Japan Video Games Blog

Disclaimer

Hey guys and gals! We FIND and PROMOTE people's work, we never take credit for things we haven't written, we just love sharing the things that are interesting, but if you don't want your work or pictures shown, please let me know and I'll take it off, we're not trying to harm any one here or infringe on anyone's copyrights, just late night entertainment for my friends and I after a long days of work.

We're not making money off the site, nor are we publishing anything to other places through feedburner claiming that it's our work, just a hobby of finding cool things around the internet, that's all. Sometimes we copy and paste too quickly and a link giving you credit doesn't appear, if that's the case and you DO want your work promoted, we will add in the backlink, we would love to give credit where credit is due!

Please contact me or drop a comment on any posts you guys don't want up and I'll take it off within 24 hours, thanks!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

fraggle.jpg (JPEG Image, 450x239 pixels)

fraggle.jpg (JPEG Image, 450x239 pixels)
Blogged with the Flock Browser

Warning Signs You Can't Ignore : Living : Lifestyle : Sympatico / MSN

Before John Douglas became one of the FBI's most legendary crime stalkers, he wanted to be a veterinarian, so he spent a lot of time working on farms. "I always wondered how cows got out of those barbed-wire fences," he recounts. "But then I realized what a cow does all day. He stands around chewing his cud and looking at the fence. Eventually, if you look at something long enough, you see weakness. Trouble is, most people don't spend much time looking."

You could say that Douglas's farm experience became a metaphor for his 25 years at the Bureau. He has a knack for spotting holes, weaknesses, and clues  that other investigators miss. In professional parlance, he is a profiler -- an agent specially trained in observation, investigation, and interpretation. By studying the facts of a case, inspecting forensic evidence, and reviewing law-enforcement witness interviews, profilers can often predict things about an offender long before he's apprehended. At times, good profilers can appear almost clairvoyant, but it's actually their highly evolved sense of awareness and deductive reasoning that's at work.

Douglas and other adept profilers are about to teach you the same skills they honed at the acclaimed behavioral science unit of the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. You don't have to be a crime victim to take advantage of this knowledge. Most of their techniques can be used to minimize risks that arise in all sorts of everyday situations.

Indeed, in a world that seems more threatening and filled with more people trying to take advantage of you every day, there's no better time to learn a new way of protecting yourself.

What follows are descriptions of eight situations you may eventually find yourself facing. For each, our team has assembled a checklist of things to look for to minimize your vulnerability or risk.

Good luck with your investigation.

Find out if she's cheating

You have a creeping suspicion she's seeing some creep. Here's how to conduct an interview that'll make her divulge the truth.

Work from a "zero behavioral baseline," advises Mark Safarik, a 23-year veteran of the Bureau who now runs FBSI, a Virginia-based company dedicated to crime-scene analysis and threat assessment. In other words, look for sudden deviations in her usual conduct: a new hairstyle and clothes, more concern with hygiene and fitness, prolonged absences, less interest in sex.

If enough signs exist, set a trap. Buy two romantic cards that are exactly the same. Send one to her at work, unsigned. If she's having an affair, she won't mention it, because she won't know who sent it.

Now "play" the second card. Tell her you need to talk. "Make sure it's after dark," says Douglas, "because it'll make her feel more relaxed." Sit at a table on which you previously placed the second card. Don't make it too obvious, but be sure she notices it.

This is called "introducing a stressor."

Don't confront her with the card. Instead, look in her eyes and ask, "Are you having an affair?" Study what she does next. If she repeats the question, drops her eyes, looks away, folds her arms, licks her lips, crosses her legs, or picks some invisible lint off her clothing, she's stalling and is probably guilty. It's time to go in stronger.

Ask the question again, this time glancing at the card but still not fully acknowledging it. If she truly has something to hide, she'll become increasingly agitated.

Finally, to spark a confession, provide what FBI interrogators call a "face-saving scenario." Say this: "I know we've been having problems, and I don't blame you if you did this, but I just want the truth." "If she's being perceived as a victim," says Douglas, who has used this technique to crack many criminals, "she'll be more likely to talk."

Don't be misled by... her denials. "I've had people pass polygraph tests and still turn out to be lying," says Douglas. "Those with a history of lying, like O.J. and Bill Clinton, are good at it. Other people besides criminals are chronic liars. Don't make the mistake of thinking everyone is honest."

See if your potential boss is a psycho

The company is booming and the benefits package is great, but will you really enjoy working for the guy behind the desk?

Case the company as you would a crime scene. How is it organized? What's its mission? What's the competition? "It's a no-lose effort," says Douglas. "The knowledge you acquire will positively shape the interview."

When you arrive, notice if the boss's door is open or closed. If it and others are shut, it's a tense work atmosphere.

Be on the lookout for superiority cues (he keeps you waiting, he doesn't rise to greet you, your chair is set lower than his). Sure, he's the boss, but he doesn't have to rub it in.

Look for the "Love-Me Wall" covered with diplomas, awards, and autographed celebrity photos. Robert Ressler, a 20-year FBI man who coined the term "serial killer," says it's basically a shrine that screams, "It's all about me." And if it's about him, that means it won't be about your needs or success.

Most important, ask yourself a few questions. Does he give me his full attention during an interview? Does he push aside the demands of the day, stop glancing at e-mail, and listen? If he does now, he'll do the same later.

Don't be misled by... family photos. "They don't mean anything," says Douglas. "I've seen pictures on desks of men with their wives, and they're divorced the next week. Sometimes it means he's trying to impress everyone by showing he's a family man. This is called 'staging the office.' He's trying to project something he's not."

Discover if it's a dream neighborhood or a nightmare on Elm Street

A house is only as great as its location. Here's how to spot a troublesome neighborhood before you hand over the down payment.

When Douglas goes to a mall and sees children performing onstage, he watches the crowd, not the kids. "Good profilers learn to look away from the focal point," he says. In this case, shift your focus from the property to what surrounds it.

Ask the local police about criminal activity. Some departments have online databases that are searchable using zip codes.

Beyond the physical appearance of the surrounding properties, look at the cars parked in driveways. Are they upscale brands or candidates for Pimp My Ride? Also look at the condition of the lawns. "Yards and cars mirror personality," says Ressler.

Talk to the neighbors. See if they own or rent. Ask them about the best and worst aspects of living there.

Observe the real-estate agent as he's showing the place. Is he in a hurry? Does he make eye contact when answering questions? Ask to see certain parts of the property again, but this time watch where he's looking. (People often self-consciously glance at trouble spots.)

Stake out the area on a Saturday night. Sit in your car, roll down the window, have a snack, and observe. A neighborhood's personality can change dramatically on weekends. (If someone calls the cops on you, it's a good sign.)

Don't be misled by... the owners or the agent. Remember, they want to sell. "Always work from a constellation of behaviors and observations," says Safarik. "Don't put too much importance on any one person or attribute."

Look into the job candidate's soul

He's polite, professional, and highly qualified. But how will he perform on the job?

Employees are 15 times more likely to steal than customers are. So set up an integrity test. Leave a file marked "confidential" on the waiting-room table or a $50 bill under a magazine. Then ask the receptionist to watch if he bites.

Call human resources at his previous workplaces. Ask one telling question: Is he eligible for rehire?

Search him on all the usual Internet sites (Google, MySpace, Facebook). They may yield clues about his personality that he'd never volunteer.

Fifty percent of people lie on their résumés. If you notice discrepancies, give your prospective employee the chance to correct them. "Most people embellish. If you give them an opportunity to come clean, they will," says Clint Van Zandt, a 25-year FBI veteran who now operates his own risk-assessment company. "If he doesn't come clean, then he'll probably exhibit that same behavior on the job."

Find what FBI investigators call "spin-off." "This is a person who's not one of your target's drinking buddies, who knows something about him and is willing to share it," says Van Zandt. Ask if there's someone at his previous company he didn't get along with. Ask his references the same question. "You want to find at least one person who isn't going to paint this guy with a smiley-face brush," he adds.

Don't be misled by... secondhand information. "People naturally filter information in a way that's positive for them," says Safarik. "This could bias you. Take note of what others say, but always draw your own conclusions."

Decide if she's the one

You think you're in love. You think she'd make a great wife and mother. But don't buy the ring until you observe her in these six situations.

Dinner with your family: They know you almost as well as you know yourself. Value their opinion.

Dinner with her family: Watch how her parents treat each other. Their relationship is her role model.

An evening of babysitting: Do you see any motherly instincts emerge? Is she patient? Does she have fun? Afterward, ask if she'd like to have kids one day. Does she reply directly and comfortably, or is she evasive?

Breakfast at a diner: Observe her interaction with the waitresses. "How she handles service staff is a good indication of how she treats others," says Van Zandt.

Drinks with other women: Take her to a bar where some of your attractive female friends hang out. Is she jealous?

Hanging at her place: It's filled with clues to her true personality — books, magazines, DVDs, art. Remember that reality mimics fantasy. Also, is she living within her means? "Financial issues are a major cause of divorce," says Safarik.

Don't be misled by... your unchecked emotions. Good profilers are able to detach themselves from circumstances in order to make an honest appraisal.

Cut open the surgeon's record

You need a good one, but is the surgeon who cut out Uncle Tony's gallbladder really qualified?

Google him. You'll get a snapshot of his career accomplishments, community involvement, and any controversy that may surround him.

Give his waiting room the once-over. Is it clean and organized? Do the nurses appear in control, or harried? Are other patients growing restless? What does the man next to you think of him?

Give the doctor the once-over. Is he in good health for his age? Is he professional in presentation and demeanor?

Evaluate his time with you. Is he punctual? Is his first question about your medical insurance, or about your medical problem? Does he listen? Is he sincere? Does he profess to be able to cure anything, or does he recommend seeking other opinions?

Grill him. Most people are too trustful of doctors. Be sure to ask how long he's been practicing, how many times he's done this surgery, and what his success rate is.

Back in the parking lot, look for his car. Peek inside. If it's in shambles, he may leave your innards looking the same way.

Find out which floor of the hospital he operates on, and visit it. Casually ask the nurses for their opinions of him.

Don't be misled by... appearance. "What do bad people look like?" says Douglas. "They look like you and me. Ted Bundy was a good-looking guy, and he killed more than 20 people."
Decide whether to go to bed with her

She's been coming on to you all night. Is she another "fatal attraction"?

Measure her actions against the "zero behavioral baseline" you already have for such situations. Compared with other women, is she far from the norm in appearance, dress, and aggressiveness? If so, beware.

Try to find out if she's on the rebound. If so, she's vulnerable and more likely to latch onto you.

Is she already talking about the long term, such as vacations together? If so, that's a sign of possessiveness.

Start talking to another woman and see how woman number one reacts. If she acts jealous even though she hardly knows you, her reaction will be even stronger after you've become intimate with her.

When in doubt, ask the bartender. Chances are, he'll know her.

Don't be misled by... her sudden interest in you. "Since when did you become Brad Pitt?" asks Douglas. "Great profilers consider motive — they walk in the shoes of whoever they're trying to understand."

See if the employee is a time bomb before he blows

He's always bitching and moaning, and sometimes he even acts slightly threatening. Could he go postal?

"People are always leaking information," says Safarik, "but others never pick up on it until after the fact. You see this at school shootings all the time. Profilers learn to stop and say, 'What does he mean by that?' "
Look around his cubicle. If his walls are plastered with family photographs and shots of him fishing, he's probably not a risk. On the other hand, if the walls are blank or push-pinned with complaints, or if everything appears obsessively neat, he bears watching.

Take him to lunch and listen to his complaints. Are they reasonable? Is he upset about one thing, or everything? Is it a situation, or a person? Does he obsess about what this person has done to him? (If so, pick up the tab to get on his good side.)

Note whether he's speaking in the active or passive voice. For instance, if he says, "Someone ought to take care of that guy," it's passive. But if he says, "I'm going to get him," that's active, which elevates the level of threat.

Don't be misled by... gut instinct. Note how you feel about the situation initially, but then put those feelings aside and objectively and thoroughly gather as much information as possible. Then return to your instinct to see how it fits in.

As Sherlock Holmes, the most famous profiler of all, said, "It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts."
Warning Signs You Can't Ignore : Living : Lifestyle : Sympatico / MSN
Blogged with the Flock Browser

10 ways to keepyour chidlren safe online | Change your thoughts

Here are 10 ways to keep your child safe online

  1. The most important thing to do is talk with your children about safety online and how important it is for them to talk with you about anything that happens whilst on the internet. It is important for your children to understand that you are trying to protect them and talk with them about some things that have happened in real life to other children and how you want to prevent this happening to them. Advise your children that you don’t want to invade in their privacy but you will be keeping tabs on what they do online from now on.
  2. Make sure you are the administrator on the computer and create another user account for your children which you will have control over. This means your children will be restricted as to what they can view and download.
  3. The first thing to do is put a filter on what your children can and can’t access online and what type of sites they can view. Windows Vista has a parental control built in however there is other software out there which can help to keep children safe online, the most popular is ‘Net Nanny ‘.
  4. Learn what your children are learning. Get to know sites like Bebo, Facebook, MySpace, and create a profile on them to get to know them better.
  5. Learn how to use MSN messenger, AOL Messenger, Google talk etc. Insist that your children record their conversations so you can scan them at a later date. This sounds very intrusive but I would much rather keep my children safe and have them think I am being a pain. Learn how to record conversations in these messenger services and check on them weekly. You don’t need to read every detail of the conversation, you are there t protect, not to spy. I have advised my children they can still talk how they normally talk on these messenger services and they will not get into trouble, within agreeable limits of course.
  6. Keep your child’s computer in a communal area within the house. If locked in a room there are unscrupulous people who can get your child to do something that they don’t want to if they know they are alone in a bedroom.
  7. Remember that older children are curious about sex and relationships and the internet can be a safe way to explore this. If you find inappropriate content on the computer and it is not illegal and disturbing don’t worry too much. Try and remember what you were like as a teenager and how curious you were.
  8. Check the sites your children are visiting by clicking on Control + H whilst in the browser they usually use. This will give you an idea about their surfing habits.
  9. It’s not so common these days but make sure if your children enter chat rooms that they do not stumble in over 18’s cat lines. Also advise your children not to chat in the private rooms available on these sites, especially with people they do not know.
  10. Know who to report any abuse that may happen on the internet. The first port of call is obviously the police if it is serious enough. However there are websites you can go to report abuse:

Virtual Global Task Force
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre
DFES funded Parent’s Centre on Bullying
Internet Watch Foundation

Other sites you might be interested in:
http://safekids.com/
http://www.getnetwise.org/gnwtv/
http://www.kidsmart.org.uk/
http://www.netfamilynews.org/
http://www.parentscentre.gov.uk/usingcomputersandtheinternet/

10 ways to keepyour chidlren safe online | Change your thoughts
Blogged with the Flock Browser

Super Mario Brothers as Hunter S. Thompson - PixelGen

Super Mario Brothers as Hunter S. Thompson - PixelGen
Blogged with the Flock Browser

ashnight01's profile - StumbleUpon

ashnight01's profile - StumbleUpon
Blogged with the Flock Browser

stuan.jpg (JPEG Image, 471x475 pixels)

stuan.jpg (JPEG Image, 471x475 pixels)
Blogged with the Flock Browser

TheMishMash.com: "As I Was Walking Down the Street [Another] Day..."

"As I Was Walking Down the Street [Another] Day..."

1. Cabbage Patch Dolls for the juvenile delinquent.

Dolls
(Photo by Abra Frankel).

2. Gives a whole, new meaning to the phrase One Stop Shopping.

Coffee_4
(Photo by Kim Ripley).

3. Don't sugarcoat it now.

Yourobme
(Photo by Waiting Line).

4. Recommended by 4 out of 5 registered sex offenders.

Peepshow
(Photo by Phil Hollenback).

5. WWJD?

Cross_2
(Photo by Quim-Bee).

6. Good luck with that.

Pigeon
(Photo by Almostincognito).

7. Budget cutbacks, Mayor?

Bisbee
(Photo by Ew Eves).

8. A pothead's wet dream.

Fries__
(Photo by Tup Wanders).

9. Nice.

Guns
(Photo by Lee H.).

10. "And turn off your f-ing cell phone too!"

Ipod
(Photo by Synecdoche).

11. They blow the competition away!

Bjs
TheMishMash.com: "As I Was Walking Down the Street [Another] Day..."
Blogged with the Flock Browser

Trithemis_kirbyi.jpg (JPEG Image, 2821x2116 pixels) - Scaled (39%)

Trithemis_kirbyi.jpg (JPEG Image, 2821x2116 pixels) - Scaled (39%)
Blogged with the Flock Browser

Cool Pictures From Other Stumblers 1

http://gallery.photo.net/photo/2843736-lg.jpghttp://www.vacation-wizard.com/images/bulgaria/04.jpghttp://www.thefoto.ru/uploads/posts/1151568189_1510765.jpghttp://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h29/jediliska/iloveyou.jpgXiolita http://greatblogabout.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/moment-2d224-resize.jpg

Blogged with the Flock Browser

How to Shoot Light Trails

One of the first subjects that I remember trying to capture as a teenager with my first SLR camera (film) was light trails created by cars on a busy road near my home.

I’d seen this type of shot in a photography magazine and was impressed by the eye catching results.

Light Trails continue to be popular subject matter for many photographers and they can actually be a great training ground for those wanting to get their cameras out of manual mode and to experiment with shooting in low light at longer exposures.

Following area few examples of light trail shots as well as some practical starting point tips for those wanting to give it a go.

Equipment:

There is not just one particular type of camera and kit that you’ll need to capture light trails - however it is important to have a camera that allows you to have some control over exposure settings - particularly those that allow you to choose longer shutter speeds. This means you need a camera that has the ability to shoot in either full manual mode and/or shutter priority mode (something that all DSLRs and manypoint and shoot cameras have).

You’ll also need a tripod (or some other way to making your camera completely still) as you’ll be shooting with long shutter speeds which will make shooting handheld pretty much impossible.

Not essential but helpful to have with you are lens hoods (to help block lens flare from ambient lights), remote shutter release cables or wireless remote controls, patience and some warm clothes if you’re going out on a chilly night.

The Basic Principle:

At the most general level photographing light trails involves finding a spot where you’ll see the light trails created by cars, securing your digital camera, setting a long exposure setting on your camera and shooting at a time when cars will be going by to create the trail of light. Of course it’s a little more complicated than this - but the general factor behind it is longer exposures that will enable the car/s that create the trails to move through your image.

Experiment:

While there are a lot of tips that could be shared on the topic of photographing light trails - the main thing I learned in my early days of attempting to create these types of images was to experiment extensively. The beauty of digital photography is that you can do this with no extra cost to yourself and can get instant results (unlike when I did it on film and had to fork out for film and processing - not to mention wait days to see my results).

Setting Up Your Shot:

Photographing light trails is not difficult - it’s as simple as finding virtually any road with cars going down it once the sun goes down. But getting a shot that grabs attention means putting a little more thought into choosing your location, thinking about timing and framing your image. Here are a few tips on how to set your shot up:

  • Timing/Light - one might think that the middle of the night is the best time for light trail photography (and it can be) - however one very effective time to do it is just as the sun is going down (just before and after). If you shoot at this time you’ll not only capture light from cars, but ambient light in the sky which can add atmosphere to your shots. You also might find that earlier in the evening you get a little more ‘action’ in your shot with more cars and even the movement of people through your shot.
  • Creative Perspectives - some of the most effective light trail shots that I’ve taken and seen from others were taken from perspectives other than at the height of a normal person standing up. Get down low or find a place looking down on your scene that will create an unusual angle.
  • Location - the most obvious thing with location is that you’ll need it to be somewhere near a road - however there’s more to think about than that. Choose a location that adds interest to the shot in some way. This might be one where there are well lit buildings along the road, one where multiple roads merge together to create light trails in different directions, on the bend of a road so that the trails sweep through the image, near a roundabout so the trails create circular shapes, in the middle of dual carriageways (on a triaffic island) so that you get traffic coming in two directions etc.
  • Framing - the normal ‘rules’ of composition apply in this type of photography. Images need some sort of point/s of interest, the rule of thirds can be applied effectively, draw the eyes into your image using lines smartly, foregounds and backgrounds should add to and not distract from the image.

Settings:

  • Aperture and Shutter Speed - I wish I could give you shutter speeds and apertures that will work in every situation - but as the ambient light and speed of cars will differ in every situation there’s no one exposure combination that will work in every setting.

    Having said this I’ve found that I usually shoot at shutter speeds between 10 and 20 seconds (which gives cars time to move through the frame) and with apertures in the mid range (start with something around f/8).

    The key is to start with something in the range above and to take a few test shots to see how the exposure works. You’ll quickly realize whether your shots are under or overexposed and whether the length of the exposure is long enough to let cars travel through the frame in the way that you want.

    If your shots are overexposed - close your aperture down (increase the f stop number) or if your shots are underexposed open it up (decrease the f stop numbers). If you want the car’s lights to go further through the frame go for a longer shutter speed and if you want it to travel less through the frame shorten it.

    Keep in mind that aperture impacts depth of field. If you need to go with a larger aperture you decrease the depth of field and more of your shot will be out of focus.

  • Histogram - One thing to watch out for is letting any light source in your image (whether it be headlights, street lights etc) washing out your image. Lights that burn too bright can cause distractions and draw the eye of your viewer away from focal points - ruining your shot. One way to quickly check out if there’s any area in your shot that is overexposed to this degree is to view the histogram on your shot. If there are areas that are blown out you’ll have a graph with a right hand side that is too high on the graph. Learn more about histograms here.
  • Choose a low ISO setting - this will give you images with as little noise as possible.
  • Shoot in RAW if you have it - this will enable you to have more control in your post production work - particularly in getting white balance right (something that can be important as you’re shooting in a situation with lots of artificial light that can cause all kinds of color casts in your shot).
  • Manual Focus - In low light situations cameras can struggle to get focusing locked correctly. The last thing you want is for your camera to be in and out of focus just as you need to hit the shutter release. Switch to manual focus and make sure your focus is upon a part of your image that is visually strong.

Timing Your Shot:

There is no right or wrong way to time your shot. Hitting the shutter just before a car enters the frame and releasing it just after it leaves the frame can create a lovely unbroken line - but sometimes shooting with shorter exposure times while the camera is in the frame can be effective also. Once again it’s about experimenting with different timings and seeing what effects it has.

Using Bulb Mode:

Many digital cameras have a mode on them called ‘bulb’ mode that allows you as the photographer to keep the shutter open as long as you wish. This can be very handy in this type of photography to time your shots with precision. If you use this you’ll want to be using a remote shutter release to stop any camera movement while the shutter is open.

Light-Trails-6-1
How to Shoot Light Trails
Blogged with the Flock Browser

http://www.linkinn.com/_Modern_Day_Fantasy_Pics

http://www.linkinn.com/_Modern_Day_Fantasy_Pics
Blogged with the Flock Browser

Moon in Stunning Detail - Boredstop.com

Moon in Stunning Detail - Boredstop.com
Blogged with the Flock Browser

FanOfKevinH29's profile - StumbleUpon

FanOfKevinH29's profile - StumbleUpon
Blogged with the Flock Browser

An Appeal To All Chinese Spiritual Brothers And Sisters

Today I would like to make a personal appeal to all Chinese spiritual brothers and sisters, both inside as well as outside the People’s Republic of China, and especially to the followers of the Buddha.  I do this as a Buddhist monk and a student of our most revered teacher, the Buddha.  I have already made an appeal to the general Chinese community.  Here I am appealing to you, my spiritual brothers and sisters, on an urgent humanitarian matter.

The Chinese and the Tibetan people share common spiritual heritage in Mahayana Buddhism.  We worship the Buddha of Compassion – Guan Yin in the Chinese tradition and Chenrezig in Tibetan tradition – and cherish compassion for all suffering beings as one of the highest spiritual ideals.  Furthermore, since Buddhism flourished in China before it came to Tibet from India, I have always viewed the Chinese Buddhists with the reverence due to senior spiritual brothers and sisters.

As most of you are aware, beginning with the 10th of March this year, a series of demonstrations have taken place in Lhasa and across many Tibetan areas.  These are caused by deep Tibetan resentment against the policies of the Chinese government.  I have been deeply saddened by the loss of life, both Chinese and Tibetans, and immediately appealed to both the Chinese authorities and the Tibetans for restraint.  I specially appealed to the Tibetans not to resort to violence.

Unfortunately, the Chinese authorities have resorted to brutal methods to deal with the development despite appeals for restraint by many world leaders, NGOs and noted world citizens, particularly many Chinese scholars.  In the process, there has been loss of life, injuries to many, and the detention of large number of Tibetans.   The crackdown still continues, especially targeting monastic institutions, which have traditionally been the repository of ancient Buddhist knowledge and tradition.  Many of these have been sealed off.  We have reports that many of those detained are beaten and treated harshly. These repressive measures seem to be part of an officially sanctioned systematic policy. 

With no international observers, journalists or even tourists allowed to Tibet,  I am deeply worried about the fate of the Tibetans.  Many of those injured in the crackdown, especially in the remote areas, are too terrified to seek medical treatment for fear of arrest.  According to some reliable sources, people are fleeing to the mountains where they have no access to food and shelter.  Those who remained behind are living in a constant state of fear of being the next to be arrested. 

I am deeply pained by this ongoing suffering.  I am very worried where all these tragic developments might lead to ultimately.  I do not believe that repressive measures can achieve any long-term solution.  The best way forward is to resolve the issues between the Tibetans and the Chinese leadership through dialogue, as I have been advocating for a long time.  I have repeatedly assured the leadership of the People’s Republic of China that I am not seeking independence.  What I am seeking is a meaningful autonomy for the Tibetan people that would ensure the long-term survival of our Buddhist culture, our language and our distinct identity as a people.  The rich Tibetan Buddhist culture is part of the larger cultural heritage of the People’s Republic of China and has the potential to benefit our Chinese brothers and sisters.

In the light of the present crisis, I appeal to all of you to help call for an immediate end to the ongoing brutal crackdown, for the release of all who have been detained, and to call for providing immediate medical care to the injured.

 

The Dalai Lama
An Appeal To All Chinese Spiritual Brothers And Sisters
Blogged with the Flock Browser

Chocolate Fuels Truck Across Sahara Desert : Gas 2.0

What do they do with chocolate products they can’t sell? Off to the landfill to decompose and create methane. Wish they could just send it to me. Two young Britons, Andy Pag and John Grimshaw, have traveled more than 4,000 miles across the Sahara using such chocolate as fuel.

The two decided to prove the viability of different kinds of feedstock to produce biofuels, especially biodiesel and ethanol. They’ve done that, traveling from Poole, England to Timbuktu, Mali, 4,473 miles, using 396 gallons of fuel made from three tons of discarded chocolate.

The truck was salvaged from a scrap yard, repaired and fitted for the long trip. It will remain in Timbuktu, a donation to a local charity. The crew will also set up a small processing unit to convert waste oil products into fuel.

Their carbon footprint is being measured, and the two believe it’ll be the first carbon-negative voyage in the world.

Two biodiesel fueled four-wheel drive vehicles accompanied the truck on the trip, carrying supplies and two large plastic vats containing the fuel.

The Christian Science Monitor says the trip was not without a few hitches. Because of colder temperatures, the fuel started to freeze up, so they had to add some regular fuel. Entering Morocco sparked some bureaucratic problems which were soon resolved, and the trip continued.

More proof that it doesn’t necessarily take food crops to make biofuel. Discarded products such as chocolate, chicken fat, cooking oil - the list goes on - work just fine as fuel. It not only answers the need to replace fossil fuels, but reduces the amount of food waste going to landfills.

Chocolate Fuels Truck Across Sahara Desert : Gas 2.0
Blogged with the Flock Browser

The FAIL Blog

The FAIL Blog
Blogged with the Flock Browser

ZBrushCentral - R'Zalka - DW3 entry

ZBrushCentral - R'Zalka - DW3 entry
Blogged with the Flock Browser

you_are_beautiful.jpg (JPEG Image, 393x600 pixels)

you_are_beautiful.jpg (JPEG Image, 393x600 pixels)
Blogged with the Flock Browser

Print "Gazeta Mercantil: Dollar" / 2008 / Ad Archive / Prints / Coloribus.com - Advertising Archive and mysterious coincidences in commercials

Print "Gazeta Mercantil: Dollar" / 2008 / Ad Archive / Prints / Coloribus.com - Advertising Archive and mysterious coincidences in commercials
Blogged with the Flock Browser