Eight years I gave to you
And now it’s time to leave
I’ve given you all I had
But that you won’t believe.
As I look into the trunk
A box, a backpack, a coffee pot
Is what I leave possessing
And much more you have not.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Help!
A man awoke one evening to discover prowlers in his storage shed. He immediately called 000, gave his address, to report the prowlers and possible burglary. The operator at the other end said "Are they in your house?"
He said they were not, only in his storage shed in back of the house. The operator said there were no cars available at that time. He thanked the operator, hung up the phone and counted to 30 and called again.
"I just called you about prowlers in my storage shed. Well you do not have to worry, as I just shot them all dead!"
Within seconds there were 3 police cars, an ambulance and fire engine at the scene. After capturing the prowlers red-handed, the policeman asked the caller, "I thought you said you had shot them all!"
The man answered, "I thought you said there were no police available!"
He said they were not, only in his storage shed in back of the house. The operator said there were no cars available at that time. He thanked the operator, hung up the phone and counted to 30 and called again.
"I just called you about prowlers in my storage shed. Well you do not have to worry, as I just shot them all dead!"
Within seconds there were 3 police cars, an ambulance and fire engine at the scene. After capturing the prowlers red-handed, the policeman asked the caller, "I thought you said you had shot them all!"
The man answered, "I thought you said there were no police available!"
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Guilty Pleasure
The dark holds my empty hand
The stars have turned away
Time to stroke my guilty pleasure
It’s cold – but that’s my way.
I shield it from prying eyes
Take it out when drunk or tired
Polish it with some guilty pleasure
Until my brow is perspired.
I tell no-one of my guilty pleasure
Lest they not understand
I’m left with my shameful smile
And the darkness in my hand.
The stars have turned away
Time to stroke my guilty pleasure
It’s cold – but that’s my way.
I shield it from prying eyes
Take it out when drunk or tired
Polish it with some guilty pleasure
Until my brow is perspired.
I tell no-one of my guilty pleasure
Lest they not understand
I’m left with my shameful smile
And the darkness in my hand.
Lotto
An Antartian named Babbette finds herself in dire trouble. Her business has gone bust and she's in serious financial trouble. She's so desperate that she decides to ask God for help. She begins to pray... "God, please help me. I've lost my business and if I don't get some money, I'm going to lose my house as well. Please let me win the lotto."
Lotto night comes and somebody else wins it. Babbette again prays..."God, please let me win the lotto! I've lost my business, my house and I'm going to lose my car as well."
Lotto night comes and Babbette still has no luck.
Once again, she prays..."My God, why have you forsaken me?? I've lost my business, my house and my car. My children are starving. I don't often ask you for help and I have always been a good servant to you. PLEASE just let me win the lotto this one time so I can get my life back in order."
Suddenly there is a blinding flash of light as the heavens open and Babbette is confronted by the voice of God Himself: "Babbette, meet Me halfway on this. Buy a ticket."
Lotto night comes and somebody else wins it. Babbette again prays..."God, please let me win the lotto! I've lost my business, my house and I'm going to lose my car as well."
Lotto night comes and Babbette still has no luck.
Once again, she prays..."My God, why have you forsaken me?? I've lost my business, my house and my car. My children are starving. I don't often ask you for help and I have always been a good servant to you. PLEASE just let me win the lotto this one time so I can get my life back in order."
Suddenly there is a blinding flash of light as the heavens open and Babbette is confronted by the voice of God Himself: "Babbette, meet Me halfway on this. Buy a ticket."
Friday, September 28, 2007
What Great Principals Do Differently
by Ellen R. Delisio
Great principals set themselves apart by leading by example, setting clear and high expectations, and surrounding themselves with great people. "People are the problem and people are the solution. "If teachers don't know a behaviour is wrong, tell them at the first faculty meeting of the year. Once you make clear what is right or wrong, most people will try to do what's right."
BE GREAT, AND FIND, CREATE GREAT PEOPLE
One characteristic that sets apart great principals is the ability to know how they come across, Rarely do teacher assessments of a principal and the principal's self-assessment match, he said. "Almost all principals think they're good." Principals should strive to hire great teachers, or teachers with the potential to be great, by investigating their training. "If a student teacher trains with exemplary people, the chance of that student teacher being an exemplary teacher increases exponentially."
Besides hiring great teachers, another way a principal can cultivate an effective staff is by modelling effective behaviour. "You can't learn from ineffective people.” "The most valuable gift a principal can give teachers is confidence," he said. Modelling appropriate behaviour can include never arguing with a teacher and never arguing with a student. "And never yell, It's ineffective."
Great principals should never use sarcasm, and should instruct their staff members never to use it either, he said. Ten days out of ten, great principals need to treat every student with dignity. "You don't even have to like kids. Just act like you like them." Then in making decisions, principals should base their actions on their best teachers. As part of the decision-making process, great principals should ask themselves:
• What is the purpose of this?
• Will this actually accomplish the purpose?
• How will the most positive and productive people feel about this?
SEEING THE WHOLE PICTURE
Great principals also are visible, and are able to look at the big picture. "Principals should be in classes every day. When it comes to problem behaviour, quickly zero in on the problem and save your energy for everyone else. "By addressing negative behaviour to a group, you let the guilty people off, The least important kid is the one in your office. You have to worry about all the others. "You also never want a kid to leave the office mad. You want him to leave different."
Problem staff members can drain resources as well. Often when a school has a difficult teacher, an assistant principal or another administrator has to spend time and effort running interference for that teacher. Educators also need to remember that they work in a field where the potential for change always is present. "We start undefeated every year."
Great principals set themselves apart by leading by example, setting clear and high expectations, and surrounding themselves with great people. "People are the problem and people are the solution. "If teachers don't know a behaviour is wrong, tell them at the first faculty meeting of the year. Once you make clear what is right or wrong, most people will try to do what's right."
BE GREAT, AND FIND, CREATE GREAT PEOPLE
One characteristic that sets apart great principals is the ability to know how they come across, Rarely do teacher assessments of a principal and the principal's self-assessment match, he said. "Almost all principals think they're good." Principals should strive to hire great teachers, or teachers with the potential to be great, by investigating their training. "If a student teacher trains with exemplary people, the chance of that student teacher being an exemplary teacher increases exponentially."
Besides hiring great teachers, another way a principal can cultivate an effective staff is by modelling effective behaviour. "You can't learn from ineffective people.” "The most valuable gift a principal can give teachers is confidence," he said. Modelling appropriate behaviour can include never arguing with a teacher and never arguing with a student. "And never yell, It's ineffective."
Great principals should never use sarcasm, and should instruct their staff members never to use it either, he said. Ten days out of ten, great principals need to treat every student with dignity. "You don't even have to like kids. Just act like you like them." Then in making decisions, principals should base their actions on their best teachers. As part of the decision-making process, great principals should ask themselves:
• What is the purpose of this?
• Will this actually accomplish the purpose?
• How will the most positive and productive people feel about this?
SEEING THE WHOLE PICTURE
Great principals also are visible, and are able to look at the big picture. "Principals should be in classes every day. When it comes to problem behaviour, quickly zero in on the problem and save your energy for everyone else. "By addressing negative behaviour to a group, you let the guilty people off, The least important kid is the one in your office. You have to worry about all the others. "You also never want a kid to leave the office mad. You want him to leave different."
Problem staff members can drain resources as well. Often when a school has a difficult teacher, an assistant principal or another administrator has to spend time and effort running interference for that teacher. Educators also need to remember that they work in a field where the potential for change always is present. "We start undefeated every year."
Thursday, September 27, 2007
THE FOUR COMPETENCIES OF A LEADER
Dr. Peter Drucker
Keep your eye on the task, not on yourself.
The task matters, and you are a servant.
Most organizations need somebody who can lead regardless of the weather. What matters is that he or she works on the basic competencies. As the first such basic competence, I would put the willingness, ability, and self-discipline to listen. Listening is not a skill; it is a discipline. Anybody can do it. All you have to do is keep your mouth shut. The second essential competence is the willingness to communicate, to make yourself understood. That requires infinite patience. The next important competence is not to alibi. Say: "This doesn't work as well as it should. Let's take it back and reengineer it." The last basic competence is the willingness to realize how unimportant you are to the task. Leaders subordinate themselves to the task.
When effective leaders have the capacity to maintain their personality and individuality, even though they are totally dedicated, the task will go on after them. They also have a human existence outside of the task. Otherwise they do things for personal aggrandizement, in the belief that this furthers the cause. They become self-centred and vain. And above all, they become jealous. One of the great strengths of Winston Churchill was that Churchill, to the very end, pushed and furthered young politicians.
ACTION POINT: Set aside ten minutes every Friday afternoon to give yourself a weekly report card on all four skills: listening, communicating, reengineering mistakes, and subordinating your ego to the task at hand.
Keep your eye on the task, not on yourself.
The task matters, and you are a servant.
Most organizations need somebody who can lead regardless of the weather. What matters is that he or she works on the basic competencies. As the first such basic competence, I would put the willingness, ability, and self-discipline to listen. Listening is not a skill; it is a discipline. Anybody can do it. All you have to do is keep your mouth shut. The second essential competence is the willingness to communicate, to make yourself understood. That requires infinite patience. The next important competence is not to alibi. Say: "This doesn't work as well as it should. Let's take it back and reengineer it." The last basic competence is the willingness to realize how unimportant you are to the task. Leaders subordinate themselves to the task.
When effective leaders have the capacity to maintain their personality and individuality, even though they are totally dedicated, the task will go on after them. They also have a human existence outside of the task. Otherwise they do things for personal aggrandizement, in the belief that this furthers the cause. They become self-centred and vain. And above all, they become jealous. One of the great strengths of Winston Churchill was that Churchill, to the very end, pushed and furthered young politicians.
ACTION POINT: Set aside ten minutes every Friday afternoon to give yourself a weekly report card on all four skills: listening, communicating, reengineering mistakes, and subordinating your ego to the task at hand.
Pickup lines 2
Guy: Haven’t I seen you someplace before?
Girl: Yes, that’s why I don’t go there anymore.
Girl: Yes, that’s why I don’t go there anymore.
The standard dash 2
Note the three speed manual gearbox column shift. Ever wondered where the gear positions are?
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Pickup lines 1
Guy: Miss, do have a bandaid?
Girl: Yes, why?
Guy: Because I scraped my knees when I fell for you!
Girl: Yes, why?
Guy: Because I scraped my knees when I fell for you!
The standard dash
Up until now I have detailed the GT or ‘sports’ dash. What of the standard dash ? This is an XB.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Reading tips
As a lifelong educator, I'm inspired by the renewed enthusiasm for reading generated by last week's release of the final Harry Potter book. Reading ability is a prime predictor of success not only in school, but also in adults' vocational and professional lives. As we move into a more technology-driven economy, reading remains key in enabling children and adults to succeed. Other books which also excite children are:
• "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White. "Charlotte's Web" spins the tale of a pig named Wilbur who is befriended and saved by Charlotte, a media-savvy spider.
• "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl. The importance of family -- and chocolate -- are emphasized for a poor young boy named Charlie Bucket, whose dreams come true when he visits the chocolate factory of the eccentric Willy Wonka.
• "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S. Lewis. This series of seven fantasy books borrows religious, mythological and fairy tale themes and sets them against the backdrop of a magic land of talking animals called Narnia. The series' first book, "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," tells the tale of four siblings who are transported to Narnia and are called on to help fulfill an ancient prophecy.
• "Holes" by Louis Sachar. In this book, which won the 1999 Newbery Medal for children's literature, the adventures of wrongly accused juvenile criminal Stanley Yelnats lead him to learn that hard work and accepting other people pay off in the end.
• "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson. This 1978 Newbery winner recounts a friendship between two lonely children whose combined imaginations create a magical land in the forest near their Virginia homes.
For more mature readers, books like "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien offer the same movie and book combination to help with reading motivation.
• "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White. "Charlotte's Web" spins the tale of a pig named Wilbur who is befriended and saved by Charlotte, a media-savvy spider.
• "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl. The importance of family -- and chocolate -- are emphasized for a poor young boy named Charlie Bucket, whose dreams come true when he visits the chocolate factory of the eccentric Willy Wonka.
• "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S. Lewis. This series of seven fantasy books borrows religious, mythological and fairy tale themes and sets them against the backdrop of a magic land of talking animals called Narnia. The series' first book, "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," tells the tale of four siblings who are transported to Narnia and are called on to help fulfill an ancient prophecy.
• "Holes" by Louis Sachar. In this book, which won the 1999 Newbery Medal for children's literature, the adventures of wrongly accused juvenile criminal Stanley Yelnats lead him to learn that hard work and accepting other people pay off in the end.
• "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson. This 1978 Newbery winner recounts a friendship between two lonely children whose combined imaginations create a magical land in the forest near their Virginia homes.
For more mature readers, books like "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien offer the same movie and book combination to help with reading motivation.
Where do I go?
A rather old fashioned lady, always quite delicate and elegant, especially in her language, was planning a weeks holiday in Sydney with her husband, so she wrote to a particular camping ground and asked for a reservation.
She wanted to make sure that the camping ground was fully equipped, but didn't know quite how to ask about the toilet facilities. She just couldn't bring herself
to write the word "toilet" in her letter.
After much thought, she finally came up with the old fashioned term "Bathroom closet" but when she wrote it down, she still thought she was being too forward, so she started all over again, rewrote the letter, and referred to the bathroom closet as the B.C.
"Does the camping ground have it's own B.C." is what she wrote.
Well, the camping ground owner wasn't a bit old fashioned, and he just couldn't figure out what the old lady was talking about, so he showed the letter around a few of the campers and the only thing they could come up with was that B.C. stood for Baptist Church, so he wrote the following reply.
Dear Madam,
I regret very much the delay in answering your letter, but I now take the pleasure of informing you that a B.C. is located nine miles north of our camping ground, and is capable of seating 250 people at one time.
I admit that it is quite a distance away if you are in the habit of going regularly but no doubt you will be pleased to know that a great number of campers go there and many take their lunches along and make a day of it. They usually arrive nice and early and stay quite late.
The last time my wife and I went was six years ago, and it was so crowded we had to stand up the whole time we were there. It may interest you to know that there is a special supper planned there to raise money to buy more seats so that everyone will be able to sit in comfort.
I would like to say that it pains me very much not to be able to go more regularly, but it is surely no lack of desire on my part, just that I am so busy most of the time.
As we grow older, it seems to be more of an effort to go, especially in the cold weather. If you decide to come down to our camping ground perhaps I could go with you the first time you go, sit with you and introduce you to all the other folks.
Remember this is a very friendly community
She wanted to make sure that the camping ground was fully equipped, but didn't know quite how to ask about the toilet facilities. She just couldn't bring herself
to write the word "toilet" in her letter.
After much thought, she finally came up with the old fashioned term "Bathroom closet" but when she wrote it down, she still thought she was being too forward, so she started all over again, rewrote the letter, and referred to the bathroom closet as the B.C.
"Does the camping ground have it's own B.C." is what she wrote.
Well, the camping ground owner wasn't a bit old fashioned, and he just couldn't figure out what the old lady was talking about, so he showed the letter around a few of the campers and the only thing they could come up with was that B.C. stood for Baptist Church, so he wrote the following reply.
Dear Madam,
I regret very much the delay in answering your letter, but I now take the pleasure of informing you that a B.C. is located nine miles north of our camping ground, and is capable of seating 250 people at one time.
I admit that it is quite a distance away if you are in the habit of going regularly but no doubt you will be pleased to know that a great number of campers go there and many take their lunches along and make a day of it. They usually arrive nice and early and stay quite late.
The last time my wife and I went was six years ago, and it was so crowded we had to stand up the whole time we were there. It may interest you to know that there is a special supper planned there to raise money to buy more seats so that everyone will be able to sit in comfort.
I would like to say that it pains me very much not to be able to go more regularly, but it is surely no lack of desire on my part, just that I am so busy most of the time.
As we grow older, it seems to be more of an effort to go, especially in the cold weather. If you decide to come down to our camping ground perhaps I could go with you the first time you go, sit with you and introduce you to all the other folks.
Remember this is a very friendly community
XB-XC changes
Sure enough, as some late XBs got the XC rear wings, so some also ended up fitted with XC dashes and door trims.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Perspective
A young man, who was also an avid golfer, found himself with a few hours to spare one afternoon. He figured that if he hurried and played very fast, he could get in 9 holes before he had to head home. Just as he was about to tee off, an old gentleman shuffled onto the tee and asked if he could accompany the young man as he was golfing alone. Not being able to say no, he allowed the old man to join him.
To his surprise, the old man played fairly quickly. He didn't hit the ball far, but plodded along consistently and didn't waste much time. Finally, they reached the 9th fairway and the young man found himself with a tough shot. There was a large pine tree right in front of his ball and directly between his ball and the green. After several minutes of debating how to hit the shot, the old man finally said, "You know, when I was your age, I'd hit the ball right over that tree."
With that challenge placed before him, the youngster swung hard, hit the ball up, right smack into the top of the tree trunk and it thudded back on the ground not a foot from where it had originally lay.
The old man offered one more comment, "Of course, when I was your age, that pine tree was only 3 feet tall."
To his surprise, the old man played fairly quickly. He didn't hit the ball far, but plodded along consistently and didn't waste much time. Finally, they reached the 9th fairway and the young man found himself with a tough shot. There was a large pine tree right in front of his ball and directly between his ball and the green. After several minutes of debating how to hit the shot, the old man finally said, "You know, when I was your age, I'd hit the ball right over that tree."
With that challenge placed before him, the youngster swung hard, hit the ball up, right smack into the top of the tree trunk and it thudded back on the ground not a foot from where it had originally lay.
The old man offered one more comment, "Of course, when I was your age, that pine tree was only 3 feet tall."
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Time
The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot -Michael Altshuler,
professional leadership coach
professional leadership coach
Great photos
The photographer for a national magazine was assigned to get photos of a great forest fire. Smoke at the scene was too thick to get any good shots, so he frantically called his home office to hire a plane. "It will be waiting for you at the airport!" he was assured by his editor. As soon as he got to the small, rural airport, sure enough, a plane was warming up near the runway. He jumped in with his equipment and yelled, "Let's go! Let's go!" The pilot swung the plane into the wind and soon they were in the air. "Fly over the north side of the fire," said the photographer, "and make three or four low level passes." "Why?" asked the pilot. "Because I'm going to take pictures! I'm a photographer, and photographers take pictures!" said the photographer with great exasperation. After a long pause the pilot said, "You mean you're not the instructor?"
Saturday, September 22, 2007
The Winning Philosophy
from Matthew C. Horne
A person's philosophy embodies who they are and validates their standing in life. Your personal philosophy is based solely on your life experiences, and the results you've attained thus far. Ask yourself, do you have the results you want in all areas of your life? If you do then thanks for reading this far,
and I'll see you next time... just kidding :-) If not, then a change in philosophy is needed to achieve the goals you envision for yourself.
In all actuality, you're success will never exceed your personal philosophy. The story in your mind concerning your limitless possibilities is what enables you to soar to unseen heights in life. If the results in your life don't match with the desires of your heart, then a change must be made. This change is as simple as adopting the philosophy of someone who is doing what you envision yourself doing at the level which you envision yourself operating at.
The average man has difficulty asking for directions when he's lost on the road. This too holds true when a man is lost in life! Adopting someone else's philosophy is submitting to the results they have on their life and believing it will be duplicated in yours.
The Bible says "pride goeth before destruction." Yes, pride will allow you to think your way of doing things, which hasn't gotten you the results you want out of life, will somehow work for you one day. Destruction will manifest itself in the form of you never becoming what your Creator has intended you to be.
Any uncommon act of humility is a prelude to incredible increase. Realizing your way isn't working and adopting the philosophy of someone who's doing it at the level you want to, is an uncommon act of humility. You'll find that it also is a gateway to incredible increase as the results that once eluded you will begin to actualize themselves.
When you adopt a person's philosophy, you order from their menu so to speak. You can have whatever they've accomplished.
There's a basketball player named Kobe Bryant who was ridiculed when he first entered the NBA for his undeniable imitation of Michael Jordan. His on and off the court characteristics exemplified Mike to an unmistakable degree. He was called names like "Heir Jordan," "Carbon Copy Mike." Something strange happened... he began to perpetuate the same accomplishments of the man he imitated... the rings, the MVP's, the dunk contest championship.
Something even stranger is happening. When I watch Kobe Bryant now, I don't see that "Carbon Copy Mike;" I see the player we've come to know as Kobe Bryant. I see less and less of Michael Jordan and more and more of Kobe Bryant, but more and more of Mike's accomplishments. He's emerged into his own identity through humbling himself and adopting the philosophy of a person who was doing what
he envisioned himself doing at the level he wanted to do it.
Success does not come through innovation; success is in duplication! Through duplication you'll find YOUR true identity. There is always someone who's already done it! Incline your eyes and ears to the clues the Universe sets before you, and your success is right there for the taking!
A person's philosophy embodies who they are and validates their standing in life. Your personal philosophy is based solely on your life experiences, and the results you've attained thus far. Ask yourself, do you have the results you want in all areas of your life? If you do then thanks for reading this far,
and I'll see you next time... just kidding :-) If not, then a change in philosophy is needed to achieve the goals you envision for yourself.
In all actuality, you're success will never exceed your personal philosophy. The story in your mind concerning your limitless possibilities is what enables you to soar to unseen heights in life. If the results in your life don't match with the desires of your heart, then a change must be made. This change is as simple as adopting the philosophy of someone who is doing what you envision yourself doing at the level which you envision yourself operating at.
The average man has difficulty asking for directions when he's lost on the road. This too holds true when a man is lost in life! Adopting someone else's philosophy is submitting to the results they have on their life and believing it will be duplicated in yours.
The Bible says "pride goeth before destruction." Yes, pride will allow you to think your way of doing things, which hasn't gotten you the results you want out of life, will somehow work for you one day. Destruction will manifest itself in the form of you never becoming what your Creator has intended you to be.
Any uncommon act of humility is a prelude to incredible increase. Realizing your way isn't working and adopting the philosophy of someone who's doing it at the level you want to, is an uncommon act of humility. You'll find that it also is a gateway to incredible increase as the results that once eluded you will begin to actualize themselves.
When you adopt a person's philosophy, you order from their menu so to speak. You can have whatever they've accomplished.
There's a basketball player named Kobe Bryant who was ridiculed when he first entered the NBA for his undeniable imitation of Michael Jordan. His on and off the court characteristics exemplified Mike to an unmistakable degree. He was called names like "Heir Jordan," "Carbon Copy Mike." Something strange happened... he began to perpetuate the same accomplishments of the man he imitated... the rings, the MVP's, the dunk contest championship.
Something even stranger is happening. When I watch Kobe Bryant now, I don't see that "Carbon Copy Mike;" I see the player we've come to know as Kobe Bryant. I see less and less of Michael Jordan and more and more of Kobe Bryant, but more and more of Mike's accomplishments. He's emerged into his own identity through humbling himself and adopting the philosophy of a person who was doing what
he envisioned himself doing at the level he wanted to do it.
Success does not come through innovation; success is in duplication! Through duplication you'll find YOUR true identity. There is always someone who's already done it! Incline your eyes and ears to the clues the Universe sets before you, and your success is right there for the taking!
Smarts
An Israeli soldier who just enlisted asked the Commanding Officer for a 3-day pass.
The CO says "Are you crazy? You just join the Israeli army, and you already want a 3-day pass? You must do something spectacular for that recognition!" So the soldier comes back a day later in an Arab tank! The CO was so impressed, he asked
"How did you do it?"
"Well, I jumped in a tank, and went toward the border with the Arabs. I approached the border, and saw an Arab tank. I put my white flag up, the Arab tank put his white flag up. I said to the Arab soldier, "Do you want to get a three-day pass? So we exchanged tanks!"
The CO says "Are you crazy? You just join the Israeli army, and you already want a 3-day pass? You must do something spectacular for that recognition!" So the soldier comes back a day later in an Arab tank! The CO was so impressed, he asked
"How did you do it?"
"Well, I jumped in a tank, and went toward the border with the Arabs. I approached the border, and saw an Arab tank. I put my white flag up, the Arab tank put his white flag up. I said to the Arab soldier, "Do you want to get a three-day pass? So we exchanged tanks!"
More changeovers
But, of course, this is not the end of the story, because after the XB came the XC, and as well as changing much mechanically and giving the Falcon a facelift, the XC also had a completely new dash.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Shells
I live in Florida in an area that is famous for its shells. Many tourists wake up at 5:00 in the morning to find the best shells. Living here, we have learned where to find the best shells and how to look for them. A lot of tourists spend time walking up and down the shore on the same beach and they don't tend to find very interesting stuff. And I figure, since I live here, there's no real point in looking for shells for myself since I already have a big collection. So, whenever I find really nice shells (and sand dollars- those are not easy to find but are in high demand), I go out at night and scatter them along the beach for some lucky tourist to find.
Once I saw a family find a really pretty sand dollar I had left and they were so excited! It made their vacation. Plus, they were from Europe and they had travelled a long way for their vacation. I was so glad that someone deserving got my little gift! I'll continue to leave more shells along the beach whenever I can!
Once I saw a family find a really pretty sand dollar I had left and they were so excited! It made their vacation. Plus, they were from Europe and they had travelled a long way for their vacation. I was so glad that someone deserving got my little gift! I'll continue to leave more shells along the beach whenever I can!
Hearing test
Seems an elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for a number of years.
He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted for a set of hearing aids that allowed the gentleman to hear 100%. The elderly gentleman went back in a month to the doctor and the doctor said, "Your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased you can hear again."
To which the gentleman said, "Oh, I haven't told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to the conversations. I've changed my will five times!"
He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted for a set of hearing aids that allowed the gentleman to hear 100%. The elderly gentleman went back in a month to the doctor and the doctor said, "Your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased you can hear again."
To which the gentleman said, "Oh, I haven't told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to the conversations. I've changed my will five times!"
Dash it
Well, the dash changeovers lesson was relatively straight forward.
Except.
This a dash from an XA GT RPO83 car.
The RPO83 was a special model produced by Ford as a means of homologating parts so that they could be used in the ATCC race cars. Originally, there was supposed to have been a Phase4 version of the XA model that Ford would have sold to the public and used as the basis for its race cars, but the Phase4 was cancelled, and the RPO - Regular Production Option - 83 was offered instead, almost as quiet method of slipping some of the ‘race’ car parts out of the factory door.
What interests us is that the RPOs were all produced at the end of the XA model run. Production was started in May but was then delayed by ten weeks of strikes so the vast majority of RPO83’s were built in August, 1973, the month before XB production was due to start. As a result, while the early - May - cars had the standard \ / \ / XA auxilliary gauge dash, quite a few of the later - August - ones came with the strange combination shown above, \ / / / with the fuel and temperature gauges from the XB model.
Except.
This a dash from an XA GT RPO83 car.
The RPO83 was a special model produced by Ford as a means of homologating parts so that they could be used in the ATCC race cars. Originally, there was supposed to have been a Phase4 version of the XA model that Ford would have sold to the public and used as the basis for its race cars, but the Phase4 was cancelled, and the RPO - Regular Production Option - 83 was offered instead, almost as quiet method of slipping some of the ‘race’ car parts out of the factory door.
What interests us is that the RPOs were all produced at the end of the XA model run. Production was started in May but was then delayed by ten weeks of strikes so the vast majority of RPO83’s were built in August, 1973, the month before XB production was due to start. As a result, while the early - May - cars had the standard \ / \ / XA auxilliary gauge dash, quite a few of the later - August - ones came with the strange combination shown above, \ / / / with the fuel and temperature gauges from the XB model.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Knowledge
~ To imagine is everything, to know is nothing at all. – Anatole France, The Crime of Sylvester Beranard, 1881.
Generation
Our generation never got a break. When we were young they taught us to respect our elders. Now that we are older, they tell us to listen to the youth of the country.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Apply what you know
"Knowledge of any kind ... brings about a change in awareness from where it is possible to create new realities." -- Deepak Chopra
As we evolve, we handle knowledge in different ways. We tend to move through these stages:
- We are unaware.
- We become aware of facts, data, information.
- We comprehend meaning from the facts.
- We can personally apply the information in our lives.
- We have wisdom - enlightened, we can lovingly apply our knowledge to world affairs.
- We live in truth.
How have you personally experienced a shifting of applying knowledge from one level to the next?
"More important than finding the teacher is finding and following the truth of the teaching...." Sogyal Rinpoche
As we evolve, we handle knowledge in different ways. We tend to move through these stages:
- We are unaware.
- We become aware of facts, data, information.
- We comprehend meaning from the facts.
- We can personally apply the information in our lives.
- We have wisdom - enlightened, we can lovingly apply our knowledge to world affairs.
- We live in truth.
How have you personally experienced a shifting of applying knowledge from one level to the next?
"More important than finding the teacher is finding and following the truth of the teaching...." Sogyal Rinpoche
Deduction
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson went on a camping trip. After a good meal and a bottle of wine, they lay down for the night, and went to sleep.
Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend.
"Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see."
Watson replied, "I see millions and millions of stars."
"What does that tell you?" Holmes asked.
Watson pondered for a minute. "Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets.
Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, I can see that God is all-powerful and that we are small and insignificant.
Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.
What does it tell you?"
Holmes was silent for a minute, then spoke.
"Watson, you idiot. Somebody has stolen our tent!"
Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend.
"Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see."
Watson replied, "I see millions and millions of stars."
"What does that tell you?" Holmes asked.
Watson pondered for a minute. "Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets.
Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, I can see that God is all-powerful and that we are small and insignificant.
Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.
What does it tell you?"
Holmes was silent for a minute, then spoke.
"Watson, you idiot. Somebody has stolen our tent!"
Dash changeovers
This is the XB. Notice that the gauges have been changed so the at rest position of the needles in the auxillary gauges is more logical, and exhibits a pattern that resembles, / / / /
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Green schools
The Independent. London: Ministers aim to turn every secondary school 'green' By Richard Garner, Education Editor , Published: 16 April 2007
Every new secondary school will be "green" under a radical initiative being planned by the Government. The Education Secretary, Alan Johnson, has won £100m from Chancellor Gordon Brown's comprehensive spending review to ensure all new secondary schools are designed to be carbon neutral or at the very least substantially reduce carbon emissions.
Ministers are planning to refurbish or rebuild every secondary in the country by the end of the next decade. The programme will start with £110m to ensure that 200 new schools that are to be built over the next three years are designed to reduce carbon emissions. School designs that include such features as wind turbines, solar panels, insulated windows and low-emission light bulbs will account for £72m. In addition, £10m will be spent on twinning the schools with schools abroad to learn how to tackle issues such as rainforest preservation and planting new forests.
In the initial stage, it is estimated that the new measures will reduce carbon emissions by 140,000 tonnes. However, if it is successful, it will be extended to the rest of the Government's Building Schools for the Future scheme - under which every secondary will be refurbished or rebuilt over the next decade. Mr Johnson has estimated at least 2,000 of the 2,950 schools will become "environmentally friendly" within the next decade. Officials say, though, it is far easier to reduce carbon emissions in new or rebuilt schools than those that are refurbished.
The initiative will build on the achievements of St Francis of Assisi Academy in Liverpool which became the first specialist "green" school when it opened last year. The school gets electricity from solar panels. All seven Year 7 classes for pupils aged 11 and 12, also have a garden attached, which are cultivated with £1,000 a year each from the school budget. Mr Johnson said the initial extra cash would set "even higher standards for new and refurbished schools to reduce their carbon emissions - in some cases up to carbon neutrality".
"If we succeed, this could result in 2,000 carbon neutral secondary schools enabling us to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by eight million tonnes over the next decade," he added. "Our schools can be built to last into the next century but they should be constructed to enable the planet to survive for the centuries beyond."
The measures will be coupled with support for encouraging pupils to walk or cycle to school. Mr Johnson's initiative follows a decision earlier in the year to order a review of the geography curriculum to ensure issues like climate change and global warming are give more prominence in lessons. He said: "Climate change threatens the very future of our planet. With rising temperatures, melting ice caps and frequent reminders about our carbon footprints, we should all be thinking about what we can do individually to preserve the planet for future generations. In many ways, children inspire environmental debate."
Every new secondary school will be "green" under a radical initiative being planned by the Government. The Education Secretary, Alan Johnson, has won £100m from Chancellor Gordon Brown's comprehensive spending review to ensure all new secondary schools are designed to be carbon neutral or at the very least substantially reduce carbon emissions.
Ministers are planning to refurbish or rebuild every secondary in the country by the end of the next decade. The programme will start with £110m to ensure that 200 new schools that are to be built over the next three years are designed to reduce carbon emissions. School designs that include such features as wind turbines, solar panels, insulated windows and low-emission light bulbs will account for £72m. In addition, £10m will be spent on twinning the schools with schools abroad to learn how to tackle issues such as rainforest preservation and planting new forests.
In the initial stage, it is estimated that the new measures will reduce carbon emissions by 140,000 tonnes. However, if it is successful, it will be extended to the rest of the Government's Building Schools for the Future scheme - under which every secondary will be refurbished or rebuilt over the next decade. Mr Johnson has estimated at least 2,000 of the 2,950 schools will become "environmentally friendly" within the next decade. Officials say, though, it is far easier to reduce carbon emissions in new or rebuilt schools than those that are refurbished.
The initiative will build on the achievements of St Francis of Assisi Academy in Liverpool which became the first specialist "green" school when it opened last year. The school gets electricity from solar panels. All seven Year 7 classes for pupils aged 11 and 12, also have a garden attached, which are cultivated with £1,000 a year each from the school budget. Mr Johnson said the initial extra cash would set "even higher standards for new and refurbished schools to reduce their carbon emissions - in some cases up to carbon neutrality".
"If we succeed, this could result in 2,000 carbon neutral secondary schools enabling us to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by eight million tonnes over the next decade," he added. "Our schools can be built to last into the next century but they should be constructed to enable the planet to survive for the centuries beyond."
The measures will be coupled with support for encouraging pupils to walk or cycle to school. Mr Johnson's initiative follows a decision earlier in the year to order a review of the geography curriculum to ensure issues like climate change and global warming are give more prominence in lessons. He said: "Climate change threatens the very future of our planet. With rising temperatures, melting ice caps and frequent reminders about our carbon footprints, we should all be thinking about what we can do individually to preserve the planet for future generations. In many ways, children inspire environmental debate."
Overworked
For a couple years I 've been blaming it on lack of sleep and too much pressure from my job, but now I found out the real reason: I'm tired because I'm overworked. The population of this country is 237 million. 104 million are retired. That leaves 133 million to do the work. There are 85 million in school, which leaves 48 million to do the work. Of this there are 29 million employed by the federal government, leaving 19 million to do the work. 2.8 million are in the Armed Forces, which leaves 16.2 million to do the work. Take from the total the 14,800,000 people who work for State and City Governments and that leaves 1.4 million to do the work. At any given time there are 188,000 people in hospitals, leaving 1,212,000 to do the work. Now, there are 1,211,998 people in prisons. That leaves just two people to do the work. You and me. And you're sitting at your computer reading jokes.
From yesterday - dash changeovers
There are some, but they don’t show up too well, so here are some close ups.
This is the ‘sports’ instrumentation on an XA. Notice that the gauges are at rest, and as such, the needles in the auxillary gauges assume a pattern that resembles \ / \ /
And another close up of an XA GT dash from another car.
This is the ‘sports’ instrumentation on an XA. Notice that the gauges are at rest, and as such, the needles in the auxillary gauges assume a pattern that resembles \ / \ /
And another close up of an XA GT dash from another car.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Imagingation
Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution. – Albert Einstein
Chicken
So there's this man with a parrot. And his parrot swears like a sailor, I mean he's a pistol. He can swear for five minutes straight without repeating himself.
The trouble is that the guy who owns the parrot is a quiet, conservative type, and this bird's foul mouth is driving him crazy.
One day, it gets to be too much, so the guy grabs the bird by the throat, shakes him really hard, and yells, "QUIT IT!" But this just makes the bird mad and he swears more than ever.
Then the guy gets mad and says, "That's it. I'll get you." and locks the bird in a kitchen cabinet.
This really aggravates the bird and he claws and scratches, and when the guy finally lets him out, the bird cuts loose with a stream of invective that would make a veteran sailor blush.
At that point, the guy is so mad that he throws the bird into the freezer.
For the first few seconds, there is a terrible din. The bird kicks and claws and thrashes. Then it suddenly goes very quiet.
At first the guy just waits, but then he starts to think that the bird may be hurt. After a couple of minutes of silence, he's so worried that he opens up the freezer door.
The bird calmly climbs onto the man's outstretched arm and says, "Awfully sorry about the trouble I gave you. I'll do my best to improve my vocabulary from now on."
The man is astounded. He can't understand the transformation that has come over the parrot.
Then the parrot says, "By the way, what did the chicken do?"
The trouble is that the guy who owns the parrot is a quiet, conservative type, and this bird's foul mouth is driving him crazy.
One day, it gets to be too much, so the guy grabs the bird by the throat, shakes him really hard, and yells, "QUIT IT!" But this just makes the bird mad and he swears more than ever.
Then the guy gets mad and says, "That's it. I'll get you." and locks the bird in a kitchen cabinet.
This really aggravates the bird and he claws and scratches, and when the guy finally lets him out, the bird cuts loose with a stream of invective that would make a veteran sailor blush.
At that point, the guy is so mad that he throws the bird into the freezer.
For the first few seconds, there is a terrible din. The bird kicks and claws and thrashes. Then it suddenly goes very quiet.
At first the guy just waits, but then he starts to think that the bird may be hurt. After a couple of minutes of silence, he's so worried that he opens up the freezer door.
The bird calmly climbs onto the man's outstretched arm and says, "Awfully sorry about the trouble I gave you. I'll do my best to improve my vocabulary from now on."
The man is astounded. He can't understand the transformation that has come over the parrot.
Then the parrot says, "By the way, what did the chicken do?"
Dashes and ‘GT’ Instrumentation
This is the dash from an XA GT.
And this is a dash from an XB GT. Any differences ?
Sunday, September 16, 2007
These Are a Few Things a Teacher Should Read
by Forrest Stone
(to the tune of "These are a Few of My Favourite Things")
Rousseau and Skinner and old Montessori
Jonathan Kozol sure writes a sad story
Steiner and Adler might make your eyes bleed
But these are a few things a teacher should read
Erickson, Froebel, and Constructivism
Hirsch versus Bloom was a really good schism
John Dewey’s classic, “My Ped’gogic Creed”
These are a few things a teacher should read
When the peace breaks, when the kid screams
When you’re turning puce
You look back at these theoretical tracts
And suddenly they’re … no use!
(to the tune of "These are a Few of My Favourite Things")
Rousseau and Skinner and old Montessori
Jonathan Kozol sure writes a sad story
Steiner and Adler might make your eyes bleed
But these are a few things a teacher should read
Erickson, Froebel, and Constructivism
Hirsch versus Bloom was a really good schism
John Dewey’s classic, “My Ped’gogic Creed”
These are a few things a teacher should read
When the peace breaks, when the kid screams
When you’re turning puce
You look back at these theoretical tracts
And suddenly they’re … no use!
It's all in the punctuation
An English professor wrote the words, "Woman without her man is nothing" on the blackboard and directed his students to punctuate it correctly.
The men wrote: "Woman, without her man, is nothing."
The women wrote: "Woman: Without her, man is nothing."
The men wrote: "Woman, without her man, is nothing."
The women wrote: "Woman: Without her, man is nothing."
Model changeovers 2
This is a fine example of an XB GS coupe which was built very late in the XB’s production run, and what do we find
Yes, it has XC style rear wings. The conclusion is that Ford, or whoever was contracted to supply the stampings, must have started production of the XC style wings and the supply of XA/XB style wings became exhausted too early so they used the new style wings that had been delivered to the factory.
The first documented XB hardtop with XC rear marker lights I have knowledge of is a July, 1975 GT, and the next is an October, 1975 John Goss Special. July, 1975 is very early, considering XC’s were introduced in July, 1976.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Bright ideas for this week
1. Have Staff room Beautification Days: These are fun. It's a time when your team can create a place they want to spend time in – this may include plants, posters and cushions etc. Furniture gets moved, walls painted, artwork renewed and areas are often created for relaxation and work. If you do this on a non teaching day - come dressed in casual attire and play music as you work. This day is always a great team builder.
2. Staff meetings running too long? Have Stand Up Meetings: Meetings are a necessity of the job .... To shorten meetings have all participants stand ... I guarantee the meeting will be the quickest, most efficient you have ever had!
3. Celebrate All the Little Wins: Celebrate everyday the work your teachers are doing every day. Even if its by simply acknowledging it. The work of a teacher is one of the most important jobs. Value it. Celebrate it.
4.Give to Receive: One way staff can keep their morale up was to send little positive, cheerful notes to each other. As teachers you give to students all day but what about team members. The fastest way to get a smile, is to give one. Random acts of kindness - just doing the little things to make people feel special, should not only be reserved for Christmas, Birthdays and Special Occasions. Make everyday special.
2. Staff meetings running too long? Have Stand Up Meetings: Meetings are a necessity of the job .... To shorten meetings have all participants stand ... I guarantee the meeting will be the quickest, most efficient you have ever had!
3. Celebrate All the Little Wins: Celebrate everyday the work your teachers are doing every day. Even if its by simply acknowledging it. The work of a teacher is one of the most important jobs. Value it. Celebrate it.
4.Give to Receive: One way staff can keep their morale up was to send little positive, cheerful notes to each other. As teachers you give to students all day but what about team members. The fastest way to get a smile, is to give one. Random acts of kindness - just doing the little things to make people feel special, should not only be reserved for Christmas, Birthdays and Special Occasions. Make everyday special.
Dream
"Nothing happens unless first we dream" -Carl Sandburg, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and poet
Solution
"How was your game, dear?" asked Jack's wife Tracy.
"Well, I was hitting pretty well, but my eyesight's gotten so bad I couldn't see where the ball went," he answered.
"But you're 75 years old, Jack!" admonished his wife, "Why don't you take my brother Scott along?"
"But he's 85 and doesn't play golf anymore," protested Jack.
"But he's got perfect eyesight. He would watch the ball for you," Tracy pointed out.
The next day Jack teed off with Scott looking on. Jack swung and the ball disappeared down the middle of the fairway. "Do you see it?" asked Jack.
"Yup," Scott answered.
"Well, where is it?" yelled Jack, peering off into the distance.
"I forgot."
"Well, I was hitting pretty well, but my eyesight's gotten so bad I couldn't see where the ball went," he answered.
"But you're 75 years old, Jack!" admonished his wife, "Why don't you take my brother Scott along?"
"But he's 85 and doesn't play golf anymore," protested Jack.
"But he's got perfect eyesight. He would watch the ball for you," Tracy pointed out.
The next day Jack teed off with Scott looking on. Jack swung and the ball disappeared down the middle of the fairway. "Do you see it?" asked Jack.
"Yup," Scott answered.
"Well, where is it?" yelled Jack, peering off into the distance.
"I forgot."
Model changeovers
One of the more intriguing aspects of Australian Fords which I don’t believe happened with American cars was the early introduction of parts or panels into the last models of the preceding range. This seems most prevalent on the XA/XB/XC models and hopefully we can show some of these aspects below.
If you examine the photograph of this 1975 John Goss Special which was based on the XB model, and compare it with the following photograph.
You will see that the 1978 XC, above, has horizontal marker lights in the rear wing whereas the XB - and the XA that proceeded it - had vertical marker lights.
As the fitting of these involved a stamping of the panel, you can see that new dies must have been used for the rear wing on the XC model, which was introduced in July, 1976.
If you examine the photograph of this 1975 John Goss Special which was based on the XB model, and compare it with the following photograph.
You will see that the 1978 XC, above, has horizontal marker lights in the rear wing whereas the XB - and the XA that proceeded it - had vertical marker lights.
As the fitting of these involved a stamping of the panel, you can see that new dies must have been used for the rear wing on the XC model, which was introduced in July, 1976.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Dig it
There were two guys working for the city. One would dig a hole -- he would dig, dig, dig.
The other would come behind him and fill the hole -- fill, fill, fill. These two men worked furiously; one digging a hole, the other filling it up again.
A man was watching from the sidewalk and couldn't believe how hard these men were working, but couldn't understand what they were doing. Finally he had to ask them.
He said to the hole digger, "I appreciate how hard you work, but what are you doing? You dig a hole and your partner comes behind you and fills it up again!"
The hole digger replied, "Oh yeah, must look funny, but the guy who plants the trees is sick today."
The other would come behind him and fill the hole -- fill, fill, fill. These two men worked furiously; one digging a hole, the other filling it up again.
A man was watching from the sidewalk and couldn't believe how hard these men were working, but couldn't understand what they were doing. Finally he had to ask them.
He said to the hole digger, "I appreciate how hard you work, but what are you doing? You dig a hole and your partner comes behind you and fills it up again!"
The hole digger replied, "Oh yeah, must look funny, but the guy who plants the trees is sick today."
XC Falcon
The XC was a further re-style of the third generation Falcon. The refined look was achieved by reducing the slope of the grille and introducing large rectangular headlamps on some models. The bonnet line was softened and more substantial bumpers fitted. The coke bottle effect was reduced by altering the style line running through the rear doors. The hardtop still struggled to sell, and Ford introduced the limited edition Cobra as the last of the two door version, and, as a sign of the times, there never was a GT version of the XC. Mid way through the life of the XC, Ford made some radical improvements to the car’s suspension to allow for radial tyres, and these models tend to be known as the ‘XC and a half’. The later XCs are easily identified by the introduction of the the classic Ford oval badge on the centre of the grille, its first use on an Australian Ford.
The XC was manufactured between July, 1976 and March, 1979. 171,082 were produced.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Instructions for cleaning the toilet:
1. Lift the lid on the toilet and fill it with 1/8 cup of animal shampoo.
2. Take the cat in your arms and stroke it gently while slowly moving in the direction of the toilet.
3. At a suitable moment, throw the cat into the toilet bowl and close the lid quickly and either stand or sit on the lid.
4. The cat will now start the cleaning process and will produce generate plenty of foam. Do not be concerned about the loud noises coming from the toilet; your cat is enjoying himself.
5. After several minutes flush the toilet to start the “Power-wash” pre-wash and then flush again for the main wash cycle.
6. Ask someone to open the front door and ensure that no-one is between the toilet and the front door.
7. Get off the toilet seat and from a safe distance open the toilet lid quickly. The cat will dry off
naturally due to the high speed he will be moving from the toilet to the front door.
8. The toilet and the cat are now both clean.
With best wishes,
The Dog
2. Take the cat in your arms and stroke it gently while slowly moving in the direction of the toilet.
3. At a suitable moment, throw the cat into the toilet bowl and close the lid quickly and either stand or sit on the lid.
4. The cat will now start the cleaning process and will produce generate plenty of foam. Do not be concerned about the loud noises coming from the toilet; your cat is enjoying himself.
5. After several minutes flush the toilet to start the “Power-wash” pre-wash and then flush again for the main wash cycle.
6. Ask someone to open the front door and ensure that no-one is between the toilet and the front door.
7. Get off the toilet seat and from a safe distance open the toilet lid quickly. The cat will dry off
naturally due to the high speed he will be moving from the toilet to the front door.
8. The toilet and the cat are now both clean.
With best wishes,
The Dog
Harry Potter by the numbers
Some 325 million copies of the books (hardback, paperback, and in translation) have been sold worldwide. The books are available in 65 languages and sold in 200 territories. For a decade, they have been enthralling readers of all ages with wizardry, endearing characters, suspense, and countless quirky facts and oddities that fans relish discussing.
1. HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE – June 1997, UK. The tale that Joanne Rowling wrote in Edinburgh cafes to keep her newborn daughter warm and escape a chilly and dank apartment was typed on a typewriter. Readers are delighted by the story of the boy wizard-in-training, lessons in potions, Quidditch, and The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It sells 100,000 copies in its first year in Britain and is acquired by US-based publisher Scholastic for $100,000 – the highest advance ever for a first-time author's book for children. Film rights to the seven books planned are secured by Warner Brothers by the end of 1998.
2. HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS – July 1998, UK; June 1999, US, 341 pages. Harry and school friends, bullies, and ghosts reappear in the second title, also written in cafes around Edinburgh. It becomes a bestseller in the UK, a feat achieved by only a few other children's books by authors such as Roald Dahl and C.S. Lewis.
3. HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN – July 1999, UK; September 1999 US, 431 pages. The third title makes its debut as the fastest-selling book in British history.
4. HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE – July 2000, 734 pages. Many bookstores plan elaborate events for the fourth book's release, hosting 'Harry Potter' parties for costumed fans at midnight in Britain and the United States. This is the first title to be published simultaneously on both continents.
5. HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX – June 2003, 870 pages. Despite the epic-sized tome, the maturing Harry continues to draw. The book sells 11 million copies in 12 weeks, 5 million the first day alone.
6. HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE – July 2005. 652 pages. A book with darker themes, suspense, and death, its publication ends weeks of wondering, selling 9 million copies in Britain and the US in the first day of release. The sixth book is the first to be shorter than the previous volume.
7.HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, to be published July 21 in English-speaking countries worldwide, 784 pages. First printing: 12 million. High security reportedly surrounds the book's distribution, which will take place the day before. Precautions include security guards at printing plants, warehouses in undisclosed locations, and steel chains wrapped around shipments.
1. HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE – June 1997, UK. The tale that Joanne Rowling wrote in Edinburgh cafes to keep her newborn daughter warm and escape a chilly and dank apartment was typed on a typewriter. Readers are delighted by the story of the boy wizard-in-training, lessons in potions, Quidditch, and The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It sells 100,000 copies in its first year in Britain and is acquired by US-based publisher Scholastic for $100,000 – the highest advance ever for a first-time author's book for children. Film rights to the seven books planned are secured by Warner Brothers by the end of 1998.
2. HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS – July 1998, UK; June 1999, US, 341 pages. Harry and school friends, bullies, and ghosts reappear in the second title, also written in cafes around Edinburgh. It becomes a bestseller in the UK, a feat achieved by only a few other children's books by authors such as Roald Dahl and C.S. Lewis.
3. HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN – July 1999, UK; September 1999 US, 431 pages. The third title makes its debut as the fastest-selling book in British history.
4. HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE – July 2000, 734 pages. Many bookstores plan elaborate events for the fourth book's release, hosting 'Harry Potter' parties for costumed fans at midnight in Britain and the United States. This is the first title to be published simultaneously on both continents.
5. HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX – June 2003, 870 pages. Despite the epic-sized tome, the maturing Harry continues to draw. The book sells 11 million copies in 12 weeks, 5 million the first day alone.
6. HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE – July 2005. 652 pages. A book with darker themes, suspense, and death, its publication ends weeks of wondering, selling 9 million copies in Britain and the US in the first day of release. The sixth book is the first to be shorter than the previous volume.
7.HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, to be published July 21 in English-speaking countries worldwide, 784 pages. First printing: 12 million. High security reportedly surrounds the book's distribution, which will take place the day before. Precautions include security guards at printing plants, warehouses in undisclosed locations, and steel chains wrapped around shipments.
Software
A software expert claims: “My software never has bugs -- it just develops random features.”
XB Falcon
The XB featured a slight restyle of the previous model, featuring a cleaner but more aggressive front end with a forward sloping bonnet and a wide set, ‘egg-crate’ split grille. The design was very reminiscent of the 1971-73 U.S. Mustang. The tail lamps were also neatened. Many mechanical enhancements were made including the introduction of optional four wheel disk brakes, and the fitting of locally manufactured 302ci (4.9litre) and 351ci (5.8litre) Cleveland V8s. The hardtop continued to be offered, but sales were disappointing while the XB as a whole was the most popular Falcon yet.
The XB was manufactured between September, 1973 and July, 1976. 211,971 were produced.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Choose differently today
"It is always your next move." -- Napoleon Hill
The great benefit of heightened awareness is that we have more choice in how we live our lives. At any moment, we can purposefully choose a new experience for ourselves. We can choose to pay attention, breathe more deeply, laugh, rest, play, appreciate, do something different - the possibilities are endless.
Whenever you remember, TAKE YOURSELF OFF AUTO-PILOT and really examine your situation. Take charge and make a choice that will enrich your experience. At the end of the day, reflect on what happened and how you felt when you chose a new line of thought, feeling or action.
"When a defining moment comes along, you can do one of two things. Define the moment, or let the moment define you." -- Tin Cup (the movie)
"If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice." -- Neil Peart
The great benefit of heightened awareness is that we have more choice in how we live our lives. At any moment, we can purposefully choose a new experience for ourselves. We can choose to pay attention, breathe more deeply, laugh, rest, play, appreciate, do something different - the possibilities are endless.
Whenever you remember, TAKE YOURSELF OFF AUTO-PILOT and really examine your situation. Take charge and make a choice that will enrich your experience. At the end of the day, reflect on what happened and how you felt when you chose a new line of thought, feeling or action.
"When a defining moment comes along, you can do one of two things. Define the moment, or let the moment define you." -- Tin Cup (the movie)
"If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice." -- Neil Peart
Rude
TEACHER: What do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer
interested?
PUPILS: A teacher.
interested?
PUPILS: A teacher.
Insurance Company
A Charlotte, North Carolina man, having purchased a case of rare, very expensive cigars, insured them against .... get this .... fire. Within a month, having smoked his entire stockpile of fabulous cigars, and having yet to make a single premium payment on the policy, the man filed a claim against the insurance company. In his claim, the man stated that he had lost the cigars in "a series of small fires." The insurance company refused to pay, citing the obvious reason that the man had consumed the cigars in a normal fashion. The man sued ... and won!! In delivering his ruling, the judge stated that since the man held a policy from the company in which it had warranted that the cigars were insurable, and also guaranteed that it would insure the cigars against fire, without defining what it considered to be "unacceptable fire," it was obligated to compensate the insured for his loss. Rather than endure a lengthy and costly appeal process, the insurance company accepted the judge's ruling and paid the man $15,000 for the rare cigars he lost in "the fires." After the man cashed his check, however, the insurance company had him arrested... on 24 counts of arson! With his own insurance claim and testimony from the previous case being used as evidence against him, the man was convicted of intentionally burning the rare cigars and sentenced to 24 consecutive one year terms.
But, officer...
A guy was driving when a policeman pulled him over. He rolled down his window and said to the officer, "Is there a problem, Officer?"
"No problem at all. I just observed your safe driving and am pleased to award you a $5,000 Safe Driver Award. Congratulations. What do you think you're going to do with the money?"
He thought for a minute and said, "Well, I guess I'll go get that drivers' license."
The lady sitting in the passenger seat said to the policeman, "Oh, don't pay attention to him - he's a smartass when he's drunk and stoned."
The guy from the back seat said, "I TOLD you guys we wouldn't get far in a stolen car!"
At that moment, there was a knock from the trunk and a muffled voice said, "Are we over the border yet?"
"No problem at all. I just observed your safe driving and am pleased to award you a $5,000 Safe Driver Award. Congratulations. What do you think you're going to do with the money?"
He thought for a minute and said, "Well, I guess I'll go get that drivers' license."
The lady sitting in the passenger seat said to the policeman, "Oh, don't pay attention to him - he's a smartass when he's drunk and stoned."
The guy from the back seat said, "I TOLD you guys we wouldn't get far in a stolen car!"
At that moment, there was a knock from the trunk and a muffled voice said, "Are we over the border yet?"
XA Falcon
The XA model was the first completely designed and built in Australia. By the time it was released, the U.S. version had been discontinued some 18 months earlier, and the designers had the opportunity of styling a more ‘Australianised’ car. The result was a swoopy, coke bottle design, sleek but featuring a bigger, more roomy body and available with a wider choice of engines and a longer list of options. And, after a break of seven years, Ford introduced a two door hardtop version based on the sedan but with a lower roofline and wider rear wings. Marketed under the ‘Born on the Wind’ slogan, the XA was a great success for Ford of Australia and a confident statement of its independence.
The XA was manufactured between March, 1972 and September, 1973. 129,473 were produced.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Abbott and Costello know why we have to teach Maths very well…
Abbott: Do me a favour. Loan me $50.
Costello: I can't lend you $50. All I've got is $40.
Abbott: That's okay. Give me the $40, and you'll owe me $10.
Costello: How come I owe you $10?
Abbott: What did I ask you for?
Costello: $50.
Abbott: What did you give me?
Costello; $40.
Abbott: So you owe me $10.
Costello: That's right. But you owe me $40. Give me my $40 back.
Abbott: There's your $40. Now give me the $10 you owe me. That's the last time I'll ever ask you for the loan of $50.
Costello: How can I loan you $50 now? All I have is $30.
Abbott: Give me the $30, and you’ll owe me $20.
Costello: This is getting worse all the time. First I owe you $10, and now I owe you $20!
Abbott: So you owe me $20. Twenty and 30 is 50.
Costello; Nope! Twenty-five and 25 is 50.
Abbott: Here's your $30. Give me back my $20.
Costello: All I've got now is $10!
Costello: I can't lend you $50. All I've got is $40.
Abbott: That's okay. Give me the $40, and you'll owe me $10.
Costello: How come I owe you $10?
Abbott: What did I ask you for?
Costello: $50.
Abbott: What did you give me?
Costello; $40.
Abbott: So you owe me $10.
Costello: That's right. But you owe me $40. Give me my $40 back.
Abbott: There's your $40. Now give me the $10 you owe me. That's the last time I'll ever ask you for the loan of $50.
Costello: How can I loan you $50 now? All I have is $30.
Abbott: Give me the $30, and you’ll owe me $20.
Costello: This is getting worse all the time. First I owe you $10, and now I owe you $20!
Abbott: So you owe me $20. Twenty and 30 is 50.
Costello; Nope! Twenty-five and 25 is 50.
Abbott: Here's your $30. Give me back my $20.
Costello: All I've got now is $10!
Monday, September 03, 2007
Einstein
Einstein's way of teaching was very special. Humour played a gigantic role at times in his approach. He taught his students not only how to think but also what to think of. "Think more. Be totally absorbed. The answer is bound to dawn," was his philosophy. Memorisation, he felt, is not and cannot be the ultimate answer. He stressed this undeniable fact vehemently and unreservedly. Only today's proper thinking will bring in tomorrow's satisfaction-sun.
Excerpt from Einstein: Scientist-Sage, Brother Of Atom-Universe by Sri Chinmoy
Excerpt from Einstein: Scientist-Sage, Brother Of Atom-Universe by Sri Chinmoy
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Criticism
Remember this when you feel you are next in someone’s firing line…… "To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing." Elbert Hubbard 1856-1915
Sales charm
A woman was waiting in the checkout line at a shopping center. Her arms were laden with a mop and broom and other cleaning supplies. By her hard glances and deep sighs, it was obvious she was in hurry and not a happy camper about the slowness of the line.
When the cashier called for a price check on a box of soap, the woman remarked indignantly, "Well, I'll be lucky to get out of here and home before Christmas!"
"Don't worry, ma'am," replied the clerk. "With a good tail wind and that brand new broom you have there, you'll be home in no time."
When the cashier called for a price check on a box of soap, the woman remarked indignantly, "Well, I'll be lucky to get out of here and home before Christmas!"
"Don't worry, ma'am," replied the clerk. "With a good tail wind and that brand new broom you have there, you'll be home in no time."
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Eliminate Hoops
One thing you can’t recycle is wasted time. - Anonymous
If it were easy it would have been done before. —Jeanne Yaeger
Resist the temptation to make your employees jump through hoops. Instruction is the most important part of the school day. Don’t develop rules for the few who abuse things in your school. Conduct yearly staff meetings to discuss eliminating unnecessary burdens placed on your staff. Think of ways to reduce paper demands on your staff so they may concentrate on student learning in the classrooms. Often, bureaucracy increases as an organization grows. Leaders must learn to run a large school like a small school.
Smaller schools tend to have less red tape and thus run faster and sleeker. As a school grows in numbers, more personnel are hired, and more rules are developed to run the school. Having worked in both a small district and a large district, I saw firsthand that school principals do it all in smaller districts. Right or wrong, they do it all. Customer satisfaction is about the same between small and large districts. Principals learn to rely on their building employees to help run the school.
Large school districts may have several assistant superintendents, supervisors, directors, managers, and support personnel. Principals in larger school districts find they have more people helping them but may know less; and it may take longer for them to finish tasks as a result of the bureaucracy. Resist adding hoops for the employees. The principal needs to run a large school district like a fast and mobile small district.
If it were easy it would have been done before. —Jeanne Yaeger
Resist the temptation to make your employees jump through hoops. Instruction is the most important part of the school day. Don’t develop rules for the few who abuse things in your school. Conduct yearly staff meetings to discuss eliminating unnecessary burdens placed on your staff. Think of ways to reduce paper demands on your staff so they may concentrate on student learning in the classrooms. Often, bureaucracy increases as an organization grows. Leaders must learn to run a large school like a small school.
Smaller schools tend to have less red tape and thus run faster and sleeker. As a school grows in numbers, more personnel are hired, and more rules are developed to run the school. Having worked in both a small district and a large district, I saw firsthand that school principals do it all in smaller districts. Right or wrong, they do it all. Customer satisfaction is about the same between small and large districts. Principals learn to rely on their building employees to help run the school.
Large school districts may have several assistant superintendents, supervisors, directors, managers, and support personnel. Principals in larger school districts find they have more people helping them but may know less; and it may take longer for them to finish tasks as a result of the bureaucracy. Resist adding hoops for the employees. The principal needs to run a large school district like a fast and mobile small district.
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