I am really not planning on making this my migraine blog but good grief.  I got another one tonight, not too bad on the pain scale but a doozy in the visual disturbance area.  Still can’t pinpoint what causes them.  Today was a good day too.

Got to see my baby again.  My wife is now 12 weeks pregnant and we got to see the baby moving around and being uncooperative.  We were there to do a genetic screening for this baby looking for any abnormalities after our last daughter developed a spontaneous genetic mutation of her kidneys.  We got the screening but it is almost like what is the point?  We are going to keep the baby anyway, but at least we could know early.  Maybe it was stress letdown from keeping the secret to telling all of the family that caused the migraine.  We have been very worried that they would try to rationalize why we would consider another child after the last one was born with kidney failure.  luckily that didn’t happen, or hasn’t been brought up yet.

At least it is almost the new year.  I have a bunch of insurance stuff to do tomorrow so that it will be on this year.  What a party we will have for New Years!  Maybe I will do something with 2010, 2010 kettlebell swings? not likely more like 20 swings then 10.  Maybe 10 get ups or 2 get ups and then 010 get ups.  I will have to work on that one.

Have a great New Year’s Celebration, drive safe and wake up late on Saturday!

Justin

www.carepages.com  page: ameliarosematthews

www.brendasquiltshop.com

Christmas reminds us of one the gifts given to baby Jesus. Ever wonder why it was one of the gifts given along with gold and myrrh? “Used to treat every conceivable ill known to man,” frankincense was valued more than gold during ancient times and only those with great wealth possessed it.

Frankincense has many properties. Besides being the “holy anointing oil”, it is also an immune stimulant, anti-tumoral agent, antidepressant, expectorant and muscle relaxant. It has been used for many different conditions such as asthma, ulcers, allergies, high blood pressure, inflammation, stress and others. There are many references to frankincense in the Bible as well as the Ebers Papyrus, which is one of the ancient Egyptian medical records dating from the 16th century B.C.

Frankincense contains sesquiterpenes, enabling it to go across the blood brain barrier. Researchers today have discovered that these constituents of frankincense help stimulate the limbic system of the brain, which is the center of emotions, as well as the hypothalamus, pituitary and pineal glands. Frankincense is currently being researched and used therapeutically in European hospitals. It is also being investigated for its ability to improve human growth hormone production and help repair DNA damage. Frankincense also increases the activity of white blood cells helping the body defend itself against infection.

It can be diffused, inhaled or applied topically. It can also be taken orally. Be sure though, that you’re using therapeutic-grade or medicinal-grade oils. A lot of oils in the market, including those sold in health food stores, unfortunately, carry synthetic and adulterated oils.

I have been working with therapeutic-grade essential oils and essential oil based supplements in my Integrative Medical practice for years, with great success.  I love using the essential oils because they are literally alive and carry a vital life force.  This is important because this vital life force makes them very therapeutically active and potent, reaching far beyond the effects of dry herbs.  For example, 1 drop of peppermint essential oil has the same effect as drinking almost thirty cups of peppermint herbal tea!

For more information on therapeutic-grade essential oils including frankincense, please contact me at drjlopez@mac.com.

Actual firm relationships must be seen on a spectrum between outright competition at one end and collusion at the other. At the very least, such a self-evident observation raises the issue of the firm (or business unit) as the basic, and often only, unit of analysis: in certain circumstances we might more appropriately consider an information coalition of such firms as the key unit.

Earlier, the border of the company was seen as the dividing line between co-operation and conflict – cooperation within the company and conflict in relation to all external units. The corresponding means for coordination are heirarchy and the market mechanism. The existence of relationships makes this picture more diffuse. There are great opportunities for cooperation with a lot of external units forming, for example, coalitions. Thus, it is often more fruitful to see the company as a part of a network instead of a free and independent actor in an atomistic martket.

However, the recognition that there is a network of relationships is merely the first step. Approaches need to be developed for the analysis of the network.

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, Lectures, Line of Sight

You defuse a bomb or a volatile situation.

You diffuse perfume into the air when you spray it.

I’ve been writing about Coherence for a long time, without always using the word. A discussion this morning reminded me of the first time the concept was published – in a book on parenting I wrote about 22 years ago.  I was talking about marriage, but it might just as well have been about people who work together. This is what I said:

It is difficult to put into words that which philosophers and poets have always struggled with. Assessing your feelings and expectations can be done through nonverbal means, such as drawing and miming. For instance, one way to look at some different styles of marriage is to symbolize the couple as eggs.

Some couples are like hard-boiled eggs. They’re firm and well done, but they can’t get very close to each other. They may shatter each other’s shell, but even that just brings their outer beings (the white part) together. Their inner selves (the yolks) are isolated from each other. The hard-boiled-egg couples have what’s termed a ‘marriage of convenience.’ No risk; no intimacy.

Other couples are like soft-boiled eggs. One healthy confrontation and they’re a messy puddle, impossible to put back together for a bit more cooking. Very young couples, especially those who have been forced to marry because of untimely pregnancies, are often soft-boiled-egg couples. High-risk; intimacy only when the inner selves are shattered.

Then there are the scrambled eggs. They have even given up their uniqueness to create a single, homogenized entity. They may have a feeling of ‘us against the world,’ but it is a false feeling of security, since neither can function alone. If there are children, they, too, may be expected to become part of the omelet, submerging themselves in the family. Low-risk for the couple; high risk for their children; and a false sense of intimacy.

Successful couples are like fried eggs, sunny-side up. When they are cracked open against the side of the pan, they obligingly plop in, their outer selves attracted to each other, coming together to form a mutual environment for the two yolks. The yolks may move around in their white field, sometimes touching and sometimes moving apart, yet they always retain their individuality. They risk moving against each other with enough force to break one or both, but their mutual base tends to slow down any confrontation. Their intimacy has room for additional little eggs; children are no major threat, since there is space for them to develop as individuals too. Acceptable risk; high probability of intimacy; and personal growth for all.

Now I think I would be more blunt and just describe the hard-boiled as rigid and the soft-boiled and scrambled as diffuse.

This might explain why it bothers me when people confuse Coherence with cohering, especially when speaking about functional teams – the coherent human infrastructure that’s required for successful business.

Listen up!  It’s not about sticking together in one big glob of scrambled eggs.  It’s about being so fully mature and productive that you can bounce off people and not break, and that you can work with them without giving up who you are as a valuable, unique individual.  It’s about being part of the human infrastructure that actually accomplishes something!

I spent a bit of time at the screen printers today. Mad colour everywhere, and now also on my sweater, on my camera and on my camera bag. If you need a good screen printer contact the fine folks at Diffuse.

Can addictions ever be deemed positive? And if so, by what measure? These questions are brilliantly explored in “The Hurt Locker,” directed by Kathryn Bigelow.

On one level, “The Hurt Locker” is an astonishingly suspenseful movie, focusing on a 3-man U.S. bomb disposal squad stationed in Iraq. On another, the movie serves as a canvas against which basic human emotions are played out, along with complex motivations for the action we see.

Staff Sgt. William James, the movie’s protagonist and the actual bomb disposal specialist, does not enjoy war per se, so much as the thrill of mastering what makes Iraqi bombs – well, tick. His approach to war is that of the obsessive, single-minded genius, fascinated by the bombs he defuses, challenged by their structural complexity, and determined to locate and disarm their operating systems, even when his actions endanger both his own and his men’s lives. By contrast, James cannot quite manage the humdrum routines of civilian life. He is a man for whom, as the voiceover at the start of the movie observes, “war is a drug.” You can almost see a pre-military James finding less acceptable outlets for his recklessness – until the army teaches him to sublimate those tendencies and live life on the edge in the name of patriotism. Like any addicts, then, James both loves and needs to diffuse bombs, even though the means to his salvation may one day kill him.

But while James is impervious to fear, he is no psychopath. He shows affection and concern for an Iraqi boy with the unlikely name of Beckham; continually encourages Specialist Eldridge, the most inexperienced and apprehensive of the 3-man operation; is reluctant to brag about his accomplishments; and clearly wants to save lives – those of innocent Iraqis as well as Americans. Yet James’ careless bravery, irrespective of its results, angers and terrifies Sgt. Sanborn and Specialist Eldridge, for whom survival is the name of the game in just another dangerous tour of duty. While they’re counting down the days to the end of their deployment, James revels in the daily peril and once home, pines for his next Iraqi stint. Back in the combat zone, the cockiness returns to his eyes and the swagger to his tread. James is such a cocktail of recklessness, compassion, and naïveté, that you find yourself sitting on the edge of your seat, uncertain whether to shake your head or cheer him on. He pulls off his protective gear to detonate a multiple bomb structure in the trunk of a car, claiming that “we’re dealing with enough ammo to blow us all to Jesus, so I may as well die comfortable”; is a pleased as a child when finally unearthing the deadly operating switch; and doesn’t even get angry when Sanborn, whom he technically outranks, decks him for ripping off his headphones in frustration. James isn’t in this for honor or pride – he just loves what he’s doing; nothing he’s done has come closer to feeding his adrenalin rush. Hooked, armed, and dangerously likeable, it’s no wonder James scares Eldridge and Sanborn; they never came to Iraq expecting to fight the enemy in their own back yard.

*A reference to a poem of the same name by Brian Turner, the Hurt Locker symbolizes, among other possibilities, the repository for the weapons and agents of destruction spawned by the war.

There’s a long tradition of having ‘yes-men’ around to do your bidding.  Had two conversations this week from which I’ve learned that (a) ‘yes-men’ are still alive and well and working in huge, successful (at the moment) companies, and (b) CEOs are realizing that, in the long run, they stifle innovation.

Conversation 1 was saddening, though enlightening.  A clearly, painfully diffuse person reporting to a CEO with a definite tendency to be rigid was praised as ‘the best person I ever hired.’  Well, okay, rigid people like diffuse people – they are the original ‘yes-men.’  But you’d think he’d want to use hard data.  Actually, even if he did, I’d be suspicious.  I bet he does enough work to cover Mr. Yes’s backside.  Well, you can’t help everyone.

Conversation 2 was uplifting and enlightening.  A head of state (not in the US) was speaking to the CEO of a vendor and bemoaning his inability to find the right people for key positions.  He wanted integrity, productivity, and obedience.  I laughed with delight as the CEO related this.  These are the words of a Founder/Vision Mover.  This head of state is totally coherent and wants obedience yes – to his Vision, not his whims!  That’s just the basic respect due him.  But they hire by resume so they are probably attracting diffuse ‘yes-men’ who’ve never produced on their own.  Here’s one that can be helped.

Conclusion: ‘Yes-men’ may flatter your ego, but they will obscure your Vision.  Better a nice loud “no” every so often rather than being blind to the promises of the future!

The wealth creation process of a nation cannot be seen separately from that taking place at the industry level. Hence, unless a nation is able to unleash the value creating potential of each organization, its over-all progress in this context will be significantly hampered. Incidentally for each firm to maximize its wealth creation potential, the need for private ownership of capital and well defined property rights in all sectors of an economy cannot be over-emphasized. Private sector business organizations will ensure that their managers are held accountable for the way they use the company assets, and the outcome thereof. When the firm level ownership is diffused (as in the cases of public or joint sector companies) and the majority ownership is predominantly with distant and impersonal state, there is no incentive for intra and inter-organizational cooperation for mutual benefit including wealth creation.

Since the wealth creation process of a nation is synonymous with that of its organizations, macro policies of governments of nation states must facilitate evolution and development of organizations that are focused, market driven, efficiency and change seeking, nimble-footed, and also capable of building and leveraging capabilities, all required to create wealth not only for their shareholders, but also for other stakeholders, including the government. For such value creation to take root within an organization, the external context must be right—market economy, healthy competition, transparent regulations, strong institutional frameworks in all public policy areas, clear intellectual and other property rights, freedom to access information and high ethical standards. If a nation is state is not able to put in place the required public policies in these areas and also no effort is made to simultaneously enhance managerial capabilities to create value, its wealth creation effort will always remain sub-optimal.

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

www.lewrockwell.com

Government Prepares for “unwillingness to follow government orders” The International Swine Flu Conference is being held in Washington D.C. next week, just two weeks after the conference on weight control that I wrote about last week. Here’s a summary of it: Top leaders and key decision-makers of major companies representing a broad range of industries will meet with distinguished scientists, public health officials, law enforcers, first responders, and other experts to discuss pandemic prevention, preparedness, response and recovery at the 1st International Swine Flu Summit. Read the agenda for the breakout sessions, especially the session on “psychological issues” (Session #2) and the topic heading: “Unwillingness to follow government orders.” Also note session #6, which includes “Control and diffuse social unrest & public disorder” and “Isolate prisons and other facilities.”

Acceptance™ Essential Oil Blend

stimulates the mind with oils specially blended to promote feelings of accepting ourselves and others, regardless of perceived barriers. This blend also helps overcome procrastination and denial.

Ingredients

Rosewood, almond oil base, geranium, frankincense, blue tansy, sandalwood and neroli..

To Use

For aromatic use. Diffuse or apply over the heart, on the wrists, behind the ears, on the neck and on the face.

Possible skin sensitivity. If pregnant or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. Dilution not required; suitable for all but the most sensitive skin. Generally safe for children over 2 years of age.

So the next day you awake and you end up visiting Zeitel’s cabin only to be locked in with a bomb on the sofa.  Apparently it’ll take care of everything you have to worry about.  But let’s not allow the old Colonel to get his way this time.

When you open the suitcase you will see a package of explosive, a solenoid battery, an alarm clock and three switch boxes which are all connected by wires of various colours.  There is also a little box with a key inside.  Anyone guess what it opens?

Zeitel's state-of-the-art bomb

To defuse the bomb, follow these steps:

1.  Find the switch box between the explosives and the solenoid.  Turn the switch to the number three.  (Click on the knob’s pointer, then click on the three.)

2.  Find the switch box between the solenoid and the battery and turn the knob to three.

3.  Find the switch box between the explosives and the alarm clock and turn the knob to two.

4.  Let the clock run out.  You will hear the alarm ring.

5.  Go back to the switch box between the explosives and the alarm clock and reset the knob to three.

6.  The bomb is now disarmed.  Click on the box with the key to open it.  The key will appear on the navigation screen and disappear once you go out the cabin door.

YouTube video showing how to do this:

And finally, here it is! The Conspiracy Engine first rendered screenshot! Well, it consists of a single teapot lit by diffuse and ambient lighting using Gouraud shading, some text on the screen, one camera (so far), and two lights (one ambient and a point light). It is not something amazing, but this is only the first nice render screen of this engine! And what is most impressive is that this is not a standard DirectX teapot, but a 3DS Max exported teapot, which was loaded using my 3DS Exporter and Importer, presented below. I changed the code a bit to support materials and textures and also to optimize it a bit… Please note that the normals are still not being saved directly, so the lighting can look a bit awkward…

Here is the screenshot of my new engine:

Conspiracy First Shot

Feel free to comment!

Driven by a combination of capital-intensive new technologies, newly emerged mass markets, and global trade based on national competitive advantage, in industrial era production was organized around the idea of division of labor instead of craft specialization. The work formerly done by one artisan was broken down into its component parts, which in turn were mechanized where possible, and semi-skilled workers were hired to do part of the job or to tend the machines. New roles, those of supervisor, middle manager, and production planner, were created to provide the oversight and coordination that were formerly the responsibility of individual journeymen or masters. In brief, authority over the content of jobs was given to people who, themselves, were not actually doing this work. The newly created managerial authority took “from workers the right to define their own job, their own skill level, and their own standards of quality.”

The division of labor, originally intended to create a rapid growth economy based on a low-skill work force, did help assimilate nineteenth century agricultural workers into industry. But once there, it imprisoned them.

Division of labor is an addictive practice. Work breakdown—promoted by those whose authority and careers tend to benefit from it—tends to beget more work breakdown, taking the pressure off the employer or the educational system to continually upgrade employee skills. Once started, the practice tends to be self-reinforcing, producing a de-skilled work force.

By the mid-twentieth century, most corporate organizations were based on the concept of functional specialization. Work that was once whole had become fragmented. The focused skill of an individual was diffused into the skill of an entire factory. The common view was that mechanics check their brains at the gate when they come to work.

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

The team from “The Unit” will have its hands full spreading out bombs, according to Yahoo! TV:

Of course, the country might be safer if the team defused them. Just a thought.