One of the challenges of even the strongest long-term relationship is the difficulty in keeping things fresh and new.

We are creatures of habit, developing routines that work for us without our having to think about it. It allows us to move through fast-paced lives without having to make every little decision on a daily basis. We don’t want to stop and think about which sock to put on first, which way to drive to work, what kind of gas to put in our car, how to stack the dishwasher or fold our clothes.

Habits make life so much more simple that it frees up our energies to confront the big decisions and problems we have to face. However, habits also distance us from what we do because our mind is not engaged, When someone else points out that we “always” do something a certain way, we are amazed because we are unaware. Once we’ve moved beyond the adolescent and young adult experimentation phase, we tend to fall into the rut of wearing our hair a certain way, how we put on our makeup, the kind of television shows we watch, the choice of foods we eat, and the lifestyle we pursue.

That is why the sneaky marketing men aim their message at young age groups who are the ones most likely to try something different. The size and the purchasing power of the baby boomers may be extraordinarily large but they are seldom targeted by major advertising campaigns because they are comfortable with the choices they have made and are unlikely to really hear messages about alternatives in which they have little interest.

Within our lasting relationships, we also fall into habits. They range from unwavering go-to-bed-at-night and get-up-in-the-morning routines to the day of the week we go out, the restaurants we frequent, and the way we communicate (or fail to communicate) with each other. We are so used to being around our partner that, despite the affection we may feel, we stop seeing each other with the wonder and appreciation we felt in those first heady months.

Shaking up our lives by dumping old habits can make us feel younger and alive. Changing our appearance, even a few times a month, makes us look at each other through new eyes and makes us focus on each other in a different way.

Women can more easily and radically change their looks because female hairstyles are so much more varied than those of men. A wig (or several), in a totally different color, with appropriate makeup adjustments, can affect your response to each other. A man can temporarily grow a moustache, a beard, or sideburns, and elicit new attention from his surprised wife. An outrageous new piece of clothing for a special date can transform your interaction with each other.

Many of us love costume parties whether something dramatic at Halloween or an only-black-and-white graphics event or a get together with friends wearing the clothes we loved in high school.

Be creative! If you usually dine out in business attire, get some cowboy gear and go to a western saloon for some line dancing. If your usual night out is at a bowling alley, dress to the nines and have a drink at the most expensive hotel in your area, rubbing shoulders with the movers and shakers. Try a latino nightclub, hot dogs on the pier, or drinks with fruit and little umbrellas at a sushi bar. Dress in your skuzziest clothes and visit a luxury car showroom to laugh at the consternation you cause. Use that tux you rented for your niece’s wedding when you visit the local pizza parlor and see the buzz you create.

The city of Las Vegas has a wonderful ad campaign about “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” It speaks to our desire to do something totally different and outrageous to escape the paralyzing pastry of our normalcy – but with the assurance that we can return without ill effects, no burned bridges forcing permanent change.

Shaking up our appearance can shake up our partner and our mutual interactions. Do it for the excitement and do it for the fun. As another ad campaign suggests, “Just do it.”

Each of us has a special purpose or mission, and I have been in search of mine since I was a child. From childhood until my early twenties, I suspected my mission was to go into the ministry. When the other boys were playing cowboys and Indians, I was dressed in long robes building altars, and as a young adult I would lie on my bed for hours praying to God for a sign. One never came.

For most of us, purpose is not something that is revealed through a burning bush. Instead, we stumble onto our life’s purpose. An impulse may lead us to a new place, and that new place leads us towards another, until eventually we find a spot that feels right. This spot is our purpose, and it often turns out to be a place we never considered or envisioned.

There are hundreds of books available on how to “mine” mission, and they tout a wide variety of methods including journaling, art, and creative visualization. But in my experience, it’s hard to extract purpose. Sometimes it doesn’t pay to pursue purpose. It finds us – and only when we are ready.

I now believe purpose unfolds as we unfold and that purpose is intricately tied to living an authentic life, for only when we live authentically can/does purpose reveal itself.

There is no formula for discovering purpose that works for everyone, but these six steps helped me. Perhaps they will help you too.

One: Discover authenticity through self-discovery. I am still searching for authentic self; it’s a lifelong process. Still, at no time in my life have I felt closer to my authentic self than I am now. For example, I am just now beginning to distinguish my wants and needs from parental expectations.

Two: Live an authentic life. Never before has my life so clearly reflected my true Self. I am not as afraid to show people who I am, and I do fewer things to gain others’ approval and more things that bring me pleasure.

Three: Listen. The root of the word vocation is vox (Latin for voice). To find our true vocation, we have to listen to our inner voice. I pay attention to day and nighttime dreams, intuition, energy level, emotions, and my body. Oprah once wrote in her magazine of the same name, “If you pay attention to these cues — to the times you’ve felt most joyous, most fully engaged, most connected to yourself and others – you’ll always be guided to the next best place.”

Four: Act. Inventor, designer, and philosopher R. Buckminster Fuller is quoted in Lucia Capacchione’s book Visioning: Ten Steps to Designing the Life of Your Dreams, as saying, “What you actually do within twenty-four hours of having a creative idea will spell the difference between success and failure.” To dream is not enough, we have to do something with the dream. For me, doing starts by putting the idea in writing. Every year, I write a business plan, and I revised it whenever I get a new idea. I add a new goal along with the action steps to implement it.

Five: Remain open. Not only do we have to do something with our dreams, we have to be open and not tied to a particular outcome. We have to surrender, and we have to trust. I have found that finding purpose is often a circuitous route; one path leads to another, and failures often lead to ultimate success.

Six: Be patient. Patience is not one of my virtues. I have to remember the story of Jake McCord, an outsider artist who lives in Thomson, Georgia. After finishing a painting, Jake places it in his front yard to “season.” When eager collectors try to buy one of these pieces from the yard, Jake says firmly, “It ain’t ready yet.” Jake knows not to rush it; when the time is right, it is right. The same is true for purpose; we have to be patient and remember, “It ain’t ready yet.”

Sometimes I feel I am living my mission, and at other times I feel I am not. Five years ago, I wrote a personal philosophy: “To know yourself is to know God, and to share yourself is to serve Him/Her.” Since then, I have strived to live my philosophy through writing, teaching, coaching, and speaking. Still, sometimes something seems to be missing, and I have to ask, “Am I fulfilling my mission right now or still waiting for the burning bush?”

I hope that in this moment I am fulfilling my mission to the best of my ability, and at the same time, I hope I am staying open to all the possibilities.

Copyright © Joshua Geary Best Online Results, (http://www.BestOnlineResults.com)

The days are growing shorter and shorter; the trees will soon be turning shades of red as the 2006 Fall Season is coming to the Lone Star state. Autumn is the season of celebration for Fredericksburg, which will host several festivals during the Fall Season.

There are plenty of preparations to be made still for all of these exciting festivals. The Texas Mesquite Art Festival runs from October 13 through the 15th. The Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest happens on October 28th, and who could forget the German-Texas Style Oktoberfest on the first weekend in October, on the 6th, 7th, and 8th. Good-natured and contests abound, such as the Oktoberfisch Fly Fishing Festival and Tournament on the 20th through the 22nd of October. The fly fishing tournament is nationally recognized and is ideal for fisherman who delight in Texas fly-fishing while leisurely enjoying one of the finest rivers Texas has to offer. Folks in town will happily welcome in the start of hunting season, too.

With all this excitement, lodgings can be hard to find in the town of Fredericksburg. Hotels are already filling up quickly with bookings, and the charming Bed and Breakfasts’ and Inns in the area are populating just as fast. The solution to this is simple as well as affordable; for a taste of the outdoors as well as a place to hang your cowboy hat, bring your RV. The mild weather of autumn in Fredericksburg means that your RV stay will be a taste of adventure with all the comforts of home. There are plenty of places in the Texas hills in which to camp and enjoy the beautiful scenery and perhaps take advantage of hunting season or good fishing, too. Best of all, you are still only minutes away from the bustle of the Fredericksburg festivities.

All in all, it is an odd relationship that man has established with cat. Toward no other domestic animal does he show such split feelings of admiration and resentment, which is some kind of a comment on man, for the cat, is constant. She has always been cat.

The cat is different from the dog. She serves no one, knowingly or willingly. Her one accomplishment the hunting of mice, rats and other rodents is self taught. The man does not live who can claim to have trained a cat to perform a task for human benefit. For their own convenience, cats have learned various small maneuvers, like opening doors, but they do not and will not herd sheep, carry messages or run back to the ranch seeking help for jammed up cowboys. There are no police cats, no watch cats, and no sled cats.

The cat does not even come when she is called, unless it suits her.

In 1953 the American Can Company, which produces containers for commercial pet foods and was therefore interested, discovered in a survey that there were 26,700,000 domestic cats in the United States.

By domestic cats is meant cats who, however casual their membership, belong to human families. Most of them 13.2 million were found to be farm cats. Seven million were city cats, and 6.5 million lived somewhere in between.

The South had the most cats, 9.7 million, the Far West the fewest, 3.2 million. The East had the most urban cats, 2.4 million, the Midwest the most farm cats, 5.8 million; no surprises there.

Overall, 29 per cent of the nations families had one or more cats. Farm families had the most cats; nearly half of them owned three or more. The nationwide average was 2.21 cats per cat owning family. Low income families were found to be far more likely to have cats than were the high income families.

Cats are not the least bit uncertain about their ability to take care of themselves. This, however, does not discourage the people with whom they live. By close observation of cats habits and preferences, they learn to do for cat many of the things cat ordinarily would do for herself. This is known as cat care.

Your first duty is to provide your cat with a bed. Her preferences are in accord with universal standards. It should be warm and dry, of comfortable size, bug free and protected from drafts.

The only other article of furniture an indoor cat needs is a pan. There are cats that, by some stroke of fate, have learned to use the human toilet, but yours probably is not one of them. Buy a pan. Enameled metal is best and easiest to keep clean. It should be large enough for the cat to maneuver in comfortably, but the sides should be low. It should be kept in one location, and it may be filled with sand, shredded newspaper or sawdust.

A house trained mother cat will teach her kittens to use the pan, but if you should by chance acquire one that never got the word, it is easy enough to set the kitten straight. First, show it the pan. Second, after each meal traipse the kitten over to the pan and keep it there without using undue force, of course until it performs.

As so many times before, I used my Airmiles to book our flights to Calgary (with the Westjet Airmiles Mastercard you get to fly out west for only 1600 Airmiles instead of having to use 3000 Airmiles in high season with other airlines). As an astute traveller you have to look at every option of cutting your travel costs and Airmiles is one of my favourite tools. A direct flight took us from Toronto to Calgary in about three and a half hours.

We arrived at the Calgary Airport at roughly 11:25 am and the weather was rather overcast on arrival with an outside temperature of -12 degrees Celsius. Because we only had about a day in Calgary, an official tour of the city was going to really give us the lay of the land and Jocelyne Morrison from Time Out For Touring was there to pick us up. Jocelyne herself hails actually from Quebec, but has been living in Calgary for the last 10 years. And it turns out she loves the city and is an absolute expert in it.

The first thing that struck me upon arrival were all the statues and sculptures located at the baggage carousels, all with different themes. Obviously Calgary likes to entertain its visitors while they wait for their luggage at the airport. The next sight that caught my attention was a volunteer dressed up in a bright red vest and cowboy hat who was there to welcome tourists. Jocelyne explained that Calgary actually is a city of volunteers: 7 out of 10 Calgarians volunteer their time for a good cause, and volunteers were some of the main reasons why the Calgary Olympic Games in 1988 were the first Olympic Games in history to actually make (rather than lose) money.

Jocelyne packed us into the touring van and off we went on our very compact exploration of Calgary. The first thing that struck me about Calgary was its topography: it is located in a relatively flat area with a number of long, stretched out low-lying hills. On good days you can actually see the Rocky Mountains to the west, but unfortunately the weather was overcast, so we didn’t get to see the Rockies today.

Calgary is divided north-south by the Bow River, and Centre Street divides the city’s east from the west. As a result the city has 4 quadrants with streets running north-south and avenues running east-west. So in order to find an address you always have to know whether it is in the northwest, northeast, southwest or southeast quadrant in Calgary. Jocelyne explained that many of the streets in Calgary are named after native names, eg. Deerfoot Avenue (apparently named after a native person who was a really fast runner).

Nose Hill is one of the most prominent hills in Calgary; it is a long-stretched out topographical feature without much vegetation. Jocelyne explained that this type of landscape is pretty much typical of Calgary as a prairie city. Much of Calgary’s natural landscape is a mix between grassland and semi-arid forests. When it gets very dry in the summer, there are a lot of grass fires.

Calgary is also a booming city. Cranes are everywhere, and new subdivisions are growing out of the ground like mushrooms. Essentially only the downtown area has highrise buildings, while the residential areas outside of the core mostly consist of single-family homes rather than highrise apartments. Calgary, as the “Energy Capital of Canada” and the centre of Canada’s oil industry, is experiencing rapid economic growth and people from all over Canada are migrating here. The population today is roughly 1 million.

Next we drove by McMahon Stadium, where Calgary’s Stampeders football team is headquartered. This stadium was also used for the opening and closing ceremonies during the 1988 Olympic Games, another reason why Calgary made money on these games: by reusing and refunctioning existing facilities. Prudent financial management at work……

The next big item on the itinerary was “C.O.P.”: Canada Olympic Park, a place so interesting it deserves its own story. After our guided tour through the Olympic facilities we drove on the Sarcee Trail to get into downtown Calgary. Coming into town from the west side we had a very nice view of the cluster of skyscrapers downtown. While driving in through the residential areas, Jocelyne explained that a large number of residential condominium developments are going up downtown. One example of the population explosion was the move of Canadian Pacific’s headquarters from Montreal to Calgary in 1996 when 700 families moved into town at the same time.

Calgary pays a lot of attention to the quality of life of its residents. The city has hundreds of kilometers of walkways and trails, particularly beside the Elbow and Bow Rivers. Doglovers in particular have it good here since the city provides many off-leash areas to its dog-owners. 55 golf courses are located in the immediate vicinity of Calgary and golf is a very popular pastime here.

We entered the downtown core and Jocelyne pointed out the Gulf Canada and Canadian Pacific headhquarters. The last steam locomotive used by the CP Rail is on display outside the CP office tower. The two skyscrapers of Bankers Hall dominate the skyline, one with a silver roof, the other with a golden one. We went up the Calgary Tower, built between 1967 and 1968 originally as the “Husky Tower”. It holds a revolving restaurant and today it was officially closed for a private function, but we had a chance to catch an elevated view of the city.

Just last year the Calgary Tower added a glass-bottomed viewing area. Jocelyne mentioned that for a special occasion a horse was brought up for a photo op, but the horse would resist any efforts of being coaxed onto the glass-bottomed area. I can only understand that too well because when I was standing there looking straight down, it made me feel very squeamish too.

Our driving tour continued towards Fort Calgary, Calgary’s oldest landmark. Fort Calgary was founded in 1875 as a North West Mounted Police Outpost and today it houses an interpretive centre and a museum. Jocelyne explained that the exploration of the west progressed differently here than in the United States in that relations with the native tribes were relatively peaceful. Prime Minister John A. MacDonald founded the North West Mounted Police, which later on became the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The police arrived in the west before the settlers and established relations with the natives.

The Inglewood neighbourhood is located adjacent to Fort Calgary at the confluence of the Elbow and the Bow Rivers. It’s an attractive neighbourhood with old trees and established homes and surrounds a nice commercial street with many restaurants and antique shops. Jocelyne then took us into a residential neighbourhood called “Scotsman Hill” which offers a tremendous vista of the Calgary Saddle Dome and the Stampede grounds, set against the backdrop of the downtown skyline. A wonderful view…

She then took us past the grounds of the “Calgary Stampede”, Calgary’s most famous event. What origjnally started as an agricultural fair has evolved in a yearly 10-day citywide celebration of western hospitality and traditions and includes chuckwagon races, rodeos, rides and a Grandstand Show extravaganza. This year’s Stampede will take place from July 7 to 16, 2006.

Back downtown Jocelyne took us through a former industrial area called “Eau Claire” which has been converted into one of Calgary’s most popular downtown residential districts. On our drive through downtown Jocelyne pointed out a typical Calgarian feature: the “+15s”: elevated walkways connecting highrise towers so people can walk between commercial buildings sheltered from the elements. These “+15″ walkways connect various shopping areas and malls and allow you to explore Calgary’s downtown core without ever setting foot outside.

The name came about because these walkways had to be at least 15 feet above the street below. Calgary is build on bedrock, and contrary to Toronto or Montreal which both have a vast network of underground walkways, Calgary has chosen to provide weather shelter through elevated walkways.

From there we crossed the Elbow River and entered the Kensington neighbourhood, one of Calgary’s primary restaurant and shopping areas. Our guide pointed out a store owned by famous Belgian chocolatier Bernard Callebeaut who makes sweet local delicacies. I heard some people say that these are the “best chocolates in the world”….

The next area on our menu was the Uptown 17th Avenue neighbourhood, another area packed with restaurants and shops. Last but not least, after taking us on 4th Street, which also houses lots of eateries and funky stories, Jocelyne took us all the way to our bed and breakfast, the historic Twin Gables B&B, where we got to settle in after our sneak peek at Calgary.

It was a whirlwind 4 hour tour through town and by the end of it my head was spinning with all the information. But Jocelyne did a phenomenal job of acquainting us with her chosen hometown and it was a perfect introduction to Calgary – “The Heart of the New West”.

For the entire article including photos please visit
http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos/calgary_first_impressions.htm

Quito, the second highest Capital city in the world, is connected by daily direct flights to America’s gateway cities of Miami, Houston and Atlanta.

The city of Quito has not only been designated as a United Nations World Heritage Site, but it lies at the foot of South America’s most spectacular–and easy accessible—active volcano. Share practical natural history and physical science with your children just a few miles from Quito!

Less active or physically challenged travelers can ride a Cable car up to Cruz Loma, enjoying a stunning panorama and beautiful views of the city from an altitude of 13451 ft (4100 m). You can either enjoy the views, or–if you are the more adventurous type–the more active traveler or family can hike up to Rucu Pichincha at 15338 ft (4574 m) above sea level.

Another option for visiting this spectacular volcano is with a day tour from Quito. Although not well known, day tours can present one of the more interesting tours from Quito, taken with children in tow.

There is something for everyone.

Plan on starting early in the morning by car from Quito to Lloa and leave the car near the Mountain Refuge; walk up to Guagua Pichina (Baby Pichincha) at 15338 ft (4675 m) above sea level. This volcano erupted recently-the last time in 1999. Taking a look inside the crater and smelling the gases oozing out gives children-and adults-an unmistakable impression of vulcanism and how the Earth developed. One will never forget the smell of sulphur. You can see, smell, and learn–and only 10km from Quito.

While in Ecuador, families-especially city dwellers with children who have never been around animals– should enjoy a practical animal experience in the beautiful colonial haciendas La Alegria and Hato Verde, just south of Quito. Both Haciendas are real working farms and both offer beautiful accommodations to the traveler.

Imagine your children learning that milk doesn’t come from the grocery-but that it comes from cows! Children love to try milking cows, and you will be able to capture video that will help make memories for years to come. Let them spend time around the horses or watch the cowboys simply doing their daily work at the farm. Both haciendas offer horseback riding tours both for beginners and for the very experienced rider.

Children are very welcome on both haciendas and even small children enjoy the farm-life. If feeding sugar cubes and carrots to a horse, milking a cow, or riding a horse seems too adventurous for some, why not take one of the cooking classes at the hacienda? Discover spectacular new recipes for cookies… these haciendas are an excellent place to spend quality time with your family.

One tour option is for the technically astute. Boys and girls always love trains, and in Ecuador, they are in luck, for Ecuador has one of the most spectacular and chaotic railway systems in the world. The tracks and most of the infrastructure is in dire need of repair, but despite that, traveling by train is an excellent and safe opportunity to discover some uniquely beautiful parts of the country.

Some of the railroad lines are spectacularly technical masterpieces, with tunnels, switchbacks, and climbs in elevation that will take your breath away. Unfortunately, as in many areas of the world, the trains of Ecuador have completely lost most of their economic importance enjoyed in previous times.

For those who want to travel by rail, Ecuador has given rise to a new type of rail travel, a unique vehicle, which always seems to be pictured in travelogues. Next to the real trains, consisting of a locomotive and cars, a kind of “truck on railroad wheels” called an “Autoferro” has developed. On most Autoferros, passengers travel comfortably on the roof. During the last year, because of their popularity and the history of travelers in Ecuador in this way, comfortable “autoferros” have been introduced where you can travel comfortably on the roof, or inside the “autoferro”.

A two day journey from Quito to Guayaquil can be particularly interesting for a family. It’s exciting, it’s different, and it’s something that will be long remembered as a family adventure.

First, plan your travel by autoferro from Quito – Cotopaxi National Park, then transfer and plan to travel by bus to Riobamba where you stay overnight. Enjoy Riobamba, but get to bed early because you catch the early morning train to Alausi, through the spectacular Nariz del Diablo (Devil’s Nose) to Huigra and Bucay.

From Bucay, take a bus to Guayaquil– where you will arrive in the late afternoon. During the whole journey you’re in close contact with the local, mostly Indian population who live in the Andes Mountains. Find a rider who speaks English and strike up a conversation about the country. Ecuadorians are justifiably proud of their country, and your family will make a memory that will last forever-and just may make a new friend!

Between Huigra and Bucay you will leave the Andes Mountains and enter the tropical Pacific plain with its Banana plantations and tropical fruits. This journey from Quito to Guayaquil takes 2 days and it offers an unforgettable family experience.

At your destination, Guayaquil, this beautiful tropical city offers a lot for families. It is truly the most interesting tropical city in South America.

Take a one hour cruise on the “Pirate Ship” on the Guayas River and visit the Historical Park where you can view the local tropical flora and fauna. You can visit an old cacao farm, and realize the contrast to the simple farm houses you observed by the hundreds only the day before from the train. Stay in a hotel in Guayaquil itself, and not near the Airport.

Try the Hotel Unipark (4*) just opposite of the Parque Seminario or “Parque de las Iguanas” as it called by the locals. On this plaza, Iguanas walk freely, similar to cats and dogs in many neighborhoods in America. We’d suggest you not try to pet them, however!

Another wonderful option for overnight accommodation is the Grand Hotel de Guayaquil (3*) which has a small open-air swimming pool in the courtyard of the hotel.

It’s time for you to discover Ecuador. Ecuador is a marvelous destination location-just off the “beaten path.” There is much to discover, and once you’ve visited, you’ll want to return.

When the Sioux Indians are mentioned, thoughts trail to North Dakota. The vast stretches of rolling plains, and dipping valleys inspired numerous cowboy folk songs. The rich fertile loam soil of the North Dakota makes it ideal for agricultural activities.

The shimmering wheat fields in late summer are in themselves a sight to behold. The quaint little rural towns and road stalls make North Dakota a delightful and adventurous stop. There are also ingenious but hilarious displays of folk trivia.

History

The Louisiana Purchase figures prominently in North Dakota’s history. A vast tract of lands about some 800,000 square miles was purchased from France by the United States in 1803. Included in the land purchased was the territory of North Dakota. North Dakota also figured in the Civil War.

Geography and Demographics

The state of North Dakota is separated at the northern border from Canada by Manitoba and Saskatchewan provinces. The Red River of the North has long been a natural boundary on the eastern corner. North Dakota uses up 70,700 square miles and 1,724 square miles of inland water. The size makes North Dakota the 18th largest state in the United States.

Climate

The state has hot summers and long cold winters. January is the coldest month, and July, the hottest. Temperature is lower on the northern regions.

Industries

Investing in North Dakota will yield revenues in the following industries.

Agriculture is a major industry in North Dakota. Durum wheat, a major crop, propels the production of by-products like pasta and similar varieties. The state also produces tonnage of barley, sunflower seed and flaxseed. It also leads in the production of dry beans, oats, potatoes, sugar beets and honey. The vast plains provide feed for its livestock.

Mining of lignite is also a major industry. The state has high quality natural gas. The state is also into the manufacturing of food products, animal feeds, and farm machineries. Its distance from other major states has discouraged more manufacturing industries to thrive.

North Dakota real estate industry is taking great strides. These North Dakota real estate firms are listed and are posted in the internet. They can give clients listings in specific areas of North Dakota real estate properties for sale. Buyers, sellers, and lending institutions can also ask from these North Dakota real estate specifics-from tax shelters and appraisals and even tips about mortgages. The reputable North Dakota real estate firms have thousands of agents so service can be provided at all times.

Of the entire North Dakota work force of 357,600 in 2005, majority were in the service sector and wholesale and retail. The minority of were in mining, construction, and manufacturing.
Health and Education

Health statistics show that there are 241 residents per physician, four residents per hospital beds.

Prestigious schools and universities provide quality education in all fields of learning whether undergraduate or post graduate degrees. State colleges and private institutions and community colleges are found in almost all counties and major cities. The government spends about $7,112.00 for each student annually.

Transportation

There are four major airports and extensive highways and Interstate highways providing access to other major cities. North Dakota uses its railroad lines to transport farm products and other produce to nearby cities and states. The modern railroad system runs 5,782 km (2004).

Musicians work hard. They write for days. They rehearse like fiends. Drag heavy gear here and there. Sweat like pigs on stage. Put marathon hours in at the recording studio. Work their fingers to the bone…well, at least into some pretty gnarly calluses. But, musicians also like to play hard: booze, drugs, groupies, and trashed hotel rooms are actually more occupational hazards that rock ‘n’ roll myths.

No matter how disciplined an artist needs to be for his or her music, they will always need to blow off steam in some way or another. Some hit the gym, run, partake in extreme sports, do yoga, pursue their spirituality, web surf, build custom guitars, restore classic cars…you name it. All of these outlets help musicians to handle the enormous flow of energy so necessary to channel the creative process. Still, other musicians prefer a more debaucherous form of escapism. They drink until they puke, get stoned and eat a case of Cheetos, or sleep with all of their friends’ sisters.

This wild lifestyle, albeit a music cliché, may feel terrific at the moment, but many musicians clearly forget that the days of offstage antics circling around the buzz of the band, like whispers in the wind, are long gone. These days, fans carry camera phones to gigs, friends videotape your band’s every move, and everybody’s a blogger. The afterparty, once simply a chance to blow off steam with loved ones and lovers of your music alike, has now gone from the innocent scandal of, “Oh my God, did you hear what happened after the gig Saturday?” to a website monitoring every second of debased insanity with pictures, video, and descriptive essays.

This new unexpected publicity may increase the number of crazed partiers at your next gig, but what happens when the entertainment attorney you’ve been courting, the A&R guy you’ve been hoping to hear back from, or the manager you’ve been telling how serious you are about your music, pops on the internet and finds your drummer passed out in the pool, your bassist vomiting in someone’s bushes and your guitarist naked in a stranger’s bed with cheerleaders of questionable age?

The following are a few tips that may help you to throw a terrific afterparty without the ramifications hurting your career in the long run:

1.) Pick A Designated Partygoer—As much as this thought may send shivers through the spine of any wild-at-heart musician, it’s a good idea to have someone at your afterparty keeping an eye on those who’ve sold their souls for rock ‘n’ roll…or at least Jack Daniels. Whether you rotate it from gig to gig, or find a friend of the band (girlfriend, manager, a bandmate’s brother, etc.) who’ll stay sober enough to make sure that no one does anything stupid…and if they do, that it won’t be “caught on tape.” Playing Band Hall Monitor is truly a thankless job for anyone who parties hardy, so maybe free admission to the gig and some cool band swag as compensation would be a nice way to say “Thank You for being our assigned killjoy tonight!”

2.) Set Some Guidelines For Your Band And Fans—I know it sounds like Big Brother is busting up your raging good time but when you’re talking about your career, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Have a chat with your band explaining that extreme behavior needs to be controlled at parties where fans are recording events. Post on your web site, and your fan club or have a Pow Wow at the gig and explain to your people that, while you love all of the cool photos and videos they take of the band at the gig, there has to be a few rules for what can be shot offstage. Be honest. Let your friends/fans know that you love partying with them but that the band’s reputation is an important ingredient for its success and that it’s vital that certain memories be enjoyed by partygoers only and not preserved in cyberspace for the world to see.

3.) Monitor Your Websites And Web Communities—Again, better safe than sorry. It’s always a good idea to visit your forums, message boards, photo galleries, fan clubs, blogs and online communities to see what the latest scoop on your band is. It’s also wise to retain approval privilege on anything posted on each of your band sites. Let people post all of the drunken, naked pictures they want, and then pick and choose which images you want to represent your band. The same applies to comments and posts. Remember fans are important and priceless but it’s ultimately your image to preserve to the industry and the world and your web presence is how you represent yourself to everyone interested in you from fans to labels and everything in between.

4.) Dial Your Scandalous Behavior Back A Bit—It’s all well and good for your drummer to sleep with your girlfriend’s mom on his own time, but at band functions make sure that the behavior is kept professional. In our modern society, the lines between reality and publicity have become so blurred that a simple kegger in your singer’s garage can get more coverage than a Grammy Pre-Show Special. Sadly, that may simply mean changing the standards of band partying to those that you exhibit at gigs. Throw private parties and have orgies in your grandma’s bathtub, but when it’s music related you’re, in a sense, at work and should act accordingly.

I realize that telling musicians not to party, is like telling a dog not to lick its private parts and if, after reading this, you feel that the thrill of the over-the-edge rock ‘n’ roll afterparty is completely ruined, don’t change your major to math just yet. Remember, doors lock, parties can be invitation only, cameras turn off, and bloggers can be taught to use discretion. You can still live like Jim Morrison at Scott Weiland’s toga party; just do your best to keep it off the internet. While a little scandal is titillating, a lot of scandal just says to a label, “Sure. We’ll take your money and then we’ll blow it all on Tequila and show up to the studio three hours late every day.” Show the industry you’re serious, put on a professional face, and give your website the appearance of a band that’s fun and responsible. Then, have a private party, invite the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, a donkey, the drug dealer next door, and your guitarist’s horny aunt and throw a party that would make the cast of Half Baked blush. After all, you’ve got to fight for your right to party…in secret…with the digital cameras unplugged.

Calling all dog-lovers! Dogs have made some of the most unforgettable characters in literature. It’s not uncommon for children to become as attached to a dog in print as the real thing. Puppy love comes in all forms. In fact, I believe I can trace my canine-cravings to my earliest days of reading, when I fell in love with Old Dan and Little Ann (from Where the Red Fern Grows). Below, I’ve compiled a list of five famous dogs you must bring home for your littlest children! (Good news…you won’t have to clean up after these champions!)

Carl is the star of seven picture books by Alexandra Day. The gist of these stories is that Carl, a responsible and caring rottweiler, is given the responsibility of caring for baby Madeleine while her parents are out. Once the adults are out of the way the fun begins! Carl includes Madeleine on some wild adventures. Sometimes they just trail the parents (keeping out of sight, of course), and sometimes they get into trouble—but Carl always manages to cover his tracks! With realistic watercolor illustrations and few words (only those necessary to suggest the storyline), Day’s books are designed for very young readers, 2-5 year olds, and will make rottweiler fans out of readers everywhere.

In 1976 Eric Hill’s son Christopher was born. Eric created a story about a small puppy to read to his son at bed-time. In 1980 Where’s Spot? was published. Now over forty Spot titles fill the library bookshelves, and the list is still growing. Cuddly and creamy-colored, with big brown spots on his back and the tip of his tail, this dog is destined to be your child’s best friend. With simple storylines and sturdy flaps, Spot books appeal to 2-5 year olds.

This is the Fiftieth Anniversary for our next dog protagonist. (Now how old would that be in dog years?) Harry, a small white dog with black spots, was created in 1956 by Gene Zion. Five installments complete the Harry collection. He is a wholesome, amusing addition to any children’s library. Whether he’s trying to quiet down his neighbor, hiding a hideous sweater, or visiting the seaside, Harry’s always into mischief! Even reluctant readers, ages 2-8 years old, can’t resist Harry!

Norman Bridwell gave birth to the next character, basing him on the kind of dog he dreamed of having as a little boy. But there’s nothing little about Clifford! Even though he’s fire-engine red and as big as a house, Clifford doesn’t do anything a real dog couldn’t do (with a little imagination.) The Clifford stories are based on ordinary events that turn extraordinary when Clifford makes innocent mistakes. His side-kick is his sweet little blonde owner, Emily Elizabeth. Designed for readers aged 6-10 years old, Clifford has been a children’s favorite since 1963. Now a PBS cartoon, Clifford continues to delight dog-lovers the world over.

The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog introduces us to Hank, and it isn’t long before you get the impression that author John R. Erickson is a keen observer of dogs. Indeed, as a former cowboy and ranch manager, Erickson started spinning yarns about Hank and Drover, two dogs he worked with on the range. These “true” stories became the Hank series, which now numbers at 48 installments. Designed for middle readers, ages 6-12, these make perfect read-aloud books that will even entertain adults. There are even recordings of the author reading the books available now!

Without a dog-gone doubt, dogs in print can substitute as man’s best friend. It’s a fine reward to see your little one light up at the sight of a book. A good dog and a good book, a match made in heaven!

I learned the power of will during my cancer journey through a very unusual process: I called it “Shower Sequencing”. Since the cancer was in my neck and tonsil it was important to keep the lymph moving there. I discovered that a method of creating movement in the lymph was to first run hot water from the shower over each side of my neck for 30 seconds and then cold water for 30 seconds! For some reason I chose to do this just before I went to sleep!

I would lean my head back, exposing my neck to the shower and go thru the sequence of hot and cold 12 times. Counting in my head 30 seconds for hot and then cold. I did this for three and half years, every night. During the spring and summer it wasn’t difficult but come late fall and winter, it was brutal! The water got considerably colder. And this is where I discovered the “power of will”.

I can remember so many times during those cold months, standing under that cold shower late at night and being one second away from bailing out. It was just to damn cold! I would say things in my head like, “I’ll just skip it tonight.” Or “I’ll cut it down to 15 seconds increments tonight, give it a rest”. We all know the process of excuses! But I just reached down inside of myself and found a toughness I didn’t know was there and hung in there and I came to understand the power of “will”.

After I was done, I always felt I had accomplished something–feeling a sense of victory: “I did it!” Of course, the girlfriend was never too happy when I got into bed! Because for some reason I always finished the “sequencing” on the cold water! Maybe I enjoyed making her an unwilling partner in my suffering! “No, sweetie, my doctor said it was important to finish on the cold.” (I am pretty sure he said that!).

If you’re going through a journey with any kind of illness there are going to come moments when you don’t want to do something. You must “cowboy or cowgirl up” and do it! It will teach you about your own strength which is so much greater than you can imagine. And learning about your strength will empower your healing. Sometimes how we heal is a healing in of itself. I not only helped my lymph to continue to move but strengthened my spirit.

As I write this and think back to those moments under the shower, I remember that I also learned about surrender. Sometimes I would let go and just surrender myself to the cold. I would disengage my thoughts. I let go of the thought that the cold water was uncomfortable and I became friends with it. The cold on my skin felt almost luxurious. The power of thought is always there to help us.

So my warrior brothers and warrior sisters, I encourage you to always try and find the gifts during your journey. It will truly change the journey.