My Final Words For The Year 2005.

Live your life to the full, cherish your family, listen to everyone with an open mind and make a positive impact on those who come your way, and expect nothing in return.

My wish for 2006: For religious zealots to stay out of politics and a very happy and peaceful new year to everyone.

Notes From My Diary 2005

I started off the year, buying the "Paulo Coelho's Alchemy 2005 Diary." In it I've entered inspirational pieces or writings that have impacted on me positively. As I look back, here a few that stand out.

1. Happiness and success are not the result of what we have, rather of how we live.
-Jim Rohn.

2- Words have the power to destroy or heal.

3- Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value.
-Albert Eindtein.

4- The true measure of a man's wealth is in the things he can afford not to buy.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

5- Rather than focusing on THINGS and TIME, focus on enhancing RELATIONSHIPS and accomplishing RESULTS.
-Steven R. Covey.

It is not that most people are incapabale of greatness, it is that they are unwilling to pay the price of success. They have the ideas, but they do not have the desire to relinquish the comforts of life. They have the dreams, but they cringe at the thought of having to endure any kind of hardship.

Take Note: Sober Virus May Hit On Jan 5, 2006.

Sober virus that has been around for seven years may hit with more venom this time, warn Computer experts.

The worm expected to be activated on Jan 5th, is to flood email boxes with pro nazi propaganda in English and German.

All major anti-virus programs can protect computers against the worm. Industry experts are advising users to instal and keep uptodate, anti-virus software.

Tech Trends To Watch in 2006

For the diehard and the enthusiastic techies, the year ahead promises more exciting products. High Definition TVs have become mainstream and a 30" Sony set will cost $700. Click Here and read about laptops geared for entertainment, capture moments through digital video, podcasting and many others that will hold your interst.

Video Games: A Big Business In India

India has a longer history, colourful traditions and a gigantic growing population than most countries that are in the forefront of the games development industry. Indiagames, a company formed in 1999 and located in Mumbai has embarked to develop Emperor Ashoka" which recreates battles from the life of a legendary Indian King who lived in the third century BC. There will be no shortage of action as Goddess Kali appears with multiple limbs and each hand weilds a different weapon.

Indiagames is also making games for the mobile phone market based on Hollywood's tested characters like Spiderman, Predator and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.While Indiagames is a leading contender many smaller companies have also come in to the creative process of developing games. India has no shortage of talent and this will be an industry that is bound to bring enviable financial returns to those who can allow their imagination to take flight and soar upto the sky. Companies that have come into this entertainment industry include Milestone Interactive Studios and Paradox Studios, both located in Mumbai and Bangalore's Dhurva Interactive are all working on original content. Dhruva has developed Pool -On-The-Net an online 3D billiards game targeted to an Indian audiance.

Shah Rukh Brings Cheers Amid Delhi's Cool.

This is a visual treat of song and dances that the bollywood king's fans can never have enough.

The Dead Come Alive Through Music

They are known as Deadheads and they are the fans of the band Grateful Dead. The band disbanded since the death of guitarist and lead singer Jerry Garcia who has always encouraged live recording and free downloading of their music shows. When the surviving band memebers halted the free downloading, all hell broke loose. The Dead heads are cool bunch gotten used to bring live recordings back from the dead. An online petition collected 5,200 signatures and a boycott of the Grateful Dead merchandise took effect. Happily for the Dead heads, free downloading was made available to them again.

Testing Times For Democracy In Egypt

A court in Egypt has sentenced an opposition leader to five years hard labor after convicting him in a forgery case. Diplomats from United States, France, Norway and the European Union observed the court proceedings. The Opposition Leader is convicted for having forged signatures to form a poltical party. Lawyers for the defence said that the trial was politically motivated.

Egypt is the US's closest ally who needs their financial support to run a country with a monopolistic rule and a broken economy that needs fixing. US and Europe have started applying pressure and it will be interesting to see how changes will come about.

Times Persons Of The Year

It is refreshing to read U2's Bono and philanthropy billionaires Bill and Melinda Gates
taking the cover of the Times as the Persons Of this year for their continued commitment in spending millions to take on global poverty.

In times past, you would think that a rock star will shine and be heard on stage and through his music. Not so any more, the world leaders in global summits such as in G8 and other meetings are now listening to them.

Software architect and Microsoft boss Bill Gates and Melinda Gates have made global leaders listen to them not only with their money but with their innovative programs to eradicate disease and lift the poor out of their plight. The human race is running against time in environmental protection and unresolved conflicts, but if there is any hope for the future, this year's cover of Times Magazine recognizing an unlikely Trio does stand out as beacon of hope that could bring happiness to the forgotten millions.

This Scientist's Head Needs To Be Examined

South Korea's Top Scientist Hwang Woo-Suk resigned in disgrace after admitting that he has fabricated the stem cell research that he earlier claimed to have successfully carried out.

How could a distinguished scientist err on such an important matter that he knew would have long lasting moral and ethical consequences for the world community. A remoreseful Hwang can be forgiven by his country and the world community but it is beyond me to understand why he took the road tha he did.

Social Entrepreneurs Bring Light To Poor Millions

This is the kind of article that will light up your spirits. "Barefoot Engineers", a program started by Indian social entrepreneur uses school dropouts and illiterate villagers to install and maintain solar energy systems that provide electricity at a rate that conventional methods could never afford to do.

We need more social entrepreneurs to come up with such innovative methods to help the poor. This is a good example the amazing power of human resourcefulness. I salute the social entrepreneurs who work on such projects and feel that the barefoot engineers have more brain power than some of the politicians who have managed to keep them poor for so long.

How about "A Change" As A New Year Resolution

With the new year fast approaching this will be a question that some people could ask of themselves, either for a change of career, business or even the way they live their life. If this subject is of any interest to you, read this article.

This is the time of the year when it is fashionable to make new year resolutions though the majority of the people will never keep them.

Change is unavoidable and it happens whether we like it or not. The best way to deal with change is to be flexible and adjust to it. Time does not wait for anyone and our life is just a fleeting moment in the bigger scheme of things. Not wanting change is unwise and therefore we all need change. The question then is, what kind of change do you want?

Do you want a new job?
Do you want to study for a degree?
Do you want to change your lifestyle?

You can decide what change you want or how you will adopt to the changes that occur around you. Make it different this time just by sticking to what you resolve.

Simplicity Is The Way Of The Future

We are not living in the era that Henry David Thoreau lived.
Thoreau himself is famously known for as the naturalist philosopher who lived a simple life near the beautiful Walden Pond for two years. He wanted to experience the simplest way to live his life and even by the standards prevailing at that time he was considered a pacifist.

Can you imagine what today's popular culture would call such living, well from crazy to lunacy would be my guess. But wait a minute. There are also simplicity movements that are beginning to pick up momemtum in this rapid fast-paced world. So Thoreau can rest with the knowledge that more people have begun to value his experience of life.

Futurists now predict that the gadgets that are so indispensable in our life are going to be less complex.
Your mobile phone, PDA or didital camera has so many functions that you may not fully understand or test them before they go to their grave. After all most people use these gadgets for their functional convenience and developers of new technology will really start to work hard not just to incorporate more functions but to make the gadgets more simple and even more user friendly for people like the "idiots" for whom a whole series of guides from birth till death is being written.

The Divided Subcontinent On Fever Pitch

It's cricket at fever pitch that has spell bound India and Pakistan for more than six weeks. For information on the current India/Sri Lanka test here's one link that you can't afford to miss.

Cricket is religiously followed by millions in India and Pakistan. Can you imagine the passions that are aroused when these two friendly rivals face each other. Such passions bring out the 'beauty and the beast' out of the fanatic fans who flock to watch their heroes in action and demand that they win.

Pakistan has just won the Pakistan/England ODI Series by 3-2. On the penultimate day of the series England won the last match salvaging some pride and flying home with their heads held high with the knowledge that a very young team has indeed done well, although this performance came a bit too late for the England fans.

There is more cricket to come for the Indians, whose team currently playing the test series against Sri Lanka also recently played against South Africa. They will very soon be playing their great rival Pakistan. Fans on both sides of this divided continent are eagerly awaiting this clash.

"Intelligent Design" Defeated in Court

Intelligent Design is not a scietific theory but a religious alternative, ruled a US District judge. But this debate is not going to go away for proponents of the theory argue that there are unexplained gaps in Darwin's evolution theory and students must be taught of the existence of unidentified intelligent causes that have contributed to the process of life.

Microsoft Under Fire For Xbox Glitch

Microsoft's rush to bring to market the Xbox 360 console, has riled enthusiastic gamers who complaining of defective designs of the product. Some have filed legal action against the software giant. Microsoft was eager to catch on the hoilday crowd and this this the result according to some industry critics.

When Microsoft is out to impose strict copyright requirements which it has a right to do, it must also make sure that it's products are not defective. Gaming has become big business and both the industry as well the consumers must play it fair and by the rules. This is the way to defeat the piracy business which is also big business .

You Are The Director Of Your Life

As I sat in the departure lounge of the Male' International Airport awaiting to board an Air Lanka flight bound for Colombo, many thoughts raced my mind. I knew I had missed a few days from posting on my blog. What would I write next. Shall I scan the net for news on cool gadgets or newsworthy social events or impending disasters? For once, my mind was not giving clear answers: So let me try something to LIVE for, POSITIVE, and VALUE driven.
How about me directing my own life and you directing your own life. Seems good, so here I go.

Life does give each one of us the opportunity to live our life. Whether we are successful or not depends not only on how we live our life but also on how we define success. To one person success was, " As long as I am above ground, I am successful." To this person, to be alive was to be successful. I am sure most other people would want more out of their life.

There are some people who believe that success is dependent on factors beyond their control. Such people are bound to suffer the disappointment and unhappiness for they see their lives taking twists and turns that they can't control. While this may be true of certain periods in the life of every person, it cannot be the norm as it deprives a person from taking personal responsibility for his actions.

Our life becomes the product of our decisions and the effort we put in to realize our dreams. Our innate potential will not be realized unless we work to achieve them. The price of our success is not dependent only on money but more on our efforts.

Pretty Woman

I fiddled with my remote control and guess who comes, a "Pretty Woman" with my favourite stars Julia Roberts amd Richard Gere. I've seen this film a few times before but decided to watch it once again although I caught the film passed midway late at night when I usually would be fast asleep.

The film is a romantic comedy that propelled Julia Roberts to megastardom. This is a classic love story with two characters at both ends of the social spectrum. Julia Roberts plays the role of a hooker but her beauty captivates the hearts of men including Richard Gere, a successful all- work-and-no-play businessmen.

You'll see some hilarious moments in this film when Julia who plays vivian, the high school drop out prostitute and has to put up with Richard in his business dealing world which Julia has never experienced before. Richard and Julia are opposites, Richard is only interested in making money while Julia loves the simple and romantic life that the 'girl next door' would. They start off liking each other despite their social difference and influence each other at a deeper emotional level.

As the film progresses you'll see a transformation in both their characters. There are great songs in the film including "Oh Prteety Woman" written by Roy Orbisson and won the 1991 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

This is a great film, although such scripts get turned out to reality only in Hollywood, the land of dreams. Some dreams come true as was the case for Julia Roberts in this film. So keep on dreaming. You may just find the knight to come and rescue you or your country from the your plight and lift you to the stars.

Male' : Developing To A Social Disaster

Male', the capital island of the Republic Of Maldives is a community unto its own. This island had the laid back calm of a small town community untill a few decades ago.

At that time, the street lanes of coral sand lined with imposing white-walled houses with spacious gardens. Day and part of the night, the doors of these houses were left open so that neighbours can drift in and out to have a chat or gossip about the day's events.

Ironically the tranquil peace that was so refreshing to the residents as well as to the visitors has changed to what we now call a progressive lifestyle. Tourism has become the lifeline of Mladives since the early 1970s.

The tourist dollar has created an elite class that can, not only afford first class travel but are also able to own property outside the country and control businesses within the country. A community that was driven by their desire to live in harmony is now clamouring to forge a new social order. An order where the increasing gap between the rich and the poor is reduced so that the wealth of the country is equitably distributed, opportunities are available and social justice is assured and meted out to all.

The lack of a sustainable housing policy in Male' since the 1960s has seen the spacious gardens and their enclosed homes divided many times over to give rising cubicle homes to the next two generations, that has jammed Male' almost bursting at the seams. This is the inevitable result of a centralized policy to control everything from running the government to control business and commerce to communication and transportation from Male'.

Lack of adequate living space has brought about shoulder to shoulder living, crammed within the one and half square mile island of Male' creating health hazards and a social nightmare. A culture of drug abuse is prevailing among the younger generation and law enforcemnet agencies are unable to control rampant corruption. The crooks seem to be having a field day putting the law abiding citizens at their mercy.

Superficially we are rich and living a life of abundance in Male'. But this feeling is only skin deep as evident from peoples homes to hospitals to public services and to the way we are struggling to look after an aging population.

Learn From The Industreous Japanese

Japan does not have much natural resources, but it has one commodity in abundance: money. It is the world's biggest aid donor. It is one of the world's biggest foreign investors.

How did this happen to a country that was devastated after the second world war, its old military might demolished, and its citizens had struggled to get up on their feet?

The Japanese are a resilient people. After their defeat in the second world war in 1945, they shifted their focus from miltary expansion and the government and the industry was united to build the nation. The Japanese companies adopted the "best practice" methods to improve productivity and enhance performance. They imported raw materials and used them to manufacture world class products which were exported out.

Now The Land Of The Rising Sun is winning back its old colonies whose memories are fading of the past brutal occupation, purely by economic means.

Observe how Tokyo works and you begin to to realize the collosal work that has brought about this massive transformation of a country in ashes to one that is towering above the rest of the world, holding its own in economic might. Tokyo is the seat of the government, business and finance, communication and culture.

Tokyo is one the most congested cities of the world. Millions of commuters take the trains daily but their train stations are kept whistle-clean. White collar workers abuzz the city throughout the 6-day work week.

Here is what I think we can learn from the Japanese.

Japan is a small country and after their defeat in the second world war, there was bitter acrimony among the people. There was suffering and regret among its citizens. But they pulled together, geared the economy for export and worked hard.Today they have become a prosperous nation and are sharing their prosperity with other nations. Their traditions and work ethics have stood good through trying times. Community interest above individual motivation seems to have propelled Japan sky high, this time not dominating militarily but economically.

People Of Indian Origin University

Indian Prime Minister says he is considering setting up a PIO University ie. People Of Indian Origin University. The Prime Minister was addressing an indian audience in kuala lampur in malaysia.

I cannot fully understand what will be unique about this university. Certainly India has a strong tradition of a free press and a vibrant democracy. The future looks bright and India is the fastest growing country in Asia, keeping up the economic pace with China.

Asian Television Awards

This is an event to look for, to show case your talent and be recognized for your creative endeavours.

I hope hazylium will look through this.

Honey Bees Recognize Your Face

In a bee study , in the dec 15th issue of Journal Of Experimental Biology , it is reported that bees can recognize human faces and remember upto two days.

This is very exciting news. This research suggests that bees may play a more prominent role at airports and other places where face recognition is important. They may also be used by law enforcemnet agencies to spy on and catch the perpetrators of crime who may traffic drugs or may be involved in terrorist activities . In the years to come, who knows , the bees may be able to do a better job not just in face recogition but in several other aspects of crime detection and public safety.

It will be a crying shame if we, the humans are beaten by the bees ....with such small brains I guess.

Guard Your Check Against Theft

Crooks can steal your money, all it takes is your papercheck or even a deposit slip. Paper checks are a bigger worry than credit or debit cards. You can report the loss of your card to the bank and they'll immediately cancel the card. The lack of US Federal protection against paper transactions, causes prolonged headaches for consumers becuse banks have varying policies on how to treat bad checks.

This is the situation in the world's biggest economy with federal and state oversight regulations tightly designed to protect the consumer interest.

In several developing countries with less than perfect state of high accountability, the consumers are the mercy of the crooks whose action seems to go unpunished, giving the impression that they are above the law.

World Cup Draw- Brazil smiling, Argentina Not So

Defending champion Brazil is pleased with their opponents in group F, while Argentina eliminated in the first round in 2002, may have to struggle again. For the complete draw of all the teams and other related news click here.

Before the next world cup is played out, the punters and pundits will raise the stakes and general mood to fever pitch. The politicians who have nothing better to do can have their constituents engrossed in the battle of the games that will be livecast across the globe entertaining the rich who can certainly afford and the poor and the poorest of the poor who can transcend their daily struggles to connect with this absorbing contest.

OIC Makes The Call Of Disunity Among The Muslims

OIC Secreatry General is dead right in making the call of disunity among muslim nations and the general apathy for blaming others as the reason for their problems.

What a joke it is! The muslim countries knew all along, what the OIC Secreatary General has lamented, ie. call for , concrete action to solve problems such as poverty, illiteracy, epidemics, lack of equal opportunity and unequal distribution of wealth. These problems did not culminate overnight, infact it has taken decades for the situation to become so rotten as they have acknowledged.

So long as the leaders of muslim countries and organizations such as OIC only give lip service to the problems outlined, nothing will change. It gives more ammunition for the radicals to flourish. I am against extremism and all forms of violence but the sad reality is that the collective leadership of the muslim world is only playing games without the conviction and the resovle needed to bring about real change that is so vital to defeat the extremists and their agendas.

Hmmm...The Religious Scholars Are Talking

At about 7.40 pm on 8.12.05, I sat in my living room, with the TV running a TV Malives program "hidaayathuge magu" loosely translated: Godly path. I'll stand corrected if my translation is incorrect.

Two religious scholars took turns to quote the muslim scriptures, advising a listening audience to refrain speaking about contentious issues. Speak good of everyone and everything, if you must, think before you open your mouth to speak.

How interesting. Why don't you religious scholars direct your advice to individuals who contravene your advice, ie. those who speak good but act against what they speak. Why not name and shame them.

It's time for you scholars to cut out the hypocrisy and come out clean. Here in Maldives, you know that the moral fabric has been badly damaged and requires enormous effort to put it right. If you wish to be taken seriously and more to the point, if you wish others to honour what you say, stop taking cover behind a smoke screen. Our society is small enough for you to know who speaks what publicly like what you do on this progamme. When their actions do not match the words they speak, take them to task and let the chips fall where they may.

Should We Care About Hard Work?

By some estimates, the average American in the world's largest economy, is working longer hours now. It isn't a perfect measure partly because the boundary between paid work and rest is vanishing and the question of how hard people work is very subjective.

While the Americans lead in "working harder", the Europeans and the notoriously industrious Japanese have some catching up to do on the path blazed by America.

Simply because the trend appears in the direction of working harder than we used to, it doesn't mean we are worse off. We need less time to prepare our meals, thanks to the microwave oven. Modern technology has made available to us many such conveniences which cost us more in money but save us time. Even shopping is a breeze for those of us using the internet.

Working hard or having a lot of work isn't necessarily bad. Work does give order and meaning to one's life. It can provide a sense of self-worth and dignity. Even from a moral perspective, there is virtue in hard work. "Free time" means idleness- this is the cornerstone of the work ethic that has brought us to the civilization that we are enjoying today.

So, the short answer to my question abve is: Yes, we should all care about hard work.

Hopefully, we can work smart as well. We can only realize the full value of our work if we work in a place with a system that operates on meritocracy, ie. recognizing and rewarding effort on the basis of merit.

In many countries plagued by corruption and operating on crony capitalism, contracts are awarded and promotions are given to suit political objectives. In such places, there is no equitable distribution of wealth and how hard you work is not the solution to how well you do in your life.

You Can Imagine A Better World With John Lennon Around

Well, he is not around but you can still imagine, right?

A deranged fan took his life and we've lost a musical genius who led a controversial life but always stood for Peace. His songs "Give peace a chance" and "Imagine" still stand out as favourite songs.

Together with The Beatles, John Lennon played a prominent role in the music world that unleashed profound social changes in UK, Europe and The United States which John later adopted as his home.

Even a generation after this musical great has left us, his fans continue to pay tribute to his music and his legacy.

We Need To Build Bridges With Each Other

I've already posted "the case of my missed flight." With tmi staff not supportive and as we were too early for a "Riyaa Cafe" breakfast at 6.40 am on 5th decemebr 2005, I decided to do the next best thing. Read a book. I picked up a tma magazine "niyaama' no: 4. One sentence instantly caught my attention.

"Mohamed Thakurufanu The Great liberated Maldives in the latter part of the 16th Century."

I must confess I do not know enough about Maldivian history to make a crtical assessment of this liberation. But when I look at the social injustices that are prevailing in our society now, another more startling question comes to my mind.

"If infact we were liberated in the 16th century, how did we manage to get ourselves enslaved again." You can debate that this is a subjective opinion, each person entitled to his as I am to mine. For all I know, when I arrived Daalu Meedhoo an island with 1200 hard-working self confident individuals, there wasn't a single cyber cafe from where I could post this piece earlier.
On 5th december2005, evening I had gone in a launch to Faaf Nilandhoo, the capital island of that atoll, with 1600 inhabitants. Although there was one small cyber cafe, it was not opened even on 6.12.05 morning as not many people ever used it. The lingering question in my mind was, " when we came this far to nearly a developed country in Male', how and why did we leave the islands so far behind. This piece will run too long if I were dwell on the various social issues that are horribly wrong in these islands.

In order to maintain the social fabric of a unified people we need to learn to reach out to each other. We need restore trust between individuals and community leaders. We need to unlearn some of the corrupt practises that have crept into our society, which superficially give us a pseudo-western lifestyle while conveniently calling ourselves a 100 percent muslim nation.

The Case Of My Missed Flight

I had slept well passed midnight and woke up at 3.45 am on 5th december 2005,. when my alarm rang off. Here's the sequence of events that followed.

• 4.45 am arrive at the Hulule Ferry Point at Male. I was in group of three others.
• 5.00 am Depart Male' by dhoni to Hulule'
• 5.20 am. Arrive and wait at the counter to take Sea Plane to Vilu Reef Island.
• 5.25 am counter staff comes in without the key to the counter locker.
• 5.30 am Counter key received, locker opened. Passengers names cheked and baggage tags issued. Thereafter we were fereried by bus to tmi seaplane terminal.
• 5.45 purcased our tickets and await boarding for flight leaving at 6.10am
• At 6.05 we were told by tmi staff that the plane has departed without us. We were furious and not in a mood to give in tmi duty staff nonsense. They said we were wait listed and showed thier passenger list and our four names at the very top had been struck off.
• 6.20 am we knew we were at the mercy of these liars but decided to take our breakfast and cool off while waiting for the next flight at 7.10 am
• 6.22am. We approached the "Riyaa Cafe" counter. Counter staff told they could serve tea/coffee with traditional roshi with fish etc. But the food is being prepared and we had to wait a while. We took a table nearby, our frayed tempers still getting the better of us as we were talking only about how the tmi duty staff lied to us without slightest feeling of an apology on their part for the inconvenience caused to us.
• 6.45 am Food from the Cafe still not ready. We decided we should approach the departure counter and make sure we did not miss or better put that we shall not allow the tmi plane to depart without us.
• 6.55 am. Cafe' staff approached us. Food is ready! It was too late to have breakfast when you know you are at the mercy of tmi. On hindsight we should atleast have taken a coffee even though food was not ready. Well, we can do better next time on that.
• 7.15 am. Left by fight number 53 PNR number 491636. Feeling angry at the Tmi lousy service who seem to think, that only the tourists they take are important while they can neglect the maldivians as it appears there is no one to protect their interests. This is stupid and arrogant thinking and hopefully we can put sense into these people sooner than later.

24- Hour Phone Doctors

A company in US, Teladoc Medical Services allows a person to call an 800 number. Within an hour a doctor returns your call who will discus your symptons and give you a prescription. Not everyone agrees with this form of practising medicine but it will benifit many people who will use this service in a country with exhorbitant medical fees. This may not be the answer to life-threatning situations but it certainly helps in minor ailments.

This concept is very interesting. We can have public servants and politicians to serve their communities better using similar approches of service.

What Is The Purpose Of Your Life?

Your purpose in life could be:

• To be a godly person
• To raise happy children
• To achieve a distant vision, and many others.

While many people have not taught about this question, there are others who may not want to think about it. To them, not thinking and making future plans may be their purpose.

Some people believe that we are pre-programmed creatures and our life will take the route that we are intended to live. This is fatalistic view and I believe there is more to life than the narrow view offered here. There are others who believe that a creator has an unseen hand guiding us along a path of our life.

My view is that I am endowed with free will to choose right from wrong. I am resposible for my actions and when I face my creator, if I can say that I have done all I could do to lead a righteous life, that would be good enough to achieve my purpose.

Stimulants Lift Us Higher

Some people crave for the cigareete, the coffee or the drink to kick them to the next level of high. Such stimulants arouse us and make us more alive. The caffeine or the nicotene gives us a temporary high. The drink which is stronger keeps a person in that state of high for a longer period.

But why do we need such stimulants and why do we crave for such highs? Can we not live our lives without these stimulants lifting us momentarily to such highs? As the world is too complex and since we as individuals have different reasons for why we do what we do, seeking answers to these questions would have to be an individual matter.

Eventually for some of us, our craving for arousal and our dependency on stimulants increases our need for more potent stimulants like cocaine and other cocktail combinations. At these higher levels, the threshold of an arousal by taking coffee has been crossed over to the kind of "addiction" stage that I have explianed in a previous posting. The consequences of higher potency addictions could be fatal and we are far better off if we can avoid experimenting with our lives at that level.

Ronaldinho Wins The Golden Ball

Ronaldinho has won the Golden Ball as the European Player Of The Year, ahead of Frank Lampard of Chelsea and Steven Gerrad of Liverpool.

The winner is chosen by France Football Magazine's annual poll of 52 journalist around the world.

"God gives gifts to everyone," Ronaldinho said. "Some can write, some can dance. He gave me the skill to play football and I am making the most of it."

Passions Or Addictions?

Are you a passionate person? Is it your passion to watch football on TV? When does a passion cross the line an become an addiction?

The term passion applies both to positive and negative emotions. If I say, it is my passion to help people in anyway I can, that is positive and productive. In a fit of passion if a person strangles his friend, that is negative and counter productive. Thus, you will find that passions do come in many different ways.

The indisputably harmful effects of addictions such as drugs are well known. But sometimes the word passion is also used loosely in such situations as if I were to say, "I am addicted to reading." In this case the proper description perhaps, would be passion.

Your passion to do legitimate business helps in trading and distribution of goods. That is positive. If your passion is to make profits at any cost, then you may be adversely affecting the lives of many people. In this case, greed has taken control over you. That is a negative emotion.

Thus, passion crosses the line into addiction when any activity becomes destructive to yourself or to others, or when the passion is characterized by fear or compulsion. To determine this crossing line from passion to addiction is not always an easy call to make.

Your Brain Is A Super Computer

The human brain is a marvel, many times more powerful than a computer made by a man. The man made computer has a control panel that operates on electrical connections and the output of the computer is dependent on the experience and skill of the programmer.

The human brain too, needs a control panel and a programmer. The human mind acts as the control panel of the brain. It does the thinking for the brain. Our life is controlled by what we think, i.e, our thoughts. Our thoughts can be organized and our efforts can be directed to achieve the goals we st for ourselves.

Left Brain and Right Brain: The brain is divided into two parts. The left brain is analytical, rational, critical and does the work of step by step thinking. The right brain is creative and keeps in contact with our feelings and emotions. The right brain brings out flashes of inspiration. To be successful, we must use both sides of the brain.

Inside your head reside a super computer, the made equivalent of which cost around $10,000. This is good value waiting to be tapped by you. You may ask, How will I do it? Take a clue from Isaac Newton. When someone asked him as to how he discovered the law of gravity, his reply was:

"By thinking about it all the time."

The Importance Of Positive Values

What is a value?
A value is generally understood to be something that society has a strong belief in its goodness or otherwise. Examples of positive values are:

• Freedom
• Education
• Generosity etc.

Examples of negative values are:

• Cruelty
• Crime
• Injustice etc.

The criteria used to determine the value effect on society i.e, whether a value is positive or negative depends on the norms or the standards acceptable to that society. For example, killling someone for an unjustifiable verdict is strongly unacceptable to any civilized society. However, we know of some tribal societies who would be willing to take someone else's life for a trivial reason.

Now let us look at the business sector. In the 1960s, 70s, and 80s the Japanese have surpassed the western economies through use of Quality Control Circles (QCC) and Total Quality Management(TQM). The Japanese economic model of development puts emphasis on worker attitudes, his loyalty and his service to the customer. The west has been engrossed in personal accomplishments through their innovative management techniques.

Since the advent of the internet and modern means of tranportation, every economic model focuses to satisfy the customer or consumer. The result is that these economies have produced a super rich class of individuals whilst the lower tier in some of these societies live homeless on the streets pounded by the rich and powerful.

A cursory look closer to our hearts at home in Maldives reveals a disturbing situation. Prior to 1970s, we were largely living a life of subsistence dependent on fishing. We lived in a close-knit society where extended families often living under one roof contributed to each other. Community spirit of caring and giving was high. Communal harmony, social justice, love and respect for parents and for each other were distinguishing charcteristics of our society. Most of us were poor but we lived honourable lives.

After the 1970s, tourism has become our lifeline. The tourist dollar has brought prosperity with an unequitable distribution of wealth, not only creating a wider gap between the rich and the not so rich`but also harbouring deep resentment between the "haves" and the "have nots." We have given up our traditional sarongs to wear the western dress of trouser and shirt. We have given in to the urge to spend our last cent to wear the latest fashion. The number of shops packed with consumer goods is testamony of how good we are at it.

We are proud to wear "a 100 muslim nation" as a badge of convenience, though we have managed to suit a liberal lifestyle that is now under pressure to change. Sadly, a large chunk of our younger generation is caught up with addiction to substance abuse and we have not shown the resolve and the will to deal with this deadly problem through suitable medical treatment and firm legislative action.

Unknown to the present generation, Male' used to be a clean and green island with plenty of living space, beautiful gardens and homes. We have even scavanged the burial grounds of mosques disturbing the dead, before the living woke up to reclaim land for a growing society. Our ancestral homes in Male' have been divided up creating a mini urban jungle resembling sardines packed into a can.

How we ended up in this situation, the debate is raging all around us with ferocity and venom, at times unbecoming of the "100 percent muslim" tag that all of us so proudly wear.

Avoid This Kind Of Kiss For It Can Kill.

A teenage girl from from Saguenay, 155 miles north of Quebec City, died a few days after kissing her boyfriend who had eaten a peanut butter sandwich.

The official cause of death has not been released but it is believed that remnants of peanuts on the tongue could be fatal to an allergic person.

For anyone who has such an allergy, hold back your urge and get the partner to clean up the nuts or better convince the partner to avoid eating the peanuts; a small price to pay for the dear life.

When Fear Runs The Economy And Your Life

For those of you interested to know about the effects of soaring oil prices, indecisive policies affecting markets etc. read this article through the headline link.

Investors drive stockmarkets forward or backward by their greed and fear. Polticians will manipulate and create uncertainity which is so vital to run the markets. China and India are booming and some economic experts predict that we are coming to a golden era for the Asia Pacific Region. Whether you believe the pundits or not, do your ownwork to ride the crest of the advancing wave and laugh off counting your wealth.

Do You Eat To Relieve Stress

Eating good food is a necessity to maintain the metabolisms of our body. It is also one of the most pleasure giving experiences. Unfortunately, it also has a negative side.

Some people crave for food when they are not just hungry, but when they are angry as well. They load themselves up when they are under stress or face tensions. They bloat their bodies or bulge in the wrong places. They may mistakenly believe that they have a sweet tooth. They think it is cool to indulge in daily rituals of chocolate and ice creams.

For more information please click on the link on my headline.

Why Do Good People Do Bad Things?

This is a question that is posed when sometimes you can't explain the behaviour of people who you consider are generally good.

The question takes you through a subjective analysis of several words. Who is a "good" person? Why do they do "bad things?" In order to delve further, you'll want to determine what motivates these individuals to do what they do.

Let us take an example, if someone lies to you and if doesn't harm anyone, would you say that he is a bad person or that he did a bad thing. Many would argue that it depends on what the person lied about or even why he lied about it.

Taking a religious perspective, many would say that the Original Sin is a doctrine of Chrsitian Theology that accepts the universal sinfulness of the human race.

The muslim would declare an outright 'no' to lying as his scripture forbids such action.

Lesser mortals, for behaviour that is unexplained go down the path of doing "things" you can consider are bad.

In business, most would agree that cheating is bad but many do it. Let me throw in an example. Duty has to be paid for most goods that are imported into the country. Many would readily reduce the invoice value of their goods so that they can pay less duty therby increasing the prospect of selling their goods and making a higher profit? Is this good or bad. Some people see nothing wrong in it. Some can't even think of surviving in retail trade unless they engage in such action. Some would even exend the argument stating that you don't owe such duty to a callous state and therfore underdeclaring of invoice value is perfectly ok. Most of these people are generally good and do not wish to engage in doing anything bad.

When I wrote in this piece, I knew I don't have the simple answers. But we all need to reflect and adopt a value driven approach in our life so that we do not corrupt our soul and society.

Live Your Best Life

In the past family unity used to be taken for granted when families and extended families used to live together. This is especially true in the Asian culture with a strong tradition that puts the interests of society over individual. Well, these norms are changing fast. Now the emphasis is on individual development with capitalism as the model of development. Some countries use it as the broader political system for common good while others use it in the narrower sense of operating a free market.

The implications for the individual is far reaching. It is everyone's dream and goal to do well in life and climb up the economic ladder. In so doing the emphasis is now on the self. Family values are changing. The term "family rituals" not commonly heard before is being used frequently to refer to family gatherings such as birthday parties or other informal events.

We now have to find the time to meet our older parents, siblings or other relatives who live independent lifestyles. The intesity of these relationships is becoming weak, with individuals looking for materialistic and economic benifits as the the only accepted measure of social progress. Family unity is on the decline and ultimately the society will suffer.

Tehnologically we have developed by leaps and bounds, but the human beings and what makes a person happy, sad or other deeper emotions remain unchanged. We need each other in companionship and in relationships. The virtual generation has more tools availabe to make this happen but we have to recoginze this fact first, before we can begin to work to connect with each other in meaningful ways and nurture relationships for the longer term.

Football Legend George Best Dies

The world mourns the passing of a football legend. The sad news was confirmed at 12:55 GMT on Friday in a statement from the Cromwell Hospital in United Kingdom.

Arguably he was the most gifted British footballer of all time. He was charismatic on and off the field. He belonged to the generation of the 60s that was free-spirited and rebellious experimenting with drugs and alchohol. Tragically his over dependence on alchohol has taken a heavy toll on his life which eventually brought about this very sad end. He was a football genius. Fans of Manchester United and the football fraternity, will always remember him for his silky football skills and the magic and sheer joy of George Best, truly the BEST.

RIP George.

Theme Parks: Big Business In The Digital Age

Digital Theme Parks are offering interactive features and a customised user experience based on the taste of the person who enters the park. The big guns of the industry like the Disney World, Universal Studios and others are taking the illusionary entertainment sky high. Digital artists, 3D modelers and animators and gaming professionals are smiling like never before.

You'll enjoy the fun of this amazing experience by just a click at home. If your interest is in any of these field you can do more yourself. Why not create an indigenous character and market it yourself. Take a virtual tour of the famous studios here

Annual Thanksgiving

Every year millions of Americans clog the roads to travel to someone else's home for Thanksgiving Turkey. This demonstrates the American spirit of generosity. The same spirit can can be extended across the the globe and in our daily lives. Let us share the resources of this planet equitably, for we came here with none and shall carry none with us when we leave.

A Dictator At His Life's End Is About To Face Trial

Former Chilean dictator, 90 years old general Pinochet has been put under house arrest for charges of tax evasion and corruption. Pinochet has been indicted twice in the past for human rights abuses but the courts blocked the trial on health grounds .

Tyrants and dictators can take note that the ghosts of their past evils will haunt them every step of the journey of their life. Pinochet's example shows that they can run but they can't hide.

Liberty Quotes From My Gmail In Box

"Men in authority will always think that criticism of their policies is dangerous.They will always equate their policies with patriotism, and find criticism subversive."
-- Henry Steele Commager(1902-1998) Historian and authorSource: Freedom and Order, 1966http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/Henry.Commager.Quote.38DB

"Who are a free people? Not those over whom government is exercised,but those who live under a government so constitutionally checked andcontrolled that proper provision is made against its being otherwiseexercised."
-- John Dickenson(1732-1808)Source: Farmer’s Letters, 1767http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/John.Dickenson.Quote.38FF

"Freedom includes the right to say what others may object to and resent...The essence of citizenship is to be tolerantof strong and provocative words."
-- John G. Diefenbaker(1895-1979) Prime Minister of CanadaSource: Hansard, 9 April 1970http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/John.Diefenbaker.Quote.3901= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =WHAT DO YOU THINK? Rate these quotes!http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/DailyQuotes Click open the quote you wish to rate, and enter your comments.= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
\r\n\r\nShare these quotes -- spread them around!\r\nMany have sacrificed their lives for our Liberty.\r\nLet us renew our commitment to Freedom.\r\n\r\nLiberty Quotes - http://www.blogger.com/\r\n\r\n= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =\r\nTo receive a daily Liberty Quote, click link below:\r\nhttp://www.blogger.com/\r\nOr send an email to http://www.blogger.com/\r\nwith \'Subscribe\' as the Subject.\r\n\r\nTo stop receiving Liberty Quotes, click link below:\r\nhttp://www.blogger.com/\r\nOr send an email to http://www.blogger.com/\r\nwith \'Unsubscribe\' as the Subject.\r\n\r\nBut don\'t go away mad, RANT on these quotes!\r\nhttp://www.blogger.com/\r\n\r\nNOTE: If you are subscribed under a different email address than this one,\r\nthen please make sure you include it in the body of the message.\r\n= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =\r\n\r\n"Life is a gift, Freedom is a responsibility."\r\n\r\nLiberty-Tree.ca (c) Copyright 2005\r\n",0]
);
//-->
Share these quotes -- spread them around!Many have sacrificed their lives for our Liberty.Let us renew our commitment to Freedom.Liberty Quotes - http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =To receive a daily Liberty Quote, click link below:mailto:liberty.quotes@telemanage.ca?Subject=SubscribeOr send an email to liberty.quotes@telemanage.cawith 'Subscribe' as the Subject.To stop receiving Liberty Quotes, click link below:mailto:liberty.quotes@telemanage.ca?Subject=UnsubscribeOr send an email to liberty.quotes@telemanage.cawith 'Unsubscribe' as the Subject.But don't go away mad, RANT on these quotes!http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/DailyQuotesNOTE: If you are subscribed under a different email address than this one,then please make sure you include it in the body of the message.= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = ="Life is a gift, Freedom is a responsibility."

Email Therapy Is Just As Good

If you are down and having a panic attack the internet may help you just as much or better than your tradional thrapist. That's according to a study coducted by Monash University. So, hopefully more guys will get hooked on to the internet, the psychiatrists can put websites and offer internet-based therapy.

This Year's Worst Worm Is Out

Virus writers are out in force and making money. Sober-Y is the new version of an earlier virus. It piggybacks on the earlier virus that has already affected thousands of computers. Experts are calling it the most widespread outbreak this year.

Take note this. "To become infected, recipients must click on the attachment, which is zipped, then unpack the zipped file, and then agree to run the executable file that appears. That provides several chances for a consumer to realize something is suspicious."
Use an anti-virus program to protect your computer. It seems this is a cat and mouse game. Just when anti-virus experts think they have defeated the virus, a new wave of super virus is released.

Moderate Muslims Fight Back ... Against Terror

• Who is a moderate muslim anyway?
  Fundamentally, a muslim who is true to his faith could be considered a fundamentalist, ie. a good practising muslim. Such a muslim shoul d be tolerant of other religions and willing to live in peace and harmony with everyone else regardless of race, religion or creed.
  
  So, where does the "moderate muslim" fit?
  At best the label is misleading, at worst it allows mortals to cloak in robes and preach divinity as though they are the only ones who know how to live according to tenets of Islam.
  
  Let me make it very clear before the religious zealots are out to sharpen their swords.
  
  I condemn all acts of terrorism, whether they are committed by individuals with twisted logic or by desparate souls brainwashed by ideolgical fanatics or by state sponsored terrorism wanting to maintain power or achieve unjust ends. In short, I condemn violence in all its forms.
  
  I also believe that every human being deserves and must be allowed the right to live and prosper in honour and dignity.
  
  After 9/11 attacks in the US, muslims are facing social and political pressures to take a stand against terrorism. This is understandable and appropriate.
  
  If you care to look at the present problems in the hotspots of terrorism in the world these will stand out as glaring facts.
• Osama Bin Laden would never have become the mastermind of a terror organization if the US did not support him in the mountains of Afghanistan to fight against the Soviet troops
• The US conveniently used the Pakistani Madrassahs who turned out a radical brand of Islam and sent their recruits to Afghanistan to fight the occupying Soviets.
• Sadam Hussain was supported by US, when he waged a seven year war aginst Iran, killing more than a million people on both sides. The US wanted stop Ayotollah Khomeni from spreading his brand of Islam across the Arabian Pensiula, to protect Saudi Arabian Oil and its kingdom.

But such paternalistic protection saw some countries sytematically abusing human rights and enslaving their citizens who did not succumb to dictatorial tyranny. Desparate and diehard alienated groups formed undergroung movements and started what they believed a holy war against despotic regimes supported by the US and the West.

The muslim clerics preaching tolerance and harmony from the pulpits of their mosques ,while necessary is not going to wipe out terrorism by itself. The US and the West must step up to the play and stop supporting regimes that violate their citizens right to live, work and prosper in peace and harmony.

We've Come A Full Circle

The years before industrialization saw tensions between employers and employees explode into conflicts, street battles and work stoppages. Subsequently legal protection, minimum wages, unionised work ethics and collective bargaining guidelines were introduced.

All these concepts are changing now. Up till a few deades ago, large -scale production drove the economy forward. Now technology is the driving force. Innovation is the buzzword, not just done once but continuosly.

In order to allow the internet and e-commerce to realize the maximum potential and profits, companies are given unlimited and unrestrained freedom to hire, engage and promote workers. Read the article about Indian Call Centres which has been compared to ancient Roman Slave Ships, in order understand this emerging trend.
Pricing of commodities and services has gone deyond "supply and demand" to suit the tastes of a consumer who requires instant gratification.

Geeks To Don ' Real Clothes'

Otto Stern's "CEO's should follow NBA and make geeks wear real clothes" makes interesting reading, though I feel he goes over the top in trying to convince his arguement.

I don't accept the idea that an NBA commisioner can turn a moronic thug into a respectable athlete merely by getting him to follow a particular dress code. It is even more idiotic to insist that IT professionals should wear business clothes to stay in their business. Software engineers and developers are perfectly fine and respectable with jeans and sweaters. What we should look for is the output of their work.

It is not Otto Stern's perceived 'sloppy' dress in the IT industry that will see China sweep off the IT jobs from the US market. It will be low productivity and lack of innovation that will allow China and others to reduce the US lead in the IT sector. For the IT professionals- just maintain your energy and enthusiasm and do your job well. Consign the men of grey suits to the archives of history. It is time to forget about the dumb comformity and take on the sometimes criminally manipulative tactics of self-serving leaders head on.

Loyalty Is Obsolete

Innovation is the name of the game now. Anyone who does anything for pay that is repetitive can expect to lose his job to a machine or to a computer software or even to someone elsewhere in the world. Loyalty is no longer an economic high value.

Companies that were previously loyal to hometowns have outsourced part or all of their operations to other venues for more profitable outcomes. Even in tradion-bound communities like Japan which use to offer lifelong employment are swiftly changing to survive the ruthless capitalistic competition. Workers are hired or fired to suit a bottom line. It may be tempting to conclude that the enterprises engaging in such practices are cold-hearted with unbridled greed for corporate profits.

Be that as it may, the capitalistic system is the only one that has has survived and and achieved greater success in the world; albeit even with their shortcomings.

The present virtually connected generation increasingly has a singular focus on earnings. Thus, todays entrepreneurs and investors are steadily becoming more powerful than their political bigwigs who used to command and control or divide and and rule.

A person's economic value no longer depends on his or her loyalty to a cause or place but rather to the value of what such a person can contribute. No longer are companies responsible to employees, communities, or even the public at large. They view their duty as maximizing the value of their investors shares- which they accomplish bu furiously cutting costs and adding value.

The mantra for companies today is " try not to become all things to all people, businessses are created to meet econominc needs and they can only succeed by focusing on their core duty."

With this radical change in thinking the employee can and should demand equal rights and appropriate compensation without ever feeling guilty of being disloyal, so long as he keeps adding value to the companys's core business.

Power

Real power is who you are at your inner core. It's your inner man. It's your capacity to believe and take focused action to accomplish a specific task.

Cold and Flu guide

With the threat of Bird Flu looming large across the globe, here are the symptons of what flu is. Just click on the headline link and learn more so that you can be aware of the dangers and take the necessary precautions.

Cast Off Knitting Club

What caught my attention to write this piece was my recollection of the glorious film 'Cast Away" in which Tom Hanks takes you through an amazing adventure of a person stranded on an island.

Well, this post here is about Knitorama and everything about knitting. Check it out and become part of a great network if that suits your interest.

Patriot Act: What An Act!!!

After the barbaric attack on US twin towers, the George W. Bush Government moved swiftly to introduce "The Patriot Act" which civil libertarians argue curbs individual rights. This Act encroaches on individual liberty in the name of national security. The Act allows FBI to monitor which books the US citizens read or borrow from libraries. Such tactics are viewed with suspicion by sceptics of this administration. Everyone agrees that terrorism must be dealt with firmly but it should not be taken as an excuse to render individual rights invalid. No doubt this arguement will keep raging on whilst the The US Congress and Senate debate to extend this act with sufficient checks and balances to rein in an an FBI, who many believe may use this act unjudiciously.

Start going the extra mile and opportunity will follow you.

Going the extra mile can give you insight and a good reputation. Many obvious opportunities are found in places no one else has bothered to venture. If you put in the extra effort to make a good project and even better one, or you get to know your equipment better than anyone else on your shift, you will see things that others overlook. You are then in position to make use of them and you have created an opportunity for you.

Intuition: A Powerful Force

Intuition isn't mystical. It is a natural ability that we all have. Every one of us is born with the capacity for intuition. Every moment of the day we are receiving information intuitively.

Information is all round us. Our bodies are powerfu receivers and transmitters. We transmit through the choice of our words, facial expressions, actions and body language. Likewise our physical senses retrieve immense amount of information.

Intuition is now recognized as a business decision-making management tool. It is part of our everyday life. It is also important to help us improve and advance in our career. If we have the confidence and know how to trust our own intuition, this is indeed a very powerful tool. Such intuitive moments may just flash through our brain. We can decipher its value and take advantage of it or simply dismiss it as nonsense and forget about it.
To do the latter is not the best judgment and we can enrich our life if we accept that this is a powerful force availabe to be freely used by us. Today it is taught as a subject in schools and it is widely used in the corporate and business sectors.

Digital Rights and Challenges For Print Media

Digital Rights is under scrutiny. California consumers have filed a suit in a Los Angeles Supreme Court to stop Sony BMG from selling any additional CD's protected by anti-piracy software. It will be interesting to see the outcome of this case and the financial awards that may be given out.

A new trend is emerging in that the big electronic giants- IBM, Sony and Philips- have joined forces to distribute Linux patents royalty-free.

The digital media is making advances by leaps and bounds into what is considered the stronghold of the print media. Even the mainstream news papers are facing a decline in their paid circulation. Mainstream newspapers are offering an online version of their paper in order to counter this trend. This also means that customers are hungry for instant information. Politics and social changes are influenced by the speed and quality of the content that is provided in the digital medium, often free.

Your Brain Is A Super Computer

The human brain is a marvel, many times more powerful than a computer made by a man. The man made computer has a control panel that operates on electrical connections and the output of the computer is dependent on the experience and skill of the programmer.

The humanbrain too, needs a control panel and a programmer. The human mind acts as the control panel of the brain. It does the thinking for the brain. Our life is controlled by what we think, i.e, our thoughts. Our thoughts can be organized and our efforts can be directed to achieve the goals we st for ourselves.

Left Brain and Right Brain: The brain is divided into two parts. The left brain is analytical, rational, critical and does the work of step by step thinking. The right brain is creative and keeps in contact with our feelings and emotions. The right brain brings out flashes of inspiration. To be successful, we must use both sides of the brain.

Inside your head reside a super computer, the made equivalent of which cost around $10,000. This is good value waiting to be tapped by you. You may ask, How will I do it? Take a clue from Isaac Newton. When someone asked him as to how he discovered the law of gravity, his reply was:

"By thinking about it all the time."

Make your list!

If you knew you could not fail, what would you do? If you were absolutely certain of success, what activities would you pursue, what actions would you like to take?

Put your pen to paper.

You could be amazed at how focused you are or surprised at your lack of direction. You may even find yourself at the middle of either end of the spectrum just living one day at a time as it comes.

Tea Tourism Is Virgin In India

Long before commercial tea was produced in India, Assam's jungles were home to a wild variety of tea. Assam accounts for 55 percent of India's total annual tea production. India is the world's largest tea producer. Now it is payback time for Assam and it is organizing a tourist attraction campaign around the tea industry. Assam is organizing a annual Tea Carnival. Tourists can explore exotic wild life and be entertained to the refreshing varieties of tea while reliving history amidst the lust green tea plantations. This is a great idea.

A Fictional Debate

Here's an interesting way to take on the real issues in the real world. Well, Go for a fictional debate as NBC did on the "West Wing." Presidential debates have been popular since John F. Kennedy squared off with Richard Nixon in 1960. NBC took another Kennedy, senator Edward Kennedy's
Medicare for All proposal on which a popular TV Show has been brought out. It is entertaining and brings to the public conscience issues that are important. This is a fun way to trash out serious issues without bruising egos of larger than life characters.

Breathing

Breathing is vital to our life. But do we breathe effectively? Here is simple exercise.

• One count inhale
• Four counts hold
• Two counts exhale

Learn more about effective breathing

Freedom And Money: Tech Companies Urged To Press For Freedom

An alliance of investors representing about $21 billion in assets in the United States, Europe and Australia is walking the talk. They have signed a statement on "Freedom Of Expression ," a human rights initiative spearheaded by media watchdog Reporters Without Borders.

This will be an effective step to put pressure on governments who curb their citizens right to freedom of expression. Governments will have to weigh out security against freedom and do what is is right. Human rights abuses and unnecessary censorship will not be the way to achieve those aims.

Summit To Control The Internet

The United Nations sponsored world summit later this month in Tunisia will set the stage for some confrontational arguements beween different countries.

The US wants to maintain some control and maintain the present status quo while countries like China and Brazil are calling for a international body to govern the internet. People who are used to the unrestricted freedoms of the internet will no doubt keep an eye on this summit.

The Cheeseburger comes under attack

The battle to fight obesity has been taken to a higher level in UK. The British Heart Foundation(BHF) is rolling out gory images of burgers in order to get children to think about the food they eat.

Celebrities are also joining in to show that it is "cool" to make healthy eating chioces.

But the obesity is not going to go away as long as the Mcdonalds, Burger Kings and others continue their aggressive marketing and a whole generation of youngsters who have grown up on these fast foods will simply not kick the habit. When everyone is rushing to meet a deadline in this frantic and fast-paced life, the burgers remain the fast and ready made meal of popular choice.

If business is your calling...

If business is your calling don't sell your soul to it instead find there and make your best contribution to society. A free market economic system does allow incentives for individuals to work smart ,hard and prosper but unbridled human greed has always brought pain and anguish to many other people. Get yourself into a business that you can grow and develop in order that you and others can benefit.

Iraq's Oil- For- Food Program Takes A political Casualty

U.N independent inquiry revealed massive corruption going around the globe in the humanitarian program that was meant to help sanctions-hit Iraq in the aftermath of the first Gulf War in 1991.

The independent inquiry, headed by former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, has accused more than 2,200 companies and prominent politicians worldwide of colluding with Saddam Hussein's regime to milk the oil-for-food program of $1.8 billion (1.5 billion euros) in kickbacks and illicit surcharges.

Indian Congress Party was named as a "non-contractual- Beneficiary." Following this revelation the the foreign minister Natwar Singh has been sacked.

What this report also shows is that Iraq had a dictator who did not have a conscience and was prepared to spend millions on acquiring weapons while thousands of children died due to shortage of medicine. It is such a shame that an oragnization like the U.N was callous in the proper implementation of the program. A community of the business world that has sold its soul for profits is criminally negligent and an utter disgrace.

A Cafe That Offers Sex On The Beach

Zack's Restaurant in Umhlanga, South Africa offers a unique dish "Sex On The Beach", a popular cocktail that wets your appetite and sexes the mind. The caption on the Independent Online which caught my eye was even more intriguing.

"Prince Harry has Sex On The Beach in Durban"
No, the prince was not involved in any sex or kissing but entertained to a fabulous lunch with his girlfriend and the sex on the beach is good for marketing.

Food That Looks Good But Unsafe To Eat

Check out your fridge. How do yo know the food in yout fridge is safe to eat?
"Good Morning America" asked an expert to check a fridge in one household and they offer some useful advice, how you should store food and when you should throw them away.

Beware of bacteria lurking around on foods that are good to look at and sometimes doesn't taste too bad either. Beware of the risks.

You can find more about food safety on: http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/

Don't criticise, condemn, or complain!

When dealing with people let us remeber that people are not driven only by logic. People are driven by emotions and they have their own prejudices, often motivated either to do good or fulfil their pride and vanity.

Your Online Library

A few years back, with the boom of the dot.com mania, some people had believed that the digital media would suck the oxygen out of the traditional print media. Now it looks like that this would never happen. Big tech companies; Google,Amazon, Microsoft and Yahoo have jumped on the online bandwagon, bringing thousands of the print volumes to your fingertips.

As book lovers, we can enjoy the fun of the big portals offering incentives to catch our attention. Google is offering a searchable database of book extracts and Amazon makes it possible to view parts of pages or chapters before you buy them. Microsoft and Yahoo will soon launch their campaigns to entice our interest. So, let us keep on reading.

Girl Pop Culture: Japanse Traditions are Eroding

A true- to- tradition woman in Japan used to get married, was devoted to raising children, looking after the household and gave unquestioning loyalty to her busy husband. Well, times have changed.

Designer brands have modelled the young urban woman on the types of values that you are accustomed to seeing in the Western World. Young and independent woman wearing the latest fashion and influenced by the hip culture demanding equal rights and opportunity are as liberated as their more outspoken and vocal Western counterparts. From the article in Japanese Times, you get the impression that this is unfamiliar turf in Japan and the men appear slow to catch up with the sweeping social change.

Do You Have To Put Up With An Idiot Boss?

There are many idiot bosses around. They exist to manipulate, control and often stifle the creativity of their more intellectually superior subordinates.

If your idiot boss is dumber than a fence post, it would be time for you to go and find another job.

If that is not the case, read this article in Forbes and learn how to overpower the idiot so that you are able achieve what you deserve while allowing the benefit of idiocy to your boss.

It Is Fat On The Belly That Is Unhealthy

It has long been thought that fat people are more prone to heart disease and heart attacks, but doctors now say it is not so simple as that.

Skinny people with a beer belly may pose a greater problem and higher risk than does a fat person. What is needed is to check the calculation between the waist and hip size.

So reduce the fat on the stomach, enjoy exercising and stay in shape.

Manchester United's woes continue

Manchester United finished the 2004/2005 campaign without any silverware and was determined to get back on the winning track this season. It is not showing promising signs of this happening so far.

Chelsea has overtaken United as the least popular club in the premiership over the past year, its bottomless pit of transfer money courtesy of billionaire owner Roman Abramovich and the arrogance that too often comes with such riches earning the Premiership champion an ignominious image.

The past week could not have come at a worse time. The 4-1 thrashing by Middlesborough and the 1-0 defeat by Lille leaves United perilously close to conceding their dreams midway in the season. The outburst by Captain Keane publicly against the unperforming superstar players may have have further wounded egos.

Credit must be given to Sir Alex Fergusion for having resurrected this club and bringing the good old glory days for more than a decade. But his young squad of David Bechkam, Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs, the Neville Brothers, and Paul Scoles who helped him achieve fame have passed their prime and a younger team has not gelled into place. The manner in which David Bechkam was despatched to Real Madrid shows the might of a manager who is bigger than his team.

Critics of Sir Alex Fergusion say that he should have retired two seaons back as he wanted. Both the fans and his team are critical of his assistant manger Carlos Queiroz's tactics. Certainly the injuries and defeats have not helped players moral either.

Whatever the reasons for poor performance, in order to turnaround and bring glory back, it calls for leadership, good management and a team willing to play at its best. They may even need a super coach.

Go ahead, Get Angry

Anger is good for you, as long as it doesn't boil over, says a psychological research on face reading.

Whatever the merit of the case, keep the anger in check. Don't let it get the better of you.

Chronic, explosive anger or a hostile outlook on the world is still bad for you, contributing to heart disease and high blood pressure, research shows.

Amazon to sell parts of books

If you are a book lover, here is an opportunity to grin. Online Retailer Amazon.com has unveilled two innovative programmes. First you can buy part or chapter of a book uder the Amazon Page scheme. Senond scheme allows, called Amazon Upgrade allows online access to those buying a hard copy of a book.

The Tone Of Your Voice...

REMEMBER THAT THE TONE OF YOUR VOICE OFTEN CONVEYS MORE ACCURATELY WHAT IS IN YOUR MIND THAN DO YOUR WORDS.


In a moment of conflict, a suggestion or compromise can salvage a threatened working relationship. A discouraged employee can be motivated again through a few carefully chosen words. In situations like these, a good manager is looking beyond an immediate situation and acting to preserve a future benefit. But if your voice betrays your own anger, fear, or despair, that emotion, not the wisdom you offer, will be what others remember. Those who rise to the top in any organization are those who have learned to control their emotions. When you have a leadership position, others will watch you closely for the signals you send. You must learn to manage yourself and all the ways in which you convey messages to others if you want to inspire them and demonstrate that you care about all the members of your team.


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Tears In Heaven by Eric Clapton

"Would you know my name if I saw you in Heaven?
Would you feel the same if I saw you in Heaven?
I must be strong and carry on,'
Cause I know I don't belong here in Heaven ......

Would you hold my hand if I saw you in Heaven?
Would you help me stand if I saw you in Heaven?
I'll find my way, through night and day,'
Cause I know I just can't stay here in Heaven .....

Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees.
Time can break your heart, have you begging .... please ...
Beyond the door, there's peace I'm sure.
And I know there'll be no more tears in Heaven .......

Would you know my name if I saw you in Heaven?
Would you feel the same if I saw you in Heaven?
I must be strong and carry on,'
Cause I know I don't belong here in Heaven ....... "

This is probably one of the greatest songs of all time. It touches a raw nerve, of love, tragedy, grief and sorrow. "Tears in Heaven" is a tribute to Eric Clapton's pre-school son Conor Clapton, who died in an accident in 1991.

The death of his son had a deep and lasting impact on the legendary singer. After nine months of grieving, when he came back to the stage, his music had changed becoming softer, more powerful and reflective.

In "Tears In Heaven" composed by Eric Clapton and Will Jennings you will hear and feel Eric Clapton's pain and grief.

At the 1993 Grammy Awards, Clapton's recording of "Tears in Heaven" won the award for Best Pop Vocal Performance (Male Category), garnered Song of the Year honors for Clapton, and helped propel his "Unplugged" album into the Best Male Rock Vocal Performance spot and the winner's circle for the coveted Album of the Year prize.

Sociopaths: These Are Dangerous People

Who are these people? According to Dr. Martha Stout's " THE SOCIOPATH NEXT DOOR", they do not suffer the burden of a conscience, they are not blind to social mores or emotions of others. They cannot feel but they can imitate. They have an outstanding abililty to charm and seduce their followers. They do not recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible.

According to Dr. Stout, US has 11.7 million Sociopaths and New York City is home to 320,000 of them. These are alarming figures. Not all Sociopaths are violent criminals. These people have an undetected mental disorder. They have no ability whatsover to feel guilt, shame or remorse. They are all around us. They are fake characters.

Quotation from The Age Of Reason

"I have always strenuously supported the right of every man to his own opinion,however different that opinion might be to mine.He who denies another this right makes a slave of himself to his present opinion, because he precludes himself the right of changing it."

-- Thomas Paine(1737-1809)Source: The Age of Reason, 1783
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/Thomas.Paine.Quote.3051

The Bills take on TIME Global Health Summit

Bill Clinton and Bill Gates took the stage in the TIMES Global Health Summit and discussed wide ranging topics from humanitarian aid to the governments role. The former president charged the audience to "Demand that your government pays more attention. It's immoral that people in Africa die like flies of diseases that no one dies of in the United States. And the more disease there is, the more political unrest there will be, leading to more Darfurs, which the U.S. will have to pay to fix."

Sudoku mania

Sudoku fever has caught up with Queensland, Australia and the passion and frustration is sweeping across the nation. One group of people will swear to live by it, while others want to have nothing to do with it. What is annoying to many is that what appears to be simple logic to fill in the numbers from 1 to 9 is not so simple when they attempt to do it. For the frustrated souls with mounting paper trash, some help has come from a senior lecturer at Ballarat University.

If anyone is experiencing the same agony, read and apply the tips offered by him.

Saving One Life At A Time

" Six million children--and even more adults--die unnecessarily every year. Good people all over the world are doing their best to save them. You can too." This is Times Cover Story.

The year 2005 has hit hard on American psyche of generosity. The tsunami that hit Asia saw 240,000 lives lost and $ 1.3 billion raised in US alone. 80,000 people lost their lives to an earthquake in Pakistan. Hurricane Katrina brought home this destruction and loss brutally hard to the US, giving a live crash course about charities , relief work and reconstruction both to the governemnt and private sector who were taken off guard.

You can't stop an earthquake. But you can stop malaria that kills 80,000 people a month.

Bill Gates has said that it is a disgrace that the world has allowed malaria deaths to double in the last 20 years. Gates has commited $258.3 million to fight the bug. But philanthropy and the brilliant ideas of Bill Gates and other leaders who are spending huge amounts of money and their time can achieve the desired result if the countries most affected by the disease actively pursue unrelenting efforts to wipe out the disease.

Are you successful?

Here is what one person said.

"It's so easy. All I have to do is get up in the morning. Look down, and see that I am above ground. Every day that I am above ground is a great Day."

To this person every day he lives is a success. There are many others whose expectations are unrealistically higher and may find their success only in dreams. The important point to note is that it is your attitude that will ultimately determine your success. Your attitude will determine the way you work, the way you interact with other people or how you resolve conflicts. While you may think that attitude is an emotion only felt by you, remember that it is visible to other people through your behavior.

Be realistic about your expectations and make every day a success.

Binge Drinking: Where's the Social responsibility?

In Finland it seems they start drinking beer at 6am. Finns know the fine art of drinking. Finns binge drink. They don't drink during the week but come Friday night, they start drinking. They drink in the parks , on the streets and they drink before they go out to parties.

Binge drinking is harmful to health and contributes to increases in health and social cost due to alcohol misuse. Bingeing and under-aged drinking is becoming a problem in some of the European Countries. Drinking to get drunk is a dangerous trend seen among the youth in many Western Countries. Violent crimes and road accident deaths are common stories attributed to drunken behaviour.

In order to combat this problem, the UK governement is considering a ban on passengers drinking alcohol on public transport including trains and buses. Critics of this arguement say that alcohol related problems and violence come from persons who are drunk and on their way home from pubs and clubs.

Clearly there is a social responsibilty to manage this problem. Nobody denies about the impact alcohol has on young people leading to to a culture of crimes, violent behaviour and disruption in family lives. The dependency of alcohol to some people and its effect and cost on society is a harrowing nightmare.

Robots To Teach Students English In South Korea

The Korea Advanced Intelligent Robot Association under the auspices of The Ministry of Information and Communication has begun , on a test basis, to use robots that will teach students how to pronouce English words.

As the demand for such robots rise, more features will be included for advanced teaching.

So now your teacher comes in. It's Good Morning Sir or Madam or Good Morning Mr./Ms. Robot. Its a very interesting development. The Robots will soon teach us how to use and benifit from Artificial Intelligence. They'll push us to use them more in our everyday life, our work and our play. Their quest to lead us has begun.

Heroes who save lives

Kabiti Ishaya( in the picture) of Nigeria is not afraid to talk about her HIV-positive condition and her name is on top of the Heroes list of Times current edition with the cover package" Saving one life at a time." Kabiti was raped by an uncle and at the age of 24 tested positive for HIV. All hell broke loose when she went public with the news. She is ostracized and is an outcast in her own village by her own people. Undaunted she is determined to help others. She has formed "Hope For The Living" organization, a volunteer group that goes out to schools talking about HIV-Aids. Inspite of her own plight, she has opened up her home for the sick and dying giving them unselfishly what little she has.

Bravo Kabiti. Your work inspires many but there are many lessons to be learnt. Society needs to be educated to avoid the pitfalls of turning against their own kind, when they need love, understanding and care. The world has got to step up to its collective responsibilty to provide the financial means for those in need of drugs and treatmnet. People affected by HIV-Aids deserve the dignity of humanity.

Are Indian BPO's heading for turbulence?

Business Process Outsourcing or BPO industry has been the pride of India upto now. The attraction for this industry has been the immediate availability of jobs, good perks and money.

All of a sudden the industry is going through rough waters. The National Institute of Labor has compared the BPO industry to 19th Century prisons or
Roman Slave Ships.

Several states have exempted these Call Centres from labour laws including the Industrial Disputes Act. The report by The National Institute of Labour has highlighted the apalling working conditions.

Instead of the industry or the governemnt becoming defensive, the alleged conditions must be looked into and proactive action taken, so that BPO business can continue to flourish without negative repercussions. It's time to do a reality check and put the house in order.

Quotations

1-"The object and practice of liberty lies in the limitation of government power."
-- General Douglas MacArthur(1880-1964) WWII Supreme Allied Commander of the Southwest Pacific, Supreme United Nations Commander. http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/Douglas.MacArthur.Quote.A7AD

2-"Protection, therefore, against the tyranny of the magistrate is not enough; there needs protection against the tyranny of the prevailing opinion and feeling,against the tendency of society to impose,by other means than civil penalties, its own ideas and practices as rules of conducton those who dissent from them.
"-- John Stuart Mill(1806-1873) English philosopher and economist Source: On Liberty, 1859 http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/John.Stuart.Mill.Quote.A7E3

3-"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.To be your own man is hard business.If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself."
-- Rudyard Kipling(1865-1936) http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/Rudyard.Kipling.Quote.A32B

Courage

• Courage is the knowledge of how to fear what ought to be feared and how not to fear what ought not to be feared.
• Courage as human virtue is of supreme importance. No substitute can be found for it. Courage has many dimensions. We have the courage to face danger, to resist authority, to innovate or to move to a new place.

Washington honors Rosa Parks Fortitude of Courage

Many of the younger generation of the present day Americans may even not know who Ms. Rosa Parks is. But yesterday the civil rights pioneer lay in honor in the nation's Capitol Rotunda, sharing the feat with the likes of Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy. This is the highest honor US accords to Presidents and war heroes. In the picture President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush pay their respects followed by members of Congress and many ordinary Americans.

"She was a citizen in the best sense of the word," said a senator. "She caused things to happen in our society that made us a better, more caring, more just society." This sums up well her glorious contribution.

She was an unassuming simple woman, a seamstress going about living her ordinary life. But her singular act of refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a racially segregated bus sparked off and galvanized civil rights movement, finally abolishing this unjust law by federal legislation. By her defiance she has demonstrated extraordinary service to her nation, not because of any weapons or any office that she held. but by the power of her conviction.

This is an amazing story of inspiration.

Boutique Doctors

A new breed of doctors have emerged in USA. Concierge or Boutique doctors in exchange for a cash retainer payment are offering personalized medical services.

So what's wrong with this. Nothing on the face of it. It's like a rich man's country club. Those who can afford pay the annual fees, say $ 1650/00 a year do not have to wait in long queues and they can see a whole lot of difference in how they are attended to.

The regulators are worried that this is creating a two-tier system of medicine. Professional and ethical arguements are being debated on whether doctors in giving this preferential care are violating the unwritten medical code of sharing the profession's duties equitably.

Well, if doctors pursue this to the extent of providing the best service to the highest paying clients, Hippocrates will surely turn in his grave. While this extreme is far fetched, an unregulated self-serving interest mentality can perhaps create more problems than the benifits it can deliver.