Chocolate Dreams - what they mean to me - my own theory in my life -

Living on the Bitter Sweet Dreams on cocoa leaves

 

We all know that the cocoa beans are plants and as such plants, they have contributed to our healthy ways of living by contributing bitter sweet moments in our lives. It has been said by some that eating chocolate before going to bed might exasperate bad dreams or create nightmares. Some say if you already have a sleep disorder, this heavy burden of laying down with the cocoa leaves have been known to have people act out violent nightmares and sometimes called crazy.

Temporary paralysis during a deep sleep is common. However, it has been said that eating chocolate before bedtime can causes you to thrash around and become highly disruptive and loud by shouting while sleeping like you are having a nightmare. Some have reported kicking and punching out their partners in bed and acting out what is happening in their dream. Certainly such dreams are not welcome in our lives and should be addressed.

This is not normal behavior and should be addressed with your doctor. On the other hand, eating chocolate before bedtime can trigger out things out there that are bitter sweet in nature but part of the reality when you are consciously awake. One works with the subconscious in order to complete the dream or thought thus is it important you pay attention. It is suggested that chocolate might help block a natural process that paralyses sleepers when they dream kicking them emotionally loose and free.

The good news is that there is no evidence linking chocolate to bad dreams or violent sleeping patterns thus there is no reason to panic and stop eating chocolate. We all know that chocolate is the dream symbol of a sweet life. For me, it is a bitter sweet symbol of my life. It often comes and goes with time but it never disappears. Some dreams are indeed nightmares of the past while others reflect the good things in my life. For me, chocolate has always been a good thing to eat, especially late at night because it enhances my mood to make me think of something good.

Often this kind of bitter sweet dream signifies the ups and downs of my life which has almost come to an end at times. For me, chocolate plays a big part of my past, present and future as it applies to all time periods of my life. Dreams and nightmares are still a significant part of your lifestyle and living. Chocolate gives you energy. It plays a role in your love life and your personal life as it creates your moods.

For me, chocolate represent the women in my life. Looking back, my experiences with the opposite sex has been a pleasant and most romantic part of my life while at the same time, finding moments that were volatile and unexplainable in moods and temptation. You see, chocolate is a temptation. It gives you the motivation to commit sin.

Of course, this is not a scientific way of saying this but when it comes to chocolate, science hasn’t said much and my dreams have told me the truth. Generally speaking, just seeing chocolate in my dreams usually means something good but there are times that these dreams turn bitter and not very pleasant as it replays my life in my subconscious mind all over again.  

Regardless, how you see chocolate, it is here to stay for me. I love chocolate and can’t do without it. It is an addiction. Perhaps you can see how someone could be addicted to chocolate is you use it as a metaphor for love. Love impacts your life. Love can be sweet and yet, love can be sour or bitter in the case of the dreams after eating chocolate. Generally, if you just see chocolate in a dream it means that you will take part in some important event and the result of this occurrence will have an impact on your life.  It’s not destiny and it’s not karma.

It’s the result of eating chocolate before going to sleep and the outcome is going to be a very good experience if you make it so. Making the most of chocolate related dreams enhances your life and your moods. In reality, you will experience the good things in life.

If I drink hot chocolate, like I did when I lived in Ohio during the winter months, I experienced unprecedented love. Ohio was a lover’s nest. There are many kinds of chocolates out there. Some became my partner or my spouse and each relationship was unique and different according to the type of chocolate I had. Each ignited me with new vigor and pleasures.

The summer time is a bad time to store chocolate unless you keep it refrigerated. I kept my chocolate bars in the refrigerator and sometimes, I froze them. It was a sign of keeping them whole and when you were ready to bite into it, it was often a sign of an upcoming affair. Chocolate implies trouble but like most trouble, you can find the silver lining in that cloud and make it a positive experience in the long run. Chocolate gives you joy and good appreciation of your own endeavors, challenges and undertakings. It has helped me overcome barriers and challenges often to great to conquer without the bite of chocolate for it emboldens me to do my best.

Last night, my chocolate dream was again bitter sweet. I saw faces of the past. I heard voices that will forever be with me forever or until the end as their sweetness or bitterness of my chocolate flavor will be remembered for an eternity. I was very satisfied waking up this morning to the dream. It had been delayed for a long time since I had the last one. I took a little bit extra chocolate last night to trigger a little heaven while I was sleeping. When all said and done, it was a pleasurable and favorable outcome. I dreamt with peace in my mind, something that escapes me at times for reasons known to only those close to me.

Luckily, I have never had spoiled chocolate. That would be most unfavorable and unexpected since I don’t believe my life has been that bad in so many ways to deserve bad or spoiled chocolate. Sure, I have had my share of disappointments but failures are few and one bad interpretation of this dream would cause me to stop eating chocolate before going to bed. Chocolate for me has always been a natural aphrodisiac in life.

I have found and experienced frustration when it came to relationships, friendships and betrayals; liars and cheaters and others who make the chocolate of life tasteless and sour. Sadly, this can happen in something you least expect it to appear. After the dream about tasteless chocolate with a nice wrapper, you need to carefully accept changes in life and stop trusting bad people. Don’t let appearances fool you.

A good chocolate is tasteful and pleasant to bit into and if you dream of the melted kind, it is a sign of successful completion of all the dubious and problematic deals in your life. It also means you can expect or also receive the unexpected help. Thus chocolate can be sweet or bitter. It can be happiness or anxiety and the way you enjoy this chocolate is to appreciate every bite and every chance you get to have chocolate in your life.

When it is all said and done, my chocolate, neatly wrapped, melted, frozen or liquid, has always allowed me to discover the good candy bars in life. Sometimes the taste is bitter or even disgustingly tartness but you have to take the good with the bad. Chocolate bitter or sour means a life of frustration. Chocolate sweet and sugary is loving life and having love in your life.

Staring at a Black Wall

An Interpersonal Experience Staring at a Black Wall - a theory
I have often compared staring at a black wall like staring into someone’s eyes for a prolonged period of time. Regardless whether you believe me or not, such an experience is intense to say the least as it takes you into another psychological dimension. A dimension so hard to comprehend, you often end up being speechless before you can gather your thoughts on this experience. Let me sum it up by the situation getting weird and weirder as you prolong the stare.
Staring at a black wall for a long period of time is a form of disconnection – a disassociation with reality. It is often an out of body experience that is absent any reality as it has been very difficult to explain to others. This disassociation or detachment from reality can best be summed up as an unrealistic phenomenon that is filled with the imaginary mindset of creativity, visionary perceptions and full fledge hallucinations as your eyes plays tricks on your mind and what you really see. Since there are no other sensory adaptations made, it is a deliberately induced deprived state of mind. One has said that in order to have light you must have darkness. Darkness is what brings out the light. The blacker the wall, the less light you see regardless how well the room is lit up.
Staring and just focusing on the black wall, gives you a chance to become disengaged with reality and allow yourself to use your imagination to a higher level. Words come to mind to describe the reported changes. Morphing different shapes and colors from a black wall is not unusual. There are no limits to what the mind can create under such conditions as the experience us surreal. Facing the black wall, you may see faces, shapes of persons or animals or even your own face.
Much like staring at the clouds, your imagination takes over and the dark wall triggers dark ideas created by hallucinations rather than imagination. I have stared at the black wall for periods over ten minutes and as long as 30 minutes. I can tell you I have seen white dots on a solid black wall as well as other colors and shapes as the prolonged stare creates new shapes and forms. I can’t describe the conditions as they are mostly mind created or psychological in nature and since I am not an expert in the human brain, I cannot explain this. Some speculate that staring at a black wall induces a form of sensory deprivation.
Since I have also tried this with a white wall and experience nothing except the usual imaginary thoughts associated with looking at nothing but white surface, I can compare the two experiences as stark contrasting and different. So does the color black create this deprivation of your senses? How does the mind react to this trigger of darkness? Dr. David Spiegel of Stanford University explains a similar process of staring at another person as a psychological disconnection of our environment. A total separation of realities as the mind is reflecting back with some intensity that creates hallucinations. What we are imagining is created by what we see of ourselves and builds on the preface that there are imaging features triggering the conscious and subconscious thoughts inside your head.
Like a mirror, but black in surface and non-color, the image created first reflects your own image as a genesis of the process and escalates into hallucination with time attached. However, in this case, the mirror is not black thus it does not project back reflections of the environment This leads us to ponder time and space again, we are talking time and space – a commonality on many phenomenal events in our human and scientific worlds.
Some have explained that the hallucinations produced during interpersonal staring can bring to full consciousness certain subconscious beliefs or "non-integrated" parts of the self. Disconnected parts of the self -- which are usually projected during delirium -- may be integrated into consciousness. Therefore, if you choose to stare at a black wall for a prolonged period of time, you might be able to stand-in, or assimilate the same integration of your mindset and create a similar pathological circle of confirming a “reality” that is exclusively called an unconscious projection or a similar state of mind of the early stages of schizophrenic behaviors.

Culture of Corruption within the Arizona Department of Corrections.

Honorable Legislators and guests,

There should be no surprises when it comes to the headline about corrupt correctional officers being arrested for felony crimes and other misconduct. Hundreds of officers have been arrested over the years to a point where the word corrections has become analogous or equal with corruption based on relativity and frequency. Crimes ranging from child sex offenders to sexual assaults, in addition to the common charges of DUI and aggravated battery as well as introduction of prison contraband and drugs.

In an past article written by AZ Republic reporter Craig Harris, on February 28, 2013, it was revealed the current prison director released a public statement on his own ‘director’s desk’ website to announce his internal problem to the public in an effort to stave off any criticism on his own performance and problem solving within the troubled agency. In his own release, he describes the arrests of over 640 correctional employees during his first 4 ½ years as the prison director. He claims he has taken an aggressive stand against corruption, yet the statistical information reveals a growing cancer within the department that has not be sufficiently addressed or solved.

In fact, the release was based on the hopes that employees should be ““should be keenly aware of the need to conduct both our personal and professional lives in a manner that is above reproach.” This is more of a self-help approach than a departmental order to find and address staff corruption or misconduct. There have been more scandals than any other director in any other state could endure. This director is Teflon compared to the many that have been fired and released from their positions as chief boss of the prison systems they managed. There is no crusade for morality in Arizona. There are no dedicated resources to reduce or to combat corruption. The permissive culture allows it to continue and grow exponentially without resistance.

Based on the director’s own admission, over 640 employees had been arrested or dismissed for law violations. This turns out to be close to 10 per cent of the work force today. Doing nothing to reduce this type of misconduct, the director has not embraced better hiring and selection standards; he believes the rules in place are sufficient and satisfactory to hire the best qualified individuals for the job. One should as the bottom line. Is there a problem? One can't imagine a shift being 10 percent corrupt or can they?

Is the director conducting any research on reforming the corruption continuum within his own agency or is he ignoring a cancerous problem? In light of all these arrest with many more to come, one has to ask the question, “what is he doing about it.” The Kingman riot report indicated a heavy presence of drugs inside prisons which is commonly a known fact to impact all prisons, not just Kingman.

There is a drug problem and the promotion of dangerous drugs by corrupt staff either doing it or looking the other way is a question of public safety and as well as staff safety as it directly impacts staff assaults and other violence on the prison grounds. So far, the discovery of cocaine, marijuana, meth, and illegal prescription drugs has been revealed during these investigations.

Their drug interdiction programs are not working and their K 9 dogs are overwhelmed and overworked. The director’s tolerance to corruption has not been challenged by anyone
except the press.

Despite the growth of misconduct, the prison boss keeps tracking their criminal offenses for whatever reasons. Perhaps, the director is building a pathway to separate himself from the problem and attempts to exonerate himself from the growing internal problems with discipline and order.  Correctional officers live in our communities. They are part of our neighborhood and peacekeeping force. Hence this problem can be described as microcosms of their communities.

Eleven email inbox addresses were found on the Ashley Madison sex website. Although the number is small, it is reflective of a culture within a culture, willing to risk not being caught for misconduct. Nobody is perfect. There are bound to be cheats, drunks, roughnecks, and otherwise unethical people. We have no clue or idea, how many have been allowed to resign and escape prosecution of a crime and those statistics are not available. Sifting through the existing records, one could conclude once they leave the agency, the problem is gone but historically, these bad apples usually find employment with the private prison industry in once capacity or other.

Charles Ryan, the director, has been quiet about the recent spate of officer arrests and convictions. In fact, the director has kept a relatively low profile ever since his last 2013, public release on this matter. One has to admit or acknowledge the public must have a certain level of trust in our prison boss and his employees. They have to be assured that when on or off the job; they are going to do the right ethical thing when faced with a moral or criminal challenge. The reforms are lacking, the change is non-existent and the need is urgent to change the way we handle criminals with badges.

Perhaps, it's time to ask the director for an update on his battle with corruption within the prison agency?

Regards,

Bad Leaders - Character Traits

Bad Leaders

Remember the line in “G.I. Jane” when the Master Chief says, “there are no bad crews, just bad leaders.” Leadership is often overrated. The word leadership itself is vague as there are many versions or words supporting the meaning of such a position. However, leadership is not positional and thus often misplaced or applied to the wrong person in the situation. Some common traits of bad leaders include ego, poor vision or decision making abilities, the enticement of success and many more discussed as we get into bad leaders.

One can say, there are no bad work groups, just bad leaders and many would be right for saying so. The first question you have to ask yourself when you evaluate leadership is the primary mission and cause for such a unique individual spot. What do you expect this leader to do and what is it they are good at. Since most article are about ‘good leaders’ I am writing the next best thing, the qualities of a bad leader.

I know a thing or two about good leadership. But good leadership is very rare. I have known and worked with and worked for many bad leaders. Plus I have been a bad leader many times in my life. A bad leader will often supervise or manage more than they can handle. A bad leader will distribute too much responsibility. This type of leader gives them too much without knowing their skills or what they are good at but most of all, what they are bad at and what drives their motivation.

Bad leaders get jealous of the people underneath them and never hire people smarter than them. This is the #1 most common thing a bad leader does.

Bad leaders never have a good answer or solution to the problem. They inspire no self-growth and fail in putting together teams and assignments. There is no common goal. But here’s the #1 thing leaders fail at. No vision.

What’s a vision? Instead of defining it, demonstrate it. The only thing you can do is lead by example. Since bad leaders can’t unify without instilling fear, intimidation or make false promises, he or she can’t define roles and inspire others to be willing to follow.

Bad leaders talk badly about others – they openly criticize their own staff, senior or subordinate and tag them with names degrading and often metaphorically connected to a trait that is associated with them personally or professionally.

Talking bad about others shows contempt, hate, and disregard and will destroy morale and productivity. They are the ones who carry the leader, yet the leader despises them and their lack of worth.

Bad leaders will always block others working for them to excel and allow them to perform at their best levels. Good Leadership is not about achieving your dream. It’s about helping everyone else achieve their dreams. This is not the employees’ fault. Everything comes from the leaders. Trickle-down leadership is the only leadership.

Bad leaders fear others passing them up on the performance scales or any other form of continual success. Bad leaders refuse to mentor and give block people a chance to stand out. They would rather see them fail. Bad leadership asks the question ‘how good can I get? How far can I get?’ Good leadership asks the question, “How far can the people around me get?” Bad leaders kill motivation and visionary or creative ideas.

Bad leaders don’t know their people, their numbers, and their business on a day to day basis. They carry around them someone who has the answers for them. They take no interest in the intricate parts of the job and depend on others to deliver those answers on cue. They will never acknowledge this shortcoming and deny they are dumb or ignorant of their needs to improve. They have a hard time coming up with the right solutions since they lack, competence, relationships, autonomy and the ability to seek the solution on their own.

Bad leaders don’t get rid of bad people. They hire, select or retain corrupt individuals who are mired in character flaws as well as performance deficiencies. Since there is no mentorship present, the corrupt only get more corrupt and eventually fail the leader at their own risks. Bad leadership, no matter what the situation, can cause almost instantaneous collapse.

Bad leaders often have enormous charisma or magnetic persona that gives them a smart first impression. He or she is willing to ‘jump into the game’ and be a good team player for the cause compromising values and morals in a form of submission in many situations.

Bad leaders smoke ‘crack’ kind of dope referring to the lack of cognitive skill biases and inability to make right decisions under the wrong conditions. They waste time, resources, effort and money on all the wrong things. They don’t see their own failings and deny the failure is due to their part and blame others. Their brains will never say, “Maybe I’ve made a mistake”.

A bad leader will not admit his or her faults or even think about them. It’s too painful to think about those faults because of this cognitive bias. The brain will revolt or the leader will get depressed or start to doubt his leadership skills. Bad leaders will not step outside their own shadow and treat themselves as an outsider to see the problem from another angle or view. They lack due diligence on their own abilities or that of the organization.

Bad leaders were bad employees in the past before their promotion. Leadership begins long before you reach the top of any organization or community. Bad leaders refuse to give credit where credit is due and refuse to recognize others in their personal achievements. Leadership starts at the bottom, and floats to the top by creating positive things or results and the success of self as well as others with a visionary perspective of how the team can be successful.

Deniable Plausibility - Arizona government and prisons

Accountability in Arizona Government – poor private prison oversight

Unlike the governor, most people didn’t miss the obvious "out of sight, out of mind" attitude by ADC monitors and administrators in Phoenix and Kingman. It is my contention; none of these serious contractual violations were ‘hidden’ from anyone- read the exhibits and you will see red flags in the words used by ADC to reflect their report findings.

Findings that don’t include one shred of evidence that involves ADC’s failed responsibility to do their job in the agreement – monitor Kingman and other prisons.  Let’s add - these monitors at Kingman were given the job by Ryan. They owed him everything. They sat in their offices, never walked and talked (corrections 101) and pencil whipped reports and emailed them. Yet to the day of the riots, NOBODY challenged them –

Charles L. Ryan is a master at hiding the facts; he simply claimed and was believed by the governor that based on having no ‘crystal ball’ circumstances, he didn't do or know whatever it is or was being found out of order. Plausible means believable and deniability means the ability to deny, Thus Ryan claimed he didn't know [plausible?] and he invoked deniability=the ability to claim he didn't do or know something (even though he) and have people believe it.

Deniable Plausibility is a powerful tool to have on your side. It saves jobs.