The Transparent Hypnotist

I have recently had some Internet problems. My high-speed connection crawls, sometimes it goes down completely, or maybe it decides it has had enough of the transparent hypnotist. Rather than providing an advertising op for the company in question, I shant mention their name.

Like a rational person, I am surveying the playing field and looking at the competition. Oh how it flirts! In the fine art of seduction, the smooth velvety voice of temptation offers faster, faster, and so fast the page loads during my blink. And then, the sweet rustlings of interest begin - an auction for lifetime high-speed Internet. Now it does beg the question what is “life-time?” But, like most first blushes, these questions are pushed away with promises of winning a Nintendo® Wii™. Mmm. Golf at the office. Ellie’s 18, perhaps?

Yes, I admit it; I am human (as we saw in today’s earlier post). I would love a Wii, but with everything else, I am not sure I could justify purchasing it. One could make an argument that after working with clients on sports motivation and concentration; they could use the game before the hypnosis session and after to see potential change? In theory, it is a cool idea, but I am not really sure how the Wii translates into reality.

Wondering how I went from the Internet to the Wii? Did I mention that Charter High-Speed® Internet is sponsoring this contest to win the Wii and also the auction for lifetime Internet.

Click Here for a Chance to Win a Nintendo® Wii™!

Sometime back this past summer, I blogged about a day when I was not up to my usual par in clothing and style. I received some very nice support from you all about it that made me feel much better. However, I have as yet to lapse into total casualness in my work practice.

Now another dilemma faces me. I recently was at a networking event and the subject of cars came up (I almost think this should be outlawed from polite conversation as are politics, religion and sex. LOL). There seems to be rampant opinion about what a car says about a person, especially a small business owner. It does not matter if you are frugal or not, apparently people believe that the niceness of a car tells more about you in your profession than does one’s actual work. I am being a bit sarcastic here, but may be not.

Well in my insecurities about this, I have been looking at the idea of getting a “business car.” Car Prices are not so bad these days, if one comparison shops. Carsblvd.com offers such a comparison where you can select the type of car you are interested in buying (plus various details like make, years, etc) and it gives you a couple of quotes. It seems fair enough. What happens is that dealers get to give competing quotes that may provide for an opportunity on a good deal.

The problem is that I have no idea about what sort of car I would like. It would have to have great gas mileage, but also a classic look. Do you think there are classic cars that are like the tailoring of classic clothes - they never really go out of style?

Just thought I would remind you again that the next upcoming project on The Unwinding Path is going to be The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards.

My copy just arrived moments ago, so I am pretty ready to get going on it, but I am holding off until next Monday. That way if you want to join me in the process, you can.

Something I have been thinking about though is the idea of doing the exercises digitally rather than using a sketch pad. I would really like to get a bit better with my digital drawing tablet and pen (you may know I have an inclination towards animation) and this seems like it would be a great way to do both. My thoughts would be to do this in Photoshop. Photoshop Brushes are really diverse in textures and styles, and there are some really awesome free brushes available that can add even more creativity to the palettes. Perhaps this may be overstepping the exercises, but I like the idea of drawing on various background patterns. It makes it more interesting in my mind.

Tomorrow I will be posting more information on The Unwinding Path.

Now that we are beginning the descent down from January with New Year’s Resolutions and new starts turning into habits, we will soon land in February just in time to take a seat on the up-and-down romance roller coaster. I am sure with all the commercialism of Valentine’s Day creeping into the stores, creeping into our consciousness, no one means it to be a cruel reminder of what one may not have. That’s right, amid the boxes of chocolate (please oh,please do not gain weight, I love you just the way you are), the stuffed animals (we really should eliminate clutter), and sentimental cards (how nice, someone else’s words to express how you feel about me), there is an air of something ugly that looms beneath certain surfaces. I would like to say that I am immune to Valentine’s Day - truth is I am not, I enjoy the novelty. But in this profession I have chosen, the misery begins to come out of the wood work near Valentine’s Day. You may have read my posts about a friend who wanted me to hypnotize her to not want a relationship. Well, those postings seem to have started to generate a rash of people wanting the same thing. And I tell them the same thing I did my friend - no go. We can work on the feelings behind the wants, but I would not feel right in even approaching such a suggestion.

And it makes me sad, the pain that comes forth at this time. They say Christmas is bad for loneliness. I would say Valentine’s Day is bad for making one feel the same or even more inadequate, if you are subject to such feelings.

So, I suggest retaking Valentine’s Day. Rather than having expectations that someone else is going to do something romantic for you (and they still may), make it happen for yourself. Either plan it as a total giving event, an act of kindness for others, or how about this, an act of kindness for yourself. Romance yourself on that day. Take yourself out to lunch or dinner. Or even check out different valentines gift ideas in cyber space. Sometimes spending a few dollars on orchids to embrace your inner wildness is not a bad thing to do. Or send someone you know who is not going to be celebrating this holiday of love some carnations, which stand for devotion.

How you deal with the impending holiday is completely in your control. It is all in the mind. Make it what you want it to be.

It has now been several days since the new iPod touch came into my life. And as mentioned in my first post about it, it has become like a new appendage. It has made blogging easier, as it is so much lighter to tote about than the laptop. I can leave the heavy bags in the office and skip down the street to a coffee shop with much lighter burdens.

However, unlike my natural appendages, it takes much less of an effort to scratch its surface. So in my wandering, I have been looking for an ipod case or protector that might increase its life span (or okay, yes, its surface appearance).

The invisibleSHIELD™ looks like a potential solution. It is a heavy duty clear film that goes over the surface or the entire body of items such as telephones, computers and yes, the iTouch. Apparently, it is made from the same protective material that goes over leading edges of helicopter blades so that they do not get marred by surface issues caused by rocks and such. According to its specs, the Full body Shield for the iTouch is only .2 millimeters thick. If it ever does wear or scratch, the company will replace it.

Has anyone tried this on their iPods?

Today is a work catch-up and clean-up day. On my to do list are several things including a little holiday shopping for Gifts. I received the following press release for gift baskets and I looked up baskets of relaxation. They all have candles and scented things, but it would it not be fun to give real relaxation? Perhaps a gift basket of “summer” including guided meditations for a day at the beach, some sand (maybe), and a bathing suit (bet you can find some on the clearance racks. LOL). just a thought.

Here is the Press Release that inspired this:

DelightfulDeliveries.com Recognized as Hot 100 Retail Website

Internet Retailer Ranks Website Among Best in Nation for 2008

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–DelightfulDeliveries.com, the premiere Internet Gift Retailer and America’s #1 Gift Basket Website, today announced it has been named one of The Hot 100 Retail Websites for 2008 by leading industry magazine, Internet Retailer. The Hot 100 list represents the best of what retailers are doing online, highlighting innovation and setting the standards in online for what the rest of the industry should be doing.

DelightfulDeliveries.com, a privately-held company, with one of the largest and most unique selections of gourmet gifts, ranked alongside larger sites such as Dell, Nike and Amazon.com, by building its award-winning site on selection, functionality, speed and the complete customer experience. A recent re-design has improved the customer’s shopping experience to make holiday gift-giving easy and enjoyable, including rating and reviews, behavioral recommendations and free shipping offers.

“We are extremely honored to be recognized as a pacesetter in online retailing,” said Eric Lituchy, Founder and CEO of DelightfulDeliveries.com. “We pride ourselves on using the latest technology to make gift-giving fun and easy. Being named among the best in the nation validates we are succeeding in our efforts to deliver the best possible customer experience.”

In addition to making Internet Retailer’s The Hot 100 list for 2008, DelightfulDeliveries.com was recently recognized by Inc. Magazine as part of its Inc. 5000, which highlights the fastest growing private companies.

DelightfulDeliveries.com offers over 2000 unique and delicious gifts from America’s best brands to the finest boutique shops. Consumers can easily shop the site by gift or food category, occasion, type and best-seller. Corporate gift-givers can choose from hundreds of customized gourmet treats.

For additional information, and to see a complete selection of gifts available, visit www.DelightfulDeliveries.com.

About Delightful Deliveries

DelightfulDeliveries.com is an award-winning website that began in 1998 and quickly established itself as one of the premier Internet gift retailers. Its mission is to bring great products to gift-givers, while providing world-class service. The company selects its offerings from a broad variety of fine food gift products for consumers and for corporate gifts, and gathers them in one place to make the selection process quick and simple.

Over the past weekend I received a package from Vat19.com, whose tag line is curiously awesome gifts - such as a Wall Mount Bottle Opener or other unique toys, of which they sent me to play with and try out. The three items were fake snow (a tiny package of white powder that you add to water and the powder has a mild eruption, creating fine granular looking snow), small candles that have flame colors that match the candle wax color, and a DVD of fireplaces all ablaze. An interesting lot. I had thought I might create an Ellie animation involving all, but my time is too limited at the moment.

I needed to pick one to write about here and though the snow was entertaining, it was such as quick eruption that ensued that I have not been able to effortlessly include it in a hypnosis session (someone who is not so one track mind probably could, but I cannot seem to walk and hypnotalk at the same time, so it would be tough). The candles were great, but that is so classically a candle flame induction, it did not seem creative enough. So that left the video.

After playing it on my computer for awhile (it has a lovely soundtrack), it really is almost as hypnotic as a real fire place. What I learned is that I am drawn to fireplaces because of the warmth factor, so this video does not even come close to helping with that, but it could make for an induction. There are a variety of scenes to chose from, each with their own appeal. The Christmas scene would be good because there is an added element of a toy train traveling through the picture on occasion. This could be a deepener (when you see the train coming through, you begin to relax more and more each time). Another interesting scene on the video is a psychedelic fire that twist and turns and is rather warped. It is strange enough that I think it would hold the conscious mind in awe long enough to use it as an induction. And then there are the simple basic, repetitive flames, perhaps my favorite. Again this could function like a candle flame induction.

So, you may be asking “why not just use a candle?” Good question. So here is my answer: one is often in places that do not allow candles. That is the perfect condition for this video (provided you have a television and DVD player or computer handy). And what about airplanes? Ever been sitting next to a fearful soul that you wanted to help? I can see a lot of potential for this in that situation. Sure you could just do a verbal session, but this would give them something to really focus on. Provided there are no fire phobias…

Suddenly the holidays have kicked into my mind, as if you cannot tell from the Sunday Question or the Monday Poll. Yes, they are on mind. I am doing a weight loss session with the group for stress reduction, will meet once in December and reconvene in 2008. When I originally set up the group, I thought I would take them straight through the holidays; it seems like a good idea with all the stress, pressure and temptation the season brings with it. What transpired was a half hour group meeting that turned into a vent for holiday stress and no time to spend with the group. Everyone seems to have this obligation, that family gathering, and on and on goes the list. And perhaps this is the crux of some of their issues: not making enough time for themselves, not considering their own needs. I could preach a sermon on this, but I suspect you all have some empathy towards this.

But I will share with you the most common peace antagonist that plaques the group. Family obligations and logistics. This really saddens me, but I am just as guilty as they are. It seems a time when compromise is the buzz word, leaving half-hearted results in the needs of pleasing others. Now I am not advocating being totally self-centered, but there seems like there would be another way.

I sometimes think picking a local that everyone could travel to (a neutral zone) might be a solution. For my family it would be somewhere like Oregon. I have no relative there, no memories, nor do any of my family members. No one has said, “Oh, I love Oregon. Let’s go there.” And why not? Sure it will probably be cold, but there might be snow (something that seems to appeal to several of my family members) and there are still brisk walks on the beach and the sound of crashing waves. Very hypnotic. One could rent a house or a condo for that “homey” feeling, have packages sent in advance, and heck, even have the groceries pre-delivered and waiting. No sterility of a hotel. Lincoln City holiday rentals offers all of this. One phone call and it is done. A change of environment might just be the thing.

It is like clearing the mind, opening the horizon of possibilities, and perhaps a chance to spend little quality time with loved ones with out the distractions of normal life.

At the moment, the voice in my head is trying to be pessimistic about what others would think of this idea and what excuses they would come up with, but I am heading it off with a meditative La, La, La, La, La, Fa, La.

Recently, one of my friends began to take an interest in my services and began to ask a lot of questions that came down to hypnosis and relationships. Ever had these conversations? My friend is a recent divorcee but has been celibate for two years. She is trying to decide if she would like to continue this way or look at other options. This is where the hypnosis comes in. She wanted to know if I would hypnotize her to stop those adult desires or the craving for a relationship.

I truly suspect she rdoes not want hypnosis, but an opportunity to meet single men who might stimulate her both mentally and physically might be a better course.

So we have become acquainted with primedatingsites.com. It is a site that reviews, compares and contrast various dating sites. In the dating world, apparently the different dating and match making sites are all a little different and one may be better for one’s needs than another. For instance of one is looking for the ideal marriage partner (my friend is not), their review of eHarmony cites that this would be a great resource. Then there is Lavalife, which could be similar, but also features options for those just looking for intimate encounters (a little too far the other way for my friend). Dating has gotten so complicated. I am just waiting for the one that offer genetic testing for compatibility.

So, she is now emailing me about this guy or that, though she says she has not finished bugging me about hypnosis as a potential fix. LOL.

Today I spilled coffee all over a suede jacket, not to mention my pants (and it hurt). I am working overtime to not let that be the sum of my day. You know how that goes. Sometimes it is easier than others. However, I am now cold. So indulge with me for a few glorious minutes while I try to move my attitude to a better place.

The topic is: what is your ultimate dream hypnosis job? Is it traveling around the world doing hypno shows? Working in a meditation lodge in the mountains? Street hypnosis in the largest cities in the world? Doing a workshop in Tibet? Seriously. What would it be?

Today, even though the coffee hurt, I would like a cup of Cafe Au Lait in Paris (I have never been). Yep, a hypno trip, staying in one of the nice Paris hotels. Then, since this is my fantasy, I would like to work with clients who have height phobias (that being one that I have personally conquered through hypnosis) at the top of the Eiffel Tower (consider this my being inspired by the mass hypnosis event in Scotland recently). That’s 324 m up, you have to minus a few because that includes the height with the flagpole. Then I would soar down from this height and head to a museum, maybe the Louvre, and do a few sessions on guided imagery (got to pay for those nice hotels). After this, I would go well into the mountains, the Roane Alps, and find some where cozy to bed down and have my own mystical experience of some sort. I hear that France hotels are fairly nice if you find the right one.

Okay, so there. That is my fantasy. How about yours?