I'm doing 40 things
Please sir, I want some democracy
5 months ago
(with apologies to Charles Dickens)
bookmanu - See where my books are running's Life List
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1. Highlight the Plight of the Zimbabwean People
3 team members . 60 entries . 76 cheers3 people -
2. Practice the Four Agreements: Be impeccable with my word/ Don't take anything personally/ Don't make assumptions/ Always do my best
1 entry . 92 cheers51 people -
3. get out of my rut
1 entry . 174 cheers33 people -
4. provide abundantly for my family and I
69 cheers1 person -
5. spend more time with my family
101 cheers927 people -
6. be a good father
135 cheers574 people -
7. help my children to achieve their full potential
138 cheers8 people -
8. be a good husband
98 cheers263 people -
9. go out on "date nights" with my spouse on a regular basis
85 cheers477 people -
10. start and run a successful ebay business
78 cheers2 people -
11. earn more money
20 cheers876 people -
12. get out of debt
1 entry . 80 cheers10,553 people -
13. Save money
1 entry . 37 cheers14,237 people -
14. stop procrastinating
1 entry . 61 cheers26,259 people -
15. Be more organised
38 cheers585 people -
16. practice 'Happiness Manifesto' periodically
32 team members . 1 entry . 30 cheers47 people -
17. Obtain & maintain a Body Mass Index (BMI) within the range of 20-25 (which experts generally consider to be healthy).
26 team members . 1 entry . 32 cheers103 people -
18. exercise regularly
2 entries . 68 cheers10,193 people -
19. Suck my stomach in every time I go through a door
3 entries . 24 cheers2 people -
20. Go back to Tai-Chi classes.
92 cheers4 people -
21. share fitness training results with 43 43Ters on Traineo
13 team members . 2 entries . 16 cheers6 people -
22. wake up earlier
40 cheers1,848 people -
23. use my free time productively
67 cheers3 people -
24. clean my car and keep it clean
1 entry . 48 cheers34 people -
25. Give the needy food and other items they would actually like.
95 team members . 58 cheers73 people -
26. learn to ride a bicycle
93 cheers110 people -
27. watch all the James Bond movies
2 team members . 4 entries . 27 cheers321 people -
28. brush up my French
1 entry . 29 cheers14 people -
29. learn to play backgammon
32 cheers51 people -
30. Add entries to all of my things.
22 cheers1 person -
31. pay more attention to the quotes in the right-hand column
32 entries . 26 cheers4 people -
32. obtain explanations of their usernames from the 43Ters who cheer me.
49 team members . 1 entry . 21 cheers9 people -
33. obtain pins on my guest map from 43Ters who cheer me.
31 team members . 3 entries . 15 cheers5 people -
34. get a lomo camera
20 cheers17 people -
35. get an ipod
1 entry . 56 cheers1,237 people -
36. own a red MGA
1 entry . 23 cheers1 person -
37. List Five Books That I've Read That I Think Everyone With A "Read More" Goal Should Read
1 entry . 24 cheers5 people -
38. Share 43 of my favorite websites
6 entries . 11 cheers28 people -
39. Walk the Camino de Santiago
16 cheers156 people -
40. Do the 2009 TBR challenge
2 cheers19 people
How I did it
It made me
indifferent 
How I did it: I went to the "mcCain-Palin":www.johnmccain.com campaign site, but couldn't find a contact us link on the first page, so I haven't actually wished her farewell.I've done this in thought only and in this entry. Read how I did it…
It made me
Inspired 
How I did it: I googled Obama infomercial live, came across http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/10/obama_informercial_live_blog.html and then got the following link http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hqblog Read how I did it…
Recent entries
$50billion Note Introduced in Zimbabwe
5 months ago
Courtesy of money.co.uk
By Charlotte Cardingham Jan. 12, 2009
The country’s central bank has today released the new note into circulation in their attempt to battle hyperinflation.
Zimbabwe’s central bank has today launched a $50billion note into circulation, despite the currency being virtually worthless.
According to today’s estimates the $50billion note will trade at $1.25 US dollars on the black market and have enough purchase power to buy just two loaves of bread or three newspapers.
Three weeks previous, when the government introduced a $10billion note, the equivalent £50billion would have been worth $3.30 US dollars, illustrating the currency’s severe decline in value.
A $20billion note has also been released as part of Acting Finance Minister, Patrick Chinamasa’s bid to tackle the cash shortages currently gripping the country.
This actually represents the second issue of such high value notes after the government were forced to revalue the currency and remove 10 zeros (effectively turning Z$10billion to just Z$1) in August last year.
Poverty stricken Zimbabwe is currently struggling with an unprecedented economic crisis. Almost 80% of its population is unemployed, its currency is dropping in value by almost 100% a day and inflation is running at a staggering 231million%. As a point of comparison, the official rate of inflation in the UK, the Consumer Prices Index, currently sits at 4.1%.
Hyperinflation has become such an issue that few are trading in the nation’s official currency. US dollars and South African rand have instead been adopted as a more viable alternative.
Even the government have acknowledged the futility of the Zimbabwean economy and in September licensed over a thousand shops to sell goods in foreign currency. Everything from food to fuel, property and mobile phone credit can now be bought with non-Zimbabwean funds.
While the situation is nothing short of dire it is difficult to see how this move by Zimbabwe’s central bank will better the situation.
“I am not really sure what these notes would be for,” commented Zimbabwean economist John Robertson in an interview with CNN. “No one now accepts the local currency. It is a waste of resources to print Zimbabwe dollar notes now.”
Many have argued that a resolution of the country’s grid-locked government can be the only possible reprieve for the situation.
Happy Birthday John!
5 months ago
A birthday is just the first day of a 365-day journey around the sun. Here’s wishing you BON VOYAGE! Enjoy the trip.
