Ice Falls at Baie Finn in the Winter

Here are a few photos of the frozen McGregor Bay and Baie Finn area in Ontario Canada. It is a popular boating and Yachting area during the warmer summer months.
We arrived by snowmobile in the blistery cold.


Here's a photo of me with my friend in front of the Ice Falls.

Presidential Address

Tonight I was fortunate enough to try some Safari Liqueur while watching the presidential address. I was mortified while listening to Bush's speech. Liqueur...a bunch of beers earlier, some Thai food... and then Bush's Presidential address happened. His economy proposal for the nation that may only take the form of carbon credits... the Medicare plan that may be for the self insured retiree candidates with high incomes only (I’ve heard over $100,000/ year). And the continual war on terrorism with the U.S. military is able to hire its own civilians for special ops. ...an idea that mortifies me... because then how is the world to determine what is truly terrorist versus what is truly America's (the U.S.) since there is such racism and nationalism with in the United States. Or, that people like my father who can shoot well as a Class 1 could potentially eliminate the other side of my family in Japan. ;- Or, occurrences of like instances with other families and friends scenarios. Additionally, the fact that the U.S has gotten our asses kicked hard in Iraq and that we still cannot return home. It seems that 40 years of isolation would do it here in the U.S.
The perpetual reign of the U.S. enterprise over the citizens here to eliminate funding and force people to join the military and participate in the infrastructure change or a heightened "homeland security"...as the U.S. corporation makes significant job cuts to stay afloat and enable an elite Executive lifestyle that leaves the majority of U.S. citizens grasping for ways to live. Is the American public really going to perpetuate more of the bourgeois corporate elite by sacrificing more of today's youth just to save the increasing crime rate due to loss of jobs and an overall participatory economy?

Halvsies!!!

!

Mobile to Mobile or Landline Calling

REBTEL; Free to RebIn Countries and nominal cost to RebOut countries; see partial RebIn list below.

After posting some usual solutions to expensive overseas and not-in the local calling area phone charges; I was introduced to Rebtel. Simple; Pay $1 USD/ week and call any RebIn country for $0.00/ minute. There is a small amount of front end user work to do to make this work; It is time well spent.

If some of the concepts here seem too confusing to you for any reason; think of this as if setting up a conference call between 2 users. You basically set up a number to have the person you're calling to contact you. The difference is that there is no "set" calling time. You, the caller contact their phone and they hang up and dial into a local number that you have assigned for them even though you never hang up on them...stay and wait for them to return your call.

$1 a week to these countries and more through Rebbing
Some of the Countries that I saw included for RebInare:
USA mainland
Argentina
Belgium
Brazil
Chile
Singapore
Portugal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
United Kingdom

Rebtel is a super solution. You can even add your Outlook contacts (beta).

RebOut
Rebtel RebOut offers the Mobile user to make affordable calls using the existing Cell phone plan; countries that are not in Blue (Blue indicates RebIn at this link). There is a current $1 weekly fee that must be paid, and there is billing as a normal local call rate (so if your local call is $0.26/ min your Rebtel call will be the cost + the $0.26/min.) So, check your current landline or cell. phone plan to see your call cost.

For emergencies it wouldn't hurt to have the service as a backup. Most Mobile companies are still charging upwards of $1 per minute for international mobile to mobile or mobile to landline calls. And yes, there is SMS text messaging available.

For someone Helping a family in need in Namibia; Here's an example of regular calling to a Country like Namibia (very expensive to start with);

Namibia through Rebtel is $0.27 cents to a mobile and $0.15 to a landland from the Mainland USA. Rebtel is 5 to 10 cents less per minute from the traditional plans, and some calling cards.

The Rebtel user here is a RebOut caller. This RebOut means that a nominal fee will be incurred for per minute useage plus any local calling charges. The Rebtel caller will have a local number set up for the call recipient to call into.



Readers: Please let me know if there are any corrections that I can make to improve this article.
Sign into Rebtel and register.

Phone to Phone Calling

Re: Phone to Phone calling...
Free rates apply to registered Jajah users (both caller and call recipient)
The low rates apply when there is at least 1 unregistered Skype user. Registration does not change the Phone provider. This service, as I have experienced it is independent of the cell phone service provider or landline service provider.
You might ask, "Then why use Jajah?".
For international calls especially, I like to receive calls on my mobile phone.
However, my mobile company charges me $1.32 to $1.50 a minute for calls.
I got sick of having to go to the convenience stores to buy international calling cards at the $10 at $0.06/min to Asia. Or punching in over 26 numbers and waiting to make calling card calls.

Jajah is a solution for me due to the simplicity. My rates through Jajah are approximately 1/10th of what I would pay to my cell phone carrier.
I can talk for reasonable amounts of time and send text messages at a better rate!

Read below for a variety of common options for reduced cost communication!!!
++++++++++++++++++
1: Phone to Phone calling (minimal use of computer)
No Download needed. Online registration required. Free calling from phone to phone in your Zone.

www.jajah.com - Domestic and International Phone calls & Text Messaging.

Jajah is great for the person who wants to make calls without all the computer gear; ie, video cam and headset. You don't necessarily need your computer after registration, but you do need your own phone and the person you're calling needs to have a phone. You talk through your phone at a reduced or free rate compared to some traditional calling plans. The rate is sometimes 1/10th of the normal cost of International overseas calling rates! It is very low cost compared to packaged International calling rates from your landline. (see rates here) That's 3 yen/minute Junko Obasan to Takenaka san!!! Not 10 yen/ minute.

Also, your grandmother, or mine in that far away land won't need computer access.
You can quickly patch the call through to your loved one and they only need their phone. And, you can use your phone handset/headset and walk around your house! No being attached to the computer for any reason...commonly found with using PC to phone calling through Yahoo or MSN or Skype.

Mobile phone to Mobile phone or Phone
www.jajah.com - Mobile to Mobile free calling. New! Check out the required Mobile phone to use this Jajah feature and use of a computer to register your number with Jajah. It seems you must still have a regular calling plan; though if you're calling out of the country this feature can be very useful. Some mobile plans charge up to $1.50/ minute of air time to Outside countries. Jajah can make those calls more affordable.

Free calling on a fixed budget

Free calling/ communication options for those who are on a tight or fixed budget. There are some business plans available as well as family packages.
First, here are some rates and my reasoning for using these great services!


Skype Rates per Minute in USD $
Helsinki Finland $0.031
Japan $0.025
Japan (mobile) $0.154
New Zealand $0.021
New Zealand (mobile) $0.310

North American Rates for Skype are Free until the end of 2006.(11/24/06)


Free rates apply to registered Jajah users (both caller and call recipient)
The low rates apply when there is at least 1 unregistered Skype user and compare to posted the Skype rates I listed above.
Registration does not change the Phone provider.
This service, as I have experienced it is independent of your cell phone service provider.
You might ask, "Then why use Jajah?".
For international calls especially, I like to receive calls on my mobile phone.
However, my mobile company charges me $1.32 to $1.50 a minute for calls.
I got sick of having to go to the convenience stores to buy international calling cards
or punching in over 26 numbers and waiting to make calling card calls.
Jajah is a solution for me to the simplicity. My rates through Jajah are approximately 1/10th of what I would pay to my cell phone carrier.
I can talk for reasonable amounts of time and send text messages at a better rate!

Read below for a variety of common options for reduced cost communication!!!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1: Phone to Phone calling (minimal use of computer)
No Download needed. Online registration required. Free calling from phone to phone in your Zone.

www.jajah.com - Domestic and International Phone calls & Text Messaging.

Jajah is great for the person who wants to make calls without all the computer gear; ie, video cam and headset. You don't necessarily need your computer after registration, but you do need your own phone and the person you're calling needs to have a phone. You talk through your phone at a reduced or free rate compared to some traditional calling plans. The rate is sometimes 1/10th of the normal cost of International overseas calling rates! It is very low cost compared to packaged International calling rates from your landline. (see rates here)

Mobile phone to Mobile phone or Phone
www.jajah.com - Mobile to Mobile free calling. New! Check out the required Mobile phone to use this Jajah feature and use of a computer to register your number with Jajah. It seems you must still have a regular calling plan; though if you're calling out of the country this feature can be very useful. Some mobile plans charge up to $1.50/ minute of air time to Outside countries. Jajah can make those calls more affordable.

Free downloads, free communication, Computer to computer
www.imvu.com - for gamers and kids mostly. - chat in 3D. No real live video.

IMVU requires time, definately. It is a constructed world in 3D much like the old moos and muds. There are many choices for your character and settings. You must have sufficient memory to run this one too - though most computers today will do. And a tolerance for teenage antics including pulling wedgies on your character.
I have found few adults hanging out on this site. But an interesting crowd none the less. IMVU is in 3D chat style and allows the user to participate in simulated real world settings, purchase clothes to dress your 3D character, and purchase hotel rooms and such for your characters to hook up in the online fantasy land. The chatters or users are real people. Includes a web page that can be decorated. 3D snapshots of people/ characters you meet to be added to your website. etc.

Computer to computer or Computer to Phone

www.skype.com - Video, Computer to Phone, Chat, send files - Requires download
Skype has a calling option to call from your computer to a landline or other phone numer. However, you must purchase Skype credit in order to do this. There is a small fee to call internationally to a land line. It is not a substitute for calling out for emergencies to 911. You cannot send files on a call to a landline. Nor can you see the person you are calling.
Chat & video conference free internationally from computer to computer; much like MSN Messenger or Yahoo Instant Messanger. There is a video option for video calls/ chat.

File transfers can occur without having a Yahoo or MSN related email address to manage additionally.

You can make calls to phones anyplace in the world ( for a small fee - *for free and the best rates I've found: try looking at Jajah for free calling to land lines and mobile phones).

MSN Messenger - PC to Phone, Video, Chat, Games, email, send files
Sign up for an email account with Hotmail for your friends to contact you. Though, it is not the only email option, it is part of setting up your messenger user account. You can set up with a video camera and headset on your computer to have a direct conversation and see the person who you're speaking with in Real time.
There are newer features from the old messenger to call internationally and locally to mobile and landlines. Now with a feature making it compatible with YIM or Yahoo Instant Messenger buddies!

http://messenger.yahoo.com/ - PC to Phone, Video, Chat, Games, email, send files
A great way to communicate and send files, start by setting up a free Yahoo account. You can set up with a video camera and headset on your computer to have a direct conversation and see the person who you're speaking with in Real time. There is PC to phone calling for approximately 1 cent per minute. It's nearly 75% more expensive than using Jajah. And, I have to compare the rates with Skype.




Rev: 11/24/2006

About Recruitment

Over the past Decade I have learned a variety of recruitment methods; all grassroots/ 1 on 1.

Reading sites about a variety of companies who market products through individuals has really perked my attention on the Recruitment matter.

There are several instances that I can think about:

1. Many people grew up fundraising door to door for baseball, soccer, the senior trip, or for their favorite campy/ militant survival club. (that's honest to many people and harmless)

2. Many people have engaged in door-to-door people of faith recruitment procedures; depending on what faith they try to muster. (that's being devoted to many people and not an offensive nuisance)

3. Many people jump on a political bandwagon without studying politics and work for change. (that's considered smart work to many people and not the actions of charlatans)

4. Many people expect to be recruited for the Military. And, some are willing to "fight"for this country. They're recruited and don't know what will happen to them; whether they return live, dead, or severely injured. (that's considered brave, courageous, and admirable to many people and not with a total lack of respect to the taxpayers and families who are forced to afford such brazen actions)

With these things in my mind, how can I possibly not justify learning more, and furthering my education in some the systems that exist? Whether it's for people, the environment we live in, the creatures of the planet, making money, or any other fun adventure.... why is recruitment and learning such a scary and loathed subject by so many people?

Voting the Humane USA way

Today I went to the Polls. The new voting booths are in.... all electrical with buttons. No more ancient levers are there to pull. And, the volunteers seem to be very happy to show people how the booths work. The volunteer even stepped in the booth and pushed a bunch of buttons and then left. So I had to clear his inputs with my own. Talk about intent!!!

Because I'm a U.S. born citizen of 1st generation and 1/2 Japanese descent, I took more than 1.5 weeks researching my voting selections. And, then I visited my favorite PAC (political action committee) online; Humane USA. They have a list of Endorsements and you can see their questionairre if you visit the home page.

I voted according to their endorsed candidates. Not because they told me to. I was happy that after I researched my voting choices that they Matched up with Humane USA. Many considerations went into my voting for this 2006 election. Earlier in the week I read that Bob Casey (D) has been funding organizations and companies in N. Korea and other countries where there is terrorist activity. I couldn't vote for Casey due to the NY Times article I read about this. Additionally, I know my Obasan or Grandmother (as well as other family members up to 60+) in Japan is/are living in the N. Korean missile testing area.

The following from Humane USA political animal issue #15

PENNSYLVANIA: Ed Rendell (D). Gov. Rendell has been a leader in cracking down on Pennsylvania’s notorious “puppy mills.” He is appointing a state prosecutor charged with regulating the state’s 2,500 kennels, and is proposing legislative changes to strengthen penalties for abuse.

I realize that I am a minority in this state, and that there is still a horrid amount of racism that I and others experience. I can only put my trust in those who show compassion towards animals it seems. And, keep my future hope open to those who will show compassion and help futher fair Human rights treatment here in this State of Pennsylvania.

The following from Humane USA political animal issue #15

PENNSYLVANIA: Rick Santorum (R). Sen. Santorum is one of the Senate’s strongest champions for animals. He has consistently led efforts to increase funding for enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, and animal fighting law. He is also the author of legislation to crack down on abusive “puppy mills.”

Clown & Cat

My Kitty And Clown goofin' around Today after a quick lunch.

Free Business Calling

Best for those on the road
JahJah
If you are in the Same zone for the U.S. ; Calls are free.
Otherwise, there is a better rate than some mobile phone calling plans.
Feel free to call me unless your identity is JEB/jeb/Jeb


Easy from Home to make a call from Computer to a land line phone....
SKYPE


to be updated;

About Primerica

So, In just a few short minutes I'm leaving for my Primerica orientation.
I met Justin. I met him at Starbucks, out here in the boonies. I'm there, at the Starbucks enough to know that Justin is there at least everyother day sharing the business plan with someone. Not dressed in a suit, he's dressed like a normal human being. I overheard his 3%, 6%, 12% talk and the law of 72. So, we talked for a couple of hours. He lent me a book called Coach and went on to talk about Primerica. How they sell Term Insurance. They're a hot new, young company and that companies like NY Life just keep taking money from Middle America.

So, I read some of the book. It's very American Apple pie like in it's content.
Good and wholesome approach to life. Justin warned me that I'd find enough bad stuff out there online searching for Primerica. I've only found some things between 2002-2006 that are vaguely coherent. So, off I go, another afternoon job hunting.
I wonder about the Term Life policies being sold; in theory every new family should have one to cover their new home until they are established.

Though, who knows. I don't understand these numbers on the Term Life.
I hope to find out more today.

Here are some links that I found helpful after my meeting today (see comments):
hello it's ALE's Blog
Bryan off Topic
whydowork.com

There is a mentality that is tired for the 21st century.
It is the mentality of people who have it easy in the States and do not know about Asia, or Japan aside from their war experiences and handed down stories. I have met some other Halvsie// hafu people who have the same experience that I have had. It is the complete rejection of Japanese culture and/or mindset and the farce that they create by saying that Japanese is not a language, that Japanese people are all bad, that people from Japan are all crazy as well as Japanese related kin. Here on the east coast, there are pockets of small town people who still try to shove their small town view upon people of Japanese descent. They particularly hate buddhism and related people; put up a front of "cultural & racial acceptance" when in the trenches here in the working world those same people are doing everything in their power to harm people of Japanese descent.

I think that this happens frequently in small towns because the people are afraid about money issues. So afraid to pay someone who wants to visit their Japanese family, or create a positive environment. Once the racial threshold is crossed partway by those of us who are Haafu, Americans seem to think they can slander and berate our Japanese heritage without having any offense taken. Or, they're just playing dumb racist. I'm not sure which it is. Though it's an amazing array of split personalities that the racist offenders put up so that they can pretend they're understanding.

One story I heard from CT is that they're trying to declare someone who is Buddhist as "clinically insane". This person happens to have an older child in her custody as well. I have experienced the same type of intolerant attitude from people in my community. These are the same people who host Asian exchange students and then throw them out on the street for not being Christian. The same type of people who allow their children to play military torture with their adopted Asian children while these wars and negotiations are taking place. It's not right.

There are better attitudes and efforts towards multi-cultural understanding. My father was in the U.S. military and my grandfather, and great grandfather, as well as uncles. My mother is from Japan, and though things aren't perfect there is still a higher level of cultural understanding and acceptance.

Liberals, Conservatives, & Media

I am writing from my uniquely halvsie, bi-racial perspective yet again. The last bout of negotiations with N. Korea and Bush's cabinet came under attack in a personal conversation I had with a national media person. He really didn't seem to care that he jumped down Bush's throat for having anything to do with defending Japan. This person also really was mindless of my feelings, in that my family is Japanese. I made a said to him, at that point, on this issue I admire him (Bush). Yes, I'm registered green party. Though I vote the best way I can... humanely.

I think there are a significant number of Democrats and like people who really just jump on the Bash Bush bandwagon and are lead like lambs. There is an unintelligent side to American politics. The American side of "American politics". Yes, that includes me. Especially me. I paid in excess of $10,000 to Green Corps and the University of Montana to learn about American citizen politics, worked my tail off, and got slammed real hard for not being white. Even in the "Liberal corps". Yes I understand what things are, what things aren't and choose to try and save my butt the best way I can. however, I have gone for 31 years trying to fit into a society that only harms me because I'm not white, I'm Half Japanese and they attach their own jealous sentiment to how they treat me, thus adding to the misery. It is very difficult to live in a place where the people are rotten by nature; a festering pit full of chemically laden prunes that recirculate their diarrhea to refine their own level of rottenness.

That is today's opinion from this 1st generation American halvsie.

What they Really Mean...

Today; this morning in particular, I saw the morning talk news on television as I was leaving. Then some old = esteemed; glasses = nerdy/intelligent; grey= too stressed out
male said "The war is popular". I couldn't help but think...

"The War is popular"
The media is covering the War.

Samurai Modern Costume

Here's my interpretation of a Samurai costume from my closet...

Past midnight thoughts

Bush: U.S. will stop N. Korea nuke moves
WASHINGTON -
President Bush said Wednesday the United States would stop
North Korea from transferring nuclear weapons to
Iran or al-Qaida and that the communist regime would then face "a grave consequence."
Web reference: AP article on Yahoo! News, Bush: U.S. will stop N. Korea nuke moves

This article headline seems quite difficult to pull of. It is known that there is al-Qaida presence in China as well as other parts of Asia. It seems to me that there woul most likely need to be a hand-off of missiles and weapons from N. Korea, to China, and through. Many people in China have behavior much like Americans. That being "need to make money, will do whatever they can get away with". So, how in the world does the U.S. plan to punish anyone. It seems that U.S. presence in Vladivostok is necessary to some extent for monitoring purposes. Since the U.S. was forced out of China there is less monitoring that can be verified by U.S. sources. China and Guangzhou, China are still creating affordable assault planes that are up for sale.
It is difficult to understand how the U.S. plans to implement any form of punishment on North Korean war-like actions without bombing the crap out of them.

N. Korea going for the Jugular

go for the jugular to make an attack that is intended to be highly destructive and conclusive (informal)
Website Reference: http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/jugular.html

An Ear in the Russian Maritime area near Vladivostock died this morning. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Rasa Theory like Buddhist approach may not save him or his peaceful motivations. "Aesthetic is secondary to whatever public sentiment is." from Buddhism in Performance. There is some major crap happening in too many segments of Japanese conventional functioning. How in the world is Shimokitazawa going to become a clear path in time for any Impending Nuclear Missile attack? Tokyo has a population of 12 million, without a major straight roadway designed through it. Evacuation seems difficult. Though, most of the Japanese cities built after the war are designed for major ordeals.
To be updated: 3:19AM EST.

Guanzhou, China - Oil, Ships & Profit

Oil, Gas & Power
China's total installed power generation capacity is expected to reach
818 mln kW by 2020, topping the world, the US Energy Information Bureau
forecasts. (China Securities Journal, A.10)

Website Reference: Interfax Article: http://www.interfax.com/4/203756/news.
aspx

Though, There is unconfirmed news from Reuters UK that China has just sent an Envoy to speak with North Korean officials.

In Vladivostok - Mayoral Candidate Dead

Website Reference: Interfax article; "Mayoral candidate killed in Russia's Far East" at http://www.interfax.com/3/204271/news.aspx

Dmitry Fotyanov died of a bullet this morning prior to the October 22, 2006 election. He was to run for Mayor for Dalnegorsk in Russia's Maritime
territory (Primorye)... per the Interfax article 05:43 GMT, Oct 19, 2006

Military & Family

You can remove the family from the military.
You can't remove the military from the family.