincts and what Freud believed to be the two dominant human drives: sex and aggression. If the id were the only influence on behavior, humans would exclusively seek to increase pleasure, decrease pain, and achieve immediate gratification of desires. The ego consists of logical and rational thinking. It enables humans to analyze the realistic risks and benefits of a situation, to tolerate some pain for future profit, and to consider alternatives to the impulse-driven behavior of the id. The superego consists of moralistic standards and forms the basis of the conscience. Although the superego is essential to a sense of right and wrong, it can also include extreme, unrealistic ideas about what one should and should not do.

These three forces all have different goals (id, pleasure; ego, reality; superego, morality) and continually strive for dominance, resulting in internal conflict. This conflict produces anxiety. The ego, which functions as a mediator between the two extremes of the id and the superego, attempts to reduce this anxiety by using defense mechanisms. Defense mechanisms are indirect ways of dealing or coping with anxiety, such as explaining problems away or blaming others for problems. Denial is one of many defense mechanisms. It entails ignoring or refusing to believe an unpleasant reality. Defense mechanisms protect one's psychological wellbeing in traumatic situations, or in any situation that produces anxiety or conflict. However, they do not resolve the anxiety-producing situation and, if overused, can lead to psychological disorders. Although Freud's model of the id, ego, and superego is not emphasized by most psychologists today, defense mechanisms are still regarded as potentially maladaptive behavioral patterns that may lead to psychological disorders.

Examples of denial

Death is a common occasion for denial. When someone learns of the sudden, unexpected death of a loved one, at first he or she may not be able to accept the reality of this loss. The initial denial protects that person from the emotional shock and intense grief that often accompanies news of death. Chronic or terminal illnesses also encourage denial. People with such illnesses may think, "It's not so bad; I'll get over it," and refuse to make any lifestyle changes.

Denial can also apply to internal thoughts and feelings. For instance, some children are taught that anger is wrong in any situation. As adults, if these individuals experience feelings of anger, they are likely to deny their feelings to others. Cultural standards and expectations can encourage denial of subjective experience. Men who belong to cultures with extreme notions of masculinity may view fear as a sign of weakness and deny internal feelings of fear. The Chinese culture is thought to discourage the acknowledgment of mental illness, resulting in individuals denying their psychological symptoms and often developing physical symptoms instead.

Certain personality disorders tend to be characterized by denial more than others. For example, those with narcissistic personality disorder deny information that suggests they are not perfect. Antisocial behavior is characterized by denial of the harm done to others (such as with sexual offenders or substance abusers).

Denial can also be exhibited on a large scale— among groups, cultures, or even nations. Lucy Bregman gives an example of national denial of imminent mortality in the 1950s: school children participated in drills in which they hid under desks in preparation for atomic attacks. Another example of large-scale denial is the recent assertion by some that the World War II Holocaust never occurred.

Treatment of denial

Denial is treated differently in different types of therapy. In psychoanalytic therapy, denial is regarded as an obstacle to progress that must eventually be confronted and interpreted. Timing is important, however. Psychoanalytic therapists wait until clients appear emotionally ready or have some degree of insight into their problems before confronting them. In the humanistic and existential therapies, denial is considered the framework by which clients understand their world. Not directly confronting denial, therapists assist clients in exploring their world view and considering alternative ways of being. In cognitive-behavioral therapies, denial is not regarded as an important phenomenon. Rather, denial would suggest that an individual has not learned the appropriate behaviors to cope with a stressful situation. Therapists assist individuals in examining their current thoughts and behaviors and devising strategic ways to make changes.

Traditional treatment programs for substance abuse and other addictions view denial as a central theme. Such programs teach that in order to overcome addiction, one must admit to being an alcoholic or addict. Those who are unable to accept such labels are informed they are in denial. Even when the labels are accepted, individuals are still considered to be in denial if they do not acknowledge the severity of their addictions. From this perspective, progress cannot be made until individuals recognize the extent of their denial and work toward acceptance. However, there is much controversy in the field of addictions regarding the role of denial and how it should be addressed. Traditional programs stress direct confrontation. Other professionals do not insist on the acceptance of labels. They believe that denial should be worked through more subtly, empathically focusing on the personal reasons surrounding denial and seeking to strengthen the desire to change. This subtle form of addressing denial is known as motivational enhancement therapy, and can be used with other types of disorders as well.

How many different ways can I Speak the TRUTH?

Je ne suis pas l'auteur du blog de Madonna !

Ich bin nicht der Autor des Madonna blog!

Я не буду автором blog Madonna!

Non sono l'autore del blog di Madonna!

¡No soy el autor del blog de Madonna!

私はMadonna のblog の著者でない!

Eu não sou o autor do blog de Madonna!

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

No Dedications Today






















Another Ode to a Tote Bag


Ode to tote bags

I love a good canvas tote bag. They’re useful in so many different, wonderful ways…

* Groceries! They’re much more eco-friendly than building up a large collection of paper/plastic. You can also fit a lot more in them and they won’t bust open at the bottom.

* Going to the LIBRARY! You can fit lots of books in them.

* For a day around town. You can fit books in there, an Ipod, my Mediocre Travis photo album, a granola bar, a bottled water, etc.

* Picnics! They make a nice alternative to a picnic basket. You can fit all sorts of things in a tote bag.

* Camping. You can fit groceries, plates, etc in them.

* Overnight trips. Just going away for the evening? Stuff you belongings in a nice canvas tote.

* An alternative to a gym bag.

TOTE BAGS! Yes, tote bags. I recommend them to all.