How Do You Effectively Explain A Billion To The Next Generation, Especially On The Topic Of Taxes?
a. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.
b. A billion minutes ago Jesus walked the earth.
c. A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the stone age.
d. A billion days ago no-one walked the earth on two bare feet.
e. A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it.
While this thought is still fresh in our minds, let’s take a look at New Orleans. It’s amazing what you can learn with a little simple division..
Louisiana Senator, Mary Landrieu (D), is presently asking Congress for $250,000,000,000 (250 Billion dollars) to rebuild New Orleans. Interesting number, what does it mean?
If you are one of 484,674 residents of New Orleans (every man, woman, and child) you each get $516,528.
If you have one of the 188,251 homes in New Orleans, your home gets $1,329,787.
If you are a family of four, your family gets $2,066,012.
Washington D.C…. Hello!!!…. Are all your calculators broken?!!!
You? the Next Creator of a Million Dollar Idea?
When asked about the source of his genius, the great American inventor Thomas Alva Edison (1847 to 1931) had this to say to aspiring inventors, “Make a habit of looking out for new and interesting ideas which have already been used by others successfully”. You see, when we don’t have the right tool or idea in hand, we can use other objects that may be meant for something else. This is one of the best way to use creative problem solving.
As simple as this idea may sound, what keeps us from utilizing it? Psychologists call this “functional restriction”. Which means having seen that an implement works well for what it was designed to do, we fail to see or visualize what else we can use it for. Our brain stores a great number of different representations of every object that we use. We tend to compartmentalize different images or words in our memories. In most instances, a certain image will always correspond to the same concepts.
Let’s take for example the humble paper-clip. Most people who use a paper-clip to hold together notes, letters or maybe dollar bills. Can you think of any other uses for it? Wonderful wire sculptures have been molded from paper clips, I remembered someone in the office using a straightened paper-clip to pry open the door of a jammed CD_ROM drive of a computer. In Austria, a creative paper-clip competition drew in an astonishing 100,000 users for the humble paper-clip.
In most cases, we only think of those links which are closely associated with the object on hand. Take for example a wooden stool. However some problems make it essential to not only think of the obvious connections but also to dwell a little further of what else the object can be used. We can become more imaginative if we can store individual fragments and new combinations of objects in different memory compartments. Thinking wider, a stool then can be an prop in a circus act, you can juggle a set of stools, to hold a lion back in a circus act, a stool can be used to reach for something in a high cupboard or to be used as firewood or as a work of art.
Pilots in World War II have been known to use chewing gum to plug the bullet holes in their airplanes. What can you use a glass bottle for? My grandmother used to use one to roll over peanuts to crush them to bits to make peanut candy. You can put flowers in them, or use it to hold a message if you’re ever stranded on a deserted island. Memory trainers have cleverly used images of words and pictures to formed clever associations to something as abstract as number or mathematical formulas. Anything from a shopping list, historical dates and scientific facts can be memorized easily by using what the brain is already very familiar with. Besides holding promise for accelerated learning, it can be developed and mastered as a study skill for any subject in school. Also, it is surprisingly simple to use.
Many a good marketing idea have used ideas borrowed from elsewhere. Putting nicotine replacement in chewing gum to help smoker’s break the habit for example. And how come no one has ever thought of putting good old plain water in cardboard cartons normally used for soft drinks? One woman in the US did and you can now sip water by putting a straw through a hole in a cardboard carton. The idea has taken America by storm, imagine being able to transport huge loads of drinkable water cheaply and hygienically to any disaster-stricken areas like post Hurricane Katrina New Orleans.
So look at the everyday things around you, can you borrow ideas from them? Necessity may be the mother of invention, but your creativity may help to make you rich one day.
Martin Mak has developed a new program to help people improve their memory and enhance their learning experience. Find out how with his popular and free ecourse at;
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Will There Be Any Nintendo Wii’s In Orlando, Fl In The Next Two Weeks?
I’m going there for the Mardi Gras Holiday (Yes, i live in New Orleans) but anyway, we were going for vacation and I was thinking, no Wii’s here….they got to have some in Florida. I know the Wii’s are low on stock but I REALLY WANT ONE!!!! So if anybody lives in or is around Orlando, Fl, could you please tell when they’ll have Wii’s or if they have them already? Thanks
If That Over The Next 50 Yrs, The Water Level Will Increase, Why Rebuild New Orleans Where It Is?
I was watching a show on the History channel on Global Warming, and conservitively the water level will increase at least 5 ft over the next 50 years.( it could be 80 feet worse case). Also on another channel the News was talking ablut the levi system in New Orleans( I learned that it is the only American city built below sea level and needs the levi system to keep our the Gulf). If this is true, why would we rebuild the city of New Orleans in the same place, knowing that we can not keep the water out no matter what of levi system we build? Why don’t we face the facts and do what is responcible with our tax dollars?
My Husband And I Are Going To New Orleans Next Week. Any Tips On Where We Should Go And What We Should See?
We are more so into art and history … we like to have a good time as well.
I Am Staying In The French Quarter In New Orleans Next Week. I Need A Daily Rental Gym. Are Any Available?
Are there any gyms near the Iberville Suites. Just found out it cost $12 per day for their gym.
Consider Chartering a Private Airplane For Your Next Vacation in France
The Loire Valley became the favourite residence of kings who during the Renaissance period entertained in lavish style while enjoying the incredible beauty of the landscape. The castles still stand in all their glory representing the majesty and grandeur of the architecture of that period and the enchanting charm of France’s fabulous past.
Today, the Val de Loire and especially the 100 mile stretch from Orleans to Blois and Angers continues to lure visitors to explore the splendid French countryside with its historic chateaux and abbeys, and to enjoy some of the best food and wines in the world. You too can enjoy some of that lavish style by unwinding in a castle rented exclusively for a vacation with family and friends or for just a long weekend.
The Loire Valley is well placed being only 2 hours south of Paris. If you need to fly seriously consider a private charter. “The saying “Getting there is half the fun” became obsolete with the advent of commercial airlines.” – Henry J. Tillman
Sir Mick Jagger lead singer of the Rolling Stones and part time Touraine resident, regulary charters a private, three-person taxi-plane to whisk him from Tours airport to London in only 70 minutes. Sir Mick loves the Loire Valley and he owns a charming 16th century castle called La Fourchette in a quaint town near Amboise.
He avoids the busier times when the daily Ryanair flight from London Stanstead lands and dumps its passengers and picks up a new load to return to London. The staff at the airport are used to private charter flights. The Tours airport staff say of Sir Mick “He has never caused us any problem: A simple, straightforward person, …”
Year after year, more and more people decide to charter a private jet for a family vacation or with a group of friends. A private jet is not just for the wealthy. You do not have to Sir Mick or a Russian Billionaire.
You and your friends can charter one without a lot of dough. Chartering a private jet lets you choose your time to fly. Often private jets won’t even cost more than first class. No schedules to adhere to, no hours of standing by.
The obvious benefit of chartering a private aircraft is saving valuable time. With commercial airlines you need to arrive a minimum of two hours in advance of your time of departure, stand in line for security checks then stand in line again for check-in – you have to go through torture before your flight has even begun.
Once on board you are usually squeezed in like a sardine in cattle class. Meals are totally uninspiring. Other passengers may smell, be obnoxious and horrible, rude and frightful. There is absolutely nothing romantic or exciting or fun about catching a commercial flight, let alone a no frills one.
The commercial airlines of the world have access to no more than 500 airports across the globe. Having to wait to take connecting flights can add hours and hours sometimes days and inconvenience to your itinerary. It also highly increases the risk of your luggage being misdirected or even worse lost.
A privately chartered aircraft can take you to any of over 13,500 airports and fields worldwide directly from any location you choose. In a private jet you’ll travel in the lap of luxury. Every whim attended to, like you’re royalty.
Check out some charter brokers who will rent you a private jet. It is cheaper than you think to take a flight you will not regret! To find a good charter broker begin with the internet. Because private jets are becoming so popular there are many more private jet chartering companies to turn to for help all the time.
Corina Clemence operates a luxury french chateau in the Loire Valley near Blois, for up to fifteen people perfect for family holidays and for touring vineyards and chateaux and relaxing. It is ideal for a french wedding, party or event. Rent the whole castle or rent a suite. Rent a castle in France. Hire castle – hire chateau Rent castle http://www.loirechateau.com Rent chateau France
The Girls Next Door Season 5 Episode 17- Part 1 (hd)
http://www.watch-girlsnextd…
The ladies go to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras.
The ladies invite their moms to the mansion and treat them to a spa visit to celebrate Mother’s Day.
girls next…
Next To Blow….. New Orleans
Kidd-Kidd of Young Money Entertainment and Gar of Chopper City Boyz freestyle in front of Nuthin but Fire Records
Nat and Alex Wolfe: The Next Big Thing
When your mother is an actress and your father is a jazz pianist the chances that you’ll wind up in show business are fairly good. Yet, even with pedigree on their side Nat and Alex Wolfe still defied the odds by becoming rock stars before they turned 10-years-old.
Nat and Alex Wolfe are real-life brothers who formed “The Naked Brothers Band” before they were even in school. The name arrived after the brothers jumped out of the bathtub and started singing “we’re the naked brothers band!” Incidentally, there’s a similar story involving Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis.
Nat was born in 1994 and Alex in ’97. Most of us own CD’s older than that.
While in preschool, Nat formed a band with his friends-most of whom had famous parents-called The Silver Boulders. The band borrowed “silver” from The Silver Beatles (the original name of the Beatles) and “boulders” is a synonym of the word “stones”, as in The Rolling Stones.
Nat plays the keyboards, while Alex, inspired by Ringo Starr, plays the drums. They both write songs.
When Nat and Alex were 9 and 6 respectively, they went to record a demo with their father Michael Wolfe (former band leader and musical director of The Arsenio Hall Show). That’s when their mother, Polly Draper (former star of the television drama thirtysomething) got the idea for a mock-documentary about the band.
Thus The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie was born.
This low budget independent film featured a slew of celebrities, mostly friends of Draper and Wolfe, as well as the entire cast of thritysomething. Despite featuring the entire cast of thirtysomething, the movie was good enough to catch the attention of Nickelodeon.
After some initial arm twisting (the parents were reluctant to put their kids on television), the network convinced Draper and Wolfe to turn The Naked Brothers into a television series.
The series began in February of 2007 and is now in its third season. It’s one of the highest rated shows in Nickelodeon’s history.
Now fans can buy Nat and Alex Wolfe tickets as the brothers embark on their second national tour. These kids will have logged two tours of America before finishing high school. Fans can catch the brothers in cities like Anaheim, Dallas, Los Vegas and New Orleans.
Cynics may be tempted to think Nat and Alex were shoved into the spotlight by over bearing parents. However, Draper and Wolfe don’t need to live vicariously through their children; they’ve already had success in the entertainment world.
Granted, Draper is now regulated to guest starring on Law and Order’s and CSI’s, but she’s still an accomplished actress. Wolfe may not be a household name, but he’s had an impressive and successful career in music.
Either are the kids looking for a paycheck. Besides living off of thirtysomething and Arsenio Hall Show money, Draper’s brother is Tim Draper, the man widely recognized as creating “viral marketing.” In fact, the Drapers come from long line of venture capitalists. As you can see, there’s no pressure on Nat and Alex to be the family’s bread winner.
It’s obvious that these kids want to rock and it’s obvious that they’re not being pushed beyond their ability to cope by fame-hungry parents, but what about their music? Certainly they have to be nothing more than insipid teeny-boppers playing shallow, obnoxious bubble gum pop?
You would think so, but that’s not the case.
Sure their lyrics lack the maturity necessary to appeal to adults, but these kids actually have talent. It would not come as a surprise if the Wolfe Brothers grow up and have successful and relevant careers in the music industry.
This comes as very good news for parents forced to chaperon their kids to Nat and Alex Wolfe concerts in Englewood or Houston for example. The brothers’ music, highly influenced by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, is far better than anything you’ll hear at a Miley Cyrus concert.
If your kids want to see Nat and Alex Wolfe this summer you should probably take them. That way, when the brothers become significant forces in rock and roll you can say you saw them way back when.
