The Towing Path

If you enjoy running as a way of keeping fit but do not like the idea of running around busy streets and dodging traffic then you may have thought of buying a treadmill machine or an elliptical trainer. It is worth looking into the costs and benefits of both systems before deciding which is the best for your health and fitness needs. Of course suitability may not be the only criteria, there may also be a price consideration. Both have benefits and disadvantages so when considering elliptical trainers vs treadmills you should make sure that you have looked at all the possibilities and practicalities of both options.

When you start looking at the benefits of elliptical trainers vs treadmills it is a good idea to make sure that you are clear on what each machine can and cannot do for you. Treadmills are really nothing more then an indoor running machine. Although they can have other features such as monitoring the heart rate, which can make them very useful, they are still quite limited. Elliptical trainers on the other hand, provide more of a well-rounded workout. They also have the advantage of allowing you to exercise without any great impact on the knees as the feet remain on the foot beds at all times.

Although there are many benefits to elliptical trainers vs treadmills many people still prefer the basic exercise of running and do not want anything more complicated or expensive. And for those who want a straightforward, simple and of course a more inexpensive option, a treadmill could be the ideal solution. Treadmills are much cheaper in price when compared to elliptical trainers and if you do not really want the extra features may be perfectly satisfactory for your health and fitness desires.

When weighing the different benefits of elliptical trainers vs treadmills it is a good idea to write down the advantages and cost implications of both systems. This can make it much easier for you to decide which is the best solution for you and which exercise machine is likely to deliver the health and fitness benefits that you want at the price you’re most comfortable with paying. Although elliptical trainers have many benefits over treadmills they are only worth the extra expense if you really want and more importantly, plan to use all of the extra features that come with purchasing an elliptical cross trainer. For a simple straightforward exercise machine to replace outdoor running treadmills are quite adequate but if you want a more extensive workout then an elliptical trainer may be the best option for you.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Treadmill-Solutions.com. He provides more treadmill ratings, recommendations and information on elliptical trainers vs treadmills that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

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Have you been noticing now if you have Satellite Television that the commercials are synchronized so you are forced to watching them? If you leave one channel for another then there is another commercial break there on that station too? Lately with these vie to seven minute segment on the News Channels they give you two stories under rapid fire, never give you the whole new then the commercial break with some great story up next, trying to get you to wait and watch the commercials?

Have you also noticed that they keep re-running the news but keep telling you to wait for some late breaking new? It’s like déj vu already and they do this everyday. That is enough to make anyone upset along with these synchronized commercial breaks. Now you can buy a system to stop and record the show and then go back later and fast forward thru those commercials for a FEE! Great a new service to block the commercials, when you use to be able to vote with your TV Clicker, but now you have to wait or pay?

Well, you know what I have better things to do than to watch commercials all day especially when I am paying for satellite TV already. This is getting to be aggravating indeed. I ask you; What if Television Commercials Were Not Synchronized? It is time to turn that thing off it is melting our brains and not that I do not care about the Girl in Aruba, but for god’s sakes give me some news. Think on it.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

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The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon - understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

The Hero’s Journey:

Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

The Hero’s Journey is also a study of repeating patterns in successful stories and screenplays. It is compelling that screenwriters have a higher probability of producing quality work when they mirror the recurring patterns found in successful screenplays.

Great Characters

The first step to building great characters is to outline your story according to the Hero’s Journey. During the macro outline you will see characters emerge and during the micro outline they will develop.

Beyond the above, there are a few processes that successful screenwriters use. Specifically, these techniques are (more often than not) used during the initial Call to Adventure stage:

The Hero’s Ordinary World: In War of the Worlds (2005), we meet Ray Ferrier at work and at home.

The Hero’s Backstory: In Midnight Cowboy (1969), Joe Buck sets off for New York almost immediately - his inner challenges and back-story are revealed through flashbacks.

The Hero’s True Nature: In Gladiator (2000), Maximus takes time to feel the tall grass.

The Hero’s Motivations: In Goodfellas (1990), the first sequences explain why Henry wanted to be part of the gangster family.

The Hero’s Status: In Spiderman (2002), nobody wants to sit next to Peter Parker.

The Hero’s Inner Challenge: In Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), we learn that Indiana is afraid of snakes.

The Hero’s Outer Challenge: In Spiderman (2002), Peter must overcome the Green Goblin.

The Hero’s Romantic Challenge: In Spiderman (2002), Peter must win over Mary Jane.

Simply filling the above boxes provides the screenwriter with enough material to easily fulfil the Call to Adventure stage [and then develop these elements further at later stages].

The detailed, complete deconstruction and the Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and FREE 17 stage sample and other story structure templates can be found at http://managing-creativity.com/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

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You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author’s name and site URL are retained.

Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://managing-creativity.com/

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When most people think of landscaping, they think of a beautifully decorated front yard. But what about the back? There are many reasons why you should consider backyard landscaping, if you have not already. Some of them include:

- To enjoy for yourself. Wouldn’t it be great to sit out on your sun deck and have a magnificent view? It is a stress reliever like no other because of its relaxing qualities. Plus, when your yard looks good, you feel good!

- To enjoy with your company. Now imagine sitting on your sun deck with your friends talking over various things while viewing your backyard landscaping. You may even get some great compliments!

- Even if you have a fence around your home, people may still be able to see it from an elevated road. This may be especially important to you if it is a popular road going to and from your neighborhood.

- What good is a beautiful outdoor decor in the front when the back is shabby and bland? It can take away from all the hard work, effort, and money that you have put into the front.

- You can use backyard landscaping to make your very own natural privacy fence! Instead of wood, you can plant gorgeous shrubs to stand between your yard and your neighbor’s yard. They might appreciate it too!

Once you see how wonderful backyard landscaping can be you will want to have barbecues or cookouts all the time. Maybe even invite the extended family over for a little reunion. The entertainment possibilities are endless when you have a backyard landscaping job that you can be proud of. If you don’t think you are up to the challenge yourself, you can always hire a professional to do it for you.

For more information on backyard landscaping and other landscaping ideas, visit www.thelandscapingpro.com.

David Dunlap is the founder and owner of The Landscaping Pro, an online resource guide of every landscaping project. For more information, send an email to david@thelandscapingpro.com

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