O Ácido Acetilsalicílico faz parte do grupo de medicamentos antiinflamatórios não esteróides e é comumente vendido como Aspirina. Ele é utilizado para controlar a inflamação e combater a febre. O ácido acetilsalicílico atua também inibindo a formação excessiva de substâncias mensageiras da dor, as prostaglandinas, reduzindo assim a sensibilidade à dor.

É o medicamento mais conhecido e consumido em todo o mundo. Em 2009 a Aspirina completou 110  anos de existência.

Existem medicamentos genéricos da Aspirina que estão sendo vendidos atualmente, entre eles pode-se citar: Ácido Acetilsalicílico (EMS); Ácido Acetilsalicílico (Greenpharma); Ácido Acetilsalicílico (Neovita).

Indicações de uso: O Ácido Acetilsalicílico é indicado no tratamento de inflamações, atuando principalmente no alívio sintomático de dor e febre nos resfriados ou gripes.

Efeitos adversos: O uso de Ácido Acetilsalicílico pode causar desconforto abdominal, náuseas e vômitos.

Contra indicações: Não deve fazer uso da Aspirina pessoas com:  alergia a ácido acetilsalicílico ou a salicilatos; tendência para sangramentos; deficiência de vitamina K;  úlceras hepáticas ou doenças irritativas do trato gastrointestinal ; estiver no último trimestre de gravidez; pacientes que já tenham tido asma brônquica ou rinite.

Interações com outros medicamentos: O uso concomitante com os anticoagulantes orais (como Warfarina, Fenprocumona, Fenindiona), hipoglicemiantes orais, agentes uricosuricos, barbitúricos e antiinflamatórios não esteróides deve ser evitado.

Friends here my review of AAS – 1953 SJ movie:
Chander Mehta
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AAS

Goel Cine Corporation, Bombay

Director: Devendra Goel

Music: Shankar Jaikishan

Lyric: Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri

Music Assistant: Dattaram (Sebastian was not listed in the credits!)

Starring: Shekhar, Kamini Kaushal, Om Prakash, Gulab, Chandabai, Master Ramesh

You have to actually understand what 1953 was like to hear music like this. For that year, SHANKAR JAIKISHAN were considered innovators and public had never heard any orchestra like that! Mind you this was not a Raj Kapoor film but a boring family drama that otherwise would not have been noticed if it was not for the music of SHANKAR JAIKISHAN! They had to stick to the traditional melody and add limited amount of their new twists and tunes arrangements. If SHANKAR JAIKISHAN overdid, they would be out of bollywood as loud orchestra people! In fact, even after being so careful, SHANKAR JAIKISHAN were accused by their enemies as band masters with loud music.

So you can see, that adversaries can easily destroy you by just saying something nasty, catchy and destructive like being “band masters”. They wanted to be in the same league as C. Ramchandra, Naushad, Anil Biswas, Khemchand Prakash, SD Burman, Hanslal Bhagatram etc but still be different from them, They did a marvelous job of walking this tightrope in the early 1950s and 1953 was a great year for them to be recognized as good as the old guard but newer than anybody! So these songs by today’s standards may look old but there was something magical, something different about them in the early 1950s.

The year 1953, in which Aas was released, there were 5 other SHANKAR JAIKISHAN composed movie and they were all hits, or super hits. So 1953 was a good year for SHANKAR JAIKISHAN. The 5 movies aside from Aas were AAH, AURAT, NAYA GHAR, PATITA, and SHIKAST. Of these movies Shekhar was also the hero of NAYA GHAR, another of my favorite movie! More about Shekhar and Kamini Kaushal later. Shankar Jaikishan released 47 songs for all these films and songs of Aas were as follows:

1. Hum pe dya rakhna he data, Lata, Shailendra

2. Itna pyar karega kaun maa karti jitna, Lata, Shailendra

3. Chahe naina choorao chahe daman bachao pyar hoke rahega, Talat, Lata, Shailendra

4. Dekho ji dekho ek baar ish taraf dekho, Mukesh, Lata, Shailendra

5. Mai hoon tere sapno ki rani tu ne mujhe pehchaana na, Lata, Shailendra

6. Zulm ki nagari mai kisika kaun sahara hai, Lata, Hasrat Jaipuri

7. Humko chhed ta hai dil kaun dane kya huwa, Lata, Hasrat Jaipuri

AAS:

Cast of AAS: Shekhar (acts as Ashok), Kamini Kaushal (acts as Asha), child star Ramesh Kapoor (acts as little Kishore), Om Prakash (acts as Om masterji), Gulab (acts as chachi), Chandabai (acts as Chandabai a conniving maid)

Here I need to say something about 3 main cast members namely; Shekhar, Kamini Kaushal, and the child star Ramesh Kapoor in the early 1950s. Shekhar as an actor was not in the same league as the triple leading heroes Dilip, Raj, and Dev Anand. But he certainly was in the second tier with Bharat Bhooshan, Pradeep Kumar, Prem Nath (whose stock rose tremendously after hooking up with his future wife Beena Rai), aging hero Ashok Kumar and young and coming Shammi Kapoor. Shekhar was a very suave and polished actor, whose pleasant demeanor would at once impress the audience for his good guy image. A real hero indeed. I loved him and was delighted that he acted in another Shankar Jaikishan movie named NAYA GHAR with Geeta Bali. He also acted in other musically beautiful movies like Chhote Babu, Aakhri Dao, etc.

Kamini Kaushal also created positive vibrations as an educated and a real nice person with a very good heart. I don’t believe I ever saw her in negative roles. True to life, this fine, elegant, gentle person, who evoked motherly feelings for a child like yours truly, after her marriage and screen career she moved into equally important role as a writer for children’s stories. She is one person whose screen career as a leading lady ended in the 1950s with many memorable films and a smooth transition off-screen into a fine Indian mother for her children and for all other children she indeed contributed well in the literary circle.

Ramesh Kapoor as a child star was in good company as other child actors namely Ratten Kumar (in Boot Polish, Do Bigha Jamin, Jagriti etc), Master Romi (Mastana, Ab Dilli Dur Nahin etc). Ramesh was a very cute 8-year old boy with a very nice personality.

So the cast of the movie was great for the story and most importantly for ALL the songs! The songs of Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri matched the feelings of all these characters. Also, Om Prakash had a very nice role as Masterji, who taught both the father, when he was a kid, and his son in the movie. He is portrayed as a naïve person with tremendous comedic potential.

So the story of AAS begins in the Ashok Villa located in Mumbai. It is a home of Ashok, a successful Chevrolet Impala driving businessman and a widower or a single father to an eight year old boy Kishore, as his only child. Readers should forgive me, if I strongly identified myself with Kishore, the nice kid who loved to play and learn!

But Kishore needs a guardian and servants in the house are no help except Masterji, a decent yet naïve fellow. Masterji loves Kishore like he loved his father Ashok but he is very busy in other things. Ashok too as Kishore’s father is too busy in his business and usually comes home to Ashok Villa very late.

The film opens with Kishore getting lost after school and Ashok frantically looking for him in his 1952 Chevrolet Impala. He arrives at the police station and pleads to the police inspector on duty to let the whole police force look for his child (forgive him for being a father in panic!). He is posting a Rs. 1000 reward (a lot of money in 1953 – a bottle of coke was 25 naiya paise (25% of a rupee) in 1961. Just as he finishes filing his complaint of his missing son, Asha walks in to hand over the lost child to the police and meets the Ashok the father. She refuses the huge financial award saying that it was her duty to return any lost child to police station. Later we learn that she was in dire need for money and without any family in Bombay. Never fear, Ashok and Asha meet again as she answers an advertisement for a governess by Ashok. Needless to say that due to positive impression created at the police station, Asha gets the job as Kishore’s nanny in the beautiful Ashok Villa.

As she enters the villa with Ashok, a sign of possible bad luck – a cat walks in front of them! Nice directional touch! But Ashok says to hesitant Asha that the cat is their pet and is always there. Masterji Om, who was Ashok’s and now Kishore’s teacher, warmly welcomes the new child governess. Chandabai, the evil one, does not like competition and is clearly jealous of the new arrival! But Kishore loves his live-in governess.

On first day at the villa, early morning Asha lovingly wakes up Kishore and makes him take a bath and breakfast. And then tells him that they must pray to the God. So begins our first song (Ashok, Masterji, and Chandabai are listening to the song in different rooms of the villa with differing emotions!):

Song 1. Hum pe daya rakhna hai data – Shailendra song sung by Lata

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=ltoGnhzm5fQ

Beautiful traditional composition begins with bansuri, dholak, like typical 1950s composition, but what is different is the beginnings of experimentation in orchestral arrangements by SHANKAR JAIKISHAN. One can here the famous string section arrangement of SHANKAR JAIKISHAN and that is totally unlike any other arrangement by any other music composer! The song composition is traditional bhajan but made amazingly melodious by magical use of western orchestra. Lata sings beautiful the magical lyrics of Shailendra.

“Tum na hote jag na hota

Bikhare moti kaun pirota?

Jeev bichara tum bin kaise

Balak bin mata, hai data balak bin mata, humpe daya rakhna hai data”

Everyone in the house, including Ashok is impressed by this Shankar Jaikishan song penned by Shailendraji. Only Chandabai, the evil naukarani is unhappy! She is ticked off at the positive impression created by the song on Ashok by the beautiful nanny!

Little Kishore is impressed by the new aunty, who after school teaches him lessons like geography etc. He finds out that the world’s tallest building is the Empire State building at 1250 ft. Kishore quizzes his father if he knew which was the tallest building in the world? The father didn’t and needless to say the single parent Ashok was impressed by the new nanny. Ashok loves how Asha takes good care of Kishore throughout the day and possible cupid connection is about to happen!

Evil maid Chanda tries to poison Masterji’s ears but he doesn’t listen to the jealous maid. She tells him wait for Asha to become Ashok’s new wife! Just then, while teaching her eager pupil, Ramesh, Asha teaches how important mother is and how mother’s love is the best for a child. So begins the next song and anyone listening to this song for the first time will find that Shailendra has penned very beautiful and touching lyrics to this MAA song!

Song 2. Itna pyar karega kaun, maa karti jitna – Shailendra song sung by Lata

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=uTe6uknwQY8&feature=related

Lata’s beautiful humming before the song starts, is very effective. On screen Asha (i.e. Kamini Kaushal) sings to little Kishore. this beautiful song that a mother would sing for her child. Orchestra again is mind blowing for its initial introduction in early 1950s. The song is so melodious that it can be well-liked even today!

For a mother-less child this song would be precious as Kishore shows as he cuddles with Asha aunty. On a personal note – I was the same age as Kishore and I missed my mother in the theatre. My mom had quite a few similarities with Kamini Kaushal! I want to caution readers that there is a child in me that is also writing this review so be kind and forgive all childish heroine worshiping!

Listener would immediately notice a turning point in Hindi film music. The early 1950s songs of Shankar Jaikishan were laying the ground work for massive changes in the orchestral arrangements. The changes about to come were to forever change the music for the next 50 years and beyond! This unusual orchestra arrangement for its time even in MAA song may have involved Sebastian but he was not listed in the credits.

While teaching her eager pupil, Kishore how important a mother’s love is for her child (Kishore doesn’t know anything about his mother as she died when he was very young), there is accidental attraction between Ashok and Asha as little Kishore innocently asks Ashok about Asha aunty after the song, “kya aunty hamari maa nahi ban sakti?” as his father walks into the room. Ashok and Asha exchange tender glances! Love is in the air.

The lurking evil woman Chandabai hates the popularity of Asha in the house and possible love between Ashok and Asha. Chandabai first tries to poison Om Masterji’s ears but Om is a good man and doesn’t like evil ways of Chandabai and tells her to get lost.

Ashok gets attracted to Asha and takes her out with Kishore for shopping to Flora Fountain, Bombay and then for a drive in the country. Remember in early 1950s, a film about domestic family drama had to show Indian conservative values and passionate love scenes in Ashok Villa with skimpily dressed heroine would be sacrilegious! But never fear, Indian directors want to show love song and little less dress on females for mass appeal by showing a fishing village and fisher women’s’ dance! So after shopping the three stop by a fishing village to see a dance. Kishore immediately runs to the front of the audience to enjoy the dance while Ashok and Asha sit back and exchange loving glances! Kind of like “Kahe rahi hai nazaar nazaar se afsaneh!” So the setting of this song is perfect to show love between adults. So here is a very romantic duet picturized on a fisherman and his lady and all the romantic lyrics are well understood by the two new lovers, Ashok and Asha. Fisher woman was a very beautiful lady who came on screen as extra in many dances.

Song 3. Chhahe naina choorao – Shailendra song sung by Talat and Lata

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=oik-anrZVPk

Talat Mehmood’s voice is appropriate for this song but you could tell that his velvety voice was no match for the new orchestral arrangement. Nevertheless 1950 to 1955 were the best years for Talat Saheb. Lata sings her part very well.

At the end of the song, Ashok draws Asha close to her and first physical contact is made! Ashok wants to marry Asha now.

Imitation is a norm in bollywood and so a similar scene was created in 1955 movie Amanat with Bharat Bhooshan and Chand Usmani exchanging loving glances and thoughts while a fisherman and his woman sang Salil Choudhary and Shailendraji’s song “Ho jabse milli tose ankhiya, jiyara dole re ho dole ho dole!” Check out the similarity in this link:

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=a7W0×8UFcF4

Song 4. Mei hoon tere sapno ki rani – Shailendra song sung by Lata

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=wMUgapbZNbM&feature=related

Birthday song for little Kishore. Ashok and Asha are in fancy dress attire and Ashok looks very charming with long side-burns and playing accordion.

In fact, this song opens with accordion and then beautiful rhythmic bongo joins in with SHANKAR JAIKISHAN orchestra! Accordion was never played like this before! Lata is voice is playful for this dress party for the child’s birthday. Mute trumpet and mandolin really compliment the song.

Song 5. Kya yeh duniya hai? Zulm ki nagari mei kisika kaun sahara hai? (2 parts) – Hasrat Jaipuri song sung by Lata

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=IG0rwFJA3v4

Ashok’s aunty Gulab manages to drive Asha and her little infant out of the house and the next song begins.

Orchestra in this song employs unbelievable melody. With regular instrument of the era in old songs – the harmonium – is cleverly employed. Picturization of the song in Mumbai locations was amazing in 1953 and now it brings my memories of Mumbai with this old 1953 shots. Check out this song at:

After the song Asha and Ashok’s young infant dies of fever without any medical treatment. Asha is penniless and without job because she can’t get job After her child’s death she tries to commit suicide under a train when Masterji and Ramesh see her. Ramesh saves her life by pulling her aside from rail track. She is without any hope (AAS). Masterji encourages and helps her. He extols her to fight for her innocence and her right. With Masterji’s help she reenters Ashok Villa as his sister in-cognito.

Song 6. Dekho ji dekho ek baar is taraf dekho– Shailendra song sung by Mukesh and Lata

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=JaDCw3ySbGw

This is the only song of Mukesh and his voice matches well with Shekhar. But I like Talat’s singing for Shekhar (which was not seen in this film) as in NAYA GHAR with a beautiful classic “Unhe tu bhool ja ai dil”

The song is unique in that it takes on South American rumba samba melody and even you find it in counter melody! Very magical composition of SHANKAR JAIKISHAN like no one could image in 1953!

Song 7. Humko chhed ta hai dil kaun jane kya huwa – Hasrat Jaipuri wrote this song and Lata was the only singer.

The last song is listed in the credits but I have yet to hear that song! I am sure if our Kalraji was alive, he would have had it. Any help or more info about the last song will be appreciated by me.

I would end this review by inviting you all readers to go to YOUTUBE links that have been inserted and really experience the songs and the period i.e. 1953 in Bombay! You will agree that the composers SHANKAR JAIKISHAN did a masterful job of composing melodious tunes for a very bland domestic drama! Shahrukhbhai pointed it out to me that movie songs have a unique place in our Hindi films and lots of views about their use in films have been expressed. He pointed out that even celebrity film makers like late Satyajit Ray do not understand the role of songs, please do read his essay on Hindi Film songs here . For me these AAS songs are interwoven with my childhood memories and I will always remember every minute of the film AAS and every melody, rhythm, and every word of all the songs of AAS.

Dr. Chander Mehta (cm381@yahoo.com)

This year the Australian Anthropological Society has instituted a distinguished public lecture in anthropology to be given by a prominent member of the discipline. Clearly this is an attempt by the society to give anthropology more of a public face in Australia, which I think is definitely a Good Thing.

The inaugural lecture will be given by Ghassan Hage, entitled “The open mind and its enemies: Anthropology and the passion of the political”. Scheduled for 8 December, the lecture will open the events surrounding the AAS annual conference 9-11 December, proudly hosted by us at Macquarie.

Details: (AAS lecture flyer)

Ghassan Hage is an internationally acclaimed thinker, both as an academic and an arresting public intellectual. He is the author of many works on nationalism, racism, multiculturalism and migration from a comparative perspective. The most well-known is White Nation (2000) examining White experiences of Australian Multiculturalism, and his latest is Waiting (2009). Prof. Hage taught Anthropology at the University of Sydney for fifteen years until 2007. He has held many prestigious visiting professorships including at Harvard University, L’Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales in Paris, the University of Copenhagen and the American University of Beirut. His provocative, insightful and sometimes moving press and radio discussions have been a valuable part of public life in Australia during the last decade.

Tuesday 8th December 2009
State Library of NSW
Macquarie Street, Sydney
Metcalfe Auditorium
FREE ADMISSION
Program:
6pm Refreshments will be served
6.30 – 7.15 Lecture
7.15 – 7.45 Questions from audience
8pm Finish

Please Visit www.aas.asn.au for further information

“Student had been for long confused about the applicability of SAs or AAS in for their Auditing paper”

I just found out about a great deal on a soft synth by AAS (Applied Acoustics Systems) at audiomidi.com (link).  I bought it.  Check it out!

GULSKOGEN (Dagbladet): Å sette tæring etter næring har blitt et mantra i norsk fotball med flere tippeligaklubber som lever på kreditorers og stadig mindre betalingsvillige investorers nåde.

Strømsgodset så tidlig faresignalene av at bobla norsk toppfotball har befunnet seg i de siste årene, kom til å sprekke på et eller annet tidspunkt, som en konsekvens av den globale finanskrisa.

Derfor ble også et lønnskutt på 10 prosent blant spillere, støtteapparat og administrasjon implementert smidig og stille – uten at partene førte forhandlinger seg imellom i avisene og i tv-kanalene, som man så eksempler på i andre klubber.

Brev til Berntzen
Fellesskapsfølelsen og samholdet er sterkt på klubbhuset på Gulskogen utenfor Drammen sentrum. Administrerende direktør Tom Berntzen fikk seg likevel en overraskelse da han nylig fant et langt brev ført i pennen av klubbkaptein Alexander Aas (31) på skrivebordet sitt.

Aas er en av de best betalte spillerne i Strømsgodset. Det ønsket han å ta konsekvensene av. Derfor ba han Berntzen – i skriftlig form – om en ny kontrakt med kraftig lønnsreduksjon.Det var noe mannen med åtte landskamper for Norge hadde overveid lenge – helt siden han fikk entydige signaler på at klubben ønsket å satse på ham i årene framover.

- Med den kontrakten jeg hadde, fikk jeg lyst til å skrive et langt brev til klubben og fortelle at jeg syntes klubben ble drevet fornuftig, men at lønna mi måtte ned for at vi skulle komme oss ned på et mer edruelig lønnsnivå. De var ikke så vanskelige å be da en spiller kom til klubben og ba om å gå ned i lønn. Det var tross alt snakk om betydelige beløp. Den kontrakten jeg har skrevet under på nå, innebærer at at jeg går ned mellom 35 og 37 prosent i lønn, sier Aas til Dagbladet. Les mer her

Dette er jo forsåvidt prisverdig, spesielt når man vet hva en slik spiller tjener. Dette er ikke en toppspiller i eliteserien. Han er best betalt i Godset, men det betyr lite i denne sammenheng. La oss anta han går ned rundt kr. 400.000 i lønn. På bakgrunn av at dette kan være mellom 35% og 37%, – er det i særdeleshet prisverdig. Det er det forsåvidt om han tjener noe mer også. Denne spilleren tjener ikke 5-10 millioner. Han skal også betale regninger, bo et sted, ha en bil og betjene sine utgifter.

Allikevel er dette en merkelig vei å gå. Klubben har gitt ham en lønn basert på hva markedet er villig til å betale. Man kan alltid synes at en fotballspiller gjør en totalt unyttig ting, og dermed burde få lavere lønn. Men slik virker ikke markedet. En sykepleier tjener for lite, en fotballspiller for mye. Nei, slik er det ikke. Med noen unntak tjener folk flest det markedet er villig til å betale for dem.

Så kommer vi jo til kjernen. Spørsmålet må ha 2 svar. Enten har Godset blitt revet med og gitt mer lønn enn markedet som som sådan er villig til å betale en spiller som Aas. Eller så er lønnen riktig. Om den er riktig er det forsåvidt fremdeles prisverdig, men det av andre årsaker. Nemlig at Godset har havnet i pengetrøbbel som de fleste andre klubber i Norge. Og det skyldes ene og alene dem selv. Allikevel er det lett å sitte på sidelinjen å påstå at dette er dårlig drift. Det er det kanskje ikke. Det er et resultat av et skakk-kjørt økonomisk bilde som har preget eliteserien i flere år. Næring etter tæring er lett å snakke om, men ikke om du ønsker å være en eliteserie-klubb. Da må du ha de noen av de beste spillerne i stallen. Selv ikke treneren i Godset kan lage gull av gråstein i hvert eneste tilfelle. Sånn er det bare ikke.

Det blir spennende å se om Aas opptreden gir den effekten som er ønskelig. Nemlig at samtlige spillere ofrer noe. Og da lurer jeg på hvor lenge det varer ? Er det da slik at økonomien til eliteserieklubber vil endre seg betrakelig de neste årene ? Neppe. Hva skjer om flere går ned i lønn – øker eller minsker verdien på spillerne da ? Det som er helt sikkert er jo at spillerne lettere går til andre klubber, spesielt halvdårlige klubber i utlandet hvor lønningen er høyere. Man blør ikke penger, – selv for klubben i sitt hjerte – i all evighet.

Spørsmålet om dette blir ris til egen bak, – er vanskelig å si. Tiltrekker man nok talenter ? Vil flere velge å gjøre noe annet når lønningene går ned ? På sikt kan lavere lønninger bety dårligere kvalitet på eliteserien. Det blir spennende. Mer inntekter og større publikum, blir det garantert ikke på kort sikt.

today’s class was the first on Interaction and Visual Simulation Environments…

professor nunes ferreira (fnf) gave an introduction on the discipline and what is expected for us (four) to do… then professor augusto sousa (aas) talked about the first part with more detail…

about the two parts how the discipline is going to function:

> next 4 weeks we will have to learn the basics of computer graphics and then we will have an oral q&a session on the 20th october…
aas and fnf proposed the following chapters of the “introduction on computer graphics” foyer and van dam book:

• interaction
• geometric transformations
• modeling ~ surfaces | solid
• rendering ~ local and global light models | visibility
• non-photorealistic rendering

> on the second part we will present a paper on the state-of-the-art of a interaction related theme… the idea is for each one to study a theme, reading some relevant papers, and to research and present a paper about the state-of-the-art around that theme/technology…
proposed themes were around:

• gestures interaction [ex. OvO game]
• face interaction [ex. Opera face gestures, video]
• tactile interaction [ex. quick writing by ken perlin]
• audible and tactile interaction [ex. one-hand round selector with audio feedback]

i’ve already got the book from the library so now i’ll have to study

see you tomorrow…

i woke up really anxious and looking forward to my big (huge) adventure: the prodei classes started today…

yes… the first day…

starting classes with MIC – Methodologies for Scientific Research – but before MIC presentation, professor Eugénio Oliveira (Scientific Committee of ProDEI) gave a brief presentation about the Doctoral Programme.

curiosities:
§ the number of ECTS translated to working hours is, after all math, 40h per week
§ there are 9 non-portuguese colleagues, 5 of which are brazilian
§ we present ourselves (15 of 25 were attending classes today) and later i will give some insight about the group

then came MIC presentation and program (here), started with professor Eugénio Oliveira (eco) and ended with professor António Augusto Sousa (aas) talking about the Doctoral Symposium we will have to organize.

it’s very interesting the idea and experimentation and i will see previous DSIE for inspiration…

aas told us to start thinking about the Scientific Committee and Organization Committee for the Doctoral Symposium and specially about the 2 elements to be chair in each of them…

well… 3 hours full…

and already looking forward for tomorrow’s classes

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The Institute has reduced the time of holding engagement documents as mentioned in the SQC 1 has been reduced from 10 years to 7 years

ANNOUNCEMENT

Amendment to SQC 1 – Retention Period
for Engagement Documentation (Working Papers)

Paragraph 83 of the Standard on Quality Control (SQC) 1, Quality Control for Firms that Perform Audits and Reviews of Historical Financial Information, and Other Assurance and Related Services Engagements, states as follows:

“83.     The needs of the firm for retention

            ……………….

            ………………

In the specific case of audit engagements, the retention period ordinarily is no shorter than ten years from the date of the auditor’s report, or, if later, the date of the group auditor’s report.” (emphasis added)

The Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, at its 289^th meeting held on August 19, 2009 at New Delhi, pursuant to the provisions of Rule 12 of the Chartered Accountants (Procedures of Investigations of Professional and Other Misconduct and Conduct of Cases) Rules, 2007, has decided to amend paragraph 83 of the SQC 1 as follows:

“83.     The needs of the firm for retention

            ………………………………

            ………………………………………..

In the specific case of audit engagements, the retention period ordinarily is no shorter than seven years from the date of the auditor’s report, or, if later, the date of the group auditor’s report.” (emphasis added)

Indian movies give lots of importance to Maan (mother). She is the one who keeps the family together on the face of adversity. On good times, she is shown as a caring housewife and mother.

Here she is singing a soothing song to her little one. Though not exactly a lori (lullaby), the song is soothing and comforting for the kid. Listeners of the song feel the same way while listening to this song.

This song is from “Aas” (1953). It is written by Shailendra and music is by Shankar Jaikishan.

This song is picturised on Kamini Kaushal, who makes a great mother in the picturisation. I am not aware who the kid is. Any ideas who he is ? He must be in his 60s by now. How time flies ?

Song-Itna pyaar karegaa kaun (Aas) (1953) Singer-Lata, Lyrics- Shailendra, MD-Shankar Jaikishan

Lyrics

hmm hmm
itna pyaar karega kaun
maan karti jitna
itna pyaar karega kaun
maan karti hai jitna
itna pyaar karega kaun

palkon ki chhaya mein daale
jaan lagaakar jaan sambhaale
palkon ki chhaya mein daale
jaan lagaakar jaan sambhaale
itna dhyaan
itna dhyaan dharega kaun
maan dharti jitnaa
itna pyaar karega kaun

aur to sab matlab ke bande
lalchaayi neeyat mein andhe
aur to sab matlab ke bande
lalchaayi neeyat mein andhe
dukh mein dard
dukh mein dard bharega kaun
maan bharti jitna
itna pyaar karega kaun

door desh jab koyi jaaye
sab chaahe kuchh lekar aaye kuch lekar
maan ye kahe kuchh laaye na laaye
laal mera waapas aa jaaye
maan ye kahe kuchh laaye na laaye
laal mera waapas aa jaaye
hardam yaad
hardam yaad karega kaun
maan karti jitna
itna pyaar karega kaun
maan karti hai jitna
itna pyaar karegaa kaun

Me he encontrado nuevamente solo en Lovina, pero por poco tiempo. Volvi a ver a Griselda y Samuel, con los que habia coincidido fugazmente en Ubud dias antes. Cuando nos encontramos, yo estaba sumido en la duda de que hacer al dia siguiente, en que tenia intencion de marcharme de Lovina, y unos cuantos dias mas adelante. Es conocida mi actitud de no dejar nada al azar, y que soy alguien que no suele planificar las cosas dia a dia. A veces preveo una antelacion de 3, 4 dias, o incluso una semana en casos extremos. En este caso, me ofrecieron la posibilidad de ir de acoplao al dia siguiente a Amed, con un coche que habian alquilado. Tras pensarlo (no mucho, que lo de pensar no es mi fuerte), decidi ir con ellos.

Por el camino por la costa noreste de Bali, hicimos una parada para ver una cascada en Les (como la crucigramesca hermosa localidad del pirineo leridano). Tambien vi la otra cara del Gunung Agung, con laderas todavia mas empinadas que las que vi desde la cara interior de la isla. Se ve perfectamente el trazado de las coladas de lava y la impresion de que todavia se esta riendo de mi.

El Gunung Agung desde la costa de Amed.

Amed, Tulamben, Jemeluk y los pueblos de alrededor son una zona de costa al este de Bali, que no es famosa por sus playas, de escasa calidad, sino por sus aguas, muy buenas para el buceo, con tubo y con bombonas. Fuimos a Aas, donde hay un pequeño pesquero japones hundido junto a la costa, recubierto de coral y rodeado de peces de colores. Al estar junto a la costa, no esta muy profundo, por lo que puede verse muy bien buceando con tubo desde la superficie.

Al regreso paramos en Tulamben, frente a cuyas costas estan los restos del Liberty. El Liberty es un barco estadounidense torpedeado por Japon durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial. El barco fue reflotado y toado hasta la costa balinesa. En los años 60, una erupcion del Gunung Agung lo partio y lo volvio a hundir. Ya sabemos de que parecia reirse el monte en cuestion.

Cuando nos estabamos pensando si nos metiamos de nuevo a bucear o no, el empecinamiento de Griselda nos convencio de que era lo mejor. Una vez visto el pecio en cuestion, comprobamos que valia la pena y que habia sido un acierto. Si se bucea con tubo (mi caso) se ve una buena parte del barco. La mayor parte, hasta 120 metros de eslora, esta mas hundido y solo se puede ver si se bucea con bombonas. El pecio esta tan recubierto de coral, que en algunas ocasiones es dificil percibir su silueta. Y en este caso esta rodeado de muchisimos mas peces que el pesquerito japones de Aas. Me cruce, (e incluso me meti en el), con un inmenso banco de atunes. Impresiona ver tantos peces y tan grandes mirandole a uno con esos enormes ojos y esa cara tan seria.

Despues, regreso a Lovina, para al dia siguiente ir a Ubud. Nada mas llegar a Ubud me he encontrado con varias personas que ya conocia. Me encontre casualmente con Sabine, de la que no tenia noticias, ya que no nos habiamos pasado ningun medio de contacto. Estaba en un bar de la misma empresa de la escuela de yoga a la que fui, y hemos tomado algo juntos. Atencion a lo que me he pedido yo. En el menu estaba escrito “bebida energetica”, pero yo me he fijado, y era un zumo de piña, manzana, pepino y jengibre. El resultado era un liquido verde, que, como lo iba a pagar igual, me bebi hasta el ultimo sorbo. Desde esta humilde plataforma pido que si alguien, algun dia, me ve bebiendo eso en Valencia, me atice una piadosa colleja educativa al grito de “¿pero eso que es lo que es!”, que sirva para enderezarme y devolverme a la senda de la rectitud.

Con energias renovadas a base de placebo, me dirijo ufano a recoger mi pasaporte, albergando la esperanza de que contenga un sellito que diga que me puedo quedar mas tiempo en Indonesia. No pasa nada, estaba todo controlado, ya que aun me quedaba un margen de 10 horas de permanencia legal en el pais.

Ahora, ya con el sellito en cuestion, soy libre y estoy preparado para dar un pequeño saltito a otro lugar.

Salut.

Ofrendas en un templo de Ubud.

Bismillahirrahmaanirrahiim. Alhamdulillah, laa haula wa laa quwwata illa billah. Allahumma shalli ‘ala Rasulillah Muhammad wa ‘ala alihi wa ashabihi ajma’in. Amma ba’du.

Kalau diibaratkan pesawat terbang, saat ini kita menghadapi cuaca yang penuh turbulensi. Pesawat diguncang-guncang oleh awan, angin, serta kerapatan udara yang tidak stabil. Negeri Nusantara yang kita diami ini tengah seru-serunya menghadapi masalah. Baik masalah internal berupa arah Reformasi yang kacau-balau menjadi Liberalisasi. Masalah kualitas hidup dan budaya sosial yang semakin rusak. Rongrongan asing yang tiada pernah surut. Bahkan, kenyataan pahit yang kemudian sering disebut sebagai New Colonialism.

Semua ini tidak muncul dengan sendirinya. Ia justru diundang oleh sifat-sifat rakyat Indonesia sendiri yang jauh dari karakter manusia yang tangguh. Lebih dari 500 tahun kita hidup sebagai bangsa Muslim, tapi keislaman itu sendiri seperti tidak ada dampaknya. Padahal, andai kita tidak memiliki apa-apa, selain keislaman di dada kita, hal itu sudah cukup untuk membuat bangsa ini hidup mulia. Betapa tidak, bangsa Arab hidup di tengah gurun, miskin air, miskin tanaman, berhawa panas di siang hari, sangat dingin di malam hari, angin menderu-deru seperti topan. Tetapi berkat Islam, mereka mampu membangun peradaban dunia yang luar biasa. Salah satu bukti kekuatan Islam. Eropa tidak akan pernah bangkit dengan Renaissance-nya, jika tidak mengambil khazanah ilmu-ilmu sains dari Andalusia Spanyol. Meskipun kemudian hal itu diklaim sebagai karya “original” ilmuwan-ilmuwan Eropa sendiri. Bangsa kita sekian lama telah menyia-nyiakan agamanya, sehingga hidup menjadi pecundang, hina-dina, dan lemah. Kalau kata Malik bin Nabi, kita telah memenuhi syarat-syarat bagi dihalalkannya penjajahan atas negeri kita.

Disini ada sebuah cerita dari khazanah fiksi dunia metafora. Cerita ini bisa menggambarkan dengan baik kemalangan sebuah bangsa.

Nun jauh disana, tersebutlah sebuah negeri bernama Ada Ada Saja. Disingkat AAS. Para pakar berselisih pendapat tentang singkatan AAS ini. Ada yang menduga hal itu juga memiliki arti: Anak Amerika Serikat, Alias Amerika Serikat, atau Aku Amerika Serikat. Tapi sejujurnya, AAS memang dari nama negeri itu, Ada Ada Saja.

Negeri AAS dihuni oleh sekumpulan manusia yang menjalani hidup aneh. Kalau melihat zhahirnya, mereka seperti Pak Haji dan Bu Hajjah. Memakai baju putih-putih, lengkap dengan kopiah putih, sarung Samarinda, membawa tasbih, serta sajadah yang warna-warni. Ibu-ibunya selalu memakai jilbab, berpakaian rapi, selalu mengumbar senyum. Tetapi batinnya: Mereka tidak mau diatur oleh Kitabullah dan Sunnah, selalu menuruti hawa nafsu sendiri, sangat takjub dengan segala budaya Barat, itu pun masih ditambah aneka rupa keyakinan klenik, mistik, khurafat, dll. Zhahirnya seperti Pak Haji dan Bu Hajjah, tetapi batinnya memeluk keyakinan “gado-gado”. Kalau diingatkan, mereka marah-marah. Bahkan tak segan menyerang orang yang mengingatkan, sambil menuduhnya: “Teroris Lu!!!”

Namun bangsa AAS itu memiliki sebuah istana yang sangat megah. Megah sekali, memukau semua mata di dunia. Istana mereka sangat megah, kaya raya, mentereng, penuh gengsi, full kemewahan. Selama bertahun-tahun mereka hidup menjadi penghuni istana itu. Bermacam-macam air liur telah menetes, demi menyaksikan kemegahan istana bangsa AAS ini. Banyak orang asing berlomba-lomba ingin diijinkan menempati ruangan-ruangan di istana itu.

Namun, entah karena alasan apa. Bangsa AAS merasa tidak peduli dengan istana megah yang dimilikinya. “Kami selama ratusan tahun hidup sebagai bangsa terjajah, hidup terlunta-lunta, menanggung segala duka dan derita. Kami tidak biasa dengan kehidupan istana ini. Kami sudah terbiasa hidup menderita. Kami tidak membutuhkan kemewahan istana. Kami merindukan hidup sebagai manusia terlunta-lunta,” begitu kata mereka. Tentu saja, pernyataan ini membuat shock semua orang-orang asing yang mendengarnya. Bukan shock karena sedih, tapi shock karena tidak percaya dengan perkataan yang didengarnya.

Lebih mengerikan lagi ketika salah satu elit politik negeri AAS itu secara resmi menyerahkan hak kepemilikan istana itu kepada orang-orang asing. “Sudahlah, kami ini orang kecil. Kami ini sudah biasa hidup menderita. Kami ikhlas saja kepada Allah, kami tawakkal saja. Kami hanya bergantung ke Allah, tidak bergantung ke istana. Silakan saja Mister dan Sinyo-sinyo, silakan Anda miliki istana ini. Kami ini orang kecil, kami tidak pantas memiliki istana semegah ini. Istana ini adalah dunia, dunia itu cobaan, dunia itu fitnah, bisa memalingkan hati manusia dari mengingat Allah. Silakan saja Mister dan Sinyo-sinyo, Anda kelola istana ini, kami ikhlas, tawakkal, dan husnuzhan kepada Anda semua. Kami ini orang cinta damai, tidak mau berselisih, tidak mau saling serang, tidak mau menyakiti hati orang lain. Sudahlah, istana ini hanya godaan dunia. Kata Allah, Akhirat itu lebih baik dan lebih kekal,” begitu kata elit politik itu mendalili kebejatan pikirannya.

Kalau semula Mister dan Sinyo-sinyo itu shock, sekarang mereka kejang-kejang. Malah sebagian langsung mati mendadak, karena serangan jantung. Bukan karena sedih lho, tapi karena kegembiraan amat sangat yang menusuk sampai ke ubun-ubun mereka. Sebagian orang itu mati seketika, karena serangan jantung. Seperti nasib “King Jacko”. Begitu gembiranya orang-orang asing itu menerima kunci istana, di hari itu mereka peringati sebagai hari raya. Perayaannya lebih megah dari tradisi Idul Fithri kita. Kemenangan besar mereka kemudian diabadikan dalam sebuah ungkapan: “Meminta kaca spion, diberi pabrik mobil!” Semula mereka hanya meminta sedikit tempat di istana itu, tetapi nyatanya malah diberi seluruh istana, sertifikat, sampai kunci-kuncinya.

Sejak istana megah diberikan kepada orang asing, warga negeri AAS itu tinggal di luar istana. Mereka tinggal di emperan, di dekat serambi istana, atau mengumpul di halaman-halaman istana. Ada juga yang membuat tenda dari karung beras, biar lebih awet. Tetapi kalau penghuni istana marah melihat tingkah mereka yang mengotori istana, mereka cepat-cepat kabur bersembunyi. “Kabur, kabur, kabur. Awas ada Mister, ada Sinyo. Ayo kabur!” teriak mereka sambil lari tunggang-langgang. Setelah berada di tempat aman, mereka berkumpul-kumpul, sambil bercerita macam-macam tentang kisah menyelamatkan diri. “Aku tadi lari secepat Superman,” kata Si Udin. “Aku tadi terbang mengendarai sapu lidi, seperti Harry Potter,” kata Kang Parman. Yang lain bilang, “Aku tadi masuk ke bumi, bersembunyi bersama ular Kobra dan Dinosaurus.” Mereka bercerita macam-macam tentang kehebatan yang tidak pernah dimilikinya. Lebih mengerikan lagi, kehidupan seperti itu mereka wariskan kepada anak-cucunya. Bahkan mereka membuat kurikulum tersendiri untuk mencetak manusia-manusia sejenis di kelak kemudian hari.

Suatu hari, pemilik istana membuat pengumuman. Mereka membutuhkan para pembantu, tukang kebun, tukang sampah, tukang beres-beres kotoran, tukang memelihara anjing, tukang menangkap kutu, tukang mengggaruk punggung, tukang membersihkan daki, tukang sulap, tukang mencari tukang, tukang memarahi tukang, dan lain-lain. Pengumuman ini membuat geger warga negeri AAS. “Kami tidak tahan hidup lari-lari terus. Kami tidak enak tinggal di bawah tenda. Kami tidak mau dikejar-kejar anjing. Kami sudah tak tahan hidup menderita. Kami ingin hidup aman, nyaman, tentram, adil, makmur, damai, sentosa, gemah ripah loh jinawi,” kata mereka mengomentari pengumuman istana itu.

Sejak itu mereka bersaing ketat untuk menjadi babu-babunya istana. Tujuan mereka hanya satu: “Tinggal di dalam istana, meskipun tugasnya harus mengelapi telapak kaki Mister dan Sinyo.” Bahkan sampai ada yang mengatakan, “Makanan anjing Mister lebih enak dari makanan kita sehari-hari.”

Tidak jarang ada yang memakai cara-cara tidak terpuji untuk mendapat pekerjaan di istana. Ada yang menyuap, memberi gratifikasi macam-macam, memalsukan ijazah, memakai “surat sakti” (katebelece), pura-pura memelas dan dramatik, ada yang menyewa joki untuk menjawab soal test, ada yang datang ke Gunung Kawi, ada yang “Reg. Mama” untuk dapat nasehat spiritual, dll. Pokoknya kerja di istana, apapun caranya.

Tapi sebentar, “Bagaimana nasib elit-elit politik negeri Ada Ada Saja yang dulu bicara soal ikhlas, tawakkal, husnuzhan, damai saja, jangan tergoda oleh dunia, dunia itu fitnah, dan lain-lain itu? Dimana mereka? Apa yang kemudian mereka lakukan?” Jujur saja, ini untuk kita-kita saja ya. Mereka itu ada di barisan antri terdepan, sedang antri mengikuti test menjadi pelayan istana di bagian bebersih kamar mandi. Ketika ditanya soal ikhlas dan tawakkal hidup menderita, mereka menjawab, “Kami tidak pernah mengatakan itu. Itu fitnah. Itu hanya wartawan saja yang salah kutip. Mohon jangan memutar-balikkan fakta.” Jawaban yang paling sinis, “Memang anak-isteri gue dikasih makan ‘ikhlas’ dan ‘tawakkal’? Realitistis saja, man! Hari gini bicara ‘ikhlas’ dan ‘tawakkal’. Sono pergi ke laut saja!”

Termasuk fenomena yang aneh. Karena istana besar, pemilik istana butuh tenaga-tenaga untuk menjadi SATPAM. Ya, tentu saja, yang ngantri mau jadi satpam banyak juga. Mulai dari yang tubuh kerempeng sampai tubuh gempal-gempal ala Ade Ray. Kerjanya, hanya menjaga istana dari unsur-unsur luar yang membahayakan.

Istana itu pun benar-benar aman. Siapapun tidak bisa menggugat. Wong segala perangkat untuk pengamanan sudah dilakukan. Barisan satpam setiap saat siap menghardik, menendang, atau mendorong warga di luar istana yang bermaksud masuk istana tanpa ijin. Bahkan, para satpam ini lebih galak dari penghuni istana itu sendiri. Di depan pemilik istana mereka tidak berdaya, tetapi di depan warga di luar istana, mereka sangat “menyeramkan”.

Akhirnya, istilah gemah ripah loh jinawi malah bisa dicapai oleh orang-orang asing yang kemudian berhasil menguasai istana. Adapun warga negeri Ada Ada Saja, mereka hidup menderita dengan segala cerita duka dan sesalan di hatinya. Mereka ingin menjerit histeris, tetapi tidak mampu. Mereka menyesali diri.

Cerita metafora ini membawa kepada banyak pertanyaan: “Mengapa bisa terjadi tragedi kehidupan seperti itu? Dimanakah akal sehat, dimanakah kesadaran? Dimanakah ciri-ciri umum manusia normal? Apakah ini merupakan hasil dari penjajahan mental selama ratusan tahun di era kolonial?”

Jika kita Muslim, harusnya tidak terjadi kenyataan mengerikan seperti dalam metafora di atas. Nabi Saw sendiri mengatakan, “Orang Mukmin itu tidak akan terperosok lubang sampai dua kali.” Lha, ini tidak. Lubang itu malah dibuat permanen dengan beton, digali lagi sampai 1000 lubang. Setiap pagi, siang, dan sore, diwajibkan melakukan ritual memasukkan kaki ke lubang-lubang itu.

Dalam Al Qur’an dikatakan, “Ulaika kal an’aam, bal hum adhal” (mereka seperti binatang ternak, bahkan lebih sesat lagi).  Surat Al A’raaf: 179. Semoga Surat ini tidak menjadi justifikasi untuk mengadili keadaan kaum Muslimin di negeri ini. Allahumma amin ya Rabbana ya Karim.

Tidak ada keinginan untuk melecehkan, menghina, atau merasa pintar. Tetapi Allah itu tidak menzhalimi hamba-Nya, melainkan hamba itu sendiri yang menzhalimi dirinya sendiri. Dan berulang-ulang Allah Ta’ala mengingatkan, “La’allahum ya’qiluun” (agar mereka memakai akalnya). Kalau manusia telah diberi mata, pendengaran, hati, dan pikiran, tetapi semua itu tidak dipakai dengan baik; dia akan seperti derajat hewan ternak, bahkan lebih sesat lagi dari itu. Semoga kita dijauhkan dari berbagai bala’ dan malapetaka, di dunia dan Akhirat. Allahumma amin ya Karim.

Wallahu A’lam bisshawaab.

AMW.

Nem só de alegrias é feita a vida de uma criança. Na infância, é quase uma regra adoecer várias vezes por ano. Catapora, sarampo, caxumba, gripes e resfriados em várias escalas são as doenças mais comuns, sem contar os milhares de machucados e contusões. Mas mesmo nessa hora, é possível se divertir.

Esse post é sobre uma das malandragens infantis mais manjadas de todos os tempos. Isso mesmo, a partir do momento que descobrimos a arte da chantagem, perdemos qualquer pudor em assustar nossas mães e inventamos uma dorzinha de cabeça ali, uma contusão aqui. Tudo por eles: os remédios mais gostosos que a indústria farmacêutica já produziu!

AAS – As mães o conhecem como Melhoral Infantil. Para nós é balinha rosa. É indicado para dores de cabeça. Basta um comprimidinho para ficar viciado e inventar sintomas diariamente.

Cataflan – Não confundir com a pomada ou o spray. Bom mesmo é o em gotas, de preferência infantil. É uma delícia, porém arriscado. Usar moderadamente, pois o frasco é pequeno, só 20 ml. As mães descobrem facilmente.

Celestamine – Xarope rosa que enfeitiça as crianças. Tem gosto de Danoninho, mas na verdade é indicado para o combate dos sintomas de alergia. O frasco é grande, então dá para fingir uma coceira por mais tempo.

Vick Vaporub – A família Vick é especialista em produzir remédios que viciam como o chazinho Vick Pirena. Mas a pomadinha com cheiro de menta vicia instantaneamente. Mesmo quando o nariz não está congestionado é comum encontrar usuários cheirando a embalagem compulsivamente.
 
Mas nenhum remédio era mais famoso que o Biotônico Fontoura. O xarope tupiniquim, que completa 100 anos em 2010, não era uma gostosura, não tinha eficácia comprovada, mas fazia a cabeça das nossas mães e prometia dar uma fome de leão. Para quem não lembra, segue um comercial de 1998 com ninguém menos que Sandy e Júnior como garotos-propaganda!

Natalia Guaratto

imagine the inside glowing orangey-red hot - kinda like the sun

My life has been topsy turvy for quite a while, and I’m starting to feel like I’m on an even keel again now.  Or…getting there.  I think I briefly mentioned the project from hell that lasted close to 2 years and was almost responsible for me quitting/getting fired.  Thank God that’s complete.  It was a nightmare, mostly because of my boss and our really awful communication, but I think most of that is over – now that the method works and the results have been reported.

It seems that I’ve been living on the AA [atomic absorption spectrophotometer] at work for the last two years, and once I finished the project from hell, I started on a rush project with more method development work – some on the AA and some in a muffle furnace.  It turned out I’d need a high-temperature burner and nitrous oxide for the AA work [which translates into super heat and 2 foot(!) flames], and 1000°C in the furnace.  I did what I could, put in some long hours, and pretty much got it done.  We’re looking at some alternate methods for that furnace fiasco, though.

imagine the flame another foot and a half taller and a bit redder

So craziness at work has been contributing to weirdness for a while.  Not to mention random schedule changes from 8 to 10 hour workdays and back again.

But then I’ve had some weirdness going on with some friends, too.  Folks that I’d gotten really close with and now seem like they’re avoiding those of us that had gotten close with them.  I figure it’s something personal that’s going on with them, but it can be frustrating too.

I bought the Mustang – which I love love love to drive.  But I put a little too much on the principal last month, and now I’m strapped til my next paycheck.  I definitely want to pay it off as soon as possible, but I’m not aure how soon that will actually be.  The actual payments aren’t bad at all, but I think I got a little too ambitious last week.  Now it stings, a little.

But I just want to go places in this car.  It’s freaking hot, and I just want to drive it.  I’d actually like to take it some place new, cuz the drive to ATL is kinda boring.

I’m supposed to be reading The Color of Wealth, but I’m being delinquent about it cuz it’s so heavy.  And since I’ve been getting home late a lot, I’ve been watching a lot of random tv.  I just watched “Millionaire Matchmaker” for goodness’ sake.

I did get some shoes that I wanted [Converse All-Stars and some white church shoes], along with a few clothes to make sure I’m ready for my Labor Day vaca.  I cannot wait for a whole. week. off.  At the beach, no less.

Right now, I’m trying to figure out if I want to plan anything else for my dad’s 65th bday next month, or if a BBQ is sufficient.

My mind flits from one thing to the next [as does this post] cuz I’m a bit sleep-deprived and I’m getting used to 8-hr days again. But my Fourth was lovely!  I went to the itty-bitty town nearby to see fireworks [since my town couldn't afford them this year] and had a good time doing that.  Then I stayed up talking with a friend until ~3:30am that night [Sunday morning].  So of course, that threw off my sleep pattern, and last night I stayed up til ~3 reading a book. [And Then Everything Unraveled by Jennifer Sturman, whom I really enjoy as a fun mystery writer.  It was good, but I suggest waiting until the sequel is published - it's a quick read and when you get to the end, you just have to wait for the next book anyway...]

Oh and I’ve seen two(!) movies in theaters in the last couple months – Star Trek and Up.  And I’m seriously considering going to see The Proposal.  Just cuz it looks funny.  Betty White, Sandra Bullock, and Ryan Reynolds – sounds good to me.  Of course, I’ve been wanting to see the new Maya Rudolph movie Away We Go as soon as I heard about it.  I want to support her in everything, because I LOVE her.  I thought she didn’t get enough sketches to showcase her talent on SNL, but then there are a lot of misses on SNL.

And then of course, Michael died.  And some people don’t understand why it impacted so many of us.  Some folks at work were like – why are people crying?  They said they never had an emotional connection to him or his music.  And it never really occurred to me that that’s what it was for me.  But that’s exactly it.  So on the eve of his funeral, I’m sending encouraging thoughts out to his family and close friends.  Those of us who shared that emotional connection can dig out Dangerous and listen to “Gone Too Soon” one more time.  In the mean time, remember.

Aas bryggeri er norges eldste og ble etablert i 1834. Har tidligere smakt på endel flaskeøl fra Aas som jeg erindrer var gode. Kom over en boks Aas fatøl på butikken og tenkte at den skulle jeg kose meg med til kvelds.

Skuffelsen var stor når jeg åpnet boksen og helte ølet i glasset. Dette var det lyseste ølet jeg har sett på lenge. Ingen smak, ingen aroma – ingenting. Dette er ikke øl – det er ikke i nærheten av øl. Det er helt uaktuelt å teste slikt skvip. Hadde det vært mulig ville jeg ha tatt ølet med tilbake til butikken og krevd pengene tilbake. Faktisk tror jeg at det er mer smak i en Farris.

Dette var ikke noe å være stolt av. Aas bryggeri er nok norges eldste – men heldigvis ikke norges eneste bryggeri. Håper de har noe mer smakfult å by på.

Gidder ikke å ta bilde av boksen heller – det er best å glemme dette ølet fortest mulig.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS or APLS) or antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is a rare disorder of coagulation, which causes blood clots (thrombosis) in both arteries and veins, as well as pregnancy-related complications such as miscarriage, preterm delivery, or severe preeclampsia. The syndrome occurs due to the autoimmune production of antibodies against phospholipid (aPL), a cell membrane substance. In particular, the disease is characterised by antibodies against cardiolipin (anti-cardiolipin antibodies) and β2 glycoprotein.

The term “primary antiphospholipid syndrome” is used when APS occurs in the absence of any other related disease. APS is commonly seen in conjunction with other autoimmune diseases; the term “secondary antiphospholipid syndrome” is used when APS coexists with other diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)*. In rare cases, APS leads to rapid organ failure due to generalized thrombosis and a high risk of death; this is termed “catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome” (CAPS).

Antiphospholipid syndrome is sometimes referred to as Hughes syndrome after the rheumatologist Dr. Graham R.V. Hughes (St. Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK) who worked at the Louise Coote Lupus Unit at St Thomas’ Hospital in London.

June is APS Awareness Month

Visit the APS Foundation of America:
http://www.apsfa.org/

Visit the Hughes Syndrome Foundation:
http://www.hughes-syndrome.org/

Visit the Antiphospholipid Antibody Support Group
http://www.egroups.com/group/aplsuk

Epidemiology of the Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome:
from http://www.med.illinois.edu/hematology/PtAPS.htm

• The prevalence in the general population is around 2-4%.
• Of patients with the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, over half (50%) of them have the primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.
• In persons with systemic lupus erythematosus, around 30% will develop the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.
• In general, anticardiolipin antibodies are more common that the lupus anticoagulant; anticardiolipin antibodies occurs approximately 5 times more often than the lupus anticoagulant in patients with the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.
• In patients with an initial presentation of primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, around 10% will eventually go on to be diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder such as systemic lupus erythematosus or a mixed connective tissue disorder.

Treatment

There’s no cure for antiphospholipid syndrome, but medications can be effective in reducing your risk of blood clots. Often, this disease is treated by giving aspirin to inhibit platelet activation, and/or Warfarin as an anticoagulant. The goal of the prophylactic treatment is to maintain the patient’s INR between 3.0 – 4.0. It is not usually done in patients who have not had any thrombotic symptoms. During pregnancy, low molecular weight heparin and low-dose aspirin are used instead of Warfarin because of Warfarin’s teratogenicity. Women with recurrent miscarriage are often advised to take aspirin and to start low molecular weight heparin treatment after missing a menstrual cycle. In refractory cases plasmapheresis may be used.

For additional Information click these links:
American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
AutoImmunity Community
Autoimmune Information Network, Inc
Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.

*Maybe it is…

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune connective tissue disease that can affect any part of the body. As occurs in other autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks the body’s cells and tissue, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage. The rate of SLE varies considerable between countries, ethnicity, by gender, and has changed over time. In the United States the prevalence of SLE is estimated to be about 53 per 100,000, translating to about 1 million people in the US being affected.

The course of the disease is unpredictable, with periods of illness (called flares) alternating with remissions. The disease occurs nine times more often in women than in men, especially between the ages of 15 and 50, and is more common in those of non-European descent.

SLE is treatable through addressing its symptoms, mainly with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants; there is currently no cure. SLE can be fatal, although with recent medical advances, fatalities are becoming increasingly rare. Survival for people with SLE in the United States, Canada, and Europe is approximately 95% at five years, 90% at 10 years, and 78% at 20 years.

The S. L. E. Lupus Foundation

Lupus as a Cause of Stroke; Relationship with APS