“You are a vehicle for the endless circle of giving and receiving.
Great riches go to those who provide things of the most value and they in turn must pass the riches on.”
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Thank You For The Music
Posted on March 26, 2009 by Alun Rees
I am a music “fan” and have been seriously for over 40 years. I had a Saturday job in the year when I sat my O-levels in John Menzies in Queen Street, Cardiff. If you’re not familiar with this long gone (from South of Hadrian’s Wall) retail chain they were similar to WH Smith although the parent company still exists.
I used to forgo my lunch hour so that I could provide cover on the record counter which was usually staffed by scary older girls (they must have been at least 18!). To be able to look at the LP sleeves and read the sleeve notes was a joy. Sometimes I got to play the albums over the PA, but my tastes didn’t tend to meet the approval of the “management”.
A month ago I entered a competition via the online music magazine Properganda and won 50 “Americana” CDs. What’s great is to listen to music for the first time mostly without any preconceptions because even if I had heard of the artists before I wasn’t familiar with their output. I realise that I don’t envy A&R men at labels & Radio DJs who get boxes and boxes of this stuff every week and have to take decisions about what to book or play. For a fan it’s fun!
Thank you for the music Properganda.
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NHS Care Records Scheme
Posted on March 25, 2009 by Alun Rees
I think that the use of technology has improved the quality of health care throughout the world. However I am not an advocate of the widespread dissemination of patient “information”. The government’s NHS spine IT system is misguided and open to the sort of accidental abuse that is bound to happen with busy people using the system.
To say that everybody who has access will have their own “smart card” which only they will use is dangerously naive, what about those folks who leave it in their other shirt, mislay it, have it stolen etc? We have seen how easy it is for laptops, data sticks and discs to go walk-about.
More concern comes from the lack of confidentiality right across the system, nor from well meaning but overwhelmed health care staff but interfering and controlling civil servants who are able to obtain, use and sell information that was once considered private between an individual and his professional adviser.
My family opted out of the system a couple of years ago, the only way that you can do the same is to write to your General Medical Practitioner now.
www.nhsconfidentiality.org/optoutletter
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How Twitter can make you a better and happier person
Posted on March 24, 2009 by Alun Rees
I wrote in my last ezine about whether twitter was a “nine-day wonder.”
In response Chris Barrow sent me the link to this article – it’s a good read, thanks cb.
Here’s the summary:
For me, it comes down to these 4 things:
- Transparency & Values: Twitter constantly reminds me of who I want to be, and what I want Zappos to stand for
- Reframing Reality: Twitter encourages me to search for ways to view reality in a funnier and/or more positive way
- Helping Others: Twitter makes me think about how to make a positive impact on other people’s lives
- Gratitude: Twitter helps me notice and appreciate the little things in life
Seth Godin has a reflection on social media sites in his blog here.
The pillars of social media site success
Why people choose to visit online social sites:
- Who likes me?
- Is everything okay?
- How can I become more popular?
- What’s new?
- I’m bored, let’s make some noise
None of these are new, but in the digital world, they’re still magnetic.
If you want to understand why Twitter is so hot, look at those five attributes. They deliver all five, instantly.
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The Monday Morning Quote #33
Posted on March 23, 2009 by Alun Rees
“Some regard private enterprise as if it were a predatory tiger to be shot.
Others look upon it as a cow that they can milk.
Only a handful see it for what it really is – the strong horse that pulls the whole cart.”
Winston Churchill
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The Weekend Read – 50 Prosperity Classics
Posted on March 21, 2009 by Alun Rees
I bought this on a whim after reading a review somewhere. It won’t be so much a weekend read as a bedside one to send me to sleep with inspiration, or to grab if the brain stirs me in the early hours.
Compiled by Tom Butler-Bowden under the headings:
- Attract It
- Create It
- Manage It
- Share It
and with contributions from P.T Barnum, Andrew Carnegie and Adam Smith through Conrad Hilton, Ayn Rand and Milton Friedman to Richard Branson, Bill Gates and Michael Gerber it promises to be a useful resource.
Available from Amazon here.
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Napoleon Hill’s 12 Riches in Life
Posted on March 19, 2009 by Alun Rees
An interesting list from an influential man, Napoleon Hill.
- Positive Mental Attitude
- Good Health
- Harmony in Relationships
- Freedom from Fear
- Hope of Achievement
- Capacity for Faith
- Willingness to Share your Blessings
- Having a Labour of Love or Purpose
- An Open Mind on all Subjects
- Self-Discipline
- Capacity to Understand People
- Economic Security
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Indulge Me….2
Posted on March 19, 2009 by Alun Rees
The Who were just another band until I saw Monterey Pop at a midnight screening at the the Globe Cinema in Albany Road, Cardiff in 1969.
Then I saw this and became a complete and unreconstructed fan and remain so.
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Indulge Me…..4
Posted on March 19, 2009 by Alun Rees
So for everything in rugby that makes me Welsh. Here’s something from my mother’s side that makes me Irish.
I knew about Michael Collins from the pram I swear, I was told that my grandmother knew him. I know that my grandfather fought the English at the same time as him. Neil Jordan’s film was as good as we “fans” could have hoped for, Liam Neeson was superb, it was the role he was born to play.
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Indulge Me…3
Posted on March 19, 2009 by Alun Rees
The sidestep, according to Gerald Davies, is “The Small Man’s Revenge”.
Here are some of the greatest sidesteps & swerves – everything that makes me proud to be a Welshman when rugby is played.
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