Great Gifts 2 Go

With the inception of No Child Left Behind, the need for alternative programs rose sharply within the past decade. I have the privilege of working within one such program and I documented three students who have shown without a doubt that this particular program is successful. It is successful because it is geared more towards credit recovery and life skills rather than a study hall of sorts to house the students until graduation. The students that I work with have to study and be motivated enough to want to reach out and grasp the opportunities that the alternative program offers them. I have altered names of both the students and the teachers since these kids are currently in high school. These are fictitious characters created for your reading enjoyment, they are real students who are becoming successful individuals due to the step up provided by their teachers and administrators. This piece was published on Yahoo Voices and can be viewed here: http://voices.yahoo.com/success-al...

The game Witches vs. Monkeys is a spin-off of the ultra-popular game Angry Birds. In this version, living things are still being used as projectiles moving from left to right across the screen. The gamer is able to control the direction and the force of their shot by pulling back on an elastic slingshot, using either a direct or indirect fire pattern. Witches vs. Monkeys has a more powerful slingshot than in Angry Birds. The gamer must possess greater skill in order to not overshoot or undershoot the target. Witches possess different magical powers at various levels and can cause varying levels of damage. There are five witches each possessing different powers. Those are Black, Red, Brown, Blue and Green. There are five different sizes of monkeys and all monkeys must be cleared before the gamer can advance to the next level. Monkeys will be hiding behind a variety of objects including pillars, stones, glass, etc. Each level achieved will graduate in difficulty and the gamer must...

Dance studios along with yoga studios and gyms have become more prosperous with the use of social media. Their innovative use of social networking is allowing them to grow their business and maintain a steady client base. The use of Facebook and Twitter as well as other lesser known social media outlets are boosting sales, memberships and clienteles for these types of businesses. Dance Studios Arthur Murray Dance Studio Arthur Murray Dance Studio has implemented a social media push using Facebook and Twitter. They are also utilizing Pinterest and YouTube to advertise their services as well as showcasing what their current and former dance students have learned.  They have used social networking to draw in prospective students as well as broadcast important announcements. Fred Astaire Franchised Dance Studios The Fred Astaire Dance Studios offer special promotions via Facebook and Twitter. They are also available to follow on Pinterest and YouTube to showcase their ser...

Brainwashing has been in practice for centuries. Enemies have used it against each other, politicians have used it to gain votes and acceptance, manufacturers have used it to hawk their wares. No matter where a person turns they are being bombarded with mind control techniques. When does brainwashing  turn from simple persuasion to ultimate control over a person? That is simple, when the person or organization doing to brainwashing use it to completely alter a person's mind to where there are not individual thoughts. How are You Brainwashed How can a person allow themselves to be brainwashed? There are many different ways that a person is brainwashed. The easiest is to separate the individual from all that is familiar and safe. The cults or sects will use this method as it ensures that the person becomes completely dependent the cult for all their basic needs and later on, their desires. The brain-washers will use lies, deceit, generalizations to gloss over the truth and ex...

Social Media is everywhere. Businesses are starting to jump on the band wagon of social networking to promote and grow their business.  Restaurants are typically able to grow their business through word of mouth. Happy customers spread the word about their fantastic dining experience. With the evolution of social media restaurants are stepping it up a notch and becoming more inventive in their marketing campaigns. Dempsey’s Burger Pub Dempsey’s have jumped on the social media wagon with a Facebook and Twitter account along with having an iPhone app. Right on the homepage of their website are links to all facets of social networking that they use. According to their testimonials, by being accessible through social media and on the iPhone, their business has picked up and they are becoming a widely popular restaurant in their town. Paparazzi Cafe and Restaurant The Paparazzi Café uses social media outlets Facebook as well as Gibraltar ’s Social Network -- or gibbook.com ...

Brainwashing is the process of having the original thoughts and beliefs altered to fit the thoughts and beliefs of someone else. Brainwashing is also referred to as mind control. This is generally done in cults and prison camps where the one being brainwashed is kept isolated from all they know. Although, some political, social and religious sectors also perform forms of brainwashing. There are organizations that are dedicated to protecting people from brainwashing. People may not view mind control as a problem needing entire organizations working toward protecting and reversing brainwashing. Cult Awareness and Information Centre The CAIC provides numerous resources about cults and other organizations that perform mind control. They offer information about how brainwashing occurs and the various techniques that are implemented. The CAIC links to former cult members and allows them the chance to relay their story to others, including how they were able to get out and depr...

There are articles that cause an uproar, especially when the topic deals with sports. Every fan has their favorite team and player, to slight that player or downplay their skills is considered a crime. While this article published on Yahoo Sports where I am a recurring contributor was written voicing my opinion, it received numerous comments and heated debates. http://sports.yahoo.com/news/team-usa-hockey-players-watch-winter-olympics-sochi-202600943.html