Seller Financing is a topic I am always asked about. Questions like, “How do I create a secure carry-back note or mortgage that will provide the return I need, perform as written and is saleable at a high dollar if I want to sell it?” First, why carry back part of the sale price of my real estate or business sale? Here are some reasons:

1. The buyer of your real estate or business can’t or won’t deal with a lender for the purchase financing.
2. You have figured out that you can sell your property or business for more if you carry-back some of the sales price.
3. You don’t need the cash right now and you want the long-term income, in the form of payments with interest.
4. The only way you can sell your property or business is if you carry-back some of the sales price.
5. Banks usually won’t lend on the purchase of a business.

Here are some statistics:

1. About a third of all real estate transactions in the US involve seller financing.
2. About 80% of all small to medium sized business sales involve seller financing.

Following are the basics, in outline form, of the most secure, saleable (at the lowest discount) seller financed mortgages and notes:First a Real Estate Sale with seller financing:

1. Sell the property to a buyer who will occupy it (called owner occupied).
2. Sell the property to a buyer whose mid credit score is at least 625. The higher the better. It’s your federal legal right to know all three of their credit scores.
3. Sell the property to a buyer who you don’t know and isn’t related to you. (Called an arm’s length transaction).
4. Sell the property using a third party processor like an escrow or title company.
5. Make sure to buy and receive a valid Title Policy with insurance in the amount of the sales price.
6. Take back a mortgage in the first position (the most senior lien) for no more than 85% of the sales price.
7. Secure the mortgage or note with a valid Mortgage Deed or Trust Deed on the property.
8. Accept no less than 15% cash down payment.
9. If the buyer doesn’t have 15-20% cash down payment and the sales price is more than you expected, you can carry-back two notes. One in the 1st position for 80% of the sales price and another one, a 2nd position note for no more than 10% of the sales price. These deals are called 80-10-10 (80% 1st position note, 10% 2nd position note and 10% cash). Now you can sell the 1st position note (the most valuable one) and keep the 2nd position note.
10. The terms of the 1st position note should include: an interest rate of at least Prime (currently 8.25%); Amortized equally, monthly for up to 30 years; Pre-payment penalty for the first five years; Significant and detailed late and default payment stipulations.
11. Keep detailed records, like a Note Owner’s Manual, of the note and each payment (preferably a copy of the front and back of the payment check showing the bank cancellation stamp). Preferably a separate checking or savings account for the note.

Next, a Business Sale with seller financing:

1. Sell the business to someone experienced in and who will operate it.
2. Sell the business to a buyer whose mid credit score is at least 675.
3. Sell the business to a buyer you don’t know and isn’t related to you.
4. Sell the business as an ‘Asset Sale’ instead of a Corp Stock or Equity sale if possible.
5. Always use legal professionals (business attorney, escrow, Title company, etc.) to construct and execute the sale and documents.
6. File and record a UCC-1 following the close of sale.
7. Sell to a buyer with at least 30% cash down payment.
8. Make sure the business can afford to support (pay) the note payments from its cash flow because you will be depending on the business to perform on the note.
9. Carry-back only a 1st position promissory note.
10. If real estate is involved in the sale, create two notes. One on the business and one on the real estate. (A business note is far more valuable without real estate).
11. Receive a Personal Guarantee from the buyer even if the buyer is a corporation. It is added value if the Personal Guarantee is secured with defined, tangible collateral outside the business and equal to the amount of the note.
12. Receive a Security Agreement.
13. Receive proof of exactly the cash down payment paid.
14. Make sure you have a signed Bill of Sale.
15. The terms of the carry-back note should include: Interest Rate of Prime plus 1%; Balance Amortized equally and monthly for no more than 72 months; Significant and detailed late and default payment stipulations including reversion of the business and assets to you; Non-assignment clause; Full Balance payoff at time of and in case of business subsequent sale.
16. Keep detailed records on the business sale transaction; keep your last two years of signed business tax returns; demand that the buyer, now your note payor, provide you periodic (quarterly) Profit and Loss business statements (it’s your legal right); keep detailed note payment records (a separate checking account is best).

There you have it. The basics of How to Create a Secure and Saleable Seller Financed Note or Mortgage. Now that you own the note you have two comfortable choices. One, keep it and enjoy the return on investment or two, sell it. How to sell your note is the topic of another article and available at www.notefundingcenter.com/howto.html

The Author of this article is David Castellini. He is founder and President of Note Funding Center- http://www.notefundingcenter.com, a 30 year buyer of Notes, Mortgages, Annuities and Structured Settlements. He and the company are considered the authority on Future Income Stream Instruments, cash-flow-instruments and seller-financed-notes and seem to provide the most accurate information, best prices and best service. He is also a Banking Consultant and Graduate Business School professor. David can be contacted at info@notefundingcenter.com

Has House Speaker Nancy Pelosi been having secret talks with Osama bin Laden? This chilling phone conversation may disturb you. Rumor has it that it’s a wiretap of Pelosi’s office. Is it? You be the judge.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is in her office, behind her desk. The phone rings.

Nancy (picking up the phone): Hello.

Male on other end (Middle Eastern accent): Hello, is this Nancy Pelosi?

Nancy: Yes it is.

Male: Can you hold please for one second, my boss would like to speak with you.

Nancy: Who is this?

Another male on the other end (also Middle Eastern accent): Hello, Nancy.

Nancy: Who is this?

Male: I’m a great admirer of yours. (a few seconds of dead silence) This is Osama.

Nancy: Osama?

Male: Yes, Osama bin Laden.

Nancy: The terrorist?

Male: Oh, please, you’re too kind. I like to think of myself as an absentee Bush-basher.

Nancy: Can I help you?

Osama: You already are.

Nancy: How’s that?

Osama: What I couldn’t do by crashing planes into buildings, you do with your tongue.

Nancy: Listen here Mr. bin Laden …

Osama: Oh, please, call me Osama.

Nancy: Whatever … look, I have nothing to do with your devious plots.

Osama: Nancy, Nancy, we have so much in common … you hate George Bush, I hate George Bush. You want the troops out of Iraq, I want the troops out of Iraq. You go to Syria to get help from Assad, I go to Syria to get help from Assad. Of course, there’s a little difference — I know he’s on my side, you THINK he’s on your side. But that’s a minor difference. The point is, we like the same people, we hate the same people … why, it’s almost like I have a twin sister. Say, were you born in the Afghan mountains on …

Nancy: … no, I was not born in the Afghan mountains …

Osama: … it’s strange that you should say you have nothing to do with my plots. I keep telling my men this, but they don’t believe me. They think you’re on my payroll. And I keep telling them, no, no, her work is all pro bono (whispers) that’s “free” in legal …

Nancy: … yes, I know what that means. Osama, I love my country.

Osama: Ah, what’s love got to do with it? Listen, Tina … I mean, Nancy, you’re a better person than I am. I knock down a few buildings, and Americans hate Muslims. You open your mouth, and Americans hate Americans. I could never do the kind of damage you do. If you became president, I could cut my staff in half — I could let go 300 suicide nuclear-bomber trainees and 21,000 virgins.

Nancy: Is this what you called about?

Osama: I called to invite you to be my guest.

Nancy: Your guest?

Osama: Yes, I’d like to give you a ticker tape parade.

Nancy (thinks for a second): I don’t know …

Osama: … Nancy, Nancy, in my part of the world you’re a hero. You want to disappoint so many fans?

Nancy: Do I get my own 747?

Osama: We don’t fly 747s in the mountains. But I can guarantee you a late-model, fully-loaded donkey. It gets 75 miles per bucket-full of feed, it has a saddle with a 5-speed massager, chrome-plated hooves, a rear wiper, and a surgically implanted GPS.

Nancy: Why, that’s very generous of you. (thinks for a second) Say, why don’t you come to Washington, instead? Run for office. Hating America has become so American, I can guarantee you’ll get 90% of the liberal votes on a bucket-full of what your donkey drops on a good afternoon.

Osama: Wouldn’t I need a bull for that?

Nancy: No, we don’t feed ‘em bull anymore. The rules have relaxed. Any close facsimile will do.

Osama: You sound pretty sure about this.

Nancy: I’m here, am I not? Have you heard me put forth one plan to help this country’s economy or terrorist problem? Nothing — zip. And they love me.

Osama: But you’re a grandmother.

Nancy: That’s true. But what other qualifications do I have for being House Speaker?

Osama: I hear you. But how would I get Americans to vote for me?

Nancy: Are you kidding? With your talents you could convince Americans that if they vote for you they go to heaven and get 70 hotdogs and two tickets to the World Series.

Osama: I like that idea. (thinks for a second) How come hotdogs don’t work for my people?

Nancy: For suicide, you have to promise them a little more than hotdogs. Here, all you’d be asking them to do is hand over the country to you. They do that every four years for a good song-n-dance.

Osama: Nancy, you are brilliant.

Nancy: Now, isn’t this a lot better than blowing up buildings?

Osama: Yes, a lot better, and a lot safer.

Nancy: Safer? Don’t tell me (with a smirk) you’re afraid of …

Osama: … of being killed? Of course.

Nancy: What about those seventy virgins?

Osama: Come on, you think I believe that nonsense? Nancy, you and I are in the same business. You don’t have to believe what you convince the people of. You just have to make sure they believe that you are convinced of what you want them to believe.

Nancy (with a smile): Well, that’s not very bright of them, is it?

Osama: Exactly. Dumb people are our best customers. I don’t think even my donkey believes what I say.

Nancy: I see big things for you here in America. You could bring back free speech to college campuses. Some of those kids still think free speech means you can say whatever you please.

Osama: I have to admit, that’s what I thought free speech was.

Nancy: No, no, that’s anarchy. Free speech means you have the right to agree with the most belligerent party.

Osama: That’s beautiful. I can’t wait to work with you. So what’s the first step? How do I slip into the country?

Nancy: Oh, that’s the easy part. You slip in through the Mexican border. Then you go …

Osama: … what if I get stopped?

Nancy: They won’t stop you.

Osama: But they stop Mexicans all the time.

Nancy: You’re not Mexican. You look like a terrorist. They can’t stop you — that’s racial profiling — you can sue them for that.

Osama: I wish I had spoken to you ten years ago. I’d be in Washington now and George Bush would be hiding in the Afghan mountains.

Nancy: Once you’re inside, you go directly to Bank of America and open a bank account. From there, you go to the DMV and get yourself a driver’s license.

Osama: Won’t anybody recognize me?

Nancy: Nah, Al Gore made such a big stink about global warming — it’s been so all over the airwaves — people forgot who you are. They think you sell fried chicken or something. If you want to play it safe, take off that turban and put on a sombrero; they’ll think you’re a Mexican Santa Claus with anorexia.

Osama: I don’t know if Allah will like that.

Nancy: Don’t worry about Allah. Play your cards right and you won’t be bumpin’ into him for a while. As soon as you have your ID all set up, head straight for my office.

Osama: But won’t there be some scrutiny by your colleagues, like, who am I, my background?

Nancy: Leave that to me. I’ll tell them you’re an illegal alien, you’re gay, your grandfather was a black slave in Oklahoma, you live on an Indian reservation, and you just got a sex-change operation — no one will dare say a bad word about you.

Osama: Now, that sounds like a plan. Leave the key under the mat if you step out.

Nancy: Will do.

by Josh Greenberger
from shopndrop.com

Josh Greenberger: A computer consultant for over two decades, the author has developed software for such organizations as NASA’s Goddard Institute of Space Studies, AT&T, Charles Schwab, Bell Laboratories and Chase Manhattan Bank. Since 1984, the author’s literary works have appeared in such periodicals as The New York Post, The Daily News, The Village Voice, The Jewish Press, and others. His articles have ranged from humor to scientific to topical events. Visit his site: shopndrop.com

Every literary agent and agency operates somewhat differently; they may have a different emphasis, style or approach, but all follow a basically similar pattern. Some agencies may specialize in building and managing their clients’ careers, while others concentrate on making individual books into giant, blockbuster hits. However, when it comes to selling books, agencies take similar paths.

Contacting An Agent: Most writers initially contact agents via e-mail. Agents like e-mail inquiries because they’re easy to answer. Responding by e-mail saves them time, which is critical because most of the queries they receive are about books that the agents don’t handle or are not interested in handling. A declining number of holdouts prefer to receive query letters sent via postal mail, but they’re in the minority. So check each agent’s Web site to see if it states how the agent prefers to be queried. Potential clients can also initially contact agents at conferences and other events. For information on writers’ conferences, see Writer’s Digest (www.writersdigest.com) and ShawGuides (http://writing.shawguides.com).

Many agents won’t accept unsolicited telephone queries, and if you call, their screeners generally won’t put you through. So, again, before you contact agents, check their Web sites to see how they wish to be approached. If, however, you do get through, most agents will ask you to submit something in writing: a query letter, a book proposal or your entire manuscript, if it’s written. Agents want written submissions so they can get a sense of the writers’ ability to express themselves clearly. Written submissions also let agents see how well writers are organized and their skill in presenting themselves and their ideas. Agents get a lot of their new clients through referrals from their existing clients and their publishing contacts.

Think Like an Agent: So you’re looking for an agent. Where are you going to find one? First of all, ask yourself this simple question: Where do agents go? To be more specific: What conferences do they attend? Where do they speak? What organizations do they belong to? Although we certainly aren’t suggesting that you follow them around, we do want you to start thinking like agents think. If you do, it will improve your chances of being at the right place at the right time. Research the literary and publishing scene in your local area. See if, when, and where any writers’ associations, publishers’ groups, and literary clubs meet. Are any nearby bookstores, libraries or cafes conducting interesting programs or hosting book signings? Are local colleges or universities offering lecture series featuring writers, agents, and/or publishers? Since many writers teach, investigate whether any well-known authors are teaching courses that you could attend in your area, even if it’s just to sit in. Go where book people congregate and make contacts.

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Rick Frishman
President Planned TV Arts

Rick Frishman, president of Planned Television Arts, since 1982 is the driving force behind PTA’s exceptional growth. In 1993 PTA merged with Ruder*Finn and Rick serves as an Executive Vice President at Ruder Finn. While supervising PTA’s success, he has remained one of the most powerful and energetic publicists in the media industry.

Rick continues to work with many of the top editors, agents and publishers in America including Simon and Schuster, Random House, Harper Collins, Pocket Books, Penguin Putnam, and Hyperion Books. Some of the authors he has worked with include Mitch Albom, Bill Moyers, Stephen King, Caroline Kennedy, Howard Stern, President Jimmy Carter, Mark Victor Hansen, Nelson DeMille, John Grisham, Hugh Downs, Henry Kissinger, Jack Canfield, Alan Deshowitz, Arnold Palmer, and Harvey Mackay.Rick joined the company in 1976 after working as a producer at WOR-AM in New York City. He has a B.F.A. in acting and directing and a B.S. from Ithaca College School of Communications.

http://www.rickfrishman.com

There are a number of ways of saying “thank you” after the wedding ceremony. The giving, and responding to, of speeches is one and the giving of wedding favors is another. These are traditional and robust ways of delivering a vote of the pleasure you have received for the presence and gifts of the guests. Of course, you can informally say “thank you” while you mingle and converse at the wedding reception. That is indeed a nice touch and is well received by most.

If the newly-weds have the luxury of time, there are still other ways of saying “thank you” after your wedding. Some couples take the time to write personal “thank you” notes on cards and mail each one of these to all the people in their wedding list. This can be done in addition to the wedding tokens or favors distributed after the wedding, and should not be considered excessive even if you had offered “return toasts” during the reception. Given the technology people are enjoying at this time, these personalized “thank you” notes or cards can also take the form of personalized emails, which the couples can compose wherever they may be and sent instantly through the internet. Aside from thanking these people for attending your wedding, you can also include a statement of appreciation for the wedding gifts given to you, if any.

There are a lot of ways to show one’s gratitude to the wedding guests so couples should really take the time to say “thank you”. If you are on the receiving end, it really completes the enjoyment of the occasion to realise that your efforts have been appreciated.

Eric Hartwell oversees “The World’s Best Homepage” intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on weddings and marriages and visit our associated site articles for free.

A Quick Word Helps to Remember

Do you have a list you have to remember quickly? Take the first letters and form an acronym. For example - you have to remember to send Fred, Lisa, Ethel and Andrew cards. Yes, their first initials form the word FLEA. Imagine itching (your head?) because you have a flea - you know the first letters of their names. Going to the supermarket? Bread, vinegar, ketchup, onions, tuna, olive oil- BVKOTO. Not too promising? Try rearranging them - you have TV BOOK. Think of a book jumping out of a Television and attacking you. Silly? Yes. But remember - the sillier the better, it will force it to stay in your head. Now you have all the letters. If you don’t have enough letters to form a word - try to find one that comes close. PROMPT for PRMT, FAULT for FLT and so on. You already know the items you have to remember. What you are trying to do is create a reminder - once your memory is jogged, the words will come back. When you are devising the acronym, remember to picture the items visually in your head, visualization is a strong memory technique.

Forming A Story

If you have a longer list of seemingly unrelated items, that automatically becomes a good candidate for a story. For example:

Glass, Horn, Cat, Onion, Melon

These words may be unrelated, but that is the point - you can combine them easily with a story that will be outrageous enough, it will stay in you head - change the order if necessary - A cat is playing with a melon and all of a sudden it’s repelled by the smell of an onion that was used to season the melon. The cat got all excited and ran away - racing through a glass window and landing inside a big French horn. It’s silly and childish - but that’s the point, it’s silly enough to be remembered. Think the story through and the key words - cat - melon - onion - glass - horn - come to mind. Of course, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever have to remember a list of words such as this, but the point is not to be afraid to create the absurd. It works.

Longer Lists

What if you have an extremely long list of items to remember? Try breaking it down into more suitable sub-chains and apply the same rules as above. Better still - see if you can organize the list better. Put similar or like items together. Are you able to form acronyms from any of the items? Can you separate the list in such a way that the acronyms form words and then you can combine these words? Remember, the more ridiculous the thought - the stronger the impact and the better it will stay in your memory. It helps if either the acronyms or the associations you create can form mental images. What you can see in your mind is very strong and the stronger something is, the better you can play with it and the easier it will be to remember. What may be difficult at first will come with practice.

Relate the Facts

If a piece of information doesn’t relate to you, then try finding something about it that does. For example, the human body has 60,000 miles of blood vessels. Kind of hard to believe? Think that means ten round-trip drives between Los Angeles and New York and it will take on meaning. Do you have to remember the physical dimensions for a room or a field? Compare it to something you know already. If you’re a sports fan, chances are you can picture the size of the playing field. How does that compare to the space you are trying to remember - bigger smaller, would it fit into a football field - how many times?

Learn how you can instantly start to remember more with greater accuracy. A better memory and more fulfilling life await you!

David Rivera is the owner of http://www.memory-improvement-techniques.com which has a Memory Improvement Book and Memory Game Software.

Now brewing beer for almost 250 years and served in some 150 countries, Guinness Stout was founded as a family-owned brewery in Dublin, Ireland by Arthur Guinness. Not only is Guinness a top beverage in its own country, but even down in Jamaica the dreads swear by it, serve it up, and sip it down; ice cold, or at room temperature. Lots of big business has come out of ‘Sir Arthur’s’ product, which is known the world over, and spreading…

Truthfully, many affiliations between big business and the music industry have netted fruitful endeavors for all parties involved. And now, a university-level homework assignment: see if you can use a keen eye to find a few more examples of relationships between big business, government, or social organizations with the Rap community. Chances are, there’s probably some right around you; you may not have even been aware of them before. Hint: Take a good look at those motion pictures hitting the big screen. Here’s an interesting scenario for you to sink your teeth into…action!

Celebrity Will Smith laughed his way straight to the bank when many Rap fans wrote “DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince” off as lame. But before ‘the show’ was over, Smith got the starring role on TV sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” which debuted in 1990. The show had a long successful run, and continues running in syndication. Will Smith ‘the rapper’ performed the theme song, while Will Smith ‘the actor’ made sure his Rap music homey Jazzy Jeff was also cast in some shows; but Mr. Smith did not stop there. He went on to star in movies which earned him as much as $10 million a pop. There is no need to mention his list of credits; just go to Blockbuster Video or the Internet and type in the ‘search.’

Finding a need to outdo ‘himself,’ Smith’s fee went from $10 million to 20 big ones, then from 20 large to $25 million per, before he dived into the big ‘M’ and ‘super-sized’ his life by marrying Jada Pinkett. She paved her own way as an impressive actress on shows like “A Different World,” “The Cosby Show,” and in blockbuster films such as “Ali,” “Jason’s Lyric,” “Menace To Society,” “Woo,” “Set It Off,” the “Matrix” spinoffs, “The Nutty Professor,” “Scream 2,” “Collateral,” and who knows what else by now. I heard a rumor that the pair might have to buy a continent to use as a tax shelter. Wow - that’s big enough to get on the Oprah list! Combined, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith account for about two dozen top films of the 20th and now, 21st centuries. And these films usually came with hot music soundtracks, too. This is another example of the deepening relationship between Hollywood and the Rap/Hip-Hop world. For the purpose of fun, let’s call their happy union “Holly-hood.” Watch out–-more fun’s on the way!

But hold up and wait a minute: before we dig in any further, let’s pull over at a local Asian restaurant for some grub–-we’ll need it for our next stop. My fingers tingle from all this typing action on the laptop, sitting here in the ‘time out’ corner of the classroom. Where’s my Dragon voice recognition program when I need it? At home parked on the desktop computer – what a bummer!

Please note that things have changed with regards to technology, folks. Not only does my voice recognition program type as I talk into a microphone, it’ll read it back to me, too. When my editorial consultant Ms. Melilli (also known as the infamous ‘XoxoJean’) sends e-mails to a friend with a text recognition program, it recognizes her name by saying “Socks-a-Jean.” I’m just happy she likes my smoked turkeys. According to information obtained from my old friend B.Brown of Bar-Red Entertainment, my confidential Author Code Name is: ‘Turkey Smoker of the Stars.’ His mother Ms. Lydia works for the Atlanta Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. Both she and Miss Jean can keep getting the big birds too, as long as their taste buds approve of the transaction.

Data: A new development has just occurred. I heard a growl; my tummy’s empty from tapping into extra neurological cells to use a special, limited resource: my natural ‘superior intellect.’ I guess I owe my nephew Dez a fortune for this term–-his invoice may be the death of me yet!

So what’s your taste buds say? Anyone that knows me will tell you I get a little grumpy when I’m hungry. Chinese, Cantonese, Japanese, Korean, Mongolian, Thai, Vietnamese; whatever you want–-it’ll be on me. Plus, we’re about to run into a whole bunch of people, and some of them may be hungry too. I’m not feeling like sharing plates today though, hence I’m buying with my per diem money. So go ahead and keep your ‘cream’ (dolla-dolla bills) in your pockets.

According to our itinerary, one colorful group that is listed as being capable of running circles around the proverbial ‘viper’s pit’ has the letters “WTC” engraved in the minds of its constituents. This could mean trouble, ‘cause the paperwork says they’re some kinda ‘clan.’ But as long as there’s no “K” up in the mix, I’m good. I wonder if they look alike; you know what some people can say without meeting someone first. Maybe we can all blend in and “just get along” if we’re eating some food representing the region. We’ll be having hot, buttered popcorn for desert, though. (You may see where I’m going with this in a minute – I’ll remind you.) Both Asia and the Far East are known for their delectable dishes and many forms of cultural stimuli. On our next stop, you’ll see that cultures from the Pacific Rim have plenty of interesting offerings with regards to the consumable entertainment they produce, too.

Similar to us westerners, Asian food and entertainment go well together, just like popcorn and movies. One American network calls it “Dinner And A Movie.” Lots of popular flicks include what are known as ‘action movies.’ Many film buffs enjoy action movies about world destruction, extra-terrestrial invasions, espionage, crooked government officials, dirty cops, gun-slinging cliques, posses, gangsters and the mafia; in short, these subjects and characters make up good thematic content for stories about extinction-level events and the underworld. Film buffs take to action films that come loaded with explosions, chase scenes, aerial shots, fight sequences, hand-to-hand-combat, and cutting-edge weapons. I know I do. Speaking of cutting-edge weapons, New York’s Wu Tang Clan uses one as a logo. What appears to be a rounded, sharply bladed, boomerang/disk is actually the “W” in Wu Tang. From looking at the weapon however, I don’t think I’d be likely to wake up some morning with a notion of getting cut by one of those things. Ever.

There are those ‘action movie heads’ who would agree that some pretty exciting films feature martial arts. Back in the 70s, we called them “Kung Fu movies.” After Carl Carlton busted out with the hit song “Kung Fu Fighting,” I built myself a pair of chuck sticks. But after a few displaced pops to the back of the head, I retired them. Alas, my dreams of becoming a ‘Samurai Ninja Martial Arts Fighter’ were shattered; but that was better than having a self-inflicted busted cranium. I went on to other things; mainly, watching martial arts movies. By the way, that minute’s ‘bout up. If you know the deal, you can keep on reading. If you don’t know, you might want to ask somebody, get a map, or keep on reading, too. Whatever’s clever!

It’s no secret that cultures like the Chinese have been known for their long-standing empires. They also developed a highly disciplined way to defend their ‘valuable assets’ that were stored in huge, heavily protected fortresses. Martial arts gave fighters an opportunity to go mano-a-mano in sometimes brutal displays of precision and brute strength. This Spanish term is also known as hand-to-hand, head-to-head, one-on-one, and single combat.

Historic teachings show that great forces were often referred to as being god-like. Some were also referenced through vicious man-killing beasts such as lions, tigers and bears. Oh my–-did you know that ancient Chinese dynasties developed many institutions or schools of thought and defense? Some were based on a mystical creature known as the dragon. One group that acknowledged “the way of the dragon” broke ground by doing it all. Setting up a great and powerful Hip-Hop dynasty along the way, they’ve been long known for their tight embrace on the discipline of building rock-solid empires. Pioneering Hip-Hop supergroup Wu Tang Clan has built upon their image of being an invincible clan of talented MCs and producers. Chief knob-twister RZA orchestrated the rise of an original, three-man group; an entire planetary movement followed.

Originally synergized through a nucleus composed of RZA, GZA and the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard, the Wu Tang Clan produced sound recordings with themes based on Hong Kong’s martial arts and Samurai movies. Along with references to the Five Percent Nation, strategic moves, chess and other thematic subject matter, the influence of ancient Chinese dynasties flowed through The Clan like a river.

Soon after the original members crunk up the machine, more warriors jumped on board. The Wu Tang Clan ended up with 9 MCS, to qualify for labeling as a Hip-Hop supergroup, just on G.P. (general principle). As a producer, RZA later got a bigger break by acting in, but more importantly, composing music for the soundtrack of Forrest Whitacker’s “Ghost Dog: The Way Of The Samurai” and “Kill Bill, Volume 1.” (I wonder if he can hook me up with Lucy Liu and her friend from the Crazy 88’s.) These movies have some great on-location scenes, and the fighting sequences are just what the doctor ordered. To kick off 2007, Spike TV offered up some new programming content. On New Year’s Eve, they unveiled “Afro Samurai,” featuring Samuel L. Jackson as a ‘superior fighting intellect.’ The great and powerful RZA popped up once again, doing the music. This concoction totally made sense to me, by this point. If you haven’t seen these visual elixirs yet, what are you waiting for, a prescription?

Originating in the Far East, martial arts flicks somehow found a home in the world of American Rap music. It’s no doubt that Bruce Lee is the #1 martial artist to affect the 70s film world. Americans like Chuck “Walker, Texas Ranger” Norris, John Saxon, and Karate-chop brother Jim “Black Belt Jones” Kelly became martial arts film stars; even basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar got a piece of the action in Bruce Lee’s personal project, “Game Of Death.” When Lee got offered crazy money to star in the first Hollywood-backed martial arts film (“Enter The Dragon”), he did what any red-blooded entrepreneur would have done: he put the brakes on his project and began production on the new movie.

It became the biggest budget film in this genre’s history, and featured a young Jackie Chan as a stuntman. Bruce Lee’s untimely death, however, closed out an important chapter of martial art’s epic rise to fame, but Rap artists like the Wu Tang Clan used samples from “Enter The Dragon” on their debut album, opening up a whole new episode. Both of Bruce Lee’s final martial arts films went on to spread the word about this growing faction of the movie and music (more simply put: entertainment) industries. Rap artists listened and responded; they would ‘holla back’ in their own unique, urban way.

On TV, David Carradine starred in the long-running, “Kung Fu.” From Belgium, Jean Claude Van Damme made his mark in ‘the arts,’ too. While Jackie Chan headed into a ‘funny-bone’ crushing direction with comedian Chris Tucker in “Rush Hour,” Jet Li got serious with Aaliyah and DMX in “Romeo Must Die” (2000). Li also teamed up again with DMX in “Cradle to the Grave” (2003). A multi-dimensional Jet Li film called “The One” blended sci-fi with martial arts. This would not be the only flick with such a combustible mixture. There’s a long-awaited 2007 film featuring Jet Li and Jackie Chan now being completed. All of these urban-based action movies featured lots of martial arts moves; more were on the way.

Send requests for the conclusion of this story to me anytime.

A valedictorian and contributing author to Bernard Percy’s books during elementary school, L.A. finished high school in Brooklyn, then went to L.A.City College. He graduated in 1987 from Georgia State University in Atlanta. An internship led to 10 years with CBS Records/Sony Music, where L.A. worked with almost every act, implemented sales/marketing campaigns, received numerous gold/platinum albums, awards, and traveled throughout the U.S., Canada and Jamaica to events.

As a recording studio owner, AV technician and manager for a global audiovisual company (TAVS), L.A. owns MKM Multimedia Works. In 2001 he executive-produced the Million Mom March’s Atlanta Artists Against Gun Violence compilation CD, featuring top Atlanta acts. In 2002, L.A. secured a commercial with The GAP for Arrested Development’s Baba Oje. L.A. now initiates his ‘6 books in 5 years’ plan.

With a vision of where he’s going, L.A. works towards a goal. A quote that L.A. picked up from mentor/author/educator BernardPercy.com is: “Everything turns out right in the end - if it isn’t right, it isn’t the end.”

How many times have you sat in a conference room listening to your fearless leader drone on about one initiative or another and you wonder who put this bozo in charge? How many times have you walked by the guy who is perched up at his desk gloating over his latest promotion and you think someone put this bozo in charge?

Well, you are not alone. Many people who work in organizations where the hierarchy is very organized can pick out quite a few characters who they think would be better off shoveling hay than leading any sort of team. As onlookers we tend to be rather critical of others flaws and in many cases see us much more suited to the job than they are. After all, we went to a better school, had a better internship, have worked here longer, and are all around a more likable person right?

But, if you really step back and look at what these bozos are doing and then do a comprehensive audit of yourself, you may find the reasons a bit more clear. So, if you are one of those people who think your position in your company is someone else’s fault or that someone else is to blame for the fact that you are not where you wanted to be, then I recommend taking the following steps to getting where you want to be.

1. Assess the big picture. Do you really like your job? The Company? Is your discontent over the fact that you are not where you want to be in the company or that you would really rather not be in the company at all? (If that is the case, you may have a lot more work to do) If you could have any position in the company, what would it be? What qualities do you think a person in that position would need to be successful at the job? What type of person would you have to be to be able to do that job? Figure out exactly what you want and then determine what it would take to achieve it.

2. Tell your managers or supervisors. A lot of times people are afraid to tell their managers or their boss that they have their sights set on greater things within the company. Perhaps you feel intimidated or you think your supervisor doesn’t like you so you could be sabotaging your own efforts in the long run. If that is the case, then choose someone else. Assess the company and determine what value you could add. Without sounding like you have all of the answers, present your ideas to a decision maker and tell them what your goals are. Do not sit back and wait for them to notice you. Do something that is worth noticing and make your aspirations clear.

3. Stop worrying about what others are doing. One of the most common complaints I hear from people working in office settings is that “so and so did such and such, and then I couldn’t do what I was supposed do” etc. You can never control other people but you can decide not to give them the energy and instead focus on what you are doing. Think about what you want and what you need to do to get there. That does not mean that you step on everyone’s toes to get there. It just means that you take responsibility for your own direction and do not let someone else decide for you. As long as their are offices there will be office politics. You have two choices - you can either focus on your work and stay true to your goal or if you can’t do your work and you really hate it, get out of there.

4. Clarify your values. If you are not able to express your most important values through your day to day work, eventually it is going to get to you. What is important to you? What values are so important that you MUST be able to fulfill them at work. Figure out a way to do so if you are not. It can be the difference between misery and job satisfaction.

All of us have worked with people we think have no business being in positions of leadership but it is a waste of out talent and energy to worry about them. If you see something you don’t like, think about how you can make it better and then get busy making it better.

To find out if your career is aligned with your body and mind go to http://www.coachmelani.typepad.com/. Melani Ward is a career coach and the founder of Career Fitness. She helps people create balance in their body, mind, and work. She works with yoga practitioners and athletes on career discovery and development, resume and interviewing strategies, setting and achieving goals, and uniting who they are with what they do.

Most people pay little attention to the frame that surrounds a picture, dismissing it as simply a convenient way to hang the piece from a wall. However, frames have been around almost as long as art and, over the years, have become appreciated as something more than the “finishing touch” that adds dramatic flair to the pictures they enclose.

There is a wide variety of decorative picture frames available, whether you choose to shop for them at the local mall or have a custom frame designed specifically for a particular piece of art. Brightly-colored, ready-made frames can proclaim “It’s a boy!” while providing a spot to show off the newest addition to the family. Others are designed to look like everything from the family car to a favorite pet with slots for the pictures you want to display.

If your budget will allow you to spend a little more on the frame for a particular piece, there are styles that reflect the elegance of bygone eras while others add dramatic flair to the art you want to showcase in your home. It pays to shop around and look at different types of decorative picture frames before you decide which ones are right for you. There are Internet sites where you can download a copy of the art you want to frame, and then see how it looks in a range of styles. This free feature can be especially valuable if you’re just starting to decorate or are considering renovations to your home.

Sometimes, homeowners prefer a unified look, adding the same type of frame to the art that decorates every room, while others choose different styles that reflect the taste of individual family members. While it may not seem at first as important as where you’re going to place that new sofa, decorative picture frames can add or subtract much from the overall style of a room.
When hanging pictures, remember that some pieces are best shown individually, while others are more effectively displayed as a group. When grouping pieces of art together, it isn’t always necessary to select the same frame for every picture. While the decorative picture frames don’t necessarily have to match each other, however, they should relate to at least some of the furnishings in a room. If your tastes run toward country or more traditional furnishings, it is often advisable to look at wood frames first. If you enjoy modern or eclectic décor, then the clean lines of metal will probably work best.

Some people enjoy using just frames to decorate their living space. A variety of gilt-edged, ornate frames, interspersed with different colors or textures of contemporary styles, can sometimes create an interesting accent in a room. It can also be an inexpensive decorating choice because unique finds often turn up at flea markets and garage sales.

The history of decorative picture frames can be traced back centuries to the early years of the Christian church. While a type of border or frame appeared around art about 3,000 years ago, the church first used the type of frame we are more familiar with to define religious art. The heavy, jeweled-encrusted frames sometimes were as elaborate as the colorful images they enclosed.

With the advent of the Renaissance in the 15th century, wealthy aristocrats and merchants decided that their portraits deserved an equally fine setting, so they commissioned craftsmen to create elegantly carved frames that reflected their social status. The value of hand-crafted frames increased as the importance of art grew in the western world.

Over the years, decorative picture frames have changed to reflect contemporary tastes. But classic styles, such as Baroque and Rococo, are still favored by many homeowners for traditional art. So, even though you can’t sit on them to test their comfort, or you can’t taste them to see if they’re the right flavor, decorative picture frames are an integral part of creating a home that is uniquely yours. Choose the ones that are right for you.

Michele Cardello, director of marketing and creative for Life Imprints, a creative scrapbooking supplies company also offering contemporary picture frames, in Cleveland, Ohio, has worked in the photo packaging industry for 10 years. Cardello helps customers find creative ways to preserve and appreciate a lifetime of memories.

Those who live in the Eastern U.S. will discover that massage therapy schools in North Carolina are eager to impart skills for careers in various forms of medical and therapeutic massage therapy. North Carolina massage therapy schools are located in vocational schools, community colleges, and four-year colleges and universities; there are also several specialized institutions that train exclusively in the healing art of massage therapy.

Aspiring massage therapists should seek only accredited massage therapy schools, as accredited schools and/or their educational programs have been approved by national and state organizations. Accredited massage therapy schools are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as quality educational institutions or programs. By choosing only accredited schools, the student will be assured of complete and thorough massage training for professional preparation in the field.

It should be noted that massage therapy schools in North Carolina can vary considerably in subject matter and forms of massage therapy taught. Students will do well to research the various styles and techniques of massage before choosing any massage therapy school for their education in this broad field of health care.

The various massage therapy schools in North Carolina might teach some of the traditional Western forms of medical massage therapy; others may focus only on the Eastern forms of massage therapy that emphasize the totality of mind, body, and spirit. Many will include both forms of massage therapy in their curriculums, which give students more options. Some North Carolina massage therapy schools also offer advanced programs of study for certificates of specializations in various forms of massage therapy.

Upon graduation, students will be qualified to work as massage therapists in doctor and chiropractic offices, rehabilitation clinics, hospitals, health and wellness centers, and athletic clubs. Other students may wish to focus on providing massage services in resorts, spas, or on cruise ships. Of course, private practice is a popular choice for many graduates. Upon graduation, students should be prepared to sit for NCETMB exams and to gain licensure as a massage therapist, which is required in many states.

The quality massage therapy schools in North Carolina will assist students in planning and preparing for their new careers in massage therapy by providing counseling, financial assistance, placement services upon graduation, and assistance with certification exams. Knowing which schools provide such services can help you choose the massage school that might be most effective for meeting your personal and professional goals.

If you would like to know more about Massage Therapy Schools in North Carolina, we invite you to visit our website today and pick several schools that match your goals for the future. Submit a request for information, and you will soon have everything you need to begin a rewarding career in natural healing!

If necessary, you may wish to widen your search for massage therapy schools to include other states, such as:

- Massachusetts Massage Therapy Schools

- Georgia Massage Therapy Schools

- Illinois Massage Therapy Schools

- Texas Massage Therapy Schools

- California Massage Therapy Schools

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Copyright 2007 - All rights reserved by Media Positive Communications, Inc.

Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website, provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.

Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. Find North Carolina Massage Therapy Schools and other states, such as Colorado Massage Therapy Schools, at SchoolsGalore.com, your educational resource to locate schools.

The celebration of a marriage will not be complete without the help and participation of all the people concerned with the wedding. Some people who have married or have been involved in the preparation of one certainly know the hardship that planning a wedding entails. Therefore, it is just and proper that the newly married couple show their appreciation to all those who were responsible in making their dream wedding a reality. Although saying “thank you” after your wedding can be expressed in so many ways, the personal touches of the bride and groom are a nice bonus in the manner that they express their gratitude.

One way of saying “thank you” after your wedding is through the wedding toasts that are performed during the reception. The best man will give a toast and he offers it to the bride. The maid of honor will give a toast to the groom and the father of the bride will make a toast to the newly-weds. The couple, in turn, will have the opportunity to be the ones to say “thank you” in what is called the “return toast”. Since the groom and the bride are not allowed to initiate a toast in their honor, the return toast enables them to offer a toast to those people whom they would like to thank such as the parents of either the groom or the bride or both, the wedding entourage and even to all the guests who witnesses their formal entry into the life of a married couple.

Aside from the wedding toasts, the distribution of the wedding tokens or the wedding favors to the attendees is another way of saying “thank you” after your wedding. In any given wedding, guests are excited to receive these favors or tokens since serve as a remembrance of the memorable occasion. During the wedding preparation, the bride and groom are expected to personally handpick or decide on what favors or tokens to give out. In some cases, the word “thank you” is written on the favors or tokens, but this is not necessary. As long as you give each guest this memento, it already symbolizes the couple’s appreciation.

Eric Hartwell oversees “The World’s Best Homepage” intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on weddings and marriages and visit our associated site articles for free.