Chavez book gift to Obama becomes bestseller overnight

A book by an Uruguayan journalist that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez gave to President Barack Obama is now the No. 2 seller on Amazon.com. It's an astounding jump for "Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent," by Eduardo Galeano. The paperback edition was ranked 54,295 on the online retailer before Chavez gave Obama a Spanish-language edition of the 1971 book on Saturday April 18, 2009. It had jumped to No. 2 by Sunday April 19, 2009. The English hardcover edition is listed as out of print. Galeano's book documents how foreign interests have dominated and afflicted Latin America since the Spanish conquest. It's a favorite among leftists.

Uruguayan essayist, journalist and historian. Galeano's best-known works include Memoria del fuego (1982-1986, Memory of Fire) and Las venas abiertas de América Latina (1971, The Open Veins of Latin America), which have been translated into some 20 languages. Galeano defies easy categorization as an author. His works transcend orthodox genres, and combine documentary, fiction, journalism, political analysis, and history. The author himself has denied that he is a historian: "I'm a writer obsessed with remembering, with remembering the past of America above all and above all that of Latin America, intimate land condemned to amnesia." - The woman and the man dreamed that God was dreaming about them.--God was singing and clacking his maracas as he dreamed his dream in a tobacco smoke, feeling happy but shaken by doubt& mystery.--The Makiritare Indians know that if God dreams about eating, he gives fertility and food. If God dreams about life, he is born and gives birth.(from Genesis, part one of Memory of Fire, 1982) Eduardo Galeano was born in Montevideo into a middle-class Catholic family of Welsh, German, Spanish and Italian ancestry. He was educated in Uruguay until the age of 16. "I never learned in school," he once said. "I didn't like it."

Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano speaks during an interview with the AFP at the Sheraton Hotel in Mexico City, on April 3, 2009. Galeano is in Mexico for the release of his new book called "Dreams".

"Cosby Show kids": Where are they now?

In the 1980s, "The Cosby Show" owned Thursday nights. A big part of the show's success was the crew of kids who populated Heathcliff Huxtable's household. Now with one of the Cosby alum developing a reality show, we thought it high time for a Web check-in on all the kids...and man, there were a lot of 'em. Here they are, ranked in order of Search popularity. Keshia Knight Pulliam (Rudy)Ms. Knight Pulliam played the youngest (for a time), Rudy. She's back in the public eye thanks to her role in Tyler Perry's latest flick and her new reality show, "Keshia and Kaseem." The program, airing on Oxygen, will follow the lives of the actress and her live-in boyfriend, entrepreneur Kaseem Penn. Search interest in the show is high (for now). Raven-Symoné (Olivia)Raven-Symoné was the new cute kid who the producers brought in when Rudy reached her awkward tween phase. Of all the kids, she's had the biggest post-Cosby career, starring in numerous films and her own TV show: "That's So Raven." Popular related searches include "raven-symone photos" and...wait for it..."that's so raven videogames." Lisa Bonet (Denise)She hasn't starred in anything "big" for a while, but Ms. Bonet still draws an impressive number of queries. She may be best known for her turn opposite Robert DeNiro in the controversial movie "Angel Heart." Bonet and her husband, Jason Momoa, also made news when they named their child Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha Momoa. Malcolm-Jamal Warner (Theo)Like Raven-Symone, Mr. Warner is both an actor and a singer. The Emmy-nominee has starred in his own sitcom, "Malcolm and Eddie," the Showtime hit "Dexter," and the poorly received 2008 romantic comedy, "Fool's Gold" (it wasn't his fault). He's also released a few CDs, including "The Miles Long Mixtape." We haven't had the pleasure of listening to it, but the cover has us intrigued. Tempestt Bledsoe (Vanessa)Much like Jan Brady, Bledsoe had the thankless task of playing the annoying middle child. Still, she went on to host her own short-lived talk show, and also appeared on the third season of "Celebrity Fit Club." According to Wikipedia, she and her boyfriend will appear in a Fox reality show called "Househusbands." Sounds a lot like Keshia's career... Sabrina LeBeauf (Sondra)The eldest Cosby kid is also the least popular in Search. Lookups are scant for the actress, but we did manage to track down a bit of info from IMDb. They report that she continues to act and has her own interior design company. Trivia alert: Apparently she beat out Whitney Houston for the role of Sondra.

A woman's surprise gift to church

While the global economic crisis has forced many to cut back on spending, one elderly worshipper in Sweden left over 9,000 euros in cash at her local church collection, an official has disclosed. The unidentified woman, believed to be in her seventies, made the gift on April 12, 2009 after pastors appealed for donations for international aid projects, Krister Klint, a verger at the Caroli Church in the southwestern Swedish town of Boraas, told AFP. "When the service was over, she came forward and said in broken Swedish that she wanted to make a donation. She had a homemade brown envelope in her hand. So she handed it over to church wardens, and they took it into the back room with the rest of the collection," Krister said. "They opened the envelope and were shocked to find a note on which it was written '100,000 kronor' (9,200 euros, 12,200 dollars). There was a wad of money with 1,000- and 500-kronor bills," he added. Klint told AFP the church usually collects around 70,000 to 80,000 kronor each year, but had no idea as to the identity or the whereabouts of the mystery donor. "I've never seen her before. I'm not sure she will like all this attention, seeing as she made an anonymous donation. But surely it can't be wrong to express your joy over such a generous act?," he said. All of the collections made by the Caroli Church will go towards aid projects in developing countries.

Mystery donors give over US$45 million to 9 Universities

A mystery is unfolding in the world of college fundraising: During the past few weeks, at least nine universities have received gifts totaling more than $45 million, and the schools had to promise not to try to find out the giver's identity. One school went so far as to check with the IRS and the Department of Homeland Security just to make sure a $1.5 million gift didn't come from illegal sources. "In my last 28 years in fundraising ... this is the first time I've dealt with a gift that the institution didn't know who the donor is," said Phillip D. Adams, vice president for university advancement at Norfolk State University, which received $3.5 million. The gifts ranged from $8 million at Purdue to $1.5 million donated to the University of North Carolina at Asheville. The University of Iowa received $7 million; the University of Southern Mississippi, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the University of Maryland University College got $6 million each; the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs was given $5.5 million; and Penn State-Harrisburg received $3 million. It's not clear whether the gifts came from an individual, an organization or a group of people with similar interests. In every case, the donor or donors dealt with the universities through lawyers or other middlemen. Some of the money came in cashier's checks, while other schools received checks from a law firm or another representative. All the schools had to agree not to investigate the identity of the giver. Some were required to make such a promise in writing. "Our chancellor was called to a Denver law office and had to sign a confidentiality agreement that she would not try to find out," said Tom Hutton, spokesman at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. "Once the chancellor signed it, she was emphatic that we don't try to find out." Each was delivered since March 1 and came with the same stipulation: Most of the money must be used for student scholarships, and the remainder can be spent on various costs such as research, equipment, strategic goals and operating support. "We have no idea who this generous individual is, but we're extremely grateful," said Lynette Marshall, president and chief executive of the University of Iowa foundation. "This is the first time in my 25-year career that something of this magnitude has happened." Usually when schools receive anonymous donations, the school knows the identity of the benefactor but agrees to keep it secret. Not knowing who is giving the money can raise thorny problems. William Massey, vice chancellor for alumni and development at UNC-Asheville, said the school contacted the Department of Homeland Security and the IRS to make sure the money was legal before accepting it. "There may be an ethical problem if you knowingly accept funds from ill-gotten gains," said Colorado Springs' Hutton. University officials "do due diligence and ask the appropriate questions and receive satisfactory answers." The $6 million donated to the University of Southern Mississippi was the largest single gift ever bestowed to the school. "It was a remarkable gift particularly during these economic times," said David Wolf, vice president of advancement. "I think somebody is out there, or potentially a group of people, that has a great respect for the value of a college education and the power that it brings," Wolf said. "Gosh, if it's the same person or the same collective group of people, it's an amazing story."

The Hundred days fuss over Mills Presidency

President Atta Mills on Tuesday April 14, 2009 expressed concern about how some members of the public and the media have made a fetish over his 100 days due on April 16, 2009 in office, and the fulfillment of his promises, since assumption of the Presidency.

President Mills went to great lengths to explain the difference between pledges made to be fulfilled during his 100 days in office, and campaign promises in the manifesto of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to be achieved in the party's four-year term of government.

We, (The Ghanaian Chronicle) however, beg to differ with the President, and rather accuse him of bringing all these 100 days brouhaha upon himself. The NDC government, in the aftermath of the 2008 elections, after assuming the reigns of power, maybe in their euphoric glory stressed that they should be judged by their 100-day promises, at the end of the 100 days.

In a normal election cycle, when a new President takes office, it has been customary for there to be a 100-day honeymoon, between the new government on one side, and the political detractors and the media on the other side of the political spectrum. During this period, the government is allowed to proceed in office, mostly without criticism, in order to allow them settle in and get into normal operational mode.

Once the customary100-day grace period expires, it is expected that the President would have put his government in place. The gloves are then supposed to come off, and the opposition, as well as the press, can then take all the shots they want at him, and his performance.

On his assumption of office, President Mills, by his actions, thrust a dagger in the hands of his political opponents, with his pledges and promises, which he said would be fulfilled in 100 days. Maybe President Mills took a cue from former American President, Franklin Roosevelt, who chose to forego the traditional customary 100-day honeymoon period, and begin work directly, an indication of the severity of the national economic crisis. In an unprecedented fashion, Roosevelt had his cabinet sworn in unceremoniously, and there seemed to be a sense of motion, energy and determination among Americans.

By the President's pledges and promises to be fulfilled within 100 days, the government should not expect much of a political honeymoon, or settling-in period for an incoming administration. This is because the media should, along the line, scrutinize the new government to make sure that they were taking the right strides in fulfillment of their set 100-day objectives.

It would take a miracle for any government to promise to heal the nation's endemic sanitation problems in 100 days, among other promises. For us at The Chronicle, we would not delude ourselves into buying the scam that the so-called magic wand of a 100-day period can be used, by any stretch of one's imagination, to achieve any meaningful socio-economic plans.

What we can genuinely expect from a government, which has been in office for a little over three months or 100 days, is that the socio-politico and economic indicators are showing good signs. Source:The Ghanaian Chronicle newspaper

Effusion of the freshest Ghanaian Groom

Irony, sarcasm, or caustic wit used to attack or expose folly, vice, or stupidity is the style and goal of this piece. This story is intended to highlight the dilemma up and coming as well as aspiring couple face in Ghana. It is an attempt to help people to seeing it objectified and criticised, not just for comical value but the need to reform the marriage nightmare of young people. Long, long-time ago, In the year 2009…, There was a wonderful community wedding held in one of the famous town halls in Ghana. At the end of the reception; the person assigned the singular honour and privilege of delivering the votes thanks was ‘well dodged’. Without further option, the groom was called upon to give his own vote of thanks to his guests. The following is what he came up with. Hope you will enjoy reading it and that if you are already married you would relate 100% to his effusion. Well, if you are yet to tie the nuptial knot, a great food for thought for you on how your marriage ceremony should be arranged and concluded especially if you don’t want to eat ‘Kofi Brokeman’ during your honeymoon.

"1. I want to first of all thank the Lord Almighty for creating my wife and to also thank the Pastor and his wife for lending us their wedding rings. 2. Special appreciation to my landlord who lent us his car. 3. I am most grateful to my boss for approving the loan I used for my wedding suit. 4. Big thanks to the ‘Committee of Friends’ for the appeal fund they raised on my behalf. 5. Also to my brother’s wife, thank you for lending us your wedding gown and to my sister for lending her shoes to my wife. 6. Am so grateful to the cake designer. I promised to return it tomorrow morning as agreed without cutting or eating out of it. 7. Special thanks to my friends who brought food from their homes to help me feed you all. Please for those of you who were served food, good luck and for those who didn’t get any, well we will make it up to you during our child dedication (hopefully next year). 8. Very big thanks to my parents for bringing the village cultural band to render music as well as entertain us all here today. 9. Not forgetting the church marriage committee for persuading my wife to marry me. 10. Appreciation to the married men in the church for rushing me into this this marriage. 11. The women are not left out either, thanks for teaching my wife how to cook and dance. 12. To the youth, thank you for sweeping and decorating this venue with palm fronds. 13. I am also grateful to my teenage friends for helping with the zobo drinks. 14. Appreciation to my co-tenants for contributing money for the cameraman. 15. Well, I wish you all safe journey and I pray that the bachelors and spinsters among you don’t experience what I suffered for this wedding. Thank you". The final thing you should probably know by now is that while this effusion sounds preposterous and even demeaning, it reasons to understand that the basis for this ‘vote of thanks’ vituperation is concretely founded and should not be embarrassing to the groom and irritating to you the reader since the argument is valid.

Nine ways to be happy always

In every life we have some trouble but when you worry you make it double,

Ain't got no place to lay your head somebody came and took your bed,

The landlord say your rent is late he may have to litigate,

Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style, ain't got not girl to make you smile,

Put a smile on your face because when you worry your face will frown and that will bring everybody down.

Here I give you my phone number when you worry call me I make you happy. Look at me I am happy.

I believe you recognised as you read thru those lines that that was lyrics from Bobby McFerrin's 1988 hit song "Don't Worry be-Happy". In the next half hour, tackle as many of the following suggestions as possible. Not only will these tasks themselves increase your happiness, but the mere fact that you've achieved some concrete goals will boost your mood. 1. Raise your activity level

Raise your activity level to pump up your energy. If you're on the phone, stand up and pace. Walk to a coworker's office instead of sending an e-mail. Put more energy into your voice. Take a brisk 10-minute walk. Even better...

2. Take a walk outside

Research suggests that light stimulates brain chemicals that improve mood. For an extra boost, get your sunlight first thing in the morning.

3. Reach out

Phone a friend you haven't seen in a while, or reach out to someone new. Having close bonds with other people is one of the most important keys to happiness. When you act in a friendly way, not only will others feel more friendly toward you, but you'll also strengthen your feelings of friendliness for other people.

4. Rid yourself of a nagging task

Deal with that utility bill problem, purchase something you need, or make that long-postponed appointment with the doctor. Crossing an irksome chore off your to-do list will give you a rush of elation.

5. Create a more serene environment

Outer order contributes to inner peace, so spend some time organizing bills and tackling the piles in the kitchen. A large stack of little tasks can feel overwhelming, but often just a few minutes of work can make a sizable dent. Set the timer for 10 minutes and see what you can do. In that time, take a quick look around the house and see how to get organised using everyday items.

6. Do a good deed

Introduce two people by e-mail, social network websites, take a minute to pass along useful information, or deliver some gratifying praise. In fact, you can also...

7. Save someone's life

Sign up to be a blood donor, and remember to tell your family about your decision. Do good, feel good―it really works!

8. Act happy

Fake it until you feel it. Research shows that even an artificially induced smile boosts your mood. And if you're smiling, other people will perceive you as being friendlier and more approachable. There's no need to walk around in a constant state of worry. After all, what is the worst that can happen if you bounce a cheque or leave wet clothes on the drying line?

9. Learn something new

Think of a subject that you wish you knew more about and spend 15 minutes on the Internet reading about it, or go to a bookstore and buy a book about it. But be honest! Pick a topic that really interests you, not something you think you "should" or "need to" learn about.

It is the person who is smiling in the midst of tragedy saying, “well praise God and give thanks in all things”. “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” 1 Thessalonians 5:18". Does God really mean that in every circumstance that we are, we should be thankful? How can we possibly be thankful when things go horribly wrong? It’s easy to understand that we are to give thanks for all the blessings that come our way. But what do you do when it is hard to see the blessing in the midst of the tragedy?

Man bites Python to escape swallowing

The Kenyan police have told the BBC that man bit a python who wrapped him in its coils and dragged him up a tree during a fierce three-hour struggle. The serpent seized farm worker Ben Nyaumbe in the Malindi area of Kenya's Indian Ocean coast at the weekend. Mr Nyaumbe bit the snake on the tip of the tail during the exhausting battle in the village of Sabaki. Police rescued Mr Nyaumbe and captured the 13ft (4m) reptile, before taking it to a sanctuary, but it later escaped. The victim told police he managed to reach his mobile phone from his pocket to raise the alarm when the python momentarily eased its grip after hauling him up a tree. Mr Nyaumbe used his shirt to smother the snake's head and prevent it from swallowing him. His employer arrived with police and villagers, who tied the python with a rope and pulled them both down from the tree with a thud. Peter Katam, superintendent of police in Malindi district, told the BBC News website: "Two officers on patrol were called and they found this man was struggling with a snake on a tree. "The snake had coiled his hands and was trying to swallow him but he struggled very hard. The officers and villagers managed to rescue him and he was freed. "He himself was injured on the lower lip of the mouth - it was bleeding a little bit - as the tip of the snake's tail was sharp when he said he bit it." Mr Nyaumbe told the Daily Nation newspaper how he resorted to desperate measures after the python, which had apparently been hunting livestock, encircled his upper body in its coils. "I stepped on a spongy thing on the ground and suddenly my leg was entangled with the body of a huge python," he said. "I had to bite it." Supt Katam told the BBC the officers had wanted to shoot the snake but could not do so for fearing of injuring Mr Nyaumbe. "If it wasn't for the villagers and officers who helped him, he would have been swallowed by the snake over the Easter holiday," said Supt Katam. He added: "It's very mysterious, this ability to lift the man onto the tree. I've never heard of this before." The police officer said they took the snake to a sanctuary in Malindi town but it escaped overnight, probably from a gap under the door in the room where it was kept. "We are still seriously looking for the snake," said Supt Katam. "We want to arrest the snake because any one of us could fall a victim."

Indian Minister's wrong rally blunder

A minister in the Indian state of Karnataka has made a quick exit after realising he was addressing the wrong election rally. VS Acharya, the home minister of the southern state and a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member, saw an opportunity to address a rally in Udupi district. Observers said he seemed oblivious as he denounced the Congress government - in front of Congress supporters. A sheepish Mr Acharya later said he was just paying a "courtesy visit". In a separate incident the BJP suffered another embarrassment when a top leader called for the repeal of a law that had already been scrapped. Restless Police at the rally on Sunday in the coastal district of Udupi, 390km (243 miles) from Bangalore, said the senior BJP leader beat a speedy retreat when he realised his mistake. Mr Acharya had been on his way to meet a fellow BJP activist when he noticed the rally. The Times of India said the Congress supporters extended the courtesy expected to be afforded to a minister and offered him a seat.

It said when he rose to speak Mr Acharya was still unaware of his surroundings and began by praising the achievements of the BJP government in Karnataka. Witnesses said the Congress supporters seemed to be giving him a fair hearing until they became restless at his criticism of the Congress-led federal government. One of the Congress workers also took exception to the bicycles being given out by the BJP as part of its election campaign. Observers said a visibly embarrassed Mr Acharya then cut short his speech. VS Ugrappa, a Congress leader, said Mr Acharya fled when he realised he was addressing Congress workers and not his own party men. Mr Ugrappa said the BJP was damaging the communal atmosphere in the coastal districts of Mangalore, Udupi and Karwar. The districts were rocked by a series of attacks on churches last October and an attack by hardline Hindu activists on women for drinking at a pub in Mangalore. Meanwhile in Assam, top BJP leader Uma Bharati promised to do away with the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) law only to be told it had been scrapped. The BBC's Subir Bhaumik in Calcutta says Ms Bharati promised to go on a road march to demand its removal until journalists informed her it was shelved in July 2005.

Source: BBC

One truly tricky interview question

How do you Answer one of the Trickiest interview questions; "Tell me about yourself"?

This seems like such an innocuous question, but many novice job candidates have a hard time giving an answer. Even experienced interviewees can sound like canned ads for the jobs they are interviewing for. Employers ask such open-ended questions so they can see how candidates will present their skills, abilities, and ambitions. Four Common Errors First, here are common pitfalls to avoid: 1. "True Confessions": Focus on positives. For example, if you're going to talk about why you are interested in this position, convey your enthusiasm for the new opportunities -- not that you are looking to get away from your current boss. Keep your interviewer's view of you in a positive light. 2. "Home and Personal Life": You are here to convey your skills as an employee. Disclosing personal information, such as how many children you have, won't get the right message across. 3. "The Commercial": Some people have read interviewing books or been trained by career counselors. They may give a 30-second commercial which shows their skills being tailored to the job needs. These often sound too canned and may be too limiting in showing the candidate's abilities. 4. "I'll Tell You Exactly What You Want to Hear": Remember that the interview process is one of finding a mutual fit. You'll avoid later problems by selling your true strengths and traits, not those you think the interviewer is looking for. What Interviewers Want Now that you know how not to answer the question, here is guidance on how to ace it. The interviewer is looking to see how your skills and personality will fit into and help their organization. So a good starting place is to understand yourself and your personal strengths, and then be ready to tailor these traits as part of your answer. You can try the Keirsey Temperament Sorter (free online at www.keirsey.com) or the Myers Briggs Type Indicator to help understand your personal style. Review your assessment and highlight areas that demonstrate skills you enjoy using. Write down verbs that show you in action and nouns that show qualities that you exhibit. Next, write down three adjectives that describe you. Then, think of a time when you solved a problem. Employers like to hire people who show initiative. Then organize these items into a 30-second "commercial." Four Sample Answers Here are four examples of each of four basic personality types using this information when talking with various interviewers: Gina, an aspiring accountant, wanted to emphasize her organizational abilities, dedication, and timeliness. She answered, "Last summer I worked as an intern for XYZ Accounting. I was known for being thorough and accurate in my work. We were in a big rush to make a deadline and I noticed that one page was missing from the master I was copying. I let my boss know. We found it, and were able to get the pages in order and the report printed in time for his meeting. I'm sure that my attention to detail and to high-quality work will be an advantage for your company." Brian was interviewing for a customer service position, and emphasized his versatility, fast response time, and energetic problem-solving abilities. He answered in this manner. "I've spent 10 years in customer service. People want solutions, and they want them quickly. I'm known as a guy who gets things done. One of our dealers had a customer interested in a luxury used sports car that needed a particular part. He'd had no luck through his usual channels and asked me for help. I made a few calls and the part was on its way to him from across the country in two hours. The sale went through. I'm really energized by solving problems for people." Interviewing for a Manager of Employee Relations position in a large company, Inez emphasized her ability to work in teams and to coach others to success. Her answer: "This department requires knowledge of legal liability and requirements for businesses. Both employees and managers are uncomfortable with employee relations issues. Education of all parties given with a large dose of tact is necessary to keep problems to a minimum. In my last position we were able to forestall a potential lawsuit. One thing I particularly pride myself on was being able to solve issues of employee/supervisor mismatch. Helping them understand their roles, responsibilities, differences in strengths and weaknesses solved many problems. At times it was necessary to reassign the employee to a different manager so they could continue to be of value to the company. I'd like to bring my knowledge to serve this company." Tony was applying for the Manager of Information Systems. He emphasized his ability to analyze systems and strategic issues and to create innovative and pragmatic solutions. He answered, "In general, people who are attracted to IT are self-educating problem solvers. But the rate of change and pressure on the staff can be so high that people get burned out. One of the innovations that I used at my last company was giving spot awards to individuals who volunteered to show new techniques to colleagues. Many people in IT concentrate on their own projects and don't pass information along and the spot awards have encouraged a more communicative environment. I'm now looking for a new challenge in a larger sized company and believe I would be a good fit for your needs." In each case, the person answering the question gave a true picture of how he or she solved problems and brought value in their last situation. None portrayed themselves in a phony style. Each of them received a job offer. I hope this piece propels you to land and bag big time job.

Interview Tactics that backfire

Recent trends observed by some recruiters for leading companies have indicated that job candidates arrive up to an hour early for interviews in the hope of portraying positive impression. Other candidates have alluded to financial hardships while in the hot seat, and one person even distributed bound copies of documents describing projects he completed for past employers. These sorts of tactics aren't exactly winners. In today's ultracompetitive job market, even getting an interview is a feat. Yet recruiters and hiring managers say many unemployed candidates blow the opportunity by appearing desperate or bitter about their situations — often without realizing it. "People are becoming a lot more aggressive," says Julie Loubaton, director of recruiting and talent management for Atlanta-based Consolidated Container. "They often wind up hurting themselves." At an interview, you want to stand out for the right reasons. To do so, you'll need to leave your baggage and anxiety at the door. For starters, wait until 10 minutes before your scheduled interview time to announce yourself. Arriving any sooner "shows that you're not respectful of the time the hiring manager put aside for you," says Ms. Loubaton, adding that a candidate who arrived an hour early made workers uncomfortable. "Companies really don't want someone camped out in their lobby."

Signal confidence by offering a firm handshake, adds Wendy Alfus Rothman, president of Wenroth Consulting Inc., an executive coaching firm in New York. Focus your attention on the interviewer. Avoid looking around the room, tapping your fingers, or other nervous movements. No matter how you're feeling, keep your personal woes out of the interview process, asserts Ms. Alfus Rothman. Instead, always exude an upbeat attitude. For example, if you were laid off, instead of lamenting the situation, you might say the experience prompted you to reassess your skills, and that's what led you here. "You want to demonstrate resilience in the face of unpredictable obstacles," she says. Meanwhile, show you've done your homework on the company by explaining how your background and track record relates to its current needs, adds Deborah Markus, founder of Columbus Advisors LLC, an executive-search firm in New York. This is particularly important if the firm is in a different industry than the one you worked in before. To stand out, you'll need to look up more than just basics on company leadership and core businesses. You'll also need to find out — and understand — how recent changes in the marketplace have affected the firm, its competitors and industry overall. Read recent company press releases, annual reports, media coverage and industry blogs, and consult with trusted members of your network. "Companies that may have been performing well just a few months ago might be in survival mode now," says Ms. Markus. "You want to understand how [they're] positioned today." Also, be sure to show you're a strong fit for the particular position you're seeking, adds Kathy Marsico, senior vice president of human resources at PDI Inc., a Saddle River, N.J., provider of sales and marketing services for pharmaceutical companies. Offer examples of past accomplishments — not just responsibilities you've held — and describe how they're relevant to the opportunity. "You must differentiate yourself like never before," she says. "You need to customize yourself and make yourself memorable." Sherry R. Brickman, a partner at executive-search firm Martin Partners LLC, says a candidate recently impressed her with this sort of preparation. "He knew the company's product line and what markets it was already in," she says of the man, who was interviewing for an executive post at a midsize industrial manufacturer. "He clearly and effectively explained how he could cut costs, increase sales and expand market share based on what he'd done in his current job." The candidate was hired. Be careful not to go too far, though, in your quest to stand out. For example, it may be tempting to offer to work temporarily for free or to take a lesser salary than what a job pays. But experts say such bold moves often backfire on candidates. "Employers want value," says Lee Miller, author of Get More Money on Your Next Job ... In Any Economy. "They don't want cheap." Your best bet is to wait until you're extended a job offer before talking pay. "In a recession, employers are going to be very price sensitive," says Mr. Miller. "The salary you ask for may impact their decision to move forward." Come prepared having researched the average pay range for a position in case you're pressured to name your price, he adds. You might say, for example, that money isn't a primary concern for you and that you're just looking for something fair, suggests Mr. Miller. You can try turning the tables by asking interviewers what the company has budgeted for the position. In some cases, you may be looking just for a job to get you through so you might consider a less-than-perfect fit. But if you aren't really excited about an opportunity, keep it to yourself, warns David Gaspin, director of human resources at 5W Public Relations in New York. "I've had times where people come in and it's clear that if they really had their preference, they'd be doing something different," he says. "You don't want to put that out on the table. Nobody wants to hire someone who's going to run for the door when times get better." After an interview, take caution with your follow-up. If you're in the running for multiple jobs at once, make sure to address thank-yous to the right people, career experts advise. Also look closely for spelling and grammatical errors. In a competitive job market, employers have the luxury of choice, and even a minor faux pas can hurt your chances. If all has gone well, don't stalk the interviewer. Wait at least a week before checking on your candidacy, adds Jose Tamez, managing partner at Austin-Michael LP, an executive-search firm in Golden, Colo. Call recruiters only at their office, even if their business card lists a home or cell number. Leave a message if you get voicemail. These days, recruiters typically have caller ID and can tell if you've tried reaching them multiple times without leaving a voicemail. "There's a fine line between enthusiasm and overenthusiasm," he says.

Article by Sarah E. Needleman originally titled 'The Interview That'll Bag a Job' provided by The Wall Street Journal

World's strangest laws

Driving shirtless, strolling in your swimsuit, or just forgetting to flush the loo: Here are some odd laws that can get you in trouble around the world.

Showing direction with left hand

It is very offensive to use one's left hand to indicate direction to another person. The underlying reason is that left hand is used to clean debris after visiting the loo hence amount to insulting whoever is seeking information that you are only worth my loo-debris. There is no fine or punishment for committing this offence but

No Feeding Pigeons Italy Laws here are city-specific, and Venice takes issues with pigeons speckling their beloved buildings with pigeon poop. Likewise, officials don’t appreciate tourists adding to the crowd and mess in St. Marks Square by feeding said pigeons. They also don’t want visitors sitting around shirtless, climbing into fountains, or even sitting on the sidewalk eating a sandwich. In Rome, climbing into fountains to cool off causes similar stress. Penalty: At first, just a warning; fines can reach up to $600, though probably no more than $50 or $60 if you pay quickly. “The local police are quite tolerant about tourists feeding pigeons just to take a picture,” says a Venice spokesman.

Stopping On the Autobahn Germany As though driving the autobahn in Germany weren’t daunting enough, the laws add other risks. Running out of gas on the legendary highway is illegal — and your troubles snowball from there. Say you do find the needle on “E” and have to pull over to hoof it, in pursuit of gas. Walking along the autobahn is illegal, too... not to mention terrifying. Penalty: A little under $100 for endangering other drivers — once for running out of gas, and again for walking.

Driving Shirtless Thailand Don’t let the tropical weather tempt you to joy ride with your shirt off in Thailand. Police can (and do) hand out tickets if they spot you topless while driving a car or motorcycle. Penalty: A mere slap on the wrist (or sun-burned shoulders). Tickets go for a few hundred baht (about $10).

Paying in Pennies Canada Canada’s Currency Act of 1985 sets out the guidelines for how coins should be used, including reasonable limits for the shelling out of endless coins. What’s reasonable? Don’t try using all coins to buy something that costs $10, or even using all one-dollar coins (sometimes called “loonies”) to pay for an item that costs more than $25. But then, what kind of loonie wants to carry so many coins anyway? Penalty: If the seller actually wants to take all your pennies, he can, but by law he can also tell you to scram.

No Kissing at Train Stations France and England By some accounts, April 5, 1910 was the day romance died on French railways: Kissing was reportedly banned to help deter lover-induced rail delays. But the law seems to be unheard of today. “Are you sure this isn’t a law in Great Britain?” a French spokeswoman at the consulate asked us. What a coincidence: It turns out that Virgin Trains has recently posted “No Kissing” signs at its station in Warrington Bank Quay, in northwest England. Penalty: While there’s no penalty now for train-related kissing in France, the folks at Warrington Bank Quay will politely ask you to move your smooching to the designated “kissing zone” near the car park.

Driving a Dirty Car Moscow Some say this is just an excuse for Moscow police to over-ticket drivers, but you should still watch the filth factor on your rental car. How dirty is dirty? That’s unclear. A recent newspaper survey explored the idea of how to even define “dirty” — almost half said a car was too filthy if you couldn’t read the license plate, while 9 percent said the determining factor was if you couldn’t see the driver. Penalty: You can get a ticket. Fines might be, shall we say, open to interpretation. Here is a case where you might politely offer to pay the officer up front — $100 should cover it — and be on your way.

Strolling in a Bathing Suit Grenada

Visiting cruise-ship passengers have gotten under the skin of the local police in Grenada, who cringe at tourists walking off the beach during their shore excursions and into town wearing nothing but their swimsuits. The police chief instituted a fine, and supposedly has also expressed interest in fining folks who wear their jeans too low. Penalty: In theory, a $270 ticket, though the tourist board assures us that they don’t think it has really been enforced.

Driving With Headlights Off Denmark Renting a car? You must always drive with headlights on, says the law in Denmark, to distinguish you from a parked car. Do the Danes really drive so slow that there’d be any confusion? Actually, studies have found that other drivers are more aware of surrounding vehicles when other cars’ lights are on, thus reducing accidents. The law may get adopted across the European Union. Penalty: Driving without headlights will get you a fine of a little under $100.

Chewing Gum Singapore Feeding birds, spitting, and not flushing public toilets will also get you in trouble. Singapore’s most quirky-seeming laws stem from the government’s well-meaning desire to keep things tidy — and let’s face it, gum wads, pigeon droppings, and unflushed toilets aren’t pretty. The infamous gum law actually loosened up in 2004, and Nicorette is now legal (though you have to get it through a doctor and they take down names). Selling regular gum is more of a problem than just casually chewing it, a spokesman says. And more changes are on the way: Gambling will become legal later in 2009, and you can now legally dance on top of bars. Penalty: About $100 a ticket, especially for leaving a toilet un-flushed; many public loos auto-flush, we learned, but it’s wise to double-check on your way out.

Bush's shoethrower might walk out in August 2009

Iraq's highest court on Tuesday April 7, 2009 reduced the prison sentence for an Iraqi journalist who hurled his shoes at former President George W. Bush from three years to one, a court spokesman said. Abdul-Sattar Bayrkdar, the spokesman, said the decision was taken because the journalist had no prior criminal history. The defence appealed the original ruling to the Federal Appeals Court citing an Iraqi law stipulating a maximum sentence of only two years for publicly insulting a visiting foreign leader. The decision came as Barack Obama made his first official visit to Iraq as U.S. president (since his inauguration on January 7, 2009...surprise visit however did not meet similar fate of shoethrowing or protest). Muntadhar al-Zeidi was sentenced to three years in March after pleading not guilty to a charge of assaulting a foreign leader. He described his action as a "natural response to the occupation." The journalist's act during Bush's last visit to Iraq as president turned the 30-year-old reporter into a folk hero across the Arab world, where the former U.S. president is reviled for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Defence attorneys have long argued that al-Zeidi's act was an expression of freedom and not a crime, and his lawyer in today's hearing said he should be freed immediately. "We think al-Zeidi does not deserve to be imprisoned even for one day," al-Zeidi's chief defence attorney, Diaa al-Saadi, told The Associated Press. "What he has done falls in the category of freedom of expression and he was trying to express his anti-occupation feelings". Another al-Zeidi attorney, Yahya al-Ittabi, however, welcomed the court's decision, saying it did not bow to government pressure and reflected "the independence and the integrity of the Iraqi judiciary system." But Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has had little sympathy for the journalist, saying the incident was more than just an insult. He described it as an assault on a visiting head of state. Karim al-Shujairi, one of al-Zeidi's attorneys, said the appeal was filed about a week ago. Al-Zeidi has been in Iraqi custody since he hurled shoes at Bush during a joint news conference with al-Maliki on December 24, 2008. Though al-Zeidi is scheduled to be released in December 2009, al-Saadi said he could be free within five months with credit for good behaviour. The news came as a surprise to al-Zeidi's family, who called it "a victory for the Iraqi people." "We did not expect that my brother would be released before the three years," al-Zeidi's brother, Dargham, told The AP.

By SAMEER N. YACOUB, Associated Press Writer Sameer N. Yacoub, Associated Press Writer in Baghdad, Iraq

BUSY (read even if you're busy)

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons. In his opening address he said, "We can't keep Christians from going to church." "We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth." "We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their saviour." "Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken." "So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.." "This is what I want you to do," said the devil: "Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!" "How shall we do this?" his demons shouted. "Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered. "Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow." "Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles." "Keep them from spending time with their children." "As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!" "Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice." "Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive." To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly." "This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ." "Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers." "Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day." "Invade their driving moments with billboards." "Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes.." "Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives." "Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night." "Give them headaches too! " "If they don't give their husbands the love> they need, they will begin to look elsewhere." "That will fragment their families> quickly!" "Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas." "Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death." "Even in their recreation, let them be excessive." "Have them return from their recreation exhausted." "Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead." "Keep them busy, busy, busy!" "And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences. " "Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus." "Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause." "It will work!" "It will work!"

It was quite a plan! The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there. Having little time for their God or their families. Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives. I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes? You be the judge!!!!! Does "BUSY" mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke? Please share this, if you aren't too BUSY! I don't think I know ten people who would admit they love Jesus. Do You Love Him?

Afrigator is Two years old

Amazingly we’ve managed to come a really long way in two years time and if I look back over the last year I’m blown away by the success of this humble startup. Just in case you don't have time to read all the posts I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of Afrigator over the last two years. I say this almost every time but without your loyal support we wouldn't be where we are today. It's cliched I know but it's also the truth. You have been amazing and I'm really looking forward to our third year. We're off to the SA Blog Awards tonight to have a little p-a-r-t-y so if you're planning to be there please pop on over and have a drink with us.

Afrigator - A Year On

While our first year was packed with new feature releases this second year saw far fewer. This is largely due to the fact that we spent most of our time on improving stability as well as optimising the site for speed and usability. We realised through our efforts in year one that relevance is the key and we’ve now localised Afrigator in very unique ways. Some of the key new features in year two have been the addition of Photos, Twitter, Hot Topics and content displayed by country. The localised content has been a key strategy for us and if you’re in Nigeria you only see content and rankings by people from Nigeria. This move has seen massive growth in countries such as Egypt, Kenya and Nigeria.

Growth Stats This time last year Afrigator had 2,270 blogs registered. Of that 1,399 blogs were from South Africa and 871 blogs were from the rest of Africa. A year later and we have 8,065 blogs registered on Afrigator. A total of 4,761 are from South Africa and 3,304 blogs are from the rest of Africa. This means that new blog registrations grew on average by 60.83% of which SA blogs grew by 58.39% and African blogs grew by 64.20%. All in all I have to say that I think this is pretty good growth considering the limitations we had during the year. Blog posts generated in our first year totaled 193,720. South Africa accounted for 104,600 while Africa made up the rest 89,120. In our second year we aggregated 513,690 blog posts of which South Africa made up 266,444 and Africa made up 247,246. Statistically blog posts grew by 62.29% and in South Africa it grew by 60.74%. In Africa the growth rate was highest at 63.95%. Milestones During 2008/09 Our biggest milestone this year was the partial acquisition of Afrigator by MIH Print Africa. We spent 10 months finalising the deal and in September we made the announcement of the transaction. This acquisition has finally given us the resources to drive Afrigator in a new direction and we’re extremely position about the future growth of the company. Year two also saw the launch of Adgator, Africa’s first blog ad network. We had the idea for Adgator for almost as long as the company existed but it took us some 19 months to figure out the right model before we could launch it. Adgator is without doubt one of the most exciting products to hit South African shores and while we’ve had some teething problems we really expect Adgator to grow from strength to strength. In February we also announced the integration with Africa’s largest blogging platform, namely 24.com Blogs. This was an unprecedented move not only for Afrigator but also 24.com as it allowed their users to be exposed to a unique audience outside of the 24.com platform. For us this integration means that we are slowly but surely becoming an authoritative figure within the social media space in Africa and we’ve seen massive uptake by 24.com users. As with our first year we received some very important and influential accolades during the year. The biggest of these was the recognition received by Read/WriteWeb where we were named one of the Top 10 International Products for 2008. Very soon after we also received a special mention in the Top 10 RSS and Syndication Products of 2008 by Read/WriteWeb and both these accolades appeared in the New York Times Technology section as well. Where to from here? Unlike last year we have a very clear objective and understanding of where we need to take Afrigator in the coming year. Our biggest mandate now is to drive growth in Africa and we’re very focused on delivering products and services that make sense in African markets. This year we also have plans to expand the Adgator model into Nigeria, Egypt and Kenya and while we’ve currently been piloting Adgator in South Africa we’re hoping to learn from our mistakes, improve the technology and deliver a seamless product in these other regions. We also have ambitious plans of innovation both on the mobile and Internet front. There are a few key projects lined up that we hope will help drive Afrigator to a new level. With the resources, technology and funding in place we can’t see how Afrigator can fail in the coming year. A word of thanks! Finally I have to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you. While we’ve certainly managed to achieve a lot this year it would have all been meaningless had you not felt as passionate about Afrigator as we do. I think that the launch of Adgator really highlighted this fact and we thank you for your everlasting support in our product. To be honest, I can’t wait to do our third birthday report back and I hope that you’re with us to celebrate in a years time. In the meantime, have a drink for us tonight wherever you may be in the world!!!

Michelle Obama Charms Queen Liz II away from protocol

Michelle Obama has done what few others have managed — getting Queen Elizabeth II to break protocol. The first lady arrived Wednesday with President Barack Obama. After separate meetings on the eve of the G-20 summit, the couple attended an evening reception for world leaders hosted by the queen. Mrs. Obama clearly made an impression with the 82-year-old monarch — so much that the smiling queen strayed from protocol and put her arm around the first lady in a rare public show of affection. It was the first time Mrs. Obama — who is nearly a foot taller — had met the queen. The first lady also embraced her. A Buckingham Palace spokesman who asked not to be identified because of palace policy said he could not remember the last time that the queen had displayed such public affection with a first lady or dignitary. "It was a mutual and spontaneous display of affection," he said. "We don't issue instructions on not touching the queen." When the former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating put his arm around the queen in 1992, the tabloids dubbed him the "Lizard of Oz." When his successor, John Howard, was accused of doing the same, a spokesman insisted: "We firmly deny that there was any contact whatsoever." In 2007, President Bush gave the queen a sly wink during a visit she paid to the United States.

source: By JENNIFER QUINN, Associated Press

Ghana's New Army Chief of Defence Staff

As stipulated by Article 212 (1) of the 1992 Constitution, the President, JEA Mills in consultation with the Council of State has made five new appointments to the military high command on Tuesday March 31, 2009.

They are Major General P.A. Blay as the new Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS pictured), Major General J.N. Adinkrah, Chief of the Army Staff, Rear Admiral M. Quarshie, Chief of Naval Staff, Air Vice Marshal M. Samson-Oje, Chief of Air Staff and Commodore G.M. Biekro, Chief of Staff, General Headquarters.

The new CDS is a simple man from south-western Ghana, Nzema. Prior to his appointment, he was on ECOWAS assignment to Abuja, Nigeria for the last couple of years.

He is married to Mrs. Edna Blay and has two children, Raymond and Doreen.

I know this man and his family personally as a family friend over a number of years and he is a man of God. I hope that he lives up to expectation especially now that morale in the Ghana Armed Forces has sunk so low following omissions and commissions of NDC elements within and without the forces. I pray that he tackles the issue of tribalism in particular to save this country from another useless Biafra war on the west coast. By the way, do you know that the name Blay has another significant military history? The Big Red One crosses road N13From 7 June, 1944, whereas the allied bridgehead is still fragile, the Americans are building the first emergency airfields, the first oil refuelling port and the artificial harbour Mulberry A in front of Vierville-sur-Mer. The Americans move inland; the Vth Corps prepares an offensive for 9 June. The 1st Infantry division, commanded by general Huebner, attacks in order to prepare the departure base. Tour-en-Bessin and Etreham are taken, the Germans retreat through a corridor west of Bayeux, road N13 is crossed. On June 9, the 2nd Infantry division comes to occupy the right wing of the Big Red One. The offensive begins again and Blay is liberated in the day of 9 June.

April Fooled: NASCAR Hoax causes web Frenzy

Sure, April Fools' Day comes but once a year, and some silly stories have been making the rounds. (Stairmasters in the NYC subway? Brad and Angelina married? Really? No.) But one thing is now clear: Keep the jokes away from NASCAR. All Car and Driver magazine tried to do was drive a little levity into the auto industry bailout with a prank. The serious publication ran a joke story that announced that Obama had ordered Chevrolet and Dodge out of NASCAR if they wanted to keep their federal funds. For a brief web-fueled moment, NASCAR fans had to imagine a future of cheering on Japanese cars. Or worse, French ones. The horror. Immediately, the Internet went crazy, with searches on "obama nascar" accelerating in Search and zooming across Twitter. Although the story was clearly marked a hoax, Car and Driver eventually pulled the fake story and apologized for going "too far." Not to worry, NASCAR fans: Nobody's pulling out of NASCAR. Yet. As Automobile magazine's blog noted nervously, "Let's just hope that the auto task force doesn't read this and get any ideas."

Source: Yahoo! buzz by by Claudine Zap on April 1, 2009 @03:05:41 PM

Ghanaweb's Chuck Kofi Wayo All Fools' Day Prank

If you had visited the Ghana Home Page website (popularly called Ghanaweb) this morning, you wouldn't have missed the headline news titled "First Ghanaian Space Tourist To Blast Off … 20 million dollars to spend 9 days in space". According to the news item allegedly sourced from the Russian space agency Roskosmos on Monday March 30, 2009, Ghana's first space tourist, Chuck Kofi Wayo, will blast off on board a Russian spaceship headed for the International Space Station (ISS) on April 14, 2009.

ISS spokesman Igor Panarine said "the Ghanaian tourist is due to go into space in April. He is continuing his training at Star City (near Moscow). Last month, Wayo took a sea and land survival course in Sebastopol (Ukraine). Now he is training on a simulator of the ISS. And he is working at it with considerable determination".

The catch in the story that gave the cat out of the bag sits at the end of the item in paragraphs 8 and 9. In paragraph 8, the statement is cast in a way to suggest that the story has more to do with the significance of the day's date than the substance of the story. It is captured as follows; 'when this writer (presumably the Ghana Home Page writer ) phoned Wayo for confirmation, his answering machine had this message “What is today’s date?”

Then to confirm one's curosity, the subsequent paragraph ran like "for videos, pictures and more information on the trip click here".

By now I believe you've pictured the essence of this article. Imagine what you see when you click on the link....Wikipedia's April Fools' Day. All Fools' Day, is a notable day celebrated in many countries on April 1. The day is marked by the commission of hoaxes and other practical jokes of varying sophistication on friends, family members, enemies, and neighbours, or sending them on fool's errand, the aim of which is to embarrass the gullible.

Be careful your gullibility is not exploited on this day. Wish you a day free of April Fools' prank.