Thursday 28 April 2016

FRIDAY 29th APRIL 2016 07:43 BST

Read my book - ENLIGHTENMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 

Also available - EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 
WISDOM, HUMOUR, AND LOTS OF OTHER INTERESTING STUFF CAN BE FOUND ON MY PINTEREST PAGE and FACEBOOK PAGE
TO FIND OUT WHAT I DO, CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE

1. ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

29th April 1946: The Tokyo Trials begin
The International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE), also known as the Tokyo Trials, the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal, or simply the Tribunal, was convened on April 29, 1946, to try the leaders of the Empire of Japan for three types of war crimes. "Class A" crimes were reserved for those who participated in a joint conspiracy to start and wage war, and were brought against those in the highest decision-making bodies; "Class B" crimes were reserved for those who committed "conventional" atrocities or crimes against humanity; "Class C" crimes were reserved for those in "the planning, ordering, authorization, or failure to prevent such transgressions at higher levels in the command structure".

Twenty-eight Japanese military and political leaders were charged with waging aggressive war and with responsibility for conventional war crimes. More than 5,700 lower-ranking personnel were charged with conventional war crimes in separate trials convened by Australia, China, France, The Netherlands, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States. The charges covered a wide range of crimes including prisoner abuse, rape, sexual slavery, torture, ill-treatment of labourers, execution without trial and inhumane medical experiments. China held 13 tribunals, resulting in 504 convictions and 149 executions.

The Japanese Emperor Hirohito and all members of the imperial family, such as career officer Prince Yasuhiko Asaka, were not prosecuted for involvement in any of the three categories of crimes. Herbert Bix explained, "the Truman administration and General MacArthur both believed the occupation reforms would be implemented smoothly if they used Hirohito to legitimize their changes". As many as 50 suspects, such as Nobusuke Kishi, who later became Prime Minister, and Yoshisuke Aikawa, head of Nissan, were charged but released in 1947 and 1948. Shiro Ishii received immunity in exchange for data gathered from his experiments on live prisoners. The lone dissenting judge to exonerate all indictees was Indian jurist Radhabinod Pal.

There has been retrospective criticism of the trials because the outcomes were heavily influenced by political convenience, allowing many more responsible for atrocities to escape justice entirely. 

2. TODAY IN MY LIFE
Blogging
Me Time
Shift 1 of the Weekend Job
Missus Time

Twitter Followers = 2,212 (up 2)
Never-followed unfollowers eliminated = 2

@LiveTreeHQ +1 untraced
Followed unfollowers eliminated = 0
-
New Followers followed back = 1
@realGlenBrazier
Spammers not followed back = 3
@LesterWARees @pujdesala2007 @lDSpaceMusicia

3. TODAY'S SELF-OBSERVATION
It was a perfect Thursday! All objectives achieved. Happiness however is not the absence of challenges. The challenge at the forefront of my consciousness is a torn knee ligament and a very localised throbbing pain in my right foot, about an inch from the big toe, which strongly suggests Sesamoiditis. Both of these are probably tendon/ligament issues. These things are not enough to prevent me achieving any objective, so my decision is to simply leave them and see how they develop. 

With no life-changing threats visible at the perimeter, my mind is consequently incredibly calm, and when I focus on it I can feel the "hum" that consciousness itself generates, what in eastern spirituality is named OM.  The closest I can describe the feeling is being continually stimulated by a vibrator in subtle mode that instead of being pressed to your genitals is pressed on your brain.

I am incredibly fortunate - few will ever reach this level of consciousness, or even be interested in it - you can't miss what you've never had. However, my life purpose is not to change the world, only pass on beneficial memes. Rather than be frustrated at all the ignorance around me, I will be grateful for this depth of knowledge. 

4. TODAY'S QUESTION FOR YOU
Do you think there's more to life than what you are experiencing?

5. TODAY'S WEATHER IN BRADFORD
In brief
Showers in the morning, occasionally wintry and heavy, dry after lunch

Details


Moon





Weathertrack














Air Pressure
1002 millibars and rising

6. TODAY'S ONELINER
Yesterday, my phone filmed a 6 hour documentary about life inside my pocket :D

7. NOW THAT'S FUNNY!
Chelsea Handler - Contagious Vibrator

8. TRIVIA
Resting moths hold their wings horizontally. Resting butterflies fold their wings vertically.

9. ZEN WISDOM
When your determination changes, everything will begin to move in the direction you desire. The moment you resolve to be victorious, every nerve and fiber in your being will immediately orient itself toward your success. On the other hand, if you think, “This is never going to work out,” then at that instant every cell in your being will be deflated and give up the fight.

Wednesday 27 April 2016

THURSDAY 28th APRIL 2016 07:32 BST

Read my book - ENLIGHTENMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 

Also available - EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 
WISDOM, HUMOUR, AND LOTS OF OTHER INTERESTING STUFF CAN BE FOUND ON MY PINTEREST PAGE and FACEBOOK PAGE
TO FIND OUT WHAT I DO, CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE

1. ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

28th April 2001: The world's first space tourist
In 1972, Dennis Tito founded Wilshire Associates, a leading provider of investment management, consulting and technology services in Santa Monica, California. This business went on to serve an international clientele representing assets of $71 billion, and making Tito a billionaire.

In a project first arranged by MirCorp, Tito was accepted by the Russian Federal Space Agency as a candidate for the first ever commercial spaceflight. However, Tito met criticism from NASA before the launch, primarily from Daniel Goldin, at that time the Administrator of NASA, who considered it inappropriate for a tourist to take a ride into space. When Tito arrived at the Johnson Space Center for additional training on the American portion of the International Space Station, Robert D. Cabana, NASA manager, sent Tito and his two fellow cosmonauts home, stating, "We will not be able to begin training, because we are not willing to train with Dennis Tito."

Tito simply bypassed NASA and through an arrangement with space tourism company Space Adventures, Ltd., Tito joined the Soyuz TM-32 mission on April 28, 2001, spending 7 days, 22 hours, 4 minutes in space and orbiting Earth 128 times. Tito performed several scientific experiments in orbit that he said would be useful for his company and business. Tito paid a reported $20 million for his trip.

2. TODAY IN MY LIFE
Blogging
Business promotional work
Kitchen deep-cleaning
Meditation
Me Time
Supper
Missus Quality Time

Twitter Followers = 2,210 (up 5)
Never-followed unfollowers eliminated = 2

@RedmayneLodge, @Dreamboarding
Followed unfollowers eliminated = 0
-
New Followers followed back = 2
@funkmaster808, @iancsmatthews
Spammers not followed back = 5
@Kuratchiiineh @kcpabcdefg2018, @gVchiruchiuw, @vlSianM10kp, @JasminWatters 

3. TODAY'S SELF-OBSERVATION
I have dug out the knee support and I fear it will be a permanent fixture! However, I am hopeful the issue is ligaments rather than arthritis as I feel the pain in the sides of the knee rather than the joint itself - I don't think bone is crunching on bone as yet. I will keep the joint gently moving, and generally apply that principle to life as my body declines - keep moving gently. I have already learned the hard way not to jerk anything! Moving now requires caution and gentle flow.

Thursday continues to be my Sunday - an easy-going day with no deadlines before the Weekend Job. That doesn't mean there isn't stuff to do! Quieter days are opportunities to do stuff you don't normally have time for. I don't draw up a plan - I simply let intuition guide me onto the next task.

4. TODAY'S QUESTION FOR YOU
Are you using time in the best possible way?

5. TODAY'S WEATHER IN BRADFORD
In brief
Dry and cloudy in the morning - heavy rain in the afternoon - wintry showers thereafter

Details

















Moon




Weathertrack














Air Pressure
1012 millibars and falling

6. TODAY'S ONELINER
People who say 40 is the new 30 just end up getting speeding tickets :D

7. NOW THAT'S FUNNY!
Whitney Cummings on buying stuff and Bluetooth

8. TRIVIA
Owls are the only bird that can see the colour blue

9. ZEN WISDOM
To be courageous no matter what happens - to feel fear and carry on anyway—that is the root of true happiness. To move forward resolutely regardless of what lies in store—that is the spirit, the resolve, that leads to human victory.

Tuesday 26 April 2016

WEDNESDAY 27th APRIL 2016 07:42 BST

Read my book - ENLIGHTENMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 

Also available - EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 
WISDOM, HUMOUR, AND LOTS OF OTHER INTERESTING STUFF CAN BE FOUND ON MY PINTEREST PAGE and FACEBOOK PAGE
TO FIND OUT WHAT I DO, CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE

1. ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

27th April 1296: The Battle of Dunbar
In return for the assistance of King Edward I of England in being given the Scottish throne,  John Balliol had sworn an oath of allegiance to Edward. When Edward demanded Scottish support for an English war against France, Scotland's traditional ally, Balliol refused. Edward consequently invaded Scotland. On 30th March Edward sacked Berwick-On-Tweed then remained in the town to consolidate his forces. Whilst there, on April 5 he received a letter from Balliol formerly renouncing his allegiance.

Finally Edward marched north to take his next objective at Dunbar. A Scottish force had gathered there and decided to make a stand. Poorly led and organized, the Scottish army was easily routed with relatively light casualties. The battle marked the end of Scottish independence, as Edward easily took all the remaining Scottish castles without serious opposition. Balliol was captured, stripped of his office and sent as a prisoner to England. Edward declared Scotland a province of England and took the Stone of Scone and other Scottish relics of nationhood to London. 

Scotland did not accept this conquest meekly however, and a long war of independence began in 1297. Ten years later in 1307, with the war still unresolved, Edward I died.

2. TODAY IN MY LIFE
Blogging
Shopping
Business promotional work
Meditation
Supper
Me Time
Missus Time

Twitter Followers = 2,205 (up 4)
Never-followed unfollowers eliminated = 1

@DarkBlueLA,
Followed unfollowers eliminated = 1
@VanxMalic
New Followers followed back = 2
@ReachMorePeople, @CEO_Ayomi
Spammers not followed back = 3
@delg123456gyg, @RedmayneLodge, @Dreamboarding +1 untraced

3. TODAY'S SELF-OBSERVATION
I finally got out of the 4am cycle, but only after being woken by a urine boner at 3am. Urine boners are so annoying - you're convinced you're horny but all it really is adds up to your bladder pressing on your slowly enlarging prostate. After a wee, in most cases the libido evaporates. I slept on until woken by the alarm at 5am.

I am convinced that unfortunately my right knee is on the way out - it crunches and clicks a lot! There's nothing much I can do about it other than keeping it gently moving and seeing how long it lasts. I will face whatever challenge it presents in the best way I can. 

Whilst body is showing decay, mind is in the shape of its life! This is handy as my gift of teaching is entirely cerebral. Whatever state my body's in, as long as I can communicate with the technological tools at my disposal I can continue to fulfil my life purpose. 

4. TODAY'S QUESTION FOR YOU
Do you know what your life-purpose is?

5. TODAY'S WEATHER IN BRADFORD
In brief
Cold, cloudy, wintry showers later

Details

















Moon






Weathertrack














Air Pressure
1011 millibars and rising slightly

6. TODAY'S ONELINER
I just fell down the stairs holding a guitar and accidentally wrote a One Direction song :D

7. NOW THAT'S FUNNY!
Kevin Smith on Bruce Willis

8. TRIVIA
Most of the money in the world today is fiat money, or money that is not backed by gold or other metals. The term "fiat" comes from the Latin for “let it be done.” It is money that is accepted simply because a government declares it official money.

9. ZEN WISDOM
Encouragement means to plant the seed of courage in the lives of others. It is an act of regeneration.

Monday 25 April 2016

TUESDAY 26th APRIL 2016 06:13 BST

Read my book - ENLIGHTENMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 

Also available - EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 
WISDOM, HUMOUR, AND LOTS OF OTHER INTERESTING STUFF CAN BE FOUND ON MY PINTEREST PAGE and FACEBOOK PAGE
TO FIND OUT WHAT I DO, CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE

1. ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

26th April 1986: Chernobyl
The disaster began during a systems test on 26 April 1986 at reactor number four of the Chernobyl plant, which is near the city of Pripyat and in proximity to the administrative border with Belarus and the Dnieper River. There was a sudden and unexpected power surge, and when an emergency shutdown was attempted, an exponentially larger spike in power output occurred, which led to a reactor vessel rupture and a series of steam explosions. These events exposed the graphite moderator of the reactor to air, causing it to ignite. The resulting fire sent a plume of highly radioactive fallout into the atmosphere and over an extensive geographical area, including Pripyat, which was permanently evacuated. The plume drifted over large parts of the western Soviet Union and Europe. From 1986 to 2000, 350,400 people were evacuated and resettled from the most severely contaminated areas of Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. According to official post-Soviet data, about 60% of the fallout landed in Belarus.

Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus have been burdened with the continuing and substantial decontamination and health care costs of the Chernobyl accident. A global collective dose of radiation exposure from the accident was received equivalent on average to 21 additional days of world exposure to natural background radiation. Local individual doses were far higher than the global, especially the 530,000 local recovery workers who averaged an effective dose equivalent to an extra 50 years of typical natural background radiation exposure each. 

Thirty-one deaths are directly attributed to the accident, all among the reactor staff and emergency workers. An UNSCEAR report places the total confirmed deaths from radiation at 64 as of 2008. The Chernobyl Forum predicts the eventual death toll could reach 4,000 among those exposed to the highest levels of radiation (200,000 emergency workers, 116,000 evacuees and 270,000 residents of the most contaminated areas); this figure is a total causal death toll prediction, combining the deaths of approximately 50 emergency workers who died soon after the accident from acute radiation syndrome, nine children who have died of thyroid cancer and a future predicted total of 3940 deaths from radiation-induced cancer and leukemia.

2. TODAY IN MY LIFE
Blogging
Client follow-up
Ironing
Meditation
Me Time
Missus Time

Twitter Followers = 2,201 (up 1)
Never-followed unfollowers eliminated = 2

@DDIworld, @intopraxis
Followed unfollowers eliminated = 1
@readfantasyorg
New Followers followed back = 1
@zensocialkarma
Spammers not followed back = 3
@jRNinjasmokeJW, @0MImgurneyfanr, @marinema9

3. TODAY'S SELF-OBSERVATION
4am waking continues! Nothing I can really do about it other than go with it. Otherwise, it's another day in Shangri-La, life going smoothly. 

I can't begin to describe the bliss of an empty mind, none of that STUFF going round it. It's how I envisage being high on heroin would feel. This bliss is the result of a combination of benign circumstances and good mental discipline. Even when circumstances eventually decline, I expect to retain a focused mind. 

I can barely believe my good fortune, better than any amount of wealth, fame or power, PEACE OF MIND, life's greatest prize, is mine! Right in the midst of "ordinary life" there is an internal paradise. Not that everyone sees it! Some see a classic middle-aged grumpy old man. This suits me! It deters predators.

4. TODAY'S QUESTION FOR YOU
Are you pleased and content with yourself?

5. TODAY'S WEATHER IN BRADFORD
In brief
Dry, cloudy and cold in the morning, showers in the afternoon

Details

Moon





Weathertrack














Air Pressure
1007 millibars and rising

6. TODAY'S ONELINER
I danced like no one was watching, but someone was watching, thought I was having a seizure and called an ambulance :D

7. NOW THAT'S FUNNY!
Bill Burr on marriage and women

8. TRIVIA
Nearly 2,000 years ago, a Chinese astronomer named Zhang Heng (A.D. 78-139) invented the world’s first earthquake detector, that used a system of metal balls. It could detect earthquakes more than 370 miles (600 km) away and tell you in which direction the earthquake occurred.

9. ZEN WISDOM
We are not merely passive pawns of historical forces nor victims of the past. You can shape and direct history.