MooPig State of the Art Department :: "China's Toxic Sky"

A nurse puts in a drip for a baby diagnosed with respiratory diseases at a provincial children's hospital in Hefei, Anhui province, on January 16, 2013. (Reuters/Stringer)

Retrieved by Pat Darnell | Mar 7, 2013 | Bryan TX

Smog at Beijing airport at noon local time, earlier this month. Photographer John Williamson took this shot before boarding his plane, one of the lucky few to get out, as some 800 flights canceled that day. Williamson: "You literally can see the smog inside a large enough building. The airport terminal, the hotel lobby are large enough that you can no longer see clearly across the room." (© John E. Williamson)

A man walks under the trees during severe pollution on January 23, 2013 in Beijing, China. (Feng Li/Getty Images)

A combination photograph shows people wearing masks on a heavy smog day in Beijing, on January 29, 2013. (Reuters/Jason Lee)

Cans of fresh air are seen piled up before being given away by Chinese multimillionaire Chen Guangbiao, near a street on a hazy day in central Beijing, on January 30, 2013. China's recent streak of foul air has rekindled a tongue-in-cheek campaign by a Chinese multimillionaire with a streak of showmanship who is raising the alarm by selling canned fresh air. Chen Guangbiao, who made his fortune in the recycling business and is a high-profile philanthropist, on Wednesday handed out soda pop-sized cans of air, purportedly from far-flung and pristine regions of China, from Xinjiang in the far northwest to Taiwan off China's southeast coast. (Reuters/Barry Huang)

A bright video screen shows images of blue sky on Tiananmen Square during a time of dangerous levels of air pollution, on January 23, 2013 in Beijing. (Feng Li/Getty Images)

Severe pollution clouds the Beijing skyline on January 12, 2013. Air quality data released via the US embassy twitter feed recorded air quality index levels so hazardous that they were classed as 'Beyond Index'. Just after midday the particle matter (PM) 2.5 figure was 519 on a scale that stops at 500 and advises against all outdoor activity. (Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images)

A woman helps adjust a mask for her friend outside an amusement park on a smoggy day in Beijing, on January 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Alexander F. Yuan)

China's Toxic Sky - In Focus - The Atlantic: "Since the beginning of this year, the levels of air pollution in Beijing have been dangerously high, with thick clouds of smog chasing people indoors, disrupting air travel, and affecting the health of millions. The past two weeks have been especially bad -- at one point the pollution level measured 40 times recommended safety levels. "

'via Blog this'

[Read Entire Article HERE]


_____________________Reference
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2013/01/chinas-toxic-sky/100449/

MooPig's B2B Department :: "Project Priorities"

Corralled by Pat Darnell  |  Nov 14, 2012  |  Bryan TX

[Picture LINK]

How many times have you had this conversation with your boss: "There are so many projects going on right now, which ones are the most important?" They reply: "They are all equally as important, they are all high priority and they all need to be done yesterday!" What do you do when you get this type of answer? Simply follow these:

5 Tips for Setting Project Priorities

Use the following questions to help you set your own project priorities:

Question #1 – Does the Project Bring in Revenue?

Companies are in business to make money. That's why everyone goes to great lengths to get as much done as possible with limited resources and short time frames. You can never go wrong with this question if you are struggling with setting project priorities. Choose the project to work on that will bring in revenue to the company if you have a choice to make. For example, there may be one phase of the project that needs to be complete in order to receive the next payment of 25%. Finish this project first before you move on to a new project that may not be as close to bringing cash into the company.

Question #2 – Will Closing this Project Create Client Noise?

Unfortunately, sometimes projects don't go as planned. This is bad enough when the project is an internal project, but it can really cause friction when the project is for a client. Dates may begin to slip or functionality may not work as intended. Clients can become frustrated and may begin getting a bit vocal. This gradual crescendo of discontent can quickly escalate to a full-blown roar if not carefully managed. Payment can start being withheld, VPs start getting involved, and meetings designed to reset expectations are necessary in order to get things back on track. These are the next types of projects you would move up in the queue to work on as you prioritize your projects.

Question #3 – Will Closing this Project Create Internal Noise?

This question is a variation of quieting client noise. Internal noise can be almost as bad as client noise and many times a bit more intense. It sounds like this... "I would be able to finish my deliverable, but I'm waiting on the specification that is running 8 weeks behind!" That particular deliverable is a project that you have been assigned to manage. This deliverable may not be complete for legitimate reasons (for example, limited resources, shifting priorities, changing scope) but it is being used as the poster child for why someone else internally is running behind. These are the next projects you want to tackle and bring to closure.

Question #4 – Is it a Strategic Project?

Now that you have projects that are bringing in revenue and the noise is down to a dull roar, you can focus on those projects that are strategic in nature. These are projects that will be introducing a new product, taking the company in a different direction, or supporting some other strategic initiative the company has defined. These types of projects are typically less crisis-oriented and longer term in nature. These can fit in nicely around paying client projects while these new projects gradually shift the direction of the company.

Question #5 – What's Left?

You are now down to the final question. What projects are left? These projects are typically pet projects from VPs and Executives that they would like to get done. They may not necessarily further the company's big picture, but they will make their department's job easier. Or, these may be projects that fall into the "nice-to-have" category but would not be considered mission critical.

There is one exception to the order of the questions above. Question #4 can quickly move to the top of the list depending upon the current state of the company. The company may be on the verge of going out of business because of offering antiquated or out-of-date products or services. Nothing else matters beyond changing the strategic direction of the company if this is the case. Question #4 will rocket to the top of this list and everything else will become a lower priority.

So the next time you hear they answer "they're all important", use the questions above to help you manage setting project priorities. You will quickly find that this process will become second nature and you will automatically be picking the next best project to work on!

Prioritize your projects by using ProjectManager.com. You can include project priorities that range from "Critical" to "Not Important" and sort your projects accordingly.


__________________Reference
http://www.projectmanager.com/?utm_source=Constant%2BContact&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Method123%3A%2BOctober%2B2012%2B-%2BWeek%2B2
https://secure.projectmanager.com/online-software-signup-step1.aspx?plan=1&utm_source=Constant%2BContact&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Method123%3A%2BOctober%2B2012%2B-%2BWeek%2B2

MooPig City Desk Department ::

Now that the 2012 Election closes... I guess we should start a serious discussion. What about infrastructure?
by Pat Darnell  |  Oct 3, 2012  |  Bryan TX

[Logo LINK]

As I hear distant thunder rolling across the gentle hills of Texas Hill Country, no one is complaining. The only trouble is that it is too hot, but that always occurs before a cold front comes in.

In 1926, The National League of Cities, NLC, was founded. In this small town, Bryan TX, the concepts of "City" are not well known. There is not a body of  knowledge anywhere around town that shows concern or  planning as to the dangers approaching as the "Town" grows into a "City." Yes I am watching it happen as we speak.

For instance -- there is absolutely no activity in this town for adolescent youths. That's right, the children caught in Bryan TX in the tender first stages of "young men and women" have no outlet for their zeals for life and liberty. It's dismal. There is underage drinking, illicit sex, and drug abuse available... how about some other outlets for our young disenfranchised youth? Eh, Bryan TX?

Most of the NLC historical perspective can be read on numerous sites, included in the Reference section below. From WIKI, I would like to quote this:

"...NLC lobbies Congress on multiple issues, including city infrastructure, particularly transportation; supporting local energy efficiency and conservation efforts; strengthening and stabilizing the housing market; helping build stable families; supporting community safety; and reforming the country’s immigration system. NLC’s core lobbying principles include avoiding unfunded mandates, preserving local authority and protecting the intergovernmental partnership. (WIKI. HERE)... "

I think they made a mistake there in that last part of the statement... but I suppose "traffic" would be the number one concern for cities today. In that category "Modern City" we have Chicago as the second city, a place where New Yorkers say the buffalo still roam. I lived in Chicago for 18 years, and why I stayed so long, is because every year I would say "Well, this year has to be better than last year..." Not true. The biggest problem in the Big Onion is, and still is, traffic.

Chicago is a modern city like Houston is a modern city to Chicago. Include Dallas, Denver, all of municipal South Florida, Salt Lake City, in that discussion ... and you have opened a can of worms that spills out all over the place.

Utah Local News - Salt Lake City News, Sports, Archive - The Salt Lake Tribune: "Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker is gaining a national reputation as an environmental leader — so much so that he's making an international trip. Becker and officers from five other U.S. cities will travel to Hamburg, Germany, this week to share ideas with their European counterparts on green initiatives for cities. The exchange on sustainability is being organized by the National League of Cities, which will pay for Becker's trip, according to the Mayor's Office."

'via Blog this'

The slippery truth is "You can't Outsource Infrastructure."

Why don't we use this post as an introduction to the NLC? We will find out together what it means for the Modern City and all its Infrastructure.

_____________________Reference
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/53924652-90/becker-cities-hamburg-sustainability.html.csp
https://www.google.com/webhp?rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS460US460&sourceid=chrome-instant&ie=UTF-8&ion=1#hl=en&sugexp=les%3B&gs_nf=3&tok=fNn1jM7hwai7VLJLnLrJ_A&cp=17&gs_id=o&xhr=t&q=national+league+of+cities&pf=p&safe=off&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS460US460&sclient=psy-ab&oq=national+league+o&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=fb3f20bcb15e4a5&bpcl=37189454&ion=1&biw=1024&bih=667
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS460US460&biw=1024&bih=667&q=national+league+of+cities+v.+usery+brief&revid=1687749279&sa=X&ei=GNmUUJ3eEKGO2wX6loCgAw&sqi=2&ved=0CG8Q1QIoAA
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS460US460&biw=1024&bih=667&q=national+association+of+counties&revid=1687749279&sa=X&ei=GNmUUJ3eEKGO2wX6loCgAw&sqi=2&ved=0CHAQ1QIoAQ
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS460US460&biw=1024&bih=667&q=national+league+of+cities+conference+2012&revid=1687749279&sa=X&ei=GNmUUJ3eEKGO2wX6loCgAw&sqi=2&ved=0CHIQ1QIoAw
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS460US460&biw=1024&bih=667&q=national+league+of+cities+membership&revid=1687749279&sa=X&ei=GNmUUJ3eEKGO2wX6loCgAw&sqi=2&ved=0CHMQ1QIoBA
http://lists.nextmark.com/market;jsessionid=600BCB9C606B8F65781544713A888DA6?page=order/online/datacard&id=286058
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/looting-main-street-20100331
https://www.planning.org/resourceszine/articleview.htm?ArticleID=9442

MooPig Food for Thought Facts :: pROXIMATE cAUSES FOR hOUSING cRISIS OFA dIFFERENT mAGNITUDE

Retrieved by Pat Darnell

• Magnitude 7.2 SOUTHWESTERN PAKISTAN January 18, 2011
• Magnitude 7.0 LOYALTY ISLANDS January 13, 2011
• Magnitude 6.6 VANUATU January 09, 2011
• Magnitude 4.1 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA January 08, 2011
• Magnitude 7.1 ARAUCANIA, CHILE January 02, 2011
• Magnitude 7.0 SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO, ARGENTINA January 01, 2011 [HERE]

Haiti: Alaska: Puerto Rico: Hawaii: Japan: Indonesia: California:

01/11/11 - Haiti Dominates Earthquake Fatalities in 2010 [HERE]
While the U.S. Geological Survey recorded 22 magnitude-7 or larger earthquakes in 2010, almost all the fatalities were produced by one — the major quake that hit Haiti on Jan. 12.
In 2010, about 227,000 people were killed due to earthquakes, with over 222,570 from the magnitude-7.0 Haiti event, as reported by the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

According to official estimates, the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti injured 300,000 people, displaced 1.3 million, and left 97,294 houses destroyed and 188,383 damaged in Port-au-Prince and much of southern Haiti. This includes at least four people killed by a local tsunami in the Petit Paradis area near Léogâne. According to the USGS, this large, shallow earthquake produced violent shaking in Léogâne, west of Port-au-Prince. This shaking level can cause damage even to well-built buildings anywhere in the world. In Haiti, this high-intensity shaking together with both buildings vulnerable to earthquakes and high population exposure resulted in catastrophe.

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