Top 7 Tips To Treat And Prevent Hangover

Your stomach is bubbling like a hot tub. Your tongue feels as though you licked the lint trap of your dryer. And your head will surely explode if you dare open your eyes. You had one drink too many last night, and now your body is paying the piper for your overindulgence. You probably know it as a hangover. All that booze you consumed has irritated your stomach and produced a skull-spitting headache by overdilating the blood vessels in your head. And because alcohol is diuretic, it makes your thirst unquenchable and compounds your headache pain. Here are some tips that you can consider to adopt to subdue your discomfort.

1. Pace Yourself

Nurse your drink and sip a non-alcoholic beverage between drinks. A tall glass of sparkling water with a twist of lime or a mix of cranberry juice and seltzer can be just as festive as a glass of wine or a mug of beer.

2. Stick With High-Protein Fare

It is recommended noshing on foods that have lots of protein, such as cheese. They stay in your digestive system longer, so they help soak up alcohol. This reduces your risk of becoming intoxicated and of waking up with a hangover.

3. Get Your Juices Flowing

Because alcohol dehydrates, it can hinder the release of toxins such as lactic acid from your muscles. This can leave you feeling stiff and crampy. Take 10 to 15 minutes to stretch. It can improve your circulation and thus reduce the level of lactic acid.

4. Pick Some Fruit

Fructose, the natural sugar in fruit, enhances your body's ability to burn off alcohol. It is recommended nibbling on cherries, grapes, or apples. All of which are especially good sources of fructose. Or spread honey, another high-fructose food, on a piece of toast or some crackers.

5. Sip A Sports Drink

Being a diuretic, alcohol makes you urinate more frequently. That can lead to dehydration. Sports drinks such as Gatorade can help replenish fluid and depleted minerals.

6. Swallow A Pill

Over-the-counter pain relievers remain a tried-and-true antidote to an alcohol-induced headache. Aspirin or ibuprofen is your best bet, but do not take it until at least 4 hours after imbibing. Otherwise, the medication can further irritate an already angry stomach.

7. Soothe Your With Bouillon

A cup of bouillon makes an ideal morning-after breakfast. It goes down easy on your grumbly stomach, and it helps replenish the salt, potassium, and other essential nutrients that alcohol siphons from your body.

The Trust Issue In Marketing

One of the prime motivating factors in the purchase decision making process is "trust". A consumer will at some point for however long or short of a time, ask the question, "Can I trust this company/person/product?"

In today's ever-changing world of marketing, electronic media, email, and advertising innovations and intrusions, companies, and businesses are marketing to an ever increasingly suspicious consumer, who is conflicted between their desire not to be "sold" to and their desire to consume. They are looking for ways to establish believability, credibility, and trust.

According to a paper by the Peppers and Rogers Group (2004), 36% of major U.S. corporations view privacy as an important part of the company's brand image.

It is my belief based on consumer thinking that one way to develop a competitive edge in the marketing world is to place greater emphasis on tying privacy policy to brand. This strategy places a direct link between trust and purchase while developing the beginnings of long-term relationship.

I suggest highlighting your privacy policy in all your marketing in a way that makes privacy, trust, and your brand synonymous. Let the consumer know that here is a business that will respect your privacy. Let them know that your communication with them will be relevant to their consumer needs. And you can let them know that information they share with your business will be used to better meet their needs and will not, knowingly be used against them, sold, or given to third parties.

It might even be smart to develop a short marketing campaign that focuses on your commitment to your customer's privacy, instead of simply stating that you have a privacy policy or stating your policy in unreadable font at the bottom of your literature.

About 50 % of consumers today have little more knowledge than brand or product recognition and have little desire to acquire extra information about a brand or product, so it behooves the marketing community to link recognition of their brand to trust, safety, and advocacy. Instead of selling to consumers, target your marketing to help them believe that you are making them safer and more secure by purchasing your brand and then back it up!

copyright 2004

Tips for Getting on TV and Radio Talk Shows!

We're all familiar with the litany of TV and radio talk shows. Perhaps you've watched or listen...maybe you thought - I would make a great guest! Well, if you think you would make a great TV and radio talk show guest...read on and learn how to get on TV and radio talk shows!

A radio or TV talk show, can be a great publicity move. It takes some effort, but with a little research, and a lot of perseverance, you could be on your way to promoting your product, service or even yourself on a radio or TV talk show.

Step 1 - Groundwork

You need to think about your pitch to the radio or TV talk show. What do you have to say that's new, interesting, unique and different? What's your angle or story idea? Do you have a unique product? Are you an expert in a field?

Once you given some thought to about your pitch, prepare a one page backgrounder on yourself. This fact sheet is very important if you are just venturing into the talk show arena. Include a professional head shot picture and highlight all of your previous speaking engagements, published articles, books etc. You need to build credibility since you are an unknown entity to the radio or TV talk show producer.

Now that your backgrounder or fact sheet is complete, research the various talk shows where you would like to appear. No sense wasting your time or the producer's time if your topic idea is not appropriate for the genre of the talk show. When doing your research, find out what types of topics the show is looking for. Often, the talk show's website or the radio station website are good starting places.

Check out how the radio or TV talk show likes to receive topic ideas. Do they prefer phone calls, emails or is there an application form available? Try to determine whom you contact and what the best method for contact is.

Step 2- Practice

Often overlooked, it is always a good idea to practice your pitch and show your fact sheet to some respected colleagues before you try it out on the TV or radio producers. Ask your practice partner to throw out some tough and challenging questions so that you get practice rebutting any negative responses. The practice pitch will give you a chance to make any changes, streamline your narrative and to think about how you will answer the producer's questions.

Step 3 - Make Contact

Now that you've figured out what you want to say and where you want to say it, it's time to make contact.

There are a few methods of making contact. The first is to fax or email your backgrounder and then follow up with the radio or TV talk show producer a couple of days later. The second idea is to call the radio or TV talk show producer and sell them on your idea right away. A lively phone conversation will demonstrate that you are able to be engaging and interesting. If you get voice mail, persevere! Mention your idea on the voice mail, send your backgrounder and then follow up with a phone call again. A third, albeit more passive way to get on radio and TV talk shows is to register with one of the many online databanks or publications, which are directories of people available for radio and TV interviews. These sites and publications are designed for media professionals who need to quickly and easily find guests for various topics.

When you are pitching your ideas, strongly capitalize on your experience. If you have limited to no talk show experience, the producer may be scared off by that. Play up any and all experience you have. For instance, focusing on the broad range of presentations you've made to various audiences will show that you're adept at speaking. Even better is to have some references lined up who will provide testimonial to the producer that you were an informative, intelligent and engaging speaker.

Another idea is to link your idea with an event or issue in the news, if possible. If you can inject a 'little' controversy into a topic (say you represent the opposing side of an issue) you have a better chance of being signed on.

Here's a quick and easy tip, remember to boost the producers ego by mentioning something from a previous show topic or guest, producers love to know that people are watching.

Be excited! You have to believe in your idea, topic or whatever it is you have to say. The more enthused you are - the more likely you will get the radio and TV talk show producers to buy into inviting you to make an appearance on their show.

Step 4 - You're Booked!

O.k. you've gotten the call you were waiting for. You are booked on your favorite TV or radio talk show! It helps the producers and talk show host if you supply a list of relevant questions. Pick 10 or so questions that you would like to be asked. There is no guarantee that they will use them, but producers and hosts are notoriously busy people and anything you can do to make their job a little easier will be appreciated.

Once you've finished your radio or TV talk show appearance, be sure to update you backgrounder. Surprisingly, the more talk shows you do, the more you build your credibility as an 'expert'. As soon as you have a few appearances under your belt, you will likely find it easier to make that initial contact with the TV or radio talk show producer.

It cannot be stressed enough when you're looking for ways to get on TV or radio talk shows, perseverance and determination are the keys. You cannot give up. It will be difficult to make contact and eventually get booked, but the reward in free publicity is MORE than worth it! Good luck!

BBQs and Outdoor Entertaining

BBQ islands are enormous outdoor cooking stations that can turn cold, abandoned backyards into friendly places to entertain. There is nothing like a good quality BBQ in the company of family, friends and acquaintances.

These islands have become incredibly popular over the years for, unlike stand-alone grills, they are designed as part of backyard sites and can be customised to accommodate additional food preparation areas. Outdoor kitchen islands are recognised for being convenient because you can have many pieces of equipment assembled in the one island. For instance, many have side burners, ovens, refrigerators and much more. To set up your BBQ island and your backyard for extra fun and enjoyment, make sure you invest in some of these fun accessories.

Have you ever wished you could have a soundtrack to your life? You may not be able to pick a song list for your whole life, but you can choose some top tunes for all of the great outdoor parties you will have with your friends and family. Many stereos today come with an iPod plug-in - ideal for outdoor entertaining.

Neon signs are great at social gatherings and add a bar/lounge feel to backyards. If you love having eye catching accessories then these are a must. Your guests will be badgering you as to where you bought such cool fashion accessories. You can use the time-honoured "Cocktails" or "Margitaville" signs, but there are also many more to choose from.

Next time you're organisng an outdoor party keep these accessories in mind. It doesn't hurt to check them out! There's bbq and outdoor accessories to suit all budgets and tastes.

The bar area is also a marvelous opportunity for brightening up and enhancing backyards and BBQ islands. Bartending centres make additional mixing, chilling, and storing of drinks straightforward and easy. For this reason you can buy versions that can be constructed directly into an island or you can buy freestanding versions which can be positioned anywhere - even at pool side. Any bar area will add style and character to your patch. They will also make your place a much more fun and inviting place to hang out!

Poems Times Six

Frida

Spitting out her beauty and disgust, She jiggled ghosts and skeletons, Emptied blood and I was there.

I cleaned up her mess, I fed her dog and I made her bed.

I watered the garden by the pyramid And it blossomed.

In life or death, I must see her again.

She's just like me; God and the devil Wrapped up in one tamale.

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Rome in a Day

Rome sits on its seven haunches And the pines, with fountains in their branches, Old road markers in the Appian sun, Are stolid, green and well run.

A conservative morning begins with dawn And makes its logical way as a pawn Is moved one square at a time to Noon.

It seems all right, but I'm Conscious of a skip in my heartbeat, And the day pops like corn in the heat Of a sudden three o'clock.

The wrench of time ticks in my ears.

I hunch my watch into a shadow to hide It's face from the white glare.

Inside the gold hands turn green and catch On the number six.

I light a match to see if they will stick there As the fountains, with pines in their sprays, share Their fate, dwindle and dry in the light And Rome gets marching into the night.

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A Swallow Speeds On

Morning: Two eggs, coffee with cream.

A fly noisily zigs and zags.

Noon: Ham and cheese on bread.

A butterfly silently flits and flits.

Evening: Steak and French Fries.

A hummingbird looks on while hovering.

Night: Four cookies and milk.

A bat menacingly zooms.

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Tidepool

Invent the waves and vivid pools with me, Cool, industrious, dibbling at our toes, And let your knees snatch back at laps of sea.

Wade deeper toward the hole where seaweed grows, Kick lively now, hitch up your sagging suit And hold my hand.

If you cannot see, loosen your grip, sit on my friendly foot, Relax and let your hair float out to me.

I'll pull you to a swirl for us alone Where we can touch and float asleep or wake And be content awhile with what we've sown.

To love where all we give is all we take, As fishes waken from their restless sleep To watch us drifting till we're in too deep.

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Medical Exam

Two soldiers, one all white, one all red, Guard the north wall of the cubed room. Squat, each with a pedal To open the lids hands-free.

Fourteen inches square, fifteen high, Steel with polished mechanisms, Spare, utilitarian, Made in Switzerland.

Plastic liner bags skirt the tops, Peek from the edges of the covers Like play-filled children unready for sleep.

The sentinels neither bark nor rattle.

They stand so white and so red Keeping all predators at bay.

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At The Center

"In Emergency Push To Open," The automatic doors read on the unwashed, dribbly glass.

The further, outer door carries the same remark.

Between the first and second lies a cross-hatched Block-built carpet, mole-grey brown.

The door to the entrance-garden has the same dribbles And moves just as automatically.

Inside the inside, thick nurses, men and women, pad by.

Television gurgles softly, patients and personnel murmur, Little clicks and taps identify heels and wheels, Medical machinery and dropped tongue depressors.

Outside the outside, greenstuffs, and Traffic tooting and squealing.

Between the inside and the outside lies a Cross-hatched, block-built, mole-grey brown Carpet.

Plans for Benches - Building a Bench Perfect for Your Space

Benches are often overlooked as a seating option. They are really quite versatile and can add a lot to any space. They can be used in a mud room, in a foyer, or in an outdoor space to create seating and storage. Although they have a reputation for being uncomfortable, this can be curtailed with cushions. Cushions also allow for a little more creativity and decoration. If you have an area that is ideal for a bench, consider finding plans for benches and building your own.

Plans for benches can be found in a variety of places, including books and online. Plans for outdoor benches are often designed only to provide seating. They may be simple or include intricate detail work. The choice is really personal as to which to use, but the more detail work, the more skill it may require. Indoor benches may be for seating only, or they may pull double duty and provide storage. If looking for plans for a bench that will be used in a foyer or mud room, consider a design that includes a shelf underneath, or a seat that opens to reveal storage. This can be used to store anything from muddy boots to dishes that are only used occasionally.

If the bench is meant to provide seating at a table or piano, ensure that the plans are for a bench that will be the right size. It is much easier to start out with plans that provide the correct sizing requirements and follow them exactly than to try to make the size you need fit to the plans. To do this, measure the table or piano from the part that will be above the knees to the floor, and determine from there what size bench is need. Then restrict your search to only those plans resulting in that size bench. This can help detour any disappointment that may be experienced when you find plans for benches that are perfect, only to discover the plans will not work for a particular space.

Custom building your own bench can be very rewarding, emotionally as well as financially. If you already have the tools, or can borrow them, the only cost is time and materials. Once you find the perfect plans for benches and have the first one built, it may be that you find you enjoy the process and want to build more. If this is the case, you can build for friends, family, and neighbors, or build additional benches and sell them.