eLmEr, NobLe and gReaT

People have been making jack-o-lanterns at Halloween for centuries.

The practice originated from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed “Stingy Jack.”

According to the story, Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him.

True to his name, Stingy Jack didn’t want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks.

Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form. 

Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and that, should Jack die, he would not claim his soul.

The next year, Jack again tricked the Devil into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit.

While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree’s bark so that the Devil could not come down until the Devil promised Jack not to bother him for ten more years. 

Soon after, Jack died.

As the legend goes, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven.

The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell.

He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way.

Jack put the coal into a carved out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with it ever since.

The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as “Jack of the Lantern”.

In Ireland, turnips were used as their Jack’s lanterns originally. However, immigrants to America, found pumpkins more plentiful than turnips. The Jack-O-Lantern in America was a hollowed-out pumpkin, lit with an ember.

http://jackolanterns.net/jackolantern.htm (part of the story can be read here)

Have some honey: Have a spoonful of honey or spread it over a slice of bread or even some crackers. This helps you get over your hangover faster because honey contains high concentration of fructose that helps in burning off the effects of alcohol quicker.

Drink some juice: Have a glass of orange or tomato juice. Not only are these high in fructose, but also contain a lot of vitamin C, that will give you quick relief from a hangover.

Skip the caffeine: Coffee will only make you feel worse than what you already do. Except making you feel more dehydrated, coffee won’t help you in anyway, so skip it completely!

Have plenty of water: Alcohol dehydrates your system and you’ll only make it worse by avoiding water. Make sure that before you turn in for the night, you gulp down plenty of water. If you don’t feel like having plain water, squeeze some lime into a glass of soda water and have that.

Ginger helps: Ginger is one of the most natural ways to cure a hangover. Add some pieces of ginger in water and let it boil for ten minutes. Strain it, add a little orange juice, lemon juice and a bit of honey and have the mixture.

Eat some bananas: Since bananas are found to be rich in potassium, eat one after a night of heavy drinking and see your hangover vanish.

One of the best ways to avoid a heavy hangover is to make sure that you don’t drink on an empty stomach. Eat well and always drink at a slow pace. The faster you drink, the quicker you get drunk.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life/health-fitness/health/Easy-ways-to-treat-a-hangover/articleshow/5136196.cms

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i thought drinking coffee is good for hangover coz its diuretic - it makes you urinate often and drink water after..

i tried orange juice and proven to be effective..

but the most effective cure for hangover that i’ve tried is coconut water - after an hour your headache is gone..

just remember the more sugar you take while drinking the more you get hangover..

http://www.hot-screensaver.com/wp-myimages/letter-of-resignation.jpg

“I found myself going to work and taking care of people who wanted to get better who believed that their only path to salvation was through my scalpel,” he said. “I can heal with steel. I know how to do that. But it’s very disenfranchising when you realize the true solutions are outside the operating room.” - Dr. Mehmet Oz

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/171663/dr-oz-leaving-oprah-winfrey-for-his-own-talk-show

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the unhealthy diet promoted by most industrialized countries - u name it..fast food junks, artificial flavors, sweeteners and food colourings, sodas, donuts..i remember i read in americana encyclopedia - one writer was even very proud of saying rich countries eats more meat than poor countries..further saying that 2/3 of American diets is made of meat as compared to Europeans half of diet is meat and poor countries less than a third is made of meat..which does not necessarily translate to a healthy diet..the stupidity of americans..lol..but who can blame them..they are bombarded by food and beverage giants (Mc Donalds, KFC, TGIF, Rubi Tuesdays, Chilis, Pizza Hut, Apple Bees, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Mister Donut, Dunkin Donuts, Krispy Kreme..) who spend billions of dollars in advertising in promoting the so-called first world countries diet - the unhealthy diet which is the cause of many health problems - HEART AILMENTS and CANCER..

Just like an engineer who use his hands to construct buildings just like a teacher who use her mouth and mind to teach and share knowledge just like a doctor who uses his knowledge to treat people and me as a bitch who uses my body to give pleasure.

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a reptilian brain said by a friend doctor, one whose life is consumed by sex alone..but who can blame other gays of doing this..they keep on dating guys until they meet that special someone..and until its too late..

Thirteen terribly weird facts about women
Front page / Society / Sex, relationship
29.10.2007 Source: Pravda.Ru          
 
 
It is generally believed that the difference between men and women is enormous. Women and men differ in almost every imaginable aspect of human life, especially when it comes to psychology.

1. A woman does not have a man’s habit to scratch her noggin when she thinks of an answer to a confusing question, for example. Women doe not like to show they are confused. They never want to ruin their hairdo with that gesture either.

- its because women are smarter than most men..but i think its an instinct when you scratch your noggin/head when you’re confused..hmmm…

2. Women will never understand why footballers stand in a line with their hands crossed before a penalty kick during a match. In addition, women never shudder when a male character gets kicked in the groin in a movie.

- they do understand..lol

3. When a woman yawns she covers her mouth with the palm of her hand, not with a fist.

- men don’t cover with their fist..lol..

4. After taking a bath, a woman grabs a towel and makes a turban on her head from it, at least for one minute. The reasons of such a weird Oriental ritual are unknown.

- i think this is normal as they need to pat dry their hair..not all women makes a turban on their head especially if they have short hair..its a beauty secret your hair feels good to touch if dry it this way - with a towel wrap around your hear like a turban..

5. A woman does not get mad when her underwear gets stuck between her buttocks. Women joyfully wear those items of torture called bikinis.

- because in general western men (straight) prefer boxers than a brief..only gays love to wear thongs and other designer briefs..with the exception of brazilian guys who love to flaunt their assets..which i love it..lol

6. Many women worry about their looks when having sex.

- really??  because men tend to notice the looks of their partner while making love..trying to find whether you are enjoying or not..

7. Women open bottles with bottle openers.

- most women but i have a friend in college who can open a bottler of beer by biting the cap..ang siga noh..though this practice will cause some damage to your teeth..

8. A woman feels awkward if she does not carry anything in her hands. That is why they always carry their handbags around.

- i wonder why..

9. Women are absolutely indifferent to their genitals; they hardly know each other. Women do not talk to them, they do not give funny nicknames to them and they never get angry with them.

- i agree..remember one episode of Sex in the City - in order not to be shy about being naked in front of your partner - one needs to look in front of the mirror or that episode a pocket mirror to scrutinize your genitals..

10. Sitting down in public transportation, women keep their legs together. That is why men often prefer to sit next to a woman because in this case they can sit spread-eagle.

- what stupid comment..alangan namang nakabuyangyang ka..

11. If a woman finds her fly unzipped in a public place, she does not seem to care too much about it.

- only if the guy is fly ball..lol..as lots of western men prefer boxers with the front open..lol..

12. When a woman dresses up to go out, she puts on a blouse first. Pants come second. Men work it vice versa.

- bwahahahahahaha…

13. Finally, when an act of love ends, women do not feel like sleeping. They feel like talking and kissing.

- uu nga naman..because making love is about intimacy between two souls whose intimate union culminates through making love..

 
Translated by Dmitry Sudakov
Pravda.ru
http://english.pravda.ru/society/sex/29-10-2007/99720-women-0

Mahal kita or Doset Daram (Persian)

corrupted memory card and then they reformat it..when in fact, its possible to recover the contents of it even if its reformatted like 10x..your celfone when its turn on serves as a tracker and can easily pinpoint your whereabouts regardless of celfone model..remember the movie Die Hard 4, wherein a hacker tracked down the location of bruce willis using his phone as tracker..thats technology..now here is what i’ve found on the net about celfone spying..

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Cell-Phone Spying: Is YOur Life Being Monitored?

It connects you to the world, but your cell phone could also be giving anyone from your boss to your wife a window into your every move.  The same technology that lets you stay in touch on-the-go can now let others tap into your private world — without you ever even suspecting something is awry.

The new generation

Long gone are the days of simple wiretapping, when the worst your phone could do was let someone listen in to your conversations.  The new generation of cell phone spying tools provides a lot more power.

Eavesdropping is easy.  All it takes is a two-minute software install and someone can record your calls and monitor your text messages.  They can even set up systems to be automatically alerted when you dial a certain number, then instantly patched into your conversation.  Anyone who can perform a basic internet search can find the tools and figure out how to do it in no time.

But the scarier stuff is what your phone can do when you aren’t even using it.  Let’s start with your location.

Simple surveillance

You don’t have to plant a CIA-style bug to conduct surveillance any more.  A service called World Tracker lets you use data from cell phone towers and GPS systems to pinpoint anyone’s exact whereabouts, any time — as long as they’ve got their phone on them.

All you have to do is log on to the web site and enter the target phone number.  The site sends a single text message to the phone that requires one response for confirmation.  Once the response is sent, you are locked in to their location and can track them step-by-step.  The response is only required the first time the phone is contacted, so you can imagine how easily it could be handled without the phone’s owner even knowing.

Once connected, the service shows you the exact location of the phone by the minute, conveniently pinpointed on a Google Map.  So far, the service is only available in the UK, but the company has indicated plans to expand its service to other countries soon.

Advanced eavesdropping

So you’ve figured out where someone is, but now you want to know what they’re actually doing.  Turns out you can listen in, even if they aren’t talking on their phone.

Dozens of programs are available that’ll turn any cell phone into a high-tech, long-range listening device.  And the scariest part?  They run virtually undetectable to the average eye.

Take, for example, Flexispy.  The service promises to let you “catch cheating wives or cheating husbands” and even “bug meeting rooms.”  Its tools use a phone’s microphone to let you hear essentially any conversations within earshot.  Once the program is installed, all you have to do is dial a number to tap into the phone’s mic and hear everything going on.  The phone won’t even ring, and its owner will have no idea you are virtually there at his side.

Recover deleted text messages (SMS) and last dialed numbers from any SIM cards and smart cards

Did you know that with the help of a simple, inexpensive device, anyone with access to your phone could read your private text messages (SMS), even if you have deleted them previously? This device can even recover contacts and a good number or previously dialed numbers.

Legal loopholes

You might be asking how this could possibly be legal.  Turns out, it isn’t – at least, not in the ways we just described.  Much like those fancy smoking devices designed “for tobacco use only,” the software itself gets by because of a disclaimer saying it doesn’t endorse any illegal use.

I did a little digging with our friends from Flexispy.  You won’t find it on the flashy front page, but buried a bit further in the site, the company says you’re fine to use their program only “on a phone that you own, for protecting your children,” or for purposes like “archiving data.”  It’s a bit of a contrast from the bold suggestions of “uncover[ing] employee espionage,” “catch[ing] cheating husbands,” and “bug[ging] meeting rooms” that fill the company’s materials.  After a little more explanation, their answer as to the legality of the service ends with a broad statement: “Please consult a qualified lawyer in your country for the correct answer to this question.”

Let me make it easier for you: Once you get into listening in to private conversations without either party’s consent, you’re treading rough water that could sweep you straight into jail.  Whether it’s an employee or a spouse on the receiving end of your mission, neither federal nor state privacy laws take violations lightly in America.  Getting caught could cost you several years behind bars, among other serious penalties.

Detecting and protecting

Finding spyware on your phone isn’t easy.  There are dozens of bug detectors available from surveillance companies, but the only true fix is taking your phone to your provider and having them wipe it out altogether.  That will restore the factory settings and clear out any hidden software that’s running on your phone.

Security experts say there may be some subtle signs your phone is invaded:

1. You seem to have trouble shutting it off, or it stays lit up after you’ve powered down.
2. The phone sometimes lights up when you aren’t making or receiving a call, or using any other function.
3. You regularly hear odd background noises or clicks when you’re on the phone.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do to safeguard your cell just yet.  I’m sure it’s only a matter of time until we see McAfee-style programs to firewall your phone and keep intruders out.  For now, though, the only sure-fire form of protection is to keep a close guard on your phone.  Don’t accept Bluetooth connections unless you know what they are.  Most important, make sure no one has access to install something when you aren’t watching.  Otherwise, they may soon be watching you when you least expect it.

By JR Raphael
Contributing Writer, [GAS]

http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2008/05/05/cell-phone-spying-is-your-life-being-monitored/

this article can also be applicable to us filipinos..as more and more people are using credit cards..remember equitable bank before it was taken over by banco de oro..equitable was the leading credit card provider to the filipinos..

i thought the payday loans is only in the philippines but it also exists in the states..lol..usurious in the sense they collect advance interest from 10% to 30%..if its a month pay usually they charge 10%..for honorariums of barangay officials - a year’s honorarium less 18% to 30% interest and then monthly amortization..

i also remember that in the states they prefer you pay thru credit card rather than by cash..reason..one has a good credit standing if he pays on credit meaning he has the money to pay off his debts if he was granted by the bank a credit line..until the credit bubble explodes in the states..an explanation was provided in the following article:

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7 Expenses That Are Keeping You in Debt
by Erin Joyce
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
provided by Investopedia.com

In the United States, 43% of families are spending more than they earn each year, according to MSNMoney. At the end of 2008, the average American household that had a credit card was holding nearly $11,000 worth of credit card debt.

With numbers like these, living with debt seems unavoidable and paying it off seems like an uphill battle you are destined to lose. However, if you are interested in living debt-free, here are seven expenses to watch for that may be holding you back from being in the black.

1. Not Knowing Your Limits

The Financial Times recently reported that U.S. banks are set to earn $38.5 billion this year from overdraft fees alone, more than double the number from 1994. If you don’t know how much is in your bank account, you could easily withdraw or spend beyond your limit or have a check clear that takes your balance below zero. When that happens, banks charge anywhere from $5-$10 in overdraft fees. And that’s not all. If you fail to pay back the amount you’ve overdrawn, you could be hit with even more fees after a set number of days in the form of a large sum (as high as $35) or a daily tariff (often between $5-$10). According to the National Consumer Law Center, the average overdraft fee is $34.65, and considering a purchase as small as your morning latte could put your account in the red, that’s a hefty price tag.

Credit cards fare no better, with late payment fees increasing as well as charges for going over your limit. According to a survey done by the Pew Safe Credit Cards Project in March 2009, 92% of credit cards had a fee for exceeding the credit limit, including 100% of student cards. The over-the-limit fee and the late payment fee were both $39 for most accounts. Also, these infringements can result in your interest rate skyrocketing up to 30% or higher. In fact, that same survey found that 93% of cards allow the issuer to raise any interest rate at any time. And once that rate goes up, it is unlikely to come down.

2. Fees, Fees, Fees

Banking and fees go hand in hand. But there are ways to reduce the charges you pay on a regular basis. First, make sure all of the accounts you have open are absolutely necessary. Consolidating multiple checking or savings account could add up to monthly savings of $20 or more.

Also, make sure you understand what and how you are being charged. Some accounts advertise as being free, but in order to have the monthly charges waived, you may need to fulfill some conditions including but not limited to a minimum balance, not exceeding a set number of transactions per month and/or having a set number of direct deposits or automated bills associated with that account.

Transaction fees can also add up quickly. Remember, if you withdraw money from an ATM instead of your bank, the average $1.50 fee is charged both by the cash machine AND by your bank. Likewise, most banks include a surcharge on email money transfers. Keep an eye on your account and make sure you know how much these conveniences are costing you.

3. Paying the Minimum

Approximately one in six families with credit cards pays only the minimum due each month, according to an Experian national score index study. You’ve probably read everywhere that this is financial suicide, but let’s take a look at what the actual damage would be.

The average interest rate on a credit card in the U.S. is 11.2% according to bankrate.com. However, with this kind of payment history, and one-third of credit card holders paying between 20-41%, let’s guess conservatively that this family’s interest is around 20%. The minimum payment is usually around 2% of the total balance, so in this case that would be about $220 per month. If only that minimum is paid, the debt would be paid off in nearly 77 years, with a total of more than $52,000 paid in interest. Push that interest rate up to 30% and the minimum payment is insufficient to ever pay down the debt.

4. Credit Card Cash Advances

You know that getting a cash advance from your credit card is a bad idea, but we’ll all been in an unforeseen situation where you need cash fast. So what does this convenience end up costing you? According to CardWeb.com, the fees ten years ago were on average 2% of the amount advanced with a $2 minimum and a $10 maximum fee. Unfortunately, today that number has gone up to 3% with a minimum ranging from $5-$15 with no maximum fees. Add these fees to the transactions fees you might be paying and you’ll be shocked to see the total amount that disappears from your wallet each month on convenience fees alone.

5. Payday Loans

This expense may be the most dangerous of the all for your pocket book. These highly unregulated lenders do provide a valuable service – if you need cash now, you can get it for a fee and a promise to repay the amount once payday comes around. However, the industry standard in annualized interest is between 200 and 500%.

These lenders are able to avoid usury laws by calling their interest charges “service fees” which are not regulated the same way in many places. In fact, payday services have been outlawed or severely restricted in 13 states according to bankrate.com. (Hold too tightly to this rescue line and you’ll soon be drowning in debt.

6. Not Negotiating

This step can be tricky, but it could also save you enormous amounts of money interest. If you are having trouble paying down your debt, call your creditor and ask to have your interest rate reduced. These companies want your business, so often you will be able to negotiate a repayment schedule that can help you pay down your debt faster. Make sure you ask for the lowest fixed rate – an introductory rate that will shoot right back up in a few months will have you back at square one.

Don’t be afraid to bring up competitors’ rates; your credit card company may be more willing to offer a comparable rate if you can get it somewhere else .If the company will only offer you a lowered rate for a set amount of time (usually six months to a year), that is better than nothing. The best part about this step is that there is no harm in asking, only the potential for big savings. (Reducing the rate charged on your credit card balance is the first step to getting out of debt.

7. Ignorance Is NOT Bliss

The worst culprit for keeping you in debt is not knowing where your money is going. Make it a priority to keep records of where and how you spend your hard-earned cash. Make a repayment plan and have set goal-dates for paying off debts. Without these tools, it’s far too easy to stay in debt. You can purchase accounting software, make a simple (and free) spreadsheet on your computer or even work it out with a pen and paper; just make sure you make a long-term plan for regaining control of your finances.

Debt may seem like a life sentence, but it doesn’t have to be. The number one tip for maintaining financial health is awareness. Be aware of your money and where it goes each month, and be aware of the options available to you. There are easy ways to help alleviate the stress on your finances and move from red to black, and the rewards are more than just monetary.

http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/107599/7-expenses-that-are-keeping-you-in-debt.html?mod=banking-budgeting