Acoustic Guitar Collection | THE ARTS

This is a collection of my solo acoustic guitar works currently published on youtube.

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ENJOY and Thank you for your support!

Protein Blender Shake| NUTRITION

In Aristotle the mind, regarded as the principle of life, divides into nutrition, sensation, and faculty of thought, corresponding to the inner most important stages in the succession of vital phenomena.
-Wilhelm Wundt

Shake Form

1 Teaspoon: Flaxseed (coarsely ground)

Why? Flaxseed is a good  source of natural oil, Omega’s, and fiber.

1 Teaspoon: Cacao Nibs

Why? Cacao is great for mental and concentration properties.

1 Teaspoon:  Natural Coco (powder)

Why? Natural coco has been used for centuries for its blood, heart, and nerve enhancing properties.

2 Scoops: Whey Protein 80g protein

Why? Whey is the third best protein source of protein aside from eggs and hemp.

2 Teaspoon: Natural Peanut Butter

Why? Peanut butter is a source of natural oils and proteins.

1/2 Cup: Water (or to fill out)

Why? Hydration and digestion.

1/2 Teaspoon: Natural Honey (to taste)

Why? Honey is a great source of natural carbohydrates, and can be seen as a blood sugar stabilizer.

Blended: Ice

Why? For texture and temperature regulation.

To Your Health!

Thomas McGregor

Household Hazards Effecting Expecting Mothers| HEALTH

A Closer Look at Household Cleaning Hazards

Formaldehyde, phthalates, dioxane, petroleum distillates, glycol ethers – these are the names of some of the chemicals that dr. Rapp says pose a definite dangerous threat to pregnant women. “Some of the most dangerous groups of chemicals to pregnant women are found in household cleaning products,” says Dr. Rapp. “Two highly toxic chemicals, particularly during pregnancy, are petroleum distillates and glycol ethers, which are found in furniture polish, floor cleaners, air fresheners, glass, leather and upholstery cleaners and other formulas. Both petroleum distillates and glycol ethers can have the same effect on the developing fetus as regularly imbibing alcohol, depressing the nervous system.” She adds that human and animal studies have shown that these chemicals cause adverse reproductive, developmental and blood (hematological) damage via inhalation, skin absorption and ingestion. “The central nervous system, blood and blood forming organs and reproductive system are major targets in acute and chronic poisoning,” she adds. In an article[I] in the July-August 2002 issue of Archives of Environmental Health, researchers from MD Anderson Cancer Center conducted a clinical evaluation of 41 offspring of 28 females exposed to glycol ethers at their jobs for an average duration of 4.6 yeras. six offspring of five women wo were occupationally exposed during pregnancy exhibited characteristic dysmorphic (malformation of face or body) features that were not observed in 35 off spring of 23 women who worked in the same facility but who were not pregnant at the time of the exposure.

According to Dr. Rapp, some of the dangers of exposure to chemicals toxins in the home include the following:

• Lower birth weight
• Smaller head size and developmental delays
• Movement, mental and behavioral problems
• Increased or decreased activity levels
• Slowed thought processing and “less bright” appearance
• Lower reaction times
• Compromised nervous systems

{T}Although, this may seem like a scary subject to approach, it is of best interest that we do. Today we face many challenges including a world filled toxins and poisons that slip into our daily lives. However, the healthy life we seek can only be defined by the efforts we place into finding the path to those answers. For sometimes I hear excuses from people regarding health and wellness.  Always implying that what they are looking for, they can find. My question to them is always, “Have you looked? Really looked?”. The answers for which you seek are usually the equivalent to the effort of your search. In the name of good health in this toxic world, I must suggest that the search may be tiresome. Is this search worth the effort? In the interest of your child (in the case of the above article), this is a nonsense question. For the search for clean air, a healthy supportive bodily organism, and brilliant birth outcome, the answer is instinctive. The job of understanding your surrounding environment is not that of one reserved just for the scientist. In this case, this understanding is your duty. The learning of this knowledge in regards to products you use and the resulting effects of your inhalation of these products is a learning of love. Just like you learned how to breath correctly for the birth. Just like you attended classed to know how to relax with your body as you enter into labor. Just as you have done all these preparations - this to is a clean preparations towards a healthy family.{T}

Thomas McGregor

Continuing Information:

This is a link to a website that promotes clean air and clean living. You will find an article listed there for which a study depicts further results surrounding adverse effects on children due to pollution and chemical intake via air inhalation.

Stressed Parents + Air Pollution = Kids with Asthma

“The study took a close look at the selected group of children, paying particular attention to parental stress levels and the air pollution of the area in which they lived. In terms of parental stress, this was gauged based on interviews with the parents; those who cited unmanageable, unpredictable and chaotic lives were deemed to be more stressed than those who seemed to have a better handle on things. Air pollution rates were based on traffic air pollution in the local area; things like whether or not the mother smoked during her pregnancy were also taken into consideration.”

*[I]July-August 2002 issue of Archives of Environmental Health

GOVERNMENT:: Testing Missile Defense Intelligence: Israel

JERUSALEM — Israel says it has successfully tested an upgraded radar for the Arrow missile defense system, developed with the United States and designed to intercept projectiles that might be fired at the Jewish state from Iran.

Defense official Yair Ramati says the test was conducted on Friday in conjunction with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency.

He says the purpose of the test was to validate the system’s improved radar.

He said a Blue Sparrow 2 missile was fired west to east from “deep within the Mediterranean” but he would not say how far from Israel it was fired or what sort of threat it was designed to simulate.

A defense ministry statement says the Blue Sparrow was “representative of potential ballistic missile threats facing Israel.” -The Huffington Post

In light of the interesting developments with today’s economical stability foundations, I find it even more interesting that you have Israel building and testing a new missile defense system in a soup of 151 billion dollars in debt. This, of course does not accountably amount to the $15.4 trillion that the United States is under. But, this still poses an interesting set of events that may signal something of a larger situation in the future. Most people don’t realize, but in order for someone to get a new desk in a government building it takes(just about)an act of congressional approval. Anything associated with governmental spending, control, or legislation takes significant and detailed planning on the parts of the delegated people in those positions of power. With this in mind, you must take into consideration the recent release by RIA regarding the successful testing of a new missile defense system by Israel. In order for this to come into nationwide play, many many steps had to be played out in direct succession and accordance to Israeli governmental protocol. After realizing this, you could imagine for just a moment what this could mean. For if the government of Israel went through all of the systematic steps to produce, fund, and test a  Block 4 stage of the interceptor that will soon enter service with the Israeli Air Force (IAF). Estimates are that they bought half a dozen missiles. Including some nuclear tipped Sunburn missiles for the US battle groups, from Russia. The plans that are subsequential to these actions give into the assumption that the Israeli government believes they are in need of such powerful weapons. Conclusively, you must take into consideration that for a country that is nearly $200 Billion in debt to create such expensive weaponry, is possibly equal to a country that is $15 Trillion in debt continuing to participate in a war lasting for 12 years.

By: Thomas McGregor

PHILOSOPHY: Bibles: 117 Versions?

I was driving in the car recently and a commercial came on to the radio asking for the listeners to call in for their free copy of a new version of the bible. This campaign was being offered by a non-for-profit agency out of Canada for which is widely known for their distribution of bibles and theological literature. After hearing this, and becoming somewhat perplexed as to not knowing of the version of the bible for which they spoke of, I wanted to write a post to you depicting how the bible phenomenon has seemingly gotten out of control.

In the Christian faith it is believed that the “word” is God, and God is in it[the word]. Due to this belief it is sought after by the mass Christian faithians to live out the prophecies and teachings that present themselves in the Bible. Because the Bible is considered to be the word of God, the people of the Christian faith believe that they are living out the word of God – or, living out God himself – through their acting out of the words in the book. How this is justified with everyday happenings, is based(loosely)around the saying “you have all sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God…”. Implying that even though there are rules for a Christian to follow, if one is to break those rules “its okay, because we all sin”. This also rectifies that Jesus(or God) is solidly perfect and set above us, as mortal humans. This presents two paradoxes: 1. For in the Bible Jesus is depicted as human, “a mortal living among men.”. This is usually countered with the argument supported by the a direct quote saying, “For Jesus was the Son of God, not God himself – for whom is all knowing and perfect.” But yet, Jesus, in the accounts in the Bible did no wrong. This is not something that is directly said, but is implied due to the lack of “evidence” that he did anything of inmoral conduct. This sends a subconscience signal to the believers that he was a mortal but yet “perfect in the eyes of God”. This indirect system of covering their tracks, the argument is thereafter said to be that the Bible is just an “account” of what happened and that men are faulty and clouded in their perceptions of events. This is contradictory; for their previous argument in regards to the accounts of the disciples is that their direct accounts of the happenings in the Bible were “inspired by God[of the Spirit]“. This being paradox number 2. So let me break it down for you in the diagram below:

Men have Fallen Short of the Glory

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We Are All Sinners

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We must follow the examples given to us in the Bible by a mortal man.

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These accounts were documented by men that are alleged to be inspired by God, but yet are justified as being human with varying perspectives. 

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If we don’t follow these guidelines, then we have fallen short of the glory once again – and must therefore repent of our sins.

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Based on the mortal imperfect perspectively varied humanly inspired by God accounts of stories that may or may not be altered, true, or accounted for in any manner other than self imposed outcomes of a celebretised man by men who needed a leader figure at that time in history. 

 

In this, I reach my final point: After researching the number of Eglishl translated Christian Bibles, I cam up with the number 117 that are currently in print as of 2012. This is astounding for three reasons: 1. The average price for a bible ranges from $1-$25 each. This means, that if one bible from each englishly published version available was sold every day, you make – on average $213,525 a year in Bible sales. This is at the national average of $5 a bible times 117(versions), times 365 days of the year. This does not include holiday and gift sales spikes. If ten bibles of each separate version was bought per-day you would have a sales margin of 2,135,250 a year in bible sales. 2. We are sought after by the Christian fathians that it is our duty to our soul to believe in the words that are written in the Bible. We are to believe in something that has been translated and manipulated so many times by people with skewed perspectives and mortal men. How is this comforting? 3. The things in the bible are taken as literal statements. For just like anything dealing in spiritual realms, we must take in to account that these words were written by mortal men. Honestly and dutiable, maybe… But as they are mortal men subject to error and bias, we must take into account not the accounts themselves, but the underlying good that can come from them. So as I Christian, one should not ornamentate on the actual words that are written, but yet the application and message that is installed in each story telling.

 

In conclusion:

Find your passion, find your spiritual practice. But remember: “Wisdom not shared, is wisdom lost.”.

 

By: Thomas McGregor

INSTRUCTION:: Communication: Analysis

In this posting I will talk about the way we should consider approaching a student – teacher relationship, in general.

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When dealing with someone of lesser informational endowments, you must take some particular things in to consideration. In this posting I will list and expand on these things.

• Instructor’s Seeing

In this you, you should find the following:

1. You should see the History of the student.

Having an understanding of the historical references of the student is very important. How has the art you are instruction played in the students past life span?

2. You should take up how they see the task at hand.

Understanding their history will give you a good start to seeing how they see the current task you are instructing. Many factors play into a students experience in a session, these are usually clouded by past events that bleed into the present moment. Take this into consideration, as it can only aid you both.

3. You should see them at their current ability level.

Try not to employ things on them that are either, way out of their league or not challenging enough. This balancing act is of great importance! As an instructor, this is a large part of your job. Based on your knowledge base, you can gauge where the student should be by approaching them at their current ability level.

4. You should see their prospective on the activity.

Try to put yourself in their shoes. Keeping a constant flow of information may not work for everyone. Some students respond better to image or sound based learning. Try things out to in order see their prospective of the activity. If something doesn’t work, then move on and try something that does. This doesn’t mean that what you tried previously wont work again. So, don’t discard the things that don’t work presently.

• Enforcement

You should gently enforce the following:

1. Positiveness – Enhance the positive things that happen! **Important**
2. Correctness – Enhance the things that they do that are correct! **Important**
3. Non-judgement(both, on the student or by the student on their self.) – Strive to come across as a non-judgmental teacher. If you set the example of being non-judgmental they will follow thereafter, over time, at not being judgmental on themselves.

• Self-Impositions

You shouldn’t impose the following:

1.  What you believe they need to learn. – Sometimes what they “need” to learn is not the same as what you think it should be. Sometimes what they “need” to learn is actually something they “want” to learn. We can all agree that when starting something new or different, it is viably important that interested is generated and kept. Therefore, we should sometimes come down from our all knowing seats and allow the student to choose the activity in some cases.
2. Where you think they are. – Making sure that you don’t assume their level of ability.
3. Thinking, you know the best for them – regardless. – Sometimes, thinking that you know the best for them can be your single fall out. As instructors, we are gifted with the knowledge we worked so hard for. But, when thought of, you realize that what got you to that point of knowledge is ignorance to begin with. Therefore, by placing yourself in the “knowledge seat” you are exciting yourself from further education. Allow yourself to be open to their current educational state. For each student is different, and should be approached as such.

• Understanding

You should consider the following:

1. Understand their goals. – Ask questions about their goals; constantly.
2. Understand their weaknesses. – Notice their weaknesses; gently change.
3. Understand their strengths. – Become aware of the things the excel in.
4. Understand their technical placement. -Where they in a technical manner.
5. Understand their base point. – Where they are starting from.
6. Understand how they may view things. – How do they view the current activity.

By: Thomas McGregor

SCIENCE:: Death and Rebirth: T.I.S.P.

Logo of the Teacher in Space Project issued by the NASA and the United States Government

The T.I.S.P., or Teacher in Space Project was initiated by President Ronald Reagan on August 27th 1984. The project’s main goal was to uplift the inspiration to new generations in enthusiasts in Mathematics, space, and scientific research exploration. Due to unfortunate circumstances the cancelation of the program was installed in 1990 after the death of teacher Christa McAuliffe during the fatal 1986 Challenger flight and disaster.

NASA Spaceflight Participant and Congressional Space Medal of Honor Recipient

But, this was not to be the complete end to the project and its related program E.A.P.(Educator Astronaut Project). For it would be reborn in the early years the 21st century. Due to its controlled release to the private sector, billionaire companies were able to establish their mark on the space and aerospace industries by enabling teachers wanting to participate in the program, via their monetary support. In 2005,  Teacher in Space candidate Pam Leestma, a second-grade teacher and cousin of Space Shuttle astronaut David Leestma, flew a training flight aboard a MiG-21 operated by X-Rocket, LLC. This project an escalating outpouring of applicants to similar companies that also offered space flight as an option for teachers and educators. Flights continued into 2008, for in 2009 T.I.S.P. announced the seven chosen teachers from around the U.S.. They are: Maureen Louis Adams, James Kuhl, Lanette Oliver, Stephen Heck, Rachael Manzer, Chantelle Rose, and Robert Schmidt.

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“Becoming a teacher may have its benefits… You may get to go to space!”

Barbara Morgan, NASA's Mission Specialist. 2007.

 

BY: Thomas McGregor

PHILOSOPHY:: Meditation: Focus or Concentration?

Introduction:
I wanted to explore two words that are offend used in relation to meditation; Focus and Concentration. There are some that would argue that both focus and concentration are one and the same, both in definition and merit. Is this true? In this article I will expand on these two very pinnacle points that are discussed in todays modern yoga-going meditational society.  

Through the act of meditation we seem to gain certain that our mind will sharpen itself to the point of what some call, single-mindedness. If or when we ever achieve this state we may find that single-mindedness is just that. For a more philosophic analytic suggestion I will use the famous words spoken by Thomas Jefferson, for who said, “A house divided against itself cannon stand.”. In this situation Mr. Jefferson could have been talking about political, social, or even relationship endeavors. But here we may find a deeper truth. For in a true meditative state one might experience the completeness of the single mind, resting in the awareness that may have brought you to that very cushion. In this state you are no longer arguing with yourself like a crazy person. If you aren’t familiar with this statement, imaging for just a moment you spoke aloud, not everything you “thought”, but rather “everything that went through you head”. If you were to participate in this exercise you may find yourself equal to the verbal ramblings equivalent to someone that is given the title of insane. Interestingly enough, this is something that is of comfort to most of us most of the time. For we strive for things to “drown out” our minds voice. We look for loud music, talking in general, or just some way for our minds to stop the torment that we seem to put up with for millennia. In this we sit on our meditation spot, hoping that this practice will bring us salvation. When or if we reach of single-mindedness, we might experience great peace due to the now non-violence that is accuring in our mind. So, is our mind focused or concentrated? Below I have enabled a detailed diagram of some interesting findings into the two types of single-mindedness we sometimes find ourselves in, during meditative states:

Focus

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Focus envolves a state in which the ego is suspended and the view “blocks out” the surrounding environment.

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By admission to this state the ego must surrender to the space for which it derives from and thus creating a steady stream of thoughts.

Concentration

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In a concentration type state the view may continue in his search of a sharpened mind and the ego is still operating as the No. 1 in command.

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During this process of searching the concentration is a sort of “forced” single-mindedness – due to a type of grasping.

As you see, in concentration we might observe that we are “trying” to “become” focused. This paradoxically intriguing situation we find ourselves in seems to present itself every time we do one thing. That is, that every time we reach a state of true single-mindedness or true “focus”, we grasp. Once we grasp on to the idea that we can actually achieve this state, our ego clings on to it and claims it as its own. Usually, from then on out you find your ego “forcing” itself into a state of concentration say, “I must concentrate, I know it is possible!”. When honestly, true focus is only achieved with the relinquishing of the ego’s grasp on the every situation – or at least the one you are focusing on.

Wether you are a dedicated meditator or you just want to concentrate long enough to complete a term-paper, letting yourself(ego) go into the silence is one of the best things you can start with. A good starting place would we to focus on your breath, and start noticing the silence between each in and out breath. The greater your awareness of silence is, the greater your mind is free to take focus.

By: Thomas McGregor, Interconnect-Interactive

SCIENCE:: Deep Space Review: Hot Infrared: Messier 81

Messier 81(M81) or Bode’s Galaxy is a beautiful spiral galaxy that lives 12 Million light years away from us, in the constellation Ursa Major. With a right ascension of 09H and a declination of +69°, you can possible imagine in your minds eye how large this Messier Object is. Discovered in 1774 by Johann Elert Bode, the M81 was given Mr. Bode’s name sake for his discovery. With it’s proximity to Earth, large active center nucleus, M81 has been studied extensively throughout the years of astronomical study. The active center  was deemed a class 1 supernovae in the spring of 1995 by F. Garcia, in Spain. This supernovae is said to be the 2ND brightest in the 21ST century! As you look at the photograph above you may notice how bright the edges of M81 are. This is due to the hot stars that are in the M81 system. These stars are so hot that they heat the space dust that is floating in the near by space surrounding M81 and enhancing the infrared dust emissions.

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In my opinion this would be a great Messier Object to study if you are interested in astronomy or astrophysics, and would like to get started. I reason this to the many dynamics that M81 offers without becoming to complicating. Furthermore, M81 is very colorful, active, and full of life(in it’s own right). With the solar galactic heating of infraed dust, and the relationship to Ursa Major – you will be able to learn a lot about Ursa major as well as M81 – all at the same time. Also, this is a no-joke space object! With the mass calculations resulting in a Magnitude 6.94 Messier Object, you will certainly have your hands full with data analysis and intrigue. Enjoy the many aspects of this supernova handling M81, as we expand our knowledge of our outer space.

By: Thomas McGregor

Deep Space Review: A Large Name = A Powerful Star?: Zubenelschemali

Captured by: http://www.nikomi.net/

Introduction:

Zubenelschemali is a large name that you may never have heard of before. But I have high hopes that I can possibly shed some “white-blue” light on this large name in this issued exploration of outer space!

“The Northern Claw”. This is the literal Arabic definition given in relation to our Main Sequence Blue Dwarf Star. It seems that everything to do with this particular star is in large scale. Radiating at a very hight heat of 12,000K(Kelvin) or +12,000° Celsius, or a sense of wonder that one would associate with such a temperature! In relation to our planetary realm, Beta Librea(it’s other name)spins at very fast 100x that of our sun, or -35.2 km/s(per second)!  Furthermore, it is also 130x that more luminous than our Sun, as well! This 2.6 Magnitude white-blue star, when seen by the naked eye, is the only one to been seen with s hint of green tint. This is due to the hydrofusion aspect of this star’s make-up. If you happen to catch this star with your eye, keep in mind that you are seeing something that is 160 light years from where you stand – truly amazing! To find it, you will see it positioned to a 15h right ascension and -09° declination in the constellation Libra.

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This dwarf star is particularly interesting to me because of how long the name is in relation to how big and powerful the star actually is! Sometimes stars can receive titles in relationship to their positioning in the sky, not necessarily in relationship to their actual atributes. I am only suggesting this, not implying that this was the intent of the stars’ name. For the translation of the star clearly defines how it was named. For it is positioned at the northern tip of the constellation Libra, clearly helping to form a “Claw like” formation. Also what I find appealing is how powerful this star presents itself. It is traveling at a radial speed so fast that our Sun would have to increase its velocity by 100 times its current speed. Everything about this star seems to be on a grand scale. Our benefit? We are graced with the ability to see this powerful star here on earth with our eyes by simply, looking up.

By: Thomas McGregor