organisation and planning

I took a laptop computer home with me so that I could do some work at home before going to a hospital appointment. I was assured that the laptop was all ready to use. Imagine my surprise and frustration then, when I discovered it would not make the remote connection. I found that the 'remote connection' was a shortcut to a program on a network drive, but of course I cannot connect to the network without the remote connection application, which was located on a network drive ....!

I will have to go in early to the office, and get some work done, then go on to the hospital later.

Of course, I should have checked the machine before I took it home. It is easy to be wise after the event (called 20-20 hindsight).

news from overseas

How efficient are the ways of bringing to us the news of events from round the world. And how saddening are the stories of suffering. Whether the victims of natural disasters such as those in Burma/Myanmar and China, or the Baha'is in Iran who are again suffering imprisonment for their beliefs, the true measure of our humanity is the response that we each make individually.
We may be moved to help the publicity, give voice to our concerns, or help in more practical ways by donating money to relief efforts such as Oxfam, Red Cross and the like.
Giving aid and comfort are part of the teachings of all the major Faiths in the world. How sad, then that leaders of Faith in one country are the very instigators of suffering and oppression meted out to the followers of Baha'u'llah in their own homeland.

support a charity

My daughter and I have entered, for the fourth year now, a charity bike ride. It is all in aid of Leukaemia Research, and I have created a page with Justgiving. I think it is a great way to support a charity, and at the same time get some fresh air and exercise!
Will let you know how we get on. The event is this Sunday, 11 May.

importance of agriculture

We who use computers everyday can easily fall into the trap of thinking that everyone in the whole world has access to a computer, and that computers are the means to do everything.

Well, I have news for you. Not only are there many millions of people who do not have a computer, there are millions who live their lives completely without any computer. To them, the most important aspects of their lives are food and water. That is to say, agriculture (farming, herding) is a necessity, whereas computers are not.

Consider that now parts of the world are switching (or have already switched) to growing biofuel instead of producing food at the same time that poor harvests have also reduced the food supply. And why do we want biofuels? Because we are too reluctant to reduce our dependancy on the motor car, or to make more use of wind, water and solar power.

"Agriculture is of the first importance. All should be producers." Baha'i Faith