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For all my myLot friends - I would like to share some advice that some of my friends on myLot told me about. I thought I'd share it with you, since it can really multiply your earnings on myLot. I have been informed that, when you post/reply to discussions, if you write at least six lines, you will be paid a higher amount for that, than if you were to just write one or two lines. If you can keep your sentences short, then six lines is not a lot ! So friends, try to keep this advice in mind for your future discussions and the money start to add up quicker than it was before.


Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Need some snow

    I would really like the weekends if it really snowed here. I can sleep in late without feeling guilty about it. As the day progresses, I can then just bum around the house in my regular house clothes. This way you can find me surfing the net for a longer duration of time since I will stuck in the house. When I get bored with it, I might either flip thru some reading material, watch some TV. Or listen to music. Some when I feel like not doing any of the usual above stuff, I might sit on the porch either sipping coffee/tea or eating something hot while watching others slog through the neck deep snow. I might just love to sit outside and watch it snow and snow, which might really refreshes me who knows…Loll. It gives me time to unwind and relax. You know, the best part is that commercial vehicles are not allowed on these inner roads so we do not get much traffic here as it is. So it's pretty much quiet here and one can get away from the daily city grind without going off to some remote corner of the planet. If it actually snows…life will actually come to a total stand still in our area.
    It has been such a long time since I had actually run into any snow and all the hassles that go with it, so I actually miss it. Loll....Don't you just love the midnight shoveling of your drive so that you can get into your own house. Or maybe trying to get the car out of the ditch which it has slid into. Haa haa.... Read more...

      Monday, December 29, 2008

      Taking a look at the year gone by

        It's almost the end of the year and this year has flown by really fast. Looking back I have noticed that many things have happened during the course of the year. Some planned and expected and some were a totally unexpected and took us by total supervise. I have suddenly seemed to realize that so many years have flown by and yet so many more to go before the journey finally comes to an end.

        The financial mess the world is currently in has been going on for a couple of years but the intensity has surprised most of us who weren't really prepared for such a vicious downturn. There seems to be no bottom to this endless financial slide we are experiencing. I was a few of the lucky ones I guess who had shifted most of my money out of the stock market and mutual funds shortly after this mess started and invested this money in bank fixed deposits. I guess I have been successful so far in keeping to my schedule of squirreling away money every so often so that I can purchase a new car sometime next year and successfully keeping my financial goals. The other major planned item which I consider successfully completed I guess is my Gall Bladder operation. No more worries or tension due to it now.
        One thing which I have noticed especially during this year is the rise of intolerance amongst people against others due various factors. This is really one of the most disturbing factors which will cause more and more friction between people and societies and injustices done to the lesser fortunate people amongst us. Sure, the government might pass certain laws to equalize the balance between the have and the have not but the actual change will never really occur until society itself goes through a change.

        Second item which really pissed me off this year were politicians and the people in power never seem to learn from the past it seems. They just seem to take everything for granted especially the people who have voted for them. Time and time again, it has been shown that most of them really do not really do not care for us. The drive and leadership qualities are lacking in most polictians. Our country seems to be in a total mess it comes to crisis management. The top leaders usually just shuffle people around, while others squabble with each other about whom to blame. Strong decisive action is rarely taken and when it is...it is called off mid way due to international pressure. I guess what is in need in these tough troubled times are strong willed determined people to lead our country. Not the selfish pain in the neck variety that look only after their own selfish interest and do something when someone lines their pocket with tons of doe.
        When I was growing up, it seemed like I had a carefree life. No worries, tension or stress. There was hardly any pressure on anyone and people were more or less friendly towards each other. Times change and people change. Now a days it seems like no one has time for other people and no one wants to exit this rats race even though it seems to be causing so much stress, tension and all types of health and family problems. The most seriously affected is the family unit. Within the family unit, it is the kids which are the most severely affected. The kids start straying from the family, moral and religious values and parents don’t relies it until it too late. The right value system should be ingrained into the child at a young age and constantly reinforced while growing up. Even adults need positive reinforcement so that they are not tempted to stray from the right path especially in high stress troubled times.
        I guess this post has gotten a bit lengthy and I guess what I would like to say is that a lot has happened during the last 12 months. Some good and some bad. But life is a constant learning experience and I guess I have learned a lot. I guess we can only change ourselves once we open ourselves and accept our shortcomings and try to modify our behavior so that we can become better people. Overall, it has been a good year and I hope the future is better and comes with less hassles. Life has provided me with many opportunities and I have learned a lot from them. I just hope others do the same. Read more...

          Sunday, December 28, 2008

          Taking a look out of the window

            I woke up this morning and looked out the window. Rubbed my eyes once and then rubbed them twice. Nothing much could be seen as the whole city was completely covered in a thick layer of fog. All I can see are a few people either walking or zipping past all bundled up in woolen clothing. The winter chill had set in sometime back and it seems like the dense fog will become a regular feature now. That is until the warm summer winds sweep into the state once more and cook us like lobsters in tub of water. For the last two days or so, we have had really dense fog which is leading to low visibility. Road, air and rail traffic has been the most severely affected leading to delay of many hours in some cases. This fog usually dissipates sometime in the afternoon and we are able to get a few precious hours of sunshine. As soon as the cold dry continental westerly sweeps our state, the weather will become bitterly cold. Luckily here in Lucknow we do not get any snow during winters. Sometimes we get winter rain. That’s about it.
            I really like the winters here compared to the weather I had to live with when I was living in the Cleveland area. I never really got used to it. The cold bitter winds used to sweep down into the city from Lake Erie and used to freeze our butts off. Then it used to return a little while back and dump tons of snow upon the city. I distinctly remember clearing out the walk way and driveway and to my utter astonishment, used to see the same amount of snow back there shortly thereafter. It was just horrible in a sense that it was a never ending battle in which we always seemed to be at the losing end. The city did a good job on the roads I remember. The snow plow came by on a regular, swept and salted the streets. I guess the facilities in Solon were one of the better managed ones compared to some other sections of our state.
            There are not many so called ‘good’ months here in our state. Our state is also known as the dust bowl of India. We also have extreme weather here ranging from cold to blistering hot weather. But, I guess I would not really trade it in for something else since there is such a wide variety of weather pattern that one never gets bored. Read more...

              Thursday, November 20, 2008

              Online banking and financial transactions – How safe is it?

                These days a lot of people use the net for banking, paying bills, online shopping and many other money transaction services. But how safe for all these transactions when you do them over the net?
                I have been using the net for various purposes including banking and financial services for a long time. I would say that it is far more easier and convenient than going to offices and stores physically and I think it is just as safe as any other method of paying bills.

                But as in any other place, one must take precautions in order to avoid any crisis later on and make your journey on the net safe and secure. Some of the precautions that I suggest are:

                It is not advisable to give away your personal details on internet.
                Do not give your Credit card; debit card, bank account details to anyone.
                Keep changing your PayPal, bank password and all passwords for that matter.
                Opt for Virtual card or Internet card which allows you safety while purchasing items online, since no one can trace the number back to your actual card.
                Use your brains to identify sites that are potential scam/fraud sites.
                Look for site address which has https:// address with S on it, meaning it is more secured than an ordinary http:// site.

                But overall I think it is relatively safe as long as your computer is secure with no viruses, a properly working firewall installed, and a regularly updated antivirus program. You should not allow yourself to fall for a Phishing Scam! If you use proper precautions and keep in mind the threats that are out there, then the net will offer you a good safe experience. It is a useful tool if used properly. It has a lot of potential. But on the same hand, be cautious of everything you encounter, no matter how harmless it may seem initially. Never click on any mail which asks to enter your user id and password for verification purposes. In these cases, go to the site directly by typing in the address which you have known from before and entering the data at the site itself. Get all the safe links from the home page of the trusted site itself. Better safe than sorry. Read more...

                  Tuesday, November 4, 2008

                  U.S. Elections- Will history be rewritten today?

                    I am a bit late in posting this post, but better late than never I guess. This topic had been on my mind ever since the election process started not very long back, since the situation is a bit different this time. By the time most of you read this post, the election vote castings process will most likely be over and the results will be declared shortly after.

                    On Tuesday morning, the United States of America faces one of its most important tests when the American people go to the polls to their 44th president. It will the day which might just change how the world looks at America. History just might be rewritten. Who wins this sweepstakes called the elections matters not only to the American population, but to the rest of the world.

                    After a long drawn out slug fest, the only two choices are left: Barrack Hussein Obama and John McCain. Senator Obama is seen as a thoughtful young man, while Senator McCain is thought of as a feisty warhorse. Both candidates are still out there trying their best to sway the people so that they can get as many votes as possible on the last day. Barack Obama is moving towards the capitol from the state of Florida through the states of North Carolina and Virginia and making his last stop just outside Washington DC. John McCain is hopping all over the place to garner support from Florida to Tennessee to Pennsylvania to Indiana, to New Mexico, and finally ending in Prescott Arizona. Whosoever reaches the magical number of 270 electoral seats shall occupy the presidential office for the next four years.

                    Since Election Day is not a holiday, people are expected to cast their vote either before or after their working hours or take a break in between to cast their votes. Long lines are anticipated since everyone expects an unprecedented turnout even though many voters have opted for early ballots in the states which allow it. A lot of things are happening around the world and which have influenced the thinking of the voting population this time and I guess they want a change.

                    It has a very strange journey it seems which started in February 2007 when Senator Obama announced his intentions to run for the US presidency. No one thought he would get this far, since his chances were considered as slim and wispy as the mist that disappears as quickly as it is formed. No one before had ever considered a non white person for this particular post. But he has shown resilience, will power and dedication not shown before.

                    Like any other thing in life, nothing can be said for sure until the last vote is cast. At this point, it seems like Obama is headed for a clear cut victory, unless McCain manages to pull a surprise at the very end. This election process has been full of surprises and it has been one of the best ones till date. It has also been one of the most entertaining one for me till date. Whosoever wins will be the best man for the post. Read more...

                      Friday, October 31, 2008

                      Fear

                        Are you afraid of something? I guess we all are afraid of something? I remember when I was growing up, I was afraid of the closet in my room and the basement as I felt that there was something hidden in there. It felt like it was ready to jump out and gobble me right then and there and that too without ketchup and mustard. I really do not know how these two fears took root in my mind, but as other silly childhood fears these also were banished from my mind. The closet monster was easier one to handle at that time. Turn on the light, move around the hanging clothes and satisfy the restless mind that there is nothing there. But, the closet monster kept popping up in my mind just when I was ready to go to sleep no matter how hard I tried to banish it. The basement monster always seemed to lurk either under the stairs or under the hollow crevice under the garage eager to do me harm. Whenever I had to go down there, I was always a bit hesitant that something was lurking down there hiding under the stairs and waiting to grab my leg. So, I used to walk a few steps down and peek here and there to make sure that all was ok before venturing down there.
                        Some people have other fears like streets/ alleys, hallways, mirrors and at times, certain types of houses. Certain kind of painting I find disturbing especially the ones with people faces. Have you ever noticed that the eyes seem to follow you everywhere and it seems like they are following you around. It used to really freak me out making me think that it was watching me all the times.

                        Mirrors and waters are odd things it seems. Did you know that mirrors and water can be considered as gateways to other worlds or to the other side? Before mirrors came along, any reflective surface was considered to be magical and credited with the ability to look into the future. In ancient mythology we can often find the gods and goddesses, as well as mere mortals, looking into the still water to catch a glimpse of their fate. The power of reflective surfaces to captivate and deceive are also featured strongly in many myths. Read more...

                          Things to do before job interview

                            Going in without any preparation will be a major disadvantage for you. So, after a lot of hard work you have gotten the perfect resume, researched the company, prepared a list of questions to ask and now it's time to get ready for that all-important interview. Here is something to keep in mind before you show up at the interviewer's door.

                            An interview is a performance with people playing different roles and you will be judged according to the look you present to others. First impressions matter, especially when it comes to something really important like a job interview. Do dress the part for the job, the company, the industry. And do err on the side of conservatism. Whether you're female or male, the conservative business suit is the recommended attire for any interview. Since you have a very short time to make a good impression, make sure that the suit which you will be wearing is wrinkle free, has a fresh look and your clothes are properly ironed. Get a proper shave and a hair cut before the interview by paying a visit to the local hair stylist. Proper grooming will do wonders to your look. Check your shoes and polish them if needed. Have you checked you nails? Do they need trimming? Never, under any circumstances chew gum during the interview or sit down before being asked to. Maintain proper eye contact and shake hands firmly. And finally, remember to put on a little perfume or cologne. Remember to brush your teeth, use proper amount of mouthwash, and have a breath mint right before the interview. Bad breath is a big turn off.

                            This way, you can increase the chances of success by presenting a professional, prepared, and confident you to the interviewer. These days, looks matter as much as good education and job experience. When they see a well groomed and confident person entering the room, they will be more likely to give favourable marks to him/her. This way you can turn any interview into a job offer. First impressions count, so make the most of it. Go in well prepared and I am sure that you will succeed.



                            -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            Things to do before job presentation


                            Going in without any preparation will be a major disadvantage for you. You have got the perfect resume, now it's time to get ready for that all-important interview. Here are a few steps you should take before you show up at the interviewer's door.

                            Review your resume:

                            Is it up to date? Does it show the correct skills that fit the job you are applying for? It should be concise and the important points highlighted so that they catch the interviewers attention.

                            Research the company

                            Visit the company web site and start taking notes. Get information on Corporate officers, the latest press releases, the company's annual report. Gather as much information as you can on your soon-to-be-employer. Know what they do, and develop some idea as to how the position you are hiring for fits within the company. And do prepare and practice for the interview, but don't memorize or over-rehearse your answers.

                            Prepare your list of questions

                            Take another look at the job posting and the research you have done about the company and think of 3-5 questions you can ask during the interview. Ask questions that show you understand the job and the company's needs. Be quick to pick up on the interviewer's comments and ask relevant questions.

                            Right look

                            An interview is a performance with people playing different roles and you will be judged according to the look you present to others. First impressions matter, especially when it comes to something really important like a job interview. Do dress the part for the job, the company, the industry. And do err on the side of conservatism. Whether you're female or male, the conservative business suit is the recommended attire for any interview. Since you have a very short time to make a good impression, make sure that the suit which you will be wearing is wrinkle free, has a fresh look and your clothes are properly ironed. Get a proper shave and a hair cut before the interview by paying a visit to the local hair stylist. Proper grooming will do wonders to your look. Check your shoes and polish them if needed. Have you checked you nails? Do they need trimming? And finally, remember to put on a little perfume or cologne. Remember to brush your teeth, use proper amount of mouthwash, and have a breath mint right before the interview.

                            Sleep early

                            It is the night before the interview and everything is set. It is important that you get a good night sleep so that you go in for the interview relaxed, wide awake, alert and fully prepared to answer any question confidently. So set the alarm and sleep comfortably in the knowledge that you are as prepared as you will ever be.

                            Interview day

                            Make sure ahead of time that you have the company's present address and the correct directions. Always remember to make your transportation arrangements ahead of time. Finally, remember to arrive at least 10 minutes early. Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable. If you are running late, do call the company and let them know in advance.

                            Final pre-interview tips

                            When you enter the office lobby, remember to greet the receptionist or assistant with courtesy and respect. This is where you make your first impression. Always remember to greet the interviewer(s) by their proper title (Ms., Mr., Dr.) and last name if you are sure of the pronunciation. If unsure of the proper pronunciation, ask the receptionist about the correct pronunciation before going into the interview room. Never, under any circumstances chew gum during the interview or sit down before being asked to. Maintain proper eye contact and shake hands firmly. Try to show enthusiasm in the position and the company so that they get a positive vibes from you. Finally, close the interview by telling the interviewer(s) that you want the job and asking about the next step in the process. This way, you can increase the chances of success by presenting a professional, prepared, and confident you to the interviewer. That's how you turn an interview into a job offer. Best of luck. Read more...

                              Thursday, October 30, 2008

                              Superstitious beliefs

                                For a lot of people nowadays, superstition is an irrational belief in some kind of magic that does not make sense. Sometimes, it is a bit difficult to be objective about "My" beliefs and "yours". Well, superstitious phenomena include, for some people if not all: fortune telling, astrology, having lucky or unlucky numbers, prophecy, reincarnation, an afterlife, divine intervention, and so forth.

                                Even people who reject all religious and other 'superstitious' ideas may believe in things that do not seem to have an objective reality. I remember my mother telling me that there is nothing wrong if you keep some superstitions and you wouldn't lose anything if you do follow them completely. I guess to some extent she's right when she says that there is no real big deal in following or believing some superstitions.

                                I really do not know if I believe in them completely but I do follow some of these beliefs which I guess I can be classified as superstitious like: walking under ladders, crossing on stairs, sitting in one particular chair when my favourite team play, turning over silver and wish on full moon or a star, a black cat crossing your path, a mirror breaking will bring bad luck for many years, etc.

                                Now, would you admit that somehow there is one superstition you follow, if not, believe in? Often today's superstition is tomorrow's truth. So never dismiss the mystery in life, the newest discovery may be just around the corner. Even though our society is fast progressing, there are many people who are still superstitious and have a strong faith in the local beliefs. While some of them are quite hilarious, few others are really interesting. But these so called superstitious beliefs do not conflict with my so called normal beliefs. Both beliefs can coexist peacefully. Read more...

                                  Monday, September 22, 2008

                                  Starting the day off the right way

                                    Starting the day off the right way is extremely important. It sets the mood for the rest of the day. Getting up in the morning is no big deal, but having a cup of coffee is a must. Lots and lots of coffee, especially since I get up quiet early. Couple of hours later, I usually get around getting the breakfast ready. It usually is cereal, milk and whatever fruit is on the table on that particular day. I usually like to have a light breakfast. Nothing to heavy or oily. In between the coffee and the breakfast, I usually like to spend some time outside. We have adequate walking area, so I can sometimes do a bit of jogging or walking without ever leaving my property. There is hardly any pollution this early in the morning. It’s good to do some meditation or yoga to relive stress at this time also. If the day is started off in a right way, not only will you become healthier but will have a positive attitude to boot. This way I usually end up with enough energy to last me through out the day. Read more...

                                      Sunday, September 14, 2008

                                      Humour in relationship

                                        Humour in relationships it an extremely important to have. This is especially true when someone is down and out or just in a bad mood and your companion will do something or say something to snap you out of it, and make me laugh even when I don’t really want to. A person without a great sense of humour will have an inferior quality life. I think that it is an extremely important part of any relationship. It shows that person takes the time to think up these things to make us laugh. The fact that they did that shows how much they love and care about you. I really do feel sorry for people who do not have a sense of humour, because laughter really is the best medicine. It will keep us feeling younger and healthier. Taking life seriously all the time is not really good at all. Life has its’ ups and down and one needs a good sense of humour and to laugh to relieve tension or else the person will go mad. Life without humour and laughter is like world without color, and it is so boring and bland. It gives meaning and depth to life, makes the person more complete, and adds a pinch of spice and fun to it. Read more...

                                          Saturday, September 13, 2008

                                          Eating inside or outside

                                            With the weather turning more and more pleasant, my thoughts keep turning towards eating out. There is always something special about a picnic or just enjoying your food while breathing in some fresh air and watching the beautiful surroundings. It just rejuvenates and refreshes the system. Usually, in the warmer weather and eating outside depends on how hot the weather is, what time of day, the wind and of course the bugs. I prefer eating out when it is more on the cooler side and when it is not too windy. At other times I am better off inside sitting with my computer which is located by an open window. This way I can get a view of the outside surroundings also, with the added benefit of fresh air and bug free area. This way there is less chance that bugs and dust will get into my food. But during the rainy months, eating outside is not an option. Just too many bugs of all types and they somehow manage to get into your food no matter how hard you try to keep them out. One option that can be considered is enclosing some area with some kind of screen which keeps out all types of unwanted objects, while letting in air. Eating in or outdoors really depends on a variety of factors which are hard to define at times. It sometimes boils down to something trivial like the smell of freshly cut grass with the combination of pleasant weather and just the right amount of sunshine and wind. Read more...

                                              Sunday, August 24, 2008

                                              Pet Pleasures

                                                Research has proven over and over again the beneficial side effects of having pets especially for senior citizens. The pets can help the older folks in combating a lot of old age related problems like: depression, loneliness, and other negative thoughts. If the person is not too keen on adopting a real live pet, then maybe they can adopt a robot pet. A recent study conducted by researchers in St. Louis, Missouri concluded that robotic pets were just as effective in reducing loneliness, stress, depression, etc. as real live pets. But with an added benefit that these robotic pets require less care, attention. This I think is ideal for them who require companionship but are unable to give personal care the pets. So adopt a pet and give yourself a new outlook in life. If not for yourself, then gift one to a loved one, they will thank you for changing their perspective in life. Read more...

                                                  Saturday, August 23, 2008

                                                  The cost of living

                                                    Inflation has hit all of us very hard mainly due to external factors like sharp rise of commodities and food prices. What affects us the most is the high price which we are paying for essential items like vegetables, grains and cereals. The sharp rise in these food categories has affected us more adversely than anticipated. It affects the retired people more intensely, since even at the best of times they had to struggle to make ends meet at times.

                                                    Since they have retired and no new source of income is generated, they have to depend on their savings and pension which they have accumulated during their working years. They have to stretch their investments so that it sees them through their retirement years. I can think of two options to mitigate this dilemma.

                                                    The first option is that: People should be made aware in their earlier years about various investment avenues, so that they can plan out their retirement years. This will help them accumulate a large corpus of money which can be used to maintain similar lifestyles which they are used to these days. This financial safety net is extremely vital for all of us.

                                                    The second option to financial security is in a second career after retirement. Quiet a few companies around the world are realising the potential the elders can offer. The enlightened companies are trying to woe them back with flexi-hour work timings. Exposure to digital tools can help the retired folks achieve optimum productivity in today’s work environment.

                                                    On a closing note, if you know someone who is about to retire/or has already retired give them the proper guidance so that they have an opportunity to enjoy their retired life. If they are able to update their skill set, then they will be more marketable and earn a little extra income. This will make them more confident and they will feel that they are still useful members of society. Teach the young ones to save before it’s too late. Take a look at your financial portfolio on a regular basis so that you know that you are getting optimum returns on your savings. If you are able to do so, then you will have less financial hassles later on. Read more...

                                                      Wednesday, August 13, 2008

                                                      Another dull day.

                                                        Yes it still was an exceptionally dull day. Not even the fly was interested in bothering me. It seemed like a scene out of a western movies almost. I guess the only things that were missing were the dusty roads and the cowboy on a horseback. Some country music was on playing in the background and I was not really up to changing it. All I was doing was just sitting in the recliner and trying to find something to grab my attention. Hot damn!!!! just then I heard the tinkle, tinkle of the ice cream truck making its rounds. I was racing down the street like a five year old kid and hoping I'll reach there before the rest. But no luck here either. The ice cream driver must have seen me coming, since he stopped his truck, back up and raced out of the colony mighty quick. Oh well. Since I was out of the house, I decided to visit my friends place and raid his fridge instead. Rang the doorbell and rushed in before he could realize what was happening. Opened the door of the fridge and jumped right in. Boy, I did not realized how famished a person could get just by goofing off. Lol. All right. I had my fill and I fell asleep again. As I was drifting off, I heard my buddy laughing his head off and saying out loud...."You never change, no matter what." Read more...

                                                          So how sane are we?

                                                            It was not the usual day for me. There was not much to do as it was a free day for me and I had wrapped up all the pending house work and I was just sitting idle. So what to do? So I started surfing the television channels, browsed through newspapers/magazines, called up friends but nothing seemed to satisfy. So, I fired up the computer and logged in to the net and started surfing. I was surfing randomly and trying to find something which might catch my eye. This is when I chanced upon a really excellent site called
                                                            Reader's Digest. The advice given by the articles which are published in this site are worth their weight in gold. So I took the plunge and took a look inside to see what was online. This site deals with some really neat subjects like psychology. As I was reading the article posted online I found some really quirky quotes there which made me think
                                                            Are You Normal or Nuts?. For example, I'm afraid to go to high places, like tall bridges or even the balcony at church. And it's not because I'm afraid I'll fall -- it's because I'm afraid I'll jump! I don't want to kill myself, but I do want to experience that sense of flying or floating. Of course, I know I'd go splat and die, so the desire to jump terrifies me. What do I do? I found this really strange and disturbing and I think the only solution is to get rid of it by facing the fear and overcoming it. No one wants other to ask them Are You Normal or Nuts?. But this site does have it’s lighter side which you might enjoy because when Reader's Digest Laughs, you will probably also end up laughing.
                                                            The best part is that it is written in such an easy manner that just about anyone can comprehend it with ease. Time just flew by and I lost track of how many articles I must have read. Some were fantastic and others were good. Overall, the authors writing skills are good and I enjoyed most of his articles. It is one of those must visit sites. Give it a try.
                                                            Sponsored by Reader's Digest Read more...

                                                              Monday, August 11, 2008

                                                              Reflections Of Darkness

                                                                This Reflections Of Darkness blog, I had discovered today gives insight to a person’s mind, which is very well written and contains varied articles. It is setup as a personal blog, but is setup in such a way that the reader will always come back for more. Hari has written posts which are in depth and contains a lot of facts. It is a beautifully set up site in which he has used pictures appropriately to highlight certain points. The topics ranged from posts on cultures of different countries, sports events, a little politics, reviews and some more. What an awesome site. It seems like a very entertaining site which should keep the reader busy for some time. I am quiet sure that the reader will find many posts to gather useful information from.
                                                                I really liked the article Life is what you make it. It contains a lot of positive advice and it is written in such a way that it is easily understood and the facts easy to digest.
                                                                It gave some really useful tips which might come in handy in the tough moments which life sometimes dishes out. I liked this site so much that I would recommend others to pay a visit and browse around a bit and read the really well written posts. Read more...

                                                                  Sunday, August 3, 2008

                                                                  Cokelat Writings

                                                                    Today was one of those really boring days in which nothing seemed to worked. No matter what I did, nothing seemed to work out right. I tried just about everything. I surfed the television channels, browsed through newspapers/magazines, called up friends but nothing seemed to satisfy. So, I turned on the computer and logged in to the net and started exploring. I was browsing randomly and trying to find something which might catch my eye. I needed something different. That is when I discovered a site which had information on food, family, finance, technology, art. The author of this blog has set it up as her daily journal where she writes about the topics which she likes to write about. Such a wide variety of posts and they are really well written. I really like her writing style and she is able to get her point across quiet well. Even though the posts are of a general nature at times and she is describing what has happened in her normal course of day, I still manage to find them very interesting. The page setup is good and has a lot of pictures to illustrate some point is a good way to keep the reader interested.
                                                                    I found this blog to be one of the better blogs and it is worth visiting. It will appeal to a wide section of people who will find it quiet entertaining. A must visit site especially if you want a glimpse of other counties culture. Read more...

                                                                      It is a total knock out

                                                                        It was a Sunday, and I was really bored. I surfed the television channels, browsed through newspapers/magazines, called up friends but nothing seemed to satisfy. So, I fired up the computer and logged in to the net and started surfing. I was surfing randomly and trying to find something which might catch my eye. I needed something different. That is when I stumbled upon Total Knock Down. This site deals with sports that involves total knock down, boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA). This awesome site totally knocked me out. It seems that the author of this blog is very passionate about sports like boxing and through his blog I have rediscovered my passion for sports like boxing and martial arts which I had simply forgotten all about. The articles are very well written and concise and are very entertaining to read. The articles were so well written that it seemed that I was right in the midst of the action itself. So if you are a boxing fan and would like news related to this sport, then this is a must visit site. You will certainly get your boxing fix. You will certainly enjoy it a lot. Read more...

                                                                          Saturday, August 2, 2008

                                                                          Something useful!!!!!!!!

                                                                            How wonderful it is to find something on the net which is really useful for those who are looking for help on working online. The author of this site shares his home working experiences here so that others can have an easier time setting up this type of business. I had stumbled across this site quiet by accident and discovered that it had many useful tips and hints which I could use in daily life to increase my productivity. All this can be done without much effort and very little investment. The best part is that it is written in such an easy manner that just about anyone can comprehend it with ease. Time just flew by and I lost track of how many articles I must have read. Some were fantastic and others were good. Overall, his writing skills are good and I enjoyed most of his articles. It is one of those must visit sites. Give it a try. Read more...

                                                                              The Soliloquist

                                                                                If you are looking for a blog which is a combination of expression of thoughts and sentiments, socialization, entertainment, information, technology, downloads and money-making then The Soliloquist is the right place to be. This is one of the few good quality site that can be recommended to others. The blog page itself looks awesome. I simply love the graphics and the page setup. The posts are written in a well planned, thought out way. He seems to have a wide variety of interests. Maybe, this could be the reason why he can write so well on so many topics. He seems like an excellent writer and he has created a must visit site. It is updated on a regular basis. But I must say that it was not just the beautiful blog page that had caught my eye; it was the steady stream of posts which he churned out. Make a point to visit this site and hopefully you will find something you will like. I sure did. Read more...

                                                                                  Wednesday, July 23, 2008

                                                                                  What I usually do after dinner.

                                                                                    When I usually get up in the morning, my usual rotuine is to get some caffine inside me and grab the morning paper. This is usually followed by shower and breakfast. By this time I usually discover that I am running mighty late and I rush out of the house like a tornado. As time flows by my eyes keeping wandering to the clock wondering when it will be time to go back home. I am usually at home before six pm unless I have to stop by the market. Since, I do not go early to bed. I spend the time after my dinner either with my computer, books or tv. So, generally I do the most important tasks this time. If I've got enough time to relax still I dont go to bed right after dinner. I spend atleast 2-3 hrs by net surfing or listning to music or reading books. Sometimes when I am feeling very lazy, especially after I finish my dinner, I ll lie down on my sofa and promptly take the remote in my hand and surf thru the channels until I find something interesting. After some time, go back, sleep comfortably on the bed. Read more...

                                                                                      Tuesday, July 1, 2008

                                                                                      Should teachers be evaluated by students?

                                                                                        Sometimes students are asked to evaluate their teachers after each and every learning session in some universities and collages, since it is believed that the system has many advantages for both the teachers and students. But this system of evaluation of teachers by their students has its own share of pros and cons.
                                                                                        The points which come to my mind regarding the drawbacks in student assessment are:
                                                                                        • The students are usually younger and comparatively less knowledable than the teachers.
                                                                                        • The constant student assessment would lead to questioning of teachers every action and could lead to poor discipline in the classroom.
                                                                                        • In order to gain a better evaluation report, the teachers would try to seek to please each of the students by diluting the study requirements. This will result in lowering the educational standards, and ruin the students' academic performance in the long run.

                                                                                        On the other hand, the plus point of student assessment might be the following reasons:
                                                                                        • The teacher’s performance might improve due to the feedback provided by the student. If the student-centered teaching methods are used, then the learning method can be successful.
                                                                                        • This process of writing evaluation might help students to think independently, and they should be encouraged to learn even if it means challenging their teachers' thinking.
                                                                                        • I think this evaluation process can be broken into the following categories depending on the age break up:
                                                                                        1. For under 15 kids - The teachers should be graded on the performance/grades of the students assigned to them - if they aren't passing then the teacher may not being doing her/his job good enough.
                                                                                        2. For the High School kids - It should be a combination of performance and personal opinion/viewpoint. Some kids are very vindictive during this age period if they don't think a teacher "likes them".
                                                                                        3. As for college, maybe the students input should be really considered because if the professor/teacher is either talking over their heads or under it can make or break a grade.

                                                                                        This is not to suggest that a teacher should be fired upon one bad review from a student, but, further evaluation of the board should be pursued if they receive more than a, say 20% bad rating from the students

                                                                                        Both sides have their plus points but I really do not think the students are in a position to judge teachers, since teachers and students are on 2 different levels. At most students can offer suggestions but not judge. A proper teacher is one who is an experienced learned person. In some cases they are masters in their fields. The teachers should be judges by their own fellow teachers, since they are on the same level. But when they go in to evaluate a teacher, the evaluators should study the teachers after going thru the student suggestions. This way a proper evaluation can be done. In order to make sure that it is impartial, these evaluations should be surprise evaluations and done by teachers who have a reputation of being impartial and honest. Read more...

                                                                                          Sunday, June 29, 2008

                                                                                          First impressions

                                                                                            When meeting new people, I have this habit of watching their facial expressions, body movements and listen closely to what the other person is saying. It is a great learning experience and helps me in getting to know the other person better. I can usually size up a person within minutes. I like to rely on intuition about people when I meet them and usually I am right. Facial expressions, body language, and speech can all give a person away. A person conveys a lot of information thru their body language and facial expressions which is not available thru other means. I think we all judge others based on the first impressions automatically. Sometimes, I have to revise my opinions of a person at a later stage, since I have been wrong maybe a couple of times. But this does not happen very often. Usually we are not very open to second or third impressions since first impressions make a lasting impact on most of us as it tell us a lot about the other person. But this is not always the case. A person who looks or acts like a snob might really be just a normal person who is just putting on a front for some reason or other.
                                                                                            I am rather shy person especially when it comes to attending a gathering of people that I do not know at all and I really hate to draw attention to myself unnecessarily. But I warm up rather quickly with people I am familiar with and don't mind to be at the center of attention with people I am comfortable with. Because of this change in behavior, some people interpret my shyness as being vain and conceited as in I don't want to talk with them. Knowing that I myself am very prone to giving the wrong first impression to some people, I'm try to be open minded and sometimes give a person a second chance just to give them the benefit of a doubt, even if I did not like them the first time around.
                                                                                            Try not to judge a person by the cover because then you might lose an opportunity for a great long lasting friendship. So try to be a little open minded when meeting new people. Read more...

                                                                                              Saturday, June 28, 2008

                                                                                              A blast from the past

                                                                                                Strange are these days indeed and some things in life never ceases to amaze me. It seems that John McCain has received an endorsement from the unlikeliest quarter. It looks like the Vietnamese ex jailer - Tran Trong Duyet who states that he held John McCain captive for about five years as a POW, now all of a sudden considers him a good friend and if he was eligible, would probably cast his vote for him.

                                                                                                But it seems that Tran Trong Duyet seems to have either forgotten what went inside the prison walls or is trying to push it all under the carpet, since these old prison camps were nothing better than torture chambers. He is constantly insisting that nothing of this sort ever happened and everyone is lying. Reams and reams of data has been collected mentioning the trauma and pain the POWs went thru, but it was constantly brushed aside as nothing but fictitious material. At times medical attention was purposely delayed and prisoners were put in solitary confinement in an attempt to get the prisoners to reveal information. Many former POWs claim that they were repeatedly bound, beaten and tortured by their captors. Many of them still suffer the lingering physical pain from it even after so many decades.

                                                                                                As of now, relationship between two countries have normalised and the friendship was highlighted when Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung's met President Bush at the White House very recently. But the trauma is still there. Just scratch the skin a bit and the old wounds will reopen. It was a very difficult time for the service men and their families. Alot of people went thru either mental, physical trauma or both. The minimum that can be done is admit that it was done, give a formal apology and get it over with. At least this way the past can be put behind us and both countries can move forward without any excess baggage. It looks very stupid and silly denying something when there is so much documentary evidence stating that horrible things were done at the camp. No one is going to take Tran Trong Duyet seriously at all, since it is apparent that he is just pushing the party line and not being honest at all. Just by stating that Tran Trong Duyet considers John McCain a good friend and would vote friend doesn't mean that the feeling is recipocrated. There is probably alot of hard feeling still there. In alot of such cases, the past usually troubles the ex-soldiers for a long time. But time has moved on and it is about time that we mend our fenches. There was alot of blood spilled on both sides. Nothing can bring back the lost ones or remove the pain and suffering that still goes on. Read more...

                                                                                                  Friday, June 27, 2008

                                                                                                  Change of browsers

                                                                                                    Till recently I was a big fan of Microsoft Internet Explorer. Even with a few minor bugs, I still used it for all my surfing needs. Frankly, no one had any real choice. Plus, everything was written around the Internet Explorer, so it became the default choice whether we wanted it or not. These days, I have discovered the joys of Mozilla Firefox. it is a wonderful piece of software. it is alot faster and has similar features. If you have not discovered the joys of Firefox yet, take the plunge now. You will simply love it. Read more...

                                                                                                      Thursday, June 26, 2008

                                                                                                      Rising prices does affect everyone.

                                                                                                        Due to the rising prices of different commodities, we have been re-thinking about how we spend our hard earned cash. We cannot live without food, but the wasteful expentidure and be cut back, if not completly eliminated. We go shopping once every three weeks or so and purchase most of our groceries. Rising prices of gas has forced us to cut back on our excursions to bare minimum. No one is immune from the effects of rising prices. At such hard times, we have to take a hard look at our cash inflow and outflow to determine where we can save so that we can have a soft landing when the crunch time comes. There is not much wrong with our economy and most of this price rise is due to external facors. But this crisis has forced us to look at alternative options. Alot of people are going back to simpler lifestyles. But nothing so drastic here. We might start off by getting solr panel sooner or later. Having an electric vehicle is a good option for commuting short distances within the city. It's not only pollution free, but also is more cost effective. Hybrid cars are still to expensive and are not really ready for mass production. Car pooling does help in checking wasteful expenditure a bit. I guess we all have to get used to high prices and adjust our lives according. But try to adjust your lifestyle a bit, make a few changes and maybe it won't hurt so much. Try renovating your house so that it uses less energy and your energy bills will come down drastically. Read more...

                                                                                                          Wednesday, June 25, 2008

                                                                                                          A positive attitude is beneficial

                                                                                                            Have you realised how much thoughts and thinking affect our bodies and minds. It has a much more profound effect than we realise. We should not let small things in life bog us down. We have to try to maintain a positive attitude and if you are unhappy for some reason then, you have to try to change your thinking. Sometimes, terrible things just cannot be avoided and you have to face them head on. But if you really think about it, most of the things that happen to us are not a catastrophe and we should not think about them like they are. Having a negative attitude depresses the bodily functions and negatively affects our thinking and outlook in life. We tend to lose friends, family friends and well wisher during this period due to our negative outlook.

                                                                                                            I am a firm believer that in order to achieve positive results in life, you have to start out with positive attitude. We have to constantly work at generating positive or good vibes everyday. A positive attitude would also mean having the right attitude or right reaction to certain circumstances that occur in life. Certain situations that we encounter in life are just challenges that will make us strong enough to take such responsibilities in life, if we are able to learn from them.

                                                                                                            Everyday, I try to be as positive as possible. I have found that being positive also helps in increasing my confidence level. It has to come from within us and it just cannot be generated from outside. I think I would describe it as how we think about ourselves and others, you know...your attitude towards life. Having a positive attitude really helps us to become a better individual. We just need to have a belief in our self that we can take control of our own life amidst trials, turbulence and obstacles that we encounter in our passage thru life. It can help in converting a mountain size problem into a molehill.

                                                                                                            Positive attitude does indeed bring beneficial results. it seems that these days negativity surrounds everywhere and finding the true happiness is always eluding us time to time. In that situation, we need to find happiness within ourselves by building positive foundations so as we can remain positive no matter what problems comes our way. Read more...

                                                                                                              Tuesday, June 24, 2008

                                                                                                              Drinking water does help

                                                                                                                Did you know that our body is made up of approxmaitly 70% water. It helps your body to regulates every function in your body. Water flushes out all the impurities in our bodies, and gives that healthy glow to your skin. Not drinking enough water will lead to toxins building up inside your body. I try to drink as much as possible and I really do feel healthier and more full of energy. It is not the solution to all of your health problems, but it does have many positive benefits.

                                                                                                                Some of the benefits which I could think of are:

                                                                                                                *Helps in the digestion of food
                                                                                                                *Helps in lowering blood pressure by making blood thinner
                                                                                                                *Helps to greatly reduce constipation since excess water is not pulled out from your intestines.
                                                                                                                *Helps to promote healthy hair and nails
                                                                                                                *Helps to reduce irritability and stress
                                                                                                                *While helping in metabolizing fat and regulating body temperature so you do not get either too cold or too hot.

                                                                                                                Summer time is upon us and this means excess water loss. Remember to drink extra water since you will be sweating it all out anyway. Drinking water does help in preventing a few summer time related medical emergencies. Pack a water bottle when you step out of the house. Replace carbonated drinks with water whenever possible. Read more...

                                                                                                                  Monday, June 23, 2008

                                                                                                                  Gone cell phone mad

                                                                                                                    Sometimes I really wonder why a lot of people spend so much time on the phone. Look anywhere and you will see either an earpiece sticking in the ear, or else they will have a phone glued to it. I really do not have a clue why they do this. I have a cell phone that I use only for convenience and emergencies.

                                                                                                                    I really cannot figure out why the average person walk around with a cell attached to their ear for hours on end. Professionals who need to stay in touch either with each other or with clients are one thing ... average person is another thing.

                                                                                                                    I sometime really wonder if there were no cell phones, would people still be willing to walk around with a phone booth attached to their hip just to be able to talk to someone all day? Would they be willing to talk to each other any other way or are they just addicted to it? Read more...

                                                                                                                      Sunday, June 22, 2008

                                                                                                                      What does your internet footprint reval about you?

                                                                                                                        Some employers these days are using the Internet in their background check before considering hiring a new employee. Employers look at your photos and profiles as a screening process during recruitment.
                                                                                                                        It does not matter what your opinion about this particular subject is, you must think twice before you post anything on the Internet. One you post it on a site, it stays on Internet as long as site is active. Sometimes we do not realise that what we put on the net will be there for an extremely long time!
                                                                                                                        Even though I do post a lot of stuff on many sites and do a lot of blogging, there is not anything that would be embarrassing let alone grounds for not hiring. I can imagine what some people have on their profiles around the web keeping them from getting a job.

                                                                                                                        How would you feel knowing that company is utilizing MySpace, Facebook and Internet search engines as background checks on you?

                                                                                                                        But if I was hiring someone for my company, I would certainly check them out on the internet, even though I do not totally agree with it. But I do consider it a tool to discover the public face that they have on the net. If I found posts on a social network site boasting how they did something illegal or unethical I would not hire them. Since the person is a total stranger to the company, it would like to get as complete a picture as possible about the candidate as possible. Read more...

                                                                                                                          Sunday, June 15, 2008

                                                                                                                          Would I really like to meet my old school friends?

                                                                                                                            While browsing thru a few social networking sites, I found a few really old high school friends which I had not been in contact with over 20+ years. When I saw the names, alot of memories came flooding back and it seemed I was swept back in time.

                                                                                                                            When the initial surprise wore off, I was wondering if I really would like to meet all of my old high school buddies. I guess it all depends, since everyone is very much different when they are in high school and when they become adults they might have changed alot. Also, one must remember that sometimes the things that brought you together as friends in the first place might not be there anymore. But if you go to meet them with the realization that people change over a period of time, then it might be worth a shot.

                                                                                                                            I have kept in contact occasionally with a few of my old best friends. But the others I have lost contact with the passage of time and for various other reasons. I guess I have changed in so many ways also since there is nothing static in life. The only constant thing in life is change. Some of them have been a part of my growing up life and partly I do owe who I am today to those friends that I had then.

                                                                                                                            SO in my final analysis my answer will be defiantly ... YES, even though 20+ years have flown by. I think it might be worth at least a chance to go out to lunch with them since I am really curious to know what they have been up to all these years and what they look like in real life. Who knows, maybe we can be as good a friends as when we were young. It won't be the same as when we were younger, but if our friendship bond was strong enough, it will stand the passage of time. But what about you? Will you give it a chance? Would you ever meet up with these friends from the past again? Read more...

                                                                                                                              Saturday, June 14, 2008

                                                                                                                              What are the qualities you like in your friends?

                                                                                                                                We all have friends, but real and true friends are hard to find. The main quality that draws me to a person is if they treat me like they have always known me. I just develop an instant liking for who are down to earth people. I like my friends who are honest,funny, can be trusted, and should also share some of the same interests as you. After thinking about this particular topic for a long time, I have come to the conclusion that God has allowed me to have many different people in my life and those people meet many different needs. Friends are the second most important group of persons in my life, next to my family. We should treasure them and hold them close to us. Read more...

                                                                                                                                  Friday, June 13, 2008

                                                                                                                                  How superstitious are you?

                                                                                                                                    Well today is Friday the 13th and I do not know how my day will turn out. Sure I may be a bit superstitious but I honestly cannot remember anything bad happening on this day. It just another day for me and I usually just go about my business as usual. Such is the fear of the 13th number is this 13th number is usually missing from many building and sometimes there is no house number 13. I hardly ever give it a thought, unless someone points it out to me and fills my head full of ideas of all the unlucky things that might happen on this inauspicious day.

                                                                                                                                    paraskavedekatriaphobia is The fear of Friday the 13th. The origin of this number dates way back to the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Last Supper had thirteen people seated at a table which resulted in the death of Jesus Christ. The day on which Jesus Christ was crucified was Friday, and since then it has been viewed both positively and negatively.

                                                                                                                                    I really do not know how disastrous or 'fateful' the combination of Friday and the number 13 have been, but these two items really have kept the people thinking and worried for centuries. All I know is that it's another day for me. Since I do not believe in this superstition, I personally just ignore it and not anything is done about this particular day to ward off the evil effects. Unlucky things do happen with people, but not because the effect of this number and day combination. So stop worrying about it. Any day can be lucky or unlucky. Read more...

                                                                                                                                      Saturday, June 7, 2008

                                                                                                                                      My house and the park

                                                                                                                                        My last house stood on a slight rise just on the edge of the city and it overlooked a park which was located just a little distance from our house. We lived in a quiet neighborhood. Not much ever happened there. Spring and summer months were real nice since we had a huge park located near by and alot of kids used to come to the park to play baseball, football or any other sports activity which caught their fancy. Sometimes families used to come to the park for a picnic. You could always tell when a picnic was going on because the delicious food smells used to come our way at times. Usually I used to go up to the park and join a game in progress if they were willing to let me in or if they were short of a few guys. If I was feeling too lazy, I used to just sit on the sidelines and watch. Sometimes, if a few of my buddies were there, I enjoyed my trip to the park more. My buddies and I either used to just sit under the shade of the Maple tree... munch on snacks and just talk, play our own game or join a game in progress. We lived in this house for many years until we finally sold it one day. Time moved on....we grew up and went our own ways, made new friends along the way and changed alot of house and cities with the passage of time. But this park still holds a special place for me. The house had a splendid view of the park and I am sure that the new owners must be enjoying it as much as I did when I was younger. Sometimes when I look back, the park always pops up in my mind and brings back some fond memories and I am reminded of how much carefree fun I had when I was younger. One should enjoy each moment every day, because you will never have another chance to change it. Dark stormy clouds will always come into your life, but try not to be weighed down by it. The brighter moments in your life will always dispel these dark moments. At times when I am walkind or driving past a park and some activity is happening in the park, it takes me back in time. Read more...

                                                                                                                                          Wednesday, May 28, 2008

                                                                                                                                          Animal Treatment

                                                                                                                                            Animals at farms are one of the most ill-treated animals that I have heard about. They are usually not fed properly, shoved into cages too small for them, injected with hormones to fatten them up. then they get so fat that they have difficulty standing on their own legs, Due to the inabilty to use their own legs they lose their ability to ever go venture outside to see the sun, feel the grass/dirt underneath their paws or hoofs,smell the fresh air. In the tiny cages they live in their own filth, very much helpless. Many people simply do not care. For these people, these are just 'food animals'. So they do not really care how the animals are treated if they are born to die anyway? Let me ask you one thing. How would you feel if one day someone took your cat, dog, pet bird or any other pet of your...to the butcher shop, killed it, chopped it up, cooked it and served it to you? Would you not feel disgusted, revolted, and felt like someone has killed one of your family members? How would you feel about that? Would you eat them? Would you not consider this animal cruelty? I am aware that not all animals are treated this way, but I am sure most are. So please our co-inhabitants of this planet a thought. Let's give them place where they can live with dignity. Read more...

                                                                                                                                              Tuesday, May 27, 2008

                                                                                                                                              Sleep time

                                                                                                                                                I usually can't just get into bed and fall asleep right away. At least not on normal days. The only time I can really do this when I am excessively tired. I usually watch TV or surf the net for awhile. What I really enjoy is surfing the net. I can usually do it for hours. My latest craze these days is blogging, like what I am doing now. This blogging gives me immense satisfaction. I also like going out to the shopping center located near by, not necessarily to buy anything, but to relax. Sometimes one get to see new merchandise on display and maybe get to know more about it. It's really helpful to see an actual model of something on display, so that if in future if I would like to purchase a certain product, at least I have some basic idea what it actually looks like. You know window shopping is what i enjoy....but not for clothing. I really do not need to do window shopping for clothes. I just go out and purchase the stuff as my style has not changed in many years. Sometimes I like to watch movies...nothing in particular....anything that catches my fancy. Reading magazines, novels usually help also. What about you guys? Read more...

                                                                                                                                                  Monday, May 26, 2008

                                                                                                                                                  How do you relax when stressed out?

                                                                                                                                                    When life gets just too stressful, how do relax and recharge your inner self? For myself, I use a variety of ways, since no single way seems to work all the time.Sometimes, I just step out and take a long hike. Nature has a calming effect on me, especially when there are wooded areas. You can take a long slow walk...breathe in the earhty smells, hear the cricket go kreek, kreek. If it has just rained, watch a rainbow in the sky...sometime many of them. Maybe at other times, i like to watch tv. or listening to radio. Sometimes, people use one or a combination of the following methods to relax and recharge their inner batteries. Some of the methods are:
                                                                                                                                                    1.) Soak in the tub/or take a long shower when you have the time
                                                                                                                                                    2.) Cooking
                                                                                                                                                    3.) Writing
                                                                                                                                                    4.) Listening to radio or watching tv
                                                                                                                                                    5.) Hitting the gym
                                                                                                                                                    6.) Surfing the net
                                                                                                                                                    7.) Swimming
                                                                                                                                                    8.) Meditation/Yoga
                                                                                                                                                    9.) Going for long drives.
                                                                                                                                                    10.) If you got pets, sometimes they are great stress relievers.
                                                                                                                                                    11.) Participating in some sports activity
                                                                                                                                                    12.) Sometimes doing absolutely nothing at all, you know...just sitting their and letting the thoughts swim round and round in your head
                                                                                                                                                    But remember, what one person finds relaxing or as I call it a stress buster won't work for others. Sometimes, it's a trial and error method. Other times it just comes to you. What's your way? Read more...

                                                                                                                                                      Sunday, May 25, 2008

                                                                                                                                                      Naming pets

                                                                                                                                                        A lot of us have pets or have had them at some of time. But giving those names has always been a trouble for us. Each one of us uses different criteria for naming our pets. Sometimes we give them human names while at other times we give them non-human names. We have two dogs presently and we decide to give one of them both human name, and the other non-human name.
                                                                                                                                                        We named one of our dogs Jimmy for no particular reason other than it was the first name that popped into my mind when we saw him as a tiny puppy in the dog pound, and the name has stuck with him ever since.

                                                                                                                                                        The other one we name Terminator for couple of reasons. We could not name him initially since we could not decide on a name at all. He got his name quiet by chance. First being, Terminator series were one of my favourite movies. Secondly, One day all of us, and this includes Jimmy and our unnamed dog were in the backyard on a Sunday morning just enjoying ourselves. We had a really nice BBQ going on. Our backyard is a wooded area...alot of trees, birds, etc. So this foot long snake pops out of somewhere and starts threatening of all things...the BBQ grill. I was startled initially as I was standing right next to it. Then all out of the blue came our little dog....all charged up and full of courage and attacked the garden variety snake. The name that popped into all of our heads was Terminator, since we were just watched it a little while back. It just seemed so natural.
                                                                                                                                                        I guess naming pets sometimes comes naturally other times it all depends on other situations. Some names give your pets more originality and you should give your pet an individual title in it's own right. I think I have given mine one, considering that their can only be so many Terminators. But it can be a little strange and also a little amusing when you name your pet a human name and then you meet someone that has the same name at a later stage somewhere and you are reminded of your pet. But overall, I would suggest that you should name your pet with a name that really suits it and one which you are happy with. Read more...

                                                                                                                                                          Saturday, May 24, 2008

                                                                                                                                                          Fearful creatures and other things

                                                                                                                                                            During our course in life, we run across many creature which we find repulsive or acquire what I say the "Fear Factor". I like to define it as something which causes us to have different degrees of fear or revulsion when we some creature. I simiply detest spiders, snakes, some varities of frogs, worms, lizards, and I find them simply disgusting. Looking at them from some distance is fine, but I simply cannot hold them in my hand or have them get too close to me. Some people are really comfartable with them. They hold these creatures in their hands, have them crawl or slither all over them, etc. Some shows used to cash in people desire to watch others do disgusting or some crazy stunts. The participants usually had to do one of the following stunts: height, water, eating something gross, and sometimes extara features like racing on a trapeze to win the prize money. In the following NBC Fear Factor site, you can watch some of the previous episodes where the participants went head to head to become winner of the episodes. I also do not like the idea of bungee jumping or parachute jumping as I am not very comfortable jumping from heights. So until we come face to face with our fears, will not get over our fear and revulsions. But if you try to do so, do it in as a safe manner as possible. Read more...

                                                                                                                                                              Friday, May 23, 2008

                                                                                                                                                              A passing thought

                                                                                                                                                                Last night while I was driving to the mall, I ended up listening to a talk show about raising children. There was not much on any other radio station at that time considering it was well past midnight. The talk show host was a real good talker and I was listening real attentively and agreeing to most of the things he said. But he did say one things which really bothered me alot. What he implied was that you can only raise good children if you imbibe them with Christian values. What about non-christians? Does this mean a non-christian family does not raise children with good moral/good value? Does this mean that if parents just do not drill these Christian values into their childrens mind, then the kids will not be good, proper kids? I ended up totally disagreeing with the radio speaker. Good value system can be taught to kids irrespective of which religion the family is. It does need religious teachings. Religion by itself does not equal good people or good people. The good people/good value system comes from the overall learning phase the child goes thru with his parents. Religion shows us what good is....what type of value system we should follow...That there is a God up there...but all religions are equal...besides Christianity...there are other religions also which teach really good value systems/ good morals. All religions teach us to be good to others...to have good morals..to have a good value system....to help the needy, etc. But people sometimes fall to temptations and go astray at times.
                                                                                                                                                                Teach the kids when they are young, and they will not depart from the way when they are older. The basic values can be taught: don't lie or envy, don't sleep around, don't hurt or kill others, care for your loved ones and your neighbor, think about someone else your shoes. All of these are part of good morals plus many more can be added and passed on to kids and they are less likely to go astray. Read more...

                                                                                                                                                                  Thursday, May 22, 2008

                                                                                                                                                                  Assisted suicides - What's your viewpoint?

                                                                                                                                                                    When I recently visited a hospital, I noticed that some people were hooked up to machines which kept them alive. They were completly dependend on the machine. I had gone to visit a close family friend who was hooked up to the machine. I visited her daily, without fail. All the time I either stood by her bed or sat next to her bed watching her waste away into someone i didn't know, her eyes would fill with tears and look at me in a way that said, "I know I won't be here much longer and I am in pain:...her begging eyes to help her was overwhelming sometimes. She could not walk, could not talk there at the end...just those "eyes" that told me what she wanted..to be set free from this prison that she was imprisoned in. But our hands are bound by rules, regulations and laws and we have to watch helplessly as they suffer. Assited suicide are illegal in some parts of the world. But I think it should be made legal, but under certain conditions. Like for terminally ill patients...who have no hope for survival, Cancer patiants who are in their last leg, People involved in horrible accidents and who are in horrible pain with no chance of survival, someone who is born with some genetic defect which makes their life hell and it gets worse and worse over a period of time, etc. This is a very sensitive issue which should be handeled delicately. The family and patients should be given an option so that the pain, suffering and the negatives side effects are minimized. I hope the law makers out there are listening and change the laws just enough to help mitigate the patients/their families pain and suffering. Read more...

                                                                                                                                                                      Wednesday, May 21, 2008

                                                                                                                                                                      Which do you believe is more important...Humans or Animals?

                                                                                                                                                                        This question has been on my mind for sometime and after giving it some thought I've come to the following conclusion....We are all God's creations. This includes all creatures inhabitating this planet and not only humans. All beings have equal rights. No one creature is more important than the other. Humans were made the dominant creature by God, but this does not give us the right to misuse or abuse the planet. We were given this dominant position so that we can look after our fragile planet, and to take care of other beings. But most of us have misused our powers, responsibilities. Our planet is in a sad shape. But it still can be saved. Non-humans as I prefer to call them have an equal right to this planet and its' resources, since it was meant to be shared equally by all. People will say "oh I love animals so much,I'm an animal lover." then they'll go around mistreating animals and chow down on their burger or some other meat item without so much as a second thought to the being whose life was taken to fill your stomach. It's the way we've been brainwashed to believe that cows and pigs are just another food item like lettuce and tomatoes and dogs and cats are animals, therefore they become non-entities in our mind. Read more...

                                                                                                                                                                          Tuesday, May 20, 2008

                                                                                                                                                                          Skinny people and other Life mysteries

                                                                                                                                                                            No offense meant but skinny people really irritate me! Especially when they say suprising things like...'You know sometimes I forget to eat!' .....Now I've forgotten my address, my mother's maiden name and my keys, but I have never forgotten to eat. You have to be a special kind of stupid to forget to eat!
                                                                                                                                                                            Every time I step on the scale, the numbers on the machine seem to get larger and larger. It's like hey...I was just 130lbs just a few days ago. It must be because the older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight because by then, your body and your fat are start to become really good friends. Lol. The other point which I just cannot figure out is how a 2-pound box of chocolates can make a person gain 5 lbs. Read more...

                                                                                                                                                                              Monday, May 19, 2008

                                                                                                                                                                              Which movies have you liked the most?

                                                                                                                                                                                There are alot of movies of various categories which i really liked alot, and for various reasons. Some movies I liked for the special effects, some for the story line and others because it had my favorite actors/actresses or charactor and a combination of the above two reasons. Some of the movies which I really like are:
                                                                                                                                                                                1.) Most of the Aliens series except maybe for part 2. The Alien movie started out with an original idea and they were able to carry it forword succesfully.
                                                                                                                                                                                2.) Predator series. Really nice concept of an intelligent hunter....looking for the ultimate hunt.
                                                                                                                                                                                3.) Matrix series. I really liked the first 2 parts. I did not like the last one at all. Just too boring. It was a thought provoking movie. Makes us wonder if life really is an illusion.
                                                                                                                                                                                4.) Spiderman series. The special effects were good, and I really do believe that good guys really do finish first, if they are able to put in some effort/ hard work.
                                                                                                                                                                                5.) Some Kind Of Monster - Metallica documentory. This documentory showed that there is a human side to the group and that they were willing to face their ugly side and reform themselves in order to save the group. They knew it was the only hope for the group. I think it was basically a rebirth of the group. They have risen like the Phenoix....as strong as before...completly revitalised....ready to conquer the world once again.
                                                                                                                                                                                6.) Godfather movie. This is one of my all time favorite movies....all the actors really performed really well. Everyone clicked togather. They were able to fit into their role and do justice to the role assigned to them. Marlon Brando made the Godfather character come to life. Al Pachino who played Michael Coreone character really outshines others except for Marlon brando with his superb acting skills.
                                                                                                                                                                                7.) Terminator series. "I'll be back." Arnie all the way....need I say more.
                                                                                                                                                                                8.) Stephen King movies if they are well made. He's one of my favorite writer. His novels are an excellent blend of suspense, horror, etc. You are always at the edge of your seat. A real nail biting suspense stories he does write. Read it before going off to bed ..on a stormy nite....you will be wondering which ones of the ghoules are waiting in the closet...under the bed...scratching at the window....whispering your name in the wind. Same applies to most of the movies based on his novels. Read more...

                                                                                                                                                                                  Sunday, May 18, 2008

                                                                                                                                                                                  Do you feel comfartable using your real picture as your Avatar?

                                                                                                                                                                                    How comfortable are you using your actual pic as your avatar in one of your sites? Does it really matter if the others see the actual person who is doing the postings or do you like to use something else as your Avatar? Hey I am a pretty normal looking guy. People do look at my face and no they do not get scared and run away. Lol. But, on the net, no. I really do not feel comfortable having my real pic in the avatar section, since I do not know who is at the other end. Alot of people do use their actual picture as their Avatar,but I like my privacy, my anonymity. So that I can air my viewpoints more freely. Plus, I think I would really get bored looking at myself whenever I log into one of sites. Read more...

                                                                                                                                                                                      Saturday, May 17, 2008

                                                                                                                                                                                      So what exactly what do we mean by "normal"?

                                                                                                                                                                                        What exactly is "Normal"? How will You define it when it applies to a person? Is it what the vast majority of the general population does and follows? If you ask someone to define normal.....then the definition of normal might be completly different than what you have in mind. Each person has their own ideas, viewpoints, etc. Each one of us has a different definition of what is normal. Each person grew up in an unique situation. Therefore it is correct to say that no two people will be the same mentally...not even twins. Therefore, their viewpoints on various aspects of life will be different. Their thinking will be different. Having said all this, I would like to say that my personal viewpoint is that you cannot have one set of definition for normal. Am I normal? When I think about it....yes . I follow the law of the land. Pay my taxes on time. Behave properly with others. I think all of us have some amount of preducices...are slightly intolerant....or are slightly irrational in our likes and dislike....just because you have these traits does not mean you are not normal. So get up and assert yourself. Do what you think is right. As long as you are not breaking any law or commiting any crime, and are a law abiding citizen. Read more...

                                                                                                                                                                                          Thursday, May 15, 2008

                                                                                                                                                                                          Best guitarists- my personal choice.

                                                                                                                                                                                            Ok guys,
                                                                                                                                                                                            I would like to know which guitarists you think are the best guitarists....Each person has their own preferances. I'll start out by listing mine out first.

                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Jimi Hendrix
                                                                                                                                                                                            2. Jimmy Page - Led Zeppelin
                                                                                                                                                                                            3. Kirk Hammett - Metallica
                                                                                                                                                                                            4. Dimebag Darrell - Pantera
                                                                                                                                                                                            5. Agnus Young - AC/DC
                                                                                                                                                                                            6. Matthias Jabs - Scorpions
                                                                                                                                                                                            7. Eric Clapton
                                                                                                                                                                                            8. Randy Rhodes
                                                                                                                                                                                            9. Joe Satriani
                                                                                                                                                                                            10. Ritchie Blackmoore
                                                                                                                                                                                            11. Tony Iommi
                                                                                                                                                                                            12. Zakk Waylde
                                                                                                                                                                                            There are many more, but I consider these the best. They can make their guitar really come alive. Read more...

                                                                                                                                                                                              Wednesday, May 14, 2008

                                                                                                                                                                                              Metallica- vinyl reissue and '08 Summer Vacation tour dates

                                                                                                                                                                                                The following two albulms Kill 'Em All, and Ride The Lightning were re-issued on vinyl to commemorate 25th Anniversary of Kill 'Em All on April 15th, while Master Of Puppets will be re-issued on vinyl June 17th, 2008, in North America, and around this date for the rest of the world. All three reissues are available thru http://www.metallica.com/ store. The first two vinyls were reissued in 180grm 45 rpm version, while the MOP will be a single disc at 33 rpm and a deluxe two disc version on 180 gram 45 rpm vinyl version. Sometime in August 2008, Justice....will be reissued on vinyl.

                                                                                                                                                                                                As of now Metallica '08 Summer Vacation tour dates are as follows:

                                                                                                                                                                                                May
                                                                                                                                                                                                16 - Tucson, AZ - KFMA Day
                                                                                                                                                                                                28 - Chorzow, Poland - Slaski Stadium
                                                                                                                                                                                                30 - Landgraaf, Netherlands - Pinkpop Festival
                                                                                                                                                                                                31 - Getafe, Spain - Electric Weekend

                                                                                                                                                                                                June
                                                                                                                                                                                                3 - Prague, Czech Republic - Slavia Stadium
                                                                                                                                                                                                5 - Lisbon, Portugal - Rock In Rio
                                                                                                                                                                                                7 - Nurburgring, Germany - Rock Am Ring
                                                                                                                                                                                                8 - Nurnburg, Germany - Rock Im Park
                                                                                                                                                                                                13 - Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo

                                                                                                                                                                                                July
                                                                                                                                                                                                16 - Bergen, Norway - Bergenhus Castle
                                                                                                                                                                                                18 - St. Petersburg , Russia - SKK Hall
                                                                                                                                                                                                20 - Riga, Latvia - Skonto Stadium
                                                                                                                                                                                                22 - Bologna, Italy - Parco Nord
                                                                                                                                                                                                23 - Bucharest, Romania - Cotroceni Football Stadium (no DOWN)
                                                                                                                                                                                                25 - Sofia, Bulgaria - Levski Stadium

                                                                                                                                                                                                August
                                                                                                                                                                                                14 - Arras, France - Grand d'Arras
                                                                                                                                                                                                15 - Hasselt, Belgium - Pukkelpop Festival
                                                                                                                                                                                                17 - Wil/Jonschwil, Switzerland - Degenaupark
                                                                                                                                                                                                20 - Dublin, Ireland - Marlay Park (with TENACIOUS D)
                                                                                                                                                                                                22 - Leeds, England - Leeds Festival
                                                                                                                                                                                                24 - Reading, England - Reading Festival

                                                                                                                                                                                                July 16th-25th - with DOWN and THE SWORD Read more...

                                                                                                                                                                                                  Tuesday, May 13, 2008

                                                                                                                                                                                                  The reasons why i like going to the store to make purchases over online stores

                                                                                                                                                                                                    Even though I find shopping online more convinient, I prefer doing shopping at the store for many reasons. Some of the reasons are listed below. I get a chance to go out and interact with the people. I actually get to see the products which are for sale. If the product is a clothing item and I am not sure if it will fit me or not...I can always try it on before purchasing it. For some items, you can try out the demo pieces before making the purchase. Buying a product from the store is alot safer than online purchases. Also the added benefit is that if you have the original receipt, you will be able to return/exchange the product, as long as you do it within the stipulated time frame. There are lesser chances of the item being lost/damaged in transit from the shop to your house, since only you will be handaling it. But, sometimes a small percentage of items are only available thru the online shopping offers. Read more...

                                                                                                                                                                                                      Monday, May 12, 2008

                                                                                                                                                                                                      Are you environmentally friendly person?

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Have you ever given a thought to how you can help nature heal itself from all the degradation we have subjected it to? How pro-active are you? Being environmentally conscious is very difficult at times. But every little steps do count. I like to segregate my trash into different types of categories. For example, we segregate the items according to the following categories: paper products, glass, plastic, rubber, and metal. For the bio-degradeable items like kitchen rubbish(ie. - vegetable peels, etc) we bury it in our back yard. It turns into excellent fertiliser over a period of time. Plant a tree every year, and use technology which is environmentally friendly like solar energy, or products which are certified to release less harmfull gases or consume less electricity. Read more...

                                                                                                                                                                                                          Sunday, May 11, 2008

                                                                                                                                                                                                          Metallica's new albulm

                                                                                                                                                                                                            Metallica's new albulm will finally be released sometime during the September/October 2008 time period. The new songs are very old school stuff, something like Kill 'em all or Ride The Lightening albulms. Their will be alot of long solos, heavy sounds. The single is due to be released shortly, so we might actually be able to get some idea of what the new albulm sounds like. After the Black albulm, they had tried to experiment with a whole lot of new sounds. However, now as the new album is produced by Rick Rubin and they said they're gonna play some good long solos on it, I have some hope.. that their new albulm will be as full of energy, new sounds which you will remember for a long time. With Rick Rubin, they got a chance to re-invent the wheel again, to go back to their roots and rediscover themselves, and hopefully belt out some awesome music. Read more...

                                                                                                                                                                                                              Friday, May 9, 2008

                                                                                                                                                                                                              Yuwie....The social networking site with a twist

                                                                                                                                                                                                                Hey guys,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                I just recently joined a new site called Yuwie which is alot like Myspace, Multiply, Yahoo360, etc. but a whole lot better. It's better in the sense that you get paid to participate. So click on this link and join me there. Read more...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Wednesday, May 7, 2008

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  myLot helps you make money online

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Hey guys,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    I just recently joined a new site called myLot which is alot like Yahoo Answers but a whole lot better. It's better in the sense that you get paid to participate. So click on this link and join me there. Read more...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Wednesday, April 30, 2008

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Hi!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Welcome to Whispering Corridor! Read more...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

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