I usually like to look anagrammingly, but today I thought I try, lexigrammingly, which is not much different from anagrams. Let me explain–Lexing just involves making all the words you can with the letters that comprise the original word, name, or phrase, you want to lex and then simply use the words to tell a verse of truth about your subject.

It’s fun and in this case, its sort of spooky.

Now–getting back to the THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN, the first one, which was originally built in 1923 by film director Mack Sennett and LA Time publisher Harry Chandler, let look at is past. Just this past December of 2005 its broken-down-in-storage-parts were up for auction on EBAY.

I recall my last check during its auction stage THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN reached as much as two hundred fifty one thousand dollars with 201 bids. The auction ended on December 6th at 20:18:47 PST but I don’t recall the amount for which it sold. But its not the worth of THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN I’m concerned with in this writing–Its whether or not its remains a haunted icon.

Well lets see,

I found the two words, DESTINY DELIGHT, now those two words certainly do describe the folks who leave their small home towns to embark on their dreams of appearing on the silver screen. When I found the words GOLDEN LION it certainly did give me the image of MGM’s roaring cat leading one of it’s films.

The word DIETS doesn’t leave anything to be imagined because we all know how the starlets are constantly under physical restrictions and rehauls.

Now we know that the sign itself sits SIDELONG DOWNHILL and at a great HEIGHT of fifty feet. And when you arrive in LA doesn’t the sign speak as a SIGNET to say a GOLDEN GLOW HELLO LOGO. And aren’t those wishing hopefuls eventually become a SNOOTED IDOL or DOLL in this LIGHTED TINSEL TOWN. And really, how many artists had a HIT SINGLE using the word HOLLYWOOD. Go ahead and think about that one.

I also saw the word GHOST in the phrase THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN. In 1932, film actess Peg Entwistle committed suicide by climbling 50 feet and jumping off the letter H. Every letter of Peg ENTWISTLE last name is in the word phrase THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN. There have been reports of a women dressed in 1930’s clothing wandering about in the vicinity of the sign and haunting the area with her signature perfumed scent of Gardinas.

As far as the Ebay auction goes, there are the words SELL THE GOLDEN HELLO LOGO SIGN and OLD SIGN SOLD. But I’m really left wondering about this believed haunting of Peg ENTWISTLE on the hills of Hollywood, and about her fated connection to this American Icon. I guess

When you’re sitting at home watching amateur online players win millions of dollars without having to spend thousands for tournament buy-ins, you start to wonder if you could do the same thing. Players who never played before suddenly want to learn the game. Casual kitchen-table players decide that they want to improve their poker skills by playing online. As soon as Chris Moneymaker became a millionaire, everyone in the country started thinking it could also happen to them.

It’s no longer necessary to make a trip to Vegas in order to enter a poker tournament. Online poker tournaments offer players of all skill sets the ability to improve their game from the comfort of their own home.

Playing in an online poker tournament is a lot different than playing on the Internet. Casino poker tournaments are more interactive. You spend much of your available time studying the players around you. The head games are much more complicated, because you’re personally interacting with the people at your table. In an online tournament, reading players is much more difficult. You don’t get to watch people’s eyes, expressions and gestures. Instead, all you have to go on is betting patterns and betting amounts. You can still try to get in the heads of the players around you, but you have much less information to go on.

Online poker does have it’s advantages though. For starters, the process of playing poker online is much less intimidating for beginners. If you need to spend time practicing your tournament skills, online tournament play is much more effective than showing up at a casino, hoping to get lucky. Beginners should try to learn the game by playing for free, or by participating in only lower limit games.

Online poker tournaments are a lot more convenient than sitting in on a multi-table land-based casino tourney. You don’t have to travel to the casino. You can stay in your PJs, get up and stretch, grab a snack, and play whenever you have free time in your schedule.

In online tournaments, the game play can often times be more smooth. Nobody bets out of turn, and there are statistics and note taking advantages that aren’t available when you play in casino tournaments. In most online poker rooms, you can also play multiple hands, while in a casino your limited to the action of only one table.

Casinos will never lose their popular allure, but people enjoy online poker tournaments because the process of playing online is so simple. The key to winning poker tournaments is to practice. Participating in online tournaments is the most effective way to practice, improve your skills, and possibly earn some cash.

Tom Shannahan has been playing poker since he was 16. He grew up watching his father play with friends once a week. He currently writes part time for Pokerlistings.com where you can find more great information about pokerlistings.com/online-poker-rooms Online Poker Rooms or many pokerlistings.com/poker-tournaments Poker Tournaments around the world.

The Problem

The principal problem for most new wannabe English teachers is lack of TESOL certification. It’s becoming an ongoing requirement for Colombian EFL teachers too, but as a foreigner, none of the dozens of places I could recommend would take you without at least a TEFL or CELTA certificate.
Without a teaching or education degree or TESOL certification, not only in Colombia, but literally scores of other desirable countries and locations simply will not offer you a position.

CELTA / TEFL in Colombia

The British Council in Colombia has a CELTA course. It’s given only once per year though, during the summer and only in Bogotá. You’d likely not be able to work until the Fall but you must leave the country to apply for a work visa and things might get even more complicated from there. ISSO also runs a TEFL cert course several times a year, but it may lack the worldwide acceptance and appeal of an England or USA-based course.

Certify Before You Go

If you can arrange to get your TEFL certification in the USA before summer, you’d be able to work as soon as you get here since the schools would be contacted by you or your certifying institution when you successfully complete your CELTA or TEFL certificate course. The certifying institution will also provide you with letters of reference and an invaluable list of referrals to further smooth your way into your first EFL teaching position.

Because of this I recommend doing the course, if possible, in the USA, Canada or the UK. An intensive 5-week course can be taken almost any month of the year in schools in San Francisco, Boston or numerous other locations. Check locally too for something that might be available in or near your area. Don’t do an online TEFL certificate program if you can possibly avoid it. Also, doing the course in the US, Canada or UK will allow you to assemble a good package of English-language materials to take with you when you leave the country. More will be said about this aspect in the article, “Creating an English as a Foreign Language Teaching CARE Package”.

Information is available for the British Council CELTA in Bogota online at: cactustefl.com/tefl/course.php?course_id=1664

Particulars can be found online for ISSO TEFL courses at:
estudiosexterior.com/ or estudiosexterior.com/destinos/colombia.htm

I hope this helps those of you who are considering teaching English as a foreign language in Colombia. Please let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you.

Larry M. Lynch is an Intellectual Development Specialist, ELT Teacher Trainer, expert author and photographer who teaches language at a university in Cali, Colombia. He helps language teachers to improve their skills and develop dynamic language classroom teaching techniques. His writing has appeared in Transitions Abroad, South American Explorer, Escape from America, Mexico News and Brazzil magazines, in addition to hundreds of online websites. He is the author of the astonishing new English language teaching system, “The BREAKTHROUGH! English Language Teaching System: Dynamic Techniques & Strategies for Teaching English to Any Learner Anywhere in the World”. He is also the author of “Heart of Heaven, Heart of Hell: Teaching English as a Foreign Language in Colombia”. His newest publication is the full multi-media E-book, “Quick Tricks ANYONE Can Use to Learn ANY Language”. For no-obligation information, questions or comments send an e-mail to: mailto:lynchlarrym@gmail.com lynchlarrym@gmail.com

You may find it helpful to read my article, “Advice for Becoming Certified to Teach Before You Leave for a Foreign Country” online at:
ezinearticles.com/?Advice-for-Becoming-Certified-to-Teach-English-Before-You-Leave-for-A-Foreign-Country&id=312204 ezinearticles.com/?Advice-for-Becoming-Certified-to-Teach-English-Before-You-Leave-for-A-Foreign-Country&id=312204

You could also take a peek at the article, “Teach English and Learn Spanish: An Interesting and Profitable Combination” also online at:

The Guitarra

Originally, the guitarra had only four strings, instead of the six that there is in modern guitars today. Soon, two more strings were added to the guitar. Although many might think that was the final guitar, it was far from the final result. All of these strings were double strings, and they were also made out of gut. There were many versions of the guitarra. For example, there was a Guitarra Latina, which was the Latin Guitar. This guitar was not as smooth as the others, and had a more curved feature for the sides. Many say that because of this guitars unique features, it was originated somewhere else before it came to Spain. Another type of guitarra was the Guitarra Morisca. This guitar came to Spain by the Moors. The Moors also brought the lute to Spain later on in time, but because of a strained relationship, Spaniards would turn to the guitarra instead of the lute. The sound on this guitar was altered mainly by all the holes in it. For example, the sound box on the Guitarra Morisca was shaped as an oval. Also, all across the sound body of the guitar, there were numerous ovals all over it. The Guitarra kept on evolving. There were many altered editions that came out. For example, soon it was common to see the guitarra with three or five strings.

After the Guitarra

The instrument was later named as the vihuela after it contained six double strings. Soon after the vihuela guitar came the evolution of the classical guitar. Late in the 1770s, the early versions of the classical guitar became more and more popular. Many began to use these guitars at musical performances. In the past, romantic plays were part of the most common plays during the time period. The classical guitar began to become more and more common at these romantic performances. During the romantic time period, the classical guitar began to shine. Many even consider this the “Golden Age” for the classical guitar.

Classical Guitar

During the late 19th century, many started to write music just for the classical guitar. The classical guitar was on the rise, and the music began to get more popular. One of the main factors for the popularity of the music was the composers. In the past, the people who composed music for the classical guitar also played the classical guitar. But, the problem was that not all of them had immense knowledge for the classical guitar. Later on, not all composers could be able to play the instrument. They would simply get a musician to play, but use their knowledge about music to compose great songs.

Notable Spanish Composers

Among many of the famous Spanish composers and guitarists are: Andrés Segovia, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federico_Moreno_Torroba” target=”_blank Federico Moreno Torroba, Joaquin Rodrigo, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paco_De_Lucia” target=”_blank Paco De Lucia, and Grisha Goryachev.

To read a wealth of information about the guitar – how to play, what there is to play, and where to go for the best deals – go to David Woodford’s main site at

Truth is, some people have a triggered response when they are in front of a camera. They do certain things that make them look better. You can also develop a triggered response that makes YOU look better.

These photogenic steps are based on over 10 years of professional photography and came into being primarily out of financial inspiration.

Put more bluntly, when you photograph people for a living.

- If they don’t like how they look in the pictures - They do not buy any pictures - You do not make any money!

So - you learn how to coach people into doing things that make them look good.

Use these 5 steps and you too will develop a triggered response that will insure you look your best.

Step 1

If you observe men and women standing naturally without ANY coaching, you’ll notice there is a BIG difference between how they stand. Women naturally shift weight to one foot. Doing so angles the body slightly, tips the shoulders a little, and angles the head just a bit. This stance immediately adds dimension to any photo, it looks more interesting and natural.

Men on the other hand, we tend to face squarely into the camera with weight evenly distributed on both feet. We have all seen the results, pictures that look stiff, unnatural, and very plain looking.

Here’s the solution.

If you are standing - turn slightly and rest your weight on one foot. It may FEEL goofy, but you WILL look better.

If you are sitting – angle to one side or the other.

Step 2

Lean slightly toward the camera – Leaning slightly toward the camera adds interest, dimension, and a natural look to a photo. Think of having a long neck like a gazelle, and tilt your chin down just a bit to avoid the appearance of a double chin and also to prevent the camera from getting a view right up your nostrils.

Step 3

Learn how to change your state – No, I don’t mean if you live in Idaho you need to move to Oregon. Changing state means going from level 1 to level 5, or in other words, instead of looking like you were caught off guard, you look natural and like you are enjoying yourself.

Models are taught to change state by developing a ‘trigger.’ So when they are about to have their picture taken, even if they are in a crummy mood, they can go from level 1 to level 5 in a heart beat. Firing a trigger is a reminder to do the things that make you look good. Believe it or not, THE most successful trigger we found over the years was called the ‘rear cheek squeeze.’ It’s really cool because it’s inconspicuous. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like; you squeeze the cheeks of your rear end together. Don’t make fun of it until you try it. To see it’s effectiveness try this experiment. Ask someone to sit on a chair and then ask them to squeeze their cheeks together. I have not met ONE person who doesn’t immediately smile and say something like, okay, now what?

Step 4

Learn to ¾ smile – People just don’t like pictures of themselves with huge smiles. Smiling too big exposes gums and causes your eyes to turn into slits.

Step 5

Never look directly at the lens – ALWAYS, look slightly ABOVE the lens.

Here are some additional tips if you know you are going to have your photo taken and you have a little time to prepare.

1. If needed, use ‘teeth whitener’ to have pearly white teeth - it does make a difference. Plan ahead and give yourself enough time to brighten your smile. Get a teeth whitening kits at your local pharmacy.

2. Dress for timelessness - Stay away from patterns, go more for solids. Example: horizontal stripes will make you look heavy. Don’t wear red, black or white. Digital cameras sometimes have problems with red. Black and white offer too much contrast.

digitalcamerau.com digitalcamerau.com

Along the coast of the Adriatic Sea lives what now is called the “poskok,’ better known as the ‘Jumping Serpent’. These creatures are some five feet long and to my understanding can jump some three feet in the air and leap some five feet in any direction they wish, simply by aiming at whatever, wherever. But this didn’t happen by chance, this really and truly happened by necessity. And this is the tale you are about to hear, the ‘why,’ of it, how it came about. And to be quite honest, you will be the first to hear of it.

The poskok has a macabre-hissing tone to its dynamic language, a hissing that bellows out fear, and out of fear and inborn aggressiveness, its impulses create a neurological reaction that makes it leap and jump. Again, the why of this will come out in the tale? But it is always prudent to know the background of things, and so I am equipped to share it with you. In addition to its poisonous bite, it has quite the temper, and at times it can look no different than a log or branch sitting by a tree. And let’s add its natural abode to this narrative background: it prefers if given the natural background to live amongst, it will choose the trunk of trees.

And now come join me for my tale of tales, and think not that there isn’t a feather of truth in this tale, for it would be ill-advised to think otherwise…:

Once upon a time, several hundred years ago, or thereabouts, there were a multitude of snakes along the coast of the Adriatic Sea, and within the mountainous area thereof, in a land now called Bosnia. They grew the length of the men of those far off days, in that far off land. These snakes were a reddish-brown color, for this cleaver kind of breed of snake, with sharp fangs, which are quite poisonous; the snakes also being rather aggressive for the most part.

Along with living in the trunks of trees, in lack of a better home, and accommodations, and liking the sun, these snakes slept on the side of the roads to a high extent, where often times they chummed with one another—(figuratively speaking that is); looking like dried up old branches— especially in the fall season—laying over one another like little lions. But as winter came around, back into the trunks and holes of trees they’d find themselves. And when they’d see a passerby, especially during the long hot summers, they’d play possum [dead], and when female carrying water to the village would walk by them, they’d twist their bodies slowly and, positioning them just right and quicker than you could say ‘help’, they’d have their teeth in one’s leg. And the water being fresh would feed their thirst, along with its aggressive temperament, even on their best of days it would be hard for them not to do their dirty deeds, they seemed to be simply born with an aggressive nature.

—Well, this went on for quite a spell, yes, for the longest time, and one day, one day after hearing—year after year hearing—people’s complaints, the King of the area announced that whoever could rid the region of these nasty and evil serpents, he’d reward them by allowing them to marry his beautiful and youthful daughter. Ah yes, it was indeed a luring reward, and all wished they had such a gift to do this task.

Well, all is fare in love and war, so they say, thus, Mr. Goose, an old man from Croatia [82-years old at the time], went to the little mountainous kingdom and spoke with King Mon about his reward to be, should he clear the land of these creepy-crawling type creatures that infested every nook, tree and, oh well, let’s just say, the whole landscape.

Said the King, with a skeptical eye,

“It would take an army I fear to wipe these hills and mountains and the coastline of these aggressive, antagonistic evil doers that have taken, killed, eaten, over a thousand-lives, a thousand lives I say, from my kingdom, my kingdom’s past of which it has been some forty years, to now; yes, yes, how can one man expect to do this, it is beyond me?”

Said the old man, who had an odd looking hunchback and legs that looked more animal than human with mammalian hairs sticking out all the openings of his pants, likewise his shirt, and on his face and arms; in addition, he had a long skull, that is to say, a very long slant to it, with a brow that receded back to his prickly looking hair; and quite thin it was, and a smirk that showed he had secrets, secrets beyond our imagination perhaps, and a small mustache, yes he had a small thin mustache, and a thin bone structure, big eyes and feet; they were as if claws from a hawk. But here he stood, the old carnivorous gentleman, smiling with a long pause, and then simply said

(Ah! but said it keenly and sharply), “I will take your daughter for my reward, as you promise, should I accomplish the mission, but if you want to know how I shall do this feat, it will cost you your kingdom.”

[Insolent thought the king] With a stiff upper lip, and eyebrow reaching into the air, the short stubby king, with his curly locks of golden hair dangling over his ears, stood up in front of the beggar type looking man, who had a deep-set of eyes, big, yes big and confident, that had a small and thin bridge separating them from what was called his nose but looked more like reptilian type air holes—poked into his upper face, with only a small arch and slits to inhale though.

Said he, said he with scorn on his cheek bones, stiff bones, perturbing bones—even through his fat:

“So be it, you will have my daughter, not my kingdom, should you achieve this mission, and should you not, I advise you, you old coot, to be gone from these hills—far gone, for I will surely have you stripped and beaten unto your last gulp of air, should you not accomplish this, simply for you absurd audacity to think so highly of yourself in front of me.” Ah yes, the kind was feeling his oats indeed, sharp was his words, and weighty was his heart.

—There was no more to be said, the old man turned ‘around and with shifty looking dark eyes, ebony-yes that resembled a rat’s, he walked out through the door, as strangely as he walked in, almost silently, not looking any which way but straight. Upon the door opening up, and the king still sitting at his grand throne, two soldiers came in with a huge seven-foot snake to show the king their good deed, their catch of the day. They had its mouth died shut with a rope, and carried it on a long stick. It must have weighed two-hundred pounds or more. As the two soldiers walked past the old man, the king started to stand up to get a good look at the snake, in the process, the serpent got a look at the old man’s eyes—it was the hiss from the mouth, yes the mouth most certainly, like thunder erupting, or possibly like the sound from a volcano, the snake started hissing and struggling wildly; jumping and hissing more and more, as the old many walked by the snake; it was about to fly out of the two soldiers mitts, trying to get free, trying to escape the old man’s presence. Matter of fact, the viper was so frantic, the snake it even started to eat the rope it was tied with.

When the soldiers seen this, they dropped the snake on the marble floor, as the King looked on, on towards the snake and the old man with one glance, a glance he had given the snake, just one little glance towards the old man, and he noticed the fleeting look from the old man had frightened the snake, thus, he knew this man was extraordinary, and although he hesitated in mind and soul to stop this potential marriage, he had no other recourses left, the old man was it—who else was there, should he not make the deal, there’d be no kingdom to rule in time. As soon as the old man was out of the door: out of sight, the snake regained it’s weaken composure it had before it had seen the old deformed gentleman of sorts.

For that reason, the deal was sealed, and for five years to follow the old man walked slowly up and own the paths of the mountains; looked in every tree trunk, walked the coast of the Adriatic, and combed miles and miles of forest areas within the vicinity, whipping out all the snakes that he could find: he ate them, like an animal eating flesh, ripped them apart like a rat to a hen. It had come to a point, and it was said, that the area had over 10,000 snakes at one time, that now their existence was down to but ten.

Yes, oh yes, indeed, only ten left, and these ten got together, and by way of necessity, inevitability, thus, started learning how to jump, and leap. They’d gathered by the waters, the lakes, the rivers, wherever they could and watched the frogs as they moved about, then even watched the toads, all and any creatures that jumped, they examined, watched closely, then by instinct, and need for continued existence, within a years time had learned how to leap some three feet in the air, and some five to seven feet in any direction—straight forward that is. As a result it was their way of escape from this flesh-eating human animal of sorts: the old man.

—Four years had now gone by, and the old man was now 86-years old. His heart was tired, and he wanted more than anything to leave a legacy behind—his legacy that is, but had one more year to keep the land free of these evil serpents, should he fail, he’d lose the beautiful bright-eyed young princess: and in his mind, this could not be tolerated.

As time passed, the old man found these ten snakes, all in different locations: some in trees, others along side of the road playing dead, and others by the great waters of the sea, he’d go to grab them, and before he could they’d jump, leap right through his hands. Several leaps and the serpents were gone, out of sight. Well, this bothered the old man to extremes, but he knew if he kept the snakes hidden, and busy, he’d still get his reward, or could if he was deceptive enough. And consequently, as if nothing had happened—he’d continue to play his game, and the king would be no wiser; the end result, the old man kept walking the mountain paths—as all the villagers knew, as all the villagers saw him do, day after day after day—and word got back to the king all the roads were clean and clear of the snakes.

Yet, in checking out the trees, and road sides, he occasionally found a snake or two, but it again would leap out of his presence to safety (and again I say, no one had seen snakes for a long time now, no one that is but the old man, so the king was not wise to his charade). And slowly but surely the numbers started to increase, but they were simply baby snakes, and the mothers kept them hidden from the old man most of the time; yet the old mans reflexes were not as they were a few years back anyhow, slow they were, and with the leaping, it was impossible to catch them; yet again, I must stress, in fear they’d become extinct all over again, they hid when they could, and jumped when they had to, or leaped, should they become aware the old man was around; so again no one seen them, and the snakes knew the old man was aging, and would not live forever, thus, if only they could out last him, out wait him—in many case this is the only way to deal with such a menace as the old man, so the snakes concluded.

And therefore, the fifth year had passed, and the old man went to the king to claim his reward. The King looking quite dreadful at his parting of his daughter gave her to the old man nonetheless—with not much to say, and brought forth a great celebration. The lovely twenty-year old princess was adorned with all kinds of flowers, and jewels and riches beyond imagination. And the party went on and on all night.

Surprisingly during this time the king noticed that he had only eyes for the princess, not the riches she possessed. Somehow that seemed to dignify the whole matter much more, in an ugly kind of way, that is. As the bride danced with the groom, all the young bucks looked on with discuss and envy, perhaps a little more envy than discuss. The princess although, said nothing, not a word to disgrace her fathers will, like a good daughter, she kissed her husband and bid good evening to the guests, as they went into their room to consummate the marriage.

As the extraordinary evening went on, the old man lay back in his bed, tired, very tired, and in the morn, the princess trying to awake her new husband found him to be dead. Mortified, and yet relieved, she called quickly to her father, the doctor and the guards. Word had gotten out quickly that the princess’ husband had heart-failure, and she would be in mourning. But the serpents in the area were refreshed by the news, and came out bravely, back onto the pathways, and around the trees and coastal areas with their young ones.

The king now seeing this new resurrection of the snakes didn’t know what to do, but it was not half as bad as it was five years past, and figured he’d look for another man of same qualities, and tried to find the Goose family to no avail. Then, finding out his daughter was pregnant, he got thinking, possibly, just possibly, whatever the qualities the old man had, they might be in his blood line, thus, in his grand-son to be [hoping it would be a boy].

“Awe,” he said with glowing and ghastly eyes, “sure,” he said to his daughter, “should she give birth to a son, he will be the tempest for the snakes.”

And so the king and his kingdom all waited for the birth of the child.

—And then it happened, the 9th month, third day, in the early morning, the sun had just risen: all waited outside the doorway to hear the baby’s cry, but there was no cry, yet a baby was born. As the doctor looked at the child, he was flabbergasted; the child was horrifying to look at; hence, stunned at its appearance he just shook his head, nodded his head back and forth as if to grab onto some sanity: it looked like a ferret, yet it had human form to it.

The doctor remembered what the old man looked like: comparing child to father, or perhaps what he didn’t see of the father he imagined, and thus, made his own comparisons; and now thinking of the king, he pondered on what to do, for the king and the kingdom.

He didn’t show the child to anyone, not a soul, and ordered all to stay away. And during the late night took the child out of the kingdom, telling all concerned, the child had a deadly disease—contagious (which it did not of course), should it touch anyone, it would kill them, and he needed to be treated, and the child destroyed, which he did not do of course. He called the child ‘Mon-goose’, taking the kings name and the fathers. And left it in the woods—neither one, never to return; hence, the Mongoose was born.

See Dennis’ web site: dennissiluk.tripod.com dennissiluk.tripod.com

The present generations of Nagas have ventured into fashion designing in a big way, reproducing fabrics that represent the ancestral motifs blended with modern appeal. Indeed, it is a beautiful mix of the past with the present… a paradise for those who are into fashion designing. This is an affluent fashion station of the East. The traditional ceremonial attire of each tribe is in itself, an awe inspiring sight to behold; the multicolored spears and daos(a long Knife in our own dialect) decorated with dyed goats hair, the headgear made of finely woven bamboo interlaced with orchid stems, adorned with boar’s teeth and hornbill’s feathers, elephant tusk armlets…You name it! In days of yore every warrior had to earn each of these items through acts of valor, to wear them. Nature could not have been kinder to Nagaland, sometimes referred to as the Switzerland of the East; the exquisitely picturesque landscapes, the vibrantly colorful sunrise and sunset, lush and verdant flora…This is a land that represents unimaginable beauty, molded perfectly for a breath taking experience.

1. It Honors what is honorable.
Unlike Mona Lisa Smile, where Julia Robert’s character was celebrated for questioning the moral and beautiful, character is everything in the world of Austen. Mr. Darcy is good because he cares for and protects his loved ones, is kind to his servants, and is honest. Mr. Wickham is bad because he lies, runs up debts, pursues rich girls for their money and poor ones just for fun. In a contemporary chick flick Mr. Darcy would be drab while charismatic Wickham would be the leading man. When was the last time a chick flick villainized a man for not paying his credit-card bill? What about for having sex outside of marriage?

2. Substantial Characters
In the modern chick flick, I usually have a hard time caring about the characters. The men and women usually have good looks in common, but why else should I care that they get together? Chick flick characters tend to be far more interchangeable than those in Pride and Prejudice. I was thrilled for both Lizzy and Darcy, but it was clear that Lizzy and Bingley (or Jane and Darcy) would have been a horrid match. Not so when Exhibit A of attractive blond woman could be equally happy with any attractive, sweet-talking male. And when the leading lady dumps Guy A for Guy B, I’m left wondering, “How was that a step up?”

3. Dialogue
The novels of Jane Austen are characterized by the masterful use of dialogue. On the other hand, modern chick flicks rely predominantly on visuals (kissing and beyond) to develop the romance (or “sexual tension”), along with some properly placed loved ballads. And when chick flick characters do talk, they don’t have much to say! Many people remember this line from Notting Hill, “I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.” Jerry Maguire made hearts melt when he said, “You…complete me.”

Compare that googly-eyed nonsense with Darcy’s first proposal, “In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” Or compare it with his second proposal, “You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged; but one word from you will silence me on this subject for ever.”

4. It’s hilarious!
So often, chick flicks have to rely on filthy jokes and physical comedy to garner laughs. Not so with Pride and Prejudice. Austen’s sarcastic wit produces many subtle comments with laugh-out-loud results! For example, Elizabeth’s reaction to Mr. Collins unwanted proposal, “‘Really, Mr. Collins,’ cried Elizabeth with some warmth, ‘you puzzle me exceedingly. If what I have hitherto said can appear to you in the form of encouragement, I know not how to express my refusal in such a way as may convince you of its being one.’”

I’m still not sure if “chick flick” is the best way to describe Pride and Prejudice (especially the Firth/Ehle version). But if more chick flicks would follow its lead, I would probably be at the movies more often.

Elizabeth G writes for A Biblical Home. If you would like to read more from her, visit abiblicalhome.blogspot.com abiblicalhome.blogspot.com

Political leaders look at the short run, because they are continually being tested to see what they can do for their voters. These leaders are not elected for life and usually serve for two years unless they are elected again. Once they are up for re-election they tell the voters this is what they have accomplished during their term. It’s unfortunate but these gambling establishments slowly deplete the economy. By the time all the negative affects are felt either the political leader is no longer in office, up for re-election with all new promises or another source of revenue is found. This political game continues until enough people put pressure on their leaders. Problem gambling is a silent addiction and very few people are willing to admit they have a compulsive gambling addiction, lost all their money to gambling, stole from their employer so they could gambling and or are embarrassed to let their love ones know they had a problem. Once again the political leader win and their voters and the local economy lose.

People are gambling excessively. A gambling establishment could not expand at the rate they are growing if people weren’t losing their money. These same people cut their spending at their local shopping centers, personal entertainment like movies and cut spending for everyday staples. I met one mother who stopped buying milk. She figured she could save twenty dollars a month and this would give her more resources to gamble. Now that she stopped she can’t believe that she could do such a thing to her family.

The gambling establishments created an empire. They opened gift shops, entertainment concert halls, gas stations and unique restaurant inside their entertainment complex. They give every patron a tracking card that earns them points only valid at their gambling complex while they gamble. They then use these points to eat, entertainment, hotel and or purchase gifts. This past holiday a significant number of people saved some of their points to buy family gifts. Once again the gambling establishments win and the local businesses and shopping centers lose.

Not everyone has a gambling addiction, but a good majority of people enjoy recreational gambling. It’s unfortunate but even a casual gambler gambles more then they expected. These casual gamblers people also will have to cut back their spending for a short time. They may not go out to their local diner because they cn eat for free at the gambling establishment. In all these situations, the local economy suffers. People who live with in fifty miles of a gambling establishment are more like to be negatively affected.

It’s time to find a solution to this growing epidemic. Political leaders need to step up to the plate and stop the abduction of the people. Recently their have been a significant number of commercials dealing with gambling addiction. Everybody applauded this first attempt to deal with gambling addictions. Unfortunately it appears the leaders are too late. An acre of land on fire can not be distinguished with a cup of water.

The only solution to stopping the problem gambling is to regulate the gambling establishments and or consider closing them down until a solution is found. No matter which direction the political leaders choose they need to pick up their pace.

Mr. Howard Keith has an extensive background in dealing with compulsive gamblers, relatives and friends of gamblers and teenage gamblers.
Mr. Keith believes there are many alternatives to aid in the recovery of a gambling addiction verses a twelve step program. A large percentage of his emails were from compulsive gamblers looking for an alternative to Gamblers Anonymous and twelve step programs. Gamblers Anonymous also helps a significant number of people each year but there is a large percentage that they are unable to reach.
For more information on gambling addiction and stop gambling you can check out

I Stopped Gambling So Can You

Repeat.

You CAN do everything. What you cannot do, however, is do everything at the same time, or create a day that’s longer than 24 hours.

The two most important aspects of time management are acceptance and choice. When you think of time in terms of acceptance and choice, you’re never “wrong”, “bad”, or “lazy”, you’ve just made certain choices. When you think in terms of discipline and willpower, however, your inner critic can really do a number on you. We already have low self-esteem as artists; let’s not add to the problem!!

An example of this from my own life is that I choose to live alone instead of with a roommate; that means I also choose higher rent and the need to bring in enough income to cover that rent. When sneaky thoughts of resentment or self-pity creep in to my head, I need to remember the choice that I made, and I need to accept this is how things are for now.

Here are some tips for using choice and acceptance to manage your time.

Decide what you want to have time for. What keeps getting pushed to the back burner or rushed through? How will you spend your time once you’ve made your songwriting dreams come true and you’ve become the artist you’re meant to be? Nourish this vision until it’s clear in your mind. It’s essential to know what you’re working towards. Remember, you won’t always be this busy unless you choose to be.

Choose not to be this busy – for one week, track your time using a time log. You can make one yourself; simply chart out (on paper or on the computer) your day in fifteen-minute intervals and then record what you do in each of those blocks of time. Completing a time log will illuminate how much time you’re spending on different things. Look carefully at the choices you’re making. What do you most want to do with the time you have available?

Accept your day job for what it is – a source of the financial support you need to eat and live – and write songs! Practice feeling grateful for the job you have, instead of feeling resentful about the time it’s taking away from your songwriting. For instance, what recording equipment, CD’s, manuscript paper, software programs or musical instruments have you bought from the money you earned in this job? Also, the job is giving you life experiences, and most likely lots of opportunities to interact with other people. Your passion is to communicate with people through your music – how can you take some of that passion and apply it to your day-to-day interactions? What kind of stories do your co-workers have to tell? What ideas do those stir up for you that you can use in your writing?

Look for a “day job” that’s meaningful and that’s taking you in the direction of your dreams. Do you need some ideas? Try meditating to access inner wisdom and spiritual guidance. If songwriting is your primary passion, what’s your second passion? What ELSE gets your juices flowing? There’s no need to be in a job that doesn’t make you feel alive, in order to support what does. Some artists that I know get lots of fulfillment from teaching children or adults about their craft. Others take jobs that involve public speaking, to give them more experience and confidence talking to groups. Some take jobs in music stores, where they can have lots of time to learn about the newest equipment, meet lots of fellow artists, and get a discount, to boot!

Schedule time with yourself for your songwriting, collaborating and rehearsing. Keep these dates with yourself and others as sacred appointments!

Be good to your body and don’t sacrifice sleep for productivity (if you keep doing that, you won’t be in much shape to produce anything!).

There are only a couple of things that we really NEED to do every day. Everything else is a choice.

This article was originally published on the Muses Muse Songwriter’s Resource website (November 2004) musesmuse.com.

(c) Copyright 2005, Genuine Coaching Services.

Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, helps artists enhance their creativity by addressing their unique self-care issues. To receive her free monthly newsletter, “Everyday Artist”, subscribe at genuinecoaching.com/artist-newsletter.html genuinecoaching.com/artist-newsletter.html