Archive for January, 2008

Damkier in Strauss Opera �A Night in Venice� to Close April

Thursday, January 31st, 2008

Brent L. Damkier, (pronounced Dam-key-r) handsome lyric tenor at the Regensburg Opera, is best known for his recent roles as Prince Tamino in The Magic Flute and Prince Ramiro in Cinderella.

Eine Nacht in Venedig, (A Night in Venice) by Strauss premiered on October 23, 2004. Damkier plays the roll of Pappacoda, a Spaghetti cook. It is a tremendous comic roll and Damkier usually receives the most applause even through it is a smaller singing role. This is the remaining performance.

Just 75 miles (120 kilometers) out of Munich is the historic German town of Regensburg. Just off the Danube River, nestled in the heart of a charming old town square is an intimate 380 year-old opera house seating 524 dedicated patrons and international guests; it is home to the leading tenor.

Damkier, who has performed throughout Europe, thrills audiences, with his sweet interpretation and punctuated tenor dexterity. From character parts, to the male ing�nue, to the leading man, Damkier is bridging his operating roots to a U.S. tour in 2006 which will cross-over to a cabaret format broadening his audience and fan club. One of the recital performances in early 2006 will be recorded and distributed for wide release.

The youthful face looks to be fresh out of high school having originally hailed from Northern California, yet is the face, voice, and actor of a well-trained virtuoso in his thirties. Six years ago without any training in German, the nearly six-foot tall, handsome, golden-eyed, fair-skinned performer headed for Germany to hone his craft on the stages of several smaller opera companies. According to producer and promoter TR Cutler, Damkier will make his recital debut in South Florida.

Visit Brent L. Damkier at www.brentdamkier.com or email e-mail e-mail protected from spam bots.

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You Can’t Force Play

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008

A student once asked me; "How come sometimes the music comes freely while other times, I feel blocked and can’t play?"

A perfectly valid question and one that many students of improvisation ask. You see, the problem is that many think they should be able to just sit down at the piano and play anytime anywhere. But this is unrealistic. Why? Because you can’t force play!

Improvisation is play. And when you try to force the music to appear, the exact opposite happens. Blocks to receiving the music are set up and the spirit is let down. All this can be avoided if we learn that there is a certain ebb and flow to creativity. Respect this natural tendency. Learn to see the creative force as one that naturally goes away, only to come back again, stronger and revitalized!

There is a natural order to creating that, if respected and trusted, will serve you well. Listen to yourself and don’t let your ego get the best of you.

Many students fear that if they can’t go to the piano and play, they’re creativity is dried up. Not true! They may be experiencing an ebb tide period. During this time, it’s best to take a break from playing and come back later on when the creative waters return.

EzineArticles Expert Author Edward Weiss

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music’s online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Stop by now at http://www.quiescencemusic.com/piano_lessons.html for a FREE piano lesson!

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5 Easy Steps for Resumes and Interviews

Friday, January 25th, 2008

People often want career advancement for different reasons. Many of us feel the burden of our bills forcing us to desire more, yet for some the ambition alone will push them for advancement. The reasons "why" are many, however the answers of "how" are very few. Up, Over, or Out? If you are unemployed, your goal is simple… "to obtain a new job". However, for those that are already employed there is a large grey area. The first step is to properly identify yourself honestly. By examining your work habits and accomplishments you can better determine the best course of action. More simply, if you have been unproductive you will not likely be up for any serious promotions anytime soon. Sometimes it is better to seek outside employment and start over again fresh. If you are satisfied with your company, but would just like a smaller change, perhaps moving over to a new department within the company is a better option for you. However, if you have been a hard worker and are concerned that it may go unnoticed, perhaps the promotion you have been looking for isn’t too far away after all. Prepare, Prepare, and Prepare… Preparation is key for any career advancement. Most people would be amazed by the hordes of information that can be obtained over the course of a week. Even if you lack experience in your dream job, your vast knowledge in an interview could quite easily leave the other candidates in the dark. And we are not just talking "basic vocabulary" here, learn more than the "surface level"… even consider researching current trends for the industry. If you have some extra time available consider adding professional certificates. Online training and certification is available in many industries and can quickly weed you out from your competition Writing a Good Resume Your resume will be the deciding factor for an interview. The golden rule of a good resume is "never submit the same resume twice". Every job you apply for should have a customized resume tailoring to its description. It may sound like allot of extra work, but the results are priceless. The focus of each resume should be on the skills that would make you the best candidate for that type of job. If the job is in international sales, than obviously any foreign language training and sales experience should be near the top. A designated area listing your skills is key for individuals that lack formal experience. Do not be afraid to list your solid understanding of the job duties (if you lack the solid understanding… much more research should be done). The Interview If all goes well you will soon be sitting across the table from your interviewer. The best preparation for your interview is to list everything in your experience (i.e. best achievement, hardest project, strengths, weaknesses, good work habits, poor work-habits, etc.). Reviewing this information just before an interview will leave you prepared to answer 99% of the questions asked. You should be completely prepared to answer the "standard" questions. Many interviewers like to stick to the basics questions like "how would you describe yourself" and "how would your old boss describe you". Be careful to avoid "badmouthing" your past employers. Often times this will raise a serious "red flag" with the interviewer and may suggest that you can be a difficult person to work with. As for the other 1%, sometimes an interviewer is just trying to see if you will really be a "good fit" for the job. Many times the research you have completed is all the assurance they will need. Employers love nothing more than ambition, and staying on top of the market trends will obviously reflect it. Stay Productive With a little bit of luck you will have hopefully landed the job. Even if you stayed in the same company, with every promotion comes a clean slate. Hard work beginning right from the start is noticed quickly… and the impression it makes lasts a very long time. By staying productive you will quickly climb the ladder of success in no time.

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Employment and relationships with co workers

Monday, January 21st, 2008

Most of us interact with our co-workers on a daily basis,
its what helps us get through the day. Most employers go to
great lengths to promote the "team", some thousands of
dollars on retreats and seminars and the like. Basically, to
them a group of cooperative, resourceful employees all
working together is as valued as good advertising. And no
wonder, without it their business would fare well. Picture a
workplace populated only by the characters of the show
"Family Guy". How successful do you think this business
would be? One of the biggest problems employers face is
the romantic relationships among their employees. Some
company�s even ban such relationships. Do you think it
matters much? I�ve always thought that when two people
"spark" the rules of the company mean little. At least it
has with me. However, people get fired, sued and accused
of misbehavior all the time in virtually every company.
Sexual harassment has become a major topic in today job
market, and its all about one thing. The harrasee’s
opinion of what harassment is. That�s it, an opinion. The
perception that one is being put down, embarrassed of
manipulated with a sexual pretext. Not a very hard-drawn
line in my opinion. But, sexual harassment is a problem as
well as relationships among co-workers, often the latter
magically transforming into the former. Keeping a
respectable distance from the lives of your peers at work is
the key. How you present yourself to them will directly
influence how they respond towards you. If you show interest
in their life away from work, and start developing a
relationship, emotions and insecurities will soon start
influencing your interactions, and the main problem will be
the fact that neither of you will be aware of it. Our
thoughts are modified by our feelings all the time and when
that happens it seems everybody sees it but us. Be
friendly but not overtly open, avoid pet names and
personal e-mails with co-workers. Always keep in mind the
fact that they will respond to how you associate with them.
I�m not saying having friends at work will get you fired,
im just demonstrating how sometimes over-friendliness can be
Detrimental to your success.

About the Author

Josh Nay
Employment 4u

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Online Loan – Making your Loan Journey Smoother

Sunday, January 20th, 2008

Each one of us has been using Internet for a long time. Internet is a store of unlimited information on any subject. You just need to browse through various websites available and can get any information you want. But do you know you can get a loan online too. Yes, I am talking about "Online Loans". Online Loans are the loans that an individual can get by applying through a computer. Human being’s desire for convenience is one of the reasons behind the advancement in technology day by day. Online Loan provides you the convenient way to get a loan without moving from one place to another. Now, you can access the Internet and can browse through various websites to get an online loan. You need not meet each and every lender personally. The websites are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. These websites also provide you with facility to calculate your credit score, free of cost or for nominal charges. In the past, there were only few lenders who offered limited number of loan options. To search for the right lender, the loan seeker had to go to each lender and meet him personally for getting information about the various loan options available with each lender. You can access unlimited number of lenders through Internet who can offer you unlimited number of loan options that suits your expectations and need. You can apply for an online personal loan either a secured or an unsecured one and can also mortgage or remortgage your property. You can use the loan amount for any purpose you desire. The lender is only concerned about the monthly payments and the repayment of the loan amount. Few lenders also provide you with the online loan calculators which can help you in evaluating your monthly payments and the term for which loan will be granted. You can ask for loan quotes from the online lenders and can compare the different quotes to find the most appropriate loan. The process of taking an online loan is very simple and hassle free. You just need to fill up an application form that hardly takes few minutes. The details of the application are then processed and then forwarded to the customer service representative for review. You need to submit your Credit report when asked for by the lender, which reflects your credit score and your credit history. The lender will then offer you with the loan options he finds suitable for you. Now it’s the time for you to decide what type of loan are you looking for and the payment your wish to pay monthly. As a coin has to faces, it is the case with online loan too, despite of various benefits you get from it there are few disadvantages attached to it. When you apply for an online loan, you won’t get the personal touch that you get in taking a loan from a bank or financial institutions. You also can’t bargain with Internet lender. Just a piece of advice for you to be on the safer side. Before you accept or even officially apply for an online loan, be sure that the lender is known and reputed. You can take the help of your friends, family members and colleagues. Online Loans offer a variety of loan options to meet the needs and desires of masses. You can apply for this loan just by sitting in front of the computer. Don’t be in hurry, just go through various available online lending websites and look for the best deal. Good Luck!

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Friendship Bracelets

Sunday, January 20th, 2008

Friendship bracelets, a fashion accessory once attributed to young girls, can now be found on the wrists of people of all ages. Friendship bracelets are bracelets that are generally hand made by one person and then given to another as a symbol of the friendship. The bracelet can be crafted from one of a number of different materials, including beads, hemp or wool. The bracelet is then placed on the wrist of the friend. It shouldn’t be removed manually because if it is that is a sign that the friendship is over. Instead it should be left on and if it falls off on its own, that’s not considered damaging to the friendship. There are many friendship bracelets craft kits available for purchase. These usually contain all the basics for making friendship bracelets. Young girls especially like receiving these kits for gift. It allows them to make several friendship bracelets which they can then share with the best buddies. Friendship bracelets have also become popular as a way for a person to show they are smitten with another. Many teenage boys and girls make a friendship bracelet and then present it to the person they like. It’s assumed that if you accept the bracelet you are also interested. Many teenagers are sporting them. The color of friendship

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A Visit to Shanghai China – Part One

Saturday, January 19th, 2008

It looks like all roads leads to China these days. If you are into business, attending one training course, or taking a vacation, your most likely destination could be one Chinese city or the other. China is fast becoming an ecomnomic powerhouse and with it comes properity and modernization. China is also one of the few places not affected by modern terrorism. So how about taking a visit to china on your next vacation. One of the most beautiful cities in china is shanghai. One thing that strikes one immediately about the city of shanghai is that there are a lot of highrise (skyscraper) buildings. The density of highrise buildings is comparable to that of Newyork city. Shanghai is also one of the most prosperous cities in China. There are interesting places to visit in shanghai. In part one of this article on shanghai I will be writing on the places you can visit while vacationing or doing business in shanghai.

One of the most interesting places to visit in Shanghai, china is the the Bund. It is located in the Huangpu district, in the central part of Shanghai. It is a place you can go and relax with your spouse or girlfriend or even by yourself. It is an open place that overlooks the Huangpu River. This river runs right across the city of Shanghai. On the other side of the Bund is the Oriental Pearl Tower. The tower is about 396 ft high and can be seen clearly from the Bund.

At the Bund, there are relaxation spots where you can sit, take pictures and generally feel the cool breeze from the river. You are sure to find the usual hawkers of various kinds of souvenirs and fake wrist watches of all kinds. If you want you could pay a small amount of yuan (chinese currency)and take a ride on one of the numerous boats that ply the river so that you can have a good view of the Oriental Pearl Tower from the river. One of the interesting things you can do on the Bund is take pictures with your back to the tower. The background is fantastic. You could even use the picture for a postcard.

The oriental pearl tower is another very interesting tourist spot to visit. The tower, when you get close to it, is an achitectural masterpirce and a beauty to behold. It is just like the Eiffel tower in paris. You pay a small amount to enter through the base of the tower where the lift that will take you up is situated. There are three stages of the tower corresponding to three differrent hieghts. The higher you go the more money you pay. I highly recommend going all the way to the top. That is where the best view is. The lifts are high speed lifts that will take you to the top in seconds. This is also a good spot for taking pictures. Two most interesting things about the tower is the view, which is fantastic from the top most spot on the tower. Another is the souvenirs you can find. This a place to buy gift items of various kinds that depict the city of shanghai. There are restaurants and spots where you can relax to catch your breath,and take pictures.

Another interesting place in Shanghai is the Peoples Square. This is an historic place. It used to be where people go to gather to make speeches. The place is made up of beautiful flowers and scenery.

Very close to the peoples square is one of the most famous shopping street in the whole of china. That is the Nanjin street. It is a street with modern shopping malls comparable to malls like printemp or galarylaffayete in paris. Here you will find all you could ever dream of having. That is if you have the money to pay for it. The prices of items here are government controlled. That is you may not find great differences in prices of items amongst the various shops. But you are free to bargain. Usually with a calculator.There are many peculairities of life in China. Especially for a foreigner. These are things anyone should know before visiting China. Some of these I will be writing about in part two of a "trip to Shanghai China".

The Author, Salihu Ibrahim, is widely travelled. He has written some fascinating articles based on his experiences for would-be-travellers. To read part two and more of his articles and other writers’ on travel tips visit http://www.tips-for-travellers.com

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A Few Things I’ve Learned About Doing Business On The Internet!

Saturday, January 19th, 2008

A few things I�ve learned about doing business on the Internet!

I�ve learned that there are more programs, and e-books available than I have money to purchase.

I�ve learned that many, many of the programs and e-books are simply a rehash of another program, or e-book.

I�ve learned that there are many different sites where by joining a program as a free member. Most, but not all of the e-books that I�ve spent my money to purchase; can be downloaded for free.

I�ve learned that some, not all of the e-books that can be purchased are a total waste of time.

I�ve learned that it is possible to download so many e-books; that either they don�t get read, or you�ll spend so much time reading them that you don�t get anything else done.

I�ve also learned that some of the ideas expressed in some of them are so important, that if you don�t take the time to read them; you�ll be spending not only dollars, but time needlessly.

I�ve learned: that you can spend so much time promoting so many different products; that none of the promotions get enough time to be successful. That shotgun marketing is a losing proposition.

I�ve learned there are more Internet Gurus than I have time to study, and they got that way because they focused their energy.

I�ve learned that no matter how attractive the next program, e-book appears; that you must narrow your vision to the one best program you have in your arsenal, and give it 100% of your energy if you expect to succeed.

I�ve learned that without an opt-in list, you�re dead.

And last, and most important: I�ve learned; you must discover your niche, and work it until it�s a success�

About The Author

Russ Wilson is an Internet Marketer, and a distributor partner with ISPVIP, the Internet Service Provider that pays you back. http://www.shmyl.com/cdaa

webintel@ispvip.biz

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Refinancing vs Line of Credit

Friday, January 18th, 2008

Refinancing vs line of credit are two popular options you have when deciding the best way to take equity out of your home. Sometimes it makes sense to establish a line of credit. But in other situations it’s better to get a cash back refinance mortgage loan.

You can find out which loan is best for your situation by doing some simple math. The amount of money you need to borrow and the length of time you need to pay it back really determines if refinancing vs line of credit loan makes the most sense.

Home equity lines of credit are based on adjustable type mortgage rates and move up or down when the Fed raises or lowers the prime rate. If you don’t need to borrow much money and plan to pay off the loan in a short amount of time, an equity line of credit may work best for you because you pay the least amount of interest.

An advantage of a home equity credit line is banks offer their lowest interest rates on adjustable mortgage rate type loans. Also, equity lines of credit usually come without the typical closing costs you pay with a cash back refinance mortgage loan.

Average closing costs on a refinance loan usually amount to several thousands of dollars. So when you are trying to decide between refinancing vs line of credit that should factor into your decision.

Another advantage of a home equity credit line is they are more flexible than a cash back refinance mortgage loan. With a home equity credit line you only pay interest on the amount you borrow. The remainder of the credit line is available at any time without paying any interest.

Home equity credit lines work well for smaller loan amounts, but if you need a large amount of money, say $75,000 to $100,000, you may want to consider a cash back refinance mortgage loan.

A cash back refinance mortgage loan is a first mortgage and most are amortized over a 30 year payment schedule. That keeps your payments more affordable on a larger loan amount. Most home equity lines amortize over 10 years or 15 years because they are a second mortgage loan.

Another consideration when trying to decide between refinancing vs line of credit is the interest rate you currently have on your first mortgage. If you have a low interest rate on your first mortgage you may want to take advantage of a home equity credit line so you can keep your low rate on the first mortgage.

If you have a high interest rate on your first mortgage, a cash back refinance mortgage loan with a lower interest rate might make more sense. Just remember to do the math because the average closing costs on a refinance loan will amount to several thousands of dollars.

Until you repay the loan closing costs you won’t be saving any money even if your monthly payment is lower. Figure the number of months it takes in payment savings to cover the typical closing costs of a cash back refinance mortgage loan to see if this makes sense for you.

These simple tips should help when deciding if you should establish a line of credit or get a cash back refinance mortgage loan. Do the math to find out if refinancing vs line of credit makes the most sense for your situation.

Copyright � 2005 Credit Repair Facts.com All Rights Reserved.

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The Countless Alternatives To Credit Cards

Thursday, January 17th, 2008

Thanks to the constant stream of credit card offers you receive in the mail or through television few people understand that there are viable alternatives. Below are five of those alternatives.

1. Debit Cards
Debit cards have been used in many European countries for a number of years, but are relatively new elsewhere. In a nutshell, they are just like credit cards and are accepted in most places where credit cards are accepted. The biggest difference is that they take money directly from your bank account rather than you getting a bill at the end of the month. However, you should be aware that you aren’t as well-protected from fraud with a debit card as you would be with a credit card. Another way to describe a debit card would be to call it an electronic check.

2. Pre-Paid Credit Cards
These cards work just like credit cards, except that you’re not allowed to carry a negative balance. You deposit money into your card account before you can spend it which means that you ‘top-up’ the card… like you do with pre-paid cell phones. This is great way to control your spending or you could give one to a child to control their spending. They are also safer than debit cards, if stolen because the their could only spend whatever money was on it.

3. Bank Overdrafts
Bank overdrafts used in conjunction with a credit card, can be a far better way of borrowing money than using a credit card. Your overdraft limit is set by your bank according to how much you deposit into your account each month. You don’t need to pay it off until you want to.

It gives you the ability to have your account go into the red or negative numbers. Many banks charge relatively high interest rates for overdrafts, but rarely as high as a credit card companies and the better customer you’re considered the better rates you’ll receive from your bank.

4. Traditional Loans
When you plan on purchasing a single big item at a fixed price – like a car or for home improvements it’s worth budgeting it all out and going to a bank or other type of lender. They’ll be able to lend you the money at a much better rate than a credit card would simply because they know why you’re taking the loan and can set regular monthly payments for you to repay it.

5. Credit Unions
Credit unions are like banks, only more local. They are co-operative, owned by their members and run by the community and are a great place to borrow money. The reason is because there are laws that limit how much interest credit unions can charge and they don’t need to make a profit for owners or shareholders because they don’t have any. It’s a solid alternative and well worth looking into if there’s one in your area.

 

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

 

Kevin Erickson is a contributing writer for: www.debtmgmtresources.com, www.aneyeondebt.com and www.debtmergeresources.com. This article may be reproduced only in its entirety.

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