Shell-Land EN

I love sea and shells

2010-09-08T16:24:00.000+03:00

Make Women Laugh

2010-03-19T14:21:00.004+02:00

It's not only what you say that makes women laugh,
but how and when you say it.

14/2: World Marriage Day & Valentine's Day

2010-02-11T11:59:00.003+02:00

Each year World Marriage Day is celebrated on the Sunday closest to Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14). This year, the two coincide. Of course, you’re interested in how you can improve your own marriage.

Once you’ve exchanged flowers and candy, try one to take a Marriage Quiz. Are you and your spouse soul mates? Do you make good traveling companions? Can you read your spouse’s moods? These quizzes make great discussion-starters.

Good luck! ;)

Piece of mind

2010-02-03T15:00:00.002+02:00

Nothing is more conducive to peace of mind than not having any opinions at all.

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg (1742 - 1799)

NOBU ATLANTIS - Award wining resto

2010-01-20T15:31:00.007+02:00

Nobu is one of the most important restaurant in New York and not only, as there are Nobu's all over the world. Of course, Nobu NY, has become a Manhattan institution and a gold standard for Japanese-fusion cooking.
The Tribeca location is the flagship of the Nobu New York trio. Its soaring, zen-inspired dining room, modern and innovative take on Japanese food, and high-wattage clientele are perfect for a power lunch.

Nobu restaurant opened lately also at the hotel "Atlantis The Palm" in Dubai. Have a look at the picture below and leave your imagination fly with your taste!

Letting Go...

2010-01-15T12:22:00.002+02:00

“The love of liberty is the love of others.
The love of power is the love of ourselves.”

- William Haslett

Beginner Tips for SEO

2010-01-14T12:40:00.002+02:00

Have a look at the below videoclip to learn how your Web site will come out at the top of the search engines!

Cancer survivor Kathleen speaks of her Mary miracle

2010-01-11T15:13:00.003+02:00

JACQUELINE MALEY - January 11, 2010 - 3:05PM
(photo from here)

The middle-aged Maitland mother whose cure from cancer was attributed to the miraculous intercession of Mother Mary Mackillop today spoke about her experience for the first time.
Kathleen Evans, 66, whose anonymity has been zealously guarded until now, spoke at the Mary MacKillop chapel in North Sydney this afternoon about her incredible survival.
Surrounded by her husband Barry, family members and sisters from the Josephite Order, the mother of five, grandmother of 20 and great-grandmother of two, told how she had smoked since the age of 16 but had given up in 1990, three years before she got the devastating news that at 49 she had cancer.
The tumour, in her right lung, was particularly aggressive and quickly spread to her glands. Within a few months a secondary cancer was found on her brain.
She was told it was inoperable and that chemotherapy and X-ray treatment were considered pointless.
"Besides," she said, "the odds were just not worth it.
"‘I was only given a couple of months at the most to live so I said thanks but no thanks.
"All I had left was prayer."
A friend in the Hunter Valley gave her a picture of Mary MacKillop and a piece of her clothing, so Ms Evans, her family and her parish all began praying.
"I'm not one to be on my knees all the time or think I'll go to hell if I miss Mass," she said. But she is a regular churchgoer.
Far from getting worse, her condition improved and after four months her doctor called for more tests "because, as he said, I just shouldn't be here".
Ten months after her original diagnosis, she was told there was no sign of any cancer - just some scarring where the tumours had been.
She left her home town five years ago and has been travelling around Australia to keep a low profile while the canonisation process takes its course.
She said she talks to Mackillop all the time and hopes to go to Rome for the ceremony.
In December her recovery was formally recognised as MacKillop's second miracle, clearing the way for her canonisation, which is expected to occur in Rome this year.
The campaign for MacKillop's canonisation began in 1926, 17 years after her death.
In 1995 her first miracle - the cure in 1961 of a woman with terminal leukaemia - was accepted by the Vatican and she was beatified.
Several other high-profile victims of illness or accident have attributed their recovery at least in part to MacKillop's help.
The Catholic family of burns victim Sophie Delezio credits her medical progress to MacKillop.
When Irishman David Keohane woke from an eight-month coma following an assault in Sydney, his family attributed his recovery to months of prayers to MacKillop.

9 warm wishes for Merry Christmas & a happy new year

2009-12-24T12:53:00.005+02:00

9 is the number of all numbers. In order to understand 9 universal effect, add together the numbers from 1 to 8: (1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8). The answer is 36. Add the 3 and the 6 together, and you have 9. Add 9 to 9 and you have 18. Then add the 1 and the 8 together, and you’re back to 9. This is the only number that works in such a mysterious way.

So, for the new year my wishes are 9 xxxxxxxxx

David Guetta feat. Estelle - One Love

2009-12-05T13:20:00.001+02:00

Leona Lewis set for No1 album

2009-11-18T12:08:00.001+02:00

Leona Lewis is on course to claim her second No1 album.
The singer sold more than 50,000 copies of Echo when it was released on Monday.

JLS and Robbie Williams are the next best sellers. Then QUEEN are doing well with their compilation Absolute Greatest, which shifted 25,000 on Monday - partly thanks to an X Factor weekend in their honour.

The X Factor juggernaut is steaming ahead in the singles chart too. The cover of Michael Jackson's "You Are Not Alone" - performed by all 12 of the talent show finalists on last Sunday's show - has sold more than 82,000 copies after just one day.

1 in 6 people on the planet don’t have access to safe, clean drinking water

2009-11-15T00:10:00.002+02:00

Right now, 1.1 billion people on the planet don't have access to safe, clean drinking water. That's one in six of us.

Watch this video here
.

Keeping Up with the Kardashians

2009-11-12T17:14:00.003+02:00

After a whirlwind romance Khloe Kardashian walks down the aisle with LA Laker star Lamar Odom.

The nudist colony

2009-11-11T13:06:00.003+02:00

A man joined a very exclusive nudist colony in Oklahoma . On his first day he took off his clothes and started to wander around the area. A gorgeous petite blonde walked by, and the man immediately got an erection. The woman noticed his erection, came over to him and asked, 'did you call for me?'
The man replied, 'No, what do you mean?'
She said, 'You must be new here. Let me explain. It's a rule here that if you get an erection, it implies you called for me.' Smiling, she led him to the side of the swimming pool, laid down on a towel eagerly pulled him to her and happily let him have his way with her.
Later, the man continued to explore the colony's facilities. He entered the sauna and as he sat down, he farted. Within seconds a huge, hairy man lumbered out of the steam room toward him.
'Did you call for me? ' asked the hairy man.
'No, what do you mean?' replied the newcomer.
'You must be new.' answered the hairy man, 'It's a rule that if you fart, it implies that you called for me.' The huge man easily spun him around, put him over a bench and had his way with the newcomer.
The newcomer staggered back to the colony office where he was greeted by a smiling, naked receptionist, 'May I help you?' she asked.'Here's my membership card.. You can have the key back and you can keep the $500.00 membership fee..'
But, Sir,' she replied, 'you've only been here a few hours. You haven't had a chance to see all our facilities.'
'Listen lady, I'm 68 years old. I only get an erection once a month, but I fart about 15 times a day.
I'm outta here.'

Making Money Takes Practice

2009-11-04T15:37:00.002+02:00

Making money takes practice, just like playing the piano takes practice. No one expects anyone to be any good at the piano unless they’ve put in lots practice.
Same with making money. The more you practice the better you get. Eventually making money is as easy for you as piano is for someone who’s been playing for 10 years.

The World’s Fastest and Most Convenient High-Capacity USB Flash Drive

2009-11-02T11:12:00.003+02:00

The Voyager GT 128 breaks through with a spacious 128GB of storage and blazing speed. Using a unique dual-controller design, the Voyager GT delivers read and write speeds near the limits of the USB bus. Nearly 75% smaller than a typical portable USB hard disk drive, the Flash Voyager GT 128 is the most convenient way to transport huge amounts of data, including high-resolution photos and artwork, HD video footage, massive databases, or even entire music collections.

Price: $400

Incredible Performance

- 32MB/sec read

- Up to 28MB/sec write

Compact, convenient design

- 75% smaller than a typical portable hard disk drive

- No cables needed–just plug it in and go!

Protect your data

- The Voyager GT 128 has no moving parts, making it virtually shockproof

- Portable USB hard drives are much more susceptible to damage when dropped

- The rubber housing and sealed construction provide water resistance so minor accidents don’t turn into major disasters!

Backed by Corsair–a respected industry leader with a passion for quality products and great service and support

Ladurée Royale & Les Macarons

2009-10-29T15:36:00.003+02:00

Ladurée Royale in Paris
This tea salon created in 1862 and decorated with wainscoting and frescos depicting angelic pastry chefs and voluptuous ladies, became a favorite address for people from all walks of life. Since then the tea room’s habitués have rubbed shoulders with tourists and personalities from the world over.

Blue roses to debut in Japan

2009-10-27T15:40:00.003+02:00

The rose has a very long history; it was first cultivated by ancient civilizations 5,000 years ago, and more than 25,000 varieties have been produced since then, in such colors as red, pink, white, and yellow. One color that had proved impossible, however, was blue. The pigment that makes some other flowers blue is called delphinidin, but roses lack the genes to produce it.

Santory makes it true at 3 November 2009 in Tokyo.

Summer 2008

2009-10-14T14:22:00.005+03:00

At this picture, you can see my hands placing the Greek salad and feta cheese at the table of a taverna. It was taken by my boyfriend in a seaside view restaurant at Agia Marina in Attica.

You see: Summer without ouzo... isn't a Greek one! Cheers!!!

Ben Gunn, a prison blogger that won't be silenced

2009-10-09T12:26:00.001+03:00

BEN'S PRISON BL0G is the only blog by a serving British prisoner. Ben is in prison for 30 years for a crime that he had commited when he was 14 years old. Ι wonder... wasn't it enough? Now, he is a 44 years old mature man that he has become a writer, a blogger, a reasearcher!

Looking stupidity and ignorance in the eye whilst attempting to inject some neurons into the criminological debate. As British prisoners are denied internet access, I post via the Royal Mail and the kind efforts of friends.

That the Ministry of Justice and Prison Service have embarked on a course of activity in an effort to disrupt my blog only reinforces my view that I was right to intrude on the public. That the MoJ and the HMPS have the brass neck to portray themselves as guardians of the law while traducing it reveals the very underbelly of criminal justice morality that my blog wishes to illustrate.
Ben Gunn, Guardian. Monday September 14th, 2009

Please do read below what was written by a friend of his for his personality :

Ben Gunn is a widely recognised face on the prison landings, having wandered through the prison system for 30 years. Pleading guilty to the murder of a friend at the age of 14, he has consistently fought for the recognition of the inherent dignity of all human beings. As a result, he has served decades longer than expected. Ben chose the route of education to alter his life and empower himself. He specialises in conflict resolution and jailhouse law on the landings. At present he is engaged in research towards a PhD, focused upon the role of Human Needs Theory in prison conflicts. Ben writes regularly for the prisoner’s national newspaper Inside Time (http://www.insidetime.org/) and is well known for his challenging views.He is also a proponent of non-violent political activism, having spent a lifetime resisting the worst excesses of State abuses of prisoners. He recently became General Secretary of the Association of Prisoners, arguing that change in the penal system rests in the hands of prisoners themselves.

"A little rebellion now and then is a good thing" - Thomas Jefferson.

Brainstorm tips

2009-10-08T15:21:00.003+03:00

Everyone experiences patches in life where they just cannot think straight, they can’t come up with any new ideas and they are facing a deadline. What to do? You need to do your work, you have to turn in something! Below are some tips I recently found on Toilet Paper Entrepreneur that are sure to help you brainstorm in a pinch:

Ideas Go ‘out Of This World’. How to Brainstorm:

I encourage my people to get creative, think wildly, shoot for the moon. When we allow the craziest, most ‘far-out’ ideas to make the board (the white board), we allow limitless in all our thinking. This can result in the wackiest ideas actually being what we aspire to because we allowed ourselves freedom to really explore possibilities beyond reason. Then, the award goes to the most ‘far-out’ idea. People love to be recognized for their contributions and they get to be the hero for the day!

Never settle for the first idea on solving a problem that comes to your mind. There’s always going to be a second right answer with everything. Ask yourself 5 questions about the problem that determine why it is a problem to begin with and often times you will find your solution within those 5 questions.

Look to the outside of the situation at hand. Ask someone who is in a completely different business industry about the situation. This gives an outsider’s point of view. Often times we can’t find the answers to things or new ideas because we are too involved to begin with and can’t see clearly.

Try performing a “brain dump”. The human brain can only contain so many ideas and thoughts at once before overloading and forgetting some to make more room. Get yourself a journal and just start writing down (or type out on the computer) all of your current ideas without editing them, this will make room for a fresh start.

Relaxation

2009-10-07T00:40:00.001+03:00

Tantra initiation in Greece

2009-09-29T00:32:00.008+03:00

16 - 18 October & 20 - 22 November 2009
Tantric Initations Workshop is addressed only to couples

WELCOMES YOU TO TANTRA INITATIONS WORKSHOPS
TANTRIC Initations - AIM

Nowadays, the true nature of Tantra has been lost in a myriad of myths, misinterpretations and misunderstandings. This profound ancient spiritual science has become reduced only to sexual associations, often superficially and pointlessly, misleading people away from its spiritual purpose and denigrating it in the process.

Tantra is a science of spiritual discovery, acknowledged to be the fastest and most efficient spiritual path for our times and it’s based in ancient wisdom to solve the problems of modern people: happiness, fulfillment, meaning in life, great relationships, success, control of the energies and much much more.

Now, for the first time, the true path of Tantra has been made available for you and your lover. Everybody is invited to discover the beauty and joy that living a Tantric life brings. You can discover the truth of who you really are, while re-igniting the flame of desire and the immense joy of love in your couple relationship.

The retreat is a genuine INITIATION

The Tantra Initiations retreat is the gift of a lifetime for you and your beloved. It is designed especially for the modern couples who actively seek for profoundness, who recognize that there is more to life than meets the eye.

http://www.tantrainitiations.com/articles/tantra/the-mystery-of-initiation.html

into Tantric secrets which transforms completely due to its supportive energy. The initiation is not only knowledge and methods, but a transfer of realizing power from the teachers to the one receiving it. This retreat transforms the couple relationship into the source of happiness and ecstasy it truly is. The initiation offered will help you to turn weaknesses into strengths, to break limitations and to acknowledge that in reality the love relationship is the divine gift waiting to be unwrapped.

Presented in the unique form of a tantric initiation, the weekend retreat reveals:

A comprehensive introduction to the Tantric system
Introduction to the Tantric Principles – the backbone of the Tantric system
The Tantric approach through the Awakening of the Senses
Sexual exercises (learning the sexual steps and the control of the sexual reactions)
The Tantric Couple – how to turn your relationship into a tantric relationship
How to develop a Tantric attitude in life – for excellence and success in all domains
Special Tantric Techniques for Controlling the Sexual Energy
Elements of Tantric Alchemy: Transmutation, Sublimation, Transfiguration
Keys for ecstatic living
Ways to develop deeper levels of intimacy in your couple relationship
Tools for enhancing masculinity in men and femininity in women, to get the most out of life

The teachers: Mihai and Adina have been practicing and teaching Tantra and yoga for more than twenty years. They’ve become renowned for their inspiring and wholehearted approach which has taken them to all corners of the globe to share their knowledge and wisdom. They have had courses and seminars in many European countries. Together they have set a new standard for the teaching of Tantra, being forerunners in the sexual revolution of our time – helping people both individually and collectively through the removing of taboos, breaking of barriers and overcoming of inhibitions related to the sexual level of existence

http://www.tantrainitiations.com/about/us/tantra-initiations-teachers.html

General Information
Venue
The seminars of Tantra initiations will take place in Greece, at the Blue Pearl Hotel http://www.bluepearlhotel.gr/, on the beach of Lehaion in Argolis, 50 minutes driving distance from Athens, close to the cities of Korinthos, Loutraki and the archeological sites of Ancient Korinthos, Heraion and Epidavros.

Dates
1st edition program 16 - 18 October 2009
2nd edition program 20 - 22 November 2009

Deadlines for Participation
1st Edition program 8 October 2009
2nd Edition program 8 November 2009

Initial Detailed Program
Friday
19h00 - 20h00 Opening Lecture
20h00 - 21h00 Dinner at the hotel
21h00 - 23h30 Evening Program
Saturday
09h00 - 11h00 Yoga Practice
11h00 - 11h30 Meditation
12h00 - 13h00 Brunch
13h00 - 15h00 Free time
15h00 - 17h00 Workshop
17h00 - 17h30 Afternnon Break
20h00 -21h00 Lecture
21h00 - 24h00 Evening Prorgram
Sunday
09h00 - 11h00 Workshop
11h00 - 11h30 Meditation
12h00 - 13h00 Brunch
14h00 - 17h00 Closing Lecture
Workshop Organizing Bureau
IMPRESSIVE http://www.impressive-world.com/
e-mail: mailto:stelladk@impressive-world.com

Mobile +30 6940820821, Tel/Fax +30 210 99 62 767

Definition of Heaven and Hell

2009-09-25T17:24:00.003+03:00

Libanon in the 1960's

2009-09-17T14:01:00.004+03:00

Watch here a BBC clip on life in Lebanon at 60's,
when Lebanon was the pearl of the east
.

The Time Traveler's Wife

2009-09-07T11:31:00.002+03:00

The new movie "Time Travelers Wife" is based on the best-selling book about a love that transcends time. Clare (Rachel McAdams) has been in love with Henry (Eric Bana) her entire life.

Have a look at the official trailer here
.

New campaign "ANADIVA" aims to show there is an alternative to plastic surgery

2009-09-03T12:28:00.006+03:00

The worldwide market for cosmetic surgery and facial cosmetics was estimated at around 14$ billion in sales in 2007 and is growing at a rate of 1$ billion a year. Plastic surgery has become a consumer item – a treat, just like a Christmas present.
In Brazil, a sweet sixteen birthday gift is a breast implant!
Want a western eyelid? Become one of the estimated 50% of Korean girls having that procedure.
Feeling too short? Join the Chinese who consider modernity is having a 10-centimetres rod inserted in their upper leg.
Need a “trendier” nose? Check the Iranian surgeons who have done 30,000 rhinoplasty operations during the course of their career.

Group challenges women's beauty perception:

A campaign designed to help women restore their individuality and celebrate variety within a society

How many Lebanese women have you seen today with plastic surgery or who look like they’ve spent several hours preening? With Lebanon having acquired something of a reputation abroad for its predilection for surgery, the answer is likely to be several. Tired of being subjected to pressures of physical appearance, one Lebanese woman has launched a campaign in order to celebrate authentic, diverse beauty – the kind she argues is rapidly being lost to “look alike” surgeries that are often styled on the features of a select few celebrities and models.

ANADiva (Arabic for “I’m a diva”) is the brainchild of 26-year-old Gwen Bou Jaoude. As part of the campaign, she has launched a social networking site where members can discuss representations of beauty, and a competition to create the campaign’s character. The website is one of the first Lebanese initiatives to demonstrate that other means of self-expression exist for women, Bou Jaoude said. “This online community proves that there are still members of the public who are against this metamorphosing of our society.”

The campaign will conclude with an alternative fashion show that celebrates real women’s bodies in all their shapes and sizes. Lebanese cartoonist Stavro Jabra and Nienke Klunder, a Dutch-American photographer who works with the themes of body image and self-expression, have already signed up to collaborate on the campaign, as has web developing company Star Point Star, who offered to design the website.

“Everyone has a different opinion of beauty,” Bou Jaoude said, adding she hoped the ANADiva campaign will improve Lebanese women’s perceptions of themselves, celebrate individuality, and encourage critical thinking about mainstream standards of beauty. “The public should be given an alternative” to the one currently toted by the mainstream media and advertisers, she added. “They brainwash you [about how you should look] without you even realizing.”

Bou Jaoude’s efforts come at a time of growing debate within the fashion and cosmetics sectors about beauty. Dove, a leading beauty products company, has launched its own “Real Beauty” campaign and fashion magazines like Vogue and Elle are now actively trying to use more black and Asian models in an effort to show the beauty industry does not only view white women as attractive.

One of the reasons Bou Jaoude decided to launch the campaign was she felt the Lebanese, through surgery, were losing their cultural identity and becoming carbon copies of their European and North American counterparts. Lebanese women should embrace their looks, Jaoude said. “Variety is healthy within a society.”

Cosmetic surgery and the cosmetic industry are lucrative trades – according to the International Herald Tribune, in 2007 alone, the two were estimated to be worth around $14 billion in sales globally. More and more women, though also men, are opting for surgery, swelling the industry’s coffer’s by an additional $1 billion each year.

In a questionnaire conducted by ANADiva of 65 Lebanese women between the age of 21 and 38, 46 said they would go under the knife in order to “look sexy.” With billboards, television adverts and pop stars offering a narrow, airbrushed image of beauty, “women are striving to look like an ideal that doesn’t exist, an ideal that has been digitally created,” Bou Jaoude said. She cited statistics showing that the average individual comes across 600-625 images of women that have been digitally enhanced. Bombarded with images of perfection from a young age, Bou Jaoude said it wasn’t surprising so many Lebanese women contemplated plastic surgery.

As the ANAdiva campaign states, “The average person currently faces the pressure of upholding certain “body commandments”: women are expected to be thin, tall, toned and glamorous. In particular, Lebanese women are feeling compelled to meet such “commandments” at any cost, creating ‘look alike’ females.”

Out of the seven women questioned by The Daily Star, only one said they would describe themselves as “beautiful,” and three said they had already had or were seriously considering plastic surgery. Five of the women said they knew people who were on diets or had eating disorders.

Yasmine, who underwent cosmetic surgery earlier this year, said social pressure to look good was a contributing factor in her decision. “You see all these pictures of gorgeous women and even if you know you’ll never look like that, you often end up trying to live up to those images,” she said, adding she spent around $150 each month on beauty products, facials and hairdressing. “You have to match the standard if you want to attract a man.”

“People are getting a certain image of how women should look,” Bou Jaoude said.

Hemingway's most important writing tip!

2009-09-03T10:31:00.003+03:00

“I write one page of masterpiece to ninety one pages of shit,” Hemingway confided to F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1934.

“I try to put the shit in the wastebasket.”

Greek fires

2009-08-28T11:21:00.004+03:00

Here is another opinion from crystalclearforum that answers to Oliver Rackham' s opinion. See here

Dear friend Oliver,
Yes, nobody controls the tsunamis or the meteorites and of course wildfires is a natural (too) phenomenon that happens even where no human breaths. We cannot control the very existence of wildfires but we can handle them. In the case of the recent fires close to Athens a serious issue is that the disaster started after a small fire in the periphery of the final total burnt area, and that fire service although had the necessary tools (grand and air forces, paid from the blood of the Greek citizens) its reaction was (trying to stay polite) ridiculously slow. And that is beyond any doubt by the facts.
This is my first objection. But there are more. The same time Greeks are almost mad on the whole establishment of Greek political parties, and Greek state in general. They are sick and tired of paying and paying and receiving back a ridiculous state, extremely expensive, always impotent, and absolutely hostile to them. We Greeks feel sometimes that Greek state is an occupation army in our country, or even worse.
Third, the result of one more Greek state's silly errors, it was the death blow to any hope of remaking Attica and Athens a livable place. The environmental disaster is the worst in Greek modern history because it was concentrated to a small place, Attica, and (you mention in your letter the natural way of the renaissance of the forest and jungles) there is a very dangerous factor making difficult any natural recovery of the local environment; human presence, dense and hungry for build-able land.So understand our anger against our government for this Greek tragedy (or English black comedy?)

kvezdrevanis

P.S. We are not silly, we know that after the climatic change, and the other factors I already mentioned, mostly the huge demand for housing, this thing it was sure it will happen. It was just matter of time. We were expecting this death. But it is still a death. We need to mourn.

Discovering a Charismatic Town, Untouched by Time, Nafplion

2009-08-27T20:01:00.003+03:00

The first capital of Greece, Nafplion is a small town situated in the heart of the Peloponnese. After losing its title of capital to Athens, it still holds onto the large sense of pride and charisma it always had.

There's an abundance of local "tavernas" offering the daily catch, boutique shopping, history at its very best, and great nightlife at the clubs jutting off the cliffs playing chill-out music. Get lost in the narrow, winding streets of the downtown or sip a cocktail seaside and people watch.

There is no rush in a town that remains untouched by time.

By Yana Frigelis Photo: Yana Frigelis

A post in crystalclearforum with a different point of view

2009-08-27T15:35:00.004+03:00

Yet again the fire season comes round in Greece, and yet again journalists and politicians treat it as a tragedy and a disaster, followed by recriminations about pyromaniacs versus fire-fighters. Yet again a Prime Minister claims to be responsible for preventing the pines around Athens from burning, and yet again is blamed for failing to carry out that duty.

The real questions: What is it that makes the Greek landscape so very flammable? How can people live with wildfires? are not debated.

Most of the big Greek fires, the ones that get into the newspapers, involve pine-trees. The fact is that pines, and most other Mediterranean vegetation, are designed by Nature (or evolution) to burn. This is not a misfortune, but an adaptation. They burn because (like arbutus, laurel, palms etc.) they make flammable chemicals. It is their business in life to catch fire from time to time — by lightning if there is no other source of ignition — and burn up the less fire-adapted plants that would compete with them. Some kinds of pine survive the fire, protected by their fireproof bark; others die, but start again from seed released by their cones.

I don't like agreeing with official pronouncements, but Mr Antonaros is not wrong. Pines are indeed fire-promoting. Greece has had pine trees and high winds for millions of years, and for millions of years the pine trees have burnt.

Pine fires around Athens are not new. In the 1840s the British Ambassador reported: ˜All Attica was in lurid red smoke for several days; we could not breathe, for whole sides of forests near shrunk, without a hand to stop them, before the fire. However, there is no doubt that Greece has become more flammable in the last hundred years. Mountain cultivation has declined, and abandoned terraces and pastures have become overgrown with pines and other flammable vegetation.

On trips to the old Athens airport I used to look across at Mount Hymettos and see the pines, year by year, creeping up a mountain that had been treeless since the time of Plato; and, sure enough, there was the first pine fire about ten years ago.

Another property of fires is that, while there are some fires every year, the big ones are concentrated into particular years when the weather is favourable, like Spain in 1994. In Greece in 2007, the most fiery season for at least 50 years, only 2% of the entire country was reported as having burnt.

I doubt whether the answer is to have yet more fire-fighting equipment. Helicopters and planes seem not to make much difference to a big fire: it goes on either until it runs out of flammable vegetation or until the wind dies down. In Australia, which is more flammable even than Greece, I was told that Sydney had the world's biggest concentration of fire-fighting gadgets, and that the effect had been to lengthen the average interval between one fire and the next at any one point to seven years.

Anyway, putting out a fire doesn't solve the problem. It merely lets fuel go on accumulating, so that the next fire is hotter and more unstoppable. In a land of smokers, thunderstorms, and overhead electricity cables there will always be sources of ignition. Do the people of Athens really want fewer bigger fires rather than more frequent smaller ones?

However, there are three lessons to be learnt. First, although there will always be fires, people's actions aggravate the damage. It is folly to allow people to build houses in pinewoods, as so often happens around Athens and in other parts of the Mediterranean. There is nothing moral about this: it is simple cause and effect. If you build in a flood-plain you get wet the next time there is a flood; if you build under pine-trees, you get burnt the next time there is a fire. Even in the biggest conflagrations, traditional Greek villages usually escape, because they are surrounded by gardens and orchards and vines and plane-trees which don't carry fire.

Second, we hear the story that fires are started by developers in order to get round a ban on building on land designated as forest. They believe that a burnt forest is not a forest and can be built on. I don't know whether this is true, but if it is the law should be changed. It is folly to allow a fire to alter the legal status of land. A burnt forest is still a forest and should count as such.

Thirdly, politicians are not God: there are limits to their powers. They should not make themselves foolish by claiming responsibility for situations over which they have no real control, and journalists should not flatter them by accepting such claims.

A British Prime Minister can't control swine flu or foot-and-mouth disease, and shouldn't pretend that he can. A Greek Prime Minister can't control earthquake or tsunami: why should he claim to be able to control conflagrations?

Oliver Rackham
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Watch a foolish man

2009-08-25T13:34:00.003+03:00

In Pakistan only.
He didn’t know how to open the automatic door

Δείτε εδώ!

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100 Vegetarian Recipes

2009-08-09T15:43:00.000+03:00

100s Vegetarian Recipes

Becoming A Better Writer

2009-07-30T15:21:00.002+03:00

Everyone wants to be better at writing in business, as this is a big part of how you connect with your clients and bring in new clients by grabbing their attention to your writing. But how do you go from an ok writer to a great writer? First and foremost remember that writing is a way to become a better writer. It’s that old saying “practice makes perfect”, it applies to writing as well. Below are some other helpful suggestions to help improve your writing. located on Copy Blogger.

Try becoming a blogger. Blogging involves continuous writing on a weekly basis, which ties into the whole “practice makes perfect” idea.

Allow yourself to accept all kinds of criticism that comes your way, teach yourself how to learn from the criticism that you get.

Always edit your work more than once. After you go over it the first time, go over it again maybe even a third time, you’ll be surprised at what you pick up the second and third time.

Get out that dictionary that has been collecting dust and teach yourself a new word everyday and find a way where you can incorporate that new word into your writing.

Always make sure there are no distractions around you when you are writing.

Keep a journal to keep the writing juices flowing.

Hair Salon Of The Future

2009-07-28T15:25:00.002+03:00

Realizing that both existing and potential clients might appreciate a chat about a haircut before visiting their stylist, Plan B Salon in Cambridge, Massachusetts launched a new service offering 15-minute video consultations.

Prior to their appointment, customers can get an idea of what their options are or how receptive the stylist is to their requests, without wasting time on a journey to the salon. It also lets clients to weigh various possibilities before going in for a cut.

The consultations are set up over Skype. Customers request a date and time using a form on Plan B’s website, which asks for their Skype call-back name/number. The salon offers appointments all day on Mondays—a smart way to fill up those quieter days—but will book consultations on other days of the week if time is available. The service is free, and clients are charged from USD 50 for a cut, style and finish.

Costing only time, web-video consultations are a relatively easy way for hairdressers to add value to their customers’ experience. If you’re in the beauty business or any other service industry—this is something you could start offering next week.

7 Chakras

2009-07-23T21:10:00.001+03:00

Elissa - TAA Live Dubai 2008

2009-07-23T12:36:00.006+03:00

I like this arabic song a lot.
Click on the title Come below (Taa means Come)
and watch the video with live music

Come

Your scent gave me warm
that made me hung up on you
your night called to me
and awakened me
kept me up to put you to sleep
my nights are now lit everyday
for your eyes by words
from my heartpromise me nights
and nightsand make me forget all the rest...

Come, come just for me,
come come, come to me in the nights,
come come, come by chance come,
come come into my imagination

Come, i'll sing to you
with all my heartand
we will get lost together
and if you leave for just a moment
i'll call for you with my lashes
i'll steel the stars from the sky
so the nightbecomes lost in its darknessand
i swear with all thats precious
to me my precious
that you will wake me if i ever fall asleep...

Knock On Wood – I love the 70s & 80s

2009-07-21T00:18:00.001+03:00

Website Simplifies Travel Planning With Insider Tips

2009-07-20T15:30:00.004+03:00

Suzanne has always loved to travel. During those travels she would keep notes on the best places to eat, sleep, and visit, creating the ultimate travel guide. After some urging by some friends and family, that ultimate guide is now available online at Suzanne’s Files.

With the help of a few ‘insiders’, Suzanne is able to keep her files updated regularly. Anyone getting ready to travel should take a look and see for themselves what she has to offer.

Tell us a little about Suzanne’s Files.
I continue to be amazed by the multitude of “lifestyle” content that exists, and disappointed by magazines and newspapers who write glowing editorials of their advertisers’ products and services. Suzanne’s Files cuts through the noise and delivers honest, highly personal and opinionated reviews of the high–end lifestyle to consumers who seek quality.

Living in London and having lived in various spots in the US, Continental Europe, and Latin America, I’ve had the great advantage of experiencing so many places, their cultures, its people—all of which I cherry pick aspects I love and fuse into my own everyday life. As a 19 year old American attending university in Paris in the 1990’s, I have since been “culture blending”… and I began making it a personal hobby to “suss out” and collect high quality, mostly niche finds worldwide on where to go, stay, eat, shop, buy, do and be well serviced to enrich my life and those around me. After university in Paris, I worked in media and entertainment in NYC with Faith Popcorn and CBS until a stint with Winstar in New Media brought me back to Europe.

When was it launched?
June 2006 — We launched online to 1,000 friends and acquantances who then sent it on to friends and colleagues!

What inspired you to create Suzanne’s Files?
I had a mini-obsession with finding the best and leaving te rest… most everyone I knew from my early 20s knew of my files and used to ask me continuosly for where to go, stay, eat, to do, best services, top practitioners, etc. So… I knew there was a ‘need’ – a challenge that discerning people were having a hard time solving.

How often are the ‘files’ updated?
Twice a year all files on the website are checked for detail changes and if they are still in business. We add approximately 10 files per week.

What separates Suzanne’s Files from the competition?
Personal, frank and to the point.

What goals do you hope to accomplish over the next year or so?
The more people that use the website and tell their friends, the faster we grow and can introduce more to our fans and readers.

How often do you travel?
Approximately once per month, sometimes 2xs, seasonally depending.

Are there any places you have yet to visit that you would like to see?
Plenty! Among them and on my radar: Corsica, Jordan, Montana, Shanghai, Scilly Islands, Dolomites, San Sebastian.

Before we end the interview, give me a few reasons why I, and anyone reading this, absolutely must visit your website before we travel.
Well… if we have covered, if we have files relevant to where you’re going, the inside scoop with plenty of frank tips and details will guide you like no other source I know of!

Just Smile!

2009-07-13T12:27:00.002+03:00

A little boy went up to his father and asked: 'Dad, where did my intelligence come from?'
The father replied. 'Well, son, you must have got it from your mother, cause I still have mine.'

Mr. Clark, I have reviewed this case very carefully,' the divorce court Judge said, 'And I've decided to give your wife $775 a week,''That's very fair, your honor,' the husband said. 'And every now and then I'll try to send her a few bucks myself.'

A doctor examining a woman who had been rushed to the Emergency Room, took the husband aside, and said, 'I don't like the looks of your wifeat all.' 'Me neither doc,' said the husband.' But she's a great cook and really good with the kids.'

An old man goes to the Wizard to ask him if he can remove a curse he hasbeen living with for the last 40 years. The Wizard says, 'Maybe, but you will have to tell me the exact words that were used to put the curse on you. 'The old man says without hesitation, 'I now pronounce you man and wife.'

A blonde calls Delta Airlines and asks, 'Can you tell me how long it'll take to fly from San Francisco to New York City The agent replies, 'Justa minute.''Thank you,' the blonde says, and hangs up.

Two Mexican detectives were investigating the murder of Juan Gonzalez.
'How was he killed?' asked one detective.
'With a golf gun,' the other detective replied.
'A golf gun! What is a golf gun?'
'I don't know. But it sure made a hole in Juan.'

Moe: 'My wife got me to believe in religion.'
Joe: 'Really?'
Moe: 'Yeah. Until I married her I didn't believe in Hell.'

A man is recovering from surgery when the surgical nurse appears andasks him how he is feeling. 'I'm O. K. but I didn't like the four letter-words the doctor used insurgery,' he answered..
'What did he say,' asked the nurse.'Oops!'

While shopping for vacation clothes, my husband and I passed a displayof bathing suits. It had been at least ten years and twenty pounds since I had even considered buying a bathing suit, so I sought my husband's advice.
'What do you think?' I asked.
'Should I get a bikini or an all-in-one?'
'Better get a bikini,' he replied.
'You'd never get it all in one.'
He's still in intensive care.
And, my favorite is:

The graveside service just barely finished, when there was massive clap of thunder, followed by a tremendous bolt of lightning, accompanied byeven more thunder rumbling in the distance. The little old man looked at the pastor and calmly said, 'Well, she's there!

Animal lovers

2009-07-10T12:18:00.003+03:00

Hi, all you animal lovers! The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble getting enough people to click on it daily so they can meet their quota of getting FREE FOOD donated every day to abused and neglected animals. It takes less than a minute (about 15 seconds) to go to their site and click on the purple box 'fund food for animals for free'. This doesn't cost you a thing.

Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate food to abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising.

Here's the web site: http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

Baby Break Dance

2009-07-06T23:35:00.000+03:00

Just Tell me Why…

2009-07-06T21:16:00.001+03:00

Inspired Bicycles

2009-07-04T02:05:00.001+03:00

My favorite Charlie’s Angel has gone…

2009-06-28T12:28:00.000+03:00

When the truth blossoms into her eyes!

2009-06-23T00:12:00.004+03:00

Watch this presentation and "feel" a woman's tears…

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Tears of a woman

Let's face it, Americans are nuts!

2009-05-31T20:45:00.004+03:00

Time to grab the neighbor's cat and get busy!

Νο, Ι don't think so... Cats are no objects!

Some of the paint jobs cost $15,000 and had to be repeated every 3 months as the cat's hair grows out. Must be nice to have $60,000 a year just to keep your cat painted.

And people wonder why cats sometimes attack their owners.

Green Bizs To Make Money

2009-05-29T15:15:00.003+03:00

When people talk to me about the green business they’re working on, it will sometimes become apparent as we talk that at least part of the problem they are encountering may not be what they think it is.

Rather than being an issue related to planning, marketing, product development, or greening their operations, the issue is sometimes more fundamental, reflecting an inner struggle they have about making money.

This can reveal itself in discussions of larger businesses that have undertaken efforts to save money by wasting less energy, water, and other resources. “Sure, but they’re just doing it to save money,” the person will say.

Another variation of this often comes out in discussion of using market mechanisms to address climate change, in which case some people say “Businesses got us into this problem – how can they get us out?”

Their thinking reveals a fundamental assumption many people have, that making money and doing the right thing for the environment cannot coexist.

Curiously this assumption reveals itself in people at opposite poles of environmental issues. For some people this assumption is used to support their belief that we cannot solve environmental problems without extracting a ruinous economic toll (more on this one another day).

For others though the conflict is the mirror image of this, that if you are making money you must not be doing the right thing for the planet. Statements like these reveal an internal conflict that shapes their efforts to create a business.

Deep in their mind some of these people are thinking that if they make money, then they’re part of the problem.

Which leads me to make a simple statement. It’s okay for a green business to make money. In fact, it’s more than okay – it’s essential.

Commitment to helping the environment is important, but if your business does not make money will disappear.

Virgin Airlines Ads...

2009-05-20T12:43:00.006+03:00

Virgin Atlantic Commercial

Another Funny one!

Great production values!!

The generation Y

2009-05-18T23:45:00.002+03:00

People born between 1925 and 1945....Are called... The Silent Generation
People born between 1946 and 1964...Are called.... The Baby Boomers
People born between 1965 and 1982...Are called.... Generation X
People born after 1983...Are called.... Generation Y

BUT.........Y ?

Why do we call the last group of people ... Generation Y?
I had no idea until I saw this caricaturist's explanation!
A picture is worth a thousand words!

Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y

Visit Bali to awaken the Surf Goddess in You !

2009-05-15T16:13:00.008+03:00

Have a look at the below video... Watch women that having fun learning to surf in a friendly and supportive enviroment.

Surf Goddess Retreats - Yoga & Surf Camps

Luscious surf, yoga and spa retreat for women in tropical Bali. Let's visit Bali now !!

Bali, a tropical island in the Indonesian archipelago, is so picturesque and immaculate it could almost be a painted backdrop. It has rice paddies tripping down hillsides like giant steps, volcanoes soaring up through the clouds, dense tropical jungle, long sandy beaches, warm blue water, crashing surf and friendly people who don't just have a culture but actually live it. In Bali spirits come out to play in the moonlight, every night is a festival and even a funeral is an opportunity to have a good time.

The surf camp is architect designed and newly built. Located near the balinese pipeline, there are a variety of breaks nearby suitable for surfers of all standards - from beginners to professionals. Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Impossibles, Bingin, Dreamland and Balangan are all easily accessible from the centrally located Surf Camp.
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Penny Pinching Tips For Your Business

2009-05-13T01:14:00.002+03:00

photo credit: swimparallel

Most entrepreneurs will tell you that skimping on pennies will add up after a while, and today in this economy…it really pay’s to be a penny pincher to the extreme. The more you save, the more you can bank for when you need it the most during slow times to offset your costs. Below are a few penny pinching ideas obtained from Entrepreneur.com for your business.

Cut some costs when setting up your online store. Going online with your business doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg to get it going.

Spread the word yourself. Yes…fancy advertising helps a great deal, but it is not needed to get the word out about your business. Pass out your own hand made flyers, hang up your own hand made signs and coupon offers.

Buy recycled printer cartridges for your business.

Buy used equipment and look for free software that meet your business needs.

Use independent contractors.

Hire your children for part time work.

If you are near your suppliers, go and pick up your order yourself.

Get at least 3 bid’s on everything before you make your final choice.

What penny pinching ideas can you share?

5 Marketing Plan Mistakes

2009-05-11T15:47:00.003+03:00

When starting up a business and formulating your marketing plan, it is important that you get it right, otherwise it could cost you time and money in the future.

Below is a list of the top five marketing plan mistakes commonly made :

● Get specific with who you mean to target for your advertising. Make sure you have it all laid out specifically who you want to hear the message.

● Forgetting your current customers. Don’t make the mistake of only focusing on your new customer’s, doing this will make your current clients feel left out and possibly make them go else where.

● Not setting a budget up front. All too often businesses get so excited about advertising that they don’t even set a budget, this can prove to be a very costly and troublesome outcome.

● Thinking that marketing only means advertising. There are many aspects of marketing that you need to remember such as networking, customer support, and market research to name a few.

● Not tracking your results.Usually they say “Yeah we put an ad in the paper, and got a few customers from it”. See the problem with that? How do you know that was the most efficient use of your marketing dollars? How many new customers did you get exactly? How much did they spend? How does this compare to other marketing avenues you explored?

What marketing mistakes have you made in your business that others can learn from?

Angel's lyrics

2009-05-11T13:36:00.004+03:00

Listen these lyrics by Thomas Dylan

and watch this fairytale video
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Cat adopting a teeny-weeny baby rabbit

2009-05-10T22:06:00.002+03:00

The truth about Apollo 20

2009-05-10T20:45:00.002+03:00

Have a look at the super chameleons video's

2009-05-05T16:53:00.003+03:00

The super chameleon shows his super camouflaging powers.

Big Dog motorcycle pulls up in front of a pet store and a chameleon is in the window and it doesn't know what color to change into so it explodes.

Drinking Water on Empty Stomach is a miracle therapy!

2009-04-28T11:06:00.005+03:00

It is popular in Japan today to drink water immediately after waking up every morning. Furthermore, scientific tests have proven its value.

Below there is a description of use of water. For old and serious diseases as well as modern illnesses the water treatment had been found successful by a Japanese medical society as a 100% cure for the following diseases:

Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, epilepsy, excess fatness, bronchitis asthma, TB, meningitis, kidney and urine diseases, vomiting, gastritis, diarrhea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and menstrual disorders, ear nose and throat diseases.

METHOD OF TREATMENT
1. As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth, drink 4 x 160ml glasses of water
2. Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minute
3. After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.
4. After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours
5. Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day.
6. The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and others can enjoy a healthy life.

The following list gives the number of days of treatment required to cure/control/ reduce main diseases:
1. High Blood Pressure (30 days)
2. Gastric (10 days)
3. Diabetes (30 days)
4. Constipation (10 days)
5. Cancer (180 days)
6. TB (90 days)
7. Arthritis patients should follow the above treatment only for 3 days in the 1st week, and from 2nd week onwards – daily.

This treatment method has no side effects, however at the commencement of treatment you may have to urinate a few times.

It is better if we continue this and make this procedure as a routine work in our life. Drink Water and Stay healthy and Active.

This makes sense... The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals...not cold water. Maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating!!! Nothing to lose, everything to gain...

For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion.

Once this "sludge" reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

A serious note about heart attacks:
- Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting.
- Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.
- You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack.
- Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms.
- 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up.
- Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive...
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Solidarity T-Shirts by Paulo Coelho & Mango

2009-04-24T12:31:00.004+03:00

Paulo Coelho and the fashion brand Mango have created a collection of T-shirts illustrated with sentences by the author.

More than half of the earnings from the sales of these T-shirts will be destined to the Paulo Coelho Institute in Brazil, where 450 children study and get food, love, education and the possibility to develop their artistic skills. The Institute is exclusively financed by the author's copyrights.

"I knew it was impossible to change my country, Brazil. It was impossible to change my state and my neighbourhood, but I thought I might change my street at the end of which there is a favela," claims Coelho.

40,000 T-shirts have been marketed in 450 shops in 68 countries with 6 different sentences by the author such as "Never give up on your dreams, follow the signs", “The patch to wisdom is not being afraid to make mistakes” and “The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back”.

The T-shirts are already the top-selling item at all Mango shops around the world.

Dust art!

2009-04-23T16:05:00.008+03:00

Scott Wade's Mona Lisa from Dirty Car Art Gallery

Wade used his finger and other implements to etch this homage to Vincent Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' and Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa.'
Monday, June 26, 2006

Just have a look at his extensive photo gallery
Scott Wade's Dirty Cars
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My dream is to fly over the rainbow...

2009-04-23T00:12:00.002+03:00

Moments are everything!

2009-04-22T00:18:00.003+03:00

One of my favorites songs from Helena Paparizou.
Music is written by Manos Hatzidakis.
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The Silent Treatment

2009-04-21T23:47:00.003+03:00

A man and his wife were having some problems at home
and were giving each other the silent treatment.
Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife to wake him
at 5:0 0 AM for an early morning business flight.
Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper,
'Please wake me at 5:00 AM.' He left it where he knew she would find it.
The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and he had missed his flight Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't wakened him,
when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed.
The paper said, 'It is 5:00 AM. Wake up.'
Men are not equipped for these kinds of contests.

Tim Patch - Pricasso

2009-04-14T15:31:00.010+03:00

Olga Braude looks on an artist Tim Patch, who calls himself "Pricasso", paints her picture using his penis at the SEXPO in Johannesburg, September 28, 2007.

Sexpo is a sexuality and lifestyle exhibition is a four-day public event looking at all aspects of health, adult entertainment, sexuality, and adult lifestyles...

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The Australian Pennis Portrait Painter has painted portraits of some of the worlds most famous people including George Bush and Queen of England.
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House fires & plug in air freshners

2009-04-13T15:51:00.006+03:00

This message was received from an american friend who is in the insurance property business and the original one was written by a lady whose brother and wife learned a hard lesson months ago.

But it worths reading in order to be careful the Plug in air freshners...

" Their house burnt down... nothing left but ashes. They have good insurance so the house will be replaced and most of the contents. That is the good news.

However, they were sick when they found out the cause of the fire. The insurance investigator sifted through the ashes for several hours. He had the cause of the fire traced to the master bathroom. He asked her sister-in-law what she had plugged inthe bathroom. She listed the normal things....curling iron, blow dryer. He kept saying to her, 'No, this would be something that would disintegrate at high temperatures'. Then her sister-in-lawremembered she had a Glade Plug-In, in the bathroom.

The investigator had one of those 'Aha' moments. He said that was the cause of the fire. He said he has seen more house fires started with the plug-in type room fresheners than anything else. He said the plastic they are made from is THIN. He also said that in every case there was nothing left to prove that it even existed. When the investigator looked in the wall plug, the two prongs left from the plug-in were still in there.

Her sister-in-law had one of the plug-ins that had a small night light built in it. She said she had noticed that the light would dim and then finally go out. She would walk in to the bathroom a few hours later, and the light would be back on again. The investigator said that the unit was getting too hot, and would dim and go out rather than just blow the light bulb. Once it cooled down it would come back on. That is a warning sign

The investigator said he personally wouldn't have any type of plug in fragrance device anywhere in his house. He has seen too many places that have been burned down due to them."

11/4 Worldwide day of Parkinson's Disease & Red TULIP

2009-04-10T13:06:00.004+03:00

The tulip symbol that has been adopted both by the EPDA as it's logo, along with many Parkinson's disease organizations and groups around the world, is the Dr. James Parkinson Tulip.

The story of the Parkinson tulip began in 1980 in the Netherlands when J.W.S. Van der Wereld, a Dutch horticulturalist who had PD, gave the name "Dr. James Parkinson" to the red and white tulip he had developed.
In 1981 he registered his prize cultivar, the 'Dr James Parkinson' bulb. The name was chosen to honor Dr. James Parkinson, the English doctor who described the condition in his 1817 "Essay On The Shaking Palsy" and to honour the International Year of the Disabled.

The Tulipa 'Doctor James Parkinson' received the Award of Merit that same year from the Royal Horticultural Society in London England, and also received the Trial Garden Award from the Royal General Bulb Growers of Holland.

It is described as a flower: “exterior, glowing cardinal red, small feathered white edge, outer base whitish; inside, currant-red to turkey-red, broad feathered white edge, anthers pale yellow.”

On 11 April 2005, the Red Tulip was launched as the Worldwide Symbol of Parkinson's Disease at the 9th World PD Day Conference in Luxembourg.

3 ways to dress a room

2009-04-09T17:34:00.016+03:00

Inject instant style into your home with our great new collections for the season ahead from Designers at Debenhams.

Debenhams have dressed the same room in three ways to ensure there’s something for everyone. Whether its decorative touches on a shoestring budget, a total revamp or a good tidy up, they have got a whole host of inspirational ideas to help enrich your surroundings.

Global warming... result!

2009-04-09T12:42:00.000+03:00

Quote of the day

2009-04-08T13:54:00.006+03:00

"There are two kinds of light:

- the glow that illuminates,

and the glare that obscures."

James Thurber

Pork Chops!

2009-04-08T11:57:00.008+03:00

Take a look... you won't believe your eyes!

In a zoo in California, a mother tiger gave birth to a rareset of triplet tiger cubs. Unfortunately, due tocomplications in the pregnancy, the cubs were bornprematurely and due to their tiny size, they died shortlyafter birth.

The mother tiger after recovering from the delivery, suddenly started to decline in health, although physicallyshe was fine. The veterinarians felt that the loss of herlitter had caused the tigress to fall into a depression. The doctors decided that if the tigress could surrogate anothermother's cubs, perhaps she would improve.

After checking with many other zoos across the country, thedepressing news was that there were no tiger cubs of theright age to introduce to the mourning mother. Theveterinarians decided to try something that had never beentried in a zoo environment. Sometimes a mother of onespecies will take on the care of a different species. Theonly 'orphans' that could be found quickly, were a litter ofweanling pigs. The zoo keepers and vets wrapped the pigletsin tiger skin and placed the babies around the mother tiger.Would they become cubs or pork chops?

Now, please tell me one more time...

why can't the rest of the world get along?

...and then, we are called 'humans'!

James Bond Museum!

2009-04-07T15:12:00.007+03:00

After 20 years of collecting, one Bond enthusiast has amassed enough James Bond memorabilia to open
The Bond museum.com.

Peter Nelson has spent most of his life and money assembling James Bond equipment scattered across the globe. But his museum collection includes vehicles representing almost every Bond film, ranging from a typical Aston Martin DB5 to the 42-ton Russian tank from Goldeneye.

Just nobody tell Nelson that James Bond isn't real. At this point, it will destroy him.
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Budget Cuts for 2009!

2009-04-07T11:14:00.010+03:00

DUE TO WORLD FINANCIAL CRISIS & BUDGET CUTS, THIS IS THE NEW OFFICE POLICY...

Dress Code:
1) You are advised to come to work dressed according to your salary.
2) If we see you wearing Prada shoes and carrying a Gucci bag, we will assume you are doing well financially and therefore do not need a raise.
3) If you dress poorly, you need to learn to manage your money better, so that you may buy nicer clothes, and therefore you do not need a raise.
4) If you dress just right, you are right where you need to be and therefore you do not need a raise.

Sick Days:
We will no longer accept a doctor's statement as proof of sickness. If you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work.
Personal Days:Each employee will receive 104 personal days a year.They are called Saturdays & Sundays.
Bathroom Breaks:Entirely too much time is being spent in the toilet.There is now a strict three-minute time limit in the stalls. At the end of three minutes, an alarm willsound, the toilet paper roll will retract, the stall door will open, and a picture will be taken. After yoursecond offense, your picture will be posted on the company bulletin board under the 'Chronic Offenders'category. Anyone caught smiling in the picture will be sectioned under the company's mental health policy.

Lunch Break:
* Skinny people get 30 minutes for lunch, as they need to eat more, so that they can look healthy.
* Normal size people get 15 minutes for lunch to get a balanced meal to maintain their average figure.
* Chubby people get 5 minutes for lunch, because that's all the time needed to drink a Slim-Fast.
Thank you for your loyalty to our company. We are here to provide a positive employment experience. Therefore, all questions, comments, concerns, complaints, frustrations, irritations, aggravations, insinuations, allegations, accusations, contemplations, consternation and input should be directed elsewhere.

P.S. I really wonder how safe the chair is ????????.... Should anyone break their neck then there'll be heaps of lawsuits against the employer for "Injury in the workplace" & lawsuits against HOT beers given the nature of the mini bar (too bad trying to reach for an Iced Cold FOSTER'S!!!!!!) ;)

Candida Albicans… a fungus that thrives and propagates on sugar and carbohydrates

2009-04-04T00:21:00.007+03:00

Candida albicans is a fungus that thrives and propagates on sugar and carbohydrates. By definition, candida albicans is basically the overgrowth of yeast in the body. Yeast is actually not bad for the body. In fact, it grows in most of the food we eat. Vinegar has yeast. Most fruits such as apples and pears have yeast in them. The fruit juice you drink earlier has yeast. Even milk-based foods such as cheese and ice cream contain yeast. The candida yeast is also present in several portions of our body, particularly in the digestive system. However, when the yeast outgrows itself in the body, that’s where the troubles begin. Candida albicans thrives on the excess of yeast in the body. So those who have yeast infection should be more wary about eating food particularly those rich in sugar and carbohydrates. Yeast likes to prosper from food that contains sugar, salt, and chemicals. When the Candida albicans multiply and cause further contamination, an ailment referred to as candiasis develops. This is why people who have Candida albicans are advised to watch their diet. Eating healthy foods is essential to preventing the fungus or yeast from rapidly developing. However, how does one identify which foods are okay to eat, and which are detrimental to the health of those with Candida albicans? The glycemic index is a good way to determine which food is okay or not okay to eat for those with Candida albicans. But what is the glycemic index? The glycemic index is a system that arranges food according to its carbohydrate content and its consequences on blood glucose. Pure glucose which has a glycemic index of 100 is the point of comparison for foods. Using the glycemic index, apples are 49, mangoes are 69, while soft drinks are 100. Now, basing from the glycemic index, those who have Candida albicans in their bodies should refrain from eating high-glycemic foods, or those foods that like soft drinks, are rated from 70-100. Among these foods are ripe bananas, papayas, and grains such as bread, bagels, and cereals. Vegetarians should also look closely on their diet and refrain from eating staples such as potato, sweet corn, and carrots. Those who like to gorge on sweetened juices should also be wary of their intake of sports drinks and canned juices. Those with a sweet tooth are also not spared from this friendly counsel. Sweet favorites such as honey and corn syrups are considered as high-glycemic foods. Fast food items like hamburgers, doughnuts, pancakes, and waffles are likewise classified as high-glycemic foods, and thus should be taken out of the diet. The same goes for other popular food items such as hotdogs, pretzels, corn chips, rice cakes, and ice cream. In the long run, it is best for those with yeast infection to try to eat low-glycemic food such as apples, tomatoes, onion, garlic, oatmeal, green tea, and water, among others. Eat healthy foods instead. Whole foods that are free from sugar and chemical are best options for anyone suffering from yeast infection. Remember that nutrition is very important in order to neutralize or lessen the effects of Candida albicans. In the end, the battle against Candida albicans all ends up with your determination and willingness to put some discipline in your diet.
www.bearingfruit.net
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A damn fine explanation!

2009-04-01T17:35:00.004+03:00

The wife came home early and found her husband in their bedroom making love to a very attractive young woman.

And she was somewhat upset.

'You are a disrespectful pig!' she cried.

'How dare you do this to me - a faithful wife, the mother of your children! I'm leaving you. I want a divorce right away!'

And the husband replied:

'Hang on just a minute love so at least I can tell you what happened.'

'Fine, go ahead,' she sobbed, 'but they'll be the last words you'll say to me!'

And the husband began:

'Well, I was getting into the car to drive home, and this young lady here asked me for a lift. She looked so down and out and defenseless that I took pity on her and let her into the car.

I noticed that she was very thin, not well dressed and very dirty. She told me that she hadn't eaten for three days.

So, in my compassion, I brought her home and warmed up the enchiladas I made for you last night, the ones you wouldn't eat because you're afraid you'll put on weight. The poor thing devoured them in moments.

Since she needed a good clean-up, I suggested a shower, and while she was doing that, I noticed her clothes were dirty and full of holes, so I threw them away.

Then, as she needed clothes, I gave her the designer jeans that you have had for a few years, but don't wear because you say they are too tight.

I also gave her the underwear that was your anniversary present, which you don't wear because I don't have good taste.

I found the sexy blouse my sister gave you for Christmas that you don't wear just to annoy her, and I also donated those boots you bought at the expensive boutique and don't wear because someone at work has a pair the same.'

The husband took a quick breath and continued:

'She was so grateful for my understanding and help that as I walked her to the door, she turned to me with tears in her eyes and said,

'Please ... Do you have anything else that your wife doesn't use?'

Global Warming

2009-04-01T11:56:00.011+03:00

Global warming could do more than just melt polar ice. It could change our maps, and displace people from cities and tropical islands.

See this National Geographic video
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Positive Thought of the day

2009-03-24T17:33:00.004+02:00

Don't forget that...

We are truly here only to give,

and that love is the most important thing to be giving,

regardless of the circumstances .

Be in Joy now and everything will change

2009-03-24T11:36:00.004+02:00

You must be in Joy first. And then your life will change into Joy.

Difficult times are the greatest opportunities in disguise. When we face difficult times, we have to put in determined work to get ourselves into Joy. When you can get yourself into Joy, despite what is happening around you, your life must change - it's the law!

In addition, as you become Joy in difficult times, you are becoming the master of your emotions, the master of your life, and the master of the law of attraction. Difficult times are your greatest opportunity to practice yourself into Joy.

Of course, if your life is going along swimmingly, then it is very easy to be in Joy. During those times your Joy is most likely a reaction to the good times. But the magnificence and the power that you really have within you, will be seen when you can be in Joy during difficult times. It is then that you will see the true power that you have within you, because as you hold to Joy, you will shift all the energies of the Universe, and your life and your world will change.

The cause of everything is within you, and the effect is what you experience in your life. You have the power within you to change everything by putting yourself in Joy. You can change everything so easily by becoming Joy first! And nothing can change until you get yourself in Joy, because that is the law of attraction. Like attracts like! The energy of Joy attracts energy of Joy!

Do whatever it takes to find your Joy, and then keep yourself in it, no matter what. Keep ramping up your level of Joy every day. There is no limit to the levels of Joy you can reach. You will see change to the degree of Joy that you can attain and maintain. The higher the Joy you can create within you, the more spectacular the change, and the higher the Joy, the faster the change. Once you get yourself in Joy it is easy to maintain it, because your emanation of Joy attracts more Joy. The law of attraction will continually send you more feelings of Joy.

You cannot criticize or blame or complain when you are in Joy. You cannot be afraid when you are in Joy. You cannot speak negatively when you are in Joy. You cannot harm another when you are in Joy. Negativity cannot reach you when you are in Joy.When you are in Joy you are compassionate. When you are in Joy you are considerate and caring. When you are in Joy you love others. When you are in Joy you appreciate everything. When you are in Joy you are in love with the world, and the Universe is in love with you.

By Rhonda Byrne.
She is the writer of "The Secret"
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Earth Hour

2009-03-23T16:02:00.002+02:00

2,140 cities, towns and municipalities in 82 countries have already committed to VOTE EARTH for Earth Hour 2009, as part of the worlds first global election between Earth and global warming.

http://www.voteearth2009.org/why/
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Florida

2009-03-22T22:42:00.002+02:00

This state built its entire identity with tourism. This is the South Eastern state in the US. It is a most popular winter destination. Florida is also called as the Sunshine State. Central Florida is conquered by Orlando and it is well known coterie of theme parks, sea world, universal studios, Disney world, and many more attractions to tourists.

Let's laugh!

2009-03-20T15:48:00.004+02:00

Shells Form Unique Climate Archive On The Ocean Floor

2009-03-18T18:16:00.005+02:00

ScienceDaily (July 10, 2008) — Most people who find a seashell during their summer holiday on the coast will probably not be aware that they have found a unique record of the climate. For Professor Bernd Schöne, however, these hard calcium shells provide a profound insight into the history of our earth and especially into the climate of the past. "We are currently able to reconstruct the climatic history of the past 500 years from shells on a year-by-year basis. Thus we can demonstrate, for example, that the North Sea has become one degree warmer over the past hundred years, probably an effect attributable to humans," explains the palaeontologist from Mainz.

A smile from Heaven!

2009-03-18T14:13:00.004+02:00

One in a million shot... A phenomenal picture!
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Great Barrier Reef

2009-03-17T23:48:00.004+02:00

This is the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem. It is one of the top travel destinations in Australia. You can see it from the outer space and it is the world’s largest single structure, which is made of living organisms.

The reef supports 10,000 species which consists of 1500 types of fishes and 200 kinds of birds. This beauty inspires many of the travelers to visit the place.

Edinburgh Military Tattoo

2009-03-15T18:55:00.009+02:00

Every year fans of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo travel from all over the world to experience this spectacular show. The Edinburgh Castle provides the majestic backdrop to the various performances that is enthralling audiences time and time again.

The 60th Edinburgh Tattoo will take place at Edinburgh Castle 7th-29th August 2009, with 2 shows on Saturdays (the later 10:30pm show ending with a firework display) (no show on Sundays). The show will pay tribute to the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns, and will celebrate Scotland’s first ever year of Homecoming. Features will include the world-famous Massed Pipes & Drums, the Massed Bands of The Royal Air Force, Switzerland’s Top Secret Drum Corps, highland dancing, the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, the traditional haunting notes of the Lone Piper and the Tattoo debut of the Central Band of the Swiss Army.

Record Winning Chocolates!

2009-03-15T17:13:00.003+02:00

Quote of the day

2009-03-15T15:08:00.006+02:00

"To know someone here or there
with whom you can feel
there is understanding
in spite of distances or
thoughts expressed
That can make life a garden."
~ Goethe
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Just smile!

2009-03-15T13:18:00.008+02:00

For more funny photos have a look at the site epikairo
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Grand Canyon

2009-03-15T03:31:00.002+02:00

Grand Canyon is the steep-sided gorge carved by the Colorado River in Arizona State of United States. The powerful sources that cause an impact on the Grand Canyon is erosion, first is by water and second is by wind.

Nearly 5 million people visit the 1 mile deep Grand Canyon every year. Planning a vacation to the Grand Canyon national park provides a great relief for you and your family.

The best time to visit Grand Canyon is during the summer, fall and mild spring, but most locals agree that winter is the great time to visit. There are various camp grounds both on the top and floor of the Grand Canyon. Camping at the floor of the Grand Canyon needs a permit from the country office.

Chemtrails photos

2009-03-15T01:08:00.012+02:00

What's your opinion about chemtrails?

Angels Don’t Play This Haarp...

WWF: Sweden sets climate goals example for EU

2009-03-14T23:22:00.007+02:00

"If the Swedish government can convince other industrial countries to adapt Sweden’s ambitious climate package, the world would be better suited for combating destructive climate change." © WF-Canon / Hartmut JUNGIUS

The new climate and clean energy package proposed by Sweden should serve as an example for all EU countries ahead of crucial global warming negotiations, WWF says. If followed by other industrialised nations the deal could lead towards a low carbon future and help combat climate change.

Sweden is just preparing to take over the EU’s rotating presidency and it is likely to play a major role during important international meetings culminating in the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, in December, where leaders from about 190 countries will try to agree a global deal to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.

Sweden’s Environment Minister Andreas Carlgren said that his country now aims by 2020 for renewable energy to comprise 50 percent of all energy produced, for the Swedish car fleet to be independent of fossil fuels 10 years later and for the country to be carbon neutral by 2050.

“We think it is fantastic that the government recognises the important role that eco-efficiency plays in improving the economy,” Lasse Gustavsson, Secretary general of WWF in Sweden said.
“If the Swedish government can convince other industrial countries to adopt Sweden’s ambitious climate package, the world would be better suited for combating destructive climate change,” he said.

Sweden, which now plans to slash its greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent from its 1990 levels within the next 11 years, was asked to cut CO2 output by just 17 percent.

The government said it would stay committed to the proposed goals and that they were independent of whether or not a global climate agreement is achieved.

It wants to reach these goals through the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Carlrgren said.

Unfortunately, according to WWF, CDM is currently an ineffective system in desperate need of reform. WWF’s concern is that unless serious reforms of the CDM system are enacted, there is a risk that the 40 percent goal will be watered down to a mere 27 percent.

“We would prefer to see a greater portion of these reductions made within Sweden’s own borders,” Mr Gustavsson said.
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WWW Forum - WebSci'09: Society On-Line

2009-03-14T22:26:00.004+02:00

The WWW Forum is the opening event of the Web Science Conference 2009, the 1st conference about the scientific study of the socio-technical aspects of the Web as a standalone artifact and it will be held on March 18, 2009, 19:00 at Theatron at the Hellenic Cosmos of the Foundation of the Hellenic World, in Athens, Greece.

During the WWW Forum, Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the Web and top agenda setter will discuss with the public and famous scientists and politicians the following themes:

How can we learn from people in socially or economically deprived communities how the Web can better serve them? In which ways can we leverage the Web to empower people, especially in under-served populations, by lowering barriers to life-critical services? Can we ensure the Web is accessible and useful to people, including people with disabilities, from different cultures, and language and literacy skills that span the range of the Earth's population?

Which methods do we need to implement in order to study and understand how the Web works in order to anticipate and ensure its future? Can we understand how to make the Web stable and secure, and to mitigate threats and weaknesses? Is it possible to promote the development of technology and standards that foster creativity, collaboration, communication, and commerce?

Joseph Sifakis, Turing Award for 2007

Joseph Sifakis is recognized for his pioneering work on both theoretical and practical aspects of Concurrent Systems Specification and Verification. He contributed to emergence of the area of model-checking, currently the most widely-used method for the verification of industrial applications. His current research activities include component-based design, modeling, and analysis of real-time systems with focus on correct-by-construction techniques. See here for more information.

Joseph Sifakis has broad experience with industry, notably though joint projects with partners such as Astrium, the European Space Agency, France Telecom, ST Microelectronics and he has also been active for many years in consulting.

Joseph Sifakis has received with Ed Clarke and Allen Emerson for their contribution to Model Checking, the Turing Award for 2007. He is also the recipient of the CNRS Silver Medal in 2001.

Feb 2009, Vogue, Gates of Heaven

2009-03-13T14:04:00.015+02:00

Apple VS Microsoft
Melinda Gates admits to VOGUE...

to having iPhone envy.

“There are very few things that are on the banned list in our household,” Melinda Gates tells me. “But iPods and iPhones are two things we don’t get for our kids.”

"Every now and then, I look at my friends and say, 'Ooh, I wouldn't mind having that iPhone.'" ~ Melinda Gates

Welcome

2009-03-13T02:14:00.003+02:00

Welcome all, just open here.