text:
We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Privacy Statement.
Nicklaus Children's Hospital has several outpatient and urgent care centers throughout South Florida, including on-demand, virtual care.
Walk-in urgent care with no appointment needed.
Serving as your child's primary doctor's office.
Pediatric specialty consultations available closer to home.
A full range of comprehensive services all under one roof.
Connect with providers from the comfort of your own home.
With over 700 pediatric physicians on staff, we're dedicated to helping you connect with the right specialist for your needs.
We have expertise in treating children and educating families on hundreds of different conditions.
We use cutting-edge, specialized treatments and procedures to ensure the best care for your child.
An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of migraine.
Migraine Triggers
Migraines can be triggered by many everyday things. Different people respond to different triggers, so it is important to track your migraine patterns to help you identify and avoid things that set off your migraine attacks. Common migraine triggers include:
Migraine Treatment Approaches
Migraines need a two-pronged approach: treatment and prevention. Treatment uses medications that provide quick pain relief when attacks occur. These drugs include pain relievers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, generic), triptans such as sumatriptan (Imitrex, generic), and ergotamine drugs.
Preventive strategies begin with non-drug approaches, including behavioral therapies and lifestyle changes. If headache attacks continue to occur at least once a week, or if your attacks do not respond well to treatment, your doctor may recommend you try preventive medication. Drugs used for migraine prevention include anticonvulsants, beta-blockers, antidepressants, and Botox. The herbal remedy butterbur may be effective.
New Devices Approved for Migraine Treatment and Prevention
In 2014, two first-of-a-kind stimulation devices were launched:
Five Migraine Don'ts
The American Headache Society recommends against these migraine tests and procedures because they are unnecessary, and potentially harmful:
Migraine headaches are the second most common type of primary headache after tension-type headaches. A primary headache is a headache that is not caused by another disease or condition.
Migraine headaches typically have throbbing disabling pain on one side of the head, which sometimes spreads to affect the entire head. In fact, migraine comes from the Greek word hemikrania, meaning "half of the head."
Migraines are classified as occurring either:
Auras are sensory disturbances that occur before a migraine attack. They can cause changes in vision, with or without other neurologic symptoms.
Migraines usually occur as isolated episodic attacks, which can happen once a year or several times in 1 week. In some cases, people eventually experience chronic migraine (previously called transformed migraine).
Chronic migraines typically begin as episodic headaches when people are in their teens or 20s, and then increase in frequency over time. A headache is considered chronic when it occurs on at least 15 days in a month, often on a daily or near-daily basis.
The majority of chronic migraines are caused by overuse of analgesic migraine medications, both prescription pain reliever drugs and over-the-counter medications. Medication overuse headaches are also called rebound headaches. Obesity and caffeine overuse are other factors that may increase the risk of episodic migraine transforming to chronic migraine.
Chronic migraines may resemble tension-type headaches and it is sometimes difficult to differentiate between them. The two types of headaches can coexist. It is not uncommon for people with migraine headaches to also have tension-type headaches.
Less common type of migraines include:
Menstrual Migraines: Migraines are often tied to a woman's menstrual cycle, typically in the first days before or at the start of menstruation. Estrogen and progesterone fluctuations may play a role. Compared to migraines that occur at other times of the month, menstrual migraines tend to be more severe, last longer, and not have auras.
Basilar Migraine: Considered a subtype of migraine with aura, this migraine starts in the basilar artery, which forms at the base of the skull. It occurs mainly in young people. Symptoms may include vertigo (a sensation of dizziness), ringing in the ears, slurred speech, unsteadiness, possibly loss of consciousness, and severe headaches.
Abdominal Migraine: This migraine tends to occur in children. Periodic migraine attacks are accompanied by abdominal pain, and often nausea and vomiting.
Ophthalmoplegic Migraine: This very rare headache tends to occur in younger adults. The pain centers around one eye and is usually less intense than in a standard migraine. It may be accompanied by vomiting, double vision, a droopy eyelid, and paralysis of eye muscles. Attacks can last from hours to months. A computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan may be needed to rule out bleeding from an aneurysm (a weakened blood vessel) in the brain.
Retinal Migraine: Symptoms of retinal migraine are short-term blind spots or total blindness in one eye that lasts less than an hour. A headache may precede or occur with the eye symptoms. Sometimes retinal migraines develop without headache. Other eye and neurologic disorders must be ruled out.
Vestibular Migraine: These attacks produce episodic dizziness, which can develop alone or with headache and other typical migraine symptoms. Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and ear fullness are common.
Familial Hemiplegic Migraine: This is a very rare inherited genetic migraine disease. It can cause temporary paralysis on one side of the body, vision problems, and vertigo. These symptoms occur about 10 to 90 minutes before the headache.
Status Migrainosus: This is a severe migraine that lasts for a very prolonged period of time. Migraines this severe often require hospitalization.
The exact causes of migraine headaches are unknown. There is certainly a strong genetic component to migraines. Several different genes are probably involved, which predispose people to having migraines.
Many brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) and nerve pathway disrupters appear to play a role in causing migraines. They include the neurotransmitter serotonin, magnesium deficiencies, and abnormalities in the channels within cells that transport electrical ions such as calcium.
Migraine may involve a hyper-reactive nervous system. When triggered by various stimuli, this disorder may set off a chain of neurologic and biochemical events, which subsequently affect the brain's blood vessel (vascular) system.
Migraines are three times more common in adult women than adult men. During childhood, boys and girls are equally affected. After puberty, migraines occur more in girls. Migraines most often affect women ages 20 to 45.
In women, fluctuations of female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone appear to increase the risk for migraines and their severity. About half of women with migraines report headaches associated with their menstrual cycle. For some women, migraines also tend to be worse during the first trimester of pregnancy, but improve during the last trimester.
Migraine headaches typically affect people ages 25 to 55. However, migraine also affects about 5 to 10% of all children. Many children with migraine eventually stop having attacks when they reach adulthood or transition to less severe tension-type headaches. Children with a family history of migraine may be more likely to continue having migraines.
Migraines tend to run in families. Most people with migraine have a family history of the condition.
People with migraine may have a history of depression, anxiety, stroke, epilepsy, irritable bowel syndrome, or high blood pressure. These conditions do not necessarily increase the risk for migraine, but they are associated with it.
Migraines are often triggered by certain events and conditions. Common migraine triggers include:
A migraine attack may involve up to four symptom phases: prodrome phase, auras, the attack, and the postdrome phase. These phases may not occur in every person or with every headache.
The prodrome phase is a group of vague symptoms that may precede a migraine attack by several hours, or even a day or two. Prodrome symptoms may include:
Auras are sensory disturbances that occur before the migraine attack in 1 in 5 people. Visually, auras are referred to as being positive or negative:
Other neurologic symptoms may occur at the same time as the aura, although they are less common. They may include:
If left untreated, attacks usually last from 4 to 72 hours. A typical migraine attack produces the following symptoms:
Less common symptoms include tearing and redness in one eye, swelling of the eyelid, and nasal congestion, including runny nose. (Such symptoms are more common in certain other headaches, notably cluster headaches.)
After a migraine attack, there is usually a postdrome phase, in which people may feel exhausted and mentally foggy for a while.
Migraine or severe headache is a risk factor for stroke in both men and women, especially before age 50. Research indicates that migraine may also increase the risk for other types of heart problems.
Migraine with aura appears to carry a higher risk for stroke than migraine without aura, especially for younger women. The increased risk is very low, but it is important that women with migraine avoid other stroke risks such as smoking and possibly birth control pills.
Some studies suggest that people who have migraine with aura are more likely than people without migraine to have cardiovascular risk factors (such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure) that increase the risk for stroke.
Migraines have a significant negative impact on quality of life, family relations, and work productivity. Studies indicate that people with migraines have poorer social interactions and emotional health than people with many other chronic medical illnesses, including asthma, diabetes, and arthritis. Many people who have migraines also suffer from anxiety (particularly panic disorders) and depression.
A National Headache Foundation-sponsored survey of migraine sufferers reported that:
Anyone, including children, with recurring or persistent headaches should consult a health care provider. There are no blood tests or imaging techniques that can be used to diagnose migraine headaches. A diagnosis will be made on the basis of medical history and physical exam. Tests may be necessary to rule out other diseases or conditions that may be causing the headaches. For chronic headaches, your provider may refer you to a neurologist who specializes in migraine.
A diagnosis of migraine is usually made on the basis of repeated attacks (at least 5) that meet the following criteria:
Try to recall what seems to bring on the headache and anything that relieves it. Keeping a headache diary is a useful way to identify triggers that bring on headaches, as well as to track the duration and frequency of headache attacks. Some tips include:
1 = Mild, barely noticeable2 = Noticeable, but does not interfere with work/activities3 = Distracts from work/activities4 = Makes work/activities very difficult5 = Incapacitating
1 = Mild, barely noticeable
2 = Noticeable, but does not interfere with work/activities
3 = Distracts from work/activities
4 = Makes work/activities very difficult
5 = Incapacitating
Tell your health care provider about any other conditions that might be associated with headache, including:
The health care provider will examine the head and neck and will usually perform a neurologic examination, which includes a series of simple exercises to test strength, reflexes, coordination, and sensation. The provider may ask questions to test short-term memory and related aspects of mental function.
Migraines and Tension Headaches: Migraine and tension-type headaches have some similar characteristics, but also some important differences:
Migraines and Sinus Headaches: Many primary headaches, including migraine, are misdiagnosed as sinus headaches. It is also possible for people to have migraines with sinus symptoms such as congestion and facial pressure.
Sinus headaches occur in the front of the face, with pain or pressure around the eyes, across the cheeks, or over the forehead. They are usually accompanied by fever, runny nose or congestion, and fatigue. In sinus headaches, the nasal discharge is thick green or yellow. Nasal discharge in migraines is clear and watery.
A real sinus headache is a sign of an acute sinus infection (sinusitis), which responds to treatment with decongestants and may sometimes require antibiotics. If sinus headaches seem to recur, the person is likely experiencing migraines.
The health care provider may order a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to check for abnormalities that may be causing the headaches. For people who have migraine headaches that are stable, imaging tests are usually not necessary unless there are new and serious symptoms. Symptoms that may suggest neurologic problems that warrant a MRI include:
For imaging tests, MRIs are preferred over computed tomography (CT) scans because they do not expose people to radiation.
Headaches indicating a serious underlying problem, such as cerebrovascular disorder or malignant hypertension, are uncommon. (A headache without other neurologic symptoms is not a common symptom of a brain tumor.) People with chronic headaches may, however, miss a more serious condition by believing it to be one of their usual headaches. You should immediately call your health care provider if your headache or other accompanying symptoms change.
Be sure to call your health care provider for any of the following symptoms:
Migraine treatment involves both:
There are many medications for treating a migraine attack. The main types of drugs are:
Some types of medications, such as opioids and barbiturates, should be avoided because they are potentially addictive or dangerous.
It is best to treat a migraine attack as soon as symptoms first occur. Experts generally recommend:
Try to guard against medication overuse, which can cause a rebound effect. Nearly all pain relief drugs used for migraine can cause rebound headache. You should not take any headache medicine more than 2 days per week. This is especially true for OTC medications that contain caffeine. If you find that you need to use acute migraine treatment frequently, talk to your health care provider about preventive medications.
Preventive strategies for migraine include both drug treatment and behavioral therapy or lifestyle adjustments.
People should consider using preventive migraine drugs if they have:
The main preventive drug treatments for migraine are:
OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) injection is approved for prevention of migraine, but it appears to work best for chronic (not episodic) migraine.
Certain herbal and dietary supplements, such as butterbur (Petasites hybridus) and riboflavin, may be effective for migraine prevention.
A preventive medication strategy needs to be carefully and individually tailored, taking into account a person's medical history and coexisting medical conditions. Migraine drugs can have serious side effects.
Preventive medicine is usually started at a low dose, and then gradually increased. It may take 2 to 3 months for a drug to achieve its full effect. Preventive treatment may be needed for 6 to 12 months or longer. Most people take preventive medications on a daily basis, but some people use these drugs intermittently (for example, for preventing menstrual migraine).
Some medications, especially certain oral contraceptives, may increase frequency of migraine in some women. In such cases, changing the type of contraceptive or stopping it results in improved migraine control.
You can also help prevent migraines by identifying and avoiding potential triggers, such as specific foods. Relaxation therapy and stress reduction techniques may also help. (See Lifestyle section in this report.)
Migraine Treatment for Children: Most children with migraines need only mild pain relievers and home remedies (such as ginger tea) to treat their headaches. The American Academy of Neurology's practice guidelines for children and adolescents recommend the following drug treatments:
Migraine Prevention for Children: Non-drug methods, including biofeedback and muscle relaxation techniques, may be helpful. If these methods fail, preventive medications may be used, although evidence is weak on the effectiveness of standard migraine prevention drugs in children.
If medication overuse causes rebound migraines to develop, you will need to stop taking the drug. (If caffeine is the trigger, you may only need to reduce coffee or tea intake.) People usually have the option of stopping abruptly or gradually:
Many different medications are used to treat migraines. Some migraines respond to non-prescription pain relievers such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen, or aspirin. Among prescription drugs, triptans and ergotamine are the only types of medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for migraine treatment.
Other types of drugs, including opioids and barbiturates, are sometimes prescribed off-label for migraine treatment but they can have dangerous side effects. Opioids and barbiturates are not approved by the FDA for migraine relief.
Over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers, also called analgesics, are available without a prescription. They are the first step for treating mild-to-moderate migraines. They include:
There are also prescription-only NSAIDs such as diclofenac (Cataflam, generic).
NSAID Side Effects. High dosages and long-term use of NSAIDs can increase the risk for heart attack, stroke, kidney problems, and stomach bleeding. Aspirin does not increase the risk for heart problems, but it can cause other NSAID-related side effects. Frequent or daily use of NSAIDs may worsen migraines and lead to the development of medication overuse headache. The American Headache Society advises against using OTC medications for headache more than twice a week.
Triptans were the first drugs specifically developed for migraine treatment. They help maintain serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is one of the major brain chemicals involved in migraines.
Triptans are recommended as first-line drugs for adults with moderate-to-severe migraines when NSAIDs are not effective. Triptans have the following benefits:
Sumatriptan. Sumatriptan (Imitrex, generic) has the longest track record and is the most studied of all triptans. Sumatriptan is effective for most people, but for some people headache recurs within 24 hours after taking the drug.
Sumatriptan is available as a fast-dissolving pill, nasal spray, injection, or skin patch. Injected sumatriptan works the fastest of all the triptans and is the most effective, but it can cause pain at the injection site. The nasal spray form is absorbed more quickly than the oral form and can provide relief within 15 minutes.
The newest form of sumatriptan (Zecurity) is a single-use battery-powered skin patch that is applied to the upper arm or thigh when a migraine attack occurs. Pressing a button activates the patch to deliver the drug during a 4-hour period. The patch is approved to treat both migraine pain and nausea.
Other Triptans. Other triptan drugs include almotriptan (Axert), zolmitriptan (Zomig), naratriptan (Amerge, generic), rizatriptan (Maxalt), frovatriptan (Frova), and eletriptan (Relpax). Treximet combines in one pill both sumatriptan and the anti-inflammatory pain reliever naproxen (Aleve, generic). Frovatriptan is recommended for prevention of menstrual migraine; naratriptan and zolmitriptan may also possibly be effective for menstrual migraine.
Triptan Side Effects. Common side effects of triptans may include:
Serious side effects may include:
Drugs containing ergotamine (commonly called ergots) constrict smooth muscles, including those in blood vessels, and are useful for migraine. They were the first anti-migraine drugs available. In general, ergotamine does not work as well as triptans but may still be helpful for some people.
Ergotamine is available by prescription in the following preparations:
Side Effects. Side effects of ergotamine include nausea, dizziness, tingling sensations, muscle cramps, and chest or abdominal pain.
The following are potentially serious problems:
Ergotamine can interact with other medications, such as antifungal drugs and some antibiotics. All ergotamine products approved by the FDA contain a "black box" warning on the prescription label explaining these drug interactions.
Ergotamine should not be used by pregnant women because it can cause miscarriage. People with heart or blood circulation conditions should not use these drugs.
Opioid drugs include morphine, codeine, meperidine (Demerol, generic), hydrocodone (Vicodin, generic), and oxycodone (Oxycontin). Opioids are not approved for migraine treatment and should not be used as first-line therapy. Nevertheless, opioid products are sometimes prescribed to treat severe intractable migraine pain. Opioids are not as effective as other types of migraine drugs, and they can have dangerous side effects.
Side effects for all opioids include drowsiness, impaired judgment, nausea, and constipation. There is a risk for addiction, and these drugs can become ineffective with long-term use for chronic migraines. They may also increase the risk of chronic episodic migraines and heightened sensitivity to pain.
Metoclopramide (Reglan, generic) is used in combination with other drugs to treat the nausea and vomiting that sometimes occur either as a medication side effect or migraine symptom. Metoclopramide and other anti-nausea drugs may help the intestine better absorb migraine medications. The battery-powered sumatriptan skin patch (Zecurity) is approved to treat both migraine nausea and pain.
In 2014 , the FDA announced the first transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) device for treatment of pain caused by migraine headache with aura. It is a portable device that is placed on the head during a migraine attack. The device generates a magnetic pulse, which delivers electrical current to the brain. The current relieves pain by interrupting the abnormal brain activity associated with migraine attacks.
This device is not yet widely available. It will be launched and tested at select headache centers around the United States. The exact role of this device in migraine treatment is unclear at this time.
The FDA's approved drugs for prevention of migraine are:
Propanolol and timolol are beta-blocker drugs. Divalproex, valproate, valproic acid, and topiramate are anti-seizure drugs. Many other drugs are also being used or investigated for preventing migraines.
Beta-blockers are usually prescribed to reduce high blood pressure. Some beta-blockers are also useful in reducing the frequency and severity of migraine attacks.
Propranolol (Inderal, generic) and timolol (Blocadren) are approved specifically for prevention of migraine. Metoprolol (Lopressor, generic) is also recommended. Atenolol (Tenormin, generic), and nadolol (Corgard, generic) are other options for migraine prevention.
Side effects of beta-blockers may include:
If side effects occur, call your health care provider. Never abruptly stop taking a beta-blocker because this can increase the risk for dangerous heart rhythms, heart attack, or other heart problems. Some research suggests that people with migraines who have had a stroke should avoid beta-blockers.
Anti-seizure drugs, also called anticonvulsant drugs, are commonly used for treating epilepsy and bipolar disorder.
Divalproex sodium (Depakote, Depakote ER, generic), valproic acid (Stavzor, Depakene, generic), and valproate sodium (Depacon, generic) are collectively referred to as valproate products. Topiramate (Topamax, generic) is another anti-seizure drug. Valproate products and topiramate are the only anti-seizure drugs that are approved for migraine prevention.
Anti-seizure medication side effects vary by drug but may include:
Pregnant women should never use valproate products to prevent migraine. When taken during pregnancy, these drugs can cause decreased IQ scores in children or can cause life-threatening malformations of the brain and spinal cord. Topiramate can also increase the risk for birth defects, particularly cleft palate. Women who are of childbearing age and considering pregnancy should discuss with their doctors other types of migraine-preventive medication.
All anti-seizure drugs can increase the risks of suicidal thoughts and behavior (suicidality). The highest risk of suicide can occur as soon as 1 week after beginning drug treatment, and can continue for at least 24 weeks. People who take these drugs should be monitored for signs of depression, changes in behavior, or suicidality.
Amitriptyline (Elavil, generic), a tricyclic antidepressant drug, has been used for many years for migraine prevention. It may work best for people who also have depression or insomnia. Tricyclics can have significant side effects, including disturbances in heart rhythms, and can be fatal when overdosed. Although other tricyclic antidepressants may have fewer side effects than amitriptyline, they do not appear to be as effective for migraine prevention.
Venlafaxine (Effexor, generic) is another antidepressant recommended for migraine prevention. It is a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). Serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine (Prozac, generic) do not appear to be effective for migraine prevention.
OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) is approved for preventing chronic migraine in adults. Botox is given by multiple injections to the head and neck area about every 12 weeks. These injections may help to dull future headache symptoms. Botox appears to work best for chronic migraines. It has not been shown to work for migraines that occur less frequently than 14 days a month, or for other types of headaches (such as tension headaches). The most common side effects are neck pain and headache.
In 2014 , the FDA announced the first neurostimulation device for the prevention of migraine headaches. It is a small, portable, battery-powered device that uses transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to stimulate the trigeminal nerve.
The device resembles a plastic headband and is placed across the forehead. It is used once a day for 20 minutes. In studies, the device helped reduce migraine frequency and use of medication. It did not completely prevent migraines and did not reduce the intensity of migraines that did occur. The exact role of this device in migraine prevention is unclear at this time.
Other types of medications and treatments are being used or investigated for prevention of migraines.
Triptans. Frovatriptan is effective for prevention of menstrual migraines. Naratriptan (Amerge, generic) and zolmitriptan (Zomig) may also be helpful.
NSAIDs. Certain over-the-counter and prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be helpful for migraine prevention. They include naproxen (Aleve, generic), ibuprofen (Aleve, Motrin, generic), fenoprofen (Nalpron), and ketoprofen (Nexcede, generic). However, daily use of NSAIDs can cause stomach problems and may also lead to a condition called medication overuse headache.
ACE Inhibitors. Commonly used for treating high blood pressure, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as lisinopril (Prinivil, generic) block the production of the protein angiotensin, which constricts blood vessels and may be involved in migraine.
Angiotensin-Receptor Blockers. Angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) such as candesartan (Atacand) are another type of high blood pressure medication being studied for migraine prevention.
Histamine. Subcutaneous (under the skin) injections of histamine may be helpful for migraine prevention.
Nasal Devices. New types of nasal sprays and powders are being researched. Some of them use capsaicin, the chemical found in cayenne peppers, to help relieve pain.
Herbs and Dietary Supplements. Certain herbs and dietary supplements may be helpful for migraine prevention. See Lifestyle Changes section of this report.
There are several ways to prevent migraine attacks. You should first try a healthy diet, the right amount of sleep, and non-drug approaches (such as biofeedback) for prevention.
Behavioral techniques that reduce stress may help some people with migraines. They include:
Studies generally find that these techniques work best when used in combination with medications.
Biofeedback: Many studies have demonstrated that biofeedback is effective for reducing migraine headache frequency. Biofeedback uses special feedback instruments that teach you how to monitor and modify physical responses such as muscle tension.
Relaxation Therapy: Relaxation therapy techniques include relaxation response, progressive muscle relaxation, visualization, and deep breathing. Muscle relaxation techniques are simple and easy to learn, and they can be effective.
Some people find that relaxation techniques combined with applying a cold compress to the forehead provide some pain relief during attacks. Some commercially available products use a pad containing a gel that cools the skin for several hours.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches how to recognize and cope with life stressors. It can help people understand how their thoughts and behavior patterns may affect their symptoms, and how to change the way the body responds to anticipated pain. CBT may be used in combination with stress management, relaxation, or biofeedback techniques.
Acupuncture is a Chinese medicine that uses thin needles to stimulate specific points aligned with energy pathways in the body. Studies have showed mixed results on the benefits of acupuncture for preventing migraine.
Making a few minor changes in your lifestyle can make your migraines more bearable. Improving sleep habits is important for everyone, and especially those with headaches. What you eat also has a huge impact on migraines, so dietary changes can be extremely beneficial, too.
Avoid Food Triggers. Avoiding foods and food additives that trigger migraine is an important preventive measure. Common food triggers include monosodium glutamate (MSG), processed lunch meats that contain nitrates, dried fruits that contain sulfites, aged cheese, alcohol and red wine, chocolate, and caffeine. However, people's responses to triggers differ. Keeping a headache diary that tracks diet and headache onset can help identify individual food triggers.
Eat Regularly. Skipping meals can trigger migraines. It is important to eat on a regular schedule.
Stay Physically Active. Exercise is helpful for relieving stress. An analysis of several studies reported that aerobic exercise in particular might help prevent migraines. It is important to warm up gradually, since sudden, vigorous exercise may trigger or aggravate a migraine attack.
Limit Estrogen-Containing Medications. Medications that contain estrogen, such as oral contraceptives and hormone therapy, may trigger migraines or make them worse. Talk to your health care provider about whether you should stop taking these types of medications, reduce the dosage, or switch to another type of drug.
Manufacturers of herbal remedies and dietary supplements do not need Food and Drug Administration approval to sell their products. Just like a drug, herbs and supplements can affect the body's chemistry, and therefore have the potential to produce side effects that may be harmful. There have been several reported cases of serious and even lethal side effects from herbal products. Always check with your health care provider before using any herbal remedies or dietary supplements.
In 2012, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) updated its guidelines on migraine prevention to include complementary treatments. Based on reviews of clinical studies, the AAN recommends:
Although not specifically recommended by the AAN, other herbal and dietary supplements associated with migraine prevention include:
Beithon J, Gallenberg M, Johnson K, Kildahl P, Krenik J, Leibow M, et al. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. Diagnosis and treatment of headache. Updated January 2013.
Digre KB. Headaches and other head pain. In: Goldman L and Schafer AI, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA:Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 405.
Fenstermacher N, Levin M, Ward T. Pharmacological prevention of migraine. BMJ. 2011;342:d583.
Garza I, Swanson W, Cheshire WP, Boes CJ, Capobianco DJ, Vargas F, et al. Headache and other craniofacial pain. In: Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, eds. Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA:Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 69.
Gilmore B, Michael M. Treatment of acute migraine headache. Am Fam Physician. 2011;83(3):271-80.
Holland S, Silberstein SD, Freitag F, Dodick DW, Argoff C, Ashman E; Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society. Evidence-based guideline update: NSAIDs and other complementary treatments for episodic migraine prevention in adults: report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society. Neurology. 2012;78(17):1346-53.
Jackson JL, Kuriyama A, Hayashino Y. Botulinum toxin A for prophylactic treatment of migraine and tension headaches in adults: a meta-analysis. JAMA. 2012;307(16):1736-45.
Jackson JL, Shimeall W, Sessums L, Dezee KJ, Becher D, Diemer M, et al. Tricyclic antidepressants and headaches: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2010;341:c5222.
Lewis D, Ashwal S, Hershey A, Hirtz D, Yonker M, Silberstein S, et al. Practice parameter: pharmacological treatment of migraine headache in children and adolescents: report of the American Academy of Neurology Quality Standards Subcommittee and the Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society. Neurology. 2004;63(12):2215-24.
Lipton RB, Bigal ME, Diamond M, Freitag F, Reed ML, Stewart WF; AMPP Advisory Group. Migraine prevalence, disease burden, and the need for preventive therapy. Neurology. 2007;68(5):343-9.
Loder E. Triptan therapy in migraine. N Engl J Med. 2010;363(1):63-70.
Loder E, Weizenbaum E, Frishberg B, Silberstein S; American Headache Society Choosing Wisely Task Force. Choosing Wisely in Headache Medicine: The American Headache Society's List of Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question. Headache. 2013;53(10):1651-9. Epub 2013 Oct 29.
Naumann M, So Y, Argoff CE, Childers MK, Dykstra DD, Gronseth GS, et al. Assessment: Botulinum neurotoxin in the treatment of autonomic disorders and pain (an evidence-based review): report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 2008;70(19):1707-14.
Schwedt TJ. Chronic migraine. BMJ. 2014;348:g1416. PMID: 24662044.
Silberstein SD, Holland S, Freitag F, Dodick DW, Argoff C, Ashman E; Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society. Evidence-based guideline update: pharmacologic treatment for episodic migraine prevention in adults: report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society. Neurology. 2012;78(17):1337-45.


text:
Two Busan pubs are holding a scavenger hunt Saturday in aid of a charity for single parent families.
The event pitches teams against one another to complete photo and video tasks across the city.
Teams must have five people, and fancy dress costumes are mandatory. There will be a prize for the team with the best costumes.
Half of the 25,000 won team entry fee is going to the Korea Unwed Mothers and Families Association.
The hunt begins at Wolfhound in Haeundae at 1 p.m. The hunt finishes at HQ Gwangan, where there will be live music and the winners will be announced.
Visit the HQ Bar event page for details on how to sign up.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The Role of a Successor Trustee After the Trustmaker Dies
When you set up your revocable living trust, you must name a successor trustee - someone to step in and administer and settle your trust for you after your death. He would also be called upon to serve should you become mentally incapacitated.
Most trustmakers act as trustees of their revocable trusts, unlike with an irrevocable trust where someone else must be appointed. A successor trustee waits in the wings to take over when you can no longer manage the trust yourself.
Duties and Responsibilities of Your Successor Trustee
Your successor trustee is responsible for settling your trust or continuing to manage it for you after your death - exactly which would depend on the terms you set for your trust in its formation documents, called a trust agreement.
If you directed in your trust agreement that all assets and property held in the trust should be transferred to beneficiaries when you die and that the trust should then be closed, your successor trustee is obligated to follow this directive.
In some cases, however, you might want your trust to remain up and running, such as if it's holding a property for the benefit of your minor children. Minors can't legally own property, so your trust would continue to hold it for them until they reach an age you specify.
Your successor trustee would make distributions to their guardian for their care per your instructions. He would oversee these distributions and manage the assets held in your trust to ensure that they continue to generate sufficient income. These responsibilities may be broken down into the following duties:
- Locating and protecting your trust assets
- Collecting life insurance policies, annuities, and retirement accounts on which your revocable living trust has been named the primary beneficiary
- Coordinating with the personal representative or executor of your estate if probate is necessary
- Obtaining the date of death values for your trust assets, including appraisals of real estate and business interests
- Identifying your creditors and paying off these debts
- Determining your income tax or estate tax liabilities
- Preparing and filing all required income tax and estate tax returns
- Paying the ongoing expenses of administering your trust until it is terminated and its remaining property can be distributed to your beneficiaries
- Raising the cash necessary to pay off your debts, the ongoing expenses of administering the trust and income tax and estate tax liabilities
- Investing and managing your trust assets until they can be distributed to your beneficiaries
Revocable living trusts avoid probate, but you might have created a pour-over will to move assets not in the trust into your trust at the time of your death. This process would require probate.
Serving as a successor trustee is a huge responsibility, and it's often a time-consuming burden. You should be able to choose the right person or institution for the job with the help of your estate planning attorney, but it's important to name one or more "backup" trustees as well in case your first choice isn't available to serve. Don't name someone without speaking with him first so you can be sure he's willing to accept the job.


text:
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Mmmm, Maters!
10 comments:
- five tomatoes said...
Um, yum! Obviously I love tomatoes given my username!
I can't stop laughing at those corn syrup commercials. I've been trying really hard to cut down on high fructose corn syrup but it is in so much food!
- September 9, 2008 at 12:51 AM
- Preppy Pink Crocodile said...
Me too. I've only recently started really paying attention to labels and it truly is a "lifestyle change" to omit stuff like that from a diet. Slowly but surely I am working on it. One step at a time. Those commercial crack me up though. I guess a lot of people are working on it too and they need to boost sales.
- September 9, 2008 at 12:58 AM
- Prep-E Girl said...
You should make tomato and cucumber salad! MMMmmmm!
- September 9, 2008 at 9:11 AM
- GrannySmithGreen said...
There's nothing quite as good as a tomato straight from the garden! Eat up while you can!
- September 9, 2008 at 9:54 AM
- Belle of the Ball said...
Sometimes there is nothing better than a ripe tomatoe! I could eat a whole bowl of cherry tomatoes with a little bit of salt!
- September 9, 2008 at 10:39 AM
- preppy little dress said...
your tomatoes look so fresh and yummy! they are making me hungry! ha! ha!
- September 9, 2008 at 10:58 AM
- Traci Anne said...
I don't like tomatoes, but these look DELICIOUS! (I think I'd like them better if they came from a garden and not a grocery store :)) Those HFCS crack me up too, when I saw the one with the popsicle, I was so confused until I realized it was PRO-HFCS for once!
- September 9, 2008 at 11:06 AM
- adozeneggs said...
The tomatoes at the farmer's market are amazing right now. You should make some salsa and some tomato sauce to freeze for the winter!!
Wish I'd seen the corn syrup commercials, maybe they're on youtube.
- September 9, 2008 at 1:05 PM
- Kappa Prep said...
I LOVE home grown vegetables! They have such a fresh taste and reall kick to them.
The corn syrup ads are a bit much! To all those of you trying to cut it out of your diet, hang in there! I have done it and feel so much better!
- September 9, 2008 at 10:13 PM
- The Mrs. said...
That commercial freaked me out! Insane!!!!
- September 10, 2008 at 9:23 AM


text:
Thank you to our friends at American United For Justice for providing this mind blowing audio on a conference Mr. Stern held for DJSP investors. These are some of the highlights of this conference in no particular order. Read it carefully and don't miss the audio below.
"We take em' from cradle to grave."
David Stern, President and CEO of DJSP Enterprises, Inc.
His baseball pitch-
One of my favorite questions from one of my believers, one of my investors on the first call-in, "What inning are we in? If this was a baseball game, what inning are we in?" And my response is, we're only in the 2nd inning. We still have 3 innings of foreclosures left, and after the foreclosures, we have 3 innings of REO liquidation and as the REO liquidations pan out, we get into the re-fi and we get into the origination.
[ . . . ]
So yeah, we're in the 2nd inning, but guess what – when we get to the 9th inning, it's going to be a doubleheader and we got a second game coming. So when people say, "Oh my God, the economy is bad!" I'm like, "Oh my God, it's great." I mean, I hate to hear people are losing their homes and credit isn't available and credit is such that they can't re-fi, but if you are in our niche, it's what we do and it's what we want to see.
Crystal ball admission here-
No matter what Obama rolls out, there is no stopping this inflow of continued defaults that we anticipate to go for another two or three years late behind that is the math of REO's that need to be liquidated and at the end of the day, the cycle will start again. Well, foreclosure volumes through 2012 are expected to increase dramatically and remain at high levels going on till 2017?
"Increase in Modification Services… This is what Obama rolled out. . Home Affordable Modification Program. Unfortunately, it's what…folks if you do what I do…unfortunately it is failing. We have the opportunity to handle the modification or where we do have a modification, we get to charge for title search, we get to charge for title exam, we get to charge for doc prep we get a 600.00 dollar incentive fee?
And at the end of the day when it's all said, 66,000 have been done to date… of the 66,000 more than 20% have failed. So we can get the file in, we start with the foreclosure, we bill for the foreclosure, we get the mod in, we make the incentive, we doc prep, we get the title, the mod is done and guess what? It falls out. It all comes back to foreclosure land and we get to start the foreclosure all over again! So no matter what the Obama Administration brings our way. We have found a way to create a profit center on it and that I think is part of that success!"
The audio is here: DJSP DAVID STERN CONFERENCE
Related Link:
DJSP, Enterprises© 2010-19 FORECLOSURE FRAUD | by DinSFLA. All rights reserved.


text:
One of the ways of being socially responsible in our businesses is measuring our carbon footprint – the most common of environmental impacts. There are substantial benefits in knowing your carbon footprint
- Identifying opportunities to increase efficiency
- Reduce operating costs
- Understanding the risks of your environmental impacts
- Aligning activities with your policies and values – and those of your customers
- Demonstrating proactive environmental leadership
- Product and brand positioning.
If you're interested to know more about how measuring this in your business could be part of differentiating your business and becoming more efficient (reducing costs!!!) carboNZerocert TM and Catalyst® Ltd are hosting a workshop next Tuesday 11th June. In this interactive session, you will identify what a carbon footprint is, why and how you would measure it, and importantly what you would do with the results.
- The workshop will have a component of "how to do" a carbon footprint but the emphasis will be on the value and next steps
- The value of independent verification and certification
- There will be a mix of theory and application with plenty of time for group discussions
- A case study will be presented to give a real life example
- Attendees will have the opportunity to talk about where they are at on their carbon or wider environmental foot printing "journey", where they hope to go, any roadblocks so that we can help them move forward
Here's a link to more information sustainable-business.ning.com/forum/topics/carbon-footprinting-a-snapshot-from-the-workshop-held-by-catalyst
Getting there: see a map here


text: June 6, 2012 at 11:30 AM I-1183: from ballot to bottle service Posted by Betsy Hauenstein Washingtonians began June with a new opportunity to purchase hard liquor in non–state retail outlets. The UW Election Eye team was out that first Friday looking for clues as to what the new drinking landscape looked like from the bar stool perspective. SEATTLE — Last week marked the end of a 78-year old system and a multi-year battle to get liquor on the shelves of private retailers. During the 2010 election cycle, two initiatives were "Dark and Stormy" craft cocktail prepared at Hazelwood in Ballard. (Photo by Dan Thornton / UW Election Eye) put forth to the people — I-1100 and I-1105 — both aiming to get liquor out of the state-run stores and both failed. Last year, only one initiative was on the ballot concerning liquor distribution and it was backed by more than $20 million from Costco. And it passed. Since last November, the state, retailers and new distributors have been moving quickly to transition from the 78-year old system. Friday, June 1st marked the first day that state liquor stores were out and private distributors and retailers were in. Costco was not the only store to provide liquor to its customers on June 1. From Safeway to Fred Meyer, from QFC to Bartell Drugs, retailers made room for the new products on their shelves. The impacts of the new distribution system reach beyond the newly stocked shelves of grocers and the empty ones of the now defunct state stores. A privatized distribution system means new prices (for now, higher prices), new products and potentially new menus at local bars. At Hazlewood, a craft cocktail bar in Ballard, the staff on hand on Friday had mixed feelings about the change. Tending the bar during the first happy hour of the new era, Hazelwood co-owner Keith Bartoloni described the new system as a challenge for bar owners and managers to be more resourceful. After the two main distributors, Southern Spirits and Young's Market, bar owners are still waiting to see what products get picked up and where they will need to go to stock their bars. "Craft cocktailers will need to do a little more shopping." More Comments | More in State | Topics: Costco, Hazlewood, I-1183


text:
Living Area Style YoutubePosted on
If you want your wall art to blend in with your living space decor rather than dominate it, then you need to take a close appear at your decor very first before you obtain your wall art. A surfeit of square footage thankfully is not critical to an sophisticated design, as this cozy living area in the Atlanta home of designer Lori Tippins proves. Whether you want to play around or start out constructing a home to your private specifications, this list of leading ten very best cost-free on line virtual programs and tools will help you get started. A single of the hottest trends in home decor these days is the upsurge in reputation of modern dining room chairs.
We discovered the programs under to be easy to use without prior understanding of working with space planning software program. But there're so quite a few items you require to do. It really is going to be the finest for the babies and you to put them in the identical room. Whether you are watching tv, playing games, or just gathering for conversation, your household room should be a relaxing atmosphere developed as a multi-objective room. Escape the Darkest Hour , Mission Escape Games (New York, NY) – As we tried to escape from a murderous butcher's lair, the killer himself delivered hints over a walky-talky, which kept the tone of the game.
In New York's renowned Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse, designer Noel Jeffrey went against trend by enabling the living room's original dark-stained woodwork to have its say. In this interview, we speak to Puzzle Break's Nate Martin, an avid video gamer and PAX enthusiast, about the new games he is developing aboard cruise ships. You'll communicate with your interior designer through the style method via the messaging feature in your project dashboard. Think about the factors that will be going on the in area like reading, playing games, and watching films.
What might appear exciting or intuitive to me soon after playing one hundred games might be as well tough or non-intuitive for a first-time player. People today normally neglect that quite a few if not most of the very best adventure games (Myst, Grim Fandango, and so forth.) had their fair share of puzzles that have been basically as well really hard or esoteric to be fair.
If you happen to be having a 3D add-on for your project, once you approve the final design and style notion your project will be rendered and you are going to have your 3D renderings in just a couple of days later – it's like a photoshoot of your new space before you shop! This was a somewhat radical departure from the conventional house style where boxes had been connected by doorways and hallways. Just stumbled upon your wonderful post just after days of browsing for suggestions and furniture for my hallway and home workplace. You are welcome to choose a designer you'd like to perform with by browsing our designers.
It is a good interior design and style app and as soon as u play it, you will be addicted! If you have a personal computer potent sufficient to energy it (or program to obtain one), the HTC Vive or Oculus Rift each have solid libraries of games readily available. Live-action space escapes are, in many ways, the literal physical embodiment of a video game. We will find the excellent designer for you based on your style profile and project requires. It's accurate: area escape organizations reside and die primarily based on the good quality of their games.


text:
Tarantula named after Johnny Cash is one of 14 new species
The man in black plays muse to the spider set.
The findings of a decade-long research project that had biologists scouring every bit of tarantula turf in the southwestern United States have been published, making it clear how little we previously knew about these enigmatic arachnids. Including their connection to one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.
Tarantulas within the genus Aphonopelma are unique in the world of spiders; dark and furry, they range in size from diminutive to terrifying, as in the case of those with a six-inch leg span. (As you can see below, the largest (Aphonopelma anax) and smallest (Aphonopelma paloma) tarantula species in the country.) Within the U.S., Aphonopelma can be found in 12 states from the Mississippi River to California.
"We often hear about how new species are being discovered from remote corners of the Earth, but what is remarkable is that these spiders are in our own backyard," says Dr. Chris Hamilton, lead author of the study. "With the Earth in the midst of a sixth mass extinction, it is astonishing how little we know about our planet's biodiversity, even for charismatic groups such as tarantulas."
Hamilton notes that more than 50 different species of tarantulas had been previously reported from the U.S., but that many of them were shoddily defined and in fact belonged to the same species. With new methods employed to distinguish between species, the team arrived as 29 species in the United States, including those 14 which are new to science.
Biologists are fun people too, and especially when getting to name new species. You thought naming a pet was fun? How about naming a previously unknown spider?
Upon considering names for one of the new tarantulas, Hamilton was inspired by the man in black, the legendary Johnny Cash, and thus we have Aphonopelma johnnycashi, above. Not only is the spider pitch black, but it was discovered in California near Folsom Prison, a place that goes hand in hand with Cash.
So does naming a giant menacing spider after a beloved music star make it any less intimidating? Hard to say for the arachnophobes, but it sure is getting a lot of attention, and like they say, all publicity is good publicity. But even so, it's good to remember that although tarantulas may be the creatures of your nightmares, they are generally harmless. Says Hamilton, the species in the U.S. do not readily bite, are not dangerous, and are really just "teddy bears with eight legs." Awww.


text:
Brussels Wednesday Social with Commissioner Oettinger – Report
On October 19th, METRO GROUP and the Federation of German Food and Drink Industries (BVE), in cooperation with the European Movement International (EMI), held the 6th Brussels Wednesday Social with Günther H. Oettinger, European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society, who discussed with us "Can the Digital Single Market re-connect citizens with Europe?"
The Commissioner spoke about one of his priority projects, the realisation of a digital single market aimed at improving the global competitiveness of the EU.
Visionary appeal by Commissioner @GOettingerEU for Europe to become a global digital leader at Brussels Wednesday Social #WSBRU @METRO_EU pic.twitter.com/FCTaRZV4bc
— Sergey Filippov (@FilippovEU) October 19, 2016
Moreover, the Commissioner discussed with stakeholders and citizens whether and to what extent the Digital Single Market can reconnect people to the European project and foster citizens' support for the EU and Europe as a whole.
Agree! @PetrosFassoulas stresses civic society needs to get more involved. @JEF_Europe discusses #dsm soon #wsbru pic.twitter.com/EOXvI9Il3N
— Leonie Martin (@leoniemartin90) October 19, 2016
The event was additionally taken up as an opportunity to speak about the challenges the EU faces after the Brexit referendum and the increase in Euroscepticism among political parties, Member States and citizens.
@GOettingerEU stressing need to overcome #fragmentation to create a true #DSM at #wsbru @METRO_EU pic.twitter.com/gOjMFneA5v
— Johannes Nitschke (@jonitschke) October 19, 2016
You can find additional commentary and photos on the Metro Group website here.
Additional comments made via Twitter on the event can also be found under #WSBRU.
Key speakers were:
Welcome: Christian Baier, Chief Financial Officer METRO Cash & Carry
Keynote speech: Günther H. Oettinger, EU Commissioner for Digital Economy & Society
Closing Remarks: Jürgen Abraham, Honorary Chairman BVE
Moderator: Detlef Fechtner, Journalist, Börsen-Zeitung


text:
Not that this chatter is necessarily unimportant, it is what sets us humans apart from the rest of the animal kingdom. It is our thinking that figures things out. We think in words. That's the ego talking.
But there is a deeper inner person in all of us. Beneath our chattering minds is us. The real person. Our spiritual selves. The person who is doing the thinking. The person that the chattering mind is silently talking to. The person that creates art and music and writing and does the thinking. It is the Self.
It's difficult to talk about because this inner self does not think in words, it is just there. There are many easy meditation techniques that can help us get in touch with the inner self simply by removing the chatter that distracts us. The chatter is simply a distraction the Self is always there.
Always. Always. Always.
Click here for a Self Esteem Meditation Poem to start your meditation with
Here are 3 basic easy meditations techniques that you can use.All use a simple technique to quiet the chattering mind so that the inner self can be realized. In all, the more they are practiced the more being in touch with the inner self becomes a part of daily life. This is referred to as the path to enlightenment -- where the inner self is most fully realized as the essence of our experience.
Transcendental Meditation (T.M.) as taught by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. This is the meditation technique that became very widespread during the 1970s after the Beatles went to India and began investigating the spiritual traditions there.A personal mantra is given to each person by the teacher. This is silently repeated over and over in the mind throughout the meditation -- usually from 15 to 20 minutes.
The Peaceful Abiding technique from Tibetan Buddhism, as taught by Sakyong Mipham. The mind is focused simply on breathing.
The technique promoted by Dr. Wayne Dyer, uses vocalizing the word OM. Just spoken and elongated.
click here for Self Esteem Meditation Poem
Leave Easy Meditation.
Go to Healthy-Lifestyle-Made-Easy.com Home Page
Are you ready to experience total relaxation and inner peace? Come and learn how to meditate, listen to meditation music, and experience the bliss of guided meditations at The Guided Meditation Site.
The Guided Meditation Site


text:
This is Part 2 of a 3-part series on how to raise capital for your next deal:
Part 1 – How One Student Raised More Than $2M in 5 Months and Quit His Job!
Part 2 – [You Are Here] – Here's How One Student Raised More Than $2M in 5 Months!
Part 3 – 5 Little Known Secrets You Can Use Today to Raise Private Capital
Sep was always a hard-working engineer who loved dabbling in Real Estate on the side. To learn his full story, read the first article in this three-part series!
In short, Sep was fresh out of college and thought he'd be happy on his chosen career path. What he learned when his fantasy smashed into his new post-school reality is that he didn't like his job or the hours he was forced to keep to earn an average income.
He wanted to do more of it and took training here and there. However, it didn't help him much until he stumbled across my story and it caught his interest.
He figured out that if I could be a successful investor so could he. That epiphany was a game changer! I'm honored that he discovered my training and proud of what he's accomplished, especially in such short time.
Why did he think he could do so well once he heard about my story? Let me share it with you right now, and you'll see why. I'll keep it short.
My story…
A few years ago I was working as a financial planner, but I didn't agree with what I was told that I had to do in directing people in ways to put away for retirement. I wasn't allowed to give clients the guidance I knew would really help them build their savings in big ways. I needed to change my path.
You know that saying… Be careful what you wish for?
I got change and plenty of it in quick time.
My wife became very ill. She was pregnant and developed a condition that didn't allow her to keep food or even water down. It was horrible to watch her go through that, so I quit my job to be by her side. I had to think of ways to replace my income.
Looking around my home, I realized I had things I could sell on eBay. I got good at it. Selling online was something I could do from home or hospital. A big chain electronics store was going out of business, so I snatched up as many items possible for a low price to sell at a higher price online. (That's called wholesaling.)
It was tough to make ends meet and it was stressful. To blow off steam one day I went out to play volleyball. That went well… until I spiked a ball and landed on another player. That wasn't so bad… until I tried to stand up and couldn't. I punctured a lung.
It took weeks before I could walk and talk at the same time, or even walk a few feet without severe pain.
What next? Nothing much. Just that due to our financial situation we ended up losing our home and squatting in bank-owned property.
This might sound like a horrible story, but in truth it pushed me to make the same decision my friend Sep did. I became a Real Estate Investor. I took training and did something different. I did whatever I learned right away so I could see if it worked. If it didn't, I could ask questions of the instructors immediately and get feedback on what I was doing wrong.
That's how Sep was able to raise more than $2M in private capital in just five months, too!
In my last blog post I told you that I would share with you how he did it. I said I'd give you more answers. If you were paying attention to my story, at the end I gave you a huge clue.
Sep checked out a Raising Private Capital Mastermind Group I was leading. This is what we used as the basis for the Cashflow Creators video course! It's part of the Core Membership.
Long story short, Sep had tried other training programs, but nothing like this group training experience that pushed him to get out there and try what he was being taught. He had to report the outcome and come back to the next group session with questions.
Guess what? It worked really well.
Like I shared with you in the previous blog post, at the end of 2014, Sep got to say good-bye to his 9-to-5 job. He's now a full-time Real Estate Investor and loves it. Plus, he raised more than $2M in private capital for his Real Estate transactions in just five months.
Frankly, I think it was less time than that, but who's counting?[vimeo id="118107727″ width="960″ height="540″ autoplay="no" api_params="" class=""]
At this point, you probably want to know exactly how you can raise private capital just like Sep did. That's fair. In the last post I promised to tell you more.
Want to raise private capital so you can invest it in ways that let you create cashflow month after month? Here are five steps:
- Get to know the rules of engagement – There are specific rules that govern raising private capital. However, due to changes in these rules, it's a lot easier now than ever before. Once you know the basic rules, you can even use crowdfunding and post ads to help you get to your goals. You can get in trouble if you don't do things the correct way, so you need to take time to do your research!
- Network whenever and wherever you can – The only way to be sure that your message about your goals will be heard is to network … a lot! Even if you're shy, you're going to have to get comfortable in talking to strangers and using your elevator pitch. That short message can get you in front of the right people. (BTW, the "right" people doesn't mean only the wealthy who hang out on yachts drinking the best bourbon. They are your neighbors and everyday people sitting at tables in Starbucks and diners, too!)
- Play Cashflow 101 – I said it in my last blog post and I'm saying it again… What happens in the game can happen in real life! Whether you're interested in raising capital for a Real Estate deal or new business, creative project or other investment, how are you going to get the funding if you don't talk to like-minded individuals? This game puts you in the room and across the table from people just like you who want to do deals and learn how to work together to get to bigger and bigger financial goals through investing. Perhaps my biggest "secret" in raising private capital, this game is something you need to play weekly. Start by attending other people's games; then host your own. Browse meetup.com to find games near you. Start a group, too.
- Listen more than you speak – As an investor, even when you're raising private capital, you are solving problems. That means you get to do a whole lot of listening. It's called practicing the 70/30 rule. When you ask questions, follow by shutting your mouth and opening your ears. Listen for key phrases that disclose the other person's problems that you can solve through your investment transactions. Don't be so busy rehearsing what you want to say next or shoving your deal down their throat that you can't hear their words. Listening takes practice. Listening gets deals done.
- Use the P.A.Q. – You want a great tool that helps you explain in short time the profits an investor will receive by participating in your deal? The Profit Analysis Quadrant™ is what I've used for years to explain how a deal can be done and what part of the profits go where… and how that can be divided. This tool works so well that I've been asked by top investors around the world to show them how to use it. (It's taught as part of the Cash Flow Core Membership.) The fun part is that all you need is your brain, a napkin and a pen.
There's more to raising private capital than just these five steps, but I don't want to overwhelm you. Beyond the conversations and networking, beyond sitting with investors (who are people just like you and me), and beyond getting familiar with rules and tools, there are a few more things you're going to want to do once you get better at doing the first steps.
For example, you'll want to know…
- Where are these investors who will let you use their cash and credit in your deals?
- Why would they be so willing to do it, and what do they get in return?
- How do you talk to them?
- What are the "magic" words?
- Can anyone do what Sep has done and in such short time?
That's what I'll go over in my next blog post. It will be the third of three in this series.
If you haven't read the first post yet, go back and do it before moving on. That way, you have a full story.


text:
Guild alerts industry on 'chefs drain'
Gerard Mendis
"Training new chefs and developing incumbent chefs are vital for the
sustainability of the culinary sector of our country which thrives on
tourism", said President of the Chefs Guild of Lanka, Ranjit Morugama at
a press conference held at the Hilton Hotel, Colombo.
The confab marked the launch of Culinary Art 2011, Sri Lanka's
biggest food and trade exhibition which will be held for the 14th time
this year, from July 29 to August 1 at the BMICH.
Unilever Food solutions, Fonterra Brands Lanka Private Ltd and
Edinborough Pvt. Ltd will be the exhibitions' Platinum, Diamond and Gold
sponsors. For the first time, the competition will be open to those
outside the hospitality industry on a limited basis to uplift the
general culinary standards of the country.
"We need to bridge the standards gap between local hotels and
international hotels.
We have come a long way over the years but the country's stability is
looking positive than ever and this is the ideal period to showcase and
promote Sri Lankan culinaries to the international market which has a
direct impact on the number of tourists who want to visit the country"
Morugama said.
Chairman of the organising committee Gerard Mendis said, that over
1000 chefs participated in last year's competition in over 1500
categories and the show which started off on a minor scale way back in
1988 has since grown into the largest food and hotel show. "We are
trying very hard to retain the chef population of the country.
We have seen a large number of chefs leaving the country and we need
to reverse this situation.
Our chefs are doing extremely well all over the world after leaving
Sri Lanka because of less attractive remuneration here and so, it is
important that the hotels reconsider their overall packages to ensure
that the chefs-drain comes to a halt or is reduced to a bare minimum",
he said.
"We are also discussing extensively of the possibility of starting
degree programs in culinary art.
This will help us streamline the sector a tad better and make the
most out of their expertise and contribute to the country's booming
tourism industry and the economy as a whole.
Our hotel schools churn out very talented chefs but a degree program
will ensure that we come in par with international standards of culinary
The hotels must also devise expansion plans where we can accommodate
international corporate conferences which has a large headcount.


text:
Information Letter 18-08 & No. 18-09 This letter announces several dates regarding Fiscal Year 2018 Claims Processing for claims to be paid by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). August 24, 2018 by noon is the cutoff date for Home and Community-based Services Providers and Texas Home Living Providers . For all other agencies, providers and facilities listed below, the cutoff dates are as follows: • Fiscal Year 2016 Miscellaneous Fee-for-Service (FFS) Claims Cutoff: … [Read more...]
PPAT Notice For Draft Rule Amendments Regarding Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation
Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) implemented rules that address changes in the authority of the DFPS Adult Protective Services (APS) Provider division, as amended by SB 1880 and SB 760, 84th Legislative Session (2015). The changes give the APS Provider division the authority to investigate an allegation of abuse, neglect, or exploitation (ANE) of an adult or child who receives a service from a provider who contracts with HHSC to provide Medicaid waiver or Medicaid state plan services and … [Read more...]
DADS Functions Abolished after 2-Year HHS Transformation
Provider Letter No. 17-37 – The Department of Aging & Disability Services (DADS) is no longer a stand-alone agency and has been transferred to the Health and Human Service Commission (HHSC), although the regulatory processes for notifying providers of changes to licensure requirements will remain unchanged. Regulatory programs and management of the operations for state supported living centers will transfer to HHS .The provider letter details that HHSC will continue to notify providers of … [Read more...]
Proposed Amendments to streamline ICF/IID & HCS/TxHmL Provider Cost Report Rules
HHSC Report- Effective January 1st 2018, information contained in PPAT on cost report rule changes to be adopted by March 2018, address the implementation of a cost report reform initiative for HCS/TxHmL and ICF/IID providers as required by Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)On Jan. 1st, HHSC requires only even-year cost reports beginning with the providers' 2018 fiscal year cost reports for HCS/TxHmL (§355.722(a) and ICF/IID(§355.105(c)(1) )providers. HHSC also proposes … [Read more...]
Changes to HCS Handbook Regarding Results of Residential Visit
Information Letter No. 17-23 – The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is making changes to the HCS Handbook, Section 14411. The handbook revisions pertain to results from a residential visit described in rule at Title 40, Texas Administrative Code, §9.171(j).The changes will explain how a score from a residential visit is calculated• Clarify when evidence of correction is required after a residential visit• Clarify when HHSC takes follow-up action after a residential visit• … [Read more...]
Approved Rate Reductions in the HCS and TxHmL Waiver Programs (Effective August 1, 2017)
Information Letter No. 17-16 - Effective August 1, 2017, The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has listed its new and approved payment rate changes (decrease in payment rates) for the following providers as identified in the below list. HHSC has exempted the rates for the Consumer Directed Services (CDS) option from these rate reductions. All providers should share with any CDS employers to whom they provide any HCS or TxHmL services that the CDS option is specifically exempted … [Read more...]
Preparing for the Upcoming Fiscal Year 2017 Fee-for-Service Claims Billing Closeout
Information Letter No. 17-13 - This letter is addressed to all service providers, facilities, and agencies. August 31, 2017 is the end of fiscal year closeout and it is important for all providers to promptly submit claims to be paid by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) for any unbilled services. HHS will publish additional details regarding cutoff dates for fiscal year 2017. This information letter addresses the following:12-month filing rule - Providers should ensure not … [Read more...]
CMS to add 200 more facilities to the Music & Memory Program in Texas. Latest expansion to include 165 more nursing homes.
Music therapy is one of the methods that health facilities and providers are researching which may be beneficial to people with disabilities living in long-term intermediate care facilities. The Music & Memory initiative for Dementia patients began in 2015 as a way to improve and build upon the quality of life for those nursing home residents. The music and memory program's first two phases included a roll-out at 250 nursing homes in Texas. The program is executed by using Apple iPods or … [Read more...]
The Legislature and IDR for Assisted Living, HCS and TxHmL
The Texas Legislature passed two bills that revise Informal Dispute Resolution procedures for Assisted Living and providers participating in certain Medicaid waiver programs.SB 924 by Senator Perry out of Lubbock affects assisted living facilities. Here are the present procedures. You can look at the changes in the Enrolled version here. Although some of the really strong, helpful language originally in the bill didn't make it to the end, it does specify documents that must come to the … [Read more...]
DADS will begin reviewing and retiring, revising and/or reissuing provider letters issued eight years ago or more
Provider Letter No. 17-08 – Process for Retiring Provider LettersThe goals of this retire or revise initiative are to streamline DADS regulatory policies, reduce provider and stakeholder confusion, and manage the volume of letters with which DADS-regulated facilities, agencies, and licensees are expected to be familiar. DADS will begin issuing a series of program specific PLs that announce the list of letters that are being retired.Please be advised that notice that a letter is being retired … [Read more...]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 35
- Next Page »


text:
A women's bike shop in Poland recently began selling a line of stylish leather bike bags that make it easier for cyclists to carry around their belongings. For many bicycle enthusiasts, a bulky backpack is the only way to transport their cargo around the city. The 'MIRA Bike Bag' provides a cyclist-friendly storage solution in the form of a chic leather satchel.
The MIRA bike bag is made from luxurious vegan leather and comes in three chic finishes. The bag has multiple compartments and is large enough to accommodate a 15 inch laptop. The bag attaches to the frame of a bike by using an internal clipping system. The fastener is hidden in a zippered compartment of the purse, in order to provide a seamless exterior design.
Not only is the leather bike bag incredibly stylish, but it is also affordable for the average consumer.
These 'MIRA Bike Bags' are the Perfect Storage Solution for Cyclists
Katherine Pendrill — August 11, 2015 — Fashion


text:
Morning is my favorite time of day. During the non-pregnant season getting up at 5 and 6 am is not a problem; fall out of bed and stumble my way to the coffee pot and greet the day. During the pregnant season this is a different story. Sleeping in still means 7:30 or 8 but landing on my feet at an acceptable time in the morning is a bit more challenging. That being said, making my way to the barn is a "one-eye open" wander.
It was one day during the week, I'm not sure which one as I have been off a day for some time now, that I decided I needed to spray the bare butt chickens with Blu-Kote. See the "Why?" here.
It was the usual sleep walk down the stairs, stuff myself into my coveralls and drag the water bucket sled to the barn. That day I did manage to get the coveralls on front-side forward. That was nice. The last time I put them on backwards, my husband happened to see. He got a good laugh and asked if I wanted him to buckle them up and send me on my way. I considered it, but he wouldn't be home when I finished chores and who knows what kind of fight I would have getting out of those like that.
The cow chores were done and I was off to the coop. The chores in there were done and it was time to catch the featherless birds. In the summer and skinny, I am not a good chicken catcher. My chicken herding skills are much better than catching. Add 25 pounds, coveralls that are tight, a winter flannel and barn coat that are on the verge of an unzippable size and you've really got a sight. Now add 30 chickens that are in no way scared and will fly from any direction. Bending over is a challenge, catching the right bird mid-flight is nearly impossible.
I caught one after some moves that I have never seen before. She was all tucked in, head under my arm, feet in my hand, butt in the air…There is a "closed" setting on the spray can. That would have been nice to see, prior to the chicken chasing. There's blue dye in the can and for how my morning was going I knew using my teeth was a bad idea. After some more one handed, fancy dancing, I got it open. Sprayed the hen's behind held her a second to make sure it dried and sent her on her way.
Back for bird two I went. Some more fancy moves and I could see it was daylight.
"That's it for me ladies. Daylight means get to the house and start the little boy's breakfast."
Oh, good. I really didn't want to pull a muscle or something. Instead I waddled my way back to the house and sent my husband a text.
"I need help catching chickens to spray butts."
To which there was a few hour delay before a reply. I know it's the words everyone hopes to receive.
It was at this time that I discovered my fingers were a beautiful shade of deep violet.
That's what I forgot this morning. I got the right mittens on (I labeled them "Barn" in permanent marker) and forgot the disposable gloves. The dye soaks in really well. It also lasts for days…
I did think I could grab them out of the nesting boxes. That is the easiest time to catch them. I have been messing with them enough as it is that I don't want to add to the egg issues by taking them, mid-lay, from their boxes.
Another exciting Sunday in the coop was had. I got the usual coop cleaning done and fresh shavings down. It was time to interrupt one of the few football games that Mike has been able to watch this season.
"Will you come catch chickens for me?"
In the coop I could see I wasn't the only one with fancy chicken catching moves. But he was doing a much better job than I did. One by one the birds were caught and their little rumps sprayed blue. We were only a couple away from being done, just as I finished spraying one, she got her wing loose. She started flapping which sent a heavy mist of blue dye right onto Mike's face and neck. He was a good sport about it. Since then I have a hard time looking at him and not focusing on the blue forehead and giggling. I'm not sure that there is anything to remove the blue much quicker either.
On the bright side, the girls are on their way to fresh new tail feathers.


text:
What is the 4 Points Stance? It is something that I do not do a very good job of promoting or living. However, it is the backbone of my church. Why is it so difficult to do? Time, energy, focus, and relationship with Jesus all play a factor into why I do or do not live it out. When I am in the Word and praying like I should be I find it easy. When I am distracted, not as much. Starting today I am committing myself to the 4 Points Stance in the month of November. How many of you would join me, whether you are a 4 Pointer or not?
Loving People: And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:37-40 ESV)
Serving People: For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13 ESV)
Growing People: But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. (2 Peter 3:18 ESV)
Uniting People: Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. (1 Peter 3:8 ESV)


text:
The Best Walk in Shower Stalls
Walk-in showers can give your bathroom a European feel or simply provide easy access for your daily bathing. The best shower stall is the one that suits your needs and is durable, so consider how you will use the shower and who will be using it as well as the setup of your bathroom and the space you have available.
Walk-in showers can give your bathroom a European feel or simply provide easy access for your daily bathing. The best shower stall is the one that suits your needs and is durable, so consider how you will use the shower and who will be using it as well as the setup of your bathroom and the space you have available. Your personal taste for materials and styles come into play, as well as your preferences for luxury and utility features.
Prefabricated One-piece Stalls
Prefabricated shower stalls are a good choice for do-it-yourselfers without a lot of experience. If your bathroom is large enough that entry points and maneuvering are not a problem, consider a one-piece unit molded from sturdy fiberglass or acrylic. One-piece units install quickly and you do not have to worry about sealing gaps between pieces or in the corners of a surround, limiting the possibility of water leaking or seeping behind the stall. Choose a unit that fits snugly into your available space without requiring any changes to the walls. If you are new to bathroom remodeling, consider an all-in-one unit that includes a door assembly, as well. Corner and wall units are the most common in home improvement stores, but freestanding units for large, open bathrooms may be special ordered. Experienced do-it-yourselfers may enjoy setting up prefabricated stalls with wall jets for a luxury spa experience in the shower.
Multi-piece Stalls
Smaller bathrooms may require shower stalls that come in multiple pieces, such as a separate basin and wall unit. Purchase a style with as few pieces as you can easily install, as this will help you minimize leaks. As with one-piece styles, choose molded fiberglass or acrylic rather than simple sheet surrounds. They are easier to install and hold up better over time. Thinner sheets can bow and warp, pulling away from the walls and sealant. Consider your needs for built-in shelving when choosing a unit. Some styles offer interchangeable wall pieces to customize your shower with soap dishes, shampoo shelves and places to hang washcloths.
Roll-in Showers
If a person with limited physical capabilities uses the shower, consider a roll-in or barrier-free design. Developed for wheelchair access, roll-in showers are also good for anyone with limited range of motion, knee injuries or limited eyesight that makes seeing changes in floor height difficult. Regulation roll-in showers must be the same level as the bathroom floor surface, with no lip to step over. Add safety rails for improved accessibility, even if no wheelchair users are present. Roll-in showers generally require site-specific installation, although prefabricated units are available from some manufacturers. Nonslip tile is the best flooring for beauty, safety and durability. Textured tile throughout the shower surround can add continuity and style. Leave the shower completely open in a large bathroom for a European feel or add a shower curtain hanging on a track to block the spray from reaching other areas of the bathroom. Because this type of shower generally requires custom installation, you can add luxury items as you choose, such as wall jets, multiple showerheads and built-in shelves.


text:
After completing an application for unemployment insurance, you will be mailed a monetary record on a green sheet of paper. This is not a guarantee of benefits and does not mean that you have been approved to receive benefits; you must meet additional requirements to receive unemployment insurance benefits. We do not send out notices of approval. It is your responsibility to check and know the status of your claim. Check your benefit inquiry to see if and when you will receive payments.
Monetary Record
The monetary record contains the:
- Start date of claim
- Number of dependents claimed
- Work search requirements
- Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA)
- Maximum Benefit Amount (MBA)
- Employers you worked for in the base period
- Wages earned each quarter during the base period
- Last employer you indicated on your application
Carefully review all information on the monetary record. Contact us immediately or send a letter appealing the monetary record if any information is incorrect. The appeal should include copies of any check stubs, W-2 forms or other proof of earnings, if available.
Benefit Year
The benefit year is a one-year period from the claim effective date. The claim can be opened and closed as many times as necessary during the benefit year. Benefits may be paid on a claim until the maximum benefit amount is exhausted or the benefit year ends, whichever comes first. The unemployment insurance claim expires at the end of the benefit year, even if all funds have not been paid. If the maximum benefit amount is exhausted before the claim expires, you must wait until the end of the benefit year before filing a new claim.
Base Period
The base period is a four quarter (one year) time frame using the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters at the time an initial unemployment insurance claim is filed. Qualified earnings in the base period determine your weekly benefit amount and maximum benefit amount. Earnings received in the current and most recent quarter are not used to determine monetary eligibility.
EXAMPLE: If a new claim is filed in April, May, or June (second quarter) of this year, the base period is January 1 through December 31 of last year.
Alternate Base Period
If you fail to qualify monetarily using the regular base period, it may be possible to use an Alternate Base Period (ABP). To see if you qualify and to request an ABP contact us at email@example.com or 1-866-239-0843.
Wage Requirements
To be eligible for benefits, you must have:
- Been paid wages by covered employers in at least two quarters of the base period
- Total base period wages of at least 1.25 times the wages earned in the highest base period quarter
- Wages of at least $1,660 in one quarter and at least $830 in a different quarter (program year July 7, 2019 - July 4, 2020)
The number of dependents is used to help determine your weekly benefit amount and maximum benefit amount. Adding dependents will increase your weekly benefit amount and may increase your maximum benefit amount. A dependent is any individual who was claimed on the prior year's income tax return. A claim may include a maximum of four dependents. Dependents can only be added within 10 days of filing your initial claim. A spouse may be considered a dependent if they earned $120 or less in wages (excluding self-employment) during the week before the claim effective date.
Dependents cannot be:
- Yourself
- Any person already listed on another non-expired claim
- A spouse who listed you on their non-expired claim
Dependents claimed incorrectly may result in an overpayment and may be reviewed by the fraud investigations team.
Weekly Benefit Amount
The weekly benefit amount (WBA) is determined by two things: the wages earned in your highest quarter of the base period and by the number of dependents on your claim. To calculate the WBA, the highest quarter of base period wages is divided by:
- 23 for zero dependents (maximum of $481)
- 22 for one dependent (maximum of $500)
- 21 for two dependents (maximum of $518)
- 20 for three dependents (maximum of $545)
- 19 for four dependents (maximum of $591)
Maximum Benefit Amount
The maximum benefit amount (MBA) is either 26 times the weekly benefit amount (WBA) or one-third of your total base period wages, whichever is less. If your last employer permanently closed the business location, your MBA may be increased. The business closing MBA will be either 39 times the WBA or one-half your total base period wages, whichever is less. The business closing WBA will not change.
The minimum and maximum WBAs and MBAs change each year for new claims filed after the first Sunday in July.
Second Benefit Year
To be eligible for a second claim year, you must earn wages in covered employment of at least eight times your weekly benefit amount since the effective date of your previous unemployment insurance claim. Second benefit year claims can still be filed even if eight times the weekly benefit has not been earned. After eight times the weekly benefit amount of the previous claim year has been earned, contact us at email@example.com or by phone at 866-239-0843, Monday through Friday from 8:00am - 4:30pm.
Example: If your last unemployment claim was paying $450 per week you would have to show $3,600 ($450 x8) in earnings since you filed your last claim.


text:
Early Success In Vegas for the Knicks
The Knicks began the 2014 NBA Summer League on a high note with a 76-64 win over the Dallas Mavericks Friday, a successful coaching debut for Derek Fisher. A starting five of Shane Larkin, Tim Hardaway Jr., Cleanthony Early, Cameron Moore, and Cole Aldrich provided a sense of the type of young talent that the Knicks are showcasing in Las Vegas.
Aldrich, who was re-signed by the team shortly after the game, immediately had the Cox Pavilion gasping when he pinned a ball against the backboard. Larkin dished out 5 assists to go along with 10 points and had the tough task of guarding Gal Mekel, a former teammate in Dallas. Tim Hardaway Jr. showcased the ability to attack the rim and get to the line, finishing the game 10-12 from the stripe on his way to dropping 25. Cleanthony Early also played a big role in this one, finishing with 13 points including an incredible dunk on 6' 8" Ivan Johnson. "He jumped," said Early. "I don't know why but he jumped." The former Wichita State standout was smiling for pretty much the entirety of his postgame interviews, to the point where a reporter asked him about it. "I smile all the time," he responded, "It's what I do. I'm happy. I live life, I love life." Knicks fans will be loving life too if Early continues to play the way he did today.
"You can see he is a great player. Really aggressive, a lot of charisma around him," said Shane Larkin, who Early mentioned he spends a great deal of time with off the court. "He goes out there and plays hard, he's really talented guy, really athletic, can shoot the ball, makes plays off the ball, and defensively plays well."
Obviously, there is still some anxiety amongst the Knicks when it comes to Carmelo Anthony's free agency - Fisher said that he had not heard anything new about the situation. "Decisions as free agents are never as easy as they seem," he noted. "A lot of focus is obviously on the contract size. But athletes often don't get the credit for thinking beyond their sport. It's about more than basketball. Guys have wives, families, kids, and moving is tough. There is a lot that goes into being a free agent."


text:
Smash Review: On Broadway ... Maybe?Carla Day at .
Goodbye Boston, Hello New York! Maybe.
On the Smash Season 2 premiere, Bombshell exploded - and not in a good way. After a successful preview in Boston, the show seemed to be destined for Broadway. Then, trouble hit from all sides: money issues, theatre blocking, writer depression, director sex scandal and negative gossip throughout the Broadway network. Will Bombshell make it "On Broadway?"
These issues make the show's previous problems seem like nothing, but in many ways the dysfunctional lives of those involved in the production may be its saving grace. Eileen will be able to keep the main players on hold, since no one else will take them.
All the changes were apparent right away. No more Michael, Leo, Ellis, Dev and a swift kick out the door to Frank. The casting changes from Smash Season 1 to Season 2 were handled in a natural manner. I'm looking forward to show's shift from personal dramas to the creative theatre world.
One main consistency is the rivalry between Karen and Ivy. Right off the bat, it was clear that Karen has the upper hand on Ivy and that's not going to change any time soon. They are perfect nemeses for each other. Despite all they have been through, it was no surprise that Karen would want Ivy off the show.
After Ivy's selfish behavior, she was making the move in the right direction. Her attempted suicide in Boston failed and apparently no one even knew about it. She even reached out to Julia to find a way to keep her job. She may have gone to Karen too late, but she laid it all out there. In that moment, Ivy was able to release the pain she'd been holding inside.
I felt sorry for Ivy. She made some horrible choices, but they shouldn't prevent her from having a successful career. Ivy was making a real effort to change. She not only auditioned for a ensemble job, but she left the diva attitude from her Marilyn audition behind. When she found Derek on the doorsteps, she didn't jump back into his arms. And, even after she was fired, she was there to perform for Eileen at the Broadway event. This new Ivy is one that I'm going to be cheering to see succeed.
Karen hasn't turned into quite the diva Ivy was initially, but she's getting there. She made it clear that she was the lead on Bombshell. Her confidence and empowerment was a pleasure to see, especially with success in her professional life helping her personal life too. She may still hold a grudge against Ivy, but she's over Dev and ready to move on.
I already adore Karen and Jimmy together. He has a tough exterior, but his song showed there is much more to him. Did Karen go over the line to sing his song at the party? Maybe, but she didn't know Jimmy well enough to foresee the problem.
In the end, she was the push he needed to get his music heard. Even though Karen has yet to perform on Broadway, she has the connections to get Jimmy and Kyle's musical in the hands of influential people. If Derek sees potential, they will get their shot. Kyle was right to tell Jimmy this was their one shot and that opportunity may never come around again. Plus, there's definitely some heat between Jimmy and Karen.
Smash's new direction was well set up in the first two hours. I still love Karen and that she's gained the respect that she deserves. At the same time, I'm glad that Ivy is changing from an annoying diva into someone likable.
Could Ivy end up as Marilyn on Bombshell, while Karen leads the new Broadway show?
Odds and Ends
- Veronica's (Jennifer Hudson) performances were amazing. She will be a great mentor for Karen. Their duet was beautiful as well.
- Eileen's money troubles are going to be a problem. It was odd that her ex-husband ratted her out to the Justice department, but then without a fight gave her seats to the Broadway dinner. He got his wish though, he's going to get a piece of Bombshell.
- Derek has always had a thing for the ladies. While it's disappointing that he is being sued for sexual harassment, it provides a reason for him to continue on with Bombshell rather than move on to another project. It was kinda nice to see him humbled by this experience. Would the women have gone for him if he wasn't a director?
- Julia was a bit annoying. Get over it. Move on. Instead of dwelling on the bad reviews, fix it! Tom and Julia have a strong partnership, but I'm not sure it will survive her depression. Are apology muffins enough?
- "It's time to retire the scarfs." -- Tom to Julia. I never noticed the scarves until people were tweeting and commenting about them. Funny nod to the critics and reason for her to give them up.
- The music throughout the two hours was top notch. My favorite two songs and performances were when Karen sang Jimmy's song at the party and Karen's duet with Veronica.
Carla Day is a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow her on Twitter and on Google+.


text:
Frezza Luxury Apartment A great luxury apartment located a few steps from Piazza di Spagna, recently renovated and well furnished with important paintings and antique furniture (Louis XVI style). The apartment is located in an ancient and sumptuous palace in the heart of Rome.
- Air Conditioning
- Kitchen
- Free WiFi
- Washer
- Dryer
- Elevator