Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Man Trapped in a Lavatory for 100 hours
LONDON (Reuters) - A retired Scottish school teacher was recovering on Monday after spending nearly four days trapped inside a men's toilet with no food or mobile phone.
David Leggat was locked inside the bathroom at a lawn bowling club near the Scottish city of Aberdeen after the door jammed and the handle on the outside fell off. The 55-year-old kept warm by dipping his feet in hot water but only managed to get about three hours' sleep a night in the freezing temperatures, the local Evening Express newspaper reported.
He was rescued when the cleaner at the club, which is little used in winter, turned up to collect her cleaning equipment. Leggat said a survival course he had once done had helped him endure his captivity. The cleaning lady said he looked shaken and grey when he emerged. Leggat was stoical.
"At least there was a toilet to use," he said. "The only thing I regret is not getting trapped behind the bar."
Source: Reuters
John Darwin - The case continues
LONDON (Reuters) - A British man, who is facing fraud charges after he "returned from the dead" five years after going missing, had grown a beard and used an assumed name to hide the fact he was still alive, police said Monday.
John Darwin, 57, walked into a London police station last week claiming amnesia after apparently drowning at sea in a canoeing accident five years ago, sparking days of international media coverage.
Cleveland Police in northeast England issued a photo of Darwin with a straggly beard and appealed for information from anyone who might have known him under the name John Jones.
Earlier Monday Darwin was remanded in custody until December 14 at Hartlepool Magistrates Court charged with obtaining money by deception and making a false declaration to get a passport.
Earlier Monday Darwin was remanded in custody until December 14 at Hartlepool Magistrates Court charged with obtaining money by deception and making a false declaration to get a passport.
Police said they had also started questioning his wife Anne, 55, who they arrested on suspicion of fraud Sunday following her return from Panama, where she had recently moved. Detective Superintendent Tony Hutchinson told reporters that Mrs Darwin was cooperating with police. "She's not saying 'no comment' to every question," he said.
Hutchinson said there was nothing to suggest that couple's sons were anything other than victims of the suspected deception, adding that he felt "dreadfully sorry" for them. "They have believed for the past five years their father is dead," said Hutchinson. "Now they find out that not only is he alive, but he has been arrested. And they now find out from the newspapers that their mother knew that their father was alive."
The sons said last week they wanted no further contact with their parents after their mother told newspapers a photo of her and her husband taken together in Panama last year was genuine. Hutchinson said the motive for Darwin's reappearance and earlier disappearance remained unknown.
He said Darwin's sons could not identify any event which could have triggered the disappearance, but said police would investigate whether there were financial issues.
International coverage of the case had resulted in "countless calls" to police with information about the couple as well as emails from Spain and the Caribbean, Hutchinson said. He appealed for the flow of information to continue.
"We need to know where Mr and Mrs Darwin have been both in Europe and North and South America. We need to know who they have been with and we need to know what they have been doing."
Anne Darwin had had reported her husband missing in 2002 when he failed to return home after canoeing in the North Sea near their home in Hartlepool, northeast England.
A few weeks later the shattered remains of his red kayak were discovered. A coroner declared Darwin dead in 2003 after a police inquiry.
A few weeks later the shattered remains of his red kayak were discovered. A coroner declared Darwin dead in 2003 after a police inquiry.
Source: Reuters
Shahrukh Khan - The King
When Shah Rukh sent an impromptu message asking all his associates to come to a suburban five-star hotel on Monday afternoon, they were quite surprised as no one knew the reason behind the get-together.
SRK not only sent a message to Red Chillies's SFX team and top officials but also to all his cooks, drivers, and clerks inviting them all to the do. When all the members gathered at the hall, booked by Shah Rukh Khan and his wife Gauri, they were in for a pleasant surprise.
What followed was a huge celebration to celebrate the success of SRK's production company, Red Chillies. SRK, Gauri, Farah Khan, and other friends of SRK made it a point to celebrate and thank all those who have been associated with the actor's company and films. Apart from the champagne, wine and a lavish spread of food personally selected by Shah Rukh and Gauri, bonus cheques were handed over to each and every member present there. (Incidentally, Vidhu Vinod Chopra usually follows this custom too, of distributing bonus to his employees, from the profits of hit films.)
Says a source present at the do, "Everyone was quiet surprised by SRK's gracious gesture. Initially, no one had a clue about the reason behind the party. But SRK is great. He decided to share the profits made by his company with everyone rather than enjoy it just by himself. This obviously is a kind gesture as it was not a part of any deal or contract that he'd pay a bonus to all his employees. He simply wants all the people working with him to enjoy and be a part of his success. Everyone was very surprised."
Adds another employee from Red Chillies Studio, "This is quite difficult to digest especially in an industry where we have to stand outside the producer's office to get our dues. Getting a share of the company's excess profits is really unheard of in this industry."
While the hall was packed and everyone was cheering and celebrating, SRK and Gauri personally thanked each employee for their services.
Source: Mumbai Mirror
Monday, December 10, 2007
The Rose Within
A man planted a rose and watered it faithfully and before it blossomed, he examined it.
He saw the bud that would soon blossom, but noticed thorns upon the stem and he thought, "How can any beautiful flower come from a plant burdened with so many sharp thorns? Saddened by this thought, he neglected to water the rose, and just before it was ready to bloom... it died.
So it is with many people. Within every soul there is a rose. The God-like qualities planted in us at birth, grow amid the thorns of our faults. Many of us look at ourselves and see only the thorns, the defects.
We despair, thinking that nothing good can possibly come from us. We neglect to water the good within us, and eventually it dies. We never realize our potential.
Some people do not see the rose within themselves; someone else must show it to them. One of the greatest gifts a person can possess is to be able to reach past the thorns of another, and find the rose within them.
This is one of the characteristic of love... to look at a person, know their true faults and accepting that person into your life... all the while recognizing the nobility in their soul. Help others to realize they can overcome their faults. If we show them the "rose" within themselves, they will conquer their thorns. Only then will they blossom many times over.
He saw the bud that would soon blossom, but noticed thorns upon the stem and he thought, "How can any beautiful flower come from a plant burdened with so many sharp thorns? Saddened by this thought, he neglected to water the rose, and just before it was ready to bloom... it died.
So it is with many people. Within every soul there is a rose. The God-like qualities planted in us at birth, grow amid the thorns of our faults. Many of us look at ourselves and see only the thorns, the defects.
We despair, thinking that nothing good can possibly come from us. We neglect to water the good within us, and eventually it dies. We never realize our potential.
Some people do not see the rose within themselves; someone else must show it to them. One of the greatest gifts a person can possess is to be able to reach past the thorns of another, and find the rose within them.
This is one of the characteristic of love... to look at a person, know their true faults and accepting that person into your life... all the while recognizing the nobility in their soul. Help others to realize they can overcome their faults. If we show them the "rose" within themselves, they will conquer their thorns. Only then will they blossom many times over.
Eagles in a Storm
Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks?
The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it.
The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.
When the storms of life come upon us - and all of us will experience them - we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow God's power to lift us above them.
God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure and disappointment in our lives. We can soar above the storm.
Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them.
The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it.
The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.
When the storms of life come upon us - and all of us will experience them - we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow God's power to lift us above them.
God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure and disappointment in our lives. We can soar above the storm.
Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them.
The Gift of Life
On the very first day, God created the cow. He said to the cow, "Today I have created you! As a cow, you must go to the field with the farmer all day long. You will work all day under the sun! I will give you a life span of 50 years."
The cow objected, "What? This kind of a tough life you want me to live for 50 years? Let me have 20 years, and the 30 years I'll give back to you." So God agreed.
On the second day, God created the dog. God said to the dog, "You are supposed to do is to sit all day by the door of your house. Any people that come in, you will have to bark at them! I'll give a life span of 20 years."
The dog objected, "What? All day long to sit by the door? No way! I give you back my other 10 years of life!" So God agreed.
On the third day, God created the monkey. He said to the monkey, "Monkeys have to entertain people. You've got to make them laugh and do monkey tricks. I'll give you 20 years life span."
The monkey objected. "What? Make them laugh? Do monkey faces and tricks? Ten years will do, and the other 10 years I'll give you back." So God agreed.
On the fourth day, God created man and said to him, "Your job is to sleep, eat, and play. You will enjoy very much in your life. All you need to do is to enjoy and do nothing. This kind of life, I'll give you a 20 year life span."
The man objected. "What? Such a good life! Eat, play, sleep, do nothing? Enjoy the best and you expect me to live only for 20 years? No way, man!....Why don't we make a deal? Since the cow gave you back 30 years, and the dog gave you back 10 years and the monkey gave you back 10 years, I will take them from you! That makes my life span 70 years, right?" So God agreed.
AND THAT'S WHY.... In our first 20 years, we eat, sleep, play, enjoy the best and do nothing much. For the next 30 years, we work all day long, suffer and get to support the family. For the next 10 years, we entertain our grandchildren by making monkey faces and monkey tricks. And for the last 10 years, we stay at home, sit by the front door and bark at people!
Value
A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?"
Hands started going up.
He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this." He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up.
He then asked, "Who still wants it?"
Still the hands were up in the air.
"Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.
He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. "Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.
"My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.
Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way.
We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. You are special - Don't ever forget it!
"Returned from Dead"
"Returned-from-dead" canoeist charged
December 08, 2007
LONDON (Reuters) - A man who "returned from the dead" after apparently being lost at sea in a canoeing accident five years ago was charged by police on Saturday with obtaining money by deception and making a false declaration to get a passport.
The charges come after a week of revelations that began with John Darwin, 57, walking into a London police station claiming amnesia and ended with his wife Anne telling newspapers she had hidden him at the family home during the missing years.
Anne Darwin described how her husband had avoided discovery by using a small passage to an apartment in an adjoining house owned by the couple.
"For three years, while virtually everyone close to us believed John was missing presumed dead, he was actually at home with me," Anne Darwin, who recently left Britain for Central America, told the Daily Mirror.
"We were living as man and wife, although it was far from a conventional life," she added.
"There were a few hairy moments and I lived in fear of being found out," she told the Daily Mail in another interview.
"We were living as man and wife, although it was far from a conventional life," she added.
"There were a few hairy moments and I lived in fear of being found out," she told the Daily Mail in another interview.
On Saturday police urged her to make contact with them as soon as possible but said they did not know when she intended to return to Britain.
Newspaper reports said Darwin's life insurance and work benefits had been paid to his wife.
Living a Lie
She told the Daily Mirror her husband had partly lived with her in the family home but, if visitors called, had to flee through the passage hidden by a wardrobe with a false back to the neighboring apartment.
Former prison officer Darwin vanished in March 2002 from his home, but according to his wife, turned up at their house a year later.
"I didn't even recognize him at first," she told the Mirror. "He was an absolute mess, all disheveled. I was relieved he was alive, of course, but I was also very angry with him."
She said the couple decided to move to Panama but Darwin, who was missing their sons Anthony and Mark, invented a plan to "return from the dead" to see his sons.
In 2002, Anne Darwin reported her husband missing, saying she feared he had suffered an accident while canoeing in the North Sea near their home in Hartlepool, northeast England.
A few weeks later the shattered remains of his red kayak were discovered. In 2003, following a police inquiry, a coroner declared him dead.
SOURCE: REUTERS
COMMENTS ARE WELCOME
Cremator dumps half-burned bodies
Cremator dumps half-burned bodies to save fuel
December 10, 2007
HONG KONG (Reuters) - China's worst fuel crunch in years has led a crematorium to dump half-burnt corpses to try saving on diesel costs, a Hong Kong newspaper said on Friday.
Villagers in Hengyang County, in the southern province of Hunan, discovered the practice when an "unbearable stench" started coming from the site, and tried to block a road on Wednesday to stop funeral vehicles from delivering more bodies.
The village sent people to investigate the smell and the South China Morning Post said they saw "crematorium workers putting half-burnt human remains and organs in plastic bags and throwing them into a nearby ditch."
"As the price of diesel rose, we saw more and more bags thrown out from the crematorium," the paper quoted Xiao Gaoyi, a village representative and one of the witnesses, as saying.
China was hit by its worst fuel supply crisis in four years from October to November, as a widening gap between low, state-regulated domestic prices and market-driven international prices forced Chinese refiners to cut output.
China was hit by its worst fuel supply crisis in four years from October to November, as a widening gap between low, state-regulated domestic prices and market-driven international prices forced Chinese refiners to cut output.
Fuel in many parts of the country was rationed and there were long queues at petrol stations.
An increase of nearly 10 percent in the prices of domestic diesel and gasoline from November 1, the first in almost a year and a half, failed to lift refining margins back into the black.
An increase of nearly 10 percent in the prices of domestic diesel and gasoline from November 1, the first in almost a year and a half, failed to lift refining margins back into the black.
SOURCE: REUTERS
COMMENTS ARE WELCOME
Neglecting Your Parents?
Neglect of parents a criminal offence
December 10, 2007
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indians who neglect their ageing parents face possible prison under a new law passed by worried politicians.
The law, passed late on Thursday, reflects concerns that rapid modernization and a growth in nuclear families is undermining a centuries-old social fabric of extended families.
"At least now the elderly can have a roof to live under and food to eat in their old age," Gyan Prakash Pilania, a Hindu nationalist MP, was quoted as saying in local news reports.
Under the law, Indians can face up to a month in jail if found guilty of parental neglect.
The law also allows authorities to order children or relatives to pay a monthly maintenance allowance to the aged.
The law also allows authorities to order children or relatives to pay a monthly maintenance allowance to the aged.
SOURCE: REUTERS
COMMENTS ARE WELCOME
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Woman Knocks out Husband
WOMAN KNOCKS OUT HUBBY WITH A POTATO
GEORGIA:
Police were called to a house in the US after a woman knocked out her husband with a potato. She picked up the spud and threw it at him when he called her a rude name during a row in Nicholson, Georgia.
The potato hit him square in the nose and knocked him out cold. The pair had started to argue in the kitchen in the early hours of Thanksgiving morning after they had been drinking. The 43-year-old woman said she didn’t mean to hit her husband and called police as soon as he fell unconscious.
Her husband decided not to press charges.
SOURCE: AGENCIES
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Double Vision
Mumbai December 8, 2007
For 15 days in August, Subhra Saha, a teacher at the Bengali Education Society High School in Dadar, Mumbai was seeing double of everything. Her 50 students seemed like a mob and the construction poles outside her home looked like a bamboo forest.
"One Sunday, I got up from my nap and saw double. Even splashing water in my eyes didn't help. I couldn't walk, as both images were so clear that I couldn't tell which was real," says Saha.
Docs baffled
A visit to an ophthalmologist brought no answers and she was referred to Bombay Hospital. She was diagnosed with diplopia or double vision, but doctors were baffled, as her condition was unrelated to an eye malfunction or nervous system, which are the usual suspects.
After a week of observation, doctors told her they would drain a 4 cm cyst in her left maxillary sinus cavity and then try neurological therapy. "After we drained the cyst, the diplopia disappeared. However, we still couldn't explain her double vision and have kept her operation videos for reference," says Dr Vimal Kasbekar, who operated on Saha. The removal of the blockage means a perennial running nose and heightened sense of smell.
However, Saha says that is a small price to pay. "I got back my sight and more importantly, peace of mind."Saha still shudders when she remembers that time in her life. "I thought I'd go crazy. It didn't help that the doctors were confused too."
SOURCE: MID DAY
Friday, December 7, 2007
Man Watches Son Die
Man watches son die on TV news
LONDON: A father watched helplessly on TV as his son died trapped in a storm-flooded drain. Michael Barnett dashed to the scene after being told his son, also Michael, had got stuck trying to clear it after torrential rain in June.
But the father-of-two told an inquest that police kept him back and said he should either stay in a squad car or go home. Michael, 28, got his foot trapped trying to clear debris for the second time in 10 days from the drain near the tropical fish firm where he worked in Hull.
Coroner Geoffrey Saul said he died at the scene of hypothermia because of his immersion in cold water.
SOURCE: DAILY MIRROR
Mrs Google
NEW YORK: Larry Page, Google’s billionaire co-founder, is set to marry his girlfriend, Lucy Southworth, on a tiny Caribbean island this weekend, a source familiar with the wedding arrangements said.
The impending nuptials will create an instant billionaire out of Southworth, who will share in Page’s estimated $21 billion fortune. The couple will hold the ceremony on an island enclave owned by Richard Branson, the billionaire owner of Virgin Group, who will act as best man to Larry, the source said.
Page, 34, co-founded the famous search company in 1998 with Stanford University classmate Sergey Brin. The two are now co-presidents of Silicon Valley-based internet leader Google. Page was best man at Brin’s wedding in the Bahamas earlier this year.
The New York Post reported on Wednesday that 600 guests will be flown on private planes to the wedding on Branson’s Necker Island. The Post’s Page Six column said wedding planners booked up the hotels on the neighbouring island of Virgin Gorda six months in advance.
Since 2003, Southworth has been a doctoral student in biomedical informatics at Stanford University. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2001 and holds a master’s of science degree from Oxford University. Southworth and a Google spokesman did not respond to requests for comment. Details on the guestlist and the exact timing of the wedding were not disclosed by the source.
In early November, Silicon Valley celebrity gossip site valleywag.com reported the two would marry on Branson’s Necker Island, which is about a mile from Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. U2’s activist lead singer Bono, along with several billionaires, Silicon Valley technology gurus and college friends from Stanford University are invited, the Post said.
SOURCE: REUTERS
Tabytha Hipwell
Decemeber 06, 2007 Australia
What Tabytha Hipwell lacks in stature she makes up for in song.
The pint-sized Telarah Public School pupil has flexed her vocal chords to outshine her peers and secure a spot in the Australian Youth Choir." This is unbelievable news," Tabytha's mother, Lyndee Cheetham, said." Singing and dancing is Tabytha's life and I think she will definitely want to pursue the performing arts as she gets older."
As part of the choir, Tabytha, 9, will travel to Hamilton once a week for rehearsals and will perform in three major concerts a year. She will also spend time at the Hunter School of Performing Arts in Newcastle.
"Tabytha has always loved to sing so this is a dream come true for her." The Australian Youth Choir has established a rich tradition in choral music education and performance throughout its 30-year history.
During this time the choir has taken part in 24 international concert tours, enabling it to develop cultural relationships with many other choral groups and ensembles including the Vienna Boys Choir, the Philadelphia Boys Choir, the New York Orchestra and the Newark Boys Chorus.
Performances before royalty and religious icons feature among the highlights of the choir's touring history and recitals have been given in some of the world's finest cathedrals and concert halls including Sacre Coeur and Notre Dame, St Peter's Bascillica Rome, Royal Albert Hall, Westminster Abbey and Carnegie Hall.
In 1990, the choir became the first Australian children's choir to perform at the distinguished Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest. The choir has recorded for both radio and television.
Source: The Maitland Mercury
What Tabytha Hipwell lacks in stature she makes up for in song.
The pint-sized Telarah Public School pupil has flexed her vocal chords to outshine her peers and secure a spot in the Australian Youth Choir." This is unbelievable news," Tabytha's mother, Lyndee Cheetham, said." Singing and dancing is Tabytha's life and I think she will definitely want to pursue the performing arts as she gets older."
As part of the choir, Tabytha, 9, will travel to Hamilton once a week for rehearsals and will perform in three major concerts a year. She will also spend time at the Hunter School of Performing Arts in Newcastle.
"Tabytha has always loved to sing so this is a dream come true for her." The Australian Youth Choir has established a rich tradition in choral music education and performance throughout its 30-year history.
During this time the choir has taken part in 24 international concert tours, enabling it to develop cultural relationships with many other choral groups and ensembles including the Vienna Boys Choir, the Philadelphia Boys Choir, the New York Orchestra and the Newark Boys Chorus.
Performances before royalty and religious icons feature among the highlights of the choir's touring history and recitals have been given in some of the world's finest cathedrals and concert halls including Sacre Coeur and Notre Dame, St Peter's Bascillica Rome, Royal Albert Hall, Westminster Abbey and Carnegie Hall.
In 1990, the choir became the first Australian children's choir to perform at the distinguished Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest. The choir has recorded for both radio and television.
Source: The Maitland Mercury
Sex And Pregnancy
Inhibitions tend to stand in the way of physical pleasure. However, a man should never force himself on a pregnant woman, assuming that she will enjoy it once they are in the act. Don't succumb to inhibitions
Fuller breasts, a rounded belly and increased lubrication (which ensures easier penetration) may get the man up and about. Some women also experience a rise in libido during those nine months; yet others may find their sex drive oscillating between super-horny to certified-frigid. If and when you feel like the first, it's no reason to put sex on the banned list of activities.
It's usually okay to have sexual intercourse till about the eighth month, but before that take into account one's medical history (.i.e.: miscarriages, twin pregnancy etc) and as long as both partners are comfortable, emotionally and physically.
Position matters
Experiment with positions that don't apply pressure on the woman's growing abdomen, and allow more control over the depth of penetration. You could pick the "sideways" position over the standard missionary. And as for whether orgasm could trigger a miscarriage, it's a misconception.
You'd rather avoid sex during the first and last three months, some medical texts maintain.
The interim three months are comparatively safer, because of reduced cervical activity. But you may completely avoid it in case of twin pregnancy, history of multiple abortions or pre-term labour.
Don't forget the condom
Pregnancy is no excuse to enjoy unadulterated pleasure during the act. You need condoms for protection, to avoid the possibility of contracting infections.
Pick positions that don’t apply pressure on the woman's growing abdomen, the "sideways" position scores over the standard missionary.
Even when you resume an active sex life post-delivery, using a contraceptive is advised because even lactating mothers can conceive.
Fuller breasts, a rounded belly and increased lubrication (which ensures easier penetration) may get the man up and about. Some women also experience a rise in libido during those nine months; yet others may find their sex drive oscillating between super-horny to certified-frigid. If and when you feel like the first, it's no reason to put sex on the banned list of activities.
It's usually okay to have sexual intercourse till about the eighth month, but before that take into account one's medical history (.i.e.: miscarriages, twin pregnancy etc) and as long as both partners are comfortable, emotionally and physically.
Position matters
Experiment with positions that don't apply pressure on the woman's growing abdomen, and allow more control over the depth of penetration. You could pick the "sideways" position over the standard missionary. And as for whether orgasm could trigger a miscarriage, it's a misconception.
You'd rather avoid sex during the first and last three months, some medical texts maintain.
The interim three months are comparatively safer, because of reduced cervical activity. But you may completely avoid it in case of twin pregnancy, history of multiple abortions or pre-term labour.
Don't forget the condom
Pregnancy is no excuse to enjoy unadulterated pleasure during the act. You need condoms for protection, to avoid the possibility of contracting infections.
Pick positions that don’t apply pressure on the woman's growing abdomen, the "sideways" position scores over the standard missionary.
Even when you resume an active sex life post-delivery, using a contraceptive is advised because even lactating mothers can conceive.
Comments are Welcome
Thursday, December 6, 2007
The Green Sweat
December 06, 2007:
Doctors in China admit they are baffled after a man began to perspire green sweat. Cheng Shunguo, 52, of Wuhan city, says his sweat turned green in the middle of November. “I noticed that my underwear and bed sheets were all green, and even the water in the shower,” he told.
Cheng says he feels no discomfort, but went to hospital because he was worried about his condition. Doctors thoroughly cleaned his armpits but it took only 10 minutes for his sweat to turn a piece of white gauze green again.
They have carried out blood tests on Cheng, but found everything to be normal. “We can’t find the cause,” admitted a spokesman for the hospital which reported the case to the media in the hope of finding a solution.
Source: Daily Times, Pakistan
Doctors in China admit they are baffled after a man began to perspire green sweat. Cheng Shunguo, 52, of Wuhan city, says his sweat turned green in the middle of November. “I noticed that my underwear and bed sheets were all green, and even the water in the shower,” he told.
Cheng says he feels no discomfort, but went to hospital because he was worried about his condition. Doctors thoroughly cleaned his armpits but it took only 10 minutes for his sweat to turn a piece of white gauze green again.
They have carried out blood tests on Cheng, but found everything to be normal. “We can’t find the cause,” admitted a spokesman for the hospital which reported the case to the media in the hope of finding a solution.
Source: Daily Times, Pakistan
A Bit Windy
December 04,2007: A social club in Devon has banned a 77-year-old man from breaking wind while indoors.
Maurice Fox received a letter from Kirkham Street Sports and Social Club in Paignton asking him to consider his actions, which "disgusted" members.
Mr Fox, a club regular for 20 years, said: "I am happy to oblige them, there is no problem. I do get a bit windy - I am an old fart now."
He said he had to leave the club about three times a night.
In its letter to the retired bus driver, the club said: "After several complaints regarding your continual breaking of wind (farting) while in the club, would you please consider that your actions are considered disgusting to fellow members and visitors.
"You sit close to the front door, so would you please go outside when required. So please take heed of this request."
"You sit close to the front door, so would you please go outside when required. So please take heed of this request."
Mr Fox, who lives in nearby Princess Street, said the letter was a surprise because he had been given no verbal warning.
"I think someone has complained about the noise. I am a loud farter, but there is no smell.
"I do not think it [the letter] is unreasonable, you get ladies in there."
"I do not think it [the letter] is unreasonable, you get ladies in there."
Mr Fox also spends two days a week at the nearby Palace Place club, but said he had no complaints about flatulence there.
The club said there was no one available for comment.
Source: BBC News
Moon Das - In Demand
With model Moon Das's pictures splashed all over, following the incident where her alleged husband, Avinash Patnaik shot down her mother and uncle has brought her publicity as well as hefty offers for private performances, which are equivalent to those paid to Bollywood item girls.
Conferred with the 14th Lion's Club bravery award last week, Moon (23) mostly gave solo performances at events, charging up to Rs 45,000/-.
"Known for bold performances and skin-shows at private events, Moon is receiving offers for New Year shows. Until last year, for a performance on the eve of New Year, she charged between Rs 25,000/- and Rs 45,000/-. Now, she has been offered around Rs 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh for a proposed event at Rajasthan on Dec 30 and 31," said a source.
However, Moon is yet to accept any offers. "I am still recuperating from the shock. I am not in a frame of mind to accept any offers," she said.
Last New Year, Moon had performed at a private show at Rourkela, Orissa, where she met Patnaik. She had charged Rs 40,000/- for three sequences on stage.
An event organiser from Rajasthan said, "With the media flashing her steamy pictures after the tragedy, Moon is in demand now."
"I have received calls from hotels and clubs that organise New Year parties and private events requesting for Moon to perform," he added.
"Moon has no problem wearing skimpy outfits, and no body suits, which made her popular with the men," said a source formerly associated with Das.
Souce: MIDDAY
Conferred with the 14th Lion's Club bravery award last week, Moon (23) mostly gave solo performances at events, charging up to Rs 45,000/-.
"Known for bold performances and skin-shows at private events, Moon is receiving offers for New Year shows. Until last year, for a performance on the eve of New Year, she charged between Rs 25,000/- and Rs 45,000/-. Now, she has been offered around Rs 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh for a proposed event at Rajasthan on Dec 30 and 31," said a source.
However, Moon is yet to accept any offers. "I am still recuperating from the shock. I am not in a frame of mind to accept any offers," she said.
Last New Year, Moon had performed at a private show at Rourkela, Orissa, where she met Patnaik. She had charged Rs 40,000/- for three sequences on stage.
An event organiser from Rajasthan said, "With the media flashing her steamy pictures after the tragedy, Moon is in demand now."
"I have received calls from hotels and clubs that organise New Year parties and private events requesting for Moon to perform," he added.
"Moon has no problem wearing skimpy outfits, and no body suits, which made her popular with the men," said a source formerly associated with Das.
Souce: MIDDAY
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
The Hate Letter
Read this "HATE letter". It is so funny and creative. This is a love letter from a boy to a girl However, the girl's father does not like him and want them stop their relationship......and so, the boy wrote this letter to the girl.
He knows that the girl's father will definitely read this letter.
1 "The great love that I have for you
2 is gone, and I find my dislike for you
3 grows every day. When I see you,
4 I do not even like your face;
5 the one thing that I want to do is to
6 look at other girls. I never wanted to
7 marry you. Our last conversation
8 was very boring and has not
9 made me look forward to seeing you again.
10 You think only of yourself.
11 If we were married, I know that I would find
12 life very difficult, and I would have no
13 pleasure in living with you. I have a heart
14 to give, but it is not something that
15 I want to give to you. No one is more
16 foolish and selfish than you, and you are not
17 able to care for me and help me.
18 I sincerely want you to understand that
19 I speak the truth. You will do me a favor
20 if you think this is the end. Do not try
21 to answer this. Your letters are full of
22 things that do not interest me. You have no
23 true love for me. Good-bye! Believe me,
24 I do not care for you. Please do not think that
25 I am still your boyfriend."
So bad!!
However, before handing over the letter to the girl, the boy told the girl to "READ BETWEEN THE LINES", meaning-only to read 1.3.5.7.9.11.13.15.17.19.21.23.25. (Odd Numbers)
So, Please try reading it again! It's so smart & sweet.... :)
Chimpanzees Smarter Than Humans
Young chimps apparently have an extraordinary ability to remember numerals, and recall them even better than human adults do.
Although researchers have extensively studied chimpanzee memory in the past, the general assumption has been that it is inferior to that of humans, as with many other mental functions.
"There are still many people, including many biologists, who believe that humans are superior to chimpanzees in all cognitive functions," said researcher Tetsuro Matsuzawa, director of the Primate Research Institute of Kyoto University in Japan. "No one can imagine that chimpanzees — young chimpanzees at the age of 5 — have a better performance in a memory task than humans."
Source: FOXNEWS
Feets Facing Backwards
A Chinese waitress has refused a disability pension - despite being born with feet facing the wrong way.
Chongqing resident Wang Fang, 27, says she has learned to live a normal life despite her condition, and refuses to be classed as disabled as she is capable of doing her job.
She said: "I can run faster than most of my friends and have a regular job as a waitress in the family restaurant."
She said: "I can run faster than most of my friends and have a regular job as a waitress in the family restaurant."
Despite her unusual development, she insists that "there is no reason to class me as disabled."
At Wang Fang's birth, doctors were concerned that she would be unable to walk normally, but her family agree that she can not only walk perfectly well, she can in fact out-run most of them.
Ms Wang, a mother to a five-year-old boy - whose feet face the more usual forwards - is not looking for sympathy, and is certainly no benefit scrounger.
At Wang Fang's birth, doctors were concerned that she would be unable to walk normally, but her family agree that she can not only walk perfectly well, she can in fact out-run most of them.
Ms Wang, a mother to a five-year-old boy - whose feet face the more usual forwards - is not looking for sympathy, and is certainly no benefit scrounger.
She said: "I can walk as well as anyone else and even run faster than them.
"I'm like everyone else - except of course that I put my shoes on backwards."
"I'm like everyone else - except of course that I put my shoes on backwards."
SOURCE: Telegraph.co.uk
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Dark Chocolates - Healthier?
Dark chocolate may be healthier than milk chocolate, according to a team of scientists.
Researchers in Scotland and Italy say dark chocolate has much better anti-oxidant properties.
This means that it can protect the heart and arteries from oxidative damage, similar to the rust that develops on metal over time.
This means that it can protect the heart and arteries from oxidative damage, similar to the rust that develops on metal over time.
Writing in the journal Nature, they said adding milk to chocolate may cancel out these health benefits.
Health benefits
Previous studies have suggested that chocolate may help to protect against heart disease and even cancer.
While some of these have distinguished between dark and milk chocolate, many have not
In this latest study, researchers from the University of Glasgow and Italy's National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research carried out tests using both varieties.
In this latest study, researchers from the University of Glasgow and Italy's National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research carried out tests using both varieties.
They recruited 12 healthy volunteers, seven woman and five men, who were asked to eat dark and milk chocolate.
They found that volunteers had to consume twice as much milk chocolate as dark chocolate to obtain the same amount of antioxidants.
To take account of this, the participants, aged 25 and 35, were offered a double helping of milk chocolate.
The researchers also looked at what happened when the volunteers ate dark chocolate and drank milk at the same time.
Dark chocolate was found to boost blood antioxidant levels by nearly 20%.
Dairy effects
However, there was no such effect when volunteers ate milk chocolate or drank milk with dark chocolate.
"What this tells us is that probably the proteins in milk bind with the antioxidants in chocolate," Professor Alan Crozier of Glasgow University told BBC News Online.
"As a consequence, they are not being absorbed to the same extent as they would be with dark chocolate. Any potential protective effects are lost."
The findings raise the possibility that dairy products may interfere with the healthy properties of other foods, such as fruits, tea and red wine, which are also believed to have anti-oxidant effects.
The researchers said future studies into the health impacts of these foods should take this into account.
The researchers said future studies into the health impacts of these foods should take this into account.
While lovers of dark chocolates may seize on the study findings, Professor Crozier warned against over indulging. "Milk and dark chocolate contains high levels of saturated fats, which get into the blood stream and increase levels of cholesterol, increasing the risks of heart disease. "
"I would advise moderate consumption, maybe a small bar of chocolate a day."
"It is a useful supplement to a balanced diet but it should not be a substitute for five pieces of fruit and vegetables each day."
"I would advise moderate consumption, maybe a small bar of chocolate a day."
"It is a useful supplement to a balanced diet but it should not be a substitute for five pieces of fruit and vegetables each day."
Source: BBC News
Monday, December 3, 2007
Love And Time
Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived: Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of the others, including Love.
One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all constructed boats and left. Except for Love.Love was the only one who stayed.
Love wanted to hold out until the last possible moment.When the island had almost sunk, Love decided to ask for help.
Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love said, "Richness, can you take me with you?"Richness answered, "No, I can't. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you."
Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel. "Vanity, please help me!""I can't help you, Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat," Vanity answered.
Sadness was close by so Love asked, "Sadness, let me go with you.""Oh . . . Love, I am so sad that I need to be by myself!"
Happiness passed by Love, too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her.
Suddenly, there was a voice, "Come, Love, I will take you." It was an elder. So blessed and overjoyed, Love even forgot to ask the elder where they were going. When they arrived at dry land, the elder went her own way.
Realizing how much was owed the elder, Love asked Knowledge, another elder, "Who Helped me?""It was Time," Knowledge answered."Time?" asked Love. "But why did Time help me?"Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered, "Because only Time is capable of understanding how valuable Love is."
Sand And Stone
A story tells that two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand: "TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE."
They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one, who had been slapped, got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him. After the friend recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone: "TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE."
The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone, why?"
The other friend replied: "When someone hurts us, we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it."
LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND, AND TO CARVE YOUR BENEFITS IN STONE
They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one, who had been slapped, got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him. After the friend recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone: "TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE."
The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone, why?"
The other friend replied: "When someone hurts us, we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it."
LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND, AND TO CARVE YOUR BENEFITS IN STONE
Building Your House
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business to live a more leisurely life with his wife and enjoy his extended family.
He would miss the paycheck each week, but he wanted to retire. They could get by. The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go & asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor.
The carpenter said yes, but over time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.
When the carpenter finished his work, his employer came to inspect the house. Then he handed the front-door key to the carpenter and said, "This is your house... my gift to you." The
carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we would do it much differently.But, you cannot go back. You are the carpenter, and every day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Someone once said, "Life is a do-it-yourself project." Your attitude, and the choices you make today, help build the "house" you will live in tomorrow. Therefore, Build wisely!
He would miss the paycheck each week, but he wanted to retire. They could get by. The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go & asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor.
The carpenter said yes, but over time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.
When the carpenter finished his work, his employer came to inspect the house. Then he handed the front-door key to the carpenter and said, "This is your house... my gift to you." The
carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we would do it much differently.But, you cannot go back. You are the carpenter, and every day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Someone once said, "Life is a do-it-yourself project." Your attitude, and the choices you make today, help build the "house" you will live in tomorrow. Therefore, Build wisely!
Power of Words
A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead.
The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died.The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out.
When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.
This story teaches two lessons:
1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.
2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them.
Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path. The power of words... it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times. Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another.
The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died.The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out.
When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.
This story teaches two lessons:
1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.
2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them.
Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path. The power of words... it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times. Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another.
Touching Story
A young man was getting ready to graduate college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.
As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation his father called him into his private studyroom. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box.
Curious, but somewhat disappointed the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible. Angrily, he raised his voice at his father and said, "With all your money you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the holy book.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day.
Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care things. When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart.
He began to search his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. As he read those words, a car key dropped from an envelope taped behind the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words...PAID IN FULL.
How many times do we miss God's blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?
As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation his father called him into his private studyroom. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box.
Curious, but somewhat disappointed the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible. Angrily, he raised his voice at his father and said, "With all your money you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the holy book.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day.
Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care things. When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart.
He began to search his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. As he read those words, a car key dropped from an envelope taped behind the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words...PAID IN FULL.
How many times do we miss God's blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?
Unconditional love
A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after having fought in Vietnam. He called his parents from San Francisco.
"Mom and Dad, I'm coming home, but I've a favor to ask. I have a friend I'd like to bring home with me."
"Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him."
"There's something you should know the son continued, "he was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mind and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us."
"I'm sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live."
"No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us."
"Son," said the father, "you don't know what you're asking. Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We have our own lives to live, and we can't let something like this interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and forget about this guy. He'll find a way to live on his own."
At that point, the son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing more from him. A few days later, however, they received a call from the San Francisco police. Their son had died after falling from a building, they were told. The police believed it was suicide. The grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized him, but to their horror they also discovered something they didn't know, their son had only one arm and one leg.
The parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to love those who are good-looking or fun to have around, but we don't like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable. We would rather stay away from people who aren't as healthy, beautiful, or smart as we are. Thankfully, there's someone who won't treat us that way. Someone who loves us with an unconditional love that welcomes us into the forever family, regardless of how messed up we are.
"Mom and Dad, I'm coming home, but I've a favor to ask. I have a friend I'd like to bring home with me."
"Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him."
"There's something you should know the son continued, "he was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mind and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us."
"I'm sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live."
"No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us."
"Son," said the father, "you don't know what you're asking. Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We have our own lives to live, and we can't let something like this interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and forget about this guy. He'll find a way to live on his own."
At that point, the son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing more from him. A few days later, however, they received a call from the San Francisco police. Their son had died after falling from a building, they were told. The police believed it was suicide. The grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized him, but to their horror they also discovered something they didn't know, their son had only one arm and one leg.
The parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to love those who are good-looking or fun to have around, but we don't like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable. We would rather stay away from people who aren't as healthy, beautiful, or smart as we are. Thankfully, there's someone who won't treat us that way. Someone who loves us with an unconditional love that welcomes us into the forever family, regardless of how messed up we are.
Window
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour a day to drain the fluids from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.
The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed next to the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed would live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the outside world. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake, the man had said. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Lovers walked arm in arm amid flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man could not hear the band, he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Unexpectedly, an alien thought entered his head: Why should he have all the pleasure of seeing everything while I never get to see anything? It didn't seem fair. As the thought fermented, the man felt ashamed at first. But as the days passed and he missed seeing more sights, his envy eroded into resentment and soon turned him sour. He began to brood and found himself unable to sleep. He should be by that window - and that thought now controlled his life.
Late one night, as he lay staring at the ceiling, the man by the window began to cough. He was choking on the fluid in his lungs. The other man watched in the dimly lit room as the struggling man by the window groped for the button to call for help. Listening from across the room, he never moved, never pushed his own button which would have brought the nurse running. In less than five minutes, the coughing and choking stopped, along with the sound of breathing. Now, there was only silence--deathly silence.
The following morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths. When she found the lifeless body of the man by the window, she was saddened and called the hospital attendant to take it away--no words, no fuss. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it all himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.
Moral of the story:
The pursuit of happiness is an inward journey. Our minds are like programs, awaiting the code that will determine behaviors; like bank vaults awaiting our deposits. If we regularly deposit positive, encouraging, and uplifting thoughts, if we continue to bite our lips just before we begin to grumble and complain, if we shoot down that seemingly harmless negative thought as it germinates, we will find that there is much to rejoice about.
The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed next to the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed would live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the outside world. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake, the man had said. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Lovers walked arm in arm amid flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man could not hear the band, he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Unexpectedly, an alien thought entered his head: Why should he have all the pleasure of seeing everything while I never get to see anything? It didn't seem fair. As the thought fermented, the man felt ashamed at first. But as the days passed and he missed seeing more sights, his envy eroded into resentment and soon turned him sour. He began to brood and found himself unable to sleep. He should be by that window - and that thought now controlled his life.
Late one night, as he lay staring at the ceiling, the man by the window began to cough. He was choking on the fluid in his lungs. The other man watched in the dimly lit room as the struggling man by the window groped for the button to call for help. Listening from across the room, he never moved, never pushed his own button which would have brought the nurse running. In less than five minutes, the coughing and choking stopped, along with the sound of breathing. Now, there was only silence--deathly silence.
The following morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths. When she found the lifeless body of the man by the window, she was saddened and called the hospital attendant to take it away--no words, no fuss. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it all himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.
Moral of the story:
The pursuit of happiness is an inward journey. Our minds are like programs, awaiting the code that will determine behaviors; like bank vaults awaiting our deposits. If we regularly deposit positive, encouraging, and uplifting thoughts, if we continue to bite our lips just before we begin to grumble and complain, if we shoot down that seemingly harmless negative thought as it germinates, we will find that there is much to rejoice about.
WORLD DISABILITY DAY - DECEMBER 3RD 2007
In the whole world, December 3rd is known as WORLD DISABILITY DAY.
Types of Disabilities
Disabilities could be Physical, Acquired or Developmental in nature.
Disabilities which are generally apparent at birth or in the immediate period following birth normally manifest as physical disabilities, that are apparent during birth and are life long physical disabilities This form of disability hampers their physical mobility.
Acquired disabilities can strike at any time irrespective of age, race or gender. Accidents, injuries, Alzheimer’s disease, Multiple sclerosis are some of the examples of acquired disabilities. These could hamper their physical abilities or lay siege on their mental faculties.
Developmental Disabilities are abnormalities manifesting at birth which hamper the development and growth of an individual. Mental retardation, Down’s syndrome, visual impairment, could be some of the examples of developmental disabilities.
Being disabled is by no means useless. Most of them are endowed with immense skill and talent. With proper education, only the sky can be their limit.
All disabled children must have access to education. Disabled youth must have the same choices for higher education as their normal peers.
Types of Disabilities
Disabilities could be Physical, Acquired or Developmental in nature.
Disabilities which are generally apparent at birth or in the immediate period following birth normally manifest as physical disabilities, that are apparent during birth and are life long physical disabilities This form of disability hampers their physical mobility.
Acquired disabilities can strike at any time irrespective of age, race or gender. Accidents, injuries, Alzheimer’s disease, Multiple sclerosis are some of the examples of acquired disabilities. These could hamper their physical abilities or lay siege on their mental faculties.
Developmental Disabilities are abnormalities manifesting at birth which hamper the development and growth of an individual. Mental retardation, Down’s syndrome, visual impairment, could be some of the examples of developmental disabilities.
Being disabled is by no means useless. Most of them are endowed with immense skill and talent. With proper education, only the sky can be their limit.
All disabled children must have access to education. Disabled youth must have the same choices for higher education as their normal peers.
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