Monday, June 1, 2009
The Authenticator
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
My Second Life
This is me chillen in a tube at the beach.
I find this whole trend absoluetly fascinating. It has taken the age of virtual communication and collaboration to an entirely new level! In the Second Life world, you can buy and sell property, businesses, services, clothes...you name it, it's there. You can have a job that pays you in "Linden Dollars," the game's currency, which equates to a certain amount of USD. Musicians are able to stream their tunes and fans have the opportunity to listen to live music, accompanied by a virtual representation.
This is me flying by a beautiful sunset.
Probably my favorite aspect of Second Life is that you can fly. That's right! You can soar around practically any virtual environment you want- uninhibited. Don't get me wrong, I am completely aware that it is in fact a computer game. I'm not about to get sucked into a false realm of virtual fantasies...but if you check it out, I bet you will see the appeal.Friday, June 20, 2008
The NEW "Real World"
I say alleged because I truly believe that our lives or our “world” is only as real as we make it. Sure- there are things like taxes, bills and jobs that often seem to add a kick of reality to our day…but you have to learn to manage your time in a way that permits you maximize your personal comfort and happiness.
Do you realize that we spend 1/3 of our lives sleeping?! … just let that settle in a bit- 1/3 of your life! Another 1/3 generally goes right out the window on “company time,” spent at your job. So, if you do the math- that sure doesn’t leave a whole hell of a lot of time for fun or enjoying the simple pleasures in life! Now- if by some fortune, you have no need for sleep and a money tree that permits you to never work, then these proportions might not worry you much. But this is obviously not the typical case, and most of us simply have to work and sleep; they are both essential. This is why you MUST do what you love. If you can find a job where you are doing what you love to do- then you never have to work a day in your life!
While this advice is certainly not original, I am amazed at how few people implement it. I think what happens in our society; unfortunately, is that in a rush to start paying off college loans, we tend to settle in a position that might not be our first choice. After rooting down with benefits and life-sentencing retirement plans, we feel that it is simply too late to change. I think many of us can relate to these circumstances and one day I would like to start an organization that aims to help those who are in this very dilemma- who’s with me?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
I Love Quotes.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Take a Breather
Many people find it difficult to actually relax. Whether it's not having the time to, or finding your mind wanders when trying to relax, it can be difficult, especially if you're a generally busy person. Here are a few suggestions to help you:
Warm water loosens up muscles, so its a great way to feel pampered without really doing alot. It will also deepen respiration and take any tension away from your body, pushing those stresses and strains straight down the plughole! Just a 30 minute soak in a warm bubble bath will help you feel relax and lighten your mind. A hot bath (preferably no hotter than 37° C) can ease tension and make you feel relaxed before going to bed.
Music is a great way of helping you to relax, relieve stress and any anxieties you may have. It also helps you function mentally and physically, which is why music is a great therapy. It's regularly used for meditation and Tai Chi, and as an aid for sleep disorders. Music that has a tempo of 60 beats/minute works in syncrony with the human heartbeat, and therefore creates a relaxing effect. It slows down the heart rate, breathing rate and thinking rate, and lets you relax into deep levels of rest. Studies have suggested that slow, gentle, soothing music can improve learning, creativity and memory. Music can have such an impact on people that it's used in many hospitals, clinics, schools, nursing homes, and psychiatric hospitals to calm the inner body and revitalise both life and spirit.
You only need 10 minutes, and you should feel the benefits of this session for the rest of the day.
At the beginning of each session:-
Loosen your clothing and remove your shoes. Lie down with a pillow under your head.
Go as limp as you can, and let your shoulder blades go slightly flat.
Gently shake your feet, then legs, then arms, and roll your head back and forth.
Better Perspective
Take a look at this video!
I assure you that you will find it interesting.
Now- from the video, you can see that we are literally ants or cosmic specks of dust comparatively. With this in mind, I ask: why is it that we are so oblivious to the simplicities of life? In this modern era, we tend to fall into a mundane 9 to 5 routine, driven by anxiety and complacentness, which generally benefits others more than it does ourselves. The majority of our country is too bus working paycheck to paycheck, stressing about mortgages and college loans. With all that on your plate, there isn't much time to take a breath.
I recommend that you analyze all the troubles in your life and really ask yourself; is this really as big of a deal as I am making it out to be? In fact, look back and think about every difficulty you have ever overcome...it always works out in the end! Sure, sometimes you learn the hard way, but it only makes you stronger. The first step to coping with any stress is to simply relax and take a deep breath. Nothing, and I repeat: nothing that you fear will defeat you. Only you can do that, and you will if you don't enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Ferris Bueller put it best... "Life goes by pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
Thursday, June 12, 2008
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Habit 1 - Be Proactive
This is the ability to control one's environment, rather than have it control you, as is so often the case. Self determination, choice, and the power to decide response to stimulus, conditions and circumstances.
Habit 2 - Begin with the End in Mind
Covey calls this the habit of personal leadership - leading oneself that is, towards what you consider your aims. By developing the habit of concentrating on relevant activities you will build a platform to avoid distractions and become more productive and successful.
Habit 3 - Put First Things First
Covey calls this the habit of personal management. This is about organising and implementing activities in line with the aims established in habit 2. Covey says that habit 2 is the first, or mental creation; habit 3 is the second, or physical creation.
Covey calls this the habit of interpersonal leadership, necessary because achievements are largely dependent on co-operative efforts with others. He says that win-win is based on the assumption that there is plenty for everyone, and that success follows a co-operative approach more naturally than the confrontation of win-or-lose.
One of the great maxims of the modern age. This is Covey's habit of communication, and it's extremely powerful. Covey helps to explain this in his simple analogy 'diagnose before you prescribe'. Simple and effective, and essential for developing and maintaining positive relationships in all aspects of life.
Habit 6 - Synergize
Covey says this is the habit of creative co-operation - the principle that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, which implicitly lays down the challenge to see the good and potential in the other person's contribution.
This is the habit of self renewal, says Covey, and it necessarily surrounds all the other habits, enabling and encouraging them to happen and grow. Covey interprets the self into four parts: the spiritual, mental, physical and the social/emotional, which all need feeding and developing.
Bored? This might help.
Now, I'm generally not much of a computer game junkie, but have you tried this additing game yet? Give it a shot-my high score is: 2,700...can you beat it?
Hint: Click and hold to accelerate plane upwards. Release to drop.