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AnoyaJune 28 What the World EatsWhat's on family dinner tables in fifteen different homes around the globe? Photographs by Peter Menzel from the book "Hungry Planet"
Japan: The Ukita family of Kodaira City
Italy: The Manzo family of Sicily
Chad: The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp
Kuwait: The Al Haggan family of Kuwait City Family recipe: Chicken biryani with basmati rice
United States: The Revis family of North Carolina
Mexico: The Casales family of Cuernavaca
China: The Dong family of Beijing
Poland: The Sobczynscy family of Konstancin-Jeziorna
Egypt: The Ahmed family of Cairo
Ecuador: The Ayme family of Tingo
United States: The Caven family of California
Mongolia: The Batsuuri family of Ulaanbaatar
Great Britain: The Bainton family of Cllingbourne Ducis
Bhutan: The Namgay family of Shingkhey Village
Germany: The Melander family of Bargteheide June 18 Gilbert Arenas
Hi, I’m Gilbert Arenas and this is my story, If no one believes in you, April 30 Six tips for tackling a dreaded taskGoing to the gym. Practicing a new skill when you have no skill. Giving bad news. Dealing with tech support. We all have to make ourselves do things that we just don’t want to do. Here are some tricks I’ve learned that help me power through the procrastination. 1. Do it first thing in the morning. If you’re dreading doing something, you’re going to be able to think of more creative excuses as the day goes along. One of my Twelve Commandments is “Do it now.” No delay is the best way. 2. If you find yourself putting off a task that you try to do several times a week, try doing it EVERY day, instead. When I was planning my blog, I envisioned posting two or three times a week. Then Eugene Volokh of the Volokh Conspiracy convinced me that no, I needed to post every day. As counter-intuitive as it sounds, I think it’s easier to do it every day (well, except Sundays) than fewer times each week. There’s no dithering, there’s no juggling. I know I have to post, so I do. If you’re finding it hard to go for a walk four times a week, try going every day. 3. Have someone keep you company. Studies show that we enjoy practically every activity more when we’re with other people. Having a friend along can be a distraction, a source of reassurance, or just moral support. 4. Make preparations, assemble the proper tools. I often find that when I’m dreading a task, it helps me to feel prepared. Here’s a silly example: I always dread packing, especially for my children. Yesterday, finally, I made a list of every possible item I might need to pack for any conceivable trip. Already, I dread the thought of packing less. I have a list. 5. Commit. We’ve all heard the advice to write down your goals. This really works, so force yourself to do it. Usually this advice relates to long-term goals, but it works with short-term goals, too. On the top of a piece of paper, write, “By the end of today, April 25, I will have _____.” This also gives you the thrill of crossing a task off your list. (See below.) 6. Remind yourself that finishing a dreaded task is tremendously energizing. Studies show that hitting a goal releases chemicals in the brain that give you pleasure. If you’re feeling blue, although the last thing you feel like doing is something you don’t feel like doing, push yourself. You’ll get a big lift from it. * April 26 21 Solutions to Save the WorldWe live in an age of anxiety. People everywhere fear the next terrorist attack. Meanwhile, we slowly grow numb to Iraq’s endless string of kidnappings and suicide bombings. Between bird flu, tsunamis, and loose nukes, our list of fears is getting longer. So, we asked 21 leading thinkers: What is one solution that would make the world a better place? Here are their answers.
April 15 Why Reaching Your Goals Will Never Make You HappyHave you ever considered the possibility that reaching your goals won’t make you happy? That achievement and accomplishment won’t satisfy you? Do you ever get a sneaking suspicion that you are cheating yourself out of your own happiness? Like you’re missing something important. I’ve felt this way most of my life, but I believe I found a piece of the puzzle and I want to share it with you. Let me give you a clue… Accomplishment isn’t what you really want. It’s a hoax. You’ve probably heard someone say life is a journey not a destination. A worthless platitude, right? But I had an experience yesterday that seemed to give the idea freshness. Why do children see things so clearly? A respected programmer once told me it was easier to teach a child Object Oriented Programming concepts than to teach a 20-year veteran. I didn’t think much of his comment at the time, but after the last 4 years with my son, I am certain he was right. Children see things as they are, not how social conditioning demands that we see them. If each adult could see the world through the eyes of a child for a day, it would shake the foundations of civilization. But our society doesn’t value the thoughts and opinions of children. Our society views them as destructive little monsters that we need to hammer into shape. As I wrote in “Are video games bad for kids?” – my 4-year-old son is obsessed with Spyro 1&2 for the PS1. He has completed both games, finding every gem, beating every boss, and discovering every secret. He knows every corner of every map, the strengths and weaknesses of every opponent, and conquers the obstacles with a speed and precision I never imagined he possessed. After working at it for a week, he finished Spyro 1. He collected 14,000 gems, dozens of eggs, 80 dragons, defeated hundreds of bad guys, and solved multiple puzzles. As he was reflecting on his accomplishment he said, “Dad, you know, I don’t like that part. You know, the part when it plays the movie and the music and the words (credits). The fun part is doing all the stuff in the different lands. Getting the gems and dragons is the fun part. Not the end. I don’t like the end.” A light went off – pow! This is what people mean when they remind you to live in the present. Enjoy it now because now is all you have. When the end comes, it’ll be too late. So what’s my point? My point is that the end result of your work or goal isn’t where you really want to be. Once you are there, it’s over. You really want to be where you are right now. That’s why once you reach a goal you always set a new one. Happiness does not lie in accomplishment; it lies in the act of accomplishing. Do not think I am dismissing accomplishment and goal setting. I am not. I have spent most of my life fiercely competitive. Set goals, accomplish great things, but remember the fun part is happening right now – right this minute as you work to achieve your goals. If you wait to have fun until after you reach your goals, you will have missed the point because it will be over… gone… poof… and you’ll be standing there asking… what will ever make me happy? April 14 23 Surprising Things You Can Get for Free
Free EducationWhat’s the Catch? Users can’t enroll, take classes on campus, or earn degrees. Find Out More: www.ocw.mit.edu. What’s the Catch? Classes are one size fits all, which fast learners may find sluggish (and slow learners may find difficult). Find Out More: www.bbc.co.uk/languages, www.frenchpodclass.com. Free ClassesWhat’s the Catch? Novices and more advanced learners share the same classroom. Find Out More: www.sba.gov (click on “Local Resources” for a nearby center and for financial and marketing information). What’s the Catch? All classes relate to (often pricey) Apple products. Find Out More: www.apple.com (click on “Visit an Apple store”).
Free CultureWhat’s the Catch? The free-admission times tend to attract large crowds; expect long lines and less of an opportunity to get up close and personal with a Cézanne. Find Out More: Check out the websites of your local museums. What’s the Catch? Many parents have been taking classes together for a while, so they can be quite chummy. As an observer, you might feel left out and too shy to participate fully. Find Out More: www.musictogether.com, www.musicforaardvarks.com, www.gymboreeclasses.com. What’s the Catch? Tickets go very fast, especially for the most popular shows. Find Out More: www.kidsnightonbroadway.com. Tip: To find out about free movies and concerts in your area, go to Yahoo or Google and type in the kind of entertainment, “free,” and the name of your city. Free GymsWhat’s the Catch? You often have to tour the health club with a sales representative, which sometimes takes as long as an hour. Some gym companies may require you to prove nearby residence with a driver’s license. Find Out More: Go to the gyms for details. Free PhotosWhat’s the Catch? You have to pay for shipping, which usually isn’t more than a few dollars. Find Out More: www.adorama.com, www.dotphoto.com, www.kodakgallery.com, www.snapfish.com.
Free PetsWhat’s the Catch? Not all the owners who post notices are as honest as you’d wish. Out-of-control animals can be listed as “friendly and calm.” Find Out More: www.craigslist.org (click on your city, then on “Pets”), www.petfinder.com (click on “Classified Ads”). Free Phone ServicesWhat’s the Catch? You need to know beforehand that you’ll want rescuing — and you have to be willing to break social graces by taking a phone call in the middle of a meeting or lunch. Find Out More: www.popularitydialer.com. What’s the Catch? You have to listen to a 20- second ad before receiving your number. Find Out More: 800-373-3411 (800-FREE-411). What’s the Catch? If you don’t have DSL or a cable modem, it may be more cost-effective (money- and sanity-wise) to dial up the old-fashioned way. Find Out More: www.skype.com. Free E-Mail RemindersWhat’s the Catch? There’s some innocuous advertising on the website. Find Out More: www.memotome.com. Tip: E-cards have gotten less corny. You can find witty and well-designed cards at www.hipstercards.com, vintage ones at www.cardcow.com, and photographic ones at ecard.digiart.ee.
Free Ice CreamWhat’s the Catch? There are often long lines, and popular flavors, like Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, run out early. Find Out More: www.benandjerrys.com for stores. Free Used BooksWhat’s the Catch? Popular fiction moves fast, while classic and esoteric titles may stay put for months. Find Out More: www.paperbackswap.com, www.titletrader.com. Free Household ItemsWhat’s the Catch? You’re responsible for getting the stuff home. Find Out More: www.freecycle.org to find a group.
Free (and Worth It) SamplesMany free-product programs come with hidden costs. The ones below are legit. Sign up for one and your in-box may be inundated, but there’s also an outside chance you’ll end up with a flat-screen TV. |
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