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Staci Marquez-Nichols
Expert Guru
I have a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Redlands in Sociology (minors: poetry, pre-law), a paralegal certificate, a sexual assault advocacy certificate, a proofreading/editing certificate, and a basic police academy completion certificate. Phew! A lot, I know.
I am a full-time, professional freelance writer. I have been a strict vegetarian for over 15 years. During my journey as a vegetarian, I have been a two-time NCAA All-American athlete. I have researched the meat industry, health, nutrition, and how vegetarianism effects the planet. I have written numerous ebooks, articles, and blog postings on vegetarian health, lifestyle, and general survival.
Interview
What books have most influenced your life? Hands down, no doubt about it--Conversations With God by Neale Donald Walsch. This book has been translated into 37 languages and sold 8 million copies. It has the potential to revolutionize the world! The book's premise? A "regular guy" has a candidad conversation with God and asks all the important questions. Please check it out at http://www.cwg.org
Who are your favorite music artists? I'm a country girl--born and raised! I like Gretchen Wilson, Alabama, George Strait, Dwight Yoakum, Waylon Jennings, Mary-Chapin Carpenter, Dwight Yoakum, Garth Brooks, and anything I can line dance to!
What are your favorite websites and why? Well, I'd feel bad not mentioning Match.Com since I met my husband there :-)
What are your professional highlights? I once had an editorial published in the American Bar Association Journal! True story! I received an honorable mention a poetry award in college and have published poetry in the Coal City Review, Alternatives to Surrender (cancer anthology), HotMetalPress.Net, and in the San Gabriel Valley Quarterly. I've had the opportunity to write for people in Europe, Japan, and Australia. I've ghostwritten for some very prominent books and am working on my second book. (Of course, my first one was published right here at LifeTips.) I used to facilitate a creative writing workshop.
What advice do you have for the journey of life? Get to know and honor yourself--everyday. See the beauty of expressing yourself in the myriad of lenses life has to offer.
What are you most passionate about in life? Well, I wouldn't be giving very good advice to the above question if I wasn't practicing what I preach.
What ticks you off? Sexism, racism, ignorance, close-minded thinking.
Any thoughts or ideas on living a greener life? Did you know you can save more greenhouse gas by being vegetarian than by driving a hybrid car? I've been a strict vegetarian (and tree hugger) for 15 years!
What would people be surprised to know about you? I'm an ordained minister and have married many couples :-)
Philosophy
I believe that a writer must first and foremost be a thinker. I have this quote in bold type on the home page of my website staci-marquez-nichols.com because it speaks to the kind of writer I am--intelligent, passionate about research, and also creative and compassionate.
My background in debate taught me something most people never get an education in--thinking. This power has allowed me to make more convincing arguments, anticipate criticism, and provide problem-solving and solutions.
Likewise, my background in poetry has also influenced my other writing--giving it creativity, empathy, and edge.
Web Writer Hobby Writer Speech Writer Copywriter Editor
Project Experience
Articles Keyword Research Speeches Newsletters Brochures Direct Mail Press Releases Print Ads Optimization Book
Industry Experience
Search Marketing Educational Medical Hospitality Magazines Publishing Sports
4 Tips from Staci Marquez-Nichols
8 Ways to Lose with Pocket Aces
Many times when we get dealt pocket aces, we get the "I-have-the-nuts" blinders. Suddenly, we are in a fog--dizzy with delight! Pretty soon, we've lost the hand. Now we're really upset because we just gave someone else a lot of chips.
How can you avoid getting blinded by your pocket aces?
It's real easy. First of all, remember that pocket aces are only guaranteed to be the nuts before the flop. Don't get me wrong--pocket aces has a great chance of winning you the hand. But it doesn't mean you can put your brain on cruise control and stop playing poker. In fact, the only way to win with pocket aces is to bet so high you push everyone else out of the hand before the flop (which isn't very optimal) or to hope for a "bad" flop.
So the 8 ways to lose with pocket aces are:
1. Two Pair 2. 3 of a Kind 3. Straight 4. Flush 5. Full House 6. 4 of a Kind 7. Straight Flush 8. Royal Flush
Remember, pocket aces is just a pair--it's top pair, but it's never going to beat the other 8 poker hands that outrank it! If you can't fold pocket aces when there is a flush possibility on the board and someone is raising, calling all your raises, or re-raising, then there is a very good chance you're going to lose the hand. And, sadly, you're going to be so shocked when it happens, you're going to say to yourself, "Woa! What just happened!"
Learning how to fold pocket aces when you know you're beat is an essential skill in any poker player's tool belt.
The Easiest Protein Supplement You'll Ever Take
Tired of the protein powders, bars, and drinks? I've tried them all. Most of the bars (if they taste any good) contain dangerous artificial sweeteners like sucralose (Splenda). The bars that don't contain these sweeteners taste horrible--duh!
I don't always have time to make a fruit smoothie just so I can add some protein powder to it.
The easiest protein supplement out there, in my opinion, is a drink called "Boost High Protein." It is sold in the pharmacy section of the grocery store near the Slim Fast and Ensure. They come in little red bottles. Each serving contains 15 grams of protein--it's not as much as many of the bars, but it is easy to drink more than one Boost in a day (or in a sitting).
They taste great--like chocolate or strawberry milk. There are many flavors to choose from. They are much better chilled than room temperature. You can also dump one in a smoothie. There are great Boost recipes on the box if you want to get creative.
While Boost can be a little expensive (up to $9 for a six pack), Wal-Mart frequently has 6-packs for $7. Larger "fridge packs" are also available.
Another great thing about Boost is that it will eliminate your need to take any kind of multivitamin because it is full of everything you need in a day.
How to Argue Your Point with Four-Step Refutation
For a big business Q & A, or any speech where you anticipate audience criticism or debate, using Four-Step Refutation will help you make an effective argument.
The four steps are:
1. State your opponents point. This shows everyone that you have understood the logic behind your opponent's point.
2. State your point. Keep it simple: "They claim X; I claim Y."
3. Explain your stand point. How does it work?
4. This is the home run step--provide "the impact" for your argument. What will happen a year or a decade from now if their idea/concept/plan is adopted vs. yours? Why is your point important? What does it mean? Give the context.
Four-Step Refutation is the fundamental debate tactic taught to high school debaters across the country. It is tried and true.
400 Meter Dash Strategy for the First-Timer
Yes, I said strategy. Most sprinters are used to thinking like sprinters, meaning your strategy is to run as fast as you can until you cross the finish line. The idea of needing a race strategy can be foreign to many sprinters.
The 400 meter dash is one of the most challenging races in Track and Field. Sprinters tend to shun it because it's too long; distance runners shun it because it's too short.
If you are a sprinter, use your skills to win the race--meaning get yourself in a decent position back from the lead when you're turning onto the home stretch so you can turn on your speed and cruise past the tired race leaders. For a sprinter, it can be strange to "let" others lead a race even for a few seconds. Trust me!
If you normally run longer races, again, use your strengths--turn up your speed to just under "instant burnout" and let your gifted autopilot take your around the track. Do not get too far behind the lead because this mean burnout as you kick up the pace.
Good luck!
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