Life is...

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/04/13/chasing.lessons/index.html

Folks,

I've often wondered about this thing called "Life" in my quieter moments. Not what it means... because we really do not know at the end of the day. But rather, what it is. This is where things become grey because for each and everyone of us, "it" is different.

For me, it is a series of rollercoasters - some hours a diamond, others a stone. Nothing consistent in this lifetime for me, no sir.

On scale of happiness with 10 being the happiest, mine averages anywhere between a 2 and 7 most days.

So this search for meaning and purpose during one's lifetime is a relevant quest. What if some people find neither? Or what if people find something less than ideal? In my view, this would leave a lot of people wandering this Earth like perpetual stunned mullets, day in day out. Or, are these people blissfully ignorant, because this is entirely possible, too.

Happy are those who have meaning and purpose in their lives. I really believe in that.

Certainly an issue to mull over.

Ninja

10:36 PM - Sat 14 April 2007 - comments {5} - post comment

Got a new home...

http://ninja789.vox.com/

Folks,

I'm inviting all the friends I've got here to join me at my new blog above. Blognow's been great, but the speeds and iffy connectivity have been frustrating. I wish Marcel every success as he's been very helpful in the past.

I might pop in here every once in awhile, but there's more chance of you catching me at the new place.

Hooroo for now.

Ninja

11:26 AM - Sat 14 April 2007 - comments {3} - post comment

Well said, Mr Iacocca

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article17516.htm

Folks,

No truer words spoken. Enjoy!

Ninja

6:14 PM - Thu 12 April 2007 - comments {2} - post comment

Drinking recycled water: We must go with the flow or else...

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/269760/1/.html

Folks,

I am glad Queensland is taking advice from Singapore about this issue. Trust me, for someone who spends a fair bit of time in that country and has drunk much of its recycled stuff with no side effects whatsoever, recycling is a must for us.

Not only in Queensland, but throughout Australia. We waste too much water, period.

Rainwater tanks and recycling grey water should also be worked into all building codes for new homes immediately. Existing homes should be given subsidies to begin adopting such measures. I'm looking at them for the Ninja den. We have to for the sake of our children's future, and this country's future.

Ninja

5:00 PM - Thu 12 April 2007 - comments {4} - post comment

Leave homework intact!

http://blogs.theaustralian.news.com.au/yoursay/index.php/theaustralian/comments/does_homework_help_or_hinder/

Folks,

These sorts of "discussions" are nothing more than bureaucracy trying to create jobs for itself. It is like that other recent "debate" about whether parents should spank their wayward children.

Let me be very clear here: LEAVE THE MAJORITY OF PARENTS THE HECK ALONE!

Homework DOES HAVE merits. Does anyone in their right mind here actually believe that kids go to school and the come home knowing everything straight away? Imagine little Johnny or young Katie's first brush with algebra in the classroom. No homework's needed to reinforce the basic concepts because homework's passe. Both kids sail through the year until they get tested. Guess what? They couldn't remember the basics. But heck, we'll pass 'em anyway because giving them an "F" could scar their self-esteem irreparably. If you thought I was being flippant, think again. This is what's happening in our school system today. We don't hold our students back but just promote them higher up the school ladder until their "graduate". Really? If you don't believe me, try asking your average Y12 teenager at the start of the year if they remember what quadratic equations are. Or what an isosceles triangle is etc etc. Or better still, what's the capital of Indonesia?

Homework will always be a pain, no two ways about it. But it is still the only way to reinforce our classroom lessons. Until they find a way to "hotwire" lessons straight into our brains, this is the best way to get the lessons to sink in and as an added bonus, teach kids that often in life, we have to do things that aren't always pleasant but necessary.

We get rid of something as elementary as homework and we start to cripple our kids' minds... somewhat akin to helping that just-forming butterfly to crack out of its pupa thinking we're being helpful.

Actually, we're harming it if we interfere with its struggle because that physical effort promotes blood flow to its fresh set of wings so that it does become stronger to actually fly.

I feel bloody strongly about this issue. Leave homework alone and let the kids learn.

Ninja

4:32 PM - Tue 10 April 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

Easter stuff

Folks,

Can anyone please explain the origin of the hot-cross bun during Easter?

Apart from that, hope you're all enjoying the break... and drive safely if you're on the roads heading home today. This annual road toll during Easter is just horrendous.

Ninja

8:23 AM - Mon 9 April 2007 - comments {0} - post comment