In January 2009, I accepted an offer to work in Indonesia for an international medical services company. Moving from Melbourne, Australia I set off on a new career and life adventure.

My job involves setting up medical clinics in remote areas of Indonesia on behalf of mining companies, as well as dealing with emergency/crisis situations that our members are affected by (e.g. bombings and earthquake). I spend time visiting remote areas via charter place, helicopter, 4WD and boat.

When I’m not visiting sites, I am based out of Jakarta where I have developed a diverse network of friends from many walks of life who keep me entertained, challenged and welcome.

I have an expanding range of interests, some of which I cover in this blog. In particular, the concept of non conformity and the supporting issues around it.

Life offshore is an adventure and I’m enjoying it!

Drop me a line sometime

2012 (2009)

Rated: Pg-13

Running Time: 158 Minutes

The mother of all disaster films. It lacks depth but has the most exhilirating sequences ever in film history. For what it is, its quite macho in performance and unbelievable in experience. Not a masterpiece but a fun film. Something Roland Emmerich has always been able to do.

2012 is a debated subject that dates back since Y2K. The end of a mayan calander and the scientific shift in our galaxy so to speak. A lot of evidence puts forth the inevitable and a lot of evidence for the hoax. Its never liable until the actual date. But forget controversies and speculation. Its a Sci Fi thriller, enjoy it. I have despite being meticulous on scientific theories and whatnot. But hey, who doesnt want to watch earth die simultaneously while explained why. Well, in a animated sequence of course. Its fun when balls of fire are thrown at our heroine or when quakes completely devour cities. Its like playing a video game, where you choose how to completely dissolve earth into nothing but a lump of rock. Or to entirely drown everything that even Mount Everest wont stand a chance.

As fun as it can be, it has problems and yes old problems. But cant we just enjoy it? Not always the case. Little things like love get in the way and a attempt at being moral just blinds the audience into believing this as being preachy or religous. Or just making our humans act so barbaric and completely lost at touch of conscience or for a lack of better term, humanity. Often being politically correct was also an issue but its a movie where the rich conquer and the fat white guy get the say. Little problems, but enough to bother a crowd.

John Cusack plays as Jackson Curtis, a writer and driver. Who is divourced and has a estranged relationship with his kids. Something so common in films, it has become a social hollywood epidemic. As if every father is almost incapable of being one until waning moments strike. Its almost obvious on how this subplot is going to emerge and ultimately end. Well Jackson is one part of the film. The other is a geologist called Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejifor). Who answers to the whitehouse about plate shifts and weather changes. I guess he’s the local weather guy for the men in suits. Aside from the joke, something comes up. Solar Flares are acting up and the core is heating up. Upon so, Adrian makes his move and the political parties around the world make thier move before the inevitable of 2012. Obviously, we need one normal guy to run the show so why not have John Cusack drive like a pro across California with ground literally falling before him and buildings collapsing in front of him. Also, flying is nice. Nothing but a slew of events to showcase special effects but for the moment, it works.

He’s not really saving the world per se, he’s saving himself and his family. I guess its the righteous way and it certaintly helps the issue of estranged relationships. Want your wife back? Get the world to end and save her life. That will do the trick. Nothing is to special in this film exept trying to look soft with the president and his “speech” before everything goes to hell.

” Yeah, thanks for the help, we’re gonna die now, and what do we get? A seminar about facing the darkness? How about some light? Or some evacuation? Nope. Wont even bother to make enough ships for anyone exept the dudes with a million euros “

A lot of sentimental moments happen in this film, some that share nothing with the audience exept giggles. Like kissing scenes just before a ship will literally collide. But its not the giggly gesture that makes this bad but the fact that is old and overly used. How many times does a kissing scene occur during a difficult situation. 2012 is not just a disaster movie, but a subplotted worthless romantic sellout. Sometimes you wonder if these blockbusters will ever live without romance. Answer is no, America is to melodramatic.

2012 is known to be the end of time (for some people) while for Roland, its reproduction and cliches. Never had I imagined the ending would be as it is but then again, we like those results. Because it shows faith and never does anyhing end. Its a cycle. A circle of events that occur to stable evolution or possibly growth. Roland doesnt show growth from his previous films as he continues to do the same but his uncanny ability to make them as fun as possible is quite remarkable.

Is it oscar worthy? No. Is it 5 stars? No. But its a hell of a ride that tempers with nature and humans alike. Nothing ties people together for a koom bye ya moment then 2012 and its amatuerish attempts at being cute and sad. But hey, it works out.

2.5/5

Written By: Xou Xiong

In case you missed out – the Dirty Birdy STELLAR!  I’d heard word of it for weeks.  To be honest, it didn’t sound like my kind of thing.  Avid hand-washer, I generally prefer to stay clean.  This was going to be something new.

I certainly hadn’t committed to it.  The idea – enticing as it was – seemed far fetched.  I just couldn’t see myself participating.  Sloshing on my belly through a pool of mud?  So not me.  However, I felt it was my duty as a photographer and an artist to go shoot the heck out of it (especially since my cameraman, Vinny, was home sick).  That way I could transmit the messy ruckus to all those squares out there still afraid to get dirty.  Then again, if I got the gall, I could always jump on in and run as bandit.  That became the plan.  Anticipation began to mount in the last 24 hours leading up to the event to the point when we were finally on our way to the race.

I got into Kristopher’s car.

“I feel like I’m going to throw up,” I said, hand on my belly.  He looked at me nervously.  “Don’t worry, I’m just excited,” I told him.  It’s true – I get the same feeling before every kickball game.  I love it.

Pulling into PIR, we parked among a smattering of cars and people suiting up.  It occurred to me that it would be unwise to attempt photography while running such a muddy race.  Maybe I should just shoot from the sidelines, I thought.  But seeing them thoroughly hose down the course with a fresh layer of wetness made me want to be mucking around in it even more.  Kristopher wanted to run it no matter what.

The crowd clearly wasn’t big enough to preserve our anonymity as bandits – we started having a mild guilt trip about it.  In the end, my buddy coughed up some change to get us dialed in (Thanks Kristopher!).  Totally legit, it was ON.

The course was a massive mess: a winding 5k loop that included obstacles (forcing us to crawl through mud on our bellies) and 2 huge slip’n’slides (into giant mud puddles of course).  And get this!  They traditionally start the race with the previous Dirty Birdy winners, both male and female, wearing bright yellow Dirty Birdy jerseys, giving them a 30 second head start.  The dude was there, but the previous female winner was nowhere on site.  So Devin, the Oregon Active guy who put the event together, got on the horn and asked the crowd which chick would like to be the honorary Dirty Birdy and NO ONE spoke up.  Can you believe that?!

Cutting the silence, guess who volunteered.

Lo and behold, the Dirty Birdy jersey went perfectly with my golden legs.  And none of it was gold for very long.  About 30 seconds into the race I got clothes-lined in the obstacle course.  After that, I spent a good deal of time crawling through pits of muck.  Early in the second lap, my shorts filled with mud and fell completely off.  Heck – they were slowing me down anyway.

It was such a treat!  I hadn’t felt like that much of a kid since waaaaaay back in October during the Naked Pumpkin Run.  There’s just something about slogging around in the mud that’s good for the soul… much like running around Portland naked with a pumpkin on your head!

At the end of the race, Kristopher and I enjoyed a few beers at the bon fire, admiring the mud splatters among our cohorts.  It was only a small crowd, but given the circumstances, I’d say we were surrounded by some of the coolest people in P-Town.  If you’re down to get muddy, you’re rad.

All of a sudden, I felt a tickle in my nose.  On came a fit of sneezes – musta been at least 5 or 6 in a row.  But it was no big deal.  Sneezing is fun!  I shook it off.  We finished our beers and Kris brought me home.  By the time we got there, I was officially sick.

It seemed like the fastest moving cold I’d ever had.  At bed time, I was a wreck, but in the morning, I was better again!  Wow, I thought, I must be some sort of super-human.  I proceeded about my weekly routine of working out, working on projects, and hanging with friends in the evenings.

A few days later, the damn cold came back.  So much for that super-human idea…  But it did the exact same thing: hit me around noon, rapidly running its full course by the next morning.  I didn’t even have to adjust my schedule!

Fast forward through another fun weekend of hilarity (see PERPETUAL NONSENSICAL GREATNESS – 11.22), where without a doubt, we were on a roll.  Vinny and I got a bunch more footage for the movie (not like we needed it – there’s plenty) and had a blast while doing.  Everything was peachy-keen until Monday night.

It felt like there were razorblades in my throat.  I could hardly sleep.  When I got up Tuesday morning, it was even worse.  I was sicker than I’ve been in as long as I can remember.  How was this possible?

Turns out, it’s H1N1 – the dreaded swine flu.  Then the pieces started falling together.  One of the symptoms is what seems like a false-starting cold.  Oh shit.  Then I remembered that Vinny had practically been on is death bed the week before.  I must have gotten it from him!

I’m not mad.  Okay – I’m a little ticked to be sick, but as long as Vinny keeps his distance till I’m feeling better, I’ll let him live.  Meantime, at least everyone’s well-occupied during recovery.  See you soon, friends.

HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING!!!

A selection of acrylic and wood artworks decorated with gold leaf is to go on display at next month’s Pulse Contemporary Art Fair in Miami, Florida.Created by Cuban artist Jose Toirac in collaboration with art historian Meira Marrero, the Orbis: Homenaje a Walker Evans collection will go on show at the Jose Toirac: Censure and Celebration in Cuba exhibition at the event between December 3rd and 6th.The series consists of dozens of pieces based on pictures taken in Cuba by American photographer Walker Evans in 1933, with each artwork accented with gold leaf made in Seville in Span, Artdaily reports fireplaces.Seville was the main port city that took delivery of gold from the Americas when Spanish colonial rule was in force. The collection was originally shown at the National Fine Arts Museum in Havana to replace work by Toirac that had been censored.Pulse Miami will take place at The Ice Palace and will feature 75 exhibitors and ten galleries in total.

Gold leaf art to go on show at Miami fair

Virtually every big disaster comes down to human error – Chernobyl, Bhopal, plane crashes. To be more precise, they come down to  small mechanical failures, compounded and created by human panic, or confusion, or failure to communicate. In an unusual work environment, like a nuclear power station or a plane cockpit, the way people relate to each other can make the difference between life and death. How’s that for psychology at work?

I recently read and enjoyed Malcolm Gladwell’s book “Outliers”, which has a significant chapter on the human role in air disasters, and in particular the bad safety problems once suffered by Korean Air. It’s shocking and fascinating to read some of his transcripts of terrible, avoidable disasters that came down to people feeling too inhibited, confused, and distressed to be able to speak up at crucial times. Gladwell reports on two South American pilots who simply felt too inhibited by the assertive and vocal air traffic control crew in New York to be able to communicate that their plane was almost totally out of fuel and due to crash. Both pilots and the passengers lost their lives.

Air Korea’s poor safety record was for some time a source of mystery, as their equipment was as up-to-date and in as good condition as anyone’s. If it weren’t for the “black box” reportings of everything that’s said in the cockpit, it might have remained a mystery. Korean culture is highly deferential to authority, and authority in a Korean plane cockpit was vested and embodied in the captain. Before each flight, the co-pilots and crew would be expected to bring his meals and attend to his every need. The net result of all of this was that in any problem or difficulty, no-one would voice an opinion that ran contrary to that of the captain, despite the desperate need. It’s painful to read the transcripts of the co-pilots trying desperately to communicate that the plane is in trouble to their captain. “Captain, the weather radar has helped us a lot.”

I always think of those co-pilots when I hear it said that people are the same everywhere, or that culture and environment do not affect how people respond. The pilots were unable to overcome the cultural inhibitions binding them, even though they knew well the outcome could be their deaths. Korean Air, by the way, now has an excellent safety record, but getting it involved intensively training their air crews to put deference aside and communicate honestly and robustly in the air. The patterns of culture and communication we live in affect the results of all our lives profoundly on a daily basis – the question is, is it in the way we’d like?

These days in Ireland is like living in an aquarium, water dripping, flowing and moving everywhere causing devastation to peoples homes and livelihoods. With lakes, rivers, streams & bogs bursting their banks almost engulfing all in their path.  Puddles dotted everywhere filled with water. With the noise of the constant rain beating on the windows and wind howling around the house, one thinks of those less off who have been affected by this flooding. On the other hand across the miles others are dying daily from a lack of water, the dry drought of the desert lands. Oh how life is dynamic and diverse!  As Rollo May says Courage is not the absence of despair; it is rather, the capacity to move ahead in spite of despair. Spare a thought for those less well off than you today!

So, we all have those weak moments where we’re staring down past romantic indiscretions, wildly fidgeting with anything in arms reach so we don’t have to look him in the eye.  Well, if he’s too drunk to look you in the eye it softens the blow a little bit. And when he passes out and you can take pictures, it becomes downright funny.

Saturday was an epic day for several reasons.  Michigan and Ohio State continued an age-old rivalry, of course, but perhaps more importantly I was fortunate enough to attend and work at Kenny’s Benefit.  Kenny Gasaway (KennyGasaway.org) is a dear friend who I was fortunate enough to work with during my wild days as an EMT in Dayton, Ohio.  He recently received a blow unlike any other- a diagnosis no one could have guessed: lymphatic cancer.  The treatments have been aggressive and costly.  Despite chemotherapies which would have swiftly knocked me on my perky ass, Kenny has managed to maintain a positive attitude.  Saturday was a full day of fundraising fun and craziness at a local bar…and I was gracious enough to lend my talent as a jello-shot girl for Kenny’s Benefit!  All joking aside (as the story will go…), we raised a ton of money and I am so thankful that so many people came out to support the cause!

As you can probably imagine, I took to serving Jello shots like a champ.  Or I would have if I hadn’t been in Michigan gear.  NOBODY bought a single shot from me until I removed those cute, blue Ms from my cheeks.  As the afternoon waned into evening, more people started to arrive, bringing open wallets and jello-hungry bellies.  Now, as most of you know, I take sexual harassment with a grain of salt- I’m a relatively raunchy gal, and as long as you’re not making me uncomfortable, I don’t mind the occasional joke about my ass.  My preference, however, is as follows:

1. Never start or end a sentence directed to me with “bitch” (unless you’re my bestie, at which point, Bailey, say whatever you want, bitch)
2. Aside surgically-missing wisdom teeth or NHL status (with a great dentist on speed dial), don’t approach me if you’re clearly missing teeth
3. Don’t assume I will be impressed with a “Skoal-shaped Jean Pocket” or the fact that you “own” a motorcycle (ohhhh, ahhhh)

Now that I look at this list, a whole assortment of other issues is brought to my attention which requires nothing short of mental spin cycle to wash some of the “gentlemen” hitting on me that night from my memory.  Thankfully, I had a large collection of able-bodied men (aka former co-workers) to keep the dogs at bay for most of the evening. Until him. My Achilles Heel Hell. Dereck.  Tell me what you would do if you’re Ex-Coulda-Been-Husband walked straight into the bar where you’re scantily-clad self is serving up Jello-shots with a Midwestern sass- unless you said shit yourself and die, I don’t believe you.

I knew he might come.  In fact, I’d prepared for it.  I took the time to meet up with the cad over the previous weekend, in an effort to curtail any awkwardness that might come about should we meet at our friend’s cancer fundraiser.  As per our usual meetings post-breakup post-trainwreck, we argued discussed parties involved with the breakup ( a never-ending subject in his world- ask me if I think about the stuff nowadays and I’ll ask you how often you think about your gyno- our responses should be a similar, “only if I HAVE to”), our families, jobs, and other painfully-boring topics.  Now I was standing five feet away from the bastard, slack jawed and sporting high-heeled cowboy boots. Typical for my life.

Apparently we both felt the tension, and while I flirted and worked my way around the bar in an effort to get attention, he mainlined Jagerbombs and Washington Apples.  An hour later, after dancing with every person he might know and 120$ bar tab to his name, Dereck did what any other skinny douche might do, and slumped in the corner on a bar stool.  I took this as an opportunity to say hello and make sure “party boy” was having a good time.  Upon stepping into his line of sight and saying his name with no response, I grabbed the boy’s chin and lifted his face to look directly at mine- except I was looking at the whites of his eyes.  Dereck didn’t look to be home.  “Hey, babes, you Ok? Dereck? Hey, don’t make me go EMT on you.  Are…You…OK…?”  At this very moment, my ex leans his whole body weight forward, vomits into my high-heeled cowboy boots, and sinks to the floor- totally passed out.  Awesome. I love vomit.

Disbelief, sympathy, cowardice, and rage (he puked in my favorite boots AND down my legs!) surged through every neuron in my body! I did not know how to react! A group of us carry him outside and attmempt to get him some fresh air and a towel to clean the mess up.  And this is the part where I’m going to diss dispatchers, so cover your ears and hold your tongues – unless you have an EMS certification, shut up in a situation like this!  Just because someone is puking and in and out of consciousness, it doesn’t mean we need to call the medics, start an IV, and give last rites.  Leave it to the professionals and get off my back when I’m doing something you don’t understand- its called a sternal rub, and yes, its supposed to hurt the patient – we’re in trouble if it doesn’t hurt!  Well, he wasn’t in the mood to wake up, nor was he ready to stop the constant vomiting. Finally, the decision was made to get the man home- and of course being the “devoted” ex I am, I was the only person in the group who knew where he lived.  We loaded him into a car, and someone drove his car behind me.

I make a briefly rediculous decision to take him to my place, and then decide this is a bad idea (goodness, what would Adrienne Satan think?!) and we load him back into the car and take him to our former abode his house.  He wakes up, starts a bath, slams the bathroom door, and I proceed to sit outside the door and listen to all sorts of icky noises until I hear a slam…and silence.  I throw the door open to find the faucet running and puke in the tub. He is laying down on the floor- naked.  This is priceless. This is a perfect example of why “single” is so brilliant.  After draining the tub and coaxing the kid into bed, I leave a note quite to the point:

Dereck-

Your things are in the floor of the living room.  I am not staying here obviously. Call and let me know you’re alright. Period.

-Aubrey

So, here it is, the point of this story which has little to do with adventure, and even less with food: if Dereck and I hadn’t broken up, I wouldn’t have met the people and experienced the things in my life which have led me to my adventure lifestyle.  I wouldn’t know Jake, Keith, Ben, and a ton of other great people.  I wouldn’t be writing a book.  I wouldn’t be training for an adventure race.  I would probably be the boring, linear person I was when I dated him.  Marriage, career, kids, retirement. This is what “everyone” does, and not at all how I’m choosing to live my life.  I feel blessed to have known Dereck, but let’s be honest, I wrote this blog so I could post the priceless photo!

Back to Life.

Funding Source: Corporation for National and Community Service
Funding Type: Discretionary, Grant
Total Available: $1 Million
Award Ceiling: $250,000
Deadline: 12.10.09
Eligibility: Local Governments, Institutions of Higher Education, Nonprofits

Description:
Summer of Service grants will support collaborative efforts to implement community-based service-learning projects during the summer months. Programs will engage middle school students (students who will be enrolled in grades 6 through 9 in the school year following the end of the summer) in community-based service-learning projects that are intensive, structured, supervised, and designed to produce identifiable improvements to the community. This opportunity should provide youth, particularly those from disadvantaged circumstances, with service-learning experiences that will motivate them to become more civically engaged and aspire to obtain higher education. Program participants must complete at least 100 hours of service within the summer program. For this competition, service activities should address environmental and/or disaster preparedness issues relevant to the community served.

Last Sunday I went with my friend, Aaron, and watched the disaster movie 2012. The movie theater was packed which surprised me. I thought everybody would be at the Twilight movie that opened that weekend. By the closing credits of 2012, I am sure everyone wished they had made that choice.

Loosely based on the Mayan prophecies that the world will end on 2012, the movie exploits that premise. It does not do a good job of really delving into the prophecies themselves but simply references them  like an excuse to continue on with the plot.

What a plot it was! It was painful  to watch it unfold on screen.  I could not buy its plausibility even in the Willy Wonka world of imagination.  It was based on the increase in solar flare activity and planet alignment, which affected the melting of the earth’s core.  I know that was a movie spoiler but frankly who cares….the movie was so bad…it does not ruin anything with that reveal.

Why did one of my favorite actors, John Cusack, do this movie?  He must have needed the cash.  He tried to show that he cared and get into his character.  I just don’t think he bought it. It showed in his performance.

I found myself not really caring if his character or his family or anyone else survived the destruction.  In moments of terror onscreen, I found myself laughing out loud because it was so stupid.  Also, I agree with Aaron when he pointed out all the music that was played to try to direct our emotion. It did not work.

Now the only redeeming factor of the movie, were the special effects. It was like a visual orgy of disasters gone wild.  It was like taking every disaster movie in history and shaking them up together and exploding them into the screen.  They should take the disaster action sequences and make a Disney ride out of it.

Adam Lambert’s song “Time For Miracles” plays during the closing credits.  I am afraid nothing miraculous could save this movie from its disastrous awfulness.

Revelation 22:6-17

Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me. Revelation 22:12

As the year 2004 ended and 2005 began, the world suffered a series of catastrophes. Were they signs of Christ’s second coming? Were they evidence of God’s wrath. His judgment on mankind’s sin? Or were they simply the upheaval of natural forces?

Whatever our way of explaining terrible events, we need to see them from the long-range viewpoint. Through the centuries such things have happened again and again. Not only that, but humans themselves have inflicted barbaric suffering and destruction on others.

Consider just one episode in the sweep of history, the fall of Rome in AD 455 as described by a church leader: “Our citizens have given up believing in the future, especially those living in the poorest parts of the city. They have no work, little food, and no opportunity to better their lives. In some quarters of the city riots have broken out, but for the most part there is too much despair to riot. Surely Christ will hear our cries and come soon.”

Natural disasters and man’s inhumanity to man will continue unpredictably until Jesus returns. We long for that time when He comes again because He will make all things right. —vernon grounds

Jesus, we have much that we are thankful for. Yet we do long for the day when You will return to bring wickedness and disaster to an end, and to usher in Your reign of peace. Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Amen.

As the world grows darker, the promised return of the Son grows brighter.

Actually maybe it’s kind og genious idea to make an outfit that has similar shape with your body. But this one is a big no for you gals.. Never,..ever,.. wear it in front of you BF..:)

It's a BIG NO GALS

When compling the day in history post I don’t always include natural disasters but I did today because there were so many:

1343 A tsunami, caused by the earthquake in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

1703 The Great Storm of 1703, Britain’s biggest windstorm.

1759 An earthquake hit the Mediterranean destryoing Beirut and Damascus.

1833 A  massive undersea earthquake near Sumatra.

1839  A cyclone hit India.

1926 The deadliest November tornado outbreak in U.S. history.

1950 The “Storm of the Century“, struck the northeastern USA.

1987 Super Typhoon Nina pummeled the Philippines.

1996  An ice storm strikes the central U.S. killing 26 people.

2000  2000 Baku earthquake.

The Gravedodgers may well be sensible to delay the erection of their shade sails.

Every good story has some sort of disaster. Some sort of moment where it all goes wrong. Where the perfection or the relationship is damaged, seemingly beyond repair.

God’s story is no different.

Genesis 3 is the horrible moment when God’s creation decided to walk their own way. But this part of the story is about far more than eating apples or being naked. Instead, it’s the destruction of the beginning. The destruction of the perfect relationship.

No more talking face to face. No longer called friends. Not in a beautiful and perfect home any more.

Disaster has come.

CLICK FOR TRAILER

What?

Mayans predict the end of the world in 2012…it happens. We follow Cusack and some other two-dimensional characters until the end where the world is totally screwed.

I wrote that Plot outline myself because there wasn’t one anywhere on the internet, I’m guessing because the film doesn’t really have a plot…

Where?

Watford Vue.

With?

Your standard cinema audience who weren’t idiotic enough to go and see New Moon.

Why?

I love Disaster Movies, I love them to pieces. I love them to the point that I struggle to see their faults and concentrate purely on the melodrama and explosions. So naturally, I had to see 2012.

I also quite like Emmerich, 10,000 BC aside, he has made consistently entertaining movies that do exactly what they set out to do and with 2012 I’m expecting fun fun fun.

Worth It?

Yeesh, what a mess. As I mentioned before, I can forgive the disaster movie genre for a lot of its faults, but 2012 took absolute liberties.

Sure, whilst everything was going mental, it was a total eyegasm. The effects were great and you could really tell a lot of money was spent, but as soon as Emmerich slows things down, 2012 becomes an awful, sappy load of pish.

Every character seemed to have been written in about 46 seconds and Emmerich aims to put them all through hell just to tug on our heart-strings when it all slows down, only they don’t tug on the heart-strings because you just don’t care about them. And even the explosions got boring. Personally, when I watch a disaster movie, I get sucked in by hope. Specifically the hope that the hero will save the day and the world will be alright (Armageddon is a prime example, that movie gets me) but with 2012, we already know everyone but the rich people are screwed so I didn’t really feel like pulling for them.

Oh well, another 2009 blockbuster fails to live up to its billing, I’m hoping Avatar won’t go down this route. I think I’ll cry.

4.5/10

In an interesting technological — if not social — development, New York city’s Deputy CIO is investigating the possibility of tapping into Xbox, Wii and Playstation networks to reach younger people in case of a city-wide emergency.

Under New York’s new “Empire 2.0″ initiative, Deputy CIO, Rico Singleton is targeting developement of an alert system that will connect to various game console networks like Xbox Live, PlayStation Network and Wii Connect. “The goal, said New York State Deputy CIO Rico Singleton, is to reach younger residents who spend more time on the Xbox, PlayStation, or Wii than with television or radio. “

With the state’s new plan, local authorities could broadcast warning messages to connected gamers in the event of an emergency. This approach seems like a logical and natural strategy since quite frankly many TV sets these days are occupied by game console content for hours on end and gamers could be completely oblivious to a situation if not made aware by some other means. The bottom line is, though obviously no system would provide complete coverage, the idea is that, like those annoying TV alert tests we’ve grown accustomed to over the years, the same sort of broadcast could be made over consoles. Thus, one way or the other, if a TV is on those citizens would be made aware of an emergency situation.

Filed at 7:25 a.m. ET

Skip to next paragraph Add to Portfolio Heinz, H J, Co

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CHICAGO (Reuters) – H.J. Heinz Co <HNZ.N> posted a lower quarterly profit on Tuesday, hurt by sales declines in North America and Europe, but said it is optimistic about its sales momentum heading into the second half of its fiscal year and raised its full-year profit forecast.

The maker of ketchup, Smart Ones frozen entrees and Ore-Ida potatoes said it earned $231.4 million, or 73 cents a share, for the second quarter ended October 28, down from $276.7 million, or 87 cents per share, a year earlier. The previous year’s results included a sizable gain from currency hedging.

Heinz earned 76 cents per share from continuing operations, down 10 cents per share from a year earlier.

Economic weakness in European markets has pressured Heinz, while competitors like Nestle SA <NESN.VX> have aggressively promoted in the frozen food market.

Sales rose 2.5 percent to $2.67 billion.

For 2010, Heinz now expects to earn $2.72 per share to $2.82 per share from continuing operations, up from a prior target of $2.60 to $2.70.

(Reporting by Jessica Wohl, editing by Gerald E. McCormick)

Heinz Posts Lower Profit but Raises Its Full-Year Forecast

Hot News: Campbell Soup raises outlook, shares edge up

Disaster Alert

Northern Mariana Islands / Saipan – At approximately 11am GMT on November 20, a man shot several people in a small residential community and a tourist area before he turned the gun on himself. Several fatalities were reported, and numerous people were wounded.

Northern Mariana Islands Chapter placed a Disaster Action Team (DAT) on alert and deployed Mental Health (MH) to the local hospital to assist the victims and their families.

Sometimes the best part of the news is made new HeadlineThe can be a source of endless entertainment. The best thing about them is often the headlines. Most of the time I do not care about the real history. The best part is just the title. What I love are not the big stories of the day top finance training. To be honest, I had nothing to do Mel Gibson and he danced naked on a police car while having sex with the head of Moses or whatever they say he did. Of course, I'm not Jewish. But the Protestants were being insulted, I do not think I care either. If Mel's words can shake my faith and insulting as it then obviously it is time to reconsider my own beliefs.No, I enjoyed the news story I saw yesterday on how the India uses a kind of master-primate hunting monkeys off commuter trains. Apparently, the monkeys were getting on the commuter train and make nasty faces scowling at passengers and causing many problems.So, there is another kind of primate with a name I can not remember which scares monkeys. So they got a manager of one of these creatures to patrol trains. I love a good monkey story. As I told a friend yesterday, all stories containing either a monkey or a Monkee is obviously hilarious. My favorite part was a quote at the end by the manager of primates. "There are too many monkeys," he is quoted as saying. I think that says all of this, is not it? How can we focus on Hezbollah, when there are too many monkeys? Is this a bad thing there are too many monkeys? They throw their shit, but again do some Frat boys and the fans of NASCAR, it is difficult to say that everything should be excluded from the game. My favorite track of other yesterday was "the man on his PANTIES FLYING FUDGE THE HEAD." Man, I have not bothered to read the rest of that.Whatever the story is that it could not possibly match with the greatest pleasure of reading the headlines….

Read full article: Best Part of the News is Those Wacky Headlines

Unbelievable scenes in the Lake District as floods of biblical proportions took over Workington and Cockermouth. My thoughts are with everyone up there, especially as I am very close to some of the residents of Workington. A special thought for PC Bill Barker’s family, how tragic that he lost his life trying to help others.

I really hope that today the predicted rain holds off or moves on a bit, although I seriously doubt it. Truth is though, how many times have local journos asked councillors about investment in flood defences and they have been told it will be done, there is a timescale.

Looks like the timescale was too long. Councils, particularly planning authorities need to dismiss NIMBYs and start doing what needs to be done to protect communities.

They also need to stop approving developments on flood plains. I have covered floods in the past and the areas affected have also had stories I have written about industrial sites built on flood plains. The councils deny the areas are flood plains or they say that work will be done to compensate for the water coursing, but it is never enough.

Now the bill for compensation will run into the millions and a man has lost his life while many others have lost their livelihoods, well done councils.

Incident Preparedness and Operational Continuity Management (IPOCM)adalah konsep yang menjelaskan mengenai persiapan kelanjutan sebuah bisnis setlah terjadi bencana maupun kecelakaan…

Konsep Penyusunan Manual DRP (Disaster Recovery Planning)  dan BCP (Business Continuity Program)  dapat mengikuti ISO 22399:2007 yaitu Incident Preparedness and Operational Continuity Management (IPOCM), dimana terdapat 4 tahap:

1).      Prepareness/Prevention: Assessment dan plan sebelum terjadi bencana. Dijelaskan dalam bagan I (BCP)

2).      Emergency Response: Respon dalam menghadapi bencana, P3K dan rehabilitasi

3).      Continuity: Kelanjutan dari rencana

4).      Recovery dan Mitigasi: proses pemulihan, termasuk memenuhi MTD (Maximum Tolerance Downtime), pemulihan bisnis ke kondisi  semula