The Size Of Our World

Graphical display of the relative size of our Sun, our Planets and other stars

















Ref: http://www.rense.com

Thanks Laurie for sending me this info

Writing Tip: Expletives

Thanks Laurie for the tip. She is a friend who is a professional editor and always sends me great info on everything, including the sun (you'll understand what i mean in my next post)

Starting Sentences with Expletives ("It is," "there is," "there are")

What the heck is an expletive, you may ask...??? You’re right if you think it’s a swearword (as in "expletive deleted")... but cursing is not the topic of this writing tip—I’ll leave you on your own to decide the prudence of starting your sentences that way. :o)

Here’s another definition...
ex•ple•tive \"ek-spl€-tiv\ noun (1612)
1 a : a syllable, word, or phrase inserted to fill a vacancy (as in a sentence or a metrical line) without adding to the sense; esp : a word (as it in "make it clear which you prefer") that occupies the position of the subject or object of a verb in normal English word order and anticipates a subsequent word or phrase that supplies the needed meaningful content©1997, 1996 Zane Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

In grammar, an expletive is a word that temporarily takes the place of a subject or an object. As Richard Lederer describes in The Write Way, "In "There are few people who cannot improve,’ there is an expletive. It and there appear to be subjects of is and are, but they cannot be called true subjects. Some grammarians call expletives ‘dummy subjects.’"

In most cases, it’s best to rewrite a sentence that begins with an expletive (It is, There is, or There are).Here’s why.

First, let’s look to The WordWatcher’s Guide to Good Writing and Grammar, (page 258):

Q: Do good writers begin sentences with "There is" or "There are?"
A: Occasionally, I’m sure. But they avoid this construction, called an expletive, wherever possible. The expletive there delays the true subject—"There are many patients waiting" needs only "Many patients are waiting."

Here’s another example. Note how much more powerfully the second sentence below reads:
Original: There are more than five million American children facing serious problems."
Revision: More than five million American children face serious problems."

Consider again the sentence above:
Original: There are few people who cannot improve.
Revision: Most people can improve. As Lederer says, the revised version is "more succinct and vigorous."

And the following two examples:
Original: It is advised that you refrain from starting your sentences with expletives.
Revision: Don’t start your sentences with expletives. (Subject=implied you; verb=start.)
Original: There is really no other generation that quite compares with Baby Boomers for their lust after life’s sheer drama.
Revision: No other generation quite compares with Baby Boomers for their lust after life’s sheer drama.

Second, in many cases, with a little thought you can find a more fitting subject and verb for your sentence. A concrete subject that takes the action of the verb will always communicate more clearly:
Original: There is a resentment or anger, a feeling of giving up who he really is to meet the needs of others. ("There is a feeling" is vague.)
Revision: He may feel a resentment or anger about giving up who he really is to meet the needs of others." (This is more clear: "He" is the subject, "may feel" is the verb),

In The Write Way, Lederer advises, "Several expletive constructions in succession can rob your writing of energy and make it monotonous. When you can eliminate an expletive without saying anything that’s awkward or outright barbarous, you ought to do so."

Get in the habit of noticing when sentences begin with It is or There are—and searching for the true subject. In time, you’ll find yourself translating such sloppy sentences when you hear or read them.

FROM: Laurie Masters,
freelance editor
Precision Revision
"I turn what you wrote into what you meant!"
LaurieM (at) VibrantLiving.org

Fake or Foto? The Challenge...

Can you tell?

Click here for the quiz

this was a great quiz, thanks chris , it's amazing to see what graphic designers are doing! It's inspirational to me

PostSecret Pick

Don't we all?!!!

Getting To.... a Vacation!!!!

Elad and I are going on vacation starting TOMORROW!!!! We are taking an Alaskan Cruise on Holland America's Ryndam in the Alaskan Inner Passage - stopping in Anchorage, Seward, College Fjord, Glacier Bay National Park, Haines, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Vancouver.

I am just so excited and happy to finally go on vacation. I don't expect to make any posts while away, so I guess the blog will be pretty quiet (unless some contributors step in, ehem ehem).

Have a great week to everyone :) I am sure there will be tons of pictures and stories to share when we get back on July 4th!

Happy One Year Birthday to Getting To Maybe

On June 24, 2005 we made the first post on Getting To Maybe. We enlisted the help of our friends and family to help this Group Blog stay fun and interesting.

Thank You to Elad, Julie, Melody, Tim, Seonah, Lori and Chris for posting and adding your thoughts to the Blog.

And Thank You to the readers for staying in touch with us, posting comments, and sticking around. I hope we have entertained you!
Check out other first day posts:
Elad Swearing In
Announcing the Theme: The Group Blog
The First Week of Getting To Maybe

(Image of Kid I Don't Know from This Site)

Quote

"Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend."
- Albert Camus

Seussation Quotation

"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You."
- Dr. Seuss

Quote

"If there are a hundred steps
In thy path to success
And ye have not reached it
In ninety-nine of them
Do not conclude
That the journey is a failure."

- Lancelot

Project Runway 3 Designers

CLICK HERE FOR THE SEASON 3, EPISODE 1 RECAP - Home Sewn

What's that about Keith Michael? Compare his designs and decide if he is a fake!

CLICK HERE FOR THE SEASON 3, EPISODE 2 RECAP - Fit for a Queen

CLICK HERE FOR THE SEASON 3, EPISODE 3 RECAP - A Designer's Best Friend

Project Runway is BACK! Wednesday, July 12th at 10 pm.

This time around the winner gets a mentorship with Macy's private label sportswear line, I.N.C. International Concepts --- Seems like a bit of a downgrade from Banana Republic. They will also show their line at NY Fall Fashion Week instead of NY Spring Fashion Week.

Our First Look at the Designers:

(top l-r) Vincent Libretti (49, Santa Monica, CA), Kayne Gillaspie (27, Norman, OK), Robert Best (36, West Hollywood, CA), Ulrike "Uli" Herzner (35, Miami Beach, FL)

(middle l-r) Alison Kelly (25, Brooklyn, NY), Laura Bennett (42, New York, NY), Angela Keslar (33, Amesville, OH), Keith Michael (34, New York, NY), Katherine Gerdes (25, Minneapolis, MN), Stacey Estrella (40, San Francisco, CA)

(bottom l-r) Bradley Baumkirchner (32, Los Angeles, CA), Jeffrey Sebelia (36, Los Angeles, CA), Malan Breton (32, Long Island City, NY), Bonnie Dominguez (31, San Diego, CA), Michael Knight (28, Atlanta, GA).

I don't see any "Daniel Franco" types this season (any prior year contestants). Nothing is jumping out at me yet about these designers...except for the fact that there are only 2 designers under 30 - so I am going to root for Alison Kelly since she is close to my age and from NY.

Blogging Project Runway has already updated its site with links to the new designer's websites. This site is so fabulous and so quick...now back on my daily site list!

(Image from Just Jared - follow the link for individual pictures of the designers)

Nothing Better Than a Glass of Water with...Nicotine?

Water with a hint of lemon and nicotine....

Yea, I am officially grossed out.

(Link from Best Week Ever)

Quote

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."
- Leo Buscaglia

Making The Band 3 Recap - Homecoming

The first episode of the season started with the ending of last season. Diddy picks the girls who will make the band. In between each girl being named, the show cuts to an interview where they talk about their reaction. Most wanted to hug Diddy and were happy just to be chosen.

The show then takes us to the hometowns of each girl. We find out a little extra background info: Aubrey lives in Palm Springs, California and has a boyfriend!! Andrea lives at home with her parents in Upland, California. Shannon is married (!!!) and lives in Costa Mesa, California. (That's alot of California girls) Dawn has relocated to Baltimore after Hurricane Kartrina and her family is threw her a Mardi Gras party when she got home. Wanita (aka D. Woods) lives in Atlanta with her family where she has been recording and dancing.

Now I want to know how quickly Aubrey's boyfriend and Shannon's husband get that feeling they aren't wanted anymore....

The girls all came together again in Orlando and were told that they are going straight to New Orleans to be on a Mardi Gras parade boat. All the girls were excited, although Dawn was apprehensive since she hasn't seen her hometown since the Hurricane.

The girls arrive, drank it up (maybe a little too much, Aubrey) and toured Dawn's hometown. The show got very serious when they went to see Dawn's mom's dance studio and home. But it showed a bond was already building and the girls were all there to keep Dawn strong.

Then they went off to the parade and threw some beeds, yelled at boys to show some goods, and dressed in old time black and white prison uniforms (I don't know why the prison uniforms??).

The episode was cute and all but I want to get to the good stuff -DRAMA - dancing, singing, and more Diddy! Too bad there won't be any cuts anymore - because eliminations are the best part of each episode - but I am sure the girls will manage to bring their own drama...

Oh, and more on Danity Kane (the name of the group)

From Stars are Blind

[Diddy] has named the girl power group DANITY KANE, based on a fictional anime character drawn up by singer DAWN.

She tells MTV News, "“We were in the studio and I actually draw anime, and Diddy had been throwing some names at us - Courage,Trust - but we want our name to mean something.

“Diddy looked at the superhero that was the anime that I drew and he was like, "‘What'’s the name of that character?"’ "I was like, "‘Danity Kane,"’ and he was, like, "‘Yo, that'’s dope, you guys can be five superheroes; five girls representing courage, representing all those things in one"”."

And the girls have a Myspace Page which says their first single should debut TODAY. And of course there is an unofficial Myspace Page, too.

Plus they already have a Fan Site (which already doesn't work) and a Wikipedia Page.

Also, a person who commented on my last Danity Kane post has this website dedicated to Making the Band 3.

Film Review: 13 Conversations About One Thing

The term "well-written" gets jockeyed around quite a bit in film reviews. While many films deserve accolades for being well-thought out and well-presented, few movies truly are well-written, as in present pages and pages of brilliant dialouge and develop character in subtle ways.

"13 Conversations" is a well-written film. Often, exceedingly so. Certain conversations are so full of fascinating nuggets of wisdom, so full of characters playing off each other, it's a real thrill to watch. Some reviewers refer to it as "philosophical" and I agree. It's the kind of movie that makes you think.

One of the facscinating aspects is the non-linear way it tells stories. For instance, one of the first scenes of the film has a lawyer conversering with a guy in a bar, and the guy in the bar tells a story about a man he knew once, "a happy man." Much later in the film, the guy in the bar becomes a main character and only towards the end of his storyline (the end of the film) does the sequence with the "happy man" play out. Time, according to this movie, is completely relative. And while character's storyline do intersect, they so in the most supremely random ways, my favorite: on the subway.

The film is set in "movie New York." That is, the New York City where it is always fall, where streets are empty, and where the whole city looks a lot like The East Village. It was the one aspect of the movie that felt embellished, but I liked it. It gave the film a sense of hyper-reality.

Acting in the film was extarodinary. The big names, John Turturro and Matthew McConaughey, turned in quiet, naunced, performances. I could imagine actors with more pride demanding more screentime, more "Oscar"-worthy scenes with tears, etc, but these two were perfectly content with their abbreivated storylines and they do extremely well with what they get, especially McConaughey's silent anguish and Turturro's absent-minded soulsearching.

Clea Duvall from Carnivale (!) turned in a haunting performance as a sad girl who gets hit by a car and tries to understand why her life is like it is. The best performance, though, is the most unlikely: Alan Arkin plays a disgruntled insurance salesman with a junkie son. This character reminds me of the old days of movies when actors weren't always the prettiest people in the world and a main character of a movie could be that guy who knocks on his own ceiling with a broom because his neighbor is making a racket or fires a guy for being too damn happy all the time.

On the other side of the camera, the writing and director and sister duo of Karen and Jill Sprecher seemed extremely familiar to me. Thanks to IMDB, I found out they are producers on HBO's brilliant "Big Love" series. Their previous film, Clockwatchers, was also very good and very powerful. (I thought about that film last weekend after I watched "In Her Shoes" with the always fascinating Toni Collette.) And particular shout-out worthy skill should be credited to cinematographer Dick Pope for a beautiful film and some chilling miminalistic music by Alex Wurman.

Highly recommended for people looking for smart movies that are more than just fun to watch, but challenge you to think.

Father's Day Postsecret

Who Is That Sexy Crew?

It's the Microsoft Corporation in 1978!!!

I could have sworn it was the moonies or some cult that did mass suicides in the 70's.

Paul McCartney is turning 64

Paul McCartney is turning 64 on Sunday!

This Beatle must be humming the tune to his own classic "When I'm 64" and thinking about his recent split from Heather Mills....


And yes Paul, we still need you!!!

But It Is Like Out of My Control!

Damn Clueless for screwing up my vocabulary!!!

(Pic from Boing Boing)

Lori and Chris...On The Road Again

Lori and Chris are headed off again...relocating back to California. On the way to California they are going to drive to the west coast of Florida, Mississippi, Chicago, Iowa (Fairfield - the vedic city), Yosemite and Portland.

I wish them a great trip and can't wait to hear about their travels. And, of course, I will MISS THEM and can't wait until my next trip to California to see them.

LOVE YOU LORI AND CHRIS!!! Have a Great Trip and a smooth transition back to California life!!!!!!

Not Your Average Prom

Crunktastical has posted some prom photos that will make anyone wish they were back in high school....

Fashion just isn't what it used to be....

Do you think she is making that face because someone is wearing the same dress as her?

Go to Crunktastical to see more!

I wonder if they had any crossdressers, too.

Today is our lucky day! Crunktastical has just added more photos in a new post!

See more.

Sleepy Quote (Elad's Theme Today)

"Life is something to do when you can't get to sleep."
- Fran Lebowitz

For Shawn.

Find your own pose!

Winner!

Miami named most uncomfortable American City!!!

What an honor! On behalf of Miami, I would like to thank the equator(we are so lucky to just be near you), global warming (keep that heat coming guys!), hurricane season (let's put 2005 to shame!), my neighbor's H2 (take up all the room you need), weak A/C units (if we were smarter you would run on Solar Power), traffic jams (what good is a day in Miami without one?), and bad fashion choices (because we would just be Ft Lauderdale if it weren't for sheer fabrics).

Clueless About the World Cup

The World Cup is on everyone's lips lately and I am completely clueless when it comes to futbol (or any sport in general). Thankfully, the people over at Best Week Ever have given me 7 tips of how to fool people into thinking I know something about World Cup.

1. Pick a favorite team. You can either go with your country of origin, your parents’ country of origin, or one of those countries in South America if you want to look like you know what you’re doing and be a dick about it.

2. Be disappointed in the U.S. I mean, I was expecting BIG THINGS from this team, and then they went and blew it against the Czech Republic. Can you even name one player on the Czech Republic? Me neither. Of course, I can’t name one player on team USA either, but that’s not important. We choked and I’m so disappointed.

3. Buy a soccer jersey. Casual friday is coming up. What better way to let the people in your office know that you’re a big time World Cup junkie than wearing khakis and a Ronaldo jersey to work?

4. Constantly check your cell phone in public for scoring updates. Make sure you do this roughly every two minutes, because you never know when that ONE goal in the game is going to be scored.

5. Call it ‘football.’ Though if you’re American and you do this within ten feet of me, I’ll probably punch you in the throat.

6. Watch games that involve countries you couldn’t find on a map. Oh man, I am so psyched for June 21! Cote d’Ivoire is taking on Serbia-Montenegro. It’s going to be such a great game! I hope I don’t forget to set my Tivo!

7. Make casual conversation with busboys and/or anybody who’s ‘Spanishy looking’ that you pass on the street. Because if World Cup soccer does one thing, it’s bind us all together through our mutual undying world-wide love of soccer. Except when we riot and kill each other over bad calls.

Spin Magazine?

I used to subscribe to Spin when I was younger because it was "alternative" -- So what's with all the POP and Beyonce and Hot Young Stars? Has Spin really lost its focus?

I think I see some bling bling Busta Rhymes, too.....what the hell is going on here?

Do You Remember....

Highlights Magazine

Highlights Magazine turns 60 years old today!

I think I can still be entertained for hours with one of those pictures where you have to find the hidden items.

Danity Kane?

P. Diddy's all girl "international" super group has been named!!!

DANITY KANE

(WHAT?!?!?!?!)

I give that a big DOWNGRADE!

Hey, don't forget...Making the Band 3 is back, tonight at 9pm.

MORE ON DANITY KANE AND FIRST EPISODE OF THIS SEASON.

From Stars are Blind

[Diddy] has named the girl power group DANITY KANE, based on a fictional anime character drawn up by singer DAWN.

She tells MTV News, "“We were in the studio and I actually draw anime, and Diddy had been throwing some names at us - Courage,Trust - but we want our name to mean something.

“Diddy looked at the superhero that was the anime that I drew and he was like, "‘What'’s the name of that character?"’ "I was like, "‘Danity Kane,"’ and he was, like, "‘Yo, that'’s dope, you guys can be five superheroes; five girls representing courage, representing all those things in one"”."

And the girls have a Myspace Page which says their first single should debut TODAY. And of course there is an unofficial Myspace Page, too.

Plus they already have a Fan Site (which already doesn't work) and a Wikipedia Page.

Also, a person who commented on my last Danity Kane post has this website dedicated to Making the Band 3.

(Picture Courtesy of Crunktastical)

qUOTE

"We need a renaissance of wonder. We need to renew, in our hearts and in our souls, the deathless dream, the eternal poetry, the perennial sense that life is miracle and magic."

- E. Merrill Root

Green Quote

"No one should be making a huge gas-guzzling Hummer, and no one should be driving one, and no one — certainly not G.M. — should be subsidizing people to drive them."

- Thomas L. Friedman, writing about the shameful G.M. policy of awarding $1.99 gas for a year to buyers of their suburban tanks.

Beer Fights Cancer!

Beer fights Cancer? Count me in!!!

Wait, I have to drink 17 beers? COUNT ME IN!!!

Oh wait, it only fights prostate cancer? Well, somebody has to join Elad in his fight against Cancer! COUNT ME IN!!!!!!!!!!!

Wait, that amount of beer causes rectal cancer.....hmmm don't count me in on that one!

Quote

"Your only limitations are those you set up in your mind, or permit others to set up for you."
- Og Mandino

Free at Last!!

Loyal readers of this blog may recall this post, whereas I chronicled the Day My Youth Died.

Well, today, I revert back to my childish self. It is the offical first day of "The Summer" and that means, Tropical Storm's are flying towards Florida, and the summer dress code has started at my job. No tie till September! Woo-hoo!!

I quickly got over the whole "end of the world" feeling that accompained me beginning to wear a tie. I got use to it. It added a level of maturity to my demeanor. It was something to play with when bored listening to someone's spiel. But, now that I don't have it on, I'm glad to see it gone. I feel lighter, freer. I can wash my hands without worrying about getting it wet. I can wear whatever shirt I want no matter whether it matches or not. I won't stand out at Burger King!

Now, if they could just reduce the offical work day for about an hour during the summer, then we'll be talking some serious freedom. I'll put in recommendation at the next all-staff meeting.

Postsecret

Retirement is Too Far Away

A great NY Times article today, courtesy of Danya, shows us that retirement is too far away and we shouldn't be afraid of "gaps" in our resumes...

A Life Between Jobs - After burning out at one job, and not finding enough time to recover during your two week vacation - just quit! According to this article it is a popular trend for our generation to leave behind one job, take a long vacation, and then come back to the working world, refreshed, and ready for a new position. Now you just have to find a new job...

Quote

"It is the 'follow through' that makes the great difference between ultimate success and failure, because it is so easy to stop."
- Charles F. Kettering

What More Does a Story Need?

Bin Laden, a Crazy Israeli, Spies, a Psychic, a Rabbi...and a Parrot?

Quote

"The problem in my life and other people's lives is not the absence of knowing what to do, but the absence of doing it."
- Peter Drucker

Barton G

Last night Elad and I went to Barton G (a restaurant in South Beach) for our 2 year anniversary. This place is all about the food presentation. We had a great time watching all the dishes come out (especially ours!) and making our own cupcakes for dessert! Enjoy the pictures!

Getting ready for our night out!

Elad and Shawn (below) with Yummy Banana Rum Drink

Another table celbrating a birthday - Banana Boat Ice Cream Sundae with Sparklers instead of Candles!Barton G Fries with Dipping Sauce (there were more fries on the other side)

Appetizers from another table - Volcano Shrimp (see the smoke?) and a seafood dishMAC AND CHEESE! (with list of cheeses)

Short Ribs (already half eaten)

Dessert Menu

Make your own CUPCAKES!Elad having fun making his own cupcake

Other Desserts - Cotton Candy, Ice Cream Sundae, Strawberry Shortcake

The Damage aka The Bill

Quote

"The thoughts we choose to think are the tools we use to paint the canvas of our lives."
- Louise Hay

Quote

"Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of being."
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Just want to share

From our portfolio

i'm scared -- someone hold me.

i don't have anything to say other than brooke hogan (who? yeah, exactly) scares me. if you've seen the hogan show or whatever it's called on vh1, then you might share my confusion -- is this really the 16-17 year old daughter or the middle-aged mother? at any rate, she's scary looking in general but especially so in this picture. i hesitate to say anything more definite in case she googles herself, finds this post and decides to go to D.C. and give me a beat-down (or she could just look at me like this in person and give me the heebie-jeebies).

sorry for being so scarce lately. i've been at a frenetic pace with the end of the semester, graduation and now with bar exam studying. i'll try to be a better contributor to GTM. take care everyone!

Quote

"We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. The amount of effort is the same."
- Carlos Castenada

Vegan Miami/Ft. Lauderdale

Making a Vegan Guide to SE Florida (and many other areas we've lived in) - Because you learn a lot more from a local.

Feel free to help us out! Let us know what other veg-friendly places, events, etc. are in the se florida area.

A few places on the list

Josh's Organic Garden, Farmers Market, Hollywood Beach
Yogi hari's Ashram, Miramar
Miami Earth Save
Flamingo Gardens

I'll be including events, shops, and anything else i can remember or find.

(I just started this list, and i know there is more, so look out for updates, i'm also in the process of moving so it might take some time)

Check it out!

Chris has been learning a lot, and he's impressing me with what he's done


Check out our updated website

Postsecret