sandoftime's Blog

I like being entertained and if you have been watching this seasons' Idols in competition, you will probably agree with me and think they should just hand over the crown to Melinda DooLittle now.

Yahoo TV is reporting an October 7th, 1977 date of birth for DooLittle. Which happens to be a date that is very near to last years winner Taylor Hicks' date of birth. But Hicks has several different sites reporting inconsistencies on his date of birth. Some sources are saying it was 10/6/76, while others are saying it is 10/7/76, and still yet there are others that say it was on the 8th, and even one site reported January 24...

...and it is really driving this stargazer nuts, I mean really, you are either born on the 6th or the 7th, in October or January. I am wondering how these folks make it to work on time.

Anyway, getting back to Melinda DooLittle, and hoping that Yahoo TV got her birth data right, I took a look at DooLittles' stars for 10/07/77 in Brentwood, TN at sunrise.

Melinda is having what is called in astrology her Saturn Return. It simply means that the planet Saturn, in its transit right now, is coming to pass the same exact position it held when Melinda was born.

This astrological occurrence (Saturn Return) usually happens for all of us around the ages of 28, 29, and 30. It is a time when we want to do what we came here to do. We want to quit messin' around and get down to life's business. This Saturn Return for Melinda is happening in the sign of Leo--and the sign of Leo is the sign that rules talent, creativity, and the stage. Being an American Idol contestant is perfectly fitting.

Now although Melinda has her progressed Moon moving through the sign of Leo and ready to conjunct her natally placed Saturn--and that is a very good thing for Melinda as it gets her recognition (Saturn) as a stage performing powerhouse (Leo) with massive popularity (Moon) --but I am just not sure if that is enough to get her the crown.

I was hoping to see several favorable transits from Jupiter to her natal and progressed planets as was with past season idol winners. Especially when I don't trust the American Idol voting process. I mean really, they make such a big deal over these voting numbers each week but never a big deal of how these numbers are exactly processed --and so, when you know that an anagram for the phrase AMERICAN IDOL is DEMONIC LIAR it sort of leaves one, at least me, in an doubtful frame of mind as to the voting integrity of American Idol. Oh, but I still watch each week. I told you, I like to be entertained, and this Melinda DooLittle knows all about delivery and entertaining.

Now speaking of anagrams the letters in the name MELINDA DOOLITTLE when rearranged become ALL-TIME NOTED IDOL. Ya gotta love it.

So I am thinking, perhaps the time of Melinda's birth will place transitting Jupiter accordingly--like on her ascendant or midheaven--and she will be our next American Idol. Or perhaps this other anagram I found ELIMINATED TO DOLL will come into play meaning that one of the younger gals beat her out. Gina or Jordan come to mind.

Whether Doolittle is meant to have the Idol crown or not (which only an exact time of her birth will tell for sure) there is one thing for certain--her life from here on in will not be the same...

...as Melinda's progressed Sun has just moved over progressed Uranus and is getting hit with a trining transit from Uranus. So there is will one surprise after the other for Melinda. And one way or the other, voted in or voted off, Melinda DooLittle will be in a recording studio somewhere belting out one goose-bump song after the next. Oh my, but wait...

...I just noticed one more thing. The planet Neptune, which is the planet that inspires music, measures 13 degrees of Sagittarius at Melinda's birth, which in total degrees of celestial longitude measures to become the number 253. This number 253 can become the date 5/23 , which this year happens to fall on a Wednesday, which is after Tuesday, which is a date that has in the past been very near the date when other American Idols got their crown.

I guess we will just have to wait and see if MELINDA DOOLITTLE and the name anagram DOMINATE IDOL TELL will put her at the finale.

An astronomy telescope is a scope that allows individuals to see the planets and stars in greater clarity than they can see them with the naked eye. It is not only fun to do, but it can be an activity that both adults and children can share in interest and enjoyment. But, how do you know which telescope to buy? There are so many different kinds, sizes, magnifications, and prices that it can be very intimidating to purchase your first astronomy telescope without some information and education first. Here are some basic guidelines that you can follow when making your choice:

Reflective, Refractive, or Compound? These terms refer to the types of lenses and the way that the images are collected. A reflective scope uses mirrors to collect light and focus the images while a refractive uses curved glass lenses, and the compound astronomy telescope uses a combination of the two.

The cost of a reflective telescope makes it an attractive choice. Mirrors are inexpensive and easy to replace. It is also good for deep space viewing. The disadvantage is that it the mirrors sometimes do not provide the clarity of the refractive scope and sometimes the mirrors are jostled loose.

The refractive astronomy telescope is good for viewing planets and stars. It has very clear images and is easy to maintain. The cost is the main prohibitive factor to most beginning astronomers.

The compound telescope is also on the pricier end of the astronomy telescope family. It is used most often by serious astronomers and those who make a career of astronomy because of the clarity of images and the ability to see images in deep space. This is probably not the best choice for novice star-watchers.

One of the main considerations that you should think about when you are purchasing an astronomy telescope is the aperture. This is a measurement of the ability of the telescope to let light in and also the ability to focus that light. This is a more important measure of the telescope’s abilities than the magnification. The bigger the aperture, the better the telescope will be.

Another important consideration is mounting and portability. If you are going to be moving your astronomy telescope from place to place or taking hiking or camping, you will want a smaller scope with an easy to manage mount. The alt-azimuth mount allows the astronomy telescope to move up and down vertically and side to side horizontally from a central axis-this is perfect for beginners. A more advanced astronomy telescope user might like an equatorial mount which not only allows vertical and horizontal movement, but also sliding from side to side on a perpendicular mount to follow the movement of stars and planets.

As you research your choices you will find a lot more information which can be helpful in deciding the best telescope for you and your family.

Horse sense -- or common sense -- dictates that Street Sense should be the strong favorite that he is in Saturday's 132nd Preakness Stakes at Batimore's Pimlico Race Course.

Earlier this month, the Street Cry-Bedazzled colt became the first Breeders' Cup Juvenile champion ever to win the Kentucky Derby, opening leg of Thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown for 3-year-olds.

The consensus appears to be that Street Sense is so talented he stands a serious shot at becoming America's first Triple Crown champ in nearly three decades, though bettors continue to favor the "No" when asked if the horse will become the first to sweep all three legs since Steve Cauthen turned the trick aboard Affirmed in 1978.

Seventeen horses in the 28 intervening years since have won two of the three races, with 10 taking the Kentucky Derby and Preakness before losing in the longer, 1 1/2-mile Belmont Stakes.

Bernardini, last year's Preakness champ, skipped both the Derby and Belmont, while Derby winner Barbaro broke down at the start of the Preakness and later had to be euthanized.

The usual propositions, matchups and exotics are out there, but bettors shouldn't expect to stuff their pockets with greenbacks off the Preakness -- unless a long shot crashes into the Top 3.

If Street Sense, Hard Spun and Curlin finish one, two, three as they did in the Kentucky Derby on May 5 and with only nine horses expected at the starting gate as opposed to the 20 who raced at Churchill Downs, horseplayers would be lucky to collect a trifecta that paid 10 percent of the $440 that was returned on a winning Run for the Roses tri.

Also, with the trio of favorites all listed at 7/2 or less, a Bodog.com prop that asked if the winning mutuel payoff would be over or under $12.50 appears to be a steal on the under.

One Bodog.com prop that seems to already have been settled is the number of Preakness starters.

Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher's late decision to bring sixth-place Derby finisher Circular Quay back in the Preakness set the field at nine on Wednesday and brought to four the number of Run for the Roses entrants slated to travel the 1 3/16ths-mile distance at Pimlico.

While a scratch remains possible, those who wagered on exactly nine starters at 1/2 seemed likely to cash winning tickets; less than nine was 5/6 and more than nine was 2/1.

Pletcher also has Santa Anita Derby runnerup King of the Roxy entered.

Completing the field were Mint Slewlep, Frederico Tesio Stakes winner Xchanger, CP West and Derby Trial champion Flying First Class.

Street Sense was a 7/5 morning line favorite early Thursday, followed by Hard Spun at 5/2 and Curlin at 7/2.

Bodog.com had the three at 5/4, 5/2 and 7/2 respectively, while Pinnacle's prices were plus $1.56, plus $3.03 and plus $3.52.

BetUs.com's numbers were plus $1.40, plus $2.00 and plus $3.00.

Odds on long shots noticeably differed.

Mint Slewlep, who will break from the No. 1 slot, was plus $100.00 at Pinnacle, 40/1 at Bodog and plus $28.00 at BetUS.

BetUS also offers players the opportunity to wager on which horses will place and show.

Street Sense was minus $3.20 to run second and minus $10.00 to finish third, Hard Spun was minus $1.60 and minus $8.50 and Curlin was plus $1.10 and minus $2.00.

Bettors have at least a pair of time props from which to choose.

A Bodog prop asks whether the winning time will be over or under Bernardini's 1:54.65 clocking of a year ago.

BetUS asks if it will be over or under 115 seconds (1:55.00).

VIP.com lists a wide range of margin of victory props, ranging from a dead heat at 50/1 to the favored 1 to 2 3/4 lengths at 7/2.

Bodog asks simply if the margin of victory will be more or less than two lengths.

More than two lengths was a 2/3 choice, two lengths was 3/1 and less than two lengths was 5/6.

Saturday's Pimlico attendance was the focus of another Bodog.com proposition.

"Yes," turnout will exceed 117,000 and "No," it won't were both minus $1.20.

VIP.com asks directly if Street Sense will win the Preakness and Triple Crown.

"Yes" on the Preakness was minus $1.40 and "No" was minus $1.70.

"Yes" on the Triple Crown was plus $3.00 and "No" was minus $4.00.

Pinnacle posted a full roster of matchups, including one that had Street Sense at minus $1.17 versus both Hard Spun and Curlin at minus $1.01.

Street Sense was minus $2.25 against Curlin's plus $2.05 and minus $2.00 versus Hard Spun's plus $1.80.

Today, the Christian faith suffered the loss of a tireless servant and powerful evangelist. Even as I mourn for the loss felt by Dr. Falwell’s loved ones, I remember and celebrate the life he lived; for Jerry Falwell was not a man of empty rhetoric and few deeds. His life embodied the truth found in James 2:26: “Faith without works is dead.”

Jerry Falwell was first and foremost a man of action. While he could have contented himself with preaching and ministering to his flock, Dr. Falwell had a vision of a nation revitalized by the vibrant spirit of an active Christianity. His mission was to mobilize Christians that they might transform the social fabric of America.

It was Jerry Falwell’s conviction that this transformation could not occur without the active support and participation of young men and women, who would take the Christian message into the social and political arenas. Dr. Falwell’s legacy will not be immediately apparent, which is what he would have wanted. He established Liberty University in order to educate young men and women to be torchbearers in a dark world. This legacy will be apparent and profound in years to come, as dedicated graduates enter the workplace, driven by devotion to God and a desire to make an impact on their respective environments.

On a more personal note, Dr. Falwell’s influence has left an indelible mark upon my own life. When I ran for Congress in 2004, he publicly endorsed me as “a young Jesse Helms.” As a newcomer to the political scene, his public support was more than I could have hoped for. During the campaign, Jerry Falwell took me under his wing, introducing me to potential supporters and speaking on my behalf to fellow pastors. Far more valuable, however was the friendship Dr. Falwell offered me. His wisdom and insight lent some sanity in the midst of the turbulent campaign. I vividly recall sitting in his office, as he placed his hands on my shoulders and those of my wife, praying that God would let His will be done in our lives.

His mentoring, friendship and prayerful support are gifts I can never repay. I can however, pay tribute to his life, and his life’s work: educating and equipping Christians to spread the Christian message—not just at home and in the church, but in our communities and in our politics. When many Christians elected to duck the culture wars or took a pass on issues such as abortion, or the secularization of our children’s education, Dr. Falwell refused to budge. Even more important than his steadfastness, however, was his commitment to building a Christian Coalition which could give voice to our concerns and extend our values into the heart of the culture. Exhorting Christians to act on their beliefs, Dr. Falwell helped give new urgency and relevance to Christian values in America. This is Jerry Falwell’s legacy, and it will not soon be forgotten.

The foods a person consumes plays a vital role in their overall health, both physically and mentally. A person who fills their daily diet with foods high in fats and sugars will definitely find they don’t feel as well as they once did. The problem of obesity is out of control in our society. It affects people of all ages and all backgrounds. While no one really enjoys being overweight there is a large portion of this population that refuse to take steps to change it. They simply decide to accept their physical appearance as it is. While this is an option each of us has, you simply can’t push the medical problems associated with a poor diet to the side. While a poor diet isn’t the only cause of chronic fatigue it can be a significant trigger.

Chronic fatigue is the result of eating so poorly you are actually causing damage to your body and your mental abilities. Establishing a healthy chronic fatigue diet includes increasing the amount of protein that is consumed on a daily basis. This can be found in a variety of meats, poultry, and beans. Don’t eat too much protein though because it can harm your kidneys. If you don’t care for such foods you may want to consider a protein shake instead.

You also need to work on reducing the amount of fats and sugars you consume. Replace high sugar snacks with low calorie fruits and vegetables. If you crave something sweet then dip fruits into a yogurt dip. These small changes to your diet can help you have more energy.

Any chronic fatigue diet plan should be an attempt at lifestyle changes not just something you do for a short period of time. It will take a while for your body to start reacting positive to the changes when you pick a chronic fatigue diet. It is a good idea to discuss the chronic fatigue diet with a nutritionist who can help you develop a customized plan that is right for you. Having a wide variety of foods and recipes for the chronic fatigue diet will help prevent you from becoming bored with it.