My views from the video store to Twilight...

Last night I went to the video store -side note: why the heck do they still call them "video stores" when it's all DVD and Blu-ray nowadays - hello, it's not 1980s  anymore!  I wanted Fast and the Furious 5 but it wasn't in - a guy whom was behind the counter said to me "if you're online I'll write an URL down so you can download the movie".

  "No thanks", I said.
 "Don't worry it's safe and free", he said.

 "Yeah, it's also very much theft and quite illegal", I shot back.

 "The studios and stars still make big money", he replied.
  "So you're saying it's okay to steal off people who work hard for their money?  That's a real f**ked up attitude", I kinda was really annoyed by this kids lack of morals, "Can I speak to your manager or supervisor please?"
  The boy went got his supervisor and I told him.  The supervisor apologised and took the guy into his office.  Like the ad before a recorded movie suggests, stealing a car is wrong so stealing a movie is wrong.  Same goes for music - if you are a fan or supporter of a song or artist,  don't steal from them.  I'm not a tattle-tale but I do have morals and for a shop assistant to suggest an illegal activity was very inappropriate so hence my need for arguing my opinion and telling the supervisor.  People need to quit being hypocritical over things like downloading music or movies, it's theft ... you wouldn't steal a car or steal money off a movie star or artist so why is it right to take their movie or song. 

  Still in the store my friend suggest we rent the Twilight dvds and have a, in her words "a perve-fest" at Edward [ Robert Pattison ].  We get those out and leave. We see a few friends in the carpark and we start talking, Michelle and Cali were going on about how they'd let Edward park his shoes under their bed.  Well I had to chime in to  the conversation about the fictional character with "ya know Edward is a vampire so he no blood circulating therefore he couldn't get an erection."  Everyone laughed but I could see them thinking, 'DANG !  Melinda just destroyed that fantasy.' 
  We watched "Twilight" then "New Moon"  and although I had seen both once before I surprised myself by enjoying it - the scenery is breathtaking and the actors' play the characters so well - they bring the characters to life.  For a moment I wished I was in Bella [ Kirsten Stewart ] and had to choose between Edward the vampire or Jacob the werewolf [ Taylor Lautner ] - even though I KNOW it's only a story, it's nice to imagine & play pretend like I did when I was 9 and played dolls.  - Tonight I'll watch "Eclipse". 
  And I can see where Michelle and Cali are coming from!  Nothing wrong with dreaming, especially when you see the talent ;) ...

Edward - Robert Pattison

Jacob - Taylor Lautner

Everyday I play The Glad Game - come on & join in!

When I was 8 my Aunty Carole gifted me a book that quickly became my favorite story - it was called Pollyanna, written bu Elanor H. Porter.  To those who dont know it here's the short version; a little orphan girl named Pollyanna goes to live with her very wealthy aunt in a small town full  of uptight and crakny people. Overtime Pollyanna teaches people The Glad Game - a simple game taught to her by her father to be thankful and appreciate what you have.  So everyone become happier and nicer, and the towns a much happier place to live.  - Other stuff happens too but that's the jist of it.  Disney released it on film in 1960 featuring Hayley Mills.

  So I started to play The Glad Game by finding stuff to be glad about.  When I was bout 10 my muscles cramped nearly every night I'd be reduced to tears by the pain I'd play The Glad Game and be glad my sisters legs didn't hurt ... and I'd be glad my daddy was there to rub cream on to make the pain ease off ... and I was glad I'd have toast with vegemite & honey mixed for breakfast tomorrow.  Thinking about the   things I had to be glad about  made me forget about the pain.  I still play The Glad Game.  It's important to acknowledge the good things in life - Pollyanna taught me that!

Me and my Aunty aka WOB

Last Christmas I decided to buy Aunt Carole the 1960s movie Pollyanna on dvd.  I got a copy and on Christmas Day we exchanged our similar sized gifts.  After 22yrs of     her buying me the book,  we had bought each other POLLYANNA!  Great minds DO think alike .... I am so very glad she is my Aunt and we know POLLYANNA

    

Gods love is the key to everything.

I'm not a bible-basher nor do I  go to church every Sunday but I love and have faith in God.  I think going to church makes you as much of a Christian as sitting in a garage would  make you a car!  ...I'm not saying church is full of hypocrites because most people go for the right reason - because they love God.  Faith is having total love, trust and respect for the One who blesses us with each day.

[here's an abstract from an earlier post by me:]
I have come to find mental source strength in thinking of my disability as a gift, not a curse.  Sure it makes life hard at times but this is my life.  ‘If God is real then why do you have Friedreichs Ataxia?’ I’ve been asked many times.  I love discussing this question and sharing what I know and trust. 

God did not give me this condition to trial or test me.  God is not a cruel or selfish.  God is the one who gives me the source of strength, comfort and motivation to keep moving forward. 

Religion is a very personal matter of opinion.  Love God, be thankful for all He has gave us and show compassion and love for others is the base of faith in my opinion.

FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND [I do not kno who wrote this poem to credit it.]

Marshall Mathers aka Eminem is my inspiration & motivation

I've liked music and words by Eminem for a long time.  His lyrics always have the same effect on me,   they'd often make me smile or laugh AND they alway made me think.  Sometimes I just have to give    him credit for saying what others may think but they don't have the balls to say it.  Othertimes I giggle and think how many feathers he  is going to ruffle with his rhymes.  Like he says "It'd feel so empty without me".   I spose that makes the man a genius. And no matter what critics do or say he stands up and fights back for what he believes in.  Sure he's made mistakes, yet he doesn't hide them away and pretend to be perfect - he owns up to them like a responsible person should.  At first I knew Eminem as a sort of character but over the last few years I've became a huge fan of Marshall Mathers too.  I don't mean I know or have met him personally,  I mean it's like Eminem's reaching out more and is stronger  and the real person is shining thru - Marshall Mathers.  I often speak of the  extreme importance for everyone to find people who inspire and motivate them.  To me Marshall   Mathers is one of the most, if not the most, inspiring and motivating persons' to grace this earth.  He has gone from rags to riches,  he's seen good times and bad ... he has  overcame much diversity to come out on top and be a loving father, a  very successful bussiness man and a much  adored international performer.  I know I get down sometimes by my disability but turning on an Eminem cd or reading an interview with him inspires me to keep going, like he has to get where he is today.  That inturn motivates me to not give up.

This  link has the lyrics to   "I'm Not Afraid" and video clips for the song http://www.directlyrics.com/eminem-not-afraid-lyrics.html   Directlyrics is officially licensed to display lyrics by all the major publishers through Gracenote. This guarantees accurate lyrics and pays the artists for their work.

Be grateful for life and what you have.

On FaceBook I noticed a few friends on my newsfeed were writing status' saying "FML" followed by a comment like "craving chocolate but got none" or "my daughter wants to watch Happy Feet". I wondered what does FML stand for so I asked a friend who told me it stands for F*** My Life.  Every day at least one person would say it  and everytime I'd get annoyed.  So here's a copy of what I wrote;

Seriously, the next person who says "fml" [f*** my life] over spilled milk or similar "problems" WILL get there selfish butts kicked off my friends list. There is always someone much worse off and I bet your "problems" pale in comparrasion to theres'. SOOO be grateful for what you have and what is good ... you say "fml"where as there are people who would love your life, yet they don't complain with "fml". ... Okay lecture over. ...Love Melinda xo

 

What is Friedreich's Ataxia?[credit to www.curefa.org ]

What is Friedreich's Ataxia?

Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is a debilitating, life-shortening, degenerative neuro-muscular disorder. About one in 50,000 people in the United States have Friedreich's ataxia. Onset of symptoms can vary from childhood to adulthood. Childhood onset of FA is usually between the ages of 5 and 15 and tends to be associated with a more rapid progression. Late onset FA (LOFA) can occur anytime during adulthood. FARA is supporting research that will improve the quality and length of life for those diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia and will lead to treatments that eliminate its symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms

• loss of coordination (ataxia) in the arms and legs
• fatigue - energy deprivation and muscle loss
• vision impairment, hearing loss, and slurred speech
• aggressive scoliosis (curvature of the spine)
• diabetes mellitus (insulin - dependent, in most cases)
• a serious heart condition (enlarged heart - hypertrophic cardiomyopathy)

These symptoms are not present in all individuals with FA, for example diabetes occurs in about 10-20% of individuals with FA. The mental capabilities of people with Friedreich's ataxia remain completely intact. The progressive loss of coordination and muscle strength leads to motor incapacitation and the full-time use of a wheelchair. Most young people diagnosed with FA require mobility aids such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair by their teens or early 20s.

Cause

FA is a genetic disorder. FA patients have gene mutations that limit the production of a protein called frataxin. Frataxin is known to be an important protein that functions in the mitochondria (the energy producing factories) of the cell. Frataxin helps to move iron and is involved with the formation of iron-sulfur clusters, which are necessary components in the function of the mitochondria and thus energy production. We also know that specific nerve cells (neurons) degenerate in people with FA, and this is directly manifested in the symptoms of the disease.

Treatments

There are currently no treatments for FA. Patients are monitored for symptom management. FARA is funding research to find a cure. We believe the treatment era for FA is now! As a result of great advancements to understand the cause of the disease, new treatments are now emerging. These treatments address the causes of FA such as gene mutation, frataxin production, iron sulfur clusters, and mitochondrial function. A full listing of treatment initiatives can be viewed in FARA’s treatment pipeline. Several of these treatments will be in clinical trials which require patient participation.

Additional details on FA symptoms, causes and treatments can be found on the Patient and Family Resources section of the website.