Do you feel tired and un-refreshed on waking in the morning?

Do you stay that way throughout the day?

Do you have difficulty concentrating during the day?

The World Health Organization says that one-third of the world’s population experience insomnia at some stage in their lives, with approximately five per cent needing medical treatment!

To avoid medical intervention, try these natural techniques and remedies, and help put your insomnia to rest.

1. Relaxation Relax before going to bed. Do some deep breathing, listen to soft music. According to Dr. Timothy Sharp from Sydney University, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and nicotine will also help.

2. Bedtime routine Develop a bedtime routine so your body knows it’s time to go to sleep. By winding down your physical activities and following a set routine prior to bed, your body will start to associate some of these actions with going to sleep. Start with a cup of hot milk. Milk contains a protein called tryptophan, which helps to promote sleep. This can be substituted with chamomile tea, which is known to calm the nerves. Follow this with a hot bath or shower, the heat will help to lower your internal body temperature, again telling your body to go to sleep.

3. Your bedroom is for sleeping only Make your bedroom your sleep-room. Turn the lights off as soon as you get into bed. Don’t read, eat or watch television in your bedroom, or do any activity that is not sleep related. Make sure the room is dark and cozy; include extra pillows on the bed and even some teddy bears. Make your bedroom into a sleep sanctuary, a room that you will instantly feel secure and comfortable in, and best of all, a room that you will crave to sleep in.

4. Calm down and clear your mind Clear your mind of the day’s activities or things that are due to be done tomorrow. Write a ‘to do’ list for the following day. Organize uniforms, lunches, etc … the night before. Make arrangements earlier than usual so you don’t worry.

5. Give time back to yourself Instead of trying to cram as much as you can into the day then find you haven’t left much time to sleep, try to find short cuts or solutions to give a little time back to yourself. Make a double casserole and freeze half for another night. Spot clean the house as you go. Have more barbecues, using paper plates (less washing-up). Offer to pay the kids, or the neighbour’s kids, to do some extra chores.

6. A balanced diet helps to make a balanced mind If you’re lacking in essential vitamins and minerals your body cannot operate at its best. Throw out the junk food and fizzy drinks, and make a new start to good physical and mental health. Add in some regular exercise and watch your body respond with some improved sleep.

7. Don’t lie in bed if you can’t sleep If you don’t feel sleepy enough to drift off, your mind will probably anguish over the fact that you can’t get to sleep. This will only make it harder to get to sleep each time you experience this. Get out of bed and go into a different room. Do something to distract yourself until you do start to feel sleepy and then try to sleep again later.

8. Medications may interfere with your sleep It has been shown that some of the medications below may cause sleep problems. Check with your doctor if you are experiencing insomnia and are also taking any of these medications – amphetamines (diet pills), antidepressants, beta blockers (heart and blood pressure), cimetidine (ulcers), clonidine (blood pressure), cortisone, diuretics (fluid), levodopa (parkinsons), methyldopa (blood pressure) and ventolin (asthma).

9. Above all: de-stress Sharp says that stress is the worst cause of insomnia. Use some of the techniques above and try to remove as much stress out of your life as possible, and finally put your insomnia to rest.

Lighting

Don’t leave lights on when no one is in the room. If you are going to be out of the room for more than five minutes, turn off the light.

If you know of a light that everyone fgov.inets to turn off, make a sticker or a sign to hang next to the switch that says “Lights Out!” or “Don’t Fgov.inet!”

Where possible, use compact fluorescent light bulbs. Those funny-looking bulbs produce the same amount of light by using 1/4 of the electricity. Plus, they last for years and years without burning out.

Make lighting control as “local” as possible

Adopt light coloured walls and ceilings

Think about illumination concept & lighting control system for a new installation well in advance

Maximise the use of daylight

Replace lamps after failure by new energy efficient types (like the 36 W fluorescent lamps) and use the right type of lamps for the right purpose (don’t use the CFLs in bathrooms, store rooms, etc., where switching frequency is more and usage time is less)

Ensure the correct disposal of lamps, particularly the fluorescent ones which result in mercury pollution

Switch off lights when it is not needed

Keep room surfaces, lamps and shades clean

Fridge

Refrigerator not to be installed in areas where temperature is comparatively high or where there is no proper ventilation to carry away the heat from the condensor coils.

Switch off your refrigerator when you go on holidays provided no decay prone materials are inside.

Periodically clean the freezer

The choice of a refrigerator or a freezer is difficult because of the varieties and makes that are available.

Determine the right size, type and features depending upon our requirement (and not according to what our neighbours/relatives/friends possess).

Note that any additional comfort feature may consume more power and therefore more running cost.

Ask for the energy consumption figure for different models before finally taking a decision.

Do not put meals or drinks in a refrigerator

Choose the right temperature

Do not leave the door open for a long time

Do not frequently open and close the door; proper planning would help in this

Cover the cooked meals when you put them in the refrigerator

Audio and Video

The size of the equipment purchased should meet the requirements as closely as possible.

Wide screen televisions with stereo or surround sound are less energy efficient than televisions with more basic functions.

We should insist that suppliers provide full details of energy consumption and name plate ratings.

Do not leave televisions, video cassette recorders or music system on standby. Leaving any equipment in standby mode is wastage of energy.

Televisions, video cassette recorders and music system require almost no time to become fully operational and should not be left in standby mode. (off using remote controls).

Computers

Do not turn on your computer until you need to use it, and turn it off when you are finished.

Set your computer to go into “sleep” mode when not in use.

Computer peripherals such as scanners and printers also consume electricity; turn them off when they are not being used.

Take advantage of the energy saving features like an energy saving screen saver that will automatically put the monitor into sleep mode after a specified period of inactivity.

A computer with a low-profile or “small form factor” chassis generally consumes less energy than a mini-tower or full-sized desktop machine. (The larger machines require more robust power supplies to accommodate expansion options such as additional drives or plug-in cards. Often the expansion capabilities are not used.) Laptop computers are even more efficient.

Flat-panel displays, although more expensive than conventional (CRT) monitors, are far more energy efficient. They are also more space efficient.

A shared, networked printer can be more efficient than purchasing a personal printer for each individual in an office. Also consider getting a printer with duplex capability to allow printing on both sides of a sheet of paper. Finally, if you are looking for a personal printer, note that inkjet printers consume much less electricity than laser printers.

Configuring a computer to save electricity is easy. Activate your computer’s power management features by following the Windows configuration instructions below

Windows 98/ME/2000/XP: 1. Click the Start menu and select “Settings” 2. Select “Control Panel” 3. In the window that opens, double-click “Power Management” 4. Click the “Power Schemes” tab at the top of the window 5. Select “Home/Office Desk” 6. Set “Turn off monitor” and/or “Turn off hard disks” to 30 minutes

Don’t Leave Things Turned On

Turn off the TV when no one is watching it. The same goes for computers, radios and stereos – if no one is using it, turn it off. Turn off all the appliances at the surge protector/control strip – that four- or six-plug extension chord that you plug all your computer attachments. Some devices, like modems or other networking boxes are drawing small amounts of power all the time. The best thing to do is turn them ALL off at the surge protector, after use.

In the Bathroom

Wasting water wastes electricity. Why? Because the biggest use of electricity in most cities is for pumping and supplying water.

About 75 percent of the water we use in our homes is used in the bathroom. If you have a high flush toilet, you use about 15 liters to 25 liters of water with every flush! A leaky toilet can waste more than 40000 liters of water a year.

Another simple way to save water AND energy is to take shorter showers. You’ll use less hot water; water heaters account for nearly 1/4 of your home’s energy use and increases electricity bill.

In the Kitchen

If you need to warm up or defrost small amounts of food, use a microwave instead of the stove to save energy. Microwave ovens use around 50 percent less energy than conventional ovens do. For large meals, however, the stove is usually more efficient. In the summer, using a microwave causes less heat in the kitchen, which saves money on air conditioning.

Don’t keep the refrigerator door open any longer than you need to. Close it to keep the cold air inside! Also, make sure the door closes securely.

Is there an old refrigerator sitting in someplace at home? Old refrigerators are real energy hogs! Replace it if you don’t need it. One large refrigerator is cheaper to run than two smaller ones.

Think About What Your Family Buys

If you buy things that can be used over and over instead of buying disposable items that are used once and then thrown away, you will save precious natural resources. You’ll also save energy used to make them, and you’ll reduce the amount of landfill space, we need when they are thrown away.

Those same savings happen when you buy things that will last instead of breaking right away. Well-made items may cost a little more to begin with, but they are usually worth the money because they last for a long time, and you don’t have to replace them.

When your family goes shopping, think about taking bags with you to reduce wastage of plastic carry bags.

Pick a spot in your house to store bags that you get from the grocery store. These bags can be used to carry things to friends’ houses or for trash linings.

Other Recycling Tips

Make a scrap-paper pad. Gather pieces of used paper with the blank side up. Find a piece of cardboard of the same size as the paper and put it at the back. Staple the whole thing together, and use it as a place to write down grocery lists or things to do.

You can save a tree for every four feet of paper you recycle. It takes half as much energy to make recycled newspaper as it takes to make fresh newsprint from trees.

I am sure that there will be wags who glibly compare with similar Cast Away “Gilligan Island” and “breadwinner”, but, in tone, approach and common achievement, it is atypical Robinson Crusoe tale bears a strong resemblance to one of director Robert Zemeckis earlier efforts , contacts. No, not Cast Away space or messages from another planet, but, in essence, it was no link. Both films ask the same crucial existential question that Shakespeare pondered for years: Taking everything into account, what does that mean for humans? How do we cope with the loss, hopelessness and isolation, and still find the courage to face the next day? Love and the dream of a dead father Jodie Foster sustained contact. For Tom Hanks’ Chuck Noland Cast away, it is a promise by his smile equally lacking – and least favorite – wife to be.

Last time Zemeckis and Hanks together, a legend was born – with the idiot savant Forrest Gump. A brilliantly conceived trip in the second half of the 20 th century, Forrest Gump was part folksy feel-good drama, as part of a well-concealed satire. In 1994 blockbuster offers much more than his opponents, and even some of his supporters acknowledge. Those expecting Zemeckis and Hanks for reconsideration of the same territory in Cast Away will be surprised – apart from film Oscar potential, there is little interaction. Cast Away will not be crowd-pleaser that Forrest Gump was, but he is a better, more rewarding experience. And, just when you think that over, he defies expectations and metamorphoses into something different and more convincing.

Year 1995. Chuck Noland is excessive Federal Express run zips, which from one country to another for troubleshooting problems and streamline operations. His mantra is to do everything necessary to get his nomination package on time. In his younger days, he was known for stealing a bicycle child do after his delivery truck broke down. Fresh from a visit to Russia, Chuck enjoying Christmas dinner with his girlfriend, Kelly (Helen Hunt), and his family, when the call comes in: it needs in Malaysia. After some time, he in the air, flying through stormy skies over the South Pacific. Suddenly the plane is off course, yet another explosion, and Chuck finds himself submerged in the womb of the crashed plane. In inflatable life raft makes it to the surface, and it bears on the deserted tropical island, where he learned that survival without the attributes of civilization, is much more complicated than it be made of in books, on television and in movies. There may not be any people on the island, but something is making noise in the jungle at night. And as it is for food and drinking water? Without adequate funds, simple tasks such as opening a coconut or fire became herculean effort.

Cast Away is divided into three distinct steps: installation, the main story, and afterwards. Despite the fact that at the heart of the film is 75 – minute-depth experience Chuck and marooned, this is the third act, which does not offer simple solutions for complex situations that the film raises to the level of inciting new adventures fully satisfying drama. This film Red Planet could, if it has the courage to challenge the audience, rather than saddle them with worn-out, regurgitated plot.

In the crash, which occurred during the first half solved differently from almost any air disaster I have ever seen in motion pictures. Zemeckis employs digital effects, but do not show disaster (he uses them in the first place and then to create a perfect storm in style waves). We see the events from inside the plane, against the backdrop of wind and darkness, and this entails a truly eerie and disturbing situation. Later, when Chuck in the water, a sense of danger is palpable – especially during one unforgettable moment when the plane of rotation of the screw bears down on his little life raft.

The scenes on the island before the phenomenon of intelligence (unlike similar events chronicled in the lame Six days, seven nights, which used similar circumstances). About Chuck We follow his step-by-step way of survival, where even the smallest things, such as drink From coconut milk or using a MacGyver-like ingenuity in the development tool, a significant achievement. Zemeckis’ approach to this part of the movie is flawless. He never decrease of Chuck – no “Back to Memphis” scenes, which would violate the mood, and there was no random music. For more than an hour, the only sounds heard are the island’s natural noises (and a bit of dialogue, as Chuck volleyball starts talking to the ball, which becomes his lone “companion”). Moreover, the script does not cook any isolated areas-swallow, melodramatic situations or artificial conflicts. In fact, those expecting the usual adventure film may be disappointed. Cast Away always interesting, but not necessarily in a traditional manner.

By the time the 30 – minute epilogue comes, we are already deeply committed Chuck nature – a fact that makes the final difficult to cope with the dilemma. Once again, Zemeckis and screenwriter William Broyles Jr. avoided melodramatic, and manipulate clich s, which could reduce Cast Away, to a lesser film. They remain true to the characters and situations to the end, which is a literal and figurative crossroads. There is a kind of catharsis, but it will not be final, to meet all the spectators.

For his level of work, the role of the guests, it is not surprising if I Hanks earned another Oscar nomination. The film success rests with him because he is on screen more than half of the current time. It is one thing for an actor to win, playing for the other, a different matter for him to excel in no one else around, and virtually no dialogue to speak. In addition, the physical changes that Hanks had to take part in the play that sharp – he was forced to lose weight and get in quickly and emergency numbers (so much so that the “weight loss coach” is credited at the end). The actor is ready to go through the rigors Hanks survived certainly deserve any notice, especially when it turns into a top-notches performance.

The only other significant player Helen Hunt, which has become widespread in motion pictures, which are now “Mad About You” is behind it. This is his fourth film in four months (the other three: Dr. T and the Women, Pay It forward, and the Women Want). This time, it supports more player, but, despite limited screen time, it manages to develop Kelley in the flesh and blood of a man who is crucial to the film emotional foundation. Hunt Of all the recent departures, it is easily its strongest work.

For as long as he works in Hollywood, Robert Zemeckis will be linked to Forrest Gump. How good movie that, as was, it was not his best work. In many ways, and Cast Away us stronger and more compelling features. For the year, which was not known for strong theater-will experience Cast Away at the top of the heap. It has all the characteristics of a great picture: well-developed characters, solid drama, adventure unconventional, and intelligent script. At almost two and a half hours, it is the perfect length – not too long and not too short. Whether or not Cast Away earns any Oscar nominations, then among my picks, as one of the best films of the year. Click here to download Cast Away movie…

Road trips are back in season. From hiking and camping to beach trips, families are gearing up for months of warm weather filled with exciting outings. As parents plan for busy days on the road, keeping family members energized and entertained often takes some planning.

Here are some suggestions to keep everyone happy and well-fed for traveling:

* Although keeping kids entertained on the road can be a challenge for any parent, leave the house prepared. Bring books and music that the whole family will enjoy, and don’t forget about classic games such as “I Spy” and “Go Fish.”

* When packing food for a day trip, keep it simple. Fill a cooler with a variety of sliced fruits and veggies stored in plastic baggies for hassle-free munching. Include drinkable yogurts, individually wrapped cheese slices and granola bars.

For a hearty snack or meal while on the go, try Smucker’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Uncrustables sandwiches, made with peanut butter and either grape jelly or strawberry jam sealed within white bread. These thaw-and-serve sandwiches are individually wrapped. Store them in the freezer, along with extra fruit juice containers and water bottles, and add them to the cooler before hitting the road. By lunchtime, the drinks and sandwiches will be ready.

* If a long road trip is in store, plan for several stops throughout the day. Giving kids – and parents – time outside of the car will help everyone stay energized throughout the drive. – NU

Mental activity can keep your mind sharp. Continue to learn and challenge yourself and your brain continues to grow.

Review the following tips to help challenge your brain to continual growth:

• Learn to play a musical instrument • Play scrabble or do crossword puzzles • Interact with others • Switch careers or start a new one • Start a new hobby with crafts, painting, wood-working • Learn a foreign language • Volunteer • Travel • Stay informed about world news • Read

Taking classes that interest you or just reading more can help you maintain memory longer as you age.

Staying physically active increases blood flow to all parts of the body, including the brain; exercise may even promote cell growth in the brain. Exercise makes you feel more energetic and alert. Just recently I started a membership at a local fitness center. I am amazed at how much better I feel after over one month of daily activity in the fitness center. I walk at a moderate speed on the treadmill for 60 minutes everyday. I started out just five minutes per day, then added one minute each day thereafter.

Antioxidants in fruits and vegetables protect and nourish brain cells. Antioxidants may also help prevent cholesterol from damaging the lining of your arteries and slowing blood flow to your brain. Foods high in antioxidants include:

• Oranges • Berries • Broccoli • Spinach • Carrot • Sweet potatoes • Tomatoes

You are more likely to gain the health benefits of antioxidants from eating whole foods than by taking supplements.

Heavy drinkers for many years can experience permanent brain damage. Heavy drinkers are also at a higher risk of developing memory problems and dementia. If you drink alcohol, do so moderately. If you do not drink alcohol, do not start. Moderate drinking means for women anyone 65 or older, one drink daily. For men under 65, no more than two drinks daily.

Some evidence shows that “moderate” alcohol consumption may prevent memory loss; this is not clear how. If you already do not drink, don’t start just for this reason.

Try to keep stress to a minimum. Chronic stress may cause your brain to release hormones that can damage the brain. Chronic stress can also make you feel depressed or anxious. These are feelings that can interfere with your memory.

Protect your head when doing exercise such as riding a bike. Head injury can increase your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Smokers may have twice the risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease as people who never smoked. It is never too late to stop smoking. You can still reduce risk of memory loss later in life.

If you have a family history of Alzheimer’s disease, talk to your doctor, he or she may be able to suggest ways of preventing the disease that would prove helpful to you.

Keeping regular doctor appointments is a good way to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol level and blood sugar level as well as to be sure your thyroid gland is functioning normally. These are easy ways to know what is going on inside your body.

Source: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult with your health care provider about any kind of a health problem and especially before beginning any kind of an exercise routine.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. Article written 4-2007.

Vacationing has many forms. Some look merely to swat flies in a crowded beach. Some look to finish a novel they have been putting off for three months. Some are full of vigor and want to reach the base camp of Mt. Everest.

Yet there are many who would want to feel the local culture of a place. Join the community in a public play. Witness a dance and meet up locals over a glass of sparkling wine made two miles away. Meet a dramatist over a drama festival. Strum a few notes on the guitar with an appreciative crowd looking on. Noosa is one such place that is trying to wear its cultural identity on its sleeves. The newly established annual festival of Noosa Longweekend is its customary celebration of life – Noosa Style.

Noosa is a small town of about 50,000 residents in South East Queensland where tourism has become the economic mainstay. Having risen in middle 19th century, Noosa benefited from the logging industry and then the gold rush, but for the last fifty years Noosa has become a tourish hotspot, so much so that about 40% of its population on any given day is composed of tourists. While the sun and shine has always been a big draw, Noosa is also a cultural hub.

With at least 17 galleries, about ten shopping hotspots, and many events, including Noosa Blue Water Swim, Noosa Half Marathon, Noosa Jazz Festival and Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival, a famed cuisine made from fresh and local ingredients, dozens of sports and adventure options, etc, Noosa is one place where you always have plenty to do.

The Noosa Longweekend is the cherry on top of Noosa culture. On its sixth edition in 2006, the Noosa Longweekend was conceived by Australian playwright David Williamson and Kristin Williamson, his author wife, and an enthusiastic group of culture lovers helped them in this regard. While Noosa has always had a distinctive local culture with is art, food and cuisine, and cultural activities, the Longweekend was conceived as a showcase event of celebration that would focus on the essential Noosa culture as well as act as a tourist attraction.

Described as “10 fantastic days of drama film dance world music literary events art gourmet adventures and ‘envirowalks’ in one stunning location”, Longweekend celebrates life, and that includes cuisine and fine wine, delicious food, performing arts including drama and text readings, literature events, film shows and community celebrations in soothing environs. In a way, Longweekend is a pursuit to replicate the Classical Graecian ambience of Panathenaia, an old and extinct festival in Greece that witnessed a citizen spirit and participation that defies the modern modular world that Toffler had talked of in Future Shock.

A heady mix of poetry, politics and pop music, Longweekend is an occasion to make friends, find dormant interests within oneself, express one’s talent and find appreciation. The Opening Ceremony is occasioned by dancing on the Noosa beach, singing, eating and spectacular fireworks on a clear sky (a time when you appreciate the beauty of a black sky, unspoilt by pollution and city lights).

Other events include the Family Day in the Woods, the Teddy Bear’s Picnic and Beach Concert. With literary inspirations, the focal point of the festival remains the very popular performance of a Williamson play.

Last year Williamson’s play ‘Operator’ was performed by his son Rory to great public acclaim and enjoyment. Held in June, the Longweekend event is one festival that is as much for the residents as it is for the tourists. The ease with which the tourists feel a part of this festival and place amazes many. This year too, the festival is going to be held from 16th to 25th June. It is a promise of enjoyment that one should hardly miss.

Disclaimer We take no responsibility for inaccuracy or omissions in the information provided, which is not intended as specific advice. Before relying on the material, you should obtain appropriate professional advice relevant to your individual circumstances to evaluate accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance of the information to your specific needs.

Instead of having to spend yet another weekend doing the same old routine of grocery shopping, washing your laundry, and cleaning the house, perhaps it is time to organize a party that will have a theme you are so familiar with since your childhood years. In fact, introducing the theme of a game party can make your friends wonder what you found while cleaning your closet and which game did the box you decided to open contained. Well, the answer is simple; memories. A box full of memories that you want to offer back to the people that are now in your life.

If you agree that this romantic idea might be of your friends’ liking, then create some online e-mail cards, send them over to their e-mail inboxes during the middle of the week, select a party theme, any game’s title could do, like “Monopoly” and then ask each one of them to bring something no one else would ever consider they would bring. When everyone arrives, put the party games you would like to play with your friends at the center of the room and ask them all to vote. You can even vote on how many times you would like to play each game that night. Since after the voting you will know which of the games are going to be played, you can put the rest of the boxes back into place and join the group.

Party games are games which share several features suitable to entertaining a social gathering of moderate size. Moreover, offering foods and beverages, putting on some nice music, remaining calm when encountering very competitive characters and do not get frustrated are the main advice for these people that will have to respond to their neighbors that a party was held.

The Game Party can host participants of a fairly large number and traditional multiplayer board games can accommodate four to six players at most, where party games have no fixed upper limit. But surpassing the number of fifteen can result in a very difficult situation where no one will enjoy the game and all will soon get bored waiting for their turn. Thus, fun and quick games, like guessing games, that let a whole group respond to a single question before moving to the next, are much better choices than the fixed area of a board game. Also, many party games simply divide everyone into two roughly equal teams. Pictionary and Taboo are thus two perfect games for the group that will be coming to the party game.

This week we mourn the passing of Luciano Pavarotti.

As happens, I had just finished reading the book his manager wrote about their years together — Herbert Breslin’s The King and I.

Coming to mind particularly at this time was the reason Breslin was hired. Someone told Pavarotti that he was such a nice guy, he needed a mean manager.

Breslin, like most publicists at that time (he was publicist first, later manager), asked for a retainer. He said no one ever paid it. How surprised he was when the checks from Pavarotti arrived every month, like clockwork.

Breslin also admits, somewhat begrudgingly, what all of us in public relations know – that even if you’re the best poromoter on earth, you can only promote what is promotable.

Surely there will not be another Pavarotti in our lifetimes.

The cartoons register the pulse of the world as we mourn the death of Pavarotti. One of them shows St. Peter welcoming Pavarotti to the Pearly Gates, phoning in, “Tell Caruso to take the night off.”

Was he the greatest of all tenors? If he was to you, that is what matters.

Another shows the King of the High Cs, then mainstream, then beyond. He thrilled the crowd early on with 9 high Cs in one aria (Mes Amis), and went on from there.

Not only did Pavarotti have the voice of the century, he was eminently promotable as a person – charming, willing to meet the public that supported him, gracious about critics, generous regarding other artists. You can read some quotes about him, and from him at www.susandunn.cc/pavarottiquotes.htm.

Breslin quotes him as saying, “We are all eating off the same pig,” quite often. Yes, he loved his food — a fitting analogy — but he also had that sense that we are all in this together. He said the critics had a right to criticize, he praised other artists, and he moved willingly in to the “mainstream.” What this has meant to the world of opera, we have only begun to see.

It should be noted that no opera singer can make a good living doing operas alone, and Breslin enumerates the reasons. The lifetime of the voice, at its prime, is limited. They are not paid for weeks of rehearsal time (which, admittedly, Pavarotti didn’t always bother with). There is transportation (in his case of a whole retinue, and also his favorite foods and wine – Lambrusco!). There are limited engagements. The money must come from concerts and other things.

One of the things that made Pavarotti great, besides the voice itself — Breslin said that even after all the years, when he heard the voice, it gave him chills – was his willingness to please his audience. Well, not just please but to thrill.

Before every opera or concert, Pavarotti would say, “I will bring them to their feet.” That was his goal. Every time. (He was always very nervous before a performance.) He also said, “I know what the people want. They want Nessun Dorma,” and so he sang it for us, over and over.

There is no question that he did more for bringing opera to the masses than any artist, with his late-in- life concerts with artists as varied as James Brown, Mariah Carey and Bono. Criticized for this by some, it remains that he brought the consideration of opera into many minds where it had not been before.

The tributarial videos are pouring onto www.youtube.com, and there you can also find videos of him singing all your favorites. The comments are poignant. “I was raised on his music,” writes one viewer. “He is in my very soul.” “The voice of god,” writes another. Many mention the time they got to see the master in person, clearly highlights of their lives.

Breslin points out that while Carreras, for instance, had planned what he would do “after,” Pavarotti never was able to. Carreras has done some conducting, some teaching. Pavarotti just wanted to keep on singing.

Somewhere I’m sure he is.

For us here on earth, the silence is defeaning.

My favorite cartoon shows him mouth wide open, arms extended and it says beneath it, “Leaving a huge hole in our world.” But perhaps the most eloquent ones are silent — a single note on a sheet of music… his tux hanging on a hook forming the O in Opera … and the one that shows an empty score entitled “Finis.”

I also like the one that shows him ascending on wings. He said in one interview that he dreamed of waking up 60 lbs. lighter and being able to fly.

You can view the cartoons here: http://cagle.com/news/Pavarotti.

I take my fourteen year old and off we go. Let’s just say I was already feeling good because I didn’t have to whip out my wallet. I don’t have the words to relay just how inspired this movie made me feel. I’ve followed Nick Nolte’s career here and there, I find this movie to be some of his best work ever. I liked the fact that he was not all perfect looking and cuddly, his scratchy voice is his trademark. Yeah, it does get a little cheesy in some spots but these are very minor if you’re able to look at the big picture.

After the movie, my fourteen year old and I talked and recited quotes from the movie all the way home. If this doesn’t sound amazing to you, that’s because you don’t know my son. This young man doesn’t waste his words and if I can pull one to two sentences a day out of him I’m lucky. We both left feeling good, motivated and inspired. Maybe these quotes from the movie and Dan Millman’s book Way of The Peaceful Warrior on which the movie is based will inspire you, give you food for thought and make you feel good.

I’d gladly pay this time to see the movie again and most certainly will add this one to my DVD collection right next to The Secret and What the Bleep Do We Know. I take these quotes and add them to my son’s school agenda, a type of notebook his school uses to track homework assignments and parental communication. So instead of just signing my name every night, I write a quote or a positive kudo for my son to read to himself in school the next day.

Independent artists have long struggled to gain recognition and attract an audience. Without the backing of a major label it can be very difficult for independent artists to obtain radio play time, that is, until now. Podcasting a revolutionary new medium, has opened new distribution channels for independent artists. Podcasting is the process of distributing audio files using the RSS format and has become very popular with the younger generations.

With the use of technology, independent artists have a unique opportunity available, using technology they can significantly expand the exposure of their music.

Bands who have a similar genre can exchange adverts in their podcasts and increase both of their fan bases. Quid pro quo promotion that costs little but can result in huge returns.

Independent artists have a unique opportunity available to them. Podcasting is a fairly new medium that has far reaching distribution opportunities. Independent artists were once restricted by geography, playing at local clubs to increase their base. Podcasting has no borders.

Producing a podcast can mean the difference between success and failure for an independent artist.

All the world over, the music of the more primitive of the uncivilized races may be said to move on parallel lines, and it is only as tribes and nations rise somewhat in the scale of nature that their music begins to display any marked degree of differentiation. Down on what might be called the bed-rock of humanity they are all pretty much alike, and in the national music of the most widely removed races the same phenomena present themselves with but trifling modification. Singing or any type of vocal sounds is common everywhere on planet earth. The primitive human being gives expression to the primary emotions and passions by means of the voice or speech as a matter of instinct, just as is done by the brute creation.

Firstly fly into Manzanilla and not Puerta Villarta because it is closer. You might want to rent a car here to give you a bit more freedom of movement during your stay at the fabulous El Careyes Beach Resort .

First of all, if this resort is not what you expected then it is your own fault for not doing your research. The El Careyes Beach Resort is not a place for people wanting night life and excitement, but it is a place for you if you enjoy good old fashioned service, and a bit of pampering. You will therefore appreciate that El Careyes does not come cheap, but can you think of anything of quality that does!!

It’s a luxury resort with big beds, big bathtubs – some of them are really huge. But, the key is the private beach, restaurant outside and big beds facing the ocean where you can relax and fall asleep after a few drinks and a good meal.

We stayed in the ocean view suite and had a very large room with a hot tub on the balcony, and this was just the best place to enjoyi a nice sunset. The rooms were cleaned twice a day and the bed was turned down every night, some nights a nice gift was left on the bed for us to keep. Overall the rooms were clearly above average and the bed, huge and comfortable.

The service is what makes this resort so good. The staff seemed to know us by name almost immediately, and they had this knack of being invisible but always there when we wanted drinks or food.

Because the resort is quite remote, and not near any large towns, that can make it a little difficult if you like to eat out, but it has to be said if you wanted something that wasn’t on the menu, then that didn’t seem to be a problem for the kitchen.

You could venture out to a little fish hut close to the hotel where the food was excellent, the fish extremely fresh, and drinks remarkably cheap, and next to it is a small open bar, which has music, bonfires, and late night drinks, so try it out

The bottom line is, if you are looking for an amazing small secluded resort that will treat you like royalty, where there is not much to do other than sit by the pool while enjoying a few drinks, this is the place for you