“We are suggesting that morning people may never reach their true maximum performance because their brain activity is going one way, and their spinal cord activity is going the other” David Collins said. “In evening people, both brain and spinal cord are at maximum in the evening and they get maximum performance at night”.

The study continued to reveal morning people’s brains were most active and excited during the early morning, ‘9am’ while nightowls weren’t actually fully awake until the late night, 9pm onwards.

One of the researchers, Olle Lagerquist commented on the finding would spur on further research into whether morning people could potentially swap with nightowls and vice-versa. (Sounds very far fetched to me, especially me being a nightowl and all, however I never doubt the minds capability, just the person’s motivation)

“No one has done that and then tested pathways through the brain and spinal cord the way we have, but it would be a very long, time consuming process.” Lagerquist said.

He commented further, saying it would most likely have implications for shift workers, including how difficult it was for nightowls to do early shifts.

What’s your thoughts on the matter? Do you find yourself stuck in the mind of a early riser but truly perform well at night? I know I do, and it happens generally between 9pm and 12am, they are my most productive hours. Even now I’m writing this it’s 9:45pm and I need to get up early tomorrow — ha!

We can’t of course apply this small amount of research across every human being on the planet, however we can apply the understanding that our world is divided between both day and night and it could be a solid base to work up from in understanding the brain even more.

Fathers 4 Justice – f4joz.com (F4J) has shown an interesting article from News.com.au regarding the new proposed Australian Internet Web Filter, which simply put, will strip the last source of freedom from people and with reduced speeds of up to 25%. I’ll make it easy, just think of your web page loading a few more seconds later or your downloads a few more minutes later…now times that by a few thousand times you load a website or download a song, starting to add up now? Not to mention, if the government takes control of our web, then they can deliberately block websites to their own advantage – scary stuff hey?

The ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) also noted that web filtering software blocked the wrong content up to 25 per cent in most studies. Think of your local community centre or a blog about gardening could just get blocked, for absolutely no reason. Sure, there is some “nasty” stuff out there and for that, you need the right anti-virus and anti-spyware protection, however forcing you not to see websites is a restriction, a restriction that should not be put in place!

There were hundreds of people who attended protests in capital cities around Australia on Saturday, 13th of December, voicing their opinion on the above proposed internet filtering scheme by Kevin Rudd.

I’m far higher than politics and don’t wish to be involved in any shape or form, however Mr. Rudd seems to be doing a good service so far, however if this goes ahead, he will no longer have my support – that’s a promise… and you can take that to the bank with interest on top!

Full article on Fathers 4 Justice Australia:

http://www.f4joz.com/news/newspage.php?yr=8&id=10291

Around 1:30AM this morning, an 18 year old man was stabbed numerous times by a group of young men in front of a karaoke club in Sydney’s Chinatown. Police report two groups of males started fighting outside the karaoke club on Factory lane when the 18 year old man intervened whilst coming outside for a smoke.

Inspector Brenton Lee reports from City Central Police saying the 18 year old man tried to break-up the fight:

“An 18-year-old male left the club to have a cigarette outside the premises and there he came across six young males fighting. He then went in to stop the fight occurring and some of those young men produced a knife.”

Friends of the victim managed to hail down a taxi and take him to Macquarie Street, before calling an ambulance. He was then taken to St Vincent’s Hospital and is currently in a critical condition.

Police spoke to a number of witnesses at the scene, but say the motive for the attack is still unclear.

The identity of these men are unknown however, anyone who witnessed this attack or might have any information, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Vicious events like these shouldn’t occur in today’s society and it’s everyone to blame. If you see something unlawful, call the Police or Crime Stoppers, doesn’t matter how small you may think it is, every bit counts.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/11/07/2412797.htm

UPDATE: Interest Rates have officially been cut by 0.75 percent, leaving the current interest rate at: 5.25%

Where money is being splashed around, being lost and being gained, the Reserve Bank of Australia will be meeting with the focus on cutting interests rates by another 0.5 percent. This of course isn’t certain, only theory by economists not to mention ANZ, CommSec, AMP and Austock’s Michael Heffernan predicting the cut. However, Mark Dutton spoke for most experts suggesting the slow economy would push the RBA into cutting rates between 0.5 to 075 where as Robert Camilleri of Aviva Investments was more optimistic, saying he believed the banks would cut rates by 1 per cent.

An interest rate cut is of course vital in our economy though it’s uncertain how much improvement this can do to the economy, asking questions like how much would rates fall. According to News.com.au, a rate cut of 0.5 percent would would lower payments on a 25-year mortgage of $250,000 by about $85 a month, meaning more money for necessities like groceries.

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Information: News.com.au

The taste of summer is near, with the beautiful women lazing about on the golden beaches, relaxing music by day and hard music by night. Where parties don’t stop for days and sleeping is absent. I’m getting excited just by talking about it. Chris Hamilton & I are launching a brand new website, SummerMusic.com.au which will host a variety of different things to cater for this years summer including; Summer sports, summer fashion and trends and of course, summer parties! Events will also be posted in relation to their state. For example, there will be a static page for Byron Bay with all events listed.

We’re aiming for Summer Music to be successful so we can keep it recurring and engage into next years summer, the year after that and so on. There will also be a community forum so you can signup and discuss whatever needs to be discussed, meet new people and live the summer life!

“I am concerned about the effective regulation of the credit card industry in the past,” he said. “We will have more to say about that in the future.”

Rudd also noting that in his short time in Government, he’s very concerned on how interest rates have increased rapidly on Australian credit cards. I will be keeping a close eye on this matter and will keep everyone informed as more develops.

I would like to hear your thoughts on credit cards, interest rates and how big credit card companies get away with some many things. As we all know, it’s pharmacutical and credit card companies which have a majority over the economy, not to mention banks taking a nice slice.

That’s right, you can now drink healthy and have the same hit as a cigarette in one serving. How you ask? Simple. United Drinks and Beauty Corporation have created a healthy herbal drink that provides a instant high, followed by a euphoric calming feeling, as a normal cigarette would. This is made by mixing potent roots from South African herbs. Interested? You should be, I am and I’m not even a smoker — though I can relate, being an addict to the sweet Coca Cola soft drink. I have an understanding of an addiction though I couldn’t imagine the thoughts going through a person’s mind whose in need of a nicotine hit.

In the past, there has been several so-called “fixes” to help subside the feeling of which a cigarette gives and eventually allow your mind to move on, unfortunately, these don’t have a great effect, going on what I’ve read and been told. Once your mind is used to a recurring feeling, it becomes apart of the daily routine and is needed by the brain to function in everyday life. People blame society for impacting on their life, causing them more stress and pressure which in turn creates a want for these evil addictions, though society isn’t all to blame you know… Willpower is needed to overturn your bad habits and in order to gain willpower, you need a few things:

• Family - Family is one of the most important factors as they are not only blood relational but they have a much deeper connection with your soul than most would. If you choose to block out your family and go at it alone, you will most likely fail, whether that be in the short or long term.
• Friends – Who you hang around with and what mindsets you mix with is very important. Sure society can influence you but it’s your group of friends which influence you most. If their mindset is submissive, always allowing themselves to be told by others and always giving in, then you will take that on board with your mind as you naturally try to relate to others. I’m not saying don’t hang around with your friends, simply saying: Different Friends for Different Needs. (Don’t be greedy though!)
• Passion & Positivity – We all have it, we all need it, let’s feel it. If you are working at job that you don’t a have interest for, why are you doing it? Find your passion, find what will help you wake up every day. Many go through life doing things they don’t want to do which effects their energy, self-esteem, creativity and everyday thinking. In order to overcome your addictions, you will need to feel passionate about what you’re doing, allowing you to feel strong within yourself and overpower your fears and addictions! Even waking up everyday thanking yourself you are still allow with a brighter outlook can help increase your longevity!

From what turned out to be a simple story about a drink, turned out to be another life lesson from me…whether you can relate, find parts that help you, that is completely your choice. I wouldn’t call myself an elder nor a god, however being through many life experiences gives you a better view on life, increasing your passion to learn and thank more, every day.

It’s not easy quitting an addiction, especially when it’s been apart of you for so long but simple thoughts are key to success – don’t start big, one step at a time…

My question is, why would the media jump to such a conclusion so quickly without concrete facts. Were they mislead or was this part of UQ’s experiment? It just makes you wonder, doesn’t it…

I’m happy to create a discussion about this as I believe it’s important to analyse a few key points here.

For example:

1. Why would Urban and Master Planning students leak a story out.
2. Why would the media pounce on something so quickly not knowing whether it’s factual or not.

To view the full story on News.com.au, click the following link: Brisbane to build centre to attract 4500 elite scientists

The US economy has been in turmoil for much longer than most actually know. Dating back to the horrific event of 9/11, the US have never really recovered to a feasible level and ever since, has been on a slow downward slide. Financial advisors yelling and screaming about this current time wasn’t enough for people to realise the possible catastrophic effects it will have on the economy, and ultimately on themselves. The US being the strongest economy for decades distilled comfort in most which has made people simply not acceptant of the possibility of a crash. Though, as many still fail to realise, a lot of life events are still connected with physics with the popular saying going, “What goes up, must go down”.

So how does this affect us Aussies? Well, unfortunately it has already effected us very hard but all hidden below the surface. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) firstly cut interest rates by a whole 1% to help inflation, though the banks only declared a 0.8% cut, holding onto their “well earned” money. To non-financial savvy people, this means, they simply don’t wish to get into bad debt. I’ll give you a short explanation:

Firstly, a bank in Australia will borrow money from a large corporation (e.g. US Bank) at a specific interest rate for a particular term, like 5 years. They then loan that money to consumers (us) at a higher rate in order to pay back their loan and make a profit. However, as many know there is good debt and bad debt and unfortunately, much bad debt like Lehman Brothers is floating around. Large corporations with good money surplus don’t wish to loan their money around as it can easily become a liability and turn into bad debt.

If you have recently gone into a bank to apply for a loan, credit card or a new bank account, you would’ve noticed new “restrictions” and the possibility of being declined far greater. This has been put into play to only allow people with the proper financial backing to become eligible. You might have certain assets which are valuable to you, however they could be easily deemed liabilities by your bank, depending on circumstances. A good explanation of assets vs liabilities can be found here.

So in result of the US economy crashing, the biggest economy in the world, other countries will of course follow suit. Our dollar hit a 5 year record low of 0.65 cents (0.6584) to the US dollar.

As you can see above, just before 6AM, it hit the record low and then climbed strongly from thereon, nearly hitting 0.68 before finishing just under 0.67.

Kevin Rudd and 20 finance ministers are working with Washington to provide relief to the Australian economy. More can be read at the Sunday Morning Herald here.

All I can suggest is to be cautious, not frugal. As history repeats itself, especially like in this occasion (1980 recession), we will eventually get through it. We will live and evolve into a bigger and better world…

Stay tuned for more updates.

Everyday Money Credit Card

Woolworths, one of the biggest supermarket chains here in Australia has now gone into the finance market but primarily focused on credit cards, for now. The Sunday Morning Herald (SMH) is now calling them by a new name: “Woolworths – The Credit Card People“. The new entity, “Everyday Money” will not only provide credit cards but home insurance, car insurance & various types of loans in the near future.

The Everyday Money Credit Card will help you earn valuable reward points, everywhere you shop. According to Woolworths but of course I’m unable to comment on that point as I haven’t gotten any feedback from people who have actually purchased the everyday money credit card. Here is a brief run down on what you will receive and obviously ‘expect’ from a credit card, says Woolworths:

• No annual fee for the first year

• Free additional card holder

• A competitive credit card interest rate

• Up to 55 days interest free on purchases

• 5.99% on card balance transfers for the first 6 months

• Worldwide acceptance

• Chip security

• MasterCard® PayPass™

• Access to Everyday Money Credit Card Repayment Insurance

• We’ll even let you choose your card colour – now that’s refreshing!

Now what really surprises me is all these quick 1 year don’t pay anything gimmicks really traps people. Automatically they assume that since it has a low rate, a great interest free period and doesn’t cost anything right now, it’s superior to all other credit cards. Unfortunately, they seem to find out the hard way later one because they ‘accidentally’ missed a payment and have to pay an astronomical fee.

If you are considering purchasing a credit card or simply would like more information, I would recommend visiting CreditCards.com.au. A great website with detailed information about all leading credit cards and a handy page to compare credit cards.

I personally wouldn’t buy a credit card at my age let alone the Woolworths Credit Card. Why do I need one? I don’t need to support a family, pay back my car repayments or pay the overdue electricity bill. I will only apply for a credit card online if my web hosting business became in need of further development and I wanted to grow and take it further.

If you feel like you never have any money, can’t afford to pay for things, then sit down with a cup of coffee and talk to your partner, a family member or your best friend about your current situation. We get targeted by credit card companies on our weaknesses. Sometimes it’s better someone else assessing your financial situation then your own emotions.