Validation of One's Value - Its Importance and the Consequences of Its Absence or Inadequacy

A friend of mine and I were talking the other day.  In the course of our conversation, we came upon the idea that early-life validation (e.g., by one's parents or primary care-givers) is extremely important.  Conversely, people who are not sufficiently validated early on in life often later find themselves profoundly affected.  Interesting compensatory strategies are often pursued.  One phenomenon often encountered is "Repetition Compulsion", Wikipedia article or trying again and again (often quite unconsciously) to play out the early-childhood psychodrama, and to have it turn out differently, this time.

Books on Dating - Factual, and Hysterically Funny!

Tales from the Front
by two women who co-write a column on 30-something dating life:

The Game - Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists (Neil Strauss)
NY Times writer - smart, wacky, geeky guy - decides to get a "make-over" and learn how to get women!

The Ideal Woman -- Candidates and Thoughts

A theme song about finding a soulmate:
Hearts Don't Lie - Stuart McNair

Bear in mind, these women are in committed relationships; but still:

Backpacker/ecotourism TV host:
Megan McCormick

Political Journalist (her mother is an archaeologist!):
Kirsten Powers

Skydiver/Professional kayaker:
Samantha Brunner Ruppelt

UVa Econ major/CPA/varsity college swimmer:
[OK, yes, her name *sounds* like a stripper stage-name, but her dad is a PhD in physics...who named her after his research focus - crystals]
Krystal Ball

Dancer/Political Journalist/Hunter:
S.E. Cupp

Tupac LIVES - Coachella 2012

Tupac ain't completely dead, I gather ...

Henry David Thoreau - goes to Florida?

Scroll down.
I swear:  I am NOT making this up.

Cell phone doesn't work (except marginally, while out on road)
No Internet
No land-line
No TV reception

[Photos to be posted; the old rental link no longer shows them 12-26-2012.]

Tom Petty - 30th Anniv show (Last Dance with Mary Jane)

YouTube - 04:00

Everclear, Nickelback, Lunatic Calm - YouTube music videos

Everclear, "Wonderful"


Nickelback "If Today Was Your Last Day"


Lunatic Calm "Sound of the Revolution"
(try to listen in the car without rocking out and beating your steering wheel and dashboard!)