Where Does Gold Come From?
February 22, 2012 | 
Author Gold is one of the most valuable substances on earth. It is a true super commodity. However, you average person has no idea where the gold they value so much originated. This begs the question: Where did all this gold come from? According to recent studies, there are many astronomers who now suggest that it and other heavy metals were formed in the early days of the universe when neutron stars collided. These neutron rich, catastrophic explosions caused by the enormous stars spiraling into each other at unimaginable speeds were among the most powerful explosions in the universe! These explosions seem to account for the neutron rich heavy elements like gold. So gold literally shines like the stars. That explains part of its UNIVERSAL appeal… OK, that was a bad pun.
That is where this mineral literally comes from, but where can you find it on Earth? There are two kinds that can be found on Earth: Loose and Deep Mined. Loose gold is often called ‘Alluvial’ or ‘placer gold.’ It is found in the form of nuggets of a fine dust in stream beds and rivers where the flowing waters have worn away the rocks and ore that once held it. For thousands of years, placer gold has been mankind’s main source of bullion. It wasn’t tell the 1800′s that deep mining for this ore started to be common. Deep mined gold accounts for South Africa’s vast reserves which result in the popular krugerrand coins. When gold is deep mined it can be found with 99% purity, when it is alluvial or found on the surface surface is often 70-90% pure.
Gold is the original recyclable material. It is easy to work with, shape, repair, and melt down. Since it never tarnishes, you never throw it away, you recycle it. What you see today in your ring or necklace could easily have had a very sordid previous life.
Most gold bullion coins that you see on the market today are newly minted or freshly mined. However, there is much of this mineral in the world today that could easily have been the same gold that the Spaniards pillaged out of Mexico and South America. For centuries, South America was one of the most important sources of gold for the European economy. It was stolen, mined, and melted into bars for the upper class of Spain, France, and Portugal. Most of the upper class were none the wiser to how this beautiful commodity came into their possession.
Your necklace could have a very long history. It could have lived before as an ancient coin used to buy goods, it could have spent centuries in a tomb of an ancient king, it could have been washed crimson in the blood of the fallen Incan warriors who protected it from rival tribes and the conquistadors, it could have been carried in the chests that the Queen of Sheba brought over to impress King Solomon, or it could have come out of Solomon’s fabled mines themselves!
Gold is the most desirable commodity on the planet. Think about it’s long and rich history the next time you notice its alluring sparkle.
The Coffee Culture in the USA
It wasn’t until I moved to the US that I started drinking coffee regularly and became what they call in the Netherlands a ‘koffieleut’, which translates literally into ‘coffee socialite.’ Although the average European drinks more coffee per year than the average American, the cultural importance and its effects on the average European seems to me smaller than that on the average American. After all, coffee is a cultural obsession in the United States.
Chains with thousands of branches like Dunkin’ Donuts or Starbucks dominate US daily street life. Especially in the morning (90% of coffee consumed in the US is in the morning), millions of white foamy cups with boldly imprinted pink and orange logos bob across the streets in morning rush hour and on the train. Coffee drive-ins are a saving grace for the rushing army of helmeted and tattooed construction workers. During lunch break, men and women in savvy business suits duck into coffee shops.
Students chill out from early afternoon till late evening on comfy couches at coffee lounges around campus. Police officers clutch coffee cups while guarding road construction sites on the highway. In short, coffee drinkers in the United States can be found just about anywhere you go.
This mass-psychotic ritual causes Americans to associate Europe above all with cars that oddly do not contain cup holders (to an American this is like selling a car without tires), or with the unbelievably petite cups of coffee European restaurants serve, so small that my father-in-law had to always order two cups of coffee. It is my strongest conviction that the easily agitated and obsessed nature of the ‘New Englander’ can be blamed on the monster-size cups of coffee they consume. Not without reason is the word ‘coffee’ derived from the Arab ‘qahwa’ meaning ‘that which prevents sleep.’ Arabs have cooked coffee beans in boiling water since as far back as the 9th century and drank the stimulating extract as an alternative to the Muslims’ forbidden alcohol.
These days coffee is second only to oil as the most valuable (legally) traded good in the world with a total trade value of $70 billion. Interestingly, only $6 billion reaches coffee producing countries. The remaining $64 billion is generated as surplus value in the consumption countries. Small farmers grow 70% of world coffee production. They mainly grow two kinds of coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta. About 20 million people in the world are directly dependent on coffee production for their subsistence.
Table 1: production in 2002/3
country % 70% Arabica
30% Robusta
Brasil 42.03% Arab/Rob
Colombia 8.88% Arabica
Vietnam 8.35% Robusta
Indonesia 4.89% Rob/Arab
India 3.74% Arab/Rob
Mexico 3.54% Arabica
Guatemala 3.1% Arab/Rob
Uganda 2.53% Rob/Arab
Ethiopia 2.44% Arabica
Peru 2.24% Arabica
Table 2: consumption in 2001/2world consumption % kg per capita (2001)
USA 30.82% Finland 11.01
Germany 15.07% Sweden 8.55
Japan 11.47% Denmark 9.71
France 8.89% Norway 9.46
Italy 8.59% Austria 7.79
Spain 4.90% Germany 6.90
Great-Brittain 3.63% Switzerland 6.80
the Netherlands 2.69% the Netherlands 6.48
Although the consumption of coffee per capita in the world is decreasing (in the US alone it decreased from 0.711 liter in 1960 to 0.237 liter presently), world consumption is still increasing due to the population explosion. Considering that coffee consists of either 1% (Arabica), 2% (Robusta) or 4.5%-5.1% (instant coffee) caffeine, the average American consumes at least 200 to 300mg (the recommended maximum daily amount) of caffeine a day through the consumption of coffee alone.
The place I frequent to down a cup of coffee is the Starbucks in Stamford, Connecticut. The entrance can be found on the corner of Broad Street and Summer Street, to the left to the main public library with its plain pediment and slim Ionic columns. The location right next to the library harmonizes with Starbuck’s marketing plan. At the entrance of the coffee shop a life-size glass window curves around to the left, providing superb voyeuristic views of pedestrians on the sidewalk. As you enter, you step directly into the living room area with stacked bookshelves against the back wall. Velvet armchairs face each other with small coffee tables in the middle, creating intimate seating areas. The velvet chairs near the window are the prime seats, which people unfortunate to score a wooden chair prey upon. At the back of the long rectangular room is the coffee bar and a small Starbuck’s gift shop. There is a dark wooden table with electrical outlets suited for spreading out laptops and spreadsheets, dividing the living room area from the coffee bar.
Since I have been cranky for weeks I hesitate to order a regular black coffee. It is very easy to get cloyed with a favorite food or drink in the US because of the super-sized portions served. The smallest cup of coffee is a size ‘tall’ (12oz.=0.35l.), after which one can choose between a ‘grande’ (16oz.=0.5l.) and a ‘venti’ (20oz.=0.6l.). Half a liter of coffee seems a bit over the top, and it sounds absolutely absurd to my European mind. I finally end up choosing a ‘solo’ espresso.
Sitting in one of the booth-like seats against the back wall, unable to obtain a prime seat, I feign to read my book while eavesdropping on conversations around to me. Three middle-aged men sit in three ash gray velvet chairs and converse loudly. A vivid dialogue develops, exchanged with half roaring, half shrieking, laughter. They mock a colleague in his absence and then clench their brows in concern while discussing the teeth of one of the men’s daughter. Two African-American women sit at a small table opposite the reading-table in the murky light, one of them with a yellow headscarf with black African motifs. Close to the entrance, in the seating area next to the animated conversation, a vagabond is playing solitaire. One by one he places the creased cards with rounded backs over one another, as if he attempts to stick them together. He rendered a couple of dollars in exchange for a small coffee to feel, in the warmth of the front room, nostalgia for a cozy living room and relives a sense of intimacy of having your own house.
It’s a bright, sunny, early autumn day, a typical New England Indian summer. Sunbeams radiate through the coloring, flickering foliage, and throw a puzzle-shaped shadow into Starbuck’s window. Autumn’s hand turns her colorful kaleidoscopic lens. The green ash tree near the sidewalk resembles, with its polychrome colors, somewhat a bronze statue: its stem sulphur bronze, its foliage intermittently copper green and ferric-nitrate golden. On the other side of the cross walk the top of a young red oak turns fiery red. These are the budding impressions of the autumn foliage for which Connecticut is ‘world famous’ in the US.
In the world of marketing and entrepreneurship, Starbucks is a success story. It is one of those stories of ‘excellence’ taught as a case study at business school. Founded in 1971, it really began its incredible growth under Howard Schultz in 1985, and presently has 6,294 coffee shops. But what does its success really consists of? A large cup of coffee at Starbucks is much more expensive than at Dunkin’ Donuts: $2.69 compared to $3.40 for a Starbucks’ ‘venti’. But while Dunkin’ Donuts offers only a limited assortment of flavors like mocha, hazelnut, vanilla, caramel and cinnamon, you will find exotic quality beans at Starbucks like Bella Vista F.W. Tres Rios Costa Rica, Brazil Ipanema Bourbon Mellow, Colombia Nariño Supremo, Organic Shade Grown Mexico, Panama La Florentina, Arabian Mocha Java, Caffè Verona, Guatemala Antigua Elegant, New Guinea Peaberry, Zimbabwe, Aged Sumatra, Special Reserve Estate 2003 – Sumatra Lintong Lake Tawar, Italian Roast, Kenya, Ethiopia Harrar, Ethiopia Sidamo, Ethiopia Yergacheffe and French Roast. So Starbucks offers luxury coffees and high quality coffee dining, reminiscent almost of the chic coffee houses I visited in Vienna.
Every now and then, I grin shamefully and think back at my endless hesitation choosing between the only two types of coffee available in most Dutch stores: red brand and gold brand. Even up to this day I have no clue what the actual difference is between the two, apart from the color of the wrapping: red or gold. Not surprisingly, Starbucks appeals to the laptop genre of people: consultants, students, intellectuals, the middle class, and a Starbucks coffee is a white-collar coffee, while a Dunkin’ Donuts coffee is a blue-collar coffee. In Dunkin’ Donuts you will run into Joe the Plumber, Bob the barber, and Mac the truck driver. But what is it exactly, that attracts the white collared workers in the US to fall back into the purple velvet chairs?
I imagine their working days filled with repetitive actions and decisions within a playing field of precisely defined responsibilities. How many of the players in these fields get through the day with its routines for simply no other reason than being able to enjoy their daily 30 minutes-escape into the Starbucks intimacy where, for a brief moment in the day, you regain the illusion of human warmth and exotic associations of resisting the coldness of high finance?
For 15 minutes you fall back into the deep, soft pillow of a velvet chair and randomly, and alas how important is that moment of utter randomness, pull a book from the shelves. While, in the background, soothing tones resound of country blues, with its recognition of deep human suffering, a blaze of folk with the primary connection with nature and tradition, or of merengue reviving the passionate memories of adventure and love, you gaze out the window and ponder about that simple, volatile reflection in the moment, strengthened by the physical effect of half a liter of watery coffee that starts to kick in and the satisfaction of chewing your muffin, bagel, cake, brownie, croissant or donut.
It is, above all, that bodily ecstasy caused by a combination of caffeine, sugar and the salivating Pavlov effect. You remember the struggling musician behind the counter taking your order, the amateur poet as you pay her for the coffee and give a full dollar tip, feeling a transcendental bound in your flight from reality. You stare with a fastened throbbing of the first gulps of coffee at the advertisements and poems on the bulletin board, and dauntlessly you think: They are right, they are so right! and what do I care? Why should I care?
But then you look at your watch and notice you really have to run again. ‘Well, too bad, gotta go!’, or people will start gossiping for being so long away from your desk. And while you open the door, an autumn breeze blows in your face, the last tunes of the blues solo die out as the Hammond organ whispers: ‘I throw my troubles out the door, I don’t need them anymore’.
Coffee in the US is a subculture that massively floated to the surface of the consumer’s society. Starbucks is more than coffee, it’s more than just another brand on the market, it is a social-political statement, a way of perceiving how you would like to live, in other words it is a culture. Starbucks is the alternative to Coca-Cola and so much more than just coffee: it’s chocolate, ice-cream, frappuccino, travel mugs with exotic prints, cups and live music, CD’s, discounts on exhibitions and even support for volunteer work.
The Types Of Accounting
Accounting is the art of analyzing and interpreting data. It may not be apparent to some but every business and every individual uses accounting in some form. An individual may knowingly or unknowingly use accounting when he evaluates his financial information and relays the results to others. Accounting is an indispensable tool in any business, may it be small or multi-national.
The term “accounting” covers many different types of accounting on the basis of the group or groups served. The following are the types of accounting.
1. Private or Industrial Accounting: This type of accounting refers to accounting activity that is limited only to a single firm. A private accountant provides his skills and services to a single employer and receives salary on an employer-employee basis. The term private is applied to the accountant and the accounting service he renders. The term is used when an employer-employee type of relationship exists even though the employer is some case is a public corporation.
2. Public Accounting: Public accounting refers to the accounting service offered by a public accountant to the general public. When a practitioner-client relationship exists, the accountant is referred to as a public accountant. Public accounting is considered to be more professional than private accounting. Both certified and non certified public accountants can provide public accounting services. Certified accountants can be single practitioners or by partnership ranging in size from two to hundreds of members. The scope of these accounting firms can include local, national and international clientele.
3. Governmental Accounting: Governmental accounting refers to accounting for a branch or unit of government at any level, may it be federal, state, or local. Governmental accounting is very similar to conventional accounting methods. Both the governmental and conventional accounting methods use the double-entry system of accounting and journals and ledgers. The object of government accounting units is to give service rather than make profits. Since profit motive cannot be used as a measure of efficiency in government units, other control measures must be developed. To enhance control, special funds accounting is used. Governmental units can use the services of both private and public accountant just as any business entity.
4. Fiduciary Accounting: Fiduciary accounting lies in the notion of trust. This type of accounting is done by a trustee, administrator, executor, or anyone in a position of trust. His work is to keep the records and prepares the reports. This may be authorized by or under the jurisdiction of a court of law. The fiduciary accountant should seek out and control all property subject to the estate or trust. The concept of proprietorship that is common in the usual types of accounting is non-existent or greatly modified in fiduciary accounting.
5. National Income Accounting: National income accounting uses the economic or social concept in establishing accounting rather than the usual business entity concept. The national income accounting is responsible in providing the public an estimate of the nation’s annual purchasing power. The GNP or the gross national product is a related term, which refers to the total market value of all the goods and services produced by a country within a given period of time, usually a calendar year.
Different Types of Hotels
When you go to stay in a hotel there are several different considerations. One of them, of course, is price. It’s not a concern for everyone, but most people are budget-conscious and can’t just spend whatever they want to on accommodations. With that being the case, you’ll have to determine what fits within your budget and what you can expect from a hotel in that price range. Where budget accommodations are concerned you won’t pay a lot but you won’t get a lot, either. Most of these hotels are older, and although they are clean there are anything but fancy. The linens and fixtures might be a bit worn and they won’t have the look and feel of the higher priced hotels. You don’t usually get any ‘freebies,’ either, although you might be treated to a simple breakfast and/or a newspaper included in the price.
Luxury hotels are a far different story from budget hotels. They cost much more, but you also get many more amenities than you would in a place where you pay considerably less. You can expect food, newspapers, free phone calls, better television channel selections, and more pampering. These hotels often have pools, spas, free room service, massages, robes and slippers, and other amenities that you wouldn’t otherwise get. You are generally given whatever you ask for, within reason, and the people there carry your bags and do everything that they can to ensure that you are happy. It’s very important to them that you have a good stay and that you return in the future.
A lot of people stay in middle-of-the-road hotels. These places offer much more than the budget hotels, but they don’t come close to what the luxury hotels provide. You’ll get some freebies there, but you won’t get the pampering and the do-anything-for-you attitude that you’ll get in the luxury hotels. That doesn’t seem to be required, though, because these standard hotels are still very popular. It gives people the feeling that they are staying in a nice hotel without requiring them to spend such an excessive amount of money. The fixtures in these hotels will be newer than the budget hotels, as will the linens. They will be nice places overall, but they won’t have the spas and free massages and other treatments that a lot of the luxury options provide. For travellers on a tight budget, these hotels might be too costly, as well.
The New Health Food – Organo Gold Coffee
Coffee, for most people is the morning staple. Many people need a morning dose of caffeine to get up and get going. How do you pick your coffee? Do you buy the cheapest, the most expensive, somewhere in between? Why don’t you pick your coffee as you pick the other staples in your pantry? Pick the healthiest coffee. Coffee, healthy? Yes! OrGano Gold Coffee is a healthier coffee alternative.
What is OrGano Gold Coffee? This is the only coffee that contains 100% pure organic ganoderma lucidum. According to reishi.com, Ganoderma lucidum is a red mushroom known for its medicinal purposes. This mushroom has been known for 4000 years for its ability to promote well-being and health. Ganoderma is known in China as the “mushroom of immortality.”
The health properties of Ganoderma are widely known and have been praised for many years. This red mushroom is known to help build immune systems. A strong immune system is essential for good health. Ganoderma lucidum will help ward off opportunistic infections such as viruses, the common cold, and the seasonal flu.
Ganoderma lucidum is also known to oxygenate the body. Increased oxygen to the brain helps with mental capabilities and flexibility. With increased oxygenation to the brain, people think clearer and can problem solve better. Increased oxygenation of the muscles improves physical capabilities. While working out you have an increased endurance. Ganoderma lucidum also increases stamina. So not only does ganoderma lucidum improve your endurance but it helps you to continue a task longer. This red mushroom helps to propel you through your daily activities with less fatigue.
Finally, the mushroom is a chock full of natural antioxidants, at least 150, which fight free radicals. These antioxidants will certainly improve your health. Why take a separate supplement when you can get antioxidants in your coffee? No need to worry about remembering to take an antioxidant supplement. So while you drink OrGano Gold‘s Coffee you are improving your health.
Taste is important when it comes to your morning cup of coffee. This coffee tastes great! This premium coffee is a blend of 100% Arabica coffee beans and the Ganoderma mushroom. There is something for everyone and the coffee comes in single serving packets. There is no need to make a huge pot of coffee that might become bitter over time. Have your coffee when you want it.
Have your coffee how you want it. There are three types of single serving packets of OrGano Gold Coffee. The first type of coffee packet is OrGano Gold Gourmet Black Coffee. This coffee is a blend of Arabica coffee beans and certified organic Ganoderma lucidum. The second type of single serving coffee packets is OrGano Gold Gourmet Latte. This latte includes Arabica coffee beans, certified organic Ganoderma, creamer, and organic sweetener. The third type of single serving packets is Gourmet Mocha. This mocha includes Arabica coffee beans, certified organic Ganoderma lucidum, and fine cocoa. OrGano Gold Coffee is a great healthy choice for your coffee fix.
Great British Authors and Famous Books of the Last 100 Years
Britain’s rich literary heritage produced several British authors that wrote great masterpieces. Some of the most famous British books made significant impact on the contemporary world literature and inspired the production of extravagant blockbuster movies.
So here is a partial list of Britain’s great contemporary authors and the books that they published.
The Fantasy Adventure Genre
When you survey contemporary fantasy adventure works produced by UK’s top authors, you should not miss J.R.R Tolkien. Tolkien wrote the world famous The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Tolkien is one of the many British authors who received international accolades after they died. His books, including The Hobbit, continue to sell widely.
Another famous fantasy adventure author is Joanne K. Rowling. JK Rowling is an award winning author who wrote the Harry Potter series. Rowling’s books continue to dominate the world’s best seller lists until now.
Britain’s Most Famous Children’s Writers
Jacqueline Wilson is one of the most famous British authors writing contemporary children’s literature. Wilson is renowned for her famous children stories as well as novels about children. Her famous published books include The Story of Tracey Beaker and Girls in Love. Jacqueline Wilson received a distinction as Britain’s Children Laureate. She still writes novels and short stories about British children facing real problems in a contemporary world.
Another great children’s writer is Quentin Blake. Every child in England loved the works and illustrations of this distinguished British author. Quentin Blake is the first Children’s Laureate of England. He started his career as a cartoonist and children’s books illustrator. In 1968, he published his first novel Patrick. He received numerous awards for his children’s books and his novel Angelo was made into a children’s opera.
Contemporary Realism Genre
Most modern British novelists tackle modern problems and approach such subjects quite frankly. The realism of the novels of these authors accurately captures the dark and lighter side of humanity.
Irvin Welsh, an Edinburgh-born author, is probably one of the most popular modern writers in England. His book Trainspotting delved deep into the stark realism of urban youth in Edinburgh hooked on heroin.
Trainspotting was the first book published by Welsh. It was adapted into a movie and instantly made an impact in the indie and modern cinema. After Trainspotting, Irvin Welsh continue to produce human realist books such as Marabou Stork Nightmares.
Another contemporary realist writer who specializes in modern fiction is Rose Tremain. She was born in London and got her education at the Sorbonne University. Tremain published her first novel in 1976. After her first book, she continued to write several novels that made into print. Rose Tremain is a recipient of several literary awards and Book of the Year awards.
Her famous novel The Colour, which she published in 2003, was included in the short list of the best books for the Orange Prize in 2004. The novel tells the story of the 1860 gold rush in New Zealand.
There are hundreds of contemporary British authors that have made significant impact on world literature, cinema, and theater. It simply shows that British literature is very vibrant and continues to produce world class novels and literary masterpieces.
Myths of NFL Cheerleaders Unraveled
So there’s tons of cheerleaders out there dancing on the field and we never bother to get to know them. All we do is just stare at them dancing, think ‘oh they dance good, look good, typical cheerleaders’ and move on without a thought as to what really goes behind the scenes of an NFL cheerleader. Well, I am here to tell you that there is a lot more than meets the eye. All those movies you saw like “Bring it On” and those television shows that showed a bunch of drama queens as cheerleaders have got it all wrong.
Myth #1 – It’s easy being an NFL cheerleader.
Um. No. There is no way that it is easy being a cheerleader. So much goes into the auditions, that you’re lucky to even make it into the squad in the first place. Hundreds of girls try out and you have to be in the top 3% to make it in the squad, no kidding. They all dance good, look good, are energetic, enthusiastic, and have a great personality on top of all that. After they get into the squad, it takes hours of practice almost every day in order to get the NFL dancing routines down. It gets worse when they have to dance in the freezing cold, especially in the northern States (which some NFL teams use as an excuse for not having a cheerleading team and yes not every NFL team has a cheerleading squad). Outside of the dances, they also have to show up for charity events, make guest appearances, do photo shoots, and sometimes even travel overseas to entertain our very own US military troops to keep their morale high. Whoever said being a cheerleader was easy obviously hasn’t seen one at work.
Myth: NFL Cheerleaders get to meet football stars and date them
Absolutely not. NFL Cheerleaders are not allowed to “fraternize” with the players. That means no flirting, no personal relationships, no personal “friendships”, or anything that might imply a relationship outside of the professional realm of the NFL. Yes, they can interact a little bit at charity events and guest appearances but typically, you’d have better luck getting to know the football stars as a janitor cleaning their locker rooms or being some sort of groupie. Cheerleaders going out with the likes of Tom Brady and Randy Moss? Forget about it.
Myth: NFL Cheerleaders rack in the fame and fortune
How much do cheerleaders get paid in the NFL? The answer to that question is $15 to $50 a game. Heck, there are times when they don’t get paid at all. They have to show up at guest appearance, photo shoots, overseas performances for US troops and all of that is most likely unpaid. Don’t feel too bad for them. Some of them get out of cheerleading and find that a bunch of opportunities await them because of their NFL cheerleading elite status. Teri Hatcher from Desperate Housewives was a San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush Cheerleader once and look where she is now. Making $285,000 an episode and multiply that by 10+ episodes per season. Now who wants to be an NFL cheerleader?
Myth: NFL Cheerleaders are stupid and act like valley girls
Yes, NFL cheerleaders are hot but who said you can’t combine beauty with brains? People tend to associate cheerleaders with light-headed valley girls who enjoy going shopping and being the drama queens. Well these cheerleaders aren’t in high school anymore for one thing. Another thing is that these cheerleaders need to be mature and intelligent so that they can answer to the media. After all, they are an important aspect of the team’s public image.
NFL cheerleaders deserve a better reputation. Sure there are a few black sheep out there but in general, the NFL cheerleaders are good girls who do their best to perform for us. The least we could do is show our appreciation. Don’t forget they also contribute to the community in various charity events so they do help out on a local and national level. Let’s show our support for them and give them the credit they deserve.
What Makes A Good Movie
Art is reflection of our society and life and movies are often regarded as modern expressions of art. They make us laugh and cry and we often love to quote them, they edify us enlighten us.
Every year numerous movies are made in the entertainment industries but all are not liked: some top the charts while others are kicked out of the box office. Some become the hot topic of discussion for the critics while others just escapes their notice, in short some get a thumps up while others a thumps down.
But how many of these, which get a positive feedback, are actually good movies? Well it is not that simple to answer, as it seems. The topic is very much subjective. What seems good to some may not be the same for the others. What appears enjoyable to a few others might be enjoyable for others. Then what exactly is a good movie? To generalize it, we can say that those movies, which are liked by the mass and not by some class category of people, could be considered as a good movie. But what are the traits that are needed for a movie to qualify as a good one. First of all a movie should provide good entertainment. They are of course others:
Touch our feelings: A movie should touch our heart and make us talk or think about it instead of just becoming a time pass. It should have the capacity to teach and inspire us and provoke us emotionally.
Educative: It should be able to let us know about something new. Nowadays movies are considered to be one of the most effective educational tools used to teach or educate people regarding certain issues. In short a good movie should have some educative value for the masses.
Mirror of the society: A good movie must also provide some elements of encouragement and inspire people towards successfully overcoming barriers. Movies are regarded as the mirror of life. Every story of a movie is more or less inspired by our life, by what happens around us.
But this is not all; there are some other factors also which contribute in making a movie, to be considered as good. Following are the points:
The Plot: This is the most important part of the movie. Without a good plot a movie fails to attract and retain the viewers in the theaters. Even if they were drawn to it initially for some reasons, people would loose interest sooner than later.
The Characters: The second most significant factor of any good movie is the characters of the story. Without them there would be no story and no plot. Characters should be such, that the audience likes them. Be it a positive character or negative one. They should have some qualities to which the people can relate.
Actors: We need good actors to make a good movie. Actors, who can justify the characters and make them, come alive in front of the audience. They must be able to portray the characters well so that people say that the characters are made keeping them in mind. They should blend themselves into the characters.
Script: Without dialogues movies look dead. Script is the life of movies so they should be very strong and appealing. They can even make people come and see the movie repeatedly.
Last but not the least, visual display of a movie with beautiful scenes and sceneries can also influence and draw people to the theaters.
Why Chocolate for Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day is many things to different people- a chance to start new relationships, rekindle old ones, or remind that special someone how wonderful they really are. Others feel it is just another “Hallmark” holiday where they are expected to do something for unknown reasons. Regardless of your hopes, expectations, or reservations about Valentine’s Day, chocolate has long been a favorite gift for lovers.
Since the days of the Aztecs chocolate has been used as a gift. Today a box of luxurious quality chocolate says a thousand “thank you’s”, “good luck”, or “I love you”. Chocolate can be given as a way of saying “congratulations”, “I am sorry” or “get well soon”. On Valentine’s Day chocolate clearly says “I LOVE YOU!” Chocolate is more than food, it not only fills your belly but also makes you feel soooo good. Elaine Sherman wrote “Chocolate is heavenly, mellow, sensual, deep, dark, sumptuous, gratifying, potent, dense, creamy, seductive, suggestive, rich, excessive, silky, smooth, luxurious, celestial. Chocolate is downfall, happiness, pleasure, love, ecstasy, fantasy … chocolate makes us wicked, guilty, sinful, healthy, chic, happy.” What more could you want to say to your lover on Valentines Day? Even the scientific name for the tree from which chocolate is derived, Theobroma cacao, translated from Greek, means “food of the gods”.
Why does chocolate evoke so many feelings and emotions for us? Chocolate has long been associated with passion, romance and love. This association may go all the way back to the Aztecs. They believed chocolate was a source of spiritual wisdom, incredible energy and elevated sexual power. Chocolate was widely used as a nuptial aid and was widely served at wedding ceremonies. The Aztecs did not know chocolate as we do today; they consumed the cocoa as a drink. Reports indicate that the Emperor Montezuma consumed large quantities of the drink every day and always fortified himself with a cup before entertaining his harem. The explorer Cortes reported to Carlos I of Spain that chocolate is “… the divine drink which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious drink enables a man to walk for a whole day without food.” From the earliest times, chocolate was considered a substance of power and a source of vitality.
Chocolate has been a subject of study since the first shipment from Veracruz arrived in Spain in 1585. But modern science has made some interesting findings that may help explain our lust for quality chocolate. Chocolate contains organic substances known as alkaloids. The most important of these substances is theobromine, which works as a stimulant to the kidneys. Stimulants in chocolate also affect the central nervous system, with effects similar to caffeine, which is also present in chocolate. A chocolate bar may contain as much as 200 mg of theobromine but only about 25 mg of caffeine. Another important substance found in chocolate is phenylethylamine, which is part of a group of chemicals known as endorphins. Endorphins have an effect similar to amphetamine and are found naturally in the human body. When endorphins are released into the bloodstream, the mood is lifted and feelings of positive energy are reached. The sensation known as “runners high” is caused by endorphins released during exercise. Phenylethylamine levels in the brain have also been linked to “falling in love”. One more chemical found in chocolate is seratonin. Seratonin is known for its calming properties. The presence of these chemicals may explain the multitude of feelings chocolate evokes.
Debra Waterhouse, author of Why Women Need Chocolate, conducted a survey and found: 97% of women reported cravings, 68% of which are for chocolate, 50% would choose chocolate over sex, and 22% were more likely than men to choose chocolate as a mood elevator. These findings could easily be interpreted as a result of how chocolate makes us feel. I don’t know why more women choose chocolate than men, for I am a man and I love chocolate.
Critics would say that the benefits of eating chocolate are small when compared to the sugar and fat contained in a chocolate bar. The best chocolate, dark chocolate with high cacao butter content has no added fat, as well as a high percentage of cacao solids and correspondingly less sugar. Although chocolate will never be considered a health food based on its nutritional value, it is still good for you! Good for your heart and soul-anything that helps relieve stress and makes you feel so good must be.
Receiving a nicely wrapped box of chocolates causes a sense of anticipation. The pleasure of unwrapping the box, the sensual smell, lifting the soft seductive papers, the look of the smooth dark chocolates. When it finally passes your lips and starts to instantly melt filling your mouth with exquisite pleasure. The taste and smell flood your senses with overwhelming ecstasy. Eating it slowly, taking time to enjoy and savor every bit. What better way to start off an evening of love?
Diversity in the Workplace: Benefits, Challenges and Solutions
Workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences between people in an organization. That sounds simple, but diversity encompasses race, gender, ethnic group, age, personality, cognitive style, tenure, organizational function, education, background and more.
Diversity not only involves how people perceive themselves, but how they perceive others. Those perceptions affect their interactions. For a wide assortment of employees to function effectively as an organization, human resource professionals need to deal effectively with issues such as communication, adaptability and change. Diversity will increase significantly in the coming years. Successful organizations recognize the need for immediate action and are ready and willing to spend resources on managing diversity in the workplace now.
Benefits of Workplace Diversity
An organization’s success and competitiveness depends upon its ability to embrace diversity and realize the benefits. When organizations actively assess their handling of workplace diversity issues, develop and implement diversity plans, multiple benefits are reported such as:
Increased adaptability
Organizations employing a diverse workforce can supply a greater variety of solutions to problems in service, sourcing, and allocation of resources. Employees from diverse backgrounds bring individual talents and experiences in suggesting ideas that are flexible in adapting to fluctuating markets and customer demands.
Broader service range
A diverse collection of skills and experiences (e.g. languages, cultural understanding) allows a company to provide service to customers on a global basis.
Variety of viewpoints
A diverse workforce that feels comfortable communicating varying points of view provides a larger pool of ideas and experiences. The organization can draw from that pool to meet business strategy needs and the needs of customers more effectively.
More effective execution
Companies that encourage diversity in the workplace inspire all of their employees to perform to their highest ability. Company-wide strategies can then be executed; resulting in higher productivity, profit, and return on investment.
Challenges of Diversity in the Workplace
Taking full advantage of the benefits of diversity in the workplace is not without its challenges. Some of those challenges are:
Communication – Perceptual, cultural and language barriers need to be overcome for diversity programs to succeed. Ineffective communication of key objectives results in confusion, lack of teamwork, and low morale.
Resistance to change – There are always employees who will refuse to accept the fact that the social and cultural makeup of their workplace is changing. The “we’ve always done it this way” mentality silences new ideas and inhibits progress.
Implementation of diversity in the workplace policies – This can be the overriding challenge to all diversity advocates. Armed with the results of employee assessments and research data, they must build and implement a customized strategy to maximize the effects of diversity in the workplace for their particular organization.
Successful Management of Diversity in the Workplace – Diversity training alone is not sufficient for your organization’s diversity management plan. A strategy must be created and implemented to create a culture of diversity that permeates every department and function of the organization.
Recommended steps that have been proven successful in world-class organizations are:
Assessment of diversity in the workplace – Top companies make assessing and evaluating their diversity process an integral part of their management system. A customizable employee satisfaction survey can accomplish this assessment for your company efficiently and conveniently. It can help your management team determine which challenges and obstacles to diversity are present in your workplace and which policies need to be added or eliminated. Reassessment can then determine the success of you diversity in the workplace plan implementation.
Development of diversity in the workplace plan – Choosing a survey provider that provides comprehensive reporting is a key decision. That report will be the beginning structure of your diversity in the workplace plan. The plan must be comprehensive, attainable and measurable. An organization must decide what changes need to be made and a timeline for that change to be attained.
Implementation of diversity in the workplace plan – The personal commitment of executive and managerial teams is a must. Leaders and managers within organizations must incorporate diversity policies into every aspect of the organization’s function and purpose. Attitudes toward diversity originate at the top and filter downward. Management cooperation and participation is required to create a culture conducive to the success of your organization’s plan.
Recommended diversity in the workplace solutions include:
Ward off change resistance with inclusion. – Involve every employee possible in formulating and executing diversity initiatives in your workplace.
Foster an attitude of openness in your organization. – Encourage employees to express their ideas and opinions and attribute a sense of equal value to all.
Promote diversity in leadership positions. – This practice provides visibility and realizes the benefits of diversity in the workplace.
Utilize diversity training. – Use it as a tool to shape your diversity policy.
Launch a customizable employee satisfaction survey that provides comprehensive reporting. – Use the results to build and implement successful diversity in the workplace policies.
As the economy becomes increasingly global, our workforce becomes increasingly diverse. Organizational success and competitiveness will depend on the ability to manage diversity in the workplace effectively. Evaluate your organization’s diversity policies and plan for the future, starting today.
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Tags: Benefits, Challenges, Diversity, Solutions, Workplace | 
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