What 12 Levels?

For whatever reason, Michele, bless her little heart, decided that I needed a Second Life tag that says "Thinks on 12 levels." I really like this tag, in that it is simultaneously intelligent-sounding and enigmatic. In fact, it's my favorite. But the more I wore it, and the more ppl asked me what it meant, the more I thought it might actually reflect a reality.

I kept wearing it. The organism evolved. I eventually began consciously thinking on 12 levels. Ppl still asked me what 12 levels I was thinking on, and I tried to summarize, but I found it diificult to do so. Eventually I began to feel that my 12 levels required codification. Hence, Gudrun's 12-Level Paradigm of Awareness and Thought:

Level 1 - Thoughtless reaction to external forces. (Like being pushed in SL... even a prim has this.)

Level 2 - Reflex and instinctive action, which also requires no awareness or thinking. Human beings share this behavior with plants and animals.

Level 3 - Learned behavior. We learn what is advantageous or disadvantageous to us, and this creates conditioned reflexes. This is also shared with animals.

Level 4 - Next we have verbal thinking - the indirect exchange of experiences through words. Animals do this to whatever extent a species can communicate feelings. People also communicate ideas.

Level 5 - Abstract concepts are then created by identifying essences and common elements. These are then manipulated to form systems of science, art, and technology. We begin to identfy causes, effects, forces, and processes that go beyond personal need or emotion.

Level 6 - We reify abstractions such as the family, society, God, and nations. (An individual then perceives their own self as part of these abstractions - unless they're completely alienated):

Level 7 - What do I have (material and abstract non-material - part of self-worth).

Level 8 - What do others have (material and abstract non-material).

Level 9 - What do others think of me (how does the world valuate me - another part of self-worth).

Level 10 - Are they right or wrong? How has it impacted my behavior?

Level 11 - What do they think I think of them (how do they see me and my probable actions in relation to themselves and their interests).

Level 12 - Are they right or wrong, and does it make a difference? Do all or some of them think it makes a difference, and if so, how many (differences and/or ppl)? (The real question: If an election were held tomorrow, would I win?)

So that's how I think on 12 levels. Obviously I have WAY to much time on my hands...

Vancouver Winter Olympics

As the countdown to the 2010 Winter Olympics nears its finish, the enthusiasm of fans and athletes cranks way, way up. It's one of those times when people who normally DO sports with all the verve of champion amateurs and top ranking professionals take the role of SPECTATOR just to see how they stack up. My Sweetie Pie, Michele, is no exception. (Of course, her ability to assume the role of a mere watcher of speed and figure skating is severely hampered by her consummate lust to compete in and/or judge those sports - She easily becomes overwhelmed by a craving for the smell and feel of metal on ice and for the music of the rink. She then quickly heads for the nearest ice patch and leaves me alone to contemplate my sedentary nature or maybe take a nap. :=P )

Starting Friday, over seventeen days, 2,500 athletes from 80 countries will compete in 86 medal events.

ICE events:

Bobsled
Curling
Figure Skating
Hockey
Luge
Short Track Speed Skating
Skeleton
Speed Skating

SNOW events:

Alpine Skiing
Biathlon
Cross-Country
Freestyle
Moguls
Nordic Combined
Jumping
Snowboarding

The schedule is here: http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-schedule-results/

Want to follow Team USA in the 2010 Olympics? Link to http: //teamusanews.org/ where you can regsister for the latest info and updates. (Thanks to Liza Peiffer at Team USA News for providing us with the link!)

N.B. ~ The pixxies were taken at our ice rink which will be open to the public until St. Patrick's Day, the official start of spring (for some ppl) http://slurl.com/secondlife/Malvern/180/240/91/

I Can Haz Cheezburger!!!!

Dis be boutz teh song, "Cowz wif Gunz."

Cowz iz F-A-T, S-T-U-P-I-D, D-U-M-B hurd anjimalz. Dey iz not kittiz!!! Dere mindz reflekt upon nuthin. Dey cannot organize cept to mill aboutz.

So dey iz razed to be eeted by other anjimalz, namely youz adn me. Dey makz gud burgerz.

Teh song sez a leader cow emergicated mongst dem name of Cow Tse Tongue. Smarter den most, he hided in teh forest, readed books on revolooshun. He speeked boutz justice, but nobuddy paid no a10shun at allz.

But wen he mooed "We must fite adn escape or be dedz!" they paid a10shun. Dis cow wuz den took away by teh thoriteez. Nobuddy spected he hadded an Uzi. He broked loos adn setted teh killing floor on fire yelling, "Run cowz run!"

He picked up teh horn of a bull adn jumped up on teh hay, adn gotz teh cowz singing:

"We fitez for free cowz
And holdz hi our larj hedz
We gon run freely wif teh Buffalo, or bee ded
Cowz wif gunz."

Dey crashed teh gate, tipped a truck, and setted fire to teh feed. When po-lice ppls came, dey throwed cowpies. Dey setted fire to lunch stands. All teh while dey sang:

"We fitez for free cowz
And holdz hi our larj hedz
We gon run freely wif teh Buffalo, or bee ded
Cowz wif gunz!"

Teh President wuz tired of teh bullshit. teh cowz wuz surrounded by 10,000 copperz and - OH, NOES!!!! - teh cowz wuz outsmarted (adn outgunned).

Teh cowz waited and prayed. dey mooed dere last moos, dey chewed dere last hay. TRUST ME, LOL, NO CHICKENZ CAME TO DERE RESCUE!!!!

Dis is why I can haz cheezburger!!!!

Happy New Year!!!

Goodbye aughts, hello oats...

~ Oatmeal ~

The dour grain
Food of poverty
Feed for the dray
Gray in my bowl
Old and cold

Boiling water
Steamy kitchen
Hot coffee
Hills and vales of porridge
In my bowl
Rivulets of cream
And a handful of raisins

Puffed fat and creamy
Lovely in my bowl
Sticking to my ribs
Can be supper too
In another world

Congee gruel
Crispy fried scallions
Sweet or salty soy
Kanji, ganji, bubur
Okayu, juk, lugao
Barley, quinoa, rice
Sesame, chili, tiger sauce

Golden oat grains
Big, round, delicately brown
Crisp crumbled bacon
Sun in my bowl
Amazing rich and full

~ Gudrun Gausman


That was an original poem by ME. :=)

So, the "aughts" are over and it's a New Year once again. What exactly are we going to do to improve ourselves? Well, we don't want it to be too hard, and we don't want to give up being [n]aught[y] (even though the aughts are over). Hmmmm...

Oatmeal (1) may help reduce high blood pressure, (2) may reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes, (3) contains a wide array of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and is a good source of protein, complex carbohydrates and iron, and (4) may actually reduce the risk for certain cancers.

We all know about adding fruit, nuts, cinnamon, and sweeteners to oatmeal, but other things can make it very different indeed. It's not just for breakfast any more. So for the new year, eat more oatmeal! (And No, I don't work for the Quaker Oats Company.)


GOLDEN OATS MEDLEY (instead of rice, noodles or other grains) ~ The Quaker Oats Wholegrain Cookbook

Ingredients (Serves 4)

1 1/2 cups Quaker Oats, uncooked
1 egg, beaten
3 Tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1/2 cup chopped green pepper*
3/4 cup chicken or beef broth
1/4 teaspoon salt

Combine uncooked oats and beaten egg in medium sized bowl; mix until oats are thoroughly coated. Saute green pepper in butter in a large skillet. Add the oat mixture to the green pepper mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 1 to 3 minutes, or until the oats are dry, separate, and lightly browned. Add the broth and salt and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the liquid evaporates.

*Try some fried onion along with the green pepper.

VARIATIONS using the basic “Golden Oats Medley” recipe above...

GOLDEN OATS ORIENTAL: Substitute 3/4 cup water and 2 Tblsp soy sauce for broth. GOLDEN OATS PILAF: Substitute 3/4 cup mushroom slices and 2 Tblsp chopped green onion or chives for green pepper. GOLDEN OATS FLORENTIN: Substitute 1 cup chopped spinach or broccoli for green pepper. GOLDEN OATS ROMA: Substitute 1 cup thinly sliced zucchini and 1 garlic clove, minced for green pepper. GOLDEN OATS LORRAINE: Add 2 crisply cooked bacon slices, crumbled. GOLDEN OATS PROVENCAL: Add 1 medium sized tomato, chopped. GOLDEN OATS WITH HERBS: ADD 2 Tblsp parsley flakes, 1/2 tsp oregano leaves, 1/2 tsp basil leaves.


MARK BITTMAN'S OATMEAL WITH SCALLIONS AND SOY SAUCE

Ingredients (Serves one)

1 cup rolled oats (steel cut recommended)
2 cups water
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 Tablespoon scallions for stirring, 1 teaspoon for garnish
A couple shakes of sea salt

1. Combine water, salt, and oats in a medium saucepan and turn the heat too high. When the water boils, turn to low and cook, stirring frequently, until the water is just about absorbed (about 5 minutes).

2. Turn off heat, stirring in 1 tablespoon of scallions and soy sauce while the pot cools down. Sprinkle that last teaspoon of scallions on top for extra crunch.

Note: You can also do this in the microwave. Some will call this sacrilegious, and sure, maybe the texture is compromised a tad, but if you're in an office or getting anxious thinking about a pot, it's fine. Just cook the oats, water and scallions for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes, and add soy sauce and extra scallion garnish after.


A description of "congee" is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congee

I made you cookie... but I eated it.

Cookies CAN buy you love. Not the kind that cools in the warmth of the sun, but the kind that lasts at least as long as there are cookies on the plate. It has always been clear that if you give someone a cookie, you have fed them, but that if you give them a really good cookie recipe, you have given them not only a gift that provides sustenance, but also the means to obtain undying love. But this is true ONLY if they prepare them correctly and don't eat them all themselves...

Here are TWO recipes for really good cookies. Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!

Date Nut Pinwheels

Filling:

1 1/4 cups (8 oz) chopped dates
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Dough:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour (plus extra for rolling surface)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon soda
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon clove (optional)
wax paper or parchment


Prepare dough:

Sift together flour, salt, soda, cinnamon, and optional clove.

Cream butter gradually adding brown sugar. Add 1 unbeaten egg and the vanilla, creaming well.

Blend in the sifted dry ingredients.

Chill the dough for about an hour. (You can divide the dough in half, put it in plastic wrap or bags, and flatten it somewhat as this is what you're going to do anyway.)


Prepare date filling:

Combine pitted chopped dates, sugar, and water in saucepan. Cook over low heat until thick, stirring constantly. Cool thoroughly. Add chopped walnuts.


Roll, cut, and bake:

Roll out half the dough on a floured surface to a 10"x18" rectangle, trimming ragged edges. Spread with half the filling. Roll as for jelly roll starting with the 10" side. Wrap with wax paper or parchment. Repeat with the remaining dough.

Chill at least 2 hours.

Cut into 1/4" slices (turning the roll as you cut so as not to flatten it on one side), and place onto lightly greased baking sheets at least 1 inch apart.

Bake in moderately hot preheated oven (400ºF) 8-10 minutes. (These burn easily, so watch them closely.)

Makes two to three dozen cookies.


Russian Tea Cakes

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus approx 1/3 cup additional for coating)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 teaspoon salt

Heat oven to 400ºF.

Mix butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and the vanilla in large bowl. Stir in flour, nuts and salt until dough holds together.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place about 1-2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set but not brown. (Don't burn the bottoms.) Remove from cookie sheet. Cool slightly on wire rack.

Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar; cool on wire rack. Roll in powdered sugar again.

Makes about three dozen cookies.

Girl on Ice

Michele, ma belle, je t'adore.

For any of you who are interested in my short new erotic fantasy, it is here:

http://dreamaware.blogspot.com/

Also, the blog containing this fantasy links a "how-to" site on "lucid dreaming" (or dreams you know you're having). This site promises that its techniques will allow you to control your dreams and will make your dreams what you want when you want. LOL.