Do you, dear readers, struggle with math? Is there a discrepancy between your math skills and your writing or verbal skills? Did math just not “make sense” to you when you were in school? Did you ever joke that you have “math dyslexia”? Are there psychological scars and feelings of low self-esteem stemming from being told “that you’re stupid” from not being able to understand a basic math problem? Does math in general make you anxious?

If you’re sitting there reading the above statement going “wow, that sounds like me”, than you might have undiagnosed dyscalculia. Dyscalculia refers to a math learning disability; however it’s not just math that Dyscalculics struggle with, we also struggle with right/left orientation, telling time, learning rules in games, etc.
Four to six percent of the world’s population is dyscalculic, but because there’s so little public knowledge on the disability, it often goes unnoticed and dyscalculics don’t get the help they need.

The symptoms, as listed from Dyscalculia.org are as follows:

• Normal or accelerated language acquisition: verbal, reading, writing. Poetic ability. Good visual memory for the printed word. Good in the areas of science (until a level requiring higher math skills is reached), geometry (figures with logic not formulas), and creative arts.
• Mistaken recollection of names. Poor name/face retrieval. Substitute names beginning with same letter.
Difficulty with the abstract concepts of time and direction. Inability to recall schedules, and sequences of past or future events. Unable to keep track of time. May be chronically late.
• Inconsistent results in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Poor mental math ability. Poor with money and credit. Cannot do financial planning or budgeting. Checkbooks not balanced. Short term, not long term financial thinking. Fails to see big financial picture. May have fear of money and cash transactions. May be unable to mentally figure change due back, the amounts to pay for tips, taxes, etc.
• When writing, reading and recalling numbers, these common mistakes are made: number additions, substitutions, transpositions, omissions, and reversals.
• Inability to grasp and remember math concepts, rules, formulas, sequence (order of operations), and basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts. Poor long term memory (retention & retrieval) of concept mastery- may be able to perform math operations one day, but draw a blank the next! May be able to do book work but fails all tests and quizzes.
• May be unable to comprehend or “picture” mechanical processes. Lack “big picture/ whole picture” thinking. Poor ability to “visualize or picture” the location of the numbers on the face of a clock, the geographical locations of states, countries, oceans, streets, etc.
• Poor memory for the “layout” of things. Gets lost or disoriented easily. May have a poor sense of direction, loose things often, and seem absent minded.
• May have difficulty grasping concepts of formal music education. Difficulty sight-reading music, learning fingering to play an instrument, etc.
• May have poor athletic coordination, difficulty keeping up with rapidly changing physical directions like in aerobic, dance, and exercise classes. Difficulty remembering dance step sequences, rules for playing sports.
• Difficulty keeping score during games or difficulty remembering how to keep score in games, like bowling, etc. Often looses track of whose turn it is during games, like cards and board games. Limited strategic planning ability for games, like chess.
If you suspect that your child or even yourself of having a Math Learning Disability, I highly recommend the process of getting tested for a learning disability. There’s a few different ways to do this: either by going through the special education services at your child’s school, with a registered educational psychologist, or a neuropsychologist.

Why is it important to get diagnosed? Well, first of all it will bring reassurance that you or your child is not “stupid” or “not trying hard enough”. Second of all, especially for dyscalculics still in school, an official diagnosis allows for accommodations for their learning disability: extra time for math tests, tutors, etc. These accommodations will allow the dyscalculic to succeed in their math classes and when one is older and looking for a job, to give definitive proof to their employer that they are learning disabled.

There is no shame in finding out that you have a math learning disability. With the right accommodations, Dyscalculics can learn the skills and coping mechanisms they need in order to work with their learning disability to lead a “normal” life.

For more information, please visit Dyscalculia.org and the Dyscalculia Forums.

If you, dear reader, have anything in common with me right now, it’s probably the fact that we are both unemployed and are desperately tearing out our hair in order to land a full-time job with benefits. What do you do in order to keep from going stir-crazy or completely and utterly depressed?

It is a question I have had to ask myself many times since I graduated in May. After some trial and error, I have come up with a list of fun, free or cheap activities to do. Bonus-some look excellent on your resume.

So, without further ado, I give you the list:
• Volunteering. Volunteering for non-profit organizations or animal shelters looks fantastic on your resume and shows potential employers that despite a lack of full-time work, you’re keeping yourself busy. Plus, there’s nothing like the sense of accomplishment when you realized that you actually made a positive change in the world, small though it might be.

• Writing. For my fellow aspiring creative writers, working on your portfolio is a great way to pass the time, especially if you are applying for jobs where writings skills are needed. It might not be volunteer work but it does show that you’re keeping busy and that your writing skills are up to par.

• Promoting indie bands. Have musician friends? Do they need help promoting upcoming gigs? Helping to pass out cds and flyers is a great way to go out and about so that you’re not cooped up in your house, slowly going stir-crazy.

• YouTube skits. Into acting? Why not gather a few friends, write out a script, film and then upload it to YouTube? If the Joker Blogs are anything to go by, with the right promotion, your video can wind up being an internet hit as well.

• The library. Like to read? Broke as a joke? Spend your time at the library where you can still keep up to date on the latest novels and if you already have a library card, it’s free.

• Yard Sale. Need a bit of cash? Why not get a few friends and organize a yard sale? It’s a good way to get rid of junk that’s just lying around and make a bit of cash.

• Dog walking. If you like animals, try putting up a few fliers advertising yourself as a dog walker. Can’t hurt, and it’ll be a good way to have references for a future job application.

• Movie night with friends. Especially for women, having a movie night with your friends is a great way to pass the time and distress after job hunting. Swap DVDs-have a friend bring over a movie to watch that you haven’t seen, and look through your DVD collection to find movies your friend hasn’t watched.

• Mani/pedi night. Again, for women who can’t afford to splurge on a manicure or pedicure, gather up a few friends, some food (bonus points if you make the affair a potluck), and some nail polish so you can take turns giving yourselves manicures and pedicures.

• Visit your local park. Like bike riding? Roller blading? Or merely taking a nice long stroll? Go to your local park and get some fresh air-it’s a great way to relax.

All this and more you can do to keep yourself active, happy, and stress free while you look for employment. Happy job hunting!

Read 150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs

Read The Magic of Thinking Big

No, it didn’t have to do with the former Olympic champion Nancy Kerrigan- “that is soooo 1994″ – but with Nancy Kerrigan’s family.

Forty-five year-old Mark Kerrigan has been charged with assaulting their 70-year-old father Daniel, who died as a result of his injuries!

According to police reports:

“He (Mark Kerrigan) stated that he wanted to use the phone and his father would not let him…He said that he struggled with his father and put his hands around his father neck and his father fell to the floor. He said that his father was faking it.”

TMZ.com said that Mark “became belligerent and combative” and was yelling obscenities when cops tried handcuffing him yesterday, so a cop had to pepper spray him.

Mark has a checkered past. He had been living in his parent’s basement after doing time in jail for assault and battery. His lawyer says he suffers from post traumatic stress disorder from his stint in the Army.

The Kerrigans have requested privacy as they deal with this very difficult time. The funeral is set for Thursday.

How awful.

Our prayers go out to the Kerrigan family.

****

The Yankee Princess Sports Blog- “Sports fit for royalty!”

Read more at www.TheYankeePrincess.net.

Check out the videos of former governor and WWE star, Jesse Ventura walking off of the Opie and Anthony radio show. Ventura got into a heated debate with comedian Jim Norton over political issues. The interview ends with Jesse walking out and dropping some f-bombs. Watching the video, it looks at times as if Jesse is about to power bomb Norton. The look in the former governor’s eyes is something out of a horror movie.

There are two videos here. The first are video highlights of the appearance and the even more heated, post-show confrontation. The second clip is just audio, but it does include the actual sequence of events that led to Jesse walking out. As someone that has done radio and interviewed hundreds of guests, I have several viewpoints on this. For one, Norton was just way too over the top and confrontational. It looked from the start that Norton was looking for a fight. I always felt that whether you agreed or disagreed with a guest, you owe them some kind of respect for coming on. I don’t think any guest deserves to be verbally attacked the way Norton went after Jesse. I also think Norton did way too much talking over Jesse. Hey maybe he was mad, but Jesse was the guest and if you ask a question or make a statement, you owe him the opportunity to respond.

On the other hand, Jesse has been running around for three years spewing off his ridiculous theories and rhetoric and has barely been challenged. I love listening to Ventura talk, but he always loses a ton of credibility with his 9/11 conspiracy theory. I have heard Jesse on CNN, Fox News, and other media outlets and nobody really challenges him. Even Sean Hannity seems to have more fun with Jesse, then really take him to task on a lot of his ridiculous theories and conspiracies. I am surprised it has taken this long for someone to just lose it on him, although I think Norton’s anger was inspired in drumming up some good radio entertainment. Honestly, I didn’t even find it that entertaining. There is nothing ever entertaining about someone yelling and talking over another person whether it be on television or radio.

People are quick to forget that Jesse comes from pro wrestling, and who’s to say that Jesse even believes what he is saying? What better way to make some quick headlines than an ex-governor that believes in current political conspiracies? Hey, it did get him a television show.

This video is NSFW

In all fairness to Jesse (thanks Meanie)

Check out Jesse Ventura’s book – Don’t Start the Revolution Without Me! by clicking here.

Check out Jesse in some rare in-ring action on the Classic Memphis Wrestling – Outside Invaders DVD by clicking here.

Sad eyes follow you from behind cages. Some dogs are barking, others wagging their tails happily, and some lying down quietly. Kittens meowing; while other cats curl up and watch you carefully. This is only some of the behavior you can expect from the animals in a shelter.

Unfortunately, some people still have negative misconceptions about shelter animals: that the dogs there are mainly pit-bull mixes, they are all sickly, or that they have behavioral problems. There may be some animals that fit those stereotypes, but what many people do not realize is that you can find purebreds at the shelters as well. According to the Humane Society of the United States, purebreds make up 25 to 30% of the shelter animal population. Also, mutts tend to live a bit longer than purebreds due to their mixed ancestry “weeding out” many of the genetic defects of a breed.

It is extremely important to adopt from a shelter for many reasons. The first, and most important, is that there is an overpopulation of animals in shelters and if the shelter is a kill shelter, it means that plenty of adoptable animals may be euthanized to make room for others. Second, many of these animals were taken to the shelter because their former owners made an impulse buy, didn’t do proper research, had unrealistic expectations of the breed, and did not want to put in time and effort to train them. Some animals were abused, and need to find loving homes. Whether you adopt from a shelter or a breeder, you are going to have to train your animal, so either way you are going to have to root out potential problems like barking, possible dominance, etc.

Third, pet shop animals are just as sickly as shelter dogs are made out to be. When you have animals in close quarters together, it’s going to raise the possibility of them catching something. It’s the same with children in schools-close quarters, and despite your best sanitizing efforts, there will always be a few children who catch the germs and come down with a sickness. Many pet shop animals are from puppy mills and backyard breeders, who do not conform to the AKC breed standards and are only in it to make a profit. While the pet shop puppy or kitty may be adorable, there are animals in shelters that desperately need homes because they may be in line to be euthanized soon. It’s estimated that 3-4 million cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters every year, animals which might have been some lucky family’s new pet.

Also, pet stores charge an obscene amount of money to buy an animal. The adoption fees are much cheaper and generally also cover vaccinations, de-worming, and spaying/neutering. Many shelters also have programs where they provide adoption counseling and follow-up assistance to help smooth over any hiccups you might have when taking home a new pet.

Don’t be upset if your local shelter doesn’t have your dream pet. Many shelters often have a waiting list, where they will either call or email you when an animal matching your preference comes in. There is also petfinder.org, which is a great resource as well. Remember, finding a pet that will match your needs takes time and shelters get new animals in every day. Keep trying, and your patience will be rewarded.

Still have your heart set on a purebred, but can’t afford a breeder? You can also go online and look up different rescue groups for the different breeds; they keep the adoptable animals in foster homes until they can find their forever homes.

It is also extremely important to donate to shelters and rescue groups, as many are in dire need of funds so that their animals may receive the best care possible. Even if you can’t adopt an animal at this time, a donation goes a long way to help the shelter animals. Volunteering at your local shelter is also another great way to help out and make a difference in the animals’ lives.

In the end, it all comes down to saving a life. Don’t listen to the negative stereotypes and go out to make a difference. If you adopt a shelter pet, you will have a new best friend who will be forever grateful that you changed their life for the better.

When you hear the word “Pagan” or “Witch”, what are the first images to pop into your mind? Scary looking folks sacrificing babies in some creepy wood? Stereotypeical goth teenagers trying to be edgy and rebellious? Or a flakey looking New Age woman with tarot cards and gypsy skirts?

All these and more are dangerous stereotypes that are damaging to the Pagan community. So many Pagans never tell their friends and family about their spiritual beliefs because of the overwhelming amounts of prejudice and discrimination about their chosen path.

This is why the Pagan community has banded together to create Pagan Pride Day. If our community can band together year after year to show the world that there is nothing “evil” about our alternative religious practices, perhaps with time and familiarity, the general public will learn to look past the misinformation and come to accept our beliefs.

After spending the past seven years in “the broom closet”, as it was only last year that I proudly told my family of my spiritual beliefs and being free to practice in the open, Pagan Pride Day was a gift from the Gods. I went with two of my close friends, both Pagan as well, down to Battery Park in Manhattan.

I could spot the tents housing the booths from the entrance of the park. They were bright, eye-catching colors that heightened my sense of excitement. This was my first time mingling with fellow Pagans and it was highly liberating; rather like being a little kid in a candy store.

The purpose of this Pride Day was to donate to charity; there was a canned food drive for City Harvest as well as a pet adoption with Eve’s Sanctuary. Upon entering, there was a suggestion donation of three dollars or five dollars if you wanted to participate at a raffle.

Pagan Pride Day boasted different workshops, vendors, performances and at the very end, an open ritual to celebrate the coming fall.

The workshops included:

• Psychic Witches with Lady Autumn BlackWolf
• Ritual Magic with Juan Ramirez
• Santeria with Ian Fford
• Shamanism with Kurt Talking Stone
• Kitchen Witchery and Seasonal Foods with Dawn
• Intro to Voodoo with Lilith Dorsey
• Intro to Druidery with Sharon Gorbacz
• Ethical Spellcraft and Tarot with Courtney Weber
• Astrology with Jeanette

The vendors were selling beautiful essential and aromatic oils such as lavender, sage, and rose. Of course, there was jewelry to suit almost all of the different Pagan paths. I saw some beautiful ankhs, pentacles, rune and Celtic knot pendants for sale at very reasonable prices. There were also books, candles, incense, incense burners, tarot cards and crystals for sale as well.

The entertainment did not disappoint as well. There were singers, tarot readers, belly dancers, and drummers. At the very end when we all gathered together to celebrate the Harvest and give thanks to our Gods for all the blessings that have been bestowed upon us in our daily lives, there was a feeling of camaraderie and kinship in the air. There were one or two “outsiders” who were asking silly questions, but for the most part, innocent bystanders were very respectful of what we were doing.

There is absolutely nothing like dancing in a circle with others who share your beliefs and laughing and talking with strangers. Everyone I met at the faire was kind, courteous, and very personable. There was a good deal of laughter and a sense of fun in the air and you could see how everyone there was having a rollicking good time.

For we Pagans, today was a great way to kick back and relax without any fear of anyone making silly assumptions based on stereotypes. It also served as an excellent way to generate awareness and “set the record straight” about our religious beliefs.

If you would like to read more about Pagan Pride Day in New York City, please visit the official site: NY PPD.

If you would like to see the pictures I took today, please visit: my Photobucket Account.

Read the book Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices by clicking here.