Ships that pass in the night

Copyright ©2008 hiddenstream.blogspot.com

We sat and watched the distant light
Two ships that pass in the night
We both smile and say its alright
We're still here
It's just that we're out of sight
Like those ships that pass in the night

(Lyrics by Barry Manilow)

I'm really shocked today to learn that an acquaintance of mine had passed away due to a cardiovascular event last evening. He was undergoing follow-up in the National Heart Institute. I was halfway thru this when I heard the news. In fact, I just saw his son 2 days ago. He's working in a cafe/bakery while on his school break.

This is a moment of great sorrow. I hope the grieving family will stay strong in this time of tribulation. I shall email this to them real soon.

To the whole family, this one's for you. Listen here

Farewell, my friend.
As for me, this will be another soul searching journey.

Stockroll:

Puffin birds
by http://www.sxc.hu/profile/horsch
Ships
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:TheEnduranceInFullSail.jpg http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Cisne-2g.jpg http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Alex_von_Humboldt_%28ship%29_Grosssegel.jpg
Mountain island church
Galaxy

Wind beneath my wings

Copyright ©2008 hiddenstream.blogspot.com

Some of the stocks used:


Stock credit:
sxc.hu :
middle mountain by vxdigital
temples
temple 1
temple 2
eagles
eagle 1
eagle 2
eagle 3

Wikimedia Commons
foreground mountain


Inspired by Bette Midler's song of the same title.
This is a Mother's Day Tribute.

In good company

Copyright ©2008 hiddenstream.blogspot.com

Initially I was thinking of doing some sort of sky parade with hot air balloons and all that stuff but decided against it later as it would obliterate the city skyline. Maybe I'll try again in my future posting.

All stock images from sxc.hu including gargoyle statue.

Autumn in my heart

Copyright ©2008 hiddenstream.blogspot.com

Inspired by the song with the same title.

Stock images from sxc.hu
Autumn Tree
Lake
Horses

Earth Day

Copyright ©2008 hiddenstream.blogspot.com

Blessed are the weak for they shall inherit this lovely Earth.

Yesterday was World Earth's Day. Of course there are a host of environmental issues that comes with this celebration like the thinning of the ozone layer and raising sea levels. However, we should not forget that this Earth is the only planet that we have - at this moment, that is. So let us cherish it while it lasts and while we are still alive!

All stock images from sxc.hu.

Song that inspired me:

Close Encounter

copyright ©2008 hiddenstream.blogspot.com

A visit to a prehistoric park resulted in a very close encounter.
I now refer to a very pertinent question - Are we, as a human species, here by chance (or luck if you prefer) or by Intelligent Design? It is pertinent because it is related to the evolution of species since the beginning of life on earth. The Darwinian answer to this question is NEITHER. With such a lush diversity of species since prehistoric age, nothing is created by chance and there is no Intelligent Designer. Every species evolved purely by natural selection, and this is an ongoing process of adaptation. We evolve to survive and adapt to our environment and this process can take a very, very long time. So long that we forgot where we came from!

Stock images from Wikimedia Commons and sxc.hu.
Penang Ferry from Dreamstime.

Landscape and sky created with Terragen as posted here.

The Abdominal Obesity Timebomb (Part 6)

Malaysia, as well as other Asia Pacific countries along with other emerging economic nations cannot be said to have achieved their target in controlling the worsening 'epidemic' of their population getting impaired glucose tolerance (a prediabetic condition) and finally full blown diabetes with all its complications of proteinuria leading to kidney failure, retinopathy progressing to blindness, diabetic skin disease, stroke and heart attack.

What needs to be urgently tackled is aggressive campaigning against unhealthy lifestyle and strict monitoring of parameters that are known to contribute to increased cardiometabolic risks coupled with aggressive therapy to lower the levels of cholesterol and keep blood pressure and blood glucose within the internationally accepted safe standards.

The new treatment paradigm is now in favour of treating the new emerging cardiac risks factors, in particular abdominal obesity, besides lowering blood pressure, LDL, Triglyserides,and certain (blood vessel) inflammatory markers.

As a fitting end to this series, our Honourable Health Minister, Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, himself a vegetarian and nutritionist by profession, is quoted in the Star yesterday, saying that the number of obese adults have risen to 50% among 13 million individuals. Though 10 to 15%, he said, is due to genetic predisposition, we all know that there is still a long battle to go for many people to keep themselves from bulging to dangerous proportions.