Want to keep IRS auditors away? Keep your earnings under $200,000 and they won’t bother you 99 percent of the time.

IRS enforcement numbers, released Tuesday, show that returns under that amount have a 1 percent chance of getting audited.

Returns showing income of $200,000 and above have a nearly 3 percent audit chance. The percentage jumps to more than 6 percent for returns showing earnings of $1 million or more.

The percentages apply to both individual and joint returns.

The number of audits jumped 11 percent from 2008 to 2009 for returns with earnings of $200,000 or more, but rose 30 percent for returns showing earnings of $1 million or more. For those under $200,000 the number of audits remained steady.

The IRS conducted 1.4 million audits of individual returns in the financial year ended Sept. 30, with more than 1 million conducted through correspondence with the taxpayer. The others were conducted through face-to-face meetings with IRS auditors.

The IRS does not do random audits, but does conduct “research audits” that will test compliance in business tax categories. In 2010, the target will be payroll taxes, according to Steve Miller, deputy commissioner for enforcement.

What happens if you’re audited while unemployed? The IRS may give you a break.

“While our assessments were up, the ability to pay went down drastically” due to the economy, Miller said. “We have a series of tools. We can have them pay partially, over time. If the money is not collectible, it’s treated as non-collectible. It’s going to depend on each case.

“We have to ensure there’s a balance between our responsibility to collect taxes with economic realities. We give people more time and determine how fast they can pay and whether they can pay.”

The total revenue collected from IRS enforcement actions, $48.9 billion in 2009, is a drop from $56.4 billion in 2008 and $59.2 billion in 2007.

Miller said the higher numbers in 2007 and 2008 reflect collections from settlements of several major tax shelter cases.

The IRS has stepped up its examination of tax-exempt organizations, checking the books of more than 10,000 groups in 2009 compared to 7,800 the previous year.

The number of business tax returns examined was down slightly in 2009 from the previous year.

Following on the heels of our Volvo lovefest.

Let’s hope the embattled manufacturer is able to find a buyer soon.

If you like this sort of thing, you’ll like our earlier 900 Turbo.

(via NYT)

Don’t know what Runescape is?
It’s a MMORPG set in the Middle Ages, where mythical creatures along with humans reign. There are 24 skills, such as fishing and mining. There are 99 levels for all skills, if you want to level up you need to do the thing related to the skill, for example you need to catch fish if you want to advance in fishing. Of course how higher the level the more you need to catch. I will post some ways to earn money later.

The reason I seem to fall off the face of this blogging life every so often is the simple fact that I seem hell bent on keeping updates on my 100 day fear challenge in chronological order. The funny part is I might be one of the least methodical people when it comes to life, so why on earth am I so strict when it comes to this blog? Today I’m taking the plunge and going out of order! This is a big moment for me folks.

Really was silly of me, and I apologize for not stepping out of that restricting box, one might call limiting, earlier. Day #99 I cut off all my hair for Angel Hair for Kids. Kevin was my new, but trusted hair stylist. He was fabulous; kind, patient, tons of fun, and cute as can be. I loved him and couldn’t be happier with the outcome! He even got an “eeee” out of me when he showed me the final product. If you’re looking for a stylist, you best be visiting Rainbow Expressions on Speers Road in Oakville, ON and ask for Kevin. If you can’t get Kevin, not to worry, you will be in capable hands with any of their stylists.

This was daunting for me. And when I say daunting I mean embarrassing because I was an emotional wreck (wouldn’t say overly but definitely fragile). I thought I might be above the whole vanity thing, and honestly, leading up to the appointment I really did believe that psychologically, I had it beat. Well, turns out I wasn’t at all above it. It was mortifying. At my consultation I was just about in tears as Kevin talked to me about the process. I don’t know what it is about us girls and our hair; it really is our security blanket. It’s crazy that in our society long hair equals beauty, femininity, and sex appeal… Hate it all! (Yet unfortunately, some way, some how I am not above it in any way). Well my fellow women , there is hope and here it is – once you take that leap and chop ‘er off, that’s it!! It’s freeing! It’s fun! It’s so much less work!!

I’ve gone through some of my highest highs and lowest lows with this fear and that worries me. What does that say about me if I was so scared to cut off all my hair?! Am I vain? Am I this awful person that can’t let go of my ego for the better good? What does it mean?!?!?! Obvioulsy this couldn’t come at a better time, as I had told people for quite a while that I was growing my hair out to cut it for cancer, it was a fear of mine and my cousin had just been through chemo. I couldn’t be more pleased that I’ve cut my hair for such a worthy cause. Although I loved my hair, I love the fact that a child might be able to face a painful time in their life with a bit more confidence.

#99 Cut off my hair… CHECK!

goodbye long locks

hello new do

Although it’s just a haircut, it does wonders for a new perspective. So much so that I’m blogging out of order!!! Step outta that box you’re livin’ in and try something new, something daring, something that makes your soul feel good.

It’s so easy to surprise yourself. Find our what you’re really capapble of – quit playing it safe, instead step out of your comfort zone, just for a moment, and find out what you’re really made of.

We completed the first beta test yesterday on one of the Operation Rendition missions. (Big props to Andy and Steven for all your help!)

 While I discovered a few things that would make the actual missions better, there are also a few things that I can do to make testing easier.

1. Start as early as possible. getting a jump on the day just means you won’t be burning daylight at the end (like we were.)
2. Use multiple phones when possible. Because the missions are paired (two happen at the same time with the same landmarks but different teams) it makes tweaking the waypoints easier.
3. Make sure that everyone has a fully charged phone before you start so that they can be used in real-time. Nothing is worse than having a phone go dead.
4. Make heavy allowances for travel and parking time. Sure it was downtown SF the Saturday before Christmas, and next week it will be a ghost town, but I really underestimated. I guess I’m spoiled by Caltrain and my bike. They are arguably the two quickest ways to get to the city and then to get around when you are there.

All in all, it was very illuminating seeing the missions on a real iPhone for the first time. It was pretty dang exciting seeing my work out there in public, even if we were the only ones reading it. It was the best hour that I’ve spent on Jericho in years, even if we only got one  hour logged. I got a smile from ear to ear just thinking about now.

More testing in the next 6 weeks!

As for the missions, I’ll be making small changes and republishing them today.

—Bru

Welcome back, I have taken quite a bit of time off of Runescape to focus on my studies and now am back in full swing. I am going to try and finish my 90 Agility and 90 Mining goals before the New Year. It shouldn’t be a problem so lets get to it.

After Mining with some of my close clanmates in “mininggolds” and 8 hours of hardcore Mining I got this lovely level. Under 1,000,000 exp until I reach 90!

Yes! 2 levels left and under a million exp to get it. I’m thinking I will use up the gold I have collected so far to get 80 Smithing and maybe get some Crafting levels in the mix aswell.

Another exciting level today also, I have been keeping up with my Farming runs over finals and got this lovely level today. I am half way to 99 the ultimate goal. Hopefully at this pace I should get 99 in 140 days, sigh…

Yesterday I also attended the Canting Away Winter Festival, Thanks to everyone who had to deal with my horrid clue reading skills. I had a fantastic time and really think you all should put more on, you have a great following. You can find Merch Gwyar along with All Things Pie’s blogs in the ‘Other Great Bloggers” section on the right. Merch usually posts things containing the clan and Pie is a member.

These are the goals remaining for the 2009 year, Prayer to level 78 is possible is Dragon Bones every crash… Hunter is on the list but isn’t something I really like to do so its a ‘maybe’.

Remaining Goals for December:

88/90 Mining

88/90 Agility

75/80 Range

78/80 Smithing

73/80 Hunter*

71/78 Prayer**

-Slayer Helmet (with 76 Summoning I will be 96+10)

Following on the heels of our Volvo lovefest.

Let’s hope the embattled manufacturer is able to work something out soon.

If you like this sort of thing, you’ll like our earlier 900 Turbo.

(via NYT)

One of my favorite writers – Jonathan Ames talks about fear, writing and coffee.

full story

A blast from the ridiculous past….

Asma ul Husna

This post carries all ninety-nine names of Alalh (SWT) in Arabic as well as their transliterations and meanings in English. It is envisaged that the user will recite and learn at least 3 names / attributes per day and benefit from their inspirations as well as their usage in our duas (supplications).

“Those who believe and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah: for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.” (Sura Rad 13:28)

Allah is the Name for the Creator and Sustainer of the entire creation. The Name Allah is unique in that it cannot be corrupted and written as god, or goddess and gods or goddessesses, thereby compromsing His (SWT) wahdaniyah (Oneness) which is tantamount to shirk (attributing partners to Allah – SWT). The title Allah is thus the ideal for the One Whom we revere, glorify and worship.

The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s) said, “Allah has ninety-nine names. Whoever learns, understands and recites them constantly, will enter Jannah.” (Sahih Muslim).

Allah (SWT) does not desire anything from His creation except that He (SWT) alone is worshipped. But we cannot truly worship Allah (SWT) unless we learn to know Him (SWT) and He (SWT) cannot be known except if He (SWT) is remembered. It is through al-Asma al-Husna that Allah (SWT) has made it possible for us to grasp some of His (SWT) manifestations in creation. Allah (SWT) states in the Holy Quran.

“And to Allah belongs the Beautiful Names, so call upon Him by these Names.” (Al-Araf, 7:180)
The ninety-nine Names of Allah (SWT) are in essence His (SWT) Attributes which are termed as al-Asma al-Husna (The Beautiful Names). Through these Names we come to understand the majesty and grandeur of Allah (SWT). The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s) aptly encouraged us saying “inspire yourselves with teh qualities of Allah.” This means that we ought to display, for example, mercy, compassion and forgiveness, etc. when interacting with each other and with other creatures in this world.

We should thus make it our duty to learn, understand and recite these Beautiful Names of Allah (SWT) and also call upon Allah (SWT) with His (SWT) unique Attributes when engaged in our duas (supplications)
Professor A.F.M. Ebrahim, Professor of Islamic Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Acknowledgement: The publishers are greatly indebted and wish to acknowledge Prof. A.F.M. Ebrahim who wrote the introduction (Significance lf al-Asma’ al-Husna) and provided the correct English transliteration and translations of the attributes of Allah (SWT).

Allah

1. Allah
The One Almighty Allah who alone is worthy of worship
Whoever recites Allah 1000 times daily, all doubts and uncertainties will be removed from his heart, and instead determination and faith will become inborn in him.

Al-Rahman

2. Al-Rahman
The Most Compassionate
Reciting Ya Rahmanu 100 times after each obligatory salah will protect one against heedlessness, forgetfulness and anxiety.

Al-Raheem

3. Al-Rahim
The Most Merciful
Reciting Ya Rahimu 100 times after salat al-Fajr will attract kind and friendly treatment from all creatures.

Al-Malik

4. Al-Malik
The Sovereign
Constantly reciting Ya Maliku will result in enjoying respect and dignity in the sight of others.

Al-Quddus

5. Al-Quddus
The Holy One and One who is free from all blemishes
Reciting Ya Quddusu 100 times each day will purify our hearts and relieve us from all anxiety.

Al-Salam

6. Al-Salam
The Giver of Peace or One who is immune from all distresses
Reciting Ya Salamu 160 times over a person who is ill will help in making that person recover from his/her illness.

Al-Mumin

7. Al-Mumin
The Giver of faith
Reciting Ya Mu’minu will safeguard us from the evil of the enemy.

Al-Muhaymin

8. Al-Muhaymin
The Giver of Protection
Reciting Ya Muhayminu after having performed the ablution will result in one’s inner being becoming radiant.

Al-Aziz

9. Al-Aziz
The Mighty
Reciting Ya Azizu 40 times after salat al-Far from 40 days will result in Allah(SWT) freeing us from dependance on others.

Al-Jabbar

10. Al-Jabbar
The Overpowering Lord
Whoever recites Ya Jabbaru will not be subjected to coercion, and will not be exposed to violence, severity or harshness.

Al-Mutakabbir

11. Al-Mutakabbir
The Self-Glorious
Allah (SWT) will bestow righteous children to the husbands who recite Ya Mutakabbiru before approaching their wives.

Al-Khaliq

12. Al-Khaliq
The Creator
A childless wife who wishes to have children should fast for seven days and break her fast at the proper time each day with a glass of water over which she has recited Ya Khaliqu, Ya Bari’u and Ya Musawwiru 21 times. By doing that insha’ Allah she will be able to conceive.

Al-Bari

13. Al-Bari
The One Who gives life
A childless wife who wishes to have children should fast for seven days and break her fast at the proper time each day with a glass of water over which she has recited Ya Khaliqu, Ya Bari’u and Ya Musawwiru 21 times. By doing that insha’ Allah she will be able to conceive.

Al-Musawwir

14. Al-Musawwir
The Fashioner of unique beauty
A childless wife who wishes to have children should fast for seven days and break her fast at the proper time each day with a glass of water over which she has recited Ya Khaliqu, Ya Bari’u and Ya Musawwiru 21 times. By doing that insha’ Allah she will be able to conceive.

Al-Ghaffar

15. Al-Ghaffar
The Great Forgiver
Allah (SWT) will graciously forgive the sins of the one who constantly recites Ya Ghaffaru.

Al-Qahhar

16. Al-Qahhar
The Subduer
Reciting Ya Qahharu will assist one in subduing the desires of the flesh, ridding the heart of worldly attachment and leading one to inner peace.

Al-Wahhab

17. Al-Wahhab
The Bestower of all things
If one has a particular wish or cannot make ends meet one should recite Ya Wahhabu 100 times after midnight on three or seven nights consecutively after salat al-Tahajjud and Allah-willing, his/her wish will be granted and financial difficulty will be eased.

Al-Razzaq

18. Al-Razzaq
The Sustainer and Provider
The gates of Divine providence will be opened for all who constantly recite Ya Razzaqu.

Al-Fattah

19. Al-Fattah
The Remover of difficulties and the Reliever
Recitation of Ya Fattahu brings openness of the heart and opens the way to victory.

Al-Alim

20. Al-Alim
The All Knowing
Recitation of Ya Alimu will illuminate one’s heart and many qualities of light will be reflected from within us.

Al-Qabid

21. Al-Qabid
The Withholder of Sustenance
If one recites Ya Qabidu on a morsel of food for 40 days and eat it, one will never suffer starvation.

Al-Basit

22. Al-Basit
The Extender of Sustenance
If one stretches one’s hands (like when making dua) and recites at the time of dawn 10 times Ya Basitu and then draw one’s hands over one’s face, one will not stand in need of other people.

Al-Khafid

23. Al-Khafid
The Abaser
To obtain Divine protection against the evil of an enemy, one should recite Ya Khafidu 70000 times in a religious gathering, one a day following a three-day fast.

Al-Rafey

24. Al-Rafey
The Exalter
If one recites Ya Rafey 100 times daily, Allah (SWT) will bless that person with honour, virtue and wealth.

Al-Mu’idhdh

25. Al-Mu’idhdh
The Giver of honour
Whoever recites Ya Mu’idhdhu 140 times after salat al-Isha on Mondays or Fridays will have nothing to fear.

Al-Mudhill

26. Al-Mudhill
The Humiliator
One will be safe from cruel and envious people and enjoy Allah’s (SWT) protection upon reciting Ya Mudhillu 75 times.

Al-Sami

27. Al-Sami
The All-Hearing
Allah (SWT) will take care of needs of all those who recite 100 times Ya Samiu after salat al-Zuhr on Thursdays before speaking to anyone.

Al-Basir

28. Al-Basir
The All-Seeing
One who recites Ya Basiru 100 times after performing the fard of salat al-Jumuah and before performing the sunnah rakaat, Allah (SWT) will grant that person esteem in the eyes of others.

Al-Hakam

29. Al-Hakam
The Arbiter
Allah (SWT) will reveal many mysteries to those who recite Ya Hakamu many times at night.

Al-Adl

30. Al-Adl
The Just
Parents who have disobedient children should recite Ya Adlu with one’s finger on a piece of bread and eat it on Friday night and Allah (SWT) will make their children obedient to them.

Al-Latif

31. Al-Latif
The Most Affectionate
If a poor and lonely person recites Ya Latifu 100 times after performing two rakat nafil salah, all his/her wishes will be fulfilled.

Al-Khabir

32. Al-Khabir
The All-Knowing
By constantly reciting Ya Khabiru, those who suffer from bad habits will soon find them corrected.

Al-Halim

33. Al-Halim
The Forbearing
If a farmer writes Ya Halimu on a piece of paper and buries it near the place where he has sown his seeds, no harm or misfortune will befall his crops.

Al-Azim

34. Al-Azim
The Great
People will love and respect those who constantly recite Ya Azimu.

Al-Ghafur

35. Al-Ghafur
The Forgiving
The constant recitation of Ya Ghafuru will bring relief to those who suffer from fever and migraine or who experience grief and sorrow.

Al-Shakur

36. Al-Shakur
The Highly Grateful
If one is experiencing difficulties and finds life hard and painful, one should wash one’s face with water upon which Ya Shakuru has been recited 49 times. By doing that one’s goals will be achieved.

Al-Aliyu

37. Al-Aliyu
The Most High
Whoever recites Ya Aliyu fortune’s door will be opened and/or the traveller will reach his/home safely.

Al-Kabir

38. Al-Kabir
The Most Great
Whoever recites Ya Kabiru 100 times daily will be honoured.

Al-Hafiz

39. Al-Hafiz
The Protector
Those who recite Ya Hafizu 16 times daily will be kept safe from disasters.

Al-Muqit

40. Al-Muqit
The Giver of Sustenance and Strength
The condition of badly behaved children will improve if they are made to drink water from a glass over which Ya Muqitu has been recited.

Al-Hasib

41. Al-Hasib
The Reckoner or One who suffices for everyone and everything
For protection against thieves, the evil eye, or harm from an enemy, recite Ya Hasibu 70 times daily for seven days starting on a Thursday. After every 70 times one should add words Hasbiyallahul Hisab (Sufficient is Allah, the Reckoner)

Al-Jalil

42. Al-Jalil
The Glorious or the One with an exalted position
If one writes Ya Jalilu on a piece of paper with musk and saffron and place the paper in a ceramic container and drinks the water once the writing is dissolved will be revered among people.

Al-Karim

43. Al-Karim
The Benevolent
Those who constantly recite Ya Karimu will be esteemed in this world and the life Hereafter.

Al-Raqib

44. Al-Raqib
The Caretaker
Allah’s (SWT) protection is assured to those who recite Ya Raqibu 7 times and blow upon themselves, their children, families and properties.

Al-Mujib

45. Al-Mujib
The Responder of Supplications
The Dua of those who recite Ya Mujibu will be answered.

Al-Wasey

46. Al-Wasey
The All-Embracing
Whoever finds it difficult to make ends meet should recite Ya Waseo and the gates of Divine providence will be opened for him/her.

Al-Hakim

47. Al-Hakim
The Wise
The endeavours of those who constantly recite Ya Hakimu will turn out well.

Al-Wadud

48. Al-Wadud
The Most Loving
If there is any misunderstanding between two persons, one of them should recite Ya Wadud 1000 times over some food and give it to the other person to eat.

Al-Majid

49. Al-Majid
The Most Venerable
Those who constantly recite Ya Majidu will always enjoy eminence.

Al-Baith

50. Al-Baith
The Resurrector of the Dead
Fear of Allah (SWT) will inspire those who recite Ya Baithu.

Al-Shahid

51. Al-Shahid
The Omnipresent
Parents who recite Ya Shahidu and blow over their disobedient children will result in their children paying attention to what they are told to do.

52. Al-Haqq
The Truth
If one has lost something one should recite Ya Haqqu and that thing will be found.

Al-Wakil

53. Al-Wakil
The Trustee
By constantly reciting Ya Wakilo, one comes to enjoy Allah’s (SWT) protection against the perils of water, fire or any other threat.

Al-Qawi

54. Al-Qawi
The Almighty
Reciting Ya Qawiyu will ward off harm from a superior enemy.

Al-Matin

55. Al-Matin
The Invincible
Difficult tasks will become easy for those who recite Ya Matinu.

Al-Wali

56. Al-Wali
The Protecting Friend
Those who constantly recite Ya Waliyu may hope of becoming the friends of Allah (SWT)

Al-Hamid

57. Al-Hamid
The Praiseworthy
Those who recite Ya Hamidu will earn people’s love and approval.

Al-Muhsi

58. Al-Muhsi
The Keeper of Records
Those who fear the Final Reckoning should recite Ya Muhsi 1000 times and it will become easier for them to render account on the Day of Judgement.

Al-Mubdi

59. Al-Mubdi
The Originator
If Ya Mubdi is recited over a woman who is threatening to miscarry, she will be spared the dangers of pregnancy.

Al-Muid

60. Al-Muid
The One who has the Power to Create again
If a member of one’s family goes absent, one should recite Ya Muidu and that member will safely return.

Al-Muhyi

61. Al-Muhyi
The Giver of life
For relief from a crushing burden, one should recite Ya Muhyi.

Al-Mumit

62. Al-Mumit
The Giver of Death
One can recite Ya Mumit after overcoming one’s enemy.

Al-Hayy

63. Al-Hayy
The Everlasting
Long life will be enjoyed by those who constantly recite Ya Hayyu.

Al-Qayyum

64. Al-Qayyum
The Self-Existing
Those who recite Ya Qayyumu will not lapse into heedlessness.

Al-Wajid

65. Al-Wajid
The Resourceful
Those who recite Ya Wajidu are favoured with richness of heart.

Al-Majid

66. Al-Majid
The Noble
The hearts of those who recite Ya Majidu will be enlightened.

Al-Wahid

67. Al-Wahid
The Unique
Those who constantly alone recite Ya Wahidu in a quiet place will become immune to fear and delusion.

Al-Samad

68. Al-Samad
The Eternal
Allah (SWT) will meet the needs of those who constantly recite Ya Samadu and they will find that others will need their assistance.

Al-Qadir

69. Al-Qadir
The All-Powerful
Those who recite Ya Qadiru will find all their wishes fulfilled.

Al-Muqtadir

70. Al-Muqtadir
The One with full authority
Those who recite Ya Muqtadiru will awake from heedless sleep.

Al-Muqaddim

71. Al-Muqaddim
The Promoter
No harm will befall those who recite Ya Muqaddimu.

Al-Mu’akhkhir

72. Al-Mu’akhkhir
The Postponer
The love of Allah (SWT) will take root in the heart of the one who recites Ya Mu’akhkhiru 100 times daily.

Al-Awwal

73. Al-Awwal
The First
Anyone who wishes to have children or to be united with an absent relative should recite Ya Awwalu 100 times on 40 Fridays.

Al-Akhir

74. Al-Akhir
The Last
Those who recite Ya Akhiru will live and die well.

Al-Zahir

75. Al-Zahir
The Manifest
Enlightenment will come to those who recite Ya Zahiru 15 times after performing the fard of Salat al-Jumah.

Al-Batin

76. Al-Batin
The Hidden
Those who recite Ya Batinu 3 times daily will come to know the reality of things.

77. Al-Wali
The One who exercises authority over all things
Those who recite Ya Wali over their houses will dwell safely therein.

Al-Mutali

78. Al-Mutali
The Exalted
Constantly reciting Ya Mutali attracts Divine benevolence.

Al-Barr

79. Al-Barr
The Source of all goodness
Children will be safe when we recite Ya Barru and blow over them.

Al-Tawwab

80. Al-Tawwab
The Oft-Returning
Repentance will be accepted from one who constantly recites Ya Tawwabu.

Al-Muntaqim

81. Al-Muntaqim
The Avenger
Those who constantly recite Ya Muntaqimu will be victorious over their enemies.

Al-Afuw

82. Al-Afuw
The Pardoner
Those who recite Ya Afuwu will have their sins forgiven.

Al-Rauf

83. Al-Rauf
The Kind
Those who recite Ya Rauf will be blessed with good fortune.

Malik al-Mulk

84. Malik al-Mulk
King of Absolute Sovereignity
Those who recite Ya Malik al-Mulk will be mighty among the people.

Dhu al-Jalali wal-Ikram

85. Dhu al-Jalali wal-Ikram
Lord of Majesty and Generosity
Those who recite Ya Dhu al-Jalali wal-Ikram will be enriched.

Al-Muqsit

86. Al-Muqsit
The Equitable
Constantly reciting Ya Muqsitu gives protection from the mischief of the devil.

Al-Jami

87. Al-Jami
The Assembler
One who recites Ya Jamiu will find the thing that has been lost.

Al-Ghani

88. Al-Ghani
The Self-Sufficient
One who recites Ya Ghaniu will achieve contenment.

Al-Mughni

89. Al-Mughni
The Enricher
One who recites Ya Mughni 10 times on each of 10 Fridays will become independent of other people.

Al-Mani

90. Al-Mani
The Hinderer
Those who recite Ya Maniu will attain peace and harmony in their married life.

Al-Darr

91. Al-Darr
The Distresser
If Ya Daru is recited on Friday nights by those who have fallen to the bottom of the scale, they will rise to higher status.

Al-Nafi

92. Al-Nafi
The Benefactor
No injury or pain will afflict those who recite Ya Nafiu as many times as possible over a period of 4 days.

Al-Nur

93. Al-Nur
The Light
Those who recite Ya Nuru will be inwardly enlightened.

Al-Hadi

94. Al-Hadi
The Guide
Spiritual knowledge will be acquired by those who recite Ya Hadi.

Al-Badi

95. Al-Badi
The Originator
All troubles are eased for those who recite 70 times Ya Badi al-samawati wal-ard (“O Incomparable Creator of the Heavens and the Earth!”)

Al-Baqi

96. Al-Baqi
The Eternal
Those who recite Ya Baqi 100 times before sunrise each day, will enjoy immunity from disaster and will be shown mercy in the Hereafter.

Al-Warith

97. Al-Warith
The Supporter of All or One who remains alive even after everyone or everything dies
Long life will be enjoyed by those who often recite Ya Warithu.

Al-Rashid

98. Al-Rashid
The Right Guidance
Difficulties will be resolved for those who recite Ya Rashidu 1000 times between salat al-Maghrib and salat al-Isha.

Al-Sabur

99. Al-Sabur
The Most Forebearing
For relief from trouble or confusion, one should recite Ya Saburu 3000 times.

Interesting Mac facts I discovered whilst staring down the toilet seat after a bad curry. I think i can call it Macism which I personally categorise under  fascism. I will write a paper into Political Studies journal and it might even become part of my Dphil.

• 99% of Macintosh owners say they will never use anything else ever again,
• 99% of Macintosh owners say that they love their Macs
• 99% of Macintosh owners brag about how good their Macs are
• 99% of Macintosh owners are attracted by the minimalist design details and the vanity
• 99% of Macintosh owners own a turtle neck, tight trousers or a trench jacket
• 99% of Macintosh owners had, once in their life, owned a windows machine and produced reasons which involves a bullet point 2 page long list of how the revolution has changed their lives
• 99% of Macintosh owners will have taken their Macs out to Starbucks to show everyone that they work in an interesting industry involving creativity fuelled by overpriced sour coffee
• 99% of Macintosh owners buy Macs not because they want to be different, but because these people are special
• And to the 1% who didn’t like the apple experience, 99% of Macintosh users think that they can’t afford a new macbook and hence are inferior
• hence 99% of Macintosh have a stance in the political compass which points towards the north east.

Apple’s self-proclaimed successful attempts of making life easier by centralising power and control through the means of building their own hardware and software combination is a familiar concept that we have seen in twentieth century politics. Apple has learnt very well from Hitler that:

“All propaganda has to be popular and has to accommodate itself to the comprehension of the least intelligent of those whom it seeks to reach.”

This I don’t need to prove, every single one of their products are marked with the stamp of excellence of which is the white apple logo. Apple categorise the entire population into two: The Macs and the PCs – the exclusive few and all the other trash, the white and the coloured. This has proven a very effective propaganda as it is normal for a Macintosh owner to address a normal computer a PC, and a superior Macintosh a Mac. Freedom of the software developer for Apple is gone. There are heaps of rejected iphone apps in the wastelands of the internet like forgotten cultural heroes who once gave a finger to the authority.  Should the company have the power to choose what one wants to see and read, and think on ones behalf what is good for for the individual?

The apple design philosophy is thus the same as the totalitarian ruling. The central planning, to make things work smoother comes at the expense of freedom, of the user and the software designer.

So what is wrong with owning a mac? -nothing is “wrong”

as Mussolini said: ‘Apple is a religion. The twentieth-first century will be known in history as the century of Apple.’

here comes the part I acutally wanted to share

Out of ideas of christmas presents? how about a basket of apples? propaganda outside the ministry of truth

apple has invented a whole new way of human expression

no need to say anything about this one, but if bruce lee had a mac.....

they call it the apple look

they're so intuitive that you'd never need help again, apart from when they break and hence there's loads of these guys providing you with the best help in selling you more jewellry and desktop accesories to bling up your life and increase your self-esteem

"personal experience" is the philosophy of the customer service, sounds like what they say down the road in soho.

the ipose

the younger ones love it too, eventhough they don't quite understand it

the buttonless design is so intuitive to operate

cuddly little cutesy music players which plays videos! Now you can take your favourite shows with you on the move, like a 3 year old girl with their cuddly bears and 5 year old boys with their spiderman figures

can't let the box get wet

67. imi place sa simt fiecare particica a trupului unei femei, sa o savurez…

68. ma indragostesc foarte repede.

69. da, imi place 69.

70. imi place sa fac dragoste, sa o fac sa tanjeasca dupa mai mult.

71. imi place sa o fac pe fiecare sa se simpta speciala, unica. si asta doar pentru ca este.

72. imi place sa ma trezesc dimineata langa o femeie frumoasa.

73. imi place sa dansez.

74. imi place sa gatesc pentru o fata frumoasa.

75. da, cand invit o femeie in oras am intotdeauna o strategie. si functioneaza de fiecare data.

76. cateodata sunt un singuratic si imi place.

77. niciodata nu ma exteriorizez. doar cand sunt in pat.

78. in unele dimineti sunt morocanos.

79. mi se intampla sa nu stiu cu ce sa ma imbrac dimineata.

80. imi place sa dorm gol.

81. ador pielea fina a unei femei.

82. cateodata sunt cel mai mare lenes.

83. cateodata sunt considerat un porc, si asta fara sa vreau.

84. imi place apa plata.

85. pot citi un om daca stau o ora la povesti cu el.

86. cand eram mic voiam sa fiu doctor.

87. papucii mei preferati ii am de 5 ani. si inca sunt in stare buna.

88. imi place sa impresionez, si stiu sa fac asta foarte subtil.

89. imi doresc un lucru foarte mult, il obtin, iar dupa un timp ma plictisesc de el.

90. nu imi place sa mi se zica ce sa fac.

91. nu imi place sa astept dupa cineva.

92. intotdeauna tratez omul cu respect. astept sa fiu tratat la fel.

93. in 90% din cazuri ma gandesc de 2 ori inainte sa zic ceva.

94. nu imi place sa vorbesc degeaba, doar de dragul de a vorbi.

95. sunt destul de ordonat.

96. sunt in stare sa fac orice pentru cei dragi.

97. da, familia inseamna foarte mult pentru mine.

98. da, visez sa am odata familia mea, o familie frumoasa. pana atunci, o sa mai iubesc, o sa ma mai indragostesc de mutle ori

99. sunt un visator.

Green Label Art Series

hopefully, i will be completing goal #99, get conch (not to be confused with ‘cooch’) pierced this week! i’m going to a piercer tomorrow to make sure that they can do what i want to do (get a hoop like the one below) and price it. i’ve been spending more money than usual lately (ie: camera purchase), but i think it’s worth it. plus, sophie is going with me to get her nose done! yay us!

here is what a CONCH piercing is:

[image: here]

also, i bought my first christmas present this year! and now that i have my camera, i can work on a few others ideas that i have for people’s gifts.

it’s the most wonderful time of the yearrrrrr!

(actually i am kind of hating the holidays this year. but more on that later.)

I’ve noticed that every time I see a skill cape floating around RS, I am easily more impressed by some than others.  Therefore, this is my attempt to try and rank the skills in order of how impressive their 99s are in my opinion.

Note: the categories are ranked, but the individual skills inside them are not ranked.

The Money 99s: These skills are the ones that require a crapload of money to get if, like the majority of Runescape players, people do not acquire their own resources, and if they do make their own resources, the it’s even better because they spent the time and effort to do everything by themselves.  The reason it’s the most impressive is because people would have to work pretty hard in other skills to get all the money.

The Traveling 99s: These skills require patience and a lot of running around.  They’re the next most impressive because in order to get a 99 in these skills, it usually takes a lot more time than other skills.

The Continuous Click 99s: These skills are the ones where you have to keep clicking something in order to level, whether it be a rock, monsters, bones, logs, etc.  These skills are next in the line of respect because you need to pay attention to the game in order to achieve a 99 in them.

The Click and Wait 99s: These skills are the ones where you click something and sit around waiting for your character’s pixels to do all the work for you.  They’re last in the respectable 99s because you still have to pay attention to the game, though not as much as the Continuous Click 99s, in case, say, your fishing spot moves, or your tree gets cut.  Plus, the resources you get from these skills do not come instantaneously, so patience is still a virtue with them.

The Unrespectable 99s: While getting 99s in these skills is still a nice feat, the reason I don’t really respect these skills as much is because you can “click x” your way to 99.  They are the fastest, easiest, and most common 99s to get.

Summoning??: I’m not categorizing summoning because I haven’t started the skill (yea I’m a noob, bite me), so I don’t really know what it’s like.  However, from what I hear, summoning could probably be a category of its own.

End note: I’m not saying that I don’t really respect anyone who has the patience and time to get a skill to 99, I’m just saying that some I respect more than others.

The caption sucked you in didn’t it?  “Drive By Shooting”…it’s a sad commentary on society and the state of art when this kind of story get’s attention but that is the way our MTV, FOX, iPod, Twitter, Facebook, etc. media generated minds work now.  Back to the ‘Drive By’…

The drive south down 99 from Whistler to Vancouver was brilliant.  The sun finally pushed through the five-week canopy of cloud and the curtain opened to five meters of fallen snow in the past 24 days.  Meanwhile, I realised almost immediately that I had fallen into the three most regrettable pitfalls of renting a car. 

Number one: never get into a rental car without you sunglasses.  Granted it is November on the wet coast so a sunny drive on a day forecast for heavy rain wasn’t expected but I own a store that sells three of the coolest brands of sunglasses out there, have shades stashed in back packs, in my glove box (my wife had my truck) and otherwise scatter them in any number of places around my home and office on ledges and window sills where I meant not to forget them…but step into a shiny new Hyundai from Avis…you get the picture.  Note to self, when you get home put a pair of sunglasses in every bag.

Number two: no tunes.  No hook up for my HTC Mp3 phone (no iPod dock…not that I have an iPod), no Bluetooth, no CD’s (although the player is marked clearly ‘MP3′…even Hyundai gets that we burn them)…just the radio.  Mountain FM? God no.  I mean, yes it works, but no.  Enter XM Radio (XM2 actually…do they need 2?).  Leave it to Hyundai to add XM but no jack for auxiliary hook ups…and to add insult to injury they call it a ‘full size’?  They must be made in, well, somewhere with very small people.  XM and I develop an inevitable love hate relationship within minutes.  Every specialty commercial free station you can imagine categorized by music genre, decade, nationality, a million talk stations from comedy to sports to news, even religion (do they still have that?), every station that is except one that is playing a song I want to listen to.  Seek, scan, stop, XM Elvis, 60’s Pop, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s…end of a good song, damn! OFF!!

Finally, the third and hardest to swallow of all rental car pitfalls – especially for hardened Whistler locals like myself who drive full size 4×4, 4 door, Chevy Silverado pick-ups with one of the coolest line ups of stickers ever assembled on a vehicle and, by the way, gets better gas mileage than the Hyundai – the rest stop photo op.  It doesn’t matter how core I am or what hoody I have on or what time my meeting with Patagonia at Granville Island to see the 2010/11 winter line up is (yes, already) when I sit down in a rental car I know I will drop my camera ready to shoot in the passenger seat beside me and be resigned to stop at the first rest stop with a view and take a few shots like every other tourist and be humiliatingly recognized and at the same time welcomed as one of them.  I can’t fight it, or bother to explain to the guys in the big truck – like mine at home – loaded with sleds who are obviously local and only stopped for the call of nature that happens whenever there are more empty cans of Monster than passengers.  I give in to the urge and like a bar star who says she only smokes when she drinks, I pull over and suffer the loss of inner discipline that self righteously drives locals everywhere from interrupting their commute by selfishly enjoying magnificent surroundings like ours…dummies!

The tragic irony of the rental car is that, for me anyways, it is the ultimate excuse and licence to not be cool (except of course for the dorks in Hawaii who insist on renting the Mustang convertibles thinking they are cool).  So my pride intact, I pull up on the Tantalus view-point, grab my camera from the seat beside me, fold myself out of the Hyundai (still squinting from the drive south into the sun…no shades), dressed in my city clothes – black shirt, black jacket, black Vans – and lose myself in the grandeur of this place I am so blessed to call home.  Go ahead, I think to myself, “Screw the cool guy standard…Claim it!” (MSP, In Deep 2009)

The rolling summit due north is a scene straight out of Alaska…’click’…every rock and tree and shadow line a canvas of white beneath the pale blue sky of morning, and down the valley the snow line on the pines is churning in the smokey mist and warmth of the sunlight seen so rarely this time of year…’click, click, click’.  I love the pure imagination of it all…even the digital sound of a shutter release embedded on a chip programmed to echo from the little speaker on my camera to add to the nostalgia of my experience every time I snap a shot like I am Ansel Adams in 1930’something 3 months into a cold winter in Yosemite…brilliant.  Another car drives up and snapped back to reality I wonder for a moment what time it is, put the lens cap back in place and fold myself back into the Hyundai and stop.  I look again through the windshield at the smokey trees…and get back out for a few more…one more for the road.  I laugh to myself and think, ‘I love being a tourist’, and head on down the highway listening to Mountain FM.

It’s awakening to find inspiration in my own time…in my own back yard.  What have you passed by lately? or daily? Is there some place you know you’ve always wanted to stop but never have the time?  (ie. When your on your way to wait 10 minutes in the line at Starbucks or Wal-Mart or London Drugs? – sorry, no line ups there.)  It’s right there outside your window, just a step outside the comfort of your shiny metal box, yes, it’s right there.  Stop.  Just stop. 

(Aside: I would love to hear the stories of the people who just sopped after reading this…) 

Back to the ‘Drive By’…need to hit Vancouver, Granville Island by noon.  Bathroom break in Squamish, resist the ridiculously priced CD’s at Chevron even though they have a copy of ACDC’s Dirty Deeds…where will I ever find that on CD again? Answer; right there, forever…and don’t even think about the shades on the shiny spinny chrome rack thingy on the counter.  Three words, ‘Made In China’, and while I’m at it, why not add one word to that oh so familiar phrase stamped across some ridiculously growing double-digit percentage of our economy that might just sway the buying and manufacturing habits of the western world, ‘communist’.  If every second item you purchased was labelled, ‘Made in Communist China’, would you think twice?  Just a thought.  Two Mocha Monsters for $5.00, an old school chocolate puffed wheat square and I am back on the road.

The drive by shooting begins somewhere on the descent to Stanley Park on the Lion’s Gate Bridge.  I look in the rear view and see the perfect reflection of the suspension towers behind me, the city scape in front just above the mirror, wrap the neck cord of my camera around my wrist – just in case – open the window and fire off a round of black and white’s (I pre-programmed a B+W high res mode on my digi) at arms length out the window from the driver’s seat.  The first shot amazingly catches an oncoming car completely obscuring the city view above the mirror but captures a perfect mirror image of the bridge and the traffic behind.  The next two or three catch the view of downtown Vancouver between the cars, through the suspension cabling, above the tree line of Stanley Park.  Here we go.

I rattle off a few more down West Georgia; homeless guy in the soft focus silhouette of the moving trees (moving @30km/h past Burrard), big sign on the Vancouver Art Gallery, cool soft cover on the back of a Silverado like mine, the underside of the Granville Street Bridge at False Creek, a painting through a wood framed window where I parked, and think to myself, “Drive By Shooting…Drive By”.  Don’t call the MOT (BC Ministry of Transport) for an opinion on this one, don’t even take mine or think what you think I am suggesting (I accept no liability, blah, blah, blah…).  Just think of the possibilities.  We have all done it (haven’t we?).  Eaten a grape at the grocery store, pocketed some cool meaningless trinket, ridden to the store without our helmet, gone into the back country alone…snapped shots from airplane windows, on the bus or train, taken pics of funny road signs, people, other cars, vistas…this is just the natural progression of the art of every day.  It gives new meaning to ‘Street To Peak’ (ha, ha…just thought of that now!).  What better place to get it started (not that I am starting anything) than Street To Peak. 

Imagine you are a tourist today.  Yes, at home or sitting where ever you might be reading this.  How many photos did you take on your last week or two escape to somewhere else?  How many letters and/or post cards  did you write? (Better question – how many did you send?) Did you get out your journal or a pile of napkins and write? and fill more pages than you have in the past six months of the every day?  Imagine you are a geeky tourist in a rental Hyundai with no iTunes, squinting into the sun, drinking Monster Mocha, eating Fish and Chips from Tony’s (the best on Granville Island)  from a box on the passenger seat, searching for a good song on the local radio, snapping photos of the sky on a dark rainy bridge after a day of stopping at view points and rest stops just because life is good and you don’t know for sure when you will ever be here, right here, right now, again.   Imagine if that today was every day.

Where to start?  Wait a minute…before you dust off your SLR, load it in the car and hit the road, don’t miss the point.  (I can see the type A’s and OCD’s packing their sunglasses and CD’s already.)  In the immortal words of Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast.  If you don’t stop and look around once in a while you could miss it.”

In continuarea celor 99 de lucruri despre mine:

34. sunt incapatanat.

35. sunt mandru.

36. sunt destept.

37. imi place cand sunt apreciat.

38. imi place sa fiu rasfatat ( desii, nu prea recunosc asta).

39. sunt un romantic.

40. fac masaj doar pentru a atrage in pat.

41. am un stil propriu de imbracaminte.

42. in momentul asta as face sex.

43. doua foste mi-au zis ca sunt obsedat sexual. eu cred ca sunt normal. nu aveau ele libidoul normal.

44. cand ma enervez, tac.

45. cand se aduna mai multe in mine, explodez si spun lucruri pe care uneori le regret.

46. sunt lenes.

47. cheltuiesc mult pe nimicuri.

48. nu, nu am dat niciodata bani sa fac sex.

49. ma uit la filme porno.

50. imi place ca cineva sa faca streep-tease pentru mine.

51. nu, eu nu fac asa ceva.

52. gatesc doar cand ma satur de mancarea din frigider.

53. in esenta mea, sunt un familist convins.

54. imi plac copii. as vrea sa am vre-o 3.

55. imi plac cainii. imi doresc un golden retriever.

56. imi doresc o sotie frumoasa, dar sa fie la fel de frumoasa si dupa ce naste un copil.

57. sunt superficial cateodata.

58. uneori sunt egoist.

59. imi place sa fac fotografii.

60. imi place sa calatoresc mult.

61. vreau sa vizitez fiecare tara a Europei.

62. vreau o masina sport.

63. nu imi place sa ma barberesc.

64. folosesc gel de dus pentru  femei. imi place cum imi lasa pielea.

65. dimineata imi place sa fac sex.

66. tot dimineata, imi place sa beau cafeluta cu tigara pe Bob Marley.

Restul zilele urmatoare.

O amica mi-a sugerat sa scriu cateva lucruri despre mine. Am cam evitat, de fapt mi-a fost lene si cand nu imi era lene, preferam sa fac sex decat sa scriu pe blog. Neah..ca v-am zis-o si pe asta. Sa incepem:

1. imi place muzica. de fapt, fara muzica nu stiu ce ar insemna viata asta…

2. imi place sa fac sex. mult.

3. nu pot saruta (implicit sa fac sex cu) o femeie decat daca e frumoasa. (ce manelistic suna cuvantul femeie in contextul asta). trebuie sa aiba si corp frumos.

4. fumez un pachet de tigari, chiar doua pe zi. cred ca de la anu’ ma voi lasa….am zis cred.

5. imi place sa ma plimb cu masina. de fapt iubesc sa ma plimb cu masina. sa conduc.

6. imi place meseria mea.

7. urasc sa ma trezesc dimineata la 6:30.

8. imi place sa ma uit la seriale. That 70’s Show, Friends, Two and a Half Men si ze best, Californication.

9. imi plac filmele bune.

10. mi-am dat seama ca ultimele femei cu care am avut de-a face, s-au indragostit de mine.

11. adevarul e ca stiu foarte bine cum sa ma port cu o femeie.

12. imi place sa lenevesc cat mai mult.

13. nu suport femeile frumoase care isi acorda prea multa importanta.

14. urasc femeile urate care isi acorda prea multa importanta.

15. nu imi place fotbalul.

16. sunt un om foarte calm si relaxat. rareori ma agit.

17. stau singur intr-un apartament mare si imi place.

18. stiu sa fac de mancare, de fapt, gatitul este unul din lucrurile pe care le fac pentru o fata pentru a fi a mea. si merge.

19. nu beau vin. doar cand am pe cineva la cina. vezi punctul de mai sus.

20. imi place wiskey-ul. cu gheata si un pahar de apa langa.

21. imi place sa ma plimb cu castile in urechi.

22. imi place ploaia de vara si mirosul ei de dupa.

23. imi place sa o mangai dupa ce facem sex.

24. imi place sa o tin in brate cand dormim.

25. imi place cafeaua de dimineata.

26. am 1.85 si 81 de kg.

27. sunt un gurmand.

28. ascult muzica tare in masina.

29. imi place sa merg la concerte.

30. mai am vre-o 2 bloguri.

31. imi place sa fac sex.

32. urasc prezervativele, dar daca-i musai….ne’ntlegem.

33. imi dau seama daca are sau nu orgasm.

Deocamdata cam atat. Urmatoarele 33 mai tarziu.

da RNBJUNK

Rihanna ve la tirano dietro! Solo ieri avevamo comunicato che in America il suo album digitale (formato mp3) poteva essere acquistato a 3.99 USD, oggi invece arriva la notizia, cari signori, che l’album presto con un accordo tra DefJam e Amazon.com sarà disponibile a 0.99 cent… un niente, la metà di un caffè… !

Una situazione disperata, pare che “Rated R” si profili un flop bello e buono per ora, niente debutto alla numero 1 negli USA, e pare dalle mid-week inglesi, non entri nemmeno in top10 nel Regno Unito!

In a desperate bid to beat out the fierce competition between Rihanna’s Rated R, Lady GaGa’s The Fame Monster and Britney Spears’ Singles Collection, the record label has gone to new lengths. Rihanna’s highly anticipated and critically-medoicre Rated R is being sold as a download from less than a dollar. Yes, the whole album. To tell you the truth, it’s not even worth that much. It’s a really bad album in comparison to Good Girl Gone Bad.