Reflections..

Krishna Chronicles

2011-08-22T04:02:00.000-07:00

I was just reading through the reviews of Shobana’s latest dance drama- The Krishna Chronicles. I had always been a dance enthusiast and was very eager to see at least one of her shows. For a fact I knew the last dance drama “the Maya Raavan” was a super hit so was waiting eagerly for the next one. But after reading the reviews am seriously considering on booking the next show. It has got very bad reviews, seems the choice of songs is bad and there is a very definite masala fusion in there. With my distaste for masala songs I don’t want to end up hating Shobana all together. So planning to wait it out till the next good review comes my way. I don’t want my first experience to be a bad one.

Fight for our rights!

2011-08-19T02:13:00.000-07:00

In India democracy seems to hold a different meaning with each passing government. When you are ruling a secular democratic country transparency to its people is highly important. With a population of 1,155,347,700 and counting it is definitely not easy to satisfy the whim of every single person. But what we are talking about here is providing basic necessities for the collective welfare of people. Crores of money is going to the government each year in the form of tax. Everyone knows this. So a genuine question arises when we see the shaggy state in which our country currently is. Won’t we all wonder by seeing the unrepaired roads after each monsoon, unfinished bridges, unclean roads, derelict buses and trains, horrible food in the plane where the hell is my money going. Every person in this country is affected one way or the other. This revolution against corruption is the frustration of every common man. Look at the support gathering.
The fight is not about one man. We are fighting for our basic right. Our right for democracy. Fight for sanitation. A fight to the betterment of a country that has come out first against every obstacle thrown at it. This should be a lesson for every government that takes its oath for the people, by the people. They should realize they are sitting in the highest chair because they have been elected to serve the people. Not for hoarding the money collected from people. It is equal to pilfering.

Scribbles

2011-08-18T04:39:00.000-07:00

Lot seems to have happened in the recent months. Time seems to fly by me. And it is not just with me alone. Country wise India seems to be the most happening place right now. India is on the headlines of almost all the leading news paper all over the world. Corruption, sports, politics, bomb blasts, nifty, films, you can name it. (…)By the way my lines in this post are going I can see that am searching desperately for a topic to write a post on. It’s been a while I know. And my writing skills have become quite cranky. Let me gather my wandering musings and get back to u with a definite one. I know I desperately have to write about something.

Its week end again

2011-06-09T22:33:00.000-07:00

I am having a movie marathon this weekend. Got some fantabulous movies in English and telugu. Yesterday renoowned artist M F Hussain passed away. I am not much into arts but i have seen some of his works and i liked them, especially his potrayal of horses and woman has a unique touch to it and it always touches a chord. Its very sad that such an artist who put India at a global level did not have his last wish full filled, that his own country holds him in contempt. May he finds peace in his after life. I have never found Indian politics as interesting as it is now. All the dramatic turns is having an effect on people and they are beginning speak out. I think we are in the middle of very important times and changes are happening. Times are changing for the good i believe. Am just penning my thoughts as it comes. Now i got some real work to do. Adios!

Just a note

2011-05-31T22:06:00.000-07:00

My writing is completly screwed i guess. I had abandoned my writing when i was busy with my work. Its been a while since i hit the blog. In that i have lost my touch in writing, not that i was expert in it. But atleast i had a certain style and I could express my thoughts with out groping. Now I am not able to place the words correctly. It's all an incoherent jumble in my mind. Hope with practice i get my flair back. Till then you will have to put with this nonsense.

Stop this difference

2011-05-31T04:41:00.000-07:00

I detest the regional wars that happens in India. In my part of the country it is still more prevalent. Today i was just over hearing my collegue saying that in Andhra this actor is too good and that he is the only one who can dance and it went on for one full hour- Andhra this and Andhra that. After he left i was reflecting on what he said and the overall mentality of certain class of people. On the outset we are talking about globalisation and philanderers donating huge amout of money to some country that he is not remotely related. These are extreme ends of the spectrum we see every day. But something that i find very hard to digest. I dont like it when people say their state is THE Best. It could possibly be one of the best but with the diverse population and migrations, clinging on to your narrow beliefs will not help you in a social level. You cannot brand a certain sect of people as being too good because they follow a particular actor. That is taking ridicule to absurd level. I only have pity for them. Look back to tell them to grow up. In today's world we need a much more broad mind. When there is so much differences among your people then why the heck do you finger point at some one else. It leaves a bitter taste when people of the same country see diffrences based on region, caste and language. Differences are bound to be there in such a diverse country but we have to over see it. I take what is good in Andra and cherish it. At the end of day it is still my country and i am proud of it. Am not going to divide my country based on region or caste.

Is there a point for this futile effort?

2011-05-30T02:02:00.000-07:00

I read that the defense secratery -level talks are going on between Pakistan and India. I couldn't but wonder at the utter pointlessness of the talks. What are they hoping to achieve now, that they have not achieved in 50 sum years. What kind of resolution can one achieve from a country that continuosly refuses to believe that terrorism is at its root level. May be Pakistan should stop playing blaming games, trying to cook up reasons and excuses and start focusing on terror elements which is affecting its own people. On the recent attacks of the naval base it has yet again taken up the easy route of finger pointing. Perhaps its taking time for Pakistan to come to terms that jihadis are stemming from its very soil and are corrupting the nation. But too much time has passed already. Rather than embarrssing itself with the international community it should sort its issues and take stringent steps to weed out all the terror outfits. Its about time for Pakistan to show where it stands.

Chennai is roaring !!

2011-05-30T01:38:00.000-07:00

For someone who had just completed a major tournament and won it(world cup) , we were not expecting much in the club tournament. We were infact so happy with Dhoni it did not matter to us whether he gets the ipl cup or not. Chennai had been pretty consistent in its play for the entire tournament and we were happy it. We were hoping to end up in the top four. But voila we sailed into the finals and it was ninty percent sure Chennai is going to lift the cup again this year. The energy of the man leading it seems to be endless. I thought he will be exhausted by now. But he keeps wanting more. After lifting the world cup someone asked Dhoni what more is he looking to achieve now that he has done everything a captain will hope to do and he replied that he didn't mind repeating it again. What an answer! Shows the supreme confidence he has. And why not we ask, he has every reason in the book to be confident. He has his finger firmly on the pulse of the game. I am very proud of my home team to have lifted the ipl cup second time in a row and I am even more proud of the man leading it. Chennai is roaring this season !!

The Rajini factor

2011-05-27T01:53:00.001-07:00

So much more has been written about this man, what more could i possibly add. When i think of Rajini, dust storms, wheezing bullet, nail biting fight and oh-yes cigarette catching in his mouth, all this comes to my mind.. But there is more to him than all this glittering on screen personality. He is simply a good man. This fact make a simple man called Rajini into a phenomena. I have never been much of a fan of Rajini's acting. But when you put together all the aspects of this man, together, he is just too over powering to be ignored. Am not here to analyse what makes Rajini- Rajini. Because it is just not conceivable. I still remember the first time i saw 'thillu mullu'. I was having a laughing fit. It was so delirious it leaves me wanting more. Be it a villain or comedian or a super-hero Rajini has a presence both on screen and off screen. And by looks of the huge fan following it is apparent thousands of people world over feel the same. He is not to the likes of Kamalhassan or Sivaji Ganesan. He has a fan following like that of MGR but the man himself could be compared to none. I was looking forward to his next flick- 'Rana' because i fell in love with the release poster the first time i saw it. He is now ailing in hospital. I pray this man who made heads turn with out moving a muscle gets well soon. Be a fan or no-fan Rajini factor just grows on you. Mind it!!

Iphone 4 in India!!

2011-05-27T01:34:00.001-07:00

One of the most awaited smart phone brands has rolled out its latest in India. After over a year from its launch in US people in India would be glad to get their hands on Iphone 4. With the market cluttered with so many smart phones that has most of the features an Iphone possess we may have to wait and see how well it is received in India. The price tab could be an offset yet the features in Apple smart phines are orginal. The third generation networks have been only recently launched in India. Hence the delay would have been inevitable. Various networks have offered selected plans to make full use of the handset. With announcement of Iphone 5 round the corner, it could make a dent in sales since people having waited this far would only want to go to latest if there is any chance for them to get it. It will be interesting to see how the market is reacting to this new smarrt phone in town.

Being brave

2010-08-19T08:43:00.000-07:00

My morning started off with an incredible thought process. What triggered that was my leg pain and the national anthem. Huh? Not something you come up daily with, is it? As it is I was just wondering about brave jawans today. I saw my anthem being played and I saw this guy standing up with one leg and a very cute and incredible smile on his face. It made me wonder what might have made this guy go out to the battle field. I mean he should have very obviously known the dangers that go with it. It could have been anything for him, a horrible death or a bullet in the wrong place or some thing as murderous. But knowing all that he still he went ahead. And I just thought ain’t he brave. Its not just him. So many other jawans. So so many people the world around. They barge in aware of all its dangers and all the pain it might bring through. And here I am with a small pain in my leg thinking that the world is over for me. I felt very tiny. But I felt a huge realize too. Because i have learned to ignore petty things. What were boulders became little stones too me. Now everything is possible. And it has made my day brighter. I walked to my office with the same smile I saw on that brave man. I felt lighter. I salute all the brave souls the world over.

Popular Superstitions

2010-08-08T07:05:00.000-07:00

Call them funny or call them weird, these popular superstitions or old wives' tales are still heeded and can make the most logical person behave in the most illogical ways!

These colourful beliefs just refuse to die and have been passed down from generation to generation.

Broken mirror Long long ago when there were no mirrors, people looked at their reflections in water. One's reflection was considered to be like one's soul and as such if the reflection appeared contorted then the soul was considered broken. Even after the advent of mirrors the practice continues. A broken mirror distorts your reflection and is thus considered inauspicious.

Black cat crossing your path One of the most popular and oldest beliefs, this one is attributed to various sources. One version goes that black cats forebode doom; another goes that black cats are demons in disguise; and yet another goes that they were once pets of witches that turned into witches and hence they are witches in disguise. Contrary to worldwide beliefs about the black cat, the Japanese consider a black cat lucky. So the next time you see a black cat you decide whether you want turn back or walk ahead.

Walking under a slanting ladder This age-old belief is believed to have originated from those days when convicts were hung from the seventh rung of ladders. The belief those days was that if one walked under such a ladder, there was every likelihood of coming into contact with the ghost of the man who was hung.

13 and Friday the 13th The number 13 has always been and is still considered to be sinister by many. For some, going to office or carrying out any auspicious task is out of the question on the 13th day of a month. Many others consider only Friday the 13th to be inauspicious. Friday the 13th's bad reputation goes back to the days when under pressure from King Philip IV of France, Pope Clement V had ordered his men to capture and burn all the Templar knights, a brigade of powerful crusaders who the king felt were a threat to him.

2010-08-08T06:59:00.000-07:00

The samurai were roughly the equivalent of feudal knights. Employed by the shogun or daimyo, they were members of hereditary warrior class that followed a strict "code" that defined their clothes, armor and behavior on the battlefield. But unlike most medieval knights, samurai warriors could read and they were well versed in Japanese art, literature and poetry.

The samurai followed a set of rules that came to be known as Bushido. While they numbered less than 10% of Japan's population samurai teachings can still be found today in both everyday life and in martial arts such as Kendo, meaning the way of the sword.

Kato Kiyomasa was one of the most powerful and well-known lords of the Sengoku Era. He commanded most of Japan's major clans during the invasion of Korea (1592–1598). In a handbook he addressed to "all samurai, regardless of rank" he told his followers that a warrior's only duty in life was to "grasp the long and the short swords and to die". He also ordered his followers to put forth great effort in studying the military classics, especially those related to loyalty and filial piety. He is best known for his quote:

The point of a samurai sword is called a Kissaki. This is the hardest part of the sword to polish and forge and to hand create a quality one would require an extremely skilful artisan. The value of a sword is determined largely by the quality of the point. The samurai would give names to their swords as they believe in the sword lived their warrior spirit.

"If a man does not investigate into the matter of Bushido daily, it will be difficult for him to die a brave and manly death. Thus it is essential to engrave this business of the warrior into one's mind well."

Most samurai were bound by a code of honor and were expected to set an example for those below them. From the earliest times, the Samurai felt that the path of the warrior was one of honor, emphasizing duty to one's master, and loyalty unto death.

World Travel

2010-08-08T06:54:00.000-07:00

In this article ill bring to you some exotic places that i admire.

Queenstown, New Zealand

Staggering beauty and heart-pumping thrilss await in the resort town of Queenstown, which is also known for its Hobbits -- much of the Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed in the area. Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Queenstown for kayaking, bungee jumping, jetboating, white-water rafting, hiking and skiing. More mild-mannered adventurers can take a quiet cruise through nearby Milford Sound, part of the Fjordland National Park World Heritage area or sample South Island pinot noir from one of the region's 75 wineries.

Sedona, Arizona

Anyplace can have an amazing pool and spa, but an amazing pool and spa in the middle of a gorgeous desert? That's what you'll find at Sedona's resorts. If you do feel like taking a break from lounging poolside and sampling different kinds of massages, you'll find miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback tours. Afterward, of course, you'll need another massage. It's the good kind of vicious cycle.

Rock Hard

2010-08-01T04:24:00.000-07:00

Rocks are so common that most of us take them for granted—cursing when we hit them with the garden hoe or taking advantage of them to drive in tent pegs on summer camping trips.

But what exactly is a rock?

To geologists, a rock is a natural substance composed of solid crystals of different minerals that have been fused together into a solid lump. The minerals may or may not have been formed at the same time. What matters is that natural processes glued them all together.

There are three basic types of rock: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.

Extremely common in the Earth's crust, igneous rocks are volcanic and form from molten material. They include not only lava spewed from volcanoes, but also rocks like granite, which are formed by magma that solidifies far underground.

Typically, granite makes up large parts of all the continents. The seafloor is formed of a dark lava called basalt, the most common volcanic rock.

Granite rocks can be very old. Some granite, in Australia, is believed to be more than four billion years old, although when rocks get that old, they've been altered enough by geological forces that it's hard to classify them. Fossils are most frequently found in sedimentary rock, which comes in layers, called strata.

Metamorphic rocks are sedimentary or igneous rocks that have been transformed by pressure, heat, or the intrusion of fluids.

Snooping the net

2010-08-01T04:20:00.000-07:00

News is out that criminals can spy on Internet users even if they're using secure connections to banks, online retailers or other sensitive Web sites.

The attacks demonstrated at the Black Hat conference here show how determined hackers can sniff around the edges of encrypted Internet traffic to pick up clues about what their targets are up to.

It's like tapping a telephone conversation and hearing muffled voices that hint at the tone of the conversation. The problem lies in the way Web browsers handle Secure Sockets Layer, or SSL, encryption technology. SSL is widely used on sites trafficking in sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, and its presence is shown as a padlock in the browser's address bar.

For the average Internet user, the research reinforces the importance of being careful on public Wi-Fi networks, where an attacker could plant himself in a position to look at your traffic. For the attacks to work, the attacker must first have access to the victim's network.

Rival for iPad ?

2010-08-01T03:45:00.000-07:00

Here is the rival for Apple Inc’s iPad.

Research In Motion Ltd, maker of the BlackBerry smartphone, is planning to introduce a tablet computer in November to compete with Apple Inc’s iPad.

The device will have roughly the same dimensions as the iPad, which has a 9.7-inch diagonal screen. The device will include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless technology that will allow people to connect to the Internet through their BlackBerry smartphones.

Be cautious when Filing Tax Online

2010-08-01T03:36:00.000-07:00

The advantages of filing your income tax returns online are plentiful. For instance, you can file your returns anytime, anywhere, away from the prying eyes of others and within the confines of your own home.

However, you do need to ensure you protect your personal information online. It is no coincidence that identity theft rate related to tax return filing rises in keeping with the increasing popularity of online tax filing.

Be skeptical of emails that feature Web links. Those links can be part of a phishing scam that takes you to look-alike Web pages designed to steal your sensitive personal information, from PAN numbers to credit card account information. If you need to log in, do so independently and through the log-in Web page – not by clicking on a link.

When you go to file your taxes, make sure you've reached the correct site. One easy way is to look for a green address bar that indicates that the Web site is authentic.

Make sure you're entering your personal information in a secured session by looking for https://

Do not respond to any tax issues or requests using fax. You might receive a email scam requesting for a fax with personal information to be sent back to “The Income Tax Department.” The Income Tax Department will never request personal information via fax.

100 days of oil spill

2010-08-01T03:25:00.000-07:00

A 100 days have passed since the April 20 explosion on the BP Deepwater Horizon oil rig that killed 11 men and caused millions of gallon of crude to spill into the Gulf of Mexico. President Obama described it as the "worst environmental disaster America has ever faced", and environmental groups spoke in almost biblical terms of "dark shadows" and the "black hand of tar".

One of the first species to face risk could be the brown pelican, which has just entered its breeding season on Louisiana's coastal islands. The brown pelican was just removed from the endangered species list last year.

BP has been estimating the leak was flowing at a rate of 5,000 barrels per day, but scientists and the government have questioned that figure. Scientists analyzing video of the oil gushing from the seabed have pegged the spill's volume at about 70,000 barrels (11 million liters) per day.

In a statement President Obama said his administration will use "every single available resource at our disposal" to respond to the massive oil spill expected to reach the Gulf coastline within a day. He said the oil company BP ultimately will pay the cost of the cleanup.

2010-07-11T23:18:00.000-07:00

Are we going to change the color of the animals now? Join the Awareness !!

Consume less oil

2010-07-11T23:04:00.000-07:00

This entry comes by popular request. A lot of people have been asking what they can do to less oil, and reduce demand for the sticky stuff ruining beaches everywhere. Here's my top ten, feel free to add to it in comments:

1. Carpool, cycle or use public transport to go to work.

2. Choose, when possible, products packaged without plastic and recycle or re-use containers.

3. Buy organic fruits and vegetables.

4. Buy beauty products (shampoo, soap, make-up) based on natural ingredients, not oil.

5. Choose when possible locally produced products (less transport involved).

6. Buy clothes made out of organic cotton or hemp - not from oil derivatives.

7. Use non-disposable items in picnics and summer festivals.

8. Quit bottled water.

9. Fly less.

10. Demand that your government encourage renewable energy instead of subsidizing oil.

Courtesy: Greenpeace

Wonderful Message!!

2010-07-11T22:41:00.000-07:00

Book Review- Shadow Kiss

2010-07-11T22:36:00.000-07:00

For those who enjoy reading vampire stories this one would be whole-some treat. I highly recommend the series. For those who ar new go in the order of vampire academy, frost bite and then come to this. And don’t read any further because it will be a spoiler for the other two books.

Rose is still trying to deal with her forbidden love for Dimitri - for her whole life she has been taught that protecting the Moroi is more important than anything and that, as a Dhampir, her needs should come last. She is starting to feel resentment towards Lissa after watching her being so happy and in love with Christian while knowing that she and Dimitri will never be able to be together. But that isn't the only thing going on with Rose, she is getting increasingly angry over the smallest things and can't understand why her temper is so out of control.

If you're a fan of the last 2 books in the series then you're going to loveShadow Kiss. It is by far my favorite in the series and I am desperate to get my hands on the next.

This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride like no other you've been on before. I don't want to give any spoilers so I'm just going to say that this book will leave you spinning - the twist Richelle put in at the end was utterly heartbreaking and I have no idea how she is going to be able to fix things.

This is seriously a must read for urban fantasy fans both young and old.

Riots against FIFA spending

2010-07-10T09:10:00.000-07:00

Thousands of South Africans staged a march to protest against lavish spending on the tournament and the sacking of security staff, inflicting a new embarrassment on organisers.

As the country marked the 34th anniversary of the Soweto uprising against apartheid rule, about 3000 people marched in Durban to denounce Fifa and the government for their spending priorities when millions live in poverty.

"Get out Fifa mafia!" chanted the crowds in a Durban park, their ranks swelled by stewards who were involved in clashes with riot police after protests over their wages.

Monday's protests triggered walkouts by other stewards, which have led South Africa's police to take control at the World Cup stadiums in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and Durban.

Ever since it was awarded the staging rights, South Africa's government has faced accusations it should not be spending hundreds of millions of dollars on stadiums when about 40% of the population lives on less than $2 a day.

"If we have money for stadiums, we should not have any homeless people or people having to live in shacks," organiser Allan Murphy said ahead of the protest.

Much of the marchers' ire was directed towards Fifa, which has made record amounts of money from the first World Cup to be held in Africa.

Football's governing body has insisted that the dispute over stewards' wages is not its responsibility, having sub-contracted the work.

But there is widespread anger among South Africans towards Fifa, whose demands for a smooth-running tournament has seen the government pour R33-billion ($4,3-billion) into World Cup preparations.

Dolphins

2010-07-04T06:50:00.000-07:00

SAVE DOLPHINS

Leonardo da Vinci

2010-07-04T06:44:00.000-07:00

The term Renaissance man is used to describe a person who seems to know, and know how to do, nearly everything. He or she is skilled in multiple disciplines, and, being well-ed ucated, has a broad knowledge of all sorts of subjects. When someone refers t o another as a Renaissance man, you know that person really has his or her stuff together and would most likely be a great addition to your trivia team. A polymath is another word used to describe such a person; the word comes from Greek, meaning "having learned much."

The phrase Renaissance man comes from the period of the same name between the 14th and 17th centuries, the Renaissance. This is the point when historians agree civilization emerged from the Dark Ages and began a new period of intellectual enlightenment. Scholars and artists during these times took on all kinds of studies, including painting, sculpting, science and mathematics, engineering

and philosophy.

Most consider Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), the Italian scientist, inventor and artist, the ultimate Renaissance man, and you'll often see him associated with the term. Leonardo was a master painter, and many of his works are recognized worldwide, including the

"Mona Lisa," the "Last Supper," and his sketch of the "Vitruvian Man." He was also a sculptor, an anatomy expert, an engineer and an architect, and his seemingly endless amount of ideas and inventions were extremely far ahead of their time. Most of his machines or gadgets were merely proposed and remain sketches on paper, but Leonardo also predicted a myriad of modern technologies, including the parachute, steam engine, tank, helicopter, airplane

and submarine.

But did the one-of-a-kind genius have the foresight to dream up the basic principle for the modern era's most influential mode of transportation -- the car? If so, what did it look like, and how did it work? One has to find out..

NASCAR World Cup

2010-07-04T06:38:00.000-07:00

The 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup season was in the midst of an upsurge. As the 1980s drew to a close, the popularity of NASCAR stock car racing was spiraling upward dramatically. Sponsorship from corporate America was strong, the dynamic heroes behind the wheel were becoming household names, and all of the NASCAR Winston Cup events were being televised live. Trackside attendance was running at record levels and promoters were adding new grandstands to accommodate the demand for tickets.

On a sad note, Tim Richmond, an energized and immensely popular driver, had electrified the audience with his brazen displays of courage only to die prematurely of the AIDS virus in 1989. Richmond was Winston Cup racing's top winner in 1986, but had to sit out most of the 1987 campaign as he concealed the identity of his illness.

February 19, 1989: Daytona 500

In his 17th Daytona 500 start, Darrell Waltrip prevails in an economy run. Waltrip runs the final 132.5 miles without a pit stop and coasts across the finish line 7.64 seconds ahead of runner-up Ken Schrader. Most of the field runs on Hoosier tires as Goodyear pulls out of the race due to safety concerns with its new radial tire.

May 7, 1989: Winston 500

Davey Allison leads a 1-2-3 Ford sweep in the Winston 500 at Talladega. Allison outruns Terry Labonte and Mark Martin to score his fifth career NASCAR Winston Cup win.

July 30, 1989: Talladega 500

By pocketing $47,965 for his second-place finish in the Talladega 500, Darrell Waltrip becomes NASCAR's first $10 million winner.

November 19, 1989: Atlanta Journal 500

Dale Earnhardt romps to an overwhelming victory in the season-ending Atlanta Journal 500 as Rusty Wallace wraps up his first NASCAR Winston Cup title with a 15th-place finish. Wallace nips Earnhardt by 12 points in the final tally. Veteran driver Grant Adcox is killed in a 202nd-lap crash.

Kundalini Yoga

2010-07-04T06:33:00.000-07:00

Kundalini yoga is a form of physical and meditative yoga that comprises of various techniques using the mind, body and our senses.

The Kundalini energy is often represented as a snake coiled at the base of the spine. This yoga gives special consideration to the role of the spine and the endocrine system – both essential parts for yogic awakening.

It goes beyond the physical performance of asanas with its emphasis on breathing, meditation, mudras and chanting. However, it can be very physically intense and appeals to those who are up for both mental and physical challenges. Here are some of the benefits one can derive from Kundalini yoga.

- Kundalini yoga helps in the better functioning of the digestive, glandular, cardiovascular, lymphatic and nervous system.

- It has a direct bearing with the glandular system and hence can enhance the ability to look and feel great.

- It heightens the senses. So, your ability to taste, smell, feel and see with sensitivity are increased.

- It helps eliminate and get rid of habits such as smoking and alcohol addiction.

- Kundalini yoga helps to enrich your sense of well-being and confidence that comes from the process of self-discovery of your inner self and reaching a relaxed state of mind and body.

- It also helps overcome negative feelings and encourages positive attitude and feelings.

- You can experience better sense of self-control and, overcome anger and resentment to find inner calm and mental peace.

- It strengthens the immune system too and helps you fight off several diseases and keep them at bay. A positive mind is a great weapon against all of them.

Sleep better with these foods

2010-07-04T06:28:00.000-07:00

These food help you sleep better..

There are certain nutrients in salmon, as well as in beans, yogurt, and spinach that help you sleep better.

Salmon

The healthy fats in this fish (namely docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA for short) may boost levels of the sleep-regulating hormone melatonin.

Beans

Beans and other legumes provide a nice sampling of B vitamins, including B6, B12, and folic acid, all of which help the body regulate sleep cycles and produce relaxing serotonin. In fact, studies have shown that boosting B vitamins may help people with insomnia.

Low-fat yogurt

Yogurt is a good source of calcium and magnesium – two important sleep-supporting minerals that together help you fall asleep faster and ratchet up your deep-sleep time. And skimping on both may lead to muscle cramps, higher stress levels, and worse sleep.

Spinach

Dark leafy greens are a great source of iron – a nutrient that may help protect against the sleep robber known as restless legs syndrome.

Condemn the honor killings

2010-07-04T05:24:00.000-07:00

Scores of woman are killed every year with the count on the raise. In this day and age it tends to surprise some. But what is even more surprising and disgusting is that many of these killings are done by educated men. Men who walk amongst you and me wearing jeans and puma shoes, not old withered senile man.

Honor killings involves two people who profess to be in love and the entire community goes against them. Where it turns your kith and kin , your father and mother to monsters. What are these people against? Their son and daughter? Caste? No. These are excuses.

If you scratch away the top layer you will find the age old reason. The primeval reason for every ones survival-Love. They are against love, an emotion. They hate the emotion. What kind of men are they?

But wait a minute this is only part of the whole thing. Honor killing happens for various other reasons too.

Such "immoral behavior" may take the form of marital infidelity, refusing to submit to an arranged marriage, demanding a divorce, flirting with or receiving phone calls from men, failing to serve a meal on time, or -- grotesquely -- "allowing herself" to be raped. In the Turkish province of Sanliurfa, one young woman's "throat was slit in the town square because a love ballad was dedicated to her over the radio."

The horror stories continue still. Its time for every one to take a stand. Countless stories and countless horror stories have been written and seen. Brothers killing sisters, girl buried alive, father killing daughter the stories go on.

Come on humans, wake up. Let us stop this gruesome killings NOW. Before the entire woman race is wiped out in the name of 'honor', if you find any that is. Because if this happens the human race comes to an end.

Keep Clean. Go Green!!

2010-06-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

Populer Superstitions

2010-06-19T23:58:00.000-07:00

Call them funny or call them weird, these popular superstitions or old wives' tales are still heeded and can make the most logical person behave in the most illogical ways!

These colourful beliefs just refuse to die and have been passed down from generation to generation.

What do people buy most in online

2010-06-19T23:56:00.000-07:00

With the advent of the World Wide Web, the face of how people function with the various facilities, products and services made available to them has changed drastically. Everything under the sun is available online and to lay your hands on it is just a single click of the mouse away. These transactions take place on a global platform and the usage of the internet is extremely economical than to physically travel around and shop for things you need to search vividly for. All you need is a credit card number or an online payment account and you are good to go. Time is precious to all and that is exactly what is conserved to great extents with the advantage of having to shop from home within a few minutes.

When it comes to computer software it is extremely profitable to buy online because they can be purchased at lower rates owing to the absence of costs incurred on packaging and shipping. All you have to do is buy the software from the websites and install it in your computers. Although in order to avoid piracy they do have some special regulatory precautions in place. When it comes to booking travel packages or holidays, doing so online is very economical since you gain access to virtual tours and a detailed list of multiple flights of different companies in a single website where you can easily compare the rates and save a lot of money on cheaper flights. Travel and tourism industry is booming thanks to the increase in the internet savvy individuals.

When it comes to fashion accessories there is a certain freedom to shop at your leisure from home rather than stand for hours in the departmental stores spending a lot of time on finalizing the product. Besides there are no dearth for the designer clothes, shoes, handbags, sunglasses, watches, jewelry available online. Moreover, for all those who do not want to spend a fortune on the big designer brands they can easily opt for exact look-alike designer replicas that are available in plenty on the internet. Thus all these factors make these products extremely popular with a lot of people shopping online around the world.

Beetroot juice for your stamina

2010-06-19T23:51:00.002-07:00

Drinking beetroot juice boosts your stamina, concludes a new study, which adds that the magical drink can help you exercise for up to 16 percent longer.

A study reveals that drinking beetroot juice reduces oxygen uptake to an extent that cannot be achieved by any other known means, including training.

The research team conducted their study with eight men aged between 19 and 38. They were given 500ml per day of organic beetroot juice for six consecutive days before completing a series of tests, involving cycling on an exercise bike. On another occasion, they were given a placebo of blackcurrant cordial for six consecutive days before completing the same cycling tests.

After drinking beetroot juice the group was able to cycle for an average of 11.25 minutes, which is 92 seconds longer than when they were given the placebo. This would translate into an approximate 2 percent reduction in the time taken to cover a set distance. The group that had consumed the beetroot juice also had lower resting blood pressure.

The research has been published in the Journal of Applied Physiology.

Somniloquy

2010-06-19T23:51:00.001-07:00

Somniloquy is a sleeping disorder related with the talking aloud in one’s sleep, sleep talking. Somniloquy occurs at an unconscious level when the person doing so is not aware of the fact that he is doing it. Somniloquy or sleep-talking is a parasomnia which can be quite loud, ranging from simple sounds to long speeches, and can take place many times during sleep. A listener may or may not be capable to understand what the person is saying.

Sleep talking causes are not completely known. Many times, the cause of this sleep talking can not be associated with any identifiable underlying problem or disease.

Sleep talking may be associated with sleep-related disorders, such as:

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Sleep walking

Sleep-related epilepsy

REM (Rapid Eye Movement) behavior disorder (an unusual disorder in which individuals tend to act out their dreams while asleep)

Sleep apnea

Nighttime sleep eating syndrome

Justice??

2010-06-16T07:15:00.001-07:00

Save the Trees

2010-06-14T07:23:00.000-07:00

The modern tower of Pisa

2010-06-14T07:16:00.000-07:00

We know about the architectural mistake of the famous leaning tower of pisa. But here is the modern architectural wonder - the modern leaning tower in Abu Dhabi.

It’s a perfect metaphor for the teetering global real-estate market: Capital Gate, the glassy tower at the center of Abu Dhabi’s $2.2 billion Capital Centre development, has just been submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records as the “world’s most inclined building,” according to the press release. Or more precisely — by about 14.1 degrees.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, which leans 3.9 degrees, was an engineering mistake – a 185-foot-tall, 16,000-ton tower that was rather stupidly placed on a 10-foot-thick foundation, with nothing but soft sand and clay beneath. Even before the third story of the tower was built, the structure had begun to tilt. It wasn’t settling properly on the unstable sand. Attempts to compensate for the tower’s slant by making walls on one side of the building taller than the other, didn’t work out. It wasn’t until the 20th century that soil beneath the tower was shifted around to level out the structure just a bit.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa looks like an elderly person who’s likely to break a hip. Capital Gate, on the other hand, looks like a sexy lady swaying her hips. It leans westward about 18 degrees. And it twists ever so slightly, an engineering feat that guarantees the building will look different from all angles, the Capital Gate’s Web site boasts. Its intentional lean is supported by a slanting core that actually pulls in the opposite direction that the building appears to tilt. In addition, the gravitational pull is offset by a reinforced steel foundation that extends 98 feet down into the ground.

Sounds pretty secure to me!

Refresh your ward robe

2010-06-14T06:55:00.000-07:00

When was the last time you looked into your closet and thought — or said aloud as some of us do — “I have nothing to wear!” Last week? Yesterday? Just this morning? It always seems to happen when you have to be at work in 15 minutes or when someone (a friend, date or mate) is waiting for you to get ready to go out. And it’s not that your closet is empty, exactly — there definitely are clothes in there. But it could be that you’ve made some unfortunate purchases or you haven’t had the time or the money to make any recent changes or additions. So what’s a busy, broke, style-challenged gal (or guy — yes, I think the fellas could try this, too) to do? Throw a party. Say what? Yes, a party.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know — right now, you’re thinking, “Wait, where’s the money-saving style tip? Parties cost money and how’s a party going to revitalize my stale wardrobe?” Well, this isn’t just any party — it’s a sort of potluck-clothing swap hybrid. If you want to be fancy, you can call it a food and fashion fete.

Here’s what you do. First, call two or three of your closest female friends and fill them in on the concept. Even if they’re not in dire need of a fashion infusion, I’m pretty sure they’ll be in because who doesn’t like a party. Next, decide on your venue. Among my set, usually the person with the biggest entertaining space at home wins. As you’re compiling the list (a good number is anywhere from 10 to 25), be sure to include some acquaintances whose style you really admire.

After the invites go out, it’s all pretty much like planning any other party. Have one room set up with refreshments and have another room set up to serve as the swap center, where you can display everything. If you have a portable hanging clothes rack or two, set those up so that clothes can be displayed store-style. An empty bookcase can be used to display shoes and a coat rack works for scarves and bags. A nearby study or bathroom can serve as a fitting room. And if you have a freestanding, full-length mirror, set that up in the room, too.

If the group is small (fewer than 10 or so people), then the swap can be fairly informal — everyone just takes a turn picking out an item until everything has a new home. If you have a larger group (up to 20 or so), you might want to draw numbers and then take turns selecting items. Once you make it all the way through one round, go in the opposite order for the second round so people who had last pick the first time have an early pick for the second round. The great thing about this concept is that it’s not just reserved to items from your closets. You can also do this with your kids’ clothes, kitchen gadgets or books. And it makes a fun fundraiser, too. Instead of simply swapping the items, you could auction them off, raising money for a local charity.

Webby Awards

2010-06-14T06:49:00.000-07:00

There's one big difference between the Webby Awards and other ceremonies, like the Oscars, Emmys and Grammys: Virtually no one who wins a Webby thanks the academy.

In spite of that difference, the Webbys have a lot in common with other industry awards. In addition to their similar names, statuettes and ceremonies, the Webbys, the Oscars, the Emmys and the Grammys all rely on groups of professionals to select their winners. Plus, the awards are among the most prestigious that people can receive in each of their respective fields.

Let's start with some Webby history. The Webby Awards made their debut in 1996, long before the Internet was as prevalent as it is today. A magazine called The Web used donations to fund the awards, which recognized sites in 15 categories. Around 700 people attended the first Webby Awards ceremony, which was held at a San Francisco nightclub.

In 1998, The Web folded, and the newly formed International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences took over the Webby Awards. The Academy still exists today -- it's a voting body of Internet experts, business leaders and others. Its purpose is to recognize and encourage high-quality Internet content as well as to provide education and networking for technology professionals and the public.

Today, the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences has more than 750 members, and the 2010 awards involved more than 100 categories. The winners aren't just be Web sites you can browse on your computer. The Academy expanded its scope, and it now recognizes the sites you can visit and services you can use from mobile devices. It also bestows awards in interactive advertising and online film and video.

Weirdos

2010-06-14T06:47:00.000-07:00

Of all the weirdos in the world i think this piece will take the cake for the day. I came across this news item when i was researching for back posts. You will understand when i tell you the story.

A husband strangled his wife for voting in the election in India. It happened when the wife voted for one of her relatives rahter than the person he asked her to vote in the on going sarpanch elections in north india. Of all the most weird reasons you get to kill. I suppose the worth of a life has so demeaned to a standard that you kill your own wife and get away with it. I just hope the young woman gets her justice.

Cock fighting cruelty

2010-06-12T23:15:00.000-07:00

You may or may not have heard of the horrible "sport" called Cock Fighting. If you haven't, then here's what it is:

Cock fighting is a group "activity" in which people take their roosters and force them to fight each-other. People usually bet on what rooster will win. Usually it's fight-till-the-death.

This cruel act is against the law (as it should be) but (like pit bull fighting) is still happening everywhere. Animals every day are put in a small ring and bet on.

To help, if you see a cock fight or know about one, call the police as soon as possible.

Transport

2010-06-12T23:10:00.000-07:00

For those waiting for news from space front..

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden regarding Friday's launch of Space Exploration Technologies' Falcon 9 rocket, said "Congratulations to Space X on today's launch of its Falcon 9 launch vehicle. Space X's accomplishment is an important milestone in the commercial transportation effort and puts the company a step closer to providing cargo services to the International Space Station (ISS).

Preparations are proceeding for the first NASA-sponsored test launch under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) project. Later this year. COTS is a vital development and demonstration partnership to create a commercial space transportation system capable of providing cargo to the station.

Online Distractions

2010-06-12T23:06:00.000-07:00

People who spend most of their time online often get distracted by the huge range of online activities and applications vying to attract attention.

Now, RescueTime, a company that creates time management and productivity software, has come up with a list of such online distractions.

When Google posted the classic game Pac-Man on its home page, it guzzled about 4.8 million hours of work time and $120 million in lost productivity, as calculated by RescueTime, reports ABCNews.com

Montana Low, RescueTime senior software developer, said that the calculations give a view into how people spend time online.

Looking at his company's data, he was able to determine the websites people tend to spend the most time on as well as the ones RescueTime software users said were the most distracting.

The list of the top 10 online distractions include:

1. Facebook 2. YouTube 3. Facebook Applications 4. Twitter 5. Amazon 6. Hulu 7. Netflix 8. Flickr 9. Blogger 10. Reddit

Funny Spam titles

2010-06-12T23:05:00.000-07:00

The Top 10 Unintentionally Funny Spam Email Titles

Inspired by Pink Biz, here is a list of the 10 funniest spam email titles that I have received so far this week -

1. Don’t get mad, get Valium!

2. nuclear cheese helmet

3. Improve sperm flavour

4. Chicks dig larger poles. Get one today

5. Bomb her womb with your huge cannon

6. Join the Malware Affiliate Program

7. Women love big and thick ice cream

8. Gays Banned From Owning Pets In New York

9. Nuke Gay Whales For Jesus!

10. BREAKING NEWS: Home Office To Deport Anyone With Iq Below 100

Hopefully I don’t have to explain what sort of product or service most of those were trying to promote, though the last three on the list are rather intriguing

2010-06-12T09:18:00.000-07:00

Planet has enough for everyones need

and not for everyones greed.

Enamoured by Elephants in circus

2010-06-12T07:48:00.000-07:00

Cheers, laughter, and applause filled the big top tent at the Ringling Bros. Circus Saturday as children of all ages were captivated by the savage enslavement of Topsy the elephant.

Whether young or just young at heart, thrilled audience members watched with glee as a circus trainer forced the frightened Topsy to perform tricks by brutally poking and prodding the traumatized 4-year-old pachyderm.

The crowd reportedly let out loud gasps and vigorously clapped when Topsy stood up on his hind legs, an unnatural and excruciatingly painful movement that stresses and permanently damages the 8,000-pound elephant's joints.

Topsy also delighted the audience after the trainer repeatedly thrust a hooked rod into his skin, causing the miserable animal to lift one leg and his trunk to simulate waving.

"Aww…" said the assembled circus-goers, who were taken by the cuteness of the barbaric spectacle.

Topsy and the other elephant performers, who are separated from each other at all times, preventing the socialization that's so crucial to their well-being, received a standing ovation from the crowd when they marched into the center ring, nervously rocking back and forth.

Unaware that the elephant was terrified of the glaring stage lights, deafening crowd noise, and constant beatings, Phil Wingren, who brought his family to the circus, remarked that Topsy must relish being a star.

Eyewitnesses who spotted the trainer patting the side of Topsy's body during the final trick were convinced the elephant and the man were best friends, though in fact the look of reverie on Topsy's face was the result of his daydreaming about stomping and crushing the cruel asshole's head like an overripe melon.

Egyptian Pyramids Actually Early Attempt At Camping

2010-06-12T07:43:00.000-07:00

Once shrouded in mystery, the pyramids of Giza are now believed to be the earliest known attempt at camping out, a team of archeologists reported Monday. "It appears that around 400 BC, the pharaohs of Egypt began packing up all of their earthly possessions for some recreational camping on the banks of the Nile," said Dr. Tarek Hilal of Alexandria University, noting that the pyramids' dense outer walls and sharply angled faces would have been perfect for keeping rain out. "Furthermore, it seems that the extensive hieroglyphics showing spirits embarking on a journey to the afterlife was their way of telling spooky ghost stories." Despite the remarkable discovery, Hilal and his team are still unsure why so many ancient Egyptians decided to remove their inner organs before getting inside their stone sleeping bags at night.

Shocking oil spill estimates

2010-06-12T07:36:00.000-07:00

As much as 40,000-plus barrels of oil per day are pouring from BP's ruptured well in the Gulf of Mexico, a US official has said, more than doubling the previous government estimate.The lowest estimate that we're seeing that the scientists think is credible is probably about 20,000 barrels, and the highest that we're seeing is probably a little over 40,000.

The figures — which estimate the flow rate prior to BP cutting a busted riser pipe June 3 in order to attach a containment device — are more than double the previous estimate of 12,000 to 19,000 barrels per day.

In health related issues seventy-one people in Louisiana have suffered health problems that officials believe are linked to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Fifty of those who have reported symptoms including throat irritation, cough, shortness of breath, eye irritation, nausea, chest pain and headaches, worked on oil rigs or were part of the effort to clean up the spill.The most common symptom associated with the spill was headache, followed by nausea, cough and throat irritation.

On the clean up front BP Plc is to begin testing additional methods over the weekend to capture oil gushing out of a well in the Gulf of Mexico, as President Barack Obama travels to the region again next week to get a first-hand look at clean-up efforts.The second system will route the captured oil to a floating rig through hoses that were already installed for the failed “top-kill” operation, which was unable to plug the well.

Selling cheap-Shocker justice

2010-06-12T07:29:00.000-07:00

Around 22,000 dead. More than 1,20,000 injured. Rs 1 lakh for each body. Rs 25,000 for every poisoned lung and damaged heart and blinded eyes. 26 years of long wait. And just 2 years in jail for the men who committed the worst crime against the people of this country.Thousands more are still waiting to be accepted as victims. People of Bhopal are still drinking toxic water poisoned by Union Carbide in December 1984. And the main culprit is living life kingsize in a mansion in New York.

If there is a failed state in the world, it’s India. It’s not Iraq. It’s not Somalia. It’s not Sudan. It’s India.

In all these three decades, the poor victims have done everything they could to get justice and compensation. They have cried and died on streets, sat hungry and faced police lathis on roads and filed court cases in the hope that one day they will get justice. And this!!. Justice- if we can it one.

Today, it was proved all over again that those who do politics in the name of poor in this country, always rule for the rich. The chairman of UC at the time of the gas attack (it was not an accident, the gas leak was caused because of cost-cutting steps taken by him) on the people of Bhopal, Anderson was arrested and later released on bail. He ran off to US in 1986 and we have not been able to find him or ask the US to extradite Anderson to India. Why?

*Why did Union Carbide not apply the same safety standards at its plant in India as it operated at a sister plant in West Virginia, US?

*On the night of the disaster, why did the six safety measures designed to prevent a gas leak fail to function?

*Why was the safety siren, intended to alert the people living close to the factory, turned off?

The people are entitled an answer for these questions.

Can an American come to India kill people in this country and run away with no consequences? That seems to be the case. We are still struggling to get a chance to question David Headley Coleman, an American citizen responsible for the worst terror attack on an Indian city in 2008. Will we succeed in getting Headley extradited to India?

Rs 1 lakh for every body. Rs 25,000 for every blinded eye. This is the cost of poor life in a failed state.

No country sells its people so cheap.

Heros of football

2010-06-12T07:26:00.000-07:00

Superstars who pushed the limits of the game to make it the sport that it is today.

Pele: If anyone epitomises the spirit of the World Cup, it is Edson Arantes Do Nascimento — popularly knows as Pele. The limelight, vacated because of Ferenc Puskas-less Hungary, was seized by Pele. An upstart, which the football world loved to watch and talk about, Pele started off as a precocious 17-year old in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, scoring six goals, including a hat-trick against France in the semi-finals and a brace in the final against Sweden. He continued to torment defenders till the 1970 World Cup, where he was part of an incredible team which helped Brazil win their third Trophy.

Maradona: Images of a short, stocky man slaloming past defenders immediately come to our mind whenever we hear of Diego Armando Maradona. Two moments best describe the Argentine superstar. The first: raising his hand to score what is dubbed as “The Hand of God” goal against England to bring Argentina level in their crucial quarterfinal in the ‘86 World Cup. The second: His mazy run and finish - twisting, turning and leaving anything non-Argentine lying on the mat in his wake to score the “Goal of the Century”— in the same match to take Argentina into the semi-final. In 1994, his career ended the way it had started – with an enforced eviction--Maradona was banned for failing a drugs test in the 1994 edition in the US.

Ronaldo: There was nothing more terrifying in world football for goalkeepers than seeing Ronaldo, ball at his feet, dodging defenders, sidestepping them like he was gaming on a playstation. Performing step-overs for fun, Ronaldo usually completed the misery by rounding the keeper and scoring. The Brazilian's World Cup career was a curious tale of agony and ecstasy. After being selected, but not played, in the ‘94 edition, he was let loose in France four years later and was, along with Rivaldo, at the heart of the Brazilian team that marched into the finals. But due to massive seizures he suffered hours before the final, his game was well below par in the summit clash. But a rejuvenated and a fit-again Ronaldo returned - to torment defenders in Korea and Japan in 2002. While playing in the 2006 World Cup, he also overtook Gerd Muller, scoring 15 goals in World Cups, the most in the history of the tournament.

Beckenbauer: It was the 1974 World Cup final and the Netherlands, who were in their element playing what was known as “Total Football” was up against West Germany. Franz Beckenbauer, controlling the attacking instincts of Johann Cryuff, was instrumental in inspiring West Germany's famous come-from-behind victory (2-1).‘The Kaiser' epitomised the German spirit; in the semifinal of 1970 World Cup against Italy, a match which finished 4-3 to the Italians, he played on with a dislocated shoulder.

Garrincha: Going for back-to-back World Cup titles in 1962, Brazil was rocked by an injury to Pele, who was ruled out of the tournament after the initial stages. Garrincha seized the initiative and brought home the Selecao's second consecutive World Cup. Widely regarded as the world's greatest dribbler, he was a constant thorn in the opposition defence. He was, perhaps, the true embodiment of the hedonistic, all-round displays that characterised the double-winning ‘Samba' side of 1958 and 1962.

Stop this now

2010-06-10T09:33:00.001-07:00

Have a healthy smoke..

2010-06-10T07:14:00.000-07:00

Executives at Philip Morris USA this week unveiled Marlboro Earth, a new eco-friendly cigarette that gradually eliminates the causes of global warming and environmental destruction at their source.

"By killing off the No. 1 threat to the environment, new Marlboro Earths will have a long-term effect on the overall health of our planet," Philip Morris spokesperson Janet Weiss said. "If everyone in America does their part and joins our new green-smoking movement, then together we can eradicate man's destructive practices once and for all."

According to a press release from Philip Morris, the new environmentally friendly cigarettes work by employing powerful carcinogens that accumulate in the lungs of smokers, slowly breaking down their vital organs and eliminating the danger posed to the overpopulated planet by the human race.

Because Marlboro Earths take decades to work, the company stresses that people should start using them as early as possible, ideally during childhood or adolescence, in order to maximize the product's effectiveness.

"We've got to get everybody on board, the sooner the better," said Weiss, stressing that nothing less than the fate of the planet was at stake. "It doesn't take much. As few as two packs of Marlboro Earths a day can make all the difference in the world."

"Go ahead," Weiss continued. "Light up, breathe in, and help save Mother Earth."

The new cigarettes, released in limited test-market cities over the past two months, will be ready for a national rollout in mid-June. An ad campaign with the slogan "Marlboro Earth: Saving the Environment One Customer at a Time" has already been launched, and the product's iconic new packaging, which is similar to the traditional Marlboro design but also features a tree, is reportedly testing "through the roof" with consumers.

Philip Morris executives stressed that the new cigarettes, which contain the same great taste smokers have come to expect from Marlboro, but with nearly three times the tar and carbon monoxide, could make a huge difference in as little as 40 to 50 years, cutting down on urban sprawl, overpopulation, and eventually helping to enrich the soil with powerful fertilizers.

Eye contact with the president

2010-06-10T07:13:00.001-07:00

I read in a recent article that U.S president Obama is making rounds trying to catch the eye of every citizen in an attempt to convince the anxious populace that his legislation is working fine and that everything is going to be ok. President Barack Obama has embarked on a 50-state, 30,000-town tour during which time he plans to gaze assuredly into the eyes of each American citizen, one at a time.

Well this is quite a noval approach not to mention a sure way of connecting with people. I was surpised nevertheless when i read the article. But i was wondering about the enormous security issues that might arise with this tour and the costs that might come along.

In their announcement of this "2010 Eye-to-Eye Tour," the White House officials have said that Obama will first spend two weeks making eye contact with the 55 million residents of the densely populated Northeastern states, looking into their eyes and, if necessary, offering them an encouraging head nod. Obama will then continue down the East Coast before taking on the tour's biggest challenge: gazing with confidence into the eyes of a hostile Southern electorate that largely rejects his policies.

According to the article patrons at the Beefside Family Restaurant in Concord, NH, many of whom expressed concern that the country was more divided than ever, were placated Tuesday when the president went from booth to booth making eye contact with every man, woman, and child present. If diners attempted to avoid his glance, Obama maneuvered his head quickly but confidently until he made direct eye contact and held their gaze.

Recent poll numbers indicate that Obama is slowly earning the trust of Americans throughout the country and we only hope this tour has positive effects on the intended recipients.

Save Tigers

2010-06-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

Food culture

2010-06-06T08:46:00.000-07:00

The hunt for food is the most dominant activity in the lives of all animals, and the collection, growing ,hunting of food was the primary occupation of all human beings for thousands of years.Although technological advances mean far few people take part in the production these days, the preparation, consumption and the enjoyment of food remains a significant factor in our lives.

The food we prepare may vary from culture to culture. Sometimes we prepare food in what may be considered disgusting in other cultures. And many may feel the same way about ours..

Africans were horrified by an American baby food company's product packaging.

The Chinese are raising St. Bernard dogs for food.

Family mistakes cremated remains of relative for food product.

Roast fetus is the latest gourmet food in Taiwan.

Chinese restaurants use cat meat in their entrees.

Korean company solicits American shelters for dogs to turn into soup.

Tourists dining at a Chinese restaurant are served a dish made from their own dog.

Cultural differences lead to humorous incidents.

Kit Kat chocolate bars bring luck to Japanese students during exams.

Automobile Fauxpas

2010-06-06T08:45:00.000-07:00

Handheld police radar unit inadvertently tracks a military aircraft on maneuvers.

A pair of Arkansas rednecks are injured using a .22 caliber bullet in place of a burnt-out automobile fuse.

People shouldn't wear seat belts because they might not be able to escape their vehicles in car fires.

Cars equipped with remote keyless entry systems can be unlocked via cell phone.

Adding acetone to gasoline in an effort to improve gas mileage is a good idea.

Dashboard gas pump icon tells which side the vehicle's fuel door is on.

Skinput Keyboards

2010-06-06T08:38:00.000-07:00

Easily something Steven Spielberg could have thought about. Keyboards are the new creepy crawlies. A team of 3 researchers working with Microsoft, Chris Harrison, Dan Morris and Desney Tan are studying a human touchscreen named Skinput.

The touch screen will be projected with a laser on the hands and forearms that can be used as keyboards or remote controls. It would seem a very complex system but Skinput unites only 2 factors: the low frequencies of sound produced by finger touch on the skin and micro projectors that transmit the image. Skinput would offer the possibility of using the skin as a keyboard or controller for games and applications.Through a strip wound in the arm with a mini projector and a microphone shows a drop down menu on the skin or a digital keyboard.

With Skinput you can control everything remotely without using any remote control, just as if the skin had a touch screen display.The image of a keyboard is projected from a laser on a body part and you will only have to wear a belt with micro transducer sensitive touch of fingers on the skin. New Scientist reported the testimony of the 20 volunteers who have tested and found it "innovative and simple" .The buttons and icons have been running without problems.

get maximum off your laptop battery

2010-06-06T08:32:00.000-07:00

When laptops came into existence more than a decade ago, other than the obvious advantage of size and weight over a regular PC, they also served another important purpose - freedom from wires. A fully charged laptop of today runs for two hours at least. Netbooks, due to the use of low-power consuming internals, stretch that uptime to more than four hours on an average.

Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not in use

This is a common mistake many tend to commit - leaving Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on even when not in use. These two wireless modules (especially Wi-Fi) can eat up your battery life pretty fast, as they keep searching for new networks and devices to connect.

Decrease screen brightness

A considerable chunk of power is used to illuminate your laptop's display. By having a conservative approach towards screen brightness, one can shoot those battery life figures upwards. For the uninitiated, brightness controls are typically on the Function (F1-F10) keys.

Improve your power-saving etiquettes

Now that you've selected the right kind of settings in your power profile, it's time to make good use of them. For example, when you're walking away from the laptop, close the lid, so that the laptop goes to "Sleep" mode (in Vista/7) or "Stand-by" (in XP).

Replace the battery

Laptop batteries, like cell-phone batteries, lose their capacity to hold power as years pass by. That's why you may see that your new laptop back then used to give you two to three hours of life, but after a few years struggles to run for even one hour.

The Best Fantasy Movies of All Time

2010-06-06T06:58:00.000-07:00

Fantasy movies are included with fantastic themes, generally relating with magic, supernatural events, make-believe creatures, or exotic fantasy worlds. Fantasy movies unlike science fiction films that base their content upon some degree of scientific truth, take the audience to netherworld, fairty-tale places where events are unlikely to occur in real life. Hollywood produced number of fantasy movies, here is provided some of them. Fantasy can be scary but its purpose is to do more than scare you.

Lord of the Rings (2001)

The Princess Bride (1987)

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Jason and the Argonauts (1963)

King Kong (1933)

The Dark Crystal (1982)

Clash of the Titans (1981)

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Time Bandits (1981)

Save Dolphins

2010-06-06T06:39:00.001-07:00

We all say we love animals and that we want to save them, but why? Some people don't know. Here's my opinion:

I love animals bcause they are living, breathing beings that should be treated right. Such as dolphins. Anyone realize how beautiful they are? Also, every animal serves a purpose in this world. Dolphins keep the fish population down. Just a little opinion since I haven't posted in a while.

Egyptian Found Guilty Of Building Pyramid

2010-05-12T07:47:00.000-07:00

After many years of trawling through historical records, scientists and archaeologists have finally found enough evidence to bring charges against the creator of the world’s first ever pyramid scheme.

The Egyptian pharoah, Djoser, stands accused of constructing the prototype for one of history’s longest-lasting scams.Experts believe that he began work on the pyramid back in 2,700 B.C., aided and abetted by his grand vizier Imhotep.As pharoah, history notes that he himself profited greatly from the endeavours of those who built the structure into what it is today.

However, 99% of his workforce disappeared into history with nothing to show for their efforts.

Imhotep organised the pyramid builders into separate downlines, each with a leader, followed by supervisors, then gang masters and finally workers.This set-up was outstandingly successful as those at the top of the structure were given licence to use and abuse those at the bottom.The leaders were able to rest and enjoy life, receiving many perks, whilst the humble worker at the bottom literally broke their backs in return for having their basic needs serviced.

In fact, this new corporate strategy was so successful that many businesses continue to employ it to this day.

Bizzare laws

2010-05-12T07:46:00.001-07:00

Here are some of the bizarre laws in britain. I came across them when I was doing some serious browsing.

It is illegal to eat mince pies on Christmas day
Dying in the Houses of Parliament is a criminal offence
Sticking a postage stamp upside down is an act of treason if it bears the monarch’s image
Being topless in Liverpool is illegal unless you are female and work in a tropical fish store
In Scotland it is an offence to prevent someone entering your house if they ask to use the toilet
In the UK, a pregnant woman can urinate anywhere she likes, including in a policeman’s helmet
If a sturgeon is washed onto the beach it becomes the property of the King
It is illegal to enter the Houses of Parliament whilst wearing armour
Within the city of York you may legally murder a Scotsman if he carries a bow and arrows

Shade Give away-Book review

2010-05-12T07:37:00.000-07:00

Love ties them together. Death can't tear them apart.

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan's violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura's new friend Zachary is so understanding--and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart...and clues to the secret of the Shift.

Peppers help you in weight loss

2010-05-11T07:13:00.000-07:00

Following are the Facts of Chili peppers which Helps in fatloss:

· In the chili pepper diet study, weight loss increased by ten-fold when chilies were added to low-fat meals!

· Chili peppers help people to loss weight by rising level of their metabolism.

· Chili peppers make people feel good by releasing endorphins.

· Chilies curb your appetite-especially for fatty foods and sweets.

· Chilies make it easier to stick to a healthy diet because the food has more flavors.

It is proved by some Nutritionists and health practitioners that eating a diet packed with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans and lean proteins is the best strategy for losing weight. And it also reduces the risk of degenerative diseases such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes. If you want to do dieting then, you have to eat bland, boring food. According to researchers, Spicing up meals not only makes your food taste better... it helps you lose weight!

Stylish Notebooks

2010-05-11T07:11:00.000-07:00

What happens when a quirky industrial designers joins hands with a tech company? Well, the result can be only be something more quirky and useful! Here’s the ASUS production of snazzy ASUS Eee PC 1008P netbook.

Designer’s design If you happen to be looking for a laptop style computer that is unlike any you’ve ever seen before, then you are in luck. This stylish netbook is covered in a reptilian-like textured pattern. You can choose between the classy brown or the girlish hot pink! Thin is in

Even though the ASUS 1008P netbook is a but thicker than its predecessor, it still is much thinner than most of the laptops found today. Thus, it is comfortable to hold and light enough to carry around everywhere.

Featured The ASUS Eee 1008P netbook boasts of 2GB RAM and an increased 250GB storage capacity. Since it runs on Intel’s latest Pinetrail chipset and an Atom N450 processor, it works very smoothly even with high powered applications and software with no lags whatsoever.

Smooth touch The keyboard of this ASUS netbook is an all new design that features squared-off keys for easy tactility and a smooth typing experience. Using its multi touch pad, you’ll be able to scroll using two fingers or princh to zoom in and out of a photo or document.

Screen scene The ASUS Eee PC 1008P sports a normal 1025x600 pixel glossy screen which is not very bright as compared to older models.

Other features Additional features of this well designed netbook include a LAN jack, a headphone/microphone jack, a multicard reader and two USB ports. The netbook’s speakers are quite loud and offer a good enough clarity. It also offers Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity and a 1.3 mega pixel webcam.

Being killed by the internet

2010-05-11T07:10:00.000-07:00

8 THINGS BEING KILLED BY THE INTERNET

Polite disagreement
Letter writing
Memory
Daydreaming
Waiting a day for sports scores
Footnotes
Leaving your desk for lunch
Concentration

Quitting FaceBook

2010-05-11T07:08:00.000-07:00

Okay, well not everyone. Actually, just three people in recent memory are leaving Facebook behind:

· Matt Cutts, Google's search spam guy, has quit, according to Bloomberg BusinessWeek reporter Doug MacMillan.

· Peter Rojas, cofounder of Gdgt and Engadget, deactivated his account yesterday. "Reasons why: 1. Tired of not having real control over what I'm sharing. 2. I prefer Twitter (and gdgt) for conversations. 3. I'm trendy."

· Paul Kedrosky, finance dude with great hair, also deactivated his account yesterday. "For those asking: Deactivated Fbook because a) I rarely use it, and b) reading ever-changing privacy rules up there with reading IRS regs."

See... It's officially a trend!

Of course, Facebook's other 400 million users are staying put. And you probably will too.

FootBall History

2010-05-09T08:39:00.000-07:00

One of the most popular events in football is the FIFA World Cup tournament. This event is held every four years in a different location, much like the Olympics. In fact, there is some research that contends that the World Cup is just as meaningful and creates just as much worldwide interest as the Olympics do. Teams from around the world compete through special games that determine who will qualify for the tournament.

The World Cup has created such a sense of national pride that there have even been wars between countries held off until the teams knew whether or not they qualified for the tournament. For fans, football represents far more than a simple game. It is a way to show their national pride - and prove their country's dominance through sport.

The Golden Nike

In the early 1930s, the football World Cup was run by Jules Rimet from France. These pre-FIFA games awarded a magnificent statue to the winners of the tournament, the Golden Nike. The sculpture featured Nike of Samothrace, also known as Winged Victory, and was a visual indication that the winners were the world champions of football. Each winning team was allowed to keep the Golden Nike for four years - and if a team ever won three times they would be allowed to keep the statue forever. In 1970 Brazil was able to achieve this coveted goal, thought the award was stolen in 1983 and has yet to be recovered.

Rules To live By..

2010-05-09T08:38:00.000-07:00

Give credit. Take the blame.

Don’t boast about projects in progress. Celebrate their completion.

Don’t throw sand or, when you’re older, mud.

Let napping dads lie.

Don’t show off. Impress

The Link-Book review

2010-05-09T08:37:00.000-07:00

Here is some of my current WIP. It is called The Link and it is about a futuristic society, where everyone has a Link. The population was developing Alzheimer's Disease at a 97% rate by age 40 and The Link was invented. It is connected to the cerebrum part of the brain and holds people's memories. You can also pay to get languages and such added to the Link and you will know them. You can also get parts of your memory earsed... which is just what the government is doing. Maybe that is why Audrey can't remeber anything of her past, but can write computer code like she was born for it...

Here is the excerpt, tell me if you love it or not:

I open my eyes to a room that is so full of light. It feels like the sun is right outside of my window and it radiating on to my pale skin. My arm is sore as I turn my attention towards it. A huge needle is stuck into my arm pumping in a cocktail of drugs. Under some instict, I pull out the needle of my arm and stand up. My legs quiver under the weight of my malnourished body. The pain spreads down my expendages and tingles all over me. I grab the wires that are under my thin gown and pull them off of me. I begin to slowly walk away from the bed and IV pole. I stumble over my own feet as the world seems to whirl around me, as if I am in a tornado. Alarms are belting out their magical chants as I move forward on a quest that I have no memory of. My hand is on the door knob as I am whacked in the face by the door. The nurse appears alarmed by my awareness of the world around me. As if I should still be in some sort of coma. "Audrey?" She ask.

I try to remember who I am and where I am, but I answer what she is obviously searching for. "Yes."

Seagate Replica

2010-05-09T08:18:00.000-07:00

The Seagate Replica is a sleek and stylish gadget from the world’s leading manufacturer of storage devices. Basically an external hard drive that plugs into the USB port of the computer, the Replica works as an excellent backup device for the computer and comes with a whopping storage of 250 GB for one computer and 500 GB for multiple computer backups. It can backup not just files but the entire PC including the operating system, programs, and settings.

The device can retrieve accidentally deleted files from the computer and restore the PC automatically in the event of a crash. The Replica also has a password-protection system for the safety and privacy of computer data and is a free space creator on the computer by its automatic removal of obsolete versions of files.

Mother's Day

2010-05-08T08:26:00.000-07:00

“Most of all the other beautiful things in life come by twos and threes by dozens and hundreds. Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers, and sisters, aunts and cousins, but only one mother in the whole world.” – Kate Douglas Wiggin

You have been so entirely selfless that there is no words for me to tell you how much I love you, I admire you.You have been a source of inspiration and unbounded energy that has led me through life's toughest part. I do certainly fall short of words.

I love you so so much my wonderful mother.

Egyptian Airways

2010-05-08T08:24:00.002-07:00

Egyptiar has no ambition to become a five- star air line with exclusive first-class suites and luxury spas in its lounges, at least not for the present. Yet it is aiming to give its expansionistic Middle East and Gulf counterparts a cookie of their own dough with an increasingly effective strategy to source flow traffic over its Cairo hub supported by its membership in Star Alliance and a strong determination to gain, or regain, market share.

"We're facing intense competition from Gulf carriers and they have planned major capacity growth. Furthermore, we're disadvantaged in terms of resources but we have to deal with that," Alaa Ashour, chairman and CEO of the Cairo-based airline, states in down-to-earth fashion. However, he tells this magazine EgyptAir has some major assets to support its competitive prospects including a "long and strong history" as a flag carrier whose origins date back to 1932, low unit costs, a large home market (Egypt is the Middle East's most populous country with a population of more than 80 million), a homogeneous workforce and, last but not least, a government that applies an open skies policy only to its regional airports (see article p. 28). Foreign airline access to Cairo International remains regulated by bilaterals and it is a stronghold of the national carrier, which holds 60% of departure slots there, according to Ashour.

This month, EgyptAir Airlines will take delivery of its first new 777-300ER, which will feature its first fully lie-flat beds and be the first aircraft to enter the fleet on an operating lease (from GECAS). All other mainline aircraft are owned. Regional affiliate EgyptAir Express deploys 12 owned E-170LRs while EgyptAir Cargo flies two A300B3-200Fs and two A300-600Fs. The three carriers operate under the same AOC but are managed separately and have their own P&L accounts. In aggregate, they operate some 1,200 weekly flights to 72 destinations worldwide.

Cinco de Mayo

2010-05-08T08:24:00.001-07:00

Some people believe that Cinco DE mayo is a Mexican independence day. That is wrong. First Mexico was under Spanish rule until 1821. After that Mexico fought with the U.S. Then had another civil war within its own borders. The country could not pay back its loans to Spain,France,and other countries. Those countries then decided to invade Mexico as a result. Napoleon the third wanted more than just money. He wanted to overthrow the Mexican government. Once Spain knew what the French were up to they withdrew. In 1862 french troops landed in Veracruz and were headed to Mexico city. What the french were not expecting was that a few thousand Mexican troops were at the city of Puebla waiting. The French reached Puebla may 5 on the way to Mexico city.The Mexicans were outnumbered but nevertheless the Mexicans killed a few thousand french and the remaining french retreated. Word of this victory spread throughout Mexico and Cinco de Mayo was declared a national holiday. Once Napoleon knew of this defeat he sent 30,000 more troops into Mexico and a year later The Mexicans were defeated. Even under French occupation the Mexicans still celebrated Cinco De Mayo.In 1867 the french army was overthrown. Mexicans still celebrate it today.

Anabolic steroids

2010-05-08T08:21:00.001-07:00

Anabolic steroids have the capacity to produce physical strength and pain killing effects. On discontinuation of these drug, withdrawal symptoms produce in the body which may be life threatening. See the withdrawal symptoms of anabolic steroids.

Officially, Anabolic steroids are known as anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). These are the drugs which imitate the effect of the male steroids testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. The term anabolic refers to the muscle-building properties. Legally, anabolic steroids are only available with the prescription of it. Sometimes, doctors prescribes anabolic steroids to treat the conditions in which testosterone levels are abnormally low, or in certain chronic conditions such as AIDS that are associated with loss of muscle mass. One should not discontinue taking these steroids suddenly. Withdrawal Symptoms are the abnormal physical or psychological features that take place due to the sudden discontinuation of a drug that has the capability of producing physical dependence.

Anabolic steroids increase protein synthesis in the cells which results in the buildup of cellular tissue, especially in muscles. In order to improve performance and physical appearance, Athletes, bodybuilders, and other people misuse anabolic steroids. Steroid drug side effects and symptoms are the major problem related to the continuous steroid treatment because they change the balance of normal hormone secretion. The symptoms are resulted from taking doses greater than our body’s natural production. So, steroids are typically given for the shortest possible time. Withdrawal symptoms may occur after the decreasing or discontinuing the dose.

Serious problems related to withdrawal symptoms of anabolic steroids:

• Depression

• Low blood pressure

• Dizziness or fainting

• Low blood sugar levels

• Menstrual changes in women

• Mental changes

• Elevated calcium levels in the body

• Decrease in gastrointestinal contractions leading to dilation of the intestine

Alila Diwa

2010-05-08T08:19:00.000-07:00

The heat is on and it’s in full blast. Yes, its summer again! A time to pack your bags and give in to your wandering soul!!

Indulge in some fun and frolic at Alila Diwa Goa – a personalized lifestyle hotel located in South Goa, with some great experiences packed in for a complete family holiday!

Beckoning the traveler in you, Alila Diwa Goa announces Goan Escape, one of its special summer packages, for all those who want to rev-up their voyage and enjoy exquisite experiences in their favorite destination, Goa.

The package includes 3 nights accommodation, which offers daily breakfast at Vivo- their all day live kitchen restaurant along with airport pickup and drop. To add to some memorable times, the package also provides Culinary lessons with our very own Chef at the Alila Coking School, Kids club-educational & creative centre for kids, private kiddies pool, teen zones with wii stations surfing center for the teens, leisure concierge services which includes wide range of outdoor activities, 50% discount on drinks at Edge bar by the pool during the happy hours, 15% discount on spas, and much more!

So, come soak in some fun while you bask in the soaring temperatures at Alila Diwa Goa!

Louis Philippe enters footwear industry

2010-05-06T08:35:00.000-07:00

Louis Philippe, India’s leading super-premium apparel brand in the menswear industry today announced its category extension into footwear.

The range of Louis Philippe footwear, priced comprehensively between Rs.2,999/- to Rs.4,999/- will be made available in 30 select exclusive Louis Philippe stores across the country in the first phase of its launch. Louis Philippe shoes are available in more than 40 exciting designs to choose from, offering an unparalleled width in the formals market.

Based on extensive market research, they have designed and launched the Classic, the Dress and the Relaxed product lines for the style-conscious, comfort-seeking customers. Louis Philippe Shoes have been manufactured with the latest know-how of the Italians, who are known for their fine craftsmanship across the globe.

Steroids - Withdrawal symptoms

2010-05-06T08:33:00.000-07:00

If you are taking steroids tablets for more than three weeks, then follow the doctor advice to reduce the dose gradually. If you feel unwell in any way while you are reducing your steroids, then consult your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor may want to do a simple blood test to see when you can stop the medicine completely. If you are taking steroids for a short period (i.e. less than three weeks), then your doctor may advise you that there is no need. Under stress condition, your body may be slow in making the extra steroids. At these times, your doctor may want you to continue or restart your steroid medicines until the stressful time is over. Your doctor will give you a schedule to follow for taking the medicine and it is important to follow this schedule carefully.

To prevent steroid withdrawal symptoms:

• Do not take any other medicines at the same time as steroids, including over-the-counter drugs, without asking your doctor.

• Never stop taking your steroid medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

• If you feel sick while your steroid medicine is being reduced, then consult your doctor right away.

• Consider buying a bracelet with your medical information written on it. If you become unconscious for some reason, then this bracelet will tell emergency health workers that you are taking steroids. Always tell health care workers that you are taking steroid medicine.

Steroids-Intro

2010-05-06T08:32:00.000-07:00

Steroid medicines are used to treat many chronic diseases but suddenly withdrawing or stopping of these medicines may put at a health risk. Get information about side effects and guide to safely stopping steroid medicines below.

What are Steroids?

Steroids are one type of medicine which has strong anti-inflammatory effects. Steroids are helpful for many conditions like asthma and arthritis. Steroids are available in pill form, as inhalers, nasal sprays, creams and ointments. The major use of steroids in health care is to decrease inflammation (redness, swelling and soreness) and other symptoms. Steroids have many different effects in the human body, which start over several days. In conditions such as arthritis and lupus, steroid pills help to treat inflammation and pain. Inhaling Steroid have an important role in reducing deaths from asthma and local steroid injections are useful in treating painful joints and ligaments.

With the effectiveness and life saving medicine, steroids also have some side effects. Side effects of steroids are thin skin, higher blood sugar level, dry mouth, irregular menstrual cycles, increased blood pressure and weakened bones. These side effects makes steroid for short term use. Steroids are naturally produced in the body. When steroid pills, sprays or creams are used in the body, body may stop producing its own steroids.

Diesel is back

2010-05-06T08:29:00.000-07:00

The iconic Italian lifestyle brand is now in town. After months of buzz, rumours, and ‘Stupid’ messages plastered across everywhere, DIESEL is here for real with big openings in major Indian cities.

Known as a premium casual brand, Diesel is definitely not new to the truly cool and truly fashion forward. Launching with the global campaign that celebrates its brave and creative spirit, the brand with the Be Stupid ads also encourages people to take risks and move beyond the smart and safe track for life.

Partnered with Reliance Brands Ltd – a part of the Reliance Industries group, Diesel is launching 2 stores in Mumbai this month. And one each in Bangalore, Delhi and Hyderabad, over the next few months.

Designed by the Diesel Creative Team, the two Mumbai stores exude their own distinctive identity and are not a replica of any other existing Diesel flagship in the world. They spread across 7,500 sq.ft. (the Juhu Tara Road store) and 2,600 sq.ft. (the one located inside the Palladium Mall in High Street Phoenix), and both stores will feature the complete Diesel lifestyle – including apparel, 5 pockets, footwear, intimate, timeframes, shades, fragrances and accessories as well as limited-edition products developed in collaboration with other brands.

No words..

2010-05-05T06:56:00.001-07:00

Yep.. Absolutely no words..

Do not use mineral bottles!!

2010-05-04T11:20:00.001-07:00

Facial Masks

2010-05-04T11:15:00.000-07:00

Different skin require need different kind of facial mask. Here are some wondrous tips on how to make them at home. Why to spend your hard earned money on expensive, chemical filled beauty cosmetics and products? Instead of it use the products which are available in your home (kitchen).

Different homemade facial masks for skin types

Dry skin

Combine 50g ripe avocado flesh, 25g orange juice, 1tsp honey, 1 tsp molasses and 4-5 drops of some essential oil and apply on the skin.

Blend ½ avocado (or 2 tsp avocado oil) with ¼ cup honey or unite 1 egg yolk, 1 tsp olive oil and 1 tsp warm honey, some vitamin E oil (optional).

Normal skin

If you want to fade spots on your skin, make a paste of some powdered with milk or lemon juice.

Apply a raw egg yolk and rinse with cold water. The high vitamin A content of egg is very effective in healing blemishes.

Combine 1 egg, 2 tsp vegetable oil and 1 tsp apple juice till it becomes smooth.

Unite 1 egg, 1/2 cup cooked instant oatmeal and 1 tsp olive oil until it becomes smooth.

Oily skin

Combine well a tsp of baking yeast in some warm milk.

Make a paste by addition of some potato flour in tomato puree.

Blend an apple in a blender and apply on your face. Wash after 20 minutes with normal water.

Mix a ripe tomato and pat on your face. Wash after 20 minutes with normal water.

Rub some milk of Magnesia, and let dry, then rinse with lukewarm water.

Blend 1/2 tsp lemon juice, 1 egg white, 1 tsp honey (heat in microwave for a few seconds to melt it), 2 strawberries and 2-3 drops eucalyptus oil or jojoba oil (optional).

Sensitive skin

Apply honey after melting it. Leave the mask on for 20-25 minutes.

Ageing or maturing skin

Dissolve 3 Tbsp sugar in 4 Tbsp warm water. This mask is good for maturing skin and will help soften the wrinkle lines.

Chapped or sunburned skin

Blend 1 cup plain yogurt and ½ cup oatmeal and apply to the skin for 15 minutes.

Combination skin

Rose Mask: Take Soak 5 rose petals and soak in water and then crush them. Put in 2 Tbsp rosewater, 1 Tbsp yogurt and 1 Tbsp honey (heat in a microwave for a few second to melt it) and mix well. Use this mask for both the oily and dry areas of your skin.

Combine 1 egg white, 1/2 cup cooked instant oatmeal and 1 teaspoon olive oil until it becomes smooth.

All skin types

Mix two egg yolks, two tablespoons of honey and 3 drops of almond oil. Apply on face for 20 minutes and then wash with water.

Crush a cup of yellow mustard seeds and a few rose petals in water. Apply on face for 20 minutes and then wash with water.

Best Thriller movies

2010-05-04T11:14:00.000-07:00

To experience and chills and thrills by watching a thriller movie is unmatchable when compared to watching movies of other genres. It is best experienced in a dim lit theater with exceptional sound effects that brings shivers down your spine at critical moments.

Following are a list of some of the best thriller movies of all time

The Silence of the Lambs (1991

Seven (1995

Manchurian Candidate (1962

Double Jeopardy (1999

Psycho (1960

The Shining (1980)

Drug for prostate cancer

2010-05-04T11:11:00.000-07:00

The U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first vaccine “Provenge” to treat prostate cancer on Thursday, 29th April, 2010. It offers an important alternative to more intensive treatments like chemotherapy in cancer. It is a therapeutic vaccine which prevents the spread of prostate cancer in men with an advanced form of the disease.

Provenge, the vaccine for prostate cancer is not a cure for cancer and also it does not prevent men from getting prostate cancer. But, Provenge appears to unassumingly prolong survival in men who is resistant to standard treatment and cancer has advanced beyond the prostate.

Traditional vaccines prevent a disease rather than treating it. Provenge treats prostate cancer by stimulating the body’s own immune system to attack malignant cells. Provenge vaccine is produced by taking cells from a patient’s tumor and then incorporating them into a vaccine that is injected back into the patient.

Vaccine maker Dendreon Corp said that a full course of treatment would cost $93,000 for the series of three shots or about $23,000 for each extra month of life.

Behind skin cancer, Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among U.S. men and it usually occurs in older men. Provenge vaccine is approved by FDA for hormone-resistant prostate cancer that has spread in the body but is causing no or minimal symptoms.

Firstly, the drug will be provided to 50 medical centers that took part in the clinical trials of Provenge.

Man without eating for 70 yrs

2010-05-03T08:14:00.001-07:00

A team of scientists and doctors are studying on the strange case of a man, Prahlad Jani who Claims to be alive without Food & Water for the last 70 Year.

A yogi and holy man, Prahlad Jani living in India has the attention of the Indian military because of his assert that he does not require food or water to live. Now, Indian doctors are studying a man who claims to have spent the last seventy years without food and water. Due to the claim of Prahlad Jani, the long-haired and bearded yogi is under 24-hour surveillance by a team of 30 specialists during three weeks of tests at a hospital in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad.

A person can live without food and water for three, four, seven to twelve days.

Since the experiment began on April 22, Jani has had no food or water. Also, Jani has not been to the toilet. It is said by doctor that his body has not yet shown symptoms of hunger or dehydration in spite of no drinking or eating. In his room, two cameras have been set up and a mobile camera films him when he goes outside, guaranteeing round-the-clock observation. The body of Jani will be scanned and his brain and heart activity measured with electrodes. There were also several test done in 2006, but doctors was unable to find any thing abnormal.

Dr. G. Ilavazhagan, director of the Defense Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences told the Telegraph, “If his claims are verified, it will be a breakthrough in medical science. We will be able to help save human lives during natural disasters, high altitude, sea journeys and other natural and human extremities. We can educate people about the survival techniques in adverse conditions with little food and water or nothing at all.”

Best adventure films of all time

2010-05-03T08:11:00.000-07:00

Adventure Films are some what similar to the action film genre which are filmed to provide an action-filled, adventurous, energetic experience for the film viewer. There are numbers of best adventure movies that share many elements with other genres like sci-fi, fantasy, and war films with characteristics of this genre.

Adventure films include adapted stories of historical or literary adventure heroes such as Robin Hood, Tarzan, and Zorro kings, battles, rebellion, or piracy and often set in an historical period. Following is the list of Best Adventure Movies of All Time.

Top 10 Adventure Films

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Jaws (1975)

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Star Wars (1977)

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Bridge on the River Kwai, The (1957)

Toy Story (1995)

Star Wars Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Superman (1978)

Ben-Hur (1959)

Home made receipes for skin care

2010-05-03T08:10:00.001-07:00

Make use of the best selected kitchen recipes provided in this article to make your skin glance attractive. Use your own beauty recipes from your kitchen cabinet and save your money by not going to beauty salons. Follow the Kitchen recipes tips and tricks for the perfect skin free of cost.

All age people want natural, healthy and glowing skin, whether he or she is younger or elder. The most attractive kind of beauty is Natural beauty, through just little care of using natural products from the kitchen shelf; you can clean and treat your skin.

Why to spend your hard earned money on expensive, chemical filled beauty cosmetics and products? Instead of it use the products which are available in your home (kitchen).

Olive Oil

You can use olive oil as a moisturizer and to get rid of wrinkles as well as for soothe sunburned skin. Olive Oil includes lot of omega fatty acids that plumps the skin and make it seem smoother and younger.

Natural Olive oil mask

1 tsp honey

1 tsp egg yolk

1 tsp light olive oil

¼ cup mashed chick peas

½ tsp lemon juice

Mix all the above ingredients and smooth unto freshly washed face and relax for 30 minutes, then rinse and pat dry. Lay on your preferred homemade moisturizer. (This can be held for up to 3 days in the refrigerator).

TurmericTurmeric has special importance in Ayurvedic medicines. It is the best solution for a cure of pigmentation. Combine turmeric, cucumber and lemon for cure of pigmentation. For face scrubs or masks, Turmeric can be used as a superb base to bring about a natural shine to your skin.

VinegarCombine Vinegar 50/50 with water and use in place of deodorant as it will keep away the unlikable sweat smell.

YoghurtFor moisturizing the skin, prepare a superb mask by mixing honey and lemon juice with yoghurt. Both internally and externally, Yoghurt can be used to revive your skin and free it from blemishes, sunburn, and other skin ailments.

CucumberIn the hot and dry season, cucumber is good for your skin. It can be used to relieve the eyes by keeping a slice of fresh Cucumber for 10-15 minutes rest. Different face masks and scrubs made from cucumber can be put on the skin to make it glossy.

Dip cotton pads in cooled combination of cucumber and potato juice for dark circles under the eyes. For 15 to 20 minutes keep this on your eyelids and softly wash it off.

PapayaThere are some fruits useful to glow the skin magically and one of them is Papaya. Include Papaya in your daily diet for good health and perfect skin. To eliminate dead skin, rub Papaya pulp and peel on your skin. To shield your skin from the harmful effects of the sun, Papaya works as an admirable sunscreen.

First Date-Places to impress

2010-05-03T08:08:00.000-07:00

However, that shouldn’t let you take things lightly and if you are the guy or girl who is really interested in your date you might want to make special efforts to make it work for you. When you ask someone out on a date, you try and suggest the places to meet or you let the other suggest it instead. The place for your first date should be such that it matches both your interests and it promises a good source of entertainment keep your date live.

Restaurant:This is the classic first date destination which never fails. You need to keep your date’s food interests in mind and take her to a place that does not shout out its extravagance or is not too cheap. It should be decent enough so that you and your date feel comfortable in the restaurant with just the perfect ambience. Make sure it’s not too noisy, that its well lit, has comfortable seats and so on. Get some recommendations from friends and families. To avoid the awkwardness of the dilemma as to who pays the bill it is gentlemanly enough for you to either leave your credit card number with the staff to avoid the billing process to even come into picture. This might even impress your date.

Movies:Although obsolete, it still seems to be most people’s choice for a first date. This is not only entertaining but also gives you something to discuss about when you go to grab a coffee or dinner followed by the movie. But be careful with the choice u make though. Let it not be gushy-wooshy romantic. You don’t want to be that obvious!. And definitely not an action thriller.

Quiet supper at your place: If you live all by yourself in your apartment it might be a good idea to invite her over for supper and show your culinary skills or simply order something nice from outside. Rent a DVD and make some popcorn. There is no place like home to be at complete comfort both for you and your date. Make sure though that she is comfortable and you seem casual and not make any physical moves onto her just because you are in an enclosed space; it makes a wrong impression.

Miniature golf/bowling/billiards/trekking: If she is the sporty or the adventurous kind go ahead and plan the date in these places and challenge her skills. Have a laugh at your loss (if you lose) or bet over a game a dinner date by either of the two. This will also guarantee you a second date in case you really like her.

More than the place of choice for the first date it is the person who matters and who makes the place interesting. So go ahead and do what you do best and rock your first date!!

Some Quick Cancer Facts

2010-05-03T07:56:00.000-07:00

One in three of us will be diagnosed with cancer during our life.

The disease tends to affect older people - but can strike at any time.

Excluding certain skin cancers, there were almost 290,000 new cases of the disease in 2005.

Some cancer, such as breast, are becoming more common, while new cases of lung cancer are expected to fall away due to the drop in the number of smokers.

However, while the overall number of new cancers is not falling, the good news is that successful treatment rates for many of the most common types are improving rapidly.

Experience .. Space Toilet

2010-05-02T08:42:00.000-07:00

Even when you're millions of miles from home, you can't escape certain facts of life. When astronauts are orbiting hundreds of miles above Earth's surface, they still have to eat, sleep and go to the bathroom. Of course, the mechanics of using the toilet -- and disposing of the resulting waste -- in zero gravity can get a little tricky.

Throughout the history of space exploration, spacecraft have come equipped with their own toilets. Despite this, there have been a few hitches over the years -- including broken toilets and disputes over sharing bathrooms -- that have made going to the bathroom in space an adventure in and of itself.

Alan B. Shepard, Jr.'s historic first manned American space flight, on May 5, 1961, was only supposed to have lasted 15 minutes. But nature would eventually call after weather and technical difficulties delayed the flight for four hours. Shepard threw in the proverbial towel and radioed to the controllers, "I've got to pee." He was told, "No way." With no other option available, Shepard was forced to go right in his suit.

Once space missions became longer, engineers knew they had to equip spacecraft with real bathroom facilities. To function in a weightless environment, these space toilets came equipped with a lap belt, handholds, and foot restraints to ensure that astronauts didn't float away midstream. Because there's no gravity in space, a fan pulled urine and feces into their respective collection containers. A filter removed any unpleasant odors before the air was returned to the cabin.

During a 1984 mission on the space shuttle Discovery, the aircraft's waste water venting system failed, leading to the formation of a very large icicle made of urine on the outside of the shuttle. Realizing that the urine-cicle could break free during re-entry and damage the protective heat tiles on the shuttle, the crew used the shuttle's robot arm to break it off. The tiles were saved, but the crew had no choice but to shut the urine collection system down. The crisis was averted, but the problem left the crew without a working toilet for the rest of the six-day mission.

Ancient Eye make up wards off disease

2010-05-02T08:41:00.000-07:00

French researchers suggest that the ancient Egyptians' heavily painted eyelids did more than attract admirers—they also protected against eye infections. Artifacts and documents from ancient Egypt show that everyone, man or woman from servant to queen, wore black and green powders coated thickly around the eyes.

According to ancient Egyptian manuscripts, the eye makeup was believed to have a magical role, in which the gods Horus and Ra would protect wearers against several illnesses.

Bacterial eye infections such as conjunctivitus, for example, would have been a common problem along the Nile's tropical marshes.But previous chemical analyses of powder residue, taken from ancient makeup containers, had isolated four lead-based compounds.

That would seem to suggest that the makeup was harmful, since lead can be highly toxic to humans.

Instead, the new study found that the low doses of lead salts in the makeup may have actually had beneficial properties: When the salts come into contact with skin, they boost the body's production of nitric oxide.This chemical is known to stimulate the immune system and help fight off disease-causing bacteria.Based on the amount of the lead compounds in the ancient makeup, a wearer's nitric oxide levels would have increased by 240 percent, the study found.

"Two of these chemicals do not occur naturally, and would have taken 30 days of hard work to make," Amatore said.

Animals predict weather?

2010-05-02T08:39:00.000-07:00

Many say that claims animals predict weather is related behavioral changes. But looking at some animals makes people wonder if they are looking at Doppler radar system.

One such creature is the banded woolly bear caterpillar. Some people believe that this furry insect which blossoms into a tiger moth in spring can predict the severity of the coming winter. According to folklore if the central brown strip of the caterpillar is long the winter won’t be harsh. If the two strips on either side of the center strip if longer than the latter then the winter will be harsh.

So does this mean this caterpillar has an inborn ability to predict the winters? No. Not at all. One group of woolly bear caterpillars was found to live near another group of woolly bear caterpillars. The physical appearance of the caterpillars contradicted each other thus discrediting the predictive look . A scientist who studied these caterpillars for years had to scrap his entire research project.

Birthday Bash

2010-05-02T08:26:00.000-07:00

I had a fabulous time today with my friends. It happens every week end , I know. But this is different. Its with my old college friends and my very very dear ones. Had a fabulous time. Did i say that already? Never mind..

Tomorrow is Preeti's birthday so we thought we ll celebrate it today as all of us have office tomo.

Hmmm.. Wonderful day. It was too good to pen down anything specific.

Saturdays..

2010-05-02T08:24:00.000-07:00

I spent most of my day lazing around. Is it just me or does everyone feel the same? I think summer is taking its toll.

I went to the library today after avoiding it for past two months. I don’t know how I had been without books for the past weeks given my love for reading. No wonder I felt enervated. I found myself going brisk with every step I took towards the library. But all the energy fell like a bag of potatoes when I realized I have to pay a fine of 50rs for not returning the books I took earlier within ten days. If there is anything I don like better it is this irresponsible behavior of not doing things in time. I will feel out of control when I do that. It happens rarely but still always affects me in the same way. But nothing brings out the best in me as a good read. So am looking forward in spending some time with Kay Hooper.

More awareness needed to know poverty

2010-05-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

From April 14-16, a group of Point Loma Nazarene University students spent their time sleeping in cardboard shanties, boiling their drinking water, and living on just $2 a day. It’s was all part of the Two Dollar Challenge, an educational movement that engages students in the fight against global and domestic poverty. This year marks PLNU’s second time participating in the Two Dollar Challenge, and about 30 students participated.

The Two Dollar Challenge asks students to live on the same amount of money as millions of those living in poverty around the world. They must also abide by rules designed to simulate poverty. Participants are not allowed to shower or bathe, may only have two outfits of clothing, and can’t use their campus meal plans or accept free food from others.

You need to do things like this everywhere to bring about awareness.There are people who don't get a single morsel every day. We just listen to news, read in paper and just go about our usual ways. Nowadays the kids too take such things for granted. But it is not so. I think more education institutions had to do things like this.

U.S Economy Improving

2010-05-01T07:48:00.000-07:00

The US economy has grown at an annualised rate of 3.2% in the first three months of the year, official figures have shown.The continued recovery in the world's biggest economy was founded on strong personal consumption, the U.S Commerce Department has said.Ant it tells us something to look forward to now.

The economy has grown at a rate of 5.6% in the final quarter of 2009.Part of the reason had been the slower growth and reduced government spending and a fall in exports.Exports grew by 5.8%, significantly less than the 22.8% growth rate in the final three months of 2009.

The annualised rate of economic growth takes the growth over a three-month period and projects what it would be over a 12-month period.

"We're surely seeing the beginning of the process of a broad-based recovery."

Book Review- Under the Wire

2010-05-01T07:30:00.000-07:00

“I knew that it was time to end one career as a Spitfire pilot and start a new one. My career choices were limited: I could become a prisoner, an escape artist, or a corpse. How, I asked myself as I looked for a field in which to crash land, did an American, flying for the Canadians, fighting for the British, come to be blown out of the sky by a German, somewhere over France?” (Under the Wire p 2).Well this is an extract from the book "Under the wire".

If you have ever seen the classic Steve McQueen movie The Great Escape then Under the Wire is a must read. This autobiography of William Ash’s life in WWII as an escape artist and “cooler king” captures the reader in its insights, wit, and humor in midst of often harrowing and tragic circumstances. The reader laughs with the POW’s, applauds their heroic escape attempts, mourns with the reports of executions, and is encouraged by bravery and resolve of so many men.

"Noah's Ark" Found in Right Country, on Wrong Mountain?

2010-05-01T06:59:00.000-07:00

Another reason scholars are skeptical of the latest Noah's ark discovery claim is that Genesis—the first book of the Bible—never specifies which peak the vessel supposedly landed on in Turkey."The whole notion is odd, because the Bible tells you the ark landed somewhere in Urartu,"—an ancient kingdom in eastern Turkey—"but it's only later that people identified Mount Ararat with Urartu," said Jack Sasson, a professor of Jewish and biblical studies at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee.

Stony Brook's Zimansky agreed. "Nobody associated that mountain with the ark" until the tenth century B.C., he said, adding that there's no geologic evidence for a mass flood in Turkey around 4,000 years ago.

Even if the Noah's Ark Ministries International team did find a wooden structure or even a boat on Mount Ararat, there are other explanations for what the structure might be.

For example, it could be a shrine constructed by early Christians to commemorate the site where they believed Noah's Ark should be, Zimansky said.

Even in that speculative case, it wouldn't be 4,000 years old. "The Bible hadn't even been written yet," he said.