Municipal Development Concept: Sister Cities In Arms

Hello All,

What if on the county US level across the States we paid more than lip service to our honoree sister cities. For example, here in my Florida county of Sarasota we have six designated sister cities. They are: Dunferline, Scotland; Hamilton, Ontario; Perpignan, France; Tel Mond, Israel; Vladimir, Russia; and finally Siming District, Xiamen China.

Sister cities usually align themselves due to the cultural demographics of their adopted city. In this case many citizens from other countries have chosen as their adopted home my city and county of Sarasota.

Now instead of only an official designation in name only for a sister city. Why not put some muscle into it where it belongs, where the county or province local governments draw up a developmental wish list. Such a wish list of municipal development be it in infrastructure or other citizen initiatives would need to be approved or ratified. Once done so from each of the other sister cities in kind via a larger collective barter system. One of the other sister cities picks an item of need from another city and pours needed aid into the initiative. Be it a: trade development package, disaster relief, needed skilled personnel, student exchange programs, resources, charitable aid, block grants or loans.

Such a slew of available menu options to aid other sister cities will help foster civic pride within one's own city and those whom are being aided. Not just from the public government sector, but from the private commercial and private charities that become inter-dependent in such a web of relationships.

This is truly a "Win / Win" scenario when sister cities step out of their own bubble mind-set and look beyond their own geographic boundaries.

Food Concept: Sweet Pasta

Hi All,

This dessert type of food treat came to me whilst I was eating lunch with pasta filled with garlic paste. My "A Ha!" moment came shortly afterwards, since I enjoy many types of eclectic dessert treats.

Picture Ravioli filled with chocolate instead of the typical meat or cheese fillings. The sweet fillings can be: milk, dark, white chocolates, caramel, taffy, cotton candy, and fruit jams. The pasta itself can be plain or it can be sweetened to include various different flavors onto itself. Such as a chocolate flavored pasta, or any of these varieties such as: peanut butter, vanilla, cookie dough, mocha, strawberry, etc... Besides it doesn't just have to be ravioli type of pasta it can be any other type of pasta that allows fillings to be present.

This is even a better dessert treat if accompanied with a sauce topping like hot fudge, or caramel. Mmm, can't you just picture it now. :o)

Jewels of Truth Quotations & Favorite Quotes Of The Day

Hello All,

Today I'll return to the former line-up of quotes that left off at number #773 from mid-November.

Enjoy my own authored wisdom based spiritual quotes.

773) Revenge is an empty road leading no where. It is ripe with hatred and offers only destruction to its intended victim(s). It is truly one of the many inroads to perdition. Surrender such hatred with forgiveness for the sake of your own inherent sanity and well being. That is the way to reconciliation for ones own sake by mercy. Otherwise hell on Earth will persist to your own undoing. ---Ivan / Atrayo.


774) "Precept of Time & Eternity"

In a moment one can understand eternity. As a concept of no time at all. Eternity is but an instant, one moment in time but paradoxically it consists of no time at all. This instant for eternity to a mortal is incomprehensible due to a linear view point. From the point of view of eternity it is a fully non-linear moment. Linear time scale is set at the slowest time dilation for mortal creation. For eternity which consists for an instant, it is set at full velocity ahead. Or full momentum without any restrictive dilations of time. To understand a mundane moment is to understand all of creation in but an instant. Amen. ---Ivan / Atrayo.


775) When you bless one soul, you will bless them all. Since we are all one meta-entity (spirit) in this realm and in many other forms of existence. We are one akin to a web of conduits to each other. One can not be effected well without affecting all those in their realm of influence. A blessing, a miracle, and grace are all methods to reveal ones holy identity in this life. Amen. ---Ivan / Atrayo.


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Our walls of division do not rise all the way to heaven. ---Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow.

Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach. ---Clarissa Pinkola Estes.

What you resist, persists. ---Carl Jung.

Beauty seen makes the one who sees it more beautiful. ---David Steindl-Rast. "A Listening Heart".

Prosperity depends more on wanting what you have than having what you want. ---Geoffrey F. Abert.

Jewels of Truth Quotations & Favorite Quote Of The Day

Hello All,

Tonight I would like to only share two of my spirtitual quotations I have just writtened in the last couple of hours. May you find the truth in them as I have sought it for myself. Amen.


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778) Many have forgotten and few remember, but isn't that what a journey is for?

We came into this warm mortal being so that the Earth may have a tender unconditional love. All creatures have returned from paradise to be of service in this time of transition. Surrender your worries unto her/him who is eternal, so that your love may grow abundantly. With such a bounty of absolute love will pour forth life in its myriad and blessed forms.

Be one with your very own Holy Spirit. To regain what you have forgotten what is already yours to give fully. Giving in service with a joyful spirit will be your personal salvation, for now and always in eternity. Amen. ---Ivan / Atrayo.

779) What is love? Where does it come from?

Love is the life force of creation. It comes from the dimensions you call heaven. As hate comes from the planes of hell. It is all one meta-reality combined into many sphere's, much like that of Earth. Your mortal guise may reside here on this world. But your spirit as well as that of your life resides simultaneously in many realms at once.

As an inkling sliver of God we all can transverse many realities simultaneously. Since God's Spirit makes it so. We can bring Love from Heaven or we can bring Hate from Hell. It is always our choice in the: beginning, middle, and the end. For it is all one place in this instant moment we call eternity. Amen. ---Ivan / Atrayo.

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All things excellent are as difficult as they are rare. ---Benedict De Spinoza.

Storage Concept: Closets With Walled Drawers

Hello Everyone,

This concept is mostly for home builders if not for some commercial locations. Since space is at a premium always when it comes to real estate. What if in allocating additional closet space one adds sets of drawers to the wall(s) of a closet location.

Say for a residential "walk-in closet" that most are practically large enough to fit an austere bathroom within. Having one side wall with a roll-out drawer chest embedded in that location. Will yield additional closet space for what is usually empty space within a walled off section of a home. (lest any inside electrical wiring)

An added special feature could be an electric powered drawer chest. Where instead of manually opening up a walled drawer set. One can push a button on a individual drawer for it to slide out and in.

In a commercial location this can be handy for office supplies. Or for storing additional inventory depending on its size in a larger sized depositing drawer system.

For creative architects this is another option for your clients who value additional storage locales within a property. This is a no-brainer idea who's time has come.

Jewels of Truth Quotations & Favorite Quotes Of The Day

Hello All,

Here is a fresh batch of three new spiritual quotations penned by my hand. Besides other notable quotations I believe are worthy to share on this blog of mine. Besides here is a little diddy on how these inspired quotations come to me. They have a dual purpose as my Spirit Teachers know so well, that I need sustenance of the soul. So these automatic writing statements are as much for myself as they are for many more to come down the years yet unborn. May you enjoy them as I have in sharing these universal truths.

769) To love oneself or another with full support, even though one does not see eye to eye on many topics or ideologies. Is what is termed as unconditional love in expression and practice. Amen. ---Ivan / Atrayo.

770) Our faith when coupled with unceasing gratitude will open one's attitude. To one of wholeness and properious thinking by living such a set lifestyle. It is a path of awakening to your Spirit within and its abundant treasures from the vault of God's bosom. Be still and know when one maintains harmony of Spirit, one's attitude can surmount obstacle after obstacle. Have faith in yourself and your creator with full thanksgiving. Amen. ---Ivan / Atrayo.

772) In Heaven there is no error or sin, no wrong doing of any kind. Thus for all creations of God may enter paradise without any indignity upon them. All this is forgiven with unconditional compassion for all children of God. There is no need to judge your neighbor falsely, nor persecute them without witness to the point made above. Accept yourself as a Divine creation with a mortal guise, and relinquish all baggage that humanity imposes on you. Let go of these misleading traits so as to be who you truly were meant to be. Amen. ---Ivan / Atrayo.

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For perfect love casteth out fear, and fear can only be from the material things that soon must fade away. And thus hold to the higher thought of eternity. For life is a continual experience.
---Edgar Cayce Reading 1175-1.

Renew your brilliance. It is the privilege of the Phoenix...Dare... dawning many times, like the sun. ---Baltasar Gracian.

You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, old as your fear, as young as your hope, as old as your despair. Samuel Ullman. 1840-1924.

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle. ---Philo of Alexandria.

May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being. ---Apache Blessing.

Part 2: Amusement Park Concept: Project Name "Epic Dream Parks"

Hello Everyone,

Last year in my September 2005 entry on this blog site I provided a "Part 1" submission on what I envision as the next generation amusement park model. What originally was intended to be updated in weeks turned out to over a years time.

September 2005 Entry Link:
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http://atrayosoracle.blogspot.com/2005_09_01_atrayosoracle_archive.html

Now without a further adieu here's additional ramblings of this MMORPG / FPS (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game & First Person Shooter) amusement park of tomorrow.

Entertainment Complexes:
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Bringing in disparate entertainment business models all under one roof for a seamless game park experience. For example reworking the conventional arcade parlor outlets, besides adding "Laser Tag" type arenas for a real life FPS experience in the park system.

The Arcade Parlors would be interconnected like a franchise where all of the arcade kiosks are on the same network. Be they arcade parlors within the park system or down the street from the local neighborhood major mall locale. Those off-site arcade franchise sites would be considered to the online at home gamers playing the MMORPG / FPS via the internet. As a real life themed way station or outpost in the frontier of the online game world system that the park system will also utilize simultaneously. So those in the park system will intermingle in game play with those at home playing on their online game account. Including those visiting the arcade parlor kiosks sorta like an Internet Cafe just for gamers.

For the "Laser Tag" arenas which would be less messy than a paintball arena model. All park patrons or those Laser Tag arenas that are also franchises that are off-site from the park system. Will have armbands signally which side of the fictional game world conflict they are in at the time. So to differentiate players within their own side there will be a ranking system similar to what Electronic Arts as a game developer for FPS games in their Battlefield 2 series. Taking it a step further those in the laser tag park arenas or those in the off-site franchise locations. Will be able to buy a generic "Arm Band" ala a velcro seal where they can signify their in-game world rank and merit awards. So if a player in said ranking system unlocks the rank of sergeant. They can purchase via a online e-commerce account or at the Laser Tag arena gift shop. Velcro like badges much like those in the US Military wear on their shoulders. So a player will gain access to be able to purchase their sergeant badge for their armband. Besides any other sideline medals and awards gained during the life of the account holder for that particular game avatar.

So if during FPS real life game play in the "Laser Tag" arena. They get fragged (killed fictionally in-game) the game system will grant the opposing player points that they knocked off a sergeant in the laser tag arena. The point system will contribute greatly to the merit based ranking system for the players of the park system, online game, and arcade parlor participates.

Event Coordinators
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In typically "Pen & Paper" role playing games there is often a referee that acts as a "Dungeon Master" (DM). Taking such a role to the amusement park system of tomorrow. There would be DM's that would coordinate events for the park patrons, online gamers, and the arcade parlor customers. There will also be two tiers of event coordinator staff. The first tier is the entry level staff members that are DM's in training. That would impersonate NPC's (non player characters) in the game world that would typically be enemy combatants to the players / customers. So a tier 1 event coodinator would level up a certain mob (creature) that interacts with the park patrons, online gamers, and those of the arcade network. The creatures could be benign quest givers or adversal in gameplay combat. The Tier 1 staff during the course of their employment have the chance to game alongside the customers. Where if they max out an entry level mob they graduate to the next mob in order to level them out and so forth until they reach the full rank of a Dungeon Master. For example a Tier 1 events coorindator starts off in a new comer (newbie) zone pretending to be a werewolf gaming against the customers. Eventually this tier 1 staff member reaches the next order of creature to inhabit which will be in another zone of the game world. Lets say a sailor npc giving quests to the park customers, online gamers, and arcade participates. So this Tier 1 staff member would need to mature through the event coordinator system as if in a circuit of roles until they graduate as a full blown "Dungeon Master".

The Dungeon Master Tier 2 event coordinator staff members are like the manager level. They coordinate various tier 1 staff members who are their underlings. They're secondary role is to offer high level or high profile events to the park patrons, online gamers, and arcade customers. Be it a raid on a settlement with a horde of NPC's and some Tier 1 staff intermingled. Such a settlement could be a off-site franchise arcade parlor locale that is considered a frontier location in the game world. Thus increasing the business revenue of said franchise arcade location in a special event. Same can be said with a "Laser Tag" arena within the park system or a franchise location located off-site.

In Closing for this entry on the "Epic Dream Park" system of amusement parks of tomorrow. That introduces several parallel entertainment business models into a seamless complex hub for gamers. Will continue to evolve the existing models of the arcade parlors and online games that cater to the MMO demographic. Besides reining in the laser tag arena's into the over arching lore and game play stories generated by the customers themselves. Thus creating entertaining memories to be cherished for many years to come. Be it with the family at large or your new extended family of fellow hobby enthusiats.

Jewels of Truth Quotations & Favorite Quotes Of The Day

Hello Readers,

Today I'll also deviate from the numerical line-up of quotes for another of my highly regarded quotes I've just written. Then return to the normal order of spiritual wisdom based quotations I've writtened.

Enjoy.

771) From our perspective here on earth as mortals we fell from grace in the symbolic chronicle of "Adam & Eve". This is only partly true and the rest of this understanding is skewed by conditional foresight.

From the perspective from Heaven there was no falling from grace. Just a transition of one form of living into another. Much like the catepillar transforms itself into a lovely and gentle butterfly.

From the human perspective we are sinners and full of fault. In the eyes of God we are growing and full of life. We may have transitioned into this world of form. But who is to say that we have actually left the side of God within his throne in Heaven. We are in both places at once as by a miraculous act of his grace. Amen. ---Ivan / Atrayo.

(Now returning to the regular sequence of quotes)

767) What is Beauty?

Beauty has an inherent balance by its aesthetics. A symmetry of order that fills us with a sense of awe and appreciation. Beauty is living art whether by its contrast or gesture. It is a representation of the Divine in all of us. A sacred union of souls that transcends often our comprehension of its depths of magnitude. Beauty is what it is, wonder that is manifested! ---Ivan / Atrayo.

768) What is the hallmark of a dignified spirit? It is carrying out the precepts of silent and humble conduct. That one is not grand standing in order to receive praise or adoration from the vanity of others. So as to enact a sense of confirmation of being valued. One is independent from such leanings and also binded to the lovely nature of modest conduct. Amen. ---Ivan / Atrayo.

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Dwell as near as possible to the channel in which your life flows. ---Henry David Thoreau.

First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others. ---Thomas a Kempis.

Do not let those things which may not in the present be understood weary thy soul, but know that sometime, somewhere, you too, will understand. Keep the faith. ---Edgar Cayce. Reading 5369-2.

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. ---Blessed Mother Teresa.

If we do only what is required of us we are slaves, the moment we do more, we are free. ---Cicero 106-43 B.C.

E-Commerce Concept: Merchandise Catalog Presentation

Greetings Reader,

Today many if not all e-commerce retail outlets online today relay on 2-D presentations of their merchandise. The typical thumbnail picture leading to a full blown picture of the item in question. If one is lucky there will be different cut-shots of the merchandise displayed at the online retailer.

Now picture (all pun intended) the e-commerce retail merchandise thumbnail with a 3-D presentation. IE a clock that is ticking to your local time, beverages in glassware being consumed by a model, clothing being used as intended by a human model in short animated loops. If your demographic is for children's merchandise one would have the company mascot doing these various presentation animated loops. From playing with the toys, to modeling clothing, to singing certain MP3 media in small clips.

From the thumbnail merchandise media presentations we traverse to the full blown pictured merchandise. That will show the merchandise used as intended all streamed from the e-commerce website, without obliging the end retail user to download anything. Cusory information can accompany the retail items that are being shown and used by the models or animated figures. In some cases AI speaking mannequins can assist the customer in selecting or handling a POS (point of sale) transaction online. The AI package can include repeated "Live Acted" previous customer testimonials of product usage. In other instances the pending customer can select which animation or human acted model to be displayed. For example if house decor is to be displayed the customer with a click of the mouse. Can select how they're pending order of merchandise is to be used in a mock up virtual setting in the retailer space. This can extend to intended uses of retail clothing ensembles selected to jewelry, watches, and accessories.

These are the few of present functions that E-commerce retailers can use today in enticing increased sales in the online sphere of transactions.

Recorded Media Prediction / Observation: Analog To Digital To True Holography

Hello All,

Most of what I'm stating today is mostly a no-brainer. Since 2/3's of it have occurred to date in terms of recorded media in presentation and technological improvements. From the days of Analog media be it in LP's, 8-Tracks, or other magnetic tape media like cassettes and VHS / Betamax formats. Notably analog media in most circles still outperforms in terms of quality playback than next generation digital media. However subsequent generations of digital playback may make this point moot sooner than later. Perhaps with thrusts of improvements coming from the second generation of DVD introductions. Like the new formats of "BluRay or HD-DVD" being introduced most recently in the consumer marketplace. This can be working hand to hand with future generations of MPEG play back skipping entirely the old format of the MP3.

Where will recorded media lead us in the next decade and beyond? Perhaps the much lauded Holy Grail of 3-D that has been described in science fiction for nearly over a generation now. That of "Holographic" technology that exists today, but not in sufficient portable technology that consumers demand today. Holography today is still in that old IBM PC mainframe sizes of old that is a pain to transport anywhere.

But in the years of tomorrow this to will no longer be a limiting factor. Expect new iterations of true 3-D technology to leap beyond the present pseudo three dimensions that digital technology offers us today. Holography will be the new vanguard of not just data media but also in display technology. Unlike the present dinosaur esque 2-D displays we're still lugging around from the latter half of the 20th century. Be it the now classical transistor tube displays to the CRT's transforming into the present deluge of: LCD's, Plasma's, & HD TV's.

Holography of tomorrow will present us with displays in its first few generations that are more so vertical 3-D projector like in presentation. Than present day horizontal displays with a 2-D display. These first 3-D projector like displays can be rotated by the human hand or voice commands. Where the end-user won't need to fumble with a awkward virtual reality glove or microphone. But motion sensor technology of tomorrow will take this fuss out of the equation.
Do expect the first generation of holographic display technologies to have it's glitches. Chief amongest them is particle quality where the presentation will be too transparent where foreign light sources will degrade the quality of viewing. This will phase out over time where the holographic displays will yield substantial improvements in filtering out foreign light sources in the commercial and personal use options. Other potential glitches will be corruption of data that is no stranger to us with digital technology of today. But in holographic circles will blend data stream images causing a corrupt image to be displayed and viewed. Basically a mutation of images that onboard processors will need to compesate when the transmission becomes hazy.

Lastly holographic technology will yield substantial productivity improvements in how data and images are manipulated and shared. Top amongest them is confercing where large summits of group gatherings will choose the holographic chat room of tomorrow rather than the long distance trek to another location. The television of tomorrow will also host various game shows, TV interviews, and such as future fads in how this holographic media is consumed amongest the masses. This will entail cultural shifts that will take at least a generation to be fully absorbed into mainstream society. Much like in today's western cultures warming up to digital entertainment be it in the form of: PC & Video console games, to the more recent distribution of media in MP3 formats and such.

This reality is coming the hard part is predicting actually when it will occur over time. Due to many competiting forces seeking top dog pole positions in the display and recorded media industries.

Jewels of Truth Quotations & Favorite Quotes Of The Day

Hello All,

Here is another 3 spiritual wisdom based quotations for you to have a thought provoking experience. Whether you agree fully or not with the topic they represent. Or are able to expand on their inherent meanings in our comments section, thank you for your pending feedback.

763) A secret place in time is what is termed as eternity. It is a living phase of existence often overlooked by mere mortal activities. Its impacts are varied from a raised consciousness due to the interconnectivity of all life. Or the transition of events that are not in a neat modus operandi. Eternity as a force is not one of conformity, but of action guided by the orchestration of life. It is a vast ocean of movement that on the surface is misunderstood. But at its depths performs paradoxically like a ballet. ---Ivan / Atrayo.


764) Where there is symmetry there is beauty. Whether it be of one order or another of scale. Its harmony transcends limitations imposed on it by others. Who lack a full comprehension of its subtleties and graces. The function of a system full of symmetry does not distinguish between friend or foe. Since both are one and inclusive to the other in the grand scale of life. Amen. ---Ivan / Atrayo.


766) Those that expect God to swoop down from the heavens with his winged angels to save us from ourselves. Is grossly mistakened with that picturesque fictional interpretation. God will however by our developed Faiths transform us from within our very being. Where humanity will serve each other and the world at large by compassion. Coming to each others aid when needed and deserved by permission. Make no mistake about this God will rescue us, but only through his creations and not outside of them. Amen. ---Ivan / Atrayo.

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Diversity challenges harmony but paradoxically nurtures it when diversities gifts are respectfully honored. ---Carolyn Baker, Ph.D.

It is only imperfection that complains of what is imperfect. The more perfect we are the more gentle and quiet we become towards the defects of others. ---Joseph Addison.

You have pain now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. ---John 16:22.

Happiness is not what makes us grateful. It is gratefulness that makes us happy. ---David Steindl-Rast. "A Listening Heart"

But I do know that self Love, (unconditional) can give a person a sense of satisfaction, where you attract others because of love, not so much because of need. ---Carol Harquail.

Property & Casualty Insurance Incentive For US States

Hi All,

Lately across many US States effected by hurricane property and casualty insurance companies that are pulling up stakes from renewing or writing new policies. Thus as a survival mechanism on their part they've headed to the hills instead of losing their shirts. Thus abandoning many policy holders or future ones to fend for themselves in disillusionment.

This has to be seriously mitigated and turned around in many southern and coastal US States. I've even heard that insurance companies in Rhode Island have become skiddish and have either shot up their rates or stopped from issuing new policies. We have across our nation have had this veil of false security lifted from us for either good or ill. Now creative solutions and incentives from State governments are needed.

Such measures may warrant that residential or commercial properties may not be able to insure the structure if they are located on or near a beach front community. Including island / isle keys off the mainland due to the high risk factor for the insurance industry. Those property areas in the future may only by for the brave or fool hardy. Which in turn may in a chain of events scare away future construction developments. If there is any insurance in those vicinities it may be just for residential furnishings or business inventories. This may prove more beneficial for mother nature allowing natural barrier sediment within inlets to replenish. So to accumulate by proving beneficial in certain natural barriers to be recreated. This is especially the case if some islands / isles that were once developed that are abandoned later on due to do a "no insurance zone".

My suggestion is to have US States cover the "Doughnut Hole Deductible" for the insurance industry and policy holder customers. The Doughnut Hole Deductible is the portion of a policy after the customer deductible has been paid in full. Then the State government pays a deductible amount in the middle value of the writtened policy. This will insure that the Insurance industry isn't as skiddish as before and indicates that the government will share in the burden. Instead of fully depending on a catastrophe fund until it is wiped out during repeative natural disaster events.

This will also remove to a degree some of the scare that a State government will become the insurer of last resort. Thus insuring that the insurance industry stays involved in writing new policies and honoring past policy customers with renewals.