News for today's 2018

FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA, THE PERSIAN GULF, THE SOUTH ATLANTIC TO ANTARCTICA, IT’S ALL ABOUT NATURAL RESOURCES

5:57 AM Tukiyooo 0

<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQZWbanWvb-VchcIZlgOkPUZcB3P9Z5lhdut14EGy21uHR-rW8pVqWz4mXfvHY80OKB0Ma6gXz4eWpRZAUQkN6eS2eGHD_1y1JxvJeRUIKvan8SNmdflE1-4aQgSSX8rjyrqBn9jOCwSv/s1600/NSF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQZWbanWvb-VchcIZlgOkPUZcB3P9Z5lhdut14EGy21uHR-rW8pVqWz4mXfvHY80OKB0Ma6gXz4eWpRZAUQkN6eS2eGHD_1y1JxvJeRUIKvan8SNmdflE1-4aQgSSX8rjyrqBn9jOCwSv/s400/NSF.jpg" width="390" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Antarctica</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">BRITISH INCREASED PRESENCE ON THE MALVINAS – FALKLAND ISLANDS IS PRIMARILY ABOUT FAST ACCESS TO THE ANTARCTICA, OIL EXTRACTION AND FISHERY INDUSTRY INTERESTS </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: red; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">IT’S ABOUT  ANTARCTICA</span> </span></b></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="hps">Se trata de la</span><span class="shorttext"> </span><span class="hps">ANTÁRTIDA</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="hps">Recientes</span> actitudes belicistas alrededor de <span class="hps"><span> </span>las Islas Malvinas</span><span>  </span><span class="hps">entre Gran Bretaña</span> <span class="hps">y ARGENTINA</span>, en vísperas <span class="hps">del 30 aniversario</span><span class="hps">de la guerra</span> <span class="hps">de Malvinas</span>, no <span class="hps">tienen que ver con</span> <span class="hps">la defensa</span> <span class="hps">de los isleños</span> <span class="hps">y el</span> <span class="hps">resto de la</span> <span class="hps">retórica de Gran Bretaña</span> <span class="hps">de confrontación</span> que <span class="hps">utiliza</span> <span class="hps">para justificar sus acciones</span> <span class="hps">recientes. Se trata de </span><span> </span><span class="hps">los descubrimientos de petróleo</span>, los intereses <span class="hps">de la industria pesquera</span> <span class="hps">y</span> <span class="hps">para asegurar un</span> <span class="hps">fuerte militar</span> <span class="hps">en el Cono Sur</span> <span class="hps">con el fin de</span> <span class="hps">tener acceso rápido a</span> <span class="hps">la Antártida</span> <span class="hps">el momento que el</span> <span class="hps">Tratado Antártico</span> <span class="hps">se convertirá en nulo</span> <span class="hps">y una carrera</span> <span class="hps">para la explotación</span> <span class="hps">de los recursos naturales</span> <span class="hps">y la extracción</span> <span class="hps">resultará en</span> <span class="hps">guerra </span><span> </span><span class="hps">"entre los países</span> <span class="hps">que reclaman</span> <span class="hps">el territorio</span> <span class="hps">en el continente.</span><span class="shorttext"> </span><span class="hps">Esto conducirá</span> <span class="hps">muy probablemente a</span> <span class="hps">los enfrentamientos armados</span> <span class="hps">y</span> <span class="hps">por lo tanto,</span> <span class="hps">Gran Bretaña, con</span> <span class="hps">sus</span> <span> </span><span class="hps">bases en <span> </span>MALVINAS</span> <span> </span><span class="hps">tendrá una ventaja</span> <span class="hps">militar para proteger a</span> <span class="hps">la fuerza</span> <span class="hps">sus intereses nacionales.</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmurySGPn9_Qe6ZXxK5z6cDEWYge9GJdh0hbwZRfCVHSp0qPqOaaLM2VXTfpmGgDHmScgk5Ur1ziVF1s6FV-nxmV1btZVbgJSNvt5-PRmutupIovWK1uAzdIF0PQ3KT927alh_6iMP_xUS/s1600/IMG_3081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmurySGPn9_Qe6ZXxK5z6cDEWYge9GJdh0hbwZRfCVHSp0qPqOaaLM2VXTfpmGgDHmScgk5Ur1ziVF1s6FV-nxmV1btZVbgJSNvt5-PRmutupIovWK1uAzdIF0PQ3KT927alh_6iMP_xUS/s200/IMG_3081.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Recent warmongering over the MALVINAS - FALKLAND Islands between BRITAIN and ARGENTINA on the eve of the 30<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the FALKLAND –MALVINAS war are not about the defense of the Islanders and the rest of confrontational rhetoric’s BRITAIN uses to justify its recent actions. They are  about latest oil discoveries, fishing industry interests and to ensure a military stronghold on the SOUTHERN CONE in order to have quick access to the ANTARCTICA the minute the ANTARCTIC TREATY becomes void and a run for natural resource exploitation and extraction will result in quarrels’ between countries claiming territory on the continent. This will most likely lead to armed confrontations and thus BRITAIN, with its MALVINAS – FALKLAND base will have a military advantage to forcefully protect its national interests. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></b></span><br /><div style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">ARE ANTARCTICA NATURAL RESOURCES WORTH THE QUARREL?</span></b></span></div><div style="color: red;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="hps"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">SON</span></span><span class="shorttext"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="hps"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">LOS RECURSOS</span></span><span class="shorttext"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="hps"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">NATURALES</span></span><span class="shorttext"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> ANTARTICOS LO SUFICIENTEMENTE VALIOSOS PARA LA GUERRA?</span></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="hps"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Antártida contiene</span></span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> <span class="hps">el <b>75%</b></span><b> <span class="hps">del agua dulce del</span> <span class="hps">mundo</span></b>. <span class="hps">Se encuentra</span> <span class="hps">libre de contaminación</span>. <span class="hps">También cuenta con</span> <span class="hps">gran cantidad de</span><span class="hps">recursos naturales como </span>la flora <span class="hps">y la fauna</span>, <b>minerales, petróleo, carbón, etc.</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>Se cree que el continente antártico tiene grandes depósitos de minerales, combustibles (aproximadamente 45.000 millones de barriles y ~ 115 billones de pies cúbicos de gas) y carbón (~ 11% del total mundial).</b> Esto se puede comprobar mediante el uso de la técnica moderna y sofisticada para la evaluación de los recursos. A partir de ahora, la minería está prohibida en la Antártida. Los países miembros del Tratado Antártico (1959) han firmado el tratado para la no explotación de los recursos antárticos, y ayuda a mantener el continente libre de conflictos.</span><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span class="hps"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Sin embargo,</span></span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> <span class="hps">debido a la creciente</span> <span class="hps">población humana y</span> <span class="hps">la necesidad de recursos</span> <span class="hps">en el futuro</span>, es obvio <span class="hps">que para el año</span> <span class="hps">2040,</span> <span class="hps">la Antártida se</span> <span class="hps">convierte en el objetivo</span><span class="hps">final para la</span> <span class="hps">explotación</span> <span class="hps">de recursos</span> <span class="hps">diversos</span>.</span></span><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES-AR;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">ANTARCTICA holds <b>75% of the world’s fresh water</b>. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">(See <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1639185052">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/06/water-golden-commodity-of-future.html</a><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/06/water-golden-commodity-of-future.html%29">)</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It is free from pollution. It also has enormous amount of natural resources such as fresh water, flora and fauna, minerals, oil, coal etc. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It is believed that ANTARCTIC continent have large deposits of <b style="color: red;">minerals, oils (~45,000 million barrels and ~115 trillion cubic feet of gas) and coal (~11% of the world’s total).</b> This can be ascertained by using sophisticated modern technique for resource assessment. As of now, mining is banned in ANTARCTICA. The member nations of ANTARCTIC TREATY (1959) have signed the treaty for non-exploitation of ANTARCTIC resources and helps in keeping the continent <b>free of conflicts</b>. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: blue;">However, due to increasing human population and the need for resources in future, it is obvious that by the</span> <span style="color: blue;">year 2040,</span> <b><span style="color: red;">ANTARCTICA will become the final target for various resources exploitations</span></b>.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">BACKGROUND:</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">ARGENTINA’S foreign minister has accused the UK of deploying nuclear weapons near the disputed MALVINAS - FALKLAND Islands, militarizing the South Atlantic. Hector Timerman voiced the accusations as he lodged a formal protest with the UN. He said ARGENTINA had intelligence that BRITAIN had deployed a Vanguard class submarine in the area.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Thus far the UK refuses to say whether it is true or not,”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> he told a journalists in New York. <i>“Are there nuclear weapons or are there not? The information ARGENTINA has is that there are these nuclear weapons.”</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFw3zOs-mdBSUvNQ3Dna6E-r8Ilb4aGSYBK95jnWplWrZZU-eRB6TaIgsVjXJz0nDyCjTMYO6r41Jxtjg_xCzls8MpXsRF98MAPVXkG53ChbzjAWZGFpt7MPRG6kQd9nbcMRRzSMTMiSrf/s1600/5326CEEF97B1684660524BAD44352D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFw3zOs-mdBSUvNQ3Dna6E-r8Ilb4aGSYBK95jnWplWrZZU-eRB6TaIgsVjXJz0nDyCjTMYO6r41Jxtjg_xCzls8MpXsRF98MAPVXkG53ChbzjAWZGFpt7MPRG6kQd9nbcMRRzSMTMiSrf/s320/5326CEEF97B1684660524BAD44352D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Britain’s ambassador to the UN would not officially comment on disposition of BRITISH submarines, but called ARGENTINEAN allegations of UK’s militarization <i>“manifestly absurd.”</i> UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon said in a statement that he was concerned with the escalating row between ARGENTINA and BRITAIN over the MALVINAS - FALKLAND Islands. Earlier the BRITISH media reported that UK had deployed a Trafalgar-class nuclear-powered submarine armed only with conventional weapons to the region.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The tension between the two countries has surged in the run-up to the 30th anniversary of the MALVINAS - FALKLANDS War. Back in April 1982, ARGENTINA tried to take control of the islands, and claims as its rightful territory. BRITAIN repelled the attack with military force. More than 900 people were killed in the hostilities.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The current row has been brewing since at least 2010, when BRITISH companies started drilling for oil in the region. Argentina has put diplomatic and commercial pressure on the islands’ administration. Buenos Aires recently convinced LATIN AMERICAN countries no ban ships bearing the MALVINAS -FALKLAND Islands flag from their ports, troubling their supply logistics.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Falkland_Islands"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Falkland_Islands</span></a></div><div class="style7" style="color: red;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikP5wg_7mQj2eWxZugKWnDK5s9_lb4eT1J1w75WL1LCphctsVSiLH7ViRY8C3Bp4oYyFtLWzjUenUYkQhUtC5U3iXl0ZYMoPEtyOSwZbhFOadU3ik03L09T6b1JNwCD_Fg53Gp-SrEeE9h/s1600/cl_20071218_antarctica07_mcmurdo_004_65147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikP5wg_7mQj2eWxZugKWnDK5s9_lb4eT1J1w75WL1LCphctsVSiLH7ViRY8C3Bp4oYyFtLWzjUenUYkQhUtC5U3iXl0ZYMoPEtyOSwZbhFOadU3ik03L09T6b1JNwCD_Fg53Gp-SrEeE9h/s320/cl_20071218_antarctica07_mcmurdo_004_65147.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="style7" style="color: red;"><br /></div><div class="style7" style="color: red;"><br /></div><div class="style7" style="color: red; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>TESTS OF THE ANTARCTIC TREATY </b></span></div><div class="style7"><br /></div><div class="style3" style="text-align: justify;">The ANTARCTIC TREATY set the base line for peace and security. But the treaty was necessary for a reason. Furthermore, the Treaty has undergone revision in order to maintain peace in an ever-evolving international environment. </div><div class="style3" style="text-align: justify;">The initial reason for an Antarctic Treaty was the overlapping claims of seven nations, BRITAIN, FRANCE, DENMARK, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, CHILE and ARGENTINA to ANTARCTICA. War was inevitable when three countries claimed the same slice of the continent. The unknown value of the territory made the grab for territory even more contentious. </div><div class="style3" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span class="style8"><span style="color: red;"></span></span><span style="color: red;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="style3" style="text-align: justify;">The ANTARCTIC TREATY rectified this situation by refuting all territorial claims to ANTARCTICA. However, this possibility still remains. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The seven nations, although all original signatories of the Treaty, still nominally claim their sovereign territories</b>. Furthermore, the UNITED STATES and RUSSIA, should the treaty structure fail, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">reserve the right to acquire territory</b>. Hence, the infrastructure that supports the Treaty, and the additions and allow it to remain flexible become even more important. </div><div class="style3" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="style3" style="text-align: justify;">The next test for ANTARCTIC came in 1988, when an addition to the Treaty was proposed to regulate mining in ANTARCTICA. It was believed that oil reserves, as well as natural gas may be trapped underneath the eternal tundra and ice that covers the continent. Plans were made to enforce "safe" mining techniques, and study the environmental impacts mining had on the rare ecosystem. </div><div class="style3" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="style3" style="text-align: justify;">International outrage over the proposal was so strong, that many governments began to change their minds over the initiative. FRANCE and AUSTRALIA began to echo calls from other nations to make ANTARCTIC a global park. Nations in the UN argued that the environmental problems that ANTARCTIC would face would eventually face the world. When the initiative came to a vote, it was defeated. Instead, the consultative nations of the ANTARCTIC TREATY decided on the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the ANTARCTIC TREATY, commonly known as the MADRID PROTOCOL, in 1990. The Protocol first and foremost establishes ANTARCTICA as a natural reserve. Furthermore, it prohibits mining, and establishes a system for getting new scientific research approved by the Secretariat for international approval. </div><div class="style3" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="style3" style="text-align: justify;">One perpetual problem the Treaty faces is exclusivity. The Treaty precludes from consultative status (or voting status) any nations that do not have an on-going scientific program in ANTARCTICA. Repeated calls in the General Assembly have yet to lead to an opening up of the treaty. Despite the allowance of the UNEP to observe, poorer nations are being secluded from decision making on ANTARCTIC based on their poverty. ANTARCTIC cannot become a "global park" unless the entire globe is allowed to participate. In short, since what happens in ANTARCTICA does not stay in ANTARCTICA, these nations feel it is imperative that they should be allowed a say in the decisions that ultimately affect everyone. It is this dispute that puts the most pressure on the framework of Antarctica, and prevents other areas from being designated as an international territory. </div><div class="style3" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVel-abHZvv2VD6ftLob0QvSI38sOqlKOuhyNUDrWtMYmw0IUPai1jSwBWMaBjoVGg397KSgXd4iwtfdBaNScZpj4YA9nvIvnpmcFnDSstDm3PYm9rYCELnf5Zp7sKo8WwF_zKLvC8KyX/s1600/208377732_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVel-abHZvv2VD6ftLob0QvSI38sOqlKOuhyNUDrWtMYmw0IUPai1jSwBWMaBjoVGg397KSgXd4iwtfdBaNScZpj4YA9nvIvnpmcFnDSstDm3PYm9rYCELnf5Zp7sKo8WwF_zKLvC8KyX/s400/208377732_640.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="style3" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA, THE PERSIAN GULF, THE SOUTH ATLANTIC TO ANTARCTICA, IT’S ALL ABOUT NATURAL RESOURCES

Antarctica BRITISH INCREASED PRESENCE ON THE MALVINAS – FALKLAND ISLANDS IS PRIMARILY ABOUT FAST ACCESS TO THE ANTARCTICA, OIL EXTRACTION AN...

Eastern MEDITERRANEAN SEA

11:22 AM Tukiyooo 0

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gbW9mxGICr8nE_ftsIKQU4hY5hORweJuHLqL442ReznoKTHPefu2qHzopd5MlIFBdIABklAdrNOuUurqhDAR0uXTH_MC2B_LmI55XM6BcpTZ2fTaXgRUwX4HAbBJojXFkxdvK2UQkzLk/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gbW9mxGICr8nE_ftsIKQU4hY5hORweJuHLqL442ReznoKTHPefu2qHzopd5MlIFBdIABklAdrNOuUurqhDAR0uXTH_MC2B_LmI55XM6BcpTZ2fTaXgRUwX4HAbBJojXFkxdvK2UQkzLk/s400/images.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="color: blue; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ISRAEL’S FIRST STATE VISIT TO CYPRUS AND ITS GEO-STRATEGIC REPERCUSSION FOR THE REGION</b></span></div><div style="color: red; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="color: red; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ENORMOUS OIL AND GAS FINDINGS IN THE LEVANTINE THREATEN THE “MONOPOLY” OF TRADITIONAL OIL PRODUCING COUNTRIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">To complicate the already fragile “coexistence” of ISRAEL and its ARAB neighbors, the prospect that ISRAEL, the arch foe of most ARAB counties could be a direct competitor in oil export in the not too distant future must cause alarm among the traditional oil producing countries and could also have indirect implications on the US strategic alliances with SAUDI ARABIA and the GOLF STATES.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">If all is going according to plan, ISRAEL’S Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be visiting CYPRUS on <b>February 16</b>, the purpose of the trip – the first-ever visit by an ISRAELI prime minister to the island – is to boost cooperation on SECURITY and OFFSHORE DRILLING for natural gas and oil and an effort to create closer ties between the two nations.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="color: red; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>SINCE TURKEY, OFFICIALLY AT LEAST, CUT TIES WITH ISRAEL, ISRAEL’S ONLY OPTION FOR FUTURE OIL AND GAS EXPORTS, GEO POLITICALLY SPEAKING, IS VIA “NEUTRAL” CYPRUS</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The issue of gas and oil discoveries will clearly be a major topic of discussion during the visit for ISRAEL wants to strike an agreement with CYPRUS on cooperation in the delivery of the gas to markets in EUROPE and ASIA.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="color: red; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>IAF (ISRAELI AIR FORCE) TO BE STATIONED IN CYPRUS</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjWYKVYBGM-DP8v1ZDaLYOHTp32o-aJJ-N4LVaDBFhdaBNi467yoDP4-jeN2zLBs41IYG6DXjEnTB2RrM7c4I1pfcDk1Hk9g3zly2K9lT8yjVOk5xIag5w8IEF3Oh86bra7KkOZufJ8J9/s1600/Cyprus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjWYKVYBGM-DP8v1ZDaLYOHTp32o-aJJ-N4LVaDBFhdaBNi467yoDP4-jeN2zLBs41IYG6DXjEnTB2RrM7c4I1pfcDk1Hk9g3zly2K9lT8yjVOk5xIag5w8IEF3Oh86bra7KkOZufJ8J9/s320/Cyprus.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Historically speaking CYPRUS, for its strategic location in the MEDITERRANEAN SEA, has always been the focal point of military strategist. After gaining independence from the UK, CYPRUS was forced to accept two BRITISH SOVEREIGN BASE AREAS on its island which house a Signal Battalion in DHEKELIA operating sophisticated listening and observation devices directed towards the EAST and the Royal Air Force base in AKROTIRI which has been and still is used as a logistic and operational base for NATO coalition forces conducting operation in the Middle East. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thus it comes as no surprise that ISRAEL is interested to establish external military presence in CYPRUS to compensate the loss of military cooperation and presence in TURKEY. It is therefore rumored that during the ISRAEL’S Prime Minster visit to CYPRUS, ISRAEL will also asked CYPRUS for permission to station military aircraft on the islands bases. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="color: red; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="color: red; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="color: red; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="color: red; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE TWO COUNTRIES RECENTLY SIGNED A COOPERATION AGREEMENT RELATING TO THE PROTECTION OF NATURAL GAS DRILLING SITES</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The visit comes against a backdrop of worsening relations between ISRAEL and TURKEY following the May 2010 TURKISH flotilla incident, which is cited as the official reason for the rift between the countries but in reality it has always been because of the gas and oil findings and TURKEY’s double edged strategies of recent past. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: red; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">INCREASED DRILLING ACTIVITIES ANNOUNCED IN THE SOUTH EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN BASIN </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Prior to ISRAEL’S state visit in CYPRUS, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">NOBLE Energy (US-ISRAELI joint venture) announced that they will be back in Block 12 for more drilling sometime in the third quarter of this year.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">At a symposium held in NICOSIA, organized by the INSTITUTE OF ENERGY OF SOUTH EAST EUROPE, based in GREECE <a href="http://www.iene.gr/Default.asp?lng=2">http://www.iene.gr/Default.asp?lng=2</a>and the FMW media group <a href="http://www.fmwonline.com/">http://www.fmwonline.com</a>/, NOBLE Energy stressed that recent findings look encouraging and therefore the company decided to drill a second well in Block 12 which, according to estimates should hold between 5 and 8 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas at a depth of 5,860 meters. NOBLE stressed that this is only a pinhole and that more findings are imminent.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noble’s next step would be to carry out engineering studies for the necessary facilities (for example the wellheads) as well as for a pipeline running from the field to the island’s southern shores of CYPRUS.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglx7QvGna3bUMhvUCcasx_U0q5xrEbfNHocsZGCcmE3_A1zjnJKKHBmDyKA-Vybk8-SX7GIzTrd_ubytgBv0nPDJ2mFswreCZc6LwDe39Xx9M-y5uWRl5keloecMOdTipyARAW6lzUJtvJ/s1600/cyp_oil_and_gas_drilling_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglx7QvGna3bUMhvUCcasx_U0q5xrEbfNHocsZGCcmE3_A1zjnJKKHBmDyKA-Vybk8-SX7GIzTrd_ubytgBv0nPDJ2mFswreCZc6LwDe39Xx9M-y5uWRl5keloecMOdTipyARAW6lzUJtvJ/s400/cyp_oil_and_gas_drilling_72.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="color: red; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>NATURAL RESOURCES FINDINGS ARE A ECONOMY AS WELL AS GEO POLITICAL BOOST FOR CYPRUS </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">NOBLE’S proposal for building an LNG plant on the island to export the gas, saying this was a flexible solution for CYPRUS and would generate work for about 4000 people who would generate cash for the island as well as additional jobs created by spinoff businesses once CYPRUS becomes a natural gas producer.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">GREECE’S DEPA (Public Gas Corporation) stated that the coming decade will see a growing supply gap for natural gas in EUROPEAN countries, and proposed that CYPRIOT gas be piped to GREECE and then onto BULGARIA and SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="color: red; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ISRAEL HAS BECOME A KEY STRATEGIC ALLY TO GREECE AND CYPRUS</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">GREECE plans to build an interconnector by 2014 that will link the country’s grid with the BULGARIAN network, channeling gas from the CASPIAN to the EUROPEAN continent. In conjunction to recent findings in the LEVANTINE, the governments of GREECE and CYPRUS stressed that ISRAEL has become a key strategic ally for both countries and thus the governments should rise to the occasion and take advantage of this opportunity.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greek politicians attending the symposium in NICOSIA stressed that both countries should take a more pragmatic approach to politics, noting that the oft-cited traditional friendship with the ARAB WORLD is, in many respects, a myth for there is no such thing as one ARAB WORLD, and one should not forget that a number of member countries of the ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE have recognized “NORTH CYPRUS”. See Cyprus conflict:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus_dispute">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus_dispute</a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">  </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: red; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0.5pt;">ENORMOUS GAS FINDINGS AND PROSPECTS OF OIL FINDINGS COMPLICATE TURKEYS STANCE IN THE REGION </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5JQnyQ8HRGyxU5kBQhY35xE73aYJswpFwrBJnfBl-9FooEZgZBa6dBwJh-XwS2YJFvLijvlHbjFnv56B8waTltSZe1CrxAxLp8Kibo8eMO6nDYJA-sRhpkZZx9LHUszM3SFk36K5u-TO/s1600/D-Unity-Turkish-Bazaar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5JQnyQ8HRGyxU5kBQhY35xE73aYJswpFwrBJnfBl-9FooEZgZBa6dBwJh-XwS2YJFvLijvlHbjFnv56B8waTltSZe1CrxAxLp8Kibo8eMO6nDYJA-sRhpkZZx9LHUszM3SFk36K5u-TO/s320/D-Unity-Turkish-Bazaar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0.5pt;">New</span></span><b style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0.5pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">tension is brewing between TURKEY and CYPRUS after CYPRUS’ and ISRAEL’S enormous gas finds in the EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN in 2010-11 and TURKEY’S extremely negative reaction to those finds. TURKEY can be embroiled with a conflict, not only with CYPRUS, its EUROPEAN backers and ISRAEL, but with RUSSIA as well. The CYPRUS energy conflict demonstrates the urgency of making progress on the tangled issue of CYPRUS’ future and the relationships among its two ethno-religious groups.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2011 was a difficult year in TURKEY’S relations with CYPRUS and 2012 does not look much better. CYPRUS will hold the rotating Presidency of the EU from July to December and given a weak government at home, recent events will do nothing to ease conditions for TURKEY’S entry into the EU. That means it will not support nor make any concessions on the vexed issue of the TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS. But those were not the issues that caused more tensions in 2011 and are likely to do so in 2012.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: red; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">NEW TENSION BETWEEN TURKEY AND CYPRUS REVOLVE AROUND CYPRUS AND ISRAEL’S ENORMOUS GAS FINDS</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The new tension between TURKEY and CYPRUS revolve around CYPRUS and ISRAEL’S enormous gas finds in the EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN in 2010-11. The issues relating to CYPRUS’ gas could embroil TURKEY, not only with CYPRUS, its EUROPEAN backers, and ISRAEL, but also with RUSSIA, its supposed friend and partner.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: red; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">MUCH NEEDED ECO- FINANCIAL BOOST FOR CYPRUS AFTER RUSSIA’S BAILOUT, BUT WITH GEO STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">During 2009 and 2010, CYPRUS and ISRAEL discovered enormous natural gas deposits off their shores in the Mediterranean Sea. And in late 2011 NOBLE ENERGY, the firm contracted by CYPRUS with exploring for gas in its waters, announced a discovery of gas estimated at 5-8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas there. This discovery could not come at a better time for CYPRUS, which in 2011 endured a slippage in its fiscal ratings, was shut out of international capital markets, hit by a large munitions blast, and was finally forced to accept a RUSSIAN bailout. All told, the discoveries by both countries amount to 33 trillion cubic feet of gas (ca. 1 trillion cubic meters). And the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that the Levant Basin, where most of these discoveries have occurred, may hold 122 TCF (3.4 tcm).</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: red; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">REDUCING TURKISH LEVERAGE UPON CYPRUS’ POLICIES REGARDING THE CYPRIOT TURKS AND CYPRUS’ OVERALL POLICIES IN GENERAL</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: red; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But these discoveries also have some negative repercussions. They have heightened tensions on CYPRUS between the two states there and with Turkey. The discoveries offer CYPRUS the prospect of becoming a local economic powerhouse in contrast to the near disasters of 2011 and of thus reducing TURKISH leverage upon CYPRUS’ policies regarding the CYPRIOT TURKS and CYPRUS’ overall policies in general. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: red; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">INCREASE FOREIGN INVESTMENT </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Indeed, the gas finds to date give CYPRUS enough gas to meet its needs for an estimated 150 years, fully satisfy its electricity generating needs for 210 years, and provide it with billions of dollars of revenues that will allow it to become a major exporter to EUROPE once pipelines or tankers carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) can be built. So it can also expect an influx of much more foreign EUROPEAN capital to build those facilities, strengthen and diversify its sources of foreign investment. It is likely that a pipeline will have to be built to connect with those that presently or soon will cross TURKEY, or that a liquefaction plant will need to be built to process CYPRIOT and ISRAELI gas finds. Not surprisingly, the “TRNC” government reacted coolly to the gas discovery and TURKEY, which does not recognize the government of CYPRUS, even sent an exploration ship accompanied by warships and fighter jets to the area after Noble started drilling.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: red; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">TURKISH THREATS DEEPLY DISTURB CYPRUS AND RUSSIA</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">However, TURKEY’S threats against CYPRUS and ISRAEL due to their exploration and drilling for gas in the Eastern Mediterranean caused concern in RUSSIA. <b style="color: blue;">Moscow recently organized a large loan to CYPRUS to sustain it against a crisis should GREECE or CYPRUS default because so many RUSSIAN accounts are held in CYPRUS’ banks and then reinvested in RUSSIA or used to launder the elite’s money by cycling it out of RUSSIA into the global banking system</b><span style="color: blue;">.</span> <b style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;">Clearly, </span>Moscow cannot allow CYPRUS to go under</b>. Turkish threats therefore deeply disturb both CYPRUS and RUSSIA. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: red; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">GREECE, CYPRUS, RUSSIA AND ISRAEL - CONNECTED BY FAITH  </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">One should not forget that GREECE RUSSIA and CYPRUS are close allies, not only because of economic bonds but also religion; they all are part of ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY, something that should not be underestimated when it comes to fight for a common cause. Furthermore RUSSIA has certain interests in ISRAEL for there are more than one million RUSSIAN immigrants living in ISRAEL, some of whom are of extreme wealth. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Once TURKEY’S navy openly threatened CYPRUS for signing an agreement with NOBLE ENERGY who also developed ISRAEL’S maritime gas fields, RUSSIA’S Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly backed CYPRUS’ right to develop its Mediterranean gas. CYPRUS in turn labeled Moscow “a shield against any threats by TURKEY.” CYPRUS’ Prime Minister was also then able to charge TURKEY with being a regional bully. Furthermore, RUSSIA dispatched an aircraft carrier with fighter planes, and at least one submarine to CYPRUS as a show of support for in an open example of it version of gunboat diplomacy. In other words, Moscow made clear that it would not tolerate TURKISH threats against CYPRUS, adding another issue to what is becoming an increasingly troubled agenda of RUSSO-TURKISH relations. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The natural resource findings will give Cyprus the leverage of no longer being economically vulnerable to TURKISH pressure or to demands for concessions regarding the TURKISH population on the island. This means a substantial diminution of any prospective influence TURKEY may have had in the past or hoped to have in the future.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: red; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CYPRIOT AND ISRAELI DISCOVERIES AND PLANS TO SELL GAS TO EUROPE DIRECTLY CUT AGAINST TURKISH ASPIRATIONS OF BEING A MAJOR ENERGY HUB FOR EUROPE.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Given CYPRUS’ partnership with ISRAEL, TURKISH threats against CYPRUS will aggravate the tense relationship with ISRAEL that has already caused major headaches for TURKEY in Washington and has left it with being in the bizarre position of simultaneously having deteriorating relations with IRAN, SYRIA, and ISRAEL. Economic ties between the two countries though, do not have seemed to diminish. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">(See: <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2012/01/see-no-evil-hear-no-evil.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2012/01/see-no-evil-hear-no-evil.html</a>) The size of the CYPRIOT and ISRAELI discoveries and the plans to sell much of that gas to EUROPE directly cut against TURKISH aspirations that are part of a deep elite consensus that Turkey’s geography makes it an energy hub for Europe. Now there could be alternative energy sources from the greater neighborhood that will go to Europe over which Turkey has little or no leverage.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: red; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">RUSSIA LIKELY TO DEMAND ENTRÉE INTO FUTURE GAS BUSINESS FROM CYPRUS AND ISRAEL </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">RUSSIA has already demonstrated its will and ability to check TURKEY in regard to CYPRUS. That interest will only grow in the future because it is inconceivable that Moscow, which sees itself as being EUROPE’S main supplier of gas, will simply let Israel and Cyprus cut in with such massive impact into its sales and compete with it at no cost. This does not mean the use of military force but it does suggest that Moscow will bring substantial pressure to bear on CYPRUS, especially since it bailed out CYPRUS from possible default by providing generous loans, if not ISRAEL, to demand entrée into the gas business from their recent discoveries.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: red; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">RUSSIA’S PRESENCE IN THIS SECTOR OF THE GAS MARKET WOULD ENHANCE ITS LEVERAGE VIS-À-VIS TURKEY IN THEIR BILATERAL ENERGY DEALINGS AND LIMIT TURKEY’S ABILITY TO POSTURE AS A MAJOR ENERGY HUB </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Not only does this make it harder for TURKEY to coerce CYPRUS, it also has negative implications for TURKEY. RUSSIA’S presence in this sector of the gas market would enhance its leverage vis-à-vis TURKEY in their bilateral energy dealings and limit TURKEY’S ability to posture as an energy hub with the attendant benefits thereof. From time immemorial Geo-politicians and geographers of all stripes have known that whoever controls CYPRUS possesses the means to threaten with serious damage TURKEY’S Mediterranean ports. Given RUSSIA’S proclivities and that of its naval commanders who seek permanent anchorages and bases in the Mediterranean and may be in trouble in SYRIA due to its uprising, to seek such a facility at CYPRUS may be tempting. This challenges TURKISH security and NATO planning as well. But in conjunction with the TURKISH threats to CYPRUS and Moscow’s expected demand for a major place in CYPRUS’ energy trade, it is a highly probable outcome based on existing trends.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In past and present, CYPRUS has always been fought over because of its strategic position in the Mediterranean Sea, now natural resource findings at the shores of the island have add to the quest on who controls the Island. </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBYh6RF55ug4yqDJQQRb2pNRXcxAlDKpCSI4MiFwDrk5W52uO0ahe-PC4zDCOsmlUVM3s1H9vljOQgqJSJ19Yb-Y9xvIv3cfhj1GXDiTGLdutZjYhWy35Ll6RfUxdGqpiiSVpjWWCBmx-/s1600/167428_170258646348716_167917623249485_333664_4762457_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBYh6RF55ug4yqDJQQRb2pNRXcxAlDKpCSI4MiFwDrk5W52uO0ahe-PC4zDCOsmlUVM3s1H9vljOQgqJSJ19Yb-Y9xvIv3cfhj1GXDiTGLdutZjYhWy35Ll6RfUxdGqpiiSVpjWWCBmx-/s400/167428_170258646348716_167917623249485_333664_4762457_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: red; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">TURKEY’S ZERO PROBLEMS WITH NEIGHBORS HAS RUN AGROUND ON THE SHOALS OF THESE NEIGHBORS’ COMPETITIVE INTERESTS</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The CYPRUS issue, considered in all its many dimensions, highlights the fact that TURKEY’S zero problems with neighbors has run aground on the shoals of these neighbors’ competitive interests with those of TURKEY and with great power politics in the overall Mediterranean basin. The CYPRUS issue also shows the limits of TURKISH power despite the ambitious and even aggressive rhetoric emanating from Ankara. It suggests the need for TURKEY to find a <i>modus vivendi</i> with CYPRUS, if not ISRAEL, as it did earlier with RUSSIA. Some will say that it also shows the need for arriving at such an outcome as well or continuing to abide by the existing one with Moscow. But here, in fact, there was such an agreement, and despite the recent energy agreements signed with RUSSIA, CYPRUS is merely one of many signs of what is arguably a worsening trend in TURKEY’S relations with a RUSSIA that is as ambitious as TURKEY and even more aggressive insofar as its vital interests are involved.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: red; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">THE CYPRUS ENERGY CONFLICT ALSO SERVES ANOTHER REMINDER THAT ENERGY POLITICS ARE INSEPARABLE FROM LARGER SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The CYPRUS energy conflict also serves another reminder that energy politics are inseparable from larger security considerations and produce new issues and combinations that undermine the <i>status quo</i>. It also shows the urgency of making progress on the tangled issue of CYPRUS’ future and the relationships among its two ethnoreligous groups. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Parts of above article have been adopt from “The Silk Road</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">”</span></div>

Eastern MEDITERRANEAN SEA

ISRAEL’S FIRST STATE VISIT TO CYPRUS AND ITS GEO-STRATEGIC REPERCUSSION FOR THE REGION ENORMOUS OIL AND GAS FINDINGS IN THE LEVANTINE THREAT...

Saturday Morning

7:48 AM Tukiyooo 0

Saturday Morning

Driving out from sky black Reno White mountain ringed. Down down to Carson Valley Sun inchoate, unrisen. Dawn light gentle On Washoe Lake, t...

The perfect match: What makes a good employer?

2:51 PM Anonymous 0

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="cbmsnArticleImage" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" src="http://emj.cbdr.com/artieimages/wn/ar5l1dc63t2zgn2nyxwn.gif?time=12/19/2011%203:10:15%20pm" /></div><br /><div class="ArticleHeadline" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-top: -30px; text-align: left;"><b><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine">Kaitlin Madden, CareerBuilder Writer</span></b><br /><br /></div><div class="ArticleHeadline" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-top: -30px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="ArticleHeadline" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-top: -30px; text-align: left;">Job seekers hear a lot about the skills and qualities that employers want from </div><div class="ArticleHeadline" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-top: -30px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="ArticleHeadline" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-top: -30px; text-align: left;">their potentialemployees. They're looking for someone with a killer work ethic, technological expertise, leadership potential, a sense of humor, great<a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/communication/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">communication</a> skills -- it seems like the list could go on forever.</div><div class="ArticleContent" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;"><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine">Kaitlin Madden, CareerBuilder Writer</span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Job seekers hear a lot about the skills and qualities that employers want from their potentialemployees. They're looking for someone with a killer work ethic, technological expertise, leadership potential, a sense of humor, great<a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/communication/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">communication</a> skills -- it seems like the list could go on forever. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">But what about the qualities that job seekers should look for in potential employers? What should applicants seek in the companies to which they are applying? Though it can sometimes seem as if job searching is all about what the employer wants, it's essential for job seekers to know what they're looking for in a company, too.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Below are a few things all job seekers should consider when evaluating potential employers.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>Work environment</b><br />On paper, a job may seem great -- good salary, comprehensive benefits, impressive title -- but it's important to think about how working for a certain company or at a certain job will align with your personality and interests. Often, it's your fit with the company and job -- not your salary or title -- that will determine true happiness at work.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">"Many of the career changers I have counseled have, after a thorough self-assessment, become attuned to the kinds of working conditions that make them truly happy and fulfilled," says Cheryl Heisler, <a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/president/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">president</a> and founder of Lawternatives, a <a href="http://www.bing.com/search?q=career+coaching&src=IE-SearchBox&FORM=msns07" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">career coaching</a> service for <a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/laywers/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">lawyers</a> exploring career changes. "In exchange for achieving that kind of 'psychic benefit' from their work, these folks are often willing to make substantial compromises in other areas of traditional compensation such as salary or benefits, perks or fancy offices, to bring their work and their personal morés into balance."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Accepting a job offer without considering how you'll fit into a company's work environment can mean misery down the line. For example, "A culture clash might arise between a collaborative working parent trying to achieve that elusive work-life balance in a culture that values hard-driving competition," Heisler says.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>Co-workers</b><br />Like your work environment, your co-workers can play a big part in how happy you will be at a job. "Liking the people with whom you work and sharing at least some of the same values is more than a mere nicety," Heisler says. "It takes a great deal of effort to be a square peg in a round hole; if much of your efforts are going into trying desperately to fit the mold, you will have that much less to give to your work product."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Your co-workers don't have to become your best friends, but naturally fitting in with the people you work with every day will go a long way in ensuring your happiness -- and effectiveness -- at work.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>Company values</b><br />During the application process, job seekers should try to get a feel for the company's reputation. What does the company value? Have people had positive experiences working with -- and for -- the company? Are there any complaints against the company on Yelp or with the Better Business Bureau? If the company has a reputation for being dishonest or deceitful, job seekers should take this into consideration before proceeding with their application.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">"No employee should ever have to compromise their values for a job," says Bethany Myers, career<a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/consultant/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">consultant</a> and owner of career coaching firm BLM Consulting. "For example, I value honesty and integrity. If a company is in the practice of cutting corners, bending rules or just outright breaking laws, then they are not right for me."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>Growth potential</b><br />While many of us evaluate job offers based on short-term factors (Is the initial salary higher? Will I have a better title?), it's also important to consider the long-term growth potential you'll have with an employer.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">"Being able to grow with a company is a big plus for anyone who is building a career," Myers says.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">To find out if there's potential for a promotion at a company you're interviewing with, Myers suggests bringing up the subject during the interview process, which can be as simple as asking "What growth opportunities exist for this position?" Just be sure not to make your personal growth the focus of the interview, or it may appear as if you're disregarding the position at hand.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>Job security</b><br />If there's one thing that the recession has taught us, it's the value of job security.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">"There isn't a feeling worse than uncertainty, and especially uncertainty surrounding your job," Myers says. "Knowing that you have a stable position within an organization not only is comforting, but it also is in the employer's best interest because it will eliminate that fear that tends to stifle a worker from being productive. If that looming dark cloud of, 'When will my job end?' isn't hanging over your head, you can focus on what you have been hired to do versus worrying if you should find a new job."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>Leadership</b><br />Having a mentor or manager you can look up to will help you adapt to and grow in a role at a new company.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">"This is a valuable tool that is often overlooked," Myers says. "When an employee has a mentor within the organization, it works for everyone. This is the best way to mold new employees and re-energize seasoned ones. It's also a great opportunity for higher-ups to ensure a superstar employee doesn't fall through the cracks. It's a win-win in my book."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">So remember, although it may not always seem like it, a job search is a two-way street. Hold potential companies to the same high standards they've set for you, and you'll assure that your next position is a perfect match.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><i>Kaitlin Madden is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, </i><a href="http://www.theworkbuzz.com/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><i>The Work Buzz</i></a><i>. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow @Careerbuilder on Twitter</i></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />

The perfect match: What makes a good employer?

Kaitlin Madden, CareerBuilder Writer Job seekers hear a lot about the skills and qualities that employers want from their potentialemployee...

gold metallic glow

12:30 PM Anonymous 0

C'mon ride the train. Woo Hoo. The gold train. Sorry, I'll stop. But I'm seeing it everywhere, and I'm joining in the fun.<br /><br />I've seen several people use the new metallic spray paint from Rust-oleum recently, but after I saw <a href="http://pawleysislandposh.blogspot.com/2012/02/diy-gold-table-part-2.html" target="_blank">Julia's table over at Pawleys Island Posh</a> I knew I had to give it a try.<br /><br />Enter this sad little shade.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpocoxzl3X2raAKlK4t-nP22KHvEzSA-keZmsBHro5L7TMcvq4sEGlXnSiJd4BhxW2UVGQBnz_Lse5qE6Lwsoy9MGn5ccReLiki1ScY_NcIs-jPzJ4z4NF3goAN2CE5V85sFIjnsXHdgg/s1600/P2103723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpocoxzl3X2raAKlK4t-nP22KHvEzSA-keZmsBHro5L7TMcvq4sEGlXnSiJd4BhxW2UVGQBnz_Lse5qE6Lwsoy9MGn5ccReLiki1ScY_NcIs-jPzJ4z4NF3goAN2CE5V85sFIjnsXHdgg/s640/P2103723.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I picked up this piece of damaged goods, along with its brother Darrel and its other brother Darrel, at a high school rummage sale (remember these Becca?). I have a feeling that the owner of these shades work up that morning and thought, 'Crap! I was supposed to bring something for the rummage sale!' And then proceeded to go down into her basement and pick up the first thing she found.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkUPM0zyFL_ySXJoNgljxGXk5sHIJkurxtEIzu4i_eW5XC7QytunUglTo-okooEOmagZGoLfP3ILS-SFDbbPeaeTjhacyDSROzvS5ryOQlA-GOQm56Cc-nFuGfDd7bFRxNzpIHgxYHzYS/s1600/P2103730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkUPM0zyFL_ySXJoNgljxGXk5sHIJkurxtEIzu4i_eW5XC7QytunUglTo-okooEOmagZGoLfP3ILS-SFDbbPeaeTjhacyDSROzvS5ryOQlA-GOQm56Cc-nFuGfDd7bFRxNzpIHgxYHzYS/s640/P2103730.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />Although the outside is a nice black satin-ish type fabric, the inside is paper. Paper that has suffered some type of water damage. (not a statement you often make about a lamp shade)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMECN0W6P8tTEfSvKvyQKL55JD2Iz5cboGqpUEW4xgwfvTfF_vBdo0qX50O7zJ8vfYItmU8fwRLj8aDg1VyGmCpTCeBIvxU_l_ruKkG49WPKd-S1j4lBzkk8hjZHs8Q3BTAyFX1rhT0rQp/s1600/P2103744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMECN0W6P8tTEfSvKvyQKL55JD2Iz5cboGqpUEW4xgwfvTfF_vBdo0qX50O7zJ8vfYItmU8fwRLj8aDg1VyGmCpTCeBIvxU_l_ruKkG49WPKd-S1j4lBzkk8hjZHs8Q3BTAyFX1rhT0rQp/s640/P2103744.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />Who in their right mind would buy these things? That would be me.<br /><br />Luckily I only paid $2 for all 3. Since they were already in such poor condition and they were just gathering dust in my basement, I figured why not spray some gold up in here!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTC8HMOOy6kWqPlpLjKz5R6b1nHkkxUKRZCGxAuRBTBkNshu6ARCSr3K7PWUlmHozQCfKHGLu3PywWM32wb4Bu6XbHc4VYWdaoFzcaFmZmz5FBEurlqeQBfmtv4QURt6V3hbxvfv8DtQh/s1600/P2103747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTC8HMOOy6kWqPlpLjKz5R6b1nHkkxUKRZCGxAuRBTBkNshu6ARCSr3K7PWUlmHozQCfKHGLu3PywWM32wb4Bu6XbHc4VYWdaoFzcaFmZmz5FBEurlqeQBfmtv4QURt6V3hbxvfv8DtQh/s640/P2103747.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>I was thinking moody, library lampshade. Man smoking a pipe in the corner in a big leather chair type lampshade. Like this.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7oUUkUjHAwo2Fds0ua-iVP9nYC8DYoU8zQCDShA1J1tiEFybajMESrKcoZQY1aTkZuOOoc1VlGdBg-fypiOnGXfsh-ictIOvAIRpeGcOMzzjK4hQNMnfPcXoHVrRihAfIizoIDb_xypq/s1600/4b.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7oUUkUjHAwo2Fds0ua-iVP9nYC8DYoU8zQCDShA1J1tiEFybajMESrKcoZQY1aTkZuOOoc1VlGdBg-fypiOnGXfsh-ictIOvAIRpeGcOMzzjK4hQNMnfPcXoHVrRihAfIizoIDb_xypq/s400/4b.jpeg" width="337" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://www.sfgirlbybay.com/2010/03/17/belly-up-to-the-bar/" target="_blank">SFGirlByBay.com</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">Or this.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyKTaWRnjvDdlfrsjzEC9ydStCu-TnLK6IK9mIDPxz9MrwGHEj_kanZ5PdHGuOIz0vgTMSEUTefeF7PPRqwD2x-UpbbMiQbaYK4Kh3T7WRrs7dmU_uiYVHC3U21FwPjlr5AvlBYYfVm1N/s1600/160088961723667431.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyKTaWRnjvDdlfrsjzEC9ydStCu-TnLK6IK9mIDPxz9MrwGHEj_kanZ5PdHGuOIz0vgTMSEUTefeF7PPRqwD2x-UpbbMiQbaYK4Kh3T7WRrs7dmU_uiYVHC3U21FwPjlr5AvlBYYfVm1N/s400/160088961723667431.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/6896205649269364/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />And I'm happy to report...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjR3wGVSJDYRQALqiYsy4EkXnwrE5TnipiAIN9UZMM55AzpR8yS8JxoheIjU_6X2nhmPurgktd1NewCS52rRxGHAthi9I-Zn9EjM78HbQR019JzzWOKS9VnLEbV1vsvnnZD-fOL__Z_jN9/s1600/P2103760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjR3wGVSJDYRQALqiYsy4EkXnwrE5TnipiAIN9UZMM55AzpR8yS8JxoheIjU_6X2nhmPurgktd1NewCS52rRxGHAthi9I-Zn9EjM78HbQR019JzzWOKS9VnLEbV1vsvnnZD-fOL__Z_jN9/s400/P2103760.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />these suckers look good! 100% improvement.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEufnSDh5nLVoWmZfYCV6c8KdSXbYfB0dGOgm3sz7j44H2dObI9sNptehay7jze78_rJKi3iu_h7SI4Lp-tIPYGkH7qP9nUnbuNgEfYpdNNboXucwSFMpxfLnX_NiFOsb674qNRjxt31S/s1600/P2103759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEufnSDh5nLVoWmZfYCV6c8KdSXbYfB0dGOgm3sz7j44H2dObI9sNptehay7jze78_rJKi3iu_h7SI4Lp-tIPYGkH7qP9nUnbuNgEfYpdNNboXucwSFMpxfLnX_NiFOsb674qNRjxt31S/s400/P2103759.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />They still have a few little dents here and there, but you can't tell (unless you are taking close up pictures of them). And you've got to give these guys a break. They were obviously involved in some sort of flood that had left them for dead.<br /><br />I'm loving the glow they cast.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TpS7VK1t0iL2qiUEcJtOqkWezq78mB40SjognuZ7UlVBwEOogs80A6gL-UZlV6r45bX-zLHCSdzp8kiBzAMgiIv_fuy8YnGGFZfAHInRDepPeYgtJi7bxu28Q7hK5Z5oeQd3pkEt2eBS/s1600/P2103767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TpS7VK1t0iL2qiUEcJtOqkWezq78mB40SjognuZ7UlVBwEOogs80A6gL-UZlV6r45bX-zLHCSdzp8kiBzAMgiIv_fuy8YnGGFZfAHInRDepPeYgtJi7bxu28Q7hK5Z5oeQd3pkEt2eBS/s400/P2103767.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />So pretty. Saucy really. I feel like I need some candles and wine.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhte3Cp3aMwTpEXnU340FQv1rFVlZSxqYDi4Kf6IJuWfb4NG-vyySw2-7ck2ifQmtRvLtEdtHtoIRZaLLIOa4bP3zooLWxIBbKIDMsimY58qAzOhveT4kQ0_0QW2QKgziLMa1Zlc5pstaZP/s1600/P2103772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhte3Cp3aMwTpEXnU340FQv1rFVlZSxqYDi4Kf6IJuWfb4NG-vyySw2-7ck2ifQmtRvLtEdtHtoIRZaLLIOa4bP3zooLWxIBbKIDMsimY58qAzOhveT4kQ0_0QW2QKgziLMa1Zlc5pstaZP/s400/P2103772.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />I'm in love. Especially after only spending under $10 for the whole thing - shades and paint. I think they will live in my entryway. I'll spend some time this weekend styling these bad boys up.<br /><br />But I'm not so sure they should go on these silver lamps. What do you think?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNenrgsqINifR2MNxVvJGCu4MgGNZWDM8b5B6h58lkhCyY7P9BahQ_RxreIE5Z14kYyWGZ6lI2HtQ3__vvYok9o00KPahSW7lpkzRKEVbReLbkC-m4WNP1IAalK0cCUNN6eqXdw6sF4QF/s1600/P2103776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNenrgsqINifR2MNxVvJGCu4MgGNZWDM8b5B6h58lkhCyY7P9BahQ_RxreIE5Z14kYyWGZ6lI2HtQ3__vvYok9o00KPahSW7lpkzRKEVbReLbkC-m4WNP1IAalK0cCUNN6eqXdw6sF4QF/s640/P2103776.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />Should I paint the lamps too? (trust me, they aren't precious) I don't want blow my $10 margin with some crazy expensive lamps. Maybe Goodwill? Any ideas?<br /><br />In other news, I'm staring at an electrician's crack as I <strike>speak</strike> type so we can finally wrap up this living room project. So what do you think? Do I have more gold painting in my future?<br /><br /><i>Linking up to <a href="http://emilyaclark.blogspot.com/2013/03/working-with-what-you-have-link-up.html" target="_blank">Emily Clark's Working With What You Have</a>. </i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZrFkG7XxGEXhm5g_gq-zyYxi6u10Rh8UcexOCOO41cy5Q86JTm39YXxNW2APBMrM2LVk6y5ZcrwqylyvxinJifhXGon8ZgvuQ-SyWrnzBFKh6R4KSGYoWKkPMPd3MOXB1Cdbp2qKzmfe/s1600/WWWYHbutton6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZrFkG7XxGEXhm5g_gq-zyYxi6u10Rh8UcexOCOO41cy5Q86JTm39YXxNW2APBMrM2LVk6y5ZcrwqylyvxinJifhXGon8ZgvuQ-SyWrnzBFKh6R4KSGYoWKkPMPd3MOXB1Cdbp2qKzmfe/s320/WWWYHbutton6.png" width="223" /></a></div><br />

gold metallic glow

C'mon ride the train. Woo Hoo. The gold train. Sorry, I'll stop. But I'm seeing it everywhere, and I'm joining in the fun. I...

CONTROL: WHAT YOU DO TO FEEL BETTER ABOUT YOURSELF.

9:33 AM Tukiyooo 0

One of the funniest things we do as humans is try to control things, especially controlling how we are perceived by others. We follow an idea of how something should be and we try to force the idea within ourselves and others. A perfect example of this is clothing.<br /><br />Observe how jeans have changed in the last thirty years. It starts with an artist who designs a shape, a color, or a logo. Then there is judgment of anything other than that. The people who want to control others to feel better about themselves are the most critical and in order to perceive themselves as higher in a pecking order of value, they judge others who don't wear the trend. Then followers who are defined by how their clothes are judged, follow the opinion of the most critical, again, to avoid judgment and to feel more valuable. As the fear of judgment and fear of being less valuable in the eyes of others continues as a ripple affect, the overall dress code changes. From bell bottoms to straight leg, to skinny jeans, back to bell bottoms, and again skinny jeans, and etc.<br /><br />Recognize this cycle with music, make-up, careers, cars, religious rules, the house you live in and where it's located, the wrist-watch you wear, the purse you carry, how you do your hair, etc. Notice how you control your children, so that they are also perceived as more valuable to others, so that you are perceived more valuable to others. Do you force your daughter to wear her hair in a way she doesn't like, just so that you don't feel like a "bad" mother? Do you make your children wear certain clothes so that they are perceived as better? Have you changed their personality to match what you think makes a better person, in your opinion?<br /><br />The most critical controls of values are religion, politics, money, and looks. We perceive our value by the what the most addicted, judgmental, and opinionated people vocalize. It's the extremists that teach fear, who judge, who reject and abandon, who hate, and who have the smallest sense of worth that is defined by hierarchy, control, and the manipulation of others. <br /><br />If that critical person was your parents, your spouse, and is now you, you probably have an addiction and you're probably miserable with life. You constantly judge others, fear others, hate others, and can't figure out why life is so awful.  Do you really believe that by following rules that you are a better person and that people will like you better? If someone likes you better because you follow their rules, judgment, and change yourself to avoid their criticism, aren't you now a slave to their opinion? Does that opinion define you as a person? <br /><br />Are you dictating someone to change who they are to make you feel better about yourself, to meet your insecure demands? Did your parents do this to you and are you continuing to do this to your children and other people? Is your addiction what you control because you don't want to hurt another person like other people hurt you? Did they abuse you because they made it your job to make them feel better about themselves, similar to how you use your addition of choice to make you feel better? <br /><br />The problem is the false definitions of value that others enforce with their piercing judgment and criticism. Their criticism comes from their own insecurity, and the more insecure someone is the more judgmental they get. By judging you and trying to change your rules of value to theirs, you're less likely to judge in return and much easier to control.  Eventually, we are all the same (like robots) and we're all safe from judgment! But if we are all the same, how would we know who is more valuable or higher in the pecking order of value?<br /><br />Judgment requires there be a reference point of value so we'd have to continually change what defines a person better than another. That's why people who need to be highest on the pecking order change what is acceptable, or make the rules more strict. This is how we get extremests, fundamentalists, and people who are dangerous to others and justify abuse-- even to children.<br /><br />So people get meaner, things get more expensive, rules get stricter, people get more critical, and you never feel at peace with what exists because someone out there is always looking down at you like a puny little spec of nothing. But that large need to look down on others is only a reflection of how small they feel inside.  And in reality, you needing them to tell you what to do, and their need to control who and what you are is all in the same: fear of no value and resulting rejection.<br /><br />But without fear of outside opinion of value, we are still the same. Without judgment one persons value isn't more or less than another persons. And the truth is, we all have undescribable and unique value, and not one person has more value than another. But when we seek our value from the opinion of others, we are trying to define that uniqueness and attempting to create a control of it, and that is where everything gets out of balance. As soon as you give someone the power to define your value, you are now a slave to their opinion and if they use that power to feel better about themselves, the pendulum swing begins. This is an "every action has an equal or opposite reaction" situation. <br /><br />If your self-worth is developed from what is real and without outward definition, then no-one has the control or power to take away or give to your value with their opinion. With that you can love others unconditionally, the same as you love yourself unconditionally.  The pendulum balances in the middle and what exists just exists and you accept what is and nothing becomes nothing and you become something. That something exists without control.

CONTROL: WHAT YOU DO TO FEEL BETTER ABOUT YOURSELF.

One of the funniest things we do as humans is try to control things, especially controlling how we are perceived by others. We follow an ide...

A Conversation with God

4:54 PM Tukiyooo 0

Hey all - switching things up a little today on TBW.  When I read this from a friend's Facebook page, I nearly cried.... because right now this is really speaking to me and I thought you could benefit by reading it too.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">***********************************</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Me: God, can I ask you a question?<br /><br />God: Sure<br /><br />Me: Promise u won't get mad<br />...<br />God: I promise<br /><br />Me: Why did u let so much stuff happen to me today?<br /><br />God: What do u mean?<br /><br />Me: Well, I woke up late<br /><br />God: Yes<br /><br />Me: My car took forever to start<br /><br />God: Okay<br /><br />Me: at lunch they made my sandwich wrong & I had to wait<br /><br />God:Huummm<br /><br />Me: On the way home, my phone went DEAD, just as I picked up a call<br /><br />God: All right<br /><br />Me: And on top of it all off, when I got home ~I just want to soak my feet in my new foot massager & relax. BUT it wouldn't work!!! Nothing went right today! Why did you do that?<br /><br />God: Let me see, the Death Angel was at your bed this morning & I had to send one of the other angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that<br /><br />Me (humbled): OH<br /><br />GOD: I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that would have hit you if you were on the road.<br /><br />Me: (ashamed)<br /><br />God: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick & I didn't want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to miss work.<br /><br />Me (embarrassed):Ok<br /><br />God: Your phone went dead bcuz the person that was calling was going to give false witness about what you said on that call, I didn't even let you talk to them so you would be covered.<br /><br />Me (softly): I see God<br /><br />God: Oh and that foot massager, it had a shortage that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to be in the dark.<br /><br />Me: I'm sorry God<br /><br />God: Don't be sorry, just learn to trust me.....in all things , the good & the bad.<br /><br />Me: I will trust you<br /><br />God: And don't doubt that my plan for your day is always better than your plan.<br /><br />Me: I won't God. And let me just tell you God, thank you for everything today.<br /><br />God: You're welcome child. It was just another day being your God and I love looking after my children...<br /></div>

Miscellaneous A Conversation with God

Hey all - switching things up a little today on TBW. When I read this from a friend's Facebook page, I nearly cried.... because right n...

Join our webinar session of past winners at 5pm today!

5:02 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />This afternoon we have another webinar of three past finalists or winners in the South African Partners in Learning forum. Please log in as a guest and join us if you can: <a href="http://meet78641452.adobeconnect.com/previouswinners4/">http://meet78641452.adobeconnect.com/previouswinners4/</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Ngaka Ralekoala from Bloemfontein</b></span><br />We have Ngaka Ralekoala who worked in a team of four in a project about vulnerable children. In this project l<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">earners from participating schools received training in ethics and research methodology and then conducted research in their local community to determine the needs of vulnerable children.  Through this project, learners have been given the opportunity to collaborate with other schools, the University of the Free State as well as experts in the field of Social Action research from the De </span><span style="color: black;">Montford</span><span style="color: black;"> University in the United Kingdom via the Internet. </span></span><br /><div style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlKke9SSq4IlK8q6yoeoikC9tpKxMiRaICwOtsUr7b8A1DtFhqaFzdMSBnfzd1fN2tPmiFV1epYVZxht6ECbPveDk00_Whr1JI8KYtXmMB1lGU_YWQP7HWFRiCtu3g4l6a26-xNUQgaM/s1600/Children+who+care-Ngaka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlKke9SSq4IlK8q6yoeoikC9tpKxMiRaICwOtsUr7b8A1DtFhqaFzdMSBnfzd1fN2tPmiFV1epYVZxht6ECbPveDk00_Whr1JI8KYtXmMB1lGU_YWQP7HWFRiCtu3g4l6a26-xNUQgaM/s400/Children+who+care-Ngaka.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Charli Wiggil from Eden College in Durban</b></span><br /><div style="direction: ltr; language: en-ZA; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 0pt; mso-line-break-override: none; punctuation-wrap: hanging; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;"> We also have Charli Wiggil from Durban who did a project around the world cup in South Africa called ‘Tweenzites’. In t<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">his grade 10 Life Orientation project involved learners identifying a contemporary problem in their community and exploring it using various technological tools (Intel Thinking with Technology, GPRS, cell phones, Microsoft Office Applications etc). Learners were then challenged to devise strategies to address the problem that they identified and these were presented to local community and government leaders, community members, educators and learners from other schools. It is hoped that the municipality might implement some of the suggestions through their Department Planning Programme. One of the groups developed a DVD to be used in Life Skills by other schools.</span></span></div><div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUg3_baFVkmUKm7dHmPjdaoMxKsMKaf2h_U6MLHibVtuvGlFImLT7x8n7JyAek3Jx4rld9ExSi6-YoTlqM9U86habdmtcr1p7ZoVrb7K_qx-Eh3PjiKR3uL0WS4TcuXopj0K_DLcoU9E/s1600/Charli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUg3_baFVkmUKm7dHmPjdaoMxKsMKaf2h_U6MLHibVtuvGlFImLT7x8n7JyAek3Jx4rld9ExSi6-YoTlqM9U86habdmtcr1p7ZoVrb7K_qx-Eh3PjiKR3uL0WS4TcuXopj0K_DLcoU9E/s400/Charli.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Glen Williams from Sunridge Primary in Port Elizabeth</b></span></div><div style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;"> The third teacher is Glen Williams who did a project which he calls ‘Silent Morals’  around a particular IT programme called Scratch.Glen says " <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal;">Well</span><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> , m</span><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline;">y grade 6 learners had to USE what they learnt in basic programming, EXPLORE, and CREATE an ANIMATED SILENT MOVIE which DEPICTS a MORAL VALUE or LESSON.You will see that I start AND end this presentation with the word FUN, because I believe that education must be ENGAGING in a FUN way. </span><span style="color: black;">Projects</span><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline;"> allow learners the FREEDOM to EXPERIMENT with what they already learnt in a STRUCTURED way AND forces them to EXPLORE things which they haven’t learnt yet, without RELYING on a teacher."</span></span></div><div style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2Im1wqvWq6jEusiZsLyBhUl8Y7IEGP3T_SpRe63C-F4rr0uwajsio2KeCVKmEpBSBKTLCn_e5zQaC7semIKpjxaAnL-VdFt7UJkXUILceTvlYB_8d3DWi2pQ-REmFCfYVt-mwuPI8AM/s1600/Silent+Morals+-+Glen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2Im1wqvWq6jEusiZsLyBhUl8Y7IEGP3T_SpRe63C-F4rr0uwajsio2KeCVKmEpBSBKTLCn_e5zQaC7semIKpjxaAnL-VdFt7UJkXUILceTvlYB_8d3DWi2pQ-REmFCfYVt-mwuPI8AM/s400/Silent+Morals+-+Glen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /></div><br />This all makes for some interesting listening this evening. If you can’t make it the recording will be placed on the wiki tomorrow. (<a href="http://partnersinlearningforum-sa.wikispaces.com/View+webinar+recordings">http://partnersinlearningforum-sa.wikispaces.com/View+webinar+recordings</a>) But please join us if you can this evening at 5pm:<br /><a href="http://meet78641452.adobeconnect.com/previouswinners4/">http://meet78641452.adobeconnect.com/previouswinners4/</a><br /><br />Well, five 'o clock has now been and gone and the webinar is over. Here is a Slideshare with embedded YouTube videos showing the webinars of these three finalists. Take a watch and a listen if you have the time. <br /><br /><div id="__ss_11539587" style="width: 425px;"><b style="display: block; margin: 12px 0 4px;"><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/fionabeal/past-pil-winners-webinars-in-south-africa-4" target="_blank" title="Part 4 - Past PIL winners' webinars in South Africa ">Part 4 - Past PIL winners' webinars in South Africa </a></b> <iframe frameborder="0" height="355" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/11539587" width="425"></iframe> <br /><div style="padding: 5px 0 12px;">View more <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/thecroaker/death-by-powerpoint" target="_blank">PowerPoint</a> from <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/fionabeal" target="_blank">fionabeal</a> </div></div><br />Otherwise, listen to their podcasts instead<br /><br /><object data="http://abfiles.s3.amazonaws.com/swf/fullsize_player.swf" height="129" id="boo_embed_665090" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://abfiles.s3.amazonaws.com/swf/fullsize_player.swf" /><param name="scale" value="noscale" /><param name="salign" value="lt" /><param name="bgColor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="FlashVars" value="mp3=http%3A%2F%2Faudioboo.fm%2Fboos%2F665090-ngaka-ralekoala-children-who-care.mp3%3Fkeyed%3Dtrue%26source%3Dembed&mp3Title=Ngaka+Ralekoala+-+Children+who+care&mp3Time=09.12pm+12+Feb+2012&mp3LinkURL=http%3A%2F%2Faudioboo.fm%2Fboos%2F665090-ngaka-ralekoala-children-who-care&rootID=boo_embed_665090" /><a href="http://audioboo.fm/boos/665090-ngaka-ralekoala-children-who-care.mp3?keyed=true&source=embed">Ngaka Ralekoala - Children who care (mp3)</a></object><br /><br /><object data="http://abfiles.s3.amazonaws.com/swf/fullsize_player.swf" height="129" id="boo_embed_665100" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://abfiles.s3.amazonaws.com/swf/fullsize_player.swf" /><param name="scale" value="noscale" /><param name="salign" value="lt" /><param name="bgColor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="FlashVars" value="mp3=http%3A%2F%2Faudioboo.fm%2Fboos%2F665100-charli-wiggil-tweenzite.mp3%3Fkeyed%3Dtrue%26source%3Dembed&mp3Title=Charli+Wiggil+-+Tweenzite&mp3Time=09.18pm+12+Feb+2012&mp3LinkURL=http%3A%2F%2Faudioboo.fm%2Fboos%2F665100-charli-wiggil-tweenzite&rootID=boo_embed_665100" /><a href="http://audioboo.fm/boos/665100-charli-wiggil-tweenzite.mp3?keyed=true&source=embed">Charli Wiggil - Tweenzite (mp3)</a></object><br /><br /><object data="http://abfiles.s3.amazonaws.com/swf/fullsize_player.swf" height="129" id="boo_embed_665112" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://abfiles.s3.amazonaws.com/swf/fullsize_player.swf" /><param name="scale" value="noscale" /><param name="salign" value="lt" /><param name="bgColor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="FlashVars" value="mp3=http%3A%2F%2Faudioboo.fm%2Fboos%2F665112-glen-williams-silent-morals.mp3%3Fkeyed%3Dtrue%26source%3Dembed&mp3Title=Glen+Williams+-+Silent+Morals&mp3Time=09.31pm+12+Feb+2012&mp3LinkURL=http%3A%2F%2Faudioboo.fm%2Fboos%2F665112-glen-williams-silent-morals&rootID=boo_embed_665112" /><a href="http://audioboo.fm/boos/665112-glen-williams-silent-morals.mp3?keyed=true&source=embed">Glen Williams - Silent Morals (mp3)</a></object><br /><br /><br /></div>

Join our webinar session of past winners at 5pm today!

This afternoon we have another webinar of three past finalists or winners in the South African Partners in Learning forum. Please log in as ...

What are YOU doing about the Partners in Learning Forum this year?

2:33 PM Tukiyooo 0

Can you feel the excitement in the air? it's time to be preparing for Microsoft's Partners in Learning Forum. This is an exciting competition that used to be called the Innovative Teacher competition. There are some superb prizes available, and it is <b>really</b> worth giving it your best shot. The competition involves taking something you are doing in class and adding technology to it. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmaoAQXTViMjTSSa8H-OdtR21pMIEOA9Tia97c3oh20eWbJlzz3BbpzEEwmhdJYx2eu7OBOy6iczWkV8yx7KLWOIyJxC6ljP8V9g7vZ0RoSgqVVbPpNzqXf4Hb4QvhXkPzMcgxpT8fh0/s1600/Victor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmaoAQXTViMjTSSa8H-OdtR21pMIEOA9Tia97c3oh20eWbJlzz3BbpzEEwmhdJYx2eu7OBOy6iczWkV8yx7KLWOIyJxC6ljP8V9g7vZ0RoSgqVVbPpNzqXf4Hb4QvhXkPzMcgxpT8fh0/s400/Victor.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />If you are successful you could be in for a year that involves travel and adventure! If you haven't started a project yet and you are still floundering for ideas, well, I have prepared a Slideshare to help you. Just remember that entries have to be uploaded by 12 March 2102. For more information please look at the wiki we have created to guide you through the days until closing date - <a href="http://partnersinlearningforum-sa.wikispaces">http://partnersinlearningforum-sa.wikispaces</a>. You can still sign up so that we can take a special interest in you.  <br /><br />Here is the Slideshare:<br /><div style="width:425px" id="__ss_11488569"><strong style="display:block;margin:12px 0 4px"><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/fionabeal/get-started-on-a-project-for-the-partners-in-learning-forum" title="Get started on a project for the Partners in Learning Forum">Get started on a project for the Partners in Learning Forum</a></strong><object height="355" id="__sse11488569" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=getstartedonaprojectforthepartnersinlearningforum-120208160417-phpapp02&stripped_title=get-started-on-a-project-for-the-partners-in-learning-forum&userName=fionabeal" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><embed name="__sse11488569" src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=getstartedonaprojectforthepartnersinlearningforum-120208160417-phpapp02&stripped_title=get-started-on-a-project-for-the-partners-in-learning-forum&userName=fionabeal" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><div style="padding:5px 0 12px">View more <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/fionabeal">fionabeal</a>.</div></div><br />So, what are <b>YOU</b> doing about the Partners in Learning Forum this year?

Microsoft Project-based learning Slideshare What are YOU doing about the Partners in Learning Forum this year?

Can you feel the excitement in the air? it's time to be preparing for Microsoft's Partners in Learning Forum. This is an exciting co...

domino is coming back

10:17 AM Anonymous 0

A friend gave me the best news this morning - Domino is coming back!!<br /><br />I bet you have more pictures from that magazine pinned than you realize and now we'll be able to see even more. You can read the announcement <a href="http://www.adweek.com/news/press/cond-nast-revive-domino-special-newsstand-editions-138107" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />"Quick Fixes" will have at least two issues, one in April and another in the fall. And when they sell as well as I suspect they will, maybe Condé Nast will pull the trigger and bring back the monthly treasure!<br /><br />Is anyone else as excited as I am? Have a favorite article or imagine from Domino? Anyone else have  a pile of them in your bedroom closet like I do? Yet another reason to look forward to spring!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUcCMWbV7lSDliVkow-7XJkihBqvvpJPJuC0PUKGEgfa-Ytm16Fkt5FJcr3z_PVIDmhbZIFaOnD-h-YO5XqidMSKDhv3pyIIOOoAtwQMfhYtKXcPUtr6fHY4KYLxHeNBspOcHdI2psZ4f/s1600/6a00d83539e9ed69e20105358a7e04970b-800wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUcCMWbV7lSDliVkow-7XJkihBqvvpJPJuC0PUKGEgfa-Ytm16Fkt5FJcr3z_PVIDmhbZIFaOnD-h-YO5XqidMSKDhv3pyIIOOoAtwQMfhYtKXcPUtr6fHY4KYLxHeNBspOcHdI2psZ4f/s400/6a00d83539e9ed69e20105358a7e04970b-800wi.jpg" width="306" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHcsxbddtvRb3imslWN5ppGPZePqcu5HmEvZv8bwMNwc7_1Yd96btbzu-WFAeh4MVJNm4o31U_xloUtAbfnRbUCCrtBtxYaOg7Gg1Ep5CLevPT71Hp91kad17XuHQtDMhyphenhyphenJpjEBxozPX0/s1600/200px-Domino_-_premier_issue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHcsxbddtvRb3imslWN5ppGPZePqcu5HmEvZv8bwMNwc7_1Yd96btbzu-WFAeh4MVJNm4o31U_xloUtAbfnRbUCCrtBtxYaOg7Gg1Ep5CLevPT71Hp91kad17XuHQtDMhyphenhyphenJpjEBxozPX0/s400/200px-Domino_-_premier_issue.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNu10O8pF2TTt7TkRqCB1-zDuLWrx7MeQV-nfzHDAj0Jfk4m7IsATs0lwXsmlAzmzZYPEC7kq0HhjylXxyD-fBPlyVaU8o29p3a9p8wcApjoMOZyEl75m614-DyIAuvEIBngNyORRTBTSY/s1600/domino-magazine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNu10O8pF2TTt7TkRqCB1-zDuLWrx7MeQV-nfzHDAj0Jfk4m7IsATs0lwXsmlAzmzZYPEC7kq0HhjylXxyD-fBPlyVaU8o29p3a9p8wcApjoMOZyEl75m614-DyIAuvEIBngNyORRTBTSY/s400/domino-magazine.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><br />

domino is coming back

A friend gave me the best news this morning - Domino is coming back!! I bet you have more pictures from that magazine pinned than you realiz...

Super Bowl Sunday

8:01 AM Tukiyooo 0

Here is how my Sunday went:<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">1. Woke up around 8 AM and decided to hit the gym shortly thereafter.  I had a big day ahead of me and wanted to get my 2nd round of the activity out of the way for the week. - <i>Great job!</i><br /><br />2. After the gym, I showered up and got ready to meet with an old friend at Applebees.  I chose there because of the WW menu.  I didn't order off of that menu however.  Instead I ordered from their "Under 550" calories menu, choosing the Signature Sirloin with Garlic Herb Sauce.  Turns out that Applebees no longer serves the WW shrimp skewers I used to order.  Overall, this wasn't a terrible choice, but it did clock in at 13 PointsPlus, which I discovered once I returned home {there were WW dishes on there for that much too!}. - <i>Unprepared.</i></blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVX5KmiY4oNDZkrtMEZo23BUxMB8qW9SZOTUB47COPmeVc5CkiDjrfU2plHa-gT8XfK9_Gajf3QHoKsMGHxAiaWfKFNRDL6Vm3v75ykAan7Xnv1K2ZkytMhOMuA_-v4_neLjDi8V6YHaw/s1600/applebees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVX5KmiY4oNDZkrtMEZo23BUxMB8qW9SZOTUB47COPmeVc5CkiDjrfU2plHa-gT8XfK9_Gajf3QHoKsMGHxAiaWfKFNRDL6Vm3v75ykAan7Xnv1K2ZkytMhOMuA_-v4_neLjDi8V6YHaw/s400/applebees.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">3.  Even after that steak and potatoes meal, I was still hungry when I came home.  I have no idea why.  I drank 3 glasses of unsweetened iced tea at the restaurant, and downed a glass of water when I got home, and I was still hungry.  And this is where the downfall begins... - <i>Unprepared with better alternatives and ravenous/stressed out as a result. </i></blockquote><br />It is almost as if once I tell myself I have to <i>really </i>stay on track when a social event occurs, I inevitably do the exact opposite.  I place so much emphasis on it, I fail.  I panic, and then I start to eat.  I had set myself up for success on Sunday, going to the gym early, picking a decent choice while out to eat, but in the end I failed. {I had already had my "special" meal for the week too - that was on Friday night}. <br /><br />I know I was worrying about the SB party and the tempting food that would be there.  So I ate before we left.  Stupid.  I never understood this logic about eating before you go to a party.  Supposedly this will prevent you from being "tempted" to eat when you get there because you'll be full.  <i>That does not work for me.  </i>Since when has being "full" ever stopped me before?<i>  </i>I mean, hello - 263.8 lbs?  I didn't get to that point by only eating when I was hungry!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYyff_gLaV8JEYxmNFeBMkqh1jiFR1K792ebo_0vK7NiOq4yZKsUsqSJcjJVZ_8-1Eztml2qixqnnHknA2rK2MlMz7BA-Pu8LUZQBiJHx5YtEzgzTuum-DKeLUmnC0vcKRFbkBASAr1k/s1600/pentagon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYyff_gLaV8JEYxmNFeBMkqh1jiFR1K792ebo_0vK7NiOq4yZKsUsqSJcjJVZ_8-1Eztml2qixqnnHknA2rK2MlMz7BA-Pu8LUZQBiJHx5YtEzgzTuum-DKeLUmnC0vcKRFbkBASAr1k/s400/pentagon.jpg" width="440" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view outside of their apartment:<br />Washington Monument & the Pentagon in the foreground</td></tr></tbody></table><br />But I tried this approach, because I've read about this idea time and time again in magazines and have heard it on TV {I've tried this in the past without success too}.  This is why I wrote that post last week about the gym.  The same logic applies here:  no matter how many studies say this, that and the other, I have to know Hilary and how Hilary operates in given situations.  Despite how many studies say that eating before going to a social event will curb my appetite, it won't.  In fact, it was all I could do to NOT think about food.  All I wanted was to eat.<br /><br />Joel made wings and I made meatballs  {plus the Hungry Girl Pigs in a Blanket}.  I had 1 wing and 1 turkey meatball {appetizer size, not baseball size}.  Then I ate a ton of broccoli.  Then people started making comments about how I wasn't gorging myself like the rest of them.  Ugh.  I don't like to draw attention to myself with food.  At. All.  So then I went back for more food {even though I was pretty much out of Points for the day by the time we got to the party}, and I got a few more of those Hungry Girl Pigs in a Blanket.  None of this looks bad in black and white, and really it wasn't bad and I should've just stopped there, but I didn't because at the time I was entering in to the "I'm blowing it" mindset.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZV32Tdjtdx1h5C9h9KtKrd43CBpxVUkz8n78Beo1slYtuGPk7Mzhgq60Nk4CM8zG68QaSP2l9THfMEVts0JIt5UX6P8S174oqgT9hzvMxkuT0nebwupMO8Kowf7dgQZoDy3wxdJDOs1Q/s1600/air+force+memorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZV32Tdjtdx1h5C9h9KtKrd43CBpxVUkz8n78Beo1slYtuGPk7Mzhgq60Nk4CM8zG68QaSP2l9THfMEVts0JIt5UX6P8S174oqgT9hzvMxkuT0nebwupMO8Kowf7dgQZoDy3wxdJDOs1Q/s400/air+force+memorial.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view from their apartment:<br />The Airforce Memorial & the Arlington National Cemetery (background)</td></tr></tbody></table>Then we made an even more brilliant move and we took food home with us.  UGH.  I had fudge & pizza before this gorge-fest ended.  Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.<br /><br />I could speculate all I want to as to how to have redone Super Bowl Sunday.  But the bottom line is this: I need to do what I know is right for Hilary.  Not what a million and one studies say because clearly those studies must apply to every single person out there.  No.  I know what works for me and what makes me successful.  I definitely ate out of boredom at the party, and that's another problem that needs to be reckoned with.  Still, I also know I could've planned things better if I would've just really listened to myself instead of doing what "they" say to do.  <br /><br />Right now I feel like I've undone all of the success from last week, and it sucks.  I'm not out of the 230s {I got on the scale Tuesday morning}, but the numbers are creeping back up, instead of back down.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: #674ea7;">How did you make it through Super Bowl Sunday? </span></b>

Random Weight Loss Thoughts Weight Loss Challenges Super Bowl Sunday

Here is how my Sunday went: 1. Woke up around 8 AM and decided to hit the gym shortly thereafter. I had a big day ahead of me and wanted to...