Well, no one wants to see anyone get taken for a ride, but when I learned that Mark Rich got scammed by Bernie Made-Off - I just thought to myself that is poetic justice indeed. I can only imagine a conversation that might have transpired;

Mark: "Hey Bernie, where is my money big guy?"
Bernie: "Oh, don't worry, your money is in the mail!"
Mark: "But, Bernie you told me that last time, what's up?"
Bernie: "Well, I didn't say it was in the mail on the way to you. You see, I mailed it to family members."
Mark: "You did what?"
Bernie: "I mailed your money in checks to my family for Chanukah, so like I said your money was in the mail...Mark, you know I would never lie to you."

Yes, I fully realize that it is not really fair to make humor out of such a serious issue, after all, many of those taken for millions of dollars were nonprofit groups and that is just totally unfortunate. We are in a recession and no one wants to see charities get the short end of the stick.

Indeed, in the end maybe a little humor might help us all cope with this estimated 50 billion dollar take down over Bernie's Ponzi Scheme. It is truly amazing that he was able to hide this from the world, the regulators, the charities, the country club, and all his investors for so many years. Apparently, Bernie is one very smart man who used his intellect in a most insidious manner. We should probably not forget this, otherwise financial history will repeat.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

This article concentrates on helping performers take the necessary steps towards professionalism and also helps comedians finding their "zone". It applies to every kind of comedy; stand-up comedy, theatre and other performance arts where comedy is used.

I am a magician myself, but I perform magic mixed with comedy. I have been a professional performer for 15 years, so I have some understanding of what I'm talking about. Comedy is a universal language, everybody respond to it and laughter makes life easier, lighter and happier. To be able to produce quality stand-up comedy is a very important thing in the modern stressful world.

If people think you are funny in everyday life, you probably have a good sense of comedy, you are gifted and you have good timing. If you also enjoy being the center of attention, then I suggest you try a career as a performing artist, because it is obviously something that falls naturally to you.

It so happens, that in this world some of the most gifted people are waiting tables or working in offices and feel bad about their life. They feel they have something to give to this world, but for some reason they haven't been able to make the decision. It's understandable in a sense that this world encourages people to study and get academic education. It requires much courage and self belief to start career as a performer, but it is also very important to do if you have it in you.

Actually a person can succeed in comedy business without ever getting on stage; he can write sitcoms, screenplays and articles, he can do advertising, comics and other related stuff. But most artists of course get onstage doing stand-up, theatre and other performances.

I have learned best from mistakes. To do something wrong in front of your friends can hurt a little, but doing something wrong in front of hundred people in a real life stand-up situation can really hurt! Mistakes have taught me great lessons and gotten me to study my errors in detail. I have understood that I need a solid base to work on, and that means well rehearsed routines. Sometimes it's ok to improvise, especially when someone shouts from the audience or when you need to handle a heckler in a correct way. But other than that, everything should be so well rehearsed you could do it anytime, anywhere. On that base you are free to move and breathe as a performer.

Finding the "zone" can be very difficult for a comedian. I feel most of this is related to finding your stage persona. So many times we hear people say "just be yourself" when we feel insecure and are getting on stage, but nothing is further from the truth in real life. If we want to be able to consistently perform successfully, we need a stage persona. That persona has a "funny attitude" or a certain edge or angle to his being that makes people like him. When you get on stage and you get laughs, there is something you do right and you need to take notes, ask your friends and videotape your shows to understand what this "angle" is. Then work with it, build your stage persona around it and do lots of performances. Nothing is better than working a lot, because you will establish yourself and your stage persona is growing stronger and more believable.

The best way to get material for your act is to capture spontaneous moments. These moments in life are funny and they carry the right attitude and edge. Study them and practice them, combine with other material you already have and you are well on your way to becoming a successful comedy stand-up performer.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kim_Wist

Most men want nothing to do with purses, although a few have probably wondered, with today's required hoard of sophisticated gadgetry, whether a “man purse” might be practical. After all, it’s just a fancy, high-priced wallet – isn’t it?

Well, maybe not. Gucci's collection of carryalls range from $300 to over $3,000. Fendi, you say? Worse. They have a $6,600 bag in their collection. Prada may be sensible for keeping their bags under two grand. I can't think of many things you'd spend that much money on, and this alone strikes fear in the minds of the most-modern of men. Truth is, there’s more to this leather-on-a-string accessory than meets the eye. There's power in the purse strings, gentlemen.

At some point, a girlfriend, wife or mother has likely asked you a truly heart-stopping question: “Could you fetch my cell phone from my purse?” “Would you hold on to 'it' for me, while I adjust one of my shoes”…in public?! Your approach to this request was akin to a big, hairy spider that crept inside the house, and you, holding the live snake with two fingers like a week-old pair of socks, replied, “You do it,” garnering 'the look', the one all men get from time to time.

You failed the test, one similar to a dog's attempt to mark its territory. A woman's purse is a sacred vessel holding her most precious necessities – and a few items the men they love can’t carry themselves. If it doesn't fit in the bag, its not worth taking along, something only women understand.

But what makes a purse such an idol of status? The flashier the bag, it seems, the more wealthy and tasteful the owner. The idea is as old as Egypt, where ancient hieroglyphs show people carrying jewel-encrusted pouches. In medieval times, men carried “purses” containing currency strapped around their waist for the long journey between trading posts. Somewhere along the way, the purse and the wallet went separate ways, and by the 1920’s, a simple pouch used as a functional carrying case became the status symbol of the contemporary woman.

Today there’s so much stereotyping going on that – to me – a purse becomes just another target for pigeon-holed banter. Even the name “purse” is politically incorrect; brand name designers refer to them as “handbags” now. The simple truth? Women have purses, tea (oops, wait a minute; I like tea) and make-up; men have sports, beer and war paint. Each have rightful places in society, that's all we need to know.

Men and women are diverse and wonderful creatures. We have struggled to understand each other for eons, but the caveman I dream of saved just enough loin skin from the hunt so Jane could make herself a nice little brooch. The tribesmen likely stared at the fearsome object in wonder, not unlike today’s man whose eyes gloss over when his girl mentions the “p” word.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marc_Zeale