Blessed be Coffee!

Coffee… I love it… I can’t live without it. And not many people can. Coffee is the second most commonly traded commodity in the world. I wonder what would happen to the world if one day ALL coffee disappears in an instant. It would be chaos! But I'm getting too apocalyptic here. Coffee is my fuel; I wouldn’t be writing this if I didn't drink a cup a few minutes before.

There are also some studies that say that coffee is good for your health in moderated quantities. My mom and I suffer from migraines, if we don’t drink at least 1 cup a day, we are doomed to headache. There are also some studies that say that decaf coffee is dangerous to your health, that it can cause cancer. But all those studies have mixed results and there are not any conclusive results.

What matters to me is that I like coffee, I drink it in like 20 different ways, I enjoy it and that is what matters to me.

I x 5

This is a picture of me that I edited some time ago, so it looks that I multiplied myself by 5!, It was quite easy. I used Macromedia Fireworks. My mom was scared when she saw the picture... I wonder why...

Click on the picture to zoom.

It’s my dad’s birthday!

Today we celebrated in family; my father asked for something simple but asked us to be all together. In this troubled world full of stress and dangers, we had a few moments of peace. There was no talk about work, or politics, or about someone’s illness, or about Israel bombarding Lebanon. I felt real peace today, and it has been a long time since I felt that. And now I wonder how many families in the world can have that simple peace.

My dad holding his granddaughter Ximena.

My little sister Francesca, my mom, my dad holding Ximena, and my sister Lucía, Ximena’s mother.

My sister Lucía holding her daughter.

My sisters Lucía and Francesca who is holding Ximena, and my mom.

We are all here.

My dad and my sister. Thats the cake... he is 48 now!

My dad, Ximena and I.

Feliz Cumpleaños Papá.

Loreena McKennitt - Lullaby

O for a voice like thunder, and a tongue
To drown the throat of war! - When the senses
Are shaken, and the soul is driven to madness,
Who can stand? When the souls of the oppressed
Fight in the troubled air that rages, who can stand?
When the whirlwind of fury comes from the
Throne of God, when the frowns of his countenance
Drive the nations together, who can stand?
When Sin claps his broad wings over the battle,
And sails rejoicing in the flood of Death;
When souls are torn to everlasting fire,
And fiends of Hell rejoice upon the slain,
O who can stand? O who hath caused this?
O who can answer at the throne of God?
The Kings and Nobles of the Land have done it!
Hear it not, Heaven, thy Ministers have done it!

Poem by William Blake (1757-1827)
Music by Loreena McKennitt

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Good music, I feel inspired today...

Frank Herbert - quotes

"Without change, something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken."

"If you think of yourselves as helpless and ineffectual, it is certain that you will create a despotic government to be your master. The wise despot, therefore, maintains among his subjects a popular sense that they are helpless and ineffectual."

"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."

I try to drive my life with these teachings. Kind of difficult though, I fear many things.

Yoda's Wisdom

Yoda: Premonitions, premonitions. Hmmmm, these visions you have...
Anakin Skywalker: They are of pain, suffering, death...
Yoda: Yourself you speak of, or someone you know?
Anakin Skywalker: Someone...
Yoda: Close to you?
Anakin Skywalker: Yes.
Yoda: Careful you must be when sensing the future, Anakin. The fear of loss is a path to the dark side.
Anakin Skywalker: I won't let these visions come true, Master Yoda.
Yoda: Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them, do not. Miss them, do not. Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed, that is.
Anakin Skywalker: What must I do, Master Yoda?
Yoda: Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose.

Love?

What is Love?

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.
-Hamilton Wright Mabie

Love is like pi - natural, irrational, and VERY important.
-Lisa Hoffman

True love does not come by finding the perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.
-Jason Jordan

I have never met a person whose greatest need was anything other than real, unconditional love. You can find it in a simple act of kindness toward someone who needs help. There is no mistaking love. You feel it in your heart. It is the common fiber of life, the flame of that heats our soul, energizes our spirit and supplies passion to our lives. It is our connection to God and to each other.
-Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
-The Wheel of Life (Scribner)

Looking back, I have this to regret, that too often when I loved, I did not say so.
-David Grayson

When you love someone, all your saved-up wishes start coming out.
-Elizabeth Bowen

To be loved, be lovable.
-Ovid

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
-The Bible : 1 Corinthians 13:4

The man or woman you really love will never grow old to you. Through the wrinkles of time, through the bowed frame of years, you will always see the dear face and feel the warm heart union of your eternal love.
-Alfred Armand Montapert

Love is the thing that enables a woman to sing while she mops up the floor after her husband has walked across it in his barn boots.
-Hoosier Farmer

Love means to commit oneself without guarantee, to give oneself completely in the hope that our love will produce love in the loved person. Love is an act of faith, and whoever is of little faith is also of little love.
-Erich Fromm

Love is not automatic. It takes conscious practice and awareness, just like playing the piano or golf. However, you have ample opportunities to practice. Everyone you meet can be your practice session.
-Hari

Love and magic have a great deal in common.
They enrich the soul, delight the heart.
And they both take practice.
-Nora Roberts

A baby is born with a need to be loved - and never outgrows it.
-Frank A. Clark

The art of love... is largely the art of persistence.
-Albert Ellis

Love is, above all, the gift of oneself.
-Jean Anouilh

The World Cup is over

This has been an amazing World Cup. I've seen excellent matches and outstanding performances. Italy is the champion now. I can barely believe it. Medina Cantalejo may never set foot on German, French and Australian soil, who knows what can happen if he does. How curious is that he was the one that gave the penalty to Italy against Australia and was also fourth official for the final between Italy and France

Awards!

Italians are the champions; however, I think France and Germany are the moral champions. Miroslav Klose got the Golden Shoe, I hope he beats Ronaldo in the next world cup. The Golden Ball goes to Zinedine Zidane, who also showed us some expertise in gladiatorial games. The Yashin Award goes to Gianluigi Buffon, who I think is the one that took Italy to the final. The FIFA Fair Play Trophy goes to Brazil and Spain, hey, they got something at least! The Most Entertaining Team was Portugal, a team that showed the world that football can be very beautiful, and also showed the world that the World Cup can't be won with nice football alone. The Best Young Player Award goes to Lukas Podolski, a great player; too bad for you Messi!

Well I hope the next World Cup is as good as this one or better.

The show is over, back to the real world, back to normality. I hate normality!

The story of the Ruryls

I'm writing a story based on the world of Guild Wars. I'ts the story of my characters in the game.
Read it here. (It is in spanish by the way)

Allez la France!!! Allez les bleues!!!

After the last two matches, I can say I'm satisfied. Italy showed they can play very well, I wonder why they haven't played like that before. Germany, you did great, Kinlsman is a great coach and thet is a very bright future for the german football. Portugal did great today. But that wasn't enough. Both team played a good match.

Now France will face Italy and Germany will face Portugal for 3rd place.

May the best team win.

How to Build Loyal Followers

How to Build Loyal Followers
By Kurt Mortensen

Legitimate Power, also know as earned or respect power, is a combination of respect, reputation, and your history. Reputation is the sum total of how you have conducted yourself in your professional and personal affairs. If you have shown respect, integrity, and character in all your dealings, people will know it.

Legitimate Power is the type of power an individual has when they are placed in special regard because of their honorable character. As a result of being honorable, other people trust and respect these individuals, willingly following them. This type of power is earned through one's track record, stability, and use of past power. It precedes a person and remains to influence others, even when their physical presence is gone. It exaggerates strengths and can create an aura that instills respect, even awe.

But more than just reputation, this power gets its roots from the 10 commandments of influence. Respect power is the hardest of all powers to gain. It must be earned one a drop at a time, but it is also the longest lasting. Respect power has a sustained influence on the audience long beyond the speaker's actual physical presence. The persuader must have honor, integrity, character, trustworthiness, and engender respect to earn Legitimate Power.

Respect power is based on having unquestionable honor, integrity, and dependability. When someone possesses Legitimate Power, their basic character is without deceit or fraud. Rather, their character is based on the truth. Such a personal commitment to integrity is felt by those around them and creates a long-term loyalty and respect. When individuals perceive that their leaders are legitimate, it gives them power. People instinctively trust them and are willing to be led and persuaded by them.

Parents and religious leaders often possess this type of power. Because of their reputation, people are influenced on the spot, without needing to analyze the speaker or the persuasive situation. Reputation has a power like magic. With one stroke of its wand, your good reputation can double your ability to persuade.

Francis Bacon once said, "Knowledge itself is power." Knowledge Power is earned Legitimate Power. It is based on the individual's expertise in a certain subject, procedure, or situation. People can be persuaded if they think you have more expertise than they do. For example, lawyers and doctors possess this type of power. People rely on their opinions, believe what they say, and trust implicitly what they do because of the extent of schooling or experience they have. We accept the arguments and data of people we assume have knowledge, whether it's real or perceived. Knowledge Power also includes experience, wisdom, and intelligence.

Informational Power - When you know something others need to know, you hold power over them. Informational Power is exerted when an institution's influence is based on the information it holds. Aristotle Onassis said, "The secret of business is to know something that no one else knows."

Resource Power - If you have access to key persons, commodities, goods, or services valued by others, you hold some power over them. As the saying goes, "It's not what you know; it's who you know."

Expertise Power - When you have special skill sets, expertise, or knowledge that others believe is relevant to their needs and which exceeds their own, they will do what you say or listen to your opinions.

Everyone persuades for a living. There's no way around it. Whether you're a sales professional, an entrepreneur, or even a stay at home parent, if you are unable to convince others to your way of thinking, you will be constantly left behind. Get your free reports at Magnetic Persuasion to make sure that you are not left watching others pass you on the road to success. Donald Trump said it best, "Study the art of persuasion. Practice it. Develop an understanding of its profound value across all aspects of life."

Kurt Mortensen’s trademark is Magnetic Persuasion; rather than convincing others, he teaches that you should attract them, just like a magnet attracts metal filings. He teaches that sales have changed and the consumer has become exponentially more skeptical and cynical within the last five years. Most persuaders are using only 2 or 3 persuasion techniques when there are actually 120 available! His message and program has helped thousands and will help you achieve unprecedented success in both your business and personal life.

If you are ready to claim your success and learn what only the ultra-prosperous know, begin by going to http://www.PreWealth.com and getting my free report "10 Mistakes That Continue Costing You Thousands." After reading my free report, go to http://www.PreWealth.com/IQ and take the free Persuasion IQ analysis to determine where you rank and what area of the sales cycle you need to improve in order to close every sale!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kurt_Mortensen

Zidane... the return

Well, I've said that I wouldn't watch the World Cup anymore, but I couldn't resist... the quarter finals were amazing, but there, the last match, France vs. Brazil, there is another deficient referee. Medina Cantalejo, the very same referee that helped Italy beat the Australians. Why FIFA assigns him another match after what he did in the Italy-Australia match? I don't know0. Well I hope we have good referees for the remaining 4 matches coming.

About Brazil. Everyone was saying Brazil will be the champion. Everyone loved Ronaldinho because he played very nice football, and everyone’s favorite was Brazil. Why? I think that happens with big teams. They get fans easily; fans say “I support Brazil” just because they know is the strongest team (except Brazilians of course, the love their football and that’s ok). Well it seems it wasn’t after all the strongest team. Why I say this? Because here in my country, people wanted Brazil or Argentina to be champions not because they were South American teams, no, no, no; the real reason is because they want an easier qualification road for the next World cup. That is disgusting. They want someone to win to have the task easier. Always looking for the easier path. Well I think that if the Peruvian team would have reached this World Cup, they would have been pathetic.

Now, talking about real football. Today was amazing. Portugal and England gave us a very nice match, well done England, you could have done better, but you exceeded the expectations of many. Portugal did great. Figo did great and C. Ronaldo did great as well. Well done Ricardo, you are their hero. But watch out, France is coming after defeating Brazil, not a small thing. What an amazing match these two gave us. They player fairly and none of the players looked for help from the referee (shame on you Italy). Zidane was amazing. You are the Maradona of France (but a better person of course) I wonder if some years from now a statue of Zidane will stand in Paris?

Now the semi-finals are coming with the best 3 teams of the world right now and Italy. Will a referee help Italy again?

Good luck and may the best win!