Unfortunately, Fargon Is Now Far Gone

Unfortunately, 
Fargon Is Now Far Gone

Photo Source: Blue Spheres by Luis Robles

Why did I think I could be a superhero? 

Because I can teleport between dimensions with the greatest of ease, unlike mere mortal men, who often have difficulty just setting their DVRs to record their favorite shows and sporting events? 

And let’s face it, I look great in Spandex. 

Especially the mask. 

Although the cape adds a certain flare too. 

But still.  I inadvertently caused the death of everyone in the Fargon dimension. 

Fortunately, not many people know, or rather, knew about that dimension, so my destroying an entire universe doesn’t get me into trouble. 

Governments can’t govern that about which they do not know. 

For the most part anyway. 

So technically, I’m free and clear. 

But I can’t say I’m unpunished. 

Not when the cries of billions of gadflies still buzz in my ears. 

The look of horror on the faces of those semi-translucent beings as the fabric of their realm ripped apart still frightens me too.  

Just this morning, I felt so grieved, I couldn’t eat a third helping of waffles. 

Not to mention that one of the Fargonians borrowed ten bucks.

I’ll never see that money again. 

Although haunting, horrifying, and tragic, to an extent, it all seems so silly too. 

I hadn’t even planned on visiting the Fargon dimension. Why would anyone want to go there? They make annoying sounds. Their women don’t look like females from any species worth noting. And they don’t have chocolate. 

I carefully set my teleportation device to the Oolala dimension, where even the amoebas look supermodels. 

A glorious realm where the most attractive of these gorgeous creatures always welcomes a visit from Captain Teleporting Dude. 

(Me.) 

A universe where lipstick and clothing, even sun visors, are all made out of chocolate. 

Unfortunately, a speck of dust. A seemingly insignificant speck of dust. Altered my coordinates ever so slightly, sending me to Fargon instead of Oolala. 

Of course, I was still greeted as a hero. 

If you saw my cape, you’d understand. 

The ruling regime of Fargon took me to their Science Council, where they showed me the heart of their galactic system. 

Compared to Oolala, and even our own universe, their best scientific achievements came across as Tinker Toys. 

So I tried to feign interest. 

I really did. 

But all I could think about was getting to Oolala. 

The Fargon Science Chief went on and on about blah, blah, blah, self-destruct mechanism, blah, blah, blah, want a sandwich?, blah, blah, blah, bleh! 

I accidentally bit into a Fargon sandwich. 

I forgot that in their universe, their idea of candy is a raw anchovy. 

I tried not to be rude as I purged the bite of sandwich I accidentally swallowed. 

Trying to be less rude, I acted interested in the weird device they showed me and asked, “What does this button do?” 

I then pressed the button, which wound up making the Fargon dimension far gone. 

Of course, I teleported away as quickly as I could. 

I knew I’d never find a decent breath mint in that universe. 

And I still wanted to travel to Oolala. 

Personally, I blame the Fargonians. 

Who makes a Self-Destruct Mechanism for their whole dimension? 

And why in the world, any world, would you show the visitor to your realm, the self-destruct button, right after giving said visitor a horrible sandwich?! 

Still, I must question my pursuit of being a superhero. 

Am I just in the hero game for the fun trips to Oolala? 

Or do I really want to help others, to make a positive difference? 

Hmm.  In deep, deep thought, I ponder that question as I feverishly dust my teleportation device. 

Blessings & Joy,

Dean

Please Note: 
The following video is silly and not worth watching. 
Which raises the question: 
Why did I include it in this blog post? 
Well, ... I wanted to have something ...

Published on Aug 7, 2012 by stealthrubber10

It’s far too late to help 
the formerly fine folks of the Fargon dimension, 
but you can still help the fellow beings in our dimension 
whose lives are at stake.  

Please be a better superhero than I.  
And don’t let these poor people die. 





Gifts That Multiply

Where Most Needed



 

Have a Great, Full, Grateful Day!

Have a Great, Full, 
Grateful Day!

Photo Source: Turkey by Peter Griffin

How did a day set aside for offering thanks to for multiple blessings get reduced to our merely muttering Gobble-Gobble? 

Not every turkey is slaughtered for Thanksgiving. Many wind up in front of us in line on Black Friday. 

Thanksgiving, the day we give thanks that we can stuff our faces full of food. 

Great gravy! We can give thanks to God for our many blessings; and eat stuffing! Which gives another reason to give thanks. 

Sadly, the sanctity of Thanksgiving depends heavily upon the amount of whipped cream used to cover the pumpkin pie. 

We needn’t worry about gaining weight on Thanksgiving. Whatever weight we gain, we can walk off. Of course, that may involve our having to walk across the country. 

Thank you for reading my blog, 

have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Blessings & Joy,

Dean

See also: 
Thanks A Lot!
&
Thanksgiving Aftermath, Black Friday Frenzy, 
and The Best Deal Ever!

This Video Uploaded to YouTube by Rachel Powell on Dec 1, 2009

It’s No Trick; and It’s More Than Just a Treat!

It’s No Trick; 
and It’s More Than Just a Treat!

Photo Source: Poster Revolution

Of the more than $5,000,000,000,000 in debt into which this country’s sunk in the past four years, what hurts me the most, is that a mere $100,000,000,000, just 2 % of that total, could have eradicated famine in Africa. 

Even the $95,000,000,000 which went to fund the failed projects of those who supported the President could have done the job as well. 

Money wasted on a few could have saved the lives of millions!

What frustrates me about not being rich is that I can’t donate as much I want to help World Vision not only eradicate famine and help others in crises, but to help them become capable of growing their own crops to prevent the famine from happening again. 

You know, the old Teach A Man To Fish, or in this case farm, scenario. 

With World Vision, less than 15 % of the money they receive goes to fundraising, management, and general costs, which means over 85 % goes to help those in need. 

Unlike other organizations where the people line their pockets with 90 % or more, so that less than 10 %, if that much, helps anyone. 

Give where your money will do the most good.

This Halloween, and all year long, donate to feed the hungry, to heal the sick, to clothe the naked, to do good unto Christ as we do good unto His brothers in need*. 

You don’t have to shoot webs or wear Spandex to be a superhero. Just say no to seconds. Skip the jumbo latte. Missing a treat or two won’t mean that much to you, but it’ll mean life to someone else.

You don’t even have to skip treats this Halloween, just remember to help those in need too. So have fun! Have lots of fun! And share with those who need your help to survive. Knowing you’ve helped others will enhance your fun in ways you can’t imagine. 

Blessings & Joy,

Dean


Uploaded by michaeljacksonVEVO on Oct 2, 2009

 





Gifts That Multiply

Where Most Needed

* http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2025:%2031-46&version=NKJV

Matthew 25:31-46 

(New King James Version)

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy^[a]angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.³² All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides hissheep from the goats. ³³ And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. ³⁴ Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ³⁵ for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;³⁶ I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?³⁸ When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? ³⁹ Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ ⁴⁰ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

⁴¹ “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: ⁴² for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

⁴⁴ “Then they also will answer Him,^[b] saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ ⁴⁵ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’⁴⁶ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Footnotes:

1. Matthew 25:31 NU-Text omits holy.
2. Matthew 25:44 NU-Text and M-Text omit Him.

Dean’s Money-Saving Tips

Dean’s Money-Saving Tips

Photo by Talia Felix
Photo Source: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=18362&picture=piles-of-money

~ The first step is to keep track of where your money goes. 

Write down every penny you spend. 

Examine the list to see what you can do without. 

And then do without it. 

~ Don’t buy what you don’t need. 

Fix what you can. 

Or do without. 

~ You can save at least $40 a month, by getting rid of your cell phone. 

But only if you’ve competed the one-to-two-year (or however long) agreement. 

~ You can save $40 or so (depending on how much you pay) a month, by getting rid of your gym membership. 

~ You can save more money per month, by getting rid of cable TV. 

Watch the shows you like on Hulu.com and other such sites; sometimes even the networks’ own sites. 

Get a digital to analog TV converter box, so you can watch with an antennae. 

Usually costs a one-time fee that would be less than paying for a month or two of cable. 

You won’t get to see as many shows, but you can use the time you would normally waste watching TV to find the cure to cancer or invent a way to turn tapioca pudding into gold. 

Or some other way to become mega-rich; and then you can buy your favorite network; and have them run the shows and movies you want to see. 

~ Shop only once a week! That way you have to think of what you really, really want and need. 

Write down what you need from the grocery store; and stick to your list when shopping. 

Keep track of what you don’t eat. 

If you throw away a bag of spinach every week or two, maybe you’re not eating spinach as much as you think you are. 

How many melons must go bad, before you realize you’re just not a melon guy or gal? 

~ Wait until movies come out on DVD to watch them!

DVD rental is cheaper than going to a movie theater. 

Plus, if you miss something, you can rewind. 

And if you can’t understand what the actors say, you can turn on the subtitles. 

Of course, some movies need to be seen on the big screen!

Like Inception where the buildings collapse on themselves. 

Or superhero movies, like The Avengers, The Amazing Spider-Man, 
The Dark Knight Rises. 

Sadly, Jaws loses a lot of its impact on a small screen. 

Which frightens you more a 25-foot shark? 

Or a 25-inch schnook? 

I know, I know, it depends on whether or not the schnook can shoot lasers from its eyes. 

~ Here are the money-saving steps for seeing a movie, 

from most to least expensive. 

Most Expensive: Grand opening of a movie with all your friends going to see it: 

Pay full price at the theater. Just don’t eat movie snack food/drinks. 

Expensive: Matinee price at the movie theater. 

Medium-Priced: The discount theaters that charge about $3 for movies that came out a month or more ago. 

Medium-Priced/Less Expensive: Watch movies online from Amazon Instant Video at Amazon.com. (Depends on the movie and such.) 

Less Expensive: DVD rental from a DVD rental store. (Depends on the store and the length of the rental.) 

Even Less Than Less Expensive: DVD rental from Redbox. 

Even Less Than Less Than Less Expensive: DVD rental from a Blockbuster Express “Blue Box” after the movie’s been out for a while; and they only charge a $1 plus sales tax. 

Best Price: Free! Watch some movies online for Free from Amazon Instant Video at Amazon.com. (Depends on the movie and such.) 

You can save DVD rental money by “renting” DVDs from the library! 

Or wait a couple years, for the movie to air on broadcast TV. 

If you can’t wait that long, keep searching YouTube for someone who posts it, but you have to watch it fast, before it gets taken down (rightfully so) for copyright infringement. 

You can create a Google Alert to let you know when anything with the title of the movie you want to see gets posted. 

Maybe your city will show it outside for free. 

Might be on the side of a building. 

Or on a sheet that flutters in the breeze. 

But makes for a nice picnic date. 

And you might meet your significant other. 

~ And while we’re gabbing about freebies, why bother to buy new books when you can borrow them from the library? 

~ Also, Amazon Kindle offers Freebies from time to time too. 

Plus, you can get most Kindle books for a lot cheaper than the print editions. 

~ Get a Free Kindle Reading App, so you don’t even have to buy a Kindle to enjoy the great Kindle savings. 

~ Make a game of seeing how much money you can save! 

~ Decide to donate a portion of your savings to help the destitute; and then you’re not just saving money, you’re saving lives!

Blessings & Joy,

Dean


 

Coming Wednesday: When Did Saturday Morning Cartoons Get to Be So Silly?

Coming Friday: Sanity Check: Pass Or Fail?

Your Gift Multiplied 12 Times!

Your Gift Multiplied 12 Times!

Email

Print

July 10, 2012

Donated medication helps child fight worm infestation

Ezera, 4, was suffering from intestinal worms. But like too many children growing up in poverty, he didn’t have access to the basic medication he needed to recover from his treatable condition. World Vision’s deliveries of donated medicine help to change that.

Story and photos by Simon Peter Esaku, World Vision Uganda.

Ezera and his father await treatment for the boy’s worm infestation at a local health center. If not for World Vision’s recent delivery of donated medicines, he might not have access to any remedy for his ailment.

Sitting outside their grass and mud hut, Ezera Odoi grits his teeth and rubs his swollen stomach with his right hand. It is evident there is something wrong with the stomach of this 4-year-old boy.

“I feel something biting my stomach,” says Ezera, who lives in easternUganda.

The boy’s father explains that Ezera first felt the pain last year, and in the time since, he’s been taken to the health center on multiple occasions.

John Oketcho, a health worker who treated Ezera, recalls his course of action. “I suspected Ezera has worms,” he says. “The last time, I gave him three albendazole tablets to take, one a day for three days. I also gave him tablets of folic acid to take, one per day for 14 days.”

A life-saving delivery

The albendazole tablets, used especially for the treatment of worm infestations, were part of a collection of donated drugs delivered by World Vision. Three government health centers in the area benefited from the distribution.

World Vision partners with pharmaceutical companies and other corporations, which donate top-quality medicines and supplies that our staff members can ship and distribute to areas where poverty often renders these items unaffordable or inaccessable — like Ezera’s village in Uganda.

Health workers in the region confirm that the drugs have made a positive impact on the health of people living in several of World Vision’s program areas.

“In fact, there were many people suffering from worms,” says Oketcho. “But when World Vision gave the de-worming tablets and we started de-worming children and adults, we now get fewer cases.”

Poverty’s crushing toll on sick children

John Oketcho, a worker at the local health center, issues a prescription of de-worming tablets and folic acid for Ezera.

With the government providing drugs to its health facilities only once every three months, the distributions of donated medications by World Vision contributes to better health for the rural families in poverty who must survive solely on subsistence farming.

“The government supply of drugs does not even last a month,” Oketch admits. “When the drugs are finished, we write prescriptions and advise patients to go and buy the drugs from pharmacies.”

Of course, very few families can possibly afford to do this.

Ezera’s hope

Oketcho says Ezera may be getting new worm infection. He adds that there are different kinds of worms that can infect children — flatworms, roundworms, and tapeworms, to name a few. Infection can result from poor hygiene, including unsanitary toilet use and using contaminated water.

“I advise Ezera to go for a lab test…for a correct diagnosis,” says Oketcho.

There is hope for Ezera. With deworming drugs now available, Ezera will recover once he gets the correct diagnosis.

Learn more

Check out this photo blog of children around the world who are benefiting from World Vision’s shipment and distribution of donated medicines and supplies.

Two ways you can help

Please pray for children like Ezera whose lives are put at risk because they live in poverty and don’t even have access to basic medicines and supplies that can help them heal.

Make a one-time donation today to help ship and distribute life-saving medicines and supplies to communities in need. Your gift multiplies 12 times in impact to help provide donated phamaceuticals, supplies, and over-the-counter medications to places where children and families are suffering.

Article Source: http://www.worldvision.org/news/donated-medication-helps-child-fight-worm-infestation

Uploaded by T1R9A6C3Y on Mar 23, 2009

This YouTube video was uploaded by michaeljacksonVEVO on Oct 2, 2009

You can be the hero to these children need.

Instead of buying sodas and coffees this week, 
especially instead of buying cigarettes, 
donate that money to save lives. 

One of the best ways to beat the blues 
is to help, love, and care for others. 

Enjoy the feeling of knowing 
that you’re doing the right thing 
and making a positive impact. 

Especially now, 
when your gift multiplies 12 times!
$10 is like donating $120.
$50 is like donating $600.
Every hundred dollars 
is like donating over a thousand dollars!

Blessings & Joy,

Dean

Please Note: I don’t know how long this special gift-multiplying offer lasts, but I do know there is a constant need for help in the world, so please don’t hesitate to donate. Countless lives are depending on you. Global problems may seem overwhelming, but if we all do our part, whatever we do will mean a lot to those we help. Like the man throwing the beached starfish back into the ocean, there were thousands upon the shore! An observer said to the man that he couldn’t possibly throw all of those starfish back into the ocean. The man agreed, but also said, “It sure means a lot to the ones I do throw back.” So maybe we can’t help everyone, but it will sure mean to those we do help. Hey! I wonder if that’s what Michael Jackson meant when he rescued me and called me his little Starfish? See: Is This Really The End?

Nuts to You?! No, Nuts for Them. To Save Their Lives!

Nuts to You?! 

No, Nuts for Them. 

To Save Their Lives!

Published on Mar 22, 2012 by WorldVisionUSA

Give live-saving food and care: http://donate.worldvision.org/product//1753174?campaign=105418219

Save a life by sponsoring a child through World Vision today:http://bit.ly/Sponsorachild

It is an unnecessary tragedy that a child dies from hunger and related causes every 15 seconds. Millions more are at risk of physical and mental impairment from chronic hunger. And nearly one billion people go to bed hungry every night.

Today, you can provide life-saving food, agricultural support, livestock, clean water, medicines, and other essential care to hungry children and families around the world. And because of grant funds and donated goods, your gift multiplies 5 times in impact to help save lives. 

World Vision is committed to responding to the needs of hungry children and families. Any gift you give today will help provide the emergency food children need to survive — vitamin-rich beans, maize, and other nutritious grains and vegetables. Plus, you'll help feed them for years to come by giving their families vegetable seeds, farming tools, strong livestock, clean water, and other vital assistance. 

Remember, your gift multiplies 5 times to help the hungry. Thank you for giving so generously and please keep these children and families in your prayers. 

Statistical sources: UN World Food Program, UN Food and Agriculture Organization

Article Source: http://donate.worldvision.org/OA_HTML/xxwv2ibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?item=1753174&go=item&xxwvCampaign=2031092

Please hear our pleas and donate now: 

Your Donation Today not only helps to save lives, but makes 5 times the positive impact!

Some organizations have such a high overhead that barely a fifth of what's donated actually helps those in need. With World Vision, over 80 %* goes to help those in need. That means, with 5 times the impact, well over 4 times what you donate helps those in need. Thus, $25 provides over $100 of aid and relief.

You don't need to be bitten by a radioactive spider to be a super hero/heroine to someone in need. 

Photo provided by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider-Man 

from Amazing Fantasy # 15, written by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko.

You don't even have to shoot webs or wear Spandex. Just say no to seconds. Skip the jumbo latte. Every $5 provides over $20 of relief. Missing a treat or two won't mean that much to you, but it'll mean life to someone else. 

Blessings & Joy,

Dean

* With World Vision, less than 15 % of the money they receive goes to fundraising, management, and general costs, which means over 85 % goes to help those in need. Unlike other organizations where the people line their pockets with 90 % or more, so that less than 10 %, if that much, helps anyone. Give where your money will do the most good.