August 17, 2012

Is original content writing that worth enough?




It has always been a fact, according to reliable authorities as well as to some useful websites, that an original and unique content is one of the many vital essentials in achieving positive search engine positioning. 

Laboriously copying the entire web content, having fully optimized codes and various links to get correct results to correct keywords are not enough factors for a good content generating process.

Looking closely, our available search engines are not capable of showing the same text results in a repetitive manner.  What these search engines do is they provide various text options on a specific search.  And with this, it is essential that an original and new content is advised.

It must be taken into consideration that search engines such as Google, searches and gives results according to the number of times a certain word or phrase is mentioned in a given content.  And that the search further narrows down its results through the manner by which a certain keyword is found on a given content.   

The author’s viewpoint stands that it is important to write your own original content.  An original content will produce natural links that will surely initiate new sources and references in the entire network.  Doing so increases the chance of getting better page positions that inevitably go well with a particular search engine.

On a more personal note, the author and just like anyone else, prefers to view the original content or the original source rather than seeing a page where the same is or are just referenced or mentioned.  And it is through the author’s experience that again, writing an original content is really worth.  An example is the website of LaWebera.es.  The site has certain section which shows author-approved published articles that also appear in other websites, but there is also a portion or a section, entirely made by the author, where original content articles can be found.  It is also noteworthy that on a given period of time, users or researchers alike tend to visit and spend more time working or simply viewing contents that are original.

Sadly, since the original contents section only comprises a small fraction of the whole page or certain section, original content visitors tend to or sometimes forced to switch to the referenced ones.  This behaviour of visitors became the source of motivation or challenge to the author to write more original content in order to be at par with the referenced ones.

Lastly, the author further tells that if everyone is encouraged to write their own respective original content, the possibility of generating more enthusiasm on the subject matter will increase as various aspects, sides and points of view will be established.  Furthermore, it will be beneficial to websites as it will generate more visitors that are eager to visit and experience a worth original content.    





August 16, 2012

Zeno's paradoxes


      His (Xeno or Zeno for that matter) name actually came out over a short exchange of ideas between me and my friend over the internet regarding somebody or something that made the world, to some extent, ponder for a while.  I was then moved and intrigued, that maybe I can also ponder a while on this not-so-ordinary person including his ideas especially on the things he was known for – his paradoxes.

Who actually is Xeno?  The ever-reliable wikipedia.org further tells us that it is “Zeno” and not “Xeno”, although both are interchangeable because some guys would prefer the “X” for the “Z”.  For purposes of discussion and to avoid confusion, let’s use what the wiki guys did – Zeno.  As history has produced a handful of Zeno’s (from a bishop to a navigator), it is the Greek philosopher Zeno of Elea whom we are talking about.  Zeno of Elea was born about 490 B.C. and continued his fruitful life until 430 B.C.  As a philosopher, he was then, a bona fide member of the Eleatic School – school founded by another Greek pre-Socratic philosopher, Parmenides.  A physical account of Zeno can be found through Plato’s work (Parmenides 127) describing our main man as “tall and fair to look upon.”  Although there are details that were quite reliable, Greek biographers such Diogenes LaĆ«rtius, in his work (Lives of Eminent Philosophers) tells that Zeno was the adopted son of Parmenides and was likewise “skilled to argue both sides of any query presented.”

Ancient historians and philosopher believed that Zeno’s works were made, only to support that of Parmenides’.   The Greek Neoplantonist philosopher Proclus described Zeno’s work contained arguments in which everything revealed nothing but contradictions.  And since it was his predecessor Parmenides who started this way of reasoning, it was Zeno who developed the logical method called as “reductio ad absurdum”.  Sounds absurd?  Well, it really is because this logical argument means coming up with an absurd or an outcome which is completely ridiculous, for the sake of argument.  It further goes on concluding that the premises on the argument are all wrong because of its absurd outcome. It is like proving something by contradicting it, in simpler terms.  Looks and sounds funny, is it?  Was Zeno behaving normal? Apparently, Zeno’s works and paradoxes have challenged, inspired, influenced and even enraged physicists, mathematicians and philosophers for over two millennia already.

But what’s in our Zeno that makes him known for his paradoxes?  Let us first define what a paradox is.  Dictionary.com defines paradox as a proposition or statement which is self-contradictory in nature, but expresses the truth in reality.  (It really sounds, absurd eh?)  A simple example of a paradox is the sentence “I am lying.”  Assuming that my statement is true, and then it must be false.  The statement is then false if it is agreed to be true.  Got that one?  And before we disagree with one another here, let’s sail on to Zeno’s world and explore it as far as our simple and uncontradicted minds can. 

As was stated and discussed earlier, Zeno’s work mainly dealt on supporting his lover’s (Parmenides) ideas.  (Just a side note – it was believed that it was during their time and age that affections and burst of feelings for the same sex emerged, thus giving birth to homosexuality.  Example: the “Platonic Love”. And since there no concrete and profound documentations yet to be found, I’d rather deviate from it) Parmenides’ idea or philosophy states that reality is one and cannot be changed.  At a glance, this is quite untrue since we can obviously see that change happen all around us every single time.  Zeno further supported these notions by arguing that the concept of space and time cannot be continuous.  In simpler terms, he argued that there was no such thing as movement.  He furthered this argument by formulating the most famous paradox of his, the Tortoise and Achilles.  A we all know, Achilles is that seemingly invulnerable hero of the Greek mythology.

Zeno goes on by stating that if Achilles were to challenge a tortoise to a race and the latter was given a head start, Achilles, with all his hero abilities (I hope you Warcraft fans are listening), cannot in any way overtake or outrun the good old tortoise. This is given on no matter how fast and how long he runs.  Sounds absurd? Read on….

Although the above proposition may look and sound nonsense in reality; and that its for sure that our hero Achilles will eventually catch up with and overtake the tortoise, the impossibility or the paradox here lies in Zeno’s mathematical inspection of the race itself.   Helium.com, helped us to translate in a more simple and understandable terms on Zeno’s brainchild.  It further explained that in order for Achilles to travel to a certain distance (point A to point B), he has to move and cover the amount of distance between A and B.  But in doing so, he must first cover at least half of its distance (point C, in this manner).  And again, he is faced with the task of covering half of the distance to point C (point D, perhaps).  But then again and again, his task gets so multiplied on trying to cover almost infinite number of points simply to get to point B!  Without much thinking because you may already be dizzy by this time, it is evident that our poor Achilles can not move.  Remember that the tortoise was given head start so the shelled mammal has already covered infinite number of points to which Achilles has to cover first (at least half of it!), but is hampered since his task is of covering half the distance is not over for he must cover at least “half of the half of the half of the half of the half…..” (The same idea is also Zenos’ basis in his second paradox which is the dichotomy paradox- by walking at a distance from a wall).   

With the above paradox, the philosophical, scientific, mathematical and even the paranormal world launched an all out war to solve Zeno’s ideas.  Many have or up to know, are trying to measure the distance between the two points.  Some argue that, with the proper mathematical equations and computations, the tortoise cannot move as far as 2 meters! (ToeQuest.com). Quantum physicists would further tell that it was Zeno’s premise that was incorrect and expounded that it was not always necessary that in order to cover the distance of point A to point B, one first must travel at least half of its length, and so on and so forth.  With that manner, Zeno was able to stop time and space for there were no movements or change that was evident.

Modern experts were not in anyway bothered by these ideas and in turn, tried to solve this ancient riddle.  They offered the idea that these infinite numbers of points do have length, and are obviously measurable.  Modern physicists argued that there are tiny groups of quantum mush and foams.  These quantum specks are measurable once the movement of time and space are stopped from moving.  So molecularly small as it can be that it somewhat challenged Max Planck to develop the Planck length (about 0.000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 001 6 meters, in figures) in order to measure these small intervals.

The last of the three famous paradoxes of Zeno is the Arrow paradox.  It is oftentimes called the Fletcher’s paradox.  Zeno contradicts this event by premising that objects must change or must be able to move from its position in order to have motion.  Philosophers would simply explain the paradox as that the arrow retains its own size and at rest whether or not it is in flight or at rest.  It is like taking pictures of an arrow in flight. From a single frame, it can be gleamed that the arrow is not moving.  It also is true on the other frames as well that the arrow is really at a state of rest.  Therefore, there is no movement present.  Helium.com further explains said paradox by adding that the arrow has, at any point during its flight, an exact location and therefore cannot move or cannot be in motion.  This event makes sense when is viewed in the present and not in the past or in the future.  And since the former explanation is given; it would be clear that, as Zeno puts it that the idea of Time consists of a series of present frames whereby each frame represents no movement or manifests a state of being stationary, thus the impossibility of movement is emphasized.

The arguments and discussions above about Zeno’s paradoxes influenced the way man perceived space and time.  To Zeno, space, time and motion are impossible to exist.  But with the modern studies and modern minds plunging into Zeno’s paradoxical pool, clear and factual possibilities emerges which enables the common modern man to have a grasp of his ideas and concepts.    

For a simple reader or for a common man, all these may look ridiculous and may sound funny but worth learning and comprehending when closely scrutinized and examined upon.  All it takes, as some would put it, is an open mind.  It need not be absurd.
             


  

Policies of imports and exports in the Philippines - A Reaction





One can trace the roots and the history of imports and exports here in the Philippines as far as the first visit of the large vessel ships of our Spanish colonial ancestors.  Who can ever forget the trade that existed between the Spaniards and our Filipino ancestors during that time.  Spices were being traded for the ever famous “3Gs” (God, Guns and Gold).  It was that time that Christianity was being thought as a trade material.

But as time passed by and with the emergence of a more orderly and systematic Filipino way of life coupled with the influence of the ever improving modern technology, more solid and regulated laws and regulations were formed by the government in order to improve the governance of imports and exports as well as its business and the people behind the market.

Today, the governance and the government itself had developed and is currently using laws and regulations in the imposition of duties and taxes to the country’s import and export industry and other sectors of society which in the other way or the other, has some connections with the above-mentioned industry.  The Republic of the Philippines is currently suing the Customs and Tariff Code of the Philippines as the mainframe consisting policies and regulations with regards to the import and export industry.

It is within this regulating code that a more evaluated and more stipulated regulations and laws on the industry are drawn.  From the most detailed to the more complex material being imported and exported are carefully detailed.  The penalties and fines are likewise enumerated. Stiffer laws and regulations are also illustrated in the code.

The only problem that arises is that some of those who are into these industry businesses gets to manipulate the code and sometimes try to override the system that the code wants to implement.  They sometimes use power and authority in doing such unscrupulous and illegal activities.

With the large and promising amount of money and income involved in these illegal transactions, it is not far that various smugglers and monsters be attracted into these kinds of businesses.  And because of these rampant wrongdoings, the government must employ and draw out much stiffer rules that imposes more penalties to those who break the law.

The Customs and Tariff Code of the Philippines is a good code with respect to the governance of the imports and exports policies of the country.  The only hindrance to better development of the industry is the people governed and bounded to follows the rules and regulation embodied in the code and the system that they have to follow.  There should also be a major change in the system.  The code is nothing and is as good as mere scraps of paper and remains an idea without the people who properly implements it and without the good system that goes with it.



E-Global Marketing





E-Global Marketing for me would simply mean that kind of or a particular kind of strategy of entrepreneurs and businessmen that deals mainly and practices various methods of marketing in an “E-Global” way.

It is so important nowadays for businessmen and entrepreneurs alike to be at par with our modern technology where emails, internet and URLs are the name of the game. Inasmuch as one would like to increase his or her profitability of a certain product or service, one should explore the great possibility of having to market the goods and services in a “modern” way.

By having to put into practice and having to strategically plan or organize such strategy, avenues of productivity and profitability are being opened.  Deliveries of products and services are made much faster than the usual as it could only take less than a day especially if the one you are doing business is abroad or is currently in another part of the world.  Participating and putting the same in into the system in these kind of activities also taps other businesses which are and in other way related to the transactions.  Job opportunities are also created, computer-related significantly.

With less costs and definitely low in value in terms of overhead expenditures, more business opportunities are also opened and created thus stirring a more competitive market.  And from an economist’s point of view, it is the consumers and the end-users that will reap the benefits because if competition arises in the market, there will be a great possibility of the prices to go down.  One can imagine the lower costs of these various goods and services with the same good quality.  Going global also will not also bring competition but a lesser cost of marketing, advertising and exposure of the business.

In the long run, the inevitable and fast swift of modern technology has gotten into and has temporarily rested into the system in almost every aspect of our daily lives and having this E-Global Marketing is just a part and parcel of the various waves that this modern and “electronic” way offer.

By riding into the wave, we create a more comfortable world in which we live.  It is also one way of us being challenged to strive harder to improve, enhance and modify the way we live as we travel and face more waves of the future.



August 15, 2012

Dilemma II - ''First time''


This is quite an unusual task for me of ever having to describe myself to someone or to a group of people in writing, such task which I have done on most of my first days in school way back then (although some of it were recited to my new teacher and classmates).  To me, it is my first time of my first time, and during my first time…

Before I get to quantify and lay to you how I was able to come up with these “first times” of mine, I will first introduce myself in a simple and comprehensive manner I know, that is the friendly and pleasant way.

I am a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Letters at one of the colleges around university belt in the Philippines.  Sad to say, and now I came to realize that I took the wrong course because all it gave me were thick volumes of books with no illustration on its pages, endless debates over something that can be settled through simple “paper, scissors and stones”, and the art of having to argue by maneuvering and finding my way out through the loopholes and weaknesses which my proponent possesses.  So deeply engrossed with the skill, I took it in defending myself amongst the older members of my family.  It was always my parents who became my “practice dummies” since they were the one who were always at “the other side”.  I was later more engrossed with my skill that I took it and converted the same into actions.  Considering my young age, it somewhat made me more aggressive and more selfish.  And these actuations had landed me on the forefront of the most precious, extravagant and unimaginable job a young and idealistic youth should ever have:  being a father.  My mom always told me to always be optimistic on everything so I can safely say, without disrespecting her that, I got married and had my child as early as less than a year after I graduated from college.

I had always longed for a challenging life.  That life which battles my instinct and my ego so I guess God was all ears on me when I wished that thing and He was too generous that time that He gave me one, which I consider to be one of my “first times”.


the 'wheelchaired man'


Having a family at an early age was definitely an odd event in my life, though the same taught me well to be responsible, more caring and more understanding.  And while most of what I’ve learned is already been innate, I still craved to the beauty and temptations of the “dark side”.  Because of my early exposure to “life”, I saw the offerings and the benefits I could gain.  I was eager to undergo all the “first times” in my life.  From socializing and interacting to almost all kinds of people, I learned how talk effectively with them, I gained their ways and absorbed almost everything that this world had to offer.  In short, I became a selfish monster who knew nothing else greater than me.  Few years had passed since I went into the “dark side” and have learned to embrace it without having to forget my morals and spirit of goodness; that the “switch” I did finally took its toll on my selfish soul.  

At exactly six o’ clock in the evening last June 6, 2008, I experienced another “first time”.  I suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. Test results said that some of the arteries in my brain got busted up brought about by an 8cc blood clot on one of my brain arteries.  I was, and, is currently, paralyzed.  The left part of my body – arms and legs cannot feel a thing.  After a week, my “first times” in life all happened.  I painstakingly underwent Physical Therapy every other day, and have been doing the same exercises that I learned since the “stroke” stroke.  Now, every single day in my life is more of a struggle than a challenge, that which I dreamt of having. Every “first time” is a true victory for me, and that includes my own personal victory of having to do and learn almost all the skills of a normal person.  From my first move in transferring myself from my bed to my wheelchair, my first time to stand without any assistance, my first step, my first trip to the bathroom, etc.  I once again enjoyed and savored every victory and milestone that I made while recovering from this fatal illness.

I am now submitting myself to the test.  This is the test which every man must face in the course of their lives.  It is the test when you face yourself and there is no one that can help you nor conquer your fears and admonitions of failure but yourself.  And I know that facing these challenges and struggles with a heart will make me a triumphant “first timer” in the end. 

 

Organizational behavior


Organizational behavior is currently a growing field. Organizational studies departments are generally within business schools, although many universities also have industrial psychology and industrial economics programs.

The field is highly influential in the business world with practitioners like Peter Drucker and Peter Senge who turned the academic research into business practices. Organization behavior is becoming more important in the global economy as people with diverse backgrounds and cultural values have to work together effectively and efficiently. It is also under increasing criticism as a field for its ethnocentric and pro-capitalist assumptions.






With regards to the methods used in Organizational Studies, a variety of methods are used in organizational studies. They include quantitative methods such as those found in other social sciences such as multiple regression and ANOVA experimental designs. In addition, computer simulation in organizational studies has a long history in the organizational studies. Finally, qualitative methods are also used such as ethnography which involves direct participant observation, single-and multiple-case analysis, and other historical methods. In the last fifteen years or so, an increasing amount of research on organizations has focused on language, metaphors and organizational storytelling.

It is so vital that a keen study should and must be made on how an individual reacts as a person in the understanding various reactions and behavior in relation to another person or group once an individual is placed into an organization or such any type of structure.

The primary role of the study is to take lead or act as an examiner with the individual as the core subject.  Before placing the subject matter into our group of individuals or the organization, we should learn first and take into consideration the source and the behavior of that existing organization and such system structures alike.

Proper analysis on how we approach and communicate with and towards every individual or the group itself, must be learned.  Through the identification of the behavior afore-mentioned, we draw and likewise, study the systems used of the methodologies being practiced in the interaction of our subject with these organizations.

An outlined view on how to affect and how the motivation results be reflected through appraisals and rewards as well as training, should be very well established, inculcated and learned within the organizational system.  An excellent way of implementing the above-given guidelines and practices is the emergence of a goof leadership.  A leadership that is impeccable and unquestionable in enabling a good mandate among organizations to ensure the organization’s empowerment and the full participation of its members.

What the course study promotes and tries to educate and impart is the infusion of subjective behavior towards a group or an organization, of an individual, who is trained and geared by leadership skills and an individual who is effective and affective as well to understand the reality and who can subjectively handle difficulties brought about by unsettled issues among individual members of the organization, through personal inter-action and subjective communication.

In this regard, an additional exploration on the possibility on the re-structuring of the organization in order to come up with some group of effective people (departments) or quasi bodies that will address the individual and organizational issues.  It is likewise important that these able groups of individuals are well-trained in the facets of human behavior.

The course subject study hones an effective individual leadership by way of example and through the following aspects of human behavior towards an organization: (1) Behavioral decision making; (2) Employee recognition programs; (3) Motivating special groups; (4) Visionary leadership; (5) Team leadership; (6) Ethical leadership; (7) Workspace design, and (8) Reading an organization's culture. Comparatively, it is like finding the right key person that will fit and unlock the organization’s untapped and undiscovered opportunities in business.

The active participation of every individual in the organization will also play an active role in the very course and success of the leaders and the structure itself.  Their inter-personal relationships and behavior on interactions within and outside the group and also towards their leaders must be based on well-founded principles and practiced guidelines.

The leadership and mandate of an individual or group must also be laid down and addressed based on what is being undertaken my most structures nowadays.

By far, the most important part of organizational behavior is the need to establish a firm system of leadership and cooperation adaptable to the demands not only by individuals that belong to the group but the whole group or structure itself.

sources:
http://www.prenticehall.ca/canbooks
Wikipedia – “Organizational Studies”

August 14, 2012

Business ethics


Business ethics is a form of the art of applied ethics that examines ethical rules and principles within a commercial context, the various moral or ethical problems that can arise in a business setting and any special duties or obligations that apply to persons who are engaged in commerce.

Business ethics can be both a normative and a descriptive discipline. As a corporate practice and a career specialization, the field is primarily normative. In academia descriptive approaches are also taken. The range and quantity of business ethical issues reflects the degree to which business is perceived to be at odds with non-economic social values. Historically, interest in business ethics accelerated dramatically during the 1980s and 1990s, both within major corporations and within academia. For example, today most major corporate websites lay emphasis on commitment to promoting non-economic social values under a variety of headings (e.g. ethics codes, social responsibility charters). In some cases, corporations have redefined their core values in the light of business ethical considerations (e.g. BP's "beyond petroleum" environmental tilt)





In today's business environment, the belief that organizations, both for-profit and not-for-profit, have ethical responsibilities to their stakeholders – owners, employees, customers, communities, etc. – has gained widespread acceptance. In higher education, and particularly in institutions dedicated to a classical liberal arts education, the belief that instruction in philosophy and theology is foundational to the development of individual morality is likewise well-established. What is not so clear, however, is the nature of the relationship between individual morality and business ethics, a topic of increasing currency in a society marked by increasing levels of business-social overlap. It determines whether and how morals, ethics and business success are connected, and also to explore the idea that that an education grounded in theology and philosophy is a source of competitive advantage in the job market.

In order to be successful in a specific business venture on an entrepreneur’s point of view, one needs to understand the importance of learning and putting into practice of proper of ethics in business management.  Being geared or focused to a business undertaking to being productive needs a management structure that is based on what is right and what is ethical.

An ideal overview on ideal standards of what is ethical and what is moral in terms of business management should be undertaken.  These ethical standards must coincide on what kind of business one is into.  A careful analysis and comparison must be established between the relationship and differences of the business and morality.  The underlying ethics based on the business should be carefully classified.

Through these ethical standards drawn, it will somehow act as a backbone or basis of business management or how to go about the effective running of a business venture.  A careful consideration is setting these ethical standards must be raised and should be based on a more general ethical standard viewpoint.  Practices and ethical standards of large organizations on the different facets and aspects of businesses and markets must be viewed and carefully studied.  In this regard, standardized ethics and codes of ethics of various professions should also be studied.  Through these, one should be able to draw an idea of how to apply the same to one’s current business undertaking.

The basic principles or business ethics being implemented by society through our government such as the proper and legal trade practices, must also be learned as well the government’s existing policies, procedures, guidelines and operating standards in business practice and management must also be taken into consideration as well as the important role of the government and the non-governmental organizations, in the implementation of the same.

The course study hones the student and the entrepreneur to carefully draw the proper ethical standards of business management based on that what is deeply rooted on the mores of the society, its implementing codes or guidelines on various business aspects and markets.

Through the above, one is drawn to methodically structure and organize or simply just adopt these ethics in business management for a more standardized and productive business venture that is both advantageous to the entrepreneur and to the well being of our society. 


Dilemma


The following is my ordeal before the stroke: 





My recent encounter with personalities whom usually are tasked to take care of those who are sick or for some reason or the other, of patients who are about to get sick the moment they get a hold of what they are going to pay when their diagnosed sickness has been removed or medicated, have been lingering in my mind for almost about a year now.  I had to embrace a number of learned and wasted experience being with those people even if I had already known that what they give and administer are purely objectified and the reasons for having such profession is purely out of necessity and not of calling or whispers of the heart.  Nevertheless, what they did almost a year ago was considerably a realization for me since I have not, at least been through all those process I had undergone for the past number of years.   It was neither a relief nor a nightmare because I am not really used in visiting or consulting a doctor or a specialist in order to at least lessen my ordeal.  Much to my surprise, the almost gruesome stupid numbness that my feet was having was all because of my haphazardly and occasional sessions with too much fat and the next best thing to sex, alcohol.  According to my medical adversaries, too much of everything was the culprit of what I intend to live up with for the rest of my life.  And my stupidity was largely caused by my parents who also blame our members of the clan for having caused such disease.  More reluctantly, it was what I eat that made me suffer what was diagnosed. They told me that I was suffering and I was a suspect of Diabetes Miletus and has a high blood pressure.  Makes me feel like I have been charged with a crime…

I tried to muster my ordeal as nonchalantly as any criminal who’s been in and out of the bars.  All I did was to savor every single do’s and don’ts that my doctor wants me to do if I wanted to prolong my existence.  That time, it was undoubtedly the best, if not the only way to slip through it.  I was asked to go on a strict diet and monitor my blood pressure hourly.  He also advised me to take the prescribed medicine until God knows when will I get and fell better.  Honestly, my conscience does not want any and vomits everything that they told me and wanted me to do.  It was all against my system but it was, for the last minute, a necessity that I obey such order or I will end up a rotting cadaver helplessly begging for another round of booze knowing that what I helplessly gulp does not make me throw up anymore.  I was caught between my choice of living the life to the fullest only knowing my being endangered after some time and the realization that there was still hope of a meaningful existence which co-exist of trying to fight an ancient disease through endless orders of somebody who was just paid to do his job and not care at all on his patients…I unfortunately succumb to the latter as I painstakingly adhere to what they told me was the best choice and the only and proper way to live one’s life.

Hindrances upon hindrances faced my struggling health as I was put to everyday battery of tests, of will and endurance of how far I could endure the hardships that coupled my taking of medicine, exercise and that God-I-do-not-want diet. It was doing those that I got to learn more to depend on myself.  My existence in the future and what I may become in the next day depends upon my will to survive.  Nonetheless, it was all up to me. 


August 13, 2012

Coffee lovers


Coffee drinkers may be less likely to be hospitalized for heart rhythm disturbances, according to a new study by the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, Calif. The researchers, who note the findings may be surprising because patients frequently report palpitations after drinking coffee, are presenting the study.

While it has been established that very large doses of caffeine, the most active ingredient in coffee, can produce rhythm disturbances, there has been limited epidemiologic research about the caffeine doses people take. Previous data from a population study in Denmark compared heavy to light coffee drinkers with respect to risk of atrial fibrillation, the most common major rhythm disturbance, and found no statistically significant difference. This research presentation is believed to be the first large, multiethnic population study to look at all major types of heart rhythm disturbance, the researchers said.

The researchers followed 130,054 men and women and found that those who reported drinking four or more cups of coffee each day had an 18 percent lower risk of hospitalization for heart rhythm disturbances. Those who reported drinking one to three cups each day had a 7 percent reduction in risk, according to Arthur Klatsky, MD, the study's lead investigator and a senior consultant in cardiology at Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, Calif.

"Coffee drinking is related to lower risk of hospitalization for rhythm problems, but the association does not prove cause and effect, or that coffee has a protective effect," Klasky said. Other explanations for the association might include other traits of coffee drinkers such as exercise or dietary habits. Additionally, some people with heart rhythm problems often are not hospitalized.

"However, these data might be reassuring to people who drink moderate amounts of coffee that their habit is not likely to cause a major rhythm disturbance," Klatsky said. While this report is not sufficient evidence to say that people should drink coffee to prevent rhythm problems, it supports the idea that people who are at risk for rhythm problems, or who have rhythm problems, do not necessarily need to abstain from coffee, emphasized Klatsky.

The long-term observational study involved 130,054 men and women, 18 to 90 years old, with the majority less than 50 years old. About 2 percent (3,317) were hospitalized for rhythm disturbances; 50 percent of those were for atrial fibrillation, the most common heart rhythm problem. The 18 percent reduction in risk was consistent among men and women, different ethnic groups, smokers and nonsmokers. It also was similar for various rhythm problems such as paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, atrial flutter, and atrial fibrillation.

Fourteen percent of the people in the study drank less than one cup of coffee a day; 42 percent drank one to three cups of coffee a day; and 17 percent reported drinking four cups or more each day. Only 27 percent of the people in the study were not coffee drinkers.

While emphasizing that these observational data do not establish causality and a protective mechanism is unclear, researchers speculate that moderate doses of caffeine may affect rhythm disturbances by antagonism of adenosine, a nucleoside compound widely distributed in the body. In the heart adenosine has several effects on conduction of electrical impulses, muscle cell energetics, and heart muscle cell recovery that might predispose to rhythm problems. Caffeine antagonizes adenosine effects by blocking its chemical sites of action.

The researchers examined hospitalization data by elapsed time after the initial examination. For hospitalization within 10 years, the reduction in hospitalizations for people who consumed four cups of coffee or more each day reached 28 percent.

The researchers also studied persons in the group with or without symptoms or history of heart and respiratory disease. For both groups, consuming four cups of coffee daily appeared to be associated with fewer hospitalizations for rhythm disturbances.

Source: Kaiser Permanente

Jessica Alba


Hollywood glamour and beauty best describes Jessica Alba.  Like the others, she also epitomizes one of the Greek goddesses we used to have around.  Jessica Alba is best known in her performance in the television series, Dark Angel.  She was later rolled in to be included in films like Honey (2003), Sin City (2005), Fantastic Four (2005), Into the Blue (2005), and her current films Good Luck Chuck and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.

localized version

the real version

            
Jessica Alba was born April 28, 1981 and began showing her star prowess as early as the age of 13.  She can be frequently seen on Maxim’s Hot 100 section.  Jessica Alba’s voluptuous body didn’t escape the eyes of the world as she was voted by AskMen.com as their number one on their list of 99 Most Desirable Women in 2006.  As if men’s feisty eyes can’t get enough of Jessica Alba’s body as she was likewise declared by FHM as the Most sexiest Woman in the World in 2007 and appeared on the March 2006 cover of Playboy magazine.

Born in Pomona, California, Jessica Alba’s parents were Catherine and Mark Alba.  She somewhat inherited her facial features from her parents because her mom was of Danish and French Canadian descent and her dad was of Mexican American descent. Jessica Alba’s childhood was not as normal as any kid’s as she suffered and had a few physical illnesses.  Among those illnesses that she got were pneumonia and a ruptured appendix.  Jessica Alba was always separated from her classmates and other schoolmates because of the fact that no one knew her well enough as she was often in the hospital.  But her heath improved as she aged and did not at all became a hindrance to her goal to be an actress.

Some of Jessica Alba’s noteworthy performances as an actress were “The Sleeping Dictionary”, “Honey”, “Sin City”, “The Eye” and “Flipper”.


PANCIT LOMI SPECIAL


As promised to my friend T3, I now feature a simple but enticing food. A gastronomical must in every starving call, especially with the matching rain. It doesn’t get any better than this. It somewhat comforts longing of the soul and the cold fear when shared together.

PANCIT LOMI SPECIAL

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Yields: 6 to 8 servings

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 small yellow onion, diced small
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound chicken thighs, boneless, skinless, sliced thinly
1 pound shrimp, peeled, deveined
1 package (13 pieces) cooked fish ball, halved
8 pieces Chinese sausage or kikiam, sliced thinly
1 cup heavy cream
1 quart chicken stock (4 cups)
1 small carrot, peeled and shredded
1 package pre cooked Lomi noodles
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons soy sauce
4 eggs, beaten

Toppings

1 ½ cups cooked or firm tofu, diced
2 cups chicharon, slightly crushed
5 sprigs scallion, chopped
2 salted or boiled eggs, peeled, and sliced
Lemon wedges

In a pot, bring chicken stock to boil @ 7 minutes. Dip lomi noodles for about 15 to 20 seconds. Remove lomi noodles from the pot and set aside. Keep the stock simmering while you are cooking the rest of the ingredients.

In a large pan, heat the oil for about a minute. Add onions and cook for 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds stirring occasionally. Add chicken and cook for a minute. Add fish balls and calamari and cook for 2 minutes stirring occasionally. Add chorizo and cook for a minute. Turn off stove.

Meanwhile bring the stock back to boil. Add carrots. Add heavy cream to stock. Get a small bowl and dissolve cornstarch completely with the soy sauce and about 2 tablespoons hot stock. Slowly whisk soy/cornstarch mixture into the pot stirring constantly until sauce becomes slightly thick.

Whisk in beaten eggs. Adjust heat to simmer. Slowly combine small portions of noodles and small portions of seafood/pork mixture into the pot. By doing this process, you are ensuring that the noodles and the seafood/pork mixture are properly combined.

Serve in a medium bowls. Top with scallions, tofu, chicharon and sliced eggs. Add lemon wedges. Serve hot.



ONE DAY



ONE DAY

Am not good at these
Neither an authority
So feel free to say whatever you please
Argue things that I talk about
Endless, careless
I scream out loud

Won’t dare be silent
And shut the hell up
Just don’t need to be violent
Situation I’m now suppressed
Barred from the freedom
To openly express

Is it wrong my dear?
My current stand
And other things I fear
Do whatever you can
Just ignore me
And the foolishness of a man

Indeed falling is not easy
To as spirited as you
By somebody as me
You make sense
To my whole being
Innovation you immense

But I’ll just keep it in
Inside my heart
Feelings I’ll be keen
Those things would be better
Hoping in my distant dreams
Maybe we’ll be together


dƩjƠ vu





Have you ever experienced dĆ©jĆ  vu? It is that feeling of an instance happening all over again. It’s like being in the same situation before. I know that explanations are quite paranormal but should we be wary of this condition? Is our being spontaneous starting to dwindle?

To overcome these moments, we must double-check it in our minds every detail. Comparison is always an option. Circumstances may look the same but differs in details if closely analyzed. Always be aware of what’s happening. A thing or two unnoticed can create a big impact.

Know what you do. It is great when you know exactly the circumstances surrounding your action. Study the possibilities and repercussions. Take all angles in consideration. Take the necessary steps in trying to revise and change the intended outcome.

With everyday events happening and for us trying to add a little dimension, life would not be so boring at all anyway.

   

August 12, 2012

Chil-lax

I tripped  upon few life's quotes and some relaxing retro music. Best way to start /end your day. A good thing to end this wonderful  weekend.





















  

PERHAPS


PERHAPS

I must have been wrong again
Made wrong moves
Lashed out wrong decisions
Misinterpreted the grooves

Pure dreams I relied
When reality speaks otherwise
I prayed and worked it out
What I wanted had me despised

Dedication I gave it all
The heaven is my witness
All there is on me
Now alone nonetheless

Dreams I had
Plans I made
Ignored and trashed
All of it stepped out of the gate

Time and again am reminded
Not to know it
What I feel now subsided

The love
The care
Everything....
And it wasn’t there

...all I do is to reminisce
Times that seemed forever
...sometimes treasure
The pain I now endure

I’m left with nothing
Yesterday is a shadow
Existing a day at a time
Living as an ordinary fellow

I know
It’s not over
Love will again show
...it will last...this time
Forever...