TRACY CHAPMAN
Tracy Chapman was born March 30th 1964. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio.
She is a singer and song writer. She also is a multi-platinum and Grammy Award winner.
Tracy and her family did not have much money. As she was growing up her family had noticed her love for music. She had gotten her first musical at the age of three. Her first instrument was an (UKULELE). By the time she was eight she had gotten a guitar, and she had started to write her own songs. She has credited the show (HEE HAW) for this.
Tracy attended EPISCOPALIN high school. After this she had attended college called (A BETTER CHANCE). Which later had gotten her the chance to attend a school in Connecticut called (WOOSTERSCHOOL). She also attended (TUFTS UNIVERSITY). While she was attending TUFTS she earned BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE. Both in anthropology and AFRICAN STUDIES.
In 2004 TUFTS UNIVERSITY had honored her with a Honorary Degree of Fine Arts. And was because of being an accomplished musician.
Chapman performs for different charities like:
A. MAKE POVERTY HISTORY
B. AIDS/LIFE CYCLE
AND SOME OTHERS. She is currently living in California at this time. She also enjoys:
A. GOING TO THE BEACH
B. EATING OUT WITH HER FRIENDS
C. WALKING THROUGH THE WOODS
D. AND ORGANIC FOOD
She also holds a strong belief on holding her personal life and performing life separately.
During her college years she would perform on the streets in HARVARD SQUARE and playing in:
A. CLUBS
B. AND COFFEE SHOPS
In 1987 she signed up with ELEKTRA RECORDS.
She released an album called (TRACY CHAPMAN) in 1988 after the release of the album she started touring. And had started to build up her own fans. Soon after this she had performed for (NELSON MANDELA’S) 70th birthday. Her album went well and this went to multi-platinum. She had also won three Grammy Awards. And, later getting an honor for best new artist.
Her 4th album became a huge success. And, had sold over 3 million copies.
She had started touring:
A. THE UNITED STATES
B. EUROPE
C. GERMANY
D. ITALY
E. FRANCE
F. Plus other cities as well
In November of 2008 Chapman did a 26 day solo tour of Europe and North American cities. She also had a back-up band and this consisted of:
A. JOHN GORE-GUITARS
B. PATRICK WARREN-KEYBOARDS
C. AND DAWN RICHARDSON-PERCUSSION
Tracy Chapman also sings the:
A. FOLK MUSIC
B. THE BLUES
C. ALTERNATIVE ROCK
D. POP
E. AND SOUL
Tracy plays the:
A. GUITAR
B. KEYBOARDS
C. ORGAN
D. And other music instruments as well
Her career started in 1988 and still continues to the present day.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Harry World Braille Day!
HARRY WORLD BRAILLE DAY!
January, 4, 2011 Is World Braille Day!
So-called “War of the Dots”, and a wonderful interlude on the use of raised text in the Halifax School for the Blind.
There had been a raised-dot writing process before Braille invented his own, but it took up more space. Braille simplified it, and quickly taught his friends and fellow classmates at the Paris school for the blind how to use it. Previous to that, blind people had been taught to read using embossed letters. Letters would be embossed by getting paper wet and then putting it down on carved (wooden? Metal? I can’t remember) 3-d letters. This strikes me as in credibly cumbersome.
At first, Braille’s new method was embraced by the school. However, when the former headmaster retired, a new headmaster came in and was determined to get rid of everything that had been done by the former one. I wrote some notes about this:
“To dramatize and enforce the new system [of embossed writing for the blind], Dufau made a bonfire in the school’ rear courtyard and burned not only the embossed books created by Huay’s [First principal of the first school for the blind in Europe] original process but also every book printed or hand-transcribed in Louis’ [Braille{ new code. This comprised the school’s entire library, the the product of nearly 50 years’ work. To make sure no Braille would ever again be used at the school, he also burned and confiscated the slates, styli, and other Braille writing equipment.”
“Dafau’s students rebelled and Braille survived. The older students taught the younger students despite the punishment of slaps across the hands and going to bed without dinner.”
Braille made its way from France across England and then across to North America.
One thing I like about Braille is that it was invented and refined by blind people. Despite attempts to wipe it out, blind students refused to give it up—much like Sign Language, in fact.
January, 4, 2011 Is World Braille Day!
So-called “War of the Dots”, and a wonderful interlude on the use of raised text in the Halifax School for the Blind.
There had been a raised-dot writing process before Braille invented his own, but it took up more space. Braille simplified it, and quickly taught his friends and fellow classmates at the Paris school for the blind how to use it. Previous to that, blind people had been taught to read using embossed letters. Letters would be embossed by getting paper wet and then putting it down on carved (wooden? Metal? I can’t remember) 3-d letters. This strikes me as in credibly cumbersome.
At first, Braille’s new method was embraced by the school. However, when the former headmaster retired, a new headmaster came in and was determined to get rid of everything that had been done by the former one. I wrote some notes about this:
“To dramatize and enforce the new system [of embossed writing for the blind], Dufau made a bonfire in the school’ rear courtyard and burned not only the embossed books created by Huay’s [First principal of the first school for the blind in Europe] original process but also every book printed or hand-transcribed in Louis’ [Braille{ new code. This comprised the school’s entire library, the the product of nearly 50 years’ work. To make sure no Braille would ever again be used at the school, he also burned and confiscated the slates, styli, and other Braille writing equipment.”
“Dafau’s students rebelled and Braille survived. The older students taught the younger students despite the punishment of slaps across the hands and going to bed without dinner.”
Braille made its way from France across England and then across to North America.
One thing I like about Braille is that it was invented and refined by blind people. Despite attempts to wipe it out, blind students refused to give it up—much like Sign Language, in fact.
George (Sparky) Anderson
GEORGE (SPARKY) ANDERSON
George Lee (Sparky) Anderson was both the National and American League managers. He managed the both the Cincinnati Reds and The Detroit Tigers to their championships. Cincinnati in 1975 and 1976 and the Tigers in 1984.
He lived in California. By the baseball teams he was known as (SPARKY) and to his friends he was known as George. He had died of complications due to dementia.
He was born in Bridgewater, South Dakota. On February 22nd 1934. Upon graduating from high school, he signed with The Brooklyn Dodger as an amateur in 1953.
In 1955 he had moved up to the minor leagues. He played for the
A. DOUBLE-A FORTWORTH CATS IN TEXAS
B. IN 1956 HE MOVED TO THE TRIPLE A-MONTREAL ROYALS(OF THE INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE
C. IN 1957 HE WENT TO THE LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF THE PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE\
The following year season he had returned to Montreal.
Sparky had played 5 minor league seasons without putting on an a Dodger uniform. In the major league level he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in December of 1958. In trading 3 baseball players. He had started his first full season in 1959. He only batted a .218 in 152 games without any home runs, and with only 34 runs batted in. He then returned to the minor leagues for the rest of his playing career.
He played four seasons in the International League which were The Toronto Maple Leafs..When the league owner (JACK KENT CLARK) had noticed Sparky’s talent for leadership. He had the suggested that Sparky to pursue a career in management.
By the time Sparky was 30 he had taken up the offer that (COOKE) had said. He started managing the Toronto Maple Leafs. He managed the minor leagues at the minor league levels. The class A and the double A- divisions. He had managed the Reds at the minor league level in 1968.
During his managing career, he had 4 consecutive winning seasons with:
A. ROCK HILL CARDINALS`OF THE WESTERN LEAGUE IN 1965
B. 1966 WITH THE ST. PETERSBURG CARDINALS OF FLORIDA STATE
C. 1967 WITH THE MODESTO REDS OF THE CALIFORNIA LEAGUE
D. AND IN 1968 WITH THE ASHEVILLE TOURISTS OF THE SOUTHERN LEAGUE
It was in the season of 1966 he lost to MIAMI 4-3 in a 29 inning without interruption.
He got back to the major league system in 1969 as a coach for the SAN DIEGO PADRES. He was a short time manager 1969-1970 for the CALIFORNIA ANGELS. But, within a couple of days he was offered a job in Anaheim. He had replaced Dave Bristol of the Reds. This reunited Sparky with Reds manager Bob Howsam, who had hired as the minor league manager for the ST LOUIS CARDINALS and the Cincinnati organizations.
In 1969 Sparky became the Reds manager by Bob Howsam. He replaced Dave Bristol. Sparky then lead the Cincinnati Reds to 102 wins along with the National League Pennant in 1970. Although they had lost the World Series to the Baltimore Orioles. It was during this season the Cincinnati Reds became known as the BIG RED MACHINE.
There was an injury that had plagued the 1971 season. This is when the Reds had finished in 5th place. Although, the Reds came back to win another pennant in 1972. Beating the Pittsburg Pirates in the National League Championship Series (NCLS). But, had lost to the Oakland Athletics in the World Series. They took the (NLCS) again in 1973. But, had lost to the Mets in the National League Championship Series.
After they had finished in second place to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1974 and 1975. The Reds had blown the division wide open by winning 108 games. They took the (NLCS) and the World Series in 7 games against Boston. They had repeated this again in 1976 against the Yankees. Anderson then had an astounding 14-3 postseason play against the:
A. PIRATES
B. PHILLIES
C. RED SOX
D. AND THE YANKEES
They had won against the Red Sox in a triumphed 7 game series in 1975 and then taking a 7 straight games again in the postgame season.
When the Reds had finished second to the Dodgers in the next two seasons. Anderson was then fired in November of 1978. By Dick Wagner who was the general manager that had taken over for Howsam a year earlier. General manager Wagner wanted to shake up Reds coaching staff. Anderson objected and was dismissed as well.
Under the new manager(JOHN MCNAMARA) the Reds had taken the title again in 1979. But, lost 3 straight to the Pirates in the league championship series. They would not make the playoffs again until 1990. When they swept the series against the Oakland Athletics.
Anderson hade then moved on to the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers were a young team. After Sparky’s hiring the Tigers became a winning team almost automatically. They were finishing .500 in each of Sparky’s 3 seasons. Although, they did not get into an opinion of discussion until 1983. They had finished second to the Baltimore Orioles in the (ALE) American League East.
In 1984 the Tigers opened their season with an 35-5. This was a major league record. And, breezed through a 104-58 win. This was a franchise record for wins. Then they had took the Kansas City Royals in the (ACLS) American League Championship Series. They had Beaten the San Diego Padres in a five game World Series. This was Anderson’s third world title. When the season was finished, Anderson had won 2 manager of the year awards with the Tigers.
The Tigers had finished in 3rd place in 1985 and 1986 under Sparky’s supervision. They had taken a 9 to 5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in July of 1986. Anderson had become the first manager to achieve a 600 career in both the National League and American Leagues.
Sparky had then lead the Tigers into their best season yet in 1987. They had finished in second place against Boston by one game in the (ALE) American League East. The next year the team had fallen apart losing 103 games. In 1989 Anderson took a month long vacation due to stress. Dick Tracewski had then took over the managing while Sparky was away.
In 1991 the Tigers had finished:
A. LAST IN BATTING AVERAGES
B. FIRST IN BATTING STRIKE OUTS
C. AND CLOSE TO THE BOTTOMIN THE PITCHING CATAGORIES
But, still lead them to a second place behind the Toronto. The team had a power packed line-up:
A. CECIL FIELDER
B. MICKEY TETTLETON
C. ROB DEER
This lead the league to many home runs and walks that season.
During Sparky’s career as manager he would always praise his players whenever he had talked to the press. He had later acknowledged that he may have put to much pressure on the players.
Sparky retired from managing after the 1995 season. Because he was disenchanted with the league following the 1994 strike. That had put the baseball season of 1995 behind. It was widely rumored that Sparky was forced into a early retirement by the Tigers as they were unhappy that he would not manage the non-union players. During the training season.
Sparky finished with a lifetime record of 2,194 wins with a 1,834 losses. With a .545 percentage. Sparky finished with his career with a much longer time with the Tigers than with the Reds. He had won two World Series games in career. One with the Cincinnati Reds and the other with the Detroit Tigers.
During his time with the Tigers and later Sparky did some television work. He was a Television commentator. He paired up with Jack Buck on CBS Radio covering postgame game play. This was during the 1980’s and the 1990’s. From 1996 to 1998 he was the color analyst for the Anaheim Angels, on the cable television broadcasts.
While Sparky was still in Detroit. He had founded a charitable organization called (CATCH)which stands for CARING ATHELETES TEAMED FOR CHILDREN’S HENRY FORD HOSPITABLE’S. This took place in 1987. He was active in this charity well into his retirement.
Sparky was voted into The Baseball Home of Fame in 2000 for being a manager for the Cincinnati Reds and the Detroit Tigers. When he was elected for the Cincinnati Reds he had chosen to wear the Reds cap in honor for General Manager Bob Howsam. Who had given Sparky his first chance at managing the Major-League baseball teams.
He was also elected into Cincinnati’s hall of fame the same year. In May of2005 his Red’s Jersey was retired at a pre-game ceremony which was number 10. There was a similar ceremony held in Detroit’s Comerica Park honoring him and retiring his jersey which was number 11.
In 2007, Sparky was elected into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
Sparky was the very first manager to win the World Series in Both the National League and American Leagues.
Sparky’s accomplishment was equaled in the 2006 World Series when Tony La Russa won the World Series. He had considered Sparky Anderson his mentor.
In 2006 a complex was built and completed at California’s Lutheran University.
Sparky had died at the age of 76.
Farwell to George (SPARKY) Anderson.
George Lee (Sparky) Anderson was both the National and American League managers. He managed the both the Cincinnati Reds and The Detroit Tigers to their championships. Cincinnati in 1975 and 1976 and the Tigers in 1984.
He lived in California. By the baseball teams he was known as (SPARKY) and to his friends he was known as George. He had died of complications due to dementia.
He was born in Bridgewater, South Dakota. On February 22nd 1934. Upon graduating from high school, he signed with The Brooklyn Dodger as an amateur in 1953.
In 1955 he had moved up to the minor leagues. He played for the
A. DOUBLE-A FORTWORTH CATS IN TEXAS
B. IN 1956 HE MOVED TO THE TRIPLE A-MONTREAL ROYALS(OF THE INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE
C. IN 1957 HE WENT TO THE LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF THE PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE\
The following year season he had returned to Montreal.
Sparky had played 5 minor league seasons without putting on an a Dodger uniform. In the major league level he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in December of 1958. In trading 3 baseball players. He had started his first full season in 1959. He only batted a .218 in 152 games without any home runs, and with only 34 runs batted in. He then returned to the minor leagues for the rest of his playing career.
He played four seasons in the International League which were The Toronto Maple Leafs..When the league owner (JACK KENT CLARK) had noticed Sparky’s talent for leadership. He had the suggested that Sparky to pursue a career in management.
By the time Sparky was 30 he had taken up the offer that (COOKE) had said. He started managing the Toronto Maple Leafs. He managed the minor leagues at the minor league levels. The class A and the double A- divisions. He had managed the Reds at the minor league level in 1968.
During his managing career, he had 4 consecutive winning seasons with:
A. ROCK HILL CARDINALS`OF THE WESTERN LEAGUE IN 1965
B. 1966 WITH THE ST. PETERSBURG CARDINALS OF FLORIDA STATE
C. 1967 WITH THE MODESTO REDS OF THE CALIFORNIA LEAGUE
D. AND IN 1968 WITH THE ASHEVILLE TOURISTS OF THE SOUTHERN LEAGUE
It was in the season of 1966 he lost to MIAMI 4-3 in a 29 inning without interruption.
He got back to the major league system in 1969 as a coach for the SAN DIEGO PADRES. He was a short time manager 1969-1970 for the CALIFORNIA ANGELS. But, within a couple of days he was offered a job in Anaheim. He had replaced Dave Bristol of the Reds. This reunited Sparky with Reds manager Bob Howsam, who had hired as the minor league manager for the ST LOUIS CARDINALS and the Cincinnati organizations.
In 1969 Sparky became the Reds manager by Bob Howsam. He replaced Dave Bristol. Sparky then lead the Cincinnati Reds to 102 wins along with the National League Pennant in 1970. Although they had lost the World Series to the Baltimore Orioles. It was during this season the Cincinnati Reds became known as the BIG RED MACHINE.
There was an injury that had plagued the 1971 season. This is when the Reds had finished in 5th place. Although, the Reds came back to win another pennant in 1972. Beating the Pittsburg Pirates in the National League Championship Series (NCLS). But, had lost to the Oakland Athletics in the World Series. They took the (NLCS) again in 1973. But, had lost to the Mets in the National League Championship Series.
After they had finished in second place to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1974 and 1975. The Reds had blown the division wide open by winning 108 games. They took the (NLCS) and the World Series in 7 games against Boston. They had repeated this again in 1976 against the Yankees. Anderson then had an astounding 14-3 postseason play against the:
A. PIRATES
B. PHILLIES
C. RED SOX
D. AND THE YANKEES
They had won against the Red Sox in a triumphed 7 game series in 1975 and then taking a 7 straight games again in the postgame season.
When the Reds had finished second to the Dodgers in the next two seasons. Anderson was then fired in November of 1978. By Dick Wagner who was the general manager that had taken over for Howsam a year earlier. General manager Wagner wanted to shake up Reds coaching staff. Anderson objected and was dismissed as well.
Under the new manager(JOHN MCNAMARA) the Reds had taken the title again in 1979. But, lost 3 straight to the Pirates in the league championship series. They would not make the playoffs again until 1990. When they swept the series against the Oakland Athletics.
Anderson hade then moved on to the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers were a young team. After Sparky’s hiring the Tigers became a winning team almost automatically. They were finishing .500 in each of Sparky’s 3 seasons. Although, they did not get into an opinion of discussion until 1983. They had finished second to the Baltimore Orioles in the (ALE) American League East.
In 1984 the Tigers opened their season with an 35-5. This was a major league record. And, breezed through a 104-58 win. This was a franchise record for wins. Then they had took the Kansas City Royals in the (ACLS) American League Championship Series. They had Beaten the San Diego Padres in a five game World Series. This was Anderson’s third world title. When the season was finished, Anderson had won 2 manager of the year awards with the Tigers.
The Tigers had finished in 3rd place in 1985 and 1986 under Sparky’s supervision. They had taken a 9 to 5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in July of 1986. Anderson had become the first manager to achieve a 600 career in both the National League and American Leagues.
Sparky had then lead the Tigers into their best season yet in 1987. They had finished in second place against Boston by one game in the (ALE) American League East. The next year the team had fallen apart losing 103 games. In 1989 Anderson took a month long vacation due to stress. Dick Tracewski had then took over the managing while Sparky was away.
In 1991 the Tigers had finished:
A. LAST IN BATTING AVERAGES
B. FIRST IN BATTING STRIKE OUTS
C. AND CLOSE TO THE BOTTOMIN THE PITCHING CATAGORIES
But, still lead them to a second place behind the Toronto. The team had a power packed line-up:
A. CECIL FIELDER
B. MICKEY TETTLETON
C. ROB DEER
This lead the league to many home runs and walks that season.
During Sparky’s career as manager he would always praise his players whenever he had talked to the press. He had later acknowledged that he may have put to much pressure on the players.
Sparky retired from managing after the 1995 season. Because he was disenchanted with the league following the 1994 strike. That had put the baseball season of 1995 behind. It was widely rumored that Sparky was forced into a early retirement by the Tigers as they were unhappy that he would not manage the non-union players. During the training season.
Sparky finished with a lifetime record of 2,194 wins with a 1,834 losses. With a .545 percentage. Sparky finished with his career with a much longer time with the Tigers than with the Reds. He had won two World Series games in career. One with the Cincinnati Reds and the other with the Detroit Tigers.
During his time with the Tigers and later Sparky did some television work. He was a Television commentator. He paired up with Jack Buck on CBS Radio covering postgame game play. This was during the 1980’s and the 1990’s. From 1996 to 1998 he was the color analyst for the Anaheim Angels, on the cable television broadcasts.
While Sparky was still in Detroit. He had founded a charitable organization called (CATCH)which stands for CARING ATHELETES TEAMED FOR CHILDREN’S HENRY FORD HOSPITABLE’S. This took place in 1987. He was active in this charity well into his retirement.
Sparky was voted into The Baseball Home of Fame in 2000 for being a manager for the Cincinnati Reds and the Detroit Tigers. When he was elected for the Cincinnati Reds he had chosen to wear the Reds cap in honor for General Manager Bob Howsam. Who had given Sparky his first chance at managing the Major-League baseball teams.
He was also elected into Cincinnati’s hall of fame the same year. In May of2005 his Red’s Jersey was retired at a pre-game ceremony which was number 10. There was a similar ceremony held in Detroit’s Comerica Park honoring him and retiring his jersey which was number 11.
In 2007, Sparky was elected into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
Sparky was the very first manager to win the World Series in Both the National League and American Leagues.
Sparky’s accomplishment was equaled in the 2006 World Series when Tony La Russa won the World Series. He had considered Sparky Anderson his mentor.
In 2006 a complex was built and completed at California’s Lutheran University.
Sparky had died at the age of 76.
Farwell to George (SPARKY) Anderson.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Stick To Your New Year's Resolutions
STICK TO YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION
By Liz Davis
As the holidays draw to a close every year, most people begin to contemplate, “What’s my New Year’s resolution going to be this year? While you inevitably grow and make changes throughout the year, there’s something refreshing and definitive about resolving to make changes at the beginning of a brand-new year. Many people even have a standing New Year’s resolution that they commit to anew every January; only to lose momentum somewhere along the way. Diminished resolve and motivation are common for everyone. Let’s take a look at the top 10 New Year’s resolutions people make every year, as well as some tips for making this the year you actually follow through.
Go back to school. There are few resolutions that involve more iniative and willingness than deciding to continue one’s education, whether that means picking up where you left off after high school or college, or taking your lifetime learning plans in a whole new direction. In certain career areas, additional training or certifications can mean increased earning potential. Learning a new language, for example, can make you more desirable to many employers.
There are also plenty of educational options for simply enriching your life and taking new chances. Is there something you’ve always wanted to do but never knew how to, or never felt qualified to undertake? Do you have pages of notes for short stories, or even a novel, but no idea what to do with them? Why not take an introductory writing class once a week at a local community college? The same goes for any skill or art form that you’ve always been interested in. Now is the time to look into educational opportunities in your area, so set aside the time and live out that dream!
Get a better job. Feeling dissatisfied at work is a common complaint. Perhaps you’re living paycheck to paycheck, or you may feel as though another position or employer would provide a more satisfying job situation. Career improvements can take many different forms, so educate yourself about the current climate in your field. Seek out professional role models and ask them how they got where they are.
You may feel professionally stymied, as though you can’t get a foot in the door in terms of moving up you company’s ladder. This is a common source of career frustration. A lateral move within your department might be advisable to begin with, giving you a chance to build a bigger skill set and therefore more bargaining power when you want to advance.
Another helpful option is to join a professional networking site. Spend a little of your spare time scouring online job ads (but not while you’re at work!), and set aside an afternoon or evening to update and polish your resume. If you’re not doing what you feel you were born to do, what’s stopping you from moving in that direction? What skills do you already have that you can leverage in pursuit of a new or better career?
Get in shape. This is likely the most common New Year’s resolution people make. The passing of another year is a reminder that no one is getting any younger.
In fact, most people are accelerating their own decline into premature old age, owing to poor diet and lack of physical activity. Along with quitting smoking and drinking, this New Year’s resolution sees the highest rates of failure. The reason for that? Perfectionism and unrealistic expectations.
Talk to your doctor before planning a complete overhaul of your diet and exercise habits, especially if you have a medical condition that requires special care. Whether you want to lose 100 pounds or you’d simply like to drop that last five and tighten up all over, the only way to achieve lasting results is through small, manageable changes over time. For example, weight loss greater than one to three pounds a week rarely lasts. So take it slow, be kind to yourself and keep trying. Resist the urge to throw your hands up if you miss a day of exercise or eat something you’re “not supposed to.” The focus of any successful wellness plan is overall health and balance, not physical and mental perfection.
An accountability partner is an excellent way to stay motivated. You can remind each other of your reasons for wanting to exercise and eat healthfully. The encouragement and camaraderie of another person who’s struggling with the same challenges are invaluable when striving to make big life changes. The best part is that you’ll be able to congratulate each other on your continuing progress; there’s no better feeling than being thrilled for yourself and someone else!
Make a difference. Making a conscious choice to give of oneself for the benefit of others is a vastly satisfying and potentially life-changing New Year’s resolution. Volunteering is one of the most effective ways to feel useful and connected to others. The key to sticking with a volunteer gig is finding something that fills you up spiritually and emotionally. What do you love to do? What are you good at? Volunteermatch.com is an excellent resource for finding a volunteer opportunity that suits you to a tee.
Go somewhere. Travel is high on many people’s New Year’s to-do lists. Some want to set aside more time for recreation and relaxation with family and friends. Others want to see more of the world and the myriad experience that traveling offers. Where do you want to go? Start by visualizing and researching the destinations you most want to visit. Dream big, be specific and make plans. You may want to open a savings account to help you set aside the funds necessary for your dream trip.
Quit smoking. Lots of folks decide to quit smoking at the first of the year, often beginning with boatloads of momentum and optimism. The key to quitting is preparation and practice. Prepare and educate yourself for quitting. Don’t feel pressured to quit on the first of January unless you’ve developed a realistic quit plan ahead of time. If you cave in and smoke, don’t beat yourself up. Every time you quit is practice for staying stopped; the more you try, the more likely you are to quit for good.
Reduce debt and save money. Money is a common source of major stress. Although any New Year’s resolution is more achievable when you get the facts, figures, pros and cons down on paper, this one in particular works best if you have a specific sense of what you’re dealing with. So break out that calculator, pencil, paper and all those bills and statements. Keep track of all your expenditures for a set period of time. Add up your debts and expenses, and compare them to your income.
It’s easy to panic at what feels like an insurmountable, out-of-control money situation. “I’ll deal with that later” is a common refrain. Take one small, manageable action at a time toward eliminating your debt. Stop using your credit cards—many people report that cutting up cards, though scary at first, is one of the most freeing steps they took toward getting a handle on financial setbacks. Contacting a debt relief agency may be helpful. Simply making an appointment to talk to an experienced financial planner can alleviate a great deal of anxiety about money.
Get organized. Is material chaos making you crazy and keeping you from achieving what you most want and need to achieve? Do you lose time looking for documents and other necessities? Making a New Year’s resolution to simplify, organize and streamline your time and your physical space. Start by asking yourself, “What do I need to accomplish my daily tasks? Be ruthless about eliminating clutter and confusion—you’ll be amazed at the mental space and energy that is freed up when you clear out physical space. Like other major life changes, the way to make the organization habit is to stick to tackle it in bite-sized increments. Organize one drawer today—that’s it. Tomorrow, practice throwing out any paper you come across that serves no purpose. Before you know it, you’ll have a handful of effective organizational habits that you practice with regularity.
Find someone special. With the proliferation of online dating sites and other matchmaking services in recent years, it’s become common for many people to go about finding a suitable partner as they would any other life goal. This approach may or may not be for you, but regardless, the best place to start is with yourself. Overall, are you the person you want to be, and are you happy with what you can bring to the table in a relationship? Before you sign up for that dating service, it’s a good idea to get clear about you wants and expectations when it comes to romance. What are your deal-breakers, and how much are you willing to compromise? Resolve not to settle simply because you want someone in your life. The more honest you are, the more likely you’ll be to find someone you have a real and joyful future with.
Focus on more important relationships. Does New Year’s always remind you that your children (or parents, spouse, or friends) are getting older, and that you really should spend more quality time together? You can’t go wrong making a commitment like this. Like resolving to volunteer or to get healthy, making a decision to focus on the important people in your life is a resolution to be more authentic and involved in your life. After all, this is the only life you have, and the loved ones around you are the greatest gifts of the journey.
It’s never too early in the year (or too late, for that matter) to contemplate, plan and initiate positive change. And while an official New Year’s resolution brings with it a clear opportunity to look to your life from a broader prospective, the reality is that these opportunities are available at all times. So what are you waiting for? As the clock strikes midnight this time around, what new life-changing journey will you begin?
By Liz Davis
As the holidays draw to a close every year, most people begin to contemplate, “What’s my New Year’s resolution going to be this year? While you inevitably grow and make changes throughout the year, there’s something refreshing and definitive about resolving to make changes at the beginning of a brand-new year. Many people even have a standing New Year’s resolution that they commit to anew every January; only to lose momentum somewhere along the way. Diminished resolve and motivation are common for everyone. Let’s take a look at the top 10 New Year’s resolutions people make every year, as well as some tips for making this the year you actually follow through.
Go back to school. There are few resolutions that involve more iniative and willingness than deciding to continue one’s education, whether that means picking up where you left off after high school or college, or taking your lifetime learning plans in a whole new direction. In certain career areas, additional training or certifications can mean increased earning potential. Learning a new language, for example, can make you more desirable to many employers.
There are also plenty of educational options for simply enriching your life and taking new chances. Is there something you’ve always wanted to do but never knew how to, or never felt qualified to undertake? Do you have pages of notes for short stories, or even a novel, but no idea what to do with them? Why not take an introductory writing class once a week at a local community college? The same goes for any skill or art form that you’ve always been interested in. Now is the time to look into educational opportunities in your area, so set aside the time and live out that dream!
Get a better job. Feeling dissatisfied at work is a common complaint. Perhaps you’re living paycheck to paycheck, or you may feel as though another position or employer would provide a more satisfying job situation. Career improvements can take many different forms, so educate yourself about the current climate in your field. Seek out professional role models and ask them how they got where they are.
You may feel professionally stymied, as though you can’t get a foot in the door in terms of moving up you company’s ladder. This is a common source of career frustration. A lateral move within your department might be advisable to begin with, giving you a chance to build a bigger skill set and therefore more bargaining power when you want to advance.
Another helpful option is to join a professional networking site. Spend a little of your spare time scouring online job ads (but not while you’re at work!), and set aside an afternoon or evening to update and polish your resume. If you’re not doing what you feel you were born to do, what’s stopping you from moving in that direction? What skills do you already have that you can leverage in pursuit of a new or better career?
Get in shape. This is likely the most common New Year’s resolution people make. The passing of another year is a reminder that no one is getting any younger.
In fact, most people are accelerating their own decline into premature old age, owing to poor diet and lack of physical activity. Along with quitting smoking and drinking, this New Year’s resolution sees the highest rates of failure. The reason for that? Perfectionism and unrealistic expectations.
Talk to your doctor before planning a complete overhaul of your diet and exercise habits, especially if you have a medical condition that requires special care. Whether you want to lose 100 pounds or you’d simply like to drop that last five and tighten up all over, the only way to achieve lasting results is through small, manageable changes over time. For example, weight loss greater than one to three pounds a week rarely lasts. So take it slow, be kind to yourself and keep trying. Resist the urge to throw your hands up if you miss a day of exercise or eat something you’re “not supposed to.” The focus of any successful wellness plan is overall health and balance, not physical and mental perfection.
An accountability partner is an excellent way to stay motivated. You can remind each other of your reasons for wanting to exercise and eat healthfully. The encouragement and camaraderie of another person who’s struggling with the same challenges are invaluable when striving to make big life changes. The best part is that you’ll be able to congratulate each other on your continuing progress; there’s no better feeling than being thrilled for yourself and someone else!
Make a difference. Making a conscious choice to give of oneself for the benefit of others is a vastly satisfying and potentially life-changing New Year’s resolution. Volunteering is one of the most effective ways to feel useful and connected to others. The key to sticking with a volunteer gig is finding something that fills you up spiritually and emotionally. What do you love to do? What are you good at? Volunteermatch.com is an excellent resource for finding a volunteer opportunity that suits you to a tee.
Go somewhere. Travel is high on many people’s New Year’s to-do lists. Some want to set aside more time for recreation and relaxation with family and friends. Others want to see more of the world and the myriad experience that traveling offers. Where do you want to go? Start by visualizing and researching the destinations you most want to visit. Dream big, be specific and make plans. You may want to open a savings account to help you set aside the funds necessary for your dream trip.
Quit smoking. Lots of folks decide to quit smoking at the first of the year, often beginning with boatloads of momentum and optimism. The key to quitting is preparation and practice. Prepare and educate yourself for quitting. Don’t feel pressured to quit on the first of January unless you’ve developed a realistic quit plan ahead of time. If you cave in and smoke, don’t beat yourself up. Every time you quit is practice for staying stopped; the more you try, the more likely you are to quit for good.
Reduce debt and save money. Money is a common source of major stress. Although any New Year’s resolution is more achievable when you get the facts, figures, pros and cons down on paper, this one in particular works best if you have a specific sense of what you’re dealing with. So break out that calculator, pencil, paper and all those bills and statements. Keep track of all your expenditures for a set period of time. Add up your debts and expenses, and compare them to your income.
It’s easy to panic at what feels like an insurmountable, out-of-control money situation. “I’ll deal with that later” is a common refrain. Take one small, manageable action at a time toward eliminating your debt. Stop using your credit cards—many people report that cutting up cards, though scary at first, is one of the most freeing steps they took toward getting a handle on financial setbacks. Contacting a debt relief agency may be helpful. Simply making an appointment to talk to an experienced financial planner can alleviate a great deal of anxiety about money.
Get organized. Is material chaos making you crazy and keeping you from achieving what you most want and need to achieve? Do you lose time looking for documents and other necessities? Making a New Year’s resolution to simplify, organize and streamline your time and your physical space. Start by asking yourself, “What do I need to accomplish my daily tasks? Be ruthless about eliminating clutter and confusion—you’ll be amazed at the mental space and energy that is freed up when you clear out physical space. Like other major life changes, the way to make the organization habit is to stick to tackle it in bite-sized increments. Organize one drawer today—that’s it. Tomorrow, practice throwing out any paper you come across that serves no purpose. Before you know it, you’ll have a handful of effective organizational habits that you practice with regularity.
Find someone special. With the proliferation of online dating sites and other matchmaking services in recent years, it’s become common for many people to go about finding a suitable partner as they would any other life goal. This approach may or may not be for you, but regardless, the best place to start is with yourself. Overall, are you the person you want to be, and are you happy with what you can bring to the table in a relationship? Before you sign up for that dating service, it’s a good idea to get clear about you wants and expectations when it comes to romance. What are your deal-breakers, and how much are you willing to compromise? Resolve not to settle simply because you want someone in your life. The more honest you are, the more likely you’ll be to find someone you have a real and joyful future with.
Focus on more important relationships. Does New Year’s always remind you that your children (or parents, spouse, or friends) are getting older, and that you really should spend more quality time together? You can’t go wrong making a commitment like this. Like resolving to volunteer or to get healthy, making a decision to focus on the important people in your life is a resolution to be more authentic and involved in your life. After all, this is the only life you have, and the loved ones around you are the greatest gifts of the journey.
It’s never too early in the year (or too late, for that matter) to contemplate, plan and initiate positive change. And while an official New Year’s resolution brings with it a clear opportunity to look to your life from a broader prospective, the reality is that these opportunities are available at all times. So what are you waiting for? As the clock strikes midnight this time around, what new life-changing journey will you begin?
Thursday, December 16, 2010
The Ghosts in the House
THE GHOSTS IN THE HOUSE
This girl was in her room, working on a story of hers, because she needed to come up with a story for school. And she was, there, alone trying to get her homework done. But she needed some ideas to get her story going, so, she got up to look around in her bedroom for a book in her library. But, suddenly, she heard some eerie noises, coming from another room. She walked in that other room, and saw a ghost of her aunt, hanging from the ceiling. She, suddenly, realized that the old house, she lived in was haunted. And she let out an eerie scream, and ran back into her bedroom. But she didn’t know that the ghost of her aunt was, actually, a ghost. She thought she was seeing a vision of her aunt.
She hurried and got a book out of her library, and then, went back to her room, where she sat down at her laptop, and tried writing her story, which she ended up, anyways, writing about her aunt, because thoughts of her aunt didn’t seem to want to leave her mind. What then, came into her mind, was going into her story, which came out on her laptop as instead, a story about when her brother has served in Vietnam, and when he had come back from Vietnam, her older brother, Tom, had come back with agent orange. And in no time at all, he had died from Agent Orange. But jus before he had died from Agent Orange, he had gone crazy, and she had to use self-defense against him, many times. And he had ended up going into a mental institution, and now, she regretted losing contact with him. Because it seemed that she had lost all brotherly love for him. And she at that time, he had beren alive, hadn’t had any transportation over to the mental institution to keep in touch with him. And her mom and dad hadn’t allowed her to call him, because they had been afraid, that what he was suffering from at the time, his mental illness, would wear off on her. So, now, she, really, regretted not having been in touch with him all that time, he had lived in the mental institution.
Jus as she was working on her story, about her brother, serving in Vietnam, she seemed to go back in time in her mind, again, and this time, she found herself, screaming, because, suddenly, she found herself being pulled into some water, where there were a lot of brush around her. She figured she was experiencing some situation, which her brother had gotten himself in the middle of in Vietnam, when he had been serving his time in the war. She was struggling to get out of the water, and was having a hard time, swimming in the water, although, she was, originally, a good swimmer.
But, finally, after a big struggle in the water, she was able to get herself over to land, where she felt she was lost, and didn’t know where to head to find herself, a ride in a jeep to get herself back home, again. But not much time later, upon walking through the brush, dressed in army clothes, she was able to hail down a jeep. And some fellow, also, dressed in army fatigues, offered her a ride back home, which didn’t seem to be far away from where she lived in the family house, all by herself.
` Once, the guy, who seemed to know his way back to her family house, which house she lived in all by herself, she, upon arriving at the family house, not far from the water, where she struggled for survival, he dropped her off, there, at the house. And upon her, entering the house, she ran into her brother, who, originally, was thought to be dead. And the good thing about this situation, was that he has jus left the mental institution, and one of the doctors had given him, a ride back home. And she was so glad to see that he was alive, so, she game him, a big hug, and then, having lost track of time, she, again, went to work on her story about Vietnam. And her brother say beside her in a chair, a lazy boy chair, and talked to her while she was writing her story.
Suddenly, she went ahead in time, and back to the time, when she has to get her story done for school, tomorrow. When she had her story, finished, finally, she decided she would, being close to nighttime, go back to the library in the other room. And read some relaxing story before she went to bed, while her brother, himself, seemed to disappear from her room from the lazy boy chair..
When she walked back into her room, she called out her brother Tom’s name, and he didn’t seem to be where he, originally, was near her desk in the lazy boy chair. And in calling out his name, she was wondering, where he could be at. But she, in walking around the house, couldn’t seem to find him, anywhere. But then, she walked outside, and upon doing so, heard a scream, coming from the lake jus behind the house. And she figured the scream was coming from the wwater, so, she, immediately, in her jeans, donned a scub diving suit, which she found outside near the house near the back porch. She donned this scuba diving suit, and quickly, swam out into the water, and struggled to rescue him from the water, because she couldn’t seem to swim and was drowning in the water. So, she grabbed a hold onto him, upon coming across him in the water, because she happened to see hid head, bobbing above the water.
` Once, she brought him back to land, she, immediately, took off part of his scuba diving suit, and gave him mouth to mouth resuscitation. And he spit up some water and seemed to be alright. So, she carried back into the house, and put some warm blankets around him. And she made him, change his clothes, so that he wouldn’t freeze from being out in the cool water, although, it was in the middle of the summer and the water wasn’t, really, that cool to begin with.
`` He, finally, was alright, so, she told him to get a lot of rest, and she went back to her room, where she was going to get ready for bed. But upon entering the room, she heard some weird noises. And she couldn’t figure out where these noises were coming from. So, she, again, figured the house was haunted by her aunt, having died years ago from a severe illness.
` Upon her, reaching the closet, what should come out of the closet, was this green monster, and she was trying to fight this monster back with a broom. But this green monster kept howling at her. So, she finally breathed some fire back at this seething monster, and he melted into nothing.
So, what she did was wake up her brother in another room, and he was fine by now. So, she had him join her, and by some ghostly powers, he inherited from his aunt, he was able to disintegrate this monster, and this green monster melted down to nothing. And both her brother and her were now safe, but they didn’t want to keep living in a haunted house..
` So, that night the two of them left the house in a hurry, taking with them all they could of their belongings, and walked for miles until they found some apartments. There, at the apartments, because they didn’t have much money between both of them to pay for rent, the landlord was kind enough to allow them to live, thee, at one of the apartments with no rent payments. But in both of them, getting jobs over at the apartments, they both cleaned for old people, and off of that money, paid their rent to live in an apartment, together. And there at the apartment, her brother was older than her, so, he took on the job of caring for her, although, she has lived over at the family hoiuse for a little while, living, there, by herself.
` Never again, were either her brother or her ever haunted, again, by any ghosts, because the ghosts had been left over at the family house. And none of the apartments in the area, where they are living, were ever haunted in any way.
This girl was in her room, working on a story of hers, because she needed to come up with a story for school. And she was, there, alone trying to get her homework done. But she needed some ideas to get her story going, so, she got up to look around in her bedroom for a book in her library. But, suddenly, she heard some eerie noises, coming from another room. She walked in that other room, and saw a ghost of her aunt, hanging from the ceiling. She, suddenly, realized that the old house, she lived in was haunted. And she let out an eerie scream, and ran back into her bedroom. But she didn’t know that the ghost of her aunt was, actually, a ghost. She thought she was seeing a vision of her aunt.
She hurried and got a book out of her library, and then, went back to her room, where she sat down at her laptop, and tried writing her story, which she ended up, anyways, writing about her aunt, because thoughts of her aunt didn’t seem to want to leave her mind. What then, came into her mind, was going into her story, which came out on her laptop as instead, a story about when her brother has served in Vietnam, and when he had come back from Vietnam, her older brother, Tom, had come back with agent orange. And in no time at all, he had died from Agent Orange. But jus before he had died from Agent Orange, he had gone crazy, and she had to use self-defense against him, many times. And he had ended up going into a mental institution, and now, she regretted losing contact with him. Because it seemed that she had lost all brotherly love for him. And she at that time, he had beren alive, hadn’t had any transportation over to the mental institution to keep in touch with him. And her mom and dad hadn’t allowed her to call him, because they had been afraid, that what he was suffering from at the time, his mental illness, would wear off on her. So, now, she, really, regretted not having been in touch with him all that time, he had lived in the mental institution.
Jus as she was working on her story, about her brother, serving in Vietnam, she seemed to go back in time in her mind, again, and this time, she found herself, screaming, because, suddenly, she found herself being pulled into some water, where there were a lot of brush around her. She figured she was experiencing some situation, which her brother had gotten himself in the middle of in Vietnam, when he had been serving his time in the war. She was struggling to get out of the water, and was having a hard time, swimming in the water, although, she was, originally, a good swimmer.
But, finally, after a big struggle in the water, she was able to get herself over to land, where she felt she was lost, and didn’t know where to head to find herself, a ride in a jeep to get herself back home, again. But not much time later, upon walking through the brush, dressed in army clothes, she was able to hail down a jeep. And some fellow, also, dressed in army fatigues, offered her a ride back home, which didn’t seem to be far away from where she lived in the family house, all by herself.
` Once, the guy, who seemed to know his way back to her family house, which house she lived in all by herself, she, upon arriving at the family house, not far from the water, where she struggled for survival, he dropped her off, there, at the house. And upon her, entering the house, she ran into her brother, who, originally, was thought to be dead. And the good thing about this situation, was that he has jus left the mental institution, and one of the doctors had given him, a ride back home. And she was so glad to see that he was alive, so, she game him, a big hug, and then, having lost track of time, she, again, went to work on her story about Vietnam. And her brother say beside her in a chair, a lazy boy chair, and talked to her while she was writing her story.
Suddenly, she went ahead in time, and back to the time, when she has to get her story done for school, tomorrow. When she had her story, finished, finally, she decided she would, being close to nighttime, go back to the library in the other room. And read some relaxing story before she went to bed, while her brother, himself, seemed to disappear from her room from the lazy boy chair..
When she walked back into her room, she called out her brother Tom’s name, and he didn’t seem to be where he, originally, was near her desk in the lazy boy chair. And in calling out his name, she was wondering, where he could be at. But she, in walking around the house, couldn’t seem to find him, anywhere. But then, she walked outside, and upon doing so, heard a scream, coming from the lake jus behind the house. And she figured the scream was coming from the wwater, so, she, immediately, in her jeans, donned a scub diving suit, which she found outside near the house near the back porch. She donned this scuba diving suit, and quickly, swam out into the water, and struggled to rescue him from the water, because she couldn’t seem to swim and was drowning in the water. So, she grabbed a hold onto him, upon coming across him in the water, because she happened to see hid head, bobbing above the water.
` Once, she brought him back to land, she, immediately, took off part of his scuba diving suit, and gave him mouth to mouth resuscitation. And he spit up some water and seemed to be alright. So, she carried back into the house, and put some warm blankets around him. And she made him, change his clothes, so that he wouldn’t freeze from being out in the cool water, although, it was in the middle of the summer and the water wasn’t, really, that cool to begin with.
`` He, finally, was alright, so, she told him to get a lot of rest, and she went back to her room, where she was going to get ready for bed. But upon entering the room, she heard some weird noises. And she couldn’t figure out where these noises were coming from. So, she, again, figured the house was haunted by her aunt, having died years ago from a severe illness.
` Upon her, reaching the closet, what should come out of the closet, was this green monster, and she was trying to fight this monster back with a broom. But this green monster kept howling at her. So, she finally breathed some fire back at this seething monster, and he melted into nothing.
So, what she did was wake up her brother in another room, and he was fine by now. So, she had him join her, and by some ghostly powers, he inherited from his aunt, he was able to disintegrate this monster, and this green monster melted down to nothing. And both her brother and her were now safe, but they didn’t want to keep living in a haunted house..
` So, that night the two of them left the house in a hurry, taking with them all they could of their belongings, and walked for miles until they found some apartments. There, at the apartments, because they didn’t have much money between both of them to pay for rent, the landlord was kind enough to allow them to live, thee, at one of the apartments with no rent payments. But in both of them, getting jobs over at the apartments, they both cleaned for old people, and off of that money, paid their rent to live in an apartment, together. And there at the apartment, her brother was older than her, so, he took on the job of caring for her, although, she has lived over at the family hoiuse for a little while, living, there, by herself.
` Never again, were either her brother or her ever haunted, again, by any ghosts, because the ghosts had been left over at the family house. And none of the apartments in the area, where they are living, were ever haunted in any way.
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