Overcoming frustration!

For the past one week to one and a half weeks, I have been struggling to motivate myself. Too many ups and downs, challenges being thrown at me and the uncertain future of the examination subjects I am currently taking. It definitely does not take long for frustration to kick in when you think you are taking too long a time to learn something or to gel into an environment.

With that, I was feeling really horrible and down. Having the Internet and knowing how informative it can be, I tried searching out for some ways to overcome the stroke of frustration that I was going through. I found this really good article:
_____________________________________________________
Fighting Frustration
by: J. Ramiro Sejas M.

I don't know you. But I have been frustrated many times. My heart was broken many times. I divorced. I have been unemployed. I have been in the street. I have felt totally alone. I became an alcoholic. There were nights I closed my eyes waiting not to wake up any more. I was on the edge of the suicide a couple of times. I needed help like never before in my life but there was nobody around to help me. And I discovered an even worse thing: there was nobody who could really help me. As things were going I could see only two choices. Being dead or somebody to drive me back in time so I could rectify the bad decisions I took, the opportunities I lost, in short so that I can fix my life but knowing the results of my last errors ahead of time. The first thing didn't happen ‘cause I didn't have the guts of taking away my life and simply day after day I checked that it won't happen naturally, not yet. The second chance is a fantasy. Then, sinked in the deepest bitterness and frustration, a thought began to hum in my mind. There was a tool, the only one I could count on..... my mind! I realized that all my life, and any other person’s life, is governed by the group of thoughts occupying the mind. Tell a woman she looks great today and you will draw a smile in her face, you will ligth her day. Why? Because you put a pretty thought in her mind! You go to your office tomorrow, you enter in the elevator and you listen as a murmur “... poor man, his wife deceives him...” and moreover they’re looking to you. Forget it man! Your day has become a hell. You have a lousy mood. You cannot concentrate on your work. And what is the reason? Because an unpleasant thought has entered in your mind! And maybe the murmur you heard in the elevator were even not referred to you! Thoughts work in this way, for or against us while occupying our mind. And they are like the stone in a pond, they can generate chain reactions in our lives of disastrous consequences. That is what I discovered. And, after that, I decided to use my mind in my favor.

I began to re-program it. And I found the only way to replace the old thoughts was putting new ones in my mind. More beneficial for my activities and my life. More powerful than those that had ruined my life. Then the computer I had up of my shoulders began to work... in the way I wanted! I began to see solutions to my problems I didn't see before. I began to feel more optimistic. I began to feel more energy every new day. And all that gave place to a dramatic change in my life. You don't need money! You don't need a “specialist” (that neither has lived, nor has suffered your problems) helping you to solve your problems. Take yourself the responsibility of all your errors, of all your faults and your lacks. The only thing you need is in your head! Use it! Here is the formula! Repeat, all the time you can do it, each new thought that you consider beneficial for you like a no-end tape ... (sometimes in silence others aloud) until you see results! Believe me, it works!

IN YOUR MIND YOU HAVE THE BIGGEST TOOL YOU CAN COUNT ON

In your head you have the biggest computer of the universe. Your brain represents the hardware and your thoughts the software. Although you cannot update your brain to a brain Pentium V for example, your brain is powerful enough for not to need any type of updating. However, YES, you can change the programs that govern your reactions, your attitude, your state of mind. YES, you can change the thoughts that make you act in an or another way. YES, you can program your mind with the appropriate thoughts to make your life in agreement to as you want it to be.

THOUGHTS CHANGE HUMANITY'S HISTORY

A man invented a recipe for the cough that didn't have the desired effect. Another bought it and transformed that same recipe into the most sold drink in the world. Let me ask you: Which is the difference among these two men? Answer: The thoughts occupying their minds. One had his mind programmed to make inventions, the other one to see business opportunities. Which one would you like your mind to be programmed as?

Less than 200 years behind some men ‘' dreamt of flying while others believed that it was impossible to achieve it”. Some of them imagined themselves rising throuhg the air in a great flying machine even not knowing how to do it, while the other ones maintained their thoughts in earth. You tell me, who changed humanity's history? And, Why? In the same way in real life it is the thoughts you allow to occupy your mind that determine your success or your failure. Your thoughts are those that make you capable or unable of overcoming the setbacks. It is your thoughts that can sink you into frustration or take you out of it. Don't lose time and try it! Re-program your mind! Re-program your life! What do you have to lose? What can you win? You don’t have to live frustrated. You deserve a life without frustration. You must take action now against frustration.
_______________________________________________________
Hope this is helpful for those who may be in the same boat as I am. Cheers!

About The Author
J. Ramiro Sejas M. Author of “How YOU Can Overcome Frustrations In An Easy, Cheap And Simple Way”

L'Arc~en~Ciel - My Heart Draws A Dream

L'Arc~en~Ciel with their latest single "My Heart Draws A Dream", released on the 29th August this year. Got of a hold of it only a couple of days ago. Once again, they pulled it off!

15 years as a band, and they are still producing high quality music with varying styles. This song is very upbeat and very emotional for me. As usual, Tetsu's bass with a moving bassline accompanied with Hyde's unique voice gives us a well amagalmated combination that compliments each other. Simplied loved it from start to finish.

Just to throw in some facts, this song was produced for the Subaru Legacy advertisement in Japan.

The term "tai chi" @ work

What is "tai chi"? The commonly known definition would be - an internal Chinese martial art often practiced with the aim of promoting health and longevity.

You probably don't know this fact, but even "tai chi" is practised in the most common places - and that includes the workplace! Didn't know that did you?

How does it promote health and longevity if practised at work? Very simple! Say, you are a manager overseeing an engagement right now. As a manager, you have quite a substantial amount of commanding power. So this is what you do, you simply pass all your work to the person directly beneath you. So the end result is - you get more time for yourself and a small workload while maintaining your HUGE monthly paycheck, hence promoting YOUR health and YOUR longevity. Of course, at the expense of OTHER PEOPLE'S health and time!

This is how "tai chi" works in the office:

Say that person in the picture is you. You take in a huge amount of "chi", basically just take a deep breath. Then with all your might, you push the work away to the people beneath you. Then, breathe out and relax!

It is truly frustrating for the people at the bottom of the rank ladder. Whether you know it or not, 80% of the time this practice of "tai chi" is the main reason why many good staff leave their jobs. It is truly sad to see the people who are supposed to lead by example doing such unethical, and irresponsible practices at work so they themselves can take the so called "back seat in life".

My say, it's simply the higher-ups taking advantage of the people beneath them! How nice of them eh?

DJ Pi - Concerto For Voices 03 (Special Edition 2007)

After almost 2 months after DJ Pi's announcement to do a special edition vocal mix, the mix is finally up for downloads about three weeks back! I know I should have done the review a lot earlier but I just didn't have the time to really sit back and appreciate the mix.

The tracklist:

1. Chaser - Hanging Around A1
2. Gabriel and Dresden Feat. Jan Burton - Dangerous Power (Cicada Mix)
3. Anna Nalick - Breathe (Blake Jarrell Mix)
4. Blackfeel Wite - Sea Still Love You (Gabriel Batz Mix)
5. Anr - Only One
6. Tiesto Feat. Christian Burns - In The Dark
7. Kamil Polner - Dance Forever
8. Javah - One By One (Cyrex Mix)
9. Maor Levi - Reflect
10. Bobina Feat. Elles De Graaf - Lighthouse (Sean Tyas Mix)
11. Jose Amnesia Feat. Jennifer Rene - Louder (Jon Obir Mix)
12. Jesselyn - Contact
13. Fkn Feat. Jahala - Why (Aly and Fila Mix)
14. Duderstadt And Anita Kelsey - Smile (Alex Morph Vocal Mix)
15. Andre Visor And Dark Moon - Beautiful People (Stoneface And Terminal Mix)

Those familiar with the vocal trance scene should be able to recognise that all the tracks above are pretty much the best of 2007 to date.

My take - from the first song, I could already feel the energy DJ Pi was putting in. I felt like he was saying, "here's the best of 2007 so far, my mix!". When I heard it, it was totally energising! DJ Pi's beatmatching is as good as God like. I have a pretty good set of speakers, so I could really hear the mix clearly. I have to give it to him, not many Djs can put up a tracklist filled with good songs and make a good mix. The flow to the mix was simply amazing, I could totally visualise a story being told through the mix. I was also very surprise when he included track 6 'Tiesto Feat. Christian Burns - In The Dark' because that song isn't an easy song to blend with others. One of DJ Pi's specialties, equaliser manipulation is clearly spot lighted in this mix with his wonderful blend of treble and bass between difference songs overlapping each other.

___________________________________________________________

To download the torrent for this mix - HERE -

___________________________________________________________

Here are some of the comments by others:

"Loved it, thank you DJ 3.14159 "

"dude great job on this mix! im glad that you werent afraid to throw in male vocals...thanks for this flawless mix Pi! couldnt even tell that u were transitioning..."

"Just finished to hear the new Concerto For Vocal 3! A highlight from the beginning to the end!! THATS´s Vocaltrance indeed!!"

"every mix you put out is flawless. tune selection and energy is great!"

__________________________________________________________

More information @ http://www.djpi.net/ -----become a member of the forum and get latest updates on his mixes-----

Eugen Weber - APOCALYPSES, review

Apocalypses
Prophecies, Cults, and Millennial Beliefs through the Ages

That is the name of this book which I bought some time ago but never really got the time to it. This book was my weekend book so to speak.

"Apocalyptic visions and prophecies from Zarathustra to yesterday form the luxuriant panorama in Eugen Weber's profound and elegant book. Beginning with the ancients of the West and the Orient and, especially, with those from whom we received our religions, the Jews and earliest Christians, Weber finds that an absolute belief in the end of time, when good would do final battle with evil, was omnipresent. Within centuries, apocalyptic beliefs inspired Crusades, scientific discoveries, works of art, voyages such as those of Columbus, rebellions and reforms. In the new world, American abolitionists, who were so critical to the movement to end slavery, believed in a final reckoning. The nineteenth and twentieth centuries' apocalyptic movements veered toward a lunatic fringe, and Weber rescues them from obloquy. From this more than two millennia history, he redresses the historical and religious amnesia that has consigned the study of apocalypses and millennial thought to the ash heap of thought and belief "(Havard Universtiy Press, 2000).

______________________________________________________

Personally, I am a pretty huge fan of history and civilisation. I have always been curious regarding the fact that most religions and beliefs tend to converge on one agreeing point - that the world is going to end some day.

I cannot help but to ponder how did humans of the older times incepted such an idea. A quick search on the internet and I found this book, and immediately bought it since there weren't many books that talk about this subject, which is generally deemed as sensitive.

All in all, this is one book you cannot read on its own because there is a huge list of reference and historical jargons that would require you to search out every couple of pages. It is a factual book, after all.

My take:

In his tendentious attempt to unlock the hidden meaning of the Apocalypse and millennnial thought, Weber takes his place in a long interpretative tradition. His profound and witty book embraces the entire panorama of the apocalyptic visions and prophecies from Zarathustra to the twentieth century and demonstrates clearly that belief in the approaching end of time (fin de siècle) after a final battle between good and evil was present in Western civilization even before the birth of Christ.

Am I suffering from burnout?

For the past whole week, I have been feeling horrible. I wake up feeling groggy, dazed and lazy. Negativity is also starting to creep up in my mind. This can only mean one thing - this is not good at all! Not good!

I ran a search to find out the general burnout symptoms are, and I found these:
1. Chronic fatigue - exhaustion, tiredness, a sense of being physically run down
2. Anger at those making demands
3. Self-criticism for putting up with the demands
4. Cynicism, negativity, and irritability
5. A sense of being besieged
6. Exploding easily at seemingly inconsequential things
7. Frequent headaches and gastrointestinal disturbances
8. Weight loss or gain
9. Sleeplessness and depression
10. Shortness of breath
11. Suspiciousness
12. Feelings of helplessness
13. Increased degree of risk taking

Out of the 13 symptoms above, I hit 9 of those symptoms, meaning to say there is a good 70% chance I am starting to suffer from burnout.

How does burnout occur? There are infinite number of reasons why burnout could happen to someone. However, the easiest way to explain the phenomenon of burnout is by imagining a fork. A fork is used for eating but if you try to use a fork for other purposes, say for driving nails or digging the soil, that fork is going to break.

Why am I writing this? So that readers who think they may be demonstrating the symptoms I listed out above can do something about it before it becomes worse. I have already fallen into it's grasp and it is far from easy trying to pick myself back up. To make matters worse, I have a test tomorrow. This is not helping me at all.

What I need now is a break and I don't seem to be getting it..... period!

A wonderful new tool called BlogRush

I got an email this morning from a really close friend of mine and it had a subject of "Special Invitation". With the increasing problem of spam and silly online advertisements that somehow find their way into your mailbox, I was really skeptical about what it was. Frankly, my mouse cursor was already on it's way to the 'delete' button. :)

So, I read on into the email since this friend of mine tends to send mails of my great interest and of great usefulness (and I don't mean toilet jokes or chain letters). This invitation was for a new web program called BlogRush.

For those who are tech savvy and Internet savvy should know what RSS is. RSS or Really Simple Syndication was developed some where in the 1995, although not popular then. However, with the enormous growth of information on the Internet and the speed of of information that constantly changes, RSS finally found it's fame. Imagine RSS as your online newspaper man that automatically updates the information for you. You will see the RSS icon on your browser's address bar for RSS enabled sites - blogs are always equipped with RSS. (more information on RSS here)

So what can BlogRush do for my blog? There are all sorts of blogs to read out there. BlogRush collects data of similar blogs like mine, say blogs that are of personal diary in nature then what it does is posts a list of blogs on my blog. You should be able to see a box on the right of this blog that has a title "From the BLOGOSPHERE", now that box lists a collection of blogs that are similar to mine.

End result, potential increase in traffic for my blog and other blogs! THANKS BlogRush!
__________________________________________________________
If you are interested, visit BlogRush or hit the BlogRush picture above. ;)

~nature untouched~

Browsing through the Internet today, I found a really interesting picture that caught my eye straightaway.

I live in Kuala Lumpur, pretty much a concrete jungle. Seeing this photo really reminds me of how far this city that I live in has developed from being a small, humble village settlement into a booming commercial centre.

This photo prompts an important question in my mind - are we slowly losing the natural beauty that our God Almighty created? Honestly, when you look into that picture do you not feel an impeccable sense of serenity?

Staring into this picture, I just get sucked into it. I live in a society where materiality counts, where time never seems to be enough, where money seems to rule our every thought. For a moment, this picture takes me away from all that and just tells me there are more things than just working so hard to please higher-ups that hardly seem to be satisfied with no matter how well or how much we do!

Nature in it's original form reminds us of how beautiful it is. However, most importantly it tells each and everyone of us, how much we have taken away from Mother Nature in the name of better living and development. But, really, are we really living in a better place? Are we truly happy? ~ give it some thought ~

MOVIE - The Brave One

After a long day at work and another session of classes tonight, I decided I had to go something else for the remaining for the Friday. I found myself driving into the night headed for MegaMall and going for a movie. It was nice - no traffic jam, no long queue to get into the parking lot, no need to fight for parking lots and no human traffic in the mall.

Going pretty late for a movie didn't leave me with many choices, so I picked 'The Brave One' since Jodie Foster was acting in it. She is a pretty well known actress so I'd figured it should be pretty good.

The movie revolves around Erica Bain (Jodie Foster) who lives in New York; a place she calls home and a place she makes ends meet. She hosts a radio show called 'Street Wak' sharing the city sounds she records on a daily basis and telling a story about New York. A job she loved, and a fiance David Kirmani (Naveen Andrews) - she couldn't happier.

The happiness all comes to an abrupt end when both of them become victims of a random attack by junkies while walking in a park one night.

Healing from the bodily wounds that left her in coma for three weeks, but struggling to recover from the lost of her fiance and struggling to put things behind leads her to arming herself with a gun. Now she finds herself roaming the streets of New York, which she onces felt comfortable now threatening and dangerous.


Armed with a gun, she finds herself doing a day job with 'Street Walk', at night searching for clues to lead her to her assaulters. In the course of her quest, she kills a few criminals and unknowingly became the mysterious NY vigilante across daily tabloids.

Detective Sean Mercer (Terrence Howard) determined to find the vigilante after piecing the clues together finds himself looking for a woman with a grudge and not a man with a gun.
_____________________________________________________

My take:
Plot is slow moving but with a very moving story to tell - how life can be cruel. The casts were well suited for their roles. Although, I believe the movie would have been a little bit more interesting with some parts were not censored - some part of violence were pretty bad.

If you are looking for something out of the norm, deviating from the common action, romance and comedy; this would be the show.

Learning from the physically and mentally challenged?

Most of you are probably wondering why I am posting this. My home, is a place naturally filled with animals ranging from bats making a home in the roof, squirrels that trot around the compound, stray cats that walk in and out, and heaps of birds flying around. Personally I have 3 aquariums with fishes and an iguana.

Out of all the animals I see pretty much on a daily basis, there is this particular cat that I always feel a deep sympathy for him. He is physically challenged - walking on three legs only. Although I am not sure what exactly happened, but one leg doesn't work and it looks permanently bent.

The really sad part about him (actually I call him Leggy), everytime I look into his eyes I cannot help but feel a deep sense of pain and sadness. So much so that I find it simply difficult to describe.

Most importantly, everytime I see Leggy, I have a great deal of respect for him. Every now and then I get to catch a glimpse of him hopping up a fence, or spurting with his might trying to catch a bird meal. These scenes trully gives me a reason to respect Leggy. He may be handicap but he sure does not let it hold him back from living his life.

By just staring at him, I learn something about life - there are things, incidents or even people out there that can really bring you down or try to bring you down. We are all humans and inherently given birth to with weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Some weaknesses can be a big disadvantage like what Leggy goes through every second, minute and day. But there's nothing humanly impossible if one is willing to give things a shot and try.

Being proven wrong every now and then, or meeting failures just like falling flat on your face can be horribly painful. Looking at Leggy, having a bad leg and living life one day at a time is like having to fall flat on your face everyday. If Leggy can still make it, why can't we? Why?

Did you feel the earthquake?

About 7pm yesterday while my team and I were working on a meeting table, we suddenly felt the table moving and shaking. First I thought it was one of our mates trying to be funny. It lasted for a couple of minutes, maybe 5 minutes?

It did get a little bit stronger, so I looked up and started looking at all of them. Surprisingly everyone seemed to have the wondering look. That's when I realised maybe no one was fooling around.

I never experienced any earth tremor like this before, so having this as a first time was interesting. Apparently it was an earthquake with a 7.9 magnitude followed by a tsunami in Indonesia. More news HERE.

My prayers to the citizens of Indonesia in the town of Padang.

Random joke I found ~ enjoy

PILOT JOKES - CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN PILOTS AND CONTROL TOWER

Tower: “Delta 351, you have traffic at 10 o’clock, 6 miles!”
Delta 351: “Give us another hint! We have digital watches!”

Tower: “TWA 2341, for noise abatement turn right 45 degrees.”
TWA 2341: “Center, we are at 35,000 feet. How much noise can we make up here?”
Tower: “Sir, have you ever heard the noise a 747 makes when it hits a 727?”

From an unknown aircraft waiting in a very long takeoff line: “I’m f…ing bored!”
Ground Traffic Control: “Last aircraft transmitting, identify yourself immediately!”
Unknown aircraft: “I said I was f…ing bored, not f…ing stupid!”

O’Hare Approach Control to a 747: “United 329 heavy, your traffic is a Fokker, one o’clock, three miles, Eastbound.”
United 329: “Approach, I’ve always wanted to say this… I’ve got the little Fokker in sight.”

A student became lost during a solo cross-country flight. While attempting to locate the aircraft on radar, ATC asked, “What was your last known position?”
Student: “When I was number one for takeoff.”

A DC-10 had come in a little hot and thus had an exceedingly long roll out after touching down.
San Jose Tower Noted: “American 751, make a hard right turn at the end of the runway, if you are able. If you are not able, take the Guadeloupe exit off Highway 101, make a right at the lights and return to the airport.”

A Pan Am 727 flight, waiting for start clearance in Munich , overheard the following:
Lufthansa (in German): “Ground, what is our start clearance time?”
Ground (in English): “If you want an answer you must speak in English.”
Lufthansa (in English): “I am a German, flying a German airplane, in Germany . Why must I speak English?”
Unknown voice from another plane (in a beautiful British accent): “Because you lost the bloody war!”

Tower: “Eastern 702, cleared for takeoff, contact Departure on frequency 124.7″
Eastern 702: “Tower, Eastern 702 switching to Departure. By the way, after we lifted off we saw some kind of dead animal on the far end of the runway.”
Tower: “Continental 635, cleared for takeoff behind Eastern 702, contact Departure on frequency 124.7. Did you copy that report from Eastern 702?”
Continental 635: “Continental 635, cleared for takeoff, roger; and yes, we copied Eastern… we’ve already notified our caterers.”

One day the pilot of a Cherokee 180 was told by the tower to hold short of the active runway while a DC-8 landed. The DC-8 landed, rolled out, turned around, and taxied back past the Cherokee. Some quick-witted comedian in the DC-8 crew got on the radio and said,

“What a cute little plane. Did you make it all by yourself?”
The Cherokee pilot, not about to let the insult go by, came back with a real zinger: “I made it out of DC-8 parts. Another landing like yours and I’ll have enough parts for another one.”

The German air controllers at Frankfurt Airport are renowned as a short-tempered lot. They not only expect one to know one’s gate parking location, but how to get there without any assistance from them. So it was with some amusement that we (a Pan Am 747) listened to the following exchange between Frankfurt ground control and a British Airways 747, call sign: Speedbird 206.

Speedbird 206: ” Frankfurt , Speedbird 206! Clear of active runway.”
Ground: “Speedbird 206. Taxi to gate Alpha One-Seven.”
The BA 747 pulled onto the main taxiway and slowed to a stop.
Ground: “Speedbird, do you not know where you are going?”
Speedbird 206: “Stand by, Ground, I’m looking up our gate location now.”
Ground (with quite arrogant impatience): “Speedbird 206, have you not been to Frankfurt before?”
Speedbird 206 (coolly): “Yes, twice in 1944, but it was dark, — And I didn’t land.”

While taxiing at London’s Gatwick Airport , the crew of a US Air flight departing for Ft. Lauderdale made a wrong turn and came nose to nose with a United 727.
An irate female ground controller lashed out at the US Air crew, screaming: “US Air 2771, where the hell are you going? I told you to turn right onto Charlie taxiway! You turned right on Delta! Stop right there. I know it’s difficult for you to tell the difference between C and D, but get it right!”
Continuing her rage to the embarrassed crew, she was now shouting hysterically: “God! Now you’ve screwed everything up! It’ll take forever to sort this out! You stay right there and don’t move till I tell you to! You can expect progressive taxi instructions in about half an hour, and I want you to go exactly where I tell you, when I tell you, and how I tell you! You got that, US Air 2771?”
“Yes, ma’am,” the humbled crew responded.
Naturally, the ground control communications frequency fell terribly silent after the verbal bashing of US Air 2771. Nobody wanted to chance engaging the irate ground controller in her current state of mind. Tension in every cockpit out around Gatwick was definitely running high. Just then an unknown pilot broke the silence and keyed his microphone, asking:
“Wasn’t I married to you once?”

Michael Crichton - STATE OF FEAR

After finishing his new book, Next I moved on to this book.

From start to finish, I was hooked on to this book and I really felt captivated by this book. I guess, it is probably his background in anthropology that makes him such a good writer. Reading his books always gives me the impression that he is telling the reader, "I make sure I research my materials before embarking on writing this book.".

This book like Next is quasi fact and fiction, which makes it simply so interesting. This day and time, it is hardly possible to find any author as dynamic as him that can amalgamate fact and fiction together.
________________________________________________________

This book revolves around the danger of politicised science. I am sure all of us are well aware of many environmentalist movements globally and the amount of research being done regarding sustainability and managing the environment. The most prominent environmental problem is of course none other than global warming.

Upon reading this book, global warming may not really exist but it is perceived to exist because of politicised science. With actual references (which I did run a check, courtesy of Google), I have come to realise that the increase in temperature for the past 50 years have not been significant. In addition, the commonly perceived definition that the increase in temperature is mainly caused by urbanisation. However, that is not true because there are many parts of the United States that still face increasing temperatures even with minimal urbanisation.

Most importantly, most globally warming researches have not been truthful about their findings. Most research conclusions were in fact based on simulation. Simulation as per the dictionary - the representation of the behavior or characteristics of one system through the use of another system, esp. a computer program designed for the purpose. In simpler terms, it is as good as guessing. The fact remains is that an informed guess is still a guess!

Most frightening is that many research results are untrue because the results were adjusted to reflect what was to be expected. Let's face it, the field of research is no longer for the purpose of expanding knowledge for the betterment of mankind; only a naive-minded person would presume so. Research has become a commercial movement. Want to know why? Here's why - researches are funded by grants, grants are big money. Grants are more often funded by big conglomerates under the pretext of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Grants given are like money pumped in by venture capitalists. As such, they EXPECT results, therefore scientists give them results. At the end of the day, scientists today want fame and money (although it may not necessarily apply to all).

Today, many environmental sustainability programmes are controlled by government bodies or private entities, which are more concerned about publicity. Even, with some very kind philanthropists that donate huge sums of money for environmental reason, the money is mostly misappropriated for other reasons.

This book mainly evolves around the darker side of today's environmental movements and how science have strayed far from it's original purpose.

Fantastic read, I'd say!
__________________________________________________________
For additional reading - visit http://www.michaelcrichton.com/speech-environmentalismaseligion.html for a speech by the author himself. It will surely give you a clearer picture of what I have written about in conjunction with STATE OF FEAR.

Overcoming Anger

I have come to realise I've got a pretty short fuse when dealing with many things. Anger can work wonders at times. It can sometimes give you the additional strength from all the adrenaline pumping into your body. But more of than not, it makes you do stupid things that you might regret later on for example slamming your hand on the table just to find out that it hurts like hell later.

Browsing through the net I found this interesting article (really relevant for Christians and believers). But even non-believers can use it for some guidance.
________________________________________________________

Overcoming Anger and Fear

By Billy Graham
Reprinted from "The Journey" by Billy Graham, with permission of W Publishing Group.

Emotions That Destroy: Anger and Bitterness

Every destructive emotion bears its own harvest, but anger's fruit is the most bitter of all. Uncontrolled anger is a devastating sin, and no one is exempt from its havoc. It shatters friendships and destroys marriages; it causes abuse in families and discord in business; it breeds violence in the community and war between nations. Its recoil, like that of a high-powered rifle, often hurts the one who wields it as well as its target. Anger makes us lash out at others, destroying relationships and revealing our true nature. The history of the human race is largely the history of its anger. Nor are Christians exempt from anger's grip. After Jesus' arrest Peter angrily denied his Lord: "He began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, ‘I don't know this man you're talking about"' (Mark 14:71). Paul had to urge the Ephesian Christians to "get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice" (Ephesians 4:31). How many churches have been torn apart by someone's anger? How many people have been turned away from Christ because of a Christian's anger? We get angry when others hurt us, both by what they say and what they do.

We get angry too when we don't get our own way or our plans and dreams are frustrated. Anger may arise in an instant erupting like a volcano and raining destruction on everyone in sight. Often, however, anger simmers just below the surface, sometimes for a lifetime. Like a corrosive acid, this kind of anger eats away at our bodies and souls, yet we may not even be aware of its presence.

Some people are angry at God. Sometimes I get letters from people who have been touched by tragedy—but instead of seeking God's help, they angrily blame Him for what happened. As a result they cut themselves off from the peace and joy He alone can give us, even when we don't understand.

Is anger ever justified? Yes—when it is caused by injustice and sin instead of our selfishness or hurt pride. God is angry when His righteousness is scorned; Jesus forcefully drove out from the temple those who were callously making money from God's people (Matthew 21:12-13). We must be careful, however; sometimes our so-called "righteous indignation" is little more than a cover for lovelessness or self-righteousness.

Anger and bitterness (as well as hatred, jealousy, and resentment, their offspring) aren't identical, but they are closely related. Bitterness is anger gone sour, an attitude of deep discontent that poisons our souls and destroys our peace. My wife has said that a bitter, sour Christian is one of Satan's greatest trophies—and she's right. The Bible says, "See to it…that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many" (Hebrews 12:15). Are anger or bitterness keeping you from becoming the person God wants you to be?


Conquering Anger
Can we overcome our anger, instead of constantly being overcome by it? Yes—with God's help. Peter's anger was channeled into boldness for Christ. Paul's anger against Christians was replaced with a burning passion to spread the Gospel. The Bible commands us "to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:23-24). Is this your goal?

How should we deal with anger? The answer is decisively! The first step in gaining victory over unjustified anger is to want to get rid of it—and the key to that is to see it for what it is: sin in God's eyes. Jesus warned, "Anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment" (Matthew 5:22).

This means we must stop making excuses for our anger or bad temper—blaming it on our parents, for example, or claiming we have every right to be angry because of something that happened to us in the past. We also must face honestly the toll anger and bitterness take on our lives. They are our enemies! The Bible says, "An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins" (Proverbs 29:22). It also says, "Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; …it leads only to evil" (Psalm 37:8). Never underestimate anger's destructive power.
_________________________________________________________

Hope it is useful to readers out there!

EY are the champions for 2007 IAFG squash event!

EY finally won! Finally! It was a wonderful feeling to know that I was part of a winning team. The finals was a closely fought match having both EY and KPMG relentlessly going up against each other. KPMG was defending its champion's title and EY was in search to end the drought.

I was set as the last player. At that point it was two wins per team, meaning all hopes were banked on me. Was I feeling any pressure? You bet I was!

For me, it was a truly tough match since my opponenet was an experienced player. May not be as young as I am but definitely experienced. The match lasted for four sets, and almost for 40 minutes.

For once in my entire life, I felt my body was really being pushed to the limit. The fact that I didn't have a regular squash game definitely had slowed my body down in many ways. Somehow, I pulled through and I won the match, therefore clenching the last win our team needed to be champions for this year.

Since this morning, my body has been aching and it'll probably stay this way until tomorrow. Worth it? I'd say it was a priceless moment for me. 1st year in the firm, 1st time playing for the firm and 1st win for the firm after so many years! :D

Tired tired tired..... rain rain rain

This whole week has been a wet week I must say, raining at least 4 out of the 7 days in this week. It's a good thing in a sense that temperatures are brought down to far more acceptable point. Besides, things could be worse! :)

What I like most about this cool weather is the relaxing feeling I get and it just cools me off. Especially like today, fatigue is the best word to use to describe how I am feeling right now. Having had 10 hours of class today, I am simply in no mood for anything besides resting.

What other way to rest then by watching some anime and just enjoying the cool wind blowing through my room windows. Although, I have to admit I don't like the rain because of the way it dirties my car but then again, it could be worse.

Most importantly, I need to get sufficient rest for tomorrow's IAFG squash finals against KPMG. I need the clarity of mind and the condition of my body to make sure the team gets the maximum chance of winning the event.