When it comes to staying in touch, I'm a bit of a legend.  My fiance Ron & I are easy to connect with, simply because we make personal life our priority.  Suggest plans and you get a reasonably-timed "yes", "no" and if not, exactly why.  We never cop out with "sorry, tied up".  Frankly people focused on something, aren't sorry.  There's a more honest reason we decline invitations.  Often we think "pleading busy" is the politest thing to say.  Know those philosophical sayings used as e-mail signatures?  I wrote one and hope to see it circulated:  "Be honest, we CHOOSE what we're busy with".  Sound bizarre, or worth considering?

I'm not an excuse person, nor do I consider "oh, keeping busy" a healthy response to "how are you".  There seems to be a taboo against admitting we have free time;  the way we aren't supposed to answer a phone on the first ring.  Some people replace "how are you" with "are you keeping busy", like my mother-in-law, whom I shock when I answer "why no, we're enjoying the summer and open to visitors".  How sad the healthiest way to embrace life, is regarded as lazy.  Here's wisdom I'd like to offer.

Don't lose the present, killing yourself for the future.  Solid, dedicated work is a good thing.  Unless you're one of the rare ones with your dream job, it's a means to pay the rent.  Once in a while things take up our attention but they should be an exception.  If someone uses the sentence "I've been busy" regularly, it's not the correct definition of a temporary term;  it's the way they are.  It means either the R.S.V.P-awaiting friend/relative is not a priority, or the out-of-touch offender forgets they control the logistics of their life.  Right down to their career!  Yes, that's right.  Even if the pay was a million per hour, Ron & I would never lock into a position that kept us at work more than at home.  If the meaning of life is to be happy, any job or excessively scheduled activities (sports ect) that keep you unavailable to relatives and friends, is defeating the purpose.

What do I do for a living?  I have a humble home business (3 years today, hurray!) for which I write & share animal photography.  It needs to grow so outside the home, I'm a contractor.  Not the usual kind, filling in to find "something permanent".  I'm a professional temp, by choice.  If you aren't limited to 2 weeks off, once a year, all the way to age 65;  isn't that the job you'd pick?  99% of people I tell think it's great "but I can't afford to do that".  HELLO!  I earn less $ than anybody I know (though well educated).  I chose freedom -vs- cash.  Yes, we have the power of choice over that.  When we die, we won't brag about how many hours we put in.  We'll smile about:  attending all our child's school plays, the concert of a favourite singer, long chats when we ignored the clock.

I figured out I already have the kind of life I like.  I'd enjoy a few more bucks but marrying a job/sport can hinder the freedom we're trying to achieve.  I have tons of hobbies, which is exactly why I can't structure my time away!  I'll gladly go dancing, learn a language, hit a tennis ball....  but it doesn't need to be "every Wednesday, at 2:00".  I love Ron because he gets it.  If it's Valentine's or my birthday, he won't do overtime or a sports event.  Too many in my life have said "sorry, can't go", even when it was a major event for me.  If someone belongs to a regular club, they need a "rule of what happens less".  Never decline a rare event, for something we do every week.  Unless you don't care to go - which is what you should say;  not that "you're busy".  Next time you and your peer can mutually suggest an acitivity you prefer.

There's a trick I use to remind myself I'm free.  Try it and see if you find it difficult!  Whenever it's the week-end or I am on vacation:  I put away my watch.  Now I only wear it in airports or at work, so I can read on my breaks.  My watch comes off as soon as I'm home.  If you're the friend constantly saying "can't go"...  remember the B word is relative.  We choose what we're busy with, even our careers.

Western society expects too much.  The standard for "normal" makes me sick;  2 cars, every member of the household with a cell (we have none).  We don't even own a house but don't consider ourselves poor.  Compared to those in Louisiana rebuilding homes and possessions over again, we're doing well.  It's unsettling few say they're happy, aloud.  Other than occasional frustration about not attaining all I'd like to -yet-; I am.  I hope this blog helps you decide that you are too.  :-)

{Original myspace blog October 14, 2006.  Was reading "The Unconquerable" by Helen MacInnes}.

How many of you love animals? How many of you have animals in the family? Our interraction with Earth's more innocent life forms, varies widely.  I consider them equal family members (trust me, more adored than many relatives!) while others consider them cute, "come let me pat your head".   I loved all the animal parks I just visited in Scotland and England! I'm not big on cage zoos but love a chance to meet a huge variety of personalities in one place. Ask anybody who's ever gone down the street with me. I talk to every creature I encounter. Eye to eye, with respect, and with pleasure.

You see I know something not everyone is aware of yet.  Have you often suspected your pet understands more than "sit" & "stay"? I certainly did and only a few years ago, I encountered the proof! Animals are sentient and understand every word we say.  That's right, the Dr. Doolittle stuff isn't a joke.  The difference from Eddie Murphy's films is that Hollywood implied only 2 very special people have two-way conversations with our fellow Earthlings.  The truth is we can all do it and it's pretty critical that we get practising.  What's the important of "animal communication"?

Can you imagine trying to tell somebody something and they don't understand that you're even speaking?  Haven't we all heard an awful story about some idiot who euthanized an animal;  over behavioural problems they couldn't figure out, or lesser reasons?   The real story is that frankly, most people think animals are disposable.  Otherwise control centres wouldn't be full and breeders would know better than to create more furry faces, when there aren't enough homes for the abandoned.  They don't realize animals are self-aware, emotional, and sentient.  A convincing form of proof is to experience an animal answering you personally, isn't it?  That's exactly why I call "animal communication" the key.

Whether or not you have anything to do with animals, folks really need to read the following books. They are a MUST-HAVE resource.  I personally learn so much every time, from reading just one.  Included are Amazon links where these life-changing gems are available (for as little as 25c, used)!  I'm listing my recommendations in "order of amazement", to meet everyone's awareness level. For instance if someone thinks critters are cute 'n fuzzy, the first two books are a gentle introduction that won't shock anyone. LOL

"YOUR PET ISN'T SICK, HE JUST WANTS YOU TO THINK SO" - Dr. Herbert Tanzer
http://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Your+Pet+Isn%27t+Sick&x=0&y=0

"KINSHIP WITH ALL LIFE" - J. Allen Boone
http://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Kinship+With+All+Life&x=0&y=0

"YOUR PSYCHIC PET" - Richard Webster
http://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Your+Psychic+Pet&x=0&y=0

"LEARNING THEIR LANGUAGE" - Marta Williams
http://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Marta+Williams&x=0&y=0

"STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH" - Amelia Kinkade
http://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Amelia+Kinkade&x=0&y=0

Also visit www.AmeliaKinkade.com and www.MartaWilliams.com

*  I put in personal time to compile educational bulletins & blogs because it is important enough that folks see them.  Would you mind referring to others?  Information is power, change.  Also please tell me if you get any of the above!  I'd love to chat about these books together.  :-)  *
~Carolyn~

Most people like animals but don't know much about the crisis out there.  What they could possibly do to help (I live in an apt, myself).  Here's some front-line rescue jargon, so you recognize an urgent bulletin that comes your way. Forwarding, so it gets seen by someone in a position to help, has honestly saved lives many times.

Like a real life battle, the fight for animal rights has many angles to work from: education (my area), animal communication, spay/neutering, anti animal-testing, rescue.... Let's look at the four main terms in front line animal rescue:  PULL, TRANSPORT, FOSTER, ADOPT.

PULLING means getting a death row animal the hell out of there!
I never use the word "shelter" to describe any joint with a death row - a contradicting word. Many rescue bulletins are "a pull plea": they need to find someone in that town to go bail the animals out of the facility. They don't need to keep the victim; there's a full network of people to help and this is step 1. Note: this was a surprise to me but in the USA they're allowed to kill homeless pets with gas chambers!

A TRANSPORT is a volunteer to drive bailed-out animals to a designated safe haven, who are expecting them.
If there are no immediate homes for an animal in jeapordy of being killed, they are transported to a no-kill facility or foster. Here's the cool thing: if these safe havens are in a different city, province, country; the transport can be a whole chain of people like a relay! No one drives more than 2-3 hours in their "leg".

FOSTER is someone with space to take care of a homeless sweetheart.
This is a ideal for anyone who is unable to take an animal permanently. There aren't enough fosters, they are a huge help and truly a God-send! Even if it's just in your yard, garage, basement, or a designated room of your home... it means a life was saved and certainly any space is preferable to death! Fostering can be as temporary as required - an alternative to "boarding", even just awaiting the next leg of a transport.

ADOPT means to bring a life into your family, of course.
There is a loving term used to distinguish temporary fosters from adopters: "the forever home".  As you see, it can take regional collaboration to reach this point.  Your role can be as easy as forwarding a bulletin!

*  Many ways to help, including those of us unable to donate funds.  The easiest?  *

1.  Keep your animal for life.  That's it that's all!
If you wouldn't think of dumping a child over "allergy", "moving", "he scratched my carpet" - why the loyal animal?  You may not know it but they view us as their Mommy & Daddy and would be devestated.  (Not to mention the obvious:  it unfortunately isn't yet illegal to kill animals.  Don't assume a wonderful critter gets adopted in a flash, even at a no-kill).

2.  Interested in a pet?  Take in a heartbroken little face somebody did dump, thinking "they're just an animal, they don't care where they go as long as there's food".  A huge source of the worldwide crisis is that loving pets are dumped so easily.  Yet those seeking pets, go to a pet store or worse, breed more of them for profit.  Rule of thumb:  "never breed or buy while shelter pets die".  Period.

3.  Stop using the word "owner" today.
Words have power.  Replacing dangerous ones will do a lot, to change the mistaken idea that animals are "disposable"!  This is the #1 reason the animal crisis exists.  Use that word to describe houses or cars.  Nobody owns anybody's life.

I don't know why no one considers this but there's a better way. Uhhhh... HOW ABOUT NOT HAVING AN E-ADDRESS BOOK??!!!! *This* is 100% foolproof, tested myself for years! I've never had an e-address book. You can shut them off. They won't ask to save e-mail addresses and I believe having them empty works too. I bet you can immediately think of other advantages.

- NO PROPOGATING VIRUSES TO ANYONE ELSE.
Honestly some antivirus ware takes a while to pick stuff up. We don't realize our system is infected until programs go wonky long enough. Sometimes it takes a reboot to become obvious.

- NO LOSING CONTACT INFORMATION AFTER COMPUTER CRASHES OR MISHAPS.
It doesn't take a virus to be hit by a power surge, accidentally delete, or forget to transfer data when upgrading; even merely changing software. Computers will be computers.

- HEALTHY EXERCISE OF THE BRAIN.
Let's not underestimate ourselves. Know what I do? After using e-mail addresses a couple times, I memorize them! I've had virus problems lately; may *still* have to reformat our harddrive to set things right. The nice thing is: I was able to rattle off e-addresses of main contacts to my fiance, for him to write them from work that I was off-line. I know them by heart!

It'll be great to hotmail from England on vacation next month. Unlike the pitfalls of programmed numbers, I can go anywhere and just type what I need. The brain should be our "blackberry". For pete's sake, how did we do things before personal computer use 10+ years ago?

* Speaking of the old-fashioned way, don't worry about having lots of contacts.
Memorizing is easier than we think but we don't have to be Steven Hawkings for every detail. Write things down with pen & paper in a physical address book or dayplanner. I type contacts into an Excel spreadsheet. Save on CD at next back-up, print, or send to hotmail for safe-keeping. At very minimum (if you don't believe you can memorize anything), keep your e-address book empty and just cut & paste e-mail addresses from previous messages.

We've taken a lot of time on up an important subject so please pass this around. Don't get caught up in the notion "bah, I've had an e-address book for years, what's the difference". I've received a virus appearing to be from a friend in the past. Guess what happened just the other week? While battling a virus that took three solid days to remove, I came into this room one morning and was creeped out to find an e-mail open on my desktop. I had never seen it in action before but this was pure proof that my rantings all these years were with just cause!

A false e-mail got composed over night, that would have looked like it came from me! I only found it sitting there because it had nowhere to go. Trust me - I have a zillion contacts. If I hadn't kept the e-address book empty, everyone I knew would have gotten hit. Maybe even some of you...

You see on my channel several pictures, that are front covers from my greeting card collection.  I have my own small company. Need to get word out!

What I get approached about a lot (more than purchase requests, grrr) is "hey, ya wanna make a card out of my poems/pictures"?  I never find myself able to give the kind of direct answer I'd like to!  I politely inform them, I promise customers 100% original work; doing so is the #1 benefit of buying RIEDEL creations.

What I'd rather say is: "no, I'm not at all interested in taking anyone else's poems or pictures". LOL! "I am a writer & amateur photographer and I founded my own company to publish MINE"! hehehe

It's odd people assume I grab pictures & writing any old place; maybe because the major card companies do it.  Is that what y'all thought?  There's a contradiction in the next weird assumption.  People then assume I casually run these things off at home;  that I own a printing press or something.  Please know my work is professionally manufactured.  I pay out-of-pocket to do so.  My collection is actually superior to store-quality products.

It's quite an involved road from portrait-capturing, verse-composing (which goes directly with the memory of the photograph;  the words aren't random) to each of my cards being 'born'.  I wanted the benefit of this public channel to share this with as many of you as I can.  A short summary of this info is also a channel announcements.  Thanks for reading!

Do you know I don't believe in photo-shopping anything, either?  What you see is what really happened!  In a world full of airbrushing, I wanted to provide the down-to-Earth "real life" touch. 

Your friend, C Riedel
www.members.shaw.ca/RiedelCards

When Grandma crossed over, a vivacious, card-giving redhead;  she was the last of my Grandparents.  I grew up seeing most of them regularly and now I miss ‘old people’.  In whatever shape they come: mobile or weary, sharp or forgetful; I marvel at their long-travelled character and learn from them all.

With a flexible career and cats who need out of the apartment, we volunteer at a care centre.  Life there is different from life in one’s own home.  The people are well cared for but reached the point where they can’t do enough basics by themselves.  Visits are lovely and I share plenty in common with they, who are decades my senior.  I’m also sometimes their ear, about favourite things they can no longer do.

That set me wondering about what I cherish, what I’d need to get through the hours in a hospital-type place. Like me, one of my friends loves reading.  Her eyes became too poor to continue.  I took to reading to her until she passed away.  A different friend had astounding mobility and eyesight but couldn’t maintain enough focus to sit through a page.  One can’t raise her arms without discomfort and my film fan is unable to hear anything that isn’t blaring.  It is unfair the one place they need as many diversions as possible; impediment of their favourite pastimes is the reason they’re there.

What would I do if I couldn’t watch funny movies, send letters, and read mysteries late into the night?  Would I be able to enjoy the activities I were wheeled off to, or would I ponder the ceiling?  Some people go on outings or leave to visit family. Others have an excellent sense of community and do their best to attend every event on the schedule. Of course anywhere in the world, one can make friends. Canes and walkers, IV drips and all; residents come as they are to any common area they’re keen on.

For those too heavy-hearted or ill to leave their rooms: my cats and I are a solution. I happily to listen to them, or entertain with the telling of my daily life. And there’s no need of sound mind nor fit body, to be warmed by the presence of a pet. Mine aren’t lap cats but a soft stroke and watching them sniff around, lifts the vibe of the whole room.

If fitness were to become a challenge, I hope someone would bring music to my bed and help me keep enjoying books. Let loved-ones stay close at hand and may I be surrounded by animals… always!

I'd like to share one of my archived blogs from November 26, 2006 on 'myspace'.  Enjoy this update.  :)

-------------------
It's odd that in this era, with so many loving and closely interacting with animals;  the existance of animal souls is even a question.  Most of we such people KNOW there is more to animals than cute fur, wanting food.  In spring 2006 I encountered proof and couldn't wait to share it;  saw how valuable it was!

I thought of ASPCA message boards and was shocked to find stone-age attitudes.  Even among pet fans, we find sadly antiquated views;  dangerously so.  (Calling death 'a solution', wouldn't fly for homeless humans).  I asked "why not handle excess humans that way".  The disposible notion boils down to:  "well, animals don't have souls".  After, I thought I'd carry my voice further via blog and joined 'myspace'.  I was relieved to find an open-minded community.  Perhaps outside-the-box-hearts are also here on Live Video.  :)

Despite documentation and testimony, old school mindsets still declare "if critters do go to Heaven, they don't do it like we do".  I wonder if this is why so many people refer to a "rainbow bridge"?  I hope they don't think animals are welcomed differently than us.  I look forward to eternally reuniting with my loved ones, at the same place.  To ensure clarity, I never use that term.

Animals feel beyond 'primal instinct', their free will is prevalent!  The thing is, they act for the good. The mammal motivated by hate is... us.  What a thrill to confirm animals are sentient.  They simply have a different language style and priorities.  When it comes to the capacity for knowing good versus bad;  they get a gold star for their choices.  :-)

I'm an "animal communication" student.  That's two-ways in their language as they do best;  telepathically.  No longer do I allow the inaccurate phrase "speak for those who cannot".  They do.  You begin in scenarios where data is verified, to build confidence it works.  In a workshop, try someone else's pet so there's no pre-conceived info.  Those in conversation with my loved one... came up with amazing, specific shit.

If readers are interested, I built a fantastic library of books I can personally recommend.  It is also great fun to chat about this.  I hope it brings a smile that what we prayed all our lives to be true, is confirmed!  We really CAN talk with animals.  They've understood us all along, awaiting their turn to be heard.

Going against the grain of anything, tends to arch eyebrows. If it brings you to a place where you feel more like “you”, it’s well worth re-explaining your deviation to those “brows”.

I navigated the typical workplace route: hire into a job. I lived with one eye on the clock, week-ends flying too rapidly; reporting to duty grudgingly for the sake of an income. Like in the film “Kate & Leopold”, Sundays were automatically a downer merely because they were “the day before work”. I shifted from longevity, to pursuit of improved employment but nothing even approached my niche and potential.

When laid off, aside from natural dismay, my reaction surprised me: relief. I can do what others miss; absorb the assets of an unexpected situation. With a rat race that has us at work more than in our homes, I made use of freedom while it lasted. Oh sure, dozens of résumés got processed and enough interviews to forever cure nervousness. But until hired - the expected quest - what might I do that I’m normally unable to? Update photo albums, sleep in, clean closets, hair appointment or a movie during vacant hours…. Most people waste this rare gift of time, worried about looking busy.

Along the way, newspaper ads occasionally led me to temp agencies and I eventually tried them out. Like everyone else, I regarded this as “a filler” until I found something “permanent”. If hassled downtown by panhandlers, I had an easy defence: “I’m unemployed too”!

This interesting thing is, “temping” is a whole other circle. As a mere contractor, I found myself with equal or better pay then in my years fully hired. I got inside higher executive doors. Most people can’t sit still and fret about money, if their weeks aren’t booked from stem to stern. I seemed to thrive on an uninterrupted pace. Get paycheques flowing but with a rest here and there, to breathe at home, or fit in week-day appointments usually off limits.

On the career side, I was getting an unusually vast blend of career experience, in numerous industries. Fear of introducing myself to new groups of people and learning to take over in a hurry, are gone. I am no underachiever: it takes a special kind of person to handle all this and I do it well. For years, my mother-in-law laid out newspapers and regularly asked my fiancé or I, if I “was working”. It irritated me, questioning of my skill level offended me, and it was then I finally realized: I loved being a professional temp!

I’d been careful not to sign on anywhere, lest it be superior to my contract environments and flexibility. However it became clear to me that what most people view as “security”, I regard as “locking myself in”. My perspective changed, about the free-spirited lifestyle already sustaining me! I am often congratulated for being brave enough to put life first. When folks declare they can’t afford to enjoy such a path, I answer that earnings are indeed humble. I simply choose freedom. Two weeks of rest and personal time, once a year, until 65 years old…. is not the way I want to live!

It suddenly made sense to inform my mother-in-law (and myself) that I wasn’t unemployed. I'd built up to a respected veteran at my agency! As I write, I sit before a broad window looking down at the Convention Centre. I have a privileged view of the city. Many times, we walk past downtown buildings, outsiders wondering who might be inside mysterious windows way up high. Today it is me.

The beauty of soaking in “the now”, is precious self-awareness of this moment and any delight it holds.  Perhaps the gift is realization.  In a society that considers a house, two vehicles, and cell phones “average status”:  I go against this grain and am content exactly where I am so far.

Queen of excuses, or a well-founded scenario?

I'm an Ellen DeGeneres fan but am catching "Oprah Winfrey Show" week of good health.  I like that it covers the spiritual, sexual, fitness, medical health, and financial (though that part is USA-geared).  It's interesting struggles to lose extra weight can be due to emotional or mental issues but here's what I don't like.  Trainer Bob Greene insists it is the case 24/7.

Sure, I believe this is how it is with some people.  If they tried legitimate health strategies without improvement, there may be an interior reason.  Some "give up" on a healthy life and don't realize they aren't considering themselves worthy of it.  However it is erroneous for Bob to presume everybody is making excuses.  For a zillion factors, exercise/nutrition doesn't come easy to everyone.  I'd like to inform Bob there isn't a deep-seeded reason behind everyone to whom fitness feels unnatural but....  he calls anyone who doesn't see it his way, "in denial"!  With someone like that, you just can't have a conversation.

Here's my deal:  I never exercised (on purpose) and I can't stand sports.  I'm the child who'd rather read a story or sing a song, than kick a ball.  I don't give a shit about game scores but can immediately tell you a song is from such-and-such an album and year of release.  I ate worse than I do nowadays but I was a stick till mid-twenties.  Looks to me like one's metabolism changes at 30.

Today I am very conscious of health!  I got my man involved and shopping is a well thought affair:  no products tested on animals (ask for a list), we know the food groups highest in nutritional value, and as a matter of fact I am vegetarian.  I have a saying:  "if it has a soul, it doesn't go in a bowl".  Yet I'm 20lbs more than when I could eat through a solid Easter treat, in a sitting.  It looks obvious that metabolism shifted.  Also possible I was a little more active, than I realize.  But never deliberate fitness - we just go out more in our teens & twenties!

Obviously if eating 1000 times better isn't enough, exercise must be the other necessary side.  The best thing I can do is find something I enjoy to get started:  cycling, dancing, walking are closest I come to sports.  My challenge is that I'm in a city apartment, where I'd have to stuff a bike into an elevator or carry the heavy thing down.  Then I'm on busy streets with no real place to ride;  it's not like a house where you pop out a door and are on residential side-streets.  Yes, I must choose a park-like destination and just go.  Am merely showing what holds me back.  One more thing:  I live in a place buried in snow November - April... at least!  Don't say "gym":  cycling on the spot bores me in 5 minutes.  There's lots we can do in every day life without an organized facility, so no need spending cash I don't have.

I'm a self-assured person, feeling positive internally and happy with my looks.  I am comfortable with a gentle pace.  I'm not used to fitting fitness into my life;  no traumatic cause for it.  I'm aware of what I need to do and will just get myself to start, in baby steps I know I'll keep up (that's the other thing:  a strict regimen doesn't fly for free spirits like mine).  All I'm saying is there are honest reasons that make it challenging for some folks to step up to the plate.  The world will be better when we stop flashing around mental health labels.