une des chansons de la Bo de Requiem for a dream par Client Mansell

PS: si jamais quelqu'un connait la solution pour insérer le lecteur de Deezer sous la plateforme wordpress.com, merci de me laisser un message, cela m'intéresse beaucoup.

monahilor ortodocşi români, către binecredinciosul popor ortodox român, Sfîntului Sinod şi întregii Biserici Ortodoxe de pretutindeni

Ai noştri Arhipăstori şi preaiubiţi fraţi întru Hristos,

Semnatarii, părinţi ai mănăstirilor din România, stareţi, ieromonahi, monahi şi monahii, ridică glas de chemare la unitate şi mărturisire către toată suflarea ce-şi mărturiseşte ortodox crezul şi vieţuirea.

Cu toţii moştenim rînduiala - încredinţaţi fiind de Sfinţii Părinţi - ca orice hotărîre în Biserica Ortodoxă să se facă canonic, unanim şi conform predaniei patristice. Noi monahii, ca unii ce întreit ne-am făgăduit lui Dumnezeu şi ni s-a încredinţat Adevărul ortodox spre mărturisire, nu putem încălca şi nici trece peste ceea ce Proorocii au profeţit, Sfinţii Apostoli au propovăduit şi De-Dumnezeu-Purtătorii Părinţi au hotărnicit la cele Şapte Soboare Ecumenice şi Locale.

Astfel, Canonul 15 întocmit la al Nouălea Sinod (I-II) din Constantinopol de la anul 861, spune despre cei ce propovăduiesc public eresul sau îl învaţă în Biserici, să fie îndepărtaţi de comuniunea cu credincioşii şi afurisiţi, ca unii ce fac schismă şi sfărîmă unitatea Bisericii. În acest fel toţi devenim străjuitorii adevărului în Biserică şi purtători de grijă ai Sfintei Tradiţii călăuzitoare către mîntuire.

Rămînem înmărmuriţi privind la hotărîrile ce reprezentanţii Bisericii Ortodoxe le iau privind viaţa Bisericii ce o păstoresc. Am tot nădăjduit că toate aceste neîmpliniri se vor opri, dar ne-am înşelat. Am început să credem că de la înălţimile la care sunt, nu se mai vede calea de întoarcere, că deja este prea tîrziu. Aşadar, actele şi declaraţiile prelaţilor Bisericii Ortodoxe faţă de celelalte culte, ne-au pricinuit o adîncă mîhnire şi ne supun la o grea încercare duhovnicească, pentru că sunt lucruri nemaiauzite şi total contrare credinţei Sfinţilor Părinţi.

Din această pricină, atitudinea noastră faţă de noile erezii şi schisme trebuie să se facă auzită de către toată suflarea ce-şi lucrează în chip ortodox mîntuirea. Aşadar, întemeiaţi fiind pe cuvintele Sfinţilor Părinţi, declarăm ferm şi categoric:

+ Nu este posibilă unirea cu catolicii atîta timp cît aceştia nu renunţă la toate ereziile lor (Filioque, infailibilitate, primat papal, harul creat, purgatoriul, imaculata concepţiune, slujirea cu azimă, botezul prin stropire sau turnare ş.a.), la neo-rînduielile scolastice şi nu primesc botezul ortodox prin afundare.

Nu putem uita istoria încă sîngerîndă a uniaţiei catolice din Ardeal şi nu putem fi ignoranţi la planul demonic de în-globalizare a Ortodoxiei de către Marele Apus. Planul masonic în cauză constă în a pecetlui unirea religioasă fără a se ţine cont de divergenţe, printr-o recunoaştere reciprocă a tainelor şi a moştenirii apostolice, fiecare recunoscînd pe ceilalţi drept Biserică, apoi realizarea unirii neortodoxe (intercomuniune), la început limitată, apoi lărgită. După care va rămîne să fie pusă problema diferenţelor dogmatice, considerate depăşite şi dezbinătoare.

Pentru aceasta ne ridicăm împotriva oricăror rugăciuni în comun cu catolicii şi protestanţii, mai ales asupra unităţii şi reconcilierii ecumeniste ce defăimează Sfintele Taine. Toţi cuvioşii şi mărturisitorii Părinţi de după Schisma din 1054 au luptat împotriva eresurilor latineşti, dogmelor mincinoase, expansiunii politice, şi s-au sfinţit împotrivindu-se pînă la sînge. Cuvintele lor au pînă azi puterea şi lucrarea Duhului Sfînt şi ne îndreptăţesc a crede că: "Există doar o singură Biserică a lui Hristos, cea Ortodoxă, apostolească şi sobornicească, nu mai multe," (Sf. Fotie), iar "pe papa Sfînta Biserică îl afuriseşte si eu, împreuna cu Biserica, fiul ei fiind, îl afurisesc." (Sf. Paisie de la Neamţ)

+ Rămînerea Bisericii Ortodoxe Române în Consiliul Ecumenic al Bisericilor este un act de apostazie, de trădare a adevăratei credinţe, prin acceptarea hotărîrilor ce contrazic făţiş dogmele Ortodoxiei şi canoanele Sinoadelor Ecumenice. Neamul ortodox este rădăcina, trunchiul, frunza şi rodul Bisericii al cărei cap e Iisus Hristos Dumnezeu-Omul.

Nu putem negocia "democratic" dogmele Bisericii şi nu putem sta pe picior de egalitate cu catolicii, protestanţii, budiştii, evreii sau musulmanii, atît timp cît doar în potirele noastre se întrupează Adevăratul Hristos Cel născut din Preasfînta Fecioara Maria. Noi ortodocşii nu avem nimic de adăugat sau de scos din crez sau slujbe, iar Sfîntul Marcu al Efesului pecetluieşte cele de mai sus spunînd că: "În materie de credinţă nu există concesie iar chestiunile credinţei nu îngăduie iconomia."

+ Demascarea politicii globaliste de integrare religioasă în UE ca fiind demonică şi fundamentată pe principii anticreştine; luarea de măsuri împotriva noilor buletine cu cip şi a card-urilor ce înainte-merg pecetluirii apocaliptice; vădirea manifestărilor new-agiste ce îndrăcesc pe tineri, rescrierea adevăratei istorii bisericeşti-naţionale şi revigorarea valorilor tradiţionale.

Nu avem pricină de a supune Biserica presiunilor politice şi de a da Cezarului mai mult decît i se cuvine. Împărăţia noastră e în ceruri, dar trebuie să o dobîndim încă din viaţă, fără a ne vinde ortodoxia şi românismul. Facem un ultim apel către Sfîntul Sinod, pentru numele lui Dumnezeu opriţi-vă cît nu e prea tîrziu!

Hotărîţi ieşirea Bisericii Ortodoxe Române din Consiliul Ecumenic, nu mai pîngăriţi altarele cu rugăciuni împreună cu ereticii, nu mai primiţi pe cei nebotezaţi ca fii ai Bisericii, nu vă plecaţi compromisurilor politice şi nu ne siluiţi libertatea şi conştiinţa cu legitimaţii comuniste. Nu mai putem răbda privind noile rînduieli ce desconsideră Sfintele Canoane, cenzurează Sfinţii Părinţi, ignoră dogmele şi hotărîrile Sfintelor Soboare şi răstălmăcesc Sfintele Scripturi.

Nu introduceţi schisme şi dezbinări în Biserică, nu încercaţi să uniţi ce e despărţit, căci singurul lucru care-l veţi reuşi e să distrugeţi unitatea Ortodoxiei, să fisuraţi adînc temelia Bisericii şi să ridicaţi cea de-a doua Mare Schismă. În acest ecumenism bolnav, B.O.R. acţionează individual, fără încredinţarea celorlalte biserici ortodoxe surori, fără a fi împuternicită printr-o hotărîre a vreunui sinod inter-ortodox, putînd fi declarată oricînd ca fiind schismatică şi eretică de către celelalte Patriarhii ortodoxe. Veniţi-vă în fire şi treziţi-vă! Atît timp cît veţi rămîne cu Hristos, vă vom urma, iar de vă veţi pune interesele personale mai presus de cele ale Bisericii, vă vom socoti apostaţi.

Lepădaţi toate aceste înşelări, pentru ca poporul urmîndu-vă, să nu se lepede de Biserica lui Hristos. Toate aceste lacrimi de sânge voim a le şterge de pe chipul Bisericii, alminteri vom trece peste ascultarea de păcat şi vom înainta proteste oficiale, vom ieşi în stradă şi vom alcătui sinod de rezistenţă. Nimănui, nicăieri şi niciodată nu i se va îngădui a sacrifica pentru binele său cea mai mică părticică din Credinţa Ortodoxă.

Cu noi este Dumnezeu şi pentru Hristos voim a merge pînă la capăt, chiar să ne vărsăm sîngele dacă situaţia o cere, pentru ca nici o literă din sfintele cuvinte să nu sufere vreo vătămare, pentru ca toţi cu urechi de auzit să priceapă şi cu ochii ce văd să-nţeleagă. Iertare tuturor pentru toate şi primiţi rugămu-vă acestea ca o cunună, ca o suliţă ori ca o Cruce.

Semnează,

Tot Soborul de monahi şi monahii ai României Ortodoxe

Sărbătoarea Sfântului Mare Mucenic Gheorghe,

la anul mîntuirii 2003

All along, I kept telling myself that if McCain was smart, he would pick a woman as a running mate. My conundrum was the Nancy Pelosi image. Most women in politics are no different than their male counter parts.

Last Friday, when McCain announced his running mate, and I learned of her  credentials, I exclaimed, "what a genious." She is Wonder Woman.

After thinking about it, I realized that Sarah Palin is not much different from my daughter. She is forty five, one short thesis away from her Phd. in Oncology Nursing, she is a mother of two, she holds a full time job in a hospital, and does consulting on the side. She and her working husband share care of the children. So, what is the big deal about Sarah Palin's ability to run the country? Most young women of this generation are working mom's with excellent credentials to lead. They are great time managers, and juggle tasks with ease. The difference between Sarah and my Jacque is her desire to take on the bullshit of running against the "good old boys." She is as qualified as most women of her generation are. I don't think I could say that for BO because I know too many men of his generation that are more than "articulate." They build bridges, cure diseases, and invent new products. Senator BO has written a few useless bills which will no doubt leave us breathless, but poor. He is touted as having authored the first ethics bill in Illinois. Well, the governor recently vetoed an ethics bill because "it didn't go far enough." He organized a community on the South side of Chicago, whatever that means. He didn't bring back the mills that caused these poor souls to become unemployed, or get these people jobs, but he did organize them. Nor did he get them retrained so they could find new work. I think it means that he encouraged them to "register" to vote so they could pick leaders who would get them more benefits.

It is  my belief that Sarah Palin, like many young women of today, will run circles around BO in any situation. Why are the libs so concerned about a VP choice, and comparing her to their presidential choice? Shouldn't they be comparing her to Joe Biden?

Consider this:

It takes special people just to live in Alaska.

It takes a special person to take on the establishment and win.

It takes a special person to give money back to the tax-payers. Most would find a way to spend the surplus money on a new give away project to secure a continued existence in the administration.

Finally, when the libs can explain why there are so many unwed mothers in the midst of their party, then they can begin to pick on Palin's daughter. My guess is that BO will dismiss that question as not relavent and move on, just as he has done on many issues. If the press had balls, they would examine the life of BO's mother and her liberal-socialist leanings. What am I thinking, what influence would she have had on his upbringing?

My political philosophy is the complete opposite of B.O.'s, and I will not vote for him, but I can see the desire in his soul. It concerns me that his total commitment to the strong tools of PMA will work against my own dreams.

What do "I See and Believe?" I see our country strong and powerful. I see our country making allies with every leader in the world. I see a country that continues to draw people from all areas of the world because this is the land of opportunity. I see a government that works to give people liberty to make things happen for themselves, and not one that disincentivizes its citizens by legislating what and how to do everything. The way to do that is to reduce the size of government. B.O. wants to make the government larger to provide more of us with less. Not a single government employee contributes to the development of "goods and services" that can be traded. Let us do what is important, in ways that are cost effective. I see a country where people have real jobs performing services and producing goods that  are a benefit to mankind. I see our senators and congressman serving for the good of the people and not their careers. I see a country where our spokesman are ordinary men and women  with backgrounds like salesmen, teachers, engineers, doctors, but not lawyers.  I see a country where men and women create new and exciting products and services because they are free to do so. I see a country weaned off fossil fuels and not dependent on any dictator for energy. I see a country where men have a strong  belief in God, and worship freely.

My vision for our country is very much like Ronald Reagan's "Shining City on the Hill." I believe it, and I see it. I see my vision more clearly than the B.O. sees his Leninist vision of our country. He sees it  ruled by legislation meant to equalize all of us into mindless receivers of a handout from Big Brother.

Von Sierra Leone ...

Da wir erst so spaet losgefahren sind, hatten war am Freitag noch Zeit, eine Unterkunft in Bo zu organisieren. Wir haben in einem "Mehrzweghaus" geschlafen. Leider waren dort nur noch 2 Doppelzimmer fuer uns 7 Leute frei, aber wie heisst es so schon: "Einem geschenktem Gaul schaut man nicht ins Maul". Naja, somit haben der Fahrer und ich auf der Couch im Vorraum geschlafen und die restlichen 3 Jungs haben sich dann ein Doppelbett geteilt. Was besser war ist fraglich, weil die Couch leider weniger als 180cm hatte. Natuerlich haben wir den Damen ganz gentleman-like ein Zimmer ueberlassen. Letztlich war es auch nicht so schlimm, weil die Nacht dann eh nur 3 Stunen lang war. Dazu kam es folgender massen:
In Bo angekommen haben wir, wie beschrieben, die Unterkunft bezogen und sind dann direkt weiter in einen BarClubDiskoIrgendwasLaden names "Black&white". Natuerlich waren wir die einzigsten Weissen da, aber daran hab ich mich schon gewoehnt. Im der Bar lief Reggae und das Bier hat umgerechnet ungefair 0,5 euro gekostet, also eigentlich perfekt. Ein Teil der Gruppe ist ein bisschen frueher nach hause gegangen, weil die Fahrt doch recht anstregend war. Das Fruehstueck war fuer 9 Uhr angesetzt und deshalb wollte ich um 1 uhr noch nicht nach hause. Zum Glueck hat mich der Schweizer nicht im Stich gelassen und wir haben zusammen versucht, die Bierwirtschaft von Sierra Leone ein bisschen anzukurbeln. Also wir dann gegen 2 Uhr auch nach hause gehen wollten, eroeffnete uns unser Fahrer, dass am folgenden Tag das "Cleaning" der Stadt ist und wenn wir nicht die Strasse putzen wollen, dann muessen wir die Stadt vor 6 Uhr verlassen.
Somit hat sich das mit dem Schlafen schon wieder erledigt gehabt und die Nachruhe war auf 3 Stunden begrenzt. In unserer Unterkunft haben wir dann die Person, die uns das Fruehstueck machen sollte, aufgeweckt und es von 9 uhr auf 5:30 geaendert. Die Leute von uns, die frueher nach hause gegangen waren ( darunter beide Maedels) haben wir dan einfach um 5:15 geweckt und gesagt, wir muessen los. Ist nicht ganz so gut angekommen, aber was solls. Zum Glueck sind wir somit dem "Cleaning" entkommen und konnten den Samstag richtig gut nutzen.

Das erste Ziel des Tages war ein Wasserkraftwerk in Goma welches Strom fuer Bo und Kenema bereitstellt. In den beiden Staedten gibt es, im Vergleich zu Freetown, 24h lang Elekrizitaet. Der Weg dort hin fuehrt ueber eine der schlechtesten Strassen die es so gibt und man braucht auf jeden fall ein AllRad-Fahrzeug. Vor Ort haben wir dann das komplett Kraftwerk samt Turbinen und Ueberwachungsraum gesehen. Die Arbeiter vor Ort haben uns bereitwillig alles gezeigt. Ich glaube, die waren so froh, dass endlich mal jemand an diesen abgelegenen Ort kommt und sich dafuer interssiert, was sie dort treiben. Aus Dank haben wir noch 2 Gallonen Diesel geschenkt bekommen, sehr nett von den Arbeitern, uns ein bisschen Diesel "klar zu machen".

Von Sierra Leone ...

Das naechste Ziel war Kenema. Dort sind wir ein bisschen rumgelaufen und haben feststellen muessen, dass es deutlich angenehmer ist als in Freetown. Kaum einer kam auf uns zu um zu betteln oder uns irgend eine Zeug zu verkaufen. Also Abschluss hat unser Fahrer noch arrangiert, dass wir mal einen richtigen Diamanten sehen koennen. Aus meiner Sicht war es nur ein Stein wie jeder andere, aber .....andere denken da anscheinend anders, sonst wuerde sich das Geschaeft wohl nicht lohnen.

Gegen Abend sind wir wieder zurueck nach Bo gefahren, weil zu so einer Gratisunterkunft sagt man ja auch nicht "nein". Somit stand fuer mich die zweite Nacht auf der zu kurzen Couch bevor, die hoffentlich laenger werden sollte. Fruehstueck hatten wir wieder fuer 9 uhr geordert und abends ging es wieder ins "black&white". Die Maedels haben uns frueher verlassen und somit waren der schweizer Kollege und ich wieder allein in der Bar. Wir haben uns aber wiedermal aufs Biertrinken konzentriert und waehrendessen versucht, uns die Damen des horizontalen Gewerbes vom Leib zu halten. Das ist wirklich garnicht so einfach, weil die relativ aufdringlich sind. Nachdem wir ein bisschen nachgefragt haben, sind wir zu der Auskunft gekommen, dass der Spass umgerechnet ungefair 10 Euro pro Nacht kosten wuerde ( ohne Aufpreis fuer HIV).

Am Sonntag konnte ich dann tatsaechlich bis halb 9 schlafen und es kam auch keine boese Ueberraschung mehr. Also haben wir gemuetlich gefruehstueck, sind durch Bo gelaufen und haben dort auch noch was zu Mittag gegessen. In Bo konnten wir das "Power House" besichtigen. Dort stehen drei 2MW Generatoren, die in der Trockenzeit, wenn zu wenig Wasser in dem Stausee ist, Bo und Kenema mit Energie versorgen. Die Generatoren sind uebrigends von MAN und haben einen Verbrauch von 100000 Liter Schweroel am Tag. In der Stadt ist es aehnlich angenehm wie in Kenema, weil man kaum angebettelt wird und sich dadruch relativ frei bewegen kann. Nachdem wir auf der Strasse die afrikanische Version des Doeners gegessen hatten, sind wir zurueck Richtung Freetown gefahren.

Auf dem Rueckweg haben wir noch einen Stopp am Kent Beach eingelegt. WAHSINN. Superfeiner Sand, kein Mensch da, sehr angenehme Temperatur und das Meer ist warm. Also wie im Paradies, welches noch keiner entdeckt hat.

Von Sierra Leone ...

Und um mal die Gruppe vorzustellen, haben wir dort auch gleich noch ein Foto von uns gemacht.

Von Sierra Leone ...

vlnr. Ali ( Fahrer), Mohamet(Iran), Ann(Schweden), MJay(SL), Marco(Schweiz), und meine Wenigkeit

Bulgogi (불 고 기) là một trong những món ăn được nhiều người biết đến nhất trong ẩm thực xứ Hàn. Trong cách sách vở học tiếng Hàn Quốc thế nào chúng ta cũng bắt gặp tên món ăn này trong những bài hội thoại. Khi mình hỏi những người đã từng đi và ở HQ thì ai cũng khen, và là một trong những món họ nhắc đến đầu tiên. Tiếc là mình chưa một lần được đến HQ để được thưởng thức hương vị thật và authentic nhất của nó.

Ở Sing có một lần mình đi ăn món này ở Just Noodles, thịt bò thì rất mềm nhưng ăn hơi ngọt và hơi bị nhiều dầu quá, cả 1 đĩa cứ thấy ngầy ngậy váng dầu.

Bây giờ món này đã trở thành một món khá thường xuyên trong thực đơn của mình rồi. Cách làm không phức tạp lắm. Trên internet có thể tìm thấy rất nhiều recipes khác nhau. Về cơ bản thì mình hay làm như thế này

Nguyên liệu (2 người măm):

- Thịt bò: khoảng 200-300gr. Nếu là thịt thăn bò thì ngon nhất, thịt sẽ rất mềm. Nhưng mình hay dùng bắp bò, ăn dai và giòn.

- 1 củ hành tây to (theo công thức thường thấy, người ta dùng ít hành tây hơn, nhưng sau khi làm thì mình thấy ăn hành tây cũng hấp dẫn không kém, nên từ lần thứ  2 làm thì toàn làm nguyên 1 củ to)

- Vừng: rang cho vàng, giã hơi giập để dậy mùi thơm.

- Dầu vừng: khoảng 1 thìa cafe (tsp)

- Dầu ăn: khoảng 1 - 2 tsp

- Đường: 2 tsp

- Xì dầu: khoảng 2 muôi canh (gia giảm tùy ý, nhưng thịt bò ướp hơi ngập trong xì dầu hết thì ngon hơn. Nên dùng loại light & fragrant soy sauce)

- Tỏi: bóc vỏ đập dập thải nhỏ

- Tiêu đen: dạng bột

- Đầu hành trắng

Cách làm:

- Trộn các loại nguyên liệu: xì dầu, dầu vừng, dầu ăn, đường, tiêu đen, tỏi, đầu hành trắng và vừng đã rang.

- Thịt bò sau khi đã thái lát mỏng đem ướp trong hỗn hợp trên. Cho hành tây thái miếng cau vào ướp cùng.

- Đậy lại, để trong tủ lạnh khoảng 1-2 tiếng. Thỉnh thoảng trộn cho ngấm đều (để ở ngoài nhiệt độ phòng cũng không sao)

- Cho vào lò nướng khoảng 15-20p, thỉnh thoảng kiểm tra xem vừa chín là ngon ;)

(Khi làm lần đầu có thể độ mặn nhạt không vừa khẩu vị của bạn thì lần sau làm nhớ gia giảm các loại gia vị)

Xin mời nè :P

When Nadia was about 14 she scored the first perfect 10 at the Olympics in Women's Gymnastics. She was only 86 pounds and 4 feet 11 inches. That's about the size of a really tall 4th grader! No person, especially such a small one, had ever scored a perfect 10!

In 1984 Nadia returned to the Olympics as a coach of the Romanian gymnastics team. In 1989 she defected from Romania in the dead of night, leaving behind her precious medals, her mother, her father, and her little brother, Adrian.

In 1994 Nadia donated $120,000 to the Romanian gymnastics team. In 1996 she married Bart Conners, another Olympic champion. They now live in Norman, Oklahoma and run a gymnastics school. Oklahoma, really?

This is the Olympics that I remember!  The scoring is even very different now.  A "10" used to be excellent.  Now, you have to have like 15.6225 or something.  What's the highest score, a 20?  I don't know.  I guess if it is, that makes Bo Derek a perfect "30" now!  I remember when everyone on the same team wore the same outfit.  Last night in the women's gymnastics, one girl wore white and the other wore dark blue.  They were both USA, who knew?  And what's with the swimwear?  Some sort of super suits or something?  What's wrong with plain old Speedos? 

There’s a website called NiceCritic that lets you send “helpful messages” anonymously.

For instance, if your boss has a serious case of body odor, but you don’t know how to pass a subtle hint, you can use this website and tell him anonymously.

The site has different categories like Personal Hygiene, Office Behavior , Neighborly Suggestion or Sports Etiquette. In each category, there are several statements to choose from. You just pick the one that fits and it'll be sent to your recipient. He (or she) will never know what hit him (or her).

Popular embarrassements

The great thing is that you can also see how often people have sent this particular “hint”. For instance, the most popular one in the General Behavior category is "Please refrain from slapping people's buttocks." By Wednesday, some 2500 people had sent that statement.

I never knew buttslapping was such a problem out there in the real world.

Or could it be that people were just sending this message to have a little fun?

On the Personal Hygiene page, I like "Please consider trimming some ear hair." And - come to think of it - I even know someone to whom I should possibly send this message. Maybe he reads this and I won't have to go through the website...

Or how about "You have a noticeable post-bathroom stain" . Could you imagine someone sending you an anonymous e-mail with that message?

One of my favorite statements is in the Appearance category: “It seems like your thong is showing.” An amazing 2513 users have already sent that message to someone anonymously.

Or how about “Your yawning seems to be particularly loud today”, which got almost 1400 hits on the Office Behavior page.

It’s not all negative

The nice thing is that there’s also a category for Anonymous Praise. And here, my favorite statement is “The exercise and weight loss are really paying off”.

Unfortunately, it’s not the most popular statement in that category. I guess that proves that there aren’t that many people out there who are exercising and losing weight.

If only it worked like it should

The thing that really bugs me, however, is that the site doesn’t seem to work. I wanted to test it today and sent myself a message That haircut looks great on you.

I felt I needed that.

Unfortunately, the e-mail never arrived.

For us, it started about two years ago.

We'd be sitting in a meeting and after about 15 minutes, you could "catch" people sniffing and smelling the air.   The smell was definitely BODY ODOR.   Except for this smell was not from regular B.O. that you might expect from someone who had exercised at lunch and forgot soap, a towel or deodorant...this was three to four day old smell.

My background from 1989-2004 was in the Army and working on construction jobs digging holes working and working in gross places with some NASTY people.  On a couple of jobs we have actually had "pools" to see who could pick not only the purveyor of the odor, but where/how they are polluting the air with their body.    For construction workers (and soldiers), feet are usually the cause of the issue.

That is not the case with this member of our staff.  

I say "staff member" but this is actually someone we have sent out of town and is only with us for a couple of times a month.   Since my boss doesn't actually deal with "office issues" (Evil Spawn left the state YESTERDAY) this was how he chose to deal with this one.

He was stationed out of our office for about a month and the one thing that we noticed, was that he was good on Monday, but as the week stretched out, his aroma became more and more unpleasant.  

We tried hinting about it and bringing to his attention directly...all without success.

We are really past the embarrassment stage of this issue when it comes to new people we might be meeting with where he is in attendance.  If is it a relationship we value, we make sure he he isolated on one side of the room.  If it is someone that we know, but want to have some fun with, we sit them next to him and watch them squirm.

The first reaction is always to check and make sure that you aren't the one producing the odor.

The way people check is what is amusing.   They may be as subtle as discreetly pulling the front of their shirt open like they are warm or be a crude as putting their own nose near their own armpit.

We have repeadedly tried to help this guy...without success.

I had this guy for two day this week.  He was even driving around we me in the van.   The even more awkward part of this scenario was that he recently had a serious loss in his immediate family.   This meant that I was going to have to avoid any mention of his B.O. and just sterilize the van when he left.

It was really bad and I just had to deal with the smell.  I ended up at his house and it wasn't much different there either.

In the MTAE house we are a "bathe in the evening" family.   Now that I am running in the mornings, I have two "cleanings" on those days.   The kids get baths every night, complete with hair washing.

Maybe we are using too much water and Stinky McStinker has it figured out environmentally.

He might be a "Friend of the Environment", but he has very few friends in our office.

HCM CITY — The city has decided to pay all expenses for the Ba Bo canal drainage project, including canal reconstruction and compensation for affected households, said Le Thanh Hai, HCM City municipal committee secretary.

The total cost of the project is estimated at VND164 billion (US$10.25 million).

Ba Bo Canal, running through Thu Duc District in HCM City and Di An-Thuan An districts in Binh Duong Province, has for years been contaminated by large amounts of wastewater discharged by surrounding industrial parks.

At the conference held on Tuesday, the authorities of HCM City and Binh Duong Province were unanimous in taking measures to save the canal.

HCM City will spend part of its Natural Disaster Prevention Fund to dredge the canal bed.

The drainage system and a reservoir of 250,000 cu.m that serves water regulation will both be built by the fourth quarter of the year.

The reservoir, he said, also plays a role in the city landscape.

The water surface of the canal will be expanded with two more branches that are 1,700m and 850m in length running along the border of HCM City and Binh Duong Province.

HCM City authorities will compensate 27 Binh Duong Province families who live along the canal and have to move because of the project.

Those discharging untreated sewage into the canal will be severely punished, Tran Thi Kim Van, Deputy Chairwoman of Binh Duong People’s Committee, has said.

Educating the public on environmental protection will also be done, Van said.

Thirty-two businesses in the Song Than I and II industrial parks are pouring waste water directly to the Ba Bo canal and have not linked their sewers with the central sewage processing factory, according to Binh Duong Province authorities.

The provincial government will withdraw their business licenses if they do not connect their sewers soon. The project will be submitted to the Government by the end of this month. —