Clipmarks | mugofcoffee's Comments

The world's happiest man

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:23:56 GMT

clipped by: mugofcoffee
clipper's remarks: very nice site, this!

We're not just claiming that title based on the fact that Ricard is never seen without a smile, or that monks are generally a pretty beatific bunch – he's got science on his side, too. In 2004, researchers at University of Wisconsin conducted a study on the brain patterns of hundreds of volunteers from different walks of life. The bell curve of the MRI measurements fell between +0.3 (a Sylvia Plath acolyte, no doubt) to -0.3 (Richard Simmons, perhaps?). But Ricard alone achieved an astonishing score of -0.45 – a level of joy so far above the others that his score was nearly off the chart.

"The mind is malleable," Ricard told The Independent. "Our life can be greatly transformed by even a minimal change in how we manage our thoughts and perceive and interpret the world. Happiness is a skill. It requires effort and time."

In his new book, Happiness, Ricard serves as your own personal cross-trainer in the art of happiness, with advice on meditative exercises

Stonehenge 'older than believed'

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:25:25 GMT

clipped by: invictus
clipper's remarks: Say goodbye to "conventional" 2300 BCE date. Every evidence backs the "older" theories which suggested a construction date well before 3000 BCE.

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

New findings at Stonehenge suggest its stones were erected much earlier than thought, challenging the site's conventional history.

A new excavation puts the stones' arrival at 3000 BC - almost 500 years earlier than originally thought - and suggests it was mainly a burial site.

The latest results are from a dig by the Stonehenge Riverside Project.

It is in conflict with recent research dating construction to 2300 BC and suggesting it was a healing centre.

The 2300 BC date was arrived at by carbon dating and was the major finding from an excavation inside the henge by professors Tim Darvill and Geoff Wainwright.

That dig was the subject of a BBC Timewatch documentary.

The team suggests the 2300 BC date relates to the time when the stones were moved from the outer pits to the centre of the site.

Professor Parker-Pearson said: "It's very exciting that we have evidence for stones right from its beginnings around 3000 BC.

Tags: archaeology, britain, stonehenge

Most beautiful words in the English language

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:43:13 GMT

clipped by: mugofcoffee

Clip Source: www.listology.com

by diaskeaus

adumbrate To very gently suggest.

aestivate To summer, to spend the summer.

amaryllis Bulbous plants which have large red or pink flowers.

asphodel Plants having white, pink, or yellow flowers in elongated clusters.

beatific Befitting an angel or saint.

blandiloquent Beautiful and flattering.

bliss

blossom

bubble

champagne An effervescent wine.

cherish

chimes

cozy

cute

cynosure A focal point of admiration.

delicacy

destiny

effervescent Bubbly.

elysium Any place or state of perfect happiness; paradise.

enthusiasm

epiphany A sudden revelation.

eternity

extravaganza

fantastic

felicitous Pleasing.

fragile Very, very delicate.

galaxy

giggle

glamour Beauty.

gossamer The finest piece of thread, a spider's silk.

grace

gracious

hilarious

home

hush

imbue To infuse, instill.

lagniappe A gift given to a customer for their patronage.

languor Listlessness, inactivity.

laughter The response to something funny.

lithe Slender and flexible.

lollipop

lovely

love

luminous

melody

moment

mother

murmuring

nobility

oeuvre A work.

You are missed Alanocu

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:28:23 GMT

clipped by: michellezm
clipper's remarks: This is a re-clip of one of Alanocu's clips. I really miss him.

Clip Source: viewer.zoho.com

Mysterious DNA Found to Survive Eons of Evolution

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:23:36 GMT

clipped by: mugofcoffee

Clip Source: www.livescience.com

By Clara Moskowitz, LiveScience Staff Writer

The mystery DNA spippets are about 300 times less likely than other regions of the genome to be lost during the course of mammalian evolution. Credit: Dreamstime

Scientists have discovered mystery snippets of mammal DNA that have survived eons of evolution and yet have no apparent purpose. The finding reveals just how much we don't know about the secrets hidden in our genome and that of other animals.

Most genes change throughout evolution via mutations; useless ones eventually get weeded out of the population while the helpful modifications take hold. However, about 500 regions of our DNA — the body's instruction code made up of base pairs of molecules — have apparently remained intact throughout the history of mammalian evolution, or the past 80 million to 100 million years, basically free of mutations.

Mutations are introduced into these regions just as they are everywhere else, but they're swept out of the genome much more quickly,

50 ways to help the Planet...

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:56:05 GMT

clipped by: mugofcoffee
clipper's remarks: more could not be clipped...

Clip Source: www.50waystohelp.com

CHANGE YOUR LIGHT

TURN OFF COMPUTERS AT NIGHT

DON'T RINSE

DO NOT PRE-HEAT THE OVEN

RECYCLE GLASS

DIAPER WITH A CONSCIENCE

HANG DRY

GO VEGETARIAN ONCE A WEEK

WASH IN COLD OR WARM

USE ONE LESS PAPER NAPKIN

USE BOTH SIDES OF PAPER

RECYCLE NEWSPAPER

WRAP CREATIVELY

RETHINK BOTTLED WATER

BAN BATHTIME!

BRUSH WITHOUT RUNNING

SHOWER WITH YOUR PARTNER
Sneak in a shower with your loved one to start the day with some zest that doesn't come in a bar. Not only have you made a wise choice for the environment, but you may notice some other added...um...benefits.

TAKE A SHORTER SHOWER

PLANT A TREE

USE YOUR CRUISE CONTROL

SECOND-HAND DOESN'T MEAN SECOND-BEST

BUY LOCAL

ADJUST YOUR THERMOSTAT

INVEST IN YOUR OWN COFFEE CUP

BATCH ERRANDS

TURN OFF LIGHTS

GREENER LAWN CARE

PICNIC WITH A MARKER

RECYCLE OLD CELL PHONES

MAINTAIN YOUR VEHICLE

RECYCLE UNWANTED WIRE HANGERS

RECYCLE ALUMINUM AND GLASS

TELECOMMUTE

KEEP YOUR FIREPLACE DAMPER CLOSED

CUT DOWN ON JUNK MAIL

CHOOSE MATCHES OVER LIGHTERS

LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE WALKING—ONLINE

GIVE IT AWAY

"Large Fella" Bikes Back to Life

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:13:31 GMT

clipped by: mugofcoffee
clipper's remarks: 50 pounds in the first four months – and they kept on coming off. He'll be quick to point out that he wasn't “dieting”; he was changing his life. Permanently.

He and his family left the east coast for Minneapolis, largely for its reputation as a cycling haven. Thus far Cutshall has dropped to about 230 pounds; he estimates that he'll plateau around 180 but says, “"It's not about a goal weight," he said. "I'm just doing what's healthy for my body, and the results will follow."

Clip Source: www.carectomy.com

Written by Joshua Liberles

In 2005, Cutshall weighed 501 pounds. The avant-garde jazz drummer, husband, and father was in need of a serious change. His size XXXXXXXXXXL lifestyle wasn't going to sustain him for much longer. His doctor told him that he'd need stomach-reduction surgery and lots of medication just to survive – and that his way over-stressed body only had about a 50% chance of surviving the procedure.

Cutshall opted for none of the above. He ordered a custom-made bicycle that could support his body and on Thanksgiving, 2005, he took his first spin around the neighborhood. He rode for 1.9 miles, gasping all the way, with five breaks to recuperate. It took him three hours.

But Cutshall's commitment to change was complete. He completely revamped his diet, cut out all the crap, and went vegan. Veggie soup, portabello hummus pita sandwiches, and “Mega Salads” became his everyday menu.

The 2 mile inaugural ride became 20 to 30 miles per day.

Cutshall's health improved

The closing of a life

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:30:31 GMT

clipped by: bignosemousie
clipper's remarks:

We’re conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware - beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

Clip Source: www.zenmoments.org

“Would you carry my bag out to the car?” she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

“Could you drive through downtown?”

“It’s not the shortest way,” I answered quickly.

“Oh, I don’t mind,” she said. “I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice.”

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she’d ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

“You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,” she said. “Thank you.”

I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

Tags: the small moments matter

What percent of US budget goes to foreign aid?

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:50:33 GMT

clipped by: masbury
clipper's remarks: Most Americans drastically over-estimate it. Despite laudable recent increases in US giving to poverty, US aid as a percent of personal income is second to last among wealthy nations; most of that doesn't go to the poorest countries. We give about 25 cents per American per [oops, sorry I wrote per year should be per day] day in foreign aid; with private giving, another dime. It's a lot, because there are a lot of us. But it's far behind the level of sacrifice made by people in most developed nations.

Clip Source: www.borgenproject.org

The Perception Problem
Americans drastically overestimate U.S. involvement in poverty reduction.

U.S. Second to Last Among Wealthy Nations

Source: OECD-DAC

Less than half of aid from the United States goes to
the poorest countries where people earn less than
$2 a day.
The largest recipients are strategic allies such as
Egypt, Israel, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Israel is the richest country to receive U.S.
assistance ($77 per Israeli compared to $3 per
person in poor countries).

(Center for Global Development)

Incredible Potential for Good

The U.S. was the largest single donor
in a global campaign that eradicated
smallpox from the world by 1977.
The U.S. provided funding for a
program to prevent river blindness in
West Africa. As a result of these
efforts, 18 million children now living
in the program's region are free from
the risk of river blindness.

(Center for Global Development)

Tags: foreign policy, economy

How to stay on task while working from home

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:51:04 GMT

clipped by: readmore

Clip Source: www.persistenceunlimited.com

You’re working at home today, and you get up for the twelfth time to wander through the kitchen, refill your coffee, and look longingly at your kid’s leftover holiday candy that you don’t need to eat another piece of. What’s wrong with you?

Truth be told, you’re not alone. Staying on task is the number one problem people report when they work from home. Luckily, though, there are several strategies you can use to stay on top of things.

First, as silly as it may sound, make a to-do list. You can do this with a post-it note at your desk, or you can make one in an application like Outlook or Google Calendar.

Second, divide your day or work period into blocks of time. Fifty minutes works well for most people. At the end of fifty minutes, give yourself a short break and focus on something else

Finally, be aware of how you’re using your time so you can more formally evaluate what causes you to get off task and avoid those problems entirely.

Tags: productivity

Simple Living, Trucker Style

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 02:22:16 GMT

clipped by: gingembre
clipper's remarks: Go to the source for the list of this guy's material possessions, including his two "luxury items". I am trying to imagine living this way but am fairly certain that I could not do it and be happy. No room for, or way of life for, dogs or cats or other creatures that I care for. No room for photo albums or artwork or plants or quilts or memorabilia....

Clip Source: simplystated.realsimple.com

My brother is a long-haul truck driver. His residence is the 264 cubic feet cab of his Volvo VN 670 semi. To put this in perspective, the cab of his truck is smaller than a cell in a U.S. maximum security prison.

Imagine for a moment that you lived in a space that small. What would you keep? What would go? How much of any one thing would you buy? Could you live that way?

I thought that you might be interested in learning about what he does keep and how he lives with so few material possessions. It's a great lesson in reminding us that to be happy and healthy we don't need a lot of stuff.

Clothing

Linens

Entertainment

Food

Toiletries

Other

Now that you've seen the list, could you live in such a small space with so few material possessions? I have to admit that it would be difficult for me, but I know that it's possible and helps to keep things in my own life in perspective.

Tags: lifestyle, simple living

NASA Mars Lander Sees Falling Snow, Soil Data Suggest Liquid Past

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 03:53:58 GMT

clipped by: ratilfar
clipper's remarks: Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Clip Source: www.nasa.gov

PASADENA, Calif. -- NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander has detected snow falling from Martian clouds. Spacecraft soil experiments also have provided evidence of past interaction between minerals and liquid water, processes that occur on Earth.

A laser instrument designed to gather knowledge of how the atmosphere and surface interact on Mars has detected snow from clouds about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) above the spacecraft's landing site. Data show the snow vaporizing before reaching the ground.

"Nothing like this view has ever been seen on Mars," said Jim Whiteway, of York University, Toronto, lead scientist for the Canadian-supplied Meteorological Station on Phoenix. "We'll be looking for signs that the snow may even reach the ground."

"We have found carbonate," said William Boynton of the University of Arizona, lead scientist for the TEGA. "This points toward episodes of interaction with water in the past."

Tags: mars, weather, snow, cool, science

Zip It Up Soldier

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:41:16 GMT

clipped by: debbyski

Clip Source: www.motherjones.com

The number of vocally anti-war soldiers appears to be growing.

"You take an average group of soldiers and ask them, 'Is the war worth it?' and you get close to a majority saying it is not really necessary or viable," says David Cortright, author of Soldiers in Revolt: GI Resistance During the Vietnam War, who has been touring and speaking at bases. "The anti-war sentiments are much more pervasive now in Iraq."

As a result, soldiers say, the military is increasingly trying to silence them with formal threats as well as less official intimidation techniques: At their own discretion, commanders can enact "non-judicial punishments," such as imposing a diet of bread and water, enforcing longer work hours, and requiring intensive physical activity like hauling sandbags back and forth or running for hours in full gear.

"It's hard to explain how much the military has control over your entire life,"

Tags: you, are, property, baby

Liberty or Safety???

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 08:24:45 GMT

clipped by: mugofcoffee
clipper's remarks: always the tug of war between the two...

Clip Source: www.dedroidify.com

Pakistan Invades America - "Without Permission"

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 09:24:14 GMT

clipped by: thisnamecantbetaken
clipper's remarks: >>Except for note 2, all the above-quoted statements are real; only the roles have been switched.<<

Clip Source: www.informationclearinghouse.info

The U.S. State Department lodged a sharp protest over ongoing Pakistani missile strikes and ground raids today, saying the Islamic Republic was violating American sovereignty.

The controversy stems from the Pakistan Army's recent decision, leaked in a prominent Pakistani newspaper, to mount intensifying air attacks and new ground assaults against extremists hiding in American safe havens

American papers reported that under the new policy, the Pakistani military will no longer seek America's permission in killing Americans, but will inform American diplomats about these killings as a friendly gesture between close allies.²

The general's stance signified strong Pakistani dissatisfaction with America's reluctance to crack down on religious fundamentalists and neoconservatives, who, experts note, have deep ties to American intelligence services and military leaders.

"We have to strike them over there so that they cannot order strikes against us here at home," General Kayani said