Trees and Sinners

I know it’s a sin but I’ve killed many houseplants in my life. I guess its payback time for me. This month alone I’ve planted 10 mangosteens, 10 kelat paya (Eugenia Oleina) a dozen of alamandas and more than 20 izoras around my house (the last two are just plants but hey!!!....).

Today’s elderly, born at the beginning of this century, started life in the world with about 50% of its ancient forests still standing. Our grandchildren will inherit a planet with less than 20% of its original forest intact, with most of the readily available freshwater already spoken for, with most of the wetlands and reef systems destroyed or degraded, and much of the arable land under plough. They will inherit a stressed atmosphere and an unwanted legacy of toxic waste in the soil and water. Missing from the list will be countless species, most wiped out before even being catalogued by scientist.

The accelerating destruction of the world's forests threatens the planet's ecological and economic health. Flooding and drought become more extreme. Trees are ‘carbon sinks,’ absorbing carbon dioxide, one of the greenhouse gases behind global warming.
I’ve read about the ideas of planting trees as gifts for special occasion. Tree-planting gift is probably one of the most eco-friendly and unique presents you can buy! It's a gift that doesn't 'cost the earth' and it's suitable for all occasions, a very special way of giving something back to the planet. It truly is the gift of a lifetime!

Let us plant a tree on our personal dedication, as a special gift for someone close to you, or to honor an important event like the one listed below:

To celebrate a birth, or a birthday, To celebrate weddings and annivessaries, As a unique business gift, To reward your customers, Just for yourself, To celebrate recovery from illness, To honor someone you love, To say congratulations on a new job, As a lasting memorial for a loved one, For a special event, Simply to help restore the wild forest!, In memory of a special pet.

It truly, truly is the gift of a lifetime!

Are we independent?

It happens every year around this time, but I’m never quite prepared, my annual bout of 31st August dilemma. See, through no fault of my own I wasn’t born in KL, Malacca or Johor.
I'm in Kodiang. Born, raised and resides here.

Malaysia is made of its people. Whether Malaysia is independent or not should be judged by the perception of its people of being independent. Pak Lah is PM of Malaysia. Dr M is being called super PM. Datuk K calls himself queen maker… lol, just kidding here. Are they independent? Only such a person is independent who has a positive attitude towards life and other people. If a country has a majority of such people then it is independent. Malaysia is not yet independent. It’s not just about flying the flags.

p/s: I fly the flag all year round.

Quote

"Some would hope that the world would be what it's not -- a peaceful place..."
-- George W. Bush, June 13, 2006

Hero

The nature of the hero is so often shrouded in pomp and circumstance. They ride the white charger while adorned in gleaming plate mail. They rush onto the scene to save the day, to save the world, to save a soul. Some might assert that the nature of the hero is not far removed from the nature of the fool, and those some may well be right. Yet, at the same time, there is an odd mixture with the hero ... varying degrees of messiah, of madman, and of martyr. How many aspire to the mantle, and how few ac reach it.

I may suffer my delusions of a messianic complex, but I am no hero. It is difficult to be as right as I am as often as I am, it breeds a degree of arrogance that most find distasteful. Is not this arrogance earned, however? Have I not done all that I have set out to do? Have I not laid my enemies to rest on the battlefield? Have I not risen above the feeble squalor of my origins? The hero exists without arrogance, they exist selflessly. I am selfish, my arrogance along with my rage is what defines me is what drives me. I walk to the mountaintop and bring back the clay tablets of a better place, a greater vision. Many deign not to hear my words, and that is their loss. I will not spoon-feed them, I will let them rot in their own waste.

I may struggle with my madness, but I am no hero. Can I play with madness? Certainly I can and indeed I do. The intellectual mind is one that looks inward onto itself, a minds-eye which is ever observing itself. The pain it causes, and the strife I feel simply force me to look further inward, deeper into my own chasms of self-doubt, of self-loathing. How can one so arrogant dislike oneself so? That is the nature of the madness, is it not? Contradictions in terms, contradictions of the self ... the equation a state of mind full of bright fire which burns with little control. Others maybe burned by the flame, but I cannot heal them. They must mend their own wounds.

I may find myself hurtling towards martyrdom, but I am no hero. I am not a martyr in the truest sense of the word. A martyr dies for a noble cause, a noble need ... I die in pursuit of some unassailable goal which I place before myself. Others may view my chase as justifiable, chivalrous, dignified ... but I know the truth. I know my motive and I know my penchant for the shadows. Yet the time will come when those who should know better will hoist me onto the proverbial cross and nail me to it. Voice cry out of justice done, others still will whisper of injustices served. Fact of the matter is that both will be right and both will be wrong, as I am both and neither. No one can damn me or save me, other than myself. Nail pierced hands prove nothing more than the reality of rhetoric gone wild.

I do find myself riding a white charger, adorned in gleaming plate mail. I rush to the scene to save a day, to save a world, to save a soul. Perhaps I am the wrong man for the right reasons and perhaps I am the right man for the wrong reasons. Maybe I am completely wrong, but onward I charge ... my helm visor down and my lance ready. Is there a day in peril? Is there a world ravaged? Is there a soul in need of saving? Yes. There are all these things, and they are mine. She is the one that holds the key to her I charge. See me for what I am, and not as others would. Give me touch of the divine. Give the madman his taste of sanity. I ask much, but then I said I was selfish; and yet I feel that she knows these concepts all too well herself. It is that familiarity which binds us.

"Could you be there? 'Cause I'm the one who waits for you ... or are you unforgiven, too?"
- Metallica, Unforgiven .

Is Life Fair?

Is Life Fair?

Here are some true statements:

All men are not created equal. And because of that....

We can't all play soccer like Ronaldinho. We can't all be as smart as Einstein. We can't all be a member of the lucky sperm club and have rich parents.

It also sucks that you ladies have to put up with menstruation and menopause.

Men can pee anywhere they want.

Isn't it amazing that you have to have a license to get married, but you don't have to have a license to have children? And who suffers when people have children they cannot afford? Ultimately it's the child, who is born with two strikes against him right off the bat.

So ladies, are you happy? I agree with you. It takes two to tango. Males should take an equal responsibility. If your partner refuses, what are you gonna do? Are you gonna take an aspirin, the most effective birth control pill known to man?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

John Lennon Wrote This…

Working Class Hero

As soon as you’re born they make you feel small
By giving you no time instead of it all
Till the pain is so big you feel nothing at all
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be

They hurt you at home and they hit you at school
They hate you if you’re clever and they despise a fool
Till you’re so fucking crazy you can’t follow their rules
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be

When they’ve tortured and scared you for twenty odd years
Then they expect you to pick a career
When you can’t really function you’re so full of fear
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be

Keep you doped with religion and sex and tv
And you think you’re so clever and classless and free
But you’re still fucking peasants as far as I can see
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be

There’s room at the top they are telling you still
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill
If you want to be like the folks on the hill
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be

If you want to be a hero well just follow me
If you want to be a hero well just follow me

I am Cranky Tired

I am Cranky Tired!! I am so cranky today, even I can't stand myself!I know it's because I am extremely tired...just plain exhausted.

Megalomaniac

A "megalomaniac" is a person who wants to run the whole world. "Megalomania" is a kind of mental illness that makes people want power over everyone else and the right to tell everyone what to do. Sometimes megalomaniacs actually do get a lot of power, but other times they only think they have power. The ones that really do get power make lousy bosses and bad leaders, but the ones who only think they should run things are usually harmless unless they get their own radio shows.
There are so many of this “breed” around us and Incubus might be right to write a song about them.

-----------------megalomaniac--------------------

I hear you on the radio
You permeate my screen, its' unkind but
If I met you in a scissor fight
I'd cut off both your wings on principle alone
On principle alone

Hey megalomaniac
You're no Jesus
Yeah, you're no fucking Elvis
Wash your hands clean of yourself
Baby just step down, step down, step down

If I were your appendages
I'd hold open your eyes
So you would see
That all of us are heaven sent
And there was never meant to be only one
To be only one

Hey megalomaniac
You're no Jesus
Yeah, you're no fucking Elvis
Wash your hands clean of yourself
Baby just step down, step down, step down

Step down
Step down
Oh step down

Yeah
You're no Jesus
You're no Elvis
You're no Jesus
You're no Jesus
You're no Elvis
You're no answer

Step down, step down, step down
Step down

Hey megalomaniac
You're no Jesus
Yeah, you're no fucking Elvis
Wash your hands clean of yourself
Baby just step down, step down, step down

::Judgemental... Heck_No1234::

Its hard to completely stop being judgemental…my mind actually won’t let me! I obviously take notice of what a person is wearing, how they present themselves, etc. but the purpose of this goal is to stop assuming so much about the person. Lately, when I catch myself judging, I just remind myself i don’t actually know anything about who this person truly is.

Messy Desk Is The Sign Of Genius

I'm not a slob or anything, but I tend to have a pretty cluttered or messy desk at work. For that matter, my desktops on my computers are equally messy. Why is this you ask? Well, I tend to think that I have a lot of stuff on my desk, because frankly, I do a lot of stuff and have a lot of things to keep track of. I find it's very easy to not be organized like I should. The problem is when you get overwhelmed with stuff it's easy to set it aside for the moment. What happens then is the dreaded piles dilemma. Normally this isn't a big deal at work. We all have desk full of paper because we deal with lots of printed work. I also have a lot of other stuff, usually computer related (software, hardware, etc...) as well.

"If a cluttered desk says the owner has a cluttered mind, what does an empty desk say?"

~Pay Day~

I got my backdated-check today
I think I'll spend it like a crazy fool
Or I'll give it all away
Something like the golden rule
And my paycheck ain't hay
But somehow I just don't seem to care
Ever since my baby came to stay
And let my little house so warm and glare
And I won't tell 'em at the bank
What I'm gonna do with all my dough
I'll just smile and tell `em thanx
For it's better than they shouldn't know
Then "we'll" go and have a swing
At a little place where we can sit and think
Cause my baby came to stay
And with me here on my payday............ :-)

I hate meetings

Meetings – in the corporate world – are inefficient, intrusive, ego-tripping power grabs. Politicians love meetings. Lonely people love meetings. Get-a-Life types love meetings. Corporate brownnosers love meetings. I qualify as neither of the above. For every ten meetings I get sucked into, one is necessary. Meetings in the workplace are usually initiated by people who have nothing better to do with their time – people who demand to be the bull’s-eye of attention.

My schedule in life is packed, every day, and always, some yahoo with too much time on his hands sends me persistent meeting invitations. That gets me in hot water. Oh how I hate meetings.

At work, I wish I can duck all the meetings I can, for this reason: I am anal about getting work done, and for each minute or each hour I spend in a useless meeting, that's one minute or one hour where my very necessary work doesn't get done. I attend meetings – all the time – wherein people gab for the sake of gabbing, and demand center stage for the sake of attention and ego trippin'. I scorn such things. If, on a scale of 1 to 10, a situation rating an 8 or more requires a meeting, the meeting lovers are demanding a meeting in a situation 2. They brag about how many meetings they have per day. They measure their performance quantitatively, in terms of meetings minutes. They call all this meeting stuff "having a seat at the table." Indeed, I was already sitting at my own table, and I was doing just fine, thank you.

Reality check

Reality check thought....

You know something...I thought I was the whacky one ... wanting... needing... overly emotional... but I see you are the same as me.... Hmmm... I've got to be more generous. Show you that I can fulfill your needs as much as I would like mine, need mine fulfilled. Assurance. We both need that assurance that our relationship is real. Real is not the right word at this point... More like hmmmm.... assurance that our relationship will last.

:: rain - reproduction - flip of a coin - spin the wheel ::

It's been raining for the whole month here and the surroundings seemed serene and calm. My cat Dipsey (her tail is like a dipstick) who has been living with me for eight years now given birth to two new kittens. Life goes on and taking twists and turns. Thinking about life: things happened like a flip of a coin or maybe if the choice is more - like a spin of a wheel - round and round it goes, where its going to stop, nobody knows. If it is so then there is LITTLE Justice in life.

Does it seem to you at times this world has got everything all screwed up? Does it seem to you the balance between the way things should be and the way things are is so far out of whack that your moral compass is stuck on its side with the needle knocked off the centering pin? Does it seem no matter how hard you work and struggle and remain a person of integrity you can't seem to get ahead while all around you folks are swimming in money or success or fame? Go ahead, scream it out! "THERE IS NO JUSTICE!"

Consider the following real life headlines:

The student that gets a perfect 4.0 in college is paraded before 23-thousand parents and students at graduation as a prime example of the academic excellence to which we should all aspire. We all know in this society that the only reason everyone else didn't earn a 4.0 is because they didn't work hard enough, they weren't dedicated enough, and they didn't have enough heart. The hundreds of others who fell short of that mark but managed to graduate working 25 hours a week, volunteering on the side, swamped in debt because their parents aren't rich, content with utilizing what talents they have to the best of their ability, are dismissed as a blip on the academic screen. There is no justice!

Lawyers who are able to walk away with millions of dollars in settlement money from accidents or mishaps that claim the lives of innocent victims, having done nothing more than argued their case before a judge or jury. Twelve tobacco lawsuit attorneys will each take home 258-million dollars for their part in the billion-dollar litigation. Hundreds and thousands who smoked and died got nothing. The defenders of the law designed to guarantee that we are all treated equally masterfully manipulate that same law to their financial benefit and society's collective financial loss. There is no justice!

Television news anchors who are selected and paid enormous salaries because of the way their hair falls, the color of their eyes, their raw sex appeal, the color of their skin, their minority status, their age, their being in the right place at the right time with the right agent. The veteran journalists who are ushered out the door on Friday afternoons, forced out by lower salaries, replaced by bubble headed 20 to 30-somethings that don't know the difference between an allegation and a fact, nor understand the impact of the stories they are reporting. There is no justice.

Perks and privileges and pandering and parading and praising those individuals in our society that "someone" declares as sleek, trim, muscular and beautiful. The rest of society is driven to psychosis by those image-makers that demand we shelve our own identities in favor of the mass marketed dribble of the "in" crowd. There is no justice.

The pressure to succeed and gather more and more things and more and more money is viewed as fulfillment of the Malaysian Dream. Hard work and making it to the top and crushing the competition and being number one have become Gods in themselves. Wanting more family time, more time off, more time to enjoy ourselves, more time to absorb the beauty of everything around us is considered as laziness. There is no justice.

OMG - there is no justice....

Why Work Sucks?

I know, I know. You have it absolutely rough at work. You're underpaid, completely unappreciated, and haven't seen your spouse since the Tunku administration because you're always at work doing silly business things like benchmarking and paradigm shifting, whatever the heck that means.

And I won't even get you started on your boss — the useless twit who has roughly the same level of intelligence you would expect from an individual-sized tub of extra-curdled "lite" generic brand cottage cheese.

I know. I understand. You're not alone. You're completely normal even. In fact, in a recent survey of 100 employees at major corporations, 98 used words ranging from "moron" to "brutal" when describing their bosses. The other two were out sick the day the survey taker called.

Why is work like that?

ROAD HOGS!

All over the world one can find hogs of many breed. The particular breed we are interested in is the Road Hog (Scientific Name "block that freaking road using my fat ass' o' saurus").
While the road hog is a global breed, as luck has it, a specifically virulent manifestation exists here in Kodiang – Jitra road. These hogs probably don't want to offend the local snail population by going a bit faster..
Road Hogs - a prime cause for driver frustration.
Here are some exclusive examples of our local hogs driving our local motorists crazy along Kodiang Jitra road.

1. Talk about a double whammy! Sometimes there were two lorries clogging both lanes on the Jitra - Kodiang road carrying god knows what. The best part was that both of them (loaded over capacity) were trying to out race each other at a screaming 10 KMPH and taking their own good time to do it. These sheer speeds really made us dizzy.

2. There is always a monster carring combine harvester rumbling along at a leisurely pace. It was so large (occupying the lane and a sizable chunk of the opposite lane) and so slow that motorists were scrambling on the pavement to undertake it!

3. Jeez! what century are we in? True, all of us who don't have cars need to get along with our business. But are we going to hog roads at the expense of inconveniencing thousands of the general public? What more, on several occasions Kodiang Jitra Road has witnessed tractors doing complete U turns on major roads at the height of traffic, unfailingly causing a huge stir each time!

4. What the...?! Yes, It's a forklift! Believe it or Not! The wheels of these things especially designed with a low radius to maximize hogging efficiency. Having probably had the pleasure of studying physics at high school, you may be aware that hogging efficiency is inversely proportional to the wheel radius of a vehicle. Thanks to the genius who gave permission to put this contraption on the road. Hold it! Or was it a thief using this as a getaway car? Kodiang Jitra Road didn't stop to ask - quite content that, whatever the reason, this was another job well done in the annals of hogging.

Make Giving Part of Your Everyday

The spirit of giving. How often have we heard this around the special months. Plenty often. Yet giving is not something we can do only around the special days. The act of giving can be performed on any given day of our lives.

Giving is a natural state of the soul. The soul gives just for the pleasure of giving. It does not expect anything in return nor does it need to receive anything in order to get a feeling that an equal exchange in energy has taken place. It is the ego/personality that relies and wants an "equal exchange". When the personality gives, it often needs something back in return. This may be something of monetary value or it can be a need for acceptance, recognition and often love. The genuine act of giving can not exist where there is a need to receive something in return. Genuine giving is an act of the soul and the soul is content in simply giving.

I have often heard people ask, "How can I give when I have nothing myself?" To this I say, if you have a soul (which we all do) then you are capable of giving. One does not need to give by giving only money. You can give by donating your time to a worthy cause. Volunteering is an excellent form of giving, one that has rewarding benefits for those on the receiving end. For example, look at the smiling face of a dying child in the hospital after a loving volunteer spent time with him or her. The elderly shine when volunteers spend time in nursing homes. Any way that you can use your life to touch another is giving at its finest, and this is something you can do everyday, not just on special days.

Many people give on a daily basis. A warm smile, a loving gesture, a compliment. These are all forms of giving. You do not only have to give these things to people you know. A warm smile goes a long way for a frustrated sales clerk who's had a long, hectic day. Often ones demeanor immediatly changes and brightens for the better when we give warmly of ourselves. Try giving a compliment to the stranger that is occupying the bus shelter with you. Watch and see how their energy suddenly lifts. You won't have been a witness to their day but I assure you you will have made their day brighter with one simple compliment.

Giving is an essential part of self-discovery. I say this because a part of self-discovery is about learning to give to yourself unconditionally. When you give to yourself unconditionally, you are able to give to others unconditionally, meaning without conditions and expectations, hence the natural state of the soul. Is it any wonder that the process of self-discovery revolves around the intricate understanding and experiential knowing of the soul in its state of wholeness. Giving is part of that wholeness.

I encourage you to give. Not just on special days but always and in all ways from your heart center and your soul. The world becomes a better place when we all reach out to our fellow brothers and sisters and give without conditions. In closing, I give to you all a hearty cyber hug and the warmest of wishes for days filled with love, joy, abundance, peace and harmony. May you be blessed at this time and ALWAYS and please feel free to share your stories of giving on the Net.

Attitude is Key

Attitude is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, education, money, circumstances, failure, successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company, an organization, a home. The remarkable thing is that we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We are in charge of our attitudes.

wake me up when september ends...

Solat in September

Kawasan Kangar - Latitud : 6.466666667 - Longitud : 100.1666667 Bagi Bulan September - Tahun 2005
Arah Kiblat dari Utara Hakiki ialah: -68.9677161962521 darjah ke Barat

Tarikh	Hari	Subuh	Syuruk	Zohor	Asar	Maghrib	Isyak
1-9-2005	Khamis	5:54	7:12	13:21	16:25	19:27	20:37
2-9-2005	Jumaat	5:54	7:12	13:21	16:24	19:27	20:37
3-9-2005	Sabtu	5:54	7:11	13:20	16:23	19:26	20:36
4-9-2005	Ahad	5:54	7:11	13:20	16:22	19:26	20:35
5-9-2005	Isnin	5:54	7:11	13:20	16:20	19:25	20:35
6-9-2005	Selasa	5:54	7:11	13:19	16:20	19:25	20:34
7-9-2005	Rabu	5:54	7:11	13:19	16:20	19:24	20:34
8-9-2005	Khamis	5:54	7:11	13:19	16:20	19:23	20:33
9-9-2005	Jumaat	5:54	7:10	13:18	16:20	19:23	20:33
10-9-2005	Sabtu	5:54	7:10	13:18	16:21	19:22	20:32
11-9-2005	Ahad	5:54	7:10	13:18	16:21	19:22	20:31
12-9-2005	Isnin	5:53	7:10	13:17	16:21	19:21	20:31
13-9-2005	Selasa	5:53	7:10	13:17	16:22	19:21	20:30
14-9-2005	Rabu	5:53	7:10	13:16	16:22	19:20	20:30
15-9-2005	Khamis	5:53	7:09	13:16	16:22	19:20	20:29
16-9-2005	Jumaat	5:53	7:09	13:16	16:22	19:19	20:29
17-9-2005	Sabtu	5:53	7:09	13:15	16:22	19:19	20:28
18-9-2005	Ahad	5:53	7:09	13:15	16:23	19:18	20:27
19-9-2005	Isnin	5:52	7:09	13:15	16:23	19:18	20:27
20-9-2005	Selasa	5:52	7:08	13:14	16:23	19:17	20:26
21-9-2005	Rabu	5:52	7:08	13:14	16:23	19:17	20:26
22-9-2005	Khamis	5:52	7:08	13:14	16:23	19:16	20:25
23-9-2005	Jumaat	5:52	7:08	13:13	16:23	19:16	20:25
24-9-2005	Sabtu	5:52	7:08	13:13	16:23	19:15	20:24
25-9-2005	Ahad	5:51	7:08	13:13	16:24	19:14	20:24
26-9-2005	Isnin	5:51	7:07	13:12	16:24	19:14	20:23
27-9-2005	Selasa	5:51	7:07	13:12	16:24	19:13	20:23
28-9-2005	Rabu	5:51	7:07	13:12	16:24	19:13	20:22
29-9-2005	Khamis	5:51	7:07	13:11	16:24	19:12	20:22
30-9-2005	Jumaat	5:51	7:07	13:11	16:24	19:12	20:21

I am sorry

Too often we don't realize
what we have until its gone.
Too often we wait, to late to say
"I'm sorry I was wrong"

Sometimes it seems we hurt the ones
we hold dearest to our hearts
and we allow little stupid things
to tear our lives apart.

Far too many times in life
we let unimportant things get on our minds
and by then its usually much too late
to see what made us blind.

So be sure you let people know
how much they mean to you
take the time to say the words
before your time is through.

Be sure you appreciate
everything little thing they do
and be thankful for your truest friends
cause they'll always be there for you!

The Tripod of Time

The future
was open
so we
thought

The present
closed
so we thought

The past
done
so we thought

The future
is nothing

Only thought
applied
in the open
present

While the past
thinks itself
for us

Hand in My Pocket

I'm broke but I'm happy
I'm poor but I'm kind
I'm short but I'm healthy, yeah
I'm high but I'm grounded
I'm sane but I'm overwhelmed
I'm lost but I'm hopeful baby
What it all comes down to
Is that everything's gonna be fine fine fine
I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is giving a high five
I feel drunk but I'm sober
I'm young and I'm underpaid
I'm tired but I'm working, yeah
I care but I'm restless
I'm here but I'm really gone
I'm wrong and I'm sorry baby
What it all comes down to
Is that everything's gonna be quite alright
I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is flicking a cigarette
What it all comes down to
Is that I haven't got it all figured out just yet
I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is giving the peace sign
I'm free but I'm focused
I'm green but I'm wise
I'm hard but I'm friendly baby
I'm sad but I'm laughing
I'm brave but I'm chicken shit
I'm sick but I'm pretty baby
What it all boils down to
Is that no one's really got it figured out just yet
I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is playing the piano
What it all comes down to my friends
Is that everything's just fine fine fine
I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is hailing a taxi cab...

Teachers (and Other Mortals') Personalities:Are you a one, a two or a three?

---

I have always thought there are two types of people. Those who are part of the problem and those who are part of the solution. Recently while driving home from work (passing by Kodiang Hill) and reflecting on a rather interesting exchange with my students, it dawned on me that I had it all wrong. I realized that in fact there are three types of people: those that make things happen, those that let things happen and those that keep things from happening.
Before I continue, it must be made clear that these ideas are purely my own and are not supported by any research studies or analysis of any type. I'm too busy trying to keep up with my grading, comments, meetings and curriculum planning to have anytime to read more than the side of the cereal box. No, these ideas are based purely on my brief 45 years, 19 of which I have been teaching.
From the time a person begins to recognize people they also classify them. It makes things easier. The first classifications are based on those that provide food, warmth and love and those that do not. As people become older and more selective, they add to their classifications friend and foe. These classifications will serve them until they are 'out in the real world' or 'independent'. It is at this point the three classifications come into play.
Classification 1: Those that make things happen. These are people who act as human catalysts. They are not satisfied with the status quo and will either start something or contribute to something already underway. As teachers, they are the colleagues always looking for a better way, a different way or something new. As students, they are the organizers. These are not just the students with great ideas but also those who are first to arrive at a dance to set up and the last to leave to clean up.
Classification 2: Those that let things happen. These are the 'lurkers' of life. These people are content with the status quo and happy to 'go with the flow'. As teachers, they are the colleagues that just get on with it. They do their jobs, meet their deadlines, attend the meetings and try not to make waves. As students, these are the quiet ones who are reluctant to raise their hands but always seem to get their work done on time. They are happy to attend the dances and even have fun but would not wish to set up before or clean up after.
Classification 3: Those that keep things from happening. These are the people who may or may not be content with the status quo but are reluctant to try and change it. As teachers, they are the colleagues that can always be counted on to always play the 'Devil's Advocate'. As students, they can be counted on to sabatage initiative, whine and complain. These are the students who would openly boycot a dance rather than be seen supporting a school function.
I believe that every person maintains all three of these characteristics. It is only when faced with external stimuli that the stronger of them is displayed. It may well be that different situations bring forth different responses. However, if we look around us, whether it be in the a staff meeting, a student assembly or a traffic jam, these three pretty much sum things up.
Although I have presented these in positive, neutral and negative tones, it is possible that there are times that people with classification 3 personalities affect more positive outcomes than classification 1. I have asked my students to look at themselves and determine what they are. I have also invited them to determine what they think I am. Finally, I have asked that we meet again in 10-15 years and see if we were right.

Wife Ver 1.0

Wife Ver 1.0

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Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2005 06:20:27 -0500
Subject: Wife Ver 1.0 Released......

Dear Tech Support, Last year I upgraded from Girlfriend 7.0 to Wife 1.0 and noticed that the new program began unexpected child processing that took up a lot of new space and valuable resources. No mention of this phenomenon was included in the product brochure. In addition, Wife 1.0 installs itself into all other programs and launches during system initialization, where it monitors all other system activity. Applications such as Poker Night 10.3, Drunken Boys Night 2.5 and Saturday Football 5.0 no longer run, crashing the system whenever selected. I cannot seem to keep wife 1.0 in the background while attempting to run some of my other favorite applications. I am thinking about going back to Girlfriend 7.0, but the uninstall does not work on this program.
Can you please help me !!!???

Thanks,
A TROUBLED USER

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Dear TROUBLED USER,
This is a very common problem men complain about, but is mostly due to a primary isconception. Many people upgrade from Girlfriend 7.0 to Wife 1.0 with the idea that Wife 1.0 is merely a UTILITIES & ENTERTAINMENT program. Wife 1.0 is an OPERATING SYSTEM and designed by it’s creator to run everything. It is unlikely you would be able to purge Wife 1.0 and still convert back to Girlfriend 7.0. Hidden operating files within your system would cause Girlfriend 7.0 to emulate Wife 1.0 so nothing is gained. It is impossible to uninstall, delete, or purge the program files from the system once installed. You cannot go back to Girlfriend 7.0 because Wife 1.0 is not designed to do this.
Some have tried to install Girlfriend 8.0 or Wife 2.0 but end up with more problems than the original system. Look in your manual under “Warnings- Alimony/Child support”. I recommend you keep Wife 1.0 and deal with the situation. I suggest installing background application program C:\YES DEAR to alleviate software augmentation. Having installed Wife 1.0 myself, I might also suggest you read the entire section regarding General Partnership Faults (GPFs). You must assume all responsibility for faults and problems that might occur, regardless of their cause. The best course of action will be to enter the command C:\APOLOGIZE. In any case avoid excessive use of C:\YES DEAR because ultimately you may have to give the APOLOGIZE command before the operating system will return to normal. The system will run smoothly as long as you take the blame for all the GPFs. Wife 1.0 is a great program, but very high-maintenance. Consider buying additional software to improve the performance of Wife 1.0. I recommend Flowers 3.1 and Diamonds 2K. Do not, under any circumstances install Secretary with Short Skirt 3.3. This is not a supported application for Wife 1.0 and is likely to cause irreversible damage to the operating system.

Best of Luck,
Tech Support

Choose To Live.

Choose To Live.

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The Earth has sprung back to life again here in the backyard of my home. Draught's long slumber is over and all around me I see thousands of trees green with new leaves, I smell the glorious scent of millions of new flowers, and I hear the songs of countless birds joyously praising nature. Everywhere there is wonderful evidence of new life and fresh beginnings. It makes me smile just to go outside in the morning.

With all this fantastic life around us, though, it still amazes me how many people still refuse to live. There are so many people out there who ignore all the beauty and glory that is life. They pass up every opportunity they are given to choose love and joy in their lives. They live in constant fear of death and yet they refuse to fully live the life that they have.

You don't have to live this way. You don't have to be afraid to live and afraid to die. You can live your life fully and abundantly. You can rejoice in every second you are given. You can seize every opportunity to choose and share love and joy. You can live in wonderful peace and glorious happiness all of your days. The choice is up to you.

What is it going to be? Are you going to live or are you going to die? You are always doing either one or the other. Choose to live then. Choose to look at the trees. Choose to smell the flowers. Choose to listen to the birds. Choose to hug your children. Choose to hold a new baby in your arms and smile. Choose to laugh with your friends. Choose to sing along with the radio and dance even when others are looking. Choose to tell someone you love them. Choose to help someone in need. Choose to share a kind word with another. Choose to love and be joyous in that love. Choose to welcome God into your heart every chance you get. Life never ends, but our time on Earth is short. Don't waste it when you can live it.

Life is Wonderful

Life is Wonderful

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It takes a crane
to build a crane
It takes two floors to make a storey
It takes an egg to make a hen
It takes a hen to make an egg
There is no end to what I'm saying

It takes a thought to make a word
And it takes a word to make an action
It takes some work to make it work
It takes some good to make it hurt
It takes some bad for satisfaction

life is wonderful
life is full circle
life is wonderful

It takes a night to make it dawn
And it takes a day to make you yawn brother
It takes some old to make you young
It takes some cold to know the sun
It takes the one to have the other

It takes no time to fall in love
But it takes you years to know what love is
It takes some fears to make you trust
It takes those tears to make it rust
It takes some dust to make it polished

life is wonderful
life is full circle
life is so full of
life is so rough
life is wonderful
life is full circle
life is our love

It takes some silence to make sound
It takes a loss before you found it
It takes a road to go nowhere
It takes a toll to know you care
It takes a hole to make a mountain

life is wonderful
life is full circle
life is oh love
love is all sorts of
life is wonderful
life is full circle
life is holla holla
next up bushwalla-walla … life is wonderful

You Learn

You Learn

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I recommend getting your heart trampled on to anyone
I recommend walking around naked in your living room
Swallow it down (what a jagged little pill)
It feels so good (swimming in your stomach)
Wait until the dust settles

You live you learn
You love you learn
You cry you learn
You lose you learn
You bleed you learn
You scream you learn

I recommend biting off more than you can chew to anyone
I certainly do
I recommend sticking your foot in your mouth at anytime
Feel free
Throw it down (the caution blocks you from the wind)
Hold it up (to the rays)
You wait and see when the smoke clears

You live you learn

You love you learn
You cry you learn
You lose you learn
You bleed you learn
You scream you learn

Wear it out (like a three-year-old would do)
Melt it down (you're gonna have to eventually anyway)
The fire trucks are coming up around the bend

You live you learn
You love you learn
You cry you learn
You lose you learn
You bleed you learn
You scream you learn

You grieve you learn
You choke you learn
You laugh you learn
You choose you learn
You pray you learn
You ask you learn
You live you learn

Wackiness

Teach My Grandson Teacher - Gently, If You Can

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My grandson starts school today. It's going to be strange and new to him for a while, and I wish you would sort of treat him gently.

You see, up to now, he's been king of the roost -- he's been boss of the backyard. His mom, dad, and Grandma have always been around to repair his wounds, and soothe his feelings.

But now things are going to be different! This morning he's going to walk down the front steps, wave his hand, and start out on a great adventure... it's an adventure that might take him across the continent... it's an adventure that might include wars and strategy and sorrow.

To live his live in this world, will require faith and love and courage. So teacher, I pray you will take him by his young hand and teach him the things he will have to know.

Teach my grandson teacher -- but gently, if you can. He will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just, that all men are not true.

But teach him also, that for every scoundrel, there is a hero.. that for every crooked politician, there is a dedicated leader. Teach him that for every enemy, there is a friend.

It will take time teacher, I know, but teach my grandson, if you can, that a nickel earned is far more value than a dollar found... teach him to learn to lose... and to enjoy winning.

Steer him away from envy, if you can, and teach him the secret of quiet laughter.

Let my grandson learn early that the bullies are the easiest people to lick.. teach him, if you can, the wonder of books... but also give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and flowers on a green hill.

In school, teacher, teach him it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat... teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him that he is wrong... teach him to be gentle with gentle people and tough with tough people.

Try to give my grandson strength not to follow the crowd when everyone else is getting on the bandwagon... teach him to listen to all men... but, teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen of truth and take only the good that comes through.

Teach my grandson teacher.. but gently if you can, how to laugh when he is sad... teach him there is no shame in tears... teach him there can be glory in failure and despair in success.

Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob... and to stand and fight if he thinks he is right.

Teach him to scoff at cynics and to beware of too much sweetness.. teach him to sell his brawn and brains to the highest bidders but, never, never, put a price tag on his heart and soul.

Treat my grandson gently, teacher, but don't coddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel.. let him have the courage to be impatient... let him have the patience to be brave.

Teach him always to have sublime faith in himself. Because then he will have sublime faith in God and Mankind.

This is a tall order, teacher, but please help him if you can do. You see, he's such a nice little fellow... my grandson.

Teach my grandson, teacher.. but gently if you can.

Blog as u wish

Hepi blogging!!!