Injecting New Ideas

Most of us have been brought up to accept government health policies. We have grown accustomed to believing in health strategies that are portrayed to be in our best interest. We believe, because we expect people to be like us, fair and just. Yet, inherently we know that most decisions are made with profits in mind. We shake our heads that governments wouldn't lie to us, especially if what they're saying is about our health or the health of our children. Paradoxically, most of us don't believe politicians to be very honest people. However, in the end, the majority of people do what they're told, in the illusion that someone else is looking after them and forgetting that companies back up politicians.

Vaccines are comprised mainly of mutilated or dead viruses, mixed in some soluble concoction. When you are injected with a vaccine, you are actually being given the virus. The goal is that your body develops antibodies to fight that virus, should it ever be introduced into your body in its full glory. It is common to suffer side effects related to a vaccine, some more severe than others.

While working with youth and adults for a number of years, I'm often overwhelmed with the number of people experiencing the 'worst flues' of their lives after a few days, (or weeks) of receiving the H1N1 vaccine. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of getting the vaccine, when the result is getting the actual ailment? I have encountered students who lost weeks from school because of flues, some even experienced paralysis following the inoculation. For example, there has been an emergence of cases of Narcolepsy being reported in children in Finland and Sweden following vaccinations with H1N1. Many doctors and health care professionals in that country refuse to take the vaccine themselves. When it comes to Gardasil, the preventative vaccine that supposedly protects young women from 4 types of HPV; diseases associate with cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancers. Young women are being subjected to painful and debilitating illnesses as a result of this vaccine, yet health professionals keep toting it as safe. People are not being given full information regarding the side effects of the vaccine. Written information is biased, presenting only the benefits of the drug, and non of the controversy surrounding it. See the website from the One Click Group - End the Lie.

In my line of work, young women have shared with me some of their personal health issues; from chronic, painful low abdomen pains, to suspicious cell growth to cancer diagnosis. When I asked this group of young women if they ever received the Gardasil vaccine, they have all said 'yes'.

Recently I was shocked by what my son shared with me. As a grade 7 student, and during one of the routine public health inoculation visitations at his school, the nurses announced that the girls needed a 'special vaccine' and that if they thought they might be pregnant, they should announce it. My son was confused. How can any of the girls in my class be pregnant? He asked me. He had no idea what the vaccine was for, and neither did most of the young girls. I can't image a 12 year old girl putting her hand up in class to announce she might be pregnant! Where do these people get their training? And why aren't these young girls and their parents made aware of all the risks involved. They get a slanted, one sided view that H1N1 and Gardasil, are necessary and safe vaccines, while no opposing information explaining short or long term side effects is presented to them in an objective fashion. News agencies only promote the vaccines through public health announcement, while never presenting cases where people have either died or have been mutilated as a result of taking these inoculations.

The question that comes to my mind is: Why are our children receiving so many vaccines? For what purpose? This is not a conspiracy theory, but a valid question in light of increased vaccination programs. Dr. Ben Goldacre: on a talk on TED.com speaks about 'Battling Bad Science'. His talk focusses on how pharmaceuticals only publish positive results and distort the evidence to present seemingly safe drugs. As a result, health professionals end up prescribing drugs and vaccines without really knowing any of the potential dangers.

Isn't it time that we take matters into our own hands. Let's become more informed citizens, let's not just accept what is dished out to us. Let’s question whether drugs and vaccines are truly necessary or beneficial to our health. Seek to know if they have been properly tested, and if the results have been properly published. Do a self-assessment to determine if the risks outweigh the benefits of accepting such an intervention before you allow someone to inject unknown fluid into yours' or your child's bloodstream.

We need to encourage school principals, teachers, PTAs to look at all sides of an issue, see both sides of the data, to know whether or not vaccinations are effective or necessary, or outright harmful.

Pharmaceuticals have vested interests, and it is a common fact that many pharmaceutical executives have bounced in and out of public government office. Medicine is a big business and it is tied intractably with politics. Be aware, not everything is being done in your best interest. If you have doubts about a certain drug of vaccine, refuse it! After all, most of our grandparents lived long lives and they didn't have most of the inoculations we give our children today. In fact, it is a misguided belief that life spans in the western world increased due to vaccinations, but in fact, the dramatic increase was more a resulted of the implementation of sterilization of surgical instruments and improvements in daily hygiene practices.

What Makes the Best Bars?

From a high-class hotel bar to a low-down dives, there's a favorite haunt out there for everyone. But what is it that makes the best bars?

Of course, the drinks play a big role. Some places choose to go the generic route and keep an extensive wine list and a wide selection of beers on tap, while others choose to specialize in or concentrate on a certain drink. If a bar makes a mean bloody Mary, that can contribute plenty of word-of-mouth appeal. Whether the place offers fancy mixologist-style drinks, great local craft beers, or a traditional selection of cocktails and cheap pitchers of domestic beers, the most important thing is that the menu suits the clientele.

The best bars feature talented, appealing bartenders. Some do tricks with bottles, others invent customized drinks for their favorite customers, and still others serve as provisional therapists for downtrodden barfly’s. The common denominator is that great bartenders engage with their patrons in a way that keeps them coming back for more. Of course, the folks behind the bar should also be expected to make great drinks and serve them promptly.

An amazing staff engages the customers, but the customers create a sense of community. Who frequents the place, and how do they act toward each other? How well do they know each other? If a bar has a number of regulars who are loyal to it, it can serve as a place that offers a spirit of fraternity and friendship. The best bars work to encourage this sense of community by getting involved in local events or sponsoring local sports teams. Others honor their beloved regulars by providing them with customized steins that are kept behind the bar.

There's something to be said for great atmosphere, although it's not always easily achieved. Some historic establishments are truly unique because they give you a sense of legacy and continuity, and they're mainstays of the city's drinking culture. Decor has a significant bearing on an establishment's ambiance as well. Whether it's going for an upscale, classy feel or more of a dimly lit, dive-y kind of mood, it has to really commit to a certain element for the overall atmosphere to be effective. Some places even choose a particular theme, such as sports or a geographic location, and let that dictate the nature of the atmosphere.

The best bars tend to have access to clean, comfortable, well-stocked bathrooms. Especially since bathroom facilities are so heavily used in a bar setting, it's important for the staff to stay on top of cleanup duties. On the other side of things, some seedy, beloved neighborhood dive bars actually seem to add to their reputation and appeal by embracing their lack of sanitation.

6 Components of Great Jazz

Everyone seems to love jazz music but often times the styles of jazz are confused and blurred. To further complicate matters, listeners (and dancers) often ask "What is great jazz?" or "How do I know if what I'm listening to is 'great jazz'"?

It's difficult to put in words, but let's give it a try. Remember jazz legend Louis Armstrong says: "If you have to ask what jazz is, you'll never know." While jazz can be broken into elements and much has been written on jazz theory, the most important thing to keep in mind is that the spirit that characterizes truly great music can't be dissected. The first rule of thumb of identifying great jazz music is that if you like it, if it touches your soul, then it's great.

Think of it this way, it's like walking into a museum or art gallery and asking to see great paintings or sculptures. Or worse, ask an artist to explain his or her painting to you. If the artist despises you, he/she may offer you some words by way of explanation, but great art is not meant to be explained. It either hits you, or it doesn't. It bypasses the part of the brain that analyzes and seeks to categorize or logically explain things and goes straight from the eyes to the "Ah Ha!" of your heart and soul. Music speaks to you in the same way.

Let's talk about what you're hearing. That's different. Here are 6 elements of "great" jazz music. Jazz can be divided into many different styles: traditional jazz, contemporary jazz, dixieland jazz, progressive jazz, modern jazz. Nevertheless, there are generally 6 elements that are key to all good jazz music: Improvisation, Syncopation, Blue Notes, Freedom, Interaction, and Feeling.

IMPROVISATION is truly the heart of all jazz music. When a performer forgets what is written on the page by the composer and begins to speak with his instrument from his head and heart, you know that you are now seeing a real conversation on stage. The musicians are conversing within a set structure, the language of music. And when you see musicians who play together regularly or are good enough to find that connection instantaneously, you can see that they are truly speaking to each other, listening and receiving, through a musical dialogue.

SYNCOPATION: deals with the idea of rhythm. In our universe of space and time, everything vibrates. Vibration consist of two things: on and off. It is the constant interaction of the on and off (crests and troughs) that cause us to experience the universe. Those on and offs are expressed over time. So here's the jazz music. When you fool around with those vibrations from a very rigid form (strict rhythm) to either slower or faster but with variety you'll get "Syncopation". It's fun. It's what you like in music. It's what you're relating to when you dance. It's what MOVES you in jazz music.

BLUE NOTES are an important part of a jazz musician's vocabulary in the musical conversation. Within scales and keys can be certain altered notes, some of which are called "Blue Notes." Blue notes are key to creating dissonance and harmony, tension and resolution.

The next three elements are less of a function of music but more of a function of the musicians spirit. It is how the following three functions affect the first three that should interest you.

Weekend Events in London

Garden History Tour:

The Garden History tour explores the recent transformation and diverse history of Kensington Palace Gardens. This free tour provides a chance for visitors to enter the majestic baroque inspired Sunken Garden, which is generally closed to the public. You will also get an opportunity to watch the iconic Golden Gates. You can simply sign up in White Court or at the Queen's entrance on 31st August and entry tickets are not required.

BBC Proms - 2013:

Enjoy this weekend with the BBC Proms Saturday matinee 5: Camerata Nordica at Cadogan Hall between 3pm and 4:30pm. The BBC Prom 65: Film Music Prom will take place at the Royal Albert Hall between 7:30pm to 9:45pm. It features:

Addinsell - Warsaw Concerto
Alwyn - The True Glory
Bennett-Lady Caroline Lamb
Lucas-Ice Cold in Alex
Walton-Battle of Britain

Prom 65 includes music from '2001: A Space Odyssey', 'Alien', 'Independence Day', 'Superman' and many more.

Buckingham Palace - Exclusive Evening Tours:

The Exclusive Evening Tour of Buckingham Palace provides visitors with a chance to know more about the artworks and the history of the palace and state rooms. An expert guide will accompany visitors and you can have a look at the chandeliers, gilded ceilings, the State Rooms which have paintings, furniture’s, porcelains and sculptures. You will also be served with a glass of Champagne in the Bow Room. Each tour holds maximum 30 persons and the ticket costs £70 each person.

The Press Photographer's Year 2013:

This event is in its seventh year and highlights the most popular and memorable images taken for and used by the UK media. The Press Photographer's Year 2013 is a free exhibition and is held at the National Theater's Littleton Foyer. This most popular free exhibition includes eighteen categories including 'The Press Photographer's Year'. The exhibition runs until 31st August from 9:30 am to 11pm from Monday to Saturday.

The British Museum - Art of Influence:

The Art of Influence exhibition in the British Museum features the political art of Asia from 1900 to 1976 including the rarely seen political art from Asia. It is categorized as five sections such as early revolutionary messages (1900-1930), the Asia-Pacific War (1931-1945), post-war reconstruction (post 1945), new society (up to 1976) and key propaganda devices. This exhibition includes posters, prints and drawings, money and medals, teapots, textiles and other objects. This is a free exhibition and happens in Room 91 of the British Museum.

Living in the Nightlife

Nightlife gives you the chance to experience things that you may not be able to do during the day. Whether you are going to a concert or a club, or partying the night away with friends at any location in your area, you will be able to have fun in ways that you cannot when the sun is shining. You will be able to see things that rarely ever happen during the daytime and you will be able to make memories that stay with you forever. If you want to make moments happen right now, then look into the live events and venues that are near you. Find something that you like and go have fun.

Nightlife is not all about dancing the night away at the clubs. Yes, that is something that you can do, but there is far more to do than just that. Along with them, you have live events and concerts, and so much more. These events usually only happen every so often, and sometimes you might find a performer that rarely comes to your location. Whether this is a big named band or someone small and local, you should see what they have to offer. This can give you an incredible performance along with something that you will not always be able to experience, making it a rare and memorable opportunity.

Having fun is easy with nightlife. If you are a social person or you want to experience something amazing, and then look into what is around you. Find a live event or club that offers what you want, and then go. There is a lot to do and you will likely be able to find something that you want to attend. Doing this will help you to bring excitement into your life while you create incredible memories at every turn.

If you are interested in clubs, bars, or similar locations around your town, then see what makes each of them different. If you plan to go on the dance floor all night or if you want the VIP treatment, make sure that the place you visit offers that. You can find a lot to do in these locations, but they are not all the same. Make sure that where you visit offers what you enjoy. This will help you to party for longer while taking advantage of the many possibilities that can be found with local nightlife.

Look into what is happening in your area. Sometimes, clubs and other locations in your area will have an event going on that might interest you. This can be a performer or something special, but it is usually a lot of fun. Make sure that you look into this ahead of time, too. Some of the bigger events might be sold out before the day of the event actually comes. With how popular nightlife is, especially in younger areas with more people, this is very likely to happen. Be prepared so that you know you will attend.