Are you nterested in unleashing your inner MC? Pick up the beat with Maschine 1.5 from Native Instruments. The Maschine takes the groove box to the next level, combining all the functions of a drum machine with computerized sampling functions and an extensive sound library. It’s the tool of choice for studio producers, live musicians and DJs, allowing you to program and sequence patterns into songs, record and edit samples and control sound effects; $669, Native-Instruments.com.
Yike Bike
The YikeBike is a lightweight mini-farthing bike capable of folding into an itty-bitty package compact enough to store under a desk or in a backpack. Weighing only 22 lbs, the YikeBike boasts an electronic brake system and anti-skid technology. Sure, it looks a little bit like something you’d do circus tricks on, and has a maximum speed of 12.5 mph, but you’ll be able to spin circles around cars stuck in traffic jams; $3,595, YikeBike.com.
Depression or PMDD?
Many women report mood changes linked to their monthly menstrual cycles. Between 3% and 9% of women of reproductive age experience Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), often with severe depression symptoms. Many women that come to my office who suffer depression and/or PMDD voice they are having difficulty in their relationship. Before you begin to say you have PMDD, keep a diary for approximately 3 months. Don’t blame your menstrual period on your mood swings. Chart your daily moods. Are you feeling up, down, happy, sad, irritable, tired? If your diary reveals that your ups and downs are linked to your cycle, how do you know if you should seek treatment? Consider some of these questions:
• Are you having the worst fights ever with your partner or children?
• Are you unable to enjoy work or family life at these times?
• Are you having major disruptions in your ability to function?
• Are you having poor eating habits or irregular sleep patterns?
• Do you have extreme levels of anxiety?
• Do you have morbid thoughts about death, dying or wanting to die?
If you answer yes to several of these questions (especially the last one), it’s time to seek professional help. You’ll notice the changes as soon as you seek help. You are too precious to not get the help you need!
›Lisette Beraja is a Psychotherapist, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and Founder of Beraja Counseling Center. For more than 10 years, she’s provided guidance and counseling to individuals, families and couples. She’s also a Florida Supreme Court Family Mediator and an 11th Judicial Court approved Parenting Coordinator. To set up an appointment, call 305.858.7763 or visit BerajaCounseling.com.
“A good boss makes his men realize they have more ability
than they think so they consistently do better work.”
— Charles Wilson
Electric Dinosaur
The ‘77 Apple II boasted a whopping 4KB of RAM. To put that in perspective, the new MacBook Pro will be expandable to up to 8GB — that’s 2 million times as much memory!
Oink Trial
In 14th Century France, a pig was accused of having murdered a child and was brought to trail. The poor porker was sentenced to be dressed in human clothes and hung in the public square.
Timely Deposit
Next time you’re planning a visit to the bank, keep this in mind: The most common time for a bank robbery is Friday from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. The least popular time? Wednesday from 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
