Michael Jackson's Latest Album Has Flopped

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One month after being cleared of sex assault charges, Michael Jackson's latest album, The Essential Michael Jackson, has flopped. In the first week of its release only 8000 copies were sold. At this pace it will take nearly one hundred years to equal his most popular album, Thriller, which has sold 40 million copies. Jackson may have been cleared of all charges, but his fans aren't buying his product. Is this a portent of things to come? Let's look at some of the reasons why Michael Jackson may be long "past peak" when it comes to entertaining in the US.

The Michael Jackson Trial got the attention of Americans in the first half of 2005 as the drama was played out nightly on cable news shows. Indeed, it seemed as if CNN and Fox News were battling to be the first one to bring the latest and greatest information to viewers. Finally, in June, the verdict was in: not guilty. The Jackson legal team breathed a sigh of relief and pundits predicted that Jackson would recover over the next year.

So, why has The Essential Michael Jackson flopped? Certainly it isn't because of the quality of the songs which include Jackson 5 favorites: "Rockin' Robin", "Ben", and "ABC" as well as "The Girl is Mine" recorded with Paul McCartney and and "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" with Seidah Garrett. True, it does not contain new material, but the song list should be popular enough to grab the attention of Jackson devotees. It hasn't. More than likely there are other reasons why it is a slow seller including:

1. The Trial. Jackson may have been cleared of all charges, but this is the second time he has been raked through the coals over alleged behavior. Whether you believe him to be guilty or not, all the publicity did nothing but hurt Jackson. Additionally, the trial just got over...why didn't record producers wait six months or more to release this album? Oh yeah, someone has to pay his legal bills!

2. Changing Tastes. American music tastes change quickly. What was acceptable a few years ago is not necessarily acceptable today. In Europe, Jackson's music is still widely accepted. Hmmm... me thinks that Germany or France may put up with him.

3. The Weird Factor. Okay, I have to mention it. Jackson just looks weird. Compared to when he was a kid and also a young adult, Jackson looks nothing like he used to look. Is he white? Is he black? Is he male? Is he female? These are some of the questions asked by fans and followers. Weirdness sells...to a point. Track the career of Boy George for comparison purposes.

Personally, I think Jackson was guilty of at least some of the charges and I believe that many fans think the same way. You can be a very good singer, but after awhile fans will tire of all the negative attention and go elsewhere. Witness O.J. Simpon's life post trial and you can expect Jackson to have a similar fate.

Unless, of course, Michael Jackson moves to Europe.

Banksy Graffiti - Is it Art Or Vandalism?

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The bonding between Banksy and graffiti or/and street art is not to be denied, particularly where The Bristol graffiti movement and industry is involved. His popularity and success today is due to his symbolic graffiti, portraits and also his true identity which remains a well-kept secret from the public at large. Even after 20 plus years of producing attention-grabbing graffiti and art, his identity including his actual looks and name is still a huge mystery. Banksy Graffiti is an excellent choice for both art collectors and investors with the majority of the artist's works commanding rocket high prices. Still, there is huge controversy surrounding the artist and the question "Banksy Graffiti - Is It Art or Vandalism?"

There is a strong correlation between Banksy and Bristol graffiti with the two entities being synonymous to each other. Banksy's career as a graffiti and street artist is also largely boosted by the aerosol boom in Bristol some time in the 1980s. He was active in Bristol's underground movement whereby street artists and musicians worked together on numerous projects. He soon developed a trademark technique in producing his works by using a combination of stenciling similar to Frenchman Blek le Rat and also graffiti writing.

Banksy Graffiti and the graffiti scene in Bristol, UK is but one of the many worldwide graffiti locations. The list of extensive popular worldwide graffiti locations include London, New York, Berlin, Melbourne and the likes. These graffiti locations are acknowledged as tourist attractions with huge potential in them.

Banksy's graffiti pictures are known to be available to collectors, dealers and investors both through online and offline venues. A browse on the Internet has revealed stunning collections of these graffiti pictures.

Ardent fans of Banky would most definitely want to get their hands on "Wall and Piece". The book has an extensive collection of photographs, illustrations and witty captions that go along with them. The book is a much sought after merchandise among his fans and art lovers in general.

Regardless of this, Banksy has a history of getting on the wrong side of the books for those in establishments and authority. Due to this, there is controversy surrounding his works which is sometimes thought to be vandalism instead of works of art.

A good example of Banksy's controversial graffiti and street art is one in particular which portrays two policemen kissing affectionately. Due to its provocative nature, it was labelled as vandalism. There were also numerous occasions which saw the removal of Banksy's graffiti. A good example of this was the one that was painted on Tate Britain's steps with the provocative slogan "Mind The Crap." Who would dare to forget the £300,000 mural by Banksy which depicted Samuel Jackson and John Travolta from the film Pulp Fiction with bananas in their hands in place of guns. This particular mural was subsequently painted over by London transport workers..

To conclude this, the question of "Banksy Graffiti - Is It Art or Vandalism?" really depends on individual perceptions. For those that work with him and adore his art and other works, Banksy is their idol and hero. On the contrary, those in authority and establishments such as the police force, underground workers and such, his graffiti are all nothing other than acts of vandalism.

Futurism Art Represents the Machine Age

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If you do vast study in the sphere of modern and contemporary art and literature, you will definitely find that the impact of the futurism art is massive and in 1909, futurist art work became enriched and heightened to its climax of elegance. In 1909, an Italian artist named Filipo Tommaso Marinetti explained vividly about the Futurism philosophy in his article Manifesto of Futurism. Futurism is an artistic revolution which opposes the conventional painting and the importance of institutional force.

The futurist artists deny the significant role of the churches, shrines, education and religious dogmas in the society. It invites the ultra modern world which is based on the strong platform of technological upgradation, speed, dynamism and the velocity. We will all live in machine age and we will have no educational training to update our knowledge bank. They believe in the ultramodern and highly sophisticated lifestyle which will be more mechanical and dynamic in nature. This 20th century artistic revolution left huge impression on the then artistic guild or association to show their tendency to accept the futurism philosophy.

However, as it supports violence, vandalism and the destruction of moral high ground, it is also known to be fascist. In the meantime, there were few Russian Futuristic artists who emulated the Futurism art due to its strong inclination towards the speed and dynamism in life. They supported the philosophical viewpoints of Futurism and they also mocked the conventional art through their several paintings. However, on the other hand, the Futurism artists have also followed the principles of Cubism.

Especially, the Cubism art has utilized the modern technique to bring the modification to the pattern of design and art. Cuban art represents the fragmentation of art which can be viewed in different ways. The Cuban artists prefer the usage of newspapers, matchbox and other wastage materials to paint the picture. Kazimir Malevich has punched the Cuban concept in his created Futurist paintings.

The superimposition is the feature of Cuban art and Kazimir imitated the Cuban art in painting the picture. You should keep in mind that Marinetti established the Futurist Political Party in the year of 1918 and later this party was recognized to be National fascist Part of Benito Mussolini. To be frank, the Futurism has smoothed the easy entry of the movies and cinemas into the commercial world. In this connection the role of Neo-Futurism is also important to form a new opera and theater. To end, the influence of Pablo Picasso and Cezanne on the Futurism art can't be denied.

Michael Jackson Websites

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As with any celebrity, there are always a number of websites commemorating them and celebrating their achievements. Michael Jackson is without doubt one of the biggest stars ever and arguably has no equal. It is not too astonishing then he has over a thousand websites dedicated to him in one way or another.

The official website of Michael Jackson is at the time of writing dedicated to leaving messages honoring his memory, without doubt his life and career will be remembered forever. It is after all not every other day that you have an artist who has the kind of influence that Michael had on the world. He captured true spirit in all of his songs, and fans would say he always made music for the love of making it, not for the money or the glory was to follow.

The official website has content dedicated exclusively to Michael Jackson. There are songs and videos of the superstar, with other options like going through his discography as well as any recent updates. Like any good celebrity website, there used to be links to subscribe to his updates. With the passing away of the star, this feature seems to have been removed, perhaps temporarily.

As of today, the website's front page has become a wall to post condolences. There are currently nearly 400,000 posts on the wall. The numbers are sure to swell. It is common for people to react when something this big happens. After all, it is not every day that someone who from the age of about 11 years old (possibly younger) rose to fame and remained a superstar for the next 40 years.

As mentioned, there are other too. Most of them have turned into tribute sites, and indeed why not, Michael was huge, a massive icon, and there are lots of interesting Michael Jackson stuff to read, and even perhaps albums or videos you had always promised to buy, but never got round to it.

The Lost Millennium - A Short Epic Poem

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The Lost Millennium

[A short epic poem]

In a corner of the world

There was a land called Sumer

Whose waters once reached...

The Euphrates valley and the

Syrian desert, its high plateau,

As a result, the mud of two northern streams

Created a delta, with a pitiless sun

But rich was the soil, as anywhere

On earth...and God created man

And man here made his home:

This was the beginning, diversified

By marshes and reed-beds,

Rivers flush with their banks...

After the Great Flood, retreating

Waters and cultivating took place.

Hence, into Sumer the giants of old

Went, degreed a civilization, among

The dark-haired people...sporadically

Circumstances would promote social unity.

And there was Susa, Musyan, Elam

And the Persian Gulf--Mesopotamia;

And Queen shub-ad created style, and

Pottery formed, and temples were born.

And kings came and left, like King

Gilgamish; and thus came, gold vases,

And royal graves at UR, and the

Sumerian hymn, and they hummed

To the gods; and the villagers wore

Garments of sheepskins, and molded

Clay figurines, roughly chipped

From crystal, they wore necklaces

Of this kind, and beads;

This was the lost millennium.

They thought somehow or another,

Virtue was a necessity for the gods, thus

Came sacrifices and the daily ritual,

And spells that bind, hoping to remain engaged

To keep their favor, feast-days came and went,

Animals killed like flies, barbarism, yet

It drew the gods, and mans moral judgment.

Prompt, the gods exercised their power,

And man then started to build statues

To their likeness,

And now human sacrifice found its way,

With magic from the dismembered angelic beings,

Those who gave birth to giant children, and

So it was, an unusual phenomenon came.

Astrology was born, Sumerians now ruled

The skies; astronomical knowledge came

From the gods, and the gods (angelic beings)

Came from the sky: ecclesiastical beings.

Mesopotamia came under Sumerian rule,

And Ur, Lagash and Nippur honored the

Moon-god, and then came more public works.

And it became the Sacred Way,

And the walls of the Ziggurat [Temples]

Were built, sanctuaries, with an inner court,

And doors decorated, narrow chambers,

The holy of holies, shrines, sacred vessels;

It was an unusual phenomenon...

This day and age...platforms, brickwork, statues

Gods and goddesses, oil-jars; a lost dynasty.

#1522 10/19/2006

2012 Official Countdown Guide by James Michael Sayer EBook Review

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Today we will be reviewing the bestselling ebook 2012 the Official Countdown Guide by James Michael Sayer.

2012 for those of you who don't know is a reference to the last day at the end of the Mayan calender.  The date is specifically December 12, 2012.  According to researchers and prophecies December 12, 2012 is also the end of the world.   

So what can you do to prepare for the end of the world?  James Michael Sayer, 2012 expert, has put together one of the most comprehensive eBooks written on the topic of 2012 called 2012 the Official Countdown Guide.

James covers the prophecies of the Sybils, the Hindu, Indigenous Americans, Mayas, Hopi people, Merlin, the Celts, and the Druids, Mother Shipton, Nostradamus, the Bible, and the Web Bot Project.

The book also goes into depth about changes in the natural world including crop circles, the importance of sound waves, and the potential of polar shift changes.

Towards the end of 2012 the Official Countdown Guide, James Michael Sayer also goes into detail about some of the "conspiracy theory" aspects of 2012 including the New World Order, alien cover ups, and the Illuminati.

We don't want to flesh out Jame's theories and explanations too much, because that job is better left to him, but we do want to say that the research that James Michael Sayer put into this book is very apparent.  For both skeptics and believers of 2012, this is a fascinating eBook to read.  Everyone will have something to learn.

Give a Little - Book Review

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This 310 page saga is Scott Underhill's second superbly written novel. I have had the pleasure of reviewing both of his books - and they are equally outstanding, yet profoundly different pieces of fiction.

Give a Little certainly provokes empathy for each of its characters. It is an emotional roller-coaster ride for the reader, while the family members in the book heal old wounds and the father battles alcoholism.

When the back cover states "Come meet Jaden and Simmeon Randel, two brothers you won't forget" - they were not exaggerating. These two identical and opposing twins are the main characters in this novel.

One boy is a handsome football star that shares a love of the sport with his father. The other boy is portrayed as a deformed shadow. Both twins are struggling to find out who they are as individuals, and where they wish to take their lives in the future. Both make heroic sacrifices out of love for one another.

Never rivals (except for their father's love), Simmeon and Jaden depend upon each other for their successes - until they fell for same girl. Events unfold that help these boys to see each other as individuals and as an inseparable entity. Give a Little portrays the deep connection twins feel through deep level psychic connections where they can actually feel when the other is distraught or in pain.

Get this book - you won't regret it. Order Give A Little - Scott Underhill's novel (ISBN#: 0975357182) from any online or retail bookstore. Alternatively do an internet search on the publisher: WordPro Press.

A Review of "Gold - The Once and Future Money"

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The book that is the subject of this review is Gold: The Once and Future Money, written by Nathan Lewis and published in 2007. Lewis, "formerly the chief international economist of a leading economic forecasting firm," provides a thorough examination of using gold to support the value of a currency (the gold standard ), as well as a history of gold standards in the past and his arguments for returning to a gold standard from the international floating currencies now in use. The purpose of the book is to argue the case for a return to the stability of the gold standard, and to dispel the most common myths of the failures of past gold standards.

Lewis divides his book into three distinct sections. The first section, "Money in All its Forms," provides much general economic and historical background of gold. Such topics are examined as the stability of gold, the differences between hard money and soft money, a history of various gold standards, taxes, and inflation, deflation, and the value of currency. Although much of the information presented in these chapters is very technical, Lewis breaks up the monotony of the discussion with historical events and anecdotes. In fact, one of the more memorable sections of the book is the history of the gold standard in ancient and pre-modern civilizations. One common feature of these stories is that civilizations, once the gold standard is abandoned, quickly march towards currency devaluation and destruction, but, if the gold standard is reinstated, there can be a return to normalcy.

In the second section of the book, "A History of US Money," Lewis examines the history of currency in America, from the time before the Revolutionary War and its hyperinflationary results, to the numerous competing currencies of the new country, to the pseudo-gold standard of Bretton Woods, to the current floating dollar. Interestingly, the US was "the sole major power to stick to the gold standard" through World War I, and this is one of the reasons for its post-war boom in the 1920's. And after World War II, the strong US dollar was used as the new gold standard through the Bretton Woods system, whereby other major nations pegged their currency values to the dollar, which was in turn pegged to gold. Obviously, this system was not a true gold standard, and it broke down in 1971, and currency values have floated since then. Lewis also discusses the relative success and failures of various Federal Reserve chairmen, such as monetarist Paul Volker throughout the 1980's, and the gold standard advocate Alan Greenspan through the late 1980's, 1990's and into the beginning of the twenty-first century.

The final part of the book "Currency Crises around the World," is an examination of modern currency crises faced by nations, mostly in the 1900's and early 2000's. The first country Lewis discusses is Japan, focusing on the period after the Second World War and the nation's amazing rise to economic prosperity. Through low taxes and low interest rates, Japan was able to improve the strength of its currency against gold and encourage economic growth to become the third-largest economy in the world. It has only been recently, since leaving behind many of its pro-growth policies, that Japan has experienced a long recession. As Lewis states, "Japan's two great periods of economic success, from 1868 to 1914 and from 1950 to 1970, were both eras in which floating currencies were replaced with hard currencies."

Other currency crises that Lewis looks at include the Asia Crisis of the late 1990's and Russia, China, Mexico, and Yugoslavia. Throughout his evaluations of each of these events, Lewis points to various recurring themes. In each of these countries, the falling value of the currency caused economic hardships, and their responses to these crises directly affected the countries' ability to recover or their worsening financial conditions. Lewis points out that lowering taxes and encouraging private enterprise had far greater stimulating effects than raising taxes and higher government deficit spending. Also, in countries that received loans and "advice" from the International Monetary Fund, the currency tended to weaken even further, prolonging any economic recovery. Countries that began IMF programs and later abandoned them experienced a rate of recovery faster than that resulting from the IMF program, and countries that accepted no help from the IMF and instead lowered taxes and interest rates experienced little hardship and fast recovery.

In fact, some of these themes play out throughout the book, as Lewis examines the policies of various countries in various times of economic hardship. When countries experience a loss in the value of their currency, it is far better to return to a stable currency. Thus, Lewis sees most of the conventional economic wisdom used by central banks as misguided, from targeting interest rates to encourage growth or relying on higher taxes, wage and price controls, and government deficit spending. The most important tool of central banks that Lewis examines is their ability to create or destroy base money, by selling or purchasing government bonds. This adds or subtracts from the supply of money, and is more easily managed and a stronger indicator of the health of the currency, according to Lewis.

Lewis' book provides strong arguments and common sense examples that support a return to a gold standard for the US dollar and other currencies worldwide. Far from there being shortcomings of the gold standard, Lewis shows that inflation and currency devaluations have resulted from countries abandoning the gold standard at various points in their history, most often during times of war. Various arguments to explain the actions of the economy and currency values have been proposed over time, with the result being the current strategy of central banks to manipulate the economy through monetary and fiscal policies, rather than pegging the value of the currency to gold. These new techniques, according to Lewis, have failed and will continue to fail, as they give central banks the excuse that they are not in control of the currencies of their nations. This is a mistake, and the current era of worldwide floating currencies will come to an end; the only question remaining is how difficult and voluntary the transition will be.

Team Leadership - This is It!

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I have always been fascinated by examples of teamwork and leadership from which we can all learn. As such, during a (reluctant, at first) viewing of Michael Jackson's This Is It movie I was rather intrigued by the way he went about working on what was intended to be his last concert tour. His funeral was broadcast live on CNN around the world and despite his eccentricities, there are several observations one can glean from his movie that are helpful practices for anyone who seeks to manage or interact with a team effectively. During the movie I was intrigued to see how involved he was in the areas of the production: Dancers, Musicians and Singers, as well as overall production. Clearly he was very hands-on, and somewhat of a perfectionist. Here are 6 leadership observations of Michael Jackson from This Is It:

1) He worked very hard to find and select the best team talent he could. One of his guitarists, 25-year-old Orianthi Panagaris, was described by the legendary Carlos Santana as "one of the world's best" guitarists (see link at bottom of the article). How is your team talent?

2) Michael Jackson rallied his team to a bigger vision/ purpose, reminding them that their mission was an adventure to entertain audiences with a level of talent that demanded their all, and yet inspired the world to environmental care and world peace. Do you convey a purpose for your team? If not, what purpose can you focus on?

3) He practiced and practiced with his team. He gave practical examples of the pursuit of excellence in the entire production, striving to get each note or step of choreography just right. "Good enough" was not in his vocabulary and he led by example. Do you walk your talk? What do your people need to observe you doing?

4) Michael was very respectful of his team, apologizing when he made an error and gentle when offering constructive critique. When you give feedback, do you acknowledge your errors and encourage your team through theirs?

5) He created a team culture, referring to the entire crew as a family. On a scale of 1-10, how would your team rate your team spirit/culture? What will you do to enhance it?

6) He empathized with their nervousness and encouraged them to enjoy the journey, even though he had been doing this for over 40 years. He even encouraged his guitarist to shine in a solo, but reminded her "we are all with you". As a coach/ manager, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would your Direct Reports rate your ability to empathize with them, their feelings and challenges?

In conclusion, Michael Jackson appeared to have demanded excellence from his dancers, singers, musicians and crew, but he earned their respect as he led by example by demanding excellence from himself, first. Do you?

Michael Jackson's Comeback - Why You Can't Wait to Show Your Gifts

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Love him or hate him, Michael Jackson left a huge legacy in the world. He was a father, entertainer, genius, abused child, wounded man, humanitarian...He was a man with many sides - more than two and a man on mission to re-enter the world of entertainment after a long delay. The world was anxiously awaiting this amazing talent but alas, his dream was cut short.

Jackson's sudden death shocked the world and it also made us realize that we can be here today and gone tomorrow. While Jackson's legacy will live on and he may become more celebrated dead than alive, it still doesn't solve the problem that he was taken too soon just at the height of his triumphant return.
Which brings me to this point - what are you holding off showing the world?

We all have some talent or ability that we aren't showing the world because of many reasons. It may be that we don't think we're good enough, talented enough, interesting enough, or we're worried that others will be upset with us if we 'show off.'

We can blame lack of time, lack of resources, or lack of support on why we don't practice our talents but this excuse soon becomes lame.

I speak from experience because I am a trained visual artist and haven't created a painting for over 12 years. I can blame it on lack of time - a family, a full-time responsible job, but the truth is - if I really wanted to paint, I'd make the time.

The truth is - I stopped painting because I stopped believing I had talent. I stopped believing I was good because I bought into the idea that if I can't make a living at it, there's no point.

Is there something in your life that you enjoy doing but have stopped because of this negative thinking?
So what do you do when you realize you have a passion that you're not getting paid for? What do you do? You don't give up. You find a way to weave this gift into your day to day activities - even into your current paying career.

Here are 6 ways to share your gifts with the world:

1. Stop Judging Your Gift: Instead of judging your abilities, just enjoy doing them. If you love to dance - dance!

2. Get support: When you decide to show the world your talents, you may run into negative thinkers. Find a support team - friends, family, coaches and cheerleaders.

3. Do it now: Michael didn't realize his time was up; you don't know how much time you have. Get off the couch and create that song, painting or write that book. Start today.

4. Keep a record: Keep a record of your progress - videotape, photograph or write down your process and results.

5. Advertise your gifts: There's no sense in creating and showcasing your abilities without an audience. Phone, email or write people and let them know what you're doing. If people see you being creative, they may become inspired to create as well.

6. Weave your gifts into your day to day life: Use your singing talents at work to cheer up people, draw a poster for a fundraiser, run a marathon to raise funds for a charity, dance in a competition and represent your company. There are endless ways to weave your talents into your daily life - use your imagination.

No one knows how much time they have - not even the king of pop. So let this be a lesson that you don't want to waste any more precious time ignoring your talents and gifts. Get them out there so others may enjoy them and be inspired to do the same.

One of the Leading Magazines of Australia - OK! Magazine

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The magazine tends to feature special interviews and personal experiences of celebrities which includes engagements and pregnancies. In 2005, celebrity pregnancies which were covered were those of Peter and Jordan, Alex Curran and Steven Gerrard. Stars like Liberty X singer, Andy Scott-Lee and Michelle Heaton announced their engagement with special deals with OK! magazine.

The magazine has a common policy of publishing only optimistic celebrity profiles, but in a 2007 interview with Britney Spears, Spears' actions were so erratic that OK! decided to break this rule. Along with Britney, OK! also talked to her mother, Lynne Spears and her younger sister, Jamie Lynn Spears, on the subject of Jamie Lynn's pregnancy. This was the best selling copy of 2007.

Just recently, in August 2008, Britney Spears did an interview with OK! at her residence and it was observed that Britney's old unpredictable behaviour was behind her, and she conversed during the interview that she is 'happy, healthy and eager for the future'. The interview also had pictures which showed Britney and her children.

OK! is most well-known for its reporting of celebrity nuptials. OK! is also one of the most liked magazines with details that talk about the most recent celebrity gossips. Its largest scoops were Catherine Michael Douglas and Zeta-Jones, Jordan and Peter André, David and Victoria Beckham, Britney Spears and Kevin Federline and Ashley and Cheryl Cole.

Recently, OK! was honoured with £1,033,156 in a court case. OK! had special rights to the wedding of Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, but its opponent Hello! magazine printed pictures as well, which led OK! to sue its competitor.

In October 2005, three superstar weddings toOK! place on the very same day-Jordan and Peter, Samia Ghadie and property developer Matthew Smith, and Kate Garraway and Derek Draper. OK! covered them all over separate issues. The biggest wedding of the three (which was of Jordan and Peter) was covered over two profuse issues.

The same occurred for the wedding of Ashley and Cheryl Cole and also for Christina Aguilera's wedding. OK! also published an issue with photos of Eva Longoria's wedding to Tony Parker.

Jade Goody was a well-liked celebrity for the magazine from 2002-2009 with many interviews and photo shoots, including her fight with cancer shown often in 2008.She holds the record for being on the cover for all the weeks throughout 2009 with subjects of her wedding, her christening and a compliment special, plus a special issue after her death and then again with her widow on the front cover.

Prior to Jade Goody's death in March 2009, OK! flashed controversy by issuing an 'Official Tribute Issue' with front-page slogans stating 'In Loving Memory' and '1981-2009', even as Goody was alive at the time.

Several months later in June 2009, OK! again caused indignation by running another tribute issue, this time for Michael Jackson exhibiting a front cover image which the magazine insiders claim was 'his lifeless body'; additional images inside showed scenes of his attempted recovery, with Jackson's mouth covered by an oxygen mask and impoverished to a hospital stretcher.

Celebrities and Plastic Surgery

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A lot of people are tempted to undergo plastic surgery but are afraid of what it could do to them if things go wrong. Perhaps taking a good look at the celebrities who have failed at their attempts at plastic surgery can show these people that they should be very afraid indeed. Here's a short list of celebrities who have undergone horrible plastic suregry, based on various published reports in publications and on the internet.

1. Michael Jackson
Yes, he tops the list of worst plastic surgery cases. Following a series of surgical procedures, Jackson probably now ranks as one of the scariest celebrities on the planet. He used to be a cute black child but now he resembles a pale ghost. You don't have to say a lot about Jackson and this topic because practically everyone has seen the dire results.

2. Melanie Griffith
She was once a stunning and fresh-faced beauty, particularly during the eighties, but now that she has put too much collagen on her face, her skins looks much too tight as if she's always tense. Why, some people say she can't even smile anymore. The best she can do is grimace. Of course, there are whispers that drugs have something to do with it as well.

3. Farrah Fawcett
Another former knockout whose looks have taken a turn for the worse after plastic surgery is Farrah Fawcett. She was once the queen of the hit series Charlie's Angels and one of the most popular poster girls in the world. Today, after a series of nips and tucks and many more, her face looks deformed, with a nose that is lopsided and eyes that are way too tilted at the ends.

4. Lil Kim
Black musician Lil Kim seems to be following the footsteps of Michael Jackson. She's tried to be a little whiter and she's altered her eyes, nose and lips. She once looked soulful and sultry. Now she looks like a gremlin.

5. Kylie Minogue
Kylie used to ooze sex appeal.
Now, after too many botox treatments, her face looks as tight as a drum. Sure, you don't see any wrinkles on her forehead at all, but her face looks too stiff and unnatural.

Why Aren't There More Women Playing Guitar in Bands?

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There are women who do, before anyone points out any well known names, such as Chrissie Hynde (favourite guitar, the fender Telecaster), Joan Jett (armed with Gibson Les Paul), Nancy Wilson or Jennifer Batten (Michael Jackson's guitarist, no less).

It's just that there aren't that many. It may be that it's seen as a mans role, or due to the weight of a guitar, or even that you have to cut the nails on your guitar hand short!! But whatever the reason, I think that it's nonsense that this is the case. In fact, I am living proof that a woman can successfully play guitar in a band, and I've only been playing for a year!

My singing career has lasted my whole adult life, but until now I've left it up to my husband, Bill to play guitar in our band, while I sing and the rest of the band play their parts in equal measure.

It doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg either, past the initial outlay. I've managed to borrow a guitar from Bill, but with only a couple of hundred pounds you can pick something respectable up. Less if you're truly on a budget. eBay, car boot sales and pawnbrokers are good places to look.

The lessons themselves are much cheaper if you book them as a group. Group lessons are inordinately less expensive than individual lessons, and your local college may well have a course, so get on down there!!

The oldest member of my group at college is 70 - and they're as good as any, so if you're thinking of learning an instrument, don't delay, book your lessons today!

How I Finally Got Six Pack Abs

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Don't we all want six pack abs? At first glance I look like a pretty in-shape person. I'm 5'9" and weigh around 180lbs. I have more of a muscular build and look like a healthy person. The only problem area I have is my abdominal area. I work out about twice a week. I used to go to the gym on a regular basis, but recently stopped because of the gas prices and other issues with my license I don't care to discuss. I exercise from time to time in my home just to stay in shape, but no matter how many crunches or sit ups that I do, my abs will not show.

I tried various different methods of exercising, diets,etc. None of them worked! I was surfing the online a few weeks ago and found this ebook called The Truth About Six Pack Abs. I liked how the facts were presented to me. It sounded totally different from any type of tips or programs I've encountered in the past. I basically started following the guide step by step and I couldn't be more pleased with the results that I'm getting already.

I didn't think I would start looking this good so fast. I was in shock for a few days like.. " Is this really me in the mirror?!" Yes its me. And it can be you too if you are willing to give it a try. Visit the site in my resource box. Thanks for reading!

http://www.absondemand.blogspot.com

Jackson the Superstar

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The phenomenon that is Michael Jackson will continue to live even if he is not amongst us. In fact, this is one superstar who had so much to him that words fail to describe the kind of impact he had on all of us. It is not just the music that comes to mind when we speak about Michael Jackson. He alone defined the genre and in the eighties, you couldn't think of music without thinking of this great celebrity.

Born Michael Joseph Jackson, he was an instant celebrity and someone who was cherished and looked upon with great respect by everyone who knew him. He contributed a lot from the time he was a young kid. In fact, even when he was performing with his brothers as a part of the Jackson 5, Michael was known to steal the stage and take control of the entire performance. Before you know it, he had the audience in a dazzle, completing making them forget that this was a group performance and having them convinced that it was all about him.

This talented individual got all the attention he ever dreamed of and went ahead with his solo career. He produced some of the greatest singles ever in the history of the music industry, and people continue to applaud his efforts to date. So great was his impact, that Michael Jackson became a household name from Indiana to Tokyo, everyone knew this great star and wanted to get a piece of him. So big was his name that there are cases where people who don't even speak English learning his songs and trying to sing them on their own.

Probably the world will never see another star that impacts society the way Michael Jackson did. It is hard to believe that we have lost a star of this stature; the shock is only beginning to increase as more people come out and share in the sorrow.

Michael Jackson did more for the African American artists than anyone ever could have imagined. It was his songs that first played on MTV, which was a predominantly white music channel back then. So big was his fan following that people would support him in all his endeavors and never leave his back. He never forgot to give back, raising money for charities the world over. In the end, Michael Jackson is one superstar who will truly be missed and remembered forever. 

Michael Jackson Was the Man!

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Michael Jackson was a veteran, before he was a teenager, a world known entertainer, perhaps the greatest of all entertainers. His music many loyal fans still listen to this day and will for the remainder of their lives. He touched the world with his energy, his voice, his dance, his words and his smile. The musical genius within this one man has inspired many artist today like. USHER, NEYO, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, CIARA, BEYONCE and many many more who were touched by his presence, his energy and his giving heart.

It states that Michael Jackson has supported an impressive 39 charity organizations either with monetary donations through sponsorships of their projects or by participating in their silent auction. I believe that number is very impressive and believable.

Here are 34 of the that I have research.
1. AIDS Project L.A.
2. American Cancer Society
3. Angel Food
4. Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles
5. BMI Foundation, Inc.
6. Brotherhood Crusade
7. Brothman Burn Center
8. Camp Ronald McDonald
9. Childhelp U.S.A.
10. Children's Institute International
11. Cities and Schools Scholarship Fund
12. Community Youth Sports & Arts Foundation
13. Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)
14. Dakar Foundation
15. Dreamstreet Kids
16. Dreams Come True Charity
17. Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation
18. Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
19. Love Match
20. Make-A-Wish Foundation
21. Minority Aids Project
22. Motown Museum
22. NAACP
23. National Rainbow Coalition
24. Rotary Club of Australia
25. Society of Singers
26. Starlight Foundation
27. The Carter Center's Atlanta Project
28. The Sickle Cell Research Foundation
29. Transafrica
30. United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
31. United Negro College Fund Ladder's of Hope
32. Volunteers of America
33. Watts Summer Festival
34. Wish Granting
35. YMCA - 28th Street/Crenshaw

Michael Jackson was a true humanitarian, an example to us all. He has devoted much time and money to a wide range of charities. He loved children and took time out when touring secretly visiting sick children and giving gifts.

Michael Jackson has made many change for the better (including myself) and I believe he will do so for many years to come. Some may ask did Michael Jackson appear strange in some ways. Well with all do respect he did not grow up like many of us having a normal childhood. Working hard before the age of 10 Michael was working harder than mot men in their 30's, touring, dancing, singing, writing, traveling, non stop rehearsals with not much time for making friends. Though through his and his family sacrifice, they have inspired countless children, men and women in all walks of life to aim high and to never give up on your dreams.

My opinion if you have the money and you want to reconstruct your face a bit, why not.

In Michael's case I thought he did it a bit much but I still saw him as a human being with feelings. He was ahead of his time and always would try his best to reinvent himself.

Many were concerned with the discoloration of his skin and that mostly alarmed the news media to attack him by labeling him weird or strange.

The truth is Michael Jackson's dermatologist Dr.Arnold K.testified that he was diagnosed with vitiligo and lupus in 1984 and both lupus and vitiligo can produce loss of pigmentation in the skin.

When there were more and more white patches than his normal skin color and the daily chore of hours of makeup became cumbersome, Michael was given the choice of depigmenting his skin so that the color would even out. I personally believe in life there is always a way to reverse a condition without conventional drugs.

It's sad that through all of that I researched that there is another way for people with this condition to heal this skin condition. Remember, in life there is always way to reverse a condition.

I believe in the healing power from nature more so than anything created by man. For example there is a way to increase your health by drinking alkaline water (9.5pH). The body is made up of mostly water (over 70% water) and by changing your water you can change your life. I have experienced positive changes in my health by doing so just by changing the water I drink. If you like to know more just search for "alkaline water benefits". (PLEASE NOTE ALKALINE WATER THAT HAS A 9.5pH is the BEST WATER FOR YOUR BODY FOR THE BEST RESULTS). HINT: Disease cannot live in an alkaline environment.

Yes, vitiligo is considered an autoimmune disease, where the body's immune cells attack and destroy the coloring pigment melanin bearing cells in the skin however there are natural ailments that can and will reverse this condition and the skin can be restored to it's normal skin color. Though I the author do not have this condition I always like to help other who have a condition by researching all natural avenues for treatment.

The Grand Entrance - Bridal Party Introduction Ideas For Your Wedding Reception

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The "Bridal Party Introduction" is when the bridal party is formally introduced by the DJ to the guests during the reception. This can be professional, fun or insane. Here are some tips on how to make this part of the night work for your reception, as a memorable moment.

For the most part, the wedding DJ formats the actual bridal party line just before being introduced to the guests. One way to make sure this transaction pans out smoothly is to write out everything weeks ahead of time, even though you may be expecting a few changes last minute. This gives you and the DJ a base to start from. It often changes last minute, but at least you do not have to reinvent the wheel. So, if your DJ has not asked you during the planning stages of the event for the names along with the introductory song selection, draw up an outline with your couples names in chronological order. As simple as this sounds, this helps tremendously. If you can get this squared out ahead of time, there is a lot less confusion in the hallway a minute before you are about to go on.

So, who come first? Family, then party, then best man and maid of honor before the bride and groom is the tradition.

Usually for the introductions, it works best to acknowledge the grandparents from their seats, then have the parents come through the doors with no music. Next, the music hits and the wedding party comes in.

Lately for large bridal parties, a few different songs is a kind of cool idea, as long as it doesn't create a huge hassle for the DJ who has to also announce the names at the same time. Very familiar songs are the key and also create individuality and characterization for the members walking out. Recently, one bridal pairing came out loosely costumed as Michael Jackson to Billie Jean and walked to their line on the dance floor complete with pearled gloves and surgical masks to boot.

A dramatic pause before the bride and groom is also cool, followed with a different song.

Some songs to choose from including popular hits from this past summer of 2009 include:

Wedding Party Reception Entrance
o Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling
o Opera music - Carmina Fortuna
o Rocky Theme -Gonna Fly Now w/ Survivor - Eye of the Tiger follow up
o Anything Frank Sinatra
o Twilight Zone
o Mission Impossible Theme
o Olympic Fanfare - Emerson, Lake & Palmer
o White Wedding - Billy Idol
o Star Wars Imperial March Theme
o Pitbull - Calle Ocho
o Justin Timberlake - Sexy Back

What ever you choose, make sure it fits you, as it sets the tone for the rest of the DJ fun for the night!

Baby Boomers in Midlife Transition - What We Can Learn From Michael Jackson

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Where were you last week when you got the news about Michael Jackson?

I was on the phone talking with a friend who suddenly said, 'the news is flashing something on the screen about Michael Jackson." We never forget where we were when we first heard shocking news. Like 911 or JFK.

Someone's death wakes us in ways that we can't soon forget.

Michael Jackson's legacy

Michael Jackson will long be remembered as the king of pop, an unbelievable singer, dancer and performer and an unusual personality, to say the least. That's his legacy, for better or worse.

I choose to dwell on the memory of his music and the awesome dance steps he left behind. I am glad I will be able to continue to enjoy them even now. I really wish I'd had the chance to see him perform live when he was at his peak.

What's It Got to Do With the Midlife Transition?

So, what does this have to do with baby boomers and the Midlife Transition? What's it got to do with You? Well, everything. I believe it is times like this that cause us all to consider what legacy we want to leave behind. It's what Midlife is about at its best. I know that it is a question I continually ask myself.

I am just past midlife by a bit, and I still have a long list of personal and professional accomplishments that I am tending to. Michael's story reminds me that the legacy we leave is a combination of both what we do and how we live our lives- both clearly midlife questions.

What will you leave behind?

Are you thinking seriously about the legacy you will leave? Are you clear about what you need to do and who you need to be to make that a reality?

Daring to Be Bold

As a musician, Michael Jackson was surprisingly deliberate and proactive.I learned the other day that while he was a member of the Jackson 5 he told several close friends that he wanted to break out on his own and become the biggest entertainer of all time.

Some might call that ego. But I prefer to think of it as simply an honest assessment of the gifts he'd been given and a compelling vision for his life and what he might be able to do with those gifts.

So he chose at that time to anger his brothers and leave the Jackson 5. He began working with Quincy Jones. And of course the result was "Thriller," the biggest-selling album of all time!

As a singer, dancer, and songwriter, Jackson gave us all an incredible gift worthy of the endless replays that have been taking place on television and radio.

But here's the question: What if he had never decided to pursue his dream? What if he had never left the his brothers and the safety of that group?

What if he had listened to his family, friends, and even all the well-intentioned logical voices that said, "Don't be so risky. Don't be so selfish. Who are you to think you can be phenomenally successful on your own?"

What kind of legacy would he have left then?

We'd probably barely remember him.

What About YOU?

More importantly, what kind of legacy will you leave and what actions do you need to make your dreams come true? Oliver Wendall Holmes said, "Most people go to their graves with their music still inside them."

What is the thing you know deep down you are being called to do?

Whatever it is, get started today.

Before They Were Pop Stars

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Everyone - from pop stars to Popeye - has a past, a past that can't be changed. While many of us know the past of certain pop stars - we all know that Michael Jackson used to be in the Jackson Five, we all know that Justin Timberlake used to be in the Mickey Mouse Club, and we all know that Britney Spears used to have hair - there are also pop stars with pasts that are not common knowledge. Though none of the following pop stars have pasts worthy of blackmail, they do have an interesting tidbit or two.

Jennifer Lopez: Now known as J-Lo or Jenny from the Block, Jennifer Lopez began her career performing at stage musicals. She also had a role in the 1986 movie My Little Girl. In 1990, one of her bigger breaks came when she was cast as a Fly Girl for the show In Living Color. This was when JLo - and her ass(ets) - sauntered into the spotlight.

Madonna: Before gaining her crown as the "Queen of Pop," Madonna went to the University of Michigan to study dance. She eventually moved on to New York to study with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater company and then onto Paris to perform in a disco revue. When she got back to the US, she joined rock groups and coupled her dancing with her singing. From her Michigan/New York/Paris background, does it strike anyone else as strange that Madonna sometimes has a British accent?

Whitney Houston: In her youth, Whitney Houston and her vocal group served as backup singers for Aretha Franklin. She also served as a fashion model and continued backup singing for Lou Rawls and Chaka Khan. Going from a backup to center stage (Melinda Doolittle, eat your heart out), she signed with Arista Records when she was 19. It's fair to say that her cousin, Dionne Warwick of Psychic Friends Network fame, probably saw all of Whitney's enormous success coming.

Paula Abdul - More known for her stint as a judge on American Idol than her singing talents, Paula Abdul - straight up, I'll tell ya - did have a career as a pop star. But, before she was a star herself, she just worked with them. This dancer turned Los Angeles Laker Girl began choreographing for huge names in the music business when she was only twenty years old. Paula's clients included The Jacksons, George Michael, Debbie Gibson, INXS, the Pointer Sisters, and Dolly Parton. We also suspect that she taught the animated cat from her "Opposites Attract" video a few moves.

Prince: Before he was famous, Prince was just a boy growing up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His preoccupation with music started at an early age: he began piano at 7 and was a virtual veteran of the guitar and drums by the time his teenage years approached. At the age of 14, he joined a local band and is credited with helping several other local bands make their marks. With innate musical talents and originality, at the height of his success Prince became a household name, er sorry, a household symbol.

Mariah Carey: Possessing one of the best sets of vocal chords in the history of music, Mariah Carey can thank, in part, her genetics: her mother was an opera singer and a vocal coach. Carey began to perform as a child and, after moving to New York, recorded a demo tape. This tape landed in the hands of Tommy Mottola, a Columbia Records executive and Mariah's future husband. Her fans received her well: she enjoyed enormous pop success and then, then there was Glitter.

Psychopathology - Definitions of Abnormal Behaviour

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Psychopathology is the study of the nature and development of abnormal behaviour, feelings and thoughts. It can be an ambiguous subject to look at - there are no right answers, but it is still fascinating, nonetheless.

So what is abnormal behavior? Well, in typical psychological style, there is no easy answer to that either. There is no single definition that can adequately explain or define all aspects of abnormal behavior.

Definitions of Abnormal Behavior 1 - Statistical Infrequency

Abnormal behavior is thought to be infrequent. No matter what the media would have us believe, there are not that many murders and psychopaths out there. It is statistically infrequent. This model therefore states that few people fall into the extremes of behavior, so anything that is extreme, is therefore abnormal behavior. For example, only 2% of the population have a very low IQ. So this is seen as "abnormal". However, there are still value judgments attached to this. Two percent of the population have a very high IQ. This is seen as a positive thing, having a very low IQ isn't!

Also, consider, some other "abnormal" behaviors are good things. Not many of us win gold medals in the Olympics, but is that "abnormal"? Quite a lot of people suffer from depression and anxiety during their lives. Depression is not considered to be a "normal" state of affairs, but if it is statistically frequent, isn't it therefore "normal"? It's not simple is it?

Therefore, the statistical model does not actually give us much guidance in determining what is and isn't "abnormal" or "normal".

Definitions of Abnormal Behavior 2 - Violation of Norms

When determining whether behavior is abnormal or not, we can consider whether it violates social norms or if it makes people observing it feel threatened or anxious. A psychopath will often display antisocial behavior. This violates society's norms and makes us feel threatened or uncomfortable, so fits with the definition of violation of social norms. However, this is still too narrow a definition. Criminals and prostitutes may violate social norms, but are they "abnormal". Also, what we view as a cultural or social norm can vary over time. Consider homosexuality - in various cultures and during various times, this has been accepted or at other times and cultures, illegal.

A simple example. One hundred years ago, if you had seen someone walking down the street, talking to a little box, they would have been considered abnormal. How many times do you see a person doing that with a mobile phone today and think nothing of it?

Definition of Abnormal Behavior 3 - Personal Distress

Personal suffering can be used to explain if a person has some form of abnormal behavior.
Behavior can be considered abnormal if it creates a great deal of distress and torment for the person concerned. For example, a person with severe anxiety or depression may be suffering a great deal of distress.

But there are problems with this model (surprise, surprise). A psychopath displays "abnormal" behavior, but may not find that distressing. He/she may break the law without experiencing any guilt or remorse. Also, some experiences may us distressed, such as having a baby, being hungry, but these are not "abnormal" feelings.

Definition of Abnormal Behavior 4 - Behavioral Dysfunction or Disability

Disability is defined as whether a person is impaired in some important aspect of their life, for example, work, relationships and so on. This can be then defined as "abnormal". A phobia, for example, can cause distress and disability. If we are scared to go out, we may be so upset, we do not leave the house - our lives are therefore impaired. This is a complicated definition as both disability and distress are required. For example, a transvestite is still classed as mental disorder, but the transvestite may not find being a transvestite distressing. Another example, we may be desperate to be a professional football player, but not be very fast or very good at it - this may cause us distress, but it is not abnormal behavior.

Definition of Abnormal Behavior 5 - Unexpectedness

Not all distress or disability is abnormal behavior. Disability and distress can be considered "abnormal" when they are unexpected responses to an environmental stressor. Hunger can cause us distress - this is an expected response. If we are wealthy, but are constantly worrying about money, this is not an expected response, so can cause us psychological problems.

So, there is no key definition of abnormal behavior or psychopathology. This is why it is such a wide and diverse topic, with so many different theories and pieces of research being conducted.

Rayban Wayfarer Sunglasses - Original Polarized And Imitations

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Ray Ban sunglasses were founded in 1937 after Lieutenant John MacCready had commented about how the sun had done permanent damage to his eyes after he returned from his balloon flying trip in 1920. Bausch and Lomb had come up with the idea to make protection for a person's eyes after they had been contacted by MacCready. These sunglasses lenses were designed to protect while the frames were designed to be elegant and sophisticated. Ray Ban soon came out with many different collections. Some of these collections are Predator, Undercurrent, Aviator, Wayfarer, Sidestreet, Highstreet, Outsiders, and Orbs.

The Ray Ban Wayfarer, also known as 5022c15, sunglasses were created in 1952. The Wayfarer offered an original look. The frames were no longer metal, but made of plastic. The shape of the sunglasses was like none had ever seen before. These sunglasses had become the next big thing especially after Audrey Hepburn was spotted wearing them in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's in 1961. The fad had faded, like every fad does, in the 70's. Now that the new millennium is here, history seems to be making a comeback. Many dealers have noticed the sales are starting to pick up again for the Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses. Many dealers have said that the Wayfarer is by far the most popular, original sunglasses to ever be sold.

One of the best things about the Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses is that you can find them with polarized lenses. Polarized lenses reduce the glare on a flat surface. Many fisherman and boaters prefer to use models that are polarized because of this. Polarized sunglasses reduce glare from the road, too, so if you drive a lot you should consider using polarized.

Shopping for sunglasses online can be fun, but yet tricky. You will first want to try them on in person before you make any purchases. A good optical retail store will let you take them outside to give them a real test drive, make sure they are what you want. Once you find the pair that you desire, search online for a cheaper price. Online shopping can be dangerous, so make sure you only shop from a secure site that has a good reputation and has never been reported to the BBB. Also be on the lookout for imitations. You might be interested in purchasing imitations since the price is much cheaper. To the untrained eye, the imitations look exactly like authentic Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses. If you are determined to purchase offical Ray Ban sunglasses, then you will want to do your research to know what to look for in fake ones.

If you are looking for a fashionable pair of sunglasses that will protect your eyes, try the Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses. When you make your purchase and receive your sunglasses, take special care of them. You should always first try to blow any dust and dirt off of the lenses before you touch them. If you need to wet the lenses, use only water. A micro fiber cloth is the only type of cloth that should come in contact with the lenses. This will prevent your lenses from becoming scratched. When you are not wearing your sunglasses, keep them in a hard shell case. If you don't have a hard shell case, a soft case will work until you purchase a hard case. Take care of your glasses and they will make you happy for a long time.

Your Physical Wellness

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The physical wellness of any person is of the utmost importance. How well in tune each of our bodies are will dictate what you can and cannot do on a daily basis. Taking care of you should be number one in life. If you are not in a place where your physical wellness is top priority, you could end up suffering in many ways that are not very pleasant. Even though we all like to have fun, indulge, and be careless on occasion, it can come back to haunt us in the future. To make sure that you are taking care of yourself properly, a checklist of things can be done to be sure that you are not endangering your health now and for the future.

Taking Care Of Your Body

When it comes to making sure your physical wellness is taken care of you must first consider what you consume each and every day. This includes the things you subject your self to second hand as well. While taking care of your body includes eating right and getting enough rest, it also includes avoiding certain things that can be harmful as well. Even if you have the best diet, get plenty of rest and exercise, you could be doing things that will eventually make your body weak. While most things in moderation will not have any negative long-term effect on your body or health, some types of medications and substances can. Other substances can cause issues the first time you try then and should be avoided at all cost.

Tobacco and Drug Use

Tobacco and illicit drug use has been on the rise for many decades now. People try to excuse the repercussions of these drugs with many falsehoods. Excuses such as "this is natural" or "just once in a while will not hurt" could not be further from the truth. These drugs are very addictive and end up becoming depended on long term. Your physical wellness ends up severely compromised from this use. Tobacco causes asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and cancer. Drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, heroine, and prescription drugs affect the nervous system and are linked to neurological disorders such as Parkinson's, Severe Depression, Schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease. For some people it only takes one time use to cause any illness or even death. Drugs of this type should be avoided all together for optimum health benefits.

Alcohol And Your Health

When it comes to your physical wellness and over all health, alcohol may be an issue or not. Not everyone responds to alcohol the same way. There is no evidence that an occasional drink can have any adverse effect on all people. In fact, an occasional alcoholic beverage can have many health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and increasing blood flow. It is the abuse of alcohol that can have negative health complications. Alcoholism affects the nervous system and can disease the liver after long-term use. The body can no longer detoxify, and eventually poisons itself. Frequent alcohol use can also cause weight gain, as it contains high amounts of sugar in it. The best way to avoid the adverse effects on your health is to not drink at all or to only drink once and awhile.

History of Hip Hop Dance

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Hip Hop Dance has a dynamic history. From Breakdancing to the moonwalk from michael Jackson to Krump dancing to Bboy dancing to plain old head nodding. Everyone had their own way of expressing love
for hip hop dancing.

Hip Hop Dance History has people buzzing. Why you ask ? Because they are watching all these crazy Hip Hop dancing music videos on tv and they want to know the history of it. Where did this stuff come from.

The history of hip hop dance started with Breakdancing. It started around the late 1970s to early 80s. Breaking started in the south bronx new york. It was a form of Hip Hop dance that was used by street gangs to settle differences without using violence. This was a positive for black and peurtorican youths at the time. People were not losing there lives over bs ya know. One of the first Hip Hop Dance crews in History are the rocksteady crew.

They help usher in a new style of breakdancing that included acrobatic styles such as headspinning, windmills, backspins, waves and all that good stuff. The Rock Steady Crew dropped on the scene around 1979 to 1980.

They were encouraged by a legendary DJ by the name of Afrika Bambatta to use break dancing as a tool to achieve greatness. Afrikaa Bambatta was instrumental in pushing break dancing forward by motivating youth to pursue their love of the art form.

How To Tune Your Guitar By Ear

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1. The very first thing you need to know is that learning to tune your guitar takes time.

Some things on guitar can be learned in minutes, some in days, and others in weeks, but tuning will sometimes take even longer, because you have to train your ears. If results come slowly or don't seem to be making any progress, don't be discouraged, just keep working at it.

2. It will help you to know that the ear is a very skilled instrument for taking in sound. Your ear hears four things in each sound: Pitch, Duration, Volume and Tone Quality.

Pitch is how high or low the sound is. Duration is how long it lasts. Volume is how loud it is. Tone quality is the "character" of the sound. If we were to play the same pitch, at the same volume, for the same length of time on piano, clarinet, flute, violin, guitar, doorbell, or car horn, your ear could tell one instrument (or car horn) from another because of the tone quality. That's because each instrument has a different "character" or "personality" of sound. You can prove you have this ability to tell one sound from another by listening to sounds without looking where they come from.

The point I want to emphasize is that you already hear very well. Learning to tune your guitar is learning a new way of using your hearing.

3.The next thing to know is that when you are tuning your guitar you want to listen only to the pitch of the strings. The quality of the pitch will differ between two strings, and this may at first confuse your ear. You'll mistake the difference in quality as a difference in pitch. For example when playing the first string open and the second string at the fifth fret, you may notice that the first string may sound 'crisper', while the second string will sound a little "darker" in quality. The darker quality of the string at first can be misunderstood to sound lower in pitch. (You may use different words to explain how the strings sound to you, but the idea is that the tone quality of each string will sound different). If you understand that the ear hears a combination of pitch, volume, duration and quality all at the same time, it will help you to filter out the quality from the pitch and overcome the basic problem of tuning.

4. The steps involved in tuning your guitar: The first step is to tune one string to a note from another source. You could use another guitar (one that has already been tuned), a piano, or somebody that know how to tune could guide you along.

A better source is a tuning fork. (It's better because you don't need anybody else around or any other instrument. If, for example you learn to tune to a piano, you're going to have a problem if ever you need to tune and there's no piano handy).

A tuning fork is a U shaped piece of metal with a stem on it. The fork is designed to vibrate at a particular pitch. You can get one that gives you the pitch of the first string on the guitar. (Look for one that has the letter E and the number 329.6 stamped on the stem).

To use the tuning fork you hold it by the stem, tap the U shaped fork against something solid, and place the stem (not the tip of the fork) on either the body, or the bridge of your guitar. (For electric guitars can place it on the pickup). You should hear the note which the vibrating fork produced. The note is the correct "source".

You now adjust the first string to match the pitch of the tuning fork. You do this by finding the correct tuning gear for this string and then turning the gear slowly in one direction or the other. After about half a turn you should hear the string change pitch either up or down. This will tell you which way you have to turn the gear to tighten the string (to raise the pitch) and which way to loosen the string (to lower the pitch).

Now compare the sound of the string with the sound of the tuning fork. If the string is lower than the tuning fork, tighten the string to raise the pitch. If the string is higher than the tuning fork, loosen the string to lower the pitch.

Go slowly. Do not turn the gear rapidly. Turn about a quarter of a turn and then compare the string to the tuning fork again. (You'll have to strike them both again). You'll probably have to repeat this process several times. When the string sounds close to the fork make smaller turns.

When you think the first string is in tune, use the following steps (one to five) to tune the rest of the strings. (Remember, you can only tune as well as your ears hear now. With practice, you can become a better tuner). The following steps repeat the process of matching one pitch with another. The difference is that instead of using a tuning fork you will listen to the string you have just tuned, and try to match the next string to this one.

1. Place the finger behind the fifth fret of the 6th string. This will give you the tone of the 5th sting. (A)

2. Place the finger behind the 5th fret of the 5th string to get the pitch of the 4th string. (D)

3. Place the finger behind the 5th fret of the 4th string to get the pitch of the 3rd string. (G)

4. Place the finger behind the FOURTH FRET of the 3rd string to get the pitch of the 2nd string. (B)

5. Place the finger behind the 5th fret of the 2nd string to get the pitch of the 1st string. (E)

A Silk Road Trip, or I Gobbed in the Gobi, China, 1992

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In August 1992, myself and my wife, Caroline, arranged a trip to post-Tiananmen China. It was in the days when the London China Travel office was on Cambridge Circus, opposite the Palace Theatre on Charing Cross Road. It took me at least twenty books, a late-night Japanese television series and several months to plan and arrange the trip from what was then our base in Balham, south London. In those days, you could arrange the visit via China Travel and then, as long as the itinerary was lodged in advance, you could travel absolutely independently. Everything was pre-paid, but on setting off, we had no tickets or confirmed reservations apart from our air tickets in and out of Beijing. As ever, I kept a journal of the trip, which ran to more than fifty pages. A few years later, I condensed the experience to two sides of A4, ignoring rules of grammar and syntax, and produced the following ramble, a perhaps poetic impression of nearly a month of travel.

Ex-London while the Sun dissected Michael Jackson's nose and praised Boardman's hooterless gold-medal bicycle. Air China to Beijing, where taxis cost more than Lonely Planet predicts. A Chinese character itinerary from one Tim Han of China Travel whilst fellow workers drool over televised lithe Afro-American sprinters at the Olympics. Then to the no-longer Forbidden City. Piles of local tourists to negotiate.

Four hours of Xinjiang Airlines to Urumqi. Signs in Chinese and Russian plus Uigur written in Arab script (a recent innovation). Land lines across Inner Mongolia. Why and how so straight? Urumqi multiple-peaked. Piles of coal, scruffy high rise, snow-capped Bogda Shen at street-end. Pavement fortune tellers, traders. Food stalls. Women washing sheeps' stomachs in a stream, tripe kebabs. Uigur town now Han Chinese, populated by Shanghai overspill, over 2000 miles from 'home'. The second long march.

Uigur breakfast. Hot sheep's milk, Chinese tea, flat tomato bread, sugared tomato and cucumber, pickled cabbage, thin congee, sheep's milk butter, two giant sugar lumps. Uigur market. Fruits amid a forest of hanging lamb. Chinese market. Live vegetables and meats. Tank over-spilling with energetic eels (unit price). Self-knotting spaghetti.

Woman losing her gold watch at an illegal 'find the lady'. Policeman looking on. Tears when the loss hits home. Renmin Park for noodles and rocket-fuel chili sauce. Bag slashers with finger-ring knives on a crowded bus. Care needed.

Car to Turfan. Fertile valleys. Barren mountains. Occasional snow. Road ploughed. Kazak yurts. Semi-sunken shade-making rammed-earth Uigur villages, invisible at a distance save for chimney smoke. Steep downhill gorge, spectacular river, rocks, white water and slate-grey hills. Into Turfan depression, snow-capped distance surrounding grey stone pit 100 miles across. 42 degrees at its base, 200 metres below sea level. Car ahead leaving tracks on molten road. A hefty gob from the driver irrigates. Gobi means stones. Plenty here. And then green. An oasis. A giant mirage?

Turfan. Latticed vines for street-shade. Hanging raisin grapes. 15 yuan fine for casual picking. Hotel tea in galvanised buckets. Turkish-style dancing and music. Genghiz-sacked rammed-earth cities of Goachang and Jiaohe. Painted tombs and brick minarets. Flaming mountains. Karez underground irrigation system. 3000 kilometres of channels. 1500 years old, gravity-fed from mountains at the depression-edge. Uigur culture's greatest feat, and in full working order.

Bus to Daheyan. Two hours over bumpy stones to depression-edge. Dump of a railway town. Coal heaps, box buildings, waste land. Two women at war on station forecourt. Ramming victim's head onto the ground. Blood. Onlookers. Inaction. A tense town of resentful postees.

500 miles to Liuyuan in Gansu. Featureless flat grey shale stone. Spectacularly unique. Snow mountains to the north. Utterly empty, save for smoking coal towns. 40 above in summer, 30 below in winter. Overnight by train. Dawn reveals same massive scene, now in brown.

Arrive Liuyuan. Daheyan writ similar. 120 miles south across the desert (black at first!), past remnant ramparts of Han Dynasty Greater-Great Wall. Camels and dunes of Taklimakan, world's largest sand desert. Near Dunhuang oasis blossoms again. Sand and scree suddenly crop and tree. Feitian Hotel, with complimentary toiletries labelled Sham Poo and Foam Poo. Lunch. Fourteen dishes. Duck, foo-yong, cucumber, cabbage, oyster mushroom chicken, coriander pork, steamed buns, steamed bread, rice, beef broth and noodles, pork and green beans, pork and sweet chili, chicken and squash, plain noodles, water melon. Then to get the essential torch for the caves. Houses huddled together. Wood stores for winter piled on top. View across the roofs like a scrap heap. Ground level claustrophobic stoneware maze.

Cave day. Mogao Buddhist caves - closed from 12 to 2, full day needed for perhaps the most stunning sight on earth. 400 'caves' (some cathedral size) in a sandstone gorge, between 400 AD to 1100 AD. Utterly dry, always dark, perfectly preserved. Everything painted. Tang period complex and colourful. A world of scenes by torchlight. Buddhas reclining, sitting, standing, posing. Thirty metre seated figure with thousands of unsmoked cigarettes and coins on his lap as offerings. Shock of Qing-renovated cave with Taoist figures. Ghoulish features, contorted, and a face in the groin. 40 caves seen in the day, archaeologist as a personal guide. Stunning. Fourteen dishes for dinner.

Desert bus back to Liuyuan. Always a fight for seats. Three dusty hours. Train to Lanzhou. 800 miles along Gansu-Qinghai mountainous border. More black desert, then yellow earth. Jaiyaguan fort at the limit of the Ming empire. Overnight by train. Country changed. Mountain pass, green rolling hills and stepped fields. Wheat harvest in. Straw dollies like children at assembly. Houses still of rammed earth. Lanzhou a thriving industrial city. Thirty hours of travel. Walk by Yellow River.

Fish in hotel restaurant tank all dead. Lanzhou bus expensive. 50 fen per trip. Radios and knitting banned. Han dynasty flying horse and bronze warriors. Steamed carp with rape on menu. The fish comes first. Train to Xian through yellow loess country. Deep furrows and gorges. All flat land cropped. 500 miles overnight.

Terra cotta warriors facing east to guard Qin Shihuang's tomb. Made in pieces. Assembled in situ. Partly excavated section where piles of dismembered limbs emerge from the earth. New terra cotta warriors for sale from the factory behind the museum. Exact replicas of originals. Wheeze at the thought of the whole thing as a sham for the tourist trade.

Xian, like all Chinese cities, a square. Roads straight, intersecting always at right angles. Ancient centre walled, Ming rebuilt. Old mosque exquisite. Xianyang nearby, with Seventh century Qian tombs, museum with another 3000 Han terra cottas like a football crowd. Train to Beijing. 800 miles, 26 hours. Houses often caves in valley side. Later immense flat land, maize everywhere.

Temple of Heaven, Tiantan, and then Beijing Opera. Pause for beer at wayside stall. Served by moonlighting trainee stockbroker! Breakfast pickle amazing, like four year old camembert out of a shotgun. Takes the head off. Great Wall. Mucho touristico, but still stunning. Like climbing a giant ladder in places. "I climbed the Great Wall" T-shirts, prices lower the further you climb. Must be the air. Ming tombs dismissed by guide-book. Wrong. Amazing barrel vaulted rooms nine stories underground. Jade doors, carved thrones, marble, marble, marvel. Reminiscent of renaissance Italy. Everlasting bricks etched with names of their makers. Souvenir jade boat for 55000 pounds.

White drapes over erotic statues in Tibetan Lama Temple. Same bestial content in wall paintings. 24 metre gold Buddha through the incense-blur. No smoking signs everywhere.

Mao's Maosoleum an emperor's tomb. Lines for queues painted across the square. Feet pointing north towards Tiananmen Gate, upside-down feng shui. He is shiny, waxy and painted about the face. Moving lines file past on either side. No pausing. Outside, stalls with Mao T-shirts, Mao key rings, cuddly toys, post cards, magic lantern shows. Mao Zedong candy floss by the armful. Then Great Hall of the People. Dining room for 5000. Now fast food for tourists. Great Hall chop sticks, cigarettes, T-shirts. Great Hall of the People cuddly toys.

2500 miles. Three and a half weeks. 5 destinations. 50 caves. 6000 terra cotta warriors. 1 each Great Wall, Forbidden City, Beijing Opera, Mao Zedong. Hundreds of tombs, temples, pagodas, parks, bendi-buses and bicycles. 3 silk shirts on the Silk Road. One amazing trip.

Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak's Masterpiece Interpreted

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"Where the Wild Things Are" is one of the most popular picture books of all time exemplifying Sendak's incredible knowledge of the textual narrative through illustration. The cover of this book is interesting for it does not show the protagonist at all but the wild things slumbering with a ship in the background.

Within picture books covers are privileged information such that in a good story they will tell the readers what the most important part of the book is. Although when the book is first read the readers do not start out understanding Sendak's cover the choice of this cover alludes to the moment when the main character of the story Max leaves the wild things sleeping in order to return home. It is this choice, to leave his wild fantasy and return home to where his mother loves him that is the point which Sendak's story has built up to.

The readers first introduction to the main character Max is of him stalking some monsters across the title page, his eyes mischievous and mean hearted, while the monsters despite their huge size look afraid as they attempt to stalk away.

This is the first double page spread and the only one for a long time, in this book Sendak uses the double page spread to indicate that Max is at his most wild. The double page spread can also be said to show the dream world in which Max rules.

By having the double spread on the title page before the story begins we are left to wonder how often Max enters his wild dream world. For although the first picture is of Max in his dream world, the book itself starts with him outside of his dream world, causing his mischief in the real world.

As the story goes on however the pictures (on page right) will grow and grow, as he gets closer to his dream world where the wild things are.

Further allusions to Max's constant forays into the dream world are found in the second picture where he is seen to chase a hapless dog with a fork. In the background is a crude child's drawing by him of one of the wild things, letting us know that these creatures are indeed in his imagination prior to the event depicted within the book.

For chasing the dog among other things Max is of course sent to his room. Although his mother is never visually depicted the text indicates that Max threatens to eat her up when she sends him to his room. It is this childish behavior that makes Sendak's book so believable, Max is indeed a little boy, with random threats, and chaotic dreams.

Once sent to his room we see for the first time Max truly isolated. For the picture is now much larger, though not yet taking up the page it has grown large enough at this point to show the walls of the room in which Max now finds himself imprisoned.

But in this picture book there is no prison but ones own selfish thoughts and so Max is able to escape his room by imagining a forest growing in it, until he is able to stalk off into the dark woodland night. He then sails away on the ocean with the woods disappearing onto the right edge of page left as the whole of page right becomes dominated by Max's imaginary world.

And so Max sails on into the land where the wild things are, and in so doing the illustration finally becomes a full double spread.

On arriving in to where the wild things are Max is greeted by the wild things who try to scare Max, but he tames the wild things, scaring them into submission and then becoming their king. As he does this we see the white space for the text at the bottom of the pages shrinking until at last it along with the text vanishes completely.

So for three double spreads Max and the wild things howl and wail at the moon, play in the trees, and finally Max rides on the shoulders of the wild things as their king. Then however as the wild things go to sleep the text reappears along with the white space on the bottom. The pictures from this point on begin to shrink again.

It is through this shrinking pictures as will as text and visual narrative that Sendak is letting us that Max is growing bored with his dream, and that the smell of food is calling him out of his dream. So he sails away from the wild things, back into his own room, which again is enclosed, but on the table in the corner we see Max's supper waiting for him. Letting us know that outside of the wild worlds of our mind there are those who love us.