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Bad Deal - Good Deal

2011-10-03T21:47:00.000-07:00

The second half of this investing puzzle is price. Put bluntly, the quality of a stock, bond, or property investment only matters in relation to its price. This means that a ram shackled, blighted property can be a phenomenal deal at a certain price. The stock of media darling companies such as Apple, Google, and Amazon can all be terrible investments at a certain price. It is certainly true that high-quality investments can frequently justify a higher price than lower quality investments. However, it is equally true that any investment can be a spectacular deal if the price is right.

The key for investors is to determine when the price of a high-quality stock, bond, or property is over-valued, or conversely when the price of a lower quality stock, bond, or property is under-valued. Any investment is a good deal at one price, and a poor deal at a different price. Unfortunately, it is frequently very difficult to determine exactly where these two boundaries are drawn for any particular investment.

One of the ideas that has become quite pervasive within the minds of investors is the notion of a "good stock" or a "good property" to own. This notion stems from a general desire on the part of most people to own things of quality. In our personal life, this frequently manifests itself as a desire to own a comfortable home, and a reliable automobile. Quality gives us a feeling of safety and security. Thus, it seems completely natural to want our investments to be the stock of a high quality company, the bonds of a high quality corporation of government, or a property that is desirable in both its quality of construction and location. The problem with this view is that it only provides one half of the information that you need to determine whether an investment is a good deal.

When estimating the appropriate price for a particular investment, there are two relevant factors that need to be considered. The first is the expected future price, the second is expected future cash flow, and the third is taxes and inflation. When combined, they will create a holistic picture of the value for any particular investment.

Expected Future Price

In the world of stock and real estate investing, this is referred to as appreciation. Fundamentally, it represents the expectation that the future price of an investment will be higher than the price you paid to purchase it. This is frequently referred to as the 'buy low, sell high' philosophy. For most investors, this is the primary source of value that they see. Stock market tickers report the price of securities, and the Multiple Listing Service reports the price of properties.

However, the ubiquitous availability of price information frequently causes people to over-emphasize price appreciation as a source of value. It is most certain that price appreciation is an important source of value for investments, but it is certainly not the only value vector. The fact that so many people focus on market prices has made them become very volatile over the past few years. Values for stocks, bonds, and real estate have all fluctuated significantly. This has made future price appreciation very difficult to predict.

In addition to all of this, there is one further characteristic of price that investors must take into consideration. In order to capture the benefit of price appreciation, you must sell the investment. This means that watching the value of your stocks or real estate skyrocket means absolutely nothing unless you sell and lock-in the gain. Thus, in order to realize the full gains from future price appreciation, it means that you must sell at the right time. In practice, this is very difficult to do and frequently results in selling while values are still going up.

Expected Future Cash Flow

Another key characteristic of what makes a good vs. bad deal for investors is the cash flow that is produced. In the case of stocks, this comes from dividends. In the case of bonds, this comes from interest payments and the future return of the bond face amount. In the case of real estate, this comes from rents that are paid by tenants for the use of your property. The importance of cash flow to the value of an investment is that it represents a current, tangible return. Typically, investments that produce the best cash flow don't always have the best appreciation. However, they also tend to be less volatile since the price tends to be more highly correlated with the rate of cash generation than the market expectations for future price increases.

The way that most investors articulate the future cash flow of an investment is through its yield. In simple terms, the yield of an investment represents its annual cash flow divided by the price paid for the asset. In the case of stocks, the "dividend yield" is the annual dividends divided by the current market price. In the case of rental real estate, the "capitalization rate" is calculated by dividing the annual net operating income of the property by the purchase price. In the case of bonds, the discounted future value of all payments is compressed into an internal rate of return, which is articulated as the bond yield.

In most cases, the rate of cash generation for an investment is much less volatile than the market price of that investment. Stocks that pay dividends tend to adjust their dividend rate at a much slower rate than the market value gyrations of its price. Rents from income properties tend to shift much more slowly than the value of the property. Bonds typically feature a fixed interest and repayment price, with their market value being determined by the movement in yield rates for similar instruments. When market yields increase, the price of bonds currently on the market go down. When market yields decrease, the price of bonds currently on the market go up.

Taxes and Inflation

The final key characteristic that differentiates good vs. bad investments is inflation and taxes. Inflation represents the erosion of you investment's purchasing power and taxes represent the amount of your gains that need to be paid to the government. One of the oldest and most important concepts in finance is that "It's not what you make, it's what you keep"... fundamentally, this means that the "real" rate of return for your investments is much more important than the "nominal" performance.

Starting with inflation, it is important to understand that when the amount of money in circulation expands more quickly than the amount of goods and services being traded, it creates upward pressure on prices. For some asset classes, the effect of inflation is relatively benign, for others it is beneficial, and for some it is devastating. By and large, property values tend to be lifted in proportion with inflation, while cash flows from dividends and rents are also increased by inflation. Some stocks move up with inflation, but certainly not all. On the other hand, bonds with a fixed interest rate are destroyed by inflation since it de-values the interest payments. Conversely, fixed-rate debt that you owe is wiped away by inflation as the dollars you use to re-pay the loan become less valuable.

Another key characteristic to understand is taxes. Different types of income are subject to different rates of taxation. Generally speaking, income that is earned from a job encounters the most taxes. Income that is earned passively encounters less taxes, and income earned from capital investment encounters the least taxes. Astute investors also understand the impact of legitimate business deductions, non-cash expenses such as depreciation, and deferring capital gains through a 1031 exchange to reduce their tax burden down to the legal minimum. In many cases, it is tax advantages that turn a good investment into a great investment.

Ultimately, it is the responsibility of each person to determine what constitutes a superior investment deal. Since people have different appetites for risk, there will always be a variety of investors bidding for a variety of assets. What is most important for the individual investor to do is take an honest assessment of their personal investment tolerance and make decisions that incorporate all of the major value factors. By balancing the future price, future cash flow, inflation risk, and tax characteristics, it will allow you to build a strong portfolio of optimized deals.

Safe Experience Using a Razor Scooter For How to Ensure

2011-10-02T22:59:00.000-07:00

Before letting your child onto their scooter you need to make sure they are wearing the proper safety equipment. It doesn't matter if they are just riding around in circles in your driveway, a helmet is a must each and every time your child rides their scooter. Additional safety equipment such as wrist guards, elbow guards and knee pads are a great idea for children just getting introduced to riding on a scooter for the first time. Accidents do happen and it is quite important that your child have the necessary safety gear should they have a spill.

Each time before you let your child ride on their Razor Scooter you need to perform a visible inspection of the scooter. Take a close look and make sure there are no visible signs of damage to the handles, the bar-stem, the foot platform or the wheels. The wheels should spin freely without any friction and all adjustable parts should be securely fashioned. Since most Razor Scooters are designed for many sized people you will have to make sure that the handlebars are at the correct height. Another important thing to check is the foot break. The foot break should be able to be depressed with little effort. If you notice anything that seems like it could cause injury (loose handlebars or major cracks in the metal for example) you should definitely not let your child ride it and you should seek out a replacement. Once you decide the Razor Scooter is safe to operate you can proceed to the next step.

After your child has finished enjoying their Razor Scooter for the day you may opt to do another quick visible inspection of the scooter to ensure that no major damage that would affect the performance has occurred. Once that is complete the scooter should be stored in a safe spot. Since Razor Scooters are made primarily from metal you should store it in a place that is out of the elements and since Razor Scooters collapse this makes for easy and low impact storage. Never store the scooter outside where fog or rain can come in contact with it. Water creates rust which can make the scooter unsafe to operate

More Kids Like This One Imagine If We Had

2011-10-01T23:01:00.000-07:00

Cogitating rather than dilly-dallying as most teenagers her age, Cheyenne thought about ways to prevent accidents on a rather busy street near her house. Looking out from her window, Cheyenne witnessed many accidents occurring because of careless lead-foot drivers putting the pedal to the medal without regard to the lives they might be risking. Her idea to create a speed bump which would detect an approaching speeding car and thus deploy itself, won her the chance to compete at the 13th annual Discovery 3M Young Scientist Challenge. At this final event, Cheyenne stands the chance to nail the coveted award of America's Top Young Scientist along with a $25,000 prize. Not bad for cogitating while looking outside her bedroom window.

As though this one invention were not enough, Cheyenne has also come up with another ingenious idea, one which could have implications for potential victims of future hurricanes and other nasty acts of nature. Prior to Hurricane Irene, which lashed out at the eastern seaboard, Cheyenne put forth a flood protection idea: a kind of waterproof sheet that would wrap around a house and essentially rise with impending flooding. The sheet would have built -in sensors that would monitor the level and water and thus rise or fall accordingly. The sheet thus would protect the house from water damage. I think insurance companies, hard-hit over the years by damages incurred from mother-nature-like storms, would welcome and even support such ideas.

Anyone who reads the news regularly or who keeps up with current events, knows that the country is in deep trouble. Unrelenting fiscal debt, staggering unemployment figures, and consumer confidence levels that have not been this low since the Great Depression. So it is heartening when I read in the newspaper something more positive, such as the story about fourteen year old Cheyenne Hua, a ninth-grader at Hunter College Junior High School in Queens, New York, who is coming up with ideas to prevent fatalities from speeding drivers and to ward off future victims of such calamities as hurricanes and flooding.

Cheyenne's parents are obviously very proud of her. In fact, Cheyenne gets a pass on most household chores because of the time she spends cogitating on her inventions. Then again, if more kids did what Cheyenne did, I think most parents would agree to give them a pass on other mundane chores. Certainly the insurance companies would agree. Let's give our hats off to such promising young kids.

Joe is a prolific writer of self-help and educational material and is the creator and author of over a dozen books and ebooks which have been read throughout the world. He is a former teacher of high school and college mathematics and has recently returned as a professor of mathematics at a local community college in New Jersey.

It's Not Gravy Forever Of Investment Peaks

2011-09-23T22:58:00.000-07:00

Scientists have been searching for a source of perpetual motion for decades - the thing that you set in motion, and it just keeps running forever. Unfortunately, this sort of thing doesn't exist in nature, and that should tell you something about your investments - they are finite, and there are definitely investment peaks to be watched for.

Nothing is forever

An investment is not something you put money into once then forget about it, and simply keep reaping dividends in perpetuity. Sure, some investments may seem that way: treasury bills, bonds and other boring, low yield investments do in fact continue to generate modest returns for quite some time, but so does bank interest, which can't really be considered investment per se - those forms of money storage don't seem to have investment peaks.

What exactly are we talking about then?

Investment peaks are nothing more than the point where an investment, be it a stock or business enterprise, has reached its earning potential for your portfolio. Call it a saturation point or a stalling out of sorts. It's the point where an investment has simply ceased to become an investment anymore and it begins to be a financial drain rather than an asset.

How can I prevent against this?

Be vigilant of your holdings and portfolio. A perfect example of investment peaks is your home - not five years ago, it had fundamentally peaked in value, reaching higher and higher until it superseded all known data or metrics in the history of American homes. After that, however, it started a slow, gradual descent - not so gradual for some people - to the point where it is worth less now than it was five years ago. Not many people can say today their homes are worth more than they were in 2007. Other investments such as businesses, stocks, or ventures behave accordingly, they don't rise for ever.

Get out your crystal ball

If you could call the peak of a stock or home price, you'd be clairvoyant. The key to watching for investment peaks is not to call the very top, although it would be nice to - the key is to set a realistic goal for an investment and then remove your money when you've achieved that goal, and do something else with it. Greed keeps us locked into declining investments long after they've reached their expiration dates. We think they'll go back up, and we end up riding them all the way down instead.

Your investment strategy needs not so much to focus on predicting the future as it does to make a detailed investment plan and stick to it, exiting from the investment when the income goal is met, and no later. Will this result in leaving some money on the table? Absolutely, but money is better left on the table than it is coming out of your pocket die to errors in judgment caused by blinding greed. Do yourself a favor and get with your financial advisor, or do it yourself if you have to, but set concrete financial goals and be well out of the investment when the investment peaks, which it most certainly will.

President Dilma in Spotlight

2011-09-13T22:57:00.000-07:00

Much of the confidence in Brazil investment opportunities comes from the perception that Brazil has a strong government led by determined leaders. President Dilma Rousseff is one such leader and this week, she captures takes the spotlight on the international stage.

Dilma's higher than usual profile this week is US-based. The Brazilian President features on the front cover of Newsweek in its American edition and Dilma will the first woman head of state to open a United Nations General Assembly. In addition, she will receive the Woodrow Wilson Public Service Award.

This stream of accolades comes as recognition of Dilma's decided leadership of Brazil, currently a leading light in times of global uncertainty. Dilma's international acknowledgment will also serve to further corroborate Brazil as a destination for some of the best investments for 2011, particularly when it comes to political and economical security.

Brazil in Control

Newsweek, under the title "Don't mess with Dilma", details the President's personal and political life. The article emphasises Brazil's economic growth and Dilma's part in this. The recent visit by Barack Obama when he referred to Brazil and the US as "equal partners" and Dilma's inauguration of the UN General Assembly confirm Brazil's presence in the world arena.

When asked what differentiates her country from the rest of the world, the Brazilian President highlights Brazil's strong political and banking controls. For Dilma, these controls mean Brazil can counteract slower economic growth or even global stagnation, unlike many other countries.

Recent statistics back this theory - Brazil barely suffered the effects of the 2008 global recession and currently has record levels of employment and middle class growth. Direct foreign investment in Brazil is also seeing the highest rates ever with private investment in equity at the top.

The latest Ernst & Young Capital Confidence Barometer Brazil recently concluded that when it comes to Brazilian investment opportunities, "the pluses far outweigh the minuses". This sentiment is echoed by foreign companies active in Brazil, many of whom have noted that 2011 has been a year with intense investor interest and activity.

Centre Stage

In addition to her front cover presence, Dilma is also receiving the prestigious Woodrow Wilson Public Service Award. For Jane Harman, CEO of the Woodrow Wilson Center, "President Rousseff's story has inspired millions of women throughout the world to reach for leadership".

Shortly after receiving the award, Dilma will open the General Assembly at the UN in New York where she will be the first female head of state to do so. After just nine months as President of Brazil, Dilma is proving to be an immensely influential leader, capable to leading her own country and others. Brazilian investment is undoubtedly in safe hands.

About Obelisk International: Obelisk International offers select investment opportunities in Brazil in a range of sectors such as social housing, residential real estate and construction. Obelisk gives investors security, profitability and diversity thanks to a combination of close attention to our clients' investment requirements and high quality in-house research and analysis.

Good Investment For Strategies

2011-09-03T21:49:00.000-07:00

An investor should always shoot for an increased level of return than his money can earn from the prevailing market interest rate (found at your local bank), which is considered safe and guaranteed. He is taking a risk by investing his money and expects to be be justly compensated. An investor, as a result has to perform a good judgment about the prevailing situation in the market before making the investment. Depending on the asset these conditions include local and international economic conditions (including political issues), industry specific concerns, a company's leadership team, and so on. Of course there are many factors that are simply impossible to know, hence, the risk. Using technical analysis software is helpful in purchasing stock.

Smart investors will not invest their own money. They will either borrow from a bank or credit union, lend guidance in exchange for another participant using his money, or even mortgage a property and use that amount for the investment. Then he will try to earn more than the interest amount that he has pay on such loans. It has been seen that some successful investors won't even live in their own home. They will actually rent a home from someone else. The reason is that they find it is far better to invest with the money they save by not purchasing a house. (Though there are tax advantages to owning.) An investor needs to be efficient and should make wise decisions in the investment strategy, being opportunistic and not afraid of being creative.

Investing suggests spending cash to purchase fixed assets. When an investor decides to invest his or her money in bonds, he has a presumptive desire to generate profits from that purchase. Fixed assets typically involve company shares, bonds, land and buildings, gold and other metals, fabricating plants, machinery, etc. Those assets can yield either a profit or a loss relying upon the market situation at the time of purchase and sale.

A savvy investor has to account for many factors before investing his or her capital. Commonly an investor will buy the assets when its selling price is low and can make profit by selling it at the higher cost, though there are several techniques for making money during the decline of an asset's value.

An additional smart approach is to generate the most returns with the least amount of money invested. One of the most efficient ways to do this is through stock options trading. Understanding options trading will allow you to accelerate cash inflow more so than a common stock purchase is capable of.

One to thing to remember, it is better to diversify the investment portfolio. Instead of investing in only one stock or property, it is prudent to have different forms of investments. The justification is found in the unpredictable future situations in the world economic marketplace. It is uncertain whether an investment will yield income or not. If a single investment is profitable, no issues. But if it loses money than the investor has to suffer it for the whole amount he dedicated to the one asset. In the case of investments in multiple stocks, it is logical that not all of them will lose money. In a properly diversified portfolio, if some assets generate negative returns, others will produce earnings.

How To Avoid Becoming a Victim of Investment Fraud Of Investment Fraud "Secrets"

2011-08-23T21:52:00.000-07:00

Asset Allocation and Cognitive Biases

A perfect example of how cognitive biases can negatively impact investment decisions is a common misperception involving asset allocation. When you mention asset allocation or diversification to most investors, they think in terms of quantity rather than quality. Consequently, a large percentage of investors have portfolios that are diversified in terms of types and numbers of holdings within the portfolio, but the portfolios are not "effectively" diversified due to the high correlation of returns, or overlap, between the investments.

Portfolios that are not "effectively" diversified are sometimes referred to as being "pseudo" diversified since they appear to be diversified, but they do not actually provide an investor with the benefits of a truly diversified portfolio. The high correlation between the investments results in an investor having less downside protection than they would have with a truly diversified portfolio.

As an example, most people would consider a portfolio consisting of a large cap fund (IWB - iShares Russell 100 Index), a small cap fund (IWM - i Shares Russell 2000 Index), an international equity fund (EFA - iShares MSCI EAFE Index) and a bond fund (AGG - iShares Barclay Aggregate Bond Index), to be diversified since it consists of four different types of funds. A review of a correlation of returns matrix for a portfolio of the four exchange traded funds (ETFs) representing the four categories over the time period 8/31/2003 to 8/31/2011 tells a different story.

IWB/IWM - 0.93 IWB/EFA - 0.91 IWB/AGG - 0.05

IWM/EFA - 0.81 IWM/EFA - (0.03) EFA/AGG - 0.11

Analyzing rolling periods of returns often provides a better picture of trends and the persistence of trends. An analysis of rolling five year periods of returns for the referenced ETFs provides the following information:

2010-06

IWB/IWM - 0.966 IWB/EFA - 0.970 IWB/AGG - (0.308)

IWM/EFA - 0.896 IWM/AGG - (0.325) EFA/AGG - (0.432)

2009-05

IWB/IWM - 0.985 IWB/EFA - 0.991 IWB/AGG - (0.282)

IWM/EFA - 0.977 IWM/AGG - (0.338) EFA/AGG - (0.340)

2008-04

IWB/IWM - 0.967 IWB/EFA - 0.999 IWB/AGG - (0.445)

IWM/EFA - 0.973 IWM/AGG - (0.518) EFA/AGG - (0.4650

The higher the matrix number, the higher the correlation of returns and performance. A negative matrix number indicates a negative correlation of returns, which means that the two investments behave differently during various market conditions.

The matrix clearly shows a high correlation of returns between the large cap and the small cap ETF, and a high, albeit varying, correlation of returns between the international ETF and the large and small cap ETFs. The matrix clearly shows a low correlation of returns between the bond ETF and the other three ETFs. An argument can be made that a portfolio consisting only of the large cap ETF (IWB) and the bond ETF (AGG) would produce similar results.

Since fees and expenses are relatively low for most ETFs, cost is not that much an issue with a portfolio of ETFs. Since many financial advisers do not use index funds or ETFs in making recommendations, the negative impact of "pseudo" diversification can be seen in a portfolio of load-based mutual funds, again representing the four asset categories used in the ETF portfolio. The mutual funds represented are American Funds Growth Fund of America (large cap equity), Oppenheimer Discovery (small cap equity), Fidelity Worldwide (international) and PIMCO Total Return (bond).

2010-06

Am/Opp - 0.922 Am/Fid - 0.981 Am/PIMCO - 0.705

Opp/Fid - 0.948 Opp/PIMCO - 0.688 Fid/PIMCO - 0.597

2009-05

Am/Opp - 0.922 Am/Fid - 0.981 Am/PIMCO - 0.519

Opp/Fid - 0.948 Opp/PIMCO - 0.636 Fid/PIMCO - 0.451

2008-04

Am/Opp - 0.893 Am/Fid - 0.989 Am/PIMCO - 0.052

Opp/Fid - 0.935 Opp/PIMCO - 0.482 Fid/PIMCO - 0.148

The data shows the correlation of returns over rolling five-year periods in order to show not only the correlation of returns, but also the trend in correlation of returns. Once again, we see the same high correlation of returns between the equity-based mutual funds, with a lower correlation of returns between the bond fund and the equity-based funds that we saw with the ETF portfolio. The results are consistent with studies that have shown an increase in correlation of returns between equity-based investments over the past decade, especially during periods of increased volatility in the markets.

The correlation of returns matrix exposes the false illusion of diversification created by the bias of assessing diversification on the quantity of funds or types of funds alone. This bias is sometimes difficult to remove, as diversification based on quantity and type seems to make sense. Unfortunately, that is exactly what unscrupulous financial advisers are relying on, as they try to exploit the "truth" and "authority " biases.

If you are like most people, your initial reaction to the question posed by the title to this white paper is "no." However, for many investors, the answer is "yes." With all of the investment options available today, many investors are intimidated, confused and frustrated by the investment process. Recent studies also support the suggestion that many investors are perfect targets for investment fraud or already are victims of investment fraud. For instance,

A recent study by Schwab Institutional found that 75% of investor portfolios were unsuitable for investors given their financial situation and goals;
A recent study by CEG Worldwide concluded that over 94% of those holding themselves out as wealth managers were more product salesman than wealth manager;
The 2010 IPT Elder Investor Fraud Survey reported that investment fraud is the number crime against the elderly, affecting an estimated 7.3 million older Americans, or one out of every five senior citizens. Since that number only counts the instances of fraud actually reported, the number of victims is undoubtedly higher.

One of the problems with avoiding investment fraud is the difficulty in detecting some types of fraud due to the subtleness or complexity of the fraud itself. Another problem with detecting fraud is the personal biases and beliefs that each investor has regarding investing. The purpose of this article is to alert investors to some of the more common elements of investment fraud so that investors can prevent unnecessary investment risk and financial loss due to investment fraud.

Fraud and Cognitive Biases

The common response to investment fraud is to call for greater investor education programs. However, a recent law review article in The Elder Law Journal suggests that investor education programs may be largely ineffective due to cognitive issues such as cognitive biases and/or cognitive deficits of investors. Cognitive biases are personal beliefs that impact our decisions. Cognitive deficits are impairments in mental ability, including impairments due to aging.

In the article, "Deception, Decisions and Investor Education," the author, suggests a model of fraud victimization, which she refers to as the "deception/decision cycle."1 As investors are provided with investment information, they filter the information through their personal beliefs, beliefs based upon a combination of actual experience, education and first impressions. An Investor's beliefs, or biases, may or may not be accurate, but they can become so ingrained, or "anchored," within a person that the person resists any conflicting information.

These biases may be strengthened even further by what are known as "truth" and "authority" biases, a person's tendency to accept a statement as true, especially when the statement comes from someone with actual or perceived authority or expertise. The individual investor, whether because of issues such as cognitive biases/deficits, the complexity of the investment information of the sheer volume of such information, may fail to recognize the deception involved in the fraud.

Portfolio Optimization and Cognitive Biases

If you have had an asset allocation plan or portfolio optimization plan prepared by your financial adviser, look at the plan and see if there is anything in the plan that gives you the projected risk, return or correlation of return data on the actual investment portfolio the financial adviser recommended to you. Investors rarely see such an analysis using the investor's actual investments, primarily because the commercial asset allocation/ portfolio optimization programs used by most financial advisers are not designed to produce such a "real world" analysis. And yet, the calculations can be done using Microsoft Excel.

In many cases this failure to provide a "real world" portfolio analysis results in recommendation-implementation gaps, often leaving investors with portfolios significantly different from the asset allocation/portfolio optimization plan provided to them by their financial adviser, especially with regard to exposure to unnecessary investment risk.

The calculations required to calculate the projected risk, return and correlation of returns statistics for an investor's actual investment portfolio are complex. Consequently, most investors are unable to calculate the actual portfolio's statistics themselves or to otherwise detect an investment adviser's fraudulent behavior.

Too often an investor falls prey to the "trust" bias or the "authority" bias and just accepts the plan given to them without questioning the accuracy of the plan or the failure to provide a "real world" analysis of the actual investment portfolio that their financial adviser recommended. But you should question your financial adviser and ignore any "trust" or "authority" biases, especially since the portfolio optimizers often produce recommendations that are counterintuitive and/or contrary to existing legal standards.

Some examples may help to prove my point. Two of the most important factors in constructing a suitable investment portfolio are the investor's risk tolerance level and the investor's investment time horizon. With that in mind, an experiment with two popular online asset allocation calculators provides some interesting results.

The first asset allocation calculator asked about risk tolerance, but did not even ask about investment time horizon. The regulators take the basic position that anyone with an investment time horizon less than five years should generally avoid equity-based investments since they might not have enough time to recover any losses suffered in the market. With the first calculator, we ran the same set of personal investment parameters, with the only exception being that we varied the risk tolerance level in each scenario. The results are shown in Appendix A.

Two clear issues emerge regarding investor protection. First, regardless of the investor's risk tolerance level, the calculator recommends a portfolio consisting of approximately 60% equities and 40% bonds/cash. Second, the calculator completely ignores the "low" risk tolerance entry, exposing the risk averse investor to an undesired level of investment risk due to recommended equity allocations.

With the second asset allocation calculator, information was requested on both the investor's risk tolerance level and the investor's investment time horizon. Once again, the same set of personal investment parameters are used in each analysis, changing only the risk tolerance level and/or the investment time horizon. The results are shown in Appendix B.

If you accept the regulators' position regarding a minimum five-year investment time horizon for equity investments, then the second calculator's equity allocation for the 3-5 year time horizon is questionable, as it recommends a 30% allocation to equities for the low risk investor and a 45% allocation to equities for a moderate risk investor.

Expanding the time horizon out to 5-10 years, the low risk investor get the same portfolio recommendations that the 3-5 year time horizon/moderate risk investor got, which obviously raises questions. Strangely, the moderate risk investor with the 5-10 year time horizon receives a recommendation that increases the bond allocation to 65% and lowers the equity allocation to only 45%.

Increasing the investment time horizon to 10-20 years produces basically the same recommendation for both the low risk and moderate risk investor, with the recommended equity allocation only varying by 5 percentage points. The calculator appears to overweight the investment time horizon and basically ignore the low risk investor's preference to avoid investment risk.

The last example is just further evidence that most asset allocation/portfolio optimization software programs are highly unstable and susceptible to mistakes, so much so that they have been criticized as "estimation-error maximizers" by industry expert Richard Michaud. Investors who wish to protect their financial security would do well to replace any "truth" and/or "authority" biases with a healthy dose of skepticism and a willingness to question their financial advisers.

Investment Fees and Expenses and Cognitive Biases

Investors look to their financial advisers for advice and generally defer to any recommendations provided by their adviser. Again, this is often the results of both the "truth" and the "authority" biases. Many financial advisers limit their investment recommendations to actively managed, commission-based products, which may not be in an investor's best interests.

The negative impact of biases grows even deeper once the impact of fees and expenses is considered. Fees and expenses on index funds and ETFs are usually low since there is little or no active management of such investments. Fees and expenses on actively managed mutual funds can vary, with some even assessing annual fees and expenses in excess of 1.0% per year. Fees and expenses are important to investors since they reduce an investor's return.

Assume that we have two funds, Fund A and Fund B, both with relatively similar performance returns. Fund A is an index fund/ETF. Fund B is an actively managed fund that has an R-squared rating of 93, which means that approximately 93% of Fund B's return can be attributed to the performance of a benchmark index, in this case the index represented by Fund A. However, Fund B's annual fees and expenses are 1.0% per year, while those of Fund A are 0.25% per year.

Since most of the return of Fund B can be attributed to an index rather than the contributions of active management, why would an investor pay three times more in annual fees and expenses for Fund B? Before investing in Fund B, it is useful to see just how beneficial the active management has been and exactly what the active management is effectively costing the investor.

One commonly used method for making such assessments is known as the active expense ratio. The active expense ratio was introduced by Professor Ross Miller, a finance professor at the State University of New York at Albany. Professor Miller basically compares a fund's R-squared rating with the excess annual fees charged by the fund to determine a fund's "effective" annual fees and expenses.

In our example, the active expense ratio calculates to an effective annual active expense ratio fee of 3.02% for the active management of the fund, a little over 200% higher than the stated fees and expenses. For the four mutual funds in our sample portfolio, the active expense ratios were as follows.

American Funds Growth

R-Squared - 98.34

Stated Expense Ratio - 0.69%

Active Expense Ratio - 4.44%

Oppenheimer Discovery

R-Squared - 93.43

Stated Expense Ratio - 1.34%

Active Expense Ratio - 4.63%

Fidelity Worldwide

R-Squared - 97.58

Stated Expense Ratio - 0.71%

Active Expense Ratio - 3.06%

PIMCO Total Return

R-Squared - 68.43

Stated Expense Ratio - 0.56%

Active Expense Ratio - 0.53%

There are those who may argue that the active expense ratio is misleading. However, when an actively managed fund derives most of its performance from an index and an investor can obtain that same index's performance at a much lower cost, one has to question the wisdom of reducing one's investment returns by paying "money for nothing" and reducing one's investment returns. Why pay three times more for essentially the same results?

And yet investors do it every day, impacted by "truth" and "authority" biases they may not even be aware of. Some investors have no choice, as their company's retirement plan may only offer actively managed, commissioned-based investment options as a result of their plan's fiduciary being influenced by their own "truth" and "authority" biases. Armed with the knowledge of both these biases and active expense ratios, it would not be surprising to see both plan participants and plan fiduciaries act to provide more meaningful investment options within retirement plans.

Wealth Management and Cognitive Biases

"Anchoring" is one of the strongest cognitive biases and, with regard to investing and wealth management, one of the most potentially destructive influences on wealth preservation. Anchoring can be defined as a reluctance to retreat from existing beliefs and decisions and a resistance to even consider new or opposing information.

The difficulty with addressing anchoring bias can summed up with the observation from noted economist John Maynard Keynes that "the difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from the old ones" and that "worldly wisdom teaches us that it is better for reputation to fail conventionally than to succeed unconventionally." Beliefs often become truths, regardless of whether such beliefs are valid, often resulting in unnecessary risk and financial loss.

A perfect example of the potential negative impact of anchoring can be seen in investors that adopt a buy-and-hold approach to wealth management, or, as buy-and-hold critics often refer to the strategy, the "buy, forget and regret" approach. It is interesting to note that the buy-and hold approach to wealth management is apparently derived from an ongoing misinterpretation of a famous financial study.

A 1986 study, commonly known as the Brinson-Hood-Beebower (BHB) study, concluded that approximately 94% of the variability of a portfolio's returns was attributable to the portfolio's asset allocation mix. The study made no representations whatsoever regarding the impact of asset allocation on a portfolio's actual returns, only on the variability of a portfolio's returns.

Nevertheless, financial advisers and investment companies misrepresent the study's findings to support their buy-and-hold argument, claiming that all an investor has to do for investment success is to set up an appropriate initial asset allocation and maintain that allocation since the BHB study proved that asset allocation determines 94% of an investor's returns. The problem is that many investors have read or heard this mantra so often that they have fallen prey to the "truth" and "authority" biases and the misrepresentations are now firmly anchored into their personal beliefs.

It is interesting to note that the buy-and-hold approach is not derived from the works of the early pioneers of wealth management, Nobel laureates Dr. Harry Markowitz, the father of Modern Portfolio Theory, and Dr. William Sharpe. In fact, Dr, Sharpe has recently stated that investors should change their asset allocation in response to changes in market values. A recent study by asset allocation expert Roger Ibbotson has rebuffed the buy-and-hold strategy, stating that active management and asset allocation have about the same impact on a portfolio's performance.

There are many investment professionals who would argue that the buy-and-hold approach is fundamentally sound and does not constitute investment fraud. These professionals usually claim that anything other than a buy-and-hold approach, with an occasional rebalancing to restore the original asset allocation parameters, constitutes market timing, which is both costly and ineffective.

From a legal perspective, what buy-and-hold advocates fail to realize is that the buy-and-hold approach completely ignores the proven cyclical nature of the market and t the Prudent Investor Act, whose guidelines which are often used by regulatory bodies and the courts in determining questions of fraud and prudent fiduciary conduct. The Prudent Investor Act clearly states that a fiduciary should make changes in an investment portfolio when changes in the market or economy dictate such changes are necessary in order to protect the portfolio against unnecessary risk and losses.

The classic definition of market timing involves having all of one's assets either in the market or out of the market. The potential tax implications and the difficulty in perfectly timing the stock make such a strategy practically impossible. Reallocating some of one's resources to reduce risk exposure is not market timing, but smart, defensive investing.

Smart investors would do well to heed the advice of noted investor Ben Graham, who warned that "the essence of investment management is the management of risks, not the management of returns. Well managed portfolios start with this precept." Various studies support Graham's postion, with such studies documenting the fact that avoiding losses has a much greater impact than missing potential returns.

Many investors suffered unnecessary investment losses during the recent 2000-2002 and 2008 bear markets due to their cognitive biases regarding the buy-and-hold approach to investing and their refusal to objectively consider other investment approaches. Unfortunately, these same investors will likely continue to suffer unnecessary investment losses unless and until they recognize their cognitive biases and objectively examine their investment strategy. As George Santayana pointed out, those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Conclusion

Investment fraud is a pervasive problem. While various statistics are often cited as evidence of the problem, the truth is that such numbers are only a small percentage of the actual cases of investment fraud, as many cases go unreported and many victims of investment fraud are unaware that they are victims due to the subtlety or complexity of the fraud itself.

An emerging theory of investment fraud is that investors are susceptible to investment fraud due to cognitive biases and/or cognitive deficits that impair their ability to properly analyze investment situations and the recommendations of their financial advisers. It is imperative that investors become aware of and overcome potentially harmful personal biases, such as "truth" bias, "authority" bias and anchoring, in order to properly analyze investment options and better protect their financial security.

This article is for informational purposes only, and is not designed or intended to provide legal, investment, or other professional advice since such advice always requires consideration of individual circumstances. If legal, investment, or other professional assistance is needed, the services of an attorney or other professional adviser should be sought.

Notes

1. Jayne W. Barnard, "Deceptions, Decisions and Investor Education," Elder Law Journal, Vol. 17, No. 2 (2010), 201.

APPENDIX A

Low Risk Portfolio

Investment Parameters > Age: 50 > Assets: $250,000 > Risk Tolerance: Low > Tax Bracket: 25% > Economic Outlook: Moderate > Income Needs: 4%

Recommended Allocation > Large Cap Equity - 23%, Midcap Equity - 13%, Small Cap Equity - 9%, Foreign Equity - 14%, Bonds - 23%, Municipal Bonds - 18%, Cash - 13%

Moderate Risk Portfolio

Investment Parameters > Age: 50 > Assets: $250,000 > Risk Tolerance: Moderate > Tax Bracket: 25% > Economic Outlook: Moderate > Income Needs: 4%

Recommended Allocation > Large Cap Equity - 21%, Midcap Equity - 14%, Small Cap Equity - 10%, Foreign Equity - 16%, Bonds - 26%, Municipal Bonds - 18%, Cash - 0%

High Risk Portfolio

Investment Parameters > Age: 50 > Assets: $250,000 > Risk Tolerance: High > Tax Bracket: 25% > Economic Outlook: Moderate > Income Needs: 4%

Recommended Allocation>Large Cap Equity - 20%, Midcap Equity - 16%, Small Cap Equity - 13%, Foreign Equity - 17%, Bonds - 24%, Municipal Bonds - 0%, Cash - 10%

APPENDIX B

3-5 Year Investment Time Horizon

Low Risk Tolerance: Bonds - 70%, Large Cap Equity - 15%, Small Cap Equity - 5%, Foreign Equity - 10%

Moderate Risk Tolerance: Bonds - 50%, Large Cap Equity - 25%, Small Cap Equity - 10%, Foreign Equity - 15%

High Risk Tolerance: Bonds - 60%, Large Cap Equity - 20%, Small Cap Equity - 10%, Foreign Equity - 10%

5-10 Year Investment Time Horizon

Low Risk Tolerance: Bonds - 50%, Large Cap Equity - 25%, Small Cap Equity - 10%, Foreign Equity - 15%

Moderate Risk Tolerance: Bonds - 65%, Large Cap Equity - 20%, Small Cap Equity - 5%, Foreign Equity - 10%

High Risk Tolerance: Bonds - 40%, Large Cap Equity - 30%, Small Cap Equity - ]15%, Foreign Equity - 15%

10-20 Year Investment Time Horizon

Low Risk Tolerance: Bonds - 30%, Large Cap Equity - 30%, Small Cap Equity - 20%, Foreign Equity - 20%

Moderate Risk Tolerance:Bonds - 25%, Large Cap Equity - 35%, Small Cap Equity - 20%, Foreign Equity - 20%

High Risk Tolerance: Bonds - 20%, Large Cap Equity - 40%, Small Cap Equity -20%, Foreign Equity - 20%

Stock Market Success Of Rosenberg's Eight Commandments

2011-08-03T21:51:00.000-07:00

So with that introduction, let me give you Mr. Rosenberg's eight commandments on how to successfully invest.

#1 Do not be concerned with where a stock has already been - instead, be concerned with where it is going. The important thing is what lies ahead, not what has already transpired...

Focus on a company's future - its earning, growth potential. Then make a well-researched judgment on whether you're paying the right price today for its future earnings stream. If a stock is pricier than its future growth potential, do not buy it.

#2 Do not concern yourself as much with the market in general as with the outlook for your individual stocks---and this is key for today's market.

Most investors base their buying and selling on overall market sentiment. Mr. Rosenberg believes this is a fallacy. He believed in buying good value as it appears and do not let the general market sentiment alter your decision.

#3 Remember... the public is generally wrong. He said: The masses are not well informed about investments and the stock market. They have not disciplined themselves correctly to make the right choices in the right industries at the right prices. They are moved mainly by their emotions, and history has proved them to be wrong consistently.

#4 Do not make hasty, emotional decisions about buying and selling stocks.

In fact, if you've heard my commentaries on this show, you'll know that I keep insisting that you have peace of mind through all sorts of market gyrations, and always sleep well at night. It is very easy to get caught in the trap of emotions amidst media noise and peer pressure... build your discipline so you are emotionally detached from the market, and stay focused and attached to your long-term investment strategy, and you will do well.

#5 Stocks always look worst at the bottom of a bear market when everything is the most gloomy and always look best at the top of a bull market (when everybody is optimistic).

Again, as many of my listeners know, I recently said Bad Markets Make Good Friends, and this is exactly Mr. Rosenberg's point - the best time to buy is when markets are beaten up and no one else is buying. In the man's own words: Have strength and buy when things do look bleak and sell when they look too good to be true.

#6 Remember too, that you'll seldom-if ever-buy stocks right at the bottom or sell them right at the top.
Not words you want to hear, for sure, but there is a lot of experience, truth and wisdom in them. As I've said in the past, never try and overly finesse the market's every turn. Buy when stocks generally appear underpriced without looking for new bottoms, and sell when stocks reach or exceed your expectation of fair value.

#7 Beware of following stock market "fads." (biotech, internet, emerging markets)

As he says..."the stock market occasionally develops fads for certain industries. In almost all cases a sudden rush to buy the fad stocks pushes them to price levels which are totally unwarranted. When you buy at the height of popularity you almost always pay prices which have little relationship to value..." Most recently, Real Estate fit this description. Is it Gold the new fad of the day?

#8 Concentrate on quality.

Three simple words with a lot of depth. You've heard me say this too, many times; so this time, let's hear it from the master himself:

"While big profits are often made through buying and selling poor quality common stocks, your success in the stock market is far, far more assured if you emphasize quality in your stock selections. Too many investors shy away from the top-notch companies in search of rags-to-riches performers. These low-grade issues are certainly no foundation for a good portfolio; instead, the fine, well-managed companies should form the backbone.... fabulous fortunes have been made over the years in such high quality, non-speculative stocks as Carnation, Procter and Gamble, and others. "

Most of you have likely never heard of Claude Rosenberg but he certainly left his philosophical imprint on the investing world. Rosenberg founded money management firm Rosenberg Capital Management, grew assets under management to $40 billion, and made a fortune. Now, Mr. Rosenberg made a lot of money because he was a very disciplined investor and closely adhered to his investing philosophy through thick and thin.

In fact, as many of you know, I have a similar philosophy and, notwithstanding the risk of getting repetitive and boring - I will keep telling you to stay on the road through highs and lows, to ignore the noise, to not abandon stocks when they are down, and so on. I wanted to share Mr. Rosenberg's investing guidelines with you today, partly as a reminder on sound investing principals in confusing times such as these, and partly as a validation of everything we have been discussing over the years on my show and now my blog.

Penny Auctions Sites Of Principles

2011-07-13T22:19:00.000-07:00

Items are placed on a site and then bidders pay a small fee to be able to bid against one another and also against a clock that has started to count down. The person who places the last bid before the time runs out wins the item. Typically this is well below any price you will find in a High Street Retail Store. The actual website generates its profits as it keeps all of the money that the group of bidders had placed. So you can see there will be a few losers in this process, but because the amount lost is so small, combined with the excitement of the auction, the loss is not really that important. If you are particularly keen to win something then a clever bid at the right moment will get you what you want. There are many of these sites so you really need to use the best penny auction sites to avoid being ripped off and to get the better range of products.

The other reasons why you need to find the penny auction sites is that these types of business are volatile and not generally subject to any type of regulation. That process is now being addressed slowly, so you need to search out those ethical businesses that are managing this type of venture. Here are my recommendations for the best penny auction sites.

There appears to be a proliferation of what are termed penny auction websites evolving quickly across the Internet. The quality is mixed so I thought it would be of value to create a review of what I believe to be the best penny auction sites. Before I do that, it is worth spending just a little time to get a proper and definitive understanding of the purpose of these websites and why they are becoming a very popular attraction for the online bargain hunter. For information purposes you may also see this website genre referred to as "pay to bid" auctions, or bidding fee auctions. Irrespective of the name, the characteristics remain the same and I will explain the core principle below.

One that is recommended and they have reverse auctions, auctions for beginners and free auctions. The free auction option is good but if you bid at the last minute the site extends the time making it at times an annoying and prolonged event. Bidcactus.com is also good and probably one of the easiest to navigate and follow. They seem to keep things simple and there are good customer support and advice and are one of the best penny auction sites. They do however seem to focus a lot on gift cards for the leading brand stores.

Dealdash.com is a well accredited site and they have good product choice. They have shipped over 70,000 products and the site is clean and easy to use. Pennypurses.com is another site that has stood the test of time and is aimed at the female shopper. Once again very good customer support and easy to contact and do business with. These are four of the best penny auction sites and they have been around for a long time unlike many others who simply come and go.

Diatomaceous Earth: How Ancient Fossils Can Protect Your Pet From Fleas and Ticks

2011-07-05T00:29:00.001-07:00

Can a prehistoric creature that lived thousands of years ago help protect your pet from fleas today?

Actually, yes.

Fossilized single-celled creatures called diatoms compose diatomaceous earth (also called diatomite or fossil shell flour), which KILLS fleas and other insects naturally and very effectively.

In addition to pest control for your pets, diatomite has many other uses, including natural household pest control, pest control in the garden and farming. In its natural form it is organic, non-toxic and safe to use. There are other forms that are not safe to use (see below).

Diatomaceous earth can help kill fleas, ticks, lice and other pests on dogs, cats and other animals. Unlike other chemical or synthetic forms of pest control which may actually be nerve agents or toxic pesticides, diatomaceous earth is natural... it kills mechanically or by physical action, not chemical, by puncturing the insect's exoskeleton and absorbing the moisture in their bodies. All that has to happen is that the powder comes into contact with the flea or other insect.

Diatomite is also used in gardens to help control aphids, loopers, leaf hoppers, white flies, beetles, mites and other pests. In these types of uses the powder is best applied with a duster or flour sifter when the leaves are moist. After a rain the powder may need to re-applied.

In your home, diatomite can also help kill other pests such as roaches, silverfish, ants, flies, box elder bugs, scorpions, crickets, and many other insects without potentially harmful pesticides. It can also be an effective and natural way to kill bed bugs without putting toxic chemicals in your bed.

Diatomaceous earth can help eliminate the need to use controversial nerve agents such as those used in once-monthly flea and tick treatments, or potentially harmful pesticides and other chemicals used in flea powders, sprays and soaps that warn humans on the label to avoid contact with it. If the product is warning you to stay away from it, why would you put it on your pet?

IMPORTANT: Not all forms of diatomaceous earth or diatomite are safe to use around people or pets! Some forms, such as those used for pool filters, are heated and treated with chemical flux and contain large amounts of crystalline silica which is very sharp and hazardous to breathe. The more natural form of diatomite contains amorphous silica, which can cause dusty lungs, but does not carry the same degree of risk as crystalline silica. Always be sure you are using FOOD GRADE diatomaceous earth around people and pets.

For use around people and pets you should use only food grade diatomaceous earth, available from natural pet supply stores.

Natural diatomite is a white to off-white powder. It can be used as directed on pet's coat and around the home. I have also sprinkled it outside my home to keep a flea-free barrier for my pets to run in and out of the house.

Thank you, little natural fossils, for keeping our homes and pets free from annoying insects without drugs and harmful synthetic chemicals.

Copyright: You may freely republish this article, provided that the text, author credit, the active links and this copyright notice remain intact.

Three Things Women Don't Know About Men

2011-07-02T00:38:00.000-07:00

When dealing with relationships, women are very thoughtful. By thoughtful, meaning full of thoughts and ideas. In other words, women use their brains to "think through" their intimate encounters. Studies show that a greater percentage of women will leave a relationship if they feel that their significant other does not love them anymore. However, a greater percentage of men will leave a relationship if they fall in love with someone else.

This is a big difference in the way each gender thinks about relationships. Women are more considerate and thoughtful--using their minds, while men are more impulsive and raw--using their hearts (also referred to as genitals). Not to say that either way is more correct than the other, just to say that the first step to increased harmony is the realization of this fact.

Here are three facts about men that may come as a surprise to most women.

1 - Men Only Need Minimal Details

Many women like to explain every fact, figure, and manipulation for every subject, no matter how relevant/irrelevant. In addition to this, women prefer to listen to dialogue in this manner. This presents a problem because men rarely converse in this manner, barring excitement. But women usually speak this way, regardless of mood. This leads to frustration on both sides. As a general rule, when speaking to men, listen for their questions, then expound (minimally) on that topic. If they want to know more, they will ask another question. If the man does not ask any questions, he may not be interested in what you are talking about, and it may be a better idea to ask him a question instead. This gives him a chance to introduce what's on his mind. Be aware that the way in which women ask questions can also irritate a man.

TIP: Do not ask a man "What if...?" instead ask "Do you think...?" It may be subtle, but what if? questions can be interpreted as pointless questions that may never occur, whereas do you think? questions force you to consider the question as though it would happen in the future. Men respond better to questions of this sort. However, women prefer to entertain what if? thoughts over do you think? questions. This is a slight, but pivotal difference between men and women.

2 - The More A Woman Trusts A Man, The More She Will Be On His Mind

This mostly applies to when men spend alone time with "the fellas" or even in solitude. Men like women who are caring, but can also bear inattention. If you get upset over too much inattention, it shows the man that you care about him, and this is a good argument to have. But if you get upset over one or two nights out with the guys, he will interpret that as jealousy and/or neediness, which are two unattractive qualities to men. Instead, encourage the man to spend time with his friends, an indication of the trust you have for him. On top of this, spend some alone time with your friends while waiting for his return. If the man gets upset at you spending time with your friends, it would show his lack of trust for you, something that should be addressed and worked on over time.

TIP: After his night out, do not ask "What did you guys do...?" or any other form of the question, instead ask "How was it...?" and allow the man to respond from impulse. Be cautious of trying to probe beyond the answer he gives, especially if he gives a short and simple response. If you can show him that you weren't up all night worrying about what he was doing (even if you were), it further demonstrates the trust you have for him. In turn, he may surprise you by going into more detail in the future, even during the same conversation.

3 - Men Slowly Change Their Minds Over Time

Many men will not admit this last one, even when it occurs. The reason is because we are very impulsive. We do not assess our feelings on a daily basis. We may feel a certain way one week/month/year, but may feel completely different later on. The change could be faster or slower, depending on the person/issue. However, most of this change will be internal. Meaning that it will be nearly impossible to notice on the surface. If you want to change a man's mind on an issue, you cannot constantly remind him of the issue because it gives inadequate time for the internal results to take place. Instead, bring up the issue once, and if there is no resolve, simply agree that you guys are having a disagreement. Then let it rest for awhile (6-12 months suggested), then present the issue again as if it never came up. Surprisingly, he may hold a softer position than he did previously. However, I would strongly advise not trying this for every disagreement that arises.

TIP: Men are quicker to forgive and forget an argument than women. Women tend to hold on longer. While the perception of arguing may seem negative, remember that some arguments are necessary for healthy relationships. Yet, many women cause arguments to increase in intensity when they consistently remind the man of the issue, rather than allowing him to forgive and forget.

The best advice: Do not try and "win" a man's heart. Men will slowly open up over time. But the more you try to impress, convince, or change him (using your thoughtfulness and consideration), the more his impulses (and genitals) will be compromised. Try just one of the tips above, and see if you notice a difference.

Matthew 18 Community - A Primer on Relationships

2011-06-25T00:39:00.000-07:00

Introduction

Aahhhhh, relationships...you can't live with 'em and you can't live without 'em!

We are relational beings and every role that we fulfill, whether at home, work, school, church or society is vitally connected to other people. (Isn't that the pits?) But seriously, doesn't the quality of your life depend completely on the quality of the relationships that you cultivate every day? If we are off in even one of the above spheres (let alone a few of them), then we are left to trudge through our daily existence without much joy, depth or satisfaction.

A neglected investment

It is interesting to note that we can spend time and money to improve virtually every aspect of our life. Whether it is a gym membership, a pair of new glasses, a nicer car, our kids' piano lessons, a new wardrobe, dinner and a movie, or what have you. We are often even willing to sacrifice to procure these things.

And yet, in this area of relationships, the part of our being that is so crucial and so central to our existence, we find it easy to skimp, and we don't invest the time (or the money) that these personal connections deserve. A lot of times, we let them run on auto-pilot, and little grievances with our spouse, partner, parent or co-worker seem to grow into these walls of indifference, or bitterness, or resentment that simply rob us of so much valuable energy and fulfillment.

Matthew 18 Community

I coined the phrase Matthew 18 Community as a way to describe a core set of relational principles found in the 18th chapter of Matthew's gospel. It is my desire that these ideals would be embodied in every one of the critical spheres of our lives that touch other people. Thus, if you put these principles into practice, you automatically become part of the Matthew 18 Community.

If you want, you can go and read the chapter now to get a sense for the ideas. Over the next several weeks we'll be diving into many great topics including:

- How humility can transform your relationships

- Are you a relational stumbling block?

- The nature of conflict

- Confronting conflict head-on

- Reconciliation in relationships

- The power of forgiveness to heal you

And much more! I do hope you can make a commitment to become an integral part of the Matthew 18 Community. Look for more updates in the coming weeks!

Til next week...

Our next post will be on a very misunderstood topic, "Humility" and on how it can absolutely transform all of your relationships.

I look forward to speaking with you again soon!

Six Secret Ways to Protect Pets From Fleas And Ticks Without Chemicals

2011-06-15T00:29:00.000-07:00

It's all so gross! Fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and bed bugs prey on us and our pets, feasting on our blood, injecting us with germs and potentially deadly pathogens, excreting poop in our hair, on our skin and in our homes.

This is completely unacceptable!

But to many of us, the toxic chemicals in many flea and tick treatments are also unacceptable. Have you read the warnings on those labels lately?

The good news is that there are plenty of safe, natural treatments for fleas and ticks so we don't have to rely on chemicals.

If you're like me and you'd prefer a much safer, natural way to protect our pets and our families from fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, flies and other pests, here are my six secret natural weapons in the war against these pests. Most or all of them are completely safe, drug and chemical free, pleasant, natural and affordable:

1. Secret treatment Number One: Garlic. In addition to its many other valuable health benefits as an anti-fungal and antibiotic, garlic makes your pet's blood completely unattractive to pests like fleas, ticks and mosquitoes that would otherwise make a meal of your pet's blood. Easy-to-give garlic supplements are available and with a pet's advice you can also give your pet raw garlic. (Don't try raw garlic without instructions from your veterinarian.)

2. Secret treatment Number Two: Neem Spray. Neem spray is made of natural neem and citronella. It can be sprayed directly on your pet (follow instructions) to repel and kill fleas, ticks and larvae.

3. Secret treatment Number Three: Neem Shampoo. Again, made of valuable Neem from the near east, this shampoo works synergistically with Neem spray to kill and repel fleas and ticks effectively and naturally without side effects.

4. Secret treatmentt Number Four: Herbal sprays. Certain compounds such as cedar oil, geranium oil, rosemary and clove oils repel fleas, ticks and flies. Natural, herbal sprays contain these helpful ingredients and smell great to humans but repel fleas, ticks and flies. They can be sprayed directly on pet (watch out for eyes) and on their bedding.

5. Secret treatment Number Five: Diatomaceous Earth. A powerful secret weapon in your fight against fleas, ticks, bed bugs and other insects, diatomaceous earth, which is a white powder made of fossils, cuts into insects and kills them. Around people and pets, be sure you only use food grade diatomaceous earth which does not contain more than 1% crystalline silica and can be used as directed on pets skin and coat, bedding, rugs and other places where fleas and ticks can come into contact with it and die.

6. Secret treatment Number Six: Homeopathic remedies. Homeopathic remedies treat many conditions ranging from pet anxiety to skin problems. Specific remedies can help protect pets from fleas and ticks and their affects on skin, without side effects or chemicals. Just squirt in your pet's mouth as directed.

If you're afraid of the labels on some flea and tick products and reluctant to bring those controversial chemicals into your home and on your pets, join me in using all natural treatments to protect our beloved pets from fleas and ticks naturally.

Grooming For Your Pet

2011-06-05T00:28:00.000-07:00

Our pets are special to us. They're part of the family! Keeping them well-groomed is an essential part of their care. Having the right tools to work with helps make their care easy for you and your pet. Beginning to groom a pet early in life is ideal, as they will become accustomed to the process and enjoy the special time with their parent.

Selecting a good trimmer is easier than ever if you know what to look for. Select one that fits your pet. Some models come with multiple attachments. You have the option of selecting a battery operated model if you do not have access to an outlet where you trim your pet. With the convenience of cordless operation you are not limited to where you do the trimming. Choose a slim, lightweight model to keep you from getting tired on larger animals.

If you need to trim delicate areas, such as around the eyes or ears, choose a trimmer that is small, compact and made for trimming that area.

A professional trimmer gives you options. Select one that is maintenance free where it will not need oiling or greasing of internal parts. These clippers are quiet to help ease your pet's anxieties. Motors are usually powerful in the professional models and are designed for heavy-duty use and long life. Features can include detachable blades for easy changing and cleaning, cool running motors, break-resistant housing, contoured to fit your hand and reduce fatigue, multiple blade attachments and multiple speeds.

Trimmers are now available with a duel LED light positioned to cast ultra bright white light that allows expert grooming, even in dark, shadowed areas.

Don't forget their nails! All pets get jagged nails from time to time. Keep them well manicured and avoid scratches on floors and furniture. Your pet will look great too! You can choose from a two-speed nail grinder to the more traditional nail clippers.

Brushes and comb are essential to your pets health. Stiff, nylon bristles smooth coat for shiny appearance and helps distribute healthy coat oils. A flea comb removes fleas/eggs and grooms around face and eyes.

When purchasing a shampoo for your pet, consider if your pet has any skin problems. Shampooing your pet regularly promotes a healthy and shiny coat.

Keeping your pets teeth clean has never been easier! Your pet can now have his/her own toothbrush! They are also available in a mini finger toothbrush where you can slide the tip onto your finger and gently brush your pets teeth.

Having a healthy pet is what everyone wants. Give your pet the best care you can and the rewards you receive will be worth it.

Time And Space Continuum

2011-06-02T00:40:00.000-07:00

Space...the final frontier..." Not!!!

There is something much larger, much deeper and much darker. Try marriage. Time rifts, black holes, even alien beings...have nothing on being married. You talk about a final frontier...yeah buddy...marriage is definitely a voyage that can turn out to be the ride of your life, with or without a spaceship!

When you're on the launch pad of life and the countdown to your future with your mate is ticking away as you're about to be lifted into the great unknown and you're strapped in for dear life...the imagination has a tendency to run a little rampant. There's nothing spacey about marriage, in fact, it's as vast as space itself. Like the rings placed on the fingers of those to be wed, the symbolism that binds the two is indeed an infinite and wonderful prospect.

Being married for these 30 plus years has led to some very interesting "trips" into the realm of the space of a different kind. No, I have not come across any little green beings in these many years of travels, but I must say that there have been times when I've been awakened to be staring at the face of something very alien looking in various shades of lime green, pastel peach, very berry or passionate purple staring back at me! Cold creams to make that face look more appealing and tempting...errr...ok.

Man...there was this one time I woke up and there was a shade of blue on her face that nearly stopped me cold in my tracks. Marriage is neither alien nor foreign, if fact, it is considered by most to be a great voyage to be taken well into the stars of far off places like love, compassion, peace, harmony, trust and security. Some pretty far flung planets to navigate indeed.

There are many, many bright things to encounter along the way and yes, I know...it's not at all bright and shiny all the time. But that is one of the beauties of being married. Getting to the bright and shiny things in life together. Traveling to and through the many voids of life and space and time to seek out and define a new life together. To go where many men have gone before you. Nothing alien about it. Yours is to be a lasting journey, blazing the trails of those who have gone before you and at the same time, making your own path to Mars (her family) and beyond. Never mind the theory of men, women,mars and venus...you have your own planets to explore, your own galaxies to discover.

Courage and Compassion

2011-05-25T00:44:00.000-07:00

It was a dark night in Memphis. I was heading to the hotel. Friendly people on the corner greeted me. As I turned to respond, I missed the curb and BAM! In an instant I was on the ground. My glasses flew off my face and my bag went flying. Yowee. Kazowee!

All is well, just a scrape here and bruise there. No big deal. The big deal came later as I sat down to reflect on what happened. I have fallen in the past, on ski slopes, in the back yard, on stage (during rehearsal, thank goodness) and countless other places. In fact, I remember my father saying that I could trip over a rose in the carpet. It seems I was way over due for a little self reflection about this pattern.

A practice of self reflection can help us unearth old tendencies and release patterns of feeling and being. Moreover, self reflection goes a long way towards cultivating greater self awareness. Engaging in rigorous and honest self reflection demands both courage and compassion. For in order to cultivate a life long discipline of self reflection, you need to know that you are not going to beat yourself up every time you find yourself "less than" some ideal image you hold of who and how you should be...so you need self compassion. And, courage, hooboy do you need courage to be honest with yourself as you reflect!

Can you see how this works? Because if you are going to be rigorously honest with yourself, you need the courage to face what you find. And if you are going to willingly address what you find, you need to be compassionate with yourself so that you can face whatever you've found with a kind heart.

What I found is an old pattern rooted in a fall I took as a child and the guilt I felt about that fall. I also found a feeling of fear about my body. Armed with this knowledge, I was able to dismantle the intrapsychic structures supporting this old tendency using spiritual technology.

Spiritual technology processes are fabulous tools that aid in releasing the tensions that accumulate in life and beyond that, they provide a means of releasing the pain caused by being caught between pairs of opposites. In this case, it was the duality of confidence and fear along with guilt and freedom that were influencing my behavior and my state.

What might change for you if you approached your self reflection with greater courage and compassion? Are there pairs of opposites showing up in your life that are contributing to patterns that don't support your well-being?

Orange Tips - How To Use The Colour Orange To Improve Your Life

2011-05-15T00:43:00.000-07:00

The Colour Orange - An Overview

It is said that the colour orange is a colour that you either love or hate. Orange is a very sociable colour that stimulates our urge to socialise, be active but also stimulates our appetite. In Christianity orange is associated with gluttony whereas in the Native American tradition it is associated with kinship.

Imagine that in England in the Elizabethan era the colour orange could only be worn by some people and this was dictated by law. Orange symbolised courage.

Today most of us associate orange with flamboyance, sociability, enthusiasm, vibrant people, energy and warmth. It is a fun, warm colour and is sometimes worn by people who wish to attract attention. This can be due to the fact that they feel sociable or want to stand out from the crowd.

Orange is also associated with creativity and it can increase the supply of oxygen to the brain, stimulating mental activity and appetite. Young people are more accepting of orange and it has been very successful in the advertising industry for promoting food items and toys.

The Colour Orange-In Your Environment
As orange is such an energising colour that can encourage creativity, appetite and mental activity, it is the perfect choice for rooms which are chosen for some creative purpose or a social purpose.

In a bedroom it can be used in smaller does and it is best to choose a gold tone or a peach tone, or otherwise make sure it is a very small dose of orange.

"There is no blue without yellow and without orange." is a quote from Vincent Van Gogh. This is excellent advice in making orange work for you in your environment, as indigo is the complementary colour for orange.

So you could benefit from using orange in:

1. An office

2. A playroom

3. A studio (art, music etc.)

4. A restaurant

5. The dining room

6. The sitting room

7. The hallway

The Colour Orange-In The Chakra System

The word chakra is a Sanskrit word which means wheel. According to some traditions, we have a number of chakras in our bodies. These chakras move in a spiral distributing energy and consciousness. If our chakras are balanced your health should be very good, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

Orange is the colour of the second chakra which can be found just below the naval. When this chakra is blocked you may have sexual guilt or emotional problems. The second chakra, also called the Spleen Chakra or Sacral Chakra, relates to reproductive and sexual capacity.

If you feel you may not be as happy emotionally as you would like to be, introduce some orange into the environment, clothes or gemstones that you wear. Check out the shades below to be sure that you are getting the optimum result.

The Colour Orange-Different Shades Mean Different Things
If the shade of orange is dark it can relate to or encourage feelings of deceit and distrust.

For the peak in sexual passion and enjoyment it is the red-orange shade of orange which you need to involve in either your clothing or environment. This shade also encourages feelings of dominance and a desire to act.

A shade of orange that has element of gold encourages feelings of prestige. These golden orange hues help attract wealth, wisdom and quality.

If you want to inject some orange into your own environment or as a present into someone else's life, then own great option is the range of Bombay Duck door knobs. These colourful glass door knobs come in a range of designs and colours, which include different shades of orange.

One last thought, which is that orange in a kitchen or a family eating area should be used according to the eating habits of the family. What does this mean? As orange can stimulate our appetites it may not be wise to have too much of it around if you wish to diet or not feel mysteriously encouraged to eat more than you may need!

A New Legend In RC Airplanes: The Parkzone Corsair

2011-05-12T00:54:00.000-07:00

An unbelievably life-like copy of the F4U Corsair fighter plane is now available to the delight of hobbyist who love the joy of flying RC aircraft. Most demanding pilots are not disappointed with the Parkzone Corsair RC controlled airplane.

The Great Story Of The F4U Corsair

It completed its inaugural flight from an airfield in Guadulcanal. Ships patrolling the Pacific Ocean later on deployed this uniquely designed fighter.They carried more payload than jets and could stay on station longer, based on military historians. During the first 10 months of the Korean War, Corsairs were used for 90 % of all ground-support objectives by Navy and Marine pilots.

Easy RC Plane Assembly

An inverted gull wing design is incorporated with the style of the Parkzone Corsair. This unique configuration helped the original planes to lift off from the decks of air craft carriers and quickly reach a maximum speed of 400 mph. With the rc plane, the wing design enables the hobbyist to easily throw the plane up and see a great take off. Within a few minutes of unpacking the plane, it is ready to fly. Assembling the parts in their correct locations is about the only requirement for the hobbyist.

Every kit has the following:

Wing with aileron servos installed and connected to ailerons
Receiver in molded fuselage with engine, ESC, & elevator & rudder servos installed
3 blade as well as 2 blade propellers
3 cell Lipoly 1800mAh battery
Charger with automobile accessory connector
Full range transmitter Spektrum DX5e 2.4GHz
Full range receiver Spektrum AR500 5-channel
Four double A batteries - Wing skids and Landing gear
Instruction guides

Great Flying Fun With The Corsair

The final test with this type of plane involves its in-flight maneuverability, for anyone who is seriously interested in RC airplanes. Based on many of the toughest critics in the hobby, the Parkzone Corsair is really a delight to fly.It efficiently completes smooth turns and the figure "8". The radio control unit makes for outstanding acrobatics, not unlike the original which used this capability to avoid enemy bullets.

There is the choice of a 2 blade or a 3 blade propeller. The plane performed better in climbs and had better speed with the 2 blade propeller, as observed by some pilots. More stability during flight is achieved using the 3 blade prop. Test flyers noted that aerobatic maneuvers can be done with either type of prop, however the 2 blade prop comes out more defined in terms of rolls, loops, inverted flights and other moves."

The Parkzone Corsair rc controlled plane could become a legend in its own time, if history is any indicator. This plane will serve as a reminder of the fighter planes that helped win the war, for the hobbyist who loves nothing more than seeing one of these beautifully crafted aircraft rise into the sky.

Manufacturing and Personal Customization of Poker Chips

2011-05-05T00:27:00.000-07:00

When it comes to poker chips there are a variety of different types to decide between. Your decision typically depends mostly on the quality of the chips you would like and how much you are looking to spend. In greater detail, some other considerations you may keep in mind are sturdiness over time, quality of manufacturing and design of graphics.

Kinds of Poker Chips

There are mainly three styles of poker chips that are accessible in the marketplace - plastic, composite and ceramic/clay. Plastic chips are the lowest-cost and the kind you may find in lots of mahjong sets. They do not belong to the highest quality and experienced poker players may not like plastic chips as they do not give the best texture or sound for the chips. The composite type is designed from a combination of plastic and mixing clay with a little bit of metal. As well, they have the appropriate weight and touch and are extremely long-lasting. The clay type is the chip of preference and though a little high-priced it is the highest favored chip by most professionals and casinos. The most noticeable contrast between ceramic and clay poker chips is that ceramic chips do not contain an inlay to the chips like clay chips do.

Color

Poker chips are available either in one color or possibly two or three various colors. In general the preferred choice is two color chips. They typically come printed either with the card suits on them or the faces of a dice.

Custom Personalized Chips

It has become a regular practice among casinos to get their poker chips personally customized primarily as an opportunity for characterizing themselves as well as to prevent stealing. They have been highly successful in their intentions. Individual players nonetheless have very different intentions to have their chips custom personalized. A personalized chip increases fascination to the game. Sophisticated designs that appeal to the taste of the player leaves the game more exciting and engaging.

A very good way to customize personally your chips is by hotstamping. You are able to personally customize your chips with your initials, on just one side or both sides, or you can get different letters on each side. Also, you can get the chips to meet your needs by custom stamping denominations of your liking beginning at 25 cents, up $10,000.

Keeping these variety of styles of chips in mind, you can make the most favorable decision for you and the poker playing experience you are looking for.

Select Adequate Play Equipment To Entertain Your Kids

2011-05-03T23:04:00.000-07:00

Playground equipment are meant to provide the kids with hours of fun and entertainment. Modern play equipment are made of good quality materials, and available in various sizes and designs. While sourcing them, you should consider a reputed supplier, that will ensure you good quality equipment at reasonable prices.

Playgrounds assist in overall growth of kids. Playing in the ground, children forget all their school work pressure, and enjoy the moment. This gives rise to their physical, mental and social development. Apart from that, playing outside develops the vivid imagination of children. However, these structures are incomplete without suitable equipment installed. Playground equipment are the great source of fun for children, and help them to shape their emotional and social skills.

Today, market is full of different playground equipment available in several sizes, designs and colors. Equipment like slides, climbers, swings and spinning equipment are highly popular, and usually found in schools, parks and other play-areas. Slides or sliding equipment are one of the most popular play-equipment, and are an essential feature of any playground. Among modern sliding equipment, Bumpy. Curvy and Twisty slides are very popular. When talking about spinning equipment, they have dramatically changed in style over the years. Now, they come with a standing platform and a central pole which can be used both individually and by a group. Spinning equipment teach the kids on how to control weight distribution along with providing them hours of fun.

Similarly, balancing equipment are also very entertaining, and can easily be found in school playgrounds and local parks etc. They are available in a variety of options ranging from traditional balance beam and rope bridge to modern apparatus spring discs and swinging logs. Apart from them, equipment like climbers and hanging equipment are also very interesting, and help children in learning various skills. All these modern equipment come with safe and sturdy designs, and are made of high quality materials.

You should consider some important things, while purchasing playground equipment. First of all, determine the size and design of equipment that will match your requirements. You should consider the space available in the ground, and the age and height of children who are likely to play with these equipment. Besides this, make sure the equipment you are buying are designed to be safe and sturdy. You need to check the quality of material used to make them, and for any sharp or cutting edge with the equipment. It's always recommended to buy those equipment which have been tested for load bearing feature and other safety standards. Your budget is another important consideration while buying these equipment. So, make sure the equipment you're sourcing lie within your financial frame. As the equipment will remain outside and will face varied weather conditions, you need to consider the one which can withstand all weather conditions.

10 Life Lessons: Inspired By A Book I Couldn't Put Down!

2011-04-22T00:44:00.000-07:00

I was given a book, as a gift, when attending a recent event in San Diego. This book was one of those "can't put it down... have to finish it now" books. It had been a long time since I had read a book that hit me like this and was grateful to receive it while attending Lisa Sasevich's conference. The book is called Choose to Live written by Joyce O'Brien.

In the past, I have read fiction books that were real page turners, but it has been rare to have read a non-fiction book I could literally, not put down. Choose to Live was this for me. The author Joyce O'Brien spoke at Lisa Sasevich's live event and I was so moved by her story of experiencing late stage cancer and how she is now living a vibrant and healthy life. As she shared her journey, I knew I wanted to read her story. I was so excited to see it on everyone's chair after one of the breaks for the day.

Choose to Live was moving, inspiring and gives hope to anyone whether you are facing health issues or not. The book chronicles the journey Joyce and her husband endured... both having major health issues arise at fairly young ages. It shares their struggles, their triumphs, their disappointments and their successes. There was several times my jaw dropped as I read her story and could not believe the many set-backs that took place on their journey to optimal health. I had many lessons as I read Choose to Live and aside from encouraging you to go out and get a copy for yourself, I wanted to share the lessons I learned. When you read the book you may have different lessons come up but I thought I would share mine.

My top 10 lessons from reading Choose to Live - some were reminders and some are new lessons learned:

1. The importance of The American Red Cross and donating blood. I had not donated blood in over 15 years, and I finished the book on Monday and donated blood on Tuesday. Yes, this book was the trigger at this point in my life to give the gift of life by donating blood.

2. This book reminded me in a BIG way how crucial it is to be your own advocate for yourself and your family, especially when dealing with medical issues.

3. Never underestimate the power of clean, organic food. I am reminded of this quote by Hippocrates, "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food".

4. De-toxing and cleansing our bodies is so important in today's world.

5. Hold off on getting a root canal on the tooth that has been bothering me for a while. I have had 3 dentist opinions and none can say I really need it, although they suggested it. I am thankful I have listened to my gut instinct to hold off. While I have tried acupuncture and it has helped, after reading this book, I plan to look into homeopathic alternatives.

6. Continue to share my experiences and encourage others to always consider integrative and alternative medicine along with traditional medicine.

7. Never underestimate the power of love and support from family and friends.

8. Speak up when I need support and help because there are people in my life that would be happy to help.

9. How important it is to surround myself with people that I love to be with because they inspire me, make me laugh, love me and make my heart happy when I am around them.

10. It was reinforced to me how important it is to continue on my path as a health coach; supporting and helping others live a healthier and happier life while I do the same for myself and my family.

I know that there will be more lessons as I continue to process what I read in this book, but I wanted to share with you what I know right now. I encourage you to step out of your normal routine and get the book Choose to Live by Joyce O'Brien and read it. Take time out for yourself to read it, as it just might change your life or someone you know.

Your Choice Of Bleacher Seating

2011-04-19T00:56:00.000-07:00

If you work for the City Parks Department or are part of a stadium design team, you know there is an entire world of grandstands and stadium bleachers to choose from. Some of us don't have a clue about bleacher seating, except when we are perched on them. You will want to do a little research before acquiring seats.

You must consider safety first and foremost when you start to plan for seating options. Grandstand seating must be comfortable for long hours of sitting down, but safe. Fans can be rough on seating. You don't want people thinking about being okay. Tough aluminum bleachers should be the first option.

There is a large selection of bleachers to choose from. Depending on your situation, and what you are installing them for, portable or tip and roll seating may be best for you. Created especially for movement, portable seats are normally available in aluminum and galvanized steel. For changeable bleachers, tip and roll bleachers are an excellent idea. With ultra-light aluminum framing, they tip into swivel casters, and are simply moved to a closet storage.

Non-elevated bleachers are perfect because you won't need to do any construction. The bottom row of bleachers with non-elevated bleachers are at ground level. These seats are the most purchased, allowing you nice quality seats at a low price. They are ideally economical for high schools and public fields, as administrators often cannot spend money on more work.

Grandstands and stadium bleachers are best for big football or soccer stadiums. The elevated bleacher seats give all people a nice view. These are the perfect seats for large arenas. Grandstands come with features such as handrails, stairs and foot planks. It is really recommended that you know the qualifications and city laws before purchasing these.

The guidance of a professional when you are installing bleachers is vital. Some companies will also work in drawing and replacing services. You can find experts to assist with money issues, planning, estimates and entrance issues. To be certain you are acknowledging safety rules, professional help is vital.

Great seats will have fans returning for games and concerts repeatedly and frequently. Safety and nice seating no matter what the game is vital. No one wants splinters from old bleacher seats or to climb old stairs that make them feel unsafe.

Here's Why A Giveaway Half Marathon Training Schedule Will Not Suit You!

2011-04-17T00:55:00.000-07:00

Precisely What Is A Half Marathon Training Schedule?

In essence it's a running graph or chart about days and the times and / or miles that you should run. It ought to include things like strategically placed relaxation times along with a step by step progression through the earlier and middle stages that has a tapering off right at the end.

You will discover numerous no cost half marathon training plans around on many different online websites that will do this job sufficiently for you. On the other hand there are some particularly essential problems with many of them.

Every half marathon training schedule is simply not made equal.

I want to give you one example. Imagine you subscribe to a health and fitness center and the coach takes you around and helps guide you to carry out a variety of exercises and then provides a workout plan that you follow that is made to help you to firm up.

It offers exercises which work your chest area, the shoulders, arms, hamstrings etc. Although there's a particular problem with this, you merely understand how to do the physical exercises that he's just shown you the best way to do. How are you affected if one of the pieces of equipment you're required to use is damaged or there's a line to work with it... what next?

Are you in a position to pick and choose an extra exercise to do in order to enable you to build that exact place?

That's the trouble you have with most FREE running schedules, you'll just acquire a skeleton look at what you must comprehend. The important meat of the subject and what you must appreciate in order to be able to rearrange and personalise your own exercise program just simply doesn't get outlined.

Many FREE half marathon training schedules don't actually work.

The truth is many don't allow you to develop as quickly as you could and because of this you won't have the benefits of getting much better and fitter quickly enough.

If you don't feel to be going any where, it's very hard to stay determined and focussed. The quickest way to get fit AND to decrease the risks of over training and injury is with a range of advanced methods of training which speedily give a boost to fitness levels. But yet this calls for experience to understand and understand fully.

Once you've got this though, your health and resistance levels will go through the roof.

So what's an answer?

What you must do is study your hobby. No I'm not stating that you should be able to compose a dissertation about it, nevertheless it really will allow you to have a practical perception of what it is that you're trying to do and the ways to start doing it correctly.

Top 4 Tips on How to Get Women

2011-04-15T00:40:00.000-07:00

Getting the woman of your dreams or just even talking to them can be hard. Especially when you do not know what to say and do. If you are having problems just like that then here are four tips on how to get women.

1. Conquer your fear.

Even if you do not admit it, you surely have a fear of talking to women. They may not like what you say and laugh. This is often the mentality of many men today. A lot of you may not now this but woman likes to socialize. That is why if you want to get women the first step you need to do is talk to them, and you can only do that if you conquer your fear.

2. Do not get backed down.

Of course, negative comments cannot always be avoided. Often times when men hear painful words from women, they easily back down and give up on the girl. Giving up is really not a good idea. You may not now this but in reality, woman like to be persuaded and be cared about. Giving up just shows you are not serious about the girl for you easily gave up on her.

3. The right way to talk.

Other thing men often do wrong when talking to women is they easily show their "aces." Never ever say after a few introductions that you are very good in this and that and were like this and like that. Women want to be shown humility, and if you do that you are getting too proud and immodest. In simple terms, a "show off" When talking to them try to be humble and compliment her in the way she looks, and she dresses. This way as you go along with your conversation you would exchange questions until the time comes that she asks about your skills. That is the time that you can tell her your aces. Of course, answer only what she wants to know do not get too cocky and add flowering words to your reply.

4. Asking her phone number.

Of course, as any other conversation it has to end, but it does not mean that you cannot talk again. That is why getting her number is an essential step in getting her. However, you must be humble but cool enough to ask her number. Being way too cool can ruin your whole conversation and the worst part is she may hate you. You can also ask her if you can go on a date or ask her if you can talk again some other time.

For example, you can ask her on a date by telling her "Hey, can we talk again sometime and grab a coffee or drink?" This is one humble but cool way of asking her on a date.

As you go along with your relationship you will have a lot of time to know each other and things like that. In the end, it entirely depends on you if you really like the girl or was just blinded by her looks. Still, getting your perfect woman is a long process but in time you will surely find that girl.

Stocktake Sale - Shopping Tips

2011-04-05T00:26:00.000-07:00

The stocktake sale is a major event everyone awaits. Even those who are not into shopping at all look forward to this once-a-year happening. Before, it was only the malls that offer it, but now, due to the widespread access to the Internet, online shops also have this shopping craze.

This season is when a shop sells their items at greatly reduced prices so their inventory will be much easier. Shopping during this period is wise since you can definitely get the items you want sometimes at half the regular price or even lower. However, there is also a big possibility of buying items you do not really need and also of maxing out your credit card. To help you avoid this, here are some ideas on how to be cost-efficient on this stocktake sale season.

One advantage of doing your shopping online is you don't really have to think about time and exhaustion in going around malls. You can afford to browse through sites and pages to find the best buys for you. You should also take advantage of the resources available to you. Research about the products you intend to buy on the Internet, so you would be sure that that's the product you are really looking for.

You might want to prioritize in your shopping items that are some sort of investments like quality linens. For small items, you might want to look at unique decors and trinkets. As much as possible, stay away from items you may not have the chance to use soon.

Stocktake sales are done by shops, primarily because they want to get rid of their items while still getting some money back. You should always remember that. So, be careful about shopping during this period. Usually, though, online shops would mention on the site if there is some damage on the product.

In addition, online shopping always entails delivery costs. You should check the site from where you plan to buy and look into their shipping or delivery information. At times, if you factor in the delivery cost, it wouldn't make much of a difference if you buy the item at a bargain price online or at its regular rate in the mall. But if you will be buying more than one item, then you can have the delivery cost reduced, since it will be shared by all the items you bought.

Saving Money Made Easy for Generation Y

2011-03-23T23:06:00.000-07:00

Credit unions know how hard it is for young adults - and even older adults - to save money. But as a Gen Y-er (those born in the 1980s and early 90s), there's so much out there to do, see, and have - but it all comes at a price. And with the way the government and economy is headed, you can't rely on Uncle Sam to take care of your income during your retirement years. So now is the time to start saving.

Even if you only start saving $25 a week when you're 25 and save it in a non-interest bearing account, by the time you're 50 you'll have accumulated $32,500. While that doesn't sound like a lot, if you start saving at age 40, you'll only have accumulated $13,000.

Here are some additional ideas to help you save faster:

1. Have a Goal, and Stick to It - Whether you want to save $1 million by the time you retire or just want to have enough money so you can pay for the holidays with cash, it's important to have a savings goal. Without a goal, you'll be less motivated to actually start saving, and it will be harder to build healthy savings habits.

2. Pay Yourself First - Have your paycheck directly deposited into your Checking Account. Then contact the Credit Union or instruct your payroll administrator to have a certain amount of your paycheck automatically transferred into your Share Savings Account. The amount can be as much or as little as you'd like. This way, the money is already in your Share Savings Account and you'll be less likely to use it.

3. Emergency Fund - It's important to save some money in an emergency fund for the unexpected. That way, when car repairs or something else comes up, you don't have to take out a loan or tap into other savings accounts. Just remember - it's an EMERGENCY FUND and should not be used otherwise.

4. 401(k) Matching - If your employer matches a portion of your 401(k) contributions, you should definitely be making contributions. This is free money! And, when you leave your job, you can always roll over your 401(k) into a Traditional IRA (Individual Retirement Account) and earn even more money on your funds.

5. Bank that Windfall - Does Grandma still send you $20 for your birthday? Did you sell your old Xbox? Bank the money! You'll be all the more closer to your savings goals.

Your local credit union can help you get started on saving. Give them a call today.

Educational Posters for Classrooms Boost Visual Learning

2011-03-11T23:07:00.000-08:00

The Facts: Visual Learning & Educational Posters for Classrooms

According to academics, around 65% of us are visual learners, and a substantial number of kinaesthetic (those who learn through 'doing') and auditory learners also find clear, visual information and techniques useful when they are learning and revising. In this article we will take a closer look at why educational posters for classrooms are such effective learning resources, no matter what age you are or what level you are at.

Here are some key visual learning facts about learning styles which make posters for classrooms so useful:

· 65% of us are visual learners:

The majority of people worldwide are visual learners. This means that most people learn best by linking images with key ideas and vital information.

· Kinaesthetic and auditory learners benefit from visual methods:

Although the remaining 35% of us learn mostly through doing and listening, visual learning resources, like educational posters from classrooms are also helpful.

· Very few people learn in just one way:

Although most people have a strong preference one way or another, nobody learns in just one of these three ways, it is often a mixture. This means that using educational posters in classrooms is helpful for every student.

These are a few reasons that educational posters for classrooms are so useful. The facts suggest that educational posters are excellent resources for visual learners and can even help kinaesthetic and auditory learners to learn and improve their knowledge.

How Educational Posters for Classrooms Boost Learning

Learning resources, such as educational teaching posters for classrooms, which mix strong, relevant images with clear text make a huge difference to learning, no matter how old a student is, or what they are studying. Visual learning techniques which use educational posters for classrooms allow students to:

· Understand subjects clearly

Clear and interestingly presented visual information allows students to see how facts, figures and other information are connected. Using posters in classrooms gives students a much wider and more in depth appreciation of their subject.

· Memorise new information

Studies have shown that, when you link a new piece of information to a strong image, you are much more likely to remember that fact later. This technique works extremely well when you use posters in classrooms both for teaching new ideas and for revision purposes.

· Think more critically

Visual learning using resources like educational posters for classrooms allows students to gain a wider and more thorough understanding of their subject. This allows them to see the connections and relationships between facts, memorise details and think more critically about the subject.

These are just as few of the ways in which the utilisation of educational teaching posters for classrooms can help all students. It might sound simple but educational posters for classrooms which use strong, memorable images with useful text directly improve students' fact retention and wider, long-term understanding of their subjects. The key is getting the right blend between pictures and facts, and ensuring that the information is both easily digestible and visually interesting.

Online Shopping: Things You Can Do to Make Online Purchases Safer

2011-03-05T00:25:00.000-08:00

Online Shopping: What You can do to be Safer

Shopping online is safer today than ever before, even though crooks continue to try to find ways to hack into systems, intercept your transactions or emails, and use "phishing" techniques to gather private information from you.

If you do shop online or over the phone, there are some things that you can look at carefully to make your purchase as safe as possible.

Start with Your Computer & Security Habits

Yes: the weakest link could be your own computer and security habits (or lack thereof.)

All of the things discussed below aren't much use if you don't have good firewall and security software on your own computer. The security systems that come with your computer usually should be supplemented by other packages such as Norton by Symantec or McAfee.

Whether or not you shop or do online banking, you really need a comprehensive security system that includes a firewall, scanning services, software to alerts you if your computer is entering an "unsafe zone," tools to prevent viruses or malware from being downloaded to your computer, and blocking features that stop unauthorized parties from gaining access to your computer.

Important Note: If you have both more than one package of security software on your computer, there's a chance that they could cancel out some of each others' features. You really should pick one security system and stay with that.

Wireless connections are great, but they may require stricter security to protect you while surfing, particularly for online banking or purchases. Don't necessarily take the advice from the computer store salesperson: contact your ISP about what security will best protect you giving what you use your computer for.

Then, make sure you keep your subscription current and regularly check (or have your computer set-up to automatically receive) that the most recent protection updates are downloaded. Regular security scans are also a good idea.

Use Discretion, and a Bit of Suspicion

By now, most people are aware of the scams from self-proclaimed alleged "royals" from Africa or Europe who just need a little bit of your cash to get a big windfall, which they will share with you. An entire book could be devoted to the "Do's" and "Don'ts" of providing information over the Internet or by telephone.

The one thing you should always remember: Never, and that is N-E-V-E-R, give out any information unless you know exactly to whom you are giving it and for what purpose. No bank or credit will ever email you or call you for this information: they already have this information and don't need to ask you for it. And never provide banking account numbers, bank routing numbers, or credit card numbers using email to anyone.

No matter how secure your computer is, the nature of email means that it just isn't prudent.

And, while having your browser or a website remember your user name and password is convenient if you're online for a short time, it's not a safe practice to use all of the time. You should really clear your browsers' cache and history each time you leave the Web, especially if you've been shopping or used online banking.

You should also change your email passwords on a regular basis and keep them in a safe place. And a safe place is not another email account.

What to Look for When Shopping Online

You want to see more than pretty pictures and catchy phrases when you make your purchase decisions. Odds are you've see a logo on the website that says "VeriSign," "Trustwave," or another certificate stating they provide online security during your transaction.

What's the difference between different brands? Not much, except some brands have more "status" than others. In reality, most security systems pretty much the same security protocols and most processors are mighty careful. If something goes wrong, the liability and losses (financial and reputational) can be tremendous.

Often, merchants get these icons/logos strictly for marketing purposes. This is not merely the opinion of this author; as VeriSign says on their website:

"People make decisions fast when they browse the Web and your link has to stand out to earn a click. VeriSign Seal-in-Search technology puts the VeriSign Trust Seal next to your link in search results on enabled browsers and partnering Web sites. Seal-in-Search shows that your site has been verified by VeriSign and passed a Web site malware scan. Your link is safe to follow."

And, so many merchants buy certificates, in part as a marketing tool. So, if you don't see a VeriSign, Trustwave or other certificate, don't worry all that much. Payment processors generally make sure that any shopping cart is secure before they will perform transactions from any merchant.

What you do want to look for is the icon of the payment processor that the merchant uses and whether or not they are PCI DSS compliant (see below). Payment processors are required by the Payments System Industry and insurance companies to have extremely strict security standards.

Commonly used processors include, but are by no means limited to "Chargeback Guardian," "Authorize.Net," "PsiGate," and "LinkPoint." Often, payment processors cover merchants with their own security seal after ensuring that the shopping cart used is secure.

Don't Just "Look" at Security, Payment Processors or PCI DSS Icons

When most valid icons for security certificates, payment processor validations, or PCI Audit are clicked on, a pop-up window opens to validate that the certificate is legitimate. If you click on an icon and nothing happens, it is either configured incorrectly or the merchant just copied the icon and placed it into their website.

The information available through these icons varies: sometimes you'll see the name of the corporation that runs the website, sometimes the website's URL is references. Keep in mind most e- stores are incorporated a name other than the website name as many merchants run more than one website or multiple e-stores.

And, there's a lot more involved in making sure you're dealing with an honest and legitimate business.

Payment System Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard

In the past year or so, all credit card processors and many merchants have been required to meet Payment System Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard. These standards were developed by the major credit card companies and incorporate a set of security requirements created by the Payment Card Industry.

The PCI DSS standards outline strict guidelines that specific actions merchants and payment processors must do to protect the privacy of customer information. This includes measures to protect any information provide to over the internet, as well as physical measures taken to physically safeguard any data that collected, such as invoices for tax records.

ThePCI Councilrequires that Merchants meet this set of security requirements if their business accepts, transmits, or processes customer payment cards (such as credit cards or debit cards). It means that a merchant has undergone reviews to see that its secure checkout meets or exceeds industry standards for encryption so that you can buy with confidence, knowing your private information and payment information is secure. Merchants do not see your credit card number or your security code.

Some payments processors require that merchants undergo an audit; others allow the merchant to make the decision on their own. While the audits are a lot of work, they are beneficial to merchants to make sure they are doing everything possible to protect customer information, as well as the merchant's interests. Sometimes, insurance companies ask that merchants undergo the audit.

Making Payments over the Telephone

This is up to you and your comfort level with the merchant. While most small businesses will take credit or debit card information over the telephone, many responsible merchants will ask that you stay on the line while they enter the credit card number into the processing system. This way, they don't have to write down or record the credit card number in any shape or form. It protects the customer and protects the merchant.

Most merchants, by the way, never see your credit card number or the security code on the back. These are truncated by the payment processor and this merchant for one like it to be this way. In fact, once a credit card transaction is processed, payment processors will allow a merchant to refund the consumer any amount up to the amount paid by the consumer. But, a merchant can never charge additional funds unless permission is granted by the consumer through a separate independent transaction.

Isn't PayPal More Secure?

PayPal is a legitimate choice for consumers who feel more comfortable going through a large well-known company, especially folks that do not have credit cards or who only have American Express which any merchants, online and otherwise, do not accept.

For many, PayPal offers comfort and a sense of security. Since merchants like to keep customers happy, most let them decide how to pay. But is PayPal "more secure" than other payment processors? Well, most payment processors pretty much all use similar security protocols and that includes PayPal. And, PayPal has many employees that may have access to your information.

PayPal's website has a video that implies that merchants require a heck of a lot more than a credit card number, CVC code and expiration date (all of which protect the customer in case someone has obtained your credit card number) and other information such for banking data, digits of bank accounts and passwords and things that simply are not required.

This is simply not true of legitimate merchants. If a merchant ever asks you for personal data such as how many kids you have, your annual household income, banking account information when you are paying by credit card, or anything else that makes you feel uncomfortable, go elsewhere. This information is completely unnecessary for an online transaction.

And, when you leave the site make sure you clear your browser's cache and make the purchase elsewhere. There are very few items available online through only one website.

(Note: PayPal does store two forms of payment for recurring payments such as subscriptions, usually credit card data, and your bank account number and your bank's routing number.)

Another video says on PayPal's website states that PayPal "is more secure it prevents merchants from seeing your payment information." Well, as noted above, most merchants NEVER see this data.

So, What's Your Best Choice?

Whatever makes you, the consumer, feel most secure and comfortable.

Just be sure that you aren't lulled into a sense of security from certificates that may or may not mean much and that you understand your protection starts with your own computer maintenance practices. And, check your credit card statement carefully each month and question any transaction that you do not recognize or feel is inaccurate.

Note: This article is the opinion of the author. While the author has experience working in payments for the banking industry, and for Internet and network security companies, all statements are the opinions of the author alone and no other entity. The only exceptions are direct quotes taken from specific companies' websites which are referenced above.

Symantec, the Symantec Logo, Norton 360 and the Checkmark Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Symantec Corporation or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. VeriSign, VeriSign Trust and other related marks are the trademarks or registered trademarks of VeriSign, Inc. or its affiliates or subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries and licensed to Symantec Corporation. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners. PayPal, McAfee and Trustwave are registered trademarks of the respective entities.

AM McElroy has over 20 years experience in corporate communications and marketing/sales within the banking, civil/environmental engineering, high-tech and natural sciences (physics) arenas.

Warning Signs That They Are Not Interested in a Serious Relationship With You

2011-02-25T00:41:00.000-08:00

First let's get an understanding of what a relationship is. Keep in mind that there are several types of relationships, but we are going to focus on the one between a woman and a man. To be in a relationship would mean that you and another person have an ongoing connection with one another. There is a mutual interest that is shared. Once that is established, the two people involved constantly put in time and effort to make the connection stronger. In time they develop respect and appreciation for one another and ultimately they fall in love.

If none of the description stated above fits your situation, then there is a good chance you're not in a relationship. More than like your just 'hooking up' or you're a friend with perks. Basically those two, hooking up or friends with perks, meaning that you are something to do when there is no one they truly want to be with at that time or the one they want to be with is interested in being with them. If you are looking for this person to be someone special to you, this is a warning sign that they may not.

Here are a few more warning signs that you are not the one:

• You only get calls after the club closes (2 a.m.)
• They never take you out in public
• When on the phone, they take another call and forget that you are waiting
• Their only conversation with you is about 'the perks'
• They're up front and tell you there is no future for you two

There are tons of other tell-tale signs that you are not the one. Don't overlook them hoping that they are going to change simply because you're hanging in there. Hanging in there is the exact reason why they won't change. Staying in a bad situation or one that is not yielding the results you're looking for, simply tells the other person that you are content with the current situation. The longer you stay, the further away you're putting yourself from the happiness you're seeking.

Relationships take hard work, patience and understanding. Those things cultivate as you spend quality time with one another. A bond is built when you face adversities together and conquer them.

Like anything else, when we really want something we go after it. Regardless of the obstacles that may be in the way, we find a way to overcome those obstacles. The same thing goes for relationships, if two people are truly interested in one another, they hurdle obstacles to be with that other person. When a person is not interested in you they either give you a bunch of excuses to keep the 'perks' going on but they never make a commitment to establish the relationship.

Personal Development - What Star Wars Can Teach You About Using "The Force" in Your Life

2011-02-15T00:45:00.000-08:00

If you have clicked on this article, you undoubtedly have some understanding of what Star Wars is and what it is about. The author will not waste your time by going through a complete plot summary, but rather jump right into what Star Wars can teach you about your own personal development.

1. There is an Equivalent of Midi-chlorians in Our Galaxy.
One of the more famous moments from Episode I features a unique discussion about what exactly "the force" is. Turns out, all life has little organisms, called midi-chlorians, that live symbiotically within cells, and can aid in all sorts of cool tricks if the individual is trained how to communicate and coordinate with them.

While there are no micro-cellular organisms waiting to unleash your hidden potential in this place we call Earth, there is still something that flows through all of us, and it is an integral part of the entire universe. This substance is energy. Yes, energy binds us together and allows us to accomplish every feat, no matter how great or small. Your thoughts project a signal out into the universe. Much of what you reap in this life has to do with the thought signals you are projecting. This thought resonance will attract like signals through the common medium of energy, which flows through all life.

2. Like a Jedi, One Must Train if You Want to Use Energy to It's Fullest Potential.
Let me make something perfectly clear; in no way, shape or form are you going to be able to move objects with your mind, defy the law of gravity or build a tangible blade composed of concentrated light by using the Law of Attraction. Using the Law, however, still takes time and practice. You must learn what it means to truly resonate with your desires and the universe and how to overcome the many resistances that will come your way. As with midi-chlorians, the Law is at work in your life whether you want to acknowledge it or not. The goal, as Bob Proctor puts it, is to become "consciously competent" in our knowledge and application of the Law. This training takes on many forms including: meditation, affirmation, and goal setting and monitoring. Much like the universe, the potential for using the Law is near infinite. You can begin right now with some thorough introspection. Sit somewhere quiet and really think, keep in mind that productive thought is a skill altogether, about where your life is right now and where you want your life to be. Look at your life and decide if the actions you are doing on a daily basis are contributing to the future you want. If the actions are not conducive to your ideal future, then think about what needs to change. Visualize yourself making those changes and manifest the positive feelings associated with moving towards your desired future.

While the Star War's universe has literally thousands of more lessons it could teach us about our own existence, yes you could say that I am a fan, these principles will greatly aid in one's use of the Law of Attraction. So begin your training, focus your mind and connect with the universe to reach your true potential.

Four Benefits of Non-Stick Pans

2011-02-05T00:25:00.000-08:00

People today have already started to be health conscious particularly that obesity has turned one of the biggest health problems in every society. This has opened awareness to minimize fat intake, and one way the culinary industry recognizes this is by promoting the benefits of using a non-stick pan.

Requires Less Fat Promoting Better Health

Since a non-stick surface requires no oil, one benefit is the lesser fat in food. When fat is cut down or reduced, several hundred calories will be saved which means better health. Although we need fat or oil in our body, the tendency of using more oil than needed to make sure food does not stick to traditional cookware can lead to too much of these calories which affect our body in a negative way. Even with lower calorie foods, cooking them in excessive fat takes away from the healthy qualities of food. So to deliver low-fat cooking, a non-stick pan is ideal.

Less Preparation Time and Easy Clean Up

Because food doesn't stick, it generally takes only a little time to prepare and a little effort to wash this cookware. Both the non-stick interior and exterior are fast and easy to clean and fully dishwasher safe. All you need is a soft sponge and warm soapy water to thoroughly clean your non-stick. But one thing to remember, although dishwashers are perfectly safe for non-stick coatings, it is still advisable to check the manufacturer's care instructions. Additionally, with the increasing demand of this cookware, newer non stick surfaces have been developed to make sure they come more scratch resistant and safe with other cleaning materials.

Durable and Affordable

Nonstick cookware is usually offered at different price ranges making it a good option for a budget cookware. Durability wise, true non-stick coating comes in a variety of metals which make a difference when comparing one coating against another on the same quality pan. This combination of technology ensures that the coating maintains an outstanding point of performance on the pan. Depending on your needs, you can choose between an inexpensive aluminum non-stick and an expensive stainless steel non-stick pan.

Easier to Use and Energy Saving

Non-stick cooking is typically easier to handle. It requires less time stirring, lifting or turning the food, and very ideal for use when cooking fried or breaded recipes which needs extra care. Since you only cook on medium to medium high temperatures with non-sticks, it saves heat which in turn can ruin your food. I have made so many pancakes without adding a drop of oil into my non-stick, saving me time and trouble in the kitchen. If you're a beginner, I recommend a non-stick pan. Provided the temperature is just right, cooking can be a lot better with the convenient pan surface. It can help you avoid burnt and stuck-on food as it does in a non-coated pan.

While different companies offer different kinds of non-stick coating, true non-sticks are usually priced somewhat higher as it truly offers some sort of coating which keeps food from sealing to the pan. In addition, you can be assured that the coatings in your pans are made by a reputable non-stick maker. With all these benefits, it simply means that a non-stick pan gets it all. What could be better than that?

Rugby World Cup New Zealand - A Concise Guide Of Top Rugby World Cup City Destinations

2011-01-25T00:47:00.000-08:00

2011 sees the seventh Rugby World Cup to date, with the first ever being played in 1987, jointly hosted by New Zealand and Australia. England will host the eighth Rugby World Cup in 2015, but lots of English, Irish, Welsh and Scottish supporters will be enjoying the rugby and the hospitality in New Zealand in 2011.

Rugby supporters are well known for enjoying the activities off the pitch as much as the action on the pitch. Certainly New Zealand has a wealth of possibilities in both departments!

Visually New Zealand is very stimulating with absolutely stunning, diverse scenery, plus cities which have heaps to offer. Here is a selection of the gems in the top Rugby World Cup cities of New Zealand.

For England Rugby World Cup supporters, Dunedin will be the venue for the first matches. This means that those of you who enjoy a beer or two can head off on the Speights Brewery Tour, which is both an informational and fun tour with some beer tasting involved.

Located in the South Island of New Zealand, Dunedin is the second biggest city there and will have a totally different rugby tournament taking place there at the same time as the Rugby World Cup. This is the eighth Nude Rugby event, which started out as a bit of a laugh and has turned into a media attention grabber that is now an annual event.

For those who prefer nature as opposed to naturism, the protected wood lands, lush green spaces and amazing coastal area of Dunedin is a wonderful treat. It is possible to spot penguins, sea lions and seals, and to explore the scenery on horseback.

Spring Festival time is October so this makes it a very special time to visit. Ireland will play Italy in Dunedin on 2nd October, so the Irish and Italians will be able to enjoy the festivities as well as the rugby in Dunedin.

England and Scotland Rugby World Cup supporters will be in Auckland however for the match between the two countries on 1st October. But don't worry; Auckland has plenty of spring festivities happening as well. There is the Auckland Heritage Festival, Diwali Festival of Lights, the Kowhai Festival and the Auckland International Boat Show.

Soaking up festivities and culture will not be an issue, but for the rugby supporters who like an adrenalin rush then there is the Sky Tower sky jumping experience, or climbing up the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

To enjoy something a bit more relaxing, check out the village of Parnell which is an historical village with a fine selection of restaurants, or take a wine tour which visits great local wineries.

Last but very certainly not least is the capital city, Wellington, which has been elected one of the top 4 cities worldwide to visit, by the Lonely Planet.

Wellington has a stunning harbour and Botanical Gardens, as well as cable cars and an observatory. One of the big attractions is Zealandia which is an award-winning eco-attraction and well worth a visit. The Te Papa Tongarewa, which is the museum of New Zealand also deserves a visit. It is packed with treasures, history and art.

The highlight for some Rugby World Cup tour travellers will be the Cuba Street District. This is the King of Cool when it comes to the area's ambience, the trendy boutiques, bars, cafes, great food and entertainment, and generally it has an arty feel about it.

Wales will have its first match against South Africa in Wellington, so Welsh fans can enjoy the fun and festivities of this fabulous city. Let's see which Rugby World Cup teams will make it through to the Quarter Finals which will take place between Auckland and Wellington; where the festivities will continue throughout the Rugby World Cup tournament. If you're one of the lucky ones using Rugby World Cup packages to support your team, make sure you have the time of your life, both on and off the pitch.

Soul Filled Living - The True Source of Satisfaction and Fulfillment

2011-01-15T00:46:00.000-08:00

As part of my ongoing exploration and development, a couple weeks ago I was at a conference where the featured speaker was Esalen Co-founder Michael Murphy. Michael is a modern day pioneer in the exploration of human potential and this Universe we live in. A real inspiration! The conference was "Integral Transformative Practice and the Evolution of the Soul."

What is "evolution of the soul?" From the Webster's Dictionary, the definition of evolution is: an unfolding; a process of development or change; a movement that is part of a series. Yes, this makes sense. An unfolding, a process of development or change, a movement that is part of a series. One could say that evolution is the process of the unfolding of the soul into and through the world.

So how is the unfolding of your soul going? I think that's a pretty important question.

In my experience, lasting happiness (joy) and true fulfillment can only come from your soul. This is living from the inside-out. You START with what your soul wants - this is your personal inside guide to your ideal life - your compass for navigating the terrain of YOUR life and living the life that is most fulfilling for YOU. Trying to lose weight, get more money, or have better relationships - as great as those things are - is living from "the outside in." This means trying to fill an emptiness inside with something in the "outside" world. It will feel good for a moment, then you'll be on to the next thing, and the next thing, and the next... never experiencing the satisfaction you really desire.

I recently tweeted a quote by Robert Collier "Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out." The key is to focus your efforts toward the success that you REALLY wish to create and experience - your SOUL'S desires. Until you tap into THAT place of desire, you're like a hamster on a treadmill going from one thing to the next, never satisfied. Until you are tapped into your soul's desires, you'll be grasping at straws like losing weight, getting more money, or having better relationships.

So how do we know what our soul wants for us? How can we live that deeply satisfying Soul Filled Life? Well, there are many aspects to it, but in this short article I'll share one of the most important: follow your bliss. This is the guidance we have often heard from author and teacher Joseph Campbell. Unfortunately, it is rarely appreciated or truly lived.

One of the keys to knowing what your soul wants for you in this lifetime is to pay attention to and engage things that you enjoy! This may not be easy at first, as many of us have gotten very good at "working hard and suffering to survive and feel deserving." However, we can begin choosing activities that provide the greatest likelihood or probability that the experience it offers (the people, the places, the conversations and words you use, the ideas, the actions, the impact and results in the world, the overall environment you are in, and as well as both the present and possible monetary rewards, etc.) will have at least SOME enjoyable aspect(s). As you do this, if you practice this time and time again, the fullness of your bliss will unfold over your lifetime like a beautiful flower coming into its own.

I want to further emphasize and support this notion of "following your bliss" and engaging activities where you experience the most joy. Joy is life-force filled. And what people want most on this planet (including yourself) is life-force. The more you embody and become a channel for life-force energy, the more you become of SERVICE to others - you are giving them what they most want and need.

This is the key to success. Becoming a channel for, and access to, what people want most: life-force energy. The most powerful way to do that is to follow your very own bliss. Isn't that divine?! And here's another reason to follow your bliss - when you do, you become more and more unstoppable. Another word for Joy, and for Bliss, is Inspiration. When you are inspired you are connected to the divine flow and intelligence of the Universe. Your personal energy is optimized, solutions and ideas come to you "from beyond" and your overall experience is amazing. When you are inspired, you have "spirit inside" - and when you have spirit inside you bring spirit and life-force energy to others.

This is operating from your soul - this is Soul-Filled Living. The person who operates from the soul and allows their truth to flow through them is inspired in the deepest sense. Such a man or woman is a rare and treasured gift for all of us. When an artist is touched by Spirit and creates something from that authentic place, we are all touched. It's like looking at something here in the physical world that came from and represents the beauty, mystery, and magic of the metaphysical world.

Wherever there is success AND joy, there is inspiration. You can have success with no joy or inspiration, but you cannot have joy without success because joy in and of itself is success! So are you going for the success "hoping for the joy" or are you going for the joy hoping for the success? If success in a material sense is important to you, I suggest doing both. Follow your bliss with a plan for manifesting material success.

Manifesting your soul's desire is a long term partnership with Spirit that unfolds over time. You are the instrument that Universal Life Force Intelligence is playing. Mother Theresa said it this way: "We are all pencils in the hand of God writing love letters to the Universe." What is your love letter to the Universe? What does God want to write with you and your life? Only YOU know the answer.

Try this: Look back over all the experiences in your life and see if you can identify your "Theme of Joy" - the common thread through all those experiences that attracted you to them in the first place. What is the common "Thread of Joy" that you loved about each of those roles and experiences in your life? These are HUGE clues to your soul's purpose and desires for you in this lifetime.

Congratulations! You're one step closer to tapping into your soul's desires, following your bliss, and experiencing the true joy, satisfaction, and mojo you desire!

Acquainting Yourself With Your Roller Skate

2011-01-11T00:54:00.000-08:00

When I started roller skating, I really didn't know anything about the roller skate. My focus was on learning how to roller skate, not figuring out the different components. After you have been roller skating for a while, you probably will want to know more about the different parts of the skate. Perhaps you bought a skate that was not too expensive and now you want to upgrade. It is always wise to not begin your skating experience in an expensive skate. You might determine down the road that you might have wanted a different kind of skate. But because you invested so much initially, it is difficult to transition. So let's look at the different parts of the roller skate.

Boot

There are two types of boots. First is the artistic and recreational boot which is also called "high top boots". As the name implies, this type of boot is good for general skating at the rink or for dancing, etc. The second kind of boot is called "low top boots" and can be used for many things. You can use this kind of boot for speed skating, jam skating or roller derby skating. Like the "high top boots", the skate boots come in all kinds of prices. A few of the real good names are Vanilla, Riedell, Sure Grip and Pacer.

Wheel

Anything over 90A hardness should be used for the rink. If you purchase a wheel lower than 90A, the wheel would be very appropriate for outdoors on sidewalks, bike tracks or just plain concrete. If the wheel is close to 90A, it probably could be used for both the rink and outdoors. But it is usually better to get a wheel for either outdoors or indoors. Or better yet, purchase a set of wheels for inside and well as outside. The wheels also come in different sizes. If you are into aggressive skating or roller derby skating, look for a wheel no larger than 59mm. A child learning to skate should be careful not to get too large a wheel. I would suggest something under 72mm would be good.

Frame

This supports the wheels and is attached to the boot. A good frame or "plate" as some call it is important to having a good skating experience. When looking for a frame, make sure that it is light weight. Today a lot of frames are made of aluminum or other materials that are lighter even than that! An experienced skater will make sure that the frame is top quality and will support the type of skating that they would like to do.

Bearings

Bearings are used for the wheels to rotate smoothly and freely. They come in either 7mm or 8mm. Most skaters will want the 8mm. This refers to the inner diameter of the bearing and the size of the axle it is going on.

Toe Stops or Breaks

The top stops are lifesavers for beginning skaters! The breaks or stop can be on the toe or the heel or under the toe. If you are a beginning skater, make sure that your skate has one of these stops and someone tells you how to use it!

Most important of all, make sure that all your questions are answered before you purchase your skates. Once you have them, enjoy the experience. I hope that you will enjoy it for many years to come!

New York City Tourist Attractions - Making Your Rounds

2011-01-05T00:22:00.000-08:00

New York City tourist attractions are not difficult to find or choose from. There is so much to see and do that you are sure to love whatever you stumble upon. Of course, part of your trip comes in planning the different New York City tourist attractions that you want to see, so you'll have to take time to plan in advance and make sure that you get everything taken care of so that you can see it all. It might seem easy just to come to the city and go sightseeing, but with operational hours, admission fees, and seasonal openings at various attractions, it's helpful to know what your options are and plan ahead.

The best strategy for seeing all of your most desired New York City tourist attractions is to choose which ones you need to see. Then, you can figure out when they are available and whether you have to wait to see them until a certain time. Once you know when everything is open, you can plan a trip that will allow you to sightsee across the city in a semi-orderly fashion so that you're not going clear across the city and back every single day to get to various destinations.

Of course, if one of your favorite New York City tourist attractions has unusual hours that cause you to have to go out of your way one day, it will be worth the effort. Just make sure that you do whatever you can to keep things orderly and see everything that you want while you're in town. For example, visit Coney Island on your way to the Statue of Liberty, and then head up to Central Park so that you're not doubling back. There is a lot that goes into planning a trip around New York, but if you plan well you can enjoy more while you're in town.

A trip to New York City gives you plenty to enjoy, no matter what you are looking for. Whether you prefer the classics like the Statue of Liberty and Rockefeller Center or you just want to get out and explore what 'real New Yorkers' get to live every day, there will be lots to choose from. Just remember to take the time to plan accordingly so that you can see more New York City tourist attractions and spend less time traveling around town on your trip.

Best Deals On Sports Equipment

2011-01-02T00:51:00.000-08:00

Being able to save money with discount sports equipment is something that many people will be keen to get. But actually finding the best deals will often be a little more difficult, and will require some thought and care as to where to go buy these items. There are plenty of ways to cut the costs of buying sports equipment, and whether it is by choosing equipment made by smaller brands or by buying items from the end of lines, it is possible to pick up discount sports equipment.

Vouchers and Coupons

The boom in the number of vouchers and coupons which are available both online and in newspapers and magazines has become big business over recent years. Finding ones that offer discounts at sports stores can be the first way to find the best deals on discount sports equipment. The most useful coupons are the ones which can be combined with in store discounts to boost the savings, and are well worth consideration.

Sale Items

One of the other places to search for great value sports kit is by looking at the sales when they happen both in high street and online stores, and for those who are more interested in the price than the brand, there are some excellent deals that can be found on discount sports equipment.

As well as the individual sales when they are occurring, there are certain periods within the year when many stores will be hosting sales at the same time, so comparing the different prices on discount equipment can be great to help people to get the best deal.

Shopping Online

Depending on the type of sports equipment that is required, it may be the case that it won't be available on a discount in the high street sports stores. The more specialized a piece of equipment is, then the less likely you are to find it on sale, unless you're going to a specialist retailer which focuses on that sport.

By looking for deals online, there are going to be retailers who will specialize in equipment for one or two sports. And even for the more specialized retailers, they are also going to be looking to have a regular turnover of stock, so they will also have offers for discount equipment. This is because their prices are going to be naturally lower because of the nature of selling online, so people are likely to get an even better deal.

As well as looking at specialist retailers online, there are also plenty of stores, or even auction websites where it is possible to pick up discount sports equipment for next to nothing. These are certainly well worth considering for those who are looking for more general or popular items of sports equipment.

By taking time to look around for the best deals, and by focusing attention on sales and retailers that offer the best discounts, it is fairly straightforward for people to get discount equipment at prices significantly lower than the recommended retail price, and still have quality items which can be used for years to come.

RN Programs in Florida: The Key to Job Success

2010-12-15T00:56:00.000-08:00

Students enjoy the vibrant lifestyle offered by RN programs in Florida. The stressful course load associated with nursing school can be balanced with spending weekends at local beaches. The nursing programs available at these Florida nursing schools give individuals terrific opportunities to study for all aspects of nursing.

Graduates of RN programs will need to pass the national license exam with a score of at least 10. Before meeting this qualification, individuals will need to:

Supply a copy of your degree from a certified nursing program, Pass the Florida licensing exam, Pass a background check, Pay the application fee.

Failing this examination 3 times will mean being required to enroll in a remedial program. Taking the exam immediately after graduating and while the knowledge is still fresh in your mind, can help to stop this from occurring.

University of South Florida - USF

The National Institute of Health has ranked the University of South Florida as the 28th best nursing school in the United States This rating means that the school receives grants, allowing them to set up their classrooms and labs using the latest and greatest technologies.

USF College of Nursing has two Registered Nurse programs. The 2nd Degree program is meant for individuals already holding a degree in a different subject, while the Upper Division program is meant for first time students wishing to major in nursing.

2nd Degree students must complete:

Statistics, Anatomy & physiology I and II, Chemistry, Microbiology, Psychology, Human growth & development, Nutrition

Upper Division students take:

Gordon rule mathematics, English composition, Psychology, Statistics, Human growth and development, Microbiology, Nutrition, Anatomy & Physiology one and two

To be able to complete either of the RN programs, you will need a grade point average of 3.2 or higher.

The tuition rates for residents will depend on whether the student attends the Sarasota, St. Petersburg, or Tampa campus. The prices charged per credit hour will go from $150 for undergraduate students, to $365 for graduate students. Non resident fees range from $511 to $755 per credit hour for the Registered Nurse programs.

Florida State University

FSU boasts a beautiful campus located in Tallahassee. Students enrolled in their Registered Nurse program are going to get their training from both a regular classroom setting as well as clinical instruction. The College of Nursing's RN program normally takes 4 years to complete. Lots of students enroll every year, and only a limited number get accepted. While the school accepts GPA's of 3.0 or higher, the average grade point average of accepted students is 3.6. 92 % of graduating students pass the national license exam.

All applicants will be required to already have completed at least three of the courses in the list below. The remainder of the courses will need to be taken while in the program.

Microbiology and microbiology lab, Anatomy & physiology lab I and II, Chemistry, Psychology, Introduction to sociology, Nutrition, Anatomy & physiology 1 and 2, Statistics, Human development

At approximately $4,800 a year, the tuition for Florida State University is fairly inexpensive. With insurance, room and board, personal expenses, books, expect to spend about $14,000 a year.

Hopefully this article has helped you to answer most of the questions you have about RN programs in Florida. With great weather, top rated RN programs, plus a large variety of post graduate employment opportunities, Florida might be the location for you to pursue your healthcare profession.

Enjoy Every Summer With Skill-Full Summer Camp

2010-12-05T00:22:00.000-08:00

Summer camp is supervised and planned programs for children during summer vacations in most parts of the world. The concept of summer camp is not a new one it has been carried on since long in many parts of the world majorly western countries.

The traditional view of most of the summer camps is mountains and camps with activities like hiking, painting, games, campfires, music, performing arts and computer learning etc. With internet and other day to day activities enrollment to these camps vary from time to time. Pressure of holiday homework from schools, social tie ups etc doesn't allow kids to join such camps.

Its time to educate the parents about such programs which can be really lucrative and helpful for child's overall development. Kids learn a lot at these camps like first and foremost they learn to be independent without their parents, they learn to be in a competitive world, they build up their confidence through various activities taking place at the camp and last but not the least they learn to manage themselves. These camps offer both educational as well as cultural values.

Organization of such camps is not an easy task. There are organizers, counselors, cabin leaders, and teachers etc. who are part of the team of a summer camp. These camps are organized mostly at outskirts of cities or hilly areas. This trend was started by countries like U.S, U.K., France and Ireland etc however now the practice is being followed in most parts of the world.

During the stint at these camps participants live in a personalized, professionally equipped, clean and neat, fun filled and supportive environment in which every camper learns social well being, appreciation for nature, self esteem and effective leadership. The stay becomes a big relaxant and rejuvenation for every camper for the rest of the year as they spent time in fun, adventure, pursuing hobbies, making new friends at beautiful natural scenery.

Now this again is a difficult choice for parents to choose for their kids. It is also a developing as a vast market where in many brands offer their summer camp services and promise safe and sound activity oriented camps. Parents go in for a lot of research and word of mouth plays a vital role in such cases and then decide for which summer camp their child might join for his next summers. Thus it's a challenge for the summer camp organizers to lure and educate the parents well about their camp and specific unique USP's of their camp.

How to Stay Safe at This Year's Hajj

2010-12-05T00:21:00.000-08:00

Last year, a record one million, eight hundred thousand people arrived from across the world to experience the holy Muslim duty of Hajj, at the city of Mecca. On top of this, there were approximately another one million pilgrims who travelled from within Saudi Arabia; a total of nearly three million people. When you see the figures, it's easier to understand how, despite improved safety measures from the Saudi government, there continue to be deaths and injuries during the six day religious event.

There are a number of ways in which pilgrims travelling to the 2011 Hajj can prepare for the pilgrimage and keep themselves safe whilst there. These tips cover both before and during Hajj, so ensure that all people hoping to complete the Hajj have completed all necessary actions.

Firstly, before you travel, ensure that all members of the travelling party have up to date travel inoculations. Each year, the Saudi government releases a list of travel vaccines which all pilgrims must have if they will be granted a Hajj visa. The 2010 list included yellow fever, polio, influenza and meningitis - all nasty illnesses, so make sure that you're up to date with your jabs!

Once you have arrived at Mecca, ensure that you have plenty of clean water to drink and remember to eat as often as is necessary. This may sound obvious, but in recent years there has been a large number of Hajji's taken ill due to heat exhaustion, dehydration or fatigue. The only way to combat these things is to ensure you have enough water, rest if you start feeling weak or dizzy and stay out of the sun when possible.

The biggest risk when completing the Hajj is at the Jamarat Bridge area. There have been a number of stampedes and crushes in the past, but the Saudi government has improved facilities in the area. There are now more access-ways, footbridges and emergency exits; while crossing the bridge, keep on the lookout as to where the nearest exit would be. If the people around you do start pushing or jostling for room, remain calm, keep to the edge of the crowds and try and find the nearest exit. Keep hold of any young children or weak family members.

Finally, be careful during the stoning of the jamarat. With so many people who all wish to complete this part of their pilgrimage at the same time, there is a risk that flying stones may hit other hajjis. In order to minimise the chance of being hit by a stone, it may be worth throwing from the bridge level. On the final day of the Hajj 2011, try not to take your luggage with you to the jamarat; this decreases the amount of room there is for all pilgrims and will make it harder to get out of the crowd when you're looking to leave.

Whilst these are tips to keep protected at the 2011 Hajj, if you keep calm and are sensible, the experience should be safe for everyone!

Languages In Luxembourg: National Identity In A Trilingual Space

2010-11-15T00:58:00.000-08:00

Luxembourg's linguistic situation can be defined, albeit rather simplistically, by the fact that several different languages are used simultaneously in several different forums and media, whether it is written or oral, judicial or educational, radio or television. Names of shops and streets, menus and such appear primarily in French (with some Luxembourgish added underneath in recent years), whereas much of the media is printed and broadcast in German, although French is also apparent here in cultural articles and social announcements. Instead of what can be considered to be a linguistic norm for a nation, where one country speaks one language, the Grand Duchy represents a vast area of multilingualism, however this is also hugely different to many other countries who speak several languages, the main disparity being that in the majority of these countries, the different languages are reserved to specific geographical regions or are considered as a dialect, rather than an official language. Luxembourg breaks away from this convention by overlapping its inherent trilingualism in a manner which can almost be said to be that of a hierarchy.

With regard to communication, one language is spoken throughout the country: Luxembourgish. It represents a significant symbol of Luxembourgish identity and is the everyday language of choice for speaking. The language is of a Germanic descent, however it has sufficiently evolved and transformed over time to become suitably distanced from its parent tongues and to be considered a different language, and as such it is no longer readily understood by native Germans. The language itself has enough changes in syntax, vocabulary and turns of phrase to distinguish itself as separate from German, although a German speaker might understand some words and some constructions. Where French is concerned, the opposite issue is true, i.e. that a speaker of French might understand better certain turns of phrase if the vocabulary is readily available to them. In this way it can be somewhat true to say that Luxembourgish is French spoken in German

Having several languages in one's arsenal at any one time is extremely beneficial, but there are also drawbacks, especially when it comes to the Luxembourgish language and actually creating it on paper. A Luxembourgish writer is sadly almost certainly fated to suffer literary sterilization when attempting to physically write in Luxembourgish. This has lead to a flourishing lyrical poetry and theatre scene conducted in Luxembourgish, being that they are primarily prime areas for oral communication and critique. Certainly, Luxembourgish writers who write in German give a certain local flavour to their work by using a language known to all native Luxembourgers but which still retains typical Luxembourgisms. Writers who write in German also have the advantage of using a language which is closer to their mother tongue than French is. In this respect, writers in Luxembourg who choose to use French as the main language in their works are regarded somewhat less favourably. These writers face the problem of writing in what is essentially a completely foreign language to them and their readers, as it is further distanced from the other two official languages in the country. In addition this completely foreign language has been nurtured and cultivated in a Germanic territory. The writers who use French would perhaps be more ideally suited to the title of critic or essayist, where these two terms hold equally high esteem in both Franco and Germanic realms.

Luxembourgish is currently in a state of flux. The sentiments of Luxembourgers range from pride in the face of oppression during the Second World War, to modern-day quasi-nationalistic resolution, to basic joy that they have Luxembourgish at their disposal. Language laws have been passed, although they served only to make official what the citizens already felt - that Luxembourgish was (and is) a language of great importance to them, that it represents a significant portion of their national and social (given the transparent European borders that we see nowadays) identity. Luxembourgers are very much in control of their language and the ideology that has been linked to it through years of historical, legal and economic multiculturalism. It is not that the Luxembourgish language represents a precursor for total cultural assimilation in the country, but rather that it is a part of who they are as a country, as a nation, and as a people.

Cycling in Mallorca

2010-11-05T00:20:00.000-07:00

Bicycles are a common means of transport in many countries of Northern Europe despite the bad weather.

Take the city of Hamburg as an example; I used to be one of the many thousands who travelled by bike everyday, with an average daily temperature of 12ºC and about 190 days of rain a year, with three months of frost during winter One can imagine how I was looking forward to cycling in Mallorca when I moved here... average temperatures of 21ºC, only 74 days of rain annually, lots of sun, and only a few hills in the low land of Palma.

But reality is different For seven years now I have been driving around Palma on a motor scooter or in the car Palma is the town with the most cars per capita in Spain, and numbers are growing The city planners react by constructing more streets and underground car parks, and the towns and villages of Mallorca are lacking the infrastructure which could make cycling play an important role in decongesting the traffic The bicycle as a means of transport is virtually non-existent - neither in the heads of the politicians nor in the heads of the majority of the population The lack of bike lanes, combined with precarious roads and aggresive drivers, make cycling in Mallorca very dangerous.

The few existing bike paths do little to change the situation in general One can now, for example, cycle along the bay of Palma, from El Arenal to Magaluf on a newly constructed cycling path But this track is only good for leisurely rides as there are no connecting bicycle lanes to other areas.

More recently the Town Hall of Palma has provided the users of several car parks with rental bikes free of charge If you park your car below the cathedral or near the Avenidas, you can hire a bike cost free - a new model of the park-and-ride system! Available also are child seats, helmets, and bike baskets But when you head out and find yourself in the middle of the heavy Palma traffic, it can be terrifying The only place to feel safe is in a few of the quieter, narrow alleys in the historic city centre.

If you do not want to use your bike as a means of transport but enjoy cycling as a hobby or sport, improvements are being made and options are expanding Only recently has the Balearic Government constructed about 235 km of new cycling paths, enabling one to explore a vast stretch of flat, rural countryside between Inca and Campos with the trusty bicycle While this is mainly intended for touring and racing cyclists, there are also special tracks for mountain bikers.

Excellent conditions throughout the mountain region, ranging from moderate paths to more challenging cross-country routes.

Mallorca is an ideal training ground for professionals When Northern Europe battles the cold and frost, cyclist flock to Mallorca for its superb biking conditions Year after year, racing teams such as the T-Mobile team come here to train for the the flat stages in the hinterland, and for mountain stages in the Tramuntana Moreover, many teams participate in the important tour round Mallorca in January as they start the new racing season.

Mallorca has managed to breed some top quality local professional cyclists of its own and is proud of the cycling racing team which will represent the Balearic islands when they compete in the Tour de France in 2005.

The Balearic Department of Tourism estimates that approximately 70,000 tourists come to Mallorca each year to take part in organised cycling trips The tour operators set up groups that vary in degrees of difficulty or daily kilometers and that are usually conducted by former professionals.

We have seen them, be it on the old or the new road to Llucmajor, on the steep and winding routes to Cap Formentor, or on the Avenidas in Palma Mallorca is simply paradise for cyclists so lets hope that the trend of improving facilities will continue while encouraging motorists to be a little more patient of our leisure and sporting cycling fans.

Dr. Helen Cummins is the Editor of abcMallorca Magazine a high quality guide to Mallorca printed in three languages including informative Articles about Mallorca, up to date Events Guide and a Business Directory.

Educational Paths To Becoming A Licensed Pilot

2010-10-15T00:59:00.000-07:00

Have you ever dreamed of flying high above the clouds behind the controls of a jet? Of course it sounds like just a dream, but there are those who choose to make a living out of flying airplanes. You should aim for whatever makes you happy in life. Although it seems a bit non-traditional and out of reach, maybe aeronautical school can make you the pilot you've always hoped to be!

Professional pilots can have stressful jobs; the lives of your passengers are in your hands as you fly above the clouds and over the sea to your next destination. Having a calming presence is a valuable quality in a pilot as many people have a fear of flying and need to have a smooth flight experience.

If you earn your pilots license and complete all of the necessary coursework, a career in the exciting and luxurious world of private jet chartering could be yours. People charter private jets in order to get away to a destination for vacation or on business travel. While you ensure your guests arrive at their destination safely, you can also see the exotic islands and beautiful places they experience.

The military provide lots of job opportunities for pilots not only in the Air Force, but in other sectors as well. The Air Force is probably one of the first things that come to mind when you mention professional pilots in the military. The Navy and Army also have pilots to command missions and heroically bring the soldiers home safely.

If you need help deciding whether pursuing a career as a pilot is right for you, there is help. Flight simulators can be tested for those looking to enter an aeronautical school or the military in order to see if they would be comfortable leading a flight vessel.

Earning your education and training in an aeronautical school can be a bit pricey. If you need help paying for school, check out your scholarship options in order to receive financial aid for tuition and expenses. There is nothing that should stand in the way of you earning your wings and being a captain of the sky. If you need to take out student loans to cover the rest of the cost that scholarships did not account for, be sure to check into which programs can be dispelled or forgiven.

If you did take out federal student loans in order to pay for your education, joining the military as a pilot will allow you to repay them through the CLRP (college loan repayment program). Enlisting for four or five years will allow you to wipe out up to $50,000 in qualifying student loans and give you a chance to become a pilot who defends our country.

Time Management Tips For Working Mothers And Professional Women

2010-10-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

Let's face it; a woman's time is never her own. When you're at work, there are a million demands that need met, and when you're home, you sometimes cannot even go to the bathroom without a child wanting a moment of your time. Working mothers have a lot of competition for their attention, so finding ways to improve time management can make your life a lot easier.

One of the most important tools for managing time is a calendar. It doesn't matter if it's an electronic version in your cell phone, a digital calendar like Google Calendars, or the old-fashioned DayTimer style you keep in your brief case, organized working mothers and professional women know that keeping track of appointments, schedules, and dates is much easier to do if they are all stored in one place. It only takes a few double-bookings to make you realize the importance of this tool.

Another crucial tool for a woman on the go is a well-organized handbag. You wouldn't believe the number of minutes lost to women every day because of searching through a chaotic and jumbled bag for car keys, a cell phone, or a pen. Choose a bag that has compartments for everything and use them.

If you are struggling with managing your time effectively, it's also important to pay attention to what is distracting you from getting the job done. Did you just finish playing a game of Tetris on the computer or spend a half an hour on Facebook chatting with a friend only to realize you are coming up on a hard deadline? Discipline is crucial to effective time management. If discipline is difficult for you, you can do a few things to help: hide comments on Facebook from games that might tempt you, log out of Facebook when you leave so that you have to log back in, or turn off the computer altogether if you don't need it to get the work done.

Finally, to make sure you stay on task, make a list of all the things you need to accomplish each day and week. Prioritize everything in order of due date or difficulty, knocking the most difficult tasks off the list first.

Working mothers and professional women also need to take time out for themselves. Get a massage or a manicure, talk to a friend, and make sure you get some exercise. It's just as important to build these things into your schedule as it is all of your other to-dos.

Egads! My Child Has Homework - Parents, Reading With Your Children Can Help

2010-09-15T01:02:00.000-07:00

Here's the scoop. As your children progresses through the elementary and secondary grades, their homework assignments will increase. Assignments on language arts, science, and social studies, will appear nearly every night. Of course, your children will also bring home math homework assignments, as well. Math homework needs to be addressed in another article.

Now, take a deep breath, gather your wits, and relax, now learn how you can help.

1. Above all else, help your child develop organizational skills.

It's simple! The "Notebook Method" - a messy folder of papers is stressful. Buy a three-ring binder and create sections for each subject. Train your child to keep their assignments in each section.

2. Down to Business

Get comfortable, sit down with your child, and together complete assignments-be involved, even if that means you have to do the reading.*

3. How to Help

First, preview the entire text, chapters or passages assigned. Talk about the sub heading or sub-section (usually in bold letters). Discuss together what you both are going to be reading about. Also, build background knowledge before you begin reading. Parents need to share what they already know about the topic, that is, if they have any previous knowledge, while asking your their child what they already know.

Secondly, read the questions your child will need to answer prior to reading. This SETS A PURPOSE for reading! Next, if necessary, read the text aloud to your child. Make sure your child is following along with you. That is, they hear and see the words as you read. They should be engaged. Because, concurrently your child is working on his or her reading skills; those necessary to read expository materials while also increasing their site word vocabulary, i.e. the, it, was, here, almost et.cetera.

Thirdly, IMPORTANT! As you read the assignment, periodically see if any of the questions, have been answered so far. Have your child write the answer down, and then proceed reading again.

Why am I blathering on about how to read textbook passages? BECAUSE! Children are taught how to read using narrative texts, that means stories. Then, all the sudden, we present them with expository, or rather text passages the expose information. Then, we ask them to read and understand it. BLAM! They run into trouble. Don't worry they'll catch on and will succeed.

The procedure or rather, the steps I've provided here are not new. Research in reading has explored the best way to teach children how to read expository text, over and over. This is one of the many ways parents can help their children read, comprehend and complete textbook assignments.

Make the effort every night to help your children succeed in school remember, and it sounds trite, parents are their children's first teachers. Parents, don't worry, you are not cheating by reading for your children. The assignment is about what they have learned. Not whether they could read the assignment.

Before You Start Wearing Pumps

2010-09-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

Many of us choose to go with pumps for special occasion because they make our legs look longer and toned, you feel taller, it peps your step and you feel sexy. While we hope to achieve all this we silently say a prayer because we know what putting on a pair of high heel for a night means. Aching feet at the end of the night, fortunately all is not lost. You do not have to continue in this way. I have a few secrets that will make wearing high heels a lot less painful.

Ladies, the first thing you need to know is this. The worst thing you could ever do is go out a day before you need to wear your high heels to purchase them. This is because you need to break them in before wearing them. This allows the shoes to mould to your feet and stretch them in all direction. You can break in your shoes by wearing them for a few hours at home so your feet get accustomed to the shoes. I do not recommend putting on your heels and then sitting to watch TV, read a book or take a nap, chances are you won't accomplish much. Wear them while you do chores around the house.

Next thing, make a conscious effort to wear heels at least 2-3 times per week. When you constantly wear flat shoes, your feet become accustomed to having your weight evenly distributed in the shoes. When you wear heels once in a while, the difference in weight distribution will shock your feet causing a lot of irritation. Often times we end up with pain underneath the ball of our feet or blisters along the sides of the feet and on top of the toes. Constantly wearing flats also tends to make your feet wider, therefore making it harder to walk in heels which have a narrower sole. So to make the transition between flats and heels easier try to wear heels at least 2-3 times per week, even shoes with a small heel helps.

Lastly, be sure to moisturize your feet. This helps to minimize the occurrence of blisters. Lotioning your feet allow the straps and buckle to slide back and forth easily. You can also bring a small bottle of lotion with you so you can reapply when you realize that your feet are getting irritated. Also, try to find heels made of material that this not too hard that will irritate your skin and heels that will help to support your weight.

Back Pain During Pregnancy - How To Beat The Pain Without Medication

2010-08-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

Back pain during pregnancy is something that's completely normal and although it may seem like it lasts forever the pain usually goes away after twenty weeks into the pregnancy. The backache or back spasms are the result of the softening of supporting ligaments and disks in the back due to an increase in a hormone called progesterone during the early stages of pregnancy.

How To Deal With Pregnancy Back Pain

The best way to deal back pain during pregnancy is to exercise because exercising will stretch out a woman's back muscles, get the blood flowing and ease most of the pain. Exercising is the best method for easing and dealing with pain because doctors are hesitant to prescribe medication early on in a woman's pregnancy and it's also a safe way to insure that the baby stays safe.

The best low impact exercises that any pregnant woman can do are going for short walks and bridging. To start bridging all a pregnant woman has to do is lie down on the floor, bend her knees and lift her buttocks up into the air.

Women who want to engage in some type of exercise routine during pregnancy should choose a low impact routine like Yoga or Tai Chi because both of these forms of exercises are good for strengthening plus toning muscles without putting a lot of stress or tension on the mother or baby.

Rub Out The Pain With A Great Massage

Massage is also a great way to deal with back pain during pregnancy. Spouses or partners don't have to worry about knowing expert massage techniques. All it takes to give a pregnant woman a good back massage is the ability to listen to where the pain is in her back, some nice smelling lotion or oil and her favorite relaxing music.

Massaging a pregnant woman's feet is another way to help fight back against back pain and help that woman to feel better during her pregnancy. The most important thing to remember when rubbing a pregnant woman's feet is to go easy and focus on massaging the entire foot (even her toe nails too!) because nerve endings are everywhere and a great foot massage will make her feel wonderful.

Rest - It Doesn't Have To Be A Dirty Word

The next step to dealing with pregnancy back pain is encouraging the mother to be to get more rest.

It's not easy for most pregnant women to get rest during their pregnancies because many women are working during the early stages or are raising children plus taking care of their families.

In spite of how busy a mother to be is it's important for their spouse, partner or significant other to pick up the slack so she can sit down and rest, take a little cat nap or even a bath.

Some other things that can be done to ease a woman's back pain during pregnancy are replacing a beds old mattress, buying a comfy recliner for her to enjoy during the day, buy her a new pair of athletic shoes and investing in a home massage system for the feet and body.

Bed Bugs: The Easy Way to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

2010-07-15T01:04:00.000-07:00

Bed bugs suck the blood out of you, literally. They're disgusting and hated by everyone, but difficult to get rid of. They are increasing rapidly and showing up in homes, hotels, even hospitals.

If you have bed bugs in your home you may have had problems getting rid of them, but there is a way to win this home game and here's how: A little known natural secret called Diatomaceous Earth.

Diatomaceous earth is also sometimes called fossil shell flour or diatomite. It is white to off-white powder, a soft siliceous solid composed of prehistoric skeletons of tiny single-celled aquatic plants known as diatoms. It has many uses, including natural pest control for pets, pest control for home, garden and farming. In its natural form it is organic, non-toxic and safe to use.

And it will kill your bed bugs without you having to put toxic chemicals in your bed, on your mattress and in your home.

Diatomaceous earth/diatomite is often used by naturally-minded pet owners to kill fleas, ticks, lice and other pests on dogs, cats and other animals. It is known as a mechanical insecticide. All natural, it kills by physical action, not chemical, by puncturing the insect's exoskeleton and absorbing the moisture in their bodies. It causes the bugs to dehydrate and die and can be very effective.

How to get rid of bed bugs

You put the diatomite in your bed, and when the bed bugs come to feast on you they will come into contact with the powder. Once they do, the powder will begin to kill the insects immediately. They have no defense.

In addition to killing bed bugs, diatomaceous earth is used by gardeners to help control garden pests like aphids, white flies, beetles, loopers, mites, leaf hoppers, and other pests. In your home, diatomaceous earth can be used to kill many other insects, including cockroaches, silverfish, ants, bedbugs, flies, fleas, box elder bugs, scorpions, crickets, and many other insects without introducing potentially harmful pesticides into your home.

Use only food grade diatomaceous earth in your home and around people or pets. Diatomaceous earth or diatomite that is produced for pool filters is treated with high heat (calcining) and a fluxing agent, causing the formerly amorphous silicon dioxide to assume its crystalline form, which is very sharp and should not be breathed. You should never use diatomaceous earth/diatomite that you may have around your home for use in your pool filter for any other purpose, including pest control.

So here's the new score for your home game: Diatomaceous Earth: 1. Bed Bugs: 0.

It's a home game. It's YOUR home. And your bed bugs lost.

Diatomaceous earth can be an affordable, safe and effective tool for combating bed bugs naturally and effectively. It is available from natural pet supply stores.

A Woman's Job - Is It Abuse?

2010-07-04T23:58:00.000-07:00

A woman's job can be an abuse to herself. There are many kinds of abuse that women have endured since the beginning of humans living together as families, and clans. Woman were always considered "the weaker sex", not as valuable as a man, property, not able to earn equal pay, not able to play sports with men, not allowed in "Men's Clubs", the parent responsible for a bad child, suffer every day with side effects from changing hormones, is blamed for a messy disorganized home. The list can go on and on. It was always the job of a woman to set the mood for the home. Her "place" was in the home.

We have taken on many new roles since we have been "liberated".

Now we are suffering even more. Heart disease, anxiety, and depression are on the rise for American women. Work and home responsibilities often are abusive to her body and psychological mind. Were we meant to do it all?

Many men have decided, that since women are now free to participate in all area of their previous sacrosanct lives, their women must produce and provide financially for the family. Yes, it is a relief for a man. He can come home, do what he chooses, eat dinner and then retire to the couch for the evening while all the action goes on behind the game or movie.

He can have a better standard of living because there are now two salaries or maybe she is providing the entire income for the family. There are men who really don't want to work, so he finds a girl with a great degree and job capabilities, and then marries her. After a while, they have children, he quits and tells his tired wife to go out to work, bring and pick up the children from day care, prepare meals, care for the children, clean the house, do laundry, get lunches for the next day, make sure homework is complete, sign all forms needed for school the next day, answer all home phone messages, give baths, read stories, tuck in children, get out clothes for the morning, take a shower, climb into bed and try to get a good nights sleep, barring any children waking up with nightmares, or are in need of a burp.

The next day is a repeat of the last, and it goes on and on and on. It's a woman's job to handle it all! It doesn't have to be this way.

Yes, women love the freedom, but don't blame us if things go wrong. Society is making men the weaker sex and making buffoons out of them. Look at the commercials? Why not show men,women and families sharing the work of providing and raising the children.
Positive family objectives and family life classes, should be taught to newlyweds, and comments sent to the producers of the shows that denigrate either gender to foster good family values.

Praise the good, solid men by their woman's side, sharing domestic work. These fine men are saving their woman's life. Their children see good role models, and the father bonds so much more with the children and they with him when he helps care for them. Women are taking more leadership roles and are moving up the ladder in many corporations. Many women are entrepreneurs of the work at home job market. Reversing roles can work if there is communication, and no resentment. We have come a long way, but listen to yourself and your partner.

If you are feeling overburdened with responsibility, tell him or her that men and women are equals. It is imperative to share the daily doldrums. Divide the chores and give yourself a ten-minute "time out" each day to regroup your mind and spirit. Don't suffer, like it was expected of women, in past ages. Pray often! Meditation lowers blood pressure, calms your spirit and quiets the mind during sleepless hours.

The Truth About Elves And Their Magical Selves

2010-06-15T01:05:00.000-07:00

Elves are every bit a mystery even today. However, their origin can be traced back to Norse mythology, where they are viewed as being a divine or semi-divine race of beings endowed with special magical powers that they are reputed to use for and against humankind. The truth about elves and their magical selves is that they grew along with folklore into both the 19th and the 20th centuries. One exposure that they have managed to gain for themselves is the fact that they have been known for years to be associated with Christmas. They are looked on as being "Santa's little helpers" and it is this enduring image that gives their magical selves all the more interest to others.

The ones in modern English folklore of the 19th century were also linked to fairies. It was this connection that would go on to give them their defining size. In addition, they appeared to dwell in rocks and or underground, as well as in springs and wells. The author J.R.R. Tolkien seemed to truly appreciate them for all the kinds that they were to everyone. He wrote a treatment in the 20th century that displayed the various races in fantasy. These races included light, black, dark and the dwarves of Norse mythology. Each race was now a permanent member of high fantasy due to Tolkien. The truth about these beings is that though they apparently had various types. There is only one breed of them today that cancels all the rest out. These are indeed the most famous and for now.

They are every inch a magical part of Christmas as is Santa and his reindeer. They manage to give so much to this wonderful holiday in a number of ways. The truth about them is that their legend is the stuff that Christmas is made of as is any other tradition that is part of it too. These "Christmas helpers" are not only small in stature according to Christmas legend. They are also male and female in gender. Not only do they each have pointed ears, but they are youthful in appearance, as well as immortal in how long they live. They became a reality via the hand of popular Scandinavian story tellers in the mid 1800s. They are now a permanent part of Christmas and aid Santa in designing toys as gifts for children.

The truth about elves is evident and that is that they will go on living an endless life in the eyes of children everywhere. These youngsters not only adore Santa but also the very magical force that is Christmas itself.

Writing and Speaking With Industry Jargon Considered

2010-06-04T23:57:00.000-07:00

Whenever one is writing or speaking it becomes readily apparent extremely quickly, regardless of the area of science, industry, or topic that the readers or listeners come from various levels of knowledge in the field. Obviously, it serves no purpose to talk or write over people's heads. Likewise it only detracts from the author or speaker to talk down to the student, reader, or audience.

Okay so, how do you talk to a broader audience, but ensure you are not boring the experts, or flying over the heads of the others?

Now then, having written a number of industry articles and also spoken to far more groups than I care to remember - I suppose the technique I like best is to put it like this (example):

"The US Navy along with the top university research teams have come a long way in the development of UUV's (underwater unmanned vehicles) over the last decade."

By clarifying the term or acronym early, it allows for those in the industry, or the experts to read through it, and those who are not in the industry to at least follow along even though they are a novice. Plus, it allows the new comers to learn a new term and assists them, bringing them up to speed on the industry jargon. The same technique tends to work very well with large audiences and you are less apt to see, blank stares peering back at you.

This is what I typically do, and although readers rarely give me feedback on this particular technique, I can safely say that I personally appreciate it when other authors of research papers, technical pieces, and industry articles do the same, especially when I am studying a new topic.

Okay, realize also that you don't want to use the long version in every sentence or repeat it too often, but it also makes sense if you have an extremely large audience reading your article, essay, or listening to your talk, YouTube video, or lecture to make mention of the term's meaning along the way again, somewhere in the middle, especially if you are introducing a whole host of industry type jargon in your speech or writing.

It is only fair to your audience that you do this, and frankly, you'd want them to do the same if they were teaching you a new topic as well. Meanwhile, as long as you keep it brief you will not alienate the other experts or your peers in using this strategy. Indeed, I hope you will please consider all this.

Writing Quality Online Content for a Popular Audience

2010-05-04T23:56:00.000-07:00

Crafting unique content for online publication requires a skill set very different than writing for "offline" publications. You must carefully consider all the elements that set online writing apart from every other venue. The most obvious of those is of course SEO (search engine optimization), but I want to instead focus on some of the stylistic and structural elements that distinguish the online medium. Choosing a topic and considering the target audience walk hand in hand, and it's a poor writer who doesn't spend a good deal of time considering who will see the finished product. Beyond that, the essential keys to writing effective and quality online content are clarity, brevity and impact. Master those three aspects, and you're already ahead of the curve.

Topic Selection

It's an understatement to say that online content cuts across disciplines and interest groups. Everything from health to pet care to diet plans have become dominant topics for online content creators. When thinking about potential topics, you need to have at least some experience with the subject matter. Readers can generally tell if you're making things up as you go along. Write about what interests you, but still be prepared to do some research. Backing up facts with proof is an excellent way to build credibility.

Audience

The most easily neglected aspect of content writing is the audience. Consider carefully who you want to see your writing, and what they should learn from reading it. Your audience defines the angle that your writing will take. In general, academic style writing is not appropriate for online content. Unless your audience is specifically the academic community, you want a voice that reaches out to as many readers as possible.

Building an audience is more complicated in the virtual world than the physical. For one, readers are never going to deliberately search for you and your writing. They will stumble upon your content almost by accident, in pursuit of specific answers to a specific need. Online audiences have virtually no attention span. The lure of the next link, the next bit of stimulation can be overwhelming. Your content must combine quality and freshness, or your potential readership will go elsewhere.

Structure

Write paragraphs, not papers. This bit of advice runs more or less contrary to everything you learned in school about organization and flow. Internet audiences have learned to expect blocks of information rather than long-format documents. With that in mind, a 500 to 1,000 word article is about the perfect length. It's likewise important to finish and start strong. I can spare you the finer points of crafting a good "lede" or hook, but suffice it to say that your readers will only spend a few seconds deciding whether your content is worth their time. Beyond that, each paragraph must be densely constructed and focused on a single idea. Transition smoothly and quickly to the next paragraph rather than simply terminating the line of thought.

Revision

Drafting and revision are at the heart of producing superior content, no matter the venue. Hemingway once said that the first draft of anything is always poor. With most online content, the trick will be to reduce, reduce and reduce some more. Avoid unnecessary verbiage and long, rambling passages that add nothing to your message. Ask a friend or colleague to read an early draft and solicit their honest reaction. When you feel you've reached the zenith of composition, sleep on it. Look over your production one last time before publishing it for all to see.

Tie Everything Together

There can be no weak links in the writing process. Leave out one essential element, and the entire foundation is compromised. A satisfied reader will come back for more. An unsatisfied reader won't bother finishing the piece you just spent hours of time crafting. Get every element right before publication, and success will follow.

The Life and Times of Rudolph Valentino

2010-04-15T01:08:00.000-07:00

When people saw Rudolph Valentino speak in silent films, what they heard in their minds was the language of love. That is why, even to this day, the mere mention of his name still evokes the image of a great lover.

Valentino lived a short but fabled life, dying unexpectedly at the age of 31. Nevertheless, he had many accomplishments, only some of which I shall attempt to detail here.

First and foremost, he was a talented actor. To understand why you need only to watch him in one of his most famous roles, as Julio in The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, where he soared, captivating critics and the general public alike with his performance.

This film, one of the greatest of the silent era and the first ever to earn more than a million dollars, is perhaps best remembered for the tango scene where Valentino uses the structure of the dance not only to establish his character, but also to exude his own brand of sensuality. It was quite a feat, akin to Elvis Presley's first appearance on television. That he had prior experience as a dancer, of course, was very helpful. But the role also required him to turn himself inside out emotionally, something he was able to do quite well.

What made Valentino one of the most remarkable film stars of all time?

• He had the right combination of looks and talent, also perfect timing and grace.

• As an icon of love, he became a lightning rod for public opinion.

• He fully inhabited his screen characters, living intensely whoever he portrayed.

• He was able to speak volumes within the framework of silence.

• He stood out in every scene he was in without even trying.

• His appeal was universal. He was, therefore, in some sense an 'everyman.'

Valentino was also known for his soulful gaze. When his eyes peered out from the screen, people felt compelled to take note. Why? Because apart from anything else he was attempting to convey, they were always filled with love. Again, that is what moviegoers were really reacting to as they watched his films.

Valentino's skills as an actor, I believe, can be traced back to Castellaneta, the little town in southern Italy where he was born. Upon visiting, I found the people there to be cordial, generous of spirit and 'molto simpatico.' Simply put, I felt very welcomed. I was also able to get a sense of how that environment might have affected Valentino in his formative years. The old town center, built high on a hill in the middle of a plain, provides its residents with a spectacular view of the surrounding area. As a result, the second floor windows of the apartment he lived in as a child would have enabled him to see for miles.

I contend that from an early age Valentino liked to keep his eyes on the horizon. In fact, he always tried to keep the bigger picture in mind. Even in death this is so, his crypt immediately adjacent to a beautiful stained glass window depicting mountains, trees, water, and the beginning of a stairway to the clouds.

Any viewing of a Valentino film reveals the luminosity he infused into all his roles. What was his gift? He sparked our imaginations, encouraging us to believe in our own magic. Such was the strength of his powerful yet unassuming charisma.

Rudolph Valentino broke through the existing stereotypes of American masculinity by re-defining how a man could choose to look and act in relation to the world around him.

Among other things, Valentino reminded the Roaring Twenties generation:

1. That love and sex always have primal components as well as spiritual, emotional and esoteric ones.
2. That we may live love as something that's beyond the skin, transcending time.
3. That feeling comfortable with one's own sexuality is a must.
4. That love is what both fills and fulfills us.

None of these ideas are new. However, it fell to Valentino to shine a spotlight on them, something it seems that he was destined to do.

Valentino's personal magnetism created a polymorphous image upon which audiences projected their own romantic and erotic desires. He was the canvas. They were artists. Together, they conspired to conceive one of the greatest lovers the world has ever known.

Writing and Speaking - Improvisation and Impersonation, Why Not Throw in a Little Innovation?

2010-04-04T23:56:00.000-07:00

Hey, you know what? Good speakers and writers are hard to come by. Oh sure, there are 10s of millions of writers in the world it seems and with the Internet there are more and more every day. With YouTube there are more and more speakers throwing their hat into a video as well, but it seems that there are very few "really good" writers and speakers.

If you are sitting in an audience and a speaker is making you laugh, and their timing is perfect, and you can tell they are throwing a little improvisational in from time to time, it makes you listen, and wonder what they're going to say next, and you don't want to miss anything.

You might think this is hard to do, but it really isn't, and, you may even speak this way when talking with your own friends, and not even realize it. Now you might occasionally strike a sarcastic tone, and do a little Impersonation of someone that you're making fun of behind their back, and if you do this, and you don't even realize it, you have all the skills to be a great speaker and to throw in a little improvisation, and a little Impersonation.

It's really not that difficult, and perhaps the reason that few people are able to do this, is they are too worried about what the crowd might think, or they don't feel the self-confidence they need to pull it off. Now then, I'm not suggesting that you strike a sarcastic tone, that sort of comedy isn't always good when speaking to professional groups, and yes folks who read articles, essays, other writing probably get enough of that style reading blogs and stuff on the Internet.

However, a little Impersonation can go a long way, and you shouldn't be afraid to try new things, or a little innovation here and there. Sometimes it just feels right, and you should go with it. The best way you can try new things is to try it out on an audience, and then work on and practice the timing. Over the years I've developed about 15 minutes of comedy, all original jokes, which make almost anyone laugh wherever I go, and they go over really good with large audiences.

Is it hard to impersonate people? Generally not, especially celebrities, because they have idiosyncrasies, certain phrases, and a certain voice inflection. It's not hard to impersonate them at all, but it does take practice. I would suggest to you that you should practice these things, and borrow various phrases that people use, and use them in your own writing, of course always attributing them to the person who you are impersonating; try it, it works, and the audiences love it, the readers too. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.

Engage, Don't Sell at Book Signings

2010-03-04T23:54:00.000-08:00

I'm new as an author, so I'm reluctant to give advice. I am not new, however, in professional selling. My entire career in corporations, like Xerox, involved responsibilities with customers, both as a salesman and as an executive. For the last 20 years I have offered consulting advice to large and small corporations in their sales management practices through Prodyne, Inc., a consulting firm I founded in 1991. The following observations and suggestions are rooted in that experience.

My first book signing was in a small B. Dalton store in Bemidji, MN. The longer I sat behind the table, the more people felt awkward in approaching me. I also knew that being a large man can make it harder for some people to warm up. It seemed intuitively obvious that day that the people who were "hovering" in the store wanted to talk to me, but didn't know how. Being a Rotarian and sharing that value of friendship with others helped. I didn't have to sell them the book-they knew I was selling books. I needed to engage them in the topic of reading, something we both shared as an interest.

This is where the professional selling model of listening 75% of the time comes in. But the dilemma is "How do I do that?" It starts with a smile, getting out from behind the table, shaking hands, making clear eye contact, introducing yourself and engaging them in a conversation with questions. What kinds of books do you like to read? Are you a frequent customer of the store? Have you found what you're looking for? Is that t-shirt from the college you went to? Can I help you with a recommendation? Would you like to know more about my book? You get the picture-the list goes on. Within minutes this first book signing went from a flop to a success and, more importantly, everybody had fun.

As I gained additional exposure at book signings, the concept of being paired with other authors presented itself. Many authors, by nature, are more on the introverted side of the personality spectrum. As a result, they sit there waiting. A lady next to me fit this mode at a book signing at the Sister Wolf Bookstore in Dorset, MN. It was crowded, so the prospect of getting up and wandering around wouldn't work. She asked me what to do. I suggested that if she had a broken leg and someone came to visit at her home, what would she do? She wouldn't sit there and say nothing. "Of course not," she said. Think of this as the same thing. No. 1, believe they are coming to see you. No. 2, they may, or may not, buy your book. No. 3, they will buy or refer your book based on the experience they have with you, as a person. Be welcoming, be friendly, and be inquisitive. Take the pressure off them and you by engaging, not selling. They are more likely to remember your book if they have a pleasant experience to attach it to.

She asked, "How do I get people to come to my table in the first place?"

"Let me show you." With that the next person into the store had a Michigan State University hat on. This was too easy as I am green and white clear through. I said, "Go green," just loud enough for the person to hear.

He stopped, looked in my direction and said, "Go white." He came to my table and bought a book. When I was done I admitted to the lady that it's not always that easy, but she got the point. Engage people in a friendly way.

The dark side of this method is that you will occasionally attract the person who wants to tell you their life story, or about the book they want to write. Control the discussion by offering to talk more after the book signing or by simply excusing yourself to transfer the discussion as another interested reader arrives. If my wife, Carole, is with me and senses that this is happening she'll come to my aid at the table and engage the "talker," luring them away so I can focus my attention on others. As in every case, however, the person needs to feel good about the experience through a pleasant, enjoyable dialogue.

I'm still new at this, but I don't look at book signings the same anymore. It's really an opportunity to meet a lot of nice people who share my interest in books. Sales of your book will be an enjoyable byproduct.

Prices for Prestige Properties Have Risen More in Paris Than Anywhere Else

2010-02-04T23:51:00.000-08:00

Sixty eight million euros. This is the price for which the Bourbon-Conde hotel located in the 7th district of Paris sold 2 years ago. Today, it still holds the world record for the highest transaction. And since then the ratings for Paris in the luxury real estate market has grown and grown. According to a network of agencies in the premium housing market, it's in Paris that the prices of this section grew the most (+21%) in 2010.

The other "world-towns" which attract the wealthier people coming from the four corners of the globe have seen less spectacular progress: an almost stability in New York (+1%) and Geneva (+1.5%), and a reasonable rise in London (+8.5%).

Thus, in New York, the high standard houses cost approximately 10.1 million USD in 2010 whereas in 2009 they cost 9.7 million USD yet 11.6 million USD three years ago.

The gap gets wider again if we compare the evolution during the last 5 years: in Paris, the prices grew by about 44%, compared with only 25% in London while they remained steady in New York.

But the prices have stopped rising, the result is now here: considered for a longtime as cheaper than New York and London, Paris has pretty much managed to catch up with the other two, which is especially due to the fluctuations of the exchange rates. According to Barnes, another real estate network agency specialized in premium property, the most beautiful apartments situated on the left side of the Seine in the VI and VII district are currently worth between 14000 and 18000 euro per square meter whereas on the right side of the Seine, in the XVI and XVII districts, these properties can be negotiated between 9500 and 11500 euro per square meter.

No New-Build in Paris

Direct consequence: transactions for prestige properties have reached a new level. Therefore, a 250sqm flat with view over the Champ-de-Mars was sold a few weeks ago for 5.8 million euros, 23000 euros per square meter. "Today, the prices are 10% higher in Paris than New York for equally valued properties", estimates a local estate agent.

The experts have various explanations for the French capital's catching up. In Paris, there's fewer products because they haven't build prestige dwellings since the SRU law of 2000 which means a 20% of buildings must be kept for social housing in new developments. Although New York is a case apart in the United States (of America), the town has suffered from the subprime crisis which affected real estate. Moreover, Paris has a trick: it is more of an international city than New York. In the last 12 months, 40% of new owners of properties valued between 4 and 10 million euros were foreigners in the French capital. With a diversity of nationalities (Russian, Middle-Eastern, Chinese, American...) which protects from regional economic crisis.

Simple Steps Toward Economic Recovery

2010-01-04T23:51:00.000-08:00

While it is true that we have a complicated economic system, there are still simple rules that we should follow in order to move us out of this current real estate slump that we are in. There are not many markets that affect the economy as a whole in the way that real estate does. The good news is that fixing the real estate market can have a domino effect that helps stimulate other parts of the economy. All it requires is the first domino to be pushed. Unfortunately, we seem to be having a hard time doing that. We should be focusing on increasing consumer demand, rather than trying to sustain people who are really in no position to benefit from the assistance for the long run.

One difference between real estate and other markets is that stimulating demand is done a little differently. Yes, reducing prices and home improvements always help, but another way is to move more people into the position where they can actually get approved for a loan. Not many people can honestly say that they do not want to own a home; it is the American dream. So, unlike clothes or furniture, we do not need to make people want to buy, but rather make them able to buy. This is how we stimulate demand in real estate.

Once we successfully stimulate demand (by moving more people into a position to purchase), we will begin seeing home prices increase. The more demand for a product there is, the more the price of that product will increase, with all other things being equal. With so many Americans underwater, there is a stagnate portion of our market that is simply waiting for their home prices to go back up. Once home prices go up, and people begin moving into the positive equity zone, we will see more refinances, cash out, second loans, etc., all things that encourage spending. This spending will increase the number of jobs that are available, which will increase the demand for real estate, starting the process over again.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in America is 9.1%. While this is above average, it is important to recognize that over ninety percent of American's are still working. There is obviously plenty of room for economic growth, and increasing home values will lead to more investments and spending, which leads to more jobs. Our government is spending at record levels, with much of the money allocated to real estate recovery going to the wrong places. If we stimulate demand for (ability to purchase) real estate, we will see the economy begin recovering, starting with the housing crisis correcting.

Rent To Own - Forecast Bright As Home Sales Continue To Be Gloomy

2009-12-04T23:45:00.000-08:00

Housing remains the weakest part of the American economy, analysts tell us, and we shouldn't expect much improvement over the next few months. "These numbers are at rock-bottom by historical standards," said U.S. economist at IHS Global Insight, Patrick Newport. This report comes at a time of the year where home sales should be at its peak. However, while traditional home sales reports have been bleak, the rent to own market is on the rise because, for many, it's become the only way they are able to buy or sell a home.

Obtaining definitive numbers for these types of purchases is difficult since they are private rental agreements with a purchase option until later recorded as a home sale when the transaction is completed, often 2-3 years depending on the agreement terms. But indicators of increased on-line searches, books and documents sold, as well as general inquiries throughout the real estate and mortgage industry show that interest is strong and many rent to own transactions are being generated.

For many home sellers who've had homes on the market for many months with little or no activity, the immediate interest generated from one rent to own advertisement can be overwhelming. Today's market is flooded with better-than-average risk buyers whose credit issues are recent due to current market and economic circumstances, but previously were responsible and timely with their obligations.

With a bankruptcy or foreclosure would-be buyers are unlikely to qualify for a home loan for some time, and with the great increase of home-owners-turned-renters, the price of rent continues to increase. A rent to own home agreement fixes the cost of rent for the specific period of the agreement, giving buyers another incentive to buy.

Wednesday, June 22, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the housing market was a strong and persistent factor hurting the broader economy. With the continuing vice-like grip on traditional lending and increase of the rent to own home trend, it would not be surprising if the federal government at some point were to identify this trend as a viable way to increase housing sales, and possibly offer incentives and tax benefits for these types of purchases, and strengthen protective regulations for both buyers and sellers.

It could also be to the benefit of real estate agents and brokers to be willing to facilitate these types of sales, although it would mean a delay of their primary commission for 2-3 years. Frequently real estate professionals will provide property management services during the lease period, since most property managers are real estate brokers. They can charge an up-front fee for providing initial services; paperwork, credit and background checks, bringing in a buyer or seller, etc., and if they choose, they can administrate the monthly payments for an additional monthly income until the sale closes in 2-5 years.

The rent to own option, when properly administrated, could help put people back to work, stop the housing drag on the economy, and pay mortgages that may otherwise be forced into foreclosure. Those looking into this option for themselves need to research the topic well and make themselves aware of any potential pitfalls to avoid, but a rent to own home sale can not only be a good option for buyers and sellers, but potentially can be a good trend for the American economy.

Deltona, Florida Real Estate and a Little History

2009-11-04T23:50:00.000-08:00

Florida became a state in 1845. Just prior to that, the Timucuan Indians were the original inhabitants of what is now known as the City of Deltona in Volusia County. Fish and fresh water was plentiful. When Florida became a state, steamboats began making regular trips up and down the St. Johns River to Lake Monroe. Soon, visitors began settling in the state and a community developed on the shores of Lake Monroe near the steamboat landing. The City of Deltona was founded in 1962. It is the largest city in Volusia County and is located east of Interstate 4 and north of Lake Monroe. Deltona, Florida is the twenty-ninth largest city in Florida with an estimated population in 2009 of 84,264. It is North of Orlando, Florida and is considered a suburb of Orlando. The City of Deltona is almost entirely residential. The city's economy is largely a state and regional economy depending on surrounding communities for work, shopping and entertainment. The economy in Deltona is mostly service oriented.

There are 7 elementary schools, 3 middle schools and 2 high schools in Deltona, and approximately 4 private schools. A campus of Daytona State College is within the city limits. Also nearby there is Seminole State College and the University of Central Florida.

Deltona is served by Central Florida Regional Hospital, Fish Memorial, Florida Hospital/Deland, Florida Hospital Altamonte, and Florida Hospital at Lake Mary. Florida Hospital Medical Center and Orlando Regional Healthcare System (ORMC) are less than 45 minutes south of Deltona via I-4. Travel a bit farther and you'll find Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World. Recently opened in Orlando is the new Amway Arena, home of the champion NBA Orlando Magic. Just east of Deltona are miles of pristine beaches on the Atlantic Ocean including the World's Most Famous Beach, Daytona Beach.

The name, Deltona, comes from a combination of two nearby cities: DeLand and Daytona. It has grown steadily since it was officially incorporated as a city on December 31, 1995.

Deltona's Parks & Recreation Department consists of 18 neighborhood and community parks and provides recreation for all ages. One of the parks, Tom Hoffman Park, now has a butterfly garden, a walking trail, and an open-field play area. Campbell Park has a floating dock, lighted tennis courts, beach volleyball courts, picnic areas, gazebos, a playground and the Lake Monroe Boat Ramp. There is also a fitness trail. Future projects include a new 122-acre sports complex in the Alexander/Providence area. The city continually strives to provide safe areas for its citizens to enjoy the nature trails in the city parks. They are currently working with Volusia and Seminole Counties and the St. Johns River Trail system to connect the trails into the Seminole County Lake Monroe Loop and the East/West trail.

Previous, current and planned park improvements have improved the city environment. The city plans to continue recreational and environmental improvements for years to come. Deltona is a community that cares for its residents.

The average sales price of a house in Deltona, FL was $86,865 in June 2010. The median home value was $143,910. There are currently an estimated 17,067 households in Deltona. This is a family oriented community minutes from major entertainment, beaches, playgrounds, and healthcare facilities in a natural setting. Come home to Deltona.

Could Federally-Encouraged Rent To Own Home Sales Help Strengthen The US Economy?

2009-10-04T23:49:00.000-07:00

Could the rent to own home sale market help pull the U.S. out of its economic slump?

According to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Wednesday, June 22, the U.S. housing market is a strong and persistent factor hurting the broader economy. It's widely agreed that the massive amounts of foreclosures flooding the market with below cost pricing, is one of our country's biggest economic drains.

But as we've seen over the last few years, this is one big cycle with no end; foreclosures offered at below market pricing forces all housing prices to continue downward. Those who are trying to sell in order to avoid foreclosure have a threshold where they can no longer afford to sell their home and are forced to walk away, adding to the foreclosure glut on the market.

With lending restrictions reducing the amount of qualified buyers and declining house prices forcing homeowners into foreclosure, it simply regenerates more credit-damaged consumers unable to obtain financing and adds more pricing competition by continually adding foreclosures to the market.

The future isn't looking very encouraging either, with 1.2 million expected home foreclosures this year, according to Realty Trac, Inc. and an additional 1.7 million 'shadow inventory' of homes at risk of foreclosure lurking close behind, according to real estate data firm CoreLogic.

Eventually, we could become a nation of renters with the rich few as the exclusive property owners, or as previous generations called them: serfs.

One option gaining popularity that would help avoid that prospect is rent to own home purchases. The market is swelling every day with better than average credit risks who've recently had hard knocks to their credit rating, but have been otherwise responsible with their obligations. Those buyers will be unable to obtain traditional loans for a period of time while there are almost as many home sellers waiting for their telephones to ring with an offer.

By government encouraging private rent to own home purchases with tax breaks and financial incentives there would be a reduction of homes going into foreclosure and being added to the market, stabilizing home prices. Rent to own home sales would add a layer of 'privatized' protection between the lender and reclaiming a foreclosed property, instead continuing existing loans at their current interest rate.

Additionally, the sellers have to live somewhere as well. They may choose to scale down their home choice and rent to own a less expensive place, providing additional cash flow after mortgage payments are met. With the rental market flooded with the onslaught of foreclosed property owners, rents continue to increase. Renting to own establishes a rental rate that is good for the extent of the loan, providing additional incentive for buyers.

If they choose, real estate agents and brokers could expand their services to include aspects of property management, keeping themselves in the mix while providing valuable services to inexperienced home buyers and sellers. They could charge an amount equal to a percentage of the down payment to find buyers and sellers, facilitate the paperwork, and provide background and credit checks, among other things. Later they will collect their real estate commissions when the transaction closes down the road, which is better than never collecting a commission. For a monthly fee a broker could facilitate the monthly rental/payment exchange as well.

Government incentives would generate even more interest from other professionals related to the home sales industry, offering their help and expertise to help facilitate a successful rent to own transaction.

Needing to be addressed however, would be the risks typical with a rent to own home purchase, first by the parties themselves, and hopefully expanding into acceptable practices and laws.

Home sellers are risking their property to strangers and home evictions and property damage are expensive. Additionally, the biggest risk to a successful rent to own transaction for both parties is when the buyer is unable to qualify for a traditional loan at the end of the lease period. Home owners are back where they started, and if they are unwilling to take another chance on the buyer qualifying, they may choose not to extend the agreement and the buyer loses his down payment plus any rent credits earned during the term of the lease.

To be effective and to ensure a rent to own home sale result there needs to be proof that the buyer is working with someone credible to help rectify credit issues, and the length of the lease needs to be long enough for the buyer to qualify for a traditional loan.

Additionally, there needs to be proof that the owner is current on payments and not near foreclosure, that there are no outstanding liens and that the buyer's payments will be applied to the mortgage and not to the owner's pockets. Lenders could help facilitate this, earning an extra fee while looking after their existing loan assets.

It seems as if there could be ways to combat this economic funnel, help increase home ownership and stop the bleeding from the main economic artery - the housing market. By researching and participating in the rent to own home sale individuals can start now to help take control of their financial futures and hope other professionals fall into line. But it would certainly get a major lift if the government would provide additional incentives for people to take a more 'privatized' step to economic recovery.

Twitter Money - How to Make Some!

2009-09-01T19:08:00.000-07:00

If like myself you are relatively new to the Twitter phenomenon you may be only just realizing the massive potential it has for making a few bucks. Twitter has taken the planet by storm and if you jump on the gravy train you just might see some major results...

As social networking goes Twitter is a law unto itself and a refreshing change from the norm. The 140 characters to post your "what are you doing" is stroke of marketing genius from the founders, no long winded conversations and no worrying about being abrupt with your replies. Because you have to be short and sweet, people are often putting more thought into what they write and as a result the quality and amount of information that can be found on Twitter is staggering. Type absolutely anything into the Twitter search bar and you will find it.

If you are new to internet marketing or have no clue at all you will soon realize that the key to to making some Twitter money is followers. Every self respecting company or business has realized the potential of Twitter, and everywhere you look you will see the symbolic blue bird and "follow me". The more followers you have the bigger your potential to make money. If you have for example 2000 followers who are all interested in something specific, and you wrote a quick post saying you were selling something that might help, how many people would be interested? 10? 20? 50? Maybe the product you are selling is worth $20, 20 buyers equals $400...

I have seen savvy marketers with well over 30,000 followers, you do the math. There are many ways to to increase your followers ten fold in just a matter of weeks. Why not visit Twitter For Money and find out how you can cash in on the rapidly growing Twitter trend.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Gurbon

Help For the Very Depressed

2009-08-01T19:06:00.000-07:00

If you are very depressed, then you are not alone because there are approximately 19 million other people like you who suffer with some form of depression. There are basically 6 general types of depression with all sorts of subcategories within the disorder. Depressive disorders range in degree of severity from mild to dangerously severe. While depression can become very serious for those who suffer with the condition, the good news is that it is one of most treatable of all mental and emotional disturbances.

Probably everyone has experienced some sort of feelings of depression at some point in life and it is normal to feel sad, down, angry, fatigued and lonely especially when a traumatic event has happened or some major disappointment has occurred. But when these symptoms as well as other symptoms continue for two weeks or more, it is wise to seek help in determining what type of condition has arisen and how to best deal with it. Those who continue to be very depressed and can't seem to pull out of the sinking sand of emotional pain have usually become clinically depressed and should get some support to help them resolve the condition.

There are various ways to find help and support in dealing with this very painful disorder. Both free, low cost and of course, traditional methods of professional mental health care are available depending on your financial circumstances and your personal preferences of treatment. There are non-profit and community sponsored support groups and self help formats that are of tremendous help. These are usually free for anyone.

Many area wide churches also offer Pastoral Counseling to anyone who desires help even if they aren't church members. Religious organizations usually offer free counseling or charge a small fee based on a sliding scale which is dependent on the counselee's ability to pay. If you are interested in this type of counseling, more information can be found for your area at the websites of the American Association of Christian Counselors or American Association of Pastoral Counselors.

Other ways to find help for depression is through Community Health Centers that are sponsored by counties or states. Those who qualify for state aid can receive professional mental health counseling for free. If you prefer a private counselor or other type of mental health professional, you can sometimes negotiate lower fees so that you can avoid large bills which only add more stress. If at some point your doctor or counselor recommends medication for physical or psychological problems, there are some non-profit organizations that help provide patients with free or low cost meds. Needy Meds and The Medicine Program are two organizations that can help you get the meds you need.

The type of depression you are struggling with will determine the kind of treatments that will help you most. If you are very depressed, please seek help from some source and also talk to a loved one as they can support you during this time. Don't wait.

To find help for those who are very depressed, visit http://www.freedepressionhelp.net where you'll find this and much more, including a quiz to see if you are very depressed.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=P.S._Orr

Career Guidance & Counseling - Developing the Right Approach For Our Students

2009-07-01T18:37:00.000-07:00

This article is for those Parents, Schools and Colleges who are in consistent pursuit for growth and development of their children/students. In today's tough and competitive environment, they try to equip their children with a plethora of work activities like tough schooling, extra classes, coaching classes and personality development courses. Without much exception, today's parents & teachers set very high expectations from their children. And rightly so. Because the times are so tough. There is cut-throat competition. Students win or lose by margins of as low as 0.25 %. So, one has to be a true genius and also a flawless performer in all areas of endeavor, in order to get successful and prove one's worth, capacity and edge over others.

This is the mental make-up that most of the modern day parents and academicians possess. There is nothing wrong with the intentions as well. The intention is to get the best out of a student in the present moment, so that he/she can become better educated & can secure their future.

The intentions are absolutely right, but it is highly ironical that the approach is absolutely wrong!

Such an approach may show up better results in the near future but prove a disaster, in the long run. The pressure of competition, pressure of performance and the pressure of expectations, generate stress in their lives, which gets associated with the process of their development and growth. This leaves a very bad impact at the subconscious level. Without knowing, a lot of stress, anxiety and pressure gets linked with their learning. So whenever they engage in a learning activity, they feel an inner resistance. And so, they have to exert more pressure; they have to work harder than ever before; they feel the doer-ship; they feel the burden; and they stop enjoying.

Make them natural learners:

Taking the right approach is therefore extremely important. It is essential that the students are not treated like one in a crowd. It is important to understand the student's personality, identify their strong areas, facilitate an environment that they enjoy, and then allow them to thrive and make significant progress. And when this happens, an individual doesn't even realize that he/she is engaged in any kind of learning activity. They become natural learners. They associate pleasure with whatever they are doing. They enjoy and their passion can even take them beyond the horizon.

Only Career Guidance And Counseling Can Help:

It is a common misconception that career guidance is only for those, who are looking for a job. They misinterpret that it is only about selecting a career stream or an area of academic specialization. There is no denying the fact that Career Guidance is useful for these things. But the bigger truth is that Career Guidance and Counseling is the soul of Career Development Process for any individual, which begins from middle school level.

Career Guidance works for School Students, College Students, Job-seekers & Professionals in entirely different ways. For students in schools & colleges, it is an excellent way to make learning, an enjoyable experience for them. It is a scientific and logical approach to student's personality analysis. It aims at understanding the student's core interest areas and then relating their course curriculum with it. As a result, they begin to find their academic pursuits much more meaningful. They begin to appreciate the importance of genuine learning at this level, in the attainment of their dream aspirations.

Such is the kind of education framework that Career Guidance & Counseling provides; where student growth process is not based on pressure and stress, but is based on passion, interest, enjoyment & satisfaction.

Careerpatri http://careerpatri.com is a comprehensive Career Exploration and Planning Toolkit that provides Education and Career Development Support to the School and College students, with the use of Psychometrics (a branch of psychology for measurement and analysis of student performance), and three of the most famous and widely accepted theories in the field of education and vocational psychology, practiced all over the globe.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Saurabh_Aggarwal

The Importance of Not Overeating

2009-07-01T18:36:00.000-07:00

You are spending lots of time at the gym, but you aren't having the results that you want. It seems that no matter how much time that you are running on the treadmill, lifting weights, or doing Pilates you just aren't losing weight. The frustrating part is many times people who are having trouble losing weight are also cutting back on the food that they are eating. They have lowered their calorie count, cut out drinking carbonated beverages, and they have cut out the sugars that they had been eating. The problem is that they might be eating too much calories in large chunks throughout the day.

The body has a natural instinct of helping your body to survive. That instinct, while important to the body, can also really make it difficult for many people trying to lose weight that don't understand the instinct. The body if it doesn't feel that it is getting enough calories will shut down, and start to go into survival mode. It will slow your metabolism, which is a disaster to anyone's diet. The biggest downside to the slowdown in your body's metabolism is that when you eat the next meal your body will conserve that food and convert it into fat. This is especially true for those people who eat small breakfasts and lunch, but very large dinners. Even though you are getting the same amount of calories as someone eating three balanced meals, your body will use conserve the calories (turning it into fat) while the person eating three balanced meals will burn the food (allowing your body to loses weight).

Eating balanced, smaller meals throughout the day will allow your body to feel filled up. That will help your body to increase its metabolism. The increase in metabolism will produce higher amounts of energy, and will help you to be able to exercise more successfully to help lose weight. Many people find it difficult to eat multiple smaller meals throughout the day. This is due to the scheduling problems that people have with work and school. Also, it is a cultural change, as in the United States dinner is the biggest meal of the day. A good way to increase your meals is to add protein to your diet.

Protein supplements are a good meal replacement. They are easy to make. They don't take long to digest, and they will provide the energy that your body needs to function. Whey protein is the best supplement to purchase. Whey protein provides an easier protein to digest compared with the soy based protein supplements, because whey protein is dairy based. Whey protein isolate mixtures also contain a higher percentage of pure protein. Compared with non-isolate mixtures, isolate mixtures contain lower levels of fats and carbohydrates. Taking a whey protein isolate ensures that you get the highest amount of protein in the most efficient way.

Even though you have cut the amount of calories in your diet, that doesn't mean that you still aren't overeating. Eating too much at any given meal will decrease the success that you have losing weight. Eating smaller meals and using whey protein is a good way of helping your body to increase its metabolism and lose more weight.

For more info on protein shakes, visit MyTopForm.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gerald_Fitz

The Basset Hound - So Much Joy

2009-07-01T18:35:00.000-07:00

Consider why you want a dog. Perhaps you grew up with one or you just love animals. Getting a pet can be extremely beneficial in countless ways, and Basset Hounds are no exception to this rule. These dogs get along with nearly everyone, enjoy almost excellent health, and have been bred to hunt, if that is one of your goals. Below are a few peeks at why owning a Basset Hound can be such a pleasure and maybe a few reasons why you should consider adding one to your home.

Best Friends with Everyone:
The friendliness of a dog is often in question when there are young children or other pets in the household. You don't have to worry about the disposition of a Basset Hound, as they get along well with nearly everyone. They are sociable with people and other animals. They are rarely aggressive and that may only happen under extreme provocation. Playing with children and other dogs is quite safe, due to the Basset Hound's mild mannered nature and willingness to show affection. Even the males and the females of the same breed get along well together, an abnormality in other dogs. It's safe to say that your Basset Hound will get a long with any other dog breed.

Healthy:
Basset hounds lean towards excellent health. There are some issues, such as gassiness, ear infections, joint disorders and skin problems that you will likely always run into. So it's important to keep a close eye on them as they develop, and keep those giant ears clean! However, Basset Hounds tend not to be as prone to other genetic health problems that can be found in other breeds. To ensure that the Basset Hound retains good health, it is important to provide enough exercise and proper nutrition. If your dog becomes obese, he can experience more illnesses than a healthy dog, but keeping a close watch on your dog's diet can help avoid these problems. Make adjustments to your dog's diet as his weight increases or decreases, as well as his activity level. Fortunately, Basset Hounds love activity, since they were bred for it.

Born Hunters:
Basset Hounds were originally bred to hunt small game animals, including rabbits and pheasants. The powerful sense of smell that the Basset Hound possesses allows them to track their prey easily. Their wrinkled face helps retain the smell of their prey while tracking. With their short legs, the Basset Hound cannot move as quickly as some of the larger dogs, therefore allowing their owners to keep up with them while moving through the woods searching for their quarry.

A Basset Hound is a pleasure to have in the family, since they are tolerant of many people and animals and tend to be healthy. Relationships with dogs are reliable and can contribute to a blessed, happy life. No one will love you as much as your Basset Hound or be as loyal. While they might not have the most energy of all the breeds, they are definitely capable of showing the most love.

Was this article useful? GreatDogSite has many more articles about Basset Hounds and other breeds of dog!

How to Hit Fairway Woods - 3 Tips to Launch the Ball High and Soft With Your Woods

2009-07-01T18:32:00.000-07:00

Countless golfers ask on a daily basis how to hit fairway woods. These clubs were designed much like hybrid clubs to replace the hard to hit long irons, but still many people suffer with hitting woods. In this article I am going to give you 3 easy tips that you can start using right away which should help you hit longer and straighter shots with your fairway woods.

1. The first thing that you need to do is make sure that your ball position is correct. The ball position for a fairway wood shots should generally be about 2 inches behind the left heel for a right handed player. This position is far enough forward to get the ball in the air, but back far enough to ensure solid contact.

2. After you have gotten the perfect ball position then you have to make sure you start the backswing with a smooth tempo. This is crucial because the longer the club is the more important tempo becomes, and it is vital to learn how to hit fairway woods. You should try to match the speed of your downswing with your backswing in order to have great tempo and hit solid shots.

3. After you have done these two things it is important not to try and lift the ball into the air. Fairway woods are easy to hit high, so you do not need to make any extra effort to do so. Actually if anything you want to hit down on the ball slight as a descending blow will get the ball rising faster.

These three tips should help you learn how to hit fairway woods, and I suggest that you get your game in shape all the way around like I did by taking a look at the easiest way to improve your golf game in just days!

Do you want to bomb your tee shots and shoot lower scores? Before the Simple Golf Swing System I Was a 7 Handicap, Usually Shooting around 78. After the Simple Golf Swing System I took 5 Shots Off My Scores and Am Now a 2 Handicap! Read My Story and Learn How You Can Achieve The Same Results By Visiting http://swing-a-golf-club.blogspot.com For Instant Access!

The Best Natural Insomnia Cure

2009-06-01T18:38:00.000-07:00

It's estimated that as much as 30% of the World's population suffer from not being able to sleep well at night. It's a massive problem, but has one of the most simple solutions. You see, most cases of insomnia are caused by you not being able to "shut down" your brain... and you just need a herbal remedy to fix it.

When we go to sleep, our brains shut down for a few hours and go through all the information that it gathered during that day. That's why dreams are mostly about things that happened recently to us - because our brains are sorting through all our recent memories and thoughts, and storing them in a neat order so that it can find them again. This might surprise you, but we actually go unconscious when we go to sleep, and this is the cause of so many people's sleeplessness.

You see, the need to sleep has evolved from way back in history. Almost every animal has to do it, and because we go unconscious when we do it, our brains need to know that we are totally safe in our surroundings when we do sleep. This means that people who are worrying about things, or have a lot of things on their mind, can actually end up not being able to get to sleep because their minds are simply too focused on these 'threats' to actually be able to calm down and go to sleep.

Luckily, the way to fix this is pretty simple. You just need to calm yourself down and make your brain think that everything is okay, and that no 'threats' are going to get you when you are out and asleep. Sleeping pills can do this... but they have nasty side effects and can become addictive. Instead, the best way to get yourself to sleep is to "sedate" your brain by using natural herbal remedies.

Herbal remedies are where you take natural ingredients (flowers, plants and herbs) and then put them into a mixture or medicine which makes your body act in a certain way. There are several types of remedies for insomnia, but I've found the best insomnia remedy is actually very easy to make and extremely powerful. You can see my favorite insomnia cure here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Hoffman

Firm, Flat, Abs - Important Guidelines For Developing Perfect Six Pack Abs

2009-05-01T18:39:00.000-07:00

People who want to shed off their body fat and like to develop a flat stomach need to understand that this doesn't have to be a long rigorous process.

Developing six pack abs entails 2 important things - firstly you have to lose the belly fat and then strengthen those abdominal muscles.

As long as there are layers of belly fat on your body, your six packs will not show. So you have to burn off the belly fat along with trying to develop the six pack abs. This requires dedication and a strong will power.

If you enjoy exercising, then a big hurdle is overcome while trying to develop six pack abs. When people enjoy exercise, they find it easier to motivate themselves and work out for longer periods of time. Hence it becomes quite easy to develop super abs within short period of time.

Begin exercising at a slow pace initially so that you get a hang of it and get comfortable doing the exercises. Do not overburden yourself at the start itself otherwise you will give up quickly.

Start slowly and increase the pace and intensity gradually. Listen to your body at all times. If your body gives you a signal that it is exhausted then stop exercising and allow some time for it to recover.

Note that getting too excited and eager will not help your cause. You cannot make drastic changes in your life all of a sudden. This may backfire and you may seriously damage your body.

Do you think it is easy for anyone to suddenly start doing more than hundred pushups a day when they are not in a habit to do so? Even if someone manages to do that for 1 or 2 days, he is unlikely to be able to continue doing it for a longer period of time. Sooner or later, he will find the task too daunting to continue.

The end result would be that such a person will quit exercising and so his dream of achieving six pack abs will not be realized. Take the case of another person who adopts a more sensible approach and understand his own limitations.

He does not push himself too much while exercising. Thus he is likely to continue with the exercises for a long time to come. Such a person is likely to be consistent and therefore reach his goal of acquiring the perfect abs.

Another important point which you need to keep in mind is that you need to have variation in your exercises. Do not limit yourself to just pushups, situps or crunches.

A well planned exercise routine should incorporate a lot of different exercises so that your stomach gets a complete workout. Varying your exercises will also prevent boredom and monotony.

Don't make your exercise sessions boring or difficult but try to make them fun and exciting. This way you can get a lot more out of each session.

Alex Alvarez has posted his incredible results at his blog.

Check out his pictures, along with tips and a guide on how to develop rock hard abs in just a few weeks.

Alex Alvarez
http://firmflatabs.info/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Alvarez

How to Treat Infertility With Acupuncture

2009-04-01T18:40:00.000-07:00

Acupuncture to treat infertility has proven to be a phenomenal cure at the same time when other scientific treatments fail to work. It happens to be a Chinese therapy and may perhaps summon a feeling of dark rooms and relentless pain caused by the pricking of needles. However, that is not the case while treating the infertility syndrome with acupuncture. On the other hand, it also promises improved relaxation and immediate treatment for infertility.

Acupuncture is derived from traditional Chinese methods. The Chinese believed that there has to be a balanced energy flow in the body in order to stay healthy. Furthermore, they insist that whenever there is a blockage in the flow of this energy, several inflammations would occur, leading to body pains and various other kinds of diseases. Since this energy flows from the meridian points, acupuncture needles are to be inserted in different parts of the body to unblock the energy points. This would reduce the harmful effects of any disease.

Medical science defines infertility as the lack of the ability to conceive or let conceive a child. According to a recent research study, only 40% of women are responsible for the case of infertility. The most common causes of infertility syndrome in women are blocked fallopian tubes and endometriosis. Acupuncture could be used effectively for infertility treatments where the causes are functional and not merely structural. Functional infertility could be referred as a condition where the problem is caused due to the hormones whereas structural infertility could be caused due to bodily disorders.

However, acupuncture treatment varies from person to person and the patient must consult the acupuncture practitioner before taking the infertility treatment. Acupuncture is best for all those who have gone through several medical treatments without any effective results. It is best for those who do not wish to undergo any expensive treatments. A patient has to take certain sessions in order to get cured, each session lasts for about 30-45 minutes.

Acupuncture treatment for infertility includes auricular, manual or electrified treatments. Electrified involves the use of electric needles to improve the energy flow in the body. The auricular acupuncture treatment involves the pricking of needles in earlobes and ears in order to treat the hormonal disorders in females. The manual methods of acupuncture involve the use of alternative medicines in accordance to the disorder identified.

Acupuncture treatments are usually successful for infertility since they tend to increase the production of endorphins or blood chemicals that can help to reduce stress. It augments the blood supply to the ovaries as well as the uterus and hence it becomes easy for the uterus to nourish the fetus. Therefore the risk of miscarriage is reduced. After several acupuncture sessions, the central nervous system is highly stimulated and releases the neurotransmitters, so as to reduce infertility.

Uptown Acupuncture, Is an Acupuncture San Diego Clinic which Provide Specializes in Physical Therapy and Holistic Healing in San Diego

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gagan_W_Deep

Cheap Dot Com's and Dear Me's? How Come?

2009-03-01T18:41:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder why a new Dot-Com domain can be purchased from a registrar for less than eight dollars but the going price for a new Dot-Me is more than twenty dollars? Doesn't it seem logical that the Dot-Com should be more expensive? They are many times more popular: there have been over seventy million Dot-Coms sold and a good deal fewer than a million Dot-Mes. Where is the iron law of supply and demand here?

Aftermarket domain dot-coms have certainly sold for considerably more than aftermarket dot-mes. Love.Me, for instance sold for about thirty-three thousand; insure.me went for almost seventy thousand. That's big bucks to most people but it's chickenfeed considering sex.com's reputed price of fourteen million. Why then does a freshly minted Dot-Com sell at a third the price of a new Dot-Me? I've search all over the net for a satisfying answer and haven't found it.

I know that Dot-Coms originally sold for considerably more. Thirty-five dollars or so. But that was in the good old days. After all, Dot Com was the original domain extension and has been around since the mid eighties; computers cost a lot more then too. An acquaintance compared Dot-Coms to Chevrolet cars: GM sold several million more Chevys than Cadillacs, but the Chevys are still cheaper. True, but I'd bet most of the people buying a Chevrolet wished they could buy a Cadillac. How many people buying Dot-Coms really wanted to buy Dot-Mes? Not many, I should imagine. Who then-or what-is setting the prices.

Competition, of course, is part of the answer. Virtually every registrar sells Dot-Coms. Pricing them above a certain level would insure fewer sales. And once they've got you hooked the price can always go up in preceding years (something to think about when you decide how many years in advance you want to purchase your domain).

Another possibility is that the most accurate analogy here would be to compare domain extensions to jewels rather than automobiles. Diamonds, maybe. The perfect diamonds bring a high price; those with imperfections bring a lot less. The Premium Dot Coms were snatched up a long time ago; what's left has been heavily picked-over. Dot Me, on the other hand, is relatively new and there are a lot of rich words and phrases yet to be claimed. Yes, you can wait and the price will go down, but so will the value of the remaining domains.

Mike Nardine operates http://www.CheapMikesDomains.com and learned everything he knows about business,domains and websites the hard way. He has a Dot Me Special at Less Than $20.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Nardine

Bridging the Communication-Generation Gap

2009-02-01T18:45:00.000-08:00

Most people have, at one time or another, picked up their cell phone to receive a text message and had to decipher something like the following...

"R u Cming 2 dnr l8r? C u then!"
Luv K-Man

If it were not for the number displayed on the phone, you may not even know who this "K-Man" person is. Moreover, you are not sure if this person ever received any type of formal education. Like it or not, this is where communication has landed us in the electronic age, where even waiting for the phone to ring is wildly inefficient.

This is a trend we are seeing in the working world as well. In the age of Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and FriendFeed, communication not only needs to be instantaneous but the information must make its way to a vast number of people and be dead-simple to spread the word. Whether it be an important document to share, or a simple "out of office" notice, there is an increasing demand for instant information.

This article is titled Bridging the Communication/Generation Gap because with today's technology, that generation gap is getting fairly wide. There are many different types of workers in the workforce today with different levels of technical competence. If you look closely enough, you may find someone in your company where anything beyond snail mail is witchcraft. Then you have the GenY folks who have grown up with instant messaging, text messaging, Facebook accounts, and all sorts of social media expectations. When attempting to build a work environment that speaks to everyone, there needs to be something that your entire workforce buys into.

Many companies are turning to an intranet to provide that work collaboration tools and to build a corporate culture that is easy for all generations to partake in. Fortune 500 companies are leading the way with innovative social intranets combined with more traditional document management and enterprise tools. Intranets give employees an area where they can share ideas and retrieve corporate information in a quick and easy format. Ease of use must be a key factor when choosing intranet software or building your own intranet. Provide the social experience but in a format the technology-challenged can easily use.

The beauty of a good piece of intranet software is how it can "WOW" both of these groups with the same functionality. Those with less technical savvy can still contribute as long as adding content and documents is as simple as clicking an "add" button. The younger generations will expect this ease of use so that they can jump into action on the site and own their piece of it.

This equates to a fast and effective communication tool that everyone in the company can buy into. If you are looking for a way to improve communication and bridge that gap between generations, an intranet would be a great place to start.

If you'd like more information about this topic, please contact Kyle Connell at 604-924-9770 or visit our website at http://www.intranetconnections.com Intranet Connections - Intranet Software is a fully customizable out-of-the box intranet suite of applications designed for ease of use, simplicity and affordability.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kyle_L_Connell

How to Discover Your True and Essential Nature

2009-01-01T18:41:00.000-08:00

Discovering your true and essential nature and knowing who you really are is knowing one's self and the ability to fulfill any dream you may have. You are the eternal every lasting possibility, you are the total potential of all that is, and will be, you are the law of Unity.

There is no difference between you and the energy that God/Universe uses to create everything in existence. This field of existence is your own self, the more you experience your true nature, the closer you are to God/Universe the field of pure potentiality.

The Experience of Self is our internal being it is our own spirit, and not the objects of our experience. The other experience that we may have is the Experience of Objects which are outside of our Self, which includes material things, people, situations and circumstances.

In this experience we are always looking for external control, the approval of others, in anticipation of a response from them. This experience is fear based and this kind of power is not the power that we want because this is not real power.

When we experience the power of Self, there is no fear, there is no need to control, and no struggle for external power or approval. The experience of objects starts with our Ego, this is not who you really are, this is your mask for society it is your social mask, your self-image, the role you are playing. The ego craves and thrives off of approval. This mask wants to be in control and is sustained by power, because it lives in fear.

Now your true self, is your spirit, your soul, which is utterly and completely free from all of these things. It is not fearful of any challenge or criticism and it feels beneath no one. And yet, it is humble and feels greater or superior to no one, because it recognizes everyone else is the same Self, the same spirit, the same energy from God/Universe just in different disguises.

Ego based power will only last as long as those objects of reference are there ie... the job title, a lot of money or whatever it is that you are referencing the power to. Once that title, money or reference is gone so is the power.

Self power on the other hand is permanent, because it is based on the knowledge of Self. Self Power also has certain characteristics. It draws people to you, and also draws things that you want to you. Self Power magnetizes people, circumstances, and situations to support your desires.

This is also support from the Laws Of Nature. It is the support of Divinity which comes from being in the state of Grace. Your power is such that you enjoy having a bond with people, and people enjoy a bond with you. Your power is bonding, a bonding that comes from True Love.

If your enjoyed this article on How To Discover Your True and Essential Nature Click the Web Address below to learn How To Make Money On The Internet:

http://www.MaverickMoneyMakersHits.com

Thanks for your attention and time I wish you Love, Joy, Happiness, Laughter, Health, Wealth and Prosperity to all. Thanks and have a Blessed Day!
COREY LUSTER

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Corey_Luster

SaleHoo Review - Sourcing Products For Your Online Business

2008-12-01T18:53:00.000-08:00

If you are thinking of selling products on eBay or starting an internet business by selling goods through a website, SaleHoo is a service which is well worth considering. The main problem with sourcing products for your business is ensuring that your products are sourced through reputable and honest suppliers. You don't want your suppliers to rip you off with inferior goods or experience a very poor quality of service.

SaleHoo addresses this problem by providing an online directory of thousands of products from pre-screened wholesale suppliers, including dropshippers, light bulk wholesalers, manufacturers and liquidators. There are suppliers for top brand products including Nike, Prada, Lacoste, Panasonic, D&G, Apple, Sony Gucchi and many more.

If you want to grow a profitable and sustainable business, you need to source your products from a number of different suppliers using a range of sourcing methods. SaleHoo offers all of this in one directory giving you access to over 8,000 product suppliers from the USA, United Kingdom, China, Canada, Australia and France.

Supplier reviews
All of the suppliers listed in the SaleHoo directory have been reviewed by either SaleHoo, independent eBay powersellers or other SaleHoo members. All of this information is available to view on the suppliers info page, leaving no place to hide for the poor quality supplier. This gives you tremendous peace of mind and enables you to make very informed decisions before spending any of your hard earned cash. You will not only receive information on whether the supplier is worth doing business with, but also a wealth of information on the quality of their customer service, product range, product packaging etc. This information will literally save you hours of research and is well worth the membership fee alone.

Range of Products
There are literally thousands of products listed in the SaleHoo directory spanning hundreds of categories. There is an advanced search function that enables you to sort by country, keyword, product name, brand name or supplier name. SaleHoo have found thousands of suppliers who are small business friendly, in that they have either no minimum order quantities or very low order quantities. This allows you to test out a product before committing to a large up front spend. The information on each supplier is well laid out and easy to understand.

Product Pricing
SaleHoo is not a 'middleman' service but a wholesale supplier directory. This means that you deal directly with your suppliers, which ensures that products are very competitively priced. At the end of the day, your profit margins will be determined by the type of wholesale source you choose. For example, if you choose to buy products in bulk and handle all warehousing and shipping yourself, then you will get a lower price per unit than if you used a dropshipping service.

When considering the price of a product always bear in mind the potential competition and your route to market. Selling on eBay will always be more competitive than selling through your online store, so before committing any of your hard earned cash be sure to do your research up front.

Education and Support
The educational resources within SaleHoo are excellent, and come as part of the membership. The Learning and Training centre is packed with useful references, tips, articles and tools to quickly bring you up to speed with a number of topics including setting up a business, selling on eBay, importing and shipping and much more. You also have access to the very busy and vibrant members forum, where you can get invaluable information on the best suppliers and the products that really sell. The help and guidance of fellow members and expert dropshippers and importers could prove an invaluable resource in growing your business.

Membership
The one off lifetime membership cost is an extremely competitive $67. You will not find a better offer on the internet for such a high quality service. There is also a 100% money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the service for any reason within the first eight weeks. Well worth a look!

If you would like to access the second part of this SaleHoo Review and compare SaleHoo with the best wholesale and drop ship directories currently available, visit Wholesale Directory Reviews

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rick_J_Williams

News, Politics and Hair - Twin Cities' Women Provide Hair-Raising Opinions on Local Celebrity Looks

2008-11-01T18:54:00.000-07:00

Fantastic Sams, which offers a full range of hair care and color services, conducted a survey among Twin Cities' women to elicit opinions on salon visits and hair color services but also wanted to take a pulse on local celebrity hair for some fun insights.

"We found that Twin Cities' women not only have strong opinions on their own hair, but they have a lot to say about their favorite celebrities' hairstyles as well," said Ernie Valeski, regional director of Fantastic Sams of Minnesota.

Josh Hartnett, followed by Twins' player Joe Mauer, was awarded best hair for male celebrities, and actresses Jessica Biel and Cheryl Tiegs got the first- and second-place nods for women. On the other end of the spectrum, Jesse Ventura and Sarah Jane Olson were voted most in need of a hair makeover. Local news personalities with the best hair were KARE-TV's Belinda Jensen and WCCO-TV's Frank Vascellaro.

In addition, survey respondents provided the following thoughts on celebrity hair:

• Equal party loyalty: When it comes to politicians, party affiliation doesn't necessarily predict best hair picks. For the local mayor with the best hair, Mayor Rybak earned 62 percent of the vote over St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman at 37 percent. In the ongoing Senate race, U.S. Senate candidate Norm Coleman won this election with 66 percent to Al Franken's 34 percent. (Franken polled better in Minneapolis and St. Paul than he did in the suburbs.) Rybak received 72 percent of the Minneapolis vote and Coleman won his city as well with 68 percent, but suburban voters put Rybak over the top.

• Channel surfing: The race for best anchor hair was tight: KARE-TV's Belinda Jensen got high ratings here (25 percent), followed closely by WCCO-TV's Amelia Santaniello (21 percent). Santaniello's husband Frank Vascellaro narrowly edged KARE-TV's Sven Sundgaard and Mike Pomeranz (25 percent compared to 22 percent for Sundgaard and 19 percent for Pomeranz), with Jeff Passolt of FOX 9 not far behind (18 percent).

• Hollywood hits. While she received only 11 percent of the overall vote, actress Winona Ryder was particularly popular with redheads (and in St. Paul), and women with blond hair rated Mauer just as highly as Hartnett - the rest preferred the actor over the catcher.

• Aging gracefully: Women ages 51 to 60 prefer Tiegs' hair and women ages 41 to 60 like anchor Julie Nelson's. Likewise, Sundgaard draws rave reviews with the under 40 crowd whereas Vascellaro is a ratings hit with those over 40.

Survey Methodology
The survey, commissioned by Fantastic Sams and conducted by Stir Strategy, is based on a sample of 200 women living in the Twin Cities' metro area.

About Fantastic Sams Fantastic Sams, a nationwide franchise with nearly 1,400 salons throughout the United States, provides a wide variety of affordable hair services for the whole family. More than 100 Fantastic Sams salons are located in Minnesota, employing more than 1,000 stylists. For more information, visit http://www.fantasticsams.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_A_Peterson

The Disappearing Cold Sore

2008-10-01T18:55:00.000-07:00

Throughout time man has imagined genies, wizards and magic. If I was granted three wishes, the first would be to make my cold sores disappear!

Although David Copperfield or Houdini have no power over cold sores, you do have some power to control them.

There are 3 magical tricks that can wipe out cold sores.

- Avoid triggering an outbreak
- Once the lesion forms, apply a salve to it
- Prevent the cold sore from developing in the first place

The first trick is to avoid a situation that could trigger an outbreak. A cold sore will usually start when your resistance is lowered. Some of the situations that bring on an episode are:

- Illness; a cold, the flu or a sore throat (This is where the terms "cold sore" and "fever blister" come from because one often gets a sore after having a fever or a cold)
- Exposure to the elements, such as sun and wind
- Stress (physical or emotional)
- A blemish (pimple) near the lips
- A runny nose
- Dental work
- The menstrual cycle

The problem with this method is that you can not always avoid a trigger situation and even if you can, it only reduces the likelihood of an attack. It's no guarantee that a cold sore won't appear.

The second trick is to apply some sort of preparation to the sore once it has surfaced.

These range from prescription drugs, and over the counter salves to home remedies.

There are many different salves, ointments, or preparations that have been used with varying degrees of success.

Here is a partial list of items that can be tried: Ice Rubbing alcohol Finger nail polish remover (acetone) Hydrogen peroxide Hand sanitizer Mouthwash Aftershave Cologne Clearasil Bath soap Toothpaste Salt Sulfur from unburned match heads Deodorant Vinegar Bleach Jack Daniels. Vaseline Neosporin Campho phenique Aloe Vera Mentholatum Abreva Chap stick Desitin Orajel Lip balm Ear wax Your own skin oil Chopped garlic, or garlic pieces Tea tree oil Green tea bag Frozen tea bag Dried Instant coffee made into a paste with a little water Pepto Bismal Whole milk Eucalyptus oil Preparation H Hydrocortisone Green Papaya Sap Benadryl applied topically with lip balm Calamine lotion

The effectiveness of these applications varies from one person to another and even from one outbreak to another.

Proponents of these preparations say that healing time is significantly reduced. However studies have shown that normal healing time is reduced by only a few days. Claims of cutting healing time in half have been shown to be misleading.

In fact many people, including myself, have noticed that some ointments even make the outbreak worse.

The problem with applying any kind of treatment to an active cold sore is that the best that you can hope for is to shorten the healing time and perhaps reduce the pain.

Unfortunately, all of the stages of the cold sore will still appear.

In the meantime you suffer from a painful and ugly sore lasting from several days to two weeks.

The third trick is to prevent the sore from forming in the first place. This is the one that I use now, having tried the other two for over 30 years, and I feel very blessed to be able to defeat the cold sores rather than suffer through them.

Now, when a cold sore attacks, the worst condition I experience is a red area about the size of a pencil eraser for a few days. I never have the blisters, open weeping sore, or scabbing anymore.

The advantages with this method are:

- There is no ugly painful and embarrassing sore to deal with.
- There are no salves, ointments or preparations that need to be applied several times a day.
- And it is not complex or costly.
- Best of all it works.

The vitamins and supplements can be purchased at your local health food or drug store very inexpensively without a prescription.

Although my cold sores do not disappear with the wave of a wand, my new found formula makes them vanish into thin air with a minimum of effort on my part.

For a fast and easy way to stop cold sores in their tracks, or even stop them before they start and to get a FREE 10 day email course about cold sore treatments that work visit http://www.fastcoldsorecure.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brett_Kitchen

Lemon Acid to Remove Age Spots

2008-09-01T18:56:00.000-07:00

Those who prefer home remedies to commercial and/or chemical solutions will be glad to know that it is possible to use lemon acid to remove age spots. Lemons, like all citrus fruits, naturally have very acidic juice. This, combined with Vitamin C, is a known formula for skin lightening. It is essentially a natural bleaching agent.

Unlike artificial agents and other age spot remedies, lemon acid is mild enough to work without eliciting any discomfort or posing a threat to overall health.

While using the juice alone is an effective means of using lemon acid to remove age spots, and some people even recommenced rubbing raw lemon slices on age spots, certain recipes can speed up the process and improve results. Here are two good options:

Lemon and Sugar Combination

By combining lemon juice and sugar, you add the element of exfoliation to your treatment. When the skin is exfoliated, the outer layers are slowly rubbed off. Over time, this results in the age spots being worn away. Thus, sugar is a great addition to lemon acid to remove age spots. When combined, the two ingredients can be used as either a paste that is left on for several minutes or a wash-off scrub.

The Ultimate Mixture

Follow this recipe for a popular home remedy that not only uses lemon to remove dark spots but also improves the overall condition of your skin:

1 tsp grated horseradish root

1/2 tsp vinegar

1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice

3 drops of rosemary oil

This mixture should be applied one to two times per day like a scrub.

You can use lemon acid to remove age spots, or you can stop playing with fruit and buy a real product.

Check the latest product reviews and ratings at http://www.EraseAgeSpots.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelley_Taylor

How to Convert Your Article to Video?

2008-08-01T18:58:00.000-07:00

It's a lot simpler than you think to convert an article to video. You can submit your high quality articles to YouTube. Directories will also be glad to have them. You can get trust and a better reputation from search engines. It's also a wonderful way to drive traffic to your site.

There's a lot more to do with your content then just letting people read it, and you know it. Wouldn't it be better if they could watch it? There's a lot of reasons converting an article to video well help your business.

People that want their information fast. They fear the dreaded wall of text on your page. They also don't enjoy searching for hours to find what they're looking for. Some people don't even have the time of day to read 500 words to find an answer. What do you think is simpler? A long, boring 500 words, or a quick and easy 2 minute video? Short attention span surfers are a lot more likely to watch instead of reading. This allows them to get the info they want quickly. It also gives you an opportunity to drive more traffic.

Creating an article to video project is not a hard thing anymore. There's a ton of software out there to help you make quality videos in seconds! You just copy and paste your article into the software, select a few options, and hit go! You do not need any technical expertise or filming equipment. There's no need to even show your face. Some programs use text to speech capabilities so you don't even have to record your voice.

Having these videos online opens up a whole new stream of traffic to your site. Google ranks videos a lot easier than most content. It's very normal that videos are at the top of the search results. Google also tends to quickly index videos, unlike articles where they tend to be a bit slower. That simply means that getting a video indexed is much faster than written content. YouTube gets millions of visits a day. Any videos you have there will get you traffic.

It's much easier to get attention using a video. It would be quite valuable for your business to invest in an article to video marketing campaign. There's no need for fresh content to turn your articles into videos either. It's perfectly fine to do with older content that has already been submitted to directories. It's extremely beneficial to learn how to create and upload these easy videos.

Sanchit Bhatnagar is the Co-Founder of The Article Video Robot (http://www.articlevideorobot.com), a software to convert any article into Live Talking Video with a full voice over, graphics, animations, and background music, just by pressing ONE button! Click here to convert your article to video now!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sanchit_Bhatnagar

Rules You Should Break When it Comes to Losing Weight

2008-07-01T18:52:00.000-07:00

Did you know we spend over $110 million dollars on weight loss products in this country alone? Women, especially make an effort to lose weight before their wedding day, high school or family reunions, or just before bathing suit season. We go on a 'diet' because we feel that is the best way to lose the weight. Did you notice the first 3 letters in the word 'diet' spell DIE which is how most people feel when they are on a diet. They are often too restrictive, you feel starved most of the day and you have no energy especially to exercise.

You can probably drop a few pounds on any plan, however, most people gain it all back and then some weighing more than they did when they started - how frustrating is that! Here are some rules you should consider breaking before you embark on your weight loss program:

RULE #1 to BREAK is - The BEST workout for losing weight is aerobics or cardio-vascular work.

FACT: Cardio is great for burning calories, but it does not preserve or build muscle. If you cut your calories and do only aerobic classes, you will actually lose precious muscle tissue and slow down your metabolic rate. Every pound of muscle you have burns 15-20 calories per day. It may not sound like much, but if you lose a pound of muscle you could GAIN 2 pound of FAT in 1 year.

STRATEGY TO CONSIDER: You can gain 1-3 pound of muscle in 3 months if you lift weights at least 3-4 times per week. Use weights that are heavy enough so it is difficult to do the last 3 repetitions for a total of 15 repetitions. Do 3 sets of 15 repetitions for each exercise and break it down so that you do 2 muscle groups in one day - for example, 3 exercises for the chest and 3 exercises for the biceps. You can still do Cardio-vascular work on the treadmill or bike but do it AFTER you lift weights. You need the glycogen in the muscle to lift the weights and once that is used up the body turns to fat for energy which you will burn off on the treadmill or bike.

RULE # 2 to BREAK is - Just CUT your calories and you will LOSE the weight!

FACT: If you are not getting enough calories for the day, especially good quality protein, your body will break down the muscle you do have to survive. Muscle helps your body burn calories - when you eat too few calories, your body produces less of a hormone called LEPTIN, which may help regulate appetite. Studies have shown that women who cut their calories too low cause LEPTIN to diminish by an average of 54% and their hunger doubled. The downturn of LEPTIN production occurs within 48 hours of starting a low-calorie regimen which may explain why so many diets started on Monday are 'ancient history' by Friday.

A BETTER STRATEGY - Make plans to have nutrient-dense mini-meals every 3-4 hours that include good quality protein, whole grains, and vegetables. This will keep your energy level up and support lean muscle.

RULE # 3 to BREAK is - Cut the CARBS and the weight will fall off

FACT: Cutting carbohydrates is too restrictive and it usually causes fatigue and when you are tired, you tend to overeat the wrong foods. You need good carbohydrates for your brain to function. Low-carb dieters may lose more in the beginning but may find it difficult to stay on the this plan for too long.

STRATEGY: Eating healthy does not mean no carbs! Eat plenty of good carbohdyrates like fruits and vegetables, whole grains and choose whole foods whenever possible- not processed. Eat from the earth! This strategy will keep you full without filling up your waistline.

RULE # 4 to BREAK - FAT makes you FAT - eat low-fat or fat-free products

FACT: There are some people who keep track of their fat grams better than they do their checking account balances. Let's fact it - fat makes everything taste better, however, there are good fats that are liquid at room temperature like olive oil or macadamia nut oil to enhance flavor of protein or vegetables. Fat carries flavor and if you are satisfied with a healthy meal that has a little bit of fat in it - you are more likely to stick with a healthy eating plan. Many of the fat-free foods on the market today are loaded with sugar which is converted to glucose in the body and stored as fat plus they set you up to crave more sugar the rest of the day.

STRATEGY: Take a look at your day and see where you might be lacking good fats - a handful of nuts for a snack or tossed in your dinner salad at the end of the day are full of unsaturated fats and magnesium which help you keep calm, lower blood pressure and get a good night's sleep.

RULE # 5 to BREAK - You can eat as much as you want of soup, salad, fruits and popcorn since they are naturally low in fat and calories.

FACT: Unfortunately, PORTION CONTROL does matter and when you give people the greenlight to eat as much as these foods as they want, they tend to eat too many calories for the day and never feel satisfied. Often, they end up lacking good quality protein which supports muscle.

STRATEGY: Again, complete, nutrient-dense, mini-meals every 3-4 hours with good quality protein (chicken, turkey, fish, egg whites, Non-GMO soy or whey protein) with fibrous carbohydrates like whole grains, vegetables and fruit found in the produce section will help keep your weight in check with regular exercise.

RULE #6 to BREAK - There is no such thing as a BAD food

FACT: There are some pretty bad highly processed foods on the market today most of which are in the CENTER AISLES of the grocery store. They are full of hydrogenated fats which are fats that are heated to a very high temperature that do great things for the shelf life of the product but they do nothing for your shelf life. Read the labels and stay away from them. Let's face it - an orange is still better for you than a candy bar.

STRATEGY: Stock your pantry and refrigerator with healthy carbohydrates and good quality protein for a quick meal anytime you get hungry. I keep chicken salad in my fridge made with mustard and relish and vegetables. A crisp apple dipped in almond butter makes a great snack. These foods will keep you full and give you energy.

RULE # 7 to BREAK - Just WALK 30 minutes a day 3 times per week and you will lose weight.

FACT: Think of exercise as something you do every single day like brushing your teeth or taking a shower or bath. Would you think of skipping a day of doing either? It is a good idea to focus on doing some form of exercise for at least 30 minutes a day - everyday! This will help you get in the habit of exercising and you should notice a huge difference in how you look and feel as well as sleep better.

STRATEGY: You could lift weights for 30 minutes and walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes on one day. Take a Yoga or Pilates class on another day. Mix it up and find what makes you happy so you can look forward to your exercise time everyday.

LAST RULE TO BREAK - Do not eat ANYTHING after dinner or after 6 p.m.

FACT: Trying NOT to eat anything after 6 p.m. is not realistic for most people and it is important to know that if you eat dinner around 6:30 p.m. for example, and do not go to bed until about 10 p.m. - you may find yourself hungry again just before bedtime. This is great time to have a slice of turkey breast or a small portion of chicken salad before hitting the hay because it will help keep you blood sugar levels stable as you sleep so you will not wake up in the middle of the night wide awake. It almost feels like you just had a shot of espresso but that is your body telling you that it is hungry and needs fuel to help you heal during rest.

STRATEGY: Keep chicken salad or turkey breast in your refrigerator so you can have little before bedtime - this will stabilize your blood sugar levels during the night as you sleep. In fact, you may notice you get a good night's rest when you do this because turkey contains tryptophan which makes you feel sleepy.

A nutrient dense mini-meal every 3-4 hours is the key to losing body fat and keeping it off. They will rev up your metabolism and keep your energy levels consistent throughout the day so you will not feel deprived or frustrated. It takes 3 strategies to lose weight - cardio-vascular exercise, weight-bearing exercise and nutrient dense meals or good nutrition to keep you on the right track to ultimate health and weight loss.

Sherry L. Granader, ACE, AFAA, NETA, ACSM
National Spokesperson and Speaker, Nutrition Consultant, Author, Writer, Pilates and Yoga Instructor, Personal Trainer
http://www.sgfit.com 517-899-1451

Sherry Granader has shared the stage with such celebrities as Whoopi Goldberg, Suze Orman and Governor Ann Richards. She has cooked for her favorite Bodybuilder, Lou Ferrigno and his family as well shared her nutrition expertise with Chuck Norris and has been a guest of Lee Haney (8 time Mr. Olympia) on ESPN. Sherry has authored 2 cookbooks and is working on her third book "Throw out the Diet, NOT the Food!"

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sherry_L._Granader

Cures For Hemorrhoids That Really Work - Excellent Home Remedies For Hemorrhoids

2008-06-01T19:05:00.000-07:00

Have you frequently been in pain with hemorrhoids? If so, you're without a doubt, not alone. Millions upon millions of everyday people around the globe have been unfortunately affected by the disdainful and unfortunate occurrence. Studies have proven that over 40 percent of the adult population will encounter having hemorrhoids at least one time in their existence. Hemorrhoids commonly consist of engorged tissue along with inflamed veins, which are seen around the anal area. There are several cures for hemorrhoids capable of being applied by using the best simple and natural remedies. It is very important to act as soon as you are able to and treat the afflicted area before it becomes even disturbed and even more arduous.

One of the good and effective cures for hemorrhoids involves taking a lukewarm sitz bath for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. That has also been confirmed to help calm the painful symptoms and swelling for many individuals. This may need to be applied on a daily basis and will be important to dry off the afflicted area to avoid additional moisture accumulation.

An additional remedy that is helpful for hemorrhoid relief is to use witch hazel and apply it on the affected area. For best results, it should be when done after a warm and gentle wash of the hemorrhoid. This can be a highly effective natural cure for hemorrhoids. It is by far one of the best for curing external hemorrhoids. Of course, it is always most effective when done in the earlier stages of the condition.

Often times, many people pay a great amount of money for costly hemorrhoid cures or surgery that might not even cure the entire issue. There are much more effective ways to completely cure this condition which are low cost and even more beneficial at taking card of the whole problem.

Are you interested in the best 100% natural solution to effectively treat hemorrhoids? Visit cures for hemorrhoids today to get them gone forever!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Paul

Are you interested in the best 100% natural solution to effectively treat hemorrhoids? Visit cures for hemorrhoids today to get them gone forever!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Paul

How Does a Man Behave When He is in Love - Tell-tale Signs That Give Him Away!

2008-05-01T19:05:00.000-07:00

How does a man behave when he is in love?

You see changes in his behavior towards you, trying to attract you towards him.

You find him change altogether personality and behavior wise, but in a positive way.

You ask yourself in dilemma whether these are the signs hinting that the man loves you. Well, in a way these are the signs, but it also depends on your capability to observe and your relationship with that guy. Here are the four main tell-tale signs that will help you know whether the man loves you or not. These include-

1. Shyness- The sudden shyness in a guy around you shows that he is in love with you. He hides his feeling either because he is not courageous enough or is scared that the girl might turn him down. They get flustered easily and do not know how to act around you. In such a situation try being responsive and encourage him to talk more and get rid of the shyness. This is how a man behaves when he is in love.

2. The Syndrome of Cloud 9- A man who is in love can only see the woman he is in deep love with all around him. All seems so wonderful for him, and each day brings forth more happiness due to the woman who has his heart imprisoned. Thus if you find your man in a dreamland, losing his concentration, there are chances that he has fallen in love.

3. Caring- A guy who falls in love becomes more caring and thoughtful, showing all his concern towards you. He will keep in touch with you constantly through text, and will call u up when he is missing you just to hear your voice. Hence a man's care shows how important you are to him and is a sign of true love.

4. A Sweet Companion-Last but not the least, a man in love will talk sweetly to you just to see a smile on your face. This person will be the first and the last to text you everyday. Like a sweet gentleman he will take you for a movie or dinner once in a while. Such an adoring and loving person is surely to have fallen in love with you.

How does a man behave when he is in love is not tough to know if you observe and pick up the signs quickly. All the behavioral changes and signs in a man who is in love are listed in http://www.freewebs.com/catchandkeephim/

You can study and relate the signs of your man, go deep into the reality of how a man feels when he is in love, and get to know quickly whether he is head over heels in love with you or not so that you can take the next necessary step. Click Here!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Nichol

Video Surveillance Can Catch Your Two-Timing Lover Or Spouse

2008-04-12T01:46:00.000-07:00

No matter how much you stay on guard, somebody is going to lie and cheat on you. Nobody will spare you from getting hurt, not even the man you exchanged "I dos" with. Instead of running a video surveillance of your husband and his paramour, think of other ways to catch him en flagrante. No idea how? Read on.

When "In Sickness and In Health" Becomes Just Plain Sick

Nobody wants to play a fool, and nobody wants a ruined marriage either. But when the going gets tough, the tough definitely has to take action. No need for all that video surveillance and private detective-hiring stuff. All you have to do is look at your husband and observe. There should be tell-tale signs no hulking macho can hide from a woman's prying eyes.

There are a lot of things you can do to catch your man red-handed like having someone spy using video surveillance. But it won't work if your man is the perfect counterspy. Watch his actions closely, but remember to be distant. You would want to avoid those oh-so-loud confrontations. Not just yet.

Instead, check the following out:

* Take a good look at his appearance and observe his grooming. Is he using faddish shirts and pants? Is he more conscious of his appearance of the way he parts his hair?
* Check out his credit card expenses. Did he purchase flowers or jewelry that you did not receive?
* Is he going to parties all by his lonesome instead of taking you along the way he used to?
* At bedtime, does he turn his back on you and say he's plain tired?
* Does he make a lot of excuses for his absences?

If All Home Remedies Fail Use Technology

This is where the cameras, detectives, and all the spying come in. When you still fail to squeeze all the juice from him, prepare that video surveillance and record away. This is hard work, but in the end it's worth it. Be warned, though, that what you might see may tear your heart to shreds.

Use the surveillance system like a pro. Browse the different battery-operated miniature cameras, a GPS tracker to trace his car day and night, and a set of picklocks to pry open his locked drawers when he is not around in the house. You can also ask a friend where to get that software that can unlock the password to his email account. When you're desperate to know his dirty secret, you'll try all means, fair or foul.

Plant a miniature spy camera on the passenger side of his car. That would surely give you a full glimpse of your rival and the images captured would hold in court if the situation deteriorates to divorce proceedings.

Hiring a detective to spy on your husband can be expensive, and doing the video surveillance will take you away from the kids. But if it's worth your sacrifices, why not? But what's your purpose of going through all these trouble? Go ahead if:

* You want a divorce.
* Been physically, verbally, and emotionally abused.
* Have been cheated on for years.
* Losing your self-respect.

Until caught, a man will continue to wriggle out of the situation. But when presented with proof especially from the recording of your video surveillance, there's nothing he can do. He might even have the impudence to dismiss your righteous anger as petty jealousies, but proof is proof, and what else could be better than that?

Supervision And Management: How The Great Supervisors Do It

2008-04-12T01:21:00.000-07:00

When I was starting out as a manager and struggling to figure out how to do well, a wise and experienced friend gave me the following good advice. "Find the great ones," he said, "Then figure out what they do. Do the same things and you'll be a great one, too."

That became my life's work. Over the last thirty plus years I've identified great supervisors. I've spent time with them, watching what they do. Then I've helped hundreds of other supervisors learn to do the same things.

Great supervisors consistently lead teams with high productivity and high morale. People want to work with them and for them. Their bosses count on them and rave about them.

I've found that something Leo Tolstoy said about families is also true of supervisors. Great supervisors are all alike; every bad supervisor is bad in his or her own way.

There are thousands of ways to do a bad job as a supervisor. But great supervisors do the same things in pretty much the same way. And if you learn to do them, you can get the results they get. Here's a list.

Great supervisors understand that they always have two jobs. One job is to accomplish your mission through the group. The other job is to care for your people. Great supervisors help people succeed as individuals and as a team.

Great supervisors understand the strengths and limits of their position. When you become a boss, you have less power than you did before because your performance is measured by the performance of your team. But you have far more influence.

Great supervisors use what they can control, what they say and do, to influence the behavior and performance of the members of their team. They know that they won't succeed all the time, but that if they play the odds and do the right things, they will consistently have successful teams.

Great supervisors are constantly learning about their people and adjusting their behavior to each, individual situation. They are constantly working to improve their communication skills and their knowledge of their people. Most of the ones I've studied have a system for both.

Great supervisors set clear and reasonable expectations, and then check for understanding. They know the five to seven key assignments that any team member must be able to handle, how good each team member is at each one and how each one plays to the team member's strengths.

Great supervisors have different ways to assign work based on the ability and willingness of a subordinate to do a specific job. It's not only different strokes for different folks. It's different strokes for the same folks in different situations.

Great supervisors follow up to see if understanding turns into behavior and performance. Great supervisors touch base a lot, adjusting that behavior for individual team member situation and preference.

Great supervisors use every contact with a subordinate as an opportunity to coach, counsel, correct and encourage. They work hard to catch problems when they're small and correct them early.

Great supervisors do most of their work outside the formal documentation system. Because they have lots of influence and catch problems when they're small, informal counseling works most of the time.

When it doesn't great supervisors make a clear transition from informal coaching to formal documentation. They know that this is often perceived as a fairness issue by team members.

Great supervisors do the hard work necessary to get rid of people who can't or won't perform. They know that non-performers, especially the grumblers, complainers, and malcontents, poison group performance and morale.

Great supervisors work hard to make sure that consequences match up with performance. They rarely talk about "motivation" or "attitude." They manage the things they can see and measure.

Great supervisors get and give lots of feedback. They praise a lot to encourage behavior they value. They also solicit feedback from others on their performance and critique it rigorously themselves.

That's what the great ones do. I've studied hundreds of supervisors over decades and they all do the same things. Pick any great supervisor you know and the odds are that he or she does them, too.

Now it's up to you. Learn how to do what the great supervisors do. Learn to do them yourself. Then you will be a great supervisor, too.

Cancer Information - 3 Ways To Fight Cancer

2008-04-12T01:18:00.000-07:00

Cancer is one of the largest problems in the world today. Although a definite cure has not yet been found, there are various highly effective ways to fight cancer and win. This article will show you a few popular ways that cancer survivors have been able to defeat this deadly disease.

1) Eat Healthy Nutritious Foods Each Day

No single food or food substances can protect you against cancer. Scientists believe that the right combination of foods in an organic plant based diet can help fight off cancer. Evidence is mounting that the minerals and vitamins in plant based foods interact to provide extra cancer protection.

In addition to plant based foods, fruits, whole grains and beans are low calorie foods and also help to protect against weight gain. Many experts believe that weight gain is implicated in the development of cancer. Eating an organic plant based diet can help prevent weight gain and also protect against cancers. Keep in mind that the more body fat there is, the higher your risk is of developing cancer. With a substantial amount of extra body fat, your heart will have to work twice as heard in order to pump blood throughout those areas.

2) Regular Exercise for Weight Loss

Researchers have long observed the positive effects of moderate amounts of exercise on the immune system. They are now beginning to look at the effects exercise can have on the immune systems of cancer patients. In one small study, researchers found that exercising three to four times a week had increased the immune cell count of women undergoing breast cancer treatment. If you can keep a steady exercise plan you will be able to help boost your immune system and fight cancer a lot better. A few examples include jogging, power walking, light weight lifting, and even swimming. Try to keep your heart as healthy and strong as possible to increase your chance to beat cancer.

3) Reducing Stress and Staying Calm

It is well known that high levels of stress hormones suppress the immune system and reduce the ability of your body to defend or repair itself from dangerous diseases. That is why many cancer centers have started offering stress reduction therapy along with traditional cancer treatments. Meditation, visualization, yoga, and other relaxation techniques have been proven to help strengthen your immune system and assist in fighting the effects of the cancer. The main aspect to remember is that your body is literally being destroyed when you stay in a state of constant stress. Work on ways to stay calm and relax as much as possible so that your body can focus on fighting the cancer.

Always remember to consult a doctor before doing anything to fight off cancer cells. It is very important to examine all risks and gain a full understanding of what it is that you are getting yourself into. There are many more ways to fight off cancer in your body and these are only a few of the more recognized of the many. Good luck and stay healthy!

Dieing For The Perfect Tan

2008-04-12T01:17:00.000-07:00

How can something that makes you look and feel so healthy...be so bad for you?

* Facts taken from the Skin Cancer foundation:
* Cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States.
* More than 90% of all skin cancers are caused by the sun.
* The risk for skin cancer doubles after 5 or more sun burns.
* Approximately 59,940 melanomas will be diagnosed this year alone, over 8,110 will result in death.

Despite these alarming hard core facts, sun tanning is on the rise among teenagers and older 30's to 50 year olds alike. The quest for a healthy glow and a bronzed body has become a national past time. Whether it's from the sun or a tanning bed, these sun worshipers are slathering on the expensive sun tan oil with blatant disregard to the long term damaging effects of UVA and UVB Rays. Unbelievable as it may be, these self proclaimed sun lovers admit to using little to no sun protection at all.

Baking your skin in the sun or tanning bed for an extended period of time is an extremely dangerous and often fatal idea. The undisputed facts show that over exposure to the sun can have you ultimately dieing for a tan.

How Do We Damage Our Skin?

The first sign of skin damage is sunburn. Sunburns, no matter how mild you think they may be result in DNA damage. This most certainly paves the way to skin cancer, also known as melanoma.

Did you know that getting a tan is your body's way of defending itself from the harmful rays of the sun?

Tanning zaps your skin's youthful appearance, the damage builds up over time. What most of us don't realize is that while your busy building that perfect tan, you skin is slowly and silently building a case for skin cancer. The Ultra Violet Radiation is responsible for pre-mature skin damage that is called Photo Aging.

Photo Aging - Do You Look Older Than You Really Are?

Over the years we all age naturally. People that tan age at an accelerated rate due to over exposure to UV Light. Once this process is set in motion, it is almost impossible to reverse.

Yes, there are expensive procedures available, but your skin will never be able to regenerate at the pace the sun is working to make you look older. No amount of money in the world can give you back your skin's collagen, natural elasticity and youthful glow.

Signs of Photo Aging

* Deep wrinkle patterns & fine lines
* Dried, parched look and feel to skin
* Freckles and liver spots, most prevalent on your face, chest, hands and back area
* Dilation of small blood vessels under the skin
* Destruction of elasticity
* Dry, rough patches
* Sallow complexion
* Mottled, spotted complexion
* Thinner, more delicate looking translucent skin

Smart Protection From The Sun

The warm glow of the sun beckons to everyone. Summer months and warm winter vacation spots have us all heading for the boats and bathing suits. Many of us enjoy the great outdoors on golf courses, pools and playgrounds. It is inevitable that the searing sun will be there to do its damage. Most people will not make the commitment to stay out of the sun, and you don't really have to. Just learn to be sun smart and protect yourself from the harmful rays.

Here Are Some Smart Prevention Tips

* Stay away from all UV Tanning Beds. (no matter what they claim, they are not safe)
* Stay out of the sun between the hours of 10am - 4pm (these are the dangerous hours, seek the shade if possible.)
* Limit exposure time while in the water. UV Rays are magnified by the water.
* Wear proper sun gear - A good sun hat with a broad brim or sports cap. Wear UV protected sunglasses. Always wear a shirt when in the sun for long periods of time.
* Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin areas. Make sure it has an SPF of 15 or higher. Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before exposure to the sun, as well as reapply every 2 hours.
* Keep all babies under the age of 6 months out of the sun.
* Do not allow small children to become sunburned. Apply sunscreen to all children over the age of 6 months.
* Pack an umbrella when heading to the beach or park.
* Have a skin exam by your physician annually.

Certain skin types may be at greater risk to develop skin cancer. Sun damage occurs in everyone. Learn the early warning signs of melanoma. Early detection is your best defense at surviving skin cancer. Limiting your sun exposure and being sun smart could save your life.

Getting Started With An MLM Home Business

2008-04-12T01:00:00.000-07:00

Starting up an MLM home business is harder than most people think simply because they insist of seeing it as a hobby, albeit a profitable one at that. If you wish for your MLM home business to succeed beyond your expectations then you better start seeing it as an actual business indeed.

Getting Started with an MLM Home Business

Starting up an MLM home business is just like what youíd do when establishing other kinds of home business with a few notable exceptions. Nevertheless, the rewards are just as goodÖor even better!

Legalize It

Research about the types of taxes youíll have to pay once you start out with your MLM home business. Find out if there are any zoning regulations that you might be violating if you set up your MLM business at home.

If you are truly intending to use your home as a place of business or work then you might as well let the IRS know about it. This will allow you to deduct various expenses as part of business costs. This includes but is not limited to a portion of the rent and utility bills.

Establish Working Hours

Again, remember that your MLM home business is a business. While you donít have to wake up early for work, you must set aside a portion of your day and devote it exclusively to work. A fixed schedule would be nice but not necessary. Setting aside a fixed number of hours for each day would easily suffice.

During working hours, you must not allow anything to distract you from conducting your business. Operating an MLM home business may not require you to invest a lot of money but it does demand a great amount of your time and effort.

Prepare Your Materials

Although having excellent communication skills are an enormous help, your presentation would have more favorable results if it is accompanied by the right materials. Although most MLM companies provide their distributors with the appropriate documents and materials to make their sales pitch more effective, it wouldnít hurt to create your own materials as well.

While an MLM company certainly knows its products best, neither can it be denied that you also know your target market better than the company. Thus, the materials the company has prepared may not be able to directly address the concerns of your prospective clients. This is where you come in. Use your knowledge about your target market to create new materials to accompany your sales presentation.

Set Goals and Make Plans

Your MLM home business would enjoy a more smooth-flowing existence if youíve taken the initiative to set goals for the company and make plans for how best to attain its objectives.

With goals comes direction: you make more decisions know easily because the right decisions are clearer to you; they are simply the decisions that take you one step closer to fulfilling your goals.

Of course, having goals is not enough. You must also make plans on how to best achieve them. You donít wait for the chance to decide and only start thinking at that moment. You anticipate those instances and prepare for them. You must also learn to consider your resources, explore your options, and weigh your alternatives properly to determine the best response in every situation.

An MLM home business may not be your average office, but itís a business nonetheless. Keep that in mind and youíll do fine!

Betrayal Of My Best Friend

2008-04-11T01:44:00.002-07:00

Most of us want to have a best friend, it is important to know a person that you can be close with and trust. I first met my best friend while playing baseball in high school, he was the pitcher and I the catcher. Our team finished first in the league. We shared our most intimate secrets with complete trust. It was rare that a day passed without us being together. But We both made separate choices about the college we wanted to attend. He went East and I West.

We met again many years later at a ski resort. This time we were no longer single but both had beautiful wives. Not only was our friendship restored, but our wives also became friends. The four of us spoke about living nearer, the idea sounded great. They would start searching for a house within a short driving distance of where we lived. A few months later our great idea became a reality, they bought a house a few miles away from where we live. We then started seeing one another every weekend. The four of us not only enjoyed our relationship, but we were also the best of friends. Trust is important to have, and we had it.

My wife is a good find, she has all the qualities that I want in a woman. Not only is she good in the kitchen and parlor but is also a champion in the bedroom. We have tried every possible sexual combination, she and I are open to them all. She is thrilling and I love her. But I am constantly dreaming of having sex with a new woman and that new woman is my best friends wife. My best friend trusts me completely, I would hate to break that trust, but nothing is more important to me than having sex with his wife.

My Sexual fantasy was no longer a hopeless dream, when my best friends wife put her hand on my crotch. She did it under the table while the four of us were having dinner. I was shocked and sexually aroused at the same time. Shortly afterwards we became secret lovers and often laughed at the fact of she and I being so disloyal. We understood that great sex is more important than friendship, loyalty or trust.

On day as I was returning from my job I saw my best friends car parked in front of a motel. Near it was my wife’s car. I could not believe that my wife or best friend would be so disloyal to me. We all had complete trust and I never thought that they would break it. But I quickly accepted the bitter reality that there is nothing more important in life than good sex and forgave them both.

We continued our friendships for many years after my discovery. I never found it important to ask what they were doing at the motel. We are all still best friends and have the trust that goes along with it. But I know that real trust is weakened when the opportunity to have great sex presents itself. I betrayed my best friend to get it.
Melpol http://www.associatedcontent.com/melpol

Dating Advice - 10 Obvious Signs Of Cheating In Relationships

2008-04-11T01:44:00.001-07:00

Cheating in a relationship is by far one of the worst things you can do. Even if you are not caught, it weight heavily on your conscience. This article will provide the thirteen most obvious signs that you partner is cheating on you. Read carefully and use your own judgment.

1) Your partner is more attentive to your needs than usual. This is due to the guilt experienced by the cheater in the early stages of their affair. You will notice that your partner is really smuggling you and giving you less privacy than normal. Soon enough, the attention will diminish as the affair extends.

2) Your partner begins buying you a lot of random gifts. These are guilt gifts purchased because your partner feels guilty about betraying you. They feel that showering you with presents makes them feel better on the inside.

3) The behavior of your partner is causing a gut feeling in you that something is not right. If this happens, you should pay attention to your instincts. Ignoring them most likely means you are afraid of the gut wrenching truth. If thing suddenly going out of order, then that means there is a great chance that cheating is taking place.

4) Your partner constantly talks about your relationship ending when you fight or argue. They say things like, "What would you do if our relationship ended?" and other similar things. Overall, your partner seems very negative about the relationship. They will make these statements because they have another lover to fall back on if your current relationship ends. If your partner repeats these kinds of statements, it is up to you to investigate.

5) Your partner will frequently pick random fights with you. Doing this gives them a perfect reason to get mad and storm out of the house to meet the other lover. A cheater may also do this because of mixed emotions they feel about betraying you.

6) Your partner becomes very moody. They seem very upbeat and excited when leaving you, but act depressed each time they are around you. If your partner is in a long term affair, they will try to keep both relationships running simultaneously. Any problems they have in one relationship will spill over into the other relationship as well. It is basically all about perfect timing for their success.

7) Your partner's taste in music suddenly changes. For example, they always listened to classical music but suddenly start listening to hip hop. Your partner might be listening to and growing fond of this new type of music because the other lover enjoys it. They are trying to keep a strong bond with the other lover.

8) Your partner will gradually stop communicating with you. They will seem rather detached from you emotionally. It will feel as though you have lost your current lover and are living with a complete stranger. Over time they will become colder towards your feelings.

9) Your partner's self esteem will begin to decrease. This does not necessarily mean they will go out and have an affair, but an insecure individual will look to others for guidance. If an insecure person's needs are not being met, they will find this with another person elsewhere.

10) Your partner continually criticizes another person. They are basically trying to make you think that type of individual would never be of interest to them. However, behind your back, there is a secret relationship between the two.

These are only a few of the many signs that you partner is cheating on you. It is ultimately up to you to further investigate this and take action. There is no reason for you as the innocent partner to get hurt in the long run. And remember to always trust your instincts.

Is My Man Cheating? 3 Shocking Secrets He Does Not Want You To Know

2008-04-11T01:35:00.000-07:00

If you have found yourself asking the question – is my man cheating? Then you probably have some strong suspicions or concerns that he is being unfaithful. As a guy, I am here to try and give you some insight to see what he does not want you to know. Guys cheat for all kinds of different reasons, they may do it because they don’t feel as loved any more from you or they just may have an addiction to sex. I am here to give you some insider secrets.

The first secret is that many men will use the Internet to cheat. There are a ton of sites out there that look fine from all points of view, but dig a little deeper and you will find that it is a nice little covert way to set up a meeting with a stranger. Take for example the personals section in Craig’s list. You can find anything that you want in any area. You can find women who want a one-night stand in your town or several towns over. You can find women that are married, single or involved. It is almost like a menu that you can choose from. If you notice Craig’s list popping up on your computer then take a look at the pages that are being viewed as this may clue you in.

The second secret is to watch the women that he does not talk about. As a guy when we talk a lot about someone from work to our wives or girlfriends then there is usually nothing to hide. So the more we talk about someone the more you can feel comfortable that there is nothing going on. There is nothing to hide so guys are more open to talking about these women from work. When a woman is spoken very little about or even in a negative light then pay attention as it may be a sign of other things. The negative talk and little talk of her are to throw the scent off the trail. We think that the less we talk about them or badly we talk of them the more you will think that nothing is going on.

The third secret is to watch for a disinterest in sexual activity or intimacy. When a guy is attracted to someone else, messing around with them or thinking about it then our arousal around our women gets decreased. It is almost as if we have painted an unrealistic picture and put the other woman on a pedestal that sex with our current partner just does not cut it any more. Also, there is a guilt factor that comes in to play when he is sleeping with someone else. It makes it difficult when a guy thinks about the fact that he is fooling around on you. This guilt reveals itself in a variety of other ways.

If you have seen any of these secret signs or if you still have a strong suspicion that something is just not right then you need to listen to it. Don’t let him make a fool out of you and don’t let him get away with it. Keep note of his actions and you will be able to answer with the certainty the question – is my man cheating?

How To Catch A Cheating Husband

2008-04-11T01:30:00.000-07:00

Have you been noticing some odd behavior from your husband lately? Have you noticed that he is acting differently, dressing differently or has suddenly taken interest in a new hobby? If you have seen any of the above happening then you need to be keenly aware of the fact that he may be cheating on you. Of course there is a slight chance that he is not, but if you are reading this article then I am guessing that your gut reaction is that he is messing around.

There are a lot of ways to catch a cheater, just as there are many fishing rods out there to catch a fish, but one will either have you fishing with the wrong bait or reeling in the big one. I hope that I can help you catch a cheating husband.

One of the things you will have to do is start paying close attention to the bills and statements. These can be dead giveaways to what is going on. Look at the credit card statement to see any fishy charges or odd locations for the use of the credit card. You will also need to pay attention to the cell phone bills as well. You can spot out any number that pops up repeatedly. Again take precaution and find out who the owner of the phone number is before you start jumping the gun. There could be a chance that it is just a business associate. Just make sure that you keep note of it for future reference.

Another thing you can start to do is keep track of what he says he is doing. If he is telling you that he is going out for a few beers with co-workers after work ask him about it when he comes home. Ask him subtle questions such as “Where did you all end up going?” or “Who else from work went?” If he is being truthful he will be able to rattle them off, if he is not being truthful you will be able to tell. Keeping track of what he is saying will also help you to find any gaps or leaks in his story.

Another crucial way to catch a cheater is to pay attention to his time on the computer. It is so easy to use the Internet to cheat in today’s world that many men are taking advantage of it. They are using sites such as Craigslist and online personal sites to hook up with women. Follow his tracks to see what he is doing when you are not around. This will provide vital clues in your tracking.

They say that your first reaction or your gut reaction is usually the correct one. There is a reason that you feel that way and it should not be ignored. You need to follow through with it. Don’t let him get away with it and don’t let him manipulate you to think that you are just over reacting. Do something about it now, catch a cheating husband while you still have a chance.