Western Spaghetti by PES

This is a fantastic stop motion video
I don't think I want to eat this spaghetti

The essentials of good business writing

Good business writing is at the heart of successful marketing. Without it you will be at best, misunderstood, at worst, totally ignored. Follow these simple guidelines to ensure your business writing hits the spot.

Write readable sentences by writing the way you talk

There is a misconception that good business writing is complex and flowery. It is simply not true. The only people who can ignore this advice are lawyers by virtue of the fact that it is their intention to make everything more complex than it need be, especially as they are paid by the hour to explain to you what they have written!

Use ordinary words

Don’t try to be too clever; don’t use a long word where a short one will do.

Variety

Vary your punctuation and sentence length to add life and movement to your writing.

Use the personal pronoun

Use "I" or "we" wherever you can.

Make your point

Make your main point early and make it easy to find. Don't introduce new ideas until you have thoroughly explained the first.

Intention

Make your purpose for writing clear. Say what you have found, address the issue or problem and make a recommendation or provide a solution. Tell the reader very clearly what you want them to do. Never make the assumption that the reader will make the mental leap between the information and what you want them to do about it.

Structure

Help your reader get to the point by revealing the structure of the document. Allow them to have control over what they discover and when.

White space

Leave plenty of white space. This can be created by using headings, lists, bullet points and short paragraphs.

Use font types wisely

If in doubt stick to the classic fonts. Don't litter your writing with bold, italics CAPITALS or underline; it makes the text harder to read.

Wherever possible, remember:

• Use the active voice
• Use ordinary words
• Construct clear, simple sentences
• Concrete not abstract – use examples, metaphors and details
• Personal
• Informal, conversational style
• Make every word count or get rid of it
• Use just enough punctuation to assist the reader
• Watch your grammar – don’t switch tense.
• Say what you mean and mean what you say
• Don't use jargon - if you have to, explain it the first time you use it
• Strive to express yourself clearly
• Get to the point fast, or at least allow the reader the option to if they choose to

But most of all have fun with it. Never be afraid to reflect your own personality in your writing and it's okay to break a few rules now and again!

Karen McCreadie is a freelance writer – capable of writing anything from a marketing brochure to a website to ghost writing your next book! Ghost writing is her specialty.

Original article link http://www.flyingsolo.com.au/p196318265_The-essentials-of-good-business-writing.html

I’m going for Wolverine's work-out

This is sort of what I have been doing, that is:

• More exercise
• More protein
• Less carbs
• More regular eating and smaller portions (I have been slack on that these couple of cold weeks)

It’s working for me so far – see me at Gyminee

I like the reference to low HI diet. The less processed the better

Off to the gym this arvo I think :)

ninemsn talks to the hairy man's trainer Michael Ryan about how he got that body.

Fancy a superhero's body? The Hulk is a mean, green muscle machine, Superman's a six-pack wielding cliché and Spider-Man is too lycra-clad to envy. But Hugh Jackman's Wolverine is quite a different story. A well-conditioned torso, chest and arms are something your everyday man could aspire too.

Building up a new burly physique isn't something that only the likes of a celebrity preparing for the part of the animalistic superhero can achieve, of course. According to his personal trainer and good friend, Michael Ryan, it's within all of our reach with a little dedication.

So, is Hugh naturally muscular and therefore not a good representation of your average man?

Not at all! I've worked with him for over 20 years and when we first met he was skinny. In fact, he had chicken legs! He has built his body gradually over the years. He's 39 now and looking better than ever.

Hugh's very well-stacked for his title role in Wolverine. Did you put him through hours of gruelling training a day?

The routine was intense but it was for 1.5 hours for six days a week. It wasn't a complicated regime at all and something anyone can do. It was based on four or five lifting sessions and a cardiovascular session.

The key to our success with his body was variation. A lot of guys head for the gym day-in day-out and do the same thing every time and then wonder why their body stays the same. Make a point of working different muscles, building on the weight you can lift and getting your heart beating with a mix of running, swimming or cross-training.

No tight-clad yoga sessions then?

Not for this role! But we have used yoga in the past to condition his body. It's a fantastic way of toning and elongating muscles.

Ah, but once you've got all that muscle, a few days off and it turns to flab?

Not the case. I think if you ask anyone who has successfully improved their body with a regular workout, going back to old ways is not an option. It's not hard to maintain muscle if you are dedicated to keeping up a routine. Hugh's finished filming now but rang from New York to let me know he's keeping up the good work!

How big a part does diet play in achieving a body like Wolverine's?

It plays a huge part. If you think about the fact that only 1.5 hours is spent training, it's the 22.5 hours after that are the worry. We put Hugh on a six-meals-a-day plan that consisted of high-protein foods. Think fish, meat and pulses.

What we put a big focus on was basing the diet on as low an HI [human interference] diet as possible. Basically as untouched, unmodified by human hands as possible. It's how the body functions at its optimum level.

Does it get harder to achieve a Wolverine-esque body as you get older?

Well Hugh's almost 40 and we didn't face any issues. Men can peak in their mid-40 so age isn't as big a factor as you'd think. Getting the body you want is about balance and dedication.