Biggaboss Blog

Lucy, Porque en lugar de "Congo"no usas.......

2008-10-02T10:41:00.001-05:00

Para los que aún no lo saben, Lucy lanzó una campaña en Panamá para que todos luchemos por no ser tratados como mensos o tontos y luchemos por nuestro bienestar. Para que no seamos tolerantes a la opresión y el abuso. Para que luchemos contra esta característica de aceptar y no hacer nada. La tituló "Yo no soy Congo"

Yo pienso que la idea de Lucy es buena pero las palabras escogidas son malas.

El problema de la palabra "Congo" es que, en Panamá, facilmente se utiliza para identificar dos (o quizas más) cosas claramente distintas. 1. Cualquier persona que es tolerante a un abuso, represión o injusticia sin ofrecer resistencia. 2. Representa un grupo étnico de nuestros antepasados con muchos años de existencia. Ninguna de estas definiciones son de un diccionario. Pero cualquier panameño, mayor de edad culturizado o adolescente en etapa escolar debería reconocerlas.

Utilizar esa frase es lo mismo que decir "Yo no soy Cholo" o "Yo no soy Indio", hay grupos en Panamá que ya existen y son identificados de esa manera. No es esto una falta de respeto hacia ellos? Hacia nuestra cultura y origen?

De no ser así, sería lo mismo utilizar también un término muy popular, cómico, utilizado en los chistes panameños para representar a una persona que es poco inteligente, y que algunas veces no se defiende ante las injusticias y el abuso: "Yo no soy 'Fula'"

Que les parece?

Saludos,

Ricardo Williams / Ingeniero

Medalla de Oro para Saladino! ... y para Panamá?

2008-08-22T12:22:00.001-05:00

Quisiera felicitar muy efusivamente a un luchador incansable, un campeón mundial y olímpico: Irving Saladino. Y ahora comienza la polémica. Que lástima que una medalla en los juegos olímpicos tenga que adjudicarse a un país aparte de a una persona. Esta medalla de oro es tuya Irving, no de Panamá. Es de Panamá, claro, porque tú eres panameño, pero nada más.

Esa medalla es tuya, de tu papá y tu mamá, de tu entrenador, de tu familia y de tus más cercanos amigos. Sola, única y exclusivamente. Fue tu esfuerzo, la visión de tu entrenador, el apoyo de tus amigos y el empeño y fe de tus padres. Solo tus padres saben el ingenio económico que tuvieron que armar para apoyar tus sueños. Solo tu entrenador sabe las horas de intenso sacrificio que tú y el unieron para alcanzar esta meta. Solo tus amigos y familia conocen tus dudas y te brindaron su apoyo cuando tú lo necesitabas y solo tú tuviste las agallas y la fe en ti mismo para lograr este triunfo. El primero de este tipo para una persona de nacionalidad panameña: Oro en los Juegos Olímpicos.

Porque esta medalla no es para Panamá? Si Saladino es panameño! Pues para mí es muy simple. Cuantas competencias Nacionales de Salto Largo hemos visto a Irving participar o ganar? En cuantos estadios en Panamá lo hemos visto competir? A cuantas finales Nacionales de Pista y Campo locales hemos ido en los últimos años? Cuantos entrenadores de pista y campo o Salto Largo, pueden vivir con un sueldo de entrenadores? Cuantos panameños conocían a Irving Saladino antes del 2007? Cuánto dinero tiene invertido el INDE o el Comité Olímpico en nuevos proyectos?

Cierto. Como pueden invertir dinero si tienen una pelea política por la presidencia del Comité Olímpico, y no una pelea por tratar de conseguir más patrocinadores para nuestros atletas? Como puede ser esta medalla de Panamá, cuando los dirigentes de estos comités hacen, frente a las cámaras de televisión, su mejor imitación de un "stripper" a punto de mostrar sus "dotes". Cuando no hay dinero para enviar atletas a los juegos, pero si para los dirigentes. Cuando los atletas no pueden asistir a los eventos y competencias porque existe una pelea en la dirigencia o porque "alguien" no quiere? Cuando los atletas viajan pero su estadía no esta paga. Cuando a nadie le importa nada..... Hasta que ganen!

Ahora que ganó, Irving es Colonense, es panameño, es un orgullo, es un medallista de Oro. Todo lo anterior es cierto, porque nació en Colon, porque tiene la nacionalidad, porque representa lo bueno y lo perseverante, y porque es campeón olímpico. Pero no porque Panamá (país o panameños) lo haya(n) llevado allí.

Cuanto oro no habrá escondido en Panamá esperando tener una oportunidad y una guía? Yo estoy feliz que el primer oro olímpico panameño lo haya ganado un negro como yo!

Irving, mis respetos, esta medalla es tuya y (para los records) de Panamá, pero solo para los records!

Ricardo Williams

Why Kobe won't win the MVP

2008-04-10T09:38:00.001-05:00

Last week, my partner in crime wrote a column about how uncomfortable she will be when Kobe Bryant receives the 2008 MVP award. Well, no disrespect to Jemele (Ms. Hill to those of us who know her), but Kobe Bryant will not win the MVP this year. And if recent history proves consistent, he might finish behind Alonzo Mourning in the voting.

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Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Kobe Bryant is to the MVP what Ralph Nader is to the presidency.

Truth is Kobe Bryant will never win the MVP of the league. He is hated too much. Hated by those who cast votes. Hated too much by those he plays against. And the two All-Star Game MVPs he's won, well, they don't count in this scenario. Voting Kobe as the best basketball player in the world for a day is one thing, honoring him with that same title for an entire season … in the infamous words of Bobby Brown's ex-wife: "Oh, hell to the No!"

Writers won't honor Kobe like that, not even when in good consciousness they want to or would like to. As one writer said to me when the subject was brought up in conversation, very apropos for an election year, "Kobe's electability quotient is zero." In other words, he's Ralph Nader.

How is hate justified? Easy, by being consistent. Which is why this year will be no different than the past two. Because if we are honest (and this goes to Jemele's point), if we look at what Kobe Bryant has done in the past two seasons without winning the MVP, there should be no way he can win it this year. Which leads us back to the hate: A man averages 35.4 ppg, the eighth-highest average in the history of the league; he gives you 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.8 steals; he has 27 games of 40-plus points, has one month where he averages 43.4 ppg, scores 81 in one game and outscores an entire team in another (the 62-point game against Dallas where he sat out the fourth quarter); he is on the all-defensive first team (something not one of the other players in the MVP running is included on); and he leads a CBA-built team to the playoffs. The man has a season that no one is likely to see for another generation and he comes in fourth in the MVP voting that year.

That same man, the very next year, averages 31.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.4 steals for the "fedora trick"; he has 10 games of 50-plus points, only the second person in NBA history to do so in a single season (including a four-in-a-row stretch that hadn't been seen in more than 20 years); he makes the all-defensive first team again; and this time he takes a YBA-built squad to the playoffs. In a season that many claim is more "complete" than the season before, the man this time comes in third in the MVP voting.

How bad is it for Kobe? In a 2004-05 season in which Kobe averaged 27.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.0 assists, P.J. Brown -- yes, you read right -- received more MVP votes than he did, and Brown received only one vote. How many games did the Hornets win that year? 18.

(And it's not just the sportswriters. In that never-to-be-seen-again 2005-06 season, the GMs around the league, who have their own MVP voting, had Bryant fifth on their ballots.)

And nothing is going to make this season any different.

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AP Photo/Matt Sayles

Kobe Bryant finished behind P.J. Brown in the 2004-05 MVP voting. Yes, you read that correctly.

So yes, there is an "earned the right" clause that goes on in all MVP voting, just as there is that same "clause" that exists in all professions and walks of life. But it will not apply to Kobe Bryant. Not this year or any other year. He's not Denzel, and this isn't "Training Day." And although there are those who say that Kobe is in a different place now, that the world does not "resent" him the way that it did, that the Colorado incident is behind him and that the Kobe who wears No. 24 is different than the one who wore No. 8, their delusion will only make the situation worse. For it brings false hope. In sticking with the Academy Awards analogy: Kobe Bryant is Martin Scorsese … before "The Departed."

So the reality is this: As nice -- and I mean nice in a This-dude-is-on-some-beyond-Steve-Nash level -- as Chris Paul's game has been all season long (his full name during broadcasts and highlight shows has become "MVP candidate Chris Paul") his season can't compare to Kobe's past two. Yes, he's elevated his team to a height that no one expected, but can you name one player on the Lakers (not including Kobe) over the past three years who is as good or has played as well as David West has this season? Hell, name one who has played as well as Peja Stojakovic or Tyson Chandler.

Plus how will the voters justify not giving CP3 the MVP in a season when his numbers are better than Nash's were the two seasons he got back-to-back MVPs? Paul's 21.5 points, 11.5 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 2.5 turnovers are better in totality than the 15.5, 11.5, 3.4, 1.0 and 3.3 Nash put up in 2004-05 and the 18.8, 10.5, 4.2, 0.8 and 3.5 he posted during the 2005-06 season. And CP's team is in position to do what Nash's team did when he came back to Phoenix: earn the top seed in the West. So if Nash won 62 games and the West in '05-06 with inferior numbers to Paul's, how does the league not give Paul the award if his team wins 60 and has the best record in the West?

And trust, CP3's electability is off the charts compared to Kobe's. His MVP approval rating is sic, while Kobe's is sick. So Chris, congrats, enjoy the Maurice Podoloff. The voters love you.

And that's not necessarily because of who CP (or KG if you want to toss him into this conversation) is as much as it is because of who Kobe is: the "8" they love to hate. Someone less understood than a villain, and someone for whom those who vote have less tolerance when it comes to separating what he does from who he is. It's the same reason why upon eligibility into the Hall of Fame, Roger Clemens will receive more first-ballot votes than Barry Bonds. It will have more to do with how much more Roger was/is/remains beloved than Barry by those who will have the power to vote them into immortality than it will race or the level of crime either one committed while playing.

Is it right? Fair? Impartial? No. It's life. And for Kobe, it's become his life.

In sports, in the end, whether we want to acknowledge it honestly or not, athletes put their legacies in the hands of those who have the power to hate them. And in those situations, what they do on the court or field, whether we are talking MVP or Hall of Fame (or Oscars), what they do takes a backseat to who they are. Their careers become a popularity contest, a "likability" raffle lying in wait for the hate to die. Which it never really does. And in the past five years in professional sports, no athlete (with the exception of maybe Bonds or T.O.) has been more hated and hated on than Kobe Bryant.

Don't believe me? Watch what happens when he doesn't win the MVP … again.

Scoop Jackson is a columnist for Page 2.

Preventative maintenance for PCs: Four favorite utilities

2007-10-22T11:21:00.001-05:00

Here in Chicago, it’s time to start thinking about getting the car winterized. Since driving in our winter snows can sometimes be pretty hairy, that auto check-up isn’t really optional. Working at the help desk can be a little different, though. We can get so busy dealing with the emergencies that come up, it can become all too easy to postpone routine maintenance — “Oh, I’ll get to that tomorrow.” There’s nothing that I can do to keep you from postponing your preventative to-dos. I can, however, offer some suggestions for utilities you can use to keep your PC in working order.

Run Aida32 for a system report. I like having recent documentation of all the things going on in my machine. Aida32 is a great freeware app for Windows that will return every possible detail you might need to know about your PC, from installed software to chipset information. Checking out this system report reminds me to remove applications I’m no longer using and can be used to determine which bits of hardware might be ripe for an upgrade. Development on Aida32 has been abandoned, but recent versions can still be found on various download sites. If you’d prefer to use something that’s being actively updated, you might look at Belarc Advisor or System Information for Windows. Those programs, though, are free only for non-commercial use.

Clear hard disk space with JDiskReport. Working for the help desk, I’m always downloading files. There are software packages to test, and log file archives to analyze. I find myself running low on disk space pretty often, especially when I’m trying to build custom Windows install disks slipstreamed with the current updates. When I want to clean my drive of those space hogs I don’t need, I turn to JDiskReport. A free cross-platform utility built in Java, I like the way that JDiskReport clearly highlights the most egregious space offenders on your disk. If you don’t have Java on your machine, SequoiaView is another option for Windows users. I’m not a fan of its “treemap” method of displaying disk allocations, though.

Test your system memory with Memtest86+. Memory faults can be difficult to troubleshoot, since the symptoms can be so varied. Head off crashes before they start by testing your PC’s memory subsystem. Open-source Memtest86+ boots from removable media and puts your machine’s memory through its paces so you can detect faulty hardware before it starts contributing to system instability.

Verify your hard disk’s integrity with SpinRite. We should all be making regular back ups, but wouldn’t it be nice if we could have some warning before our hard disks failed? That’s the promise of SpinRite. A DOS-based disk maintenance tool, SpinRite uses block analysis techniques and a disk’s built-in error checking circuitry and to diagnose and repair storage problems before they become critical. SpinRite can even occasionally resurrect drives that won’t boot, as long as the problem is not due to a fault with the drive mechanism. It’s also worth noting that SpinRite is file system agnostic, and has been verified to work on drives formatted for Linux and Macintosh OS.

Preventative maintenance isn’t sexy, and it can be hard to find the time for it. These tasks don’t have to be done every week, though, and I’m convinced that making time for them every few months helps keep my PC working for me.

The top workplace stressors and irritations

2007-10-22T10:07:00.001-05:00

If you’re looking for good news today, you’ve come to the wrong place. I am really stressed out, having just read an article about the effects of stress. As a result, I’m not only stressed about the normal stuff, but I’m stressed that I may have a heart attack because of the stress.

In an article on ThomasNet, a web site devoted to industrial market trends, I found some interesting facts:

IT is at the top of the list of most stressful occupations; even trumping the field of medicine. Here’s why.
According to the National Mental Health Association, stress ranks among the top three workplace problems for employee assistance professionals.
Studies from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) indicate job stress increases the risk for development of back and upper- extremity musculoskeletal disorders, cancer, ulcers, and impaired immune function
And from the Journal of the American Medical Association: You’re more likely to have a second heart attack if you work in a stressful job. (Incidentally, other studies say you’re more likely to have that first heart attack if your work is stressful.)

Still with me?

So what’s causing all this stress? Writer David R. Butcher, examining the results of a SkillSoft study of more than 3,000 people, reports the top 10 work stresses are:

Workload
Feeling undervalued
Deadlines
Type of work people have to do
Having to take on other people’s work
Lack of job satisfaction
Lack of control over the working day
Having to work long hours
Frustration with the working environment
Targets

And here are the top ten irritations having to do with colleague behavior:

Seeing others not pulling their weight
Managers changing their minds about what they want to be done
Lack of support from managers
Pressure from managers
Feeling put-upon by managers
Interruptions by colleagues
Interruptions by managers
Bullying behavior by managers
Lack of support from colleagues
Bullying behavior by colleagues

So what can be done about the rise of stress in the workplace? Some organizations, concerned with the hundreds of billions of dollars lost due to stress-related absenteeism and employee non-productivity, decided to take the matter seriously. Many have designed internal programs to reduce employee stress. (Here are some examples of organization-led changes.)

I think the corporation itself can play a big role in stress reduction, but a lot of it has to do with how the individual deals with things. I think the most important lesson I ever learned was that you can’t change other people, you can only change how you deal with them. What is your take on work-related stress? Does the burden fall more on the individual’s shoulders, the corporation itself, or a mix of both? What is the one thing your organization could do to alleviate some of your stress?

NYC Facebook Developers Get Some Love from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg

2007-06-14T14:28:00.001-05:00

Ever since the launch of the facebook F8 platform, the facebook developer community has show keen interest in getting on board. The number of developers in the facebook developers group has doubled to over 48,000 in a period of less than 3 weeks since it’s launch. The first facebook developer meetup in NYC was yesterday. The facebook developers knew that they would be treated to a video conference with Facebook’s director of platform, Dave Morin.

What they did not know was that the CEO of Facebook; Mark Zuckerberg was going to pop-in to the facebook developers meetup meeting. The 23-year-old facebook CEO fielded questions from the developers and enthusiasts at the meeting. Suprise! If you talk to anyone who hasn’t been living under a rock and understands what facebook is trying to do; the developers are key in the equation.

The fact that Zuckerberg showed up at the meeting is just reinforcement of his love for the community of facebook developers and the future that they represent. Nothing excites us geeks more that to see the leader of the company that they are going to help build, and in turn help them build their business; show his sincere interest in what they are doing. Bottom Line: The developers got some love from Zuckerberg… how’s that for throwing more gasoline onto an already raging fire!

Ulitimately the facebook developer community will create very useful applications that go beyond the lightweight programs that currently are dominating the first phase of applications that we are seeing on facebook. The facebook f8 platform represents a major tide shift in the way that applications can be leveraged upon a community platform & ecosystem. More robust applications will arrive, and this will ultimately make the facebook user experience much better, engaging and useful.

10 Reasons It Doesn’t Pay To Be “The Computer Guy”

2007-05-25T14:34:00.001-05:00

I personally don't identify myself with all the reasons, but most of them are right on the money!!

Reason #10 - Most Of Your Accomplishments Are Invisible
The computer guy never hears anyone tell him, “I just want to let you know … everything is working fine!”
The reality is that people call the computer guy when something is wrong.
As a computer guy, if you work really hard to make everything work the way that it should, and things work fine, then people believe you don’t do anything. Everything you manage to get working correctly or do perfectly will forever remain unnoticed by computer users. They’ll only ever notice that you do anything when something isn’t working correctly, and you are called upon to fix it.

Reason #9 - Every Conversation You Have Is Roughly The Same
When the computer guy dares to mention what he does for a living, the typical response is, “I have a question about my home computer…”
Or when the computer guy first hears about a widespread problem within the computer network he’s responsible for, he can barely begin to assess the problem before a dozen other people call to report the same problem.
Or when the computer guy explains a certain process on a computer to a user who is incapable of retaining the process, he will inevitably need to reinstruct the user of this same process — indefinitely.

Reason #8 - You’re An Expert Of Bleeding-Edge Technology Products, Aren’t You?
The computer guy often finds himself in situations where someone is asking him for advice on a pending investment of the technological variety.
“I heard about (some hardware or software product) that can do (something desirable) for me. I brought you these (advertisements/reviews/printouts) because I wanted your recommendation. Which would you buy?”
Although the inquiring person sincerely trusts the computer guy’s judgment over their own, in almost every instance the real objective of these meetings is to ensure their own immunity from making a risky purchase.
If it turns out to be a bad investment, and they cannot get (the hardware or software product) to do (anything desirable), then you will be their personal scapegoat — “But honey, the computer guy said I should buy it!”

Reason #7 - Your Talents Are Forcibly Undervalued
Thanks to the constantly declining price of new computers, the computer guy cannot charge labor sums without a dispute. If he asks to be paid what he is worth, he will likely be met with the “why not buy new?” argument.
That is, desktop computers are always getting smaller, faster, and cheaper. It’s possible to purchase a new desktop computer for under $400. If the computer guy spends five hours fixing a computer and wants $100/hour for his time, his customer will be outraged, exclaiming “I didn’t even spend this much to BUY the computer, why should I pay this much just to FIX it?”

Reason #6 - You’re Never Allowed A Moment’s Peace
The computer guy is so prone to interruption that he rarely finds an opportunity to work on his own problems. This is because:
Computers never sleep.
Computer problems aren’t scheduled.
Every problem takes time to diagnose.
The computer guy can only give one problem his full attention.
Each user believes their problem deserves attention now.
Consequently, the computer guy has a 24/7 obligation to keep critical computer systems running, while simultaneously juggling everyone’s problems. He’ll often need to forfeit any opportunities to tend to his own needs for the sake of others — because at any moment, of any day, he can be interrupted by someone who wants to make their problem his problem.

Reason #5 - People Ask You To Perform Miracles
The computer guy is often mistaken for someone who possesses the combined skills of an old priest and a young priest. I’ll sum this up easily by example:
“No, I really can’t recover any files from your thumb drive, even if you did find it after it passed through your dog.”

Reason #4 - Your Assumed “All-Knowing” Status Sets You Up To Let People Down
There is no common understanding that there are smaller divisions within the computer industry, and that the computer guy cannot be an expert in all areas. What makes things worse, is when the computer guy attempts to explain this to someone asking for help, the person will often believe that the computer guy is withholding the desired knowledge to avoid having to help.
This is somewhat related to the next reason:

Reason #3 - You Possess Unlimited Responsibility
The computer guy is expected to solve problems. It is difficult to determine the boundaries of that expectation.
Some of the oddest things that I’ve been asked to do include:
Use pirated software to undelete important company files.
Create an Intranet, after explaining I didn’t know how to.
Teach someone how to hide their pornography collection.
Solving problems can range from replacing batteries in a wireless keyboard to investigating why the entire building loses power at the same time every morning. Resolutions can necessitate weaving a 50-foot cable through a drop ceiling, or wriggling under a house on your belly to add an electrical outlet.
Reasons #4 and #3 boil down to this: no matter how often you want to play the role of a hero, there will always be circumstances that test the limits of your ability to be one. It’s difficult to judge when helping someone means doing something immoral, and it’s even harder to admit you are unable to solve someone’s problem — and chances are, that someone will view you as incompetent because you were unable to help them.

Reason #2 - A Life Of Alienation
People only talk to the computer guy when they need him to fix something. Also, when the computer guy approaches a user, they’ll hop up out of their chair under the presumption that he’s there to fix something — as if it would never be expected that he only wants to strike up a conversation.
The fact that the computer guy never gets a moment’s peace can also practically force him to withdraw into solitude. His co-workers don’t understand that he doesn’t want to hear about their computer problems during his lunch hour — he does that every other hour of the day. That’s why the computer guy eats lunch alone with his door closed, or goes out to eat every day — not because he’s unfriendly, but because he needs to escape the incessant interruptions.

Reason #1 - You Have No Identity
It’s an awful experience when the computer guy shows up at a neighbor’s doorstep with a plate of Christmas cookies, only to have the child who answered the door call out, “Mom, the computer guy is here!” He begs for an identity that is not directly associated with computers, but “the computer guy” label walks ahead of him — it simply cannot be avoided. I was given a name and I’d love to be addressed by it.
Having read these reasons, you may believe that I’m complaining. It’s true that I was upset with many aspects of my life as the computer guy, but I’m past the point of complaining.
I took a good hard look at my existence and realized that things were not likely to change in the line of work I had chosen. Instead of just complaining, I took action and began making positive changes in my life.
Working in the computer industry isn’t for everybody. It wasn’t for me. I’ve compiled my reasons for putting it behind me and placed them here, so that anyone who is unsatisfied with their life working in computers might recognize it’s not for them either.

All info from:
http://www.techamok.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3513

6 signs your relationship is competitive

2007-05-21T10:49:00.001-05:00

If you’re always striving to be the winner, you may wind up being the loser

All humans are competitive to one degree or another. When you think of competition you probably think of trying to best others in sports, academics or jobs. You may even compete with loved ones for attention. So it’s not hard to imagine your teammates, colleagues, friends, siblings and even parents as your competitors. But do you consider your spouse or partner a rival?
Your first response to that question may be: “No, I’d never compete with him.” But if you give yourself a moment to think about your relationship, you might be surprised to find that you do indeed feel a little competitive with him. All spouses compete with each other on some level. Who’s the better parent? Who’s more successful at work? Who has more friends? Who’s the better cook? Almost anything that matters to you can be a source of rivalry.

Competition can be healthy; it can spur you to try to do your best. Sometimes, however, competition can run amok. If you have insecurities about your sense of identity and talents, then you may feel he’s treading on your turf. And this can make you feel angry and hurt. For example, if friends compliment his cooking, do you feel as though your culinary talents have been diminished? Does that make you say to yourself: “Hey, if he’s such a good cook, then who am I?” If so, then you may have been bitten by the competition bug.

If you always try to be the “winner,” you may wind up the loser. To keep your relationship healthy, make efforts to bring out the best in each other and be supportive of each other’s talents. Remember there’s room for more than one winner. The more secure you make your partner feel, the less likely he will be uncomfortable with friendly competition — and the stronger your relationship will be.

Here are six signs you’re too competitive with your partner:

You are hoping he doesn’t do something too well.
You feel angry at him after he has a success.
You feel panicky about your talents, after he does something you consider your strength.
You are often trying to outdo him on various tasks.
You see him as more of an adversary than as a teammate.
You feel happily superior when he fails.

Don't Let Your Job Get Toxic

2006-11-02T13:49:00.000-05:00

Sometimes no matter how hard you try to do all the right things at work, a job may feel as if it's hurting you more than helping you. Maybe the job is a bad fit, maybe volatility in your industry gives you anxiety about the future, or maybe a salary cut is making too many of your purchases stress-inducing.

If you find yourself in a similar position, you have to assess whether your work situation is toxic or revivable. If you decide your job is toxic, take control and formulate an exit plan. It's simply not worth staying in a situation that can negatively impact your health, relationships, and peace of mind.

If you decide to create some changes in your job, you can take the following proactive self-care measures to protect your well-being as you focus on the challenges ahead.

Speak up. Talk with your boss (if he or she is not the problem) and engage in a solutions-oriented dialogue. You may not be able to change the company, but you might be able to make your department a much more pleasant place to work.

Move. Fifteen minutes of yoga or Pilates will reduce stress, increase focus and mental clarity, and improve overall well-being.

Relax. Massage, meditation and positive visualization will reduce stress, improve circulation, remove toxins from the body, and help you sleep.

Blow the 5:30 whistle. Don't stay in a toxic workplace any longer than absolutely necessary, and don't take your toxic job home with you. When 5:30 p.m. rolls around, leave.

Take a break. It's actually smart to take a "mental health day" every now and then. Don't feel guilty for taking a day off to get your life back in balance.

Get fueled. Proper nutrition is one of your best defenses. Keeping your body fortified helps to boost energy, prevent illness, and minimize the harmful effects of stress.

Go green. Living plants enhance the air quality of indoor environments, and also have been shown to induce positive energy.

Breathe. Recycled air in office buildings and enclosed work areas can be very unhealthy. If you have the option of opening windows, let the fresh air in! Otherwise, use air purifiers and natural aromatherapies to lift spirits and freshen the air.

Color your world. Finally, don't underestimate the psychological impact of color. Surround yourself with greens and blues to create a sense of tranquility.

In fact, putting some of these tips into practice may change how you perceive your job and its challenges. It's all about perspective.

The important thing is to give yourself permission to seek a healthy working environment where you can thrive instead of just survive.

Buses Asesinos

2006-10-25T14:12:00.000-05:00

Por: Rogelio Morrel

He tratado, los ultimos dias, como las ultimas semanas, de analizar ciertos aspectos que estan ocurriendo en la sociedad panameña. Tratare de ser breve y conciso para que tengan una idea formada de que lo puede estar sucediendo:

Leyes no se cumplen.
Leyes son creadas para ciertos sectores.
Gobiernos no aplican leyes y sanciones.
Falta de visión de gobernantes.
Ciudadanos no estan alertas de tantas injusticias (= o se cansan de que estas no son arregladas).

Caso CSS
Después de leer tanto y ver tanto sufrimiento, si vemos el origen de todo, podemos notar que la culpa 100% son las politicas generalizadas aplicadas al CSS. Precio más bajo, leyes de sanidad que no aplican el laboratorio de CSS, proveedores "corrompidos" por el sistema y que "alargan" la vida de las medicinas expiradas, etc. Al final, la culpa no es del proveedor. Escucharan, y tengan claro ustedes, que la culpa nunca la va tener el CSS. Imposible, es hecharse la soga al cuello. No van a renunciar los superiores, al menos que el presidente lo haga el mismo. Todo esto porque la demanda civil va se larga y dolorosa, y el gobierno tiene todas las de perder. Si, es cierto que Panamá no tiene las herramientas, pero el famoso documento que encontre en Internet sobre el caso de Haiti 1997, demuestra que existe forma de detectar el dietylene glycol.

Caso CSS = Causas macroeconomicas de los gobiernos y no aplicacion de leyes = Negligencia y muertes.

Caso Transporte
Obviamente, esto es algo de nunca acabar. Los ultimos 2 gobiernos han estado moviendo esto para mejorarlo (proyecto Transmilenio, proyecto licencias digitales, etc). Mi pregunta es sencilla, la tragedia ocurrida se venia venir, pero nuevamente, sera la culpa la del conductor? En parte, debio de una vez parar el bus. Pero tambien me pregunto, de tantas decadas de usar Diablos Rojos, porque no ocurre una tragedia similar con estos buses.

Sencillo, los buses modernos no necesariamente significa mejor seguridad. Es como si comprara un carro moderno modelo 2007 pero esta hecho en China. Comparar un carro de China con un Volvo no es lo mismo. Por eso no debemos comprar un Diablo Rojo con un bus moderno hecho en Europa Nueva (Polonia, Rumania, etc) o de Asia. No es lo mismo.

Si vemos nuevamente, los transportistas dicen, y tengo que creerles, que los 30 millones de Mireya eran amarrados y con condiciones. Solo podian comprar 3 tipos de buses, y si notan, asi es la realidad. Entonces nuevamente vemos que hay una relación de gobierno bajo costo, comprar cosas baratas de dudosa "seguridad" (noten la similaridad con el problema del CSS), personal "corrompido" por el sistema (transportistas y dueños), noten nuevamente la similaridad con CSS (laboratorio y proveedores).

Les voy a predecir el futuro: El Presidente mando a Golcher y comitiva a crear reglamentos, etc. Esperen prontamente los Transmilenios, y solo le doy 3 años de vida a los Diablos Rojos. Creanme, tomo 18 muertos para cambiar el futuro del transporte panameño. Y se los aseguro, la mentalidad de todos va tener que cambiar con el nuevo tipo de transporte. No va costar un cuara!

Solución
Entonces, gente, que tenemos aqui: UN CIRCULO VICIOSO, creado por el gobierno. Unos pocos controlan las leyes y los poderes, porque ellos no usan las medicinas esas, y tampoco usan esos transportes. Ellos solo reciben las quejas y crean "parches".

Que propongo yo, cual es mi propuesta como ciudadano de este pais?

Los ciudadanos deben agruparse, deben crear nuevos grupos "politicos", por asi decir. La gente va tener que agruparse para hechar para adelante este pais. Simplemente y sencillo. Esto son solo 2 de nuestros males, pero no tengan duda señores, esto no es lo unico que anda mal. No tengo que decirles sobre los rascacielos sin terminar, las empresas extranjeras que compran todas las playas sin permiso, etc. Queremos un Panamá sin selvas y bosques, queremos un medio ambiente destruido, queremos vivir como en La India donde la gente muere cada año por accidentes de transporte, y por negligencia medica? Queremos ser La India o China o queremos ser simplemente Panama?

Solo les dejo ese pensamiento, por más dificil que sea, comprendo cada uno tiene un trabajo y tiene cosas que hacer, pero sinceramente, si no soy yo, alguien va tener que juntar gente que sepa mejorar las cosas o elegir gente que sepa hacer las cosas como Dios manda. Las noticias son cortas, la memoria colectiva igualmente, pero los muertos no regresan. Nunca.

De otro modo, los ciudadanos deciden tener estos tipos de gobernantes y deciden tener el pais que tienen. Somos nosotros que decidimos nuestro futuro. Asi que dejemos de estar quejandonos que no hay plata. Quejemonos de nuestras decisiones y de nuestra inacción.

Atentamente,
Rogelio Morrell Caballero

Permalink:
Permalink

CRÓNICAS DE UNA DECEPCIÓN ANUNCIADA

2006-10-24T10:16:00.000-05:00

Esta es la historia verídica de un amigo y la compra de su casa!
Por: Glenn Earl Brathwaite

Todas las personas, incluyendo este servidor, siempre hemos tenido el sueño de comprar nuestra primera casa, con mucho esfuerzo y anhelo. Escogemos las mejores compañías constructoras y bienes raíces, por sus años de experiencia y los diseños modernos que ofrecen. Lo único malo de los sueños es que cuando demoran, pueden convertirse en pesadillas.

A continuación el relato de una historia, con el actor principal CASAS BELLAS:

Todo comenzó en el mes de junio 2005 con la separación de mi casa, unos $750.00 por el modelo que escogí. Todo era risa y felicidad entre los vendedores y los compradores del proyecto, prometiendo a más tardar febrero de 2006. Para comodidad mía tuve que incluir un abono sustancioso, por el concepto de los intereses y mensualidades de la hipoteca. Estuve pagando $2500.00 al mes por ocho meses, sin ningún mes de retraso, pensando que la casa iba a estar lista en febrero como se me prometió. Pero bien, febrero llegó y se fue y mi casa nada. Excusas, un montón: mi terreno era difícil para la construcción, que el mes y tanto de huelga de la construcción, los contratistas se marcharon, y un sinnúmero más, que no hay papel que aguante tanta falacia.

Me prometen la casa para mayo, luego junio, julio, agosto, septiembre. Las excusas llovían aún más: no hay tejas en Panamá, la piscina no se puede construir por que el terreno está muy rocoso y las máquinas están todas ocupadas en otros proyectos, nuevamente los contratistas se sacan la lengua en planes de ¨no te hablo¨.
Por fin me dan fecha de entrega, pero antes, por ser cuidadosos, entramos a la casa y ¿a que no adivinan? La casa tiene unos acabados que hasta el ciego de la esquina se puede fijar: Mal pintada, gypsum descuadrado, pisos manchados y marcados, baldosas rotas, tejas rotas y mal ubicadas, armarios y gabeteros mal acabados. Este es un ejemplo de la lista que les tuvimos que dar. Lo que da más lastima es que esos detalles son tan obvios, que no puedo creer que no lo hallan visto.
Otra cosa más, los terrenos donde está la casa ni siquiera han sido cedidos a la compañía constructora. Así que las minutas de compra-venta, no han podido ser confeccionadas para llevar a los bancos correspondientes.

Llega el día de la entrega de la casa y muchos de los puntos son ignorados o arreglados a su manera, sin satisfacer para nada. Que poco profesionalismo de los trabajadores y sus trabajos mediocres y a media pata. Nos obligaron a recibir la casa sin haberse terminado y pagar $799.00 más $130.00 por dos meses del mantenimiento, con un 65% del área social construida. Todo esto para darme la llave de la casa. Sin ese desembolso no hubiera podido revisar nada. Hasta ahora el pago de $799.00 es el único pago que he hecho, pero sigo pagando el mantenimiento.
Por fin tenemos la casa, por fin nos vamos a mudar, seremos un a pareja feliz, ejemplar en nuestra casita, que felicidad; cuando regreso a revisar ciertos detallitos y para que me entreguen la última llave que la compañía tenía, el IDAAN conecta el medidor del agua potable, y mi casa lamentablemente, en el segundo piso, se inunda, que les parece.

Y colorín colorado, este cuento no ha acabado…

El autor tiene Maestrías tanto en Mercadeo como Recursos Humanos.

Links Relacionados Adicionales no proporcionados por el autor:
Link de Casas Bellas
Link de la Prensa
.

Why not say it!

2006-10-10T10:45:00.001-05:00

Doesn't it bother you, when you know someone has something to tell you, but he rather not say it even if you ask. He rather keep it in, or just don't talk.

I mean, you feel they have something to say, they seem to have something to say but they still won't say anything. Sometimes I guess is because they are not sure what the other person reaction will be. Other times I am pretty sure it IS because of the reaction they think the other person (or group of persons) will have. But is it better or worst to keep it shut?

Well it depends, somethings are no big deal, said now or said later. Other things are not quite that simple. Sometimes, things you don't say in time, will be the trampoline for really angry discussions later, specially when both now it should have been said before, but one person didn't find the way to say it.

At the end, communication is the basis and most important asset in any relationship. Why not use it, for the better!

Girls on the Beach

2006-09-12T16:43:00.000-05:00

An image is said to be worth 1,000 words. Checking around one of my accounts on these sites where you make friends all over the world, I found this nice picture. Beautiful girls on an empty beach (for what I can see). There is not much of what I can say about the pics, the girls aren't my friends, I don't know the beach, I don't see anyone else around. But still, there is something in the picture that makes it quite nice and innocent.... of course is the girls, but it's also more than that.

Look carefully, maybe you can also see it.

When is it enough time?

2006-08-09T10:41:00.000-05:00

When is it enough time to understand, comprehend, let go, forgive...... and forget!!! Their is no perfect time.... their is no specific time. We haven't developed a mathematic formula that provides a solution to this problem. In any event it would look something like this:

DFaF= (APF * IoEO)/DoRaI

Let's break it down a little:

DFaF = Days to Forgive and Forget by the person victim of the ocurrence
APF = Amount of Pain Felt by the person victim of the occurrence
IoEO = Importance of the Event or Ocurrence to the person victim of the action.
DoRaI = Degree of Regret and Importance shown by the person who performed the action

If you see the formula it's pretty simple; that is, if you find simple to put in numbers values such as "amount of pain", "importance of the event" and "Degree of Regret". We could add that no value should be over 100, or negative. Also no values should be lower than 1. Ummmmmmm its getting pretty interesting. If you check it out the maximum amount of time you could take to FaF is 100*100 days. That is 10,000 days. That is roughly 27.4 Years. If you can't let bygones be bygones in 27 years, then maybe the event is pretty more serious than what you tought. Besides, that means you feel the other person(s) involved has no DoRaI.... in that case should you even consider trying to find the DFaF??? Maybe not.

But then there is another catch...... This formula, used separately by each individual in a couple or each person in the argument, can provide a wide variaty of results, and that is because their is no exact measurements for the most important variables in all the formula: APF, IoEO, and DoRaI.

Maybe your result is 10 days, but your spouses result is 25 ... or if deeply angered 1000 days.... or if she doesnt feel you deeply regret one bit.... 27 years... So as you can see, a wide range of discrepancies can occur in the result. That is why this formula is not to be worked out individually but together. You will find common ground on the issue, you will know how much the other person feels for you, and you will know how bad you made the other person feel. You can also make a point for yourself and you may even get a smile out of everything...

At the end the DFaF is only a number, the time may be definetely shorter, but never longer.. and the people involved will have an understanding of how important they are to each other.

If you have any other questions about the rules on how to apply the formula, feel free to contact me.

Rusty

The Mistakes you Make

2006-08-09T09:24:00.000-05:00

Sometimes you realize in some ways your acts are irrational, based on nothing and supported by less. The problem is that sometimes you realize it too late. Also, that thing about the good side and the bad side of the brain do exist. Prove beyond considerable doubt is also a serious issue to take into account before "The Mistakes you make"

The important thing here is to realize and accept your mistake. This error can hurt someone, or hurt many; it can cripple or harm you; it can destroy what will take a long time to repair, and it can linger for hours or forever.

It's hard not to make these mistakes, because they are part of life, part of living and part of loving. Maybe triggered by unknown, unproven events. Or by a mind with too much time to think and create. Maybe triggered by that one thing someone did that hurt you so much you just yet can't forget. Other times triggered, even if its hard to believe, by unconditional emotional love! Or by all of the above.

Whatever triggers your mistakes, accept them, try to mend them, and most importantly, learn from them.

And whatever you do, please don't make the same mistake twice.

Rusty.

The Philosophy of War

2006-05-16T14:48:00.000-05:00

Until the philosophy which hold one race superior
And another
Inferior
Is finally
And permanently
Discredited
And abandoned -
Everywhere is war -
Me say war.

That until there are no longer
First class and second class citizens of any nation
Until the color of a man's skin
Is of no more significance than the color of his eyes -
Me say war.

That until the basic human rights
Are equally guaranteed to all,
Without regard to race -
This a war.

That until that day
The dream of lasting peace,
World citizenship
Rule of international morality
Will remain in but a fleeting illusion to be pursued,
But never attained -
Now everywhere is war - war.

And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes
that hold our brothers in Angola,
In Mozambique,
South Africa
Sub-human bondage
Have been toppled,
Utterly destroyed -
Well, everywhere is war -
Me say war.

War in the east,
War in the west,
War up north,
War down south -
War - war -
Rumors of war.

And until that day,
The African continent
Will not know peace,
We Africans will fight - we find it necessary -
And we know we shall win
As we are confident
In the victory

Of good over evil -
Good over evil, yeah!
Good over evil -
Good over evil, yeah!
Good over evil -
Good over evil, yeah!

Song: WAR by Robert Nesta (Bob) Marley

Ampliación del Canal - DILE NO! - 2. Razones

2006-05-16T14:43:00.000-05:00

DESDE YA, VOTO NO

Voto Nó porque todo ha sido un engaño.
Voto Nó porque toda las promesas han sido incumplidas
Desde joven me decían que el Canal bajo la administración del
norteamericano no rendía el fruto debido al panameño.
Y que bajo una administración panameña, los verdaderos dueños, el
pueblotendrá grandes beneficios y la patria mejoraría.

Hoy el dinero está entrando de amontones y todo sigue igual.
Las escuelas en condiciones deplorables. La salud en retroceso y mal.
No hay trabajo para nadie, ni en el mismo canal.
La Ciudad de Colón, puerto de entrada de la construcción de la
magna obra, en ruina.
El acueducto un desastre, el alcantarillado peor
La provincia de Colón sin un puente sobre el canal
y hoy sigue sumida en el más grande atraso vial.

Omar Torrijos confesó años después de aprobado el tratado en el
Senado americano, que tenía intenciones de inhabilitarlo si no lo hubieran
aprobado, porque el Canal es de Panamá y si no le sirve al panameño
mejor que no estuviera.
Hoy el Canal no le está sirviendo al panameño. Menos empleados hay
allí Los extrabajadores del Canal han sidos los únicos trabajadores en
el mundoque le cerraron la empresa y no han recibido indemnización por el
cierre. No han cumplido con los trabajadores del Puente, el ferrocarril y
los muelles, aunque ahora hay plata de más.

Revirtieron más de 8,000 millones en activo, gratis.
A los Bienes Raíces fue a dar.
Al pueblo le prometen y prometen sin parar.
Pero la deuda nacional interna y externa sigue en aumento.
Ahora quieren endeudarnos dizque para agrandar el canal, so
pretexto de que será beneficioso para la nación. No dijeron cual!
Por mi parte voto NO, NO, NO, NO
mil veces NO.

Y tu?

Ampliación del Canal - DILE NO! - 1. Empleos

2006-04-25T15:04:00.000-05:00

Amplicacion del Canal - DILE NO! - 1. Empleos

Quieren confundir al hambriento ofreciendole comida, es decir, quieren confundir al panameño ofreciendoles plazas de trabajo para la aprobación del proyecto de la amplicación del canal. Este proyecto es mucho mas que plazas de trabajo, esto va mas alla del beneficio de nuestra nación. Más que nada el beneficio de unos pocos.

Hay muchas razones que puedo utilizar para sustentar el porque debes votar NO en el referendum sobre la ampliación del canal... muchas para discutirlas todas al mismo tiempo. Razón por la cual mencionaré una a una, todas las que vaya recordando.

1. Según los políticos, este mega proyecto creará cualquier entre 5,000 - 240,000 empleos. Tanto directos como indirectos. Como es posible que tantos políticos muestren cifras tan distintas cuando se está hablando de un mismo proyecto. A mi en lo personal el número de 240,000 empleos me suena totalmente absurdo. (Esa cifra si se mencione anoche durante los noticieros que estuvieron cubriendo el acto en el Atlapa). Como es que no se sabe si se generarán 5,000 o 50,000 empleos? Como es posible que digan que no importarán mano de obra calificada? Quien manejará un proyecto de esta magnitud, si nunca ha tenido esa experiencia anteriormente? Como serás calificado si no tienes la experiencia? Utilizarias tu una persona recien entrenada para ser tu chofer, o prefieres un chofer con experiencia que te lleve en las calles de Panama?? Bueno es lo mismo, quien prefieres que construya o liderize los detalles mas importantes de la construcción de este canal, una persona que lo hará por primera vez? Una persona recién entrenada?

El proyecto se le esta vendiendo al panameño como una canasta inmensa de empleos para todos los necesitados. Es eso lo que realmente va a ocurrir? Es eso lo que el proyecto realmente hara? Cubrir las necesidades de todo panameño desempleado como lo quieren pintar? En mi punto de vista personal NO! Y además cuanto tiempo estarás trabajando.... 2 años, 3 años que dure el proyecto en tu área específica (soldadura, plomeria, acueductos, mecanica, electrica, electromecánica)? Y cuando se acabe eso que harás, volveras a ser desempleado. Si generará muchos empleos pero cuantos serán permanentes, realmente permanentes, 500 - 1000 puestos.

No se debe jugar con la necesidad del panameño para hacer que escoja un proyecto en un momento que no lo necesitamos ni estamos preparados para afrontarlo.

Es indiscutible que una ampliación es una excelente idea..... pero es una excelente idea en estos momentos, con el alto precio de la gasolina, con el alto nivel de desempleo, con los ridiculos precios de la electricidad. Es el momento de hacer el cambio cuando no tenemos siquiera el dinero para financiarlo??

Piense en esto ciudadano panameño, y tome su decisión.

It has been a while.

2004-09-24T16:59:00.000-05:00

Hello Residents,

How have you been, it has been a while, exactly 17 days since my last post. What happened to me, you were wondering? Well nothing really happened, I was just busy, and still am busy.

Understand this residents, I am not the kind of person that will come and write only to fill space in this blog, or to feed you on the latest Lakers news (for that you can go to latimes.com). I will write: 1. When I feel, and 2: When I have something to say. So even if I have nothing to say but I still feel to write, then I will write. Which of the 2 reasons I am using now? I will leave you to figure out that.

I have been absent as I said, because I am busy man... lots of work, which is good, but doesn't allow me to write in my blog. Sometimes I had ideas and things to express and write, but didn't have the time. The result was: forgetting the topic and not writing. But like how today is friday, and its minutes to 5:00 pm, I decided to take a break on what I was doing and write.

Lots of work! Is that something good, or is that something stressful. I must say even if it might be stressful it's good, because you imagine what would you do without a work. I mean.... work is not necessary to live, but $$ money is necessary to live.... and work provides money. That's the capitalist world we live in, and if you don't like it, then there is always Cuba!

Reflect on this, would you rather have tress because of work, or have stress because you have no work? Where would your next payday come from?

I think I know what stress I prefer. Even thought stress is not good..... but that is the topic of another blog. Right?

- Right!!!

See you next Time.

Bigga.

A blog about nothing ... then something.

2004-09-07T09:21:00.000-05:00

Hello Followers,

How are you doing? First let me apologize because yesterday I did not blog. My sincere "disculpas" to everyone that visits this site daily and expects to find a new blog everyday.

On the other hand, here I am... ready to write. The problem is about what, I really don't have a clue. I prepared to write and suddenly found out that I had nothing in mind. I guess that's why writers take so long to finish a book, especially if it's a good book to read. Let's not talk about the bestsellers!

Even thought some good books don't take long to write, it's rare to find a good book that took only a few weeks or months to get finished, revised, edited and published.

So much things goes into a book, it makes me wonder if I will ever want to write one, be patient enough to do it. That would be another Challenge for me.

Should I add that I wont face all challenges with so much upbeat and self-esteem if I didn't have a beautiful woman with me! Every man has a woman; every LORD has a LADY; every King has a Queen; every Oak has an Ebony and every Rusty has a Rusty-Girl. The saying says "Behind every great man there is a great woman". I don't like to say behind, I prefer to say "with" him, no matter if its behind, in front or beside. And I do have that woman.

So long everybody and remember "The Force is with you!"

Bigga.

The DarkSide!

2004-09-03T08:20:00.000-05:00

Hello Juveniles,

I woke up this morning feeling a little back pain because of a bad sleeping position, but that pain quickly went away (Thank God!) and after that I just started to feel and understand, that the Real Power is on the Dark Side! Why? I don't know, it just came to my mind. Doesn't those things happen to you?? I guessed so!!

You know I am a real fan of Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings and The Matrix. Good things don't always come in three's, but this time they did. The Dark Side is the Real side of the Force.... be it Fiction or Real Life. If I had to choose I would dwell on the Dark Side. Phrases like: "Your Powers are Weak", "I find your lack of Faith Disturbing" and "don't underestimate the power of the Dark Side" are much more imposing and prevailing than a Luke Skywalker "Help me Father". I mean, do you think a "Help me Father" can get you around the mean world we live in nowadays?? Unless you are a 6'0" Sexy Bombshell with some nice ujummmm and a big ahammm it wont work.

Know imagine those phrases coming from a over 6'4" Tall big mean man Dressed Completely in black that can move things from a distance with his mind..... now that is frightening, that is respect, that is power. And that is the kind of way you want people to look at you in all levels of society. Remember have your people love you enough to follow your sayings, and be afraid enough not to raise against you in arms.

This said, I admit I prefer the Dark Side, is just the place to be. And reflecting on another thing...... Maybe in bed good things do come in three's, but then again, they not always do!!

"Resistance is Futile"

Bigga.

The New Day....

2004-09-02T09:20:00.000-05:00

Hello Dearest People,

After taking the day off yesterday (sorry baby I didn't feel like writing), here I am back again.... blogging the blog, if there is such a thing!

We had the day off here in Panama September 1st, because of the installment of a new government, so as you can imagine .... streets, clubs, casinos, discos, bars, etc were jammed packed with people. I don't know if in your country is the same, but here, if a day off or weekend is just next to a payday, you will always find all places full. So I went out to a party of one of my best friends brother's girlfriend, got that?? I usually go to that Disco-Bar all the time, and it's usually full, but that day it was just over the limit. I was just uncomfortable. Been 6'8" you got to believe is not hard for me to see or breathe in crowded places, but even if I could see and breed I was uncomfortable, it was too full. Don't get me wrong I had a good time, but it could have been better if I even had a space to walk.

The other thing I noticed, we Panamanian do drink a lot, we may not have money to pay the debts, but if you need $$ to buy a bottle of something (bearing is not alcohol 100% proof), when you pass the hat around, it will be back with more than enough money. I could just see the bottles coming and going, don't really know where the money was coming from...... but that's the story all the time the party is hot. On the down side I also saw some wasted people around the place..... not a pretty sight.... but that was that....... when I reached home there was nothing better and sweeter than my bed.

So I waked and turned on the TV and watched (after brushing my teethes and washing my face of course). Yesterday was a new beginning, another 5 years of government in my sweet Panama, all day, on all news stations, never ending stories, profiles and information about the new president, his cabinet (can be viewed somewhat like the secretaries: defense, health, etc) and the people who approve or veto each law (which can be viewed somewhat like the senate). I mean so much info, that if I didn't know one of those guys middle names and that he broke a finger nail playing marbles, I certainly do it now. Or at least would, if I had given it enough attention.

A lot of people are resting their faith in the new government for things to improve and get better, and I hope, really hope, that he can make things better. The issue is that things are in such a mess, left by the government leaving power, that very hard and harsh measures need to be used to get things back in place. And I know how Panamanian react to new hard measures which they don't find appealing.

But well that is politics and not my favorite subject. So I will leave it until there, no more politics blog in a while. So what can I say that is new funny and cool to write about. Let me think for a while.

Ok.... after 5 minutes I got to this. As none of you know (but you will know) the Lakers are my favorite NBA basketball team. Hate me or love me that is the true, and hate him or love him..... Kobe is Free. I mean, that girl went all the way on a lie just to damage the image of a person making millions. Is the only way something like this could happen so late in the case. I guess money means everything, cause she was looking for some.

For know I am signing off... Don't know if I will be back later, certainly I would be back tomorrow.....

So people, don't miss me too much ok!!

Bigga.

The Last Day..... Meditation Time

2004-08-31T09:31:00.000-05:00

Hello people of the world,

Today is the last day.... not for me, not in my relationship (don't even joke about that) not the last day of the world, but the last day this government is in place in my sweet Panama!

Yes, like in everything and everywhere, every beginning has an end. We made a choice 4 years ago, the red pill or the blue pill, well it really was the her pill or the his pill. Everyone knows the choice, and knows what happened. Now, like Gloria Gaynor song, "I will survive", I must say: "We have survived"; We: as in all the Panamanian.

It has been 4 years of hard resistance. Too much corruption, impotence to be able to make a difference. But finally a change is coming. Be it good or bad, nobody knows. We just hope is better. You see, a lot of people want to blame the government, a lot of people always seem to look to blame someone or something. But really we are to be blamed the most; we as Panamanian, as citizens, indifferent to the changes whenever party is near, indifferent to the changes if they don't directly affect us, indifferent to anything occurring around "PayDay".

Sometimes I sit and wonder..... will we ever have another "Malcom X", another "Marthin Luther King", another "Cassius Clay aka. Mohammed Ali" Will we ever again have a real person who can encourage the masses to fight for a change, to end the corruption, to stand for what is right and righteous!!!

Who knows, but for know, you can follow the flow to wherever you want to go. You can stay still and do nothing, you can do something with no effect, or you can try to better yourself, for your own well being. Know think a little, if everyone try to better they self the right way... Wont we all be better people in a better country!

Know you can Reflect on that!

Bigga aka. Rusty

Another Monday!

2004-08-30T09:56:00.000-05:00

Hello All,

Good morning to everyone. It's Monday...... Another Monday.... just like every other Monday. Why are you asking yourself, well let me give you a few tips.

Every Monday comes after a Sunday, At least here on Earth. That makes all Mondays pretty similar. Besides that every Monday can be different, still all Mondays are the same. If this is too tough for you to handle, then maybe you should not keep reading my blog!!

You know everybody uses their blog for different things, panning news, events, talking about the weather, talking about HBO programming, windows Service Packs, terrorism, etc. I use my blog to talk about what I feel, what my mood makes me write...... so you might find everything here. I hope you find that interesting and bare with me.

Ohhhhhh also I know I said I would try to write everyday, but that every day does not include Saturdays and Sundays, except if I feel to do so. It also does not include any other day I feel to take the day off..... you know... like those days you don't feel to write. Guess that at the end, it really doesnt mean everyday. Don't you feel they were too many "days" workd in the previous senteces.... I did!!!

Another thing, from now on, forget the apostrophes, just imagine when you see a dont its a don't, doesnt is doesn't, etc. Cant use the spell checker on this all the time.

Now lets talk a little about the weekend, Saturday was good, but Saturday night was just too damn good.... it was just better, outstanding, etc. No details, you only need to know I have a GF. :) So then comes Sunday...... Sunday began with Church in the Morning, Age of Mythology (The Titans Expansion) in the evening and ESPN NFL 2k5 in the night. Yeaaaaaa Totally relaxing gearing up for today...... a Monday.... just like every other Monday, but still different.

As I said, a little about the weekend!

Bigga

Let's Start

2004-08-27T13:59:00.000-05:00

Hello there, hello All. Here I am trying to have a blog again........... from 2001 (my last post, which I already deleted) until know. Yea a lot of years, but I am back.

I am happy that blogger saved my profile even thought I didn't use the service in years. It's just incredible. A lot of websites should follow this practice, then a lot of other websites should not.

Today has been a good day.... friday. You always have to try to make friday a good day, because if you don't work on weekends or on saturday, then you know you will be getting some much needed rest. Unless, of course, you are a workaholic. Then you never stop working, but that is just another story.

To my friend, the particle, the atom, the proton, the electron...... no....... the molecule. Here I am Dude and remember don't go too deep.

Whoever wants to drop a line, feel free to do it, just don't be obscene because that really can piss me off!! Only I can curse on my Blog.!!

C ya later or maybe tomorrow.

R&B and Women Rule!! and then, some women Rule you!!

Bigga.