Affordable California Medical Insurance

Study indicates the state of California has a high rate of uninsured people. It has therefore become necessary to find affordable, medical insurance plans for Californians. Many of Californian insurance companies have readymade comparative analysis of insurance plans. Medical insurance plans can be specifically designed as per the requirement of the client. Riders can be added that support the main policy in order to reduce costs.

When a client approaches the company, licensed representatives note down the exact requirement, and accordingly suggest a plan to them. Californians need not go without an insurance policy just because of the affordability factor. There are plans for individuals or groups that can be opted for in a specific budget.

Premiums charged for plans remain the same, whether they are bought directly from the insurance company or from a broker. The advantage of buying from a broker is that the broker can sell policies of different companies. This ensures the buyer of the authenticity of policy, and the broker can also explain finer points to the buyer. It is essential therefore to approach a reliable broker, who has wide experience and is knowledgeable about details of policies.

There are many plans that cater to lower income groups. These plans are usually government funded. Care has to be taken to go only to prescribed doctors or medical institutions, to get full benefit of these policies. There are various group insurances that turn out to be cheaper than individual ones. Employers that cover their employees under medical insurance are given a lot of benefits in terms of lower costs. They also usually pay whole premiums for these policies. Additional benefit is given to the employees, by allowing family members of the employees to be included, in group policies.

Health insurance has become an important investment. With costs of medical treatments skyrocketing medical insurance policies are becoming affordable. It is always beneficial to pay premiums regularly and feel safe in the eventuality of a medical emergency.

Exploring Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas and Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas

Nowadays, if you can afford any holiday, then you can afford a cruise! Search long enough and you'll notice that 400 pounds, for a two week cruise around the Mediterranean, is all you'll need to spend!

Want to know more about the two most popular Royal Caribbean cruise liners? Well read on, and see for yourself why the Independence of the Seas and the Grandeur of the Seas are taking the world by storm.

Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas

The formidable Independence of the Seas is fast gaining recognition as the best large-sized cruise liner to choose, if gallivanting the seas with the whole family. Activities abound, and children (of all ages) are very well catered for; leaving mum and dad plenty of time and options to have a grand time too.

In fact, there's really not much you can't do ON this ship, let alone off it! There's a surfing pool (with amazing waves), amongst its numerous swimming and whirl pools, a full 9-hole mini-golf course, a skating rink, all the fitness equipment and classes you'll ever need (to burn off the delectable food on offer), daily and nightly entertainment for guests of all ages, a casino, skating & jogging rinks, and indoor rock-climbing wall, and far too many restaurants to mention. But that's just the beginning!

The extensive Day Spa menu and yoga classes ought to satisfy every woman's whim, whilst the full-size Everlast boxing ring will keep the men on their toes. The kids will be entertained with various fun clubs and even teenagers will be so enthralled, they'll barely have time to brood or act tortured. It's really a win-win cruise liner!

When cruising with Independence of the Seas, the biggest challenge will be convincing your family to actually get off the ship...ever.

The Independence is based in Southampton and is a familiar sight in all European nooks and crannies. It also offers amazing Transatlantic trips for all cruise aficionados.

Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas

Royal Caribbean has amassed an impressive number of awards over the years; lately, it's been the Grandeur of the Seas which has gained world-wide prominence as one of the very best mid-sized ships around.

The Grandeur of the Seas may be the smaller sister to the Independence, but it is by no means any less....grand. Perfect for those who want a slightly more 'intimate' cruising experience, The Grandeur still offers unbeatable attractions.

The Casino Royale on the 5th deck will entertain you for hours, as will the eight bars and lounges on board, including a kids' themed lounge. There's an incredibly gorgeous rooftop swimming pool, as well as two whirlpools on either side of the ship. You'll still be able to workout in the on-board gym and, while the Grandeur lacks the boxing ring and ice-skating rinks of the Independence, it still offers plenty of fun and relaxation with a Day Spa, climbing wall and jogging track.

As usual, your dining and shopping options are almost endless, so choose the Grandeur if you wish to share all the luxury on offer, with fewer people.

The Grandeur of the Seas offers trips to harder to reach places in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean; so take advantage of this smaller class ship for that extra sneaky peek.

Leaders Must Resist The Urge To Talk

True leadership is not about how smart you seem to others. It is not about the cleverness or genius of your rhetoric. In most cases, our greatest leaders have been those who genuinely preferred to listen to others, in order to gain greater insight into the needs, desires and wishes of their constituents, backers, supporters and donors. It is about having the ability to objectively gather information, insights and ideas from others, while always reserving final judgment yourself (and not being unduly influenced by biases). Great leaders are those that are able to resist their perhaps natural urge to speak, and never interrupt others. True leaders realize that it is far more important to ask than to speak, and that questions asked are often far more important and essential than even the answers given. Great leaders are those that abide by the adage, "They never taste who always drink. They always talk who never think."

1. Responsible leadership often requires great patience, and the willingness to listen fully and evaluate objectively what others say. In my over three decades of working closely with well over a thousand leaders, I have observed that many leaders create unnecessary burdens on themselves by reacting to what they believe (often emotionally) to be the statement and/ or question being asked by others. When this occurs, the leader often overreacts to the comment and attributes some hidden or nefarious meaning or objective to the words spoken. The wise leader, on the other hand, responds to questions and/ or controversial comments made to them by asking clarifying questions, in order to be sure that he fully understands what exactly is the concern. Failure to do so often causes the emotional leader to open up a Pandora's Box, by bringing up an item that wasn't even of concern to the individual. In addition, human nature is such that when a leader asks probing questions in a non- controversial or confrontational manner, that he diffuses any potential overreaction by the other individual, as well. Great leaders are the best listeners!

2. How, exactly should a leader ask a question, without appearing elusive? The first thing is to pay close attention to body language, for example, avoiding crossing ones arms in front of them and prioritizing eye contact. The other thing that is both important and effective is to respond by saying something like, "In other words, you're concerned about.." Then, the great leaders simply stop speaking. As a part of my leadership training programs and courses, I have a component that I call, "ZTL," which quite simply stands for zip the lip. Leaders must wait as long as necessary, and say nothing, until after the other person responds to his probing or clarifying question.

There is a time for a leader to speak, and a time when he must remain silent and effectively listen. Effective listening requires discipline, objectivity, integrity, and the desire to best serve his constituents and organization!

Fibromyalgia is a Complex Condition

Recent studies show that 80-90% of the diagnoses for Fibromyalgia are given to women. Additionally, the chronic muscle pain and disrupted sleeping patterns associated with the disorder leave 60% of the afflicted on disability, unable to work. One must wonder why Fibromyalgia and its subsequent symptoms aren't being treated as a national medical emergency, like AIDS or Cancer. The answer lies in the under-funded and under-researched realm of neuroscience.

One of the treatments for Fibromyalgia Syndrome is, surprisingly, a sleeping pill! Unfortunately, Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome go together like peanut butter and jelly. Researchers point out two possible causes of the Fibromyalgia and fatigue; the first being that since MRIs for patients with Fibromyalgia show brain signals lighting up in the same areas continuously, the neurons simply get worn out and leave the patient more sensitive to pain and soreness. The other possible cause for tiredness has to do with body chemicals, or dopamine and adrenal fatigue. Since the body is constantly producing stress-related chemicals on a normal basis, it's unable to produce enough "feel-good" chemicals to enable rewarding sleep cycles.

Not only is Fibromyalgia linked to bizarre brain activity, but researchers are now looking into the connection between Fibromyalgia and reproductive health as well! Roughly 85-90% of the patients with Fibromyalgia are women. Women with chronic pain syndromes are more likely to have breast cysts, greater stiffness during pregnancy, as well as severe headaches and abdominal cramping during PMS. Many women find the onset of Fibromyalgia concurrent with menopause, which may be related to lowering levels of estrogen and cortisol.

It's possible that genetic polymorphisms in one's serotonergic, catecholaminergic, and dopaminergic systems can predispose some people to Fibromyalgia and sleep disorders. Other hypotheses focus on malfunctions in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis (which controls stress hormone release) or unregulated nerve growth. In some studies, patients with Fibromyalgia were found to have four times as much nerve growth in their spinal fluid. Whatever the cause may be, doctors are looking to find something that will cure the symptoms in order to unlock the mystery cause.

Mystery Writing

Mystery writing follows certain norms of writing and offers the readers the opportunity to exert their intellectual powers to unravel the unknown before the detective does. In this way it is an excellent tool to exercise the human mind. Once the mystery authors embark on their journey to compose the thriller, there is no looking back and they can progress to penning great mystery novels.

People with an inclination to tackle this genre can write screenplays, novels, or short stories. The possibilities are endless, and authors may choose from a number mystery sub-genres. Whichever sub-genre or medium, mystery writing must be steeped in suspense and surprises. By following certain rules that dictate the way mysteries are to be composed, writers can have improved chances of achieving greater success. The ones mentioned below are only starters. Writers can brainstorm and come up with a several ideas to refine their mystery story. Consider the following when writing mystery:

• Having a plausible plot is of utmost importance. A novel based on a weak idea is least likely to attract readers and the writer may eventually fade away into anonymity.

• Introduce the protagonist and the antagonist within the first few pages or else the readers will not include the culprit in their list of suspects and feel let down. Go on to present the minor characters after that.

• The crime must be laid out clearly within the few chapters of the start of the book or scenes as in the case of a screenplay. This will set the minds of the audience ticking and establish the right mood.

• Mystery writing that revolves around high degree of crime has better prospects. Readers feel satiated with murder mysteries although it is more taxing for their brains. A feeble suspense does not excite the readers sufficiently. A clear definition of the problem that has to be solved makes for a far better story.

• List out the workable clues that could fit the plot selected and use the best ones, holding back the main or crucial clue for the end.

• The detective or the hero must finally solve the mystery using the laws of science. The story will become more believable if backed by postulates of rational knowledge.

• Characterize the villain in a mold that leaves no room for doubt in his capability to commit the crime. Often the readers are side-tracked by the culprit's outer behavior that belies his intentions he is harboring.

• Readers cannot be fooled by mystery writing through the presence of supernatural elements to solve the mystery or by an accidental solution.

When done right, mystery writing is one of the most exciting of the genres. The initial set-backs to the investigator, the mounting tension, the sudden twist and ultimately resolving the mystery will satisfy the reader and electrify the author. Working with an experienced mystery writer and revising and rewriting the rough draft can significantly improve the final outcome.

How to Break In and Succeed as a Screenwriter

Screenwriting is a competitive trade. To distinguish yourself as a prize-winning writer you need to master organizational skills, take creative risks, and learn how best to present your final product. For the aspiring screenwriter, Tom Lazarus' book, "Secrets of Film Writing" is one of the best. An exceptional screenwriter with five produced screenplays, Lazarus developed this book for beginning writers enrolled in his classes at UCLA.

This article examines a few of the many techniques outlined in "Secrets of Film Writing" and provides examples of screenwriters who succeeded with Tom Lazarus' guidelines.

ORGANIZATION IS KEY

Master organization and you're closer to producing a stellar screenplay, not a mediocre one. Ask yourself these questions:

1) Does the screenplay have a clear beginning, middle and end?

2) Does the story drift aimlessly or does it make its point successfully?

These may seem like basic questions, yet many screenwriters grapple with organizational problems.

Lazarus addresses this issue in his book; he recommends writers use one of four organizational methods to ensure their screenplays flow smoothly: outlines, treatments, index cards, and scene lists. All four of these tools are equally effective. Writers need to be discreet to decide which organizational crutch best suits their needs.

In writing the screenplay for the Hollywood feature film "Stigmata," Lazarus chose to use a scene list for organizational support since he already had specific ideas about the chronology and action details of his story. To writers who have difficult organizing and prefer a different method, Lazarus says, "Go for it, because no one is going to see it. It's a process. There is no wrong way."

MAKE IT INTERESTING

Writing is a process. Great screenwriters take creative risks. Without an interesting story, even the most organized screenplay will be unmarketable. The goal should never be to copy another writer's style; instead exercise your own imagination and experiment with different ways to spark your story.

When Warner Brothers hired Tim McCanlies to adapt Ted Hughes' famous English novel "The Iron Man" for the screen, he struggled with whether he should remain true to Hughes' vision or develop a new story based loosely on the original book's events. McCanlies chose to do something risky and wildly creative; he Americanized "The Iron Man" by setting the story in the 1950s during the Cold War terror and renamed it "The Iron Giant." His calculated risk proved worthwhile. American audiences related to the film and appreciated its examination of an unusual time in their nation's history. Also, English audiences embraced "The Iron Giant" despite its variation from the original English text and awarded it the 2000 BAFTA Award for best feature film.

McCanlies' success lends a valuable lesson: when you risk nothing, you gain nothing. McCanlies, Lazarus, and other successful screenwriters embroil themselves in chances, write creatively, experiment with different ideas, and raise their characters' stakes.

SUBMIT YOUR SCRIPT LIKE A PRO

Once you have written an interesting, well-organized screenplay you need to submit your script neatly and according to studio standards. Lazarus warns his UCLA students about several technical errors in script presentation that annoy studio readers. Follow these guidelines:

1) A feature length screenplay should be longer than 95 pages and shorter than 125 pages when you submit it for studio consideration.

2) Don't include a synopsis or character biographies with your script as it gives studio readers an excuse not to review the whole screenplay.

3) Don't put scene numbers on your script until it is sold. This is a rule of the game; readers find scene numbers distracting and use them as an excuse to dub a screenplay "amateur" and unworthy of further consideration.

4) Studio readers prefer to receive scripts bound with circular metal brads. Using folders and binders hog office space and interns may discard scripts unintentionally during spring cleaning.

5) Finally, use one of the many screenwriting programs to help format your script, such as Movie Magic Screenwriter, Final Draft or Script Wizard.

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Make sure you proofread your script several times before submitting a script for Hollywood review. Busy studio readers will not peruse screenplays riddled with basic errors like confusing "it's" with "its" and using "are" when you mean "our." Use a program like Style Writer (found at http://www.StyleWriter-USA.com) to remedy such embarrassing grammar mistakes. When you're ready to submit your script, grab a Hollywood Creative Directory (found at [http://www.storyscribe.com/mgbooks.html]) to find markets for your script.

THINK SUCCESS AND BE A SUCCESS

Remember to take risks with plot and character development, and follow studio standards for script submissions. Studying resources like "Secrets of Film Writing" by Tom Lazarus, "How Not to Write a Screenplay" by Denny Martin Flinn, "Crafty Screenwriting" by Alex Epstein, and "Alternative Scriptwriting" by Ken Dancyger and Jeff Rush can be helpful for aspiring writers. Developing strong writing skills takes time, a willingness to learn, and perseverance. Writers who constantly improve their skills and experiment with new ideas will succeed.

Editor: You may reprint this article online or offline as long as no text is altered and it is reprinted in its entirety. You do NOT need my prior permission to use this article.

This article has a readability level of 10th grade, as per ReadabilityCALC (http://www.readabilityformulas.com)

The Interesting History about Coffee

The history of coffee, while hard to verify to accuracy, legend a sheepherder who realized the effects of coffee while tending his sheep. His sheep became very active when they ate a certain type of berry off a plant. He tried them himself, and felt the same effect. Rumor has it that a monk told him to be careful of the devil's fruit. However, it is also rumored that the monks used the fruit to stay awake and pray.

Another wide spread legend claims an Arabian was banished to the desert. He boiled and ate an unknown plant. He was able to survive in the desert on the plant. The residents of a town close by felt the survival was a religious sign. The plant was then named Mocha, after that town.

Few people realize the coffee plant originally grew only in Ethiopia. They wrapped it in animal fat to eat while on raids. It was transported to Arabia, it grew, and they controlled the market of it. The Turks then were the first to drink it. They added cinnamon and clove for a sweeter taste.

Coffee founds its way to Europe via the Venetian trade merchants. Rumors of the taste of coffee began to surface all over. The Arab's keep an even tighter grip on the coffee plants. Christian's began claiming coffee was the devil's drink, similar to the monk story above. Pope Vincent III decided to try it. He enjoyed it very much. After that, talk of banishing the drink went away.

Soon after, coffee houses were built all over Europe. They became a popular place to hang out and drink coffee. It was in the 1700's that coffee traveled to Americas. A French infantry captain took a small plant with him. That plant was cultivated, resulting in over 19 million coffee trees within 50 years. Coffee was declared the national drink of the United States in a protest of the excessive taxes on tea from Britain.

Today, millions of people enjoy their coffee throughout the day. Coffee comes in many brands and many flavors. You can buy ground coffee or coffee beans at most any grocery store. There are also gourmet coffees to choose from Businesses such as Starbuck's Coffee are million dollar industries, offering you the convenience of coffee any way you want it.

Vacuum Cleaner Ratings - How To Make Sense Of Them

When thinking of buying a new vacuum cleaner it makes sense to read as many vacuum cleaner ratings as you can. However, after reading them one is often left more confused than at the beginning of the search. The secret is not to completely trust personal ratings; for every person that loves the product, there'll be one who hated it. The secret is to first know what you want in a vacuum cleaner and then find ones that match your criteria and then compare to find the most suitable for you.

We've all been there; we know nothing about something and so go and ask other people's opinions and before we know it, we have dozens of conflicting advice. Some say 'best product ever' while some will only look at you in disgust if you mention the product's name.

It's all too easy to ask others' advice when we know nothing but it's harder to go and find out this information for our self. But this is what we must do if we are to make any informed decision about buying any product.

Therefore devise your own vacuum cleaner ratings and don't rely on the opinions of others. No matter how well-intentioned, the advice you'll receive will be biased in some way.

But how to begin? First, you should sit down and make up a list of your requirements. You see, there hasn't yet been built a vacuum cleaner that is the best at cleaning everything. Some are good on certain aspects but are weak on others. To save yourself a lot of time and hassle you must know exactly what it is you're looking for.

For example, do you have fitted carpets or hard flooring? Generally speaking uprights clean fitted carpets better whereas canisters clean hardwood floor and rugs better. Just asking yourself this question can eliminate many types of vacuum cleaner from your list.

Do you have pets? If so you'll probably want one with a special pet-hair head. Only some vacuums, both canister and upright, offer this feature - the Shark Infinity vacuum cleaner being one such.

Do you want onboard tools? If you're going to be cleaning drapes, sofas and window sills you do. So make sure the vacuum comes with them onboard. Be careful, many uprights come with extra tools but not onboard; it can be a real drag to have to go and get the attachment and then after you use it, to have to go fetch it again.

Bag or Bagless? The advantage of bagless vacuums is that you don't have the ongoing expense of buying proprietary bags - if you prefer a bag version, check out the price of new bags first as you may find some are quite expensive.

What kind of filter do you want? All vacuums have some sort of filter. A simple charcoal filter is the cheapest option and is fine for most folks. But if you want better filtration then you should only look at vacuums that come with HEPA filters. If you suffer from allergies then consider a 100% sealed HEPA filter - this is the best filter you can buy but it costs more. Again, check out the price of replacement filters before you buy.

Do you want your vacuum to wash your carpets as well as vacuum it? If you have fitted carpets you need to wash them every once in a while. The Hoover SteamVac vacuum cleaner is expensive but it could save you money in the long term as you won't need to pay a professional carpet cleaning firm.

The above are just some questions you should ask yourself before you even begin to look. Once you've got your list together you should grade you requirements, from 'must have' to 'nice to have'. Then you can then begin your own vacuum cleaner ratings, quickly dismissing those that don't come with the features you want and scrutinizing those that do. You should only end up with 2 or 3 models that fit the bill. You can then compare them and finally choose the one that's right for you.