Carmen Electra's Aerobic Strip Tease - Vegas Strip

Carmen Electra's Aerobic Strip Tease: Vegas Strip is a 30-minute workout video. Carmen is known for her "strip" workout videos and has created another new video that will work your body to the maximum. It incorporates easy hip movements and dance combinations that are easy to learn and fun to do. Carmen incorporates the art of burlesque and striptease to work up a sweat.

This video is really easy to get into, and actually makes you feel good at the end of the 30 minutes. When I put the video in, I was expecting the 30 minutes to be a piece of cake and not "feel the burn" and feel like that was 30 minutes of my life I will never get back. My preconceived notions were completely wrong, and I was glad.

Throughout the video there is positive feedback. Carmen tries to make sure the participants are comfortable with the movements. She teaches the moves in slow motion, then she has you add the arms, then she does the movements with the counts. Then she does the movements with the music. After every new eight count is learned, the routine starts back at the beginning with the music. The movements feel awkward at first, but once you get into it it is a lot of fun. It teaches you how to be comfortable with yourself and your body. Carmen is always giving positive feedback along with pointers like "Keep your feet together here."

To do this workout, no previous experience is needed. The point of the video is to make you feel more comfortable with yourself, and teach you some fun moves. There is some bonus material. In the bonus material, there a segment on the making of this video.
The only criticism I have of this video is that it is too short. It would have been better if it was longer than 30 minutes, but it just means I am going to have to do it more often to get results that I want.

Other videos with similar workouts by Carmen Electra include: Carmen Electra's Aerobic Striptease Collection - Carmen's Fitness Collection, Carmen Electra's Aerobic Strip Tease: In The Bedroom, and Carmen Electra's The Lap Dance and Hip Hop.

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/12/27/003103.php (link to publication)

Visiting NYC in 3 days!

New York, the city that never sleeps, is jam packed with exciting historical locations, museums, and shopping for tourists and locals. You may think that a week is necessary in order to see all of the attractions with the major hustle and bustle of this city. Well, that would be wrong, because if you have time management skills, New York can easily be conquered in one weekend.

The only important items necessary in order to prepare for a full schedule is a decent travel book, comfortable shoes, and a metro card which is easy to purchase at the nearest metro station.

It is important to arrive in New York City by early afternoon in order to be able to fit in the sites and tourist attractions. The best place to stay would be a hostel because you only sleep there. Jazz on the Park, located on 106 Street and Manhattan, is the perfect spot. It is a quaint place for a room and complimentary breakfast for a mere $36 a night per person. The best aspect is that Europeans will fill the entire place. You can mingle with other guests and learn about other places while enjoying coffee with milk.

Jazz on the Park resembles life in a dorm at college. There are two community bathrooms on each floor, so avoiding the other guests is almost impossible. You are staying in close quarters so getting to know the people on your floor can be very exciting and interesting. Who knows, maybe you will want to spend more time with them outside the hostel!

Day 1

Once in New York and checked in, spend the rest of your first day traveling through Chinatown and Little Italy. These bargaining spots are located on the East Side of Manhattan on Canal Street. If you are lucky you can have the special experience of being offered a “real” designer handbag for a steal. You can only see them by heading through the secret passage that is activated via a remote control, similar to what you would use to unlock your car. Once up the stairs, in a hot and ridiculously small area (where about five other people are) “real” designer bags hung throughout tiny area. You can choose from Coach, Prada, Dooney and Bourke, and Channel. After a certain amount of browsing, the woman will throw you out, saying, “The police are coming.” She will lead you once again down the stairs where a call is placed to make sure the coast is clear. Then she will pull out the remote and unlock the door, and off to freedom you go.

Little Italy offers numerous coffee shops that serve delectable pastries for a decent price.

A half-day is all you need to maneuver through Chinatown and Little Italy.

Day 2

On your first full day, it is important to get an early start. New York has numerous flea markets full of antique jewelry, handbags, clothes, and other trinkets where you can bargain down the price. These flea markets are located in Chelsea. An hour or two should be sufficient time to browse through the items. Then catch the local bus that goes uptown to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The Met is one of the most extraordinary museums ever built. Located on 5^th street in-between the Upper West Side and the Upper East Side. It is so amazing that once you walk in, the place is full of people and you can barely move. It is a good idea to check your coat and bag to enjoy the art hands free. Don’t be fooled by the admission prices to enter. They are only suggested amounts, so really, you can pay whatever you feel comfortable with.

Once you have finished at the Met, ride the subway down to the Bowling Green stop at the very south end of the island. This is the location of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. For a mere $12, you will ride the ferry to both locations, snap pictures, and enjoy the history.

By the end of the ferry ride back to land, you can become extremely hungry and parched, as the only food available at the very south end of the island are day old pretzels and pricey sodas. The best and closest historic location would be George Washington’s Tavern. From the ferry station, the tavern is only a 10 minute walk. This used to be his watering hole, and where he brought his troops at the end of the Revolutionary War. They have a wonderful restaurant and bar. In the bar, expect to watch horse races on five plasma screen TVs.

After a yummy meal, head uptown and stop at the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street. Located in the Financial District on the south end of the island, it is an exciting location. It is a little dead during the weekend, but a good time to take photographs because no one usually gets in the shot. It is an exciting place and you can imagine the hundreds of people that flood the street during the workweek. Standing on Wall Street, you can imagine the tension and pressure the daily stock market brings. When no one is around, it is fun to pretend you are on the trading floor, shouting out numbers and offers. The good thing is no one is around to witness your fun.

The next stop is Ground Zero, which is located in the Financial District. Jump back on the metro and head toward the World Trade Center stop. This historic event is incredible because it is difficult to visualize how much space these towers once took up. There is a sign commemorating those who survived the attack and a list of those who lost their lives. A plan is displayed so you can see the blueprint of what is going to be built in the empty area.

The very last stop is Times Square. Times Square is always a happening location because it is where the tourist shops are found as well as all of the Broadway plays. Times Square has a montage of advertisement billboards that are striking and worthy of a photograph. On weekends between 5^th Avenue and 7^th Avenue, you can find a flea market filled with sunglasses, apparel, jewelry, and handbags galore. There is wonderful street vendor food, ranging from Mexican food to french fries. It is all reasonably priced and the food is to die for.

Day 3

The last day is totally dedicated to The Empire State Building, which is in-between Times Square and the Garment District in Chelsea. Because you are on a time constraint, a mere $42 will get you a “fast pass” to the building. This means no waiting in lines. You could potentially be standing in line for up to an hour just to buy a ticket, and then it is another hour or more to get in the elevator to reach the 80^th floor. With the fast pass, you can have an interactive ride similar to the Star Wars ride at Disneyland. It is narrated by Kevin Bacon and is a virtual tour of New York City.

After the Empire State Building tour, it is about that time to head toward the airport, where hailing a cab will be easy as they are everywhere. The best way to snag a cab is to stand in the middle of a cross walk with your arm in the air waving to attract the attention. Or you can wait for someone to get out of a cab and jump right in as he/she is paying. With so much rich culture and history, you can see all of the sights New York City has to offer in one weekend, provided you maximize every day.

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/12/04/221550.php (link to publication)

Aesthetics...Appealing to More

Imagine walking into the waiting room of an aesthetician that is filled with plastic chairs, artificial plants, old magazines and overflowing ashtrays. While the receptionist is polite, waiting for a facial is the same as waiting for any other service. Once the aesthetician is ready for your appointment, the pampering begins. The client crawls into a warm bed covered with clean white sheets. As the aesthetician begins working, the client falls into a relaxed state while receiving a facial massage.

Today, the client walks into a spa where melodic violin music is softly playing in the background, and the air is scented with the soothing fragrance of candles. An escort leads the client to a locker to store personal belongings. Changing into a fluffy white robe and slippers, the client heads to a bed covered with fragrant white sheets. Tools for injections, needles and face products fill the counters. Settling into the covers, the client begins relaxing and feels his/her eyelids slowly close to the rhythmic music playing in the aesthetics room. The aesthetician’s goal is to provide a relaxing and peaceful environment where the client receives complete pampering.

Aesthetics once appealed to a small demographic of women. This elite class was the primary clientele because they had large sums of disposable income, and considerable leisure time. Services were utilized in order to remain relaxed and feel renewed and refreshed.

Today, the aesthetics industry has discovered a way to appeal to a wider market: welcome the working middle class.

With the addition of the working middle class, there has been a shift in desired services from aestheticians. Clients are demanding longer-lasting results from services to continue to appear younger looking. Anti-aging and medical aesthetics have received a major boost in popularity because for a little more money, results from the procedures are effective for a longer period of time.

“People have become more educated in taking care of their skin, and there is an array of different financial levels of people who come in,” says Eckles, aesthetician and owner of Beaujola spa in Scottsdale, Arizona. “A working class person comes in every six weeks instead of every three or four. It is definitely appealing to a larger mass at all income levels.”

Dr. Juan A. Brou, a licensed and certified plastic surgeon in Oklahoma and owner of a private practice, performs nonsurgical cosmetic services. Dr. Brou has practiced medical aesthetics for about twelve years. His services include: fraxel (aids in removing unwanted acne scars, brown spots, and wrinkles), botox injections, soft tissue fillers (helps restore volume and fullness to skin), laser hair removal, and skin care.

“The best part of my job is that I affect their lives and do significant life changes in things that they [the clients] don’t have the power to change. Even though it appears to be frivolous or superficial, it is really very meaningful to many people,” Dr. Brou says.

While there has been a shift in clientele, there has also been a shift in services.

“People don’t want the basic facial, they want something that will do more for them,” Eckles says. “It is becoming more advanced, and a lot of light therapy is the new cutting edge in the industry. Every aesthetician is different, and most of the anti-aging is the most popular service.”

D’Armi Esthetics University of Scottsdale is strictly an aesthetics school. Director of Education Amy Hirshfeld works closely with the students to ensure they are receiving the best education possible to be prepared for the industry.

Hirshfeld is only one of twenty certified aesthetic instructors in the State of Arizona and has opened several successful spas and salons.

“Over the past few decades it has progressed from a minor role in the beauty industry into a wide variety of specialized services offered in medi-spas, wellness centers, cosmetic surgery centers, destination resorts, salons and day spas,” Hirshfeld says. “The professional avenues and career options that a licensed esthetician has are infinite due to the constant progression of esthetics.”

Eternity Aesthetics & Anti-Aging, a spa in New York City, New York, offers patients a private medical spa and anti-aging services “in a private and state-of-the-art treatment room.”

Dr. Patrick M. O’Shaughnessy transitioned from emergency medicine to aesthetics and anti-aging after working and training with numerous plastic surgeons.

“[I] saw the desire for [my] anti-aging patients to improve upon their cosmetic appearance,” Dr. O’Shaughnessy says, according to the Eternity Aesthetics & Anti-Aging website. “[I] continued post graduate training to obtain certification in various cosmetic laser modalities, as well as become certified in the administration of various nonsurgical cosmetic restorative techniques including, BOTOX, Restylane, and chemical peels.”

There are two different types of spas where an aesthetician offers services: a beauty spa or a medical spa. Both types of spas offer basic facial and body treatments; whereas, a medical spa also offers injections and deeper chemical peels.

“There has been an explosion in popularity for botox injections. It has grown exponentially,” Dr. Brou says. “Even the simple injections of dermal fillers, such as Restylane, are popular because there is more publicity for these services. People are more aware of these procedures.”

Often, doctors with successful dermatology or plastic surgery practices will incorporate medical aesthetics into their practice. In these cases, a doctor is on hand to administer, or as a minimum, supervise these procedures.

Dr. Brou says that he has noticed a clientele increase in medical procedures. “People are a lot more conscious about their looks and health in general.”

Medical aesthetics can be used in conjunction with medical services.

“There are a lot of lasers and other highly technical procedures that offer improvements without surgery, which is much more appealing to the general public,” Dr. Brou says. “Procedures are more affordable and it’s safer.”

The aesthetics industry has grown rapidly over the years with an increase in clientele and in offered procedures. People are willing to pay top dollar to maintain healthy, younger looking skin. Now that the facial bliss is complete, the client stirs from the relaxing and soothing environment. As the client removes the fluffy white robe and slips back into his/her regular clothes the feeling of rejuvenation, and renewal is overwhelming. With soft glowing skin, the client begins the process of entering the real world once again.

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/11/26/141117.php (Link to publication)

Singletini Review

Singletini by Amanda Trimble is an entertaining novel that follows the lives of four single women in Chicago. Victoria Hart is a professional “wingwoman,” or rather a matchmaker hired to help inexperienced men find Miss Right. A singletini is a “curious type of female typically found living in urban settings; possessing an unusual, some would say deathly, fear of growing up and getting married,” as well as an alcoholic drink Vic and her friends created. When Vic starts to fall for one of her clients, she becomes busier than ever. Her 25^th birthday ends up being more drama than excitement. When her life is suddenly swarmed with wingwoman gigs and a wedding to help plan, she has to decide what is important to her. Will she be able to handle grown up life after all?

Amanda Trimble grew up in Illinois and is an award-winning copywriter. Singletini is her first novel, and her second is in the works. Her writing can be seen in Teen magazine. She currently lives in San Francisco.

Singletini is a humorous and entertaining novel. The characteristics of each girl are so vivid that it is easy to visualize Vic, Gwynn, Kimmie, and Julia. Each girl is just like a friend every woman has. There is the organized, overly anal one, the goofy immature one, the studious one, and the pushover. Think of these characters and visualize the hit TV show, Friends. There is one Monica, one Rachel, one Phoebe and a combination of all three in one. The book is a quick, easy, and enjoyable read.

The only negative about the book is it jumps right into the action. The reader does not have any insight to the characters in the beginning. The action starts right away and then it returns to before the action and explains how the event happened. It makes for an interesting read, but is a little unclear in the beginning.

I found this book to be more enjoyable than books written by Emily Giffin. The reader is left in angst to find out what Vic decides to do. She is such a character that is easy to relate to and I grew attached to Vic and her life. While I was reading, I found myself responding to her actions out loud. I would yell “What are you doing!?” or I would gasp at shocking and outrageous information. The material is compelling and relates to real life. Although some of the scenes are drawn out for reaction, I definitely responded in the way that Trimble envisioned a reader would.

Singletini is similar in style to books written by Sophie Kinsella and Emily Giffin.

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/11/08/183754.php (Link to publication)

The Gatecrasher by Madeline Wickham tells the story of Fleur Daxeny. Fleur attends the funerals of London women, hoping to snare a grieving husband. The men find Fleur charming, witty, and beautiful. They offer her money, a home, and a country club lifestyle which she gracefully embraces. When she becomes bored, she begins to read the obituaries again in search of a new conquest. Life with Richard Favour becomes comfortable, and once accepted into his home and family Fleur finds it difficult to leave. She spots another gold digger vying for Richard’s attention. Will her past come back to haunt her, or will she finally find what she wanted all along?

Madeleine Wickham, also known as Sophie Kinsella, lives in England with her family. She is a former financial journalist who has become a best-selling author for her “Shopaholic” series as well as many other novels including: Cocktails for Three, Tennis Party, and Wedding Girl.

After having the book cover catch my eye, I purchased it and began to read. Fascinated by the characters and Fleur’s scandalous actions, I had a difficult time putting down the book. Within twelve hours, the book was read, cover to cover in one sitting. The vivid descriptions of the hats and clothing made it easy to visualize the character. It was enjoyable to read about how Fleur would go to great lengths to find a decent man with a boat load of money. People can relate to Fleur because everyone knows someone just like her. Fleur thinks she will be satisfied with material things rather than love. It is not a deep thinking book. It is an entertaining book, that is pleasurable to read, and it kept me interested. After reading the book, it made me appreciate the simplicity of my own life and friends. It must be exhausting to have Fleur’s lifestyle.

The book had a predictable, happy ever after ending, which part of me liked, but part of me thought Fleur didn’t deserve. The book had a quick wrap up that was a bit choppy. It left me thinking, “This is it?” The Gatecrasher reminded me of movies like Spiderman, She’s All That, and 10 Things I Hate About You. All these movies have conflict, but resolve happily and predictably.

This book is suitable for teenagers and older. There is a brief discussion of drugs, explicit language, and some sexual references. Other books that are similar in style include Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Baby Proof, The Undomestic Goddess and Cocktails for Three.

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/10/30/180303.php (Link to publication)

Peaceful Warrior, The Movie

Peaceful Warrior, a movie, is based on the true story Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman. The movie focuses on Dan and his gymnastics career at the University of California at Berkley. He is a collegiate gymnast who suffers a tragic accident that should prevent him from ever competing in gymnastics and possibly the simplest of life tasks like walking. During his time at Berkley, he meets a man whom he calls Socrates. Socrates provides Dan a new way to look at life. Through the teachings of Socrates, Dan learns to become a warrior.

Peaceful Warrior is directed by Victor Salva, and stars Scott Mechlowicz as Dan Millman and Nick Nolte as Socrates. The movie premiered in three locations in 2006, Los Angeles, California, New York, New York, and Chicago, Illinois. It became available on DVD March 30, 2007.

The beginning of the movie, about the first five minutes, is very closely related to the novel. The relationship between Dan and Socrates made Dan more aware of himself. Dan learned how to enjoy each day individually and become a better person. He learned he cannot totally control his own future. He learned that happiness isn’t in having a different woman in his bed every night or having hundreds of trophies and being an excellent student; rather, happiness is about living and enjoying life each day and realizing that life is a process of attaining ones goals or dreams.

There were many negatives about the Peaceful Warrior. The main point of the book was not the focus of the movie, although it had a major impact. The book focuses on the changes Dan makes in his life and how he applies the techniques to his gymnastics training. The movie focuses on the gymnastics aspect of the story. The events happen out of order in the movie, so it does not follow the chronological outline the book provides. Important conversations and teachings with Socrates were left out, which explains Dan’s healing process. Socrates is the main reason for Dan healing, and by not understanding this, the movie is not understood. The viewer of the movie does not understand all of the depth and insight Socrates instills in Dan, and that is unfortunate. The movie does not focus on the importance of Socrates and his effects on Dan. There were scenes in the movie that never occurred in the book.

After having read the book, I was so excited to watch the movie. While taking notes so I could remember what I wanted to talk about, I have never been so angry with a movie, ever. Half of the book was left out and the parts that were left out were very significant to the storyline and Dan’s life. It is never mentioned that he has a divorce while Socrates sends him away for nine years.

This movie is recommended to teenagers and older due to sexual references and alcohol usage. Other movies similar to the Peaceful Warrior are Stick It or any of the Rocky movies.

http://www.amazon.com/review/RVSOT8L1J5RQ2/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm/ (Link to publication)

I love Britney Spears

It’s funny how our lives revolve around celebrity gossip. Everywhere I turn, tabloids, E! News, or the school paper, Britney Spears, regardless of what she does, manages to break headlines. It seems like half of the time it is never positive press. Isn’t there a saying, “Even bad press is good press?” I am a huge Britney fan, and really could care less about what tabloids say. Sure they could be right, but I am also sure they are an exaggeration of the truth in order to sell magazines. I am sure a vast majority of the claims made about her would have never been made if the paparazzi just left her alone. It seems like we have nothing better to do than tear celebrities to shreds.

Would we care so much about the bad things Britney has done if it was publicized for people who weren’t celebrities? Would Joe Nobody make the news for driving with his child on his lap…would it be such a huge deal? Probably not. Why do we care so much about every move Britney makes? Does it really make people sleep at night knowing she is struggling?

I love my round of gossip as well, but really, if I never saw another article about someone not wearing panties, getting pulled over, getting a DUI, or doing the cool new celeb thing by going to jail, I would still sleep as soundly as I do now. Surprisingly, my life does not center around celebrity gossip.

What was the most positive bit of news we have heard about Britney? Does anyone care that she has launched a new perfume called Believe available in stores in early October at Macys? Do we care that her album, Blackout, hits stores October 30? Do we care that earlier this month she held dance auditions for her tour in California? Why isn’t there media on the positive events?

It surprises me that the media would rather tear down a popstar who once dominated the music charts and was the biggest female artist in the world. Why doesn’t anyone want to put a positive spin on her trying to get things in her life back to normal? I mean the first positive thing she did was actually perform on the VMAs in September. She showed up, it may not have been her best performance, but considering the past year she has had, props to her for sticking with something. This is still the same Britney who was a mouseketeer with Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera and J.C. Chasez.

I hope her album just blows people away. I really think it is going to be a fantastic album and I will be that person who actually goes into the store and proudly buys her album. I have purchased a hard copy of every CD Britney has put out, and am damn proud of it. Sure she has undergone several issues in the last year, but let’s think about it, maybe she needed to go through all of this to get to a place she really wants to be. Maybe in the end the shaved head (which I think she did to rid herself of K-Fed...which to me is a smart, smart move), will be one of the smartest moves she has ever made. Who else would shave her head to rid herself of toxic situations? I am a full supporter of Britney’s career…and maybe everything she has done is to get her name in the tabloids, and if that’s the case, she surely nailed that one…she is probably the most talked about celebrity ever and well hey, that’s publicity, right?

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/10/29/140828.php (Link to publication)

The Greatest Woman I've Ever Known

She is a woman who put herself through college on out-of-state tuition. She is a woman who married the man of her dreams. She wore the ideal white gown that made her strawberry-blonde hair appear darker and her light blue eyes softer. She had a small elegant ceremony and the reception was in the backyard of the house she and her husband just purchased. Seven months later, she learned she was pregnant with her first child. She spent the next nine months devoted to preparing for the child. Standing at 5'4", she became the cute pregnant woman because being so short and having such a large belly attracted everyone's attention. When she learned the baby was a boy, her dreams were crushed. She really wanted a daughter. A boy, well, she would learn to deal with it.

December 19th came around and, to her surprise and that of all the doctors that were on call that day, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Ashley. You can even blame Ashley for the way her hair changed from a beautiful strawberry blonde to a common blonde shade. When Ashley came into the world, the woman's life was dedicated to every need Ashley had. Three years later, and pregnant, the woman learned she did not want to know the sex. Again, she had the cute pregnant woman appearance due to her shortness and large, round belly. To her surprise, on October 10, she gave birth to another baby girl.

The minute her second child was born, she devoted every minute to her daughters. Her needs didn't seem important anymore. Her wardrobe shifted from dress pants, blouses, and lovely shoes to something that would allow spills and spit ups, but maintain some of its color when it was washed a million times. She spent her time cooking, cleaning, changing diapers, and feeding her girls. She never had a moment for herself, yet she was content with her life.

As her girls grew up, she enrolled them in dance and gymnastics classes. She never expected one to stick with it for 12 years. When one outgrew gymnastics due to crotching the balance beam, Ashley became solely a dancer. The woman's life became one big jigsaw puzzle: figuring out how to drive at least one girl to practice and balancing the checkbook so both girls could have all the work-out outfits and costumes they needed. Don't forget the countless recitals and competitions she had to attend.

As the younger daughter became more advanced in gymnastics, traveling to competitions became a requirement. The woman traveled to Illinois, California, Nevada, and Hawaii, to name a few. She always told her daughters, "As long as you love what you do, cost doesn't matter."
By the time Ashley hit high school the woman's relationship with her daughters shifted. She started to become a friend. She was soon teaching Ashley how to drive and she was meeting her boyfriends. It hit her that her girls were growing up. Before she knew it, both girls were in high school and planning for college.

Her youngest daughter quit gymnastics and picked up cheerleading. Somehow this seemed more dangerous than gymnastics, but she was proud of her daughter regardless. Ashley, a senior, was getting ready to move away from home, the first difficult motherly task. Ashley was accepted to George Washington University in Washington D.C., and packing quickly overwhelmed the woman. Soon August came, and Ashley was in college.

A year later, the woman got a call from the high school saying she needed to come get her daughter. There had been an accident. The woman happened to be in the tub when the call came, so she finished up, applied her makeup, and then headed to the school, which was a mile down the street. To her dismay she learned her daughter was dropped from a cheer stunt and needed to go to the hospital. The woman watched her daughter curse at the nurse and cry in agony. This was something she had never seen from her daughter. She was the tough one and never cried when she got hurt.

This was not her last trip to the hospital. She returned again in October so her daughter could have surgery on her leg because it didn't heal properly. She held her daughter's hand as Dr. Skank (his real name was Shank, but Skank is more fun to say!) whisked her into the operating room. The last thing she said to her was, "When you wake up, ask for the drugs." Needless to say this was not what her daughter asked for; she said, "I'm hungry. Give me food."

Two years later, the youngest daughter was off to college. Again, the woman helped pack her up and took her to school. That next spring, the woman received a similar tragic call from Ashley while away at college. It was her last year and she had somehow managed to stay clear of hospitals. (Any time something happened to Ashley, the cut got infected and she went to the hospital. It was always a severe, expensive situation.) Ashley was in serious pain. She had to go to the hospital. She had appendicitis, and her appendix needed to be removed. The woman immediately jumped into her travel attire, which consisted of a black velour jacket and matching pants, caught a redeye flight to Washington D.C., and was there by 8 A.M. when Ashley woke up from her drugged state. The woman stayed for over a week helping her daughter to and from school, carrying her backpack for her, helping her to the bathroom - everything a sick child wants from their mommy.

The woman now had her life back. Her motherly obligations were done. She had raised two amazing daughters who were accepted into college and had career plans. She could go back to being a married woman whose husband, now retired, constantly wanting to spend time with her. His idea of fun — sitting outside in the blazing 110-degree heat — was not her cup of tea, but she did it anyway.

He tagged along on all of her errands, even when it included going shopping. He harassed her with, "Why do you need that?" or "You don't really need that, do you?" or "We're on a budget." Her response was always "Yes, I always need it." What she "needed" was always another pair of black dress pants or another jacket to go with the black pants that would sit in the closet with the price tag still attached waiting for years to be worn. I think she is confused between need and want.

Anyway, now, her oldest daughter, Ashley, has graduated college with a double major and a Masters Degree. Her youngest daughter is about to graduate from the University of Oklahoma, one year early, and is about to celebrate her 21st birthday. She said to her daughter on the phone, "You're my baby; you're not supposed to turn 21."

She is the best woman I have ever known. She gave up her life and devoted it to her kids. She gave them everything they could ever want or need. Who is this woman? She's my mom.

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/10/04/111740.php (Link to Publication)

How Significant Historical Events Affected African Americans in the Magazine Industry

Propaganda and Aesthetics: The Literary Politics of Afro-American Magazines in the Twentieth Century by Abby Arthur Johnson and Ronald Maberry Johnson explains how Afro-American magazines paved the way for black writers since the early 1900s. Magazines such as Voice of the Negro and Horizon gave black writers a place to be published where they could provide insight to readers in ways that they had not been able to do before. These magazines began with a focus on political and social issues, which eventually led to the creation of black literature. Six chapters tell the saga of American history, while Afro-American writers were focusing on issues that were important to them. American history along with the history of African American magazines showed that these magazines are now historical documents in their own right.

Throughout the book, historical context is taken into consideration, with more emphasis given to significant issues. Historical information from the late 19th century sets the tone early in the novel and helps to understand and explain what was happening when Afro-American magazines were an upcoming phenomenon. The authors show how magazines were used to address the cultural attitudes and helped give a voice to those attitudes. They discuss the "function of black art" and whether this was racial propaganda or art with no racial bias. Publications change over time, from Voice of the Negro to magazines such as Crisis and Messenger that reflected the Harlem Renaissance. Themes changed to reflect Depression-era problems. A number of small magazines and special issues chronicled concerns for blacks through the early 1970s. Over the past century the names of the magazines changed but the focus and issues important to blacks always remained the same.

The Afro-American magazines that addressed issues from the 1900s to 1976 are important to American history and should be considered historical documents on their own. It was interesting to read about the evolution of African American magazines and publications and how they fit into the American history timeline. As a whole, Afro-American magazines can be accepted at face value because they provide insight into a segment of society that has not had much of a voice over the years. The ideas of these magazines are interesting; and, while one may not believe every word in every story, it enhances the understanding of life for blacks in the 1900s.

Propaganda and Aesthetics provides immense detail on how past publications have evolved to address issues for blacks. The book is divided into six chapters that discuss different topics in a chronological order. The chronicle is told mostly through quotes from significant writers, poets, editors, and important African Americans. This creates a very well-researched novel in which historical information was taken into account. The information provided through quotes, instead of through the authors directly adds depth for the reader. The quotes help explain the time period, changes made to publications, and the significant events facing blacks. The long quotes and continuous name dropping in a single sentence causes the reader difficulty in deciphering who is receiving the attribution.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A76ENWTOYT849/ref=cm_pdp_profile_reviews/104-7781901-3577547?ie=UTF8&sort%5Fby=MostRecentReview (Link to publication)

Vieques...Complete and Utter Paradise

Vieques, a lush green island off the coast of Puerto Rico, is a destination that offers complete and utter paradise. It is popular with expatriates and is a very traditional island. It looks like cattle country in California with dry, rolling hills, wandering herds of horses, and flocks of white egrets. The island contains many gorgeous beaches, a small rainforest, exotic wild flowers, and many types of tree frogs and mongooses. Over 100 fine-gaited horses wander wild over the island. They are descended from 16th-century Spanish horses. Known as the Little Girl Island or the Isabel II, Vieques gains its name from the Taino Indians meaning small island.

Vieques is situated about eight miles off the coast of Puerto Rico, and in 1854 Puerto Rico annexed the island. Geographically, however, it belongs to the Virgin Islands. The only way to get to the island is by ferry or airplane. The ferry ride covers vast blue choppy waters, with views of bright green trees for miles. When pulling into the ferry station, a distant view of a rainbow is often apparent; with good fortune, a double rainbow is visible.

Vieques is 21 miles long and three miles wide with a population of a little more than 9,000. Some of the natives to the island work in factories, but there is very high unemployment. New income derives from agriculture, which is becoming more important to the island just as it was in the past. The island is absolutely beautiful with white sandy beaches and family-owned restaurants and shops.

Vieques has three white sand beaches, Red Beach, Blue Beach, and Green Beach, which are excellent for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba-diving. There is a cave one can swim to and explore for shells and coral just 75 yards off the Blue Beach. Green Beach is difficult to reach as the way is long and rocky. Those daring enough to reach Green Beach can explore a mile long dock that was built during the last century.

Puerto Diablo (Port Devil) near Roco Cucharacha (Cockroach Rock) on the north coast of Vieques is where the third point of the Bermuda Triangle is reported to be located.

Vieques is the perfect place to visit for a romantic honeymoon or a well deserved vacation.

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/09/27/211605.php (Link to publication)

Pool Maintenance Technician

Wanted: Pool Maintenance Technician. The ideal candidate will have a four year degree in chemistry, a mechanical engineering minor would be a plus, must have lettered in a college sport, and swimming skills are mandatory.

The job of pool maintenance technician is more invigorating than one might imagine. The applicant must possess a smoking body. After all, he is hired to clean the pool and be eye candy for the homemaker who is confined at home all day long. The preferred uniform for the pool maintenance technician is a Speedo, as it creates less mess in the house when he goes inside to get paid.

Day after day, the pool maintenance technician must check the pool’s chemistry that includes the levels of the acid and chlorine. If the levels aren’t just right adding chlorine or acid is necessary. Next, the pool maintenance technician must dive into the pool in order to retrieve the leaf baskets that have become full of dead insects, leaves, and twigs. Keep in mind, getting to the basket requires some endurance, and bulging biceps, as these baskets can be heavy.

Since the pool maintenance technician is already in the pool, he needs to maneuver around the water in order to get the leaves out of the pool that didn’t quite make it into the baskets. They may be stuck to the walls or unattractively floating on the surface.

Once the pool maintenance technician hops out of the pool, using his impeccable upper body strength to hoist himself out, he must lift the pool sweep out of the water to check that no rocks have been caught in the motor. Rocks in the motor can cause serious damage to the sweep which can be costly. Once the pool sweep has been cleaned out, serious six-pack abs and muscular arms are necessary to submerge the sweep back into the water; all the while, toned calves are a must to keep the pool maintenance technician stationary on the deck.

This is a hard job. Not only is the pool maintenance technician cleaning the pool, he is working in the blazing sun, which means he should possess an amazing tan. Since the uniform requirement is a Speedo, there will be minimal tan lines. The homeowner will personally supervise every move the pool maintenance technician makes.

Pool repairs are not part of the job description. The pool maintenance technician is expected to work Monday through Friday, rain or shine, and must spend a minimum of an hour between 9 AM and 4 PM maintaining the pool. This job requires serious levels of attention to detail, good communication skills with the homeowner, and a pleasant personality. Salary is negotiable, and three references are required upon interview. Equipment and supplies will be provided.

http://searchwarp.com/swa253914.htm (Link to publication)

Sex Toys are Not a New Phenomenon

Sex toys date back 30,000 years, before the invention of the wheel. They have evolved not only in style and material, but in the demographic of who uses them and ease of accessibility. Throughout the ages different types of sex toys became popular and then were updated as technology advanced.

The first sex toys, dildos, were discovered in Upper Paleolithic art, and leave no question as to what the intentions were. The Greeks also showcased dildos in paintings, but they did not classify people into sexual categories, such as homosexuals, bisexuals, transgendered or straight, and many of these people used dildos.

There are several art museums, the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Sex Museum in Amsterdam, with displays of sexual toys that are just as important as art. Sexual stone carvings of nude women portray them with enhanced breasts, hips, and buttocks. They may have been fertility goddesses or porn.

Between the 4^th century and the 6^th century, penis extenders, Kama Sutra, and Ben Wa balls were introduced. The Chinese used mirrors as a type of sex toy. They liked to watch.

During the Middle Ages, sex was referred to as “The Devil’s Work,” and whispers of sexual deeds or toys could be punishable by death. During this era men and women dressed in clothing that covered them from the neck to the feet. Women caught wearing sexy lingerie could be severely punished. The Roman Catholic Church persecuted those who were openly sexual by placing them in shackles or burning them at the stake.

In Italy, from the 14^th century to the 16^th century, dildos were called diletto, meaning delight. When these dildos, made of wood, ivory, leather, or stone, were used, olive oil was the preferred lubricant.

In the 1600s, the cock ring and clitoral stimulator, made of ivory, were invented, by the Chinese. These rings were made to look like dragons. In 1791, Justine published by the Marquis de Sade wrote of sex toys being used in “sexual power plays” with whips, nipple clips, and devices for restraint.

In 1869, Dr. George Taylor invented the first vibrator, which was a steam-powered apparatus. The steam-powered apparatus was a large piece of equipment used to treat the illness called “female hysteria.” Women during this time were not considered sexual, so this was a disease. In 1882, the first electromagnetic vibrator was created. This was smaller than the steam-powered device, and was a battery powered massager. The physician using this could change the vibratory sensations.

Motion pictures were invented in the 1890s. Soon afterward, film makers began making movies about women using vibrators and dildos, or the creation of pornography.

In Victorian England, sex toys as well as books that discussed human sexuality were taboo, but people were still sexually active and looking for unconventional ways to release their sexual tensions. During this time period, mid-19^th century, rubber dildos, butt plugs, and vibrators were created. Vibrators were sold as massagers; and day spas offered classy variations for an orgasm by way of steam-powered vibrating devices and water jet massages. Needless to say, these spas were very popular. Butt plugs were to help prevent losing sperm through ejaculation, while vibrators were to calm “hysteric” women, meaning an orgasm would mend the imbalances of sexual fantasies and anxiety.

In 1907, the Penis Stiffener was patented to aid in erection for those with dysfunctions. This is the first time a toy has been created to help a male with an erection problem. Women were obtaining sexual help at spas; now men were getting some help of their own. The mid 1920s brought KY jelly and the strip-tease. Strip-tease clothing became popular sexual toys and caused fans, furs, capes, and feather boas to become sexual accessories. By 1930, vibrators were advertised and sold to everyone.

In 1948, a sex survey, The Kinsey Report, showed that 94 percent of men and 40 percent of women sexually pleasured themselves to orgasm. The most shocking information from this book was that sex occurred more often when people were alone. Today, the same survey shows that men and women, of all ages, single, married, divorced or widowed sexually pleasure themselves, often with the aid of a sex toy.

1953 was a proud year for Hugh Hefner and the premiere of Playboy magazine, which is still very popular today, thanks to the E! show, Girls Next Door. Although some claimed Playboy was pornography, others said they read it for the articles. Playboy brought sex back into the open and into homes. Because of Playboy other publications were made, and Playboy helped pave the way for the sex toys of today. Sex toys in all sizes, colors, types, and brands are now easily obtained through the Internet and specialty stores like Fascinations, Christie’s Toy Box, and Castle Boutique.

Sex toys enhance sexual arousal, and sex toy parties are the new Tupperware parties. Passionparties.com “have been enhancing the sexual relationships with sensual products designed to promote intimacy and communication between couples.” Their parties can include Fun & Fantasy, Passion Edibles, and Passion Toys. These items are also available on their website to purchase. In order to have a party, the host must be at least 18 years old.

Sex toys have changed throughout the years although they still serve the same purpose of enhancing the sexual experience. While sex toys have evolved over the last 30,000 years, popularity has remained high, and sex toys are easily accessible.

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/09/25/120958.php (Link to publication)

Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman is a first-person narrative of the author’s search for happiness. A student at the University of California at Berkley, Dan’s life revolved around school and gymnastics. Stressed with his life Dan left his apartment and took a stroll around town. What he did not know is that this walk would change his life forever. His experiences and outlook on life changed once he entered the doors of the infamous gas station. Dan walked in the gas station and saw an old man sitting in a chair. When he walked out of the gas station, the same man was on the roof. Wanting to know how the man got on the roof, Dan returned nightly to obtain his answer. Over numerous years, Dan learned lessons that aided in his quest to become a Warrior.

Dan Millman is a University of California at Berkley graduate, a world trampoline champion, and member of the Gymnastics Hall of Fame. He was the director of gymnastics at Stanford University, and later became a professor at Oberlin College. He has written 13 self-help books and gives talks and seminars all over the United States and abroad. He currently lives in Northern California with his family.

This book is incredibly powerful and leaves the reader with a new perspective on life. The vividness of word choice creates a surreal vision. An explanation of The Warrior is offered by Socrates, Dan’s guide on his new quest. Socrates, 94, incorporates Eastern philosophy and Western fitness to embark on a spiritual odyssey to discover the meaning of life and becoming a warrior. Socrates uses humor, kindness, and love in his teachings to convey that happiness, creativity, and fulfillment can be achieved by developing one’s human potential. By the end of the book, it is difficult to have dry eyes. The reader really connects with Dan and has a desire for him to be successful in his journey.

This book was very hard to locate and is found in the New Age section of bookstores, an unusual area to search for a personal growth/fiction book. It is a story based on true aspects of Millman’s life.

This book is recommended for teenagers and older. It is important to have a good grasp of vocabulary and some life experience to understand the concept of this book. Other books by Dan Millman are: The Life You Were Born to Live: A Guide to Finding Your Life Purpose, and Wisdom of the Peaceful Warrior: A Companion to the Book that Changes Lives. The reader must be open to new ideas, and new ways of looking at oneself and the world to appreciate this story.

Way of the Peaceful Warrior has been made into a movie starring Nick Nolte, Scott Mechlowicz and Amy Smart. The movie version recently came out on DVD.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A76ENWTOYT849/ref=cm_cr_auth/002-4689296-3439253?ie=UTF8&sort%5Fby=MostRecentReview (Link to publication)

Rent Review

Rent is a Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning musical made into a movie. The story follows the life of a group of Bohemians for one year in New York City from 1989-1990. Mark Cohen is a filmmaker as well as the narrator who shares an apartment with his friend, Roger Davis, a striving musician whom is HIV-positive. Tom Collins is Mark and Roger's former roommate, who lost his job at MIT and is HIV-positive. Tom's lover, HIV-positive Angel, is a drag queen that holds the group together. Maureen Johnson is Mark's ex-girlfriend turned lesbian, whose girlfriend is lawyer, Joanne Jefferson. Lastly, Mimi Marquez is Roger's new girlfriend who works at the Cat Scratch Club, is a drug addict, and HIV-positive. The group of friends have a hard time finding work, and without money they cannot pay their rent. Throughout the movie, it is slowly understood who does and does not have HIV.

The composer, Jonathan Larson, was born in Mount Vernon, New York and attended Adelphi University on a full scholarship. After graduation he spent 12 years composing music for plays, and in 1994 he started to compose Rent. On the night of the last dress rehearsal for Rent, Jon died of Marfan's syndrome, a connective tissue disease.

The movie beautifully displays the strength of the friendships between the characters. They support each other unconditionally, whether attending life support meetings or helping another in work emergencies. There is a strong bond between those with HIV and those without, and they freely offer their time when one is sick. Angel is a strong, independent woman; she simply does not care about others' opinions and is the glue that keeps the group together. Eventually, the relationships disintegrate, and everyone goes their separate way. Two months later they all reconnect when one of the former friends encounters a tragic event. The music is compelling and enhances the storyline. Each character has his/her own style of sound when they sing, which is a reflection of his/her personality. Roger is the rocker, so when he is singing there is a harder drum beat and guitar sound, displaying his stubbornness and determination to succeed in the music industry. When Mimi sings, it is more passionate and soft with more focus on the piano, reflecting her innocence, and inexperience with life. The majority of the characters in the movie reprise their roles from the Broadway production.

The only criticism about the movie is after the first viewing it is difficult to have the same emotional reaction to the story. Secondary viewings allow the audience to pick up on new concepts originally overlooked.

This movie is suitable for those 15 and older due to the selling and use of drugs as well as the HIV storyline. The character dynamics and friendships in Rent are similar to the types of friendships in Hairspray and High School Musical I and II.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A76ENWTOYT849/ref=cm_cr_auth/002-4689296-3439253?ie=UTF8&sort%5Fby=MostRecentReview (Link to publication)

Baby Proof Review

Baby Proof is written by Emily Giffin. The novel has two main characters, Ben and Claudia, who share a similar bond: no children. They fall in love and decide to have a childfree marriage, something most couples find unacceptable. Life moves along happily and smoothly, until one of them has a change of heart about having children. This is the story of a loving couple who realize they want different things. Their lives are then turned upside down, they must decide what is most important to them, and figure out how they will go about achieving ultimate happiness and true love.

Emily Giffin is a New York Times Best-Selling author who lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and two sons. The first two novels were written in London, and Baby Proof was written in Atlanta. She has her bachelor's degree and attended law school in Virginia. In 2001, Giffin began writing full time and has published three books.

The story is very well developed, easy to follow, and extremely entertaining. The conversations between characters are similar to that of regular conversations between friends. Each character’s distinctive personality makes them realistic and causes the reader to care about their problems. The issues Ben and Claudia must confront to keep love alive are easy to relate to, believe, and understand. This is a touching story about a couple who find they want different things from a marriage and must figure out what is most important. The book makes one ask, “What would I be willing to give up for love?”

The only criticism about the book is that it starts out very slow. It takes several chapters to become fully engrossed in the story. Once hooked, the novel becomes difficult to put down. One of the characters appears in the author’s previous two books, but Baby Proof can be read out of order and is a story that stands on its own.

Baby Proof is written for mature teenagers and women who want a lighthearted story about love and relationships. This novel is much like the stories written by Sophie Kinsella. Her books have relatable themes for women, and Kinsella focuses on the "shopaholic" as she is the author of the "Shopaholic Series." Emily Giffin offers a compelling read about what is important in life.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A76ENWTOYT849/ref=cm_cr_auth/002-4689296-3439253?ie=UTF8&sort%5Fby=MostRecentReview (Link to publication)