Barisan Nasional World Records!
Posted by labisman
Friday, 28 March 2008
THANK YOU BN. For giving us the World’s Healthiest Country. Even as the Elections Commission, your own agents, ooops ... I mean er... civil servants, admitted one week before the elections, Malaysia has more than 8,500 voters aged over 100! Dear BN, what’s your secret? Do these super-old voters drink ginseng? Tongkat Ali? Or indelible ink?
THANK YOU BN. For giving us the World’s Most Expensive Car Jack. As the Auditor General’s Report released last year showed, you used our money to buy car jacks at RM5,741 each when it costs only RM50 per piece in the hardware store. I understand that these fantastic tools can “jack up” not only cars but even Datuks all the way up to the Fourth Floor of Pak Lah’s Minister Mentor.
THANK YOU Umno. For the World’s Greatest U-Turn. Last November, when HINDRAF (HINDu Rights Action Force) Indians demonstrated in KL to protest their “marginalisation” by the Umno-controlled government, you condemned them as “ruffians” who would jeopardise social stability, tourism and foreign direct investment (FDI).
But one week after elections, Umno itself demonstrated in Penang, Ipoh and Shah Alam claiming that the new State Governments there will “marginalise” the Malays. And no doubt, they want to “promote” inter-racial harmony, social stability, tourism and FDI with slogans like: “Don’t play fire with Malay rights!” So dear Umno, why don’t you call yourselves MALRAF - MALay Rights Action Force!
THANK YOU Gerakan. For the World’s Smartest Economic Policy. As revealed by blogger (and now MP) Jeff Ooi, former Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon used taxpayers’ money to give Motorola a RM1 billion (that’s RM1,000 million) contract, so that the American electronics company would announce (just before the elections) a RM350 million investment in Penang to “prove” that the state was still economically “competitive”. Wow, what a vote of “confidence” in Penang’s economy!
THANK YOU Umno for the World’s Greatest Irony. Last November, you accused HINDRAF of causing losses to businesses and traffic jams (when it was actually the massive police roadblocks/crackdown that caused the jams/chaos). You said such protests were “not our culture” and a “threat to national security” worthy of ISA detentions.
But now Umno’s MALRAF has shown that such protests are indeed part of Malaysian, or at least, Malay culture. And the best part was that they proved we could have peaceful demonstrations – as long as the police behave professionally. In other words, Umno’s demonstrations have truly “demonstrated” that 50 year old Malaysia is mature enough to allow people to “let off steam” by shouting and holding banners for an hour or two without incurring National Apocalypse.
And then after all that shouting and sweating, habis cerita! We Malaysians (who are so bored that we stop our cars to look at road accidents) finally get some street entertainment and after that all the crowds go for their teh tarik and roti canai. Hey, that’s good business for the mamak shops you know!
But if you ask me, the true MALRAF are the many Malays who protested against BN policies through their votes, especially in Kedah, Kelantan, Penang, Perak, Selangor and KL. Just as the majority of Chinese did an electoral CHINRAF.
So what shall we call those Umno demonstrators? How about MONEYRAF? A MONEY Rights Action Force to demand their “Malay rights” privileges to “buta gaji” contracts, projects, AP’s and share allocations so that they (and their Mak Datin wives) can continue to buy their BMW’s (and “ori-punya” Gucci handbags) while the real makciks struggle to make a living selling mee goreng at the roadside.
THANK YOU Selangor BN, for being the World’s Most Environment-Friendly Government. DAP Kampung Tunku State Assemblyman, Lau Weng San, has lodged a police report over alleged destruction of documents by the previous Selangor State Government. Pictures have appeared on the internet of files strewn all over office floors.
Perhaps they were shredding all that paper to recycle into tissue paper? To wipe away the s**t before it hits the fan when the new Menteri Besar takes over? Ah, what fragrant records they shall leave behind... how eco-friendly of them!
THANK YOU MCA. For giving us the World’s Best “Buy One Free One!” Special Offer. This means the voters can Buy Opposition and Still Get Free BN Service!
Despite Pak Lah threatening the Chinese that they would “lose representation” in the government if they voted for the Opposition, the MCA still got their four Minister’s posts in Pak Lah’s new Cabinet. Of course, these Minister-ships have little real power anyway.
For example, even though the MCA got a massive “mandate” in the 2004 elections, the MCA “Minister of Housing and Local Government” (H&LG) never had power over housing and local government. Why? Because these matters are actually (in the Constitution, no less) under the jurisdiction of State Governments! The Minister of H&LG could not appoint Majlis Perbandaran Councillors or give approvals for housing projects. In fact, he himself once complained that Local Councils were not implementing his proposals for more CCTV’s, street barriers and well-lighted pavements under the “Safe City Concept”.
As MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said himself on March 9, the party “accepted and respected the people’s decision” and would “continue to fight” for the rights of the community and country. As The Star reported, he also urged MCA candidates with good track records “not to be affected” by their defeat and to “carry on serving” the community. One example is the hardworking MP Lee Hwa Beng, who despite being defeated by the young man who filmed the VK Lingam video, has sportingly agreed: “I will keep my service centre open.” Well done sir.
In other words, the people get the BEST OF BOTH WORLDS. We get more of an Opposition voice in Parliament and we still get the BN reps to help us with complaints of blocked longkangs, blinking street-lights and bloody road potholes. Well, how else can they hope to win back our votes in 2013?
BUT what if the new State Governments transform the Majlis Perbandaran’s to become more efficient? To do the bloody blinking jobs they were paid to do in the first place? What will happen to the MCA’s Majlis Perbandaran Liaison Officer and Petition Writer roles? Oh oh... looks like the MCA reps have to urgently reinvent and rebrand themselves.
THANK YOU Elections Commission (EC). For giving Malaysia the World’s Most Advanced Technology. Before this, we’ve only seen “tele-portation” on Star Trek – you know, like when Captain Kirk or Dr. Spock says “beam me up” and they are instantly “tele-transported” in a sort of large laser beam from some strange planet back to the mother spaceship.
But BERSIH, the elections reform group, says that you, the EC, have managed to transfer voters (possibly thousands) from Selangor to places like Kelantan and Terengganu without even their knowledge. How many of these people could actually drive five to eight hours all the way there to vote? PAS claims that at least 200 buses of “phantom voters” were brought into Terengganu and its President, Hadi Awang says police “escorted them like VIP’s”.
No wonder the cartoonist Zunar calls you, the EC, a “component party” of the Barisan Nasional. Come on... don’t so like dat-lah. I mean, congratulations on such marvellous technology and all that. But dear EC, at least you should have the basic courtesy to “tele-transport” voters only after they say “beam me up”. Not before, OK?
What’s next EC? Al Jazeera TV reported on March 9 that you could stuff 560 “registered voters” into one street of small terrace houses in Cheras, Selangor. You even had the sense of humour to stuff 26 of them into the same 1,400 sq ft house (perhaps to share the bathroom?) as the brother of Jenice Lee (now elected as DAP State Assemblywoman for Teratai, Selangor).
Now, we all know that great progress is being made in “data compression” technology. For example, we used to need two or three pieces of VCD’s for one movie whereas nowadays, you can stuff five or even more movies into just one piece of DVD. So... for 2013, I am looking forward to the EC’s “best-punya” world-class technology – to stuff 30 “registered voters” into the dog kennel behind my house!
THANK YOU MIC. For the World’s Best SMS jokes! Allow me to jazz them up.
“Hi. My friend is looking for a job. Construction background. His education not that strong. But can “kau tim” things. Any buildings collapse, he will say Act of God. He was with Malaysian Govt past 30 years. Last job: Works Minister. His name is Samy Vellu. Please help him to get at least toll gate collector job. Thanks.”
And you probably also heard the “latest news” that Samy Vellu is now a film producer in Bolehwood? His first movie will be Kuch Kuch Kalah Hai starring Mydin Khan, Sharizat Rai, Kayveas Kapoor, Koh Tsu Khan and Khir Tempe Blachan. Special guest appearances by Khairy Kumar and Bobby Badawi.
And lastly, there was this: Breaking news! Samy Vellu is very angry and will leave MIC to form a new political party for Indians called Parti Untuk Kaum India MAlaysia - PUKIMA.
By Teh Tarik
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Compatriots!
Article by Thomas Robey
I have to admit: my complexion has adopted a green hue after living in the Emerald City (Seattle) for 6 years. I’m not referring to gardening skill, increased nausea, or skin mildew, nor am I a Ralph Nader supporter. The green in me is due to being bitten by the environmentalism bug. I didn’t realize how bad it was until I found myself in a country where my habits clashed with everyone else’s. For example, when returning from a clinical rotation in Eastern Washington, I hauled eight bags of aluminum, plastic and paper home because it was not apparent that those items could or would be recycled in Spokane. Yes, I know this qualifies me as over the deep end. Your follow-up thought is “what has this to do with a medical blog?”
The differences in recycling between cities can be played out on a much smaller scale. Do your school or workplace recycling habits resemble your behavior at home? More and more of us know by heart the recycling rules in the kitchen: “#5 plastic is okay, but the lid goes in the trash,” or “save that deli container for my next art project.” Does this behavior get checked at the clinic door? Does your medical center recycle? If so, I bet that all attempts to reduce waste go by the wayside in the hospital’s operating room. There’s good reason for OR’s to make extra waste (namely, sterility!), but it’s hard to believe that all of that stuff needs to be disposable!
Change is always hard – how many of your patients quit smoking with their first try? As with other behavior modification, improvement is easiest on a small scale. Here are some small examples of correctable material waste that I’ve noticed in health care:
* recyclable cardboard glove boxes in the trash
* single use metal suture kits (forceps, scissors, needle drivers)
* no beverage container recycling
* disposable sterile or contact precaution gowns
* no white paper recycling
* only styrofoam plates and plastic utensils are available in the cafeteria
* shredded patient information sent to the regular waste stream
* plastic water bottles at every conference
And these are just the obvious ones. I hope you could hear the incredulous tone of voice as I listed these off! What waste do you see where you are learning/doing medicine?
International readers might wonder why hospitals allow steel instrument sets to be thrown away. The answer is expense. It costs more to collect, clean, package and sterilize the instruments than to buy lower quality ‘one-use’ tools. Even these cheap instruments last a while - I salvaged and sterilized one of the sets I used in an ER and practiced suturing at home before discovering how helpful they were for projects around the house requiring fine manipulations.
Presenting ideas to a large institution or making suggestions as the new guy who’s just here for 6 weeks is intimidating. But there are a number of little solutions to reduce waste that you can do as a student (i.e. as the lowest rung on the ladder). The surgeons in one red state thought I was a nut for putting out a box to collect aluminum, but a week later it was full. I take home papers without patient information on them for the bin. Even just inquiring about a clinic’s recycling policy could result in a system change.
As fuel and plastic prices increase and more people become aware of resource limitations, it will become more important to reduce, reuse and recycle, not just to save the planet, but to reduce the bottom line. And it may just be those energetic new students or house staff who help translate ideas into actions. What will you do?
Comments
Great Blog, I find it hard to believe that so many physicians don't care at all about the environment. You're right to make the point about how much money they could be saving by re-using and reducing their waste. Another great point is that environmental degradation has serious health implications like allergies, asthmas and increasing cancers. As a physician who cares about a patient's health, it just makes sense to care about the environment they are living in as well.
Posted by: Christine | May 28, 2008 11:05:29 AM
Very interesting post. As for paper which contains private data, there are vendors who perform secure recycling services. We use them at our bank, and it is the same process for our note-taking during support calls as it is for destroying other sensitive bank records and even checks. The disposal services offer locked bins for us to drop the paper in, then they pick them up and pulp the paper without any human eyes seeing the contents. It's far more secure than shredding documents.
I can understand why surgical instruments are single use on patients, but I have always wondered why they can't be sterilized and used for medical school work on cadavers. It would save the medical schools a great deal of money.
Posted by: Mike Haubrich, FCD | May 29, 2008 4:36:40 AM
T-
Good for you for being a recycler- I am too. Shame on you for not taking the extra five minutes online the Spokane Review's website or other Eastern Washington Counties webpages to discover that there are recycling drop off centers located in and around Spokane. I have lived in Spokane off and on for several years when staying with family as I have posted before. My most recent stint there corresponded with yours when I was studying for the boards - and while I found that the ease of recycling at the end of your driveway wasn't there. I did still find plenty of ways to have my plastics/can/paper into a recycling bin.
Posted by: Irene | May 29, 2008 6:06:26 PM
also - to follow up. AMSA did an indepth article regarding the issue of waste/recycling in the medical industry in its April 2008 issue. I belive it is available online or you can order print copies of the magazine. www.amsa.com
Posted by: Irene | May 29, 2008 6:09:18 PM
Beverage container recycling? You mean using non-disposable and just washing them, right?
P.S. Elegant usage of recycled electrons ;)
Posted by: Jared | May 30, 2008 4:01:27 AM
Just a few responses:
Irene: I did find places in Spokane to recycle some items. The drop-offs were open 8A to 8P, charged a fee for glass and mixed paper, paid out for aluminum and would not accept some plastics. My medicine and surgery hours plus call schedules made the special trips to the drop-off centers difficult.
Jared: You are right that reusing coffee mugs etc., is better even than recycling. What I was referring to was the glass, plastic and aluminum bottles and cans that soda, water and energy drinks come in. I have been challenged before on the carbon neutrality of blogging, but have not figured out quite how to measure it ; )
Another wrench in the sustainable OR movement is liability. If every patient gets a new (disposable) sterile drape instead of a laundered and sterilized cloth cover, I bet the hospital is better protected against infection liability. A quick search netted no AMSA article. I did find that one of AMSA's issues is open access. Perhaps that does not include 'convenient access.'
Posted by: thomas robey | May 30, 2008 3:16:50 PM
Great post! I admire your thinking so much about the environment and taking pains to ensure recycling your waste... I attended medical school in India and as a visiting student at a big university hospital in US, I noticed the huge amount of waste that such a big hospital generates.... quite a lot of which can potentially be avoided.... I think minimising paper-based patient notes and switching off lights and computers when not in use should be a good start.
Posted by: Anuja | Jun 3, 2008 9:59:30 PM
Good post. I live in England and work at the a major psychiatric research centre. I was appalled when I started work there and found out how little recycling went on. I was also shocked by how little sense of social responsibility many of the scientists/psychiatrists had. It seemed that this was also inversely related to peoples pay packets. We have however, managed to get a recycling scheme in place and are in the process of challenging our throw away culture. Next campaign may be to stop departments from getting drinking water shipped in by truck (which has to be the about the most obscene of all our excesses). It's hard, but worthwhile.
As for surgical equipment, it would be interesting to revisit sterility. I wonder how much of this argument is really just an excuse to take the easy option and throw away. Does it really cost more to sterilize that to throw away, or is this just myth?
Posted by: Fergus | Jun 8, 2008 4:09:54 AM
I really enjoyed reading your post - you're quite the trooper to take on this shared responsibility! I also understand the delicate nature of not rocking the boat when you're the new kid on the block. Is there a discreet (or anonymous) way to send a signal that greater recycling is needed at Eastern Washington?
My colleague and I recently published a paper that showed a 34% increase in recycling simply by using specialized recycling lids. I wonder if there was a way for you to sneak this paper onto someone's desk? Maybe it could motivate the janitorial staff to adopt systematic recycling practices (as opposed to you doing all the work).
:0)
M
http://mypage.iusb.edu/~mverges/Duffy&Verges_inpress.pdf
Posted by: Michelle | Jun 9, 2008 2:58:40 PM
This is a great article. This aritcle brings about a couple of important American cultural ideas; convenience and ignorance (advertent and inadvertent). These ideas do not always persist in other countries. As the population of the earth rises, what price is going to paid for using "one-time use" convenience items? Stepping out of the physician personality to examine the world in different shoes is important. It is critical that we 'self-examine' ourselves and do it honestly. Even though I am studying to be a surgeon, I am still a biologist in love with out-of-doors, not just human biology.
I think a critical link for not only physicians, but other people, is to understand that environment controls health! Researchers spend a lot of time and money trying to find links in human health and the environment.
If physicians cared more about the environment, do you think others (non-physicians) might follow?
Posted by: Amanda | Jun 9, 2008 3:17:24 PM
I have to admit: my complexion has adopted a green hue after living in the Emerald City (Seattle) for 6 years. I’m not referring to gardening skill, increased nausea, or skin mildew, nor am I a Ralph Nader supporter. The green in me is due to being bitten by the environmentalism bug. I didn’t realize how bad it was until I found myself in a country where my habits clashed with everyone else’s. For example, when returning from a clinical rotation in Eastern Washington, I hauled eight bags of aluminum, plastic and paper home because it was not apparent that those items could or would be recycled in Spokane. Yes, I know this qualifies me as over the deep end. Your follow-up thought is “what has this to do with a medical blog?”
The differences in recycling between cities can be played out on a much smaller scale. Do your school or workplace recycling habits resemble your behavior at home? More and more of us know by heart the recycling rules in the kitchen: “#5 plastic is okay, but the lid goes in the trash,” or “save that deli container for my next art project.” Does this behavior get checked at the clinic door? Does your medical center recycle? If so, I bet that all attempts to reduce waste go by the wayside in the hospital’s operating room. There’s good reason for OR’s to make extra waste (namely, sterility!), but it’s hard to believe that all of that stuff needs to be disposable!
Change is always hard – how many of your patients quit smoking with their first try? As with other behavior modification, improvement is easiest on a small scale. Here are some small examples of correctable material waste that I’ve noticed in health care:
* recyclable cardboard glove boxes in the trash
* single use metal suture kits (forceps, scissors, needle drivers)
* no beverage container recycling
* disposable sterile or contact precaution gowns
* no white paper recycling
* only styrofoam plates and plastic utensils are available in the cafeteria
* shredded patient information sent to the regular waste stream
* plastic water bottles at every conference
And these are just the obvious ones. I hope you could hear the incredulous tone of voice as I listed these off! What waste do you see where you are learning/doing medicine?
International readers might wonder why hospitals allow steel instrument sets to be thrown away. The answer is expense. It costs more to collect, clean, package and sterilize the instruments than to buy lower quality ‘one-use’ tools. Even these cheap instruments last a while - I salvaged and sterilized one of the sets I used in an ER and practiced suturing at home before discovering how helpful they were for projects around the house requiring fine manipulations.
Presenting ideas to a large institution or making suggestions as the new guy who’s just here for 6 weeks is intimidating. But there are a number of little solutions to reduce waste that you can do as a student (i.e. as the lowest rung on the ladder). The surgeons in one red state thought I was a nut for putting out a box to collect aluminum, but a week later it was full. I take home papers without patient information on them for the bin. Even just inquiring about a clinic’s recycling policy could result in a system change.
As fuel and plastic prices increase and more people become aware of resource limitations, it will become more important to reduce, reuse and recycle, not just to save the planet, but to reduce the bottom line. And it may just be those energetic new students or house staff who help translate ideas into actions. What will you do?
Comments
Great Blog, I find it hard to believe that so many physicians don't care at all about the environment. You're right to make the point about how much money they could be saving by re-using and reducing their waste. Another great point is that environmental degradation has serious health implications like allergies, asthmas and increasing cancers. As a physician who cares about a patient's health, it just makes sense to care about the environment they are living in as well.
Posted by: Christine | May 28, 2008 11:05:29 AM
Very interesting post. As for paper which contains private data, there are vendors who perform secure recycling services. We use them at our bank, and it is the same process for our note-taking during support calls as it is for destroying other sensitive bank records and even checks. The disposal services offer locked bins for us to drop the paper in, then they pick them up and pulp the paper without any human eyes seeing the contents. It's far more secure than shredding documents.
I can understand why surgical instruments are single use on patients, but I have always wondered why they can't be sterilized and used for medical school work on cadavers. It would save the medical schools a great deal of money.
Posted by: Mike Haubrich, FCD | May 29, 2008 4:36:40 AM
T-
Good for you for being a recycler- I am too. Shame on you for not taking the extra five minutes online the Spokane Review's website or other Eastern Washington Counties webpages to discover that there are recycling drop off centers located in and around Spokane. I have lived in Spokane off and on for several years when staying with family as I have posted before. My most recent stint there corresponded with yours when I was studying for the boards - and while I found that the ease of recycling at the end of your driveway wasn't there. I did still find plenty of ways to have my plastics/can/paper into a recycling bin.
Posted by: Irene | May 29, 2008 6:06:26 PM
also - to follow up. AMSA did an indepth article regarding the issue of waste/recycling in the medical industry in its April 2008 issue. I belive it is available online or you can order print copies of the magazine. www.amsa.com
Posted by: Irene | May 29, 2008 6:09:18 PM
Beverage container recycling? You mean using non-disposable and just washing them, right?
P.S. Elegant usage of recycled electrons ;)
Posted by: Jared | May 30, 2008 4:01:27 AM
Just a few responses:
Irene: I did find places in Spokane to recycle some items. The drop-offs were open 8A to 8P, charged a fee for glass and mixed paper, paid out for aluminum and would not accept some plastics. My medicine and surgery hours plus call schedules made the special trips to the drop-off centers difficult.
Jared: You are right that reusing coffee mugs etc., is better even than recycling. What I was referring to was the glass, plastic and aluminum bottles and cans that soda, water and energy drinks come in. I have been challenged before on the carbon neutrality of blogging, but have not figured out quite how to measure it ; )
Another wrench in the sustainable OR movement is liability. If every patient gets a new (disposable) sterile drape instead of a laundered and sterilized cloth cover, I bet the hospital is better protected against infection liability. A quick search netted no AMSA article. I did find that one of AMSA's issues is open access. Perhaps that does not include 'convenient access.'
Posted by: thomas robey | May 30, 2008 3:16:50 PM
Great post! I admire your thinking so much about the environment and taking pains to ensure recycling your waste... I attended medical school in India and as a visiting student at a big university hospital in US, I noticed the huge amount of waste that such a big hospital generates.... quite a lot of which can potentially be avoided.... I think minimising paper-based patient notes and switching off lights and computers when not in use should be a good start.
Posted by: Anuja | Jun 3, 2008 9:59:30 PM
Good post. I live in England and work at the a major psychiatric research centre. I was appalled when I started work there and found out how little recycling went on. I was also shocked by how little sense of social responsibility many of the scientists/psychiatrists had. It seemed that this was also inversely related to peoples pay packets. We have however, managed to get a recycling scheme in place and are in the process of challenging our throw away culture. Next campaign may be to stop departments from getting drinking water shipped in by truck (which has to be the about the most obscene of all our excesses). It's hard, but worthwhile.
As for surgical equipment, it would be interesting to revisit sterility. I wonder how much of this argument is really just an excuse to take the easy option and throw away. Does it really cost more to sterilize that to throw away, or is this just myth?
Posted by: Fergus | Jun 8, 2008 4:09:54 AM
I really enjoyed reading your post - you're quite the trooper to take on this shared responsibility! I also understand the delicate nature of not rocking the boat when you're the new kid on the block. Is there a discreet (or anonymous) way to send a signal that greater recycling is needed at Eastern Washington?
My colleague and I recently published a paper that showed a 34% increase in recycling simply by using specialized recycling lids. I wonder if there was a way for you to sneak this paper onto someone's desk? Maybe it could motivate the janitorial staff to adopt systematic recycling practices (as opposed to you doing all the work).
:0)
M
http://mypage.iusb.edu/~mverges/Duffy&Verges_inpress.pdf
Posted by: Michelle | Jun 9, 2008 2:58:40 PM
This is a great article. This aritcle brings about a couple of important American cultural ideas; convenience and ignorance (advertent and inadvertent). These ideas do not always persist in other countries. As the population of the earth rises, what price is going to paid for using "one-time use" convenience items? Stepping out of the physician personality to examine the world in different shoes is important. It is critical that we 'self-examine' ourselves and do it honestly. Even though I am studying to be a surgeon, I am still a biologist in love with out-of-doors, not just human biology.
I think a critical link for not only physicians, but other people, is to understand that environment controls health! Researchers spend a lot of time and money trying to find links in human health and the environment.
If physicians cared more about the environment, do you think others (non-physicians) might follow?
Posted by: Amanda | Jun 9, 2008 3:17:24 PM
Monday, July 7, 2008
Devolution- O&G inspired
Hi.
Some would recall how I once said I will not be the same me anymore and I'll become evil.. where I decided not to be nice anymore...
somehow... I actually managed to do just that.
It all started mid may. With so much to do and so little time-- the mounting pressure, expectations and responsibility got to me.. my senses became denervated initially, I began to lose passion for life bit by bit...subsequently, my moods deteriorated and there was just no telling when my emotions will take a nosedive... then came the hypersensitivity stage where provocation meant asking me to re-send a message...
I became easily depressed, irritable with a short fuse... Where once I tolerated and returned insults with a smile... now I no longer put up with nonsense. For those who knew me as the easy-going, simple and happy-go-lucky guy... i'm sorry to say that part of me is kinda buried...awaiting exhumation someday.
My impatience made me turn down many simple requests, I flare up easily and I'm in a constant bad mood...For those of you who have been unfortunate enough to cross my path when I'm in one of those moods, I sincerely apologize, Just today I think I managed to shock 3 ppl by my response towards an unkind comment. Well I've always wanted to put that person in her place... making her realise that spewing words without the thought process ever going through Wernicke's area is gonna backfire someday and this time she really got it from me... I am unapologetic for my outburst because she deserved it but I am extremely displeased with myself because I rebutted her statement equally as fast, without considering whether I'm acting out-of character etc...but these days I really couldn't care less.
Whats happening to me? I...
Some would recall how I once said I will not be the same me anymore and I'll become evil.. where I decided not to be nice anymore...
somehow... I actually managed to do just that.
It all started mid may. With so much to do and so little time-- the mounting pressure, expectations and responsibility got to me.. my senses became denervated initially, I began to lose passion for life bit by bit...subsequently, my moods deteriorated and there was just no telling when my emotions will take a nosedive... then came the hypersensitivity stage where provocation meant asking me to re-send a message...
I became easily depressed, irritable with a short fuse... Where once I tolerated and returned insults with a smile... now I no longer put up with nonsense. For those who knew me as the easy-going, simple and happy-go-lucky guy... i'm sorry to say that part of me is kinda buried...awaiting exhumation someday.
My impatience made me turn down many simple requests, I flare up easily and I'm in a constant bad mood...For those of you who have been unfortunate enough to cross my path when I'm in one of those moods, I sincerely apologize, Just today I think I managed to shock 3 ppl by my response towards an unkind comment. Well I've always wanted to put that person in her place... making her realise that spewing words without the thought process ever going through Wernicke's area is gonna backfire someday and this time she really got it from me... I am unapologetic for my outburst because she deserved it but I am extremely displeased with myself because I rebutted her statement equally as fast, without considering whether I'm acting out-of character etc...but these days I really couldn't care less.
Whats happening to me? I...
Friday, June 13, 2008
why I always avoid supplements and pooh pooh those that do
Vitamins 'may shorten your life' Research has suggested certain vitamin supplements do not extend life and could even lead to a premature death. A review of 67 studies found "no convincing evidence" that antioxidant supplements cut the risk of dying. Scientists at Copenhagen University said vitamins A and E could interfere with the body's natural defences. "Even more, beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E seem to increase mortality," according to the review by the respected Cochrane Collaboration. The research involved selecting various studies from 817 on beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium which the team felt were the most likely to fairly reflect the impact of the supplements on reducing mortality. It has been thought that these supplements may be able to prevent damage to the body's tissues called "oxidative stress" by eliminating the molecules called "free radicals" which are said to cause it. This damage has been implicated in several major diseases including cancer and heart disease. 'Just eat well' The trials involved 233,000 people who were either sick or were healthy and taking supplements for disease prevention. VITAL VITAMIN FACTS Vitamin A: Found in: Oily fish, eggs and liver; Good for: Thought to boost immune system, and help skin, sight and sperm formation Vitamin C: Found in: Many fruit and vegetables; Good for: Helps heal wounds and assists the body in absorbing iron, may boost the immune system Vitamin E: Found in: Vegetable oils, seeds and nuts; Good for: May help boost circulation and keep elderly people active Beta-carotene: Found in: Vegetables that are reddish-orange in colour; Good for: May boost vision and keep the mind sharp Selenium: Found in: Butter, nuts, liver and fish; Good for: May boost the immune system How many take vitamins? Between 10-20% of people in the West How much is the global market worth? About $2.5bn (£1.3bn)
After various factors were taken into account and a further 20 studies excluded, the researchers linked vitamin A supplements to a 16% increased risk of dying, beta-carotene to a 7% increased risk and vitamin E to a 4% increased risk. Vitamin C did not appear to have any effect one way or the other, and the team said more work was needed into this supplement - as well as into selenium. In conclusion, "we found no evidence to support antioxidant supplements for primary or secondary prevention," they said. It was unclear exactly why the supplements could have this effect, but the team speculated that they could interfere with how the body works: beta-carotene, for instance, is thought to change the way a body uses fats. The Department of Health said people should try to get the vitamins they need from their diet, and avoid taking large doses of supplements - a market which is worth over £330m in the UK. Vitamin supplements help and are not a substitute
Joel Kosminsky, London
"There is a need to exercise caution in the use of high doses of purified supplements of vitamins, including antioxidant vitamins, and minerals," a spokesperson said. "Their impact on long-term health may not have been fully established and they cannot be assumed to be without risk." A 'stitch-up' But the Health Supplements Information Service, which is funded by the association which represents those who sell supplements, said many people were simply not able to get everything they needed from their diet. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Dr Rosemary Leonard's advice on vitamins "For the millions who are not able to do that, vitamins can be a useful supplement and they should not stop taking them," said spokeswoman Pamela Mason. Another nutritionist who has formulated supplements described the review as a "stitch-up", arguing it only looked at studies which examined the effect they had on reducing mortality, rather than other advantages. "Antioxidants are not meant to be magic bullets and should not be expected to undo a lifetime of unhealthy habits," said Patrick Holford. "But when used properly, in combination with eating a healthy diet full of fruit and vegetables, getting plenty of exercise and not smoking, antioxidant supplements can play an important role in maintaining and promoting overall health."
After various factors were taken into account and a further 20 studies excluded, the researchers linked vitamin A supplements to a 16% increased risk of dying, beta-carotene to a 7% increased risk and vitamin E to a 4% increased risk. Vitamin C did not appear to have any effect one way or the other, and the team said more work was needed into this supplement - as well as into selenium. In conclusion, "we found no evidence to support antioxidant supplements for primary or secondary prevention," they said. It was unclear exactly why the supplements could have this effect, but the team speculated that they could interfere with how the body works: beta-carotene, for instance, is thought to change the way a body uses fats. The Department of Health said people should try to get the vitamins they need from their diet, and avoid taking large doses of supplements - a market which is worth over £330m in the UK. Vitamin supplements help and are not a substitute
Joel Kosminsky, London
"There is a need to exercise caution in the use of high doses of purified supplements of vitamins, including antioxidant vitamins, and minerals," a spokesperson said. "Their impact on long-term health may not have been fully established and they cannot be assumed to be without risk." A 'stitch-up' But the Health Supplements Information Service, which is funded by the association which represents those who sell supplements, said many people were simply not able to get everything they needed from their diet. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Dr Rosemary Leonard's advice on vitamins "For the millions who are not able to do that, vitamins can be a useful supplement and they should not stop taking them," said spokeswoman Pamela Mason. Another nutritionist who has formulated supplements described the review as a "stitch-up", arguing it only looked at studies which examined the effect they had on reducing mortality, rather than other advantages. "Antioxidants are not meant to be magic bullets and should not be expected to undo a lifetime of unhealthy habits," said Patrick Holford. "But when used properly, in combination with eating a healthy diet full of fruit and vegetables, getting plenty of exercise and not smoking, antioxidant supplements can play an important role in maintaining and promoting overall health."
Fruits
Read the Numbers on Your Fruit
I just found this out about a month ago and I've been an organic vegan for over four years,
go figure. That just goes to say that we must all remain as students and continue to learn
and learn — never stop studying and gaining new information.
Okay, so what did I learn?
I learned that sticker labels on the fruits actually tell you how the fruits have been grown —
whether they were organically grown or conventionally grown with pesticides and herbicides;
oh, and let's not forget about the genetically engineered fruits.
Conventional Fruit Labels
Four digits and does not start with 9
** mostly starting with the digit 4
Organic Fruit Labels
Five digits and starts with number 9
Genetically Modified Fruits
Start with the digit 8
** this is good to know because stores aren't obligated to tell you if a fruit has been
genetically modified (grrr….)
Okay, so if you come across an apple in the store and it's labels4922, it's an conventional
apple grown with herbicides and harmful fertilizers. If it has a sticker 99222, it's organic
and safe to eat. If it says 89222, then RUN!!!! It has been genetically modified (GMO).
I just found this out about a month ago and I've been an organic vegan for over four years,
go figure. That just goes to say that we must all remain as students and continue to learn
and learn — never stop studying and gaining new information.
Okay, so what did I learn?
I learned that sticker labels on the fruits actually tell you how the fruits have been grown —
whether they were organically grown or conventionally grown with pesticides and herbicides;
oh, and let's not forget about the genetically engineered fruits.
Conventional Fruit Labels
Four digits and does not start with 9
** mostly starting with the digit 4
Organic Fruit Labels
Five digits and starts with number 9
Genetically Modified Fruits
Start with the digit 8
** this is good to know because stores aren't obligated to tell you if a fruit has been
genetically modified (grrr….)
Okay, so if you come across an apple in the store and it's labels4922, it's an conventional
apple grown with herbicides and harmful fertilizers. If it has a sticker 99222, it's organic
and safe to eat. If it says 89222, then RUN!!!! It has been genetically modified (GMO).
The wedding finger!
Why should the wedding ring be worn on the fourth finger?
There is a beautiful and convincing explanation given by the Chinese......
Thumb represents your Parents
Second (Index) finger represents your Siblings
Middle finger represents your-Self
Fourth (Ring) finger represents your Life Partner
& the Last (Little) finger represents your children
Firstly, open your palms (face to face), bend the middle fingers and hold them together at the 2nd joint-
Secondly, open and hold the remaining three fingers and the thumb - tip to tip
(As shown in the figure below):
[IMAGE]
Subject: Why people wear wedding ring on their fourth finger !!!
Now, try to separate your thumbs (representing the parents)..., they will open, because your parents are not destined to live with you lifelong, and have to leave you sooner or later.
Please join your thumbs as before and separate your Index fingers (representing siblings)...., they will also open, because your brothers and sisters will have their own families and will have to lead their own separate lives.
Now join the Index fingers and separate your Little fingers (representing your children)...., they will open too, because the children also will get married and settle down on their own some day.
Finally, join your Little fingers, and try to separate your Ring fingers (representing your spouse).
You will be surprised to see that you just CANNOT....., because Husband & Wife have to remain together all their lives - through thick and thin!!
Please try this out.............
ISN'T THIS A LOVELY THEORY?
There is a beautiful and convincing explanation given by the Chinese......
Thumb represents your Parents
Second (Index) finger represents your Siblings
Middle finger represents your-Self
Fourth (Ring) finger represents your Life Partner
& the Last (Little) finger represents your children
Firstly, open your palms (face to face), bend the middle fingers and hold them together at the 2nd joint-
Secondly, open and hold the remaining three fingers and the thumb - tip to tip
(As shown in the figure below):
[IMAGE]
Subject: Why people wear wedding ring on their fourth finger !!!
Now, try to separate your thumbs (representing the parents)..., they will open, because your parents are not destined to live with you lifelong, and have to leave you sooner or later.
Please join your thumbs as before and separate your Index fingers (representing siblings)...., they will also open, because your brothers and sisters will have their own families and will have to lead their own separate lives.
Now join the Index fingers and separate your Little fingers (representing your children)...., they will open too, because the children also will get married and settle down on their own some day.
Finally, join your Little fingers, and try to separate your Ring fingers (representing your spouse).
You will be surprised to see that you just CANNOT....., because Husband & Wife have to remain together all their lives - through thick and thin!!
Please try this out.............
ISN'T THIS A LOVELY THEORY?
Twisty fries triesTwistery tongue on trial
I wish to wish the wish you wish to wish, but if you wish the wish the witch wishes, I won't wish the wish you wish to wish.
Sounding by sound is a sound method of sounding sounds.
A sailor went to sea to see, what he could see. And all he could see was sea, sea, sea.
Purple Paper People, Purple Paper People, Purple Paper People
If two witches were watching two watches, which witch would watch which watch?
I thought a thought. But the thought I thought wasn't the thought I thought I thought. If the thought I thought I thought had been the thought I thought, I wouldn't have thought so much.
Once a fellow met a fellow In a field of beans. Said a fellow to a fellow, 'If a fellow asks a fellow, Can a fellow tell a fellow what a fellow means?'
Mr Inside went over to see Mr Outside. Mr Inside stood outside and called to MrOutside inside. Mr Outside answered Mr Inside from inside and Told Mr Inside to come inside. Mr Inside said 'NO', and told Mr Outside to come outside. MrOutside and Mr Inside argued from inside and outside about going outside or coming inside. Finally, Mr Outside coaxed Mr Inside to come inside, then both Mr Outside and Mr Inside went outside to the riverside.
She sells sea shells on the sea shore, but the sea shells that she sells, on the sea shore are not the real ones.
The owner of the inside inn was inside his inside inn with his inside outside his inside inn.
If one doctor doctors another doctor does the doctor who doctors the doctor doctor the doctor the way the doctor he is doctoring doctors? Or does the doctor doctor the way the doctor who doctors doctors? 'When a doctor falls ill another doctor doctor's the doctor. Does the doctor doctoring the doctor doctor the doctor in his own way or does the doctor doctoring the doctor doctors the doctor in the doctor's way'
We surely shall see the sun shine shortly. Whether the weather be fine, Or whether the weather be not, Whether the weather be cold Or whether the weather be hot, We'll weather the weather Whatever the weather, Whether we like it or not. watch? Whether the weather is hot. Whether the weather is cold. Whether the weather is either or not. It is whether we like it or not.
Nine nice night nurses nursing nicely.
A flea and a fly in a flue Said the fly 'Oh what should we do' Said the flea' Let us fly Said the fly' Let us flee' So they flew through a flaw in the flue!
If you tell Tom to tell a tongue-twister his tongue will be twisted as tongue-twister twists tongues.
Mr. See owned a saw. And Mr. Soar owned a seesaw. Now See's saw sawed Soar's seesaw Before Soar saw See, Which made Soar sore. Had Soar seen See's saw before See sawed Soar's seesaw, See's saw would not have sawed Soar's seesaw. So See's saw sawed Soar's seesaw.. But it was sad to see Soar so sore just because See's saw sawed Soar's seesaw!
Sounding by sound is a sound method of sounding sounds.
A sailor went to sea to see, what he could see. And all he could see was sea, sea, sea.
Purple Paper People, Purple Paper People, Purple Paper People
If two witches were watching two watches, which witch would watch which watch?
I thought a thought. But the thought I thought wasn't the thought I thought I thought. If the thought I thought I thought had been the thought I thought, I wouldn't have thought so much.
Once a fellow met a fellow In a field of beans. Said a fellow to a fellow, 'If a fellow asks a fellow, Can a fellow tell a fellow what a fellow means?'
Mr Inside went over to see Mr Outside. Mr Inside stood outside and called to MrOutside inside. Mr Outside answered Mr Inside from inside and Told Mr Inside to come inside. Mr Inside said 'NO', and told Mr Outside to come outside. MrOutside and Mr Inside argued from inside and outside about going outside or coming inside. Finally, Mr Outside coaxed Mr Inside to come inside, then both Mr Outside and Mr Inside went outside to the riverside.
She sells sea shells on the sea shore, but the sea shells that she sells, on the sea shore are not the real ones.
The owner of the inside inn was inside his inside inn with his inside outside his inside inn.
If one doctor doctors another doctor does the doctor who doctors the doctor doctor the doctor the way the doctor he is doctoring doctors? Or does the doctor doctor the way the doctor who doctors doctors? 'When a doctor falls ill another doctor doctor's the doctor. Does the doctor doctoring the doctor doctor the doctor in his own way or does the doctor doctoring the doctor doctors the doctor in the doctor's way'
We surely shall see the sun shine shortly. Whether the weather be fine, Or whether the weather be not, Whether the weather be cold Or whether the weather be hot, We'll weather the weather Whatever the weather, Whether we like it or not. watch? Whether the weather is hot. Whether the weather is cold. Whether the weather is either or not. It is whether we like it or not.
Nine nice night nurses nursing nicely.
A flea and a fly in a flue Said the fly 'Oh what should we do' Said the flea' Let us fly Said the fly' Let us flee' So they flew through a flaw in the flue!
If you tell Tom to tell a tongue-twister his tongue will be twisted as tongue-twister twists tongues.
Mr. See owned a saw. And Mr. Soar owned a seesaw. Now See's saw sawed Soar's seesaw Before Soar saw See, Which made Soar sore. Had Soar seen See's saw before See sawed Soar's seesaw, See's saw would not have sawed Soar's seesaw. So See's saw sawed Soar's seesaw.. But it was sad to see Soar so sore just because See's saw sawed Soar's seesaw!
Hohahehehehe
15 WAYS TO NEGATE THE RECENT FUEL PRICE INCREASE*
by TV Smith
13/05/05
Improve your vehicle's fuel consumption - by as much as 40% - by changing the way you currently drive. There is a catch, though. You'll no longer qualify as a Malaysian driver...
Link to this artcle: http://www.tvsmith.net.my/duasen/130505_fuel.html
1. Pump More Here & Pump Less There
Don't wait until your car senget one side before inflating your tyres. Low tyre pressure forces your engine to work and drink harder. Driving on underinflated tyres also reduces the life of the tyres. A lose-lose situation.
2. Dig Your Nose
Digging your nose (patience ! ) is more economical than gunning your engine while waiting at traffic lights. Jack rabbit starts cost you even more. Never floor the pedal unless there's an express bus looming in your rearview mirror. Learn how to accelerate (and brake) smoothly for better fuel efficiency.
3. Pay It Again Sam
You may be using an alternative toll-free road as a sign of protest or as a means of saving money. If the the old route is perpetually congested and longer, you may end up burning more fuel than the toll saved. Sad but often true.
4. Go Look Stop
Are you one of those who frequently get stuck behind a stalled vehicle, crash into road humps or potholes? If you look further than 3 meters while driving, you can better anticipate obstacles and avoid fuel guzzling start-stop situations. Good reason not to tailgate too.
5. Make Up Your Mind
I don't know if it's kiasuness or indecisiveness that makes people drive with the other foot riding the brake pedal. A slight touch might not be noticeable to you but it strains the engine, wears out your brakes prematurely and confuses the poor driver behind. Make sure your handbrake is down all the way too.
Link to this artcl
6. Get Rid Of Freeloaders
The less passengers the less weight. The less load the better the fuel economy. If you want to car pool, pool the cost. Clear your boot by removing unutilised items like golf sets, prams, barbecue sets, scuba gear, etc.
7. Bear With Crow Shit
Park your car under the shade wherever possible. The hotter your car interior becomes, the harder the air-conditioning needs to work later, the more fuel the engine consumes as a result. The hot sun also increases fuel loss through evaporation.
8. Stay Safe & Save
Fuel consumption jumps dramatically after a certain speed. Keeping to the speed limit saves you more than traffic fines. Driving at 120 kph, rather than 100 kph, may increase fuel consumption by another 25 percent. The dangers of speeding far outweigh the travel time saved.
9. Get A Life
Stop pissing off your neighbours in the mornings and do yourself a favour. Most modern cars have no chokes or carburetors, so there's no need for long, noisy engine warm- ups. Hard revving a cold engine kills it faster than driving it.
10. Let The Bugger Go
There's no need to catch up with an offending driver just to show a finger or fist. You end up either paying more for fuel or a hefty hospital bill.
11. Learn From Your Mistakes
If your wife or girlfriend says she needs to pop into a warehouse sale for a quick look-see, find a parking spot and turn off the engine. Long idling wastes fuel and pollutes the environment.
Link to this artcle:
12. Don't Be A Drag Queen
Remove that empty showoff roof rack or that ugly ill-designed Ah Beng spoiler as it causes unnecessary drag. Smoking with your windows down at cruising speed also increases drag. Newer cars (except the Juara) are aerodynamically designed for fuel efficiency. Stop adding unnecessary external accessories such as jutting elbows.
13. Meter The Meter
Keep track of your car's fuel consumption by monitoring the odometer or tripmeter. A sudden drop may mean mechanical problems. Timely oil change and other maintenance can save you significant amount of fuel.
14. Try A Different Nasi Lemak
All petrol are the same except for the additives and advertising. Contrary to what most Malaysians believe, you can mix your fuel. There's really no need to waste fuel by driving out of the way just to fill up your favourite brand and redemption card.
Link to this artcle:
15. Get A New Boss
Use online banking or find a better employer. Stop driving to an ATM every hour just to check whether your salary is in.
by TV Smith
13/05/05
Improve your vehicle's fuel consumption - by as much as 40% - by changing the way you currently drive. There is a catch, though. You'll no longer qualify as a Malaysian driver...
Link to this artcle: http://www.tvsmith.net.my/duasen/130505_fuel.html
1. Pump More Here & Pump Less There
Don't wait until your car senget one side before inflating your tyres. Low tyre pressure forces your engine to work and drink harder. Driving on underinflated tyres also reduces the life of the tyres. A lose-lose situation.
2. Dig Your Nose
Digging your nose (patience ! ) is more economical than gunning your engine while waiting at traffic lights. Jack rabbit starts cost you even more. Never floor the pedal unless there's an express bus looming in your rearview mirror. Learn how to accelerate (and brake) smoothly for better fuel efficiency.
3. Pay It Again Sam
You may be using an alternative toll-free road as a sign of protest or as a means of saving money. If the the old route is perpetually congested and longer, you may end up burning more fuel than the toll saved. Sad but often true.
4. Go Look Stop
Are you one of those who frequently get stuck behind a stalled vehicle, crash into road humps or potholes? If you look further than 3 meters while driving, you can better anticipate obstacles and avoid fuel guzzling start-stop situations. Good reason not to tailgate too.
5. Make Up Your Mind
I don't know if it's kiasuness or indecisiveness that makes people drive with the other foot riding the brake pedal. A slight touch might not be noticeable to you but it strains the engine, wears out your brakes prematurely and confuses the poor driver behind. Make sure your handbrake is down all the way too.
Link to this artcl
6. Get Rid Of Freeloaders
The less passengers the less weight. The less load the better the fuel economy. If you want to car pool, pool the cost. Clear your boot by removing unutilised items like golf sets, prams, barbecue sets, scuba gear, etc.
7. Bear With Crow Shit
Park your car under the shade wherever possible. The hotter your car interior becomes, the harder the air-conditioning needs to work later, the more fuel the engine consumes as a result. The hot sun also increases fuel loss through evaporation.
8. Stay Safe & Save
Fuel consumption jumps dramatically after a certain speed. Keeping to the speed limit saves you more than traffic fines. Driving at 120 kph, rather than 100 kph, may increase fuel consumption by another 25 percent. The dangers of speeding far outweigh the travel time saved.
9. Get A Life
Stop pissing off your neighbours in the mornings and do yourself a favour. Most modern cars have no chokes or carburetors, so there's no need for long, noisy engine warm- ups. Hard revving a cold engine kills it faster than driving it.
10. Let The Bugger Go
There's no need to catch up with an offending driver just to show a finger or fist. You end up either paying more for fuel or a hefty hospital bill.
11. Learn From Your Mistakes
If your wife or girlfriend says she needs to pop into a warehouse sale for a quick look-see, find a parking spot and turn off the engine. Long idling wastes fuel and pollutes the environment.
Link to this artcle:
12. Don't Be A Drag Queen
Remove that empty showoff roof rack or that ugly ill-designed Ah Beng spoiler as it causes unnecessary drag. Smoking with your windows down at cruising speed also increases drag. Newer cars (except the Juara) are aerodynamically designed for fuel efficiency. Stop adding unnecessary external accessories such as jutting elbows.
13. Meter The Meter
Keep track of your car's fuel consumption by monitoring the odometer or tripmeter. A sudden drop may mean mechanical problems. Timely oil change and other maintenance can save you significant amount of fuel.
14. Try A Different Nasi Lemak
All petrol are the same except for the additives and advertising. Contrary to what most Malaysians believe, you can mix your fuel. There's really no need to waste fuel by driving out of the way just to fill up your favourite brand and redemption card.
Link to this artcle:
15. Get A New Boss
Use online banking or find a better employer. Stop driving to an ATM every hour just to check whether your salary is in.
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