Yesterday,Today, after eating way too much food and while watching a million ads on TV, I started thinking about who is Xmas really for.
Is it for all kids? Is it for us the grown ups? Or for the big corporations who started trying to sell us things we don't really need, months before Xmas.
I say this every year, but this really is the last time we are stay home for Xmas.
I'm fed up with the songs and Xmas lights.
Most of my friends don't go to Church. I very much doubt that in this time and age people even bother with religion in their everyday lifes.
So why all the spending?
Next year, with all the money I usually spend on useless presents, I'll buy air tickets to a needy country and volunteer to help children or something.
Saturday, 26 December 2009
Friday, 18 December 2009
Avatar Review
The 3D effect will escort you in the jungle and you would be able to see characters face by face on corridors. There are humanoid alien characters like Na'vi, which has big catlike eyes that looks perfect on their tall blue bodies. Script is full of twists and turns. Here you can have summay of the movie.
In a way, the story is no different from what locals may feel in any part of the world when outsiders make an attempt to make inroads into their land to gain hold of their resources. This is what happens to Na'vis as well when their peaceful existence is challenged with American troops entering their world to gain hold of precious minerals worth billions.
The Details: Normally in a film like this, you can see a few mistakes here and there, but I didn't catch any. From Sam Worthington's tiny legs to the computers within the scenes every detail was thought out and used as a part of the environment. The best thing that Cameron did was allow for all his hard work to be incorporated into the wide shots without saying "hey look at this."
In allowing everything to be part of a greater whole, Cameron truly created a world of his own, which makes you truly feel as if you've been transported into a new world while watching the film.
The Acting: To both the actors and director's credit, the performances came through extremely well. It's amazing how much of the actors emotions you could see through their Avatar characters. Zoe Saldana gave an especially emotional and strong performance, and you never even saw her real face.
The story conveys that Cameron is a big fan of Bollywood films from the 60s and the 70s. Just like his last effort "Titanic" which was as Bollywood as it gets, even "Avatar" has quite a few Hindi film references if one starts plotting them on paper.
After watching "Avatar", the question of paramount importance iswhat does one pick and what is it that should be left behind the experience that goes by the name of "Avatar"?
Jake Sully's out of body experience is simply another extension of this interconnectivity, as if roleplaying games might one day lead to a profound philosophical empathy, a higher human consciousness.
Subtlety is not high on Cameron's agenda, and however many Academy Awards it may pick up, best screenplay seems like a long shot.
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Monday, 14 December 2009
Minister Berlusconi - 13/12/2009
Silvio Berlusconi - the Italian Prime Minister will stay in a hospital for observation overnight after being attacked at a campaign rally in Milan, a spokesman said Sunday.
Milan police were questioning a mental illness man who has the connection with the attack, which left the Berlusconi (73) bleeding profusely from his left upper lip and cheek. Silvio Berlusconi - the Italian Prime Minister underwent a CAT scan at Milan's San Raffaele Hospital, and his personal physician, Alberto Sangrillon, recommended more tests be done, Berlusconi spokesman Paolo Buonaiuti told CNN.
The conservative media-mogul-turned-politician has been dogged by allegations of corruption and is in the middle of a messy divorce from his second wife. He was in Milan, his hometown and political base, to stump for a local political ally.
Milan police said Berlusconi's attacker hit him with a not big, metal souvenir replica of the Doumo di Milano, the city's central cathedral, but it was not immediately clear whether the man swung at Silvio Berlusconi - the Italian Prime Minister with the object in his hand or threw it at him.
Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that Berlusconi continued to shake hands with supporters for "a couple of minutes" after being hit.
"He remained calm and leaned out the window as he was being driven to the hospital and waved to the crowd," La Russa said.
Buonaiuti said there was "a lot of confusion" surrounding the onslaught, but he put some of the blame on Berlusconi's critics.
"What I can tell you is that there has been such a buildup of hatred toward the premier, and this is not good," Buonaiuti said. "This campaign of hatred has been building quite rapidly recently, and I am not surprised that what happened tonight took place."
Berlusconi remains popular between the Italian public, however, with his confirmation ratings remaining well over 50 percent. He won a third term in 2008, and his conservative coalition has control of both the Italian Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.
source: cnn berlusconi bloomberg
Milan police were questioning a mental illness man who has the connection with the attack, which left the Berlusconi (73) bleeding profusely from his left upper lip and cheek. Silvio Berlusconi - the Italian Prime Minister underwent a CAT scan at Milan's San Raffaele Hospital, and his personal physician, Alberto Sangrillon, recommended more tests be done, Berlusconi spokesman Paolo Buonaiuti told CNN.
The conservative media-mogul-turned-politician has been dogged by allegations of corruption and is in the middle of a messy divorce from his second wife. He was in Milan, his hometown and political base, to stump for a local political ally.
Milan police said Berlusconi's attacker hit him with a not big, metal souvenir replica of the Doumo di Milano, the city's central cathedral, but it was not immediately clear whether the man swung at Silvio Berlusconi - the Italian Prime Minister with the object in his hand or threw it at him.
Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that Berlusconi continued to shake hands with supporters for "a couple of minutes" after being hit.
"He remained calm and leaned out the window as he was being driven to the hospital and waved to the crowd," La Russa said.
Buonaiuti said there was "a lot of confusion" surrounding the onslaught, but he put some of the blame on Berlusconi's critics.
"What I can tell you is that there has been such a buildup of hatred toward the premier, and this is not good," Buonaiuti said. "This campaign of hatred has been building quite rapidly recently, and I am not surprised that what happened tonight took place."
Berlusconi remains popular between the Italian public, however, with his confirmation ratings remaining well over 50 percent. He won a third term in 2008, and his conservative coalition has control of both the Italian Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.
source: cnn berlusconi bloomberg
Sunday, 13 December 2009
Triathlon Off Season training
Triathlon training during the Off-Season
I found this article
Triathlon Off Season Training
Don't you think good points are made there
I couldn't have said it better myself. Some triathlets take themselves too seriously and count
every mile or calorie.
Good training really does mean fun. I can't imagine going to the gym constantly and worrying about precisely what I need to do.
Training for a triathlon is not easy at the best of times, so October - February really is the time to have fun.
I'm not the only one thinking that tri is just a very lonely sport.
Possibly its a good idea to find a tri friend for those long runs.
There was this in the news:
The old feet are walking models – built for stability, not speed or grace. The fact that he has managed to run, even race, on them is testament to what others describe as extraordinary mental toughness.
Called It's Go Time Events Inc., the new nonprofit made its first mission to pay for those expensive carbon-fiber feet.
His parents decided to have the malformed legs amputated before his first birthday so that their son could be fitted with prostheses.
I found this article
Triathlon Off Season Training
Don't you think good points are made there
I couldn't have said it better myself. Some triathlets take themselves too seriously and count
every mile or calorie.
Good training really does mean fun. I can't imagine going to the gym constantly and worrying about precisely what I need to do.
Training for a triathlon is not easy at the best of times, so October - February really is the time to have fun.
I'm not the only one thinking that tri is just a very lonely sport.
Possibly its a good idea to find a tri friend for those long runs.
There was this in the news:
The old feet are walking models – built for stability, not speed or grace. The fact that he has managed to run, even race, on them is testament to what others describe as extraordinary mental toughness.
Called It's Go Time Events Inc., the new nonprofit made its first mission to pay for those expensive carbon-fiber feet.
His parents decided to have the malformed legs amputated before his first birthday so that their son could be fitted with prostheses.
Sunday, 6 December 2009
When people should not ask me for this
A buddy of mine asked for a huge favour yesterday. He intended to come and live at my place for longer than a month.
Although I thought I would help him out, I couldn't do it. It is not just me anymore, its US and I must put our feelings first.
The shocking reality is he did the exact same thing last year as well. Same situation (no money, no job) and we took him in. Not only does he have a pit bull, but he is also impossible person to share a flat with.
At the end even his girlfriend came to stay for a while. Never asked if it is ok with us, never thanked us and just left one night.
So this time I had to say no. I despised the fact that I was forced to do it but it would have been awful to put myself and my girlfriend through this hell again.
It was the right thing to do but I still feel bad about it. Thinking of him sleeping in his car with his dog...not good
But since I have already helped him once, he has no right to ask me again and put me in such a difficult situation. No one should be put through this!
Its one thing to help people and another to be taken for a ride. Hell, I moved to another country to get away from people trying to use me.
There are times when people should just know and not ask for favours!
I'm quite capable of ruining my life without someone else's help
Although I thought I would help him out, I couldn't do it. It is not just me anymore, its US and I must put our feelings first.
The shocking reality is he did the exact same thing last year as well. Same situation (no money, no job) and we took him in. Not only does he have a pit bull, but he is also impossible person to share a flat with.
At the end even his girlfriend came to stay for a while. Never asked if it is ok with us, never thanked us and just left one night.
So this time I had to say no. I despised the fact that I was forced to do it but it would have been awful to put myself and my girlfriend through this hell again.
It was the right thing to do but I still feel bad about it. Thinking of him sleeping in his car with his dog...not good
But since I have already helped him once, he has no right to ask me again and put me in such a difficult situation. No one should be put through this!
Its one thing to help people and another to be taken for a ride. Hell, I moved to another country to get away from people trying to use me.
There are times when people should just know and not ask for favours!
I'm quite capable of ruining my life without someone else's help
Thursday, 3 December 2009
Early Dec. - holiday season again
Middle of the week already
Can't say I'm totally surprised by how fast time has passed recently.
Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday....
Next thing I know and it will be Christmas, New Year... Time for New Year resolutions...
The holiday season is not my favourite part of the year by far.
2009 has actually been awful. Can't wait to see 2010.
Must go shopping for Christmas presents this weekend
Can't say I'm totally surprised by how fast time has passed recently.
Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday....
Next thing I know and it will be Christmas, New Year... Time for New Year resolutions...
The holiday season is not my favourite part of the year by far.
2009 has actually been awful. Can't wait to see 2010.
Must go shopping for Christmas presents this weekend
Friday, 20 November 2009
Dave - Charlie, each to his own
Wannstead - Weis done and dusted
This week, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis squared off against a common foe: Dave Wannstedt of Pittsburgh.
After failed stints as an NFL head coach with the Bears and Dolphins, he had nowhere else to go.
Charlie Weis also began his Notre Dame coaching career about four and a half years ago, but the circumstances were a little bit better.
In the fall of 2005, Weis and Wannstedt actually began their college head-coaching careers against each other.
But times have changed and these two coaches find themselves moving in opposite directions.
But then something strange happened: Pitt pulled it together and eked out a victory.. What do Florida Fans think about that.
Watching this game, it sure seemed like a changing of the guard between two former AFC East coaches..
Good luck to them both.
What we learned
1. Dave Wannstedt's teams are now capable of winning close games.
2. Rutgers has improved mightily since the beginning of the season.
3. Syracuse has not improved and is still the worst team in the Big East.
This week, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis squared off against a common foe: Dave Wannstedt of Pittsburgh.
After failed stints as an NFL head coach with the Bears and Dolphins, he had nowhere else to go.
Charlie Weis also began his Notre Dame coaching career about four and a half years ago, but the circumstances were a little bit better.
In the fall of 2005, Weis and Wannstedt actually began their college head-coaching careers against each other.
But times have changed and these two coaches find themselves moving in opposite directions.
But then something strange happened: Pitt pulled it together and eked out a victory.. What do Florida Fans think about that.
Watching this game, it sure seemed like a changing of the guard between two former AFC East coaches..
Good luck to them both.
What we learned
1. Dave Wannstedt's teams are now capable of winning close games.
2. Rutgers has improved mightily since the beginning of the season.
3. Syracuse has not improved and is still the worst team in the Big East.
Thursday, 19 November 2009
The Great American Smoke out Day 2009
Reed says in years past it has whenever been a day where people quit smoking for a day but this year he says they are asking smokers to use today to set a date when they will quit smoking.
Reed says you should tell mates and family that the day you have chosen and call the quit line to get the entire the resources together you need to quit smoking. Reed says Iowa has create excellent strides in cutting the number of smokers with something like the state smoking prohibit.
s a 17-year smoker, Joe felt like he had tried everything to smash the smoking habit. He had even tried diverse types of hypnosis going to a group hypnosis conference in the hope it would help him quit smoking but nothing had worked.
Stewart said she comprehend the impacts of smoking better than some of her friends her grandmother is fighting lung cancer.
The posters are judged by a group of community members, with 4 selected to be showed on billboards, thanks to a grant from the state Office of Public Instruction.
A lots of us have a cronie or family fellow who smokes, and the Great American Smokeout is ever a good time to stimulate them to quit smoking. Your affective support and reassurance can make the distinction:
Research has displayed that support from loved ones is essential for everybody who wants to quit smoking. resource
Reed says you should tell mates and family that the day you have chosen and call the quit line to get the entire the resources together you need to quit smoking. Reed says Iowa has create excellent strides in cutting the number of smokers with something like the state smoking prohibit.
s a 17-year smoker, Joe felt like he had tried everything to smash the smoking habit. He had even tried diverse types of hypnosis going to a group hypnosis conference in the hope it would help him quit smoking but nothing had worked.
Stewart said she comprehend the impacts of smoking better than some of her friends her grandmother is fighting lung cancer.
The posters are judged by a group of community members, with 4 selected to be showed on billboards, thanks to a grant from the state Office of Public Instruction.
A lots of us have a cronie or family fellow who smokes, and the Great American Smokeout is ever a good time to stimulate them to quit smoking. Your affective support and reassurance can make the distinction:
Research has displayed that support from loved ones is essential for everybody who wants to quit smoking. resource
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
The guys can be in Florida this weekend.
The guys dispise FL.
Anything interesting happening there?News from florida:
Florida No Fault {closes Tampa offices and others in state|closes five Tampa stores amid fraud investigation.
Insurance companies are not required to notify the state or customers unless they plan to completely cease writing policies or drop at least 1,000 policies. Notification is not required to close offices.
FL No Fault
The following stores in Tampa have been temporarily closed:
* 6821 West Hillsborough Ave, Suite 15
* 9017 East Adamo Drive, Suite 113
* 152 South Dale Mabry Highway
* 11719 North Dale Mabry Highway
* 9340 North Florida Ave., Suite B
"The companies are working aggressively to address these issues and minimize the negative effect on customers and business."
"People are even coming in to our store asking us if we know what happened, but we really have no idea what happened," Shephard said. "They were here Thursday night and gone Friday morning."
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/nov/06/wp-florida-no-fault-closes-offices-around-state/
She declined details, but said the company is experiencing "extraordinary levels of losses," and is cooperating with a criminal investigation.
The news frustrated customers, particularly because they were not notified of the changes.
Helen Barja, a No-Fault customer for seven years, said the company has not notified her, and she was worried her policy would expire.
Anything interesting happening there?News from florida:
Florida No Fault {closes Tampa offices and others in state|closes five Tampa stores amid fraud investigation.
Insurance companies are not required to notify the state or customers unless they plan to completely cease writing policies or drop at least 1,000 policies. Notification is not required to close offices.
FL No Fault
The following stores in Tampa have been temporarily closed:
* 6821 West Hillsborough Ave, Suite 15
* 9017 East Adamo Drive, Suite 113
* 152 South Dale Mabry Highway
* 11719 North Dale Mabry Highway
* 9340 North Florida Ave., Suite B
"The companies are working aggressively to address these issues and minimize the negative effect on customers and business."
"People are even coming in to our store asking us if we know what happened, but we really have no idea what happened," Shephard said. "They were here Thursday night and gone Friday morning."
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/nov/06/wp-florida-no-fault-closes-offices-around-state/
She declined details, but said the company is experiencing "extraordinary levels of losses," and is cooperating with a criminal investigation.
The news frustrated customers, particularly because they were not notified of the changes.
Helen Barja, a No-Fault customer for seven years, said the company has not notified her, and she was worried her policy would expire.
Monday, 16 November 2009
NASA’s Shuttle Atlantis Prepared for Launch in Florida
NASA readies space shuttle Atlantis for launch
The US space agency was readying the space shuttle Atlantis and its crew of seven astronauts for a Monday launch to deliver a load of spare parts to the International Space Station (ISS).
NASA’s space shuttle “Atlantis” stands on Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida on November 15, 2009. Who doesn't want to be in Florida To see this.
Chief launch meteorologist Kathy Winters also confirmed that "weather should be very good" at Kennedy Space Center on Monday, and said there was just a ten-percent chance of weather prohibiting the launch. Does anybody know how many shuttles have been launched from Florida
he rocket is Ares I-X — a suborbital prototype for the Ares I rocket NASA plans to use to launch its shuttle successor, the Orion spacecraft. Currently the world's tallest booster, the Ares I-X rolled out to the launch pad early Tuesday and is slated to blast off Oct. 27 at 8 a.m. EDT (1200 GMT) on a short demonstration flight.
The $445 million rocket's rollout comes on the eve of a final report from an independent committee appointed by the White House to review NASA's plans for future human spaceflight.. Here is something new I learned about Florida
The Ares I-X is not a full Ares I rocket. Its first stage is a four-segment solid rocket booster — repurposed from the shuttle fleet's inventory — capped with a dummy fifth segment. The thicker second stage, Orion crew capsule and launch abort system are also all mock-ups built to simulate the size and mass of the real thing.
The US space agency was readying the space shuttle Atlantis and its crew of seven astronauts for a Monday launch to deliver a load of spare parts to the International Space Station (ISS).
NASA’s space shuttle “Atlantis” stands on Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida on November 15, 2009. Who doesn't want to be in Florida To see this.
Chief launch meteorologist Kathy Winters also confirmed that "weather should be very good" at Kennedy Space Center on Monday, and said there was just a ten-percent chance of weather prohibiting the launch. Does anybody know how many shuttles have been launched from Florida
he rocket is Ares I-X — a suborbital prototype for the Ares I rocket NASA plans to use to launch its shuttle successor, the Orion spacecraft. Currently the world's tallest booster, the Ares I-X rolled out to the launch pad early Tuesday and is slated to blast off Oct. 27 at 8 a.m. EDT (1200 GMT) on a short demonstration flight.
The $445 million rocket's rollout comes on the eve of a final report from an independent committee appointed by the White House to review NASA's plans for future human spaceflight.. Here is something new I learned about Florida
The Ares I-X is not a full Ares I rocket. Its first stage is a four-segment solid rocket booster — repurposed from the shuttle fleet's inventory — capped with a dummy fifth segment. The thicker second stage, Orion crew capsule and launch abort system are also all mock-ups built to simulate the size and mass of the real thing.
Sunday, 15 November 2009
California Financial News 14/11/09
Budget cuts will cripple state of California colleges and universities
From the 1960s to the 1990s the instruction system in California was 2nd to none. Population flocked to this spectacular state so that their young people not only had approach to the K-12 system, but to a social university system that rivals the Ivy League.
The University of California system is a big player in the world of secondary education; however, with the fresh budget cuts – and the schemes for more – that may all be shifting. This is a contortion and will only work to tip the scales in the not right direction.
California's public pensions need reform
Lawyer of overhauling California's troubled pension system for public workman could not have chosen a more providential moment to launch their reform campaign.
The enormous California Public Employees' Retirement System is in deep financial doo-doo, having lost tens of billions of dollars in frequently-theoretical investments, and is telling state and local officials it will need more "contributions." In the interim, investigations are under way into multimillion-dollar payments to placement agents who arranged some investments.
State Finance Directors Warn of More Cruxes Ahead
Short-term budget gaps have knocked about conditions as revenues plummeted through the recession. Aided by about $250 billion in funds from the stimulus package expected through the end of next year, conditions governed to close the gaps this year. But a couple of finance directors, talking at a Pew Center on the States event in Washington, were pessimistic about their conditions' following across financial 2011
From the 1960s to the 1990s the instruction system in California was 2nd to none. Population flocked to this spectacular state so that their young people not only had approach to the K-12 system, but to a social university system that rivals the Ivy League.
The University of California system is a big player in the world of secondary education; however, with the fresh budget cuts – and the schemes for more – that may all be shifting. This is a contortion and will only work to tip the scales in the not right direction.
California's public pensions need reform
Lawyer of overhauling California's troubled pension system for public workman could not have chosen a more providential moment to launch their reform campaign.
The enormous California Public Employees' Retirement System is in deep financial doo-doo, having lost tens of billions of dollars in frequently-theoretical investments, and is telling state and local officials it will need more "contributions." In the interim, investigations are under way into multimillion-dollar payments to placement agents who arranged some investments.
State Finance Directors Warn of More Cruxes Ahead
Short-term budget gaps have knocked about conditions as revenues plummeted through the recession. Aided by about $250 billion in funds from the stimulus package expected through the end of next year, conditions governed to close the gaps this year. But a couple of finance directors, talking at a Pew Center on the States event in Washington, were pessimistic about their conditions' following across financial 2011
Friday, 13 November 2009
Taylor Swift Country Music Association Awards
On Wednesday evening, Swift stormed the Country Music Association Awards 2009 and took home whole four prizes for which Swift was nominated, including the much-coveted Entertainer of the Year trophy. Atlanta car insurance
While it seemed like a corroborant of Swift's success from the country music establishment, not everybody was pleased with the 19-year-old's victory. Country music legend Wynonna Judd spoke out against Swift's victory, though she reversed her position on Thursday.
During an interview on the show's red carpet Wednesday night, Wynonna Judd was asked what advice she would give to Swift. "You want my loyal comment? It's too much too soon," Wynonna said, according to USAToday.com. "Time is God's way of keeping all from happening at once. It's just too much of a good thing too soon. Mom and I rode in a vehicle for the 1st year of our career to visit radio stations. There was a making of the star, there was a rising-up, and the fans went with us. Now it's over coffee breaks, the success, almost."
But on Thursday, Judd clarified her stance on the message board of her official Web site. "I understand that my comment about Taylor Swift's Entertainer of the Year nomination came across as a negative statement," Wynonna wrote. "My intent was not to take anything away from her talent and contributions to the country music industry, all of which are truly unprecedented for an artist of any age. Taylor is a beautiful, hard-working young woman that deserves the success she has had and I support her as an artist and as a woman in the business."
mtv.com
While it seemed like a corroborant of Swift's success from the country music establishment, not everybody was pleased with the 19-year-old's victory. Country music legend Wynonna Judd spoke out against Swift's victory, though she reversed her position on Thursday.
During an interview on the show's red carpet Wednesday night, Wynonna Judd was asked what advice she would give to Swift. "You want my loyal comment? It's too much too soon," Wynonna said, according to USAToday.com. "Time is God's way of keeping all from happening at once. It's just too much of a good thing too soon. Mom and I rode in a vehicle for the 1st year of our career to visit radio stations. There was a making of the star, there was a rising-up, and the fans went with us. Now it's over coffee breaks, the success, almost."
But on Thursday, Judd clarified her stance on the message board of her official Web site. "I understand that my comment about Taylor Swift's Entertainer of the Year nomination came across as a negative statement," Wynonna wrote. "My intent was not to take anything away from her talent and contributions to the country music industry, all of which are truly unprecedented for an artist of any age. Taylor is a beautiful, hard-working young woman that deserves the success she has had and I support her as an artist and as a woman in the business."
mtv.com
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