In-Tune News You’ll Want To Use

ANECDOTES OF THE LATE O. S. ARI

” …Ari’s voice, full of wit, filled the room… ” (Mustafa Dogrusoz in ‘Kibris’ -5 February 1999)

” …He always wore a smile… ” (Harid Fedai in ‘Halkin Sesi’ -27 December 1992)

(In his newspaper columns [mostly between 1968-1992 in Cypriot ‘Halkin Sesi’ -also ‘Birlik’ etc.] often by a little story or joke did the hailed teacher-thinker-poet the late Orhan Seyfi Ari [1918- 1992] made or highlighted his points ~so also in his lectures, debates, discussions, teaching his school pupils. These simply put anecdotes are hoped briefly and miscellaneously to familiarise with his wit and a few of the less involved of the very many views he was also popular for…)

DIPLOMATIC COMMUNIQES, he thought, were rather like broadcasting live on the radio a match between two boxers called Abdi and Bandinelli, and announcing the winner as Abdinelli…

‘NEVER TOO LATE to change one’s mind or to make a start’ was not of more use to one, sometimes, or to a nation, than it would be to the driver of a car rolling down a cliff to then decide to drive carefully…

IRRELEVANCY was a natural and common refuge of man ~”You have gone bald!” he joked with a friend who he had not seen for a long time -his friend looked at him, then responded, “Ha..! As if your son’s got more hair than I..!”

THE TROUBLES OF THE WORLD had much to do with this, that some with breathing difficulties had become deep sea divers…

IGNORANT WE ALL ARE of many things, he thought -some of us, even of our ignorance…

PERSEVERANCE it was an example of, the little delicate plant that shots and grows through the concrete of the pavement …

WHINING “O-oh!..” his friend explained, “I missed my train.. oh, I was twenty minutes late.. I am so sorry…” He replied: “Don’t be -you would have missed it also if you were only twenty seconds late..!”

EVOLUTION.. “we were apes”… Now..?! Were we not, now, ‘man’!?..

JUSTIFICATIONS of some reminded him of someone in his early teens to whom he had given leaflets, booklets, on how harmful smoking was -some months later the teenager came to him waving a newspaper which mentioned that an elderly person was a smoker…

RELATIONSHIPS had much to do with knowing that one could not stand before a mirror and make faces and expect to see a smiling image…

STRENGTH did not necessarily suffice ~”I am a wrestler!” threatened one -the other laughed: “But.. I am a runner…”

GOD “Perhaps does not exist;” he said “but, Sir, what if He does..!?”

POPULARITY it helped to wear a smile -the vinegar merchant who smiled had more customers than the honey merchant who did not…

I’ve seen it all. The good, the bad and the ugly of Web site design. And the more I analyze what’s on the Web, the sadder I get, because the Web has become open game for Web site designers with bad taste and no plan.

On the other hand, there are many talented Web designers to choose from. But talent will only take one so far.
A designer has to understand and master the essence of design: Design with purpose, Create with purpose, and Implement with purpose.

As with the world of print, TV, and radio, a designer must design with four specific goals in mind:

Branding
Good branding makes the cash register ring. Take Fox News as a case in point. Unlike CNN or MSNBC, Fox strives to be a bit more edgy and bold — and they lead the pack. Their logo animation, bumper graphics, and over-the-shoulder graphics are bright primary colors. Even their music is a bit edgier with guitar riffs versus the subdued music tones of the other stations.

Concept
A great concept on a shoe-string budget will blow away a weak concept on a multi-million dollar budget any day. For example, how many truck or SUV commercials have you seen with guys careening through mud or snow-covered mountain passes as the words scream out “Chevy Tough” or “Ford, Built to Last.” I can’t believe executives at these car companies spend millions each year on poorly conceived advertising campaigns.

Now, see if you remember this one. A mother is about to drop her child off at school, and asks if he’d rather get dropped off at the curb instead of directly in-front of the school. The child says, “nah, that’s okay mom.” He steps down from the Hummer and strolls up to the school entrance while an older student, with his eyes glued to the Hummer, says “cool.” This is a “concept;” a very well executed concept. It strongly conveys an attitude. Even Hummer’s theme music has attitude. The branding and concept raises the Hummer’s image above the rest.

Your Web site or your client’s Web site should convey this type of branding and concept. Think outside the box. Look at other well executed designs for inspiration. Don’t look at the industry, look at the design. Just because you’re building a Web site for a golf course doesn’t mean you should only Google golf courses in your research. Look beyond. Here are some great Web site resources for creative inspiration.

http://www.commarts.com
CA-
Communication Arts, the online counterpart of Communication Arts magazine.

http://www.designinteract.com
Design Interact, The premier source of information and inspiration for the field of interactive media.
http://www.coolhomepages.com
Cool Home Pages, Great resource for designer’s block.

Communication
During my career in broadcast graphics we would churn out graphics for the evening news. Many of them were “over-the-shoulder” graphics which appeared behind the anchor as they delivered the story. The main philosophy
I constantly ingrained into my design team was:“If it doesn’t read - it doesn’t work.” In other words, if the volume of the TV is turned off, the viewer should know what the story is about without the presence of text or title.

Your Web site should project that same philosophy. Ask yourself, does it immediately communicate my message? In television your message is “one click” away from the next channel. On the World Wide Web, you’re one mouse click away from a potential customer moving on.

If you own an e-commerce site, do you expend Web real estate endlessly talking about yourself, or do you get right down to business by featuring your products?
If you own an industry or business site, do you have fancy animation with glitzy music, or does your site convey a serious professional business image?

Make sure your Web designer is communicating well with the public. Solid thinking translated into clear messages works every time.

Focus Test
Want good feedback? Want good direction? Try a grassroots focus test.

Late one evening after some finger breaking work on some all important Flash animation, the cleaning crew entered my office. I asked, “What do you guys think?” They replied, “What is it?”

I was taken back. Ouch!!! I had fallen into the old trap of not being able to see the forest for the trees. This is an all too common problem among creative types. Design work tends to be a labor of love, and you can get too close to your project without seeing the big picture.

Get feedback, it’s the breakfast of champions. Ask your team, neighbor, spouse, significant other — ask anyone but yourself. And once you step out on the ledge, make sure you’re ready for negative feedback. Learn to embrace it and use it to develop into a better professional. Growing some thick skin will also be helpful.

To see what I mean, visit www.webpagesthatsuck.com.

About the Author
http://www.visionefx.net - Visionefx President Ricardo Vidallon has been in the creative business of advertising, cable broadcast, animation and the World Wide Web for more than two decades. His work has been featured on
the Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc., Fox News and NBC Entertainment. His career track in Web consultancy includes the global companies of Reynolds and Reynolds, CMGI Solutions, and Automark, Inc.

Copyright The Quipping Queen 2006.

DOG DITTY DAILY #3

A Motivational Moment for Misguided Masters & Mutts

Compiled by Hugo Hotagen, DDD (Duke of Doorknobs & Doghouses), a loyal lapdog-in-training apprented to the affable, agnostic and all-round air-headed Court of the Quipping Queen.

A quirky, quizzical and sometimes questionable quotidian quotation, in honor of the “Year of the Dog”, follows herewith:

“To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs.”

Author: Aldous Huxley (British novelist and satirist).

Tonight my dashboard emitted the shrill signal that says I was running on empty and I had to sidle up to a pump, and pronto.

Fortunately, across from where I ate dinner there is a discount station that sells Union 76 gas, which I suppose is of fairly high quality because the company is so big.

Before pulling in, I noticed a disheveled hobo was leaning against the posts that under gird the big 76 sign. Every now and then he sneered or shouted at passing traffic and ogled the customers that stopped for gas.

“Should I pull in?” I asked myself.

After all, if you read my martial arts articles, you know I’m a big fan of PREVENTION.

My advice is simple: If an environment is hostile, don’t go there.

Split!

But here I was, in perhaps that very position. The gas is better and cheaper here than anywhere else within my tank’s low range, but why expose oneself to a hassle or worse?

Still, there was a voice inside that said: “Come on, you can handle him; easily!”

And so I happily pumped my gas, cleaned the windshield, and took my time, and he didn’t budge from his post.

I monitored the nonverbal expressions and body language of the other patrons, and I’ll tell you, they were scared.

Then, I realized one of the benefits of studying martial arts for many years, rising to Black Belt, and training others.

I have a choice: fright or flight or flight. Or, none of the above, if I choose to communicate my way through the turmoil.

Anyway, having choices, being deliberate and thoughtful, calculating your responses, these things come from intensive study and practice.

And tonight’s non-problem is just a reminder that every ounce of sweat, every bruise and broken bone that I experienced, was worth it.

Copyright The Quipping Queen 2005.

NAME THAT PLANET

Or, who put the ram in rama-dama-ding-dong…I’d like to shake his hand?

By Ovid Publius Hadweenzic, an errant Knight-In-Shining Armor, with a trusty thirty-pound encyclopedia under his arm to keep him warm at night, a bag of dog biscuits to keep strange critters happy, and a wooden hobby-horse which he rides every now and then to remind him that he’s destined to become the world’s first cosmic cowboy catapulted into space

The world of late has been faced with a new conundrum, (as if we haven’t got enough to keep us busy for the next millennium). What to call the newly discovered 10th planet of our solar system?

Scientists were sick and tired of calling the nameless nuisance holding up the rear of the universe, “2003 UB313″. And, politicians the world over needed something to distract the hungry hordes. The latter were totally bummed out about having to put up with the usual ration of bread and circuses, and were preparing to stomp all over the newly-planted flower beds, hurl hanging baskets about with glee, and encourage their precious pets to piddle or poop on the well-manicured lawns outside the seats of government.

While spin doctors spun their wheels aimlessly and birds began to twitter off-key, bigwigs stopped clipping their coupons, playing a round of golf and pressing the flesh. Minor minions also decided to get in on the act of being totally dumbfounded as to what to do.

They were all in a deep and dark funk. And, popping “happy” pills did not seem to relieve them of their profound perturbation about the possibility that some “rogue astronomer” might leap up and take credit for discovering the newest heavenly body. More to the point, they feared their worst nightmare might actually come true …and shudder the thought …that some renegade rascal of a rapscallion would name the latest addition to our solar system … “The Big Bopper”.

So, while it’s comfy to know that “2003 UB313″ regularly orbits the sun (like anyone really gives a hoot), and is larger than Pluto (not that anyone’s been out there lately with a measuring tape to confirm this of course), the real issue at hand is giving the number a human face as it were.

After all, if there’s one thing savvy, consumer-conscious human beings can’t stand is not having a brand-name label and familiar image they can trust attached to all their stuff. And, who knows for Pete’s sake just what treasures and treats lie waiting beneath the surface of “2003 UB313″ to be pinched, pillaged, or plundered!

In order to avoid a long, drawn-out competition between roving bands of nincompoops and ninnyheads inhabiting Earth, (all of whom claim to have spotted the ‘whatchamacallit’ with their backyard binoculars), it was decided that something had to be done, and fast.

Concern that the identification of a new planet might spark a celestial civil war, (as the other nine blessed bodies with deep roots among the Greek and Roman Gods were not exactly thrilled about the news of a new mythical deity in the neighborhood trying to horn in on their sacred solar system), all of which prompted the United Nations to convene an extraordinary meeting to deliberate upon the matter.

Meanwhile, long-forgotten mythical deities seeking a new lease on life were threatening to cash in their “Get Out of Jail Free Card”, not to mention demanding a “Free Lunch” in addition to exercising their “Equal Opportunity Rights”.

Fortunately, one dedicated diplomat from the land of ice and snow stepped forward to announce that he had a suggestion. Why not invoke the “not withstanding clause” in a repatriated Canadian constitution — it might just do the trick. When asked what this had to do with the price of tea in China or the finer points of English grammar, he replied tersely if not curtly, “such a clause permits Canucks to do anything we please as long as an emergency has been declared”. He was politely thanked for his tangential contribution to the esteemed gathering of well-known windbags and hot-air enthusiasts by the Third Under-Secretary to the Snooze-Button Control Operator (seated quietly next to a somnolent-looking Secretary General who was indulging in his favorite passion — navel-gazing).

So, in the absence of an answer that everyone could live with, the powers that be sent out a 911 call on the Transcendental Meditation Hotline. Since the “Big Guy in the Sky” was busy performing miracles on 34th street, burning bushes, and whipping up loaves of bread and oodles of fish for supper that night, I took the call.

This was a fortunate stroke of fate as it turned out. Fending off one-eyed-one-horned-flying-purple-people eaters and gritting teeth like grand pooh-bahs do certainly appealed to my keen spirit of adventure. However, it seems the ornery overlords were a tad miffed at being put on hold for four and a half hours. As if that were not enough, they complained constantly about the miserable choice of mood music and weren’t at all impressed with having to navigate a newly-minted maze of dulcet toned, voice-activated digital telephone instructions, (affectionately called the “Tree of Useless Knowledge”).

Anyway after much consternation and constipated consideration, I perused the pithy pages of my encyclopedia for a hint as to how to solve this disturbing dilemma, namely, how to come up with a marvellous moniker for the new planet. After much too-ing and fro-ing, not to mention more than the occasional hemming and hawing, the answer popped out of my snorting cerebellum. Just install a big suggestion box in a mall somewhere and let everyone toss in their two-cents worth.

The names below represent a sample of those submitted (just to prove this was a fair, legitimate, and totally transparent community consultation process):

Bacchus (He puts on a terrific beer garden, organizes nifty wine & cheese affairs not to mention hosts more than a few hot-tub & toga parties)

Buddhabot (A Warp-Speed Wisdom Wonderkin)

Captain Kangaroo (A terrific child-minder on a Saturday morning)

Cleopatra (In honor of “The Queen of Face-Lifts, Tummy Tucks & Botox Injections”)

Cronos (Nominated by Father Time in honor of the “World’s First ‘Clockwatcher’”)

Cupid (He deserves a bigger and better target practise range don’t you think?)

Hades (The Daring Duathalon Dude who invented “The Burnt Barbecued Beef Challenge” and the “Walking on Hot Coals Contest” …for macho men of course!)

Hera (In honor of the “Diva of Domestic Drudgery”)

Hermes (Didn’t he invent the typewriter?)

Juno (Pays tribute to the patron saint and power-broker behind the miracle of “Immaculate Conception”)

Joan of Arc (Nominated by the “International Society of Trojan Horse Engineers” to honor the world’s first under-cover hobby-horse rider)

Leprechaun (Nominated by the “International Association of Environmentally-Friendly, Vertically-Challenged, Transparent Entities” for “exemplary conduct above and beyond the call of duty”)

Loki (”Mischief-Makers Anonymous” voted him the most popular “Master of Mayhem” for 2005!)

Poseidon (Nominated by “The International Association of Sea Monsters & Shipwrecks” for his invaluable contribution to establishing fraternal relations with the “Bathing Beauties & Mermaids Society”)

Puck (Someone has to poke fun at the folks on the newest planet in our solar system!)

Robin Goodfellow (Nominated by “The Goody-Two-Shoes Society of America & Friends” for his swarthy looks and swooning charisma, award-winning pearly-toothed smile, and unparalleled jolly-jump-up capabilities)

Satyr (In honor of “The King of Canoodling, Spooning & Romping About In the Holly-Fuds”)

Spiderwoman (A wickedly wonky weaver-of-webs if ever there was one!)

Titan (Nominated by the highly-respected “International Association of Windbags & Hot-Air Enthusiasts” as “The Next Best Thing to ‘The Big Bopper’”)

The Pit Stop At the End of The Universe (The “International Commode, Outhouse & Tinkle-Pantry Manufacturers’Association” and the “Fast-Food Franchise Owners of the Universe” recommended this planet as the best place to showcase their new cutting-edge “Cosmic Water-Closet Technology” and new veggie-burger vending machines)

Thor (In honor of the “Father of Firecrackers” who adores letting the sparks fly and putting on a great “Thunderbolt & Lightening Spectacle” every now and then!)

The Queen of Sheba (Now there’s one very ‘Saucy Sylph of Shebang’!)

Tom Dick & Harry (Nominated by “The International Association of Innocuous Individuals” because these guys are more qualified than the “Three Musketeers” to keep up with the Jones’ not to mention fill every Joe-Job going in the universe)

Vulcan (Voted “Playmate of the Year” by the “Vacuous Vixens of the Universe”)

Wink’n Blink’n & Nod (Nominated by the “European Union of Fairy Tale Writers”, “The Sandmans’ Society”, the “North-American Sleep-Deprivation Research Institute” and “Sleepwalkers’ Anonymous”)

Xena (In honor of the world’s first “Weed Whacking Wizardess”!)

Yahoo (Nominated by the “International Association of Podunk Places” for solving a pressing social problem - where to accommodate hard-to-house “Yammering Yokels”)

Zorro (An equal opportunity, incognitio, Hunky Halloween Hero)

With all the mall ballots and entries counted in the “Name That New Planet Contest”, the gruelling selection task began. After 48 excruciating hours, a talented tollbooth attendant, one Heaver Herstmonceux, (from Three Legs Town, Ohio) was declared the winner. As luck would have it, the name chosen eloquently expresses the essence of those who have made a lonely planet at the end of the universe their home.

For the nail-biting nosey-parkers who’ve been waiting anxiously for the answer so they can fill their rumor mill with the lastest gossip — quit complaining, cool your heels and hold your horses! And, if that doesn’t work, take my advice humble advice - “Get a Life!”

Okay, okay …so who do you think would dare to live on a remote “Bob-Fearing” planet at the end of the universe?

Who else …but a band of boisterous do-gooders with a devil-may-care attitude to life, liberty, and the pleasurable pursuit of puttering about (entailing a well-stocked refrigerator full of beer, frozen pizza and ice-cream — the staple diet of these casually-dressed cosmic critters).

For those who are still in a quandary, the winning entry was you guessed it …an easy-to-remember, four-lettered word that just trips off the tip of your tongue …“DAVE”!

About the Author

Ovid Publius Hadweenzic, Ph.D., a professor of profound and pithy knowledge spends much of his expandable time expounding upon the virtues and vices of playing with silly putty - a keen issue of debate in THE COURT OF THE QUIPPING QUEEN

Brand Identity is simply the promise a company makes to its customers. It may be purely the function of a product, or it can be personality or values-oriented. Whatever it is, it’s something companies all over the world attempt to leverage as a way of strengthening their businesses.

Why is Brand Identity important?

A brand identity is important because it has the power to single-handedly set a company apart from its competition. And those who successfully craft their brand identities to positively affect their bottom lines know that doing so takes time, money and effort. It’s not as simple as just a logo or a tagline. In essence, brand identity is the reason you give your market to choose you…is it compelling enough? Your market will decide.

A word on revising your brand identity…
The key to a successful re-branding effort is “evolution,” not “revolution.” You must reassure your existing customers that everything they like about you will remain intact and become integral part of something even better. Don’t go to unjustified extremes for any reason because major perceived changes may destroy existing emotional ties to your brand thereby eroding valuable customer loyalty.

More than marketing, Brand Identity is the lifeblood of a company having an outward brand identity that resonates with your market is very important, but just as important is the people who make up your company understanding that brand identity and doing their part to reinforce it. Truly effective marketing starts from the inside out. Do your employees believe in the company? Do they feel like they’re an important part of it and that they have a vested stake in its success? A company with truly solid brand identity can say yes to those questions. If your company can’t, here are some steps to address the issue:

1. Get your brand personality, values and corporate culture on the same page: Marketing needs to work closely with human resources to ensure values and expectations are in sync both internally and externally.

2. Empower your employees to effective brand representatives: Align your criteria for recruiting talent and rewarding performance in such a way that promotes voluntarily brand reinforcement from your team.

3. Constantly reinforce brand-centric values and behaviors: Internal communications are a useful tool for achieving this. Like a good football coach, keep hammering the fundamentals until they’re second nature.

Your employees are your brand ambassadors and the people who determine ultimate success or failure for your company. That’s why it’s so important to get them to buy into your brand identity and take individual ownership and responsibility for it. When that kind of culture exists in a company, growth and success simply become byproducts of a happy, motivated team.

Scott White is President of Brand Identity Guru, a leading brand consulting and market research firm located in Easton, Massachusetts, near Boston.

Brand Identity Guru specializes in creating corporate and product brands that increase sales, market share, customer loyalty, and brand valuation. Over the course of his 15-year branding career, Scott White has worked in a wide variety of industries: high-tech, manufacturing, computer hardware and software, telecommunications, banking, restaurants, fashion, healthcare, Internet, retail, and service businesses, as well as numerous non-profit organizations.

Brand Identity Guru clients include: Sun Life Financial, Coca Cola, HP, Sun, Nordstrom, Archway Marketing Services, Franklin Sports and many others, including numerous emerging growth companies. Scott can be reached at swhite@brandidentityguru.com or 508-238-4347.

“An influenza pandemic of even moderate impact will result in the biggest single human disaster ever - far greater than AIDS, 9/11, all wars in the 20th century and the recent tsunami combined. It has the potential to redirect world history as the Black Death redirected European history in the 14th century.” — Michael T. Osterholm, Director, Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota

A new killer flu virus is on its way. Ducks and geese carrying this virus are now winging their way across the globe, spreading the disease wherever they go. Started in Asia, it has now spread to Europe. Soon it will be in North and South America.

So far it has only killed a few dozen humans. It is, after all, a virus that’s passed from bird to bird. Or from bird to animals. So far it can’t be transmitted from human to human. But flu viruses are crafty. They have the ability to change. This is what happened in 1918 when the Spanish Flu Pandemic swept over a war weary planet killing 50 - 100 million people - far more than were killed in the war.

This time it will be much worse. After all, we now have 4 times the number of people living on the planet. And most of them live in cities. Large, crowded cities. The five largest cities in the world have over 100 million people living in them. A killer virus that can be passed from human to human, let loose in our major cities where people are living elbow to elbow, would have a catastrophic effect.

And consider this…back in 1918 it was a much bigger world. It took weeks to get from one side of the world to the other. It took days to get from one side of the continent to the next. Today it takes hours. Last year more than 46 million international visitors came to the United States. If only one infected visitor passes on the virus to 2 others, who pass it on to 2 others, and so on, by the end of a month everyone in the US could be infected.

I don’t even want to consider the implications if this idea ever occurs to muslim terrorists who are only too happy to blow themselves to bits in order to take out a few infidels.

So what can we do?

Fortunately it’s not all doom and gloom. There are some very specific steps you can take to minimize the dangers and protect yourself and your loved ones.

1. Draw up a Plan. Outline the steps you and your family need to take, both pre-pandemic and during. Identify responsibilities for each family member. Make lists of supplies required. Find appropriate sources. Develop a realistic timeline. By establishing a plan now, you will avoid becoming a victim of the panic that will grip the general population, resulting in civil chaos and pandemonium.

2. Keep Informed. If and when the virus mutates so that it is being spread from human to human, it is likely to start in Southeast Asia. Pay attention to the news. When you hear that this has taken place, it’s time to act. We might only have weeks before the pandemic reaches North America, but with international travel so fast and easy it could be much sooner. Sign up for free newsletter notifications at http://www.survivetheflu.com .

3. Prepare Your Child for Home Schooling. Most flu outbreaks get their start at schools. You can be certain that the schools will be closed. And if they’re not, you should give very serious thought to keeping your children at home.

4. Minimize Contact with Others. The H5N1 avian flu virus can be transmitted for two days before a person is showing any symptoms and for a week after symptoms have disappeared. You never know who isn’t and who might be infected. If possible you should stay home. Every time you go into an area where there are people you are at risk.

5. Wash Your Hands Often. Sneeze particles can travel across a room at 600 miles per hour. If the person sneezing has the flu, everything in that room is covered with flu virus. And when you touch anything, the virus is transmitted to your hand. Eventually it will be transmitted to your mouth. Your only protection is to wash your hands, well and often. Each washing should involve vigorous scrubbing with soap for at least 20 seconds.

6. Stock up on Food & Water. Supermarkets only have enough food for about a week or less. It’s critical that you stock up on enough food to last you for the duration which could be 3-4 months.

7. Buy Enough Anti-Viral Medication for Every Member of your Family. Currently there are two drugs that can help mitigate the effects of the avian flu virus. One is called oseltamivir, or Tamiflu. It comes in a tablet form. The other is zanamivir, or Relenza, which is inhaled. You will need a prescription for either of these drugs. They should be taken within 2 days of the onset of symptoms and taken twice a day for 5 days. These drugs are in very short supply, especially Tamiflu which is considered the drug of first choice. You should attempt to secure enough for your family as soon as possible, since once a pandemic hits they will be impossible to obtain. Currently you should be able to buy them at your drug store, or you can order them online.

8. Stock up on Face Masks. You will need to wear these when you absolutely have to come into close contact with others. It’s likely that any public businesses or government offices that remain open will make it mandatory that you wear a mask before entering. Make sure that your mask has a rating of N100. The more common N95 masks will not give you enough protection.

There is one mask — the NanoMask® — which not only blocks the H5N1 virus, but kills it as well.

9. Exercise. According to the American Council on Exercise, research has shown that moderate exercise (such as brisk walking) brings about measurable changes in the immune system, sending white blood cells zipping around the body to find intruders and kill them. But after a few hours, the immune system returns to normal so it’s best to exercise regularly.

10. Spread the Word. Regardless of how much coverage the avian threat is receiving in the media, most people are reluctant to act. Perhaps if they don’t acknowledge the danger they think it will somehow go away. Or maybe they think the government will look after the situation.

Desperate, panic stricken people are arguably even more dangerous than the virus. The more people surrounding you who are prepared for the pandemic, the safer you will be. You’ll be secure in the knowledge that your neighbors won’t be eyeing your resources. So please spread the word. And don’t give up, even though you may feel like the voice in the wilderness. Eventually, if they hear it often enough, some people will take notice. And then they will also spread the word. And in this way we’ll all be a little safer.

“Up to one billion people could die around the whole world in six months…. We are half a step away from a worldwide pandemic catastrophe.” Dmitry K. Lvov, Director, D.I. Ivanovsky Institute of Virology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences.

Whether or not it will happen this year, and whether or not it will be as catastrophic as many virologists are predicting, one thing is clear: There WILL be a pandemic of unimaginable proportions some time soon.

We can either bury our heads in the sand and hope it won’t happen, or we can begin taking immediate steps to ensure that in a worst case scenario, we’ve given ourselves and our loved ones the best possible chance for survival.

Since beginning, Indian constitution has always given due consideration to the women category. The Eighth plan of Indian Planning claimed to provide benefits form the economic development to women equally. Ninth and Tenth Plans also emphasized on empowerment of women. Rashtriya Mahila Kosh was set up in1993 to help the economically poor and deserving women.

Empowerment refers to freedom to choose and action in economic, social and political fields. Initially women had no control over his decisions and assets due to the prevailed inequalities in the society. For elevating the status of the women in Indian society, it is mandatory that women possess educational and vocational abilities.Along with it she must have the capability to systematize and organize the things. The status of the women has improved considerably in Indian society but even in the present situation, varied inequalities between men and women exist.

It is very unfortunate but true that in the Indian society the girl has to face discrimination for the whole life. In the low-income category the girl is considered as a burden. Even the basic facilities like education, nutritious food, and medical assistance are curtailed to her. Not only in poor class but also in middle class and high class, son is preferred than daughter. These conditions are setback for the empowering of women issue.

Poverty is another culprit in attaining the goal of women empowerment. Poverty has definitely more impact on women than men. Several poverty mitigation programs are trying to solve the problems of the poor women. Among the total population living under poverty line, 70% is women. Besides the existing programs, several new approaches are necessary for the eradication of poverty. This would in turn improve the position of the women in the Indian society.

Empowerment of women is a gradual and complicated process.It involves changing the way of thinking of the whole society. From long time it has been stamped on the minds of the people that women are inferior to men. It is not easy to change the stubborn attitude of the people. In rural India, Women have inadequate access to education, health facilities, healthy diet etc.

Out of total women population, more than 55% is in the age group of 15-59. This group constitutes financially independent women. The policy of empowerment must consider this group preferably because if a women is financially independent her status in the society will also be far above the ground.The women between 15-59 must involve themselves indevelopment process in each sphere.

In India gradually the percentage of working women is rising.Only by contributing towards income of the family the women can get rid of the status of “burden”. In the present situation also, the percentage of working males is still much greater than women. In the most of the parts of the country, a large volume of women are still illiterate or inadequately educated so they acquire less wages as compared with men.In rural areas most of the women are engaged in farming or related spheres. Women are often exploited and they do not even revert back due to lack of knowledge and guts.

Even in modern India, mostly women do not have possession of land, property and finance. They are contributing towards income of the family but property rights still are in the hands of males. Women empowerment can be attained in true terms when women are free to use and manage the financial resources according to her desire.

Entrepreneur women can positively contribute to attain the goal of women empowerment.Entrepreneurship provides women for what she is longing for - control over the resources and power of decision making. Such women can help in poverty alleviation by providing job opportunities for many other deserving women.

Surveys have proved that a large percentage of educated but not trained women are present in the country. Such women can be given training in a specific field like making homemade papads or pickles, handicrafts and many such things and can start their own small enterprise. Due to lots of family responsibilities to perform, they lack most important elements of business i.e. time and mobility. So it is better for them to exploit available resources and start their enterprise near their residential place. Self-employment is a blessing for poor and deserving women as sufficient job opportunities are not available in the country.In small sector, the women may be owner of the enterprise may be a manager or controller or may be a worker in the enterprise.

Women come across numerous problems inside and outside their homes, especially at starting stage than men while establishing their enterprise like financial constraint, time constraint, problems in advertising and marketing field, not adequately skilled and educated etc.

Tenth plan is initiating women empowerment by implementing specific strategies like such social environment would be created by providing necessary services so that women would be proficient to utilize their potential, To make the women economically self-reliant, proper training would be provided to them. Equal rights for the women would be provided so that there is no social, political discrimination against her.

In the present scenario, where phenomenal advancements are occurring in each and every sphere, women empowerment has become crucial for alleviating poverty and procuring over all growth.

Laser Hair Removal is one of the newest technologies for eliminating that unwanted body hair. It is quick, easy and relatively painless. So, what’s it going to cost? Well, how laser hair removal is priced depends on a couple of factors:

1. Geographic Location. Of course, there are always going to be pricing variations due to geographic location. That’s the case with just about any product or service. You will find that laser hair removal cost differ from state to state as well as from country to country.

2. Number of laser hair removal treatment sessions. This means, the number of laser hair removal treatments you are going to need to complete your desired hairless effect. The total number of laser hair removal treatment sessions can be affected by your hair color, your skin pigmentation (light or dark) and the thickness of your hair.

Light skin makes laser hair removal easier to perform. Fewer treatments are required, and better, faster results are obtained. People with darker skin can be treated, but results are slower, more sessions are required, and greater expertise is required on the part of the laser center.

Some parts of the body are more difficult than others to remove hair. Each person varies somewhat in her or his hair regeneration speed as well.

Prior to your first laser hair removal treatment - in fact, prior to your deciding to undergo laser hair removal at all - you’ll meet with the dermatologist or medical specialist responsible for the laser hair removal. Generally, the more sessions you require, the more it is going to cost you.

3. Size of the area treated. Treatment cost varies with the size of the area treated. Large areas, such as the entire back, or the entire legs, cost considerably more than this. Small areas, such as the upper lip, can be less.

4. Type of laser hair removal equipment used. There are different types of laser hair removal equipment in the market. Also, do not confuse laser hair removal with intense pulsed light treatments. The latter can also produce effective hair removal. Although the devices used are not lasers, they are “laser equivalents”. Both utilize the same principle of selective photothermolysis to achieve hair removal. Intense pulsed light devices are in fact more difficult to adjust than lasers and require great expertise for their proper use. Individual consultation with the laser center is necessary to obtain exact pricing.

5. Pricing packaging. Not only does the laser hair removal cost vary by area and by physician, but it can also vary in its pricing structure. Some, for example, bundle the laser hair removal treatment with other cosmetic procedures. For instance, some may include the application of a hair retardation product to the treatment area to speed up desired results. Some require you to pay a total package fee and yet others may charge you for each visit separately. Experienced laser centers, which have developed expertise in laser hair removal, costs an average of about $500 per treatment session. They usually recommend a basic four treatment sessions to start off with.

As treatment costs can get really expensive, you should ensure that you can well budget for it. However, please be advised to go to an established medical center with good reputation. You may pay more but it may be worth the quality of service and care that you receive.

The modern mum-to-be is a stressed out individual, having to cater to increasing pressures of a fast paced society and work place. Yet at the same time, she knows that her wellness is crucial especially during her pregnancy if she wants a smooth delivery process and the birth of a healthy happy baby.

This increased awareness has led to the search for alternative approaches in addition to traditional health services. Pregnancy massage therapy is one such alternative approach. It has much therapeutic value as it enhances the function of muscles and joints, improves blood circulation and relieves mental and physical fatigue.

Pregnancy Massage can be prenatal, postnatal or during the labour process, although many refer pregnancy massage to just prenatal and post-natal massage to mean massage that takes place a few days after delivery.

In a prenatal massage, the massage is focused on reducing pregnancy discomforts and aims to enhance the physiological and emotional well-being of both mother and foetus. A relaxed mother also helps in the development of a brainy and healthy foetus. Also, the massage helps to strengthen and prepares the muscles that are useful for a natural delivery process.

Many women fear a long delivery process. Yet, many desire one that is as natural as possible and without the use of epidural or any other drugs. During labour, massage techniques exist to help shorten the delivery process while easing pain and anxiety.

Post-natal massage focuses on toning the new mother’s body, reduce fluid retention and and helps the body be brought back to balance and shape. It also helps to rejuvenate and re-energize the new mother and thus enhance her ability to bond with her baby.

The pregnant female should always first consult her doctors if she is suitable for massage or for any other alternative therapies that they wish to try. Her overall objective is to achieve a good mental state and physical health and to have a wonderful birthing experience.