ROBERT SWETZ/ LAS VEGAS - NEVADA

 There are some new groups that have been formed for people that may be tired of getting their blogs removed.

 The first group is  - EXPRESS with WORDS  where you can post anything you want, talk politics, talk about your day at work, your family, anything your heart desires.

 The second group is  - SELF HELP ADVISE where you can give advise and or talk about any problems you may be having. This group is for people that  may be looking for answers outside of the family, people from Active Rain that may be able to shed light on a problem or idea.

 The third group is  - EXPRESS with PHOTOGRAPHS where you can post any photograph you want, all photos accepted, except offensive and or unclean.

 And the fourth group  - PARANORMAL EXPERIENCES  would be about strange, different experiences that you or someone you know may have experienced. The weirder, the better.

 All these groups that I have mentioned in this post, please check out and send a post. No one, no ones post will be removed unless The Active Rain Network removes it.

 There are some new groups that have been formed for people that may be tired of getting their blogs removed.

 The first group is  - EXPRESS with WORDS  where you can post anything you want, talk politics, talk about your day at work, your family, anything your heart desires.

 The second group is  - SELF HELP ADVISE where you can give advise and or talk about any problems you may be having. This group is for people that  may be looking for answers outside of the family, people from Active Rain that may be able to shed light on a problem or idea.

 The third group is  - EXPRESS with PHOTOGRAPHS where you can post any photograph you want, all photos accepted, except offensive and or unclean.

 And the fourth group  - PARANORMAL EXPERIENCES  would be about strange, different experiences that you or someone you know may have experienced. The weirder, the better.

 I am very disappointed with one of my posts being removed from the group:

 I have read so many more posts in the Active Rain ' (NEWBIES) ' that don't fit the guidelines. I really believe that some members of Active Rain have nothing to do but (Bash) and try to get posts removed. And the (NEWBIES) group, isn't a NEWBIE referred to a (NEWBORN) Babie? I rest my case, the group really fits the post being removed.

 So McCain calls Carter a ' lousy president' so maybe he was maybe he wasn't, it's just someones opinion. Or maybe someone from the (NEWBIES) Group does not like all the traffic the post has recieved.

 I have only been a member of Active Rain for maybe 4 months, I am a (NEWBIE), way don't you give me a #@&*^* break.

 I am very disappointed with one of my posts being removed from the group:

 I have read so many more posts in the Active Rain ' (NEWBIES) ' that don't fit the guidelines. I really believe that some members of Active Rain have nothing to do but (Bash) and try to get posts removed. And the (NEWBIES) group, isn't a NEWBIE referred to a (NEWBORN) Babie? I rest my case, the group really fits the post being removed.

 So McCain calls Carter a ' lousy president' so maybe he was maybe he wasn't, it's just someones opinion. Or maybe someone from the (NEWBIES) Group does not like all the traffic the post has recieved.

 I have only been a member of Active Rain for maybe 4 months, I am a (NEWBIE), way don't you give me a #@&*^* break.

 If your having a problem not getting things done, maybe this lady could help. Or she might be able to give you a helping hand!

photo by Robert Swetz

I posted to the Dead Rainer's Group and it was the wrong type of post, so I do apologize. So I thought I would write a post just for the group.

 Coming around the curve in my Porche Spider at a speed of 80 miles per hour, I started to feel the tires from under the car start to slide. Letting off on the gas I started slowing down a little and started to feel more comfortable.

 It was a late night back in the Summer of 1959 on the Hwy 1, the winding coastline of California. And I was really having some fun, wild and free, not a care in the world. All except the winding road and my high speeds of my driving.

 Well, I got daring again and started to put my foot on the gas again and was reaching a speed of around 90 miles per hour, when this big truck came around the corner. Starting to panic I put on the breaks and my tires again started sliding. My car was out of control and started spinning in circles. My black Porche Spider hit the guard rail and almost threw the car over the rail. I finally gained control and the car came to a stop.

 As I got out of the car I walked over to the guard rail to see a drop off around 500 feet. My body started to shake and my skin Begin to sweat. If my car had gone over the rail I would probably be dead. My Porche was a little messed up around the body, but at least I was alive.

 Story by Robert Swetz

Living in Las Vegas is becoming very expensive and so I am looking for some advise from the rain members! I can ask advise from my family, friends, etc. but I would like some outside advise.

 Before moving to Las Vegas 7 years ago I was semi-retired living in a small town in Northern Minnesota. I was only working 6 months out of the year, traveling, fishing, and enjoying the good life.

 I still own my home in Minnesota and my monthly expenses are approx $200.00 dollars per month, that also includes property taxes. When living in Minnesota, I was able to buy vacant land, lake lots, etc. because the cost of living was so low.

 Now, living in Las Vegas my expenses are approx $3,000.00 dollars per month and it is very difficult to take a vacation or find free time. Working Commercial Real Estate, my photography job and helping my wife with her jewelry businesses. I am always wondering to myself, why?

 With the crunch on the economy, I have really debated if I should go back to Northern Minnesota and live. One draw back long, cold winters! I could just leave Minnesota for the winters and come back spring summer and fall.

 Any advise from the rain?

Robert Swetz 

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) -- Cuts in Haitian gasoline subsidies pushed the price of fuel to $6.14 a gallon on Thursday, further burdening an impoverished people, as the government redirected money to other programs.

The 80-cents-per-gallon increase was felt immediately in the struggling country where 80 percent of people live on less than $2 a day.

Gasoline subsidies were implemented by President Rene Preval to prevent instability after April riots over the high cost of food that left at least seven dead and resulted in the dismissal of the country's prime minister, who has not yet been replaced.

But the cash-strapped government could not maintain assistance that totaled an estimated $15 million over three months while also providing agricultural assistance and other programs meant to combat the country's ongoing food crisis, Haitian economist Kesner Pharel said.

Preval could "pay some political price" for allowing the increases.

"It's a difficult choice but ... if you keep losing money like that you have a price to pay in the medium and long term," Pharel said.

Port-au-Prince's public taxis, or "tap-taps," raised fares to cope with fuel costs, prompting arguments with passengers

  I was wondering if anyone could tell me if that's Nemo? I shot this picture in Singapore,

May of 2008. 

Robert Swetz 

Today, people are more than ever busy, pressured, constantly dealing with loose ends, knotted muscles, deadlines, nagging mistakes, fatigue, interrupted sleep, and financial headaches.

 There once was a slower time when home was a haven, when people curled up with a good book, relaxed, unwound and derived the benefits of " Home, Sweet Home." There was not much discussion of stress in those days.

 Some people have more pressures and demands at home than at work, caring for children. And coping with their busy schedules, errands, cleaning, yard work, repairs, laundry, and working about making ends meet.

 Others find it very difficult to leave work-related problems at the workplace. They are so immersed in their jobs that they experience great trouble letting go. They cannot walk through the door, switch off their concerns about work and become a fully functioning parent or spouse.

 Try to avoid rushing home to listen to phone messages, or jumping right into helping our kids with their homework, or listening to our partner's gripes, or tending to domestic chores.

    Most people need a "decompression period" when coming home after a long day at work.

 To avoid the bends, you want to re enter into the home, after the day's compression at work, to be gradual and easy as you can make it. Here are a few ideas for helpful and relaxation inducers.

 1) hop into a hot tub or take a warm relaxing bath or shower

 2) lie down and take a short nap

 3) listen to some of your favorite music

 These simple measures can assist in leaving your worries behind. If you buffer yourself against facing constant demands, you will replenish your energy and then be more able to attend to your chores. The time to talk about a hectic or frustrating day(or hear someones tales of woe) is after you've refreshed yourself like this:

 1) sip a refreshing beverage

 2) sit for a while on your balcony, deck, patio, den or quiet space

 3) take time for yourself

 4) try to put a humorous or positive spin on the day

 5) keep the tone positive by sharing the good news of the day first

Robert Swetz