If you forget someone’s name but you need to introduce the person to your friend, you can be completely honest and claim you have a brain fog. Apologize for forgetting the person’s name and then say your brain is so foggy from dealing with all the appointments you have that day. Most people understand that a busy schedule and stress can make your brain foggy, so using this as the reason you’ve forgotten someone’s name is a legitimate reason. If you’ve forgotten someone’s name, a good way to get the person to say it is to introduce a friend of yours. Find a friend nearby and say, “Hey, I’d like to introduce you to my friend.” Say your friend’s name first and then wait to have the other person finish the introduction. For example say, “I’d like to introduce you to my friend Katie Gellar”, and the person should respond by saying something like, “Hi Katie, My name is Melanie Smith”. You can find out the name of a person by getting the person’s contact information. You can ask the person to put the information in your cell phone, and then glance at the new contact listing before putting your phone away. Another way to find out the person’s name is to ask for the person’s business card. Many people carry business cards with them which include their name and contact information. Tell the person you want to keep in touch and ask for a business card. Ask the person to spell their name to make sure you get it right.

Summary: Claim a brain fog. Introduce a friend to the person. Ask them for their contact information.


Eating right and maintaining a healthy weight are two easy things you can do to reduce your chances of developing spondylosis and minimize the impact of the condition once it has developed.  Try to get at least one hour of exercise each day.  Do light exercise that does not twist or negatively impact your back, such as gentle yoga.  Avoid contact sports like football, hockey, and rugby.  You should also avoid lifting heavy weights.  Instead, go for run, walk, or bike ride. Eat a healthy diet composed primarily of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, with a small amount of lean protein.  Avoid eating meat, fast food, and processed foods, which are heavy in sugar, salt, and fat.  Drink at least eight glasses of water each day and avoid soda and sweet drinks. Do not smoke.  Smoking could increase your neck pain.  If you already smoke, invest in nicotine patches or gum to reduce your cravings.  Cut your cigarette intake down gradually.  For instance, smoke half a pack instead of a full pack each day for a couple weeks.  Then cut down to one pack every three days for two more weeks.  Continue to reduce your cigarette consumption in this way until it reaches zero. If you have a job that puts a lot of wear and tear on your back, try to find another line of work that is less physically challenging.  Bending, twisting, and straining your back can increase your chances of developing spondylosis down the line.  If possible, try to find another job with the same company you work for now.  For instance, move to a desk job instead of doing unpacking, lifting, and similarly physical work. Even desk jobs, however, can have their own risks.  Sitting all day in one position with your neck craned toward a computer can lead to neck and back pain, too.  Ensure your chair provides an adequate amount of back support.  Adjust your position frequently to avoid developing cramps and pain in your back and neck.  Walk about the office – even just a short distance -- every 30 minutes or so. There are a number of medical procedures that can increase your chances for developing spondylosis later.  Arthritis, a ruptured or slipped disk, fractures due to osteoporosis could all increase your risk for spondylosis.  Talk to your doctor about treatment for these and related conditions, especially those related to neck or back injuries.  Follow your treatment plan in order to avoid developing or worsening spondylosis.

Summary: Stay healthy and maintain a healthy weight. Find a less physical job. Manage prior medical conditions.


Choose 2-4 songs to feature on your demo, and arrange them on a CD, MP3 file, or music streaming website. The songs chosen should represent your sound. Include your contact information, like your (or your band's) name, your song titles, your email and home addresses, and your phone number.  You can embed your contact information into the file via metadata to make sure the publisher has all needed information.  Before choosing songs, play several at a gig or open mike to gauge which are audience favorites. Submitting your music to every major publisher won't increase your chances of publication. You'll want to personalize your pitch. Narrow your sights to four or five publishers you have the best chance with. Ask permission to email your pitch first. Some publishers accept submissions, but others personally contact potential clients. Once you've received a green light, you can send your demo. Unless the publisher specifically asks for a CD demo, email your demo rather than mailing it. The best submission emails are short and efficient. Let them know why you submitted to them and how your music fits within their specialization. Remember to thank the publisher for their time and consideration.  Keep the subject header professional. "Demo Submission: [Your Name]" is a safe choice. Check a publisher's policy before you attach an MP3 file. Most publishers prefer a demo link in the body of your submission. Check your publisher's estimated response times, which will usually be on their website. If enough time has passed without a response, send a quick email thanking them consideration and reminding them of your pitch. Follow up again after several weeks, if you're met with more silence the publisher is clearly not interested.  Don't overdo your email. Two to three sentences will suffice.  After you've followed up twice with no response, move on! Don't waste you're time because other publishers may be interested.

Summary: Compile a music demo. Make a list of the top five publishers in your genre. Call or email potential publishers to ask about pitching policies. Send an email with your demo included as a link. Follow up after you've sent your demo.


Les Miserables comes in many different forms than just the novel. It’s popularity has spurred musicals, plays, and movies. Consider consuming one of these media to help you understand the story or as an alternative to reading the book.  There are many different versions of Les Mis as a movie. You can watch any of them to understand the story. You could go and see the play or musical. Major cities including New York and London still run productions of Les Mis, and you may even be able to find it at a local theatre. You may find that watching the movie or seeing the play can help motivate you to read. If you travel a lot, try using an e-reader or tablet instead of the hard copy. This can help you to pass time without having to tote heavy books on your trip. Reading can sometimes be a boring or solitary endeavor. Suggesting Les Mis to your book club can make reading the book an enjoyable endeavor.  Watching a story unfold and discussing it can be powerful motivation for many people. In addition, it makes the process more enjoyable.  Combine Les Mis with other enjoyable activities such as eating a French meal or having a glass of French wine. If you truly don’t enjoy reading, listen to am audio version of Les Mis. This may allow you to enjoy the story without actually having to do any physical reading. Studies have shown that listening to books offers basically the same intellectual benefits as reading a book. In fact, there are some people who learn better from hearing than through visual stimulation. If you’re reading Les Mis for pure enjoyment, there is no pressure to get through it quickly. Take your time while reading the book to allow yourself to truly enjoy this classic piece of literature. Break down the book by chapters to make it more digestible.
Summary: Rely on media other than books. Suggest it for your book club. Listen to the Les Mis audiobook. Take your time.