The upcoming film in Invictus released its trailers a couple months ago. So far people seem interested, and maybe this one won’t get snubbed from the Academy Awards this year.

The film stars Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. It is also being directed by Clint Eastwood. The plot is based on the book by John Carlin. It is about Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, becoming President of South Africa and his plan to use the 1995 World Rugby Cup to bring his people together after the fall of apartheid. The film looks promising, already showing a good watch with Morgan Freeman as Mandela. Clint Eastwood’s direction will also help out. Of course, I’m just speculating. Still, I do hope that this movie won’t be snubbed from an Oscar like Gran Torino was last year. (They also snubbed the Dark Knight from Best Picture.) Still, I look forward to seeing this movie and I encourage you to look into it.

                                                                                                                              Liberals Have Feared Sarah Palin All Along

The liberals have tried to drag her down with their unscrupulous attacks not only on her but her entire family. They have held nothing back. Throughout these brutal attacks Sarah Palin has held her head up high. She has managed to pick herself up and start running! She is off to quite the new start..more…

The T-Mobile Pulse offers the first foray into Pay As You Go Android handsets here in the UK. Not quite available on the T-Mobile website yet, it’s set to retail for £180, however, it will require a sideline £5 per month “Internet Booster” add on allowing ‘unlimited browsing and data’ (1gb fair use policy).

Pros:

• It has a 3.5 inch multi-touch screen as well as a trackball underneath for more precise navigation.
• The User Interface is a slightly-tweaked version of Android, so not the full-blown beauty of the Sense UI as found on the HTC Hero (aka G2 Touch), which means that it might not have all the coolest gizmos but it might run a bit smoother and faster than the Hero, despite having a more underpowered processing chip. The UI used has a few nice touches such as widgets displaying photos, and a cover-flow styled contact list.
• Has 2gb of internal storage which can be expanded upon with microSD cards.
• Has Wi-Fi, GPS and the fastest form of 3G available here, HSPA, so all-round good connectivity.
• Has a 3.2mp stills and video camera (no flash though).
• Has 3 types of text input available in both portrait or landscape modes; full Qwerty, compressed Qwerty (a la Blackberry Pearl style) and alphanumeric (aka normal mobile keypad).

Cons:

• Its apparently crap at actual phone calls, with dropped calls and long waits for connections to be made. While not exclusively a problem found only on this smartphone, it is one of the worst performers in this department.
• The keyboard is slow, probably due to the slower processor, causing text to be missed when trying to type at full speed. Irritating.
• The build quality is creaky. This is no HTC “teflon-coated” Hero, instead being manufactured by Huawei for T-Mobile using cheaper plastics.

A quick word on Google’s Android platform; as one of the major competitors to the iPhone OS, it has gradually grown with the backing of the monolithic Google. There are plenty of quality (and free) apps available on Android,  covering most of the smart phone basics including Twitter, Facebook and mapping apps. It is really the Android OS that helps set the Pulse apart from those Samsung/LG pretenders, making this a real smartphone alternative to the iPhone for the more budget-conscious buyer.

Motorola Dext

Have to mention the upcoming Android based smartphone being released by the almost-dead Motorola next month. Like the HTC Hero before it, Motorola have added the funnily named Motoblur interface that focuses on integrating your social networks. Aka, they added some stuff to make it all fancy and compatible with Facebook/Twitter etc. (starting to see a pattern anyone?) Also available is the chance to manage your phone online, including over-the-air backups, useful in case you ever lose it. Has the standard features expected of a smartphone these days; 5mp camera, Wi-Fi, GPS, digital compass, 2gb microSD card and headphone jack. Supposedly snappy and responsive with comfortable slide out keyboard. CNET UK video review.

Well guess what dick-move Microsoft played today with their iPod touch contender, the Zune HD?

Yes, that’s right, they’re shipping the hardware with no actual software. So at the moment, until Microsoft updates the Zunes, these are going to remain beautifully crafted paperweights. And lets get nothing mixed up here, the Zune HD is a beautiful piece of technology with a seriously appealing design, and the features on paper, are an improvement on many features found in the iPod touch.

This is more of a dick-move for Microsoft rather than the consumers, as it prevents major gadget blogs such as Engadget from carrying out tests and reviewing the device before it goes on sale to the public, hence people are going to wait it out, causing a drop in sales figures. People are guessing that the software should at least be released sometime this evening, until then, I hope people enjoy their $230 or $290 paperweights.

Shame they chickened out of releasing it here in the UK, hey dons?

*courtesy of Engadget

It is being reported that New York Giants Quarterback, Eli Manning, has come to terms for a monster contract extension.  The deal is said to be a six-year, $97 million dollar contract, which will give him an average of $15.3 million per year.  The deal will make him one of the highest paid players in the NFL, and finally, he will make more money than big brother, Peyton, who makes a measly $14.17 per-year salary.

Eli Manning led the Giants to a Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots in 2008.  While he is far from the best quarterback in the NFL, he is likely worth the $97 million.  This is 2009, and that is the market value of a Pro Bowl, Super Bowl MVP quarterback.  

The value of having stability at the quarterback position, in the NFL, cannot be overestimated.  To win football games, a team must have consistency and leadership at the most important position.  For at least the next six years, barring injury, the Giants have that, and they will be contenders each of those years.

A firm in an also-ran or declining competitive position has four basic strategic options. If it can come up with the financial resources, it can launch an offensive turnaround strategy keyed either to low-cost or “new” differentiation themes, pouring enough money and talent into the effort to move up a notch or two in the industry rankings and become a respectable market contender within five years or so. It can employ a fortify-and defend strategy, using variations of its present strategy and fighting hard to keep sales, market share, profitability, and competitive position at current levels. It can opt for an immediate abandonment strategy and get out of the business, either by selling out to another firm or by closing down operations if a buyer cannot be found. Or it can employ a harvest strategy, keeping reinvestment to a bare-bones minimum and taking actions to maximize short-term cash flows in preparation for an orderly market exit. The gist of the first three options is self-explanatory. The fourth merits more discussion.

My Consultancy–Asif J. Mir - Management Consultant–transforms organizations where people have the freedom to be creative, a place that brings out the best in everybody–an open, fair place where people have a sense that what they do matters. For details please visit www.asifjmir.com, Line of Sight

I can now happily (and optimistically) announce that “The Invention of Morel” has been submitted to the prestigious ADAA awards in the category of print communication. the winner gets a lot of street-credit, a fully paid stay and flight to receive an award in beijing, some nice money and product. I truly consider my book design for “The Invention of Morel” to be by best work in my design career, so I hope I do well. Wish me luck!

I just saw this on TSN. This is about as good a knockout as you’ll ever see.

TSN also just reported that low-end Antonio Margarito could return to boxing as soon as June, when he will face Carlos Baldomir. The fight will likely take place in Mexico as Margarito’s US boxing license is currently suspended for the infamous hand-wrapping incident.

Wonder if Margarito will break out the stinger for this fight?

After several exciting days of diving, I couldn’t help but try to dive one of the best dive sites in the world: the SS Yongala.

Unfortunately I discovered they day before I was hoping to dive it, that the trip had been cancelled due to bad weather. Short on time, I converted my 7-hour coach ride into a 12-hour one, and just kept going to my next destination, Airlie Beach. I suppose that means I’ll have to come back to Australia some other day to do the Yongala!

Airlie is the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands, a magnificent group of volcanic peaks separated from the Australian mainland by a narrow passage of a few kilometres. It is also quite a pleasant, compact town with plenty of backpacker accommodation and agencies arranging yachts for charter.

Upon presenting myself at my hostel’s booking desk my first morning to book a sailing trip, I was asked whether I wanted to join a “party boat”, “traditional boat” or “racing boat”. Having had quite enough to drink at The Woolshed in Cairns, I erred away from the “party boat” and went for the racing option even though it was considerably more expensive. “Right, well there’s a boat leaving in 45 minutes,” the agent declared. Keen to make best use of my time, I jumped into action.

One hour later a group of eleven of us, and two crew, are sailing out of the the Abel Point Marina on former America’s Cup contender the Southern Cross. Definitely a “racing boat”! Here she is.

Provided there were enough other volunteers, we could really help out as much or as little as we liked on the Southern Cross. However, with respect to one’s personal property, there are some basic precautions one should we aware of before volunteering. Unfortunately, we were not prepared and within fifteen minutes of leaving the marina, Tobias (Switzerland) and I had lost our sunglasses overboard! (And I had only bought the sunglasses in Sydney two weeks previously.) Andy the skipper, who really should know better, also had his baseball cap blown overboard, but given that this floated we were able to make a detour to pick it up.

Given the fairly tame wind conditions, the boat picked up some good speed, and we were leaning heavily away from the wind. Just a couple of minutes down below to use the loo was enough to make me quite seasick (and I rarely get motion sickness). After some time we arrived at out first destination, Whitehaven Beach, where the sand is supposedly some of the whitest and finest in the world.  We all hopped into a rib (called a tender in Australia) to be taken to the shore. It got a little cloudy as we arrived, but we enjoyed the beach (in our stinger suits given the jellyfish issue). From left to right: James (UK), Tobias (Switz), Maud (NL), Jenny and Hans (Sweden), and Rutger (NL)

After a fabulous sunset (see below) and slap-up supper on the boat, the stars came out. The moon set shortly thereafter and we had a perfect view of the stars of the southern hemisphere, including the namesake of the boat, the Southern Cross. Unfortunately the rocking deck meant there was no opportunity for long-exposure photography,  but here is the sunset I mentioned earlier.

Feeling all soppy and overwhelmed by the stars, I fell asleep on deck. When I woke in the morning, I saw James and Maud had done the same.

The next morning was quite dramatic: Rutger, who had been seasick since we left dock, started having heart palpitations, and had to get urgent medical assistance. A call was put out over the radio, and we altered course to take us to the nearest hospital on a private resort island. About half-an-hour later, we were met halfway by a high-speed boat that we transferred Rutger to to take him the rest of the way. There wasn’t much anyone could do while we were waiting, and we discussed afterwards whether we thought the response should have been quicker. I thought that given we were so far away from habited land, and yachts don’t react particularly well to helicopters, half-an-hour was as good as anyone could have expected. We heard over the radio later that afternoon that Rutger had been airlifted to the mainland from the resort island hospital.

With two members of our crew down (Maud had accompanied Rutger to the resort to help with translation) and not much else we could do, we carried on with our excursion. This included the opportunity of swimming to our own island and laying on the beach for the rest of the afternoon.

Reunited with Maud later that afternoon, we had another great meal and sunset.

We visited another island the next morning…

… and given we were covered in salt water, the private waterfall was useful.

Unfortunately it was then time to sail back to Airlie Beach, but before we could do that, there was another dramatic development: as we switched back to the motor for our final approach towards the marina, the rope supporting our mainsail got stuck within the mast i.e. we couldn’t bring the mainsail completely down. Andy, the skipper, was going to have to climb up the mast and cut the rope from the other end. N.B. The mast of the Southern Cross is 100 feet (30 metres) high!

Andy was going to need ropes, lots of ropes, to help pull him up to the top of the mast, support his weight, deliver equipment to him, and eventually bring him back down without him falling off. Although Andy was really the only one who knew which ropes were going to do what, he was over 30m away, and was going to need us to do the leg-work. We must have learnt a thing or two about how the ropes work over the three days, as everything seemed to go swimmingly (with the help of the Portuguese deputy on deck level). My role was to translate between native-speaking Andy thirty metres away, and the mainly continental group on deck.

With that drama out of the way, we were able to bring the original drama to a close when we saw Rutger greet us on the marina as we docked.

That night we celebrated with a drink or two (as demonstrated by Sandy below)

The term ‘efficiency’ is a concept that has meaning only in the context of an agreed set of objectives. Such objectives can include objectives about inter-personal distribution, typically reflecting one or other interpretation of equity. Occasions when the goals of efficiency and distribution conflict of the agreed set of objectives does not include equitable distribution. Indeed, historically and still to a great extent, the dominant interpretation of ‘efficiency’ has typically included only the objective of measured economic production/consumption. We should at most call this interpretation ‘economic efficiency’ and not honor it with the label of efficiency in general. But the efficiency label has enormous legitimizing power and functions as a trump card in the modern vocabulary. No one can declare themselves against it. If a policy option is deemed inefficient that usually sinks it. So contenders try to capture the label, to serve their particular set of objectives. This is what business interests and mainstream economists have successfully done for a long time. We need ask: Efficiency by which values?

Mainstream economists have focused on growth of aggregate production and national income. Business and other sectional interests may focus on sectional gains but advocate these behind the language of ‘efficiency.’ Not infrequently, the policies behind an efficiency label have been less economic as well as less equitable, and an ‘efficient’ only for elites.

My Consultancy–Asif J. Mir - Management Consultant–transforms organizations where people have the freedom to be creative, a place that brings out the best in everybody–an open, fair place where people have a sense that what they do matters. For details please contact www.asifjmir.com, Line of Sight

http://www.returntothepit.com/concert.php?date=2009-02-28

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Some Images:

sims 2

(Accessed by Bill Newton, Staff reporter for the Pleasantview Free Voice Newspaper)

Gabriel:

Looking at Chaste and I together, it’s easy to assume that we’re total opposites and to wonder why we’re together. That pink-haired girl standing beside me? She’s been my best friend since primary school when she sat down beside me on the school bus, and declared – “Cool Transformers lunchbox” – and gave everyone who said otherwise the death glare.

Best buddies Chastity "Chaste" Gere and Gabriel "Gabe" Green

I’ve only stood up to my parents once (well, twice now), and that’s when I insisted that the little girl with pink hair & neon green socks was going to remain my best friend even if they didn’t like her.

And we’ve been inseparable since then and she’s my room mate even now. I don’t know how, but she’s the only sim in the whole simverse who ever completely “gets” me.

Chastity:

Gabe’s parents freaked  – like what were they so worried about? – that I’d corrupt their baby? That would be like doing it with my brother, ya’ know?

And ya’, I may believe in free love and all, and ya’, I know it’s a complete joke that my name is “Chaste” – and I’ve never really lived by conventional society standards, but I do draw the line somewhere!

The problem with Gabe is, he’s always tried to be Mr. Perfect and please everyone in everything.  I knew that was impossible when I was five! And because he’s so shy and quiet – everyone (including his mom & dad) assumes he’s a push-over.

Gabriel with his treasured book collection

Anybody who cared could see that he was absolutely miserable studying to be a doctor…  Will knows, he tried for the love of his parents, but all Gabe has ever wanted was to be left alone to read his sci-fi books and think up better stories. There are sims who were just made to dream, ya’ know? And he’s fantastic at it too – throughout school – he’d tell me made-up stories about robots and aliens and spaceships, and they were always better than what was out there in the books!

Gabriel:

What kind of a best friend is Chaste? The kind who tells me, “Just do it. It’s not quitting if it’s not what you were meant to do with your life anyway.”

She stood by me when I finally admitted to myself and my furious parents that I wasn’t ever going to be a good doctor or be in any other conventional career.

Chastity:

It’s not like I’m a big hero or something – I just got promoted to Field Sales Representative & was earning enough – so I knew I could support us while Gabe wrote his book.

Come on, another 500 words for this chapter...

I’m really proud of him – he worked it out, wrote his stuff day in and day out – and {drumroll}

Gabriel:

My book is out! – I couldn’t believe it when an agent liked it and got me a deal with Simbooks Publishing –

Chastity:

Oh don’t be so humble, Gabe! It sold really well for a first book, and he got a pretty hefty royalty check from the publishers!

Presenting the book "Rockets in Space" by G. Green

Gabriel:

Well, it’s not like it’s a best-seller or anything like that – not that I expected it to be – It’s about an interstellar battle over a rare energy source, and I know that’s not everyone’s cup of tea… My agent has been trying to drum up publicity through book signings, and I’ve had some sims over to attend live readings and stuff…

Book reading with Jason Cleveland and Leod McGregor

Chastity:

It’s really good – I’ve got my own copy and I haven’t been able to put it down! And I can’t remember the last time I opened a book since school.

"As the massive hyperdrives screamed, the shimmering mutant shot lightning daggers with deadly precision at the earthlings..."

Gabriel:

Life is pretty A-ok these days – and I owe it all to my best friend!

Chastity:

Awww – ‘luv you bro, now let’s go celebrate!

(NOTE: There’s a second page, please click on link below)

From the public blog of Chastity Gere & Gabriel Green : She Said, He Said (Part 2)

(Accessed by Bill Newton, Staff reporter for the Pleasantview Free Voice Newspaper)

Gabriel:

Life can’t get any better! Since my book got published, my parents started talking to me again. And they’re my parents, so that’s important to me…

Chastity:

I didn’t say anything!

Gabriel:

But what’s got me so excited is that I’ve even got a bonus in my love life – I actually have a love life!

There could be something real here with Sam (Samantha Cordial)

That’s another thing I can’t believe, especially considering how Sam & I met – things have just moved so quickly – and now I think I’m in love!

Chastity:

Well, hold your horses there, Gabe.

Sam’s a funny little thing – I invited her over to have a threesome with Carlos Contender – ya’, that Carlos – look I don’t want to burst anyone’s bubble here, but that Living Legend of yours can’t keep it in his pants, if you get my drift.

Starstruck Sam can't believe she's kissing THE Carlos Contender

Waiting patiently for my turn

Samantha was game at first, but got cold feet… Carlos was a bit disappointed, but hey, he forgot about Samantha pretty quickly!

Whoops! You naughty naughty boy! (swats hand away playfully)

Mmmm - the more tongue, the hotter the kiss!

Have to hand it to him - he can still get it up without any pharmaceutical assistance

Gabriel:

I could tell that Sam was so torn up with what happened with Carlos, and normally, I wouldn’t have ever spoken to her, but it’s like I’ve gained confidence or something since I published my book – so I started chatting with her and it turned out she was a fan! She didn’t even know I was G. Green!

You love "Rockets in Space?"

Sam told me how mortified she was – she’d never done anything remotely like a “threesome” before, and she’d just been so starstruck that THE Carlos Contender wanted her that she completely lost her head for an instant. Now, she thought that no man would want her anymore – tainted and all – of course, I tried to tell her that was all haberdash – she was a beautiful angelic being who just got in way over her head. Chaste can take care of herself, but Sam is like a delicate orchid…

Chastity: (something intelligible) I didn’t say anything!

It was a full moon, so I asked her if we could dance out in the moonlight...

As I held her closer, I wondered at how comfortable I felt with Sam. I hadn't felt that relaxed with a girl, well, since Chaste!

Gabriel: We’ve had a couple of dates since, and I don’t know, I think she may be the one…

The morning after the first time

Chastity:

(cough) Just give me fair warning if you’re gettin’ married, k?

As for MY lovelife – look I’ve read that blog by the EyeSpy whoever he/she is – and I hate how women get labeled as sluts or gold-diggers in that site – so Jessica Peterson wants out of her trailer – so what if Carlos is her way out? As long as she’s going in with eyes wide open – Carlos is no saint either, ya’ know? But EyeSpy likes to pretend he’s this shiny knight in armour or somethin’.

And I’m a slut because I’ve got a healthy woohoo drive? And I like to show a little skin? Puh-leeze! Someone like Carlos gets called a “Man’s man” and I get called a lot of nasty names.

Be honest, what’s wrong with liking men of all shapes and sizes – there’s plenty of me to go around ya’  know – I’m young and sexy and beautiful and I’m not doing anything criminal– so EyeSpy beyotch whoever you are – go harp on someone else will ya’?

So ya’, before you go “scoopin’” me or somethin’ with those “spies” of yours – here’s who else I’m dating right now – all out in the open!

I like to live dangerously, so yeah, I see nothing wrong with dating a co-worker (Geoffrey Rutherford)

Especially if he is as good in bed as Geoffrey! Carlos can't handle a marathon session like this one can! {wink}

Not exactly sure why I didn't hit it off with Leod (McGregor), pity that, he's pretty hot!

Consort Capp is pretty hot himself!

How about we take this to the next step?

Gabriel:

I don’t think sims should be called names at all. We shouldn’t judge each other.

So, what’s up for you tonight, Chaste? Oh yeah, it’s amateur night at the Factory Coffee and Comedy Club – Chaste has a killer comedy routine by the way…

Chastity:

{wink} Yup, never miss it – it’s where I meet new blood!

Chastity's favorite hang-out - the Factory Coffee and Comedy Club House

So, a man and a woman, who have never met before, find themselves assigned to the same sleeping room on a train. Though initially embarrassed and uneasy over sharing a room, the two are tired and fall asleep quickly...he in the upper bunk and she in the lower...

At 1:00 AM, he leans over and gently wakes the woman saying, "Ma'am, I'm sorry to bother you, but would you be willing to reach into the closet to get me a second blanket? I'm awfully cold." "I have a better idea," she replies. "Just for tonight, let's pretend that we're married." "Wow! That's a great idea!!" he exclaims. "Good," she replies. "Get your own damn blanket!" After a moment of silence, he farted.

sims 2

From http://Overheard.sims : Jessica Peterson reels in the (BIG) fish
by EyeSpy
(accessed by staff reporter, Bill Newton, Pleasantview Free Voice Newspaper)
(Journalist note: I haven’t uncovered who owns the website, but rest assured that I’ve got ItsnotME working on it. I am seriously ticked off! First that little girl scoops me, and now this!)

So, we all laughed ourselves silly when Jessica Peterson (née DeBateau) was demoted from the mansion she had shared with her ex-husband to a trashy trailer park in Belladona Cove. Who knew that Armand DeBateau would have the good sense to kick her out???

Yes, Armand's fallen princess now lives in a trailer

Well readers, my little spies tell me that Jessica probably won’t be languishing in her trailer much longer.

I may be down, but not out!

Well, as you know, our friendly simpaparazzi have been covering Carlos Contender (Sim State celebrity, Boxing Living Legend and confirmed bachelor) 24/7.

Beloved Living legend Carlos Contender

This is how Carlos keeps his hot bod HOT

One of them recently sent me these pics of Jessica getting COZY with the Hall of Famer at the local spa.

The two were seen secretly entering the premises of the BC spa and baths

Cuddling in the hot tub

Very cozy I must say!

Rowr!

Jessica later brazenly checked out other men once Carlos had slipped away, but apparently deemed this unknown sim’s (he is such a hunk though!) bank balance unworthy of her time.

So you work as a Gold Gamer?

Update: And it appears that things are heating up – Carlos was recently spotted making a trip to the airport. For a secret rendezvous with his new flame perhaps?

From http://Overheard.sims : Update on Jessica Peterson reels in the (BIG) fish
by EyeSpy

Thank you to my peeps over at Twikkii Island who spotted Mr Celebrity Carlos Contender arriving at an exclusive hotel on the island with a certain blond skank slut gold digger bombshell in tow. Of course, they contacted me immediately with the scoop!

One of my readers (who shall remain anonymous) has a husband working at said hotel who was kind enough to take candid shots of the romantic couple for me.

According to my spy, Carlos and Jessica took in a Parasailing tour after arrival and then relaxed in the privacy of the hotel afterwards. Perhaps wary of simpaparazzi cameras, neither ventured out onto the beach. But who needs telephoto lenses when you’ve got an insider?

Exclusive pics follow:

Jessica seems sure her stock is on the rise!

Feeling very smug, Jessica? Well, I don't see the ring on your finger. Yet!

Romantic dinner for two

Everyone loves karaoke

Whispering sweet nothings while looking at the view

A back rub before bed

Carlos can't keep his hands off her - get in the room first!

From http://Overheard.sims : Carlos Contender breaks a leg!
by EyeSpy

Well, dear readers, that is true – literally. My insider at Twikii Island tells me that the new couple had to cut their vacation short due to an unfortunate accident befalling local icon Carlos Contender. Maybe the admittedly getting-on-in-years Carlos shouldn’t have tried carrying his not-quite-the-bride over the threshold – apparently his bones aren’t as strong as they used to be or the slender Jessica is heavier than she appears! Someone give Carlos a calcium-supplement stat!

Carlos was airlifted to Sim State Hospital Center for emergency surgery, and is now ensconced in his mansion, recuperating from his injury.

Reading the paper to while away the boredom

This seems to be prime opportunity for Jessica to sink her claws deeper into her quarry – so check back for updates! Simpaparazzi, do not fail me!

From http://Overheard.sims : Jessica Peterson rises again!
by EyeSpy

Don’t worry, my dear readers, here I am with updates – I was able to make contact with the domestic help (who shall remain anonymous) and have info for you!

Our local hero Carlos Contender has been kept busy while recuperating at home – visited constantly by his friends….

Marissa Cleveland keeps him entertained with chess

… Including the people closest to heart – his niece Isabel and new lady-love Jessica.

My insider tells me there is some trouble between Isabel & Jessica (oooh, exciting!) – the two can’t even stand to be together around the dinner table!

Jessica : Excuse me, I have to go wash my hair or something...

Isabel : (Grumble) When is that girl going home?

Benjamin: Honey, we have to go home - the nanny will complain if we're late!

But Isabel and her husband Benjamin can’t hang around Carlos 24/7, so of course Jessica was eventually free to make her move.

Perfect shot by the simpaparazzi - Carlos not letting his broken leg stop him from romancing his new love

This is why you should invest in curtains!

Is it love? Really?

Will Carlos finally succumb and turn in his “confirmed bachelor” badge? Jessica certainly seems to think she’s about to come into a lot of money!

Jessica : How soon can I move in?

Hmmmm, hmmmm, hmmmm – watch this space for updates!

XoXo – EyeSpy

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————————————————————————————————————

Blogger’s note:

Carlos Contender drew the ROS – Broke a leg! Sim must stay home for 3 days. No stairs.

I meant for him and Jessica to finish the vacation but the hotel lot was so buggy, it was impossible to play and enjoy myself, so I ended up ending the vacation on the first day.

Jessica comes off as a gold-digger, because she is! I found it so funny how Jessica just wasn’t in love with Carlos for the longest time even after several dates – 100/100 but no crush or love. Inspite of all the ACR-generated interactions. BUT she still had the want to be engaged to him.

OT but I really wanted to say how cool is the new Comment Threading feature in wordpress.com?

And also OT – the oscars was awesome! Loved Hugh Jackman (just as good as Billy Crystal) and Anne Hathaway and the acceptance speeches of Dustin Lance Black, Penelope Cruz and Kate Winslet! also loved how the previous oscar winners paid tribute to the nominees!

[en] One of the good things about living in a big city is that you are forced to be the best you can be.
Usually there is no place for you if you are not good enough — at least in the top positions. And good enough here means that your EQ*  is much more important that your IQ**. Means also that the possibilities of dealing with a free market where there are more meritocracy are much bigger.
Life in a big city changes you. Most of times for better because you’re often in contest, and you ought to defend yourself, your position and keep improving, keep learning.
Otherwise, living in a small town has its merit, like… ahnnnn… Can anybody help me here?

* Emotional intelligence Quotient
** Intelligence Quotient

[it] Una delle cose buone di vivere in una grande città è che sei costretto a dare il meglio di te.
Solitamente non c’è posto per te se non abbastanza bravo — almeno nelle migliori posizioni. E abbastanza bravo qui vuol dire che tuo EQ* è molto più importante del tuo IQ**. Significa anche che le possibilità di affrontare un mercato libero dove c’è più meritocrazia sono maggiori.
La vita in una grande città ti cambia. Solitamente ti cambia in meglio perché spesso sei in gara, e devi difendere te e la tua posizione, migliorare sempre, imparare sempre.
Da un’altra parte, la vita di campagna ha i suoi pregi, tipo… ehhhh… Qualcuno mi dà una mano qui?

* Quoziente Emotivo
** Quoziente Intellettivo

[pt] Uma das coisas boas de viver em uma grande cidade è que voce è obrigado a dar o melhor de si.
Geralmente nào existe espaço se voce nào bom o suficiente — pelo menos nas posiçòes melhores. E bom o suficiente aqui significa que teu QE* conta muito mais que teu QI**. Significa tambèm que as possibilidades de lidar com um marcado livre onde reina a meritocracia sào muito maiores.
A vida na cidade grande muda voce. Geralmente porque na maior parte do tempo voce està competindo, e voce deve se defender, defender a tua posiçào e continuar aprendendo e melhorando.
Por outro lado, a vida no interior tem seu lado bom, tipo… hm…. Alguèm pode me dar uma mào aqui?

* Quociente Emocional
** Quociente Intelectual

Bruno

BigFish Folding Bike: The newest contender for the crown?

Mark from BigFish contacted yours truly recently asking for his new bike the Bigfish to be added to ‘The Usual Suspects’ list of folding bikes.
As this new addition to the folding bike world is so new and innovative, I would like to explore it further by giving it a proper review.

I am awaiting a possible BigFish to be provided for a full ‘Folding Enthusiast’ review, hopefully coming soon.

Until then, have a look at this bike for yourself at http://www.bigfishbike.com

Yours truly

The Folding Enthusiast

This is inspisred by some prophetic words spoken over me.

ContendRester

Damaged armor all

Around covering me

Helmet dented, He

Can’t see the victory

Ahead of Him.

Contend, let your

Soul, spirit, body

Bend into Him.

Ripped to shred armor

Like a grain farmer

I’ve been sowing

Seeds, I believe

You see Me,

Diligently reward

Fight for crowns

Not seen by

Magazines or

TV but on the Day,

When sun shreds dark to glory,

Earth split by Holy Fire.

Like a pebble in the sand,

My plan is grand beyond

Your hand plowing for

My approval, like a triple

Sequel you keep striving

For stain glass and

Steeple to hold you

Together.

I know, when it rains, it pours

Your fog shift will lift

And clear as rain falling on

A cloudy day, new light will

Enter my way.

Mercy surrounds

My mountain view

Of you, as the

Pebbles drift away

You command me to stay

Still in one place

Contender for grace

I can’t let you lace

Your own shoes and

Fight for what’s not yours

To earn.

Be still and listen and learn

You feel the burn

Of my presence invading

Your space, I want it all

From Spring to Fall,

I have answered your call.

Just kick the pebbles in the sand.

The rainbow hovering

Over the blue torched sky

Tells me I am gonna live

And not die.

Pacing circles in the rain

Searching for gain in this

World

Where I dub over

What hurts and

What stings deep

Beneath me.

Messenger of bitter

Scroll eating defeating

Thrill seeker sensitive

Church goer

That is clueless

To what is coming

To the earth.

But must know the love

Of the Father

Must be able to

Rest, little contender.

Face it here, face it now.

I read lamentations 3

Covered in verses

About your mercy.

God, please, let

Me see, I am only

23, but surely goodness

Comes from He who made

This rainbow bending its

Way around Me, stepping

In front of the choices

That can’t take back me

Into somewhere else

Put all the lies

On the shelf.

Simply Put: Help!