Tech.It.To.Me->{By.Anton.Perez}

Watch the world’s population and environmental stats in (somewhat) real-time.

Disclaimer: Found this through the EcoSource Blog and developed by Poodwaddle.com.

From The Register:

Business and government leaders from the US, UK and three other countries will spend much of this week simulating and defending against a large-scale cyber attack in an exercise designed to strengthen coordinated responses to what many perceive as a growing threat.

The exercises are designed to sharpen and assess participants’ ability to respond to a multi-day, coordinated attack and better understand the “cascading effects” such attacks can have.

Scary and astonishing at the same time, as it possibly (eventually) may become a “physical war.”

Sad thing what politics - or for that matter, jobs that cause unhealthy stress - can do to a man…take Tony Blair, for example. From the BBC, here are pictures of him, showing how he has aged in 10 years. Yes, he is successful; yes, he is wealthy, but whoa, he’s aged a lot! In 10 years?!

With how government and the world tries to manage this thing called life, it’s been confirmed in studies that chronic stress does hasten aging. Read this article to find out more.

So my question to you is: Is politics or a job full of [unhealthy] stress worth it? (There is good stress - the one that makes us grow.)

Hopefully, this sparks something in you wherein it changes your perspective for the good. And for me and my family, our goal is to lead a quiet life and enjoy it while it lasts. I hope it’s the same for you and if so, do your best and try to do something about it. I know it’s easier said than done, but try.  I will.  =0)

There was a need for me to obtain an affidavit and power of attorney document from the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles for my upcoming 3-week trip to the Philippines. So on February 28, 2008, I went, filled out and paid the fees, and was told to come pick it up on March 3, 2008, a Monday.

Due to higher [preparation] priorities, however, I went on March 5, 2008 around 11:30 AM. The embassy was on the 5th floor and when I arrived, I was surprised to see the room quite empty. And only window #3 (with a young lady) was open to help people with their needs.

Since I was only there to pick up the documents, I went to window #4 (the Releasing window) but found the window blinds shut. So I asked the man in window #5 (the Cashier window) if he could help me. He said: “Please take a number.” At this point, I already found it frustrating.

I took a number - it was 87 - and at this time more people started to come in. The impatience and angry faces grew, including mine. I still thought it wouldn’t take long for the young lady in window #3 to call me, since she was already serving number 78. But no! It took almost 2 hours to get it! How inefficient is that?! And what frustrates me even more is that none of the employees there cared!  Also, did I mention that I had to go down twice to prevent my parking meter from expiring?

Here’s what I think they (or someone) should’ve done:

I wasn’t the only one there “just to pick up” an already processed document. What the lady in window #3 or the man in window #5 should’ve done was to ask people who just needed to pick up a document then service them. This would’ve lessen the count of people needing help. Also, an office manager of some sort should be hired (or fired) to supervise and look for ways to make the staff and process run more efficiently. I didn’t see one.

This is wishful thinking, of course, since this is how governments run/work nowadays. No wonder why the Philippines (and other countries) is not going anywhere - they can’t even get a simple process to work/run efficiently.

Anyway, I don’t think anyone in the Philippine Consulate or government cares. Whatever…just take this as my way of venting my frustration. Take care. =0)