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    March 07

    A real story from Cam

    Hi Nikki,

    Rudi likes you, I can talk to him for ages. He told me "If you meet the right woman to marry, you'll know quite soon".  He told me how his wife only went to Dore village school, but she taught herself maths, then they started paying to go to lectures at university.

    She applied to join the civil service (same as your government administration) and she knew she would be competing with people who had been to very well known posh schools. She was totally honest on her application form and didn't hide the school she had been to. She had my attitude to the driving yest: "I'll just do it for a laugh, I'll probably fail". She had to do a maths exam, she said it was easy, and sat waiting to do 'The hard one'.  There was no second exam, the interviewers asked her to come back to their office and asked how she had learned such a high level of maths from a small village school, so she admitted she had been to the university when she could afford it, She and Rudi studied together, he said they helped each other. She eventually necame the most highly paid at her job.  Cool!
    But he misses her terribly, looking at the carpet as he talks about her. Poor old man.

    He has designed all sorts of machines for mass-production, he specialised in marking things like part numbers onto things whizzing along a production line.
     
    Cam
     
     
    March 03

    谈论 Toilet toll on Ryanair - Armchair Traveller

     

    引用

    Toilet toll on Ryanair

    European budget carrier Ryanair has announced plans to charge passengers a pound to 'spend a penny'.

    "Passengers using train and bus stations are already accustomed to paying to use the toilet, so why not on airplanes?" asks Stephen McNamara, a company spokesman. "Not everyone uses the toilet on board one of our flights, but those that do could help to reduce airfares for all passengers."

    Punters who choose to fly with Ryanair already have to pay to check in, take baggage and use credit cards, so a coin slot on the loo isn't likely to ruffle many feathers. Frankly, Ryanair passengers don't have two feathers left to ruffle together.

    What with the global financial doom and gloom taking its toll on every industry, especially travel, I wouldn't be surprised to see even more 'perks' taken from passengers ... it wasn't very long ago that food, drinks, a pillow and a blanket were given freebies, but now they're how 'the other half' fly.

    I like that McNamara likened Ryanair to pleb forms of public transport. It is official — the glamorous days of air travel have well and truly ended.

    Check out the results of a recent survey that discovers what Aussies are willing to forego in-flight for a deal.

    Would you spend a pound to 'spend a penny'? What else would you give up for a cheap flight?

    March 02

    A quick guide for manual car learner 01 手动车学习指南01

    Have you ever wanted to learn at least the basics of how to drive a manual transmission? Luckily, the basic concepts of starting to move a manual transmission car and shifting through the gears is a process anyone can learn. This guide will help you out so that day you get in a manual car, you won't look too bad.

    *Steps*

    1. Try to get on level ground. Put your seatbelt on once you get in.
    2. Identify the pedals. In a manual car, there are three.
      • The one on the far left is the clutch , the middle on is the brake, and then the gas/accelerator is on the far right.(CBA).
    3. Learn what the clutch does:
      • The clutch disconnects the spinning engine from the spinning wheels and allows you to switch gears without grinding the teeth of each separate gear.
      • Before you switch gears, the clutch must be depressed.
    4. If you are in an area with hills or elevated land, make sure that you have the emergency brake engaged or you will start to roll when you are not in gear or do not have your foot on the brake pedal.
    5. Adjust the seat position forward enough to allow you to press the clutch pedal (the left pedal, next to the brake pedal) fully to the floor with your left foot.
    6. Press the clutch pedal and hold it to the floor.
    7. Move the gear shift to neutral. This is the middle position that feels free when moved from side to side. The vehicle is considered out of gear when:
      • the gear shift is in the neutral position, or
      • the clutch pedal is fully depressed.
    8. Start the engine with the key, making sure to keep the clutch pedal held to the floor.
      • Some cars must be in first gear to start, not neutral. This is considered a safety feature.
    9. Once the engine is started, you can remove your foot from the clutch pedal (as long as it is in neutral).
    10. Press the clutch to the floor again and move the gear shift to first gear. It should be the upper left position, and there should be some kind of visual layout of the gear pattern on top of the gear shift knob.
    11. Slowly lift your foot up from the clutch pedal until you hear the engine speed begin to drop, then push it back in. Repeat this several times until you can instantly recognize the sound. This is the friction point.
    12. In order to get moving, lift your foot up from the clutch pedal until the RPMs (revs) drop slightly and apply light pressure to the accelerator. Balance the light downward pressure on the accelerator with lessening pressure on the clutch pedal. At this point the car will start to move. You will probably have to do this several times to find the right combination of pressure up and down. It is best to have the engine rev just enough to prevent stalling as the clutch pedal is let up.
      • If you release the clutch too quickly the car will stall. If the engine sounds like it is going to stall, then hold the clutch where it is or even push it further in slightly. Excessive engine speed while the clutch is between fully up and fully depressed will wear out the clutch parts prematurely resulting in slippage or smoking of the clutch parts at the transmission.
    13. When driving, when your RPM reaches about 3000 to 4000 as indicated by the tachometer, it is time to shift into second gear. Remember though that it depends fully on the car you are driving what RPM the tachometer will reach before you must shift. Your engine will begin to race and speed up, and you must learn to recognize this noise. Apply pressure downward on the clutch pedal and guide the shift lever straight down from 1st gear into the bottom left position.
      • Many cars have a "Shift Light" or indications on the speedometer that will tell you when you need to shift so you don't rev the engine too fast.
    14. Push down on the gas very slightly and release the clutch pedal.
    15. Once in gear and on the gas you should completely remove your foot from the clutch pedal. Resting your foot on the pedal is a bad habit, and applies pressure to the clutch mechanism - the increased pressure could allow the clutch to wear prematurely.
    16. When you have to stop, shift right foot off accelerator to the brake pedal and squeeze down as hard as is required and as you slow to about 15kph you will feel the car about to start shaking and vibrating. Press the clutch pedal fully down and move the gear shift to neutral to prevent stalling.
    *Tips*
    • Before beginning to shift gears make sure you know the gear arrangement. Many times this is posted on the top of the shifter. Generally from the center, 1st is up and left, 2nd down and left, 3rd up center, 4th down center and 5th up right. If your car has a 6th gear it will be down and right. Reverse will either be where 6th gear would be in a 5-speed or to the far left or right, depending on the vehicle.
    • Make sure you push the clutch all the way in before shifting to the next gear.
    • If your car seems like it is going to stall or the engine is sputtering, then push in the clutch again and wait for the engine to return to idle and repeat the steps to starting off.
    • During sub freezing temperatures, it is not advisable to leave a car for a longer time with a handbrake (parking brake) pulled on. Moisture will freeze making the release of the parking brake impossible. You may want to apply 1st gear when the car is parked on flat surface or up the hill. If your car is parked facing downhill, leave the car in Reverse. Don't forget to use the handbrake when you press the clutch, otherwise the car will start to move.
    • Learn the sounds of your engine. You should know when to change gears without looking at the tachometer.

    *Warnings*

    • Use the brakes to slow the vehicle down. Resist the temptation of down shifting to force a low gear to slow the vehicle down. Consider that a brake job is significantly less expensive than an engine or transmission rebuild. Sometimes use of low gear to slow the vehicle down is required, such as when going down a long, steep grade that would result in brake fade due to excessive heat. When necessary to use the the compression of the engine and low gear to slow the vehicle down, observe that when you down shift, let off the clutch slowly and wait for the car to respond. If the car lurches forward and chirps the tires, you probably are going too fast for that gear. In this situation immediately floor the clutch and shift back into the gear you were in and slow down before down shifting.
    • Stop completely before going from reverse to another gear.
    • Keep an eye on the tachometer until you are comfortable with a manual. A manual transmission requires much more responsibility than an automatic. Over rev the engine, and severe damage to the engine may result.

    *Video Link*

    how to drive a car with munal transmissionNotice:When the video plays to 1:53 Step 11, it shows the person pressing onto the brake pedal when they should be pressing on gas.


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    July 08

    有谁能写一段类似的中文?

    fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too 
    Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe can.
    i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg.
    The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the r ghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm.
    Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.
    Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it.
    July 03

    My Personality Disorder Test Results

    My Personality Disorder Test Results

    http://www.4degreez.com/misc/personality_disorder_test.mv

    Your Results:

    Disorder                                  Rating Information
    Paranoid: 妄想狂 Low click for info
    Schizoid:  精神分裂症 Low click for info
    Schizotypal: 精神分裂症型 Moderate click for info
    Antisocial: 反社会人格病症 Moderate click for info
    Borderline: Low click for info
    Histrionic: 戏剧性 Low click for info
    Narcissistic: 自恋的 Very High click for info
    Avoidant: 回避反应 Moderate click for info
    Dependent: 依赖性 Low click for info
    Obsessive-Compulsive: 强迫症 Moderate click for info

    The differences between Americans and Australians

     *Australians*

    • Dislike being mistaken for Pommies(British) when abroad.
    • Believe you should look out for your mates.
    • Are extremely patriotic to their beer.
    • Export all their crappy programs, which no-one here watches, to Britain, where everybody loves them.
    • Will Jabber on incesstantly about how they beat the Poms in every sport they played them in.
    • Add "G"day, "mate" and a heavy accent to everything they say in an attempt to get laid.
    • Shop at home and have goods imported because they live on an island.
    • Drink anything with alcohol in it.
    • Seem to think that none of this matters after several beers.

     

    *Americans*

    • Encourage being mistaken for Canadians when abroad.(Less chances to become the targets of terrorism)
    • Believe that people should look out for and take care of themselves.
    • Are flag-waving, anthem-singing, and obsessively patriotic.
    • Spend most of their lives glued to the idiot box.
    • Will jabber on incesstantly about football, baseball and basketball.
    • Spell words differently , but still call it "English".
    • Cross the southern border for cheap shopping, gas and alcohol.
    • Drink weak, pissy-tatsting beer.
    • Seem to think that poverty and faliure are morally suspect.  
    March 17

    一点安全知识

    1、《北京7台》的节目披露
     自:Club.ChinaRen.com
    l 有一妇女手提包被偷,里面有手机、银行卡、钱包等。
    l 20分钟后,当她打电话告诉老公被偷的事,老公惊呼:啊,我刚才收到
    你的短信问咱家卡的密码,我立马就回了!
    l 赶到银行时已被告知里面所有的钱都已被提走。
    l 小偷通过用偷来的手机发送短信给 "亲爱的老公" 而获取了密码,然后
    在短短20分钟内把钱取走了。
     自:Club.ChinaRen.com
    教训:
    l 不要在手机通讯录暴露本人与联系人的关系,忌用 "家" 、" 老公"、
    "爸" 、" 妈"等定义联系人。
     自:Club.ChinaRen.com
    2、一个您不能不知道的 ,112专线
     自:Club.ChinaRen.com
    日前有三位护士不慎连人带车跌落一百五十公尺深的山谷,于受困四日三夜后始获
    救。其间,她们曾尝试以手机向外求救;无奈一支摔坏,一支无电,一支收讯不良。
     自:Club.ChinaRen.com
    她们亦曾移动位置以寻找较佳的收讯处,但都未能成功。如果这三位护士平常就知道
    112专线,紧急时刻也能记得以那支即使收讯不良的手机拨出112专线,相信她们
    应可很快地获救。
     自:Club.ChinaRen.com
    全国各地通用的112专线,在手机打开后即使没有接收讯号,甚至电力极为微弱,
    任何厂牌的手机在任何地点皆可拨通。拨出112后,马上会进入语音说明如下 ∶这
    里是行动电话112紧急救难专线,如果您要报案,请拨0,我们将会为您转接警察
    局;如果您需要救助,请拨9,我们将会为您转接消防局。中文讲完后,会以英文重
    述一遍。此时只要拨0或9,一定会有人接听。以三位护士所处的情况,或登山迷途与
    山难时,应拨9,将可获得即时的救助。
     自:Club.ChinaRen.com
    为测试此项功能,本人曾数次至偏远深山等收讯不良处实地测试,结果是百试皆灵。
    希望全国每个人都能知到112这项手机功能,也希望每个人能尽量与大家分享,周
    遭如有外国朋友也应告知他们。并且每个人应实地至荒郊野外测试三次以上,以增加
    印象与记忆力。我相信如果这三位护士于发生灾难当时知道这项功能,应可不至于受
    困三夜始被救出。
     自:Club.ChinaRen.com
    3、不要直接用碗面、杯面所附的容器
     自:Club.ChinaRen.com
    请大家注意身体, 爱吃方便面的一定要看 , 不要直接用碗面、杯面所附的容器食用。
     自:Club.ChinaRen.com
    文章所说的是写这封信的这个人的同事的侄子在英国念书大约一年半,
    而这位侄子呢,他喜欢吃杯面的速食面。结果猜怎么着?
    这位侄子的医生发现他的胃壁附着一层蜡!
    因为,杯面的容器里包含一种可食用的蜡!
     自:Club.ChinaRen.com
    各位下次吃杯面的时候摸摸看杯壁是不是觉得滑滑的,那就是了,
    而长时间的食用杯面后造成我们的肝脏无法分解这种毒,
    最后这位侄子也就在寻求手术治疗移除这层蜡时死了。
     自:Club.ChinaRen.com
    所以各位以后吃泡面的时候,尽量把面拿出来
    另外用自己的碗来泡,不要直接用碗面、杯面所附的容器食用。
    为了自己的身体,不要偷懒啊!知道吗 ??
     自:Club.ChinaRen.com
    4、非常重要!在烤肉,或任何有可能接触到火源的地方,请将你的隐形眼镜拿掉!
     自:Club.ChinaRen.com
    我《紧缺人才》的同学听过一件很可怕的事……事情发生在有一天,一个 21岁男生戴着
    隐形眼镜去叁加一个烤肉聚会!就在他开始以木炭生火之後的几分钟内,他突然大
    叫,然後很痛苦的跳来跳去,在地上打滚 ……全场的人都吓呆了,没人知道究竟发生了
    什麽事?大家赶紧送他到医院,医生说,他永远都看不见了!
     自:Club.ChinaRen.com
    原因是:隐形眼镜是用塑胶制成的,而就在他生火的同时,过热的温度熔化了他的隐
    形眼镜!
     自:Club.ChinaRen.com

    态度

     
    一个上海出租汽车司机的生意经
     
    我要从徐家汇赶去机场,于是匆匆结束了一个会议,在美罗大厦前搜索出租车。一辆大众发现了我,非常专业的、径直的停在我的面前。这一停,于是有了后面
    的这个让我深感震撼的故事,象上了一堂生动的MBA案例课。为了忠实于这名出租车司机的原意,我凭记忆尽量重复他原来的话。

    “去哪里……好的,机场。我在徐家汇就喜欢做美罗大厦的生意。这里我只做两个地方。美罗大厦,均瑶大厦。你知道吗?接到你之前,我在美罗大厦门口兜了两圈,终于被我看到你了!从写字楼里出来的,肯定去的不近~~~”

    “哦?你很有方法嘛!”我附和了一下。

    “做出租车司机,也要用科学的方法。”他说。我一愣,顿时很有些兴趣“什么科学的方法?”

    “要懂得统计。我做过精确的计算。我说给你听啊。我每天开17个小时的车,每小时成本34.5元……”

    “怎么算出来的?”我追问。

    “你算啊,我每天要交380元,油费大概210元左右。一天17小时,平均每小时固定成本22元,交给公司,平均每小时12.5元油费。这是不是就是
    34.5元?”,我有些惊讶。我打了10年的车,第一次听到有出租车司机这么计算成本。以前的司机都和我说,每公里成本0.3元,另外每天交多少钱之
    类的。

    “成本是不能按公里算的,只能按时间算。你看,计价器有一个“检查”功能。你可以看到一天的详细记录。我做过数据分析,每次载客之间的空驶时间平均为7分钟。如果上来一个起步价,10元,大概要开10分钟。也就是每一个10元的客人要花17分钟的成本,就是9.8元。不赚钱啊!如果说做浦东、杭州、青浦的客人是吃饭,做10元的客人连吃菜都算不上,只能算是撒了些味精。”

    强!这位师傅听上去真不象出租车司机,到象是一位成本核算师。“那你怎么办呢?”我更感兴趣了,继续问。看来去机场的路上还能学到新东西。

    “千万不能被客户拉了满街跑。而是通过选择停车的地点,时间,和客户,主动地决定你要去的地方。”我非常惊讶,这听上去很有意思。“有人说做出租车司机是靠运气吃饭的职业。我以为不是。你要站在客户的位置上,从客户的角度去思考。”这句话听上去很专业,有点象很多商业管理培训老师说的“put yourself into others' shoes.”

    “给你举个例子,医院门口,一个拿着药的,一个拿着脸盆的,你带哪一个。”我想了想,说不知道。

    “你要带那个拿脸盆的。一般人病小痛的到医院看一看,拿点药,不一定会去很远的医院。拿着脸盆打车的,那是出院的。住院哪有不死人的?今天二楼的谁死了,明天三楼又死了一个。从医院出来的人通常会有一种重获新生的感觉,重新认识生命的意义,健康才最重要。那天这个说:走,去青浦。眼睛都不眨一下。你说他会打车到人民广场,再去做青浦线吗?绝对不会!”

    我不由得开始佩服。

    “再给你举个例子。那天人民广场,三个人在前面招手。一个年轻女子,拿着小包,刚买完东西。还有一对青年男女,一看就是逛街的。第三个是个里面穿绒衬衫的,外面羽绒服的男子,拿着笔记本包。我看一个人只要3秒钟。我毫不犹豫地停在这个男子面前。这个男的上车后说:延安高架、南北高架~~~还没说后面就忍不住问,为什么你毫不犹豫地开到我面前?前面还有两个人,他们要是想上车,我也不好意思和他们抢。我回答说,中午的时候,还有十几分钟就1点了。那个女孩子是中午溜出来买东西的,估计公司很近;那对男女是游客,没拿什么东西,不会去很远;你是出去办事的,拿着笔记本包,一看就是公务。而且这个时候出去,估计应该不会近。那个男的就说,你说对了,去宝山。”

    “那些在超市门口,地铁口打车,穿着睡衣的人可能去很远吗?可能去机场吗?机场也不会让她进啊。”

    有道理!我越听越有意思。

    “很多司机都抱怨,生意不好做啊,油价又涨了啊,都从别人身上找原因。我说,你永远从别人身上找原因,你永远不能提高。从自己身上找找看,问题出在哪里。”这话听起来好熟,好像是“如果你不能改变世界,就改变你自己”,或者Steven Corvey的“影响圈和关注圈”的翻版。“有一次,在南丹路一个人拦车,去田林。后来又有一次,一个人在南丹路拦车,还是去田林。我就问了,怎么你们从南丹路出来的人,很多都是去田林呢?人家说,在南丹路有一个公共汽车总站,我们都是坐公共汽车从浦东到这里,然后搭车去田林的。我恍然大悟。比如你看我们开过的这条路,没有写字楼,没有酒店,什么都没有,只有公共汽车站,站在这里拦车的多半都是刚下公共汽车的,再选择一条最短路经打车。在这里拦车的客户通常不会高于15元。”

    “所以我说,态度决定一切!”我听十几个总裁讲过这句话,第一次听出租车司机这么说。

    “要用科学的方法,统计学来做生意。天天等在地铁站口排队,怎么能赚到钱?每个月就赚500块钱怎么养活老婆孩子?这就是在谋杀啊!慢性谋杀你的全家。要用知识武装自己。

    学习知识可以把一个人变成聪明的人,一个聪明的人学习知识可以变成很聪明的人。一个很聪明的人学习知识,可以变成天才。”

    “有一次一个人打车去火车站,问怎么走。他说这么这么走。我说慢,上高架,再这么这
    么走。他说,这就绕远了。我说,没关系,你经常走你有经验,你那么走50块,你按我的走
    法,等里程表50块了,我就翻表。你只给50快就好了,多的算我的。按你说的那么走要50分
    钟,我带你这么走只要25分钟。最后,按我的路走,多走了4公里,快了25分钟,我只收了
    50块。乘客很高兴,省了10元钱左右。这4公里对我来说就是1块多钱的油钱。我相当于用1
    元多钱买了 25分钟。我刚才说了,我一小时的成本34.5块,我多合算啊!”

    “在大众公司,一般一个司机3、4千,拿回家。做的好的大概5千左右。顶级的司机大概
    每月能有7000。全大众2万个司机,大概只有2-3个司机,万里挑一,每月能拿到8000以上。
    我就是这2-3个人中间的一个。而且很稳定,基本不会大的波动。”

    太强了!到此为止,我越来越佩服这个出租车司机。

    “我常常说我是一个快乐的车夫。有人说,你是因为赚的钱多,所以当然快乐。我对他们
    说,你们正好错了。是因为我有快乐、积极的心态,所以赚的钱多。”

    说的多好啊!

    “要懂得体味工作带给你的美。堵在人民广场的时候,很多司机抱怨,又堵车了!真是倒
    霉。千万不要这样,用心体会一下这个城市的美,外面有很多漂亮的女孩子经过,非常现代
    的高楼大厦,虽然买不起,但是却可以用欣赏的眼光去享受。开车去机场,看着两边的绿色
    ,冬天是白色的,多美啊。再看看里程表,100 多了,就更美了!每一样工作都有她美丽的地方,我们要懂得从工作中体会这种美丽。”

    “我10年前是强生公司的总教练。8年前在公司作过三个不同部门的部门经理。后来我不干了,一个月就3、5千块,没意思。就主动来做司机。我愿意做一个快乐的车夫。哈哈哈
    哈。”

    到了机场,我给他留了一张名片,说:“你有没有兴趣这个星期五,到我办公室,给微软的员工讲一讲你怎么开出租车的?你就当打着表,60公里一小时,你讲多久,我就付你多少钱。给我电话。”

    我迫不及待的在飞机上记录下他这堂生动的MBA课。