STOCKHOLM (AFP) – A 16-year-old Iraqi immigrant living in Sweden has cracked a maths puzzle that has stumped experts for more than 300 years, Swedish media reported on Thursday.
In just four months, Mohamed Altoumaimi has found a formula to explain and simplify the so-called Bernoulli numbers, a sequence of calculations named after the 17th century Swiss mathematician Jacob Bernoulli, the Dagens Nyheter daily said.
Altoumaimi, who came to Sweden six years ago, said teachers at his high school in Falun, central Sweden were not convinced about his work at first.
"When I first showed it to my teachers, none of them thought the formula I had written down really worked," Altoumaimi told the Falu Kuriren newspaper.
He then got in touch with professors at Uppsala University, one of Sweden's top institutions, to ask them to check his work.
After going through his notebooks, the professors found his work was indeed correct and offered him a place in Uppsala.
But for now, Altoumaimi is focusing on his school studies and plans to take summer classes in advanced mathematics and physics this year.
"I wanted to be a researcher in physics or mathematics; I really like those subjects. But I have to improve in English and social sciences," he told the Falu Kuriren.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
ദേവരാജന്‍ മാസ്റ്റര്...
സ്വന്തം കഴിവിലുള്ള ആത്‌മവിശ്വാസത്തിന്റെ വിശ്വരൂപമായിരുന്നു ദേരാജന്‍ മാസ്റ്റര്. അതിനെ അഹങ്കാരമായി വ്യാഖ്യാനിക്കുകയാണെങ്കില്‍ മാസ്റ്റര് വലിയ അഹങ്കാരി തന്നെയായിരുന്നു. മലയാളത്തിലെ സംഗീതത്തിന്റെ ഗുണനിലവാരം മാത്രമല്ല അന്തസ്സും ഉയര്‍ത്തിയത്‌ ഈ മഹാനുഭാവനായിരുന്നു. പാടുന്നവരും വാദ്യോപകരണക്കാരുമല്ലാത്ത മറ്റാരെങ്കിലും - ഗാനരചയിതാവുപോലും തന്റെ പാട്ടുകള് ആദ്യമായി കേള്‍ക്കുന്നത്‌ റെക്കോര്‍ഡിംഗ്‌ സ്‌റ്റുഡിയോയിലെ സ്‌പീക്കറുകളിലൂടെ മാത്രമായിരിക്കുമെന്ന്‌ ഇദ്ദേഹം ആര്‍.എം. വീരപ്പനോട്‌ തുറന്നടിച്ചു പറഞ്ഞില്ലായിരുന്നെങ്കില്‍ ഏതാനും എം.ജി.ആര്‍. പടങ്ങളിലെങ്കിലം ദേവരാജസംഗീതം കേള്‍ക്കാന്‍ നമുക്കിടവരുമായിരുന്നു.
പക്ഷേ, ഈ മ്യൂസിക്കല്‍ പ്രൊഡിജിയുടെ വായില്‍ നിന്നും പ്രവഹിച്ച ഈണങ്ങളോളം കര്‍ണ്ണസുഖദമല്ലായിരുന്നു ആ വാക്കുകള്‍.. പലപ്പോഴും അവ കര്‍ണ്ണകഠോരമായിരുന്നുതാനും! എന്നിരുന്നാലും അവയില്‍ ഒളിഞ്ഞിരിക്കുന്ന നര്‍മ്മേക്‌തികള്‍ ആസ്വദിക്കാന്‍ കഴിയുന്നവര്‍ക്ക്‌ ആദ്യത്തെ ഒരു ചളിപ്പു മാറിക്കഴിയുമ്പോള്‍ അവ രസകരമായി തോന്നിയിട്ടുണ്ടാവണം. സംശയമുണ്ടെങ്കില്‍ ഈ കഥകളൊക്കെ ഒന്നു നോക്കുക.
1955-ല്‍ കാലം മാറുന്നുവും, 59-ല്‍ 'ചതുരംഗവും' കഴിഞ്ഞ്‌ സിനിമയോടും അതിലെ സംഗീതത്തിനോടും വലിയ പ്രതിപത്തിയൊന്നും കാണിക്കാതെ നാടകവും സംഗീതക്കച്ചേരിയുമായി കഴിയുമ്പോഴാണ്‌ മാസ്‌റ്ററെ വിളിക്കാന്‍ ഉദയായില്‍ നിന്നും ആള്‍ വരുന്നത്‌. കമ്മ്യൂണിസ്‌റ്റുകാരന്‍ ഒരു മുതലാളിയുടെ മുന്നില്‍ അടിയറവു പറയുന്നതിന്റെ വിഷമം ഉള്ളിലുണ്ടായിരുന്നതുകൊണ്ട്‌ തികച്ചും ധിക്കാരപരമായാണ്‌ മാസ്റ്റര് കുഞ്ചാക്കോയുടെ മുന്നില്‍ പെരുമാറിയത്‌. മടക്കിക്കുത്തിയ മുണ്ടുപോലും നേരെയിടാതെ, തോര്‍ത്തുകൊണ്ടൊരു തലേല്‍ക്കെട്ടുമായിട്ടായിരുന്നു അവിടുത്തെ ആ ഇരിപ്പ്‌.
''മിസ്‌റ്റര്‍ ദേവരാജന്‍, മൂന്നു പടങ്ങളുടെ മ്യൂസിക്കാണ്‌ ഞാന്‍ ഒന്നിച്ചു നിങ്ങളെ ഏല്‌പിക്കുന്നത്‌. ഭാര്യ, കടലമ്മ, ശകുന്തള,'' വിഷയം അവതരിപ്പിച്ചുകൊണ്ട്‌ കുഞ്ചാക്കോ പറഞ്ഞു. ''ഇതില് ഭാര്യേടെ പാട്ടുകള് ഒടനെ ചെയ്യണം. മറ്റേത്‌ രണ്ടും എപ്പായിരിക്കുംന്ന്‌ ഇപ്പോ പറയാന്‍ പറ്റില്ല. ഇതില് ആദ്യത്തെ പടത്തിന്‌ ഞാന്‍ നിങ്ങള്‍ക്ക്‌ ആയിരം രൂപ തരും. രണ്ടാമത്തേതിന്‌ രണ്ടായിരം, മൂന്നാമത്തേതിന്‌ മൂവായിരവും.''
ഇതു കേട്ടതും ഒരുനിമിഷം പോലും പാഴാക്കാതെ മാസ്റ്റര് പറഞ്ഞു, ''ഈ മൂന്നു പടോം എനിക്കു വേണ്ടെന്ന്‌ ഞാന്‍ പറഞ്ഞാല്‍ മൊതലാളിക്ക്‌ എന്നോട്‌ മുഷിച്ചിലൊന്നു തോന്നില്ലല്ലോ?''
''അതെന്താ?'' കുഞ്ചാക്കോ ഒന്നമ്പരന്നു.
''എന്റെ ജോലിക്ക്‌ പ്രതിഫലം നിശ്‌ചയിക്കേണ്ടത്‌ ഞാനാണല്ലോ!''
''അങ്ങനെയാണോ?'' എങ്കില്‍ അതു പറ.
മാസ്റ്റര് അതു പറഞ്ഞു. ''ഈ പറഞ്ഞ ആദ്യത്തെ പടത്തിന്‌ എനിക്ക്‌ മൂവായിരം തികച്ചും കിട്ടണം. രണ്ടാമത്തെ പടത്തിന്‌ എനിക്ക്‌ രണ്ടായിരം മതി, കാരണം, ഇതിനിടയില്‍ നമ്മള്‍ തമ്മില്‍ കുറച്ച്‌ അടുക്കുമല്ലോ. ആ അടുപ്പത്തിന്റെ പേരിലാണിത്‌. മൂന്നാമത്തെ പടമാവുമ്പോഴേക്കും നമ്മുടെ അടുപ്പം പിന്നെയും വര്‍ദ്ധിക്കും.. അപ്പോ എനിക്ക്‌ ആയിരിമായാലും മതി. ഇനി തുടര്‍ന്നും ഉദയായുടെ സിനിമകള്‍ എന്നെ ഏല്‌പിക്കുകയാണെങ്കില്‍ എനിക്ക്‌ പ്രതിഫലമേ വേണ്ട.''
ഇതില് രണ്ടാമത്തെ പടം അടുത്തവര്‍ഷവും മൂന്നാമത്തേതിന്‌ അതിന്‌ അടുത്തതിന്റെ അടുത്തവര്‍ഷവുമായിരുന്നു നടന്നതെന്നതുകൊണ്ട്‌ തന്റെ ദീര്‍ഘദൃഷ്‌ടിയെപ്പറ്റി മാസ്റ്റര് പിന്നീട്‌ അഭിമാനം കൊള്ളുകയുണ്ടായിട്ടുണ്ടത്രേ!
കുളത്തൂപ്പുഴ രവി എന്ന ഗായകന്‌ മാസ്റ്റര് ഒരു കോറസ്സില്‍ പാടാനുള്ള അവസരംപോലും നല്‌കിയില്ല. വര്‍ഷക്കണക്കിന്‌ അയാള്‍ ഒരു പാട്ടിനായി മാസ്‌റ്ററുടെ പുറകെ നടന്നതു മാത്രം മിച്ചം. പിന്നെ രവി വലിയ സംഗീത സംവിധായകനായി. രവീന്ദ്രന്‍ എന്ന സംഗീതസംവിധായകന്‍ അനേകം ഹിറ്റു പടങ്ങള്‍ ചെയ്‌തതിനുശേഷം ഒരിക്കല്‍ താന്‍ സംഗീതസംവിധായകനായ 'പ്രദക്ഷിണം' എന്ന ചിത്രത്തിന്റെ പൂജയില്‍ അതിഥിയായി പങ്കെടുക്കാനെത്തിയ ദേവരാജന്‍മാസ്‌റ്ററെ കണ്ട്‌ രവി അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ അനുഗ്രഹം വാങ്ങി. അന്ന്‌ റെക്കോര്‍ഡ്‌ ചെയ്യാന്‍ പോകുന്ന പാട്ട്‌ അദ്ദേഹത്തെ പാടി കേള്‍പ്പിക്കുകയും ചെയ്‌തു.
പൂജ കഴിഞ്ഞ്‌ മടങ്ങാന്‍ നേരത്ത്‌ മാസ്റ്റര് രവിയോടു ചോദിച്ചു. ''രവി, എനിക്ക്‌ ഒന്നു കേട്ടാ മതി. നീ ഇപ്പോ ഹാപ്പിയാണല്ലോ?''
''അതേ മാഷേ,'' രവി വികാരാധീനനായി.'' ഞാന്‍ നോക്കുമ്പോ എന്റെ സക്‌സസ്സിന്റെ ഒരു രഹസ്യം ഞാന്‍ ദാസേട്ടനെക്കൊണ്ട്‌ മാത്രം പാടിക്കുന്നതാണ്‌.
ഒന്ന്‌ ഓര്‍ത്തിട്ട്‌ മാസ്റ്റര് പ്രതിവചിച്ചു; ''ഇപ്പോ നിനക്ക്‌ മനസിലായിക്കാണും അന്നു ഞാന്‍ എന്താണ്‌ നിന്നെക്കൊണ്ട്‌ പാടിക്കാഞ്ഞതെന്ന്‌!''
യുവഗായകനായ ഒ.പി. ഭാസ്കരന് 'ദേവരാജന്‍മാസ്‌റ്റര്‍' എന്നു കേട്ടാല്‍ വിറയല്‍ വരുമായിരുന്നു. എങ്കില്‍ 'രതിനിര്‍വ്വേദത്തി'ലെ കാലം കുഞ്ഞുമനസ്സില്‍ ചായം പൂശി' എന്ന പാട്ടിനുവേണ്ടി കോറസ്സില്‍ പാടാന്‍ അവസരം ലഭിച്ചപ്പോള്‍ ഭാസ്കരന് പോയി. കോറസ്സായി പാടുന്ന ഭാഗം കോറസ്സില്‍ പങ്കെടുക്കുന്ന ഗായകര്‍ ഓരോരുത്തരെക്കൊണ്ട്‌ ഒറ്റയ്‌ക്കൊറ്റയ്‌ക്ക്‌ പാടിച്ച്‌ റിഹേഴ്‌സ്‌ ചെയ്യിക്കുന്ന പതിവ്‌ മാസ്‌റ്റര്‍ക്കുണ്ടായിരുന്നു. ഭാസ്കരന് അതില്‍ ഭംഗിയായി പാസായി.
ടേക്കിന്റെ സമയത്ത്‌ കോറസ്സ്‌ സെക്‌ഷനില്‍ ഒരു ശബ്‌ദം കുറവുള്ളത്‌ മാസ്റ്റര് ശ്രദ്ധിച്ചു. 'കട്ട്‌' പറഞ്ഞ്‌ കോറസ്സുകാരെ മാത്രം പാടാന്‍ വിട്ടിട്ട്‌ മാസ്റ്റര് വോയ്‌സ്‌ ബൂത്തിനടുത്തി ചെന്ന്‌ അകത്തേക്ക്‌ പാളിനോക്കി. അവിടെ ഭാസ്കരന് ഒഴികെ മറ്റെല്ലാവരും തകര്‍ത്തു പാടുന്നു. ഭാസ്കരന് പക്ഷേ വെറുതെ നില്‌ക്കുകയല്ല. ഒരു വലിയ ഗായകന്റെ ഭാവഹാവാദികളോടെ അയാള്‍ പാടുന്നുണ്ട്‌, എന്നാല്‍ ശബ്‌ദം പുറത്തുവരുന്നില്ല. തിരികെ കണ്‍സോളിലെത്തി ടോക്‌ബാക്ക്‌ ഓണ്‍ ചെയ്‌തിട്ട്‌ മാസ്റ്റര് പറഞ്ഞു. ''ആ ഒ.പി. ഭാസ്കരന് - ഒറക്കെ പാടാത്ത ഭാസ്കരന് ഇങ്ങോട്ടു വന്നാട്ടെ..''
പേടിച്ചു വിറച്ച്‌ തന്റെ മുന്നിലേക്കു വന്ന ഭാസ്‌കരനോട്‌ മാസ്റ്റര് ചോദിച്ചു. ''റിഹേഴ്‌സലിനൊക്കെ നീ നന്നായി പാടിയതാണല്ലോ. പിന്നെന്തു പറ്റിയെടാ?''
''അത്‌... ടേക്കായതുകൊണ്ടാ മാഷേ,'' ഭാസ്കരന് തന്റെ പരാധീനത വെളിപ്പെടുത്തി.
''എടാ, ടേക്‌ എടുത്താലല്ലേ നമുക്ക്‌ ഇത്‌ നാട്ടുകാരെ കേള്‍പ്പിക്കാന്‍ ഒക്കൂ... അല്ലാതെ നാട്ടുകാരെ മുഴുവന്‍ വിളിച്ചുവരുത്തി നിന്റെ റിഹേഴ്‌സല്‌ കേള്‍പ്പിക്കാനൊക്കില്ലല്ലോ!'' മാസ്റ്റര് പറഞ്ഞു.
പക്ഷേ, ഈ മ്യൂസിക്കല്‍ പ്രൊഡിജിയുടെ വായില്‍ നിന്നും പ്രവഹിച്ച ഈണങ്ങളോളം കര്‍ണ്ണസുഖദമല്ലായിരുന്നു ആ വാക്കുകള്‍.. പലപ്പോഴും അവ കര്‍ണ്ണകഠോരമായിരുന്നുതാനും! എന്നിരുന്നാലും അവയില്‍ ഒളിഞ്ഞിരിക്കുന്ന നര്‍മ്മേക്‌തികള്‍ ആസ്വദിക്കാന്‍ കഴിയുന്നവര്‍ക്ക്‌ ആദ്യത്തെ ഒരു ചളിപ്പു മാറിക്കഴിയുമ്പോള്‍ അവ രസകരമായി തോന്നിയിട്ടുണ്ടാവണം. സംശയമുണ്ടെങ്കില്‍ ഈ കഥകളൊക്കെ ഒന്നു നോക്കുക.
1955-ല്‍ കാലം മാറുന്നുവും, 59-ല്‍ 'ചതുരംഗവും' കഴിഞ്ഞ്‌ സിനിമയോടും അതിലെ സംഗീതത്തിനോടും വലിയ പ്രതിപത്തിയൊന്നും കാണിക്കാതെ നാടകവും സംഗീതക്കച്ചേരിയുമായി കഴിയുമ്പോഴാണ്‌ മാസ്‌റ്ററെ വിളിക്കാന്‍ ഉദയായില്‍ നിന്നും ആള്‍ വരുന്നത്‌. കമ്മ്യൂണിസ്‌റ്റുകാരന്‍ ഒരു മുതലാളിയുടെ മുന്നില്‍ അടിയറവു പറയുന്നതിന്റെ വിഷമം ഉള്ളിലുണ്ടായിരുന്നതുകൊണ്ട്‌ തികച്ചും ധിക്കാരപരമായാണ്‌ മാസ്റ്റര് കുഞ്ചാക്കോയുടെ മുന്നില്‍ പെരുമാറിയത്‌. മടക്കിക്കുത്തിയ മുണ്ടുപോലും നേരെയിടാതെ, തോര്‍ത്തുകൊണ്ടൊരു തലേല്‍ക്കെട്ടുമായിട്ടായിരുന്നു അവിടുത്തെ ആ ഇരിപ്പ്‌.
''മിസ്‌റ്റര്‍ ദേവരാജന്‍, മൂന്നു പടങ്ങളുടെ മ്യൂസിക്കാണ്‌ ഞാന്‍ ഒന്നിച്ചു നിങ്ങളെ ഏല്‌പിക്കുന്നത്‌. ഭാര്യ, കടലമ്മ, ശകുന്തള,'' വിഷയം അവതരിപ്പിച്ചുകൊണ്ട്‌ കുഞ്ചാക്കോ പറഞ്ഞു. ''ഇതില് ഭാര്യേടെ പാട്ടുകള് ഒടനെ ചെയ്യണം. മറ്റേത്‌ രണ്ടും എപ്പായിരിക്കുംന്ന്‌ ഇപ്പോ പറയാന്‍ പറ്റില്ല. ഇതില് ആദ്യത്തെ പടത്തിന്‌ ഞാന്‍ നിങ്ങള്‍ക്ക്‌ ആയിരം രൂപ തരും. രണ്ടാമത്തേതിന്‌ രണ്ടായിരം, മൂന്നാമത്തേതിന്‌ മൂവായിരവും.''
ഇതു കേട്ടതും ഒരുനിമിഷം പോലും പാഴാക്കാതെ മാസ്റ്റര് പറഞ്ഞു, ''ഈ മൂന്നു പടോം എനിക്കു വേണ്ടെന്ന്‌ ഞാന്‍ പറഞ്ഞാല്‍ മൊതലാളിക്ക്‌ എന്നോട്‌ മുഷിച്ചിലൊന്നു തോന്നില്ലല്ലോ?''
''അതെന്താ?'' കുഞ്ചാക്കോ ഒന്നമ്പരന്നു.
''എന്റെ ജോലിക്ക്‌ പ്രതിഫലം നിശ്‌ചയിക്കേണ്ടത്‌ ഞാനാണല്ലോ!''
''അങ്ങനെയാണോ?'' എങ്കില്‍ അതു പറ.
മാസ്റ്റര് അതു പറഞ്ഞു. ''ഈ പറഞ്ഞ ആദ്യത്തെ പടത്തിന്‌ എനിക്ക്‌ മൂവായിരം തികച്ചും കിട്ടണം. രണ്ടാമത്തെ പടത്തിന്‌ എനിക്ക്‌ രണ്ടായിരം മതി, കാരണം, ഇതിനിടയില്‍ നമ്മള്‍ തമ്മില്‍ കുറച്ച്‌ അടുക്കുമല്ലോ. ആ അടുപ്പത്തിന്റെ പേരിലാണിത്‌. മൂന്നാമത്തെ പടമാവുമ്പോഴേക്കും നമ്മുടെ അടുപ്പം പിന്നെയും വര്‍ദ്ധിക്കും.. അപ്പോ എനിക്ക്‌ ആയിരിമായാലും മതി. ഇനി തുടര്‍ന്നും ഉദയായുടെ സിനിമകള്‍ എന്നെ ഏല്‌പിക്കുകയാണെങ്കില്‍ എനിക്ക്‌ പ്രതിഫലമേ വേണ്ട.''
ഇതില് രണ്ടാമത്തെ പടം അടുത്തവര്‍ഷവും മൂന്നാമത്തേതിന്‌ അതിന്‌ അടുത്തതിന്റെ അടുത്തവര്‍ഷവുമായിരുന്നു നടന്നതെന്നതുകൊണ്ട്‌ തന്റെ ദീര്‍ഘദൃഷ്‌ടിയെപ്പറ്റി മാസ്റ്റര് പിന്നീട്‌ അഭിമാനം കൊള്ളുകയുണ്ടായിട്ടുണ്ടത്രേ!
കുളത്തൂപ്പുഴ രവി എന്ന ഗായകന്‌ മാസ്റ്റര് ഒരു കോറസ്സില്‍ പാടാനുള്ള അവസരംപോലും നല്‌കിയില്ല. വര്‍ഷക്കണക്കിന്‌ അയാള്‍ ഒരു പാട്ടിനായി മാസ്‌റ്ററുടെ പുറകെ നടന്നതു മാത്രം മിച്ചം. പിന്നെ രവി വലിയ സംഗീത സംവിധായകനായി. രവീന്ദ്രന്‍ എന്ന സംഗീതസംവിധായകന്‍ അനേകം ഹിറ്റു പടങ്ങള്‍ ചെയ്‌തതിനുശേഷം ഒരിക്കല്‍ താന്‍ സംഗീതസംവിധായകനായ 'പ്രദക്ഷിണം' എന്ന ചിത്രത്തിന്റെ പൂജയില്‍ അതിഥിയായി പങ്കെടുക്കാനെത്തിയ ദേവരാജന്‍മാസ്‌റ്ററെ കണ്ട്‌ രവി അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ അനുഗ്രഹം വാങ്ങി. അന്ന്‌ റെക്കോര്‍ഡ്‌ ചെയ്യാന്‍ പോകുന്ന പാട്ട്‌ അദ്ദേഹത്തെ പാടി കേള്‍പ്പിക്കുകയും ചെയ്‌തു.
പൂജ കഴിഞ്ഞ്‌ മടങ്ങാന്‍ നേരത്ത്‌ മാസ്റ്റര് രവിയോടു ചോദിച്ചു. ''രവി, എനിക്ക്‌ ഒന്നു കേട്ടാ മതി. നീ ഇപ്പോ ഹാപ്പിയാണല്ലോ?''
''അതേ മാഷേ,'' രവി വികാരാധീനനായി.'' ഞാന്‍ നോക്കുമ്പോ എന്റെ സക്‌സസ്സിന്റെ ഒരു രഹസ്യം ഞാന്‍ ദാസേട്ടനെക്കൊണ്ട്‌ മാത്രം പാടിക്കുന്നതാണ്‌.
ഒന്ന്‌ ഓര്‍ത്തിട്ട്‌ മാസ്റ്റര് പ്രതിവചിച്ചു; ''ഇപ്പോ നിനക്ക്‌ മനസിലായിക്കാണും അന്നു ഞാന്‍ എന്താണ്‌ നിന്നെക്കൊണ്ട്‌ പാടിക്കാഞ്ഞതെന്ന്‌!''
യുവഗായകനായ ഒ.പി. ഭാസ്കരന് 'ദേവരാജന്‍മാസ്‌റ്റര്‍' എന്നു കേട്ടാല്‍ വിറയല്‍ വരുമായിരുന്നു. എങ്കില്‍ 'രതിനിര്‍വ്വേദത്തി'ലെ കാലം കുഞ്ഞുമനസ്സില്‍ ചായം പൂശി' എന്ന പാട്ടിനുവേണ്ടി കോറസ്സില്‍ പാടാന്‍ അവസരം ലഭിച്ചപ്പോള്‍ ഭാസ്കരന് പോയി. കോറസ്സായി പാടുന്ന ഭാഗം കോറസ്സില്‍ പങ്കെടുക്കുന്ന ഗായകര്‍ ഓരോരുത്തരെക്കൊണ്ട്‌ ഒറ്റയ്‌ക്കൊറ്റയ്‌ക്ക്‌ പാടിച്ച്‌ റിഹേഴ്‌സ്‌ ചെയ്യിക്കുന്ന പതിവ്‌ മാസ്‌റ്റര്‍ക്കുണ്ടായിരുന്നു. ഭാസ്കരന് അതില്‍ ഭംഗിയായി പാസായി.
ടേക്കിന്റെ സമയത്ത്‌ കോറസ്സ്‌ സെക്‌ഷനില്‍ ഒരു ശബ്‌ദം കുറവുള്ളത്‌ മാസ്റ്റര് ശ്രദ്ധിച്ചു. 'കട്ട്‌' പറഞ്ഞ്‌ കോറസ്സുകാരെ മാത്രം പാടാന്‍ വിട്ടിട്ട്‌ മാസ്റ്റര് വോയ്‌സ്‌ ബൂത്തിനടുത്തി ചെന്ന്‌ അകത്തേക്ക്‌ പാളിനോക്കി. അവിടെ ഭാസ്കരന് ഒഴികെ മറ്റെല്ലാവരും തകര്‍ത്തു പാടുന്നു. ഭാസ്കരന് പക്ഷേ വെറുതെ നില്‌ക്കുകയല്ല. ഒരു വലിയ ഗായകന്റെ ഭാവഹാവാദികളോടെ അയാള്‍ പാടുന്നുണ്ട്‌, എന്നാല്‍ ശബ്‌ദം പുറത്തുവരുന്നില്ല. തിരികെ കണ്‍സോളിലെത്തി ടോക്‌ബാക്ക്‌ ഓണ്‍ ചെയ്‌തിട്ട്‌ മാസ്റ്റര് പറഞ്ഞു. ''ആ ഒ.പി. ഭാസ്കരന് - ഒറക്കെ പാടാത്ത ഭാസ്കരന് ഇങ്ങോട്ടു വന്നാട്ടെ..''
പേടിച്ചു വിറച്ച്‌ തന്റെ മുന്നിലേക്കു വന്ന ഭാസ്‌കരനോട്‌ മാസ്റ്റര് ചോദിച്ചു. ''റിഹേഴ്‌സലിനൊക്കെ നീ നന്നായി പാടിയതാണല്ലോ. പിന്നെന്തു പറ്റിയെടാ?''
''അത്‌... ടേക്കായതുകൊണ്ടാ മാഷേ,'' ഭാസ്കരന് തന്റെ പരാധീനത വെളിപ്പെടുത്തി.
''എടാ, ടേക്‌ എടുത്താലല്ലേ നമുക്ക്‌ ഇത്‌ നാട്ടുകാരെ കേള്‍പ്പിക്കാന്‍ ഒക്കൂ... അല്ലാതെ നാട്ടുകാരെ മുഴുവന്‍ വിളിച്ചുവരുത്തി നിന്റെ റിഹേഴ്‌സല്‌ കേള്‍പ്പിക്കാനൊക്കില്ലല്ലോ!'' മാസ്റ്റര് പറഞ്ഞു.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Cell Phones: The Most Bang for Your Buck ( Money )
If you've flipped open a technology magazine lately, watched many TV commercials, or even scoped out the cell phones your friends are using, you'd be excused for thinking there weren't any models out there for under $150. Audiences in general can't help but fixate on the high-profile, high-dollar devices — but we've highlighted 10 of the most practical and affordable cell phones out there, designed to help you get maximum bang for the buck in everyday use.
1. LG Shine, $10 on AT&T with contract
It's tempting to get the refurbished version for free, we know. But if you're going to use a cellular handset every day for the next two years or so, you might as well part with $10 more to get a brand new one with a more comprehensive warranty. The mirror finish on the Shine puts the unit miles above all the clunky freebies AT&T offers in terms of looks, and 3G Internet access, a sharp 2-megapixel camera, and solid multimedia features make it a winner in the practicality department, too.
2. BlackBerry Pearl, free on Verizon with contract
The fact that this model is still selling after more than two years on the market should be some testament to its popularity. Mind you, as far as BlackBerry devices go, it's no longer cutting edge anymore. But as a freebie, it's hard to beat the features, including a full HTML Web browser, QWERTY keyboard, and dead-steady reception.
3. Nokia 5610, $50 on T-Mobile with contract
Looking for a phone that can truly double as a digital music player when you're not busy making calls? The front slider on the Nokia 5610 makes it easy to switch over to MP3 playback from wherever you are in the menu system, letting you enjoy your music at a moment's notice without wading through five different screens. It also scores extra points for a surprisingly robust built-in speaker, FM radio, and 3.2-megapixel camera.
4. Samsung Rant, free on Sprint with contract
We would recommend the Rant at any price under $100, so the fact that you can pick it up for absolutely nothing right now makes it quite a score. A 2.1-inch display and full QWERTY keyboard that slides out from the side make this inexpensive and compact phone an ace for media and text fiends. Support for Sprint's speedy EV-DO data network and the availability of Sprint TV also ratchet it a notch above its very similar predecessor, the LG Rumor.
5. LG Lotus, $50 on Sprint with contract
A distinct square form factor not only sets this clamshell phone apart visually, it makes it exceptionally easy to pocket. Fold it open, and you'll find a full (if slightly cramped) QWERTY keyboard, along with one of the most vibrant cell phone screens we've had the pleasure of laying eyes on. Roll in a 2.0-megapixel camera, a snappy Internet connection, respectable battery life, and you have a winner.
6. Nokia E71x, $100 on AT&T with contract
It may fall on the very upper end of what we consider a budget phone, but we couldn't help pointing out what a bargain Nokia's E71x is. (In fact, it even made our Best of CTIA 2009 list this year.) From the rock-solid QWERTY keyboard to the rugged metal case, which feels as cool as it looks, nobody will guess what this phone actually cost you. And given all the smartphone functionality buried within the versatile (albeit sometimes confusing) Symbian operating system, you're getting a lot of muscle for your dollar, too.
7. Casio G'zOne Boulder, $80 on Verizon with contract
If you're a bit of a klutz, consider this phone a bargain just for the fact that you won't have to replace it in three months when you drop it in water. The fully waterproof and drop-proof Boulder will stand up to pretty much whatever abuse a normal sane person can throw at it — no train tracks or bullets, please — and still come out ticking. If you can tolerate the bulk, the rugged shell also gives the handset its own unusual style, and battery life, reception and call quality are all very good.
8. Motorola Renew, $10 on T-Mobile with contract
Not much really sets most ultra-cheap "candybar" phones apart from each other to begin with, so if you're content with a pretty standard feature set, you might as well go with this unique eco-friendly model. It's made from recyclable materials, comes with an envelope to recycle it when it reaches the end of its lifespan, and has had all the pollution from its manufacture offset with carbon credits. Buy it less for the technical features and more for your conscience — if you believe the marketing hype.
9. Motorola ROKR E8, free on T-Mobile with contract
Like Nokia's 5610, the ROKR serves as both a media player and a cell phone, with some spunky styling and effects to set it apart. The keypad, which lights up below, has keys that morph from cell phone controls to media controls before your eyes, and although you can't actually depress the touch-sensitive buttons, tiny actuators under each key produce a sensation that feels as if you did.
10. Samsung Propel, $20 on AT&T with contract
Samsung reprises Pontiac's famous "Wider is Better" routine in this squat little phone, which packs a full QWERTY keyboard and 2.33-inch screen into a smooth sliding design. The BlackBerry-style keyboard makes heavy-duty texting and e-mailing a snap, and pages load quickly using AT&T's 3G network and the integrated HTML browser.
1. LG Shine, $10 on AT&T with contract
It's tempting to get the refurbished version for free, we know. But if you're going to use a cellular handset every day for the next two years or so, you might as well part with $10 more to get a brand new one with a more comprehensive warranty. The mirror finish on the Shine puts the unit miles above all the clunky freebies AT&T offers in terms of looks, and 3G Internet access, a sharp 2-megapixel camera, and solid multimedia features make it a winner in the practicality department, too.
2. BlackBerry Pearl, free on Verizon with contract
The fact that this model is still selling after more than two years on the market should be some testament to its popularity. Mind you, as far as BlackBerry devices go, it's no longer cutting edge anymore. But as a freebie, it's hard to beat the features, including a full HTML Web browser, QWERTY keyboard, and dead-steady reception.
3. Nokia 5610, $50 on T-Mobile with contract
Looking for a phone that can truly double as a digital music player when you're not busy making calls? The front slider on the Nokia 5610 makes it easy to switch over to MP3 playback from wherever you are in the menu system, letting you enjoy your music at a moment's notice without wading through five different screens. It also scores extra points for a surprisingly robust built-in speaker, FM radio, and 3.2-megapixel camera.
4. Samsung Rant, free on Sprint with contract
We would recommend the Rant at any price under $100, so the fact that you can pick it up for absolutely nothing right now makes it quite a score. A 2.1-inch display and full QWERTY keyboard that slides out from the side make this inexpensive and compact phone an ace for media and text fiends. Support for Sprint's speedy EV-DO data network and the availability of Sprint TV also ratchet it a notch above its very similar predecessor, the LG Rumor.
5. LG Lotus, $50 on Sprint with contract
A distinct square form factor not only sets this clamshell phone apart visually, it makes it exceptionally easy to pocket. Fold it open, and you'll find a full (if slightly cramped) QWERTY keyboard, along with one of the most vibrant cell phone screens we've had the pleasure of laying eyes on. Roll in a 2.0-megapixel camera, a snappy Internet connection, respectable battery life, and you have a winner.
6. Nokia E71x, $100 on AT&T with contract
It may fall on the very upper end of what we consider a budget phone, but we couldn't help pointing out what a bargain Nokia's E71x is. (In fact, it even made our Best of CTIA 2009 list this year.) From the rock-solid QWERTY keyboard to the rugged metal case, which feels as cool as it looks, nobody will guess what this phone actually cost you. And given all the smartphone functionality buried within the versatile (albeit sometimes confusing) Symbian operating system, you're getting a lot of muscle for your dollar, too.
7. Casio G'zOne Boulder, $80 on Verizon with contract
If you're a bit of a klutz, consider this phone a bargain just for the fact that you won't have to replace it in three months when you drop it in water. The fully waterproof and drop-proof Boulder will stand up to pretty much whatever abuse a normal sane person can throw at it — no train tracks or bullets, please — and still come out ticking. If you can tolerate the bulk, the rugged shell also gives the handset its own unusual style, and battery life, reception and call quality are all very good.
8. Motorola Renew, $10 on T-Mobile with contract
Not much really sets most ultra-cheap "candybar" phones apart from each other to begin with, so if you're content with a pretty standard feature set, you might as well go with this unique eco-friendly model. It's made from recyclable materials, comes with an envelope to recycle it when it reaches the end of its lifespan, and has had all the pollution from its manufacture offset with carbon credits. Buy it less for the technical features and more for your conscience — if you believe the marketing hype.
9. Motorola ROKR E8, free on T-Mobile with contract
Like Nokia's 5610, the ROKR serves as both a media player and a cell phone, with some spunky styling and effects to set it apart. The keypad, which lights up below, has keys that morph from cell phone controls to media controls before your eyes, and although you can't actually depress the touch-sensitive buttons, tiny actuators under each key produce a sensation that feels as if you did.
10. Samsung Propel, $20 on AT&T with contract
Samsung reprises Pontiac's famous "Wider is Better" routine in this squat little phone, which packs a full QWERTY keyboard and 2.33-inch screen into a smooth sliding design. The BlackBerry-style keyboard makes heavy-duty texting and e-mailing a snap, and pages load quickly using AT&T's 3G network and the integrated HTML browser.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
8 Toxic personalities to avoid
Although we like to think that the people in our lives are well-adjusted, happy, healthy minded individuals, we sometimes realize that it just isn't so. Personally, I've had moments where I'll be skipping through my day, happy as can be, thinking life is grand and BAM, I'll be blindsided by someone who manages to knock the happy wind out of my sails. Sometimes it is easy to write it off and other times, not so much.
Maybe you are a positive person, but when you are around a certain individual, you feel negative. Or, maybe you have an idealistic view of the world and when you are with certain people, you are made to feel silly, unrealistic or delusional. Or, maybe you pride yourself in being completely independent and in control of your life, but when you are around a certain family member, you regress into a state of childhood.
Some of these situations, and yes, these people, can have a tremendously negative impact on our lives. And, although we are all human and have our 'issues,' some 'issues' are quite frankly, toxic. They are toxic to our happiness. They are toxic to our mental outlook. They are toxic to our self-esteem. And they are toxic to our lives. They can suck the life out of us and even shorten our lifespan.
Here are the worst of the toxic personalities out there and how to spot them:
1. Manipulative Mary: These individuals are experts at manipulation tactics. Is a matter of fact, you may not even realize you have been manipulated until it is too late. These individuals figure out what your 'buttons' are, and push them to get what they want.
Why they are toxic: These people have a way of eating away at your belief system and self-esteem. They find ways to make you do things that you don't necessarily want to do and before you know it, you lose your sense of identity, your personal priorities and your ability to see the reality of the situation. The world all of a sudden becomes centered around their needs and their priorities.
2. Narcissistic Nancy: These people have an extreme sense of self-importance and believe that the world revolves around them. They are often not as sly as the Manipulative Marys of the world, but instead, tend to be a bit overt about getting their needs met. You often want to say to them "It isn't always about you."
Why they are toxic: They are solely focused on their needs, leaving your needs in the dust. You are left disappointed and unfulfilled. Further, they zap your energy by getting you to focus so much on them, that you have nothing left for yourself.
3. Debbie Downers: These people can't appreciate the positive in life. If you tell them that it is a beautiful day, they will tell you about the impending dreary forecast. If you tell them you aced a mid-term, they'll tell you about how difficult the final is going to be.
Why they are toxic: They take the joy out of everything. Your rosy outlook on life continues to get squashed with negativity. Before you know it, their negativity consumes you and you start looking at things with gray colored glasses yourself.
4. Judgmental Jims: When you see things as cute and quirky, they see things as strange and unattractive. If you find people's unique perspectives refreshing, they find them 'wrong'. If you like someone's eclectic taste, they find it 'disturbing' or 'bad'.
Why they are toxic: Judgmental people are much like Debbie Downers. In a world where freedom rings, judgment is sooo over. If the world was a homogeneous place, life would be pretty boring. Spending a lot of time with these types can inadvertently convert you into a judgmental person as well.
5. Dream Killing Keiths: Every time you have an idea, these people tell you why you can't do it. As you achieve, they try to pull you down. As you dream, they are the first to tell you it is impossible.
Why they are toxic: These people are stuck in what is instead of what could be. Further, these individuals eat away at your self-esteem and your belief in yourself. Progress and change can only occur from doing new things and innovating, dreaming the impossible and reaching for the stars.
6. Insincere Illissas: You never quite feel that these people are being sincere. You tell a funny story, they give you a polite laugh. You feel depressed and sad and they give you a 'there, there' type response. You tell them you are excited about something and you get a very ho-hum response.
Why they are toxic: People who aren't sincere or genuine build relationships on superficial criteria. This breeds shallow, meaningless relationships. When you are really in need of a friend, they won't be there. When you really need constructive criticism, they would rather tell you that you are great the way you are. When you need support, they would rather see you fail or make a fool of yourself.
7. Disrespectful Dannys: These people will say or do things at the most inappropriate times and in the most inappropriate ways. In essence, they are more subtle, grown up bullies. Maybe this person is a friend who you confided in and uses your secret against you. Maybe it is a family member who puts their busy-body nose into your affairs when it is none of their business. Or maybe, it is a colleague who says demeaning things to you.
Why they are toxic: These people have no sense of boundaries and don't respect your feelings or, for that matter, your privacy. These people will cause you to feel frustrated and disrespected.
8. Never Enough Nellies: You can never give enough to these people to make them happy. They take you for granted and have unrealistic expectations of you. They find ways to continually fault you and never take responsibility for anything themselves.
Why they are toxic: You will spend so much time trying to please them, that you will end up losing yourself in the process. They will require all of your time and energy, leaving you worn out and your own needs sacrificed.
All of these personalities have several things in common. 1) the more these people get away with their behavior, the more they will continue. 2) Unfortunately, most of these people don't see that what they do is wrong and as a result, talking to them about it will fall on deaf ears, leaving you wondering if you are the crazy one. 3) Most of these people get worse with age, making their impact on you stronger with time.
Frankly, life is too short to spend your time dealing with toxicity. If you can, avoid spending mucho time with people who are indicative of these behaviors and you'll feel a lot happier. Have you encountered these personalities? What have you done? Any personalities you would add?
Maybe you are a positive person, but when you are around a certain individual, you feel negative. Or, maybe you have an idealistic view of the world and when you are with certain people, you are made to feel silly, unrealistic or delusional. Or, maybe you pride yourself in being completely independent and in control of your life, but when you are around a certain family member, you regress into a state of childhood.
Some of these situations, and yes, these people, can have a tremendously negative impact on our lives. And, although we are all human and have our 'issues,' some 'issues' are quite frankly, toxic. They are toxic to our happiness. They are toxic to our mental outlook. They are toxic to our self-esteem. And they are toxic to our lives. They can suck the life out of us and even shorten our lifespan.
Here are the worst of the toxic personalities out there and how to spot them:
1. Manipulative Mary: These individuals are experts at manipulation tactics. Is a matter of fact, you may not even realize you have been manipulated until it is too late. These individuals figure out what your 'buttons' are, and push them to get what they want.
Why they are toxic: These people have a way of eating away at your belief system and self-esteem. They find ways to make you do things that you don't necessarily want to do and before you know it, you lose your sense of identity, your personal priorities and your ability to see the reality of the situation. The world all of a sudden becomes centered around their needs and their priorities.
2. Narcissistic Nancy: These people have an extreme sense of self-importance and believe that the world revolves around them. They are often not as sly as the Manipulative Marys of the world, but instead, tend to be a bit overt about getting their needs met. You often want to say to them "It isn't always about you."
Why they are toxic: They are solely focused on their needs, leaving your needs in the dust. You are left disappointed and unfulfilled. Further, they zap your energy by getting you to focus so much on them, that you have nothing left for yourself.
3. Debbie Downers: These people can't appreciate the positive in life. If you tell them that it is a beautiful day, they will tell you about the impending dreary forecast. If you tell them you aced a mid-term, they'll tell you about how difficult the final is going to be.
Why they are toxic: They take the joy out of everything. Your rosy outlook on life continues to get squashed with negativity. Before you know it, their negativity consumes you and you start looking at things with gray colored glasses yourself.
4. Judgmental Jims: When you see things as cute and quirky, they see things as strange and unattractive. If you find people's unique perspectives refreshing, they find them 'wrong'. If you like someone's eclectic taste, they find it 'disturbing' or 'bad'.
Why they are toxic: Judgmental people are much like Debbie Downers. In a world where freedom rings, judgment is sooo over. If the world was a homogeneous place, life would be pretty boring. Spending a lot of time with these types can inadvertently convert you into a judgmental person as well.
5. Dream Killing Keiths: Every time you have an idea, these people tell you why you can't do it. As you achieve, they try to pull you down. As you dream, they are the first to tell you it is impossible.
Why they are toxic: These people are stuck in what is instead of what could be. Further, these individuals eat away at your self-esteem and your belief in yourself. Progress and change can only occur from doing new things and innovating, dreaming the impossible and reaching for the stars.
6. Insincere Illissas: You never quite feel that these people are being sincere. You tell a funny story, they give you a polite laugh. You feel depressed and sad and they give you a 'there, there' type response. You tell them you are excited about something and you get a very ho-hum response.
Why they are toxic: People who aren't sincere or genuine build relationships on superficial criteria. This breeds shallow, meaningless relationships. When you are really in need of a friend, they won't be there. When you really need constructive criticism, they would rather tell you that you are great the way you are. When you need support, they would rather see you fail or make a fool of yourself.
7. Disrespectful Dannys: These people will say or do things at the most inappropriate times and in the most inappropriate ways. In essence, they are more subtle, grown up bullies. Maybe this person is a friend who you confided in and uses your secret against you. Maybe it is a family member who puts their busy-body nose into your affairs when it is none of their business. Or maybe, it is a colleague who says demeaning things to you.
Why they are toxic: These people have no sense of boundaries and don't respect your feelings or, for that matter, your privacy. These people will cause you to feel frustrated and disrespected.
8. Never Enough Nellies: You can never give enough to these people to make them happy. They take you for granted and have unrealistic expectations of you. They find ways to continually fault you and never take responsibility for anything themselves.
Why they are toxic: You will spend so much time trying to please them, that you will end up losing yourself in the process. They will require all of your time and energy, leaving you worn out and your own needs sacrificed.
All of these personalities have several things in common. 1) the more these people get away with their behavior, the more they will continue. 2) Unfortunately, most of these people don't see that what they do is wrong and as a result, talking to them about it will fall on deaf ears, leaving you wondering if you are the crazy one. 3) Most of these people get worse with age, making their impact on you stronger with time.
Frankly, life is too short to spend your time dealing with toxicity. If you can, avoid spending mucho time with people who are indicative of these behaviors and you'll feel a lot happier. Have you encountered these personalities? What have you done? Any personalities you would add?
Improving your health can be as simple as eating these items
Eaten many coconuts lately? How about cherries or blueberries or grass-fed beef?
You should, because these are all foods with powerful health properties. However, few people pack their grocery carts full of these items.
Take kiwifruit. It's chock full of vitamin C--a whopping 115% of what you need to eat in a day. It's also low in calories--just 45 per fruit, sans skin.
"In America, most people don't eat three servings of fruit and vegetables a day," says nutritionist Jonny Bowden, author of seven books including, most recently, The 150 Most Effective Ways to Boost Your Energy. According to him, there are 10 very healthy foods we don't eat enough of.
Ignore the Food Pyramid
Bowden says many Americans are misled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food pyramid, which is a graphic, pyramid-shaped depiction of nutrition guidelines, updated every five years, that tells Americans what to eat according to food groups. Bowden dismisses it as the product of interest group politics.
"It demonizes fat," notes Bowden. "Fat is an essential building block for many important compounds in the body." This is why Bowden puts grass-fed beef, wild salmon and, yes, coconuts, on his top 10 list.
Salmon, in particular, is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which are associated with heart and brain health as well as bringing down blood pressure and triglycerides, a risk factor for heart disease. Omega-3s have also been found to improve mood and reduce inflammation, says Bowden.
Another food packed with nutritional value that's present--but not necessarily front and center in every grocery store--is kale. A member of the cabbage family, which Bowden dubs "vegetable royalty," kale contains indoles, a compound found to fight cancer. Kale is also rich in antioxidants, which also help prevent cancer, says Bowden.
If that's not enough for you, kale is also full of sulforaphane, yet another cancer-prevention agent. Kale has calcium, iron and vitamins A, C and K, and two nutrients that are great for the eyes, including zeaxanthin. Kale's pièce de résistance: Two cups packs three grams of fiber. Try sautéing it with garlic and butter, recommends Bowden. Or eat it like salad, with pine nuts, cranberries and olive oil.
Then there are coconuts, a terribly misunderstood food, according to Bowden. The fat in coconuts is a particular kind that's good for you. It's called MCT, or Medium-Chain Triglycerides. The body doesn't store MCT as fat, says Bowden, but rather uses it as energy, like a carbohydrate. Coconuts are also high in lauric acid, a fatty acid that tends to kill pathogens. In addition, coconut oil is great for cooking since it has a very high smoke point.
Eat Mediterranean
For Bowden, sticking to a Mediterranean-style diet is the healthiest way to eat. That means plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, and lots of olive and nut oils. The Mediterranean diet has indeed been proved by study after study to have multiple healthful properties.
If all that sounds just too darn healthy, consider the 10th food on Bowden's list: dark chocolate. Rich with a phytochemical called flavanol, found by a 2005 study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology to improve cardiovascular health, chocolate with at least 60% cocoa content should be a regular on your shopping list.
Chocolate and coconut anyone? OK, but not until you've finished your kale.
You should, because these are all foods with powerful health properties. However, few people pack their grocery carts full of these items.
Take kiwifruit. It's chock full of vitamin C--a whopping 115% of what you need to eat in a day. It's also low in calories--just 45 per fruit, sans skin.
"In America, most people don't eat three servings of fruit and vegetables a day," says nutritionist Jonny Bowden, author of seven books including, most recently, The 150 Most Effective Ways to Boost Your Energy. According to him, there are 10 very healthy foods we don't eat enough of.
Ignore the Food Pyramid
Bowden says many Americans are misled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food pyramid, which is a graphic, pyramid-shaped depiction of nutrition guidelines, updated every five years, that tells Americans what to eat according to food groups. Bowden dismisses it as the product of interest group politics.
"It demonizes fat," notes Bowden. "Fat is an essential building block for many important compounds in the body." This is why Bowden puts grass-fed beef, wild salmon and, yes, coconuts, on his top 10 list.
Salmon, in particular, is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which are associated with heart and brain health as well as bringing down blood pressure and triglycerides, a risk factor for heart disease. Omega-3s have also been found to improve mood and reduce inflammation, says Bowden.
Another food packed with nutritional value that's present--but not necessarily front and center in every grocery store--is kale. A member of the cabbage family, which Bowden dubs "vegetable royalty," kale contains indoles, a compound found to fight cancer. Kale is also rich in antioxidants, which also help prevent cancer, says Bowden.
If that's not enough for you, kale is also full of sulforaphane, yet another cancer-prevention agent. Kale has calcium, iron and vitamins A, C and K, and two nutrients that are great for the eyes, including zeaxanthin. Kale's pièce de résistance: Two cups packs three grams of fiber. Try sautéing it with garlic and butter, recommends Bowden. Or eat it like salad, with pine nuts, cranberries and olive oil.
Then there are coconuts, a terribly misunderstood food, according to Bowden. The fat in coconuts is a particular kind that's good for you. It's called MCT, or Medium-Chain Triglycerides. The body doesn't store MCT as fat, says Bowden, but rather uses it as energy, like a carbohydrate. Coconuts are also high in lauric acid, a fatty acid that tends to kill pathogens. In addition, coconut oil is great for cooking since it has a very high smoke point.
Eat Mediterranean
For Bowden, sticking to a Mediterranean-style diet is the healthiest way to eat. That means plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, and lots of olive and nut oils. The Mediterranean diet has indeed been proved by study after study to have multiple healthful properties.
If all that sounds just too darn healthy, consider the 10th food on Bowden's list: dark chocolate. Rich with a phytochemical called flavanol, found by a 2005 study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology to improve cardiovascular health, chocolate with at least 60% cocoa content should be a regular on your shopping list.
Chocolate and coconut anyone? OK, but not until you've finished your kale.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Warehouse Club Face-Off: The Overall Savings- USA.
Beyond the bulk food, cavernous shopping spaces and almost guaranteed savings (consumers save an average of 30% per item at warehouse clubs, according to a fall 2008 study by industry publication Warehouse Club Focus, warehouse clubs like Sam's Club), Costco and BJs, do have some distinct differences. And that could mean a big difference in savings for shoppers.
While the most obvious disparity is the annual membership fee -- $50 at Costco, $45 at BJ's (BJs is offering two months free with this coupon until July 6) and $40 at Sam's -- in-store prices and policies play an even bigger role when it comes to your bottom line at checkout.
That's why it's important to compare prices on the items you need most frequently. A gallon of skim milk at Sam's Club, for example, costs $1.88, while Costco charges $2.29. Need to stock up on Secret deodorant? At BJ's, it's 81% cheaper than at the supermarket, while it's 67% less at Sam's Club.
Another factor: coupons. BJ's is the only warehouse club to accept manufacturers' coupons, which can give its prices an edge over the competition. (There are times, however, when combining those coupons with the sales in the weekly circular can result in even better deals at your local supermarket, says Teri Gault, founder of shopping site The Grocery Game.)
Nonmembers who want to try out a warehouse club will also have to weigh the surcharge they'll pay at checkout. Costco charges nonmembers 5%, Sam's Club tacks on 10%, and BJ's, 15%. Clubs usually permit nonmembers to purchase alcohol and prescription medications without having to pay a fee.
SmartMoney.com went shopping for household staples and other items shoppers might regularly purchase to see which stores offer the best savings. We compared prices for 17 items from three warehouse clubs in the New York City metro region against one another and those at local stores, including supermarket chain C-Town, Rite Aid, Petco and K&D Wines & Spirits for items the supermarket didn't carry. Because warehouse clubs tend to carry bigger sizes, prices were adjusted for a unit-by-unit comparison where necessary. We also factored in manufacturers' coupons where available, since both BJ's and local stores accept them.
The results: Even for nonmembers, warehouse clubs offer plenty of good deals, with some of the best savings on over-the-counter medications, personal-care products and pantry staples. There were exceptions to that rule, however -- most notably, bell peppers at the warehouse clubs were almost twice as much as they were at the supermarket, and prescription cholesterol medication was slightly more expensive at one of the clubs than at a chain pharmacy. The winner? Sam's Club's prices were consistently among the best, although BJ's coupon policy made it a serious contender in many categories.
Here's our side-by-side shopping list.
Warehouse Club Price Comparison*
Item Supermarket BJ's Costco Sam's Club
Skim milk, one gallon $3.29 $2.09
Savings: 36% $2.29
Savings: 30% $1.88
Savings: 43%
Eggs, 1.5 dozen $2.79 $2.99
Added cost: 7% $1.50
Savings: 46% $2.93
Added cost: 5%
Strawberries, 2lbs. $5.98 $3.99
Savings: 33% $3.50
Savings: 41% $3.48
Savings: 42%
Bell peppers, six count $2.97
(on sale) $5.99
Added cost: 102% $6.99
Added cost: 135% $5.88
Added cost: 98%
Boneless, skinless
chicken breasts, 10lbs. $29.90 $22.29
Savings: 25% $29.90
No savings $19.70
Savings: 34%
Skippy Creamy peanut
butter, two 40 oz. jars $14.26 $7.39
Savings: 48% $6.99
Savings: 51% $6.04
Savings: 58%
Claritin allergy medication,
90-count (over-the-counter) $69.97
(after a $5 coupon) $29.99
(after a $5 coupon)
Savings: 57% $34.49
Savings: 51% $31.74
Savings: 55%
Lipitor 10mg cholesterol
pills, 90-count (prescription) $255.97 N/A $259.79
Added cost: 2% $250.72
Savings: 2%
Charmin Ultra Soft toilet
paper, 36 rolls $31.22
(after a 25-cent coupon) $18.74
(after a 25-cent coupon)
Savings: 40% N/A $17.88
Savings: 43%
Tide Original liquid
detergent, 170oz. $31.93
(after a 35-cent coupon) $20.14
(after a 35-cent coupon)
Savings: 37% $20.99
Savings: 34% $20.97
Savings: 34%
Secret Invisible Solid women’s
deodorant, four-pack $20.96
(after a $1 coupon) $3.79
(after two $1 coupons)
Savings: 81% N/A $6.83
Savings: 67%
Huggies Step 4
diapers, 176 count $71.11
(after a $1.50 coupon) $37.99
(after a $1.50 coupon)
Savings: 47% $42.79
Savings: 40% $36.43
Savings: 49%
Poland Spring
water, 35 bottles $10.19 $4.19
Savings: 59% $4.99
Savings: 51% N/A
Pepsi, 36 cans $14.97 $9.49
Savings: 37% $9.49
Savings: 37% $9.10
Savings: 39%
Folgers Classic Roast
ground coffee, 48oz. $17.72
(after a 50-cent coupon) $8.49
(after a 50-cent coupon)
Savings: 52% $8.99
Savings: 49% $8.39
Savings: 53%
Grey Goose
vodka, 1.75l $68.99 N/A $59.99
Savings: 13% $57.82
Savings: 16%
Purina Dog
Chow, 50lbs. $31.23
(after a $1.50 coupon) $21.49 (after a $1.50 coupon) Savings: 31% N/A $22.58
Savings: 27%
*Sam's Club member prices are from the Secaucus, N.J., location. BJ's member prices are from the East Setauket, N.Y., location. Costco member prices are from Brooklyn, N.Y., location. Nonwarehouse club prices are from New York locations of C-Town, Rite Aid, Petco and K&D Wines & Spirits. Prices have been adjusted per unit for comparison.
Copyrighted, SmartMoney.com. All Rights Reserved.
While the most obvious disparity is the annual membership fee -- $50 at Costco, $45 at BJ's (BJs is offering two months free with this coupon until July 6) and $40 at Sam's -- in-store prices and policies play an even bigger role when it comes to your bottom line at checkout.
That's why it's important to compare prices on the items you need most frequently. A gallon of skim milk at Sam's Club, for example, costs $1.88, while Costco charges $2.29. Need to stock up on Secret deodorant? At BJ's, it's 81% cheaper than at the supermarket, while it's 67% less at Sam's Club.
Another factor: coupons. BJ's is the only warehouse club to accept manufacturers' coupons, which can give its prices an edge over the competition. (There are times, however, when combining those coupons with the sales in the weekly circular can result in even better deals at your local supermarket, says Teri Gault, founder of shopping site The Grocery Game.)
Nonmembers who want to try out a warehouse club will also have to weigh the surcharge they'll pay at checkout. Costco charges nonmembers 5%, Sam's Club tacks on 10%, and BJ's, 15%. Clubs usually permit nonmembers to purchase alcohol and prescription medications without having to pay a fee.
SmartMoney.com went shopping for household staples and other items shoppers might regularly purchase to see which stores offer the best savings. We compared prices for 17 items from three warehouse clubs in the New York City metro region against one another and those at local stores, including supermarket chain C-Town, Rite Aid, Petco and K&D Wines & Spirits for items the supermarket didn't carry. Because warehouse clubs tend to carry bigger sizes, prices were adjusted for a unit-by-unit comparison where necessary. We also factored in manufacturers' coupons where available, since both BJ's and local stores accept them.
The results: Even for nonmembers, warehouse clubs offer plenty of good deals, with some of the best savings on over-the-counter medications, personal-care products and pantry staples. There were exceptions to that rule, however -- most notably, bell peppers at the warehouse clubs were almost twice as much as they were at the supermarket, and prescription cholesterol medication was slightly more expensive at one of the clubs than at a chain pharmacy. The winner? Sam's Club's prices were consistently among the best, although BJ's coupon policy made it a serious contender in many categories.
Here's our side-by-side shopping list.
Warehouse Club Price Comparison*
Item Supermarket BJ's Costco Sam's Club
Skim milk, one gallon $3.29 $2.09
Savings: 36% $2.29
Savings: 30% $1.88
Savings: 43%
Eggs, 1.5 dozen $2.79 $2.99
Added cost: 7% $1.50
Savings: 46% $2.93
Added cost: 5%
Strawberries, 2lbs. $5.98 $3.99
Savings: 33% $3.50
Savings: 41% $3.48
Savings: 42%
Bell peppers, six count $2.97
(on sale) $5.99
Added cost: 102% $6.99
Added cost: 135% $5.88
Added cost: 98%
Boneless, skinless
chicken breasts, 10lbs. $29.90 $22.29
Savings: 25% $29.90
No savings $19.70
Savings: 34%
Skippy Creamy peanut
butter, two 40 oz. jars $14.26 $7.39
Savings: 48% $6.99
Savings: 51% $6.04
Savings: 58%
Claritin allergy medication,
90-count (over-the-counter) $69.97
(after a $5 coupon) $29.99
(after a $5 coupon)
Savings: 57% $34.49
Savings: 51% $31.74
Savings: 55%
Lipitor 10mg cholesterol
pills, 90-count (prescription) $255.97 N/A $259.79
Added cost: 2% $250.72
Savings: 2%
Charmin Ultra Soft toilet
paper, 36 rolls $31.22
(after a 25-cent coupon) $18.74
(after a 25-cent coupon)
Savings: 40% N/A $17.88
Savings: 43%
Tide Original liquid
detergent, 170oz. $31.93
(after a 35-cent coupon) $20.14
(after a 35-cent coupon)
Savings: 37% $20.99
Savings: 34% $20.97
Savings: 34%
Secret Invisible Solid women’s
deodorant, four-pack $20.96
(after a $1 coupon) $3.79
(after two $1 coupons)
Savings: 81% N/A $6.83
Savings: 67%
Huggies Step 4
diapers, 176 count $71.11
(after a $1.50 coupon) $37.99
(after a $1.50 coupon)
Savings: 47% $42.79
Savings: 40% $36.43
Savings: 49%
Poland Spring
water, 35 bottles $10.19 $4.19
Savings: 59% $4.99
Savings: 51% N/A
Pepsi, 36 cans $14.97 $9.49
Savings: 37% $9.49
Savings: 37% $9.10
Savings: 39%
Folgers Classic Roast
ground coffee, 48oz. $17.72
(after a 50-cent coupon) $8.49
(after a 50-cent coupon)
Savings: 52% $8.99
Savings: 49% $8.39
Savings: 53%
Grey Goose
vodka, 1.75l $68.99 N/A $59.99
Savings: 13% $57.82
Savings: 16%
Purina Dog
Chow, 50lbs. $31.23
(after a $1.50 coupon) $21.49 (after a $1.50 coupon) Savings: 31% N/A $22.58
Savings: 27%
*Sam's Club member prices are from the Secaucus, N.J., location. BJ's member prices are from the East Setauket, N.Y., location. Costco member prices are from Brooklyn, N.Y., location. Nonwarehouse club prices are from New York locations of C-Town, Rite Aid, Petco and K&D Wines & Spirits. Prices have been adjusted per unit for comparison.
Copyrighted, SmartMoney.com. All Rights Reserved.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
"Slumdog" child star's Mumbai shanty home torn down
MUMBAI (Reuters) - City authorities in Mumbai demolished the shanty home of a "Slumdog Millionaire" child star on Thursday, forcing his family into the streets months after the Oscar-winning film shot him to global fame.
Azharuddin Ismail, 9, played the character of Salim as a child in the film, a rags-to-riches romance about a poor Indian boy competing for love and money on a television game show.
Ismail's tarpaulin-covered home in a teeming slum was one of several shanties, illegally built along a drain, that were demolished by local authorities in Mumbai, India's financial capital and entertainment hub.
"When they came I was sleeping, they shook me awake and one policeman even threatened me," Ismail, surrounded by half-broken suitcases filled with clothes and utensils, told Reuters.
"What can I do if they have demolished my house? I will sleep out in the open."
A poster of "Slumdog Millionaire," signed by director Danny Boyle, fluttered from the only wall of Ismail's shanty still standing. Open sewers run nearby and it had no running water.
Authorities said the shanties had been demolished earlier but had sprung up again on the same spot.
"The shanties are all touching a drain that has to be cleaned before the advent of the monsoons," said U.D. Mistry, the local official in charge of the demolition drive.
Earlier this year, there was an outcry after pictures emerged of "Slumdog Millionaire's" child stars living in squalor despite the movie's box-office success and eight Academy Awards.
The film also sparked controversy for its name, deemed by some to be offensive to slum dwellers, and its treatment of the cast. Its depiction of the lives of poor Indians was dubbed "poverty porn" by sections of the media.
In February, the housing authority of Maharashtra state, of which Mumbai is the capital, said they would give Ismail and fellow child star Rubina Ali new houses. But Ismail's mother, Shameem, said the family is now at the mercy of the rains.
"We also heard that the government had promised us houses, but what happened? We are still homeless," she said. "My son has brought glory to the country, shouldn't he get some credit?"
Azharuddin Ismail, 9, played the character of Salim as a child in the film, a rags-to-riches romance about a poor Indian boy competing for love and money on a television game show.
Ismail's tarpaulin-covered home in a teeming slum was one of several shanties, illegally built along a drain, that were demolished by local authorities in Mumbai, India's financial capital and entertainment hub.
"When they came I was sleeping, they shook me awake and one policeman even threatened me," Ismail, surrounded by half-broken suitcases filled with clothes and utensils, told Reuters.
"What can I do if they have demolished my house? I will sleep out in the open."
A poster of "Slumdog Millionaire," signed by director Danny Boyle, fluttered from the only wall of Ismail's shanty still standing. Open sewers run nearby and it had no running water.
Authorities said the shanties had been demolished earlier but had sprung up again on the same spot.
"The shanties are all touching a drain that has to be cleaned before the advent of the monsoons," said U.D. Mistry, the local official in charge of the demolition drive.
Earlier this year, there was an outcry after pictures emerged of "Slumdog Millionaire's" child stars living in squalor despite the movie's box-office success and eight Academy Awards.
The film also sparked controversy for its name, deemed by some to be offensive to slum dwellers, and its treatment of the cast. Its depiction of the lives of poor Indians was dubbed "poverty porn" by sections of the media.
In February, the housing authority of Maharashtra state, of which Mumbai is the capital, said they would give Ismail and fellow child star Rubina Ali new houses. But Ismail's mother, Shameem, said the family is now at the mercy of the rains.
"We also heard that the government had promised us houses, but what happened? We are still homeless," she said. "My son has brought glory to the country, shouldn't he get some credit?"
What happend SONY in 2009 !!.
TOKYO – Sony Corp. reported Thursday a 98.9 billion yen ($1 billion) loss for the fiscal year ended March, its first net loss in 14 years, and forecast its red ink to swell this year amid a serious downturn in global electronics demand.
Sony also said it is closing three plants in Japan to turn its business around.
The Japanese electronics and entertainment company said no quick recovery was in sight, projecting a 120 billion yen ($1.2 billion) loss for the fiscal year through March 2010 on expectations that the strong yen will also continue to erode foreign earnings.
The results are a reversal from the 369.4 billion yen profit Sony recorded a year earlier. Sales for the fiscal year through March slid 12.9 percent to 7.73 trillion yen, it said.
Sony, which makes Bravia flat-panel TVs and Cyber-shot digital cameras, joins a string of other big Japanese corporate names, including Toyota Motor Corp. and Hitachi Ltd., that are announcing huge losses.
Sony is closing three plants in Japan by the end of December this year_ one for cell-phone cameras, another for video recorder parts and another for systems used for smart cards. After they are shuttered, the number of Sony's global plants will dwindle from 57 last year to 49.
By operations, Sony said it had an operating loss in its core electronics segment because of the slowing global economy, price competition and a strong yen, which erased any benefits from better liquid-crystal display TVs.
Sony also continued to lose money in its game segment, where its PlayStation 3 home console and PlayStation Portable have struggled against rival offerings from Nintendo Co., the Wii and DS, as well as in some markets against the Xbox 360 from Microsoft Corp.
(This version CORRECTS Corrects overlines to remove unnecessary "yen," ADDS that Sony plans to close 3 plants in Japan.)
Sony also said it is closing three plants in Japan to turn its business around.
The Japanese electronics and entertainment company said no quick recovery was in sight, projecting a 120 billion yen ($1.2 billion) loss for the fiscal year through March 2010 on expectations that the strong yen will also continue to erode foreign earnings.
The results are a reversal from the 369.4 billion yen profit Sony recorded a year earlier. Sales for the fiscal year through March slid 12.9 percent to 7.73 trillion yen, it said.
Sony, which makes Bravia flat-panel TVs and Cyber-shot digital cameras, joins a string of other big Japanese corporate names, including Toyota Motor Corp. and Hitachi Ltd., that are announcing huge losses.
Sony is closing three plants in Japan by the end of December this year_ one for cell-phone cameras, another for video recorder parts and another for systems used for smart cards. After they are shuttered, the number of Sony's global plants will dwindle from 57 last year to 49.
By operations, Sony said it had an operating loss in its core electronics segment because of the slowing global economy, price competition and a strong yen, which erased any benefits from better liquid-crystal display TVs.
Sony also continued to lose money in its game segment, where its PlayStation 3 home console and PlayStation Portable have struggled against rival offerings from Nintendo Co., the Wii and DS, as well as in some markets against the Xbox 360 from Microsoft Corp.
(This version CORRECTS Corrects overlines to remove unnecessary "yen," ADDS that Sony plans to close 3 plants in Japan.)
Monday, May 11, 2009
America's Best- and Worst-Paying Jobs
It's still better to be a doctor than a dicer. Food preparation and serving remains the nation's lowest-paid line of work, while the medical field still offers the nine best-paid jobs in the U.S.
According to the U.S. government's newly released Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, based on 2008 data, the typical surgeon makes an average of $206,770 a year. That puts surgeons above anesthesiologists to have the best-paying job in the country.
Internists now earn a little more than prosthodontists (people who make and fit false teeth). Otherwise, the top 10 jobs rank the same as a year ago. The biggest change is a nearly $10,000-a-year drop in pay for natural sciences managers, meaning people who run labs and research facilities.
=========================================
More from Forbes.com:
America's Best-Paying Jobs
America's Worst-Paying Jobs
Jobs That Can Earn More Than $100,000 Without College
Best Big Cities For Jobs
=========================================
Within the 25 best- and 25 worst-paying jobs, not much has changed. The best-paying 25 are all the same as last year with some minor rearrangements. Within the worst-paying, one job fell off the list -- or, rather, climbed out. Agriculture graders and sorters now make enough to rank as the 26th worst paid job in America. Maybe chicken sexing isn't quite as bad as it used to be. Replacing them on the list: employment in food-preparation and serving jobs like cappuccino maker and "sandwich artist."
Overall, the average annual wage in the U.S. was up 3.9% from a year before, rising to $42,270. That is about in line with the 3.8% increase the year before. Perhaps the increase in average wage may continue, if only because of people at the top keeping their jobs as those lower down lose them. After all, Ken Lewis is holding on as chief executive officer of Bank of America, though the bank announced in December it would be reducing its workforce by 35,000 over the next three years.
Want to push your pay up as high as possible? Land a job as a surgeon in Gary, Indiana. The average surgeon there makes almost $15,000 above the national average. Who makes the farthest below average? Waiters and waitresses in Yauco, Puerto Rico, who earn $13,610 a year. Within the 50 states, the big loser would be a counter attendant in a cafeteria or concession stand in Owenboro, Ky., pulling in just $13,810 a year.
Among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, D.C. had far and away the highest average annual salary, at $67,810. Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut followed, all at around $50,000. Puerto Rico has the lowest average annual salary, $24,650 -- despite having a cost of living comparable to the District of Columbia. Among the 50 states, though, South Dakota and Mississippi ranked the lowest, at about $33,000.
Postal workers and models will be happy to know that their average annual pay increased more than anyone else's. Postal workers make 23.2% more than a year ago, bringing them up to an annual salary of $54,550. Models didn't make nearly as much to begin with, but they're up 20.4% to $30,160 a year.
The railroad industry got hit pretty hard. Rail yard engineers, yard engine operators and hostlers now make 14.0% less than they used to, the second-largest drop in pay, to $34,840 from $40,510 Locomotive engineers were hit even harder; they now make 15.4% less than before, though unlike rail yard engineers they still make slightly more than the national average.
America's Best-Paying Jobs (Top 5)
1. Surgeons ($206,770)
2. Anesthesiologists ($197,570)
3. Orthodontists ($194,930)
4. Obstetrician and gynecologists ($192,780)
5. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons ($190,420)
America's Worst-Paying Jobs (Bottom 5)
1. Combined food-preparation and service workers, ($17,400)
2. Cooks, fast food ($17,620)
3. Dishwashers ($17,750)
4. Dining room/cafeteria attendants, bartender helpers ($18,140)
5. Shampooers ($18,300)
################################################################
According to the U.S. government's newly released Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, based on 2008 data, the typical surgeon makes an average of $206,770 a year. That puts surgeons above anesthesiologists to have the best-paying job in the country.
Internists now earn a little more than prosthodontists (people who make and fit false teeth). Otherwise, the top 10 jobs rank the same as a year ago. The biggest change is a nearly $10,000-a-year drop in pay for natural sciences managers, meaning people who run labs and research facilities.
=========================================
More from Forbes.com:
America's Best-Paying Jobs
America's Worst-Paying Jobs
Jobs That Can Earn More Than $100,000 Without College
Best Big Cities For Jobs
=========================================
Within the 25 best- and 25 worst-paying jobs, not much has changed. The best-paying 25 are all the same as last year with some minor rearrangements. Within the worst-paying, one job fell off the list -- or, rather, climbed out. Agriculture graders and sorters now make enough to rank as the 26th worst paid job in America. Maybe chicken sexing isn't quite as bad as it used to be. Replacing them on the list: employment in food-preparation and serving jobs like cappuccino maker and "sandwich artist."
Overall, the average annual wage in the U.S. was up 3.9% from a year before, rising to $42,270. That is about in line with the 3.8% increase the year before. Perhaps the increase in average wage may continue, if only because of people at the top keeping their jobs as those lower down lose them. After all, Ken Lewis is holding on as chief executive officer of Bank of America, though the bank announced in December it would be reducing its workforce by 35,000 over the next three years.
Want to push your pay up as high as possible? Land a job as a surgeon in Gary, Indiana. The average surgeon there makes almost $15,000 above the national average. Who makes the farthest below average? Waiters and waitresses in Yauco, Puerto Rico, who earn $13,610 a year. Within the 50 states, the big loser would be a counter attendant in a cafeteria or concession stand in Owenboro, Ky., pulling in just $13,810 a year.
Among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, D.C. had far and away the highest average annual salary, at $67,810. Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut followed, all at around $50,000. Puerto Rico has the lowest average annual salary, $24,650 -- despite having a cost of living comparable to the District of Columbia. Among the 50 states, though, South Dakota and Mississippi ranked the lowest, at about $33,000.
Postal workers and models will be happy to know that their average annual pay increased more than anyone else's. Postal workers make 23.2% more than a year ago, bringing them up to an annual salary of $54,550. Models didn't make nearly as much to begin with, but they're up 20.4% to $30,160 a year.
The railroad industry got hit pretty hard. Rail yard engineers, yard engine operators and hostlers now make 14.0% less than they used to, the second-largest drop in pay, to $34,840 from $40,510 Locomotive engineers were hit even harder; they now make 15.4% less than before, though unlike rail yard engineers they still make slightly more than the national average.
America's Best-Paying Jobs (Top 5)
1. Surgeons ($206,770)
2. Anesthesiologists ($197,570)
3. Orthodontists ($194,930)
4. Obstetrician and gynecologists ($192,780)
5. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons ($190,420)
America's Worst-Paying Jobs (Bottom 5)
1. Combined food-preparation and service workers, ($17,400)
2. Cooks, fast food ($17,620)
3. Dishwashers ($17,750)
4. Dining room/cafeteria attendants, bartender helpers ($18,140)
5. Shampooers ($18,300)
################################################################
Monday, May 4, 2009
ഉലകനായകന്‍ കമലഹാസന്‍റെ ചലച്ചിത്ര ജീവിതത്തിന് അമ്പതു വയസ്
ഉലകനായകന്‍ കമലഹാസന്‍റെ ചലച്ചിത്ര ജീവിതത്തിന് അമ്പതു വയസ്. കമലിന്‍റെ ആദ്യ ചിത്രമായ കുളത്തൂര്‍ കണ്ണമ്മ റിലീസായത് 1959 ഓഗസ്റ്റ് 12നാണ്. അതുകൊണ്ടു തന്നെ ഇത്തവണത്തെ ഓഗസ്റ്റ് 12 കമലിന് ഏറെ പ്രത്യേകതയുള്ള ദിവസമാണ്. തന്റെ ഏറ്റവും പുതിയ ചിത്രമായ ‘ഉന്നൈപ്പോല്‍ ഒരുവന്’ റിലീസ് ചെയ്യാന്‍ കമല്‍ നിശ്ചയിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നത് ഓഗസ്റ്റ് 12നാണ്.
അഭിനയ ജീവിതത്തിന്‍റെ അമ്പതു വര്‍ഷം പൂര്‍ത്തിയാകുമ്പോള്‍ ഏറ്റവും പുതിയ ചിത്രത്തിലും പ്രേക്ഷകരെ അത്ഭുതപ്പെടുത്തുന്ന ഒട്ടേറെ പരീക്ഷണങ്ങള്‍ കമല്‍ നടത്തുന്നുണ്ട്. ‘എ വെനസ്‌ഡേ’ എന്ന സൂപ്പര്‍ഹിറ്റ് ഹിന്ദി ചിത്രത്തിന്റെ റീമേക്കാണ് ഉന്നൈപ്പോല്‍ ഒരുവന്. സൂപ്പര്‍താരം മോഹന്‍ലാല്‍ ആദ്യമായി കമലഹാസനൊപ്പം അഭിനയിക്കുന്നു എന്നതാണ് ഈ ചിത്രത്തിന്റെ ഏറ്റവും വലിയ പ്രത്യേകത.
കമലിന്‍റെ മകള്‍ ഷ്രുതി ഹാസനാണ് ഉന്നൈപ്പോല്‍ ഒരുവന്‍റെ സംഗീത സംവിധാനം നിര്‍വഹിക്കുക. സംഗീത സംവിധായിക എന്ന നിലയില്‍ ഷ്രുതിയുടെ അരങ്ങേറ്റമാണ് ഈ സിനിമ. മനോജ് സോണി ക്യാമറ നിര്‍വഹിക്കുന്ന സിനിമയുടെ കലാസംവിധാനം തോട്ടാധരണി. 4 കെ റെസല്യൂഷനുള്ള റെഡ് ക്യാമറയാണ് ഉന്നൈപ്പോല്‍ ഒരുവന് ഉപയോഗിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നത്.
ചിത്രീകരണം ഏകദേശം പൂര്‍ത്തിയായ ഈ സിനിമയില്‍ ഇനി ബാക്കിയുള്ളത് മോഹന്‍ലാലും കമലഹാസനുമായുള്ള ഏതാനും കോമ്പിനേഷന്‍ സീനുകളാണ്. ചക്രിയാണ് ഉന്നൈപ്പോല്‍ ഒരുവന്‍റെ സംവിധായകന്‍
അഭിനയ ജീവിതത്തിന്‍റെ അമ്പതു വര്‍ഷം പൂര്‍ത്തിയാകുമ്പോള്‍ ഏറ്റവും പുതിയ ചിത്രത്തിലും പ്രേക്ഷകരെ അത്ഭുതപ്പെടുത്തുന്ന ഒട്ടേറെ പരീക്ഷണങ്ങള്‍ കമല്‍ നടത്തുന്നുണ്ട്. ‘എ വെനസ്‌ഡേ’ എന്ന സൂപ്പര്‍ഹിറ്റ് ഹിന്ദി ചിത്രത്തിന്റെ റീമേക്കാണ് ഉന്നൈപ്പോല്‍ ഒരുവന്. സൂപ്പര്‍താരം മോഹന്‍ലാല്‍ ആദ്യമായി കമലഹാസനൊപ്പം അഭിനയിക്കുന്നു എന്നതാണ് ഈ ചിത്രത്തിന്റെ ഏറ്റവും വലിയ പ്രത്യേകത.
കമലിന്‍റെ മകള്‍ ഷ്രുതി ഹാസനാണ് ഉന്നൈപ്പോല്‍ ഒരുവന്‍റെ സംഗീത സംവിധാനം നിര്‍വഹിക്കുക. സംഗീത സംവിധായിക എന്ന നിലയില്‍ ഷ്രുതിയുടെ അരങ്ങേറ്റമാണ് ഈ സിനിമ. മനോജ് സോണി ക്യാമറ നിര്‍വഹിക്കുന്ന സിനിമയുടെ കലാസംവിധാനം തോട്ടാധരണി. 4 കെ റെസല്യൂഷനുള്ള റെഡ് ക്യാമറയാണ് ഉന്നൈപ്പോല്‍ ഒരുവന് ഉപയോഗിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നത്.
ചിത്രീകരണം ഏകദേശം പൂര്‍ത്തിയായ ഈ സിനിമയില്‍ ഇനി ബാക്കിയുള്ളത് മോഹന്‍ലാലും കമലഹാസനുമായുള്ള ഏതാനും കോമ്പിനേഷന്‍ സീനുകളാണ്. ചക്രിയാണ് ഉന്നൈപ്പോല്‍ ഒരുവന്‍റെ സംവിധായകന്‍
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