Hollywood still rolling the dice on board game movies

 

Hollywood still rolling the dice on board game movies - 34% on Rotten Tomatoes. 41% on Metacritic. 6.0 on IMDB. It's fair to say Hasbro and Universal's "Battleship" movie, based loosely on the traditional board game, wasn't exactly a resounding success.

Planned as the first in a string of joint projects between the pair, it was squashed at the box office by The Avengers, slammed by critics, and largely ignored by movie-goers. Once-bitten, twice-shy Universal bought their way out of the rest of the deal -- at a price reportedly well into the millions -- and the board game flick concept was sunk.

Or so we thought.

An above-expectations performance overseas went a considerable way towards raising the wreck that was "Battleship." Whatever critics may have thought of it, the movie finished up well into the black, and while Hasbro's brief dalliance with Universal may be over, there's no shortage of other production companies interested in turning classic board games into not-so-classic films. So whether you like it or not, Battleship is just the first in a veritable fleet of similarly "inspired" Hasbro crossover projects anticipated to be steaming towards theaters over the next few years. Here's what movie-goers can expect from them.

Monopoly

 

A truly authentic Monopoly movie ought to run at least six hours, have the eventual winner become obvious to everyone thirty minutes in, and yet still manage to end with a good argument, accusations of cheating all round, and even a fistfight or two.

Somehow we doubt any of those things will be true of the actual Monopoly movie, which is still inching gradually closer to "Go!" after years in the planning stages. Sci-fi maestro Ridley Scott remains in the frame to direct. He once described the movie in an interview as "a black comedy based on the housing crisis." Y'know, that might just work...

Hungry Hungry Hippos

 

You think we're kidding. We wish we were kidding. But we're not.

Hungry Hungry Hippos: The Movie is indeed A Thing.

It's being converted from plastic to celluloid by indie studio Emmett/Furla. Getting hold of details is trickier than scooping up that last marble, though, and we can only speculate about what a Hungry Hungry Hippos flick might have in store for cinephiles. A sensitive exploration of the Pink Hippo's struggle with its marble-eating disorder and body image issues? An edge-of-the-seat gambling flick based in the glamorous world of pro Hippo players? The mind truly boggles (thankfully they're not making THAT into a movie yet.)

Action Man

 

Who? - Action Man is the British version of G.I. Joe: same plastic army guy, just with a little less "U-S-A!" and a little more tea and crumpets. And he's making his way to the silver screen courtesy of screenwriting duo Emmett/Furla and their independent production company.

Of all the toy-turned-movie projects Hasbro could have come up with, we've got to admit this one's got plenty of potential. All they need is the right square-jawed Brit to star. Jason Statham, maybe?

Ouija Board: The Movie

 

In the works for years, this project based on the notoriously problem-prone, pseudo-supernatural letterboard has recently fallen victim to a curse of its own.

What kind of curse? The kind that gets your budget slashed from a blockbuster-worthy $100 million to a paltry, pocket-changey $5 million. Of course, a low budget didn't hurt the similarly themed "Paranormal Activity" too much. Maybe it'll be enough to spell success for Ouija, too.

Candyland

 

The concept of a Candyland movie is bizarre enough, but at one point the project's since-departed screenwriting team of Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger were outlining their vision in terms more appropriate to a sweeping fantasy epic than a soft-centered kid-flick.

"Lord of The Rings, but set in a world of candy," as Aibel put it. Much as we'd like to know exactly what that would look like, these days it's Adam Sandler who's reported to be in talks with Sony to co-write and star in...well, in whatever the movie turns out to be. At this point, your guess is as good as ours.

Stretch Armstrong

It might seem odd to make a movie based on a toy that reached the pinnacle of its popularity in about 1978, but hey, at least Stretch Armstrong has a superpower. Sort of.

At one point, Twilight's Taylor Lautner was pegged to play the eponymous, infinitely bendable hero of the Stretch Armstrong film. That's no longer the case, but Stretch Armstrong: The Movie is alive and well. Breck Eisner signed as director back in July, and it's pegged for a 2013 release -- unless they stretch that date out. ( Unplugged )

READ MORE - Hollywood still rolling the dice on board game movies

A Sneak Peek at Pippa Middleton's First Book, "Celebrate"

A Sneak Peek at Pippa Middleton's First Book, "Celebrate" - When the world tuned in to watch Kate Middleton marry Prince William, people were almost as fascinated by the bride's sister, Pippa Middleton, as they were by the newly minted Duchess of Cambridge. Now Pippa is coming out from under her sister's royal shadow—or perhaps using it to launch her own career as the Martha Stewart of England—with her first book, "Celebrate: A Year of Festivities for Families and Friends."

"It's a bit startling to achieve global recognition (if that's the right word) before the age of 30, on account of your sister, your brother-in-law and your bottom," Pippa Middleton writes in the introduction. "One day I might be able to make sense of this. In the meantime, I think it's fair to say that it has its upside and its downside."

Pippa Middleton's new party planning book also showcases a few personal stories. (Photo: Viking Press)

An excerpt from her book was published over the weekend in "You," a Sunday supplement from the British newspaper The Mail. (A second installment is slated for next weekend.) Though "Celebrate" isn't a memoir, the 400-page hardcover has plenty of pictures of a beaming Middleton holding trays of food, lighting candles, and playing party games with kids. It's being billed as "a comprehensive guide to home entertaining," with tips and tricks from Middleton's years of working in her family's party planning business, Party Pieces, and her job at Table Talk, a London-based events planning company.

But critics have made it clear that the pictures and personal stories, not the party advice, are what makes the book stand out.

"Many of the ideas may appear strikingly familiar to parents accustomed to throwing themed parties, and almost all can be found on the internet in some form," according to The Telegraph. "It's unclear whether or not she had help in sourcing the ideas or whether she employed the services of a ghost writer."

"To stop cakes going stale, she advises storing them in something called 'an airtight tin,' while hot drinks for picnics should be poured from flasks into 'mugs or paper cups,' " Jan Moir writes in a blistering review for The Daily Mail." "In between the 'simple dusting of cocoa powder' and the tips on how to hold a sparkler correctly, there are moments when I almost feel sorry for Pippa. Almost."

Tucked among the generic party ideas (like putting black plastic spiders on serving trays for Halloween) are the things readers are really looking for: Pippa's memories of growing up with her sister, Kate.

"She tells of childhood Hallowe'ens, where the Middletons would turn off all the lights in the house and the children would eat sugary treats by candlelight," reports The Daily Mail. "She writes: 'We feasted on creepy edible morsels, Hallowe'en-themed chocolates and spookily named concoctions, which often looked better than they tasted.' Pippa also recalls 'scary shadows and imaginary figures lurking in dark corners'."

Middleton earned about $650,000 for writing "Celebrate," but her U.S. publisher, Viking Press, says that she's won't be appearing in the U.S. to talk about it any time soon.

"Pippa is not doing anything for us," Lindsay Prevette, a spokeswoman for Viking Press, told The New York Daily News. "She is not coming here to do interviews and is not available for anything, unfortunately." Unnamed sources told The Daily News that Middleton has turned down multiple offers from U.S. media, including Ellen DeGeneres, Oprah, and Anderson Cooper, in order to avoid being asked about her sister's topless photo scandal.

"Celebrate" seems to go out of its way to avoid exploiting Middleton's ties to the royal family but, as Middleton herself acknowledges, ignoring the connection entirely would be impossible.

"I know many of you will pick up the book out of nothing more than curiosity," Middleton writes in the introduction. "I can assure you that it feels even stranger to me than it probably does to you to have seen so much written about me when I have done so little to paint a picture of myself. This is my first chance to do that and I've enjoyed every minute of it."

Here are a few other excerpts:

On "Bonfire Night": 

"The unique sights, sounds, smells and tastes make this festival a particularly evocative one. I remember the noise of the bells ringing at school as the effigy of Guy Fawkes we'd prepared earlier was carried out on a canvas stretcher, hoisted on to the huge bonfire and set alight. Then the revelry would begin. My school friends and I would all have sparklers we passed around, lighting one from another."

On entertaining: 

"This book is a useful and practical journey into British-themed occasions and I hope it offers welcome inspiration and ideas, most of which needn't leave you alarmingly out of pocket. Entertaining on any scale can be stressful and daunting so this is all about finding ways to manage and enjoy the process."

On the importance of family: 

"The nurturing of friendship, family and home feels more important than ever to me in a world that sometimes appears to be moving so fast that we forget what really matters."

On throwing a party for children: 

According to a report in Hello! online, "Celebrate" suggests that parents remove any precious breakables, put excess furniture elsewhere, get children to remove their shoes, make it clear what parts of the home are off-limits, make a sign explaining where the bathroom is, invite other parents to stay for a cup of tea or "even a glass of Prosecco," and never let the party go on for more than two hours.

On her sudden celebrity: 

"I certainly have opportunities many can only dream of, but in most ways I'm a typical girl in her 20s trying to forge a career and represent herself in what can sometimes seem rather strange circumstances. I am by nature an optimist so I tend to concentrate on the advantages. One of the most attractive has been the chance to publish 'Celebrate'." ( Book Club )

READ MORE - A Sneak Peek at Pippa Middleton's First Book, "Celebrate"

Women Regret Love Failures More than Men

Women Regret Love Failures More than Men - While the common adage may encourage you not to dwell on the past, a new study finds that many harbor regrets, with romantic ones being particularly common.

But women outdid men in that category, with guys ranking work regrets above relationship ones, the researchers say.

The study involved 370 Americans who were asked to discuss a significant regret from their lives. The most common regrets had to do with romance, family, education, career and finance.

"Regret is a common part of our lives, and it's something that we see ... in people of all walks of life," said study researcher Neal Roese, a professor of marketing at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

But he said that regret could also be beneficial.

"The bad is obvious, but the good is it helps us put our lives together, helping us to put things into perspective," said Roese. With romantic regrets, he said, "It helps to recognize ideals and goals. ...You can channel it into a current relationship. You may see some kernel of insight you can implement in your current life."

Studying regret

Much of the research on regret is based on tests of college students, who are relatively inexpensive to compensate, simple to recruit and live on or near the campuses where the studies are done. In an attempt to get a better handle on regrets among the general public, this survey was done via phone to reach more diverse subjects.

Roese said that one finding in the current study that differed from past research was that romance, rather than education, was a primary source of regret.
However, he noted that there was a split. Nearly 45 percent of women expressed regret in the area of love, while less than 20 percent of men did. Meanwhile, nearly 35 percent of men expressed work regrets, compared with less than 30 percent of women.

"It does conform to a certain stereotype that we have, but it has been thought of for a long time that women are the keepers of relationships," said Roese. "That is an important element of their lives, and it makes sense that their regret would focus on failures to meet those ideals."

But the choice in what to discuss may have been impacted by the study method.

"There's a general idea in research that women are more concerned with social relationships than men are. Men are more concerned with career and self-advancement," said Joachim Krueger, a professor of psychology at Brown University who has researched gender stereotypes, and was not involved in the current study.

Since the survey was done by phone and not in-person where participants might have opened up more, women may have felt a greater need to conform to societal expectations.

"There's nothing in this study that would allow us to unpack that, and that's a pity," said Krueger. "There's nothing to say if this is how people feel ... or an opportunity to present themselves as reasonable and dutifully moral."

Missed opportunities

Overall, there was little difference in whether people regretted inaction versus action. The major distinction had to do with time.

"Missed opportunities stick in our brains longer, and they bug us for a longer period of time," Roese said. "Whereas something you did do, you are bugged by that immediately, and then it dissipates, or goes away. You're more able to make peace with it than a missed opportunity."

Krueger said that may involve the fact that the time to make up for a missed opportunity diminishes as a person ages (and thus gets closer to death).

"As people grow older, there's just a greater accumulation of opportunities that are gone," he said. "Younger people still have the illusion there's time left and they can fix things."

The study, co-authored by Roese and Mike Morrison, a doctoral candidate in psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will be published in a forthcoming issue of the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science. ( LiveScience.com )

READ MORE - Women Regret Love Failures More than Men

Change Your Thinking, Change Your Outlook

Change Your Thinking, Change Your Outlook - The New York Times once ran a front-page article on the phenomenon of magical thinking. Originally this was a fairly narrow psychological term, applied to schizophrenics and other mentally disturbed patients who believed that their thoughts could alter reality.

In its most abnormal form, magical thinking makes paranoids believe that they rule the world or that if they fall asleep space aliens will invade the earth. More harmlessly, magical thinking gives rise to lucky rabbit's feet, game-day shirts, and small rituals of protection like knocking on wood.

The Times article centered on psychologists and anthropologists who are curious about why magical thinking survives among modern people.

It is prevalent even when a person has no religious beliefs. "...and for good reason," the article's writer declares. "The sense of having special powers buoys people in threatening situations, and helps soothe everyday fears and ward off mental distress.

This emerging portrait of magical thinking helps explain why people who fashion themselves skeptics cling to odd rituals that seem to make no sense, and how apparently harmless superstition may become disabling." By clear implication, magical thinking is a holdover, a nuisance soon to be eradicated once we get our wires straight.

The reason this conjecture caught my eye is that around the same time an evolutionary biologist at Harvard told an interviewer that brain research would soon unlock the key to all of human behavior.

In both cases, a mechanistic explanation is deemed sufficient to explain us to ourselves. Instead of relying on even a shred of subjectivity, however brilliant the observer might be, all inquiries lead to hard wiring, genetic imprints, and ultimately a string of chemicals.

This whole world view continues to expand confidently, but one can't help wondering. At some point the line between hard and soft wiring must be drawn, and it's enormously over-simple to keep favoring the hard side of the equation because the soft side won't fit easily into laboratory experiments. Behaviorists need to be reminded that Jesus, Socrates, St. Paul and Augustine, Isaac Newton, and Shakespeare all exhibited some form of magical thinking.

Writing them off categorically as evolutionary puppets of biology is more than foolish. It discards an enormous part of life's meaning. Do you worship God? Take a pill. But what if I worship art and music? Is there a pill for that?

The bald fact is that human beings aren't machines, and as detailed as MRIs and genome maps may get one day, they will never explain the meaning of existence.

They will only reduce it to mechanisms that apply to tissues and cells, not to the whole person. We know that human beings aren't deterministic, which is where all this hard-wiring speculation is leading.

Put into stressful situations, some people fall apart, others grow angry, still others escape, or go into a dozen patterns of response, ranging from delusion to imagination to profound reflection on the human condition. No one can deny this kind of diversity, nor can it be denied that machines have no interest in meaning, whereas we do.

To call our craving for beauty, love, spiritual significance, and self-worth an evolutionary trait or the result of a genetic imprint is extremely foolish. Magical thinking can be harmless or pathological, as the article states.

But it can also take one to the far horizon of consciousness. Magical thinking has prompted prophets and poets to go on spiritual journeys that changed the self in profound ways, and sometimes the world. If anything, we need more of it. ( lifestyle.yahoo.com )

READ MORE - Change Your Thinking, Change Your Outlook

Green fashion

Green fashion - This world was once a decent place for all creatures to live. But the industrial revolution has drove to use more machines and increased the amount of greenhouse gases that lead to global warming.

Today, we are bearing the brunt. The earth is warmer now than ever before, flooding is more severe, there are more incidences of freak weather and more outbreaks of unknown diseases.

If it is so bad today, what will happen a hundred years from now?

Young designers at LaSalle College International Jakarta pondered this existential question and used it as inspiration for their latest work, showcased in a multimedia fashion show called “Genesis”, held on July 23 at Plaza Bapindo in South Jakarta.

Genesis combined emerging talents from the worlds of design, fashion, multimedia, computer graphics, photography and makeup.

The fashion show had the air of a documentary film, combining a green campaign with the beauty of fashion.

The six-part show opened with a multimedia presentation about a fictional alien life form in the “Green Galaxy”. Planets in this galaxy were soon imperiled by hostile conditions.

After the brief introduction, a green army invaded the runway. Models clad in faux-military fatigues that featured the innovative designs of participating students.

A dark green sleeveless jacket was paired with light green shorts and green boots. Other models donned a black bustier with chains paired with military pants. Another creation was a brown top with tartan cape and army green dress.

Respirators, toy guns, gloves and goggles were added to give a powerful military look.

After the green army retreated, the second session started with the theme of “Black Sun”.

It was all doom and gloom, when models dressed in black attire strutted on stage. These students’ take on the apocalypse was inspired by punk rock-style ripped jeans and torn tees, leather boots and Gothic makeup.

A loud gasp, followed by an enthusiastic cheers was heard when a male model appeared on the stage in a jaw-dropping asymmetric outfit combining of black and gold pants with a big stuffy accent on the right side and black platform boots.

No less bold was a mermaid dress paired with a bling-inflected bikini and fur details on the bottom of the dress.

Another creation was a black, one-shoulder ballerina dress adorned with a smallish cute teddy bear attached to the side at the waist. Some models wore eye patches and masks, giving a more dramatic feel to the scene.

The somber atmosphere turned cheerful after the stereo blared Jay Z’s Empire State of Mind, heralding the third episode called “Metropolis”, which featured fashionable people living in the metropolis of an alien planet.

Simplicity was the theme, and models donned humble ready-to-wear clothes.

Black and white, flower power and tartan motifs, red cross symbols and earthy colors were the highlights of this episode.

Next in line was “Global Village”, where the young designers displayed futuristic creations. Audiences got to see more shocking colors with some touches of ethnicity — from the Japanese obi, Jodhpur pants and Grecian dresses.

After the last hurrah of the Global Village, the fictional alien planets met their demise from exposure to the sun. What came next was the “New Ice Age”. For some reasons, the alien planet turned cold and this affected how people dressed.

The episode was dominated by “cold” colors such as white, blue and gray.

Then we got to the final stage called “Better World”, during which designers reflected on the happiness and joy on the planets as conditions in the galaxy improved.

The designs were rich in colors with more details added in the form of patchworks and printed motifs.

The creations also represented the aspiration of students for a better world and better future. ( thejakartapost.com )

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The Secret of Our Happy Family We Banned Our Six Children from Having Any Gadgets in The Home

The Secret of Our Happy Family. We Banned Our Six Children from Having Any Gadgets in The Home. IT IS most children’s idea of living hell – a home where computers, games consoles, television and even mobile phones are banned. Instead of spending hours in front of a screen, the six children in the Jones family have to fill their spare time by working, reading books, playing and – remarkably – actually talking to people.

Screen-free: Richard and Miranda Jones with children (from left) Rudi, Theo, Moses, Joshua, Nestor and Sacha

Yet somehow they’ve managed to cope. According to parents Miranda and Richard Jones, both 42, the gadget-free lifestyle change has been a success that has benefited the whole family. Their social experiment began six years ago when the couple noticed how one of their children was ‘less grumpy’ when he wasn’t allowed to play computer games.

Mrs Jones said: ‘We would go to the seaside and I felt like they were just waiting to get home so they could go and play a computer game.

‘We would have dinner and I felt like it was something they had to do between playing their games.’

So, to the astonishment of friends, the parents gradually instigated a technology ban for all the children.

The games and computer were taken away, mobile phones never bought and initially television was limited.

Three years ago when the family moved to Ilkley, West Yorkshire, they never installed an aerial so the television became redundant.

Joshua, 17, Sacha, 15, Theo, 13, Rudi, seven, Moses, three, and Nestor, one, are allowed to watch DVDs at weekends and will get a mobile phone when they turn 18.

Mrs Jones, a psychology graduate who manages her husband’s veterinary practice, insists it has worked for everyone.

‘I wanted the children to have a proper childhood,’ she said. ‘They have accepted that spending time on computers and mobile phones is something other kids do and they don’t. Instead they go out more and see friends and have face to face conversations with them.’

Inevitably the couple have come up against opposition. The main problem has been in dealing with schools who believe children need access to the internet at home to research their homework.

But the restrictions have not stopped Joshua being offered a place at Cambridge University.

Mrs Jones said: ‘The schools have moaned at us and implied that we are denying our children something and that hurts.’

She said the children can use computers at school and had books for homework.

She added that fears the children would become alienated from their friends proved unfounded. ‘They’re more healthy and they’ve turned out to be really popular, sociable children. I was worried that it might make them outcasts if they didn’t know about all the latest TV programmes and games but they’ve been fine.’

She said her teenagers had part-time jobs or homework to keep them busy and also spent time reading and chatting. The younger ones spend hours colouring and ‘getting muddy’.

‘The children will be free to do what they want when they grow up but I can’t imagine they’ll spend all their time glued to a TV or computer. They know there’s more to life,’ she added.

But what of the children? Yesterday-life seemed harmonious enough at half term in the Jones household.

Eldest Joshua was toeing the party line, although he admitted he was getting an iPhone this summer. Commenting on the ban, he said: ‘I think it’s worked very well for my friendships, I actually get to see my friends rather than just talking to them on the internet.

‘It’s not interfered with my school life either because, since I did my GCSEs, I haven’t actually been assigned any online work.

‘I have always found alternatives to doing research online and my parents have been really good with getting us books instead.’ ( kompas.com )

READ MORE - The Secret of Our Happy Family We Banned Our Six Children from Having Any Gadgets in The Home

Check your tongue

Check your tongue. Doctors may look at our tongues to get a rough idea of our general health, but to the practioner of Chinese medicine, the tongue is as useful an instrument as the stethoscope for observing imbalances and, hopefully, averting ill-health.

Chinese medical physician Stefan Chmelik explains: 'Many parts of the body are said to be a microcosm of the whole - meaning that the whole body is reflected in the part. This is especially true of the tongue.

'So inspecting the tongue gives a measure of your current health by indicating areas of the body that could have what are known as yin/yang imbalances - yin is cooling, nourishing and moisturising, yang is warming, moving and activating. It can also indicate problems with chi - energy - within the body.

'Observation of your own tongue can be a useful way of knowing when to take action to avert a more serious problem occurring.

'Look at your tongue in sections. The front section represents the chest, the mid-section represents the abdomen and solar plexus (part of the nervous system, behind the stomach), and the back section represents the lower abdomen/lumbar region.

'Variations from normal - as described below - in any of these areas points to an actual or potential disharmony in that area. If the whole tongue is affected, this may be a sign of general ill-health. The "normal" tongue is pink, moist, a uniform flat shape and without thick coating, lines or spots.'

Common signs of inbalances

Colour: Red indicates heat. There could be inflammation or dehydration in the specific area. Drinking more water - at least eight large glasses a day - should help.

Pale indicates a lack of energy or blood deficiency, perhaps lack of iron or certain vitamins. Try a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement and eat more fruit and vegetables.

Purple indicates poor circulation of energy or blood. Try exercising more regularly - walking briskly for half an hour a day is recommended for everyone

Coating: The coatings of the tongue arise from various toxins that are present in the body. The thicker the coating, the greater the level of accumulation.

White: Phlegm or toxins due to an excess intake of what the Chinese call 'cold' foods, such as dairy products, wheat and fruit.

Yellow: Phlegm or toxins due to an excess intake of 'hot' foods, such as curries, sugar, alcohol or coffee. Try drinking pure fruit juices, cutting down on alcohol, coffee, tea and colas, spices and foods with refined sugars. Avoid dairy foods.

Grey: Possible phlegm accumulation from perhaps a cold or flu virus. Cut down on dairy products. Peeled patches: Moisture deficiency in the specific area. Drink more water and fruit juice.

Swollen: The tongue swells when there is too much fluid accumulating in the area of the body indicated. Take more fluids (water or fruit juices) to try to flush out the system.

Thin: Dehydration in the area indicated. Try drinking more water.

Tooth marked or scalloped edges: Congestion of the lymphatic system. Lymphatic drainage therapy may help.

Cracks: Cracking and dryness of the tongue can look like a dried-out riverbed pattern and indicates dehydration. Cracks at the centre indicate digestive problems.

Cracks at the tip indicate emotional or stress related problems. Listening to relaxation tapes can calm you down. ( dailymail.co.uk )

READ MORE - Check your tongue

Good sex everyday, keeps doctors away

Good sex everyday, keeps doctors away. You would have never thought that a kiss could help keeping dental worries at bay or a gratifying sexual act at night make you feel fit and fresh the next morning. But that's what studies across the web claim.

Healthy sex leads to a healthy life. You may have tried copious measures to get that extra glowing skin and shiny hair. You must have also worked out rigorously to achieve that perfect ten figure you've desired. But the key to your mind and heart is fulfilling sex. Even for those who lose their temper or are always in a depressed state of mind, 'sex' can be the solution.

A happy sexual life with your partner not only gets you in shape with better skin texture and silken tresses, it also burns extra calories, keeps you fit, combats asthma, relieves headache, reduces depression and tranquilises your mind. From make-up experts, hair stylists, sexologists and fitness connoisseurs – there's a common consensus that a vigourous sexual life leads to a healthy life – both physically and emotionally. We get them share more on this...

There have been several notions stating that 'sex' produces certain hormones that bring happiness, which lead to a fit body and a healthy mind. Shedding some light on this, Dr. Sanjay Chugh, specialist on sexual issues, states, "Sex contributes to general good health. Any sexual intimacy that is enjoyable and pleasurable promotes well being by providing several physical and psychological benefits. It is believed that sex boosts chemicals in the body that protects us against diseases. Research also suggests that sex and masturbation can help ease joint and muscle pain, combat depression, promote heart health and lengthen one's life span."

Dr. Samir Parikh, clinical physiatrist adds, "The basic fact is that a good sex life also means in a larger picture, a good relationship with one's partner and this makes the partner happier, less stressed and by virtue of that physically healthier."

Not just this, sex also accelerates blood circulation and one's basic metabolic rate, which further enhances the well-being of our mind and soul and helps us calm down.

On these emotional benefits, Dr Chugh adds, "A satisfying sexual relationship strengthens the bond between couples, making them feel secure and loved. The feeling of emotional connectedness adds to ones sense of belonging, which in totality helps them achieve a positive physical, psychological and spiritual state that is necessary for one's general health."

Elaborating further, on a scientific angle, Dr Avdesh Sharma, a consultant psychiatrist, and an expert on relationship issues shares, "Sex is a way of bonding at the physical, mental and emotional level and leads to health (including psychological) benefits. If it is used as a mechanical process, it may have limited benefits. There are physiological benefits of positive changes in parameters like pulse, heart rate, reduction in blood pressure (after an increase in B.P. specially if vigourous sex is tried), dilation of blood vessels and capillaries of the skin, leading to a 'glow', burning of a few calories (depending on the duration of the act and vigour), exercising of some of the muscles, thus improving lung capacity (during heavy breathing)."

However, we also need to understand that sexual acts work more in terms of improving resistance, but are not a safe guard or a treatment to illnesses. Any sexual act can neither be used as a treatment nor would it change your stresses of life, which one would need to resolve irrespective.

"The extra edge of sex may be due to the feeling of being wanted, an expression of emotions and certain hormonal and physiological changes that happen as an expression of love for another individual. Unfortunately, the benefits of sexuality are usually quoted out of context and people may look at this as a panacea for everything. But sexuality without emotions have limited value," concludes Dr Avdesh Sharma.

Here are some lesser known fun facts about sex.

Have sex stay fit :

Sex may seem like the safest sport you can take up. It de-stresses you, keeps you rejuvenated, elevates your moods and stretchs, tones and exercises your body muscles.

Expert opinion : Dr Ishi Khosla, clinical nutritionist, Director Whole Foods asserts, "Sexual acts certainly lead to a normal mental well-being and a healthy state of mind. This in turn creates a physically fit body. If there's an ill-health or manifestation of any problem, it would reflect on your outer body."

Dr Samir Parikh adds, "You would still need a balanced lifestyle, which means that if you compare two equals in terms of lifestyle age and other factors as a constant, then it's possible that a sexually active person feels better."

Sex burns extra calories :

It is indeed a form of exercise and naturally burns one's calories too.

Expert Opinion : Dr Geetu Amarnani, wellness expert at Kolmet Hospital, opines, "While having sex, the BMP (basic metabolic rate) increases and that ultimately helps in burning the calories, so it's widely believed that one can shed that extra flab through sexual encounters."

Sex for glowing skin and hair :

When women make love they produce the hormone oestrogen which makes their hair shine and their skin smooth.

Expert Opinion : Make-up expert Sylvie, also an expert on sexual issues asserts, "As sex helps releasing the extra level of frustration and stress on one's mind and body, so logically it leads to a glow on your face and your skin texture looks better too. Also, hormones in our body are activated at a faster rate than usual during sex, which helps in better blood circulation, adding that extra shine to one's skin and hair."

Sex brings relief from headaches, reduces depression and tranquilises your mind :

A satisfying love-making session releases tension that restricts blood vessels in the brain. It brings you out of a depressed state of mind and acts as a tranquilliser.

Expert Opinion : Dr Sanjay Chugh, "The pleasure that is derived from a satisfying sexual act tends to relax one's mind, taking away headache. It releases endorphins into the bloodstream, producing a sense of euphoria and leaving you with a feeling of well-being. Good sex leaves the person feeling relaxed and satisfied thus acting like a tranquiliser."

A kiss to keep dental problems at bay :

It is medically accepted that a kiss encourages saliva to wash food from the teeth and lowers the level of the acid that causes decay. It also prevents the build-up of plaque.

Expert Opinion : Dental expert, Dr. Vandana Jyoti opines, “Anything that increases salivation will help in bringing down the acid level, which causes damage to one’s teeth. It also prevents cavity. Other than a kiss, chewing gum and more of lemon intake also tend to act in the same manner. But one has to be extra careful, as it might act the other way round, in terms of spreading germs, if either of the two persons involved in a kiss is suffering from a tooth infection. ( indiatimes.com )

READ MORE - Good sex everyday, keeps doctors away

Tips for Temps

Tips for Temps. If you've been thinking about temporary or contract work while you sort out your career choices or gain experience, you're certainly not alone. An increasing number of professionals are choosing project work, and there are numerous opportunities available. In fact, a recent survey of executives by Robert Half International shows that two-thirds (66 percent) of companies are using as many or more temporary professionals today versus five years ago.

It's not hard to see why job seekers are attracted to this arrangement. Temporary professionals are often able to arrange their work schedules so they can effectively balance professional and personal priorities, and many -- especially those with hard-to-find skill sets -- earn more than their full-time counterparts.

But success in the role requires more than just responding to the first "temporary help wanted" sign you see. Here are some tips for getting the most out of interim work:

Find the right staffing service

If you decide that becoming a temporary professional is the right choice for you, how do you get started? First, find the right staffing firm. Many staffing services have Web sites that describe the level of service they provide as well as the types of companies and industries they focus on.

Your best bet is to identify a staffing firm that specializes in the field in which you have experience or interest. For example, if you're an accountant, you want a staffing firm that specializes in placing accounting and finance professionals. These firms typically have the knowledge to understand your needs and the contacts to find you the job you're looking for.

It's also wise to check with friends or family members who have worked with staffing firms in the past for recommendations. And call a handful of staffing firms in your area to ask the following questions:

• How long have you been in business?
• What is the market for someone with my skills?
• How many openings do you currently have for the position I seek?
• What makes your firm superior to others?

Also, pay attention to the details, like how promptly your inquiry is addressed and how you are treated over the phone. If your skills are a match for the types of jobs the staffing firm has available, you will be asked to schedule an interview with a representative from the firm. Bring a copy of your current resume as well as a list of references to the meeting.

Understand your responsibilities

Once you're offered an interim position, not only should you review the basic job duties and objectives with your staffing manager but also clarify all aspects of the job with your on-site supervisor upon your arrival. You'll avoid misunderstandings and be more productive if you seek clarification up front. The more you can do to obtain a big-picture view of your assignment, the better you'll be able to perform.

Ask for help and request feedback

Employers expect interim professionals to hit the ground running, but don't be afraid to ask for specific information that may be necessary for you to do the best job. This may include, for example, instruction on proprietary systems, unique business practices or customized features of a software application.

Throughout the assignment, seek feedback on your performance from your supervisors and those with whom you work closely. Requesting feedback and remaining open to guidance and constructive criticism will enable you to be more effective.

Take temporary assignments seriously

The biggest mistake interim workers can make is being shortsighted. While the position may be temporary, the impression you make is not. Remember that even brief assignments can offer many professional benefits, including opportunities to make valuable industry contacts and enhance your skills. Give your all from the first to the last day you're on the job.

Some temporary assignments will be more enjoyable and challenging than others. Nonetheless, bring the same level of energy, enthusiasm and professionalism to each job. In a recent survey by Robert Half International, 87 percent of executives said it is valuable to hire someone on a temporary basis as a means of evaluating him or her for a full-time position. The more professionally you approach a temporary assignment and the greater value you add to the project, the more likely managers will be to comment favorably on your performance to your staffing firm or even make you an offer for a full-time role.( msn.com )

READ MORE - Tips for Temps

Turning Job Hunting Into 'Job Getting'

Turning Job Hunting Into 'Job Getting'. Often, when job seekers come across job ads that interest them, they immediately submit their résumés and cover letters to the employers. Then they wait, wondering if their submission will develop into an interview opportunity or if it will slip into a black hole and never resurface again.

Unfortunately, this process is one of the least effective ways to achieve momentum in the job search, says Richard Deems, Ph.D., co-author of "Make Job Loss Work for You."

Instead, he encourages individuals to work through his five-step Deems JobGetting Skills^TM System to ensure their job hunting progresses into job getting.

"This system takes an entirely different approach from what job seekers may have been taught in the past," Deems says. "It starts with a simple difference: Before applying for a position, job seekers should find out as much as they can about the position to see if they're interested in doing what needs to be done. Of course, people who do this won't apply for as many positions as does the typical job hunter. But then, why should they waste time and energy on something they don't really want in the first place?"

Below are the five steps Deems says job seekers must take to achieve success, no matter what level position, occupation or industry they are targeting.

Step one: Research the position

"When you hear of a position that interests you, contact the person who has the authority to hire you," Deems says. "That's really the only person you want to get in front of. You tell that person that you understand he or she may have a position open, and if so, you'd like to talk about their needs in detail."

If the job ad fails to name the appropriate person to reach out to, job seekers can call the company directly, look at the company's Web site or browse articles and blog posts on the Internet about the employer.

Deems says job seekers' goals in this step should be to:

• Get their name to the decision maker.
• Learn more about the position than other candidates will know.
• Decide whether this is a position they want to pursue.

Step two: Research the organization

Before they apply for a position, job seekers should know a great deal of information, including the organization's history, products or services, past mergers or acquisitions, locations, environment and key leaders.

To gather this information, Deems suggests that job seekers:

• Ask the decision maker to send them a copy of the annual report or other pertinent material about the company (if it's not available online).
• Use the Internet to research the organization. Visit Web sites such as the company's press room, investor relations links and blogs.
• Use their network (both offline and online) to find someone already in the company. Ask that person what he thinks of the company -- pros and cons.

Step three: Evaluate your strengths and interests

"After you've explored the position and the company, you need to stop, evaluate and make a decision," Deems says. "Does the job call for what you do best and most enjoy doing? Will the workplace environment enable you to be your best? Do you want the job or not? One way to evaluate the position is to chart it out, listing your criteria for selecting the position and how this opportunity fits your criteria."

Step four: Design your positioning strategy

Next, job seekers should contact the key decision maker in the hiring process and let that individual know they want to be considered the top candidate. Then, job seekers should ask what they need to do to make that happen.

Often, the decision maker will simply ask to see the job seeker's résumé, but job seekers can do more to ensure they stand out from other candidates, Deems says.

"Your positioning plan needs to go beyond the résumé. You need to do things that will keep your name in front of the decision maker, even as that person is reviewing other résumés. To do this, you might need to follow up on your résumé, ask someone in your network to make a call on your behalf and so on. Also, take time to write down what steps you need to take," he explains.

Step five: Implement

Deems says job seekers should do three things when they're ready to implement their positioning plan. They are:

• Assemble your application package according to the instructions of the person who has the authority to hire you.
• Deliver your package in person, if possible. If you cannot deliver your application in person, send it via e-mail or regular mail -- or both.
• Follow up. Wait two or three days for the employer to receive your application package; then call to ensure it was received. At that time, have questions prepared to ask the hiring contact and also try to arrange a time to sit down and talk with him or her in person.

Some of these steps may intimidate job seekers at first, but it's a proactive and effective way to achieve results in the job hunt. "The candidates who are out on the streets meeting and talking with people are the ones who maintain their energy and confidence," Deems says. "Those who sit back at home and merely mail out their résumés are often those who get discouraged. Sure, they'll eventually get hired. But the process is likely to drag on much longer than it needs to, and the position may be less satisfying than it could be." ( msn.com )

READ MORE - Turning Job Hunting Into 'Job Getting'

Four Ways to Get Hired Faster

Four Ways to Get Hired Faster. The difference between being proactive and reactive is time. Reactive people wait for things to happen to them, while proactive people go out and make things happen.

Timing is key in any career move, so it is up to you to make things happen. Be proactive and professional, and you will find yourself in the mix come decision time.

A typical hiring process takes anywhere from three to eight weeks, depending on the policies of the company and the scheduling that must take place to get all of the decision-makers aligned. A key to keeping to the shorter end of this three to eight week time frame is to have a thorough picture of the company's hiring process.

If you are working with a recruiter, get the details from him or her. If you are going it alone, ask the following questions during the initial telephone interview: "When do you need this position filled?" "Can you describe for me your last successful hire?" "What is the process and time between each step, so I can get a clear picture of what to expect going forward?" Once you are aware of the process, you can set your expectations accordingly. If you want the job, you must be certain they know it.

Let's explore four sure-fire ways to move a hiring process forward as quickly as the company will allow:

1. Provide detailed information & professional references up front.

Supply all required information.

Be aware of the common candidate red flags and answer the questions before they're asked.

Have three to five professional references up front to validate your background and experience.

Whenever possible, provide a recent manager, peer and subordinate to give the most complete picture of your abilities to the new company.

2. Attitude is everything.

Bring a positive, high energy attitude on every interview. There is no room for a negative presence in an organization. Once you have given that impression, it most likely will not go away.

Be positive and proactive, and close each step of the process with enthusiasm. "I'm very interested in learning more about this exciting opportunity. What's the next step?"

3. Research the company & prepare for the interview.

Get your facts and figures straight. Nothing is more impressive than knowing the inner workings, products, people, mission, vision and goals of an organization.

Realize that your interviewing skills and your ability to perform the job are two very different things. You'll need both to get the offer.

Write out questions that you need answers to before accepting an offer.

Role-play your responses to standard and behavioral-based interview questions.

Thoroughly review the company's Web site and any recent articles written by its leaders.

4. Immediate, professional follow up.

Be certain they know you're interested. As soon as it is possible, send a handwritten thank-you note and a personalized e-mail message to every person with whom you interviewed.

The written word has somehow gotten lost in the electronic age. Differentiate yourself and send a note card in the mail either that same day or the next day.

Avoid a "cookie-cutter" e-mail, and take the time to personalize each message to the team that interviewed you. ( msn.com )

READ MORE - Four Ways to Get Hired Faster