 The Shaffer Journal
Volume 9 † Issue 5 † May 2003
[Internet Stuff] [Hockey Puck] [The Mountains of Ao]
[Poetry Corner] [The Dull Stuff] [Guest Articles] [In The Keys]
Kitty Talk
These journals are dedicated to Kitty GreyCat's spirit. She is at RainBow Bridge now along with her human friend, Leo. We all loved you, Kitty! Click the cat graphic to visit her Memorial page. Kitty born June 6, 1982. Died July 9, 1997. Please fill out our email form below to tell us how we are doing or make suggestions. >^..^<  Ebony: Meow, we cats got complaints this month. We want to know where human bean been all month. Why he not been here to take care of our every need and meow for almost every night. Us cats need lots of attention and loving. We need feeding and petting. >^..^<
Abby: I agree with you, Ebony, for once. That human being been falling down on his job to worship and serve us kitties. I wait and wait and wait for human bean. Why, by the time he come back, us cats act like deranged puppie dawgs all exciterated about him returning. Us cats have more dignity than that. I bite and scratch human bean but it do no good, I meow over and over. >^..^<
Ebony: Mew, Abby, what be worser than human bean being gone all the time was the flea stuffers bean put on us. It was so much and made our fur all spikey all over. I look like a rocker dawg that been plugged in too long. And you, Abby, looked more uglier than normal, I meow. White cats not look good with spiked furr on top. >^..^<
Abby: I ignore your bad manners, but use is right. Your furr was so spikey that you were chasing imaginary stuff in the bathtub round and round. You never stopped for ages. I not nose why you do that, I don't. >^..^<
Ebony: I seed how upset you gots when human bean cleaned the sleepy crusties outa your eyeballies. >^..^<
Abby: I think you're full of pizza smells. All vapor and not a brain anywhere. I scared of the pizza man tho. >^..^<
Ebony: I not scared when bean hide the glove under the rug. I just bite that black glove and scratch it. You just prefer hiding under the rug and scratching and biting the rug. You got rugs on the brain, you do, meow! >^..^<
Abby: I didn't have to dance with bean anymore after playing under the rug. He did something strange when I wave my paw at him. He purrtended to box with me. I was trying to get his attention for some yummies. >^..^<
Ebony: Use not nose how to handle human bean. When he tries to do silly stuffers with me, I just do something he not like at tall. I pawed his bowl of rice what not been cooked yet onto the floor. It was fun watching him clean up all the little white specks that be rice stuffers. I was amused bean was so unhappy cleaning up rice stuff. >^..^<
Abby: Yes, but you, Ebony, was not happy when the Point Cat came over whilst you outside. You both hissed and screamed meowed at each other. Then the furr was flying. I never seen the Point Cat move so fast. Then you caught a big, fat, juicy lizard what still had a tail and I wanted outside so I could steal your prize lizard. >^..^<
Ebony: I just let you have the lizard. Then bean come out to watch us play. You got all lovey dovey. Then I seed how you escaped from your lead somehow and watched human bean chase you all over the mangroves. >^..^<
Abby: I got a nice, new red line by doing that, I is smart cat. I also love to chirp at boids and growling at invading cats. And when it come to escaping, I don't leaf paw prints on people when escaping. Ebony she watches the door and streaks out the first time she can. I am more ladylike and pretend I not want out when I do really. Well, all use cats and human beans, be sure to come back next month for some more of our fabulous cats things. >^..^<
Internet Stuff
The DVD films from http://www.NetFlix.com are packed with extras and full of good entertainment. Clint Eastwood's film Bloodwork was an excellent detective story. Benedict Arnold showed how a hero could become a traitor. I watched a Russell Crowe classic again called Gladiator. Mel Gibson was funny in What Women Want. Of course, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was outstanding and followed the novel quite well. The Bourne Identity was all action and spy gadgets and loads of fun entertainment. A good action SciFi flick was Wing Commander. http://www.NetFlix.com is still a great service, even better with a closer distribution center. Several websites were useful this month. One interesting Florida website involving a hidden value to citizens is http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/ddl/DPPAInfo.html. At this site you can opt to block access to personal information regarding motorists. Anywhere one can opt out of stuff is very valuable indeed. The Art of Drew Hilstad is featured at http://www.geocities.com/drewhilstad/. Our Circle of Friends Ring now has a member forum at http://d.webring.com/forum?forum=0friends where 0 is a zero. The Art of Paul Jaisini by Yustas Kotz-Gottlieb is highlighted at http://jaisini.artbabyart.net/. We found lots of great Florida stuff at http://www.myflorida.com. In The Keys
In a continuing series on Gulfstream Trailer Park & Marina situated in the City of Marathon, Florida Keys, I submit the following editorial paragraph: As we say goodbye to the winter crowd, we look forward to the summer. We are registering everyone to vote in February. We all attend two or three meetings daily. We are more united than ever before, sharing a common goal of saving our homes and the homes of those in the Keys. No longer are we concerned about how we got here or how this all happened. We are all focused on the task and goals at hand. Development should never force good people out of their homes and communities. Existing businesses should be improved by redevelopment not destroyed by the process. I fought in several wars and armed conflicts to protect the rights of all citizens, but I never served my country for 25 years to destroy homes and those who live in them. I've had an intense education lately. I studied so many laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and resolutions that the stuff is oozing out of my ears. I sponsored a website for those fighting to preserve, protect, and improve their existing, vibrant homes, communities, and businesses. I met with the folks at Marathon Environmental Association [MEA] which stands guard against the destruction of liveaboard communities in Boot Key Harbor. They have joined us along with many others in the fight for justice and fairness. I've written a lot of editorials all over the country and some overseas. I am amazed at the numbers of supporters from all over the world. Thanks to Jeff Pinkus and John Bartus I have learned so much about our great city of Marathon. Miscellany: I helped Donna move stuff out of her expensive storage, so she could take it to a less expensive place. We had fun moving stuff as hard as that is to believe. I sent out more royalty checks to hard working artists. The weather recently has been full of wind, salt spray, waves, rain, lightning, thunder, and even some hail. Wagner's Wash and Wax got my truck all spiffy and shiny, even though the paint job is starting to fail. The old truck is almost 12 now. Finally, I got my summer parking spot, and it is nice to have the truck close by. I'm still working the bridge and observing all the water, vehicular, and pedestrian traffic. That bridge is much too busy for a road that goes no where. My boat will be fixed soon I hope. Then I might even get the boat painted by the Above and Beyond company. I love the summer except for the nasty hurricane season. Iraqi Freedom cost too many lives even if necessary. Lastly, Gallery Morada has a fine selection of furnishings and crafts. The gallery is located at 81610 Overseas Highway in Islamorada. The gallery is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. The telephone number is (305) 664-3650. The email is galmorada@aol.com, and the website is at http://www.gallerymorada.com. Poetry Corner
“One Moment” 05.02.03
by L. E. Shaffer © 2003 L. E. Shaffer Lightning fills the sky
Dusk falling like
Love overripe
Darkness deepening Thunder rolls and shakes
Over the heart supreme
Pulsing, living, thinking
Lightning blazes the heavens Through racing clouds
Stars shine brightly
And fill the mind
With that forever Thunder vibrates
The ground green
With life and
Sparkling with dew And comes the rain
With the thunderous
Herd, fear in their eyes
Hooves spewing sparks Lightning strikes the peaks
All must go to the mountains
We must die to greed
We must thunder Our lives in
Exchange for
One moment
In paradise © 2003 L. E. Shaffer Hockey Puck
In the NHL, the Stanley Cup surprises are the Anaheim Ducks and the Tampa Bay Lightning. In the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of playoffs. Tiger Woods didn't do very well at Augusta, but he still is number one in the world. The Williams sisters are still the world's number one and two tennis players. After the NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins are now looking at acquiring Brian Griese. In NASCAR, the racing has been super, and my favorite drivers, Jeff, Bill, Dale Jr., are all doing really well. Guest Articles
We have various guests this journal. As always everything is copyright of the author. For the Unusual & Unique http://www.cafeshops.com/sara78rose is the web address of Sara Rose's Attitudes. This new web shop offers unusual and unique products, some fun and some otherwise. Anti-war, Peace, Pride, Anti-Bush, and Pro-Democrat Stickers, Bumper Stickers, T-Shirts, Mouse Pads, Coffee Mugs, & whatever adorn the shelves at this web shop. Just browsing is fun and worth the click. Before leaving, be sure to visit Sara Rose's parodies too. Enjoy. © 2003 K. Young KOPAH K.O.P.A.H.: New Organization Deals With Affordable Housing Issues Head-On!
The KEYSWIDE ORGANIZATION for the PRESERVATION of AFFORDABLE HOUSING is in full swing. The group recently formed to deal with affordable housing issues at the grassroots political level. Several hundred founding members have committed their time, money, and their votes, to the preservation of affordable housing throughout the Florida Keys. K.O.P.A.H. members will attend and speak at local county and city commission meetings urging elected officials to enact ordinances and regulations that conserve the Florida Key's meager stock of affordable housing. K.O.P.A.H. will promote laws that remove the economic incentives property developers reap by ousting mobile home owners and other low-income residents from their homes in the Florida Keys. Because the Florida Keys is an Area of Critical State Concern, it is strictly regulated by the Department of Community Affairs in Tallahassee. Consequently development has been severely limited. The Rate of Growth Ordinance or R.O.G.O. system of permitting has been perverted to create incentives for developers to purchase mobile home and R.V. parks in order to utilize the R.O.G.O. permits for costly development projects. The affordable housing is then gone forever. The current residents, who work in local restaurants, schools, and shops, who catch the fish, police our neighborhoods, and teach our children, are then evicted. They are unwittingly injected into a real estate market overheated by those same anti-development regulations. K.O.P.A.H. will demand local governing boards prevent such wholesale destruction of affordable housing through innovative approaches to permitting development. K.O.P.A.H. is soliciting new members who are asked to donate $5.00., attend local council and commission meetings, and vote for candidates who pledge support for a system of regulation that protects affordable housing. Florida Key's politicians who vote in favor of the rights of developers over affordable housing will be identified and targeted for electoral removal. Future newsletters will advise of times and dates for upcoming meetings and suggest responsive candidates for election. Please contact the K.O.P.A.H. representative listed below for more details. © 2003 KOPAH Plastic Surgery And The Entertainment Industry In an industry where you are judged primarily on your looks and your age, plastic surgery is almost mandatory for any age group. A nip here, a tuck there and your good to go. But what happens when something goes terribly wrong? We've seen some very odd sightings, Burt Reynolds and Farrah Fawcett seem to have their skin pulled so tightly that their faces are actually misshapen. Then there's the infamous Michael Jackson.
I was watching a show on the Discovery Channel, when a plastic surgeon stated that Michael Jackson's nose is actually dying from all the surgery. They displayed a recent picture of Michael Jackson in court and the skin was actually peeling off his nose. While these particular surgeries are all elective, many plastic surgeries are required. How do you choose a plastic surgeon to avoid a disfiguring effect? While the people at the top of the “A” list in the entertainment industry get recommendations from other celebrities who have had skilled surgeons work on them, what do those of us who do not make $20 million a picture or have $43 million record deals do? The sad fact is that many base their decision on the price of the surgeon, while others choose from a list of doctors their insurance company provides. Neither of these methods guarantees a skilled surgeon, and if you're shopping around for a bargain deal you're risking your life. There have been numerous horror stories and even deaths resulting from bargain basement surgeons promising beautiful breast or a youthful appearance.
Since it's almost mandatory that people in our industry get plastic surgery at some point in their careers, you need to choose wisely. Here are a few questions you should ask when seeking out a skilled and reputable surgeon.
1. Get several recommendations from verifiable and reliable sources.
2. Get a second opinion.
3. Find out the length of time your doctor has invested in training for the procedure, as well as how many of the procedure you are choosing to undertake they have performed and how many years they have actually performed it. Also find out if they are continuing their education to keep fresh in the field. There are dentists who have gone to a weekend seminar and are now certified to do liposuction. Plastic surgery is a very lucrative business with billions of dollars spent annually. Everyone wants his or her piece of the pie. Make sure to verify all information with reliable sources.
4. Check with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons to verify if he or she is in good standing. Here is their website: http://www.plasticsurgery.org/. Also go to the American Board of Plastic Surgeons: http://www.abplsurg.org/ to see if the doctor you are considering is listed. The American Board of Plastic Surgeons are the only specialty board responsible for certifying plastic surgeons approved by the American Medical Association and the American Board of Medical Specialties. Any doctor who is certified by the board must meet the following requirements:
• They must graduate from a school, which is accredited at the time of graduation by the Liaison Committee for Medical Education (LCME), a Canadian Medical School accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS), or from a United States osteopathic school accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
• They must have a minimum of three years clinical training in general surgery, or complete an approved residency in orthopedic surgery, or be certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology.
• They must complete a minimum of two to three years approved residency training for plastic surgery in the United States or Canada.
• They must pass a written, practical and oral examination in plastic surgery.
• They must maintain an ethical standing in the community as well as moral status.
You can also check with the Federal Trade Commission for instructions: http://www.ftc.gov/. Don’t go strictly by the certificates on the wall. Anyone can print up a certificate or a diploma if they have a computer, a printer, and some good paper.
5. Tell your doctor you would like to speak to some of his patients who have already had similar procedures done. Most reputable surgeons adhere to this practice.
While all of these steps may seem like overkill, and may take some time, they will save you years of reconstructive surgery and thousands of dollars if you ask questions, verify information and practice patients at the onset. A year and a half ago I had to undergo breast reduction. Because I had insurance, I chose a provider on my list. A year after the surgery, I was still suffering from infection, hardening and complete numbness in both breasts, not just in one area. Additionally there was a deformity on both sides that caused problems whatever I ran or exercised. I had to undergo more surgery as a result, but I was at a loss of whom to go to, or whom I should trust.
A friend of mine had a child who needed to undergo plastic surgery and she recommended her doctor. His name is Dr. Lawrence Berkowitz and he is located in Campbell, California. I was little apprehensive as you can imagine. I spoke to my friends about future surgery and my contemplation in using Dr. Berkowitz. Many of them had heard of him. Apparently he was very famous in the industry and extremely well respected. After seeing him, I understood how he had earned his reputation. He and his staff were, and are incredible! I have never been to any doctor who is as thorough or put me at ease.
He handpicked his staff and it is very evident. You become a part of their family and are treated as such. Needless to say I'm doing extremely well now because of he and his staff's skill and care. While my car does not have a lifetime warranty, my breasts do! Take a word of warning from someone who has “been there, done that", do your research. If you choose poorly, you may not have a career to go back to. Just as you practiced your craft to become the best at what you do, carefully pick a surgeon who has put the same care and effort into his training. In this case you will get what you pay for. End. For more informative articles or to download your copy of, “The Ultimate Indie Guide To Music Success” today, please go to: http://www.1musicpromotersandrecordlabels.com. " The Ultimate Indie Guide To Music Success " is packed full of thousands of contact names for major and indie labels, booking agents, managers, etc. It has email addresses, phone numbers, street addresses and much more. This book will help put you on the path towards getting your music heard and played by the people who can make a difference in your career. Below are just a few quotes from readers of the book:
"WORD TO THE WISE Hi, I just wanted to drop a few lines to tell everyone how helpful North Shore Records, Inc./Tonya Rae, LA Music Talks, and Marc Davison of ALL AREA ACCESS have been to my partner and I. We have not only gotten college bookings, radio and Internet airplay, but also the number nine spot in the CMJ (College Music Journal) and Gavin Report. ~ Reginald Owen Kymbuloo Publishing"
"I thought it was pretty thorough and well written. It seems fairly consistent with what Tim Sweeney and Diane Rapaport had to say, but I like the detail you went to. I especially appreciated the honesty with respect to getting airplay on college with country, as neither of the other two authors I mentioned touched on that, and I suspected that would be an issue. It's good to hear that from some personal experience. ~ Rick Paul"
Listen to Jaci Rae's clips from her latest CD! http://www.jacirae.com/ © 2003 Jaci Rae The Mountains of Ao
Tears from Ao and three poetry collections, Pages of Life, Visions of Life, and Moments of Life are available electronically at http://RunesofAo.com/aobp/. The Runes of Ao project, The Mountains of Ao novel currently in final edit, Twins of the Dark Star novel in early stages, and the The Book of Kalian Mysticism poetry collection are all works in progress. Also a collaboration with K. Young on a novella called Dragon Embers is now published on the fan site known as Runes of Ao.com. The Dull Stuff
All opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of this magazine or its advertisers. Inputs and letters to this journal are subject to approval by Ebony and Abby. Submittals may be edited for content and become the property for the one-time nonexclusive publication of: Shaffer Novels/Poetry Company
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PO Box 501833
Marathon FL 33050-1833
(305) 743-9648 voice/data/fax Internet URLs: www.RunesofAo.com
www.RunesofAo.com/roa/
www.RunesofAo.com/aobp/
www.RunesofAo.com/ebony/
www.RunesofAo.com/abby/ Publication date: April 28, 2003
Author: L. E. Shaffer
Company: Shaffer Novels/Poetry Company &
Shaffer Internet Publishing Company
© 1995 - 2008, 2009 L. E. SHAFFER
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WORLDWIDE
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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