It’s been a while coffee smellers but reading this triggered my first post for a while and got me thinking.

On November 25th 2010, when F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone got mugged and beaten in London the media didn’t make a song and dance of it. And nor did Bernie, despite being beaten unconscious and suffering some fairly significant bruising.

Not many would find a business opportunity in a mugging, but if anyone could it’s going to be veteran hustler Bernie. And he has. The photo below shows Bernie’s impressive injuries, sustained when muggers beat him and ripped his Hublot watch from his wrist outside the F1 offices in London. And it’s the Hublot connection – an F1 sponsor, no less – which has enabled Bernie to cash-in on his mugging.

The battered n bruised image now forms part of a Hublot advert with the strapline “See what people will do for a Hublot.” attached to it.

Bernie Ecclestone – master of opportunity? I think so. Any other examples of turning a negative into a positive are welcomed here. Cheers!

This was an email sent to me and from all the things that I read on the internet, it is probably true.  Either way it makes you think.

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old.   “To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I’ve ever written.” My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2.When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch .
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7.. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, will this matter?’
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.”

Which ones are your favorites and what makes them special to you? OR Share a favorite one that you have.

Anyone been watching the World Cup? Today sees the final drama of the South Africa 2010 world cup unfold, when Spain and the Netherlands meet in the final tonight in Soccer City, Johannesburg . For a whole month, football lovers have been treated to a feast from the finest teams and players across the planet.

The social gap — between spectator and performer — appears huge. Few of us can match the wealth, never-mind skill, ingenuity, or professionalism to perform on such a stage. Watch closely, however, and at times a more familiar human side of footballers is visible. They may not live in our “world” as such, but that doesn’t mean they don’t think and act as humans generally do.

Often games are decided with literally one kick of the ball. In one quarter final, Ghana were granted such an opportunity against Uruguay. With the score tied at 1-1 in the final few seconds of extra time, a Uruguay player handled the ball, Ghana were awarded a penalty. Forward Asamoah Gyan stepped up to the spot. With this one kick he had the chance to put his country Ghana — at this stage Africa’s last representatives at  the South Africa 2010 World Cup — into the semi-finals. Under the most extreme pressure, Gyan opted for power….and missed. The ball ricocheted off the cross bar, and the game went into penalties to decide the winner. Ghana missed two of their allotted penalties, and so it was Uruguay’s chance to win the match with one kick. Forward Sebastian Abreu — nickname, El Loco (Spanish for madman) — stepped up to the spot. This footballer opted not for power. With the lightest of touches, he outsmarted the goalkeeper by chipping the ball almost right into the centre of the goal. Uruguay were in ecstasy. Ghana in agony.

But what about those two crucial kicks: the one for Ghana, the other for Uruguay. From one angle you could say that both cases exposed the weakness of Ghana players under pressure. In the first case the forward Gyan relied on brute force — and missed. In the second case, it was the Ghana goalkeeper who was left looking rather silly…because had he simply stayed where was, he would have been in the perfect position to simply catch the ball and prevent Uruguay winning. Of course, we know why the goalkeeper didn’t “stay”. Had he simply kept his position, in the centre, he would have looked even sillier had the forward put the ball either side of him. Perhaps the Uruguay forward Abreu must have known that too…because think how silly he would have looked had he missed with such an seemingly tame effort! (At least Ghana’s forward and their goalkeeper tried…right?)

Well, now cognitive scientists have discovered an ‘action bias’ during penalties. Their findings seem to demonstrate the human side, or social rationality, of footballers. Among their conclusions they noted that “Goalkeepers feel a pressure to act because they would feel guiltier missing a ball while staying in the centre than missing it while trying to do something…”  And, “Kickers…act in a way that is going to minimize reproach rather than only the chances of missing.”

So, all this has got me thinking…How much do our thoughts and actions come from our “social rationality” — basically, not wanting to look silly — and how much from a more positive desire to achieve the best for ourselves and those around us? Where exactly does your ‘action bias’ lie?

Today is the fourth of July in the United States which is also known as Independence Day!!  Please watch the videos below to learn about Independence Day and  a Celebration of my country.

What represents to you patriatism bout your country or country of origin?  Do share and include your country.

In April 2009, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday… Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older.

And, there on television, she said it was ‘exciting.’

Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day…like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first.

The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!

Maya Angelou said this:
‘I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.’

‘I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.’

‘I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life.’

‘I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as ‘making a life’

‘I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.’

‘I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back..’

‘I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.’

‘I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.’

‘I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.’

‘I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.’

‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’

Share some lesson that you  have learned about life.

Unless you have courage, a courage that keeps you going, always going, no matter what happens, there is no certainty of success. It is really an endurance race. ~ HENRY FORD, Theosophist Magazine, Feb. 1930

What is courage to you?

Arnie at his best? Terminatior, Governator or erm, Ravenator?

Whatever next – Radiohead vs Dave Bruebeck?

Comments n clips optional -just add a ‘v’ after http if you want to add youtube – I’ll be back / Bach.

Prahlad Jani, an Indian yogi of 83 years of age, claims that he has not eaten for the previous 70 years!

Do you believe him?

Recently a group of  some 30 doctors observed him over a two-week period in a hospital in the western India state of Gujarat.

“During the period, he neither ate nor drank and did not go to the toilet”, they reported.

Full story here

“We still do not know how he survives,” exclaimed neurologist Sudhir Shah. “It is still a mystery what kind of phenomenon this is.”

What is your opinion of fasting? A way to health…enlightenment…saving the world’s hungry…or madness?

How long could you go without food?

Ever had one of those ‘ I’d rather be doing something else moments’?

Heineken did exactly that to 1,000 football loving males in Italy and it worked a treat:

What would you rather be doing right here, right now? Do tell….

Happy star wars day to all and May 4th be with you!

I’m a fan of mash ups but this one takes the buscuit as Darth Vader meets the cockney wide boy from East End gangster movie snatch. *Caution – bad langauge so may offend some

Please do share any Star Wars moments right here & Star Wars comments welcomed here and please use the force sparingly.