Monthly Archives: August 2009

Do Vampires and the Economy Suck Together?

Posted on August 11, 2009 | 1 comment

dracula-bela-lugosiYou’d think it would be pirates, but no, it’s all about romantic monster blood-lust. Vampires and a country sucked dry of money, pair well.

Nosferatu, 1922 – When Germany was dealing with a failing economy and war reparations form the Treaty of Versailles.

Dracula 1931 – Great Depression.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Buffy the Vampire Slayer 1992, Anne Rice novels and then Interview with the Vampire in 1994 – The economic recession of the nineties.

Even Shadow of the Vampire coincided with the Internet crash of 2000.

And now, in 2008/9 we have Twilight and New Moon, HBO’s True Blood, and coming soon is the next kid-friendly, yet definitely morbid, flick Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant.

The Norwegians set sail on the coffin ship with Let the Right one In. And the Koreans have a 2009 Cannes nod for the vampire priest movie Thirst.

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There will always be exceptions to the rule. Movies that go beyond these limitations. Cult classics, comedies and sci-fi actions like: The Hunger 1983, Once Bitten 1985, Lost Boys 1987, and during the height of an economic upswing we even had Blade, 1998.

However, depression era Vampires tend to be epic and more dramatic than the others, appealing to darkest musings of the general population’s soul.

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So perhaps even the brightest financial minds of Wall Street are retreating to brood in dark corners with some melancholy Robert Smith and the Twilight book series to drain the blood from their brains…

Just a thought….

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RobertSmith

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Health Care Reform – Start by caring for yourself

Posted on August 6, 2009 | 2 comments

healthcare-reform2009-06-18-1245364138Democrat or Republican, Public Relations and Politics go hand in hand, like used car lots and the flags, loud sticker prices, and sellers who reel you in. Knowing this well since both were involved in my career at various points. A shower is in order after just remembering.

Can I interest you in some health care facts?

Can I interest you in some health care facts?

If asked to name 3 or more specific points in the health care reform plan up right now, and 3 or more contraindications of the opposing views, the majority of Americans haven’t a clue.  Though we all know the name of Henry Louis Gates and the beer he drank at the White House. Which issue is going to effect you more next year?

The health issue can be summed up into two camps: A. Health Care reform is so crucial it needs to happen now and won’t work without help from the government. or B. Government needs to stay out of the health care industry. These are the broad strokes painted by media and politicos, in an attempt to get you on their side of an extremely complex issue, bound up in trails of intrigue, lobbyists, secret nods… and tons and tons of dollars and details.

What’s a person to do?

Take control of what you know and what you do. Here are 2 steps towards better health you can take today.

1. Do your homework. Arm yourself with as much information, from ALL sides: The government, pro groups, anti groups,  the insurance companies, research firms, hospitals, doctors, other countries, and etc. Then make an informed decision. Know your sources.

Step 2.: (AND MOST IMPORTANTLY) Reform your own personal health care today.

Eat a little better, find fun exercise, learn how to truly relax and take deep breaths, laugh more, count 3 blessings everyday, forgive any grievances you might still harbour, let go…bascially, start to make the world round you a better place from the inside out.

The above sounds pretty hippy dippy, but, break it down and the words make sense. You don’t have to be on one side or the other of the politically driven, public relations debate. No matter your race, religion, politics, or creed.  If we all paid more attention to our own self care and concern, the USA might be a bit healthier place to live.

Classic US Hygiene Posters

Classic US Hygiene Posters

We have to start somewhere, right? Might as well start where one can make a real difference.

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Fun Fad Fitness – What’s New?

Posted on August 4, 2009 | 1 comment

Pole dancing and boot camps are so 2002. The latest creations of fitness marketing research seems to have stepped away from the army and strip clubs and are heading to the circus to seek out combining fitness and fun…and a little death defying too.

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Check out the NYT article on some of the most recent aerial trends.

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…Although, you could just hook a rope in the backyard tree, or go play on your neighbors trampoline. A little less supervised perhaps, a bit more dangerous, and not quite as fancy. But you don’t need much to get fresh air and a bit of fun! Just a thought…

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Posted in Fun, Play

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The Pelvic Debate – Spinal stability Sitting and standing

Posted on August 3, 2009 | 3 comments

Know anybody who looks like this:

imagesOkay, maybe not quite so animated and less cantankerous, perhaps more like this:

SwayBackYour sitting and standing postures only reinforce overdeveloped tense muscles, as well as the weak and overstretched muscles.

Truth: You could do pilates and core stability work until the cows come home, BUT, unless you learn what you are doing, how to do it properly for your body, it will be less than entirely effective.  It is important to learn how with every strengthening of a muscle there should also come a lengthening. This combination of stretch and strength in tandem, create better posture and a healthier body.

posturebad-posture-cartoonHere are a few exercises to help find better standing and sitting posture. They are simple enough to do at the office.

Using the wall can help identify a slumping posture and where to focus on stretching, opening muscles, like the shoulders and chest, while strengthening other muscles for support, such as the mid back.

#1. Pelvic Tilts against the Wall:

Pelvic Wall tilts

Pelvic Wall tilts

#2. Wall Roll Downs

drape and reax the neck. Tailbone stays fixed!

drape and reax the neck. Tailbone stays fixed!

Roll up by lifting each bone away from the next as it presses into the wall. Create space between vertebre.

Roll up by lifting each bone away from the next as it presses into the wall. Create space between vertebre.

Arms can remain by your sides as well. Let the spine slide upwards against the wall, stretcing towards the ceiling. Enjoy taller posture!

Arms can remain by your sides as well. Let the spine slide upwards against the wall, stretcing towards the ceiling. Enjoy taller posture!

#3. Pelvic Tilts sitting on a ball

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As the pelvis tucks under, do not allow the shoulders to round forward, stay lifted tall.

do not let the pelvic movement affect the posture of the chest and upper body

As the pelvis arches, do not allow the rib cage to jut outward. Keep the rib cage knitted inward.

Proper posture and alignment is beneficial for both the body and mind, it allows deeper more efficient breathing and joint mobility, and psychologically, an upright posture exudes confidence and can lift not only your spine, but your mood. Walking tall is a win-win.

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