Look the Earth,Life,Internet,Technology,Health: 2008

Personality Transformation

Monday, January 21, 2008

How to transform one's own personality (Especially from negative to positive)

For any transformation to be successful, it has to be deep and dramatic. Such deep process can bring about difference or newness in things. For example, to be able to access water from earth it is important to go deeper because the more shallow it is the more rocks and hurdles are experienced or seen.
Transformations are of 3 levels: Behavioral, Emotions, Attitudinal:
Its important to move from old to new. Change is inevitable and thus it should be welcomed with grace. Change is always possible when there is a necessary transformation of personality. That includes the process of thoughts attitudes relationships thoughts feelings and the entire life. An entire change such as this brings about a strong future, full of control and love.

Information fixation;
Lack of familiarity:
Belief in what we see:
Immediate result orientation:
Keeping the focus of the environment:
Lacking intrinsic motivation:
Over emphasis on weaknesses and undermining strengths:
Guiding voice for change
There are three voices or inspiration for transformation. One time or the other we are touched by one of them and most times realize the importance of transformation. They are Self induced voice, Voice of the world and Inner voice.
In order to bring transformation within the self we need to know the intricacies of our own personality and layers within. And transformation always start within that is - Transformation in self. And from here, we can move on to Transformation in Relationships, situations, work etc.
For all these, we should be a learner. Learning depends upon four factors:

Retrospection
Rectification
Realization
Reference.

We also need to go in to the depth of other aspects of our Personality-The person will be preoccupied about people. High sensitivity and feelings of insecurity. Giving importance to trivial responses from others. stubborn in interaction and high expectations from others:
Thoughts- mostly questioning about others behavior and their weaknesses and ones own behavior towards others
Attitude - non acceptance of others in any other way then their own.
Words- spoken sometimes harshly and with disrespect towards others In the area of work is that of having clarity and focused at work.
When we have understood the different areas of transformation we need to have clarity about the areas in which we need to transform in the present position. There are four areas as already discussed:

Self
Situation
Relationship
Work
And once we start our transformation process, we need to monitor the positive growth in all 4 areas of life. In work we need happiness and in situations we need power and in relations, love and in self peace.

Virtue Scope

Virtues are the natural power of good within each of us and they are our reality. The VirtueScope is a way for you to get in touch with your true virtues. It offers a map to develop these positive energies during the coming year. It is about re-establishing the very best in yourself so you can improve the quality of your life and the quality of your relationships.
Each day in your meditation or self reflection, simply bring the virtue for that month month into your awarness.

his online VirtueScope is a simple and fun way to explore your virtues. You can enter your name, pick a month, and the VirtueScope engine will build a calendar of virtues for you to focus on and bring you guidance throughout the year.
In your VirtueScope, six VirtueReality cards hold key positions. They are significant during the whole year and particularly in the month for which they are selected. These cards are marked with special symbols that remind you to focus on a particular aspect of the virtue and how it applies to your life.

Gmail

Gmail.com is a free email service notably different than any other. The main differences are: storage amount, ability to search, clustered conversations, and ability to label.

1. STORAGE AMOUNT - For all intents and purposes, you have unlimited storage with gmail. At the moment I have over 2694 megabytes of free storage, and that amount increases with every passing second. The reason for this large amount of storage is to make it so that you never need to delete an email message ever again. This brings me to point number 2.

2. ABILITY TO search - When I first learned that with Gmail you never need to delete a message, I was not particularly impressed. I receive many emails that provide me with quick information, but then serve only to clutter my inbox. Gmail, however, allows you to "archive" your messages if you choose to after you read them. This, for practical purposes, makes your message disapear (although you retain the ability to see all your old archived messages if you choose). Once a message has been archived, you can use the gmail search engine (just like the google search engine) to search all your old mail by keyword. Thus, if I want to recall an old email that had a subject heading or date I cannot remember, I can simply search by keyword and easily find that old email.

3. CLUSTERED CONVERSATIONS - Anytime someone hits "reply" to an email with a given subject line, that new email gets grouped along with all other emails of that same subject. The appearance of this is similar to a message board on a website. It allows you to either see the whole conversation, or just the newest messages. This feature makes it easy to keep track of the context of your emails, and to review the content of past emails.

4. ABILITY TO LABEL - Another convenient feature for organizing your emails is the ability to apply "labels" to emails. This feature is similar to folders with other email services, but its presentation is clearer and more convenient than typical folders.

In addition to the four features above, gmail has recently added gmail chat. With gmail chat you are automatically signed on whenever you sign into your gmail account, and you can instantly chat with other gmail users. I have not really used this feature yet.

http://www.gmail.com

Turbulence

When I grew up, I thought that I lived in the perfect family.
My mom and my dad got a divorce when I was four years old. I have two older sisters and my mom filed to have sole custody of us kids. My mom and my dad had a house together but she accepted a small sum of money in order to have us kids instead of claiming half of the house. She moved in, in a three room apartment with us kids and took on two jobs in order to be able to support us. Our dad lived 3 minutes from us but we hardly ever saw him .Usually he came down to visit us for a little bit on Christmas and sometimes he had us for the weekend. When he did have us for the weekend, he always had plans for himself though .Usually that meant him going out dancing and that meant that we had to manage on our own. I always felt grateful towards my mom though because the struggled for us kids and yet she always found time to be with us. At the same time she had high blood pressure and stomach problems so she went in and out of hospital. It always hurt me, being so young and seeing my mom being carried away on a stretcher into an ambulance. I grew a deep respect for my mom during this time and I still have that respect for her today, if not even more. Experiencing all of this made me a humble person and compassionate for other people with problems. A couple of years ago my mom suffered a hemmoridge and she was in the hospital for 6 weeks. They told us the same day she went in that she would not probably be fine ever again. That made me angry. I never gave up on my mom. Even though the hospital was about 35 min away, I went there every single day of the week. Also every single day of the week, I brought a gift for her. Every single day for six weeks. My mom loves presents and every single day, she looked at me and I said, mom I have a present for you. Each day I massaged her legs so she would not cramp up. I knew that it was the nurse’s job but they never had times with it and I never minded doing that for my mom. I also told my mom how important it was for me that she never gave up hope. If she did that she would never get well again. One day I baked cinnamon rolls for the entire floor of that unit at the hospital that she was in.350 cinnamon rolls to be exact. To brighten everyone’s day. To make a long story short, my mom never gave up. She now lives almost 100% normal life in her own apartment. Everything about her is intact and it is like it never happened. I tried to give back for all that she had given us when we all grew up. Maybe that is why she is doing well today. I love my mom.

Show the world your writing talents

I know you are a genius who are gifted with the ability to write great stories, non fiction articles or how-to tutorials. But the most important things you need are chances to let your articles exposed to as many readers as possible. Then you will get opportunities to realize yourself the dream of becoming a professional writer. How ? The answer is simple, just join some blogsites and write. There are many sites on the Internet provide spaces for your articles to post on and let your master pieces be read.Here I list two websites for your consideration. One is Writingup.com. The other one is Bloggersparty.com. Try these links to have a look at the website http://www.writingup.com?referer=3089 http://bloggerparty.com/referral/626c7136 Joining the blog is absolutely free and it is very easy to customize your writing page. You don't even have to know anything about HTML tags. You only need to type meaningful text on the blog spaces provided and hit submit after you have finished your written work, then you will be able to present a decent looking page to your audiance. Furthermore, the admin persons of the blogsites have put helpful hints on a particular page for you reference. So you can get help while you are working on your enties.Once your articles attract people to your blog and click on the ads. The admin of the blogsite will split profits from relevent advertisers with and you will actually get paid by showing readers your talents. Why don't give it a try.

Web Hosting

Web hosting is a service that provides individuals, organizations and users with online systems for storing information, images, video, or any content accessible via the Web. Web hosts are companies that provide space on a server they own for use by their clients as well as providing Internet connectivity, typically in a data center. Web hosts can also provide data center space and connectivity to the Internet for servers they do not own to be located in their data center.
Types of hosting

Hosting can be split up into several general types:

* Free hosting: just about all the free web hosting available is extremely limited when compared to paid hosting. Free web hosts generally require their own ads on your site, only allow web-based uploading and editing of your site, and have very tight disk space and traffic limits. Still, most people get their start via free web hosting.
* Image hosting: hosting only a few different formats of images. This type of hosting is often free and most require registrations. Most image hosts allow hotlinking, so that you can upload images on their servers and not waste space/bandwidth on yours.
* Shared hosting: one's Web site is placed on the same server as several hundred other sites. A problem with another site on the server can bring all of the sites down. Shared hosting also brings with it some restrictions regarding what exactly can be done, although these restrictions are nowhere near as restrictive as for free hosting.
* Clustered hosting: designed to eliminate the problems inherent with typical shared hosting infrastructures, it offers the benefits of a dedicated server, but at affordable shared hosting prices. This hosting technology platform provides customers with a “clustered” handling of security, load balancing, and necessary Web site resources. Resources are virtualized beyond the limits of one physical server and dynamic load balancing disperses traffic to ensure performance is optimal for all customer accounts.
* Reseller hosting: designed for those who want to become Web hosts themselves. One gets a large amount of space and bandwidth that can be divided up among as many sites as the user wants to put on his account. A reseller account is placed on the same server with other reseller accounts, just like with shared hosting but there are fewer accounts.
* Virtual Private Server (or Virtual Dedicated Server) hosting: Virtual Private Server technology enables one physical server to house several Virtual Environments which behave exactly like an isolated stand-alone server. This is often a much more affordable solution than a dedicated server, normally offering all the same benefits, such as root access.
* Dedicated hosting: With dedicated hosting, one gets a server of one's own. They have no restrictions, except for those designed to maintain the integrity of the Web host's network (for instance, banning sites with adult content due to the increase risk of attack by crackers and grey legal issues for the ISP). Unless a separate plan is purchased from the host, the user is also generally on his own. This can be an expensive proposition, as the purchase of the dedicated server itself is generally far more expensive compared to shared hosting.
* Colocated hosting: This involves a server the user purchases himself and installs at the host's data center. Besides unmonitored reboots, the user must pay extra for many services dedicated hosting provides by default. Colocated hosting is generally chosen by people with server administration experience and those with more significant needs than which can be satisfied by dedicated or shared hosting. This is usually the most expensive and least cost effective option if you are not colocating many servers.

What is Spyware?

Spyware has become the most prominent computer security problem. How do you choose a good Spyware removal tool? Beware of "antispyware" software which installs spyware/adware to the computer.Spyware is a hidden software program. It is often used to monitor the browsing and shopping habits of computer users. Spyware can also be a remote control program that steals confidential banking and personal information. Spyware has quickly become the most prominent internet security problem. According to the National Cyber Security Alliance, spyware infects more than 90% of home PCs. Recent survey shows that spyware is also sneaking into the network of corporate computers.Spyware is often coupled with free downloads, such as free music, game and software downloads. Spyware may slow down computer, hijack homepage and create uncontrolled pop-up advertisements. Some spyware programs can remain unnoticed, secretly gathering information from the computer. Once installed, spyware is difficult to remove without the help of dedicated antispyware software. Due to the rise of spyware activity, antispyware programs are in great demand these days. But are these spyware removal tools the same? Do they provide the security consumers need?There are many reports that some antispyware programs installed their own spyware and adware to the computer. One consumer was quoted saying "It's a rip-off. I downloaded the free trial of an antispyware program, only to find out that it added its own adware to my computer". Other consumers have complained that the antispyware program they use cannot detect all spyware programs. Some even slow down the computer and create pop-up advertisements.Consumers should be aware that spyware removal tools that are heavily promoted by e-mail campaigns are not necessarily good programs. Beware of the free downloads and free scans from unknown software publishers. Their "antispyware" programs may as well be spyware programs themselves. To learn more about spyware and antispyware software.
The Future of Spyware:
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."-- Aldous HuxleyAs the prostitute said, "It's not the work, it's the stairs." As told to me by Elaine Stritch, star of stage, screen, & TV, right after she won her 1st Emmy. Ago 79.By Gregg Keizer, Courtesy of TechWeb NewsBy the end of the year, spyware will have turned to RSS to distribute its key loggers and ad spawners, a security expert predicts.By the end of the year, spyware programs will have tripled in number, put Firefox in their sights, and have turned to RSS to distribute its key loggers and ad spawners, a security expert said Friday. Richard Stiennon, director of threat research at anti-spyware software vendor Webroot, first presented his six predictions at this week's Gartner IT Security Summit. number one on his list? "The first spyware that targets Firefox will appear in the first half of 2005," prognosticated Stiennon. "That means either a spyware writer will take advantage of a vulnerability in Firefox, as others already have in Internet Explorer, or create a site that forces Firefox to invisibly download and install adware or spyware." Stiennon's apparently not worried about the impending deadline for his prediction. "Test code against Firefox exists," he said, "and I've seen exploits against Firefox that don't work. At the Gartner conference, I had a conversation with the CIO of another security firm, and he said that his company had just found an example." Some of Stiennon's predictions were no-brainers, or in one case, with tongue firmly in cheek. "The number of new Microsoft vulnerabilities will grow," he said. "That was said tongue-in-cheek." Others, such as his bet that the number of different types of spyware will triple in 2005 to reach 4,500 total, is an easy prophecy, he added, since "we're well on our way for that number right now." In Stiennon's opinion, his most distressing prediction is that spyware will latch onal Simple Syndication) as a way to distribute ad- and spy-style software. "I'm extremely concerned about this," said Stiennon. "Already we're seeing marketers look to RSS. A recent list by marketing types on why RSS is better than e-mail, for example, had 'no more annoying complaints about spam' at number 8. Where marketers go, adware and spyware writers follow." Another nasty possibility, said Stiennon, is that a vulnerability will be found in one of the big blogging services. "If a spyware writer finds a way to inject code into a blogging site -- which could take the form of a SOAP object -- most likely through a future vulnerability in Internet Explorer 7, then everyone who subscribes to that service's blog RSS feeds is gonna get infected." Such an attack could be massive, and because of the automated nature of RSS, extremely fast-acting. Finally, Stiennon predicted that rootkits, hacker toolkits now used by the most sophisticated worm authors to hide evidence of their malicious code from anti-virus scanners, will migrate to spyware this year. "There's a very small group, under 2,000, of advanced spyware writers. They're already experimenting with rootkits, and when they start using them in numbers, spyware is going to be very very hard to detect." Stiennon's final prediction didn't make his list at Gartner's conference, but is no surprise considering how much space on his blog he's devoted to the recent Israeli incident where several companies' executives have been charged with industrial espionage after hiring private investigators who in turn used a British programmer's spyware Trojan to infect rivals' computers.

What Is Adware?

Adware infection rates continue to climb. McAfee detected over 14 million computers infected with Adware in the first three months of 2005. Adware refers to a type of program that is designed to serve advertisements to you while connected to the Internet. These ads are often considered a nuisance, and the adware program itself is usually installed by users accidentally, packaged in with other software that has actual benefit. Adware is often also referred to as spyware or malware. The worst examples of malware will even alter your browser settings, add unwanted Favorites links, alter system files, and create new default web pages. Finding Adware that has infected your computer can be challenging as new Adware programs are being developed constantly. In many ways, Adware programs are like a computer virus, with the goal of serving you pop-up and other types of ads, rather than causing other damage to your computer. Thankfully, there are a variety of Adware removal products available that can help you remove these unwanted programs. Matter of fact, it is recommended that you try out several Adware removal programs to make sure you have overlapping coverage, and that all detected Adware programs are removed.
Generically, adware (spelled all lower case) is any software application in which advertising banners are displayed while the program is running. The authors of these applications include additional code that delivers the ads, which can be viewed through pop-up windows or through a bar that appears on a computer screen. The justification for adware is that it helps recover programming development cost and helps to hold down the cost for the user."Spyware is any software (that) employs a user's Internet connection in the background (the so-called 'backchannel') without their knowledge or explicit permission. Silent background use of an Internet 'backchannel' connection must be preceded by a complete and truthful disclosure of proposed backchannel usage, followed by the receipt of explicit, informed consent for such use. Any software communicating across the Internet absent of these elements is guilty of information theft and is properly and rightfully termed: Spyware."
AdWare is also a registered trademark that belongs to AdWare Systems, Inc. AdWare Systems builds accounting and media buying systems for the advertising industry and has no connection to pop-up advertising, spyware, or other invasive forms of online advertising.
Software for free removal of adware:
A number of software applications, including Ad-Aware and OptOut (by Gibson's company), are available as freeware to help computer users search for and remove suspected spyware programs.

Spybot spy and adware removal tool is the best software in this category. its absolutely free, and it could remove almost every adware from your system. as the adware are usually updated on daily basis, the programmer's of this program offer free patches in every month which could remove latest and updated adware from your computer

Ikan Ukan

There are millions of sites but one has been created with you in mind. Step into your future and win. Get the instruments and strategies that ensure your success and victories. The frames open the mysteries of mind. Connect with knew software that has been skillfully and artistacally employed.
This site speaks for itself. There's something for everyone. Immediately the author let's you know their identity. You can meet Theodore Hubbard, Master Musicologist. Click a link and find free education. Maybe you feel like shopping. The sample books embrace you in a private world. The colors are gentle. Take this Journey with Dorothy Anderson.POWERGENESES!!! What's This? Get ready for smooth sailing. You're a click a way from encouraging information. Pages are organized. Spacing is accurate. The links make sense. There's originality. Experience the mystery of the webmaster, http:// www.netappeal.com. Services and products are properly identified.

Be there and involve your spirit, soul and body in the quest and challenge of being drawn to a higher level.

There: http://www.ikanukan.com Why: new beginnings When: Your future

A MUST VISIT GALAXY! THE NEW DOOR TO THE MATRIX.

TRANSFORMATIONS

Of Mind, Home and Life
Culture Health Romance
Beliefs Business Family

Be of good cheer. Be encouraged. Rejoice. Rejoice. Rejoice.

New mind. New life. New civilization.
Take 72 hours to change your mind. Take 90 days to change your life.
You have 365 days to transform your civilization and universe.
It’s up to you.

Ikan Ukan PERCEIVE CONCEIVE BELIEVE ACHIEVE RECEIVE
There were three Godly women
There were three Godly women who feared the Lord.
They listened to the Spirit within.
They were guided, taught and comforted..
They were Godly and they believed.
They believed God's Word.
One woman spoke to the prophet.
One woman had a flow of blood.
One woman waited on the prophet.
HAVE FAITH THERE'S HEALING!GOD IS WITH YOU IN LOVE AND TRUTH.
© 2000 all rights reserved by Dorothy Anderson at www.iknukan.com

Paradise Island-Kauai-Hawaii

Hawaii here we come!
Me and my husband were on our way to Kauai, on of the island in Hawaii.
We had rented a house in Poipu , on the south shore of Kauai.
Neither one of us had ever been to Hawaii before so we shared this beginner experience together. We booked a stay for 11 days. What we had heard about Kauai was that it would be the garden isle. Neither one of us wanted the bar scene and we just wanted a peaceful vacation. My husband is a scuba diver so the south shore was a must. I agreed to try to take my certification in scuba diving once we got over there. I started to study before we left and I enrolled in a class the day after we arrived. The Kauai scenic view is wonderful. Very expensive though. It almost made me wonder how people in Hawaii can survive. We went to a local grocery store and were horrified that they charged almost 6 dollars for a loaf of bread.1 stick of butter was almost 3 dollars. At the same time the Hawaiian charm took our breath away. My husband went on a deep dive so that day I took the car by myself and looked around. Small old stores and everything had an old time charm about it. Me and my husband had bought books on Kauai before we went there. In that book they mentioned that Poipu have an ice cream place that is famous. The place is called Lapperts ice cream. I told my husband that if their ice cream is that famous then I have to try it. I said, if I can only try it once then that is enough for me. It ended up being 3 visits to that place. Their ice cream in the chocolate covered waffle is truly amazing. You found the typical tourist trap stores here but also local stores. The south shore coast is beautiful to snorkel in. It was my first time snorkeling and I saw several hundred different species of fishes. Truly amazing. One night we went to the restaurant, The beach house in poipu , Koloa. Their restaurant is right by the water with an amazing view. We sat down there and ate dinner at sunset. That scene could have been taken from a postcard. So beautiful. We also went on a helicopter tour over the island. I have never been on one before but I would do it all over again if I could. That was so much fun. We also went to the the botanical garden in Koloa, where they have the trees that are in the movie Jurassic park. Amazing trees.The whole trip was a dream in itself.So beautiful and peacefully.We are back now from that trip but I hope to return with my husband one day soon.
http://www.kauaidiscovery.com

Stress Factor

Valentines Day is around the corner. In five days to be exact.Id like to think that we can show each other love at any day of the year but off course it is very exciting with a special day for that. Some people argue with me and say; oh we have too many holidays already! Why cant people stop and learn how to relax? Why do we have to rush all the time? I think that we live in such a high pace society that we forget to live. I think that it is nothing wrong with celebrating holidays. The more the better because it gives us a chance to brake away from the every day stress that we live in. Some people though stress even more when they have a vacation ore celebrate a holiday. Then they have missed the point. Those times are times when we really should relax. To boost our bodies energy so we are well rested before we have to go back to the stress again. If people could only understand that stress is dangerous to your health. If you know that you live with a lot of stress then there are many things you can do. Try yourself to identify what you think causes your stress. If there are several factors then write all of them down.
When you have that piece of paper, and then compare it to the facts. That can be either online source ore stress consultants ore stress managing meetings. If you compare your stress factors with the signs they show you there then you can identify yourself with that. I wish that people could see what stress causes. It causes people to be burnt out and is one factor why people die so much sooner than they have to. It brakes up families and destroys lifes.If you recognize yourself don’t fall in the same trap. CHANGE TODAY.

Why English Is Spoken?

Why English is spoken, the British people had the Empire all over the world. The need a communication with the public for which the started learning their local language. Once they are good enough in the local languages they started mixing local language with English. Just imagine when some one speaking your mother tang word with some new language, what will be your position , you will watch his mouth and reaction after speech then you will understand that he knows your mother tang a little bit. In such case you will be keen to teach him your mother tang. Once you start teaching your mother tang, indirectly you will be learning the new language with your mother language. The English was spoken by very neat and clean people. All over the world. For their dress and their style, and their personality made people to learn more English and it is almost compulsory to communicate, or identify your own brother or sister, or your native people. Once you communicate in English, your people will find you easily the way you pronounce. They will come to you and ask about you, If you are good or they are good you can start a fresh life with your newly related person. Why the English teaching people are rich? The learners are in Q.

Start liking English

The English is a mixed language of world languages. Especially from Greg and Latin are the most of the words formed. Apart from this languages Italy, chiness, and few more words from word languages where the British Empire formed. The total words of English are 6000000 words. The existing words of English are 200000. Personal usage of words are differs country to country. In London there are people who speak 200000 words, for personal use. Apart form London other countries personal usage is 2000 words. The combination of 26 letters in English is very easy to reproduce. The alphabets are no need to pronounce from your stomach. From the mouth sound is enough. Only for “h” sound it is just a difficult for some people. Even this can be had from itching sound. There would be no person in the world who cant pronounce all the 26 letters. Such an easy language is English. The founder of the English is big team whom lived minimum five hundred years back. Even the founder of English is a group of persons.

Hornbills

The Hornbills live in the forests of South East Asia and Africa. There are around 40 species of hornbill.
The Hornbills requires large areas of intact forest to survive, so the status of the hornbill population is in many ways a key indicator of the overall health of the tropical forest.
Hornbills belong to the family Bucerotidae are a group of birds whose bill is shaped like a cow's horn and there is a casque on the upper bill. Both the English and scientific names is based on the shape of the bill, meaning of Buceros is cow horn in Greek. These birds range in length from two to five feet. Ground-Hornbills are huge prehistoric appearing birds of open grasslands and savanna in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Hornbills have undergone special adaptations to survive and which also set them apart from other species of birds. They have long flattened eyelashes. Long broad wings with short tails; the most unique feature of Hornbills is the casque on their large bill. The bill is filled with a cellular tissue as opposed to being solid. It is filled with many air chambers and is very useful for reaching fruit on distant branches. They have two kidneys all other birds have three. The second and third toes are also partly fused (syndactyly), which aid them to scramble through branches to find fruits.
Another unique feature of hornbills is the sealing of nest. Except for the two large ground hornbill species of Africa, all hornbills seal their nests.

Hornbills are omnivorous, eating mostly fruits, however the male is known to feed the brooding female and the chicks with animals like reptiles, frogs insects etc.

Hornbills are social birds congregating at feeding and bathing sites. They form life-long monogamous pairs. They find hollows of trees to nest and may return to the same site year after year to nest. After laying up to three eggs the female seals herself in the chamber with mud and dung, leaving only a small hole through which the male passes her food. For 41/2 months she is completely dependant on the male for the survival of the chicks and herself. During this period she undergoes molting, the feathers are used to plaster the inside of the chamber. She emerges with new set of feathers and quickly seals the chamber again and joins the male to feed the chicks.

Unfortunately, the Hornbill population has decreased severely and many species are now endangered following the destruction of their habitats because of the pet trade. The locals steal the hornbill babies for pet trade, the babies yield high price. The practice is wide spread and is effecting the hornbill population. The Hornbill Research Foundation, in existence since 1978, is trying to stop hornbill smuggling by turning hunters into hornbill protectors. To do this, the Foundation has made local people part of the hornbill conservation program.

Writer Gazette

Writer Gazette
There are free articles for writers and a free email newsletter.
Here you also find freelance job postings, paying calls for manuscript submissions, and many other resources for writers.
There's a Writers Manual--the so-called bragging zone that provides free interviews for writers.
There's an ebooks Cafe where you can promote your ebooks worldwide. And all your ebooks can be listed for free.
You can get your own free web page to promote your writing.
There are links for Writer jobs and classes. There's a writer's shop for products of interest to writers. There's a Book Review Wanted link, a message forum.
They also have a recommended list of affiliate programs of interest to writers.

American Idol Store

American Idol Store
http://www.americanidolstore.com
If you're a fan of American Idol, then check the official website for the American Idol store. There are tee shirts, and caps and p.j's. Most have the American Idol logo. Many have photos of some of your favorite American Idol stars. For example, one tee shirt says "I voted for Fantasia Barrino" with a photo of Fantasia singing. There are other "I voted for...." tee shirts, including George Huff, Jasmine Trias, and LaToya London.
Besides Apparel there are specialty products, including Official American Idol fan book, containing interviews, photos, gossip. There's an American Idol tote, an American Idol thermal mug, an audition book with CD, among other specialty items.
In the Music section, you can buy the apparel of all your favorite American Idols: Fantasia Barrino, Clay Aiken, Diana DeGarmo, Ruben Studdard, Carrie Underwood, and group albums.
So, if you're a fan of American Idol and would like to purchase merchandise go to this website. For their general website for photo galleries, audition galleries, behind the scenes, games, videos, etc. go to: http://www.idolonfox.com

Beware Of Desertification

Year of the Deserts gets under way
Desertification is one of the world's most alarming processes.

Do you know about one billion hectares in Africa are severely affected by desertification and in terms of costs Africa loses some US$90 billion a year? And, there happens severe migration of livestock keepers to Coast regions in search of pastures after land in their areas has been degraded and failed to support their livestock.
So, Africa is one of the regions most at risk. African desertification is strongly linked to poverty, migration and food security.
Africa's Sahel region, population is on course to double by 2030 and climate change threatens to increase incidence of drought. Demographic dynamics (population growth, migration, population distribution, and urbanization) and particularly the acute commercialization of agriculture are resulting in reduced soil quality and pose a real threat to the Sahel's natural resources.

Desertification – land degradation in dry lands as a result of climatic factors and human activities –is one among the world’s greatest environmental challenges that destabilizes societies very speedily.
So, there is no alternative but awareness and campaign. And for this purpose, the United Nations has launched the International Year of Deserts and Desertification 2006. The Convention to Combat Desertification is a useful event .it is the internationally recognized, legally binding instrument that addresses the problem of land degradation in dry land rural areas. It has a membership of 191 parties. And, through the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as its funding mechanism, it is able to channel resources to projects aimed at combating the problem, particularly in Africa.
Kofi Annan in his message on the world Day to Combat Desertification said that the UNCCD can play a key role in the world's efforts to eradicate poverty, achieve sustainable development and reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The Self Healing Of Writing

So many people I know ask me why I love writing. It started when I was young. It was a way for me to not feel that I was alone. I also realized that whenever I was sad ore angry, writing was a way for me to handle that .Sometimes when we can’t find the words it is easier to put those words into print. We just might have a difficult time talking to people for various reasons but writing can be easier. I have always loved writing it has been a way for me to express myself. Writing is a wonderful tool that everybody possesses .You can write about how you feel ore let your imagination run wild and create the most amazing stories. So many people tell me that no I can’t write , I don’t know what to write about , if I write it will only look silly. Writing is first of all for you and then for other people if you decide that. It does not matter what it looks like when it is for you because you are the only one who is supposed to read it. If you are writing to someone else and you feel that you can’t put the words together correct, then there are several guidelines and help for writers on the internet. I see writing as something really important and something that I could not live without. If you are a beginner to the art of writing but see that it is something that you want to continue with, then do that. Start by making a daily journal of your life and soon you will do that without thinking. Just write about what is on your mind at the moment and further ahead you can go back and reflect on those thoughts. That is an important thing because a lot of times that can help us understand ourselves and how we think and work as a person. I would highly recommend that everybody writes something at least once in awhile. And if you have it difficult to talk to a certain person, write them a letter instead. Maybe you have not told your wife/husband lately how much you truly care about them? Write them a letter explaining how much you really appreciate them and how much they mean to you. Ore if you have a friend ore family member that you have lost contact with write them a letter explaining how sorry you are and that you wish to have them back in your life again. Sometimes when we have a difficult time talking to someone we care about that causes us to drift apart instead. It is important to let the other ones know that they are still in our hearts.Writing is a powerful tool that I think that everyone should enjoy.

True Joy Of Giving

True joy of giving is giving without expecting to get anything back. I love giving gifts and making people happy. There is nothing greater than surprising someone with a gift ore flowers when they least expect it. You can see joy in their eyes .I know a lot of people who love giving things away but also expect to get an equal amount back ore more. That is not me. I also think that gift giving can be for other occasions than birthdays anniversaries and Christmas. If someone is sad ore if they have had a rough time, then you can surprise them by giving them appreciation. That can so many times save someone’s day. We live in such a hectic society and we don’t stop to think how other people might live. When we take the bus for example, how often do we greet the bus driver? He ore her sees people come and go the entire day and not many take the time to say, hello ore how are you? Ore the police officer that pulls you over because you went over the speed limit (which you shouldn’t do),now you know that you made a mistake but do you ever say to that police officer, thank you ,you are doing a great job? Many of these professions today are extremely dangerous and for them it could mean the world if they once in awhile got a thank you, have a nice day ore something nice.
The true joy in giving is to give without expecting to get anything back. That applies to that to. You might meet people and follow what I am saying, you say hello to a stranger because you want to cheer them up. Ore you say how are you? Ore you say, what a good job you are doing. Many times you might not get an answer ore not the answer you want.
But do you know what? That does not matter .What matters is that you did try. Don’t feel bad about the person because they did not answer you, just try with someone else. The true joy of giving is to give without expecting to get anything back. Just when you least expect it, someone will come along that you don’t know and that person might just do this to you. That person might ask you, Hello, How are you? If they do then you now know what to answer.

Alcohol Addicted

Some people might argue with me about if someone is an alcoholic ore not.
In 1997 I took a bartender course because I wanted to learn more about alcohol.
At that time I was 27 and I thought to an extend that it was a bit glamorous too.
Mainly that was because I had seen the movie Cocktail with Tom Cruise. So I took the course and passed with flying colors had no idea that I would learn so much about the alcohols affect on the human body. I also learnt how to detect an alcoholic behavior.
It might start when you are young, going out to party on the weekends. After some time you don’t think about the fun planning in going out, you are thinking I have to go out, often with alcohol in mind. Ore if you are a daily drinker, you want that beer to your dinner. When you feel that you HAVE to have that beer, no matter what-then you have an addiction. Some people might argue and say; no I don’t have a problem. It doesn’t matter what they say because I know that I am right. Some people are already into the addiction and might not recognize the problem that it causes. With family and friends, the life that use to be more worth to them than the alcohol. There is also another risk with alcohol that I have gotten to know very well. Drinking and driving. I have been in two serious car accidents where the car that either hit us ore was driven by someone-had been drinking and driving. The first car accident, a friend of mine had been drinking the night before. He and his girlfriend picked me up in the morning without telling me that he had been drinking heavily the night before. On the way back home, my friend wanted to pass a car that he thought went too slow. He accelerated and started to pass the car. What he did not see was that the car in front of that was towing another car. By that time he did not have time to slow down and the crash was a fact. The last thing I saw was the image of the other car come closer and closer and then everything went black. When I woke up again I was sitting by the side of the road. I was in shock. I was convinced that my friend and his girlfriend were killed even though they were sitting right next to me, trying to comfort me. I was brought into the ER for shock. The police called me at the hospital and informed me that my two friends were ok but my friend that was driving, was detained because he had alcohol in his blood. He had been drinking the night before and still had 0.45 percent alcohol in his blood the day after. They never said anything to me. My friend felt really bad that he had caused me going into the His insurance company contacted me regarding getting money from the accident. I declined any money because I thought that there would be a greater lesson learned for my friend. The lesson that alcohol and driving don’t go together. I told him, this time you were lucky but next time you might not be and instead you will either kill yourself ore someone else. We three lost contact but I hope that he never did that again. Everyone has a choice, to stay away from drinking and driving. If they choose to take the car when they have been drinking, then they should not have been drinking in the first place. I don’t think that those people realize what a split second can do. It can change lifes.It can take life’s. I know that breaking an addiction of any kind might be the toughest challenge you have ever had. But it is worth it. In return you get your life back. And more important, you won’t take another life. Family and friends suffer when a family member have alcoholism. As in so many other types of addiction, you can’t help them if they don’t want to be helped. The most successful step is if the alcoholic admits that they have a problem and after that gets support and help from people around them in order to break that habit. It takes a lot of courage and strength but what you get in return is worth it. I would never call anyone stupid , people know within themselves if they have a problem ore not.I hope that you are ready to take that step. Just think twice about what you do when it comes to alcohol. That can change your life. I hardly ever drink and when I do, I stop after one ore two drinks. I don’t enjoy getting drunk, I like being in control of myself when it comes to alcohol. I know that it is not worth it. I have been lucky in the past and I don’t want to be the one who causes anyone else any pain. If you know that you need help there is help to get. The first step is to recognize and admit that you have a problem. The next step is to tell your family and friends about your habit. Step three is to seek help.

Learn Magic - Make People Believe In Miracles

Ever since humans first began to develop rudimentary societies in order
to exploit our innate understanding of the power of our brains to think
on higher planes than primates – and the benefits provided by it such
as the ability to produce methods of protecting against predators, we
have always placed value upon those who appeared to be able to
implement their brains to achieve things that are physically impossible
or unbelievable. Often people who could perform such feats were reputed
to be conversing with the spirits and other supernatural beings due to
the fact that there were no alternative explanations to such phenomena.
Although this may be a rather sceptical view that could prove to be
false, it is feasible that religious belief derived itself from these
‘miracles’ as through merely studying nature and the psychology of the
mind, those who could perform ‘magic’ were extremely revered and could
exercise great authority over those who were devoid of the skill; such
practitioners of the phenomena could explain their skills through
exploiting our yearning for something to believe in – protecting their
exclusivity through claiming that it is the work of some supernatural
being.
Despite the advancement of science within the past few centuries
that has allayed many of the beliefs surrounding such phenomena by
providing scientific explanations as to the reasons behind their
occurrence, many cultures still place great value in Shamans and other
magicians/druids. In the West and other nations that rely upon science
to explain such occurrences, we may have lost our ability to believe in
miracles (there are exceptions to this, though I am speaking
generally,) but we have not significantly altered the composition of
our brains and thus still yearn for something to satisfy our need to
believe in the unbelievable. Thus magic has evolved from being
something that is exclusively spiritual in nature to a form of
entertainment, spawning such famous names as David Blaine, David
Copperfield and Tommy Cooper, among others. Magic has become more of an art form than anything else,
requiring only minimal understanding or skills to accomplish, though it
still relies upon its roots – it exploits the environment around it and
the workings of the human mind – and its gullibility to a lesser
extent. Although not that many people possessive extensive
knowledge/skills of the subject, it is something that still manages to
draw crowds and amaze people. Although there are many ways of learning magic, one of the most
convenient and useful ways due to its far-reaching nature and
accessibility is the Internet. I myself became interested in learning
magic around two years ago, and stumbled upon a website when I was
researching levitation (I am also a practitioner of the martial arts
and esoteric energies.) The website in question opened my eyes to the
extensive world of magic, and I have never looked back since. When
performing magic I not only have to draw upon my other skills such as
acting, but it bestows me with a greater understanding of how the mind
works due to the way in which simple techniques can be subtly combined
to produce feats that seem impossible – such as bending silverware with
the mind. The buzz you receive from others and the rewarding feeling of
satisfying others’ need to believe in ‘miracles’ is something to be
treasured.
Whether you are merely curious about the world of magic or do
truly want to learn a new skill and make others feel good, the link to
the website provided at the end of this abstract will satisfy your
needs. Ellusionist provides all the necessary products to develop your
skill, providing friendly support from fellow magicians through forums
– all at a competitive price. The key to success is to believe.

Where The Internet And Dreams Combine

The Internet: that most powerful of tools that is at the fingertips of almost every person who has access to a computer. Over time it has evolved into one of the most used sources of knowledge due to its ability to link people and their respective information from just about every part of the globe. Despite this, the Internet also has the ability to abuse due to its easily accessible nature, providing people with an outlet for their various fetishes or the latest malicious virus that can be implemented to extract privileged information from users.
Even so, the Internet allows us to expand our knowledge of a wide range of subjects and enrich our lives through being able to discover things that would otherwise be inaccessible to us. Thus it can provide both the initial background of a new skill/hobby to initiate interest and the necessary products/services required to continue it, providing new life experiences that are vital to leading a fulfilled life.
Dreams are something that most people pride themselves on having, providing them with a specific direction in life so that they can achieve their heart's desires - though dreams can also be one of the banes of life for those who procrastinate or become intimidated by the possibility of having to do something that is as yet unknown to them. Failure to achieve dreams can lead to stress or even depression in extreme cases, so it is very important that dreams can transcend the boundaries of mere thought and produce tangible, physical results - whether that be increased income, an extra hobby or a once-in-a-lifetime experience such as skydiving. The Internet can be employed for such a purpose.
So before you begin to judge the Internet by the many horror stories that are told about scams, E-mail viruses (or other malicious software,) and the ease with which explicit content can be viewed, think about one of the long-term dreams that have been lurking within the back of your mind, and implement the Internet to learn more about it - can you achieve it? If so, how and what do you require in order to fulfill it?
The Internet can be a very valuable tool if you know how to use it and have an idea of what you want to achieve in life - just try it.

Scammers

If you are new to the world wide web-beware!Today more than ever the internet is filled with people who are proud to call themself scammers.They make themselfs rich out of fooling you out of money.
We have gone from buying our product in a regular store with cash to buying our products online paying with our creditcards.Many times we have no way of knowing who sees our credit card information.
If you are new to the internet shopping thing you might not realize that alot of the internet companys are scammers.They look legit but in reality,they are just putting up a fasad.You as a customer put your trust in their hands and think that by paying you will get your merchandise.If you come across a scammer the only thing that you will get in return for your money is a lot of grief.I have made the mistake several times not knowing that the internet is full of scammers.There are several easy steps to take in order to prevent this.First of all,only deal with companys that you recognize.Names that you have heard before.Second,if you come across a company that you want to do buisness with but you dont recognize,then before you give out any information about yourself,check to see if they are listed with the better buisness bureau.If they are listed with them then I can assure you that you dont want to do buisness with them.I have made this mistake myself.Me and my husband were going on a vacation and I was going to learn how to scuba dive.we went online and bought a online course.the company that we found looked so legit.We never suspected that anything was wrong.My husband paid almost 300 dollars and we also called the company to make sure that we would have it in time.The man assured us that I would have it in 3-5 days.we waited and waited and nothing came.We called them but they never answered our calls.This made us angry because we started to feel like someone was fooling us for our money.We called them several times a day but the only thing we got was an answering machine.Our vacation came closer and closer and we realized that we had to turn somewhere else in order to buy my scuba course.We went on the better buisness bureau site and saw that the first company was listed on their site.I felt so stupid,if we only had turned to them first.Then we would have seen that ,that company was no good.That whole mess made me so angry because those 300 dollars was money that we had worked hard for,and who were they to cheat that money out of us?A long process and a lot of phonecalls started in order to get any kind of money back from that company.We went on our vacation and we didnt let that bad experience ruin our vacation .I can promise you one thing though,I will never do buisness online again without checking out the company first if I dont know the company.To new internet users I can recomend one thing if you are making any kind of purchase online,make sure that you are doing a transaction with a legit company.Check them out first!Stop the scammers.

Living The Life Like A Movie

We all see movies or we all are at least aware of them. There are some movies which are extraordinary in them selves. When we watch these movies we feel like absorbed in them. For the few hours we just forget who we are, what are our worries, what are our ambitions? We simply enjoy them. We try to imitate our self with the characters of film. It looks to us as it is our own story. We totally surrender our self to the Movie for these two or three hours.

This is the magic of all the people who have made this movie and especially the characters who have made this movie alive. They are so involved in the movie; it looked as they are really living and not acting. By seeing these movies it never looked to us as they are acting. These characters have perfection in their acting’s. They do the job with complete dedication and involvement. Many times a person who is a very good human being in the day to day life perform the role of a villain.

He was so perfect in his acting that people starts heating him because of his convincing villain role in the movie. Similarly is the case with a hero because of his convincing role as hero he become a role model. There acting is the main thing which makes our perception towards them. Like them we can make our life more fruitful and convening. We live a happy and fulfilling life. Only thing which we have to remember is that we are performing in a movie and it is not a real life.

For our good role people will praise us and for our bad role they will hate us. However we should not be either boosted by their praise or let down by their criticisms. Our aim should we to perform best and rest forgets about the results. Life put many challenges in front of us and we are required to face them boldly. Those people who perform them in better way become the heroes of life. It is a big art and if we become perfect in it then we can make our life a hit.

The Da Vinci Code Web Quest

The Da Vinci Code Web Quest is an online quest which makes the players to feel as if they are in the real detective world. The six stages which make up the quest are very interesting.
Stage-1: The computer asks the user a question that is very easy. The clue to the answer is this. The first three letters form a zodiac sign and the last two letters form the present form of did.

Stage-2: The second stage is somewhat typical when seen first and then, it becomes easy when your mouse rolls on the question. The clue to the answer is this. The night meal.

Stage-3: The third stage is filled with confusing fonts.Ask the hint to the site to unravel the code. The clue to the answer is this. Try to interpret 'de non'. If you still dont find the answer, go for google search.

Stage-4: This is a rather long stage which involves interesting navigations. The code can be deciphered if you type it in a word processor five letters for one line and read the text vertically down.
'->Go' to the answer and open the envelope to contact the hero.
after you recieve mail from hero, please note your name as mentioned in the mail. In the auction see the buyers comment and plot the bottom of page.
Go with the name and password is the favourite series of numbers of sauniere.
Shocked! now go through the message and find the important name(as i mentioned in some lines before)
Go to ____________________________books.com
Send a mail to the important person and recieve a reply.
Again name is not a problem and password is 'The Merchant of ____________________'
Go to the (4+6+7+9-6-7-9+11-5-6)th item and get excited.
Stage-5: Confused! No problem . 'A Nearby Kite Hovers'.
Stage-6: Yes it is easy. You can go on with it easier. The implication was the creation of the Da Vinci Code.

Photography

What is photography? The first one coming to my mind is love. Yes, I'm not crazy and I'm not a photographer either - I could not snap a photo of my little brother who is only 5 feet to save my life. The poor chap would be lucky if I managed to get half of his head in. Yet, I love life, earth, I love beautiful things and perversely, I love queer things. Therefore, being a student at university and having access to internet 24/7; I love to browse, to search, to run after articles, stories and most of all images. I came about this site - www.konfortion.com where you can buy the pictures or simply admire the beautiful photos. I was literally licking my screen! This photographer managed to catch the light of flowers; the grin of his boxers; the gleam of cuttlery. I wanted the coffee beans and I'm going to visit Italy during the summer holidays after seeing his pictures of Pisa, Colosseum, Venise and Florence. There are also pictures of dream destinations like Mauritius and more. I could go on for hours but I'm going to end here so that you can check his site out for yourself! Go readers, see and dream!

Black Men In America.Com

Black Men In America.com is the premier online magazine for Black men. The founder is Gary A. Johnson, "certified management trainer, facilitator, consultant and coach."
This website is 100% black-owned and has many features that are of interest to African men, African women, African children, and anyone with a genuine interest in Black Men In America. It provides a forum, a space for articles, photographs (a photo gallery), and many links (Black links, Latin links, The Poet's Perspective, Speaker's Bureau, Book Review/Excerpts, $$$Money Talks$$$, Business Resources/Tips, Popular Music Reviews, Banner Exchange, etc.). Those concerned about the many issues, global and personal, that confront African men throughout the diaspora, daily and historically, from the problems of image, to economics, to the regeneration of the African masculine spirit, the material, intellectual, social and spiritual well-being of African men, should visit this website. (And to quote from the website: "Ladies, c'mon in. We got something for you too!" )
So while you're surfing the net, surf in, read the articles, contribute your comments, look at the fine photographs, connect to the links, buy some products, stay for a visit, read, listen, learn. And sign the guest book.

Ebay.Com

On the news from a Manchester, New Hampshire television station it was noted a pair of young men were taken for a ride on Ebay. This can hardly be construed as the fault of the webpage itself. Like anything in life, the buyer must be beware of such online transactions. I prefer to try on shoes before buying them. I particularily do not trust most catalogues as they show pretty items on thier pages. When the final product arrives, it seems to have lost its glamour and cost me several dollars in postage and handling.
Online purchases are nothing more than electronic magazines filled with colorful choices for your credit cards. Not all those delicious treats to sate our appetite for life are negative. Many are truly legitimate. In fact the vast majority are. So how does one tell the difference?
For starters, if an article of clothing says it is a size five, maybe that is in that style. For the buyer though a sixe six is more correct. Only after receiving the not as blue as it was on the monitor and the wrong size to boot, it must be returned at the buyer's expense.
In the case of the Ebay purchasers, the sellers reneged on delivery after receipt of payment. One young man bought an engagement ring from an honest sounding person. The money was sent as directed. Suddenly there was no ring. There was no delivery. And adding salt to the wound, the purveyor can not be found either.
The second instance was the purchase of an automobile. These types of transactions every day online. Tremendous amounts of dollars change hands without a glich. In this deal the buyer mailed four thousand dollars as told. All was well in Camelot until, yes, you guessed it, there was no car. Once more another hopeful deal went unfulfilled.
Does this mean one should not buy anything online at all? The answer is a resounding No.
Know who you are buying from in every possible way. Insure the seller is not out only to rob you of your hard earned cash. When in doubt, research the deal and when in doubt, Don't Buy It!
It is so insulting to the countless reputable dealers on Ebay to have to be smeared by actions of a dishonest few. It is equally gratifying to know that those honest people do exist to satisfy our need for things we really don't need but truly do want. Keep up the good work Ebay.

Before The Flood

Another antediluvian civilisation?:

Before the Flood, is essentially a work of merit. The central hypothesis of the book is that, there was a great antediluvian civilisation in ancient Anatolia (modern day Turkey, in close proximity to the Black Sea). This hypothesis is intriquing for three reasons: Firstly, conventional academia and archaeology doesn't recognise that there was such an advanced civilisation before the Sumerian civilisation (which was only a couple of thousand years B.C); secondly, it flies in the face of the beliefs of the Egyptologists - that Pharaonic Egypt was the first great civilisation; thirdly, it runs contrary to the claims of an alternative ancient history - that a great civilisation called Atlantis once existed.

Using Plato's famous account of the fall and submerging of a great continent called Atlantis (circa 9,000 B.C.), and ancient chronicles of a great flood as his base, Wilson then branches out to examine the evidence for such occurences. He outlines the continual discoveries being carried out by the diver, Robert Ballard, around the area of the Black Sea, determining and concluding that there was an advanced civilisation in Anatolia in the distant past. Much of the archaeological artefacts that have been discovered around the Black Sea do seem to back up this belief, though his contention that the Flood was a local event is not as solid. In addition, he traces the commonality of female deities around the eastern Mediterreanean and Black Sea, connecting them to a root in Anatolia, from which they all sprouted.

Where the book is slightly monotonous, is that it tends to recant a lot of the discoveries and underwater explorations of Ryan and Pitman and recently Robert Ballard. These have been well documented in the media - National Geographic even covering it as his 'Search for Noah's Ark' - Wilson tends to repeat a lot of this. Accepted is the fact that this ground-breaking work had to be covered but perhaps it is covered at too great a length?
Also, his premise that the Black Sea is the only part of the world that has suffered extensively from sea erosion and was massively inundated, is being demonstrated to be wrong, as more and more places are being found that bear the halmarks of this occurence.

Notwithstanding the aforesaid, the main impression is that Wilson has demonstrated originality of thinking and fresh ideas in much of this book; as the opening paragraph infers, this theory or angle of ancient history has never been touched on before. For this alone, Wilson deserves much credit. 'Before the Flood' is, a new theory in the whirlpool of ancient history.

Before The Flood

Signs in the Sky

"A prelude to the great revelation":

'Signs in the sky' is a book that starts off at one compass point but gradually extends out to several different points. Using the intriquing fact that both the Mayan calendar and the ancient Egpytians predicted the end of the world or a great cataclysm would take place in the year 2012, Adrian Gilbert proceeds to tackle, the ancients' knowledge of Astronomy, Biblical prophecies - musings of Jesus which have survived in the Gospels today, and then premises the belief that we are in the `End times'.
The book is thought-provoking from start to finish, and really is like a detective story, especially when Gilbert recalls his time and experiences in the Holy Land. It's then the purpose and meaning of his mission unfolds itself, like a hitherto unwrapped present. This part is the most compelling, his travels and experiences around the Near East delving into the ancients' passion for Astronomy, seeking to divine arcane knowledge. It is here he is most effective, as he convincingly proposes the solution to the mystery of the Pyramids and their direct relevance for today and in the midst of his quest, discovers formidable evidence connecting Jesus and Christianity to Egypt - something long held by `Heretics' to be true.
It will appeal to different types of lay readers, as it is quite adaptable in its tone: Astronomy lovers, New Age devotees, Apocalyptic messengers, and even aficionados of ancient religions can find something of note in it. Gilbert - describing himself as a believing Christian - at times on his quest, is overwhelmed by startling discoveries coming at him in bolts, as legion as autumn's leaves falling from their trees.
The main weapon in Gilbert's armoury, - which will appeal to the scientifically-minded and those influenced and convinced by evidence based on computers and technology -, is his uncanny reliance on a computer programme of the stars. When he enters data for the Constellation of Orion and planetary movements, the results reveal great significance presently for the Holy Land and also point to some sort of future event and rare astronomical alignment occurring. At this point, it behoves one to ask the question: could both the Mayans and the ancient Egyptians really be right? The strength and merit of the book is that its solid foundations give rise to such questions.
The Signs in the Sky is a book for these times; entertaining, profound, apocalyptic, but also logical and scientific. Everything moves at a swift pace - the essence of a detective story. But most of all, the book is not depressing or pervading with a sense of foreboding. The author has an optimistic outlook; he feels that whilst there will be great changes and upheavals in the world, ultimately the great revelation, may not be that bad but may actually herald some sort of renewal.

Philippians

The Book of Philippians

This Book of the New Testament is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Philippi. Opening the letter, Paul thanks God for the Philippians who have been a blessing to him and a blessing to the early church movement. He prays that the Philippians may increase their love more and more so that their discernment of that which is right and moral may be made clear until the second coming of the Christ.

Paul then writes a status report of his current circumstances. It seems that Paul has undergone great persecution for the sake of preaching the Gospel, but for this he is not dismayed. He feels that it is his courage in the face of persecution that has encouraged many of the early Christians to do as he has done- preach the gospel fearlessly. He writes that while there are those that preach Christ with a pure heart, there are many that preach out of envy and rivalry, some out of selfish ambition, etc. Paul writes that it doesn’t really matter what kind of motives people have when sharing the gospel, as long as the truth is preached. Paul writes that he exalts in his current persecution because for him, sacrifice and death in this world is not to lose life, but to gain it in Christ. While he says this, he recognizes that it would be foolish for him to suddenly martyr himself because he knows that he must continue living and continue training the Philippians to grow in faith and joy.

The second part of Paul’s letter consists of exhorting the Philippians towards imitating Christ. Paul writes that if the Philippians have received the joy of Christ’s salvation, then they should all endeavor to unite in spirit and purpose. In order to do this, Paul writes, the Philippians must develop a heart of humility, looking down upon selfish ambitions and working towards the betterment of others. This kind of selfless heart is best exemplified in the death of Jesus Christ upon the cross who being God, turned himself into a servant and sacrificed himself so that the world would be reconciled and purified. Paul also writes that a part of humility is not complaining and becoming children of God – pure and blameless. All this so that on the day of Christ, the Philippians may be justified in the redeeming salvation they have received and that Paul may be justified in his efforts.

The third part of the letter consists of two parts. In the first part, Paul tells the Philippians that he will soon be sending Timothy and Epaphroditus, two other early church leaders. These two, much like Paul himself, are competent in teaching the scripture and have been through great persecution and trials for Christ. Paul encourages the Philippians to welcome them with open arms. In the second part, Paul writes about having absolutely no confidence in the flesh, or in other words, no confidence in birthright or achievements of this world as justifications of righteousness. Instead, Paul writes, what matters the most is faith in God and knowing Jesus Christ. Writing on a more personal level, Paul writes that all that he achieved in the Judaic tradition of law, he considers as loss compared to the redemption he has experienced through Christ. This redemption is so great, Paul writes, that he strives to become like Christ, to share in the suffering of righteousness and to give himself up fully for the sake of truth.

Paul wraps up the letter with some final exhortations, telling the Philippians to press onward in loving each other, purifying themselves, and living Godly lives. Paul encourages all to forget what happened in the past and keep their eyes fixed on the goal because the destiny of the believer is to be united with God in heaven. Paul also encourages all to rejoice constantly in the Lord and to develop a strong faith through prayer and petition. He says that it is not right to dwell on the negative, but to always keep one’s mind focused on all that is right and worthy so that one can more easily live a Godly liiffe.

All in all, Philippians is a book of the Bible that encourages believers to be steadfast in the face of persecution and gives justification for a living pure life and having faith. The justification for all this is Jesus Christ, the centerpiece of the Christian faith who set a standard of godliness and sacrifice through his life, works, and final act- dying on the cross for the sins of mankind.

Love In The Time Of Cholera

Love in the Time of Cholera is set at the turn of the century in a
fictional city in the Caribbean. The novel tells the story of
Florentino Ariza’s deep and unfading Love for Fermina Daza. When he
first reveals his feelings to her, she is still young and inexperienced
and is greatly intrigued by her admirer although she does not even know
him. The two characters almost never talk to each other but write daily
letters, and the girl eventually promises to marry her secret lover.
However, as Fermina grows up, she realizes that their relationship is
not based on love but merely on a childish illusion, so she breaks off
the engagement. Instead she marries Dr. Juvenal Urbino, the most
popular and desired man in the city. During the fifty years of her
marriage, she hardly ever remembers Florentino, but he, on the
contrary, continues to think of her as his only love. Despite the
innumerable affairs which he has, Florentino never develops an
attachment to another woman; he spends his life dreaming about the
moment when Dr. Urbino will die, and Fermina will be free. When this
event occurs, Florentino immediately reminds Fermina of his love, and
she is scandalized by the impropriety of his words. However, he
persists and she gradually becomes very attached to him – not because
of what he used to be in the past but because of what he is at present.
The two characters set off on a boat trip, and after a while become
lovers. In order to prevent a scandal, Florentino orders the captain to
raise a flag signifying that there is a cholera infection on board. As
a result, no port will allow the boat to dock, and the two lovers are
destined to travel along the river forever.

Othello

Many people don't give William Shakespeare all the credit he is due! This is especially seen in the play "Othello". Here, William Shakespeare brings to the table a very sicky situation that, well.. gets the best of every one. We have the play's namesake, Othello. He is a black war general for Venice. Then you have his very young and naive wife Desdemona, who is very loyal.There is a man names Roderigo, who goes to the limit to woo Desdemona, despite the fac that she is married. There is also, Michael Cassio- he is second hand man to Othello and he holds a very honorable position. And finally, there is Iago, the coniving, manipulative, yet smart villian who eventually takes over everyone in the play. His plan is to completely anihilate Othello and everyone in his tracks. What is so fascinating is that Shakespeare was able to create such a malignant character as Iago. For instance, he uses everything around him to make people fall in the deepest holes. A perfect example of this is when Iago persuades Cassio to drink more than he should. You see, Cassio already has an understanding of his limit, yet Iago got him to drink more. This later leads Cassio to get into a fight with Roderigo( who he previously convinced that Cassio was sleeping with Desdemona) and he is later deposed form his position. But keep in mind, this is just a taste of what Iago does to everyone in the play. I personally believe, that Othello is wonderful play. It is very complex because, Shakespeare introduces many many themes, such as good vs evil, manipulation,sexuality,spirituality, prejudice and even tranformation of characters. It is almost impossible to comprehend how one man could create such an involving story surrounding virtually only 5 characters! He uses each character to build on another. I 'd recommend this book to anyone, especially someone who loves to find the deeper meaning of things!

Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution

Hi there again just thought I would write about another topic on this wonderful website. This time its regarding the book Dr Atkins' diet revolution. All these books about how to diet and how to lose weight etc are a crock of s***. If you really put your mind to it you can do it all by yourself. All it takes is some will power and feeling very strong and not getting emotional about your weight. If you think about it, you need to cut out the bad stuff in your diet like fat, cholestrol. Saturated fat is the worst if you can do that you have it made. I am living proof of this method, I do it every day. As I said cut out the bad stuff, if you can't do it all at once gradually get into, cut one item out at a time. But don't give up ! Thats the worst thing you can do. I said that is what I do and it is, but I started out by putting myself on one cup of soup and a apple per day to get down to my ideal weightf for my height. Then I continued on my quest of healthy eating by cutting out all the fat in my diet. The only fat I eat now is in a little cheese every now and again but even then I choose the fat free cheese slices. I also eat pizza and enjoy desserts like everyone else I just eat desserts that have no fat like jello puddings and marshmellows and jello and lots of fruits and veggies. I enjoy my food alot better now than I ever did because I know I am looking after my body. I read the atkins diet and he has a few good points but I don't agree with all of his methods I feel if your going to do anything you need to do it yourself. I also feel that lots of excercise is very important, I do alot of swimming which is good for your muscles and your cardio work out. I also do jogging and skipping and bike riding. which are very good for you too. I don't go crazy, but I do a least one hour per day.

The Catcher In The Rye

A Catcher in the Rye is a highly misunderstood novel, mostly because
everyone was forced to read it early on in high school and not allowed
to enjoy it on its own merits. There have even been controversies over
some of the colorful language that the main character uses, but every
word is necessary. Even if you have read it once and don't think you
will like it - please give it a second shot. Salinger is a genius who
actually believes in the characters that he creates.

In this classic novel, the action follows a 17-year old boy named
Holden Caulfield who is recounting his story to a psychoanalyst, whom
many would argue is Buddy Glass from several of Salinger's other works.
Holden has been thrown out of another school and comes home to New York
City without telling his family (except his little sister Phoebe, who
he sneaks over to talk to). He deals with many basic issues of life:
sexuality, self-image, personality, even death. He values innocence,
hence why he enjoys hanging out with his little sister so much, and he
shuns the phoniness of basically everyone else in New York. He runs
into problems with a dishonest hooker, uninteresting girls in a bar,
fake acting people from school, and various of life's other problems.

Salinger's language crafts a character that every single person can
relate to in some way. All of his words are as universal to human kind
as two arms and two legs. A definate must read.

Salinger has also written several other novels and novellas including
Nine Stories, Franny and Zooey, Raise High the Roofbeem Carpenters and
Seymour: An Introduction. He also wrote over 40 short Stories for The
New Yorker during the 60s but they have never legally been published as
a collection and are more difficult to find. Please see my reviews for
Nine Stories and Franny and Zooey if you'd like to know more about them.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy was originally a radio-broadcasted
series that became an instant classic. Douglas Adams' interstellar
adventure follows the life of a 30
something Brit named Arthur Dent as the universe is revealed to him in
it's true form. Through the help of his friend Ford Prefect, a native
to Betelgeuse who had been living under the guise of being an out of
work actor while being
stranded on Earth for 15 years, Arthur leaves Earth before it is
destroyed and learns how to hitchhike across the galaxy. Prefect is a
roving writer for the infamous Hitchhikers Guide the Galaxy, a
comically blunt resource to all who wish to travel the universe. During
his adventures (which continue in the books that follow: Life the
Universe and Everything, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, So
Long and Thanks for All the Fish, and Mostly Harmless), Arthur
befriends a depressed robot, a two-headed egomaniac, a spaceship with a
mind of its own, and many other colorful characters.
He learns that not only is the Earth not the only place where life
abounds in the Universe, but that it has also been shunned by everyone
else for being unfashionable.
The style of Douglas Adams is light and amusing, while imbedded with
ingenious similes and textual pranks. He delivers his impeccable
British wit with the humor and grace of a Dave Barry column. Yet,
nothing is lost in the plot! The action is exciting, the descriptions
are engaging, and the social commentary (while nonpartisan) is a
riot.
Besides the Hitchhikers Series, he has also written several other
books, such as Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, The Long Dark
Tea Time of the Soul, Starship Titanic (co-written with Terry Jones of
Monty Python), and The Salmon of Doubt (published posthumously).
This is a MUST READ. I have owned the book for 11 years and have read it at least twice each year.
I recommend it to anyone who enjoys Terry Pratchett, Dave Barry, Monty Python, Red Dwarf, Mr. Bean, Star Wars, or Star Trek.

The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe

The second book in the Trilogy of Four Parts, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe continues to chronicle the intergalactic journeys of the only two surviving Earthlings – long suffering straight-man Arthur Dent and free-spirited Tricia McMillan (Trillian, for short). Travelling through the galaxy has worked them up quite an appetite, and with the help of Galactic President Zaphod Beeblebrox, they pay a visit to a highly unlikely (in fact impossible) bistro that has the dubious distinction of constantly bearing witness to the destruction of the universe for the viewing pleasure of its patrons.

The Restaurant picks up where The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy leaves off and continues to establish the stories of both Arthur Dent, who bumbles through the increasingly confusing universe, and Zaphod Beeblebrox, who is mired in a diabolical plot involving his role as figurehead President of the Galaxy. They travel in the ship Heart of Gold, which cruises instantly across space and is powered by the sheer improbability of its existence.

A hilarious chronicle of the ridiculous nature of the entire universe that has stood the test of time and exists in several forms of media (radio, TV, books and now a major motion picture), the saga of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy takes Arthur Dent on time-bending journey to prehistoric Earth, where he discovers not only that humans evolved from a race of salesmen, security guards, and telephone booth sanitizers, but that the meaning of life isn’t anything close to what everyone expected it would be.
Douglas Adams is the original master of the comedy/science fiction genre. Each book in the series is as well written as the next, and the plot is both confusing and enlightening. Readers would be best advised to start the series with the first book, as this is the only way that the saga will make anything close to sense. That is an integral part of its charm; the series is both an absurdist philosophical masterpiece and constantly funny.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

The beginning of the infamous 'Trilogy in Four Parts', the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy follows the unfortunate but hilarious intergalactic journeys of British every-man Arthur Dent. Fleeing the smoking ruins of planet Earth with a wise-cracking alien named Ford Prefect, and a certain electronic book identified with the pink, friendly letters 'Don't Panic,' they hitch some dangerous rides and go on to meet galactic notables such as the President of the Universe and the mice who designed the Earth; all of whom are seeking the answer to life, the universe, and well, everything!
The Hitchhiker’s Guide turns just about every time honoured idea about fiction writing on its head. Beginning with the destruction of the Earth is definately a first in the history of novel-writing, and the inventiveness of the book’s humour is its real strength. It is simultaneously a satire of the silliness of the real world and an imaginative account of what the universe would be like if it made as little sense as life on Earth does. Against the backdrop of infinite possibility (and hilarity), the only thing anyone in the universe really wants is for existence to have a little meaning.

The plot is both fascinating and hopelessly complicated -- Adams’ writing style is an absolute treasure. Hitchhiker’s Guide weaves a rich tapestry of absurdly involving characters against a detailed and equally insane galactic history. The narrative of the Guide itself serves as a refreshing narrative that adds the essential element to the story; a kind of serious yet sarcastic frivilousness with an eternal hipness that transcends the generations. The sheer history of the story itself and the many mediums it has occupied are testaments to this style.

While the saga of Arthur Dent's quest through the universe exists in many forms (radio, TV, books, and now a major motion picture), the book series represents the most complete and coherent version of the story. Never boring or predictable, The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy is an opus for the ridiculous side of reality. No traveller, intergalactic or domestic, should miss it.

The Lord of the Rings Part One: The Fellowship of the Ring

The Fellowship of the Ring began where The Hobbit left off. The story begins at the shire with Bilbo Baggins throwing a birthday party for himself, but it was also a going away party too. He was left all of his belongings to his relatives and he left the ring to his nephew, Frodo. Gandalf, the grey wizard, came and told Frodo that Golum, an evil creature corrupted by the ring, told the evil forces of Sauron where to find the ring. Frodo desides that he must take the ring to be destroyed before it gets taken into the hands of Sauron. (The ring has the power to turn one invisible) Gandalf went to enlist the help of his friend Sarumon, a wizard of great power, but finds that he has been corrupted by his lust for power and fights Gandalf because he will not join him. Gandalf excapes from the top of Sarumons tower. Frodo gets taken to the elven city where he meets up with different races of people, such as elves, men, and dwarves. They make a group called the fellowship of the ring, whos main goal is to see the ring destroyed. They leave the elven city and go through the caverns of Moria. These caverns are the homes to the dwarves. They have found that the dwarves had been slaughtered by they orcs, Sauron's evil warriors. One of the hobbits, knocks over a bucket into a well and notifies the orcs of their presence. There is a battle and this is when they meet up with the Belroc, an evil creature from the Shadows. They flee from it but Gandalf, while trying to keep the Belroc from passing the bridge of Amandia, gets pulled down into the Shadows by the Belroc. Then they go to the elf witch who shows Frodo what will happen if his mission to destroy the ring fails. Meanwhile, Sarumon turns his tower into a breeding ground for orcs and sends them to capture the hobits to get the ring. His attempt fails and Frodo and Sam leave on their own to continue the journey alone toward Mordor, the land of Sauron.

-Authors comments: The book was great. The genius behind it was immense. Tolkien created each of these races of men, elves, and dwarves and given them history, culture, and a language of their own. The symbolism behind the ring is truely amazing. The ring could represent so many things in our own lives such as money, fame or even happiness, and how corrupt that we can become to get the ring. We can become so caught up in things that we truely become something evil like the character, Golum. Or when we get involved with the ring it can consume us, but their is hope to get out of it. And when we do we are never quite the same. And those who can resist the power of the ring, will truely become great and who they were meant to be.

Poetics

Allegedly a collection of lecture notes, Aristotle's
"Poetics" seeks to chronicle traits and similarities of successful
tragedies of his time. It is important to note here, however,
that most scholars agree the term "tragedy" as Aristotle used it refers
not to our modern ideals of a Hamlet-esque denouement but rather to all
forms of drama, with the exception of slapstick comedy. The term
"tragedy" is allegedly named after any play that qualified in the drama
competitions, though some people dispute this. Aristotle winnowed
out six general qualities that serve to make a sound tragedy: Plot,
Character, Thought, Diction, Melody and Spectacle. These are
still fundamental to much of the drama being written today (with the
obvious exception of avant-garde dramatists such as Brecht).
Plot is by far the most important constituent to
Aristotle. He maintains that there should be a "unity of plot" in
the sense that it should develop from beginning to end in an organized
and logical manner. The beginning is what requires nothing to
come before it and the middle to come after it etc. The end is
that which requires nothing to come after it yet is a logical
continuation of the beginning and the middle. Aristotle also
points out the presence of "peripeteia" in many of the plays he
studied. This is commonly referred to as the reversal, and is
still very prominent and surprisingly effective after thousands of
years. The film "The Usual Suspects" springs to mind as an
excellent (Oscar-winning) example. Without plot, says the
philosopher, nothing else matters.
Character and Thought are complementary qualities,
and the line between them is often indistinct. Thought is perhaps
the more easily identifiable of the two, it is generally what is
expressed through the character's dialogue and actions. Character
is subtler and is usually comprised of the internal motivations and
quirks of characters that make them behave they way they do. The
need to speak a soliloquy could be borne out of Character, though he
expresses Thought.
Aristotle's chapters on Diction are concerned mainly
with spoken language and metaphor, as could be imagined. He
argues for the dramatist to take the "middle road" between expressing
himself clearly and yet not coarsely. He divides metaphor into
four sections according to usage, though perhaps it is more obvious to
the reader in Greek.
Melody and Spectacle are never addressed directly in
"Poetics", another reason most people think they are incomplete
outlines for a lecture. However, melody is generally accepted to
represent the tone of the work, and how the plot should keep in the
same tone so as to avoid confusion. This is not to mean that a
tragedy should be devoid of humor, but that the humor should be
well-founded in the plot and carried throughout the piece.
Spectacle is often compared to modern filmmaking as Aristotle uses it
to refer to the visual presentation of the piece.
Two important words that Aristotle uses in his work
are "mimesis" and "katharsis". Mimesis is often translated,
though rather roughly, as "imitation". As Aristotle used it the
word signifies the sharing of artistic visions through some variety of
representation. It is the ability to create in someone else's
mind the images and ideas of your own, and in fact is at the heart of
filmmaking even today. Katharsis is translated usually as
"purification", and was central to the tragedy of Grecian life that
this essay can't delve into. To put it shortly, tragedy was often
used as a tool to "cleanse" the emotion that accompanied the difficult
lives they lived. It was a way to release these feelings so one
could return to the toils of daily life. The feeling is often
compared to the sense of relief and emptiness that usually occurs after
crying during a movie. Afterwards, you can return to your own
life and observe that what you have to go through everyday isn't all
that bad, or at least as not as bad as it could be.
Now that you have a rough idea of what to expect, go check it out.

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