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Eliminating 'muda'

(Published on 2 October 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

As a Miss Know-All I need to keep abreast with new terms and terminologies. It was with great interest that I heard the younger generation use the word – ‘Muda.’ Never heard that one before. Looking at my perplexed and confounded expression – my young and considerate companion whispered – “muda means waste.”

Waste? What kind of waste? Can any waste be called muda?

Muda is defined as waste, where waste is anything or any activity that does not add value. It is a term that is commonly used in management circles. Reducing or eliminating muda is the fundamental objective of a good quality-oriented manager. Muda is one of the '3Ms': muda, or waste, mura, meaning irregular, uneven or inconsistent, and muri, meaning unreasonable or excessive strain.

Taichi Ohno of Toyota identified and described aptly the seven mudas – or in other words the seven wastes:

Waste from overproduction
Often goes unnoticed as overproduction is seen as work happening. But it leads to excess inventory, handling, storage, machinery wear and tear, staff costs and overhead.

Processing waste
Additional effort is required if a process is not properly thought through. This can lead to multiple wastes – manpower waste, time waste and resource waste.

Inventory waste
Excess buffer stocks can also result in a whole lot of waste. Getting it right and maintaining minimum required stocks is the solution to avoid a total breakdown.

Waste of time in waiting
People waste a lot of time waiting for a response from the other. They are often waiting for one another. This could happen because they have objectives that are not aligned.

Transportation waste
Poor arrangement and lack of proper planning can lead to things being moved multiple times. If things are not placed in the right place, they can be hard to find. This can aggravate a complete lapse of processes.

Waste of motion
This includes movement of people, from simple actions when in one place to geographic movement from one place to the other. Having everything easily accessible reduces motion muda.

Waste from product defects
Any defect causes duplication of effort besides upheaval in a set routine or synchronised set of processes and systems.

Laws, rules, formulas, principles make no sense to me unless I look at it from a practical point of view. Let us bring the 7 Muda principles within the four walls of the kitchen… Whether, waste from overproduction, waste of time in waiting, transportation waste processing waste, inventory waste, waste of motion, waste from product defects – all these are things that our grandmothers firmly believed in and practiced in their kitchens.

The best managers run kitchens and homes. For centuries housewives have been eliminating muda and increasing efficiency and productivity.

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com

Index

(63) Eliminating 'muda'
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/021007/14.asp

(62) Way of the weasel


(60) Fond of fondue
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/04092007/14.asp

(59) The kind of chocolate you like - reflects the personality you have
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/210807/15.asp

(58) Winnie the Pooh... the World's Ambassador of Friendship
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/140807/15.asp

(57) Understanding boomerangs
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/07082007/14.asp

(56) In the Doldrums
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/24072007/13.asp

(55) Paiting the Eiffel Tower
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/170707/14.asp

(54) A shoe museum that showcases used and old shoes!
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/03072007/13.asp

(53) Why a Bluetooth is called a Bluetooth?
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/260607/15.asp

(52) Feng Shui for enhancing productivity in the office
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/19062007/13.asp

(51) And the credit goes to… Thomas Crapper!
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/120607/13.asp

(50) The great Foie Gras controversy
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/050607/13.asp

(49) We’ve all heard of Murphy’s Law. But who is Mr Murphy?
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/29052007/P15.asp

(48) The 'hobble skirt' bottle!
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/220507/13.asp

(47) Guinness - a record breaking idea!
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/15052007/P15.asp

(46) Water intoxication... drinking too much water can be dangerous!
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/08052007/16.asp

(45) Are all plastics microwave safe?
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/010507/14.asp

(44) Hair gel, mousse or serum... what should one opt for?

(43) Understanding autism
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/100407/13.asp

(42) Why is a horseshoe considered lucky?
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/03042007/13.asp

(41) Incontinence... the silent affliction
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/27032007/13.asp

(40) Why does mineral water have an expiry date?
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/18032007/13.asp

(39) The relevance of celebrating International Women's Day
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/060307/15.asp

(38) Beating jet lag
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/270207/15.asp

(37) Crazy about walnuts...
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/200207/14.asp

(36) Are you addicted to email?
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/060207/14.asp

(35) The goodness of honey...
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/300107/14.asp

(34) Know your sunscreen - SPF and more!
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/160107/15.asp

(33) Netizen Speak
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/090107/13.asp

(32) The significance of the Christmas Tree
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/020107/13.asp

(31) RSVP - 'repondez, s'il vous plait'
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/26122006/12.asp

(30) Dating Allowance! Staff retention... at what cost?
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/121206/14.asp

(29) Yes! I've finally been 'mammographed'!
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/05122006/4.asp

(28) Read the fine print - carefully!
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/211106/13.asp

(27) Dangers of a long flight - deep vein thrombosis!
http://www.dailymirror.lk/sections/supp/w@w/141106/15.asp

(26) Suffering from whitlow?
(25) Want to lose weight? Get your ears stapled!
(24) Triskaidekaphobia
(23) Paparazzi on the prowl...
(22) Understanding deja vu...
(21) Looking for soft skills...?
(20) Raising a toast to the queen of crime!
(19) What!!! Pluto not a planet...
(18) Holy smoke... now it's laptop batteries that are exploding!
(17) Fishing or Phishing?
(16) Being a good houseguest...
(15) Difference between warranty and guarantee...
(14) The art of insulting
(13) Arouse the 'Kartini' within you...
(12) Anti-aging... with and without botox!
(11) Caviar... much overrated!
(10) A catch 22 situation!
(09) De- stressing... stress busters from an expert
(08) Fugu Fish - a poisonous delicacy!
(07) How do barcodes work?
(06) Sudoku - the puzzle of the 21st Century
(05) Are green tea, white tea and red tea from the same plant?
(04) How does the rice cooker know when to turn off?
(03) Why does the hair on your arm not grow long?
(02) How your mobile phone works...
(01) Origin of the term 'daylight robbery'

Fond of Fondue

(Published on 04 September 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

A Swiss friend of mine invited us over for dinner with a promise that she’d serve the best fondue we had ever had. While I fished out my stilletoes, and my Hermes silk scarf – I also brushed up my ‘fondue etiquettes.’

The term “fondue” comes from the French word ‘fondre’ which literally means to melt. Fondue refers to communal dishes shared at the table in an earthenware pot called ‘caquelon’ which is kept over a small burner called ‘rechaud’. Fondue is eaten by spearing small cubes of bread or other food items with a long fork, and then dipping it into the delicious mixture of molten cheese present in the fondue pot. Besides cubes of bread, one can also dip cooked chicken, ham, garlic sausage, roasted potatoes, asparagus spears, broccoli and cauliflower florets and peppers.

Fondue was actually invented out of necessity. Swiss villagers, who were separated from towns by long winters, had to rely on foods such as bread and cheese that were made in the summer. Stale cheese becomes very hard. However, if cheese was heated over a fire it tasted better and was much easier to eat. Bread in turn would soften when it was dipped into the cheese. Soon wine and other seasonings were being mixed to turn old cheese and bread into a delectable meal. As with etiquettes connected with other communal meals, fondue etiquettes, range from being practical to amusing.

Fondue etiquettes:

>>After dipping the bread into the fondue, hold it over the pot for a few seconds to allow the extra cheese to drip back into the fondue pot. This also allows the cheese time to cool. To avoid dripping, you can bring the bread to your mouth with a small plate underneath it. Alternatively, remove it onto the plate.

>>Don’t touch the fondue fork with your mouth as the fork goes back into the pot. Be extra careful not to touch it with your lips.

>>Don’t double dip. Dipping the food, taking a bite, and then dipping it into the pot once again is a big no-no! Just make sure you cover the bread with enough cheese the first time round.

>>Don’t dip with your fingers. Use the given fork. Besides being bad table manners it’s not really recommended that you dip your fingers in hot molten cheese.

>>Don’t lose your food in the pot. As per tradition, the person who loses food in the fondue pot has to buy a round of drinks for everyone at the table.

Each household has their own rules. If the bread is lost in the fondue, it is customary for that person to be punished in some way. If a lady drops food in the pot she has to kiss the person next to her. An extract of the fondue scene from ‘Asterix in Switzerland’ explains the gravity of the offence:

The Trouble with Fondue...
"Everyone got it? If you lose your piece of bread in the fondue, you pay a forfeit! The first time it's five of the best with a stick; the second time you get twenty lashes with a whip; the third time you get thrown into the lake with weights tied to your feet!"

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com

The kind of chocolate you like - reflects the type of personality you have

(Published on 21 August 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

Trust a Miss Know-All to come up with this pearl of wisdom. Next time when a box of chocolates is doing the rounds, watch carefully what each person chooses for them selves - for the kind of chocolate they like reflects the personality that they are.

Now this is no figment of my imagination – it’s the conclusion drawn after a thorough research was conducted. Have you ever wondered why some people like dark chocolate, some like milk chocolate and others like white chocolate? The makers of a Swiss brand of chocolates commissioned a research to learn whether certain personalities matched certain types of chocolate. The results were astounding.

People who like dark chocolate are as complex as their tastes. They are connoisseurs of all things superior. They are very particular about quality and about achieving perfection. Dark chocolate lovers take the time to study about the things they care about, and value their ability to make choices. They are health conscious and choose dark chocolate for its rich, satisfying flavour and its heart warming content. They are the kind of people who you will find in a pair of faded jeans during the weekend. If a lipstick colour was to be named after them, it would be called ‘Complex & Captivating’

Milk chocolate lovers have a heart of gold. They are optimistic people who enjoy the sweetness of life. They have made the choice to see the good in people and everything around them. They spread joy through their infectious laugh. Eating chocolates evokes warm feelings and memories in these types of people. They are the type of loyal friends who remember your birthday and whom you can call at any unearthly hour to share your problems. Milk chocolate lovers would spend the weekend in an old school sweatshirt. The name of the colour of the lipstick best suited to their traits would be – ‘Breath of Fresh Air.’

White chocolate lovers are different from the above two kinds of people. They know what’s in style long before their friends do. They love chocolates, but they love it just a little bit different. People who love white chocolates are great people to be with. They are adventurous and always willing to try out new things. They are daring and eager to be different from the average ordinary bloke. During a weekend, a white chocolate lover would be found in the latest new yoga gear. The colour of the lipstick that would best compliment their personality – is ‘All the Rage.’

And as for those who like all the three types of chocolates - they need to be in a freak show on display. For it is believed that people who like dark chocolates get put off by the white kind. Here’s a wise one from Terry Moore: “The 12-step chocoholics program: NEVER BE MORE THAN 12 STEPS AWAY FROM CHOCOLATE!”

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com

Winnie-the Pooh - the Ambassador of Friendship

(Published on 14 August 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

Does one need a special day to celebrate ‘Friendship Day’? For me each day is dedicated to my friends. Each day is marked by raising a toast to all those friends who have stuck by me, through thick and thin. Then why this big fuss over the first Sunday of August, when Friendship Day is celebrated the world over?

Considering the valuable role friends play in our life it was considered fit to have a day dedicated to friends and friendship. The tradition of dedicating a day in tribute to one’s friends began in America in 1935. Gradually the festival has gained popularity in other countries as well and today Friendship Day is celebrated the world over.

So what special things are you supposed to do on this day? On this day people spend time with their friends and express their feelings for them. Exchanging of gifts like flowers, cards and friendship bands is a popular tradition.

When we think of friendship, one name that comes to mind is that of Pooh. In 1997, the United Nations named Winnie the Pooh as the world’s ‘Ambassador of Friendship.’ Though Pooh is described as a ‘bear of little brain,’ he has a big heart. To Pooh, friendship means not just caring and sharing with old friends, but also accepting new ones with an open heart. With his unconditional way of giving from his heart, lending a caring shoulder, and always having a friendly word of encouragement, Pooh teaches us important lessons about friendship. Winnie has always been acknowledged as an Ambassador of Friendship. He even led the Friendship Day celebration in Disneyland.

But what is really interesting is how Winnie happened to get his name. In 1914, a Winnipeg soldier Harry Colebourn bought an orphaned black bear cub in White River, Ontario while en route to fight in the First World War. Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of the province of Manitoba and is located at the eastern edge of the great plains of Western Canada.

Harry Colebourn named the bear ‘Winnie’ after his hometown, Winnipeg. The cub became the mascot of Colebourn’s regiment. When Colebourn was shipped out to the war zone, he donated the bear to the London Zoo, where it spent twenty long years. It was at this zoo that Christopher Robin Milne, the young son of author and playwright A.A. Milne happened to meet ‘Winnie’ the bear. The young Milne renamed his stuffed bear Winnie the Pooh and his father later wrote stories about a boy and his bear, Winnie.

Friends and friendship have always been valued… there can be no substitute for friends. To my readers – may there be numerous ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’s in your life who offer you unconditional love and support and a friendship that lasts a lifetime.

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com

Understanding boomerangs

(Published on 7 August 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

God bless relatives… they come up with the most amazing ways of harassing you. My cousin returned from a trip to Australia with a boomerang. A whole family picnic was planned, far away from the concrete jungle that we lived in, so that the boomerang could be tested.

It was no easy task – for the boomerang refused to do what it was supposed to do – return to the thrower. Many an expert tried their hand and voiced their adroit opinions but to no avail. The picnic seemed to loose meaning as everyone seemed disappointed with the unyielding boomerang. The literature that came along with the boomerang was read aloud, and then re-read one-by-one. We came to the firm conclusion that probably it was our comprehension skills that was at fault. Why was it that the amazing application of complex laws of physics was escaping us?

Boomerangs are curved devices that return to you when you throw them. The specially crafted, lightweight piece of wood has basically two wings connected in a banana-shape.
When thrown correctly, a returning boomerang is supposed to fly through the air in a circular path and arrive back at its starting point. A straight piece of wood, when thrown will simply keep going in one direction, until gravity pulls it to the ground.

The working of a boomerang makes perfect sense once we understand the physical forces at work. The classic banana-shaped boomerang has two wings and that is the reason for its characteristic flight path. The two component parts make the boomerang spin about a central point, stabilising its motion as it travels through the air. The wings are set at a slight tilt and are rounded on one side and flat on the other - similar to the shape, of the wings of an aeroplane. Air particles move more quickly over the top of the wing than they do along the bottom of the wing. This creates a difference in air pressure. The wing has lift when it moves because there is greater pressure below it than above it. As a result of the stabilising motion of the two wings, the boomerang stays aloft longer.

It is not really very clear when and where people first developed boomerangs. Aborigines of Australia are credited with the invention. Aborigines used wooden weapons called Kylies for hunting. It is believed that they discovered boomerangs by accident while using their Kylies. The Aborigines perfected the boomerang design and throwing technique for the simple fun of it.

We are already planning our next picnic. My cousin promises he has mastered the art of throwing the boomerang. I doubt it though – any stick thrown within the four walls of his tiny apartment will bounce back to him. No dexterity required here.

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com

In the Doldrums

(Published on 24 July 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

All of us go through the blues… those grey days when you feel you are in the doldrums! As far as my Aunt Jigna is concerned, everything looks hopeless and life in general is in the doldrums. There’s no arguing here. Everything has a gloomy side – and that’s the side that faces my dear Aunt.

But what my Aunt Jigna is not aware of – is that more than half of my writing comes from my interaction with her. Take for example the term ‘doldrums’… being in the doldrums, means to be in low spirits; or feeling dull and drowsy. In the early 19th century, the term doldrums was used to mean 'a general state of lethargy.' The term has its origins in the word 'dol', which means 'dull.' It has taken its form as ‘doldrums’ from the word 'tantrum'. That is, as a fit of temper was called a tantrum, a fit of laziness and dullness was called doldrums.

Lord Byron was the first to use the phrase in a nautical context. In 1824, in the story The Island, Byron wrote, "From the bluff head where I watched to-day, I saw her in the doldrums; for the wind was light and baffling." Byron was the first to relate shifting and variable winds with the term ‘doldrums’, meaning a wind that makes it impossible for a ship to progress at sea. In other words… a dull wind.

Using the context used by Byron, the region of calm winds centred slightly north of the equator and between the two belts of trade winds was given the name The Doldrums. The two trade winds meet in this region and neutralise each other. This region was given this name only in the mid 19th century. When reports of ships that were stranded in this equatorial region described them as being 'in the doldrums,' it was incorrectly thought that the reports were describing their location rather than their state. And this somehow stuck and remained so until this date.

Signing off sweeties! Enough information to keep your grey cells ticking. Need to give a shot of brandy to my Aunt Jigna… the only effective solution to yank her out of her state of being ‘in the doldrums.’

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com

Painting the Eiffel Tower

(Published on 17 July 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

When Peter Ford cleverly asked in his article about the colour of the Eiffel Tower, he thought he had me dumb founded. But dear Peter, they don’t call me a Miss Know-All for nothing. My knowledge is as layered as the number of paint coats on the Iron Lady of Paris. Actually, Peter’s question is a trick question. Though it seems as though the Eiffel Tower is in one colour the truth is that the monument is not painted in one single colour. It is in fact painted in three different shades of a specially mixed ‘Eiffel Tower Brown.’

Gustave Eiffel painted his creation red when he constructed the Eiffel Tower in 1889. Since then, the tower, erected for the International Exposition and for the centennial celebration of the French Revolution, has changed from being a yellow to a beige and finally to a brown.

Since 1968, the iron structure has been 'Eiffel Tower Brown,' which has been considered as the colour that best brings out its silhouette against the Paris sky. To ensure that the tower seems as though it is in one colour – it has been painted in three shades. This is owing to the visual effect the background has on any object. By painting the bottom of the tower a darker colour, the centre a slightly lighter shade and finally the top an even more paler shade, it makes the visitor believe that the tower is in one colour. The shading ensures that the colour is perceived to be the same all the way up. This shading is believed to enhance and accentuate the structure's elegance.

However, the painting is not just about aesthetics. Mr. Gustave Eiffel himself emphasised that painting of the tower is the essential means of conserving the metallic structure, and that maintenance is the only guarantee of its durability. The paint keeps the iron structure from rusting and collapsing.

The Tower has been repainted seventeen times since it was built. Sixty tons of paint is required, as well as 1500 brushes, 5000 sanding disks and a team of 25 painters. The paint is applied manually, with brushes. Rollers and paint guns are not allowed. The 18th coat of paint was applied from December 2001 to June 2003. The first floor to the top of the Tower is painted every 5 years while the entire monument is painted every 10 years.

Out of the sixty tons of paint used each time, about 20 tons of pain evaporates or erodes. That still leaves 40 tons more weight on the tower each time. After 17 paint jobs, the Eiffel Tower is about 700 tons heavier than when it was first designed. However, this does not pose any danger, as the weight is evenly distributed.

For those who have been to Paris, the view of this majestic tower can be compared to no other. In the words of Alexandre Gustave Eiffel – “I ought to be jealous of that tower. She is more famous than I am.”

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com

A shoe museum that showcases used and old shoes!

(Published on 3 July 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

I just love travelling, pets… and that’s really how I gather all my information. My visit to Toronto had me standing in front of a building that looked uncannily like a shoe box. The signpost read – Bata. We all know that Bata is connected with shoes… no prizes for guessing that but what had me curious was that the building actually housed the Bata Shoe Museum.

If you thought that the Bata Shoe Museum housed samples of all the footwear that the Bata Company has ever produced - you are totally wrong. Although the name is synonymous with the giant shoe empire, there are less than a dozen Bata shoes in the entire collection. Created by Sonja Bata, the wife of the founder of the Bata Shoe Company, the museum has a massive collection of shoes spanning 4,500 years. On display are shoes ranging from beautiful Egyptian sandals and Chinese bound foot shoes, to celebrity footwear including Elton John's platforms and Napoleon’s socks.

The Bata Shoe Museum opened its doors in 1995. The five-storey building, designed by Moriyama and Teshima Architects, is truly unique. It is in the form of a huge shoe box with the lid laid across the top. The collection contains 10,000 varieties of footwear and showcases changing fashions, and highlights the craft and sociology of making shoes.

It all began as a hobby, when Mrs Sonja Bata started collecting shoes as she travelled around the globe. The fascination grew into a huge collection. As per Mrs. Bata, shoes are a personal artefact that tells about the owner’s social status, habits, culture and religion. Shoes, more than any other personal item, reflect the living habits, the work and the customs of the people who wore them. A visit to the museum is truly a visit down history. A pair of Egyptian footwear lies alongside the late Princess Diana’s rich burgundy dress shoes. In another display, Queen Victoria’s ballroom slippers lie alongside the ceremonial shoes of Pope Leo the III.

Hundreds of fascinating shoes from famous feet and from some unknown owners, whose names have been lost to history are on display. Pressurised sky-diving boots to iron-spiked shoes used for crushing chestnuts are among the items on exhibit. Rock stars, sports heroes, musicians, artists, film legends...they’re all there.

Viewed chronologically, shoes trace a path through technological development. The museum is a powerhouse of information. Today, if I know where the boots worn by Neil Armstrong for his famous first walk on the moon in 1969 are, it’s because of my visit to the museum. The answer will blow your mind away for Neil Armstrong’s shoes are currently floating in space as they were jettisoned before he returned to earth in case of contamination.

I further learnt that my foot has 18 muscles and that approximately 25% percent of all the bones in my body are found in the foot. I left the museum with a new found respect for my feet. I’ll head off for a foot massage and a pedicure at the earliest given opportunity – which is once I return to my home country. Until then I’ll just soak my feet in warm water… after all a dollar saved is a dollar gained.

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com

Why a Bluetooth is called a Bluetooth?

(Published on 26 June 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

Gone are the days when the only blue tooth people knew of was the half broken one decaying in the depths of someone’s mouth. Well Bluetooth isn't some strange form of tooth decay. Bluetooth is the name of a new technology.

Take a look around you. Whether you are at home or at office – your electronic equipment will be wired to one another by cables. Cables can become quite a bother. Bluetooth technology is an answer to this. It provides a ‘cable free’ environment.
Bluetooth wireless technology is a short-range communications technology intended to replace the cables connecting portable and fixed devices.

Bluetooth provides a way to connect and exchange information between devices such as mobile phones, computers, laptops, printers and digital cameras over a secure, globally unlicensed short-range radio frequency. It is actually just a small, radio chip that is plugged into electronic gadgets. It takes the information normally carried by the cable, and transmits it at a special frequency to a receiver Bluetooth chip present in the gadget where the information is to be received.

A master Bluetooth device can communicate with up to seven devices. This network group of up to eight devices is called a piconet. Piconet is a combination of the prefix ‘pico’ meaning very small or one trillionth and network. A piconet allows one master device to interconnect with up to seven active devices. Either device can switch roles and become the master at any time.

Having understood what Bluetooth was all about it seemed strange that this novel technology should be given such an outlandish name. What is interesting is that the Bluetooth was named after a late tenth century king, Harald Bluetooth who was the King of Denmark and Norway.

Harald Bluetooth is known for unifying warring tribes from Denmark, Norway and some parts of present-day Sweden, where the Bluetooth technology was invented. As the Bluetooth technology unifies different technologies, such as computers and mobile phones, it was thought appropriate to name it after the famous king. Choosing this name indicates how important the Nordic region is to the communications industry.

Harald Bluetooth built a large monument, the Jelling rune stone. The Bluetooth logo merges the Nordic runes similar to the modern Latin H and B (haglaz) and (berkanan) forming a bind rune.

Now why Harald Bluetooth was called Bluetooth remains a mystery. Maybe he did have a decaying blue tooth after all. That reminds me… I am off to the dentist sweethearts. Until next week… ciao.

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com

Feng Shui for enhancing productivity in the office

(Published on 19 June 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

I’ve just changed jobs. And the first thing I was told about my new boss was that he was very particular about everything in the office, being as per Feng Shui dictates. I looked around and did find that certain desks were rather strangely angled, the Accounts section was differently coloured and Feng Shui charms lay on just about everyone’s desk.

I reached office next day with a little bamboo pyramidal arrangement (called Lucky Bamboo or Dracaena) – which I placed at a predominant spot on my desk. My knowledge of Feng Shui ended there - for beyond the bamboo arrangement I had no clue of what else was good to enhance my productivity. (…and the prosperity of my boss)

Feng Shui is the art of placement and an ancient Oriental doctrine based on the principle that environmental design can change your life for the better or for the worse. Feng Shui experts believe that good Feng Shui, which is an environment that allows the free flow of energy (Chi), enhances career opportunities and attracts good business. The philosophy of Feng Shui is being incorporated into many offices to promote success, wealth, opportunities, and feeling of contentment.

Here is some Feng Shui advice for the office that will make it a more productive environment:

· Plants: Plants boost energy levels. Placing fresh flowers or a leafy plant on the left side of the desk creates good chi (energy). Putting a money tree or prosperity plant in the Southeast corner of the desk or cubicle is also beneficial. Cactuses and bonsai trees should be avoided, as the former creates difficult work relationships and the latter will stunt career growth.

· Position of desk: Where one sits and the arrangement of the office can have a huge impact on one’s workplace energy. If you want to get ahead at your job don’t sit directly in line with the door which is the path of negative energy. And never have your back to a door, as it’s from the door that business and opportunity enters. Try to sit in the corner farthest from the entrance to the room to have control and keep your back towards a corner or wall for support. If there's more than one desk, place two on a diagonal facing towards the door and any others on a diagonal facing into the centre of the room. They should not be placed in rows in a traditional classroom layout or back to back.

· Colour: Colour can play a huge role in the office environment. Colours like blues and greens are calming. Red can be an empowering colour and is great for those in business or sales. Yellow is good for people who need discipline. To incorporate colour include photos and picture frames, furniture, mouse pads, or any small items on your desk. Try to incorporate the right colours wherever you can and you'll get ahead at your job.

· Wealth Producing Objects: Different objects or symbols produce wealth. Put a fountain or a picture of a waterfall or river by the entrance to your office to facilitate a raise and to diffuse any negative energy present. A safe in the West or Northwest corner of the office will help with prosperity and financial security. A crystal ball near the phone will encourage more business calls.

The following traditional Feng Shui tips keep the positive energy flowing in the office:

Ì Differentiate between clutter and storage. Stored items should be stacked neatly so as not to hamper energy flow.

Ì Placing papers on a desktop weighted by a crystal, which is a grounding element, represents clarity.

Ì If feasible put your computer in the North or West area of your office to enhance your creativity or in the Southeast to generate income.

Ì If you face a partial wall or partition when entering an office, place a mirror on the partition. Soften jutting walls with plants and break up dull walls with mirrors or paintings.

Ì If it's time to look for new clients, add a water fountain, wind chime or a mobile. If flowing water or tinkling chimes is distractive, consider placing a picture of flowing water. Placing a picture of a lake, waterfall or any other water scene helps. Water represents energy flow. Use an aquarium if you wish.

If business isn't booming, maybe it's time to bring in a different kind of efficiency expert... Feng Shui. Creating harmony and balance in the work area can boost productivity - and the bottom line. Job contentment will follow.

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com

And the credit goes to... Thomas Crapper!

(Published on 12 June 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

I’m often asked where I get my inspiration to write from... or on how I select what to write on in the Miss Know-All column. The truth is that just about everything intrigues me – and I have a nose that’s keen to dig deeper for answers. Curiosity they say kills the cat… but not me pretties! Curiosity is what I thrive on. From shady scams to crazy jams, we, the Miss Know All’s have an answer to everything.

This write - up may take you by surprise. Words that seem unimportant have interesting origins. We’ve all heard of the word ‘crap’. Apologies to those, who are cringing at the very mention of the word. However, knowledge is knowledge… even if it is – well, ‘crappy’! The word crap was imported into the English language from the Dutch in the 15th century, and means ‘to defecate’.

However, it is also believed that the word ‘crap’ originated from Thomas Crapper’s name. Mr. Crapper was a plumber who ran a successful plumbing business in England from 1861 to 1904. Crapper had a successful run in the plumbing industry. He held nine patents for plumbing related things: four for improvements to drains, three for water closets, one for manhole covers and the last for pipe joints.

However, the most famous product attributed to Thomas Crapper wasn't invented by him at all. The "Silent Valveless Water Waste Preventer" was a symphonic discharge system that allowed a toilet to flush effectively when the cistern was only half full. Albert Giblin, an employee of Crapper, was responsible for this invention and held the 1819 British Patent for it. Crapper bought the patent rights from Giblin and marketed the device under the name of his company.

When Thomas Crapper retired, he sold his shop to two partners who operated the company under the Crapper name. The Crapper company lived on until 1966, completing 105 years in business.

It is believed that during World War I doughboys, who were passing through England linked Crapper's name with the toilet. They saw the words T. Crapper-Chelsea printed on toilet tanks and coined the slang term ‘crapper’ for the toilet. Hence, the use of the word - ‘crap,’ to express use of the toilet.

Thomas Crapper may not be the inventor of the product he is associated with, but what remains undisputed is that his contribution to plumbing history is significant. Whether for water closets, manhole covers, pipe joints, toilet flushes or for the origins of the word ‘crap’ – the credit shall always go to… Thomas Crapper!

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com

The great Foie Gras controversy

(Published on 05 June 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

This is the fiftieth publication of the Miss Know-All column – and I don’t seem to tire from spreading awareness and enlightening the ignorant. There is so much to write about and so little awareness. My task has been chalked out for years to come. You’ll keep hearing from me pretties… keep reading and keep getting wiser!

I had written earlier about the much overrated caviar and how I did not care much for it. But this article is about ‘pate de foie gras’ – something dear to my heart or should I say to my taste buds. But like all other things – wherever I go controversy seems to follow. So – this write up is about the great Foie Gras controversy.

Though the name sounds impressive and fancy, foie gras is poultry liver. It is a French word meaning ‘fat liver’. It took us Asians time to learn how to pronounce it… leave alone eat it. (pronunciation - fwä grä) Once considered a luxury food item, foie gras has become the subject of a global campaign as animal rights activists claim that the manner in which foie gras is produced is cruel to animals. To understand this allegation a bit of explaining is required.

Foie Gras can only be produced by migratory birds as only these birds develop livers that are exceptionally fatty in texture. This is because when a bird migrates, it flies several hundred miles before stopping for food. It sustains itself through the long flight by stuffing itself before setting out on its journey. This extra food supply is stored in the liver in the form of fat. As a result, the liver increases in size from four ounces to a pound and a half.

The ancient Romans were the first to discover that to acquire fatty livers they needed to hunt migratory birds when they were actually migrating. Later, as an alternate they fattened the birds even when they were not migrating – by feeding them with grain. When the livers expanded as a result of overeating, the birds were slaughtered. The French in turn discovered that it was goose that was the ideal bird for foie gras. Geese were fed with corn and then killed once their livers were ready. Interestingly poultry farmers in other parts of Europe opted to breed ducks instead of geese.

After the 1970’s farmers started breeding the Moulard duck for foie gras. A funnel is inserted into the fowl’s mouth and grain is then poured down its gullet. The fact that the birds are force fed in this way till their livers fatten up did not ‘go down’ too well with the animal rights activists and they stepped in to cry ‘FOUL’! The animal rights lobby argues that this kind of force feeding causes the birds livers to get diseased. Foie Gras farmers do not agree as they feel the condition is not a disease but similar to what happens when the birds migrate. The activists retaliate by saying that keeping birds in custody and force feeding them in an unnatural way amounts to torture.

The debate continues even as Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a ban on foie gras in California. The ban will come into effect in 2012. The city of Chicago has banned the sale of foie gras as well. There is also a growing demand for a total ban all across America.

As for me… well, killing any animal for its meat is sin enough. Then why all this brouhaha over a fattened liver?

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com

We've all heard of Murphy's Law. But who is Mr Murphy?

(Published on 29 May 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

I just love the Murphy’s Law. It states – ‘If anything can go wrong, it will.’ Now isn’t that a bit ridiculous – but what the Murphy’s Law teaches us is that there are some things beyond our control – and what we need to do is take things in our stride. Besides – there is a knack for everything unexpected and uncanny to just happen. So it’s best to expect the unexpected.

Basically good old Murphy – the one who I presume formulated this law wanted us to know that things can go wrong… and well there is no point fretting and sweating to achieve perfection – for what is destined to happen will happen. Also it’s a good way of voicing our resignation to one’s fate – by just stating the Murphy’s Law!! Each one of us can make our own interpretation of what Murphy wanted to say… but have you ever wondered who Murphy was?

As per The Desert Wings written in March, 1978, the Murphy's Law was born at Edwards Air Force Base. The term was coined in 1949 and was named after Capt. Edward A. Murphy, an engineer working on an Air Force project designed to see how much sudden deceleration a person can stand in a crash. The project, a part of a research on the rocket sleds that tested the limits of human endurance to acceleration and deceleration was being conducted in California.

One day, after finding that a transducer was wired wrong, Murphy cursed the technician responsible and said, "If there is any way to do it wrong, he'll find it." Murphy was referring to a particular technician, whose name is sadly unknown and not recorded. The project manager kept a list of ‘laws’ and added this one, which he called Murphy's Law. In a press conference, Dr. John Paul Stapp, an Air Force doctor allegedly credited his program’s safety record to the Murphy’s Law. He said that their good safety record on the project was due to a firm belief in Murphy's Law and in the necessity to try and circumvent it. Aerospace manufacturers picked it up and used it widely and soon it was being quoted in many articles. And this was how Murphy's Law was born.

Ironically, Murphy died under strange circumstances. One dark night, his car ran out of gas. As he hitchhiked to a gas station, he was struck from behind by a British tourist who was driving on the wrong side of the road.

Like Murphy, some of his other colleagues too came up with their own wise liners:

Nichols' Fourth Law credited to George E. Nichols, the Northrop project manager states, "Avoid any action with an unacceptable outcome."

While Stapp's Ironical Paradox by Doctor Col. John P. Stapp states that "The universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle."

Aah! How wise. How true.
Remember ‘dahlings’ it’s Miss Know-All who knows it all. From irregular bowel movements to quivering jowl movements, I have an answer to everything.

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com

The 'hobble skirt' bottle

(Published on 22 May 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

I attended the Finale of the Brand Equity Quiz in Mumbai recently and was greatly intrigued when a team was asked to comment on a picture shown on the monitor. The picture seemed old – say of the 1915’s and showed a couple in European attire. Just when the audience was wondering what the picture had to do in a Business Quiz – pat came the reply from one of the participants. The famous Coca-Cola bottle was designed to look like the ‘hobble skirt’ shown in the picture. That was a very interesting bit of trivia and I decided to find out just how a Coca-Cola ended up looking like a hobble skirt.

A hobble skirt is a skirt with a narrowing hem. It got its name as it inhibits the wearer's stride. The shape of the skirt made the wearer 'hobble’. The term 'hobble skirt' came into popular use in the early 1910s when a fashion trend started by French designer Paul Poiret introduced long skirts that were narrow at the hem. Interestingly some attribute the hobble skirt to Mrs. Hart Berg, the first American woman to fly with the Wright Brothers. To keep her skirts from flying out of control while airborne, she tied a rope around them below the knees.

The famous Coca-Cola bottle, called the contour bottle, which is also known to some as the "hobble skirt" bottle, was created in 1915. The Coca-Cola Company launched a competition among its bottle suppliers to create a new bottle for the drink. The brief was that it should be - "a bottle which a person could recognize even if they felt it in the dark, and so shaped that, even if broken, a person could tell at a glance what it was". Chapman Root, president of the Root Glass Company, delegated the task to members of his staff including Earl Dean, bottle designer and supervisor of the bottle moulding room. It was decided to base the bottle’s design on one of the drink’s two ingredients, the coca leaf or the cola nut. But as no information was available about coca or cola – Dean took inspiration from the gourd-shaped cocoa pod. It is also believed that he got the inspiration for the design from the ‘hobble skirt’.

Dean sketched out and created the mould for the bottle. The prototype bottle was approved and a design patent was issued on the bottle in November, 1915. The bottle was chosen over other entries by Coca Cola in 1916. By 1920, Dean’s contoured bottle became the standard for the Coca-Cola Company.

The Root Glass Company wanted to reward Dean for his efforts. He was offered a choice between a $500 bonus or a lifetime job at the Glass Company. He chose the lifetime job.

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com

Hobble Skirt Postcard

Guinness - a record breaking idea!

(Published on 15 May 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)


You all know my Aunt Jigna – thanks to this column, where she features ever so regularly. Well this aunt of mine has a penchant for facts and figures… (and arguments may I add) and has a ‘record breaking’ collection of the Guinness Book of World Records.

I did ruffle up the old lady when I told her that it was easier and quicker to refer to the internet rather than flip pages and search for results. But the truth is that I do envy her collection of the Guinness Book of World Records. I could spend hours and hours browsing and marvelling.

The story about how the idea of putting together such a book of records is an interesting one. The idea was conceptualised by Sir Hugh Beaver. Educated at Wellington College, Berkshire, Sir Hugh Beaver spent two years in the Indian Police force from 1910 to 1912. Later he returned to England, and joined Alexander Gibb and Partners Engineers, the firm commissioned by the Canadian government to conduct a survey of its national ports. Beaver supervised the rebuilding of the Port of St John, New Brunswick. He was the Director General and Controller General of the Ministry of Works from 1940-1945

In 1946, he became the managing director of Arthur Guinness, Son and Co Ltd. On 10 November 1951, while Beaver was still the managing director of the Guinness Brewery, he went on a shooting party by the River Slaney in Ireland. While on the shoot, he became involved in an argument with a friend about whether it was the Golden Plover or the Grouse that was the fastest game bird in Europe.

The argument came to no conclusion for it was not possible to confirm the answer in any reference books. Beaver realised that there must be numerous similar questions debated, but there was no book with which to settle arguments about records. He recognized then that a book supplying the answers to this sort of question might prove popular.

Sir Hugh’s idea saw the light of day when Guinness employee Christopher Chataway recommended his University friends Norris and Ross McWhirter. The two brothers had been running a fact-finding agency in London, and were commissioned in 1954 to compile all the information into one book which came to be called The Guinness Book of Records. The first 198 page edition was bound on 27 August 1955 and went to the top of the British best seller lists. The following year it launched in the USA, and sold 70,000 copies.

Since then, Guinness World Records has become a household name in world records. No other venture collects, confirms, accredits and presents world record data with the same commitment. The Records Management Team maintains a vigilant watch to guarantee the accuracy of each and every Guinness World Record. A fact becomes a Guinness World Record when it’s tested and verified. The book has gone on to become a record breaker itself. With sales of more than 100 million copies in 100 different countries and 37 languages, the Guinness World Records is the world’s best ever selling copyright book.

Sir Hugh Beaver KBE was knighted in 1943. He was awarded a KBE in 1956. He also received honorary degrees from the University of Cambridge, Trinity College, Dublin, the National University of Ireland. The London School of Economics made Sir Hugh Beaver an honorary fellow in 1960.

What a record breaking idea!
“Good ideas are common - what's uncommon are people who'll work hard enough to bring them about” - Ashleigh Brilliant, English author and cartoonist.

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com

Water intoxication... drinking too much water can be dangerous!

(Published on 8 May 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

A recent newspaper report about a young 22 year old marathon runner, David Rogers dying as a result of drinking too much water had me absolutely stumped. For, every fitness instructor and dietician I have ever known or heard of, have claimed that one should drink as much water as possible. A die-hard Oprah Winfrey fan – I followed the instructions given during her boot camp – and religiously downed bottles and bottles of aqua. Then what was this about?

David Rogers collapsed at the end of the race and died due to water intoxication or hyponatraemia. This happens when there is more than necessary water in the body which results in low levels of vital minerals such as sodium. Medically, Hyponatraemia means a low concentration of sodium in the blood. This happens especially in the case of long distance runners who sweat extensively. Lost sweat which is composed of salt and water is replaced only by intake of water. This dilutes the level of sodium in the bloodstream.

Sweat contains between 2.25 - 3.4 grams of salt per litre. During a long race that takes place in hot climatic conditions, the rate of perspiration averages to about 1 litre per hour. This means longer the race – more the loss of salt. Without realising the consequences, the athlete replaces only the lost water resulting in the drop of percentage of salt in the body. This explains the importance of electrolytes and sports drinks to replenish salt in the body.

The symptoms of hyponatraemia can range from mild to severe and include nausea, muscle cramps, headaches, disorientation, slurred speech and confusion. In severe cases the sufferer experiences swelling of the brain, seizures or coma. In mild cases, the problem can be treated by eating salty foods and hydrating with sodium containing sports drinks. However, severe cases need immediate medical attention.

There are no clear cut instructions to be followed as a precaution. It is not really correct to recommend drinking less water to rebalance sodium and water intake as one might run the risk of dehydration and heat related injuries. Some experts recommend increasing salt intake. By ingesting more sodium, hydration with water is balanced and dilution of sodium does not occur.

This year’s London Marathon that took David Rogers life was the hottest in the event’s 27 year history. More than 600 runners failed to complete the race as a result of the unbearable heat. Hyponatraemia was found in as many as 13% of runners in a Boston Marathon. In January 2007 Jennifer Strange, a woman in California, died following a water-drinking contest sponsored by a local radio station. Jennifer, 28, had taken part in the contest to see how much water she could drink without going to the bathroom. Her family has since filed a civil lawsuit against the radio station

Do you and I need to worry? No. For us – eight to ten glasses of water a day is recommended. And unless you are out hiking in a desert or running a long marathon, you need not worry too much about dipping sodium levels. Keep hydrated and keep guzzling that aqua.

“If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water” - Loran Eisely, The Immense Journey, 1957

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com

Are all plastics microwave safe?

(Published on 1 May 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

Every visit to my Aunt Jigna is a nightmare. I return with frayed nerves and a splitting headache. She has an opinion about everything. As she rambles on, I comatose myself taking comfort in a beautiful world where silence prevails. Just as I had reached into a blissful stupor – I heard my Aunt shriek. She held in her hand a deformed plastic bowl and bore a flabbergasted look.

As I sat her down, I learnt that it was the microwave that was to be blamed. “Was the bowl microwave safe?” I enquired. All I could hear was a volley of abuses hurled at the microwave oven. This brought us to the most obvious question: Are all plastics microwave safe?

Today, there is a lot of kitchen ware that is made of plastic. Different plastics serve different purposes in the kitchen. Storage and reheating, being the main two functions. Majority of the plastic kitchen ware is specially designed to withstand high temperatures. But this does not mean all of them are. It is wise to check the item before presuming that it is microwave friendly.

Plastics that are designed to withstand microwave temperatures will be marked accordingly. Some products are labelled with the term ‘Microwave Safe.’ or carry a microwave symbol. This is the manufacturer’s way of letting consumers know that a product has been designed to withstand microwave heat without melting or warping. Others provide instructions for proper microwave use – informing you of the temperature that it is able to with-stand. If used inappropriately, the plastic container may warp or melt when exposed to extremely hot temperatures. It is best to look for plastics that are labelled for microwave use and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Why take chances? If your container isn’t labelled for microwave use, it’s best to choose something that is.

However it is not necessarily unsafe to use a plastic container in the microwave if is not labelled as microwave compatible. But it is wiser to select a microwave safe dish and have the assurance of knowing that the item was tested and evaluated for this purpose.
Frozen meals are often packaged in microwavable trays made of PET, a type of plastic which is also used to make jars and bottles. While microwavable PET trays are specially fabricated for high heat resistance, the jars and bottles made with PET could warp if subject to high heat.

For some time there has been an email doing the rounds that claims that microwaving food in plastic containers or plastic wrap is dangerous. The message warns that chemicals can seep out of the plastic and into the food, causing cancer and other diseases. That is when food is placed in a plastic container and cooked in a microwave; substances used in manufacturing the plastic may leak into the food. However, this is not true as manufacturers of food products that belong to well known brands, closely regulate the quality of the plastic containers and ensure that no such chemicals migrate from the plastic into the food.

Here are some tips from Miss Know All’s kitchen to keep in mind when using your microwave:

( Don’t microwave food in plastic storage bags from the grocery store.

(Vent the container before microwaving food that is leave the lid ajar.

(Takeout containers, water bottles, and plastic tubs or jars made to hold yogurt and foods such as cheese, mayonnaise, and mustard are not for use in the microwave.

(Takeout dinner trays that can be put in the microwave are designed for one-time use only and this will be mentioned on the package.

(Don’t allow plastic wrap to touch food during microwaving as it may melt.

(If you’re confused about use of plastic containers in the microwave, transfer food to glass or ceramic containers labelled for microwave use.

(Microwaving in containers that are round or oval in shape can help foods heat more evenly. With rectangular containers, the corners tend to receive more energy, which can cause food to dry out or overcook in these areas.

This quote by Bryan Miller is for all the great cooks I know (including Aunt Jigna, who I must admit makes the most awesome prawn curry!) - “The qualities of an exceptional cook are akin to those of a successful tightrope walker: an abiding passion for the task, courage to go out on a limb and an impeccable sense of balance.”

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com

Hair gel, mousse or serum - what should one opt for?

(Published on 24 April 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

Gone are the days when the only mousse you had heard of – was the one your mother made as a dessert. Today’s generation are accustomed to seeing it as a hair product – in a range of horrendous florescent colours and ‘hair raising’ odours.

Well, grooming is not really my forte dahlings – so when I was asked what the difference between a hair gel and a hair mousse was I went scurrying to my friend who is an expert and a well known hair stylist. A mousse creates fullness she explained. It actually plumps the strands so your hair appears fuller. As a result a mousse is best suited for those with fine hair texture. Gels are made to slick hair down. They give control and can smooth hair. Stylists use them to give sleek looks, to taper ends or to smooth edges.

Having a perfect hair style is as important as having stylish clothes. Men and women, both attach great importance to the way their hair looks. It has become much easier to implement just about any kind of hair style as there is a wide range of styling products now available in the market. What exactly should be used depends entirely on the specific hair type and personal preferences.

YMousse
A mousse is a body-builder and is best suited for adding volume. They are used to hold fine, thin hair that needs a lift from the roots. It is best applied to dry hair. Working from the roots, the mousse is spread up through the strands away from the scalp. This can be followed by either a blow-dry or a finger-dry.

YGel
Gels are great for creating a slick, wet look. A stylist would use them to give a lasting hold to curls or to keep fringes in place. Usually gel is applied to damp hair, which is then combed through, styled and left to dry. Applying gel to the roots of dry hair will give style volume.

YWax
Wax adds gloss and definition to hair. It is best suited for naturally curly or permed hair. Wax is rubbed between the palms and then applied by running through dry hair to give a polished, groomed effect.

YSerum
Serum is a relatively new hair product. It is good for giving hair instant shine, controlling static or frizz, and protecting the hair shaft from damage. It is sprayed evenly on dry or damp hair for a glossy look. Serums are also known to work well in protecting and strengthening hair.

Many people consider using hair gel for styling, a good solution. Hair gels have been used for ages. At that time hair gel ingredients were completely different from those used now. In order to be sure that constant hair gel usage is not harmful to your hair, you need to make sure that the gel you use is of a well known brand and should contain some useful natural components. Today, certain gels have herb extracts that effectively strengthen the hair and also offer protection against everyday damage. Hair gels also contain a considerable amount of different vitamins and nutrients that are essential for promoting hair growth.

However, what one must remember is that mousse, gel and hairsprays are only mere hair styling tools. Before selecting one of these for yourself, you need to check whether your hair is cut to work in the style you want. At the end of the day a super hairstyle is always the outcome of a great haircut and not the consequence of the gel, mousse or serum that you have used.

I’m off to the parlour sweeties… time to get a new look and some well deserved attention!

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com

Understanding Autism

(Published on 10 April 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

World Health Day is celebrated every year on 7 April. This date marks the day when the World Health Organization (WHO) was founded. It was on this day in the year 1948 that the first World Health Assembly was held. It was then decided that 7 April would be marked as the World Health Day to raise awareness of key global health issues. The theme for the year 2007 is international health security. The objective is to urge governments, organizations and businesses to "Invest in health and in doing so build a safer future."

However, investing in health is not just about research, science, medicine and improved technology. It’s not just about improved infrastructure but also about spreading awareness. Educating oneself is as crucial. While most of the diseases prevalent today are recognized and given their due – Autism is rarely recognized and seldom given enough attention.

Autism is a developmental disability that results from a disorder of the human central nervous system. The word ‘autism’ was first used by the Swiss psychiatrist Eugene Bleuler in 1912. It comes from the Greek word for self - autos. It usually occurs in children below the age of three years. Autism has been defined as a disorder that begins in early childhood and which affects three fundamental areas of development: communication, social interaction, and creative or imaginative play. Children with autism are unable to socially interact with others and effectively communicate with their peers.

Autistic children often seem to prefer being alone and may passively accept physical display of affection without reciprocating. Many children with autism face social alienation in school and on the playground. Making friends in real life and maintaining relationships with others proves to be difficult. As a response to this, many resort to inventing imaginary friends.

People with autism are not physically disabled. They look just like anybody else without the disability. Due to this invisible nature of the ailment, it has become difficult to create awareness and understanding of the condition. As an autistic child looks normal people assume they are naughty or are badly brought up. The exact cause of autism is still not known. However, research shows that it is caused by genetic factors.

Specialist education and structured support can make a difference to the life of a child suffering from autism. Proper guidance helps them to maximise skills and achieve full potential as they grow older. Figuring out if a child has autism can be difficult. A parent is usually the first to suspect that something is wrong. Doctors and counsellors help in further diagnosis.

There is no cure for autism, but doctors, therapists, and special teachers can help children with autism overcome or adjust to the difficulties that they are facing. The earlier the treatment is started for autism, the better. Therapists also help patients learn social skills. Some children need special help with day- to day living chores. Others have trouble sitting still or controlling their tempers and need therapy to help them control their behaviour. Children with mild autism can go to regular school. They need teachers trained to understand the problems they have with communicating and learning.

For more information visit the official website of The National Autistic Society: http://www.nas.org.uk/

Let us educate ourselves. Educate others. It’s time for each one of us to invest in health and build a safer future.

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com

Why is a horseshoe considered lucky?

(Published on 03 April 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

Good luck coins, lucky rabbit feet, four-leaf clovers, wishbones, horseshoes, rattlesnake rattles, black-eyed peas, lucky charm vials and talismans are just few of the lucky charms that people keep to bring them good luck. Is this just a superstition or do these lucky charms have unseen powers? As per the Oxford dictionary – a superstition is a widely held but irrational belief in supernatural influences. It is a belief that future events are influenced by specific things or behaviours, without having any relationship to it whatsoever.

One of the most common lucky charms is the horseshoe. The use of worn-out horseshoes, as having protective powers, originated in Europe, where one can still find them nailed on top of doorways. As per legend, one day St. Dunstan, formerly a blacksmith was working at his forge, in Mayfield, a village in north-east Sussex. The Devil, disguised as a beautiful woman paid him a visit with the intention of leading him astray. However St. Dunstan spotted the cloven hooves beneath the dress. He grabbed the devil's nose with his red hot pincers, thus thwarting the Devil’s evil intentions. But it did not end there. For the Devil returned again as a weary traveller in need of a horseshoe. St. Dunstan saw through the disguise once again. He beat the Devil until he pleaded for mercy and swore never to enter any house with a horseshoe above the door.

The church in Mayfield has since been dedicated to St Dunstan. Dunstan became the Archbishop of Canterbury from 960 – 988. He founded Mayfield Palace, one of the great residences of the medieval Archbishops of Canterbury. In 1864 it was presented to The Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus and since then remains a Roman Catholic boarding school. To this day, visitors to the convent can see the famous tongs used by St Dunstan, and his anvil.

Interestingly, the crescent form of the horseshoe is also considered a symbol of the pagan Moon goddesses of ancient Europe such as Artemis and Diana. The horseshoe is also related to other magically protective doorway-goddesses, such as the Irish sheela-na-gig, and to the lunar protectress who is often shown standing on a crescent moon.

People across Europe believe that nailing a horseshoe on their door will ward off evil. It is even represented in the form of jewellery, wall hangings, and printed images. In Europe, the Middle-East, and Latin America protective horseshoes are placed in a downward facing position with the belief that ‘luck pours onto you.’ When hung over doorways for protection, the horseshoe is supposed to point downwards so that ‘no witch will pass under it.’ But in some parts of Ireland and Britain people believe that the horseshoe must be turned upward or ‘the luck will run out.’ In Italy, a horseshoe, worn and discarded by a horse that was found on the road or in a field, is nailed by the side of the door so that the person who enters the door can touch it.

In Turkey horseshoes are blended with the protective all-seeing eye to form a unique charm that is believed to ward off the evil eye. In Mexico, used horseshoes are wrapped in colourful rayon thread, decorated with sequins and holy prints of the horseback-riding San Martin Caballero and backed with a prayer. Terra cotta blue-glazed horseshoe plaques are found in the Middle-East.

Although actual horseshoes are considered to be protective, modern horseshoe jewellery is worn because it is considered lucky. Especially, due to its association with horse-racing, it is believed to have become a gambler's lucky charm. Furthermore, because horseshoes resemble horseshoe magnets, they are also considered to have the power to attract money.

I have no idea whether a horse shoe does have protective powers or the power to bring good luck or the power to attract money. But if I ever do find one lying on the road, I would not just pass it by. I’d bring it home.

“Superstition is foolish, childish, primitive and irrational - but how much does it cost you to knock on wood?” - Judith Viorst


Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com

Incontinence... the silent affliction

(Published on 27 March 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

The objective of writing this column is not just about making smart-alecky retorts, cocky observations and smug comments… it’s about sharing and learning from each other. This week I have chosen to write on – incontinence. People who have elderly members at home will understand and know what this is all about.

Incontinence refers to the loss of normal control of the bladder or the bowels. Urinary incontinence is more common especially amongst the aged. A person having urinary incontinence cannot hold the urine for long and has sporadic trickling. In extreme cases even an action like sneezing could result in an accident. In other words, incontinence is the involuntary flow of urine. We all know that the loss of bladder control is perceived as socially unacceptable and is a cause for great embarrassment. People affected with this problem feel ashamed and depressed. Incontinence is also referred to as "the silent affliction" as most often the patients suffer in silence trying to cope with the problem all on their own. Other impacts of incontinence include social withdrawal and low self-esteem.

Incontinence can result from damage to the muscle, including sphincters, nerves, or the part of the body involved to store and release waste. Several types of cancer and its treatments are also associated with this ailment. Incontinence can be successfully treated, and people suffering from this problem should seek medical advice. The method of treatment depends on the cause. A surgical solution is sought in extreme cases. Placement of an artificial sphincter has also given successful results. In most cases, treatment may include medications, dietary changes, muscle-strengthening exercises, or behavioural training, which involves bladder training and requires regular and monitored visits to the rest room. As a precaution some people suffering from this problem resort to wearing adult diapers.

Patients are also advised to do regular pelvic exercises (Kegel’s exercises) in order to correct the problem. However it is advised that even those not suffering with urinary incontinence do these exercises regularly. Just as one would lift weights to tone one’s muscles, it is important to keep the pelvic muscles strengthened and in good shape. Doing Kegel’s exercise regularly will keep the pelvic floor muscles toned and help reduce the risk of incontinence as one gets older. The pelvic floor muscles need to be contracted repeatedly. Usually 10 minutes of doing so daily would be good enough. These exercises can be done anywhere and any time. It is usually best to begin when lying. Later these exercises can also be done either sitting on a chair or even while standing.

A befitting way to close an article on such a serious topic would be to quote Andy Rooney: "The best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person." One should never stop learning from the elders in the family. It’s only a question of time when one will fill their shoes.

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com

Why does mineral water have an expiry date?

(Published on 20 March 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

Went to spend the day with my Aunt, sweeties. It does really take a lot of persuasion and goading on my mother’s part to get me to visit her. She has an answer for everything – and will pull out an encyclopaedia published in 1935 to quote her facts! I thought I’d gift her, a new set of Britannica Encyclopaedias but that would mean more arguments and more conflicting opinions.

As I helped her make tea I noticed quite a few mineral water bottles lying on her kitchen shelf. You have to use those up I advised as they too have an expiry date. She looked in disbelief. “Water… has an expiry date? Isn't the water we drink everyday about three billion years old? It hasn't hurt us yet has it?” I let that pass but decided to do a little research on my own.

About 70% of the earth is covered with water. But most of it is unavailable for human consumption unless it is processed first. Water contains various minerals - some good and others not so good for our health. Mineral water, as the name suggests, contains various minerals and traces of elements. It is usually measured as the residue left when a litre of water is evaporated.

It is believed that the minerals in mineral water have various effects on the health of a person. However, apart from the obvious function of providing clean and pure water to the body, studies have shown that there is no significant effect of mineral water on the health. Mineral waters do contain minerals, but the ability of the body to absorb them from the water is as good as negligible.

Still mineral water normally bears an expiry date. However, it does not mean the product is sub-standard after this date. Over a period of time, the composition of mineral water, changes. Usually, this change is not much. But even then it is essential that the consumer be informed that the composition of water, in other words the percentage of minerals in the water has changed in comparison to that specified on the label. The expiry date on the bottle denotes this time – when changes are likely to take place. Government agencies, like the Chief Food Authority (CFA), The Food Control Administration Unit of the Health Ministry and the Sri Lanka Standard Institution (SLSI) regulate the quality of bottled mineral water and have stringent regulations in place to monitor what is available in the market.

Sparkling water on the other hand has a limited shelf life, due to the carbon dioxide. PH indicates water acidity level. PH value between 6.5 and 7.5 is considered neutral. Mineral water should be as neutral as possible. Adding CO2 to water increases its acidity. Carbon dioxide in sparkling water slowly dissipates through the walls of the plastic container and the plastic caps. Sparkling water in glass bottles with metal closures has a much longer shelf life.

Even though mineral water, way past its expiry date would still be a better option to consume than regular tap water - I have begun to check the label before I buy a bottle. I am looking forward, to visiting my Aunt once again to share with her my new found knowledge. Also wanted to leave her with some needling questions that I came across:
If someone invented instant water what would they mix it with?
Where do they get Spring water in the other three seasons?
If pure water is so good for you, how come you never see any fish in it?

Will keep her busy and out of people’s way for a couple of days.

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com