Your Moment is Now

You don’t have to wait until you are famous in your field or a rich celebrity to chronicle your life. In fact, more and more individuals are writing their autobiography , or the biography of their family, as a way to better understand themselves and their place in the world. These types of biography are not about proving how important or significant the subject is, but rather a way to gain deeper insight into a life or a web of relationships.

The internet age has made it easier than ever to create a biography or autobiography. There are websites and blog templates that anyone with a computer can use to build their own page in a matter of minutes. This gives you a place to put your autobiography where you can share it with friends and family or, if you feel confident enough, with the entire world. Some sites will even give you the option of keeping a blog completely private so that only you can read it.

Perhaps one of the best features of the web is the ability to utilize multiple forms of media in crafting a biographical site or blog. For example, many publishing sites have tie-ins with photo sharing or video sites. This means that you can take the photos of important milestones that you’ve stored on flickr and link them directly to your web bio. Likewise, you can embed video clips from sharing sites like vimeo or youtube as well as music files. If you’ve stored artwork, slideshows, or any other type of media, it should be a snap to include it as a way to enhance your life story.

When crafting such an online bio, you want to take into consideration just who will have access to the contents and what purpose the document might serve. Giving your children or grandchilden insight into what it was like to grow up in a past era is a great motivation. So is sharing the story of how you and your spouse met and fell in love. Some family biographies serve as a testament and memorial to family members who have passed away. These types of bios will have a very different tone than business or professional ones. They will also have different content.

If you feel you might use your web bio as a way of promoting yourself to future employers or even political life, then you want to be doubly careful as to what content and media you share. Remember, if you’re a real estate guy like Daniel Drimmer , you need the bio to instill confidence in potential clients or tenants. You would most likely emphasize your business qualifications and professional accomplishments and include photos and videos that support that image.

Whatever the purpose, creating a web bio can be a fun way to look back at your life to date and give you an excuse to stroll down memory lane and sort through all those old photos. Have fun!

image courtesy creative commons license

How many people out there believe that William Shakespeare actually wrote the plays that are attributed to him? Along with that question, deeper conspiracy theories question the reality of his existence as a human in the first place. For many people that might be taking the concept too far, however, for logical and educated academics, practitioners and even fans, the entire idea is about as far out as is the idea of aliens having come down to interbreed with the Neanderthal to create humans. Well, there are some interesting theories in both categories, though neither one has any valid historic or scientific base. With this in mind, which category do you fall into? Surely you don’t believe Ben Johnson or Christopher Marlowe penned such works as Hamlet or King Lear? And while that might sound like a slight to either of those writers, it simply isn’t. Though no one compares to Shakespeare, both were significant to their time period as well as to today.

One of the things that is interesting regarding the works of Shakespeare is related to copyrights and legal aspects. There are no licensing right laws that affect a company’s right to produce his plays. However, if he were living today, he would most definitely be more inclined to sign his name to the script and protect his property and financial interests. There are lawyers who specialize in copyright and licensing laws and you can be sure that Shakespeare would make an acquaintance with at least one of these professionals if he were writing today. There are plenty of Los Angeles law firms that would be more than happy to protect not only the rights of any writer, but to have a client like William Shakespeare is almost going to guarantee their own successful career. Interestingly enough, identity theft, which is the most appropriate phrase regarding pretenders to the bard’s crown, protection that is essential to everyone today, would go a long way in protecting Shakespeare’s legacy. And if he were working today, you can be sure that he would have at least dabbled in film too, but most likely would have become an Academy Award winning screenwriter, or maybe even director. And every lawyers in reno would love to represent him, whether it’s for his artistic protection, or defending him for stealing cows. So, it might be true that there would be no room for questioning the source of Shakespeare’s plays had he written them today, but then that would take away the fun of his mystery. Wait, he would likely be writing those too.

Although it is not at all uncommon for someone’s earlier years to be filled with a certain sense of experimentation, for artists, these experiments can go to much further extremes.  In the case of Peter Sellers, it’s more extreme than most, suggesting that great artistry can go hand in hand with great eccentricity.  This isn’t to suggest that any of the things that characterized his life were in themselves eccentric or extreme, but taken together they form an eclectic and entirely fascinating portrait. 

For the young Sellers, finding the perfect methodologies through which to channel his talents was not an easy task.  It wasn’t as simple as finding the perfect fit for his acting ability, like buying cooper tires online to match one’s car.  In Seller’s case, he was the vehicle and the contents, and there was never a solid and stable nature to either.  He was like a volatile chemical reaction, always on the verge of something dangerous, and this is what made watching him so terrifically compelling.

It has been noted widely that he was initiated as a Freemason, but not so widely that he was never what one could consider a member in good-standing.  After a few moments of attendance, it seemed to have dropped out of his life altogether.  He was following a familial tradition, to be sure, but it seems to have fit his acting persona about as well as big rims on a subcompact car.  It could work, but only for a very short while, and better if no one is around to see it happening.

Instead, Sellers seems to have invented a kind of wonderful blend of methods.  His work is as esoteric and complex as any of the hidden sciences, and it does not require a deep knowledge to catch a glimpse of its mystery.  His mystery did run deep, and it was apparent to those viewers who only saw the surface, as well as to those who knew him very well.  Whatever Freemasonry did or didn’t do for him, there were tenets that combined with an interest in color vibrations, an ability to enter trance states for performance, and a particularly deft capacity for the mechanics of acting.  The results of this alchemical combination were absolutely genius.  On a profound level, his work speaks to the initiated, with a complexity that is almost Kabalic.  However, on a more base level, his work speaks directly to the gut.  He is simply a very funny man, and his work and life bear repeated consideration.

William Shakespeare is frequently recognized to be the greatest writer, in the Western world, to have ever existed. He continues to be so famous and respected that he is still the number one produced dramatist in the world and universities all have multiple classes devoted to his work. The Globe remains the most famous theatre, and any other building that he is associated with enjoys great interest and pilgrimage. Property companies such as TransGlobe Beaverbrook and numerous others enjoy the prospect of famous, and iconic residents. And when there’s an element of intrigue into that figure’s life, the interest skyrockets. Interestingly, Shakespeare is one of those great historic figures whose actual identity is often put to question and or disputed. This might seem like a subject for conspiracy oriented individuals or groups, though the subject has also received valid academic attention.

With all of this intrigue potential in mind, it is almost universally, or at least widely, recognized that William Shakespeare, the glove maker’s son from Stratford, is actually responsible for writing the plays that have been attributed to his name. For most academics or historians in the field this is a simply solved puzzle simply based on some of his references, colloquialisms in dialogue and other biographical associations to his poetry. There is a lot more that goes into the study of authorship identity, though these are some of the standard recognized elements of Shakespeare’s work that are often recognized as his trademarks and are used in analytic discussions of his writing. His style, alterations between prose and verse, invention of character and language, and unmatchable style are also hallmarks of his genius, and for true Shakespearean scholars, there is no question of his identity.

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Meanwhile, everyone loves a good mystery, and there is also a large percentage of the population who will succumb to the temptation of various conspiracy theories. This is not intended to imply that major conspiracies have, and do not exist throughout the world and have played a major role in history, it’s simply stating that conspiracies in general captivate that mystery and suspense mindset and it can be incredibly alluring for some people.

One of the standard arguments that the person who was William Shakespeare could not have written such great tragedies like Hamlet, Othello, and Macbeth, is his simple background and upbringing. Shakespeare never attended university, like his contemporary Christopher Marlowe, who also happens to be one of the standard contenders for the true writer of Shakespeare’s plays. However, the immense brilliance of Shakespeare simply could not be taught. His amazing insight and use of language are just not products of a university education. If that were the case, every Cambridge, Harvard , Yale, and other great university graduate would be cranking out work that is comparable to or even surpassing that of Shakespeare. And we all know that’s not happening. So, if we pull back the blinds on and the mystery of Shakespeare, the Globe, and the lure of Stratford on Avon, we realize that the true mystery is the enormous gift of this man. It is not the question of his identity. And just as the Next Day Blinds let just the right amount of light and shadow enter a room, the legend of Shakespeare sheds the same illumination on examinations of his work.

The delineation between amateur and professional sports is much clearer in some sports than in others. No one would confuse the regulations and players in high school basketball with those of the professional league. However, in tennis these lines are a bit more blurred, especially since the open era of tennis took hold in the late 1960s.

Prior to that time, amateur and professional competition were kept separate. Players were either professional champs or they were amateur champs . All this changed when that larger tournaments began allowing both types of players to compete in the same event. The idea was to let players to make a living from the sport while elevating the level of the game. Today almost all non-collegiate tournaments are open, as designated by the names of the events, like the US Open and the Australian Open.

The very first official open tournament was held in England at the West Hants Club. It was played on April 28, 1968. A month later, french open tennis followed suit. On May 27, 1968 the first Grand slam event to allow both professional and amateur competitors was held at Roland Garros. After the French Open led the way, the other Grand Slam events quickly became open tournaments as did much of the rest of the tennis circuit.

Do you know what it meant by the phrase visitors insurance ? If you are planning to travel to a foreign country anytime in the future you need to familiarize yourself with this industry. That way when it’s time for you to purchase insurance for your trip, you’ll know what you’re looking for.

The first basic component in visitors insurance is health coverage. This is very similar to the standard medical policies that individuals and families have at home. Visitor health insurance will ensure that you can get medical treatment, prescriptions replaced, and other health services when you are in a foreign country. Policies will vary according to your length of stay, purpose of travel, and ultimate destination or destinations. They should also take into account the age and existing medical condition of you and anyone in your family who is traveling with you. Just like regular health insurance.

The other part of visitors insurance is travel coverage. This will protect you in the event of travel mishaps. Think about what you would do if your luggage was stolen or you lost your passport. What would happen if a leg of your travel was cancelled due to a strike, natural disaster, or political upheaval? Travel insurance will help you with cash advances, document replacement, and other protective measures. It will also provide coverage in case of terrorist activities that interfere with your travel.

The great Southwest of the United States is a popular draw for families looking for a fun, yet educational summer vacation. Sure, part of the region is extremely hot desert land, but there are so many sights and attractions that make it an appealing destination — especially for those who stick to the higher elevation and mountain country.

A brief look at any arizona wall map will show that it is much more than just desert. The state is home to the Grand Canyon, which is a must see destination for pretty much anyone. There are numerous forests with mountain and lakeside camping, as well as incredible rock formations in both Monument Valley (which crosses into Utah) and the Sedona Red Rocks area.

Anyone wanting to see the United States all in one place should head to California. The state is home to not just Hollywood and the extreme lifestyles of Los Angeles, but to countless farming communities, university towns, and even ghosts towns. Check out a map of california to choose between touring wine country, hanging out on beaches, or camping in redwood forests, or hiking up mountains.

Utah, Nevada and New Mexico also have a variety of attractions that call to tourists. It’s possible to visit art colonies, see ancient petroglyphs, stare at breath-taking vistas, visit Hoover Dam or walk down the Las Vegas strip, all without leaving the Southwest.

There is an aspect for vacation planning that is typical for most people, and it does not relate to the trip itself. Well, that is, other than the fact the during the trip the vacationers themselves will be away from home. And unfortunately, many criminals prey on people specifically during their vacation time. There are some standard tip-offs to these thieves, and some of the obvious ones include a buildup of newspapers in the lawn, no lights on during the evening, mailboxes that are over filled and no standard activity in and out of the house. How do they know what is standard activity? Thieves can start to target homes early in the vacation season, meaning late spring and early summer. They will observe houses in a neighborhood and become familiar with certain routines. The initial indicators, newspapers and houselights, are the more obvious with routine comings and goings being a more determined house or neighborhood casing.

It has become standard practice for most homeowners to have their newspaper service temporarily held or picked up by a neighbor. The same neighbor or friend can also bring in the mail and move the car periodically. Homeowners can also have lights timed to turn on in the evenings. It’s also becoming more common to have a house sitter while you’re away. This is a great option, especially if you have pets . Meanwhile, protecting your valuables, whether it’s jewelry, cash, documents or other items, is an essential part of safety planning. Many people have safe-deposit banks, while others have secret hiding places in their homes. If you store valuables in your home, purchasing one of the numerous models of home safes is your best option. Enjoy your vacation, and part of that is ensuring that your home is safe while you are away.

The Rocky Mountains should be considered one of the natural wonders of the world. Next to the Alps in Europe, they are one of the most beautiful and instantly recognizable mountains on the planet. The Continental Divide runs down through North America, starting with the Canadian Rockies at the top, which must be seen in person to be appreciated.

A tour of the northernmost region of the Rockies, i.e., that part which is in Alberta, is a great vacation. In addition to stunning mountain views, the area is home to a number of majestic glaciers that feed a system of beautiful rivers and lakes and give the Rockies their lush plant and animal life. There is an entire stretch of highway known as the Icefields Parkway which travels 143 miles past dozens of glaciers.

To visit the area, travelers can take advantage of canadian rockies coach tours , rail tours, or organize a self-guided tour by car. There are historic sites, national parks, and an endless array of breathtaking views of and from mountain tops. Recreational activities range from hiking and fishing to canoeing and mountain biking to rock or glacier climbing. In the winter months, ski resorts in the area fill to capacity. Wildlife lovers will find ample opportunities to glimpse caribou, bighorn sheep, and even wolves and grizzly bears.