Showing posts with label fact. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fact. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Identity Theft - Internet


IDENTITY THEFT


A selection of Internet Safety Advice, with guidelines on how to enjoy surfing the web safely and tips on dealing with the nastier side of the Internet.

The advice is punctuated by photographs of look-a-likes in the Animal Kingdom.

Music backing is performed by Bobby McFerrin.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Google for Christmas

35 Essential Computer User Google Links

The greatest advent of Google is that you are always connected wherever you go and able to access your account via the omnipresent Google cloud.

The list has been broken down into several sections to make it easier for those beginning their Google experience and those who want to augment their abilities.

Google has many well-known and some lesser-known products that everyone who uses Google should be familiar with. Whether you are practicing social networking as an Internet user, or as a professional you will need to know Google well to share information and continue to get others involved as Googlers.

These are just some of the Google Products that are designed to make your surfing of the Internet more enjoyable and productive for you. Many of these products are very useful aids for helping you to keep up to date with your postings on the Internet.


Google Basics
  1. Google Account - Signing-up once here and creating a single Google account will give you access to all of Google's products, features, and services.
  2. Google Mail or Gmail - For sending and receiving email.
  3. Google Top Searches - More search options to help you research more accurately
  4. Google Hot Trends - With Google Trends, you can compare the world's interest in your favorite topics.
  5. Google Blog Search - Blog Search is Google search technology focused on blogs.
  6. Google Web History - Keeps a record of your Internet use while logged into your account.
  7. Google News Search - Need more information on a theme or topic? News Search will look for you.
  8. Google News Archive Search Allows you to search and explore historical archives.
  9. Google Image Search -Need an image for your project? Image Search will speed up the search for you.
  10. Google Reader - Google Reader constantly checks your favorite news sites, RSS feeds, and blogs for new content.
  11. iGoogle - Your own personalized Google user interface page that promotes searches and your selected content.

Google Intermediate
  1. Google Video - A collection of 'User Videos' that may or may not be on 'YouTube.' And also a place where users can host their videos.
  2. Google Alerts - Email updates (web, news, etc.) based on your choice of query or topic.
  3. Google Calendar - A very useful aid that effectively reduces scrap paper and never gets lost, use it in combination with other Google products.
  4. Google Docs - Create and share documents on-line. This product allows the creation of documents similar to Microsoft Word and Excel. Very easy to use and permits users work together at the same time despite time zone differences.
  5. Google Custom Search Engine - Create your own custom search engine for your external hosted website.
  6. Google Sites - Allows users to create and host their own website.
  7. Google Talk - Instant communications, a simple fast chat and messenger program.
  8. Google Chrome -Google's browser software, its fast, simple and secure.
  9. Google Adsense - Google AdSense matches ads to your site's content, and you earn money whenever your visitors click on them.
  10. Google Earth - Google Earth lets you travel almost anywhere on Earth to view satellite imagery, maps, and terrain.

Google Advanced
  1. Google Gadget Ventures - Google Gadget Ventures is a new Google pilot program dedicated to helping developers create richer, more useful Google Gadgets.
  2. Google Grants - The Google Grants program supports organisations to help the world in areas such as science and technology, education, global public health, the environment, youth advocacy, and the arts.
  3. Google Code University - Provides tutorials and sample course content so CS students and educators can learn more about current computing technologies and paradigms.
  4. Google Ad Words - Display Ad Builder for website advertising.
  5. Google Analytics - Google Analytics is the enterprise-class web analytics solution that gives you rich insights into your website traffic and marketing effectiveness.
  6. Google Data Protocol - The Google Data Protocol is a REST-inspired technology for reading, writing, and modifying information on the web.
  7. Google Maps API -
  8. Google Base - Simply describe your items on Base to make them as easy as possible for people to find when they search.
  9. Google Research - Google’s mission and the enormous scale of Google’s operation lead to fundamental questions in Computer Science and Engineering; the technical excitement of this, and the real and practical benefit we can bring to Google’s users through our integrated approach, all contribute to the excitement of doing research at Google.

Branded Products Owned by Google

  1. Blogger -Access thousands of blogs and search through them for useful postings - Or, start your own.
  2. Youtube -A collection of 'User Videos' that may not be on 'Google Video'.
  3. Picasa - An off-line | on-line tool for organizing and editing your photos and images.
  4. FeedBurner - Great program to creating, directing and making feeds and blogged information go all over the place.Supports RSS 2.0 and Atom and more.
  5. Gears - Gears is an open source project that enables more powerful web applications, by adding new features to your web browser:

Friday, October 15, 2010

This is what love is all about...


Forwarded by email to me this morning.


This Is What Love Is All About...



It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 am, When an elderly gentleman in
his 80's, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He stated that he
was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. I took his vital signs
and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone
would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since
I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam it
was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies
to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound,
we began to engage in conversation. I asked him if he had a doctor's
appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me
no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.
I then inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a
while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer Disease.

As we talked, and I finished dressing his wound, I asked if she would be
worried if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was,
that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and
asked him. "And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who
you are?" He smiled as he patted my hand and said. "She doesn't know me, but
I still know who she is."

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and
thought, "That is the kind of love I want in my life."

True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of
all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

"The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they
just make the best of everything that comes along their way."


-- Author Unknown --

Monday, December 21, 2009

Facebook Account Compromised? - Read on...

Facebook Account Compromised?

Re-produced from Facebooks own Security Pages

My friend's account


It is possible that malicious software was downloaded to your friend's computer or that their login information was phished in an attempt to send spam from their profile.
We would like to investigate this issue further, but unfortunately, we cannot release information regarding a user’s account to anyone but the account holder.

For detailed information about this matter, please click here -
http://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=13394

We are currently working with people whose accounts have been affected by money transfer scams.
Please use caution around messages from friends claiming to be stranded and asking for money.

Your friend's Facebook account may have been compromised by cybercriminals attempting to impersonate them. Most frequently, these criminals will gain control of a Facebook account, and use the Chat or Status features to claim they are stuck in a far away location and in need of financial assistance.

If you have received a message like this, please enter your friend's account information in this form so that we can make sure your friend's account is secure. http://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=14257

My account


If you are having general trouble logging in to your Facebook account, please click here for more information. http://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=15468

We are currently working with people whose accounts have been affected by money transfer scams

The money transfer scam is characterized by cybercriminals using Facebook in an attempt to trick your friends into sending them money.
Most frequently, these criminals will gain control of a Facebook account, and use the Chat or Status features to claim that you are stuck in a far away location and in need of financial assistance.

It is possible that your email account was compromised as well, as obtaining access to a victim’s email is one of the primary ways these cybercriminals have been operating.
Please take the following steps to ensure the security of your Facebook account:
  1. Select a unique and complex password for your Facebook account and keep this entirely to yourself. You can do this from the Account Settings page of your Facebook account or by using the "Forgot Password" link on the login page.

  2. Select a new, unique password for any email address associated with your account, making sure to avoid using the same password for any account.

  3. Verify that you control all of the email addresses associated with your account on the Contact Email section at:

  4. https://www.facebook.com/editaccount.php

  5. Add a security question to your account from the Account Settings page if you have not done so already.

  6. Visit the following page for more information about Facebook security and how to report suspicious material:

  7. http://www.facebook.com/security
If you require further assistance in securing your account, please enter your account information in this form so that we can make sure your account is secure. http://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=15111

The FTC has created an alert, titled "Money Transfers Can Be Risky Business", that explains money transfer scams and other actions one can take. http://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=16148

It is possible that malicious software was downloaded to your computer or that your password was stolen by a phishing website designed to look like Facebook.

Please carefully follow the steps provided:
  1. Run anti-virus software: If your computer has been infected with a virus or with malware, you will need to run anti-virus software to remove these harmful programs and keep your information secure.

  2. Reset password: From the Account Setting page, you will need to create a new password. Be sure to use a different password than you use for other sites or services, made up of a complex string of numbers, letters, and punctuation marks that is at least six characters in length. Do not use words found in the dictionary.

  3. Never click suspicious links: It is possible that your friends could unwillingly send spam, viruses, or malware through Facebook if their accounts are infected. Do not click this material and do not run any ".exe" files on your computer without knowing what they are. Also, be sure to use the most current version of your browser as they contain important security warnings and protection features. Current versions of Firefox and Internet Explorer warn you if you have navigated to a suspected phishing site, and we recommend that you upgrade your browser to the most current version. You can also find more information about phishing and how to avoid it at http://www.antiphishing.org/consumer_recs.html and http://onguardonline.gov/phishing.html.

    Phishing is an online attempt to trick a user by pretending to be an official login page or an official email from an organization that you would have an account with, such as a bank or an email provider, in order to obtain a user’s login and account information. In the case of a phishing login page, the login page may look identical to the login page you would normally go to, but the website does not belong to the organization you have an account with (the URL web address of the website should reflect this). In the case of a phishing email, the email may look like an email you would get from the organization you have an account with and get emails from, but the link in the email that it directs you to takes you to the above phishing login page, rather than a legitimate login page for that organization.

    To prevent your account information from being obtained in a phishing scheme, only log in to legitimate pages of the websites you have an account with. For example, "www.facebook.example.com" is not a legitimate Facebook page on the "www.facebook.com" domain, but "www.facebook.com/example" is a legitimate Facebook page because it has the "facebook.com" domain. When in doubt, you can always just type in "facebook.com" into your browser to return to the legitimate Facebook site.
If you are still unable to access your profile, please send us more information regarding the issue so we can investigate. Please submit your report here.

If your account has been hacked and you can still access your login email address, please attempt to reset the password to your account by selecting the "Forgot your password?" link that appears above the Password field on the Facebook Login page. An email will be sent to you with steps for completing the process.

If your account has been hacked and the login email on your account has also been compromised or has been changed, please send us information about the account so we can look into it further and hopefully restore access. Please submit your report here.

It is possible that malicious software was downloaded to your computer or that your password was stolen by a phishing website designed to look like Facebook.

Please carefully follow the steps provided:
  1. Run anti-virus software: If your computer has been infected with a virus or with malware, you will need to run anti-virus software to remove these harmful programs and keep your information secure.

  2. Reset password: From the Account Setting page, you will need to create a new password. Be sure to use a different password than you use for other sites or services, made up of a complex string of numbers, letters, and punctuation marks that is at least six characters in length. Do not use words found in the dictionary.

  3. Never click suspicious links: It is possible that your friends could unwillingly send spam, viruses, or malware through Facebook if their accounts are infected. Do not click this material and do not run any ".exe" files on your computer without knowing what they are. Also, be sure to use the most current version of your browser as they contain important security warnings and protection features. Current versions of Firefox and Internet Explorer warn you if you have navigated to a suspected phishing site, and we recommend that you upgrade your browser to the most current version. You can also find more information about phishing and how to avoid it at http://www.antiphishing.org/consumer_recs.html and http://onguardonline.gov/phishing.html.

    Phishing is an online attempt to trick a user by pretending to be an official login page or an official email from an organization that you would have an account with, such as a bank or an email provider, in order to obtain a user’s login and account information. In the case of a phishing login page, the login page may look identical to the login page you would normally go to, but the website does not belong to the organization you have an account with (the URL web address of the website should reflect this). In the case of a phishing email, the email may look like an email you would get from the organization you have an account with and get emails from, but the link in the email that it directs you to takes you to the above phishing login page, rather than a legitimate login page for that organization.

    To prevent your account information from being obtained in a phishing scheme, only log in to legitimate pages of the websites you have an account with. For example, "www.facebook.example.com" is not a legitimate Facebook page on the "www.facebook.com" domain, but "www.facebook.com/example" is a legitimate Facebook page because it has the "facebook.com" domain. When in doubt, you can always just type in "facebook.com" into your browser to return to the legitimate Facebook site.
If you are still unable to access your profile, please send us more information regarding the issue so we can investigate. Please submit your report here.

Unfortunately, Facebook did not develop the third-party poker application and cannot assist you in restoring any lost poker chips. This application is developed and operated by a third party that runs its own technical resources, and we do not have access to this data.

Please reset your password immediately for security reasons, and contact the developer of this application in regards to your situation. In order to contact the developer who created this application, please go to the application's About Page and click on the "Contact Developer" link at the bottom of the page. Facebook is not responsible for the support provided by this developer. If you continue to have problems, please note that you can remove and restrict applications from the "Applications" section of the Privacy page.

If you have received a Facebook account confirmation email in error, it's likely that someone has mistakenly attempted to register using your email address. As long as you do not click the link contained in the email, no action will be taken, and no account will be created. http://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=14348

Please note that is not technically possible to hack a Facebook group. As long as the current administrators of a group keep their login details secure, keep their account enabled, and do not allow any suspicious people to become admins, then the group will remain secure. Please note, however, that if a group is left without an admin, any member will be able to assume that role. If this situation occurs, we encourage you or the former admin of this group to contact the current admin to resolve this matter. Unfortunately, Facebook is not able to add you back as an admin for any group.

In addition, as long as the group does not contain information that violates our Terms of Use, we will not take any action it. For more information on conduct prohibited by Facebook, please read ourStatement of Rights and Responsibilities, which can be accessed by clicking on the "Terms" link at the bottom of any Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=15654

More information


Phishing is an online attempt to trick users into providing login and account information by pretending to be a login page or email from an official organization. Common examples include banks or email providers.

In the case of a phishing login page, the login page may look identical to the login page you would normally go to. However, in these instances the website does not belong to the organization you have an account with (the URL web address of the website should reflect this).

In the case of a phishing email, the email may look like an email you would receive from the organization you have an account with. However, the links provided in these emails typically direct you to the above phishing login page, rather than a legitimate login page for that organization.

To prevent your account information from being obtained in a phishing scheme, please double check the URL of the websites you have an account with. For example, "www.facebook.example.com" is not a legitimate Facebook page on the "www.facebook.com" domain, but "www.facebook.com/example" is a legitimate Facebook page because it has the "facebook.com" domain. When in doubt, you can always just type in "facebook.com" into your browser to return to the legitimate Facebook site.

Please note that current versions of Firefox and Internet Explorer warn you if you have navigated to a suspected phishing site, and we recommend that you upgrade your browser to the most current version. You can also find more information about phishing and how to avoid it at...


  1. Never click suspicious links: It is possible that your friends could unwillingly send spam, viruses, or malware through Facebook if their accounts are infected. Do not click this material and do not run any ".exe" files on your computer without knowing what they are. Also, be sure to use the most current version of your browser as they contain important security warnings and protection features. Current versions of Firefox and Internet Explorer warn you if you have navigated to a suspected phishing site, and we recommend that you upgrade your browser to the most current version. You can also find more information about phishing and how to avoid it at http://www.antiphishing.org/consumer_recs.html and http://onguardonline.gov/phishing.html.

    Phishing is an online attempt to trick a user by pretending to be an official login page or an official email from an organization that you would have an account with, such as a bank or an email provider, in order to obtain a user’s login and account information. In the case of a phishing login page, the login page may look identical to the login page you would normally go to, but the website does not belong to the organization you have an account with (the URL web address of the website should reflect this). In the case of a phishing email, the email may look like an email you would get from the organization you have an account with and get emails from, but the link in the email that it directs you to takes you to the above phishing login page, rather than a legitimate login page for that organization.

    To prevent your account information from being obtained in a phishing scheme, only log in to legitimate pages of the websites you have an account with. For example, "www.facebook.example.com" is not a legitimate Facebook page on the "www.facebook.com" domain, but "www.facebook.com/example" is a legitimate Facebook page because it has the "facebook.com" domain. When in doubt, you can always just type in "facebook.com" into your browser to return to the legitimate Facebook site.

  2. Have a unique, strong password: From the Account Settings page, be sure to use a different password than you use for other sites or services, made up of a complex string of numbers, letters, and punctuation marks that is at least six characters in length. Do not use words found in the dictionary.

  3. Run anti-virus software: If your computer has been infected with a virus or with malware, you will need to run anti-virus software to remove harmful programs and keep your information secure.

The FTC has created an alert, titled "Money Transfers Can Be Risky Business", that explains money transfer scams and other actions one can take.

Make sure that when you access the site, you always log in from a legitimate facebook.com domain. A good rule of thumb is if a URL ends in facebook.com, it is owned by Facebook. For example, "en-gb.facebook.com" ends in facebook.com and is therefore safe and legitimate.

When in doubt, just type "facebook.com" into your browser's address field. It's a good idea to bookmark the facebook.com address so that you don't have to enter it manually.

Other URLs that look like Facebook but do not follow this criterion could be illegitimate phishing websites. Never submit your login credentials to a site that looks suspicious.
http://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=15133

Facebook has enabled third-party websites to use Facebook’s login and authentication system through a program called Facebook Connect. Facebook Connect allows users to take their Facebook identity, network, and privacy settings with them as they browse and interact with the rest of the Web.

Connect-enabled sites often provide an option to log in to Facebook directly from the site itself. When you see this, you should make sure that the login opens in a separate browser pop-up window, and that the Web address (URL) for the pop-up contains the proper "www.facebook.com" domain. If it does, you’ll know that it’s a legitimate Facebook page and not a phishing attempt, and you can log in safely and securely.

Note: if you’re logged in to Facebook, the Facebook Connect partner site should only ask you to "authorize" that site. http://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=13929

Facebook respects your privacy. We do not distribute your user information to marketers or spammers. You can read more about this in our Privacy Policy. - http://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=12260
If you deactivate your account from the "Deactivate Account" section on the Account page, your profile and all information associated with it are immediately made inaccessible to other Facebook users. What this means is that you effectively disappear from the Facebook service.
However, if you want to reactivate at some point, we do save your profile information (friends, photos, interests, etc.), and your account will look just the way it did when you deactivated if you decide to reactivate it. Many users deactivate their accounts for temporary reasons and expect their information to be there when they return to the service.

If you do not think you will use Facebook again and would like your account deleted, please keep in mind that you will not be able to reactivate your account or retrieve any of the content or information you have added.

If you would like your account permanently deleted with no option for recovery, log in to your account and then submit your request by clicking here. - http://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=12271


Find more questions and answers here.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

The Past Has Gone... Its Still Here Today

Today is 'Revolution Day' here in Romania

Take a look around you today, tomorrow and the next day etc, etc, etc

Life goes on for us all, or does it?

For so many it stopped years ago and now these people (Humans just like you and me, dear reader) they simply exist! Victims of Ignorance. Victims of Bullies. Victims of Regimes. Victims of Greed. Victims of Hate. Victims who don't know when to stop persecuting those around them today, who have done them no harm at all. Victims of the victims, who are being taught to be scared of something that is no longer present, but will be by instilling the fear into them today. Victims who take solace by picking on victims.

Unfortunately this list is endless and also unfortunately there are always those who will take advantage.

(Making the victims pay yet again and again for something they had no control over)

Manipulating others for their own ends, growing richer and unhappier from the suffering of others, they can't spend all their ill-gotten gains, they certainly can't take it to the next world with them!

(Unless they have a very large 'Asbestos Suitcase')

By exasperating the victims misfortunes, the greed and manipulation of said, is certain to continue, no question about it at all.

Are they such narrow minded individuals that they fail to see that they and every victim could all gain and profit far more from pulling/working together?

The policy of making the most out of 'Hero Worship' of the 'Forces of Darkness' will stop one day, just as the 'Regime' here ended in 1989, but still lives on in the victims as if it was yesterday, as fresh today due to those who blatantly took and take advantage of the suffering inflicted in the darkest days, lets see a growing end towards the 'Storm Ripples' that still spread across this pond of nearly humanity!

Within a year, many had gone back to living their lives as if those who had been overthrown and those ousted from the country were still present - Many still live like this today 20 years later, many of whom will only see real freedom when they die (hopefully of natural causes) after growing up under Nazi Occupation, Russian Occupation, and Communist Kremlin 'Puppets'

True many were punished for their actions inflicted on the population here. However, many who got away with it, still rule the roost today - How? By putting on a different hat and changing their job and also job description just enough to make it look good.

One odd twist that took place here is this...

Whilst under the occupation of the Russians, foreign travel was allowed - On the condition that you left one family member behind to make sure you returned by the date set.

Today, thousands have left Romania to live and work abroad - Many of these people have left behind one family member, in this case of their own free will to ensure they 'Can' come back at a later date.

This may sound crazy to westerners who have never lived a lifetime in a country occupied by a foreign power, or under any form of oppressive regime - Its almost as if the whole country is simply going through the motions of living life today, keeping the country in 'Mothballs' till the occupying forces return at a currently unknown date.

Pretending that everything is fine, far from it the graveyards are stilling filling up with people who never knew freedom and will carry on doing so for many years to come. The skills they learnt to survive are still being handed down. The families in power then are still in power today, despite the different hat that is worn today.

There is I am glad to say a growing (slowly though) percentage of the population who are keen to move into the 21st century, at least they have reached double figures now percentage wise.

No, this is not simply a problem here, it is all over, everywhere people are who are affected by people who take great joy in causing mental and physical pain on others and taking advantage of this pain and suffering afterwards. Be it 'Nation against Nation', or individual against individual.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

A Daily Quote from Boffins Neuron - 11th to 17th July 2009

A Daily Quote from Boffib1157's Neuron to start each day...

Saturday 11th July 2009
"Reality is - Waking up and realising the World was there all the time waiting for you to join in."

Sunday 12th July 2009
"Religious leaders & Philosophers will always disagree with each other till one of them proves God exists and the other has an ex-directory phone number to prove they are right."

Monday 13th July 2009
"After you have learnt, copied, mimicked, aped, suffered, and reacted to life, how much of the real you is there left?"Tuesday 14th July 2009"Unbiased imagination very often leads to 'Unconquerable' progress that furthers the interests of many rather than a few."

Wednesday 15th July 2009
"Spare a thought and some time for those around us with 'Invisible Injuries' from life - Not just those who have 'Visible Injuries' for a short’ish while."

Thursday 16th July 2009

"A thought provoking quote a day, keeps the cobwebs at bay."

Friday 17th July 2009
"Throw something away and it will be needed, keep what is not and it never is needed till thrown away."

Monday, June 8, 2009

A job well done by Gmail team

Last night in front of my very eyes;

My personal Gmail account was compromised.

Yes, folks it can happen that quickly.

Gmails team swung into action very very quickly on receipt of my report.

Once they received my report it they acted very quickly to sort the problem out.

The whole process from noticing to getting my Gmail account back took exactly 22 minutes.

Thanks Gmail team, well done!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Who Did You Ignore Today Then?


A wonderful collection of anecdotes for you to read, inwardly digest, share and (I trust) put into daily use.

First Lesson - Cleaning Lady.

During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one: 'What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school? Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name?

I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. 'Absolutely,' said the professor. 'In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello.'


Second Lesson – Helping Strangers

One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her; generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 60's... The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.

She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console colour TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached...

It read: 'Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away ... God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.'

Sincerely; Mrs. Nat King Cole.


Third Lesson - Always remember those who serve.

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. 'How much is an ice cream sundae?' he asked. 'Fifty cents,' replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. “Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?” he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. 'Thirty-five cents,' she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins. 'I'll have the plain ice cream,' he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were 2 nickels and 5 pennies... You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.


Fourth Lesson – Life’s obstacles in our path.

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.


Fifth Lesson - Giving when it Counts...

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness.. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.

I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, 'Yes I'll do it if it will save her.' As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the colour returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded.

He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, 'Will I start to die right away'.
Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her but he had chosen to save her anyway.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Lost in Translation...

Okay, here I am in and they have changed my language – I ask you why? I thought I spoke English apparently not I now have to speak english! You see even English is spelt differently as well.

When I arrived at the hotel entering on the Ground floor I was corrected and informed I was on the first floor. After getting out of a ‘Taxi’, which is a ‘Cab’, getting my suitcase from the Boot, sorry trunk of the taxi, sorry cab. Puzzled as to the direction taken which turned out to be route, buying some ‘sweets’ to chew which had blank looks from the shopkeeper till it clicked I meant ‘candy’, and I meant ‘cookies’ not ‘biscuits’ and a packet of crisps had suddenly become ‘chips’!.

I felt like an alien to my own tongue, ordering a snack of ‘Aubergine and Chips’ added to an interesting exchange, this is also wrong – ‘Eggplant and French fries’ was the right mix, an eggplant is known as a Kiwi fruit in parts of England. Even the ‘Serviette’ had turned into a ‘Napkin’ and the Tomato sauce was some weird name ‘Catsup

After the meal do you think anybody would give me the ‘bill?’, No they said no one called Bill worked there, then I heard someone ask for the ‘Check’ to pay for their meal, it arrived and off they went, tried the same and ‘Hey Presto’ I paid for my meal! (A Cheque in England is another term used in banking)

Having left the hotels dining room, I headed for the reception and got a bit lost on the way so I checked with a staff member asking, “Which way to the ‘reception desk?’” was greeted with a blank look and realised I should have used ‘Front Desk’ instead. Anyway, intent on taking my luggage up to my room and resting for a short while, again a ‘lost in translation ‘situation occurred – My ‘baggage’ had been taken to my room, so no one knew where my ‘luggage’ was! On top of that, my room was 6120, horror thoughts entered my mind of being on the 61st floor of the hotel, Normality restored, and as it was pointed out that, it was room 120 on the sixth floor.

It gets better! My room had no ‘Cupboards’ at all they had turned into ‘Closets’ – The ‘Curtains’ had vanished and become ‘Drapes’ – The ‘Toilet’ had become a ‘Restroom/ Bathroom'.

As I sat on the chair next to the bed, thankful they had not changed heavily in translation, I thought about my journey after leaving the Airport – The ‘Taxi’ had become a ‘Cab’, the ‘Windscreen’ was a ‘Windshield’, the ‘Boot was the ‘Trunk’, the ‘Bonnet’ was the ‘Hood’, the ‘Motorway’ was the ‘Freeway’. The ‘Footpath’ had become a ‘Sidewalk’, the ‘Road surface’ was a ‘Pavement’ and cars did not have ‘Bumpers’ they are called ‘Fenders’

I had come here as a ‘Solicitor’ but was a ‘Lawyer’ – Had arrived in the ‘Fall’ not the ‘Autumn’ and despite being on a short working ‘Holiday’ found I was on a short working ‘Vacation’. Even my wardrobe took a hammering in some ways, my ‘Trousers’ became ‘Pants’ and various other items of clothing switched from inside to outside attire as names changed.

(Mental note) Must remenmber to spell correctly here, the habit of missing letters in English words must not be allowed to interfere with my time here; there is enough to re-learn about my English.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Communication - The Three P's

Three not so little words that speak volumes - or do they, do they fall on deaf ears, or kick-start your Neurons?

P Put known knowledge to use effectively.
U Use what you know to learn even more.
R React and respond to questions raised.
P Put your new knowledge to daily use.
O Observe and learn from any mistakes made.
S Seek further advice to learn much more.
E Each day has something new for you to learn.


P Put your thoughts into words.
R Reach out and share with others.
O Observe and help others grow as well.
G Grow your knowledge and experience gradually.
R Remember your weaker areas and improve on them.
E Each day is a clean page in your life.
S Sitting back and criticising others helps no one at all.
S Step in and help others grow as weak areas emerge.


P People do not always say what they see.
E Each one of us is very different from yourself.
R Reach out and share your knowledge with others.
C Care that your message is in not in coded form.
E Each case has similarities that are different in some way.
P Patience when you reveal any new truths to others.
T Time is on your side if you can be patient and have support.
I Instincts and awareness work well together.
O Others may not see as clearly as you do at this time.
N Never forget others may not like your choice of words.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Reality is... - Quotes from my Neuron

"Reality is - Fiction turned into Fact."

"Reality is - Waking up and seeing what you could have done would have helped others as well."

"Reality is - Realising that Technology is not the answer to problems, we are the answer to life’s problems."

“Reality is - Recognising that if an element of doubt exists, then you have a starting point for further progress or clarification to begin."

“Reality is - Realising that sharing an opinion is far better than keeping a thought inside your own head.”