Michael Jackson dies in LA hospital

June 25, 2009

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Story photo: Michael Jackson dies in LA hospitalFILE - In this Aug. 25, 1993 file photo, American pop star Michael Jackson performs during his ‘Dangerous’ tour in Bangkok. (AP Photo/Jeff Widerner, file)Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - Michael Jackson, the sensationally gifted child star who rose to become the “King of Pop” and the biggest celebrity in the world only to fall from his throne in a freakish series of scandals, died Thursday. He was 50.

Jackson died at UCLA Medical Center after being stricken at his rented home in Holmby Hills. Paramedics tried to resuscitate him at his home for nearly three-quarters of an hour, then rushed him to the hospital, where doctors continued to work on him.

“It is believed he suffered cardiac arrest in his home. However, the cause of his death is unknown until results of the autopsy are known,” his brother Jermaine said. Police said they were investigating, standard procedure in high-profile cases.

Jackson’s death brought a tragic end to a long, bizarre, sometimes farcical decline from his peak in the 1980s, when he was popular music’s premier all-around performer, a uniter of black and white music who shattered the race barrier on MTV, dominated the charts and dazzled even more on stage.

His 1982 album “Thriller” — which included the blockbuster hits “Beat It,” “Billie Jean” and “Thriller” — is the best-selling album of all time, with an estimated 50 million copies sold worldwide.

At the time of his death, Jackson was rehearsing hard for what was to be his greatest comeback: He was scheduled for an unprecedented 50 shows at a London arena, with the first set for July 13.

As word of his death spread, MTV switched its programming to play videos from Jackson’s heyday. Radio stations began playing marathons of his hits. Hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital. In New York’s Times Square, a low groan went up in the crowd when a screen flashed that Jackson had died, and people began relaying the news to friends by cell phone.

“No joke. King of Pop is no more. Wow,” Michael Harris, 36, of New York City, read from a text message a friend had sent him. “It’s like when Kennedy was assassinated. I will always remember being in Times Square when Michael Jackson died.”

The public first knew him as a boy in the late 1960s, when he was the precocious, spinning lead singer of the Jackson 5, the singing group he formed with his four older brothers out of Gary, Ind. Among their No. 1 hits were “I Want You Back,” “ABC” and “I’ll Be There.”

He was perhaps the most exciting performer of his generation, known for his backward-gliding moonwalk, his feverish, crotch-grabbing dance moves and his high-pitched singing, punctuated with squeals and titters. His single sequined glove, tight, military-style jacket and aviator sunglasses were trademarks, as was his ever-changing, surgically altered appearance.

“For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don’t have the words,” said Quincy Jones, who produced “Thriller.” “He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I’ve lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him.”

Jackson ranked alongside Elvis Presley and the Beatles as the biggest pop sensations of all time. He united two of music’s biggest names when he was briefly married to Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie, and Jackson’s death immediately evoked comparisons to that of Presley himself, who died at age 42 in 1977.

As years went by, Jackson became an increasingly freakish figure — a middle-aged man-child weirdly out of touch with grown-up life. His skin became lighter, his nose narrower, and he spoke in a breathy, girlish voice. He often wore a germ mask while traveling, kept a pet chimpanzee named Bubbles as one of his closest companions, and surrounded himself with children at his Neverland ranch, a storybook playland filled with toys, rides and animals. The tabloids dubbed him “Wacko Jacko.”

“It seemed to me that his internal essence was at war with the norms of the world. It’s as if he was trying to defy gravity,” said Michael Levine, a Hollywood publicist who represented Jackson in the early 1990s. He called Jackson a “disciple of P.T. Barnum” and said the star appeared fragile at the time but was “much more cunning and shrewd about the industry than anyone knew.”

Jackson caused a furor in 2002 when he playfully dangled his infant son, Prince Michael II, over a hotel balcony in Berlin while a throng of fans watched from below.

In 2005, he was cleared of charges he molested a 13-year-old cancer survivor at Neverland in 2003. He had been accused of plying the boy with alcohol and groping him, and of engaging in strange and inappropriate behavior with other children.

The case followed years of rumors about Jackson and young boys. In a TV documentary, he acknowledged sharing his bed with children, a practice he described as sweet and not at all sexual.

Despite the acquittal, the lurid allegations that came out in court took a fearsome toll on his career and image, and he fell into serious financial trouble.

Jackson was 4 years old when he began singing with his brothers — Marlon, Jermaine, Jackie and Tito — in the Jackson 5. After his early success with bubblegum soul, he struck out on his own, generating innovative, explosive, unstoppable music.

The album “Thriller” alone mixed the dark, serpentine bass and drums and synthesizer approach of “Billie Jean,” the grinding Eddie Van Halen solo on “Beat It,” and the hiccups and falsettos on “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin‘.”

The peak may have come in 1983, when Motown celebrated its 25th anniversary with an all-star televised concert and Jackson moonwalked off with the show, joining his brothers for a medley of old hits and then leaving them behind with a pointing, crouching, high-kicking, splay-footed, crotch-grabbing run through “Billie Jean.”

The audience stood and roared. Jackson raised his fist.

By then he had cemented his place in pop culture. He got the plum Scarecrow role in the 1978 movie musical “The Wiz,” a pop-R&B version of “The Wizard of Oz,” that starred Diana Ross as Dorothy.

During production of a 1984 Pepsi commercial, Jackson’s scalp sustains burns when an explosion sets his hair on fire.

He had strong follow-up albums with 1987’s “Bad” and 1991’s “Dangerous,” but his career began to collapse in 1993 after he was accused of molesting a boy who often stayed at his home. The singer denied any wrongdoing, reached a settlement with the boy’s family, reported to be $20 million, and criminal charges were never filed.

Jackson’s expressed anger over the allegations on the 1995 album “HIStory,” which sold more than 2.4 million copies, but by then, the popularity of Jackson’s music was clearly waning, even as public fascination with his increasingly erratic behavior was growing.

Cardiac arrest is an abnormal heart rhythm that stops the heart from pumping blood to the body. It can occur after a heart attack or be caused by other heart problems.

Billboard magazine editorial director Bill Werde said Jackson’s star power was unmatched. “The world just lost the biggest pop star in history, no matter how you cut it,” Werde said. “He’s literally the king of pop.”

Jackson’s 13 No. 1 one hits on the Billboard charts put him behind only Elvis Presley, the Beatles and Mariah Carey, Werde said.

“He was on the eve of potentially redeeming his career a little bit,” he said. “People might have started to think of him again in a different light.”

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Associated Press Writers Derrik J. Lang in Los Angeles and Virginia Byrne, Nekesa Mumbi Moody and Jocelyn Noveck in New York contributed to this report.

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Severe Nightmares May Warn of Suicidal Symptoms

June 23, 2009

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By HealthDay - Tue Jun 9, 8:48 PM PDT

- TUESDAY, June 9 (HealthDay News) — Besides disturbing a good night’s sleep, nightmares might be linked to an increased risk of suicide, a new study suggests.

Researchers assessed 82 men and women, ages 18 to 66, who were awaiting an emergency psychiatric evaluation before being admitted to a community mental health hospital. They were asked about their nightmares, insomnia, depression and suicidal tendencies.

 

The study found that severe nightmares were independently associated with increased suicidal symptoms, even after the researchers accounted for the effects of depression.

 

“Sleep disturbances, especially nightmares, appear to be an acute warning sign and risk factor for suicide,” principal investigator Rebecca Bernert, a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at Florida State University, said in a news release from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

 

“Given that poor sleep is amenable to treatment, and less stigmatized than depression and suicide, our findings could impact standardized suicide risk assessment and prevention efforts,” she said.

 

The findings were to be presented June 9 in Seattle at the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies.

 

Sleep complaints are among the top 10 warning signs of suicide, according to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

 

More information

 

The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more about nightmares.

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7 Lucrative Jobs from Obama’s Stimulus Plan

June 21, 2009

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President Barack Obama’s plan to get the U.S. economy going has a strong focus on creating jobs. Two of the bills he’s recently signed, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the Making Home Affordable program, provide funding that will create a wide variety of job opportunities with good salaries. Better yet, many of these jobs don’t require a four-year degree, so job-seekers may be able to move into these careers pretty quickly.
Here’s a selection of some of the best-paying stimulus jobs:

Computer Security Specialist

A big chunk of the ARRA money is dedicated to health-care information-technology initiatives — digitizing medical records so they’re easier to transmit and share between doctors, hospitals and pharmacists. Computer-security experts who can help keep electronic medical records locked away from computer hackers and other unauthorized users will be in high demand as the health-care sector modernizes, says Laurence Shatkin, author of “Great Jobs in the President’s Stimulus Plan.”

Other specialists will be needed to train workers on how to keep the data safe. A brief certificate program may suffice to get you started in this field, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says. “There’s going to be a special role here of how to keep prying eyes away,” Shatkin says.
Median annual salary: $78,376

Cost Estimator

For each of the major infrastructure projects that receive stimulus funding, an estimator must determine the likely cost of material plus labor so that accurate job bids can be submitted and budgets properly prepared. Shatkin says laid-off workers with a background in construction, who are familiar with the industry’s labor and materials costs, should find opportunities here, though many estimators have a four-year degree.
Median annual salary: $58,868

Civil Engineer

For each of these big federally backed construction projects, Shatkin points out, civil engineers must make sure structures are properly designed to withstand the elements. Engineers also make sure construction projects are executed correctly. You’ll need at least a college degree, usually in engineering. But the BLS notes a degree in science or mathematics might work to get you started here, too.
Median annual salary: $66,638

Insulation Installer

The ARRA is focused on making federal facilities more energy efficient, starting with simple methods such as weatherizing buildings with more insulation to save energy. Projects are happening all over the country, Shatkin notes, at science labs, military installations, and other federal buildings. High-school graduates often can receive on-the-job training, the BLS says.
Median annual salary: $44,460

Solar Panel Installer

President Obama has made cleaner, greener energy use a top administration priority. The ARRA includes funding for the installation of solar panels to cut energy use at many federal buildings … and that means someone with an understanding of electric, water and heating systems will need to climb up on the rooftops and put up these systems. Training programs may be as short as six months, Shatkin notes.
Median annual salary: $44,460

Physical Therapy Assistants

The ARRA included an extension of medical benefits for workers laid off in the recent downturn, Shatkin points out. That will keep business brisk for medical professionals, including physical therapy assistants. Assistants may have a two-year degree, or can be trained on the job, to assist patients who need exercises or must use crutches or other devices, according to the BLS.
Median annual salary: $48,999

Loan Officer

Just signed into law in May, legislation entitled Making Home Affordable provides federal incentives for banks to help up to 9 million distressed homeowners renegotiate their loans. Because each mortgage agreement and piece of property is unique, the work is time-consuming — a loan officer must sit down with each homeowner individually.

This initiative is creating a sudden need for more mortgage loan specialists who can renegotiate with homeowners, says Joseph Burkhart, director of recovery-related business development at recruiting firm The Mergis Group in McLean, Va. Burkhart says the majority of the nation’s loan-renegotiation work traditionally took place in the Dallas market, but that the huge volume of loan workouts planned means banks will be hiring all across the country.

“The mortgage industry in January only did 100,000 refis,” he says. “Now they’re projecting that millions of them will take place every month.”

Because of high demand, Burkhart says employers are looking at applicants with a variety of past work experience — former bank loan officers and others who understand contracts. One background that’s of interest, Burkhart says: call-center workers who’ve made contract offers over the phone.
Median annual salary: $43,070

Source: All salary data is from PayScale.com. The salaries listed are median, annual salaries for full-time workers with 5-8 years of experience and include any bonuses, commissions or profit sharing.

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Dating Advice: 6 Ways to Train Your Boyfriend

June 19, 2009

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“You can’t change a man” is one of the oldest cliches in the book. Well, we just discovered some news that challenges that notion, and it comes from an unlikely source: animal trainers.
“Males are card-carrying members of the animal kingdom, and they exhibit a lot of the same behaviors as many other mammals,” says Amy Sutherland, author of “What Shamu Taught Me About Life, Love, and Marriage: Lessons for People from Animals and Their Trainers.” “So they’re likely to respond to some of the same training techniques.”

More Dating Articles from Cosmopolitan:

Sutherland is speaking from experience. After spending a year at an exotic-animal training school, watching students in action, she successfully applied the techniques to her husband. In less than a few months, she was able to curb some of his undesirable traits.
We know you so want in on this. That’s why we uncovered time-tested methods used by the most successful animal trainers on the planet. Then we got top psychologists to show you how to apply those techniques to your guy. Read on and you will soon be able to teach him some new tricks.

#1 BOYFRIEND BUMMER: He’s Allergic to Chores

Indulge His Playfulness
As Used on Chimpanzees. These primates are big mischief makers, so getting them to calm down can be a real challenge. Luckily, if you indulge their silly side, you have a good shot at getting them to pay attention. “When we need the chimps to perform a task, we get on their level and play with them for 5 or 10 minutes,” says Eugene Cussons, rescue director on Animal Planet’s “Escape to Chimp Eden.” Once they’ve had some fun, they’re more willing to heed commands because they instinctively know it’s their turn to return the favor.
Apply It to Your Guy. No matter how old they are, men never quite lose touch with the playful, naughty boy within. Too bad they often pick the worst times to bring out that brat — like when you’re running late for work or need them to do something around the house. To get what you need done, “indulge him with a few minutes of acting goofy,” says Anthony Riche, PhD, author of “Finally! How to Stop Dating Losers Forever.” Then tell him you’ll finish playing with him later, as long as he takes out the trash or does whatever else you need him to do. Since his mind and body are now surging with feel-good chemicals from your brief, fun exchange, he’s less likely to wrinkle his nose at the request, says Riche. Use this technique consistently and, over time, he’ll be less likely to associate chores with drudgery.

#2 BOYFRIEND BUMMER: He Lacks Social Graces

Reward the Good, Ignore the Bad
As Used on Dogs. Pre-training, a pup will sniff crotches and paw at people’s legs. The instinct is to shoo it away, but that only makes it want to sniff and paw more. “Instead, trainers reward the dog when it behaves and ignore any actions they don’t like,” says Sutherland. Since dogs crave affection, they slowly begin to avoid bad habits and opt for good ones.
Apply It to Your Guy. Perhaps your man could use some finessing when it comes to social situations too — say, to curb his habit of telling off-color jokes. When he engages in unseemly behavior, your immediate reaction might be to tell him to knock it off already. But that tactic invariably falls on deaf ears.
“Men don’t want to be treated like children, and if you correct him, he’ll feel like you’re mothering him,” says Patricia Covalt, PhD, author of “What Smart Couples Know.” Instead, ignore him when he’s being obnoxious, and give him some PDA (think a kiss or a tap on the bottom) when he’s acting sweet. Since guys, like dogs, aim to please, he’ll instinctively begin to avoid the behavior that makes you freeze him out. One caveat: Timing is crucial. Be sure to reward him at the exact moment he engages in a positive behavior; otherwise, he won’t be able to make the appropriate connection.

#3 BOYFRIEND BUMMER: He Bolts When You Argue

Keep a Cool Head
As Used on Horses. Beneath the powerful stallion exterior lies a skittish animal. “That’s why they generally respond well to a calming voice and touch from trainers,” says Patricia Barlow-Irick, PhD, equine-behavior specialist in New Mexico.
Apply It to Your Guy. Like horses, men seem to be hardwired to want to bolt at the first sound of irritation. So even if he’s been working your last nerve, try to approach him in a cool, collected manner (remember, as hard as it sounds, this is all going to benefit you in the end). For instance, if you are mad that he hasn’t been planning enough date nights or can’t stand when he forgets to call while he’s out, your instinct might be to yell or get huffy. Instead, keep your composure by taking a few minutes alone before you approach him, then speak in a quiet, even-toned voice. “Calmly telling him what he did wrong will make it easier for him to tune in to what you’re saying,” says Covalt. Touch also plays a crucial role in this scenario: Place your hand on his as you speak. Not only does this buffer the blow of your words, but it also mimics the comforting way a trainer strokes a horse’s mane to calm the animal down.

#4 BOYFRIEND BUMMER: He Stands His Ground

Use Proper Body Language
As Used on Cougars. When trainers want a cougar to bend to their will, they find a middle ground. “Instead of trying to submit or dominate a cougar, trainers try to form a cooperative relationship,” says Sutherland. They walk tall with squared-off shoulders. This stance ensures that the trainers don’t look like prey but they’re not threatening either.
Apply It to Your Guy. Even the most liberated guy can feel emasculated by a fearless chick. So when you’re having a sticky conversation with him, he might be unconsciously bristling at your body language. “If you’re standing really close to him with your hands on your hips and your feet wide apart, he’ll get defensive and instinctively want to fight back,” says body-language expert Patti Wood, author of “Success Signals.” Similarly, if you stand meekly and tilt your head while talking to him, he might take it as a sign that you’re too submissive. “The best way to stay on equal ground is to stand with good posture, your head up, and an open frame so he sees you as being on the same level as he is. This way, he’ll be more apt to want to talk things through with you,” says Wood.

#5 BOYFRIEND BUMMER: He Won’t Drag Himself Off the Couch

Approach Him at the Right Time
As Used on Lions. Lions are, in a word, lazy. According to trainers, they sleep for up to 20 hours a day and only move when they see it as beneficial to themselves. “Trying to get a lion to do something when it’s in resting mode can be very difficult and even dangerous,” says lion wrangler Dave Salmoni, host of Animal Planet’s “After the Attack.” “That’s why we make use of the animal’s active time instead of trying to force it into doing something it doesn’t want to when it’s chilling.”
Apply It to Your Guy. A man in veg-out mode is unlikely to move no matter how much you try to engage him. “You have to gauge when he’s in a productive mood and then pounce to get him to do what you want,” says Riche. If you notice that he prefers working out in the morning, that’s a good time to ask him to help you clean when he’s finished. If you need something done during his downtime and don’t want to wait, bribe him. “Motivate him by making it worth his while,” says Riche. When you feel like you haven’t been able to have a heart-to-heart but he’s in a coma in front of the TV, try plying him with his favorite snack. If his cravings for the food outweigh his interest in the TV, he’ll eventually cave.

#6 BOYFRIEND BUMMER: He’s Not Romantic

Take Baby Steps
As Used on Elephants. These mammals can learn a variety of tasks but only on an incremental timeline. “A trainer would never expect an animal to learn something without teaching it how to do it,” says Sutherland. For example, if trainers want an elephant to paint as part of a circus act, they’ll first show the animal how to curl its trunk around the brush. Next, they’ll have it dip the brush into the paint. Only then would they show it how to create brushstrokes. Animal trainers call this process of using small steps “successive approximations.”
Apply It to Your Guy. The average guy is plenty romantic, but he’s not hardwired to plan out the little details. So if you can’t remember the last time he put together a romantic night for you both, you’ll have to show him the way. Start by staging your apartment with cues that get you going, like candles and a sultry soundtrack. Have your favorite chilled wine on hand so you can ask him to open it before dinner. This creates a ritual in his mind. Eventually, not only will he get a sense of what your romantic needs are, but he’ll also start making a game plan of his own.
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Jury rules against Minn. woman in download case

June 19, 2009

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By STEVE KARNOWSKI, Associated Press Writer Steve Karnowski, Associated Press Writer – Thu Jun 18, 9:08 pm ET
MINNEAPOLIS – A replay of the nation’s only file-sharing case to go to trial has ended with the same result — a Minnesota woman was found to have violated music copyrights and must pay huge damages to the recording industry.

A federal jury ruled Thursday that Jammie Thomas-Rasset willfully violated the copyrights on 24 songs, and awarded recording companies $1.92 million, or $80,000 per song.

Thomas-Rasset’s second trial actually turned out worse for her. When a different federal jury heard her case in 2007, it hit Thomas-Rasset with a $222,000 judgment.

The new trial was ordered after the judge in the case decided he had erred in giving jury instructions.

Thomas-Rasset sat glumly with her chin in hand as she heard the jury’s finding of willful infringement, which increased the potential penalty. She raised her eyebrows in surprise when the jury’s penalty of $80,000 per song was read.

Outside the courtroom, she called the $1.92 million figure “kind of ridiculous” but expressed resignation over the decision.

“There’s no way they’re ever going to get that,” said Thomas-Rasset, a 32-year-old mother of four from the central Minnesota city of Brainerd. “I’m a mom, limited means, so I’m not going to worry about it now.”

Her attorney, Kiwi Camara, said he was surprised by the size of the judgment. He said it suggested that jurors didn’t believe Thomas-Rasset’s denials of illegal file-sharing, and that they were angry with her.

Camara said he and his client hadn’t decided whether to appeal or pursue the Recording Industry Association of America’s settlement overtures.

Cara Duckworth, a spokeswoman for the RIAA, said the industry remains willing to settle. She refused to name a figure, but acknowledged Thomas-Rasset had been given the chance to settle for $3,000 to $5,000 earlier in the case.

“Since Day One we have been willing to settle this case and we remain willing to do so,” Duckworth said.

In closing arguments earlier Thursday, attorneys for both sides disputed what the evidence showed.

An attorney for the recording industry, Tim Reynolds, said the “greater weight of the evidence” showed that Thomas-Rasset was responsible for the illegal file-sharing that took place on her computer. He urged jurors to hold her accountable to deter others from a practice he said has significantly harmed the people who bring music to everyone.

Defense attorney Joe Sibley said the music companies failed to prove allegations that Thomas-Rasset gave away songs by Gloria Estefan, Sheryl Crow, Green Day, Journey and others.

“Only Jammie Thomas’s computer was linked to illegal file-sharing on Kazaa,” Sibley said. “They couldn’t put a face behind the computer.”

Sibley urged jurors not to ruin Thomas-Rasset’s life with a debt she could never pay. Under federal law, the jury could have awarded up to $150,000 per song.

U.S. District Judge Michael Davis, who heard the first lawsuit in 2007, ordered up a new trial after deciding he had erred in instructions to the jurors. The first time, he said the companies didn’t have to prove anyone downloaded the copyrighted songs she allegedly made available. Davis later concluded the law requires that actual distribution be shown.

His jury instructions this time framed the issues somewhat differently. He didn’t explicitly define distribution but said the acts of downloading copyrighted sound recordings or distributing them to other users on peer-to-peer networks like Kazaa, without a license from the owners, are copyright violations.

This case was the only one of more than 30,000 similar lawsuits to make it all the way to trial. The vast majority of people targeted by the music industry had settled for about $3,500 each. The recording industry has said it stopped filing such lawsuits last August and is instead now working with Internet service providers to fight the worst offenders.

In testimony this week, Thomas-Rasset denied she shared any songs. On Wednesday, the self-described “huge music fan” raised the possibility for the first time in the long-running case that her children or ex-husband might have done it. The defense did not provide any evidence, though, that any of them had shared the files.

The recording companies accused Thomas-Rasset of offering 1,700 songs on Kazaa as of February 2005, before the company became a legal music subscription service following a settlement with entertainment companies. For simplicity’s sake the music industry tried to prove only 24 infringements.

Reynolds argued Thursday that the evidence clearly pointed to Thomas-Rasset as the person who made the songs available on Kazaa under the screen name “tereastarr.” It’s the same nickname she acknowledged having used for years for her e-mail and several other computer accounts, including her MySpace page.

Reynolds said the copyright security company MediaSentry traced the files offered by “tereastarr” on Kazaa to Thomas-Rasset’s Internet Protocol address — the online equivalent of a street address — and to her modem.

He said MediaSentry downloaded a sample of them from the shared directory on her computer. That’s an important point, given Davis’ new instructions to jurors.

Although the plaintiffs weren’t able to prove that anyone but MediaSentry downloaded songs off her computer because Kazaa kept no such records, Reynolds told the jury it’s only logical that many users had downloaded songs offered through her computer because that’s what Kazaa was there for.

Sibley argued it would have made no sense for Thomas-Rasset to use the name “tereastarr” to do anything illegal, given that she had used it widely for several years.

He also portrayed the defendant as one of the few people brave enough to stand up to the recording industry, and he warned jurors that they could also find themselves accused on the basis of weak evidence if their computers are ever linked to illegal file-sharing.

“They are going to come at you like they came at ‘tereastarr,’” he said.

Steve Marks, executive vice president and general counsel of the Recording Industry Association of America, estimated earlier this week that only a few hundred of the lawsuits remain unresolved and that fewer than 10 defendants were actively fighting them.

The companies that sued Thomas-Rasset are subsidiaries of all four major recording companies, Warner Music Group Corp., Vivendi SA’s Universal Music Group, EMI Group PLC and Sony Corp.’s Sony Music Entertainment.

The recording industry has blamed online piracy for declines in music sales, although other factors include the rise of legal music sales online, which emphasize buying individual tracks rather than full albums.

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Innovative Nintendo game help system to debut this year

June 18, 2009

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To many gamers, nothing kills the fun of playing a game like getting completely stuck on a particularly difficult section. But if Nintendo has their way, such frustration will soon become a thing of the past.

Mario

Nintendo offers gamers a helping hand

In an interview with USA Today, legendary Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed that the company’s rumored in-game help system (initially dubbed the “Kind Code,” but now tentatively called “demo play”) will make its first appearance in the upcoming New Super Mario Bros. for the Wii, which hits store shelves this holiday.

Rather than forcing players to comb the web for cheat codes and walkthroughs, the new help system is built directly into the game. If a player gets stuck, they’ll have the option to pause play and allow the game to take over and play itself through any rough patches. Once they’re out of the woods, players can hop back in and continue playing.

The move is sure to anger veteran gamers who insist on overcoming challenges without using hints or cheats, but it meshes nicely with Nintendo’s overarching goal to make its games as accessible to as many people as possible. To that end, Miyamoto told USA Today that they’re looking into incorporating the system in future games beyond the new Mario title.

So what do you think? Will an in-game help system ruin gaming, or make it more fun for everyone? Sound off in the comments!

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Buying Life Insurance: What Kind and How Much?

June 16, 2009

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Finding the middle ground between being “insurance poor” and unprotected requires assessing real needs and choosing products that are affordable. This article introduces different types of insurance products and the role that they can play in a personal financial plan.

1. Buying Life Insurance

Conventional wisdom says that life insurance is sold, not purchased. In other words, some people are reluctant to discuss the importance of owning life insurance, and others are simply unaware of the need to have life insurance. Although many large companies provide life insurance as part of their benefits package, this coverage may be insufficient.

Who needs life insurance? If there are individuals who depend on you for financial support, or if you work at home providing your family with such services as child care, cooking, and cleaning, you need life insurance. Older couples also may need life insurance to protect a surviving spouse against the possibility of the couple’s retirement savings being depleted by unexpected medical expenses. And individuals with substantial assets may need life insurance to help reduce the effects of estate taxes or to transfer wealth to future generations.

2. Types of Insurance

Term insurance is the most basic, and generally least expensive, form of life insurance for people under age 50. A term policy is written for a specific period of time, typically 1 to 10 years, and may be renewable at the end of each term. Also, the premiums increase at the end of each term and can become prohibitively expensive for older individuals. A level term policy locks in the annual premium for periods of up to 30 years.

Declining Balance Term insurance, a variation on this theme, is often used as mortgage insurance since it can be written to match the amortization of your mortgage principal. While the premium stays constant over the term, the face value steadily declines. Once the mortgage is paid off, the insurance is no longer needed and the policy expires. Unlike many other policies, term insurance has no cash value. In this sense, it is “pure” insurance without any investment options. Benefits are paid only if you die during the policy’s term. After the term ends, your coverage expires unless you choose to renew the policy. When buying term insurance, you might look for a policy that is renewable up to age 70 and convertible to permanent insurance without a medical exam.

Whole Life combines permanent protection with a savings component. As long as you continue to pay the premiums, you are able to lock in coverage at a level premium rate. Part of that premium accrues as cash value. As the policy gains value, you may be able to borrow up to 90% of your policy’s cash value tax-free.

Universal Life is similar to whole life with the added benefit of potentially higher earnings on the savings component. Universal life policies are also highly flexible in regard to premiums and face value. Premiums can be increased, decreased or deferred, and cash values can be withdrawn. You may also have the option to change face values. Universal life policies typically offer a guaranteed return on cash value, usually at least 4%. You’ll receive an annual statement that details cash value, total protection, earnings, and fees.

Drawbacks to this type of insurance include higher fees and interest rate sensitivity. Universal policies include up-front fees as well as ongoing administrative fees totaling as high as 5% to 7% of your premiums. You may also find your premiums increasing when interest rates decline.

Variable Life generally offers fixed premiums and control over your policy’s cash value. Your cash value is invested in your choice of stock, bond, or money market funding options. Cash values and death benefits can rise and fall based on the performance of your investment choices. Although death benefits usually have a floor, there is no guarantee on cash values. Fees for these policies may be higher than for universal life, and investment options can be volatile. On the plus side, capital gains and other investment earnings accrue tax deferred as long as the funds remain invested in the insurance contract.

Universal Variable Life insurance is the most aggressive type of policy. Like variable life, you control your investment in mutual funds. However, there are no guarantees on universal variable policies beyond the original face value death benefit. These policies are probably best suited to affluent buyers who can afford the risks involved.

3. How Much Insurance Do I Need?

A popular approach to buying insurance is based on income replacement. In this approach, a formula of between five and ten times your annual salary is often used to calculate how much coverage you need. Another approach is to purchase insurance based on your individual needs and preferences. The first step is to determine your unique income replacement needs.

Currently, a large portion of your income goes to taxes (insurance benefits are generally income tax free) and to support your own lifestyle. Start off by determining your net earnings after taxes. Then add up all your personal expenses such as food, clothing, magazine subscriptions, club memberships, transportation expenses, etc. The remainder represents annual income that your insurance will need to replace. You’ll want a death benefit amount which, when invested, will provide income annually to cover this amount. Then, you should add to that the amounts needed to fund one-time expenses such as college tuition for your children or paying down mortgage or debt.

Income replacement for nonworking spouses is an important and often overlooked insurance need. Coverage should provide for your costs for day care, housekeeping, or nursing care. Add to this any net earnings from part-time employment.

Finally, estimate your own “final expenses” such as estate taxes, uninsured medical costs, and funeral costs.

4. Other Types of Life Insurance

Survivorship life insurance (also referred to as last-to-die or second-to-die) is a unique type of contract that insures the lives of two people. It pays a death benefit upon the death of the second insured. Therefore, it is typically less expensive than two individual policies. Survivorship life is often used for estate planning, where it may be possible to potentially leverage today’s dollars — via insurance premiums — into a potentially significant death benefit that can be used to fund estate taxes, create wealth for future generations, or benefit a charity. These policies may be available if one insured is medically “uninsurable.”

First-to-die life insurance insures the life of at least two people and pays a benefit upon the death of the first insured. This policy is useful for covering a mortgage or other large debt obligation where there is more than one debtor. In addition, it can be an ideal tool for funding a buy-sell agreement within a closely held business.

5.Conclusion

Life insurance is an important component of a sound financial plan. Buying insurance involves asking a variety of personal lifestyle and financial questions. If you are not already working with an insurance professional, you may want to consider the advice of a fee-for-service financial planner who can offer you an objective review of your insurance options. When you decide on what you want, there are many solid insurance companies to choose from. Consult your library or an independent insurance professional for companies with the highest ratings from the four ratings agencies: AM Best, Duff Phelps, Standard & Poor’s, and Moody’s.

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Screen sensation Anvil to open for AC/DC

June 10, 2009

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Anvil, the Canadian heavy metal band that spent more than 30 years in near obscurity before the documentary about its struggles became a surprise hit, is getting the ultimate rock ‘n’ roll salute this summer. AC/DC, arguably the most successful hard rock band in history, has personally selected Anvil as the sole support act for two arena shows — July 28 at Gillette Stadium in Boston and July 31 at Giants Stadium in New Jersey.The stadium shows will mark a new chapter in Anvil’s late-blooming fame.

“Anvil: The Story of Anvil,” the documentary directed by roadie turned screenwriter Sacha Gervasi, made its debut at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and opened in theaters in New York and Los Angeles in March. The theatrical run has expanded to 27 cities, and there are plans to double that number over the summer. The film has grossed more than $550,000 at the box office in the United States alone, a huge success for an independently distributed documentary.

Since March, the band has played more than 30 concerts — dubbed the Anvil Experience — at sold-out film screenings across the country, including two gigs last week in Los Angeles and New York that saw hundreds of people turned away at the door.

Aside from AC/DC, Anvil has found a wellspring of support from fellow musicians who have fallen in love with the film. Chris Martin of Coldplay, who came to last week’s New York Anvil Experience and gave the band a standing ovation upon their return to the Bowery Hotel, has been a major advocate. In an interview published on Coldplay’s website, Martin calls the film “brilliant … wonderful,” and adds, “There’s a scene in it between the drummer and the singer which makes you cry, especially if you’re in a band and you know what it feels like to love another man so much, but also fight so much.”

SPREADING THE LOVE

Anvil next heads to the U.K. (where the film was the top-grossing rock documentary in the country’s history and was recently released on DVD) this weekend for a headlining slot at the celebrated heavy metal Download Festival. The band also is booked for the Rocklahoma Festval in Oklahoma (July 9-12), where it will share the stage with groups including Ratt, Anthrax and Twisted Sister.

As a result of the overwhelming response from moviegoers, the film’s U.S. DVD release has been pushed back several months and is now scheduled for the fall. VH1, which is releasing the DVD and has sponsored the Anvil Experience live shows, will give the film its broadcast debut on the network, and a national Anvil Experience tour of major markets is planned for the week of the DVD release.

A soundtrack and book deal are in the works, as are three newly recorded Anvil tracks for the Rock Band video game. VH1 Records aims to give the band’s thirteenth album, “This Is Thirteen,” an official release at the end of August.

Internationally, the film screened at the Cannes Film Festival and will receive theatrical distribution in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The movie opens in Australia in August and Japan in October. The band is expected to bring the Anvil Experience to as many countries as its schedule will allow.

In a tearful speech after last week’s New York screening, director Gervasi best summed up the band’s newfound recognition. “Anvil taught me something … never f–king give up, never surrender,” he said.

“I’m just so proud of this band,” he told the joyful crowd of supporters. “Will you please help me turn Anvil into f–king rock stars?”

(Editing by Sheri Linden at Reuters)

 

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$75,000 Salary Secrets: 5 Careers that Pay Well Even in a Recession

June 10, 2009

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It seems no matter where you turn these days there’s bad news: entire neighborhoods in foreclosure, a volatile stock market, and unemployment rates at their highest in decades. While the recession is affecting us all, professionals in certain fields can feel confident that their skills will be needed no matter how gloomy the financial outlook.

What’s the secret to staying employed and well-paid during an economic downturn? Choose your profession wisely. With the right career choice and training, you could be employed and earn well, recession or not. Consider the following five careers.

1. Engineer

The Profession: The economic stimulus plan includes funds to rebuild roads, bridges, and schools, requiring civil engineers who can create plans and oversee these projects. A growing focus on increasing productivity is expected to lead to the creation of over 40,000 new jobs for industrial engineers, who specialize in finding the most effective ways to use the people, machines, materials, and energy to create products.

The Secret: Due to the highly technical nature of this occupation, a bachelor’s degree in engineering is the standard requirement for most positions. Some colleges and universities offer five-year programs, granting graduates a master’s degree in engineering, which can often increase earning potential.

The Payoff: Starting salaries for civil and industrial engineers in 2007 were nearly $50,000, and average earnings in both occupations were close to $75,000.

2. Accountant

The Profession: Given the recent financial scandals, it’s no wonder that 226,000 new accountants are expected to join the workforce between 2006 and 2016. The large infrastructure projects proposed by the stimulus plan should also provide employment for accountants.

The Secret: The most common educational requirement of accountants is a four-year degree in business or accounting, often available online. Earn a license as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to add more employment options to your accounting career.

The Payoff: While median earnings for accountants hover around $57,000, the top quarter earned $75,000 or more in 2007.

3. Marketing and Sales Manager

The Profession: With the rapidly changing face of technological innovations, opportunities for well-trained, technically-savvy marketing and sales managers are bright. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 57,000 new jobs for marketing and sales managers through 2016.

The Secret: Applicants for marketing and sales management positions face stiff competition, but a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration or marketing can give you a leg up in your job search. Honing your computer skills can also add to your employability.

The Payoff: Median salaries for sales managers are just under $95,000, and most marketing managers pull in over $100,000 each year.

4. Registered Nurse

The Profession: Our nation’s aging population has created an unprecedented demand for registered nurses (RNs), in hospitals, schools, and nursing care facilities. While the recession has reduced employment of nurses in some states, a national nursing shortage means that RNs who are flexible should have no trouble finding a job.

The Secret: A bachelor’s of science degree in nursing (BSN) offers graduates the greatest potential for advancement, earnings, and choice in employment options. If you don’t want to invest four years in your career training, consider an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), which can be completed in as little as two years. Many RNs with associate’s degrees take advantage of RN-to-BSN programs to earn their bachelor’s, often enjoying tuition reimbursement programs offered by some employers.

The Payoff: Median earnings for registered nurses are just over $60,000, but the top 25 percent of RNs make nearly $75,000.

5. Computer Systems Analyst

The Profession: As experts in the latest applications of technological advances, computer systems analysts help organizations choose the best technology for their needs and then incorporate it effectively into existing infrastructure. While many work in the computer systems design industry, computer systems analysts are also employed by the government, hospitals, and financial institutions. Nearly 150,000 new jobs for computer systems analysts are expected from 2006 through 2016.

The Secret: An online bachelor’s degree in computer science or information science can help you get a job as a computer systems analyst. Training in information security can make you even more attractive to employers.

The Payoff: Median salaries for computer systems analysts were just over $73,000 in 2007, but the highest-paid professionals in this field raked in well over $100,000.

It’s not likely we’ll see the end of this recession in the near future. As you readjust your budget and lifestyle with the changing economy, be sure to map out a long-range career plan for yourself. An investment in your professional skills, especially in a strategically-chosen field, could mean the difference between a comfortable paycheck and financial uncertainty.

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Watch Your Waistline While Dining Out

June 10, 2009

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Dining out….a favorite American past-time. Research, however, has shown that the more we dine out, the more likely we are to get accustomed to larger portions—and to potentially larger waistlines.

So is it possible to dine out and have your cake too? According to a new report by the Nutrition Action Healthletter, the answer might be a resounding “no,” especially if you dine at some of the casual, “slow-food” restaurant chains out there, with their hyper-caloric entrees, appetizers, and desserts.

One meal highlighted by the NAH report, for example, was The Cheesecake Factory’s “Fried Macaroni and Cheese,” which weighs in at a monstrous 1,570 calories and 69 grams of saturated fat. (The kind that clogs your arteries and can leave you at higher risk for a heart attack for up to 4 hours after a meal.) Consider these factoids:

• Many health experts recommend we eat no more fat in a single day than the equivalent of 3 pats of butter.
• A pat of butter has 5 grams of fat, so “Fried Macaroni and Cheese” contains the equivalent of about 14 pats of butter. Oops!

And the amount of sodium (as table salt) in some restaurant meals is sky-high as well. Chili’s “Big Mouth Bites”-also cited in the NAH article-boasts (if that’s the word) 2,350 calories, 38 grams of fat (7 ½ pats of butter)-and 3,940 mgs of sodium. Excuse me? That’s about twice the amount of sodium recommended for most adult Americans, over the course of a day. How many salt-sensitive people-some of whom have high blood pressure and don’t know it-are innocently gorging on these indoor salt licks?

Okay, so the news about restaurant chains isn’t so good, but there are healthier options out there that will still allow you to go out once in awhile and socialize. Here’s a sampling of entrées from some of the big restaurant chains. I’ve included one “no-no” from each establishment’s menu to help you spot the “heart-attacks-on-a-plate.”

  • Applebee’s®.

    The bad news: You order the “Grilled Steak Caesar Salad with toast,” thinking you’re eating light…after all, it’s a salad, right? But guess what? If you eat the whole thing, you’ll have wolfed down 1,296 calories, 83 grams of fat (16½ pats of you-know-what), and 2,200 mgs of sodium. Uh oh.

    The good news: Applebee’s offers a Weight Watcher’s® Menu for health- and weight-conscious diners, and it includes “Garlic Herb Chicken” for 370 calories, 6 grams of fat, and 7 grams of fiber.

    Applebee’s even has a dessert, “Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake,” that’s only 230 calories and 3 grams of fat. Pass around 1 slice of this cake and you’ll be cutting calories even further. Although their “Onion Soup au Gratin” (150 calories) has fewer calories than does regular onion soup, the 8 grams of fat in there might cause a problem if your entrée was also high in fat.

  • Cheesecake Factory®.

    The bad news: You ordered their “Stuffed Chicken Tortillas,” thinking it a fairly good nutritional choice. Wrong. You just put away 1,097 calories, 43 grams of fat (8 ½ pats) and a whopping 2,647 mgs of sodium (the equivalent of more than a full teaspoon of salt)….thirsty, by any chance?

    The good news: I was surprised to find a new menu item at the Cheesecake Factory called “Weight Management Grilled ChickenTM,” which was accompanied by arugula salad (my favorite!), steamed white rice, and asparagus. Per the online listing, this meal contained “less than 590 calories.” The new “White Chicken Chili” also looks promising, although the nutrition information wasn’t available when I looked. Their “Shrimp and Chicken Gumbo” could be healthy if you ask that the cream be left out of the Cajun-style broth.

  • Chili’s®.

    The bad news: Chili’s online info lists its appetizers under the heading “Start It Off Right,” but you surely won’t be doing that if you order their “Onion String & Crispy Jalapeno Stack.” This before-meal snack is lugging along 2,130 calories, 213 grams of fat (I kid you not–42 ½ pats of butter!), and 1,320 mgs of sodium. (You know how some menus put a little heart symbol next to the heart-healthy meals? “Onion String & Crispy Jalapeno Stack” could just about be awarded tiny skull and crossbones.)

    The good news: Chili’s “Guiltless Grill” offers many healthy options too, such as the “Guiltless Grilled Salmon” at 480 calories, 14 grams of fat (with most of the calories and fat coming from those pleasant omega-3-fatty acids), and a good amount of fiber (10 grams). Another item I was curious about is the “Black Bean Burger”: Although its 650 calories seem fairly steep, it does contain a respectably low 12 grams of fat (only 2 of them saturated) and a generous 26 grams of fiber.

  • T.G.I. Friday’s®.

    The bad news: No matter how good Friday’s “Pecan-Crusted Chicken Salad” sounds to you, don’t do it. It’s hiding 750 calories and 10 pats of butter.

    The good news: With its “Right Portion, Right Price” menu offerings, Friday’s became the first casual, sit-down dining chain in the U.S. to offer smaller portions at lower prices all through the day. Among the entrees are “Asian-Glazed Chicken with Field Greens,” and “Cedar-Seared Salmon on Field Greens.” Two other meals, the “Dragonfire Chicken” and “Shrimp Key West,” are included in their “Better for You” section, which lists only those meals that contain no more than 500 calories and 10 grams of fat per serving. This saves you money as well.

  • Outback Steakhouse®.

    The bad news: Order Outback’s “Aussie-tizers Kookaburra Wings with Sauce” and you just served yourself 1,160 calories and 75 grams of fat (15 pats).

    The good news: I was pleasantly surprised to learn that this restaurant now has “Healthy Weight Loss,” “Heart-Healthy Diet,” and “High-Protein Low-Carbohydrate” choices. On the “Healthy Weight Loss” link, they offer options for making their traditional items healthier (e.g., ordering their “Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie” without butter, or the “Shrimp and Veggie Griller” without butter or glaze during preparation.

    I feel these guidelines of Outback Steakhouse not only help diners cut calories and fat, but also provide information regarding the food’s preparation. And perhaps most important, diners will most likely feel less intimidated to ask their server for these modifications since they’re listed on the Web site.

  • Ruby Tuesdays®.

    The bad news: You just ordered “Ruby Minis,” thinking, What harm could 2 miniburgers with fries possibly do? The answer: an injurious 1,122 calories and about 14 pats is what.

    The good news: I found a menu option online called “Smart Eating Choices,” which looks to include some healthy options, such as “White Bean Chicken Chili” (228 calories, 8 grams of fat, 5 grams of fiber) and “Grilled Chicken” at 295 calories and only 6 grams of fat. Other choices, however, were a bit higher in fat than I expected, such as the “Chicken Bella” (626 calories and 7 pats), “New Orleans Seafood” (31 grams of fat), and “Grilled Chicken Salad” (30 grams of fat). However, even these last options are most likely much lower in fat and calories than some of the traditional items on the menu, so overall they may be fairly good choices, in moderation.

I’m sure there are many more restaurants out there with healthier options, so I’d love to hear from you if you’d like to share what you’ve found out. I hope I’ve given you some tasty and healthy options so you can have your cake and eat it to!

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