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  • admin 21:45 on 27/01/2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: tournament Event, tournament events   

    The 2007 World Series of Poker began its 38th year on June 1st. And with 55 tournament events, an increase of 9 over last years 46, not only will more gold and diamond bracelets be handed out to more champions, but the prize pool money payouts will be redistributed in all events. This will give more to the players that make it to the money levels verses what they received in 2006. But the overall numbers of players that will enter has its share of controversy due to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act UIGEA which was passed into law by President George Bush II in October 2006. When you factor in that PartyPoker is the sponsor of this years WSOP, and that the compliance date of the UIGEA is somewhere around the time of the Main Event in July, this

    should be the most exciting WSOP ever held. One thing that has been exciting is the addition of the new events to the lineup. Of those games, one will be Event 51 played on July 1 called SHOE. SHOE is another multi-game tournament which combines Stud, Holdem, Omaha and Stud 8 all played as limit games. The SHOE event will also maintain the four game spread structure through the final table. Other multi-game tournaments are Event 5 Omaha/Seven Card Stud Hi-Low-8 or Better, Event 16 and 26 which are HORSE events with lower buyins of $2500 and $5000 respectively. HORSE which combined Holdem both Limit and No-Limit, Omaha, Razz, Stud and Stud Eight or Better, was the biggest attention draw of the 2006 WSOP outside of the Main Event with WSOP champion David Chip Reese as its winner. Another first is that the bracelets given out to event champions will be the most elegant and expensive in the history of the WSOP. CORUM, now the official timepiece of the WSO P, has created fifty-three of the bracelets that are studded with 53 diamonds apiece. The Main Event winner will receive a bracelet featuring 136 grams of 18-carat white gold set with 120 diamonds. The winner of the $50,000 buy-in HORSE tournament Event 39 and the Ladies Championship tournament Event 17 will have bracelets sporting black diamonds in them. Also welcome is the new payout schedule revisions. This enables players who make the money, but not the final table to receive a larger slice of the prize pool than in 2006. For example, according to Harrahs the

    2006 Main Event would have paid $22,266 for 873rd through 775th places, up from the range of $14,605 to $15,512. And the Main Event winner would have been paid $10,028,715, down from $12 million, with the runner up receiving $5,442,769, compared with $6,105,900. Plus there are charity tournaments such as Ante Up For Africa organized by Annie Duke and actor/player Don Cheadle to raise awareness for Darfur survivors. One of the more interesting points of this years WSOP is having PartyPoker.net as the official sponsor of the tournament series. Harrahs has been dead serious about not having any connection to online poker or online gambling and has gone so far as to not let any online poker rooms register their WSOP Main Event satellite winners into any of their tournaments including the Main Event. Online poker rooms have gone to placing the registration fees into the players account and letting the player make the decision to register if they so choose. Par tyPoker.net has no online wagering on it, so being a purely fun only poker room Harrahs has allowed it. Others still see it as brand name advertising for PartyGaming, owners of PartyPoker.com. Also the ambition of having two tournament events a day has not been without its side effects. For instance, the number of signups for Event #3 No-Limit Holdem reached 2,998 players which broke all records for all WSOP tournaments outside of the Main Event. But players, even those who pre-registered and stood in line at 6:00 a.m., had to wait for hours before being seated.

    Add final tables taking place, two to three bracelet events being played, satellite tournaments, late starts and cash games all happening at the same time and you have lots of chaos and unhappy players. One issue that Harrahs quickly solved were the new card decks brought into use. Players immediately complained and they were phased out of use by the second day of the WSOP, and there was a town hall meeting with the WSOP, the United States Playing Card Company and the players concerning ideas on future card development ideas. Another concern is the Pavilion room which is a tent behind the RIO set up for tournament overflow. It has been deemed so unstable in high winds that many players and dealers said they were terrified to be in the structure for tournament play. Well with the largest poker tournament in the world, there are bound to be some problems and Harrahs is highly committed not to let any issue keep the WSOP tournaments from taking place. So loo k forward to more records being set, more big money won and more excitement from the RIO in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    Copyright c 2007-2010 Tom Howze

    Tom Howze is a webmaster of an Internet site that relates to the http://www.justgambleforfree.com/world-series-of-poker.htm 2007 World Series of Poker events, updates and results news and http://www.justgambleforfree.com/Events1thru5.htm 2007 WSOP Reports on the tournament events themselves. Read More Articles From Tom Howze: http://thephantomwriters.com/recent/author/tom-howze.html

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  • admin 16:10 on 24/01/2012 Permalink | Reply  

    Emerging in roughly the 5th Century CE, the Celtic cross is an enduring symbol marking both cultural identity and religious faith. Adopted by Protestants and Catholics alike as a symbol of Christ-consciousness, the Celtic cross also has broad significance as a marker of cultural identity and heritage. Though legends abound concerning its origins, no factual historical record is available to place the Celtic cross in a specific time, location, or as originating from a particular craftsman. The obscure origins of the Celtic cross match the universality of the symbol. Like other symbols that express something essential and cosmic about our human experience, it emerged mysteriously. What is known is that the Celtic cross has been

    the dominant religious and cultural symbol in the islands around Britain for centuries, capturing something unique to Celtic-influenced Christianity and culture. There are two immediate distinctions in which the Celtic cross differs from the Latin cross. The first is the inclusion of knot work motifs. Knots are composed of geometric shapes which have deep symbolic significance. Flowing, elegant knot work is suggestive of plants and rivers. In the broadest sense, the knots themselves represent how all actions are interconnected in a great web of life. Archeologists and art historians have long puzzled over the meaning of Celtic knot work, attempting to find a translation system so that various designs could be understood as having explicit meaning. The consensus among many academics now is that, if the designs ever did stand for something, that meaning has been lost. The second distinction is the inclusion of the circle, centered on the intersection of the vertical and horizontal arms of the Latin Cross. Indeed, one of the most ancient and universal symbols in the history of the human race is a cross of equal arms inscribed in a circle. This figure, called a Solar Cross or Wheel Cross, is found in Paleolithic rock art around the world, and is clearly prehistoric. The Solar Cross is a symbol for the Sun, time and movement. The solstices and equinoxes mark the four parts of the solar year and the four directions. Inevitably, when Romans brought the Christian

    symbol of the Latin Cross to the British Isles, the Celtic symbol for the Sun and the knot work motifs were fused with the new religion. The circle itself is one of the most visible blueprints in the universe, representing, among many thing, equality, boundaries and relationship to the whole. This fusion can be viewed as a redemption of pagan sun worship through the agency of Christianity, or an amplification of Christianity through the incorporation of pre-Christian symbols and beliefs. The Latin Cross itself, with its vertical arm longer by roughly 1/3 than its horizontal arm, has both explicit and symbolic meaning. Explicitly, of course, the Latin Cross is a reminder of the crucifixion of Jesus, the sacrifice which for Christians marks the turning point of history. It also commemorates the event of the resurrection, the promise of eternal life made possible by the crucifixion. More esoterically, the Latin Cross symbolizes the whole of Jesus life, f rom incarnation to resurrection, as the union of the divine fused with vulnerable humanity. This is seen in the intersection of the vertical aspect, that which connects heaven and earth, and the horizontal aspect, the linearity of times passage and the physical plane. Symbols with a strong vertical element suggest states of changeless being, and symbols with a horizontal aspect suggest the unfolding of time and the necessities of space. The cross unifies the two fundamental states of being and becoming,

    although their intersection at right angles suggests ongoing tensions. The stress on the vertical direction perhaps displays the Christian emphasis on the ascent to heaven, in a direction away from earth and the profane. Yet the adoption of the Latin Cross as a symbol for Christianity also roughly corresponds to the ideal of human intelligence as the pinnacle of creation. The Celtic cross places the ancient sun-symbol and intricate knot work elegantly around this point of intersection, as if to bring wholeness and a sense of resolution to the starkness of the Latin Cross. The divinity of the cosmos is included by this simple circle, and the idea of a unification of opposites in balance is conveyed. Sometimes seen as a halo, sometimes as the timelessness of eternal life, sometimes as an exaltation of ancient pagan symbolism, this circle and knot work adds mystery and beauty to a universal, numinous symbol.

    Copyright c 2007-2010 Marc Choyt

    Marc Choyt is President of Reflective Images, an award winning jewelry company, http://www.celticjewelry.com that sells wedding rings sourced by artisan designers online at http://www.artisanweddingrings.com. His company produces fair, eco-sourced, fairly trade jewelry. Marc also authors http://www.fairjewelry.org supporting green, fair trade, socially responsible jewelry practices. Read More Articles From Marc Choyt: http://thephantomwriters.com/recent/author/marc-choyt.html

     

  • admin 04:07 on 24/01/2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: basketball fans, Bill Cosby, Harlem Globetrotter Sweet Georgia Brown, Harlem Globetrotters, Magic Johnson, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, President Barack Obama, Ryan Hogan, San Antonio Spurs, sports tickets, Sweet Georgia Brown, The Harlem Globetrotters, Whoopi Goldberg   

    The Harlem Globetrotters are coming to a city near you in 2010. While the goodwill ambassadors of basketball play year around, their North American touring schedule generally last from late December through late April-early May. This year fans can catch the team in dozens of cities, for example the Globetrotters will visit Auburn Hills, the Harlem Globetrotters will play a game in Dallas, and the Globetrotters will sell tickets for a game in Indianapolis. The Globetrotters are perhaps the most fascinating team in all of professional

    sports. They originated in 1926 which is incidentally the last time the New Jersey Nets won game. Since then theyve played in over 25,000 games, for millions of basketball fans, in over a hundred countries. In all those games theyve accumulated just 345 losses. The New York Knicks lose that many games in one season. Yet despite their claim that their games are real does anyone believe the Washington Generals are playing to win? Nonetheless, throughout their illustrious history the Trotters have played, and defeated, real basketball teams. The team has its own theme song. Not even the San Antonio Spurs can say that–then again nothing rhymes with Ginbili. Every time you hear Sweet Georgia Brown you think of the Harlem Globetrotters. In fact, every time you see the Harlem Globetrotter Sweet Georgia Brown starts playing in your head. They are universally loved. What sane person dislikes the Globetrotters? They are like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, or Cha rles Barkley. Theyve made Pope John Paul II an honorary member as well as political figures like Henry Kissinger, Jesse

    Jackson, and Whoopi Goldberg. Basketballs First Fan, President Barack Obama, sang their praises in a documentary about the team. Former Los Angeles Lakers star Magic Johnson and Philadelphias own Bill Cosby have signed lifetime contacts with the traveling Trotters. Johnson is paid $1 a year while Cosby is paid $1.05. Even though their heyday was in the 1970s, with the likes of Meadowlark Lemon, Curly Neal, and Sweet Lou Dunbar, and their numerous appearances on ABCs Wide World of Sports, basketball fans of today are still very familiar with the team. Granted, you could spend all afternoon on a busy street corner in Houston, Texas and not find ten people whove actually seen them play. Thats because everyone knows what to expect at a Harlem Globetrotters game. Its like going to the circus. Everyone knows that under the big top youll see trapeze artists, high wire acts, clowns, and seizures. With the Globetrotters you know youll see the famous weave at the top of the circle, dunks over the pudgy referee, the bucket full of confetti when everyone thinks its full of water,

    the ball under the shirt gag, fancy dribbling, Globetrotters football, and of course the playful taking of the womans purse. Its the same game, the same show, whether youre seeing the Harlem Globetrotters in Miami or you have tickets for the Globetrotters in Seattle. Despite all the repetition and clichcs, they are still beloved and fun to watch. And thats why the Globetrotters are sports most fascinating team. Copyright 2009 ClickitTicket.com

    Copyright c 2009-2010 Ryan Hogan

    Ryan Hogan is a sports writer for ClickitTicket, a sports tickets http://www.clickitticket.com/sports.htm such as Harlem Globetrotters tickets http://www.clickitticket.com/sports/basketball/other/theharlemglobetrotters/default.asp ClickitTicket also offers has a cool entertainment blog http://www.clickitticket.com/blog/ that has numerous writers who contribute original sports, theater and concert articles on a regular basis. http://www.clickitticket.com/ Read More Articles From Ryan Hogan: http://thephantomwriters.com/recent/author/ryan-hogan.html

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  • admin 16:04 on 23/01/2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , American men, colorectal cancer, , , , ,   

    The mysteries of cancer have eluded us for years. However, we are beginning to learn many pieces of valuable information about how to prevent many different kinds of cancer. And, of course, once we learn more about how to prevent the disease, we can better understand how to treat it, as well. Research is ongoing, and scientists are learning much about this disease, though there still is much to learn. One form of cancer that plagues many men is prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men, other than skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 234,460 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in 2006. About 27,350 men will die of this disease. Prostate cancer

    is the third leading cause of cancer death in men, after lung cancer and colorectal cancer. While 1 man in 6 will get prostate cancer during his lifetime, only 1 man in 34 will die of this disease. Earlier detection and better treatments are making the death rate for this disease go down. Yet, there is still much work to do to learn the causes of prostate cancer and to develop more reliable treatments. If we can further our research and learn the causes of more types of cancer, including prostate cancer, then we will be well on our way to preventing more incidences of this disease. There have been some promising findings, and it appears that one thing that we can do to prevent prostate cancer is to include green tea in our diet. Weve learned through research that green tea has the ability to prevent many forms of cancer, prostate cancer among them. Studies of Asian culture, where green tea consumption is high and cancer incidences are much lower have le d to the understanding of how green tea can help in this area. One study of particular interest was reported by the UK Tea Council. This study showed that green tea consumption appears to have the ability to act as a sort of scavenger against a substance called Reactive Oxygen Species ROS.* ROS are a form of free radicals that cause cell damage. This particular form of free radical appears to be one that especially contributes to the development of prostate cancer, when it is produced in excess. But, the anti-oxidants contained in green tea

    have the particular abilities to get at these free radicals and eradicate them, preventing them from developing into cancer cells. So, it appears that prostate cancer is just one of the many that green tea may have the power to prevent. And, the power appears to be in the anti-oxidants that are found in green tea. Anti- oxidants are important because they combat free radicals, like ROS, in our bodies. These free radicals are created as a by product of converting the food we eat to energy. When free radicals are not kept in check, they damage our cells and DNA. This leads to faster aging and a higher risk of many diseases, including cancer. For this reason, a diet high in anti-oxidants is now believed to be one of the best ways to prevent disease and premature aging. And, green tea, along with certain fruits and vegetables provide some of the most potent sources of these important substances. If youre not already doing so, add pomegranates, blueberr ies, artichokes, tomatoes and asparagus to your diet. These fruits and vegetables have been found to have the most potent anti-oxidants. And, wash it all down with green tea. One great reason that green tea is such a good way to prevent disease and protect health is that it has no side effects, so everyone can use it. Even those who are sensitive to caffeine can usually tolerate green tea quite well. Green tea is far lower in caffeine than coffee or black tea. In addition, the caffeine in green tea doesnt appear to cause a fast heart rate and jitters

    the way that many other caffeine containing beverages do. The news about prostate cancer and green tea is important to deliver, particularly to American men. On average, the American man is far more likely to drink coffee than tea. And, when American men do drink tea, they are much more likely to drink black tea. So, we should spread the word to all the men in our lives that green tea is a powerful health protector. So, make green tea part of your healthy lifestyle, particularly if you happen to be a man. Green tea is refreshing and delicious. And, green tea may be a simple and important way to prevent disease and ensure that we live long and healthy lives. So, whether your pleasure is hot or iced, have your cup of green tea today and every day!

    Copyright c 2007-2010 Marcus Stout

    Marcus Stout is the President of the Golden Moon Tea Company. Golden Moon Tea carefully selects the finest rare and orthodox teas, which are processed slowly and handcrafted with extreme care. At their website, you can learn more about their current tea offerings, including their exceptional green tea http://www.goldenmoontea.com/greentea, white tea, black tea http://www.goldenmoontea.com/blacktea, oolong tea also known as wu-long and wu long tea and chai. Visit http://www.goldenmoontea.com for all details concerning the Golden Moon Tea Companys fine line of teas. Read More Articles From Marcus Stout: http://thephantomwriters.com/recent/author/marcus-stout.html

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  • admin 11:29 on 19/01/2012 Permalink | Reply
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    Homeowners Insurance is supposed to protect us in case of disasters. That is what we have come to expect from our homeowners insurance over the years. But what if the disaster is the costliest in U.S. History? What if your insurance agents home and office were destroyed in the disaster also? That is what happened to many customers and homeowners insurance agents and companies after Katrina hit the Gulf coast.

    Many agents homes, offices and insurance Companies claims centers were in the same situation as their clients due to the storms. So what did they do? They set up office in tents and mobile trailers. Then Hurricane Rita blew away these temporary offices and the agents and companies set them up again. These temporary shelters acted as a communications center for all people in the surrounding areas. Local people would come by to ask questions, meet with their claims adjustors and just catch up on the news with their neighbors. Extreme circumstances dictated unconventional responses: some agents even filed claims for their clients without even talking to the clients just so they could get the claim in the queue. Allstate allowed customers to submit claims through any agent in the country and set up a priority line to

    assist. They sent email to agents in the areas surrounding the disaster areas to act as messengers by word of mouth to their fellow agents in the effected areas. The larger companies such as State Farm and Allstate that service claims for the national flood Insurance Program even used satellite imagery to determine damage in some neighborhoods that were entirely flooded. Lessons Learned: Those of us not effected by these disasters can learn a few lessons about coping with future disasters from the thousands of policyholders that are still waiting to get their claims paid. As soon as possible, take steps to prevent further damage to your home if possible: such as covering the roof with a tarp if possible. You can hire a contractor if you can find one, as that would be safer for most of us than climbing on our roofs. Hold

    off making any repairs until you see or talk to an adjuster first. Plus, keep your receipts, as youll need them to prove expenses that can be re-imbursed later.

    Copyright c 2006-2010 Brandon Miller

    Brandon Miller is owner and president of Free Home Insurance Quotes.Com. His company provides consumers with the opportunity to save 30-40% on their home insurance costs. Webmasters also love his articles. His articles provides valuable content for newsletters and websites. All FreeHomeInsuranceQuotes requires, for the use of the articles, is a link back to their website: http://www.freehomeinsurancequotes.com Read More Articles From Brandon Miller: http://www.freehomeinsurancequotes.com/hotnewarticles.html http://thephantomwriters.com/recent/author/brandon-miller.html

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  • admin 23:26 on 18/01/2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , tea catechins, weight loss   

    High cholesterol is one of the leading precursors to heart disease. And, research has shown that our diet and lifestyle, combined with our genetics determines whether we have healthy or unhealthy cholesterol levels. To keep your cholesterol levels in check and prevent heart disease, there are several measures you can take. The first is diet. Cholesterol in food comes from animal products. Meat, eggs and dairy products are all culprits. Reduce the amount of red meat you consume, replacing it with fish or chicken. Use low fat dairy products and reduce the number of egg yolks you eat, or use egg substitutes. Increase the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet and eat whole grains rather than refined products like white flour. The second is exercise. Be certain

    to get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. This will help you shed pounds if you need to, and will also help lower your serum cholesterol. Walking is a very good way to help get your daily dose of exercise. In addition to making lifestyle and diet changes, many people take supplements to help control their weight and cholesterol levels. There are many supplements available, but one of the best is something you likely have in your cupboard right now. Its tea particularly green tea. Asian cultures have consumed green tea in large quantities for centuries. And, throughout history they have had fewer problems with obesity and lower incidences of heart disease and many forms of cancer. Scientists are beginning to find a link between this high green tea consumption and better health. Much research has been performed on the ability of green tea to slow down the aging process and prevent illness. The magic potion in tea seems to be its anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants, which are also found in fruits and vegetables, wine, cocoa and coffee, fight our bodies free radicals. Free radicals are created as a by product of our digestive process. Free radicals, left unchecked, damage our cells and DNA, leading to aging and disease. But, anti-oxidants combat anti-oxidants before they can hurt our bodies. This is why its so important to have anti-oxidants as part of your every day diet. All tea contains anti-oxidants, but green tea retains more of its anti-oxidants in their original, natural state because it goes through less processing

    than other types of tea. In particular, green teas anti-oxidants have been shown to be effective at reducing cholesterol levels and helping with weight loss. Tea prevents the oxidation of LDL cholesterol into plaque, the hard substance that clogs our arteries, making us more susceptible to heart attacks and strokes. Studies have suggested that even if your LDL cholesterol level is high, drinking tea may prevent it from causing a problem. Tea is also thought to have an anti-inflammatory effect, which helps the heart in its overall function. In addition, green tea seems to have the ability to help patients lose weight. For overweight patients, losing weight usually means an automatic reduction in cholesterol levels. So, tea has a two fold effect for overweight patients with high cholesterol! In terms of weight loss, it appears that the combination of the anti-oxidants in green tea and the caffeine speeds up the metabolism and promotes the oxidat ion of fat. Both of these attributes contribute to weight loss. In recent years, there have been several studies on green teas ability to speed weight loss. One of the most interesting studies was conducted by Osaka University in Japan. This study evaluated 98 men and 97 women, between the ages of 22 and 65. All subjects were healthy, though some were moderately overweight. The participants were divided into 3 groups. The first group received a placebo drink, the second group a green tea drink with a low dose of tea catechins anti-oxidants and the third group a green tea drink with a high

    dose of tea catechins. The study was conducted over a 12 week period, during which time participants consumed their study beverage three times a day at meals. At the end of the twelve week period, participants who received the green tea beverages had lost weight and reduced their body fat and BMI, unlike the group who consumed the placebo drink. The group with the higher dosage of tea catechins reported more success than the low dose group. This study concludes the way countless others have in recent years: with the suggestion, at least, that drinking green tea can help you lose weight. And, losing weight can help you lower your cholesterol. In addition, other studies have shown that green tea may help lower cholesterol levels even in subjects who did not lose weight. So, drinking green tea may provide double the results for those patients seeking to lose weight and lower cholesterol levels. Adding green tea to your diet, along with making dietary changes and getting the recommended amount of exercise each week may be all you need to get your cholesterol and your weight under control. * http://jhs.pharm.or.jp/512/51_161.pdf

    Copyright c 2007-2010 Marcus Stout

    Marcus Stout is President of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, http://www.goldenmoontea.com/greentea green tea http://www.goldenmoontea.com/blacktea and black tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com Read More Articles From Marcus Stout: http://thephantomwriters.com/recent/author/marcus-stout.html

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  • admin 09:17 on 18/01/2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Carol Chanel   

    What Makes Someone Notice You? Last night I was watching my husband of 15 years rehearse a song he had written to perform singing and playing his guitar as a surprise for the retiring president of his company. He had never done anything like this before. As I watched him I thought, WOW, hes one se*y guy. I started thinking, what makes someone attractive to the opposite sex? Obviously there isnt just one answer, and I think one of the most attractive things is when someone is enjoying expressing their talents and gifts. Think about it when you see someone singing, dancing, acting, laughing or talking about something

    they are passionate about, what do you notice? There is an energy of aliveness that comes from the person. A truth if you will. A force that is magnetic. Heres what my husband said about his performance: …just doing a little something like writing a song, or doing a performance, anything that draws the passion out, creates a rush of aliveness, you feel a physical change among other things, you find your wings. Cant you just feel the joy in his words? An exuberance for life! In contrast, you can tell when someone is shut down – they loose that aliveness and arent very attractive. Weve all felt unattractive and shut down. We literally shut down our creative juices. We disconnect from our flow of love, joy, creativity, passion. BEING MORE ALIVE So where do you want to feel more aliveness? What part of your life has been shut down that you want to let loose? I asked one of my clients this question and sh e said she wanted to have more dinner parties at her home. She loves entertaining and really feels alive when shes putting on a party. Another client is going to start art classes, and another one is planning a huge vacation she put off for too many years. I just did that took a long overdue vacation. It was the

    best thing in the world for my body, my marriage and my soul. What is it for you? Come on, whats the thing youve wanted to do and talked yourself out of? You actually know it. Do you sing in the shower or in the car? Do you talk passionately about a subject when no one is really listening? Do you write poetry and never share it? Do you love hiking or biking but never make the time for it? Have you been putting off working in your garden even though you love doing it? Do you want to express your love and thought it might not be reciprocated? Do it anyway. Youll benefit. FIND YOUR WINGS Make a commitment to yourself this year to play and do something that has you come alive. Not only will you be more attractive to others, more importantly, youll love how you feel about yourself. That rush of energy that floods your body, heart and spirit; that feeling that you are doing something that is difficult yet is so e xhilarating. FORGET PERFECTION Heres a little piece of advice. Dont worry about doing it perfectly. This isnt about being perfect. Its about the joy of expression. Your ego will tell you it has to be perfect. Tell your ego to go take a nap. Or to be quiet. And if you make a mess of a painting start

    over. If you write a poem that doesnt make any sense write another one. If you step on your partners toes learning a new dance step apologize and dance in lighter shoes. Most important when you make a mistake CELEBRATE. Yes, celebrate your failure. Everyone wins when you celebrate your mistakes and failures. Youll relax and when others see you relax they might try something theyve been afraid of doing. They will give themselves permission to celebrate their failures. These things are attractive: celebrating, trying, doing, playing, creating, laughing, and loving. Make yourself happy by expressing your gifts and talents. Attract more good people into your life by doing what makes you come alive. Imagine the possibilities…. c Carol Chanel, 2004-2006

    Copyright c 2004-2010 Carol Chanel

    Carol Chanel is a Certified Personal Life Coach who works with people by phone, from all over the world, to help them get UNSTUCK, have more self-confidence, feel inspired and attract romantic, healthy relationships. You can contact her at: http://www.carolchanel.com carol@carolchanel.com 310-998-8860 Read More Articles From Carol Chanel: http://thephantomwriters.com/recent/author/carol-chanel.html

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  • admin 21:16 on 17/01/2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Imperial Formosa, Imperial Formosa oolong, Imperial Formosa oolong tea, ,   

    Most people associate oolong tea with China. And, its true that China is where oolong tea originated and that most of the oolong tea produced in the world today is produced in China. However, oolong teas from Taiwan, known as Formosa oolong teas are delicious too, and should certainly be part of your regular collection of teas. Taiwan, in fact, is the second largest producer of oolong teas in the world, and produces some of the finest. In particular, Imperial Formosa oolong tea is a delightful treat. Imperial Formosa oolong tea is a full flavored tea that still manages to remain light. Imperial Formosa oolong tea is a wonderful blend of flavors and aromas. It has a more complex flavor than many other teas, with a wonderful floral

    aroma and a melding of flavors like peach, cedar and chestnut. The finish is slightly sweet and the flavor is always mild. Drinking Imperial Formosa oolong tea is a unique experience because each taste of this delicious tea will take you deeper into its combination of tastes and scents. Imperial Formosa oolong tea is rare in comparison to other teas. Finding it may be a bit difficult and it may be a bit more expensive than other teas youve tried. Oolong teas are more labor intensive to produce, which typically makes them more expensive. And, Formosa oolong teas are even more expensive than Chinese oolong teas because the costs of labor are higher in Taiwan. However, like fine wine, rare teas can be appreciated on many different taste and aroma levels and are worth the extra expense. The best tea merchants, both online and in your local area should have access to Imperial Formosa oolong tea. Once youve purchased some youre certain to be anxious to give it a try. Formosa teas are brewed a bit differently than other teas. First, run hot tap water into your teapot and tea cups to warm them. A traditional Yixing clay teapot is recommended for brewing oolong teas. Then, put fresh cold spring water into your tea kettle and bring it to a boil. Spring water is preferable to tap water for brewing oolong teas because the high mineral content enhances the teas flavor. Once the water comes to a boil, remove it from the heat and allow the water to cool to about

    180F. Remove the hot tap water from your teapot and cups and add the loose tea leaves to your pot. Use about one rounded teaspoon for each cup of tea. Next, youll want to awaken the tea leaves. This is done by pouring some hot water over the oolong leaves to rinse them, pouring this water off quickly. Now you can add more water and allow the tea to steep for about one minute. Be careful not to over brew oolong teas, else they become bitter. Imperial Formosa oolong tea leaves can be infused several times before the leaves need to be discarded. Because of this, the tea is not nearly as expensive as it may seem at first. Each infusion of the tea will cause a different aspect of the subtle flavors to be prominent, allowing you to detect more of the teas complexities with each cup. It is not recommended that you add milk, sugar or lemon to oolong tea, but that you taste it for its own delicious flavor. Imperial Formosa oolong is a great tea to enjoy on its own or with food. Imperial Formosa oolong is a great choice to serve with typical lunch fare, such as sandwiches, soups and salads. It is a wonderful complement to spicy foods at any occasion. Oolong teas are also delicious served with seafood dishes, particularly those that are very rich, like lobster and scallops. It also goes well with chicken dishes, especially those with cream sauces. And, it is the perfect complement to any duck dish. In many cultures, cooks take great care to serve

    a complementary tea with the meals they prepare, much the same way that wine is chosen to complement the meal. Finally, Imperial Formosa oolong is a wonderful tea to serve with dessert, especially light desserts. Consider it with desserts such as key lime pie, and banana pudding as well as with light cakes like angel food and pound cake. Once youve discovered the many nuances of oolong tea, youll likely want to try it iced, as well. Iced oolong tea can be very refreshing, while remaining full of flavor and fruit. When making Imperial Formosa oolong tea for iced tea, allow the tea to cool before adding ice. Adding ice while the tea is still warm will likely dilute the tea too much. Imperial Formosa oolongs mild flavor can be compromised if over diluted. Many people have not yet tasted Imperial Formosa Oolong tea, but nearly all who have tasted it have found it to be one of the most interesting teas theyve ever sampled. With its complex blend of fla vors and light texture, its a tea that will please your palate in many different ways and always leave you wanting more.

    Copyright c 2007-2010 Marcus Stout

    Marcus Stout is President of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, http://www.goldenmoontea.com/greentea green tea http://www.goldenmoontea.com/blacktea and black tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com Read More Articles From Marcus Stout: http://thephantomwriters.com/recent/author/marcus-stout.html

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  • admin 09:15 on 17/01/2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: clinical research, Clinical Research Consulting, clinical research industry, clinical research professionals, Copyright c 2009-2010 Lisa Mazurka, education and training, education requirements, education services, Lisa Mazurka, public comment   

    Copyright c 2009-2010 Lisa Mazurka Training and education within the clinical research industry continues to be an important topic amongst clinical research professionals and regulators. While many industries have standard requirements for training and education within their profession, the clinical research industry does not mandate any requirements or standard baseline training curriculum. Because of this, training for new professionals across our industry varies and for some it may not even exist. This issue has been a hot topic in our industry as issues of research noncompliance continue to be associated with lack of education and training. Last year, in July 2008, the Department

    of Health and Human Services OHRP asked the clinical research industry to provide public comment on whether the agency should develop regulations which would mandate education and training requirements for clinical research professionals or whether additional guidance on the topic should be provided 73 Fed. Reg. 37460. OHRP requested industry comment on such topics as: whether institutions/organizations require education and training, if there is no education and training requirements within institutions/organizations, what are the reasons for non-implementation, if an institution/organization does not have an education/training requirement, does this contribute to noncompliance? In addition, the agency requested comment on a variety of other issues relating to training and education such as: the need for regulation on training and education, what industry professionals should be required to complete training and education requirements and how often should t raining materials be updated? Public comments were collected through September 29, 2008. Unfortunately, the request for industry comment did not provide as much feedback and response as OHRP had hoped with only approximately one hundred comments received by the September deadline. In addition, the comments provided seemed dived and vague, giving no clear response to the topic. Thompsons Guide to Good Clinical

    Practice recently covered the OHRP request for public comment on training and education in the September, 2009 issue. As quoted by Elyse Summers, Acting Director of OHRPs Division of Education and Development when interviewed regarding the responses, she stated: Taken as a whole, there was not a definitive picture presented by the commentators as to what specific role regulations and/or guidance and/or OHRP should play in achieving the goal of educating people involved in activities relating to human subjects research and protection.1 Many clinical research professionals, especially those who provide training and education services, wonder how these comments will be incorporated into the clinical research industry atmosphere and infrastructures. I think it is unfortunate that the comments were split and there was no definitive sway in either direction, states Lisa Mazurka, President of Clinical Research Consulting, Inc. Our organization is a CRO which offers clinical research education and training programs and we see a dire need for a stronger foundation for education and training in the industry. Not only do we support a change in industry support for a suggested curriculum of mandated training and education for industry professionals but we would also like to see additional funding for such programs through grants and/or other federal funds. Far too often, individuals

    do not benefit from baseline training and education upon coming into this industry because their organization does not have such an internal funded program and/or they do not have the funding to outsource training and education services to an outside organization. Comments received by OHRP on this topic are public and can be requested through the Division of Education and Development. No decisions or course of action have been made to date from the comments received by the OHRP since the deadline in September, 2008. References 1. Thompson Guide to Good Clinical Practice. September, 2009; Volume 16, No. 2

    Clinical Research Professionals?

    Lisa Mazurka is Founder and President of Clinical Research Consulting, Inc. http://www.eclinicalresearchconsulting.com/ a full service clinical monitoring, project management, training, and educational service organization committed to raising standards within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Lisa is an avid clinical educator and has delivered hundreds of educational programs for hospitals, academia and biotech start-ups to leading pharmaceutical companies. She has also taught for the Boston University School of Medicine and The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council. Read More Articles From Lisa Mazurka: http://thephantomwriters.com/recent/author/lisa-mazurka.html

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  • admin 21:14 on 16/01/2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , successful entrepreneur, successful entrepreneurs   

    Although there are many opportunities for tea rooms as successful businesses, success requires planning. But before the planning process starts the budding entrepreneur needs to evaluate their personal psychological, emotional and financial preparation for the task ahead. Start Up Are You Ready? Starting and running a business is not easy. If it were, because of the rewards, many would do it. And it takes more than a dream and planning skills. The individual entrepreneur must have the psychological profile to undertake the effort and make it a success. There are many elements in the profile and below are a list of questions that must be considered

    before the entrepreneur devote time, resources and money to a new venture. What are the similarities of successful entrepreneurs? * persistence * desire for immediate feedback * inquisitiveness * strong drive to achieve * high energy level * goal oriented behavior * independent * demanding * self-confident * calculated risk taker * creative * innovative * vision * commitment * problem solving skills * tolerance for ambiguity * strong integrity * highly reliable * personal initiative * ability to consolidate resources * strong management and organizational skills * competitive * change agent * tolerance for failure * desire to work hard * luck Entrepreneurs are made, not born and these skills can be acquired over time. The financial and social benefits to the successful entrepreneur are many but perhaps the greatest benefit is the psychic rewards of being your own boss and accomplish ing the goals of the business. Are you ready? Is Entrepreneurship For You? In business, there are no guarantees. There is simply no way to eliminate all the risks associated with starting a small business – but you can improve your chances of success with good planning, preparation, and insight. Start by evaluating your strengths and weaknesses

    as a potential owner and manager of a small business. Carefully consider each of the following questions. Are you a self-starter? It will be entirely up to you to develop projects, organize your time, and follow through on details. How well do you get along with different personalities? Business owners need to develop working relationships with a variety of people including customers, vendors, staff, bankers, and professionals such as lawyers, accountants or consultants. Can you deal with a demanding client, an unreliable vendor, or a cranky receptionist if your business interests demand it? How good are you at making decisions? Small business owners are required to make decisions constantly – often quickly, independently, and under pressure. Do you have the physical and emotional stamina to run a business? Business ownership can be exciting, but its also a lot of work. Can you face six or seven 12-hour work days every week? How well do yo u plan and organize? Research indicates that poor planning is responsible for most business failures. Good organization of financials, inventory, schedules, and production can help you avoid many pitfalls. Is your drive strong enough? Running a business can wear you down emotionally. Some business owners burn out quickly from having to carry all the

    responsibility for the success of their business on their own shoulders. Strong motivation will help you survive slowdowns and periods of burnout. How will the business affect your family? The first few years of business startup can be hard on family life. Its important for family members to know what to expect and for you to be able to trust that they will support you during this time. There also may be financial difficulties until the business becomes profitable, which could take months or years. You may have to adjust to a lower standard of living or put family assets at risk in the short-term. Not everyone can or should be an entrepreneur and it is hard to imagine a society with total entrepreneurship all of the time. Nevertheless, those who elect to start a business can reap many psychological and financial benefits. Proper planning is the best way to improve your chances of success.

    Copyright c 2007-2010 Marcus Stout

    Marcus Stout is President of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, http://www.goldenmoontea.com/greentea green tea http://www.goldenmoontea.com/blacktea and black tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com Read More Articles From Marcus Stout: http://thephantomwriters.com/recent/author/marcus-stout.html

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