50 Shades of Yellow

Journalism and reporting takes on many shades of yellow. Even when telling stories around the campfire, some can spin better yarns than others. The competition to create a darker and darker story seems endless. Many think they are ‘telling the truth’ when it is usually they are simply telling their versions or ‘side of the story’. Imagine an investigator trying to solve a crime, or an arbitrator attempting to get the ‘facts’ straight. What a puzzle!

First Rule of Investigation

I know one investigator who says the first rule of investigation is that everybody lies. Indeed it is so. The words we use and their personally attached interpretations, meanings and anchors often seriously complicate our ability to lift the fog of our misunderstandings.
Let’s examine one of my favorite misinterpretation quagmires which got my attention some time ago.
So a little background first. A long time ago there were crusaders. Crusaders sure sound like good guys, but are they? Depends on what the cause is and what you believe is the right way to handle it. Near the crusaders were reformers who were surely trying to bring knowledge to those they perceived were in need of enlightenment.

Who is the Good Guy?

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Zanskar Girls School – Preserving Tibetan Culture

The Zanskar Girls School Project seeks to educate young women and preserve Tibetan Culture. Located in North Eastern India in the State of Kargil, near Tibet,  are some remnants of Tibetan Culture. The Zanskar Valley, which is isolated during five winter months, has a one room school with sixteen girls who live and learn for seven months of the year. They learn English, Indian, reading, writing and arithmetic, but importantly they learn of their Tibetan Culture, Peace, Buddhism and the Tibetan Language.

Zanskar Girls School - Young Tibetan Women

Zanskar Valley School

We wish to improve the conditions of the school and these women by supporting their growth and operation.  There are three nuns who are the instructors. We are working to give support to build another room and allow more students to attend. Girls go to school here till eighteen, when they decide to become nuns, or go into the world and have families. The need to educate women is an important world issue, and we find this to be a fitting location to give our support.
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The Curious Condors of Navajo Bridge

Charley Carlin - Curious Condors

Curious Condors of Navajo Bridge

On a beautiful warm August afternoon we had been admiring the southern part of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. Such a beautiful display of colors. It was a feast for the eyes and the imagination. Luckily the road was open, as the rains from the previous days had closed the road with car sized boulders being washed into the highway. The ability of water to move huge rocks is amazing. My the forces of mother nature are incredible. We were on the north side of the Grand Canyon and the crossings of the great canyon and the Colorado river are few. Continue reading

Why Use LinkedIn? Everyone Needs to Know!

Why Use LinkedIn ?Why Use LinkedIn? Find Out Here

A question that has been asked many times, by many people. People who are rock solid in their job, people who are self employed for life, or people who are retired may ask this question Why Use LinkedIn ? Well, there is  story to tell with LinkedIn. LinkedIn is an important part of everyone’s digital footprint. Here is an interview from Charley discussing just those details. What is your digital footprint and why do I care? Lets take a look here! Additionally. there is a short series of articles about LinkedIn I have placed on my social media blog as well at Charley Carlin – Social Media For Small Business for more Tips, Tricks, and Guidance.  Why Use LinkedIn ? Watch the Video and find out!

LinkedIn and Your Digital Footprint


Filling out a LinkedIn profile can be a bit daunting, or so it seems, at first. Just put in a few minutes a day or week till it is completed. Remember you LinkedIn profile is an important chunk of your digital footprint, and people are looking you up! The better your digital profile looks, the more enticing it will be for customers and other professionals to connect with you.

Please visit my profile on LinkedIn for an example profile.

Blogger of Many Things - Charley Carlin

Charley Carlin

About The Author – Charley is an avid locator of those slightly odd and a bit different places, museums, shrines and viewports that give life a bit of extra flavor. He can be found about the web on his family site – charley.net, his home town blog – Atascadero.net, his social media guidance site – CharleyCarlin.com and at the most fun site on the internet StupidVacations.com

Assassination threats against Barack Obama

Well I was digging around the web the other day and was studying my United States history, particularly Assassination threats against Barack Obama, when I came across this information. Eye opening and interesting, I wonder why this was glanced over or omitted from news events? After asking several people if they knew of any assassination attempts on the life of Barack Obama, and all but one said no. And beyond the no answer, the had a rather shocked look, as in why didn’t anyone speak up and tell us! Continue reading

Mary Alice Mankins

Mary Alice mankins

Mary Alice

Mary Alice Smith Mankins of Halcyon, California, died peacefully at home on November 14, 2015, of natural causes. She was 91. Born in November 1923 to Frank and Florence Smith of Marquette, Michigan, Mary Alice lived a vibrant and full life. Known as Totsie to her Michigan family and friends, she served proudly as a Rosie the Riveter during World War II, and worked as a dance instructor for the Arthur Murray Dance Studios. She earned her teaching credential at Northern Michigan University, Marquette, and relocated to California in 1951 to teach at Arroyo Grande High School. Continue reading

Beware – Microsoft Calling Scam

Don't Be A Victim

Scam Alert – Beware

There have been continuing reports concerning this problem, so please Beware!
Beware of the Scam Calls that come in telling you that they are from Microsoft and your computer is either infected, or about to crash. These people have crafted a story that tells you about how they are from Microsoft and your computer has come up on their screens and they are here to help you and blah blah blah. They only want to rob you! Do not help them. This is a complete and total scam. So please listen up.
Number one. Microsoft does not, will not, and has never cold called you! (read that 3 or four times please) Never Connect to a Cold Caller. Never Never Never.
Number two. There is no number to call these guys back. Every Legitimate Business has a number you can call back. No matter what their story, Never connect, Never Give any information, Just hang Up. If you must, request not to ever be called, but hang up. It is amazing to me that even after people are warned, they continue to get scammed and wonder why? Please tell them you need their number call at a more convenient time or to give to the federal trade commission or the FBI or any other law enforcement group and watch how the story continues into oblivion.
Number three. Read one and two again and never, I repeat never let a cold caller connect to your computer or your credit card. (did I say never). These guys are trained like the closers at a time share sales promotion. They will tell you anything to get you to give them control and your money.
This is a Scam – Beware I am not prone to blast messages that get sent to everyone, however it is time that this message be sent again. Please share with anyone you wish. This scam has been going on for several years and has just seemed to be on the rise again. Remember there are NO EXCEPTIONS – Microsoft or one of its partners is not calling you. They will say we are Microsoft Gold partners and are doing this as a service to you. LIE LIE LIE.
A quick story of how one friend handled this. He was in a playful mood and decided to listen to these scam artists and they talked and thought they were guiding him to a particular site. Little did they know he was just doing his normal surfing. They requested him to tell them what was on the screen. He said (a complete fabrication) it says ice cream is on sale. The virus scam artist them said “oh my! You have the dreaded Chinese Ice Cream Virus. We must connect to you immediately.” So as you might expect, after a hearty laugh, he hung up. You would be well advised to do the same.

Just Google ‘Microsoft calling scam’
If you Google Microsoft Calling Scam you can read lots of articles from Microsoft about the scam. These crooks are the like a virus, they continue mutating and taking advantage of people who are gullible to their pitch. Beware Beware Beware

Brocolli Salad

Broccoli Salad by Charley Carlin
Broccoli Salad – Yummie!

This dish is a constant favorite at our house.  Again and again the platter returns empty. So lets get to It! This one you can make in the morning and chill for dinner. It’s quick (after you get the water boiling) and fun!
Get a couple pounds of broccoli with stems is good. trim the small leaves from the stems and a bit of the end of the stem. Cut the Broccoli so the individual flowerettes have a long piece of stem with them. I just rotate the broccoli and trim off the piece that gives me a full little head of broccoli with a chunk of stem.
Blanch the broccoli in boiling water for 5 minutes – Drain the broccoli and put cold water on the broccoli to stop the cooking process.

Charley Carlin Cooks Broccoli Salad
Broccoli Salad Setup
  • 1.5 tablespoons peanut oil
  • 1 table spoon sesame seed oil
  • mince 4 cloves of garlic
  • 2 tablespoons of soy
  • mince 3-4 scallions

Mix it all together and add a couple tablespoons of sesame seeds into the mix. Stir gently then pour this mixture on the broccoli and roll the whole mess around until the broccoli is coated with the sauce.arrange the pieces on a platter and put it in the refrigerator for an least an hour or more. Enjoy Thanks go to Ken Hom and his book Chinese Cookery – He is a starting point for many of my Chinese / California-ized Recipes or use this link to get to Ken on You Tube for a bunch or recipes!!


Recipes and more by Charley CarlinAbout The Chef – Charley loves to cook for a group, whether the group is six or twenty. Creating new concoctions from others recipes by altering quantities, leaving out some parts and adding other parts creates his personal style.  All of his recipes are available for everyone to use.

Hoisin Salad

This very simple recipe has turned into one of Anet’s favorites. She raves about this one Hoision Salad Ready for The Tableand it is so easy to crank out! Lets go! So… Matchstick 3 medium carrots, and an equal size pile of Daichon (a Chinese radish) in small cubes 3/16 or matchstick, and ditto for a pile of celery cubed and / or zuchini – Just make the ratios equal in quantity and size. Then sometimes I will add a half a minced red bell pepper and a small pile of minced purple onion for color and a bit more flavor. Now gently mix all the vegetables and the add the sauce to the top and gently but completely mix in the sauce. Now the sauce / dressing

2 Tablespoons rice wine vinegarHoisin Salad Parts
2 heaping Tablespoons of hoisin sauce
1 teaspoon of sesame oil
1 teaspoon of hot chili oil.
Mix the sauce and the vegetables gently and completely then chill.
Make this up early in the day and the vegetables soak up the flavor! Gently Stir Again before serving
It really is that simple.
As Always, Charley


Recipes and more by Charley CarlinAbout The Chef – Charley loves to cook for a group, whether the group is six or twenty. Creating new concoctions from others recipes by altering quantities, leaving out some parts and adding other parts creates his personal style.  All of his recipes are available for everyone to use.

Irish Soda Bread by Judith Hathaway

IRISH SODA BREAD by Judith Hathaway

Anet’s sister has her version and comments. There is also Ant’s Version. You choose and have fun – or try both!

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease two 9” round cake pans.

  •  4-41/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp soda
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 3/4 Cup sugar
  • 3/4 Cup butter
  • 1 egg
  • 1 3/4 Cup buttermilk
  • 2 Cups raisins or currants

 In a large bowl mix together flour, salt, soda, baking powder, and sugar until thoroughly blended

 Cut in cold butter.  I gliterally take my hands and just break it into the dry ingredients by crumbling it through my fingers until fully mixed into the flour mix. (Do not melt the butter)

 Add raisins and toss until coated with flour/butter mix.

Beat the eggs slightly and add them to buttermilk

Stir the buttermilk/egg mixture into the dry mixture until blended.

Turn the mixture out onto floured board

Knead until smooth (2-3 minutes)

Divide the dough into 2.  Shape each half into a smooth round loaf.

Place in the greased cake pans.  Press down until dough fills the pan.

My sister makes this recipe and uses a glass lasagna pan.  She greases it and places both loaves in one pan.

Use a sharp knife to mark tops of each with an X

Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes