This is what’s on my mind, right now.

Here’s a great idea for a creating a professional looking hardback journal…But don’t worry, there’s an even easier tutorial below (that includes lots of really great additions that I’m totally using…and it allows you to continue adding pages even after you’ve completed the book.)

Check out the vid on YouTube to be linked to the tutorial that inspired this one (above).

Check out the vid on Youtube

Welcome to another mid week posting highlighting a Great Web Catch. Collaboration is one of those important 21st Century Skills for students and a needed process for teacher planning. Recently EtherPad, a plain and simple collaboration tool, was purchased by Google to be incorporated in the Google Wave product. This review covers the strengths of EtherPad and how it will continue to live in the open sources world and as a foundation for Google Wave. As always visit my 21centuryedtech Wiki for even more resources to transform today’s education for tomorrow’s needs! – Mike (mgorman@sacs.k12.in.us)

EtherPad has been known as a valuable tool, allowing instant  and  easy collaboration for students and teachers.  As the site proclaims, “Etherpad is simply the most frictionless way to get people on the same page.” The real attraction to EtherPad is the lack of requirement for a user account, sign in, or email. As you are aware, this is a definite plus in the educational setting.  The collaboration is easy!  All that is needed is a visit to http://etherpad.com and  a press of a button called Create Public Pad. After this quick process, a new public pad is created for the user in Etherpad . The user then shares the URL  for the pad with up to sixteen others. What ever is typed from where ever, is displayed on the page in real time. There is even a chat window!  This is a great tool for those that need to bring up a quick collaboration tool on the fly. It is useful in the classroom for students to communicate point of need help in Project Based Learning, collaborate as a group, keep teacher aware of group progress, communicate beyond walls, and interview authors and experts. It allows teachers to collaborate on text documents, keep meeting notes, and draft plans. EtherPad allows each line entered by a collaborator  to have a different number for easy reference. Authors are also given color codes and can even be given a label or name. Best of all, work can be saved and exported as an HTML, plain text, bookmarked file, Microsoft Word, PDF, or Open document. Different revisons can be documented and a time slider is provided to show when revisions are made.  Users must be aware that the only way  to keep open pads private is to safeguard the URL. For this reason private information should not be shared. Take a look at this list of frequently asked questions and view a tour of the product. Recently, EtherPad’s creator AppJet was purchased by Google for the new Google Wave product.  It is currently going through a restructuring to an open source format. It is also being used as a foundation for Google’s soon to be publicly released Google Wave  product.  While it is a goal, Google Wave doesn’t yet have all the functionality of Etherpad. The people at both Google and Appjet are confident that in the long term users will be pleased with the transition to Google Wave . In the mean time, Etherpad is a great way to introduce plain and simple collaboration and may allow you to soon catch the Google Wave! – Mike (mgorman@sacs.k12.in.us)

Sorry to be so tardy with the updates. Thanks to all of you who visit my blog. I can see the stats when I log in and I get pumped to post something, but sometimes I just can’t find the time.

-I am slowly working on perfecting my leather Kane replica masks. I bought a lighter weight leather to see if I can get the folds and wrinkles in right. As soon as I can find time to work on them I will share my progress with the world.

-Orders are trickling out to my customers. This time of year it is hard to get things done quickly. I have things to make for gifts, things to make for orders, plus I try to spend holiday time with my family.Too much to do, too little time to do it.

-Quick word about Umaga… I loved the Umaga gimmick. I miss the on screen character. However, someone who treats themselves so badly with the things that he did, it is really hard to feel sorry for him, personally. On top of that, I have some negative, personal feeling toward him. He made a few promises to me that he fell short on, and then expected more from me than I should have entertained him with. I feel devastated for his family. I saw his kids at a show, live, in Dallas a year or so ago. It sucks to see a family tragedy like this, especially before Christmas. I can’t imagine.

-Did you catch Raw? Robert Evans, Danny Matthews, Mark Vaughn, Christopher Haiden, Carrion Arcane, and Ryan Davidson were security guards on screen in Dallas. Some people look down upon taking a gig that is not a wrestling match. Fuck those people! I did it a few years ago, and it was awesome. Just because you didn’t get to wrestle, they still found a use for you, and you’re getting paid by WWE… Who wants to complain about that? Not to mention, how else will you get noticed? Do you think WWE sends scouts to indy shows? Hell no!

-On the same note… Did you see ECW? Danny Franks and Mark Vaughn (or according to WWE, Danny Vaughn and Mark Franks…lol) had a tag team match with Trent Barreta & Caylen Croft. Mark took a huge dropkick (very well, might I add), and didn’t even get to be in the match. I wouldn’t complain… who would complain getting out there in front of a WWE crowd, making WWE talent look good? Danny did a great job putting over Barreta and Croft in the ring. Both of them looked great in gear made by FIGHTIGHTS.COM (wink)

- Time is flying by so much this year. I can’t believe it is almost Christmas break. I know I need it. I am getting my degree in Graphic Design, and even though I am going to college online, I would love a little break from it. My daughter is already half way done with kindergarten! What the heck…where has the time gone? Luckily, my wife and I are done with Christmas shopping for the kids. Spoiled…what a loot under that tree!

-I am in talked with WWE’s Vance Archer (Lance Hoyt) to make him some tights, but the design he wanted was turned down by WWE. Actually, apparently most superstars have to pass their gear designs through Undertaker. If the design resembles his gear, in ANY way, they can’t use it. So, this put a little delay in the gear for Archer. Hopefully, things will get going on this soon.

- Regardless of the arguments you could come up with regarding this matter, I will stand my ground: Dr. Suess’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” with Jim Carrey is the GREATEST HOLIDAY MOVIE EVER! We have watched it at least 15 times since Thankgsgiving. I highly recommend watching (or rewatching) it now!

-Jakks and WWE’s contract ends on the last day of December. They have completely given up on their figures. The past few series have been absolute shit. They neglect to paint on designs on tights; leaving the figures to have solid black tights and trunks on. No accessories, and re-releasing all of the same figures. They have even cancelled some figures that they showed off to be in future lines. (Including a classic vinyl and 12″ Kane) Mattel is shaping up to be a blessing when it comes to WWE toys. It is something we (collectors) will have to get used to. They look a little different, and are not the same size and shape that we have been used to for the past 6 or so years. (That should be a good thing.) However, one thing I will FOR SURE buy from Mattel’s WWE line will be (surprise) KANE from the basic figure line in series 2. Damn good job on this. Now just make a throwback!

- If anyone wants to ask me anything, about anything, gear, family, wrestling, wresters, feel free! Email me at orders@fightights.com

-Twitter… yeah, I got one… Be a friend of mine! Fightights on Twitter!

- Don’t forget guys, visit FIGHTIGHTS.COM to see all of the wrestling gear and costumes I have made over the 7 years of my tailoring career.

EtherPad was, and for the time being will be, a real time collaboration app on the web. It is a system that allows users, be that free and anonymous, free, or paid for, to click on a link that opens a generated page which allows them to:

• Collaborate Live
• Chat
• Save Collaboration
• Let Anyone Collaborate (Unless Non-Public)
• Let anyone enter and view changes through the use of a slider bar. (Unless Non-Public)

This system is a sleek, fast, and smooth engine that has little to no bugs and the basic features that you would need to organize a document. The top bar reminds me a little of a Macintosh computer or Apple OS in the fact that it is a rounded gray bar with semi-stylish buttons. The main and most important part of the page is a large empty white space with numbered lines on the left hand side. At the top of this is a blue bar with buttons much the same as the ones mentioned earlier. These buttons provide a small amount of text organization and formatting but enough none the less. It has the following features:

• Bold Text
• Italic Text
• Strike through Text
• Underline Text
• Bulleted List
• Indent
• Un-Indent
• Clear Ownership Colors (Discussed Later)
• Redo
• Undo

These options I believe you should all be familiar with. The only one that may be confusing is the Clear Ownership Colors. This is a function that clears all the highlight on the screen, see, as you type you are assigned a color and your text is highlighted in this color. This way people know who is typing and who made corrections. This function clears these colors to show collaborators a clean and final copy.

This app also lets you save your collaborations as HTML documents or you could bookmark your pad. You can also import your exported pads along with saving them as revisions, I do not believe this will be stored in any way but a temporary method such as cookies but allows you to resume previous revisions such as saving the revision, typing a paragraph, not liking the paragraph, and then restoring the revision.

As I said earlier, EtherPad will be soon closing their doors. The official closing will come sometime in March 2010 but do not dispair!!! There is an answer to your collaboration problems. It is Google Wave. Infact, App Jet INC, the company who owns EtherPad, has been bought by Google and their developement team has gone on to work with Google Wave developers. I know that Right now Google Wave is invite only but here is a link to where you can get free invites:https://services.google.com/fb/forms/wavesignup/

This is a way that Google will invite you to “beta test” Google Wave. This method did take about a week and a half for me but is almost a sure fired way to get invites, unless your email is ispyongoogleformicrosoft.hotmail.com.

Overall I give EtherPad a Big 10/10 because I found no problems with it. It is a great app and you should try it out.

Watch my video:

We are not sure what its for.

Seen at Smiths grocery store.

Benji’s back from Super Tubes. We went to Pporth for some surf. It was pretty gash and I forgot my contacts and Ben forgot his ear plugs. We looked at it for a while and I finally decided to go in for a few minutes just because I believe if you’re going to drive that far to surf, might as well get wet. Duckdiving in -50˚C water almost makes it not worth it.

A nice arcuate green bench to sit on while watching some gashness. I think I got like three super short rides. It was worth getting wet.

Oh yeah, got that new Machado traction pad.

Recently, I talked about Florida tile and their commitment to recycling.  In the same vein of eco-conscious manufacturing,  I want to introduce you to Shaw’s Anso nylon carpeting.

Shaw’s Anso nylon carpet is durable,  resilient, and abrasion resistant – even retaining shape after moving heavy furniture.  Shaw’s Anso nylon carpets are treated with their patented R2X formula to create stain and soil resistant fibers.

Where Shaw’s Anso nylon carpet really takes the lead over other nylon carpets is in the manufacturing process. Anso nylon is made of Type 6 nylon which is 100% recyclable into new carpet.  When Anso nylon carpet is removed from homes, it does not have to go into landfills. Every bit of it can be recycled again and again, endlessly!  Carpets of Type 6 nylon are recycled at Shaw’s Evergreen Nylon Recycling facility in Augusta, Georgia.

The importance of a good padding

Your carpet pad is every bit as important as your carpet.  Your flooring is a major investment, and it is pointless to spend good money on a good carpet, then cheap out on the pad. Sadly, I see customers do this all the time, despite my attempts to educate them otherwise.  Please don’t make this mistake! A high quality pad is necessary to prolong the life of your carpet.

Shaw’s TripleTouch Carpet Pad is one of the best investments you can make.  At 7/16″ thick, 8 pound density, this pad provides unsurpassed comfort underfoot.  Using this pad instantly DOUBLES your carpet warranty (from 7 to 14 yrs for Shaw’s 4-star carpet;  from 10 to 20 yrs for 5-star).  Your carpet will maintain its texture for the life of the warranty.  Secondly, and very important if you have kids and/or pets: spills and pet accidents will NOT seep into the pad! The TripleTouch pad allows for all moisture to be completely removed from carpet upon cleaning, and prevents return of stains.

Shaw's TripleTouch Carpet Cushion

The TripleTouch pad contains an antimicrobial treatment which kills mold, mildew, fungus and bacteria.   And, of course, it’s environmentally responsible.  As part of Shaw’s Green Edge Program, the TripleTouch pad is made with natural oils, reducing dependency on petroleum-based products, and the backing is made with recycled content.  

What to do next

Ready to seriously think about investing in a great quality, environmentally friendly carpet? You can start by virtually designing your room with Shaw’s “Try On A Floor” at  http://shawfloors.com/Try-On-A-Floor

And, of course, you can call us! We’ll come to your home with samples, we’ll take measurements and give you price quotes. We have excellent, skilled installers. Let us help you make your home gorgeous! Call Chelsea Custom Contracting at 757 407-2653.

Did you know?

Lots of customers tell me they want to rip out all of their carpet in order to reduce the level of allergens in their home.  However, studies show that with proper cleaning and maintenance, carpeted rooms have a LOWER level of dust-borne allergens in the air than rooms with hard surface floors! That’s because allergens must be inhaled in order for exposure to occur, and allergens are inhaled when they are airborne.  Carpet acts as a TRAP for allergens,  keeping significant amounts of dust, pollen and other allergens out of the air.  For  a more detailed explanation, read this article: http://shawfloors.com/allergens

Your questions and comments are welcome. Please leave feedback at this blog site or e-mail me directly at Alexandra@chelseabuildsitbest.com

I saw this driving down the road today. Anyone taking bets on the driver being a ex hippie?….lol
It looked pretty cool regardless. I guess that’s one way to get a convertable!

menstruation – event correlation

Graph by: dunno source via Graph Jam Builder

Der kreative Einsatz der Kaoss-Effekte macht den Riesen-Unterschied zwischen einem normalen DJ-Set und einer energiegeladenen Party mit großen Emotionen.

Die neuen KM-402 und KM-202 Kaoss-Mixer verschmelzen die Effekte und die revolutionäre Bedienoberfläche des Kaoss Pad mit sechs unterschiedlichen DJ-EQ-Modellen und einer regelbaren Cross-Fader-Kurve zu einem absolut außergewöhnlichen DJ-Mixer.

Mit dem innovativen Kaoss Pad manipulieren Sie Effekte mit Ihren Fingerspitzen. Auf dem einzigartigen Touch-Pad bearbeiten Sie mehrere Effektparameter gleichzeitig und ändern damit dramatisch den Klang. Die einfache und intuitive Bedienoberfläche hat das Kaoss Pad weltweit zu dem wohl populärsten Effektprozessoren gemacht.

Der zweikanalige KM-202 und der vierkanalige KM-402 kombinieren die Effekte und die Bedienoberfläche des Kaoss Pad mit einem makellosen, digitalen 24-bit DJ-Mixer und einem justierbaren Crossfader. Das moderne Design und das integrierte Kaoss Pad setzt einen neuen, beispiellosen Standard bei integrierten Mixer-Effektprozessoren und ermöglicht neue Formen des DJ-Mixing mit Effekten. Die neuen KM-402/KM-202 sind die ideale Wahl für jeden DJ, der Effekte in seine Darbietung einbauen will: 100 Effektprogramme, Program Memory Taster zum schnellen Speichern und Abrufen von FX-Settings, Kaoss-Taster in jedem Kanal für das Rounting auf die FX-Engine und natürlich FX Release-Funktion, die Echos und Hallfahnen auch beim Umschalten der Presets intakt hält runden das Bild ab.

Der KM-402/KM-202 enthält 100 leistungsfähige Effekte des KP3 Kaoss Pad mit der absolut intuitiven Steuerung per Fingerspitze, die das Kaoss Pad berühmt gemacht hat. Die Effekte decken die Kategorien Filter, Phaser, Echo und Hall sowie einzigartige Effekte wie den Real-Time Looper und Synthesizer ab.

Die Korg Kaoss Mixer können Sie selbstverständlich im Musikshop Leipzig begutachten.

Der kreative Einsatz der Kaoss-Effekte macht den Riesen-Unterschied zwischen einem normalen DJ-Set und einer energiegeladenen Party mit großen Emotionen.

Die neuen KM-402 und KM-202 Kaoss-Mixer verschmelzen die Effekte und die revolutionäre Bedienoberfläche des Kaoss Pad mit sechs unterschiedlichen DJ-EQ-Modellen und einer regelbaren Cross-Fader-Kurve zu einem absolut außergewöhnlichen DJ-Mixer.

Mit dem innovativen Kaoss Pad manipulieren Sie Effekte mit Ihren Fingerspitzen. Auf dem einzigartigen Touch-Pad bearbeiten Sie mehrere Effektparameter gleichzeitig und ändern damit dramatisch den Klang. Die einfache und intuitive Bedienoberfläche hat das Kaoss Pad weltweit zu dem wohl populärsten Effektprozessoren gemacht.

Der zweikanalige KM-202 und der vierkanalige KM-402 kombinieren die Effekte und die Bedienoberfläche des Kaoss Pad mit einem makellosen, digitalen 24-bit DJ-Mixer und einem justierbaren Crossfader. Das moderne Design und das integrierte Kaoss Pad setzt einen neuen, beispiellosen Standard bei integrierten Mixer-Effektprozessoren und ermöglicht neue Formen des DJ-Mixing mit Effekten. Die neuen KM-402/KM-202 sind die ideale Wahl für jeden DJ, der Effekte in seine Darbietung einbauen will: 100 Effektprogramme, Program Memory Taster zum schnellen Speichern und Abrufen von FX-Settings, Kaoss-Taster in jedem Kanal für das Rounting auf die FX-Engine und natürlich FX Release-Funktion, die Echos und Hallfahnen auch beim Umschalten der Presets intakt hält runden das Bild ab.

Der KM-402/KM-202 enthält 100 leistungsfähige Effekte des KP3 Kaoss Pad mit der absolut intuitiven Steuerung per Fingerspitze, die das Kaoss Pad berühmt gemacht hat. Die Effekte decken die Kategorien Filter, Phaser, Echo und Hall sowie einzigartige Effekte wie den Real-Time Looper und Synthesizer ab.

Die Korg Kaoss Mixer kannst du selbstverständlich im Deejayladen begutachten.

Der kreative Einsatz der Kaoss-Effekte macht den Riesen-Unterschied zwischen einem normalen DJ-Set und einer energiegeladenen Party mit großen Emotionen.

Die neuen KM-402 und KM-202 Kaoss-Mixer verschmelzen die Effekte und die revolutionäre Bedienoberfläche des Kaoss Pad mit sechs unterschiedlichen DJ-EQ-Modellen und einer regelbaren Cross-Fader-Kurve zu einem absolut außergewöhnlichen DJ-Mixer.

Mit dem innovativen Kaoss Pad manipulieren Sie Effekte mit Ihren Fingerspitzen. Auf dem einzigartigen Touch-Pad bearbeiten Sie mehrere Effektparameter gleichzeitig und ändern damit dramatisch den Klang. Die einfache und intuitive Bedienoberfläche hat das Kaoss Pad weltweit zu dem wohl populärsten Effektprozessoren gemacht.

Der zweikanalige KM-202 und der vierkanalige KM-402 kombinieren die Effekte und die Bedienoberfläche des Kaoss Pad mit einem makellosen, digitalen 24-bit DJ-Mixer und einem justierbaren Crossfader. Das moderne Design und das integrierte Kaoss Pad setzt einen neuen, beispiellosen Standard bei integrierten Mixer-Effektprozessoren und ermöglicht neue Formen des DJ-Mixing mit Effekten. Die neuen KM-402/KM-202 sind die ideale Wahl für jeden DJ, der Effekte in seine Darbietung einbauen will: 100 Effektprogramme, Program Memory Taster zum schnellen Speichern und Abrufen von FX-Settings, Kaoss-Taster in jedem Kanal für das Rounting auf die FX-Engine und natürlich FX Release-Funktion, die Echos und Hallfahnen auch beim Umschalten der Presets intakt hält runden das Bild ab.

Der KM-402/KM-202 enthält 100 leistungsfähige Effekte des KP3 Kaoss Pad mit der absolut intuitiven Steuerung per Fingerspitze, die das Kaoss Pad berühmt gemacht hat. Die Effekte decken die Kategorien Filter, Phaser, Echo und Hall sowie einzigartige Effekte wie den Real-Time Looper und Synthesizer ab.

Die Korg Kaoss Mixer können Sie selbstverständlich im Musikhaus Korn begutachten.

De naam van de website is duidelijk: Dieren onder de wielen. Op deze bijzondere Belgische website kan iedereen doorgeven of er een nieuw verkeersslachtoffer is gevallen. Met in totaal meer dan 150.000 kilometer is België een erg ‘wegendicht’ landje. Omdat de wegen intensief worden gebruikt (en van belabberde kwaliteit zijn) vallen er ook veel slachtoffers. Vooral de dieren moeten het ontgelden.

Deze beren rijd je niet zo maar aan.

Vier miljoen slachtoffers
Schattingen gaan er vanuit dat op jaarbasis ongeveer vier miljoen grotere wilde dieren de dood vinden op en om de Belgische wegen. Het departement Leefmilieu, Natuur en Energie (LNE) van de Vlaamse overheid, Natuurpunt en Vogelbescherming Vlaanderen vonden dat de maat vol was. Er moest actie worden ondernomen. Dus zetten deze drie het project ‘Dieren onder de wielen’ op. Door eerst beter in kaart te brengen hoe veel faunaslachtoffers er vallen, welke soorten ‘verkeersgevoelig’ zijn en waar de belangrijkste knelpunten liggen, kunnen daarna gerichte verbeteracties worden bedacht.

Je ziet deze dieren aarzelen voordat ze gaan oversteken.

Verkeersslachtoffer Top-10
Het project staat of valt bij de medewerking van de verkeersdeelnemers. Zij worden opgeroepen hun waarnemingen door te geven. Momenteel is er al een ‘Verkeersslachtoffer Top-10′. De ongekroonde koning van de verkeersslachtoffers is de egel. Die moest het tot op heden 1.245 bezuren. Met 501 doden staat de vos op twee, op de voet gevolgd door de bunzing. Nummers vier tot en met tien zijn achtereenvolgens: de pad, de steenmarter, de eekhoorn, de das, het konijn, de bruine rat en de haas. Wat mij opvalt, is dat er helemaal geen vogels in de Top-10 staan. Als we zo’n ‘hitparade’ in Nederland zouden samenstellen, dan stond de duif er zeker bij. Zeker de kamikazeduif, die er een vreemd genoegen in schept om net op het juiste moment op te vliegen. Soms haalt-ie dat juiste moment niet…

Gelukkig en veilig aan de overkant!

Aahh, I sprained my ankle!

See, it was my brother’s birthday today, (Happy b-day, Andrew!) so he and three of his buddies and I and our parents and my mom’s dad all went to a place called Sky High Sports. Basically it’s a bunch of trampolines connected to each other, with a separate foam pit and dodgeball area. you jump on the trampolines and play for an hour or so.

I took my shoes off and jumped on the trampoline arena for a good three minutes (:D) before I fell and hurt my ankle. I’m not exactly sure what happened, but i think it had something to do with the yellow pads in between the trampolines. I might have tripped over one, or jumped on one accidentally, or something like that.

So I went down, and my ankle hurt really bad, and my dad and this staff person came over to help me up and get off onto a bench. My ankle swelled a lot, and I cried, and I got an ice pack, and I sat out for the rest of the hour.

Yah, it looks like my knee. But that round oval thing on the side of my foot is actually a swollen ankle…and the white thing is my sock…

So I was asking my parents all kinds of questions. “How am I going to sing on Sunday with my choir?” “How am I going to go to school on Monday?” And the most pressing, “How will I get to the car?” Mom answered, “You have a big daddy. He’ll help you.”

And I thought, ‘I’ve got an even bigger Daddy too, and I know he’s gonna help me.’ Why does it take hardship for us to recognize and appreciate things we often take for granted? Thank you, God, that it wasn’t broken or anything worse.

So I got a piggyback ride out of Sky High, and afterwards we went to a restaurant, and my ankle was better but I couldn’t put weight on it, and it  hurt if I turned it too much. Then Dad made a doctor’s appointment, and at 7:30ish we headed over there.

I hobbled out of the car and a security person asked if I wanted a wheelchair, and Dad said yes. He wheeled me into the waiting room and told the lady @ the desk, “We’re here for the 7:30 showing of ‘Fix My Ankle.’ She laughed, and i did too. Dad’s so funny. He always tries to make me smile.

After five minutes we were shown into the doctor’s office where a nurse got some basic info from us. Then we waited for a while and I read my book. oh-by the way, this sign was on the garbage–

oops, didn’t mean to make it that big.

so then the doctor came in and looked at my ankle, and she said I needed x-rays. Then Dad and I waited some more, and Jeff the X-ray Guy came in. He wheeled me into the x-ray room and told jokes. I asked if I would feel anything, and he said ‘Only as much pain as you feel when you’re talking on the phone. Or standing by the microwave.’

‘Should I take my glasses off?’ I wondered. ‘No, only if your ankle goes up into your head. Then we’d have to take your braces off, too. That would be kinda painful, cuz all I have are some pliers.’

He took 3 x-rays and Dad wheeled me back. Then the doctor came back in and gave us some papers and looked at the pics with us and said I sprained my ankle. Then the nurse came and gave me crutches and a boot/splint/thing.

Now, i’m in good humor and my ankle only hurts a teeny bit.

Night, everybody! Happy Belated Thanksgiving.

ibby out.

I was telling my sister recently to just keep going.  She was sharing with me how she’s having a hard time landing a job and was ready to quit.

I had my share of those moments when things seem to not favors me no matter how hard I try.  Many times I kind of given up too.  Other times,  I just had kept on.. something  made me go on and I did.  And looking back, those were the times when I kept going that I was able to reap rewards.

I started reading Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich free ebook and I got pass the Three Feet From Gold story that reminded me of an experience about a wild trip to Baguio.

It was  ”…three feet from where the Darbys had stopped drilling that the gold is found.” by the ‘Junk’ man to whom Mr. Darby sold his machinery for mining ore for a few hundred dollars .

Indeed, one of life’s ironies is just when we feel so defeated and about to give up on something that the answer shows up all of a sudden.  And we later realize the lesson.

The Baguio Wild Trip

It was a chapter in my life when I decided to start over.  I talked my  friend Leo into accompanying me and since he’s never been to Baguio he was delighted. Not to mention that it’ll be an all-expense paid  for him which I shouldered. He was kind of broke at that time.  I didn’t have much either.  But it was the way to go for me.

Another buddy named Joey went along.  So it was three of us.  I told them my plan which is to look for a job and stay for good.  I kind of gave myself a one-week target to get settled.  It was a do-or-die situation.

We got very limited money and no definite place to go in an unfamiliar place. It was crazy.. and perfect.  Amidst the uncertainty is the incomparable freedom of a dare-devil adventure.

We got there late in the afternoon and set out to our first task of finding a place to stay for the night.  The boarding house hunting started the next day.

Our first stop at Joey’s church friend in Crystal Cave did not go well.  I remember how some of the house structures there with base posts on slopes kind of given me a scare and wonderment at the same time.  I was used to seeing and inhabiting level ground houses.

Come dark we were exhausted and so beat, we settled with the second immediate option we got.  They slept over at one of the church centers, I in one of the several market stalls owned by another of Joey’s church friends, walking distance from them, which I remember to be nearby the airport.

It was frightening for me to be separated from them on that first night in a cold place and to be sleeping at someone’s stall that has wood strips for a door.  I scolded them in the morning for making me sleep there alone.

We grab some quick food along the way as we search for a boarding house.  It started out exciting as we explore the roads and sites of Baguio until after several failed inquiries for a prospect pad.  The thought of sleeping again in that stall made me cringe, we have to find a house to crash in tonight, I told myself.

So, after several more road blocks covered and seen houses, still no success. It’s either beyond our budget, not so cool for our tastes (but we’re not that choosy alright.. ), no vacancy, or the owner or landlord simply doesn’t want to take us in.. maybe for some ethical reasons.

Imagine a girl with two bisexual-looking guys with baggages and a sleeping bag, that looks like stowaways without much, looking for a place to stay.  Hmmp.. maybe I would think twice too if I were in their shoes.

By late afternoon we were tired and desperate.  The guys were deciding to call it a day.  I feel them but wasn’t gonna give up yet and so beg for one more house.

We trudged wearily up the hill as the sun was setting down and knocked on one more door.  Finally, a sense of hope.. the owners seemed accommodating and empathic of our situation.  We know we’re not that appealing group of boarders.. we told them our story, of me staying for good…  They probably took pity and admitted us that night.  What a relief. Whew!

And thank goodness we decided to check one more house.

The days that followed were mixed feelings of ecstasy being in ‘paradise’ and the stress of job-hunt and getting by each day with mainly instant noodles or canned sardines, rice and bread.  It was a humbling and empowering experience all at the same time.  We had to call long-distance for some money support from close sources to survive that week. We weren’t let down.

Before the week ended, I scored a job as a graphic designer for a mall with a very minimal pay compared to my last in Manila.  I was culture-shocked.  Anyway, that will do for now I thought.  One day at a time.

On the seventh day, I move in to a new room-for-rent just a stone’s throw away from work.  We were evicted from the first boarding house by this time.

It was the last day of our adventure together, as planned.  So that same day Leo and Joey bid me goodbye and good luck as I escorted them to the bus terminal.

I welcomed my new life in ‘paradise’ and the new work the next day with a smile.  The end.

Samak finds food and politics don't mix

Former Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej died yesterday. He succumbed to liver cancer in Bangkok’s Bumrungrad Hospital, aged 74.

Samak was PM when I moved to Thailand in April last year. He was quite a character and his presence – along with the movements of his rivals and his interactions with the press – could at times be quite comic, if not downright farcical. Before Thai politics turned sour with mob protests, airports seiges and coups, it could even be quite fun to read about Samak’s exploits.

He was the first of three PMs in my time here (three leaders in 19 months in itself is an indictment of the state of Thai politics) and by far the most memorable. He was nowhere near as photogenic as current PM Abhisit Vejjajiva, nor was he anything like as polite as his successor, Somchai Wongsawat, but that is precisely why he made his mark. He behaved aggressively, he was beligerent to the media, he sulked in public, he was unafraid to belittle people if he felt they deserved it, he was stoic in the face of political pressure – and his hardened appearance matched these, ahem, qualities.

In deeply-divided Thailand, he certainly had his critics and enemies. It was his very presence as PM – and the fact that he was an open supporter of Thaksin Shinawatra and his ideology – that sparked the “yellow shirt” protests of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who laid seige to the grounds of Government House for weeks while Samak was in charge, and which ultimately – under Somchai’s premiership – led to deaths and the one-week closure of Bangkok’s two airports, causing untold damage to the nation’s economy and reputation.

But I respected Samak’s single-mindedness in the face of such pressure, with not only the PAD but also significant political commentators calling for his head. Not for him the weak attempts to appease all of successor Somchai, whose two and a half months in office were among the more forgettable even in a country known for the transciency of its leaders. Nor for him the squeaky clean, ever-smiling PR profile of Abhisit, who was surely appointed (notice I didn’t say elected) more for his appearance and undoubted charisma than for any heavyweight political credentials.

No, Samak told it the way he saw it, and while that of course didn’t mean he was always right, it did at least show he had the courage of his convictions, and to express himself publicly without first needing a spin doctor to polish his words.

Now, as stated before, I’m not a political analyst. This is not my area of strength, although like most people I have my own political opinions. But the news of Samak’s passing gave me cause to remember some of his more colourful moments.

Cake-eating cat

First of all, before the squabbling erupted into violent demonstrations, there was the usual tit-for-tat name-calling in Government House, with one opposition politician (I forget her name) bringing Samak to task for his choice of cafeteria food. As a man in his seventies, she said it was inappropriate for him to choose a piece of cake for lunch, washed down with a glass of bright red soft drink. She suggested Samak seek psychological help, because Adolf Hitler was known to have similarly immature tastes.

Now, even within the realms of political cat-calling, which often amounts to no more than childish spats along the lines of “You smell!” “Yeah? Well, you smell worse!”, this was adorably convoluted. Never mind education, employment and crime – “Prime Minister, would you care to justify buying that cake? Because I’m rather worried it is a sign you may be a tyrant in the making, capable of ordering the slaughter of millions.”

Samak, as was his wont, barely dignified the comment, choosing instead to fix her with a customary silent staredown.

But Samak’s finest hour would not have looked out of place in an episode of Fawlty Towers, such was the level of high farce.

Pursued on motorbikes by a press pack from Government House to Chatuchak Market, Samak sought refuge in a public toilet. Not wishing to speak to the media, he remained in a cubicle, but unfortunately for him the journalists proved even more stubborn than he. More than an hour later, Samak could no longer stand the heat, moisture, smell and mosquitoes (I have been to the toilets at Chatuchak Market and they’re no place for a dignitary, let me tell you), and emerged, furious and doused with sweat.

He ignored the reporters’ questions (surely the fact he spent an hour inside a toilet cubicle would have told them he was in no mood to speak?), instead bearing down on them with a fuming glare of which Charles Bronson would have been proud. After staring them into silence, he set about berating them and their conduct, and labelling them “disgusting” no less than a dozen times.

Reaction to this incident depended, of course, on which side you were on – either Samak was rightly defending himself against media intrusion, or he showed an arrogant disrespect towards the free press, who were just doing their job in the public interest.

There’s a bit of truth to both sides, but the bigger picture for me at the time was the fun factor of living in a country where the PM is forced to flee halfway across a city as hungry hacks literally chase him into a stinking, mosquito-blown long-drop. Add to that the picture of the nation’s leader stewing there for over an hour, followed by his ultimate outburst, and clearly you can see Samak Sundaravej was not your average politican.

And his eventual dismissal from office in September 2008, after just eight and a half months, was also unorthodox, if not comic for its irony. While the country’s leading industries of tourism, exports and foreign investment were taking near-death blows from the effects of the protracted demonstrations, and while the spectre of corruption hung over everything Thaksin and his allies did, it was none of these concerns which spelled the end for Samak. No, he was booted out because he had twice appeared on a TV cooking show. Innocent enough, except politicians are not allowed to accept money for working with private enterprises. Samak’s fee was nominal and his appearance of no bearing whatsoever to his political standing, but this was a conflict of interest. Not quite along the lines of Thaksin using his position to allow his then-wife Potjaman na Pombejra to purchase multi-million-baht swathes of land, but still, rules are rules…

Ultimately, it may have been a face-saving move. As pathetic a reason it may have seemed for removing a democratically elected PM, Thailand was at the time being virtually held hostage by protesters, with the international news coverage doing the country no favours. There were far bigger concerns than the PM’s appearance on a cookery show, but Samak was steadfast in his refusal to stand down or dissolve the cabinet, the two main demands of the PAD, despite the presence of 30,000 protesters camping out on the lawns of his workplace.

So while the cookery show controversy was of negligible importance, by following the law to the letter, the courts could remove him from office legitimately. And with that removal came a lull – as temporary was it was – in the tensions. The PAD had not been placated, as the Thaksin-backed People Power Party was still in charge, but tempers were nevertheless calmed, and at a critical time.

It also proved timely for Samak himself. Despite being disqualified from the premiership, he had the opportunity to return to power if voted back in, but instead he accepted the judgement and retreated from politics. It seemed strange for such a combative man to slip away from the spotlight so quickly and readily.

But then news came less than a month later that he had been diagnosed with liver cancer, and it all made sense. It’s unknown how long he’d been sick. Indeed, it’s likely he was running the country while ill. Considering how stressful a task that must have been in the late summer of 2008, that shows either remarkable devotion or unwavering stubborness. In Samak’s case, it was probably a bit of both.

He flew to the US for treatment in the new year, returning to Bangkok and continuing to be treated at Bumrungrad, one of the country’s best hospitals. After roughly a year battling the disease, he passed away at 8:48am yesterday morning.

Hola otra vez. Empiezo a pensar que nadie lee este blog… Me da mucha lástima, pero qué puedo hacer. Por mi parte, después de tantas entradas estoy aprendiendo un montón sobre las posibilidades del blog, me sirve para mi PAD y con eso soy feliz XD.

Por si llegara algún náufrago extraviado, he aquí un par de consejillos para la elaboración del documento de Word que ya recoge (o recogerá, para los de julio) vuestro PAD.

1. No conviene enrollarse en la edición de texto. Os recomiendo dejar unos tres días tras acabar el PAD para revisar, arreglar, corregir y enmendar el texto, que si no se pierde muchísimo tiempo en ediciones que igual cambiamos en los siguientes 10 minutos. (Pongo a Ani por testigo que estas cosas PASAN.)
2. Depende de cómo lo hayáis arreglado con vuestro tutor, pero es cómodo dividir el documento original en partes, para tenerlo más controlado.
3. Si podéis, es bastante útil hacer un guardado en pdf de lo que hayáis enviado al tutor. Esto es por una razón sencilla: puede que hasta que obtengáis alguna respuesta sigáis escribiendo, y la paginación cambie y se monte un jaleo con los comentarios del tutor. ¿Qué hacer cuando los comentarios sobre la página 57 se refieren ahora a la 76? Un guardado en pdf ^^.
4. Para los títulos es muy cómodo, si tenéis Word 2007, usar la opción de estilos. Os pongo una captura para que los que os suene a chino veáis dónde están:
   

   Señalados en rojo tomate

   Si usáis los diferentes estilos de título para los títulos de los capítulos, tenéis la opción de crear automáticamente una tabla de contenido (un índice, vaya) tabulado según la jerarquía que hayáis elegido y con los números de página. Es muy muy cómodo…

5. Os sugiero que uséis saltos de página para definir las partes del documento, por si queréis que quede bonito con encabezados o paginación individualizados para cada parte. Esto es un poco más complicado de explicar, así que  si a alguien le interesa, a comentar.
6. Depende de cada uno, pero los comentarios son bastante cómodos para escribir notas laterales, como si fuera un papel de verdad. No alteran la edición y cada página admite bastantes. Están en la barra de herramientas, “revisar” y “nuevo comentario” (un icono grande en forma de post-it amarillo)
7. Usar el botón del chivato es una buena opción para ver tabulaciones raras, dobles espacios y demás cosillas que nos hacen estallar la cabeza. ¿Para qué pensar más de la cuenta si Word piensa por nosotros?
8. Cuidadito con la frase anterior: cuando el corrector ortográfico se pone tonto, se pone muy tonto…

Sé que me dejo cosas, pero esperaré a ver si queréis aportar algo los demás. Hay quien pasará olímpicamente del post, me alegro y felicidades, pero sé que hay quien se lleva peor con la tecnología. Mi recomendación es no preocuparse, escribir y adornar/corregir después. Hay tiempo.

Y la regla de oro: si algo no funciona, tranquilidad, que para todo hay una explicación*.

*Menos para cómo poner los números de página en vertical en páginas horizontales. Desde aquí hago un llamamiento de socorro por mi salud mental. ¿Alguien sabe cómo se hace eso??

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…är något som vi inte tror förekommer, men tyvärr är det i många fall vardag, när föräldrar separerar och den ena av de två känner sig förfördelad av någon anledning. Skälen kan vara många, men resultatet blir många gånger att den ena föräldern vill hämnas (medvetet eller omedvetet) och använder sitt ovetande barn som verktyg. Ett “verktyg” som går i den ene förälderns ledband och har ratat den andre.

OBS! Det finns också exempel på när det faktiskt är en skolsköterska, psykolog och/eller socialarbetare som är den som påverkar barnet till att alienera sig från den ene föräldern. Kommentarer som “din pappa är inte bra för dig” förekommer.

Detta kallas av många för PAS, Parental Alienation Symdrome, alternativt PAD, Parental Alienation Disorder.

I Sverige, som ju erkänt är ett “lagomland”, är denna verklighet svår för myndigheter, domare, psykologer, socialarbetare m fl, att ta till sig. Orsaken är att det kräver avsevärt mer insikt, kunskap och inte minst engagemang, utöver det vanliga slentrianjobb man gör om dagarna, för att man frivilligt ska börja jobba med detta utbredda problem.

I stället sopar man under mattan och “gör som man alltid gjort”, ge vårdnaden till den förälder som minst ska ha den; nämligen den som påverkat sitt barn till att fjärma sig från den andre föräldern. Graden av påverkan, och hur många, eller få, faktorer som spelar in och som avgör om ett barn utsatts för alienation eller inte, är en hel vetenskap i sig, men det krävs att man tar detta på allvar NU, för annars får vi en ny “förlorad generation”, som troligen också ärvt ett beteende från den alienerade föräldern, och mycket väl kan tänkas tro att detta är normalt – och för över detta på sina/sitt framtida barn, vid en eventuell separation.

Jag har skrivit mycket om detta i mina inlägg tidigare, men här kommer en länk till en läsvärd pdf, som är tagen från Uppsala Mansjour och skriven av Lena Hellblom Sjögren, en framstående, psykolog, skribent och nu även forskare på området:
www.uppsalamansjour.se/mansjouren/attachment/har2

Carpe Diem!

This morning on my way to work.