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Duration : 0:1:27
Feb
28
HERO / Mr.Children
Feb
28
A Video I made about adoption
Feb
28
Paranormal Books – Reading Targeted at the Unexplained
http://www.yallways.com
Paranormal phenomena have fascinated generations of researchers and prompted countless of authors to explore the unexplained. From the earliest compilations of anecdotes to modern treatises on the paranormal, there exists an almost endless array of literature related to this field of interest. The collection of texts related to paranormal phenomena continues to grow and earn new readership from those intrigued by the paranormal.
Most paranormal books fall into the non-fiction genre. Those seeking a general overview of the entire paranormal spectrum, several organizations have put together paranormal encyclopedias. Readers with a specific area of interest can also delve deeper into an area of the paranormal with more focused texts. For example, Cryptozoology A-Z is an encyclopedia devoted entirely to mysterious creatures around the world. Other paranormal books attempt to serve as “how-to” guides for experiencing some exceptional phenomena. For example, some authors claim they can teach a reader to harness psychic powers or communicate with the dead. There’s even a collection of guides dealing with ghost hunting using modern technology.
Among the numerous authors of these works, a few stand out for their historical contributions to paranormal books. Perhaps the first modern writer of note was Charles Fort, whose early twentieth century research focused on anecdotal data. Fort spent more than thirty years developing hypotheses regarding paranormal activities. These were eventually published in four books: The Book of the Damned, New Lands, Lo!, and Wild Talents. Each text deals with multiple topics within the realm of the paranormal and expresses Fort’s unique theories. Fort was followed by other noted authors who composed texts with a more specific focus. For example, in the mid-twentieth century Barnard Heuvelmans became an expert on cryptozoology and published more than a dozen works on the topic.
Today, several top authors continue to contribute paranormal books to our literary collection. Most writers choose a specific field of the paranormal for their publications. For example, noted author Dr. Robert Moody focuses on life after death and near-death experiences. His most recent work, Life After Life, has sold more than twelve million copies. Fictional authors have also gained praise from paranormal enthusiasts. Titles relating to alternate histories and future developments are especially popular, and authors like George Orwell, Isaac Asimov, and Arthur C. Clark have developed strong followings for their work in this genre. Despite successes, work in this area continues to be controversial. For example, famed UFO author Grant Cameron was recently barred from lecturing in the United States and has had difficulty gaining access to presidential archives. His research currently focuses on the White House’s involvement in UFO phenomena.
Paranormal books have become so popular that some publishers now focus entirely on this genre. For example, Paraview Pocket Books works with notable publisher Simon & Schuster to market non-fiction paranormal texts to the public. They also develop paranormal-related television and film productions. Similarly, the International Society for Paranormal Research works with authors to publish paranormal-themed books. In fact, their title ISPR Investigates the Ghosts of New Orleans recently became a best-seller in Europe.
Within the vast spectrum of paranormal books, there is sure to be something for every interest level. However, within this genre there is a fine line between fiction and non-fiction. Thankfully, more and more authors are publishing findings based on empirical research and credible anecdotes. Each year, hundreds of new paranormal books are published, and this number is likely to grow as readership interest increases.
John W. Martin
http://www.articlesbase.com/literature–articles/paranormal-books-reading-targeted-at-the-unexplained-698664.html
Feb
28
The telecommunications sector in Australia is predominantly saturated by telecoms provider, Telstra. But despite this, space is also a playing ground for other telephone carriers which include Optus, AAPT and Powertel, Soul, Vodafone and Hutchison 3G.
According to BBG Communications, the main telephony network in Australia is connected through optical fibre networks, with households tapped to the network through copper lines that are linked in local exchanges. For mobile telephony, Australia runs on the GSM platform, like those in Europe and majority of its neighboring countries in the Asia-Pacific. In 2003, 3G mobile phone services were introduced, adding another plus to the generally considered good domestic and international telecommunications services in the country.
Primarily the Optus satellites C1 D1 and D2, are the domestic satellite systems in use for very remote areas.
Telstra, Optus, Nextgen Networks, PowerTel and AAPT are the main Intercity Networks with a collection of other providers having regional networks or Eastern Coast links.
Telstra is the main user of microwave links in remote areas; WIN Television provides a network of microwave towers for distributions of Television, and provides common carrier services. Other providers such as Agile Communications provide backhaul services in South Australia.
Section 51(v) of the Australian Constitution gave the new national government power over all postal, telegraphic, telephonic and ‘other like services’. The last clause embraced future developments in the telecommunications front, which from then meant radio, television and the internet.
The colonial telecommunications network infrastructure (staff, switches, wires, handsets, buildings etc) were handed over to the Commonwealth and became the responsibility of the first Postmaster-General (PMG). The PMG position is a Federal Ministerial post, overseeing the Postmaster-General’s Department that was in charge of all domestic telephone, telegraph and postal services. With 16,000 staff, it accounted for 90% of the new federal bureaucracy. That figure went up to over 120,000 staff (around 50% of the federal bureaucracy) by the late sixties.
Public phones were then available only in few post offices. Other limited phones installations were made available to major businesses, government agencies, institutions and among propertied residences. There were around 33,000 phones across Australia, with 7,502 telephone subscribers in inner Sydney and 4,800 in the Melbourne central business district. A trunk line ran between Melbourne and Sydney starting 1907, with extension to Adelaide established in 1914, Brisbane in 1923, Perth in 1930 and Hobart in 1935.
Meanwhile, overseas cable links to Australia remained to be privately owned and managed by then, reflecting the dynamics of imperial politics, demands on the new government’s resources and the allocation of responsibilities at that time. The PMG department became responsible for some international shortwave services – particularly from the 1920s – and for a new Coastal Radio Service in 1911, with the first of a network of stations operational in February 1912. Australia and New Zealand had ratified the 1906 Berlin Radio-telegraph Convention in 1907.
During the 1930s the PMG became responsible for the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC). PMG’s management of the telecommunications network ABC echoed BBC’s own story.
As privatization has been changing the landscape of all service and utility providers, many tend to romanticize and era when enterprises were supposedly ran not for profit but for service. It has become fashionable for some quarters to praise those times when PMG was supposedly an enlightened technocratic management, moved only for the national interest, and public service, over and above profit.
The image of a benevolent PMG is not without problems, as it is apparent that decisions on location and management of facilities were reflections of local political demands and the ‘Australian Settlement’ first articulated by Alfred Deakin. The PMG was, after all, a major employer in rural areas, the Minister generally came from the Country Party and there was an emphasis on in-house development and local manufacturing.
The observation then was that governments of whatever party affiliation benefited from the organisation’s revenue generating nature. Many would say that PMG was not a discrete statutory body, with no power on its own to retain its revenues, and was captive to national political dynamics.
In 1982, a Davidson Enquiry on Australia’s telecommunications services sector, made a recommendation to end Telecom Australia’s monopoly. In the following year, Aussat Pty Ltd, another government agency, had been established to operate domestic satellite telecommunication and broadcasting services. But Aussat’s charter did not allow it to be a direct competitor to Telecom. A case in point is its charter’s prohibition on interconnecting public switched traffic with Telecom’s network. Aussat’s viability as a telecommunications player was greatly undermined by difficulties in raising capital, tepid government support and spiraling operation costs.
It wasn’t until 1985 that Australia’s first geostationary communications satellite was operational; by late 1990, however, it was saddled with debts amounting to about $400 million.
The Australian Telecommunications Commission was restructured, giving way to the Australian Telecommunications Corporation. The new entity traded as Telecom Australia, in 1989. It was also the same year which saw the last domestic telegram handled by Telecom, as responsibility for telegram operations was handed over to Australia Post.
There were proposals floating for a merger of Aussat and OTC, but all were rejected in favor of the disposal of the satellite operator to a non-government entity that would be allowed to compete with Telecom.
Immediately after, Optus Communications – a private sector entity owned by a consortium that included BellSouth – was given Australia’s second general carrier licence. Optus proceeded to purchase the Satellite assets with many of the Non Satellite Assets remaining with the Government as part of Telstra. Cable & Wireless, privatized after several decades of UK government ownership, took a controlling stake in Optus in 1998 before control passed to SingTel in 2001.
Optus was initially allowed to cater the national long distance and international telephone calls service in the Australian telecommunications market. The restrictions on players that can enter the general telephone market until 1997 and ‘pro-competition’ mechanisms under the Trade Practices Act 1974, among which guaranteed access to Telecom’s existing infrastructure on reasonable terms, meant to ensure Optus’ viability.
Competition in long distance corporate voice and data service operations was so steep. It was also felt by Telstra versus AAPT which was active from 1991, MCI Communications, later absorbed by the ill-fated WorldCom, was an early major shareholder of AAPT but got out in 1994. New Zealand’s Todd Corporation took a 24.5% stake in AAPT in 1992. In 1995 AAPT launched a mobile phone service, using Vodafone as its network supplier, acquired a 50% share of the Australian ISP connect.com.au Pty Ltd and bought NewsNet ITN. In the same year SingTel acquired a 24.5% shareholding in AAPT.
AAPT went on to muscle up. In 1996, it bought 40% of Cellular One Communications, followed by QNET Communications. In the same year it gained a carrier licence, offering long distance services to the residential market and building communications networks for the South Australian and Victorian governments. Subsequently, it moved to 100% of CorpTEL Communications, its AAPT Sat-Tel satellite joint venture, connect.com.au and Cellular One. US-operator Primus acquired Axicorp in 1997, gaining a carriers license and expanding into internet services.
AOTC had a brand makeover as Telstra Corporation in 1993, trading internationally as Telstra starting the same year and domestically from 1995. Its attempts for expansion to Indonesia and other Asian markets did not live up to the company’s expectations, with the group winding back overseas involvements in 1997-98. In 1996 Telstra recorded the largest profit in Australian corporate history, some $3.8 billion and was partly privatised in November 1997 through sale by the Commonwealth of around 33.3% of its shareholding.
After Australia’s telecommunications market was fully opened up to full competition in July 1997, privatization followed. A further 16.6% was sold by the Commonwealth in September 1999 bringing the shares sold to a total of 49.9%. This figure is safely below 50.1%, at which rate, any sale of government-owned properties involves legislation. With the new regime came the adoption of a single national phone numbering scheme and any-to-any connectivity requirements. Mobile phones, fixed-line phones and other devices was designed to communicate with each other irrespective of whether the service was provided by Telstra or one of its competitors. In November 2006, an additional 33% was sold by the government. The remaining 17% was placed in a Future Fund to provide full separation from government and regulations. This followed to avoid many possible conflicts of interest with the government being primary shareholder and competition regulator.
By July of 1997 the Australian telecommunications sector was fully liberalized for full competition with removal of restrictions on the number of licensed operators and anti-competition mechanisms.
By the end of 1998, there were over 20 licensed telecommunications carriers in Australia, with several hundred other entities using those carriers’ facilities to provide services. By May 2002, this figure climbed to 99 licensed telecommunications carriers. The Australian Communications Authority estimated that the benefits to consumers of telecommunications services from competition in 2000/1 were between $5.5 billion and $12 billion.
Broderick Booth Goran
http://www.articlesbase.com/communication-articles/bbg-communications-australia-telecommunications-history-736189.html
Feb
28
If you will dare to care, to correct in love, to share the teachings of charity, and demonstrate genuine concern, you will model responsible parenting principles. Below I’ve detailed a few approaches that promote a strong parent-child relationship and keep the lines of communication open:
Communication: In the eleventh chapter of Deuteronomy, parents were instructed to teach the words of Yahweh to their children, talking about them at home and when away from home. Abraham, in the book of Genesis, was told to educate his children and household to keep the way of the Lord. Likewise, Christian parents must communicate with their children. The two types of communication are verbal (spoken words), and non-verbal (actions and body language). As a child’s first teacher, parents should talk with the child about your familial beliefs, values, morals, expectations, and how to live with and get along with others. However, in addition to talking with them, a parent should also be an effective listener of the needs and concerns of their children. Developing two-way communication in the early years increases the likelihood a child will continue to communicate with parents throughout their preteen and teenage years when the influence of peers is at its highest and most concentrated.
Caring: A Christian parent will be caring. Caring for a child requires giving unconditional love. In the second chapter of Titus, older women were given instructions to teach what was good and provide an example for younger women so that they would love their husbands and children. “Love is the fulfilling of the law.” – Romans 13:10b NRSV. Love is demonstrated through actions and words. Caring for a child requires a parent to give of him/herself. To care means to provide a child with not only the basic necessities of food, clothing and shelter, but also nurturing the child to grow, learn and exceed his/her genetic potential. Similar to the Hallmark slogan, a Christian parent cares enough to give the very best. The practice of giving a child one’s best will eliminate a large percentage of the physical, emotional and verbal abuse and neglect prevalent in society today.
Concern: A Christian parent will always show concern. Concern involves providing appropriate responses to the needs, moods, feelings, emotions, thoughts and actions of a child. A parent will show interest in the child and the child’s development. Concern can be communicated by asking a child how his/her day was, what was learned. It is quality time in which the parent assists the child to explore the environment. One cannot look at the flowers, insects, clouds and other marvels of creation with a child without using some of the time to talk about the Creator. Through concern, a parent teaches social skills that include accepting correction, accepting rejection, sharing, conflict resolution and respecting the feelings and property of others. Concern is reflected in the relationship that is established. The author of Romans 12 lists the marks of a true Christian. Loving one another with mutual affection shows concern. When shown in the formative years, preteens and teenagers are less likely to rebel against parents’ questions or view questions as an invasion of privacy.
Charity: In Bible dictionaries, charity and love are synonymous with one another. Loving thy neighbor as thyself can be found in multiple passages in the New Testament. Such love is demonstrated by providing for those in need. Webster’s Dictionary defines charity as goodwill, generosity and helpfulness towards others. A Christian parent will demonstrate charity by teaching compassion and sensitivity to the thoughts, feelings, experiences and needs of others…especially those who are in need or less fortunate than they are.
Correction: Ephesians 6:4 (NRSV) states, “…fathers [and mothers] do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Discipline, often equated with punishment, is defined as corrective or formative training. For discipline to be effective, it does not have to be punitive. Hitting or spanking a child in anger should be avoided at all costs. Because an angry person’s behavior generally reflects a lack of control, all the child sees is the parent’s reaction which supersedes the initial reason for the disciplinary act. This angered approach often develops angry, defiant children rather than obedient ones. Developing a child through instruction has a positive impact upon a child. Proverbs 22:6 (NRSV) says, “Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray.” A Christian parent will strive to train a child by instilling morals and values, teaching right from wrong, and that misbehaving has consequences. This includes explaining why an action or behavior is inappropriate, and then teaching the preferred, more appropriate behavior. Correction involves consequences. Consequences may involve an apology and restitution which will encourage the acceptance of ownership for the inappropriate behavior, promote responsibility and prevent delinquency.
Using these basic approaches to parenting will not only make for a better parent-child relationship in your own home, but will lend a strong and effective blueprint for the child to use in the rearing of their own children in the future. Most importantly these steps serve as ways to continue to give glory to God in our everyday lives.
GX Magazine
Feb
28
Bipolar Disorder can now be diagnosed in children, due to the advances in medicine today. It was thought before that the disorder only started from as early as adolescence to adults. Identifications tests are now being used to detect this disorder in childhood, which means that treatment can begin at an earlier age.
A child that is diagnosed early has a much better chance of getting treatment for their symptoms. They are able to get help to cope with the problems of the illness, so that stability can be achieved and realise when they are as well as they can be. As they get older they will be more self aware of their disorder and be more well adjusted as adults. The right treatment will enable them to lead a normal life as their illness is controlled.
Those children already diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in the United States have been found to be significantly more likely to develop the disorder. There are children and adolescents who already suffer from relapsing bouts of depression, which could indicate early signs of bipolar disorder, although they have not experienced a manic episode yet.
If more studies are conducted in medicine, the more we would be able to identify how common this disorder is surfacing amongst the younger generation.
The characteristics of the mental illness of Bipolar disorder is by depressive episodes and mania (or extreme euphoria). There are variations to this order in children compared with that of adults. Children will generally alter in mood constantly with rapid cycles of depression and mania. These rapid mood cycles give rise to ongoing irritability, with periods inbetween where they will feel well.
Bipolar Disorder is diagnosed in adults by using DSM-IV criteria (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV). It is difficult to use this to diagnose children as detailed criteria has been established yet.
Children who are diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder are commonly found to have the following behaviour patterns:
1. overanxious at being apart from family even during a short time
2. apathy, depression, passiveness
3. problems with authority
4. wetting the bed
5. craving for carbohydrates and sweet things
6. experiencing delusions and hallucinations
7. insomnia
8. irritability
9. a fast change of mood over a few hours or days
10. a temper that is destructive extensively
11. grandiose ideas
12. night fears, ranting
13. inappropriate sexual behaviour
14. very talkative with fanciful ideas
Whilst a child is an infant, signs of the disorder are recogniseable. Once a child is later diagnosed, parents have cited behaviour which has been erratic such as unusual clinginess and far reaching tantrums like seizures.
Children or Paediatric Bipolar Syndrome is classified into four sections just like the adults: Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymia, and Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.
A patient with Bipolar I has episodes of serious depression and pychotic manic episodes which switch from one to the other.
A patient with Bipolar II switches from periods of hypomania to episodes of depression. A person can be highly creative with hypomania. With hypomania a person can feel more elated or quite irritable, and also they find that they have more mental energy as well as physical.
Cyclothymia is a milder mood disorder where there are recurrent mood disturbances.
The last is Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified is where a doctor is unable to classify a disorder under any of the three as mentioned before classifications. A person experiences mood swings like a manic depressive but there are also other symptoms which cannot be categorised as either Bipolar I, Bipolar II or Cyclothymia.
If a child is going through a worrying time, and their welfare becomes a concern, the parents will want to seek professional help. This is necessary particularly if a child starts to talk about suicide. A doctor will refer your child to a psychiatrist, and this can be done as an emergency case if necessary, so the disorder can be dealt with and treated immediately.
It is a good idea for any adult who has children and suspect they may have some kind of disorder, to note their behaviour in a diary, for example, to keep a record of how the child behaves, their speech, any strange activity and their sleep patterns. This is important and will help any doctor to evaluate your child and prescribe the correct treatment. Your observations could help with a quick diagnosis.
Your child can be helped with the right course of medication, psychotherapy to include the child and family, awareness of the disorder, a good diet for nutrition, noting the symptoms and behaviour, daily exercise which aids in getting good sleep and coping mechanisms for stress.
By the parents and medical professionals working together, the best care can be given in treating your child. With the family getting involved throughout the treatment plan, this will help the children immensely. They are reassured that you as parents are by their side with all the love and support you can give, which will lessen recurring episodes, the incidences and the intensity of any symptoms by recognising them before they get any worse by knowing what plan of action to take. Community help is also available to help the individual and family with extra support.
Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/14-symptoms-of-bipolar-disorder-in-children-how-to-cope-with-it-739494.html
Feb
28
The first step towards an adoption procedure requires prospective parents to file a petition with the court for a formal request to adopt a child; the couple need to give details of personal and professional nature including the child’s birth certificate (or birth particulars e.g. date and place of birth), a legal statement as to why the child’s birth parents have terminated their rights among other facts. All this requires the expertise of an adoption lawyer to represent the prospective parents in court, minimize hassles of petition filing etc and to follow a procedure that is most beneficial to their rights.
Especially in the final stages of the adoption procedure, the help of a qualified and experienced adoption lawyer is of utmost importance since this is the individual who will clue in the adoptive parents about how to approach the hearing, which takes place a year from the child being sent to stay with them in their home. While adoption agencies can educate parents about the nitty-gritties of adoption issues, it is mainly the onus of a true adoption lawyer to masterfully handle the legalities of the procedure and ensure the couple in question are granted permanent custody of the child through proper and timely follow-through of various legal procedures and ascertaining all documents are in order.
Adoption lawyers are professionals that play a vital role in ensuring International adoptions follow through smoothly as well since an adoptive child from a foreign country has different liabilities attached to the country’s rules and regulations, which can at times, prove to be restrictions that regular parents without the knowledge of legal issues are helpless to deal with or find a solution to. Sometimes, these obstacles include language barriers, which may prevent them from comprehending vital legal issues stated in the adoption documents and a good adoption lawyer with the help of a capable translator can help overcome this challenge of foreign adoption.
In the case of a domestic adoption and more so for international adoption, the role of a good adoption lawyer cannot be emphasized more than the fact that this is the professional who has the ability and experience to understand and document citizenship details, health restrictions, explain and guide clients who are prospective parents on issues of a criminal background check as well as abou their parental rights regarding various types of adoption and related formalities.
Registration, legal rights of the child as well as those of the adoptive parents, termination of the rights of the birth parents, as well as the full scope of the adoption procedure are some of the vital issues adoption lawyers deal with on behalf of the prospective parents besides cluing them in about legal loop-holes and gray areas to avoid in adoption procedures.
Some agencies and NGO’s involved solely in the matters of adoption hire their own adoption lawyers to smoothen out the process for their in-house requirements and to minimize hassles associated with adoption to encourage more people to take up this cause for building a family unit; thus, even as their fees may be a bit on the higher side, hiring adoption lawyers is a sure-shot way of staying on top of legal issues.
Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/adoption-lawyers-duties-facts-that-prospective-parents-must-know-740289.html
Feb
28
How would a child feel when she is never allowed to socialize or have contact with any other children and is 24/7 with her father? She lives with her father and even says that she has a very good father. About once a weak she and her father go out in public to eat and shopping. She has TV, Radio, Internet and books at home.
Na.
Feb
27
London: 9 August 2009
It is quite a surprise to make a trip across town at eight on a Sunday morning and find a whole bunch of paps and crews at an event. They are normally strictly nocturnal folk. Nevertheless that is what I find in the bright sunshine at Warrs Harley Davidson Dealership on the Kings Road. England and Manchester City footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips has assembled a good number of his celebrity friends to support the Education for the Children Foundation at this now annual sponsored Harley ride. I learn that the reason the football players themselves may only ride three wheelers is due to a dangerous activities exclusion clause in their contracts. This makes today an educational event for me and perhaps for many of you dear viewers. The morning starts slowly as the bikes and celebs trickle in but by eleven thirty it is all go. There are interviews and a proper photocall as well as plenty of chrome to film. Unusually there are no fans to request signatures and pictures as this is strictly a pro gig. As the bikes leave for their trip to the Ace Cafe and back to Sanctum Soho Hotel, I head off to the adjacent 24 hour service station where there are freshly baked pastries to reward me for such an early start.
Celebs in attendance:
Shaun Wright-Phillips
Wayne Bridge, Manchester City
Steve Sidwell, Aston Villa
Mark Fuller
Taio Cruz
Su-Elise Nash
Lucy Speed
Hofit Golan
Giles Vickers-Jones
As usual, please let me know of omissions, errors and comments. Thank you – E
Original in AVCHD
Copyright elizabethtoni 2009
Duration : 0:3:1