Why should I compost?
Composting is a great way of reusing your kitchen scraps and garden rubbish and it's fantastic for your garden because:
it improves soil fertility and texture, and retains moisture and nutrients
your garden will require less garden chemicals because compost rich soil grows healthier, more productive plants
it reduces the amount of garden rubbish going to landfills and the amount of methane generated (methane is a greenhouse gas)
it doesn't cost much to do and it's easy to make.
How does composting work?
Composting involves the breaking down of organic material by a large number of bacteria and fungi. These organisms need oxygen, moisture and the right mix of nutrients to operate efficiently. The right combination of these in a compost heap allows the breaking down of organic matter to happen quickly and the process can generate lots of heat - the centre of the pile can reach up to 60 degrees Celsius in a well-operated compost heap. Lower maintenance composting systems can also produce good compost at lower temperatures over a longer time.
There are two types of organic material you can include in a compost heap - greens and browns.
Green materials have lots of nitrogen and include:
grass clippings (so long as they haven't been sprayed with weedkiller)
weeds (but not invasive weeds such as oxalis, onion grass and convovulus - these won't break down in lower temperature piles so you need to use a 'liquid manure' system or send them to a composting plant instead)
kitchen scraps, including coffee grounds and tea bags (but don't put meat or dairy products in unless your compost system is designed to cope with the pests they can attract).
Brown materials have lots of carbon and include:
sawdust (but not from treated wood)
shredded paper
straw
vacuum cleaner dust.
So how do I compost?
People use a variety of methods for composting including:
Compost heap - a pile of material, covered with carpet or polythene.
Compost bin - buy a plastic bin or make your own from timber or concrete blocks. For big gardens you may have several bins going at once.
Rotating drum - materials are place in a drum that is turned regularly to mix the composting material and provide oxygen.
Trenching - for big gardens, bury kitchen rubbish (but not meat or dairy products) in trenches in your garden, cover with a good amount of soil and plant on top.
Worm farming - using worms to help the composting process. Buy a worm bin or make your own from an old bathtub or stack of tyres.
Get the right mix
You need to get the right mix of greens and browns - too much green can lead to overheating, compaction and loss of oxygen, while too much brown can really slow down the composting process. An ideal mix is 1 to 2 parts green and 1 part brown (or 5 centimetres of brown for each 10 centimetres of green) in alternating layers.
Chop or blend
If you want to speed up the composting process you should ensure that material going into the compost is chopped up.
Keep it moist
You need to keep your compost moist. It should be like a damp sponge - too much water may result in a smelly, slimy mess, while not enough water will slow down the breaking down process.
If your greens aren't very soggy, it's a good idea to moisten the browns as you add them.
If you're not using a purchased compost bin with a lid, you should cover your compost with carpet, sacking, corrugated iron or polythene - this keeps in the heat generated by the breaking down process and helps to prevent rain getting in or moisture evaporating away.
Turn, turn, turn
You should try and turn your compost regularly if you can. This ensures that there is an adequate supply of oxygen to aid the break down process. If you can't turn the compost, you can:
put a pipe with holes in it through the middle of the compost to let air in
add twigs and branches as you build your pile.
Look after yourself when working with compost
Compost and soil contain various living organisms that have, on rare occasions, been associated with illness and allergies in humans (usually people with compromised immune systems or respiratory illness). For this reason it is important to take the following precautions when working with compost:
wash your hands after handling soil or compost
protect broken skin by wearing gloves
avoid confined spaces for handling soil or compost
keep compost moist to prevent spores and dust problems.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY SHOPPING
As a compulsive shopper I sometimes feel guilty that by buying somy products, needed and unneeded, I am contributing to environmental damage which I can avoid.
I started searching for ways to reduce my guilt and here are some shopping tips which will help you in reducing accumulation of rubbish which can not be easily recyclable and contributes to global envirmental damage.
There are lots of innovative things you can do to help reduce your rubbish – check out some of the shopping tips below to get started.
Tips for avoiding plastic carry bags:
Carry a cotton bag that can be scrunched up very small in your handbag/school bag/briefcase in case you need to do some unexpected shopping.
A cardboard box, or even a laundry basket, can be used in the boot of your car for groceries. Groceries can be loaded straight from the trolley into the box/basket, eliminating the need for plastic bags.
Want to take your own bag but keep leaving them at home? Try keeping a stash of plastic bags in your car so they're on hand when you shop.
Ask the supermarket checkout operator to put more items in a plastic bag than they usually do. This will reduce the number of plastic bags you end up with.
Tips for avoiding plastic packaging:
If you are buying potato chips for children's lunch boxes, do not buy multi packs - instead, buy large single packs of chips and put servings into a plastic container that can be reused.
Instead of buying freezer bags, use fruit and vege bags from the supermarket.
Buy as many items as you can without packaging (eg fruit and veges).
Use reusable elasticised plastic wrap when taking a plate.
By taking your own containers to the butcher you can save on packaging. The butcher just puts the meat straight into a container, which can be labelled and put in the freezer.
Buy your meat in plastic bags rather than meat trays. Meat is the same price per kilo at the supermarket counter.
Lunch boxes with partitions eliminate the need to wrap each item in plastic.
Instead of using individual serving pottles of yoghurt, put one litre tubs of yoghurt and place servings into re-useable containers.
Tips for buying gifts:
Give experiences as presents. Massage vouchers, dinners out, and even your time make marvellous presents... and they don't require any wasteful packaging.
Babies don't know the difference between an expensive toy and one made from recycled materials. Plastic bottles filled with pasta, rice, old beads etc. make great rattles (the bottle needs to be safe and clean). Different bottles and fillings can be used to make different colours/textures/rattling sounds. Once your baby has outgrown a rattle, its contents can be recycled.
If possible buy toys that can be repaired if they break (e.g. wooden toys).
Tips for purchasing household items:
Buy rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones.
Using 2-in-1 shampoo means that you:
Only use one container instead of two.
Save money.
Save water (rinsing once instead of twice).
Save time.
Do not pollute as much (half the amount of soap down the drain).
Use pens with replaceable refills - this way you only dispose of a refill, not the whole pen.
In some areas milk vendors will still deliver milk in glass bottles. Where available, use this service because it is more environmentally friendly than using plastic bottles (even if you recycle them).
Instead of using potentially toxic cleaners on the sink, bath, basin or shower, use a cloth made of tulle. The texture of the fabric makes a wonderful scourer and you aren't left with bottles to dispose of.
Buy magic cleaning cloths. They clean and polish just as they are - no cleaning fluids or other products needed. They are a great way of saving waste, time and money.
Buy in dry-goods bulk from a wholesale supplier by getting together with a group of friends.
Instead of buying window cleaner from the supermarket, buy a window cleaning cloth. This will cost you more intially, but they are terrific for cleaning windows because they leave no residue of lint or streaks.
Baking your own bread, cakes biscuits, etc. is a great way to reduce rubbish.
General shopping tips:
The internet can be used to search for information and prices, rather than requesting brochures and price lists.
Pre-cycling is the best way to reduce waste. If it cannot be recycled, don't buy it.
Instead of buying countless bottles of water, re-use a single bottle and keep it in the fridge.
Buying more goods second-hand will increase the reuse of items and will reduce the amount of unsold secondhand goods being sent to landfills.
Buy products that use recycled materials in the product itself or in the packaging.
Buy refill products that use less packaging, or buy larger sizes to reduce the amount of packaging used.
When buying products such as shampoo, dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, and cooking oil, some shops allow customers to bring their own containers and to refill them from the store’s bulk supplies.
All very simple means but will make a great diffrence to environment when we all follow these tips.
I started searching for ways to reduce my guilt and here are some shopping tips which will help you in reducing accumulation of rubbish which can not be easily recyclable and contributes to global envirmental damage.
There are lots of innovative things you can do to help reduce your rubbish – check out some of the shopping tips below to get started.
Tips for avoiding plastic carry bags:
Carry a cotton bag that can be scrunched up very small in your handbag/school bag/briefcase in case you need to do some unexpected shopping.
A cardboard box, or even a laundry basket, can be used in the boot of your car for groceries. Groceries can be loaded straight from the trolley into the box/basket, eliminating the need for plastic bags.
Want to take your own bag but keep leaving them at home? Try keeping a stash of plastic bags in your car so they're on hand when you shop.
Ask the supermarket checkout operator to put more items in a plastic bag than they usually do. This will reduce the number of plastic bags you end up with.
Tips for avoiding plastic packaging:
If you are buying potato chips for children's lunch boxes, do not buy multi packs - instead, buy large single packs of chips and put servings into a plastic container that can be reused.
Instead of buying freezer bags, use fruit and vege bags from the supermarket.
Buy as many items as you can without packaging (eg fruit and veges).
Use reusable elasticised plastic wrap when taking a plate.
By taking your own containers to the butcher you can save on packaging. The butcher just puts the meat straight into a container, which can be labelled and put in the freezer.
Buy your meat in plastic bags rather than meat trays. Meat is the same price per kilo at the supermarket counter.
Lunch boxes with partitions eliminate the need to wrap each item in plastic.
Instead of using individual serving pottles of yoghurt, put one litre tubs of yoghurt and place servings into re-useable containers.
Tips for buying gifts:
Give experiences as presents. Massage vouchers, dinners out, and even your time make marvellous presents... and they don't require any wasteful packaging.
Babies don't know the difference between an expensive toy and one made from recycled materials. Plastic bottles filled with pasta, rice, old beads etc. make great rattles (the bottle needs to be safe and clean). Different bottles and fillings can be used to make different colours/textures/rattling sounds. Once your baby has outgrown a rattle, its contents can be recycled.
If possible buy toys that can be repaired if they break (e.g. wooden toys).
Tips for purchasing household items:
Buy rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones.
Using 2-in-1 shampoo means that you:
Only use one container instead of two.
Save money.
Save water (rinsing once instead of twice).
Save time.
Do not pollute as much (half the amount of soap down the drain).
Use pens with replaceable refills - this way you only dispose of a refill, not the whole pen.
In some areas milk vendors will still deliver milk in glass bottles. Where available, use this service because it is more environmentally friendly than using plastic bottles (even if you recycle them).
Instead of using potentially toxic cleaners on the sink, bath, basin or shower, use a cloth made of tulle. The texture of the fabric makes a wonderful scourer and you aren't left with bottles to dispose of.
Buy magic cleaning cloths. They clean and polish just as they are - no cleaning fluids or other products needed. They are a great way of saving waste, time and money.
Buy in dry-goods bulk from a wholesale supplier by getting together with a group of friends.
Instead of buying window cleaner from the supermarket, buy a window cleaning cloth. This will cost you more intially, but they are terrific for cleaning windows because they leave no residue of lint or streaks.
Baking your own bread, cakes biscuits, etc. is a great way to reduce rubbish.
General shopping tips:
The internet can be used to search for information and prices, rather than requesting brochures and price lists.
Pre-cycling is the best way to reduce waste. If it cannot be recycled, don't buy it.
Instead of buying countless bottles of water, re-use a single bottle and keep it in the fridge.
Buying more goods second-hand will increase the reuse of items and will reduce the amount of unsold secondhand goods being sent to landfills.
Buy products that use recycled materials in the product itself or in the packaging.
Buy refill products that use less packaging, or buy larger sizes to reduce the amount of packaging used.
When buying products such as shampoo, dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, and cooking oil, some shops allow customers to bring their own containers and to refill them from the store’s bulk supplies.
All very simple means but will make a great diffrence to environment when we all follow these tips.
RECYCLING - HOW TO MAKE MONEY OUT OF IT
A WISE MAN ONCE SAID: A PENNY SAVED IS A PENNY EARNED
There are lots of innovative things you can do to help reduce your rubbish – check out some of the tips below to get started.
Making use of your mountain of plastic bags:
Use them as bin liners.
Place them in the bottom of plant pots and hanging baskets - they act as great drainage systems. Children can use them for carrying PE gear to school.
Scrunch them up to surround items when you're packaging as an alternative to bubble wrap.
Use them in the garden to hold your grass cuttings and hedge trimmings before transfer to a compost bin.
Use them when packing for a holiday to keep dirty/wet clothes and shoes away from dry clothing.
Use them as 'doggy doo bags' when out walking your dog!
Some supermarkets recycle plastic bags, so you can return plastic bags to them.
Re-use washed zip lock bags for sandwiches and snacks rather than using plastic wrap.
Ideas for recycling paper:
After children's drawings and paintings have been displayed for a while they can be used to wrap presents - this also makes the present special.
Discarded A4-sized paper can be cut and stapled together to make notepads. Alternatively, if you save five reams, it will cost you about $5 to get a print company to convert this paper into 'proper' notepads.
'Use the envelopes you receive in the mail a second time by placing a new address label over the last address. I call this the OMT System ("One more time system"). Old envelopes can also be used for scribbling down shopping lists, to-do lists, and notes.'
Resealable envelopes can be reused many times: 'My daughter takes one to school when she orders her lunch. The envelope has all details written in felt on the front and the money sealed inside. She brings the envelope home and we use it again until it gets too shabby.'
Old calendars, colourful pictures, etc. can be used to make your own envelopes. You can unstick a used envelope and use it as a template for making envelopes.
Old rolls of wallpaper can be used for childrens' drawings.
Junk mail can be used as scrap paper, or as bedding for pets.
Cardboard cartons can be used to collect paper for recycling, instead of plastic bags (even breakfast cereal cartons are good).
SPCA and pet shops appreciate old newspapers.
Toilet roll centres can be recycled - they're made of cardboard.
To fill in a rainy day get a paper recycling kit and get the kids to rip up old used paper to make recycled paper, it can be great fun.
Old magazines are appreciated by:
Doctor and dentists' surgeries
Motels
Friends
Ideas for recycling household waste in the garden:
Aluminium trays from pies and cakes make ideal 'drip saucers' to put under pot plants.
Old tyres can be used outside for plant pots - especially good for plants that like warm soils as they trap the heat.
The following waste items can be modified and used for planting seedlings:
Egg cartons
Tetra-pak cartons
Plastic bottles
Plastic containers for cherry tomatoes
Old boots and shoes
Plastic containers for takeaways
The cardboard centres from toilet rolls
Plastic icecream containers.
Lawn clippings can be used to cover weeds and keep from growing in the garden through winter.
Broken crockery can be used as drainage at the bottom of pot plants.
Tin cans can be used as:
Water reservoirs for new plants and trees. Tape a piece of hose pipe in a can and fill the can with scoria or pumice. Then, when you plant a new tree or plant, bury the can below the root level and leave enough hose poking out of the ground. You can water the plant in summer by pouring the water into hose pipe. If the hose is short enough it can be mowed over on a lawn and does not look obtrusive.
Pot plant holders. Decorate the outside of the can to your liking, put some soil in it and plant away. (Make sure you put some drainage holes in the bottom of the tin before you start potting the plants.)
Old newspapers (including those gathered from your friends) can be used to mulch and weed control the garden. Wet newspaper and place thickly on the garden. Cover with bark or stones.
Plastic milk bottles can be used to hold snail bait and are pet proof.
Old stockings can be used to tie up plants in the garden.
Plastic icecream containers can be cut into strips for seed labels.
Ideas for recycling organic/garden waste:
Local pig farmers often appreciate any kitchen scraps that you can offer them. If you know of any in your area, get in touch with them and find out if they are interested in your kitchen scraps.
If you've done any trimming of trees and hedges, contact the local Zoo to see if they can use these for their animals, either as food or environment improvement.
Avoid using kitchen waste disposers and compost food scraps instead. This reduces the load on sewage treatment plants and local government can concentrate on the treatment of real sewage.
If you need leaf mulch for your garden approach a local school and ask what they do with the leaf litter. Some schools throw theirs away.
Get a couple of hens for the household. They eat all the kitchen scraps and provide fresh eggs as a bonus.
Ideas for recycling other items:
Old or broken household goods such as toasters, transistor radios can be used by others for parts. Sell them cheaply at a garage sale.
Carry a supermarket bag with you when you go walking so that you can pick up glass, litter or other plastic bags.
Creches, schools and kindergartens often need boxes, plastic bags, old buttons, used wrapping paper, greeting cards, ribbons, tiles, crockery and other materials for art resources. They may also want old phones, keyboards, etc as learning toys.
Wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, and boxes can be used to wrap someone else's presents.
Recycle jars by using them for home preserves.
Ice cream containers can be reused around the home in a number of ways:
Storing food in the freezer
As a container for toys, crayons, clothes pegs
Biscuit container
Meat trays, yoghurt containers, egg cartons, and film canisters can be kept and used by the kids to 'create stuff'. This is a great way to keep the kids amused and even make gifts for family and friends.
An upside down bottle with small holes in the top can be used to provide water for your pets while you are on holiday.
Materials left over from home sewing can be used by schools for collages. Larger pieces can also be used for patchwork and crafts by people in rest homes. In Wellington (and possibly other centres as well), there is a group in the women's prison who choose to do patchwork as part of their rehabilitation.
After you have finished a ’family-size’ yoghurt pot (and since they aren’t recyclable), rinse it out and use it as a lunch box or cookie jar.
Use ice cream and other plastic containers to put kids toys in. Also good for nuts and bolts and taking away camping, or clothes peg containers.
The black meat trays from the Supermarket make great paint trays for both adults and kids.
Stronger plastic bottles can be used to hold tools and nails etc in the shed. Simply cut three sides and leave one side longer and nail to the wall in the shed.
Old furniture, clothes, kitchen gear, and bedding are always wanted by organisations like Drug Arm, and the Salvation Army.
General tips for recycling and avoiding rubbish:
Buy a smaller rubbish container for the kitchen. This makes you to remember to recycle.
Make sure bottles and tins are clean before putting in the recycling bin. This prevents flies both at home and the recycling station.
Reorganise the kitchen so it has an efficient recycling area with good sized bins to help with sorting and holding. This will encourage other members of the household to contribute and help share the work instead of it being reliant on one person.
Cutting both the tops and the bottoms off tin cans (and placing them inside) and squashing them makes them smaller to fit into the recycling bin.
Put a 'no junk mail' sticker on your letter box. You'll be amazed at how much this reduces your rubbish.
Spread the word. By telling other people and helping them to get started, we increase the savings that can be made. Also get your children involved – if we can educate them early, they will grow up and appreciate waste reduction and will be able to apply these skills in later life.
RECYCLE - SOME FACTS
- Hi,
- In this age of global warming and recession, there are some stray thoughts put together for use in every day life.
- They can be used and will surely make a difference in future and make Earth smile and say: THANK YOU
CHEERS!!!
- Junk paper mail and newspaper can be reused as package stuffing.
- Empty tissue boxes can provide easy and handy storage for plastic grocery bags.
- Plastic bags can be reused as bin liners or package stuffing.
- There is no limit to the number of times an aluminum can can be recycled.
- Recycled plastic bottles can be made into rugs, jackets, fences and more.
- Recycling a 3-foot-high stack of newspapers can save one whole tree.
- Recycled cans can be made into airplanes, appliances, furniture and more.
- Rubber shoe soles can be recycled to make basketball courts and soccer fields.
- Recycled glass bottles can be made into roads, tiles, even surfboards.
- Unneeded printouts can be cut and stapled to make notepads.
- Newspapers can be reused as wrapping paper for gifts.
- Film canisters can be reused to store nails, screws, buttons and pins.
- Recycled paper takes about 60% less energy and water to make than new paper.
- You can make a lovely hat out of previously-used aluminum foil.
- Cardboard cartons can be used to collect paper for recycling, instead of plastic bags (even breakfast cereal cartons are good).
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Are You Ready to Belong?
Are You Ready to Belong?
An edited excerpt from Why Good People Do Bad Things. Our overidentification with "I" is the source of all our trauma, pain, and self-sabotage. So what do we do about it?
Last year, I was presenting at a conference and sat in on a talk by Dr. Dean Ornish, Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California , San Francisco . He showed a slide which illustrated an important concept that he had learned from one of his mentors.
The slide had the following two words written on it: Illness ...Wellness
He asked the audience to reflect on the difference between these two words and then, after a brief pause, he moved to the next slide.
The two words were written again, only the "I" in illness and the "we" in wellness were circled:Illness Wellness
Here it was right in front of me -- the problem and the solution.
When we are identified solely with the "I," when we are viewing life through the limited perspective of our often wounded individual selves, we only care about ourselves. We literally do not perceive any choices other than the ones that we believe will serve our individual emotional or physical needs -- no matter how destructive or unhealthy they might be.
To the extent that we are preoccupied with making it, with looking good, with fitting in, succeeding, belonging, winning, or trying to get what we think should be ours, we lock ourselves into the small cage of our individual self, driving us to destroy our dreams and become our own worst enemy.
But when we begin to understand that our "I" consciousness, our ego, is only a portion of who we are, we open ourselves up to merging with the "we," which is what I call the collective heart. "We" is the part of us that is connected to all that is, and to every other human being. It's the part of us that is willing to make a higher choice, even when it doesn't feel good to our individual "I."
For us to be truly healthy and whole, we must respond to a higher calling. And when we are willing to open up and explore "we" consciousness; when we begin to look for ways to serve, connect, and support others; when we see how our actions can benefit all concerned and commit ourselves to living in partnership with the greater whole, we return to our natural truest authentic state.
We return to wellness and regain the ability to live meaningful, passion-filled lives, follow the guidance of our higher selves, take right action, and make better choices.This week, keep track of the times you are operating from the "I."
Write down at least five times you catch yourself looking through the lens of the wounded ego. List the thoughts, the feelings, the behaviors, and the internal dialogues of your individual self. Then practice stepping into the "We."
Take at least five actions this week that connect you to the greater whole. As you make those choices to step out of the "I" and into the "We," notice how you feel about yourself. Write about what you see.
With love and blessings,
SUNNY
An edited excerpt from Why Good People Do Bad Things. Our overidentification with "I" is the source of all our trauma, pain, and self-sabotage. So what do we do about it?
Last year, I was presenting at a conference and sat in on a talk by Dr. Dean Ornish, Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California , San Francisco . He showed a slide which illustrated an important concept that he had learned from one of his mentors.
The slide had the following two words written on it: Illness ...Wellness
He asked the audience to reflect on the difference between these two words and then, after a brief pause, he moved to the next slide.
The two words were written again, only the "I" in illness and the "we" in wellness were circled:Illness Wellness
Here it was right in front of me -- the problem and the solution.
When we are identified solely with the "I," when we are viewing life through the limited perspective of our often wounded individual selves, we only care about ourselves. We literally do not perceive any choices other than the ones that we believe will serve our individual emotional or physical needs -- no matter how destructive or unhealthy they might be.
To the extent that we are preoccupied with making it, with looking good, with fitting in, succeeding, belonging, winning, or trying to get what we think should be ours, we lock ourselves into the small cage of our individual self, driving us to destroy our dreams and become our own worst enemy.
But when we begin to understand that our "I" consciousness, our ego, is only a portion of who we are, we open ourselves up to merging with the "we," which is what I call the collective heart. "We" is the part of us that is connected to all that is, and to every other human being. It's the part of us that is willing to make a higher choice, even when it doesn't feel good to our individual "I."
For us to be truly healthy and whole, we must respond to a higher calling. And when we are willing to open up and explore "we" consciousness; when we begin to look for ways to serve, connect, and support others; when we see how our actions can benefit all concerned and commit ourselves to living in partnership with the greater whole, we return to our natural truest authentic state.
We return to wellness and regain the ability to live meaningful, passion-filled lives, follow the guidance of our higher selves, take right action, and make better choices.This week, keep track of the times you are operating from the "I."
Write down at least five times you catch yourself looking through the lens of the wounded ego. List the thoughts, the feelings, the behaviors, and the internal dialogues of your individual self. Then practice stepping into the "We."
Take at least five actions this week that connect you to the greater whole. As you make those choices to step out of the "I" and into the "We," notice how you feel about yourself. Write about what you see.
With love and blessings,
SUNNY
EYE TEST PUZZLE
This is a REAL neurological test. Sit comfortably and stay calm.
1- Find the C below. Do not use any cursor help.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
2 - If you found the C, now find the 6 below.
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999699999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
99999999999999999999999999999999
- Now find the N below. It's a bit more difficult..
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMNMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
This is NOT a joke. If you were able to pass this 3 tests, you can cancel your annual visit to the neurologist. Your brain is great and you're far from having Alzheimer Disease.
Congratulations!
HELP FOR MUMBAI TERRORIST ATTACK VICTIMS
I have been watching the Candle Light Vigils happening across the country or may be the world.
I was part of two such vigils and one human chain.
But one article today shook me and that was in Hindustan Times today. It was a comment from doctors of the hospitals where victims are being treated. They have very rightly asked whether spending money on vigils will help the victims who need help to recover faster.
Government hospitals as they are with all amenities on paper will make people more sick then recover and let us not forget many of the victims are from the poorer section of the society. Rich went to big private hospitals anyway.
What they need is fruits and biscuits to recover faster. May be some form of other support which can bring their life on track again but no publicity stunt please.
I also intent to do something as a LION and also as a responsible citizen of INDIA and why not we all indians can collect just one rupee each and do something for these unfortunate survivors which mean a world to them.
I am open to suggestions and look for your support.
I was part of two such vigils and one human chain.
But one article today shook me and that was in Hindustan Times today. It was a comment from doctors of the hospitals where victims are being treated. They have very rightly asked whether spending money on vigils will help the victims who need help to recover faster.
Government hospitals as they are with all amenities on paper will make people more sick then recover and let us not forget many of the victims are from the poorer section of the society. Rich went to big private hospitals anyway.
What they need is fruits and biscuits to recover faster. May be some form of other support which can bring their life on track again but no publicity stunt please.
I also intent to do something as a LION and also as a responsible citizen of INDIA and why not we all indians can collect just one rupee each and do something for these unfortunate survivors which mean a world to them.
I am open to suggestions and look for your support.
Monday, December 1, 2008
GANAPATI FESTIVAL IN OUR SOCIETY
STATUE OF LORD GANAPATI IN OUR SOCIETY
LOOKS SO MYSTICAL AND FULFILLER OF ALL WISHES
HIS PRESENCE MADE ENVIRONMENT SO SACRED AND HARMONIOUS. THE FIVE DAYS WENT LIKE A DREAM. MORNING AARTI AND BREAKFAST TO LORD THEN LUNCH THEN DINNER AT NIGHT.
FOLLOWED BY COMMUNITY FEAST EVERY DAY. THE WHOLE SOCIETY BECAME ONE LARGE FAMILY MEETING EVERY DAY AND EATING TOGETHER.
WORLD NEEDS SUCH THINGS MORE TODAY WHEN FAMILIES ARE BREAKING UP TO NUCLEAR AND TO LIVE IN RELATIONSHIPS WHERE PARENTS AND OTHER RELATIONS HAVE NO PLACE.
The Hindu Rate Of Wrath
This is one wonderful article by frenchman in magazine OUTLOOK INDIA which I could not help but share:
FRANCOIS GAUTIER <http://www.outlooki ndia.com/ author.asp? name=Francois+ Gautier>
Is there such a thing as 'Hindu terrorism', as the arrest of Sadhvi PragyaSingh Thakur for the recent Malegaon blasts may tend to prove? Well, I guessI was asked to write this column because I am one of that rare breed offoreign correspondents, a lover of Hindus! A born Frenchman,Catholic-educated and non-Hindu, I do hope I'll be given some credit for myopinions, which are not the product of my parents' ideas, my education or myatavism, but garnered from 25 years of reporting in South Asia (for *LeJournal de Geneve* and *Le Figaro*).In the early 1980s, when I started freelancing in south India , doing photofeatures on kalaripayattu, the Ayyappa festival, or the Ayyanars, I slowlyrealised that the genius of this country lies in its Hindu ethos, in thetrue spirituality behind Hinduism. The average Hindu you meet in a millionvillages possesses this simple, innate spirituality and accepts yourdiversity, whether you are Christian or Muslim, Jain or Arab, French orChinese. It is this Hinduness that makes the Indian Christian differentfrom, say, a French Christian, or the Indian Muslim unlike a Saudi Muslim. Ialso learnt that Hindus not only believed that the divine could manifestitself at different times, under different names, using different scriptures(not to mention the wonderful avatar concept, the perfect answer to 21stcentury religious strife) but that they had also given refuge to persecutedminorities from across the world Syrian Christians, Parsis, Jews, Armenians,and today, Tibetans. In 3,500 years of existence, Hindus have nevermilitarily invaded another country, never tried to impose their religion onothers by force or induced conversions.You cannot find anybody less fundamentalist than a Hindu in the world and itsaddens me when I see the Indian and western press equating terrorist groupslike simi, which blow up innocent civilians, with ordinary, angry Hindus whoburn churches without killing anybody. We know also that most of thesecommunal incidents often involve persons from the same groups, often Dalitsand tribals, some of who have converted to Christianity and others not.However reprehensible the destruction of Babri Masjid, no Muslim was killedin the process; compare this to the 'vengeance' bombings of 1993 in Bombay ,which wiped out hundreds of innocents, mostly Hindus. Yet the Babri Masjiddestruction is often described by journalists as the more horrible act ofthe two. We also remember how Sharad Pawar, when he was chief minister ofMaharashtra in 1993, lied about a bomb that was supposed to have gone off ina Muslim locality of Bombay .I have never been politically correct, but have always written what I havediscovered while reporting. Let me then be straightforward about thisso-called Hindu terror. Hindus, since the first Arab invasions, have been atthe receiving end of terrorism, whether it was by Timur, who killed 1,00,000Hindus in a single day in 1399, or by the Portuguese Inquisition whichcrucified Brahmins in Goa . Today, Hindus are still being targeted: therewere one million Hindus in the Kashmir valley in 1900; only a few hundredremain, the rest having fled in terror. Blasts after blasts have killedhundreds of innocent Hindus all over India in the last four years. Hindus,the overwhelming majority community of this country, are being made fun of,are despised, are deprived of the most basic facilities for one of theirmost sacred pilgrimages in Amarnath while their government heavily sponsorsthe Haj. They see their brothers and sisters converted to Christianitythrough inducements and financial traps, see a harmless 84-year-old swamiand a sadhvi brutally murdered. Their gods are blasphemed.So sometimes, enough is enough.At some point, after years or even centuriesof submitting like sheep to slaughter, Hindus?whom the Mahatma once gentlycalled cowards?erupt in uncontrolled fury. And it hurts badly. It happenedin Gujarat . It happened in Jammu , then in Kandhamal, Mangalore, andMalegaon . It may happen again elsewhere. What should be understood is thatthis is a spontaneous revolution on the ground, by ordinary Hindus, withoutany planning from the political leadership. Therefore, the BJP, instead ofacting embarrassed, should not disown those who choose other means to lettheir anguished voices be heard.There are about a billion Hindus, one in every six persons on this planet.They form one of the most successful, law-abiding and integrated communitiesin the world today.
Can you call them terrorists?
Sunday, November 30, 2008
human chain against mumbai terror attacks at kharghar navi mumbai
Hi,
Today we decided to form Human Chain at Kharghar, Navi Mumbai in the evening at Utsav Chowk in association with Lions Club of Kharghar and Rotary Club of Kharghar Mid-Town.
There was gathering of around 220 people and all very enthusiastic about doing something to show that we care for those who lost their lives and also to show their anger against terrorism.
I spoke to may onlookers asking them if they wish to join and light candles to pay homage to the people who lost their lives.
Most of them were very happy to join and almost 40 people joined us in paying the homage.
However, what worried me was the behavior of a score others who were asking how much time will it take, or will it serve anything so we wont and few who wanted to know which group is doing it?
These are the people who do not wish to spend their time for the nation or its interests because patriotism is waste of time for them. And they are the ones who ignore the signs of terror or problems because it is not their job.
When we talk of alert citizens our priority should be to make these few people alert as a mistake like this again will take few thousand more lives and we all should be careful about such people first.
Change must come and we all have to be a part of it.
JAI HIND!
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