adele hometown glory

Finally, a new voice and a promise of greater things to come. the honesty kills me - ron beck


link to video of Hometown Glory via YouTube, click image

why Harrisburg, Ron Beck?

Yes that seems to be the question of the day. The fact is, I want to help a friend so I need to relocate. I also want to help myself. And for all other reasons, just read a piece from a newer Annie Lennox track " Love Is Blind"...fills in the blanks quite nicely!


Tired of being down on luck
Tired of being beaten up
Tired of being so screwed up
Tired of all this desperation
Tired of all this mad frustration
Tired of all the aggravation
Sick and tired of devastation
Give it some consideration

Tired of being so screwed up…

look out Harrisburg

Well my days of wine & roses will soon be spent else where.

It's pretty much official, Sh'Kronda will be fluffing pillows, brewing coffee and sh-akin a few tail feathers in our very own capital city, Harrisburg!

Details to follow...

aquarium plants by ron beck july promotion

Yes, it's Christmas in July!
To celebrate, we are offering free shipping (within the U.S. only) on all total purchases of just $10 or more!

Visit the ebay listings from July 1 threw July 31, 2008 to take advantage of this cheery deal!

aquarium plants by ron beck july promotion

Yes, it's Christmas in July!
To celebrate, we are offering free shipping (within the U.S. only) on all total purchases of just $10 or more!

Visit the ebay listings from July 1 threw July 31, 2008 to take advantage of this cheery deal!

My 5, My Multiple Sclerosis thus far - ron beck

On April 13, 2008 I reached the five year mark of having been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. In light of that time reference, I felt it necessary to look back and document a few things. This is more about making you aware of the things you don’t see and the things you don’t experience.

The only thing we truly have in common on this is, knowing how important it is to keep a positive attitude. What we don’t have in common is the experience. With that said, after spending five years “looking on the bright side” I’m constantly disappointed in the progression of the disease within my body and the sometimes, select blind ignorance I face from co-workers, friends & family. I’ve also come to realize that sometimes people don’t ask because they either don’t want to know, are afraid of social discomfort or they for what ever reason, don’t want to accept the reality that I have a incurable, debilitating disease called Multiple Sclerosis.

What you’ll find in the following paragraphs, is a no holds bared account of a slimmed down version of my life with my MS. I’ve also not “polished” or “padded” anything to protect your feelings. This isn’t any Disney production and it certainly could be described as a dark piece. What ever “color” you choose, it’s still the truth and that’s the fact.

If you want to face the truths with me, then by all means, read on and I love you truly for that. If that’s “too hard” for you, imagine what its like for me 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And after that, don’t bother thinking “he looks ok” or “he doesn’t seem to be too sick” or “my friend has MS and he doesn’t seem that bad”, because you are only fooling yourself and certainly not helping me in anyway.

I don’t want anything from you; I can only hope you might respect my situation. If not, cheers then I guess!

I remember it took several months, from the start, to reach a diagnosis. The time spent getting test done, doctor and hospital visit seem endless, the financial burdens are heavy and the waiting factor plays a heavy toll on you emotionally and later, physically. Over the years medical science has yet to have one particular “test” for MS. In most cases the diagnosis is based on several factors: your symptoms, various test results and an opinion from a Neurologist. To say “having patience” is important is certainly an understatement. The word courage seems more applicable over the long term. But most importantly, from my own personal experience, is that you must first accept it. Once you have done that the next thing is educate yourself daily, pay attention to your self and learn to understand that at some point you won’t be able to control yourself as you have in the past.

Now that we’ve sort of addressed the initial disappointments I faced, then began what I refer to as my “wonder years”. Those are the seconds and or minutes of each and everyday, I spend wondering what will I feel or what won’t I feel? How will I be or how I will not be? Should I plan something or should I wait and see. If I’m feeling worse will they understand or will they be angry? Will I be able to handle the day or not? How long would my will to fight last? What if there isn’t a “wonder drug” around the corner? How will I deal with the denial from friends and family? How will I afford to care for myself? Will I be able to keep a job? Will my short term memory last, especially when I need it? Should I go to the movies and risk my legs failing me? What’s the next thing I’ll drop in the dish drainer? What if both my arms get heavy and numb while showering, how will I hold my soap? What happens the next time I loose my balance if I’m home alone? Since this disease weakens me emotionally and sometimes hinders me medically, how will I be able to be strong for my family when they need me? Will I ever be able to afford all the necessary medicines to lessen my symptoms? How tired will I be today? Will I ever have another “healthy” relationship? And if so, how will my E.D. affect it? When is the next Migraine? How many more nights will there be when I have to bite down on the sheets to muffle my screams of pain? Will I ever have a normal, drug free period of sleep? When is the next time I can have a normal bowl movement? When is the next time I loose my feelings in my feet while at a stop sign or red light? How long will I be able to walk on my own? How quickly is my eye sight going to dissipate? Will my friends be able to “handle this” and or me? And for how long? When will it start making it painful for others who don’t deserve more of the same? What happens when my family really needs me? What’s tomorrow mornings pain meter reading? How long is my employer going to overlook my daily tardiness? Where will the extra money come from when I loose time at work, each week? I can’t work a normal 40 hours and don’t qualify for partial disability, now what? I can only afford a few of the prescriptions, which ones should I choose? Seeing the neurologist quarterly costs me about $300 out of pocket and there isn’t a cure? What if I forget to wait the correct amount of time and accidentally take a prescription and mix it with another? Will I remember to make the call, show up on time, pay the bill on time, write the letter, the persons name, how to get back, why I went in the first place, the correct answer or procedure. Will I be able to remain calm, focused, speak correctly, react accordingly? Lets take a deep breath and skip anything else on this part.

What things have changed? I have a lot more muscular pain than before. I have more crappy days than “ok” ones. I feel “sickly” everyday. My short term memory has lessened. My eye sight continues to show decreasing signs of weakness and clarity. I don’t leave the apartment much. I don’t call people on any kind of regular basis. I am very slow on email responses. It takes three times as long to get “ready” after waking up. I no longer get any real, good rest unless its drug (prescription) endued. I experience a loss of feeling on various spots on my body, often. I am more sensitive to temperature than ever before. I am much more tired, more often (now daily) than ever before. I come “undone” within a matter of seconds. When faced with multiple challenges, I generally fail and or make the wrong decision. I forget the names, sometimes, of the people I work with. Experience several migraines a year, which are very destructive and debilitating. I am late for work, everyday. I experience many, uncontrollable bowl movements. I watch TV, daily. I think about dying. I’m poisoned with anger that won’t go away. I have become, selfish. I’m unreliable. I can’t stay focused on too much, for very long. I use the walking cane more often. I have more, lower back pain daily, than ever before. If I sit or lye for more than one hour I generally feel signs of pain in my legs, immediately. A straight, two hour sit is very risky. I drop more things, more often. Especially painful are the irreplaceable, collectibles that I cherish. I fall asleep, sometimes, sitting on the toilet. I don’t always get the luxury of “normal” bowl movement or urination process. My sight is very blurry at times. I pace the apartment, regularly. I can’t seem to keep anything in place, for very long. I care less for a great many things. Moments now have worth. I listen to my Manilow music tracks, more often. I now longer “hope” for things from some of my family. I don’t find myself wishing to often. I know what I am living for. I’m a self survivor of a six year cocaine addiction. I now face the reality that I will remain, with out a mate, for my remaining years. I have reduced my smoking by 50%. Stress destroys me and I suffer those consequences for days at a time. I have a car with power windows. I can only afford some of my medications. Yes, that was a scaled down version.

Oh and one last bit of information to this question “what makes me nervous?”. Walking, talking, sitting, thinking, speaking, traveling, bed time, mornings, driving, eating, sleeping, peeing, pill taking, working, shopping, socializing, confrontation, the general public, weather and time itself.

In my own defense, I do choose to face each day with all this uncertainty as best I can. More often than not, all the positive thinking isn’t nearly enough. I get by, I still survive.

And after five years of slowly loosing control and embracing all the changes, all the unknowns, I’ve become a sad, broken and very angry person inside, This is a someone I never wanted to be, one I had been when I was younger and certainly one who truly only has but one hero, myself.

My QOL : Quality Of Life with MS

Biogen, the makers of an MS therapy drug, recently sent me a small 6 question test. The idea behind the quiz, my score would reflect a measurement as how i live life; the quality of life. I thought the questions / quiz were interesting and it also reminded me of things i would prefer to think weren't as they were. I think there is something here, for anyone, to benefit from. We can all spend more time questioning ourselves, yet so many don't?

Each answer has a range/value of 1 (strongly disagree) -2-3-4 & 5 (strongly agree). You select the number that best describes your response. At the end you total your score and compare it to the table provided at the end.

Here are the questions and my responses:

1 Over the past month, my overall health has been excellent. 3
2 Over the past month, it's been easy for me to perform common tasks (walking, climbing stairs) , and i haven't has to limit my role at work, or home due to physical problems. 3
3 Over the past month, I've been able to do things that require concentration, such as keeping up with my bills, considering important decisions, or performing well at work. 2
4 Over the past month, my emotions or personal problems have not caused me to do less at work, or in usual daily activities. 2
5 Over the past month, I've been able to remain as social as ever with my friends & family. 3
6 Over the past month, I've had the energy to face the challenges of each day. 2

My "Q" score: 15

Their table:
26-30 You're doing great! Answers indicate your current QOL is very good to excellent.
17-25 You're doing pretty well. Answers indicate that while you're doing well in some areas, there may be room for improvement in others.
6-16 You could be doing better. Your current medication may be a factor.


visit www.morehelpforms.com or call
1-800-456-2255 for more information.

my best option, Obama

when did you know, you were gay?

when did you know, you were gay?

it's a question I hear far too much, I think. I don't remember that "one" moment that defined me but I do recall very clearly, something else. I remember a moment where I found myself at a fork in the road.

Off in the high grass was a directional sign which offered two arrows, one to the left and one to the right. The right arrow listed "the wrong way" and the left read "everyone goes this way"; you call this a choice?

-ron beck

boy box

01/2008 my next project... details to follow

Ten Reasons Gay Marriage is Un-American

I stumbled on this today. Perhaps you read this already?

1. Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, and air conditioning.

2. Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.

3. Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.

4. Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn’t changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can’t marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.

5. Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed; the sanctity of Britany Spears’ 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.

6. Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn’t be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren’t full yet, and the world needs more children.

7. Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.

8. Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That’s why we have only one religion in America.

9. Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That’s why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.

10. Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven’t adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans.

Helen Mirren, on gay marriage

‘I think gays absolutely should have the right. For the same reason Taylor and I got married - to be able to say, by law, “This person is important to me.”‘

world aids day 2007

songza a new music search engine

Songza is the brainchild of 23-year-old Aza Raskin — the president of Chicago-based software company Humanized, Inc., and the son of Apple Macintosh founder Jef Raskin. Over the course of a month, he and Humanized's Web/Systems Architect Scott Robbin worked weekends to bring the idea to life. The site launched on November 8, 2007 and instantly generated significant buzz around the world. Hundreds of bloggers and news writers have praised its elegant user interface, beautiful design, and all-around utility.

about your halloween costume

i over heard ms. la belle talkin the other day, and she said

girl, i was at the party and i did see him. thats right, he is the new GGB honey! What chu say? You don't know the 411 on GGB! Galatic Gay Boy, write that down! When he's got it all said and done, he'll be puttin' the S-O-U-L back in solar system.

Oh and one more thing child, I saw all the bags in her trunk plus buckets of glitter, rollers, paint cans, rods, swatches and more fabric than all the queens capes put together! Some buddy better call NASA. There's gonna be pink in the sky, I can feel it deep down inside! You fool, not there, my soul! Yes, My soul...

lights out america

Passionate & Progressive thinking, finally...

Live in San Francisco (or anywhere, really)? Make sure you’ve got some candles on hand. Yesterday—Saturday, October 20th—was LightsOutSF—a citywide energy conservation effort aimed at “controlling our growing appetite for energy” and “fighting climate change with the flip of a switch.”

Participation is easy: Turn off all non-essential lighting tomorrow night from 8-9 p.m., and switch one light bulb in your house from incandescent to CFL (if you haven’t switched them all already!). LightsOutSF estimates that turning lights out in San Francisco for even one hour could save as much as 15 percent of the energy consumed on an average Saturday night. 15 percent! In 60 minutes!

Get involved. Turn something off! Get your locals on board with this idea! Follow this link for more information Lights Out America, which is scheduled for March 29, 2008!

doug liman's jumper trailer

the trailer for Jumper, is finally up and hayden christensen has certainly changed from the earlier days of star wars!

film looks good!

slide - what's in yours?

Slide is the largest personal media network in the world, reaching more than 134 million unique global viewers each month and 30 percent of the U.S. Internet audience. We help people express themselves and tell stories through personalized photos and videos created on Slide.com and viewed anywhere on the web or desktop.

Slide widgets — including Slide Shows, Guestbooks, SkinFlix and FunPix — are popular on top social networking and blog platforms, including MySpace, Facebook, Bebo, Hi5, Friendster, Tagged, Piczo and Blogger. Slide is also the leading application developer on Facebook with more than 45 million applications installed. Slide's "Top Friends" has more than 3 million active daily users, making it the most active application by more than four times that of any other 3rd party developer.

Launched in 2005 and founded by PayPal co-founder Max Levchin, Slide is backed by Mayfield Fund, Blue Run Ventures, Khosla Ventures and Founders Fund.

maybe for thanksgiving dinner with the folks?

sean biloski

darren hayes falling at your feet

stumbled on this tonight. a great song and a single that didn't make the album

cafe solaire soul collections

what the world needs now, is love sweet love

and no, not from Dionne Warwick


a recent discovery of mine were these Cafe Solaire collections. It's been quite a long time since I found a collection of deep sexy & chill house this good! And the cover art, well it speaks for it self now doesn't it!

fall promotion

SPECIAL FALL
PROMOTIONAL RATE!

FREE SHIPPING on all total orders of $20 or more!
(ends 10/31/2007) within the United States.


Visit my ebay page!

Airline comes out with gay-themed flight

thanks kaj!

SAN FRANCISCO - Air New Zealand is delving into the gay and lesbian market with a special themed flight that will feature drag queens, pink cocktails and a cabaret performed by the flight crew.

The destination for the airline's one-time "Pink Flight," scheduled to depart San Francisco International Airport on Feb. 26, is the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in Sydney, Australia, one of the world's most well-attended gay events, said Jodi Williams, an Air New Zealand marketing director.

"We are looking at tailoring the inseat entertainment and having gay-friendly movies and contests and different music and things like that," Williams said. The airline also plans to throw a "Get-Onboard-Girlfriend" going away party for its passengers, who will pay an average of $1,000 roundtrip.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA's Spinoff CAPRICA Happening?

That's what a TV Week interview-article is saying to us and we're listening because we dig BSG (Battlestar Galactica) and think it's the best thang on the small(er) screen (along with 30 Rock, Mad Men, and the visual version of TAL). Apparently, execs at NBC Universal fear a non-Ron Moore (BSG co-creator) future.

No final word until January (after season 4 begins) on whether or not suited execs will break season four into two and break fans hungry hearts.

heavenly couches

Origin: Germany

Design by: Eva Schroeter

Price: $5380.00

Sale Price: $4035.00

click on image to visit them!

Doctor warns consumers of popcorn fumes

according to the associated press...

Consumers, not just factory workers, may be in danger from fumes from buttery flavoring in microwave popcorn, according to a warning letter to federal regulators from a doctor at a leading lung research hospital.

A pulmonary specialist at Denver's National Jewish Medical and Research Center has written to federal agencies to say doctors there believe they have the first case of a consumer who developed lung disease from the fumes of microwaving popcorn several times a day for years.

"We cannot be sure that this patient's exposure to butter flavored microwave popcorn from daily heavy preparation has caused his lung disease," cautioned Dr. Cecile Rose. "However, we have no other plausible explanation."

The July letter, made public Tuesday by a public health policy blog, refers to a potentially fatal disease commonly called popcorn lung that has been the subject of lawsuits by hundreds of workers at food factories exposed to chemicals used for flavoring.

In response to Rose's finding, the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association issued a statement Tuesday recommending that its members reduce "to the extent possible" the amount of diacetyl in butter flavorings they make. It noted that diacetyl is approved for use in flavors by the federal Food and Drug Administration.

One national popcorn manufacturer, Weaver Popcorn Co. of Indianapolis, said last week it would replace the butter flavoring ingredient because of consumer concern. Congress has also been debating new safety measures for workers in food processing plants exposed to diacetyl.

The FDA said in an e-mail it is evaluating Rose's letter and "carefully considering the safety and regulatory issues it raises."

Fred Blosser, spokesman for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, said it is the first case the institute has seen of lung disease apparently linked to popcorn fumes outside the workplace.

The occupational safety arm of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it is working on a response to the letter.

William Allstetter, spokesman for National Jewish Medical, confirmed the letter was sent by Rose, a specialist in occupational and environmental lung diseases and director of the hospital's Occupational and Environmental Medicine Clinic.

"There have been no other cases that we know of other than the industrial occupational ones," Allstetter said.

Rose acknowledged in the letter that it is difficult to confirm through one case that popping buttered microwave popcorn at home can cause lung disease.

However, she said she wanted to alert regulators of the potential public health implications.

Rose said the ailing patient, a man whom she wouldn't identify, consumed "several bags of extra butter flavored microwave popcorn" every day for several years.

He described progressively worsening respiratory symptoms of coughing and shortness of breath. Tests found his ability to exhale was deteriorating, Rose said, although his condition seemed to stabilize after he quit using microwave popcorn.

She said her staff measured airborne levels of diacetyl in the patient's home when he cooked the popcorn. The levels were "similar to those reported in the microwave oven exhaust area" at the quality assurance unit of the popcorn plant where the affected employees worked, she said.

David Michaels, of the George Washington University School of Public Health, who first published Rose's letter on his blog, The Pump Handle, said the finding is another reason for federal regulators to crack down on diacetyl exposure by workers and consumers.

"This letter is a red flag, suggesting that exposure to food flavor chemicals is not just killing workers, but may also be causing disease in people exposed to food flavor chemicals in their kitchens," Michaels wrote on his public health policy blog.

Oldest man marks 112th birthday

The world's oldest man, who is celebrating his 112th birthday in south-western Japan, has said he wants to live "indefinitely".

Tomoji Tanabe, who was born in 1895, says avoiding alcohol is the secret of his longevity.

He drinks milk, does not smoke, keeps a diary and reads the newspaper daily.

He was declared the oldest man in January by Guinness World Records after the death of Emiliano Mercado Del Toro, of Puerto Rico, at 115.

Mr Tanabe received 100,000 yen ($900, £440) and flowers from the local mayor in the town of Miyakonojo.

"I want to live indefinitely. I don't want to die," he said as he marked his birthday, Kyodo News agency reported.

Japan is said to have the largest population of centenarians in the world, with some 30,000 citizens aged 100 and over.

Story from BBC NEWS:

ron beck designs

so i've decide to pursue my design ideas further, out of the tank if you will. after about a year and a half of designing aquatic interiors i think nows a good time to create "things" for the person and their spaces.


the stuff? unique gift ideas, floral designs, hand crafted and plenty of eye candy! and beyond that, some collectibles that i stumble on. web link here ronbeckdesigns

so in the weeks and months to come i will be posting these new design / gift ideas as they develop. many of the items will be available for purchase via my ebay; additional links and details to follow. comments are always welcome.

as for the aquarium designs:

Texan spiders spin 'monster web'

An enormous spider web has been found at Lake Tawakoni State Park, Texas, US. click on image to enlarge.

It is not the work of one giant spider - rather, millions of small ones have been spinning away and now it is twice the size of a football field.

Park rangers are not sure why the spiders have joined forces - they describe it as a rare occurrence.

Texas A&M University entomologist Professor John Jackman told Associated Press that there were reports of similar webs every couple of years.

The web covers a 180m (650ft) stretch of trees and shrubs in the park.

Although it was initially described as "fairy-tale" white, it has turned brown from all the mosquitoes caught in its trap.

Experts say the web is either the work of social cobweb spiders that work together, or it has been created by spiders spreading out from a central point.

The park superintendent, Donna Garde, has invited arachnid and insect specialists to the park to study it first-hand.

Rangers said they expected the web to last until the autumn, when the spiders will start dying off.

Story from BBC NEWS:

george miller, maybe JLA?

according to collider.com entertainment news...

According to a very trusted source, I’ve been informed that George Miller (“Happy Feet,” “Mad Max,” “Babe”) is considering directing the Warner Bros. live-action movie “Justice League of America.

And while this is just a rumor, it comes from the same source that told me Marc Forster was the front runner to direct the new James Bond movie, and I’d posted that info about a month before it became official.

Of course things can change as he might pass on the film, but as of now he’s the one WB is going after and all he has to do is say yes.

And for those on the side lines and didn’t know WB was actively pursuing making a “Justice League” movie… they are.

The next thing I’ve heard is which Superheroes might be in the running for the first big budget team-up movie. They would be Superman, Batman, The Flash, Wonder Woman and the Green Lantern.

I’ve also heard from sources that the “Justice League” film is more of a priority for WB than the sequel to “Superman,” so don’t be surprised if you see Brandon Routh in “Justice League” first.

And here’s a last bit of news… the biggest rumor that I’d heard (from another source) is that one of the superheroes in "Justice League" wouldn’t see a sequel. Yup, WB is planning a death. And while I can go further… I’ll stop there and let you wonder who won’t make it.

And before you go… let me be clear. Everything regarding any “Justice League” movie can obviously change. It’s so early in development that a new script could dramatically alter how they make the movie. But as of right now, the info I just wrote is as accurate as it can be. Obviously as I find out new info I’ll pass it on….