Bronchitis

Still have the lingering effects of bronchitis. It's been 1 week. Last couple nights I've had to sleep on the couch so as not to wake up Izzy and Blaine as they slumber. In addition to the usual coughing and runny nose, I have my annual bout with laryngitis. My voice is reduced to a horrible croak. Makes teaching a bear. Oh well.

Summer break 2013 is over

Well another fun summer is over. This summer I enjoyed my long walks, discovered "Bamberger Park", had my 46th birthday, did quite a bit of BBQ-ing, played several rounds of golf, got lasik surgery, had my teeth cleaned at the dentist, and watched tons of Spaghetti Westerns! All in all, despite a case of "hand, foot, and mouth virus", all went very well!

Blaine's swollen gland is all but gone!

On the evening of 7/31/13 Dad prayed over Blaine and laid hands on him. The next morning the lump on his neck was nearly all gone!! Praise the Lord!!

Grilled some chicken!!

Today (or yesterday to be exact), I barbecued chicken (leg quarters). They turned out really good! Scrumptious!

Izzy gave me b-day gifts

Izzy presented me with an Amazon gift card, which I promptly used to order a Spaghetti Western DVD from wild east (nest of vipers) . She also got me 4 very nice shirts, brand is Chaps! Thanks Bootsie!!

Blaine has a swollen lymph gland

Poor Blainey has a swollen lymph gland in his neck, just below his right ear! Poor kid. First he got "hand, foot, and mouth disease", now this! I pray he gets over this soon!! I love him so much!!

Dental visit

I am getting a dental cleaning. They said I needed a couple fillings. This is the first time I've ever gone to the dentist where I wasn't in agony. In the past I would only darken the door of a dental office if I was in excruciating pain.

Turned 46

Well, on July 26th I turned 46. Wow. While I believe age is just a number, I am not ignorant to the fact i am getting older. I will hold on to youth as long as I can. I truly feel no more than 25. We had a nice meal at CBQ out near Retama Park. Dad, John, Sarah, Kristin, Sue, Randy, Izzy, and Blaine was there. Then we went back to John's house for cake, and gifts. I had a great time. On my actual birthday Izzy took me to Luther's old fashioned hamburgers. A great b-day all around!!!

I’m a grill master!

Yesterday I made ribs, brisket, and sausage, and pit beans. Everything turned out good! The fam seemed to like it! Who knows what the next cookout will be!

Foot trouble!

I had a bizarre thing happen to me. My feet got a blister rash all over them. I'm not sure how it happened, but I'm pretty sure I caught "hand, foot, and mouth virus" from Blaine. The doctors said when we took him for treatment, that it isn't commonly contagious for adults. Guess that was wrong cuz I caught it. It started off with a nice 103 degree temperature. Wow, that was uncomfortable!! Two days later my feet broke out in this hideous rash of blisters. It hurt so bad for an entire week and a half. I couldn't even walk on them!! It felt like my feet had been hit by a swarm of bees! Here are some actual photos:

Recent Spaghetti Western viewings

Here is the latest round of SW's I've enjoyed recently:

* = not too good / boring
** = ok, I guess
*** = good.
**** = excellent
***** = classic!

Tequila Joe ***
Bullet in the Forehead ***½
Long Days of Revenge ***
The Tramplers ***½
Arizona Colt (man from nowhere) **
Arizona Colt - Hired Gun ***½
Sartana's Here: Trade Your Pistol For A Coffin ***½
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly *****
Django Against Sartana **½
A Minute To Pray, A Second To Die ***½
A Man Called Django (W Django) ***½
One After Another ***½
The Brute and The Beast (Massacre Time) ***½
For a Few Dollars More (Blu-Ray) *****
Four of the Apocalypse ** 
Ben and Charlie ***
A Town Called Glory *** 
High Plains Drifter ****
Te Deum **½
Johnny Oro ***

(Updated August 2, 2013)

Backpacks stolen

Had a backpack stolen off my front porch! Nothing of great value in it, but still... It sucks!

Had a bag stolen out of the back of my truck

Couple years later a backpack was stolen out of my Jeep.

What did we learn?

Them backpacks walk away son!!!!

I love to listen to sermons

I have been enjoying sermonaudio.com lately! It is a great resource! There are thousands of sermons of every kind by hundreds of different preachers! Great! I have been listening to at least one sermon a day for like 2 weeks! Love it!

My Most Influential Books - Vol. 38 (UFO debunking)

 

In UFOs: The Public Deceived (1983), Philip J. Klass, a prominent aviation journalist and skeptic, argues that the public is being misled not by a government cover-up of aliens, but by UFO advocates and the media who sensationalize mundane events.

The book’s core arguments can be summarized by several "UFOlogical Principles" Klass introduces:

• Misidentification, Not Visitation: Klass asserts that the vast majority of UFO sightings are honest misidentifications of natural or man-made phenomena (stars, meteors, weather balloons, or aircraft) by people who are simply unfamiliar with what they are seeing.

• Human Fallibility: He emphasizes that even "expert" witnesses, like pilots, can be unreliable when describing brief, unexpected events in the sky, often making errors in estimating size, distance, and speed.

• Media Sensationalism: Klass critiques the news media for giving massive coverage to initial "mysterious" reports while ignoring the prosaic explanations found later, thereby feeding a cycle of public "UFO hysteria."

• The "Pro-UFO" Deception: He argues that prominent UFO researchers often suppress evidence that contradicts an extraterrestrial explanation and use "half-truths" to keep the public interested in the mystery.

• Lack of Evidence: He maintains that even if a case remains "unexplained" due to a lack of data, it does not constitute evidence of extraterrestrial visitation; it simply means there is insufficient information to identify the object.

Overall, the book is a rigorous debunking of famous UFO cases (such as the 1976 Tehran UFO incident) using his background in aviation and electronics to provide rational, technical explanations for what was reported.

My Most Influential Books - Vol. 37 (Humor/Satire)

 

Really any of his books are good. I fell in love with his writing style and his sense of humor and desperately tried and am trying to copy it ever since.

My Most Influential Books - Vol. 36 (Jean Shepherd)

 

I love Jean Shepherd. Ever since I saw "A Christmas Story" back in 1983 I have been a fan. That story (chapter) is in this book. If you like that movie, this whole book is like that. Just a great great read!

My Most Influential Books - Vol. 35 (Satirical history)

 

This is a very funny book. 

My Most Influential Books - Vol. 34 (Vietnam war)

 

Nam. By Mark Baker. I really got interested in Vietnam first because of Bruce Springsteen. In the mid-80's there seemed to be a renewed interest in the Vietnam war. Among other things, we started coming to terms with how we treated the returning veterans.

In Nam: The Vietnam War in the Words of the Men and Women Who Fought There (1981), Mark Baker provides a haunting, visceral oral history that strips away the politics of the Vietnam War to reveal the raw human experience. For a reader influenced by it, the book serves as a brutal "reality check" regarding the nature of combat, trauma, and the limits of human endurance.

1. The "Washing Machine" of War

Baker organizes the book chronologically, from the naive excitement of enlistment to the "Meat Grinder" of the jungle, and finally to the "Ghostly" return home. To an influenced reader, this structure demonstrates how the military machine systematically broke down individual identities to create soldiers, only to discard them into a society that no longer recognized them.

2. The Loss of Moral Absolutes

The book is famous for its unflinching honesty. Because the interviews were conducted anonymously, veterans felt free to discuss the "darker" side of the war:

• The Blur of Ethics: The difficulty of distinguishing between "friend" and "foe" in a guerrilla environment.

• The "Thrill" and "Horror": Many veterans admit to the terrifying adrenaline rush of combat, a taboo subject that Baker treats with radical empathy.

• Atrocity and Survival: It explores how decent people can be pushed into "survival mode," where the only morality is keeping yourself and your friends alive.

3. The Sensory Overload

Baker’s writing is noted for its ability to convey the physicality of Vietnam. The reader doesn't just read about the war; they feel the "red dust" of the Highlands, the oppressive humidity, the smell of "diesel and decay," and the sudden, deafening chaos of an ambush. It is a masterclass in immersive storytelling.

4. The "Second War" at Home

The final section—"Home"—is often the most impactful. It details the jarring transition from the jungle to a suburban grocery store in 48 hours. It highlights the profound isolation felt by veterans who returned to a country that either hated them or wanted to forget they existed.

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Key Takeaway for the Reader

Nam is a powerful testament to the fact that the soldier is always the one who pays the highest price for the decisions of the powerful. For the influenced reader, it fosters a deep, non-political respect for the veteran and a healthy skepticism toward the "glory" of war.

"I went there as a nineteen-year-old boy looking for an adventure, and I came back a thousand years old, looking for a place to hide."

My Most Influential Books - Vol. 33 (Self-Help/Relationship)

 

In How To Be A 3% Man, Corey Wayne argues that only 3% of men truly understand women and relationship dynamics. The book serves as a guide to moving from "needy" behavior to becoming a high-value, centered man.

The Core Philosophy

• Purpose Over People: A man must prioritize his mission and purpose in life. When a man is centered in his masculine energy—focused on his goals—he becomes naturally more attractive because he isn't seeking validation from women.

• The "Cat" Analogy: Wayne describes women as being like cats: they are independent and come to you when they feel safe and curious. Men are urged to stop "chasing" (which is seen as feminine energy) and instead create an environment where the woman feels free to pursue them.

• Hang Out, Have Fun, Hook Up: This is Wayne’s "three H’s" mantra for dates. The goal is to keep things light, positive, and stress-free, allowing attraction to build naturally without the pressure of "relationship talks."

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Key Behavioral Rules

Concept	The "3% Man" Approach
Communication	Uses the phone only to set definite dates; avoids "texting his way out of an attraction."
Mystery	Doesn't reveal everything at once. Let's the woman wonder about him.
Confidence	Views himself as "the prize." He is willing to walk away if his values aren't met.
Attraction	Focuses on her actions (reaching out, touching, looking) rather than just her words.

"The strongest negotiating position is being able to walk away and mean it."

The book’s ultimate goal is to help men develop a "mindset of abundance," where they no longer fear rejection because they are secure in their own value.

How to be a 3% Man (Life Changing Summary)

The above video provides a deep dive into the "formula for success" and explains why internal confidence is the foundation of the 3% Man philosophy.

===========================================================

How to Be a 3% Man

Author: Corey Wayne

Core Idea

The book argues that only about 3% of men truly understand women and consistently succeed in dating and relationships. The rest (the 97%) make predictable mistakes that cause attraction to fade.

Wayne’s central claim:

Attraction isn’t negotiated — it’s created through confidence, strength, and emotional leadership.

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Main Themes

1. Masculine Confidence

A “3% man”:

• Is self-assured and decisive

• Leads interactions rather than seeking approval

• Has a strong sense of purpose outside of women

Wayne emphasizes that women are attracted to emotional strength, not neediness.

---

2. The Importance of Purpose

One of the book’s biggest points:

• Your mission in life comes first.

• Women are attracted to men who are already fulfilled and driven.

If a man makes a woman the center of his life, attraction declines.

---

3. Understanding Female Attraction

Wayne argues that:

• Women test men (e.g., through teasing, emotional swings, or mixed signals).

• These “tests” check for emotional stability.

• Passing the test means staying calm and playful rather than reactive.

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4. Don’t Chase — Create Space

He advises:

• Let women do some of the pursuing.

• Don’t over-text or over-pursue.

• Pull back if interest drops.

Scarcity and mystery increase attraction.

---

5. Relationship Dynamics

In long-term relationships:

• Maintain masculine/feminine polarity.

• Keep dating your partner.

• Avoid complacency.

• Lead plans and direction.

He stresses that attraction must be continually maintained.

---

Practical Structure

The book is:

• Repetitive by design (Wayne encourages reading it 10–15 times).

• Based heavily on anecdotal coaching stories.

• Very direct and blunt in tone.

---

Criticism

Common critiques include:

• Overgeneralization of male/female dynamics

• Heavy reliance on evolutionary psychology tropes

• Some advice can seem manipulative if misunderstood

• Not heavily research-based

Supporters argue it:

• Helps insecure or overly nice men develop boundaries

• Encourages confidence and purpose

• Offers clear behavioral frameworks

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In One Sentence

How to Be a 3% Man teaches that women are most attracted to confident, purpose-driven men who lead emotionally, don’t chase validation, and maintain masculine strength in relationships.

Boston Bombing

Don't want to avoid saying something about the horrible terrorist action in Boston. It was a gutless act of cowardice. 3 innocent people killed. 170 plus injured, many if which are still in serious condition as of this writing. Why? I think it is because basically the Muslims hate us. Thanks to the Koran, many Muslims are motivated by their god to kill "infidels" wherever they can find them. The only good thing about it is that one of these human rats was killed. The eldest one. The ringleader. He was wounded, arrested and cuffed. Then his younger brother made a break for it and actually ran over his older brother, dragging him over 40 feet. Ha ha ha ha!!! GOOD!! Now the youngest one is in the hospital. It makes me sick!!

Creationism

The debate between creationism and evolution is interesting. A vast gulf exists between the two sides with little or NO compromise. And how can there be? Darwinists think the world has existed for billions and billions of years. Most creationists think the world (or at least civilization) is no older than 6000 or so years old.

I myself am a "Young Earth Creationist". I think civilization came into being about 6000 years ago or so and the history of these events can be found in the Bible. I believe that The Bible is the inspired word of GOD!

One cannot be talked into one side or the other! One must be convinced in his own mind of the truth!!!

Update on things

Right now, I am on a diet. I just got over a slight illness (you know... Sore throat, cough, bronchitis, etc) seems to be going away after 1 week. Though the cough is still kinda there. Played golf today. Dad beat me 41 to 44 thru 9 holes.
I've been really into origins lately. Been debating evolutionists over the last few days.
So that's what's going on in my world!!