masterwordsmith-unplugged

Currently, I spend loads of my free time reading as much as I can on economic, health and technological issues. I am no economics/financial guru but I seriously believe that the world is heading towards economic collapse.

Many already know I have no intention to blog or comment on our local political scene any more because I regard it as a total waste of time. Why? We can see some running the same worn-out plots, singing the same out-of-tune melodies, introducing the same bogeymen and spinning the same old yarn. And yet, there is absolutely no progress because all they want is to cling on to power or to wrest power in the name of the rakyat's well being. Helloooooooooo!!! Who are they kidding? Time to get out of that delusional ambience. A cursory glance at the headlines of each day can tell us how shallow and selfish are some or worse still, how deceptive can some 'angels' be. Many are still caught up with ideological aspirations, or being fooled by spin  doctors who gleefully lead the herd astray with their so-called theories. While they are fighting amongst themselves, the worldwide situation is worsening and we DO NOT see aspiring leaders telling us HOW they will save us all from the worst case scenario. Moving on....There are MORE important things that concern us! Simply put, is the end at hand? We have to be aware of the signs around us.

This site gives fourteen signs that the world economy is getting weaker.

Here's a summarised form of the 14 signs. Please click here to read the post in full. There are already 120 comments so far.

#1 Things in China do not look good right now. 

#2 The Bank of Japan has resorted to yet another round of money printing in a desperate attempt to try to bolster the faltering Japanese economy....

#3 In Spain, violent demonstrations over the state of the Spanish economy just outside the national Parliament building in Madrid on Tuesday evening made headlines all over the globe. 

#4 As unemployment hovers around the 25 percent mark, foraging through garbage bins for food has become so rampant in Spain that one city has actually started putting locks on supermarket garbage bins "as a public health precaution".

#5 Despite all of the money printing that the ECB has been doing, the yield on 10 year Spanish bonds has risen back up to about 6 percent again.

#6 The economic protests in Greece are getting completely and totally out of control. 

#7 The unemployment rate in France has risen for 16 months in a row and is now the highest that it has been in over a decade.

#8 The number of unemployed workers in Italy has increased by more than 37 percent over the past year.

#9 New orders for durable goods in the United States fell by a whopping 13.2 percent in August.  That was the largest decline that we have seen since the middle of the last recession (January 2009).

#10 According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. GDP only grew at a 1.3 percent annual rate during the second quarter of 2012 as opposed to the 1.7 percent annual rate previously reported.

#11 The U.S. Postal Service is about to experience its second financial default in just the past two months....

#12 It looks like General Motors is on a path that will lead to bankruptcy (again).

#13 According to a recent survey conducted by State Street Global Advisors, 71 percent of "investors in a survey of 300 around the world, including the largest pension funds, asset managers and private banks, fear an imminent Lehman-like event."

#14 According to a recent survey of American CEOs by Business Roundtable, the number of CEOs that plan to eliminate jobs has risen significantly from earlier this year....

Reader YK also sent me an article about Lindsey's Four Signs of Economic Collapse. I am not posting it here because it is too long and too er... *coughs* to do so.

CLICK HERE to read the article.

CLICK HERE to access articles on economic collapse in The Examiner. You might want to check out the latest articles in The Examiner on:

• Silver and gold: Why invest in them and which is the better acquisition?
• The USA-China economic weapons of mass destruction
• Peter Schiff says the government’s cure is worse than the disease.

Look around you. I feel it. What? The increase in the prices of goods, especially food! Some of my friends overseas have already started growing their own vegetables and fruits.

There will come a time when the prices of food will rocket sky high and many will suffer. Self-reliance is the best. Most importantly, we need to (I have not yet...) ensure we have ample supplies such as...

• water, water filters (more than one), water containers, water purification pills
• water purifiers (small ones) such as what you can see HERE
• peanut butter
• dried beans of any type
• Mixed stuff eg those that hikers bring along such as a variety of ingredients, raisins, peanuts and other nuts, dried fruit and berries and chocolate. :-)
• Non-perishable food
• Brown rice
• Sunflower seeds
• Lighters, tinder packed in waterproof containers, Candles
• Solar power generator, solar powered batteries for home use and even for cell phones
• Cell phone/Laptop Signal Boosting Kits
• Propane and propane stove
• Torch-lights etc

Some of you might think I have lost my marbles. By now, you can understand why I do not comment on local issues. The current problems that we see in our own back yard is nothing compared to what lies before all of us, all over the world.

In closing, allow me to share with you with Bill Ryan wrote HERE:

Dear All:

I'm as certain as I can be that in the next 6-9 months quite a lot is going to happen that may require us to get our life jackets on (routine and sensible when ocean sailing), work together well, and safeguard our energy, resources and well-being until the storm is over.

Like sailing at sea, storms are not to be feared -- just to be handled. If one wanted to avoid storms, one should not be at sea at all. Here we are all on this planet this lifetime, and it wasn't a mistake. You chose to be here. You have a mission to accomplish.

If you have a good boat and a good crew, then it's simply an adventure ... and, as a spin-off, a test and learning experience for everyone.

It can be a great deal of fun. Nothing trivial is intended by that statement. As spiritual beings, we're all fun-loving dolphins swimming in the universal sea... and sometimes we find ourselves trapped in nets which we have to get out of. That's part of the adventure, too.

The only real problem is remembering your mission. Not easy with Jason-Bourne-amnesia. Look for clues all around you: people you know, people you meet, the things that "happen to you", the coincidences and synchronicities, and what energizes you and keeps capturing your attention.

CLICK HERE for the rest of the entry.

In 1979, I formed this Christian singing group called The Living Harmony with Rev. Koe Choon Huan (PJ) ,Rev. Michelle Lee (La, Paz, Bolivia), Rev Moses Lee (currently on sabbatical in US), Anthony Khor (Perth), Hock Guan (Singapore), Sook Cheng (???) and myself. Then, we won a state level Talentime with our cover version of Larry Norman's "I Wish We'd All Been Ready". As a group, we arranged the seven-part harmony with overlapping parts for the song and used Cliff Richard's version which you can view HERE (FOR NON-MUSLIMS ONLY).

I am not a religious fanatic and you can see that in all my blog posts, I have never quite proclaimed my faith at all. For the record,  I am not trying to convert anyone in this post which I am writing to raise awareness that there are MORE IMPORTANT and worrying issues that concern all of us than the current situation in our own backyard. In my entire life, I have never shoved the gospel down anybody's throats. In fact, I rarely share the gospel openly and have done so to only less than ten persons because I believe religion is a very personal affair and it is every one's right to decide on their own which faith they want to believe. Five of them converted - including my dad,  my god-daughter now finishing her PhD in US, her cousin and my varsity course-mate - Cindy Ooi - who is currently an interim pastor At this point of time, I believe the end is within my lifetime. And it is ironical that the song I sang in 1979, is a question that I have to ask myself.

Am I ready?

Frankly, no. To other Christians out there reading this, are you ready? To those from other faiths, if indeed the end is near, are you ready?

What will we do?

Honestly, I have no answer. I am taking a big risk blogging about this but I just hope that in time to come, we can really take time to smell the roses, to see the world as it is, to have the right values, beliefs and perspectives so that we are not hoodwinked into forgetting what is important. Beliefs, perspectives and values or even priorities may differ but one thing we have in common is the fact that our lives are precious, so are our family members and loved ones. So, cherish them always and make the right decisions...may the God you believe in bless and guide you always.

Thanks to reader YK who sent me the following Inspirational Video some time ago. I never watched it until recently. It is a very simple and yet beautiful video with a lesson or two for everyone of us!!

What are we complaining about when we have life and everything? Listen to EVERY word this 15-year old girl says and learn how she imparts life lessons to us.

I was skeptical at first but when watching the video, I could really feel and see that Aisha Chaudhury meant every word she said.

I am not joking when I say that I shed tears when I watched this refreshing video that gave me more oomph and zest for life like no other has ever given me.

"There's always something in life to sing about...something to be grateful for...even for the challenges life has thrown at us because they let us experience life at a much greater intensity than we would have otherwise...

And our souls would have no rainbows if our eyes had no tears....(paraphrased from Aisha's speech)

This INK video is about:

AISHA CHAUDHARY
 

Fifteen year-old Aisha Chaudhary was born with an immune deficiency disorder and overcame a predicted life expectancy of only one year to have become an accomplished artist today. Despite a serious lung disease called Pulmonary Fibrosis, her persistent optimism, extraordinary maturity in the face of impossible odds, and calm perspective on life's challenges have been an inspiration to many.

Like Voltaire, she believes a shipwreck gives us an opportunity to sing in the life boats. Little Aisha Chaudhary, the first INK Youth Fellow, teaches us a big lesson even as she is battling a life-threatening medical condition. All of 15, Aisha has taught herself to paint, take pictures, run with her dog and dance at her cousin's wedding, not just once but twice. Aisha learned art at the American Embassy School. "You live every moment twice, once in your mind and once when you actually live it," she said to a standing ovation.


CLICK HERE to watch the video on SINGING IN THE LIFE BOAT.

* INKtalks are personal narratives that get straight to the heart of issues in 18 minutes or less. They are committed to capturing and sharing breakthrough ideas, inspiring stories and surprising perspectives--for free!

In the late 1980's to mid 1990's when I was teaching Sociology in an international school, my students were aghast when I broached the subject of polyandry (which was part of the syllabus on Family Structures). Then, we did not have access to internet resources and it was tough to convince those bright kids that indeed, it was still being practised then, even now.

Last week, reader YK brought to my attention the following article which was posted HERE.

Brothers Wed The Same Woman by The New Paper


When Tashi Sangmo was 17, she married a 14-year-old neighbour in a remote Himalayan village in Nepal.

As part of the package, she also agreed to wed his younger brother.

In ancient times, the sons of almost every family in the region of Upper Dolpa would jointly marry one woman but the practice of polyandry is dying out as the region begins to open up to modern life.

"Things are easier this way because everything we have stays in one family. It doesn't get divided among many wives and it is me in charge," said Ms Sangmo, who spoke through an interpreter. "Two brothers bring in the money and it's me who decides what to do with it."

When she wed Mingmar Lama 14 years ago, it was understood that her spouse's brother Pasang, then 11, would later join the relationship in a centuries-old practice thatpersists in a few isolated Himalayan villages.

Between them, they now have three sons aged eight, six and four.

"I wanted to share this bond with my brother because life would be easier for both of us," said Mr Pasang, 25, speaking at the family home in Simen village, 4,000m above sea level and five days' walk from the nearest town.

Traditionally part of the caravans that plied the route between Nepal and Tibet, the people of Upper Dolpa still follow the trade, leading yaks that bring salt from Tibet and rice from the southern Terai plains.

In the thin air high above the tree line, arable land is in short supply and farms are tiny.

But polyandry prevents the practice of each generation of a family dividing their holdings, and food supplies just manage to cover the locals' basic needs.

CLICK HERE for more.

Hello everyone! It is Friday.....time to loosen up, relax, take it easy...So.

Here's something that will definitely brighten your day and give you a good laugh.

This is brilliant.

This girl is  Australian.

Pay attention to what she says at 1:40 where she says men don't know that women need...

Click here to watch

My grateful appreciation to blog reader YK who sent me the following story which I am posting specially for those who love dogs, cats or any other pet/animal. Have a wonderful day!

An Argentinean dog has spent the past six years proving that he is `a man's best friend`, even though that man is dead, it has been revealed. Capitan, a mutt who is some parts German Shepard, disappeared from his home in the small town of Villa Carlos Paz in the centre of Argentina following the death of his owner, Miguel Guzman, in March of 2006. For days, nobody in Guzman's family noticed the absence of the dog until the family visited Miguel's grave at a municipal cemetery.

"Damian started to shout that it was Capitan and the dog came toward us barking, as if he were crying," the New York Daily News quoted Guzman's wife, Veronica Moreno, as telling the La Voz del Interior. Capitan didn't impress Moreno but seeing how faithful he has been changed her mind.

Even though the family called to the dog, he stayed by his master's grave.What surprised them was that Miguel had passed away in a hospital in the city and his body was taken to a funeral home far away from their residence and none of the family members recalled the dog following them to the cemetery before.

"The next Sunday we went to visit Miguel's grave and the dog was there.This time he followed us when we returned, because we had walked. He stayed with us at home for a while but later went back to the cemetery,"Veronica said.Captain has made that cemetery his home for the past six years.Veronica revealed that she didn't really like the dog when he was living with her and even when he was brought home as a gift, the woman thought he would cause too much extra housework.

But now that she's seen the dog stand so loyally by her husband's grave, she says she views the mutt more sympathetically.
Additionally, the municipal cemetery's director, Hector Baccega, said that the dog has a special sense for Miguel and a very particular schedule.The first time Baccega saw the dog, he arrived at the cemetery alone. The dog then did a couple of laps around the place before finding his master's grave — All on his own."And that's not all," Baccega said."Every day, at six in the evening, he lies in the front of (Miguel's) grave," he said.

Capitan vanished from his new home to be with his dead owner and even though the dog's other owner, Damian, fondly remembers receiving him as a puppy when he was a kid, he said he's fine with Capitan's new living arrangements."If he wants to stay there, it's fine that he remains: he's taking care of my dad," Damian said.

-Author Unknown-

A few days ago, I came across this story in Fox News:

Dog tracks down hospitalized owner more than 2 miles away to pay visit A New York dog was so affected upset by its owner's hospitalization, it decided to leave home and pay him a visit.

Zander, a 7-year-old husky dog, is believed to have crossed under a busy parkway, and a four-lane road to get to his owner, John Dolan, who was being treated for a skin condition in a hospital two-miles away, MyFoxNY.com reported.

Dolan's wife said when John left for the hospital, the dog was depressed and spent its days crying and sulking. The couple believes Zander, who they rescued five-years-ago from a shelter and nursed back from starvation, traced Dolan's scent to the hospital. "I don't know how he got there, I've never taken him there," Dolan's wife told the website. CLICK HERE for more.

MSN posted this photo of Zander and John Dolan:

 Do share in the comment box if you have any similar experiences with your pets. Thanks!

• "Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful." -Ann Landers
• "If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went." -Will Rogers
• "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." -Ben Williams
• "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." -Josh Billings
• "The average dog is a nicer person than the average person." -Andy Rooney
• "We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made." -M. Facklam
• "If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons." -James Thurber
• "A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down." -Robert Benchley
• "I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult." - Rita Rudner
• "Dogs need to sniff the ground; it's how they keep abreast of current events. The ground is a giant dog newspaper, containing all kinds of late breaking dog news items, which, if they are especially urgent, are often continued in the next yard." -Dave Barry

• "And nobody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog." - Franklin P. Jones
• "If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise." - Unknown
• "Outside of a dog, a book is probably man's best friend; inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." -Groucho Marx
• "Ever consider what they must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul -- chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth!" -Anne Tyler
• "Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea." -Robert A. Heinlein