2009 Contract

2009 Contract

After serious & cautious consideration . . .

Your contract of friendship

has been renewed for the New Year 2009!

It was a very hard decision to make

SO TRY NOT TO SCREW IT UP!!!

My Wish for You in 2009 ...

May peace break into your house and

may thieves come to steal your debts.

May love stick to your face like Vaseline

and may laughter assault your lips!

May your clothes smell of success

like smoking tires

and may happiness slap you

across the face

and may your tears be that of joy.

May the problems you had

forget your home address!

In simple words ...

May 2009 be the

BEST year of your life!!!

Women's real desire : Afterplay

Forget foreplay, it's what comes after sex that matters most to women.
A survey of more than 5,600 women in Japan shows almost half (49 per cent) want a longer continuation of intimate interactions with their partner after sex.
This compares to 44 per cent who said they wanted longer foreplay and the 38 per cent of women who said they wanted longer actual intercourse.
The survey also quizzed the women on how open they were with their partner about sex, and 38.8 per cent said they had never discussed their favourite sex practises with their partner.
"Women consider longer foreplay and after play to be more important," the study, published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, concludes.
"Suggesting women would benefit by being more forthright in expressing their sexual desires to their partners."
More than 30 per cent of the women also rated their partners performance in bed as either "very selfish" (6.9 per cent), or "selfish" (25.5 per cent).
The survey results were released at the European and International Societies for Sexual Medicine, which is underway in Brussels

Actor slahses throat in knife prop drama

An actor has almost died after slashing his throat on stage with a real knife instead of a blunt prop knife.
Actor Daniel Hoevels collapsed at Vienna's Burgtheater in Austria with blood pouring from his neck, and the audience even started applauding the spectacular special effects, London's Telegraph said.
It was only when the 30-year-old failed to get up to take a bow that they realised something was wrong, it said.
Hoevels's character was to commit suicide in the drama, a scene that was to be acted out with a blunt stage weapon.
But he'd been given a real blade instead, the Telegraph said.
Police were investigating the incident as a possible murder attempt, and would not rule out the possibility a jealous rival may have switched the blades.
Police were told the knife was bought at a local store, and were investigating whether props staff forgot to blunt the blade for the performance of Friedrich Schiller's play Mary Stuart, about Mary Queen of Scots, the Telegraph said.
"The knife even still had the price tag on it," a police investigator said.
The actor had emergency treatment at a local hospital.
"If Hoevels had hit an artery or cut only slightly deeper, he would have died on stage," a doctor said.
Remarkably, Hoevels returned to the stage the next night with a bandage around his neck.

Alcohoroscope

If you have finished relating your birth signs to ANIMALS, BIRDS, FRUITS, COLORS, NUMBERS and what not, here is something to mull on!!!
Happy Reading!!

BASED ON YOUR SUNSIGNS YOUR EXPECTED BEHAVIOUR AFTER YOU GET DRUNK!!
ARIES : Drinking style Impulsive Aries people like to party and sometimes don't know when to call it a night. Their competitive streak makes them prone to closing-time shot contests. They're sloppy, fun drunks, and they get mighty flirty after a couple tipples. Getting Aries people drunk I saw good way to get what you want out of them, should other methods fail. Aries can become bellicose when blotto, but they will assume that whatever happened should be forgiven (if not forgotten) by sunrise. They can be counted on to do the same for you -- so long as you haven't gone and done anything really horrible to them last night, you sneaky Gemini.
TAURUS Drinking style Taurus prefers to drink at a leisurely pace, aiming for a mellow glow rather than a full-on zonk. Since a truly intoxicated Taurus is a one-person stampede, the kind of bull-in-a-china-shop inebriate who spills red wine on white carpets and tells fart jokes to employers, the preference for wining and dining (or Bud and buddies) to body shots and barfing is quite fortunate for the rest of us. This is not to say that the Bull is by any means a teetotaler -- god, no. A squiffy Taurus will get, er, gregarious (full of loud mouth soup, some would say) and is extremely amusing to drag to a karaoke bar when intoxicated.
GEMINI Drinking style Gemini's can drink without changing their behavior much-- they're so naturally chatty and short-attention-spanned that it's just hard to tell sometimes. They can amaze you by conversing with finesse and allusion, then doing something to belie an extremely advanced state of intoxication, like puking in your shoe. Gemini's possess the magic abilityto flirt successfully (and uninfuriatingly, which is very tricky) with several people at once. They like to order different cocktails every round -- repetition is boring -- and may create a theme (like yellow drinks: beer, sauvignon blanc and limoncello) for their own amusement.
CANCER Drinking style Cancer is a comfort drinker -- and an extra wine with dinner or an after-work beer or six can be extra comforting, can't it, Cancer darling? Like fellow water signs Scorpio and Pisces, Crabs must guard against lushery. Cancers are brilliant at ferreting out secret parties and insinuating themselves on VIP lists -- and, in true Hollywood style, Cancers are never really drunk; instead, they get "tired and emotional" (read: weepy when lubricated). But there's nothing better than swapping stories (and spit) over a few bottles of inky red wine with your favorite Cancer. Even your second-favorite Cancer will do. The sign also rules the flavor vanilla, and you'd be adored if you served up a vanilla vodka and soda.
LEO Drinking style Leo likes to drink and dance -- they're often fabulous dancers, and usually pretty good drinkers as well, losing their commanding dignity and turning kittenish. Of course, they're quite aware they're darling -Leos will be Leos, after all. They generally know their limit, probably because they loathe losing self-control. When they get over-refreshed, expect flirting to ensue -- and perhaps not with the one what rung them. But Leo's not the type to break rules even when drunk, so just try to ignore it (try harder, Cancer) and expects a sheepish (and hung over) Lion to make it up to you the next day.
VIRGO Drinking style Cerebral Virgos are compelled to impose order onto their bender. Their famously fussy quest for purity could lead to drinking less than other signs, sure --but it could also lead to drinking booze neat, to sucking down organic wine or just to brand loyalty. They rarely get fully shellacked -- but, oh, when they do! Virgo's controlled by the intellect, but there's an unbridled beast lurking within, and they let it loose when walloped. It's dead sexy (and surprisingly unsloppy). As one Virgo friend used to declare, "I'm going to drink myself into a low-level of intelligence tonight." A toast to the sub genius IQ!
LIBRA Drinking style "I'm jusht a social drinker," slurs Libra, "it's jusht that I'm so damn social?" Libra loves nothing more than to party, mingle and relate to everyone. Whether dipped in favor of Good Libra (with Insta-Friend device set to "on") or heavier on the Evil Libra side (they are little instigators when bored), the Scales can really work a room. Charming as they are, Libras are notoriously lacking in self-control, however, which can get them into all sorts of trouble --including wearing their wobbly boots waaaay too early in the evening, flirting with every man/woman in the room or even blacking out the night's events entirely. Oops!
SCORPIO Drinking style Don't ever tell Scorpios they've had enough, for they'll smirk at you and quietly but intentionally keep tippling till they're hog-whimpering drunk, out of 100-proof spite. Scorpios like to drink, and screw you if you have a problem with that. Most of them see the sauce as something to savor in itself, and not asa personality-altering tool -- though if depressed, self-loathing Scorps seek total obliteration. But generally, they're fascinating drinking pals, brilliant conversationalists and dizzying flirts. They also remember everything -- especially what you did when you were blitzed. Only drink with a Scorpio who likes you.
SAGITTARIUS Drinking style In vino veritas -- and, for Sagittarius, in booze blurtiness: When buttered, they'll spill all your secrets and many of their own. Tactlessness aside, Sagittarius is just plain fun to drink with. This is a sign of serious partying (what else would you expect from the sign of Sinatra, Keith Richards, the Bush twins and Anna Nicole Smith?). They're the people who chat up everyone in the room, then persuade the entire crowd to travel somewhere else -- like a nightclub, or a playground, or Cancun. Good-natured hijinks are sure to ensue (including a high possibility of loopy groping; spontaneous Sag is a brilliant booty call).
CAPRICORN Drinking style Capricorn is usually described as practical, steadfast, money-hungry and status-thirsty -- no wonder they get left off the astrological cocktail-party list. But this is the sign of David Bowie and Annie Lennox, not to mention Elvis. Capricorn is the true rock star: independent, powerful and seriously charismatic, not too eager to please. And if they make money being themselves, who're you to quibble? But just like most rock stars, they're either totally on or totally off, and they generally need a little social lubricant to loosen up and enjoy the after party, especially if they can hookup with a cute groupie.
AQUARIUS Drinking style Aquarius and drinking don't go together that well (except for water, that is). They have an innate tendency toward know-it-allism, and if they get an idea while sizzled, they're more stubborn than a stain or a stone. If they're throwing a party or organizing an outing, however, they're too preoccupied with their duties to get combative -- and they make perfectly charming drunks in that case. Fortunately, they're usually capital drink-nursers. They also make the best designated drivers (if you can get them before they start raising their wrist):Aquarius is fascinated by drunk people and capable of holding interesting conversations with soused strangers while sober.
PISCES Drinking style If you're a Pisces, you've probably already heard that you share a sign and an addictive personality --with Liz Taylor, Lisa Minnelli and Kurt Cobain. Not only do Pisces like to lose themselves in the dreamy, out-there feeling that only hooch can give, but they build up a mighty tolerance fast. Who needs an expensive date like that? On the other hand, they're fabulously enchanting partners, whether in conversation or in crime. With the right Pisces, you can start out sharing a pitcher of margaritas and windup in bed together for days. The phrase "addictive personality" can be read two ways, you know.

Which Gemstone will suit you?

Which Gemstone will suit you ?
Ratna (Gemstone) is the inseparable part of the Vedic –Jyotish. Sages revealed the miracle and occult powers of various Ratna. They found that Ratnas have the capacity to fulfill the desire. They can help you to achieve health, happiness and prosperity including spirituality.Naturally if somebody wears a negative Ratna he or she will suffer unluck will envelope him.
According to Vedic astrology every planet radiates particular vibrations and rays. Ratna transmit this particular rays and vibrations into the body from the cosmic world.It is a common fact that every Ratna is a small representative of a particular planet. It is capable to transfer the rays and vibrations of that planet. If you wear, it will transfer all this to you. so if you wear Ratna or Gem representing the negative planet. It will increase the power of the negative planet in your body too. It will bring unluck, problems and misery. In other word if you are increasing the power of your enemy.To increase the power of positive planet one should wear the gemstone related to that. In other words try to increase the power of your friends. If they become powerful they will bound to help you.
In brief find the positive and negative planets in the horoscope. Wear the gemstones connected to the positive planets and perform Graha-shanti for the negative planets.One should not forget the puja(worship) of gemstone, according to his or her capacity. Vedic Astrology says all planets are the representative of various Gods and Goddesses. For the benefit of our readers we are giving a brief list of the planets their Gemstones and related God and Goddesses.
PLANET
RATNA/GEMSTONE
GOD/GODDESS
Sun
Ruby
Surya
Moon
Pearl
Shiva /Parvati
Mars
Coral
Durga /Hanuman
Mercury
Emerald
Vishnu
Jupiter
Yellow-Sapphire
Guru /Prajapita
Venus
Diamond
Lakshmi
Saturn
Blue-Sapphire
Shani /Bhairon
Rahu
Gomed
Shani /Bahairon / Shesh-Naag
Ketu
Cats eyestone
Ganesha

10 Things No one tells you About Parenthood

10 Things No One Tells You About Parenthood
Sleepless nights and changing toxic diapers are child’s play—here’s the stuff you should really know.By Craig Playstead

Everyone has seen the “what to expect during parenthood” books and articles, but they never tell the whole story. While raising kids is the most rewarding thing you will ever do in your life, and the love you feel for them is unlike anything else you’ll ever know, there are a few pitfalls nobody ever tells you about. Read on, if you dare.

1) The way you view the world changes
When you bring someone into this world, things like global warming, war and women in beer ads have a whole new meaning. You start actually looking at the impact these things have, and what the world will become after you’re dead and gone. Leaving a better place for your kids and grandkids becomes more than just talk.

2) You’ll feel like a failureThere will be times when no matter how hard you try, your kids are never happy. You feel you’re telling them “no” too much, constantly harping on them to clean their room, or dashing their dreams of lowering their brother down the staircase on a rope. While they may complain they don’t have a Wii or that “so and so’s” mom let’s them see PG-13 movies, you need to stick to what you believe in and what you feel is best for your kids.

3) You have no timeThis seems obvious, but you can’t believe just how little time you have. You start to measure things out in minutes and seconds. “If he watches Curious George for 20 more seconds, I can go to the bathroom,” or “If his nap lasts another 10 minutes, maybe I can get in a shower today.”

4) Not going to the bathroom by yourselfWhen your kids are babies, the bathroom is the only place you can get your head together. It’s also one of the only places you can actually read. I read ESPN’s Bill Simmons’ entire book over the course of the week in the bathroom when my youngest was a baby. And then he turned two. If he’s not forcing his way in to watch “how it’s really done” he’s banging on the door screaming “lemme in!” or sliding all his books underneath. There is no peace with toddlers.

5) Parenthood will turn you softThis one hits the guys especially hard. You’ll find yourself tearing up at any dumb movie that has anything to do with parenthood, and if you have a daughter, don’t be surprised to find yourself playing “My Little Pony” before heading off to work. The icing on the cake is hawking Girl Scout cookies in front of your local grocery store annually.

6) They will embarrass youThis is a big shock, and you’re never ready for it. In your mind, they are perfect little angels; in reality, they’re little people trying to figure out their way in the world. Unfortunately, they say what they want—when they want. It can be something that’s funny like announcing to their pre-school class that Daddy farts all the time, or it can be humiliating like a temper tantrum in a grocery store or having them tell your parents to “get me a toy next time” after opening a gift containing pajamas. You’re prepared for the fact that you’ll embarrass them when they get to a certain age, but you’re never ready to be the one that’s humiliated.

7) Worrying This is the one that stings from the day your child is born until the day you die. From the start you worry that they’ll stop breathing in their crib, then you obsess about getting the damn car seat in correctly. They get a little older and you worry about them falling down the stairs or choking on a Polly Pocket. As the years go on you lose sleep about dating, not fitting in, or getting into a situation that they can’t handle. Then there are the worries that never go away: providing enough, paying for college or not teaching them the right things. The list goes on and on and on, and it takes a major toll on you. But you worry because you love.

8) You won’t be the parent you thinkWe all had visions of the kind of parents we would be to our kids. Now, as battle tested Moms and Dads, we’ve heard the prospective parents spouting off advice. Those hollow words of wisdom come even though they’ve never gotten up at three a.m. to do a load of laundry with more vomit on it than a frat house floor. Nor have they tried to cook dinner with a screaming baby in their arms, a toddler doing cartwheels off the couch, and the phone ringing. It usually goes something like this: “I’d never let my kids watch TV before they turn three,” or “I would never raise my voice at my child,” or “My toddler won’t ever eat sweets.” Uh huh, and I said I’d never own a minivan. You have this great picture of the kind of parent you want to be, and how picturesque your family will become. You try to live up to that vision, but you also have to survive. So, snickering at a prospective parent spouting off advice is not only allowed, but encouraged.

9) SicknessLet’s start with pin worms. They are small parasitic worms that live in the human intestinal track. The worms crawl out of the child’s anus at night and lay their eggs in the diaper, pajamas and other areas around the bed or crib. The eggs are then passed to others and ingested unknowingly. The worst part? You have to go in there and grab them while your kid is asleep. It’s a damn horror show. It’s also not something I had any idea about before having kids. Sick kids take a toll on the entire house. Even the typical cold has taken on a whole new meaning, especially with toddlers. It can require being up in the middle of the night for days in a row, missing work and acting as one giant Kleenex. The numerous slug trails across your shirt are always a nice touch.

10) The feeling of unconditional loveYou assume that you’re going to love your kids, but what you end up feeling for them is unlike anything else you’ll ever know. Just a simple smile from your offspring can erase a really crappy day at the office. This is the reason why people rave about having kids while they look exhausted and have a fresh batch of spit-up running down their back.
Craig Playstead is a freelance writer, husband and father of three living in the suburbs of Seattle. In the past he's also been a sports writer, a game writer and a talk show host. You can reach him at playstead@hotmail.com.

10 BIG Mistakes Parents Make

10 Big Mistakes Parents Make
While we all love our kids, in this day and age of two working parents and insane schedules, we tend to cut corners and neglect important things. That being said, here are 10 big mistakes parents make.

By Craig Playstead

1) Spoiling kids There is no doubt that parents love their kids and want them to have all the things they didn’t. However, this comes at a price. A ton of well-intentioned parents have ended up spoiling their kids to such a degree that the kids aren’t even happy with all the stuff they have. This causes them to never be satisfied and always want more. Junior doesn’t need one more piece of crap, what he needs is some special time with his parents. Think of it this way: How will they ever be prepared for disappointment throughout their life—or learn to be thankful for anything?

2) Inadequate disciplineWhen you’re too lazy to adequately discipline your kids, you pass the little devil you’ve created on to your relatives, coaches, teachers, and his friends’ parents. It’s not OK to let your kids treat your house like it was a Jump Planet because that’s exactly how they’ll treat other people’s homes. They should also be much better behaved when they leave the house and visit elsewhere. I’ve lived through this nightmare first-hand, with the same kid at my house treating my $1,500 couch like a trampoline, and then calling my daughter “ugly” while the kids were eating dinner. All within a 15-minute span. If you don’t discipline your kid, someone else will—and you won’t like it.

3) Failing to get involved at schoolSchool is where your kids will spend more time than any place besides your home. It’s also the place that will have the most responsibility for shaping their life—from teachers and their peers. That being said, how can you not want to be involved in what’s going on there? It doesn’t matter if it’s you or your spouse: Your family needs to have a presence at that school. And don’t use work as an excuse—take a vacation day if you need to. You’ll see immediately that it’s time well spent. You should also have at least an e-mail relationship with their teacher. It’s a great way for that teacher to see that you’re interested in your child’s development, and the teacher can alert you to anything concerning that may be going on with your son or daughter. Your kid’s teacher may take a much more active role with your child if they know you’re keeping close tabs.

4) Praising mediocrityWhile we all want to encourage our kids to do well and build their self-esteem, there is a point of going too far. Building a child’s self-esteem is great, but having a big party for a mediocre accomplishment skews what they view as a real achievement. One big place I see this is in sports. A participation trophy for anyone over the age of 6 just ends up devaluing the meaning of a real trophy. It’s happening in my own household. While I was against trophies for my 7-year-old son’s basketball team, a few moms overruled. My son has played exactly four seasons of sports and has earned more trophies than I did in my 40 seasons growing up. Something is out of whack.

5) Not giving kids enough responsibilityYour kids shouldn’t be expecting any payment for doing chores around the house. It’s a home, not a hotel. That being said, an allowance is a great idea … for extra work. They should be pulling their weight as part of the family. If they grow up without enough responsibility, how in the world do you expect them to hold down a job, or get through college? When they get “of age,” make sure they’re taking some of the burden off you around the house—from unloading the dishwasher to picking up dog crap in the backyard. While they’re not your slaves, they sure aren’t on vacation, either.

6) Not being a good spouse How you treat your husband or wife is very important to the way your kids will develop relationships, especially as adults. If you treat your spouse poorly, or if your only way to settle any kind of dispute is to yell and scream at each other, you’re teaching your kids to handle themselves the same way. Kids learn from watching you much more than they learn from listening to you. If you treat your spouse with love and respect, it will also show your kids the value of their family. It will also make them feel their family is a safe haven in what can be a dark, scary world.

7) Setting unreal expectationsWhen dealing with kids, you need to set reasonable expectations for them—especially the little ones. If you want to go out to a nice dinner and expect your 2-year-old to sit there like a little prince, you are setting yourself up for major disappointment. Also, if you have visions of a football star and your son weighs 80 pounds and likes to play the clarinet, you need to reset those expectations. Don’t have unreal expectations for your kids: The expectation you should have is for them to be happy.

8) Not teaching kids to fend for themselvesMany parents tend to baby kids these days and cater to their every need, and that eliminates the value of hard work and becoming independent as they grow into adults. I fear that we’re raising a generations of wimps. Kids nowadays expect everything to be done for them, from cleaning their room to band-aids for hurt feelings. Teaching them to toughen up and do things on their own doesn’t mean that you love them less; it means you love them more.

9) Pushing trends on kidsLet kids be kids. Parents shouldn’t push their trends or adult outlook on life on their kids. Just because it was your life’s dream to marry a rich guy doesn’t mean we need to see your 4-year-old daughter in a “Future Trophy Wife” t-shirt. The same goes for the double ear piercing—that’s what you want, not them. Teaching kids about your passions is great, but let them grow up to be who they are. And yes, this goes for you pathetic stage parents as well. It’s hard enough for kids to figure out who they are in the world without you trying to turn them into what you couldn’t be.

10) Not following throughI have trouble with this one sometimes. If you’re telling your kids that they’ll be grounded if they paint the neighbor’s dog one more time, you’d better follow through. Unfortunately, following though on punishments or promises makes your life a little more difficult, but building trust is what’s most important. If you’re not true to your word, your kids will assume anything you say is just talk. Then you have a real problem on your hands. You’ll also end up with kids who don’t trust their parents.

Craig Playstead is a freelance writer and happily married father of three living in the suburbs of Seattle. In the past he's also been a sports writer, online editor, and talk show host. You can reach him at playstead@hotmail.com.

Beijing 2008 Olympic Games - 08-08-08

The Official Mascots of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
Like the Five Olympic Rings from which they draw their color and inspiration, Fuwa will serve as the Official Mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, carrying a message of friendship and peace -- and good wishes from China -- to children all over the world.

Designed to express the playful qualities of five little children who form an intimate circle of friends,

Fuwa also embody the natural characteristics of four of China's most popular animals -- the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow -- and the Olympic Flame. Each of Fuwa has a rhyming two-syllable name -- a traditional way of expressing affection for children in China.

Beibei is the Fish,
Jingjing is the Panda,
Huanhuan is the Olympic Flame,
Yingying is the Tibetan Antelope and
Nini is the Swallow.

When you put their names together -- Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni -- they say "Welcome to Beijing," offering a warm invitation that reflects the mission of Fuwa as young ambassadors for the Olympic Games. Fuwa also embody both the landscape and the dreams and aspirations of people from every part of the vast country of China. In their origins and their headpieces, you can see the five elements of nature -- the sea, forest, fire, earth and sky -- all stylistically rendered in ways that represent the deep traditional influences of Chinese folk art and ornamentation.

Spreading Traditional Chinese Good Wishes Wherever They Go In the ancient culture of China, there is a grand tradition of spreading good wishes through signs and symbols. Each of Fuwa symbolizes a different blessing -- and will honor this tradition by carrying their good wishes to the children of the world. Prosperity, happiness, passion, health and good luck will be spread to every continent as Fuwa carry their invitation to Beijing 2008 to every part of the globe. At the heart of their mission -- and through all of their work -- Fuwa will seek to unite the world in peace and friendship through the Olympic spirit. Dedicated to helping Beijing 2008 spread its theme of One World, One Dream to every continent, Fuwa reflect the deep desire of the Chinese people to reach out to the world in friendship through the Games -- and to invite every man, woman and child to take part in the great celebration of human solidarity that China will host in the light of the flame in 2008.

In China's traditional culture and art, the fish and water designs are symbols of prosperity and harvest. And so Beibei carries the blessing of prosperity. A fish is also a symbol of surplus in Chinese culture, another measure of a good year and a good life. The ornamental lines of the water-wave designs are taken from well-known Chinese paintings of the past. Among Fuwa, Beibei is known to be gentle and pure. Strong in water sports, she reflects the blue Olympic ring.

Jingjing makes children smile -- and that's why he brings the blessing of happiness wherever he goes. You can see his joy in the charming naivety of his dancing pose and the lovely wave of his black and white fur. As a national treasure and a protected species, pandas are adored by people everywhere. The lotus designs in Jingjing's headdress, which are inspired by the porcelain paintings of the Song Dynasty (A.D.960-1234) , symbolize the lush forest and the harmonious relationship between man and nature. Jingjing was chosen to represent our desire to protect nature's gifts -- and to preserve the beauty of nature for all generations. Jingjing is charmingly naive and optimistic. He is an athlete noted for strength who represents the black Olympic ring.

In the intimate circle of Fuwa, Huanhuan is the big brother. He is a child of fire, symbolizing the Olympic Flame and the passion of sport -- and passion is the blessing he bestows.
Huanhuan stands in the center of Fuwa as the core embodiment of the Olympic spirit. And while he inspires all with the passion to run faster, jump higher and be stronger, he is also open and inviting. Wherever the light of Huanhuan shines, the inviting warmth of Beijing 2008 -- and the wishful blessings of the Chinese people -- can be felt. The fiery designs of his head ornament are drawn from the famed Dunhuang murals -- with just a touch of China's traditional lucky designs. Huanhuan is outgoing and enthusiastic. He excels at all the ball games and represents the red Olympic ring.

Like all antelopes, Yingying is fast and agile and can swiftly cover great stretches of land as he races across the earth. A symbol of the vastness of China's landscape, the antelope carries the blessing of health, the strength of body that comes from harmony with nature. Yingying's flying pose captures the essence of a species unique to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, one of the first animals put under protection in China. The selection of the Tibetan Antelope reflects Beijing's commitment to a Green Olympics. His head ornament incorporates several decorative styles from the Qinghai-Tibet and Sinkiang cultures and the ethnic design traditions of Western China. Strong in track and field events, Yingying is a quick-witted and agile boy who represents the yellow Olympic ring.

Every spring and summer, the children of Beijing have flown beautiful kites on the currents of wind that blow through the capital. Among the kite designs, the golden-winged swallow is traditionally one of the most popular. Nini's figure is drawn from this grand tradition of flying designs. Her golden wings symbolize the infinite sky and spread good-luck as a blessing wherever she flies. Swallow is also pronounced "yan" in Chinese, and Yanjing is what Beijing was called as an ancient capital city. Among Fuwa, Nini is as innocent and joyful as a swallow. She is strong in gymnastics and represents the green Olympic ring.

The Art of Communication

... Art ... of . . . Communication ...

Listen without judgment. The key to good communication is listening well. Save your judging for later after you have heard and understood what was said.
Listen with the willingness to be swayed to the other person's opinion. No obligation to actually being swayed, but stay open to the option.
Listen without thinking about what you will say next. Take time before you respond.
Do not be invested in being right. Being right is not the point. If you must be right, you are not able to listen nor communicate because you have set up a barrier already. If you are always right that means the other person is always wrong. That cannot be true.
If your mind wanders, ask for repetition. We all are subject to distraction. Try to stay focused.
In all cases repeat back what you heard and ask if it is correct.
Say it honestly, but with consideration for the listener's feelings. Be polite, respectful and sincere.
Understand and acknowledge that most things are not black or white, but somewhere in a gray area. Get comfortable with gray.
Have integrity and build trust. Don't say what you don't mean. Don't promise what you won't or can't fulfill. Follow through with any commitments you make.

HOW TO IDENTIFY AN INDIAN?

SOME OF THESE ARE SOOOOOOO TRUE.... ...
1. Everything you eat is savored in garlic, onion and tomatoes.
2. You try and reuse gift wrappers, gift boxes, and of course aluminum foil.
3. You are Always standing next to the two largest size suitcases at the Airport.
4. You arrive one or two hours late to a party - and think it's normal.
5. You peel the stamps off letters that the Postal Service missed to stamp..
6. You recycle Wedding Gifts , Birthday Gifts and Anniversary Gifts.
7. You name your children in rhythms (example, Sita & Gita, Ram & Shyam, Kamini & Shamini.)
8. All your children have pet names, which sound nowhere close to their real names.
9. You take Indian snacks anywhere it says 'No Food Allowed'.
10. You talk for an hour at the front door when leaving someone's house.
11. You load up the family car with as many people as possible.
12. You use plastic to cover anything new in your house whether it's the remote control, VCR, carpet or new couch.
13. Your parents tell you not to care what your friends think, but they won't let you do certain things because of what the other
'Uncles and Aunties' will think.
14. You buy and display crockery, which is never used , as it is for special occasions, which never happen.
15. You have a vinyl tablecloth on your kitchen table.
16. You use grocery bags to hold garbage.
17. You keep leftover food in your fridge in as many numbers of bowls as possible.
18. Your kitchen shelf is full of jars, varieties of bowls and plastic utensils (got free with purchase of other stuff)
19. You carry a stash of your own food whenever you travel (and travel means any car ride longer than 15 minutes).
20. You own a rice cooker or a pressure cooker.
21. You fight over who pays the dinner bill.
22. You live with your parents and you are 40 years old. (And they prefer it that way).
23. You don't use measuring cups when cooking.
24. You never learnt how to stand in a queue.
25. You can only travel if there are 5 persons at least to see you off or receive you whether you are travelling by bus, train or plane.
26. If she is NOT your daughter, you always take interest in knowing whose daughter has run with whose son and feel proud to spread it at the velocity of more than the speed of light...
27. You only make long distance calls after 11 p.m.
28. If you don't live at home, when your parents call, they ask if you've eaten, even if it's midnight.
29. You call an older person you never met before Uncle or Aunty.'
30. When your parents meet strangers and talk for a few minutes, you discover you're talking to a distant cousin.
31. Your parents don't realize phone connections to foreign countries have improved in the last two decades, and still scream at the top of their lungs when making foreign calls.
32. You have bed sheets on your sofas so as to keep them from getting dirty.
33. It's embarrassing if your wedding has less than 600 people.
34. All your Tupperware is stained with food color.
35. You have drinking glasses made of steel.
36. You have mastered the art of bargaining in shopping.
37. You never remove the plastic cover from the car seat even after several years...

Dreams go Up in Flames at Universal Studios

One of Hollywood's largest movie studios starred in a disastrous sequel today as a fire ripped through a lot at Universal Studios, destroying a set from Back to the Future, a King Kong exhibit and a streetscape.

The second fire in nearly 20 years at the historic California site reduced facades to ashes and gutted buildings - creating the kind of catastrophe filmmakers delight in setting up for the cameras.

Thousands of videos chronicling Universal's movie and TV shows were destroyed in the blaze. But Universal officials said the footage could be replaced and they were thankful no-one had been seriously injured.

"We have duplicates of everything," said Ron Meyer, NBC Universal president and chief operating officer. "Nothing is lost forever."

The blaze broke out on a sound stage featuring New York brownstone facades around 4:30am at the 162-hectare property, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Michael Freeman said.

The fire was contained to the lot but burned for more than 12 hours before the final flames were extinguished.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Damage was expected to be in the millions of dollars. NBC Universal said in a statement that the park would reopen tomorrow.

The iconic courthouse square from the Back to the Future movie was destroyed, and the famous clock tower that enabled Michael J Fox's character to travel through time was damaged, fire officials said.

Two mock New York and New England streets used both for movie-making and as tourist displays were a total loss, Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Darryl Jacobs said.

An exhibit housing a mechanically animated King Kong that bellows at visitors on a tram also was destroyed.

All three sites were either damaged or destroyed during another fire at Universal Studios in November 1990. That fire was started by a security guard who was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to arson.

The fire broke out along New York Street, where firefighting helicopters swept in for drops and cranes dumped water on the flames. A thick column of smoke rose thousands of feet into the air and could be seen for miles.

"It looked like a disaster film," said Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge.

At one point the blaze was two city blocks wide, and low water pressure forced firefighters to get reserves from lakes and ponds on the property.

Universal Studios, about 15km north of downtown Los Angeles, has thrill rides and a back lot where movies and television shows are filmed, including scenes from War of the Worlds, When Harry Met Sally, and Scrubs.

The fire did not affect the 2008 MTV Movie Awards, which went ahead at the Gibson Amphitheatre in the adjacent Universal CityWalk, according to the music network.

10 Tips for making a SMALL space BIGGER

10 Tips for Making a Small Space Bigger
OR AS THEY SAY IN FRANCE, "LE TIPS FOR MAKING ZE SMALL SPACE BIGGER."


1. Paint With Delicate Hues: Dark colors may seem design-friendly, but they make rooms look smaller. Adam Janovic, former president of New York's Janovic Paints, explains that "the lighter the color, the more open the space appears. White will maximize the space -- a dark color will close it in."
2. Use Shades of the Same Color: One way to introduce variety without shrinking the room's apparent size is to paint the walls, trim, and detailing in different shades of one color, such as white, off-white, and beige. Or try a white that's tinted with green or yellow so you can use the darker shade of the color on the trim and detailing. "By using a monochromatic scheme," says Janovic, "you'll make the room look more open."
3. Give Your Ceiling Texture: While Janovic and many other paint experts say a white ceiling will open up a space, Vera Vandenbosch, director of marketing at Donghia Furniture disagrees. "White is a noncolor -- it just disappears," she says. "But if you give your ceiling texture, it will do something to your room that's a lot more interesting. Metallic textures are much more interesting than white." One of Donghia's specialties is metallic gold "teapaper," applied as wallpaper to the ceiling. "It gives your room a lot more height," says Vandenbosch. Bonus: It also creates a flattering reflection on your face. Donghia's "Looks Like Teapaper" is available to the trade for a suggested retail price of $57 per yard (800-DONGHIA; www.donghia.com). But if this is out of your price range, check out a Chinatown next time you're in a big city -- many Chinese stores carry similar metallic paper.
4. Reflect Your Space: Wall-to-wall mirrors may seem like a '70s design leftover, but using mirrors well can open up your home. New ones are pricey, so cruise flea markets and garage sales for bargains. Even mirrors with surface imperfections can give your room a great atmosphere.
Once you've gathered a collection, display the mirrors together on one wall. (Leave some space between them -- you're going for a "collection" look, not a wall-to-wall-mirror-bachelor-pad nightmare.) The room will seem larger, and the mirrors will act as wall decor.
[Nest Note] This works best if the mirrors are placed on a wall opposite the windows to increase light. Doing this will also reflect the scenery outside, bringing the outdoors in.
5. Get Perspective: Hanging pictures of expansive landscapes with vanishing perspective will trick your eyes into thinking your pad's got depth.
6. Think Big: It's easy to assume you should decorate to scale -- small furniture pieces for your small space -- but Vandenbosch advises otherwise. "It's better to have one well-designed prominent piece that makes a statement than to have smaller pieces of furniture cluttered with tchotchkes and knickknacks," she cautions. "Even one oversize piece of furniture can add character to a room. A well-designed armchair with a nice curve to it will give your room personality."
7. Space Things Out
"People think they're saving space by shoving everything against the wall," says Vandenbosch, "but a piece of furniture sometimes looks better when it's placed at an angle or surrounded by space. Sometimes it makes sense to let a piece breathe more." A creative furniture arrangement will make your place seem more visually dynamic.
8. Make It Clear
If your room is very small, use glass-topped tables. The glass makes you think you're seeing more space and less clutter. "This goes for coffee tables as well as dining tables or work desks," says Vandenbosch. "It's a simple visual trick, but it works really well."
9. Add Multifunctional Pieces
Investing in furniture that serves multiple functions is a great way to save space. A headboard doing double duty as a bookshelf lets you maximize wall space. An ottoman with built-in storage space lets you store magazines (and that TV Guide) and gives you a place to rest your weary feet.
10. Fold It Up
Dining tables that can be made smaller or larger (e.g., drop-leaf or draw-leaf, or with removable leaves) let you make the most out of a combined living-dining area. And a futon bed makes sense in a small bedroom -- especially if you take the time to fold it up during the day.

Kids

Can you imagine yourself to be the nun sitting at her desk grading these papers, all the while trying to keep a straight face and maintain her composure!

PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE WORDING AND SPELLING. IF YOU ARE EVEN REMOTELY FAMILIAR WITH HOLY SCRIPTURE, YOU'LL FIND THIS HILARIOUS!
IT COMES FROM A ROMAN CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEST IN WHICH KIDS WERE ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS.
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ABOUT THE BIBLE WERE WRITTEN BY CHILDREN. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RETOUCHED OR CORRECTED. INCORRECT SPELLING HAS BEEN LEFT IN.


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



1. IN THE FIRST BOOK OF THE BIBLE, GUINESSIS, GOD GOT TIRED OF CREATING THE WORLD SO HE TOOK THE SABBATH OFF.

2. ADAM AND EVE WERE CREATED FROM AN APPLE TREE. NOAH'S WIFE WAS JOAN OF ARK. NOAH BUILT AND ARK AND THE ANIMALS CAME ON IN PEARS.

3. LOTS WIFE WAS A PILLAR OF SALT DURING THE DAY, BUT A BALL OF FIRE DURIN G THE NIGHT.

4. THE JEWS WERE A PROUD PEOPLE, AND THROUGHOUT HISTORY THEY HAD TROUBLE WITH UNSYMPATHETIC GENITALS.

5. SAMPSON WAS A STRONG MAN WHO LET HIMSELF BE LED ASTRAY BY A JEZEBEL LIKE DELILAH.

6. SAMSON SLAYED THE PHILISTINES WITH THE AXE OF THE APOSTLES.

7. MOSES LED THE JEWS TO THE RED SEA WHERE THEY MADE UNLEAVENED BREAD W HICH IS BREAD WITHOUT ANY INGREDIENTS .

8, THE EGYPTIANS WERE ALL DROWNED IN THE DESSERT. AFTERWARDS, MOSES WENT UP TO MOUNT CYANIDE TO GET THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

9. THE FIRST COMMANDMENTS WAS WHEN EVE TOLD ADAM TO EAT THE APPLE.

10. THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT IS THOU SHALT NOT ADMIT ADULTERY.

11. MOSES DIED BEFORE HE EVER REACHED CANADA . THEN JOSHUA LED THE HEBREWS IN THE BATTLE OF GERITOL.

12. THE GREATEST MIRICLE IN THE BIBLE IS WHEN JOSHUA TOLD HIS SON TO STAND STILL AND HE OBEYED HIM.

13. DAVID WAS A HEBREW KING WHO WAS SKILLED AT PLAYING THE LIAR. HE FOUGHT THE FINKELSTEINS, A RACE OF PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN BIBLICAL TIMES.

14. SOLOMON, ONE OF DAVIDS SONS, HAD 300 WIVES AND 700 PORCUPINES.

15. WHEN MARY HEARD SHE WAS THE MOTHER OF JESUS, SHE SANG THE MAGNA CARTA.

16. WHEN THE THREE WISE GUYS FROM THE EAST SIDE ARRIVED, THEY FOUND JESUS IN THE MANAGER.

17. JESUS WAS BORN BECAUSE MARY HAD AN IMMACULATE CONTRAPTION.

18. ST. JOHN THE BLACKSMITH DUMPED WATER ON HIS HEAD.

19. JESUS ENUNCIATED THE GOLDEN RULE, WHICH SAYS TO DO UNTO OTHERS BEFORE THEY DO ONE TO YOU. HE ALSO EXPLAINED A MAN DOTH NOT LIVE BY SWEAT ALONE..

20. IT WAS A MIRICLE WHEN JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD AND MANAGED TO GET THE TOMBSTONE OFF THE ENTRANCE.

21. THE PEOPLE WHO FOLLOWED THE LORD WERE CALLED THE 12 DECIBELS.

22. THE EPISTELS WERE THE WIVES OF THE APOSTLES.

23. ONE OF THE OPPOSSUMS WAS ST. MATTHEW WHO WAS ALSO A TAXIMAN.

24. ST. PAUL CAVORTED TO CHRISTIANITY. HE PREACHED HOLY ACRIMONY WHICH IS ANOTHER NAME FOR MARRAIGE.

25. CHRISTIANS HAVE ONLY ONE SPOUSE . THIS IS CALLED MONOTONY.

Worst Wedding Advices

From the moment you get engaged, it seems everyone has some wedding know-how to share. A lot of these tips are helpful; some are borderline disastrous. We asked brides for the worst wedding advice they've heard. Here's what not to do when you plan a wedding.

Bad Advice:
"The worst wedding advice anyone has told me was to sing our vows to each other." —Erin, Richmond, VA
Our Advice:
We totally encourage personalizing your vows, but unless you moonlight as opera singers, leave the American Idol aspirations for the after-party.

Bad Advice:
"My mom insisted that I wear my gold-colored junior prom dress as my wedding gown. She thought it was silly to buy yet another dress that I'd only wear once." —Alyssa, Madison, WI
Our Advice:
While hand-me-down gowns can add a sentimental touch and colored gowns are gaining popularity, most prom dresses should stay securely in the back of the closet for the wedding day.
Bad Advice:
"I was told that if the groom was unavailable during the toast, the bride has to kiss the best man." —Anonymous
Our Advice:
Making out with the best man at the reception is a great idea — if your wedding happens to fall on Opposite Day.

Bad Advice:
"My future father-in-law thought that since we were getting married in an historic home and I'm a costume designer, we should wear hoopskirts and crinolines!" —Abbey, Austin, TX
Our Advice:
We love historic homes, but unless you're into the idea of a masquerade ball wedding, play up the decor rather than your attire. Likewise, your wedding photos will be around for years to come, so wear something that won't leave your grandkids in hysterics.

Bad Advice:
"My mother-in-law said that it was perfectly fine to spend $9 a plate on dinner for our guests. She based this on my sister-in-law's wedding, where they served cold meat sandwiches, au gratin potatoes, and questionable-looking fruit salad." —Morgan, Madison WI
Our Advice:
Food is one detail every wedding guest remembers. Whatever your budget, you should allot about 40 percent of it for catering. Work with your caterer to prepare a menu within your budget and try to cut costs in other ways (like by trimming your guest list) rather than skimp on the meal.

Bad Advice:
"I was recently a bridesmaid in a friend's wedding. I'm also engaged and was amazed when she told me I couldn't wear my engagement ring during her wedding because it was larger than hers...ridiculous!" —Scarlet, Longview, TX
Our Advice:
Being upstaged by a bridesmaid can be a very real fear for some brides. Handle the situation gently — explain that you'd rather not take off the ring for personal reasons. If she persists, remove it to avoid more drama.

Bad Advice:
"My mother wanted me to ask random pretty girls at church to be in my wedding party so that my brother could meet and then date them." —Anonymous
Our Advice:
It's true that weddings are a great place to match-make. But your bridesmaids should be your dearest friends and relatives, so pick attendants you know you (not your brother) will want standing by your side at the altar.

Bad Advice:
"My mother said that to cut costs, we could send invitations without an RSVP card. Guests could go online instead and RSVP on the web page my dad built for us. I thought it was a good idea, but only two people RSVP'd! I ended up having to call my entire guest list to find out who was coming." —Nicki, Oklahoma City, OK
Our Advice:
In the age of online-mania, RSVP cards are definitely still relevant, especially for older guests who might not be as accustomed to the Internet. If you do opt for digital responses, enlist your parents and attendants to spread the word and help guests who don't have access to a computer. The online option is an easy way to keep track of guest responses, but have a backup plan (a traditional RSVP card) for those who aren't as tech-savvy.

Bad Advice:
"A lady I worked with overheard me telling another coworker how much my fiancé and I were planning on saving up for our wedding. She decided to pipe in and say, 'Wow, you might as well just buy a house, you'll get divorced anyway.'" —Caroline, Flagstaff, AZ
Our Advice:
Avoid snide money-related comments by discussing your wedding budget only with those who need to know, like your parents and fiancé.

Bad Advice:
"I was told that the bride and groom don't receive the gifts. Instead, the bride's parents get them." —Suzie, Norfolk VA
Our Advice:
Give each of your parents a small gift as a token of thanks for being so supportive throughout the wedding planning process. The Cuisinart mixer and all the other goodies on your registry? Those are definitely your gifts to keep.

Bad Advice:
"My fiancé suggested we randomize the seating for all our guests because it would be cool for everyone to meet new people. I can just imagine my crazy friend from grad school and Aunt June at the same table. Yikes!" —Vicki, Durham, NC
Our Advice:
This idea is only partly off-track. To mix tables with a few people who don't know each other is a good way to bring everyone together at the reception. But don't put anyone at a table with no one else they know, and spare Aunt June the stress by seating like-mannered guests together.

Bad Advice:
"'Beggars can't be choosers.' This advice was given to me when I decided to wait on making a decision on a dress and venue. I have a low budget, but being rushed into any decision seems unwise." —Erin, Rockford, IL
Our Advice:
Sticking to your budget certainly doesn't mean you have to settle. It's always best to check out a few options before you make a decision, and if a certain vendor is just out of your price range, see if you can negotiate for a slightly scaled-down package.

8 most common scams you need to avoid

One should avoid following 8 most common scams

Are you a scamaholic? Do you find yourself seduced by those ads in the paper and on the 'net that promise huge incomes with very little effort on your part? You know what I'm talking about; those ads that entice you with "part-time" jobs with big pay offs, from the "comfort of your own home," and with little to no work on your part. I've even seen ads that say you can make money while sleeping, watching TV, or having sex. Can that even be legal?

If you've been sucked into any of these work-at-home scams, don't worry. There is help. The first step truly is making yourself aware that there are people out there who will scam you for your very last dime. It's your responsibility to learn how to spot these scammers and stay far, far away from their traps.

To help you avoid these scammers, let's review some of the most common and successful scams out there today.

Envelope stuffing. Envelope stuffing is one of the most popular scams. You won't be stuffing envelopes. What you'll be asked to do is place the same ad (at your own expense) that you responded to, in order to scam other people.
Email Processors. Email processing is the e-version of envelope stuffing. Typically, you pay person 1 a fee of between $5-30 and then person 1 sends you your 'information kit'. This typically tells you how to take the exact same ad you replied to and send it out by email or on newsletters to convince others to send you the same fee you sent Person 1.
Home Typists (also Order Taker/Application Taker). There are lots of home typist positions that are perfectly legitimate, but these never ask you for a fee and they are also rarely advertised online. Don't get suckered by ads that promise home typing work that require a fee. They are all variations on the email processing scam
Craft/Electronic Assembly. There are perfectly legitimate craft/assembly companies that do pay their home-based workers. Unfortunately, they are very hard to find. With most scams, you will be asked to pay anywhere from $10 to $200 for a test "kit." You will then be sent something to assemble that, no matter how brilliantly done, will never meet their so-called quality standards.
This scam works to make the originating company a great deal of money in two ways. The first way they make money is by selling you the kit and materials. Then, they actually sell your carefully assembled products at discount prices to retailers. Believe me, they are selling your assembled products, but they just aren't paying you for it.
Lists of companies that hire home-based workers. Many people get scammed into buying lists that promise hundreds of "sure bet" companies that are just waiting to hire you to work from home. The simple reality is that these lists are often just compiled from the telephone book and many of the companies on them, if the companies exist at all, don't know they're on such a list. And, the real kicker: Most of these companies don't even hire home-based workers. There are legitimate lists online, but they are totally free for you to review.
Reading books for pay. A variation on the job's list is the "Make Money Reading Books" list. This list names publishers who pay to have individuals review their manuscripts. As with the lists in #5, you can find this information for free on the Web yourself. And, while it is true that some publishing companies pay people to review manuscripts, they will advertise these positions carefully. They are not typically happy about receiving unsolicited resumes.
$6 Chain Letter. If you've ever seen the $6 Chain Letter in your Inbox, you've experienced a pyramid scheme up close and personal. For only $6, you can make thousands or so promises the letter. A simple rule of thumb: Avoid all chain letters, especially when money is being requested. This is one letter you'll want to avoid like the plague because not only is it totally illegal and it doesn't work!
A real company offering a position-whether it be work at home or in an office-will ask to see your resume, probably want references, maybe want to see samples of your work, and might want to communicate by phone. If they don't ask for any of these things, be careful! And, if they ask for money, beware! A legitimate company will NEVER ask you for money to work for them!

Remember these tips and you'll never be a scamaholic again.
More can be read about this topic Here
Happy Days to all of you

Fky

 

10 First Aid Mistakes

1. Cut finger. It's surprisingly easy for a person to amputate part of a finger—for instance, while chopping vegetables or using an electric saw.
Don't try to preserve the loose part by placing it directly on ice.
Do wrap the severed part in damp gauze (saline would be ideal for wetting the cloth), place it in a watertight bag and place the bag on ice. Then be sure to bring the bag and ice to the emergency room. The patient will be going into surgery, so he's best off with an empty stomach. As for the wound on the hand or body, apply ice to reduce swelling and cover it with a clean, dry cloth.

2. Knocked-out tooth.
Don't scrub the tooth hard even if it's dirty (a gentle rinse is OK)
Do put the tooth in milk and go straight to the ER; there's a chance the tooth could be reimplanted.

3. Burns.
Don't apply ice or butter or any other type of grease to burns. Also, don't cover a burn with a towel or blanket, because loose fibers might stick to the skin. When dealing with a serious burn, be careful not to break any blisters or pull off clothing stuck to the skin.
Do wash and apply antibiotic ointment to mild burns. Head to the hospital for any burns to the eyes, mouth, or genital areas, even if mild; any burn that covers an area larger than your hand; and any burn that causes blisters or is followed by a fever.

4. Electrical burns.
Don't fail to get medical attention for a jolt of electricity (for instance, from lightning, a power line, or home electrical cords), even if no damage is evident. An electrical burn can cause invisible (and serious) injury deeper inside the body. More than 500 Americans die every year from electrical burns.
Do go to the ER immediately.

5. Sprained ankle.
Don't use a heating pad.
Do treat a sprain with ice. Go to the ER if it is very painful to bear weight. You might have a fracture.

6. Nosebleed.
Don't lean back. And after the bleeding has stopped, don't blow your nose or bend over.
Do sit upright and lean forward and pinch your nose steadily (just below the nasal bone) for five to 10 minutes. If the bleeding persists for 15 minutes (or if you think you are swallowing a lot of blood) go to the ER.

7. Bleeding.
Don't use tourniquets! You could cause permanent tissue damage.
Do apply steady pressure to the wound with a clean towel or gauze pack and wrap the wound securely. Go to the ER if the bleeding doesn't stop, or if the wound is gaping or caused by an animal bite. To help prevent shock, keep the victim warm.

8. Ingestion of poison.
Don't induce vomiting or use Ipecac syrup (unless instructed to do so by emergency personnel).
Do call poison control, and bring the ingested substance with its container to the ER.

9. Being impaled.
Don't remove the object; you could cause further damage or increase the risk of bleeding.
Do stabilize the object, if possible, and go to the ER.

10. Seizures.
Don't put anything in the victim's mouth.
Do lay the victim on the ground if possible in an open space and roll the victim onto his or her side. Call 911.

And when else should you call 911? Whenever you see or experience chest pain, fainting, confusion, uncontrollable bleeding or shortness of breath. The medics can get to work on arrival.

Bike Stunts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fB8f9ZElVw

Office dares

Office Dares
One-Point Dares

1.. Ignore the first five people who say 'good morning' to you.
2.. To signal the end of a conversation, clamp your hands over your ears and grimace.
3.. Leave your fly open for one hour. If anyone points it out, say, "Sorry, I really prefer it this way".
4.. Walk sideways to the photocopier.
5.. While going in an elevator, gasp dramatically each time the doors open.
6.. When in elevator with one other person, tap them on the shoulder and pretend it wasn't you.
7.. Finish all your sentences with "In accordance with the prophecy..."
8.. Don't use any punctuation.
9.. Interrupt your conversation with someone by giving a huge dejected sigh.
10.. Use your highlighter pen on the computer screen.

Three-Point Dares
1.. Say to your boss, "I like your style", wink, and shoot him with double-barrelled fingers.
2.. Kneel in front of the water cooler and drink directly from the nozzle.
3.. Shout random numbers while someone is counting.
4.. Every time you get an email, shout ''email''.
5.. Put decaf in the coffee maker for 3 weeks. Once everyone has got over their caffeine addictions, switch to espresso.
6.. Keep hole punching your finger. Each time you do, shout, "dagnamit, it's happened again!". Then do it again.
7.. Introduce yourself to a new colleague as "the office bicycle". Then wink and pout.
8.. Call I.T. helpdesk and tell them that you can't seem to access any pornography web sites.

Five-Point Dares
1.. At the end of a meeting, suggest that, for once, it would be nice to conclude with the singing of the national anthem (extra points if you actually launch into it yourself).
2.. Walk into a very busy person's office and while they watch you with growing irritation, turn the light switch on/off 10 times.
3.. For an hour, refer to everyone you speak to as "Dave".
4.. Announce to everyone in a meeting that you "really have to go do a number two".
5.. When you've picked up a call, before speaking finish off some fake conversation with the words, ''she can abort it for all I care''.
6.. After every sentence, say 'Mon' in a really bad Jamaican accent. As in: "The report's on your desk, Mon." Keep this up for one hour.
7.. In a meeting or crowded situation, slap your forehead repeatedly and mutter, "Shut up, damn it, all of you just shut up!"
8.. At lunchtime, get down on your knees and announce, "As God is my witness, I'll never go hungry again!"
9.. Repeat the following conversation 10 times to the same person: "Do you hear that?" "What?" "Never mind, it's gone now."
10.. Present meeting attendees with a cup of coffee and biscuit; smash each biscuit with your fist.
11.. During the course of a meeting, slowly edge your chair towards the door.
12.. As often as possible, skip rather than walk.
13.. Ask people what sex they are. Laugh hysterically after they answer.
14.. Sign or p.p. all letters with your initials and a swastika.

1. The nicest thing about the future is that it always starts tomorrow.
2. Money will buy a fine dog, but only kindness will make him wag his tail.
3. If you don't have a sense of humor, you probably don't have any sense at all
4. Seat belts are not as confining as wheelchairs.
5. A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you're in deep water.
6. How come it takes so little time for a child who is afraid of the dark to become a teenager who wants to stay out all night?
7. Business conventions are important because they demonstrate how many people a company can operate without.
8. Why is it that at class reunions you feel younger than everyone else looks?
9. Scratch a dog and you'll find a permanent job.
10. No one has more driving ambition than the boy who wants to buy a car.
11. There are no new sins; the old ones just get more publicity.
12. There are worse things than getting a call for a wrong number at 4 AM. It could be a right number.
13. Think about this.. No one ever says "It's only a game" when his team is winning.
14. I've reached the age where the happy hour is a nap.
15. Be careful reading the fine print. There's no way you're going to like it.
16. The trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the same size bucket.
17. Do you realize that in about 40 years, we'll have thousands of OLD LADIES running around with tattoos?
(And RAP music will be the Golden Oldies!).
18. Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Corvette than in a Yugo.
19. If you can't change your mind, are you sure YOU have one!!??
20. After a certain age, if you don't wake up aching in every joint, you are probably dead.

Wanna try this for lunch/

Cherry Blossom Festival, seoul

Olympics 2008

There was a time, long, long ago, when athletes from around the ancient world would gather, without clothes and without making political pronouncements, to let it all hang out - their enthusiasm for the spirit of competition, that is - and get on with games in which victories would bring resounding honor to the kingdoms, regions and powerful city-states they represented.

AP
German Chancellor Angela Merkel (left) has indicated that she will not attend the Olympic Games in Beijing in August; here, in a photo from last September, Merkel is seen meeting the Dalai Lama, the exiled, Tibetan-Buddhist spiritual leader; the Chinese government was angered by the German leader's encounter with its nemesis
Apparently, times have changed. Today's Olympic Games have become, at least in part, a high-profile venue for the conveying of implicit or explicit political messages, and a locus for a bevy of overlapping, sometimes competing forces and interests that may be athletic, political, economic or cultural, sometimes all at the same time.
With unrest in Tibet against the central Chinese government in Beijing still simmering, and related protests still unfolding around the world to call attention to China's human-rights record, the thoughts some critics have voiced about a possible boycott of the Olympics that will begin in Beijing in early August appear to be starting to take concrete form.
Late last week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel "became the first world leader to decide not to attend the Olympics in Beijing," the British daily the Guardian noted this past Saturday. On that day, foreign ministers from European Union countries met in Slovenia; on their agenda was the sensitive topic of whether or not to boycott the forthcoming Olympics in China, a subject that lately has been bubbling to the surface of policy-makers' lists of things to think about. French President Nicolas Sarkozy has made utterances on the boycott theme. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has pledged to meet the exiled, Tibetan-Buddhist spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, when he visits the United Kingdom in May. The PM also has said he is determined to attend the Beijing Olympics.

Claro Cortes IV/Reuters
Beijing, March 18, 2008: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at a news conference after the closing session of the National People's Congress; Wen dismissed calls for a boycott of the Olympics after a crackdown on riots in Tibet, saying the event should not be politicized.
The Guardian reported: "The disclosure that Germany is to stay away from the games' opening ceremonies...could encourage...Sarkozy of France to join in a gesture of defiance and complicate...Brown's determination to attend the Olympics. Donald Tusk, Poland's prime minister, became the first E.U. head of government to announce a boycott [last] Thursday, and he was promptly joined by President Václav Klaus of the Czech Republic, who had previously promised to travel to Beijing." Germany's Der Spiegel Online reports that Tusk told a Polish newspaper "that he felt the participation of politicians at the event would be 'inappropriate.'" Klaus pointed out that his decision "was not intended as a 'threat to China.'"
"Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany's foreign minister, confirmed that Merkel [would be] staying away. He added that neither he nor Wolfgang Schäuble, the [German] interior minister responsible for sport, would attend the opening ceremon[ies]." (Guardian) A German-government spokesman "expanded on Steinmeier's statement," confirming "that Chancellor Merkel never intended to attend the Olympics - neither the opening ceremonies nor the Games themselves." The spokesman indicated that Schäuble...was not planning to attend the [Olympic Games'] opening ceremonies but would be visiting the event itself." (Der Spiegel Online)

Claro Cortes IV/Reuters
Earlier this month, visitors to the Chinese capital posed with Beijing Olympic mascots
Steinmeier "denied" that, through their proposed actions, these German-government officials would be "boycotting or staging a political protest against the Chinese military and police campaign in Tibet and surrounding areas. While expressing skepticism about a complete boycott, he did not rule one out. 'This is not the right moment to talk about a boycott....We should watch how the Chinese government deals with the situation in the next weeks and months," Steinmeier stated. (Guardian)
So far, the official European Union position "has been to call for restraint and [to] urge China to open a dialog on cultural rights with the Dalai Lama, whom Beijing has accused of inciting the [recent] pro-independence riots" that have taken place in Tibet. (Deutsche Welle; also Télévision Suisse Romande)
Meanwhile, Rama Yade, France's secretary of state for human rights, has said her country will be ready to welcome the Dalai Lama when he swings through Europe in the near future, and French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has suggested that "if the Tibetan spiritual leader comes to France, [President] Sarkozy should meet him in person." All of that talk prompted a spokesman for China's foreign ministry to retort: "We must stick to the spirit of the Olympics and not politicize the Games....The Chinese government firmly opposes all forms of official contact by the Dalai Lama with any country." (Le Parisien)

Nicky Loh/Reuters
Taipei, Taiwan, March 9, 2008: Buddhist monks chanted prayers before a pro-Tibet demonstration at which protesters called for the Beijing Olympics to be boycotted
Fast forward: France is scheduled to take over the European Union's rotating presidency from Slovenia in July. Thus, Sarkozy last week said: "At the time of the Olympics, I will be in the presidency of the European Union, so I have to sound out and consult my fellow members to see whether or not we should boycott....According to how the situation is looking at the time, I reserve the right to say whether or not I will attend the opening ceremony." (Deutsche Welle)
Yesterday's lead editorial in the British weekly the Observer (the Guardian's sister newssheet), stated: "When China won the right to host the 2008 Olympic Games..., Liu Qi, president of the Beijing organizing committee and the then Beijing city mayor, told the International Olympic Committee: 'If Beijing wins its bid to host the Olympic Games, it will be conducive to China's economic and social progress; at the same time, [China] will also make further progress on the promotion of human rights.' Wang Wei [, the] secretary-general of the Beijing 2008 Olympic bid committee, backed him up [, saying]: 'We will grant full freedom of the press to the journalists coming to China; they will be able to visit Beijing and other Chinese cities and cover any news event before and during the Olympic Games. We will also allow demonstrations.'"

Yiorgos Karahalis/Reuters
Athens, August 9, 2007: Opposition to the Beijing Olympics actually heated up last year. In this photo, women dressed as ancient-Greek priestesses raised torches in front of a banner that read, "Human-rights abuse cannot co-exist with Beijing Olympics." The event was the torch-lighting ceremony for a global relay in support of a boycott of the 2008 Olympics in China.
The Observer's editorial continued: "Four months before the Games [are scheduled to] begin, those promises look shattered. China's human-rights record remains poor....China has seen little progress toward more freedom of expression; the country executes more people and arrests more journalists than the rest of the world combined. It routinely blocks foreign news to which the state objects and censors the Internet. The conditions that existed in 2001 have not improved at all; in many ways, they have worsened. Events in Tibet have crystalized concerns....Even a democratic China that fully respected human rights would regard Tibet as an integral part of its territory, rather as Spain regards the Basque country, France Corsica and Britain Northern Ireland. However, that does not give China license brutally to repress dissent in Tibet...."
Should Gordon Brown represent the U.K. in person at the Beijing Olympics? "Brown has made clear his absolute determination to attend the opening ceremony," the Observer noted. It advised: "[L]ike his European counterparts, he should insist [that] China adhere to its pledges before committing himself....Merkel and Sarkozy are correct. The presence of European leaders should not be guaranteed unless China keeps its promises."