Issue:              Loud Lights on the Buses.

Question:        How are they causing stress?

            Headline:        Foreign made public buses are “cracking the whip” at the people that support them.

Suggestions:  

1.      Conduct noise meter measurements.

2.      Recall the buses under warranty.

3.      Redirect the warning to the bottom safety step.

4.      Post a sound warning on the rear door.

5.      Consult the Department of Noise for the correct decibel limit on bells and whistles.

6.      Farm the buses out to other villages for repair and use.

7.   Work the sound into music; so that the public can better identify with it.

Story:  Our territorial government passed a resolution stating the infrastructure of the transportation system is an essential service. The need for any transportation system worker strike was eliminated. Begrudgingly, the workers returned to work. A traffic grid-lock throughout the villages was avoided. The union didn't like being told what to do. It's their job to keep their job.

            Many villages become a city with proper management. The village public transportation system of two buses ( they back-up each other ) is now faced with budget cuts of 50%. The village public transportation administrative body therefore decided to lower the ridership instead of increasing it ( to match their funding ). They have intentionally initiated, as a safety feature, loud clicks, cracks, thumps and whistles, at the new bus rear exit door. This loud noise signifies the exit is ready to open and will automatically close ( even if no one uses it ). Apparently, someone cannot see the door opening ( the disabled and wheel chairs use the front door ). To cover this sound, the automated street address volume is raised ( now it's yelling ). Obviously, their priorities are mixed.  Let the drunks find the exit.

            The buses are of a new electric design, distributed worldwide by a major supplier in a neighboring country. It must have a warranty if new. The loud lights are causing a safety problem not - solving one. Should a mechanic, electrician, engineer or the Ministry of Noise check it out? There's the issue of disconnecting a safety device. Noise within a confined space has limitations according to metered decibel readings – a device I don't possess. Maybe, it should be recalled to quiet this new safety exit device that whistles, snaps, crackles and pops when the door light comes on and off. Why is the sound needed at all? The warning on the door is 'watch for the light' not 'loud sound'. The older buses were better ( they opened without pushing when a silent green light came on ).

            How the public reacts to this noise assault over their heads, this so-called mechanical rice krispies, (whistle, snap, crackle, pop), is a question for sociologists and psychologists. The bus driver is protected by a plexi-glass shield and door. The driver can see the rear door by rear-view mirrors. The dash in front of the driver has computerized lighting – surely it tells the driver if the door is closed and secured. Public talk on the bus, has decreased for some reason. Is this noise is saying, “Shut Up!” or “Get Off” to their subconscious? I don't know but, it is quite annoying when you've paid your fare in advance.

            Complaints and suggestions have poured into the village administrative body through town-meetings, but are largely ignored ( again for the reason of insufficient funding ). It is a fleet-wide problem!! This is the mayor's last term in office - putting the Director of Public Safety’s job in jeopardy - they don't seem to care.  It has become a safety hazard to any rider's hearing and sanity. I can't even hear myself think anymore! Radios have to be turned up just to drown the bus noise out ( increased volume can hurt a person's ear-drums ). I have heard other riders say they've been literally hit by the door light sound. I wish I was joking! Have a look and listen at what I mean next time you’re on the buses; or shall I call them the “clickers”?

            Additional supposed note: To back up the deputation's decision to decrease bus ridership, the local baseball park has decided to raise ticket prices again. The ball park is near empty as it is! The team isn't that bad! It's only the beginning of the season! Other teams will also suffer. No matter – it's better on television anyways. As for the noisy buses – I declare them lemons. I will seek employment farther afield just so I can enjoy a quiet, comfortable and less distressful ride to and from work. Then I could read my newspaper or book. I will still hear whispers about the other bus line. I will ignore them - as they have my e-mails.

The College coaching course examines life and business coaching and how training helps build a coaching practice. I will learn to ask powerful questions in establishing a fundamental coaching skill, to develop an understanding of how coaching is distinctly better then counseling, training and teaching. Similiar courses are being taught at Harvard Business College using Force Field Analysis, Cause-and-effect Diagram, Five Why (Root Cause), Process Analysis with Computer Data-flow Charts. According to the City College catalogue of part-time studies ...

●  Workshops are presumed to assist the certificate courses.

●  Workshop courses and regular certificate courses are 5 months apart?!!?

●  Workshop courses are one-third the cost of the regular courses – both one day in length ?!!?

●  Courses should also complement Ontario Management Development Program and prepare for management training which wasn't mentioned in print - discovered.

Anybody who has ridden the new buses - tooted as the future in mass transit travel – knows what I mean.

They pride themselves on safety. The exits now identify their location with a blend of double whistle and crack followed by a thump. Safety on the new Hybrid Electric buses (from Detroit) needs to be re- addressed. The exit doors warn of a green light before the push on sticker. No warning of a very loud crack overhead. I wonder why the drivers have not asked for a maintenance check to REPAIR TO QUIET? Their union tells them what to do, I guess. It seems to be a combination of electric light and mechanics.  They might need a engineer with a sound meter. Should be covered by a warranty since the buses are fairly new. Other bus lines are quiet at the back door.

How safe is it? Is it an exit guard?  Does the driver control the level of sound? Many people have good hearing?  The noise drowns out any radio and interrupts reading. Should passengers wear ear-plugs to protect their hearing? Don't they need customers?  So, I went on-line to make a suggestion regarding their loud “ticket” sound – no reply as yet, just a blend of double whistle and crack followed by a thump.

This combo of sound is not music to my sensitive ears. They are trained for symphonic music, opera and heavy non-fictional reading. But of course, if you're trying to click with a lot of people daily (over one million riders), a subliminal message embedded in the noise of the bus might just do the trick. Marketing is everywhere - why this promotion? Rider comfort increases ridership. The majority keep it running, not the few with hearing aids.

Studies have shown that if a dog hears a click, they respond to the source of noise in attention. They have really sensitive hearing. I don't know what constant clicking does to a human but people are strangely quiet on the buses. Does their brain register a “shut up” off the noise? On the flip-side, noise could wake up a coma victim (someone has to pay the bill to allow the sleep). What will the tourists say?

I guess I'll wear ear plugs and watch the effects.

¹

In any ordinary lawsuit, the winner as well as the loser, loses out. Even the victor finds the cost of litigation higher then they expected. They pay with money, with time, with worry, with reputation, with good will, and with friendship. Litigation is an expensive experience.²

Source:

¹ British Fantasy Pics

² How Business Men Avoid Litigation by H. Hibschman, 1920's ( Blue Book #1422 )

 Thè Hurry Pudding Investment Club can divide the stock mining sector into three categories

  ¹

Big guy producers (Blue Chips) are the large-cap companies with large, multiple worldwide projects – they have their feelers everywhere. Because of their arrogance in size, the price of large-cap stocks tend to move at a snail's pace. They tend to gobble up the small (blue button) juniors - just to get into the news. .Any investor trying to obtain a double or triple in ROI (return on investment) knows it will not happen quickly.

The stone kickers and researchers in exploration make more news happen. Every time they do something significant, they make news, fuel rumour and raise their stock price in speculation. They have few or no discoveries on hand, but are searching with new technologies such as Airborne Electro Magnetics. Unfortunately, the vast majority of these companies will bankrupt before they ever find anything. Mind you, there are some that are well financed, managed and in a strong “maybe” discovery (evidenced by their price spread of previous years). We watch those companies very closely because many shares is better than a few when trading. In between are what the house calls developers or explorers. They have taken a hammer and chisel to their outcrop rock. These are companies that have found strong evidence of economically viable deposits – something to build upon. They may be in the process of proving their find by drilling, or they may have already proven the deposits and be in the process of building a mine. Or they could have already begun production. Both explorers and developers are often called juniors or penny stocks under $5.00 . When they prove the existence of economic deposits, these are the companies that can bring investors explosive profits — virtually overnight. Remember the blue button equation based on the 52 week spread column. I recently checked out the bid and ask listing and saw several stocks that show a variance spread of a mill (.001) to double digit dollar in value.

(H – L) / L * 100 = x% gain LY.

It's all elementary arithmetic and algebra in finance – a child learning could do it on ledger.² Bull High Price minus Bear Low Price divided by the Bear Low Price multiplied by 100 equals the Percentage Gained last year if bought Bear Low Price. Remember there are other tests – quick cash trades and personal service count in statistics too.

Sources:

1. British Fantasy Pics
2. Investment Research

2010 is the Chinese Year of the Tiger - as you very well know.

I have located a collection of Chinese proverbs.

If you think they mean something; other than the obvious, please comment. 

1. Clouds pass but the rains remain.
2. When the thunder is very loud there is very little rain.
3. Tigers and deer do not stroll together.
4. It is easier to capture a tiger on the mountain than to ask for a loan of money.
5. If you do not enter the tiger's den how can you get his cubs?
6. While a man is driving a tiger from his front door, a wolf is entering from the back.
7. It is no use calling the tiger to chase away the dog.
8. He who rides the tiger is afraid to dismount.
9. One hill cannot shelter two tigers.

India has tiger proverbs too:

1. All for want: tigers their stripes appearing, for boars much fat, for a youth a sprouting beard, for a girl a swelling bosom.
2. When an elephant dies, his tusk is left, and when a tiger dies only his tail remains.

.

Sources;

 ¹ British Fantasy pics

 ² Proverbs of China - Little Blue Book #16

 ³ Proverbs of India - Little Blue Book #401

     In my position as an auditor in a large fashion distribution centre, I am also required to monitor the place for health & safety. We have had a few incidents relative to over-exertion and fatique. Statistics state that obesity is on the increase; so the following should be noted - it requires only a minute to read.

     A neurologist says that if EMS can get to a stroke victim within three (3) hours they can totally reverse the effects of a total body stroke. The trick is to get a stroke recognized, diagnosed and then getting the patient medically cared for within three (3) hours – which is tough.

     Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. The lack of awareness spells disaster for the patient. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say bystander can recognize a life-threatening stroke by asking three simple questions. Remember, the three steps – STR. Read and learn.

S – Ask the person to smile then stick out their tongue straight.

T – Ask the person to talk saying a simple sentence – “It is a nice day today.”

R – Ask them to raise their arms.

If they have any problem with any of these tasks, call emergency 911 and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

  An ancient parable exists that says,”Teach a man to fish and you feed his family for life.”

  ¹

A modern parable could say,

"Teach a person to invest and you supply their money demands for generations.”

A recent U.S. business survey has concluded that there's questionable belief in the U.S. government”s ability to “sustain an economic recovery”. This opinion is based on the fact that corporate and individual access to credit has shown only “minor improvements”. Consumer and Corporate debt is at an all-time high. The survey recommends reduced spending, hiring freezes, downsizing and reducing inventory levels, etc. On a personal level it is recommended that short-term loans such as credit cards be payed off and used as back-up to existing accounts. It is also recommended to avoid the hassles associated with accounts receivable management, call centre services, collections and small claims court - all which could result in garnishment of a hard earned pay-cheque.

It seems the ancient Jewish people invented the concept of interest; so instant solutions are near impossible. North American stock markets offer potential gain but, I'll only go on record by saying, "Stay out of it!" Gosh, I don't want to be blamed if anyone makes the wrong decisions - like they did with their credit.

Sources:

¹ British Fantasy Pics

² StockPhotos

   To Buy or Not To Buy is the Question: 

               ¹

I am faced with a decision in personal investment. The economy and stock market are swinging towards a Bull Market - after an eighteen year Bear Market. Ultra High Grade Gold with Chromite has been discovered in the James Bay lowlands area. They call it "the Ring of Fire". A proxy battle is underway between two major mining companies ( Noront & Cliffs) for another major miner (Freewest) in the area. Four small mining companies are operating in the area - KWG, MPH, Spider and Temex. Three of those companies are priced under 10 cents per share. One is priced under 25 cents per share.²

I contend that a small amount of money, invested in low-priced shares, should generate a lot; with the highest odds of at least doubling or tripling in spread appreciation - from their depressed levels.

So, should I buy and if so what's in it for me later?

Scenario:                                                                                                                                                               If 10,000 shares @ $.10/share bought                                                                                                                   then, 10,000 shares sold @$1.00/share later.                                                                                                        Therefore, cost of $1,000 now worth $10,000                                                                                                      Therefore potential profit gained is 900%.

Details:                                                                                                                                                                  (Sell Price – Buy Price) divided by Buy Price multiplied by 100 = x%                                                                    ($1.00 - $.10) / $.10 x 100 = 900%. profit gain

Decisions:  Canadian Stocks Trading Really Low.

   Diamonds > Rockwell Diamonds > African alluvial  > huge stones in news .

   Energy > Ivanhoe International > First in the Ecuadorian oil fields.

   Entertainment > Peace Arch > Complete film, television programming worldwide.

   Gold > MPH Ventures > Early grab samples of 13.8 oz/tonne .

   Manufacturing > Canada Lithium >  Asian demand for electric batteries.

   Steel:  > KWG > Controls 25% interest in Big Daddy chromite deposit, Freewest 50%, Spider 25%.

   Uranium > Denison Mines > Controls a uranium processing mill > with the US building reactors.

Notes:

1. Brokerage commission fees not figured in.

2. Compare result with guaranteed bank savings rate per annum.

Source:

¹ British Fantasy Pics

² The Northern Miner 2009-12-7, page one news