Monday, December 14, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
There's an art to listening in an audition. By Craig Wallace
http://www.backstage.com/bso/advice-the-craft/quiet-someone-s-getting-the-job-1004050300.story
You've just seen a movie with a group of friends. You're having coffee, discussing a particular scene that everyone agrees was the best part of the movie. You all try to remember the exact lines of the scene, but you find that each of you remembers them differently. Then things get quiet for a moment as you replay the movie in your head: You see the faces of the actors, their eyes; you fall into memory of the deep, pure silence of the scene, and you realize it wasn't the actors' words that made the impact. It was their listening.
We take in words intellectually. They stay in the memory based on the importance the brain gives them. But we take in reactions on a more visceral level, and they become imprinted on the heart. This is what great film and TV actors offer us through listening. And this is what you have to offer through listening, starting from the very first moment of your audition.
Reactive Media
Film and television are reactive media. The next time you're watching a TV show or movie, notice that the actors listen and react more than they talk. It follows, then, that hiring decisions made in auditions are based heavily—at least 50 percent—on what you're doing when you're not reading your lines. Too many actors believe an audition is all about their lines. But while they may read well, they're not going to get the job if that's all they've prepared for. Then, when they don't get the job, they obsess over how to improve their reading rather than how to improve the quality of their listening, their silence, and their reactions to the other character's lines.
The kind of listening that wins jobs isn't about glancing at the reader every once in a while in an effort to appear involved and connected. What I'm talking about is listening so alive and vivid that it expands the possibilities of the role. Some call this "map of the world" listening. It happens when an actor is deeply connected and engaged when the other person is speaking, to the point where the actor's face opens up and shows us the "map" of his or her emotional world. Directors especially love this quality. They know that if they hire an actor who really knows how to listen, they will get consistently dynamic reaction shots and the unique moments of silent revelation that are so vital onscreen. A director friend of mine says he won't consider hiring an actor unless he sees that the actor is able to tell the entire story of the scene through his or her face and eyes. He wants the actor who doesn't actually need the lines to make the scene compelling. That's the level at which job-getting actors operate.
Even in roles with a relatively narrow scope—a tough cop, a prickly judge, a sweet mom—or with very few lines, listening can make or break an audition. The risk with these roles is that even if you have made wonderful choices, it's more than likely that many other actors will have made choices in the same ballpark. So what breaks you out from the crowd? Why you and not them? Again, your uniqueness lies in your moments of silence. While other actors may be able to speak like you, nobody listens like you, processes information the way you do, or reacts as you react. These moments of fully involved listening say more about who you are than the words ever could. At the end of the day, what gets you the job will have less to do with what you say and much more to do with how you hear.
A Dynamic Form of Communication
One of the reasons listening is often a problem in auditions is because most actors don't listen particularly well in real life. This is not exclusive to actors, by the way. Our culture is so wired and we have so much information coming at us from all directions all the time that our brains are constantly multitasking. Our listening skills become shaky at best. We may look like we're listening to what someone is saying; some of their words might even get in. But at the same time, we're thinking about the text we just got, the grocery list, or our next appointment. No wonder most actors, if they listen at all, listen in this distracted, jumpy way in auditions.
Let me repeat: Film and TV are about real listening, the kind that requires you to clear your addled mind and focus exclusively on the person right there in front of you and what he or she has to say. The kind in which you allow the person's words and thoughts to penetrate your heart and mind and then let your reactions to those words emanate purely and powerfully from your eyes as your face relaxes from its neutral curtain and becomes alive with expression. Real listening is about listening as a form of communication that is just as dynamic as speaking and is appreciated as such. The actor who really listens knows it's the eyes that are the window to the soul, not the mouth.
The art of map-of-the-world listening in auditions requires openness born of skill. I teach the specific steps to attaining this skill in much greater detail in my classes, but, simply defined, it rests on mastering a technique that allows you to find and establish personally meaningful relationships to the other character or characters in the scene, in order to form connections that have depth and intensity.
We all know that most of the time you're not going to get a lot of help in this regard from the reader. But that will matter less if you have established a strong relationship: You will be responding more to the feelings you have for the person than to how his or her words are being delivered. If you have the tools and take the time to establish a dynamic relationship, your reactions will stay fresh and vivid throughout the scene. You will be on your way to being a map-of-the-world listener. But if you rely only on the reader to give you something to react to truthfully, well, that's a map to nowhere.
Giving a reading is not nearly enough to win a role. Jobs don't go to readings but to real people, and real people really listen. Jobs go to actors who are confident enough to take the time to deeply hear, process, and react to what the other person is saying. These are actors who know that jobs are won in the silences; actors who appreciate that, as in life, there is no audition that can't be improved by a moment or two of being quiet and connecting. The actors whom directors want are those whose reactions expand the possibilities of the role, and whose open and expressive faces will stay in people's hearts long after the words are forgotten.
You've just seen a movie with a group of friends. You're having coffee, discussing a particular scene that everyone agrees was the best part of the movie. You all try to remember the exact lines of the scene, but you find that each of you remembers them differently. Then things get quiet for a moment as you replay the movie in your head: You see the faces of the actors, their eyes; you fall into memory of the deep, pure silence of the scene, and you realize it wasn't the actors' words that made the impact. It was their listening.
We take in words intellectually. They stay in the memory based on the importance the brain gives them. But we take in reactions on a more visceral level, and they become imprinted on the heart. This is what great film and TV actors offer us through listening. And this is what you have to offer through listening, starting from the very first moment of your audition.
Reactive Media
Film and television are reactive media. The next time you're watching a TV show or movie, notice that the actors listen and react more than they talk. It follows, then, that hiring decisions made in auditions are based heavily—at least 50 percent—on what you're doing when you're not reading your lines. Too many actors believe an audition is all about their lines. But while they may read well, they're not going to get the job if that's all they've prepared for. Then, when they don't get the job, they obsess over how to improve their reading rather than how to improve the quality of their listening, their silence, and their reactions to the other character's lines.
The kind of listening that wins jobs isn't about glancing at the reader every once in a while in an effort to appear involved and connected. What I'm talking about is listening so alive and vivid that it expands the possibilities of the role. Some call this "map of the world" listening. It happens when an actor is deeply connected and engaged when the other person is speaking, to the point where the actor's face opens up and shows us the "map" of his or her emotional world. Directors especially love this quality. They know that if they hire an actor who really knows how to listen, they will get consistently dynamic reaction shots and the unique moments of silent revelation that are so vital onscreen. A director friend of mine says he won't consider hiring an actor unless he sees that the actor is able to tell the entire story of the scene through his or her face and eyes. He wants the actor who doesn't actually need the lines to make the scene compelling. That's the level at which job-getting actors operate.
Even in roles with a relatively narrow scope—a tough cop, a prickly judge, a sweet mom—or with very few lines, listening can make or break an audition. The risk with these roles is that even if you have made wonderful choices, it's more than likely that many other actors will have made choices in the same ballpark. So what breaks you out from the crowd? Why you and not them? Again, your uniqueness lies in your moments of silence. While other actors may be able to speak like you, nobody listens like you, processes information the way you do, or reacts as you react. These moments of fully involved listening say more about who you are than the words ever could. At the end of the day, what gets you the job will have less to do with what you say and much more to do with how you hear.
A Dynamic Form of Communication
One of the reasons listening is often a problem in auditions is because most actors don't listen particularly well in real life. This is not exclusive to actors, by the way. Our culture is so wired and we have so much information coming at us from all directions all the time that our brains are constantly multitasking. Our listening skills become shaky at best. We may look like we're listening to what someone is saying; some of their words might even get in. But at the same time, we're thinking about the text we just got, the grocery list, or our next appointment. No wonder most actors, if they listen at all, listen in this distracted, jumpy way in auditions.
Let me repeat: Film and TV are about real listening, the kind that requires you to clear your addled mind and focus exclusively on the person right there in front of you and what he or she has to say. The kind in which you allow the person's words and thoughts to penetrate your heart and mind and then let your reactions to those words emanate purely and powerfully from your eyes as your face relaxes from its neutral curtain and becomes alive with expression. Real listening is about listening as a form of communication that is just as dynamic as speaking and is appreciated as such. The actor who really listens knows it's the eyes that are the window to the soul, not the mouth.
The art of map-of-the-world listening in auditions requires openness born of skill. I teach the specific steps to attaining this skill in much greater detail in my classes, but, simply defined, it rests on mastering a technique that allows you to find and establish personally meaningful relationships to the other character or characters in the scene, in order to form connections that have depth and intensity.
We all know that most of the time you're not going to get a lot of help in this regard from the reader. But that will matter less if you have established a strong relationship: You will be responding more to the feelings you have for the person than to how his or her words are being delivered. If you have the tools and take the time to establish a dynamic relationship, your reactions will stay fresh and vivid throughout the scene. You will be on your way to being a map-of-the-world listener. But if you rely only on the reader to give you something to react to truthfully, well, that's a map to nowhere.
Giving a reading is not nearly enough to win a role. Jobs don't go to readings but to real people, and real people really listen. Jobs go to actors who are confident enough to take the time to deeply hear, process, and react to what the other person is saying. These are actors who know that jobs are won in the silences; actors who appreciate that, as in life, there is no audition that can't be improved by a moment or two of being quiet and connecting. The actors whom directors want are those whose reactions expand the possibilities of the role, and whose open and expressive faces will stay in people's hearts long after the words are forgotten.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
How not to pay too much for car repairs by Kim Fusaro, Little Miss Fortune, Glamour,
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/life/how-not-to-pay-too-much-for-car-repairs-546731/
A Reputable Mechanic Should Provide
* ASE or AAA certification, and/or a state license, which is required in many states
* A clean garage, free of empty cans, dirty rags, and old tires
* A friendly, polite staff that communicates well
* Before service: an itemized bill with a written estimate for repair work
* After service: a detailed invoice of work done and parts supplied
How to Approach a New Mechanic
* Get a recommendation. Ask someone with a similar income level and car if they have a good relationship with their mechanic. Don’t ask a friend who has a car or lifestyle that’s very different from yours.
* Use the owner’s manual. This manual is your most valuable defense tool when visiting the mechanic. You should never, ever walk into a mechanic and say, “I need a tune up.” This is an open invitation to charge you up to $1,000 for miscellaneous unnecessary services. Go by the services in your owner’s manual. Most list the necessary services according to the mileage on your car. Just saying something as simple as “I need my 30,000 mile service,” shows your mechanic you are informed and not someone he can easily take advantage of.
* Get an estimate. Before service, make sure your prospective mechanic gives you a detailed parts-and-labor estimate so you’ll know exactly what he plans to do and what went wrong if you have a post-service failure. Never accept a verbal estimate or a sheet of paper that says something unspecific like, “Fix Car - $800.” Make sure you sign the itemized estimate and walk away with a signed copy.
* Ask questions. Never be afraid of asking questions such as “Do I really need that?” or “I don’t see any symptoms of failure. Is work on that part absolutely necessary right now?” If your mechanic makes a generalization like, “The part is old,” ask for details. Find out if it’s leaking, losing pressure or what the specific problem is. Then ask to see the part. A good mechanic should be able to physically show you the problem with the part on your car or explain it to you by using a removed car part. Similarly, if the price quote sounds expensive, tell the mechanic what you were hoping to spend and ask him if you can get by safely with a less expensive job.
* If you think the job sounds expensive and your car seems to be working fine, get a second opinion.
Common Traps
* Drastic statements like, “We need to tow your car out of here because we don’t want to be responsible for you driving it,” are almost always a scam. If you drove your car into the mechanic with no issues, most likely you can drive it away from any threatening advice without any problems.
* Coolant and power steering flushes are common services some of the larger mechanic chains will propose in order to make money. Check your owner’s manual to see how long your fluid is supposed to last so you know if your mechanic’s suggestion is warranted.
* Do your research before having a catalytic converter or other emissions part repaired. Some of these pieces have a very long factory warranty including free replacement of covered parts.
* A muffler that lasts a lifetime does not exist. Many of the larger companies give you free replacements and make their money on expensive exhaust system repairs.
* The $55 brake pad job is also a scam, nine times out of 10. No shop can make money on a $55 dollar brake pad replacement job. It’s an excuse to suggest the replacement of other parts such as brake rotors when you don’t need them.
And to avoid landing in the mechanic’s shop in the first place ...
Keep Up on Car Maintenance
* Get regular fluid changes as per your owner’s manual. This includes oil as well as brake, windshield and coolant fluids.
* Replace the air filter when needed or suggested in the owner’s manual.
* Keep tires inflated properly for your safety. Check once a month and before long car trips to make sure your tires have a little bit less than maximum pressure.
I know, I know. It’s a ton of info. But I didn’t want to leave anything out—it all seems important!
A Reputable Mechanic Should Provide
* ASE or AAA certification, and/or a state license, which is required in many states
* A clean garage, free of empty cans, dirty rags, and old tires
* A friendly, polite staff that communicates well
* Before service: an itemized bill with a written estimate for repair work
* After service: a detailed invoice of work done and parts supplied
How to Approach a New Mechanic
* Get a recommendation. Ask someone with a similar income level and car if they have a good relationship with their mechanic. Don’t ask a friend who has a car or lifestyle that’s very different from yours.
* Use the owner’s manual. This manual is your most valuable defense tool when visiting the mechanic. You should never, ever walk into a mechanic and say, “I need a tune up.” This is an open invitation to charge you up to $1,000 for miscellaneous unnecessary services. Go by the services in your owner’s manual. Most list the necessary services according to the mileage on your car. Just saying something as simple as “I need my 30,000 mile service,” shows your mechanic you are informed and not someone he can easily take advantage of.
* Get an estimate. Before service, make sure your prospective mechanic gives you a detailed parts-and-labor estimate so you’ll know exactly what he plans to do and what went wrong if you have a post-service failure. Never accept a verbal estimate or a sheet of paper that says something unspecific like, “Fix Car - $800.” Make sure you sign the itemized estimate and walk away with a signed copy.
* Ask questions. Never be afraid of asking questions such as “Do I really need that?” or “I don’t see any symptoms of failure. Is work on that part absolutely necessary right now?” If your mechanic makes a generalization like, “The part is old,” ask for details. Find out if it’s leaking, losing pressure or what the specific problem is. Then ask to see the part. A good mechanic should be able to physically show you the problem with the part on your car or explain it to you by using a removed car part. Similarly, if the price quote sounds expensive, tell the mechanic what you were hoping to spend and ask him if you can get by safely with a less expensive job.
* If you think the job sounds expensive and your car seems to be working fine, get a second opinion.
Common Traps
* Drastic statements like, “We need to tow your car out of here because we don’t want to be responsible for you driving it,” are almost always a scam. If you drove your car into the mechanic with no issues, most likely you can drive it away from any threatening advice without any problems.
* Coolant and power steering flushes are common services some of the larger mechanic chains will propose in order to make money. Check your owner’s manual to see how long your fluid is supposed to last so you know if your mechanic’s suggestion is warranted.
* Do your research before having a catalytic converter or other emissions part repaired. Some of these pieces have a very long factory warranty including free replacement of covered parts.
* A muffler that lasts a lifetime does not exist. Many of the larger companies give you free replacements and make their money on expensive exhaust system repairs.
* The $55 brake pad job is also a scam, nine times out of 10. No shop can make money on a $55 dollar brake pad replacement job. It’s an excuse to suggest the replacement of other parts such as brake rotors when you don’t need them.
And to avoid landing in the mechanic’s shop in the first place ...
Keep Up on Car Maintenance
* Get regular fluid changes as per your owner’s manual. This includes oil as well as brake, windshield and coolant fluids.
* Replace the air filter when needed or suggested in the owner’s manual.
* Keep tires inflated properly for your safety. Check once a month and before long car trips to make sure your tires have a little bit less than maximum pressure.
I know, I know. It’s a ton of info. But I didn’t want to leave anything out—it all seems important!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Consume Guide: Slamming (telephone companies)
http://www.dps.state.ny.us/slamming.htm
What is SLAMMING?
Slamming is a term that describes a situation where your telephone service is switched from the telephone company you have selected to another company without your legitimate authorization.
How does SLAMMING occur?
Slamming can occur in several ways. Some companies use contests, prizes, surveys, bonus checks, or confusing telemarketing calls in an attempt to lure a consumer's consent to change the long distance and/or local toll/regional telephone service provider. Usually, the consumer does not realize that by responding to offers and answering telemarketer's questions, he/she may be authorizing a service change. The long distance/local toll telephone company (or telemarketer acting on its behalf) will then notify the local telephone company that the consumer has agreed to switch his/her long distance or local toll/regional service to another company.
How do I know I've been SLAMMED?
You may not be aware that you have been slammed until something looks different on your telephone bill. You may see a $5.00 carrier selection charge, a new billing company name, or higher than usual service charges. In addition, you may also receive a call from your previous carrier urging you to switch back.
Are there any laws to protect consumers against SLAMMING?
Yes. There are federal and New York State laws. Federal law requires truthful marketing, full disclosure and written or third-party verification of consent to switch. New York State law permits telephone companies to offer customers the option of "freezing" their telephone service provider and requires the new provider to notify consumers of the change in their telephone service provider. Also, state law prohibits the use of prize boxes to collect sweepstakes entries together with authorizations to change telephone service providers. State law also allows for companies found guilty of slamming to be fined $1,000 per slamming occurrence, per telephone number.
What can I do to protect myself from being SLAMMED?
* "Freeze" your telephone service provider.
Consumers should call their local phone company's business office and request a "freeze" of their long distance and local toll carriers where available. By "freezing" your service to your chosen company, your calls may not be carried on another company's network without your verbal or written authorization. HOWEVER, you need to be aware that a "freeze" will not always protect you from being slammed. A "freeze" will not prevent you from being slammed by another phone company which rents lines from your preferred carrier and resells that service to consumers.
* Confirm your current provider.
Make sure you know which company is currently providing your long distance or local toll telephone service. That company's name and phone number will appear on your phone bill. If the information is different from what you think it should be, alert your local phone company and your preferred regional toll/long distance carrier.
* Be cautious when receiving calls or filling out materials about changing your telephone service provider.
If contacted by a telemarketer regarding your telephone service, be sure you get the name of the company, the telephone number and the name of the person with whom you are speaking (along with a clear explanation of the purpose of the call). Also, be clear about which type of service for which you are authorizing a change. Frequently, telemarketers will not specify which type of service they are marketing, and then will switch your local toll/regional service along with your long distance service.
Read the small print on all solicitations before signing, since by signing them, you may be authorizing a change in your long distance or local toll/regional service without intending to do so.
If I get slammed, what should I do?
You should:
* Call your local telephone company and your long distance carrier,AND
* Call the New York State Public Service Commission's toll-free HELPLINE at 1-800-342-3377 from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, or;
* E-mail the New York State Public Service Commission at: web_questions.html
OTHER SOURCES OF HELP:
Attorney General's Office
New York State Department of Law
120 Broadway
New York, NY 10271
1-800-771-7755
Internet:http://www.oag.state.ny.us
Federal Communications Commission
Common Carrier Bureau
Consumer Protection Branch
Mail Stop 1600A2
Washington, DC 20554
1-888-225-5322
Internet:http://www.fcc.gov/ccb/
What is SLAMMING?
Slamming is a term that describes a situation where your telephone service is switched from the telephone company you have selected to another company without your legitimate authorization.
How does SLAMMING occur?
Slamming can occur in several ways. Some companies use contests, prizes, surveys, bonus checks, or confusing telemarketing calls in an attempt to lure a consumer's consent to change the long distance and/or local toll/regional telephone service provider. Usually, the consumer does not realize that by responding to offers and answering telemarketer's questions, he/she may be authorizing a service change. The long distance/local toll telephone company (or telemarketer acting on its behalf) will then notify the local telephone company that the consumer has agreed to switch his/her long distance or local toll/regional service to another company.
How do I know I've been SLAMMED?
You may not be aware that you have been slammed until something looks different on your telephone bill. You may see a $5.00 carrier selection charge, a new billing company name, or higher than usual service charges. In addition, you may also receive a call from your previous carrier urging you to switch back.
Are there any laws to protect consumers against SLAMMING?
Yes. There are federal and New York State laws. Federal law requires truthful marketing, full disclosure and written or third-party verification of consent to switch. New York State law permits telephone companies to offer customers the option of "freezing" their telephone service provider and requires the new provider to notify consumers of the change in their telephone service provider. Also, state law prohibits the use of prize boxes to collect sweepstakes entries together with authorizations to change telephone service providers. State law also allows for companies found guilty of slamming to be fined $1,000 per slamming occurrence, per telephone number.
What can I do to protect myself from being SLAMMED?
* "Freeze" your telephone service provider.
Consumers should call their local phone company's business office and request a "freeze" of their long distance and local toll carriers where available. By "freezing" your service to your chosen company, your calls may not be carried on another company's network without your verbal or written authorization. HOWEVER, you need to be aware that a "freeze" will not always protect you from being slammed. A "freeze" will not prevent you from being slammed by another phone company which rents lines from your preferred carrier and resells that service to consumers.
* Confirm your current provider.
Make sure you know which company is currently providing your long distance or local toll telephone service. That company's name and phone number will appear on your phone bill. If the information is different from what you think it should be, alert your local phone company and your preferred regional toll/long distance carrier.
* Be cautious when receiving calls or filling out materials about changing your telephone service provider.
If contacted by a telemarketer regarding your telephone service, be sure you get the name of the company, the telephone number and the name of the person with whom you are speaking (along with a clear explanation of the purpose of the call). Also, be clear about which type of service for which you are authorizing a change. Frequently, telemarketers will not specify which type of service they are marketing, and then will switch your local toll/regional service along with your long distance service.
Read the small print on all solicitations before signing, since by signing them, you may be authorizing a change in your long distance or local toll/regional service without intending to do so.
If I get slammed, what should I do?
You should:
* Call your local telephone company and your long distance carrier,AND
* Call the New York State Public Service Commission's toll-free HELPLINE at 1-800-342-3377 from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, or;
* E-mail the New York State Public Service Commission at: web_questions.html
OTHER SOURCES OF HELP:
Attorney General's Office
New York State Department of Law
120 Broadway
New York, NY 10271
1-800-771-7755
Internet:http://www.oag.state.ny.us
Federal Communications Commission
Common Carrier Bureau
Consumer Protection Branch
Mail Stop 1600A2
Washington, DC 20554
1-888-225-5322
Internet:http://www.fcc.gov/ccb/
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Healthy Detox by Dr. Maoshing Ni
http://health.yahoo.com/experts/drmao/22381/healthy-detox-after-overindulging/
FOOD OVERLOAD
Chinese medicine views proper digestion as the most essential component in living a long and healthy life. Your digestive function is made up of numerous organs all working together to break down, absorb, and process all of the nutrients in the food you eat. Without healthy digestion, you can become malnourished and toxins will build up in your body, leading to degenerative diseases and rapid aging down the road.
Indigestion is caused and made worse by overeating--especially rich, fatty, spicy foods, alcohol, coffee, and acidic foods. These remedies will get your digestion on the right track.
ONE HOUR AFTERWARD:
Walk it off
After a large meal, take a 10- to 20-minute stroll. Aside from the proven benefits to your heart, walking is the perfect gentle exercise for promoting digestion and encouraging cleansing of the lymphatic system. Walking helps food move along the digestive tract, improving digestion and absorption. For added benefits, walk while massaging your abdomen with your palms, in a circle around your belly button.
Herbal tea brings relief
Relieve that feeling of fullness with herbal teas that target your digestion: Steep 1 teaspoon each of mint, rosemary, oregano, cilantro, sage, and basil and in a cup of hot water. Drink after each meal to soothe and prevent bloating. Peppermint, chamomile, and ginger tea are other good choices for settling the stomach. Also, look for Chinese herbal formulas like Indigestion for digestive support and cleansing.
THE MORNING AFTER:
Start with apple cider
Apple cider vinegar is traditionally used to remedy digestive distress, support liver detoxification, normalize digestive juices, and reduce intestinal bloating. Mix 1 tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar with 12 ounces of warm water, and drink in the morning on empty stomach. Feel free to add a little honey or maple syrup. Lemon water will also help.
Eat right to lighten up
These meals will help your body recover from overindulgence.
* Breakfast: Eat oat bran cereal, brown rice, or any other whole grain cereal (as long as it is unbleached and does not contain any added sugar or chemicals.) Pair with unflavored soy milk.
* Lunch/Dinner: Eat any combination of beans, brown rice, oat bran, vegetables, and organic chicken, turkey, or soy-products.
* For a powerful Super Cleanse Broth, simmer any combination of the following ingredients for an hour: collards, Swiss chard, kale, mustard greens, cabbage, dandelion, Brussels sprouts, daikon radish, watercress, seaweed, shitake mushrooms, cilantro, garlic, leeks, fennel, anise, fresh ginger, and turmeric. Drink 8 ounces twice a day.
* A popular herbal formula among my patients is Internal Cleanse, a special combination of natural herbs to detoxify, clear the mind, promote emotional balance, and ease digestion. For more information, click here.
Try a detoxifying exercise
This movement is from Liver Cleansing Qi Gong, a body-mind exercise that was designed by ancient Chinese physicians to help stimulate the liver and drain the excess toxins from the body:
1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart in front of a tree. Inhale while raising your right leg and exhale while placing your right foot on the ground in front of you between your body and the tree.
2. Inhale while raising both arms from the sides until they come together over your head. Exhale while lowering your hands in front of your face. Visualize green light running down your face as your hands move down to your chest.
3. Inhale as you move your hands to the right rib cage over your liver. Exhale as you move your arms down your right abdomen and right leg, as if pushing down and out with your hands. Visualize the green light moving the toxins out of the liver, down the liver meridian on the inside right leg, and out the big toe.
ALCOHOL OVERINDULGENCE
The liver is one of the hardest working organs in your body and performs a wide variety of functions. Its most important ones include the processing of nutrients, the production of bile to help in digestion of food and eliminating wastes, and cleansing the blood of toxins such as drugs, alcohol, and other dangerous substances.
The liver has the ability to regenerate itself, but the effects of alcohol eventually wear down the liver. I strongly suggest that you keep your drinking to a minimum for the longevity of your liver and your health, but on that rare occasion when you overindulge, consider these remedies.
ONE HOUR AFTERWARD:
Ginger tea to the rescue
Ginger is an ancient Chinese remedy to minimize the symptoms of hangovers. Ginger has been found to soothe the digestive lining and balance gastric juices, making it a great remedy for overeating, too. This remedy is even more effective if you drink it in between alcoholic beverages.
Cut a 2-inch piece from fresh ginger root, and thinly slice. Bring three cups of water to boil in a pot. Add the sliced ginger and reduce heat to a simmer. Brew for about five minutes. Then strain out the ginger and sip the tea slowly. You may also add honey to taste.
Drink up!
Water, that is. Though this is hardly a secret remedy for combating a hangover, it bears repeating. Alcohol dehydrates your system, so drinking plenty of water will help combat some of your unpleasant hangover symptoms, rehydrate your body, and flush out toxins. Drink a few glasses of room temperature, filtered water after a night of holiday extravagance.
THE MORNING AFTER:
Start with lemon water
First thing in the morning, drink one lemon squeezed in 12 ounces of warm filtered water. Lemon activates your liver to release toxins and helps to cleanse and move the roughage that stays behind in your intestines. Throughout the day, drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water to flush your system.
Detoxify with herbal tea
Chinese traditional medicine uses natural substances to help support the healthy functions of your liver, lymphatic system, bowels, urinary tract, and skin. Try these herbs in teas to cleanse and prevent a buildup of toxins and wastes in your body:
*
Chrysanthemum flower is traditionally used to cleanse the liver and neutralize toxins.
*
Hawthorn berry is used to cleanse the blood of plaque and other toxins.
*
Turmeric supports the detoxification process in the whole body by increasing bile production and releasing and eliminating toxins. Simply put a tablespoon of the spice in a pot and stir over medium heat for five minutes.
*
Milk thistle protects and restores the liver, due to its content of silymarin.
*
Dandelion root has been found by studies to enhance the flow of bile, relieving liver congestion, which in turn aids the body in detoxifying.
*
Popular among my patients is Hangover, a Chinese herbal remedy that is helpful for relieving symptoms of hangover.
Heal your aching head
If you wake up with a "morning-after" headache, try this herbal tea to reduce head pressure: Boil 2 tbsp each of chrysanthemum flowers and mint leaves in 4 cups of water for 15 minutes. Drink throughout the day until your headache subsides.
I hope this article helps you recover from the effects of overindulgence! I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.
May you live long, live strong, and live happy!
--Dr. Mao
FOOD OVERLOAD
Chinese medicine views proper digestion as the most essential component in living a long and healthy life. Your digestive function is made up of numerous organs all working together to break down, absorb, and process all of the nutrients in the food you eat. Without healthy digestion, you can become malnourished and toxins will build up in your body, leading to degenerative diseases and rapid aging down the road.
Indigestion is caused and made worse by overeating--especially rich, fatty, spicy foods, alcohol, coffee, and acidic foods. These remedies will get your digestion on the right track.
ONE HOUR AFTERWARD:
Walk it off
After a large meal, take a 10- to 20-minute stroll. Aside from the proven benefits to your heart, walking is the perfect gentle exercise for promoting digestion and encouraging cleansing of the lymphatic system. Walking helps food move along the digestive tract, improving digestion and absorption. For added benefits, walk while massaging your abdomen with your palms, in a circle around your belly button.
Herbal tea brings relief
Relieve that feeling of fullness with herbal teas that target your digestion: Steep 1 teaspoon each of mint, rosemary, oregano, cilantro, sage, and basil and in a cup of hot water. Drink after each meal to soothe and prevent bloating. Peppermint, chamomile, and ginger tea are other good choices for settling the stomach. Also, look for Chinese herbal formulas like Indigestion for digestive support and cleansing.
THE MORNING AFTER:
Start with apple cider
Apple cider vinegar is traditionally used to remedy digestive distress, support liver detoxification, normalize digestive juices, and reduce intestinal bloating. Mix 1 tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar with 12 ounces of warm water, and drink in the morning on empty stomach. Feel free to add a little honey or maple syrup. Lemon water will also help.
Eat right to lighten up
These meals will help your body recover from overindulgence.
* Breakfast: Eat oat bran cereal, brown rice, or any other whole grain cereal (as long as it is unbleached and does not contain any added sugar or chemicals.) Pair with unflavored soy milk.
* Lunch/Dinner: Eat any combination of beans, brown rice, oat bran, vegetables, and organic chicken, turkey, or soy-products.
* For a powerful Super Cleanse Broth, simmer any combination of the following ingredients for an hour: collards, Swiss chard, kale, mustard greens, cabbage, dandelion, Brussels sprouts, daikon radish, watercress, seaweed, shitake mushrooms, cilantro, garlic, leeks, fennel, anise, fresh ginger, and turmeric. Drink 8 ounces twice a day.
* A popular herbal formula among my patients is Internal Cleanse, a special combination of natural herbs to detoxify, clear the mind, promote emotional balance, and ease digestion. For more information, click here.
Try a detoxifying exercise
This movement is from Liver Cleansing Qi Gong, a body-mind exercise that was designed by ancient Chinese physicians to help stimulate the liver and drain the excess toxins from the body:
1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart in front of a tree. Inhale while raising your right leg and exhale while placing your right foot on the ground in front of you between your body and the tree.
2. Inhale while raising both arms from the sides until they come together over your head. Exhale while lowering your hands in front of your face. Visualize green light running down your face as your hands move down to your chest.
3. Inhale as you move your hands to the right rib cage over your liver. Exhale as you move your arms down your right abdomen and right leg, as if pushing down and out with your hands. Visualize the green light moving the toxins out of the liver, down the liver meridian on the inside right leg, and out the big toe.
ALCOHOL OVERINDULGENCE
The liver is one of the hardest working organs in your body and performs a wide variety of functions. Its most important ones include the processing of nutrients, the production of bile to help in digestion of food and eliminating wastes, and cleansing the blood of toxins such as drugs, alcohol, and other dangerous substances.
The liver has the ability to regenerate itself, but the effects of alcohol eventually wear down the liver. I strongly suggest that you keep your drinking to a minimum for the longevity of your liver and your health, but on that rare occasion when you overindulge, consider these remedies.
ONE HOUR AFTERWARD:
Ginger tea to the rescue
Ginger is an ancient Chinese remedy to minimize the symptoms of hangovers. Ginger has been found to soothe the digestive lining and balance gastric juices, making it a great remedy for overeating, too. This remedy is even more effective if you drink it in between alcoholic beverages.
Cut a 2-inch piece from fresh ginger root, and thinly slice. Bring three cups of water to boil in a pot. Add the sliced ginger and reduce heat to a simmer. Brew for about five minutes. Then strain out the ginger and sip the tea slowly. You may also add honey to taste.
Drink up!
Water, that is. Though this is hardly a secret remedy for combating a hangover, it bears repeating. Alcohol dehydrates your system, so drinking plenty of water will help combat some of your unpleasant hangover symptoms, rehydrate your body, and flush out toxins. Drink a few glasses of room temperature, filtered water after a night of holiday extravagance.
THE MORNING AFTER:
Start with lemon water
First thing in the morning, drink one lemon squeezed in 12 ounces of warm filtered water. Lemon activates your liver to release toxins and helps to cleanse and move the roughage that stays behind in your intestines. Throughout the day, drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water to flush your system.
Detoxify with herbal tea
Chinese traditional medicine uses natural substances to help support the healthy functions of your liver, lymphatic system, bowels, urinary tract, and skin. Try these herbs in teas to cleanse and prevent a buildup of toxins and wastes in your body:
*
Chrysanthemum flower is traditionally used to cleanse the liver and neutralize toxins.
*
Hawthorn berry is used to cleanse the blood of plaque and other toxins.
*
Turmeric supports the detoxification process in the whole body by increasing bile production and releasing and eliminating toxins. Simply put a tablespoon of the spice in a pot and stir over medium heat for five minutes.
*
Milk thistle protects and restores the liver, due to its content of silymarin.
*
Dandelion root has been found by studies to enhance the flow of bile, relieving liver congestion, which in turn aids the body in detoxifying.
*
Popular among my patients is Hangover, a Chinese herbal remedy that is helpful for relieving symptoms of hangover.
Heal your aching head
If you wake up with a "morning-after" headache, try this herbal tea to reduce head pressure: Boil 2 tbsp each of chrysanthemum flowers and mint leaves in 4 cups of water for 15 minutes. Drink throughout the day until your headache subsides.
I hope this article helps you recover from the effects of overindulgence! I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.
May you live long, live strong, and live happy!
--Dr. Mao
Monday, October 26, 2009
Personal Experiences in Relation to the Article Below
Growing up I had a preference for Caucasian men. It was from media influence and also based on personal experiences. Growing up, Asian guys didn't find me attractive. The guys who chased me, who made the effort to get to know me, who saw me as beautiful, were all Caucasian. To Asian guys I was too smart, too ambitious, even too fat, (because their ideal girls were all size 0). I studied engineering, to which one Asian guy remarked, "That is such an unfeminine career!"
I know how the author feels. I am labeled a sell out for dating white guys. But no Asian guys ever approached me. The ones that I approached, I didn't fit their 'image'. Strangely enough, the Asian guys I met had an image of an Asian woman to be exactly like the stereotype: subservient, quiet, docile. She is the accessory item who sits pretty next to her man and drinks tea. When they get home, she should bring him his slippers. Every white guy I dated loved that I had fire, called him out on being wrong, and just accepted me the way that I am.
I was always the one to call off the relationship though. It's a complicated matter and too personal. I remember, not too long ago, I was at an Asian networking event where I was singing the praises of hotties like Daniel Henney. I was glad more Asian men are coming in to the mainstream that defied stereotypes. In fact, I've kept pictures of them on my blog.
A few Asian guys at the event said, "Oh, we don't want our pictures up." Um, first, they weren't even hot, and second, I never asked them. The last Asian guy who tried to hook up with me I couldn't date because he was one of the sheep. I met up with him and his friends, the Asian crowd that goes together in groups to go skiing or ice skating, things like that, to go to an improv show that had Eliot Chang in it, (my idea and it was an internet meetup thing). None had real interests or personal opinions. It was like being back in high school where all the guys got the same haircuts and all the girls had powdered faces and dark lipstick. And they all shopped at J. Crew or Banana Republic.
I can't be with someone who is easily influenced by others. My own brother is like that. He's the first to call me a sell out if he knew who I dated. My brother's point of view is: Asian women shouldn't date outside their race. He even hinted that she should take any Asian guy who's willing to have her, as long as she doesn't date outside her race. I don't know if his point of view has changed, but so many Asian guys like him share that point of view.
I remember one Chinese guy friend who cheered whenever he saw an Asian guy with a white girl. It's okay for a guy to date outside his race but not a girl?
I'm picky about boyfriends and I'm picky about friends, because it is really hard to find good people. I mean really good people who will stand by you and support you. I've never been in groups because everyone sways toward opinions that won't rock the boat. Since I'm always the one who asks, why not?, I'm generally the first to drift away. People don't like to think too much. They tend to just follow the status quo. It's easier to follow a view dictated by others and defend it than come up with their own.
I know how the author feels. I am labeled a sell out for dating white guys. But no Asian guys ever approached me. The ones that I approached, I didn't fit their 'image'. Strangely enough, the Asian guys I met had an image of an Asian woman to be exactly like the stereotype: subservient, quiet, docile. She is the accessory item who sits pretty next to her man and drinks tea. When they get home, she should bring him his slippers. Every white guy I dated loved that I had fire, called him out on being wrong, and just accepted me the way that I am.
I was always the one to call off the relationship though. It's a complicated matter and too personal. I remember, not too long ago, I was at an Asian networking event where I was singing the praises of hotties like Daniel Henney. I was glad more Asian men are coming in to the mainstream that defied stereotypes. In fact, I've kept pictures of them on my blog.
A few Asian guys at the event said, "Oh, we don't want our pictures up." Um, first, they weren't even hot, and second, I never asked them. The last Asian guy who tried to hook up with me I couldn't date because he was one of the sheep. I met up with him and his friends, the Asian crowd that goes together in groups to go skiing or ice skating, things like that, to go to an improv show that had Eliot Chang in it, (my idea and it was an internet meetup thing). None had real interests or personal opinions. It was like being back in high school where all the guys got the same haircuts and all the girls had powdered faces and dark lipstick. And they all shopped at J. Crew or Banana Republic.
I can't be with someone who is easily influenced by others. My own brother is like that. He's the first to call me a sell out if he knew who I dated. My brother's point of view is: Asian women shouldn't date outside their race. He even hinted that she should take any Asian guy who's willing to have her, as long as she doesn't date outside her race. I don't know if his point of view has changed, but so many Asian guys like him share that point of view.
I remember one Chinese guy friend who cheered whenever he saw an Asian guy with a white girl. It's okay for a guy to date outside his race but not a girl?
I'm picky about boyfriends and I'm picky about friends, because it is really hard to find good people. I mean really good people who will stand by you and support you. I've never been in groups because everyone sways toward opinions that won't rock the boat. Since I'm always the one who asks, why not?, I'm generally the first to drift away. People don't like to think too much. They tend to just follow the status quo. It's easier to follow a view dictated by others and defend it than come up with their own.
Asian American women bear a cross as heavy as that borne by AA men. by Nadine Park Brookston
http://goldsea.com/Text/index.php?id=2106
By the age of ten I could picture my future husband. He would be handsome, thoughtful, brilliant, strong and sing like an archangel, just like my father. In my family race was never mentioned in connection with marriage. My parents’ only advice on the subject was, “Marry someone who respects you, someone you can respect in return.” I secretly decided, however, that the man I would marry would be Asian. It was a decision born of racial pride, filial love and maybe a touch of hero-worship.
Other than my brother and me, few Asians attended my high school. One was my best friend, a Chinese American girl. Kaylee had a crush on my older brother Jongsoo. I was friendly with an Asian boy named Lyle. He was smart, cute and, despite a few pimples and a nasal voice, attractive to me. We had some classes together and were friendly. I found myself thinking of him in a romantic way and imagined he saw me the same way. My hopes were dashed when he took another girl, a blonde, to the sophomore Halloween dance. I was equally disappointed when my brother Jongsoo turned down Kaylee’s invitation to the Sadie Hawkins dance.
For two years I turned down other boys in the hope Lyle would see the light. He never did, though we stayed friends. To this day he probably doesn’t know I had been waiting for him to ask me out. In my senior year I gave up on him and began dating a caucasian boy who had been asking me out since sophomore year. If Lyle cared, he never showed it. At our ten-year reunion I was flabbergasted to hear him recall, “You always did have a thing for blond guys!” The icy fury of my response surprised me even more than it did him.
“And you always were such a clueless asshole!” With that I turned on my heel and headed for the far side of the room.
It wasn’t until later that I began sorting out the emotions behind that little outburst. That’s when I began to understand that we Asian American women have been forced to carry a cross that is at least as heavy as the one borne by Asian American men. What makes it so much worse is that most people, including even some Asian American women, don’t know it. Remember that law of physics about every action producing an equal and opposite reaction? It applies to relations between men and women: for every injustice suffered by Asian men, Asian women suffer one of equal magnitude.
By now it’s well understood, at least among Asian Americans, that Asian men in America have to live with a lot of insulting false assumptions. It suffices to say that those stereotypes hamper AA men in the pursuit of professional and personal goals. Most people agree as to how unfair and inaccurate those assumptions are. By contrast even many otherwise intelligent people actually believe that we Asian American women enjoy a corresponding advantage! In other words, we are thought actually to benefit in some way from the existence of those nasty stereotypes about Asian men!
What is the advantage we are thought to enjoy? That we scorn our own men and are, therefore, desperately seeking white men which in turn makes us eager to please and therefore appealing to white men. How unspeakably vile is that? What self-respecting woman of any race would want to live with that kind of image?
It’s bad enough that we are constantly forced to fend off the insulting advances of white men who are clueless enough to believe the stereotype. What’s even worse is that many Asians of both genders seem to believe it as well! That, I would submit, is the terrible burden that we Asian women must bear. To have members of your own race see you as having traded on your ethnicity is like being trapped in one of those nightmarish halls of mirrors with no way out. That was the frustration behind my surprising outburst to Lyle at our reunion.
Before I continue, let me pause to admit that I am married to a white man. I say “admit” because there will be those Asian Americans who see in that fact irrefutable evidence that I am a “whitewashed sellout” and have been all along. As though we Asian American women have spent our entire lives hoping to marry outside of our race!
Why did I marry a white man? Because the first man I met who respected me as a person and whom I could respect in return happened to be white. And because my parents raised me not to judge a person by his race. Had I decided against marrying my husband for the sake of my girlhood dream of marrying an Asian American man, wouldn’t I have been as much a racist as a white woman who refuses to marry an Asian American man?
My parents had no trouble accepting my husband because they saw that he is a man worth respecting and, more importantly, that he does indeed respect me. Their love for me remains undiminished. They have never questioned the deep pride I have in my Asian heritage and culture. Yet every time I meet an Asian person, I catch myself bracing. Will I be recognized for what I am or be mistaken for their preconceptions?
That may have something to do with the fact that I was unmarried well into my thirties, dating rarely through my twenties. By most measures I should have been considered an attractive marriage prospect. I have a pleasant face, a cheerful disposition, a trim body, a good education, a successful career and good conversational skills. I never imagined myself as the type men would swarm over but I had always expected that I would have my fair share of interest from Asian men. How wrong life proved me.
Men did swarm over me but few were Asian. On those occasions when I spotted an attractive Asian man and worked up the nerve to strike up a conversation, he typically showed conditional interest, then drifted away. That happened again and again. I was baffled. For a while I even took secretly to studying women with Asian husbands to see what I might be doing wrong. I even let my mother set me up with a man introduced by a friend of hers. He turned out to have very old-country expectations of women. I wanted to marry an Asian man, but I wasn’t willing to transform myself from an American into someone of an alien nationality.
No one understands the Asian woman’s burden better than their men, perhaps even more so if they happen not to be Asian. My husband is as troubled as I am by false assumptions about Asian American woman. “It’s an insult to us both,” he told me more than once. When we are together in social situations I find myself putting on a kind of performance for his sake. He understands why I do it but sometimes calls me on it. “You were doing the bitch-goddess bit again,” he would observe. He knows I do it to counter the assumption that I, as an Asian woman, was somehow an easy catch for him — and the attendant implications about himself. He knows better than anyone how untrue it is. I was by no means a bitch-goddess but I was certainly no easy catch. For nearly two years I had put him off by confiding that I was hoping to marry an Asian man. It hurt him. “That will never happen,” he scoffed with what I took to be false bravado. “Those Asian guys don’t know a good thing when they see it.”
Unbeknownst to him I had often consoled myself with those very words. To this day I don’t know why not one of the Asian men I dated showed serious interest in me, but I soothed myself with a plethora of theories. Were they too confused by the stereotypes — about themselves and about Asian women — to take me at face value — a desirable Asian woman who preferred Asian men? They seemed to hold back, as though suspicious of my motives, doubtful of my sincerity, perhaps waiting for me to throw myself at their feet to prove my commitment. Stereotypes had robbed me of the power to be seen for what I am. As I approached my mid thirties my longing for someone who understood me came to overshadow my girlhood dream of marrying an Asian man.
Some Asians seem to suppose that an Asian woman married to a white man has no interest in her identity. Nothing could be less true. As an Asian woman in an interracial relationship I am subjected to far more opportunities to experience the subtle prejudices than an Asian woman married to an Asian man can even imagine. It isn’t that my husband’s relatives, old friends, co-workers and neighbors dislike me for being Asian. It’s simply that most can’t know me the way my husband does and too often fill in the blanks with those old misconceptions. For that reason I am more conscious, on a day to day basis, of a longing to connect with my fellow Asian Americans. Unfortunately, all too often that longing slams up against so much misunderstanding and hostility that at times, bitterly disillusioned, I have come close to turning my back on Asians.
What could be more painful than being misunderstood and rejected by those with whom you share the most? I asked myself why I should keep subjecting myself to rejection and pain because of stereotypes and assumptions for which I have no responsibility? It seemed easier to avoid Asians altogether. But then would come those rare and brief but powerful flashes of mutual recognition upon meeting a kindred Asian American soul who can see me for what I am. I cherish those moments and long for the day when they won’t be so rare.
By the age of ten I could picture my future husband. He would be handsome, thoughtful, brilliant, strong and sing like an archangel, just like my father. In my family race was never mentioned in connection with marriage. My parents’ only advice on the subject was, “Marry someone who respects you, someone you can respect in return.” I secretly decided, however, that the man I would marry would be Asian. It was a decision born of racial pride, filial love and maybe a touch of hero-worship.
Other than my brother and me, few Asians attended my high school. One was my best friend, a Chinese American girl. Kaylee had a crush on my older brother Jongsoo. I was friendly with an Asian boy named Lyle. He was smart, cute and, despite a few pimples and a nasal voice, attractive to me. We had some classes together and were friendly. I found myself thinking of him in a romantic way and imagined he saw me the same way. My hopes were dashed when he took another girl, a blonde, to the sophomore Halloween dance. I was equally disappointed when my brother Jongsoo turned down Kaylee’s invitation to the Sadie Hawkins dance.
For two years I turned down other boys in the hope Lyle would see the light. He never did, though we stayed friends. To this day he probably doesn’t know I had been waiting for him to ask me out. In my senior year I gave up on him and began dating a caucasian boy who had been asking me out since sophomore year. If Lyle cared, he never showed it. At our ten-year reunion I was flabbergasted to hear him recall, “You always did have a thing for blond guys!” The icy fury of my response surprised me even more than it did him.
“And you always were such a clueless asshole!” With that I turned on my heel and headed for the far side of the room.
It wasn’t until later that I began sorting out the emotions behind that little outburst. That’s when I began to understand that we Asian American women have been forced to carry a cross that is at least as heavy as the one borne by Asian American men. What makes it so much worse is that most people, including even some Asian American women, don’t know it. Remember that law of physics about every action producing an equal and opposite reaction? It applies to relations between men and women: for every injustice suffered by Asian men, Asian women suffer one of equal magnitude.
By now it’s well understood, at least among Asian Americans, that Asian men in America have to live with a lot of insulting false assumptions. It suffices to say that those stereotypes hamper AA men in the pursuit of professional and personal goals. Most people agree as to how unfair and inaccurate those assumptions are. By contrast even many otherwise intelligent people actually believe that we Asian American women enjoy a corresponding advantage! In other words, we are thought actually to benefit in some way from the existence of those nasty stereotypes about Asian men!
What is the advantage we are thought to enjoy? That we scorn our own men and are, therefore, desperately seeking white men which in turn makes us eager to please and therefore appealing to white men. How unspeakably vile is that? What self-respecting woman of any race would want to live with that kind of image?
It’s bad enough that we are constantly forced to fend off the insulting advances of white men who are clueless enough to believe the stereotype. What’s even worse is that many Asians of both genders seem to believe it as well! That, I would submit, is the terrible burden that we Asian women must bear. To have members of your own race see you as having traded on your ethnicity is like being trapped in one of those nightmarish halls of mirrors with no way out. That was the frustration behind my surprising outburst to Lyle at our reunion.
Before I continue, let me pause to admit that I am married to a white man. I say “admit” because there will be those Asian Americans who see in that fact irrefutable evidence that I am a “whitewashed sellout” and have been all along. As though we Asian American women have spent our entire lives hoping to marry outside of our race!
Why did I marry a white man? Because the first man I met who respected me as a person and whom I could respect in return happened to be white. And because my parents raised me not to judge a person by his race. Had I decided against marrying my husband for the sake of my girlhood dream of marrying an Asian American man, wouldn’t I have been as much a racist as a white woman who refuses to marry an Asian American man?
My parents had no trouble accepting my husband because they saw that he is a man worth respecting and, more importantly, that he does indeed respect me. Their love for me remains undiminished. They have never questioned the deep pride I have in my Asian heritage and culture. Yet every time I meet an Asian person, I catch myself bracing. Will I be recognized for what I am or be mistaken for their preconceptions?
That may have something to do with the fact that I was unmarried well into my thirties, dating rarely through my twenties. By most measures I should have been considered an attractive marriage prospect. I have a pleasant face, a cheerful disposition, a trim body, a good education, a successful career and good conversational skills. I never imagined myself as the type men would swarm over but I had always expected that I would have my fair share of interest from Asian men. How wrong life proved me.
Men did swarm over me but few were Asian. On those occasions when I spotted an attractive Asian man and worked up the nerve to strike up a conversation, he typically showed conditional interest, then drifted away. That happened again and again. I was baffled. For a while I even took secretly to studying women with Asian husbands to see what I might be doing wrong. I even let my mother set me up with a man introduced by a friend of hers. He turned out to have very old-country expectations of women. I wanted to marry an Asian man, but I wasn’t willing to transform myself from an American into someone of an alien nationality.
No one understands the Asian woman’s burden better than their men, perhaps even more so if they happen not to be Asian. My husband is as troubled as I am by false assumptions about Asian American woman. “It’s an insult to us both,” he told me more than once. When we are together in social situations I find myself putting on a kind of performance for his sake. He understands why I do it but sometimes calls me on it. “You were doing the bitch-goddess bit again,” he would observe. He knows I do it to counter the assumption that I, as an Asian woman, was somehow an easy catch for him — and the attendant implications about himself. He knows better than anyone how untrue it is. I was by no means a bitch-goddess but I was certainly no easy catch. For nearly two years I had put him off by confiding that I was hoping to marry an Asian man. It hurt him. “That will never happen,” he scoffed with what I took to be false bravado. “Those Asian guys don’t know a good thing when they see it.”
Unbeknownst to him I had often consoled myself with those very words. To this day I don’t know why not one of the Asian men I dated showed serious interest in me, but I soothed myself with a plethora of theories. Were they too confused by the stereotypes — about themselves and about Asian women — to take me at face value — a desirable Asian woman who preferred Asian men? They seemed to hold back, as though suspicious of my motives, doubtful of my sincerity, perhaps waiting for me to throw myself at their feet to prove my commitment. Stereotypes had robbed me of the power to be seen for what I am. As I approached my mid thirties my longing for someone who understood me came to overshadow my girlhood dream of marrying an Asian man.
Some Asians seem to suppose that an Asian woman married to a white man has no interest in her identity. Nothing could be less true. As an Asian woman in an interracial relationship I am subjected to far more opportunities to experience the subtle prejudices than an Asian woman married to an Asian man can even imagine. It isn’t that my husband’s relatives, old friends, co-workers and neighbors dislike me for being Asian. It’s simply that most can’t know me the way my husband does and too often fill in the blanks with those old misconceptions. For that reason I am more conscious, on a day to day basis, of a longing to connect with my fellow Asian Americans. Unfortunately, all too often that longing slams up against so much misunderstanding and hostility that at times, bitterly disillusioned, I have come close to turning my back on Asians.
What could be more painful than being misunderstood and rejected by those with whom you share the most? I asked myself why I should keep subjecting myself to rejection and pain because of stereotypes and assumptions for which I have no responsibility? It seemed easier to avoid Asians altogether. But then would come those rare and brief but powerful flashes of mutual recognition upon meeting a kindred Asian American soul who can see me for what I am. I cherish those moments and long for the day when they won’t be so rare.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Possible Halloween Costumes
After my friend shot down the Supa Pimp Mama costume:
I can be a racer:
Or a pin-up girl.Possible costume candidates are:
I can be a racer:
Or a pin-up girl.Possible costume candidates are:
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Helpful Software and Links for Writers
Bubbl helps you brainstorm online
http://www.bubbl.us/
* Create colorful mind maps online
* Share and work with friends
* Embed your mind map in your blog or website
* Email and print your mind map
* Save your mind map as an image
Evernote
http://www.evernote.com/about/learn_more/
Make notes and organize them then access them from anywhere
yWriter word processor for writers
http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter.html
Second, and still rather important, it's a word processor which breaks your novel into chapters and scenes. It will not write your novel for you, suggest plot ideas or perform creative tasks of any kind. It does help you keep track of your work, leaving your mind free to create.
http://www.bubbl.us/
* Create colorful mind maps online
* Share and work with friends
* Embed your mind map in your blog or website
* Email and print your mind map
* Save your mind map as an image
Evernote
http://www.evernote.com/about/learn_more/
Make notes and organize them then access them from anywhere
yWriter word processor for writers
http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter.html
Second, and still rather important, it's a word processor which breaks your novel into chapters and scenes. It will not write your novel for you, suggest plot ideas or perform creative tasks of any kind. It does help you keep track of your work, leaving your mind free to create.
WWII all-Chinese American unit reminisces by Julian Guthrie from SFGate.com
Harry Lim, Wilfred Eng, Tom Luey and Paul Ngim grew up in Oakland's Chinatown, riding their bikes in the quiet streets and graduating from high school together. In 1943, these sons of Chinese immigrants received letters that would change their lives, letters that began simply with "Greetings."
Images
Harry Lim (from left), Paul Ngim, Tom Luey and Wilfred En...Albert Fong kept a collection of photos of the Chinese Am...Susan and Sam Jue look through the directories on the Fly... View More Images
They were drafted into World War II and ended up together again, this time serving in the same all-Chinese American unit supporting the 14th Air Force's famed Flying Tigers. The fighter squadrons, flying the shark-faced P-40s, defended China against Japanese forces and will be the subject of a forthcoming film by action director John Woo.
More than six decades later, the Oakland boys are now octogenarians. Once a year, they get together to share stories, photos and memories - of flying "the hump," the aerial supply route over the Himalayas, and of returning after the war to a changed Chinatown and as changed men.
"When I got out of the service on Jan. 8, 1946, I was no longer a kid," chuckled Harry Lim, 84, at the Flying Tigers' recent reunion in Oakland. "I'd been around the world. I was proud I had served my time. We kind of proved we were not 'coolies.' "
His friends nodded. Before the war, discrimination against Chinese Americans was rampant, he said.
"The 'coolie' term was used because the Chinese had come to America and done the lowest-wage jobs," Lim said. "The war made things better for us."
An estimated 13,000 Chinese Americans served in World War II, but there were only two all-Chinese American units: the 407th Air Service Squadron and the 987th Signal Company, both providing service to the 14th. They were based in the China, Burma and India Theater.
New appreciation
Lim said that being in China for the first time during the war made him appreciate his parents' decision to come to America.
"I remember a transport plane carrying Chinese soldiers crashed at an air base in Xian, and we went to rescue the soldiers," Lim said. "Some were burned pretty bad. We rushed them to hospitals, and the hospitals refused them. They viewed the Chinese soldiers as expendable."
Paul Ngim, who was a company clerk and truck driver during the war, remembers being "scared to death" flying over the Himalayas.
"We all had parachutes," he recalled. "But if you have to jump and parachute there, you'll never be found again. We all knew that."
Ngim added, "I also remember loading those bombs into the airplanes. That was something." The men of the 407th serviced and fueled the fighter planes, made them mission-ready, did crash detail and trained Chinese soldiers as mechanics and engineers.
Eng viewed his service as an opportunity to create a strong image for Chinese living in America.
'The backbone'
"We were the support squadrons for the Flying Tigers," Eng said. "We were the backbone. We all wanted to do a good job."
Sitting together in a room at the Marriott Hotel in Oakland, where the Flying Tigers reunion was held, the men looked at one another and shared smiles.
"Sixty years goes by pretty quick," Lim said. "Seems like yesterday I got that letter. I still have it - my so-called invitation to service."
Luey said he was actually relieved when he learned he would be a part of the 407th.
"I had thought I was going to be in the ground troops," Luey said. "I was so happy to get a transfer and be told I was going to be in an all-Chinese unit going to China. I was trained as a mechanic. I was ready to service the fighter planes."
After the war, several of the men went to college on the GI bill and then found jobs as aircraft electricians at the Naval Air Station in Alameda and at Lockheed Martin.
Eng, who worked in the engineering department at the Naval Air Station, scanned the faces of his friends: "It means something that we ate and slept and survived together."
E-mail Julian Guthrie at jguthrie@sfchronicle.com.
Images
Harry Lim (from left), Paul Ngim, Tom Luey and Wilfred En...Albert Fong kept a collection of photos of the Chinese Am...Susan and Sam Jue look through the directories on the Fly... View More Images
They were drafted into World War II and ended up together again, this time serving in the same all-Chinese American unit supporting the 14th Air Force's famed Flying Tigers. The fighter squadrons, flying the shark-faced P-40s, defended China against Japanese forces and will be the subject of a forthcoming film by action director John Woo.
More than six decades later, the Oakland boys are now octogenarians. Once a year, they get together to share stories, photos and memories - of flying "the hump," the aerial supply route over the Himalayas, and of returning after the war to a changed Chinatown and as changed men.
"When I got out of the service on Jan. 8, 1946, I was no longer a kid," chuckled Harry Lim, 84, at the Flying Tigers' recent reunion in Oakland. "I'd been around the world. I was proud I had served my time. We kind of proved we were not 'coolies.' "
His friends nodded. Before the war, discrimination against Chinese Americans was rampant, he said.
"The 'coolie' term was used because the Chinese had come to America and done the lowest-wage jobs," Lim said. "The war made things better for us."
An estimated 13,000 Chinese Americans served in World War II, but there were only two all-Chinese American units: the 407th Air Service Squadron and the 987th Signal Company, both providing service to the 14th. They were based in the China, Burma and India Theater.
New appreciation
Lim said that being in China for the first time during the war made him appreciate his parents' decision to come to America.
"I remember a transport plane carrying Chinese soldiers crashed at an air base in Xian, and we went to rescue the soldiers," Lim said. "Some were burned pretty bad. We rushed them to hospitals, and the hospitals refused them. They viewed the Chinese soldiers as expendable."
Paul Ngim, who was a company clerk and truck driver during the war, remembers being "scared to death" flying over the Himalayas.
"We all had parachutes," he recalled. "But if you have to jump and parachute there, you'll never be found again. We all knew that."
Ngim added, "I also remember loading those bombs into the airplanes. That was something." The men of the 407th serviced and fueled the fighter planes, made them mission-ready, did crash detail and trained Chinese soldiers as mechanics and engineers.
Eng viewed his service as an opportunity to create a strong image for Chinese living in America.
'The backbone'
"We were the support squadrons for the Flying Tigers," Eng said. "We were the backbone. We all wanted to do a good job."
Sitting together in a room at the Marriott Hotel in Oakland, where the Flying Tigers reunion was held, the men looked at one another and shared smiles.
"Sixty years goes by pretty quick," Lim said. "Seems like yesterday I got that letter. I still have it - my so-called invitation to service."
Luey said he was actually relieved when he learned he would be a part of the 407th.
"I had thought I was going to be in the ground troops," Luey said. "I was so happy to get a transfer and be told I was going to be in an all-Chinese unit going to China. I was trained as a mechanic. I was ready to service the fighter planes."
After the war, several of the men went to college on the GI bill and then found jobs as aircraft electricians at the Naval Air Station in Alameda and at Lockheed Martin.
Eng, who worked in the engineering department at the Naval Air Station, scanned the faces of his friends: "It means something that we ate and slept and survived together."
E-mail Julian Guthrie at jguthrie@sfchronicle.com.
Toyz Story by Calvin Son from MoreThanAStance.com
http://morethanastance.com/features/mf/2009/10/toyz-story/
It doesn’t take long to realize that Geoffrey Chang isn’t your typical b-boy.
“I’m a big nerd,” the 21-year-old is saying. He’s talking about his hobbies outside of b-boying, like art shows and community service, among, uh, other stuff.
“I’m Asian, so you can probably already guess that I’m really into anime. I really like playing games. I used to paint little figurines,” he admits.
The Silver Spring, MD native doesn’t sound sheepish because, well, he isn’t. On the other hand, it’s one of the few stereotypes applicable to Chang that is actually accurate.
He’s standing with his hands in the pockets of his black jacket, with his backpack and threadbare, paint-splattered Nikes also in tow. The sun is ducking from the patio at the 40 Watt in Rotterdam. Street Science’s Generations Battle is about to begin.
Huddled hip-hoppers peek through the occasional weed smoke cloud wafting by as the interview continues. Chang—known to many as Toyz aRe Us, or simply Toyz (like Geoffrey the Giraffe? Get it?)—doesn’t seem to mind.
As famed hip-hop photographer Martha Cooper will later point out, Toyz tends to stand out from the crowd. She’ll be referring to the fact that his bright yellow shirt makes for better pictures than the drab colors worn by other b-boys. But her words ring true in other regards as well. C’mon, it’s Martha Cooper.
Besides, aside from his shirt, Toyz is as distinguishable for what he lacks as much as what he has.
In conversation, he displays little pretense—far from the usual gruff b-boy aloofness—as he excitedly greets friends by name. Absent are the standard foam cap and Pro-Keds. Likewise for the mean-mugging and constant cock-throwing. Any hopes of classifying him as a “style” or “power” b-boy get thrown out the window.
Instead, he speaks like the kind of intellectual-meets-smart-ass you might see in a Judd Apatow movie. During a battle, you might see him beam a widespread, cheesy smile at his opponents while they coldly stare back, emotionless.
Or Toyz may do a silly little marching dance in place. Then a dazzling display of interweaving footwork. Some crazy threading shit with his hands. ‘90s variations. A firmly clenched airchair as a closer.
But it’s not that Toyz doesn’t take himself or the culture seriously. Truth be told, he’s not even really that weird.
He’s just made a point to be comfortable with himself and with the dance. And being normal—being himself—makes him stand out in a sea of b-kids trying to become someone else.
Simple a concept as it is, he says it’s a large part of how he’s gotten invited to events like Monster Jam in Korea, IBE in the Netherlands, or Street Science, where he stands now.
“A lot of people don’t really understand the concept of having your own style – being individual,” Toyz says. “You might be able to come up with your own combo, but [many b-boys] all generally tend to move extremely similar to one another to when it comes down to the way they just carry themselves in a battle, like their character and attitude. They might have their own signature moves, but they all come in like this, and they’re all imitating particular styles they’ve seen before, or look up to, which is fine. But eventually, as you progress, you gotta realize that you just gotta be yourself.”
Toyz seems to have realized this for himself early on; he’s been making all his money through dancing since he first started b-boying at the age of 12.
“You’re not gonna get big by posting a trailer of yourself after like two years of dancing or calling out judges just because you lost.”Introduced to the dance through his brother, Toyz found inspiration in all the move-makers of the ‘90s: Style Elements, Skill Methodz, Breaks Kru, HaviKoro, Footwork Fanatix, Force Force, and of course Lionz of Zion.
In fact, later on, he’d come to be associated with a long list of crews that’s difficult to say aloud quickly without spitting a little: All Ways Rockin’, Lionz of Zion, Beat Whakz and 4F (Flying Fists From the Floor).
But even with such strong (and numerous) b-boy ties, Toyz’s stories about his friends tend to sound like just that: stories about his friends. They’re normal people who like to have a good time, even if they go by names like Toyz and Napalm and Domkey.
It’s just that when he and his friends/crewmates have a good time, sometimes it can end up on YouTube. Then a bunch of people watch it, comment, and debate a lot about Toyz’s ethnicity (he’s Korean American).
But that’s not really the point.
“A lot of kids these days grew up thinking, ‘Oh, I’m in this big crew now,’ and they think they’re famous,” Toyz says. “But just because you’re in a big crew doesn’t mean people know who you are, you know?”
How, then, did he manage to get his name out? Toyz’s method was to do nothing special, kind of, which in turn ended up equating to everything.
“The best way to get yourself known, if you want to get your name out there, is to just do your own thing,” he says. “Get out to as many battles as you can. Win, roast people. You don’t even necessarily have to win battles. If you just stand out, people will notice you.
“You’re not gonna get big by posting a trailer of yourself after like two years of dancing or calling out judges just because you lost,” he continues. “Just do your thing. Just stay humble. Just enjoy yourself. That’s the most important part. Because while you’re enjoying yourself, other people will notice. And eventually, you know, fame and fortune will follow. But for those who purposely seek it, they tend to have a much harder time—they end up bothering others around them as opposed to getting their attention ripping the cypher or just repping [their] crew name.”
toyz4
Photo by MurphYou get the feeling it’s not the first time he’s been asked that question. He does make a living answering questions.
While other 20-something-year-olds across the country are prolonging their educations in attempts to put off dealing with a dismal job market, Toyz teaches a class himself.
But there are a few items that might seem suspiciously absent from his lesson plans.
One is linked to the fact that Toyz actually looks like he’s having fun when he’s dancing.
“You see a lot of suburban cats that you know get into b-boying, and they kinda lose themselves in that character and try and act all hard and whatnot. They think they’re some tough little hoodlums,” he says. “But they’re not really that at all. In most of the cases, they probably have a really nice home, a really nice family. But then they get in the circle and try and talk all that trash and think they’re tough, but they’re not.
And the other thing? Toyz’s “nerd”-like tendencies and love for gadgets are no secret. But he’s quick to point out that a lot of this loss of originality and tendency to “front” can be attributed to technology.
“Nowadays, thanks to the internet, the moment they see one good b-boy, they all try to imitate them,” Toyz laments. “And they don’t have anyone to talk to. Or any peers to learn from. So they just sit home, watch videos, and they just bite everyone’s moves and style… They just stay trapped in a box. And they’re unable to think outside of it.”
So what, then, is it that ultimately inspires Toyz’s ability to think outside the box? Is it the anime? The girls? The chance to get flown out to countries where marijuana is legal?
“Well, I always tell other people this: I don’t wanna be the b-boy where people are like, ‘Oh, he moves just like this other guy,’” he says. “I wanna be the one where the kids go, ‘Oh, I wanna dance like him.’”
Toyz pauses briefly, perhaps realizing the irony of what he said.
Without missing a beat, he quickly adds, “Or, ‘Oh, I wanna have a crazy style that’s different from everyone else.’ That’s what motivates me in terms of my dancing
It doesn’t take long to realize that Geoffrey Chang isn’t your typical b-boy.
“I’m a big nerd,” the 21-year-old is saying. He’s talking about his hobbies outside of b-boying, like art shows and community service, among, uh, other stuff.
“I’m Asian, so you can probably already guess that I’m really into anime. I really like playing games. I used to paint little figurines,” he admits.
The Silver Spring, MD native doesn’t sound sheepish because, well, he isn’t. On the other hand, it’s one of the few stereotypes applicable to Chang that is actually accurate.
He’s standing with his hands in the pockets of his black jacket, with his backpack and threadbare, paint-splattered Nikes also in tow. The sun is ducking from the patio at the 40 Watt in Rotterdam. Street Science’s Generations Battle is about to begin.
Huddled hip-hoppers peek through the occasional weed smoke cloud wafting by as the interview continues. Chang—known to many as Toyz aRe Us, or simply Toyz (like Geoffrey the Giraffe? Get it?)—doesn’t seem to mind.
As famed hip-hop photographer Martha Cooper will later point out, Toyz tends to stand out from the crowd. She’ll be referring to the fact that his bright yellow shirt makes for better pictures than the drab colors worn by other b-boys. But her words ring true in other regards as well. C’mon, it’s Martha Cooper.
Besides, aside from his shirt, Toyz is as distinguishable for what he lacks as much as what he has.
In conversation, he displays little pretense—far from the usual gruff b-boy aloofness—as he excitedly greets friends by name. Absent are the standard foam cap and Pro-Keds. Likewise for the mean-mugging and constant cock-throwing. Any hopes of classifying him as a “style” or “power” b-boy get thrown out the window.
Instead, he speaks like the kind of intellectual-meets-smart-ass you might see in a Judd Apatow movie. During a battle, you might see him beam a widespread, cheesy smile at his opponents while they coldly stare back, emotionless.
Or Toyz may do a silly little marching dance in place. Then a dazzling display of interweaving footwork. Some crazy threading shit with his hands. ‘90s variations. A firmly clenched airchair as a closer.
But it’s not that Toyz doesn’t take himself or the culture seriously. Truth be told, he’s not even really that weird.
He’s just made a point to be comfortable with himself and with the dance. And being normal—being himself—makes him stand out in a sea of b-kids trying to become someone else.
Simple a concept as it is, he says it’s a large part of how he’s gotten invited to events like Monster Jam in Korea, IBE in the Netherlands, or Street Science, where he stands now.
“A lot of people don’t really understand the concept of having your own style – being individual,” Toyz says. “You might be able to come up with your own combo, but [many b-boys] all generally tend to move extremely similar to one another to when it comes down to the way they just carry themselves in a battle, like their character and attitude. They might have their own signature moves, but they all come in like this, and they’re all imitating particular styles they’ve seen before, or look up to, which is fine. But eventually, as you progress, you gotta realize that you just gotta be yourself.”
Toyz seems to have realized this for himself early on; he’s been making all his money through dancing since he first started b-boying at the age of 12.
“You’re not gonna get big by posting a trailer of yourself after like two years of dancing or calling out judges just because you lost.”Introduced to the dance through his brother, Toyz found inspiration in all the move-makers of the ‘90s: Style Elements, Skill Methodz, Breaks Kru, HaviKoro, Footwork Fanatix, Force Force, and of course Lionz of Zion.
In fact, later on, he’d come to be associated with a long list of crews that’s difficult to say aloud quickly without spitting a little: All Ways Rockin’, Lionz of Zion, Beat Whakz and 4F (Flying Fists From the Floor).
But even with such strong (and numerous) b-boy ties, Toyz’s stories about his friends tend to sound like just that: stories about his friends. They’re normal people who like to have a good time, even if they go by names like Toyz and Napalm and Domkey.
It’s just that when he and his friends/crewmates have a good time, sometimes it can end up on YouTube. Then a bunch of people watch it, comment, and debate a lot about Toyz’s ethnicity (he’s Korean American).
But that’s not really the point.
“A lot of kids these days grew up thinking, ‘Oh, I’m in this big crew now,’ and they think they’re famous,” Toyz says. “But just because you’re in a big crew doesn’t mean people know who you are, you know?”
How, then, did he manage to get his name out? Toyz’s method was to do nothing special, kind of, which in turn ended up equating to everything.
“The best way to get yourself known, if you want to get your name out there, is to just do your own thing,” he says. “Get out to as many battles as you can. Win, roast people. You don’t even necessarily have to win battles. If you just stand out, people will notice you.
“You’re not gonna get big by posting a trailer of yourself after like two years of dancing or calling out judges just because you lost,” he continues. “Just do your thing. Just stay humble. Just enjoy yourself. That’s the most important part. Because while you’re enjoying yourself, other people will notice. And eventually, you know, fame and fortune will follow. But for those who purposely seek it, they tend to have a much harder time—they end up bothering others around them as opposed to getting their attention ripping the cypher or just repping [their] crew name.”
toyz4
Photo by MurphYou get the feeling it’s not the first time he’s been asked that question. He does make a living answering questions.
While other 20-something-year-olds across the country are prolonging their educations in attempts to put off dealing with a dismal job market, Toyz teaches a class himself.
But there are a few items that might seem suspiciously absent from his lesson plans.
One is linked to the fact that Toyz actually looks like he’s having fun when he’s dancing.
“You see a lot of suburban cats that you know get into b-boying, and they kinda lose themselves in that character and try and act all hard and whatnot. They think they’re some tough little hoodlums,” he says. “But they’re not really that at all. In most of the cases, they probably have a really nice home, a really nice family. But then they get in the circle and try and talk all that trash and think they’re tough, but they’re not.
And the other thing? Toyz’s “nerd”-like tendencies and love for gadgets are no secret. But he’s quick to point out that a lot of this loss of originality and tendency to “front” can be attributed to technology.
“Nowadays, thanks to the internet, the moment they see one good b-boy, they all try to imitate them,” Toyz laments. “And they don’t have anyone to talk to. Or any peers to learn from. So they just sit home, watch videos, and they just bite everyone’s moves and style… They just stay trapped in a box. And they’re unable to think outside of it.”
So what, then, is it that ultimately inspires Toyz’s ability to think outside the box? Is it the anime? The girls? The chance to get flown out to countries where marijuana is legal?
“Well, I always tell other people this: I don’t wanna be the b-boy where people are like, ‘Oh, he moves just like this other guy,’” he says. “I wanna be the one where the kids go, ‘Oh, I wanna dance like him.’”
Toyz pauses briefly, perhaps realizing the irony of what he said.
Without missing a beat, he quickly adds, “Or, ‘Oh, I wanna have a crazy style that’s different from everyone else.’ That’s what motivates me in terms of my dancing
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Janet Jackson's "If" video
I think this was incredible in terms of originality - camera work, dancing, costumes, style --
And I am really glad much love was given to hot Asian men and women. We get a really bad rap in the media. Asian females have been representing, now we've got Daniel Henney in 'Three Rivers', Tim Kang in 'The Mentalist' and John Cho in 'Flashforward'. I must have missed some. And C.S. Lee has the coolest lines in 'Dexter'.
And I am really glad much love was given to hot Asian men and women. We get a really bad rap in the media. Asian females have been representing, now we've got Daniel Henney in 'Three Rivers', Tim Kang in 'The Mentalist' and John Cho in 'Flashforward'. I must have missed some. And C.S. Lee has the coolest lines in 'Dexter'.
Megan Fox's Transformer Diet Plan from Squidoo.com
Megan eats whole food sources instead of processed foods and avoids grains. This is similar to what many people call the "Paleo Diet". Which is similar to eating like our ancestors.
A Description of the Paleo Diet
Avoid Grains: Hunters and Gatherers ate fruits and vegetables as their carbohydrates. The human body was meant to eat fruits and vegetables, not grains.
Lot's of Natural Sources of Protein: Things like nuts, eggs, and meat is a great source of protein.
Fats Are Good For You: Yes, you heard it right. Megan Fox's diet had a good amount of fat. She ate an ounce of almonds and a few eggs ever day while preparing for her role in Transformers.
The bottom line...she stuck to whole foods without eating grains.
A Description of the Paleo Diet
Avoid Grains: Hunters and Gatherers ate fruits and vegetables as their carbohydrates. The human body was meant to eat fruits and vegetables, not grains.
Lot's of Natural Sources of Protein: Things like nuts, eggs, and meat is a great source of protein.
Fats Are Good For You: Yes, you heard it right. Megan Fox's diet had a good amount of fat. She ate an ounce of almonds and a few eggs ever day while preparing for her role in Transformers.
The bottom line...she stuck to whole foods without eating grains.
Megan Fox's Transformer Workout and Diet Plan from Squidoo.com
Here is the Workout Routine Megan Did for Her Role in Transformers
Megan hired a personal trainer who had her do a time compressed body-weight routine. This is a very similar routine that many of the stars are doing. Robert Downey Jr. did a similar type of workout for Ironman.
Megan Fox's trainer obviously understood the benefit of sticking to bodyweight intervals to keep her body slim, sexy, and functional without bulking up.
Believe it or not, this is a similar routine that actors like Brad Pitt and Daniel Craig do to get ready for their movie roles.
Okay, Back to Megan Fox's Workout
Planks: Megan's workout relied heavily on planks. Hollywood Trainer, Craig Ballantyne has a video page which shows several variations (will give link to that page later). Planks are by far the best move for women to get sexy, flat abs like Megan.
A Brief Ab Circuit: After blitzing her abs with planks, she would then spend 15-20 minutes doing a circuit that involved knee ups, leg swings, and ball leg lifts. This is done in an interval like fashion...hard effort with just a little rest and back to a tough exercise. The idea is to do 3-4 different exercises back-to-back, rest 30-60 seconds, then do it again. Repeat for 15-20 minutes. It is harder than it sounds!
Old School Stationary Bike: She then took advantage of the increased heart rate by finishing off with 30 minutes of cycling. This was done with low intensity (I'll explain why intervals, followed by low intensity cardio is extremely effective at getting lean).
Why Megan Fox's Brief Workout Burns Fat Like Crazy: You have probably heard that High Intensity Interval Training is great for getting lean and burning fat. This is true, but there is a flaw...
Interval Cardio is great at releasing fatty acids from fat cells (basically releasing fat into the bloodstream)...but is not good for using these fatty acids, once released.
Low Intensity Cardio is great for using fat for energy, but isn't good at releasing fat from the fat cells in the first place.
Megan Fox's Workout Program was a Hybrid Approach: She used body weight intervals to release the fat from the fat cells, followed by low intensity cardio to use these fatty acids for energy. The result was that Megan had a smokin' body for Transformers.
Megan hired a personal trainer who had her do a time compressed body-weight routine. This is a very similar routine that many of the stars are doing. Robert Downey Jr. did a similar type of workout for Ironman.
Megan Fox's trainer obviously understood the benefit of sticking to bodyweight intervals to keep her body slim, sexy, and functional without bulking up.
Believe it or not, this is a similar routine that actors like Brad Pitt and Daniel Craig do to get ready for their movie roles.
Okay, Back to Megan Fox's Workout
Planks: Megan's workout relied heavily on planks. Hollywood Trainer, Craig Ballantyne has a video page which shows several variations (will give link to that page later). Planks are by far the best move for women to get sexy, flat abs like Megan.
A Brief Ab Circuit: After blitzing her abs with planks, she would then spend 15-20 minutes doing a circuit that involved knee ups, leg swings, and ball leg lifts. This is done in an interval like fashion...hard effort with just a little rest and back to a tough exercise. The idea is to do 3-4 different exercises back-to-back, rest 30-60 seconds, then do it again. Repeat for 15-20 minutes. It is harder than it sounds!
Old School Stationary Bike: She then took advantage of the increased heart rate by finishing off with 30 minutes of cycling. This was done with low intensity (I'll explain why intervals, followed by low intensity cardio is extremely effective at getting lean).
Why Megan Fox's Brief Workout Burns Fat Like Crazy: You have probably heard that High Intensity Interval Training is great for getting lean and burning fat. This is true, but there is a flaw...
Interval Cardio is great at releasing fatty acids from fat cells (basically releasing fat into the bloodstream)...but is not good for using these fatty acids, once released.
Low Intensity Cardio is great for using fat for energy, but isn't good at releasing fat from the fat cells in the first place.
Megan Fox's Workout Program was a Hybrid Approach: She used body weight intervals to release the fat from the fat cells, followed by low intensity cardio to use these fatty acids for energy. The result was that Megan had a smokin' body for Transformers.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Three (Real) Ways to Make Money From Home in Your Spare Time by Carol Kopp Thursday, September 24, 2009
You are a world-class expert. Yes, you are, just like Stephen Hawking is a world-class expert on the Big Bang and Martha Stewart is a world-class expert on making festive party favors out of tissue paper.
Your personal interests, life and work experiences and education add up to real expertise in a number of subjects. Do you tinker with cars? Read Shakespeare for fun? Beat your buddies at chess? Lecture your friends about proper diet, or Web design, or Star Wars collectibles?
Then you're an expert, and there's a place online that can help you turn that avocation into hard cash.
There are at least three types of Web-based businesses that can help you earn cash in your spare time -- and a fourth type you shouldn't go near.
All three of the legit types supply the online base, the software and the marketing muscle you need to get started. You supply the expert "content," to use the hideous neo-media word for what we call "facts" in plain English.
This is not the get-rich-quick scheme you may have been looking for. The people who make real money through any of these schemes are working hard for it, really know their subjects and are good at communicating.
The money they earn is based on hard numbers. Page views and user ratings are modern equivalents to piece-work counts in a factory.
But if you can't find a full-time job, can't work regular hours or outside your home, or want to moonlight to supplement the 9 to 5 grind, one of these might be for you. For more strategies on how to moonlight, see Ten Ways to Moonlight.
A look at some of these online businesses suggests they are being used by young and out-of-work professionals to build up their resumes and hone their skills until the economy recovers. And, of course, many managers are using the services to get the job done until they can afford to add headcount.
All the sites claim to conduct a vetting process for contributors, and quality control over contributions, but their criteria are positively loosey-goosey compared to the personnel departments of a major corporation.
After all, their system of paying based on actual usage and client ratings ensures that only really good contributors get paid, and bad ones sink into the unplumbed depths of the database.
1. The Open Network
An open network offers a ready-built home for freelance writers to post articles on an infinite variety of useful or interesting subjects.
Associated Content, one of the largest and best known freelance networks, syndicates and custom-creates Editorial content, in text, video, image and audio forms.
It claims to be adding 5,000 articles a week to a database of more than 1 million articles on a vast range of subjects -- from curious facts about Abraham Lincoln to tips on easing your dog's separation anxiety.
That database was built by freelancers, who are paid a measly $3 to $15 per story but make an additional small sum based on user clicks, starting at $1.50 for every 1,000 page views. You can get a raise on that rate for page views as your output and audience grow.
The key to racking up page views is to write about something that interests everybody, like love or money. Or, write about a subject that interests many people intensely -- like parenting or World War II.
2. Answers On Demand
On-demand services connect people with an immediate need for information with experts who can supply that information. It's a one-on-one service, conducted over chat or via email for a fee.
LivePerson.com boasts 30,000 experts who are "ready to chat" on subjects from personal growth to small business solutions.
Some experts are lurking online, ready to jump in to answer your question, and others can be scheduled ahead for a one-on-one. The fee is set by the expert, anywhere from 50 cents to $5 per minute, about 45 percent of which goes to LivePerson.
Advice about "personal relationships" is clearly a money-maker here, although you can find a Web designer, a homework coach or a cosmetologist when you want one.
The vetting process includes licenses for professions that require them, like doctors and lawyers. All experts' resumes are available to prospective clients.
But once online, the experts live or die by client ratings which are, in the great tradition of the Internet, brutally honest. And in this world of pay-per-minute, the reviews cover typing speed as well as communication skills.
JustAnswer.com has an even simpler system. Got a problem? Just describe it, and indicate how much you're willing to pay for an answer. One of the experts will get back to you fast.
Experts run the gamut from veterinarians and attorneys to mechanics and computer repair people.
A quick glance through current questions reveals that many people are baffled by their electronic equipment, their cars and their puppies. Also, many students want somebody to write their term papers for them.
A new site out of Nashville, called Moontoast, wants to carry the concept to the next step and arrange actual face-to-face video and audio confrontations between expert and client. (Scary!)
Expected to launch soon, the site is bankrolled by country music stars and inspired by a musician's need to hear information, not just read it.
3. Crowd-Sourcing
This is the ultimate piece-work for the digital age.
"Crowd-sourcing" takes a big, ugly, often repetitive task and hacks it into small bits to be assigned to many people.
Say you are publishing a restaurant reservation directory, and every phone number has to be checked. How do you get it done? Try "crowd-sourcing" it.
MechanicalTurk.com, owned by Amazon, currently has almost 700 projects up for grabs, each divided into hundreds or thousands of "human intelligence tasks." Each task pays literally pennies -- from 1 cent to maybe 20 cents.
A lab needs information on 98 Web sites, for 10 cents a pop. Somebody is collecting data on 50 baseball players, for 9 cents each. Zappos wants people to edit product reviews for a nickel each. You might even see positions for big-time names like Google or Yahoo.
You grab a task, complete it and submit it for approval. As soon as it's approved, your payment gets transferred from the requester's Amazon Payments account to yours.
If you can stand it, you could sit at your computer all day banging these things out.
An experienced professional could get very bitter writing abstracts of technology news for a nickel each. But an under-employed college grad might greatly prefer it to flipping burgers, and it looks better on a resume.
More rarefied versions of crowd-sourcing are available at specialized freelance sites. DesignBay.com offers designers the chance to submit their work in online "contests" for posted projects. The odd jobs, most paying a couple of hundred dollars, come in from around the world, from small businesses and individuals who need logos or fliers, banner ads and posters.
Crowd-sourcing hits its low point in sites that pay people to "play around on the Internet." Put bluntly, they're falsifying usage data by goosing the number of unique hits on Web sites or banner ads.
CAUTION: The Age-Old Scam
Old scams never die. They just move onto the Internet.
If an ad promises you can make $50,000 a week clicking on Web sites, they're lying.
If a company wants you to pay upfront for a kit, or a book, or anything else, don't do it.
There are plenty of legitimate businesses in this game, and they make their money by helping you make money.
Your personal interests, life and work experiences and education add up to real expertise in a number of subjects. Do you tinker with cars? Read Shakespeare for fun? Beat your buddies at chess? Lecture your friends about proper diet, or Web design, or Star Wars collectibles?
Then you're an expert, and there's a place online that can help you turn that avocation into hard cash.
There are at least three types of Web-based businesses that can help you earn cash in your spare time -- and a fourth type you shouldn't go near.
All three of the legit types supply the online base, the software and the marketing muscle you need to get started. You supply the expert "content," to use the hideous neo-media word for what we call "facts" in plain English.
This is not the get-rich-quick scheme you may have been looking for. The people who make real money through any of these schemes are working hard for it, really know their subjects and are good at communicating.
The money they earn is based on hard numbers. Page views and user ratings are modern equivalents to piece-work counts in a factory.
But if you can't find a full-time job, can't work regular hours or outside your home, or want to moonlight to supplement the 9 to 5 grind, one of these might be for you. For more strategies on how to moonlight, see Ten Ways to Moonlight.
A look at some of these online businesses suggests they are being used by young and out-of-work professionals to build up their resumes and hone their skills until the economy recovers. And, of course, many managers are using the services to get the job done until they can afford to add headcount.
All the sites claim to conduct a vetting process for contributors, and quality control over contributions, but their criteria are positively loosey-goosey compared to the personnel departments of a major corporation.
After all, their system of paying based on actual usage and client ratings ensures that only really good contributors get paid, and bad ones sink into the unplumbed depths of the database.
1. The Open Network
An open network offers a ready-built home for freelance writers to post articles on an infinite variety of useful or interesting subjects.
Associated Content, one of the largest and best known freelance networks, syndicates and custom-creates Editorial content, in text, video, image and audio forms.
It claims to be adding 5,000 articles a week to a database of more than 1 million articles on a vast range of subjects -- from curious facts about Abraham Lincoln to tips on easing your dog's separation anxiety.
That database was built by freelancers, who are paid a measly $3 to $15 per story but make an additional small sum based on user clicks, starting at $1.50 for every 1,000 page views. You can get a raise on that rate for page views as your output and audience grow.
The key to racking up page views is to write about something that interests everybody, like love or money. Or, write about a subject that interests many people intensely -- like parenting or World War II.
2. Answers On Demand
On-demand services connect people with an immediate need for information with experts who can supply that information. It's a one-on-one service, conducted over chat or via email for a fee.
LivePerson.com boasts 30,000 experts who are "ready to chat" on subjects from personal growth to small business solutions.
Some experts are lurking online, ready to jump in to answer your question, and others can be scheduled ahead for a one-on-one. The fee is set by the expert, anywhere from 50 cents to $5 per minute, about 45 percent of which goes to LivePerson.
Advice about "personal relationships" is clearly a money-maker here, although you can find a Web designer, a homework coach or a cosmetologist when you want one.
The vetting process includes licenses for professions that require them, like doctors and lawyers. All experts' resumes are available to prospective clients.
But once online, the experts live or die by client ratings which are, in the great tradition of the Internet, brutally honest. And in this world of pay-per-minute, the reviews cover typing speed as well as communication skills.
JustAnswer.com has an even simpler system. Got a problem? Just describe it, and indicate how much you're willing to pay for an answer. One of the experts will get back to you fast.
Experts run the gamut from veterinarians and attorneys to mechanics and computer repair people.
A quick glance through current questions reveals that many people are baffled by their electronic equipment, their cars and their puppies. Also, many students want somebody to write their term papers for them.
A new site out of Nashville, called Moontoast, wants to carry the concept to the next step and arrange actual face-to-face video and audio confrontations between expert and client. (Scary!)
Expected to launch soon, the site is bankrolled by country music stars and inspired by a musician's need to hear information, not just read it.
3. Crowd-Sourcing
This is the ultimate piece-work for the digital age.
"Crowd-sourcing" takes a big, ugly, often repetitive task and hacks it into small bits to be assigned to many people.
Say you are publishing a restaurant reservation directory, and every phone number has to be checked. How do you get it done? Try "crowd-sourcing" it.
MechanicalTurk.com, owned by Amazon, currently has almost 700 projects up for grabs, each divided into hundreds or thousands of "human intelligence tasks." Each task pays literally pennies -- from 1 cent to maybe 20 cents.
A lab needs information on 98 Web sites, for 10 cents a pop. Somebody is collecting data on 50 baseball players, for 9 cents each. Zappos wants people to edit product reviews for a nickel each. You might even see positions for big-time names like Google or Yahoo.
You grab a task, complete it and submit it for approval. As soon as it's approved, your payment gets transferred from the requester's Amazon Payments account to yours.
If you can stand it, you could sit at your computer all day banging these things out.
An experienced professional could get very bitter writing abstracts of technology news for a nickel each. But an under-employed college grad might greatly prefer it to flipping burgers, and it looks better on a resume.
More rarefied versions of crowd-sourcing are available at specialized freelance sites. DesignBay.com offers designers the chance to submit their work in online "contests" for posted projects. The odd jobs, most paying a couple of hundred dollars, come in from around the world, from small businesses and individuals who need logos or fliers, banner ads and posters.
Crowd-sourcing hits its low point in sites that pay people to "play around on the Internet." Put bluntly, they're falsifying usage data by goosing the number of unique hits on Web sites or banner ads.
CAUTION: The Age-Old Scam
Old scams never die. They just move onto the Internet.
If an ad promises you can make $50,000 a week clicking on Web sites, they're lying.
If a company wants you to pay upfront for a kit, or a book, or anything else, don't do it.
There are plenty of legitimate businesses in this game, and they make their money by helping you make money.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
How To: Back Up All Your Stuff, For Free By John Herrman (from Gizmodo.com)
People don't neglect backing up their computers because it's hard—it isn't, at all. No, people file into the inevitable death march of data loss for one reason: Backing up usually costs money. But it doesn't have to.
When your concerned friends and family insist that you have to back your data up (as anyone who's seen my atrociously beaten-down laptop in the last few months has done to me) they're effectively telling you two things: That backing up your data will save you a massive headache in the future, because more likely the not, your hard drive will fail; and, less bluntly, that you need to buy a hard drive. And who wants to do that? It's hard to lay out the cash for a backup hard drive, since the payoff is uncertain, and (hopefully) far away. It's a good investment—not an easy one.
The good news is, most of us cheapskates can still keep our most important files safe without spending a dime, or wasting more than a few minutes. Here how:
Note: These methods don't give you traditional, full backups—they are ways to keep copies of the files that matter most to you, like your documents, photos, music and videos.
Share
Do you live with someone else? Do you share a network with someone else? Then hey, you've got an ready-built backup system right there! There are a few ways to deal with this setup, from stupid-simple to moderately complex.
First, you need permission. Whoever your networked buddy is, sit them down and have a talk. Give them a glass of milk, and explain to them how important data backup is. Persuade them. Coax them. Scare them. Offer to store their backups in exchange for them storing yours. Great! Now you have a partner in data safety. Congratulations.
The easiest, most direct and least intimidating way to get free backups is to set up simple file sharing on your PC or Mac. On the PC, it's just a matter of ticking a few boxes and setting a few parameters (Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7) and on Mac, it's not much harder (To another Mac, to a PC, courtesy of Lifehacker).
Now you need to decide what to back up, and how to do it. If privacy isn't an issue, like in a scenario where you're just syncing files between two open access family computers, you can simple copy your documents, photos, video and audio to opposing computers' shared folders, and voila. If privacy is an issue, like if you're trying to back up sensitive documents or embarrassing photos, you can simply create a password-protected archive of some or all of your data, then copy that over to the backup folder.
But this is all a little manual for my taste—for a longer term solution, I'd recommend something a little more automated. All we need with such a simple setup is a basic backup utility. For Windows, I've been happy with IdleBackup, a free little utility that'll copy selected folders to any destination you want—including network folders—while your computer isn't working. For Mac, Lacie's SilverKeeper is as simple and powerful a tool as you'll need, syncing folders locally or over a network on a set schedule—also free.
Go Online
Again, short of purchasing a whole lot of online space especially designed for the purpose of storing full backups, this'll be a scenario in which you're picking a choosing what you save and what you don't; your intention here is to save and recover the files that matter most, not restore your entire operating system. Luckily, with increasingly generous offers from online storage companies, you can put quite a bit of your stuff on someone else's servers for nothing. A few of the best:
Windows Live Skydrive: This one really deserves more publicity that it seems to get, because it hands you 25GB of no-strings-attached storage, for free. The 50MB filesize limit is a little low considering how large the online disk is, but for document, photo, and even music backup, it's hard to beat this.
File Factory: 100GB of free storage with a 300MB file limit. The catch? It can be a little slow, so this much data isn't necessarily that usable.
Dropbox: This is more than just a backup service—it has plenty of nifty file syncing and features, too—but it's a super-simple way to store 2GB of data online, with well-designed clients on every major platform
Mozy: Gives you 2GB of storage for free, or an unlimited amount for $5 a month. Comes with an extremely handy Windows utility that makes it easy to specify what gets uploaded, and what doesn't.
Orbit Files: Offers 6GB of space, but with fewer options available for non-paying customers, and no software client.
Scatter Yourself In the Cloud
The bad news is, this is the most time-consuming way to skirt proper backups, both in terms of setup and recovery. The good news is, you're probably already doing this, to an extent.
If my laptop died right now, I'd lose my settings, a little bit of music, a few day's worth of documents, and well, that's about it. That's because so, so much of my data lives in various online services, just by nature of how I work. Rather than undertaking a day-long effort to upload all your files to myriad websites, just consider changing your habits a little, and easing into a cloud over time. That these services provide useful backups is incidental—usually they're intended as web apps—but that doesn't mean they don't serve the purpose beautifully. Use them for their intended purposes-be it document editing, photo sharing, or music streaming—and you'll soon realize that, without even trying, you've create a wonderful, distributed backup of your most-used media across the internet.
Documents:
Google Docs: This one's a no-brainer, since a lot of you probably already use Gmail, with which Docs is tightly integrated. It can sometimes break formatting in files, but at least you won't lose important data.
Office Live: Microsoft's take on the online office suite comes with a free 5GB, which, let's be honest, is an awful lot of Word documents.
Zoho: As an online office suite, Zoho offers a few little features that Google and Microsoft don't. As a storage service, though, they only offer 1GB. Still!
Photos:
Flickr: The obvious choice for photography geeks, Flickr give you unlimited storage for free, at a rate of 100MB a month.
Snapfish: With fewer options for enthusiasts, Snapfish's draw is its unlimited storage and orderable photo prints.
Picasa: 1GB of Google's storage space for free out of the box, with a nice client to boot.
Photobucket: Another 1GB of free storage, but this one takes video as well.
Facebook: This might seem like an unlikely recommendation, but they've got one of the best deals going, in a way. If you're not concerned about the quality of your photo uploads—like, you just want them for onscreen viewing—you can upload unlimited photos here, 200 at a time. And in any case, a medium-quality JPEG is better than no photo at all.
Music:
MP3Tunes: Puts your music library everywhere, with a bevy of client apps for various platforms, including the iPhone. 2GB of free storage isn't much, but it's something.
File Factory: Mentioned above in the general storage section, FileFactory also has a web interface for music. 100GB is quite possibly enough to store your whole library.
Deezer: A French music streaming service that also lets you upload as much music as you'd like, for personal use.
Video:
This is the most hackish of the bunch, but YouTube, Vimeo, Viddler and the like usually support private or invite-only videos, which means they can act as last resort backup solutions, though the loss of quality and long upload times might make these plans a little unwieldy.
When your concerned friends and family insist that you have to back your data up (as anyone who's seen my atrociously beaten-down laptop in the last few months has done to me) they're effectively telling you two things: That backing up your data will save you a massive headache in the future, because more likely the not, your hard drive will fail; and, less bluntly, that you need to buy a hard drive. And who wants to do that? It's hard to lay out the cash for a backup hard drive, since the payoff is uncertain, and (hopefully) far away. It's a good investment—not an easy one.
The good news is, most of us cheapskates can still keep our most important files safe without spending a dime, or wasting more than a few minutes. Here how:
Note: These methods don't give you traditional, full backups—they are ways to keep copies of the files that matter most to you, like your documents, photos, music and videos.
Share
Do you live with someone else? Do you share a network with someone else? Then hey, you've got an ready-built backup system right there! There are a few ways to deal with this setup, from stupid-simple to moderately complex.
First, you need permission. Whoever your networked buddy is, sit them down and have a talk. Give them a glass of milk, and explain to them how important data backup is. Persuade them. Coax them. Scare them. Offer to store their backups in exchange for them storing yours. Great! Now you have a partner in data safety. Congratulations.
The easiest, most direct and least intimidating way to get free backups is to set up simple file sharing on your PC or Mac. On the PC, it's just a matter of ticking a few boxes and setting a few parameters (Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7) and on Mac, it's not much harder (To another Mac, to a PC, courtesy of Lifehacker).
Now you need to decide what to back up, and how to do it. If privacy isn't an issue, like in a scenario where you're just syncing files between two open access family computers, you can simple copy your documents, photos, video and audio to opposing computers' shared folders, and voila. If privacy is an issue, like if you're trying to back up sensitive documents or embarrassing photos, you can simply create a password-protected archive of some or all of your data, then copy that over to the backup folder.
But this is all a little manual for my taste—for a longer term solution, I'd recommend something a little more automated. All we need with such a simple setup is a basic backup utility. For Windows, I've been happy with IdleBackup, a free little utility that'll copy selected folders to any destination you want—including network folders—while your computer isn't working. For Mac, Lacie's SilverKeeper is as simple and powerful a tool as you'll need, syncing folders locally or over a network on a set schedule—also free.
Go Online
Again, short of purchasing a whole lot of online space especially designed for the purpose of storing full backups, this'll be a scenario in which you're picking a choosing what you save and what you don't; your intention here is to save and recover the files that matter most, not restore your entire operating system. Luckily, with increasingly generous offers from online storage companies, you can put quite a bit of your stuff on someone else's servers for nothing. A few of the best:
Windows Live Skydrive: This one really deserves more publicity that it seems to get, because it hands you 25GB of no-strings-attached storage, for free. The 50MB filesize limit is a little low considering how large the online disk is, but for document, photo, and even music backup, it's hard to beat this.
File Factory: 100GB of free storage with a 300MB file limit. The catch? It can be a little slow, so this much data isn't necessarily that usable.
Dropbox: This is more than just a backup service—it has plenty of nifty file syncing and features, too—but it's a super-simple way to store 2GB of data online, with well-designed clients on every major platform
Mozy: Gives you 2GB of storage for free, or an unlimited amount for $5 a month. Comes with an extremely handy Windows utility that makes it easy to specify what gets uploaded, and what doesn't.
Orbit Files: Offers 6GB of space, but with fewer options available for non-paying customers, and no software client.
Scatter Yourself In the Cloud
The bad news is, this is the most time-consuming way to skirt proper backups, both in terms of setup and recovery. The good news is, you're probably already doing this, to an extent.
If my laptop died right now, I'd lose my settings, a little bit of music, a few day's worth of documents, and well, that's about it. That's because so, so much of my data lives in various online services, just by nature of how I work. Rather than undertaking a day-long effort to upload all your files to myriad websites, just consider changing your habits a little, and easing into a cloud over time. That these services provide useful backups is incidental—usually they're intended as web apps—but that doesn't mean they don't serve the purpose beautifully. Use them for their intended purposes-be it document editing, photo sharing, or music streaming—and you'll soon realize that, without even trying, you've create a wonderful, distributed backup of your most-used media across the internet.
Documents:
Google Docs: This one's a no-brainer, since a lot of you probably already use Gmail, with which Docs is tightly integrated. It can sometimes break formatting in files, but at least you won't lose important data.
Office Live: Microsoft's take on the online office suite comes with a free 5GB, which, let's be honest, is an awful lot of Word documents.
Zoho: As an online office suite, Zoho offers a few little features that Google and Microsoft don't. As a storage service, though, they only offer 1GB. Still!
Photos:
Flickr: The obvious choice for photography geeks, Flickr give you unlimited storage for free, at a rate of 100MB a month.
Snapfish: With fewer options for enthusiasts, Snapfish's draw is its unlimited storage and orderable photo prints.
Picasa: 1GB of Google's storage space for free out of the box, with a nice client to boot.
Photobucket: Another 1GB of free storage, but this one takes video as well.
Facebook: This might seem like an unlikely recommendation, but they've got one of the best deals going, in a way. If you're not concerned about the quality of your photo uploads—like, you just want them for onscreen viewing—you can upload unlimited photos here, 200 at a time. And in any case, a medium-quality JPEG is better than no photo at all.
Music:
MP3Tunes: Puts your music library everywhere, with a bevy of client apps for various platforms, including the iPhone. 2GB of free storage isn't much, but it's something.
File Factory: Mentioned above in the general storage section, FileFactory also has a web interface for music. 100GB is quite possibly enough to store your whole library.
Deezer: A French music streaming service that also lets you upload as much music as you'd like, for personal use.
Video:
This is the most hackish of the bunch, but YouTube, Vimeo, Viddler and the like usually support private or invite-only videos, which means they can act as last resort backup solutions, though the loss of quality and long upload times might make these plans a little unwieldy.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
WRITERS ON WRITING; Easy on the Adverbs, Exclamation Points and Especially Hooptedoodle By ELMORE LEONARD Published: Monday, July 16, 2001, NYT
These are rules I've picked up along the way to help me remain invisible when I'm writing a book, to help me show rather than tell what's taking place in the story. If you have a facility for language and imagery and the sound of your voice pleases you, invisibility is not what you are after, and you can skip the rules. Still, you might look them over.
1. Never open a book with weather.
If it's only to create atmosphere, and not a character's reaction to the weather, you don't want to go on too long. The reader is apt to leaf ahead looking for people. There are exceptions. If you happen to be Barry Lopez, who has more ways to describe ice and snow than an Eskimo, you can do all the weather reporting you want.
2. Avoid prologues.
They can be annoying, especially a prologue following an introduction that comes after a foreword. But these are ordinarily found in nonfiction. A prologue in a novel is backstory, and you can drop it in anywhere you want.
There is a prologue in John Steinbeck's ''Sweet Thursday,'' but it's O.K. because a character in the book makes the point of what my rules are all about. He says: ''I like a lot of talk in a book and I don't like to have nobody tell me what the guy that's talking looks like. I want to figure out what he looks like from the way he talks. . . . figure out what the guy's thinking from what he says. I like some description but not too much of that. . . . Sometimes I want a book to break loose with a bunch of hooptedoodle. . . . Spin up some pretty words maybe or sing a little song with language. That's nice. But I wish it was set aside so I don't have to read it. I don't want hooptedoodle to get mixed up with the story.''
3. Never use a verb other than ''said'' to carry dialogue.
The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in. But said is far less intrusive than grumbled, gasped, cautioned, lied. I once noticed Mary McCarthy ending a line of dialogue with ''she asseverated,'' and had to stop reading to get the dictionary.
4. Never use an adverb to modify the verb ''said'' . . .
. . . he admonished gravely. To use an adverb this way (or almost any way) is a mortal sin. The writer is now exposing himself in earnest, using a word that distracts and can interrupt the rhythm of the exchange. I have a character in one of my books tell how she used to write historical romances ''full of rape and adverbs.''
5. Keep your exclamation points under control.
You are allowed no more than two or three per 100,000 words of prose. If you have the knack of playing with exclaimers the way Tom Wolfe does, you can throw them in by the handful.
6. Never use the words ''suddenly'' or ''all hell broke loose.''
This rule doesn't require an explanation. I have noticed that writers who use ''suddenly'' tend to exercise less control in the application of exclamation points.
7. Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly.
Once you start spelling words in dialogue phonetically and loading the page with apostrophes, you won't be able to stop. Notice the way Annie Proulx captures the flavor of Wyoming voices in her book of short stories ''Close Range.''
8. Avoid detailed descriptions of characters.
Which Steinbeck covered. In Ernest Hemingway's ''Hills Like White Elephants'' what do the ''American and the girl with him'' look like? ''She had taken off her hat and put it on the table.'' That's the only reference to a physical description in the story, and yet we see the couple and know them by their tones of voice, with not one adverb in sight.
9. Don't go into great detail describing places and things.
Unless you're Margaret Atwood and can paint scenes with language or write landscapes in the style of Jim Harrison. But even if you're good at it, you don't want descriptions that bring the action, the flow of the story, to a standstill.
And finally:
10. Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.
A rule that came to mind in 1983. Think of what you skip reading a novel: thick paragraphs of prose you can see have too many words in them. What the writer is doing, he's writing, perpetrating hooptedoodle, perhaps taking another shot at the weather, or has gone into the character's head, and the reader either knows what the guy's thinking or doesn't care. I'll bet you don't skip dialogue.
My most important rule is one that sums up the 10.
If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.
Or, if proper usage gets in the way, it may have to go. I can't allow what we learned in English composition to disrupt the sound and rhythm of the narrative. It's my attempt to remain invisible, not distract the reader from the story with obvious writing. (Joseph Conrad said something about words getting in the way of what you want to say.)
If I write in scenes and always from the point of view of a particular character -- the one whose view best brings the scene to life -- I'm able to concentrate on the voices of the characters telling you who they are and how they feel about what they see and what's going on, and I'm nowhere in sight.
What Steinbeck did in ''Sweet Thursday'' was title his chapters as an indication, though obscure, of what they cover. ''Whom the Gods Love They Drive Nuts'' is one, ''Lousy Wednesday'' another. The third chapter is titled ''Hooptedoodle 1'' and the 38th chapter ''Hooptedoodle 2'' as warnings to the reader, as if Steinbeck is saying: ''Here's where you'll see me taking flights of fancy with my writing, and it won't get in the way of the story. Skip them if you want.''
''Sweet Thursday'' came out in 1954, when I was just beginning to be published, and I've never forgotten that prologue.
Did I read the hooptedoodle chapters? Every word.
Writers on Writing
This article is part of a series in which writers explore literary themes. Previous contributions, including essays by John Updike, E. L. Doctorow, Ed McBain, Annie Proulx, Jamaica Kincaid, Saul Bellow and others, can be found with this article at The New York Times on the Web:
www.nytimes.com/arts
1. Never open a book with weather.
If it's only to create atmosphere, and not a character's reaction to the weather, you don't want to go on too long. The reader is apt to leaf ahead looking for people. There are exceptions. If you happen to be Barry Lopez, who has more ways to describe ice and snow than an Eskimo, you can do all the weather reporting you want.
2. Avoid prologues.
They can be annoying, especially a prologue following an introduction that comes after a foreword. But these are ordinarily found in nonfiction. A prologue in a novel is backstory, and you can drop it in anywhere you want.
There is a prologue in John Steinbeck's ''Sweet Thursday,'' but it's O.K. because a character in the book makes the point of what my rules are all about. He says: ''I like a lot of talk in a book and I don't like to have nobody tell me what the guy that's talking looks like. I want to figure out what he looks like from the way he talks. . . . figure out what the guy's thinking from what he says. I like some description but not too much of that. . . . Sometimes I want a book to break loose with a bunch of hooptedoodle. . . . Spin up some pretty words maybe or sing a little song with language. That's nice. But I wish it was set aside so I don't have to read it. I don't want hooptedoodle to get mixed up with the story.''
3. Never use a verb other than ''said'' to carry dialogue.
The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in. But said is far less intrusive than grumbled, gasped, cautioned, lied. I once noticed Mary McCarthy ending a line of dialogue with ''she asseverated,'' and had to stop reading to get the dictionary.
4. Never use an adverb to modify the verb ''said'' . . .
. . . he admonished gravely. To use an adverb this way (or almost any way) is a mortal sin. The writer is now exposing himself in earnest, using a word that distracts and can interrupt the rhythm of the exchange. I have a character in one of my books tell how she used to write historical romances ''full of rape and adverbs.''
5. Keep your exclamation points under control.
You are allowed no more than two or three per 100,000 words of prose. If you have the knack of playing with exclaimers the way Tom Wolfe does, you can throw them in by the handful.
6. Never use the words ''suddenly'' or ''all hell broke loose.''
This rule doesn't require an explanation. I have noticed that writers who use ''suddenly'' tend to exercise less control in the application of exclamation points.
7. Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly.
Once you start spelling words in dialogue phonetically and loading the page with apostrophes, you won't be able to stop. Notice the way Annie Proulx captures the flavor of Wyoming voices in her book of short stories ''Close Range.''
8. Avoid detailed descriptions of characters.
Which Steinbeck covered. In Ernest Hemingway's ''Hills Like White Elephants'' what do the ''American and the girl with him'' look like? ''She had taken off her hat and put it on the table.'' That's the only reference to a physical description in the story, and yet we see the couple and know them by their tones of voice, with not one adverb in sight.
9. Don't go into great detail describing places and things.
Unless you're Margaret Atwood and can paint scenes with language or write landscapes in the style of Jim Harrison. But even if you're good at it, you don't want descriptions that bring the action, the flow of the story, to a standstill.
And finally:
10. Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.
A rule that came to mind in 1983. Think of what you skip reading a novel: thick paragraphs of prose you can see have too many words in them. What the writer is doing, he's writing, perpetrating hooptedoodle, perhaps taking another shot at the weather, or has gone into the character's head, and the reader either knows what the guy's thinking or doesn't care. I'll bet you don't skip dialogue.
My most important rule is one that sums up the 10.
If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.
Or, if proper usage gets in the way, it may have to go. I can't allow what we learned in English composition to disrupt the sound and rhythm of the narrative. It's my attempt to remain invisible, not distract the reader from the story with obvious writing. (Joseph Conrad said something about words getting in the way of what you want to say.)
If I write in scenes and always from the point of view of a particular character -- the one whose view best brings the scene to life -- I'm able to concentrate on the voices of the characters telling you who they are and how they feel about what they see and what's going on, and I'm nowhere in sight.
What Steinbeck did in ''Sweet Thursday'' was title his chapters as an indication, though obscure, of what they cover. ''Whom the Gods Love They Drive Nuts'' is one, ''Lousy Wednesday'' another. The third chapter is titled ''Hooptedoodle 1'' and the 38th chapter ''Hooptedoodle 2'' as warnings to the reader, as if Steinbeck is saying: ''Here's where you'll see me taking flights of fancy with my writing, and it won't get in the way of the story. Skip them if you want.''
''Sweet Thursday'' came out in 1954, when I was just beginning to be published, and I've never forgotten that prologue.
Did I read the hooptedoodle chapters? Every word.
Writers on Writing
This article is part of a series in which writers explore literary themes. Previous contributions, including essays by John Updike, E. L. Doctorow, Ed McBain, Annie Proulx, Jamaica Kincaid, Saul Bellow and others, can be found with this article at The New York Times on the Web:
www.nytimes.com/arts
Friday, September 4, 2009
Money for Grad School By Jane Bennett Clark, Senior Associate Editor From Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, August 2009
If you've been out of school for a while, look for awards that suit your strengths and goals on Web sites such as FinAid.org, FastWeb.com, GradSchools.com and CollegeScholarships.org. These sites provide not only a list of fellowships but also tips on how to apply. Caroline Elliott, a grad student at Boston University, went one step further by paying for access to Foundation Grants to Individuals Online ($20 for one month or $100 for one year). Elliott, 35, credits the site with pointing her to an AAUW fellowship that fit with her plan to segue from a job at MTV to a career in the film industry. She won a $12,000 award for career changers that has helped defray the cost of a master's degree in fine arts.
Don't neglect to tap one excellent source of funding: your boss. More than two-thirds of private-sector employers with 100 workers or more pay educational expenses for their employees, according to a 2008 National Compensation Survey. Such assistance is tax-free up to $5,250 a year and may escape taxes on higher amounts if you take classes to enhance job skills or meet a job requirement.
Fill in with loans. You'll probably end up with at least a few student loans. Focus on the federally backed Perkins, Stafford and GradPlus loans, which you apply for by filling out the FAFSA. The Perkins, a need-based loan program that the school administers, charges 5% and lets you defer repayment until nine months after graduation. As of July 2009, you can borrow up to $8,000 a year, to a maximum (undergraduate and graduate) of $60,000. The amount you get depends on your financial need and on how much the school has in its kitty.
Staffords come in two forms: subsidized and unsubsidized. Subsidized Staffords are awarded to students with financial need. For grad students, both subsidized and unsubsidized Staffords carry a fixed 6.8% rate. The feds pay the interest on the loans until the borrower starts repayment, six months after graduation.
Unsubsidized Staffords, available to any student who applies, carry a 6.8% rate, which starts accruing as soon as the loan is disbursed. As with subsidized Staffords, you can defer repayment on the loans (including the interest) until six months after you graduate. Grad students can borrow up to $20,500 a year in Staffords, of which no more than $8,500 can be in subsidized loans.
GradPlus loans, created in 2006, are a boon to graduate students because of their generous provisions and relatively easy qualifying standards. They require a basic credit check to ensure you haven't defaulted on any loans, but otherwise don't factor in your credit rating in approving your application or in setting the rate. The loans carry a fixed rate of 8.5% or less and cover the cost of attendance, including living expenses. Repayment begins 60 days after the loan is disbursed; students who attend school more than half-time can defer repayment until six months after graduation.
All that makes GradPlus loans far more attractive than private student loans, which require a creditworthy cosigner, carry variable rates and have less-flexible repayment terms. With GradPlus loans on the table, students have little reason to consider the private alternative, says Kevin Walker, of SimpleTuition.com, a student-loan comparison site. "There really is no role for private loans at the graduate level."
Take a tax break
Need more help? Ask Uncle Sam. The lifetime learning tax credit deducts from your tax bill up to $2,000, or 20% of your first $10,000 of qualified tuition and fees, minus scholarships and other financial aid. You get this bennie even if you attend school less than half-time, and you can claim it for as many years as you have qualified expenses. The credit starts to phase out for 2009 at $50,000 for single filers and $100,000 for married couples filing jointly, and it disappears at $60,000 for single filers and $120,000 for couples.
If your income prevents you from claiming a Lifetime Learning credit, you can take an education deduction for tuition and fees. The maximum deduction is $4,000 if your modified adjusted gross income does not exceed $65,000 ($130,000 for couples filing jointly); it's $2,000 for single filers whose income tops out at $80,000 and for joint filers with income of no more than $160,000. The break expires at the end of 2009 unless Congress extends it, as it has in the past.
Don't neglect to tap one excellent source of funding: your boss. More than two-thirds of private-sector employers with 100 workers or more pay educational expenses for their employees, according to a 2008 National Compensation Survey. Such assistance is tax-free up to $5,250 a year and may escape taxes on higher amounts if you take classes to enhance job skills or meet a job requirement.
Fill in with loans. You'll probably end up with at least a few student loans. Focus on the federally backed Perkins, Stafford and GradPlus loans, which you apply for by filling out the FAFSA. The Perkins, a need-based loan program that the school administers, charges 5% and lets you defer repayment until nine months after graduation. As of July 2009, you can borrow up to $8,000 a year, to a maximum (undergraduate and graduate) of $60,000. The amount you get depends on your financial need and on how much the school has in its kitty.
Staffords come in two forms: subsidized and unsubsidized. Subsidized Staffords are awarded to students with financial need. For grad students, both subsidized and unsubsidized Staffords carry a fixed 6.8% rate. The feds pay the interest on the loans until the borrower starts repayment, six months after graduation.
Unsubsidized Staffords, available to any student who applies, carry a 6.8% rate, which starts accruing as soon as the loan is disbursed. As with subsidized Staffords, you can defer repayment on the loans (including the interest) until six months after you graduate. Grad students can borrow up to $20,500 a year in Staffords, of which no more than $8,500 can be in subsidized loans.
GradPlus loans, created in 2006, are a boon to graduate students because of their generous provisions and relatively easy qualifying standards. They require a basic credit check to ensure you haven't defaulted on any loans, but otherwise don't factor in your credit rating in approving your application or in setting the rate. The loans carry a fixed rate of 8.5% or less and cover the cost of attendance, including living expenses. Repayment begins 60 days after the loan is disbursed; students who attend school more than half-time can defer repayment until six months after graduation.
All that makes GradPlus loans far more attractive than private student loans, which require a creditworthy cosigner, carry variable rates and have less-flexible repayment terms. With GradPlus loans on the table, students have little reason to consider the private alternative, says Kevin Walker, of SimpleTuition.com, a student-loan comparison site. "There really is no role for private loans at the graduate level."
Take a tax break
Need more help? Ask Uncle Sam. The lifetime learning tax credit deducts from your tax bill up to $2,000, or 20% of your first $10,000 of qualified tuition and fees, minus scholarships and other financial aid. You get this bennie even if you attend school less than half-time, and you can claim it for as many years as you have qualified expenses. The credit starts to phase out for 2009 at $50,000 for single filers and $100,000 for married couples filing jointly, and it disappears at $60,000 for single filers and $120,000 for couples.
If your income prevents you from claiming a Lifetime Learning credit, you can take an education deduction for tuition and fees. The maximum deduction is $4,000 if your modified adjusted gross income does not exceed $65,000 ($130,000 for couples filing jointly); it's $2,000 for single filers whose income tops out at $80,000 and for joint filers with income of no more than $160,000. The break expires at the end of 2009 unless Congress extends it, as it has in the past.
Free Stuff
Free Software
For word processing and spreadsheets, go to OpenOffice.org. For antivirus protection, head to http://free.avg.com. For free basic photo editing, check out http://picasa.google.com, or for more advanced touch-ups, try Gimp.org. And to manage your finances, use the free programs at Mint.com or Wesabe.com.
Free Rewards
When you have to make a purchase online, start at BondRewards.com to earn another cool freebie: You click on an affiliated online retailer (there are hundreds) to do your shopping as usual, and a percentage of your purchase is given back to you in your BondRewards account. You then redeem your rewards for U.S. savings bonds or cash.
Free Financial Advice
Kiplinger.com
Free Mobile Apps
You spent all that money on a new iPhone. Now download some free apps to help you save money and recoup the cost. For instance, the free Mint.com or Quicken apps help you track your spending and manage your money and investments on the go. AMT Hunter can help you find a surcharge-free machine near wherever you are. And iShop can help you search for the lowest price on an item before you buy.
There are plenty of other useful applications at the iTunes App Store, with free recipes, weather updates, diet help, music, games and more.
Free Digital Storage Space
With free online backup storage, you can protect your important files and photos from computer crashes, theft or natural disaster.
For instance, Spideroak.com and Myotherdrive.com each give you 2 gigabytes of free and secure digital storage space. You can also store your cherished photos and videos at sites such as Photobucket.com and Flickr.com. You can also store your pics at photo-print ordering sites such as Snapfish.com, Shutterfly.com or Walmart.com, as long as your account is active.
Free Tech Recycling -- With Benefits
Not only is it getting easier to keep your old electronics out of the landfill, but you may even get some free cash in exchange. Services such as BuyMyTronics.com, Gazelle.com, MyBoneyard.com and GreenPhone.com recycle or refurbish your old tech and send you a check in return. They take cameras, cell phones, MP3 players, game consoles and more.
If you can't find anyone willing to pay for your dinosaur, look for other free places to recycle. For instance, Best Buy will take many of your tech castoffs at no charge. And keep your eyes open for free e-recycling days in your city.
Free Capital Gains
Who wouldn't love to let their investments grow 100% tax-free? Take a pass on paying capital-gains taxes by investing in a Roth IRA. Any money you put into your Roth grows tax-free, and you won't owe Uncle Sam a dime when you cash out in retirement. It's all yours.
For word processing and spreadsheets, go to OpenOffice.org. For antivirus protection, head to http://free.avg.com. For free basic photo editing, check out http://picasa.google.com, or for more advanced touch-ups, try Gimp.org. And to manage your finances, use the free programs at Mint.com or Wesabe.com.
Free Rewards
When you have to make a purchase online, start at BondRewards.com to earn another cool freebie: You click on an affiliated online retailer (there are hundreds) to do your shopping as usual, and a percentage of your purchase is given back to you in your BondRewards account. You then redeem your rewards for U.S. savings bonds or cash.
Free Financial Advice
Kiplinger.com
Free Mobile Apps
You spent all that money on a new iPhone. Now download some free apps to help you save money and recoup the cost. For instance, the free Mint.com or Quicken apps help you track your spending and manage your money and investments on the go. AMT Hunter can help you find a surcharge-free machine near wherever you are. And iShop can help you search for the lowest price on an item before you buy.
There are plenty of other useful applications at the iTunes App Store, with free recipes, weather updates, diet help, music, games and more.
Free Digital Storage Space
With free online backup storage, you can protect your important files and photos from computer crashes, theft or natural disaster.
For instance, Spideroak.com and Myotherdrive.com each give you 2 gigabytes of free and secure digital storage space. You can also store your cherished photos and videos at sites such as Photobucket.com and Flickr.com. You can also store your pics at photo-print ordering sites such as Snapfish.com, Shutterfly.com or Walmart.com, as long as your account is active.
Free Tech Recycling -- With Benefits
Not only is it getting easier to keep your old electronics out of the landfill, but you may even get some free cash in exchange. Services such as BuyMyTronics.com, Gazelle.com, MyBoneyard.com and GreenPhone.com recycle or refurbish your old tech and send you a check in return. They take cameras, cell phones, MP3 players, game consoles and more.
If you can't find anyone willing to pay for your dinosaur, look for other free places to recycle. For instance, Best Buy will take many of your tech castoffs at no charge. And keep your eyes open for free e-recycling days in your city.
Free Capital Gains
Who wouldn't love to let their investments grow 100% tax-free? Take a pass on paying capital-gains taxes by investing in a Roth IRA. Any money you put into your Roth grows tax-free, and you won't owe Uncle Sam a dime when you cash out in retirement. It's all yours.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The wear and tear of heavy stage makeup and what to do about it By Jessyca Dewey
Chances are the next role you audition for won't be that of an acne-ridden teenager. Sure, it's not totally impossible that a Freaks and Geeks spinoff will land at your feet, but for most auditions, acne is not considered an asset.
If you're playing a role that requires heavy stage makeup, however, acne and breakouts are nearly inevitable. Thick, pore-clogging makeup piled on for hours, night after night, will eventually take a toll on the skin, says aesthetician Marc Edward, owner of Marc Edward Skincare (www.marcedwardskincare.com). At the very least, says Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald, a cosmetic and clinical dermatologist in Los Angeles, anyone with a propensity for acne will see breakouts.
Unfortunately, skipping the makeup is rarely an option. "The reality is that when the makeup artist is there, they're really going to do what they think is best," says Edward. "It's their craft."
Fine, but if the makeup is inescapable, the acne and redness shouldn't be. There are many ways to help prevent it. The best way to clean your skin, according to Fitzgerald and Edward, is the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush. "That brush is the best thing we've ever had for that heavy makeup residue," says Fitzgerald. "Masks can't hurt, but they don't do what it does."
The brush, which uses sonic waves to loosen dirt, oil, and makeup from the pores, is more costly than a good old-fashioned washcloth and cleanser, but according to Edward, "It's a great investment for an actor to spend that $195—which is cheaper than some facials in town—and it really gets rid of a lot of that embedded makeup that gets clogged after each show." Voted "Best Facialist in L.A." by Frontiers magazine, Edward has been using the brush as part of his facial treatments for more than five years.
Regular facials also help keep the skin healthy. "Someone who's a famous actor—someone who makes a lot of money—to be quite honest, they're going to get a facial once a week," says Edward. "They know the benefit of keeping their skin clean." But for most actors, he adds, "that's not always in the budget." Fitzgerald agrees that facials are effective and recommends that actors get one treatment per month if they can afford it, or at least four treatments a year.
Pore Health for Poor Actors
As beneficial as regular facials and high-tech brushes might be, many struggling and not-so-struggling actors won't have the cash to spare. If you're on a tight budget, even simple, inexpensive techniques—such as using soft washcloths and cleaning the face twice—will help, says Edward. For actors without access to a sink directly after a stage performance, Fitzgerald recommends carrying Olay Daily Facials Night Cleansing Cloths and La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, which you can spray on your face as a moisturizer.
For at-home facials, Fitzgerald likes Bioré's Purify Self-Heating Mask, and Edward advises following the facial cleanser with an acid-based toner. "This will actually help to dissolve any of the other things that are left behind," he says, "whether it's makeup, oil, or blackheads, or pollution, or all of those things." But he warns against toners that are drying or alcohol-based.
An actor who wears a lot of heavy stage makeup might be tempted to forgo a moisturizer, reasoning that it will further clog the pores, says Edward. "But the reality is that a lot of makeup can be quite drying to the skin, and if you're doing a double cleansing to get rid of it, then it can be even a little bit irritating sometimes. So everyone should be using a moisturizer."
"Dry skin is more-vulnerable skin," warns Fitzgerald. "So keeping your skin in good shape and well-moisturized will make it much less vulnerable to any bad effects of all the stage makeup. And even though you're exhausted at night and it's tempting to just fall in bed with that stuff on your face, don't do it." Unless, of course, you aspire to a career playing acne-ridden teens. In that case, by all means, go for it.
If you're playing a role that requires heavy stage makeup, however, acne and breakouts are nearly inevitable. Thick, pore-clogging makeup piled on for hours, night after night, will eventually take a toll on the skin, says aesthetician Marc Edward, owner of Marc Edward Skincare (www.marcedwardskincare.com). At the very least, says Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald, a cosmetic and clinical dermatologist in Los Angeles, anyone with a propensity for acne will see breakouts.
Unfortunately, skipping the makeup is rarely an option. "The reality is that when the makeup artist is there, they're really going to do what they think is best," says Edward. "It's their craft."
Fine, but if the makeup is inescapable, the acne and redness shouldn't be. There are many ways to help prevent it. The best way to clean your skin, according to Fitzgerald and Edward, is the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush. "That brush is the best thing we've ever had for that heavy makeup residue," says Fitzgerald. "Masks can't hurt, but they don't do what it does."
The brush, which uses sonic waves to loosen dirt, oil, and makeup from the pores, is more costly than a good old-fashioned washcloth and cleanser, but according to Edward, "It's a great investment for an actor to spend that $195—which is cheaper than some facials in town—and it really gets rid of a lot of that embedded makeup that gets clogged after each show." Voted "Best Facialist in L.A." by Frontiers magazine, Edward has been using the brush as part of his facial treatments for more than five years.
Regular facials also help keep the skin healthy. "Someone who's a famous actor—someone who makes a lot of money—to be quite honest, they're going to get a facial once a week," says Edward. "They know the benefit of keeping their skin clean." But for most actors, he adds, "that's not always in the budget." Fitzgerald agrees that facials are effective and recommends that actors get one treatment per month if they can afford it, or at least four treatments a year.
Pore Health for Poor Actors
As beneficial as regular facials and high-tech brushes might be, many struggling and not-so-struggling actors won't have the cash to spare. If you're on a tight budget, even simple, inexpensive techniques—such as using soft washcloths and cleaning the face twice—will help, says Edward. For actors without access to a sink directly after a stage performance, Fitzgerald recommends carrying Olay Daily Facials Night Cleansing Cloths and La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, which you can spray on your face as a moisturizer.
For at-home facials, Fitzgerald likes Bioré's Purify Self-Heating Mask, and Edward advises following the facial cleanser with an acid-based toner. "This will actually help to dissolve any of the other things that are left behind," he says, "whether it's makeup, oil, or blackheads, or pollution, or all of those things." But he warns against toners that are drying or alcohol-based.
An actor who wears a lot of heavy stage makeup might be tempted to forgo a moisturizer, reasoning that it will further clog the pores, says Edward. "But the reality is that a lot of makeup can be quite drying to the skin, and if you're doing a double cleansing to get rid of it, then it can be even a little bit irritating sometimes. So everyone should be using a moisturizer."
"Dry skin is more-vulnerable skin," warns Fitzgerald. "So keeping your skin in good shape and well-moisturized will make it much less vulnerable to any bad effects of all the stage makeup. And even though you're exhausted at night and it's tempting to just fall in bed with that stuff on your face, don't do it." Unless, of course, you aspire to a career playing acne-ridden teens. In that case, by all means, go for it.
What to wear and what not to wear when meeting with an agent By Jessyca Dewey
On camera or on stage, an actor's every garment is expertly chosen and arranged. If only actors had personal stylists and costume designers at their disposal the rest of the time. Once you've changed back into your own clothes, however, your choices are up to you. While it's a good idea to look your best whenever possible—in this industry, you never know who you'll meet—sometimes it's of utmost importance, such as when meeting with potential representation.
Sitting across the desk from an agent who may be interested in signing you, you're selling that person on your face, your personality, and your talent. So you want to infuse your outfit with a little bit of your personality, says veteran L.A. stylist Tin Wornom. But actors, especially women, should be careful their clothing doesn't draw too much attention. "You want them to look at your face," she warns. "You don't want them to look at your boobs."
Stylist Pascale Nyby, whose credits include Grey's Anatomy and Boston Legal, agrees. "I think that restraint should be used when showing the chest," she says. "Obviously, low-cut tops are good, but not to the extent where you're uncomfortable and somebody else might think that something's going to happen if you move too quickly in one direction or the other."
There are several guidelines for deciding whether a piece of clothing is suitable. Wornom stresses the importance of common sense: "If you wouldn't wear that to go meet your boyfriend's family for the first time, I definitely wouldn't wear it to meet an agent or manager for the first time."
Feeling comfortable and confident is also important, for men and women. Says Sabrina Newman, New York–based founder and style editor of the fashion website ANewMode
.com, "There are some people who can wear a low-cut shirt and make it look completely classy, and there are people who will wear it and you can tell they feel uncomfortable and they feel like they're being a little too revealing."
Adds Nyby, "You're taking a neutral stance when you go into a meeting with anybody, and you don't want to go too loudly in one direction or the other until you're sure what they really like." Though it may be wise to play it cool and avoid extreme fashion statements, there are ways to incorporate your personality and style in your outfit without being too loud.
For women, Wornom suggests avoiding bold prints on top—or, if you must, try wearing them on the bottom. "It's about mixing it up and making things look effortless," she says. Accessories are also a great way to show a bit of personality without coming off too strong.
If the Jeans Fit, Wear 'Em
All the stylists agree that it's appropriate to wear a nice pair of dark jeans to an industry meeting. But there are several common faux pas to avoid. Wornom, who has also worked in casting, advises men to steer clear of very tight pants: "I'm not casting you or interested in you because of your junk. I'm interested in you because you actually have talent." Find jeans that are neither too revealing nor too loose, she advises, and avoid the "skater, Urban Outfitter kind of thing," adding that men should always wear a belt to achieve a more polished look.
Tight-fitting jeans may not be a bad choice for women, but it depends on your body type, says Nyby: A woman in really good shape can wear tight jeans without exposing too much flesh and appear just as conservative as a woman who's not in great shape in looser-fitting jeans. It's common for women to wear jeans about two sizes too small, but to ensure the best fit, Nyby recommends trying them on and sitting down: If they expose your back, they're too small.
"It's a great feeling to fit into a size smaller," says Newman, "but it can make you look so much heavier because it doesn't fit you right, and if you're spilling out or you have a muffin top, it's definitely no good."
If you don't already own a pair of high-quality, great-fitting jeans, the stylists highly recommend investing in one. Wornom suggests Ernest Sewn or Antik Denim; Newman likes J Brand and Rock & Republic. While they're definitely more pricey than Old Navy, you'll notice the difference in quality, they say. "There are going to be people who are like, 'Oh, no, it's all the same,' " says Wornom. "You know what? It ain't the same. My ass does not look as good in a pair of Forever 21 jeans as it does in my Diesels." Nyby agrees, adding that a nice pair of jeans from a recognizable designer helps an actor appear successful and confident.
Sacrificing quality to save money may have adverse affects, according to Wornom. "You don't look polished," she says. "You look like you're broke and you need a job, and no one wants to hire you if you look like you're broke and you need a job. I've been doing this for 16 years, and the desperate-looking people that walk through the door are never the ones that get hired."
Bottom line? "If you're wearing something that you love, it's going to show," says Newman. "The No. 1 fashion tip in general is that it's always important to stay true to yourself and to your own personal style." So before you walk out your front door, be sure you not only look good but feel good too.
Sitting across the desk from an agent who may be interested in signing you, you're selling that person on your face, your personality, and your talent. So you want to infuse your outfit with a little bit of your personality, says veteran L.A. stylist Tin Wornom. But actors, especially women, should be careful their clothing doesn't draw too much attention. "You want them to look at your face," she warns. "You don't want them to look at your boobs."
Stylist Pascale Nyby, whose credits include Grey's Anatomy and Boston Legal, agrees. "I think that restraint should be used when showing the chest," she says. "Obviously, low-cut tops are good, but not to the extent where you're uncomfortable and somebody else might think that something's going to happen if you move too quickly in one direction or the other."
There are several guidelines for deciding whether a piece of clothing is suitable. Wornom stresses the importance of common sense: "If you wouldn't wear that to go meet your boyfriend's family for the first time, I definitely wouldn't wear it to meet an agent or manager for the first time."
Feeling comfortable and confident is also important, for men and women. Says Sabrina Newman, New York–based founder and style editor of the fashion website ANewMode
.com, "There are some people who can wear a low-cut shirt and make it look completely classy, and there are people who will wear it and you can tell they feel uncomfortable and they feel like they're being a little too revealing."
Adds Nyby, "You're taking a neutral stance when you go into a meeting with anybody, and you don't want to go too loudly in one direction or the other until you're sure what they really like." Though it may be wise to play it cool and avoid extreme fashion statements, there are ways to incorporate your personality and style in your outfit without being too loud.
For women, Wornom suggests avoiding bold prints on top—or, if you must, try wearing them on the bottom. "It's about mixing it up and making things look effortless," she says. Accessories are also a great way to show a bit of personality without coming off too strong.
If the Jeans Fit, Wear 'Em
All the stylists agree that it's appropriate to wear a nice pair of dark jeans to an industry meeting. But there are several common faux pas to avoid. Wornom, who has also worked in casting, advises men to steer clear of very tight pants: "I'm not casting you or interested in you because of your junk. I'm interested in you because you actually have talent." Find jeans that are neither too revealing nor too loose, she advises, and avoid the "skater, Urban Outfitter kind of thing," adding that men should always wear a belt to achieve a more polished look.
Tight-fitting jeans may not be a bad choice for women, but it depends on your body type, says Nyby: A woman in really good shape can wear tight jeans without exposing too much flesh and appear just as conservative as a woman who's not in great shape in looser-fitting jeans. It's common for women to wear jeans about two sizes too small, but to ensure the best fit, Nyby recommends trying them on and sitting down: If they expose your back, they're too small.
"It's a great feeling to fit into a size smaller," says Newman, "but it can make you look so much heavier because it doesn't fit you right, and if you're spilling out or you have a muffin top, it's definitely no good."
If you don't already own a pair of high-quality, great-fitting jeans, the stylists highly recommend investing in one. Wornom suggests Ernest Sewn or Antik Denim; Newman likes J Brand and Rock & Republic. While they're definitely more pricey than Old Navy, you'll notice the difference in quality, they say. "There are going to be people who are like, 'Oh, no, it's all the same,' " says Wornom. "You know what? It ain't the same. My ass does not look as good in a pair of Forever 21 jeans as it does in my Diesels." Nyby agrees, adding that a nice pair of jeans from a recognizable designer helps an actor appear successful and confident.
Sacrificing quality to save money may have adverse affects, according to Wornom. "You don't look polished," she says. "You look like you're broke and you need a job, and no one wants to hire you if you look like you're broke and you need a job. I've been doing this for 16 years, and the desperate-looking people that walk through the door are never the ones that get hired."
Bottom line? "If you're wearing something that you love, it's going to show," says Newman. "The No. 1 fashion tip in general is that it's always important to stay true to yourself and to your own personal style." So before you walk out your front door, be sure you not only look good but feel good too.
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