The truth about HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS for as long as I know has been a taboo subject in any social circle.  Growing up we use to perceive that the virus and disease was an abomination, and those carrying the virus were to be avoided.  Thankfully we later realize that this notion was rooted in gross ignorance and was an unfortunate idea in any context, worse in the fight to eradicate the disease.  It leads to nothing more than mass discrimination and impedes the progress of the authorities to fight the spread of the virus.

The first time I actually met a person with HIV/AIDS was in 2009 when I appeared on a social morning program on CNMG in Trinidad.  The occasion was an awareness campagn by the Guild of students in UWI St. Augustine led by president Hillan Morean.  The lady in question was in high spirits and we engaged in normal conversation, hand shakes and socializing.  It really opened up my eyes to the fact that people who have the disease are not to be isolated or discriminated against.  moreover they do have a lot to contribute to society.

North Korea Exposed

Call it what you will, but when we mention North Korea everybody gets a thrill - some of us , a chill.  For many, North Korea is synonymous with a hereditary dictatorship surrounded by a cult like following around the "Great Leader" Kim Il-Sung and the "Dear Leader"  Kim Jong-Il, the man at the helm today.  

Something very interesting caught my eyes today though.  I have never seen anything like this before, and trust me I have seen and done a lot in my time. What I saw really opened my eyes to North Koreans as a people and the history of Korea as a whole. I am left with more questions than answers however and my interest in discovering more is peaked.  

Manchester City walks alone, Liverpool hopes to join

The biggest story in the football world today is that Real Madrid is now enjoying a strong 6pts lead at the top of La Liga in Spain. This after defending champions and currently second place Barcelona lost in the late game last night at Getafe.  Today we see the noisy neighbors Manchester City hoping to better that statistic in the English Premier League (EPL).

The opponents come in the form of Liverpool FC and the lead they will enjoy if they were to win is 7pts over defending champions Man utd. Both United and Arsenal dropped points yesterday as Chelsea turned their fortunes around.  What will today bring for the noisy neighbors of Manchester?

Top Game, EPL (Week 13).

Day one of this weekend's fixtures see at least three (3) mouthwatering clashes with the most anticipated being the Sir. Alex Ferguson led, Manchester United versus their northern rivals, Newcastle United.  This Newcastle club has a rich history dating back to as far as 1881, although they officially joined the league in 1893 winning three league titles and an FA Cup by 1914.

Maybe the most significant dealing between the two clubs was the sale of Andy Cole to Manchester United for the then English record transfer fee of £7million in the 1994/95 season.  We know all too well how significant that sale was for Man Utd.
Newcastle was to lose FA Cup final 2-0 to Manchester United in 1998/99.  Newcastle has however seen a lot of prestigious coach and players in its time and with the like of Bobby Robson, Allan Shearer,  Kenny Dalglish, Kevin Keagan, Andy Cole you have to say they were richly blessed.  This season though they are coming off a 12th place finish in the league and this was a year after returning to the top flight.

They have demonstrated a real classic display this season hovering at the top of the table with their only defeat coming to the leaders and undefeated Manchester City.  They should give the Red Devils a good fight at Old Trafford as they have shown an inclination to battle out matches.  We however tip Man Utd to win that fixture although a draw would not be surprising.

In the other games we predict a continuation of the Arsenal fire-power with Robin Van Persie at the trigger.  Chelsea should take care of business at home to wolves meanwhile Tottenham is tipped to get maximum points at West Brom.

Top TEN(10) Exam tips!!!

1. Make a plan This is very important because it give you a sense of purpose which will in turn help you to focus.  Break down your study activities into days and hours and do a checklist before each study session.
2. Know Your Timetable One of the worst things you could ever do is miss your exam.  Check regularly to ensure that you have the correct information about your exam venue, time and date.
3. Know the Rules Read and understand the examination rules.  You cannot afford the pressure and repercussions of a misconduct when you should be focusing on writing your exam.  For example Cell phones are not allowed in exam rooms, so make proper arrangement to leave it with someone or at home.
4. Know your rights Familiarize yourself with the University policy regarding examinations so that you can identify if your rights are being violated or denied.  For example if for some valid reason you cannot complete an exam there are facilities in place for you to get reprieve.  Also if you are not satisfied with your results you may apply for a remark.
5. Consult Be sure to consult with your course lecturer to get a sense of what you need to do to get prepared.  usually the course lecturer would have the best idea of what is required in terms of supplementary material, the duration and structure of the paper.
6. Balance your time well Use your timetable to balance the time and schedule of your study sessions.  For example if you have an exam on the 20th and one on the 5th you might want to spend 90% of the time on the first exam leading up to it. For exams that are close together you have to balance them based on your strengths in the different subjects.  Do not however, neglect courses that you are very strong in.
7. Collaborate Form study alliances so that you can keep track of schedule changes and enrich your study experience through information exchange.  Nothing helps you to understand a topic better than teaching it to somebody.  There is value in sharing.
8. Organize Have everything you need for exams in place long before the time -  Calculators, pens, pencils, ruler, tables etc.  Be sure to familiarize yourselves with exam materials including formula sheets and supplementary material.   Know how to use your tables, calculators and datasheets.  Have a strategy for organizing your exam desk. This will improve your efficiency considerably.
9. Rest This is a key part of your productive life. While you often get a lot less sleep during exam season, you need to ensure that on the night before the test you get at least SIX (6) hours sleep.  This may vary for different persons but the key point is that it is better to be well rested and be able to use your brains at maximum capacity than to be tired and fighting to stay awake in an exam.  Of course this assumes that you took the necessary steps outlined above and are well prepared before the day of the test.
10. Arrive on time This is probably the most ignored tip, but one of the most important.  The fact is you are at a disadvantage when you arrive late.  You are normally required to fill out exam receipts and this is allowed before the exam starts.  Also corrections on the exam paper are usually issued prior to the start of any exam.  If you miss all of that, you have less time to do your actual exam as no additional time is given to do it.  Be smart!

Dedicated to my Students in Business Management and Professional Office Management At UWI OPEN Campus.  Good Luck in your Final Exams!!!
Copyright 2011 OJB Solutions (You are free to share and distribute once you include a link back to the original article)

 

Steve Mullings Banned for life

Steve Mullings of Jamaica has been found guilty by an disciplinary panel set up by the Jamaica anti-doping commission (JADCo).  According the Jamaica Observer Story (the top local newspaper in Jamaica) he was nipped with his second such offence which by the World anti-doping association (WADA) rules means a guaranteed lifetime ban.  Mullings was not available for comment since he was represented by his lawyer Mr Alando Terrilonge at the hearing.  We tried to get a word with him by telephone but our efforts were futile.  

Mullings beating Gay in a 100m Dash

His former training partner and club mate Tyson Gay who is an avid opponent to drug cheats was also very silent on the matter.  As we are aware Gay is a regular twitter user but he has been mummed on this particular matter.  We believe that Mr. Mullings will appeal the decision, especially on the back of reluctance by the local authority in Jamaica to retest his sample.  Mr Terelonge sighted evidence of questionable sample management which could compromise the integrity of the test results.  He challenged that the handling of the sample was not professionally done and the sample could have been compromised between the time it was taken and the time it reached the lab in Canada.  Further more the main proprietor, doping control officer,  Dr. Paul Wright was not present when the sample was unsealed for testing. 

Dr. Paul Wright

Steve Mullings was banned for two years between 2004 and 2006 after failing a drug test in the summer of 2004 right after qualifying for the Olympic games that year. He returned from the ban in 2006 to a modest season which eventually picked up in 2007 with appearance and relay medals in the world championships that year.  The 2008 season was again poor before a resurgence in 2009 with wins on the circuit through 2010 .  In 2011 he produced his best ever form to finish in one of the automatic qualifying spots at the National Championships in Jamaica, one of the toughest teams to make in the sprints.  He also had personal best in the 100m of 9.80 seconds in Eugene, Oregan beating his compatriot Tyson Gay along the way. He ran under 10 seconds seven (7) times and was tipped to be a medalist at the world championships in Daegu.  It was not to be however as he was spotted for an adverse analytical finding following the national Championships in Kingston.  The substance found in his system is Furosemide, which is a well known masking agent for other more active performance enhancing drugs. 

Daddy's Little Girl (Tribute)

There's nothing more adorable than a good father-daughter relationship.  A girl that talks highly about her father in my experience always seem to have her wits about her.  One of my good friends (I call her D), is just a classic example of this kind of relationship. D is a very ambitious and successful young lady with a strong spiritual connection to God.  I havent met her dad yet but somehow I know the man.  I know her father through her, and I honestly thought I would get a chance to meet him when I travel home so it was a very depressing day for me when I get the terrible news that he passed away. 

Immediately I began to think and reflect on what D might be going through.  What can I do to help her get through this terrible time? I have no idea what this experience is like and God forbid, if I was in her shoes I don't know if I could live through it.  I do not deal well with death, especially when people close to me die.  I still think about my Grandma Rachel and my cousin Griff and when I travel home I subconsciously look forward to meeting and talking to them..  It is very surreal for me and I still search for the answers to the question of death.

I believe in my heart of hearts that D is a strong girl and her faith and and character will help her get theough the trauma; but I stll cannot imagine just how she will do it.  I hope she finds some comfort in the fact that dad is very proud of her and loves her to death. I believe that he will send an angel to watch over you D.  As for me and your other treasured friends, we will be that shoulder when you need to lean, and when you cry we cry with you - then dry our tears together.  Be strong my friend and continue to make daddy proud because you will always be :

Daddy's Little Girl"

Champions League Matchups (Week 5)

Roberto Mancini

   Despite the hint of winter, Europe is heating up today as the UEFA Champions league takes center stage.  In this the fifth week of the group stage, sixteen (16) teams in action.  The top matchup of the day will see Manchester City (EPL leaders) traveling to Naples known for their exuberant fans.  Roberto Mancini the Italian manager of Manchester City has reportedly advised the City fans to take extra caution when they travel to the Italian city.  The BBC has sited incidents of violence in recent months against Bayern Munich supporters.

Other matches to keep an eye on are Manchester United Vs Benfica at Old Trafford, where both teams could qualify for the knock out stage.  Real Madrid host Dynamo Zagreb while Inter travels to Turkey to face Trabzonspor and Villareal visits the German giants Bayern Munich.  The full schedule for today and tomorrow is shown below.  The most interesting game tomorrow will be AC Milan v Barcelona in Milan.  Meanwhile Arsenal v Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen v Chelsea should provide some interesting insight into the depth of the two English sides.  Have a great show folks and stay tuned for our recommended links to watch the Champions league knockout rounds

Week 5 Schedule (Source BBC) 

Tuesday, 22 November 2011

CSKA Moscow v Lille, GpB, 17:00

Bayern Munich v Villarreal, GpA, 19:45

Lyon v Ajax, GpD, 19:45

Man Utd v Benfica, GpC, 19:45

Napoli v Man City, GpA, 19:45

Otelul Galati v FC Basel, GpC, 19:45

Real Madrid v Dinamo Zagreb, GpD, 19:45

Trabzonspor v Inter Milan, GpB, 19:45

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Wednesday, 23 November 2011

Zenit St Petersburg v Apoel Nicosia, GpG, 17:00

BATE Borisov v Plzen, GpH, 18:00

AC Milan v Barcelona, GpH, 19:45

Arsenal v Borussia Dortmund, GpF, 19:45

Bayer Leverkusen v Chelsea, GpE, 19:45

Marseille v Olympiakos, GpF, 19:45

Shakhtar Donetsk v FC Porto, GpG, 19:45

Valencia v Genk, GpE, 19:45

 

Chelsea walks alone; Liverpool joins the chasing pack

What was built up as a showdown between Andy Carrol and Fernando Torres started off with neither of those men on the pitch.  It has to be said though that this match up is much bigger than those two players combined.  Not only because of the poor form Torres is in but the history of this match-up, and the quality of the other players on display.  We recall that Liverpool got the better of Chelsea in both meetings last year.

With Didier Drogba getting the start over Daniel Sturridge and Suarez up against the likes of John Terry what more could we ask for?  The Brazilians were well represented in the form of David Luis, Lucas, and Ramirez. Argentinian Maxi Rodriqez was also on show facing the English lads Terry, Lampard and Cole for Chelsea with Johnson, Hnderson and Downing for Liverpool. It promised to be a fluid affair and the supporters at Stamford bridge were upbeat.

The pace started off briskly and with Andy Carrol warming up after only half an hour speculations were abound. It was maxi who took the highlight of the half however striking in the 34th minute after a terrible mistake from John Obi Mickel.  Meanwhile David Luis shows how much of a "hot head" he is, having multiple encounters with the Liverpool players.  One wonders how effective he is in that position, and the wisdom behind his utilization at the back.  He loves to go forward and he has great attacking instincts but he is a little exposed at the back. The half eventually ended with Chelsea down by a goal with little to show, besides a close free kick from Drogba which went inches wide.  Andy Carrol failed to take the pitch and Torres remained unused

The second period started off much the better for Chelsea, inspired by the injection of Daniel Sturridge who replaced the culpable Mickel.  Meanwhile the anticipation was heightened as the crowd started to get a bit more involved in the game. The anticipation peaked when the attacking prowess of Sturridge paid off with a useful tuck in for a goal in the 55th minute.  It was the result of some nice build up play on the back of a few sustained attacks.  With an hour gone Torres was sighted on the touchline getting warmed up, while Jordan Henderson prepared himself for an appearance, replacing Bellamy in the 66th minute.


The game eventually went flat for a while splashed with the occasional spark - most notably an overhead attempt by Malouda in the box.  With 6 minutes remaining and the scores tied, Andre Villas Boas played his final cards.  Two former Liverpool players were brought on, Torres and Mereiles.  This was to have no effect however, because Glen Johnson had other ideas.  In the 87th minute he made a great run from the middle of the Chelsea half to beat his fellow English man Cole and slot it into the left corner for the lead.  The fat lady was already singing ("We never walk alone") when Andy Carrol made a staged appearance replacing the hard working Suarez.

The final score had Liverpool winning 2 - 1 moving up to 6th in the table, joining Chelsea and three other chasers on 22pts.  Chelsea remains 12pts off the pace with their 3rd loss in four games.  Not an exhilarating performance by the EPL standards but a great win for king Kenny as he is affectionately called in England.  Andre Villas Boas on the other hand will have to recede to some chicken soup for his troubles and hope for a turn in fortunes as they travel to Germany mid-week for UEFA Champions league fixture.

Our man of the match is Glen Johnson while the better strategist was Kenny Dalglish. See you next week when we cover the game of the week(13) Liverpool Vs Manchester City