LegendaryLife Blog

A designer whom I worked with on the site WoodMarvels.com (he designed the great looking planes on my site), Jerry, just had a heart attack and here is what he wrote so that this doesn’t happen to you.

Buzvia: Jerry’s Msg

Only 12 people have ever been there...

There are two aspects of ultimate achievement I find fascinating, the first, is the unlikely climb, coincidences and shier luck that lead to it and then, “what happened after wards?” There are firsts for everything, many of which have been forgotten by time, but let’s explore what happened to twelve individuals who landed on the Moon, the most rare of feats.

Neil Armstrong

Neil Armstrong was the first to land and walk on the Moon, he made that famous speech that is at the tip of everybody’s tongue. How did he react? Well, he shied away from the spotlight and went into teaching and running a business. He later came out of his shell for a biographical book about his achievement but is rumored to be skipping-out on the anniversary party with NASA. His admiration for all the hard work and sacrifices by others along with his patriotic duty have forced him into a corner of thinking of the entire experience as a fringe benefit to his job with NASA… though, I am sure deep-down, he had a hell of a time! He was described as a reserved.

Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin

Yes, that is where Toy Story got the name from, now that we have that out of the way, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin took the opposite route of his co-worker Neil Armstrong. He went on lecture and book writing binge and continues to play an active role in space exploration with a plan to reach Mars and three patent applications relating to space station devices. He shows all the enthusiasm you would expect for a guy lucky enough to walk on the Moon, and he isn’t afraid of showing it! He was described as an avid explorer.

Charles “Pete” Comrad

As the first man to ever dance on the Moon and I prefer his reaction to walking ont he Moon to Neils which was:

“Whoopie! That may have been one small step for Neil, but it’s a long one for me!”

After retiring from NASA, Charles “Pete” Comrad went into business but died from a motorcycle accident in 1999 at the age of 69 years old which happens to be the same digits as his Moon landing, in 1969. He was described as anything but reserved, a cowboy at heart.

Alan Bean

Alan got into painting soon after his return from the Moon. He has tried to recreate the excitement and emotions he felt while he was there on canvas, including parts of lunar dust and memorabilia with each of them. He was described as an artist.

Alan Shepard

Alan Shepard was doubly lucky, the first man in space and the fifth to ever set foot on the Moon! He is probably most recognized for playing golf on the Moon. Although he died of leukemia in 1998, he left around a legacy illustrating how fragile our Earth really is. He is described as mix between a jock and a philosopher.

Edgar Michell

The entire experience of landing on the Moon profoundly affected Edgar Michell, he came back convinced that aliens are a real phenomena (which they are) but that they are visiting us (which I doubt, the smart ones at least). The shier number of galaxies out there in the universe  points to the fact that there is intelligent life out there, the argument is now whether one civilization would be able to visit another in their given lifetimes as the distances involved are massive, even if light-speed travel were possible. He is described as a maverick.

James Irwin

James Irwin walked on the Moon and came back a very religious man after seeing such a fragile and small Earth from outerspace. He was forever changed by the experience and dedicated his life to his beliefs soon after returning. He died of a heart attack in 1991 at 61 years of age. He was described as the spiritual anchor.

David Scott

After dedicated his life towards becoming an astronaut, once he returned from the Moon, he got hit by the “what do I do next with my life?” disease. What did he do? He started a company specializing in space project management. He was described as the youngster of the class of 12, being only 39 when he walked on the Moon!

John Young

John Young has pushed heavily on the development of colonies on other planets because, as he describes it, all of humanity can be wiped-out in one shot by any host of cosmic or Earth born afflictions. He is described as the futurist.

Charles Duke

At the age of 36, Charles Duke spent more than 71 hours on the Moon! After leaving NASA, he started his own company and ministry. He is described as the wide-eyed.

Eugene Cernan

Eugene Cernan was forever changed from the entire 73 hours he spent on the Moon, he found a spiritual calling and is quoted as saying:

“I felt that the world was just too beautiful to have happened by accident. There has to be something bigger than you and bigger than me,” Cernan said “In the Shadow of the Moon.” “And I mean this in a spiritual sense, not a religious sense. There has to be a creator of the universe who stands above the religions that we ourselves create to govern our lives.”

Which I find interesting, as, he is essentially saying that all religions on Earth are created by Man. Now, I just hope this would sink into people and would stop the silly “my religion is better than yours” crap that plagues far too many minds on this planet. He is described as a philosopher.

Harrison “Jack” Schmitt

Harrison “Jack” Schmitt was the last man to ever walk on the Moon. He joined politics after returning then a freelance consultant and writer.

“But sometimes people just want a description of what it was like,” he continued, “The black sky, the brilliantly illuminated slopes of the mountains, the bright sun, and then our Earth as a big blue marble hanging over one of the mountains. The physical feeling of walking on the moon is like walking on a giant trampoline, to some degree.”

So what can we learn?

Astronauts are no different than other high achievers, they are changed after going through their experience, trying to find a new goal to work towards. I do find it interesting that most of the astronauts decided to leave NASA and were never given an opportunity to return to the Moon. I also wonder why the program was ever stopped, they had momentum on their side and, it seems, the experience gained from having a colony on the Moon would have been incredibly valuable towards discovering what would be possible on Mars.

The Bottom Line

Turning a lifelong goal into reality is only getting half way, it’s what you do afterwards that turns a life into something truely distinguished.

Buzvia: The 12 Moonwalkers: Where Are They Now?, NASA

Brains are as quick as they are beautiful.

When I grew-up, we were taught a few things about the brain, some of which have since been proven wrong.

1. We will only be born with a certain number of neurons which are not replaced as they die. FALSE!
2. Old people can’t learn new things (lead to the expression that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks). FALSE!
3. Our brains cannot change from their genetic potential. FALSE!

Why these past truths are now false ones

It was once believed that all the neurons that developed within our brains when we were infants was all we would have for the rest of our lives, then, a little over a year ago, I read a report that scientists discovered that our brains continue to make new neurons, albeit at a slower pace as we get older, but new ones never the less. That being said, it doesn’t mean you can go get hammered every weekend and have new ones to replace the ones you killed by Monday. Our body produces new skin, bone, cartilage, muscle cells on an almost continual basis, our brains are no different but like these cells, their require stimuli of one type or another to maintain their youthful vigor.

Yes, old people can learn new things, it just takes a little longer as the brain isn’t as quick as it once was due to being increasingly hard wired but just because it takes longer to learn something, doesn’t mean it’s impossible! Our brains actually learn differently as we age. I saw a report once that compared the brains of people who learned two languages when they were young with those who learned their second tongue after reaching adulthood. What they showed was that the brain actually “seeked” the words for their second language in a totally different area for those who learned as an adult vs intertwined when both languages were learned at a young age.

Genetically, we are born with a set of limits, although not impossible, it’s highly improbable that a person born with down syndrome will develop a mental capacity rivaling Einstein but recent discoveries in gene and epigenes suggests that lifestyle has a direct impact on gene expression. In other words, if you change your environment, genes that favor your survival in it will increase in dominance while the ones you were born with will go the other way. I saw a study that showed two twins, born with the same genetic profile, at a later age, one had cancer while the other didn’t… why? Well, after genetic testing, they found-out that although these twins were born as genetic duplicates in every way, their genes, through time, changed to that of two completely different individuals with different gene expressions. AMAZING!

What is true about our brains

As we age, our brains go from acting like sponges to something more closely acting like that of a soggy chunk of wood… it just takes longer for the neuron connections to occur and more stimuli to make their bonds stronger and more permanent. Our brains do change dramatically throughout the different states of life, so they do change, but not as quickly and spontaneously as that of a teenager or infant when you are a senior citizen.

What can you do to keep your brain in tip-top shape?

You want strong muscles, you exercise… our brains are no different. If you want to stay sharp till you are a senior citizen, you need to adopt a lifestyle that will keep not only your brain but entire body as youthful as possible. Don’t drink alcohol, exercise regularly as it improves overall blood flow, challenge yourself constantly both physically and mentally… and don’t forget to eat extremely well all the time.

… but how fast can your brain really rewire itself?

A few seconds! According to a study released by the Journal of Neuroscience, it takes our brain just a few seconds to adapt to new stimulus. The study was pretty straight forward, once the person’s blind spot was figured-out and a patch was put over one eye, they put the picture of a square right next to it, within seconds, the square would morph into that of a rectangle.

The team concludes that the neurons which would normally fill the blind spot using data from the patched eye compensated by stealing data from neighbouring neurons that were “seeing” the square, making it appear like a rectangle.

The Bottom Line

Lifestyle dictates to a large extent what your brain will act like as you age.

Buzvia: Blindspot shows brain rewiring in an instant, Journal of Neuroscience

A sick mouth makes for a very sick body.

It’s a proven fact that a dirty mouth affects not just your love life but your overall health as well.

ABC News Interviews Dr. Nancy Rosen

ABC News had an interesting video with a dentist’s top 5 industry secrets based on a Readers Digest article that was rather tame in my opinion, they were:

1. You cannot mask smoker’s breath, no amount of mints can hide the smell or its oral effects such as stains and white precancerous marks.
2. A mother can pass cavity producing bacteria to their child (and by extension, others) by sharing cutlery or kissing.
3. You need to brush your teeth for 2-3 minutes and floss for 1-2 minutes – electric toothbrushes are the best
4. Whiten your teeth only once every six months, MAX! It can damage your enamel and burn your gums
5. Don’t skip cleanings as they are necessary to maintain proper oral health, you can do a great job.

What they left out

I have written this several times, but the biggest dental industry secret is

• YOU DO NOT NEED TO BUY TOOTHPASTE NOR MOUTHWASH!

I believe we already ingest way too many chemicals, why add some new ones first thing in the morning? Want to kill ALL the bacteria in your mouth? Put a tablespoon of salt in a warm class with 50ml of water and sprinkle some baking soda in it. Use this to rinse your mouth, then brush it with a good electric toothbrush and repeat till you have no more water. The salt will kill everything, the baking soda, acting as a base, will neutralize all the acid build-up which causes cavities. Cost? Next to nothing.

Why a clean mouth is so vitally important!

Imagine living your life with an open wound on your arm, it would be bleeding, get infected and essentially make your life miserable. This is exactly what you are doing to your body when you don’t take proper care of your oral hygiene! Your gums are a wonderful access point straight into your bloodstream, you don’t have thick skin there, just a nice warm place, loaded with bacteria, that is hard to keep clean… constantly being invaded by germs of all stripes and motives!

Why oral health is especially important when you get older

When we are young, the tissues throughout our body “refresh” themselves at a very fast rate, many children don’t have a chance to get many cavities and their gums are nice and pink because the gums are replenishing new cells continually. The bad news is that as we age, this process slows down, so the older you get, the longer it takes for the body to rejuvenate itself, as such, you become more susceptible to injuries, degradation (bones, muscles, cartilage) and guess what, the same holds true for your teeth and gums. Oral health is important when you are young but increasing so as the years pass you by.

The Bottom Line

You are never too old to recover from neglected oral hygiene.

See also: Gateway to health begins with your mouth!

Buzvia: Things your dentist isn’t telling you

I decided to do a little research online regarding my (so far), two cease and desist orders originating from Mannatech’s legal department and guess what, they sent the same identical letter to others as well! Each time, to people who disprove or question the validity for their sales people’s claims that their products cure diseases and illness. Same situation, the blogger writes that their products are essentially a scam, a Mannatech representative says the opposite and voila, Mannatech’s legal department springs into action against, no, not the Mannatech representative telling their lies but the person who put into question their products. I am seeing a pattern here.

Background story regarding my joy of Mannatech here:

• Mannatech cease and desist… again!
• Mannatech sends me a cease and desist
• Mannatech: Overpriced Sugar Pills
• Mannatech Strikes again with Holy Water!
• Herbal Remedies’ aren’t without risks

First question, am I legally liable for comments posted on my blog?

Technically you are not liable for blog comments/forum posts on your site posted by others. You are responsible and liable for comments that you make, but it is very difficult to prosecute or pursue, primarily because of jurisdiction. The Internet is global and there is not one single governing force. Not only is the location of the blogger/poster a factor but the  location of the web host and the laws that govern their locations are a factor.

Source: http://businesscommunicationblog.com/newsletters/?p=43981

Makes sense… I agree Mannatech is barking-up the wrong tree, their threats are as empty as their distributor’s promises.

Where Mannatech learned about Cease and Desist letters…

http://www.rickross.com/reference/mannatech/mannatech49.html

Now I know where the idea for Cease and Desist Orders comes from… the SEC! It seems that the seeds they have sowed all these years are finally starting to sprout weeds!

Mannatech’s SEC problems are on top of a complaint filed by the Texas attorney general’s office last year. In July 2007, the attorney general filed a lawsuit accusing Mannatech of exaggerating the therapeutic benefits of its products for people with cancer, Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis and other serious conditions. That suit is pending in Travis County District Court. Mannatech CEO Wayne Badovinus acknowledged last quarter that dealing with the attorney general’s complaint, as well as related shareholder lawsuits, was taking a financial toll on the company.

This is starting to make sense, they are covering their ass as much as possible with these legal orders as they face an increasing amount of lawsuits based on the practices of their distribution channel.

Deja vue?

Here is a great link to somebody who had exactly the same situation happen to them! Mannatech lawyers go after him instead of commentators working for Mannatech and accuse him of something he never did! I sent his response to Mannatech as well, it’s fantastic! Peter’s response is a very good read – well worth it!

I thought I had made this clear last year when I received a similar complaint from you. I do wish that you would actually take the time to read the page you are complaining about, but just in case you can’t do that I will reiterate what I said last time (and which appears on that page).

At no place on my site do I state, suggest or imply that Mannatech nutritional products prevent, treat or cure disease, or state, suggest or imply that Mannatech nutritional products are a substitute for a doctor’s standard of care. I would not do either of these things because I do not believe that such statements would be true. I do not care what Mannatech’s policies are with regard to such statements because I am not a Mannatech distributor.

Before you write to me again with complaints about things I do not do please try to read my clearly expressed opinions about Mannatech. You only make yourself look foolish by displaying a total lack of comprehension.

Again, I would like to thank you for implicitly informing me that Mannatech products have no role in the prevention, treatment or cure of any disease and that they do not provide an alternative to professional medical care. I will cite this to Mannatech distributors who contact me with anecdotes suggesting otherwise.

As is my usual policy, your email and this reply will be published on my web site.

I have a wish

I wish that Mannatech would spend a few million dollars and perform a clinical, double-blind study relating the the effectiveness of their products… so far, they have a legal department that is unable to comprehend their mother tongue and sales people who must believe their own lies in order to sustain their financial health. I see nothing positive nor progressive coming out of Mannatech. Please perform this completely unbiased study so you can implode.

Here is a fantastic article by ABCNews, Cure for Your Disease or Empty Promises?

The Bottom Line

You reap what you sow.