For sailors, it has always been for navigation. The Nautical Star, with its four longest tips or points, represent the North, the South, the East and the West. Sailors and the military have traditionally adopted this insignia as a long-time design for the face of a ship’s compass. It gives a sense of direction and guidance to these wandering sailors from across the globe. It is a hopeful symbol just like an anchor or a map, which gives assurance of safety, firm foundation and right pathway. It has always been one of the most-commonly used among other star tattoo designs having bagged the second or TOP 2 in the Internet search in 2007. It is very popular with both men and women users.

Similarly, this tattoo design has the same greatness in its depth and meaning with the Northern Sky’s Polaris. For astronomers, it is the guiding light, the Lodestar or the POLARIS in the Northern Sky. The brightest star in the Ursa Minor Constellation, the Polaris is the beacon of light that cuts through the constellation’s darkness. Very close to the North Celestial Pole, the Polaris is the current Northern Pole Star. With its impeccable brightness, it stands almost motionless in the sky, and all the other stars on the Northern Sky appear to rotate around it. It has become the center of radiance, which illuminates the rest of the galaxy.

The Nautical Star Tattoo design, just like the Northern Star’s Polaris, stands as a remembrance, a symbol of following one’s dreams, a symbol of truth and of unrelenting hope.

The artistic use of this design has gone through a strong revival today. Most teenagers, girl and boy alike adopt this tattoo as a source of strength in a volatile situation, a jagged-edge knife that cuts though the hardest of trials, and an aesthetic source of pride, uniqueness and brilliance.

Beyond its facade, you will realize that it has more depth that you can ever fathom. I remember the beaming Star of old, the shimmering splendor that guided the three Magi, the power that scintillated boldly on the birth of a baby in a manger. It depicted strength and driving force to achieve every good and perfect deed.

For whatever meaning and reason that is most relevant to you, the Nautical Star Tattoo shines even brighter with its ever-glowing light that guides, leads, directs and protects – “the Polaris in the Northern Sky”.

If you want to know more about the “Polaris-like” luster and shine in the latest Nautical Star tattoo designs, you can visit our site at

G-Star Raw was conceived in 1989 and is a Dutch clothing company that specialises in designer urban clothing ranges. Although the brand features shirts, t-shirts, knitwear and coats in its range, G-Star Raw clothing is particularly fashionable right now due to its innovative use of denim. Due to its popularity the brand has been showcased at highly prestigious events such as New York Fashion Week in 2009 where actors Alan Cumming and Heather Graham were spotted wearing classic G-Star dark denim.

After changing its name from Gap Star to G-Star due to its international success, the brand got a name for itself by focusing on using RAW denim which is the unwashed and untreated denim that most jeans start out as. This premiered in 1996 and has been the source of much of the brands success. When you see most pairs of G-Star jeans you’ll notice that they are highly influenced by military clothing and many of the designs pay tribute to vintage military apparel from around the world. Examples include special mobile-phone pockets, zippered arm pockets on jackets and innovative pocket designs on most of their jeans.

When it comes to men’s designer clothing then G-Star clothing along with Bench, Henleys and Duck and Cover are at the leading edge of fashion and G-Star Raw’s uncompromising and innovative look has won them many fans in markets across the world. Ironically although the brand is better known in the UK, the G-Star flagship store is located in New York City in the United States. What sets them apart from many competitors is there strong corporate responsibility policy and focus on supporting communities in the countries that are involved with the manufacture of its products. G-Star Raw consequently formed the GRSD Foundation in 2007 to assist with this and also has a strong emphasis on sourcing materials through an ethical supply chain, producing sustainable products and minimising their impact on the environment.

So now you can not only have the designer look but also feel good about your purchase too. G-Star has continued to go from strength to strength through its continued experimentation and product innovation and it seems that their motto of ‘Just the product’ is paying dividends.

Title: Shadow of an Indian Star

The Review

When sixteen-year-old Smith Paul strode away from his North Carolina home in the darkness of a September night, 1824 he had little awareness how his precipitous behavior would shape not only his immediate life but that of generations to come. The lonely young man who found life living in a home with a recently widowed, recently married father, unkind step-mother and lonely sadness for his mother lost to lingering death unbearable; soon learned that life on his own was also fraught with sorrow. Various of the people Smith first met were not only cruel and untrustworthy; they often were also common thieves and at times thoughtless killers. Smith was fortunate to meet Hezekiah Burkitt, a knowledgeable black man, who taught him secrets of the fur trapper trade. The deaths of Burkitt and his donkey, Scrap Iron, at the hands of conniving traders sent Smith into a desperate run for his own life.

A chance meeting with an Indian caught in the jaws of a huge bear was the catalyst to propel Smith Paul into a life he had not sought, came to love, and shaped not only his fate but that of those around him. Book one of the three part narrative continues Smith Paul forward from that chance meeting with Ja-Paw-Nee to the Chickasaw removal from their ancestral lands and into Indian Territory. Smith, called Ikhimilo following his courageous face on attack upon the bear bent upon savaging Ja-Paw-Nee, lives with the Chickasaw in Mississippi until 1838 when the people of Yaneka Village begin their trek along the Trail of Tears. It is while on the journey that Smith runs into an old nemesis, this time however, Smith Paul is no longer a sixteen-year-old stripling and the meeting has a far different outcome. Book one continues the narrative into Indian Territory, death of Reverend McClure, the white man who came to preach gospel to the Chickasaw and stayed to become wainwright for the area, marriage of Smith to the woman he adores, and his young family beginning life in Indian Territory.

Book Two opens in 1858 as the Smith Paul family becomes well known, prosperous and influential in the valley still called Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. Smith’s oldest son Sam is disillusioned when he returns from a campaign as a scout for G. A Custer. Sam buries his brother and begins a rise to power, political and personal over the years. Sam skirts along the edge of legal and brutality, marries more than once, fathers children within marriage and without and proves not much of a husband or father a good bit of the time. He is a likeable character none the less. Sam’s ability to see beyond today and into the ruthlessness of the federal government and greed of those in power drives him politically forward despite all odds.

Book Three begins in Santa Barbara, California 1890. Smith is now eighty-two, has remarried following the death of his beloved wife and has turned over his business to his heirs. He leaves the territory to begin a new life in California with a new wife. When his grandson Joe appears in California following a row with his father Smith decides it is time to go home. He persuades Joe to accompany him, but does not tell anyone that they are coming. If the elder Paul had done so. history might have read differently for the family. The rift between Sam and Joe Paul cannot be mended even as the Paul story continues with more upsets, marriages, births, deaths and life.

The writers Paul have crafted an entertaining, compelling read based both on research and family lore. The story of Smith Paul is easily read, written well and most enjoyable. The writers state ‘This is a work of fiction. The names of the main characters, places and events are not figments of the authors’ imaginations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is purely intentional. This is the story Bill Paul’s grandfather told him.’

As a lifelong reader of historical fact, social mores and just plain good books I found Shadow of an Indian Stardifficult reading at times. Reading of the slaughter of Scrap Iron and Burkitt saddened me enormously. Whether this incident was imagination or based in fact, the reality is, similar instances did take place in those days and that is what makes the sketch compelling. I enjoyed the narrative as a whole, found inclusion of the various news clips taken from newspapers added to the tale and would like to have seen a picture or two of the main characters added to the work.

Shadow of an Indian Starwill make an excellent addition to the home pleasure library, high school and college library, home school, high school reading list and for those who just like a well crafted book filled with lusty, realistic characters, lots of action and straight forward language. Brutal death, realistically portrayed, human emotion and depravity are all portrayed with a delicate hand.

As a plus the writers manage to portray a vigorous, hearty group of people in robust language without resorting to graphic sex or profanity. I do not keep many of the books sent for review, this is one I will be keeping.

Enjoyed the read, happy to recommend.

Reviewed by: molly martin 20+ years classroom teacher

http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/mollymartin

http://www.AuthorsDen.com/mjhollingshead

Genre: biographical/historical fiction

Author: Bill Paul, Cindy Paul

http://www.shadowofanindianstar.com/ Bill Paul P.O. Box 250 Stratford, OK 74872

Publisher: Austin, TX Synergy Books, 2005 2100 Dramer Lane, STE 300 Austin, TX 78758

ISBN: 097559222X

Compelling Read … Highly Recommended … 5 stars

Zippo lighters are the most well known and recognized of movie lighters used as props in movies. Zippo lighters have been used in more than 1500 movies, TV shows and plays. They are the part of a dramatic production that never gets old, never gets boring, never misses work because of personal problems and never makes unreasonable demands. In the world of movie lighters they are the preeminent star.

The Start of the Zippo Legend

Zippos were first manufactured in 1933. From the very beginning they were used in movies. The simple lines of the Zippo and its distinctive click when the top was opened gave just that much more feeling of reality to a film. It would become a trademark of certain movie characters or styles in the same way as a trench coat.

During World War II the Zippo factory channeled all its production toward the use of the lighters by military personnel. Zippos were famously used by Generals Douglas McArthur and George Patton. Like the generals, the lower ranks used Zippos for a myriad of purposes. This popularity with the WWII troops made the Zippo the required prop to provide authenticity of all movie lighters used in films about WWII.

Some examples of the use of Zippo lighters are seen in the film From Here to Eternity when Donna Reed lights Montgomery Clift’s cigarette. Also Errol Flynn used a Zippo lighter in the movie Operation Burma.

As Zippos continued to be popular with service people during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, so did Zippo continue to be the choice of movie lighters used in films. A Zippo is an important component between the actors Richard Widmark and Karl Malden in the movie Sergeant Terror. Gregory Peck was depicted as relying heavily on his Zippo lighter in the Korean War movie Pork Chop Hill. Later John Wayne used the star of movie lighters, a Zippo, in his Vietnam War movie, The Green Berets. In another Vietnam War movie, Apocalypse Now, a Zippo was used in the beginning of the movie to engender an ghostly mood. In the classic TV show I Love Lucy a Zippo lighter was often a featured prop in the show’s living room.

Zippos as Stars Today

Zippos continue to be the stars of lighters in more modern movies. Michael Douglas used a Zippo to punctuate a dramatic scene in the movie, Black Rain. A Zippo helped Bruce Willis fight the bad guys in two of his movies, Die Hard and Die Harder.

The dynamic duo of Harrison Ford and Sean Connery used a Zippo lighter to escape death in the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. In the movie Lethal Weapon III composer Eric Clapton use the click sound of the Zippo as part of the elements of the movie score.

It’s almost harder to count the films where a Zippo hasn’t been used than it is to count the times when it has. Zippos have appeared in Midnight Run with Robert DeNiro, Bird On A Wire with Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn as well as Jurassic Park, Top Gun and Out of Sight.

Zippos will certainly continue to get top movie lighter billing in future films and shows.

Tattoos which depict moon and stars are very new and attract especially the younger women and girls. Must say they look girly and feminine.

Fairy moon and stars are another interesting shape. Those and other mythical tattoos are very feminine too. Fairies as mythical creatures have been around for a very long time and in many cultures. They have slightly different meanings in different cultures, at times related to religious beliefs. Pagans also believed in fairies, they were somewhat close to our belief of angels.

Such a tattoo can be anywhere on the body. The most girly ones I’ve seen were on the one side of the back down to lower back with slightly bigger stars at the top. You can also make it in couple of colors, they look great in color. Stars could be yellow and the most important stars could be red. That’s just one suggestion to give you some ideas.

Some women put a fairy at some central place, like lower back, and put stars and moons around it. Moon is a too regular shape, so making it of tribal parts can give it character and your personal expression. Some other like the fairy to be small, which is an interesting effect. A small fairy is very gentle and noticeable but your tattoo artist will need to be more careful on that detail. She could be sitting on a star or moon or flying around them.

These are one of the most girly ones. If that’s you, you’ll like one of these and it will suit you. They are very open for coloration.

Once upon a time there, was an American Indian named Pontiac. He was known as an Ottawa leader who became famous during the American Indian struggle against the British military occupation of the Great Lakes region in the years 1763 to 1766.

Now the name Pontiac has become a brand for automobiles that is produced by General Motors and has been sold in Canada, Mexico, and the United States since 1926. It is marketed by General Motors as an athletic brand which specializes in mainstream performance vehicles.

The Pontiac story begins at a time were the car was seen as a middle-of-the-road reliable car that were more suited to middle income buyers of middle age. The young lucrative emerging performance oriented customer eluded the brand. Yes, they were reliable but Pontiac just could not shake off that dowdy image.

It was like that during the years 1946-1948, sales were growing alright but their cars, the Torpedoes and Streamliners, were quickly becoming out of step and out of date with the growing youth market.

Change had to come and it came with the introduction of the Chieftain which replaced the Torpedo. Then in 1954 the Star Chief was created. The Star Chief was Pontiac’s prestige model. It was easily recognizable because of its chrome star trim along the sides. On episode 100 of I Love Lucy the characters drove to the West Coast on a 1955 Star Chief.

In 1957,the Star Chief Custom Bonneville was introduced as part of its push to raise the marque out of the doldrums. The Bonneville gained a full range of styles and received the lion’s share of Pontiac’s attention in the the marketplace

In 1958, the Star Chief was only limited to sedans and hardtops. Nearing its end the Star Chief was no longer Pontiac’s prestige model but it still was a well appointed car.

Already in the early 1960’s the model had become dated so in 1966, the car was renamed the Star Chief Executive as its first step to retiring the name. In 1967 the Star Chief name was dropped and was renamed the Executive. And so ends the story of the Pontiac Star Chief.

Yet we can still continue our own story. Now the Pontiac Star Chief still can be appreciated by renting the car at one of classic car rental dealers. Check on the Internet and find one that suits your needs.

The Pontiac Star Chief is one of the first cool cars of Pontiac, but it is now part of the history books. By renting it at one of the classic car rentals in Las Vegas, you can revive it and write your own history on the asphalt.

Make your own history.

As the fall out continues with the countrywide 50 state investigations, lending servicers who are responsible for bill collection of mortgage payments and other aspects of mortgage servicing for investors, it has come to the attention of the government how badly these companies are run. Fourteen companies have been under review and all of them have been found to violate foreclosure laws. Fannie Mae and other government agencies have been discussing how to best improve our mortgage servicing and lending here in the United States. Fannie Mae has come up with a performance program to help assist mortgage servicers’ to get it right and to stay within the boundaries of the law. This ultimately will help ensure the health of our housing economy and help support the housing recovery.

Not only will servicers be facing no procedures, they will also be facing harsh fines as a group entity. These fees could total over 20 million; however, this is just an estimation of what they could be paying for violating foreclosure laws.

Fannie Mae on Wednesday announced the STAR (Servicer Total Achievement and Rewards); the program is designed to better assist and will help examine how the servicers help homeowners avoid foreclosure. The goal of this new program is to set clear expectations and specific measurements to help Fannie Mae and servicers increase focus on avoiding foreclosure.

As more and more news comes out about how servicers’ have violated foreclosure laws, this program is an ongoing effort to hold servicers accountable. So how will this work? Each servicer will be given a servicer performance scorecard, which in turn will provide feedback on a monthly basis. With this program it should help servicers see where they need improvement and overall performance. Top ranking servicer’s will become eligible to receive monthly incentive awards and recognition. Also, top ranking servicer’s performance will be made public in an annual scorecard. Many believe this program will help gear better customer service to home owners, help with the housing recovery, and keep the servicers on the right track.

This will also help the federal government to set guidelines and regulations in place for the mortgage servicing industry. As the mortgage industry and bank industry is reviewed by the government to find a solution and to prevent another financial crises,it seems many changes are going to happen over the next few months and years. As we wait and see if the HAMP program and other federal programs will stick around, it is good to know servicers will now be regulated better in hopes of making the homeowner ship experience safer for everyone.

As a corporate executive, business owner and traveling from time to time over the globe I have noticed a disturbing trend that continues unabated in many countries of the world.

The Star Rating!

Traveling incognito, formally however more than often informally I have been amazed not to experience what was promised in the brochure or on the web-site and often in fact the experience the opposite – mediocrity.

This has occurred in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, The Middle East, Europe and the United States.

One must ask the question: ‘why is this so’ to quote the late Julius Sumner Miller.

From modest hotels and restaurants to top five star hotels, resorts and establishments I have found that there are some large variations in the star ratings.

These include:

1. Misleading adverting materials,

2. Inattentive and disinterested employees,

3. Superficiality – employees appear interested and well groomed on the outside but question them and the veneer of customer care vanishes in the blink of an eye,

4. Unbending petty rules and lack of flexibility by management and employees,

5. Services advertised not provided,

6. Dirty and unclean rooms,

7. A cavalier approach to customer service,

8. Unhelpful employees,

9. Incorrect pricing,

10. Less than attractive food and beverages.

This is not an exhaustive list of the issues facing hotels, resorts and restaurant managers but enough to raise a few eyebrows and concerns.

I have often pondered this conundrum in traveling in and from Australia to other far off destinations arriving weary and often just wanting to check in and rest.

But NO – the expectations are often not meet.

Because I am a practitioner of employee relations, human resources and occupational health and safety with a keen interest in customer service I take particular notice of these events.

However this experience has not been confined to me alone but to other travelers. Often these same travelers will not let you know their concerns, will not complete your suggestion forms however they will spread the good or the bad news to their business associates and friends the bad news as we know travels faster.

Question – Can we place faith in the Star Rating?

From 30 years plus experience I can truthfully say the star rating method is flawed and cannot be relied upon.

This is not just a cultural issue as some of the best establishments I have stayed and dined in are in places you would not normally expect.

The hospitality industry must align itself with client and customer expectations and live up to the glossy brochures and marketing material.

The Common Denominator

The most common denominator seems to be inconsistent customer service. Employees can be well groomed and outwardly look impeccable however once they open their mouths I feel like saying ‘pardon me your attitude is showing – bad attitudes’.

Conversely I have been in establishments where employees have gone out of their way to ensure my colleagues and my stay is a pleasant experience and for this management and employees need to be congratulated and rewarded.

The Challenge

As a businessman and a private citizen who has worked in many strata’s of society it is my conclusion that management must ensure that they deliver what they have promised and this must be reflected in their marketing material or else they are promoting untruthfulness.

Secondly and more importantly employee selection should not be chosen on outward appearance of beauty but the inner beauty and service ethics that comes through consistently.

While recently in Thailand on holidays and business I stayed in a 4 star hotel in Chiang Mai. I received what the brochure and the internet had promised would be experienced as well as finding the employees attentive and service oriented (gang mark). Naturally I now recommend this establishment to others.

Contrast this with a resort in New Zealand that outwardly appeared pleasant however it was dirty and did not live up to its expectations.

Conclusion

In the competitive world of today hotels, resorts and restaurants must deliver what they promise. Secondly they must take care and attention to employee customer service, training and understand the notion of flexibility.

Emotional intelligence over intellect appears to demonstrate a higher basis for assessing attitude and customer service.

Thirdly consistency, consistency, consistency is without a doubt a must.

Your business will often grow or shrink depending on your ability to deliver. People will often overlook minor issues if the customer service is outstanding.

These impressions remain long in the mind of the traveler.

Can we trust the star rating: the answer in my view is NO!

Do you homework before you travel and ask others who have been to the same area you are traveling to for their opinion. It might save you money and grief.

Hoteliers, Resort owners and Restaurants take particular attention to training and ensuring good customer service. You will notice your bottom line profit and reputation increasing.

Arizona is a state located in southwestern part of the United States. It is also called “the Grand Canyon State.” Arizona is known for its breathtaking locations, abundant wildlife, golf courses and health spas. There are luxury desert golf resorts that attract thousands of golf enthusiasts during the winter months. People plan to spend their vacations in Arizona with their family and friends. Tourists from across the world visit the different cities of the state all year round.

There are a number of people, whose decisions on hotel accommodations revolve around the star rating of resort. The stars represent the grade and level of hospitality related services of the performance- based industries like hotels. In generic terms, a five star is synonymous to hotels, resorts and clubs. This gradation procedure is not similar in all countries and the 5 star rated resorts in various countries are different in the amenities they offer. Arizona boasts of a number of 5 star resorts that witness a consistent flow of tourists, all through the year.

Five star Arizona vacations offer luxurious and expensive accommodation at discounted rates. The star grading of the different hotels is based upon many details of the services offered and the grading panel follows a strict approach, during inspection. The members on the panel make numerous visits to the particular resort and check on the facilities, hygiene, cuisines and lodging options. Five star Arizona vacation packages include the tariff, airfare and sight seeing.

A number of the resorts get star-rated as soon as they become functional. However, in reality such star ratings are not recognized and may be the claim of the resort. For the tourism industry, the inclusion of five star Arizona vacation packages is highly beneficial for people looking forward to a long vacation in Arizona, without financial constraint.

You are the star of your own movie!

You are also the writer the director and the producer. Why not create wonderful roles for yourself?

Are you creating roles that are too small for you? Are you acting in someone else’s movie?

In my early years I acted in roles that were assigned by and created for others. I forced myself into roles hoping the outcome would be great. I thought doing, being and acting the way others felt was “right,” would help me fit in better. Not only did that not happen, I began to dislike my life! The truth is, I didn’t always know what I wanted so it became easier to play the part.

Fast forward… today, using my intuition, gut instinct and an incredible connection with my Spirit guides, I follow the guidance that supports me in the most amazing role of my life…. living my life purpose! I create roles for myself that push me to grow, honor my soul’s purpose and celebrate my spirit. This is the role that is the center of my joy, great friendships, love and peace.

What roles are you creating that aren’t in alignment with your soul’s purpose?

You will begin to recognize these roles because they won’t feel right, you’ll feel like you’re on a treadmill going nowhere and you probably won’t be having much fun either.

Here are three 10-minute tips to help you create better roles for yourself.

1. Meditation – I know you have heard it before, meditation has great benefits. But you must actually do it. Start off slow with just 10 minutes a day. Sit quietly and focus your attention on a happy time or event in your life. From this place, ask a question. “What should be my next business product?” or “What should I title my book?” Listen for the answer during the course of your day. Notice what shows up. You may read an email that may trigger the message or perhaps a billboard while driving down the street may have the answer. Ten minutes a day will make a big impact.
2. Journal – I am sure you have heard about the benefits of journaling too. It is true; journaling can help you tap into your inner guidance. Taking 10 minutes a day to write your feelings, dreams, ideas and challenges in a journal will help you receive divine guidance for your most challenging decisions.
3. Gratitude – Being grateful for what you have allows you to receive more of it. Take a moment each day to express gratitude for what you have, who you are and the people who inspire and love you. By spending just 10 minutes a day expressing gratitude you will notice a major shift. Your inner guidance will kick into high gear to help you receive more of what brings you joy and more of what you desire.

With just 30 minutes out of your day, you will begin to create dynamic soul fulfilling roles for yourself. Become the star of your own movie and earn the “Happy Soul Award,” my equivalent of an Oscar!