Which do you use "like" or "unlike"?

I have been wondering which I should use "like" or "unlike" in negative sentences.

For example, I came across the following sentence.

One woman whose desk is very cluttered says;
His desk isn't covered by stacks of paper like mine.

When I heard the sentence, I thought her desk was also neat (like him). If her desk was very messy, I think she should have said, "His desk isn't covered by stacks of paper unlike mine."

If somebody says, "He doesn't like animals like John.", I wonder if John likes animals or not.

Take action! --- knowing Beer or Books and Room to Read

I encountered a person who organize "Beer for Books" which raises money for childhood literacy in developing countries.
I told him that I've wanted to help all children in the wold receive education, and got his business card.

Beer for Books raises money for "Room to Read." You may know Room to Read because it's famous. I read the book "Leave Microsoft to challenge the world" written by the Room to Read's founder John Wood.

I'm really impressed both by John Wood and the organizer of Beer for Books, especially their energy. In contrast, I've just thought that I don't know where to begin.
Take action like them!

Desks go?

One of the new English words I learned recently is "desks go." But actually I'm not sure what case it is used. In the context, it means a desk itself.

A person compliments her boss's desk because he keeps his desk very neat.
"I'm very impressed by your desk."

But her boss misunderstands.
"As desks go, It's nothing special. I'm not one of those power-tripping executives who think they need a desk the size of a football field to make themselves feel important."

I wonder if what "desks go" exactly means and it's used so often.

Happy New Year 2011

Happy New Year, everybody!
I wish all of you good luck for this year.

For New Year's visit to a shrine this year, I chose Yoyogi Hachimangu. That's because the lucky direction this year for me is the South and the South-Southwest, and Yoyogi Hachimangu is in the direction from my place.

It's not so big shrine, so it was not so crowded unlike other famous and popular shrines, although I had to stand in line for about an hour.

I want to make this year the significant breakthrough year for me. I'll definitely do that.

Yoyogi Hachimangu