A Writing Exercise That Increases Awareness And Description Skills

March 24th, 2010

Practice attaching words to feelings requires time to do.
Without a system that helps you monitor that time, the
minutes or hours could feel unproductive. With the right
exercise, you can then use that time wisely, as well as save
you time and frustration.


Learning to apply the right words to our six senses is a top
ingredient to the mixture of writing. Its language brings
the reader into the story. All of us easily know how we
feel, or what we’re seeing (okay, most of the time), what
we’re hearing, smelling, tasting, and sensing, and can
usually explain it in 50 words if pushed to do it. But, how
do you describe it in one or two words without the pushing?


Also, by beginning with good material, the remaining part of
the writing process becomes easier. This exercise will help
you improve your beginning.


This is a simple exercise that you can do anywhere, anytime,
in a space of minutes or longer. You can practice Monday
mornings in the garden, the doctor’s waiting room, or in the
lunchroom. It can last as long as a television commercial
(oops those aren’t short any longer), or you more
aggressively with a devoted 30-minutes a day. Whatever
length of time or place you have, it will always improve
your skill.


You will want to sit while completing this exercise.


Okay, let’s start with the most difficult spot, your
supplies — paper and your writing instruments. Landscape,
portrait, small, or regular size sheet of paper doesn’t
matter. I define what paper size to use by the amount of
time available and my location. If I’m mobile, I use my
small journal. If I’m at my desk or at home, I use a
regular size paper. Sometimes lines, sometimes not.
Sometimes the exercise flows over to two or three sheets.
Don’t limit the experience by paper size. Have fun with the
recording tools as well. Experimentation is the key to our
curiosity. And, curiosity is the foundation of a writer.


Draw a circle on the page and place your name in the center.
Large, small, in color, black, or blue, again it doesn’t
matter. Use whatever flips your pancakes at that moment.
In other words, whatever feels good at the time.


Your objective is to describe your five senses, six if you
have that gift, with words. Write the words that express
that sense in the space inside the circle randomly around
your name.


Here is how you would use this exercise to increase
environment awareness and description. Write your words in
the location on the paper relevant to the direction it
appears. For example: I’m sitting outside my office on a
9th floor balcony at the moment, I hear a heavy humming from
the tires on the wet pavement below and birds chirping above
me to the right. I would place the words for the tires on
the bottom left and the chirping on the upper right on my
page.


Here are nine prompts to help you expand your experience.
* Write words describing your atmosphere–the quality of
air.
* What are the clouds doing? Can you see animals in their
shapes?
* The temperature of your location.
* The source of light and its quality.
* Where are people standing or sitting?
* Shadows, are they’re any? Where and how do they fall?
* Predominant colors, wall colors, wallpaper, molding, chair
railing, textured ceiling.
* What do you smell? Using comparisons are a great way to
relate to your reader. The air feels like just getting out
of the fogged shower stall.
* Are there other people around you? How do they smell,
their clothes, their shoes? Guess at what they might do for
a living. Are they dressed like someone on their way to
work, doesn’t work, a mom, dad, baker, or what?


After you are comfortable describing your environment, spice
the exercise up another notch. Compare your descriptive
words to something else. For example: The room you are
sitting in feels like a sauna with my clothes on.


Continue spicing up the exercise to increase your awareness
and descriptive powers–use people and objects. Since you
are most familiar with yourself, begin there.


After practicing on the most familiar subject, yourself,
create a list of other familiar people in your life. Then
sort the list from most familiar to least. Continue down
the list. Somewhere during these lists and practice
sessions, you will begin to feel comfortable with your
skill.


You can continue taking the exercise to another level. This
time you are ready to expand your awareness and adaptation
to words. Visit the local mall; sit in the food court for
smorgasbord of new enriching thoughts-to-words experiences.


Here are 11 prompts to help you expand your levels:
* Describe what you are wearing.
* How does your body feel?
* What are your hands doing?
* How does your throat feel?
* How are you holding your mouth?
* Eye movement
* Breathing
* How do you feel in general, in detail?
* Name your mood. Does it have a flavor and color?
* Describe your feelings with reference to music. A certain
song or type of music.
* How does your hair smell, clothes, the chair you’re
sitting on, the book you’re reading?


Be patient with yourself while practicing. This exercise
isn’t the easiest to complete, however, it is the most
effective. Even if you aren’t a writer, this exercise will
help you triple your awareness skills in a short time
period1. This exercise also helps police officers,
speakers, judges, attorneys, or anyone else that uses their
awareness skills to see and put it into words. This is also
a NLP–neurolinguistics programming skill–for those aware
of this process.



EzineArticles Expert Author Catherine Franz

Catherine Franz provides writing and marketing assistance
to individuals who want to write and businesses that want to
increase business. For more ideas and programs, visit The
Abundance Center at: http://www.abundancecenter.com

Who Truly Needs Life Cover

March 24th, 2010

Individuals might well associate life insurance cover with slightly older folk who have a set of dependants they really need to care for fiscally should the unthinkable transpire. But the potential advantages of taking out life cover are very much not limited to those individuals with small children. Today life insurance could be a vital thought for every individual and as important as pension considerations.

Make a point to bear in mind that the following are case studies and should certainly not be interpreted as qualified financial help. When and if you feel you need financial advice we very much suggest that you talk to a financial adviser as every persons situation and requirements are very different.

The newly married - Joanne and Mike

Joanne and Mike go to work full-time and have just gotten wed. As they start their brand new life with each other they reason that now could be a fine time to sort out their collective finances. Specifically they want to make absolutely sure that they would certainly be able to function financially if the unthinkable occurred to one of the pair.

The couple have been informed about life insurance cover which would easily provide money to the remaining survivor when and if either of them was to suddenly pass on. As a keystone to their collective economic base they take out a plan that protects the couple for a full 20 years. They select an amount of cash that will easily pay off their collective outstanding mortgage, as well as giving them plenty to cope with their everyday living expenses.

Obtaining a first dwelling with each other - Amanda and Richard

Amanda and Richard have just sold their individual properties and picked up a new place together. Now that they have got a shared economic commitment, they really want to make certain that they have got the perfect economic foundations very much in place to build their collective future on.

They certainly know that insurers offer life insurance cover which gifts financial support to the remaining survivor if either partner passes away. Their home mortgage could be their biggest expense, so they start putting together their financial base with a life cover plan to cope with it.

With life cover in place, Amanda and Richard can have peace of mind that an important bit of their fiscal future may well be safeguarded.

Paying off outstanding liability and compensating for the abrupt deprivation of your earnings could be frequently right at the very front of a large portion of people’s brains when they organize life assurance. So why not steal a moment to procure a rapid insurance quote on-line today to find out how much cash your life insurance cover premium could cost?

Ways to Keep Your Customers and Get them to Want to Come Back

March 23rd, 2010

Alot of business enterprises provide points, stamps or every tenth latte for free?

These commercial enterprises realize that a customer keeping plan is a fabulous manner to ensure that clients keep coming back. The best accepted client retention plans are those commitment programs applied by retailers, but this same principal can be applied to several business that wants to keep a loyal client base. Also take a look at ICLP for their Brand Marketing strategies.

Remember it costs far less to hold your current customers rather then to gain new ones. This however does not mean that you should renounce spending on marketing endeavours to gain new clients, also you should commit some of your marketing media spend on customer keeping strategies. Take the 80/20 formula which says 80% of your business revenue occurs from just 20% of your customers. A secure Client Retention programme will work to convert those special customers into “loyal customers” who splash out more cash on a much more frequent basis.

Customer holding doesn’t just happen. Poor client service can possibly sabotage even the strongest retention scheme. For a customer retention program to be genuinely successful, the company must face at their complete operation to see every part of their company is driven at retaining the clients they already have. Is the accounting section too rough when accumulating overdue accounts? Is the receptionist chewing gum when replying to the phone? Every Last contact with your customer has to be good for any retention programme to work. Therefore commend happy client service and good customer interaction can mean that you should get really loyal customers who are here to remain.

Celebration Thoughts for Kids and 1st Natal Days

March 23rd, 2010

A new baby lends such delight each and every day with tender milestones like beaming, clapping and crawling, all worthy of a celebration. But when your baby grows one, it is time to celebrate! Your infant’s First Birthday Celebration is a Remarkable affair - so make the most of it with keepsake invitations, a charming motif, and a little friendly mommy wisdom. Bring your infant’s First Birthday Celebration to life with these supply and decorating themes! Your infant’s 1st natal day cake is such a emblematical time; make it a show stopper! Whether you choose to purchase or prepare your infant’s first natal day cake, we have some recipes that will make this important function the greatest it can be.

The invite for a first birthday is nearly as remarkable as the actual 1st birthday party ideas! Tie a babe-themed charm, such as a booty or bottle, to the front of the invite with decoration. Request that guests add a tiny jewelry charm to put on an heirloom 1st year charm bangle. Insert a nice piece of paper in your invitation and ask that invitees write a passage for the Child to treasure in later years. Gather every guest’s paper at the occasion and place them in a scrapbook for all to see. A handmade invitation is extra Grand and preserves money too. Print out your invitation on cardstock and back it with a piece of scrapbook paper in a Festive design. Utilize a 3-D embellishment, such as a cupcake, on the top of the card. Cut out big figures of the number “1″ from unpatterned paper and handwrite the information on the front.

Think about your personalized “food rules” when settling on your babe’s first natal day cake. Some parents do not feed their youngsters chocolate, known to be an “allergic” food, until the baby is two years old. Alternatively, numerous party hosts prefer for carrot or apple sauce cake without nuts as their infant’s first birthday cake. Use these icing, filling and adorning tips to create a scrumptious cake for any affair or birthday occasion. Use an off set spatula dipped into hot water for an extra clean finish. Whipping and warming your buttercream up a little will make it simpler to work with, and look extra creamy. Ornament by piping a cute border, lending chocolate shavings to the sides, or by contributing gorgeous hand-crafted fondant shapes.

Listen Up: Podcasting Primer for Bloggers

March 23rd, 2010

Podcasting is a new audio technology that can be attached
to RSS for easy delivery of audio files. Bloggers or publishers
can publish these ‘audio’ or ‘radio’ files which subscribers
can automatically download and enjoy.

The Free encyclopedia Wikipedia, defines “Podcasting” as
“making audio files (most commonly in MP3 format) available
online in a way that allows software to automatically
detect the availability of new files (generally via RSS),
and download the files for listening at the user’s convenience.”

Dave Winer, the RSS Pioneer and Innovator states “…Podcasting
works the same way (as RSS Feeds), with one exception. Instead of
reading the new content on a computer screen, you listen to the
new content on any capable mp3 player on the computer or hardware
player such as the iPod. Think of your player with Podcasting as
having a set of subscriptions that are checked regularly for updates.”

Podcasting comes from the two words: iPod and broadcasting.

Put simply, Podcasting is basically adding audio files to your
RSS Feed or Blog. It also turns your RSS Feed into a radio
broadcast, the only difference between it and regular radio
is distribution. Regular radio ‘pushes’ the signal out; in
Podcasting — the listener initiates or ‘pulls’ the cast with
their subscription and automatically downloads the audio file
or radio program.

Making a Podcast is also relatively simple.

First, you have to record your audio file, you can use any platform
or application to make your recording. One good choice would be
Audacity, (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) because it’s free,
cross-platform and you can mix together multiple audio files with it.
If you’re using the Mac, GarageBand may work for you, it’s also free.
(http://www.apple.com/ilife/)

Make your audio file and convert it to MP3 format i.e. save it with
a .mp3 file extension. Upload it to your web server.

Next, create your Podcast RSS newsfeed — just describe your Podcast in
your RSS file and place a link in this file to your MP3 file.

Each ‘item’ contains an ‘enclosure’ tag as in this example of a
Podcast of a Grateful Dead song.

<*enclosure url="http://www.scripting.com/mp3s/theOtherOne.mp3"
length="6666097" type="audio/mpeg" /*> Remove asterisks in live
code.

You can also post and advertise your Podcasts on your website by
using the familiar orange xml with a speaker logo added.

Your subscribers can download and listen to your Podcasts on their
computer or thru their iPods. It should also be noted UndergroundMedia
has released Podcasting search plugins for the increasingly popular and
RSS friendly Firefox browser.

For further interest and research you might want to try some of these
handy links:

- Yahoo mailing list for Podcasters:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/podcasters
- The official iPodder website: http://www.ipodder.org/
- Podcast Alley, a large Podcast directory: http://www.podcastalley.com
- Podcasting News, Podcasting news site: http://www.podcastingnews.com
- Podcast.net, very comprehensive searchable list of Podcasts: http://www.podcast.net/
- Check out Dave Winer and Adam Curry; founders/facilitators of Podcasting http://radio.weblogs.com/

For Bloggers and RSS users, Podcasting adds an exciting new way to
connect with their subscribers and audience. Since it combines the MP3 format
and iPods; Podcasting will no doubt, add an explosive element to your
blogs and RSS Feeds. Early innovators or users of Podcasts can extend the
reach and scope of their blogs and/or RSS feeds by pulling in more subscribers
and listeners.

Don’t let this new innovation pass you by — give your Blog or Site the
competitive edge of audio. Start Podcasting…

Titus Hoskins - EzineArticles Expert Author

To Put RSS On Your Site Within Minutes - Visit: RSS and Blogging Guide

Copyright © 2005 - Bizwaremagic.com

This article may be freely distributed if this resource
box stays attached. Visit http://www.bizwaremagic.com/blog
for more RSS/Blog information and resources.

Need Advice on a Quick Money Advance?

March 22nd, 2010

Life can be hard if you’re having financial problems. Have you thought about applying for a cash until payday advance? If you’ve had all you can take of the usual credit checks and inordinately long delays that are part and parcel of conventional bank advances, a cash til pay day advance could be the way to go. Loads of reasons exist for getting a money advance until payday. A good example is if there’s a medical emergency and you could need to travel because a family member has been involved in an accident overseas, or perhaps your kids have come home with an unforeseen expense at school?

Nobody would want to miss a bill payment or bounce a check because their pay is smaller than anticipated. It’s something that could happen to the greatest of us and a money until payday loan can help you escape from a tight situation. So how good are faxless, instant pay check advances? As an example, for somewhere inside 7 to 31 days you can borrow any amount from one hundred to one thousand dollars. When you get your advance it can feel exhilarating, especially if it’s automatically deposited straight into your bank account. First though, you need to send in your details and let them know how much it is you’re asking for. To repay the advance you pay back the total you were advanced in addition to a small flat charge for every one hundred dollars you borrowed when you’re paid.

If you’re still a little low on cash by payday there’s the choice of rolling your advances over to your next payday up to four times; after that the balance must be repaid. Try searching for “one hour, easy payday loans” or similar to find more info. To qualify for such a advance, you must fulfill a few fundamental prerequisites. First, you will have to have kept a savings or bank account and held a job for the past ninety days. Do you get paid a minimum of one thousand dollars per month, and make use of direct deposit? A warning though, you won’t be able to get more than one of these advances if you don’t pay the total owed in full. Faxless quick pay check advances may be just what you need if you have to make some cash quickly. Receiving quick, easy and stress-free emergency money is one of their important selling points. Besides, who would want to stress about money when there are the important aspects of in life? Getting a money advance til payday can give you the ability to do it.

For more suggestions, you are advised to check out our incredible web site for payday loans products!

Have a New More Energy Efficient Home at the Same Address with K-Designers

March 21st, 2010

Can a hail storm lead to a $60 million dollar a year company? It did for K-Designers. Brothers Lee and Larry Judson went to Casper, Wyoming in 1978 to help rebuild the city after a huge hailstorm damaged many buildings thereso many that local contractors could not meet the demand from insurance firms. Lee and Larry intended to stay for 6 months, make some money and move on. Instead they stayed a year, got their operation down pat and went on to open a second office in Billings, Montana. K-Designers is now one of the largest exterior remodeling businesses in the western America.

Although the siblings never intended to create a nationwide brand, by the time Larry bought the firm from Lee in 1990, he was ready to move into to other markets. Larry figured that with a model that worked in three locations, the firm could be successful wherever it went. K-Designers is now headquartered near Sacramento, California, and has 11 offices that serve 18 states and close to 900 representatives.

Over the past thirty years, theyve fine-tuned systems for doing exterior renovations, and all staff are trained in these systems at firm headquarters near Sacramento, CA before going out into the field.

K-Designers Testimonials

“I have received many compliments from family and friends”, says Tony Gontar of Cheyenne, Wyoming. “I instantly noticed fewer drafts in the house and outside noise is far less than before. The new siding looks great and has added value to my home. I also appreciate the good work the crew from K-Designers did. They were very careful, polite, and courteous. Their work was professional and neat. ”

K-Designers is bucking the downtrend in the construction field with maturation plans that include widening to new markets through acquisitions, broadening its product line for different geographical regions and marketing to its existing base of over 100,000 clientele. K-Designers is one of the few construction companies that is actively seeking new associates and offers good prospects for career development over the next few years.

A Royal Flush Is Just a Click away

March 21st, 2010

What made internet poker a favorite pastime of today? Put simply, the accessibility of a top website, any time, any place. And what criteria do you have to measure up to? None. You can play at home, you can play as beginner or expert, but there’s no obstruction to playing. You can only grow as a player by learning to win against more savvy veterans, as the saying goes, and the range of sites available allows you to always pick out one of the best internet poker haunts for your skill level.

Since the first website was launched, in 1998, the realm of internet poker has grown around the world until it encompasses thousands of domains, including some of the top poker sites online. Nestled in the luxury of your sofa you’ll have the chance to deal against the poker aficionados who are on these sites daily playing all forms of poker. As the game grew in popularity it muddied the waters between the internet game and that played in casinos. The top game sites debuted tournaments for their subscribers boasting awards like entry to World Poker Tours. Not long following the introduction of these stakes, an online star didn’t just attend one of the bigger events but triumphed, drawing attention to the internet game like never before. The idea spread immediately, and it seemed like everyone was competing to find the easiest poker game website with the goal of coming away a future champion.

Today, most internet play sites organize leagues promising entry to established offline tours offered to the victor. We’re not merely talking about minor competitions, either. One such is the well-known World Series of Poker where spectators see over one hundred million dollars each year. The series takes its players on a tour of many of the greatest casinos set against that scene of sumptuous luxury and high-rolling excess. Remember the World Poker Tour? It put the spotlight on online poker as the tour which was first won by a veteran of internet poker — and we should point out that you can still qualify in the same manner. Don’t forget, being dealt hands in venues like Casino Europe and Festa al Lago, there are big pots, big names, and a whole lot of excitement. Players who win can earn their spots in the events they watched as fans on TV. You don’t need to be from a particular nation, or be famous. Why not try? Just log in to the internet contests and triumph to prove your right to your seat next to the famous. We shouldn’t forget, as we initially discussed, new fans and casual players can also find a good forum for them in the easier poker sites giving them as much fun but with lower stakes.

So You’re Going for Cheryl and Company’s Online Cookies Service…

March 20th, 2010

Cheryl & Co can make your loved ones grin from ear to ear with delightful cookies. They offer a wide range of top-notch cookies and you can send these to anyplace you’d like across the USA. Every one of their wonderful gift boxes, hampers, or brilliantly colored tins is attractively decorated and is taken fresh right to your loved one’s home. It is a simple and novel way to cheer your partner, family members, customers, and business associates. The very first store opened its doors in Columbus, OH in nineteen eighty one. Not even a decade after opening their doors they had eminently extended their product range. It wasn’t long before the cookie provider was marketing its baked goods in carefully chosen stores, and then introduced a department devoted to corporate customers. The business took advantage of the internet to facilitate easy ordering and nowadays are part of the 1800Flowers.com family. Preserving the superiority of their traditional recipes is the company’s first priority. Each batch of cookies is shipped right away to make sure it is received in perfect condition. Everything made by Cheryl and Co is free from artificial colorings and flavors. Chocolate chip, peanut butter, oatmeal, and frosted varieties are for sale as well as a variety of unique recipes, like cinnamon pumpkin. Your most difficult task is picking what to send.

The choice is not simply limited to cookies as brownies and top class chocolates are available too. You can purchase boxes, tins and towers full of carefully selected varieties. On the other hand, just pick out an arrangement and then choose the recipient’s preferred treats. When you view the brownie shop online you’ll see the range boasts frosted, nut and even attractively iced holiday brownies. Pick out an elegantly packaged gift to thank a customer or work colleague. Alternatively, let a close friend know you miss them and are thinking about them by picking out an arrangement of treats in a more light-hearted hamper. As you’d expect when it comes to holidays and special occasions, they provide especially designed goodies with an appropriate theme. Cheryl and Co have a gift for even the most discerning individuals, from Christmas gift hampers to wedding gifts and delicious treats for new moms. Thus, next time you require to purchase a present, why not shoot them an e-mail?

Where Should I Search for Low Price Storage Facilities in Houston?

March 19th, 2010

Moving to Houston? Perhaps you’re running out of space in your current place, or maybe your kids have left home and you’re in the market for a more appropriate place to live. Maybe you just want to set the bric a brac aside. Whatever the case, consider Houston self storage. When you’re in town or leasing storage, finding a quality storage provider to match your needs is sometimes a challenge.

Searching on the Net is the easiest way to find low price Houston storage facilities. You’ll be sure to find comprehensive lists of Houston self storage companies on a number of web sites. Visiting one of these web sites it’s possible to compare companies, read testimonials, and shop around for the right deal for you. No guesswork needed and no reason to leave your house for research, let alone to drive the Houston streets. There is no more convenient way of finding the right company with the best offer than from your comfortable chair! When searching for reasonably priced Houston self storage units, it can be wise to keep an eye out for deals and coupons that your firm of choice might have in circulation at the time. These may be advertised by the independent web site itself. Should that not be the case, you can ask before making your order.

Another upside to searching for self storage in Houston using the Net is the ability to check which units each storage provider offers. You can, as an example, check the quantity of available temperature regulated storage facilities, and even the sizes that can currently be had. You can also book time with storage experts if you’re looking to protect items such as cars, antiques, wines, and other delicate belongings needing particular care.

Before you compare Houston storage firms, you need to find out exactly what comes with your rental unit and what features are included. Added security is essential if you’ll be storing something that would be expensive to replace. At what times can you get hold of your belongings? Where the facility is is important as well, particularly if you expect to make use of constant access. Finding reasonably priced Houston self storage is as effortless as turning on your PC. Not only that but, making savvy use of comparison web sites for Houston self storage and lots of other assets so easily accessible, you’ll find you can shop more effectively than before. Web comparison searches are definitely the number one route to Houston self storage.