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List maintenance instructions can be found at the end of this ezine. öÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖöo - Hello there . . . - Inside Story - How To Improve Your Love Life With the Power of Feng Shui - eNonyMouse - more useless facts - A Good
Memory Can Solve Our Problems …you with the stars in your eyes, a grasshopper brain and Unfortunately Griselda has seized the opportunity to lower the tone of this ezine in Inside Story so to counteract that I'm concentrating on pleasant things. With Valentine's Day just around the corner Stephanie Roberts writes about How To Improve Your Love Life With The Power of Feng Shui - which is full of good advice even if you're not into romance. I'm a firm believer in introducing a little law and order in to a house, providing one has the strength. I felt much better after reading Melvin Durai's article, A Good Memory Can Solve Our Problems. It's always nice to be reminded I'm not the only person who forgets birthdays and loses their cigarettes, keys etc etc in out of the way places such as the 'fridge. And while we're zooming in on being pleasant it seemed like a good idea to give some thought to how our actions can affect other people - see 'Over There'. Finally - well almost - Helaine Iris will cheer you up if you're dreading the approach of 40 (or worse) with What Have You Got To Lose? While I was compiling this ezine I came across a news report about my least favourite person, Robert Gabriel Mugabe, and although nothing relating to this dictator could be described as appealing I couldn't resist including it at the end of this issue. I allow this dreadful man to spoil my start to each day (because that's when I catch up on the details of all his latest excesses). Few of the news stories emanating from Zimbabwe would make anyone's day - but this one is just too ridiculous - even for him. So if you've had enough sweetness and light check out 'Now he's meddling with the weather...' - and see what you think. öÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖöo NEWBIES, NERDS & NITWITS To view all previous issues surf to: VISIT the website - read the most recent issues - öÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖöo OCCASIONALLY something happens that makes my miserable working life worth living. Of course these happenings usually involve things bizarre and ridiculous which affect Sheldene but it's not my fault she attracts these situations. It started in November when she ordered, online, two books called How To Write a Damn Good Novel and How To Write a Damn Good Novel (Two) by James N. Frey. The first one duly arrived around December 18 and she retired to bed, with chocolate, for some uninterrupted reading. What bliss. Unfortunately Sheldene reads quickly so on December 19 she was waiting near the postbox for the second book. Checking the post became daily more stressful and after a while she sent an email demanding to be told the whereabouts of the missing book. 'Our records indicate your order was shipped on 11.10.02 by Standard US Postal Service Media Mail', was the somewhat snooty reply. 'Normally this method can take anywhere from 4-15 weeks for delivery.' Sheldene was charmed - particularly as shipping and handling for that particular book had amounted to US$9.79 and she was originally informed that delivery would take between four to eight weeks. Then there was the false alarm - a notification in the mail of a parcel 'too big' to fit in the post box. She rushed to the post office but came slinking back clutching a parcel of used clothing, which her daughter in Zimbabwe wanted her to pass on to a friend who had 'left them behind'. By January 23 even Sheldene had run out of vitriol. Then halleluyah - another notification from the post office. Quickly loading the dogs into the car (for an outing) she drove away with a flourish, dreaming of chocolate and a lazy rest-of-the-day in bed no doubt. What excitement when she returned with the prodigal book. Ripping off the wrapping as she lurched through the door, she began to inspect her purchase intently. Sheldene just could not wait to get into that book. Of course I heaved a sigh of relief at the prospect of a peaceful day ahead, but then I noticed the body language wasn't quite right. Sheldene was no longer lolling against the kitchen counter with her nose in the book. Standing in martinet mode she was turning the pages frantically, peering at the text, and looking totally bewildered. 'What the hell?', she snarled, once again inspecting the cover. With marked unenthusiasm the page turning resumed, then the dust cover was snatched off, revealing a plain white book entitled 'Super Sexual Orgasm' by Barbara Keesling Ph.D. Well! I thought she was going mad and I cannot even begin to describe the scene that followed. Sheldene was so incensed she couldn't even send an email to the offending book seller until the next day, when she wrote: 'Please will you explain why a book I never ordered - and never would order - has been sent to me in place of How To Write a Damn Good Novel 11 - by James Frey.' (I'll spare you this paragraph which described how she opened the book etc etc.) 'Needless to say I was not amused - I am not amused - and the only reason I am able to write a fairly restrained email is because I let 24 hours elapse before attempting to do so. 'This book was ordered in November - it reaches me on January 23 - and then I find it is a book I have absolutely no interest in, skilfully disguised by the 'correct' dust cover. 'Please do not suggest that I return the book to you unless you can arrange for it to be posted COD from here (South Africa) which is doubtful.' (And once again I'll spare you because the email only deteriorated from here...) The supplier never explained how it happened but apologised; arranged a refund, and said the 'correct' book was no longer available - which enraged Sheldene all over again. To sum up. I can understand why she would be disappointed - but why should the discovery of this simple error have sent her into a screaming frenzy - for days? I have come up with a theory. As you know Sheldene knows everything and thinks she can do everything - perfectly. Did she take this personally - a suggestion perhaps (by persons unknown) that certain aspects of her performance, in any sphere, could be improved upon? If only I had been given the opportunity to peruse the offending book...which was hurled into a filing cabinet to which Sheldene appears to have thrown away the key. It's all very interesting and I'll get hold of that book one day. She won't be able to resist taking it out and showing it to some of her friends - the ones who had the misfortune to listen to her telephoned tirades when her rage was at its height. porn. It's a pity about Griselda - Ed.) öÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖöo CONFUSED BY EMAIL? öÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖöo OF FENG SHUI FENG SHUI (say "fung shway") is the art of creating a home environment that supports the life you wish to live. A key element of feng shui is creating a smooth flow of chi (positive energy) through your space. Chi likes to move through your home as though it were a gentle breeze or a meandering stream. Where it is blocked, the energy becomes stagnant--like a pond choked with algae and fallen leaves. You are likely to feel blocked in life, and your energy and enthusiasm for matters of the heart will be low. Balancing and correcting the chi of your bedroom helps encourage and invigorate romance. Here are some quick and easy ways to improve your love life by improving the energy of your home: 1. Clean up your bedroom. When your bedroom is cluttered and untidy, the energy in there will be low and slow. Clutter is a sure sign that chi is stuck, so roll up your sleeves and clean the place up if you want to jump-start your love life. Ring a bell, shake a rattle, or clap your hands loudly around the room to clear out old, stale energy. 2. Make room for love. If you want to attract a new romantic partner - or move a casual relationship closer to commitment - make sure there is space for that person in your home. Look at your closets, shelves, and dressers, especially in the bedroom; if they are all filled to capacity with your own stuff, make clearing some room for your current or future partner a priority. Aim to free up 25% of the space in your bedroom for someone else's things. When you are done, take a moment to visualize your loved one's belongings finding a home there. 3. Don't work out in the bedroom. When you exercise in the bedroom, or store your sports equipment there, you bring the energy of hard work and exertion into your romance space. Do you want your relationship to feel like a tough workout? If not, move your workout stuff somewhere else; your relationship is likely to move along more smoothly. 4. Remove old relationship energy. Go through your home - especially your bedroom - and remove anything that reminds you of past failed relationships; this could be an ex-boyfriend's old sweater you find in the closet, photographs of you with a previous partner, a gift that reminds you (unfavorably) of a giver with whom you are no longer in love - anything that reminds you of a love that went bad. No matter how incurable a romantic you may be, do NOT keep old love letters anywhere in your bedroom unless they are from someone with whom you are still blissfully paired up. 5. Remove inappropriate imagery The images with which you surround yourself can have a powerful effect on your love life. Feng Shui clients who complain of difficulty finding romance often have surrounded themselves with images of a person alone. Inappropriate imagery includes anything that represents solitude, loneliness, aggression, hard work, conflict, or disagreement in any way. That old photo of your Dad when he was in the army may be a treasure, but the wartime energy it carries doesn't have any place in the bedroom; find another place to keep it. 6. Open the door to love. Make sure both the front door of your home and the door to your bedroom open easily and completely. Doors that stick, squeak, or that only open partway because of all the stuff stored behind them are blocking the flow of romantic energy and opportunity into your home. A loose doorknob on your bedroom door could mean you're having a hard time 'getting a handle on' romance; get out your screwdriver and tighten it up. 7. Create a path for chi. Walk slowly from your front door to your bedroom, pretending that you are a gentle river of chi. Look for any areas where furniture or other belongings are stopping or slowing the flow of chi, or where chi is diverted away from the bedroom to other areas of the house. Clear a path so fresh chi can find its way to your bedroom and nourish your love life. Make sure all the lights along this route are working, replace any burned-out bulbs, and be alert for dark or dingy corners where you can increase the energy by adding more light. 8. Move your bed. If one side of your bed is against the wall, the person who sleeps on that side may feel confined or disempowered in the relationship. If possible, place the bed so there is equal space on either side, so you and your partner can find equal enjoyment in the relationship. The ideal position of the bed will be on the opposite side of the room from the door, but not directly in line with it. If you can't see the bedroom door from the bed, hang a mirror where it will provide a reflected view of the entry. 9. Bring romance chi into the bedroom. Be sure to place romantic imagery in these two key places in the bedroom: the wall opposite the foot of the bed (where you naturally look when lying in bed), and whatever area of the room you first see when you enter. Beautiful, romantic artwork is always good, as are fresh or silk flowers and anything in pairs (such as birds, cherubs, candles, or decorative pillows). A round mirror is also good for the bedroom, as the shape signifies completion and unity. Look around your home for whatever says 'romance' to you, and find a good spot for it in your bedroom. 10. Clarify your intention. Make a collage of images that symbolize your perfect relationship, and place it where you will see it every day. If you are already in a relationship, invite your partner to make a collage with you, to represent your intention to build a joyful and loving future together. Copyright © 2002 Stephanie Roberts _____________________This article is based on information in the book Fast Feng Shui for Stephanie Roberts is a feng shui consultant in Maui, Hawaii, and the öÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖöo PLEASE FORWARD Pearls & Pigs to friends, but when doing öÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖöo PLEASE RATE THIS EZINE Please rate this Ezine at the Cumuli Ezine Finder Editor´s note: When you click to rate us please make öÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖöo eNonyMouse If you yelled for 8 years, 7 months and 6 days you would have The human heart creates enough pressure when it pumps Banging your head against a wall uses 150 calories an hour, The male praying mantis cannot copulate while its head The catfish has over 27,000 taste buds. Elephants are the only animals that cannot jump. An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain. öÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖöo FREE TUTORIALS BY AUTORESPONDER If you are thinking about making your own web page, or öÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööOoo MY wife, Malathi, has lost her favorite pair of earrings.She doesn't remember where she left them. She asked me if I've seen them anywhere. I don't remember. Memory seems to be a growing problem in our household. Malathi has trouble remembering a number of things, including where she left her keys, whether she paid her credit card bill, when she visited her dentist last, why she married me. I have trouble remembering things too, including appointments, anniversaries, and birthdays. Someone recently asked me when the anniversary of 9/11 was, and I couldn't remember. My poor memory leaves me with many questions. For example: ---What did Michael Jackson look like before his plastic surgeon started partying with Robert Downey Jr.? ---What happened to Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls and why is there a slow guy on the Washington Wizards with the same name? ---How did George W. Bush become president? Did it have something to do with the millennium bug? My memory got me in big trouble last year: I couldn't remember the exact date of my wife's birthday. She was really upset, giving me no credit whatsoever for remembering the exact month. As if that isn't bad enough, I also have trouble remembering people's names. They introduce themselves to me and two seconds later I have no idea what to call them. 'Hey you!' doesn't seem to please anyone, not even my sister. I wish everyone would wear name tags. Even better, perhaps they could tattoo their names somewhere visible, such as on their foreheads. That way, even strangers could address them by name. Perhaps I need to take lessons from the contestants at the recent World Memory Championship in London, who had to remember not just unfamiliar names and faces, but also long numbers, quotations, and dates. The winner, Andi Bell of Britain, is so amazing, he even recalls the names of Jennifer Lopez's ex-boyfriends. If everybody worked on their memory, the world would have fewer problems. For example, the divorce rate - growing faster than my bald spot - would be curtailed. A married man who's tempted to have an affair would be able to remember what the ring on his finger means. And he might also remember his wedding vows. A convicted felon wouldn't break the law again, because he'd remember what prison was like. And I would floss my teeth after every meal, because I'd remember what my dentist was like. Husbands would remember wedding anniversaries and wives would remember not to go into labor during the Super Bowl. Of course, having great memory has its disadvantages. When others hurt us, we would perhaps forgive, but we couldn't possibly forget. At family reunions, we'd be bored too soon, after recalling every last detail of Uncle Mike's adventure in the Amazon, which he has recounted only 189 times. So what if he met a tribe of tall women? Wouldn't it have been easier to go to a WNBA game? Great memory would also ruin our enjoyment of prime-time TV, because half the shows are reruns. Forgetting the plot is crucial. My wife can watch an episode of 'Law & Order' five times and still enjoy it. She used to have a better memory, but I can't remember when. © Copyright 2002 Melvin Durai. All Rights Reserved. Öö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖöo - a story which is true for many guide dog users AS my guide dog and I stood in line at the checkout of the River City Market at CSUS, I asked the cashier what I considered a simple question. 'Where are the napkins please?' Her response was hurried, but sincere, 'Over there.' Emerging from the light rail for the first time, I managed to catch the attention of a passer-by. 'Please sir, can you tell me where I might catch bus 63?' A kind voice offered a pleasant response before disappearing into to the cacophony of the early afternoon, 'You can catch it. 'Over there.' So many things reside over there - napkins, bus stops, pencils, pens, clothing racks, department stores and even my shoes! A never ending supply of important and indispensable items and locales all reside in this place which is shrouded in mystery and intrigue. I stand in perplexed silence after learning that something is over there. It is a place I have never been and have no hope of finding on my own. My guide dog is quite skilled in finding chairs, stairs, elevators, escalators, helping me cross streets, and can even find me the Diet Pepsi display at Food Town; however, when I tell her to find 'over there' her little bottom hits the floor and a small whimper tells me that she is as confused as I. We will not be going 'over there' today. Over there has caused me a bit of vexation, a lot of confusion, and, on occasion, made my heart race. I have discovered that 'over there' can be a dangerous place. One day, while crossing a street, I heard a driver's irritated voice shout out a warning of a truck bearing down on me from over there. Shadow artfully dodged the oncoming vehicle and pulled me to the safety of the curb. Our hearts were both racing as we took a few moments to compose ourselves. Close encounters with over there can be frightening experiences. Although many blind people have wondered as to the exact location of 'over there', few have dared to venture forth in an actual exploration of the mysterious place. One day, while standing in line at the supermarket, I asked the clerk where I might find the aspirin. With a cheery smile in her voice, she informed me that the aspirin was located 'over there.' With a weary sigh, I decided that I would take the extra step that would unravel the mystery, which had vexed my compatriots since the beginning of time. Taking a deep breath, and attempting to look nonchalant, I smiled at the clerk. 'Where,' I asked, 'is over there?' I imagined the girl's shocked expression.I felt her sharing condescending and concerned looks with her fellows in the store. The silence grew palpable as they mulled the possibility of allowing a blind person access to the forbidden land. She had no choice; she would have to tell me how to find 'over there!' I had won! Exhilaration swept through me as I waited in breathless anticipation. A victorious smile crept to my lips, my hand tightened on the handle of Shadow's harness, we would soon be going over there! The clerk's voice reeked with resignation as the decision was made. 'That way,' she said. Öö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖöo We are pleased to be members of the Ezine Publishers öÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖöo 'You gotta dance like nobody's watching, dream like you will live forever, live like you're going to die tomorrow and love like it's never going to hurt.' -Meme Grifsters THE summer I turned 40 was a summer I'll never forget. As I reflect, it was when I truly started living my life. It all started the week before my birthday. I was driving home from the airport with my husband. We had just dropped our youngest child off for a month long bicycle expedition, and I was looking forward to a glorious, leisurely month of time together. I had a full agenda of projects I was excited to complete. I was ready to play. As we were driving down the highway this seemingly innocent thought popped into my mind. 'You are about to turn 40. How will it be when you get to the end of your life and you look back? How will you feel about the life you lived?' The thought passed. I was distracted by the next moment and I continued on. That night I woke up in a cold sweat, with my heart pounding and my mind racing with crazy thoughts. Could this panic attack have been triggered by the simple thought I had in the car that afternoon? You bet it was. Over the next several months I proceeded to spiral into waves of anxiety and depression so powerful that I almost lost the ability to function. Not only was I in a state of internal panic but also I was also confused because my life had felt so good. I was happy, had a successful marriage, two wonderful kids, and a job I reasonably enjoyed. What was my problem? My problem was I was hitting my head against my own 'glass ceiling' and not realizing it. I was poised on a precipice of knowing there was more and not knowing how to break through and access it. What's more, I had let my 'practical' and fear-based side convince me that my passion and dreams had died. In retrospect the whole painful experience was a profound wake up call. I did wake up. Today, five years later my life looks similar on the outside but on the inside it has profoundly changed. These are my top ten shifts in perspective that helped me move my life to the next level. I invite you to consider them to assist you in breaking through your own glass ceiling to create the life you really want. 1. Give yourself permission to dream. You probably had no problem dreaming as a kid. Where is that now? What happened to your ability to imagine and dream about what you want and who you want to be? When was the last time you caught yourself daydreaming and appreciated it? 2. Stop looking outside yourself for happiness. Look inside. Increase your self-awareness. Get curious about who you are at the core. Cultivate and nurture a relationship with yourself. 3. Cover the basics. Take the time to address your personal needs. How can you focus on thriving in your life if you are in survival mode? Set up that meeting with a financial advisor, get your space organized, clean up the details that are sapping your energy. 4. Embrace your past and move on. Shift from 'why it happened' to what I want to do about it now. Asking 'why' is not a very empowering question. Asking what or how I want to proceed can be much more powerful and produce forward movement. 5. You're not alone. It's so easy to feel overwhelmed with life. Seek support. It's amazing to realize that most of us are struggling with similar challenges. 'Hold hands and stick together', wrote Robert Fulgham in his popular bestseller, 'Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten'. 6. Remember gratitude. Count your blessings. What IS working well in your life? Make a list. Set aside a bit of time everyday to acknowledge what or who you are grateful for. The more you practice gratitude, the more you attract into your life things to be grateful for. 7. Court your passion. Yes, you have passion even though it's been a while since you may have felt it flow. When are you the most alive and joyful in your life? If time and money weren't a factor what would you do, who would you be? Who do you most admire and what do they inspire in you? 8. Take action. Take a risk. What's the one small thing you could do right now that could super charge your inspiration? All the inspiration in the world won't move your life to the next level. It takes inspired ACTION to do that. 9. Keep breathing. You probably forget to take deep full breaths. We have all learned to constrict our breathing in response to stress. According to many experts we not only need oxygen to stay alive, we need oxygen to give us energy and keep us healthy. Right now take five deep, full breaths. 10. Have fun. When was the last time you played? Call a friend, take a bubble bath, take yourself to an art museum or schedule a whole day out in nature. Put on some great music and dance till you drop. How will you feel when you get to the end of your life and look back? There is so much opportunity and support out there to live your life with passion and purpose. You can do it, I did. What have you got to lose? It's your life. Imagine the possibilities! © 2002 Helaine Iris ************************************************* oÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖoo MUGABE SEIZES WEATHER SERVICE HARARE, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who has clamped down on the Opposition, driven white farmers off their land and banned foreign journalists, now has turned his attention to the weather forecasts. The president's office took control of the forecasting service last week after learning that the drought-affected country is facing two more years of low rainfall. 'The government does not want any information on the weather to be leaked,' an official from the Meteorological Office said. 'All our forecasts are to be sent to the president's office, and only then can they be released.' The president's office is expected to remove the most negative aspects before authorizing their release, the official said. Informed sources said Mr. Mugabe feared that the revelation that no early end to the drought was in sight would heighten discontent at a time when nearly half the country's 13 million people are going hungry. Food riots have already erupted in the capital, Harare, and the southwestern city of Bulawayo this month. The development came as the World Food Program said the harvest of the staple food of maize would be poor for the next two years. 'The government and humanitarian agencies need to begin preparing for serious and widespread food insecurity for 2003/2004,' it said in a report. The impact of the regional drought has been compounded by Mr Mugabe's crude land- redistribution program, which has crippled the country's agricultural sector and left swathes of fertile land unplanted. James Morris, a U.N. special envoy on southern Africa, yesterday lamented the loss of the country's white farmers. 'A highly productive part of the agricultural community is no longer engaged in agricultural production,' he said during a visit to Harare. Nearly all of Zimbabwe's white commercial farmers, who numbered 4,500 three years ago, have had their land seized by the government.
öÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖoo FREE EZINESFind hundreds of quality, FREE Ezines at the Cumuli Ezine Finder öÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖoo Copyright 2003 Poignant Pearls & Potbellied Pigs öÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖöo LIST MECHANICS TO JOIN: Please send a BLANK email to VIEW PREVIOUS ISSUES AT - CONTACT INFO: Sheldene Chant (Publisher), 6 Strapp öÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖö°*º*°öÖööÖo |
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