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Shifting Fashions: The History of Shorts

Historical fashion photos can create a mixed reaction depending on the individual. For those who are in the photos, they may feel a slight tinge of embarrassment if they were subjected to a trend that later became a major fashion faux-pas. However, for those who weren’t even born when the offending photos were taken, images of shoulder pads, flared dungarees with flowery shirts or any number of other fashion frights can cause many people to burst into fits of laughter. Of course, that is the nature of fashion. What is acceptable one day can quickly become yesterday’s news, leaving wardrobes of unworn clothes the length and breadth of the country. It can be very interesting to look back at how certain items of clothing have changed over the years. This is especially true in terms of how they were worn, who wore them and the wider cultural implications of anyone inadvertently ‘getting it wrong’. Shorts provide a good example of how fashion attitudes can change significantly over a relatively short period of time. Historically speaking, in the late 19th and early 20th century, shorts were almost exclusively worn by young boys until they were deemed old enough to wear trousers. And because of this, many men would refuse to wear shorts, even when it was more practical to do so, in case they were perceived to be immature for their age. With soldiers being sent to tropical regions during the Second World War, shorts became a more popular item of clothing for reasons of necessity. Although it did take a number of decades for them to be fully accepted within wider society, shorts are now worn by people from all backgrounds and every conceivable demographic within the western world. Over the years, every style imaginable has been in fashion at some point. For example, baggies were worn by soccer players around the early to mid 20th century. Then there was board shorts, which are usually worn by beach-goers and surfers, though they are sufficiently fashionable to be worn almost anywhere in society. Smart shorts too are extremely popular among various social groups. Bermuda shorts, in particular, have become popular in the British Overseas Territory Bermuda, where they are widely worn as part of a business suit with full shirt, tie and blazer. However, dress shorts are also worn in many other societies too, as smart or casual attire in warm weather. Shorts are a great example of how clothing and fashion attitudes can change significantly over time. What was once reserved entirely for one small group of society, is now worn by people of almost every demographic imaginable.

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The Incredible World of Satellite Television

Because satellite television is such a superior way of watching television, one that is affordable, reliable, and varied, there are now millions of subscribers.  Most people that have switched over from standard and cable television to satellite now enjoy a much broader range of programming opportunities. Typically, people that watched television with cable were accustomed to a handful of channels but with satellite, an entirely new world of possibilities opens up.

While there are any exciting genres that go along with satellite television, the one that seems to hit the hardest has to do with sports.  For the sports enthusiast, watching programming via satellite television and in high definition is an experience difficult to describe.  The clarity of every game, interview, and special coverage is so clear that it is almost as if sitting in the front row while being there in person.  People that love sports and watch using satellite television in high definition have the ability to subscribe to a full season of numerous professional events, while watching special commentary programming and viewing several games at a time.

The great thing about satellite television with high definition is that the viewer is not limited to only national sports and games.  Instead, satellite opens the door to international events too.  This means a person that loves soccer could actually watch European games throughout the entire season, never missing any of the action.  Additionally, subscribers get more with satellite, meaning they have the option of seeing games that are never broadcast on cable TV.

However, along with the list of international sporting events, people with high definition satellite television can also watch games from their hometown.  What people need to remember is that the reason this technology works is that satellites are out in space, orbiting and sending down signals from every country in the world.  Therefore, programming with satellite television is not prohibited to one state or one country.  Instead, the viewer chooses the programs or exclusive programming interested in and as a result, gets games and other sporting events from around the globe.

With satellite television and high definition, subscribers get an added bonus in that many broadcasters from all over the world are also making their signals available.  Therefore, in addition to sporting events, subscribers can watch concerts, movies, news, educational shows, children’s programming, nature shows, games, cultural events, and much more. The type of programming a person would get with high definition satellite television boils down to the type of package deal chosen.

For instance, subscribers of satellite television will get standard channels that provide a host of excellent programming.  However, the consumer can then add on exclusive programming based on the type of viewing most enjoyed. A person that is a real movie buff could go with the movie programming option, someone that loves sports could choose from a variety of sports programming, and the person that appreciates concerts and music would chose that genre.  With so many possibilities, satellite television, especially in high definition makes watching television a brand new and life changing experience.

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5 Simple Ways To Attract Positive Attention & Draw A Sizeable Crowd To You

How do you attract positive attention and draw a sizeable crowd to you?

This is a question I ask myself when I did my first book talk in KL. Unfortunately, I could not find any credible or relevant information that answers this burning question of mine. In times like this, I improvise.

The good news is some work and I will like to share them with you.

Here are the workable ones that have been refined after three book talks.

1. A crowd attracts a bigger crowd… hire groupies if you need to

People are naturally curious. So if they see a crowd (about 5-10) standing, with their full attention on you, they will check it out. Most of these people will stay for about 30 seconds to assess if your talk is relevant or interesting enough for them to drop their agenda. If you want to play safe, I encourage you to “hire” a crowd. Gather some of your friends and fans. Make sure they report on time. Get them to rally together. Each time someone passes by or stops, have them give a warm smile to the person and invite him/her to join in. This has proven to work wonderfully well!

2. Location, location, location!

Pick a place where you have a lot of open space. This way, you are highly visible.

When we were in KL, the first day turned out was much better than the second day even though the second bookstore was a bigger one. Here’s why. In the picture above, you notice we were right smack in the middle of the bookstore. Judging from the density of the crowd, most of them walks in from the right (of me). I even have a friend who will stop these people and invite them to sit in.

However on the second day, we have this really HUGE waterfall blocking us (to the left of the picture).

Hence we only have a crowd on the far right and we miss about 50% of the people in the bookstore. Plus, the talk was held in the quadrangle which creates an invisible barrier. People who are not in the quadrangle will think it is a scheduled talk and avoid it. This is why the crowd size did not increase significantly compared to the first day.

3. Let ‘em do the talking

Make sure you have a lot of activities that get your audience talking and mingling. Firstly, this creates buzz which attracts people. Secondly, it allows the audience to interact with one another which makes the whole environment friendlier. So what you get is a friendly buzz that naturally draws people in.

Getting my listeners up to talk works like magic. It’s usually normal to see someone in suit talking since people will assume he has been hired. However to see a shopper speak, now that is something you don’t see everyday. So in your talk, find as many opportunities as you can to have pockets of your listeners up on stage or make sure you have a lot of activities where they get to interact with one another.

4. Use the “S” word

The word SECRET and SUCCESS seems to have an effect on the audience. Each time I say something along the line of “Let me tell you a secret…” or “Here are three tips on how to be successful…”, you will hear a pin drop. Everyone will keep really quiet. Even the kids. Passer bys will deliberately slow down so that they can eavesdrop into the million dollar secret that you were about to share.

The lesson is simple – make it exclusive.

5. If need be, pay them to laugh at all your jokes and clap at opportune times

Laughter and applause are your two best weapons in drawing crowds. In a short 60 minutes, I have about 8 stories planted in my talk. And each of them are intentionally funny. Some even require audience participation. For example the analogy about swimming and public speaking.

So if you are going to give a talk to an open crowd, make sure your speech has about 80% stories, 20% tips. Stories are naturally engaging so it becomes your magnet in pulling a crowd. After you finish your story, land them with a power point or a valuable message, that will keep them staying. Repeat the formula and you will have 10 soccer teams eating out of your hands in no time.

Here are other miscellaneous pointers on drawing an attentive crowd.

Don’t just address the crowd. Make sure you talk to passer-bys too. Catch their eye and speak to them as if they are meant to be listening to you. I guarantee you that they will stop and listen, at least until they find you boring or irrelevant to their needs.

Have a whiteboard with big words on it. Mind maps work well too. When passer by walks past, they will be curious enough to check out what you have written and since it is hard to walk and read at the same time, they will linger for a while.

Final note: Even if you have just one listener, hide your disappointment. It’s ok. Really. On the bright side, you won’t be suffering from aerobic effects of public speaking… and if you keep at it, you will start to draw a crowd. Why? Coz’ people are curious. They will be wondering why are you speaking to only one person. Why is that one person so focused on you? Is there something that they are missing out on? And before you know it, you have ten, twenty people clamoring for your attention.

Final final note… I am going to assume here that you have SOLID content that (1) resolves your audience’s top three frustrations or challenges and (2) bring them one step closer to their wants and desires.

Good luck with your next public appearance!

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A Sports League Website Solves Many Communication Issues

Things aren’t so easy today. Single sports no longer influence the scene the way they once did, with leagues sprouting up for soccer, lacrosse, rugby and other games that only a few decades ago weren’t represented. One of the results of this player pool dilution is that leagues have to draw participants from a much wider area in order to have enough players to warrant a league. That means the old notion of word of mouth information flow is pretty much out the door. Newspaper subscriptions have declined precipitously, so posting information there only reaches a small percentage of the people who want it. Not only that, but people have become accustomed to information in real time; they don’t want to wait until tomorrow morning to read about the score of a game in their league, they want to see the outcome as soon as it’s decided on their laptop or their iphone. In ninety percent of the cases I work with, the first thing I suggest is that athletic leagues turn to the Internet to solve their communication issues. What they may not realize is that a professionally designed sports website can boost the visibility and appeal of their league, make event coordination a snap, even offer merchandising opportunities to boost revenues. Better yet, features are available that help the organization to plan and schedule games, coordinating with coaches and officials. A well designed sports web site can become a real community for players, families, fans, league officials and visitors. A typical web site of this nature will include: # Team specific bulletins, team rosters and photos. # Downloadable schedules with automatic e-mail notification of changes. # Playoff elimination brackets with graphics. # Game results and team standings. # Player statistics. # Sponsor pages with page top display of team sponsors. # Pages for feedback, surveys and questionnaires. # Discussion forums. # List of area facilities, complete with maps and directions. # Exchange page allowing visitors to post equipment and other items for sale or swap. # Scheduling capability for officials. # News bulletins. # Ability for visitors to register to play for the season with secure credit card transaction. # Merchandise sales through an online store. While athletic organizations face challenges unheard of a few decades ago, when used properly the Internet can make running a league even easier than before.

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Interview: Theology Professor tells about cell groups and Sunday schools in Southern Baptist Church by Peter Menkin

 

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Weight Loss Programs Created For Overweight Children

Today, one in 3 American children is overweight, and one in five can be classified as obese. This is a dangerous trend with far reaching implications… The good news is that with the right information and a solid game-plan, you can take action and reverse your child’s weight problem.

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By researching and comparing the Best Weight Loss Programs in the market, you will find out the one that is safe and right for you. Take advantage of the different trial offers that each program can provide and start losing weight right now.

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Set The Example Adults, especially parents, must take the lead as role-models. Hypocrisy wont fly with a kid -you can’t justify a “do as I say, not as I do” policy. You must start your own program of sensible diet and exercise and stick to it. Kids model behavior no matter what you preach, the real lesson is what you do.

Make Them Want It Threats, insults, and force is no way to create lasting, positive change. Vividly demonstrate how trimming down will help them get what they desire most, whether its making new friends, or being captain of the team, or looking spiffy in their clothes. When they see what’s in it for them, they’ll work night and day to make it happen

Be Supportive Getting chubby doesn’t happen overnight, and neither does getting fit. Avoid making negative comments. Reward every improvement (but not with food).

Set Goals Make them specific, be realistic, have a time-frame and write them down. Once a goal is achieved, set a new, higher goal.

K.I.S.S. Keep It Super Simple. Focus on smaller portion sizes, eating slower, only eating when hungry (not out of boredom), making healthier food and beverage choices, and increasing physical activity.

Exercise The more the better. Every single day. Any sport or activity that gets the blood pumping and the body moving will do the trick. Bike riding, running track, playing basketball, soccer or gymnastics are all excellent choices. Remember, the more fun a child has, the more likely they are to stay the course.

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