DirecTV has announced the launch of international Russian language TV network ‘RTVi Network’ on its Russian programming package. RTVi Network offers original news service that offers Russian news in native language.

RTVi Network’s most popular programming includes:

America for Beginners - Victor Topaller invites you on a journey across America—not so much a geographical journey as a historical and thematic.
Concerts on RTVi - On Sunday evenings, tune in to listen to the brightest stars/talent on the Russian stage.
Evening News from America - From politics to arts and culture to business, sports and entertainment, you will be even more knowledgeable about the world.
Facets of the week - A weekly commentary by Vladimir Kara-Murza who will speak of economics, politics and public life in Russia.
Individual point of view - Current events analysis, as most pressing topics of the day are being discussed live on air in this show.
Meeting Place - Viewers will meet with different people: company owners and managers, doctors and lawyers, real estate and stockbrokers, physicists and poets—all representing Russian-speaking America.
Now in the World - World news from Europe and America, former republics of FSU, Israel, Asia, Africa and Australia.
Serials on the weekends on RTVi - Each Saturday and Sunday, watch the best Russian movies—all genres, from action to drama, to comedies and love stories.
This week in Germany - A wrap-up of latest developments and topical news from Germany viewed by Russian-speaking reporters on location.
This Week in Israel - A wrap-up of latest developments and topical news from Israel as packaged by RTVI’s correspondents in Israel.

RTVi Network delivers independently produced news programs, current events analysis and original content reaching more than 50 million viewers worldwide.

DirecTV Russian programming package subscribers receive RTVi Network’s news, information, feature films, documentaries, drama and comedy series, music concerts, theatrical performances, children’s shows, movies and cartoons.

John de Armas, vice president, WorldDirect, Inc., said “DIRECTV is now the only satellite provider to offer RTVi to the U.S. Russian Community. “

David Felix

By Robin Fisher Roffer

We all know the story. We’ve watched the classic movie over and over and had the cheery song stuck in our heads for days. (You’re hearing it now, aren’t you?) We’ve cheered on the plucky red-nosed reindeer and his companion Hermey, the determined elf with dental school dreams. Even as adults, we’ve delighted in the snowy North Pole scenes, shuddered at the Abominable Snowman, and rejoiced at our unlikely hero’s happy ending. But few of us have really pondered the meaning behind this little fable: that a fulfilling life means being yourself—(symbolic) glowing red nose and all.

There’s never been a better time to march to the beat of that proverbial “different drummer” who makes you you. And if you take a lesson from the most famous reindeer of all, you can make 2009 the year you turn your unique qualities to your advantage.

While Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer was made in 1964, its theme—that embracing your uniqueness pays off—is even truer today. In a global world where businesses (and employees) face a literal world of competition, where people meet their spouses via Internet dating services, and where everyone from hot celebrities to your Uncle Fred have MySpace accounts, fearlessly being yourself is the only way to distinguish yourself from the teeming masses.

Here’s how Rudolph and his pals channeled their own “fearless fish” to save the day on that foggy Christmas Eve—and how you, allegorically at least, can do the same in 2009.

Let your nose shine bright. Once it became apparent that Rudolph wasn’t like the rest of his peers, his well-meaning father devised a way to help him “fit in.” The mud-covered nose didn’t last for long, and when his true self shone through, the other reindeer immediately excluded him from the reindeer games. On the other hand, the pretty little doe Clarice told him his red nose was “much better than that false one you were wearing.” The point? Playing an “acceptable” role never works—at least not for long.

When you aren’t authentic, it shows. Instead of fitting in, you come across as dishonest and untrustworthy. Don’t downplay your ethnic background, or try to hide the fact that you’re gay, or maybe a country music fan in an office full of hip-hop listeners. Give the world a fearless representation of who you are and let the chips fall where they may. Chances are they’ll fall in your favor.

Don’t just longingly read your dentist book. Grab your (metaphorical) drill and get to work. Hermey is an elf. At the North Pole. Of course he should make toys, right? Wrong! Hermey wanted to be a dentist instead, and in the end, he found the initiative to pursue his dream. Taking the first step toward big life changes, especially those that go against the grain can seem overwhelming. But as fearless fish we see the need for those changes and we take a flying leap instead.

We all have dreams that we have been too scared to fulfill in our lives. Perhaps it’s a new career path, or finally going back to school. Or maybe you are living in a city that just doesn’t work for you. Make this the year that you finally change those things. You will be amazed at how many other things begin to fall into place in your life once you allow yourself to pursue the things that really make you happy.

Seek out your own Hermey and make friends. On the surface it may seem like a red-nosed reindeer and an elf who wants to be a dentist may not have all that much in common. However, it was Rudolph’s misfit mantra and Hermey’s outcast status that bound them together and helped them become an unstoppable force. Likewise if you’re a “fish out of water,” you should align yourself with others who are different or special in their own ways.

It’s important to find others that you can count on as allies and friends in your quest for success. No, you don’t need to hold out for a coworker pal who is also an immigrant from China—that’s probably unrealistic. But you might join forces with, say, another maverick who is trying to lead the charge for dynamic change within the company.

Find a boss like Santa. No one is suggesting that you find a job in a toy shop, or seek out a jolly leader in a red suit. Rather, seek out leaders or influential colleagues with the insight to recognize what you bring to the table. Santa used Rudolph’s difference to make him a great leader for his team. This is the type of person to look for in your organization who can help take you to the top.

Look for individuals who are creative and open-minded and put yourself in their path. These are the people who will champion your ideas and talents when the time is right. Rudolph was given the chance to save Christmas because he had a leader who could appreciate his unique talent. If you have been laid off, use this opportunity to make your next job one with the right kind of leadership. Your moment could be right around the corner—it just takes having the right people to help get you there.

Help the misfit toys in your own life. Rudolph and Hermey use their alliance with one another to overcome the odds and achieve their own happy endings. It would be easy to assume that the story stops there, right? Not for fearless fish. Just like Rudolph uses his influence with Santa to help the misfit toys find happy homes, you must advocate for others who need a helping hand.

Once you have begun to find your own way, use the leverage you have achieved to help others on their journey. After all, you were one of them at some point and it’s important to maintain the mentoring cycle. It’s not just a nice thing to do for someone else; it’s a catalyst for continued growth and positive energy for yourself, too.

Make sure you’ll go down in history. It may seem obvious, but the things that make you unique are of any good to you only if you use them. It’s easy to see the things that make you different as what keeps you outside the group at large. In reality, they are your own secret weapons. If Rudolph hadn’t used his nose to guide the sleigh through the fog, he would still just be an outsider to the reindeer community. Instead, he winds up the hero.

Being a fearless fish out of water means believing that you are not just taking up space but that your contributions are valuable. Cultivating this kind of confidence from deep inside of you will spur you forward more than anything else in life. So don’t apologize for who you are and what makes you different. Be bold, be creative, and put yourself out there. People who are different are often the ones who can make the biggest difference.

Of course, “be yourself” hardly seems like the kind of cutting-edge advice to build a life-changing New Year’s Resolution around. After all, everyone’s mother has said it a hundred times. But if you’re honest, you’ll admit that those two tiny words are tough to put into action. And that’s precisely why they’re so powerful.

So many people are terrified to be themselves. So when you decide to cut that inner rebel loose, well, people notice. They pay attention. And if you’ve always been the “hide your light under a bushel” type, attracting attention may be the best thing that ever happened to you. Be who you are, and just like our favorite holiday hero, you will be happy too. And that’s the only ending to your story that matters.

# # #

About the Author:

Robin Fisher Roffer (Los Angeles and New York) is CEO of Big Fish Marketing, one of the entertainment industry’s preeminent brand marketing and digital advertising agencies. She has provided the rocket fuel that has ignited the launch pad of dozens of brands all over the world, developing brand-building marketing plans and promotional campaigns for top media companies like Sony, Time-Warner, and Twentieth Century Fox.

Roffer has written strategic plans and executed marketing tactics for a prestigious client list that includes ABC, A&E, AMC, Bloomberg, Bravo, CNN, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, Disney Channel, History, Lifetime, MTV, Oxygen, and Turner Networks. Today, her client roster includes over 25 television networks, a global cosmetics company, and several insurance and investment firms.

A dynamic and engaging speaker, Roffer has given keynote presentations to some of the nation’s biggest companies and organizations, including AOL, Mattel, Verizon, Wharton School of Business, and many more. In addition to her work with Big Fish Marketing, she serves as a strategic branding consultant for a variety of corporations.

Drawing on her experience in creating some of the world’s leading entertainment

brands, Roffer penned her first book, MAKE A NAME FOR YOURSELF: Eight

Steps Every Woman Needs to Create a Personal Brand Strategy for Success.

Her latest book, THE FEARLESS FISH OUT OF WATER: How to Succeed

When You’re the Only One Like You, will be in stores in February 2009. It shows professionals how to stay connected and relevant at work while maintaining a unique identity, how to fit in without blending in, and how to transform exclusion into high impact.

Roffer’s core belief is that entertainment should be leveraged for a greater good. She has received accolades for developing community outreach programs like Lifetime’s “Women Rock,” a concert event designed to raise awareness for breast cancer issues; CNN’s “Your Choice Your Voice” high school-based election promotion; FSN’s “Reading All-Stars” literacy campaign; The History Channel’s “Save Our History” initiative, which raised money and awareness for the World War II Memorial; and Comedy Central’s “Comedy RX,” a hospital-based program promoting the healing powers of laughter.

About the Book:

The Fearless Fish Out of Water: How to Succeed When You’re the Only One Like You (Wiley, 2009, ISBN: 978-0-470-31668-9, $24.95) will be available at bookstores nationwide, major online booksellers, or direct from the publisher by calling 800-225-5945. In Canada, call 800-567-4797.

For more information, please visit www.bigfishmarketing.com.

C. Hand
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/life-lessons-from-rudolph-six-ways-lovable-misfits-can-leverage-their-own-red-nose-for-a-more-fulfilling-2009-692929.html

Bite-ON, Bite-OFF;

A tip to the logistics of fishing pressure

By Gary Anderson

Catching fish or going fishing to your favorite spot is like, well, turning on a light switch; up it is on, down it is off. Fishing pressure, traffic, weather and water conditions can all cause bite-on to bite-off behavior, causing a previous productive fishing pattern to fall apart. Change is not a bad thing if you can read the pattern and understand just what is going on with that area of concern under the surface in that mysterious realm beneath the waves. Like that of a light switch, your hotly tot hole may be a turn on today but tomorrow in is a true turn off dead spot; in a word of why, pressure. Understanding the fish behavior puzzle is to understand the links to fish and the barometer or pressure reader. When in the water any object, including the fish, either sinks, floats to the surface or suspends and even the smallest of change in barometric pressure is to a degree like a change in gravity; because objects weigh less in the water, the affect of a pressure change is far more pronounced beneath the surface than above.

Fish are more in tune to the environment more than we humans are. Fish have an incredible array of pressure-sensing systems; such as the lateral line, which keys them in to changes in barometric pressure and, in turn, signals feeding opportunities or foretells the arrival of major weather changes, in the form of pressure gradients, which then determine on when the “Bite” is either on or off. A drop in pressure, a cold front, can cause tiny particles of sediment as well as zooplankton and phytoplankton’s to float off bottom, rising higher in the water column than they normally suspend which, in turn again creates a reduction in water clarity and usually a bite happens as Glass minnows to Mullet frenzy into a feed. As these species, show movement into that of a theatrical moment so does the feed habits of the predators around them causing all to “Bite On!”

Pressure changes occur on the passage of any front or pressure gradient. It does not have to be a cold front to trigger a bite before; many a time on the water, I have used the forming of a cloud moving towards the boat to switch up to an aggressive angling pattern. As this cloud grows darker and spitting drops from aloft fall, so to does the surrounding pressure under the cloud. Usually the fish will “turn on” but for a moment as it passes by. Be alert to the lightning to move towards safety but work the clouds in the summer much as you would a pattern of diving birds. The key to great fishing is coming up with a good game plan based on forage, structure, seasonal patterns and working on your logistics in fishing weather patterns.

“FISH ON!”

Gary Anderson
http://www.articlesbase.com/fishing-articles/a-tip-to-the-logistics-of-fishing-pressure-737158.html

I know — easier said than done. Most of us go through our lives never really getting to know ourselves. After all, life offers us many distractions. Who has time for self-reflection? The only way to to be happy after 40 is to get to know yourself really well. This includes accepting and loving who you are. This includes accepting and loving the nervous habits that only you know about, those annoying addictions, and that little pot belly or slight jiggle. All your life perhaps, you have been reminded by a parental voice that you are not quite good enough or smart enough. Or maybe it’s a loving spouse who, with all good intentions, is quick to remind you of your faults. It may be just society — and all the pressures to look and act young while buying lots of stuff and having perfect children and lots of money. All this can make self-reflection a scary proposition, but this is the first and most important step towards happiness. Start with this simple question:

What makes me happiest?

Be completely selfish and honest with your answer

Step Two: Spend time on what makes you most happy

Sounds logical, doesn’t it? Examine your list. What are some of the things that make you happiest; and make you feel most alive? Perhaps it’s the little things — like reading the paper in the morning? Or reading a good book? Maybe it’s spending time with those you care about? Maybe it’s playing on the computer writing music. The point is this: make sure each day contains at least some of these important elements. This will make you happy.

Don’t give up these items to satisfy others and their demands. This will lead to illness and unhappiness.

Step Three: Find someone to take of and who can take care of you

Humans need humans. We also need a few — or even just one — person we can think about all the time: planning activities with or just daydreaming about. Ideally, this will be the same person who spends their day planning for you, dreaming about you, perhaps making your special cup of tea when you come home at night. With someone to care for in a equal relationship, you will be happy. So many relationships end up lopsided, with one person more dependent on the other. Two people who place each other’s needs in high priority in a loving way enables happiness.

Step Four: Laugh a lot each day

Humor helps to focus the mind on the silly aspects of life. Humor helps break patterns such as negative thinking and addictive habits. Whether it’s watching funny movies, going to see comedy or just joking with people you meet, you will lighten the stress of everyday life. This will help you to be happy.

I used to become so angry about sales calls to the house at dinner time. Now, it becomes my comedy hour. The other day someone called to offer some type of insurance. The offer was that if I agreed to buy the insurance, they would send out a ten dollar gift certificate for gas in 7-10 days. I told them I was out of gas today, and asked if they could overnight the coupon, so that I could have gas the following day. Then I asked them when their dinner break was. They told me, and I said I would call them back during their dinner break as I was having my dinner! The person said they weren’t allowed to take calls during dinner!! Amazing, but you get the idea!
Laugh with others, and find comedy in your daily life. This will make you happy.

Step 5: Be physical

There are lots of ways to be more physical. You can run, lift weights, swim, do yoga, walk, make love—you get the idea. Motion changes emotion. Stuck in a depression? Get out and move! This will make you happy.

Step 6: Take afternoon naps

A twenty-minute nap lying down will recharge your batteries. Add eight hours of sleep each night, and you will feel rested. When we are rested, our creativity soars, our spirits are lifted, and we look at the bright side of our lives.
Well-rested people are happier!

Step 7: Eat small meals throughout the day

The typical American diet is little to no breakfast, a decent lunch, and a huge dinner. Break this pattern. Start to eat smaller meals throughout the day. I recommend five meals throughout the day, small and healthy meals, of course.

What we eat has a huge influence on our attitude, and ultimately our happiness.
Fight the urge for unheathy foods. Healthy eating habits can help make you happy.

Step 8: Become emotionally strong

When we let others and their feelings and perceptions of us worry us all day, this drains our energy and spirit. When we live our lives for the approval of others, we are no better off than the puppet on the string at the local children’s puppet show. Become internally motivated, and you will become emotionally stronger. Use quiet time to think deeply about one subject at a time until you reach a conclusion and resolution. In the end, tell yourself you did the best you could at the time. This will make you emotionally strong, and you will be happier.

Step 9: Treat your money with respect

Your money has no loyality to any person or cause. It goes where you decide to place it.

Even though there is really great software these days to track your money, start with a pencil and a piece of paper. Examine what comes in each month, and what goes out. That’s it.

Make sure you are spending money on things that are important to you and that add value in your life. Certain bills may add value in your life, such as the electric bill, but the multiple credit card bills do not add value, especially if, like most of us, you still have the bills coming long after you have forgotten what you bought. Pay these off. There is no secret here. You either have to reduce expenses or increase income. Both can make you happy. In my experience, reducing the expense side will make you happier!

Step 10: Do the work you love

Of course I saved the best for last. When we spend our days doing work that aligns our interests and our abilities — and feels just right — we are happier. Start by examining your work: this can help you progress through the other nine steps. Most of us figure out what work might make us happy, but then we quickly convince ourselves that our dreams are not possible.

Think about it, if you don’t believe that your dreams are possible, who else will?

START!

Each day, focus on one of these steps and within a few weeks you will learn how to use all ten steps together. Like a well-tuned orchestra, you will start to play the music that makes you happiest.

After 40, isn’t it about time for you?

I’ll be cheering you on as you go- Craig Nathanson

Craig Nathanson is the author of P Is For Perfect: Your Perfect Vocational Day and a coaching expert who works with people over forty.

Visit Craig’s online community at http://www.thevocationalcoach.com where you can take a class, get more ideas through Craig Nathanson’s books and CD’s, get some private coaching over the phone or in Craig’s office, or read other stories of mid-life change and renewal.

Craig lives and works in Petaluma, California. His office is located at 921 Transport Way, Suite 3, Petaluma Ca, 94954. You can reach him at 707-775-4020 or at craig@thevocationalcoach.com.

Craig Nathanson
http://www.articlesbase.com/coaching-articles/the-ten-steps-to-happiness-after-40-724754.html

Bite-ON, Bite-OFF;

A tip to the logistics of fishing pressure

By Gary Anderson

Catching fish or going fishing to your favorite spot is like, well, turning on a light switch; up it is on, down it is off. Fishing pressure, traffic, weather and water conditions can all cause bite-on to bite-off behavior, causing a previous productive fishing pattern to fall apart. Change is not a bad thing if you can read the pattern and understand just what is going on with that area of concern under the surface in that mysterious realm beneath the waves. Like that of a light switch, your hotly tot hole may be a turn on today but tomorrow in is a true turn off dead spot; in a word of why, pressure. Understanding the fish behavior puzzle is to understand the links to fish and the barometer or pressure reader. When in the water any object, including the fish, either sinks, floats to the surface or suspends and even the smallest of change in barometric pressure is to a degree like a change in gravity; because objects weigh less in the water, the affect of a pressure change is far more pronounced beneath the surface than above.

Fish are more in tune to the environment more than we humans are. Fish have an incredible array of pressure-sensing systems; such as the lateral line, which keys them in to changes in barometric pressure and, in turn, signals feeding opportunities or foretells the arrival of major weather changes, in the form of pressure gradients, which then determine on when the “Bite” is either on or off. A drop in pressure, a cold front, can cause tiny particles of sediment as well as zooplankton and phytoplankton’s to float off bottom, rising higher in the water column than they normally suspend which, in turn again creates a reduction in water clarity and usually a bite happens as Glass minnows to Mullet frenzy into a feed. As these species, show movement into that of a theatrical moment so does the feed habits of the predators around them causing all to “Bite On!”

Pressure changes occur on the passage of any front or pressure gradient. It does not have to be a cold front to trigger a bite before; many a time on the water, I have used the forming of a cloud moving towards the boat to switch up to an aggressive angling pattern. As this cloud grows darker and spitting drops from aloft fall, so to does the surrounding pressure under the cloud. Usually the fish will “turn on” but for a moment as it passes by. Be alert to the lightning to move towards safety but work the clouds in the summer much as you would a pattern of diving birds. The key to great fishing is coming up with a good game plan based on forage, structure, seasonal patterns and working on your logistics in fishing weather patterns.

“FISH ON!”

Gary Anderson
http://www.articlesbase.com/fishing-articles/a-tip-to-the-logistics-of-fishing-pressure-737158.html

I know — easier said than done. Most of us go through our lives never really getting to know ourselves. After all, life offers us many distractions. Who has time for self-reflection? The only way to to be happy after 40 is to get to know yourself really well. This includes accepting and loving who you are. This includes accepting and loving the nervous habits that only you know about, those annoying addictions, and that little pot belly or slight jiggle. All your life perhaps, you have been reminded by a parental voice that you are not quite good enough or smart enough. Or maybe it’s a loving spouse who, with all good intentions, is quick to remind you of your faults. It may be just society — and all the pressures to look and act young while buying lots of stuff and having perfect children and lots of money. All this can make self-reflection a scary proposition, but this is the first and most important step towards happiness. Start with this simple question:

What makes me happiest?

Be completely selfish and honest with your answer

Step Two: Spend time on what makes you most happy

Sounds logical, doesn’t it? Examine your list. What are some of the things that make you happiest; and make you feel most alive? Perhaps it’s the little things — like reading the paper in the morning? Or reading a good book? Maybe it’s spending time with those you care about? Maybe it’s playing on the computer writing music. The point is this: make sure each day contains at least some of these important elements. This will make you happy.

Don’t give up these items to satisfy others and their demands. This will lead to illness and unhappiness.

Step Three: Find someone to take of and who can take care of you

Humans need humans. We also need a few — or even just one — person we can think about all the time: planning activities with or just daydreaming about. Ideally, this will be the same person who spends their day planning for you, dreaming about you, perhaps making your special cup of tea when you come home at night. With someone to care for in a equal relationship, you will be happy. So many relationships end up lopsided, with one person more dependent on the other. Two people who place each other’s needs in high priority in a loving way enables happiness.

Step Four: Laugh a lot each day

Humor helps to focus the mind on the silly aspects of life. Humor helps break patterns such as negative thinking and addictive habits. Whether it’s watching funny movies, going to see comedy or just joking with people you meet, you will lighten the stress of everyday life. This will help you to be happy.

I used to become so angry about sales calls to the house at dinner time. Now, it becomes my comedy hour. The other day someone called to offer some type of insurance. The offer was that if I agreed to buy the insurance, they would send out a ten dollar gift certificate for gas in 7-10 days. I told them I was out of gas today, and asked if they could overnight the coupon, so that I could have gas the following day. Then I asked them when their dinner break was. They told me, and I said I would call them back during their dinner break as I was having my dinner! The person said they weren’t allowed to take calls during dinner!! Amazing, but you get the idea!
Laugh with others, and find comedy in your daily life. This will make you happy.

Step 5: Be physical

There are lots of ways to be more physical. You can run, lift weights, swim, do yoga, walk, make love—you get the idea. Motion changes emotion. Stuck in a depression? Get out and move! This will make you happy.

Step 6: Take afternoon naps

A twenty-minute nap lying down will recharge your batteries. Add eight hours of sleep each night, and you will feel rested. When we are rested, our creativity soars, our spirits are lifted, and we look at the bright side of our lives.
Well-rested people are happier!

Step 7: Eat small meals throughout the day

The typical American diet is little to no breakfast, a decent lunch, and a huge dinner. Break this pattern. Start to eat smaller meals throughout the day. I recommend five meals throughout the day, small and healthy meals, of course.

What we eat has a huge influence on our attitude, and ultimately our happiness.
Fight the urge for unheathy foods. Healthy eating habits can help make you happy.

Step 8: Become emotionally strong

When we let others and their feelings and perceptions of us worry us all day, this drains our energy and spirit. When we live our lives for the approval of others, we are no better off than the puppet on the string at the local children’s puppet show. Become internally motivated, and you will become emotionally stronger. Use quiet time to think deeply about one subject at a time until you reach a conclusion and resolution. In the end, tell yourself you did the best you could at the time. This will make you emotionally strong, and you will be happier.

Step 9: Treat your money with respect

Your money has no loyality to any person or cause. It goes where you decide to place it.

Even though there is really great software these days to track your money, start with a pencil and a piece of paper. Examine what comes in each month, and what goes out. That’s it.

Make sure you are spending money on things that are important to you and that add value in your life. Certain bills may add value in your life, such as the electric bill, but the multiple credit card bills do not add value, especially if, like most of us, you still have the bills coming long after you have forgotten what you bought. Pay these off. There is no secret here. You either have to reduce expenses or increase income. Both can make you happy. In my experience, reducing the expense side will make you happier!

Step 10: Do the work you love

Of course I saved the best for last. When we spend our days doing work that aligns our interests and our abilities — and feels just right — we are happier. Start by examining your work: this can help you progress through the other nine steps. Most of us figure out what work might make us happy, but then we quickly convince ourselves that our dreams are not possible.

Think about it, if you don’t believe that your dreams are possible, who else will?

START!

Each day, focus on one of these steps and within a few weeks you will learn how to use all ten steps together. Like a well-tuned orchestra, you will start to play the music that makes you happiest.

After 40, isn’t it about time for you?

I’ll be cheering you on as you go- Craig Nathanson

Craig Nathanson is the author of P Is For Perfect: Your Perfect Vocational Day and a coaching expert who works with people over forty.

Visit Craig’s online community at http://www.thevocationalcoach.com where you can take a class, get more ideas through Craig Nathanson’s books and CD’s, get some private coaching over the phone or in Craig’s office, or read other stories of mid-life change and renewal.

Craig lives and works in Petaluma, California. His office is located at 921 Transport Way, Suite 3, Petaluma Ca, 94954. You can reach him at 707-775-4020 or at craig@thevocationalcoach.com.

Craig Nathanson
http://www.articlesbase.com/coaching-articles/the-ten-steps-to-happiness-after-40-724754.html

If you are amongst those who are bored of your eye color, then its time to go for colored contact lens for your eyes. Thecolored contact lenses are available in the market without the prescription of the doctor, but it is always advisable to have a prescription even if you are buying a Plano colored lens. Plano lens are the ones that do not have any power.

There are various types of colored contact lenses available in the market. The visibility tints are used to add blue or green hue to your eye. The enhancement tints are used to deepen the original color of your eye. Then there are number of theatrical lenses that are utilized in various dramas and plays.

When going for colored contact lens it is important that they go with your complexion to give the perfect effect. If you have wheat like complexion, the best eye color for you is deep purple. You can buy the contact lenses depending upon the type of use you intend to. If you want to use the colored contact lenses on regular basis, then you can get the contact lenses that last from 200 to 250 days. There are disposable contact lenses available for those who want to use the contact lenses for a short interval of time. It is important that you take good care of the contact lenses so that you avoid any kind of infections in your eye. Also while buying the contact lens, make sure that the contact lens fits on your eye properly and they do not slip off.

Aakash Shah
http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/colored-contact-lenses-713746.html

M*A*S*H…the ’70’s comedy (and sometimes drama), was the greatest sitcom, that for 5 years, nobody watched. Yes there were core fans who religiously tuned in every week but the masses generally ignored the series due to its war theme and sometimes serious subject matter. The series was created in 1972 by M*A*S*H author H. Richard Hornberger (Hornberger used the pseudonym Richard Hooker as an author) after the success the 1968 movie by the same name. Even though ratings were small, CBS could not deny the fact that this series had quality in its storylines and actors alike. Today, a show like M*A*S*H would never make it through the first year. Back in the day, television networks allowed a series to mature and find its audience (It’s a good thing CBS gave M*A*S*H 11 years to flourish!)

When M*A*S*H was going through its growing pains (1972-1977) and producing its best years of creativity, I was too young to watch or appreciate the series. Fortunately, after the shows finally in 1983, there was huge demand for the show (Aging well,like fine wine) that you could see the show 3, 4 even 5 times a day on various channels (In the ’80’s, new cable channels were popping up everywhere). As a result, due to this exposure, I became a M*A*S*H addict. I fell in love with the characters, the stories, the quality in which it was filmed (M*A*S*H was preserved on movie quality film). The creators of M*A*S*H were the first to expose viewers to the horrors and light side of war, not particularily in that order. The scenes in the operating room were not privy to a laugh track (producers were aware of the respect, dignity and sanctity necessary for those injured in previous wars). There were jokes written in the diologue during those scenes and give credit to the writers for allowing the audience to feel a mix of emotions during these scenes…from sadness for the injured… to the surgeons and nurses finding humour in light of horrific conditions..only to keep themselves from going insane. These scenes in the O.R., in my opinion, turned M*A*S*H from just a sitcom to a series with social significance, allowing generations of people to think about war…and what price do we all pay for this.

The humour of M*A*S*H, combined with top rate actors and writing, kept audiences captivated for 11 years. It’s the comedy and unpredictability of M*A*S*H that gave this series longevity. People under the age of 30 probably do not realize the incredible avalanche of popularity M*A*S*H had inherited the last few years of its run. M*A*S*H still holds, and most likel always will, the all time record for audience viewership (106 miliion) for its final episode “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen”. I feel a certain contentment in knowing that my favourite show ever holds the record that probably will never be eclipsed.

Thank-you Alan Alda: One of the most under-rated actors of our time…Paper Lion, Same Time Next Year are two of my favourite movies from my childhood…Thank-you for not giving up on M*A*S*H at a time when you did not see a clear future for the show. You ARE M*A*S*H and the reason for its existence.

Thank-you McLean Stevenson: The first 3 seasons that you were Lt. Col. Henry Blake were the funniest of times..and the saddest, with the untimely death of your character, controversial by some, but poignant in terms of allowing the characters death to be written in the script and announced by Radar in the operating room. Heavy television at a time when subject matter with such personal tragedy was never discussed in comedies.

Thank-you Gary Burghoff: The most loveable character in the history of television, Radar O’Reilly. You were in the movie in 1968 as Radar and no one could duplicate the wonderful innocence and freshness that was so needed in an Army camp surrounded by “all knowing” war time burn outs. Radar was also a pioneer. He allowed us to witness televisions first “nude”scene. In season 2, while escaping enemy fire, O’Reilly can be seen running for cover (sporting a towel around his waist), protected only by the showers/latrine. As he opens the door to enter, his towel, wrapped around his waist, drops…showing a bare behind for a split second. He eventually falls into the safe arms of Henry Blake..in a scene that will forever make me laugh in hysterics!
Thank-you Larry Linville: Major Frank Burns was a character played so far opposite to Hawkeye Pierce in sympathy and compassion. Ultimately, these flaws, brought on by fear and insecurity, drew the audience closer to Burns, thus making us feel compassionate towards his character. One of the great character performances of our time.

Thank-you Jamie Farr: The section 8 persuing Corporal Klinger was unique for television but not for the Army. It is not a mystery that several of the enlisted personnel were so desperate to return home that “bidding for a section 8″ (psychiatric discharge) was not uncommon. What made Klinger’s attempts unique was his affection for women’s clothing. Takes a lot of guts to dress in something cross gendre. Klinger seemed to be comfortable in this attire…and after a while, the audience didn’t notice, really, or didn’t mind. When Klinger was NOT wearing women’s clothing, we saw this as weird! Brilliant!

Thank-you M*A*S*H…Thank-you Hawkeye, Trapper, Henry Blake, Radar O’Reilly, Frank Burns, Hot Lips, Father Mulcahy, Klinger, B.J., Colonel Potter, Charles Emaerson Winchester the 3rd…even Nurse Kellye Nakahara, Igor Staminsky, Sergeant Rizzo, Dr.Sidney Freedman, Col. Flagg and camp P.A. announcers(Attention…attention camp…),Todd Susman and Sal Viscuso.

Last but certainly not least, I could not finish this article without mentioning the composer and lyricist of the classic theme to M*A*S*H, Suicide Is Painless…Johnny Mandel (music) and the lyrics (Robert Altman). This music is synonymous with M*A*S*H and its 11 year run. For those who remember, the music starts with the sight of Radar (ever present and aware, the eyes and ears of the camp)overlooking the camp as helicopters approach the landing pad, while Doctors and Nurses rush to aide the injured. If you are old enough to appreciate pioneering television and have watched M*A*S*H, you know how powerful this opening of the show is.

M*A*S*H…what acting, what writing, what stories, what comedy, what drama…what memories. The best show, comedy or drama, that has ever been produced…period.

Goodbye, Farewell and Amen.

Robert Ronne
http://www.articlesbase.com/television-articles/mash-we-salute-you-672571.html

Proper utilization of creative Halloween costume make-up helps you to achieve the look which is realistic and that creep out friends as well as family. While it’s true spooky costumes, treats, games, and parties, are the rules and regulations on Halloween party. But when it comes to your costume this Halloween, don’t give in to the urge for buying yet another hot and uncomfortable Halloween mask. Not only it looks fake, but also makes you feel uncomfortably in all evenings as well. Here are some great Halloween costume tips for using makeup for achieving a life-like Halloween appearance in the coming year.

Age yourself to perfection

Do u wish to know how you’ll look like in the next 40 years? Try applying liquid latex wrinkles to your face so that you can get the latex at any halloween costume store, and applying it for the preferred effect that couldn’t be achieved easier:

- Puff up your cheeks and be relevant by applying a thin coat of liquid latex with a small sponge.

- Keep your eyes tightly shut and apply some latex to the lower corners of your eyes.

- Once the latex is dry, releases the air from your cheeks and makes yourself ready and apply a coat of foundation makeup and you can also add some food coloring to the makeup to create a skin tone in your choice of colors.

The latex will make the look of your eyes droopier and saggy and your skin will be crumpled to perfection. Now you can do up from here and additional makeup effects as needed. Here’s also a great trick for adding up a hairy wart to your face. Put a drop of false eyelash glue onto a peppercorn and apply it on your face. Then just glue a few strands from a paintbrush and so you will be the proud owner of a very ugly wart! Just be sure not to put it very close to your eyes or you’l also be the proud owner of swollen and painful eyeballs that may look great but won’t leave you feeling all that well.

Become the Zombie Bride with the Right Make-Up

The zombie bride is an easily achieved effect if the instant idea aging doesn’t demand to you. Other than wearing a dirty and tattered white dress, all you have to do is paint your face and lips white, using theatrical greasepaint, and apply thick black rings around your eyes. Now gel your hair up and run your fingers for generating the worst “bad hair day” you’ve ever had.

Or the Zombie Groom

You can be a zombie groom only if you’re a man. The makeup process is the identical and the look is also great. Consider if you’d rather be a deranged doctor/nurse. Just get a hold of a pair of hospital scrubs and sprinkle your face, hair, and clothing as well with fake blood along. You can also find a good recipe for fake blood in our Halloweenfantasy.com and is an easy effect for attaining the precise output.

The outfit creates a “toga party” looks. Then just paint your face in green, accentuate your eyes with gold, and throw a few rubber snakes in your hair together with it so that you can be seen beautiful and scary at the same time! Whatever you decide to “become” this year will necessitate creativity easily. Put on your costume for letting your thoughts run wild after applying your Halloween makeup. Whilst you decide to drink or eat something in the evening time, definitely you should be thankful, as you didn’t wear a Halloween mask. Also remember Halloween festival is nothing but all about having fun!

Robert James
http://www.articlesbase.com/clothing-articles/halloween-makeup-ideas-695865.html

The Washington Toast

Articles the Washington Post Wouldn’t Print

Washington DC - December 11, 2007

New Comedy and Satire Book Really Sticks it to The Washington Post!

The Washington Toast is the funniest thing to come out of Washington Since Congress.

The Washington Toast, a humor and political satire book, makes its official debut today on December 11, 2007. If you haven’t been clued in to what the Toast does, it is a dead-on, straight faced parody of American newspapers. It is beautifully crude and sophomoric in a manner Mad magazine no longer aspires to, and for readers looking for some deathly funny satire in this politically-correct, can’t-we-all-just-get-along, sissified age, it is a lighthouse in a stormy sea.

For those of us who have long desired a good dose of wry and winsome humor The Washington Toast, is a treasure trove of biting satire and clever use of modern language. Somehow the writers manage to tickle our funny bones as they educate and entertain us with their insight and insider’s understanding of the madness we know as politics. In this provocative web site, the writers most often approach the subject at hand via parody. They are almost monotonously brilliant, nearly uniformly informative, and best of all, universally irreverent. This is one web site which might force you to bring your lap top to the rest room folks, for it will have you enjoying life’s most personal moments with tears of laughter as the unavoidable net result.

The editors and writers at the Washington Toast, will routinely attack the most sacred shibboleths and taboos of society, ranging from oil derricks erected on the White House lawn to a sagging Washington monument. From sexism to congressional hearings on defective home surgery kits, and from politics to the dangers of traveling to Atlantic City on a steeply discounted tourist bus. To be sure, the humor that results is by its very nature often tasteless and even a little but crude, so if you have a delicate stomach or a fragile disposition this collection of satiric pieces may not be something you would enjoy. But those of us with a taste for such bawdy fare will read the pieces again and again, until our eye’s bleed and our lap tops begin to smoke. All in all, it’s nice to have all this stuff online and available for instant replay. Enjoy!

The Washington Toast is available at www.washingtontoast.com

Joey Thomas, the editor and founder of the Washington Toast, works as a television news producer in the Washington DC market. The contributing writers, some of whom wish to remain anonymous, work as writers for various news rags and in public relations in Washington DC.

Contact - Joey Thomas

202-256-7861

dctoast@aol.com

Joey Thomas
http://www.articlesbase.com/politics-articles/new-comedy-and-satire-book-really-sticks-it-to-the-washington-post-280711.html