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Once upon a time there was a painter who had just completed his course. He took 3 days and painted beautiful scenery. He wanted people's opinion about his caliber and painting skills.
He put his creation at a busy street-crossing. And just down below aboard which read -"I have painted this piece. Since I'm new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. Please put a cross wherever you see a mistake."
While he came back in the evening to collect his painting he was completely shattered to see that whole canvass was filled with Xs (crosses) and some people had even written their comments on the painting.
Disheartened and broken completely he ran to his master's place and burst into tears.
This young artist was breathing heavily and master heard him saying"I'm useless and if this is what I have learnt to paint I'm not worth becoming a painter. People have rejected me completely. I feel like dying"
Master smiled and suggested "My Son, I will prove that you are a great artist and have learnt flawless painting. Do as I say without questioning it. It WILL work."
Young artist reluctantly agreed and two days later early morning he presented a replica of his earlier painting to his master. Master took that gracefully and smiled.
"Come with me." master said.
They reached the same street-square early morning and displayed the same painting exactly at the same place. Now master took out another board which read -"Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I'm new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. I have put a box with colors and brushes just below. Please do a favor. If you see a mistake, kindly pick up the brush and correct it."
Master and disciple walked back home.
They both visited the place same evening. Young painter was surprised to see that actually there was not a single correction done so far. Next day again they visited and found painting remained untouched. They say the painting was kept there for a month for no correction came in!
Moral of the story:
It is easier to criticize, but DIFFICULT TO IMPROVE!
So don't get carried away or judge yourself by someone else's criticism and feel depressed...
JUDGE YOURSELF! YOU ARE YOUR BEST JUDGE!!!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Saturday, October 16, 2010
10 Energy-Efficient Moves to Do in a Weekend
With winter approaching, why not give these 10 DIY weekend projects a try? They range in price from $10 to no more than $250 -- money you should easily recoup with improved efficiency or when you go to sell your home. You'll be saving cash and going green at the same time.
1. Replace Your Showerhead
Estimated Time: 15 minutes
Estimated Cost: $10 to $60
Install a new WaterSense-labeled showerhead, and you could save more than 2,300 gallons of water annually, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Using less hot water will cut your energy bills, and your local utilities may provide a rebate, too. EPA vouches that models labeled WaterSense still provide a satisfying shower.
Your showerhead is a water-waster if it fills a gallon bucket in 20 seconds. To find out how much water and money you could save in your home with water-saving improvements, use the calculator at EPA.gov.
2. Add Aerators to Your Faucets
Estimated Time: About 5 minutes per faucet
Estimated Cost: $2 to $10
You can save another 500 gallons of water annually simply by replacing a standard aerator, which delivers more than 2.5 gallons per minute, with a low-flow one, with a flow of 0.5 to 1 gallon per minute. The low-flow aerators will cut water and energy usage while maintaining adequate water pressure. Unsure whether your faucets are water wasters? Put a quart container under the sink faucet and let 'er flow. If the container fills in less than five seconds, get busy.
In the kitchen you might want greater flow, say 2 to 4 gallons per minute, for filling a pot or the sink.
3. Install a Water-Efficient Toilet
Estimated Time: One hour
Estimated Cost: $200 or more
EPA estimates that a family of four that replaces a home's older toilets with WaterSense-labeled models will, on average, can save more than $90 annually on their water bill and $2,000 over the toilet's lifetime.
Concerned about performance? Read the rave reviews of the American Standard Cadet 3 high-efficiency toilet ($198) at Home Depot. For example, "... easy to install and flushes like no tomorrow. You hit that handle, your problems disappear." For how to install tips Bob Vila can help you. If you still don't feel comfortable, you can always hire a contractor for about $150.
4. Switch to CFLs
Estimated Time: 15 minutes
Estimated Cost: $2 to $15 for specialty bulbs
As the days get shorter, you'll keep on the lights longer. Now's a good time to switch from traditional incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). Energy-Star qualified CFLs use 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescents.
Start with your five most frequently used fixtures and you can save more than $65 annually. Don't forget about your hardest-to-reach locations, too. Don't want to climb a ladder? Use the Bayco 11-foot Light Bulb Changer ($20).
5. Install a Programmable Thermostat
Estimated Time: A half hour
Estimated Cost: $25 to $250
With a programmable thermostat you can preset temperatures for your home that will automatically reduce heating and cooling when you don't need it as much. Energy Star says an average household can save about $180 annually on their energy bills by properly setting their programmable thermostat and maintaining those settings.
This is a low-voltage wiring installation that will involve 2 to 10 wires. If you don't feel comfortable following the instructions, a heating-and-air-conditioning contractor will probably charge you $75 to $150 for installation
6. Build or Install an Insulated Attic Hatch
Estimated Time: Several hours
Estimated Cost: $30 if DIY; $30 to $240 for ready-made models
If your attic entry is uninsulated your home gains heat in summer and loses it in winter, jacking up your energy bills.
You also have your choice of several, ready-made products. Check out: Battic Door Home Energy Conservation Products, The Energy Guardian Kits, the Attic Tent and the Draft Cap.
7. Stop Chimney Drafts
Estimated Time: 15 minutes
Estimated Cost: $55 for ready-made draftstopper
Even with the damper closed, in winter your home's heated air goes up the chimney and in summer hot outdoor air comes down. When you're not using it your fireplace, plug the flue with a chimney balloon like the Draftstopper from Battic Door Energy Conservation Products.
For a really cheap alternative, you can make one out of an old seat cushion or a pillow placed in a heavy plastic bag. Stuff the cushion into the flue and tie a long tail to it, so you don't forget about it the next time you make a fire.
8. Drain Sediment From Your Water Heater
Estimated Time: 15 minutes
Estimated Cost: $0
To ensure your water heater's performance and longevity, drain it annually to get rid of accumulated sediment -- sand, minerals or other non-soluble stuff that settles at the bottom of the tank. A good tip-off that you need to do this? The heater sounds like a coffee pot, making bubbling or burping noises.
The basic strategy: Attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the rank and run it outdoors or to a utility tub.
9. Replace Your Washing Machine Hoses
Estimated Time: 10 minutes
Estimated Cost: $10 to $20
Washing machine hoses don't last forever, regardless of the material they're made from -- reinforced rubber of stainless-steel reinforced (even those touted as "burst-proof"). A broken one can deluge your home with hundreds of gallons of water per hour, and your homeowners insurance probably won't cover the flood.
Check the hoses frequently for rusting, bulging, cracking, fraying and leaks -- signs that you should replace the hoses now. Otherwise, State Farm recommends that you replace them every three to five years. While you're at it, check the hoses leading to water heaters, dishwashers and refrigerator icemakers.
10. Add Insulating Window Treatments
Estimated Time: One hour for drapes; half hour per blind
Estimated Cost: $30 to $200 and up
You can increase your comfort and cut your energy bills this winter with thermal window coverings. Duette Architella honeycomb shades, by Hunter Douglas (from $202 per blind), is the only window covering that qualifies for the federal energy-efficiency tax credit of 30% of the cost, up to a maximum of $1,500, if you install them before December 31. The shade more than doubles the insulating value of a double-paned, low E window (when "inside mounted" and fully recessed within the window casement).
Other options: Country Curtains sells foam-backed thermal curtains and insulated liners that you can hang behind your existing curtains with heavy-duty double rods that hold curtain and liner.
1. Replace Your Showerhead
Estimated Time: 15 minutes
Estimated Cost: $10 to $60
Install a new WaterSense-labeled showerhead, and you could save more than 2,300 gallons of water annually, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Using less hot water will cut your energy bills, and your local utilities may provide a rebate, too. EPA vouches that models labeled WaterSense still provide a satisfying shower.
Your showerhead is a water-waster if it fills a gallon bucket in 20 seconds. To find out how much water and money you could save in your home with water-saving improvements, use the calculator at EPA.gov.
2. Add Aerators to Your Faucets
Estimated Time: About 5 minutes per faucet
Estimated Cost: $2 to $10
You can save another 500 gallons of water annually simply by replacing a standard aerator, which delivers more than 2.5 gallons per minute, with a low-flow one, with a flow of 0.5 to 1 gallon per minute. The low-flow aerators will cut water and energy usage while maintaining adequate water pressure. Unsure whether your faucets are water wasters? Put a quart container under the sink faucet and let 'er flow. If the container fills in less than five seconds, get busy.
In the kitchen you might want greater flow, say 2 to 4 gallons per minute, for filling a pot or the sink.
3. Install a Water-Efficient Toilet
Estimated Time: One hour
Estimated Cost: $200 or more
EPA estimates that a family of four that replaces a home's older toilets with WaterSense-labeled models will, on average, can save more than $90 annually on their water bill and $2,000 over the toilet's lifetime.
Concerned about performance? Read the rave reviews of the American Standard Cadet 3 high-efficiency toilet ($198) at Home Depot. For example, "... easy to install and flushes like no tomorrow. You hit that handle, your problems disappear." For how to install tips Bob Vila can help you. If you still don't feel comfortable, you can always hire a contractor for about $150.
4. Switch to CFLs
Estimated Time: 15 minutes
Estimated Cost: $2 to $15 for specialty bulbs
As the days get shorter, you'll keep on the lights longer. Now's a good time to switch from traditional incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). Energy-Star qualified CFLs use 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescents.
Start with your five most frequently used fixtures and you can save more than $65 annually. Don't forget about your hardest-to-reach locations, too. Don't want to climb a ladder? Use the Bayco 11-foot Light Bulb Changer ($20).
5. Install a Programmable Thermostat
Estimated Time: A half hour
Estimated Cost: $25 to $250
With a programmable thermostat you can preset temperatures for your home that will automatically reduce heating and cooling when you don't need it as much. Energy Star says an average household can save about $180 annually on their energy bills by properly setting their programmable thermostat and maintaining those settings.
This is a low-voltage wiring installation that will involve 2 to 10 wires. If you don't feel comfortable following the instructions, a heating-and-air-conditioning contractor will probably charge you $75 to $150 for installation
6. Build or Install an Insulated Attic Hatch
Estimated Time: Several hours
Estimated Cost: $30 if DIY; $30 to $240 for ready-made models
If your attic entry is uninsulated your home gains heat in summer and loses it in winter, jacking up your energy bills.
You also have your choice of several, ready-made products. Check out: Battic Door Home Energy Conservation Products, The Energy Guardian Kits, the Attic Tent and the Draft Cap.
7. Stop Chimney Drafts
Estimated Time: 15 minutes
Estimated Cost: $55 for ready-made draftstopper
Even with the damper closed, in winter your home's heated air goes up the chimney and in summer hot outdoor air comes down. When you're not using it your fireplace, plug the flue with a chimney balloon like the Draftstopper from Battic Door Energy Conservation Products.
For a really cheap alternative, you can make one out of an old seat cushion or a pillow placed in a heavy plastic bag. Stuff the cushion into the flue and tie a long tail to it, so you don't forget about it the next time you make a fire.
8. Drain Sediment From Your Water Heater
Estimated Time: 15 minutes
Estimated Cost: $0
To ensure your water heater's performance and longevity, drain it annually to get rid of accumulated sediment -- sand, minerals or other non-soluble stuff that settles at the bottom of the tank. A good tip-off that you need to do this? The heater sounds like a coffee pot, making bubbling or burping noises.
The basic strategy: Attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the rank and run it outdoors or to a utility tub.
9. Replace Your Washing Machine Hoses
Estimated Time: 10 minutes
Estimated Cost: $10 to $20
Washing machine hoses don't last forever, regardless of the material they're made from -- reinforced rubber of stainless-steel reinforced (even those touted as "burst-proof"). A broken one can deluge your home with hundreds of gallons of water per hour, and your homeowners insurance probably won't cover the flood.
Check the hoses frequently for rusting, bulging, cracking, fraying and leaks -- signs that you should replace the hoses now. Otherwise, State Farm recommends that you replace them every three to five years. While you're at it, check the hoses leading to water heaters, dishwashers and refrigerator icemakers.
10. Add Insulating Window Treatments
Estimated Time: One hour for drapes; half hour per blind
Estimated Cost: $30 to $200 and up
You can increase your comfort and cut your energy bills this winter with thermal window coverings. Duette Architella honeycomb shades, by Hunter Douglas (from $202 per blind), is the only window covering that qualifies for the federal energy-efficiency tax credit of 30% of the cost, up to a maximum of $1,500, if you install them before December 31. The shade more than doubles the insulating value of a double-paned, low E window (when "inside mounted" and fully recessed within the window casement).
Other options: Country Curtains sells foam-backed thermal curtains and insulated liners that you can hang behind your existing curtains with heavy-duty double rods that hold curtain and liner.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
10 Brands That May Disappear in 2011
24/7 Wall St. regularly compiles a report of brands that are likely to disappear in the near-term. Last April, and again in December, we published our findings. Usually, it would take a full year before such a list could be compiled again. However, the current economic climate has accelerated this process and a majority of the brands on the first two lists are either gone, have been acquired, or have filed for bankruptcy.
With a number of the brands on the December list either gone or on a short-term path to extinction, 24/7 Wall St. has put together the latest version of the Ten Brands That Will Disappear. To qualify, we expect that brand to be gone by the end of 2011, or for its parent to be sold or go into Chapter 11.
Reader's Digest was once the most widely read magazine in the world. According to the company, it still may be when its overseas editions are taken into account. Last August, the company took its U.S. operations into Chapter 11 to decrease debt. It emerged from bankruptcy in February with $525 million in exit financing. The company cut the number of issues it publishes a year from 12 to 10 last year. It also cut its circulation guarantee for advertisers to 5.5 million copies from 8 million. It would have been unthinkable just a few years ago that a magazine as old and famous as Reader's Digest would be shuttered. However, Reader's Digest as it is known in the U.S. will be gone.
Blockbuster was the national leader in the video rental business for nearly two decades. Now it is contemplating Chapter 11 to eliminate debt. The company lost $65 million last quarter. Its revenue continues to fall rapidly as firms such as Redbox and NetFlix (Nasdaq: NFLX - News) siphon off its revenue. Blockbuster has more than 6,000 stores, so it is hard to imagine that the company could disappear. But, there is some precedent, even if it is on a smaller scale. Blockbuster rival Movie Gallery said in February that it would close all of its 2,400 U.S. stores. Blockbuster's model of renting movies through physical locations has been destroyed by cable and satellite video on demand, DVDs via mail and dispensing machines. Blockbuster may still be around as a company that has movie kiosks and a small mail and Internet-delivered content business. But its brick and-mortar business is dead.
Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, the car rental company, is for sale. Hertz (NYSE: HTZ - News) is a potential buyer, as is Avis Budget (NYSE: CAR - News). Each of the larger car rental firms would use the Dollar Thrifty business to expand their market share. That does not mean that they would keep the brand. The current company is not much of a business. It made only $27 million last quarter on revenue of $348 million. It has more than $1.5 billion in "debt and other obligations." The number of vehicles that Dollar Thrifty operates at any one time is only 95,000 compared to 420,000 for Hertz. The firm's customer base and some of its locations may be valuable, but Dollar Thrifty can't compete with Avis and Hertz. A decade ago, the car rental industry was able to support six independent brands. A significant drop in business and leisure travel and sharp competition among the companies has already caused the creation of Avis Budget. Dollar Thrifty will be the next casualty of the industry's consolidation.
T-Mobile, the U.S. wireless provider, is owned by telecom giant Deutsche Telekom (DTEGY.PK - News). It is the No.4 cellular company in an American market that only supports two really successful firms -- AT&T Wireless and Verizon Wireless. Even the third-largest company in the market -- Sprint-Nextel (NYSE: S - News) -- has 50 million customers. T-Mobile had 34 million customers at the end of last year. T-Mobile only had a profit of $306 million in 2009. That was down from $483 million in 2008. T-Mobile not only faces three larger competitors, it also has to begin to offer 4G service to compete with Sprint's new WiMax service and LTE-based products from AT&T (NYSE: T - News) and Verizon (NYSE: VZ - News). T-Mobile may seek a partner to offer a 4G network, but there are no super-fast broadband networks likely to be finished before its three rivals offer the service. As it now stands, T-Mobile has no future in the U.S. A merger with Sprint-Nextel has been mentioned several times. The combined company would have a customer base about the same size as AT&T or Verizon. And the transaction would probably make Deutsche Telekom a large owner of the combined operation. Another alternative would be a merger with Virgin Mobile. Maybe Deutsche Telekom will just change the firm's name.
Moody's Corp. may have the name with the largest negative brand equity in the U.S. Scandals about the company's rating of mortgage-backed securities and allegations that the firm compromised it ratings process to get business have ruined the company's image. Moody's is more than 100 years old, but the reputation it built over those years is irretrievably lost. There is a chance Moody's could be ruined by civil actions, four of which are pending, and by charges brought by the U.S. government. Overseas authorities may bring a number of actions against the company as well. Moody's activities are almost certainly to be more regulated, which will squeeze margins and hurt sales. Moody's may end up selling its accounts to a new rating company, which would probably hire many of its employees. Pacific Investment Management Co. and other institutional investors have talked about taking on some if not all the roles that the current rating firms play. Research houses like Alliance Bernstein (NYSE: AB - News) could also take on some of those rolls. Part of Moody's operation may stay alive, but there is not much left to salvage in the brand.
BP: The case against the BP brand is not so much that the company will enter bankruptcy. It is that BP may end up breaking into pieces for its own sake. This may be to put the liabilities for the Deepwater Horizon spill into a company that also holds escrow capital to cover the huge costs of clean-up and suits. BP may also want to separate its successful refining operations from its exploration business, or recreate an American- based company similar to BP America, which existed for two decades. A restructuring of BP would also allow the firm to take a badly crippled brand and give the oil operation a new name -- much as it did when it changed its name from British Petroleum. The second time may be the charm.
RadioShack is one of the oldest retailers in the U.S. It was founded in 1921 and in the early 1960s was purchased by Tandy Corp. The Tandy name was used for some of Radio Shack's retail stores. RadioShack is currently a takeover target. There have been rumors that the company may be taken private via a leveraged buyout or purchased by Best Buy (NYSE: BBY - News), probably for its locations. Best Buy would certainly not keep the RadioShack brand because it is considered downscale and does not have the reputation for quality products and service that Best Buy enjoys. RadioShack has already begun to rebrand itself as "The Shack," an indication that it knows the older brand is a burden.
Zale Corp. was founded in 1924 by the Zale brothers. It was one of the earliest retailers to offer the ability to buy items on credit. By 1980, Zale had revenue of over $1 billion. In 1992, Zale filed for bankruptcy and by the end of that decade, its revenue was $1.3 billion -- about the same as it is today. Zale has been at death's door for some time. Its market value is down to $48 million. The company is trying to turn itself around, but most experts are not convinced. The company recently made the Forbes list for firms with extreme financial risk. In the last quarter, the retailer lost $12 million on revenue of $360 million. Zale is also in a very crowded market that includes retailers as large as Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT - News). Golden Gate Capital recently put money into Zale to buy it time. New money may defer the point at which Zale goes under, but it won't prevent it.
Merrill Lynch may have been acquired, but that will not keep it safe. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Banks and other large financial services firms have a habit of buying large retail brokerage houses and then changing their names. Shearson is gone. So is EF Hutton and Prudential. In most cases the parent company wants to put their own names on the door. That is very likely to happen to Merrill Lynch, which was at one point the largest full-service broker in the U.S. Merrill is now owned by Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC - News), and the buyout spawned a number of scandals that kept Merrill's name in the paper for weeks and did a great deal to harm its name with customers. Bank of America will follow a time honored tradition, and Merrill Lynch will become BofA Investment Management.
Kia Motors Corp. is one of the two car brands of Hyundai of South Korea. It has always been a marginal brand. Its stable mate, Hyundai USA, has a reputation for high quality cars like the Sonata and Genesis. Kia sells "low rent" cars and SUV nameplates like the Sorento and Rio. As GM and Ford (NYSE: F - News) have already discovered, it is expensive to maintain multiple brands and storied car names, including Pontiac, Saturn and Mercury, are disappearing. Most Kia cars sell for $14,000 to $25,000. Hyundai has several cars in the same price range. Hyundai's Sonata has quickly become one of the best-selling cars in America, and its Genesis flagship model competes with mid-sized BMWs and Mercedes. The parent company will take a page from several other global car companies and dump its weakest brand.
With a number of the brands on the December list either gone or on a short-term path to extinction, 24/7 Wall St. has put together the latest version of the Ten Brands That Will Disappear. To qualify, we expect that brand to be gone by the end of 2011, or for its parent to be sold or go into Chapter 11.
Reader's Digest was once the most widely read magazine in the world. According to the company, it still may be when its overseas editions are taken into account. Last August, the company took its U.S. operations into Chapter 11 to decrease debt. It emerged from bankruptcy in February with $525 million in exit financing. The company cut the number of issues it publishes a year from 12 to 10 last year. It also cut its circulation guarantee for advertisers to 5.5 million copies from 8 million. It would have been unthinkable just a few years ago that a magazine as old and famous as Reader's Digest would be shuttered. However, Reader's Digest as it is known in the U.S. will be gone.
Blockbuster was the national leader in the video rental business for nearly two decades. Now it is contemplating Chapter 11 to eliminate debt. The company lost $65 million last quarter. Its revenue continues to fall rapidly as firms such as Redbox and NetFlix (Nasdaq: NFLX - News) siphon off its revenue. Blockbuster has more than 6,000 stores, so it is hard to imagine that the company could disappear. But, there is some precedent, even if it is on a smaller scale. Blockbuster rival Movie Gallery said in February that it would close all of its 2,400 U.S. stores. Blockbuster's model of renting movies through physical locations has been destroyed by cable and satellite video on demand, DVDs via mail and dispensing machines. Blockbuster may still be around as a company that has movie kiosks and a small mail and Internet-delivered content business. But its brick and-mortar business is dead.
Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, the car rental company, is for sale. Hertz (NYSE: HTZ - News) is a potential buyer, as is Avis Budget (NYSE: CAR - News). Each of the larger car rental firms would use the Dollar Thrifty business to expand their market share. That does not mean that they would keep the brand. The current company is not much of a business. It made only $27 million last quarter on revenue of $348 million. It has more than $1.5 billion in "debt and other obligations." The number of vehicles that Dollar Thrifty operates at any one time is only 95,000 compared to 420,000 for Hertz. The firm's customer base and some of its locations may be valuable, but Dollar Thrifty can't compete with Avis and Hertz. A decade ago, the car rental industry was able to support six independent brands. A significant drop in business and leisure travel and sharp competition among the companies has already caused the creation of Avis Budget. Dollar Thrifty will be the next casualty of the industry's consolidation.
T-Mobile, the U.S. wireless provider, is owned by telecom giant Deutsche Telekom (DTEGY.PK - News). It is the No.4 cellular company in an American market that only supports two really successful firms -- AT&T Wireless and Verizon Wireless. Even the third-largest company in the market -- Sprint-Nextel (NYSE: S - News) -- has 50 million customers. T-Mobile had 34 million customers at the end of last year. T-Mobile only had a profit of $306 million in 2009. That was down from $483 million in 2008. T-Mobile not only faces three larger competitors, it also has to begin to offer 4G service to compete with Sprint's new WiMax service and LTE-based products from AT&T (NYSE: T - News) and Verizon (NYSE: VZ - News). T-Mobile may seek a partner to offer a 4G network, but there are no super-fast broadband networks likely to be finished before its three rivals offer the service. As it now stands, T-Mobile has no future in the U.S. A merger with Sprint-Nextel has been mentioned several times. The combined company would have a customer base about the same size as AT&T or Verizon. And the transaction would probably make Deutsche Telekom a large owner of the combined operation. Another alternative would be a merger with Virgin Mobile. Maybe Deutsche Telekom will just change the firm's name.
Moody's Corp. may have the name with the largest negative brand equity in the U.S. Scandals about the company's rating of mortgage-backed securities and allegations that the firm compromised it ratings process to get business have ruined the company's image. Moody's is more than 100 years old, but the reputation it built over those years is irretrievably lost. There is a chance Moody's could be ruined by civil actions, four of which are pending, and by charges brought by the U.S. government. Overseas authorities may bring a number of actions against the company as well. Moody's activities are almost certainly to be more regulated, which will squeeze margins and hurt sales. Moody's may end up selling its accounts to a new rating company, which would probably hire many of its employees. Pacific Investment Management Co. and other institutional investors have talked about taking on some if not all the roles that the current rating firms play. Research houses like Alliance Bernstein (NYSE: AB - News) could also take on some of those rolls. Part of Moody's operation may stay alive, but there is not much left to salvage in the brand.
BP: The case against the BP brand is not so much that the company will enter bankruptcy. It is that BP may end up breaking into pieces for its own sake. This may be to put the liabilities for the Deepwater Horizon spill into a company that also holds escrow capital to cover the huge costs of clean-up and suits. BP may also want to separate its successful refining operations from its exploration business, or recreate an American- based company similar to BP America, which existed for two decades. A restructuring of BP would also allow the firm to take a badly crippled brand and give the oil operation a new name -- much as it did when it changed its name from British Petroleum. The second time may be the charm.
RadioShack is one of the oldest retailers in the U.S. It was founded in 1921 and in the early 1960s was purchased by Tandy Corp. The Tandy name was used for some of Radio Shack's retail stores. RadioShack is currently a takeover target. There have been rumors that the company may be taken private via a leveraged buyout or purchased by Best Buy (NYSE: BBY - News), probably for its locations. Best Buy would certainly not keep the RadioShack brand because it is considered downscale and does not have the reputation for quality products and service that Best Buy enjoys. RadioShack has already begun to rebrand itself as "The Shack," an indication that it knows the older brand is a burden.
Zale Corp. was founded in 1924 by the Zale brothers. It was one of the earliest retailers to offer the ability to buy items on credit. By 1980, Zale had revenue of over $1 billion. In 1992, Zale filed for bankruptcy and by the end of that decade, its revenue was $1.3 billion -- about the same as it is today. Zale has been at death's door for some time. Its market value is down to $48 million. The company is trying to turn itself around, but most experts are not convinced. The company recently made the Forbes list for firms with extreme financial risk. In the last quarter, the retailer lost $12 million on revenue of $360 million. Zale is also in a very crowded market that includes retailers as large as Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT - News). Golden Gate Capital recently put money into Zale to buy it time. New money may defer the point at which Zale goes under, but it won't prevent it.
Merrill Lynch may have been acquired, but that will not keep it safe. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Banks and other large financial services firms have a habit of buying large retail brokerage houses and then changing their names. Shearson is gone. So is EF Hutton and Prudential. In most cases the parent company wants to put their own names on the door. That is very likely to happen to Merrill Lynch, which was at one point the largest full-service broker in the U.S. Merrill is now owned by Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC - News), and the buyout spawned a number of scandals that kept Merrill's name in the paper for weeks and did a great deal to harm its name with customers. Bank of America will follow a time honored tradition, and Merrill Lynch will become BofA Investment Management.
Kia Motors Corp. is one of the two car brands of Hyundai of South Korea. It has always been a marginal brand. Its stable mate, Hyundai USA, has a reputation for high quality cars like the Sonata and Genesis. Kia sells "low rent" cars and SUV nameplates like the Sorento and Rio. As GM and Ford (NYSE: F - News) have already discovered, it is expensive to maintain multiple brands and storied car names, including Pontiac, Saturn and Mercury, are disappearing. Most Kia cars sell for $14,000 to $25,000. Hyundai has several cars in the same price range. Hyundai's Sonata has quickly become one of the best-selling cars in America, and its Genesis flagship model competes with mid-sized BMWs and Mercedes. The parent company will take a page from several other global car companies and dump its weakest brand.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
പ്രാര്ത്ഥന അനുഗ്രഹത്തിന്റെ താക്കോല്
ഹൃദയത്തില് നിന്ന് മാലിന്യം നീക്കം ചെയ്യാനുള്ള ഉപാധിയാണ് പ്രാര്ത്ഥന. പ്രാര്ത്ഥനയിലൂടെ മനസിനേയും ഉപവാസത്തിലൂടെ ശരീരത്തേയും ശുദ്ധീകരിക്കുകയാണ് നോമ്പുകാലത്തിന്റെ ലക്ഷ്യം.
ഭൗതിക മോഹങ്ങള് മൂലം ദൈവസ്മരണയില് നിന്ന് അകലുന്നവരെ നഷ്ടപ്പെട്ടവരെന്ന് കരുതുന്നു. അവരുടെ ഹൃദയങ്ങളില് പുണ്യം നിറയില്ല. അവരുടെ പ്രവൃത്തിയും വാക്കും പിഴച്ചതായിത്തീരും.
ദിക്റുകളില് ഏറ്റവും മുഖ്യമായത് “അല്ലാഹു വല്ലാതെ മറ്റ് ആരാധ്യനില്ല” എന്നതാണ്. ഈ സത്യവിശ്വാസം ശിഷ്ട ജീവിതത്തിലും മുറുകെ പിടിക്കാനുള്ള കരുത്തു നേടുകയാണ് നോമ്പുകാലത്തിന്റെ ആവശ്യം.
“നിന്റെ നാഥന് വിധിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു, നീ അവനെ അല്ലാതെ ആരാധിക്കരുത്”. എന്ന വാചകം ഓര്ക്കുക. സൃഷ്ടാവായ ദൈവത്തോടാവണം മനുഷ്യന്റെ പ്രാഥമികമായ കടപ്പാട്. അതിനൊടൊപ്പം തന്നെ പ്രധാനമാണ് മാതാപിതാക്കളോടുള്ള ബാധ്യതയും.
സ്വന്തം അച്ഛനമ്മമാര്ക്ക് വേണ്ടിയാണെങ്കിലും നീതിയുടെ പക്ഷത്ത് നിന്ന് വ്യതിചലിക്കരുത് എന്നും പലസ്ഥലങ്ങളിലും നബി വ്യക്തമാക്കിയിട്ടുണ്ട്. ദൈവത്തോടാവണം ഏറ്റവും അടിയുറച്ച കടപ്പാട് കാഴ്ചവയ്ക്കേണ്ടത്.
അതിനുള്ള ഏറ്റവും മികച്ച വഴിയാണ് പ്രാര്ത്ഥന. അല്ലാഹുവിനെ സ്തുതിക്കുന്നവര് സര്വ്വവും അവനില് അര്പ്പിക്കേണ്ടതുണ്ട്. അവന്റെ കഴിവുകളില് സംശയാലുവാകരുത്. പ്രാര്ത്ഥന എന്നത് അനുഗ്രഹത്തിന്റെ താക്കോലാണ്.
തിന്മകളില് നിന്ന് സ്വയം അകന്നു നില്ക്കാനുള്ള മനസാന്നിധ്യമാണ് അല്ലാഹുവിനോട് നിങ്ങള്ക്കുള്ള കടപ്പാട് വ്യക്തമാക്കുക. അല്ലാഹുവിന്റെ നാമങ്ങളോ അവനോടുള്ള പ്രാര്ത്ഥനയോ നിരന്തരം ഉരുവിട്ട് മനസിനെ അല്ലാഹുവിന്റെ സന്നിധിയില് ഉറപ്പിച്ച് നിര്ത്തുമ്പോള് മാത്രമാണ് അത് സാധ്യമാകുക.
ഭൗതിക മോഹങ്ങള് മൂലം ദൈവസ്മരണയില് നിന്ന് അകലുന്നവരെ നഷ്ടപ്പെട്ടവരെന്ന് കരുതുന്നു. അവരുടെ ഹൃദയങ്ങളില് പുണ്യം നിറയില്ല. അവരുടെ പ്രവൃത്തിയും വാക്കും പിഴച്ചതായിത്തീരും.
ദിക്റുകളില് ഏറ്റവും മുഖ്യമായത് “അല്ലാഹു വല്ലാതെ മറ്റ് ആരാധ്യനില്ല” എന്നതാണ്. ഈ സത്യവിശ്വാസം ശിഷ്ട ജീവിതത്തിലും മുറുകെ പിടിക്കാനുള്ള കരുത്തു നേടുകയാണ് നോമ്പുകാലത്തിന്റെ ആവശ്യം.
“നിന്റെ നാഥന് വിധിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു, നീ അവനെ അല്ലാതെ ആരാധിക്കരുത്”. എന്ന വാചകം ഓര്ക്കുക. സൃഷ്ടാവായ ദൈവത്തോടാവണം മനുഷ്യന്റെ പ്രാഥമികമായ കടപ്പാട്. അതിനൊടൊപ്പം തന്നെ പ്രധാനമാണ് മാതാപിതാക്കളോടുള്ള ബാധ്യതയും.
സ്വന്തം അച്ഛനമ്മമാര്ക്ക് വേണ്ടിയാണെങ്കിലും നീതിയുടെ പക്ഷത്ത് നിന്ന് വ്യതിചലിക്കരുത് എന്നും പലസ്ഥലങ്ങളിലും നബി വ്യക്തമാക്കിയിട്ടുണ്ട്. ദൈവത്തോടാവണം ഏറ്റവും അടിയുറച്ച കടപ്പാട് കാഴ്ചവയ്ക്കേണ്ടത്.
അതിനുള്ള ഏറ്റവും മികച്ച വഴിയാണ് പ്രാര്ത്ഥന. അല്ലാഹുവിനെ സ്തുതിക്കുന്നവര് സര്വ്വവും അവനില് അര്പ്പിക്കേണ്ടതുണ്ട്. അവന്റെ കഴിവുകളില് സംശയാലുവാകരുത്. പ്രാര്ത്ഥന എന്നത് അനുഗ്രഹത്തിന്റെ താക്കോലാണ്.
തിന്മകളില് നിന്ന് സ്വയം അകന്നു നില്ക്കാനുള്ള മനസാന്നിധ്യമാണ് അല്ലാഹുവിനോട് നിങ്ങള്ക്കുള്ള കടപ്പാട് വ്യക്തമാക്കുക. അല്ലാഹുവിന്റെ നാമങ്ങളോ അവനോടുള്ള പ്രാര്ത്ഥനയോ നിരന്തരം ഉരുവിട്ട് മനസിനെ അല്ലാഹുവിന്റെ സന്നിധിയില് ഉറപ്പിച്ച് നിര്ത്തുമ്പോള് മാത്രമാണ് അത് സാധ്യമാകുക.
കലിയുഗ ദുരിതം മാറ്റാന് ജപം
കലിയുഗത്തിലെ ദുരിതങ്ങള് മറികടക്കാന് എന്തു ചെയ്യണം എന്ന് നാരദ മഹര്ഷിക്ക് സംശയം. ആശങ്ക അകറ്റാനായി നാരദര് ബ്രഹ്മാവിന്റെ അടുത്തെത്തി. നാരായണ മന്ത്രം ജപിച്ചാല് കലിയുഗ ദുരിതങ്ങള് മറികടക്കാനാവും എന്നായിരുന്നു ബ്രഹ്മാവിന്റെ ഉപദേശം. ബ്രഹ്മാവ് നാരായണ നാമം നാരദര്ക്ക് ഉപദേശിച്ചു കൊടുക്കുകയും ചെയ്തു;
“ ഹരേ രാമ ഹരേ രാമ രാമ രാമ ഹരേ ഹരേ
ഹരേ കൃഷ്ണ ഹരേ കൃഷ്ണ കൃഷ്ണ കൃഷ്ണ ഹരേ ഹരേ “
ലൌകിക ജീവിതം നയിക്കുന്ന സാധാരണക്കാര്ക്ക് മുക്തി നേടാനുള്ള പരമമായ മാര്ഗമാണ് നാമജപം. നാമജപത്തിലൂടെ സാലോക്യം,സാമീപ്യം, സായൂജ്യം, സാരൂപ്യം എന്നീ നാല് മുക്തികളും പ്രാപ്യമാവുമെന്നായിരുന്നു ബ്രഹ്മോപദേശം.
ഭക്തര് ബ്രഹ്മ ലോകത്തിലോ വിഷ്ണു ലോകത്തിലോ ശിവലോകത്തിലോ എത്തിച്ചേരുന്നതിനെ സാലോക്യ മുക്തി എന്നും ഭഗവാന്റെ സമീപത്ത് എത്തിച്ചേരുന്നതിനെ സാമീപ്യ മുക്തി എന്നും ഭഗവാന്റെ രൂപത്തെ പ്രാപിക്കുന്നത് സാരൂപ്യ മുക്തി എന്നും ഭഗവാനില് ലയിച്ചു ചേരുന്നതിനെ സായൂജ്യ മുക്തി എന്നും അറിയപ്പെടുന്നു.
കലിയുഗത്തില് മനുഷ്യ മനസ്സിന് ചിന്താ ശേഷി കുറയുകയും മലീമസപ്പെടുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നു. ദിവസേനയുള്ള നാപജപത്തിലൂടെ മനസ്സിന് തെളിച്ചം ഉണ്ടാക്കാന് കഴിയും. തെളിച്ചമുള്ള മനസ്സില് ദുര്ചിന്തകള് കുറയുകയും ഏകാഗ്രത വര്ദ്ധിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുമെന്ന് മുനിശ്രേഷ്ഠര് ഉപദേശിക്കുന്നു.
മൂന്നു കോടി നാമം ജപിക്കുന്ന ആള്ക്ക് രോഗപീഡ ഉണ്ടാവില്ല. നാല് കോടി നാമം ജപിക്കുന്ന ആളിന് ദാരിദ്ര മുക്തി നേടാനാവും. അഞ്ചു കോടി നാമം ജപിക്കുന്ന ആള്ക്ക് അയാള് ജ്ഞാനിയായി തീരും. ആറ് കോടി നാമം ജപിച്ചാല് മനസ്സ് ശത്രു വിമുക്തമാവും (അനാവശ്യ ചിന്തകള് അലട്ടാതിരിക്കും). ഏഴ് കോടി നാമം ജപിച്ചാല് ആദ്ധ്യാത്മികമായി ഏറെ ഉയരെ എത്തുകയും ആയുസ്സ് വര്ദ്ധിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യും. ഒമ്പത് കോടി നാമം ജപിച്ചാല് പവിത്രമായ മരണം സംഭവ്യമാവും പത്ത് കോടി നാമം ജപിച്ചാല് സ്വപ്നത്തില് ഭഗവല് ദര്ശനമുണ്ടാവും എന്നും മുനിവര്യന്മാര് ഉപദേശിക്കുന്നു.
നിഷ്ഠയോ നിയമങ്ങളോ കൂടാതെ വിശ്വാസത്തോടും അര്പ്പണ മനോഭാവത്തോടും മുക്തി നേടാന് കലിയുഗത്തില് ഉപദേശിക്കപ്പെട്ടിരിക്കുന്ന മാര്ഗ്ഗമാണ് നാമജപം. ശുദ്ധമായ സ്ഥലത്ത് ഇരുന്ന് നിത്യേന നാമജപം നടത്തുന്നത് ഗ്രഹപ്പിഴകള് ഒഴിഞ്ഞു പോവാനുള്ള ഉത്തമ മാര്ഗമായും ആചാര്യന്മാര് പറയുന്നു.
“ ഹരേ രാമ ഹരേ രാമ രാമ രാമ ഹരേ ഹരേ
ഹരേ കൃഷ്ണ ഹരേ കൃഷ്ണ കൃഷ്ണ കൃഷ്ണ ഹരേ ഹരേ “
ലൌകിക ജീവിതം നയിക്കുന്ന സാധാരണക്കാര്ക്ക് മുക്തി നേടാനുള്ള പരമമായ മാര്ഗമാണ് നാമജപം. നാമജപത്തിലൂടെ സാലോക്യം,സാമീപ്യം, സായൂജ്യം, സാരൂപ്യം എന്നീ നാല് മുക്തികളും പ്രാപ്യമാവുമെന്നായിരുന്നു ബ്രഹ്മോപദേശം.
ഭക്തര് ബ്രഹ്മ ലോകത്തിലോ വിഷ്ണു ലോകത്തിലോ ശിവലോകത്തിലോ എത്തിച്ചേരുന്നതിനെ സാലോക്യ മുക്തി എന്നും ഭഗവാന്റെ സമീപത്ത് എത്തിച്ചേരുന്നതിനെ സാമീപ്യ മുക്തി എന്നും ഭഗവാന്റെ രൂപത്തെ പ്രാപിക്കുന്നത് സാരൂപ്യ മുക്തി എന്നും ഭഗവാനില് ലയിച്ചു ചേരുന്നതിനെ സായൂജ്യ മുക്തി എന്നും അറിയപ്പെടുന്നു.
കലിയുഗത്തില് മനുഷ്യ മനസ്സിന് ചിന്താ ശേഷി കുറയുകയും മലീമസപ്പെടുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നു. ദിവസേനയുള്ള നാപജപത്തിലൂടെ മനസ്സിന് തെളിച്ചം ഉണ്ടാക്കാന് കഴിയും. തെളിച്ചമുള്ള മനസ്സില് ദുര്ചിന്തകള് കുറയുകയും ഏകാഗ്രത വര്ദ്ധിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുമെന്ന് മുനിശ്രേഷ്ഠര് ഉപദേശിക്കുന്നു.
മൂന്നു കോടി നാമം ജപിക്കുന്ന ആള്ക്ക് രോഗപീഡ ഉണ്ടാവില്ല. നാല് കോടി നാമം ജപിക്കുന്ന ആളിന് ദാരിദ്ര മുക്തി നേടാനാവും. അഞ്ചു കോടി നാമം ജപിക്കുന്ന ആള്ക്ക് അയാള് ജ്ഞാനിയായി തീരും. ആറ് കോടി നാമം ജപിച്ചാല് മനസ്സ് ശത്രു വിമുക്തമാവും (അനാവശ്യ ചിന്തകള് അലട്ടാതിരിക്കും). ഏഴ് കോടി നാമം ജപിച്ചാല് ആദ്ധ്യാത്മികമായി ഏറെ ഉയരെ എത്തുകയും ആയുസ്സ് വര്ദ്ധിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യും. ഒമ്പത് കോടി നാമം ജപിച്ചാല് പവിത്രമായ മരണം സംഭവ്യമാവും പത്ത് കോടി നാമം ജപിച്ചാല് സ്വപ്നത്തില് ഭഗവല് ദര്ശനമുണ്ടാവും എന്നും മുനിവര്യന്മാര് ഉപദേശിക്കുന്നു.
നിഷ്ഠയോ നിയമങ്ങളോ കൂടാതെ വിശ്വാസത്തോടും അര്പ്പണ മനോഭാവത്തോടും മുക്തി നേടാന് കലിയുഗത്തില് ഉപദേശിക്കപ്പെട്ടിരിക്കുന്ന മാര്ഗ്ഗമാണ് നാമജപം. ശുദ്ധമായ സ്ഥലത്ത് ഇരുന്ന് നിത്യേന നാമജപം നടത്തുന്നത് ഗ്രഹപ്പിഴകള് ഒഴിഞ്ഞു പോവാനുള്ള ഉത്തമ മാര്ഗമായും ആചാര്യന്മാര് പറയുന്നു.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Four myths about eggs
By Lori Bongiorno
Posted Tue May 4, 2010 12:09pm PDT
Related topics: Health, Food and Drink, Tips, Organic More from The Conscious
Choosing eggs is not nearly as simple as it should be. After all, the average egg weighs about 2 ounces. How many decisions can you possibly have to make for something so small and seemingly simple? Well, let’s see: Brown or white? Large or small? Organic or not?
And those decisions are just the tip of the iceberg. Egg cartons can be stamped with any number of labels, some meaningful, others not so much.
It's not always easy to separate fact from fiction when it comes to eggs. Below are some of the most common misperceptions.
Myth: Brown eggs are different than white.
Fact: The only difference between a brown and white egg is the color of the shell, which is merely a reflection of the breed of the hen. In general, but not always, hens with white feathers and earlobes lay white eggs and those with dark feathers and red earlobes lay brown eggs.
One isn’t healthier, more “natural,” or more eco-friendly than the other. There aren’t any differences in nutritional quality, flavor, or cooking characteristics.
Myth: Free-range eggs come from hens that roam freely outdoors.
Fact: The claims are not regulated for eggs, according to Consumer Reports. So there is no guarantee that the hen that laid the eggs ever saw the light of day. Of course, it may have spent time outdoors, but the “free range” label doesn’t mean anything. The following labels are also meaningless when it comes to eggs: “free roaming,” “hormone free,” and “raised without antibiotics.”
Myth: Organic eggs are healthier.
Fact: They certainly can be, but it all depends on the chicken’s diet. Organic eggs come from hens that are fed a 100-percent organic diet. However, what really matters when it comes to nutrition is whether the hens were raised on pasture. Studies, such as those conducted at Penn State University and by Mother Earth News, found that eggs from chickens that ate grass and insects contained higher levels of omega-3 fat, and vitamins E, A, and in some cases D.
If you want eggs from hens that are raised on pasture or spend a lot of time outdoors, then you’ll have to find a farmer you trust at your local farmers’ market.
Myth: Egg substitutes are simply eggs (or egg whites) without the shells.
Fact: Most products have added stabilizers, thickeners, vitamins, carotenes, and, sometimes, spices, according to Marion Nestle, author of What to Eat. She also points out that they cost about twice as much as real eggs. (A pound of egg substitutes weighs slightly less than a dozen small eggs.)
Of course, if you can’t eat egg yolks for health reasons or have no use for them, egg substitutes are a good option, and most products only have a tiny percentage of additives. Just read the labels before buying.
Posted Tue May 4, 2010 12:09pm PDT
Related topics: Health, Food and Drink, Tips, Organic More from The Conscious
Choosing eggs is not nearly as simple as it should be. After all, the average egg weighs about 2 ounces. How many decisions can you possibly have to make for something so small and seemingly simple? Well, let’s see: Brown or white? Large or small? Organic or not?
And those decisions are just the tip of the iceberg. Egg cartons can be stamped with any number of labels, some meaningful, others not so much.
It's not always easy to separate fact from fiction when it comes to eggs. Below are some of the most common misperceptions.
Myth: Brown eggs are different than white.
Fact: The only difference between a brown and white egg is the color of the shell, which is merely a reflection of the breed of the hen. In general, but not always, hens with white feathers and earlobes lay white eggs and those with dark feathers and red earlobes lay brown eggs.
One isn’t healthier, more “natural,” or more eco-friendly than the other. There aren’t any differences in nutritional quality, flavor, or cooking characteristics.
Myth: Free-range eggs come from hens that roam freely outdoors.
Fact: The claims are not regulated for eggs, according to Consumer Reports. So there is no guarantee that the hen that laid the eggs ever saw the light of day. Of course, it may have spent time outdoors, but the “free range” label doesn’t mean anything. The following labels are also meaningless when it comes to eggs: “free roaming,” “hormone free,” and “raised without antibiotics.”
Myth: Organic eggs are healthier.
Fact: They certainly can be, but it all depends on the chicken’s diet. Organic eggs come from hens that are fed a 100-percent organic diet. However, what really matters when it comes to nutrition is whether the hens were raised on pasture. Studies, such as those conducted at Penn State University and by Mother Earth News, found that eggs from chickens that ate grass and insects contained higher levels of omega-3 fat, and vitamins E, A, and in some cases D.
If you want eggs from hens that are raised on pasture or spend a lot of time outdoors, then you’ll have to find a farmer you trust at your local farmers’ market.
Myth: Egg substitutes are simply eggs (or egg whites) without the shells.
Fact: Most products have added stabilizers, thickeners, vitamins, carotenes, and, sometimes, spices, according to Marion Nestle, author of What to Eat. She also points out that they cost about twice as much as real eggs. (A pound of egg substitutes weighs slightly less than a dozen small eggs.)
Of course, if you can’t eat egg yolks for health reasons or have no use for them, egg substitutes are a good option, and most products only have a tiny percentage of additives. Just read the labels before buying.
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