High heels

Ouch! My feet......



Thank goodness for the longer weekend.
Have a lovely weekend, everyone.

Heard of Euro English?

Haven't heard of Euro English? Read on.


>>>>> Changes to the English Language
- submitted by Ken Smiths

The European Commission has just announced an agreement
whereby English will be the official language of the
European Union rather than German, which was the other
possibility. As part of the negotiations, Her Majesty's
Government conceded that English spelling had some room
for improvement and has accepted a 5-year phase-in plan
that would be known as Euro-English .

In the first year, 's' will replace the soft 'c'.
Sertainly,this will make the sivil servants jump with joy.
The hard 'c' will be dropped in favor of the 'k'.
This should klear up konfusion & keyboards kan have 1 less letter.

There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year
when the troublesome 'ph' will be replased with the 'f'.
This will make words like 'fotograf' 20% shorter!

In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be
expected to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are
possible. Governments will enkorage the removal of double leters
which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling. Also, al
wil agre that the horible mes of the silent 'e' in the languag
is disgrasful and it should go away.

By the 4th year, peopl wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing
'th' with 'z' and 'w' wiz 'v'. During ze fifz year ze unesesary
'o' kan be dropd from vords kontaining 'ou' and similar changes
vud of kurs be aplid to ozer kombinations of leters. After ze
fifz yer ve vil hav a rali sensibl ritn styl. Zer vil be no mor
trubl or difikultis and evriun vil find it ezi tu undrstand ech ozer.

Zen Z Drem Vil Finali Kum Tru!!

The English Language

English is a crazy language.
There is no egg in the eggplant
No ham in the hamburger
And neither pine nor apple in the pineapple.
English muffins were not invented in England
French fries were not invented in France.

We sometimes take English for granted
But if we examine its paradoxes we find that
Quicksand takes you down slowly
Boxing rings are square
And a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

If writers write, how come fingers don't fing.
If the plural of tooth is teeth
Shouldn't the plural of phone booth be phone beeth
If the teacher taught,
Why didn't the preacher praught.

If a vegetarian eats vegetables
What on earth does a humanitarian eat!?
Why do people recite at a play
Yet play at a recital?
Park on driveways and
Drive on parkways

You have to marvel at the unique lunacy
Of a language where a house can burn up as
It burns down
And in which you fill in a form
By filling it out
And a bell is only heard once it goes!

English was invented by people, not computers
And it reflects the creativity of the human race
(Which of course isn't a race at all)

That is why
When the stars are out they are visible
But when the lights are out they are invisible
And why it is that when I wind up my watch, It starts
But when I wind up this poem, It ends.


Source unknown

I'm feeling Sad today

Earth Day

On April 22, 1970, 20 million people across America celebrated the first Earth Day. Now Earth Day is celebrated annually around the world. Through the combined efforts of the U.S. government, grassroots organizations, and citizens like you, what started as a day of national environmental recognition has evolved into a world-wide campaign to protect our global environment. Learn about the history of Earth Day.

Learn about the many tips and fun ways to protect the
environment and your health every day.

At home
Learn about simple things you can do around your home to
reduce the environmental impacts of your everyday activities.
There is information on how to recycle, conserve resources,
avoid toxins, and practice environmentally responsible
landscaping.

In your community
Learn how to protect your neighborhood's natural resources.

At work
Learn how you and your employer can protect the environment,
save money and create a healthy workplace

While shopping
Buying a new car or home appliance? Now you can access helpful
information on how to choose models that will reduce pollution,
save energy and money.


The following was put together as a warning of a possible
scenario if we do not take care of our environment.
Food for thought really..........


This is the year 2070

I have just turned 50, but I look and feel 85. I suffer from serious kidney problems because I do not drink enough water. I'm afraid I do not have much time
left to live. I am one of the oldest people in this society.

I remember when I was a child of 5. Everything was very different. There were lots of trees in the parks, houses with beautiful gardens, and I could enjoy having a shower for half an hour.  Nowadays, we use towels with mineral oil to clean our skin.

Before, women had beautiful hair.
Now, we have to shave our heads to keep them clean without the use of water. Then, my father washed his car with water coming out of a hosepipe. Now, my son does not believe that water could be wasted that way.


I remember there were SAVE WATER warnings on outdoor posters, radio and TV, but nobody paid attention. We thought that water was to last forever. Now, all the rivers, lakes, dams and underground water beds are either dry or contaminated.

Industry came to a standstill, unemployment is sky high. Desalination plants are the main source of employment and workers receive part of their salary in drinkable water.

Assaults on the streets for a can of water are very common.
Food is 80% synthetic.

Before, it was recommended an adult drinks 8 glasses a day.
Nowadays, I am only allowed half a glass.
We now have to wear disposable clothing,
and this increases the amount of litter.
We are using septic tanks,
because the sewerage system does not work for lack of water.


All the people look horrible: wrinkled due to dehydration, full of sores caused by ultra violet radiation, as the ozone layer is almost gone. Skin cancer, gastrointestinal infections and of the urinary tracts are the main causes of death.


Due to the excessive drying of the skin young people of 20 look like 40. Scientists have no solution to the problem.
Water cannot be produced, oxygen is not sufficient due to the lack of trees and vegetation, and the intellectual capacity of the younger generations is severely impaired.

The morphology of spermatozoa in many men has changed.
As a consequence, babies are born with deficiencies, mutations and physical deformities.

The average life expectancy is 35 years.

Water became a very coveted treasure.
Any green zones crossed by rivers are guarded by armed soldiers.

Where I live, there are no trees, because it seldom rains.
If it does, it is acid rain.
We were warned to look after the environment, but nobody cared.

I tell my son about the green fields,
the beautiful flowers, the rain, how we swam and fish in the rivers and dams, drinking all the water we could, and how healthy people were.

He asks: "Daddy, why is there no water?"

Was I guilty ?
My generation destroyed the environment.
We did not heed the warning signs.

Now our children pay a very high price!

Soon, I think, life on earth will not be possible, as the destruction of nature has reached an irreversible stage.

How I would like to go back and make mankind understand…
...that we still had time to save our Planet Earth.

" SAVE MOTHER EARTH !!! "





This show was created by a talented person,
Ria.
 

Missing Boy

I just received an email calling for help to spread the word
about this 13-year-old boy from Batu Pahat, Johore, who has
been missing since October 19 last year. He went to school
as usual in the morning and has been missing since.

If you have seen him, please contact his parents at 012-7235120.

His parents are appealing for everyone to spread the news to
help them find their son.

In Jamaica

And the reason for the rise in motorcycle accidents?





Didn't you notice?

Nobody is wearing a crash helmet!

First Time

Nine People

There are nine people in this picture. Can you see them?

Little Johnny

Need a breather? Here's another set of questions but
no, you don't have to answer them. They're just for
Little Johnny.


Ms Brooks was having trouble with one of her first-grade pupils.

"Johnny, what is your problem?"

Johnny answered, "I'm too smart for the first Grade. My sister
is in third grade and I'm smarter than she is! I think I should
be in the third-grade too!"

Ms Brooks had had enough, so she took Johnny to the principal's
office. The principal agreed that he would give the boy a test
and if he failed to answer any of his questions he was to go
back to the first-grade and behave.

He started by asking Johhny some simple arithmetic.

"What is three times three?"

"Nine, Sir."

"How much is nine times six?"

"Fifty-four."

And so it went with every question the principal thought a
third-grade should know.

The principal looked at Ms Brooks and said, "I think Johnny
can go to third grade. He seems smart enough."

Ms Brooks said to the principal, "Let me ask him some questions?"
The principal and Johnny both agreed.

Ms Brooks asked, "What does a cow have four of that I have
only two of?

Johnny, after a moment, answered "Legs, Ma'am"

"What is in your pants that you have but I do not have?"

"Pockets!"

"OK, what does a dog do that a man steps into?"

"Pants."

"What starts with a C and ends with a T, is hairy, oval,
delicious and contains thin whitish liquid?"

"Coconut."

"What goes in hard and pink then comes out soft and sticky?"

The principal's eyes opened really wide and before he could
stop the answer, Johnny was taking charge. "Bubblegum!"

"What does a man do standing up, a woman does sitting down and
a dog does on three legs?"

"Shake hands, Ma'am."

"Now for some "Who am I" sort of questions, OK? First one.

You stick your poles inside me, you tie me down to get me up,
and I get wet before you do."

Johnny, quick as ever, answered, "Tent!"

"OK, a finger goes in me. You fiddle with me when you're bored.
The best man always has me first."

The Principal was looking restless and a bit tense. But Johnny
was on the ball with "Wedding Ring!"

"I come in many sizes. When I'm not well, I drip.
When you blow me, you feel good."

"Nose."

"Right, I have a stiff shaft, my tip penetrates, and I come
with a quiver."

"Arrow."

"Good, now for the last one. What word starts with an 'F',
ends in K', and means a lot of heat and excitement?"

Firetruck, Ma'am!"

The principal breathed a sigh of relief and said to the teacher,
"Send him to university, I got the last ten questions wrong myself!"



Hey.... what were you thinking?!

What Tree are You?

Okay, now that you know what bird you are, let's
go on to the tree type.

Find your birthday and then find your tree - they are
listed in alphabetical order.

I was told this is somewhat accurate too and also
in line with Celtic astrology. Whatever! Enjoy!


>> Jan 01 to Jan 11 - Fir Tree
>> Jan 12 to Jan 24 - Elm Tree
>> Jan 25 to Feb 03 - Cypress Tree
>> Feb 04 to Feb 08 - Poplar Tree
>> Feb 09 to Feb 18 - Cedar Tree
>> Feb 19 to Feb 28 - Pine Tree
>> Mar 01 to Mar 10 - Weeping Willow Tree
>> Mar 11 to Mar 20 - Lime Tree
>> Mar 21 - Oak Tree
>> Mar 22 to Mar 31 - Hazelnut Tree
>> Apr 01 to Apr 10 - Rowan Tree
>> Apr 11 to Apr 20 - Maple Tree
>> Apr 21 to Apr 30 - Walnut Tree
>> May 01 to May 14 - Poplar Tree
>> May 15 to May 24 - Chestnut Tree
>> May 25 to Jun 03 - Ash Tree
>> Jun 04 to Jun 13 - Hornbeam Tree
>> Jun 14 to Jun 23 - Fig Tree
>> Jun 24 - Birch Tree
>> Jun 25 to Jul 04 - Apple Tree
>> Jul 05 to Jul 14 - Fir Tree
>> Jul 15 to Jul 25 - Elm Tree
>> Jul 26 to Aug 04 - Cypress Tree
>> Aug 05 to Aug 13 - Poplar Tree
>> Aug 14 to Aug 23 - Cedar Tree
>> Aug 24 to Sep 02 - Pine Tree
>> Sep 03 to Sep 12 - Weeping Willow Tree
>> Sep 13 to Sep 22 - Lime Tree
>> Sep 23 - Olive Tree
>> Sep 24 to Oct 03 - Hazelnut Tree
>> Oct 04 to Oct 13 - Rowan Tree
>> Oct 14 to Oct 23 - Maple Tree
>> Oct 24 to Nov 11 - Walnut Tree
>> Nov 12 to Nov 21 - Chestnut Tree
>> Nov 22 to Dec 01 - Ash Tree
>> Dec 02 to Dec 11 - Hornbeam Tree
>> Dec 12 to Dec 21 - Fig Tree
>> Dec 22 - Beech Tree
>> Dec 23 to Dec 31 - Apple Tree


APPLE TREE (the Love) -
of slight build, lots of charm, appeal, and attraction,
pleasant aura, flirtatious, adventurous, sensitive,
always in love, wants to love and be loved,
faithful and tender partner, very generous,
scientific talents, lives for today, a carefree philosopher
with imagination.

ASH TREE (the Ambition) -
uncommonly attractive, vivacious, impulsive,
demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious,
intelligent, talented, likes to play with fate,
can be egotistic, very reliable and trustworthy,
faithful and prudent lover, sometimes brains rule over
the heart, but takes partnership very seriously.

BEECH TREE (the Creative) -
has good taste, concerned about its looks, materialistic,
good organization of life and career, economical,
good leader, takes no unnecessary risks, reasonable,
splendid lifetime companion, keen on keeping fit (diets,
sports, etc.)

BIRCH TREE (the inspiration) -
vivacious, attractive, elegant, friendly, unpretentious,
modest, does not like anything in excess, abhors the
vulgar, loves life in nature and in calm,
not very passionate, full of imagination, little ambition,
creates a calm and content atmosphere.

CEDAR TREE (the Confidence) -
of rare beauty, knows how to adapt, likes luxury, of good
health, not in the least shy, tends to look down on others,
self-confident, determined, impatient, likes to impress
others, many talents, industrious, healthy optimism,
waiting for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.

CHESTNUT TREE (the Honesty) -
of unusual beauty, does not want to impress, well-developed
sense of justice, vivacious, interested, a born diplomat,
but irritates easily and sensitive in company, often due to
a lack of self confidence, acts sometimes superior,
feels not understood loves only once,
has difficulties in finding a partner.

CYPRESS TREE (the Faithfulness) -
strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give,
content, optimistic, craves money and acknowledgment,
hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied,
faithful, quick-tempered, unruly, pedantic, and careless.

ELM TREE (the Noble-mindedness) -
pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands,
tends not to forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead
but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, likes making
decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of
humor, practical.

FIG TREE (the Sensibility) -
very strong, a bit self-willed, independent does not
allow contradiction or arguments, loves life, its family,
children and animals, a bit of a social butterfly,
good sense of humor, likes idleness and laziness,
of practical talent and intelligence.

FIR TREE (the Mysterious) -
extraordinary taste, dignity, sophisticated, loves
anything beautiful, moody, stubborn, tends to egoism
but cares for those close to them, rather modest, very
ambitious, talented, industrious, uncontented lover, many
friends, many foes, very reliable

HAZELNUT TREE (the Extraordinary) -
charming, undemanding, very understanding, knows
how to make an impression, active fighter for social
cause, popular, moody, and capricious lover, honest,
and tolerant partner, precise sense of judgment.

HORNBEAM TREE (the Good Taste) -
of cool beauty, cares for its looks and condition,
good taste, is not egoistic, makes life as comfortable
as possible, leads a reasonable and disciplined life,
looks for kindness and acknowledgment in an emotional partner,
dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with its feelings,
mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very
conscientious.

LIME TREE (the Doubt) -
accepts what life dishes out in a composed way,
hates fighting, stress, and labor,
dislikes laziness and idleness, soft and relenting,
makes sacrifices for friends, many talents but not
tenacious enough to make them blossom,
often wailing and complaining, very jealous but loyal.

MAPLE TREE (Independence of Mind) -
no ordinary person, full of imagination and originality,
shy and reserved, ambitious, proud, self-confident,
hungers for new experiences, sometimes nervous,
has many complexities, good memory, learns easily,
complicated love life, wants to impress.

OAK TREE (the Brave) -
robust nature, courageous, strong, unrelenting, independent,
sensible, does not like change, keeps its feet on the
ground, person of action.

OLIVE TREE (the Wisdom) -
loves sun, warmth and kind feelings, reasonable, balanced,
avoids aggression and violence, tolerant, cheerful,
calm, well-developed sense of justice,
sensitive, empathetic, free of jealousy, loves to read
and the company of sophisticated people.

PINE TREE (the Particular) -
loves agreeable company, very robust, knows how to make
life comfortable, very active, natural, good companion, but
seldom friendly, falls easily in love but
its passion burns out quickly, gives up easily, everything
disappointments until it finds its ideal, trustworthy,
practical.

POPLAR TREE (the Uncertainty) -
looks very decorative, not very self-confident, only
courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and pleasant
surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity,
artistic nature, good organizer, tends to lean toward
philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership
seriously.

ROWAN TREE (the Sensitivity) -
full of charm, cheerful, gifted without egoism, likes to
draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest, and even
complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste,
artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive.

WALNUT TREE (the Passion) -
unrelenting, strange and full of contrasts, often egotistic,
aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions,
spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility,
difficult and uncommon partner, not always liked but often
admired, ingenious strategist, very jealous and passionate,
no compromise.

WEEPING WILLOW (the Melancholy) -
beautiful but full of melancholy, attractive, very
empathetic, loves anything beautiful and tasteful,
loves to travel, dreamer, restless, capricious, honest,
can be influenced but is not easy to live with, demanding,
good intuition, suffers in love but finds sometimes an
anchoring partner.

Japanese T-shirts

These would be great for travelling light.

And You Think Your Job Sucks!

What Bird are You?

According to the source who compiled this, they have delved
into ancient mythology and Celtic history to come up with
personality traits of different birds, which can be compared
with people. See whether it's true in your case.

Date of birth
Bird Characteristics

21 Jan - 17 Feb
Robin

A cool exterior disguises a fiery temper and is very opinionated - although those opinions are not always shared by everyone. They are proud and particularly home-loving, although have a tendency to be quarrelsome.

18 Feb - 17 March
Goldfinch

Goldfinch people are colourful characters who are sensitive and always alert. They are gregarious by nature and love being in groups of people, which offers them security. They need to find an outlet for their imaginative abilities or they are sometimes be in danger of becoming nervous and irritable.

18 March - 14 April
Hawk

A powerful individual which displays courage and a sometimes ruthless determination. Avoids problematical obstacles with skill, although must be fully targeted so as not to waste energy in fruitless chases for the impossible.


15 April - 12 May
Albatross

Has a tendency to have a mind that wanders, but when in search of a particular goal, will travel great lengths to achieve it. Occasionally, the albatross may become caught up in things it shouldn't when not seeing clearly enough.







13 May - 9 June
Dove

Peace-loving by nature, doves will bill and coo about things close to their heart. They enjoy a fulfilling love-life and rarely fail to satisfy. They are also patient, adaptable and personable. Their lack of aggression sometimes makes them the victim of more predatory characters.



10 June- 7 July
Eagle

A well-respected figure which has excellent visionary qualities. Eagles will truck no nonsense and will fix opponents with a powerful stare. They have the power to rise above the trivial aspects of humanity, and are highly talon-ted.



8 July- 4 August
Nightingale

More often heard before being seen, nightingales always have something to say for themselves. They are however very much in tune with their partners. Their unimpressive exterior hides a personality that is just waiting to burst out.



5 August - 1 Sept
Kingfisher

Another flamboyant and colourful character that is always exciting to encounter. They rush around at great speed and have a close spiritual affinity with water. They have a sharp and perceptive head on them, but can make them impetuous enough to dive in where others would fear to go.



2 Sept - 29 Sept
Swan

The swan is a complex character. While appearing on the surface as a calm and relaxed individual, underneath they are working hard to keep up with the pace of modern life. If provoked their natural graceful demeanour can give way to a violent temper which puts them in a flap. They are definitely someone to have on your side.

30 Sept - 27 Oct
Woodpecker

A tough, hard-working character with plenty of stamina. Has no problem drumming up support for their ideas, no matter how wacky they seem. With a lateral-thinking mind they are skilled at dissecting problems and seeing the wood for the trees. However, with their noisy and exuberant lifestyle, you might not want to have one as a neighbour.

28 Oct - 24 Nov
Kestrel

A sharp brain helps kestrel people hover from one subject to another without losing concentration. They focus on their life's goal with a single-minded focus, not flustered by what is going on around them. A confidence in their own ability helps them to soar to heights others may only dream of.

25 Nov - 23 Dec
Raven

Always impressive, raven people are a tower of strength. They are more intelligent than their peers and are adept problem-solvers. They enjoy challenges are stimulated by wild and exposed places.


24 Dec - 20 Jan
Heron

Heron people are deceptive. Although they may be solitary individuals for much of the time, they nevertheless have a need to settle in busy communities where they know everyone else. They may get bogged down as they wade the course of life, but have broad enough shoulders to cope with weighty issues. But their insecure nature often leads them to fish for compliments.

A Great Story

This is a really lovely story. Be warned though that you'll
need tissues, probably lots of them. Unfortunately, the source is unknown. Happy reading.


During the waning years of the depression in a small Idaho community, I used to stop by Mr. Miller's roadside stand for farm fresh produce as the season made it available. Food and money were still extremely scarce and bartering was used extensively.

One day Mr. Miller was bagging some early potatoes for me. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily appraising a basket of freshly picked green peas.

I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller and the ragged boy next to me.

"Hello Barry, how are you today?"

"H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas ... sure look good."

"They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?"

"Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time."

"Good. Anything I can help you with?"

"No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas."

"Would you like to take some home?"

"No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with."

"Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?"

"All I got's my prize marble here."

"Is that right? Let me see it."

"Here 'tis. She's a dandy."

"I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?"

"Not zackley ... but almost."

"Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble."

"Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller."

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, "There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, perhaps."

I left the stand smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had the occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there I learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his viewing that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them.

Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could. Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts ... all very professional looking.

They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and mentioned the story she had told me about the marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

"Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about.
They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim "traded" them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size ... they came to pay their debt."

"We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she confided, "but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho."

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

Moral: We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds.

Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.

Today ... I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ...

......... A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself
......... An unexpected phone call from an old friend
......... Green stoplights on your way to work
......... The fastest line at the grocery store
......... A good sing-along song on the radio
......... Your keys right where you left them

They say it takes a minute to find a special person,
An hour to appreciate them,
A day to love them,
But an entire life to forget them.

Wallpapers

Was doing housekeeping on my PC and chanced upon some
wallpapers. You may already have them in your system
but may not have noticed them. These are the few I like.

Azul

Ascent

Wind

Tulips

Ripple

Stonehenge















No idea why this is titled "Peace"















And this is "Power" (The fuschia gives it the oomph?!)















This is "Red Moon Desert"















Purple Flower (I like the purple against the aqua.)

His Royal Hugeness

Gotcha!!

I watched an episode of National Geographic in which they showed
giant frogs from South America and Africa. Apparently, frogs in
these two places are the largest in the world.

The episode showed a frog-leaping competition in the US. This is
an annual event and the frog that leaps the furthest is the winner.
And one of these gigantic darlings took part. No prizes for
guessing which frog won. However, the owners of the smaller frogs
were not too happy with the result and suggested that the big ones
should not be allowed to participate.

Frog legs, anyone?

The Stones rock China

SHANGHAI, April 8 — After nearly 30 years of trying, the world's most famous rock band finally made it to the world's largest country, as the Rolling Stones brought their show to a small stage in China's biggest city.

The concert on Saturday, a late addition to the band's Biggest Bang world tour, was the product of lengthy negotiations and numerous compromises: from the venue, a diminutive 8,000-seat indoor arena, to the songs allowed by Chinese censors.

The five songs that were reportedly banned were "Brown Sugar," "Beast of Burden," "Let's Spend the Night Together," "Honky Tonk Women" and "Rough Justice," a song from the Stones' new album. The first four were also left off the Chinese version of the band's greatest hits album when it was released here in 2003.

The sold-out performance on Saturday brought together cosmopolitan Shanghai at its richest, in more senses than one. With the cheapest seats going for about $40 — and most priced at 5 to 10 times more, well above monthly salaries for most people here —the cost ensured that well-heeled foreigners dominated the crowd.

Many people were displeased with the ticket prices, and the effect on the audience mix, nonetheless.

"It's actually tragic if you think about it: a foreign performance borrowing Chinese land, but Chinese people cannot come because of price or other issues," said Chu Meng, 23, who attended the concert. "It is ironic, I should say. I saw some foreigners cover themselves with the Chinese flag, and I don't feel comfortable about it."

Even if the Stones can't always sing what they want, they still bring high energy to the stage. This show was no exception, and they launched into it with brio, with the choice of songs like "Bitch," played early in the act, seemingly to make the point that censorship was pointless.

Truth be told, the group may have arrived here both far too soon and far too late. The Chinese government protects few things so zealously as culture, with one result being that few here knew anything about the group. And for many of those who are more familiar, an increasingly hard-to-impress niche of the population that is savvy in an up-to-the-minute way about Western culture in all its variety, the Rolling Stones are old hat.

"I've never listened to their songs," said Shen Yichen, a 16-year-old girl who was accompanied by her parents. "Maybe listening like this for the first time is more authentic."

Before the show, her father, equally unfamiliar with the music, downloaded a song. "I don't know what song it was," said the father, Shen Shiji, 46. "Maybe it was a song paying tribute to Dylan.

"I don't know if it's their lyrics that make people like them," he added, "but listening to the melody, it wasn't so beautiful."

A popular blogger here, Wang Xiaofeng, is typical of the group for whom the Stones are a relic of another era. "For most Chinese rock 'n' roll fans, the Rolling Stones are not even as attractive as a domestic pop singer, or the Super Girl contestants," he said, referring to a television show that resembled American Idol. "In the eyes of fans, the Rolling Stones have more meaning as a rock 'n' roll symbol than as a kind of music. They are as unfamiliar as they are familiar."

Source: NY Times

World Cup 2006

No wonder World Cup creates so much excitement!

How to Survive a Day at the Office

Thank God it's Friday!!

Life oh Life!

Regular naps prevent old age... especially if you take them while driving.

Having one child makes you a parent; having two you are a referee.

Marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right and
the other is husband !

I believe we should all pay our tax with a smile. I tried - but they
wanted cash

Don't feel bad. A lot of people have no talent.

Don't marry the person you want to live with, marry the one you
cannot live without,,, but whatever you do, you'll regret it later.

You can't buy love . . . but you pay heavily for it.

True friends stab you in the front.

Forgiveness is giving up my right to hate you for hurting me.

Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.

Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get
tired.

Marriage is give and take. You'd better give it to her or she'll take
it anyway.

My wife and I always compromise. I admit I'm wrong and she agrees
with me.

Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others.

Ladies first. Pretty ladies sooner.

It doesn't matter how often a married man changes his job, he still
ends up with the same boss.

Saving is the best thing. Especially when your parents have done it
for you.

Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools talk because
they have to say something.

They call our language the mother tongue because the father seldom
gets to speak.

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal, touted as one of the wonders of the world
and one of the most visited sites in the world.
It has also been said that it has perfect fengshui
being completely balanced in structure.

There is now another version of the story though not
as positive as we all know it to be.

Unfortunately, the source is unknown. Read it and
believe it or not as you will. Whatever, Taj Mahal
is still a dream destination for many of us.










For centuries, the Taj Mahal has inspired poets, painters and musicians to try and capture its elusive magic in word, colour and song. It is one of the most flawless architectural creations of the world. Since the 17th century, travellers have crossed continents to come and see this ultimate memorial to love, and few have been unmoved by its incomparable beauty.

Taj Mahal stands in the city of Agra, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of the Yamuna River. It was built in the memory of the beautiful Arjumand Bano Begum, who won the heart of a Mughal prince. She was married at 21 to Emperor Jahangir’s third son Prince Khurram and stayed loyally by his side through good times and bad: in the luxurious royal palaces of Agra as well as the transient tents of war camps.

In AD 1628, Khurram became king after a bloody battle of succession: he took the name! Shahjahan or “King of the World” and showered his beloved begum with the highest titles. She became Mumtaz Mahal, the exalted of the palace and Mumtaz-ul-Zamani, the exalted of the Age. But Mumtaz Mahal was not destined to be queen for long.

In 1631, Shahjahan went on an expedition to the south and, as always, Mumtaz Mahal accompanied him. But she died in childbirth at Burhanpur. She had borne Shahjahan fourteen children, of whom four sons and three daughters survived. When Mumtaz Mahal died, she was just 39 years old. Shahjahan was inconsolable and contemporary chronicles tell of the royal court mourning for two years. there was no music, no feasting, and no celebration of any kind.

Epitome Of Love -Taj Mahal
Shahjahan, who was a passionate builder, now decided to erect a memorial to his queen in pristine marble that the world would never forget. The site selected for the tomb was a garden by the Yamuna river, unshadowed by any other structure. The garden had been laid by Raja Man Singh of Amber and now belonged to his grndson, Raja Jai Singh. By a royal firman, Shahjahan gave Jai Singh four havelis in exchange for the garden. The site was also chosen because it was located on a bend in the river, and so could be seen from Shahjahan’s personal palace in Agra Fort, further upstream.

Construction Of The Mausoleum - Taj Mahal
Work on the mausoleum! began in 1633 and 20,000 workers laboured for 17 years to build it. The most skilled architects, inlay craftsmen, calligraphers, stone-carvers and masons came from all across Indian and lands as distant as Persia and Turkey. The master mason was from Baghdab, an expert in building the double dome from Persia, and an inlay specialist from Delhi.

Yemen sent agates, the corals came from Arabia, the garnets from Bundelkhand, onyx and amethyst from Persia. Mumtaz Mahal’s final resting-place was ornamented like a queen’s jewel-box.

(Compiled by Jaya Prakash Rao)

*********************************************************

This is the other version though the source is unknown.

The Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his wife
Mumtaz Mahal built the Taj Mahal. It was built in 22 years
(1631 to 1653)by 20,000 artisans brought to India from all
over the world. Many people believe Ustad Isa of Iran
designed it.

This is what your guide probably told you if you ever
visited the Taj Mahal. This is the story I read in my
history book as a student in India. No one has ever
challenged it except Professor P.N.Oak, who believes
that the whole world has been duped. In his book
"Taj Mahal: The True Story", Oak says the Taj Mahal
is not Queen Mumtaz Mahal's tomb but an ancient Hindu
temple palace of Lord Shiva (then known as Tejo Mahalaya).

In the course of his research, Oak discovered the
Shiva temple palace was usurped by Shah Jahan from then
Maharaja of Jipur, Jai Singh. Shah Jahan then remodeled
the palace into his wife's memorial. In his own court
chronicle, Badshahnama, Shah Jahan admits that an
exceptionally beautiful grand mansion in Agra was taken
from Jai Singh for Mumtaz's burial. The ex-Maharaja of
Jaipur still retains in his secret collection two orders
from Shah Jahan for surrendering the Taj building.

Using captured temples and mansions, as a burial place
for dead courtiers and royalty was a common practice
among Muslim rulers. For example, Humayun, Akbar,
Etmud-ud-Daula and Safdarjung are all buried in such
mansions. Oak's inquiries begin with the name Taj Mahal.
He says this term does not occur in any Moghul court
papers or chronicles, even after ShahJahan's time.
The term "Mahal" has never been used for a building
in any of the Muslim countries, from Afghanistan to
Algeria.

"The unusual explanation that the term Taj Mahal derives
from Mumtaz Mahal is illogical in at least two respects.
First, her name was never Mumtaz Mahal but Mumtaz-ul-Zamani,"
he writes.

"Second, one cannot omit the first three letters 'Mum'
from a woman's name to derive the remainder as the name
for the building." Taj Mahal, he claims, is a corrupt
version of Tejo-Mahalaya, or the Shiva's Palace. Oak also
says the love story of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan is a fairy
tale created by court sycophants, blundering historians
and sloppy archaeologists. Not a single royal chronicle
of Shah Jahan's time corroborates the love story.

Furthermore, Oak cites several documents suggesting the
Taj Mahal predates Shah Jahan's era, and was a temple
palace dedicated to Shiva worshipped by the Rajputs of
Agra city. For example, Professor Marvin Miller of
New York took a few samples from the riverside doorway
of the Taj. Carbon dating tests revealed that the
door was 300 years older than Shah Jahan. European
traveler Johan Albert Mandelslo, who visited Agra in
1638 (only seven years after Mumtaz's death), describes
the life of the city in his memoirs. But he makes no
reference to the Taj Mahal being built. The writings
of Peter Mundy, an English visitor to Agra within a year
of Mumtaz's death, also suggest the Taj was a noteworthy
building long well before Shah Jahan's time.

Oak points out a number of design and architectural
inconsistencies that support the belief of the Taj Mahal
being a typical Hindu temple rather than a mausoleum.

Many rooms in the Taj Mahal have remained sealed since
Shah Jahan's time,and are still inaccessible to the public.
Oak asserts they contain a headless statue of Shiva and
other objects commonly used for worship rituals in Hindu
temples.

Fearing political backlash, Indira Gandhi's government
tried to have Oak's book withdrawn from the bookstores,
and threatened the Indian publisher of the first edition
with dire consequences.

There is only one way to discredit or validate Oak's
research. The current Indian government should open the
sealed rooms of the Taj Mahal under UN supervision, and
let international experts investigate.

Asian stocks soar

"Asian stocks soar" - Yes, this is
the headline in The Star today. Are you along for the ride?

KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) rose to its highest level in nearly eight months with trading volume hitting a new record at over two billion shares, as optimism over further gains by Asian currencies and an improved economic outlook in the region lifted most stock markets on the continent.

Asian markets, which climbed to 16-year highs, were aided by continued gains in their currencies that were led by the Chinese yuan, which hit a new post-revaluation high.

More...(The Star)

Chill Out

More Engrish

Have you ever been so aggravated that you wished you could
do this?



I almost lost my cool yesterday but figured it wasn't
worth it and some kind Samaritan sensing that I needed
a diversion sent me these. Let's enjoy another round
of Engrish! You can refer to the earlier round here.



The fine print reads: We are thinking much about human body. Enjoy promoting your health with our healthy goods.



The top line says "PLEASE PUT IT ON YOUR BUST"
while the line at the bottom says "FOR SWIMMING, DANCING AND
T-SHIRT TIME"





For more Engrish, pls visit www.engrish.com

The "$20.00 Bill" lesson

I'm sure many of you might have read this. No matter,
sometimes we just need to be reminded!

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up
a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he asked,
"Who would like this $20 bill?"

Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20
to one of you but first, let me do this.

He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill. He then
asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in
the air. Well, he replied, "What if I do this?"

And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it
into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now
crumpled and dirty.

"Now, who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.

My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson.
No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it
because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.

Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and
ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the
circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are
worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will
happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean,
crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to
those who DO LOVE you.

The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we
know, but by WHO WE ARE.

You are special - Don't EVER forget it."

If you do not pass this on, you may never know the lives
it touches, the hurting hearts it speaks to, or the hope
that it can bring.

Count your blessings, not your problems.
And remember: amateurs built the ark, professionals built
the Titanic.

Women, the Fairer Gender?

No wonder they say things come in waves and nothing happens
by chance. I just put up that post on women ruling the world
and then received these two articles - about women again.
If nothing else, they're good for a laugh. Enjoy!


The Modern Daughter-in-law

It is a myth that when a son gets married and a new daughter-
in-law arrives in the family, everything changes. Some
daughters-in-law are well-trained and well-mannered. They
don't come to change the family but they are here to.........

The new wife was being welcomed at the husband's home in a
traditional manner. As expected she gave a speech:

My dear family, I thank you for welcoming me into my new
home and family", she said,

"Firstly, my being here does not mean that I would want
to change your way of life or your routine. No, I will
never do that, never in a million years".

"What do you mean my child?", asked the father-in-law.

"What I mean dad is (looking at her father-in-law):

Those who used to wash dishes must carry on washing them.
Those who used to do the laundry must carry on doing it.
Those who cooked shouldn't stop at my account, and
Those who used to Clean should continue cleaning".

"Then what are you here for?", asked the mother-in-law.

"As for me, my job is to only entertain your son!"


And this:
To All Princesses:

This is the fairy tale that we should have been reading
as little girls!

Once upon a time, in a land far away, a beautiful,
independent, self-assured princess happened upon a frog
as she sat, contemplating ecological issues on the shores
of an unpolluted pond in a verdant meadow near her castle.

The frog hopped into the princess' lap and said:
"Elegant Lady, I was once a handsome prince, until an evil
witch cast a spell upon me. One kiss from you, however,
and I will turn back into the dapper, young prince that
I am and then, my sweet, we can marry and set up house-
keeping in your castle with my mother, where you can
prepare my meals, clean my clothes, bear my children,
and forever feel grateful and happy doing so."

That night, as the princess dined sumptuously on lightly
sautéed frog legs seasoned in a white wine and onion cream
sauce, she chuckled and thought to herself:
"I don't freakin' think so!"

If Women Ruled the World

I wonder if it's true what they say about an inclination
to pick out things in blue if the baby a woman is carrying
is a boy and pink stuff if it's a girl.

I went shopping with a girlfriend the other day and was like
"what's with all the pink stuff"? She bought everything in
shades of pink - pink baby clothes, pink milk bottles, pink
nipples or is it teats - geez, I don't know - pink bed linen,
like pink everything she bought that day. Even the maternity
dresses she picked out are pink. Isn't that carrying it to
the extreme I asked. Perhaps she's having a baby girl?

Can you imagine if women ruled the world? What do you think
would be the dominant colour? No prize for guessing it right.
Imagine the world as thus:









Oh no...............