Even as the world turns toward the holidays, and everyone you know is spreading cheer and otherwise tis-ing the season, you can bet what’s right around the corner—the annual film and T.V. award extravaganza known as the Golden Globes. As traditional, the nods were handed out in the in the early morning hours at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

Most nominations were expected. There’s no surprise that Heath Ledger earned a posthumous nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of the Joker in ”Batman Returns.” But the battle for best is shaping up between “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and “Frost/Nixon.” “Button” and “Frost” garnered 5 nomination each, including Best Feature for Drama, Best Director and Best Screenplay, just to name a few.

One pleasant surprise was when James Franco got a nod for Best Supporting Actor. However, he was not noticed for his performance in “Milk,” which some insiders predicted. Instead, he earned the nomination for his depiction for the sweet pothead in “Pineapple Express.” Tom Cruise also garnered Best Supporting Actor nomination for the sleazy, filthy-mouthed executive in “Tropic Thunder.”

With the Golden Globes lighting up Beverly Hills in January the spotlight turns to entertainment related jobs in sound, lighting and camera operation. In a weakened economy, the right training can get you far – all the way to Hollywood if you like. While the Hollywood elite are picking up their golden statues, you can be picking up a new trade. Learn more today!

If you thought that pirates were only on TV or part of a Disney ride, you’d be wrong. In recent weeks there has been a story developing about pirates and how they have taken several ships and its crew hostage off the coast of Somali. The pirates have asked for over $2 million in ransom with the Saudi Arabia government and others for hijacking container ships that carry crude oil, among other goods.

Once thought of a dying breed, captains and shipmates still take to the open sea to transport goods to ports around the globe. In addition to transporting goods by ships, more people are taking to the high sea for vacations. Cruises have become a popular way to spend time with family and friends, covering most of the vacation costs in a single package. New ships are needed for business, pleasure and for the military – and that means we need people who can build them.

With the right training, you can get the skills you need to stay afloat in this struggling economy. Through welding training and other technical schools , students can gain relevant skills in ship building.

When the leaves turn from green to yellow, you can bet on a couple of things that are just around the corner: football and season premiers of your favorite T.V. shows. One, in particular, is gaining some recognition, “Pushing Daisies”. The show is a breath of fresh air that has a touch of Tim Burton and his dark comedy style.

The premise of the show is based on Ned, a pie baker, who can touch dead people to bring them back to life and touch them a second time to make them dead again. The pie baker works with a private investigator to solve crimes.
My favorite part is the unique pies that make their way into the show. They are almost a supporting character, lying in the background with the viewers just wanting to take a bit. The most unique pie that has graced the show was an apple-Gruyère pie. The pie is made with tart red apples and has Gruyère cheese baked into the crust.

If baking pies and dark comedy shows pique your interest, then “Pushing Daisies” is a show just for you. Learning how to bake these unique pies might take some time or schooling. Culinary schools offer the training you need to learn about the delicate process of making pies, unique or not.

Unless you live in your underground bunker, you’re probably aware of a certain election that took place recently in the United States. It featured historic presidential and vice-presidential candidates, as well as cable news networks with fancy computerized maps, and an abundance of talking heads.

I will admit, I kind of got into the election coverage that saturated newspapers, the Internet and television news programs. However, now that I know who the new president will be come January 20, I have something else on my mind.

Puppies!

It turns out that President-Elect and Mrs. Obama promised their daughters a new addition to the family if they won the election: a family dog! In true democratic fashion, people were even allowed to help the Obama’s decide which breed to choose.

Several presidential dog websites have sprung up, including one sponsored by the American Kennel Club. At www.presidentialpup.com, visitors can read about breeds the family is considering, and make their voices heard by voting for the breed they want to see in the White House.

More recently, animal activists have encouraged the Obama family to adopt a dog from a shelter. And in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Mrs. Obama stated that they would indeed be adopting a shelter dog.

Unfortunately for me, Mrs. Obama also said they would wait until life at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is a little more settled before welcoming a new dog to the family. I guess I’ll have to wait along with them.

What do you think about dogs? Maybe you’re more of a cat person. Even if dolphins are your favorite species, you should consider a career in veterinary and animal care. A college near you might have the perfect program.

The animals will thank you. And maybe you’ll get to spend your whole workday hanging out with puppies!