Controversial Los Angeles Laker star Ron Artest is caught up in an investigation of welfare fraud against his sister Latoya Holmes-Ivey.

Police and housing authorities raided the home Latoya Holmes-Ivey and her three children rent at 336 E. Burgess Ave. Wednesday morning.

Holmes-Ivey is suspected of receiving federal housing assistance, as well as other social services, while receiving financial assistance from her millionaire basketball/rapper brother, and not reporting it.

That is welfare fraud, and is a criminal offense.

A tip came from a former CPA that handled Ron Artest financial affairs a Tennessee-based accounting firm called TriStar Sports and Entertainment.

According to court documents, the ex-employee sent an e-mail to the Housing and Urban Development Office in Indianapolis claiming that TriStar, under the direction of Artest, was using one of his bank accounts to pay all of Holmes-Ivey’s bills.

 The man requested to remain anonymous, saying that he could not, in good conscience, fail to report such an ethics infraction.

Ron Artest may want to check the wording in that non-disclosure form that I am certain the former accountant signed, as the accounting firm’s reputation has got to be destroyed by this leak. Confidentiality between their clients is key to their business.

If the former CPA did sign a non-disclosure form, then his disclosure of this information, even if it is to be found true, will be admissible in court, and will be the reason that all charges will be dropped.

 Housing authorities said that if the allegations are true, Holmes-Ivey would have used at least $34,000 in taxpayer money she was not entitled to. According to court documents, the ex-employee sent an e-mail to the Housing and Urban Development Office in Indianapolis claiming that TriStar, under the direction of Artest, was using one of his bank accounts to pay all of Holmes-Ivey’s bills.

 The man requested to remain anonymous, saying that he could not, in good conscience, fail to report such an ethics infraction.

 Housing authorities said that if the allegations are true, Holmes-Ivey would have used at least $34,000 in taxpayer money she was not entitled to.

Note that the investigation and any future charges will be against Holmes-Ivey and NOT Ron Artest. It is the responsibility of the benefactor of Federal aide to report any income or gifts to the Welfare department so they can determine if the individual is actually in need at that time.

The neighbors of Holmes-Ivey said they were skeptical of her, because she used to brag about who her brother was.

“I never understood why she was on assistance because of that, when she told me he was her brother,” said Marcia Taylor. “The people who do need the assistance don’t get it, when the people who don’t need it get a lot of time.”

None of the parties involved were available for any further comments on this matter.

Follow the story here, as well as this trusted source, The Indychannel.com…

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/21726762/detail.html

I saw this set of pictures from SS601.com, posted by 박정민하루만 from www.kyujongfan.com

Center, is just as hot and dashing as ever.

Enjoy!

credits: www.kyujongfan.com + 박정민하루만 @SS601.com + ramyuncafe.wordpress.com

Whats with 15th floor octagon building, San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City?

It is where NSE Philippines is located.

Some of you may wonder, what’s in it? Did you receive a call and you have an appointment there to discuss you a part-time project/entrepreneurship program? Well, true.

What’s with the NSE/Nu Skin/Pharmanex Opportunity?

They’re focusing on three explosive trends. Namely (1)Anti-aging trend in the global market today, (2)Personal Development and (3)the Entrepreneurial Boom

Why anti-aging/health and wellness? Well, look around you. It’s pretty obvious. And when talking about wellness, we’re not only talking about products, we also include services.

Why personal development? Ofcourse, everyone needs it.

What about on the entrepreneurial boom that I’m talking about? Well, as you know, there’s no job security nowadays (since recession), everyone feels that having a 9-5 job would not be enough anymore to feed their family.

That’s why people go into business. Most people just plan to HAVE one, but actually don’t know how or what venture are they supposed to get into.

So I introduce to you the NSE Philippines Opportunity. Ready?

FAQ

1. Is this some kind of a Pyramiding Scheme/Marketing?
Well, let me tell you this, in a company with the left-right subordinates, or implementing a pyramid structure of compensation, only the people at the top make most of the money. Wherein people at the bottom have to recruit to be on the top. The company does not implement that type of structure. It is into wholesale distribution, wherein if you do the work, you gain the profit. It’s just equal.

Some might ask, is this networking/network marketing? Well, you are the only who can answer that. If what you mean by network marketing as implemented by Procter and Gamble, Unilever, Watsons, Coca-cola, San Miguel, Phyzer, Starbucks, Topshop, and all other companies, then this would be the same, after all this is an importation and distribution company. If what you mean is like those of pyramiding companies, then I would say it’s not. Get your definitions straight.

2. Do I have to “sell”?
Most people don’t like selling, ofcourse nobody wants to be sold, customers just want to buy. But again, straighten up your definition of selling. If the kind of “selling” you think is of small scale (like knocking on doors, bugging your relatives, etc.) then this business won’t be for you. But if the “selling” you implement is of how Henry Sy’s, Ayala, and other big time companies implement, then this business would be for you. What if “selling” is actually providing service to the people? would you view selling in a different prospective?

3. Do I have to convince/bug my relatives and friends to join?
First of all, name a business wherein you have to bug your friends to join. Come on, that’s not business. (maybe you went into some illegitimate companies that’s why you ask that kind of question.) Straight to the point, NO. This is not a convincing business or a recruitment business. This is a wholesale distribution business.

4. Can I start part-time?
Experts suggest that you start part-time. Don’t leave your daytime job first. Are you willing to alot 6-10 hours a week? If yes, then this project is for you.

5. What’s the realistic income after 1 year?
For me, there’s no such thing as realistic, unrealistic people acquire big results. on the average after one year you can earn utmost 60k-100k residual income part-time. (ofcourse with proper skills developed and values attained and with hardwork). You can achieve that.

6. Does this project would cost me something?
Jobs did cost you to have one, right? (remember, you shelled out 40k pesos+ per sem and you end up unemployed or underemployed). This project would not require you to have a certain background. This project would cost you something, yes. Otherwise it would be a job.

7. Could an average people do it?
Yes. As long as you transition your values from being an employee to entrepreneur. This is not employment.

All of this with:
-no start-up cost like a 15k pesos start-up for a sorbetes icecream franchise or 30M peso capital for McDonalds
-no trial and error. The system will be thought to you, part-time.
-Mentoring and team support given. (for 1 month to 1 year)
-no bugging of friends to join.
-no inventories needed
-no employees
-no 7 day work week, 10 hours a day, just 6-10 hours per week.
-no hard selling

What we’re going to do now is to pre-qualify you if we have a mutual interest so that we could work on this project together. We’ll screen you if you have the right attitude to be on our team and to do the project with us. We won’t convince you nor sell you of anything. Just plain discussion of the details of the project and of your personality.

Contact Sam Endo (Business Consultant) @ 09274931938 to set up an appointment. Or email me at sam.endo2009@gmail.com (In case of clarification, feel free to contact me).

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Nov 27, 2009 03:45:04

32inch lcd hdtv

Last time I have promised to put my works in this blog, on the last project in my Design 102 module of the whole semester, called as Project ‘…for the…’. It is a project which we design a dwelling for our specific client in Malacca.

My chosen client through a lucky draw, at first is Christie Brinkley, a famous model. However, I am given a second chance of lucky pick since there is not much thing can be done on model. Hence, my second and final pick is Amadeus Mozart, a famous musician.

Part 1: Client and Function.

I need to get to know deeply onto the personalities and characteristics of Mozart. What is special about him? What is interesting about him? Mozart is addicted to music when he was only 3 years old, and he was able to write music when he was aged 5 only. He completed his works very fast, but stress was his main problem. His most famous work is ‘Requiem’, which is incomplete, as he felt into severe illness and died before even he could finish it. I am trying to design a place for him to complete the music and perform it.

Client and Function poster (1 A2 size board)

Part 2: Site Analysis.

We had conducted a site visit at Malacca Old Town area. I have chosen a water edge area, a very spacious empty area in the region of new development. Many modern buildings are built and being under construction there, and my dwelling will be notified as part of it, proudly. The calm atmosphere from the peaceful surrounding, flowing water, and windy breeze will surely be effective in reducing stress by Mozart while writing his marvelous piece of work. My site faces the Maritime Museum, a museum built in a form of Portuguese ship and Taming Sari Tower, an observation tower basically for tourism.

My chosen site sits right beside a newly-built park, in a geometrical pattern. My dwelling will be an extension of the park, benefiting the existing pedestrian walkways, which will direct visitors from the tourist center nearby, to the square, next to the park, and finally, to my dwelling. It will be able to attract visitors in such a strategic location of tourist hotspot.

Site Analysis board (1 A0 size board)

Part 3: Design.

The name of my dwelling will be very grand, ‘Performing Center of Amadeus Mozart’. Malacca has many museums, many cafes, many tourist spots, but don’t have a proper performing center. There are many spaces in my dwelling, making it as multi-purpose, such as lobby area to welcome visitors, gallery to display his masterpieces, outdoor platform for audiences to enjoy the surrounding, private working space for Mozart to write his music, and staff area for performers to prepare for performances. The main space will be the performing hall, with a stage and concrete terraces as seating area.

Two concepts are chosen based on Mozart’s personalities.

1. Emphasis on external appearance

My dwelling will have a grand and modern outlook appearance, and is easily visible from afar, especially from the Taming Sari Tower and Maritime Museum. It is located on the spacious empty land in the middle of the reclaimed land (Malacca River Square) on Malacca River. The large scale of the project making it more distinctive. The interior is very plain, with no decorations or ornamentations. The seating area of performing hall is just of concrete terraces, and all the floor, wall, and roof have no finishes. Even the stage is simple, with a background of glass screen.

Mozart emphasized on his outer appearance. He loved to wear elegant clothing. However, he was very poor and has financial difficulties. Hence, this concept suits him the most, and shows that this place is dedicated for him, while not letting the others know (also not letting the others know that he was actually poor).

2. No distinction between exterior and interior.

As I have mentioned just now, there is so much difference between exterior and interior look of the building. Now, there is another concept of linking them back, harmoniously, by using one material: glass. Mozart should not be enclosed by solid walls when he was writing his music, as this will lead to stress easily. Hence, his private working space is built mainly of glass, four walls of glass to separate him from the outside weather, while combining the area with the surrounding. He will be enjoying the time of writing his music with the surrounding at a high level. Imagine, how comfortable he will be…

Usual backdrop of current performing center is a plain black wallpaper. For my performing center, it will be different. The backdrop will be the lively background showing the Maritime Museum and Taming Sari Tower with the surrounding. By this way, audiences will feel different kind of atmosphere at different time of performances. It will not attracts the eyes of the audiences during performances but will affect the mood of the audiences. They have entered a boring, dull and plain hall, hence, their focus will be just on the music, while the backdrop plays a role to regain their feeling of being carried away by the music performed by Mozart. The glass backdrop will also provides natural lighting during daytime of performances. The side facade of the gallery is also built of glass, but of two different glass. There are no nice views visible from that side, hence translucent glass will be used, so that the visitors will only enjoy the music sheets displayed. The upper facade will be of transparent movable glass, which allows sunlight to enter for natural lighting, and for air ventilation, supporting the idea of a green building, in a clean, unpolluted and historical city of Malacca. The facade which faces the park will be of solid wall and glass wall. Solid wall separates the performing hall from the outside, so that the activities occuring in the park and square will not disturb the performances. However, the visible lobby from outside will be able to attract visitors to enter.

The entrance to the private working space is small, and short, specially dedicated to Amadeus Mozart. He was s short and small person. However, as soon as he enters the area, the large volume of the space will provides greater freedom and movement for him, thus, giving him more space and less pressure to complete his music. He can went out to the nearby park to enjoy the scenery too.

I have explained almost all of the things related to my design.

Part 4: Interior space.

I have chosen a portion of the performing hall, to be investigated on its finishes, lighting, and construction details. The foundation will be simple, since there is already an existing concrete surface on the ground and the site sits on a reclaimed land (reinforced and stabilized). The portion is on the side showing part of the seating area, stage, and entrance to the outdoor platform, accompanied by the glass backdrop. Among the most interesting feature of my design is the glass backdrop. There is no finishes on it, as i have explained earlier. The lighting during the day is provided with aid of the glass screen. The materials used to built is mainly of concrete and glass.

My overall presentation board (5 A1 sized board combined together):

My final model (sectional) on the site model (scale 1:100):

My interior model (scale 1:20):

This is overall of the project, which ended by a verbal presentation during review by external panels, and the whole semester successfully ended with submission of box containing all the works and portfolio…

Photographed by tommy.chang

Michael Jackson Memorial. July 7, 2009.

– License

Here are Ways #s 4 and 5 from the last post which promised you 5 Ways to Be More Great-full (Boost Your Gratitude Attitude)…

#4: FAMILY (or couple’s) GRATITUDE BOOK
We just spent a very pleasant hour doing this great art & writing interactive project. So simple and yet so meaningful and fun! Quality family time!

We do not watch television, nor do our children. We are dedicated to parenting consciously and strive to support a vibration of love in our household. Yet, given that my husband and I are both entrepreneurs, with seven businesses between the two of us, and given that our children are still quite young, we know how important and sometimes challenging it can be to come up ideas (not to mention time, energy and materials) for positive family experiences.

I myself am about the least craftsy person you will ever meet and can draw a stick figure on a good day! So believe me when I tell you: Yes, you CAN do this project, and probably with what’s already available in your home. It really ranks high on simple, high on fun, high on memorable, and low on expense. (I can NEVER do those Origami things, puuleeeeeazzze, can we talk?)

Thanksgiving weekend is the perfect time to do this Family Gratitude Book…but of course so is any day that ends in “y.” Monday, Tuesday…. Enjoy!

Materials:

All you need is:

Some blank paper (we used printer or copy paper, white)

Construction paper

Ribbon or brass brads to secure the book

Markers, pencils, hole punch and/or scissors

Optional: Stickers, stamps, other art supplies, scrapbook, photos

Definitely: A little bit of time and lots of love!

We started by making a brainstormed list of everything we are grateful for. You can do this any way you like; follow your own creative impulses & inspiration. We have four family members, so I decided to color code what we wrote on this collective page or you could just all write and draw without attributing who said/drew what, or make a chart, have sections of the page, etc. The things my 6-year-old called out first were written in yellow, my 10-year-old chose blue, I picked purple and my husband green. We made a color key on the page and wrote and drew various things we are thankful for: Our dog came first, followed by a lovely torrent such as family and friends, food, a good home, music, the Earth, music, health, God, life and so on.

Then I gave each family member a separate page on which to do whatever they like, the only requirement being that whatever is on the page relates to or represents what they are thankful for. We stuck in some more blank pages, so we can add more later as we are inspired.

The kids each got to pick a color for the front and back covers. The older did the words, the younger did the drawings. We punched holes, added brads, all signed the masterpiece and voila! A Family Gratitude Book.

Not only a wonderful way to spend part of our Thanksgiving Day, but a precious keepsake, and, I trust, a new family tradition as well. We will be sharing this book with family all weekend long and inviting them to add to it as well. And of course, it can be done any day! Every day bears its own gifts if we just open the package.

Today we focused mainly on what we are thankful for in our current lives (now), but we could also include wonderful memories (past) and gratitude for all the blessings on the way! (future)

Alternative for Couples: You can also do this as a Couple’s Gratitude Book or Journal, a beautiful way to show appreciation and deepen connection. So few marriages last or are happy, as we all know, and I am blessed to have a deliriously, deLIGHTfully ecstatic marriage, 12 years strong and better every day. One of the reasons is of course, the selection of the right mate; but in order to do so, we had to do the necessary self-healing and inner preparation to bring whole, healthy individuals to the relationship. Much of this work is presented in my book: The Radical Self-Love Workbook. But it is also essential to nurture even the best of relationships, and my husband and I do so daily in many creative ways such as this.

More tips on love and relationships are at

www.LoveandSpirit.org

and at my love blog: loveandspiritblog.wordpress.com.

Whether you do the Gratitude Book as a homemade book like we did today, like a scrapbook or journal, and whether you do it as a family activity or a couple’s relationship-enhancer, it will help you see your life through the eyes of love and gratitude, and bring you even closer with those you love. Enjoy! And I welcome you to send me a comment or email to share your experience.

#5: Honor the 4 Directions and 4 Sacred Elements:

Earth, Air, Fire, Water

You do not have to be Native American to appreciate one of their traditions, which is to honor the Medicine Wheel, facing each of the four directions, thanking each one for their gifts. This is also a tradition in all indigenous cultures including pre-Christian Europe (a.k.a. Wicca, Druidry, paganism, et al.), Africa, Australia, Hawaii and South America.

In fact, if you scratch the surface beneath contemporary religions on any part of the Earth, you will find an ancient shamanic tradition that honors all the directions and all of nature as sacred.

All things follow this cycle of birth, growth, fruition and quietude, whether we are looking at seasons, a lifespan, a day, or a garden. The beauty of Medicine Wheel ceremony and the paradigm itself is that it can be applied to our lives in so many ways.

So how do you honor the directions and elements, to give thanks for what they give to us so generously? Here are a few ideas:

* Altar: Create an altar to each direction or a Medicine Wheel altar encompassing all the directions/elements. This can be in your home or outside. My husband specializes in creating Medicine Wheels as a sacred practice on the land, and has helped others to do this as well.

* Cherokee Dance of Life – You would need to learn this in person from someone who has learned it, oral tradition. This is an incredible moving meditation to all 4 directions, peoples, and elements which also honors Mother Earth and Father Sky, balances their energies as sacred partners in our hearts, and helps us give away the gifts of Spirit that are our special medicine to share with the world through our right work and service. Occasionally my husband and I share this Dance with our community. If you live near Sacramento, and would like to experience this dance, let us know so we can invite you. Or perhaps Spirit will guide you to another teacher of this beautiful tradition.

* Drum, chant, play flute to each direction

* Give offerings such as cornmeal, tobacco or sage smoke to each direction

* Speak aloud from your heart to each direction and give thanks

* Sweat lodge

* Vision quest

If you do either sweat lodge or vision quest, please do so with the guidance of a Native elder to be sure you do it properly and safely.

* Journal or journey (shamanic meditation) to discover what power animals comprise your personal Medicine Wheel of your own energy field. I love to lead these meditations when I am called to do so. Honoring your own inner Medicine Wheel supports a strong aura and keeps you connected to your spirit guides, if this resonates for you.

Associations with Each Direction

Depending on which culture or even which tribe you consult, there are somewhat different associations with the directions, colors, elements and meanings, the medicine or power that direction helps us receive and embody. The one I am most familiar with follows but this is not dogma, merely a summary of what I have found to be the more universal associations. Follow your own heart and work with any spiritual practice in the way that resonates for your own heart and inner truth.

While I have a small amount of native blood, I was adopted and was not raised in that tradition. I discovered shamanism after my initiation and spiritual awakening 15 years ago. I do not claim to be a tribal elder or teacher of any one tradition. I am an interfaith minister, meditation teacher, hypnotherapist, energy healer and intuitive life coach. I have been on the path of Spirit, studying, practicing and sharing healing and wisdom teachings from many cultures for several decades, so I offer here a simplified summary as a starting point for your discovery journey. You would do well to study more in depth with a local teacher steeped in the particular tradition that calls to your spirit, and of course feel free to research further on the Web, in books, classes, and listen to your own inner guidance. I always say the best way to pray, do ceremony or ritual is the way that feels best to you, with harm to none, of course. But we do need to honor the specific traditions so they are not all diluted through multiculturalism.

From the East we have the yellow people (Asia) and the gift of Air, Brother Wind, clarity of vision, inspiration, the new day, new beginnings, establishment of purpose and intention, and springtime.

From South, we receive the wisdom of the black people (Africa), Fire. The tools, strength, perseverance and energy to follow through and manifest, midday/ noon, summer, also humor and passion, innocence and trust.

The West gives us the culture of the Red people (such as Native Americans), the setting sun, Water, emotions, the fall season, self-evaluation toward completion, looks-within time, peace, rest and healing.

And the North represents the White (European) people and all their cultural gift. The sacred mountain, winter, midnight, time to slow down, go within and be still to receive guidance for what comes next. Completion, what you keep from the past cycle and all that you have accomplished and learned. It is also associated with the Spirit and wisdom.

Note: You can also honor the other 3 directions: Earth (below), Sky (above) and Center (within).

I hope you enjoyed these five creative ways to give thanks and I wish you abundant blessings on your journey!

Finally, in the spirit of Sufi mystic poet Rumi, I invite you to kiss the ground. Blow kisses to the sky. Bow to everything. Everything is sacred.

With Love,

Sage

More resources for your path, including free special reports on abundance, love, transformational classes, soul and energy healing sessions, intuitive readings, matchmaking and more are at:

www.LoveandSpirit.org

Taylor@LoveandSpirit.org

“Let the beauty we love be what we do.

There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.”

- Rumi

Microsoft did something they haven’t done for a while, in fact for ever, Windows Vista wasn’t even laying a bit of dust and, bam!, here’s this beta of a new operating system and then, boom, you’ve got Windows 7 released. So, whats the crack, is it good, worth it, gonna be a turn around for the Vista pain we’ve all shared? These are the main questions I intend to answer in this brief overview of Microsoft’s latest offering to the Windows world.

Should I upgrade to Windows 7
This is where we get to the Microsoft dilemma. For some reason Microsoft have this OS they just simply can’t get rid off, of course I’m talking about XP. Microsoft tried with Vista and failed quite badly, especially with compatibility involving drivers, which even Ballmer (Microsoft CEO) admitted. This is why this question is hard to answer so I have to section it out.
XP users:No. Yes, believe it or not I still don’t think Windows 7 is worth it for XP users. Why? Well put it this way, Windows 7 (Business and Ultimate) have an added compatibility feature called ‘XP Mode’, so the big question is, do you want to pay hundreds of £/$ on an operating system thats more than likely going to have to emulate the software you’ve been using. Don’t get me wrong, Windows 7 offers some good offerings, but nothing that can’t be added to XP with 3rd party software.
Vista users:Hell yeh! If you’re on Windows Vista, or been on Vista. Windows Vista did something amazing, instead of promoting Microsoft and boosting the love at Microsoft, it boosted the love for alternate options like Mac OSX and Linux, Microsoft are prob the only ones who’ll manage to do that! If you’ve gone through the moodswings of Windows Vista you deserve to put 7 on your machine thats been battling through it all with ya, personally it should be free for Vista users as compensation if you ask me.

Windows 7 has many new features which are finally gonna change the way you use Windows. Windows 7 now features some major ‘Aero‘ enhancements, in fact alot. And, I’ve got to admit they really improve the way you use Windows. Aero Snap to easily have two windows in view at the same, which is handy, the method can also be used to maximise the windows, I know, rather neat. Other features include Aero Shake, which easily allows on window to be the centre of attention and get rid of the rest temporarily, then, shake, and their back, also very useful. You’ll find yourself trying to do these features more or less all the time.
The Explorer in Windows 7 also has some great enhancements, basically fixing the Vista one, things are laid out easily and it makes using it alot more easier. It also features more sharing options. So, I know what you’re thinking, its Vista with a few appearance changes, oh no. Windows 7 is alot more than (a bit more of) a pretty face it also has a few hidden enhancements, Action Center replaces Windows Security Center improving in-built security which is always a good thing, Windows Media Center has a new look (like a green Zune) which is a big more slick than before, and, oh yes, that dock … err… I mean, ‘Windows Taskbar’. Windows Taskbar allows you to see only your program icon nice and big, but also interact with the programs by either right clicking or view (if multiple windows open) by hovering over, a new Aero feature that. It also allows you to “pin” programs to the taskbar for future quicklaunch, all these features do sound familiar don’t they? You maybe thinking Windows Sidebar is no more, but no, now simply referred to as ‘Gadgets’, all the so-called sidebar stuff now can be put anywhere on your desktop, but also if you add it to where the sidebar would be they click in to place, which is nice. Windows 7 also has added touchscreen support, useful for users on Tablets. Improvements have been added to the Start menu as well, one nice add-on is the fact that ‘Shut Down’ is now one button and not hidden behind an arrow. Also it includes a feature which allows you to open, for example, older visited pages for Internet Explorer, or documents for ‘Word’, nice that. I normally wouldn’t mention a new version of Media Player, but Windows Media Player 12 has some nice new additions, unfortunately WMP11 looked better, but it now supports ‘.mp4′ which is nice. It also comes with IE8 …. (bring on the sarcastic woo). Windows classic applications such as WordPad and Paint get a very nice update, including the look first seen in Office ‘07 and Paint is now not a bad program at all for image editing and creating with the new brush options.
But I think the biggest Pro we can give Windows 7 is, the release version is, well, actually rather stable.

Pros
1. Nice update if your a Vista user
2. Very stable, keep that one up for future releases please Microsoft
3. Windows Media Center alot clearer and helpful
4. WMP12 has new codec, most importantly H.264
5. Improved Account Control
6. Very useful Aero features / Aero Shake Aero Snap etc
7. New taskbar helps with multiple programs running and program management.
8. Updated Paint and Wordpad look and feel, and features. Finally
9. Gadgets no more stuck to one side of the desktop.
10. New Explorer look and feel.
11. Added compatibility
12. DirectX 12 (For all you gamers out there)
13. Easier to disable UAC << Like that one

Cons
1. Not enough to make XP users upgrade
2. Most old software still rely on ‘XP Mode’.
3. Whilst the taskbar is nice, still has the same UI from back in Windows 95.
4. Very expensive for the small amount of differences with Vista
5. Why still 6 versions.
6. Added Security? Then why does it still need virus protection
7. Same system requirements than Vista
8. Definitely not enough to make new Mac users switch back.
9. A bit too-like Vista

Overview
Windows 7 is a nice upgrade and adds many features that are not found in previous versions of Windows. Whilst these features are useful, I do fail to see many features that would put me first in the queue for Windows 7. Windows 7 is a must-have however for Vista users as it, not only makes using the computer better but XP Mode will make those old dusty apps will finally run on that recently bought computer.
- Some nice additions, but nothing that appeals to XP or recent switches thanks to Vista.

Disclaimer;
This review is aimed towards the average user.

Thursday November 26, 2009 By Kevin Morrow

So I hit the freeway early Wednesday Morning headed to Las Vegas. A mini road trip for the thanksgiving holiday. The night before I left I came into the possession of two packages of those tuna and cracker kits. I ate one that same night. I usually eat two of them. Something told me to keep the one for the road trip.

To me it really isn’t a road trip, driving to texas is more of road trip to me, but anyway I was on the road and it was a “trip.” I was in the car with family and we had only a few cd’s. Micheal Jackson’s bad album,Toni Braxton, some type of workout mix, and some others. I really only remember the bad album because that’s what was in the cd player the most.

To me I arrived in Vegas in record time, there was no traffic since we left so early, and we floated all the way there. I exited the freeway on tropicana and ended up waiting forever at the light. I see this homeless gentleman who looks really down and out. People just keep passing him as if he isn’t there. He has a sign in his hand but I couldn’t read what it said.

Without even thinking I look down and see the tuna and cracker package in between myself and the passenger seat. I roll down the window and ask him if he wants something to eat. He looks confused like he doesn’t understand but he walks over to the car and I hand him the package. It’s all I could give him at the moment, but I felt like it was more than he had in a while.

It’s hard for me to imagine that with all the food in Las Vegas at the buffets and such, that this man for whatever reason was not able to eat. It bugged me to think of this, but then I remembered that I did what I could with what I had. I always hear people say “to see a change in the world be the change.” So maybe today I started off in the right direction.

It appears to me that I will be used more in the future as an avenue to help those who need it. I accept that openly.

After that I headed to UNLV where I pretty much fell in love with the Thomas and Mack Center. I can see myself playing in that gym in the near future. For whatever the reason may be. School or whatever, I know the NBA plays there in the summer time. So it’s up to me to believe in myself no matter what the circumstances may appear to be.

I never personally went on a recruiting trip to a college, so as I was at UNLV I decided to take my own tour. They have some really nice facilities. In fact I would most likely spend most of my time in their fitness area. The gyms on the upper level were calling my name.

It was a good day, I met some cool people and returned back home in time to play practice a little basketball at the gym. I just wanted to share that story, not much else to say.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY!!!

Sophisticated travelers who frequent Hawaii have long known that the real action in Oahu is not in Waikiki or Honolulu but rather to the west, in the Ko Olina area. Many years in the making, Ko Olina is generally considered Hawaii’s most luxurious resort destination. In point of fact, it was historically known as the playground of Hawaiian royalty.

Recent developments in Summer of 2008 are going to make this area even more appealing for travel enthusiasts. Oahu vacationers may be interested in some of the new tourism related trends that are mentioned in this article.

Despite the mainland’s economic malaise, Ko Olina is still seeing a strong upswing in new development and activity. For instance, the State of Hawaii has announced an agreement to bring Oahu’s largest shopping center west of the famed Pearl Ridge community. The junction between Ewa and Kapolei is where the new shopping development will be located.

The shopping center is known an Ka Mahana Ali’i and it will feature about 1.5 million square feet of commercial space. Also, the plans will allow up to 300 more hotel rooms and up to one hundred thousand feet of office space.

Located on the Kapolei Parkway and the planned North-South access road, tourists will appreciate the close proximity. Moreover, the extra jobs in the area will be a boon to the Island’s economy generally. Some tourist officials believe the new center will help bring several thousand jobs for Hawaii.

Also, several smaller shopping centers are also planned for the community including the Laulani Village in Ewa and Kapolei Commons in West Kapolei. Ko Olina visitors already benefit from the good proximity of quite a few well known retail establishments.

The greater area benefited by the new shopping facilities is home to an extensive variety of upscale condos, many priced in the seven figures. For example, the newly constructed Ko Olina Beach Villas directly front the lagoons and open ocean. Other resort properties include the Mariott Ihilani and the Marriott Timeshare complexes, both of which are beach front properties.

A temperate year round climate surrounds these properties as well as a variety of amenities including spas, golf and sheltered lagoons. The tranquil lagoons make the destination particularly appealing to families with small children. The adults typically wade into the rough of the open ocean while the kids remain in the safer lagoon waters.

Also benefiting from the shopping expansion will be the Ko Olina Beach Villas property mentioned earlier. Residents will likely prefer to shop at Ka Makana rather than driving all the way back to Waikiki.

Overview of the wikileaks release:
  – http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2009/nov/25/september-11-wikileaks-pager-messages

In-depth coverage of this release and content:
  – http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/11/25/taking_liberties/entry5770280.shtml

Some interesting examples in a dramatic format:
  – http://911stories.net/

Wikileaks Page – Original Source (Raw Data):
  – http://911.wikileaks.org/files/index.html

Remember the fallen.

AP Photo/Chris Carlson

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Bailey Island, ME. June 20, 2009.

Scar

Across the earth across
my hands
open, old, and deep
a forgotten time

once there were fresh buds bursting forth
once this wound was not a wound,
but a beginning
a birth and becoming

and now the pebbles scatter, freckles across
boulders shaken to the core
can I break through their dark solidness?
through the scar?

beneath,
where I dare not go
where the rawness remains
anxiety, newness

the opening of eyes, rimmed with phlegm and trickling tears
an infant
the child of the universe
was this me? it wasn’t, was it?

because here I am, kneeling in dust, fingers curled over the edge
of the earth
peering into depths so dark
my eyes fail

to open this past, I need to feel,
to reach my hands down and in,
and touch the warmth
the magma singeing the center

still I hover at the edge
of the scar

This is another poem from Leslea Newman’s workshop at the Write Angles conference.

There is an interesting dive option for certified divers who are vacationing in the Orlando area especially with family members who are not divers. The Living Seas at Epcot Disneyworld has a tank that measures over 200 meters in diameter and 25 meters deep. This tank contains a sample of Caribbean marine life in an artificial salt water and marine environment. DiveQuest Tour Through the center, certified divers can take three hours specialprogram that includes a forty minute dive in this marine aquarium.

The current price is $ 140 U.S. with advance reservation. Others respond to customer relations office just outside the main entrance of Epcot. Epcot park entrance is not required or included. However, I was left in the main area of the sea of life after the tour, so I ended up seeing other parts of Epcot for free anyway. Twice daily at 4:30 and 5:30, a maximum of twelve divers per time slot are taken on aThe scenes tour of facilities in the Living Seas. All diving equipment is provided. In fact, divers are not allowed to bring their equipment for fear of contaminating the tank. Even jewelry must be removed before diving. Combinations of scuba diving (Short), BCS, regulators, fins, booties and masks are provided. Divers are allowed to carry and use their masks and bathing suits, but they are the only exceptions to the rule.

After visiting the facilities,suits and towels for each diver are already waiting in private stalls that include private showers in changing rooms. The facility is well organized, but somewhat "strange, because after changing into wetsuits, the divers go out in public places where others are invited to Epcot before entering the main level of the aquarium Marine. Once the tank Divemasters waiting with tanks and BCS already assembled for each diver. The weight BCS are integrated with a weight greater thannecessary and that the attachment is an indicator to measure atmospheric pressure. There is even a depth gauge or octopus second stage as they are not considered necessary for this dive shallow. After the dive briefing, the Divemasters help divers with all their equipment and move the line down the middle of the tank.

The dive itself is usually beyond most divers' expectations. " There are a lot of marine life in the tank as sharks, rays, turtles and many fish in the Caribbeanall sizes. In fact, the allegations of staff divers will see a greater variety of marine life in the Caribbean during this single dive diving off many handsets. One of the nice things divers can do on this dive that they can not do elsewhere is interact with guests at Epcot public. There are observation windows in all sixty-marine tank including views from the main restaurant. The divers are among the attractions of The Living Seas pavilion, the crowd behind the wave of Windowsand take pictures. Some divers made arrangements with family members to be on the side windows while a designated divemaster videotapes the entire scene. Although I was skeptical at first, I must confess that I enjoyed the interaction with the crowd behind the glass. I had forgotten that the vast majority of people there are not certified divers and we're a little curious "about them.

For divers who dive mainly to see marine life at the DiveQuestEpcot not disappoint. It is an opportunity to swim through a few large schools of fish and see creatures such as sharks and turtles up close, as most divers know, is a real hit and Miss in the open sea. It is also a unique opportunity for non-family members and friends to see divers in the underwater environment. DiveQuest is certainly a special dive that is worth doing at least once.

My Links : http://astore.amazon.com/chesapeakeblog-20 http://ipix.digitalsell.us/ http://madeleine76498.paidtoblog.com/

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Monday November 23, 2009   By Kevin Morrow

What a day I had yesterday. I played in an all day tournament at the University of California Irvine, I had a lot of fun. There was a lot of action during the day, from the interesting mellow drama of my transportation, to the mini series of events during the games. Throughout it all I learned a lot of new things about myself and about reality.

I began the day on a journey from Corona to San Bernardino then back to Irvine. I really didn’t know where the ARC (Anteater Recreation Center) was but I had a general idea of where the school was from memory. As I left to Irvine from San Bernardino I ended up in a construction area that had the freeway narrowed down to one lane. Normally I would be worried and panicking, because I was supposed to be at the gym at 9Am, and let’s just say…”I wasn’t going to make it there by 9Am.”

So instead of worrying, I kicked back, put on some music that reminded me of happiness, and I went with the flow. After I made it through the traffic it was straight coasting all the way through. Time flies when you are having, fun, or maybe it doesn’t exist. I eventually arrived at the campus of UCI and I had no idea where to go.

This was yet another example of how worrying would get me  nowhere. The cool thing was I just felt my way to the center. I had no directions and I had never been there before. I was tempted to ask these two ladies where it was but something told me to go with my gut. As a backup plan I would ask someone, because there was no shortage of people walking around, but I decided to go with my instincts.

Somehow by listening to my inner compass I found the ARC without a problem. Which was a huge relief, instantly I began to realize that maybe I know things that I don’t think I know. All of this goes well with previous things I have blogged about. But anyway, back to the subject.

The tournament ends and I have to go back to San bernardino, which is about an hour or more from where I was. It was dark outside and I found myself lost. Not really lost, but confused I guess you could say. I didn’t feel a knowing for where I was. Plus I didn’t know the street names. All I knew was I needed to get back to the 73 freeway.

So I head out in a direction and I feel like I am headed the wrong direction on a street named Culver, but I second guess myself and keep going. I decided to stop at a gas station and admit to myself that I didn’t know where I was. I go inside of the gas station in an attempt to ask directions.

I’m literally waiting in line for ten minutes behind this guy who is having a full on conversation with the clerk. I was tempted for a second to get angry, but then I calmed myself. I thought to myself, “What’s the point in being upset, I’m here this is happening right now so just chill and relax. Stop worrying there is nothing you can do to change it, so change your attitude. Enjoy this moment, maybe you will learn something. Besides your anger is in your imagination anyway.”

As soon as I finish that dialogue in my head, another clerk comes out from the back and asks to help me. I slide myself over to him and explain that I somehow got turned around and I’m looking for the 73 freeway. The clerk looks at me and has no answer, he looks at the other clerk, who also has no answer. Before I can even think, the same guy who was in front of me starts politely explaining to me where the 73 freeway was. All I had to do was turn around on Culver and keep going until I ran into it.

I thanked the gentleman three times and left him with a “Have a great night!” This was really cool to me, because I realized that without worrying everything worked itself out. But wait, there is more, this is were the story gets even better. I go all the way down Culver for what seemed like forever and I get to the 73 freeway.

Now before when I came up the 73 I didn’t have to pay a toll, and so I wasn’t event thinking about having to pay a toll. It was the last thing to cross my mind. I’m not paying attention to signs, I just hop on the onramp because I’m already late as it is getting back to San Bernardino. Then I start seeing these lights and a sign that says toll. I’m like “uh oh,” because I have no money on me. All I have is my debit card which is in the negative at the moment.

Naturally I start getting worried because there is this big sign that says $500 fine for people who go through the toll without paying. So for a brief 30 seconds I get worried. I mean how do I turn around on an onramp? So I start to calm down and I decide that I should just back up slowly with my hazards on because at this point I’m the only person on the road. I actually found 20 cents in the car but the toll was $1. So I’m calmed down and start telling myself not to worry because there is always a solution.

Then I see the headlights of a car, they pull up right behind me. Im sitting there, I look back in the rear view, they look at me, I look at them, they look at me, I look at them…I thought to myself that I was in a good situation because the young lady behind me was a pretty one and I could feel that she had a genuine care for others. All materialistic things aside however I thought to myself it would be awkward if I got out the car and asked for her help.

“So I looked back and said “Would you mind if I backed up and turned around?”

She said  “No I can back up, do you need me to?”

I was like “Yeah I’m a little lost and I wasn’t aware that this was a toll, I don’t have any cash on me.”

This young lady says not to “worry” about it she has a dollar in change to spare me.

I was like wow.

All I could say was Thank you several times, and I wished her a great night.

Out of all the people to run into at that time when there was nobody else on the road.She even told me she only hops on this part of the freeway to go down a couple exits.

And that my friends is how NOT worrying saved me from a $500 Fine.

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Central Florida Future – http://bit.ly/8KleHL

By Cassie Turner

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Published: Friday, November 20, 2009

Updated: Friday, November 20, 2009

Caitlin Bush

"Most Americans do not know slavery not only exists in the world today, it flourishes," said Ron Soodalter, co-author of The Slave Next Door, in his presentation in the Pegasus Ballroom Monday morning.

"Somewhere around 27 million people are in bondage in the world today. Now, that’s over twice the number as were trafficked in chains in the entire 350 years of the African slave trade."

Soodalter, an active abolitionist and historian, kicked off International Education Week at UCF as the keynote speaker for the Second Annual International Breakfast. The Slave Next Door presentation concluded the three-part series on "Slavery’s Resurgence" facilitated by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Global Perspectives and the International Services Center.

The series began with Somaly Mam, a Cambodian human rights activist, former slave and author of The Road of Lost Innocence: The True Story of a Cambodian Heroine, when she shared her experiences in September.

In October, Micheline Slattery, a human-rights activist and former restavek, or domestic child slave, in both Haiti and the United States, addressed about 300 attendees.

Modern-day slavery includes around 800,000 men, women and children trafficked each year around the world. According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Web site, about 17,500 of them end up in the United States, with a high percentage received in Florida.

Soodalter suggests a simple Google search on human trafficking for astounding results.

In spite of major federal legislation and anti-trafficking laws passed in 43 states, 103 human-trafficking convictions have resulted, Soodalter said.

Trafficking remains hidden, is largely unreported and difficult to identify. According to the 2009 Trafficking in Persons, or TIP, report, published by the U.S. Department of State, forced labor/involuntary servitude represents the majority of human-trafficking cases in the world. The co-author of Soodalter’s book,  Kevin Bales, wrote the original 156-page TIP report, titled “Trafficking Persons in the United States — A Report to the National Institute of Justice.”

“The whole thing is disserving and extending,” said retired UCF foreign language professor David Gurney. “It contributes to the antagonism from people in underdeveloped countries to Western civilizations or Western countries.”

In the 1850s, purchasing a slave ran roughly $1,200, the equivalent of around $40,000 in today’s money. The reality is purchasing a slave today costs as little as $100, which makes them affordable and disposable, Soodalter said.

A trafficking victim lives in fear of violence or the threat of violence daily, he said.

Shawn Cox, victim witness coordinator and licensed clinical social worker with the United States Attorney’s Office, advocates that trafficking is a crime of absolute power over someone. According to the report Cox co-authored, “Victims of Human Trafficking and Trauma,” the psychological consequences of a victim are similar to the consequences of severe or chronic child abuse or experiencing acts of terrorism.

"In case you thought slavery doesn’t touch you, guess again," Soodalter said. "Chances are, the clothes you wear, the food you eat, has been touched by slavery."

The good news is there have been some inroads made recently in the area of agricultural servitude, Soodalter said. When Taco Bell refused to stop buying produce picked by enslaved workers in an effort known as the "Ban the Bell" campaign, it set a precedent that several other companies, including McDonalds, A&W, Long John Silver’s, Pizza Hut, Whole Foods, Chipotle and Burger King, have followed, Soodalter said.

"The message is clear," Soodalter said. "Slavery and worker abuse will not be tolerated. Not here, not now, not ever."

Mark Freeman, public affairs coordinator for the Global Perspectives Office, said they are hoping to continue the series next spring since response has been incredible. Because of the series last spring, students on campus were so spurred into action they formed the unofficial student group “Students Against Slavery @ UCF,” Freeman said. “Students Against Slavery @ UCF” has a Facebook page, and Harry Coverston serves as the faculty advisor for the group.

"Spreading the word is the most important thing," said Frank Hegedus, a senior political science and international relations major. "There is only right now."

http://www.centralfloridafuture.com/abolitionist-historian-wraps-up-global-perspectives-series-1.2093273

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Kyu Jongie’s pictures are just too good to be true. He’s my own McDreamy