Vocatus atque non vocatus deus aderit

Made some ambient music. Let me know if you like it!

nateprentice — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 05:13:39 GMT

Interesting.

nateprentice — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 07:30:56 GMT

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglican_prayer_beads

I used to be Episcopalian. I still think Episcopalians have the most understandable prayer book around.

Flyers. Sigh.

nateprentice — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 10:52:58 GMT

That is all.

I'm getting tired of Philly making it to the big leagues and then bombing.

Writer's Block: Mystery meat

nateprentice — Sat, 29 May 2010 20:02:38 GMT

Fish with the eyes still on it.

How I spent my Spring Vacation: A review of hypnosis training at Kripalu.

nateprentice — Sun, 23 May 2010 20:51:47 GMT

So, I bet you are wondering what my trip to Kripalu was like. This is the trip that I mentioned earlier, in which I stated that I was going to get hypnosis training.

It was pretty nice!

Kripalu (http://www.kripalu.org) is a yoga retreat center that is housed in a former Jesuit seminary in Lenox, MA. It used to be an ashram, but now it is easier to think of it as a yoga spa. Some of the nicer features of it are yoga classes for all levels, organic and vegetarian-friendly food for all meals (the meals were divine, and yes, I bought the cookbook). The rooms were a bit small, but comfortable. It had a sauna and whirlpool, as well as huge grounds, a cabin by the lake, and a labyrinth to explore.

The hypnosis training was by Steven Gurgevitch, Ph.D., a psychologist who works as a hypnotherapist in Tucson, AZ. He has been teaching hypnosis for 30 years, and is the author of many books and articles on hypnotherapy. His website is: http://www.tranceformation.com/mainh.html. We learned the basics of hypnosis at this workshop, including induction techniques, some basic applications, and ways to enhance the hypnotic experience. I had 20 hours of education, which is about a third of the way to my credentialing in hypnotherapy, as offered by the American Society for Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH--http://www.asch.net/Professionals/CertificationInformation/RequirementsCertificationinClinicalHypnosis/tabid/173/Default.aspx), which I will be joining and taking care of when I get a little more money (the trip to Kripalu was not cheap, sadly). Steve was a very engaging educator and did a good job with teaching us the basics.

As far as my practice of yoga is concerned, I did a little bit of it while I was there--I was getting over a bout of pneumonia and wasn’t really up to much strenuous work. I did OK, but I was clearly the novice in the group. However, my instructors were accommodating.

I enjoyed the hypnosis training, and found that I am actually quite hypnotizable, which made the experience richer. I found I was able to do some inductions and help others with going into hypnosis with relative ease.

I plan to start offering hypnosis to my current clients, but will really start advertising once I join ASCH and get a hypnosis supervisor, which should be soon.

A funny story from my trip. I was playing my bagpipes out on the front lawn (I became a little bit of a celebrity during my stay there for my piping). So I played a nice jig and then stopped. Suddenly, there were these loud guffaws coming from the porch. OK. So I played a nice hornpipe, technically correct. I stopped, and there were even MORE laughs. I went up to the porch, and found that there were a group of people together laughing their fool heads off. When they finished and were walking by me, I told them that in my 9 years of piping I had many reactions to my piping, but never one quite like theirs. They started laughing again! It turns out that they were doing something called “Laughter Yoga” http://www.laughteryoga.org/. Oy.

Anyway, I had a lot of fun, but was ready to come back. Besides, even though I successfully completed a vegan diet while I was there, I was glad to return to “normal food,” as the GI detox period to going to a vegan diet had me visiting the bathroom far too many times while I was there.

So, I would certainly recommend a trip to Kripalu the next time you consider a nice vacation somewhere.

Om. Shanti, shanti, shanti.

What does Om Shanti mean? “Om” has no literal meaning. Some say it is the sound of the universe, infinity, the divine, or something like that. “Shanti” means simply “peace”.

If you want to see pictures, check out: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/album.php?id=1101603074&aid=60892.

Writer's Block: Mega Bite

nateprentice — Sun, 23 May 2010 17:37:09 GMT

Vegan haggis.

Corporate Hierarchy Chart

nateprentice — Sat, 15 May 2010 08:03:28 GMT

Pneumonia sucks.

nateprentice — Thu, 13 May 2010 13:03:38 GMT

That is all.

Urgent Response Needed

nateprentice — Wed, 12 May 2010 15:51:46 GMT

Dear Sir / Madam,

I am Mr. Bib Fortuna, secretary to the late Desilijic family boss,Jabba the Hutt who died on Tatooine while still on active duty for our family.

When my boss was alive I used to move funds running into millions of Galactic Credits to Nar Shaddaa and Ord Mantell. However, on the eve of my boss's death in Tatooine, he gave me the sum of 24m(million) Galactic Credits in cash to move to Nar Shaddaa as usual, but immediately my boss died I moved the funds to CORUSCANT through a diplomatic courier service to a security company on CORUSCANT. The funds have been in the security company on CORUSCANT.

Because of the restriction placed on my family by the New Republic Government, I simply cannot travel to secure the funds from the security company on CORUSCANT.

What I now need from you are as follows:

(1) You should travel to CORUSCANT to secure the funds in cash on my behalf and deposit it in your bank account on your planet.

(2) You will be entitled to 10% of the total sum involved for your assistance.

(3) As soon as you confirm to me by holo transmission your readiness to travel to CORUSCANT, I will fax a copy of my Power of Attorney to the security company on CORUSCANT authorizing them to release the funds to you.

(4) As soon as you have the funds in your custody, I will give you my account details on Kessell where you will transfer my funds to on my behalf.

Your URGENT response is needed. All correspondence must be through my lawyer,holo:392-3492-342488-234. Attentioned to my attorney (SALACIOUS B. CRUMB). Please do not forget to include your direct holo line for easy reach.

I hope I can trust you with my family's last financial hope.

Best regards,
MR. BIB FORTUNA

The mental health parity fight goes to the next level–the courts. « Living in the Solution

nateprentice — Mon, 10 May 2010 10:20:47 GMT

http://nateprentice.wordpress.com/2010/05/10/the-mental-health-parity-fight-goes-to-the-next-level-the-courts/

Crossposted from my work blog.

Did you really expect the mental health/substance abuse insurance companies to take mental health/substance abuse parity laws lying down?

Must be a thrilling read if it goes for $495. In paperback.

nateprentice — Thu, 06 May 2010 11:48:35 GMT

http://www.amazon.com/Accordions-Harmonicas-Non-Electronic-Instruments-Percussion/dp/049737546X%3FSubscriptionId%3D1SEJGX3KXCEVEXRRPTG2%26tag%3Dcitcats.org-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D049737546X

Ow.

nateprentice — Sun, 02 May 2010 18:04:14 GMT

More surgery news

nateprentice — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 02:39:13 GMT

Went to an information session on bariatric surgery which went well. Turns out my wife used to work as a nurse with some of the people involved and she had some recommendations. Some of my questions were answered and some of my fears assayed with positive results. Overall it looks positive, but I am aware that for the procedure, only 2/3 see a benefit. I hope to not be in the 1/3 category.

The next step is to schedule a meeting with the surgeon.

Spoke with the wife

nateprentice — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 12:41:43 GMT

...and I think she has been waiting for me to ask her opinion about bariatric surgery. She says it might be a good idea. Next step is to go to an information session.

Posted via Journaler.

My own private hell.

nateprentice — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 14:20:55 GMT

Lately, my BMI has been stratospheric, with the chances of it coming down on its own slim to none. I am really disgusted and scared.

I am considering the surgery (I officially qualify), but the idea of having that done scares the bejeesus out of me. What are your thoughts, especially those of you who have had it? The Lap-Band procedure looks like the least troublesome of them, but I don't know enough at this point. Does insurance really pick up the cost of the surgery and the pre- and post-operative care?

While I am watching myself balloon, I am seeing my health degrade in a variety of ways, but I feel powerless to stop it. Yes, I've tried diets, OA, and medically monitored weight control programs to no avail. I do OK for a couple of months then the beast takes over again.

I hate this.

PS: Please, please, please. If you want to be helpful, don't comment on or question my current eating. Especially in public. It only makes it worse. Believe me, I'm very aware of the problems with my eating and have tried to fix it. Really. I need support, not criticism.

How I'm spending my Spring Vacation.

nateprentice — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:04:51 GMT

I am going to the Kripalu Center (http://kripalu.org) to learn how to hypnotize people and turn into a pretzel in May. Seriously.

Writer's Block: Too scary!!

nateprentice — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 22:14:26 GMT

Fire trucks.

My grandmother, in her infinite wisdom, bought me a toy fire engine that has a siren and lights and brought me into a dark room to show it to me. The nightmares happen every once in a while.

before you know it, there's love haggis everywhere...

nateprentice — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 18:34:05 GMT

Marshmallows, anyone?

nateprentice — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 18:26:32 GMT

Our team is dooooooomed.

nateprentice — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 16:50:14 GMT

Stargate

nateprentice — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 21:36:31 GMT

Ok my sci-Fi geeky friends, how does one get started in Stargate fandom?

Posted via Journaler.

Joke Du Jour

nateprentice — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 22:50:58 GMT

Four cowboys are sitting on a mountain one night having a few cold ones around a campfire, one a bass drummer, one a snare drummer, one a tenor drummer and the other a bagpiper.

The bass drummer tosses an empty can of Budweiser into the air, whips out his gun, and shoots it declaring "I just killed the king of beers!".
The snare drummer, not wanting to be outdone, tosses his empty can of Coors into the air, shoots it and declares "Ha! I just shot the silver bullet!".
The tenor drummer, ever so suave, reaches into his pack, pulls out a bottle of Michelob, calmly drinks the whole thing, tosses his bottle into the air and shoots the bagpiper. Grinning broadly at his fellow players he says "Guys, it just doesn't get any better than this."

First yoga class

nateprentice — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 08:47:41 GMT

I had a beginner's yoga class at www.easteagleyoga.com. It went pretty well and I still feel good from it. I hope to make it more of a practice.

Uillean Bluegrass with Fred Morrison

nateprentice — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 19:05:51 GMT

Holy Week FB Style...

nateprentice — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 18:59:59 GMT

http://eugenecho.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/facebookpassion.pdf