Strange But True Story

My strange but true story starts twenty-five years ago, when I was sixteen. I had just hitched a ride back out to Interstate 90 as the sun was setting. The previous night I had been caught alone in the back country on the northern edge of Yellowstone National Park, in a freak May blizzard. A grizzly bear pawed the ground outside my tent in the middle of the night, scaring me half to death. That, however, is another story.

This strange-but-true-story starts with me standing on the side of the freeway ramp, with my thumb out. Even here in the valley near Livingston there was snow on the lilac flowers, and my tennis shoes were still wet from stumbling (lost) through the mountains earlier in the day. After an hour or two, a car finally pulled over, and this is how I met Violet.

Short Stories

Fashion To Go Fashion To Go Buy Elite Buying Ideas Buying Tags Cheap Sales Custom Items Daily Corner Daily Item Daily Tags Easy at Home Easy Purchase Ed-Buy Online Elite Market Elite Zone E-Shopping Mall Gift Shopping I-Shopping New Prices New Price Tags Online Grocery Shop for Online Shop In Style Shopping Cart Shopping Day AZ Shopping Cart Brand Sales 24 Hours For Gifts

It was tough to determine her age, but from the stories she told, I guessed she was in her fifties. She was on her way home from her brother's trial in Bozeman. When I asked her what he was on trial for, she told me "He killed his girlfriend," and in case I doubted her, she flipped over the newspaper on the seat. There she was on the front page, with the headline, "Sister Says He Should Be Hanged."

Strange But True Story

"He just cut her up for no good reason," she explained. Not knowing what to say, I said nothing. Although she seemed perfectly comfortable talking about it, she graciously changed the subject.

"Having a hard time getting rides here?" she asked. I told her I had waited a while. "That's because a few years back a man was killed by a hitchhiker right on that highway down to Yellowstone," she explained. "They found the hitchhiker in the woods near the road, roasting the man's heart over a fire."

"I guess that explains why it's hard to get rides," I agreed.

Violet had only had trouble with a hitchhiker once, she told me. "He was even younger than you, and he pulled a knife on me and tried to rob me." When I asked her what she did, she replied casually, "Well, I just pulled out my gun on him and told him he better behave if he wanted a ride." That seemed fair, I agreed.

She told me about the last time she was camping in Yellowstone, back in the fifties, when her husband was still alive. They and others saw a missile come out of the sky and hit a mountain, triggering an earthquake. Army officials came and told everyone in the area that it was a matter of national security, and they couldn't say a word about it. I nodded and asked for a few more details.

Then there was the story about the UFO. An alien spacecraft had hovered over them during another camping trip, picking up their trailer in a "tractor beam" and lifting it off the hitch on the car, into the sky. It was dropped in a field nearby, and the sheriff, who was driving behind them at the moment, saw the whole thing.

Violet let me spend the night at her house, in her brothers room. In the morning, before driving me back out to the freeway, she even offered to let me take any of her brothers clothes or cowboy boots, since, "He won't be needing them anymore." I declined.

Later in the year, safely home in Michigan, I got a letter from Violet, wishing me a Merry Christmas. She had drawn a picture at the top of a dog in a spacesuit, which she labeled "Space Dog." In the meantime, I had discovered that there had been an earthquake in the Yellowstone area when she claimed they saw the missile, and it had been strong enough to form a new lake.

I still was assuming that the killer hitchhiker was at least an exaggeration. It wasn't. Years later I heard all the grizzly details in the news because they were letting the killer go free now that he was sane. Amidst the publicity, the authorities were having a hard time finding a town to place him in.

To this day, I still haven't read or heard anything about an alien spacecraft that picks up camping trailers, but I'm waiting. Who knows? Montana is full of strange but true stories.

Strange But True Story

Steve Gillman hit the road at sixteen, and traveled the U.S. and Mexico alone at 17. Now 40, he travels with his wife Ana, whom he met in Ecuador. For travel stories, tips and a free e-book, visit: http://www.EverythingAboutTravel.com

watch mobile phone Best Price Dual Motor Deluxe Power Unit For Buy Bern Berkeley Winter Snowboarding Helmet Best Price Golf Cart Ultimate Light Kit Upgrade

Hooking Skimmers and Scanners

We all do it. With the onslaught of information coming at us every day, we have to filter it. We skim for a quick overview of the message in a communication. We scan for the specific information we're looking for.

When we're sorting through potential reading material, making our A pile (read now) B pile (read later if I get around to it) and C pile (recycle), we are not yet committed to a printed piece. We're casual readers. So what is it that turns a casual reader into a serious reader? What gets your document into your prospect's A, or at least the B pile?

Short Stories

Fashion To Go Fashion To Go Buy Elite Buying Ideas Buying Tags Cheap Sales Custom Items Daily Corner Daily Item Daily Tags Easy at Home Easy Purchase Ed-Buy Online Elite Market Elite Zone E-Shopping Mall Gift Shopping I-Shopping New Prices New Price Tags Online Grocery Shop for Online Shop In Style Shopping Cart Shopping Day AZ Shopping Cart Brand Sales 24 Hours For Gifts

Ten surefire ways to pull in a casual reader:

Hooking Skimmers and Scanners

Select strong headlines (an article unto itself!) Use a subhead to lead in from headline to body copy For print, consider an oversized initial cap for the first paragraph Place subheads within the story (more on subheads below) Use color to tie related elements together and help readers navigate Add photos with captions, illustrations, tables, graphs Pull quotes from the story to stand, oversized, on their own (more on pull quotes below) Place emphasis on key paragraphs Place related (but tangential) information in sidebars (more on sidebars below) Use relative size, placement, boldness, color, etc. to indicate relative importance of information
Three Kinds of Subheads:

Centered subheads, also known as crossheads, are useful for full justified text where left and right margins are aligned. This is a more formal style. A flush left, also known as a sidehead, works with both left justified and centered text. Informal. A boldface lead-in or run-in head works with both alignments. These can also be used as 'sub-subheads' under centered or flush-left subheads but should be in smaller or less emphasized type to clarify hierarchy.
Five Functions of Pull Quotes:

Provide essential information to skimmers and scanners Generate interest in the subject Break up large blocks of copy, creating breathing room for the reader Fill space when you are short on copy Add white space and visual interest to a page dense with copy
Six Kinds of Sidebars

Readership sidebars prompt the casual page turner to actually read your copy. Examples: a table of contents, a drop quote, or a teaser that urges the reader on. Biography sidebars lend credibility. Examples: credentials, publications, a client list. Benefit sidebars detail a compelling benefit of the offer. Examples: fulfilling a dream, solving a problem, easing a fear. Credibility sidebars help convince the reader that your claims are valid and that they will get the benefits promised. Examples; customer or expert testimonials, media endorsements. Proof sidebars offer hard data to support your premise or the value of your offer. Examples: statistics, charts, tables. Sales-closing sidebars are placed to remove final roadblocks toward the end of your sales message. Examples: bump up perceived value, offer a premium, relieve risk with guarantees, devices to prompt action.

Hooking Skimmers and Scanners

Linda Pizzitola is principal of Kauai Design Graphics, Inc., a graphic design, copywriting and marketing firm on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. Subscribers to her quarterly e-zine, The Graphics Grapevine, receive short articles and tips on design, persuasive writing and small business marketing. To see her online portfolio and a client list, or to subscribe to The Graphics Grapevine or access back issues, visit http://www.kauaidesign.com

watch cell phone Buy 2008 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Without Turbo Radiator Buy Auburn Gear 5420113 High Performance Series Differential

A Concentration on Greed Makes Everyone Bleed

For the thirty-plus years of my adult life I have watched, read, and learned - albeit somewhat passively - about our national and world economy, the politics of big business, the exclusive world of money, and how it all fits together to affect each of us. But a few days ago, while watching more economic bad news on the television, my teen looked at me with an inquisitive voice and said: "I don't understand...if all this is based on confidence, perception of value, and speculation...why are we in this mess and how does it all fit together? Can't we just print more money?" Oh boy, thought I, where do I start? Explaining the complicated components of the economy - in fact the world of money - and why we are in a recession and our economy is failing is not such a simple task.

Rather than fumbling around with a lengthy dissertation on macro and microeconomics, I thought better of it and stopped. I wanted to somehow give her an answer that she could get her brain around quickly. So I spoke about the underlying reason for our national and international financial perils: greed. I explained to her that it is the concentration of greed, and the want that we all have to live beyond our means, that has hurt us all. We are picking up the tab for our greed. I explained to her that I personally want to blame the big corporate CEO's, the super rich, and the Wall Street executives. But the foundation of greed upon which our woes are set extends all the way to each and every consumer; we have lived beyond our incomes through the invention of credit.

Short Stories

Coincidentally, following this conversation with my daughter, I picked up the September 29th issue of Time magazine - that I still hadn't been able to get to - and there, on page 32, began an article entitled: "The Price of Greed." The article confirms the point: "...in the end, almost all of us, collectively, are going to pay for the consequences." And a bit later on the same page: "When greed exceeds fear, trouble follows." The article goes into strong detail as to the specific details that contribute to our economic troubles (and I will ask my daughter to read this fine article).

A Concentration on Greed Makes Everyone Bleed

The news story we watched that prompted my daughter's questions was about the American automakers asking for some of the bail out funds. I admit to a bit of extra angst on this matter. The auto industry is like the deliberately rebellious son who commits a crime, then finds religion and repentance too late. For decades we have been warned about pollution, the damages to our environment, and the need to migrate away from fossil fuels...but greed determined decisions; it was short-sighted greed that kept the American car makers from taking the lead by making better cars than Toyota, and new, environmentally conscious products. No fear; the auto makers have always been confident that consumers will buy (and trust) whatever they make.

The same goes for "the environment" (which is related in many ways). I put this in quotes because we speak about the very air we breathe, our sky, and the ground we are pulled to as if it is a possession, like "the house" or "the television" or something detached from our person. Sure, I know that it's just a label, a common term, a way to address an issue...but in my mind, it's so much more than "the environment"...it is our very lives, the reason we are alive...it is us, more than us. Anyway, as I said, the same goes for the environment; we have been warned and known for decades about the effects of pollution, the impact we humans are having on our planet, and the need to migrate away from fossil fuels...but greed determined our decisions. It was easier to not incite fears in the masses, and largely ignore this exponentially growing problem in favor of greedy consumerism, and the intrinsic pollution of our disposable economy.

Perhaps between the Time article and the assistance of her parents, our daughter may come to understand a bit more about our collective condition. But understanding is only the start. As she prepares for a successful adulthood, my hope is that she will act in responsible ways and seek to promote responsibility in others.

The (September 29th) Time magazine article I aptly concluded: "Coping in this new world will require adjustments by millions of Americans. We all will have to start living within our means - or preferably below them." To this I would add that unregulated Capitalism must be tempered by lessons of the past; we humans have a responsibility to our planet and to each other to heed the warning signs, shy away from allowing greed to determine action, and take consistent action based upon (and within) that responsibility.

A Concentration on Greed Makes Everyone Bleed

http://www.kissoftruth.com

http://www.KissOfTruth.com / Kurt Turrell

watches cell phone Cheap Deals Mason 5C025 Pad Anti Vibration Buy Acdelco D1483D Ignition Lock Cylinder For 118 Buy 7 8 X 10 4 Rectangular Home

Michelangelo - The Secrets, The Facts & The Story You Never Knew About

Michelangelo

The man, the art, the sonnets, the architect

Short Stories

Artists come in many forms, as Michelangelo showed, even in architect. But when you mix a man with the talent of sculpture, drawings, paintings, poetry, and architect you have the unmistakably brilliant and sometimes fascinating life of Michelangelo.

Michelangelo - The Secrets, The Facts & The Story You Never Knew About

There has not been one celebrated in so many different fields in all history. You will easily find other brilliant and just as famous painters, as Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Picasso, etc. and you will also find poetic geniuses like, Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allan Poe, etc, and you will also find noble and talented sculptures and architects. Michelangelo excelled in all four, which if you take into account the amount of time it takes to master just one talent or career, leaving his name in literary books, art museums, architectural structures and pencil drawings.

Michelangelo was undoubtedly the greatest marble sculptor during that era, and beyond. He preferred marble sculpting and fresco painting above all other forms, which are two of the hardest style to create in each field. It was perhaps, many have speculated, the physical, intellectual and artistic challenges that provided him the desire for these forms. Even in painting Michelangelo choose the most difficult poses and he continuously layered his work with multiple meanings in reference to religion, mythology, and a number of other subjects.

His love for male beauty has shown meticulously in his sculptures, his love rooted deep on both the physical and emotional levels. His greatest male love was Tommaso dei Cavalieri who, along with many other youths, posed for Michelangelo for his work.

It wasn't a guess that Michelangelo was destined to be an artist, even his father's scolding could not keep young Michelangelo from drawing instead of schoolwork. In fact his father was heard to have beat Michelangelo on numerous occasions, attempting to persuade him into another profession. Most modern commentaries speculated that this was merely a platonic relationship these words written by Cavalieri speak volumes for the bond, "I swear to return your love. Never have I loved a man more then you, never have I wished for a friend more than I wish for you." During his lifetime Michelangelo never married

With Michelangelo's persistent love for art and dedication to painting his father soon caved in and allowed him to be an apprentice at the age of 13 with Domenico Ghirlandia, who paid Michelangelo for his apprenticeship. The process was very uncommon for the 16th century, normally the apprentice paid to learn from the master while learning and working odd labor in the master's home, but a conflict forced him out after a year.

He was then invited to stay at the home of Lorenzo de' Medici, the Magnificent. Where Michelangelo would continue his art studies as well as learn anatomy. By the time Michelangelo was 16 he completed two medium sized sculptures. Michelangelo would go on to complete 30 completed and famous sculptors and 7 paintings. Although there is no precious number, when Michelangelo died in 1556 he still had a large number of sculptors and paintings incomplete.

Michelangelo - The Secrets, The Facts & The Story You Never Knew About

Chris Jacob is an individual who just can't seem to help himself and try everything. Last Year he was in IT, yesterday he was in China and today he is an artist....well at least helping artists paint beautiful paintings just for you. See amazing free video demonstrations and get free advice frm the experts (Jive Oil Painting Forums [http://forum.jiveexchange.com]). Also as a new release he wants the generally short of money artist to be financially secure so he also recently set up (Credit Card Assist). to help you live a lifestyle you desire and deserve.

watches mobile phone Best Price Dual Motor Deluxe Power Unit For Buy 2008 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Without Turbo Radiator Cheap Deals Mason 5C025 Pad Anti Vibration

Short Story On Family And Values

Growing up in a place like New York was very interesting. No, not New York City, but very close. I grew up in a small city in Westchester County. Most of you more than likely never heard of Mount Vernon, NY. It is a small town that boarders Yonkers, New Rochelle and the Bronx. As a young boy growing up in the late 1970s and early 1980s was interesting an interesting time. I, like many of you, have many stories. This story is just one of them.

One day, when I was about 13, I was walking with couple of my friends. Not really doing anything special, just doing what teenagers do on a nice hot summer afternoon. This day we where just coming back from walking on the Avenue looking around and seeing what we could see. We had something to eat and maybe picked up a few things in the stores. I was what you would have called a Projects kid. The Projects is five apartment buildings, each about 10 stories high and setup in a circular configuration with a park in the middle and one small and one large playground area. The large area was where the basketball courts where and most of the bigger kids hung out.

Short Stories

Anyway back to the story. This day we were walking through one of the parking lots coming up Third Street just talking when my younger brother, Mark, come running up to us at full speed. A few seconds later I saw a man running behind him. At the time I did not think anything of it, thinking that they where both just running at the same time. Knowing Mark, I figure he is just acting like a younger brother and being silly. Then I looked at his face. When he got to me I could see he was out of breath. He was also talking at a mile a minute, so I did not really understand all that he was saying. Then the next thing I know this man was in front of me and reaching for him. Mark moved behind me, and I then realized that he was scared. Trying to figure out what was going on I asked the man what the problem was. The man said he wanted my little brother in a bad way. At that time I told the man that I did not know what was going on but I could not let him have my brother. The man got more and more upset. I told the man that my parents would be home later and if he wanted he could speak with them. At that time the man looked at me like he could not believe he was explaining to a child. He reached for my brother again and again I blocked him. He then punched me in the chest. I was more shocked than hurt and could not believe that this man had not only hit me, but he was going to do it again. I found that I now had to defend myself.

Short Story On Family And Values

Little did my newly-met adult friend know that I had been training in Karate for the last four years and was very good, if I say so myself. Now I was raised by my parents to respect all adults, however this man had crossed the line. First, he was trying to hurt my younger brother; second, he redirected his anger at me with a physical attack on me. But a funny thing happened and, much to his surprise, he found that he now had taken on a bit more then he had bargained for and was now in a bit of trouble himself. So the man stopped his attack, ran up 9th Avenue and disappeared from view. I turned to my brother to find out what had started all this craziness.

While Mark was telling me his story, I looked up the street and saw the man was coming back. Then I noticed that he now had a combination hammer/hatchet he was planning to use this combination tool on me. Now, I was a child of the old martial arts movies like Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon and Jim Kelly in Three the Hard Way. But, I knew it was time to find another way to deal with this man. I noticed there was some new construction going on right cross the street. I moved to that side of the street and started throwing bricks at the man who was coming to hit me with either an axe or hammer. I am also happy to say that the man, after seeing that I could also throw pretty well, changed his mind and he returned to his home.

About 10 minutes later the police showed up. I was asked what happened. They spoke with me and several witnesses and then went to visit the gentlemen at his home. Someone said they heard that the gentleman was affected more by me defending myself with my hands then by anything else. The bricks did not hit the man as they were only thrown to scare him. I also heard they found the story to be funny.

Later I found out from Mark that he and the man's daughter, who was 12 years old, had a disagreement. So this whole thing was over a simple disagreement among children. This man had wildly overreacted and did things without finding out the facts or using any reason. I am just happy that no one was hurt badly and that everything worked out okay.

You see, it is all about family for me. It is up to each of us to protect the ones we care about the best way we can. I was not going to let anything happen to my brother or anyone if I can help it. In the case of my brother, it was one for all and all for one.

Thank you for letting me share my story. This event was a lesson for me. Sometimes you have to stop, be aware and resume control. Hope that you enjoyed it.

Short Story On Family And Values

By Zurriane Bennett

San Yama Bushi & Combination GoJu
School of Self Defense
http://www.sybcg.com

watches cell phone Best Price Art S8 Balanced 8 Channel Microphone Buy Acdelco D1483D Ignition Lock Cylinder For 118 Buy Auburn Gear 5420113 High Performance Series Differential

Various Types of Short Stories

As there are varieties of subjects, themes and art, there are various types of a short story. Some of the types are ancient tales, humor, satire, fantasy, biography, education, local color, and history. Lets us have a glimpse on each one of them in this article.

1. Ancient Tales

Short Stories

It is the power of the utilization of the ancient form of the tale in the modern short story. Italian writer Giovanni Verga's The She-Wolf (1880), and Chinese writer Yeh Shao-Chun's Mrs. Li's Hair are remarkable examples.

Various Types of Short Stories

2. Fantasy

Fantasy stories are nothing but the fair combination of the old tales tradition and the supernatural details. The fine examples of such stories are British writer John Collier's horror fantasy Bottle Party (1939), Irish author Elizabeth Bowen's The Demon Lover (1941), and British author Saki's Tobermory (1911).

3. Humor

These types of stories are meant for producing surprise and delight. You will see that the most famous humorous tales and fables were written by the Americans. Mark Twain's The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County (1865), and Joel Chandler Harris's The Wonderful Tar-Baby Story (1894) are remarkable. There is serious humor in the works of Americans like Eudora Welty's Petrified Man (1939) and Dorothy Parker's The Custard Heart (1939).

4. Satire

The main purpose of satire is to attack the evils of society. There are writers who wrote stories of sober satire. Austrian author Arthur Schnitzler's Fate of the Baron (1923), and American Mary McCarthy's The Man in the Brooks Brothers Shirt (1941) are known for their somber satire.

5. Education Story

Such stories revolve around the education of the main character. The good example is American educator Lionel Trilling's Of This Time, of That Place (1944).

6. History

History types deal with a life story or historical event. Welty's A Still Moment (a 1943 story about naturalist John James Audubon) is fine example of story dealing with history event.

7. Local Color

These types of stories deal with the customs and traditions of rural and small-town life. You can enjoy the local color in the stories of George Washington Cable, Maria Edgeworth, Sarah Orne Jewett, and Mary Wilkins Freeman.

These are some of the types you may find in sort story genre. In recent times, stories have more local color, diversities in the representations, making use of dialects, and vernacular impressions. The story writes have been taking somewhat flexibility in writing stories as they wish.

Various Types of Short Stories

Rakesh Patel is an aspiring poet, freelance writer, self-published author and teacher. To learn about various types of poetry and English literature, read my blog http://EnglishLiterature99.wordpress.com

watches mobile phone Best Price Dual Motor Deluxe Power Unit For Buy Auburn Gear 5420113 High Performance Series Differential

The Story of Aladdin

The story of Aladdin is an old Arabic story, with unknown origins. Its first appearance in print was in The Book of One Thousand and One Nights - a compendium of Arabic, Persian and Indian myths and legends, and the same book that gave us Ali Baba and Sinbad. The name 'Aladdin' is actually 'Ala ad-Din', and the story probably came from Syria.

The version of Aladdin that was written down in 1709 is largely the one that we know today, although there are a few key differences. Aladdin, a poor young man, is sent by a sorcerer to get a magic lamp from a cave - but isn't told that it's protected by a curse. Angry at the lie, Aladdin keeps the lamp, and finds that a genie lives inside who can grant him wishes. He uses this power selfishly, to become rich and marry a princess, but his new wife, not knowing the lamp's power, gives it away to the sorcerer.

Short Stories

When the sorcerer uses his new power to take Aladdin's wife and riches, Aladdin is reduced to nothing. However, he still has a ring that the sorcerer gave him before he went in the cave, and the ring is capable of summoning another, less powerful genie. With this new genie's help, Aladdin defeats the sorcerer.

The Story of Aladdin

As you can see, the start is familiar, but the ending is probably quite different to what you've heard. There are other elements that are left out entirely from modern re-tellings - Aladdin is cheated by a Jew and then helped by a Muslim at one point, for example, which is now seen as incredibly anti-semitic.

Regardless, the overall meaning of the story is clear. When Aladdin uses the lamp to get riches and marry the princess for the first time, he has not truly earned them. It is only once he has been through a struggle and proven his worth that he can be entitled to his new position.

The Story of Aladdin

John Gibb is the owner of aladdin data [http://www.aladdin-resources4u.info] , For more information on aladdin check out [http://www.aladdin-resources4u.info]

watches cell phone Cheap Deals Mason 5C025 Pad Anti Vibration Buy 2008 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Without Turbo Radiator

4 Valuable Lessons We Can Learn From Mercedes-Benz

I'm a great fan of the German cars, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, but in particular, Mercedes-Benz. Since childhood I believed that Henry Ford invented the motor car, and then I learned that Karl Benz actually did, way back in 1886 when Henry Ford was still playing with Lego. Not to get down on Henry, he did conceive the production line which sped up production of all cars.

I can't remember when I started adoring and respecting Mercedes-Benz above all others, but I can tell you why...

Short Stories

They have put a couple of principles into practice and taken some decisions that I really respect and that I think we can learn from.

4 Valuable Lessons We Can Learn From Mercedes-Benz

1. They are pioneers

Mercedes-Benz has pioneered more automotive technology than any other car maker. Often times on the car forums, people will bash Merc and insist they're copying others in design or in technology. I always respond that even if that was true, they have every right to do so - they invented the car, so all car makers, simply by the act of producing cars, are copying them.

That's just some light hearted kidding around, but the point is, Mercedes have been pioneers. They developed the engine ignition system so you don't have to start the engine with a wrench, developed the first supercharged car, pioneered crumple zones, created ABS for cars, were the first to introduce airbags in Europe, developed the collapsible steering column and Electronic Stability Program (ESP), which was later introduced in other cars by many other names like DSC, and this is just a very short list.

Pioneering has its price, but its worth it. Mercedes spends more than any other manufacturer on research and development (these days it's around R90 million per day! In 2006 they spent R140 million every day on research and development), so they walk away with less profit, but in the minds of the majority of the world's population, they have a name of prestige, respect and admiration right up there with Bentley and Rolls Royce.

When people need to refer to a benchmark, you'll only hear one of two things: They are the Rolls Royce of their field, or they are the Mercedes Benz of their field.

As a testament to Mercedes' pioneering spirit, see how much technology present in Bentley and Rolls Royce was conceived and developed by Mercedes-Benz. You'll note that this distinction doesn't apply the other way around. Another testament is that roughly 9 out of 10 royals and statesmen (presidents, diplomats, rulers, ministers, kings, queens, chancellors) drive or are driven in a Mercedes-Benz S-Class or Maybach.

2. They are not selfish and greedy

The thing about Mercedes that I respect and admire more than anything else, something which no other car maker to my knowledge has ever done, is that they licensed their safety technology for use by their competitors.

That meant that other car makers could use Mercedes' safety technology in their own cars without paying royalties to Merc. And that means that countless people are alive today, countless children of those people are able to be here today, because of Mercedes' pioneering technology present in Volvo, BMW, Audi etc etc etc.

Ok, corporate greed is everywhere and I'm not going to say Mercedes don't try and maximise their profits like any other car maker, or for that matter, anything maker. But licensing your safety technology to others, which you spent millions upon millions developing, is not something a company with greed at its core does.

3. It's vital to choose your mentors and leaders extremely carefully

Mercedes-Benz went through the ugliest period in their history between 1995 and 2005. Unfortunately, the wrong person was chosen to head the company, someone who didn't understand the principles of excellence. He decided that Mercedes should cut expenses to increase their profit. Mercedes dropped in the customer satisfaction ranks until they were second from the bottom. It's an amazing testimony to Mercedes' established reputation that they managed to go through that period with minimal damage.

Then a new CEO took over - a man who understands excellence very, very clearly, and Mercedes has never made better cars before in their history, despite the fact that with computers and electronics, it's harder than ever to do so because there are many times more chances for faults and bugs to occur.

The most recent technological development by Mercedes as of this writing is PRE-SAFE, a system that goes beyond protecting you in a crash, it actually predicts the crash and prepares the seating position and airbags, closes the windows and sunroof, and fires the seatbelt pre-tensioners BEFORE the crash happens. If the crash doesn't happen, the systems all reset to normal.

The materials and engineering are again top class, and the decade before is now just a bad memory.

4. They value family

Couples often lose the passion and spark in their marriage because they don't have a common goal and vision for their lives. Then one day they say things like, "I just don't love her/him anymore" or "We just drifted apart over time"! Um, yes, so don't let it happen. Make your family part of your story. Don't see your wife/husband as a separate entity to your purpose in life. We are called to do this thing together.

If you look at the Mercedes-Benz story, you can see a family theme throughout. Bertha Benz drove Karl's car over a long distance in a well publicised tour. At the time people didn't understand the gasoline engine and thought the thing must be driven by demons. They were very superstitious.

Bertha Benz's trip, made without her husband's knowledge, made people more comfortable with the idea of the automobile and curiosity was peaked setting the stage for success.

Other family references in the amazing history of Mercedes Benz include its very name. Mercedes Jellinek was the daughter of Emil Jellinek. Emil Jellinek was a wealthy man who drove early Daimler engine developments because he raced their cars and required more and more speed.

Gottlieb Daimler worked on an automobile design around the same time as Karl Benz, but since his was a converted horse carriage, instead of a purpose designed chassis like Karl Benz's, Karl Benz was credited as the father of the automobile.

One of the Daimler engines was named after Emil Jellinek's daughter Mercedes. Eventually Emil Jellinek named his racing team Mercedes. He clearly adored his daughter. Eventually, Karl Benz merged his company with Daimler's to form Daimler-Benz.

I don't know about you, but family is very important to me and so this element of the Mercedes-Benz heritage puts them head and shoulders above the rest in my book. To me, Ferrari and Mercedes have the most reason to be proud and have the richest heritage of all car companies, but even Ferrari can't claim to have invented the automobile;)

4 Valuable Lessons We Can Learn From Mercedes-Benz

This entrepreneur and author shows you How to Become a Make-It-Happen Person by relating lessons learnt while doing everything from training with an Israeli Special Forces slash Mossad agent to practicing exotic, sensual Salsa Dancing.

Visit http://www.RegScheepers.com

watches mobile phone Buy Auburn Gear 5420113 High Performance Series Differential Buy 7 8 X 10 4 Rectangular Home

How to Write a Short Story

Everybody knows writing a story is not easy. Like the drama or the poem, it is imaginative literature that should appeal to the emotions of the readers. Since it communicates the writer's interpretation of reality, there must be an artistic use of language to signify human experience. But how do we write a great short story? What are the things to keep in mind in order to come up with a short story that works? Here's a quick guide to get you started:

1. Read

Short Stories

Reading is essential to anyone who wants to write. In order to be able to write a good short story, you must read other short stories first. This will not only give you the motivation and inspiration for your own story, but it will also help you learn how other authors made an impression on the reader and use their style as basis to create your own style and impression.

How to Write a Short Story

2. Get inspired

For seasoned professionals, there is no need to obtain inspiration because thoughts naturally flow and they only have to put them into words on paper. But for novice writers, it is important to have one because it will not only help you begin your first paragraph but also keep you going throughout. Your inspiration may take the form of an object. a person, or an event that you just can't seem to forget.

3. Conceptualize your story

Think of something you want to talk about with your readers. Let's say you want to relate a story about a couple who fell in love with each other. What about the couple? What is it about them that you are interested to let your readers know? Focus on this idea and think of other concepts that you want to associate with this couple. Suppose the girl's parents discommended their relationship. What about the parents? What did they do to stop the two from loving each other? This could signal a good beginning for your story. From here, you would have the notion what to write down.

4. Map out the scenes

In order to keep your writing aligned with your pre-conceived story events, it is good to briefly map out scenes of your story on a different piece of paper. Write down the possible characters of your story and list the main events in order. You don't have to put so much detail on them because this only serves as a rough sketch of how your story will look like.

5. Chooose your point of view

Who tells the story and how it is told is very critical for a short story to be effective. The point of view can change the feel and tone of the story radically. Hence, you must decide carefully before finally resolving with the angle of vision to use for your story. But whatever it is you decide to choose as the point of view, make sure it stays constant throughout your story to maintain consistency.

6. Conceive your characters

For a short story, create a maximum of only three main characters. Too many main characters will make your story confusing since each new character will provide a new dimension for the story. Each character should be more than cardboard caricatures. Make your characters speak naturally in proportion with their traits. Make them believable but mysterious.

7. Furnish a good introduction

When you have everything planned out, start scribbling your first paragraph. Introduce your main characters and set out the scene. The scene must be some place you know much about so that you'd be able to supply the necessary snapshot for a clearly described setting. Make your introduction interesting to hold the reader’s interest and encourage them to read on to the end. It is also important to hold back significant details and the greater part of the action at this point so the mystery is kept.

8. Build up a great plot

From your introduction, draw out events that will eventually create a problem or a conflict for the main character/characters. After that, begin laying out an array of clues to keep the reader interested, intrigued and guessing. Intensify the conflict as the story moves forward. This will not only make your reader enthused to read more but will also keep them riveted to your story.

9. Show don't tell

The characters should be the ones responsible for expressing the story through their actions and dialogue and not the writer telling the reader what is being expressed. Rather than saying, "Annette was really mad at her bestfriend Christina for stealing her boyfriend", say "Annette felt an ache in her stomach and a strong pang of betrayal as Christina approaches her and flashes her with a sweet smile. She breathed hard trying to calm herself as she speaks with suppressed anger: "I hope you're happy now that you've proven yourself as a friend."

10. Use active verbs

Put as much life into your story as you can. In order to do this, employ verbs in the active voice in your story. Instead of saying,"The flower was picked by Johanna", say "Johanna picked the flower."

11. Use some dialogue

Dialogue is important in bringing your story to life. Don't just use it to pad out your characters. Use it to convey your characters to identify with the reader. Use it in direct quotes like "Go there!" instead of indirect quotes as "She told him to go there."

12. Keep references handy

A good reference such as a thesaurus or a dictionary is crucial in creating a good story. You can use them to check your spellings and to find the words which best fit your description. Instead of using one lengthy sentence or paragraph, you can utilize one or just a few words to convey what you want to say. Oftentimes, one strong word has a greater effect than a paragraph full of fancy language.

13. Conclude briefly

Conclusions are tough sledding. For a good ending, it is advisable to experiment and to add a little twist. Make your ending unique but not hanging in a loose end. Make it satisfying without making it too predictable. Keep in mind to keep it short but concise and lingering so that the reader is left with a feeling of resonance. Your conclusion should wrap up everything from start to finish.

14. Edit and revise

After fashioning the last words of your story, it is time to begin the editing cycle. Carefully go through your work and fix all your mistakes regarding sentence construction, word usage, formatting. punctuation marks, diction, spelling, grammar, and descriptive analysis. Scratch out words, phrases and even paragraphs which don't seem to contribute to the basic elements of the story. After you're done, let it sit for a while for days and even weeks, then edit it again. Reread your story over and over again at different occasions. This will make you see various things you may want to change to make your story shine at its best.

15. Let others proofread

Have your friends take a look at your work. They may just be able to see mistakes which you have missed. For instance, they may be distracted with some words or lines which you adore dearly. In this case, you have to decide on changing it or cutting it off completely.

Writing a short story may not be easy but it can surely be done. With some knowledge on the basic elements and some passion and patience, it's effortless to pull together a story with just a few ideas. Just keep in mind that you're writing not because you have to, but because you want to. Give it a go now!

© 2005 Rachelle Arlin Credo. All rights reserved.

How to Write a Short Story

Rachelle Arlin Credo is a freelance writer and web columnist from the Philippines. She writes on a variety of topics for print and online publications. Feel free to check her website at http://www.rachelle.co.nr

watch cell phone Best Price Dual Motor Deluxe Power Unit For Buy 7 8 X 10 4 Rectangular Home Buy Acdelco D1483D Ignition Lock Cylinder For 118

Bible Story Crafts For Kids - The Good Shepherd Craft & Game

This adorable sheep is one of our Easy Bible Story Crafts for Kids for kindergarten, first grade and second grade. Creating and displaying this cute, fluffy sheep reinforces the Scripture that tells us Jesus watches over us and calls us, like a good shepherd calls his sheep.

This is one of our Kids Bible Crafts that is complimented by a game. The craft and game help children to remember the verses: "I am the good shepherd. I know each of My sheep by name, and My sheep know Me." "Those who come through Me will be saved. They will have everything they need." Scripture: John 10:1-21

Short Stories

Supplies

Bible Story Crafts For Kids - The Good Shepherd Craft & Game

Empty toilet paper roll Cotton balls (30 to 40) 4 Q-Tips Elmer's School Glue White tissue paper Brown pipe cleaner (only if a ram) Clear tape Disposable container (such as a margarine container) Black construction paper Paper punch or scissors
Directions

For support, stuff paper (any kind) inside the toilet paper roll, leaving about an inch empty from the end. Create the sheep's legs by taping the Q-tips to toilet paper roll. Create the sheep's head by scrunching up some tissue paper and stuffing part of it into the end of the roll. Pour a little glue into the container. To add the sheep's wool, dip cotton balls into the glue and press onto the cardboard roll. Once it is covered, add another layer or more until the sheep is nice and wooly. Create the eyes with a paper puncher and the construction paper. Use glue to adhere to the front of the sheep's tissue paper face. For a ram, do Steps 1-6 and then add horns, which are made by twisting pipe cleaner into two curly cues and attaching with glue. Allow to dry.
Displaying the Sheep

Before children bring their sheep home, you may want to create a classroom display:

Begin with a tray of wheat grass you've grown and trimmed short or Easter basket grass spread out evenly. Add shepherd or Jesus figurine or paper doll. Invite children to add their sheep to assemble the flock around the shepherd!
Stray Sheep Game

This tag game is sort of a classroom version of the backyard pool game, Marco Polo. The child playing the stranger is blindfolded and stands in the center of the circle. The others are the sheep and wander around the inside of the circle.

The blindfolded stranger tries to tag the sheep. When calling "Sheep!" the others must reply with "Baa-baa." The first sheep tagged takes the place of the stranger. This game reinforces the lesson that just like the sheep we should only answer to our Good Shepherd.

Look on our site for more Easy Kids Crafts and Bible Kids Crafts.

Bible Story Crafts For Kids - The Good Shepherd Craft & Game

For more great Bible story crafts for kids you can visit Bible Crafts For Kids. Magriet is a work at home "Gran" and she has sites on family matters. For more bible story crafts for kids you can go to Fun Kids Crafts. For a fun Mother's day craft you can go to Mother's Day Crafts For Kids

watch mobile phone Best Price Dual Motor Deluxe Power Unit For Buy Auburn Gear 5420113 High Performance Series Differential