TATOO

Tatoo

Had he told her what was on his mind, she would surely not have been grateful. He believed what she said, that she was in love with him, even though he was trying at times. They were in love, and watching a show, a Tango show, at ‘Restaurant 36,’ in Buenos
Aires, Argentina. Three couples were doing the Tango (an artful alluring dance that was brought over from immigrants from Europe around the turn of the 20th century, a combination of several dance steps put together, it was of course then refined to what it is today).

Manuel—looked at Brazil with wanting eyes. He did not dare to ask for want he had on his mind (he figured he’d get it later) even the wine didn’t force it out of him, and uncounted beers, slowly does it, he told himself, if anything he felt painfully sober. For these four hours in the bar-restaurant and show house. He had figured he was either in love with her, or in lust perhaps, with her, so he told himself anyhow, at the age as theirs, it goes hand in hand, one might conclude.

‘Why,’ he asked himself, sitting at the table, watching the Tango show, ‘why had he not come to some conclusion sooner?’ They were on a vacation (kind of) the first one they had ever taken together, from Lima they took a plane, and were to spend a week in Buenos Aires, kind an overdo pre engagement vacation, although they were not engaged either. They had been friends since early on in primary school, and throughout high school, at which time one might have concluded they were sweethearts and friends, but she never did anything with him, he was seldom around. And for some reason, now he was pressing her to get married, both 25-years old. If anything, she was used to him, familiar might be a better choice of words, she didn’t know him as well as he knew her.

His blood was boiling. This new intensity she seemed to give him was evidence he figured, that she was the one and only. He had dated many girls, but it was Brazil who he compared them with, and they all fell short of his expectations of course. He was a thief by profession, but she didn’t know it. If anything, she was oblivious to it, and unknowingly teaching him what a man is, or suppose to be, which he was becoming not becoming, but pretending to be, the result of her tutoring, which she took from observation of her father was at best annoying.

“Manual,” she said, “I am so glad you are not one of the many thieves in Buenos Aires, or Lima, not one of the many, but you seem like a man, like my father, who has lived to a high degree of integrity.”

Manual, didn’t quit understand that simply statement to be taken as a word of praise, he didn’t really see her point. But said nothing to spoil the moment, I guess, he told himself, it was kind words, she respected him. But why did she put ‘man’ involved with this. I mean, he felt like a man, I guess, he looked like a man, but now she implied, all this looking, and feeling were not the ingredients that make a man. What exactly did, he didn’t know. This bothered him.

“And what is that,” he asked.

“What is what?” replied Brazil.

“What is it that makes a man a man, according to you?”

She hesitated a minute, not because she could not answer his question, only that such a question came out of his mouth. Those kind of questions are from people that are offended, and how could he be offended, I mean, this was evident, if he was a man, and had man qualities, he would not have to ask her what she thought they were, he would, and should know.

“God knows a man has only himself, and good works to offer, he should influence those around him, influence is the quality of leadership, and all men should have this; it is a God given gift. Man is supposed to lead in a household, how can he lead if he does not take this God given gift from God seriously. A man doesn’t take from the weak, not like a thief, who tries to take from another he knows he can. But he is a soldier of sorts. He does not laugh at someone’s tears, or a child hurt while playing, he has passion between them.” (She had remembered at that moment what her father had told her, “…not all males, old or not, can define a man, because they are not men, although they look like them, feel like a man, because they are mature physically, but that is not the ingredients that make men.” In addition, her father once old her, “I was hungry, very hungry, living in Seattle, Washington, and I saw a boy selling candy at night, going from house to house, and I was going to rob him, but I couldn’t, and the reason being, it is not what a man would do. The boy was perhaps 12-years old, and I was twenty, it would have set a trend for the rest of my life, that it was ok to so such things. I would starve to death before I’d rob from another, what does not belong to me. If God can feed the sparrows, he will surely feed me.”)

“Ludicrous,” came out from under his lips; she could see that he could not see this squarely. And for a moment he despised her (it showed on his face, and she saw it). ‘

It would seem he did not appreciate her honesty, and her insight. He stared at her, at her unique awareness. How lovely she looked her excellence, her soft hair falling over her forehead; her shinning like crystal eyes, her completion—polished like ivory. He was caught between his wit and her truth.

She started to think he never gives advice, like papa said, or would say, ‘why?’ and add, ‘perhaps it is in conflict with his lifestyle, so this was surfacing.’ She really didn’t know his other side, the side that gratified him to keep secretes, and her father once said, ‘secrets are for those whom wish to hide the truth, they come out sooner or later, and usually later with men trying to become whom they are not to hogtie a woman to them; you see, they become the person they think you want them to be, not whom they really are; embarrassing as it may be, when the truth comes, it is usually too late for the woman. You see, a man cannot play the roll of a man forever, if he is more than what he claims to be.’

It happened to be, Manual ran into an old friend of his, “Adelmo, how are you, how you been?” Adelmo was with one of the Tango girls, that was on stage a few minutes ago. They both looked under the weather, boozed up, half drunk.

“Whatever is he doing so drunk?” came out of Brazil’s mouth. “Who is he to you?” She added. (She also remembered what her father told her: ‘…be watchful for whom the man you date, hangs out with, it is usually they are like two peas in a pod, so do not be deceived, if your date tries to avoid them, it is for sure….’)

“Lord, it’s been long since we’ve worked together….” he said accidentally. Had he had a chance to retrieve those words, those simply words, he would have.

“Work—what kind of work?” she asked.

“Does it really matter?” he sharply said.

“It doesn’t anymore,” she said, listening to her instincts, “I just assumed it might.”

Having discovered Manual to have a new or different nature than what was displaced up to this point, and him assuming, they were stuck together in the city, he was being a little careless with showing his true character.

She stood up, informed Manual she needed to go to the bathroom, and she did just that (as he carefully watched her go through the door), but on her way out of the bathroom (Manual was busy talking to his friend, as she predicted), there was a door at the other end of the building, she walked right past the pool tables in the back room, where several young bucks checked her out, but she kept on walking pas them out onto the sidewalk, and flagged down a taxi, and told him—“To the airport,” leaving her cloths and the few items she had brought along where they lay in the hotel room, and caught the next flight back to Lima.

Tatoo

There is something about magic that fascinates us. Long bearded wizards waving a staff as beams of light shoot forth. A fantastic floor show in which white tigers appear and disappear captures our attention as surely as the magician locked within a straight jacket that somehow escapes at the last moment.

The mystery of the magician has surrounded us since the beginning of time from the midwives who cured a festering wound to the gypsies reading Tarot cards to divine our fortunes. Does magic truly exist or is it all in the mind of the beholder?

What were they called?

The first people believed to practice magic were Priests, Priestesses or Shamans. They would perform the rituals associated with the culture from which they were from. All humans, at one time or another, believed in things that would seem peculiar to modern man.

Druids embraced the natural order of the world and would perform seasonal rituals to usher in crops, the New Year or different holy days. Charlatan is one term many would use to refer to individuals who practiced magic because it was thought that it was all trickery and hoaxes.

Was magic really just for witches?

As evident by many of the horrific atrocities that occurred in American history, a person associated with magic would have been labeled a witch. Whether or not this is actually true is a different story. The end result was the same. The witch would be the scapegoat of any abnormal occurrences, such as a crop dying, and ultimately be put to death.

How has the art of magic evolved over the past hundred years?

Magic has turned from a more elemental approach into that of sleight of hand. It has become a showmanship and illusion. Tricks are performed in front of an audience but the performance gives an illusion of magic when in reality there is none.

Common sense practices, such as washing a wound, may have once been considered magic but now we know them to be just part of good hygiene. As humankind continues to advance, mysteries that astound us now will eventually be revealed.

Was Harry Houdini a magician?

Though he was called a magician, he technically was an illusionist and escape artist. His daring feats were accomplished by hard work and skill. His famous acts, such as escaping from a straight jacket while under water, required him to be flexible and to use a bit of subterfuge.

What is the difference between sleight of hand, illusion and magic?

While once there might have been a difference between the three, we would now consider them to be the same thing. All involve the use of illusion. The mind is told one thing, the eyes see one thing but the reality is that it's something completely different.

Tatoo

Would you like to "Supercharge" your mind - On Demand? "Do what?" You ask , oh you know: Create the state of mind where you: Feel that you can do and achieve anything. Work faster and produce better results. Break down and solve problems quickly. Take decisions like a war winning general and brush obstacles aside with ease!

"Ah yes" you say, "happens to me once or twice a month". A shame it happens so rarely. It need not be like that though, and here's why:

Fact 1 - This is how movers and shakers feel most of the time.

Fact 2 – It is JUST a state of mind.

Fact 3 – You can use audiobooks to give your mind a "work out" & create this state of mind "on demand".

There are a lot of audio books on this subject though which can make knowing where to start hard.

So in this article we'll break things down to make it easy for you to get going.

Sections -

1) Supercharged Mind - Defined

2) 3 Important facts about the "Supercharged state"

3) How "Brain" workout audiobooks will help you

4) My top 10 audiobooks to give you the best bang/buzz for your buck!

**Supercharged Mind - Defined**

You've probably had times when you feel supercharged, when you feel like you can do and achieve anything. When -

1) Everything around you seems to take on extra crisp clarity.

2) You can do everything faster and act more decisively than usual.

3) You feel that anything is achievable and that the world can, and will be at your feet!

4) If you're selling something you've got extra buzz and motivation and sell way better than "usual"

It's essentially a "performance enhanced" state of mind – but you're going to use audio books rather than dodgy substances to get it!

** 3 Important facts about the "Supercharged state"**

1) Successful people have this mindset and can turn it on and off on demand.

2) You don't have to be supercharged all the time. You can & should turn off or else you'll likely burn out!

3) You can condition your brain with audiobooks to get into this supercharged state.

As I say you don't need to be charged up all the time. For example:

If you can go from 0% of your working day "in zone" to 20% of your day you can add way more than 20% in results - if you apply yourself right.

For example: When "fully charged"
• In sales - Do your new business calls.
• Marketing or writing – Do your creative work.
• Anything – Tackle the hard and important tasks that have greatest reward potential.

When you're back in "situation normal" then do your admin and boring internal emails.

** How Brain Workout Audiobooks can help you **

Easier said that done you may say. How do I supercharge on demand?

Well, the most common way is by reading motivational/success books or going to seminars.

Both of these are fine but have limitations:
• Books – Time, especially if you have family or are working flat out and drive-commute.
• Seminars – Time again but also cost – and the charge drains off quickly afterwards.

Enter the audiobook:
• Audio books negate the time and cost problems.
• You can force charge your mind (push it in) as oppsoed to physically "eye-read" (drag it in)
• Have those supercharged seminar speakers in your head – Anytime, at the press of a button.

For example, you can listen to audiobooks while:
• Driving or on the train
• Relaxing in the dark
• Cleaning the car
• Dog walking
• Gardening
• Jogging, working out etc

Oh yes, it's essential to be around positive people as much as possible too. Negative people are like charge draining vampires. They'll pull you down with them if you give them a chance. They want you to be as depressed as they are – there's comfort in hanging with other losers after all!

Best stop now I sound like one of the audio books (and it's their job to teach you about this stuff)

** My top 10 download audiobooks for mind supercharging **

My advice is to have a good look about and choose 2 or 3 solid audiobooks to start with.

Don't be limited by my choices though. Explore. It's a new world out there and it's waiting for you to come along and give it a damn good spanking!

1. Glenn Harrold's Ultimate Guide to Building Your Motivation. Author: Glenn Harrold Publisher: BBC Audiobooks.

2. Awaken the Giant Within. Author: Anthony Robbins. Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio.

3. Glenn Harrold's Ultimate Guide to Manifesting Your Goals & Dreams. Author: Glenn Harrold. Publisher: BBC Audiobooks.

4. Unlimited Power. Author: Anthony Robbins. Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio.

5. How to Win Friends & Influence People. Author: Dale Carnegie. Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio.

6. Giant Steps. Author: Anthony Robbins. Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio.

7. Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway. Author: Susan Jeffers. Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Audiobooks.

8. Slow Down…and Get More Done. Author: Marshall J Cook. Publisher: Listen & Live.

9. Why We Want You To Be Rich. Authors: Donald Trump & Robert Kiyosaki. Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

10. Get Up and Do It! Publisher: BBC Audiobooks.

Oh, and a last minute entry...I couldn't stop myself but didn't want to push any others out for:

11. What Would Machiavelli Do? Author: Stanley Bing. Publisher: Harper Collins US.

All of these audio books can be bought from audiobook stores online and downloaded to play on your PC, Mac, MP3 player, iPod or be burned onto CD.

Any of these audiobooks will make a great first go, so check them out and go for it – Do NOT procrastinate or you won't even get out of the starting blocks!

Tatoo

What is Permanent Makeup?

Permanent makeup is a state-of-the-art form of cosmetic tattooing. The specialized techniques used for permanent cosmetics are often referred to as micropigmentation, micropigment implantation or dermagraphics. The cosmetic implantation technique deposits tiny individual implants of pigment into the dermal layer of skin to enhance facial features. The 3 most common procedures are eyebrows, eyeliner and full lip color. How Is It Done?

Permanent cosmetic procedures are performed using various machines, including the traditional (or specialized) tattoo or coil machines; the pen or rotary machine and the non-machine or hand tool method.

What Can Be Done?

- Eyebrows - Eyeliner
- LipLiner - Full Lips
- Cleft Lip - Beauty Marks
-Skin Grafts
-Scar Camouflage
-Areola repigmentation

Who Benefits?

Women who:

• Have sparse brows and are tired of brow pencils
• Are tired of their makeup smearing
• Are athletic, yet still want to look their best
• Are allergic to conventional cosmetics
• Wear contact lenses
• Want to streamline their daily makeup régime
• Have colorless lips or uneven lip borders
• Have had breast reconstruction surgery (can tattoo an areola)
• Have scars and want them blended with their surrounding normal skin

“Does it hurt?”

Topical cream anesthetics are used to numb the area. Most people equate the sensation as similar to tweezing or waxing. Nancy provides instructions which further promote comfort. Not following instructions can promote bleeding and increase sensitivity. Permanent makeup intrigues me, …..I don’t know much about it……..

You probably know of someone who has permanent makeup and they love it. Or you may have seen or heard stories of bad work. It seems that the media is more likely to expound on the horror stories rather than the beautiful work that can be permanent makeup.

What Could Help Me Know If Permanent Makeup Is For Me?

First you must determine if there is something about your face, or body that you’re unhappy with. Say your brows are sparse, you use pencil every day and you’re tired of it. You may want to look into what permanent makeup can do for you. If you’ve had breast reconstruction and the areola/nipple was not replaced, then a permanent makeup artist can tattoo one on, making a woman feel whole again. Napoleon Hill said “We Refuse to Believe What We Don’t Understand”. Without further knowledge the average person cannot make an educated decision about whether or not something will work for them. This means learn as much as possible about permanent makeup prior to making a a firm decision about it.

What Things Should I Look For In A Technician?

Once you have decided that you want permanent makeup, find out more about the technician. See if they have a website; visit that website. See if the information provided makes sense to you. Did you learn anything from it? Contact the technician, but instead of first asking “how much it costs?”, do this:

1) Learn as much about permanent makeup yourself before you talk to a prospective technician. Remember, this is your body/face – you need to do your research and not rely only on the information they provide you.

2) How many procedures have they done?

3) What educational training have they had?

4) Do they have a portfolio of “before” and “after” photos you can review? Do you like what you see?

5) Does the technician seem interested in you?

6) Are they willing to provide answers to your questions?

7) Meet with her for a consultation.

8) Do you get a good feeling about this technician?

9) Ask how she keeps the procedure safe.

10) Then ask for costs. However, be advised this is not the industry to be looking for bargain basement prices…...you will get what you pay for…...trust me. I’ve repaired work that was inexpensive to the client who was only price shopping.

Tatoo

So you want to learn about the e-currency exchange program? I am sure you searched the Internet and saw tons of people talking about e-currency some people I am sure where saying good things about it, and I am sure you read bad things about it.

I myself find the e-currency exchange program to be a good investment if you want to make money down the line. No you won’t make thousands of dollars in a month and become rich, but what will happen is you will earn a good residual income down the line. The e-currency program isn’t a system that will make you rich over night.

However given time you can build up a nice size account, and earn a nice income each month. The e-currency system is a trading system that allows everyday people like you and I to earn from 1% up to 5% daily on our investment. Now you might be thinking no way that’s unheard of.

That’s what I thought to till I opened up and account, and invested a small amount of money into it. With a $400 investment I was making $3 a day from it. Now sure $3 isn’t much, but this is and investment that has to grow, and it will over time. Just think if you had say $5,000 in it. Then you would make more like $50 a day from it. That’s not bad if you ask me.

If you are looking for the easy way out, or a get rich quick system or easy money good luck finding it. The truth is there is no way to get rich over night or make easy money. It just isn’t going to happen. However if you ever did find one please let me know but I don’t think you ever will.

Gary Jezorski is the owner of and e-currency program guide that have helped millions of people turn small $200 investments into thousand dollar investments in a very short period of time. With Gary Jezorski’s program he offers free help to those that need it, and when I talk to him on the phone he answered all of my questions and most importantly he respected not only as a customer, but also as a person to.

Tatoo

In Orlando, Florida, new homes are springing up everywhere. The area is booming with newcomers, tourists, retirees, and even second homeowners who enjoy vacationing in Orlando every year. Even the number of people who are securing preconstruction condos and homes is on the rise. What does this mean for you? Plenty of opportunity! And with the Florida buyers rebate, you can now even receive cash back just for building a new home.

What is a New Home Rebate?

A new home rebate is issued to you when you build a new home construction. New homebuilders offer a standard commission of 3% to licensed Florida Realtors. As a buyer, you are protected by law so the builder doesn't "up your price" to pay this commission. On the other hand, the price also remains the same even if you do not go through a broker. So, the builder pockets the commission. The builder is not allowed to pay this commission directly to you, but to a licensed Realtor only. When you do use a Realtor, the Realtor can in turn offer you a percentage of their commissions just for using their services.

One particular service being offered by a Realtor in Orlando, Florida right now is the amazing 2% new home rebate. With this Florida buyer's rebate, you could receive anywhere from $2,000 up to $30,000 in rebate money. This new homebuyer's incentive not only gives you extra money in your pocket, but also gives you incentive to use a Realtor's services for building your new home in Orlando. These services can save you time and money because the Realtor will be able to guide you through the process. They've done it plenty of times before and know all the ins and outs of building a new construction home. You can save yourself from many headaches by using a Realtor's services.

Benefits of the New Home Rebate

There are many benefits when you take advantage of a new home rebate. An obvious benefit is that the rebate is money in your pocket after building your new home. Also, this Florida buyers rebate program can help you to do any last minute remodeling or landscaping. The money can be used to pay toward your homeowner's loan to reduce payments or interest, or to shave years off your payment period. It can be used for college tuition for your children. You can invest the money for the future and draw interest. If you are a real estate investor, you can use the new home rebate as a down payment for a future investment. The possibilities are endless.

Qualifying for a Florida Buyers Rebate

To qualify, you must contact a Realtor first (before contacting a builder) who is offering a new home rebate as an incentive. It is not offered by everyone. You will likely be asked by the Realtor to fill out forms (proof that they referred you). Then, you must let the builder's on-site representative know before getting started that you were referred by that particular Realtor and present the necessary paperwork. Be sure to specify which Realtor referred you before coming to any agreements with the builder. The Realtor's name must appear on your sales contract.

Once you've taken the necessary steps, the builder will pay their commission to the Realtor, and the Realtor will pay the new home rebate to you. It's a simple process that can put thousands of dollars in your pocket.

You can find valuable information about the Florida buyers rebate online. Be sure to study the procedures before contacting a new homebuilder. If you contact them first, it could mean losing your rebate. So use online resources and the realty tips above to secure your new home rebate and enjoy the benefits for years to come.

Tatoo

On July 21, 2007 at 12:01 AM, I paid the Mendocino Book Company in Ukiah, California $37.70 for my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. While I know this price puts the book out of reach for many low-income muggle families, our family found a way to include it in our budget this month. Why?

Reason 1. The real magic of Harry Potter.
Trivia question: How many books were printed in the first printing of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (then called “Philosopher’s Stone”)? Answer: 1,000. So how did people find out about it? Word of mouth. And who passed the word? At first, independent booksellers. Then readers (mostly children) and soon after librarians, teachers, parents, everyone; then the advertising mucky-mucks got their paws on it. But it started with little local independent booksellers saying “Psst, hey, little girl, read this.” Without them, who knows where Harry would be today? That’s the real magic behind Harry’s catapult to international fame. Although the mainstream literary industrial complex (B. Kingsolver’s term) produces and promotes many good books, it also lets many good books fall through the cracks. We have our local independent booksellers to thank for peering between those cracks and picking those books up. These independents are literally closing their doors every day because online and big box booksellers are pushing them out of business. It is up to us to keep those doors open for them so that they can keep the doors to a heap of good reading open for us. Our indie bookstores put Harry on the map (and I don’t mean the Marauder’s Map) so we could find him! Don’t you think the least we can do is give them our business?

Reason 2. What goes around comes around.
Frankly, I owe Ann Kilkenny (owner of Mendocino Book Co.). She hosted the successful launch of my fantasy adventure The Call to Shakabaz in January. While Barnes & Noble and Borders won’t so much as nod in my direction, small independent bookstores here and there are discovering and hand selling my book and helping get the word out. Booksellers like Stephanie Vela at Black Oak Books in Berkeley (CA), Sharon Wright at Carol’s Books in Sacramento (CA), Bob Spear at the Book Barn in Leavenworth (KS), Susan Sternberg at Alphabet Soup in Lawrenceville (NJ), and St. Helens Bookshop (OR), are making a big difference in my life as a first-time author, and in the lives of my young readers. I’m not a purist. I do shop online. But I also make a conscious effort to buy at Mendocino Book Co., especially something like HP7. It’s the least I can do to show my appreciation to Ann and her staff. My survival and the survival of other new authors like myself depends on her survival and the survival of other indies.

Reason 3. It’s about more than strawberries at the Farmer’s Market.
There’s a lot of talk about community and supporting community by buying local products (also a factor in reducing global warming), but let’s put our money where our mouth is. Our local bookstore owner is a member of our community. She raised her children here. She sells cards and calendars made by local artists. She provides the service of selling tickets for local dance, music, and theater performances. She contributes to the local merchants’ association and she is part of the local economy. Her modest earnings on our purchases do not go to a corporate headquarters outsourced to the Philippines. Ann’s store doesn’t have an upscale gourmet coffee bar, fancy pedestal tables, or pastries for sale; but the store has couches, chairs, and a welcoming atmosphere. While raising my children, I would often say “Meet me at the bookstore.” The staff knew each of them by name and could suggest titles just for them. When we say it takes a village to raise a child, we must remember that part of that village is the local bookstore. So what better place to celebrate the publication of HP7? An online bookseller can’t compete with the face-to-face, warm-and-human event of buying a great book in person, or, furthermore, celebrating the launch of that book with friends and acquaintances as part of a larger community. There is no substitute for the village.

Reason 4. Sharing the pie.
Apparently online booksellers will not make a profit on HP7 because of the rock bottom price they have offered. If the online booksellers want to slit their wrists on this one, let them, but you can be sure that someone is making a profit. No matter what price the online booksellers offer, they still have to pay the publisher a fixed amount per book based on the cover price. The publisher and the author are making a profit. I don’t begrudge JK a penny of her millions. She has earned it. If you have read her books then you are probably as confident as I am that she will make good use of the money. But why are we begrudging our local bookstores this sterling opportunity to turn a profit? What other business would you prefer to support? We have a win-win situation here. The consumer gets a terrific product while stimulating the local economy. What’s not to like about it? My only complaint is that the cover price is so high that low-income families can’t afford the book.

Reason 5. Keeping a promise.
I have not heard of a single independent bookstore that leaked one word of HP7 before the street date. In fact, it seems the only leak in the world occurred through Deep Discount, an American online seller. I find it hard to believe that there are those who so desperately need to feel like a know-it-all that they sought and released the book or information about the book before the launch date. In the entire world, this happened only in the U.S. What does that say about our ability to delay gratification? (Shame on the newspapers who cashed in on the leak and printed advance reviews.) At midnight in Ukiah, people of all ages, Republicans and Democrats, children of every ethnicity and many religions (and speaking in more than one language) joined our counterparts throughout the Pacific time zone as we gleefully counted down together for the witching moment when the sealed boxes could be slit open. You know-it-alls missed out on that magic. I honor all the local bookstores, big and small, for keeping a promise and ensuring that those boxes remained sealed until the contractually agreed-upon time.

Reason 6. Sheer delight.
What fun to participate in the book launch celebration! I spent hours in the company of our small community’s beautiful children while they celebrated the publication of a book. Our children, many dressed in costumes or with painted faces, talked heatedly about books with each other and adults, ate the abundant treats provided (many with Harry themes), played games at tables, watched Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, skateboarded in front of the store, entered contests to win prizes by answering HP-related quiz questions and coloring HP-related pictures, played word games, and filled in word puzzles. Does it get any better than this? July 21 should be declared International Reading Day in honor of the brilliant imagination of one woman in Edinburgh and her ability to unite the world for a weekend of peaceful reading. Now there’s magic for you.

In among the crowd of children at our bookstore, I saw one particular child whose presence lifted my heart. Let’s call her Sylvia. Last winter, my 15-year-old son told me that Sylvia (also 15) had been diagnosed with cancer and had only a few weeks to live. This news broke my heart, even though I have never spoken to Sylvia or her family. I have watched many children, such as Sylvia, grow up from a distance. I have seen her sing, dance, and act in local children’s performances produced by a performing arts school in town ever since she was four years old. She is the only child of back-to-the-land hippies who spend most of their time on an isolated sheep ranch. I find the thought of these gentle, shy parents losing their only child devastating.

But I saw Sylvia at the bookstore. Thin and frail, with a black and red scarf hiding her bald head, she spoke quietly with friends who asked how she was doing and sat down with her to hear her tell them and listened and cared. These children were not afraid to face her or her struggle and to lend their support. When I left the bookstore at 12:20, I was elated not only because I had in my hands the final installment of Harry Potter, but also because Sylvia is still alive. I imagine her curled up in bed, reading. Perhaps JK’s complex and deeply felt thoughts on death will comfort and assist her on her difficult journey. Whether or not she wins her battle with cancer (and I hope with all the hope in my heart that she will win), I am grateful that she stayed with us long enough to find out how Harry ends. I could not have bought the knowledge that Sylvia is still alive to read HP7 at an online bookseller. It is part of that community thing. The village. All my reasons aside, just the image of Sylvia reading HP7 all the way to the very last secret revealed was worth the $37.70 I paid for the book at my local, terrific, independent, community bookstore.

Amy Wachspress is the author of The Call to Shakabaz, a children’s and young adult fantasy adventure featuring all Black characters that demonstrates the fundamental principles of nonviolence. She is also a grant writer who has raised over $70 million for initiatives that benefit children, youth, and families in over 20 states. For more information visit www.wozabooks.com.

Tatoo

Practitioners admit it hurts like hell and speech is initially difficult, but claim that the surprise factor of sticking out their tongues at unwary persons is worth the effort.

For those seeking out cool tattoos getting the tongue tattooed might be too much. Circus carny and graphic designer Curtis McMurty is the person credited with developing a specially patented Tongue-Dyed Tattoo™ technology.

And McMurty's innovation doesn't stop with the visual. He claims the new technique has the same durability as any regular tattoo, but has the added aspect of eliciting a specific taste to go with the design. "They come in chocolate, vanilla and garlic. If you really want to shock a person's sensibilities, go for the garlic — you won't be disappointed."

"I've always been unique. My friends say I'm 'touched.' Now I'm twice as unique!" — Egrett Emry, tongue tattooer

The first person to have the procedure done was Egrett Emry, who has a depiction of vomit it was a toss-up between that and an "Eat Me" graphic). Emry's roommate acknowledged that Emry's first week after getting it done has been "a real tongue twister. He really sucks at taking phone messages."

Emry later noted in an email interview that, "I've always been unique. My friends say I'm 'touched.' Now I'm twice as unique. If scientists could grow another tongue on me through stem cells, I'd totally tattoo that one, too. Hey, I'm a no-hold-the-bar kinda risk-taking guy."

Emry added that so far all food tastes like burnt flesh. "Don't get me wrong, I've never actually tasted burnt flesh, but I think we all agree on what we think it must taste like, you know?"

About two dozen Californians have supposedly received tongue tattoos at McMurty's parlor in East L.A. In terms of safety, initial research shows that it's no more harmful than swallowing small droplets of mercury.

And in terms of imagery, well, the sky's the limit. McMurty was contacted recently by some Portland, Ore., teenagers who want to tattoo the Nike corporate swoosh on their tongues, "to speak out about the omnipresence of corporate greed."

"It can certainly be shocking," admitted Emry, describing how he surprised his dentist when he went in for a routine check-up. "The poor guy said, 'Open up.' So I did — and I swear he fell over backwards when I stuck it out at him. I guess the general public will find this sort of thing hard to swallow."

Tatoo

The premise of Smith is completely ridiculous: A family man (Ray Liotta) is actually a master thief, who travels around the country pulling off grand heists. He has a team of specialists who assist him, and none are redeeming characters. So, we are supposed to root for a guy who deceives his wife and son, is a mercenary, and is a man who witnesses the death of a team member and walks away with no remorse? On paper, this all seems a tad unpleasant, doesn't it? Well, somehow, it's not. With Smith, CBS has created one of the most entertaining and gleefully evil shows televison has seen in a long time.

Smith is a derivative of the type of cinema currently embodied by the works of Tarantino. Hardened anti-heroes who do bad things, yet still remain in the viewer's good graces. Like characters on “The Sopranos”, we would not be friends with these people in real life. We wouldn't like them and, in all likelihood, we'd be scared of them. However, in the context of their own, specific universe, we can root for them and become caught up in their plight. Why? I don't think it's over-simplifying it to say that it's just entertaining. Smith focuses on Bobby Steven's team pulling off high-stakes robberies. As long as these robberies are exciting (which they have been so far) the viewers will be tuning in.

Viewers can forgive a lot when it comes to their protagonists. People identify with flawed characters because they themselves are flawed. When Simon Baker's character on Smith mercilessly guns down two thugs, simply because they kicked him off their private beach, we identify with him. We don't agree with harshness of his reaction and would never consider doing what he did (I don't own a sniper rifle, anyway) but we respect that he stood up for himself and would like to believe that we'd stand for oursleves in the same situation. Anti-heroes take reality and accentuate to a degree that the layman will never know.

Smith is good only because it's characters are the bad people they are. I've heard complaints that the characters on Smith are so totally unredeemable that they just can't watch Smith. Well, how would the show work if Ray Liotta played Bobby Stevens as a nice, warm-hearted, respectful, stand-up guy? It would seem wildly improbable for a guy like that to be involved in the world of high-stakes robberies. Of course, this seems obvious, but it's a key issue to ponder over when discussing the premise of any show. When creating a TV show, you typically begin with the premise. I'm sure that was the genesis of Smith. Creator Jon Wells probably thought, “Hmm, you know what'd be cool? If there was a show where a team of thieves pulled off a different heist every week.” From there, what kind of a main character do you create? There aren't a lot of options. Sticking to take-no-prisoners bad ass is usually the best choice.

Smith is still early in it's run and it could easily drop off in quality as the season goes along. I hope not, because CBS has created a show that is fun, full of action and uncompromising in it's vision.

-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer

Tatoo

[1957—summer] It was a bad year for Mike Russet, and his father; he had gotten cancer, and died. I hadn’t’ known anyone to have died up to this point, it was my first encounter with death: experiencing with the face of someone I had known, met, liked, my very first look at loss; that is, it was my very first stumble upon it, it was a new feeling, kind of like he belonged, and then was gone, that is he belong to this world, he was here, and now he was not, out of it, and not for a week or month, but not to return: prior to this, his father, Mike’s father would take Mike and me out on town trips, like a picnic or so; a few things—not often, but occasionally. And so this story I tell out of sadness, for we laughed our stomach sick, and I think Mike’s father would have loved us such a remembrance.

For me it was always nice that he asked me along, knowing he wanted to be with his son, but Mike wanted me along also, more so (or so it seemed), and his father wanted to please Mike; but I often felt out of place, or even misplaced at times; but I like Mike’s father, my father had left before I was even born. So it was a new feeling if anything that his father accepted me and liked having me along. I was ten and a half years old; Mike was a year younger than I. But I’d remember this one afternoon the rest of my life; oh it must had been about several weeks before he was bed-ridded, when he took both, me Mike and Mike’s mother to a farm outside of the city’s limits, and both us boys kneeling against that farm fence were astounded at something as we looked in the pigpen—and then looked at each other, like the wino we once encountered—we were amazed at what we saw.

Mike’s father kept looking at us boys off and on wondering what we saw: a frown came over his face and we boys were just laughing hilariously; laughing without talking, as bad as with the wino.

“Let me in on the secret, —the joke boys?” his father said to both of us boys, and we looked at one another, stared a moment, holding our laughs inside of us, than looked at his father, then at one another again, then back at the big pig laying sprawled out on the ground, half asleep, a male pig; Mike then checking me out again, for the umpteenth time.

“Come on boys,” his father said, with a curious look.

“Ok, are you sure you want to know?” hilariously laughing, asked Mike, trying to hold back his laughing back but couldn’t—lest his father think the joke was on him (and it was not), and me looking the other way so as not to make Mike laugh any harder than what he was so he could speak,

“But I don’t want mom to hear,” says Mike to his father. And he whispered in his father’s ear as Mike’s mother stepped back and shook her head as if we were all nuts (I think she knew the secret).

“Pop,” Mike said, “Chick and I have never seen such huge—you know what’s before on, on, on anything before….”

And as soon as we just couldn’t get over laughing, and able to tell his father that with a straight face, we busted out laughing until our guts pained us again. His father started laughing more at us boys than at the sleeping pig, shaking his head, looking at his wife, and Mike’s mother shook her head again, said with her squeaky voice,

“I’ll fine out later…not sure if I want to…”—and then looked at the pig as not to spoil the moment for us, the gang now. And we all rested against the gray dried up wooden fence gazing and gazing—as if into wonderland.

Said the father after several minutes later, “Can I pull you boys away from here, away from those big nuts on that pig, and have you seen enough?”

“Oh sure,” said Mike, with both our eyebrows up in the air, and taking our last hard look at the humongous balls of the big—.

Tatoo

A lot of people will tell you that showbiz SPARKLE is something that can't be cultivated - that you either have it or you don't and, for sure, some people are lucky and seem to be born with an innate ability to stand out from the crowd, turn heads, get attention and generally make you sick! But seriously, like anything in life - if you study hard and work at it, you can achieve results, and developing your Sparkle Factor is no different.

Look at the following Acrostic definitions for SPARKLE

ACTIONS

Serious
Punctual
gAble
Reliable
Keen
Likable
Energetic

ACTIVES

Smile
Posture
Attitude
outine
Knowledge
Lure
Enthusiasm

These two lists make up the essence of SPARKLE. It is your job to demonstrate, in the short space of the audition, that you are all of the items on the ACTIONS list - and you can do that by making sure you display all 7 ACTIVES.

So, let's look at the secrets of the 7 ACTIVES one by one:

SMILE - And the World Smiles with You

It may sound simple but learning to deliver a confident and catchy smile is one of the best tricks you can master when auditioning. When you walk into the audition room you will of course be nervous - and we will look at tackling audition nerves later in this course - but that first moment of contact with a casting director is key.

A first impression lasts and there is a reason that the best advertising in the world blasts us with perfect toothpaste smiles to promote products: BECAUSE SMILES CREATE A POSITIVE EMOTIONAL RESPONSE in the recipient.

Firstly remember this, if you have arrived late to an audition and you walk in apologizing you cannot be delivering a winning smile. You may try an apologetic smile but that creates a completely different emotion in the director.

Also, under pressure most of us raise a small ‘nervous smile' - the kind that evokes a little empathy or pity in the receiver but you need to scratch that from your audition repertoire and start focusing on something bigger, more confident and more effective.

There are many types of smile - from the brashly confident (NOT good for meeting the casting director) to the shy and timid. You Audition SMILE has to be somewhere in between. Confident, charismatic and genuine - it will tell the casting director that you are aware why you are here, and ready to give him your best shot.

Make eye contact as you smile and give your ‘performance smile' - that smile you give on stage when you want to warm the audience, when the adrenaline is pumping inside you and you feel totally ‘in control'. That's the smile you have to find and take into the audition room with you. Think about the Fight and Flight response we talked about earlier - think yourself out of the audition room and onto the performance stage and let the smile come out. And remember, a good smile starts in the eyes. (You can practice this in front of the mirror)

Delivered correctly the SMILE ACTIVE reassures the casting director that you are Serious, Punctual and Keen - 3 of the 7 ACTION boxes you need to get checked.

POSTURE - Your body talks too.

From the moment you walk into the audition room the casting team are sizing you up. Not in a bad way. Not in a judgmental way. But in a purely physical way - do you physically look right for the role on offer

However, there are two sets of signals that you send off when you walk into the room and, while the casting team are consciously focused on the obvious - physical - characteristics; your height, weight, hair color etc., you can send out a whole set of positive messages with the metaphysical traits of your being

How you carry yourself into an audition is surprisingly crucial to your success. First impressions last - as I have said before - and a casting director will remember their first impression.

Walk in with confidence. Hold your head high and keep your back straight. Don't fidget or twitch and be sure that you make eye contact.

With the POSTURE ACTIVE you get one chance to score points on the ENERGETIC ACTION.

Your physical body needs to give off a healthy energy that suggests you are confident and capable. (Even if you are auditioning for the role of a drug addict, a cripple or a frail elderly person - differentiate the actor from the part.) Arrive as YOU and make sure that the "YOU" the casting director first meets is strong and poised.

ATTITUDE, as they say, is everything.

The ATTITUDE ACTIVE starts with arriving on time and being prepared, however it is one of the more difficult ACTIVES to display in the short space of time you get in the audition room.

What attitudes are casting directors looking for? Well, just look at the ACTIONS list. As well as an actor with talent, a casting director wants to hire someone who will take the work seriously, work hard, be fun to work with and take direction. Therefore you need to try and display these qualities in your audition.

(First you need to make sure you truly possess these qualities. You can't fake these! If you are difficult to work with, totally temperamental, think you know best and want the world to work around your schedule then you'd best give up auditioning now!)

Don't argue with the casting director, don't tell him that you have played this part before and know it perfectly and don't boast about what you have done before - let your resumé do that for you (More on resumés later.)

Be humble, but not submissive.

Be confident, but not pushy.

Be patient and be responsive.

• I have seen actor's throw fits in the waiting room because they felt they had been kept waiting too long - they never got cast!
• I have seen actor's question the casting director's request to have them Cold Read saying they didn't know that was going to be required - they never got cast.
• I have seen actors who made weak apologies as to why they were not at their best today but to trust their past experience not their audition - they never got cast.
• I have seen actors spell out parts they will and won't do, and days they can and can't work, before they audition - they never got cast.

Attitude is everything - show you are serious (without begging for the part), show you are flexible and patient, show that you understand your role in the whole production - that you are the performer; and as a tube of paint is to the artist, you are a tool to be used: the only difference being that, unlike the tube of paint, if you do get picked up you will get to enjoy the creative experience yourself.

Margie Harber, in her book "How to get the part - without falling apart" categories 5 types of uncastable actors at audition:

Ms. Shy: She arrives with sweaty palms and a mousy voice, can hardly make eye contact with the casting team and you wonder why she ever entered Showbusiness

Mr. Obnoxious: He arrives and takes over the room shaking hands with everyone with a vice like grip and an overbearing laugh

Ms. Attidue: From the moment she arrives she seems to give off the air that this production is beneath her and they'd be lucky to get her rather than vice versa.

Mr. Intense: His smoldering sexuality borders on creepiness and you are not sure if he is manically funny or just a maniac.

The Robot: Appears totally detached from everyone in the room - including himself. Lacks any emotion and seems to be just going through the motions.

If you see your current audition style in any of those categories then we have some serious work to do. If not, then hopefully you are already castable - you just need some fine tuning.

Displaying the right attitude from the time you arrive in the audition till the time you leave will help the casting director check the following ACTION boxes on your tick sheet: Serious, Punctual, Keen, Enthusiastic. That's 4 out of the 7! Attitude really is everything - almost!

Think of the American Idol audition rounds.

How often do you hear Simon comment on someone's attitude "You are confident without being obnoxious", "You come across really well", "I think the public will like you". You hear him make more such comments about good performers that get selected than you do of their talent. It's the way they come across that gets them the ticket to Hollywood - and it REALLY matters in every audition you walk into.

We'll look at the next 4 elements, R - K - L & E, in the next part of Twinkle Twinkle Be A Star

Tatoo

Mention the name Walt Disney and one cannot help but imagine images of superior animation, magnificent theme parks, an entertainment and financial empire and the little guy who started it all –Mickey Mouse.

In 1928, Walt Disney had run into bad times while working in Kansas City. Most of his hired animators had left him and went to work for a competing studio. Things looked bleak, but out of a desperate situation came a new character. Inspired by a mouse that prowled his office, that at one point Disney could not afford cheese to feed it anymore, Mickey Mouse was born. Mickey Mouse is now the most recognizable cartoon in the world. His lasting appeal to people of all nations is one of the great phenomena’s of the twentieth century. The question of why Mickey Mouse has been so successful has been discussed from time to time. Some debate that it is because he was one of the first seriously animated characters. Others say the manner in which he is drawn is unique compared to other cartoons. Although the success of Mickey Mouse seems to be a mystery to many, his success is the representation of the value of Walt Disney.

In this essay I will look at Mickey Mouse using the value analysis critique. Value analysis is the identifying of a value or values that define a culture or a person. So in this paper I will look specifically at what value Mickey Mouse represents and why that value has made him into the most successful cartoon character in the world.

The optimism of Mickey Mouse comes from that of his creator, Walt Disney. In an interview, Walt Disney said the following:

"Sometimes I’ve tried to figure out why Mickey appealed to the whole world. Everybody’s tried to figure it out. So far as I know, nobody has. He’s a pretty nice fellow who never does anybody harm, who gets into scrapes through no fault of his own, but always manages to come up grinning."

Mickey “always manages to come up grinning” because Disney learned how to “come up grinning.”

Looking at the all the times in Walt Disney’s life when he was down, one can see that nothing could ever stop him because he always got back up. Growing up on the farm in Marceline, Missouri his family had their share of bad times. Two years in a row the crops failed and Disney’s father, Elias, had to mortgage the farm. Then the well where the Disney family and the livestock got their water became contaminated. After swine fever had hit the hog herd, Elias became extremely ill with typhoid. He hovered between life and death for several weeks at the hospital. Walt’s older brother Roy enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War I and Walt, being inspired by his brother but still being a year too young to enlist, persuaded a Red Cross recruiter to let him join up. Walt was shipped off to France in October 1918, when the war was practically over. However, he saw the devastated lands over which the war had been fought. He spent ten months in France and told friends that it constituted “a lifetime of experience.”

In the fall of 1919 Disney tried to get a job as a newspaper cartoonist in Kansas City but was turned down by all the papers. He became discouraged but remained determined, and got a job at the Pesmen-Rubin Commercial Art Studio. There he became friends with a Dutchman named Ub Iwerks. A few weeks after Christmas, both of them were laid off and Disney and Iwerks decided to “come up grinning” and go into business for themselves. They got a job in February, 1920 at the Kansas City Film Ad Company.

Disney began to experiment with animation and gradually completed several cartoons that he shipped off to local theaters. He approached the owner of the Film Ad Company, A. Vern Cauger, with a suggestion to develop a series of cartoon shorts. His idea was rejected, so Disney decided to “come up” again and break out on his own. He collected $15,000 from local investors and used the money to assemble a small studio with a working crew. Walt joined with his brother Roy as business partners to eventually establish the three-room Disney Brother Studios in Los Angeles.

Walt signed a contract with New York distributor, Margaret Winkler, and her backer, Universal Studios, for one series and an option for two more of “Alice’s Wonderland.” An animated comedy that featured a live-action six year old filmed in a cartoon setting. The initial contract called for one cartoon per month. In 1924, Margaret Winkler’s husband, Charles Mintz, took over the distribution company and demanded one film every three weeks. In 1926 with a steady income, a new studio was built and a new animated character, named Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, was developed. He debuted in 1927 and became a great success. In 1928 the current Oswald contract expired and Mintz concocted a scheme to make Disney and his studio fold over to him, slowly luring away the majority of Walt’s staff. Disney negotiated with Mintz for a new contract, and was stunned when Mintz offered him less money and told him to take it or leave it. Within days, most of Disney’s other animators went to work for Mintz also. Roy Disney was very upset and asked his brother, “Do you realize what sort of situation we are in? We’ve lost our animators and it looks like we’ll lose our studio." Facing the first major crisis of his career with a “grin,” Walt held secret brainstorming sessions with Ub Iwerks, and his brother Roy. At a time when things seemed to be at their worst, here emerged Mickey Mouse.

Like his creator, Mickey also had his share of hard times and was able to always get back up. In 1928, Mickey starred in his first film, “Plane Crazy” and then followed “Gallopin’ Gaucho." His third film was a breakthrough innovation that incorporated sound for the first time called “Steamboat Willie." In “Steamboat Willie” Mickey gets into a “scrape” with the captain but tries to remain confident and pretend he is not afraid of the captain when his expression sometimes dictates otherwise. Even in the earliest of cartoon shorts Mickey does not back down from his problems. There were many times in Walt’s life when he was faced with a scary situation but chose to keep his head up and move forward. “Mickey didn’t seek trouble, and he didn’t complain; he rolled with the punches...as in “The Little Tailor,” he showed warrior resourcefulness and won, once again, a kiss from dear,...Minnie." Mickey Mouse’s relentlessness to remain optimistic when confronting the struggle was drawn into him by Walt Disney’s pen.

The personality of Mickey Mouse is that of his author, Walt Disney. As a young man, Walt Disney always impressed friends and family alike “with his mischievous curiosity and fun-loving nature." His younger sister Ruth took note that he had an engaging personality and “was always thinking of ideas." She said that throughout his whole life, “Walt always seemed like a kid to me." Mickey is the kind of fellow who is always playing around and playing jokes. The entire concept of the creation of Disneyland and Disneyworld, the two major theme parks, and its spokesman, Mickey Mouse, is to inspire people to keep the wonder, youth and fun of life alive and well in everyone. Walt Disney always seemed like a kid to his sister, Ruth, and so does Mickey Mouse. A cartoon never grows old and never changes with age, it never dies. When Ub Iwerks was shown Walt’s preliminary sketches of Mickey he said, “he looks just like you—same nose, same face, same whiskers, same gestures and expressions. All he needs now is your voice." Walt admitted that he would look in the mirror and use his face as a model and that many of the facial expressions were his." Mickey’s appealing charisma of youth and joy to make others happy comes from the imaginations of Walt Disney’s desire to make others happy.

Mickey Mouse’s perseverance to succeed is why he is so appealing. In America the majority of people were all the “little guy." The decade that preceded Mickey Mouse, America lived through World War I, and a year after Mickey was created came the Great Depression. The distance that separated the rich from the poor was immense. There wasn’t much in between. In contrast, the number of poor and middle-class incomes greatly outnumbered those on the higher end of the social ladder. Walt Disney had also lived along with America during these difficult times as well. Disney had always been the “little guy.” He was always getting picked on by Hollywood and tried to be taken advantage of. He speaks of when he was dismally poor in his tiny office of Kansas City and one of his friends was a little mouse. He states “It used to crawl across my desk and I’d feed it bits of cheese. I got quite fond of it and looked forward to its visits.” Disney was with nothing but a mouse to look forward to. “It would take the cheese right out of my fingers and then curl up and go to sleep in the palm of my hand,” he said. Then there came a period when he could not even afford cheese for the mouse any longer. In those hard times Disney remained determined that he would make his dreams come true as well as everyone else in America also desired.

When the time came that Walt Disney became successful in the creation of Mickey Mouse he could not help but put the very same value characteristic into that mouse that Disney had in himself. Disney knew that he had become a success because he decided to never give up. He decided to take the value of “never quitting” and put it into animated form. Mickey Mouse is an animated creation of the value of “never quitting.” Mickey Mouse is so appealing as a cartoon because people in America and all over the world recognize that value to never quit in Mickey. The value of Mickey Mouse is a direct representation of that same value of Walt Disney. The greatest human achievement possible is getting back up just one more time. Anyone who possesses this quality can never be defeated and can do anything. People pick up on that and can feel it in the personality of Mickey Mouse. People want to be like Mickey Mouse and that is why he is so likeable.

Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney are the same exact value. “There’s a lot of Mouse in me,” Disney said of himself. They both are huge successes. Disney’s success came from the worldwide appeal of Mickey Mouse. Mickey’s success came from the worldwide appeal of Walt Disney.

In analyzing Mickey Mouse as the text that has permanently become a global phenomenon, and then his creator, the value of “never quitting” is easily identified as the one they both have in common. It is the value that they and the people that admire them also have in common. It answers the question of why Mickey Mouse has become so successful. He is the embodiment of Walt Disney’s character. They both had extremely difficult times in their lives just like the majority of people do at some period during theirs. They both endured the hard times because they knew eventually they would become successful. People identify with both of them because they too know they will become successful sooner or later by exercising the same value of “never quitting.”

Timothy McGaffin II graduated from the University of Utah with a BA degree in Mass Communication and worked as a journalist for the Lone Peak Press and The Daily Herald.

Tatoo

Planning a party? Can't decide what type or when to send out your party invitations? Well, to start with you need to decide who is coming to your party. Is this going to be a big event or something smaller? Either or provides with different challenges. A smaller party will require less invites, it'll be opposite with a larger party.

The choice of your party size will effect your party invitations. With any party you need to give enough time for everyone to rearrange their schedule if they wish to come. You might even want to send out some invites earlier if you know someone that won't be in town in two weeks before. Go a head send out your invite before they leave. That way they can know your party plans.

Deciding on your party theme will help you decide on what kind of party invitations you need to send out. From old 20's themes to rock and even country will give you great ideas for interesting invitations. This way you can show the invited guests a little of what they will expect when they show up at your party!

If you want you can even add an RSVP to your party invitations. This way you'll know how many to plan for if you plan on having a smaller party. You want everyone to have a good time, so you need to make sure that you're planning a party everyone will have a good time at. Make sure that each person will feel comfortable at your party; you don't want someone to not have a good time when they thought they would.

Now that you've decided on your party invitations, it's time to make them and send them out. The rest is decorating for your party and waiting for the guests to arrive!

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette, and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free coloring sheets, printable games, and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Party Themes to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or "just because" parties is at the Party Theme Shop. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

Tatoo

Chinese symbol tattoos are rapidly growing in popularity all round the world. In fact, more than six thousand people search for the phrase "Chinese Tattoos" on the internet every single day.

But that's not surprising as Chinese symbol tattoos are extremely beautiful and mysterious. Thanks to the movies and popular culture, most people in the west can recognise these Chinese symbols but can't understand them. So that makes these tattoos a rather exotic form of self expression.

But beyond that, there are other more gender specific reasons for the popularity of these tattoo designs.

Women are attracted to the numerous subtle meanings and over-arching themes that the Chinese symbols can express, such as hope, freedom and love. Men, on the other hand, are drawn to Chinese symbol tattoos because in western culture they're strongly associated with martial arts movies.

So if you're considering getting a Chinese tattoo, here's a quick beginners guide to Chinese symbols.

The system of Chinese writing began more than 4000 years ago and doesn't have an alphabet. This is perhaps the biggest difference for non Chinese people to understand.

Instead, Chinese writing relies upon a large number of symbols that represent spoken ideas or concepts. Each symbol represents a different spoken word.

In 1710 AD the Kangxi Dictionary was created by imperial decree and contained more than 47,000 symbols. However, since then that number has risen to more than 70,000 symbols to represent the growing number of nuances and meanings in the modern language.

But having said that, the average Chinese person only needs to know around 5,000 of these Chinese symbols to be able to read and understand anything that's written in Chinese.

Can anything be written in Chinese symbols?

Thanks to the sheer number of symbols available, anything can be translated into Chinese. Even the most subtle meanings and nuances can be achieved using a combination of symbols.

What is Kanji?

Kanji is the term used to describe Chinese symbols that have been adapted to mean Japanese words. The meaning of the symbols in Chinese and Japanese can be the same but they may be pronounced differently. Alternatively, they may express completely different ideas.

Can I get my name, or someone else's name, translated into Chinese Symbols?

Yes, of course. But it's worth bearing a couple of things in mind. First, Chinese names are written in reverse order, which means that your last name appears before your first name. Second, if your name is foreign to the Chinese language, symbols will have to be selected that represent your spoken name.

As you can see, the whole issue of Chinese writing is extremely complex, so the first major rule when you're getting a Chinese symbol tattoo is to...

Make Sure That Your Chosen Words Are Correctly Translated

Before you allow anyone to put a tattoo needle anywhere near your skin, make sure that you have discussed your chosen design with someone who can understand Chinese writing. And make sure that they are used to advising people about the meaning of Chinese symbols for use in tattoos.

Whatever happens, resist the temptation to ask the first Chinese person that you know to check the meaning of your intended design. They may not know the exact meaning that you want and provide you with the wrong symbol.

For example, one women asked a waiter at her local Chinese restaurant to draw the Chinese symbol for free on a napkin. Unfortunately, this English word can be translated into Chinese in one of two ways. She wanted "Freedom" he gave her the symbol for "Free of charge".

So consult a Chinese speaking tattoo specialist and you'll avoid the permanent embarrassment of a Chinese tattoo that doesn't mean what you thought it did.

The second rule of getting a successful Chinese symbol tattoo is to...

Get A Custom Design

To create a high quality tattoo, your artist will need a quality design to work from. So it's important to spend some money on getting a custom design professionally made to your order. This will provide you with a crisp, clear Chinese tattoo that means what you think it does.

Okay, you could search the internet and find a free translation service, but in most cases the end result will be a small and poorly defined image which is unsuitable for creating a quality tattoo. If you find a tattoo artist who is prepared to use such a poor design you'll end up with a blurred mess which may have lost its meaning.

Chinese symbol tattoos represent a highly individual and beautiful way to express your personality. If you follow these basic guidelines you will be rewarded with a unique piece of body art which will last you for the rest of your life.

Tatoo

Music plays a big part in the history of America and in the history of African Americans. Music is a way of self-expression and enlightenment for millions of listener's every day.

To celebrate Black History Month, we have compiled a list of some of the most famous and inspirational music quotes from famous artist of our past and present.

Let's take a look at some of the most insightful and powerful words spoken by prominent African American musicians and singers:

1. "The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you." - B.B. King

2. "Strivers achieve what dreamers believe." - Usher

3. "The two big advantages I had at birth were to have been born wise and to have been born in poverty." - Stevie Wonder

4. "I never wanted to be famous. I only wanted to be great." -Ray Charles

5. "Sometimes you struggle so hard to feed your family one way, you forget to feed them the other way, with spiritual nourishment. Everybody needs that." - James Brown

6. "If a song's about something I've experienced or that could've happened to me it's good. But if it's alien to me, I couldn't lend anything to it. Because that's what soul is all about." - Aretha Franklin

7. "I'm not saying I'm gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world." - Tupac

8. "In order to change the world, you have to get your head together first." - Jimi Hendrix

9. "Surely the day will come when color means nothing more than the skin tone, when religion is seen uniquely as a way to speak one's soul; when birth places have the weight of a throw of the dice and all men are born free, when understanding breeds love and brotherhood." - Josephine Baker

10. "It doesn't matter how you travel it, it's the same road. It doesn't get any easier when you get bigger, it gets harder. And it will kill you if you let it." - James Brown

11. "We all have our imperfections. But I'm human and you know, it's important to concentrate on other qualities besides outer beauty." - Beyonce

12. "I'm not in control of these situations and I feel like to be upset or down about something I can't control is just being weak and wasting energy." - 50 Cent

13. "I find the greatest songs in the world come out of pain, and I don't like it! Here's what it does: It strips away all of your facade. It makes you so honest. It's cleansing." - Lionel Richie

14. "I may be helping to bring harmony between people through my music." - Nat King Cole

I hope you've enjoyed these inspiring music quotes.

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Expressing love becomes simple when you find the right means or to be more specific the right song to tell your feeling. Song and music is that form of art which has the power to capture the hearts and minds of all people. Expressing an emotion like love becomes easier with the right type of love music. Love is a wonderful emotion and you need the right kind of music to express the emotion to the other person. Expressing love to your sweetheart, mother, father, siblings and friend though love songs is just perfect. Words have the capacity to send across any message to anyone, so if you come across a love song that more or less puts to word all your feelings and emotions then you really have a great song in your hands. Love songs not only tell about one’s emotions and feelings but also create a romantic ambiance whenever they are played.

There are many things associated with love songs other then the wonderful lyrics. The music of the songs, the feel of it and the beats can make all the difference between normal song and love songs of all kinds. I have my own list of favorite love songs; they just make me feel romantic, no matter in what mood I am. Some of my personal favorites in the love song category are To Make you Feel my Love by Bob Dylan. Find me one romantic who does not love this song and trust me I will reconstruct the list. The lyrics are sensitive, loving and appeals to people of all age group in all genders across the world. The song is just special and no one who is genuinely in love can miss out the warmth and affection in the song. Meaningful lyrics in love songs are the one thing which appeals to most people.

Some other songs like Love me Tender, Heartbreak Hotel by Elvis Presley has not lost its touch and appeal till today. So it is not surprising that you still find men singing this song to woo that special person in their life. Other love songs like Maybe I M Amazed, In my Life, A Moment Like this, Everything I do, Please Forgive Me the list is simply endless depict all the feelings which one experiences when they are in love. Love truly is an amazing feeling and love songs rightly depict all that one wants to tell to their lover. Now if someone says that they are looking for particular love song but they do not seem to find it, this is perfectly understandable. But no one true lover of songs and a person who is genuinely in love can claim that they do not know where to find love songs.

The web is the perfect source where one can find all type of songs including love songs. In fact the web is over populated with sites that provide songs to visitors. Such sites have a huge database of songs and all you need to do is type the name of the song or the artist in the search bar of the site, and the song will be there for you.

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It was certainly a different idea. Take a wheel, drill a bunch of holes around the whole wheel and then stick a bunch of sticks into the wheel. Yes, it was different all right. But would it sell? Well, if you know anything about Tinkertoys you already know the answer to that. But, if not, then you might want to read a brief history of one of the most famous toys ever made.

Tinker Toys was the brain child of Charles H. Pajeau and Robert Pettit. These guys met while on a train going to work in Chicago. Talk about your chance encounter. Charles was a stone mason and Robert was a trader. They both hated their jobs. It was this one thing that they had in common that brought them together. All they needed was some inspiration.

The inspiration came to Pajeau when he was watching some young children play with regular pencils and spools of thread. He watched as they stuck the pencils into the spools and then found other items around the house to mix in with them. He noticed how they could spend hours taking apart and putting together the same parts over and over. So Pajeau decided and Petit agreed, to put together a construction set made simply out of sticks and spools, just like the thread and pencils that the kids were using.

Tinker Toys were made.

The design was simple. Charles took a spool, drilled eight holes around it and one in the center that would be for the purpose of making it a cornerstone piece. The design was based on the Pythagorean Principal of the progressive right triangle. As a stone mason, Charles knew these things and ultimately helped him in the construction of the toy itself.

Well, these two new toymakers knew that they had a hit on their hands. They decided to start their own toy company which they named "The Toy Tinkers". They named it as such because basically what they did was tinker with things until they came up with what they were looking for. Since the toy they made inspired kids to do the same thing, they named their first toy "The Tinkertoy".

Unfortunately, they didn't find a lot of people who were interested in their new toy, mostly because there were so many toys already out on the market. So in an effort to attract customers they set up displays at toy stores in the Chicago area. Well, the displays were so successful that soon the demand for these toys was greater than the supply.

What followed over the next 90 years is pretty much history. Tinkertoys became a huge hit with young children because of their simplistic design and the infinite things that you could do with that design. The company itself stayed pretty much the same until it was sold to Hasbro in 1986. The wood pieces were replaced with plastic, but the concept was the same. But in 2000 the wood pieces came back and Tinkertoys returned to their roots.

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What do kids learn from art? More than you might think! At a time when funding for arts education is being cut in favor of math and language arts, it's important to realize all that the arts can do for our children.

Art builds the imagination, fosters creativity and problem solving, and develops fine motor skills.

Art can teach kids many important lessons:

• Develop eye-hand coordination (which also helps with writing and literacy)
• Observe the world around them, and learn to trust their own eyes rather than what they think they "should" see or know
• Make comparisons and make choices, distinguish between what's important and what isn't
• Improve by practicing, and take pride in their artistic growth and development
• Develop an understanding of what goes into making a work of art-helping them appreciate the work of other artists

But did you know that art also helps to develop language skills for reading and writing and the cognitive skills needed for math? Participating in the arts helps children learn to focus, to listen, and to be tolerant of new ideas and different people. The arts also help kids learn the value of doing a good job for its own sake, of taking pride in their work, and of setting goals for themselves and reaching those goals.

According to Americans for the Arts, children who regularly take art classes are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement. They also point out that art classes help kids stay out of trouble and away from destructive influences.

Drawing and painting are excellent and enjoyable ways for kids of all ages to become involved in art. Many kids (and grownups, too) think they "can't draw" because their drawings don't look exactly like real things. They think this means they don't have any talent, and perhaps shouldn't bother to try. But the great thing about drawing is that it's a skill. Anyone can learn to draw and anyone can get better at it. Painting adds the element of color and stretches kids' imaginations and opportunities for exploration, experiment and creativity.

Art helps children become creative adults with good problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Art can be a source of enjoyment and accomplishment that will last their entire lives.

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SEO firms in India, are the firms that offer affordable search engine marketing services. Today many, the online SEM consultants are accessible in part of this world. But the most important question that comes up here is “how to choose the best amongst so many people?”

A few factors that need to be considered here include:

a) Reliability: The most important factor that needs consideration here is that the person that you choose is reliable enough. Many SEO firms in India, promise top rankings in leading search engines but the question that arises here is relevancy of the keywords. If the selection of keyword is incorrect you may end up in high traffic and no profits at all.

b) Cost: The cost of getting your website optimized is undoubtedly a costly affair. But what is important here is to get complete value for money which can be only done by making wise choice in terms of SEO firms in India.

c) Results: Every website is optimized with the sole goal of ranking higher and fetching new customers. And for that while choosing an internet marketer one should be very careful. Be aware how the process is being carried out.

d) Market reputation & Past experience: While choosing SEO firm in India, remember to analyze the past experience must be analyzed. It gives you a fair idea as to what to expect and how things can be changed to better.

e) Timely delivery: Although internet marketing is a continuous process it while choosing your SEO experts always take into consideration the timely delivery factor.

All the above factors must be taken into consideration while choosing your SEO firm in India. Amongst so many companies that guarantee you TOP rankings it’s hard to choose the best. Here one good choice can be 909 Marketing. It is one firm that doesn’t just offer you increased traffic but actually conversion of that traffic into actually potential customers. Thus, helping generate net profits and truly enhancing your presence globally!!!!

For more information please click http://www.909marketing.com

Thanks & Regards Dhiraj kapila

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Kittens communicate in a very distinct way. Did you know that every twitch, every purr, every motion actually means something... at least to your kitten!

The key to building a devoted and caring relationship between you and your kitten is understanding how kittens communicate

Lets discuss the primary mechanisms a kitten uses to communicate.

Eyes

The eyes truly are the windows to the soul... even when you consider the souls of kittens. Kittens use their eyes to tell you what they want.

For example, if a kitten gazes at something for a few minutes, but then turns away, it is usually an indication that he recognizes the object or person, but chooses not to communicate with them for the time being.

If however, a kitten stares at something and holds its gaze for some time (and also twitches his tail and perhaps raises its fur) that is a clear indication that he feels threatened.

At times the kitten will also make an aggressive meow to indicate they are ready for combat if necessary.

Tail

Reading a kittens tail movements is not only fun its useful. A cats tail tells a lot of things about whats on their minds. One of the uses a kitten has for its tail is to demonstrate self confidence and pride.

Kittens may walk with their tails sticking straight up in the air, indicating they are having a very proud and boastful moment.

If on the other hand a kittens tail suddenly puffs out and looks bushy, and starts shaking it is usually a sign that something has frightened the kitten. When given this sign, though your urge may be to pick up your kitten, avoid doing so immediately. You might startle the kitten and end up with a harsh scratch.

Small twitches of a kittens tail can also indicate that your kitten is irritated at something. This can be for a variety of reasons, including a dirty litter box or lack of food. Be sure to check out your kittys supplies to make sure there isnt some small problem you can remedy quickly.

Purring

Purring is usually the universal body language sign kittens give off. For the most part kittens purr when they are happy, content and satisfied.

Thus, the more your kitty purrs the happier he is. Kittens love to purr when you hold them, stroke them and even brush their fur.

Learning to understand your kittens signals can help you build a long lasting and happy relationship together. If you take the time to pay attention to your kitten, youll start picking up on his unique signals quickly and swiftly.

If youre still worried, here are a few pointers that will ensure you bond with your kitten right off the bat:

* Trampling Paws - sign of affection or need for attention.

* Dilated Pupils - indicates fear or threat. Stay back initially and try to determine cause of fear.

* Arched Back - Kitten is attacking, feels threatened.

* Ears folded forward - Kitten is exploring. Slow Tail Flapping Indicates Satisfaction and Joy.

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Are you a business owner who operates a business in or around the Dallas area? Whether you run a business that is in an office setting or a setting like a retail store, if your establishment has windows, you need to make sure that your windows are always clean. That is why it is advised that you seek professional assistance, in terms of window cleaning. Dallas business owners, just like you, have been using the assistance of professional Dallas window cleaning companies for years now and you may want to start, if you haven’t already.

When it comes to seeking the assistance of a professional Dallas window cleaning company, there are many individuals who are wondering why it is so important. When it comes to window cleaning, Dallas business owners, just like you, need to remember that appearance is everything. If a customer were to look at the outside of your establishment, what do you think that they do or think about seeing dirty or unclean windows? While you might not necessarily think about it, having unclean windows may actually cause you to lose customers, as public appearance and public perception is important. That is why professional window cleaning is important to business owners, just like you.

In conjunction with appearance, there are other important reasons why you should look into a professional window cleaning. Dallas business owners, like you, should have a business that they are proud of. Would you be proud of a business that looked unclean or dirty? As a business owner, you should take pride in your business’s appearance; that is why a professional window cleaning is recommended. Dallas business owners, like you are not the only individuals who can benefit from a clean workplace. Did you know that having clean windows may also up the morale of your employees, as working in a clean environment may make them feel more professional? This, in turn, may lead to better results and increased productivity.

If you are interested in reaping the many benefits of having your business windows undergo a professional window cleaning project, you need to contact a company that specializes in Dallas window cleaning. Dallas, luckily for you, is home to a number of different window cleaning companies. In addition to specialty window cleaning companies, you can also seek professional window cleaning from traditional Dallas cleaning services, as long as they offer window cleaning as one of their services, which most do.

To find a Dallas window cleaning company in or around your area, you are urged to use the internet or your local Dallas phonebook to search for a company that offers professional window cleaning. Dallas business owners, for years now, have been happy with the professional results and now you can be too.

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When it comes to ensuring your pet will be found in the event it is lost, you will be amazed at how the world of pet id tags has advanced. They are durable, waterproof, lightweight and wear resistant. Many vendors can offer you the option of customizing your very own pet tag. Though made from many different types of materials, stainless steel is a tried and true material that will not rust or fade. In addition to having your pet found, you could also get a pet medical ID tag that can identify your pet’s special needs and conditions. They are great for people who breed dogs or for veterinary uses as well. Most pet id tags will not discolor the coat of light colored pets. You can actually get rubber silencers that cover the tag to prevent unnecessary rattling, and are available in many awesome colors. Stainless steel tags are polished and can be engraved with all of your pets important information, such as name, address etc. You can also get brass tags that can be engraved and will be durable but not as long as stainless steel. Plastic pet id tags are lightweight and colorful and give excellent visibility for your pet. If you want to have your pet look shiny and sharp, you may want to consider an aluminum tag and they are also available in many bright colors. This type of tag is more applicable for an indoor pet.

Considering the sobering statistics when it comes to lost dogs, your pet should not be without one. Did you know that there are approximately 60 to 65 million dogs and cats in the United States? Every year there are more than 10 million enter U.S. shelters. In addition to this, only 17 out of 100 dogs in a shelter are ever united with their owner again. Not only will pet id tags bring you peace of mind but they can also ensure your pet’s medical needs will be taken care of if found by a caring individual. Here is a link to some great resources on pet id tags: http://www.pet-supply-discount.com/pet-id-tags.html

To ensure positive ID for your pet, you should include separate lines for such items as the pet’s name, owner’s name, address, city, state, and zip code along with all important phone numbers. Remember to also include an extra line for medical, reward and veterinarian information also. Now wouldn’t you be more inclined to return someone’s beloved pet if there was a reward involved? Remember to include information to motivate the person to return your pet safely. It will be a rewarding experience for everyone including your pet. Here is link to some neat pet id tags: http://www.pet-supply-discount.com/113-reflective-pet-tags.html

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You will be simply amazed at what is covered when it comes to pet insurance. There are dozens of reputable insurance companies that offer very competitive rates when it comes to comprehensive dog and cat insurance coverage. You can get your pet covered for unexpected illnesses and accidents or just for routine care. Such items as injuries, and emergencies are covered, as well as your office visits, prescriptions, x-rays, diagnostic tests, lab fees and lots more. You can even get a routine care or vaccination rider on your policy that covers pet care items, and some come with one small fee per year with no deductible, so it pays to shop around. Pet insurance can be comprehensive and there is almost an exhaustive list of items that can or will be covered depending on your requirements. Such items as cat scans, surgeries, cancer treatments, medication prescriptions, and even hospitalization of your pet. Imagine vaccinations being covered. Now that is a significant expense when it comes to pet care. Other items such as heartworm protection, annual exams and flea control also can be covered, and of course, your traditional spay and neuter procedure.

Pet insurance is excellent for that unexpected expense that always seems to crop up. I am sure you know what I mean! When your pet becomes ill, you want to make sure that you are getting the best care quickly without worrying about how much it is going to cost. Did you know that one in three pets need veterinary treatment each year? You can get plans that have great premium payment options such as direct debit. Most claims are settled fairly and promptly and will cover most breed types. Some offer you the flexibility as well to get a 100% refund within a specified time for your peace of mind. Here is a link to some great pet insurance information: http://www.pet-supply-discount.com/102-pet-insurance.html

Remember to get coverage when your pet is young because you pets are like babies and toddlers. They lack coordination so they are more accident-prone, and we have the experience to know what situations might hurt them. Sometimes they don’t know when they are in the way and accidents do happen. It is always better to enroll them when they are young and before any problems develop or that unexpected mishap occurs. Here is a link to some good information on pet insurance: http://www.pet-supply-discount.com/106-vet-pet-insurance.html

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There are some necessary procedures that should be in place to ensure that your office is working like clockwork.

Did you know that you can gain a lot more hours in your day if you have an organized office. Organized and efficient = more productive = increased profit.

Let’s take it one at a time and look at all of the different systems in your office.

Let’s start by looking at your phone system:

• Do you have someone who answers the phone for you
• Do you need someone on a full-time basis to answer the phone or would a part-time person or a virtual assistant work better
• If you are the person answering the phone – Are you wasting valuable time answering calls all day
• How many hours a day are you spending on the phone
• Would this time be more effective if it was spent with clients?
• If you are spending a lot of time on the phone, maybe you should look at posting specific hours on your website as to when you are available to speak with clients and allow your voicemail to pick up when you are not

Next we will take a look at your email system. As business owners we receive hundreds of emails on a daily basis, some are from clients, potential clients, junk mail etc, we can spend hours per day going through our email which is unproductive time.

So how do we change that?

• You can set up filters in your email so that junk mail goes directly into a junk folder
• You can also do this for other emails that you receive – newsletters, billing, resumes, marketing, blogs, articles etc
• When you receive an email, take a moment and decide what you want to do with it – delete it, put it into a folder, reply to it.
• Check your email at certain times during the day otherwise you will find yourself stopping and starting tasks –again this is unproductive time

Now we will take a look at how much paper you have in your office. This is where a lot of the chaos occurs

• Switch your bills to e-bills where possible
• Send invoices electronically
• Keep detailed information on your pc in individual folders and always keep a back up somewhere safe, preferably away from your office
• File your paperwork on a weekly basis – look at each piece of paper and decide what to do with it – Throw it out or file it. Once you keep up with your filing, it becomes less of a horrendous task.
Set up files for yourself so that all of the paperwork that you do have is filed correctly – color coded files work very well and are very easy to use
• Set up templates for your office so that you don’t have to create a new invoice/fax page every time

It is imperative that all business owners have some kind of a calendar management system. It’s impossible to remember everything – yes, even Virtual Assistants forget things.

• If you have an assistant, have them set up a calendar for your appointments, important dates, bills to be paid etc and have them email reminders to you
• Or you can have them set up a shared calendar so that you are able to view it whenever you choose. Outlook is great for this or yahoo has a shared calendar system also.

Making a list helps us to focus on the task at hand

• At the beginning of every day, take the time to make a list of what you would like to accomplish that day.
• If you prefer you can make the list at the end of your day for the next day
• You can also incorporate this with your PDA or your outlook so that you follow-up on certain tasks

Finally we will take a look at the office layout which can sometimes hinder your productivity also:

• Make sure that everything is close by so that you don’t have to spend time finding things– filing cabinet, supplies, printer, client’s information, your phone etc
• If you are home based, you don’t necessarily have to have your supplies in the same area as your office, but it helps if you don’t have to wander through the entire house all the way up to the 3rd floor to get some ink!
• Invest in a good light or lighting system so that you have plenty of light flowing in
• Try and have a closed room so that when you leave at the end of the day, you close the door and your workday is over
• A door also keep distractions and noises out – there is nothing worse than being on the phone with a client and your dog starts barking in the background, it doesn’t provide your potential client with a professional image of your business!

If you put all of the above systems in place, your office will become a lot more productive and a lot less stressful!