Dan's Thoughts

What's my Line?

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:02:44 GMT

Sky Farm holds open house/breast cancer fundraiser

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 22:40:59 GMT

The nudist club we belong to is holding an open house this coming Saturday to not only raise awareness about the club, but also as a fundraiser for breast cancer. Staff writer Nyier Abdou of the Star Ledger visited the club to get a tour of the grounds. The story is well written and gives you an idea of what the place is about. It's a good writeup and worth the read, but coming out for a visit is the only way to really understand how nice the place really is.

Articles of Impeachment Introduced against GWB

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 02:53:20 GMT

Tonight, from an email from the Impeach Bush website:

Right now, Monday night, Rep. Dennis Kucinich is on the floor of the House of Representatives introducing articles of impeachment against George W. Bush. He is presenting a 35 count indictment which is being broadcast on C-Span.

Go Dennis!

Free Obama '08 Bumber Sticker

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:35:06 GMT

Go on, you know you want one.

Going Nude for Kona Coffee

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 21:26:19 GMT

I'm there. Kona has long been one of my favorite kinds of coffee. Years ago we would start every day with a nice cup of Kona. But the price went up to about $40/lb -- a bit out of reach for us to have daily. Now we will waver anywhere from Dunkin Donuts coffee to Starbucks Lite Note. But recently we discovered a local bakery that serves Kona, so about once a week we find ourselves there.

The thing about Kona coffee is that there are some fake variations out there trying to take advantage of the Kona name. So some Kona farmers have decided to raise awareness of the issue by putting out a Nude Calendar. As they say, "It's the naked truth about 100% Kona Coffee." Hey, there are many things worth being nude for, and Kona is one of them.

OMG, did you hear the truth about Obama?

Thu, 29 May 2008 19:20:12 GMT

I have, but sometimes people really need a refresher...

Boycotting Starbucks for it's Logo?

Wed, 28 May 2008 15:38:11 GMT

You have got to be kidding me. A "Christian" group is denouncing Starbucks because of it's logo that features a topfree mermaid. I personally think the logo is pretty neat looking. My wife called it nice and artistic.

Come on people, grow up.

Christian Group Denounces Starbucks (via mAD mONK on flickr)

Is Barack Obama Muslim?

Tue, 27 May 2008 11:52:11 GMT

Simple Answers to Simple Questions.

Honestly, I can't believe people can be this ignorant.

Not a Good Sign

Fri, 16 May 2008 18:17:01 GMT

Yup, that's bad.

Sleep Deprivation Isn't a Badge of Honor

Thu, 15 May 2008 03:05:09 GMT

While I don't use it as such, I'm sure some people look at it that way. I never like having to forgo sleep, and some days (including the ones that are dark) it seems like a job requirement.

*yawn* - time for a nap....

Sleep Deprivation Isn't a Badge of Honor

Nude, Naked or Nekkid?

Tue, 13 May 2008 12:12:00 GMT

Nude.

But it can sometimes be useful to review these terms to understand what their extended meaning is in our culture. Don Coldsmith does a good job with this in his article, "Naked, nekkid and nude." Give it a read to get current on the terms.

But, there are a couple of things that need a bit of correction. He makes the frequent media mistake of mentioning the notion of a nudist colony. The other is at the start of his article where he cites what he believes to be a common dream:

You suddenly find yourself on the street, in a classroom, at a party,
or at work, with no clothes on. You wake in terror, and for a minute or
two, halfway between the dream world and the real world, there’s
a shadow of doubt. DID IT REALLY HAPPEN?

Wake in terror? Really? Sounds like a average day to me.

Spam of the Day

Mon, 12 May 2008 13:56:33 GMT

Subject: I caught you naked tnjeditor

Yeah, you and 5 million other people... nice try. next.

FWIW: That spam linked to "video.exe" via the now famous google redirect hack. I wish they would fix that.

Kim Cattrall cooks while nude

Fri, 09 May 2008 14:29:32 GMT

Um, ok. So do I, but you don't see stories about me in the paper.... Probably cause I'm not an actress and frankly it's a boring story -- hey, even talking about the weather has a far higher interest level.

So what caused this latest headline, besides some editor trying to fill white space on paper? It seems she made a remark on The Oprah Winfrey Show about it. I will say that the advice Kim was given in the grocery store was probably good -- wear an apron.

So, um, how's the weather by you?

Visiting the nudist parents, and raising a nudist family

Fri, 09 May 2008 14:16:26 GMT

So this woman meets a man who is Dutch -- and the Dutch are known to be rather comfortable in their own skin. She soon joins him in being nude around the house, but now has been invited on a trip to go and meet his parents, who, will likely be nude at various times. This is the premise behind a "Dear Annie" letter by a writer from Chevy Chase, MD. She asks two questions, should I join in while on the trip, and if we get married should we raise our kids as nudists. My advice, yes on both counts.

Now, I understand how someone who has not really been in socially nude situations may be reluctant to give it a try. It's a very common feeling, and it helps to have supportive people around. I'm sure the writer will be fine and join in while on her trip. And the "Dear Annie" advice is to take the "when in Rome" approach. Good advice there.

Then to the question of kids. I was raised in a family that frequented nudist clubs and beaches. I have fond memories of Cypress Cove and the original Sunny Palms. And nudity around the house was rather common. For me, it was a great gift to grow up that way -- a gift my wife and I are giving to our own kids. So from personal experience raising kids as nudists can be a good thing.

As an aside, I also know that there are people in the world that would abuse that notion, but then, many ways of life are subject to the same abuse. I wouldn't abandon my way of life because someone else does something evil in the name of nudism. To me that person was never a nudist in the first place. It's the same argument many Catholics say about the church, just because a few priests engage in, err, uh, "Catholic" behavior with kids doesn't sway them from the church.

So, back to our letter. The advice given to the writer was rather odd. "When it comes to raising children, it generally is best to be able to cover up when necessary..." I'm not entirely sure what that means. "When necessary?" I guess it's rather subjective such as, "when the kids have friends over." Well, I'd be dressed in that event, but I would have preferred that the authors of that advice do a little homework and let our friend in Chevy Chase, MD know about some of the positives of the lifestyle. But then while she is over visiting the family, I'm sure that message will come through loud and clear all on it's own.

Obama: the truth about that a summer gas holiday

Thu, 01 May 2008 20:00:37 GMT

It's a silly idea and Obama is absolutely right on this one.

Hot Tub Permit APPROVED!!

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:44:16 GMT

Got a call this morning from the town, they said our permit for the hot tub was approved. I've been happy since. I was really worried about this part of getting the tub. Too many horror stories about people trying to get a permit for this or that and getting denied. It didn't help my nervousness that we already put a deposit down on the tub before getting permission from the town (hey, with 4-6 weeks for delivery I couldn't wait...).

Still, I was determined to get through it. So I called the town, talked to several different inspectors to find out exactly what it was they would be looking for. I had to submit plans that showed where the tub was going to be placed, where the electric would go, and what I was going to do about my non bounded (ie. not grounded) concrete slab.

With the help of my electrician and the hot tub vendor, I got everything together and submitted the paperwork to the town this past Tuesday. Yesterday the zoning enforcement officer showed up at the house. Her approval was the first step in the process. She was very friendly, and had no problem with our desired location. She said right there that she approved and that it would next be reviewed by the building department. From there the electric - which all happened in less than 24 hours. I'm honestly impressed.

Now I need to order the decking tiles that are going to be placed around the tub. These are non-conductive and designed for just this type of use. We have to surround the tub with this for at least 3 feet in each direction. Since the tub will up against the house that's only three sides we have to worry about. But still, we are going to get more to cover a larger area since they look really nice.

After that, we just wait for everything to show up, get the electrician to do his thing and wire the tub up, lay the tiles, and get the town to do their inspections and pass us. Only after we pass can we add water. With any luck, that will happen about the middle of May. I can't wait!

"George W Bush Sewage Plant."

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:18:21 GMT

How appropriate.

A Swimsuit in a Spa?

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 14:20:30 GMT

We are just about to buy a hot tub, something we've been wanting for a long time. Though not cheap the company we are getting ours from has a really sweet financing deal. When presented with the idea that we could do a "wet" test it threw us for something of a loop. To do this we'd done don swimsuits - shudder the thought. And then I saw an article by Valli Herman in The Gazette (reprinted from the LA Times ) which appears to cite a trend toward wearing suits in a spa. While I find the notion shocking, the story comes across more like a press release from swimsuit makers trolling for a new market. And honestly, if you belong to a health club that begins to impose a swimsuit rule for the spa, find a new health club. Or better yet, use this or this to find a far better place to take care of your body. Suits in a spa indeed.

"Nude Beach" at the Brewery?

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 13:33:39 GMT

Normally when you say "Nude Beach," I say, "ROAD TRIP!" Only this time we don't have to pack any beer since our destination this time is a brewery. Specifically Stevens Point Brewery. Now who in their right mind would put a nude beach by a brewery. Um, well, actually, that's a really smart idea. I mean, this would give new meaning to the phrase, "Beer Run."

For those with their towels in the car and the swimsuit nowhere to be found (like I own one in the first place..), don't go streaking to the car just yet. See, there's a small bit of deception on the part of the brewery. If you take the drive looking for the beach you won't find any sand upon which to catch some rays while tossing back a cold one. What Stevens Point Brewery is offering is a new brew with the deceptive name, "Nude Beach." It may well be that we are their target audience, and, far be it from me to deny any beer that appeals to our very nature. But I may suggest to the makers of said beer that they either put up an appropriate sign to warn nude beach hunters that it's a beer, not a beach. Or better yet, make a real nude beach on which to serve "Nude Beach." Now that would be sweet.

Unveiling the Nude Beach via OnMilwaukee.com

Area 51 Found To Be Nudist Camp

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:18:43 GMT

The truth finally comes out. And quite honestly nudist camps do have a strong tendency to do their best to remain hidden so this one really makes some sense. And Area 51 of all places. I mean, what self respecting Alien wears clothes? ET in a dress? Doesn't work. And that seething, drooling nemesis of Sigourney Weaver in trousers? Nope, not going to happen -- although dude does host a mean Texas barbecue. Watch out for his secret sauce, it's to die from.

Area 51 Found To Be Nudist Camp via (The Spoof)

Arthur C Clarke, 1917 - 2008

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:57:26 GMT

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

This quote has been one of my favorites for most of my adult life. In pretty much every job I've done the people I work for seem to see what I do as magic. To me such work never seemed to so advanced, or so challenging as to be mystical, but fun. And admittedly I often did enjoy the idea that I knew something that others didn't, that I was able to do things that others can't. In some respects that idea is also a curse as it is often seemingly true that nobody else can do what I do, which results in much stress. Still, that quote has been the mantra for my life.

To me, Arthur C Clarke was a magician. His abilities to write and understand not only current technology, but where it could realistically go and then create a brilliant story around it, was astounding.

He is now indistinguishable from magic.

Arthur C Clarke, 1917 - 2008

Flawed Business Plan

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:55:34 GMT

Drat... Now I'm going to have to rethink my entire future...

(Hat Tip:  NaturistMusings)

Is an Experienced President a Good President?

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:22:13 GMT

"Suppose you had to choose between two Presidential candidates, one of whom had spent 20 years in Congress plus
had considerable other relevant experience and the other of whom had about half a dozen years in the Illinois
state legislature and 2 years in Congress. Which one do you think would make a better President?"

Think about your answer carefully before clicking here.

Is family nudity creepy?

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:12:27 GMT

Not in my house, and honestly nobody bats an eye about it. Here it's as normal as seeing a baseball player wearing a uniform during a baseball game. Still, there are things to consider and it comes down to common sense. What is normal in one house may be very different in another, and it's important to let the kids know this. Otherwise little Timmy may find out the wrong way that taking his clothes off the moment he enters his friend's house isn't appropriate.

Emily Mendell's article helps to expose us to the issues of family nudity from her perspective as a parent who is ok with being nude around her son. It's a good article, and I like how she sums up the issue:

I would never judge another parent who is uncomfortable with nudity. I
would ask her to do the same with me. With all the horrible things we
hear happening to children, it is no wonder we have become a society of
overly paranoid parents. It is one thing not to trust others with your
children. It is another thing not to trust yourself. The fact that my
son doesn't bat an eye at my unclad body suggests that I am raising an
uninhibited child who has the highest level of comfort with his mother.
And, in my opinion, there isn't anything creepy about that.

Story Linkage:

"I'm naked around my kids." By Emily Mendell for Babble.com

The Lunar Eclipse

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 03:51:35 GMT

We had been looking forward to the lunar eclipse the moment we heard about it. We so rarely get to see cool events like this, so we planned to let the kids stay up late - make hot chocolate and let them watch a movie. So About 7pm tonight I went to class and the sky was cloudy. It wasn't a good sign. But when I got home about 9:30 tonight, it had all but cleared up. So I got out my camera, set up the tripod on the deck and tuned the settings on it as good as I could and took a whole bunch of shots over the course of the hour. I even used the Automatic Exposure Bracketing feature so that I could quickly get different exposures. I think this one is the best of the bunch.