Why Apple’s Move to Block Flash is a Great Leap Forward?

By now you probably have heard about this little tussle between Apple and Adobe. The fight became “public” when Apple CEO Steve Jobs posted an open letter of sorts about his Thoughts on Flash where he criticized one of Adobe’s flagship products – Flash. Our good friend Steve said some unfriendly things against Flash, it being not secure enough, not touch-friendly enough, not technology forward enough and most of all, not open enough. So, enough is enough. Flash can’t get anywhere near Apple’s mobile devices. Whew!

Many people might not agree with Apple’s position. After all, more than 90% of all websites on the Internet have some Flash in them. Some even run almost entirely on Flash like HBO.com that if you try to visit the site and your computer doesn’t support Flash, you’ll see an almost blank page except for a line that says: You need to install Flash. Surely, if that much websites use Flash, it couldn’t be that bad, right?

Wrong! At least in Apple’s point of view. For Apple, Flash has no place in today’s mobile computing devices so they blocked Flash on iPhone, iPod and iPad. That means, if you recently bought an iPad, you now have in your hand ‘the best way to see the web, email and photos’, except that you can’t play Farmville, you won’t enjoy HBO.com and you will see some missing elements on CNN.com, Disney.com and millions of other websites running Flash. Huh?

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Purpose Driven OFW

It was a few years back when I heard about this speech made by a little known student named Patricia Evangelista. The then 19-year old sophomore from the University of the Philippines, has grown more popular these days. What with some hosting gigs and regular column for a major broadsheet, she has made a name for herself in the field of journalism and, might I say, literature.

Sadly, the speech that was instrumental to her success has now gone to relative obscurity. The speech that has won her the International Public Speaking competition in 2004 besting 58 other student contestants from 37 English speaking countries, including US, UK and Australia, has been sidelined by forgetful Pinoy. The speech that jolted me the first time I read it (as a student) because of its form and elates me now (as an OFW) because of its substance, has totally lost its luster.

Maybe it’s time all of us Pinoys working abroad get a wind of the message being imparted by this inspiring speech. We are living in a borderless world. However, it does not preclude the idea of a home, the idea that wherever we are, whatever we do, we are driven by a purpose. A purpose to give back to the country that shaped us, a purpose to serve, albeit remotely. Now, it is our turn to shape the world. We will start by being inspired.

Below is the full text of the speech entitled, Blonde and Blue Eyes

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Top 10 bizarre life lessons you can learn from Philippine politics

And so it comes to a final close. The Philippine elections season will be ending soon and despite the doomsday scenario painted by many pundits, the recent and first ever computerized elections turned out to be quite peaceful, relatively credible and surprisingly successful. Philippines, welcome to the 21st century elections, finally!

But amidst all the mudslinging, grandstanding and political backbiting that happened over the last few months; no one can deny that Philippine politics doesn’t lack ‘color’ (yes, pun intended) and excitement, enough to feed the world with interesting stories that will rival that of the best movies Hollywood has ever produced. Heard about the Boxing champ who ran for a law-making position and sang ('Para sa ‘yo ang laban na ‘to') his way to victory? How about an 80-year old imeldific shoe collector who just refuses to retire? And this one is for the books, a CEO who wants to become a Clerk, only CEO actually means President and Clerk, Congressman. Certainly, there is nothing more ‘colorful’ than that.

Believe it or not, it’s not only fascinating stories that dominate Philippine politics. There are life lessons too! Bizarre as it is, you can’t help but wonder whether these things are the new rules to be successful in life. The list below smacks of dumb analysis. Or does it? Judge for yourself. Here are the Top 10 Bizarre Life Lessons You Can Learn From Philippine Politics:

10. Begin with a ‘color’ in mind. Old rules say: Begin with the END in mind. Not true in this elections. Everybody picked their ‘colors’ first. You would think that candidates will define and share their platforms first but you would be wrong. It’s colors first. Orange for Villar, Green for Gibo, Yellow for Noy. The rest just followed after that.

9. If at first you don’t succeed, find an easier challenge. We heard of a boxing champ who ran against a highly influential and political heavyweight in one province but lost. So he ran again, but this time choosing a different opponent. He’s now headed for victory. In life, there will be a lot of challenges; maybe the key to success is not to keep on trying but to keep on finding easy challenges. Hhmmm.

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the-movie-that-must-not-be-named is utter disappointment

November is always special for me. Not only because it’s the month where this tiny speck in the universe (that’s me) came into being, but also, it’s the same month where that movie based on J.K. Rowling’s ultra-super-mega hit book is usually being rolled out. As an aside, Book 6 is my No. 1 favorite of the seven part book about the boy wizard. Imagine my anticipation when I heard the news that filming for the sixth part is done and is about to hit theaters soon. I thought November 2008 would be the date but no, they pushed it until August this year so imagine my excitement when it finally opened in theaters.

I saw the movie yesterday and…pffft!

To say that I was not happy with the movie is an understatement. Disappointed would probably be the most apt word to use and here’s why: I don’t have such stratospheric expectations about this movie to begin with. I don’t expect good acting from the main cast because since first part of the movie came out, that’s kind of a given already. I worship the book so much that whatever movie version of it is made, I most likely will appreciate. Also, Quidditch is so spectacular that any movie with a Quidditch match in it is enough to make Darwin happy.

So, why the rant? First, the movie was so dull I could crack open a kilo of “butong pakwan” if I had some, while watching it. Second, the execution of suspense and comedy that has been done so astonishingly in the book was done in a so-so manner in the movie. Moreover, the much anticipated teen romance and sappy love angle among the main characters is strangely superficial considering the characters are ripe for it and the movie going public longs for it (as early as now, Ron and Hermione’s kiss in book 7 is already being talked about).


Book 6 is also about strong build up for the upcoming main event in Book 7 which is the final duel between the boy who lived and he-who-must-not-be-named. I never felt any such build up in this movie. The only thing they built up so well is frustration on my part.

There are some things I liked though. Two things to be exact. It’s Quidditch and Emma Watson. The former because it was done so amazingly in this movie that I find myself longing for more. The latter simply because she is so pleasing to look at. I just wished there were more scenes of Quidditch and Emma in the movie, then I would be happier.

Over-all, the movie did not live up to its hype. It's not bad, it's just an utter disappointment. I’m still a big admirer of the book and author JK Rowling. It’s just so sad that after watching this movie, the respect I long had for this franchise started to diminish. I am now re-reading Book 1 and planning to finish it all the way to Book 7.

I want to relive the magic that the book brings…

the proper way to sing the national anthem is...complicated!

I can’t understand what’s the fuss all about. So Martin Nievera sang the national anthem in the recent Pacquiao vs Hatton fight, which is one of the greatest boxing matches of all time, and that includes Thrilla in Manila and Rumble in the Jungle. Anyway, before I get sidetracked. Where was I? Ok, Martin Nievera.

So our dear friend Martin, Philippines’ Concert King, gave his rendition of the song Lupang Hinirang before the millions (billions?) of people watching the fight. I don’t know about you but for me, not a big deal I thought. After all, I was watching a boxing match, not a concert. So no offense to Martin, but my attention is not really focused on him but on the guy with the gloves.

Anyway, the fight went great and it ended gloriously for the East (Battle of East and West). Not a week passed by and here comes the guardians of national anthem criticizing Martin for the wrong rendition of Lupang Hinirang.

Some quarters say Martin sang the first stanza softly and slowly, then sang the last line with prolonged, high notes. This is wrong, they say. In the past, other artists / singers such as Sarah Geronimo, Kyla, Lani Misalucha and Bituin Escalante who also sang the National Anthem in different international events were also criticized for singing it incorrectly. I don’t know, maybe due to high notes, low notes thing as well.

Am I missing something? Is it just me or these people give off an impression that singing the national anthem is a complicated matter therefore should only be done by “experts.” We are making way too big a deal out of this thing that the moment we show glory to the world (through Pacman’s victory) we snatch it back by criticizing one of our own. The song was fine. Maybe not sang in the exact same way that Julian Felipe (Lupang Hinirang composer) would have wanted it but so do the millions of elementary kids all over the country who sing it every morning in their school grounds. If anything, singing the national anthem should be encouraged, not criticized.

Now, if you forget the lyrics, that’s another matter. Christian Bautista, maybe we should talk.

7 not-so-dumb reasons why manny pacquiao should avoid politics

As with millions (billions?) who witnessed the fight between the Hitman and the Pacman billed as “The Battle of East and West” last 2 May 2009, I was both thrilled and ecstatic when Manny Pacquiao knocked out Ricky Hatton on the 2nd round of their fight. The fight was so action-packed I delayed my breakfast (something I NEVER do) until the fight, yes, including the commentaries and replays, is completely over. Even then, we still conducted our own analysis at home so breakfast turned into a late lunch that day.

So, Manny Pacquiao is this generation’s greatest boxer, if not sportsman. He’s an inspiration to many and I don’t only mean Filipinos. Just less than a week after his victory, I read that he’s forming his own political party. What?! Run for politics? But why?

Of course, Manny is free to do whatever he pleases but in a remote possibility that Pacman or one of his advisers are reading this blog, here are the 7 not-so-dumb reasons why politics is not a good idea.

1. Politics will destroy your image. By its very nature, politics is an adversarial process. No matter how good your intentions are, opposition will always be a part of the equation. It’s role? To destroy your hard-earned reputation so they can score political points.
2.  No one is good at everything. You’re good, actually, great in boxing. Spare the politics to someone else.
3.  You cannot, must not lose one more time. With a previous defeat in politics, you cannot, must not lose one more time. Not that you will, but politics is a very unpredictable game. Having a “winner” reputation, a loss, even if it’s political, will not be good for your morale.
4. You forfeit the chance to be a living hero. With your outstanding successes, you are already considered a hero, a living one at that. Let’s just keep it that way, shall we?
5. People look up on Manny Pacquiao and look down on politicians. This is obvious.
6. You’re already a part of history. Don’t opt-out. Only a few people get to be remembered for heroic things they’ve done. As such, they become a part of history. I think it’s safe to say that you’re already a part of it. Please don’t opt-out by entering politics.
7. You can help your country just by being you. Just by being Manny Pacquiao and letting the world know that you’re from the Philippines makes us all mighty proud already. We are eternally grateful to you because of that.

Susan Boyle's Got Talent (video)

In the hit British TV show, Britain’s Got Talent, an unlikely star wowed the audience, and in fact the world, with her rendition of I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables. The fact that she has great voice is one thing but I think one factor that made her performance “newsworthy” is that Susan Boyle, 47, is not your typical TV star.

One look at her and you can easily dismiss her as another aspiring singer whose main reason for standing in front of the stage is to waste everybody’s time. Frankly this is the look that the audience and even judges Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden gave when Susan Boyle stepped up the stage.

Then she started to sing. As soon as she opens her mouth and the notes started to permeate the room, everyone was dumbfounded. I was only watching it on YouTube but I got goosebumps all over while watching it. I bet the people who are hearing it live are even more overwhelmed, almost on the verge of tears.


Tears because throughout the whole song, you will realize that it’s easy to dismiss someone based on their looks, only to realize what a true gem that person is. You will be in tears because you will realize you are one of those people who easily pass judgment based on one look. I should know, I'm one of those people sometimes.

Well, Susan Boyle is certainly not one to be judged. Certainly not with that kind of talent. Way to go Susan! Keep wowing. Watch the video and see for yourself.

PC is cheap, Mac is Cool (video)

Remember the “I’m a PC, I’m a Mac” series of commercials? It was not a long time ago when Apple (creator of Mac) came up with series of “ads” that lampoon Microsoft and cemented Mac’s image as a cooler machine. Microsoft responded with an “odd” commercial that features Jerry Seinfeld and Microsoft founder Bill Gates himself. Truth be told, I don’t think Microsoft achieved anything with the release of that commercial so they had to pull it out earlier than expected. Had they kept showing that commercial, I think it would’ve achieved the real results they were hoping for. Anyway, that’s another topic. I blogged about it a few months ago, if you want to read it, feel free to do so.

Just recently, Microsoft flexed its “odd” muscle again and came out with an ad that basically says: “Ok, Mac is cool but PC is cheap.” Of course it was not said verbatim but anyone with an IQ greater than zero will get it. I’m not in any way an advertising genius but as an average user, that Microsoft ad screams Buy Mac! Buy Mac!


Basically, the commercial features an average user, Lauren, looking to buy a new machine. Sees an Apple store and finds the merchandise beyond her budget. Lauren sighed: “I’m just not cool enough to be a Mac person.” By a stroke of genius, she hops on another store where different machines running Windows are being sold. She looked around and found the “cheapest” one. An HP machine running Windows. Nice. Now HP is dragged into this mess. She bought it and showed a big smile on her face. End of commercial. Duh?!

I’m not sure who are the people behind this commercial but I’m pretty sure their respective careers will be finish sooner than they say “cheap.” I find it disappointing because I’m a PC user. I admit Mac is cooler but there are tons of reasons to use Windows also. Maybe my reason is similar to the billions of other PC users out there. For Microsoft to come out with this ad and (inadvertently) portray PC as somewhat inferior to Mac is for me a great disservice to the billions of PC users around the world.

I hope Microsoft can still redeem their badly beaten image – however much of it are of their own doing.

Watch the commercial below and see for yourself:

Let me know your thoughts. Post a comment

Tuesday, 11:45am is the worst!

In a recent study done in Britain, it was found out that Tuesday, 11:45am is the Most Stressful Time of the week. This debunks the Monday morning blues that used to permeate our collective inanity. First time I heard the news, I thought, hhmmm, this can’t be true. Surely, if Monday is the first day of the WORK week, then it follows that it is also the most stressful. Just imagine the rest of the work week that you still have to go through. Wow, the thought alone makes one stressed already.

However, reading through the article about the study, I see that it actually makes sense. Basically, respondents of the survey says Monday is not that bad because it is usually the day they check their Facebook accounts to view photos from their weekend antics. Tuesday is the time when they actually start to “work”, specifically, midday, around 11:45am. Hhhmmm..


For what it’s worth, I find the study rather interesting. The relationship of work and stress at this juncture seems directly proportional. I beg to disagree. Work can be fun and sometimes, can even be a source to de-stress yourself if you’ve GOT the right company and IN the right company (I hope my boss is reading this..hehe)

Maybe the next study should be about the most effective way to waste your time. My vote would be: “To read a study done in Britain about Brits while you’re a non-Brit living very far away from Britain.”

Let me know your thoughts. Post a comment

Will stem cell research lead to cloning?

US President Barack Obama signed an executive order Monday repealing a Bush-era policy that limited federal tax dollars for embryonic stem cell research. By doing so, President Obama gives a clear signal to the scientific community that his administration will be more “liberal” in issues dealing with science and faith.

This great debate about stem cell research has been raging for quite some time and both sides of the aisle have valid arguments in supporting or opposing it. Because stem cells have the potential to turn into any organ or tissue cell in the body (a lego comes to mind), research advocates say it’s possible to find cures to debilitating diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and spinal injuries. On the other hand, those who oppose it argue that because embryonic stem cells involve the destruction of human embryos, it is against the sanctity of human life itself. Moreover, critics are wary that this could be a slippery slope, meaning, after stem cell research, what will come next, cloning?


The topic of human cloning / stem cell research / genetic engineering has been subject of fancy for me for quite some time. It’s fascinating how science has evolved so rapidly especially in recent years (thanks to the Human Genome Project) and that the challenges confronting us now is no longer scientific but moral. Quite simply, it’s no longer whether we can do it but are we willing to do it?

It’s still too early to tell where this recent action from President Obama will lead. At this stage, I’m also not fully convinced which side to take on this one. What I know is that science and religion are set in a collision course. Or maybe it’s actually a convergence. I’m confused.

Man from Manila

It came as a shock for many to learn that the Man from Manila himself, the Master Rapper, Francis Magalona (Francis M. for many), passed away last March 6, 2009. Francis M’s legacy stands tall in the Philippine entertainment scene and indeed in the entire country as he gave nationalism a fresh and renewed flavor. He brought the spirit of “pagkamakabayan” front and center through his songs and his deeds. “Mga Kababayan Ko” was an instant hit when it came out, notwithstanding the fact that it was the first time that “rap” is being introduced locally. In a country where colonial mentality dominates most of the youth’s psyche, being patriotic suddenly became ok, even cool. More to the point, Francis M was all for humanity. His signature song, Kaleidoscope World (which he wrote himself) is a testament of the man’s essence and wisdom.

Francis M, your physical existence might have ceased but your memory and your legacy will stay. You lived your life well and for that, you deserve the admiration of us all. Here’s a reprint of your song. I hope the world over will read this and take to heart its message.


Kaleidoscope World
By: Francis Magalona

So many faces, so many races
Different voices, different choices
Some are mad, while others laugh
Some live alone with no better half
Others grieve while others curse
And others mourn behind a big black hearse
Some are pure and some half-bred
Some are sober and some are wasted
Some are rich because of fate and
Some are poor with no food on their plate
Some stand out while others blend
Some are fat and stout while some are thin
Some are friends and some are foes
Some have some while some have most

Every color and every hue
Is represented by me and you
Take a slide in the slope
Take a look in the kaleidoscope
Spinnin' round, make it twirl
In this kaleidoscope world

Some are great and some are few
Others lie while some tell the truth
Some say poems and some do sing
Others sing through their guitar strings
Some know it all while some act dumb
Let the bassline strum to the bang of the drum
Some can swim while some will sink
And some will find their minds and think
Others walk while others run
You can't talk peace and have a gun
Some are hurt and start to cry
Don't ask me how don't ask me why
Some are friends and some are foes
Some have some while some have most

Every color and every hue
Is represented by me and you
Take a slide in the slope
Take a look in the kaleidoscope
Spinnin' round, make it twirl
In this kaleidoscope world

Michael Jackson is staging a comeback. Please don't.

I heard Michael Jackson is staging a comeback. The 50+ year old “King of Pop” said in a recent press conference that he will do a series of concerts this July 2009 entitled “This is it.” Apparently, the series of concerts will be his final for British audience before his ultimate curtain call. After that, no more, nada, finish. According to some reports, Michael Jackson, whose album “Thriller” is still the best selling album of all time (750 million albums sold, really staggering numbers), has not performed a major concert since 2001. However, for this concert, it could net him a whopping $400 million! Wow!


I saw the press conference over at YouTube and it was barely a press conference as it was a simple Hi-Hello-This is it-Bye kind of thing. Although the world over still loves Michael Jackson (this writer included), clearly, things are not the same anymore. His persona and image is way way larger than the man himself and by doing this “comeback concert”, it might actually just ruin the legend that is Michael Jackson. Sure, the concert will still be a hit, might even be a sold out one but Michael will be doing a great disservice to himself and the millions (billions?) of his fans if his performance so much as lacked the same finesse and “magic” that has made him a world superstar. In entertainment industry, they always says you’re only as good as your last performance and if Michael’s last performance fall short, all the years he has worked so hard for might end up to be just a footnote in his illustrious career. Moreover, if the promoter of this concert bungled on their job and weren’t able to generate as much interest as it should, then that would be the saddest day not only for Michael for all of us who saw a generation defined by Michael Jackson.

So, Michael Jackson, I say to you: Comeback concert? Don’t do it. It will not do you any good. But if you still want to go ahead, this I say: Can I have a ticket? For the rest of you who wants to purchase an advanced ticket, you can go to this site.

Let me know your thoughts. Post a comment

The Credit Crisis in Plain English

My layman brothers are asking, “What is this credit crisis all about?” I’m sure by now, you’ve heard the term “credit crisis”, financial crisis” and other related terms often enough that your ears start to bleed at the next mention of the word. But, do we understand it really? More to the point, do we need to? The answer for most of us is NO we don’t understand it and YES we need to understand it.

As with the rest of my layman brothers, I want to make a sense out of this mess that we’re all in but I don’t want to spend more precious time going through the boring details. This video I found is very entertaining and highly informative. Presenting, the Credit Crisis in Plain English:

Outsmart-ed!

Can you guess what's in the box?

DSLR is the new iPod

At first I thought it was just a fad. Or maybe, just pure coincidence that I chance upon some people carrying this bulky item hanging around their neck. Until I realize, it’s becoming a phenomenon. More and more people I know (and even people I don’t know) now have it. More and more are aspiring to have it. More and more are getting their hands on their very own DSLR Camera. DSLR is indeed, the new iPod. Let me explain.

iPod is simply a portable digital music player, an evolution of the previous generation’s Walkman. But more than a digital music player, iPod stands for something else, iPod is this generation’s sign of “cool.” Not that everyone likes music but everyone likes the device. You have it, you’re “cool”, you belong. And true enough, almost everywhere you go, it’s not impossible to chance upon someone intimately connected to his iPod and ironically, disconnected from the outside world. But hey, it’s cool. So it’s ok. I bet you have one as well. I got mine when iPod was pretty common already and therefore the “cool” factor has already diminished. Just the same, I still got one, it’s cool.


Nowadays, the sign of “cool” is no longer the mighty iPod but the nascent digital single-lens reflex camera or DSLR. Like a normal camera, it takes still photographs but in a much more sophisticated fashion. The results are images comparable to that of an art or one taken by a seasoned and professional photographer. It’s just beautiful. I cannot understand why there’s a sudden interest in photography nowadays. I can only suspect the rise of photo sharing sites like Flickr, Photobucket and Multiply have something to do with it. I find it amazing because despite the very high cost of this device, almost everyone I know seems to want to have it, if they don’t have it already. I guess it will be fun to take some photos, upload it to your favorite photo sharing site and invite your friends for a visual treat. “Hey buddy, you’ve got DSLR, cool!”

My theory is this: If one or two people are taking a particular liking to DSLR, I call it a fad, a passion even. But if almost everyone seems to want to have it, then I guess there’s a phenomenon again on the rise. With this I dare say, Welcome to the new “cool”. DSLR is the new iPod.

Do you know someone who’s got a DSLR? If you can afford it, would you buy one for yourself? Let the world know.

Supplier from Heaven: Francis' Portraits

Today, we begin a series called “Supplier from Heaven.” Countless are the times when I encountered pesky suppliers whose products or services really, ehem, sucks! Forgive my French but the word is even an understatement compared to the kind of experience I’ve had with some of these soggy little creatures – ehem, my apologies again. This is your typical supplier: Over-promise, under-deliver, over-charge, undercut your authority, over emphasize their strength, under emphasize their weakness, there are a lot of overs and unders going on with them. In the end, what you’ll have is an overdose of stress.

But, once in a while, you will encounter suppliers, whose product or service is so good you feel like you got manna from heaven. In this series, we recognize those suppliers who deserve the title – Supplier from Heaven.

Just recently, we required a Photo and Video Coverage for our wedding. Many of us know that capturing that perfect moment is paramount in any wedding ceremony. Ours is not an exception. Our search was quite extensive given that we are working on a budget. We inquired with the big-named ones in the Philippines but the charge is just too much. We also stumbled on some cheap ones but, of course, we don’t want to get a “cheap” service. Then we chanced upon Francis’ Portraits.

Everything went uphill from there. We met with Francis himself and in the first meeting, we already saw how professional this guy is. He brought some samples of his work then discussed how we can work together. The discussion was light and breezy, even fun. Truth be told, we were quite intimidated with his image as he is one of the most sought after Photographers in the Philippines today. We are just glad we had an opportunity to get his services.

Needless to say, the results were really impressive. We had our pre-nuptial photo shoot last September. Soon after we got the proofs, we saw ourselves getting giddy and excited about the wedding. He was able to capture the love and happy feeling we want to project in a classy and unconventional way. I’m no expert in photography but when a photo evokes some emotion while you are looking at it, something tells me that it’s a good shot, excellent even.

On our wedding last December, the photos were even more impressive. Everyone who got married knows that while you are in that exact moment, you are like in a state of trance where you just go through the motions but not really having a full appreciation of the magnificence of the event. When we saw the photos soon after the wedding, it’s like we were able to go back in time and relive that magical moment, only this time, we have full appreciation of it. A captured memory that we can relive over and over again.

Just yesterday, we got our Wedding Video. It was literally like a transformation of an ugly worm into a beautiful butterfly. We saw the raw video (ugly worm) a few weeks back and we thought, “hey, at least the photos are great.” When we saw the edited video (45-mins long) yesterday… well, let’s just say we watched it total of 8 times, consecutive and non-stop.

Supplier from Heaven: Francis’ Portraits
Type of Service: Photo and Video Coverage
Website: http://www.francisportraits.com/
Contact: Rizal St., Dagupan City
Philippines, 2400
(63) (075) 522 0896
sales@francisportraits.com

Top 10 Weirdest One-Liners that make Sense

I compiled a list of one-liners I heard, read and wrote in the past. I am sharing some of them with you. Here are the Top 10 Weirdest One-Liners that make Sense. Ok, a little sense. See if you can use them in one of your future conversations. Enjoy!

10. Shhhh…that’s the sound of nobody caring what you think.

9. A good listener is usually thinking about something else.

8. It matters not whether you win or lose; what matters is whether I win or lose.

7. Don’t worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.

6. Politicians are interested in people. Not that this is always a virtue. Fleas are interested in dogs.

5. Most of us can keep a secret. It’s the people we tell it to who can’t.

4. If at first you don’t succeed… you’re doing about average.

3. Life is not about how fast you run, or how high you climb, but how well you bounce.

2. The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn.

1. Don’t worry about what people think, they don’t do it very often.

Can Beauty and Brain be together?

Of course they can and we know a lot of people who have both of these. Apparently, this is not the case in this video. Enjoy!

Let me know your thoughts.

Monkeys and Wall Street

Here’s an interesting email I received. If you have difficulty understanding the current world financial situation, this should help.

Once upon a time in a village named Pitong Gatang, a man announced to the villagers that he would buy monkeys for $10.

The villagers seeing there were many monkeys around, went out to the forest and started catching them. The man bought thousands at $10, but, as the supply started to diminish, the villagers stopped their efforts. The man further announced that he would now buy at $20. This renewed the efforts of the villagers and they started catching monkeys again.

Soon the supply diminished even further and people started going back to their farms. The offer rate increased to $25 and the supply of monkeys became so little that it was an effort to even see a monkey, let alone catch it!

The man now announced that he would buy monkeys at $50! However, since he had to go to the city on some business, his assistant would now act as buyer, on his behalf.

In the absence of the man, the assistant told the villagers: ' Look at all these monkeys in the big cage that the man has collected. I will sell them to you at $35 and when he returns from the city, you can sell them back to him for $50. '

The villagers squeezed together their savings and bought all the monkeys. Then they never saw the man or his assistant again, only monkeys everywhere! Welcome to WALL STREET.

Let me know your thoughts.